,illustration3 in ,continuatione miraculi mundi ,a4 ,ist der ,ofen4 ,b4 ,das distillier gefs in dem ,ofen4 ,c4 ,das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swnge eingetragen wird4 ,d4 ,die ,zange mit deckel darmit das gefs nach dem eintragen geschloss wirdt4 ,e4 ,ein ,eisen lffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt4 ,f4 ,die recipienten4 ,g4 ,die banck darauf die recipienten ligen4 ,h4 der ,laborant4 ,illustration3 in ,continuatione miraculi mundi ,a4 ,ist der ,ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet4 ,b4 ,ist der ,vnterste theil des ,ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder wand anzusehen4 ,c4 ,ist das obertheil des ,ofens4 ,d4 ,der rost in dem ,ofen4 ,e4 der ,herd4 ,f4 der ,mffel so auff den herd gehret4 ,g4 der ,deckel darmit der ,ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen darin sein vnd in voller arbeit stehet4 ,h4 das rauch fnglein an dem ,ofen4 ,,the ,,works ,,of ,,the ,highly ,experienced and ,famous ,,chymist1 ,john ,rudolph ,glauber3 ,,containing1 ,great ,variety of ,choice ,secrets ,,in ,medicine and ,alchymy ,in the ,working of ,,metallick ,,mines1 and the ,separation of ,,metals3 ,,also1 ,various ,cheap and ,easie ,ways of making ,salt-petre1 and ,improving of ,barren-,land1 and the ,fruits of the ,earth4 ,together with many other things very profitable for all the ,lovers of ,art and ,industry4 ,translated into ,english1 and ,published for ,publick ,good by the ,labour1 ,care1 and ,charge1 of ,,christopher ,,packe1 ,philo-chymico-,medicus4 ,illustration ,,london1 ,printed by ,thomas ,milbourn1 for the ,author1 and are to be sold at his ,house next ,door to the ,gun in ,little-,moorfields2 by ,d4 ,newman at the ,king's-,arms in the ,poultry1 and ,w4 ,cooper at the ,pellican in ,little ,britain4 ,,mdclxxxix4 ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,,the ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,reader ,a ,,catalogue ,,of ,,the ,subscribers ,,names ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,,glauber',s ,,works ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces #a ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces #ae ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces #ee ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces #fg ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces #he ,,an ,,appendix #id ,of the ,tincture of ,gold #if ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,,the ,mineral ,work #ajj ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,mineral ,work #aad ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,the ,mineral ,work #abe ,the ,,apology of ,john ,rudolph ,glauber #adg ,miraculum ,mundi #afa ,,the ,,explication ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi #aga ,,the ,,continuation ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi #ahf ,a ,,treatise ,of an ,universal ,medicine #bjf ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi #bba ,,the ,,book ,,of ,philip ,theophrastus ,bombast #bca ,,annotations ,,upon ,,the ,,continuation ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi #bdc ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,the ,nature of ,salts #bdg ,a ,,treatise ,of the ,signature of ,salts1 ,metals1 and ,planets #bfi ,,the ,,consolation ,,of ,,navigators #bgh ,a ,true and ,perfect ,,description ,,of ,extracting good ,,tartar ,,from ,,the ,lees of ,wine #bij ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,germany #bid ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany #cah ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany #ccg ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany #cgg ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany #djh ,,the ,,sixth and ,last ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,,germany #dbh ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,glauber',s ,,works ,the ,first ,,century1 ,,or ,wealthy ,store-,house of ,treasures #a ,the ,second ,century ,,of ,,glauber',s ,wealthy ,store-house of ,treasures #ce ,the ,third ,century ,,of ,,glauber',s ,wealthy ,store-house of ,treasures #fa ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory #hb ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory #ic ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory #aba ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory #abi ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory #ada ,,the ,,sixth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa #aee ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa #agd ,,the ,,first ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa #ahg ,,the ,,second ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa #aig ,,the ,,third ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa #bjh ,,libellus ,,ignium1 ,,or1 ,book of ,,fires #baf ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,glauber',s ,,works ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,the ,three ,principles of ,metals #a ,,of ,,elias the ,,artist #ea ,de ,purgatorio ,philosophorum #fg ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers #gf ,a ,,treatise ,,concerning ,the ,animal-,stone #hd ,,the ,,index ,opera ,johannis ,rudolphi ,glauberi ,imprimantur1 ,tho4 ,witherly ,prses ,coll4 ,med4 ,lond4 ,joannes ,betts ,edvardus ,browne ,guilielmus ,briggs ,censores4 ,gulielmus ,dawkins ,,to ,,the ,honoured1 and ,truly ,learned1 ,edmond ,dickenson1 ,m4 ,d4 ,physician to the ,,king',s ,person and ,family4 ,the ,art of ,chymistry1 7,honoured ,sir7 although in its ,speculations most ,noble and ,delectable to a ,philosophick ,mind1 and in its ,practice highly ,inservient1 and ,beneficial to ,mankind2 yet hath it not escaped the ,obloquies1 and false ,imputations of ,detractors1 and ,calumniators1 who either through ,ignorance1 ,idleness1 or ,envy 7or all of them conjoin'd7 have made a false ,representation of this most ,noble ,art to the ,world1 and endeavoured to set ,mankind at the greatest distance from that which is its highest interest to court4 ,for which cause1 such ,writings as ,promulge1 and offer at the advancing of the ,chymical ,art1 stand in need of such a ,patron as is able to defend them against all the ,cavils of ,pride1 ,envy1 and ,ignorance4 ,and if the ,exquisite ,parts1 and ,profound ,learning in the more ,abstruse ,philosophy1 together with a ,long1 and ,indefatigable ,scrutiny and ,labour in the ,chymical ,art1 accompanied with a happy ,practice in the ,honourable ,faculty of ,physick1 be fit ,accomplishments to ,entitle one a ,mecnas of this ,art2 then are those ,excellencies all met and ,concentred in your self1 as is evident to the whole ,world by your ,curious and ,learned ,epistle to ,mundanus1 and his ,answer to it1 which answer will be a ,lasting ,testimony of your great ,worth and ,merit4 ,for certainly1 ,sir1 it is no small evidence of your ,worth and ,abilities in the ,pyrotechnick ,art1 that a ,philosopher who had been more than forty years an ,adept1 in all that time should not find three ,persons1 besides your self1 whom he thought worthy to make certain of the truth of what they sought1 and aspired after2 and yet gave you an ,ocular ,satisfaction and ,certitude of that which ,thousands have desired to see1 but could not3 ,and further seriously professing1 that if he had had the same liberty from his ,master1 that some ,adepts enjoy1 that he would have revealed to you the whole ,secret4 ,these things have induced me humbly to offer this ,book to your ,patronage1 not doubting but under your ,name and ,protection1 it will be able to overcome many ,difficulties1 and obtain a free passage in this our ,english ,world1 to the benefit and advantage of many well-disposed persons1 who seek after ,honest1 ,profitable1 and ,commendable ,arts1 which ,i am fully perswaded was the chief end of the ,author in ,writing2 and ,i am sure is mine in ,translating his ,works4 ,you are throughly acquainted with ,glauber's ,writings1 you know his ,menstruums1 and his ,medicines1 and are able to attest the truth of what others may account false and impossible4 ,as for such of them as concern the higher ,classes of ,chymistry1 ,i shall say nothing 7being yet but ad ,corinthum vergens7 but commit them to your ,mature ,judgment1 and ,protection1 humbly craving your pardon for this my presumption1 and for what ,errors or ,oversights ,i may have committed in this ,work2 and desiring your ,favourable ,acceptance of these my poor ,endeavours4 ,i take leave to conclude with a passage of the abovementioned ,excellent ,mundanus4 ,i am fully perswaded1 that by the ,blessing of ,god upon your ,sagacious ,labours1 you will at length obtain that which will abundantly ,compensate your ,pains and ,cost4 ,to which ,i adjoin my own hearty ,wishes2 and that after you have been as happy in this ,world1 as true ,philosophy can make a ,man1 you may be ,eternally ,happy in that which is to come4 ,i am ,,sir1 ,an ,honourer of ,your ,name and ,learning1 ,,christopher ,,packe4 ,,the ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,that the ,art of ,chymistry is very useful and highly serviceable in ,physick1 ,chyrurgery1 ,husbandry1 and ,mechanick ,arts1 is long since evinced by the ,excellent ,mr4 ,boyl 7the ,honour both of our ,age and ,country7 in his ,experimental ,philosophy1 or ,philosophick ,essays2 who in ,essay ,i4 and ,,ii4 shews that the ,examination of the ,juices of ,human ,bodies1 by the ,art of ,chymistry1 may illustrate their ,use and ,nature4 ,and that by it may be ,explicated the ,nature of our several ,digestions1 and their ,aberrations4 ,and afterwards ,cap4 ,,viii4 pag #aid4 speaking of the advantages that ,chymistry affords to the ,therapeutick or ,curative part of ,physick1 7which is the chief and principal71 and to which all the other parts are subservient7 is pleased to express himself thus3 ,i cannot but think that if ,chymistry did no more than assist us1 by the resolution of ,bodies1 to extricate their more active parts1 and partly by such ,resolutions1 and partly by associating ,bodies together1 to alter the former ,texture of ,natures productions1 or present us with new ,concretes of new ,textures2 by this very means1 if ,men want not ,curiosity and ,industry1 to vary and prosecute ,experiments1 there must necessarily arise such a store of new and active ,medicines1 that in all probability1 many of them will be found endow'd with such vertue as have not been 7at least in that degree7 met with1 in the usual ,medicines1 whether ,simple or ,compound1 to be bought in ,apothecarys ,shops2 and consequently1 even without any notable discovery1 or improvement of ,principles1 ,chymists 7even as ,matters now stand with them7 may considerably add to the ,pharmaceutical part of ,physick4 ,but if the ,operations of ,chymistry were seriously enquired into1 and throughly understood1 ,i make little doubt1 but by a skilful ,application of them1 and especially by a series of them1 in a ,rational and ,orderly way succeeding one another1 there may be found out a great many preparations of ,remedies1 both very different from the common ,ones1 and far more ,noble than they4 ,and presently after he adds4 ,that if we had but a few ,potent ,menstruums to dissolve and unlock ,bodies with1 ,i scarce know what might not be done in ,chymistry4 ,then further in that ,essay where he treats of the usefulness of ,chymistry to the ,empire of ,man over the ,inferiour ,works of ,nature2 he proceeds to shew that ,chymistry is very serviceable to ,husbandry in all its parts1 and to other professions that serve to provide ,men with ,food or ,raiment1 or do otherwise minister to the ,necessities or ,accomodations of ,life1 as ,bakers1 ,brewers1 ,dyers1 c4 ,thus far this ,learned ,philosopher3 ,to which ,i shall only add this1 ,that if when he wrote those ,essays1 ,chymists were able to contribute so much to the ,necessities and ,conveniences of ,mankind1 when ,chymistry was but young in ,england1 and but few ,chymists who were accurate in their ,operations1 and perhaps1 fewer who had any competency of ,learning1 or so much as lightly ,tincted with the ,hermetick ,philosophy2 if1 ,i say1 that it discovered so great a light when it had but newly ascended our ,horizon1 and was1 as ,i may say1 but in its ,infancy1 what assistance may now be had from it1 when 7notwithstanding all the ,obstacles1 and unkind usage it hath met withal7 it is grown to a more virile ,age and ,vigour3 ,but although ,chymistry be much enlarged1 and advanced in ,england1 in respect of the ,numbers1 and ,qualifications of the ,lovers1 and professors of it2 yet are not ,chymists free from pressing ,disadvantages1 not having the freedom of administring their own ,medicines1 how powerful and salutiferous soever1 and otherwise adapted to the ,necessities of the ,sick1 than the common ,apparatus of ,physick4 ,so1 that as the ,case now stands1 the help and ,succour which the ,sick and ,diseased receive from ,chymical ,physick1 is but very small to what they might have1 if knowing ,chymists had the freedom of exercising that ,art in all its parts1 which with much ,industry1 ,labour1 and ,costs1 they have been sollicitous to attain4 ,but when this disincouragement of ingenuity and ,obstacle of the publick good1 shall become more apparent to those in whose power it is to redress it1 ,i do not doubt but it will meet with a ,remedy4 ,but now1 to give some account of my present undertaking4 ,i have at length 7by ,god's help1 and the assistance of my ,subscribers7 finished my ,translation of ,glauber's ,works1 and here present it to the ,reader1 in the ,english ,tongue4 ,how well ,i have performed it1 ,i must submit to the judgments of others3 ,i could have been very glad to have seen it done by some abler hand2 but when ,i have heretofore proposed the doing but of some parts of it to those whom ,i knew might easily have accommodated ,english ,artists therein2 telling them that ,i wondered so ,excellent an ,author1 should be so long extant1 and that none should unveil him of his ,latin and ,german ,coverings1 and put him into an ,english ,dress4 ,i have had for answer1 ,that this ,age was not worthy of it2 so that it seems to me1 that the ,providence of ,god had reserved it for fitter times1 although to be done by one of the meanest of the ,sons of ,pyrotechny4 ,but this ,i can say1 that ,i have acquitted my self in this matter1 as well as the slenderness of my ,parts1 weakness of ,body1 and the necessary ,affairs of my ,laboratory would permit me2 but ----,ubi desint ,vires1 acceptanda est ,voluntas4 ,i desire the ,lovers of ,chymistry to accept my ,labours1 with the same good will that ,i have undergone them1 having no other end but to serve my ,country4 ,and ,i hereby return thanks to all those generous spirited ,gentlemen and others1 who have ,subscribed to1 and promoted this ,work1 without whose assistance 7the ,charge being very great1 as well as the labour 7to me7 almost insupportable7 it must yet have remained hid and unserviceable to the ,english ,reader4 ,but ,i am in an especial manner obliged to that publick spirited ,gentleman 7whom ,i ought to name1 were it lawful to do it without his leave7 who freely offered me and put into my hands a not inconsiderable part of the ,materials for this ,work1 which part also had been more considerable than it was1 had not the ,spirit of some1 7who unjustly hinder'd it7 been as ,mean and ,sordid1 as his was ,generous4 ,but that ,loss was1 in part1 made up to me1 by a well-minded ,artist1 to whom ,i also return ,thanks4 ,i have ,printed this ,book upon far better and larger ,paper than ,i proposed to do it in2 for at the time of setting forth my first ,proposals1 ,i had not the ,german ,pieces1 but when they came to my hands1 upon a more accurate computation of the matter1 ,i found that if ,i should go on to do the ,work upon the ,paper ,i had proposed1 the ,book would swell to too great a thickness for its breadth and length1 and not be only ill shaped1 but inconvenient to be read4 ,by this means my ,subscribers have a much better ,book than ,i promised them1 although the ,charge hath also been ,considerably greater to me1 than ,i at first expected4 ,the ,reader hath all here in one ,volumn which ,glauber ever ,printed1 as far as ,i can find upon diligent ,enquiry at ,amsterdam1 where all his ,writings were ,printed1 and where ,i purchased the ,original ,copper ,plates belonging to them4 ,but whereas1 as 'tis said in the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi1 page #agg4 ,that the ,cut there described was not ,printed in the ,latin ,copies1 nor to be found among the ,original ,plates2 yet notwithstanding1 ,i was unwilling that the ,work should go without the ,figure of so useful a ,furnace as that is1 for the ,torrefying1 or ,calcining of ,ores1 and separating1 and depurating their ,metals1 for which reason ,i have caused it to be ,delineated and ,printed with others before the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 after page #ahh4 ,i have also procured from the hand of another ,friend1 who is a ,lover of ,art1 the ,draught of the ,refrigeratory1 ,furnace1 or ,instrument1 which serves for the making the ,mercury of ,wine1 purifying1 and fixing of ,argent-vive1 ,antimony1 ,sulphur1 c4 and many other uses which an ,ingenious ,artist will find out4 ,this ,furnace the ,author always endeavoured to conceal1 but describes it in some part in the beginning of the sixth part of the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory1 to which ,description ,i have added the ,figure4 ,the ,figures of the several ,vessels and ,instruments belonging to the ,fifth ,part of the ,furnaces1 are referr'd to at the beginning of the ,fourth ,part1 but since1 for the better orders sake ,i have placed them before the said ,fifth ,part4 ,these ,twelve following ,treatises were never ,printed in ,latin1 but in the ,german ,tongue only1 viz4 ,the ,third1 ,fourth1 and ,fifth ,centuries2 the ,second and ,third ,appendixes to the ,seventh ,part of the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory4 ,the ,book of ,fires4 ,proserpine4 ,elias the ,artist4 ,the three ,fire-stones4 ,the ,purgatory of ,philosophers4 ,de ,lapide ,animali4 ,the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers4 ,all which ,i have caused to be ,translated 7my self being ignorant of the ,german ,tongue7 by a person well skill'd both in the ,high ,dutch1 and also in ,chymistry1 whereby ,i hope this ,book will not be altogether unserviceable nor unacceptable even to the ,learned2 besides1 all the ,works of this ,author that are in ,latin are very difficultly 7if at all7 to be met with at any ,book-sellers ,shop in ,london1 and those that are1 at a dear rate3 ,for when ,i had entered upon this ,translation1 ,i was forced to send to ,amsterdam to have all the ,latin pieces compleat4 ,the ,author in many places refers to his ,opus ,saturni1 ,opus ,vegetabile1 and the ,concentration of ,heaven and ,earth1 which ,treatises1 ,i am assured1 were never printed 7at least under those ,titles7 which also seems to be manifest from his ,epistle to the ,first ,century1 or ,general ,appendix1 wherein he inculcates1 that for want of time1 he had inserted the sum of them all in that ,treatise4 ,he also mentions a ,seventh part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 in the ,preface to the ,second ,part of ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 which was never ,printed under that ,title1 but ,i am induced to believe it is the ,novum ,lumen ,chymicum1 as partly appears by comparing it with the foresaid ,preface4 ,and it is evident that in some parts of his ,writings he hath mentioned a ,treatise by one ,name1 and afterwards ,printed it by another1 as1 ,the ,testimonium ,veritatis1 which was afterwards ,printed by the ,name of ,explicatio ,miraculi ,mundi4 ,as for the ,opus ,saturni1 ,i have heard that there are some ,manuscript ,copies of it1 and had hopes of obtaining it from two several hands1 but both failed me4 ,i have been also informed1 that there are ,five ,centuries in ,manuscript more than ,i have ,printed1 but could never understand in what hands they were1 except one of them1 viz4 the sixth1 the proprietor of which would not be so kind as to let me have it to print4 ,i have 7by the advice of an ,honourable ,person7 left out the ,author's ,religious and ,moral ,digressions1 where ,i could do it without prejudice to the matter2 as also his ,apologetical ,writings1 except his ,apology against ,farnner1 which ,i have printed1 for as much as it is intermixt with many profitable ,secrets1 which perhaps1 he would not have published1 at least not at that time if they had not been1 as it were1 extorted from him by the ill ,treatment of that ,ungrateful ,man4 ,i could not place the several ,treatises in that order which the ,author published them1 without breaking the order of the several parts1 as of the ,miraculum ,mundi1 ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 and ,prosperity of ,germany2 for being many years in publishing1 they were done promiscuously1 but how they succeeded one another so far as the ,nature of ,salts1 the ,reader may satisfie himself in the ,preface to that ,treatise4 ,and as his ,writings were published by piecemeal1 so are the principal ,secrets he teacheth1 scattered up and down in divers parts of them1 in one place he treateth of a thing obscurely1 or but in part2 in another place of the same thing openly in that part which he had veiled in the other4 ,sometimes he declares a ,process very openly1 omitting only some small ,circumstances1 or ,manual ,operation1 which would seem to many either impertinent1 or not necessary to be done1 when notwithstanding1 the business will not succeed without it4 ,an instance of this may be given in his ,sal ,mirabilis1 whose preparation he teacheth obscurely in the ,nature of ,salts1 but more openly in the ,second ,part of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,in the ,nature of ,salts1 and in the ,sixth ,part of the ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 he teacheth how to ,dissolve ,gold therewith1 and thence to make a kind of ,aurum ,potabile1 but wholly omits the adding of a certain ,vegetable ,sulphur1 without which1 the work will not answer the ,description2 this ,defect he supplys in the ,second ,century1 after a twofold manner1 the one not obvious to every ,man's ,apprehension1 ,i mean the intent of the ,author1 viz4 in those ,processes where he shews the making of a ,vegetable ,sulphur2 but the other sheweth the necessary ,manual ,operation in plain and open words4 ,and this he hath done with all his ,secrets on set purpose1 that they should be found out by none but the ,industrious4 ,and this hath given occasion to many1 who have not taken pains to read him with diligence1 or not being experienced in ,operating1 to reproach him for an obscure1 yea1 even for a false ,writer1 because they have made two or three ,superficial1 or ,unskilful ,trials of his ,processes1 which have not succeeded according to their ,expectations2 when indeed1 the fault was in themselves1 either in not perceiving the ,author's intention1 or their own want of skill in rightly managing the ,operation3 ,and ,i know some ,persons that sometime since said ,glauber had been too dark in his ,writings1 who now think he hath wrote too plain4 ,but having mentioned this1 ,i will here 7for the sake of those ,country ,gentlemen1 who have subscribed to this ,work7 a little ,elucidate the ,author's ,process about the inversion of ,common ,salt1 with ,lime1 for the enriching of ,poor and ,barren ,land4 ,he indeed speaks of several ,saline ,preparations1 which greatly promote the fertility of the ,earth1 but this with ,common ,salt1 and ,lime1 is the cheapest of all1 and also is most easie to be done1 for any ,plowman1 or ,labourer1 having but once seen it done1 may be presently able to manage it4 ,the sum of it is1 that ,common ,salt be turn'd from its sharpness1 into an ,alcalizate ,nature 7which is hot and fat7 which then by its ,magnetick force will attract from the ,air a ,vivyfying1 ,fructifying1 ,salt-nitrous power1 and long retain it in the ,earth1 which is the cause of all ,growth and ,vegetation1 as the ,author sheweth in the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and many other places2 but gives the ,process of the preparation in plain and open words in the ,appendix to the ,fifth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 page #daf4 ,neither is the practice of preparing either the ,land1 or the ,seed1 in order to the better ,crop1 altogether ,novel1 as may partly be seen in ,virgil1 ,georgic ,lib4 #a4 where he saith1 ,semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes1 ,et ,nitro prius1 nigra perfundere amurca2 ,grandior ut ftus siliquis fallacibus esset1 c4 ,which in ,english may sound thus3 ,some have ,i seen their ,seeds to sow prepare1 ,with ,nitre and ,oyl-,lees1 for they by care ,will grow far greater1 and be sooner ripe1 c4 ,the ,lime must be spread upon the ground1 where no ,rain can come to it1 till it slake it self by the ,air1 and fall into a ,powder2 of this ,powder you are to take four hundred weight to one hundred weight of any common foul ,salt1 which is too impure for the use of the ,kitchen1 where such may be had1 otherwise clean ,salt1 7for that will be cheaper than ,dung7 the ,salt and ,lime are to be well mixed1 and then moistened with such a quantity of ,water1 7or rather ,urine where it may be had7 as will bring the ,lime and ,salt mixed1 to the ,consistency of a stiff ,mortar4 ,of this ,mass ,balls are to be made about the bigness of ones ,fist1 and laid under a ,shead1 or ,hovel to dry2 being dried1 they are to be burnt in a ,kiln as ,lime is1 so that the ,balls may be red hot for an hour at least2 or where no ,lime-,kiln is near1 they may be burnt by building a ,pile in the ,field1 first with a ,lay of ,wood1 then a ,lay of ,balls1 then ,wood again1 and so till all the ,balls are placed fit for burning4 ,when the ,balls are burnt1 they are to be again placed upon a ,floor under a ,shead1 or ,hovel1 where they may be exposed to the ,air1 but kept free from the ,rain1 and if you break them with a ,clod-beater presently1 the ,air will the sooner act upon them1 and cause them again to fall into a ,powder2 which ,powder may then be carried out and spread1 or rather sowed out of a ,seedlet1 thicker or thinner as the ,land shall require4 ,provided this be done in the beginning of ,summer about the time of ,fallow1 for that being many ,months before the ,seed is to be sowed1 the fieryness of this rich ,compost will be ,contemperated by the ,air and the ,earth1 and changed into a ,nitrous fatness1 which joining it self with the ,earth1 is again ,magnetically attracted by the ,seed when it is sown1 whose growth it thereby swiftly promoted1 and its ,multiplication much augmented4 ,but if any should cast this ,matter upon his ,land soon after it is burnt1 and presently after that should sow his ,seed1 instead of having a greater ,crop than he used to have1 he would have a less1 or perhaps none1 that ,year1 but the next ,year1 and soon for many ,years1 the same ,land would bring forth plentifully4 ,therefore it is necessary1 that this ,matter should lie six or seven ,months spread upon a ,floor1 and now and then turn'd with a ,shovel1 as you turn ,malt1 that it may be ,contempered1 and ,animated by the ,air2 or be cast upon the ,land so long before the ,seed be sown4 ,the reason is the very same as with ,dung1 for none takes fresh ,dung and spreads it upon his ,land when he is about to sow his ,seed1 for if he should1 his ,seed would be burnt up2 but the ,husbandman lets his ,dung lie some time to rot1 as he calls it1 after which he lays it on his ,land1 and lets it lie spread some time before he ,plows it in1 and all this is but to ,contemper the heat of the ,animal ,salt contain'd in the ,dung1 and turn it into a ,nitrous ,nature4 ,thus much ,i thought good to say about this ,matter in the plainest words1 least any1 not throughly understanding the ,author's ,intention1 should erre in the first ,experiment1 and so unjustly blame the ,author1 and forbear themseldes and deterr others from prosecuting that easie ,practice1 which ,i am confident1 if rightly managed1 will bring much profit to many persons in this ,nation4 ,this must also of necessity be a profitable ,work to those who will undertake it upon the account of making of ,salt-petre2 especially to such as understand the ,nature and ,generation of that ,excellent salt1 which is of such incomparable use in the ,preparation of ,medicines1 separating of ,metals1 and in many ,mechanick ,arts4 ,now for as much as in this ,work ,sal ,mirabilis1 ,spirit of ,nitre1 and ,spirit of ,salt1 are recommended to very many uses1 and every one that hath a mind to make ,experiments with them1 may not have the knowledge1 or the conveniency of preparing them1 ,i hereby signifie1 that ,i intend 7,god willing7 to prepare and keep by me the ,author's ,sal ,mirabilis of both sorts1 that peculiar ,spirit of ,salt1 which he commends against the ,scurvy and other ,diseases1 and also to keep ,beer from sowring in the ,summer1 in the ,consolation of ,navigators4 ,his ,panacea of ,antimony1 and ,golden ,panacea1 spoken of in the ,second ,part of the ,pharmacopia ,spagyr4 the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and divers other places4 ,his ,aurum ,diaphoreticum1 also the ,tincture of ,gold1 or ,aurum ,potabile1 are described to be made of the ,irreducible ,blood of the ,lyon1 in the ,sixth part of the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopia1 ,chap4 #bb4 ,these ,i purpose constantly to keep by me for the accommodating of ,physicians1 and others1 who shall have occasion to buy them4 ,those are ,excellent ,medicines1 and such as a ,physician may have some confidence in2 and indeed1 this ,book contains a great variety of such ,medicines as will get a ,physician ,honour1 which 7,i hope7 will be tryed by all those who delight to do good1 and be brought into use for the general ,help and ,comfort of the sick4 ,for ,i freely confess1 that if ,i have any thing in ,medicine1 beyond what is commonly known1 ,i have had the ,foundations of it from this ,author2 and if ,god shall please to grant me life to a fit time1 ,i doubt not but ,i shall from those ,foundations be able to raise such a ,superstructure as shall testifie the truth of his ,writings1 and powerfully evince the ,worth and ,excellency of ,chymical ,medicines1 and that demonstratively in matter of ,fact1 viz4 by the ,curing of both ,acute and ,chronick ,diseases4 ,and now by way of ,conclusion1 ,i have only one thing more to add2 and that is a ,request to all the ,ingenious ,lovers of ,chymistry1 that they would not occasion this ,work which ,i have undergone with so much labour1 and loss of time from my private ,concerns1 meerly for the good of others1 to redound to my own hurt2 my meaning is1 ,that ,i might not be put to the charge and trouble of ,letters about ,curious ,enquiries1 wherein ,i am to have not the least profit3 ,this ,i mention1 because ,i have had divers such ,letters come to my hands since ,i have been about it1 and that sometimes two or three very long ones with many ,queries1 in one ,week4 ,now should this continue1 and ,i endeavour to satisfie all the ,doubts1 and gratifie all the ,curiosities of all such non-considering persons1 truly ,i should have no time besides what this would take up1 to provide for my self and ,family4 ,but notwithstanding what ,i have said1 if any ,ingenious ,person shall stand in need of my ,assistance1 in preparing of any thing for him1 or otherwise1 wherein ,i may have a reasonable recompence for my ,time and ,trouble1 ,i will be ready to give him the best assistance ,i can4 ,for ,i am now but just ready to receive a ,writ of ,ease from three ,years daily labour and care about this ,work1 and ,i would be willing to enjoy it some time1 that ,i might again with diligence apply my self to my ,laboratory1 the effects of which1 if ,god shall see good1 may at one time1 or other1 shew themselves to the ,world4 ,in the mean time1 ,i wish all ,honest and ,ingenious ,lovers of the ,spagyrick ,art1 good success in their ,studies and ,labours1 that thence the ,penuries and ,miseries of ,mankind1 especially of the sick1 may be effectually remedied2 that they may ,cooperate as ,instruments with the great ends and providences of the ,almighty1 to bring about that time1 in which ,god shall be ,glorified all the ,world over1 and ,men live in a more serene and tranquil condition than yet they have done1 which shall always be the ,desire and ,prayers of him that is a ,lover of ,pyrotechny1 and ,honourer of all true ,artists4 ,from my ,house next ,door to the ,sign of the ,gun in ,little ,moor-,fields1 the #afhh4 ,chr4 ,packe4 ,a ,,catalogue ,,of ,,the ,subscribers ,,names4 ,tho4 ,archer1 ,med4 ,hertford4 ,john ,allen1 ,med4 ,lurgarshal4 ,william ,adams1 ,chyrurg4 ,cambr4 ,john ,agar1 ,chyrurg4 ,kingston4 ,john ,ashby1 ,gent4 ,mr4 ,john ,acton4 ,b ,the ,right ,honourable ,john ,earl of ,bridgwater4 ,sir ,james ,butler1 ,kt4 ,judge of the ,marshalsea ,court4 ,sir ,john ,bowyer1 ,knight4 ,warwick4 ,sir ,robert ,barcham1 ,kt4 ,warwick4 ,the ,honourable ,ro4 ,boyl1 ,esq2 ,tho4 ,berenger1 ,esq2 ,iver4 ,tho4 ,bradshaw1 ,esq2 ,warwick4 ,john ,banson1 ,gent4 ,thomas ,browne1 ,gent4 ,john ,bourne1 ,m4 ,b4 ,rich4 ,boreman1 ,med4 ,kent4 ,jonath4 ,blewet1 ,chyr4 ,huntingdon4 ,john ,burr1 ,chyrurg4 ,nich4 ,bennet1 ,chyrurg4 ,bucks4 ,john ,bishop1 ,chym4 ,mr4 ,william ,boys4 ,edward ,babb1 ,gent4 ,william ,bromfield1 ,chyr4 ,hitchin4 ,mr4 ,john ,bell4 ,mr4 ,tho4 ,badmanaring4 ,richard ,blome1 ,gent4 ,mr4 ,john ,bulfinch4 ,mr4 ,john ,bennet4 ,mr4 ,john ,bush4 ,c ,daniel ,cox1 ,m4 ,d4 ,samuel ,codrington1 ,esq2 ,somerset4 ,isaac ,chancey1 ,m4 ,d4 ,christopher ,crelle1 ,m4 ,d4 ,thomas ,cox1 ,a4 ,m4 ,battlesden4 ,billidge ,clayton1 ,a4 ,m4 ,mr4 ,william ,cooper1 ,bookseller4 ,mr4 ,awnsham ,churchill1 ,bookseller4 ,mr4 ,henry ,clare4 ,mr4 ,david ,congnard1 ,junior4 ,mr4 ,david ,cunningham1 ,turvey4 ,rob4 ,cooper1 ,apoth4 ,wolverhampton4 ,mr4 ,thomas ,carden1 ,newberry4 ,capt4 ---- ,conoway4 ,d ,sir ,matthew ,dudley1 ,baronet4 ,edmond ,dickenson1 ,m4 ,d4 ,physician to ,his ,majesty4 ,william ,dawes1 ,m4 ,d4 ,george ,dean1 ,med4 ,westminster4 ,john ,dimsdell1 ,med4 ,hertford4 ,william ,dyn1 ,gent4 ,thomas ,dibben1 ,gent4 ,somerset4 ,e ,luke ,eales1 ,m4 ,d4 ,wellin4 ,thomas ,enden1 ,gent4 ,lancaster4 ,tho4 ,edes1 ,apothecary4 ,warwick4 ,f ,simon ,folkes1 ,esq2 ,bury ,st4 ,edmond4 ,isaac ,foxcroft1 ,esq2 ,westminster4 ,charles ,ferris1 ,phylo-,chym4 ,mr4 ,george ,fewtrell ,mr4 ,nicholas ,finckley ,g ,henry ,guy1 ,esq2 ,thomas ,gardiner1 ,chyrurg4 ,richard ,gee1 ,gent4 ,stephen ,giles1 ,chyrurg4 ,stephen ,godfrey1 ,gent4 ,mr4 ,william ,gibbon4 ,mr4 ,andrew ,gland1 ,apothecary4 ,h ,sir ,james ,hayes1 ,kt4 ,john ,hayes1 ,esq2 ,rich4 ,harrison1 ,esq2 ,hertford4 ,the ,honourable ,charles ,howard1 ,esq2 ,john ,huxley1 ,esq2 ,stanly4 ,capt4 ,elisha ,hutchinson4 ,james ,harding1 ,gent4 ,john ,hollyman1 ,gent4 ,wrexham4 ,john ,harborough1 ,m4 ,d4 ,rob4 ,hopkin1 ,gent4 ,ashton ,underline4 ,rich4 ,hope1 ,med4 ,gabr4 ,hubbard1 ,med4 ,capt4 ,hen4 ,hatley4 ,john ,holliard1 ,chyrurg4 ,mr4 ,john ,hall4 ,mr4 ---- ,hooker4 ,john ,harvy1 ,med4 ,saffron ,walden4 ,mr4 ,luke ,halfhide4 ,mr4 ,noah ,hodgson4 ,york4 ,mr4 ---- ,harding4 ,mr4 ,edward ,heslop4 ,mr4 ,jasper ,harman4 ,i ,william ,johnson1 ,m4 ,d4 ,warwick4 ,mr4 ,joseph ,jewell ,robert ,johnson1 ,med4 ,mr4 ,william ,johnson ,rich4 ,ingersal1 ,bookseller ,l ,william ,lloyd1 ,esq2 ,josiah ,lane1 ,m4 ,d4 ,banbury ,henry ,lewis1 ,a4 ,m4 ,norfolk ,mr4 ,john ,long ,mr4 ,jer4 ,lammas ,mr4 ,robert ,lydall ,mr4 ---- ,littleton ,mr4 ,job ,lord ,matthew ,lambert1 ,chyrurg4 ,m ,thomas ,marriot1 ,esq2 ,warwick ,arthur ,moor1 ,gent4 ,john ,mouse1 ,med4 ,wellingborough ,mr4 ,mord4 ,mouse4 ,bucks ,mr4 ,john ,mathews ,mr4 ,ven4 ,mandey ,mr4 ,william ,milward ,mr4 ---- ,matson ,n ,walter ,needham1 ,m4 ,d4 ,francis ,nicholson1 ,esq2 ,mr4 ,james ,newton ,mr4 ,john ,newman ,mr4 ,d4 ,newman1 ,bookseller4 ,o ,mr4 ,dan4 ,oley ,p ,sir ,henry ,puckering1 ,kt4 ,warwick ,william ,penn1 ,esq2 ,tho4 ,powell1 ,esq2 ,richard ,palmer1 ,esq2 ,capt4 ,tho4 ,powell ,charles ,panton1 ,med4 ,somerset ,mr4 ,francis ,porter ,mr4 ,edward ,powell ,edward ,patteson1 ,chym4 ,john ,peck1 ,chyrurg4 ,mr4 ,john ,peacock ,mr4 ,edward ,page ,mr4 ,samuel ,philips ,r ,luke ,rugely1 ,m4 ,d4 ,samuel ,reynolds1 ,med4 ,ipswich ,william ,russel1 ,m4 ,d4 ,john ,rallet1 ,med4 ,braintry ,joseph ,rawson1 ,cyrurg4 ,ailsbury ,john ,rudd1 ,med4 ,mr4 ,tho4 ,rawlinson1 ,distiller ,mr4 ,robert ,rawlinson1 ,distiller ,mr4 ,edmond ,read ,mr4 ,simon ,romny ,mr4 ,michael ,rose ,mr4 ,james ,rance ,mr4 ,william ,robardson ,mr4 ,robert ,ross ,s ,the ,right ,honourable ,sir ,john ,shorter1 ,kt4 ,lord ,mayor of the ,city of ,london ,nicholas ,salter1 ,esq2 ,bucks ,nathaniel ,staughton1 ,esq2 ,col4 ,john ,stawell1 ,somerset ,nath4 ,slade1 ,m4 ,d4 ,wrexham ,dr4 ---- ,symcotts ,william ,smith1 ,gent4 ,bath ,mr4 ,thomas ,samborne1 ,somerset ,mr4 ,john ,spire ,mr4 ,thomas ,stone ,mr4 ,william ,savage ,mr4 ,richard ,salick ,tho4 ,saffold1 ,student in ,astrology ,mr4 ,philip ,seddal ,mr4 ,john ,sloakham1 ,colebrook ,mr4 ,francis ,smartfoot ,mat4 ,sarfati1 ,chym4 ,t ,robert ,toope1 ,m4 ,d4 ,bath4 ,john ,tanner1 ,med4 ,amersham ,john ,tomkys1 ,a4 ,m4 ,warwick ,josiah ,thorald1 ,m4 ,d4 ,mr4 ,john ,till ,john ,trotter1 ,student in ,astrology ,mr4 ,henry ,tash ,mr4 ,isaac ,taylear ,mr4 ,john ,tunstall ,w ,sir ,tho4 ,witherly1 ,kt4 ,physician to ,his ,majesty1 and ,president of the ,colledge of ,physicians ,richard ,wharton1 ,esq2 ,mr4 ,robert ,wolley ,mr4 ,edward ,west ,mr4 ,richard ,wyn1 ,apoth4 ,mr4 ,thomas ,wigg ,mr4 ,israel ,wormal ,john ,walraven1 ,chyrurgion ,james ,wass1 ,chyrurgion ,charles ,wells1 ,gent4 ,huntingdon ,mr4 ,joseph ,wells ,mr4 ,william ,wheeler ,mr4 ,john ,webb ,william ,williams1 ,med4 ,mr4 ,david ,withers1 ,berks ,mr4 ,edward ,wilson ,mr4 ,keeblewhite ,mr4 ,philip ,washburn ,mr4 ,richard ,weekes ,mr4 ,randal ,watson ,mr4 ,john ,withers4 ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces4 ,containing a new ,art of making ,spirits1 ,oyls1 ,flowers1 and other ,medicaments1 by the help of the first of those ,furnaces1 after a very easie and peculiar manner out of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals3 ,with their ,chymical and ,medicinal use4 ,a ,preface to the ,courteous ,reader4 ,i have hitherto reserved to my self as ,secrets1 some peculiar ,furnaces and compendious ,ways of ,distilling1 which with diligent study and speculation ,i found out some few years since1 by which many excellent ,works1 impossible to be done by the vulgar ,art1 may be performed2 but now at last ,i have1 considering with my self how advantageous it may be to the ,world1 determined to conceal this ,art no longer1 but for the good of my ,neighbour to publish it1 by giving to ,chymists a perfect and fundamental information of this new-invented ,art1 that they may no longer for the future spend their ,time and ,money in long tedious ,operations1 but may after a more easie way1 by the help of my ,furnaces1 be able to effect many excellent things4 ,now this ,book shall be divided into ,five ,parts1 the first whereof shall teach how to build a ,furnace1 in which incombustible things are distilled and sublimed1 and indeed such things which cannot be done by ,retort or any other ,vessels1 and how the ,spirits1 ,flowers1 and ,oyls of ,minerals1 and ,metals may by the help thereof be prepared1 as also what their ,use and ,vertues are4 ,in the ,second ,part shall be shewed another ,furnace1 in which combustible things1 as ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals are distilled and most perfectly subtilized3 by help whereof many most excellent ,medicaments for the cure of most grievous and otherwise incurable diseases may be prepared4 ,in the ,third shall be taught a certain new invention hitherto unknown1 of distilling ,burning ,spirits1 as of ,wine1 ,corn1 ,fruits1 ,flowers1 ,herbs and ,roots2 as also the ,waters of ,vegetables and ,animals1 and that in a great quantity1 in a short time1 and without much costs2 as also of boyling ,beer1 ,mead1 ,wine1 and other things1 which otherwise are made in ,copper or ,iron ,vessels2 and all this by the help of ,wooden ,vessels1 and benefit of a certain small ,copper1 or ,iron instrument of two or three pound weight1 and that after a certain easie manner without ,furnaces4 ,this newly-invented ,art doth also teach divers ,chymical ,operations1 as ,putrefactions1 ,digestions1 ,circulations1 ,extractions1 ,abstractions1 ,cohobations1 ,fixations1 c4 ,and this invention is very necessary and profitable for young beginners in this ,art1 for they need not in the making of burning ,spirits1 ,waters of ,vegetables1 ,extracts1 and other ,medicaments so many ,furnaces1 and so many ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 ,earthen and ,glass ,vessels1 for it is here taught how all the aforesaid ,operations may be done onely by the help of a certain small ,copper or ,iron ,instrument in ,wooden ,vessels as well as by ,alembicks and other great ,copper ,vessels1 by which means a great deal of ,costs is saved4 ,in the ,fourth ,part shall be taught another certain1 and hitherto unknown ,furnace1 in which all ,chymical ,operations may most easily be done3 being most profitable for the trying of the ,natures of ,minerals and ,metals2 as also for the proving1 examining1 melting1 cupelling1 and separating of ,metals1 that nothing may be lost of them1 and that after a compendious and easie way1 and also to great advantage4 ,in the ,fifth shall be taught how to make and prepare ,iron1 ,earthen1 ,glass1 and other kind of ,instruments necessary for the aforesaid four ,furnaces1 as also other necessary1 and most profitable ,manuals4 ,and in the ,first ,part1 the ,fabrick of the first ,furnace being delineated1 ,i shall also shew how by the help thereof may be made ,spirits1 ,oyls1 ,flowers1 and other most profitable ,medicaments1 also their ,vertues and ,use1 and that as faithfully as ,i may1 and without fraud4 ,and truly ,i do not doubt but those of understanding will approve of this ,work1 but ignorant ,zoilus's will contemn it3 ,for it is said according to the ,proverb1 ,he that builds by the highway1 will hear many things from them that find fault1 and especially from the vulgar1 c4 ,but it would be well if those ,thrasoes would put forth something more excellent1 before they find fault with and carp at other ,mens pains and labours4 ,wherefore let no one rashly judge of this ,work1 untill he be throughly informed concerning the same1 and then ,i do not doubt but the ,authour shall be by him commended4 ,and if haply all things shall not presently succeed well1 to his mind1 with him that shall build this ,furnace1 and operate therewith1 let him think with himself that perhaps he hath erred in some part1 7for it is a new and unknown work1 in which any one may easily err7 and not presently therefore murmur against the ,authour1 blaming him1 because he hath not wrote clear enough1 but let him ascribe it to his own ignorance1 and let him study to understand the ,authour's meaning1 and still be practising upon it1 and then ,i do not doubt1 but he will have better success1 which ,i pray every one may have4 ,amen4 ,the ,,explication of the ,figures of the first ,furnace in all its parts4 ,,fig4 ,i4 ,e4 ,the first ,subliming-,pot1 which is set into the upper hole of the ,furnace4 ,d4 ,the upper hole of the ,furnace4 ,f4 ,the second ,pot4 ,g4 ,the third4 ,h4 ,the fourth4 ,,fig4 ,,ii4 ,a4 ,the ,ash-hole1 with the wideness of the ,furnace4 ,b4 ,the middle hole1 by which the ,coals and ,matter to be distilled1 are cast in4 ,c4 ,a ,stopper of ,stone1 which is to stop the said hole after casting in the matter4 ,d4 ,the upper hole with a certain false bottom1 which is to be filled with ,sand4 ,e4 ,the ,cover of the upper hole1 which is put on after the putting in the ,coals and ,materials4 ,f4 ,a ,pipe going out of the ,receiver1 and joyned to the first ,pot4 ,g4 ,the first ,receiver4 ,h4 ,the second4 ,i4 ,the third4 ,k4 ,a ,stool on which the first ,receiver stands1 having a hole in the middle1 through which the ,neck of the first ,pot1 to which a ,dish is annexed1 passeth4 ,l4 ,the ,dish through the ,pipe whereof the refrigerated ,spirits distill4 ,m4 ,a ,receiver into which the ,spirits collected in the ,dish do flow4 ,n4 ,a ,screw to be raised higher at pleasure for the better joyning the ,receiver to the ,pipe1 and it goeth through a ,stool4 ,o4 ,the place of the ,pipe for the ,distilling of ,spirit of ,vitriol and ,allom4 ,p4 ,a ,grate consisting of two strong cross ,iron ,barrs1 fastned in the ,furnace1 and four or five more less1 that are moveable1 for the better cleansing of the ,furnace4 ,,fig4 ,,iii4 ,g4 ,the first crooked ,pipe fitted to the ,pipe of the ,furnace4 ,f4 ,the ,pipe of the ,furnace4 ,h4 ,a ,receiver fitted to that ,pipe1 and set in a ,tub of water1 for accellerating the ,operations3 which ,receiver hath a ,cover with two holes1 through the first whereof goeth a single crooked ,pipe1 and through the other two crooked ,pipes1 whereof one goeth into the ,receiver1 as did the single1 and the other out of the ,receiver ,h1 into ,h4 ,h4 ,i4 ,the ,tub of ,water4 ,m4 ,a third ,pipe4 ,by this way ,flowers are sublimed1 and ,spirits distilled speedily1 and in great quantity4 ,illustration3 ,the ,second ,furnace4 ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces4 ,of the ,structure of the ,first ,furnace4 ,as for the first ,furnace1 it may be built greater or lesser as you please1 a regard being had of the quantity of the ,matter to be distilled1 and also either round or square2 either of ,bricks1 or by a ,potter with ,potters ,clay4 ,now when the ,diameter is of one span1 viz4 withinside1 the height must be of four1 viz4 one from the bottom to the grate1 another from the grate to the hole made for putting in of ,coals1 and two from thence to the top of the ,pipe1 which must at least go forth out of the ,furnace one span1 lest the receivers should by the neerness of the ,furnace be heated4 ,the ,pipe also must have on the fore part a ,diameter1 answering the third part of the intrinsecal ,diameter of the ,furnace2 also a little larger on the hinder part than the forepart4 ,let the grate be such an one1 as may be taken out at your pleasure and made clean1 being stopt by the ,matter that is cast in and distilled3 for it is easily stopt in distilling of ,salts melted with the coals1 whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire1 and the distillation by consequence hindred3 ,or let there be put into the ,furnace cross-wise two strong iron bars1 upon which lay four or five lesser1 distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger1 going a little out of the ,furnace1 by which when they are stopt1 you may take them out with a pair of ,tongs1 and cleanse them from the burnt ,matter1 and then again put them into their own places3 wherefore also the ,furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate1 that you may the better order the grate4 ,also the grate must have above1 a covering of ,iron or ,stone1 with a hole in the middle thereof with a certain distinction1 which is to be filled with sand1 that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the hole1 and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will1 being forced1 go forth thorow the ,pipe into the receivers1 after you have cast in the matter which is to be distilled4 ,of the ,receivers4 ,let the ,receivers be made of glass1 or of strong earth1 which may retain the spirits1 and such is the ,waldburgick1 ,hassiack1 ,frechheimensian1 ,siburgic earth1 c4 ,they are better that are made of glass1 if they are to be had1 and those especially which are made of strong and firm glass1 which may be smoothed about the joints with a ,smiris stone1 and so fitted that they may the better be joyned together1 and then they need not luteing 7but how they shall be smoothed with the ,smiris stone1 and be fitted1 shall be taught in the ,fifth part1 which treats of ,manuals7 because by this means they are joyned so close1 that no spirits can go through the joynts3 otherwise you must close the joynts with the best ,lute1 such as will not let the spirits exhale1 which shall be taught in the ,book treating of ,manuals4 ,the form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof4 ,as for the quantity thereof1 know that by how much the greater they are1 so much the better they are1 for then you need the fewer1 but the more1 by how much the lesser they are4 ,let the superiour orifice be larger than the inferiour1 so that alwaies another receiver may with its inferiour orifice be joyned to it1 and let the inferiour orifice have a ,diameter of three fingers breadth1 or thereabouts2 ,i mean in case the ,diameter of the ,furnace be of one span4 ,for a greater ,furnace requires greater holes1 as also orifices of the receivers1 by which means a sufficient and due proportion of air may be given to the fire3 or if the ,diameter of the ,furnace be more than a span1 it must also have two or three pipes 7which being considered together1 should have a wideness answering the wideness of the third part of the ,furnace1 for so great a wideness1 and so much air is required1 if the fire burn freely and do its office7 to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be applyed1 that the fire be not choaked4 ,now1 the ,figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the ,receivers1 as also their application to the ,furnace4 ,and1 in the first place1 the ,receiver stands in a three-foot stool bored thorow in the middle1 that the neck of the first ,receiver may pass thorow1 to which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping ,spirits3 ,to the first there is joyned a ,second1 and to that a third1 and so consequently 7viz4 near unto a wall or ladder7 so many as you please4 ,let the upper ,receiver1 and indeed all the rest1 be left open3 ,to the lower as hath been said1 is joyned a dish with a pipe1 by which the distilled ,spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added thereunto1 which being filled1 is taken away1 and another is set in the place of it1 because that is set under it without luting1 and therefore may easily be changed4 ,and if you please to distil any thing else1 you may take away that dish with a pipe1 and make it clean1 and then joyn it close again 7that no spirit may breath forth7 to the neck of the lower receiver4 ,and if that dish cannot be so closely joyned1 that nothing exhale1 pour in a spoonful of ,water1 for that doth astringe1 neither doth it hurt the spirits1 because in the rectifying it is separated4 ,of the subliming ,vessels4 ,these you need not make of glass1 or of such earth as may retain the spirits1 as hath been above mentioned2 it is sufficient1 if so be they be made of good common ,potters earth1 and be well glazed within1 viz4 of such a form and figure1 as appears by the annexed delineation4 ,yet you must chuse good earth that will endure the fire1 for the lower pots are so heated by the fire1 that they would be broken if they should not be made of good earth4 ,now ,i will shew you in general the manner it self of distilling2 as also1 the manual necessaries in every distillation4 ,the manner of ,distilling4 ,in the first place1 let there be some burning ,coals put in1 which afterwards must be covered with more until the ,furnace be full almost to the pipe1 which being done1 let not the uppermost cover be laid over its hole 7that the heat and smoak may pass that way1 and not thorow the pipe1 and receivers1 which will thereby be red hot2 and this will be a hindrance to the distillation7 until the fire be sufficiently kindled1 and the ,furnace be throughly hot2 then cast in1 with an ,iron ladle1 of the matter prepared for distillation as much as will cover the ,coals1 which being done1 stop the ,furnace very close1 by pressing down strongly the upper cover upon its hole or sand1 which is put in the lower part of the hole1 being a place made for that purpose4 ,now let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole1 presently stop it with a stopple of stone1 and that very close1 for by this means all those things which were cast in1 will be forced1 after the manner of a thick ,cloud1 to break forth through the pipe into the receivers1 and there to condense themselves into an acid spirit or oyl1 and thence to distil into the dish set under1 through the pipe whereof they do yet distil down further into another glass receiver4 ,the ,coals being burnt out1 and all the spirits being come forth1 you must cast in more ,coals1 and more materials1 until you have got a sufficient quantity of ,spirits4 ,in this way of distilling1 you may at your pleasure cease1 and begin again without any danger4 ,when you will make clean the ,furnace1 you need do nothing else1 then draw out the ,iron bars that lye on the cross bar1 that the ,caput ,mortuum may fall down1 which afterwards may be taken away with a ,fire-shovel1 which being done1 you must put in the bars again1 and lay them on the cross-bars as before1 upon which you must cast burning ,coals1 and upon them others1 until there be enough1 then on them all1 being well kindled1 cast your materials4 ,when you go to make clean the receivers1 and to begin to distil another thing1 you need not remove them1 but only pour pure ,water into them1 viz4 by their upper receiver1 by the descending whereof the other are purified4 ,and by this way1 not only out of ,vegetables1 and volatile ,minerals 7incombustible7 but also out of fixed ,metals and ,stones1 spirits1 oyls1 and flowers1 are drawn forth wonderfully1 easily1 and in good quantity1 which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art of distilling4 ,now1 in this ,furnace are distilled only such materials1 which being distilled1 yield an incombustible humidity1 as common ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,allom1 and other ,minerals and ,metals1 each of which doth yet require their peculiar manuals1 if operated upon4 ,now1 because this ,furnace doth not serve for every matter1 because the materials to be distilled are cast upon burning ,coals1 which are things ,combustible1 ,i have determined in the second part to give another1 viz4 a lesser1 unlike to this1 yet convenient to distil all combustible things that are endued with volatile spirits1 as ,tartar1 ,harts-horn1 ,amber1 ,sal ,armoniack1 ,urine1 c4 ,there are1 by the help hereof1 made most subtile1 volatile1 sulphureous spirits of ,salts1 and ,minerals1 as of common ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,allom1 ,nitre1 ,antimony1 and of all other ,minerals and ,metals1 which otherwise1 without this ,furnace1 could not have been made1 with which spirits1 wonderful things are performed in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as in the ,second ,part shall be demonstrated more largely4 ,now ,i will shew you a way to make other ,receivers belonging to the first ,furnace1 and indeed1 such as are more fit for some ,operations1 as the former were more fit for others3 wherefore let him that will operate1 chuse these1 or the other1 as he pleaseth4 ,as therefore the former being erected upwards by a wall1 or ladder1 by which means the spirit might ascend from one into another so long1 until being refrigerated and condensed might again drop downward into the dish that is annexed thereto3 so these are a contrary way set and placed collateral in a vessel filled with cold ,water to condense the spirits1 by which means you need not so many receivers2 also they must not be fashioned like the former1 as to be open above1 and below1 but only above like pots that serve for boyling3 but this you must observe1 that by how much the deeper and larger they are1 by so much the better they are4 ,also you must joyn them together by the help of earthen pipes1 being so distinct1 that the spirits may be kept back1 being yet hot 7and not refrigerated7 from passing out of one into the other1 but being forced through the middle of the separation of the pipes1 may go to the bottom of every receiver1 and thence arise by another pipe into another receiver that hath a double cover like the former1 where again descending to the cold bottom1 remain refrigerated and condensed4 ,now three or four of these are enough 7whereas of other1 thirteen or fifteen are required7 a regard being had of their ,greatness4 ,you may see the figure of these receivers1 as also their joyning together by the annexed delineation4 ,now1 for the most part1 one is sufficient for him that distils a few things1 especially if the matter be not pretious1 and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be joyned1 one arm with the pipe that goeth forth of the ,furnace1 the other with the ,receiver1 but so that it go into the receiver downwards1 even to the middle thereof1 and then you need not shut the orifice of the receivers1 for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate1 viz4 if the matter to be distilled be not pretious4 ,and by this way may new spirits and new flowers be made every hour1 with the help of one ,furnace1 and one recipient1 but with this caution1 that for every new distillation1 the recipient be washed with ,water before it be put to the pipe2 which being put to1 you may then cast your species into the ,furnace2 and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits4 ,and this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the natures and properties of many and divers ,minerals1 such as yield in the fire spirits and flowers4 ,for it would be too tedious in every new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver3 as also many studious of the ,chymical art would quit their study1 being able to make by retort but one tryal in a day4 ,and no wonder if expences1 and loss of time should deter many4 ,now here there is no need of many ,retorts1 nor of luting them1 nor of receivers1 and such like superfluous things2 neither is there here required the constant presence of the operator1 the observation of the regiment of fire1 the neglect whereof would otherwise endanger the loss of the retorts and receivers1 and by consequence the loss of labour4 ,these and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for1 because it is sufficient only to cast the ,matter upon the coals1 and cover the ,furnace1 and then presently go forth the spirits1 and flowers of the same kind with their mineral3 of which when thou hast got a sufficient quantity1 thou must draw out the ,iron bars1 upon which the coals lye1 that they may fall down1 and be taken away2 and whilst the ,furnace is yet hot1 to put in the ,iron bars again1 and upon them to lay fresh coals1 which then will of their own accord be kindled with the heat of the ,furnace4 ,in the mean time you must take away the receiver1 and make it clean and set it to again1 or if you had rather put another clean one1 viz4 for the new distillation of another ,matter4 ,and by this way1 divers things may be in the space of one hour distilled1 and sublimed1 viz4 in a small quantity4 ,but he that will distil1 or sublime in a greater quantity1 let him take three or four pots that the spirits may pass from one into another1 that nothing thereof be lost4 ,here needs not 7as ,i said before7 the continual presence of the operator1 for he may be gone1 cease1 or repeat as he please1 because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts1 and receivers4 ,he that knows the use of this ,furnace1 may do many things in a short time with little cost4 ,for any one may do more by the help thereof in one hour1 than in the common way in twenty four1 by which way also there is a great saving of coals1 because ten pound of coals will do more this way than a hundred the other4 ,as for example1 he that will try1 shall make a pound of spirit of ,salt in one hour with three1 four1 or five pounds of coals2 whereas after the other way are required fifty of sixty pounds1 and at least twenty or thirty hours time1 viz4 in the common way by the help of retorts3 which is indeed very tedious4 ,also by this way may be made the flowers or minerals1 and metals1 in a great quantity1 very easily1 and in a short time without great cost1 so as that in one hours space1 with three or four pound of coals may a pound of the flowers of ,antimony be made4 ,and this is no small help to the ,physitian1 and ,chymist4 ,moreover this furnace being once built1 endures for many years1 and being broken is easily repaired4 ,and by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled1 no retorts and receivers are in danger1 by which means much cost is saved4 ,besides the aforesaid ways1 ,i have yet another1 and that more compendious1 viz4 of distilling1 and subliming1 and more easy1 by which means in a very little time1 an incredible quantity of spirits of ,salts1 and flowers of ,minerals1 and metals may be made2 which ,i shall refer till another time1 because for the present ,i have said enough4 ,now ,i do not doubt1 but diligent ,chymists will follow my steps1 and find out those things which are unknown to me4 ,for it is easier to add to things found out1 than to find out things unknown4 ,the construction therefore of the furnace being in my opinion clearly shewed1 there now follows the manner of distilling1 and subliming with it4 ,although haply1 and contrary to my hope any obscurity should be met withal1 yet one process will explain another3 and the diligent operator1 and searcher of ,nature shall without doubt1 by his practise attain the effect after the same manner as ,i have prescribed3 which together with the blessing of ,,god1 ,i heartily wish all pious ,chymists1 ,amen4 ,how the ,spirit of ,salt is to be distilled4 ,the reason why ,i enter upon the spirit of salt1 before ,i say any thing of the spirits of vegetables1 is this1 viz4 because it is even the chiefest1 which can be made in this furnace3 for few exceed this in strength and vertues2 wherefore ,i also have given it the preeminency4 ,neither is there any of the acid spirits1 about which the ,chymists hitherto have been more busied1 than this1 wherefore also it is of all1 of greatest price1 c4 for some have mixed salt with potters clay1 and have made this mixture into little balls1 which they have to get the spirit1 forced by retort in a very strong fire3 some have mixed salt with bole1 some with the powder of tyles1 others with burnt ,allume1 c4 ,others using a more compendious way have made salt to flow in a retort1 which hath a pipe both in the upper1 and hinder part2 by the uper pipe of which they have dropped in cold water1 to elevate the ponderous spirits of the salt1 but by the hinder they have blown with ,bellows1 to force the spirits into the retort3 and this way is not altogether to be slighted1 yet it hath this inconveniency1 that in process of time the retorts are broken that they can no longer retain the salt1 and so the distillation is intercepted4 ,some have attempted it with ,iron retorts1 but by this means the spirits have been deaded1 because they easily set upon the ,iron1 whence instead of spirit they have had flegme4 ,and such1 and other tedious wayes of distilling they have invented2 and by the best of them indeed they could scarce distill one pound in #be4 or #cj4 hours space with #ej4 #fj4 or #ajj pound of coals2 this being the reason1 because the salt is very little wrought upon1 and therefore it is that few ever had the spirit right and good1 whence also the vertues thereof have been unknown4 ,and this therefore ,i was willing to make known1 that it might appear1 what price this spirit hath hitherto been of1 and how easie1 and abundantly1 and with what little cost1 it may after my new invented way be made4 ,it is said above1 that the materials may in this way of distilling be immediately cast into the fire2 yet this must be wisely understood4 ,for although some of the species may without any preparation be immediately cast into the fire1 yet it doth not follow that all and every one of them must3 for in some of them we must use our discretion1 as in the distilling of salt4 ,for if the salt be immediately cast into the fire1 it will not only yield no spirits1 but will leap so long upon the coals1 until it find a descent to the lowest part of the furnace3 ,now this may be prevented divers wayes2 and first indeed after this manner3 ,dissolve salt in common water1 then quench burning coals with this water1 that they may be impregnated with the salt1 which afterwards set on fire in the furnace3 but you must first cast in other burning coals1 upon which you must cast those that are impregnated with salt untill the furnace be full1 as is above said3 and while the coals burn1 the salt is resolved by the force of the fire into spirit4 ,now you must observe that he that distils spirit of salt after this manner1 must make choice of glass receivers1 because the spirit whilest it is hot1 penetrates by reason of its wonderful subtilty1 those that are earthen4 ,and this spirit is of a most grateful taste4 ,but in defect of glass receivers1 ,i shall shew you another way wherein you may use those that be of earth4 ,mix salt1 and vitriol or allome together1 grinding them very well in a ,morter 7for by how much the better they are ground1 the more ,spirit they yield47 ,then cast this mixture into the fire with an ,iron ,ladle1 viz4 so much of it as will be sufficient to cover the coals1 and then with a great fire the spirits come forth into the receivers1 where being coagulated1 they distill down into the dish1 and thence into another receiver4 ,and if thou knowest how to work aright1 the spirits will like water continually run out thorow the pipe1 the thickness of a straw2 and thou mayest easily every hour make a pound of the spirit4 ,now the reason why thou shalt by this way have more spirits than by the other1 is this1 viz4 because the vitriol and allome1 which is mixed with the salt1 makes it flow quickly1 by which means it is prevented from falling down through the coals to the lower part of the furnace1 but sticking to the coals is almost all of it turned into spirits4 ,the ,caput ,mortuum1 which is reddish1 easily falls with the ashes through the grate1 and can no more be distilled1 but yields by excoction a white fixed salt1 which serves for the flowing of metals2 and being dissolved in warm water serves also for a glyster against the ,worms1 which it kills1 and purgeth also the ,bowels4 ,thou wilt object1 that the spirit made after this manner1 is not the true spirit of salt by reason of the mixture of vitriol and allome1 but mixed1 and compounded4 ,i answer2 ,there can by this way distil no spirit of vitriol1 or allome1 being that which ,i often tryed1 casting vitriol or allome into the furnace1 where ,i received no spirit at all2 the reason of this is1 because these spirits are far more heavy than the spirit of salt1 neither can they ascend so great a heighth1 viz4 of three spans1 but are burnt1 whence unless the flegme1 nothing distils4 ,wherefore the spirit of salt that is made after this manner is not mixed1 but pure and meer spirit of salt1 of the same tast and vertue as that is of1 that is made by it self2 because in this furnace the spirit of allome and vitriol1 cannot be made unless a pipe go out of the furnace neer the grate1 as you may see by the delineation of the furnace1 for otherwise it cannot be made2 besides1 these spirit are better1 and more truly taught in the second part4 ,and if it be granted that somewhat together with the spirit of salt comes forth 7which is yet impossible7 what hurt ,i pray you comes from thence either in the solution of metals1 or medicine8 wherefore the spirit made after this way is not to be suspected4 ,yet ,i will satisfie the incredulous1 and will shew him another way without the addition of allome or vitriol1 for the distilling of that spirit1 but that will be in the second part of this ,book1 where ,i will teach you the furnace1 by which is made spirit of ,nitre1 ,aquafortis1 and amongst combustibles1 the ,oyles of vegetables1 and ,fats of animals and other things which cannot be made by this3 and by this way ,i will satisfie those1 who are not pleased with the former4 ,now for want of glass receivers1 we are forced to use earthen1 but these cannot retain the spirit of salt made after the aforesaid wayes1 in which case ,i could indeed discover a certain little manual1 by vertue of which the aforesaid spirit may be received even in a great quantity in earthen recipients3 but for certain causes ,i shall here be silent1 and shall refer it till the edition of the second part4 ,let it suffice therefore that ,i mentioned such a thing1 wherefore omitting that1 ,i shall proceed to shew you the vertues1 and use of this spirit1 as well in ,alchymy1 as in ,medicine1 and other ,mechanical ,arts4 ,of the ,use of the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,it is worth while1 to speak of the power1 and vertues of this excellent spirit2 what other ,authors have clearly described1 ,i shall here pass over1 and refer the ,reader to the ,writings of those ,authors2 touching only on some few of which they said nothing4 ,the ,spirit of salt is by most accounted a most excellent medicine1 and safely to be used1 as well inwardly as outwardly3 ,it extinguisheth a preternatural thirst in hot diseases1 abstergeth and consumeth flegmatick humours in the ,stomack1 exciteth the ,appetite1 is good for them that are hydropical1 have the ,stone1 and ,gout1 c4 ,it is a menstruum dissolving metals1 excelling all other therein3 ,for it dissolveth all metals and minerals 7excepting silver7 and almost all stones 7being rightly prepared7 and reduceth them into excellent medicaments4 ,it doth also many excellent things in mechanical arts4 ,neither is it to be slighted in the kitchen1 for with the help thereof are prepared divers pleasant meats for the sick as well as for those that are in health1 yea and better than with ,vinegar1 and other acid things3 and it doth more in a small quantity1 than ,vinegar in a great4 ,but especially1 it serves for those ,countries that have no ,vinegar4 ,it is used also instead of ,verjuice1 and the juice of ,lymons4 ,for being prepared after this way1 it is bought at a cheaper rate than ,vinegar or juice of ,lymons4 ,neither is it corruptible as expressed juices are1 but is bettered by age4 ,being mixed with ,sugar it is an excellent sauce for roast meat4 ,it preserves also divers kinds of ,fruits for many years4 ,it makes also ,raisins1 and dryed ,grapes to swell1 so as to acquire their former magnitude again1 which are good to refresh a weak ,stomach in many diseases1 and serves for the preparing of divers kinds of meats of ,flesh and ,fish2 but you must mix some water with the spirit1 or else the ,raisins will contract too much acidity4 ,this spirit doth especially serve for making meats delightfully acid2 for whatsoever things are prepared with it1 as ,chickens1 ,pigeons1 ,veale1 c4 are of a more pleasant taste than those which are prepared with ,vinegar4 ,beef being macerated with it1 becomes in a few dayes so tender1 as if it had been a long time macerated with ,vinegar4 ,such1 and many more things can the ,spirit of ,salt do4 ,a distillation of ,vegetable ,oyles1 whereby a greater quantity is acquired1 than by that common way1 by a ,vesica4 ,as many ,distillers as hitherto have been1 have been ignorant of a better way to distill ,oyles of ,spices1 ,woods1 and ,seeds1 than by a vesica or alembick1 with a great quantity of water4 ,and altho' they may also be made by retort1 yet there is a great deal of care required1 or else they contract an ,empyreuma2 wherefore that way1 by a still1 is alwayes accounted the better1 which way indeed is not to be slighted1 if you distill ,vegetables of a low price1 and such as be oleaginous2 but not so in the distillation of ,spices1 and of other things that are of a greater value1 as are ,cinnamon1 ,mace1 ,saffron1 c4 which cannot be distilled in a gourd still without loss1 because then there is required a great quantity of water1 and by consequence great1 and large vessels1 to which something adheres1 wherefore we lose almost half1 which is not to be so much valued in vegetables that are oleaginous1 as in ,annisseed1 ,fennel1 and ,caryoway-seed1 c4 ,but the loss made in the distilling of dryer and dearer vegetables1 as of ,cinnamon1 ,lignum ,rhodii1 ,cassia1 is evident enough1 and by consequence not to be slighted4 ,neither can it be1 that all things can be distilled that way1 for a good quantity by coction acquireth a gummy tenaciousness1 which cannot ascend with the water4 ,but that this way for the future may be prevented1 ,i will shew another way to distill the ,oyles of ,spices1 and other precious things1 which is done with spirit of salt1 whereby all the ,oyle is drawn forth without any loss1 the process whereof is this1 viz4 ,fill a gourd with ,cinnamon or any other ,wood1 or ,seed1 upon which pour so much of the spirit of salt1 as will be sufficient to cover the wood1 then place it with its ,alembick in ,sand1 and give it fire by degrees that the spirit of salt may boyl1 and all the ,oyle will distill off with a little flegme2 for the spirit of salt doth with its acrimony penetrate the wood1 and freeth the ,oyle that it may distill off the better and easier4 ,and by this way the ,oyle is not lost by the addition of that great quantity of water in those great and large vessels1 but is drawn in lesser glass vessels with the addition of a little moysture4 ,distillation being finished the spirit is poured off by inclination from the wood1 being again useful for the same work4 ,and if it hath contracted any impurity from the wood1 it may be rectified3 but the residue of the spirit which remains in the wood ye may recover1 if that wood be cast into the aforesaid furnace upon burning coals1 by which means it may come forth again pure1 and clear3 and by this means we lose none of the spirit of ,salt4 ,and after this way by help of the spirit of ,salt1 are drawn forth ,oyls of dearer ,vegetables together with their ,fruit1 which cannot be done by a still4 ,there are made also by means thereof ,oyles of ,gumms and ,rosins1 clear1 and perspicuous4 ,the clear ,oyle of ,mastick1 and ,frankincense4 ,take of ,frankincense or ,mastick powdered small1 as much as will serve to fill the third part of a ,retort 7which must be coated7 upon which pour a sufficient quantity of spirit of ,salt1 taking heed that the ,retort be not filled too full1 or else the spirit when it boyles1 flows over it1 then place it in sand1 and give fire by degrees1 and there will first come out some phlegme1 after which a clear transparent oyle together with the spirit of salt1 which must be kept by it self1 after this a certain yellow ,oyle which must be received by it self1 and last of all there follows a red ,oyle1 which altho' it is not to be cast away1 yet it is very unlike to the first1 serving for outward uses1 and to be mixed with ,oyntments and ,emplasters1 for it doth wonderfully consolidate1 and therefore good in new and old ,wounds4 ,the first being well rectified1 is in its subtilty1 and penetrating faculty not unlike to spirit of wine1 and may profitably be used inwardly and outwardly1 viz4 in cold affects1 but especially in the stiffness of the ,nerves1 caused by cold humors1 upon which follows a contraction2 but then you must first rub the member contracted with a linnen cloath1 that it may be well warmed1 into which then the ,oyle must be chafed with a warm hand4 ,for it doth do wonders in such like affects of the ,nerves4 ,after the same manner may ,oyles be made out of all gumms4 ,the red1 tenacious and stinking ,oyles of ,tartar1 ,harts-horn1 ,amber1 c4 distilled after the common way by retort are also rectified with spirit of salt so as to become transparent and to lose the ,empyreuma contracted by distillation4 ,now the cause of the blackness1 and fetidness of these kind of ,oyles1 is a certain volatile salt which is to be found as well in ,vegetables1 as certain ,animals1 which is easily mixed with the ,oyle1 and makes it of a brown colour4 ,for every volatile salt whether it be of ,urine1 ,tartar1 ,amber1 ,harts-horn1 and of other ,vegetables and ,animals1 is of this condition and nature1 as to exalt1 and alter the colours of sulphureous things1 and that either for the worse or for the better3 but for the most part it makes ,oyles thick1 black and stinking1 as you may see in ,amber1 ,harts-horn1 and ,tartar4 ,the cause therefore of the blackness1 and fetidness of these ,oyles being known we may the more easily take heed thereof in distilling1 and being contracted1 correct them again by the help of spirit of ,salt4 ,for all volatile salt hath contrariety to any acid spirit1 and on the other side1 every acid spirit hath a contrariety with all volatile salts1 that have the nature of salt of ,tartar4 ,for metals that are dissolved with acid spirits are as well precipitated with spirit of ,urine1 or any volatile salt as with the liquor of salt of ,tartar2 which shall be more at large declared in the second part4 ,the volatile salt therefore is by the mortifying acid spirits1 as of ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,allom1 ,vinegar1 c4 deprived of its volatility1 and is fixed1 by which means being debilitated it forsakes its associate which was infected with blackness by it3 it is necessary that we should proceed after the same manner with these fetid ,oyles1 viz4 as follows4 ,take any fetid ,oyle of ,tartar1 ,amber1 c4 with which fill the fourth part only of a glass ,retort1 and upon it pour by drops the spirit of salt2 and it will begin to be hot1 as it is used to be1 when ,aqua fortis is poured on salt of ,tartar2 wherefore the spirit is to be poured on it by little and little1 and by drops for fear of breaking the glass3 ,now the signe of the mortification of the volatile salt is1 when it ceaseth to make a noise1 and then no more is to be poured on1 but set your ,retort in sand1 give fire to it by degrees1 as is used to be done in the rectifying things of easie elevation3 and first of all will go forth a certain stinking water1 after which comes a transparent clear1 and odoriferous ,oyle1 and after that a certain yellow1 clear1 and also well smelling ,oyle1 but not so as the first1 wherefore each must be taken a part by changing the receivers4 ,now these ,oyles become more grateful than those fetid ones of the shops4 ,for these ,oyles retain their clearness1 and fairness1 the cause of their fetidness1 and redness being taken away by the spirit of salt4 ,in the bottom of the ,retort remains the black volatile salt with the spirit of salt1 from whence it may be sublimed into an odoriferous salt resembling salt armoniack in tast4 ,the spirit of salt is also deprived of its acidity1 and coagulated by the volatile salt1 and is like tartarum vitriolatum1 appointed also for its uses1 as shall be spoken in the second part1 of the spirit of ,urine4 ,after the same manner also are rectified other ,oyles1 which by length of time have contracted a clamminess1 as are ,oyle of ,cinnamon1 ,mace1 ,cloves1 c4 with the spirit of ,salt1 if they be rectified by ,retort1 for then they acquire again both the same clearness1 and goodness1 as they had when they were newly distilled4 ,here ,i must make mention of a certain error of ,physitians1 not only of ignorant ,galenists but ,spagyricks1 committed in the preparations of some ,chymical medicaments4 ,for many have perswaded themselves that ,oyle of ,tartar1 ,harts-horn1 c4 having lost its stink1 is a ,medicine radically taking away all obstructions2 but this must be taken with a grain of salt4 ,for some have rectified these kinds of ,oyles by calcined ,vitriol1 and by that means have somewhat made them lose their ,empyreuma1 but with all their ,vertues2 which others observing have conceived that the fetidness thereof is not to be taken away1 because the ,vertue of them is thereby lost1 as if the ,vertue consisted in the fetidness thereof2 but that is a very great error1 because fetidness is an enemy to the heart and brain1 and in it is no good4 ,but this is granted1 that they that take away the fetidness of those ,oyles mortifie the vertues of them4 ,but thou sayst1 ,how then must we proceed in taking away their fetidness without the loss of the vertues8 ,must they be rectified by the spirit of salt8 as even now thou taughtest4 ,r4 ,no1 for although ,i said that ,oyles might be clarified with spirit of salt1 yet it doth not follow that my meaning was1 that that clarification was the mending of them3 ,this is only a way of clarification1 whereby they become more grateful2 and it is not to be slighted1 a better being unknown4 ,but how they are to be rectified from their fetidness and blackness1 without the loss of their ,vertues1 and to be made more noble1 doth not belong to this place1 because it cannot be done by this ,furnace3 ,i shall refer the reader therefore to the second part1 where it shall be shewed1 how such spirits are to be rectified without the loss of their vertues1 which being so prepared may well be accounted for the fourth ,pillar of ,physick4 ,and these things ,i was willing at least for information sake to shew you1 not to offend you1 and that because ,i was moved with pity1 and compassion towards my neighbour4 ,the ,quintessence of all ,vegetables4 ,pour upon ,spices1 ,seeds1 ,woods1 ,roots1 ,fruits1 ,flowers1 c4 the ,spirit of ,wine well rectified1 place them in digestion to be extracted1 untill all the essence be extracted1 with the ,spirit of ,wine2 then upon this ,spirit of ,wine1 being impregnated1 pour the best ,spirit of ,salt2 and being thus mixed together1 place them in ,balneo to digest1 untill the ,oyle be separated1 and swim above from the ,spirit of ,wine1 then separate it with a separating glass1 or distill off the ,spirit of ,wine in ,balneo1 and a clear ,oyle will ascend2 for if the ,spirit of ,wine be not abstracted1 then that ,oyle will be as red as blood2 and it is the true quintessence of that vegetable1 from whence by the ,spirit of ,wine it was extracted4 ,the ,quintessence of all ,metals and ,minerals4 ,dissolve any metal 7excepting ,silver1 which must be dissolved in ,aqua fortis7 in the strongest spirit of ,salt1 and draw off the flegme in ,balneo2 to that which remains pour the best rectified spirit of ,wine1 put it to digesting1 untill the ,oyle be elevated to the top as red as blood1 which is the tincture1 and quintessence of that metal1 being a most ,precious treasure in medicine4 ,a sweet and red ,oyle1 of ,metals and ,minerals4 ,dissolve a ,metal or ,mineral in spirit of ,salt1 dissolve also an equal weight of salt of ,wine essentificated2 mix these dissolutions1 and distill them by retort in a gradual heat1 and there will come out an oyle sweet1 and as red as blood1 together with the spirit of ,salt2 and sometimes the neck of the retort and receiver will be coloured like a ,peacocks tail with divers colours1 and sometimes with a golden colour4 ,and because ,i would without any difference comprehend all ,metals and ,minerals under one certain general process2 let him that would make the essence of silver take the spirit of nitre1 and proceed in all things as was spoken of the other metals4 ,concerning the use of these essences1 ,i need not speak much thereof2 for to him that knows the preparation shall be discovered the use thereof4 ,concerning the corrosive oyles of metals and minerals1 seeing they cannot be described by any one process1 it will be worth while to set down what is peculiar to each of them1 as followeth4 ,the ,oyle1 or ,liquor of ,gold4 ,dissolve the calx of gold in the spirit of salt1 7which must be very strong1 or else it cannot dissolve it7 but in defect of the strongest spirit thereof1 mix a little of the purest salt-peter2 but that oyle is the best which is made with the spirit of salt alone4 ,from the gold dissolved abstract half the solution1 and there will remain a corrosive oyle1 upon which pour the expressed juice of lemons1 and the dissolution will become green1 and a few feces fall to the bottom1 which may be reduced in melting4 ,this being done1 put this green liquor in ,balneo1 and draw off the flegme3 that which remains take out1 and put upon a marble in a cold moist place1 and it will be resolved into a red oyle1 which may safely1 and without danger be taken inwardly1 curing those that are hurt with ,mercury4 ,but especially it is commended in old ulcers of the mouth1 tongue1 and throat1 arising from the ,french pox1 leprosy1 scorbute1 c4 where the oyl of other things cannot be so safely used4 ,there is not a better medicine in the exulceration1 and swelling of the glandules1 in the ulcers of tongue and jaws1 which doth sooner mundify1 and consolidate4 ,neither yet must we neglect necessary purgings1 and sudorificks1 for fear of a relapse1 the cause not being taken away4 ,neither will there any danger follow1 whether it be given inwardly1 or used outwardly1 as in the accustomed use of other medicaments1 and gargarisms2 for it may daily1 and truly without all danger be used at least three times with a wonderful admiration of a quick operation4 ,oyle of ,mars4 ,dissolve thin plates of ,iron in rectified spirit of salt1 take the solution1 which is green1 of a sweet tast1 and smelling like fetid sulphur2 and filter it from that filthy and feculent residence3 then in a glass gourd in sand1 abstract all the humidity 7viz4 with a gentle fire7 which will be as insipid as rainwater1 because the iron by reason of its dryness1 hath attracted all the acidity to it self3 but in the bottom will remain a mass as red as blood1 burning the tongue like fire3 it takes away all proud flesh of wounds1 and that without all danger4 ,it is to be kept in a glass close stopt from the air1 lest it be resolved into an oyle1 which will be of a yellow colour4 ,but he that desires to have the oyle1 may set it on a marble in a moist ,cellar1 and within a day it will be resolved into an oyle1 which will be in colour betwixt yellow and red3 ,it is a most excellent secret in all corroding ulcers1 fistulas1 cancer1 c4 being an incomparable consolidator1 and mundifyer4 ,and it is not without profit mixed also with common water to wash the moist1 fetid ulcers of the leggs2 which cause tumours1 by being applyed warm like a bath1 for it dryes1 and heals suddenly1 if withal ,purges be administred4 ,it cures also any scab4 ,that red mass 7being yet unresolved7 being put on the oyle of sand1 or flints 7of which in the second part7 makes a tree to grow in the space of one or two hours1 having root1 trunk1 and boughs3 which being taken out1 and dryed1 in the test yields good gold1 which that tree extracts from the earth1 i4 e4 from the flints1 or sand4 ,thou mayst if thou pleasest1 more accurately examine this matter4 ,oyle of ,venus4 ,spirit of ,salt doth not easily work upon ,copper1 unless it be first reduced into a calx1 and that after this manner4 ,take plates of ,copper made red hot in an open crucible1 quench them in cold water1 and they will cleave into red scales3 then the remainders of the plates make red hot1 and quench as before3 do this so often1 till thou hast got a sufficient quantity of the calx2 which being dryed1 and powdered1 extract with the rectified spirit of salt1 in sand1 until the spirit of salt be sufficiently coloured with a green tincture1 which you must decant1 and filter2 and then abstract from it the superfluous moisture1 that there may remain a green thick oyle1 which is an excellent remedy for ulcers1 especially such as are ,venereal1 being applyed outwardly4 ,oyle of ,jupiter and ,saturn4 ,neither are these two metals easily dissolved in the spirit of salt1 yet being filed1 are dissolved in the best rectified spirit of salt4 ,but the operation is performed better with the flowers of these metals 7the preparation whereof shall be hereafter taught47 ,take therefore the flowers1 upon which in a gourd glass pour the spirit of salt1 and presently the spirit will work upon them1 especially being set in a warm place2 filter the yellow solution1 and abstract the humidity1 until there remain a yellow heavy oyle1 which is proper against putrid ulcers4 ,oyle of ,mercury4 ,neither is this easily dissolved with the spirit of salt3 but being sublimed with vitriol1 and salt is easily dissolved4 ,being dissolved1 it yields an oyle very corrosive1 which must be used with discretion1 wherefore it is not to be administred1 unless it be where none of the other are to be had4 ,for ,i saw a woman suddenly killed with this oyle1 being applyed by a certain ,chyrurgeon4 ,but this oyle is not to be slighted in eating ulcers1 tetter1 c4 which are mortified by it4 ,oyle of ,antimony4 ,crude ,antimony that hath never undergone the fire1 is hardly dissolved in spirit of salt3 as also the ,regulus thereof2 but the ,regulus being subtilly poudered1 is more easily wrought upon1 in case the spirit be sufficiently rectified4 ,the ,vitrum is more easily1 but most easily of all the flowers are dissolved1 being such as are made after our prescription a little after set down4 ,neither is ,butyrum ,antimonii 7being made out of sublimed ,mercury1 and ,antimony7 any thing else but the ,regulus of ,antimony dissolved with spirit of salt2 for sublimed ,mercury being mixed with ,antimony1 feeling the heat of the fire1 is forsaken by the corrosive spirits associating themselves with the ,antimony1 whence comes the thick ,oyle2 whilest which is done the sulphur of ,antimony is joyned to the ,quick-silver1 and yields a ,cinnabar1 sticking to the neck of the ,retort2 but the residue of the ,mercury remains in the bottom with the ,caput ,mortuum1 because a little part thereof doth distill off3 ,and if thou hast skill thou mayst recover the whole weight of the ,mercury again4 ,and these things ,i was willing the rather to shew thee1 because many think this is the oyle of ,mercury1 and therefore that white powder made thence by the pouring on of abundance of water they call ,mercurius vit1 with which there is no mixture at all of ,mercury1 for it is meer ,regulus of ,antimony dissolved with spirit of ,salt1 which is again separated1 when the water is poured on the ,antimonial butter2 as is seen by experience2 ,for that white pouder being dryed1 and melted in a crucible yields partly a yellow ,glass1 and partly also a ,regulus1 but no ,mercury at all4 ,whence it doth necessarily follow that that thick oyle is nothing else but ,antimony dissolved in spirit of ,salt4 ,for the flowers of ,antimony being mixed with spirit of ,salt1 make an oyle in all respects like to that butter which is made of ,antimony1 and sublimated ,mercury1 which also is after the same manner by the affusion of a good quantity of water precipitated into a white pouder1 which is commonly called ,mercurius vit3 ,it is also by the same way turned into ,bezoardicum mineral1 viz4 by abstracting the spirit of ,nitre1 and it is nothing else but ,diaphoretick ,antimony4 ,for it is all one whether that ,diaphoretick be made with spirit of ,nitre1 or with ,nitre it self1 viz4 corporeal1 for these have the same vertues1 although some are of opinion that that is to be preferred before the other2 but the truth is1 there is no difference4 ,but let every one be free in his own judgment1 for those things which ,i have wrote1 ,i have not ,writ out of ambition1 but to find out the truth4 ,now again to our purpose1 which is to shew an oyle of ,antimony made with the spirit of salt4 ,take a pound of the flowers of ,antimony 7of which a little after7 upon which pour two pound of the best rectified spirit1 mix them well together in a glass1 and set them in sand a day and night to dissolve1 then pour out that solution together with the flowers into a retort that is coated1 which set in sand1 and first give a gentle fire1 untill the flegme be come off1 then follows a weak spirit with a little stronger fire1 for the stronger spirits remain in the bottom with the ,antimony3 then give a stronger fire1 and there will come forth an oyle like to the butter of ,antimony made with sublimed ,mercury1 and is appropriated to the same uses1 as follows4 ,the flowers of ,antimony1 ,white and ,vomitive4 ,take of this butter as much as you please1 upon which in a glass gourd1 or any other large glass pour a great quantity of water until the white flowers will precipitate no more2 then decant off the water from the flowers1 which edulcorate with warm water1 and dry with a gentle heat1 and thou shalt have a white pouder4 ,the ,dose is1 that #a4 #b4 #c4 #h4 #aj4 grains be macerated for the space of a night in wine1 which is to be drank in the morning1 and it worketh upward and downward4 ,but it is not to be given to children1 those that be old1 and weak1 but to those that be strong1 and accustomed to vomiting4 ,when at any time this infusion is taken and doth not work1 as sometimes it falls out1 but makes the ,patient very sick1 he must provoke vomiting with his finger1 or else it will not work1 but make those that have taken it to be sick1 and debilitated even to death4 ,we must also in the over much working of these flowers drink a draught of warm ,beer1 or rather of warm ,water1 decocted with ,chervil1 or ,parsly1 and they will work more mildly4 ,but let not him that is able to bear the operation thereof any way hinder it1 for there is the greater hope of recovering his health thereby1 for they do excellently purge choler1 and evacuate flegme in the ,stomack1 being humors that will not yield to other ,catharticks2 they open obstructions1 resist the putrefaction of the blood1 the causes of many diseases1 such as are ,feavers1 ,head-aches1 c4 they are good for them that are ,leprous1 ,scorbutical1 ,melancholical1 ,hypochondriacal1 infected with the ,french-,pox1 and in the beginning of the ,plague4 ,in brief1 they do work gallantly1 and do many things4 ,after the taking of them1 the ,patient must stay in his bed or at least not go forth of his house1 for to avoid the aire1 or otherwise they may be mistrusted4 ,and because of their violence they are feared1 and hated1 ,i shall in the fourth part of this ,book for the sake of the sick set down such as are milder1 and safer1 such as shall work rather downward than upward1 causing easie vomits1 which also thou mayest give to children1 and those that are old without danger1 yet some respect being had of the disease1 and age4 ,the flowers of ,antimony diaphoretical4 ,the foresaid flowers if they be cast into melted ,nitre1 and be left a while in melting1 are made fixt1 so as to become ,diaphoretical1 and lose their ,cathartical ,vertue4 ,the acid water being separated from the flowers1 if it be evaporated1 leaves behind the best spirit of salt1 serving for the same or such like uses again4 ,of the ,external use of the ,corrosive ,oyle of ,antimony4 ,this oyle hath been long used by ,chirurgions1 for they have with a feather applyed it to wounds almost uncurable1 to separate impurities1 for the acceleration of the cure1 that afterwards other medicaments being applyed may the better operate4 ,but it is better if it be mixed1 with spirit of ,salt1 for they are easily mixed and it is made more mild thereby1 and the too great corrosive faculty thereof is mitigated4 ,neither is there any other besides the spirit of ,salt1 with which this oyle can be mixed1 unless it be the strongest spirit of ,nitre1 for the weak spirit of ,nitre precipitates the butter of ,antimony1 as you may see in the preparation of ,bezoardicum ,minerale4 ,but the strongest spirit of nitre dissolving this butter1 makes a red solution of wonderfull ,vertue in ,chymistry1 of which we are not to treat in this place2 and if this be drawn off again by distillation1 it leaves behind the first time a fixed ,antimony1 and ,diaphoretical1 which otherwise must be drawn off twice1 or thrice1 viz4 if it be weak1 and not able to dissolve the butter without precipitation4 ,now this ,bezoardicum is the best1 and safest ,diaphoretick in all diseases that require sweat1 as in the plague1 ,french pox1 feavers1 scorbute1 leprosy1 c4 if it be given from #f4 #h4 #aj4 to twenty grains in proper vehicles2 it penetrates the whole body1 and evacuates all evil humours by sweat and urine4 ,the ,oyl of ,arsenic and ,auripigmentum4 ,as the spirit of salt doth not easily work upon ,antimony by reason of the abundance of crude sulphur1 unless it be reduced into flowers1 in the preparation whereof1 some part of its sulphur is burnt2 so also ,arsenic and ,auripigmentum are hardly dissolved with spirit of salt1 unless they be reduced into flowers1 and the spirit of salt be very strong1 which may be able to work upon it4 ,these may be distilled by retort like ,antimony into a thick heavy oyl2 which being used in cancrous eating ulcers1 exceeds that of ,antimony in mortifying1 mundifying1 and purging those evils4 ,after the same manner may corrosive oyls be made out of all the realgars being ordained for outward uses4 ,oyl of ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,take of the best yellow or red ,lapis ,calaminaris very subtilly powdered1 as much as you please1 and pour upon it five or six times as much of rectified spirit of salt1 mix and stir them well together1 and do not leave them long unstirred1 but ever and anon shake the glass with the materials2 and this do oftentimes1 or else the ,lapis ,calaminaris will grow together into a very hard stone1 which can be dissolved no more1 and is prevented by the aforesaid often shaking3 and when the spirit of salt will dissolve no more thereof in frigido1 set the glass in warm sand so long1 until the spirit be tinged with a most yellow colour1 which then decant1 and pour on fresh1 and again set it in digestion to extract1 and do not forget to shake the glass often4 ,the solution being finished filter it1 and cast away the residue of the terra mortua4 ,afterwards set the solution in sand1 and give fire1 and almost three parts of the spirit of salt will go over insipid1 which is nothing but the flegme1 although the spirit was never so well rectified2 the reason whereof is the most dry nature of lapis calaminaris1 to which the spirit of salt is very friendly1 and therefore very hard to be separated from it4 ,for ,i never knew any mineral or metal 7beside ,zinck7 which exceeds lapis calaminaris in dryness4 ,at last when no more flegm will go over1 let all things cool2 which being done1 take out the glass1 and thou shalt find a red thick oyl1 as fat as oyl olive1 and not very corrosive2 for that spirit of salt being almost mortified with the lapis calaminaris is deprived of its acidity4 ,this oyl is to be kept from the air2 or else within a few dayes it attracts much air which it converts into water1 and thereby becomes weakened4 ,this ,oyl is of wonderful ,vertue1 being used as well inwardly as outwardly4 ,and ,i wonder that in so long a time there hath been no body1 who hath operated in lapis calaminaris and described the nature thereof1 seeing it hath in it a golden sulphur 7of which thing in the fourth ,part7 for if the terrestreity thereof were separated from it artificially1 pure gold would be manifested therein2 now the greatest part thereof is volatile1 and immature1 and cannot easily be reduced into a body in melting1 wherefore hitherto that stone hath not been esteemed of by ,chymists1 but to the wise was alwayes pretious1 c4 ,the use of the ,oyl of ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,if it be given from #a4 #b4 #c4 drops to ten1 and fifteen with sutable vehicles1 it purgeth the dropsy1 leprosy1 gout1 and other noxious fixed humors not yielding to vegetable ,catharticks1 of which more at large in the second ,part of the spirit of urine and salt of tartar4 ,it serves outwardly for an excellent vulnerary balsome1 the like to which can scarce be shewed1 not only in reducing old corrupt wounds1 but also in those that are green1 for it doth powerfully dry1 mundify1 and consolidate4 ,it is also used in houshold affairs1 for birdlime being dissolved in it1 yields a certain tenacious matter serving to catch birds1 mice1 c4 about the house or in the field4 ,for it is as permanent in the heat of the ,sun1 as in the cold of ,winter1 wherefore it may be used at any time of the year2 all small animals stick to it if they do but touch the matter4 ,a ligature or string smeered therewith1 and bound about any tree prevents the spiders from climbing up thereon1 and other kinds of insects that are noxious to the fruit2 a thing worth taking notice of4 ,this oyl is not by the pouring on of water corrupted1 neither is it precipitated1 as that of ,antimony3 wherefore it is useful for many things4 ,common yellow sulphur boyled in it1 viz4 in a strong fire1 so as to be dissolved in it1 swims upon it like fat1 is thereby purified and made as transparent as yellow pellucid glass1 and a better medicine than those common flowers of sulphur3 it serves also for other uses1 all which to relate here it would be too tedious4 ,this oyl being mixed with clean sand1 and distilled by retort in a fire that is very strong 7otherwise the spirit of salt will not leave the lapis calaminaris7 yields a most fiery spirit1 the lapis calaminaris remaining in the bottom of the retort4 ,this spirit is so strong1 that it can scarce be kept2 it dissolves all metals1 and all minerals 7excepting silver and sulphur7 wherefore by the help thereof many excellent medicaments are made1 which cannot be made with the common spirit though never so well rectified1 which although it be often rectified1 yet it is not without flegm1 which cannot be separated from it by the power of rectification1 so well as with lapis calaminaris4 ,this spirit doth perform many things in medicine1 alchymy1 as also in other arts1 as you may easily conjecture2 but here is not opportunity to speak more of these things1 yet for the sake of the sick ,i shall add one thing1 to which few things are to be compared2 the plain short process whereof ,i would not have thee be offended at4 ,and it is this1 viz4 mix this spirit with the best rectifyed spirit of wine1 digest this mixture some while1 and the spirit of salt will separate the spirit of wine1 and will make the oyl of wine swim on the top1 the volatile salt being mortified3 and this oyl is a most incomparable cordial1 especially if with the said spirit of wine1 spices have first been extracted1 and with the said spirit of salt1 gold hath been dissolved4 ,for then in the digestion of this mixture1 the oyl of wine being separated1 attracts the essence of the cordial species1 and of other vegetables1 being extracted before with the spirit of wine1 as also the tincture of gold1 and so by consequence a most efficacious incomparable and universal medicine for all diseases1 fortifying the ,humidum radicale1 that it may be able to overcome its enemies2 for which let praise and glory be given to the immortal ,god for ever who hath revealed to us so great secrets4 ,of the ,extrinsecal use of the spirit of ,salt in the ,kitchen4 ,i said before that instead of ,vinegar1 and verjuice it may be used1 as also instead of the juice of ,limons1 now it remains that ,i shew you how it is to be used1 and that indeed as well for the sake of the healthy as the sick4 ,let him therefore that will dress a pullet1 pigeons1 veal1 c4 in the first place put a sufficient quantity of spices1 of water1 and butter1 and then as he pleaseth a greater1 or lesser quantity of spirit of salt3 and by this means fleshes are sooner made ready being boyled1 then that common way2 an old hen though the flesh thereof be old is made as tender as a chicken by the addition of this spirit3 but he that will use it instead of the juice of ,limons with rost meat1 must put into it the pill of ,limons for preservation sake1 because it preserves it4 ,it is used instead of verjuice by it self alone1 or mixed with a little sugar1 if it be too acid4 ,he that will stew beef1 and make it as tender as kid1 must first dissolve in it tartar and a little salt before he wets the flesh therewith1 and the flesh will not only be preserved but made tender thereby3 but to keep flesh a long time you must mix some water therewith1 and with weights press down the flesh1 that it may be covered with the pickle3 for by this means flesh may be preserved a great while4 ,after the same manner may all kinds of garden fruits be preserved1 as cucumbers1 purslain1 fennel1 broom1 ,german capers1 c4 and indeed better than in vinegar4 ,also flowers1 and hearbs may a long while be preserved by the help thereof1 so that you may have a rose all the winter4 ,it preserves also wine1 if a little be mixed therewith4 ,a little thereof being mixed with milk precipitates the cheese1 which if it be rightly made is never corrupted1 being like to such cheese as they call ,parmesan4 ,the whey of that milk dissolves ,iron1 and cures any scab being washed therewith4 ,with the help of spirit of salt is made with honey1 and sugar a most pleasant drink1 not unlike to wine4 ,there is made also of certain fruits with the spirit of salt a very good vinegar like to the ,rhenish vinegar4 ,such and many more things1 which ,i will not now divulge1 may be done with spirit of salt4 ,and thus have ,i in some measure taught the use of the spirit of salt1 which ,i would not have you take as if ,i had revealed all things2 for1 brevities sake1 as also for some other reasons ,i have silently passed over many things4 ,neither do ,i know all things my self3 but those things1 which ,i do know1 ,i have so far declared that others may from thence have hints of seeking further4 ,he that would describe all1 and every power and vertue thereof1 had need to write a whole volum1 the which is not my purpose at this time to do1 but may perhaps be done another time4 ,there shall also be shewed in the second part of this book1 some secrets which may be prepared by the help of this spirit3 as how it may be dulcified to extract the tincture of gold1 and of other metals1 leaving a white body1 which tincture is a medicine not to be slighted4 ,wherefore now seeing it is manifest how great things this spirit can do1 every one will desire a good quantity for his houshold uses1 especially seeing most excellent spirits may be made after an easie and short way4 ,how an acid spirit1 or vinegar may be distilled out of all vegetables1 as hearbs1 woods1 roots1 seeds1 c4 ,first put a few living coals into the furnace1 then put upon them the wood that is to be distilled1 that it may be burnt3 out of which whilst it is burning goes forth the acid spirit thereof into the receiver1 where being condensed it falls down into another receiver1 resembling almost common vinegar in its smell1 wherefore also it is called the vinegar of woods4 ,and after this manner you may draw forth an acid spirit out of any wood1 or vegetable1 and that in a great quantity without costs1 because the wood to be distilled is put but upon a very few living coals1 and upon that another1 for one kindles the other2 and this spirit requires no more charges than of the wood to be distilled2 which is a great difference betwixt this1 and the common way of distilling1 where besides retorts1 is required another fire2 and out of a great retort scarce a pound of spirit is drawn in the space of five or six hours2 whereas in ours in the space of one day1 and that without any cost or labor may be extracted twenty or thirty pound1 because the wood is immediately to be cast into the fire to be distilled1 and that not in pieces1 but whole4 ,now this spirit 7being rectified7 may commodiously be used in divers ,chymical operations1 for it doth easily dissolve animal stones1 as the eyes of ,crabs1 the stones of ,perches1 and ,carps1 ,corals also and ,pearl1 c4 as doth vinegar of wine4 ,by means thereof also are dissolved the glasses of metals1 as of tin1 lead1 ,antimony1 and are extracted1 and reduced into sweet oyles4 ,this vinegar being taken inwardly of it self doth cause sweat wonderfully1 wherefore it is good in many diseases1 especially that which is made of ,oak1 ,box2 ,guaiacum1 ,juniper1 and other heavy woods2 for by how much the heavier the woods are1 by so much the more acid spirit do they yield4 ,being used outwardly it mundifies ulcers1 wounds1 consolidates1 extinguisheth1 and mitigates inflammations caused by fire1 cures the scab1 but especially the decoction being made of its own wood in the same4 ,being mixed with warm water for a bath for the lower part of the body1 it cures occult diseases of women2 as also malignant ulcers of the leggs4 ,this spirit therefore deserves some place in the shops1 i4 e4 it is unjustly rejected in the shops1 seeing it is easie to be made4 ,in distilling of wormwood and other vegetables1 there remaines in the bottom of the furnace ashes1 which being extracted with warm water yields a salt by decoction1 which being again dissolved in its own spirit or vinegar1 and filtred1 doth by the evaporation of the flegm1 being placed in a cold place pass into a ,crystalline salt1 which is of a pleasant tast1 not like unto a lixivium1 nor unto other salts that are dissolved in the air4 ,this salt is also more efficacious 7being reduced into ,crystals by its proper ,spirit7 than that which is made by the help of sulphur1 or ,aqua fortis1 and oyl of ,vitriol1 and otherways which ,chymists1 and ,apothecaries use4 ,the spirit of paper and linnen cloath4 ,pieces of linnen cloth gathered1 and got from ,sempsters being cast into the furnace upon living coals1 yield a most acid spirit1 which tingeth the nailes1 skin1 hair with a yellow colour1 restores members destroyed with cold1 is good in a gangrene1 and erysipelas if linen clothes wet in the same be applyed thereto1 c4 ,the same doth spirit made of paper1 viz4 of the pieces thereof4 ,the spirit of silk4 ,after the same manner is there a spirit made of pieces of silk1 which is not so sharp as that which is made of linnen and paper1 neither doth it tinge the ,skin1 but is most excellent in wounds as well old as green1 and it makes the ,skin beautiful4 ,the spirit of mans hair1 and of other animals1 as also of horns4 ,out of horns also1 and hair is made a spirit1 but most fetid1 wherefore it is not so useful1 although otherwise it may serve for divers arts3 being rectified it comes clear and to be of the odour of the spirit of urine4 ,it dissolves common sulphur1 and yields a water1 that cures the scab in a very short time4 ,now for this business1 shreds of woollen cloth undyed may serve1 being cast in a good quantity into the furnace4 ,pieces of cloath dipt in this spirit and hanged in vineyards1 and fields1 keep out ,deer and ,swine from coming in1 because they are afraid of the smell of that spirit1 as of an huntsman that waits to catch them4 ,the spirit of vinegar1 honey1 and sugar4 ,he that will distil liquid things1 must cast red hot coals into them1 as for example into vinegar in the furnace1 or if it be honey1 or sugar1 let them first be dissolved in water1 by which means they will be drank up by the coals1 which being therewith impregnated1 must afterwards at several times be cast into the furnace1 and be burnt2 and whilst the coals are burning1 that which is incombustible comes forth4 ,and by this means you may distil liquid things in a great quantity4 ,vinegar which is distilled this way1 is of the same nature1 as that which is distilled in close vessels4 ,but honey and sugar that are distilled after this manner1 are a little altered1 and acquire other vertues3 but how they shall be distilled without the loss of their volatile spirit shall be taught in the second ,part4 ,also after this manner may all liquid things being drunk up by living coals be distilled4 ,of the use of distilled vinegar many things might be said1 but because the ,books of all the ,chymists treat abundantly thereof1 ,i account it needless to repeat what they have writ4 ,yet this is worth taking notice of1 that the sharpest vinegar hath a great affinity with some metals1 which may be extracted by the help thereof2 also dissolved1 and reduced into medicaments2 yea1 many things may be made with the help thereof1 as the books of all the ,chymists testify4 ,but there is yet another vinegar1 of which there is often mention made in the books of ,philosophers1 by the help whereof1 many wonderful things are performed in the solution of metals1 the name whereof the ancients have been silent in2 of which ,i do not here treat1 because it cannot be made by this furnace2 but ,i shall treat of it in another part2 yet so that ,i incur not the ,curse of the ,philosophers4 ,how spirits may be made out of the salt of tartar1 vitriolated tartar1 the spirit of salt tartarizated1 and of other such like fixed salts4 ,as many ,chymists as there hath been1 almost all have been of the opinion that a spirit cannot be drawn out of salt of tartar1 and other fixed salts4 ,for experience hath taught that by retort little or no spirit can be drawn from thence1 as ,i had often experience of before the invention of this furnace3 the reason of which thing was the admixtion of sand1 earth1 bole1 pouder of tiles1 c4 for to prevent the flowing of the salt of tartar1 being by this means dispersed4 ,but this is done through the ignorance of ,authors1 who have been ignorant of the properties of salt of tartar4 ,for a stony matter1 as sand1 flint1 bole1 c4 being mixed with salt of tartar1 feeling the heat of the fire1 and being made red with the same1 is joyned to it most closely1 so as no spirit can be drawn from thence1 but become a most hard stone4 ,for sand1 and such things that are like to it1 have so great an affinity with the salt of tartar1 that being once united can scarce ever be separated4 ,yet it may be made by ,art by the addition of pure sand1 or flint1 because the whole substance of the salt of tartar may be turned into a spirit in the space of one or two hours1 as shall be taught in the second part1 and it excells all other medicaments in vertue1 in curing the stone1 and gout4 ,and if by the regiment of art there be left any ,caput ,mortuum in the distillation1 it hath1 being dissolved in the air1 a power to putrify metals being prepared1 and mixed with it1 in the space of few hours1 so as to make them become black1 and to grow up like trees with their roots1 trunks1 and boughs1 which by how much the longer they are so left1 become the better4 ,of calx of lead being subtilized1 and of salt of tartar may be made a spiritus gradatorius of wonderful vertues as well in ,medicine as ,alchymy4 ,there is made of the ,caput ,mortuum1 per deliquium a green liquor which doth wonderful things2 whence it is proved1 ,that ,saturn is not the lowest of the ,planets2 enough to the wise4 ,and so is the ,lac ,virginis1 and the ,philosophical ,sanguis ,draconis made4 ,sometimes there is found a certain earth1 or bole1 which hath no affinity with tartar1 which being mixed with salt of tartar yields a spirit1 but very little4 ,but in this furnace may all fixed things be elevated1 because the species not being included in it1 but dispersed1 being cast upon the fire1 are from the fire elevated through the aire1 and are being refrigerated in the recipients again condensed1 which cannot be so well done by a close retort4 ,he therefore that will make the spirit of the salt of tartar1 need do nothing else than to call the calcined tartar into the fire1 and it will wholly come over in a spirit3 but then there are required glass recipients1 because those that are earthen cannot retain it4 ,and this is the way whereby most fixed salts are distilled into a spirit by the first furnace4 ,in the second furnace 7viz4 in the furnace of the second ,part7 it may be done better1 and easier1 where together with the preparation shall be taught the use thereof4 ,the spirits1 flowers1 and salts of ,minerals and stones4 ,by this way spirits may be raised from any mineral or stone1 and that without the addition of any other thing3 yet so as that the minerals1 and stones1 as flints1 ,crystal1 talk1 lapis calaminaris1 ,marcasite1 ,antimony1 being ground be with an ,iron ladle cast upon the coals1 and there will arise together with a certain acid spirit1 some salt and flowers1 which are to be washed off from the recipients1 and filtred1 and the flowers will remain in ,charta bibula1 or filter for the water together with the spirit1 and the salt passeth through the filter1 all which may be separated1 rectified and be kept by themselves for their proper uses4 ,now this you must know1 that you must choose such minerals which have not been touched by the fire1 if you desire to have their spirit4 ,how minerals1 and metals may be reduced into flowers1 and of their vertues4 ,hitherto the flowers of metals1 and minerals have not been in use1 excepting the flowers of ,antimony1 and sulphur1 which are easily sublimed3 for ,chymists have not dared to attempt the sublimation of other metals1 and fixed minerals1 being content with the solution of them with ,aqua fortis1 and corrosive waters1 precipitating them with the liquor of salt of tartar1 and afterward edulcorating1 and drying them2 and being so prepared they have called them their ,flowers3 but by ,flowers ,i understand the same matter which is by the help of fire without the addition of any other thing sublimed1 and turned into a most subtile pouder1 not to be perceived by the teeth or eyes1 which indeed is 7in my judgment7 to be accounted for the true flowers2 when as the flowers which others make are more corporeal1 and cannot be so well edulcorated1 but retain some saltness in them1 as may be perceived by the increase of their weight1 and therefore hurtful to the eyes1 and other parts4 ,but our flowers being by the force of the fire sublimed by themselves1 are not only without saltness1 but are also so subtile that being taken inwardly presently operate1 and put forth their powers1 viz4 according to the pleasure of the ,physitian4 ,neither is their preparation so costly as the others4 ,metals also1 and minerals are maturated1 and amended in their sublimation1 that they may be the more safely taken2 but in other preparations they are rather destroyed1 and corrupted1 as experience witnesseth3 ,now how these kind of flowers are to be made ,i shall now teach1 and indeed of each metal by it self1 whereby the artist in the preparation cannot erre1 and first thus4 ,of ,gold and ,silver4 ,gold and silver can hardly be brought into flowers1 because many are of opinion1 that nothing comes from them in the fire1 especially from ,gold1 although it should be left there for ever3 which although it be true1 viz4 that nothing comes from gold in the fire1 although it should remain there a long time1 and from silver but a little except it have copper or any other metal mixed1 which yet vapours away but by little and little4 ,which ,i say although it be so1 yet they being broken and subtilized and scattered upon coals1 and so dispersed1 may by the force of the fire and help of the air be sublimed1 and reduced into flowers4 ,now seeing the aforesaid metals are dear1 and of a great price1 and the furnace with its recipients large1 ,i would not that any one should cast them in1 especially gold1 because he cannot recover them all2 but ,i shall to those that desire to make these flowers shew another way in the second part1 whereby they may make them without the loss of the metal2 to which ,i refer the reader4 ,for this furnace serves for the subliming of metals1 and minerals1 which are not so pretious1 the loosing of part whereof is not so much regarded4 ,and thus much is said to shew that gold1 and silver1 although fixed1 may be sublimed4 ,now other metals may more easily be sublimed1 yet one more easily than another1 neither need they any other preparation but beating small1 before they be cast into the fire4 ,flowers of ,iron and ,copper4 ,take of the filings of ,iron or ,copper1 as much as you please1 cast them with an ,iron laddle upon burning coals1 viz4 scatteringly1 and there will arise from ,iron a red vapour1 but from ,copper a green1 and will be sublimed into the sublimatory vessels4 ,as the fire abates it must be renewed with fresh coales1 and the casting in of these filings be continued1 until you have got a sufficient quantity of flowers1 and then you may let all cool4 ,this being done take off the sublimatory vessels1 take out the flowers1 and keep them1 for they are very good if they be mixed with unguents1 and emplasters3 and being used inwardly cause vomiting2 therefore they are better in ,chirurgery1 where scarce any thing is to be compared to them4 ,copper being dissolved in spirit of salt1 and precipitated with oyl of vitriol1 edulcorated1 dryed1 and sublimed1 yields flowers1 which being in the air resolved into a green balsom1 is most useful in wounds and old putrid ulcers1 and is a most pretious treasure4 ,flowers of ,lead and ,tin4 ,you need not reduce these metals into small crums1 it is sufficient if they be cast in piece by piece1 but then you must under the grate put an earthen platter glazed1 and filled with water1 to gather that which flows down melted1 which is to be taken out1 and cast again into the fire1 and this so often until all the metal be turned into flowers1 which afterwards are again1 the vessels being cold1 to be taken out1 as hath been said of the flowers of ,mars and ,venus4 ,and these flowers are most excellent being mixed with plaisters and oyntments in old and green wounds1 for they have a greater power to dry1 than metals calcined1 as experience can testifie4 ,of ,mercury4 ,this is easily reduced into flowers1 because it is very volatile1 but not for the aforesaid reason1 because it leapes in the fire1 and seeks to descend4 ,and if you desire to have the flowers thereof1 mix in first with sulphur that you may pulverize it1 and cast it in mortified4 ,and if you cast into a red hot crucible set in the furnace1 a little quick ,mercury1 viz4 by times with a ladle1 presently it will fly out1 and some part thereof will be resolved into an acid water1 which is to be preferred before the flowers in my judgment2 but the rest of the ,mercury drops into the receiver4 ,but here are required glass vessels1 because the aforesaid water is lost in earthen4 ,and this water without doubt doth something in ,alchymy3 ,it is also good being applyed outwardly1 in the scab1 and venereal ulcers4 ,the flowers of ,zinck4 ,it is a wonderful metal1 and is found in the spagyrical anatomy to be meer sulphur1 golden1 and immature4 ,being put upon burning coals doth suddenly fly away wholly2 it is inflamed also1 and partly burns like common sulphur1 with a flame of another colour1 viz4 golden purple3 and yields most gallant white1 and light flowers4 ,the use4 ,being given from #d1 #e1 #f1 grains to #ab1 they provoke sweat wonderfully1 and sometimes vomit1 and stools1 according to the offending matter4 ,the vertues thereof being externally used are also wonderful1 for there are not found better flowers1 for they do not only speedily consolidate fresh wounds1 but also old1 such as always drop water1 in which cases they excell all other medicaments4 ,for they are of such dryness1 which hath joyned with it a consolidating vertue1 as that they do even things incredible4 ,they may be used divers ways1 as to be strewed by themselves1 putting over them a stiptick plaister1 or being brought into an unguent with honey to be put into wounds2 which unguents in deep wounds may be boyled to a hardness for the making of small suppositories1 which are to be put into the wounds1 which must afterwards be covered with some plaister1 and preserved from the air4 ,being applyed after this manner they cure fundamentally1 being mixed with plaisters also they do wonderful things4 ,if they be mixed with rose1 or rain water1 so as to be united together1 and afterwards some of this mixture be sometimes every day dropt into red eyes that water1 yielding not to other ophthalmicks1 do restore1 and heal them4 ,these flowers being taken up in lint and strewed upon those places of ,children that are galled with their urin 7those places being first washed with water7 heal them quickly4 ,they heal also quickly any excoriation which is contracted by lying long in any sickness1 and is very painful1 if they be strewed thereon4 ,these flowers also are more easily dissolved in corrosive waters1 than other metals1 and minerals1 neither doth the spirit leave them in the fire1 but an insipid phlegm only distills off1 leaving a fat and thick oyl1 as is above said concerning the lapis calaminaris1 being ordained for the same uses1 but more efficacious then that4 ,which spirit if it be by the violence of fire driven forth1 is of so great strength1 that it can scarce be kept4 ,and not only spirit of salt1 but also ,aqua fortis1 and ,regia may after this manner be exalted1 so as to be able to do wonderful things in the separation of metals2 but here is not place for these things1 they shall be spoken of in the fourth part4 ,but you need not make flowers for this work1 because crude ,zinck doth the same1 although the flowers do it something better3 whence it appears that a metal contracts a higher degree of dryness in sublimation4 ,flowers of ,antimony4 ,there is no difficulty to make the flowers of ,antimony1 for ,chymists have a long time made use of them1 and because their preparation was tedious1 they were not sold at a low rate4 ,wherefore there was no body willing to attempt any thing else in them1 because they were used only for vomiting2 the dose whereof was from #a4 #b4 #c4 #d4 grains to #h4 and #aj4 in affects of the stomack and of the head1 as also in feavers1 plague1 morbus gallicus1 c4 ,neither is it a wonder if ,chymists tryed no farther in them1 for we see that there are found men in these days who perswade themselves that there is nothing which was not found out by the learned ancients1 can be found out in these days1 and if there were any thing to be yet found out it was found out already by them4 ,but this opinion truly is very foolish1 as if ,god gave all things to the ancients1 and reserved nothing for them that should come after4 ,neither indeed do they understand nature in their operations1 which works incessantly1 and is not wearied in her labours1 c4 ,but however it is manifest that ,god hath revealed things in these times which were hid from them of old1 and he will not cease to do the same even to the end of the world4 ,but to return to our purpose again1 which is to shew an easier way of making the flowers of ,antimony1 whereby a greater quantity may be had1 as also that they may serve for other uses4 ,take of crude ,antimony poudered as much as you please1 and first make your furnace red hot1 then cast in at once a pound of ,antimony1 or thereabouts1 viz4 scatteringly upon the coals2 and presently it will flow1 being mixed with the coals by the force of the fire will be sublimed through the air into the receivers like a cloud1 which will there be coagulated into white flowers4 ,note1 that when the first coals are burnt up1 more must be put in to continue the sublimation1 and those must be first kindled before they are put in1 lest the flowers be by the dust of the coals arising together with them discoloured1 and contract thence a gray colour3 but it matters not if you will not use them by themselves to provoke vomiting1 because there is no danger thereby1 for that colour comes only from the smoake of the coals1 wherefore you need not be afraid of them4 ,but let him that dislikes this colour1 first kindle the coals before he put them into the furnace1 and then he shall have white flowers4 ,also you must not shut the middle hole through which the coals1 and ,antimony are cast in1 that thereby the fire may burn the more freely3 for else the flowers of the superior pots will be yellow and red1 by reason of the sulphur of the ,antimony1 which is sublimed higher than the regulus4 ,now you may by this way make a pound of the flowers with #c4 #d4 or #e4 pound of coals4 ,it is a little that goes away from the ,antimony1 viz4 the combustible sulphur1 which is burnt1 all the rest going into flowers4 ,you must have a care to provide a sufficient quantity of subliming pots by reason that a large space is required for the sublimation of the flowers4 ,the flowers that are prepared after this way1 are sold at a lower rate1 so that one pound thereof is cheaper1 than half an ounce of those that are made after the other manner4 ,also they are safer1 as being made with an open free flame of the fire1 for they do not provoke vomit so vehemently2 moreover the flowers of the lower pots are not vomiting1 but diaphoretical1 as if they had been prepared with nitre1 for thus they are corrected by the fire3 ,and by this way at one and the same operation divers flowers of divers operations may be made1 for the flowers of the lower pots are diaphoretical1 of the middle a little vomitive1 but of the uppermost vehemently vomitive4 ,for by how much the more they have endured the fire1 by so much the better are they corrected2 from whence the diversity of their power proceeds4 ,wherefore each of them are to be kept by themselves1 and the uppermost for plaisters or butter1 or oyl1 and those to be made sweet or corrosive thereby2 ,the middle for purging1 and vomiting1 but the lowermost for sweat1 being more excellent than ,bezoardicum ,minerale1 or ,antimonium ,diaphoreticum made with nitre4 ,truly ,i do not believe that there is an easier way of making vomiting1 and diaphoretical flowers1 than ours4 ,now for the use of them1 you must know that those that are vomitive are to be administred to those that are strong1 and accustomed to vomit3 but to ,children1 and old ,men with discretion1 as hath been said above of the butter of ,antimony3 but those that are diaphoretical may be given without danger to ,old and ,young1 to those that are in health1 and to the sick2 in any affliction that requires sweat2 as in the ,plague1 ,morbus ,gallicus1 ,scorbute1 ,leprosy1 ,feavers1 c4 ,the ,dose of them is from #c1 #f1 #i1 #ab1 grains to #bd4 with proper vehicles to sweat in the bed2 for they do expel as well by sweat1 as by urine1 all evil humours4 ,and because they that are vomitive are in a greater quantity than those that are diaphoretical1 and not so necessary as these1 and there may be many more doses out of them2 it is necessary to shew you how those that are vomitive may be turned into diaphoretical2 and that may be done three wayes2 the two former whereof ,i have before shewed concerning the butter of ,antimony made of flowers with spirit of salt1 the third is this1 viz4 put the flowers in a crucible covered1 7without luting7 lest any thing fall into it1 so set them by themselves in a gentle fire1 that they melt not1 but be made only darkly glow for the space of some hours2 then let them cool1 for they are become fixed and diaphoretical4 ,although they had before contracted some yellowness or ash-colour1 yet by this means they are made white1 fixed1 and diaphoretical4 ,also these flowers are used in stiptick plaisters by reason of their dry nature1 with which they are endued4 ,also they are melted into a yellow transparent glass1 neither is there taught an easier way of reducing ,antimony by it self into a yellow transparent glass1 where crude ,antimony is first sublimed1 and being sublimed is melted into glass4 ,this sublimation serves instead of calcination1 by the help whereof #bj pound are more easily sublimed1 than by the help of the other one pound is brought into calx4 ,neither is there here any danger of the ascending fumes1 because when the ,antimony is cast into the fire you may be gone1 which is a safe1 and easy calcination1 whereas the common way requires the continual presence of the artist stirring the matter1 who also takes out the matter when it is once grown together1 and grinds it again2 by which means he hath much to do1 before the matter come to a whiteness2 but by our way1 the matter is at the first time made sufficiently white1 and more than by that common way of calcination and agitation4 ,i suppose therefore that ,i have shewed to him that will make glass of ,antimony1 the best1 and hitherto unknown way2 which being taught1 ,i hope there is no man will hereafter like a fool go that tedious way of the ,antients1 but rather follow my steps4 ,for by this way may any ,physitian1 most easily be able to prepare for himself vomitive and diaphoretical flowers1 and also glass of ,antimony per se4 ,of those ,flowers may be made oyls both sweet and corrosive1 and other medicaments1 as hath been above said of the spirit of salt1 and shall afterwards be spoken in the ,second ,part4 ,let him that will make ,flowers of the ,regulus1 fairer than those which are made of crude ,antimony1 cast it being poudered into the fire1 and in all things proceed as hath been said1 and he shall have them1 c4 for they are easily sublimed4 ,now1 how the regulus is to be made after a compendious manner1 you shall find in the ,fourth ,part4 ,the scori also are sublimed1 so as nothing is lost4 ,but he that will make ,flowers that shall be dissolved in the aire into a liquor must add some calcined tartar1 or some other fixt vegetable salt1 and he shall have ,flowers that will be dissolved in any liquor3 but he that will make red ,flowers as well those that are diaphoretical1 as those that are purging1 must mix iron1 and he shall have ,flowers like to ,cinnabar3 ,let him that desires green1 mix copper1 if purple1 lapis calaminaris4 ,and thus out of any mineral may be made ,flowers whether it be fixed1 or volatile2 for it is forced to fly on high being cast into the fire4 ,and these may be used diversly in ,chyrurgery1 in plaisters and unguents2 for they dry1 and astring potently1 especially those that are made of lapis calaminaris4 ,neither are they to be slighted that are made of the golden1 and silver marcasite4 ,those that are made of arsenic auripigmentum1 are poysonous1 but are useful for ,painters4 ,arsenic auripigmentum being calcined with nitre1 and then sublimed1 yield ,flowers that are safely to be taken inwardly1 expelling all poysons by sweat and stool3 ,for they are corrected two wayes1 viz4 first by the nitre1 secondly by the fire in the subliming3 they are not therefore to be feared1 because that ,arsnick was poysonous before the preparation thereof4 ,for by how much the greater poyson it was before preparation1 so much the greater medicine afterwards4 ,the ,flowers of sulphur are taught in the ,second ,part1 although they may also be made by this furnace1 viz4 the natures and properties thereof being known by an expert ,artist1 or otherwise it is burnt4 ,so also stones being prepared are brought into ,flowers1 and many other things1 of which we need not say any thing1 only let him that pleaseth make tryal thereof4 ,and now ,i suppose ,i have made plain1 and shewed you clearly how distillation is to be made in this our first furnace2 wherefore ,i will now end4 ,he therefore that understands and knows the fabrick of the furnace 7which he may understand by the delineation thereof7 and the use thereof1 will not deny but that ,i have done a good work1 and will not disapprove of my labour4 ,and this is the best way of distilling1 and subliming incombustible things4 ,in the ,second ,part you shall find another furnace in which are distilled combustible things1 as also most subtil spirits1 c4 ,the first furnace serves also for other uses1 as the separation of metals2 of the pure from the impure2 for the making of the central salt1 and of the humidum radicale of them all4 ,but because it cannot be done after the aforesaid way1 by which things are cast into the fire to get their flowers1 and spirits1 but after a certain secret ,philosophical manner1 by the power of a certain secret fire1 hitherto concealed by the ,philosophers 7neither shall ,i prostrate that secret before all72 ,it is sufficient that ,i have given a hint of it for further enquiry1 and have shewed the way to other things4 ,,finis4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces3 ,wherein is ,described the ,nature of the ,second ,furnace2 by the help whereof1 all volatile1 subtle1 and combustible things may he distilled2 whether they be ,vegetables1 ,animals1 or ,minerals1 and that after an unknown and very compendious ,way2 whereby nothing is lost1 but even the most subtle spirits may be caught and preserved1 which else without the means of this ,furnace is impossible to be done by ,retorts or other ,distilling ,instruments4 ,of the ,structure of the ,second ,furnace4 ,the ,distilling ,vessel must be made of ,iron1 or good earth1 such as can abide in the fire 7whereof in the fifth ,part of this ,book it shall be taught7 and you may make it as big or as little as you please1 according as your occasion shall require4 ,that of iron is most fit to be used for such spirits1 as are not very sharp or corroding1 else they would corrode the vessel3 but that of earth may be used for such things1 as shew their activity upon the ,iron1 and do make it to melt1 as sulphur1 ,antimony and the like2 and therefore you ought to have two such vessels1 viz4 one of iron1 and one of earth1 to the end that for both sorts of materials 7corrosive or not corrosive7 you may have proper vessels1 and fit furnaces for their distilling1 and that they may not be spoiled by things contrary and hurtful to them4 ,the shape of the vessel is shewed by the foregoing figure1 viz4 the lower part of it somewhat wider than the upper part1 and twice as high as wide2 at the top having a hollow space between the two edges or brims1 whereinto the edge of the lid may close and enter in an inch deep4 ,the lid must have a ring or handle1 by which it may be taken off and put on again with a pair of tongs4 ,the lid must have a deep edge answering to the hollow space aforesaid4 ,the lower part must have three knobs or shoulders thereby to rest upon the wall of the furnace2 the form whereof is no other1 than that of a common distilling furnace with a sand ,copple2 as the figure of it doth shew3 but if you will not have the furnace1 then it needeth no knobs or shoulders1 if so be the distilling vessel be flat at the bottom1 or else have legs1 for to stand upon them3 ,beneath the edge of the vessel there comes forth a spout or pipe of a span in length1 and one or two inches wide1 and somewhat narrower before than behind1 through which the spirits are conveyed into the ,receiver4 99 99 99 99 99 ,see the fourth ,figure before the first part1 wherein the ,letter ,a4 represents the ,furnace1 with the ,iron distilling ,vessel fastned into it1 whereunto a ,receiver is applied4 ,b4 ,the ,distiller1 with his left hand taking off the lid1 and with his right hand casting in his prepared matter4 ,c4 ,the external form of the distilling vessel4 ,d4 ,the internal form of the vessel4 ,e4 ,another distilling vessel1 which is not fastned to a furnace1 but only standeth upon ,coals4 ,the way or manner to perform the ,distillation4 ,when you intend to distil1 then first make a fire in the ,furnace1 that the distilling vessel come to be very hot4 ,but if it be not fastned to the ,furnace1 then set it upon a grate1 and lay stones about it1 and coals between1 and so let it grow hot1 and lay melted lead in the space between the two edges or brims1 to the end1 that the lid1 when it is put on1 may close exactly1 so that no spirit can get through4 ,this done1 take a little of the matter you intend to distil1 and cast it in1 and presently put on the lid1 and there will be no other passage left but through the pipe1 to which there must be applyed and luted a very big receiver4 ,as soon as the species cast in come to be warm1 they let go their spirit1 which doth come forth into the receiver3 and because there was but little of the matter cast in1 it hath no power to force through the lute1 or to break the receiver1 but must settle it self4 ,this done1 cast in a little more of your matter1 cover it and let it go till the spirit be settled3 continue this proceeding so long1 until you have spirits enough3 but take heed1 that you cast in no more at once1 than the receiver is able to bear1 else it will break4 ,and when your vessel is full1 the distillation not being ended1 then take off the lid1 and with an iron ladle take out the ,caput ,mortuum2 and so begin again to cast in1 and still but a little at a time1 and continue this as long as you please4 ,thus in one day you may distil more in a small vessel1 than otherways you could do in a great retort2 and you need not fear the least loss of the subtile spirit1 nor the breaking of the receiver by the abundance of the spirits3 and you may cease or leave off your distilling1 and begin it again when you list3 also the fire cannot be made too strong1 so that it might cause any hurt or damage2 but by this way you may make the most subtile spirits1 which is impossible to be done by any ,retort4 ,but if you will distil a subtil spirit by a ,retort1 as of ,tartar1 ,harts-horn1 ,salarmoniack1 or the like1 you cannot do it without prejudice 7though there were but half a pound of the matter in it7 the subtlest spirits coming forth with force1 seek to penetrate through the lute1 if that be not good1 but if that be good1 so that the spirits cannot pass through it1 then they break the receiver1 because it cannot possibly hold such a quantity of subtle spirits at once4 ,for when they are coming1 they come so plentifully1 and with such a force1 that the receiver cannot contain them1 and so of necessity must flye asunder1 or must pass through the lutum2 ,all which is not to be feared here1 because there is but a little cast in at once1 which cannot yield such a quantity of spirits1 as to force the receiver to break3 ,and when there comes forth no more spirits1 and the former is settled1 then more of the matter is to be cast in2 and this is to be continued so long1 until you have spirits enough4 ,afterward take off the receiver1 and put the spirit into such a ,glass 7as in the fifth part of this book1 amongst the ,manuals1 shall be discovered7 wherein it may be kept safely without wasting or evaporating4 ,in this manner all things1 ,vegetable1 ,animal1 or ,mineral1 may be distilled in this ,furnace1 and much better1 than by means of a ,retort3 especially such subtile spirits 7as by the other way of distilling cannot be saved1 but pass through the lutum7 are got by this our way2 and they are much better than those heavy oyles1 which commonly are taken for spirits1 but are none1 being only corrosive waters4 ,for the nature and condition of a spirit is to be volatile1 penetrating and subtile1 and such are not those spirits of salt1 ,vitriol1 ,allome and ,nitre1 which are used in ,apothecary shops1 they being but heavy oyles1 which even in a warm place do not evaporate or exhale4 ,but a true spirit1 fit for ,medicinal use1 must rise or ascend before the phlegm1 and not after2 for whatsoever is heavier than phlegm1 is no volatile spirit1 but a heavy spirit or 7rather called7 a sowre heavy oyl4 ,and it is seen by experience1 that the ,apothecaries spirit of vitriol will cure no falling sickness1 which vertue is ascribed to that spirit1 and indeed justly3 for the true spirit of vitriol performeth that cure out of hand4 ,likewise their spirit of ,tartar 7as they call it7 is no spirit1 but only a stinking phlegm or vinegar4 ,the way to make such true spirits1 ,i will now shew1 because much good may be done by them in all manner of ,diseases4 ,and this way of distilling serveth only for those which seek after good ,medicines3 but others which care not whether their medicines be well prepared or no1 need not take so much pains as to build such a furnace1 and to make their spirits themselves1 for at any time they can buy for a small matter1 a good quantity of dead and fruitless spirits at the common sellers and ,apothecaries4 ,hence it is no marvel1 that now adaies so little good is done by ,chymical medicaments1 which of right should far out-strip all the ,galenical in goodness and vertue4 ,but alas6 it is come to that pass now1 that a true ,chymist1 and honest ,son of ,hermes1 is forced almost to blush1 when he heareth men talk of ,chymical medicines1 because they do no such miracles1 as are ascribed unto them4 ,which infamy is occasion'd by none more1 than by careless ,physicians1 which though they make use of ,chymical medicines1 7because they would fain be esteemed to know more than others7 yet they do take greater care for their kitchen1 than for the welfare of their ,patients2 and so buying ill-prepared ,medicines of unskilful stillers1 and withal using them undiscreetly 7whereby they many times do more hurt than good to the sick7 they lay such foul aspertions upon the noble ,art of ,chymistry4 ,but an industrious and accurate ,physician is not ashamed to make his ,medicines himself1 if it be possible1 or at least to have them made by good and well-exercis'd ,artists3 whereupon he may better rely1 and get more credit1 than one that knoweth not whereof1 nor how his ,medicine which he doth administer to his patients is prepared4 ,but such wicked and ignorant men will one day fall short of their answer before the ,judgment of the righteous ,samaritan4 ,how to make the ,acid ,oyl and the volatile spirit of ,vitriol4 ,hitherto ,i have taught1 how to distil in general1 and to get the subtle spirits4 ,there remaineth now to describe what ,manuals or ,preparations are fitting for every matter in particular2 and first1 ,of ,vitriol4 ,to distil ,vitriol1 there needs no other preparation1 but only that it be well viewed1 and if there be any filth amongst it1 that the same be carefully pickt out1 lest being put together with the ,vitriol into the distilling vessel1 the spirit be corrupted thereby4 ,but he that will go yet more exactly to work1 may dissolve it in fair water1 then filtrate it1 and then evaporate the water from it till a skin appear at the top1 and then set it in a cold place1 and let it shoot again into ,vitriol2 and then you are sure that no impurity is left in it4 ,now your vessel being made red hot1 with an ,iron ladle cast in one or two ounces of your ,vitriol at once1 put on the lid1 and presently the spirits together with the phlegm will come over into the receiver1 like unto a white cloud or mist2 which being vanished1 and the spirits partly settled1 carry in more ,vitriol1 and continue this so long1 until your vessel be full3 ,then uncover your vessel1 and with a pair of tongs or an iron ladle take out the ,caput ,mortuum1 and cast more in2 and continue this proceeding as long as you please1 still emptying the vessel when it is filled1 and then casting in more matter1 and so proceeding until you conceive that you have got spirits enough4 ,then let the fire go out1 and let the furnace cool2 take off the receiver1 and pour that which is come over into a retort1 and set the retort in sand1 and by a gentle fire distil the volatile spirit from the heavy oyl2 having first joyned to the retort the receiver1 which is to receive the volatile spirit1 with a good lutum1 such as is able to hold such subtle spirits1 the making whereof shall be taught in the fifth part of this ,book1 amongst the ,manuals4 ,all the volatile spirit being come over1 which you may know by the falling of bigger drops1 then take off the receiver1 and close it very well with wax1 that the spirit may not make an escape2 then apply another 7without luting it7 and so receive the phlegm by it self1 and there will remain in the retort a black and heavy corrosive oyl1 which if you please1 you may rectifie1 forcing it over by a strong fire1 and then it will be clear2 if not1 let all cool1 then take out your ,retort together with the black oyl1 and pour upon it the volatile spirit1 which in the rectifying went over first1 put the retort into the sand1 and apply a receiver1 and give it a very gentle fire1 and the volatile spirit will come over alone1 leaving its phlegm behind with the oyl1 which by reason of its dryness doth easily keep it4 ,thus the spirit being freed from all phlegm1 is become as strong as a meer fire1 and yet not corrosive4 ,and if this spirit be not rectified from its own oyl1 it will not remain good1 but there doth precipitate a red powder after it hath stood for some space of time1 and the spirit loseth all its vertue1 insomuch that it is not to be discerned from ordinary water1 which doth not happen when it is rectified4 ,the reason of this precipitation is no other than the weakness of the spirit1 which is accompanied with too much water1 and therefore not strong enough for to keep its sulphur1 but must let it fall3 but after it is rectified by its own oyl1 it can keep its sulphur well enough1 because then it is freed from its superfluous moisture4 ,however the red powder is not to be thrown away1 but ought to be kept carefully2 because it is of no less vertue than the spirit it self4 ,and it is nothing else but a ,volatile sulphur of ,vitriol4 ,it hath wonderful vertues1 some of which shall be related4 ,the ,use and ,dose of the ,narcotick sulphur of ,vitriol4 ,of this sulphur #a1 #b1 #c1 #d4 or more grains 7according to the condition of the patient7 given at once mitigates all pains1 causeth quiet sleep2 not after the manner of ,opium1 ,henbane1 and other the like medicines1 which by stupifying and benumbing cause sleep1 but it performeth its operation very gently and safely1 without any danger at all1 and great ,diseases may be cured by the help thereof4 ,paracelsus held it in high esteem1 as you may see1 where he doth write of ,sulphur embryonatum4 ,of the ,use and ,vertue of the volatile spirit of ,vitriol4 ,this sulphurous ,volatile spirit of ,vitriol1 is of a very subtle and penetrating quality1 and of a wonderful operation2 for some drops thereof being taken and sweated upon1 doth penetrate the whole body1 openeth all obstructions1 consumeth those things that are amiss in the body1 even as fire4 ,it is an excellent medicine in the ,falling sickness1 in that kind of madness or rage which is called ,mania1 in the ,convulsion of the ,mother1 called ,suffocatio ,matricis1 in the ,scurvy2 in that other kind of madness which is called ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca2 and other ,diseases proceeding from ,obstructions and ,corruption of the ,blood3 ,it is also good in the ,plague1 and all other ,feavers3 mingled with spirit of wine1 and daily used1 it doth wonders in all external accidents3 ,also in the ,apoplexy1 shrinking and other diseases of the ,nerves1 the distressed limb rubbed therewith1 it doth penetrate to the very marrow in the bones2 it doth warm and refresh the cold sinews1 grown stiff3 ,in the ,cholick1 besides the internal use1 a little thereof in a clyster applyed1 is a present help3 ,externally used in the ,gout1 by anointing the places therewith1 asswageth the ,pains1 and taketh away all tumours and inflammations3 ,it doth heal scabs1 tetters and ring-worms1 above all other medicines2 it cureth new wounds and old sores1 as ,fistulaes1 ,cancers1 ,wolves1 and what name soever else they may have3 ,it extinguisheth all inflammations1 scaldings1 the ,gangrene1 dissipateth and consumeth the knobs and excrescencies of the skin4 ,in a word1 this spirit1 which the wise men of old called ,sulphur ,philosophorum1 doth act universally in all diseases1 and its vertue cannot sufficiently be praised and expressed3 ,and it is much to be admired1 that so excellent a ,medicine is no where to be found4 ,if it be mingled with ,spring water1 it doth make it pleasantly sowrish1 and in taste and vertue like unto the natural sowre water of wells4 ,also by this spirit1 many diseases may be cured at home2 so that you need not go to bathes afar off1 for to be rid of them4 ,here ,i could set down a way1 how such a spirit may be got in great abundance for the use of bathing1 without distillation1 whereby miraculous things may be done1 but by reason of the ungratefulness of men1 it shall be reserved for another time4 ,of the vertue and use of the corrosive oyl of ,vitriol4 ,this oyl is not much used in ,physick1 although it be found almost in every ,apothecaries shop1 which they use for to give a sowrish tast to their syrups and conserves4 ,mingled with spring water and given in hot diseases1 it will extinguish the unnatural thirst1 and cool the internal parts of the body4 ,externally it cleanseth all unclean sores1 applyed with a feather2 it separateth the bad from the good1 and layeth a good foundation for the cure4 ,also if it be rectified first1 some metals may be dissolved with it and reduced into their ,vitriols1 especially ,mars and ,venus2 but this is to be done by adding common water thereunto1 else it will hardly lay hold on them4 ,the way of doing it is thus4 ,how to make the ,vitriol of ,mars and ,venus4 ,take of your heavy oyl1 just as it came over1 viz4 together with its phlegm 7but that the ,volatile spirit be drawn off from it first7 as much as you please1 put it into a glass body together with plates of copper or iron1 set it in warm sand1 and let it boyl until that the oyl will dissolve no more of the metal1 then power off the liquor1 filtre it through brown paper1 and put it into a low gourd glass1 and set it in sand1 and let the phlegm evaporate until there appear a skin at the top1 then let the fire go out1 and the glass grow cool2 then set it in a cold place1 and within some days there1 will shoot fair ,crystals2 if of ,iron1 greenish2 if of ,copper1 then something blewish2 take them out and dry them upon filtering paper1 the remaining liquor1 which did not shoot into ,vitriol1 evaporate again in sand1 and then let it shoot as before2 continue this proceeding1 until all the solution 7or filtred liquor7 be turned to ,vitriol4 ,this ,vitriol is better and purer than the common2 for it yieldeth a better ,volatile spirit1 and for that reason ,i did set down the way how to make it4 ,there may also be made a good ,vitriol of both these metals by the means of ordinary yellow brimstone2 but because the making of it is more tedious1 than of this here set down1 ,i think it needless to describe its preparation in this place4 ,the way to make a fair blew ,vitriol out of ,luna 7that is1 silver47 ,dissolve the shavings or filings of silver with rectified oyl of ,vitriol1 adding water thereunto1 but not so much as to ,iron and ,copper3 ,or else1 which is better1 dissolve calcined silver1 which hath been precipitated out of ,aqua fortis either with ,copper or salt water2 the solution being ended pour it off and filtre it1 and drop into it of ,spirit of urin or ,sal armoniac1 as long as it doth hiss1 and almost all the silver will precipitate again out of the oyl1 and so there will fall a white powder to the bottom2 ,this precipitated silver together with the liquor pour into a phiall-glass1 set it to boyl in sand for twenty four hours1 and the liquor will dissolve again almost all the precipitated silver-calx and become blew thereby4 ,then pour off the solution 7or liquor7 and filtre it through brown paper1 and abstract the moisture till a skin arise at the top2 then in a cold place let it shoot to ,vitriol4 ,with the remaining liquor proceed further1 as above in the preparation of the ,vitriol of ,iron and ,copper hath been taught4 ,by this way you will get an excellent ,vitriol out of silver1 which from #d1 #e1 #f1 to #aj4 grains used only of it self1 will be a good purge1 especially in diseases of the brain4 ,if you have a good quantity of it1 that you may distill a spirit thereof1 you will get not only an acid 7or sowre7 but also a volatile spirit1 which in the infirmities of the brain is most excellent2 that which in the distilling remains behind1 may be reduced again into a body1 so that you lose nothing of the silver1 save onely that which is turned into spirit4 ,moreover1 the acid 7or sowre7 oyl of common ,vitriol1 doth precipitate all metals and stones of beasts or fishes2 also pearls and corals1 they being first dissolved in spirit of salt or of ,nitre1 and maketh fair light powders of them 7which by the ,apothecaries are called ,magisteries7 much fairer than by precipitation with salt of ,tartar is done1 especially of corals and pearls1 such a fair glistering and delicate powder is made2 and likewise also of mother of pearl1 and other shels of snailes1 that it giveth as fair a gloss to them1 as the fairest oriental pearls have2 which way hath not been made common hitherto1 but being known only to few1 hath been kept very secret by them1 as a singular ,art4 ,such ,magisteries commonly were precipitated out of vinegar only by salt of ,tartar1 which for lightness1 whiteness and fair gloss are not comparable at all to ours3 ,but if instead of the oyl of ,vitriol you take oyl of sulphur1 then these powders will be fairer than when they are done by the oyl of ,vitriol1 in so much1 that they may be used for painting for a black skin4 ,having made mention of ,magisteries1 ,i cannot forbear to discover the great abuse and error1 which is committed in the preparing of them4 ,paracelsus in his ,archidoxes teacheth to make ,magisteries1 which he calleth extracted ,magisteries3 but some of his disciples teach to make precipitated ,magisteries which are different from the former4 ,paracelsus is clean of another opinion in the preparing of his ,magisteries1 than others in the making of theirs3 doubtless ,paracelsus his ,magisteries were good cordial living medicines1 whereas the other are but dead carkases1 and although they be never so fair1 white and glistering1 yet in effect they prove but a gross earthy substance1 destitute of vertue4 ,i do not deny1 but that good medicines may be extracted out of pearls and corals1 for ,i my self also do describe the preparations of some of them2 but not at all after such a way as theirs is4 ,for what good or exalting can be expected by such a preparation1 where a stony matter is dissolved in corrosive waters1 and then precipitated into stone again8 ,can its vertue be increased thereby8 surely no1 but rather it is diminished1 and made much the worse thereby4 ,for it is well known1 that the corrosive spirits 7no less than fire7 do burn some certain things2 for not all things are made better by fire or corrosives1 but most of them are absolutely spoyled by them4 ,some perchance will say1 that such preparations of ,magisteries are onely for to be reduced into a finer powder1 that so much the sooner they may perform their operation4 ,to which ,i answer1 that pearls1 corals1 and other things of the like nature1 if they be once dissolved by corrosive waters1 and then precipitated and edulcorated1 never or hardly can be dissolved again by acid spirits4 ,whence it is evident that by such preparations they are not opened or made better1 but rather closed or made worse4 ,and we see also by daily experience that those ,magisteries do not those effects1 which are ascribed unto them4 ,by which it appeareth clearly1 that to the ,archeus of the stomach they are much less grateful than the crude unprepared corals and pearls2 whose tender essence being not burnt up by corrosives1 do oftentimes produce good effects4 ,for our ,ancestors have ascribed unto corals and pearls1 that they purifie the impure and corrupt blood in the whole body1 that they expel ,melancholly and sadness1 comforting the heart of man1 and making it merry1 which also they effectually perform3 whereas the ,magisteries do not4 ,and this is the reason1 why unprepared corals1 pearls and stones of fishes have more effect1 than the burnt ,magisteries4 ,for it is manifest and well known1 that the abovesaid diseases for the most part do proceed from obstructions of the spleen1 which obstructions are nothing else1 but a tartarous juice or a sowre flegme which hath possessed and filled up the entrals1 and coagulated it self within them4 ,by which obstruction not only head-ach1 giddiness1 panting of the heart1 trembling of the limbs1 a spontaneous lassitude1 vomits1 unnatural hunger2 also1 loathing of victuals2 then cold1 then hot flushing fits1 and many more strange symptomes are caused2 but also a most hurtful rottenness and corruption is introduced into the whole mass of blood1 from whence the leprosie1 scurvey1 and other loathsome or abominable scabs do spring4 ,of which evil the onely cause 7as hath been said7 is a crude acid ,tartar1 from which so many great diseases do rise4 ,this to be so may easily be proved2 for it is notorious1 that melancholick folks1 hypocondriaques1 and others do often cast up a great quantity of acid humor1 which is so sharpe that no vinegar is comparable to it1 and doth set their teeth on such an edge1 as if they had eaten unripe fruit4 ,what remedy now8 take away the cause and the disease is taken away4 ,if you could take away the peccant matter by purgings1 it would be well1 but it remaineth obstinate and will not yield to them4 ,by vomit it may be diminished in some measure4 ,but because that not every one can abide vomiting1 it is therefore no wisdome to turn evil into worse4 ,shall then this tartar be killed and destroyed by contraries1 which indeed in some sort may be effected2 as when you use vegetables or animals1 whose vertue consisteth in a volatile salt3 such are all species or sorts of cresses1 ,mustard-seed1 horse-radish1 scurvy grass1 also the spirit of ,tartar1 of ,harts-horn1 and of urine and the like1 which by reason of their penetrating faculty pass through all the body1 finding out the ,tartar thereof1 destroying the same1 as being contrary unto it2 and in this combat two contrary natures is kindled1 a great burning heat1 whereby the whole body is throughly heated and brought to sweating2 and whensoever by these contraries a sweating is caused1 there is always mortified some of this hurtful ,tartar4 ,but because that of that acid humor but a little at a time can be mortified and edulcorated by contrary volatile spirits1 and that therefore it would be required to use them often1 for to kill and expell all the ,tartar2 and because also 7as hath been mentioned before7 a strong sweat always is caused by every such operation1 whereby the natural spirits are much weakened1 so that the patient would not be able to hold out long thereby1 but by taking away of one evil1 another and greater one would be occasioned4 ,and therefore such things must be offered to that hungry acid humour1 by which the corrosive nature thereof1 may be mortified and grow sweet1 with that proviso nevertheless1 that those things be such as are not contrary or hurtful to the nature of man1 but grateful and friendly1 as are corals1 pearls and crabs eyes1 c4 ,for amongst all stones none are more easily to be dissolved than ,pearls1 ,corals1 ,crabbs-eyes1 and other stones of fishes4 ,but the truth of this1 viz4 that every corrosive is killed by feeding upon pearls and corals1 and thereby can be made sweet2 and besides1 how a sowre coagulated ,tartar1 by the help of corals or pearls may be reduced to a sweet liquor 7a pleasant and acceptable medicine to the nature of man7 which never can be coagulated again by any means1 shall be afterwards proved and taught when ,i shall come to treat of ,tartar4 ,now in tartareous coagulations and obstructions of the internals proceeding from the predominancy of an acid humor there is no better remedy1 than to give the patient every morning fasting from ss4 to i4 7more or less1 according to the condition of the patient7 of red corals and pearls made into powder1 and to let him fast two or three hours upon it1 and so to continue daily until you see amendment3 ,by this means the hurtful acid humor is mortified1 and dulcified by the corals and pearls1 so that afterwards it may be overcome by nature1 whereby the obstructions are removed1 and the body freed from the disease4 ,this my opinion of the abuse of ,magisteries and the good use of ,corals ,i could not conceal1 although ,i do know for certain1 that it will take but with few1 in regard that it will seem very strange to most4 ,however1 happily there may be some yet1 that will not be unwilling to search into the truth1 and to consider further of it1 and at last will find this not to be so strange1 as it seemed to them at the first3 but he that cannot believe or comprehend it1 may keep to his ,magisteries4 ,and if it seem so strange unto any1 that corals or pearls made into powder shall be concocted in the stomach1 and so put forth their vertue1 what will you say then1 if ,i do prove1 that even whole pearls1 crabs eyes1 and corals being swallowed1 are totally consumed by the ,melancholy humor1 so that nothing cometh forth again among the excrements8 and which is more1 even the like may be said of hard and ,compact metals1 as ,iron1 and ,speaucer or ,zinck3 ,but this must be understood only of those that are of a ,melancholick constitution but not so in others1 viz41 those that are of a sanguine1 and those that are of a phlegmatick constitution1 to whom such like things are seldom prescribed4 ,for ,i have seen many times1 that against obstructions1 to strong bodies there hath been given at once from ss4 to i4 of the shavings or filings of ,iron1 and they found much good by it1 yea more help then by other costly medicines of the ,apothecaries1 whereof they had used many before1 but to no purpose1 by reason whereof their excrements came from them black1 just as it useth to fall out with those that make use of medicinal sowre waters1 which run through iron mines1 and thereby borrow a spiritual mineral vertue4 ,now if those filings of iron had not been consumed in the stomach1 how come it that the excrements are turned black8 so then it is sufficiently proved1 that even a hard unprepared metal can be consumed in the stomach3 and if so1 why not as well soft pearls and corals8 ,which is also to be seen by children1 that are troubled with worms1 if there be given unto them #d1 #f1 #h4 to #ab4 or #af4 grains of the finest filings of steel or iron1 that all the worms in the body are killed thereby1 their stomach and guts scowred very clean1 and their stools also turned black4 ,but this must be observed by children1 when the worms are killed1 and yet remain in the guts 7because that the iron in a smal quantity is not strong enough for to expel them1 but only make the body soluble7 that a purge must be used after1 for to carry them out2 for else if they do remain there1 others will grow out of their substance4 ,but to those that are more in years1 you may give the ,dose so much the stronger1 as from i4 to i4 that the worms also may be carryed out1 they being better able to endure it than little children1 and although sometimes a vomit doth come1 yet it doth no hurt1 but they will be but so much the healthier afterward4 ,and thus ,iron may be used1 not only against worms1 but also against all stomach-agues1 head-ach1 and obstructions of the whole body1 without any danger and very successfully1 as a grateful or very acceptable medicine to ,nature2 for after a powerful magnetical way it doth attract all the ill humors in the body1 and carrieth them forth along with it4 ,of whose wonderful vertue and nature1 there is spoken more at large in my ,treatise of the ,sympathy and ,antipathy of things4 ,which some ,physitians perceiving and supposing by ,art to make it better1 they spoiled it1 and made it void of all vertue3 for they taking a piece of steel1 made it red-hot1 and held it against a piece of common ,sulphur1 whereby the steel grew subtle1 so they did let it drop into a vessel filled with water2 then they took it out1 and dryed it1 and made it into powder1 and used it against obstructions1 but to no effect almost2 for the ,iron was so altered by the sulphur1 and reduced to an insoluble substance 7which ought not to have been so7 that it could perform no considerable operation3 ,but if they had made the steel more soluble 7whereas they made it more insoluble7 than it was of it self before1 then they had done a good work3 for he that knoweth sulphur1 doth know well enough1 that by no ,aquafortis or ,aqua ,regis it can be dissolved2 and how could it then be consumed by an animal humor8 ,hitherto it hath been proved sufficiently1 that in some men1 especially in those that are of a ,melancholick constitution there is an acid humor1 which can sufficiently dissolve all easily soluble metals and stones3 and that therefore it is needless to torture1 and dissolve pearls1 corals and the like with corrosive waters before they be administred to patients3 but that the ,archeus of the stomach is strong enough by the help of the said humors to consume those easily soluble things1 and to accept of that which serveth his turn1 and to reject the rest4 ,but it is not my intent here1 that this should be understood of all metals and stones2 for ,i know well1 that other metals and stones 7some excepted7 before they are duly prepared1 are not fit for ,physick1 but must be fitted first1 before they be administred or given unto patients4 ,for this relation ,i made only for to shew1 how sometimes good things 7though with intent to make them better7 are made worse1 and spoiled by those that do not make an exact search into nature and her power4 ,i hope this my admonition will not be taken ill1 because my aim was not vain-glory1 but only the good of my neighbour4 ,now let us return again to ,vitriol4 ,of the sweet oyl of ,vitriol4 ,the ,ancients make mention of a sweet and green oyl of ,vitriol1 which doth cure the falling sickness1 killeth worms1 and hath other good qualities and vertues besides3 and that the ,oyl is to be distilled per descensum4 ,to attain unto this oyl the later ,physitians took great paines1 but all in vain3 because they did not understand at all the ,ancients about the preparing of this oyl1 but thought to get it by the force of fire1 and so using violent distillation1 they got no sweet oyl1 but such as was very sowre and corrosive1 which in taste1 efficacy and vertue1 was not comparable at all to the former4 ,however they ascribed unto it 7though falsely7 the same vertues1 which the ancients 7according to truth7 did unto theirs4 ,but daily experience sheweth1 that the oyl of vitriol as it is found ordinarily1 cureth no falling sickness1 nor killeth worms1 whereas this ,philosophical doth it very quickly4 ,whence it appeareth1 that the other is nothing like unto the true medicinal oyl of vitriol1 neither is it to be compared to it4 ,i must confess indeed1 that per descensum out of common vitriol1 by the force of the fire1 there may be got a greenish oyl1 which yet is not better than the other1 because it proveth as sharp in tast1 and of as corroding a quality1 as if it had been distilled through a ,retort4 ,those that found out this oyl1 as ,paracelsus1 ,basilius1 and some few others1 did always highly esteem it1 and counted it one of the four main pillars of ,physick4 ,and ,paracelsus saith expresly in his writings1 that its viridity or greenness must not be taken away or marred 7which indeed a very little heat can do7 by the fire1 for 7saith he7 if it be deprived of its greenness1 it is deprived also of its efficacy and pleasant essence4 ,whence it may be perceived sufficiently1 that this sweet green oyl is not to be made by the force of the fire as hitherto by many hath been attempted1 but in vain4 ,and it is very probable1 that the ancients1 which did so highly praise the oyl of vitriol1 happily knew nothing of this way of distilling1 which is used by us now a days3 for they only simply followed ,nature1 and had not so many subtle and curious inventions and ways of distilling4 ,but however it is certain1 that such a sweet and green oyl cannot be made of vitriol by the force of the fire1 but rather must be done by purification1 after a singular way2 for the ,ancients many times understood purification for distillation3 as it is evident1 when they say1 distill through a filtre1 or through filtring paper3 which by us is not accounted for distillation1 but by them it was4 ,however1 this is true and very sure1 that a great ,treasure of health 7or for the health of man7 lyeth hidden in ,vitriol3 yet not in the common1 as it is sold every where1 and which hath endured the heat of the fire already2 but in the ,oare as it is found in the earth1 or its mine4 ,for as soon as it cometh to the day light1 it may be deprived by the heat of the ,sun of its subtle and penetrating spirit1 and so made void of vertue2 which spirit1 if by ,art it be got from thence1 smelleth sweeter then musk and amber1 which is much to be admired1 that in such a despicable mineral and gross substance 7as it is deemed to be by the ignorant7 such a royal medicine is to be found4 ,now this preparation doth not belong to this place1 because we treat here only of spirits1 which by the force of fire are driven over4 ,likewise also1 there doth not belong hither the preparation of the green oyl1 because it is made without the help of fire4 ,but in regard1 that mention hath been made of it here1 ,i will 7though ,i kept it always very secret7 publish it for the benefit of poor patients1 hoping that it will do much good to many a sick man4 ,for if it be well prepared1 it doth not only cure perfectly every ,epilepsie or ,convulsion in young and old2 and likewise readily and without fail killeth all worms within and without the body1 as the ,ancients with truth ascribed unto it2 but also many ,chronical diseases and such as are held incurable1 may be happily overcome and expelled thereby1 as the plague1 pleuresie1 all sorts of feavers and agues1 what ever they be called1 head-ach1 collick1 rising of the mother2 also all obstructions in the body1 especially of the spleen and liver1 from whence ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca1 the scurvy1 and many other intolerable diseases do arise3 ,also the blood in the whole body is by the means thereof amended and renewed1 so that the ,pox1 ,leprosie1 and other like diseases proceeding from the infection of the blood are easily cured thereby3 ,also it healeth safely and admirably all open sores and stinking ulcers turned to fistula's in the whole body1 and from what cause so ever they did proceed1 if they be anoynted therewith1 and the same also be inwardly used besides4 ,such and other diseases more 7which it is needless here to relate7 may be cured successfully with this sweet oyl2 especially1 if without the loss of its sweetness it be brought to a red colour2 for then it will do more then a man dare write of it1 and it may stand very well for a ,panacea in all diseases4 ,the preparation of the sweet oyl of ,vitriol4 ,commonly in all fat soyles or clayie grounds1 especially in the white1 there is found a kinde of stones1 round or oval in form1 and in bigness like unto a pigeons or hens-egg1 and smaller also1 viz4 as the joynt of ones finger1 on the outside black1 and therefore not esteemed when it is found1 but cast away as a contemptible stone4 ,which if it be cleansed from the earth1 and beaten to pieces1 looks within of a fair1 yellow and in streaks1 like a gold ,marcasite1 or a rich gold ,oare1 but there is no other taste to be perceived in it1 then in another ordinary stone2 and although it be made into powder1 and boyled a long time in water1 yet it doth not alter at all1 nor is there in the water any other taste or colour1 than that which it had first 7when it was poured upon the stone7 to be perceived4 ,now this stone is nothing else1 but the best and purest ,minera 7or ,oare7 of ,vitriol1 or a seed of ,metals2 for ,nature hath framed it round1 like unto a vegetable seed1 and sowed it into the earth1 out of which there may be made an excellent medicine1 as followeth4 ,take this ,oare or ,minera beaten into pieces1 and for some space of time1 lay or expose it to the cool air1 and within twenty or thirty days it will magnetically attract a certain saltish moysture out of the air1 and grow heavy by it1 and at last it falleth asunder to a black powder1 which must remain further lying there still1 until it grow whitish1 and that it do taste sweet upon the tongue like vitriol4 ,afterward put it in a glass-vessel1 and pour on so much fair rain water1 as that it cover it one or two inches2 stir it about several times in a day1 and after a few days the water will be coloured green1 which you must powre off1 and powre on more fair water1 and proceed as before1 stirring it often until that also come to be green3 this must be repeated so often1 until no water more will be coloured by standing upon it4 ,then let all the green waters which you poured off1 run through filtring paper1 for to purifie them2 and then in a glass-body cut off short let them evaporate till a skin appear at the top3 then set it in a cold place1 and there will shoot little green stones1 which are nothing else but a pure vitriol3 the remaining green water evaporate again1 and let it shoote as before3 and this evaporating and ,crystallising must be continued until no vitriol more will shoote1 but in warm and cold places there remain still a deep green pleasant sweet liquor or juyce3 which is the true sweet and green oyl of ,vitriol1 and hath all the vertues above related4 ,but now this green oyl further without fire may at last 7after the preparing of many fair colours between7 be reduced to a blood red1 sweet and pleasant oyl1 which goeth far beyond the green both in pleasantness and vertue1 and is in comparison to it like a ripe grape to an unripe3 ,hereof happily shall be spoken at another time1 because occasion and time will not permit me now to proceed further in it4 ,and therefore the ,philo-,chymical ,reader is desired for the present to be contented with the green oyl1 to prepare it carefully1 and to use it with discretion2 and doubtless he will get more credit by it1 and do more wonderful things then hitherto hath been done by the heavy corrosive oyl4 ,the use and ,dose of the sweet oyl of ,vitriol4 ,of this green oyl1 there may be taken from #a4 #b4 #d4 #h4 #aj4 or #ab4 drops at once1 according to the condition of the patient and the disease1 in fit ,vehicles1 in ,wine or ,beer1 in the morning fasting1 as other medicines are usually taken3 ,also the ,dose may be increased or lessened1 and as often reiterated as the disease shall require4 ,this ,oyl expelleth all ill humors1 not only by stoole and vomits1 but also by urin and sweating1 according as it doth meet with superfluities2 and this very safely1 and without any danger at all2 whereby many diseases radically or perfectly may be cured4 ,let no man wonder that ,i ascribe such great vertues unto this oyl1 it coming from such a despicable stone1 and its preparation requiring no great ,art or paines1 as those intricate deceitful processes do1 that are every where extant in books quite filled up with them4 ,and it is no marvel1 that men are in love with such false and costly processes2 for the most of them do not believe1 that any good is to be found in things that are not in esteem2 but only make great account of dear things1 far fetcht1 and requiring much time and paines for to be prepared4 ,such men do not believe the word of ,god1 testifying1 ,that ,god is no respecter of persons1 but that all men that fear and love him1 are accepted of him4 ,if this be true 7which no good ,christian will doubt7 then we must believe also1 that ,god created ,physick or the matter of ,physick as well for the poor as for the rich4 ,now if it be also for the poor1 then certainly such will be the condition thereof1 that it may be obtained by them1 and easily prepared for use4 ,so we see that ,almighty ,god causeth not only in great mens grounds to come forth good ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 for the curing of the infirmities of mankind1 but that the same also are found every where else4 ,whereby we perceive1 that it is also the will of ,god1 that they shall be known by all men1 and that he alone1 as the ,maker of all good1 may be praised and magnified by all men for the same4 ,i doubt not but that there will be found self-conceited scoffers1 that will despise this so little regarded subject1 as if no good thing could be made of it1 because they could find nothing in it themselves4 ,but be it known to them1 that neither to me nor them all things have been discovered1 but that yet many wonderful works of ,nature are hidden to us3 and besides that ,i am not the first that writ of ,vitriol and its medicine4 ,for the ,ancients1 our dear ,ancestors1 had always ,vitriol in very great esteem1 as the following ,verse doth prove4 ,visitabis ,interiora ,terr1 ,rectificando ,invenies ,occultum ,lapidem1 ,veram ,medicinam4 ,whereby they would give us to understand1 that a true medicine is to be found in it4 ,and the same also was known to the latter ,philosophers3 for ,basilius and ,paracelsus have always highly commended it1 as in their writings is to be found4 ,it is to be admired1 that this ,oare or ,metallical seed1 which may justly be called the gold of ,physitians 7in regard that so good a medicine can be made of it7 is not changed or altered in the earth1 like other things that grow in it1 but keepeth always the same form and shape1 until it cometh to the air1 which is its earth or ground1 wherein it putrefieth and groweth4 ,for first it swelleth and groweth like as a vegetable seed doth in the earth3 and so taketh its increase and grows out of the air1 just as a seed of an hearb in the earth2 and the air is not only its ,matrix1 wherein it groweth and doth increase like a vegetable1 but it is also its ,sun which maketh it ripe4 ,for within four weeks at the furthest it putrefieth and groweth black3 and about a fourtnight after it groweth white1 and then green2 and thus far it hath been described here3 ,but if you proceed further ,philosopher-like therewith1 there will come forth to light at the last the fairest red1 and most pleasant ,medicine1 for which ,god be praised for ever and ever1 ,amen4 ,of the ,sulphureous volatile and ,acid spirit of common ,salt1 and of ,allome4 ,the same way1 which above hath been taught for the making of the volatile spirit of vitriol1 must be likewise used in the making of the volatile spirits of common salt and allome4 ,the manner of preparing4 ,allome is to be cast in as it is of it self1 without mixing of it1 but salt must be mixed with bole1 or some other earth1 to keep it from melting3 with the spirit volatile1 there goeth also along an acid spirit1 whose vertue is described in the first part4 ,the ,oyl of ,allome hath almost the like operation with the oyl of vitriol4 ,also the spirit volatile of both these1 is of the same nature and condition with that which is made of vitriol3 but common salt1 and allome1 do not yield so much1 as vitriol2 unless both1 viz4 salt and allome be mixed together1 and so a spirit distilled of them4 ,of the sulphureous volatile spirit of ,minerals and ,metals1 and of their preparation4 ,such a penetrative sulphureous spirit may be made also of ,minerals and ,metals1 which in vertue goeth beyond the spirit of vitriol1 that of common salt1 and that of allome1 viz4 after the following manner4 ,the preparation of the volatile spirits of ,metals4 ,dissolve either ,iron or ,copper1 or ,lead or ,tin with the acid spirit of vitriol1 or of common salt3 abstract or draw off the phlegm2 then drive the acid spirit again from the ,metal1 and it will carry along a volatile spirit1 which by rectifying must be separated from the corrosive spirit4 ,and such ,metallical spirits are more effectual than those that are made of the salts4 ,the preparation of the volatile spirit of ,minerals4 ,take of ,antimony made into fine pouder1 or of golden ,marcasite1 or of some other sulphureous ,mineral1 which you please1 two parts1 mix therewith one part of good purified ,salt nitre1 and cast in of that mixture a small quantity1 and then another1 and so forth after the manner above described2 and there will come over a spirit which is not inferiour to the former in efficacy and vertue2 but it must also be well rectified4 ,another way4 ,cement what laminated or granulated ,metal you please1 7except gold7 with half as much in weight of common sulphur1 closed up in a strong melting pot or crucible1 such as doth not let the sulphur go through1 for the space of half an hour1 until that the sulphur hath penetrated and broken the plates of ,metal3 ,then beat them into powder1 mix them with the like quantity in weight of common salt1 and so distil it after the way above mentioned1 and you will get a volatile spirit of great vertue3 and every such spirit is to be used for such special part or member of the ,body1 as the ,metal is proper for1 out of which the spirit is made4 ,so silver for the brain2 ,tinn for the lungs1 ,lead for the spleen1 and so forth4 ,the spirit of ,zinck4 ,of ,zinck there is distilled both a volatile and also an acid spirit1 good for the heart2 whether it be made by the help of the spirit of vitriol1 or of salt1 or of allome3 or else by the means of ,sulphur2 for ,zinck is of the nature of gold4 ,the volatile spirit of the ,dross of ,regulus ,martis4 ,the black scoria of the ,regulus ,martis1 being first faln asunder in the air1 yields likewise a very strong sulphureous volatile spirit1 not much unlike in vertue unto the former4 ,the like ,sulphureous volatile spirits may be made also of other minerals1 which for brevities sake we omit1 as also in regard1 that they are almost the same in vertue4 ,how to make a white acid1 and a red volatile spirit out of salt nitre4 ,take two parts of ,allome1 and one part of salt nitre1 make them both into powder1 mix them well together1 and cast into the still a little and a little thereof1 as above in the making of other spirits hath been taught1 and there cometh over an acid spirit together with the volatile spirit2 and so many pounds as there is of the materials1 which are to be cast in1 so many pounds of water must be put into the receiver1 to the end that the volatile spirits may so much the better be caught and saved4 ,and when the distillation is performed1 the two spirits may be separated by the means of a gentle rectification made in ,balneo2 and you must take good heed1 that you get the volatile spirit pure by changing the receiver in good time1 so that no flegme be mixed with the red spirit1 whereby it will be weakened and turn white4 ,the mark whereby you may perceive1 whither the spirit or the flegme doth go forth is this3 when the volatile spirit goeth1 then the receiver looketh of a deep red3 and afterward when the flegme doth come1 the receiver looks white again3 and lastly1 when the heavy acid spirit goeth1 then the receiver to be red again1 but not so as it was1 when the first volatile spirit came over4 ,this spirit may also be made and distilled after another way1 viz4 mixing the salt nitre with twice as much bole or brick dust1 and so framed into little balls to prevent melting3 but no way is so good as the first1 especially when you will have the red volatile spirit4 ,of the use of the red volatile spirit4 ,this volatile spirit1 which 7being quite freed from flegm7 remaineth always red1 and doth look like blood1 in all occasions may be accounted like in vertue unto the former sulphureous spirits1 especially in extinguishing of inflammations and ,gangreens it is a great treasure1 clothes being dipt in it1 and laid upon the grieved place2 ,also it goeth almost beyond all other medicines in the ,erysipelas and colick3 and if there be any congealed blood in the body 7which came by a fall or blow7 this spirit outwardly applyed with such waters as are proper for the grief1 and also taken inwardly1 doth dissolve and expell it3 and being mingled with the volatile spirit of urin it doth yield a wonderful kind of salt1 as hereafter shall be taught4 ,the use of the white acid spirit of salt nitre4 ,the heavy and corrosive spirit of salt nitre is not much used in ,physick1 though it be found almost in all ,apothecaries shops1 and there is kept for such use1 as above hath been mentioned of the spirit of vitriol1 viz4 to make their conserves1 and cooling-drinks tast sowrish4 ,also it is used by some in the colick1 but it is too great a corrosive1 and too gross to be used for that purpose2 and although its corrosiveness may be mitigated in some measure1 by adding of water thereto1 yet in goodness and vertue it is not comparable at all to the volatile spirit1 but is as far different from it1 as black from white1 and therefore the other is fittest to be used in ,physick2 but this in dealing with metals and minerals1 for to reduce them into vitriols1 calxes1 flores1 and crocus4 ,aqua ,regis4 ,if you dissolve common salt 7which hath been decrepitated first7 in this acid spirit of salt nitre1 rectifie it by a glass retort in sand by a good strong fire1 it will be so strong1 that it is able to dissolve gold1 and all other metals and minerals1 except silver and sulphur2 and several metals may by the means thereof be separated much better than by that ,aqua regia which hath been made by adding of ,salt ,armoniack4 ,but if you rectifie it with lapis calaminaris or ,zinck1 it will be stronger yet1 so as to be able to dissolve all metals and ,minerals 7silver and sulphur excepted7 whereby in the handling of ,metals1 much more may be effected1 than with common spirit of salt nitre or ,aqua fortis1 as hereafter shall be taught3 and first in the preparing of gold4 ,the ,preparation of ,aurum ,fulminans1 or ,aurum ,tonitruans4 ,take of fine granulated or laminated gold 7whither it be refined by ,antimony or ,aqua fortis7 as much as you please3 put it in a little ,glass body1 and pour four or five times as much of ,aqua regis upon it1 set it stopt with a ,paper in a gourd in warm sand2 and the ,aqua regis within the space of one or two hours will dissolve the gold quite into a yellow water3 but if it have not done so1 it is a sign that either the water was not strong enough1 or that there was too little of it for to dissolve it4 ,then pour the solution from the gold1 which is not dissolved yet1 into another glass1 and pour more of fresh ,aqua ,regia upon the gold3 set it again to dissolve in warm sand or ashes1 and the remaining gold will likewise be dissolved by it1 and then there will remain no more1 but a little white calx1 which is nothing else but silver1 which could not be dissolved by the ,aqua ,regia 7for the ,aqua ,regia1 whether it be made after the common way with salt ,armoniack1 or else with common salt1 doth not dissolve silver7 so in like manner common ,aqua fortis1 or spirit of salt nitre dissolveth no gold2 but all other metals are dissolved as well by strong ,aqua fortis as by ,aqua ,regia4 ,and therefore you must be careful to take such gold as is not mixed with ,copper1 else your work would be spoiled3 for if there were any ,copper mixed with it1 then that likewise would be dissolved and precipitated together with the gold2 and it would be a hindrance to the kindling or fulminating thereof3 but if you can get no gold1 that is without ,copper1 then take ,ducats or ,rose-nobles1 which ought to have no ,addition of ,copper1 but only of a little ,silver1 which doth not hurt1 because that it cannot be dissolved by the ,aqua ,regia1 but remaineth in the bottom in a white powder4 ,make those ,ducats or ,rose-nobles red hot1 and afterward bend them and make them up in ,rolls1 and throw them into the ,aqua ,regia for to dissolve4 ,all the gold being turned into a yellow water1 and poured off1 pour into it by drops a pure oyl made of the ,salt of ,tartar1 per deliquium1 and the gold will be precipitated by the contrary liquor of ,salt of ,tartar into a brown yellow powder1 and the solution will be clear4 ,but you must take heed1 to pour no more oyl of ,tartar into it than is needful for the precipitation of the gold2 else part of the precipitated gold would be dissolved again1 and so cause your loss4 ,the gold being well precipitated1 pour off the clear water from the gold calx by inclination1 and pour upon it warm rain or other sweet water1 stir it together with a clean stick of wood1 and set it in a warm place1 until the gold is settled1 so that the water standeth clear upon it again2 then pour it off1 and pour on other fresh water1 and let it extract the saltness out of the gold calx3 and this pouring off1 and then pouring on of fresh water again1 must be reiterated so often1 until no sharpness or saltness more be perceived in the water that hath been poured off3 ,then set the edulcorated gold into the ,sun or another warm place for to dry4 ,but you must take heed that it have no greater heat than the heat of the ,sun is in ,may or ,june1 else it would kindle or take fire1 and 7especially if there be much of it7 give such a thunderclap1 that the hearing of those that stand by1 would be much endangered thereby1 and therefore ,i advice you to beware1 and cautious in the handling of it1 lest you run the hazard both of your gold and of your health by your over-sight4 ,there is also another way for to edulcorate your precipitated gold1 viz4 thus1 ,take it together with the salt liquor1 and pour it into a funnel lined with brown ,paper laid double1 and so let the water run through into a glass vessel1 whereupon the funnel doth rest1 and pour on other warm water1 and let it run through likewise2 do this again and again1 until that the water come from it as sweet as it was poured on4 ,then take the ,paper with the edulcorated gold calx1 out of the funnel1 lay it1 together with the paper1 upon other brown paper lying severally double together1 and the dry paper will attract all the moistness out of the gold calx1 so that the gold will be dryed the sooner4 ,which being dry1 take it out of the filtering paper1 and put it into another that is clean1 and so lay it aside1 and keep it for use4 ,the salt water that came through by filtering1 may be evaporated in a little glass body 7standing in sand7 to the dryness of the salt1 which is to be kept from the air3 for it is likewise useful in ,physick2 because some vertue of the nature of gold is yet hidden in it3 though one would not think it1 in regard that it is so fair1 bright and clear1 which for all that may be observed by this1 that when you melt it in a clean covered crucible or pot1 and pour it afterward into a clean ,copper morter or bason 7being first made warm7 you get a purple-coloured salt1 whereof #f1 #i1 #ab1 to #bd4 grains given inwardly1 doth cleanse and purge the stomach and bowels1 and especially it is useful in feavers and other diseases of the stomach4 ,but in the crucible1 out of which the salt hath been poured1 you will find an earthy substance1 which hath separated it self from the salt1 and looketh yellowish2 this being taken out and melted in a little crucible by a strong fire1 turneth to a yellow glass1 which is impregnated with the ,tincture of ,gold1 and doth yield a grain of ,silver in every regard like unto common cupellated silver1 wherein no gold is found1 which is to be admired3 because that all ,chymists are of opinion1 that no ,aqua regia can dissolve silver which is true4 ,the question therefore is1 from whence or how this silver came into the salt1 since no ,aqua ,regia doth dissolve silver8 whereupon some perchance may answer1 that it must have been in the oyl of ,tartar1 in regard that many do believe1 that the salts likewise may be turned into metals1 which ,i do not gainsay1 but only deny that it could have been done here2 for if that silver could have been existent in the ,aqua ,regia1 or salt of ,tartar 7whereas ,aqua ,regia cannot bear any7 it would have been precipitated together with the gold4 ,but that it was no common silver1 but gold which turned to silver after it was deprived of its ,tincture1 ,i shall briefly endeavour to prove4 ,for that the salt waters 7of ,aqua ,regia and salt of ,tartar7 out of which the gold hath been precipitated1 is of that nature1 before it be coagulated to salt1 though it be quite clear and white1 that if you put a feather in it1 it will be dyed purple within few days1 which purple colour comes from the gold1 and not from silver1 in regard that silver doth dye red or black3 and hence it appeareth1 that the salt water hath retained something of gold4 ,now some body peradventure may ask1 if that the said salt water hath retained some gold1 how is it then1 that in the melting1 no gold comes forth1 but only silver8 ,to which ,i answer1 that some salts are of that nature1 that in the melting1 they take from gold its colour and soul2 whereof if the gold be truly deprived1 it is then no more gold1 nor can be such2 neither is it silver1 but remaineth only a volatile black body1 good for nothing1 which also proveth much more unfixt than common ,lead1 not able to endure any force of fire1 much less the cupel3 ,but like ,mercury or ,arsenick vanisheth 7or flyeth away7 by a small heat4 ,hence it may be gathered1 that the fixedness 7or fixity7 of gold doth consist in its soul or ,tincture1 and not in its body1 and therefore it is credible1 that gold may be anatomized1 its best or purer part separated from the grosser 7or courser7 and so that a ,tingent medicine 7or ,tincture7 may be made of it4 ,but whether this be the right way1 whereby the universal medicine of the ancient ,philosophers 7by whose means all metals can be changed or transmuted into gold7 is to be attained unto1 ,i will not dispute2 yet ,i believe that peradventure there may be another subject1 endued with a far higher ,tincture than gold is1 which obtained no more from nature1 than it doth need it self for its own fixedness4 ,however1 we may safely believe1 that a true ,anima or ,tincture of gold1 if it be well separated from its impure black body1 may be exalted and improved in colour2 so that afterwards of an imperfect body a greater quantity1 than that was from which it was abstracted1 may be improved and brought to the perfection of gold4 ,but waving all this1 it is true and certain1 that if the gold be deprived of its ,tincture1 the remaining body can no more be gold2 as is demonstrated more at large in my ,treatise 7de ,auro potabili vero7 of the true potable ,gold3 ,and this ,i mentioned here onely therefore1 that in case the lover of this ,art1 in his work should meet perchance with such a white grain1 he may know1 from whence it doth proceed4 ,i could have forborn to set down the preparation of the fulminating gold1 and so save paper and time1 in regard that it is described by others3 but because ,i promised in the first part to teach how to make the flores of gold1 and that those are to be made out of fulminating 7or thundring7 gold1 ,i thought it not amiss to describe its preparation1 that the lover of this ,art need not first have his recourse to another book for to find out the preparation1 but by this my book may be furnished with a perfect instruction for the making of the flores of gold1 and this is the common way for to make ,aurum fulminans1 known unto most ,chymists2 but in regard that easily an error may be committed in it1 either by pouring on too much of the liquor of ,tartar 7especially when it is not pure enough1 so that not all the gold doth precipitate1 but part of it remaineth in the solution1 whereby you would have loss2 or else1 the gold falling or precipitating into a heavy calx1 which doth not fulminate well1 and is unfit for to be sublimed into flores4 ,therefore ,i will here set down another and much better way1 whereby the gold may be precipitated quite and clean out of the ,aqua ,regia without the least loss1 and so that it cometh to be very light and yellow1 and doth fulminate twice as strong as the former1 and there is no other difference between this and the former preparation1 but only that instead of the oyl of ,tartar1 you take the spirit of urine1 or of salt armoniack for to precipitate the dissolved gold thereby2 and the gold 7as before said7 will be precipitated much purer1 than it is done by the liquor of the salt of ,tartar1 and being precipitated1 it is to be edulcorated and dryed1 as above in the first preparation hath been taught4 ,the use of ,aurum fulminans4 ,there is little to write of the use of ,aurum fulminans in physick2 for because it is not unlockt1 but is only a gross calx and not acceptable to the nature of man1 it can do no miracle4 ,and although it be used to be given per se from #f1 #h1 #ab4 grains to i4 for to provoke sweating in the ,plague1 and other malignant feavers1 yet it would never succeed so well as was expected4 ,some have mixed it with the like weight of common sulphur1 and made it red hot 7or calcined it7 whereby they deprived it of its fulminating vertue1 supposing thus to get a better medicine1 but all in vain1 for the gold calx would not be amended by such a gross preparation4 ,but how to prepare a good medicine out of ,aurum fulminans1 so that it may be evidently seen1 that the gold is no dead body1 nor unfit for physick1 but that it may be made quick and fit for to put forth or shew forth those vertues which it pleased ,god to treasure up in it1 ,i shall here briefly discover4 99 99 99 99 99 ,first1 get such an instrument 7as above hath been taught7 made for you out of ,copper1 but not too big1 nor with a lid at the top1 but only with a pipe1 unto which a receiver may be applyed1 which must not be luted to it2 but it sufficeth1 that the pipe enter far into the belly of the receiver2 and at the lower part it must have a flat bottom1 that it may be able to stand3 over the bottom there must be a little hole with a little door1 that closeth very exactly3 and there must be also two little plates or scales of silver or copper1 as big as the nail of ones finger1 whereupon the ,aurum fulminans is to be set into the ,instrument2 which is to stand upon a ,trevet1 under which you are to lay some burning ,coals for to warm or heat the bottom withal4 ,the ,instrument together with the glass ,receiver being so ordered1 that it stands fast1 and also the bottom thereof being warmed or heated1 then with little pincers one of the little scales1 containing #b1 #c1 or #d4 grains of ,aurum fulminans must be conveyed upon the ,instrument set upon the warm bottom1 and then shut the little door1 and when the gold doth feel the heat1 it kindleth and giveth a clap1 and there is caused a separation1 and especial unlocking of the gold2 for as soon as the clap is done1 the gold doth go through the pipe like a purple coloured smoak into the receiver1 and sticks on every where like a purple coloured powder4 ,when the smoak is vanished1 which is soon done1 then take the empty scale out of the ,instrument or ,oven1 and set it with the gold1 which will likewise fulminate and yield its flores4 ,then the first being cooled in the mean time1 is to be filled again and put in1 instead of that which is empty1 and taken out1 putting in one scale after another by turns1 continue it so long till you have got flores enough3 ,after the sublimation is performed1 let the ,copper ,vessel grow cool1 and then sweep or brush the gold powder which is not sublimed with a haires foot1 or goose feather out of the vessel1 which powder serves for nothing1 but to be melted with a little borax1 and it will be good gold again1 but onely somewhat paler than it was before it was made into fulminating gold4 ,but the flores in the receiver cannot be brushed out thus1 especially when they are cast in with an addition of salt ,nitre1 as by the flores of silver hereafter shall be taught1 because they are something moist1 and therefore pour in as much of dephlegmed ,tartarised spirit of wine unto it1 as you think to be enough1 for to wash off the flores with4 ,this done1 pour out the spirit of wine1 together with the burnt ,phnix into a clean glass1 with a long neck1 set it 7being well luted first7 into a gentle ,balneum1 or into warm ashes for some dayes1 and the spirit of wine in the mean time will be coloured with a fair red1 which you must pour off and then pour on other fresh spirit and set it in a warm place for to be dissolved1 this being likewise coloured1 put both the extracts together in a little glass body1 and abstract the spirit of wine 7in ,balneo7 from the ,tincture1 which will be a little in quantity1 but of a high red colour and pleasant in taste4 ,the remaining flores from which the ,tincture is extracted1 may be with water washed out of the glass1 and then dryed if they are to be melted2 and they will yield a little pale gold1 and the most part turneth into a brown glass1 out of which perchance something else that is good may be made1 but unknown to me as yet4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you mix the ,aurum fulminans with some salt nitre1 before fulmination1 then the flores will be the more soluble1 so that they yield their ,tincture sooner and more freely1 than alone of themselves2 and if you please1 you may adde thereto thrice as much salt nitre1 and so sublime them in flores1 in the same manner1 as shall be taught for the making of the flores of silver4 ,the use of the ,tincture of ,gold4 ,the extracted ,tincture is one of the chiefest of those medicines1 which comfort cheer up the heart of man1 renew and restore to youthfulness1 and cleanse the impure blood in the whole body1 whereby many horrible diseases1 as the leprosie1 the pox1 and like may be rooted out4 ,but whether this ,tincture by the help of fire may be further advanced into a fixed substance ,i do not know3 for ,i have not proceeded further in it1 than here is mentioned4 ,of the flores of silver and of its medicine4 ,having promised in the first part of this book 7when ,i was describing the preparation of flores out of ,metals7 to teach in the second part to make the flores of gold and silver1 those of gold being dispatcht2 there followeth now in order after the gold1 to speak also of silver and of its preparation1 which is to be thus performed4 ,take of thin laminated or small granulated fine silver as much as you please1 put it into a little separating glass body1 and pour upon it twice as much in weight of rectified spirit of salt nitre1 and the spirit of salt nitre will presently begin to work upon the silver and to dissolve it4 ,but when it will not dissolve any more in the cold1 then you must put the glass body into warm sand or ashes1 and the water will presently begin to work again2 let the glass stand in the warm ashes1 until all the silver be dissolved4 ,then put the solution out of the little glass body1 into another such as is cut off at the top1 and put on a little head or ,limbeck1 and in sand abstract the moity of the spirit of salt nitre from the dissolved silver2 then let the glass body remain in the sand till it be cool2 after take it out1 and let it rest for a day and a night1 and the silver will turn into white foliated crystals1 from which you must pour off the remaining solution which is not turned2 and from thence abstract again the moity of the spirit1 and let it shoot or turn in a cold place2 and this abstracting and crystallising you are to reiterate1 until almost all the silver is turned to ,crystals2 which you must take out and lay upon filtring paper to dry1 and so keep it for such further use1 as hereafter shall be taught4 ,the remaining solution1 which is not crystallised1 you may in a copper vessel by adding of sweet water thereto1 precipitate over the fire into a calx1 and then edulcorate and dry it1 and keep it for other use1 or else melt it again into a body4 ,or else you may precipitate the same with salt water1 and so edulcorate and dry it2 and you will have a calx1 which doth melt by a gentle fire1 and is of a special nature1 and in the spirit of urin1 of salt ,armoniack1 of ,harts-horn1 of ,amber1 of ,soot1 and of hair it doth easily dissolve2 and it may be prepared or turned into good medicines1 as shortly in our treating of the spirit of urin shall be taught4 ,or else1 you may choose not to precipitate the remaining solution of silver1 but with the spirit of urin to extract an excellent ,tincture1 as hereafter shall be taught4 ,of the use of the crystals of silver4 ,these crystals may safely be used in ,physick alone by themselves #c1 #f1 #i1 #ab4 graines thereof being mixed with a little sugar1 or else made up into pills2 they do purge very gently and without danger2 but by reason of their bitterness they are somewhat untoothsome to take2 also1 if they be not made up into pills1 they colour the lips1 tongue and mouth quite black 7but the reason of that blackness belongeth not to this place to treat of1 but shall by and by follow hereafter74 ,also if they touch metals1 as ,silver1 ,copper and ,tin1 they make them black and ugly1 and therefore they are not much used4 ,but if you put into the solution of silver 7before it be reduced into ,crystals7 half as much quicksilver as there was of the silver1 and so dissolve them together and afterwards let them shoot together1 there will come forth very fair little square stones like unto ,allome1 which do not melt in the air1 as the former foliated ones use to do2 neither are so bitter1 and they purge also quicker and better1 than those that are made only of silver4 ,how to sublime the ,crystals of silver into flores1 and then to make a good ,medicine of the flores4 ,take of the foliated ,crystals of ,silver as many as you please1 and upon a grinding stone made warm first1 grind as much purified and well dryed salt nitre amongst it1 then put into your ,iron distilling vessel 7to the pipe whereof there is to be applyed and luted a great receiver7 coles made into powder two inches high1 and make a fire under it1 that the vessel every where together with the coles that are in it1 become red hot4 ,then take off the lid1 and with a ladle throw in at once of your ,crystals of silver i4 more or less1 according as you think that your receiver in regard of its bigness is able to bear4 ,this done1 presently put on the lid1 and the salt nitre together with the crystals of silver will be kindled by the coles that lye on the bottom of the vessel1 and there will come forth a white silver fume through the pipe into the receiver1 and after a while when the cloud is vanished in the receiver1 cast in more1 and continue this so long1 and until all your prepared silver is cast in2 then let it cool1 and take off the receiver1 and pour into it good ,alcolized spirit of wine1 and wash the flores with it out of the receiver1 and proceed further with them1 as above you have been taught to proceed with the gold1 and you will get a greenish liquor1 which is very good for the brain4 ,take the coles out of the distilling vessel1 and make them into fine powder1 and wash them out with water1 to the end that the light cole-dust may be got from it1 and you will find much silver dust 7or a great many little silver grains7 which the salt nitre could not force over1 which you may reduce1 for it will be good silver4 ,there may also be made a very good medicine out of the crystals of silver1 which will be little inferior to the former1 whereby the diseases and infirmities of the brain may be very well remedied1 which is done thus4 ,how to make a green oyl out of ,silver4 ,pour upon ,crystals of silver twice or thrice as much 7in weight7 of the strongest spirit of ,salt ,armoniack1 put it in a glass with a long neck well closed1 into a very gentle warmth for the space of #h4 or #ad4 days in digestion1 and the spirit of salt ,armoniack will be tinged with a very fair blew colour from the silver1 then pour it off1 and filtre it through brown paper1 and then put it in a little glass retort or glass body1 and abstract in ,balneo by a gentle fire1 almost all the spirit of salt ,armoniack 7which is still good for use7 and there will remain in the bottom a grass-green ,liquor1 which is to be kept for a ,medicine4 ,but in case that you should miss1 and abstract too much of the spirit from the ,tincture of silver1 so that the ,tincture be quite dry and turned to a green ,salt1 then you must pour upon it again as much of the spirit of ,salt ,armoniack1 as will dissolve the green salt again to a green ,liquor1 but if you desire to have the ,tincture purer yet1 then abstract all moistness from it1 to a stony dryness3 upon which you must pour good spirit of ,wine1 which will quickly dissolve the stone1 and then filtre it1 and there will remain feces1 and the ,tincture will be fairer3 from which you must abstract most of the spirit of wine1 and the ,tincture will be so much the higher in vertue4 ,but if you please1 you may distil that green salt or stone 7before it be extracted again with that spirit of wine7 in a little glass retort1 and you will get a subtile spirit and a sharp oyl1 and in the bottom of the retort there remaineth a very fusile silver which could not come over4 ,it is to be admired1 that when you pour spirit of salt ,armoniack1 or spirit of wine upon that stone1 for to dissolve it1 that the glass comes to be so cold by it1 that you hardly are able to endure it in your hand1 which coldness in my opinion cometh from the silver 7being so well unlockt7 which naturally is cold4 ,the ,use of the green ,liquor in ,alchymy1 and for ,mechanical ,operations4 ,this green ,liquor serveth not only for a medicine1 but also for other ,chymical operations 7for both ,copper and glass may be easily and very fairly silvered over therewith7 very useful for those that are curious and love to make a shew with fair houshold-stuff2 for if you get dishes1 trencher-plates1 salters1 cups and other vessels made of glass1 after the same fashion as those of silver use to be made1 you may very easily and without any considerable charge silver them over therewith within and without1 so that by the eye they cannot be discerned from true silver plate4 ,besides the above-related good ,medicines1 there may be made another and especial good one out of the crystals of silver1 viz4 dissolving and digesting them 7for a space of time7 with the universal water1 which hath been distilled by nature it self2 and is known to every body3 and after its digesting for a short time1 and change into several colours1 there will be found a pleasant essence1 which is not so bitter as the above-described green liquor1 which is not brought yet by heat to ripeness and maturation4 ,n4 ,b4 ,in this sweet universal ,menstruum1 may also all other metals by a small heat and the digestion of a long time be ripened and fitted for ,medicines 7having first been reduced into their vitriols and salts7 and then they are no more dead bodies1 but by this preparation have recovered a new ,life1 and are no more the metals of the covetous1 but may be called the metals of the ,philosophers1 and of the ,physicians4 ,besides ,physick or physical use4 ,lastly1 there may be many pretty things more effected 7besides the medicinal use7 by means of the ,crystals of silver1 viz4 when you dissolve them in ordinary sweet rain water1 you may dye beards1 hair1 skin1 and nails of men or beasts into carnation or pink red1 brown and black1 according as you have put more or less thereof in the water2 or else1 according as the hair was more or less times wetted therewith1 whereby the aspect of ,man and ,beast 7which sometimes in several occasions may not be contemned7 is changed1 so that they cannot be known4 ,this colouring or dye may be also performed with ,lead or ,mercury no less than with silver1 but otherwise prepared1 whereof in the fourth part4 ,now ,i have taught how to make flores and tinctures of gold and silver by help of the acid spirit of ,nitre4 ,there may be many other medicines taught to be made out of them1 but in regard that they belong not to this place1 they shall be reserved for other places of this second1 and also for the other following parts4 ,as by the help of the spirit of ,nitre1 good ,medicines may be made out of gold and silver1 so the like may be done out of other inferiour metals4 ,but in regard that their description is fitter for other places of this ,book1 ,i omit them here4 ,yet nevertheless1 ,i thought good to describe one preparation of every metal2 after ,silver therefore followeth now ,copper4 ,a medicine out of ,copper externally to be used4 ,dissolve burnt plates of ,copper in spirit of salt1 and abstract the spirit again from thence to a dryness1 but not too hard1 and there will a green mass remain behind1 which you may cast in by little and little1 and so distil it1 as of silver hath been taught4 ,it doth yield a strong and powerful spirit1 and flores also for outward use in putrid wounds1 to lay a good ground thereby for the healing4 ,a medicine out of ,iron or ,steel4 ,in the same manner you may proceed with iron and steel1 and there will remain behind a good crocus of a great stipticity or astringency1 especially out of iron or steel1 and may with good success be mixed with oyntments and plaisters4 ,of ,tin and ,lead4 ,if ,tin or ,lead be dissolved therein1 after the abstracting of part of the spirit1 they will shoot into clear and sweet crystals4 ,but ,tin is not so easily dissolved as ,lead2 both may safely be used for medicines4 ,also there may be ,spirits and flores got out of them by distilling4 ,the rehearsing of the ,preparation is needless1 for what for the preparing of silver hath been taught1 is to be understood also of other metals4 ,the use of the ,crystals of ,lead and ,tin4 ,the ,crystals of ,lead are admirably good to be used in the plague for to provoke sweating and expel the venome out of the body2 they may also with credit be used in the bloody flux4 ,externally dissolved in water1 and clothes dipt therein and applied1 they excellently cool and quench all inflammations1 in what part of the body soever they do befal4 ,likewise the spirit thereof used per se 7and the flores mixed among oyntments7 do their part sufficiently4 ,but the crystals of ,tin do not prove altogether so quick in operation1 though they do act their part also1 and they are more pleasant than those that are made of ,lead2 for in ,tin there is found a pure sulphur of gold2 but in ,lead a white sulphur of silver1 as is proved in my ,treatise of the generation and nature of ,metals4 ,of ,mercury4 ,when you dissolve common ,mercury in rectified spirit of ,nitre1 and abstract the spirit from it again1 then there will remain behind a fair red glistering precipitate2 but when the spirit is not rectified1 it will not be so fair1 because that the impurity of the spirit remains with the ,mercury and pollutes it4 ,this calcinated ,mercury is called by some ,mercurius prcipitatus1 and by others ,turbith minerale1 wherewith the ,surgeons1 and sometimes other unskilful ,physicians do cure the ,pox2 they give at once #f1 #h1 #aj4 grains1 7more or less7 according to its preparation and force in operation to the patient2 for if the spirit be not too much abstracted from it1 it worketh much stronger1 than when by a strong fire it is quite separated from it2 for the spirits that remain with the ,mercury make it quick and active1 which else without the spirits would not be such4 ,the other metals also1 if they be not first made soluble by salts or spirits1 can perform either none or but very small operation1 unless it be ,zink or ,iron1 which being easily soluble1 are able to work without any foregoing dissolution1 as hath been shewn above1 when we treated of the oyl of vitriol4 ,but that the sharp spirits are the cause of that operation1 may hence be perceived1 and made manifest2 that although you take ss4 of quick-silver and pour it down into the stomach1 yet it would run out again beneath1 as above it was poured in4 ,but if it be prepared with spirits or salts1 then but few grains of it will work strongly1 and the more it is made soluble1 the stronger it worketh2 as you may see when it is sublimed from salt and vitriol1 that it groweth so strong thereby1 that one grain doth work more than eight or ten grains of ,turbith ,mineral1 and three or four grains thereof would kill a man1 by reason of its mighty strength4 ,also it worketh extreamly1 and much more than the sublimate1 when it is dissolved in spirit of ,nitre and crystalized1 so that you cannot well take it upon your tongue without danger4 ,which some perceiving1 evaporate the ,aqua fortis by a gentle heat from it1 so that the ,mercurius remained yellow1 which in a smaller dose wrought more than the red1 from which the spirits were quite evaporated4 ,and they used it only externally1 strewing it into impure sores1 for to corrode or fret or away the proud flesh1 not without great pain to the patient3 but also without distinction of young or old gave it inwardly for to purge2 which is one of the most hurtful ,purges that can be used4 ,for this evil guest1 however he be prepared1 cannot leave his tricks1 unless he be reduced into such a substance1 as that it never can be brought back to a running ,mercury1 for then much good can be done in physick without any hurt or prejudice to the health of man1 whereof perchance something more shall be said in another place4 ,i cannot omit for the benefit of young innocent ,children1 to discover a great abuse4 ,for it is grown very common almost among all that deal in physick1 that as soon as a little child is not well before they know whether it will be troubled with worms1 or with any thing else1 they presently fall upon ,mercury1 supposing that in regard it hath no taste1 it is so much the better for to get the ,children to take it for to kill the ,worms4 ,but those men do not know the hurtful nature of it1 which it doth shew against the sinews and ,nerves3 ,for some are of opinion1 that if they know to prepare ,mercury so1 that it can be given in a greater dose 7as is to be seen in sublimed ,mercurius dulcis7 that then it is excellently prepared3 but they are in a great errour1 and it were much better1 it were not so well prepared1 that the less hurt might be done to ,man1 in regard that then they durst not give it in so great a dose4 ,for if that which is prepared with ,aqua fortis or spirit of salt nitre be used in the pox to men that are advanced in years1 it cannot do so much hurt1 because it is given in a small dose1 and doth work with them1 whereby nature gets help for to overcome and expel that hurtful venome1 and its malignity is abated by the strong salivation1 which provident nature hath planted in it1 so that not so much mischief can come by it1 as by ,mercurius dulcis1 whereof is given to little weak ,children from ten to thirty grains at once1 which commonly 7unless they be of a strong nature1 and do grow it out7 doth cause a weakness and lameness in their limbs1 so that 7if they do not come to be quite lame at last7 they have a long time to struggle withal1 till they overcome it4 ,in like manner those also do err1 which do shake ,mercury in water or beer so long1 until the water come to be gray-coloured1 and so give that water or beer to little children to drink for the ,worms1 pretending that they do not give the substance or body of ,mercury1 but only its vertue4 ,but this gross ,preparation is no better than if they had ministred the running ,mercury it self4 ,neither have ,i ever seen that the use of ,mercurius dulcis1 or of the gray coloured water was seconded with good success in killing of the ,worms4 ,but it is credible1 that it may be done by yellow or red precipitate1 in regard of its strong operation4 ,but who would be such an ,enemy to his ,child1 as to plague and torture it with such a hurtful and murthering medicine2 especially there being other medicines to be had1 which do no harm to the children1 as is to be found in iron or steel1 and the sweet oyl of vitriol4 ,and so much of the abuse of ,mercury3 ,i hope it will be a good warning unto many1 so that they will not so easily billet such a tyrannical guest in any ones house1 whereby the ruine thereof of necessity must follow4 ,and that cure deserveth no praise at all1 whereby one member is cured with the hurt of two or three other members4 ,as we see by the ,pox1 when one infected member is cured by ,mercury1 and that but half1 and not firm at all1 that all the rest of the body is endangered thereby for the future4 ,and therefore it would be much better that such crude horse-physick might be severed from good medicaments1 and such used instead of them1 as may firmly1 safely1 and without prejudice to other parts perform the cure1 of which kind several are taught in this book4 ,but in case that you have ,patients1 which have been spoiled by such an ill-prepared ,mercury1 then there is no better remedy to restore them1 than by medicines made of metals1 wherewith ,mercury hath great affinity1 as of gold and silver3 for when they are often used1 they attract the ,mercury out of all the members1 and carry it along with them out of the body1 and so do rid the body thereof4 ,but externally the precipitated ,mercury may more safely be used1 than internally1 in case there be nothing else to be had1 viz4 to corrode or eat away the proud flesh out of a wound4 ,but if instead of it there should be used the corrosive oyl of ,antimony1 ,vitriol1 ,allome or common salt it would be better1 and the cure much the speedier2 and it would be better yet1 that in the beginning good medicaments were used to fresh wounds1 and not by carelesness to reduce them to that ill condition1 that afterwards by painful corrosives they must be taken away4 ,but such a ,mercury would serve best of all for souldiers1 beggers1 and children that go to school2 for if it be strewed upon the head of children1 or into their cloathes1 no louse will abide there any longer4 ,in which case ,mercury must by his preparation not be made red1 but onely yellow1 and it must be used warily1 and not be strewed on too thick1 lest the flesh be corroded1 which would be the occasion of great mischief4 ,of ,aqua fortis4 ,out of ,salt nitre and vitriol1 taking of each a like quantity 7or if the water is to be not altogether so strong7 two parts of vitriol to one part of salt nitre1 a water distilled is good to dissolve metals therewith1 and to separate them from one another2 as gold from silver1 and silver from gold1 which in the fourth part punctually shall be taught4 ,the ,aqua fortis serveth also for many other ,chymical operations to dissolve and fit metals thereby1 that they may be reduced the easier into medicaments3 but because the spirit of salt nitre and ,aqua fortis are almost all one1 and have like operations3 for if the ,aqua fortis be dephlegmed and rectified1 you may perform the same operations with it1 which possibly may be performed with the spirit of salt nitre2 and on the other side the spirit of salt nitre will do all that can be done with the ,aqua fortis1 whereof in the fourth ,part shall be spoken more at large4 ,now ,i know well that ignorant laborators 7which do all their work according to custome1 without diving any further into the ,nature of things1 will count me an ,heretick 7because ,i teach1 that the ,aqua fortis made of vitriol and salt nitre is of the same nature and condition with the spirit of salt nitre1 which is made without vitriol7 saying that the ,aqua fortis doth partake likewise of the spirit of vitriol1 because vitriol also is used in the preparation of it4 ,to which ,i answer1 that although vitriol be used in the preparation of it1 yet for all that in the distilling1 nothing or but very little of its spirit comes over with the spirit of salt nitre1 and that by so small a heat it cannot rise so high1 as the spirit of salt nitre doth3 and the vitriol is added onely therefore unto the salt nitre that it may hinder its melting together1 and so the more facilitate its going into a spirit4 ,and the more to be convinced of this truth1 the unbelieving may add to such spirit of salt nitre1 as is made by it self1 a little of oyl of vitriol likewise made by it self1 and try to dissolve silver guilded with it1 and he will find that his spirit of salt nitre by the spirit of vitriol is made unfit to make a seperation2 for it preyeth notably upon the gold1 which is not done by ,aqua fortis4 ,of the sulphurised spirit of salt nitre4 ,there may also be made a spirit of salt nitre with sulphur1 which is still in use with many1 viz4 they take a strong earthen retort1 which hath a pipe at the top1 and fasten it into a furnace1 and having put salt nitre into it1 they let it melt1 and then through the pipe they throw peeces of sulphur of the bigness of a pea1 one after another1 which being kindled1 together with the nitre doth yield a spirit called by some spirit of salt nitre1 and by others oyl of sulphur1 but falsely2 for it is neither of both1 in regard that metals cannot be dissolved therewith as they are done with other spirit of salt nitre or sulphur2 neither is there any great use for it in physick1 and if it were good for any ,chymical operations1 by the help of my distilling instrument might easily be made and in great quantity1 ,n4,b4 ,but if salt nitre be mixed with sulphur in due proportion1 and in the first furnace be cast upon quick coles1 then all will be burnt1 and a strong spirit cometh over1 whose vertue is needless here to describe2 but more shall be mentioned of it in another place4 ,of the ,clissus4 ,among the ,physitians of this latter age1 there is mention made of another spirit1 which they make of ,antimony1 ,sulphur1 and salt nitre1 a like quantity taken of each1 which they call ,clissus1 and which they have in high esteem1 and not without cause1 because it can do much good1 if it be well prepared4 ,the inventor1 for the making thereof used a retort with a pipe1 as was mentioned by the sulphurized spirit of salt nitre1 through which pipe he threw in his mixture4 ,and it is a good way if no better be known3 but if the ,author had known my invention and way of distilling1 ,i doubt not but he would have set aside his1 that hath a nose or pipe retort1 and made use of mine4 ,the materials indeed are good1 but not the weight or proportion2 for to what purpose so great a quantity of sulphur1 it being not able to burn away all with so small a quantity of salt nitre4 ,and if it doth not burn away1 but only sublime stop the neck of the retort1 whereby the distillation is hindered1 how can it then yield any vertue8 ,therefore you ought to take not so much sulphur1 but only such a quantity as will serve to kindle the salt nitre1 viz4 to i4 of salt nitre four drams of sulphur3 but because ,antimony also is one of the ingredients1 which hath likewise much sulphur 7for there is no ,antimony so pure1 but it containeth much combustible sulphur1 as in the fourth part of this book shall be proved37 therefore it is needless to add so much sulphur unto ,antimony1 to make it burn1 because it hath enough of it self4 ,and therefore ,i will set down my composition1 which ,i found to be better than the first4 ,take ,antimony i4 salt nitre ij4 sulphur iij4 the materials must be made into small powder and well mixed1 and at once cast in ij4 thereof1 and there will come over a sulphureous acid spirit of ,antimony1 which will mix it self with the water1 which hath been put before in the receiver2 which after the distillation is finished must be taken out and kept close for its use4 ,it is a very good diaphoretick 7or sweat provoking7 medicine especially in feavers1 the plague1 epilepsie1 and all other diseases1 whose cure must be performed by sweating4 ,the ,caput ,mortuum may be sublimed into flores in that furnace1 which is described in the first part4 ,of the ,tartarised spirit of nitre4 ,in the very same manner there may also be distilled a good sweat-provoking spirit out of salt nitre and ,tartar1 a like quantity taken of each1 which is very good to be used in the plague and malignant feavers4 ,the ,caput ,mortuum is a good melting powder for to reduce the calxes of metals therewith2 or else you may let it dissolve in a moist place to oyl of ,tartar4 ,of the ,tartarised spirit of ,antimony4 ,a much better spirit yet may be made of ,tartar1 salt nitre1 and ,antimony1 a like quantity being taken of each and made into fine powder1 and mixed well together1 which though it be not so pleasant to take1 is therefore not to be despised4 ,for not only in the plague and feavers1 but also in all obstructions and corruptions of blood it may be used with admiration of its speedy help4 ,the ,caput ,mortuum may be taken out1 and melted in a crucible1 and it will yield a ,regulus1 the use whereof is described in the fourth part4 ,out of the scoria or dross a red ,tincture may be extracted with spirit of wine1 which is very useful in many diseases4 ,but before you extract with spirit of wine1 you may get a red lixivium out of it with sweet water1 which lixivium may be used externally for to mend the faults of the skin and to free it from scabbiness4 ,upon this lixivium if you pour ,vinegar or any other acid spirit1 there will precipitate a red powder1 which if it be edulcorated and dryed may be used in physick4 ,it is called by some sulphur auratum diaphoreticum3 but it is no ,diaphoretick1 but maketh strong vomits1 and so in case of necessity1 when you have no better medicine at hand1 it may be used for a vomitory from #f1 #g1 #i1 #aj1 #ae4 ,also out of the scoria there may be extracted a fair ,sulphur with the spirit of urin and distilled over the ,limbeck1 which is very good for all diseases of the lungs4 ,of ,stone-coles4 ,if you mix stone-coales with a like quantity of salt nitre1 and distill them1 you will get an admirable spirit and good to be used outwardly2 for it cleanseth and consolidateth wounds exceedingly1 and there will also come over a metallical vertue in the form of a red powder1 which must be separated from the spirit1 and kept for its use4 ,but if you cast in stone-coles alone by themselves1 and distill them1 there will come over not only a sharp spirit1 but also a hot and blood red oyl1 which doth powerfully dry and heal all running ulcers2 especially it will heal a scald head better than any other medicine1 and it doth consume also all moist and spongious excrescencies in the skin1 where ever they be3 but if you sublime stone-coles in the furnace described in the first part1 there comes over1 an acid metallical spirit1 and a great deal of black light flores1 which suddenly stanch bleeding1 and used in plaisters1 are as good as other metallical flores4 ,of the ,sulphureous spirit of salt nitre or ,aqua fortis4 ,if you take one part of sulphur1 two parts of nitre1 and three parts of vitriol1 and distill them1 you will get a graduating ,aqua fortis1 which smelleth strongly of sulphur2 for the sulphur is made volatile by the salt nitre and vitriol4 ,it is better for separating of metals1 than the common ,aqua fortis4 ,if silver be put in1 it groweth black1 but not fixed2 some of it poured into a solution of silver a great deal of black calx will precipitate1 but doth not abide the tryal4 ,you may also abstract a strong sulphureous volatile spirit from it1 which hath like vertue as well internally as externally for bathes1 and may be used like unto a volatile spirit of ,vitriol or ,allome4 ,of the ,nitrous spirit of ,arsenick4 ,if you take white ,arsenick and pure salt nitre of each a like quantity ground into fine powder1 and distill them1 you will get a blew spirit1 which is very strong1 but no water must be put into the receiver1 else it would turn white1 for the ,arsenick1 from which the blew cometh1 is precipitated by the water4 ,this spirit dissolveth and graduateth copper as white as silver1 and maketh it malleable but not fixed4 ,the remaining ,caput ,mortuum maketh the copper white1 if it be cemented therewith1 but very brittle and unmalleable1 but how to get good silver out of ,asenick and with profit1 you shall find in the fourth part4 ,in physick the blew spirit serveth for all corroding cancrous sores1 which if they be anointed therewith1 will be killed thereby1 and made fit for healing4 ,to make a spirit of ,sulphur1 crude ,tartar and ,salt nitre4 ,if you grind together one part of ,sulphur1 two parts of ,crude ,tartar1 and four parts of salt nitre1 and distill it ,philosopher-like1 you will get a most admirable spirit1 which can play his part both in ,physick and ,alchymy4 ,i will not advise any body to distill it in a retort2 for this mixture1 if it groweth warm from beneath1 it fulminateth like ,gunpowder2 but if it be kindled from above1 it doth not fulminate1 but onely burneth away like a quick fire2 metals may be melted and reduced thereby4 ,to make a spirit out of ,salt of ,tartar1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt-nitre4 ,if you take one part of salt of ,tartar1 and one part and a half of ,sulphur1 with three parts of salt nitre1 and grind them together1 you will have a commposition1 which fulminateth like ,aurum fulminans1 and the same also 7after the same manner as above hath been taught with gold7 may be distilled into flores and spirits1 which are not without special ,vertue and ,operation4 ,for the corruption of one thing is the generation of another4 ,how to make a spirit of saw-dust1 sulphur and salt nitre4 ,if you make a mixture of one part of ,saw-dust made of ,tilia or ,linden-wood1 and two parts of good sulphur1 and nine parts of purified and well dryed salt nitre1 and cast it in by little and little1 there will come over an acid spirit1 which may be used outwardly1 for to cleanse wounds that are unclean4 ,but if you mix with this composition minerals or metals made into fine powder1 and then cast it in and distill it1 there will come not only a powerful metallical spirit1 but also a good quantity of flores1 according to the nature of the mineral1 which are of no small vertue3 for the minerals and metals are by this quick fire destroyed and reduced to a better condition1 whereof many things might be written3 but it is not good to reveal all things4 ,consider this sentence of the ,philosophers4 ,it is impossible to destroy without a flame1 ,the combustible ,sulphur of the ,calx1 which the digged ,mine doth doe4 ,also fusible minerals and metals may not only be melted1 therewith1 but also cupellated in a moment upon a ,table in the hand or in a nut-shell2 whereby singular proofs of oares and metals may be made1 and much better1 than upon a ,cupel1 whereof further in the fourth part of this book4 ,here is opened unto us a gate to high things2 if entrance be granted unto us1 we shall need no more books to look for the ,art in them4 ,to make metallical spirits and flores by the help of salt-nitre and linnen cloth4 ,if metals be dissolved in their appropriated ,menstruums1 and in the solution 7wherein a due proportion of salt nitre must be dissolved7 fine linnen rags be dipt and dryed1 you have a prepared metal1 which may be kindled1 and 7as it was mentioned above concerning the saw-dust7 through the burning away and consuming of their superfluous sulphur1 the mercurial substance of the metal is manifested4 ,and after the distillation is ended1 you will find a singular purified calx1 which by rubbing coloureth other metals1 as that of gold doth guild silver1 that of silver silvereth over copper1 and copper calx maketh iron look like copper1 c4 which colouring though it cannot bring any great profit1 yet at least for to shew the possibility1 ,i thought it not amiss to describe it2 and perchance something more may be hid in it1 which is not given to every one to know4 ,of ,gun-powder4 ,of this mischievous composition and diabolical abuse of ,gunpowder much might be written3 but because this present world taketh only delight in shedding innocent blood1 and cannot endure that unrighteous things should be reproved1 good things praised1 therefore it is best to be silent1 and to let every one answer for himself1 when the time cometh that we shall give an account of our stewardship1 which perhaps is not far off2 and then there will be made a separation of good and bad1 by him that tryeth the heart1 even as gold is refind in the fire from its dross4 ,and then it will be seen what ,christians we have been4 ,we do all bear the name1 but do not approve our selves to be such by our works2 every one thinketh himself better than others1 and for a words sake which one understandeth otherwise1 or takes in another sense than the other 7and though it be no point1 whereon salvation doth depend7 one curseth and condemneth another and persecuteth one another unto death1 which ,christ never taught us to do1 but rather did earnestly command us that we should love one another1 reward evil with good1 and not good with evil1 as now a dayes every where they use to do2 every one standeth upon his reputation1 but the honor of ,god and his command are in no repute1 but are trampled under foot1 and ,lucifers pride1 vain ambition1 and ,pharisaical hypocrisie or shew of holiness1 hath so far got the upper-hand with the learned1 that none will leave his contumacy or stubbornness1 or recede a little from his opinion1 although the whole world should be turned upside down thereby4 ,are not these fine ,christians8 ,by their fruit you shall know them1 and not by their words4 ,woolves are now clothed with sheeps skins1 so that none of them almost are to be found1 and yet the deeds and works of ,woolves are every where extant4 ,all good manners are turned into bad1 women turn men1 and men women in their fashion and behaviour1 contrary to the institution and ordinance of ,god and ,nature4 ,in brief1 the world goeth on crutches4 ,if ,heraclitus and ,democritus should now behold this present world1 they would find exceeding great cause for their lamenting and laughing at it4 ,and therefore it is no marvel1 that ,god sent such a terrible scourge as gun-powder is upon us2 and it is credible1 that if this do not cause our amendment1 that a worse will follow1 viz4 thunder and lightning falling down from ,heaven1 whereby the world shall be turned upside down for to make an end of all pride1 self-love1 ambition1 deceit and vanity4 ,for which the whole ,creation doth wait1 fervently desiring to be delivered from the bondage thereof4 ,now this preparation1 which is the most hurtful poyson1 a terror unto all the living1 is nothing else but a fulmen terrestre denouncing unto us the wrath and coming of the ,lord4 ,for ,christ to judge the world is to come with thundering and lightning3 and this earthly thunder perchance is given us for to put us in mind and fear of that which is to come1 but this is not so much as thought on by men1 who prepare it only for to plague and destroy mankind therewith in a most cruel and abominable manner1 as every one knoweth4 ,for none can deny but that there is no nimbler poyson1 than this gunpowder4 ,it is written of the ,basiliske1 that he killeth man only by his look1 which a man may avoid1 and there are but few 7if any at all7 of them found3 but this poyson is now prepared and found every where4 ,how often doth it fall out1 that a place wherein this powder is kept is stricken with thunder as with its like1 in so much that all things above it are in a moment destroyed1 and carryed up into the air8 ,also in sieges1 when an ,ordnance is discharged1 or ,mines blown up1 all whom it lays hold on1 are suddenly killed1 and most miserably destroyed4 ,what nimbler poyson then could there be invented8 ,i believe there is none1 who will not acknowledge it to be such4 ,and seeing that the ancient ,philosophers and ,chymists were always of opinion1 that the greater the poyson is1 the better medicine may be made of it1 after it is freed from the poyson1 which with us their posterity is proved true by many experiences2 as we see by ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,mercury1 and the like minerals1 which without preparation are meer poyson1 but by due preparation may be turned into the best and most effectual medicaments1 which though not every one can comprehend or believe1 yet ,chymists know it to be true1 and the doing of it is no new thing to them4 ,and because ,i treat in this second part of medicinal spirits1 and other good medicaments1 and finding that this which can be made out of gunpowder1 is none of the least1 ,i would not omit in some measure1 and as far as lawfully may be done1 to set down its preparation3 which is thus performed4 ,how to make a spirit of ,gunpowder4 ,your distilling vessel being made warm1 and a great receiver with sweet water in it1 being applyed to it without luting1 put a dish with gunpowder1 containing about #ab4 or #ae4 grains a piece1 one after another into it2 in the same manner as above was taught to do with gold4 ,for if you should put in too much of it at once1 it would cause too much wind and break the receiver4 ,as soon as you have conveighed it into the vessel1 shut the door1 and the gunpowder will kindle1 and give a blast that it maketh the receiver stir1 and a white mist or steam will come over into the receiver4 ,as soon as the powder is burnt1 you may cast in more before the mist is settled1 because else the distilling of it would cost too much time1 and so you may continue to do until you have spirit enough4 ,then let the fire go out1 and the furnace grow cool1 and then take off the receiver1 pour the spirit with the water that was poured in before 7the flores being first every where washed off with it7 out of the receiver into a glass body1 and rectifie it in a ,b4 through a limbeck1 and there will come over a muddy water1 tasting and smelling of sulphur3 which you must keep4 ,in the glass body you will find a white salt1 which you are to keep likewise4 ,take out the ,caput ,mortuum1 which remained in the distilling vessel1 and looks like gray salt1 calcine it in a covered crucible1 that it turn white1 but not that it melt2 and upon this burnt or calcined salt1 pour your stinking water1 which came over through the limbeck1 and dissolve the calcined white salt with it1 and the feces which will not dissolve cast away4 ,filtre the solution1 and pour it upon the white salt1 which remained in the glass body1 from which the sulphureous spirit was abstracted before1 and put the glass body 7with a limbeck luted upon it7 into sand1 and abstract the sulphureous water from it1 which will be yellowish1 and smell more of sulphur than it did before4 ,this water if it be abstracted from the salt several times1 will turn white1 almost like unto milk1 and tast no more of sulphur1 but be pleasant and sweet4 ,it is very good for the diseases of the lungs4 ,also it doth guild silver1 being anointed therewith1 although not firmly1 and by digestion it may be ripened and reduced into a better medicine4 ,the salt which remained in the glass body1 urge with a strong fire1 such as will make the sand1 wherein the glass standeth red hot1 and there will sublime a white salt into the limbeck1 in taste almost like unto salt ,armoniack1 but in the midst of the glass body1 you will find another1 which is yellowish1 of a mineral taste and very hot upon the tongue4 ,the sublimed salts1 as well the white which did ascend into the limbeck1 as the yellow1 which remained in the glass body are good to be used in the plague1 malignant feavers and other diseases1 where sweating is required2 for they do mightily provoke sweating1 they comfort and do cleanse the stomach1 and cause sometimes gentle stools4 ,but what further may be done in ,physick with it1 ,i do not know yet4 ,in ,alchymy it is also of use1 which doth not belong to this place4 ,upon the remaining salt which did not sublime you may pour rain water1 and dissolve it there in the glass body1 7if it be whole still7 else if it be broken1 you may take out the salt dry1 and dissolve and filtre and coagulate it again1 and there will be separated a great deal of fces4 ,this purified salt1 which will look yellowish1 melt in a covered crucible1 and it will turn quite blood red1 and as hot as fire upon the tongue1 which with fresh water you must dissolve again1 and then filtre and coagulate2 by which operation it will be made pure and clear1 and the solution is quite green before it be coagulated1 and as fiery as the red salt was before its dissolution4 ,this grass green solution being coagulated again into a red fiery salt1 may be melted again in a clean and strong crucible1 and it will be much more red and fiery4 ,n4 ,b4 ,and it is to be admired that in the melting of it many fire sparks do fly from it1 which do not kindle or take fire1 as other sparks of coals or wood use to do4 ,this well purified red salt being laid in a cold and moist place1 will dissolve into a blood red oyl1 which in digestion dissolveth gold and leaveth the silver3 this solution may be coagulated1 and kept for use in ,alchimy4 ,there may also a pretious ,tincture be extracted out of it with alcolized spirit of wine1 which ,tincture guildeth silver1 but not firmly4 ,and as for use in ,physick1 it ought to be kept as a great ,treasure4 ,but if the red fiery salt be extracted with spirit of wine before gold be dissolved therewith1 it will yield likewise a fair red ,tincture1 but not so effectual in ,physick as that unto which gold is joyned4 ,and this ,tincture can also further be used in ,alchymy1 which belongeth not hither1 because we only speak of medicaments4 ,of the use of the ,medicine or ,tincture made of ,gunpowder4 ,this ,tincture whether with or without gold1 made out of the red salt1 is one of the chiefest that ,i know to make1 if you go but rightly to work1 and prepare it well2 for it purifieth and cleanseth the blood mightily1 and provoketh also powerfully sweat and urine2 so that it may safely and with great benefit be used in the ,plague1 ,feavers1 ,epilepsy1 ,scurvy1 in ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca1 in the ,gout1 ,stone1 and the several kinds of them2 as also in all obstructions of the ,spleen and ,liver1 and in all diseases of the ,lungs1 and it is to be admire that of such a hurtful thing such a good medicine can be prepared4 ,therefore it would be much better to prepare good medicaments of it1 to restore the poor diseased to health therewith1 than to destroy with it those that are whole and sound4 ,i know a ,chymist1 that spent much time and cost to search this poysonous dragon1 thinking to make the universal medicine or stone of the ancient ,philosophers out of it4 ,especially because he saw1 that so many strange changes of colours appeared1 whereof mention is made by the ,philosophers when they discribe their medicine and the preparation thereof4 ,the ,dragons blood1 ,virgins milk1 ,green and ,red ,lyon1 ,black blacker than ,black1 ,white whiter than ,white and the like1 more needless here to relate1 which easily may perswade a credulous man as it hapned also unto him4 ,but afterward he found1 that this subject in which he put so much confidence1 was leprous and not pure enough1 and that it is impossible to make that tingent stone of it1 for to exalt men and metals1 and so was glad to be contented with a good particular medicine and to commit the rest unto ,god4 ,and so much of that poysonous dragon1 gunpowder3 but that there is another and more purer dragon1 whereof the ,philosophers so often made mention1 ,i do not deny2 for nature is mighty rich1 and could reveal to us many arcana by ,gods permission3 ,but because we look only for great honor and riches1 and neglect the poor1 there is good reason why such things remain hidden from wicked and ungodly men4 ,to make spirits and flores of ,nitre and ,coals4 ,if you distill ,nitre 7well purified from its superfluous salt7 mixed with good coals1 the ,egyptian ,sun bird doth burn away1 and out of it doth sweat a singular water1 useful for men and metals4 ,its burnt ashes are like unto calcined ,tartar1 and for the purging of metals not to be despised4 ,to make flores and spirits of flints1 crystals or sand1 by adding of coals and salt nitre to them4 ,take one part of flints or sand1 and three parts of ,linden coals1 with six parts of good salt nitre mixed well together1 and cast of it in1 and the combustible sulphur of the flints will be kindled by the piercing and vehement fire of the salt nitre1 and maketh a separation1 carrying over with it part thereof1 which it turneth into spirits and flores1 which must be separated by filtring4 ,the spirit tasteth as if it had been made of salt of ,tartar and flints1 and is of the same nature and condition2 and the remaining ,caput ,mortuum also yieldeth such an oyl or liquor in all like unto that1 and therefore its condition is not described here1 but you may find it where ,i shall treat of the spirit made of salt of tartar by adding of flints4 ,to make a spirit and oyl out of ,talck with salt nitre4 ,take one part of ,talck made into fine powder1 and three parts of ,linden-coals1 mixe them with five or six parts of good salt nitre1 cast in of that mixture one spoonful after another1 and there will come over a spirit and a few flores1 which must be separated as hath been taught above concerning flints4 ,the spirit is not unlike unto the spirit of sand3 the ,caput ,mortuum1 which looks greyish1 must be well calcined in a crucible1 so that it melt1 and then pour it out1 and it will yield a white transparent ,mass1 like as flints and crystals do1 which in a cold moist cellar will turn to a thick liquor1 fatter in the handling than the oyl of sand4 ,it is something sharp like unto oyl of ,tartar2 it cleanseth the ,skin1 ,hair and ,nails1 and makes them white2 the spirit may be used inwardly for to provoke sweat and urine3 externally used1 it cleanseth wounds1 and healeth all manner of scabs in the body out of hand4 ,what further may be done with it1 ,i do not know yet3 ,but how to bring ,talck1 pebles1 and the like stony things to that pass1 that they may be dissolved with spirit of wine and reduced into good medicaments shall be taught in the fourth part4 ,to make a spirit1 flores1 and oyl out of ,tin4 ,if you mix two parts of the filings of ,tin1 with one part of good salt nitre1 and cast it in1 as you were taught to do with other things1 then the sulphur of ,tin will kindle the salt nitre1 and make a flame1 as if it were done with common sulphur1 whereby a separation is made1 so that one part of the ,tin cometh over in flores and spirit1 and the rest stayeth behind1 which if it be taken out1 some of it in a moist place will turn into a liquor or oyl1 which externally may be used with good success in all ulcers for to cleanse them4 ,it hath also the vertue1 if it be pertinently applyed to graduate and exalt wonderfully all the colours of vegetables and animals1 which would be useful for dyers4 ,the spirit of it mightily provoketh sweating3 the flores being edulcorated and used in plaisters1 do dry and heal very speedily4 ,to make a spirit1 flores and a liquor out of ,zinck4 ,in like manner as hath been taught with ,tin1 you may also proceed with ,zinck1 and it will yield a good quantity of flores1 and also a spirit and oyl1 almost of the same vertues with those made of ,tin3 and these flores corrected with salt nitre1 are better than those which are taught to be made by themselves in the first part of the book4 ,to make a spirit1 flores and oyl of ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,mix two parts of salt nitre with one part of lapis calaminaris and cast it in1 and it will yield a sharp spirit very useful for separating of metals1 and there will come over also a few yellow flores4 ,the rest remaining behind is a dark green ,mass very fiery upon the tongue1 like salt of ,tartar1 and if it be dissolved with rain water1 yieldeth a grass green solution1 which being not presently coagulated into salt1 the green separateth it self from the fixed salt nitre1 and there falleth to the bottom a fine red powder1 and if it be edulcorated and dryed1 and given from one grain to ten or twelve it causeth gentle stools and easy vomits1 better than prepared ,antimony2 for lapis calaminaris and ,zinck are of the nature of ,gold1 as in the fourth part shall be proved3 the white lixivium or lye1 from which the green is precipitated1 may be coagulated into white salt1 like unto salt of ,tartar2 but if you coagulate the green solution1 before the green be separated from the salt nitre1 then you will get a very fair green salt1 high in colour and much more fiery than salt of ,tartar1 whereby special things may be done in ,alchymy1 which doth not belong hither4 ,and if you desire to make such a green salt for to use it in ,alchymy1 you need not take so much pains1 as first to distil a spirit out of the mixture1 but take three or four parts of good salt nitre1 and mix it with one part of lapis calaminaris1 and let this mixture boyl together in a wind furnace1 till the salt nitre be coloured green by the lapis calaminaris1 then pour it out and separate the green goldish salt from it1 and make such good use of it as you think fit4 ,but if you will extract a good ,tincture and medicine1 make it into powder1 and extract it with spirit of wine1 and it will yield a blood red ,tincture1 both in ,physick and ,alchymy of good use4 ,further you are to take notice1 that among all metals and minerals1 which ,i know 7except gold and silver7 there is none found1 out of which can be extracted a greenness which is of fire-proof1 but only out of lapis calaminaris1 which deserves to be well considered and further thought upon4 ,to make a spirit of salt nitre1 sulphur and common salt4 ,take one part of salt1 two parts of sulphur1 and four parts of salt nitre1 grind all together1 and cast in one spoonful after another to distil1 and it will yield a sharp yellow spirit1 which if it be put among common water1 so that the water be not made too sharp of it1 it is a good bath1 good for many diseases2 especially it healeth all scabs very suddenly4 ,the ,caput ,mortuum may also be dissolved in water and used among bathes1 and it is good likewise1 but the spirit is penetrating1 and doth operate suddenly in shrinkings and other defects of the nerves2 of such kind of bathes there shall be spoken more in the third part4 ,also the remaining fixed yellow salt is good to be used in ,alchymy2 for it graduateth silver by cementing4 ,to make a spirit1 flores and oyl out of salt nitre and ,regulus ,martis4 ,take one part of ,regulus ,martis stellatus 7made of one part of ,iron or ,steel1 and three parts of ,antimony1 whose preparation is described in the fourth part7 and three parts of pure salt nitre1 mix and grind all together1 and cast it in by little and little to distil1 and there will come over a spirit together with a white sublimate1 which must be separated with water1 as hath been taught above with other flores1 and both the spirit and the flores are good to provoke sweat4 ,the remaining ,caput ,mortuum1 7as they usually call it7 is not dead1 but full of life and vertue1 whereby much good may be done both in ,physick and ,alchymy1 as followeth4 ,the remaining ,mass1 which looks white1 and is very sharp and fiery 7if the ,regulus have been pure1 if not1 then it will look yellowish7 may be edulcorated with fresh water1 and it will yield a lixivium or lye in all things like unto calcined ,tartar1 but sharper and purer1 and may be used almost in all operations instead of salt of ,tartar 7but first the ,regulus ,antimonii must be precipitated from it by the help of water7 and afterward it may be coagulated into salt and kept for its use2 the edulcorated1 as also that which was precipitated with water is a white and fine powder1 useful in the plague1 feavers1 and other diseases to provoke sweating thereby1 and may very safely be used1 and although if it be given in a greater quantity than usual1 it causes some vomits also1 yet for all that it doth no hurt4 ,it is easily taken because it hath no taste4 ,it is given to children from #c1 #d1 to #ab4 grains3 to elder folks from ss4 to ss4 they work successfully in all diseases1 where sweating is needful4 ,this ,antimonium ,diaphoreticum1 may also be melted into glass1 and so extracted and dissolved with spirit of salt1 and it may be prepared into several good medicaments3 and if all that which may be done with it1 should be described at large1 it would require too much time4 ,the lixivium1 if it be coagulated1 hath wonderful vertues1 so that if one should describe them1 he would hardly be credited by any body1 because it is not made of costly things2 and truly the life of man is too short to find out by experience all that lies hid in it3 and it would be but a laughing matter to a proud fool1 if one should reveal it3 therefore it is better to keep counsel1 than to sow strife4 ,basilius ,valentinus in his ,triumphant ,chariot of ,antimony1 where he writeth of the signed star1 hinted it sufficiently1 but very few take notice of it4 ,paracelsus also1 here and there in his books under an unknown name1 makes frequent mention of it2 but its true preparation and use1 by reason of the unthankful was never described by the ,philosophers1 which for instruction of ,good ,honest ,men we do here mention4 ,before you edulcorate the ,regulus 7made by fulmination7 you may extract of it a good medicinal ,tincture with spirit of wine1 and if you dissolve it with spirit of salt1 there will shoot a white foliated ,talck in all things like unto the ,mineral ,talck3 whereof a liquor may be made1 which coloureth the skin very white1 but if this calx of ,antimony1 before it be extracted with spirit of wine or dissolved with spirit of salt be made into fine powder1 and exposed to the moist air1 it will dissolve into a fat liquor1 which though it be something sharp1 yet doth no hurt to the skin1 if it be used with discretion1 but rather cleanseth it more then any other thing1 and so it doth likewise to the hair and nailes2 but as soon as the liquor hath been applyed for that purpose1 it must be washed off again with water1 lest it do not onely take away the gross and unclean skin1 but also work upon the tender white skin and do hurt1 and therefore ,i give warning1 that you use it discreetly3 for according to the old proverb1 you may misuse even that which else is good in it self4 ,if you put some of it into warm water and bath your self in it1 the gross skin will peal off all the body1 so that you will almost seem to be another body4 ,and this bath also is good for many diseases3 for it openeth the pores mightily1 and cleanseth all the blood in the body1 by drawing many ill humors out of it1 which maketh a man light and strong1 especially if he be purged first1 before he useth the bath4 ,it is also good for ,melancholy1 scurvy and leprosie1 especially when the red ,tincture drawn out of it with spirit of wine1 be used besides4 ,it is also good to be used in a foot bath for those that are troubled with corns and other excrescencies upon their feet1 or with nailes that cut the flesh2 for it softeneth them and makes them fit for cutting1 and as tractable as wax4 ,for there is nothing known under the ,sun1 which softneth more a hard skin1 hair1 nailes and other excrescencies1 than this oyl4 ,and this ,i did set down therefore1 because ,i know1 that many are so tormented therewith1 that they cannot well endure their shoes upon their feet4 ,but if you coagulate this oyl into salt1 and melt it in a crucible1 and powre it out into a flat brass bason1 that it flow at large and may be broken1 then you have the best ,causticum1 to open the skin withal where is need4 ,if you dissolve crude ,tartar with it and coagulate it again1 you will get a salt which is used in many ,chymical operations2 and there may be extracted out of it a blood red ,tincture with spirit of wine1 which proveth very effectual against all obstructions4 ,also every combustible sulphur may be easily dissolved with it1 and used among bathes1 it acteth his part admirably4 ,if any oyl of spices be boyled therewith1 then the oyl will dissolve in it1 and they turn together to a balsome1 which doth mingle it self with water1 and is good to be taken inwardly for some infirmities3 but women with child must not meddle with it1 because it makes them miscarry4 ,but after their delivery1 it is good to expel after burthen and other reliques4 ,but if you boyl ,oleum ligni ,rhodii with this liquor and rose water so long till the oyl do incorporate with the liquor and waters and then separate the watery substance from it1 you will get a sope as white as snow1 which may be used for to wash the hands with it1 and it doth smell very well4 ,you may also wash the head with it2 for it strengtheneth the brain and cleanseth the head and hair4 ,this sope may be distilled1 and it will yield a penetrating oyl1 very good for the sinews and nerves4 ,now as this liquor of ,regulus ,antimonii softneth the skin1 nailes1 hair1 feathers1 horns1 and the like1 and dissolveth them more than any thing in the world3 ,in the like manner also it hath power to dissolve not only metals1 but also the hardest stones1 but not in that manner which is done by boyling1 as was mentioned of sulphur1 but after another way1 which is not proper for this place4 ,it sufficeth that ,i hinted it4 ,the fiery fixed salt nitre may be dissolved with spirit of salt or vinegar1 and sublimed into a ,terra foliata4 ,what further can be effected with it1 doth not belong to this place1 and perchance some where else more shall be spoken of it4 ,to distil a ,butyrum out of ,antimony1 ,salt and vitriol1 like unto that1 which is made out of ,antimony and ,mercury sublimate4 ,take one part of crude ,antimony1 two parts of common salt1 and four parts of vitriol calcined white1 beat all to powder and mix them well1 and so cast it in as you were taught to do with other materials1 and there will come over a thick oyl of ,antimony like butter1 which may be rectified like any other oyl1 that is made after the common way with ,mercury sublimate1 and is also the same with it in use1 which use you may see in the first part3 the same also may be made better and in a greater quantity in the furnace described in the first part1 and also with less coals and time by the help of the open fire1 because it endureth greater heat than in the second furnace4 ,to distil ,butyrum of ,arsenick and ,orpiment4 ,after the same manner as was taught with ,antimony1 there may also out of ,arsenick and ,auripigment together with salt and vitriol a thick oyl be distilled1 which not only outwardly but also inwardly is safe to be used1 and may be so corrected1 that it shall be nothing at all inferior in vertue unto the butyrum ,antimonii1 but rather go beyond it3 which perchance will seem impossible to many4 ,but he that knows the nature and condition of minerals1 will not be astonished at my words1 but they will be to him as a light in a dark place4 ,to make a rare spirit of vitriol4 ,if common vitriol be dissolved in water1 and you boyle granulated ,zinck in it1 all the metal and sulphur contained in the vitriol will precipitate on the ,zinck1 and the solution will turn white1 the precipitated matter is nothing else1 but iron1 copper1 and sulphur1 which the salt of vitriol did contain1 and now is drawn from it by the ,zinck4 ,the reason why the metal precipitateth out of the salt upon the ,zinck1 belongeth to the fourth part1 where you will find it sufficiently explained2 ,the white solution1 from which the metallical matter is separated1 must be coagulated to the dryness of salt1 and so by it self a spirit distilled of it1 which riseth easily1 and is in taste and vertue not unlike unto common oyl of vitriol1 but only that this is a little purer than the common4 ,here perchance many may object3 you take the green from the vitriol1 which ,paracelsus doth not teach1 but bids us to keep it4 ,to which ,i answer1 that ,i do not teach here to make the sweet red oyl of vitriol1 whereof ,paracelsus hath written1 but the white acid oyl2 which is as good1 or rather much better than the common1 which is made of the common impure vitriol4 ,to what purpose is it1 that you take green vitriol to distil1 whereas the green doth not come over1 and although that green should come over1 why should that oyl be better than the white8 for the green in the common vitriol is nothing else but copper and iron1 which the salt water running through the passages of ,metals did dissolve and take into it self1 and as soon as such a green vitriol feeleth the fire1 the green turneth into red1 which is nothing else but a calcined iron or copper1 which in the reducing by a strong fire and by melting is made manifest4 ,paracelsus hath not taught us1 that we should drive over the green by the force of the fire into a red and sweet oyl1 but he hath shewed us an other way1 which is found out by few men1 whereof in the beginning of the second part already hath been made mention4 ,this spirit or acid oyl distilled out of the purified vitriol1 is of a pleasant sowreness1 and serveth for all those uses1 which above by the vitriol were described4 ,and this process is set down onely for that end1 that we may see1 that when the vitriol is purifyed1 that then it is easier distilled1 and yieldeth a more pleasant spirit1 than if it be yet crude and impure4 ,and that such a purifying of the vitriol is nothing else but a precipitating of the metal1 which the water 7as before said7 running through the veins thereof hath assumed1 is thus to be proved2 dissolve any metal in its appropriate ,menstruum1 whether it be done with distilled acid spirits or sharp salts1 adding common water to them1 or else dry by the fire in a crucible1 according as you please1 and then put into that solution another metal1 such as the dissolvent doth sooner seize on1 then upon that which it hath assumed1 and then you will find1 that the dissolvent doth let fall the assumed metal or mineral1 and falls upon the other1 which it doth sooner seize on1 and dissolveth it as being more friendly to it2 of which precipitation in the fourth ,part shall be spoken more at large4 ,this one thing more is worthy your observation1 that among all metals there is none more soluble than ,zinck1 and therefore that all the other 7as well in the dry as in the wet way7 may be precipitated thereby and reduced into light calxes1 in so much that the calx of gold or silver precipitated in this manner 7if so be you proceed well7 retaineth its splendor or gloss1 and is like a fine powder wherewith you may write out of a pen4 ,to make a subtle spirit and pleasant oyl of ,zinck4 ,because ,i made mention here of ,zinck1 ,i thought good not to omit1 that there may be made a penetrating spirit and wholesome oyl out of it by the help of vinegar1 which is thus to be done4 ,take of the flores 7which were taught to be made in the first part7 one part1 put them into a glass 7fit for digestion7 and pour upon them #h1 or #aj4 parts of good sharp vinegar made of honey2 or in want thereof take wine vinegar1 and set the glass with the flores and vinegar in a warm place to dissolve1 and the solution being performed1 pour off the clear1 which will look yellow and after you have filtred it abstract the phlegm1 and there will remain a red liquor or balsome1 to which you must add pure sand1 well calcined1 and distill it1 and first there will come over an unsavory phlegme1 afterward a subtle spirit1 and at last a yellow and red oyl which are to be kept by themselves separated from the spirit1 as a treasure for to heal all wounds very speedily4 ,the spirit is not inferior unto the oyl1 not only for inward use to provoke sweat thereby1 but also externally for the quenching of all inflamations1 and doubtless this spirit and oyl is good for more diseases1 but because its further use is not known to me yet1 ,i will not write of it1 but leave the further tryal to others4 ,to distill a spirit and oyl out of ,lead4 ,in the same manner as was taught of ,zinck1 there may be out of lead also distilled a subtle spirit and a sweet oyl1 and it is done thus3 ,pour strong vinegar upon ,minium1 or any other calx of lead1 which is made per se1 and not with sulphur1 let it digest and dissolve in sand or warm ashes1 so long till the vinegar be coloured yellow by the lead1 and turned quite sweet4 ,then pour off the clear solution1 and pour on other vinegar1 and let this likewise dissolve1 and this repeat so often1 till the vinegar will dissolve no more1 nor grow sweet2 then take all these solutions1 and evaporate all the moisture1 and there will remain a thick sweet yellow liquor1 like unto honey1 if the vinegar was not distilled1 but if it was distilled and made clear1 then no liquor remaineth1 but only a white sweet salt4 ,this liquor or salt may be distilled after the same manner as was taught with the ,zinck1 and there will come over not only a penetrating subtle spirit1 but also a yellow oyl1 which will not be much1 but very effectual1 in all the same uses1 as of the spirit1 and oyl of the ,zinck was taught4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this is to be observed1 that for to make this spirit and oyl1 you need no distilled spirit1 but that it may be done as well with undistilled vinegar1 and the undistilled yields more spirit than the distilled4 ,but if you look for a white and clear salt1 then the vineger must be distilled1 else it doth not shoot into crystals1 but remaineth a yellow liquor like unto honey1 and it is also needless to make the solution in glasses1 and by digestion continued for a long time1 but it may as well be done in a glazed pot1 viz4 pouring the vinegar upon the ,mineum in the pot1 and boyling it on a coal fire2 for you need not fear that any thing of the vinegar will evaporate1 in regard that the lead keeps all the spirits1 and lets only go an unsavory phlegm4 ,you must also continually stir the lead about with a wooden spatulla1 else it would turn to a hard stone1 and would not dissolve3 the same must be done also when the solution is done in glasses2 and the solution after this way may be done in three or four hours3 and when both kind of solutions are done1 there will be no difference betwixt them1 and ,i think it providently done not to spend a whole day about that which may be done in an hour4 ,and if you will have this spirit and oyl better and more effectual1 you may mix i4 of crude ,tartar made into powder with j4 of dissolved and purified lead1 and so distil it after the same manner as you do distil it by it self1 and you will get a much subtler spirit and a better oyl than if it were made alone by it self4 ,to distil a subtile spirit and oyl out of crude ,tartar4 ,many think it to be but a small matter to make the spirit of ,tartar2 for they suppose1 that if they do but only put ,tartar into a retort1 and apply a receiver1 and by a strong fire force over a water1 they have obtained their desire3 and they do not observe1 that in stead of a pleasant subtle spirit1 they get but a stinking vinegar or phlegm2 the pleasant spirit being gone4 ,which some careful operators perceiving1 they caused great receivers to be made1 supposing by that means to get the spirit4 ,now when they after the distillation was done1 weighed their spirits together with the remainder1 they found1 that they had suffered great loss1 wherefore they supposed it to be an impossible thing1 to get all the spirits1 and to lose none1 and indeed it is hardly possible to be done otherwise by a retort3 for although you apply a great receiver to a small retort1 and that there be also but a little ,tartar in it1 and the joynts being well luted1 so that nothing can pass through1 and though you make also the fire never so gentle1 hoping to get the spirit by that way1 yet for all that you cannot avoid danger and loss4 ,for at last the retort beginning to be red hot1 and the black oyl going1 then and but then the subtlest spirits will come forth1 which either steal through the joynts1 or else do break the retort or receiver1 because they come in abundance and with great force1 and do not settle easily3 wherefore ,i will set down my way of making this most profitable1 and excellent spirit4 ,the preparation and use of the spirit of ,tartar4 ,take good and pure crude ,tartar1 whether it be red or white1 it matters not1 make it into fine powder1 and when the distilling vessel is red hot1 then cast in with a ladle half an ounce and no more at once1 and so soon as the spirits are gone forth and setled1 cast in another ss4 and this continue1 till you have spirit enough1 then take out the remainder1 which will look black1 and calcine it well in a crucible1 and put it in a glass retort1 and pour the spirit that came over together with the black oyl1 upon it1 drive it in sand at first gently1 and the subtlest spirits will come over1 and after them phlegme1 at last a sowre vinegar together with the oyl1 whereof you must get each by it self4 ,but if you desire to have the subtle spirit which came over first1 more penetrating yet1 then you must take the ,caput ,mortuum that staid in the retort1 and make it red hot in a crucible1 and abstract the spirit once more from it1 and the calcined ,tartar will keep the remaining moistness or phlegm1 and only the subtlest spirit will come over1 which is of a most penetrating quality1 whereof from half a dram to an ounce taken in wine or any other liquor provoketh a quick and strong sweat1 and it is a powerful medicine in all obstructions1 and most approved and often tryed in the plague1 malignant feavers1 scurvy1 ,melancolia ,hypochondriaca1 collick1 contracture1 epilepsy and the like diseases4 ,and not only these mentioned diseases1 but also many others more1 which proceed from corrupt blood under ,god may successfully be cured with it4 ,the phlegm is to be cast away1 as unprofitable3 the vinegar cleanseth wounds3 the oyl allayeth swelling and pains1 and doth cure scabs1 and disperseth knobs that are risen upon the skin1 as also other excrescencies of the same1 if it be used timely1 and the use thereof be continued4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the black stinking oyl be rectified from the calcined ,caput ,mortuum1 it will be clear and subtle1 and it will not only asswage very speedily all pains of the gout1 but also dissolve and expel the conglobated gravel in the reines1 applyed as a plaister or unguent4 ,in like manner it will dissolve and extract the coagulated ,tartar in the hands1 knees and feet1 so that the place affected will be freed and made whole thereby3 because in such a despicable oyl there lyes hid a volatile salt which is of great vertue4 ,but if you desire experimentally to know whether it be so1 then pour upon this black stinking oyl an acid spirit1 as the spirit of common salt1 or of vitriol or salt nitre1 or only distilled vinegar1 and the oyl will grow warm and make a noyse and rise1 as if ,aqua fortis had been powred upon salt of ,tartar1 and the acid spirit will be mortified thereby1 and turn to salt4 ,and this well purified oyl doth dissolve and extract the ,tartar out of the joynts 7unless it be grown to a hard stony substance7 even as sope scowres the uncleanness out of cloths1 or to compare it better1 even as like receiveth its like1 and is easily mixed with it1 and doth love it2 but on the contrary1 nothing will mix it self with that wherewith it hath no affinity at all4 ,as if you would take pitch out of cloth by washing it with water1 which never will be done by reason of the contrary nature2 for common water hath no affinity with pitch or other fat things1 nor will it ever be taken out therewith without a mediator1 partaking of both natures1 viz4 of the nature of pitch and that of the water1 and such are sulphureous salts1 and nitrous salts1 whether they be fixed or volatile4 ,as you may see at the soap boylers1 who incorporate common water by the help of sulphureous salts with fat things1 as tallow and oyl4 ,but if you take warm oyl or any thin fat substance1 and put it upon the pitch or rozin1 then the oyl easily accepteth of and lays hold on its like1 and so the pitch is dissolved and got out of the cloth1 and the remaining fatness of the oyl may be fetcht out of the cloth with lye or sope and common water1 and so the cloth recovereth its former beauty and pureness4 ,and as it falleth out with sulphureous things1 so it doth likewise with ,mercurial4 ,for example1 if you would take the salt out of powdered flesh or pickled fish with a lixivium it would not succeed1 because that the nitrous and acid salts are of contrary natures4 ,but if upon the powdered flesh or pickled fish you pour on water wherein some of the same salt 7wherewithall the flesh was powdered7 is dissolved1 that salt water will extract the salt out of the flesh1 as being its like1 much more than common sweet water1 wherein there is no salt4 ,in this manner the hardest things also1 as stones and metals1 may be joyned or united with water1 whereof more in my other books are extant2 it is needless here therefore to relate4 ,i gave a hint of it1 only for to shew1 that always like with like must be extracted4 ,true it is that one ,contrary can mortifie another1 and take the corrosiveness from it1 whereby the pains for a time are asswaged1 but whether the cause of the disease it self be eradicated thereby1 is a question4 ,here may be objected1 that ,i make a difference between the sulphureous and ,mercurial salts1 whereas neither ,mercury nor sulphur apparently is to be seen in either4 ,it is true1 he that doth not understand nor know the nature of salts1 is not able to apprehend it4 ,and ,i have not time now to demonstrate it1 but the same is shewed at large in my book de ,natura salium1 that some of them are sulphureous1 and some ,mercurial3 but he that looks for a further direction yet1 let him read my book de ,sympathia ,antipathia rerum1 wherein he shall find it demonstrated that from the ,creation of the ,world to the time present1 there were always two contrary natures fighting one against the other1 which fight will continue so long till the ,mediator betwixt ,god and ,man1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ shall put an end unto this strife1 when he shall come to separate the good from the bad1 by whose lightning and fire flame the proud and hurtful superfluous sulphur shall be kindled and consumed3 the pure ,mercurial being left in the center4 ,how to make pretious spirits and oyls out of ,tartar joined with minerals and metals4 ,take any metal or mineral1 dissolve it in a fit menstruum1 mix it with a due proportion of crude ,tartar1 so that the crude ,tartar being made into powder together with the solution make up a pap as it were2 then at once cast in one spoonful of it1 and distil it into a spirit and oyl1 which after the distillation must be separated by rectification1 for to keep each by its self for its proper use4 ,the use of the metallized spirit and oyl of ,tartar4 ,this ,tartarized spirit of metals is of such a condition1 that it readily performeth its operation according to the strength of the spirit1 and the nature of the metal or mineral1 whereof it is made4 ,for the spirit and oyl of ,gold and ,tartar is good for to corroborate the heart1 and to keep out its enemies3 the spirit of silver and tartar doth serve for the brain2 that of ,mercury and ,tartar1 for the liver3 of lead and tin for the spleen and lungs3 of iron and copper for the reins and seminary vessels3 that of ,antimony and ,tartar for all accidents and infirmities of the whole body2 and these metallical spirits made with ,tartar1 provoke sweat exceedingly1 whereby many malignities are expelled out of the body4 ,likewise also the oyl hath its operation1 though this of several metals1 as of ,mercury and ,copper1 is not well to be used inwardly1 because it causeth salivations and strong vomits4 ,but externally they are very good for to cleanse all putrid ulcers1 and to lay a good and firm ground for healing them4 ,the remainder1 whereof the spirit and oyl is distilled1 you may take out1 and reduce it in a crucible into a metal1 so that what is not come over1 may not be lost1 but made to serve again4 ,and as you were taught to distil spirits and oyls out of dissolved metals and crude ,tartar2 so you may get them likewise out of common vitriol and ,tartar1 viz4 thus1 take one part of ,tartar made into powder1 two parts of good pure vitriol1 mix them well together1 and distil a spirit of them1 which though it be unpleasant to take1 for all that in all obstructions and corruption of blood whatsoever it is not to be despised1 but very successfully performeth its operation2 especially when it is rectified from its ,caput ,mortuum1 and so freed from its phlegm2 and its best vertue1 which consisteth in the volatility1 be not lost in the distilling4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if you will have this spirit more effectual1 then you may join ,tartar and vitriol by boyling them together in common water1 and crystallizing2 and then cast it in1 and distil it1 and there will come over a much purer and more penetrating spirit2 because that in the solution and coagulation of both1 many fces were separated3 but if to one part of vitriol you take two parts of ,tartar1 and dissolve it together1 and so filter and coagulate it1 then the ,tartar with the vitriol will shoot no more1 but there remaineth a thick liquor like unto honey1 out of which with spirit of wine there may be extracted a good tincture against obstructions4 ,this liquor taken from i4 to i4 doth purge very gently1 and sometimes it causeth a vomit1 especially if the vitriol was not pure and good3 and it may be also distilled into a spirit not inferiour unto the former in vertue4 ,besides the way above taught1 there is yet 7for to distil a metallized spirit of ,tartar7 another way1 whereby several metals and minerals may be reduced into pleasant spirits and oyls1 and of more vertue1 and it is done in this manner4 ,take of the ,tartar of white ,rhenish wine made into powder1 pour upon it sweet rain or running water1 so that to j4 of tartar there be x4 or xij4 of water1 or so much that the tartar may be dissolved by it in the boyling1 and then boyl the mixture with the water in a tinned kettle1 or which is better1 in a glazed pot1 until it be quite dissolved1 and in the mean while take off the skum 7with a wooden skimmer7 still as it riseth in the boyling3 and when no more skum riseth1 and all the tartar is dissolved1 then pour the solution thus hot through a linnen cloth1 tyed straight on an earthen glazed vessel1 that the remaining sliminess may be separated4 ,the tartar water being strained1 let it stand for #bd4 or #cj4 hours without stirring1 and there will stick a crystallized tartar to the sides of the vessel1 which after the water is poured off may be taken out1 and washed with cold water1 and then dryed4 ,this purified tartar keep1 until ,i shall teach you1 what further is to be done with it2 and this tartar is pure enough for the above said purpose1 viz4 to reduce metals into oyl with it1 as shall follow anon4 ,it is also good taken of it self for an abstersive to make the body soluble4 ,but if you desire to have it yet whiter and fairer and in great ,crystals1 you must proceed thus4 ,you must know this that all salts1 if they shall shoot into great crystals1 there must be a great quantity of them1 for of little there comes but little4 ,and if you will make great and fair white crystals of tartar1 which will be no better than the former1 but only pleasant to the eye1 then you must proceed in this manner4 ,take of white tartar made into powder about ten or thirty 4 pour so much water upon it1 as is needful for to dissolve it1 and boyl it by a strong fire in a tinned kettle1 until all the tartar be dissolved1 which you may know by stirring in it with a wooden ladle1 and skim off diligently all the filth rising on the water2 and you must take heed1 that you take neither too much nor too little water to it2 for if you take too little1 part of the tartar will remain undissolved1 and so will be cast away and lost among the slime3 but if you take too much of it1 then the tartar is too much disspersed in the water1 and cannot shoot well1 and so will likewise be lost1 being cast away afterwards with the water4 ,for ,i have heard many a one complain1 that they could get but little of a pound1 and therefore supposed the tartar to have been naught1 whereas the fault was not in the tartar1 but in the workman1 that managed not well his work1 pouring away one half which did not shoot with the water3 but if you proceed well1 then four pound of common tartar will yield iij4 of pure white crystals4 ,the solution being well made1 and no skim more rising at the top1 cover the kettle1 and let it cool without removing from the warm place it stands in1 which will be done within three or four dayes1 if the kettle be bigg4 ,but the fire must be taken away from under the kettle1 and so let it stand for the time mentioned4 ,in the mean while the ,tartar will crystallise to the sides of the kettle1 which crystals after the time is expired1 and the water poured off1 are to be taken out and washed and boyled again with fresh water1 and so skimmed and crystallised2 and this proceeding must be still reiterated1 untill 7which is done the third or fourth time7 the crystals are white enough3 then take them out1 dry and keep them for use2 whereof from j4 to j4 made into powder1 and taken in wine1 beer1 warm broth or other liquor1 will give some gentle stooles1 and serveth for those1 which cannot endure strong physick4 ,this tartar may be sharpned with ,diagridium or any other purging drug1 that so you need not take it in so great a quantity at once1 but a lesser dose may serve turn4 ,but if you do not look for great crystals1 but only for ,tartar well purified1 then you may use this following manual1 and you will get exceeding fair and glistering little crystals1 which need no beating into powder1 but by the working come to be so pure and fine1 as if they had been ground upon a stone1 and looking not like a dead powder1 but having a gloss1 like unto small glistering snow that fell in very cold weather1 and it is done thus3 when the crystals are come to be pure enough by often dissolving and coagulating1 then dissolve them once again in pure water1 and pour the solution into a clean vessel of wood1 copper1 or earth being glased2 and let it not stand still 7as above taught with the crystals7 but as soon as it is powred in1 with a clean wooden stick stirr about continually without ceasing1 till all be cold1 which will be done in half an houre4 ,in this stirring the ,tartar hath no time to shoot into crystals1 but doth coagulate into the smallest glistering powder1 pleasant to behold1 and like unto frozen snow settleth at the bottom of the vessel2 then pour off the water1 and dry the powder1 and keep it for use4 ,the waters which you poured off1 in regard that they contain yet some ,tartar1 ought not to be cast away 7as others do7 but evaporated1 and the ,tartar contained in them will be saved1 and so nothing will be lost1 and in this manner not only white ,tartar may be reduced into clear crystals1 but also the red being several times dissolved and crystallized1 loseth its redness1 and turneth white and clear4 ,besides the abovesaid1 there is another way to reduce the ,tartar into great white crystals at once by precipitation2 but these being good enough for our purpose1 viz4 to make good medicines out of metals1 ,i hold it needless to loose more time by the relation of it1 and so ,i will acquiesce4 ,another way to make a metallised spirit of ,tartar4 ,take of purified ,tartar dissolved and coagulated but once1 as much as you please1 pour so much rain or other sweet water to it as will serve to dissolve it2 in which solution you must boyl plates of metals1 until the ,tartar have dissolved enough of it1 so that it will dissolve no more2 the sign whereof is1 when the solution is deep coloured of the metal1 and during your boyling you must often supply the evaporated water with pouring on of other1 lest the ,tartar come to be too dry and burn2 and this solution may be done best of all in a metallical vessel2 as when you will make the solution of iron1 you may do it in an iron pot2 and for copper you may take a copper kettle1 and so forth for other metals1 a vessel made of the same is to be taken4 ,but you must know that gold1 silver1 and crude ,mercury1 unless they be first prepared cannot be dissolved like iron and copper1 but when they are prepared first for the purpose1 then they will also be dissolved4 ,in like manner some minerals also must be first prepared1 before they can be dissolved with ,tartar and water4 ,but if you can have good glasses or glazed vessels of earth1 you may use them for all metals and minerals for to dissolve them therein1 and the solution you may not only use of it self for a medicine1 but also distill it1 and make a very effectual spirit and oyl of it as followeth4 ,to distill the spirit and oyl of ,lead and ,tin4 ,take the filings of ,lead and ,tin1 and boyl them with the water or solution of ,tartar in a leaden or tin vessel1 untill the ,tartar be sweetned by the water1 so that it will dissolve no more1 to which pass it will be brought within twenty four hours1 for both these metals will be dissolved but slowly1 but if you would perform this solution sooner1 then you must reduce the metals first into a soluble calx1 and then they may be dissolved in less time than an hour4 ,the solution being done1 you must filtre it1 and in ,b4 abstract all the moisture to the thickness or consistency of honey1 and there will remain a pleasant sweet liquor1 which of it self with out any further preparation may safely be used inwardly for all such diseases1 for which other medicaments1 made of these metals are useful4 ,especially the sweet liquor of lead and tin doeth much good in the ,plague1 not only by driving the poyson from the heart by sweating1 but also by breaking or allaying the intolerable heat1 so that a happy cure doth follow upon it3 but externally the liquor of lead may be used succesfully in all inflammations1 and it healeth very suddenly1 not only fresh wounds1 but also old ulcers turned to fistulaes2 for the ,tartar cleanseth1 and lead consolidates4 ,the liquor of tin is better for inward use than for outward whose operation is not so fully known yet1 as that of lead4 ,but if you will distil a spirit thereof1 then cast it in with a ladle by little and little1 as above in other distillations oftentimes was mentioned1 and there will come over a subtle spirit of tartar1 carrying along the vertue and best essence of the metal1 and therefore doth also prove much more effectual than the common spirit of tartar1 which is made alone by it self1 and this spirit as well that which is made of tin1 as that of lead1 if it be well dephlegmed first1 may be used and held for a great treasure in all obstructions1 especially of the ,spleen2 and few other medicines will go beyond them2 but besides there must not be neglected the use of good purging medicines1 if need require them4 ,with the spirit there cometh over also an oyl1 which is of a quick operation1 especially in wounds and sores of the eye1 where other oyntments and plaisters may not so fitly be used1 for it doth not only allay the heat and inflammation1 a common symptome of the eye wounds1 but also doth hinder and keep back all other symptomes which few other medicaments1 are able to do2 and for the residue1 if it be driven further by the strongest fire1 then there will come over a sublimate1 which1 in the air dissolveth into oyl1 which is also of a powerful operation1 not only in physick1 but also in ,alchymy4 ,and the ,lead runeth together into a fair white ,regulus1 which is much whiter1 purer and fairer than other common lead3 but the tartar retaines the blackness1 and raiseth it self to the top as a fusible dross1 which is impregnated with the sulphur of lead1 wherewith you may colour hair1 bones1 feathers and the like1 and make them to be1 and remain brown and black4 ,i made tryal once of such a distillation in an iron vessel1 whereby the same in the inside was so whitened by the purified lead1 that it was like unto fine silver in brightness3 which afterwards trying again1 it would not fall so fair as at first2 whereat none ought to wonder1 for ,i could write something more 7if it were fit7 of tartar1 knowing well what may be effected with it1 if ,i did not stand in fear of scoffers1 which vilify all what they do not understand4 ,i durst presume to call tartar the ,sope of the ,philosophers2 for in the cleansing of some metals1 by long experience ,i found it of admirable vertue2 though ,i would not be understood thus1 as if ,i did count it to be the true ,azoth universalis ,philosophorum1 whereby they wash their ,laton3 but ,i cannot deny1 but that it is of particular use for the washing and cleansing of several metals2 for it is indued with admirable vertues for the use of metals1 whereof in other places more shall be said hereafter4 ,how to make a ,tartarised spirit and oyle out of ,iron or ,steel and ,copper4 ,if you intend to make a good medicine out of iron or steel or copper joyned with tartar1 then for the iron or steel take an iron pot1 and for copper a kettel of copper1 make them very clean and put in it the filings of iron1 or steel1 or copper1 which you please1 and twice as much of pure tartar made into powder1 and so much water1 that the tartar maybe dissolved well by it in the boyling1 and so boyl the metal with the tartar-water so long1 till it be deeply coloured by the metal1 as red by the iron1 and deep green by the copper2 and when the water in the boyling doth waste1 you must still supply it with other1 that the tartar may not burn2 for there must be alwayes so much water1 that no skin of the tartar may rise at the top1 but that it remain always open1 and there must not be too much water neither1 lest it be too sweet1 and not able to dissolve the metal4 ,the solution of iron or steel being come to be red and sweet1 and in taste like unto vitriol1 but green and bitter of copper1 pour it off warm by inclination into an other clean vessel1 and let it stand so long again in a very gentle heat of coals1 till almost all the water be evaporated1 and the dissolved metal with the tartar remain in the consistency of honey4 ,which metallical liquor may be used inwardly and outwardly 7especially that of iron7 which doth purge gently1 and openeth the obstructions of the ,liver and ,spleen3 cleanseth the ,stomach1 and killeth ,worms3 externally used it is a good wound balsome1 and goes far beyond all such as are made of vegetables4 ,it is a singular treasure1 not only for to cure new wounds2 but also for to cleanse and heal old corrupt exulcerated sores1 turned to fistulaes2 but the liquor of copper is not so safe for to be used inwardly1 for it is not only very unpleasant in taste1 but also causeth vehement vomits3 and therefore ,i would not advise any one to be forward to use it1 unless it be for strong folks and for to kill worms in them1 for which purpose it is excellent good and surpasseth all other medicines whatsoever2 but to little children it ought not to be given at all1 in regard that it is of far too strong an operation for them4 ,n4 ,b4 ,and if you will use it to strong bodies against the worms or stomach-agues1 you must observe that the patient 7in case that he cannot get it up7 thrust his finger into the throat to further the vomiting1 that it may not stay behind1 but come forth again out of the body1 which done health followeth upon it2 but if it remain in the body1 it causeth a loathsomeness to use it any more4 ,and therefore you must take heed to use it warily3 and in regard that this liquor is very bitter1 you may mix it with some sugar1 to facilitate the taking thereof2 but that of iron needeth no such correction1 it being sweet enough of it self1 and therefore ,i commend and prefer it before the other3 but if you will needs have that of copper 7because it worketh so strongly7 then the ,patient must keep in from the cold aire1 and not presently after the operation load the stomach with strong drink and superfluity of meat1 contenting himself with some warm broth and a little cup of wine or beer1 and the next day his meat and drink will taste the better with him1 and do him so much the more good4 ,but externally1 this liquor is of the same use with that of iron or steel1 yea1 proveth more effectual and speedier in healing4 ,it would be good that ,surgeons knew how to prepare it1 and would use it instead of their salves1 wherewith many fresh wounds are spoyled and turned into horrid ulcers1 especially it requiring so little cost and pains to make it4 ,and if you would have these liquors purer yet1 you must pour on spirit of wine1 and extract them1 and they will easily yield their tincture1 and leave many fces behind which are good for nothing3 but the tincture will be so much the better1 purer1 and more effectual1 so that you need use but four or five drops for purging1 whereas of the gross liquor you must have from #d1 #f1 #h4 to #ab4 or #af4 drops3 and this extracted tincture worketh also much better externally1 and keepeth longer than the balsome or liquor1 which in time is corrupted1 but the extraction is never spoiled4 ,but if you will distil the liquor or balsome1 it is needless that it be extracted first1 but may be distilled so as the boyling made it1 after the same manner1 as above was taught for ,lead1 and there will come over a yellow spirit and oyl from iron or steel1 and from copper a greenish spirit and oyl4 ,the spirit and oyl of iron may safely be used in the plague1 feavers1 obstructions1 and corruption of blood1 from i4 to i4 ,it is much better to provoke sweat1 than that which is made of crude ,tartar1 without addition of a metal3 the like doth that also which is made of copper and more effectually yet1 and sometimes causeth a vomit1 if it be used in a greater quantity1 than is fitting4 ,n4 ,b4 ,although the ,chymists do prefer copper before iron1 as a more firm and ripe metal1 nevertheless it is found by experience1 that iron or steel by reason of its sweetness is better to be used for an inward medicine than copper4 ,but for external use1 copper 7if it be well prepared7 hath the preheminence1 being an appropriate medicine for all ulcers and open sores1 in all the parts of the body1 if the same inwardly be kept clean by fitting purges4 ,for not only the now described medicine1 but also many more besides1 are taught to be made out of copper in other places of my books4 ,a ,country-physick and purge ,i will teach for those1 which either live far from ,apothecary-shops1 or have no money to spare for physick2 and it is to be made out of iron and copper1 whereby they may cleanse their slimy stomachs1 spoyled by a disorderly dyet1 whence head-aches1 worms1 agues1 and other diseases are occasioned1 warning withal those that are either too old or too young1 or else decayed and weak1 and so not strong enough for such powerful physick1 that they will forbear to use it1 lest besides the worms1 they kill and expel life it self also2 but those that are of a strong constitution1 and a middle age1 and of a sound heart1 may safely use this purge1 whereby stomach-agues1 belly-worms1 and may other occult diseases may be cured with good success4 ,the preparation is done thus3 ,take ss4 of pure tartar made into powder1 ss4 or j4 of sugar or honey1 and v4 or vj4 of spring or rain water1 put all into a clean copper vessel which is not greasy1 and boyl it upon a coal fire as long or somewhat longer than you use to boyl an egg1 or at the furthest half a quarter of an hour2 take off the skum in boyling1 let it stand till it be milk-warm1 so that it may be drunk4 ,this potion tasting almost like warm wine sweetned with sugar1 give unto the patient to drink1 and let him fast upon it1 and within half an hour it will begin to work upwards and downwards2 whereat you need not be amazed1 but only keep the body warm1 and within an hour it will have done working4 ,but if you will drive out worms from little children by purging1 then instead of the copper-vessel1 take a clean iron-vessel1 and put in a less quantity of tartar1 sugar and water1 and boyl it as abovesaid1 and give it to them1 and it will purge only downward1 but sometimes it will also give a gentle vomit1 which will do them no hurt1 but rather will cleanse the stomach the better4 ,but if the drink be too weak1 so that it doth not work1 it may be used again the next day 7but you must take more of the ingredients1 or else let them boyl longer7 there is no danger in it at all1 if you proceed aright1 and it is much pleasanter to take1 than the bitter worm-feed1 wherewith they usually torment children4 ,the reason why this decoction works in this manner is1 that the tartar and sugar being boyled in metallical vessels with water1 work upon the metal1 and extract vertue out of it1 which causeth vomiting and purging 7the ,tartar also being helpful to it47 ,how to make a ,tartarised spirit of ,mercury4 ,vulgar ,mercury cannot be dissolved like the former metals with tartar and water1 without any foregoing preparation2 but must be sublimed first with salt and vitriol1 or crystallised with ,aqua fortis1 and then it may be dissolved by boyling with tartar and water1 and reduced into a balsame1 like other metals1 but is not to be used inwardly1 unless it be digested a sufficient time1 so that its fierceness be allayed3 ,externally it may safely be used in all desperate1 especially venereal sores1 and it is a very effectual and profitable medicine for them4 ,but most of all it doth serve for ,alchymy1 although few do know this guest1 because he will not be seen by every one4 ,the spirit which comes over from it by distillation1 is an admirable thing not only in physick1 but also in ,alchymy3 yet you must take heed1 that instead of a friend1 you do not harbor a great enemy3 for its force and vertue is very great and powerful4 ,how to make a ,tartarised spirit of ,gold and ,silver4 ,gold and silver also can by no means be dissolved with tartar in a wet way3 but in a dry way adding its helper to it1 it will easily dissolve1 which doth not belong hither2 but if you will draw a spirit of it1 then the gold and silver must first by dissolving and coagulating be reduced to crystals1 and then dissolved with purifyed tartar and water1 and of ,gold you will get a yellow solution1 and of silver a white inclining unto green1 which being reduced to the consistency of honey1 may be used safely and without fear4 ,the solution of ,gold doth loosen and keep the body open2 it effectually strengtheneth the stomach1 heart1 lungs1 and liver1 and other principal members3 and that of silver purgeth very forcibly1 according to the quantity given1 like another purge1 but without harm or danger1 so that in all diseases where purging is necessary1 it may be used safely from i4 to ss4 but that of gold is used in a smaller quantity3 and both the liquor of gold and of silver may very successfully be used externally3 but because for external uses inferiour metals will serve the turn1 it is needless to use costly things thereto4 ,the spirit which is forced from it by distillation1 is endued with great vertue3 for the volatile part of the metal cometh over-joyned with the spirit of tartar1 the remainder may be reduced1 so as it was taught of other metals4 ,this spirit1 especially that of ,gold1 is exceeding good in the plague and other diseases1 where sweating is necessary3 for it driveth not only by sweating1 all ,malignities from the ,heart1 but also doth strengthen the same1 and preserveth it from all hurtful symptomes4 ,likewise also that of silver is very commendable1 especially if it be first dephlegmed from its ,caput ,mortuum1 as above was taught in the preparation of the common spirit of tartar4 ,for any ,physitian expert in ,chymistry may easily guess what the spirit of tartar well rectifyed and impregnated with the vertues of gold may effect1 and therefore it is needless to make any further mention of it1 but it shall be left to the tryal thereof4 ,to make a ,tartarised spirit of ,antimony4 ,crude ,antimony cannot be dissolved in such a manner as above hath been taught3 but if it be first prepared into flores1 or a vitrum1 it yieldeth easily its vertue in boyling1 and it is done thus3 ,take to one part of the flores or of small ground vitrum ,antimonii made per se1 three parts of pure tartar1 and #ab4 or #ae4 parts of clean water1 boyl the ,antimony with the tartar and water in a glazed pot for three or four hours1 and the evaporated water must be still supplyed with other that the tartar may not burn for want of water1 and the vitrum must be sometimes stirred about with a wooden spatula 7which the flores being light do not need73 ,this done1 the tartar water will be deep red coloured by the ,antimony1 and leave the remaining ,antimony settled in the bottom1 from which pour off the solution1 and after having filtred it1 evaporate the water from it1 and then extract it once more with spirit of wine1 and you will get a blood-red ,extractum1 whereof #a1 #b1 #c4 to #aj4 or #ab4 drops given at once1 causeth gentle vomits and stools1 which may be safely used by old and young in all diseases that have need of purging1 and you need not fear any danger at all3 ,for ,i know no vomit1 which purgeth more gently than this1 and if you please1 you may make it work only 7per inferiora7 downward1 so that it shall cause no vomits at all3 and you need do nothing else but make a toast of brown bread1 and hold it hot to your nose and mouth1 and when this is almost cold1 have another hot in readiness1 and so use one after another by turns1 till you feel no more loathing1 and that the vertue of ,antimony hath begun to work downward3 ,this is a good secret for those that would use ,antimonial physick1 but that they are affraid of vomiting1 which they are not able to endure4 ,but if you will not spend so much pains1 as to make such an ,extract1 then do as you was taught above to do with the copper1 and take ten or twelve grains of prepared ,antimony for an old body1 but for a young one #e1 #f4 grains or more or less according to the condition of the person1 and ss4 or vj4 of pure tartar1 and together with iiij4 or v4 of water put it in a little pipkin1 and boyl it a quarter of an hour1 then pour the solution only into a cup1 and disolve a little sugar in it1 whereby the acidity of the ,tartar will somewhat qualified4 ,the decoctum drink warm1 and keep your self as it is fit1 and it will work much better1 than it if had been steeped over night in wine1 which not every one can abide to take fasting2 but this decoctum1 because it tasteth like warm and sweet wine1 is much pleasanter to take4 ,n4 ,b4 ,it is to be admired1 that well prepared ,antimony is never taken in vain3 for although it be given in a very small quantity1 so that it cannot cause either stools or vomits1 yet it worketh insensibly1 viz4 it cleanseth the blood1 and expelleth malignities by sweat1 so that mighty diseases may be rooted out thereby without any great sensible operation4 ,which many times hapned unto me1 and gave me occasion to think further of it2 and therefore ,i sought how to prepare ,antimony so1 that it might be used daily without causing of vomits or stools1 which ,i put in execution accordingly1 and found it good1 as afterward shall follow4 ,of the solution above described1 viz4 of the flores of ,antimony with tartar make a good quantity1 and after the evaporation of the water distill a spirit of it1 and there will also come over a black oyl1 which must be separated from the spirit1 and rectified per se2 and externally applyed it will not only do the same wonderful operations1 which above have been ascribed to the simple oyl of tartar1 but it goeth also far beyond it1 for the best essence of ,antimony hath joyned it self thereunto1 in the distilling and so doubled the vertue of the oyl of ,tartar2 and this oyl may with credit be used not only for all podagrical tumors to allay them very readily1 but also by reason of its dryness it doth consume all other tumors in the whole body1 whether they be caused by wind or water3 for the volatile salt by reason of its subtlety1 conveyeth the vertue of ,antimony into the innermost parts of the body in a marvellous and incredible way1 whereby much good can be performed in ,chyrurgery4 ,as for the spirit1 you may not only use it very successfully1 in the ,plague1 ,pox1 ,scurvy1 ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca1 ,feavers1 and other obstructions and corruptions of blood1 but also if you put some of it into new wine or beer1 and let it work with it1 the wine or beer comes to be so vertuous thereby1 that if it be daily used1 it doth stay and keep off all diseases proceeding from superfluous humors and corrupted blood1 so that neither ,plague1 ,scurvy1 ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca1 or any other disease of that kind can take root in those that daily use it1 wherein no metal or mineral 7except gold7 can be parallel'd with it3 but in case you have no conveniency to make that spirit1 and yet you would willingly have such a medicinal drink made of ,antimony1 then take but of the solution made with tartar1 before it be distilled1 and put j4 or j ss4 of it into #ah4 or #bj4 gallons of new wine or beer1 and let it work together1 and the vertue of the ,antimony by the fermentation of the wine will grow the more volatile and efficacious to work4 ,and if you cannot have new wine 7in regard that it doth not grow every where7 you may make an artificial wine of ,honey1 ,sugar1 ,pears1 ,figs1 ,cherries or the like fruit1 as in the following third part shall be taught1 which may stand in stead of natural ,wine4 ,these medicinal wines serve for a sure and safe preservative1 not only to prevent many diseases1 but also if they have possessed the body already1 effectually to oppose and expel them4 ,also all external open sores 7which by daubing and plaistering could not be remedied7 by daily drinking thereof may be perfectly cured4 ,for not only ,basilius ,valentinus1 and ,theophrastus ,paracelsus1 but many more before and after them knew it very well1 and have written many good things of it1 which few did entertain1 and 7because their description was somewhat dark7 most despised and defamed them for untruths4 ,in like manner1 and much more may this my writing be lightly esteemed of1 because ,i do not set down long and costly processes1 but only according to truth1 and in simplicity do labour to serve my neighbour1 which doth not sound well in the ears of the proud world1 which rather tickle and load themselves with vain and unprofitable processes1 than harken unto the truth2 and it is no wonder1 that ,god suffereth such men1 which only look after high things1 and despise small things1 to be held in ,error4 ,why do we look to get our ,medicines by troubling our brains1 by subtle and tedious works1 whereas ,god through simple nature doth teach us otherwise4 ,were it not better to let simple nature instruct us8 surely if we would be in love with small things1 we should find great ones4 ,but because all men do strive only for great and high things1 therefore the small also are kept from them2 and therefore it would be well1 that we could fancy this maxim1 that also things of small account can do something1 as we may see by ,tartar and despicable ,antimony1 and not only so many coals1 glasses1 materials1 and the like1 but also the pretious time would not be wasted so much in preparing of medicaments3 for all is not gold that glistereth1 but oftentimes under a homely coat some glorious thing is hid2 which ought to be taken notice of4 ,some may object why do ,i teach to joyn the ,antimony first with the ,tartar by the help of common water before its fermentation with the wine3 whether it would not be as good to put it in of it self in powder1 or to dissolve it with spirit of salt 7which would be easier to do than with ,tartar7 and so let it work8 ,to which ,i answer1 that the working wine or drink1 receiveth no metallical calx or solution1 unless it be first prepared with tartar or spirit of wine4 ,for although you dissolve ,antimony1 or any other metal or mineral in spirit of salt1 or of vitriol1 or of salt nitre1 or any other acid spirit1 and then think to let it work with wine or any other drink1 you will find that it doth not succeed2 for the acid spirit will hinder the fermentation1 and let fall the dissolved metals1 and so spoyl the work2 and besides1 ,tartar may be used among all drinks1 and doth more agree with ones taste and stomach1 than any corrosive spirit4 ,in the same manner as was taught of ,antimony1 other minerals and metals also may be fitly joyned with wine or other drink1 and the use of such ,antimonial wine is this1 viz4 that it be drank at meals and betwixt meals like other ordinary drink to quench thirst1 but for all that1 it must not be drank in a greater quantity1 than that ,nature be able to bear it4 ,for if you would drink of it immoderately1 it would excite vomits1 which ought not to be1 for it is but only to work in an insensible way1 which if it be done1 it preserveth not only the body from all diseases proceeding from corrupted impure blood1 as the ,plague1 ,leprosy1 ,pox1 ,scurvy1 and the like1 but by reason of its hidden heat1 whereby it doth consume and expel all evil and salt humors 7as the ,sun dryeth up a pool7 by sweat and urine1 and so doth unburthen the blood from all such sharp and hurtful humors1 c4 ,it doth not only cure the abovesaid diseases1 but also all open sores1 ulcers1 fistulaes1 which by reason of the superfluity of salt humors can admit of no healing1 and it doth dispatch them in a short time in a wonderful manner1 and so firmly that there is no relapse to be feared4 ,this drink is not only good for the sick1 but also for the whole 7though in a smaller quantity7 because that it wonderfully cleanseth the whole body1 and you need not fear the least hurt either in young or old1 sick or healthy4 ,and let no man stumble at it1 that many ignorant men do defame ,antimony and hold it to be poyson1 and forbid it to be used2 for if they knew it well1 they would not do so2 but because such men know no more1 than what they get by reading1 or by hear-say1 they pronounce a false sentence2 and it might be replyed unto them1 as ,apelles did to the ,shooe-maker2 ,ne sutor ultra crepidam3 but what what shall we say8 ,non omnis fert omnia tellus4 ,when an ,ass after his death doth rot1 out of the carcass groweth ,beetles1 which can fly higher than the ,ass from whence they came2 ,in the like manner we wish it may fare with the haters of royal ,antimony1 viz4 that their posterity may get seeing eyes1 and what they know not1 they may forbear to despise and scoff at4 ,i must confess1 that if ,antimony be not well prepared1 and besides1 be indiscreetly used by the unskilful1 that it may prejudice a man in his health1 which even the vegetables also may do4 ,but to reject it by reason of the abuse1 would be a very unwise act3 ,if perchance a child should get into his hand a sharp-edged knife1 and hurt himself or others1 because it doth not understand how to use a knife1 should therefore the use of a knife be rejected and forbidden to those that are grown up and know how to use it8 ,good sharp tools make a good workman2 so good quick working and powerful medicines make a good physitian2 and the sharper the tool is1 the sooner a stone-carver or other craftsman may spoyl his work by one cut which he doth amiss3 which also must be understood of powerful medicines1 for if they be used pertinently1 in a short time more good may be done with them1 than with weak medicaments in a long time4 ,now as a sharp tool is not to be handled but by a good workman1 so likewise a powerful medicine ought to be managed by an understanding and conscientious physitian1 who according to the condition of the person1 and the disease1 knows to increase or abate the strength of the medicine1 and not by such a one1 as doth minister it ignorantly without making any difference at all4 ,let no man marvail1 that ,i ascribe such great vertues unto ,antimony1 it being abundantly enriched with the primum ens of gold4 ,if ,i should say ten times as much more of it1 ,i should not lye4 ,its praise is not to be expressed by any mans tongue2 for purifying of the blood1 there is no mineral like unto it2 for it cleanseth and purifieth the whole man in the highest degree1 if it be well prepared first1 and then discreetly used4 ,it is the best and next friend to gold1 which by the same also is freed and purified from all addition and filth1 as we said even now1 of man4 ,every ,antimony for the most part agreeth with gold and its medicine2 for out of ,antimony1 by the cleansing ,art may be made firm gold1 as in the fourth part shall be taught1 and which is more1 by a long digestion a good part of the same is changed into gold4 ,whereby it is evident1 that it hath the nature and property of gold1 and it is better to be used for a medicine than gold it self1 because the golden vertue is as yet volatile in this1 but in the other is grown fixed and compacted1 and may be compared to a young child in respect of an old man4 ,therefore it is my advice1 that in ,antimony medicine should be sought1 and not to trifle away time and cost in vain and useless things4 ,further note1 ,that if you desire to contract nearer together the vertue of ,antimony or any other mineral or metal1 as above was taught to be done with the ,tartar1 you must by exhalation of the superfluous moisture in ,balneo1 reduce the solution to a honey thick liquor1 and pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract1 and within few days it will be very red2 then pour it off and pour on other1 and let this likewise extract3 continue this proceeding with shifting the spirit of wine1 till the spirit of wine can get no more ,tincture2 then put all the coloured spirit of wine together into a glass with a long neck1 and digest it so long in a warm ,balneum1 till the colour or best essence of ,antimony be separated from the spirit of wine1 and settled to the bottom like a blood red thick fat oyl1 so that the spirit of wine is turned white again2 which is to be separated from the fair and pleasant oyl of ,antimony1 which is made without any corrosive1 and is to be kept as a great treasure in physick4 ,the spirit of wine retains somewhat of the vertue of ,antimony1 and may be used with success of it self both inwardly and outwardly4 ,but the ,tincture as a ,panacea in all diseases acteth its part with admiration1 and as here mentioned of ,antimony1 so in the same manner all metals by the help of ,tartar and spirit of wine may without distilling be reduced into pleasant and sweet oyles1 which are none of the meanest in ,physick3 for every knowing and skilful ,chymist will easily grant1 that such a metallical oyl1 as without all corrosives out of the gross metals is reduced into a pleasant essence1 cannot be without great and singular vertue4 ,how to make good spirit and oyles out of ,pearls1 ,corals1 ,crabs-eyes1 and other light soluble stones of beasts and fishes4 ,take to one part of pearls or corals 7made into fine powder7 three or four parts of pure ,tartar1 and so much water as will dissolve the ,tartar by boyling2 put the corals1 ,tartar and water together into a glass body1 which must stand in sand1 and give it so strong a fire1 that the water boyl in the glass body with the ,tartar1 and may dissolve the corals4 7,this solution may be done also in a clean earthen pot that is glased1 and the evaporated water must be supplyed with other1 as above was taught to be done with the metals47 ,the corals being dissolved1 let them cool1 filtrate the solution1 and abstract all the moisture from it in ,balneo1 and there will remain a pleasant honey-thick liquor1 which may be used in ,physick either of it self1 or else once more extracted with spirit of wine and purified1 or else distilled1 as you please4 ,the extract or ,tincture is better than the liquor1 and the spirit is better than the extract or tincture3 and all three may well and safely be used2 they strengthen the heart and brain2 especially those which are made of pearls and corals1 they expel the urin and keep the body soluble4 ,those of crabs eyes and of pearches and other fishes open and cleanse the passages of the urin from all slime and impurity1 and they powerfully expel the stone and gravel in the reins and bladder4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the distilled spirit of corals being well rectified1 is good for the ,epilepsy1 ,melancholy1 and ,apoplexy4 ,it expelleth and driveth out all poyson by sweating1 because it is of a golden nature and quality1 whereof in another place more shall be said4 ,to distill a spirit out of salt of ,tartar and crude ,tartar4 ,if you take a like quantity of crude ,tartar and of salt of ,tartar1 and dissolve it with clean water1 and then evaporate the water still skimming it1 till no skin more do rise1 and then let it cool1 there will shoot white crystals1 which being distilled as common ,tartar1 they will yield a purer subtler and pleasanter spirit1 than the crude ,tartar doth1 in all to be used as above hath been taught of the simple spirit of ,tartar3 therefore it is needless here to describe its use4 ,before you distill a spirit thereof1 you may use them in stead of ,tartarus vitriolatus for purging1 they will cause gentle stools1 and drive also the urin and stone1 and are not unpleasant to take4 ,the dose is from i4 to i4 in waters fit for your purpose4 ,this salt dissolved with water purifieth metals 7if they be boyled therein7 and maketh them fairer then common ,tartar doeth4 ,how to get a powerful spirit out of the salt of ,tartar1 by the help of pure sand or peble-stones4 ,in the first part of this book ,i taught how to make such a spirit1 but because the materials1 which are to be distilled in that furnace must be cast upon quick coals1 whereby the remainder is lost1 and that also not every one hath the conveniency to set up a furnace that requireth more room than this here doth3 therefore ,i will set down how it may be got with ease in this our present furnace1 without the loss of the remainder1 which is not inferior to the spirit it self4 ,and it is done thus3 ,make a fair white salt of calcined ,tartar by dissolution1 filtration and coagulation1 pulverise that salt in a warmed morter1 and add to it a fourth part of small pulverised crystal or flints or only of fine sand1 washed clean1 mix it well1 and cast one spoonful thereof at once into your red-hot vessel 7which must be made of earth7 and so cover it1 and the mixture as soon as it is red hot1 will rise and boyl 7as common ,allome doth1 when it cometh to a sudden heat7 and yield a thick white heavy spirit2 and when it ceaseth to come forth1 then cast in another spoonful1 and stay out the time of its settling1 and then another part again1 till all your mixture be cast in4 ,when no more spirit goeth forth1 then take off the lid from the distilling vessel1 and with an iron ladle take out that which stayed behind1 whilest it is yet red-hot and soft1 and it will look like unto a transparent clear white fusible glass1 which you must keep from the air1 for it will dissolve in it1 till ,i teach you what you are to do with it4 ,the spirit which came over1 may either be kept as it is1 or else rectified per arenam in a glass retort1 and used in ,physick2 it is clean of another taste than the spirit of common salt or vitriol1 for it is not so sharp2 it smelleth of the flints after a sulphureous manner1 and tasteth urin-like1 and it is very good for those that are troubled with the gout1 stone and ,tisick3 for it provoketh urin and sweat mightily1 and 7because it cleanseth and strengthneth the stomach7 it also maketh one have a good appetite to his ,victuals4 ,what it can do else is unknown to me as yet1 but it is credible that it may act its part in many other diseases1 which is left free for every one to try4 ,in my opinion 7since the spirit of the salt of ,tartar is good to be used of it self for the stone1 and that here it is strengthned by the sand1 which have the signature of the stone of the ,microcosme7 there is hardly any particular medicine1 which can go beyond it1 but ,i leave every one to his own opinion and experience4 ,externally used1 it quencheth inflammations and maketh a pure skin1 c4 ,the remainder1 which ,i bid you keep1 and looks like a transparent clear glass1 is nothing else but the most fixed part of the salt of ,tartar and flints1 which joyned themselves thus in the heat1 and turned to a soluble glass1 wherein lyes hid a great heat and fire4 ,as long at it is kept dry from the air1 it cannot be perceived in it3 but if you pour water upon it1 then its secret heat will discover it self4 ,if you make it to fine powder in a warm morter1 and lay it in a moist air1 it will dissolve and melt into a thick and fat oyl1 and leave some fces behind4 ,this fat liquor or oyl of flints1 sand or crystal may not only be used inwardly and outwardly of it self1 but also serveth to prepare minerals and metals into good medicines1 or to change them into better by ,chymical art4 ,for many great secrets are hid in the contemptible peble or sand2 which an ignorant and unexpert man 7if they were disclosed to him7 would hardly believe3 for this present world is by the divels craft so far possessed with cursed filthy avarice1 that they seek for nothing but money1 but honest and ingenious sciences are not regarded at all2 and therefore ,god doth close our eyes that we cannot see what lyeth before them1 and we trample upon with our feet4 ,that worthy man ,parcelsus hath given it us sufficiently to understand1 when he saith in his book 7containing the vexations of ,alchymists7 that many times a despicable flint cast at a ,cow is more worth than the ,cow2 not only because that gold may be melted out of it1 but also that other inferior metals may be purified thereby1 so that they are like unto the best gold and silver in all tryals2 and although ,i never got any great profit by the doing of it1 yet it doth suffice me that ,i have seen several times the possibility and truth thereof1 which in its proper place likewise shall be taught4 ,this liquor of flints is of that nature toward the metals1 that it maketh them exceeding fair1 but not so1 as women do scowre their vessels of tin1 copper1 iron1 c4 with ly and small sand1 till all filth be scoured off1 and that they get a bright and fair gloss3 but the metals must be dissolved therein by ,chymical art1 and then either after the wet or dry way digested in it for its due space of time2 which ,paracelsus calleth to go into the mothers womb1 and be born again3 if this be done rightly1 then the mother will bring forth a pure child4 ,all metals are engendred in sand or stone1 and therefore they may well be called the mother of metals1 and the purer the mother is1 the purer and sounder child she will bear1 and among all stones there is none found purer than the peble1 crystal or sand1 which are of one nature 7if they be simple and not impregnated with metals37 ,and therefore the peble or sand is found to be the fittest bath to wash the metal withall4 ,but he that would take this bath to be the ,philosophers secret ,menstruum1 whereby they exalt the ,king unto the highest purity1 would be mistaken2 for their ,balneum is more friendly to gold by reason of its affinity with it than with other metals1 but this doth easier dissolve other metals than gold4 ,whereby it is evident1 that it cannot be ,benard his fountain 7,bernhardi fontina7 but must be held only to be a particular cleanser of metals4 ,but omitting this1 and leaving it to the further practise and tryal of those that want no time nor conveniency for to search what may be done with it1 let us take notice of the use of this liquor in physick1 for which uses sake this book is written4 ,that which hath been said1 was only done to that end1 that we may observe1 that we must not always look upon dear and costly things1 but that many times even in mean and contemptible things 7as sand pebles7 much good is to be found4 ,how to extract a blood-red ,tincture with spirit of wine out of the liquor of peble-stones4 ,if you will extract a tincture out of peble-stones1 for use in ,physick or in ,alchymy1 then in stead of the white take a fair yellow1 green or blew peble or flint1 whether it hold fixed or volatile gold1 and first with salt of tartar distill the spirit thereof2 or if you do not care for the spirit1 then melt the mixture in a covered crucible into a transparent1 soluble and fusible glass1 and in a warm morter make it into fine powder2 put this powder in a long necked glass1 and pour upon it rectified spirit of wine 7it needeth not to be dephlegmed1 it matters not if it be but pure7 let it remain upon it in a gentle warmth1 till it be turned red 7the glass with the prepared peble or flints must be often stirred about1 that the peble be divided1 and the spirit of wine may be able to work upon it7 then pour off the coloured spirit of wine1 and pour on other1 and let this likewise turn red3 this pouring off and on must be iterated so often1 till the spirit of wine get no more colour out of it4 ,all the ,tinctured spirit of wine put together1 abstract in a ,balneum through a ,limbeck from the ,tincture which will remain in the bottom of the glass body like a red juyce1 which you must take out and keep for its use4 ,the use of the ,tincture of pebles or flints in ,physick4 ,this ,tincture if it be made of gold1 pebles or sand1 is to be held for none of the least medicines1 for it doth powerfully resist all soluble ,tartareous coagulations1 in the hands1 knees1 feet1 reins and bladder2 and although in want of those that hold gold1 it be extracted but only out of common white peble1 it doth act its part however1 though not altogether so well as the first4 ,let no man marvel1 that sand or pebles made potable1 have so great vertue2 for not all things are known to all2 and this ,tincture is more powerful yet1 if first gold have been dissolved with the liquor of pebles before the extraction4 ,and let no man imagine that this ,tincture comes from the salt of ,tartar 7which is taken to the preparing of the oyl of sand7 because that of it self also doth colour the spirit of wine1 for there is a great difference betwixt this ,tincture and that1 which is extracted out of the salt of ,tartar3 for if you distill that of the salt of tartar in a little glass body or retort1 there will come first a clear spirit of wine1 then an unsavory phlegm1 and a salt will remain behind1 in all like unto common salt of tartar1 wherein after its calcining not the least colour appeareth1 and because none came over neither1 it might be questioned where it remained then8 ,to which ,i answer1 that it was not a true tincture1 but only that the sulphur in the spirit of wine was exalted or graduated by the corporeal salt of tartar1 and so got a red colour1 which it loseth as soon as the salt of tartar is taken from it1 and reassumeth its former white colour3 even as it hapneth also1 when the salt of urin1 or of harts-horn or soot1 or any other like urinous salt is digested with spirit of wine1 that the spirit turneth red of it1 but not lastingly1 but just so as it falls out with the salt of tartar1 for if by rectification it be separated again from the spirit of wine1 each 7viz4 both the salt and also the spirit of wine7 doth recover again its former colour1 whereby it appeareth1 that 7as above said7 it was not a true tincture4 ,he that will not believe it1 let him dissolve but i4 of common white salt of tartar in i4 of spirit of wine1 and the spirit will turn as red of it1 as if it had stood a long time upon several pounds of blew or green calcined salt of tartar2 and if ,i had not tryed it my self several times1 ,i should have also been of that opinion3 but because ,i found it to be otherwise1 therefore ,i would not omit to set down my opinion3 though ,i know ,i shall deserve small thanks of some1 especially of those which rather will err with the greater number1 than to know and confess the truth with the less number4 ,however1 ,i do not say1 that the supposed tincture of the salt of ,tartar is of no vertue or useless2 for ,i know well enough that it is found very effectual in many diseases3 for the purest part of the salt of ,tartar hath been dissolved by the spirit of wine1 it being thus coloured thereby1 and therefore that tinctured spirit of wine may very fitly be used4 ,but as for the ,tincture1 which is extracted out of the prepared pebles1 it is clean of another condition3 for if you abstract the spirit of wine from it1 though it also cometh over white1 yet there remaineth a deep tinctured salt1 whose colour is lasting in the strongest fire1 and therefore may be counted a true ,tincture4 ,how by the help of this liquor out of ,gold its red colour may be extracted so that it remains white4 ,this oyl or liquor of pebles is of such a condition1 that it doth precipitate all metals which are dissolved by corrosives1 but not after that manner as the salt of ,tartar doth2 for the calx of metals which is precipitated by this liquor2 7because that the pebles do mingle themselves therewith7 is grown much heavier thereby1 than if it had been only precipitated with salt of ,tartar4 ,for example1 dissolve in ,aqua ,regia as much ,gold as you please1 and pour of this liquor upon it1 till all the ,gold fall to the bottom like a yellow powder1 and the solution turn white and clear1 which you must pour off1 and edulcorate the precipitated ,gold with sweet water1 and then dry it 7as you was taught to do with the ,aurum fulminans7 and you need not fear that it will kindle and fulminate in the drying1 as it useth to do1 when it is precipitated with salt of ,tartar or spirit of urin1 but you may boldly dry it by the fire1 and it will look like yellow earth1 and will weigh as heavy again as the ,gold did weigh before the solution2 the cause of which weight is1 the peble stones1 which did precipitate themselves together with the ,gold4 ,for the ,aqua ,regia by its acidity hath mortified the salt of ,tartar1 and robbed it of its vertues so1 that it could not choose but let fall the assumed pebles or sand2 on the other side1 the salt of ,tartar which was in the liquor of pebles1 hath annihilated the sharpness of the ,aqua ,regia1 so that it could not keep the dissolved gold any longer1 whereby both the gold and the pebles are freed from their dissolver4 ,this edulcorated and dryed yellow powder put into a clean crucible1 and set it between live coals1 that it begin to be red hot1 but not long1 and the yellow will be changed into the fairest purple colour1 which is pleasant to behold1 but if you let it stand longer1 then the purple colour vanisheth1 and it turns to a brown and brick colour3 and therefore if you desire to have a fair purple coloured gold1 you must take it off from the fire1 as soon as it is come to that colour1 and let it not stand any longer1 else it loseth that colour again4 ,this fair gold-powder may be used by the rich 7which are able to pay for it7 from i to ss4 in convenient vehicles2 and in all diseases1 where sweating is needful3 for besides the provoking of sweat1 it comforteth not only the heart1 but also by the vertue of the peble it expelleth the stone in the reins and bladder 7if it be not grown to the height of hardness7 like sand together with the urine3 so that it may be safely used as well to prevent1 as to cure the plague1 gout and stone4 ,how to make further out of this purple coloured gold a soluble ,ruby for medicinal use1 shall be taught in the fourth part3 for in regard that it must be done by a strong fire in a crucible1 it doth not belong hither1 but to its proper place1 where other like ,medicaments are taught to be made4 ,if you will extract the colour out of this precipitated gold1 then pour upon it 7before it be put into the fire for to calcin7 of the strongest spirit of salt1 and in a gentle heat the spirit will dissolve part of the gold1 which will be much fairer and deeper in colour1 than if it had been done with ,aqua ,regia3 upon this solution pour five or six times as much of dephlegmed spirit of wine1 and digest both together its due time1 then by the digestion of a long time1 part of the ,gold will fall out of the solution to the bottom like a fair white pouder1 which may be reduced with ,borax or salt nitre and ,tartar2 it is white like silver1 and as heavy as other gold1 and may easily get its colour again by the help of ,antimony4 ,the residue out of which the white gold is faln1 viz4 the spirit of salt mingled with the spirit of wine1 must be abstracted from the ,tincture1 and there will remain a pleasant sowre liquor coloured by the gold1 upon the bottom of the glass body1 which is almost of the same vertue1 which above hath been ascribed to other tinctures of gold4 ,especially this liquor of gold strengthneth the heart1 brain1 and stomach4 ,n4 ,b4 ,sometimes there comes over with the spirit of wine a little red oyl1 which the strong spirit of salt hath separated from the spirit of wine1 and it is impregnated with the ,tincture of ,gold4 ,it is an excellent cordial1 few are found like unto it1 whereby weak people decayed by sickness or age1 may be kept alive a long time1 they taking daily some drops of it1 who else for want of the humidum radicale1 would be forced to exchange their life for death4 ,here some body may ask1 whether this ,tincture is to be counted or taken for a true ,tincture of ,gold2 or whether there be another better to be found8 ,to which ,i answer1 that though many may hold it to be such1 and ,i my self do call it so here1 yet that after due examination it will not prove to be such3 for although some vertue is taken from the gold by this way1 yet it doth still keep its life1 though it be grown weak and pale1 because it can so easily recover its former sound colour by a contemptible mineral3 if its true ,tincture or soul were gone from it1 surely an inferiour mineral could not restore it to life1 but of necessity there would be required such a thing for to do it1 which hath not only so much1 as it hath need of for it self1 but hath a transcendent power to give life unto dead things4 ,as we may see by a man or any sensible beast1 that if they have lost their vigor by adversities1 in that no life more is perceived in them1 yet by medicines fit for the purpose1 they may be refreshed1 and brought to their former health1 so that their former disease appeareth no more in them3 but if their soul be once gone1 the dead body can by no medicines be restored unto life again1 but must remain dead so long1 till he in whose power it is to give and to take life1 have mercy upon it4 ,so likewise it is to be understood of gold1 when its colour is taken from it1 and yet its life is left1 which by the help of ,antimony1 being its medicine1 as also by the help of iron or copper can be restored unto it1 so that it recovereth its former fair colours1 so that you cannot see at all1 that it ailed any thing before4 ,but if its life be gone from the body1 it is impossible for any ordinary metal or mineral to restore it to life1 but it must be done by such a thing1 which is more than ,gold it self hath been3 for even as a living man cannot give life unto a dead man1 but ,,god must do it who hath created man2 so ,gold cannot restore to dead ,gold1 the life which hath been taken from it1 and how could it then be done by an unfixt mineral8 ,but there is required a true ,philosopher for to do it1 such a one as hath good knowledge of gold and its composition4 ,now as we heard that like cannot help its like1 but he that shall help1 must be more1 than he that looks for help from him3 ,hence it is evident1 that the ,tincture1 whose remaining body 7from which it is taken7 is still gold1 can be no true tincture2 for if it shall be a true tincture1 it must consist in its three principles1 and how can it consist therein1 the body from whence it came being yet alive1 and possessing invisibly all its three principles8 ,how can a mans soul be taken from him1 and yet the body live still8 ,some will say1 that for all that1 this may be counted a true tincture1 although the body still remain gold1 and have kept its life3 even as man may spare some blood out of his body1 which though it will make him somewhat pale1 yet he liveth still1 and the lost blood may be supplyed again by good meat and drink4 ,but what lame and senseless objections are these8 ,who would be so simple as to think1 that a handful of blood may be compared to a mans life8 ,i believe no wise man will do it4 ,although life goeth forth with the blood1 yet the blood is not the life it self2 else the dead could be raised thereby1 if a cup full of it were poured into a dead body2 but where was such a thing ever heard or seen8 ,with such groundless opinions some did presume to censure the truth1 set down in my treatise de ,auro potabili vero1 saying1 ,geber and ,lullius were also of opinion1 that a true tincture can be extracted out of gold1 the same nevertheless remaining good gold3 but it may be asked1 what it hath lost then for to yield a true ,tincture1 since it remained good gold8 ,here no body will be at home for to answer ,i doubt4 ,what are the ,writings of ,geber or ,lully to me8 ,what they have written ,i do not despise1 they were highly enlightned and experienced ,philosophers1 and would defend their writings sufficiently1 if they were alive3 and what ,i write1 ,i am also able to maintain4 ,do those men think1 that the writings of ,geber and ,lully are to be understood according unto the bare letter8 shew me a tincture of gold which was made by the writings of ,geber or ,lully8 if it were so1 then every idiot or novice1 that could but read ,latine1 would not only by their writings be able to make the ,tincture of gold1 but also the ,philosophers stone it self1 whereof they have written at large2 which doth not follow1 because it is seen by daily experience1 that the most worldly learned men spent many years1 and have been at vast charges1 and taken great pains1 and studied in their books day and night1 and found not the least thing in them4 ,now if such ,philosophers were to be understood literally1 doubtless there would not be so many poor decay'd ,alchymists4 ,therefore the writings of such worthies are not to be understood according to the letter1 but according to the mystical sense hid under the letter4 ,but because the truth is eclipsed in their books by so many seducing and sophistical processes1 there will hardly any man be able to pick it out from so many seducements1 unless a light from ,god be given to him first1 whereby he may be able so to peruse the dark writings of those men1 that he know how to separate the parabolical speeches1 from those that are true in the letter it self3 or if an honest ,godly ,chymist by the grace of ,god in his labours do hit upon the right steps1 and yet do doubt1 whether he be in the right way or no1 then by reading of good and true ,philosophers books1 he may at last learn out of them the firm and constant truth3 else hardly any ones desire may be obtained out of their books1 but rather after the pretious time spent1 means and health wasted1 a man shall be forced to fall a begging at last4 ,in like manner1 if the true tincture be taken from ,copper1 the rest is no more a metal1 nor by any ,art or force of fire can be reduced to a metallical substance4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if you leave some tincture in it1 then it may be reduced into a brittle gray body1 like unto iron1 but brittle4 ,another way to extract a good ,tincture out of gold by the help of the liquor of sand or pebles4 ,take of that gold calx 7which was precipitated with the oyl of sand7 one part1 and three or four parts of the liquor of crystals or of sand1 mix the gold calx in a good crucible with the liquor1 and set this mixture into a gentle heat1 so that the moystness may evaporate from the oyl of sand which is not easily done2 for the peble or sand1 by reason of their dryness keep and hold the moystness1 and will not let it go easily2 it riseth in the pot or crucible1 as borax or ,allome doth when you calcine them2 therefore the crucible1 must not be filled above half1 that the liquor together with the gold may have room enough1 and do not run over the pot3 and when it riseth no more1 then strengthen the fire1 till the pot be red-hot4 ,the mixture standing fast1 put a lid upon it1 which may close well1 that no coals1 ashes1 or other impurity may fall into it1 and give it so strong fire in a winde furnace1 that the liquor together with the gold calx may melt like water2 keep it melting so long1 till the liquor and gold together be like unto a transparent fair ruby1 which will be done in an hours time or thereabouts2 then pour it forth into a clean copper morter1 let it cool1 and then make it into powder1 and pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract1 which will look like unto thin blood3 and will prove more effectual in use1 than the above described ,tincture4 ,the residue from which the ,tincture is extracted1 must be boyled with lead1 and precipitated and driven off as you do oares1 and you will get the remaining gold1 which went not into the spirit of wine2 but it is very pale and turned like unto silver in colour1 which if it be melted by ,antimony1 it recovereth its former colour without any considerable loss in the weight4 ,how the melting in crucibles1 and boyling of the remaining gold is to be done1 shall be more punctually set down in the fourth part2 ,i know several other fine processes1 for to extract the colour easily out of gold2 but because the gold must be first made fit for it by melting in a crucible1 and that it is not pertinent to speak of that operation here in this second part1 therefore it shall be reserved for the fourth1 where you shall be informed at large1 not onely how to prepare ,gold1 ,antimony and other minerals1 and make them fit for extraction1 but also how to reduce them into a transparent1 soluble and fire-proof ,ruby 7which are none of the meanest medicines7 and as it was done here with the gold1 so you may proceed likewise with other metals and minerals for to extract their colours4 ,and therefore being needless to describe each metals tincture by it self1 all the processes of them shall be disclosed in one1 viz4 in that of gold4 ,the book would grow too big1 if ,i should describe them severally1 which ,i count needless to do4 ,let this suffice for this ,second part1 that we have taught1 how to extract out of the gold its colour after a common way4 ,which indeed are good medicines1 but for ought ,i know of no use in ,alchymy4 ,but he that seeketh to have a true ,tincture out of gold1 let him endeavour first to destroy the gold by the universal ,mercury1 and to turn the inside outward1 and the outside inward1 and proceed further according unto art1 then the soul of gold will easily joyn it self with the spirit of wine1 and come to be a good medicine1 whereof more in my treatise de auro potabili is handled4 ,if one know the ,chalybs of ,sandivogius1 which is well to be had1 he might with little labour quickly get a good medicine3 but because we shew our selves still ungrateful children unto ,god1 therefore it is no marvel1 that he withdraweth his hand from us1 and leaveth us in errors4 ,what further may be done with the liquor of pebles4 ,many more profitable things1 as well in ,alchymy1 as in medicine1 may be compassed by the oyl of sand2 as for example1 to make fair painting colours out of metals1 which abide in all elements3 ,also to frame all sorts of transparent hard stones out of crystal1 which in beauty are like unto the natural1 yea fairer sometimes2 also how to make many fair ,amauses or ,enamels and the like profitable arts3 but they belonging not to this second part1 shall be reserved for the fourth1 where all such shall be taught very punctually with all the circumstances thereunto relating4 ,how by the help of this liquor to make trees to grow out of metals1 with their colours4 ,although this process in ,physick may be of no great use3 yet in regard that to a ,chymical ,physitian it gives good information of the condition of natural things1 and their change4 ,i thought it not amiss to set it down here4 ,take of the above described oyl made of sand1 pebles or crystals as much as you please1 mix therewith a like quantity of the lixivium of ,tartar1 shake both well together1 so that the thick liquor may not be perceived in the lixivium1 but be throughly incorporated therewith1 both being turned to a thin solution1 and then your water is prepared1 wherein the metals do grow4 ,the metals must be first dissolved in their proper corrosive ,menstruums1 and the ,menstruum must be quite abstracted from thence again1 but not too near1 that the calx of the metal may not grow red-hot1 whereby its growing vertue would be taken from it4 ,then take it out of the little glass-body1 and break it in pieces about the bigness of a pulse1 and put them in the above described liquor in a cleer bright glass1 that the growing of the metals may be discerned through it2 and as soon as the prepared metals are taken out of the glass body1 they must be kept from the aire1 else they lose their growing vertue4 ,therefore thus dry they must be broken in pieces1 and laid in the bottom of the glass 7wherein the liquor is7 a fingers breadth one from another asunder1 and must not be laid together on a heap4 ,the glass must stand still in a quiet place1 and the metal will presently swell in it1 and thrust forth some bulks1 out of which branches and twigs do grow1 so finely1 that one shall admire at it2 and let none think that this growing serveth only for to please the eye1 for some special thing is hid in it2 for all sand or pebles1 although they be white1 invisibly containeth a hidden tincture or golden sulphur1 which none without experience will be able to believe2 for if for a time you digest the pure filings of lead in it1 there will gold come to stick to the outside thereof 7which gold may be washed off with water7 and the lead will look as if it were gilded4 ,which gold came from no where else but from the sand or pebles1 although they were white and clear1 so that it could not be perceived in them4 ,it sheweth also its meliorating vertue1 when the metals do grow therein1 and for a certain space of time are digested therewith4 ,for it may be seen apparently1 that the metals in the growing do increase from this liquor1 and attract what is for their turn2 which hence also may be perceived1 that when but as much as the bigness of a pea groweth therein1 it will grow twice or thrice as big1 which is worthy to be considered of4 ,also the pebles or sand-stones are the natural matrixes of metals1 and there appeareth a great sympathy between them1 especially between the unripe metals and them2 as if nature should say to such raw or unripe metals1 return into your mothers womb1 and stay there the due time1 till you have attained there to perfect ripeness1 for you were taken thence too soon against my will4 ,further1 out of this liquor there may be made a good borras to reduce the metals thereby4 ,there may be made also with this liquor fair glased and firm colours upon earthen vessels like unto ,porcellan or ,china4 ,also by boyling it with water1 a tender impalpable snow-white earth may be precipitated out of it1 whereof there may be made vessels like unto ,porcellan4 ,many other useful things may be brought to pass thereby in mechanical businesses1 needless here to relate4 ,also the unripe and volatile minerals may be fixed and ripened thereby1 so that not only they may be the fitter to be used in ,physick1 but also the volatile gold and silver contained in them may be saved thereby1 whereof more in the fourth part4 ,n4 ,b4 ,hither belongs also the process of the spirit of lead1 ,virgins-milk and ,dragons blood4 ,of the spirit of urine and of the volatile spirit of salt ,armoniack4 ,out of urine or salt ,armoniack1 a powerful and penetrating spirit may be made several wayes1 which not only is to be used in phisick for many diseases1 but is also found very useful in mechanical and chymical operations1 as followeth4 ,take of the urine of sound men living chast1 gather a good quantity together in a wooden vessel1 let it stand for its time to putrefy1 and distil a spirit thereof1 which afterward in a great glass retort with a wide neck must be rectified from calcined tartar1 and still that which cometh over first1 may be saved by it self1 and so the second and third also1 the strongest may be used for the preparing of metallical medicines1 and the weaker for a medicine alone by its self1 or else mingled with fit vehicles3 ,the salt which in the rectification cometh over with the strongest spirit2 may be put to the weakest1 to make it the stronger1 or else it may be saved by it self in a good strong glass4 ,but because the spirit of urine is tedious to make1 therefore ,i will shew1 how to get it easier out of salt ,armoniack4 ,the preparation is thus4 ,take of salt armoniack1 and lapis calaminaris1 and make each by it self into powder1 and then mix them together1 and cast of it into the red hot vessel at once no more than ss4 or i4 ,unto the vessel there must be applyed a great receiver3 for this spirit goeth with such a force and power1 that it were impossible to distil it in a retort without danger or loss1 for ,i broke more than one receiver with it1 before ,i did invent this instrument4 ,the spirits being well setled in the receiver1 cast in more of your mixture2 this continue so long till all your matter is cast in2 then take off the receiver1 and pour the spirit into a strong glass1 which must be well closed at the top1 but not with wax and a bladder1 because it softeneth the wax1 and doth penetrate through the bladder2 but first stop it with paper1 then melt ,lacca or sulphur1 and pour it upon it1 so that it come to be very well closed1 and then it will not be able to exhale1 or thou mayst get such glasses made1 as in the fifth part shall be taught1 for to keep all the subtle spirits in them1 for more security sake4 ,and this spirit1 if no water have been mixt with it in the receiver1 needeth no rectifying3 but he that will have it stronger yet1 may rectify it by a glass retort1 and so keep it for use4 ,and this is the best way to make a strong spirit out of salt armoniack3 the same may be done also1 by taking of filed ,zinck1 instead of lapis calaminaris3 also by adding of salt of tartar1 salt made of the ,lee of wood ashes1 unquencht lime1 and the like3 but the spirit is nothing near so strong 7although all those things may be done with it1 that are done with the former7 as that which is made with lapis calaminaris or ,zinck4 ,the process or the manner of making it1 is this3 ,take i4 of salt armoniack made into powder1 and as much of salt of tartar1 mix both together by the help of a lye made of tartar1 or only with common water1 so that all come to be like a pap1 and cast in one spoonful thereof at once1 into the distilling vessel1 then cast in more till you have spirit enough4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the salt of tartar may also be mixed dry with the salt ,armoniack without any lye or water1 and so distilled3 but it is not so good1 as when the mixture is tempered with lye or water3 for if it be cast in dry1 the spirit will come over in the form of a volatile salt3 but if the mixture have been moistened1 then most part thereof will come over like a fiery burning spirit3 ,in like manner also the mixture of ,lyme and salt ,armoniack may be tempered moist1 and it will yield more spirit than if it be distilled dry4 ,it may be asked3 why lapis calaminaris1 ,zinck and unquencht lyme1 calcined tartar1 salt of potashes1 fixed salt nitre or the like things prepared by the fire1 must be added unto salt ,armoniack1 and whether it be not as good to add some bolus1 or other earth 7as usually is done to other salts7 and so to distil a spirit of it8 ,to which ,i answer1 that there are two sorts of salt in salt ,armoniack1 viz4 a common acid salt1 and a volatile salt of urine1 which without mortifying of one of them1 cannot be separated3 for as soon as they feel the heat1 the volatile salt of urine carrieth the acid salt upwards1 and they both together yield a sublimate1 of the same nature and essence with common salt armoniack which is not sublimed1 onely it is purer than the common4 ,and no spirit would come over from it1 if it should be mingled with bole1 brick1 dust1 sand1 or any other strengthless earth1 and so distilled1 but the whole salt as it is of it self 7leaving its earthy substance behind7 would sublime thus dry3 but that it falleth out otherwise with the lapis calaminaris 7which is also like an earth7 so that a separation of the salts is wrought thereby1 and a volatile spirit cometh over2 the reason is1 that the lapis calaminaris and ,zinck are of such a nature1 that they have a great affinity with all acid things1 and do love them1 and are loved by them likewise 7whereof some mention hath been made in the first part7 so that the acid salt sticks to it in the warmth1 and uniteth it self with it1 and the volatile salt is set free1 and distilled into a subtle spirit2 which could not have been done1 if the acid salt had not been kept back1 by the lapis calaminaris or ,zink4 ,but that a spirit is distilled off by addition of fixed salts2 the reason is that fixed salts are contrary unto acid salts1 and 7if they get the uperhand7 do kill the same1 and rob them of their strength1 whereby those things which are mixed with them are freed from their bond3 and so it falls out here with salt armoniack1 that when by addition of a vegetable fixed salt1 the acidity of the salt armoniack is killed2 the salt of urine1 which formerly was bound therewith1 gets its former freedome and strength1 and being sublimed turns into a spirit4 ,which could not have been done1 if common salt had been added to the salt armoniack instead of salt of tartar2 for the salt of urine would thereby 7as by a far greater enemy7 be killed and kept back1 so that it could yield no spirit4 ,i thought fit to give notice hereof to the ignorant 7not for those1 who knew it before7 and to the unknowing it will do much good1 and that they may have a light for other labours3 for ,i have many times seen1 and see it still by daily experience1 that the most part of vulgar ,chymists1 whatsoever they do 7having got it either by reading1 seeing1 or hearing7 they hurle it over like botchers1 and are not able to give any solid reason1 why this or that must fall out in such or another manner1 not labouring to find out the natures and conditions of salts1 minerals1 and other materials1 but contenting themselves onely with the ,receipt1 saying this or that ,author hath written so1 and therefore it must be so1 whereas many times such books are patcht up out of all sorts of authors4 ,and those that stick to so many books1 will hardly ever come to get any good1 but are led out of one ,labyrinth into another1 spending their life miserably in watching and cares3 but if they would first seriously consider things1 and learn to know nature1 and then take their work in hand1 then they would sooner attain unto true knowledge2 and so much of this matter by the way4 ,i hope that he that hath been in error will be pleased with it1 and the knowing will not grudge to have it imparted to the ignorant4 ,that which remains after the distillation is done1 is also good for use2 if the addition have been of salt of tartar1 a melting powder may be made of it1 to reduce metals4 ,of lapis calaminaris or ,zinck1 yields per deliquium a clear1 white1 and heavy sharp oyl1 for the sharper part of salt armoniack1 which did not turn to spirit1 hath dissolved lapis calaminaris1 and is almost of the same vertues for external use in ,chyrurgery with that1 which above in the first part which was taught to be made out of lapis calaminaris1 and spirit of salt1 save only that this in the distilling doth not yield so strong a spirit as the other1 but onely yields a sharp sublimate4 ,of the use and vertue of the spirit of salt ,armoniack4 ,this spirit is of a sharp penetrating essence1 and of an airy1 moist1 and warm nature2 and therefore may with credit be used in many diseases1 #h1 #aj1 #ab4 7more or less7 drops thereof used in a convenient vehicle1 do immediately penetrate all the body over1 causing sudden sweating1 opening the obstructions of the spleen1 and dispersing and expelling many malignities by sweat and urine1 it cureth the quartane1 collick1 the suffocation of the ,matrix1 and many more diseases4 ,in brief1 this spirit is a safe1 sure1 and ready medicine for to disperse and expel all tough1 gross and venemous humors4 ,also1 this spirit acteth his part externally1 quenching all inflammations1 curing the ,erysipelas and ,grangrene2 it allayeth the pains of the gout1 clothes being dipt in it and applyed3 and although it draw blisters1 it matters not2 laid to the pulse1 it is good in ardent feavers1 it asswageth swellings and pains2 disscusseth congealed blood1 helpeth strained limbs1 and benummed nerves3 onely smelled unto1 it cureth the megrim1 and other ,chronical diseases of the head3 for it dissolveth the peccant matter1 and evacuateth it through the nostrils2 it restoreth the lost hearing1 being externally laid on with a little instrument fit for the purpose4 ,also in the obstructions of womens courses applyed by a fit instrument in a spiritual way1 openeth presently1 and cleanseth the womb1 and maketh women fruitful1 c4 ,mingled with common water1 and held in the mouth1 asswageth the tooth-ach1 proceeding from sharp humors which are falln in the teeth4 ,a little of it applyed in a glister1 killeth the wormes in the body1 and allayeth the colick4 ,this spirit may also further be used to many other things1 especially by means thereof many pretious and effectual medicaments may be made out of metals and minerals1 whereof some shall be described as followeth4 ,n4 ,b4 ,there is yet another matter1 which is found every where and at all times1 and is to be got by every one without distillation and charges1 and is as good for the abovesaid diseases1 as the distilled spirit1 and if all men knew it1 there would not be found every where so many sick people1 nor so many ,doctors and ,apothecaries4 ,to distill a blood red oyl of vitriol by the help of the spirit of urin4 ,dissolve ,hungarian or other good vitriol in common water1 and let it run through a filtring paper1 pour of this spirit upon it so much1 till all the green be vanisht1 and the water be made clear1 and a yellow sulphur be settled3 then pour off the clear1 and the rest which is muddy1 pour together in a filtrum1 that the moisture may run off1 and the earth of the vitriol remain in the paper1 which you must dry1 and distil to a blood-red oyl1 which will open the obstructions of the whole body1 and perfectly cure the epilepsie4 ,the clear water must be evaporated dry1 and there will remain a salt1 which being distilled1 yields a wonderful spirit4 ,before it be distilled1 it is a specificum purgans1 whereof #h4 #aj4 #ab4 to #bd4 grains taken1 may safely be used in all diseases4 ,the ,tincture of ,vegetables4 ,spices1 seeds or flowers being extracted therewith and digested and distilled1 the essence of them will come over with it1 in the form of a red oyl4 ,vitriol of copper4 ,if you pour it upon calx of copper1 made by often heating the ,copper red hot and quenching it again1 it will extract within an hours time a fair blew colour1 and having dissolved as much thereof as it can pour it off and let it shoot in a cold place1 and you will get a fair sky coloured vitriol1 a small quantity whereof will cause strong vomits2 the rest of the vitriol remaineth a blew oyl1 good to be used in ulcers4 ,the ,tincture of crude ,tartar4 ,if you take common crude tartar1 and pour of this spirit upon it1 and set it in digestion1 the spirit will extract a blood-red tincture1 and if the spirit be abstracted from it1 there will remain a pleasant red oyl1 of no small vertue and power4 ,to make the oyls or liquors of salts4 ,this spirit also dissolveth crystals and other stones1 they being first dissolved1 precipitated and reduced to impalpable powders1 turning them into oyles and liquors1 good to be used in ,alchymy and ,physick4 ,to precipitate all metals with it4 ,any metal being dissolved in an acid spirit may be precipitated better and purer therewith1 than with the liquor of the salt of tartar2 for ,aurum fulminans which is precipitated with it fulminateth far stronger than if it were done with oyl of tartar4 ,r4 ,some juyce of ,lemon and mix it with the solution of gold1 before it be precipitated1 and then not all the gold will precipitate1 but some of it will remain in the solution1 and in time many small green stones 7not unlike unto common vitriol7 will appear2 which in a small dose will purge all noxious humors4 ,the oyl and vitriol of silver4 ,if you dissolve silver in ,aqua fortis1 and pour so much of this spirit into it till it ceaseth to make a noise1 some of the silver will precipitate in the form of a black powder1 the rest of the silver remaineth in the liquor3 the phlegm abstracted from it in ,balneo1 till it get a skin at the top1 and then set into a cool place1 there will grow white crystals in it1 which being taken out and dryed are a good purge in madness1 dropsie1 feavers and other diseases1 safely and without danger to be used to young and old4 ,the rest of the liquor which did not crystallise may be extracted with spirit of wine1 and the fces being cast away the extraction will be pleasanter4 ,the spirit of wine abstracted from it1 there will remain a medicine of no small value in all diseases of the brain4 ,to extract a red ,tincture out of ,antimony or common sulphur4 ,boyl sulphur or ,antimony made into powder in a ,lixivium of salt of tartar1 till it turn red1 and pour this spirit upon it1 and distill gently in a ,balneum1 and there will come over a fair tincture with the volatile spirit1 silver anointed therewith will be guilt1 though not lastingly4 ,it serveth for all diseases of the lungs4 ,how to ripen ,antimony and common sulphur1 so that several sorts of such smels1 as vegetables have1 arise from thence4 ,dissolve ,antimony or sulphur in the liquor of pebles or sand1 coagulate the solution to a red mass2 upon this mass pour spirit of urin1 and let it extract in a gentle warmth4 ,the spirit being coloured red1 pour it off1 and pour on other spirit1 let it extract likewise1 and this you must iterate so often1 till the spirit will extract no more tincture2 then pour all the extracts together and abstract the spirit of urin from it in ,balneum through a limbeck1 and there will remain a blood red liquor1 and if you pour upon this spirit of wine it will extract a fairer tincture then the former was1 leaving the fces behind1 and this tincture smelleth like garlick3 and if it be digested three or four weeks in a gentle warmth1 it will get a very pleasant smel1 like unto the yellow prunes or plums3 and if it remain longer yet in digestion1 it will get a smel not inferior to musk and ambar2 ,this tincture having been digested a long time1 and got several smels1 is not only notably by the fire increased in pleasantness of smel and taste1 but also in vertue3 for so many and various sweet smels are perceived in it1 that it is to be admired1 which variety and exaltation proceedeth only from the pure and ripening spirit of urin1 for there is hid in it a fire1 which doth not destroy but preserve and graduate all colours1 whereof in another place more shall be said4 ,n4 ,b4 ,betwixt the spirit of urin and the animal and mineral ,copper there appeareth a great sympathy2 for it doth not only love copper above all other metals1 and mingleth easily with it1 and maketh it extraordinary fair1 and of good use in ,physick1 but it prepareth it also to such a medicine1 whereby all venerous sores 7both by inward and outward use7 how deep so ever they took root in the blood1 without the use of any other medicaments1 are perfectly cured2 it maketh fruitful and barren1 according as it is used2 it cleanseth the matrix1 hindreth the rising thereof1 and miraculously furthereth womens courses that have been stayed1 above all other medicaments of what name soever4 ,if this spirit be mingled with the volatile 7but not corrosive7 spirit of vitriol or common salt there will come a salt out of it1 which is inferior to none in fusibleness1 and useful both in ,alchymy and ,physick4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the liquor of the salt ,of tartar1 and the spirit of wine do not mix without water1 this being the mean partaking of both of their natures1 and if you add unto it spirit of urin it will not mingle but keep its own place3 so that these three sorts of liquors1 being put in the same glass1 and though they be shaked never so much will not incorporate for all that3 the liquor of the salt of tartar keepeth to the bottom1 next to it will be the spirit of urin1 and on the top of that is the spirit of wine3 and if you pour a distilled oyl upon it1 that will keep uppermost of all1 so that you may keep four sorts of liquors in one glass1 whereof none is mingled with the other4 ,although this be of no great profit1 yet it serveth for to learn thereby the difference of spirits4 ,of the spirit and oyl of ,harts-horn4 ,take ,harts-horn1 cut it with a saw into pieces1 of the bigness of a finger1 and cast in one at a time into the aforesaid distilling vessel1 and when the spirits are settled1 then another1 and continue this until you have spirits enough3 and the vessel being filled with the pieces that were cast in1 take them out with the tongs1 and cast in others1 and do this as often as is needful4 ,the distilling being finished1 take off the receiver1 and pour into it dephlegmed spirit of wine1 which will cleanse the volatile salt3 pour the oyl with the spirit and volatile salt through a filtring paper made wet first and lying in a glass funnel1 and the spirit of wine together with the spirit of ,harts-horn and the volatile salt will run through the paper1 and the blackish oyl will stay behind1 but it must quickly be poured out1 else it will pass through after them4 ,the spirit together with the volatile salt rectifie through a retort1 and the best part of the spirit will come over together with the spirit of wine and volatile salt2 and when the phlegme is coming1 take of the spirit1 which is come over1 that the naughty phlegm may not come amongst it2 keep it well1 for it is very volatile1 the oyl may be mingled with salt of tartar1 and rectified by a glass retort1 and so it will be clear2 if you will have it fairer1 you must rectify it with spirit of salt4 ,the first1 which is done with salt of ,tartar1 is of more vertue2 it cureth the ,quartane1 and provoketh sweat extremly1 cureth all internal wounds and pains1 which were caused by falls1 blows1 or other wayes3 #f1 or #h4 #aj1 to #bj4 drops of it taken in wine and sweated upon it in the bed4 ,the spirit is very good for all obstructions of the whole body1 from ss4 to ss4 therefore taken in a fit vehicle1 provoketh urine1 and forceth down womens courses1 it cleanseth the blood and maketh sweat mightily4 ,in the ,plague1 ,pox1 ,leprosie1 ,scurvy1 ,melancholia ,hypochondriaca1 malignant ,feavers1 and the like where sweating is necessary1 it proveth a rare medicine4 ,to make the spirit of mans hair an excellent medicine4 ,after the same manner you may make spirits out of all kind of horns and claws of beasts3 but since by reason of their ill smel the use of them is not liked of 7though in several heavy diseases1 as in the fits of the mother and ,epilepsie1 they do admirably well37 therefore ,i will acquiesce4 ,however it is worth observing1 that the spirit made of mans hair is not to be rejected in metallical operations1 for it dissolveth common sulphur1 and reduceth it into a milk1 which by further ripening may be turned into blood1 the like whereunto no spirit is able to do4 ,the same spirit may also of it self1 without addition of sulphur be fixed into a ruby2 but that which is ripened with sulphur is the better2 and if it be brought so far by the fire1 that it have lost its stink1 and be made fixed than it will be able sufficiently to pay for the pains and coals bestowed upon it4 ,n4 ,b4 ,hither belongeth the ,process to pour dissolved metals upon filed hartshorn1 and so to distil them4 ,of the oyl of ,ambar4 ,ambar yeildeth a very pleasant oyl and of great vertue especially the white ,ambar3 the yellow is not so good1 and the black is inferior to this2 for by reason of its impurity it cannot be well used inwardly2 and there cometh over also along with it a volatile salt and an acid water1 which must be seperated2 the water 7for ought that ,i know7 is of little vertue2 the salt if it be sublimed from the salt of ,tartar and purified1 is a good diuretick1 and in the ,stone and the ,gout1 may successfully be used both inwardly and outwardly4 ,the oyl if it be rectified1 especially that which comes over first1 is an excellent medicine against the ,plague1 ,epilepsy1 rising of the ,mother and ,megrim1 #f1 #h1 #aj1 to #bj4 drops being taken thereof at once1 and the nostrils also being anoynted therewith for to smell to it2 and it is to be observed1 that when it is rectified with spirit of salt1 it proveth much clearer1 than done by it self without addition3 but if it be rectified with salt of tartar1 it is of much more vertue1 though it fall not so clear1 as that which is done by spirit of salt4 ,n4,b4 ,if it be rectified from a strong ,aqua ,regia having before once already been rectified with spirit of salt1 it will turn so subtle1 that it is able to dissolve iron or copper in some sort1 and to reduce them into good medicines2 and in this second rectification by ,aqua ,regia all will not come over1 but part of it will be coagulated by the corrosive water1 so that it turneth thick1 like unto mastich1 which in the warmth is soft1 and may be handled with owns fingers like wax1 but in the could it is so hard1 that it may be broken and made into powder1 and glistereth like gold4 ,of the oyl of soot4 ,of the soot1 which is taken from ,chimneys1 where nothing is burnt but wood1 there may be distilled a sharp volatile salt and a hot oyl4 ,the salt is in vertue not unlike unto that which is made of harts-horn or ambar1 and it quencheth inflammation1 from what cause so ever it do proceed3 ,the oyl may without rectification externally be used very successfully for all loathsome scabs1 and for a scald head1 c4 ,but if it be rectified1 as hath been taught to be done with the oyl of ,tartar1 of ,ambar1 and of ,hartshorn2 then it may safely be used inwardly1 as the above written oyls are used2 for it doth as well as these1 yea better in some special cases4 ,how to make a good oyl out of soot without distilling4 ,boyl the soot in common watter1 till the water turn blood red 7urin is better than water7 and set this solution 7being in an earthen pot7 in winter time into the greatest frost so long till all in the pot be frozen into one piece and turned white3 then break the pot and the ice1 and in the midst thereof you will find the hot oyl unfrozen and liquid in colour like blood1 which is not much inferior in vertue unto that which is distilled1 yet afterward it may be rectified1 and so exalted in its vertue1 when you please1 and it is to be noted1 that this separation doeth only succeed in the greatest frost and cold1 and not else4 ,of the spirit and oyl of honey4 ,of honey there may be made a subtle spirit and a sowre vinegar1 if it be mingled with twice as much of pure calcined sand and so distilled2 and it falleth much better yet if it be made with the flores of ,antimony1 which were taught to be made in the first part1 whereby the spirit is increased in its vertue1 and its running over hindred thereby2 and so distilling it1 there will come over a pleasant spirit1 a sharp vinegar and some red oyl also1 which must be seperated3 the spirit after the rectification inwardly used is good in all diseases of the lungs4 ,it openeth and inlargeth the ,breast1 strengthneth the ,heart1 takes away all obstructions of the ,liver and ,spleen2 it dissolveth and expelleth the ,stone1 resisteth all putrefaction of the ,blood2 preserveth from1 and cureth the ,plague2 all ,agues1 ,dropsies1 and many other diseases1 daily used from j4 to j4 taken with distilled water proper for the diseases3 the sower vinegar coloureth hair and nails as yellow as gold3 it cureth the itch and scabs of the skin2 it cleanseth and healeth old and new wounds1 they being bathed and washed therewith4 ,the red oyl is too strong to be used of it self1 it may be mingled with the subtle spirit which came over first and so used1 and the spirit will be exalted thereby in its vertue4 ,of the oyl and spirit of sugar4 ,in the same manner as hath been taught of honey1 there is also made a spirit and oyl of sugar1 viz4 adding pure sand to it2 or 7which is better7 of the flores of ,antimony1 and then according to the rules of ,art one spoonful after the other of this mixture cast in1 it will yeild a yellow spirit1 and a little red oyl1 which after the distillation must be digested in ,balneo so long together1 till the spirit have assumed the oyl and be turned thereby very red in colour2 it needeth not to be rectified1 but may daily be used either by it self1 or with such vehicles as are proper for your purpose2 in all it is like in virtue unto that which was made of honey2 yet this of sugar is more pleasant than the other2 it reneweth and restoreth all the blood in man1 in regard that it received great vertue from the diaphoretical flores of ,antimony2 and this spirit may fitly be used in all diseases1 it can do no hurt1 neither in cold nor hot diseases2 it doth help nature mightily1 and doth so much good1 that it is almost beyond belief4 ,especially if for a time it be used daily from j4 to j4 ,the residue of it is black1 and may be kept for the same use again1 viz4 for an addition to other honey or sugar1 or else you may sublime it again into flores in the furnace described in the first part1 or in the furnace described in the fourth part of this book1 with an addition of iron or tartar1 or salt nitre1 reduces it into a ,regulas1 c4 ,to distil an excellent spirit and a blood red tincture of corals and sugar4 ,if you mix sugar with red corals made into powder and distil it1 there will besides the spirit come over a blood-red tincture like a heavy oyl1 which is to be joyned with the spirit by digestion in ,balneo1 and it will be as vertuous as that which was made with ,antimony diaphoreticum4 ,it doth perfectly and lastingly cure the epilepsie in young and old2 it cleanseth the blood from all filth1 so that the ,leprosie together with its several species may be cured thereby1 c4 ,its use is the same as was taught above of the ,antimonized spirit of sugar4 ,of the spirit of ,muste or new ,wine4 ,take sweet ,must or juice of grapes1 as soon as it is squeezed out1 boyl it to the consistency of honey- and then mix it with sand1 corals1 or 7which is better7 with flores of ,antimony1 and so distill it1 and it will yield such another spirit as that which is made of honey or sugar1 only that this is somewhat tarter than that of honey4 ,with honey1 sugar and the juice of grapes1 several metals may be dissolved in boyling and so prepared and made up into divers medicaments1 both with and without distillation1 after the same manner as was taught above with tartar3 for honey1 sugar1 and the juice of grapes1 are nothing else but a sweet salt1 which by fermentation and addition of some sower thing1 may be changed into a sower ,tartar1 in all like unto that which is gathered in the wine vessels4 ,there may be made also a tartar out of cherries1 pears1 apples1 figs1 and all other fruit1 yielding a sweet juice2 as also of rye1 wheat1 oats1 barley and the like1 whereof in the third part more shall be said4 ,for every sweet liquor of vegetables1 if it be turned inside out1 by fermentation may be changed to a natural sowre tartar2 and it is utterly false1 that 7as some do suppose7 only wine yields tartar1 which by daily use made of it by those that have very hungry stomachs 7like ,woolves7 indistinctly together with the nourishment went into the limbs1 and there turned to a stony matter4 ,if this were true1 than in cold ,countries1 where no wine groweth1 men would not be troubled with the ,gout or ,stone2 the ,contrary whereof is seen daily3 though ,i must confess1 that among all vegetables none yeildeth more than the vine1 the concurrent acidity being the cause thereof2 for it turneth the sweetness into tartar2 for the sowrer the wine is1 the more tartar it yieldeth2 and so much the sweeter1 so much the less tartar4 ,by this discourse an industrious ,chymist may easily come to know the original nature and properties of tartar1 and in default of wine1 how to make it out of other vegetables2 common salt or the salt of tartar may be distilled with honey1 sugar1 or sodden wine 7sapa7 and it will yield such strong spirits1 that metals may be dissolved with them1 and they are not to be despised in ,physick and ,alchymy4 ,of oyl ,olive4 ,out of oyls made by expression 7as oyl olive1 rape oyl1 wallnut oyl1 hempseed oyl1 linseed oyl1 and the like7 there may be distilled a penetrating oyl1 useful both out wardly and inwardly1 which is done thus3 ,take common potters clay not mingled with sand1 frame little bals of it1 as big as a pigeons or hens-egg1 burn them 7but not too strong7 to a hard stone1 so that they may attract the oyl2 and when they are no more quite red-hot1 but pretty hot1 then throw them into oyl olive which is the best2 let them lye in it1 till they be quite full and drunk of the oyl1 which will be done in two or three hours 7some cast them red hot into the oyl1 but amiss1 because the oyl contracts thence an ,empyreuma7 then take them out1 and cast in one or two of them at once into your distilling-vessel made red-hot1 and let it go2 and within a while after cast in one or two more1 and continue this till you have oyl enough4 ,if the vessel be full of the bals1 take them out with the tongs or ladle1 that you may proceed without let in your distillation1 and in this manner you need not fear the breaking of your retort or receiver1 or the burning of your oyle4 ,the distillation being performed take off your receiver1 pour the oyl that came over into a glass retort1 and rectify it from calcined ,allome or ,vitriol1 and the ,allome will keep back the blackness and stink1 and so the oyl will come over clear1 which must be yet rectified once or twice more with fresh calcined ,allome1 according to the intensness of penetrating which you look for2 that which cometh over first1 ought still to be caught by it self1 and you will get a very fair1 bright and clear oyl1 which is very subtle2 but that which cometh after is somewhat yellow1 and not so penetrating neither as the first2 and therefore it is but for external use to extract flores and herbs therewith1 and to make pretious balsams for cold and moyst sores4 ,also you may dissolve with it ,amber1 ,mastick1 ,myrrh1 and the like attractive things1 and with ,wax and ,colophony reduce it to a plaster1 which will be very good in venemous sores and boyls1 for to attract the poyson1 and to heal them out of hand4 ,if you dissolve in it common yellow sulphur made into powder1 you will get a blood red balsom1 healing all manner of scabs1 and other like defects of the skin2 especially when you add to it purified verdegrease1 and in hot sores ,saccharum ,saturni1 which in a gentle heat and by continual stirring about do easily melt and mingle therewith4 ,it needeth not to be done in glasses1 but may be done in an ordinary earthen pot or pipkin4 ,the use of the blessed oyl4 ,the first and clear is of a very penetrating nature3 some drops thereof given in some ,aqua vit1 presently stays the collick1 proceeding from winds that could not be vented2 as also the rising of the mother1 the navil being anointed therewith3 and a cold humour being faln upon the nervs1 whereby they are lamed2 if you do but anoint them with this oyl1 and rub it in with warm hands1 it will quickly restore them1 and therefore in regard of its present help1 may well be called ,oleum sanctum4 ,if you extract plates of iron or copper with this oyl1 it will turn deep red or green1 and is a soveraign remedy for to warm and dry up all cold and watery sores4 ,it consumeth allso all superfluous moisture in ,wounds and ulcerous ,sores1 as also all other excrescencies of the skin3 it healeth tettars and scald-heads1 and other like defects proceeding from superfluous cold and moisture4 ,you may also dissolve in it ,euphorbium and other hot gums1 and use them against great frost1 for what limb soever is anointed therewith1 no frost how great soever can do it any hurt4 ,the balsames made with gum or sulphur may be also distilled by a retort1 and in some cases they are more useful than the undistilled balsame4 ,of the oyl of ,wax4 ,in the same manner may be distilled also the oyl of wax1 the use whereof is in all like unto the former2 and for all cold infirmities of the nerves1 this is found more effectual yet than the former4 ,a ,spirit good for the ,stone4 ,out of stones which are found in grapes1 there may be distilled a sowre spirit1 which is a certain and specifical remedy for the stone in the kidneys and bladder1 and also for all pains of the gout4 ,it is not onely to be used internally1 but also externally1 wetting clothes in it1 and applying them to the places affected1 and it will asswage and drive away the pains4 ,of the spirit or acid oyl of ,sulphur4 ,to reduce sulphur into a sowre spirit or oyl hath been sought hitherto by many1 but found by few4 ,most of them made it in glass-bells1 but got very little that way2 for the glasses being quickly hot1 could not hold the oyl1 so that it went away in a smoak4 ,some thought to get it by distilling1 others by dissolving1 but none of all these would do the feat4 ,which is the reason why now-adayes it is found almost no where right1 and in the ,drugsters and ,apothecaries shops they usually sell oyl of ,vitriol instead of it1 which by far is not to be compared in vertue to the oyl of sulphur4 ,for this is not onely of a far pleasanter sowre taste1 but in efficacy also much exceeds the other4 ,and therefore being of so great use both in ,physick and ,alchymy1 as in all hot diseases1 mingling the patients drink therewith1 till it get a pleasant sowre tast1 for to quench the intolerable drowth1 to strengthen the stomach1 to refresh the lungs and the liver3 ,also externally for to cure the gangreen3 ,also for to ,chrystallise some metals thereby1 and to reduce them into pleasant vitriols1 useful as well in ,alchymy as ,physick3 ,i thought good to set down the preparation1 though it be not done in this our distilling furnace1 but in another way by kindling and burning it as followeth4 ,make a little furnace with a grate1 upon which a strong crucible must be fastned resting on two iron bars1 and it is to be ordered so that the smoak be conveighed 7not above by the crucible1 but7 through a pipe at the side of the furnace3 the crucible must be filled with sulphur even to the top2 and by a coal-fire without flame be brought to burn and kept burning4 ,over the burning sulphur1 a vessel is to be applyed of good stony earth like unto a flat dish with an high brim1 wherein is alwayes cold water to be kept1 and whereunto the burning sulphur doth flame3 which thus burning1 its fatness consumeth1 and the acid last is freed and sublimed to the cold vessel1 where it is dissolved by the air1 and in the form of a sharp oyl runs from the hollow vessel into the receiver1 which must be taken off sometime1 and more sulphur supplyed instead of that which hath been consumed1 to the end that the sulphur may still burn in the crucible3 and beat with the flame to the cold head3 and within few dayes you will get a great quantity of oyl1 which else by the 7campana7 glass-bell in many weeks could not have been done4 ,n4 ,b4 ,such a sowre spirit or oyl may also be got by distillation together with the flores1 viz4 thus3 ,if you take pieces of sulphur as big as hens eggs1 and cast them one after another into the hot distilling vessel1 a sowre oyl together with flores1 will come over into the receiver1 which must with water be separated out of the flores1 and the water abstracted from it again in a cucurbit1 and in the bottome of your glass body you will find the oyl1 which in vertue and taste is equal to the former1 but you get nothing near so much in quantity by this way1 and if you do not look for the oyl1 you may leave it with the flores1 which by reason of their pleasant acid taste are much toothsomer to take than the ordinary ones4 ,to the ,courteous ,reader4 ,thus ,i conclude this second part2 ,i could have set down more medicinal processes in this ,treatise3 but having as many as will be a sufficient guide for the distilling of other things also1 ,i thought it good here to acquiesce2 and whatsoever hath been here omitted1 shall be supplyed in the following parts4 ,,finis4 ,illustration3 ,fig3 ,i ,fig3 ,,ii ,fig3 ,,iii ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces3 ,in which is described the ,nature of the ,third ,furnace2 by the help whereof1 and that without ,stills1 and ,caldrons1 and other ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 and ,leaden ,instruments1 various ,vegetable burning ,spirits1 ,extracts1 ,oyls1 ,salts1 c4 by the help of a certain little ,copper ,instrument1 and ,wooden ,vessels are made for ,chymical and ,medicinal ,uses4 ,a ,preface of the ,copper ,instrument and ,furnace4 ,now this ,instrument is made of strong ,copper plates after the following manner4 ,you must make two strong hemispheares of ,copper or ,latten of the bigness of a mans head 7or thereabout7 and join them together with a most strong soder1 and that without tin1 whereof the one must have a pipe3 ,now the pipe must be of a most exact roundness1 that it may most accurately fit the hole that is made with an auger or wimble to keep the water from flowing out like to a tap1 of the length of one span at least1 wider on the hinder part towards the globe1 than on the forepart1 which also must be according to the bigness of the globe1 greater or lesser1 and be exactly joined with the best soder to its hemisphear1 and the diameter of the forepart being very round like a tap1 and most exactly filling the round hole must be of two fingers breath4 ,now there is required to the foresaid instrument or globe1 a certain peculiar little furnace made of iron or copper1 viz4 most strong copper plates1 covered within with stones or the best lute1 into which is put that globe like a retort1 so that it may ly upon two iron bars of the distance of a span1 or span and half from the grate2 the neck whereof 7that pipe7 goeth forth of the furnace one span at least4 ,the furnace also must have below a place for the ashes1 and above a cover with its hole for the letting forth of the smoke1 and for regulating the fire1 as you may see by the annexed figure4 ,it must also below have a treefoot1 on which the furnace must be set1 and on the sides two handles by the help whereof it may be removed from place to place2 the which is very necessary2 for it is not only used for the distilling of burning spirits by wooden ,vessels instead of copper1 but also for such distillation1 and digestion that is performed in gourds1 bolt-heads1 and other instruments of glass1 stone1 copper1 tin1 c4 which are to be set in ,balneo3 also in the boyling of beer1 metheglin1 wine1 and other drinks1 which are to be performed by the help of wooden ,vessels4 ,of ,wooden ,instruments that are to be used instead of ,stills1 ,baths1 and ,cauldrons4 ,in the first ,figure1 ,a represents the ,furnace with a ,copper ,globe4 ,b4 ,the ,copper ,globe4 ,c4 ,the distilling ,vessel4 ,d4 ,the ,refrigeratory with a ,worm4 ,e4 ,the ,receiver4 ,f4 ,stools on which the ,vessels stand4 ,the ,second1 ,a ,balneum with a ,cover having ,holes in it for the ,glasses1 set upon a ,tree-foot4 ,the ,third1 ,a ,wooden ,vessel for the making of ,beer4 ,the ,fourth1 ,a ,tub for a moist ,bath1 which is to be warmed by the ,copper ,globe4 ,the ,fifth1 ,a wooden ,box for a dry ,bath to provoke sweat with ,volatile ,spirits4 ,in the first place ,i shall speak of wooden ,vessels that are to be used instead of ,copper stills1 in the distilling of burning spirits out of wine1 beer1 lees1 malt1 wheat1 meal1 roots1 hearbs1 flowers1 seeds1 and other vegetables1 as also oyls of vegetables4 ,see that thou hast an oken barrel1 like to those wherein wine and beer are kept1 of a just bigness1 viz4 answerable to the bigness of the globe1 as is sufficient for the coction3 for a barrel that is too big will make the coction slow1 and tedious4 ,a greater globe may be fitted to a lesser barrel1 but not on the contrary1 a great barrel to a little globe3 ,for by how much the bigger the globe is1 and the less the barrel1 so much the sooner is the work hastned4 ,now seeing that this ,art was invented for the saving of costs1 which otherwise would have been expended in providing of stils1 cauldrons1 furnaces1 c4 it is best not to have too great a globe1 which requires a greater furnace1 and is more hardly to be carryed1 because it is to be covered within with lute1 or a wall2 for it is sufficient if it be big enough for the coction4 ,wherefore ,i will give you a just and due proportion of both1 viz4 of the globe1 and vessel1 which in distillations and other operations1 the curteous reader may imitate4 ,a globe of the bigness of a mans head1 containing three or four cannes1 whereof each containeth four pints1 is sufficient for the heating of a barrel of #cj1 #dj1 #ej1 #fj4 and #ajj gallons1 which by how much the more remote from #ajj and nearer to #cj1 so much the sooner is it heated1 and the coction furthered2 and on the contrary1 by how much the nearer it is to #ajj and more remote from #cj1 so much the slower is the coction4 ,i do not therefore advise that a huge barrel be chosen for a small globe1 by reason of a long and tedious operation3 ,and if all and every thing be not so accurately observed to a hair1 yet it matters not much1 because it sufficeth to do the same thing by the help of one small copper instrument of divers forms4 ,for in this way of distilling1 wooden vessels that are requisite to the distilling of spirits1 and boyling of ,bear1 and for baths are more easily provided1 then so many copper vessels in the common way4 ,for by this means not only costs are spared1 but also it is in stead of building of furnaces1 because when any barrel hath been used1 you may remove it1 and set another in the place of it for another operation1 the which cannot be done with stills and cauldrons fastened into a furnace4 ,and this invention is for those that want ,artificers1 as ,coppersmiths1 c4 because wooden instruments are more easily provided3 also by the help of this globe may most secret operations be performed4 ,for the furnace with the copper globe may be built in one place1 and in another place the ,balneum1 viz4 the places divided with a wall1 so that he that looks to the fire may not know what is done in the ,elaboratory2 for oftentimes the care of the fire is committed to heedless servants1 that break glass instruments by their carelesseness1 by which means oftentimes a most pretious medicine is lost2 which danger this invention is without4 ,wherefore this copper globe with its wooden vessels is more convenient then those copper stills and cauldrons4 ,but this ,i would have thee know that this new invented distillation is slower1 then the common way which is performed by stills1 and consequently requires a long fire4 ,i desire therefore the rich that dwell in large and spacious houses1 that they would use the old way of distilling2 but the poor1 who have but little houshold conveniences1 and the covetous1 that they would use this little copper globe with its wooden vessels3 for although there be a longer fire required1 yet these are not to be compared to those costs which are otherwise expended upon so many copper vessels of so many divers forms4 ,let him therefore keep to his copper vessels1 who cannot understand me1 for it concernes not me4 ,without doubt there are some whom this my new invented way of distilling will please1 before other1 being communicated for the sake of the poor labouring house-keepers1 that cannot boyl ,beer1 and distill burning spirits for lack of vessels3 for a globe of five or four pound is more easily provided1 then other copper vessels of #fj1 #hj1 #ajj pound3 also those wooden vessels are more easily provided than furnaces1 which some for want of place only cannot build4 ,choose therefore which way thou wilt1 for these things which ,i have wrote1 ,i have wrote for the poors sake rather than for the rich4 ,certainly rich men that have spacious ,elaboratories need not to be ashamed to follow this way1 for it is free for every man to go a shorter way1 unless they had rather prefer the old way before a new and compendious1 whom ,i cannot help1 being contented with a publication which is made for the sake of my neighbour1 whether it be taken well or ill1 with a good minde1 certainly knowing that more profit then disprofit may be obtained by the help thereof4 ,it shall not therefore repent him of his labor1 who knows rightly to prepare and use this copper1 and wooden vessels4 ,there follows now the preparation of the vessel4 ,the vessel being made is to be placed with one bottom1 upon a stool that is fitted for it1 which being done1 make a hole with a wimble neer the bottom1 for the receiving of the neck of the copper globe1 which is to be covered over with a linnen cloth3 make also about the lower bottom another hole for a tap1 by the help whereof the remainder of the distillation is drawn forth3 also you must make a large hole in the upper bottom1 the diameter whereof must be one span for to pour in the water to be distilled1 with a funnel4 ,also there must be made a hole near the upper bottom of two or three fingers breadth1 into which is to be put a copper pipe of a span long1 which is to be fastened closely therein2 and to this pipe another oaken vessel with a copper worm and cold water like to other refrigeratories1 must be applyed4 ,also the joints of the aforesaid short pipe1 viz4 of the first barrel1 and of the second barrel1 viz4 the refrigeratory must be straightly1 and closely united together1 which afterward may be the better joyned together with a fit lute for the distilling4 ,and this is the form and fashion of the wooden vessel1 that is to be used in the place of copper vessels1 in the distilling of burning spirits and oyls4 ,but thou wilt object that these kind of wooden vessels are porous1 and drink up great part of the spirit and oyls4 ,i answer2 none of the spirits seeketh a violent passage out1 in case the ways be open4 ,there is no danger therefore1 when there is passage enough given them by a pipe that is wide enough4 ,neither doth oyl stick to them in distillation1 for whatsoever is by force of the boyling water to be separated from the spices1 and seeds that also is sublimable by the force of the seething water1 so as to distill in1 so that in the refrigeratory no more is lost than in the stills4 ,distillation being made1 the aforesaid spirits may be rectified in these wooden vessels1 7being first washed7 as well as in copper stills4 ,the making of a wooden vessel for a ,balneum1 which is to be used in stead of copper and leaden ,cauldrons for digestion1 and distillation by glass vessels4 ,make an oaken vessel as big or as little as you please1 according to the greatness1 or littleness1 multitude1 or fewness of the vessels1 of two or three spans high1 a little narrower above then below1 and so fashioned above1 that a cover of wood1 copper1 or lead1 may most closely be joyned to it3 the cover must have holes greater or lesser1 according to the glasses1 as is wont to be in the making of a ,balneum1 as you may see by the annexed figure4 ,this vessel also must be placed upon a stool of the height of an ell1 or such height as is required for the joyning of the copper globe with the ,balneum1 which must have a hole near the lower bottom1 for the receiving of the neck of the aforesaid globe4 ,in defect of such a vessel1 which yet you may provide easily enough1 take a wine or bear vessel divided in the middle1 and make a hole near the bottom for the neck of the globe1 make also a wooden cover with holes1 c4 ,he that will be curious may provide all things according to the best ,art4 ,a wooden vessel serving for boyling of bear1 metheglin1 vinegar1 c4 as well as copper1 iron1 and tin vessels4 ,make a wooden vessel1 which shall be more high than broad1 a little wider above than below1 as you please3 or take a wine or bear barrel divided in the middle1 and near the bottom make a hole for the neck of the globe1 which is to be covered with boards1 which serves as well for the boyling of bear1 c4 as those of copper4 ,a wooden vessel for a bath for sweet1 or mineral water1 which may be according as you please1 kept warm1 for the preserving of health4 ,make a long wooden tub convenient to sit in1 which is to be set upon a stool of a just height1 viz4 that the bottom of the vessel may answer the neck of the globe which is put into the furnace3 you may also have a cover1 that may cover the whole tub1 which may be divided and united in that place where the head goes forth1 as appears by the annexed figure1 or you may cover it with a cloth1 laying it upon small crooked sticks fastned to the tub1 yet so that the head may have its liberty1 especially in a vaporous bath of common sweet1 or medicinal water2 or make a high wooden cover shutting very close1 for a dry sweat1 where it is no matter whether the head be shut in or no4 ,of the use of wooden vessels in distilling1 boyling1 bathing1 c4 ,and first of the distilling vessel4 ,he that will distill any burning spirit by help of the distilling vessel1 out of wine1 metheglin1 bear1 barley1 wheat1 meal1 apples1 pears1 cherries1 figs1 c4 also out of flowers1 seeds1 and other vegetables1 hath need so to prepare his materials1 that they may yield their spirit4 ,where ,i thought it convenient1 and indeed necessary to say something of the preparation of each vegetable1 for better information sake1 or else a profitable distillation is not to be expected1 but labour in vain to be feared4 ,and first of the preparation of the lees of wine1 bear1 hydromel1 and other drinks4 ,the lees of wine1 bear1 hydromel1 c4 have no need to be prepared1 because they do easily enough of themselves yield their spirit1 unless haply having lost all their humidity they be dryed1 which you may make moist again by the admixion of common water1 lest they be burnt in distilling stick to the vessel2 of which thing more in the distillation it self4 ,now flowers1 roots1 hearbs1 seeds1 fruits1 apples1 pears1 cannot be distilled without a foregoing preparation4 ,you must therefore first prepare them1 as followeth4 ,of the preparation of all kind of corn1 as ,wheat1 ,oats1 ,barly1 c4 which must go before the distilling of the spirit4 ,and first of all a malt must be made of the corn1 as it is wont to be in the making of bear4 ,now the manner of making of malt is known almost to all1 wherefore ,i need not speak much of that1 because in all places that have no wine1 there is scarce any house found in which ,malt and ,bear is not made1 as well in the country as cities4 ,but however1 there is a great deal of difference of making of it1 for a long knife doth not make a good ,cook1 nor all drinkers of wine are good planters4 ,for many have perswaded themselves1 that1 if they follow the footsteps of their fathers1 they have done well 7although they have been in an errour7 and being scornful1 refuse instruction4 ,wherefore something is to be said of the difference of malting4 ,although ,i never exercised the ,art of making ,beer1 yet ,i am certain ,i do in that excel all other ,distillers1 and ,brewers4 ,for ,i often saw1 and indeed with admiration1 the simplicity of many in their operations1 although common1 and dayly1 to whom though an age should be granted1 yet they would never be more thrifty1 being content with their ancient customes4 ,good ,god6 ,how perverse is the world1 where no body labours to find out any good1 neither is there any one that thinks of perfecting1 and amending things already found out3 ,where all things run to ruin1 and all manner of vice increase3 for now almost every one seeks only after riches by right or wrong2 for it is all one with them1 if they have them1 not thinking that things ill gotten shall perish1 and that the third heir shall not injoy them1 and that unjust riches shall devour those that have been honestly gotten1 with danger also of eternal damnation4 ,i pray you1 if our ,ancestors had been so negligent1 and had left nothing to us3 ,i pray you1 ,i say1 what ,arts and ,sciences should we have had now8 ,it is come to this pass now1 that vertues decrease1 and vices increase4 ,of the difference of malting4 ,the difference of malt1 by reason whereof it yields better or worse beer1 and spirit1 consists for the most part in the preparation thereof3 for being made after the vulgar way it retains its tast1 wherefore it cannot yield good spirit1 nor good beer1 which is observed of very few1 wherefore they could not draw forth good spirit out of corn1 but such as savours of the tast and smell of the malt4 ,which is not the fault of the corn1 but of the artificer not operating aright in the preparation of his malt1 in distilling and rectifying4 ,for if it were prepared a right in all things1 corn yields a very good spirit1 not unlike to that which is made out of the lees of wine1 in tast1 odour1 and other vertues4 ,which ,art1 although it be not known to all1 yet it doth not follow that it is impossible3 ,now ,i did not say that it is that common way1 whereby that spirit1 which is like to the spirit of wine1 is distilled1 but another which is more subtil1 and witty4 ,out of all vegetables is drawn a burning spirit1 yet such as is perceived by some difference of the tast1 and odour1 but that is not the spirits faults1 but of the vegetable1 as of hearbs1 seeds1 corn1 c4 communicating their vertues1 tast1 and odour to the spirit3 whence that spirit deserves to be called not simple1 but compounded1 for else all the burning spirit 7being rightly rectified from its flegm7 is made out of any thing1 having the same vertues with the spirit of wine1 although it seem improbable to some4 ,i do not deny that one simple may yield more or less sweet spirit than another4 ,for sweeter wines yields sweeter spirits3 ,also clear wine yields a sweeter spirit than the lees of wine1 although they come forth out of one and the same vessel3 ,for clarified wine1 and that which is separated from the fces yields a sweeter spirit than the ,lees1 and impure and heterogeneal sediment1 which corrupts the simple1 and sweet spirit1 with a strong tast and smell3 so that that may deservedly1 being as it were simple1 be preferred before this which is accidentally corrupted4 ,and this is to be understood of all other spirits4 ,what hath hitherto been said1 hath been spoken for the sakes of them1 who have perswaded themselves that they could not perform chymical operations so well by the spirit of corn1 as with the spirit of wine1 for ,i never found any difference of them in the extraction of minerals or vegetables4 ,let him therefore that can1 receive my opinion1 and experience1 seeing ,i will have nothing to do with contradicting ,carpers3 ,without hurt to others ,i dare not reveal the ,art of distilling a sweet spirit with great profit out of corn1 in all things like to that which is made of the fces of wine1 viz4 without the preparation or grinding of the malt1 which shall haply be 99 ,see ,explicat4 ,mirac4 ,mundi communicated elsewhere at some time or other4 ,for this ,book is not written for the publishing of secrets1 but of a new invented distillation4 ,but thou that wilt make a sweet burning spirit out of malt or honey2 know this1 that the corn must be brought after a certain peculiar manner into malt1 and lose its ungrateful savour before its distilling1 and fermenting1 or else after the wonted manner a certain ungrateful spirit will be drawn from thence1 that cannot be compared to the spirit of wine4 ,the whole ,art thereof consists in a true preparation2 for ungrateful things are by ,art brought into gratefulness1 and on the contrary grateful things are made ungrateful by negligence4 ,and thus much for information sake4 ,of the fermentation of ,malt4 ,take of ,malt ground in a ,mill as much as you please1 upon which in a wooden vessel set up right1 pour cold water1 as much as will moysten it1 and serve for mixtion and comminution2 then also pour as much warm water as will suffice for the making the mixture moist and thin1 and also warm2 for it must be neither hot nor cold3 which being done mix with it some new barm1 and cover it with a cloth1 and in a short space1 being exposed to heat1 it will begin to ferment 7wherefore the vessel is not to be filled to the top7 and leave it so long in fermentation1 until the mixture descends1 which for the most part is wont to be done the third day1 and the malt will be ready for distillation4 ,of the fermentation of ,honey4 ,neither hath honey any need of a singular ,art in its fermentation1 because being mixed with #f1 #g1 #h1 or #aj4 parts of warm water1 it is dissolved1 and unto the solution is added ferment1 as has been spoken concerning malt1 which afterward is left covered in some heat for to be fermented1 being fit for distillation when it becomes to wax hot4 ,now know that too great a quantity of honey makes a very slow fermentation1 viz4 of some weeks and months2 wherefore for acceleration sake1 ,i advise that a greater quantity of water be added2 although otherwise it yields plenty of spirits1 but ungrateful1 which therefore ,i advise nobody to distil as being unprofitable1 unless any one know how to take away the #aungratefulness thereof4 #a ,see the ,consolat4 of ,navigators4 ,of the preparation of ,fruits1 ,seeds1 ,flowers1 ,herbs1 ,roots1 c4 ,the fruits of trees1 as ,cherries1 ,plumbs1 ,apples1 ,pears1 ,figs1 ,juniper-berries1 ,elder-berries1 ,dwarf-elder1 and ,mulberries1 c4 are bruised in wooden vessels1 with wooden pestils2 and upon them being bruised1 is poured warm water1 and ferment added to quicken it1 as hath been above said of malt4 ,seeds are broken in a mill2 flowers1 hearbs and roots1 are cut small1 and are stirred up to fermentation by mixing of warm water1 and barm or yest4 ,an ,annotation4 ,before thou distil the aforesaid vegetables prepared by the help of fermentation1 diligently weigh1 and accurately observe whether the mixture be sufficiently fermented1 for sometimes there is too much cold1 or hot water put to it2 sometimes the vessel is not well covered1 by which means the cold air is let in1 whence the fermentation is hindred1 and consequently the distillation of the spirit3 ,for by the help of fermentation the burning spirit of the vegetables is set at liberty1 without which it cannot be done2 also the distillation is hindred by too much hast1 as well as by too much delay2 for if you begin to distill before the time1 viz4 fermentation not being yet perfected1 thou shalt have but few spirits2 wherefore also the better part is1 by many that are unskilful1 cast to the swine1 but without any great loss1 if the matter were malt1 because that swine are fed therewith2 but not so if other vegetables were the matter of the distillation4 ,also too much slowness where the matter begins to be sowre before it be distilled1 yields very few spirits1 that which often happens1 whilst hearbs1 and flowers1 c4 are out of ignorance left in fermentation #c1 #d1 #e4 and more weeks1 before they be distilled1 for the greatest part of the spirit is then turned to vinegar1 which would not be so very ill done1 if so be these men knew how to clarifie the remainders1 and turn it into vinegar1 that nothing thereof might be lost2 for the vinegars of hearbs1 flowers1 seeds1 and roots are not to be contemned4 ,and so often times 7a thing to be lamented7 the better part1 if they be spices1 and pretious things1 is lost4 ,the matter of the distillation1 and other choice things1 as seeds and hearbs are cast away with loss2 wherefore for admonition sake ,i was willing to add such things that the operators may have an opportunity to consider the matter a little more profoundly with themselves1 or at least of learning the art of distilling from countrymen1 who do not suffer their malt to putrefy1 grow sower or mouldy1 before they fall upon their distillations1 but presently fermentation being made 7the third or the fourth day7 begin their distillation4 ,but some one will object1 that my vegetable spirits are not pure by reason of the ferment that is mixed1 having in it self a spirit4 ,i answer1 there is not so great a portion of the ferment mixed which can corrupt the vegetable spirit4 ,for although some spoonfuls of ferment yielding but a few drops of spirits be added to a great quantity of the vegetables2 yet there can come no hurt or detriment to so many quarts of the vegetable spirit4 ,i have seen some supercilious men that would not add ferment to the matter of their spirit1 but sugar or honey1 by which they would promote fermentation1 and so have thought to get a pure spirit1 not considering that honey and sugar1 after fermentation are made to yield their spirit also1 whereof one spoonful yields more than ten or twenty of ,barm3 ,but hony and sugar fermenting not without difficulty themselves1 how can they promote the fermentation of other things8 ,who also have had experience1 that the addition of their ferment hath been superfluous1 whilst their flowers and hearbs have stood some weeks in maceration1 before they begun to ferment1 and that often times they have contracted an acidity1 mustiness and stink1 the reason of which was an unsutable ferment4 ,there are indeed the fruits of some trees that have a sweet and full juice1 as grapes1 cherries1 apples1 pears1 figs1 c4 which need not the addition of any ferment1 having a natural ferment of their own1 but other vegetables not so1 being lean1 as hearbs1 flowers and roots4 ,it is necessary there to promote the fermentation of them by the addition of a sutable ferment1 lest in length of time these hearbs and seeds lose their spirit exhaling in maceration4 ,and thus much ,i was willing to say for information sake1 and indeed for the sake of them who seek after the best and choicest medicines1 wanting a good burning spirit as a companion applicable to them4 ,for this spirit came not only by it self1 as ,aqua vit1 into a medicinal use as well internal as external1 especially that which is prepared of cordial1 and cephalick hearbs2 but also being united with the proper oyls of those hearbs in many desperate diseases1 where it could put forth its vertues eminently4 ,and thus much sufficeth concerning the preparation of vegetables that goes before the distillation of burning spirits4 ,the manner of distilling in general followeth4 ,he that is going to distil1 hath need to stir his fermented matter very well with a stick1 that the thicker parts may be well mixed with the thinner1 and then he must fill therewith his distilling vessel set upon a treefoot1 and joyned to the copper globe in the furnace on one side1 and to the refrigeratory on the other1 the joints in all places being well closed either with ,oxe-bladders1 or with starch and paper4 ,also the interiour part of the globe in the distilling vessel must be fenced with a copper or wooden basket1 that the herbs1 seeds1 and other things enter not into the globe1 into which only water must come4 ,also the upper hole must be close stopped with a fitting stopple wrapt about with linnen clouts1 7viz4 that hole by which the matter to be distilled is put in7 like to vessels of wine that are stopped4 ,which being well done1 you must kindle the fire in the furnace under the globe1 until all the matter in the whole vessel boyl well1 and that burning spirit rise1 and go out1 through the refrigeratory 7where it is condensed7 into the glass receiver that is set under it1 no less than that distilled out of a still2 and you must continue the fire till all the spirit be come forth1 which you may know by the taste4 ,which being done1 and all things being cold1 let the remainders be taken out by the lower large tap-hole1 for meat for swine1 or other uses4 ,the spirit that is drawn off may be exalted1 and rectified at your pleasure in the same vessel1 being first made clean together with the refrigeratory4 ,note well1 that sometimes there is left a fat oyl with the flegm in rectifying of the spirit1 proceeding from that hearb of which that was the spirit1 which did distil off with the spirit from the matter with a strong fire in the first distillation1 but in the rectifying could not ascend with the spirit in a gentle fire1 but is constrained to remain with the insipid flegm4 ,and this oyl also hath its vertues1 especially that which is rectified by a glass gourd in ,balneo1 with the spirit of salt1 and clarified4 ,now the like oyl is got almost from all hearbs1 roots1 seeds1 flowers1 and fruits1 but out of one subject more than another1 according to the hot and cold temper thereof4 ,especially the sediment of wines yields a good quantity of such oyl1 which being rectified is a medicinal true oyl of wine1 but not before endued with a sweet savour1 and it is an excellent cordial1 although ,i know no body that knew this before4 ,and thus ,i have shewed the general way of distilling1 burning spirits1 by help of the aforesaid wooden distillatory4 ,now also follows1 ,the manner of distilling ,spices1 ,seeds1 ,flowers1 ,hearbs1 ,roots1 ,woods1 c4 ,first1 the seeds must be broken in a mill1 flowers1 hearbs1 and roots cut small1 the woods broken or rasped1 upon which afterwards a good quantity of water 7in which they may swim7 must be poured for the maceration of them1 so that when the distillation is ended there may remain some water1 lest for want of water they be burnt in the distilling1 and yield an oyl savouring of an empyreuma1 and not sweet4 ,neither is too great a quantity to be poured upon them1 but as much as shall serve to prevent the burning of the aforesaid vegetables in the distilling of the oyl thereof4 ,and indeed fresh vegetables may presently without any foregoing maceration1 being put with their proper waters into the distilling vessel be distilled4 ,but they that be dry may for the space of some dayes be macerated before they be distilled4 ,also the water appointed for maceration must be salted1 for the better mollifing1 and opening the aforesaid materials1 that they may sooner yield their oyl4 ,now green and fresh need not any salt water1 yet it will not be hurtful to mix some therewith1 because salt helps the boyling water1 so as to make the oyl more easily to ascend4 ,it also helps and furthers distillation as doth ,tartar and ,allome1 if they be rightly mixed and ordered4 ,which being all rightly done1 the materials that are macerated must be put by a funnel into the distilling vessel1 and fire must be given as hath been spoken concerning the burning spirit1 and the oyl of the seed1 or wood macerated in the water will come forth in the distillation together with the water4 ,and although by this way more oyl comes forth1 viz4 ,maceration being made by the addition of salt1 than without salt1 by the help of the sweet water alone1 as is the fashion in all places almost to distill oyls of spices2 yet much remaines inseparable by the water1 and consequently not to be sublimed with the water4 ,therefore the better way is that which ,i shewed in the first part to be performed with the spirit of salt1 which if you please you may follow4 ,all the oyl being come forth 7which is perceived by the changing of the receivers7 the fire is to be extinguished1 and the remainder is to be taken out1 which if it be of seeds1 hearbs1 or fruits1 may1 being yet warm1 be fermented by the addition of ferment for the distilling of the spirit1 of which there cannot be so great a quantity by reason of taking away of the oyl1 as otherwise is drawn out of things that have not lost their oyl3 ,for all burning spirit partakes of much oyl1 of the essence1 and nature whereof more a little after4 ,now spirits must be made without the addition of any salt1 for salt hinders the fermentation1 without which the burning spirit cannot be had4 ,but the water that is distilled together with the oyl1 is to be set in a certain temperate place1 until the oyl ascend1 and swim upon the water1 from whence it is to be separated with a ,tunnel 7of which in the fifth part17 also there are some oyls which do not ascend1 but fall to the bottom1 which are also to be separated with a ,tunnel1 and kept for their uses4 ,now how these oyls may be kept clear long1 and not contract any clamminess1 shall be taught in the fifth part3 but how they may after they have lost their clearness by long standing1 and are become tenacious1 be restored and clarified again1 is taught in the first part1 wherefore ,i need not here repeat it4 ,how ,oyls are to be coagulated into ,balsames4 ,it hath been the custom a long time to turn aromatical oyls into ,balsams1 where always one hath been willing to excel another in this ,art1 which nevertheless was nothing hitherto1 but for a washing and cleansing2 for they could not be used inwardly1 but only outwardly for their odour to comfort the heart and brain4 ,now the aforesaid oyls are coagulated many ways1 and are made portable in ,tin1 ,silver1 and ivory boxes4 ,some have mixed the fat of a lamb with them by help of heat1 and have turned them into a liniment1 which they have coloured with divers colours2 as for example1 they have corrupted the oyls of green hearbs2 as rosemary1 marjoram1 lavender1 rue1 sage1 with a green colour1 by the admixtion of verdigrease 7which is noxious to the head and heart7 where one corroborates and refresheth1 another destroys4 ,they have tinged the ,balsam of ,cinnamon1 and lignum ,rhodium with a red colour by the help of a poysonous ,cinnabar4 ,others that are more industrious1 have tinged their ,oyls with extracted colours of vegetables1 which balsams are more safely taken inward3 ,but they are not durable1 acquiring a sliminess and stink2 wherefore they have mixed white wax to coagulate them3 ,by which means they are become more durable without stinking2 but yet in length of time so tenacious1 that being smeared or rubbed upon the skin1 they stick fast by reason of the wax that is mixed with them3 at last others have found out a better way of coagulating aromatical oyls1 and other things1 viz4 by the addition of the oyl of ,nutmeg made by expression1 having lost its odour and colour by spirit of wine2 which they called the ,mother of ,balsames4 ,and this way hath been a long time concealed by ,apothecaries as a great secret1 until at length it is become common1 so that balsames prepared after this manner are sold almost in all shops3 ,but although that be the best way1 yet they are not durable balsames that are made that way1 because they lack salt4 ,i do not contemn and disapprove of ,balsames made after this way1 for if a better way had been known1 better had been made1 for no man is obliged beyond his power4 ,wherefore they are not only to be excused1 that have used ,lambs fat1 ,wax1 and the oyl of ,nutmegs in the making of their ,balsames1 but also to be honoured for their communication4 ,now seeing the aforesaid ,balsames cannot be taken inwardly1 nor be so well outwardly administred by reason of their unctuosity1 others have consulted to congeal the ,oyls by the admixtion of their own proper fix-salts3 ,and ,balsames prepared after this manner are made free from clamminess1 or tenaciousness1 and may be dissolved in wine1 beer1 or any liquor4 ,wherefore they may be not only conveniently taken inward1 but also more fitly than those old1 be rubed outwardly for the odours sake1 because they are easily washed off again with water4 ,they do not only give a most sweet odour being rubbed1 but also by reason of the admixtion of the fixed salt1 having the nature of salt of ,tartar1 do beautify the skin4 ,wherefore they are to be commended1 being dissolved in fair warm water for a lotion for the head1 and face2 not only because they beautify1 but corroborate with their excellent odour2 which those fat ,balsames cannot do4 ,wherefore this way is to be preferred far before the other4 ,let him therefore that will1 receive what ,i have said1 for rare and new things are not alwayes accepted1 especially being obscure3 but ,i hope for the approbation of the age to come4 ,the manner of preparing follows4 ,take the remains of the burning spirit1 and being put into a sack1 press it hard3 reduce the water pressed out into vinegar1 and of roses thou shalt have a rose vinegar1 and of other things another1 being the best in a ,family for to season meats3 then take the remains out of the sack1 and reduce it to white ashes in a potters furnace1 upon which pour the flegm of its own burning spirit 7being separated7 to extract the salt1 from which evaporate again all the humidity in a glazed earthen pot3 calcine the coagulated salt gently in a clean crucible1 and it will be white and be like to salt of tartar in tast2 from which abstract1 sometimes its own proper burning spirit1 calcining the salt first every time2 and the spirit will be so exalted by its proper salt1 that it will presently assume its proper oyl1 and will1 being poured upon it1 associate it to it self so as to be perceived no more in the spirit1 which will remain very clear3 ,which being done1 calcine the salt yet once more very well in a crucible1 and dissolve so much of it in its proper flegm1 as sufficeth for the coagulation of the oyl1 then mix this solution with the burning spirit1 mixed with its oyl1 and set it in a vial of a long neck well stopt1 in ,balneo1 that the spirit may not exhale1 in the coction of it1 and in the space of a few hours there will be an union of the mixture which will be as white as milk4 ,which being done1 let the glass cool1 for there is a conjunction of the spirit1 oyl1 and salt1 so that neither can be discerned from another1 which is to be poured into a vessel of a wide mouth1 and it will be congealed in the cold like a white ointment1 not only to be anointed withal1 but also to be dissolved in any liquor1 being of an excellent odour1 which may also be given inwardly very conveniently1 and being used outwardly it makes the skin beautiful and sweet2 wherefore this is that most desired balsame of ,princes and ,ladies4 ,and by this way the three principles of vegetables1 being separated1 and purified1 are again reunited1 in which union there is found the whole vertue1 tast1 and odour of the vegetable4 ,note well1 ,that he that will colour balsames1 must draw the colour out of vegetables with spirit of wine1 which he must make to be coagulated together with it4 ,after this aforesaid manner1 therefore you may draw out of any vegetable that hath in it salt1 spirit and oyl1 soluble and well smelling balsomes without the addition of any other strange thing1 which are not to be contemned4 ,and because here also is taught that most odoriferous balsame of roses1 for roses yield but a little oyl1 without which that cannot be done1 know that not only roses or rose leaves also are to be taken for the making the aforesaid balsome1 but also together with the leaves those whole knots2 for that yellow that is in them yields that oyl1 not the rose leaves1 c4 ,and let what hath been said suffice concerning our preparation of balsames1 which if they be rightly made1 are not ,i suppose1 to be contemned1 neither do ,i reject those that are made without salt3 ,let him that hath better communicate them1 and not carp at ours4 ,and so ,i would that all and each process should be comprehended under some one general1 viz4 of distilling burning spirits1 and oyls1 by the help of a wooden distilling vessel1 and their conjunction by the help of their proper fixed salt1 ,i could here add more things concerning the use1 and vertues of spirits of wine1 and of those most sweet vegetable oyls2 but because they are clearly enough spoken of by others1 ,i account it a superfluous thing to repeat the sayings of others1 being contented with the description of one only general process1 which you may imitate in other particulars4 ,there follows now the use of the second wooden vessel1 which is to be used instead of those of copper or lead1 serving for distillations1 digestions1 extractions1 and fixations4 ,the vessel being made ready according to the prescription set down before1 there is nothing else to do1 than to fit the furnace with the globe1 and at your pleasure to heat water in it1 with a government of the fire in the furnace4 ,now all things may here be done1 which otherwise are done in a common ,balneo2 where there is no other difference but of vessels2 here is used a wooden vessel1 there a copper1 leaden1 or iron1 c4 ,in this operation also is used the same furnace with the same globe1 which was used above in the distillation1 wherefore you need add nothing else beside1 for nothing is more common than a ,balneum in distillation2 let the demonstration therefore of the use of the copper globe suffice4 ,now ,i thought it worth while to set down some ,chymical medicinal extracts1 not common1 which may be made by the help of this ,balneum1 which being rightly prepared do many things in many diseases4 ,and first of a vomitive ,extract4 ,take an ounce of the flowers of ,antimony1 of purifyed ,tartar ij4 of sugar-candy vj4 of rain water two pints1 being mixed together1 set them in a strong vial in ,balneo for to be cocted1 and make them to boyl strongly the space of ten or twelve hours4 ,then the ,balneum being cold1 take out the glass1 and pour forth the decoction1 and filter it through a brown paper put into a tunnel2 the filtred water will be reddish betwixt sweet and sowre1 which take 7the fces in the filtre being cast away7 and in a small gourd glass draw off all the moisture with a gentle fire in ,balneo unto the consistency of honey of a brownish colour1 upon which again pour a pint of spirit of wine1 poured forth into a vial with a long neck2 and set it on ,balneo with a moderate heat the space of eight or sixteen hours1 and then the spirit of wine will separate1 and extract the essence1 which will be more pure and noble1 the fces being left in the bottom2 which after all things are cold are to be separated by the ,help of ,filtration through a double brown paper4 ,then take the red tincture that is filtred1 and in a gourd glass in a gentle ,balneo draw off almost all the spirit of wine until there remain a matter like a very sweet syrup1 which being taken out keep as a most excellent vomitive1 most profitable in many diseases1 where other ,catharticks can do nothing4 ,for this medicine works most gently1 wherefore it may be given to children of a year and half old without danger1 and also to old men4 ,this medicine purgeth and attracts all humors from the nerves1 and veins1 opens all obstructions of the liver1 spleen1 lungs1 and kidneys1 by which means many most grievous diseases are cured4 ,i never found a vomitive comparable to this1 which works quickly and safely4 ,the dose of it is from grain #a1 #b1 #c1 #d4 to #aj4 and #cj4 according to the age and sickness4 ,it may be taken by it self1 or in wine1 beer1 c4 and it will within a quarter of an hour begin to work1 and ceaseth within two hours4 ,sometimes it doth not provoke vomit at all1 but only stools1 where a glyster is very helpful if it be given a little before the administring of the aforsaid medicine1 being made of two or three spoonful of oyl ,olive1 and salt water2 for the glyster prepares the way below1 so that it seldome then works by way of vomit3 when also the patient may presently after the taking of the medicine hold hot tosted bread to his mouth and nose1 which hinders vomiting and promotes the operation by stool4 ,but in my judgment it is better not to hinder the medicine seeking a spontaneous way of operation1 and not forced3 ,for vomiting is more convenient for some1 than purging by stool4 ,now these things ,i have spoken for the sake of those1 who although they abhor vomiting1 yet desire to be purged by the essence of ,antimony1 which is of all that ,i know the most safe1 and sweet ,cathartick4 ,for it searcheth the whole body far better than all others1 and frees it from many occult diseases1 the which all other vegetable ,catharticks could not do4 ,it hath also this commodity in it1 that although by littleness of the dose1 or the strong nature of the patient it doth not work by vomit or stool1 yet it doth not like other medicines hurt the body1 but works either by sweat or urine1 so that ,antimony being rightly prepared is seldome administred without profit4 ,when as on the contrary1 vegetable ,catharticks being given in less dose or by reason of some other causes do not work1 although they do not make the body swell1 and produce manifest diseases1 yet they threaten to the body occult sicknesses4 ,now the ,arcanum of ,antimony doth not onely not do hurt1 if it do not sensibly operate1 but by insensible working doth much good to the body of man4 ,wherefore there is a great difference betwixt purging minerals1 and vegetables4 ,for minerals are given in a less dose without nauseousness1 but vegetables with a great deal of nauseousness1 and sometimes with danger to the sick in a greater dose4 ,now that nauseousness also proceeding oftentimes from the great dose of the ungrateful bitter potions does more hurt than the potion it self4 ,i wish that such kind of gross medicines were abolished1 and the sweet ,extracts of ,vegetables and ,essences of ,minerals were substituted in their place4 ,a purging ,extract4 ,take of the roots of black ,hellebore gatherd in fit time1 and dryed in the air1 one pound1 the roots of ,mechoacan1 ,jallap1 of each four ounces2 ,cinnamon1 ,annisseed1 and ,fennelseed1 of each one ounce2 of ,english ,saffron a dram1 powder all these ,ingredients1 then pour upon them the best rectified spirit of ,wine1 in a high glass gourd1 and upon this put a blind ,alembick1 and set it in digestion2 in ,balneo until the ,spirit of wine be tinged red1 which then decant off3 and pour on fresh1 and set it again in digestion2 until the spirit be red1 then pour on fresh again1 and do this so often until the spirit will no more be tinged red1 which commonly is done at three ,times4 ,mix these tinged spirits1 filter them1 and in ,balneo by a glass ,alembick1 with a gentle heat draw them off from the ,tincture1 and a thick juice will remain at the bottom of a brownish colour1 which you must take out whilst it is yet hot1 and keep it in a clean glass for its uses4 ,the ,spirit of ,wine drawn off from the extract may be reserved for the same use4 ,now this extract is given from grains #c1 #f1 #i1 #ab4 to #ca4 according to the age1 and strength1 being mixed with ,sugar1 it hath not an ungrateful tast1 and it works gently1 and safely1 if it be not given in too great a dose4 ,and if thou wilt have it in the form of a ,pill1 mix with it being yet hot1 an ounce of clear ,aloes1 and half an ounce of ,diagridium powdered1 being mixed bring it into a mass for ,pills1 and keep it for your use4 ,the dose is from grain #a4 to a scruple4 ,it evacuates all superfluous humors1 but it is not to be compared with the medicine of ,antimony4 ,and this extract ,i put down for the sakes of those that fear ,minerals1 and abhor ,vomits1 which in my judgment is the best of all vegetable ,catharticks4 ,a ,diaphoretical ,extract4 ,take the wood ,sassafras1 ,sarssaparilla1 of each six ounces2 ,ginger1 ,galengal1 ,zedoary1 of each three ounces2 long ,pepper1 ,cardamoms1 ,cubebs1 of each an ounce2 ,cinnamon1 ,mace1 of each half an ounce2 ,english ,saffron1 ,nutmeg1 ,cloves1 of each a dram3 ,let the woods be rasped1 the roots and spices poudered1 pour upon them1 being mixed1 the spirit of wine1 and let the tincture be drawn forth in ,balneo1 as hath been abovesaid of the purging ,extract1 evaporate away the spirit to the consistency of honey1 which keep for your use4 ,it is good in the ,plague1 ,feavers1 ,scorbute1 ,leprosie1 ,frenchpox1 and other diseases proceeding1 from the impurity of the blood1 curing them by sweat4 ,the ,dose of this ,extract is from a scruple to a dram with proper vehicles3 it provoketh sweat presently1 driveth away all venenosities from the heart1 and mundifies the blood4 ,and although it be a most effectual vegetable ,diaphoretick yet it may not be compared to those subtile spirits of minerals1 of which in the second part4 ,also animal diaphoreticks have their commendations1 as the flesh of vipers1 the fixed salt of spiders and toads1 in their peculiar operations1 where each alone without the mixture of any other thing puts forth and sheweth its operations2 neither are animal and vegetable diaphoreticks to be compared to the mineral1 as ,bezoarticum minerale1 ,antimomum diaphoreticum1 and ,aurum diaphoreticum4 ,a ,diuretical ,extract4 ,take the seeds of ,saxifrage1 ,carraway1 ,fennel1 ,parsly1 ,netles1 of each #c4 ounces1 the root of liquorish1 the greater burr1 of each an ounce1 the powder of woodlice half an ounce4 ,let these being mixed and powdered be extracted with spirit of ,juniper according to art3 then mix these following things with the extracted matter3 ,take the salt of ,ambar1 ,soot1 ,netles1 of each half a dram1 purified ,nitre a dram3 ,let these be powdered1 and mixed with the extract and this mixture be kept for use4 ,the dose is from a scruple to a dram1 in the water of parsly fennel1 c4 ,this extract forceth urin1 opens the ureters1 purgeth the reines1 and bladder from all viscous flegme 7the mother of all tartareous coagulation7 viz4 if it be used timely3 ,in this case is commended also the solution of flints1 and crystals1 made with spirit of salt4 ,a greater commendation have salts of nephritick hearbs made by expression1 and crystallisation1 without calcination1 the preparation whereof shall not here1 but elsewhere be taught4 ,a somniferous ,extract4 ,take of ,thebaic opium four ounces1 of ,spirit of ,salt two ounces1 purified ,tartar one ounce1 set them being mixed in maceration in ,balneo in a glass vessel for a day and night1 and the spirit of salt with ,tartar will open the body of the opium1 and prepare it for extraction1 upon which pour half a pint of the best spirit of wine1 set it in a gentle ,balneo to be extracted4 ,decant off the spirit that is tinged1 and pour on fresh1 set it in digestion till the spirit be coloured4 ,then mix the axtractions together1 and put to them in a glass gourd two drams of the best ,saffron1 of oyl of ,cloves a dram1 and draw off the spirit of wine in ,balneo1 and there will remain a thick black juice1 which is to be taken out1 and kept in a clean glass vessel4 ,the dose thereof is from one grain1 to five or six1 for those of a mans age1 but to children the sixth or eighth part of a grain4 ,it may be used in all hot distempers without danger4 ,it provoketh quiet sleep1 mitigates pains as well outward as inward1 it causeth sweat2 but especially it is a sure remedy for the epilepsie in children that are new-born2 for as soon as it is given to them to the quantity of the eighth part of a grain in wine1 or womans milk1 there presently follows rest1 and sweat with sleep1 by which means the malignity is expelled1 the children are refreshed1 and desire victuals1 and the fit returns no more afterwards4 ,although haply the like symptomes may be perceived again1 yet if the aforesaid dose be administred again1 the children are refreshed1 and cured wholly1 whereas otherwise they would have dyed1 c4 whereof ,i have not restored few with this medicine4 ,moreover also there are very effectual anodine medicines1 as those volatile spirits of vitriol1 allome1 ,antimony1 and other minerals1 with which1 as also with that narcotick sulphur precipitated from the volatile spirit of vitriol1 nothing may be compared4 ,a ,cordial ,extract4 ,take red roses four ounces1 of the lilly of the valley two ounces1 the flowers of borage1 rosemary1 sage1 of each an ounce2 cinnamon1 lignum aloes1 of each two drams2 cloves1 mace1 nutmeg1 galangal1 cardamoms the lesser1 of each half an ounce2 the shavings of ivory1 hartshorn1 of each an ounce2 of ,english saffron a dram1 of nux vomica a dram3 ,mix them and reduce them to a fine powder1 and let the tincture be extracted with spirit of wine in ,balneo1 which is to be drawn off again1 unto a just consistence4 ,let the extract be kept for use4 ,it may be used in almost all faintings1 and other affects that are not joyned with a preternatural heat4 ,the dose thereof is from grains #c1 #f1 #i4 to a scruple with proper vehicles2 being often administred it refresheth the spirit1 corroborates the brain1 and other parts of the body4 ,it is made more efficacious by the adding of the essences of minerals1 especially of gold1 of which thing see the first part concerning the sweet oyl of gold4 ,of an odoriferous ,extract4 ,i need not teach the making of any odoriferous vegetable extract1 because the manner of drawing forth1 or distilling oyls of vegetables that have sweet odores1 hath been shewed a little before1 as of hearbs1 flowers1 and seeds1 which are the most noble1 and sweet essences of vegetables1 by the odour whereof the heart and brain are corroborated1 which being reduced into balsams are made transportable4 ,better extracts therefore1 and more excellent cannot in my judgment be made out of vegetables1 then those aforesaid oyls1 unless any one would mix aromatical extracts made with spirit of wine with metallick solutions1 and being mixed digest them1 then there will a certain most odoriferous oyl go from the extract not only more efficacious1 but more excellent than that common distilled oyl by reason of the admixtion of the spiritual metallick vertue1 especially of gold and silver1 dissolved in the acid ,menstruum communicating its vertues to the ,aromatical oyl4 ,moreover any vegetable oyl may be exalted in vertues and odour by the help of spirit of urine1 or salt ,armoniack1 by the help whereof not only odoriferous oyls are exalted1 but also the inodorous oyls of vegetables are made odoriferous1 if they be a while digested in spirit of urine3 and not this only but every mineral1 and metallick sulphur1 although the odour thereof be bound up with most strong bonds1 is opened by the benefit thereof1 and is reduced by digestion in a very little time into a most sweet and odoriferous essence4 ,lixivial spirits exalt the odours1 and colours of sulphurs2 acid purge sulphurs1 but change their colours and odours4 ,musk and ,civet get the sweetness2 and excellency of their odour from the subtile urinous spirit of a certain ,cat1 digesting some certain fat and converting it into such a kind of most odoriferous matter4 ,and let this that hath been said suffice concerning ,extracts1 which might have been omitted1 because many of these kind of ,extracts are found in the writings of other authors in many languages3 but ,i was willing to set down these1 lest this book might seem to contain in it nothing else besides the new way of distilling1 being furnished also with good medicines4 ,of ,baths4 ,a little before hath been given a description of a ,tub for a ,bath in which any one may sit with his whole body except his head1 not only to be washed in sweet warm water1 whether medicinal and mineral1 but also to sweat in without water1 where the vessel is heated by warm vapours1 either of sweet waters1 or minerals4 ,and every one may provide such ,baths for himself according to his necessity at home1 whereby the same diseases are cured as those that are cured by the help of natural ,baths1 so that he need not for the baths sake go a great journey1 but may stay at home with his family and follow his ,calling without trouble1 when he hath occasion and need to used them4 ,and whereas it cannot be denyed1 that by the use of the ,baths most grievous diseases which cannot be cured by ,physitians1 are happily cured2 ,i was willing for the sake of my neighbour to publish this instrument together with the preparation of mineral waters2 which publishing will not without doubt be without profit1 and advantage4 ,wherefore ,i will in brief shew you the preparation of mineral1 and sweet waters1 and their use1 and first1 ,of a ,bath of sweet or common water4 ,there is no art to make a ,bath of sweet water1 for you have nothing else to do1 then to fill your vessel with river or rain water1 and to make a fire1 which by the help of the copper globe will heat the water1 which being sufficiently heated1 you may sit in it1 and cover the ,tub1 that the hot vapors evaporate not1 nor the cold air enter in1 and cool the exteriour parts of the body3 ,wherefore also you must apply a clean linnen cloth about your neck1 lest the warm vapors evaporate there3 which being rightly observed1 you may sit the space of #a4 #b4 #c4 hours1 or as long as you please or your sickness require4 ,you must keep a continual heat as much as is necessary1 which may be done by the help of that globe4 ,if you be thirsty in the mean time you may drink some proper distilled drink according to the nature of your disease1 of which thing nothing now1 because ,i am resolved to write a peculiar book de ,balneis1 and here only to shew the use of that copper globe in heating of ,baths4 ,and although there be not a perfect instruction of all1 yet of some ,baths1 and their uses there shall a short instruction be given in this place4 ,of the nature1 and property of natural ,baths4 ,know that the greatest part of medicinal waters in ,germany1 and other countries as well hot as cold carry with them from the earth a certain sulphureous acidity more or less3 in which acidity consists that medicinal faculty and vertue of this or that water4 ,and if those waters lose their odour and tast by the exhaling of their subtile spirits1 then also they loose their vertues2 although also there be found some waters1 which have not only a spiritual sulphur1 but also are impregnated with a certain mineral1 or metallick body mixed with ,allome1 or ,vitriol1 which comes not elsewhere then from the common water running through the mines4 ,there are found also other baths1 the power and vertue whereof consists not in any spiritual sulphur1 nor in any metallick body mixed with salt1 but only in a certain spiritual salt mixed with a certain subtil fixed earth1 which waters do not run through metallick mines as others do1 but rather stones of the mountaines calcined with a subterraneal fire1 whence also they borrow their subtil acidity with their insipid earth4 ,and this no man will deny that hath the knowledge of volatile and fixed salts of minerals1 and metals3 the which ,i am able to demonstrate with very many1 and most evident reasons1 if time and occasion would permit2 but it shall be done sometime or other as hath been said in a peculiar treatise4 ,now therefore ,i will only teach how by salts1 minerals1 and metals1 artificial ,baths may be made1 which are not only not inferiour to the natural in vertue1 but also oftentimes far better1 and that without much cost or labour1 which any one may use at home in stead of the natural for the expelling of diseases1 and recovering of health4 ,and although ,i am resolved to set forth a book that shall treat largely of the nature1 and original of ,baths1 and of their use2 yet ,i am willing now also to say something in brief concerning it1 and that from the foundation1 seeing that there are so many different opinions of learned men1 and those for the most part uncertain4 ,as concerning therefore the original of the acidity as well volatile1 as corporeal1 as also the heat of ,baths1 know that is not one1 and the same2 for else each would have the same properties1 but daily experience testifies the contrary3 ,for it is manifest that some ,baths help some diseases1 and others are hurtful for them1 which comes from nothing else but from the difference of the properties of the mineral waters proceeding from a diversity of mines impregnating those waters4 ,in a word1 sweet waters attract their powers1 and vertues in the caverns of mountains from some metal and minerals of divers kinds1 that have naturally a most acid spirit of salt1 as are divers kinde of marcasites containing copper and iron1 and sometimes gold and silver2 also kinds of vitriol and ,allome called by the ancients ,misii1 ,rarii1 ,chalcitis1 ,melanteria1 and ,pyritis1 whereof some are found white like metals1 but others dispersed in a fat earth1 of a round figure in greater or lesser pieces3 which sulphureous salt mines whilest the water run through1 and humectates1 that spirit of salt is stirred up1 having got a vehiculum1 and falls upon the mines by dissolving them1 in which solution the water waxeth warm1 as if it had been poured on quick lime1 or like spirit of vitriol1 or salt mixed with water1 and poured on iron1 and other metals2 where continually and daily that water running through the mines whose nature and properties it imitates1 carrys something with it3 wherefore there are so many1 and such various kinds of ,baths as are the mines by which the water is heated4 ,let him that will not believe take any mineral of the aforesaid quality1 and wrap it up in a wet linen cloth for a little while1 and he will see it experimentally that the mineral stone will be heated by the water1 and so heated1 as if it were in the fire1 so as thou canst scarce hold it in thy hand1 which at length also by a longer action will cleave in sunder and be consumed like quick lime4 ,i will publish some time or other 7,god willing7 more fully1 and clearly in a peculiar treatise this my opinion1 which ,i have now delivered in very few words4 ,although to the sick it be all one1 and it matters not them1 from what cause the baths come1 and whence they borrow their vertues1 if so be they may use them2 this controversie being left to natural ,philosophers that will controvert it1 which none of them can better decide than a skilful ,chymist1 that hath the knowledg of minerals1 metals1 and salts4 ,and first of sulphureous ,baths that have a subtil acidity4 ,in the second ,treatise ,i have demonstrated the manner of distilling subtil1 volatile1 sulphureous spirits1 viz4 of common salt1 vitriol1 allome1 nitre1 sulphur1 antimony1 and other salts of minerals1 and metals1 and their vertues1 and intrinsecal properties1 now also ,i will shew their extrinsecal use1 as they are to be mixed with waters for ,baths4 ,the vertues therefore of ,baths proceed not from insipid water1 but from those most subtile1 volatile1 sulphureous1 and salt spirits2 but these being of themselves not mixed with water unfit for ,baths1 to be used for recovering of health1 by reason of their too great heat1 and subtilty2 the most high ,god hath revealed to us unworthy and ungrateful men his fatherly providence shewing to us by nature the use of them1 and the manner of using of them for the taking away of diseases2 which 7nature7 being never idle1 works uncessantly1 and like a handmaid executes the will of ,god1 by shewing to us the various kinds of distillations1 transmutations1 and generations4 ,from which teacher we must learn all arts and sciences1 seeking a certain1 and infallible information1 as it were out of a book writ with a divine hand1 and filled with innumerable wonders1 and secrets4 ,and this is a far certainer knowledg then that empty1 and imaginary ,philosophy of those vulgar disputing ,philosophers4 ,dost thou think that that true ,philosophy can be sold for a hundred ,royals8 ,how can any one judge of things hid in the earth1 who is willfully blind in things exposed to the light of the ,sun1 hating knowledge8 ,i wish knowledge were sutable to the name3 how can any one that is ignorant of the nature of fire1 know how to work by fire8 fire discovers many things1 in which you may as in a glass see things that are hid2 ,the fire shews to us how every thing1 waters1 salt1 minerals1 and metals1 together with other innumerable things are generated in the bowels of the earth by the reflexion of that central1 and astral fire3 for without the knowledge of fire all nature remains vailed1 and occult4 ,fire 7always had in great esteem by ,philosophers7 is the key for the unlocking of the greatest secrets1 and to speak in a word1 he that is ignorant of fire is ignorant of nature with her fruits1 and he hath nothing1 but what he hath read1 or heard1 which oftentimes is false1 according to that2 ,he easily speaks untruths that speaks what he hath heard4 ,he that is ignorant knows not how to discern betwixt the truth and falshood1 but takes the one for the other4 ,i pray thee1 thou that art so credulous1 dost thou think that thy teacher writ his books from experience1 or from reading other ,authors8 ,may they not be corrupted and sophisticated by antiquity1 and frequent description8 ,also dost thou understand the true1 and genuine sense of them8 ,it is better to know1 than to think2 for many are seduced by opinions1 and many are deceived by faith that is without knowledge4 ,and thus much for youths sake ,i was willing to say1 that they would not spend their tender years in vanities1 but rather would make tryal in the fire1 without which no man obtains a true knowledge of natural things2 which although it seem hard in the beginning1 yet it is pleasant in old age4 ,now follows the mixture of those subtile mineral1 sulphureous1 and salt spirits with water4 ,as concerning the weight of the aforesaid spirits that are to be mixed with sweet water1 giving it the nature1 and property of natural baths1 ,i would have thee know1 that of those1 which in the second part ,i shewed to be various1 and divers1 being1 viz4 not equal in vertue1 the same weight cannot always be so accurately observed3 seeing also there is a consideration to be had of their strength1 and of the strength of the patient4 ,now you may at the beginning mix one or two pound of the spirits with a sufficient quantity of the water1 and then by sitting in it make tryal of the strength of the artificial ,bath1 which if it be too weak is to be increased by adding a greater quantity of the spirits1 but if too strong1 then it is to be diminished by abstraction2 of which more at large in ,arte nostra ,balneatoria4 ,now this observe1 that it is best to make ,baths in the beginning weak1 then stronger by little and little by degrees1 as the nature of the sick is accustomed to them1 that it be not overcome by the unaccustomed use of them being too strong4 ,wherefore ,baths are to be used with discretion1 and cautiously1 for which matter ,i refer the reader to my ,artem ,balneatoriam1 in which he shall find plain1 and perfect instruction2 let it suffice therefore that ,i have shewed the use of the ,copper ,globe1 in heating ,baths1 which let the sick take in good part1 untill more come4 ,now follows the use4 ,of ,sulphur ,baths4 ,apply the furnace with the ,copper ,globe to the ,tub after the manner aforesaid1 and pour in a sufficient quantity of sweet water1 which make hot with the fire kindled in the furnace by the help of the globe3 which being sufficiently warmed make the patient sit in it1 and pour into it so much of the sulphureous spirit as is sufficient2 which being done cause that the tub be covered all over1 that the volatile spirit vanish not1 and as necessity requires1 continue the heat till the patient come forth4 ,know also that the water is to be changed every time1 and fresh spirits to be mixed4 ,and this is the use of the ,copper globe1 in heating baths of sweet or medicinal water1 and that either of vegetables1 or mineral1 and this made sulphureous by art or nature2 whereby most grievous1 and otherwise incurable diseases are happily cured3 ,of which enough now in this ,treatise4 ,the use of the ,copper ,globe in dry ,baths1 which are more excellent than the moist in many cases4 ,i might have put off this matter unto its proper ,treatise1 where all things shall be handled more largely1 and clearly3 yet by reason of some unthought of impediments for a while procrastinating the edition of the promised ,treatise1 ,i am resolved to say something of their use1 after ,i have made mention of the humid1 and indeed not only of the use of those subtile1 sulphureous1 and dry spirits1 but also of the use of subtile1 vegetable and animal spirits which are medicinal1 because in some diseases dry baths are more commodiously used1 than moist4 ,he therefore that will provoke sweat by a dry bath without water1 let him provide a wooden box1 or wooden instrument convenient to sit in1 standing upon a stool boared through that you may raise it up more or less according as you please1 and having boards appointed for the armes and feet to rest upon4 ,this box also besides the great dore must have also a little dore serving for the putting in of a burning lamp with spirit of wine1 or of any earthen vessel with coals for to heat it4 ,see the sixth figure4 ,the box being well warmed1 let the patient go in1 and sit upon a stool1 let the box be very close shut all about1 and the furnace with the ,copper ,globe be fitted thereunto1 under which let there be a small fire kindled1 by help whereof the volatile spirit growing warm1 goeth forth into the box like a most subtile vapour1 penetrating all about the patient4 ,but when this spirit is not sufficient to heat the box1 set in it a burning lamp with spirit of wine1 or some earthen pot with coals 7the best whereof are made of ,juniper or the vine1 especially of the roots as being such that will endure long1 and cannot easily be extinguished by the vapours of those spirits7 that the patient take not cold1 and the vapours of the spirits may the better penetrate the body of the patient4 ,let the wick for the spirit of wine in the burning lamp be incombustible made of the subtle threads of gold1 of which thing more in ,arte ,balneatoria4 ,in the mean time that volatile spirit penetrates1 and heats the whole body1 and performs its office1 being this way used better than by being mixed with water4 ,when the patient hath sate there long enough let him come forth1 and go into a warm bed to sweat4 ,now before he go into the box let him take a dose of that volatile spirit1 inwardly which is used outwardly to provoke sweat1 and accelerate the action4 ,and by this means not only those volatile sulphureous spirits of salts1 minerals and metals1 are used outwardly without water to procure sweat1 but also the spirits of many vegetables1 as of mustard seed1 garden cresses1 crude tartar1 also of animals1 as harts-horn1 urin1 salt ,armoniack1 c4 for the expelling of most grievous1 and desperate diseases4 ,now the aforesaid spirits have divers properties1 the volatile spirits of salt1 minerals1 and metals have some1 those of vegetables and animals have others2 those have a sulphureous and fiery essence2 these a mercurial1 and aerial2 wherefore they serve for different uses4 ,in some diseases those sulphureous are preferred2 but in others vegetable and animal1 where also a consideration is to be had of the sickness1 and bath it self1 that one be not used for the other1 to the great dammage of the sick4 ,for almost all natural baths1 and volatile spirits of salts1 minerals1 and metals1 partake of some most subtle1 penetrating1 heating1 and drying sulphureous salt spirit2 but the spirits of vegetables1 and animals partake of a certain volatility that is most subtle1 penetrating1 heating1 opening1 cutting and attenuating1 both urinous and nitrous1 viz4 contrary to the former2 as appears by the pouring on of any volatile sulphureous spirit1 as of common salt1 vitriol1 allome1 minerals1 and metals1 upon the rectified spirit of ,urin1 or salt ,armoniack3 where presently the one mortifies the other1 and takes away its volatility1 and subtilty3 so that of both subtle spirits of divers natures there cometh a certain salt of no odour and efficacy4 ,whence it is manifest that all spirits partaking of divers natures1 and essences have not the same faculties4 ,therefore be thou cautious in giving most potent spirits1 lest thou give an enemy instead of a friend1 and learn their natures1 vertues1 and essences1 before thou usest them in medicine4 ,but thou dost ask1 whether is that great force of those spirits gone as it were in a moment8 ,did it evaporate in that duel8 ,no ,i say1 but transmuted into a corporeal substance1 for of a most pure1 mineral1 subtle1 and most volatile sulphur1 and a most penetrating animal ,mercury is made a certain corporeal salt1 which is wonderful1 and deserves to be called ,aquila ,philosophorum1 because it is easily sublimed with a gentle heat1 in which many things lye3 for it doth not only conduce to the solution of metals1 especially of gold1 but also of it self by the power of maturation doth become a most efficacious medicine3 ,of which no more at this time1 because ,i will only advise the reader1 that he be diligent in searching out the nature of spirits1 which although they change their bodies1 yet are not therefore to be called dead1 but rather reduced to a better perfection4 ,and let this suffice concerning the dry use of baths in provoking sweat for the expelling of diseases3 now for what diseases this or that spirit serves1 thou shalt find in its proper ,treatise1 of which there hath been mention above1 but in a word1 know that those volatile sulphureous spirits of salts1 minerals1 and metals1 are good in all obstructions of the inward parts1 viz4 of the spleen1 lungs1 and liver1 but especially are most excellent in heating the cold nerves1 because they do most efficaciously heat1 attennuate1 cut1 expel1 and mundify1 wherefore they are good in ,contractures1 ,palsies1 ,epilepsy1 ,scurvy1 ,hypochondriacal ,melancholy1 ,morbus ,gallicus1 ,itch1 and other corrosive ulcers1 and ,fistulaes1 c4 ,but the spirits of another kind1 as of ,tartar1 ,harts-horn1 salt ,armoniack1 ,urine1 c4 are hot also1 but not so dry1 and besides the heating vertue1 have also a penetrating1 cutting1 mollifying1 attenuating1 absterging1 and expelling power2 wherefore also they work wonderfully in all obstructions of the inward and outward parts3 for they do better than all others1 open the pores of the skin1 and provoke sweat1 mollify1 and open the hemorrhoides2 provoke the menses of young and elder women1 purge and heat the womb1 and therefore cause fruitfulness2 they heat and purge a cold and moist brain1 acuate the intellect1 and memory1 let they that be great with child take heed of them1 and also they that have a ,porous open skin4 ,such and other more properties1 and that deservedly are ascribed to these spirits4 ,now those two aforesaid baths 7in one whereof those spirits are used in a humid way1 being mixed with warm water1 for the whole body to be bathed1 and sweat in1 but in the other in a dry way where the vapours are by force of the fire made under the ,globe1 forced up into the sweating box towards the patient1 which being used after this manner do oftentimes penetrate1 and operate more efficaciously than that humid way7 are not to be slighted for the recovery of health1 as doing things incredible4 ,now those spirits not being found in shops1 nor being made by any according to the manner that ,i have shewed in the second ,part1 ,i would have thee know that there is yet another matter1 which needs not to be distilled1 and it is mineral2 which being put into the ,copper ,instrument1 doth of its own accord without fire yield such a sulphureous spirit1 which penetrates very much1 and goeth into the sweating box1 like in all things to that which is made out of salts1 minerals1 and metals4 ,nature also hath provided us another matter that is to be found every where1 which being in like manner put into the ,instrument doth by it self1 and of its own accord without fire yield a spirit1 in vertue not unlike to that which is made out of crude ,tartar1 or salt ,amoniack1 ,soot1 ,urine1 c4 ,of which in the second ,part1 doing1 viz4 the same things with that which is made with costs and labours4 ,those foresaid two matters therefore can do the same things1 which are required for a bath and sweating1 which those two foresaid kinds of spirits1 viz4 mineral and sulphureous1 vegetable and animal can do1 c4 ,now what those two matters which are easily every where to be found are1 thou desirest to know2 but ,i dare not if ,i would1 for the sake of the pious to reveal them because of the ungrateful1 and unworthy4 ,for it is an offence to cast pearl before swine1 which yet the pious may1 by the blessing of ,god find out by the reading of the rest of my ,writings4 ,now follows a wooden vessel which is to be used instead of a ,cauldron in boyling of ,beer1 ,metheglin1 ,vinegar1 c4 ,illustration3 fig3 ,i fig3 ,,ii ,many things might be said concerning this matter1 for although men may be found in any part of the world1 who know how to make malt of corn1 and of this beer and vinegar2 yet many things may be said of this matter for the correcting of it2 but because it is not my purpose to shew such things now1 yet ,i shall say something of the use of the copper globe which any one may provide instead of ,caldrons1 and which is to be used with a certain wooden vessel in the boyling of ,beer1 which by this way he may1 as hath been spoken above concerning the operations1 make as well as by the help of ,caldrons4 ,moreover ,i could here also teach some other most profitable secrets1 viz4 ,see ,consolat4 of ,seamen how honey may be freed from its ungrateful odour1 and tast by the help of precipitation2 and how afterwards a most sweet spirit is to be drawn out of it very like in all things to the spirit of wine3 also how the best and sweetest wine clear1 and durable like to ,mallago1 may be made thence3 also how after purging it is to be crystallised1 so as to resemble ,sugar-candy in goodness and tast3 also how the sweetness thereof may be converted into ,tartar1 very like to the natural3 ,see ,explicat4 ,mirac4 ,mundi4 ,also how out of fruits of trees1 as cherries1 apples1 pears1 c4 a very good1 and durable wine in goodness1 colour1 tast1 and vertue1 like to the natural1 may be made2 also how out of unripe grapes1 that are not maturated either by the inclemency of the country1 or air1 their acidity being changed into sweetness1 very good ,wines like to the ,rhenish may be made3 also how out of sorrel1 and other vegetables1 a very good ,tartar may be made1 and that in a great quantity without much costs1 resembling the ,rhenish in colour1 tast1 and other vertues3 ,also how out of ,corn1 7whether malted1 or ground in a ,mill7 a very good spirit is to be made1 and also a very good vinegar like to the ,rhenish2 also how out of ,corn1 7ground in a mill7 or ,meal1 a very good spirit is to be distilled without any loss of the ,meal1 continuing yet fit to make bread4 ,such and more of this sort might be taught in this place1 but because it is not good to divulge all things together1 and at once1 and this book would by this means grow bigger than ,i am willing it should1 if such things should be here taught1 ,i shall make an end of this ,book 7omitting other excellent possible secrets of nature7 which although it be but little1 yet will without doubt be profitable to many4 ,and so ,reader farewel4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces3 ,in which is described the ,nature of the ,fourth ,furnace2 by the help whereof1 ,minerals and ,metals are tryed1 and examined after a more compendious way1 than hitherto after the common manner2 also the separation of ,metals by the force of ,fusion1 and other necessary things that are done by the power of ,fusion or ,melting4 ,most profitable for ,chymists1 ,tryers1 and ,diggers of ,minerals4 ,of making the ,furnace4 ,in the first ,figure1 ,a4 represents the ,ash-hole with its door4 ,b4 ,the ,register appointed for governing the fire4 ,c4 ,the ,hole with its door assign'd to receive the ,crucibles and ,coals4 ,d4 ,the ,hole with the door of the ,first ,story4 ,e4 ,the long ,pipe of ,iron in the top of the ,furnace4 ,the second ,figure1 ,a ,cone or ,casting ,vessel belonging to this ,furnace4 ,this furnace may be made greater1 or smaller1 as you please1 according to the matter to be tryed3 and if the ,diameter thereof within1 be but of one foot1 you may set in it a crucible containing two or three pound2 but greater crucibles require a greater furnace4 ,now this furnace must be quadrangular1 and be built of stones1 and lute1 such which abide the fire1 of the height of one or two foot from the bottom to the grate1 which must be such as may be cleared from the dross mixed with coals1 or such as was the grate of the first furnace1 consisting of too strong cross iron bars fastned in the furnace with certain distances for the receiving of #e1 #f1 or #g4 other lesser iron bars which are to be moveable1 so that when they are obstructed they may be removed1 and cleared from the dross2 the lower part of the furnace must have near the bottom a hole 7in the forepart7 of the heighth1 and breadth of a little span1 with an iron or copper door1 shutting close3 the lower part also must have another hole near the grate on the other side with its register for the government of the fire1 and for the attracting of wind4 ,above the grate1 and a hand breadth from the grate must be another hole for putting in of coals1 and crucibles1 sutable to the proportion of the furnace1 and the height thereof must be of one foot1 and the latitude of half a foot1 if the inward ,diameter of the furnace be of one foot1 whereby the crucibles may be the more conveniently handled1 and the coals be cast in with a fire-pan3 ,let this hole also have a very strong door of stone covered over with lute1 either of which may endure the fire1 and shut very close1 that the fire may thereby 7when the crucible is placed in the fire7 attract air1 but only from the collateral hole under the grate4 ,let the height of the furnace 7being coated above7 from the hole appointed for the putting in of coals and crucibles1 be of one great span3 ,let there also be a round hole in the furnace1 having the third part of the intrinsecal diameter of the furnace1 appointed for the flame and smoke2 to which if you will use a very violent fire1 put to it a strong iron pipe of the height of #e1 #f1 #h1 or #ab4 foot1 for by how much the higher you set your pipe1 the stronger fire may you give1 and if you will you may erect above the furnace #a1 #b1 or #c4 partitions with their doors serving to divers uses according to the flame that is gathered into them1 by reason of divers degrees of fire1 which is in them1 for the lowest is so hot1 that it can easily contain in flux fusible metals1 minerals1 and salts2 and serve for cementation1 calcinations1 and reverberations2 also for burning of crucibles1 and other earthen vessels1 made of the best earth 7of which in the ,fifth part7 and for vitrifications1 and sometimes for trials and burnings1 c4 ,the second division of heat1 which is more remiss1 serves for the burnings of minerals and metals as of lead1 tin1 iron and copper1 that are necessary for calcinations2 also for the necessary calcination of ,tartar1 and the fixed salt of other vegetables1 that is required in chymical operation1 as also the calcining of bones1 and horns for cuples1 and the ashes of wood4 ,the third division or chamber is yet more remiss1 and serves for the drying of crucibles1 and other vessels that are made of the best earth1 and afterwards to be burnt in the first partition4 ,there may also other things be done by the help of these partitions1 so that thou needest not for their sakes kindle a peculiar fire4 ,but if thou wilt give a melting fire the strongest of all1 put a long pipe to the lower hole appointed for drawing wind1 and having a register2 for by how much the fire attracts the air more remotely and another flame is forced to beat upon the metals1 so much the greater power of the heat is there in the fusion of them4 ,for which business sake thou hast need to have as that inferiour pipe1 so also that superiour pipe in the top of the furnace4 ,and if thou hast a fit chamber1 in which another may go up from below by the proper chimney1 thou mayest build another furnace in the superiour chimney1 and perforate the wall with the applying of a register1 that the fire may be forced to attract the air from below through the collateral chimney1 where you need not that long pipe but only may open a door1 or window of the lower chamber1 that the air may come into the chimney2 and the fire attract the wind out of the collateral chimney1 which it doth very vehemently1 yea and stronger1 than if it were helped with bellows1 so that even the furnace1 unless it were built of very good and fixed earth1 would by too great a heat be destroyed2 for oftentimes the strongest crucibles melt with too much heat1 wherefore a register is made for the governing of the fire4 ,and by the help of this furnace1 with ,gods blessing1 ,i found out my choisest secrets4 ,for before1 and indeed from my youth ,i underwent the trouble of those vulgar labours performed by bellows1 and common vents1 not without loss of my health1 by reason of the unavoidable malignant and poysonous fumes1 which danger this furnace was without1 not only of poysonous and malignant fumes1 but also of all excessive heat3 ,for our furnace sends forth no fume 7but above1 so drawing1 that the door being opened for the putting in of coals1 it attracts by the vehemency of the fire1 another fume1 that is remote by the distance of half an ell4 ,and because the fire doth so vehemently attract1 it keeps its heat within it self1 so that there is no fear of burning2 yet you must cover your hand that holds the tongs with a linnen glove twice double1 and wet in water1 and with the other hand a wooden fence that is perspectible to preserve your eyes2 otherwise it wants all danger of vapours1 or fumes1 as hath been said1 and all excessive heat2 the which is a great benefit in ,art4 ,i do ingenuously confess1 if ,i had not found this a few years since1 ,i had not without loss left off all ,alchymy together with its tedious labours4 ,for ,i had spent many years of my life in great misery of labours1 in superfluous cares1 and watchings1 as also in stinks1 so that going into my ,elaboratory with loathing1 ,i should behold so many materials in so many1 and such various pots1 boxes1 and other vessels1 and also as many broken as whole instruments of earth1 glass1 iron1 and copper1 and did judg my self so unhappy that ,i had made my self a slave to this ,art1 and especially because scarce one of #ajj1 whereof ,i was one1 did get his victuals and cloths thereby4 ,for these reasons ,i was determined to bid farewel to ,chymistry1 and to apply my self to ,physick1 and ,chirurgery1 in which ,i was always happy4 ,but what8 ,whilest ,i thought to do as ,i resolved1 and to cast forth of the doors all and each vessel of divers kinds1 ,i found some crucibles broken1 and in them many grains of gold and silver1 formerly melted in them1 which together with others gathered together1 ,i thought to melt2 but seeing ,i could not melt such things being very hard to be melted1 without the help of bellows 7which ,i had sold7 ,i began to consider the matter with my self more seriously1 and so ,i found out this furnace1 and being invented1 ,i presently built and proved it1 which in tryings ,i found so good1 that ,i did again take hope of my labours1 and would no more despair4 ,seeing therefore an easie1 and compendious way of melting metals1 ,i began to work1 and to begin a new search1 and every day ,i found more and more in nature1 viz4 the greatest and most pleasant secrets of nature2 wherefore ,i did without ceasing seek1 until ,god had opened mine eyes to see that which ,i sought a long time for in vain4 ,where also ,i observed1 that although ,i had before had more knowledge of nature1 yet without this furnace ,i could scarce have done any thing that had been singular4 ,and so ,god willing1 by the help of this furnace1 ,i found out more and more dayly1 for which blessing ,i give to the immortal ,god immortal thanks1 resolving to communicate this new invention candidly1 and faithfully for the sake of my neighbour4 ,judge therefore ,o ,chymist6 whether this1 or that which is made by the help of bellows and common vents1 be the best8 ,for how long doth he that will melt a hard metal in a wind furnace give fire to it before it will flow1 and with what loss of time1 and coals8 ,he that doth melt by the help of bellows hath need of a companion to blow1 with great danger of breaking the crucible with the winde1 and of making it fall when the coals are abated1 or of impurities falling into the crucible in case the cover thereof should fall off1 although there can be no detriment by impurities falling in1 if the matter be metallick1 but not so if it be a salt or mineral1 7without which that cannot be perfected in the fire7 not induring the impurities of the coals1 but boyling over by reason of them4 ,now our furnace is free from this danger1 because the wind comes from beneath and crucibles come always into sight1 not being so overwhelmed with coals as in the common way1 c4 ,for by this means the matter to be melted is flowed1 although the crucibles be not covered over with coals1 nor with a cover1 and although thou hast not a companion to blow1 for you may at pleasure give any degree of fire by the direction of the register4 ,when therefore thou makest any trial in the fire have this furnace which is recommended to thee1 which build rightly with its register for the governing of the fire1 and for the drawing of wind1 and without doubt this labour shall not be in vain4 ,how minerals are to be tryed4 ,the manner of trying minerals hath been already made known1 wherefore it is not needful here to write many things1 because divers ,authors1 as ,georgius ,agricola1 ,lazarus ,ercker1 and others have sufficiently wrote thereof1 to whose writings ,i refer thee1 especially to that most famous ,lazarus ,ercker which is so much commended1 ,de ,probatione ,mineralium1 as well maglignant 7obstinate7 as mild4 ,but thus much know1 being that which experience hath also taught us1 that neither he nor his predecessours had a perfect knowledge of all things1 nor would reveal all things they knew4 ,for many excellent things do yet lye hid1 and perhaps shall yet for a while lye hid by reason of the ingratitude of the world2 although the most famous ,philosophers do with one consent affirm that imperfect metals1 as lead1 tin1 iron1 copper1 and ,mercury1 are intrinsecally gold1 and silver1 although it may seem very improbable to many that are not curious1 but contented with the opinions of their parents2 supposing those minerals to be barren that leave nothing in the cuple1 when they are tryed with lead3 when as yet that proof by cuples although famous1 is not yet that true ,philosophical trial of metals1 but only vulgar1 according to the testimony of ,philosophers1 as of ,isaac ,hollandus1 and others1 especially of ,paracelsus in many places treating of metals1 but especially in his book ,vexationum ,alchymistarum1 containing a true description of the properties1 and perfection of metals4 ,which although not being to be understood by all1 matters not2 for a very easie art is not to be communicated to all1 according to ,paracelsus saying4 ,imperfect metals being freed from their impurities have in them abundance of gold1 and silver4 ,but how metals are to be purged1 and separated he doth not teach1 but only commends lead to be the ,author2 which made the ,alchymist believe that it was common lead1 not knowing that the water thereof 7lead7 did not only purge other metals1 but also lead it self2 supposing also that the trial of tin1 copper1 and iron1 made in a cuple with lead to be that true genuine bath thereof2 not observing that lead hath no affinity with iron1 and tin in a stronger fire1 but to reject what is black1 and unclean1 without any perfection4 ,now this lead can do1 if viz4 it be mixed with a mineral that hath gold or silver in it1 and be melted in the fire being incorporated with it1 it may together with their impurities enter into the ,cuple1 the good gold and silver being left in the ,cuple1 which is the proof of minerals that are digged1 and used2 and it is done upon this account1 viz4 gold and silver may be naturally purged of their superfluous sulphur1 so as never to be any more radically united1 and mixed with those that be imperfect1 as being polluted with abundance of crude1 impure sulphur1 although they may be melted together in the fire2 yet that mixture being retained in the fire1 the combustible sulphur of common metals1 acts upon its own proper argent vive1 and turns it into dross1 which being separated from the metals enters into the porous matter of the cuples1 that which doth not happen in tests1 fixed in the fire1 which that dross being separated from the metals cannot enter into1 being made of an earth that is durable in the fire1 the dross remaining in them1 which otherwise was wont to enter into those cuples that are made of the ashes of bones1 or wood4 ,wherefore by little and little it goes away into the cuple1 viz4 as much as the fire reduced into a ,litharge1 or dross1 until all the ,lead mixed with the ,gold and ,silver together with other imperfect metals mixed with it go into dross1 and hide themselves in the cuple1 the pure gold and silver being left in the cuple4 ,for ,lead in a plain vessel1 feeling the heat from above1 but beneath cold1 is turned into a ,litharge1 which if it be in an earthen fixed vessel1 the ,litharge remains1 and goes in a yellow transparent glass at last1 if it be not mixed with other metals1 as iron1 copper1 tin2 which being mixed therewith1 give to the glass a green1 red1 black1 or white colour1 according to the quantity of the metallick matter3 but in a porous cuple made of ashes1 the ,litharge1 or dross finding pores1 enters into the cuple by little and little1 and successively1 until all the ,lead be entred in1 which could not be if it were not turned into ,litharge4 ,this vulgar trying is therefore nothing else but a transmutation of ,lead1 with the imperfect metals mixed with it1 into dross1 which entring into the cuple leaves in the cuple pure gold1 and silver1 that cannot be turned into dross by reason of their purity4 ,but perhaps this discourse may seem to thee unprofitable1 and superfluous1 because this trial of metals is known all the world over3 but for answer1 ,i say that it is not superfluous1 because many refiners erre1 supposing that corporeal ,lead together with the imperfect metals that are mixed with it1 goes into the cuple1 not being yet turned into ,litharge1 because corporeal ,lead is again melted from thence2 for whose sake this discourse is not properly ordained1 as being those that operate out of use1 and custom only without discretion2 but rather for their sakes1 who do incessantly seek after1 and search into the secrets of nature1 viz4 seeking after that ,philosophical tryal1 which is known to few1 by the help whereof more gold and silver is obtained than by the common way1 but it is not to be discovered in this place2 for all must not have the knowledge thereof2 ,it is sufficient that ,i have demonstrated the possibility thereof4 ,yet know this1 if thou knowest how to prepare ,lead1 ,tin1 ,copper1 and ,iron1 and to fit them for a radical union1 viz4 that aforesaid water of ,saturn1 so as they may endure the force of the fire together1 thou mayst separate and attract gold1 and silver from the aforesaid imperfect metals1 and with gain leaving them in the cuple1 or else you shall draw little or nothing from thence ,see ,explicat4 ,mirac4 ,mundi4 ,and if you do intend to try them with ,lead after the vulgar way1 and bring them into dross1 yet you do nothing1 because tin and iron abounding with gold and silver1 do not remain with the lead in a strong fire1 but are lifted up like a skin or dross1 by reason of their superfluous sulphur1 swimming like fat upon water1 without any separation1 unless it be tin or iron1 which got gold or silver from the mine in their first fusion4 ,and by this means it falls out sometimes1 that some may make a good proof1 but out of ignorance1 not knowing a reason of their operation1 wherefore they cannot do the same again4 ,for if ,chymists1 and ,refiners did consider the matter more profoundly1 enquiring the cause1 wherefore lead being tryed1 deprived of its silver1 and melted in a cuple1 should yet contain in it self silver1 without doubt they would hit upon a good foundation2 without which knowledge all their labour in imperfect metals would be in vain4 ,and let this suffice concerning that ,philosophical tryal1 which is known to few2 ,there is no need of speaking any thing of that vulgar1 being every where known1 of which ,lazarus ,ercker wrote plainly and fully4 ,there is also another proof of minerals1 which is without ,lead1 with ,venice1 or any other good fusible glass1 where one or two ounces of the powdered mineral are mixed with half an ounce of the powdered glass1 and being mixed and covered in a crucible1 are melted1 and poured out2 by which means the glass attracts1 and dissolves that mineral1 and is thereby coloured1 which shews what metal is contained in the mine1 after which may be made another tryal by ,lead1 tryal being first made by the first proof4 ,and this is the fittest proof for the hardest minerals1 which are even invincible1 as are the ,lapis hemititis1 smiris1 granats1 talck black and red1 and those which abound oftentimes with gold1 and silver1 which because they cannot be mixed with ,lead are not esteemed1 but are oftentimes cast away1 although they abound with gold and silver1 and this because they cannot be tryed1 ,which being tryed after the aforesaid manner1 and consequently the treasures lying therein being discovered1 thou mayst afterward with more confidence handle them1 and reduce them to better profit4 ,now those colours which follow1 indicate the tenure of them4 ,glass resembling the greenness of the ,sea signifies meer ,copper1 but the greenness of grass1 signifys copper1 and iron mixed together3 glass of a rusty colour signifys iron3 yellowish glass signfys tin1 glass of a yellow golden colour1 or like a red ruby signifys silver3 ,blew glass like a saphir signifys pure gold2 a smaragdine signifys gold mixed with silver3 ,an ,amethyst colour signifys gold1 silver1 copper1 and iron mixed together4 ,besides these1 glass sometimes gets other colours1 according to the diversity of the weight of divers metals mixed together2 which use will teach with a further practise that is to be made with ,saturn4 ,there is also another precursory tryal of minerals1 and metals1 which is made with ,salt-peter2 where especially tin1 iron1 and copper do largely draw forth their treasures hid in them1 which they will not yield being tryed by ,lead1 the which is not a sign of their poverty1 but rather of not a true tryal made by ,lead1 which is not the true1 and genuine judge1 and tryer of metals4 ,for otherwise 7if it were7 it would draw forth their treasure as well out of a greater quantity of metallick matter1 as out of a lesser4 ,now follows the tryal by ,nitre3 ,make a mixture of one part of sulphur1 of two parts of pure ,tartar1 and four parts of purified ,nitre1 then take an ounce of this mixture1 and one dram of the mineral or metal ground small1 mix those together1 and being put into a crucible1 put a red hot iron or burning coal to them1 and that mixture will be inflamed1 and yield a most vehement fire1 reducing that mineral or metal into dross3 ,and what is not brought into dross must again be mixed with the aforesaid mixture1 and be burnt as before1 until the whole be consumed by the fire4 ,then make that dross or salt containing in it the metal that is destroyed1 to flow so long in a strong crucible1 untill it be made glass2 which being poured out there are found grains of gold or silver1 which came from the mineral or metal that was tryed4 ,and this opperation 7if it be well done7 will be a pleasant sight1 but without profit1 because it cannot be done in a great quantity1 and by reason of the price of the ,nitre4 ,wherefore ,i set this way of tryal only for demonstration sake1 that it might appear how almost all tin1 iron1 and copper1 contain in them gold and silver1 although they do not draw it forth in the ,cuple4 ,now do not suppose that this is transmutation1 which is only separation2 wherefore thou must consider with thy self how that may be performed otherwise4 ,but take heed that thou do not kindle this mixture from beneath1 being put upon the coals1 but from above1 by reason of the danger of flashing3 ,also metals are easily fusible by the following mixture4 ,take one part of the saw-dust of the wood of the teil-tree being well dryed1 two parts of sulphur1 eight or nine parts of pure ,nitre4 ,make stratum super stratum in a crusible1 and take to #aa1 or #ab4 parts of this mixture2 one part of the metal subtilly ground1 and kindle them1 and the mine being melted will yield grains of pure ,gold and ,silver1 if the mine were not too impure1 the impurity thereof be consumed by that most vehement fire4 ,and if this tryal be not for thy profit1 yet it is rational1 and may be for thine instruction4 ,of the melting of mines and metals4 ,the melting of these in a great quantity is not for this place1 because they cannot be done by this furnace1 but it is treated of plainly enough by others in their writings of minerals4 ,of the separation of metals4 ,this is a most ancient and profitable ,art1 whereby one metal may be separated from another3 ,and it is for the most part done #d4 ways1 viz4 by ,aqua ,fortis1 by cement1 by flux with sulphur1 and lead1 and lastly by ,antimony2 which ways that most witty ,lazarus ,ercker1 hath clearly1 and distinctly described1 whose description is not to be found fault with1 although some necessary things may be added thereunto1 which being but few1 ,i thought it superfluous to add them in this place4 ,and that separation consists in three chief metals1 ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper2 he made no mention of other metals1 and two of the aforesaid four ways are in use1 as very easie1 for they are done with ,aqua ,fortis and ,cement1 the two others most commonly neglected1 which are done by benefit of melting with ,sulphur and ,lead2 and also by ,antimony3 that which is admirable1 because metals are easier separated by benefit of these two ways1 than by ,aqua fortis and ,cements1 suspected of wast1 whereas not ,sulphur and ,antimony1 but the ignorant worker1 not knowing the nature of ,sulphur and ,antimony1 is rather to be blamed1 because he knows not how to order them1 and withall leaves the nearer way of separation3 and ,i must needs confess it that without this furnace ,i would not separate with them1 because with that common way of furnaces and bellows1 the stink of ,sulphur and ,antimony hurtful to the ,liver1 ,lungs1 ,brain1 and ,heart1 is received by the ,nostrils to the hazard of health3 for which cause ,i do not wonder that those two wayes requiring greater diligence than those two former by ,aqua fortis and ,cements are rejected4 ,but this ,furnace being known1 with which without danger one may melt1 ,i doubt not of excelling the two former ways hereafter as more profitable than them4 ,for he who knows ,antimony1 may not only easily with small cost separate ,gold from the addition without any loss of it1 and speedily refine it1 but also easier separate gilt silver1 than by ,sulphur1 ,lead1 c4 in great store without any loss of ,gold or ,silver4 ,and this is the easiest way of the separation of ,gold and ,silver which is done by the benefit of melting1 requiring no more charge than the coals2 for there is ,antimony which hath ,gold in it as much as it is worth1 which will be the separators gain3 ,i would have you know this1 how ,antimony may again be separated from ,gold and ,silver1 not by the common way1 which is done by bellows1 but by the special way of separation wherewith the ,antimony is preserved1 so that it may be used again for the same purpose2 which ,i will treat of in another place4 ,besides the four ways spoken of1 there is also another way1 best of all1 by the nitrous spirit of salt1 namely after this manner3 the spirit of salt 7prepared by our first and second ,furnace7 acuated with ,nitre disolved in it1 to which add grain ,gold mixed with ,silver and ,copper2 put it in a glass vial in hot sand to dissolve1 and the ,gold together with the ,copper will be dissolved in it1 and the ,silver left in the bottom of the vial3 decant off the solution1 to which add something1 precipitating ,gold1 and make them boyl together1 and the pure fine gold will be separated and precipitated like the finest meal1 serving ,writers and ,painters2 the ,copper being left in the water2 which thou mayst if thou wilt precipitate from the water1 but it is better to take away the water1 which will serve again for the same use4 ,if the precipitated ,gold be washed and dryed it gives in the melting 7by which nothing is lost7 the best and purest ,gold4 ,for finer gold can neither be made by ,aqua fortis nor by ,antimony4 ,therefore this is the best way of all1 not only for the small cost1 but also for the easiness yielding the best ,gold of all others4 ,then take the calcin'd ,silver left in the gourd1 sweeten and dry it1 which done make a little salt of ,tartar to melt in a crucible1 to which by course put a little of the refined silver with a spoon1 and it will be presently made a body without any loss4 ,you may also boyl that ,calx as yet moist newly taken out of the gourd with a ,lixivium of ,salt of ,tartar1 even to the evaporation of all moisture3 and melt the dry remnant1 where also nothing is lost4 ,without this medium the calx of ,silver 7drawn from ,aqua ,regia7 is not fusible of it self1 turning into a brittle matter1 like horn that is white1 or of a middle colour between white and yellow1 called therefore of ,chymists the ,horn of the ,moon2 in reducing which many have tried much1 which reduction we have already taught4 ,for want of spirit of salt take ,aqua ,regia made of ,aqua ,fortis and salt ,armoniack1 which doth the same1 but with greater charges4 ,this also is to be preferred before other ways1 which makes to the separation of any ,gold of any degree1 if so be it exceed ,silver in weight2 which is necessarily required in the solution made with ,aqua ,fortis4 ,but that you may see the prerogative of this separation1 mark a little1 when you separate by the ,quarto and by ,aqua fortis you must put just two or three parts of refined ,silver to one of course ,gold1 where first the cost and labour of refining the ,silver to be melted and grained with ,gold are required3 then a good quantity of ,aqua fortis to dissolve1 precipitate1 edulcorate1 dry and melt a great deal of silver4 ,consider then ,i pray1 the labours and charges of my separation and the vulgar4 ,when thou separatest with ,cements there is need of boxes1 and continual fire of one degree1 which labour is tedious for times sake1 and costly for coals1 which labour you must twice or thrice take in regard of the mixt dross4 ,now again consider the labour and charges of both separations4 ,when thou separatest by ,sulphur and ,antimony1 which is the best way1 without great charges1 if thou knowest to separate ,gold from ,antimony without blowing1 but this is tedious because thrice greater labour than our way1 tedious indeed by reason of the difficulty of a perfect separation of ,gold and ,silver from the ,antimonial dross4 ,think therefore what way of separation you will use to refine ,gold speedily1 surely you will chuse mine4 ,this way of separation hath also this prerogative1 that it hath no need of refined silver which is done by the benefit of burning1 but only its granulation1 solution or separation by the use of ,aqua ,fortis1 where though copper mixt with silver makes wast1 yet by the help of this salt it is soon precipitated4 ,by this means gilt silver is soon separated1 the gold being dissolved by the nitrous spirit1 and precipitated with the aforesaid matter precipitating4 ,as for the separation of gilt silver which is to be done by help of fusion1 and none is easier done than with ,sulphur and ,antimony1 where when the necessary manual 7ingredients7 are known2 a great deal is separated in a short time1 but if thou knowest not how to handle ,antimony and ,sulphur 7for which our ,furnace very well befits7 leave them1 and use the common way2 therefore lay not thy fault afterward on me1 writing for thy good4 ,of separating the courser metals4 ,the manner of separating ,tin from ,lead1 and ,copper from ,iron1 without loss of both metals1 by preserving both1 hath hitherto been unknown1 which seems impossible to me by reason of the combustibility of both metals2 and superfluous for the small profit1 and saving charges4 ,but how ,gold and ,silver may be separated from ,tin with which commonly this abounds1 without any wast1 hath been long since sought to no purpose3 but a possibility will appear to a serious considerer2 and though ,i never tryed in great quantity1 being content with a precipitation made with a little2 ,i am yet perswaded this business will succeed in a great quantity and with much profit2 namely by the help of a ,furnace made on purpose where gold and silver precipitated with lead and ,halb ,kopf by extream heat of fire2 that tin is extracted to the remanence of the tenth part1 which remainder you must peculiarly take and keep4 ,which done you must precipitate new tin in the foresaid ,furnace1 and so extract to the remainder of the ,regulus1 which being extracted from1 is to be added to the first and reserved2 which labor is to be reiterated1 till thou hast a sufficient quantity of ,regulus filling the ,furnace2 which again thou must precipitate2 for by this means gold and silver are brought together1 so that they may easily afterward be separated from the superfluous tin4 ,by this means ,i count the separation profitable1 where but little substance is lost1 which is turned into ashes and smoak4 ,nor doth adding lead and ,halb ,kopf hinder1 because sometime lead is mixt with tin1 and the ,halb ,kopf is separated again4 ,it is good therefore to separate pots and old dishes1 by reason of the mixture of lead1 and to precipitate the gold and silver from them1 by the adjection of ,halb ,kopf only1 where the residue is no way altered by the ,halb ,kopf1 therefore thou mayst sell it1 or refine it again3 which in my judgment will be to great advantage4 ,what is to be held concerning the perfection of ,metals4 ,this knot is scarce soluble1 for so many and divers opinions of so many ages1 so that most men slighting the testimonies of true ,philosophers1 will not believe the truth1 especially1 because scarce one of an hundred can be found who is not impoverisht with this art3 the incredulous therefore is not to be blamed for his doubting1 no signs of truth appearing1 yet experience testifies a possibility by art and nature1 though examples are rare4 ,i pray with how great absurdity should one deny ,heaven and ,hell never seen8 ,but thou saist we must believe this as revealed by ,god1 his ,prophets and ,apostles2 but so is not this1 but the ,philosophick tradition of ,heathens4 ,i answer1 though most ,philosophers were heathen 7yet some have been ,christians7 yet their works are not to be despised1 because not handling our salvation3 to whom if ,,christ had ,preached1 surely they had believed him4 ,for it appears by their books1 that they were pious and honest ,men2 who though not ,professors of ,,christ1 yet they did ,his ,will indeed1 which we1 though not in words1 in action deny2 who if they had been wicked1 why took they so much pains in making books for the good and profit of their ,neighbour about ,vertue and ,piety8 ,why spent they not rather their life time in leisure and pleasure1 as is the custom now adaies with them who are appointed to instruct us8 ,why should they gull posterity with trifles and lyes1 expecting from thence no profit8 ,for most of them were not poor1 but very rich ,kings and ,princes4 ,besides these1 there have been many ,christians seriously confirming the truth of the ,art3 ,men indeed of special note1 namely1 ,bishops1 ,doctors1 c4 ,such were ,thomas ,aquinas1 ,albertus ,magnus1 ,lullius1 ,arnoldus1 ,roger ,bacon1 ,basil1 c4 ,why should very pious men deceive posterity with their ,works1 and lead them into ,errors8 ,although there should not remain the ,works of ,famous ,worthies1 yet there would be a plain confirming the truth of this ,art4 ,for ,i am perswaded there are some to be found having this knowledge1 and privately possessing it4 ,for who is so mad to reveal himself to the world1 to receive nought but envy for his reward8 ,let no man therefore doubt of this secret ,art's truth4 ,but say you3 ,why stand you so much for the ,art8 ,did you ever see or perform any thing in it8 ,i reply1 though ,i never made projections to perfect metals1 nor saw transmutations2 yet ,i am sure of this1 ,i have often from metals with metals1 leaving no gold and silver in the cupel1 extracted gold and silver by the help of fire3 ,but ,i will not have you think that one imperfect metal will perfect another1 or turn it into gold or silver1 impure and drossy without1 in comparison of gold and silver2 for how can such metals perfect another imperfect8 ,which thus understand4 ,for as in the vegetable ,kingdom1 water cleanseth water1 or juice with seething as is wont to be done in purifying honey and sugar1 or any other vegetable juice1 with common water1 and white of eggs3 so also you must understand of mineral juices or metal1 of which if we know the water and white1 surely we might refine the impurity1 in which gold and silver lie hid1 as in black shales1 and powerfully extract gold and silver1 which is not a transmutation of metals1 but an eduction of gold and silver from the dunghil2 ,dost thou ask how ,gold and ,silver can be educed from copper1 iron1 tin1 and lead1 to wit1 by the help of lotion1 out of which none is drawn with that best proof 7as 'tis thought7 of ,cupels8 ,to which we answered before of the proof of ,cupels not to be sufficient for all the several metals4 ,i need therefore say no more1 but ,i refer the studious ,reader to ,paracelsus his ,book1 the ,vexation of ,chymists1 where thou shalt find another lotion and purification of metals1 which heretofore was unknown to ,miners and ,dealers in ,minerals4 ,as for example3 ,a ,miner finding the oar of copper1 useth his skill delivered by the ancients to his utmost endeavour1 whereby he may cleanse it and reduce it to metal3 where first he breaks it into pieces1 and boyls it1 for to take away the superfluous sulphur1 then by vertue of melting1 he brings it into a stone 7so called7 which afterward again he commits to fire1 and freeth it by the addition of lead1 of its gold and silver2 which done1 he blacks and redens it1 turning it into copper1 which is his last labour1 whereby the copper is made malleable and vendible3 which done1 the ,chymist coming1 tries another separation1 by whose help gold and silver is extracted1 as yet tryed of very few1 of which mention is here made4 ,paracelsus also saith in the same place1 that ,god hath given some an easier way of separating gold and silver from courser metals1 and indeed without refining the oar1 which is a special and curious ,art1 which he teacheth not in plain tearms1 but only saith it is sufficiently taught in seven rules of that book1 where he treats of the nature and propriety of metals2 in which you may seek it4 ,and this purification of courser metals ,i count most easie1 which ,i have often tryed in small quantities3 and ,i doubt not but ,god hath shewn other ,artists also other purifications by which imperfect metals are perfected2 for example1 if one would purge the fruit of the earth by distillation1 so that the dregs and impurities being taken away1 it would grow up with a new clear clarified body3 as if one distil black and impure ,amber by a retort1 the separation would be made by ,fire1 of the water savouring of an ,empyreum1 of the oyl and volatile salt1 and the ,caput mortuum be left in the bottom of the retort2 by which means1 in a very short time without great labour1 is made a great alteration and emendation of ,amber1 though the oyl be black1 impure1 and stinking3 but if it be again distilled by a retort with some mundifying water1 as with the spirit of salt 7namely through a fresh clean glass retort7 there will be made a new separation by that spirit of salt1 and a far clearer oyl will be extracted2 the dregs with the stink left in the bottom of the retort1 which afterward may be twice or thrice rectifyed again with fresh spirit of salt1 until it get the clearness of water1 and sweetness of sent resembling ,amber and musk4 ,and this transmutation makes of a hard thing1 a soft2 unlike the former in shape1 which though never so soft and liquid1 oyly1 may again be coagulated1 so that it becomes as it was at first1 after this manner following4 ,take the said oyl very well clarifyed1 add to it fresh spirit of salt1 set it in digestion1 and the oyl will attract from the spirit of salt1 salt enough for its own recoagulation1 and again it acquires the hardness of ,amber1 of an excellent clear and admirable colour2 of which half an ounce is worth more than some pounds of black ,amber2 of which scarce the eight or tenth part remains in purifying1 all the foul superfluities cast away4 ,by this means ,i think one may cleanse and mend black metals1 if so be the manner of their cleaning were known by distillation1 sublimation and recoagulation4 ,but thou say'st that metals cannot like vegetables be purified by force of distillation1 to which ,i present our first furnace not given to peasants1 but ,chymists1 purifying metals2 so also the possibility of their perfection is shewn by help of fermentation4 ,for as fresh leaven can ferment the vegetables juices1 which are perfected by fermentation1 the dregs being cast away as one may see in wine1 ale1 and other liquors1 whose lasting and perfection proceeds from no other thing but fermentation purifying the vegetable juices1 without which they could not otherwise withstand the ,elements1 subject to corruption in a very short time1 which fermented last some years3 so also if we knew the proper ferment of metals1 surely we might refine and perfect them1 so that they not being any more subject to rust1 would be able to prevail against fire and water1 and be nourished and fed by them4 ,for so the world heretofore perished with water1 and shall at last perish with fire1 and our bodies must rot and be purified by fire before we come to the sight of ,god4 ,and thus far of the fermentation of metals1 wherewith they are amended and perfected4 ,metals also are purify'd and amended like milk set on the fire2 whose cream the better part 7the substance of butter7 in the top is separation from the whey and cheese1 and the hotter the place is1 the sooner the separation is made even1 so it is with the separation of metals2 where metals put into a ,fitted hot place by themselves without any addition of another thing 7the metals being before reduced to a milky substance or curd7 are separated in time1 by parting the nobler parts from the ignobler1 opening a great treasure3 and as in winter time milk is hardly separated with a weak heat2 just so metals if not helped with ,fire1 as one may see in iron1 which in a long time under the earth is turned into gold without ,art4 ,for often iron oar is found with golden veins very goodly to behold1 severed from the course1 earthy and crude sulphur1 by force of the central heat4 ,and commonly in such oar no vitriol is found1 being separated and bettered by its contrary4 ,but a long time is required for that subterraneous separation1 which ,art very speedily performs2 as is wont to be done with milk in winter when we presently make butter of it1 when we put it to the ,fire to part the cream speedily2 which separation is helped by the precipitation made with acid things1 mortifying the urinous salt of the milk1 by which means all principles are separated by themselves1 as butter1 cheese1 whey3 so in a quarter of an hour separation is made by boiling1 which else without acid things could not be done in some weeks4 ,if then it be possible in vegetables and animals1 why not in minerals8 ,for what but gold and silver is found in lead1 iron1 tin and copper1 though it doth not appear8 ,why is all goodness denyed to the courser metals granted to vegetables and animals not equal to them for lasting8 ,whence is the natural perfection of lead1 tin1 iron1 and copper to be proved8 ,nature ever seeks the perfection of her fruits2 but course metals are imperfect2 ,why then is not nature helped with ,art in perfecting them8 ,but the bond of metallick parts is worth observation1 which being broken1 the parts are separated4 ,urinous salt 7as ,i may say7 is the bond of the parts making milk1 as of butter1 whey1 and cheese1 which is to be mortifyed by its contrary acid for separation4 ,but in iron the parts are bound with a vitriolate salt1 as with a bond1 which is to be mortified with its contrary1 urinous or nitrous salt for separation4 ,he therefore who knoweth to take away the superfluous salt of iron1 either by moist or dry means1 doubtless shall have iron not soon subject to rust4 ,fire also hath incredible force of it self in changing metals4 ,is not steel made iron by force of ,fire1 and iron of steel by different proceeding8 ,experience dayly teacheth us also divers kinds of changes and refinings by ,fire2 why is it not possible in metals by an expert ,chymist having skill in them8 ,who would believe that a live bird lurks in an egg1 and an hearb having leaves1 flowers1 and odour1 in the seed8 ,why may not then abortive metals1 getting not yet perfection1 be perfected by ,art1 with help of ,fire8 ,is not an unripe apple or pear ripened by the heat of the ,sun8 ,which some curious and industrious men observing1 have imitated nature in their works2 and have found some metals not destroyed with the heat of ,fire1 but enriched with a secret gainful heat2 so that melted 7digestion being made7 they have yielded double weight of gold and silver4 ,yea ,i my self have seen the common oar of lead digested after the aforesaid manner1 which was not only inriched with silver thereby1 but also partaked of gold which it wanted before in ordinary tryal4 ,besides one might work this in great quantity1 as with an hundred pounds2 which work of minerals will without doubt bring great profit to the skilful triers of lead3 ,but know this1 that not every tryal of lead will be furnished with gold1 but the oar to be ever enriched with silver1 experience being witness4 ,many such things are found in ,nature incredible to the ignorant1 and those that are unexercised4 ,but if we mortals were more diligent in reading the book written with the hand of ,god in the pages of the four ,elements1 surely we should ,find more secrets and wonders in them1 but skill and wealth is got with sweat of face and not by sloth2 therefore labour and pray4 ,metals are also meliorated by the help of gradation like to germination4 ,for it is well known1 that the shoot or grass of some fruitful garden-tree implanted in a wood1 makes that tree afterwards to bear not wild fruits1 but very good and sweet like them of the implanted shoot1 as one may see in iron dissolved in an acid spirit1 fermented with ,venus and turned into ,copper3 by which means doubtless copper is turned into silver1 and silver into gold1 if the true manner of fermentation were known4 ,now this transmutation is like digestion1 making beef or horse flesh of grass in the stomach of oxe and horse1 and mans flesh of beef1 in the stomach of man4 ,the better parts also are separated from the worser by the attractive strength of the like1 as is to be seen in a metal abounding with sulphur1 to which if iron be added in fusion1 the sulphur deserts its native metal1 7by which means it is more purifyed7 and joins its self to the iron1 with which it hath more affinity and familiarity1 than with its own metal2 for example1 if iron be added to lead oar full of sulphur in the melting1 this melted metal is made malleable1 which else would be black and brittle4 ,and if something else to be put to the melted malleable metal were known to us1 to take away in the melting1 the redundant1 crude1 combustible sulphur1 questionless it would yet be made purer2 which thing being unknown1 metals remain in their impurity4 ,and indeed ,god hath done well in this as in all other his works1 that he hath concealed his knowledge from us3 for if it were known to the covetous1 they would buy up all lead1 tin1 copper and iron1 to turn into gold1 so that rurall and poor ,labourers could hardly buy metallick instruments for their use1 for the scarcity2 but ,god will not have all metals turned into ,gold4 ,a ,similitude of taking away the superfluous sulphur of some metals in fusion1 being given to keep the purer parts2 so likewise is there another manner of separating1 the purer parts from the impure1 namely1 by the attractive power of the like1 where the purer parts are drawn together by their like1 the impurer and heterogeneous part is rejected3 and that may be shown as well by the moist as dry way2 an example of the moist way followeth4 ,if quick ,mercury be added to impure gold or silver dissolved in its proper menstruum1 the mercury draws to it self the invisible gold and silver from the ,menstruum and mixt impurity and associates what is purest to it self1 which separation swiftly succeeds4 ,mercury performs the same likewise in the dry way3 namely1 when some earth having some gold and silver1 is moistned with acid water1 and they are so long bruised together1 till the ,mercury draws the better part2 which done you must wash the dead earth left1 with common water1 and separate the ,mercury being dryed from the attracted gold and silver1 by trajecting them through a skin1 but the ,mercury draws but one metal from the earth1 and indeed the best at one time2 which being separated1 it draws another metal2 for example1 if in some one earth1 gold1 silver1 copper and iron ly hid1 the first time the mercury draws the gold1 the second the silver1 but copper and iron hardly by reason of their dross1 but tin and lead easily1 but easiest of all gold by reason of its purity like to mercury4 ,another ,demonstration by the dry way4 ,put under a tile a cuple with lead1 to which add a grain of very pure gold1 most exactly weighed 7for memories sake7 make the gold in the cuple to fulmimate1 and the lead will enter the cuple1 the gold being left pale in the cuple3 of which pale colour there is no other cause than the mixture of silver1 drawn from the lead by the gold4 ,but thou wilt say1 that thou knowest this1 that gold fulminated with lead1 is made paler and weightier1 by reason of the silver in the lead1 left with the gold in the trial1 augmenting the weight1 and thence making it pale3 to which ,i reply1 though lead leave some silver in trying in the cuple1 mixt with the gold added to it1 augmenting its weight1 and changing the colour2 yet it is proved by the weight1 that lead leaves more being mixt with gold in the cuple1 than when tryed without gold4 ,hence it is proved1 that gold in the fire draws its like from other metals1 augmenting its weight3 and this also gold doth in the moist way3 for if it be dissolved in its own menstruum1 together with copper1 and put in digestion1 and then separated1 it attracts gold from the copper2 which labour1 though not done with profit1 yet witnesseth a possibility4 ,but if the menstruum of gold augmenting the attracting power of gold or multiplying the same were known1 but diminishing the retentive power of copper1 doubtless some gain were to be expected2 and indeed more1 if gold and copper1 together be melted in fire with the dry mineral menstruum2 by which means the weight of gold would be increased according to ,paracelsus saying ,metals mixt together in a strong fire1 continued a pretty while1 the imperfection vanisheth and leaves perfection in its place4 ,which surely well done1 is a work not wanting gain4 ,for ,i freely confess1 that ,i would sometime incorporate silver with iron1 when as gold from iron gave me a good increase of pure gold1 instead of fixt silver sought after4 ,and by this means often some not thought on thing happens to ,artists1 as to my self with fixt silver1 not rightly considering the business4 ,therefore medling with metals1 be sure when you find some encrease1 to weigh well what it was at first4 ,for many think long trying silver with iron1 by the ,blood-stone1 ,load-stone1 ,emraud1 lapis calaminaris1 ,red-talck1 ,granats1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,sulphur1 ,flints1 c4 having mature and immature1 volatil and fixt gold in them1 finding in the trying good gold2 that this gold is made of the silver by the help and use of the foresaid minerals1 which is false1 ,for the silver drew that gold out of those minerals1 in which before it lurked volatile4 ,yet ,i deny not the possibility of changing silver1 as being inwardly very like gold1 but not by help of cementation with the said minerals1 because that gold proceeds not from the silver1 but those minerals1 attracted by the silver4 ,this labour is compared to seed cast into good ground1 where dying1 by its own power it draws its like to it self1 whence it is multiplyed an hundred fold4 ,and it behoveth in this work now and then to wet the metallick earth1 with proper metallick waters1 being dryed up with heat 7which operation is called of the ,philosophers inceration7 else the earth will be barren1 and it behoveth that this water be neer in kind to the earth1 so that when they are united they yield a certain fatness4 ,for as it appears from sandy dry earth1 moistened with rain water1 not bringing forth fruit agreeable to its seed1 for the small heat also of the ,sun consuming the moisture1 and burning the seed in the earth1 which mixt with cows dung or other1 keeps the water so as that it cannot be so soon consumed4 ,by the same reason it is necessary that thy earth and water be mixt1 lest thy seed be burnt up4 ,which work if well handled1 it will not be in vain1 requiring the exceeding diligence of nourishing the earth with warmth and moisture1 when the earth is drown'd with too much moisture1 or hath too little1 it cannot increase1 and this is one of the best labours1 with which ,i draw forth good gold and silver of baser metals1 requiring the best vessels1 retaining the seed together with its earth1 and water in its proper heat4 ,i doubt not but this work also in a greater quantity1 may be performed1 firmly beleiving that the courser metals1 especially lead1 the fittest of all not only to be perfected into gold and silver1 but also into good medicine3 which without question is a ,philosophick labour granted from ,god1 as a great comfort to the ,chymist1 but warily to be used4 ,for that all and singular ,gods gifts he will not have common3 as indeed ,i have found1 when ,i had invented a very excellent work1 that ,i shewing it to a friend1 neither could ,i afterwards teach it to him1 nor do it again for my self4 ,therefore indeed justly men are doubtful in writing such matters3 for many seek with idleness to get the inventions of others1 performed with great costs and labour4 ,therefore it is safer to be silent and give leave to seek1 than to publish secrets1 that they may undergo the pains and charges to be born in inventing high matters2 nor any more hereafter may the ingrateful so impudently gape after others ,labours4 ,therefore ,i would entreat all men both of high and low degree1 that they would not molest and tire me hereafter with their ,petitions and ,epistles1 and that they would not turn my good will of benefiting others to the ruin of my self1 but be contented with my writings published for the profit of my neighbour4 ,nor do you think that ,i possess and promise golden mountains4 ,for what ,i have written1 ,i have writ to discover nature1 in these discourses of the perfection of course metals in small quantity2 ,for ,i never made trial in a great quantity1 trying truth and possibility in a lesser only1 in small crucibles3 therefore those things which ,i have writ are written to that end that the possibility of the ,art1 may appear1 of perfect metals to be wrought out of ,imperfect1 therefore he who hath occasion may make trial in a greater quantity3 but as for my part wanting opportunity1 ,i expect ,gods blessing1 whereby upon occasion ,i may make tryal in a greater quantity1 and so receive the fruit of my labour and great charges4 ,also metallick bodies are transmuted by another means1 namely by the benefit of a tinging metallick spirit1 as one may see in aurum fulminans1 sometimes kindled upon a smooth clean metallick plate1 fixing a very deep golden tincture upon the plate1 so that it may bear the ,touch-stone4 ,the same also happens in the moist way1 where plated metals put into a gradatory spirit made of ,nitre1 and certain minerals1 being pierc't by the spirit1 obtain another kind agreeing to the spirit4 ,but if one doubt of the metallick gradation1 made with aurum fulminans2 he may try the certainty from the often fireing of fresh aurum fulminans1 upon the same plate2 for he shall see that it is not the colour of the metal1 and outwardly gilded1 but deeply tinged4 ,likewise one may try the certainty by a humid spirit1 if the transformed metals are tryed1 whence the mutual action and passion of subtilized spirits plainly appears1 for the power of spirits is very great1 and incredible to one not exercised2 and this gradation of inferiour metals1 ,philosophers both ancient and modern1 doe not only confirm1 but also diggers of minerals taught by experience1 that mineral vapours by penetration change courser into purer metals1 ,lazarus ,ercker being witness1 that iron is changed into a good natural copper in green salt waters1 that he saw a pit1 in which iron nailes and other things cast in1 by the penetration of a cupreous spirit were turned into a good copper4 ,i do not deny that metallick dissolutions of some metals do stick precipitated to the plates1 and to make them of a golden1 silver1 or cupreous colour2 for it is well known1 that iron cast into a vitriol water not to be turned into copper1 but to draw copper out of the water1 of which thing we treat not here1 confirming the possibility of metallick transmutations by a tinging and piercing spirit2 therefore ,i again maintain that great power is in metallick spirits2 look only upon course and opake earth1 and besides that clear and limpid water with which the clearer and more powerful air proceeding from the water cometh from the earth4 ,are not whole ,countries drownded with water1 sometimes ,towns and ,cities taken away8 ,cannot the air destroy the strongest ,houses2 especially shut up in the ,earth1 shake the ,land for some miles1 and afterward demolish whole ,cities and ,mountains with the death of ,men8 all which things are done naturally4 ,wind artificially raised by ,nitre threatens a far greater danger1 which no man can deny4 ,although that corporeal ,elements exercise so great power1 yet they cannot pierce metals without hurt1 nor stones and glass1 and things soon penetrated by fire4 ,therefore not by an occult but a manifest power of ,sun and ,fire1 which it hath over metals1 stones and glass1 which are easily pierc't by them without any impediment3 and why should not metals compact of a certain metallick subtile and piercing spirit be penetrated by help of fire1 and changed into another species8 ,as is already spoken of ,aurum fulminans and aqua gradatoria4 ,therefore there is no doubt of the possibility of the metallick tingent spirit changing courser metals into finer1 both by the dry and moist way2 ,for ,metals may be purified the same way as ,tartar and ,vitriol1 and other salts1 namely by the benefit of much water4 ,for it is manifest that vitriol is purged with iron and copper mixt with it1 namely dissolved and coagulated in much water1 so that it waxes as white as allom2 which purification is but a separation of the metal from the salt1 made by the benefit of much water debilitating the salt1 so that it cannot longer retain the mixt metal1 which is precipitated like some slime1 not unprofitable1 because the chiefest part of the vitriol1 from which is the greenness1 viz4 ,copper1 ,iron1 and ,sulphur4 ,and as by help of separation metals are drawn from vitriol1 more perfect than salts2 so also it is with metals when the perfecter and better part is separated by help of precipitation3 as for ,tartar1 it is purified by the addition of water1 but its better part is not precipitated as in vitriol1 but the courser part which is its blackness and fculency4 ,as for example2 ,common ,tartar by the often solution 7made with a sufficient quantity of water7 and coagulation is made very pure and white1 because in every solution made with fresh clear water1 it always becomes purer2 and not only by this means white ,tartar1 but also red and feculent1 is reduced into transparent crystals1 and indeed very speedily by vertue of a certain precipitation2 whose limosity is the cause of the obscurity of the crystalline salt of tartar1 and is nothing else but an unsavory thing1 dead and useless1 mixt with the tartar in its coagulation in ,hogs-heads of ,wine1 and separated again by power of solution4 ,and these examples of the two salts of ,vitriol and ,tartar1 are not in vain set down1 because they shew the difference in precipitation3 ,for in some ,metals1 by force of precipitation1 the courser part is separated2 but in other1 the better and choicer1 according to the prevalency of this or that part4 ,in ,vitriol1 the better part 7,copper and ,iron7 is the least1 which is precipitated and separated from the courser and greater part1 viz4 ,salt2 ,but1 in ,tartar1 the courser and less part is precipitated and separated from the greater and better part clarify'd3 ,the like is in ,metals4 ,therefore1 let every one be wary in separating2 and consider before1 whether the better or courser part of the ,metal is to be precipitated2 without which ,knowledge1 no ,man can meddle with this ,business4 ,let also the ,workman be ware1 who expects any profit from his labour1 of ,corrosive ,waters2 as ,aqua fortis1 ,aqua ,regia1 ,spirit of ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,allom1 ,vinegar1 c4 in the ,solution from which no ,good proceeds1 as utterly destroying and corrupting all and each of them2 proving the same in these words1 ,from ,metals1 by ,metals1 and with ,metals1 ,metals are made perfect4 ,metals are also purified1 maturated and separated from their ,vices1 by ,nitre burning up the superfluous ,sulphur4 ,and all the aforesaid perfections of metals are but particular4 ,for every particular medicine1 as well humane1 as metallick1 purgeth1 separateth and perfecteth or amendeth by the taking away the superfluity4 ,for a universal medicine worketh its perfections and emendations1 by strengthening and multiplying the radical moisture as well of animals as metals1 expelling its enemy by its own natural vertue4 ,but thou sayst excellent examples indeed are delivered by me1 but not the manner of doing them4 ,r4 ,i have delivered more then you think1 although you don't perceive it3 for ,i am sure after my death that my books will be in greater esteem1 from which it will appear that ,i have not sought vain glory1 but the profit of my neighbour to the utmost of my power4 ,but do not1 seeing my freeness of writing1 think that you may wrest many things from me4 ,for assure your self1 that although ,i have written many things for the publick good1 yet ,i intend not by this means to trouble my self4 ,for ,i cannot satisfy the desires of all men1 nor answer their ,epistles1 nor inrich all men1 who neither am rich my self1 nor have sought riches4 ,for although ,i have gotten the knowledge of these things by ,gods blessing1 and have tryed the truth of it in small quantity1 yet have ,i never made experience in great store for wealth sake1 being contented with ,gods blessing4 ,and let this suffice concerning the several purifications of metals according to my experience2 as for that universal medicine so famous1 ,i cannot judge of it1 being a thing unknown to me2 but the possibility thereof ,i am forc't to affirm1 being moved with the several transmutations of metals2 which being unknown1 it behoves us to be contented with that favour which ,god hath bestowed on us4 ,for oftentimes questionless it is better to know little1 for ,eternal ,salvations sake2 for most commonly wealth and learning puff up4 ,and pride brings to the ,devil the ,author of it1 from whence ,god of his mercy preserve us4 ,of the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,i have undergon much charge and labour for many years1 to extract the tincture or anima of gold1 for a medicine to be made therewith1 which at length ,i have obtained1 where ,i have observed the remainder of the gold1 the soul or better part being extracted to be no more gold1 nor longer to endure fire4 ,whence ,i conjectured1 that such an extraction being fixt again1 can perfect courser metals and turn them to gold3 ,but ,i could not hitherto try the truth of my conceived opinion living at this time in a forraign place2 therefore against my will1 although greedy of novelty1 ,i have been forc't to abstain from the work4 ,in the mean time considering the opinions of the ,philosophers concerning their gold1 not the vulgar1 asserting the universal medicine to be prepared therewith4 ,i have again affused a certain ,philosophical ,vinegar to ,copper for to extract the tincture1 where almost all the ,copper like whitish earth is separated from the tincture in digestion1 which earth by no ,art ,i could again reduce into a metallick body4 ,which experiment again confirmed me of a possibility of this ,medicine4 ,which labour though ,i never followed1 yet ,i doubt not but an humane medicine1 though not also a metallick is attainable thence by a diligent workman4 ,the soul therefore with all the metallick attributes1 consisting in so small a quantity1 which is scarce the hundredth part of the weight1 which being extracted and separated1 the remaining body is no more a metal1 but a useless and dead earth2 but it is not to be doubted but being fixt again1 it may reassume and perfect another metallick body4 ,therefore ,i am confidently perswaded by the aforesaid ,reasons1 that such a medicine is to be made of mineral and metallick things1 viz4 in the flowing1 changing baser metals into better4 ,but do not think that ,i writing these things make gold or copper the matter of this medicine1 which ,i do not hold1 well knowing that there are other subjects easily to be handled1 abounding with tinctures4 ,so thou hast heard now my opinion of the ,universal ,medicine1 which my experience in ,gold1 ,copper1 and other ,minerals and ,metals hath caused3 which ,i will not preach for ,gospel1 because it is human to erre4 ,therefore no certainty is to be had1 before its final and compleat perfection1 and indeed once or twice tryed for certainties sake4 ,for an excellent way once found out1 cannot alwaies be often repeated1 which happens doubtless as well to others as to me4 ,therefore we must not triumph before the ,victory2 for unthought on impediments may frustrate ,hope3 but ,god is rather to be implored in our labours1 that he would be pleased to bless our endeavours1 that we may use well his gifts in this life as good stewards1 and afterward bestow the free reward of our labours1 watchings1 and cares on us sinners1 namely1 everlasting ,rest and ,salvation out of his meer ,mercy4 ,whether ,minerals1 as ,antimony1 ,arsenic1 ,orpin1 ,cobolt1 ,zinc1 ,sulphur1 c4 may be transmuted into metals1 and into what8 ,it is long since debated among ,chymists1 whether the aforesaid ,minerals proceed from the same principles with ,metals1 and whether to be counted ,metals2 in which ,controversy they have not agreed to this day1 when as one approves that which another denies1 so that a student of ,chymistry knows not to what side he had best assent4 ,but this knowledge not a little helping1 concerning the purifying of metals1 ,i would put my opinion also grounded upon experience1 for the satisfying the doubtful1 the simplicity of them is strange who hold not one and the same beginning to be of minerals and metals1 saying1 if metals might be made by nature1 of minerals surely it had long since been done2 but it never was1 experience witnessing2 for remaining minerals1 they are never transplanted into metals4 ,i ,answer1 metals grow one way1 also vegetables another1 soon budding1 and again soon dying2 but it is not so with metals2 for all lasting things have long time of digestion1 according to the saying1 ,that which is soon made1 doth soon fade2 this is to be understood not only of vegetables and minerals1 but also of animals1 as appears from the budding of some vegetables1 coming in six ,months space to their perfection1 and then again perishing3 when as things requiring longer time of digestion and perfection are much more lasting4 ,a ,mushroom in the space of one or two nights grows out of rotten wood1 again soon vanishing3 not so the ,oke4 ,oxen1 and ,horses in the space of two or three year come to perfection1 scarce living the twentyeth1 or twenty-fourth year3 but a ,man requiring twenty four years to his perfection1 lives sixty1 eighty1 or an hundred years4 ,so also we must conceive of lasting metals requiring many ages1 and also very long time of digestion and perfection2 metals therefore requiring a very long time of digestion to their perfection1 it is granted to no man ever to see the beginning1 and end of them2 the transplantation of minerals into metals by nature cannot be denyed2 especially1 because that in the oars of metals1 especially of course ones1 minerals are also found2 wherefore diggers of minerals1 when they find them1 conceive good hopes of finding metals1 of which they are termed the ,coverlids1 for seldom metals are found without minerals1 or minerals without metals2 nor also are ever minerals found wanting gold or silver2 therefore minerals are properly termed the ,embryo of ,metals2 because by art and fire a good part of gold and silver is drawn out of them by fusion2 which if they do not proceed from the metallick roots1 whence proceeds that gold and silver8 ,for an ,ox is not born of an ,infant1 nor a man of a ,calf2 for alwaies like is produced of its like4 ,therefore minerals are counted but unripe fruits in respect of metals1 not yet obtaining their ripeness and perfection1 nor separated from the superfluous earth2 for how should a bird be hatcht of an egg by an heat1 not predestined for the generation of a bird8 ,for so we must understand of minerals1 which if they be deprived of their metallick nature1 how should by fire metals be produced from thence8 ,but thou saist that thou never sawest the production of perfect metals out of courser2 therefore that it is neither likely1 nor credible to thee1 to whom many things as yet lye hid1 as from most men1 perversly and foolishly denying things unknown2 for daily experience witnesseth1 that the viler minerals and metals by taking away the superfluous sulphur 7however it be done7 obtain a greater degree of perfection1 therefore should not thy heart believe1 and thy tongue speak what thou seest with thine eyes8 ,for experience shews that good gold and silver might be drawn out by art almost out of all course minerals and metals1 yet more out of some than of others1 and speedier2 for there is not that dark night1 that is altogether depriv'd of light1 which may not be manifested by a hollow glass2 nor is there an element 7though never so pure7 not mixt with other elements1 nor any malignity depriv'd of all good1 or on the contrary4 ,and as it is possible to gather the hidden beams of the ,sun in the aire1 so also hidden perfect metals dispersed in imperfect metals1 and minerals by fire1 and an expert ,artist3 if once they are placed in fire with their proper solvents1 where the homogeneous parts are gathered1 and the heterogeneous separated2 so that there is no need to go into the ,indies to seek gold and silver in those new ,islands1 which is possible to find plentifully here in ,germany1 if so be the merciful ,god would please to turn away those present cruel ,plagues1 and bring them out of old metals1 viz4 ,lead1 ,iron1 ,tin1 and ,copper1 there left by the ,dealers in minerals2 indeed without the culture of minerals4 ,let no man therefore judge himself to be poor1 because he is only poor and in want 7although otherwise very rich and abounding in wealth1 which yet in a moment he is forc't to forsake7 that being ungrateful1 neither knoweth nor acknowledgeth ,god in his ,works4 ,what ,i pray is in less esteem in the world1 than old ,iron and ,lead1 which are acceptable to the wise to use in the ,lotion of ,copper and ,tin with the mineral ,white8 ,but how they are to be washed1 is a difficulty to the unexercised in the fire1 and shall be delivered by similitudes3 ,you see ,antimony fresh digged out of the earth1 very black and impure2 which by fusion separated from its superfluity 7which1 though nature gave to it not in vain1 but as an help to its purification1 according to that3 ,,god and ,nature do nothing in vain7 is made more pure1 and endowed with a body nearer to metals than its mineral1 which if afterwards melted with salt of ,tartar1 the crude and combustible sulphur is mortified thereby1 and is turned into dross1 and separated from the pure mercurial part1 so that hereby is made a new and fresh separation of the parts1 of which one portion being white and brittle1 sinks to the bottom1 the other lighter1 to wit1 the combustible sulphur is on the top with the salt of ,tartar2 which poured out into a ,cone1 when they are cold1 may be separated with the hammer2 the inferior part of which is called by the ,chymists ,regulus1 which is purer than ,antimony cast the first time out of its mineral2 and this is the usual purging of ,antimony used by ,chymists2 to which 7,regulus7 if afterward any thing should be added1 for a third purification1 without doubt it would not only be made purer but more fixt and malleable4 ,for if white ,regulus be preparable out of black ,antimony1 why not as well malleable metal out of the ,regulus4 ,another way of separating the superfluous ,antimonial ,sulphur1 ,antimony powdred one part1 ,salt-peter half as much1 mingle them1 and kindle the mixture with a live coal1 and let that ,antimonial sulphur1 with the nitre be burnt up1 the darkish mass being left1 to wit1 of a brown colour2 which melted for the space of an hour in a strong fire yeilds an ,antimony like to that which is made with salt of ,tartar1 but somewhat less in quantity3 in like manner the parts of ,antimony are separated1 viz4 if ,antimony1 ,nitre1 and crude ,tartar be mingled in an equal weight1 and being mixt are kindled and melted4 ,there is also another separation of the ,antimonial parts2 when of small bits of ,iron one part is pat into a strong crucible1 in a wind ,furnace1 to which being red hot1 cast two parts of ground ,antimony1 for fusion1 and the superfluous combustible sulphur will forsake the ,antimony1 and joyn to the ,iron1 a metal more amicable to it2 mixt with which1 it forsaketh its own proper pure ,mercury1 and sulphur or ,regulus1 which is almost the half part of the ,antimony4 ,and these four ways1 by which the superfluous combustible sulphur of ,antimony is separated are most common1 not set down as secrets1 but for demonstration sake1 that it may appear how sulphureous minerals are1 to be perfected and purified1 which are little amended2 yet shewing a better way not only for ,antimony1 but also for ,arsenick and ,orpin1 although these two cannot be so done with ,iron1 ,nitre and ,tartar1 by reason of their volatility2 but with ,oyl1 or other fat things in close crucibles1 giving a ,regulus like to the ,antimonial2 and these ,reguli make ,tin hard1 to sound and be compact2 if to one pound one ounce be added in fusion1 for making good houshold stuff4 ,and in tryal they give good ,gold4 ,and as it is said of purging ,antimony1 so also it is to be understood of the rest1 as ,wismuth1 ,zinck2 ,lapis calaminaris1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,iron and ,copper1 to be purged from their superfluous sulphur1 if thou wilt draw more perfect metals1 viz4 ,gold and ,silver out of them with gain4 ,and so ,i make an end of metallick lotions2 recommending to ,chymists1 ,nitre1 ,tartar1 ,flints and ,lead2 for who knoweth to use them1 shall not lose his labour in ,chymistry2 but 'tis to be lamented1 that every where good earth and fixt in the fire1 is not to be gotten1 retaining ,lead and ,salts2 for without our old ,saturn little or nothing can be done in refining metals2 therefore who goes to try any thing in this ,art1 let him seek the best earth retaining ,lead twentyfour hours space2 afterward let him consult with ,tin1 what ,vulcan has to be done with ,iron2 who will tell him what he must suffer1 before he obtain the ,crown4 ,of the tincture of ,sol and ,antimony4 ,sometimes an alteration happens to mans body1 from the attraction of mineral vapors 7which cannot be done by my ,furnace7 in the tryal2 therefore here ,i will set down a certain medicine for the ,workmans sake1 as well for preserving as curing1 namely1 a clear rubin fixt1 and soluble of ,gold and ,antimony4 ,take of pure ,gold half an ounce1 dissolve it in ,aqua ,regia2 precipitate the solution with liquor of ,flints1 as before is said in the ,second part2 edulcorate and dry the calx1 and it will be prepared2 take ,regulus ,martis 7of which is spoken a little before7 beaten fine1 to which mix three parts of the purest ,nitre2 place the mixture in the crucible between burning coals1 putting to fire by degrees3 which done make a stronger1 viz4 for fusion2 for then the ,mass will be made purple2 which taken forth and cooled grind very small1 of which take three or four parts and mix with one part of the aforesaid golden calx2 place it mixed in a strong crucible covered over in the aforesaid winde ,furnace1 and make the mass to flow together like metal1 and it will assume the ,antimonial ,nitre in the fusion1 and will dissolve the ,gold or the calx of ,gold1 and a mass of an ,amethyst colour will be made therewith1 which so long leave in the fire1 till it get the clearness of a ,ruby1 which one may try with a clean wire or iron bowed and put therein1 although the mean time the mass deprived of fusibility1 is thickened2 it is meet to add some ,nitre or ,tartar1 for speeding fusion1 and that as often as shall be needful4 ,lastly1 pour the mass1 when it shall come to the utmost redness of a ,ruby1 hot into a clean copper morter1 which there leave until it cool1 and it will be in colour very like to an ,oriential ,ruby2 then bruise it hot into powder1 for taking air it would melt1 and extract the tincture by the affusion of the spirit of ,wine in a ,vial1 and the ,gold together with the ,antimony will remain very white like the finest ,talc1 to be washed with clear water1 in a glass1 edulcorated and dryed2 which melted with a stronger fire1 gives a ,yellow glass1 in which no ,gold appears1 yet separable by way of precipitation with the filings of ,iron and ,copper1 from which it recovers its ancient colour1 but without profit1 by reason of the wast1 the tinged spirit is to be taken away from the tincture1 which is a very soveraign medicine in many grievous diseases4 ,although thou mayest suspect this not to be the simple tincture of ,sol1 but of ,nitre and ,tartar mixt1 be sure that the quantity of ,nitre added not to exceed2 and suppose that tincture of ,tartar and ,nitre1 ,i pray what waste is there8 since that is so good a medicine by it self1 ,i am perswaded1 this tincture of sol to be better than those set down in the ,second part4 ,that ,ruby may be so used by it self with proper vehicles1 seeing it is a soveraign medicine of it self2 or else exposed to the air and resolved to a liquor2 for the medicine is no less than a tincture1 because the ,gold in it1 and the purer part of ,antimony are made potable without corrosives4 ,wonderful is the power of salts in metals to be destroyed1 perfected and changed by fusion2 for it happened to me one time making this ,ruby1 placeing two other crucibles also with metals1 by this containing gold with the prepared ,regulus of ,antimony 7for easily two or three1 or more crucibles may be placed in this furnace1 to be ruled with one fire1 which cannot be done in a common furnace by that means7 about to put in a certain salt into the crucible next to the crucible of gold1 that by a mistake ,i cast it into the crucible with gold only1 whence so great a conflict arose1 that there was danger of boyling over2 therefore forced to remove it out of the furnace presently with tongs1 and to effuse it1 supposing that the ,ruby was left by my rash putting in of salt2 therefore ,i would only save the gold4 ,and ,i found the effused mass red like blood1 purer than a ,ruby1 but no ,gold2 but white grains like ,lead dispersed here and there in the salts1 by reason of their smalness1 not separable but by the solution of the salts1 which being separated by the solution of water from the red tincture like blood1 remained in the bottom of the glass1 which afterward for fusions sake ,i placed in a new crucible in that furnace1 but willing to try the fusion1 ,i found the crucible empty1 and all the ,gold vanished1 a little excepted sticking on the top to the crucible and the cover1 which ,i took away and melted for experience sake in a new close crucible1 but all of it presently feeling heat flew away like ,arsnick1 no sign being left in the crucible2 and so ,i was deprived of my ,gold4 ,at length ,i took the red solution1 and abstracted the water from the salts1 and ,i found the salt red like blood1 which ,i put in a clean crucible in the furnace for to try whether any metallick body might thence be extracted2 but ,i found the effused salt deprived of all tincture and redness1 which seems strange to me even to this day1 that by help of this salt the whole substance of gold1 viz4 the tincture together with the remainder flew away1 having so great volatility4 ,which labour afterward ,i would reiterate1 but it happened not so at all as at the first time2 there was indeed some alteration of the gold made1 but its volatilization was not so great1 the cause of which thing1 ,i think was the ignorance of the weight of the aforesaid salt1 cast in at the first time against my will4 ,and two reasons chiefly moved me to insert this history1 ,first1 that it may appear how soon one may mistake in a small thing frustrating the whole process4 ,secondly1 ,that the truth of the ,philosophers may appear writing that gold by art is reducible into a lower degree1 equal to lead 7which happened to me in this work7 and that it is harder to destroy gold and make it like to an ,imperfect metal1 than to transmute an imperfect metal into gold2 therefore ,i am glad in my heart that ,i saw such an experiment2 of which thing our phantastick ,philosophers will hear nothing1 writing whole volumes against the truth1 stifly affirming1 gold to be incorruptible1 which is an arrant lye2 for ,i can shew the contrary 7if need be7 many ways4 ,i wonder indeed what moves such men to slight a thing unknown1 ,i do not use to judg things unknown to me4 ,how dare they deny the transmutation of metals1 knowing not how to use coals and tongs8 truly ,i confess those rude and circumforaneous ,mountebanks1 not a little to defile and disgrace true ,chymistry1 every where cheating men by their fraud1 being needy and opprest with penury2 unless peradventure they find some credulous rich man giving them food and raiment for the conceived hope of ,gain and ,skill1 of which also some being furnisht with gold1 go clad like painted ,parrots1 whom ,i judg to be hated worse than a ,dog or a ,snake2 but innocent ,chymistry is not therefore to be despised4 ,some covetous men besotted with folly and madness1 laying out their moneys with an uncertain hope of gain1 who afterward the thing ill succeeding1 are forced to live in poverty1 whose case is not to be pityed1 destroying their money out of covetousness4 ,some seek wealth not out of covetousness1 but rather that they may have wherewith to live1 and may search nature1 which are to be excused if they are deceived by knaves1 yet not to be praised if they spend above their ability4 ,another tincture and medicine of ,gold4 ,dissolve gold in ,aqua ,regia1 being dissolved1 precipitate it with liquor of the salt of flints1 pour some more of the aforesaid liquor to the precipitated gold1 then place them in sand to boyl for some hours space1 and the liquor of flints will extract the tincture of the gold1 and be dyed with a purple colour1 to which1 pour rain water1 and make it to boyl together with that purple liquor1 and the flint will be precipitated1 the tincture of an excellent colour with the salt of ,tartar left2 from which it is necessary to extract the water even to driness1 and a very fine salt of a purple colour will remain in the bottom of the glass1 out of which with the spirit of wine1 may be drawn a tincture as red as blood1 little inferior in vertue to potable gold2 for many things lie hid in the purple salt1 of which more things might be spoken if occasion permitted2 therefore let it suffice to shew the way of destroying gold1 for that golden salt may in a very short time1 viz4 an hour1 be perfected with small labour and transmuted into a wonder of nature2 confuting the slanders of the noble ,art of ,alchimy2 for which gift we ought to give immortal thanks to the immortal ,god4 ,of ,looking-glasses4 ,i have made mention in the treatise of ,aurum potabile1 not only of the material heat of fire1 but also of turning the finest beams of the ,sun into a material bodily substance1 by help of certain instruments by which they are collected4 ,i have also mentioned there a concave ,glass1 whose preparation ,i will here give1 it being not known to all men1 the best that ,i know is as followeth4 ,first1 patterns are to be made of the best matter1 namely1 hair and ,potters clay1 of which thing in the ,fifth part1 conformable to the glasses1 in form and figure circularly round2 for else they cannot gather the ,sun-beams together1 and again put them forth2 the fault of which thing is to be ascribed only to the pattern or mold2 for the fusion and polishing of glasses is no singular ,art1 being known even to ,bell-founders1 but to melt them when very well shap't of the best matter and rightly to polish them1 this is ,art3 and first to cut the patterns round1 being very well shaped by the use of a sharp ,iron ,instrument cannot briefly be demonstrated2 therefore ,i will send the ,reader to ,authors prolixly handling this thing1 viz4 ,archimedes and ,johan4 ,baptist4 ,porta1 and others2 but if thou wantest those ,authors1 or dost not understand them1 see thou have a ,globe exactly turned for making the ,molds as followeth3 first make a mixture of meal and sifted ashes1 which spread equally between two boards1 as the manner is to spread past made of ,flower and ,butter for ,pyes and ,tarts1 answering in thickness to the glass to be shaped1 then with a ,compass make a circle as big a you please1 which cut with a knife1 and put it on the ,globe1 and sprinkle quick lime on it out of a searce or sive1 and put clay well prepared with haire over it of the thickness of two fingers breadth2 and if it be a great piece you must impose cross wires strengthning the ,mold1 least it be bent or broken4 ,afterward one part being hardned with the heat of the ,sun or fire1 take away all that from the ,globe1 and put it on some hollow thing1 on which it may on all sides stand well1 and also sprinkle quick lime or the powder of coals on the other side1 and put upon this the other part of the pattern1 and again expose it by degrees1 to be dryed by the heat of ,sun or fire1 lest it crack2 which done1 take away the ends making those parts of the ,mold or pattern from the inward or middle1 which ends set one against another to the inward parts1 the distance at least of a hands breadth1 and put between in the top a few live coals to harden the ,mold all over2 to which put on other coals1 and then more1 and so by degrees even to the top1 that they may be well kindled in their lighter parts2 but if the ,molds are very thick1 one fire will not suffice1 but it will be necessary to add more coals1 until they be throughly kindled in the inner parts2 afterward1 let the fire go out by degrees1 that the types may grow cold1 but not altogether1 but so that you may touch them2 and presently besmear finely the sifted ashes mixt with water1 with a pencil1 to stop up the chincks arisen from the burning the hair1 and for smoothing the types2 then again make both parts 7after thou hast first framed a hole in them for a ,tunnel7 clean1 being wary lest any foul thing fall upon them2 and carefully bind them together with iron or copper wier2 and very well lute over the joining with clay prepared with hair2 and put on an earthen ,tunnel1 and place the ,mold in dry sand up to the top3 ,and thou oughtest in the mean while thou burnest and preparest the ,mold1 to melt the metallick mixture1 that it may be poured into the hot ,mold1 the ,metal being well melted1 cast in a bit of searcloath1 which burning1 pour out the melted ,metal into the hot ,mold1 being wary lest coals or some other thing fall into the crucible1 and be poured with the ,metal into the ,mold1 spoiling the glass2 then let the glass cool of it self in the ,mold1 if the matter do not moulder in the cooling3 ,and if it should moulder in the cooling1 which indeed would lessen it1 it behoves that the cast glass be presently taken out of the ,mold1 and covered over with a hot earthen or iron vessel1 that it may cool under it1 which otherwise1 cooling shut up in the ,mold not being able to moulder1 is broke in pieces1 but a little below you shall perceive1 what be those mouldering metals4 ,and this is the common way 7and the best7 of melting1 if so be thou art exercised2 there are also other ways2 first1 when molds are made of wood or lead1 agreeing to the glass1 to be impressed with sand1 or the finest powder of tyles or other earth1 as is the custome of copper-smiths2 and this way only serveth for lesser glasses4 ,the third way which is the best of all1 but hardest to one not exercised1 is as follows2 make a waxen ,mold with a ,cylinder to be placed between two boards1 as is aforesaid of the first way1 which put upon the globe for to shape it1 and let it be hardned in the cold2 then take it away1 and spread over it the following mixture with a pencil2 which see that it be dryed in the shadow1 then apply potters clay1 prepared with hair1 the thickness of one or two fingers breadth2 then take away the wax in manner following from the earth3 make a round hole in the earthen mold with a knife1 coming even to the wax2 which done1 place it near a coal fire1 the mold being bending down1 and the melted wax will run through the hole1 into which pour the hot 7not burnt7 metal1 c4 that liniment which is anoynted on the wax must be very well prepared least while the wax melt1 it fall and melt away with the wax1 nor let the wax pierce the earthen mold and spoil it4 ,now the liniment follows3 ,burn potters clay well washt in a ,furnace even to redness2 afterward grind it and take away its finest part with washing of water1 so that you may have an impalpable powder1 which dry1 and again burn with a strong fire3 after grind it with rain water and salt ,armoniack sublimed1 upon a stone1 as ,painters use to prepare their colours1 bring it to the just consistence of a paint1 and the mixture will be made2 the salt ,armoniack keeps that fine powder1 lest it melt away with the wax3 and the prepared earth makes a tender and fine fusion4 ,the metallick mixture for the matter of the ,looking-,glass4 ,there are divers of these mixtures1 of which one is alwaies better than the other1 which by how much 'tis the harder1 by so much the glass is the better2 and by how much the harder the metal is1 by so much the better it is polisht2 nor doth the hardness of the mixture suffice1 but its whiteness is also required3 for red proceeds from too much copper2 black from too much iron1 or duskie from too much tin1 and doth not make the true representations of things1 but changeth the shape and colour of them3 for example sake1 too much copper rendereth the ,species redder than they are to be1 and so of the rest2 let therefore the metallick mixture be very white2 but if burning glasses are to be made1 it is no matter what colour it be of1 if so be that the mixture be hard4 ,i will set down one of the best1 4 of ,copper plates the thinest beaten to pieces one part1 of white ,arsnick a quarter part2 first moisten the plates with the liquor of the salt of ,tartar1 and make a ,stratum super ,stratum1 with plates and ,arsnick powdred1 by sprinkling this on them1 until the crucible be filled2 to which pour the oyl of ,linseed1 as much as sufficeth to cover the copper and ,arsnick2 which done put on the cover with the best lute1 then place the crucible 7the lute being dryed7 in sand1 so that only the upper part of the cover may stick out and administer fire by degrees1 at first little2 secondly somewhat stronger1 till at length it be hot1 that all the oyl may evaporate2 in the mean time1 the oyl will prepare the copper1 and retain the ,arsnick1 and will make it enter into the plates1 like oyl piercing dry ,leather3 ,or place the crucible upon a grate and put ,fire to it1 which administer by degrees1 until the oyl evaporate in the boyling4 ,lastly1 when it shall coole1 break the crucible1 and thou shalt find the copper of diverse colours1 especially if thou shalt take ,orpin in stead of ,arsenick1 and twice or thrice increased in magnitude1 and brittle4 ,r4 of this copper one part1 and of latton ,orichalcum two parts1 melt it with a very quick ,fire1 and first indeed the latton1 to which afterward add the friable copper2 pour out the mixture melted and thou shalt have a very hard metal unfileable1 yet not so brittle1 but like steel1 of which diverse things may be formed serving in stead of iron and steel instruments2 take of this hard metal three parts of the best tin without lead one part1 melt and effuse it1 and the matter of looking-glasses will be made4 ,this mixture is a hard white metal making the best looking glasses1 but if this labor seem tedious1 take of copper three parts1 of tin one part1 of white ,arsenick half a part for the matter of looking-glasses1 which are fine but brittle1 as well in the melting as polishing1 therefore carefully to be handled4 ,i must here set down a thing worthy to be observed1 and known to few2 viz43 a false opinion of many1 especially of those who attribute knowledge to themselves of the proprieties of metals4 ,in the second part 7of subtile spirits7 mention is made of the pores of metals1 for experience witnesseth1 that those subtile spirits as of harts-horn1 tartar1 soot1 and sometimes those sulphureous ones of salts and metals do evaporate through pewter vessels1 which at the first hearing every man cannot conceive1 for whose sake this discourse is made4 ,make two balls of ,copper1 and two of pure ,tin not mixt with lead1 of one and the same form and quantity1 the weight of which balls observe exactly1 which done1 again melt the aforesaid balls or bullets into one1 and first the copper1 to which melted add the ,tin1 lest much ,tin evaporate in the melting2 presently pour out the mixture melted into the mold of the first balls1 and there will not come forth four nor scarce three balls1 the weight of the four balls being reserved2 if then metals are not porous1 whence ,i pray doth that great alteration of quantity proceed8 therefore know that metals are porous more or less2 gold hath the fewest pores1 silver hath more1 ,mercury more than that1 ,lead more than ,mercury1 ,copper more than ,lead1 and ,iron than copper1 but tin hath most of all4 ,if we could destroy metals1 and again educe them destroyed from power to act1 surely they would not be so porous4 ,and as a child without correction is unapt to any goodness1 but corrected is endued with all kind of vertue and learning1 so also we must understand of metals which left in their natural state1 namely drawn out of the earth without correction and emendation remain volatile1 but corrupted and regenerated are made more noble1 even as our bodies destroyed and corrupted1 at length shall arise clarified before they come into ,gods sight4 ,well said ,paracelsus1 that if in one hour metals were destroyed an hundred times1 yet they could not be without a body1 reassuming a new species and indeed a better1 for it is rightly said1 ,unius corruptio1 alterius generatio2 for the mortification of a superfluous sulphureous body is the regeneration of the ,mercurial soul1 for without a destruction of metals perfection cannot be2 therefore metals are to be destroyed and made formless1 that thereby the superfluous earthy combustible sulphur being separated1 the pure fine ,mercurial species may spring forth4 ,of which thing more1 when we ,speak of ,artificial stones4 ,of the smoothing and polishing of looking-glasses ,a looking-glass1 though it be very exactly melted and proportioned1 yet is of no value if not rightly polished and smoothed2 for easily in the smoothing any part it may suffer some dammage hurtful to it1 and it is necessary to take from them first1 the grosser part by the wheel1 as the custom is with ,pewterers and ,copper-smiths with a sandy stone1 then to apply to them a finer stone with water1 until they are sufficiently smoothed by grinding2 which done1 the looking glasses are again to be taken from the wheel and to be moved to the small wooden wheel covered with leather1 rubbed over with a fine prepared glazing stone until the crevises contracted in the turning no more appear1 having got a cross line1 afterward another small wheel covered with leather is required1 to which a bloodstone prepared and washt with the ashes of tin rubbed on1 to which likewise by the aforesaid means1 according to the same line1 the looking-glasses are so long to be moved till they get a sufficient fineness and brightness4 ,you must keep such looking-glasses from the moist air1 and breathing1 and to wipe them when infected with air and breathing not with any woolen or linnen cloth1 but with a ,goats or ,harts skin1 and not any way1 but according to the cross line1 with which the looking-glasses are smoothed4 ,they may also be smoothed by lead artificially melted1 by first rubing them with a smiris and water1 and then with a finer smiris and lead2 lastly with a blood stone and ashes of tin3 likewise also with whetstones1 by changing for a finer every time1 whence at length also they acquire a splendour by the ashes of tin4 ,also the outward part of the looking-glasses 7convex7 may be smoothed1 which represents the species short1 and spreads the dispersed rays3 but the inward part 7hollow7 gathers and multiplies1 and puts forth or exposeth the ,image4 ,let these things suffice concerning the melting of looking glasses1 polishing requisites1 for the collection of the ,sun beams1 and although from the aforesaid mixture other kinds of looking-glasses might be made representing wonderful shapes and several excellent things1 as ,cylindrick1 ,pyramidal1 ,parabolick1 c4 they are omitted as impertinent to this place1 yet ,i could shew a way to make them1 because ,i have undergone no small labors and charges in the searching of their preparation and use1 if it were necessary4 ,but of all looking-glasses that is most useful whose preparation we have shewn1 whose diameter is at least two or three spans1 if thou wilt perform any special thing2 although it be but of one or two spans1 yet it gathers abundance of beams1 so that thou maist melt tin and lead with it1 if it be well shaped3 yet the larger are the better4 ,nor ought they to be too deep1 that they may cast their beams the further1 and better perform their actions or functions1 let them have the twentyeth or thirtyeth part of the sphere 7the section being exactly observed7 which is the foundation of the ,art4 ,of ,artificial ,gems1 and ,metallick ,glasses4 ,as for metallick glasses pertaining to ,alchymy1 and much conducing to the perfection of metals1 and esteemed by the ,ancient ,philosophers1 ,i would not omit to say somewhat in this place1 because they are easily made by this furnace4 ,and indeed the ,ancients have found these glasses questionless by chance1 in reducing the calcined bodys into glass by a strong fire1 for very many secrets by this means not sought for are found out4 ,oftentimes it happens to our labors1 that past hope we find somthing better or worse1 than the thing sought2 and ,i think it hath thus happened with these glasses1 but however it be1 ,i am sure these glasses have stood us in much stead2 for ,izaak ,holland saith plainly1 ,that vitrified metals being again brought to metals1 by that reduction do give better and nobler metals than the first vitrified2 and indeed gold gives a tincture1 but silver gold1 and copper silver2 and so consequently the glass of other metals give better metals in reduction1 the truth of which experience proves1 and although ,i have not yet made great tryal in this work1 yet ,i know that metals brought into dead ashes to be turned into clear glass cannot be again reduced into metals without great profit3 yet one metal is more pliable than another1 nor are our glasses the ,artificial stones of gold-smiths fixed to other large ones for ornaments sake1 made by the addition of glass made of fusile sand2 but ours are made of the juice of metals4 ,but ,i do not deny the vertue of ,venice glass1 and others in the mundifying of metals1 chiefly copper and tin1 which yet is not comparable with metallick juices4 ,i freely confess ,i have tryed this thing twenty times1 and ,i never was deceived by it3 but ,i know not whether it may prove so in a greater quantity1 because ,i never tryed it1 doubting of my vessels not fit to retain fusible glasses a requisit time3 for ,i have spent much labor in making these kind of vessels1 but hitherto in vain4 ,for there is very great hope of gain1 if thou hast very strong crucibles1 nor is this perfection of metals without reason1 for whilest the metal is burnt to ashes1 much of the superfluous combustible sulphur is burnt 7as you may see in ,lead1 ,tin1 and ,copper1 from the sparks appearing in their calcination whilest they are stirred and separating7 which if again reduced 7viz4 being calcined7 its better and heavier part 7by benefit of melting7 sinketh to the bottom1 the worser flowing on the top is changed into dross or glass4 ,and so the separation of metals is made by the help of the ,fire alone1 to the ignorant and unexpert incredible3 but consider gilt silver to be separated in fusion1 which is as it were corrupted by the common sulphur1 and the metallick species1 being lost1 it turns to a black dross before that in melting it forsakes the gold3 which way also silver is separated from copper1 and this from iron4 ,observe also that black and crude ,antimony1 being reduced into ashes by calcination1 and melted is separated by a strong ,fire1 the purer parts descending pure and white like silver1 but the impure parts ascending are changed into glass or dross1 which separation would never be made without incineration although the ,antimony should have stood long influx4 ,thou seest therefore the power of ,fire alone in melting metals1 wherefore believe thou that thy labor shall not be in vain if thou knowest how to help the ,fire4 ,exercise thy self therefore in it1 for thou art sufficiently instructed1 and this furnace will help thee2 without which it is impossible to manage such things well1 as experience testifies1 confirming my words4 ,mention being made of metallick glasses1 which belongs to the perfection of metals1 ,i am forced to say somthing also of other ,amausa1 or coloured glasses1 which are called ,gems1 and are worn for beautifying1 which though it be not profitable1 yet it is a delightful labour1 which knowledge1 as well noble as ignoble have long sought1 not for gain1 but recreation sake1 erring from the true way 7although prolixly described in many tongues7 through ignorance of the art to render crystal or flint fusible1 and colouring it1 being content with lead glasses made of one part of crystals1 or flints1 and three or four parts of minium or ceruse1 glass of no worth1 as not only very soft and unapt for polishing1 but also heavier than it ought by means of the lead1 and having a yellow or green colour1 for every glass made of crystal or flint1 and minium or ceruse by themselves1 viz4 without the addition of other colours1 gets a yellow colour from the ,lead1 hindering and altering other mixt colours2 therefore a good stone is not made this way of lead and flint1 but ,leaden glasses of this sort1 ,venice glass1 ,ashes of tin1 and colours being added to them1 be used diversly of the goldsmiths1 namely to colour gold1 otherwise of no moment4 ,therefore ,i will give another preparation1 namely out of flints c4 crystals alone without minium and ceruse1 with metallick colours1 having the colour and elegancy of excellent stones2 but not harder than glass2 for although crystal is harder than iron1 yet by melting it is deprived of its hardness in some measure1 and is made like to glass1 yet so much hardness reserved1 as serves to write on another glass1 which glasses are easily polished1 and in all things and by all1 most like1 hardness excepted1 to natural stones2 with which not only various kinds of stones may be made1 and other gold1 silver1 and wooden works or pictures adorned2 but also diverse supellectils1 as salts1 hafts or hilts1 cups1 c4 and also images and antiquities may be formed 7by fusion7 like to those cut out of gems by the hand of an ingenious workman1 most delightful4 ,they are made after this manner3 first you must look for flints and crystals not coloured1 but very white1 gathered out of sand or streams1 which you must heat in a covered crucible1 and quench them glowing hot in cold water1 that they may crack and may be pulverised2 otherwise they are so hard that when they are powdred1 they take part of the morter and so are defiled2 therefore it is worth your labor to handle them well4 ,afterward of flints prepared1 and the purest salt of ,tartar1 made in glased vessels1 but not in copper or iron1 equal parts1 mingle them and keep them for use4 ,and if thou wilt make this mass into a gem1 you must first mingle some colour 7what you desire7 afterward so long place it 7being put into a clean covered crucible scarce half full7 in a very strong fire1 till all the salt of ,tartar hath evaporated1 and the flint together with the colour come into substance fusible like glass3 you must then put a small clean iron wier1 and draw out a little of the melted mass for tryal2 whether it have stood long enough in the fire1 whether there be yet pustles and little sands1 or whether it being exactly melted1 it shall descend to the bottom1 which done1 you must take off the crucible1 and place it under some hot iron or earthen vessel1 that it may wax cold with the melted stone2 otherwise the mass will be broken in the crucible into very small parts1 and would be unfit for greater works3 neither must you pour out the melted mass for fear of the attraction of aire1 and pustles to arise thence4 ,but being willing to make out of the ,mass by ,fusion1 not ,engraving ,money or ,images2 there is no need to leave the mass in the crucible to cool1 but presently to pour it out hot in a copper morter1 and nothing will stick to the crucible1 but all the mass will be poured out without any waste3 ,and this mass1 if thou wilt1 thou maist powder or break into very small bits for fusion and impression4 ,but the mass when cooled in the crucible1 is to be taken by breaking the crucible1 and to be reduced into greater or lesser stones by cutting3 but melting for money or images2 you must place the money or image1 which you will imitate1 with the backside or hinder-part downward in an iron ,ring1 a ,fingers breadth broad of greater capacity than the money1 upon a stone or plain wood1 and sprinkle on a little ,tripoly1 or fine ,sand1 through a cloth1 namely1 as much as sufficeth to cover the mold1 and upon this to put more1 well moistened with water1 like ashes of cupels1 and to press it1 being most tenacious1 firmly to the mold1 but warily1 lest the mold be moved2 which done1 you must turn the ring1 and with a knife lift up the mold1 and to take it1 being lifted up with ones hands or tongs1 the image being left in the sand1 to be dryed by heat of the ,sun or ,fire4 ,afterward to cast the image1 place the ring with the image impressed in the sand under a tile1 and administer a strong fire1 that the whole ring1 with the sand1 and the image in the sand may be very hot3 then take off the ring1 to see if the image have suffered any loss2 which1 if it have not1 you must put upon it so much of the aforesaid glass1 coursly beaten1 as sufficeth in the fusion to fill the image impressed on the sand2 which done1 put the ring again under the tile1 and administer a fire of fusion1 till the glass melt in the ring2 to which1 touch with a smooth iron and light1 7with a handle7 being hot the ring being taken first out of the furnace with tongs1 pressing the glass well to the mold2 and then place it under a hot iron1 or earthen vessel to cool2 and being cold1 take the image from the mold1 which answers to it in all things1 if thou hast aright proceeded1 exactly representing the ,carvers art1 or a seal impressed on a jewel1 which excellent work is most fit to feign1 and represent ,antiquities and ,rarities4 ,the colouring of the aforesaid mass follows1 by which it is made most like to ,gems4 ,it behooveth that colours be taken from metals and minerals1 namely from ,copper1 ,iron1 ,gold1 ,silver1 ,wismuth1 ,magnesia and ,granate2 of other colours ,i know nothing of certainty1 ,copper commonly makes a colour green like the ,sea1 ,copper with ,iron1 grass-green2 ,granate a smaragdine colour1 ,iron yellow or jacynth2 ,gold the best skie colour2 ,wismuth common skie colour2 ,magnesia ,amethystine1 mixt1 they give other colours2 ,e4 gr4 ,gold mixt with ,silver gives an ,amethyst colour2 ,iron and ,copper1 a pale green2 ,wismuth and ,magnesia1 a purple2 ,silver and ,magnesia1 various colours like an ,opal4 ,images are also made of divers colours1 if the masses of diverse colours be broken into bits and mixt1 be put upon the ,mold1 c4 ,and if thou desirest an opac mass 7green1 red1 skie colour1 c47 add a little calx of ,tin darkning1 on which as on a ,basis the colours insist4 ,for example2 in making a ,turcoise stone or a ,lazulus1 mingle with the ,azure made of the silver ,marcasit or ,zafora 7to colour the mass7 the calx of ,tin1 that they may melt together1 and before the impression be made1 put upon the ,mold some prepared gold1 then spread and put upon this the aforesaid glass2 and the fusion and impression being made1 will be made thence a stone having golden veins like lapis ,lazulus very delightful2 ,but there must be a calx of ,gold not losing its splendor in the fire1 such as is made by ,mercury1 or that which is better1 which is precipitated out of ,aqua ,regia3 of which above4 ,of the preparation of the colours for colouring the mass of ,flints and ,crystals4 ,the plates of copper often heated1 are to be quenched in cold water of which more in the ,fifth part1 from three to six grains of it may be mixed with j4 of the mass for a ,sea-green colour4 ,iron is reduced into crocus by reverberation2 of which from four to ten grains are added to the mass for a yellow or ,jacynth colour2 ,silver is dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 and precipitated with the liquor of ,flints after it is edulcorated and dryed1 whereof from one to six grains1 added to j4 of the mass1 they make mixt colours4 ,gold is dissolved in ,aqua ,regia1 edulcorated and dryed1 precipitated first with liquor of ,flints1 whereof from grain four to ss4 mixt with one ounce of the mass1 make a most elegant ,saphire4 ,and if from three to six of that soluble ruby made of the ,gold1 and the nitrous ,regulus ,martis be added to j4 of the mass1 they make a very polite ruby3 ,magnesia pulverised1 whereof1 from six to fourteen grains1 to j4 of the mass1 make an ,amethyst4 ,marcasit dissolved in ,aqua ,regia1 precipitated with the liquor of flints1 edulcorated and dryed1 whereof from one to five grains1 to j4 of the mass1 give a ,saphire1 but not comparably so polite as one made with gold4 ,but being unwilling to calcine ,marcasite1 let him take ,zafora1 and mingle to j4 from five to ten grains2 ,granates of ,bohemia1 or ,oriental pulverised1 add from six grains to j4 to j4 of the mass1 for little green stones like to the natural smaragd or emrald3 other things which remain of the mixture of the colours1 are to be learned by experience4 ,to what uses coloured flints and crystals are appointed1 is not here to be treated of2 one use excepted1 which ,i set down for the eyes1 which are weakened by too much watching1 the heat of fire and smoak2 see thou have a waxen mold circularly round1 of the bigness of a dish or trencher2 7the ,optiques are wont to call such lentes7 to which1 put the best clay well mixed with hair3 anoint the waxen type with oyl1 and exactly apply the best prepared earth of crucibles 7and durable in the fire7 the thickness of a finger2 which being dryed1 perforate in some part1 that the wax being melted by the fire1 may flow forth3 afterward burn the mold in an earthen furnace2 being burnt1 fill it with prepared glass1 and place it in a wind furnace till the glass melt2 which at length being cooled1 take off the type by attrition1 and there shalt thou have the crystal resembling the form of the type2 which afterward thou must make and polish like spectacles in an iron dish on both sides2 and take it out with a strong iron wier1 and thou shalt have a good crystalline lent for a small price1 which otherwise is scarce made of crystal of so great a bigness4 ,and if thou wilt1 thou maist colour the glass green1 very pleasant to the sight1 and fit a foot to it for greater benefit4 ,and the glass doth not only serve for the ,multiplication of light in the night time1 that you may see a thing a far off in a chamber1 but also for the fixing and calcining minerals by the ,sun-beams1 and melting of ,metals1 and multiplying of ,pictures1 like an hollow glass1 and also for other uses it may be compared with an hollow looking-glass1 which doth the same of an equal bigness with the hollow glass2 nor is there any other difference of them but reflexion4 ,this glass-instrument is made likewise another way1 and by less cost and labor1 if it be of a polisht looking-glass1 if two great orbes are cut out with a diamond1 and if they are somewhat softned with ,fire1 and are left there so long in the heat1 until they shall stick like wax very close to the stone1 which done1 let them be cooled again1 which afterward taken out1 will represent the form of an hollow glass2 to which1 it behoves to fix a leaf on the convex part4 ,and the glasses do the same that an hollow metallick looking-glass doth1 the reflexion excepted1 which is not so strong as of the hollow glass3 ,and although the glasses are sooner broke1 yet they are very fit for the making of the following ,instrument4 ,and they are bound together with a strong wier1 applyed across on the concave part1 and an hole is cut in the brim with a diamond on one side1 of the bigness of a pea1 then the crevises are exactly closed in every place with the best lute2 which done1 a silver or copper ring is to be tyed about it1 holding those glasses straightly1 so that the ,instrument may be fitted to the foot1 all which well done1 those strong wiers are separated or cut off1 with which the glasses were bound at first1 namely1 near the copper ring3 afterward very pure ,aqua vit is to be put in through a funnel1 as much as is required for the filling it up2 the ,instrument being filled1 the hole is shut up1 which is to be kept for use2 and this ,instrument is better than the hollow glass2 especially1 if it have in its diameter the breadth of one foot1 and may be applyed to prospective pictures1 it doth excellently represent and multiply them4 ,behind which1 if you place a candle in the night1 it gives so much light in the ,chamber1 that you would think it came from the ,sun4 ,it doth also many other things which are here omitted as superfluous4 ,and you may gather the dispersed light in the aire in the night time with it1 so that you may read the smallest writing4 ,such and others of the like things may be done by this furnace1 all which to set down1 would swell the ,book too much4 ,other things of the metals examination and purification by fusion1 in another place4 ,take this1 ,reader1 which is given to thee1 in good part1 at another time thou shalt have better2 and do not mistake my writings1 as if ,i did reprove the examinations of metals by the ,ancients1 fusions and separations1 who only would communicate my opinion1 and yield my assistance for further proceeding2 for ,i know that dealers in metals giving too much credit to their small proof when they find nothing1 do1 contemn oars as barren1 often abounding with gold and silver2 when nevertheless1 ,john ,mathes4 says expresly in his ,sarepta1 that minerals oftentimes tryed in a small quantity do yield no gold and silver1 which in a great quantity1 yield a great deal1 wherefore credit it is not always to be given to such tryals1 often deceiving1 as experience testifies4 ,and this not only in those minerals which are digged out of the earth2 but also in those clayie and sandy minerals1 abounding with silver and golden flames2 out of which neither by the less nor greater proofs1 nor ablution nor ,mercury is drawn with gain that thin and fiery dispersed gold3 which by some waters is done without fire easily2 for ,i know such mines are found neer many rivers of ,germany1 and many places in other ,nations of ,europe1 out of which honest gain without much cost and labor may easily be gotten4 ,neither are they dreams1 which ,i have spoken parabolically of the perfection of metals1 for it is possible by art to help nature in the perfecting things4 ,there is therefore no more need of any thing than of knowledge2 therefore the nature of metals being known1 and their properties1 they are easily separated1 purged and perfected4 ,but what ,i have written of the universal medicine1 ,i have done for the aforesaid causes1 which have made me believe the thing1 not as professor of the ,art4 ,the other things of coloured red glasses and looking glasses ,i have added1 because they are easily prepared by this furnace1 as sometimes necessary in some works4 ,other things of the handling metals are not without cause now omitted1 which happily may be sometime delivered in another place1 wherefore now we end4 ,,finis4 ,illustration3 fig4 ,i4 fig4 ,,ii4 fig4 ,,iii4 fig4 ,v4 fig4 ,,iv4 fig4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,philosophical ,furnaces3 ,in which is treated of the wonderful ,nature of the ,fifth ,furnace3 ,also1 of the easy ,preparation of the ,instruments and ,materials belonging to the foresaid ,four ,furnaces4 ,most profitable for ,chymical ,physitians4 ,of the ,preparation of the ,furnace4 ,as concerning this1 of which1 though ,i made no mention in the ,preface2 for it was not my ,resolution to mention it in the last ,part1 because ,i was purposed only to treat of the ,instruments1 as well earthen1 as those of glass1 and also of the other necessary things belonging to those four parts premised2 yet ,i am willing now in this ,part1 7which ,i have judged to be the most convenient place for it1 for which ,i did before design another7 to discover the wonderful ,nature thereof1 as far as ,i may for the ,studious ,artist's sake4 ,and although ,i know that more in this part1 than in all my other writings1 especially the ignorant and unskilful1 will be offended2 yet ,i will not therefore pass it by1 perswading my self1 that by this means ,i shall do a work1 that will be most acceptable to the searchers of ,art1 and ,nature4 ,for ,i do devoutly affirm1 ,that this is the choicest of all my secrets that ,i confide in1 in which ,i have already seen wonderful things1 hoping that the ,divine ,benediction will some time or other be obtained upon the practice thereof4 ,and as for the structure of it1 much cannot be said thereof1 because it is not built as other ,furnaces are1 but it is every where found extructed by ,nature1 being ordained for no other works1 than those of ,nature1 viz4 for the making of any menstruum that shall dissolve gold1 silver1 and all other metals1 and minerals without any noise1 as also pretious1 and common stones1 and also glasses3 the original of which1 is the original of the ,menstruum4 ,now what1 and what manner of ,furnace that is1 that produceth this ,royal ,menstruum1 7coming from the ,menstruum it self7 and that easily without any labour1 you may easily conjecture1 that it is not any common one1 by the help whereof other things are distilled1 that can yield such a ,menstruum that is not corrosive3 which certainly is not any common ,menstruum1 because there is but this one ,menstruum that ,i know1 which doth not partake of any corrosive quality1 that doth more than any1 or all other corrosive waters whatsoever4 ,for all corrosives whatsoever they are1 as aqua fortis1 aqua regia1 spirit of salt1 vitrioll1 allome1 and nitre cannot together1 and at once dissolve the close union of gold1 and silver1 and other most hard subjects1 that cannot be dissolved in waters1 though never so caustick4 ,this indeed is wonderful1 and stupendous1 that a thing every where found most vile and base1 should doe so great a miracle3 ,i know not what moved me to write of it1 knowing that ,i shall in this part offend not onely the wise by writing so openly1 but also the ignorant detractors1 and slanderers that will accuse me of falsity4 ,and truly these considerations might justly have deterred me1 but that ,i knew ,i might doe a good work1 recalling many from their errors3 ,for many are perswaded that there is no other dissolving ,menstruum1 besides the aforesaid corrosive spirits2 but those are ,chymists that are ignorant of ,nature2 yet the ,philosophers with one consent say1 that those corrosive destructive spirits make a fruitless solution of metals2 for experience testifies1 that the solutions made by the help of aqua fortis1 and regia1 and other spirits1 colour the hands1 being that which a true ,philosophical solution doth not1 and furthermore1 testifies1 that those1 viz4 which colour the hands1 are not to be reckon'd among the true ,philosophical solutions1 but to be contemned as ,malignant4 ,wherefore ,i was willing to write these things to instruct those that erre4 ,let no man therefore perswade himself1 that a ,menstruum so vile and contemptible1 is of less efficacy1 than those corrosive spirits4 ,i my self did once scarce believe1 that so great ,vertues could be in so most vile a ,menstruum1 until ,i had experience of the truth in good earnest4 ,i could here add more things concerning the original of the universal ,menstruum1 which is so contemptible1 which doth by its wonderful powers and vertues dissolve all metals1 minerals and stones radically without any noise1 unites and fixeth them2 the solution whereof doth not colour the hand2 the conjunction is inseparable1 and the fixation incombustible2 ,i say1 ,i could add more things concerning it1 but that divers inconveniences1 which by this means ,i might incur1 as also the envy and hatred of others do deter me4 ,for although any one doth think to discover the possibility of ,art1 and ,nature2 yet few would be content therewith1 being very desirous of all manner of revelation2 and if we should not gratify them1 we should forthwith incur their hatred and envy1 who would without doubt judge otherwise of the matter1 if they had but any experience of our labours4 ,be thou therefore 7courteous ,reader7 contented with this discourse1 that shews thee the possibility of ,art and ,nature2 and diligently seek after it in the fear of ,god1 and without doubt thy labour shall not be in vain4 ,of the ,building of the ,furnaces4 ,how those ,furnaces of the first and second part are to be built and made of ,potters ,clay1 and ,stones2 ,i need not say much1 because there be many ,books extant1 treating of this matter sufficiently2 yet this caution is to be observed in building of the ,furnaces1 viz4 that those ,furnaces1 in which a very strong fire is not kindled1 need not so strong walls1 as those in which we distil1 sublime1 and melt1 with a most strong fire4 ,and for what belongs to subliming and distilling ,furnaces2 you may erect them of those common bricks which are made of the best clay1 and well burnt1 compassing them about with very strong walls1 that they may the longer retain the heat3 or else you will continually have something to do in mending them1 and closing their chinks1 which hinder the regiment of fire4 ,wherefore they must be compassed about with iron hoops1 that they may be durable and not gape4 ,now what concerns the melting ,furnaces1 the aforesaid bricks are not of use in the building of them1 because they not being durable melt in the fire2 wherefore you must make other bricks of a very good earth that is fixed in the ,fire1 such as is that of crucibles1 c4 of which1 afterwards2 which are to be made in a brazen or wooden mould1 and to be burnt1 and it matters not whether they be round or square1 a regard being had of the ,furnace1 that six or eight of them make one course1 or row4 ,but you need not build the whole ,furnace of those stones1 for it is sufficient1 if the place only1 where the coals still lye1 be made of them1 and the other part of the ,furnace be made of common bricks4 ,a ,lute for the erecting of ,furnaces4 ,lute may be made divers wayes for this business2 for men prepare their ,lute several wayes as they please4 ,some mix with sifted ,potters earth1 the beaten hairs of ,cows1 ,oxen1 ,harts1 or the chaffe of ,barley1 ,tow1 ,flocks1 ,horse dung1 and the like1 that hold together the clay1 and prevent chops1 to which they add sometimes sifted sand1 if the clay be too fat1 beating the mixture together with water1 and bringing it to a just consistence4 ,and this is the best mixture1 that is not subject to cleaving1 yet weak1 because in length of time the hair and chaffe are burnt1 wherefore the ,furnace becomes thin and weak4 ,many leave out combustible things1 and mix ,potters clay1 and sand together1 and temper them with brine1 for the making of their ,furnaces4 ,and this is the best mixture1 because it is not combustible as the other is1 neither is it subject to cracking1 by reason of the salt3 and for this purpose1 the brine of fish and salt flesh doth serve1 and is very good1 because the blood helps the joining of them together3 but if the ,caput mortuum of vitriol or ,aqua fortis1 being mollifyed1 be mixed with ,potters clay and sand1 you go a better way to work3 for this ,lute is not at all subject to cracking1 but fixed in the fire and permanent4 ,with this ,lute are ,retorts1 and ,gourds very well luted1 and coated1 also the joints of ,retorts1 and ,receivers closed3 this being mollifyed with a wet cloth applyed to it1 may again be separated1 and taken off1 as that also with which salt is mixed3 but the other ,lutes that want salt will not be separated1 by reason whereof glasses oftentimes are broken4 ,wherefore in defect of the ,caput mortuum of ,vitriol1 temper the clay and sand with brine3 ,but many mix the filings of iron1 powdered glass1 flints1 c4 but you need not them for the building of the ,furnaces1 but only for the coating of certain glasses used for separation1 and distillation1 because the filings of iron being helped with salt1 binds1 and joins together most strongly4 ,of the closing of the ,joints1 hindering the evaporation of subtle ,spirits4 ,the aforesaid ,lute is sufficient for the closing of the ,joints of the first ,furnace1 where air is not kept from the ,spirits1 but not of the ,vessels of the second ,furnace1 where most subtle ,spirits are distilled1 which it cannot retain1 penetrating the same with the loss of the better part3 wherefore you must make choice of another2 unless upon the other being well dryed1 a mixture made of quick ,lime1 most subtilly powdered1 and ,linseed-oyl1 besmeared over with a pencil1 which the porous clay attracting to it1 is fortifyed1 so as to be able to retain those most subtle ,spirits3 but this ,lute can hardly be separated again2 because refusing water1 it cannot be mollifyed2 wherefore the clay is to be tempered only with the white of eggs1 and to be applyed with linnen clouts3 but you must prevent the burning of the linnen1 by reason of the extream heat of the neck of the ,receiver1 by putting between an iron or strong glass1 viz4 betwixt the receiver and the retort4 ,the joints also may be closed with oxe bladders wet in the white of eggs1 also with starch tempered with water1 if it be sometimes applyed1 being smeared on paper4 ,for by this means those most subtile spirits are easily retained1 but not corrosive1 for which use the caput mortum of aqua fortis is more convenient which after it is dryed must be smeared over with a mixture made of linseed oyl1 and quick lime4 ,and divers kinds of these lutes are had being destined to divers uses4 ,another ,lute for broken ,glasses4 ,it happens sometimes that glass vessels1 as receivers1 and retorts1 have some cracks1 but otherwise are whole and sound2 which are greater in those glasses that do again suffer the heat of the ,fire1 wherefore at last the glasses are broken1 which if you will prevent1 make a liniment or thin lute of linseed oyl1 quick lime1 and red lead2 which being smeered over a linnen cloth apply to the crack1 upon which being dryed apply another3 but if the crack be very great1 you may apply three or four linen cloths1 for the greater safety sake3 as you may apply the whites of egges beaten together1 upon the cracks with linnen1 and cast upon it quick lime sifted very fine1 and press it down hard with your hand3 which being done1 you may apply over them more linen clouts wet in the whites of eggs1 and cast upon them quick lime again3 which when the lute is well dryed1 retaines the spirits1 but sooner subject to the corrosion of corrosive spirits than the former4 ,note well that quick lime is not to be mixed with the white of eggs1 and so used upon linen clouts1 as the manner of some is2 because the whites of eggs acquire a hardness from the lime before they be united1 and therefore cannot stick1 but linen clouts wet ,first therewith before the quick lime be cast upon them1 so that the lime doth not immediately touch the glass1 being applyed betwixt two linen cloths4 ,how those subtile spirits when they are made1 may be kept that they evaporate not4 ,those glasses in which those spirits are kept are for the most part stopt with cork1 or wax1 upon which afterward bladders are bound3 which stopping is convenient for some spirits1 that do not prey upon cork or wax3 ,for all corrosive spirits1 as of vitriol1 ,allome1 common salt1 nitre1 c4 corrode cork1 and lixivial spirits1 as that of harts-horn1 tartar1 salt armoniack1 urin1 wine1 c4 melt wax1 and penetrate it4 ,and although other stopples might be made1 which might retain both sorts of spirits1 yet it would be tedious and laborious to open those so often1 and to stop them again4 ,wherefore ,i have found out a fit kind of glasses1 viz4 of such1 whose mouths have distinctions1 and are fit to receive their covers2 as it appears by the delineation4 ,see the first figure4 ,a4 signifies the cover3 ,b4 the glass containing the spirit4 ,c4 a drawer by the help whereof the spirits are taken out of the glass1 when there is occasion1 into the distinction in the brim of the mouth2 viz4 of the glass that contains the spirit1 is put quicksilver1 and upon this is put a cover2 this being done1 the ,mercury closeth the joynts of both glasses running in the brim1 so that nothing at all can evaporate3 for the spirits do not penetrate the ,mercury1 unless they be very corrosive 7a thing to be noted7 which then in process of time turn the ,mercury into water1 but very seldom2 and then the ,mercury is to be renewed4 ,but we need not give so much honour to corrosive spirits1 being not to be compared to those volatile ones1 which being abstracted from corrosives not prey upon ,mercury2 and much less than these1 do lixivial spirits corrode ,mercury2 and for the sake of these were these glasses invented1 by the help whereof most subtile spirits are without any loss of their vertues1 if you please1 a very long time preserved and kept4 ,and because when there is occasion the spirits cannot be poured forth by reason of the ,mercury in the brim1 you must get a drawer like to that1 by the help whereof wine is taken out of the vessel1 but lesser1 having a belly with a little mouth made very accurately4 ,this being let down you may take up as much as you please1 as is needful2 the upper orifice whereof being stopped with the finger nothing drops out2 being put into a lesser glass is thence poured forth for your use4 ,then you must again cover the remainder of the spirit that is in the glass1 and as oft as is needful take out with that drawer as much as is useful4 ,and this is the best way by which the most subtile spirits are retained2 which also are very well retained in those glasses1 whose stoples are of glass smoothed with grinding4 ,but this is a more costly way of keeping in spirits1 and it is done after this manner4 ,how glass stopples are to be smoothed by grinding for the retaining of spirits in their glass vessels4 ,first of all order the matter so that you have glass bottles of several sorts1 some greater1 some lesser1 with strong necks1 and mouths1 with their glass stopples1 which being smoothed by grinding shut the orifice of the bottle very close3 ,now they are smoothed thus4 ,put the stopples in the turn1 being set or fastned in some wood1 bring it into a round shape1 then being moistned with ,smiris1 and water mixed together1 let it be put to the mouth of the bottle1 so as to be turned round in the mouth of the bottle1 which you must often take away from the stopples being fastened to the turn1 for the oftner moistening of it1 which is with that mixture of prepared ,smiris and water1 with the help of a pencil1 or feather2 and that so often and so long1 until the stopple stop the mouth of the bottle most closely3 which being done1 you wipe off the ,smiris with a lint from the stopples and mouth of the bottle1 then smeer over the stopple with a liniment made of some fine washed earth1 and water1 or oyl1 and again turn it round in the mouth of the bottle1 and often smear it over with this fresh mixture1 until the stopple be most exactly smoothed1 which afterward is to be tyed to its proper bottle2 the same also is to be understood concerning the rest1 that one may not be taken for an other1 c4 ,and that you may not need to take away so much from the stopples1 and bottles1 get some copper moulds made for the stopples1 which stopples must be taken whilest they be yet warm1 soft1 and new drawn from the furnace1 that they may be made of a just roundness1 as also other copper moulds4 ,which must be put into the mouths of the bottles1 whilest they be yet hot and soft1 for the better making of them round1 whereby afterwards the stopple may more easily1 and quickly become fit to stop the mouths of the bottles very close1 7as for example3 ,a4 is the stopple1 ,b4 the glass or bottle7 if thou knowest how to order them rightly1 they will quickly and easily fit one the other4 ,in defect of a turn1 proceed after the following manner1 which is slow1 yet safe1 because in a turn the glasses1 oftentimes waxing hot are broken by reason of the over great hast2 and it is thus1 make an iron or wooden receptacle fit to receive the glass bottle1 which being covered about with linen1 and put in1 join both parts of the receptacle warily and softly1 with the help of a screw1 that the bottle be not broken1 and that that instrument1 or receptacle of the bottle being fastened to a form with the help of the screw1 cannot be moved4 ,afterwards cause that another wooden instrument be made for the stopple 7as for example1 ,a4 the stopple with its receptacle ,b4 the bottle with its receptacle7 that may be separated in the middle1 and be again reunited with a screw after the putting in of the stopple1 which being smeered over with the aforesaid mixture of smiris and water1 take the instrument with both hands1 and put the stopple round about the neck of the bottle1 and grind it round upon the other1 as ,wine ,coopers are used to do in smoothing the taps2 and that so long until the stopple be fit for the bottle2 then reitereate the same labour with the earth tripolis1 until it be compleated2 and it will stop as well as a stopple made by the help of a turn ,see the second and third ,figures before the fourth part4 ,after this manner also you must work those greater glass receivers of the first furnace1 that without luting they may be closed4 ,stopples also of vials or ,boltheads for fixation may be wrought after this manner1 which in stead of luting may be put into the mouths of the vials1 upon which are put caps of lead2 by which means in case of necessity they may be lifted up1 viz4 in case the spirits by too strong a fire be stirred up and rarified1 by reason of the danger the glasses are in to be broken1 and may again fall down into the mouths of the bottles being pressed down with the leaden caps1 and so stop close again4 ,and this way of stopping is better then that which is done with cork1 wax1 sulphur1 and other things3 because in case the fire be not well governed1 and by consequence an errour is committed1 you may preserve your glasses by lifting up of the stopples1 viz4 when the spirits are too much stirred up4 ,and although this be a better way of stopping than the other common way2 yet that which follows is better then this1 whereby the spirits are easily retained1 the glasses being preserved1 and without all danger of being broken4 ,and it is thus1 viz4 get a glass pipe to be made crooked according to the figure set down1 into the belly whereof is quicksilver to be put from half an ounce to an ounce1 or thereabouts1 and let this pipe which hath a belly be put into the vial containing the matter to be fixed 7as for example4 ,a4 the pipe with a belly1 ,b4 is the vial1 and again ,c4 signifies the aforesaid leaden cap with the neck of the vial ,d47 the joints whereof afterwards are to be covered over with lute1 and the vial will never be in danger of being broken4 ,see the fourth ,figure4 ,these foresaid ways of stopping are the best1 by which the breakings of glasses are prevented1 viz4 whilest men are in an errour about the fixing of spirits of salts1 minerals and metals1 which although they are fixed with great costs and labours1 yet do not satisfie what is promised and expected1 because those kinds of fixations are violent and forced1 and by consequence contrary to nature3 but in the profitable fixation of spirits1 not so1 where we must follow ,nature1 and not commit our selves to fortune in our labours4 ,for only fools are wont to break their glasses in their supposed tincture2 but ,philosophers not so2 for every violent thing is an enemy to ,nature2 and all the operations of ,nature are spontaneous4 ,they erre therefore1 and never shall come unto their desired end1 who attempt violent fixations4 ,i cannot be perswaded that bodies dead1 or half dead can be so mixed together as to multiply3 but ,i could easily believe that the conjunction of male and female of one and the same species1 sound and nourished with sound and wholesome meats to be natural1 and to make a spontaneous propagation1 and multiplication of their species2 viz4 of those that endure in a good1 and adverse fortune1 in life1 and death2 but the conjunction of dead things1 to be dead1 and barren4 ,do but consider how many and various instruments both gold1 silver1 copper1 iron1 tin1 and lead2 as also earthen1 glass1 stone1 and other vessels of other materials have been already invented1 and found out for the fixing of ,mercury alone with gold and silver1 but in vain1 because they have no mutual affinity4 ,for although ,mercury adheres to metals1 or metals to it1 yet that is not by reason of any affinity for multiplication1 or perfection sake3 for it appears by experience that ,mercury flies away in the fire1 and leaves the gold1 silver and other metals4 ,where it is clear that they have no mutual affinity requisite for the multiplication of metals1 nor is it ever possible3 ,for they that have a mutual affinity embrace one the other and abide together for ever1 although volatile1 yet never leave one the other1 like gold and ,mercury1 when they are united together with the strongest bond1 so that they can never be separated although with the strongest fire4 ,wherefore a great care is to be had in the fixation of things joined together2 which if they have a mutual affinity1 will embrace and retain one the other1 without the help of any curious glasses with long necks4 ,of which things if thou art ignorant1 abstain from medling with them1 as being more hurtful then profitable1 as dayly experience both mine own1 and others do witness4 ,but that thou mayst the better understand what things have a mutual affinity one with the other3 attend a little to what ,i shall say4 ,is not he to be laughed at for his folly who will pour rain1 or common water on gold1 silver1 and other metals to fix them8 ,see therefore the unwise actions of many covetous ,alchymists in so hard a matter1 that spend their time in trifles1 reaping according to what they have sowed1 and at last leave off their work which they have undertaken1 after they have expended much cost1 and spent their labour in stenches1 watchings1 and cares4 ,for ,i have oftentimes seen those1 that although they have not chosen common water for their menstruum1 yet have made choice of ,may-dew1 snow or rain gathered in ,march1 and water distilled out of ,nostock1 or excrement of ,stars2 vegetables and animals for their solvent1 in which they have lost their labour4 ,for as the radical union of the aforesaid things with metals is impossible3 so never is any good to be produced from thence1 by reason of their difference4 ,and such may deservedly be compared to those1 who ascending a very high ladder that hath many steps1 doe presently endeavour to fly from the lowermost to the uppermost2 which is a thing impossible3 so neither can there be any conjunction of things that do so much differ4 ,but as any one may easily ascend the highest step by degrees1 so also any one may 7which yet he need not do7 join together extreams1 by adding first a thing that is most near to one of the extreams1 and then to this another next to it1 and so by consequence1 until you come to the other extream1 which is a thing that requires a very long time1 and is a work without profit4 ,and if things be joined together that have the next affinity1 the one will be delighted in the other1 and the one will embrace the other1 will overcome1 and retain it4 ,as for example1 there is a certain salt1 and that only1 that can coagulate1 and turn into a body like to it self1 even common water1 which can be fixed in a very little time1 with1 and by one only certain mineral1 which is very volatile4 ,minerals also may be fixed by metals1 and metals1 7a thing which ,i never yet tryed7 by a certain thing more excellent than metals1 without all doubt4 ,but therefore it is needful in the fixation of minerals to begin with the coagulation of water1 whereby it is turned into salt2 and this afterward into a mineral2 which would be too tedious2 but it is sufficient to begin in things most near1 in which nature hath begun to operate1 but hath left imperfect2 for then there is hope of gain1 if contrary things are not joined together1 else not4 ,behold how ready ,nature is at hand to help any thing that is administred to it1 which it can help3 as for example1 make salt of calcined ,tartar by the help of solution and coagulation 7but do not take that for it1 of which a little before mention hath been made1 which is far better than salt of ,tartar7 of which after it is calcined1 observe the weight2 upon which afterwards pour half the weight of most pure rain water2 distilled to avoid the suspition of impurity2 then draw off the water gently in ,balneo1 or ,sand1 which again pour upon the remaining salt of ,tartar1 and again draw it off2 this do so often as is needful1 until all the water be consumed4 ,which being done1 take out the salt1 and weigh it1 being first made red hot in the ,fire1 and thou shalt find it to be increased in weight1 which increase came from the water1 and not elsewhere4 ,note well that the cohobation of the water is to be reiterated often upon the salt of ,tartar4 ,observe1 that by this means1 the water is convertible into salt by ,art1 c4 ,and if thou dost not believe the conversion of things material and corporeal1 how wilt thou believe the conversion of things immaterial1 as of the ,sun1 and ,fire into a material fixed substance2 of which thing1 something shall be treated in our ,treatise of ,aurum potabile1 and more at large afterwards in a ,treatise ,de ,generatione ,metallorum1 if ,god permit3 ,for you must know that the circulation of the ,elements1 and things elementated1 viz4 how one is converted into another2 and how they nourish and cherish one the other3 as for example1 the ,earth yields ,water1 the ,water ,air1 the ,air ,fire1 and the ,fire again ,earth2 which if it be pure1 yields pure ,earth4 ,but that thou maist understand aright how any thing to be fixed1 may be retained by another1 by reason of affinity1 observe the following example4 ,the ,husbandman casting seed into the ,earth for to multiply1 doth not choose any ,earth1 but that which is convenient for multiplication1 viz4 an ,earth that is neither too dry1 nor too moist2 for the seed cast in sand cannot grow1 but is lost3 ,for whatsoever is to be preserved1 is to be preserved by an equal temper2 which1 by how much it is more equal or like1 so much the more perfect substance it doth produce4 ,humidity therefore being necessarily requisite for the growth of vegetables1 without which1 they can neither grow1 nor multiply1 but the seed being cast into moist sand1 and the ,rayes of the ,sun acting upon the sand1 and suddenly consuming the humidity thereof1 whence follows the burning up of the seed in the dry sand1 because there was no affinity betwixt the water1 and sand2 without which1 the water could not be retained by the sand1 and consequently1 the seed deprived of its nutriment2 it follows necessarily1 that some medium be required1 or bond joining and binding the rain1 and sand2 viz4 salt1 by the help whereof1 the rain water is retained by the sand1 that it be not so easily consumed by the heat of the sun4 ,the sand therefore retains the salt1 and the salt1 the rain water for the nutrition of the bud3 but every salt is not convenient for this business2 for although ,christ saith1 ,luk4 ,chap4 #ad1 ,verse the last1 that earth without salt is barren2 yet any common salt is not to be understood thereby3 ,see more de ,natura ,salium4 for some salts1 as common salt1 salt of ,vitriol1 ,allome1 c4 do not only not do good1 but do hurt to ,vegetables1 hindering by reason of their dryness their growth and increase4 ,now lixivial salts promote them1 that which ,country-men do better understand1 than our supposed ,philosophers3 for they know how to help their barren ground with the excrements of ,animals2 which are nothing else but a lixivial salt mixed with ,sulphur1 making the earth fat and fertile4 ,and by this means a vehiculum 7rather a bond7 is administred to the rain water1 that it may the less be consumed by the heat of the ,sun4 ,moreover1 all seed 7consisting in a lixivial salt and sulphur7 loves its like1 from whence it borrows its ,nutriment1 which is observed but by a few ,learned or ,unlearned4 ,husband-,men may well be excused of their ignorance1 because they work only out of ,use and ,custome4 ,but others that bear the ,title of ,learning not so2 whose ,duty it is to ,render a reason of ,germination1 who may deservedly be ,ashamed of their ,ignorance1 being less knowing than ,husband-,men4 ,it is manifest1 that ,dung makes the ,earth ,fruitful2 but how1 and for what reason1 not so2 but if it did want nitrous salt1 it would neither make it ,fertile1 nor promote ,germination3 for it is not unknown1 that ,nitre is made out of the excrements of ,animals4 ,the goodness therefore of the dung consists only in the lixivial salt contained in it1 and not in the straw4 ,but you will ask perhaps1 why doth not any other salt help ,germination8 ,why is the salt of dung required to ,germination1 and no other8 ,we have already answered that1 like are helped with like2 and contraries are destroyed by contraries3 ,for experience doth testify1 that every seed consists in a lixivial salt and sulphur1 and not in any acid salt2 wherefore also it doth desire and embrace its like4 ,let him therefore1 that will not believe it1 make tryal of the distillation of the seed of any vegetable2 of which1 let him force over a pound by a retort2 and he shall see by experience1 that not an acid spirit1 but a flegm together with plenty of oyl1 and volatile salt whitening the whole ,receiver1 comes over2 being that which no root or stalk can do3 for the chiefest vertue1 odour1 and tast of vegetables1 animals1 and minerals is found in the seed1 in which thing provident ,nature hath done very well1 whilest she attributes the chiefest faculties to the seed1 being more obnoxious to injuries then the rest1 which is also preserved1 nourished2 and cherished by its like4 ,now this discourse which might otherwise have been omitted1 was therefore appointed1 that the cause of the germination of vegetables might be made the more manifest2 and that what things have been spoken of the attraction1 and fixation of all things might the better be understood4 ,the germination therefore1 and multiplication of both minerals1 vegetables and animals must be spontaneous1 and not forced1 as is that barren and frustraneous of the false ,chymists1 because preternatural4 ,wherefore when you fix any thing be cautious in the adding of any thing that should retain it1 with which nothing can be fixed4 ,fire indeed doth always do its office2 but it knows not how to help any preternatural thing2 which it doth wholly destroy1 against which nothing can be prevalent1 unless it be rightly ordained according to ,nature4 ,and thus much is spoken for instruction sake1 to thee that intendest to fix any thing1 lest otherwise thou losest thy labour4 ,of the making of the best crucibles4 ,the best crucibles that are requisite for the fourth furnace1 not being found in every place1 ,i thought it worth while to set down the manner of making them3 for ,i am not ignorant how oftentimes many for want of these are constrained to be content with those that are useless1 and truly with great loss of metals1 whilest the crucibles are broken in the fire1 and consequently with a tediousness in drawing them out of the ashes4 ,chymists have been in a great errour a long time1 and not only they but also goldsmiths1 and they that separate metals1 as also others that need the help of crucibles1 who perswade themselves that the best earth that is fit to make the best crucibles is to be found no where but in ,hassia2 and therefore with great charges have caused that ,gibsensian crucibles be brought over2 not considering that almost in every place in ,germany such earth is to be found1 which indeed is a very great folly of men1 proceeding from the not knowing of good earth which is to be found almost every where4 ,i do not deny but that the earth of ,hassia is very good for crucibles1 tyles1 retorts1 and other vessels which are to be set in a very great ,fire1 for which cause also is commended ,gibsensian1 and ,waldburgensian crucibles4 ,a few years since some have made their crucibles1 and other vessels that will endure the fire well1 of earth brought out of ,england1 and ,france into ,holland1 which have retained metals very well in the fire1 but not salts1 because they are too porous and not so compact as those of ,hassia1 wherefore those of ,hassia are still preferred before others1 retaining better1 metals1 and salts4 ,but although this earth be brought from thence to other places1 yet such strong crucibles could not be made thereof1 the cause whereof being not the constitution of the air1 and place to ,which some have falsely imputed it1 but an error in the making and burning of them4 ,for in ,hassia there is a great abundance of wood1 of which there is no sparing in the burning the crucibles even to a stony hardness1 which could not be done by a smal ,fire of turffes4 ,the like errour is committed about stone pots1 and other vessels which are made at ,frechemium and ,siburgus1 and other places near ,colen1 which are carryed almost through all ,europe1 the goodness whereof is ascribed only to the earth1 and not to the making4 ,but now experience hath taught us that any good earth doth become stony in a violent fire1 without respect of the place where it is taken4 ,wherefore it is very probable1 being a thing possible1 that such vessels are made elsewhere3 for every earth being burnt retaining a white colour1 viz4 with an indifferent ,fire1 makes pots1 and crucibles porous1 but with a stronger1 and with a longer delay1 compact like glass1 especially if common salt be cast in a plentiful manner upon them1 being burnt with a very strong fire1 because it addes to them being very well burnt within an external glasy smoothness1 by which means they will be the better able to retain spirits in the ,fire4 ,wherefore let no man doubt concerning the making the foresaid vessels of any other earth that is white in burning1 with the help of a very strong ,fire3 which by how much the greater whiteness it gets in burning1 by so much the better and excellent pots it makes2 and seeing there is a great difference of making crucibles to be set in the ,fire1 and of stone pots retaining liquid things1 ,i shall shew the manner of making both1 viz4 of stone pots belonging to the first and second furnace1 and of crucibles to the fourth1 and thus it is4 ,he that will try the goodness of white and pure earth1 viz4 whether it grows stony in the fire1 let him cast a peice of crude earth of the bigness of a hens egge into a very strong ,fire1 observing whether it doth quickly or slowly cleave and break in pieces2 which if it doth not cleave and become powder1 although it may have some cracks1 is good earth1 and fit for burning1 if so be the mixture be well made1 in which lys the art4 ,the earth that is to be burnt1 for pots1 receivers1 and bottles1 needs no other preparation then that for bricks1 which because for the most part it is too fat1 you must mix with it clean sifted fusible sand1 tread it with your feet1 and knead it with your hands before vessels be made thereof2 which being made are to be dryed in the heat of the ,sun1 or in some other warm place2 and being dryed are to be burnt in a very strong ,fire for the space of twenty four or thirty hours1 on which in the mean time you may cast salt if you please1 which being thus burnt do like glass retain easily all liquid things4 ,but let him that makes crucibles1 tyles1 bricks and other vessels appointed for a very strong ,fire1 use more diligence in the making of them4 ,and truly first he must beat very small with a wooden hammer1 the earth being dryed well in the ,sun1 or elsewhere1 and being beaten searse it through a great searse1 and to one part of the sifted earth mix two1 three1 or four parts 7the fatness of the earth being considered7 of the earth burnt in a potters furnace1 and powdered1 which being mixed with a sufficient quantity of water he must tread with his feet1 and afterwards knead with his hands1 and the earth will be prepared for the making of vessels1 and when he makes crucibles and tests1 let him provide for wooden moulds both greater and smaller1 made in a turn1 by the help whereof they may be made1 for the aforesaid vessels cannot be formed by the usual art of the potters2 because the matter of them must be very lean1 appointed for a most strong fire2 wherefore commonly they are made by the help of moulds after the following manner4 ,let a piece of the prepared earth be applyed with your hands to the mould1 which you must hold in one hand1 applying and fitting the earth thereto with the other1 or hold it with your legs1 that the earth may be applyed with both your hands4 ,also you must first rub the mould very well with clean sifted sand1 for else the earth will so stick to the wooden mould1 that a crucible can scarce be taken off without danger1 which being done1 it is further fitted by striking it with a wooden instrument smoothed for the purpose1 by which means the crucible lyes very exactly upon the mould1 for by this means crucibles are made very strong2 which being done also let the crucible be taken off1 and set upon a board1 and be dryed1 first in the air1 then by the heat of the fire1 or sun1 and then be burned in the first chamber of our fourth furnace1 or in a potters furnace4 ,and if you intend only to melt metals and not salts1 you need not burn the crucibles if they be well1 and exactly made4 ,now this caution is to be observed in melting by the help of crucibles not burnt1 that you must give fire above by little and little1 for fear of breaking the crucibles feeling a suddain heat4 ,now that they may be made equal in strength1 weight1 and thickness1 you must weigh one crucible rightly made by the help of the mould in one scale1 and a piece of the prepared earth1 which is to be put into the other scale1 and if they be equal in weight1 take out that piece1 and put in another2 and this do so often1 till you be come to the number of the crucibles which you would have made3 ,by this means they are made equal1 and you need not cut off any overplus of the earth when it is fitted to the mould1 because all are made equal1 by reason of the equal weight of the matter of each of them1 and the work is sooner done then otherwise4 ,this indeed is the best way but tedious and laborious1 wherefore considering the matter a little more seriously1 ,i found at last that the following way is far better than the former3 whereby not only stronger crucibles are made1 but also more in one hour1 then in that former common way in three or four4 ,where first1 the mould is made of latten 7on which ,i advise you to apply the earth7 signified by the letter ,a4 viz4 that being the best1 which is made by the help of fusion4 ,then the counter-mould answering this1 signified by the letter ,b4 yet so that that do not enter too deep into this1 not touching the bottom by the distance at least of one fingers breadth2 but in greater crucibles a greater thickness of the bottom is required1 as the practise will teach thee4 ,let him therefore that is making crucibles apply the earth to the mould1 as hath been above said in the ,first manner1 which being done1 let him again take off the crucible that is formed or cast1 and set it in the air to be dryed4 ,then having ,first made a sufficient number of crucibles1 let him make the mould clean from the earth or sand1 and annoynt it with grease1 or oyl ,olive taken up with a sponge1 as also the counter-mould1 into which let him put the crucible being half made and dryed1 and into this the mould1 which he must strike above twice or twice or thrice with a heavy wooden mallet1 that the earth may be rightly1 and exactly applyed to the mould2 which being done let him take off the mould1 and turn the countermould together with the crucible1 which let him knock a little against the form 7where the crucibles are made7 and let him take in his hand the crucible falling from thence2 which he must afterwards dry and burn1 as hath been above said in the ,first manner4 ,and by this way are made the best1 and the best proportioned crucibles1 ,fixed and smooth1 not only for melting of metals1 but also for minerals and salts2 the like to which ,i never yet saw1 as being without all danger1 if so be rightly made of the best earth4 ,and that they may be made equal in weight and strength1 they must be weighed as before hath been said1 ,and this labour is easie and pleasant1 when they are made with ones own hand1 and that greater or lesser at pleasure4 ,after the same manner also are made tests viz4 by the help of the like kind of moulds1 which must not be long but plain like shells as appears by the annexed ,figure1 ,a4 and ,b4 ,not only tests but also cuples are made by the help of these moulds4 ,see the fifth and sixth ,figures4 ,now tests are made more easily this way then crucibles1 because the earth only is weighed1 and being handled with the hands is put into the counter-mould1 which then you must with the upper-part press hard2 that it may be made conformable to the mould1 viz4 plain1 not long1 that which may easily therefore be made2 and for this cause those crucibles are easily again taken out1 viz4 if the mould be turned1 or the counter-mould be a little knocked against the sides of the form4 ,and if the earth be beaten in too fast that it goes out at the sides1 you must cut it off with a knife1 or else the crucible1 or test is hardly taken out1 sticking to the brims1 which practise will teach thee4 ,for all things cannot be so accurately demonstrated by a pen4 ,and take this for a caution1 that thou do not make thy tests and crucibles of earth that is too soft1 but of that which is half dry1 otherwise they are hardly taken out of the moulds2 for that is more easily and rightly applyed to the mould4 ,and if thou proceed rightly according to the prescript1 scarce one crucible of a hundred will be lost4 ,this also is to be observed1 that the superfluous earth which is cut off must not be mixed again with the mass for crucibles1 because it is spoyled with the fat1 or oyl that is smeared over the moulds1 and therefore cannot be so well mixed again1 and being burnt cleaves1 for which cause bad crucibles are made4 ,wherefore it is to be kept apart for mending of furnaces that are spoiled with an extraordinary heat of the ,fire2 or for covers of crucibles that are to be made by the help of the hands only1 or of moulds1 which we cannot want1 if we would work all things exactly4 ,now for tyles1 and other vessels that serve for distillation1 and melting1 they are made by the help of wooden moulds after this manner4 ,let the mould be made exactly like to the tyles1 and other vessels1 then cut off leaves from the earth being very well prepared1 with a copper wier upon two equal tables of wood1 and then a piece of the earth is to be laid with a knife upon the mould1 that it may there get some hardness2 which afterward is to be taken away1 dryed well1 and burnt4 ,and if any thing further is to be done1 viz4 by cutting off1 or adding1 it must be done by earth half dryed1 or a little hardened4 ,for by this means any one may get for himself earthen vessels that are necessary1 without much cost or pains for certainty sake4 ,for those that are sold1 are negligently made1 in which oftentimes in the drying1 the cracks which are made1 are filled up with some earthen liniment1 before they are burnt1 which therefore are not durable in the fire1 but are broken1 and that oftentimes not without great loss of the metal1 which is again to be gathered out of the ashes by the help of a tedious washing4 ,it is better therefore to work those vessels with ones own hand for certainty sake4 ,for not all and every crucible can alwaies and every where be made equal1 and be of a like durableness in the ,fire1 though they are made most diligently3 and therefore a consideration being had of their goodness1 they may be used for divers uses1 and the better may be used in the melting of the better metals4 ,but let no man perswade himself that all these can indifferently hold in the ,fire1 although they be the best of all1 how many soever you make2 for ,i never yet saw any earth which could hold litharge in the ,fire and salt of ,tartar1 because the best that ever ,i saw is not free from penetration of them1 which is the greatest impediment of some profitable operations1 which therefore are omitted4 ,and let this which hath been spoken1 suffice concerning the making of crucibles3 let every one therefore that hath a care of his business1 use better diligence for the time to come in the making crucibles for more certainty sake1 and he will not repent of his labour4 ,now how ,tests and ,cuples may be exactly applyed to the aforesaid ,molds1 is not my work at this time to shew1 because many years since it hath been done by others2 especially1 by that most ingenious ,man1 ,lazarus ,ercker1 whose ,writings concerning the manner of making of ,tests and ,cuples ,i cannot mend1 to which ,authors ,i refer the ,reader1 where he shall find sufficient ,instruction and ,information concerning this matter4 ,but there are also other ,tests1 of which ,i shall say nothing in this place1 but elsewhere happily ,i may1 by the help whereof1 lead is bettered in tryal if it be sometimes melted again4 ,of the vitrification of ,earthen ,vessels belonging to the first and second ,furnace4 ,in the defect of glass ,instruments belonging to our first ,furnace1 you may make such as are very useful1 of the best ,earth1 which being well glazed1 or double glazed1 are sometimes better than old ,glass2 especially1 those that are made of ,earth that do not drink up the spirit1 such as is found almost every where1 which becomes stony being burnt3 ,now the ,art of burning hath not hitherto been so well known1 of which something hath been said already1 where the ,earth being burnt with a very strong fire1 is made so compact1 as that it becomes hard and solid as a stone4 ,the ,potters ,furnaces being too weak for this strong burning1 there is required a peculiar ,furnace for this ,work2 in which1 the strongest fire for the burning of them may be made3 ,but because no body thinks to build such an one1 only for some few ,vessels not worth the spending of costs and labours3 there is yet another way of vitrifying of any sort of ,earth 7red ,clay only excepted7 not to be slighted if well done2 especially1 if the matter vitrifying when it is cold after the burning is ended1 doth not cleave and chop1 and it is not hurt by corrosive spirits as the glass made of lead1 retaining spirits1 as well subtle as corrosive1 as that white vitrification of the ,italians and ,hollanders3 you must therefore in defect of a fitting ,furnace1 wherein ,vessels being burnt become stony1 make them of the best ,earth1 and glaze them with the best ,glass of ,tin1 but not of ,lead2 and by how much the more the calx of ,tin goes into the vitrifying mixture1 so much the better is it made2 for ,tin being reduced into a calx with ,lead1 hath no more affinity with corrosive spirits2 wherefore it is more fit for vitrification4 ,but he that will not be at so much costs1 let him vitrify with ,venice ,glass powdered1 which vitrification also is not to be slighted1 requiring a very great heat for the burning1 and therefore flowing with great difficulty in these common ,potters ,furnaces2 wherefore you must mix some ,borax with the ,glass1 that it may flow so much the more easily in the ,potters ,furnace2 else you must pour upon the earthen ,vessels being burnt1 ,water mixt with ,glass1 so that it the ,glass may stick to them every where exactly1 which afterwards being well dryed1 shall be gathered together into one heap artificially1 lest they take up too great a space1 like earthen ,dishes that are to be burnt1 and afterwards compass them round about every where with burnt ,bricks1 an hole being left open above for the casting in of coals1 yet so1 that the ,bricks be distant from the ,vessels the breadth of an hand1 whereby the coals being cast in above1 may the more freely go round about down to the bottom2 which space being filled with dry coals1 you must put upon them other living coals1 that the fire being kindled above1 may by little and little burn downward and perform its work2 which being so done1 the ,vessels will be out of all danger1 if so be they are all well dryed4 ,the fire being kindled and burning1 you must cover the hole with stones1 until the fire of its own accord be extinguisht2 the coals being spent and the vessels become cold4 ,n4 ,b4 ,now if there be a great heap of vessels1 you must first1 the coals being burnt1 add fresh coals once more2 for else the vessels being placed in the middle1 cannot be sufficiently burnt1 nor the glass sufficiently flow2 wherefore caution is required in the governing of the fire in this manner1 where1 if all things are rightly done1 the vessels are better and more truly burnt and vitrifyed than in any common ,potters ,furnace whatsoever2 yet with greater danger to the vessels than in a ,potters ,furnace compassed about with walls4 ,but let him that burns crucibles and other smaller vessels1 burn them in our melting or distilling ,furnace1 being covered with coals1 giving ,fire first above1 for so ,i my self was wont hitherto to burn all my crucibles1 and burn and glaze all other distilling vessels2 and this in defect of fitting ,furnaces is the best way of burning and vitrifying1 where in three or four hours space1 the vessels are exactly burnt and vitrifyed4 ,now the earth that is to be burnt quickly1 must be the best1 and durable in the ,fire1 for fear of breaking of some of the vessels4 ,let him therefore in this case for security sake1 use our fourth ,furnace1 who hath built it with his chambers1 in the first wherereof he may burn and vitrify without any danger4 ,but that foresaid way of burning and vitrifying1 is not to be slighted2 wherefore ,i would have thee be admonished to be cautious in giving of ,fire1 that you give no more or less than you should1 lest afterwards you impute the cause of your errour committed1 to me1 whilst the vessels are broke as if ,i had not wrote the ,truth1 but to thy self that errest1 and must for the future be more diligent1 and cautious in this work4 ,i know other vitrifications of divers colours hitherto unknown1 and indeed most secret1 not to be communicated to every one indifferently3 but he that knows how to reduce metals into a true glass1 retaining the colour of its metal1 is indeed the inventor of a very great secret2 to whom1 if he consider the matter more profoundly1 and exercise himself therein1 a ,gate is open1 with the blessing of ,god1 to a greater light4 ,there are also other vitrifications1 with which the earth being covered doth appear1 as if it were adorned with ,gems2 but because it is not our purpose now to treat of such kinds1 ,i shall make an end of vitrifications1 one only excepted1 which ,i shall communicate for the sake of the ,sick1 and ,physitians2 and it is this3 ,make little earthen ,cups very smooth and white of the best earth being burnt3 then make the following glasse to flow in a very strong crucible1 in which dip one cup after another1 being held with tongs1 and first made red hot in some little ,furnace1 letting them lye covered therein for a while1 that the earth may the better attract the glass2 which being done1 let them be taken out1 and be set again into the foresaid collateral ,furnace1 where they were before made red hot1 when one is taken out1 dip another in the molten glass in its place1 which also is again to be set as the first into the aforesaid ,furnace2 and this is to be reiterated so often1 until all the pots be covered over with glass3 all which being done1 the ,furnace is to be shut close every where1 that the wind enter not into it1 and so it is to be left until it become cold of it self1 and the glass covering over the cups remain intire1 which otherwise cannot be if the cups be set in a cold place2 now the glass is made after this manner4 ,take of crude ,antimony two parts1 of pure ,nitre one part2 grind them well being mixt together1 kindle the mixture being put into a crucible with a red hot iron1 and the ,sulphur of ,antimony will be burnt together with the ,nitre1 a mass of a brown colour being left behind1 which you must take out while it is hot with a spatle that it may cool1 which afterwards being melted in another strong crucible for the space of half an hour1 or an hour1 makes that glass with which the aforesaid cups with their covers are covered over4 ,of the use of the aforesaid ,cups4 ,there is no one that can deny that ,antimony is the most excellent of all vomitives1 wherefore1 so many and so various preparations have been invented by ,physitians for the taking away of the malignity thereof2 whereof ,i have shewed some1 together with the use thereof in the ,first and ,second ,part of this ,book1 where alwaies one is better than another2 yet notwithstanding 'tis confest1 that ,antimony reduced into ,glass1 is sufficient to purge the ,stomack and ,bowels from all corrupt ,humors1 and that without all danger1 7being rightly administred7 as well by vomit as by stool1 by which means many grievous imminent ,diseases are not only prevented1 but also presently are cured4 ,but you infer1 that this is yet a crude and imperfect preparation1 and therefore not so safe4 ,to which ,i answer1 that ,antimony that purgeth1 needeth no preparation1 for if all the crudity thereof were wholly taken away by fixation1 it would no more cause vomiting or stools2 wherefore the aforesaid glass of ,antimony is not to be feared1 because it is not dangerous1 but may safely be given to ,children that are one or two years old1 but not in form of a powder1 but in infusion or extraction of its chiefest vertue made with honey1 sugar and wine1 sweet or sowre4 ,after which manner being given1 it attracts from all the bowels all vitious humours1 and evacuates them as well upward as downward1 without danger2 of which thing elsewhere more at large4 ,let him that useth the aforesaid ,cups1 infuse one or two ounces of wine1 and set them a whole night in some warm place1 and the wine will attract from the glass so much as doth suffice it1 which afterwards being drank in a morning1 doth perform the same as an infusion made with the powder of ,stibium2 and this is a more delicate way than the other1 because a ,cup is sent to the ,patient that he may infuse in it the space of a night1 two or three spoonfuls of proper wine1 placeing it in some warm place1 which he may drink up blood warm in the morning1 with a due ordering of himself afterwards3 ,which1 in my judgment is a more delicate way1 being made with ones one wine1 and ones one hand1 than that tedious way of potions1 both large1 bitter1 and nauseous4 ,and this ,cup may oftentimes be used1 and if at length the wine should not attract sufficiently1 the ,cup with the wine is to be set in seething hot water for a little time1 that the wine might the better attract1 and work1 when need shall require4 ,now he that gives such kind of ,cups to others1 must instruct them concerning the ordering1 and administring of the same4 ,one ,cup is sufficient for the ,master of a ,family1 with his whole ,family for all the daies of their life4 ,it is not to be used by all1 and every one1 and in all ,diseases indifferently1 but only by those that are strong and young2 and where the principal parts are not hurt4 ,cups may also after another way be covered over with ,glass without ,antimony1 as follows4 ,sublime ,auripigmentum in a ,glass or ,earthen ,gourd2 and take the gallant golden coloured ,flowers thereof1 which being after a peculiar manner melted1 yield a red and most beautiful ,glass almost like an ,oriental ,ruby1 which being broken in pieces1 may be used in stead of an ,ornament2 but this is more soft1 and brittle1 than ,glass of ,antimony4 ,this ,glass1 or those ,flowers of ,auripigmentum1 which are not yet reduced into ,glass1 do notably glaze the aforesaid ,cups with a red beautiful ,colour4 ,he therefore that will vitrify the aforesaid ,cups1 must first heat them red hot in a ,fire made with ,coals2 and being thus hot1 dip them in the aforesaid melted ,flowers1 and being taken out thence1 put them under an earthen1 or iron red hot vessel1 and there let them cool which do perform the same things as those which are said of the ,antimonial ,cups4 ,these ,cups are not dangerous1 as to be feared1 because as ,antimony is corrected by calcination1 so ,auripigmentum is by sublimation3 from which1 if all the malignity be taken away either by ,fire1 or by nitre1 the vomitive vertue is taken away1 as afterward shall be demonstrated more at large in these five parts1 when they shall come forth again with enlargements1 viz4 what purging things are1 and how they put forth their vertues1 a consideration being had of their malignity4 ,there are also other ways of vitrification1 and indeed very fine1 and most desireable by all1 if they should be communicated2 but because it is not now my purpose to treat here of mechanical things1 but only of some particular vitrifications of vessels belonging to our furnaces1 ,i am resolved to omit them at this time1 and make an end of these things4 ,i am resolved1 ,god willing1 to set forth these parts more corrected1 and in a larger manner1 where many excellent things now omitted for some reasons1 shall be published1 and communicated4 ,wherefore ,i will now put an end to this fifth part1 where although ,i might have added something that is singular concerning artificial furnaces1 yet because time will not now permit1 it shall be deferred to another time and place1 where we shall treat further of the examining1 trying and separation of metals3 ,for the best way of melting of metals in a greater quantity hath not yet been known3 ,and although they that deal in minerals perswade themselves of the perfection of their art1 yet ,i can demonstrate an easier1 and more compendious way of melting of metals in a shorter time1 in a greater quantity1 and with less costs and pains4 ,of which more at large elsewhere1 wherefore 7,courteous ,reader7 be contented with these things1 and if ,i shall see that these few things shall be acceptable to thee1 ,i will sometime hereafter for thy sake and to thy profit communicate wonderful secrets which the world will not believe1 and which hitherto are hid1 either out of envy or ignorance4 ,,finis4 ,,an ,,appendix4 ,two years since ,i began to publish my new invented furnaces where also there was mention made of some secrets1 which though ,i thought never to divulge2 yet nevertheless ,i underwent many troubles for the communicating of them4 ,wherefore ,i beseech every body that they would no more create troubles to me or to themselves by their petitions or writings1 because for certain causes ,i shall for the future communicate nothing but those things which follow4 ,expect therefore patiently the time of another ,edition1 when these five parts shall come forth more corrected and enlarged1 and many most choice secrets shall be communicated1 which were for certain causes omitted in the first ,edition4 ,i shall now ,god willing communicate those things which follow1 yet upon this condition 7because many are such1 that by means thereof thou maist with a good conscience1 without hurt to thy neighbour1 through ,gods blessing1 get great riches7 that thou be mindful of the poor1 and a good steward of riches got honestly1 and use them to the glory of ,god and the eternal salvation of thy soul4 ,the preparation of corn1 as of ,barley1 ,wheat1 ,oates1 c4 of ,apples1 ,pears1 ,cherries1 c41 where fermentation being made they do yield by way of distillation a pure spirit very like to the spirit of wine without great costs2 of the remainders whereof if the matter were corn1 may be made good beer1 or vinegar2 but if the matter were any kinde of fruit1 as apples1 pears1 a very good drink like to wine1 so that by this means thou maist find a double profit1 by which thou maist not only have whereby to live honestly1 but also to lay up for thy heirs4 ,an excellent and wholesome drink of fruit1 and corn1 that is durable and like to ,spanish1 ,french1 and ,rhenish wine4 ,a distillation of the ,aqua vit of certain vulgar things not costly and like to the ,aqua vit of ,french and ,rhenish wine4 ,a preparation of sugar like to the ,western1 and of tartar like to the natural ,rhenish1 out of honey and not costly2 where one pound of sugar doth not exceed the price of eight or ten stivers1 and a pound of tartar1 that doth not exceed the price of two stivers4 ,a peculiar purification of crude tartar without loss1 and a reduction of it into great crystals not costly1 so as the price of one pound doth not exceed six stivers4 ,the taking away of the ingrateful tast and odour of honey so as afterwards there may be made from thence a certain good ,aqua vit retaining no more the smell and taste of honey3 also a very good ,mead or ,methegline like unto very good wine1 with which the same things may be done as with the best wine4 ,a preparation of ,mead out of raisins1 great and small1 very like in all things to ,spanish wine2 out of which also is made a very good vinegar without great costs4 ,a preparation of wine and good vinegar of wild grapes4 ,durable and wholesome drinks of gooseberries1 barberries1 mulberries1 strawberries1 and the like4 ,the mending of troubled acid musty wines1 c4 ,the preparation of a very good vinegar out of certain vegetables which are to be found every where1 which may be compared to that which comes out of ,france1 and in a great abundance1 whereof two rundlets of nine ,gallons do not exceed the price of one ,royal4 ,a ,royal or ,imperial is #d s4 #f d4 ,the promoting of the ripening of wines of the cold countries of ,europe 7a very few that are very cold being exempted7 that they may yield very good sweet and durable wines1 whereas otherwise they could come to no maturity1 being very like to those which hotter countries yield4 ,a certain secret way of carrying wines from mountainous places1 where carts1 ships1 and other commodities are wanting1 where the carrying of ten pipes1 doth not exceed the price of one pipe otherwise carryed1 so that by this means1 outlandish wines may be brought to any place with great profit4 ,a very good and easie preparation of verdegrease out of copper1 whereof one pound doth not exceed the price of six stivers4 ,a new and compendious distillation of vinegar1 of which a rundlet of eighteen gallons doth not exceed the price of half a ryal1 with which many things may be done1 especially the crystallizing of verdegrease1 of which one pound prepared after this manner1 doth not also exceed the price of half a ,royal4 ,a compendious and very easie way of distilling a very strong spirit of urin1 and that without any cost and pains1 so that twenty or thirty pints shall not exceed the price of one royal1 being very excellent in medicine1 ,alchimy and ,mechanique affairs1 by the help whereof a most beautiful blew vitriol may be made out of copper1 being very profitable in ,alchimy and medicine1 making silver so fusible1 that by the help thereof1 glass vessels1 as basons1 dishes1 and candlesticks1 c4 may be so guilded as to be taken for silver4 ,a way of distilling the spirit of salt in a great quantity1 and that with small costs1 so that one pound thereof will scarce exceed the price of six stivers being very excellent in ,alchymy1 ,medicine1 and other ,arts2 especially for the doing of these following things1 viz4 the separation of gold from silver without hurt to the ,cups or other things1 also the solution and separation of gold mixt with copper and silver by the force of precipitation1 where the ,menstruum that is preserved1 may again be used for the same uses1 which separation is the easiest of all other humid separations1 whereby gold is reduced to the highest degree4 ,the separation of volatile sparkling gold out of sand1 c4 very profitable1 without which otherwise it could never be separated1 neither by the help of ,washing1 nor by ,mercury1 nor by the force of ,melting4 ,an artificial secret1 and hitherto unheard of1 trying of stubborn ,metals1 finding out their ,contents1 which otherwise could not be found out3 for oftentimes there are found golden mines1 which are stubborn1 in which nothing is found out by the common way1 and therefore they are left unlaboured in1 and sometimes elsewhere1 where there are not found ,mines of ,metals1 there are found other things1 as white and red talc1 that yield nothing1 being tryed the common way1 or very little1 all which yet abound with gold and silver1 which may be separated this way4 ,a new1 and unheard of compendious way of melting ,mines in great plenty1 where1 in the space of one day1 by the heat of a certain separating ,furnace1 more may be melted than by the common way in the space of eight daies1 where not onely costs are saved1 but also is hope of greater gain4 ,another way for the better proving of things melted1 and a new way of separating silver from lead4 ,a very speedy way of melting ,minerals1 whereby they are melted in great plenty1 by the help of ,pit-coals in defect of other coals4 ,the fixation of ,minerals1 ,sulphureous1 ,arsenical1 ,antimonial2 and others that are volatile1 which cannot be retained and melted by the force of fire1 by the help of a certain peculiar furnace with a grate1 so that afterwards they may by infusion yield gold and silver4 ,the getting of gold and silver1 that sparkles1 and is rarified1 out of sand1 pure clay1 flints1 c4 by the help of melting4 ,the separation of gold lying hid in baser minerals and metals most profitable1 which cannot be done the common way4 ,a very quick ,artificial and easie separation of melted gold and silver by the help of fusion1 so that in the space of one day1 by the help of one furnace1 some hundreds of ,marks may be separated with far less costs and labour1 than by the common way by cement and ,aqua fortis4 ,the reduction of elaborated gold1 of chains and other ornaments unto the highest degree2 also the separation of gold from guilded silver1 by the help of fusion1 by which means a hundred marks are more easily separated than twenty of the common way4 ,a certain way whereby more silver is separated from lead then by the ,copper4 ,a separation of good gold from any old iron1 which although it be not a labour of great gain1 yet it is sufficient for those who are contented with a few things4 ,a separation of gold and silver1 from tin or copper1 according to more or less4 ,the maturation of mines1 so that they may afterwards be able to yield more gold and silver1 then by the common way1 also the separation of gold and silver out of ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 and ,auripigmentum4 ,the separation of the external sulphur of ,venus1 that the ,son ,cupid may be born4 ,the separation of silver from the cuples1 into which it enters in the tryal without melting or any other labour or cost4 ,the preparation of divers earthen things to be done in any part of the world1 like to the ,porcellan1 that hold fire and retain spirits4 ,a certain ,allome exalting and fixing any colour1 especially requisit for scarlet and other pretious colours1 with a certain perpetual cauldron1 that doth not alter colours1 and is not costly4 ,a making of colours for painters1 as of purple gum1 ultra-marine1 not costly1 and especially of that rich white1 never before seen1 like to ,pearl and ,margarites2 also a peculiar colouring of gold and silver4 ,to conclude1 ,i refer the ,reader unto the ,residue of my ,books1 that ,treat of those ,secrets more plainly2 which ,i am resolved shortly to put forth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,those ,secrets are all openly taught in the following ,treatises1 as in the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi1 ,apology against ,farner1 ,prosperity of ,germany1 c4 ,,finis4 ,of the ,tincture of ,gold1 ,or the ,true ,,aurum ,,potabile3 ,what it is1 and how it differs from the false and sophisticated ,aurum ,potabile3 ,how it tis be ,spagirically prepared2 ,and how to be used in ,medicine4 ,of ,aurum ,potabile4 ,there is no man that can deny1 that the true and ancient ,philosophers did study long life1 and the conservation of their health4 ,whence it came to pass that they did diligently seek out the subject of preserving health1 and prolonging life3 wherefore by the help of fire they did practise the separations1 and proofs of all vegetables1 animals1 and minerals1 seeking out their powers and vertues3 ,who found out the greatest harmony of all things as well in the heavens1 as on earth1 betwixt the ,sun1 ,gold1 ,man and wine4 ,for it cannot be denyed1 that the life of all things proceeds from the heat of the ,sun2 wherefore they sought to unite gold the terrestrial sun or body fixed and perfect1 caused by the rays of the sun1 with man by the help of spirit of wine4 ,but haply there will be some1 whom this my narration may offend denying that gold is the ,son of the sun1 or a metallick body fixed and perfect1 proceeding from the rayes of the sun2 asking how the solary immaterial rayes can be made material and corporeal8 ,but they are very ignorant of the generation of metals1 and minerals4 ,and although ,i am not now resolved to write of the generation1 and original of metals1 yet endeavouring to demonstrate that there is a vivifying power of the sun to be found in gold 7destroyed and volatilized7 and to be prepared into a most wholesome medicine for man1 ,i will not omit for the sake of the ignorant and incredulous1 to demonstrate the truth by one or two examples1 which although ,i could demonstrate by most certain and firm reasons1 yet for brevities sake ,i am now resolved to omit them1 recommending to the searcher of the ,nature1 and propriety of metals1 my treatise ,de ,generatione ,metallorum1 which without doubt will take away all scruple from him2 objecting only against him that oppposeth the truth1 two questions and reasons which are to be confuted3 and the first is1 whence comes that increase of both the quantity and quality of any viscous1 mineral liquor1 that hath been exposed long to the ,sun in an open glass vessel8 ,whether from the ,sun1 or elsewhere8 ,but thou sayest1 that that encrease comes from the air1 the vehicle of all things4 ,i answer1 if from the air1 whether was not that air impregnated by the ,sun8 and whether there be any thing in the air1 which it received not from the stars8 ,but place this liquor in a cold ,cellar1 in a moist air1 and thou shalt by experience know that no weight is added thereto1 even as in the ,sun1 or 7in his stead7 fire3 that ,liquor will draw some phlegmatick moisture which will be easily separated by heat1 the weight of the former liquor being left4 ,this may be shewed by this ,example3 dissolve some sulphurous metal1 as ,iron1 ,copper1 or ,zinck1 with any acid spirit1 and at length take away the spirit1 make the remainder red hot2 yet not too much1 but as much as sufficeth to take away the spirits1 which afterward 7its weight being observed7 put in a crucible on the fire1 but take heed lest the metal run over1 but at length let it darkly glow with the crucible1 for the space of three or four weeks1 which done1 take it away again1 and weigh again the metal1 and thou shalt find the evident encrease of the metal1 which thou shalt perceive more evidently by this way1 as follows3 ,put copper1 or some sulphurous metal1 with #af or #ah parts of lead in a well-burnt cupel2 made of the ashes of wood or bones1 in a tryed furnace1 7the weight of the cupel1 copper1 and lead first exactly observed7 and cause the copper to evaporate by fire with the lead1 which done1 take the cupel when it shall be cold1 and again weigh it1 and thou shalt find it far more weighty1 so that its weight 7though much of the lead goes into air in the cupellating7 not only exceeds its former weight1 but also of the copper and lead by the said cupellation2 therefore it is justly demanded whence this ,encrease proceeds1 whether the heat of the fire was not coagulated into a metallick body by means of that melted metal8 ,therefore it is probable1 that if you knew the metallick matrixes in the surface of the earth1 in which the beams of the ,sun and heat of fire being received1 may be coagulated1 metals may as well be generated in them1 as in the bowels of the earth4 ,but thou repliest it is probable the heat of vulgar fire to have something metallick in it1 which comes by attraction of the melted metal in the ,cupel1 but not in the ,sun-beams4 ,he that will thus try the truth1 let him put a cupel very well burnt in the beams of the ,sun1 together with copper and lead1 to which let him apply a hollow ,looking-glass1 so that it may be operated upon by the ,sun-beams gathered into a center1 and may thence be made hot3 ,but thou must continually hold the ,looking-glass in thy hand1 that thou maist turn or direct it to the ,sun1 according to the course thereof1 lest the cupel wax cold1 the beams of the ,sun being turned away1 but if it be rightly observed1 the work shall be done no less than in a furnace of fire with glowing heat4 ,you must have a ,looking-glass at least in diameter two feet1 nor must it be too deep2 but be in depth the #ah or #bj part of the globe1 that so it may the further cast the beams3 it must be very artificially smoothed1 that it may more exactly gather the beams to the center4 ,now the preparation of these burning-glasses is not of this place1 but in the fourth part of our ,furnaces1 where we have taught not only how they are to be made of metals1 but also of glass1 and how polisht and used4 ,this demonstration1 which might be otherwise omitted1 is therefore set down1 that it may be known how ,gold proceeds from the ,sun1 and is secretly endued with its proper strength and proprieties1 by ,chymistry1 reducible into that which it was before its coagulation1 namely1 into a heating and living spirit1 communicating its strength and faculties to man's body4 ,therefore the ,ancients used great diligence in the reduction of gold1 in which nothing is found more excellent than the purest and finest spirit of wine made by distillation1 and they did not use common gold melted out of stones1 or washt out of sand1 but purged by benefit of fire1 and ,philosophically quickened and unlocked1 not by help of corrosive spirits1 the usual way of vulgar ,chymists1 but by some water which ,nature freely gives without help of violent distillation2 by which they manifest that which is hid in gold1 and they have hid what is manifest1 and therefore they have made it fit for the separation of its tincture from a gross and black superfluous body4 ,for they knew that the compact body of gold hath no affinity with the vital ,spirits1 therefore they have chosen only the finest part of gold to their ,elixir1 viz4 ,its tincture1 which they have radically joyned with the spirit of ,wine1 and being joyned1 have made them spiritual or volatile1 so that neither can be separated from each other in the fire1 and being in the fire1 are sublimed1 or fixed by a longer digestion2 and coagulated into a fixt stone1 which they count for the greatest treasure in this ,world4 ,therefore the ancient ,philosophers affirming1 that there is not a better medicine under the ,sun than it1 which is made from the ,philosophical union of wine and gold1 both by an inseparable recoagulation and fixation2 nor without gold can spirit of wine1 nor this without it be made a medicine1 because gold without spirit of wine cannot be made volatile1 nor this be coagulated and fixt without it4 ,we therefore1 their posterity justly1 follow the opinions of the most famous men1 not for their authorities sake1 but for ocular demonstration1 which is the truest tryal4 ,therefore the knowledge of the preparation of this medicine being bestowed on me from the highest1 ,i have intended1 because a man is not born for himself1 briefly to deliver its preparation and use3 but ,i will not cast pearls before swine2 but ,i'le only shew the way to the studious searchers of the work of ,god and ,nature1 who doubtless will understand my writing1 but not the ignorant and unskilful2 let therefore the brevity of the preparation offend no man1 because ,i mean not to prostitute this ,art 7divinely obtained1 not with idleness1 but with much watching1 labours and pains7 nor give to the unworthy a bit before chawed1 but only to communicate it to the pious1 who shall see with open eyes1 that the thing is so4 ,i desire therefore1 the simplicity of my stile may offend no man1 being not adorned with rhetorical figures1 after the wonted manner1 for truth wants not many and elegant words1 being contented with simplicity and brevity1 with which it is easier and better demonstrated1 than with those intricate and sophistick discourses4 of living gold one part1 and three parts of quick ,mercury1 not of the vulgar1 but the ,philosophical every where to be found without charge2 and labour1 7thou maist also add living silver of equal weight with the gold1 and indeed better than only gold1 for the greater variety of colours proceeding from the mixture of male and female3 but one perswaded that a better ,tincture proceeds from gold alone may mix gold only1 not so1 one skilful of metals1 who knoweth the power of the cordial union of gold and silver1 dissolved in one and the same ,menstruum7 put them mixt in a ,philosophical vessel to dissolve1 and in the space of one quarter of an hour1 those mixt metals will be radically dissolved by the ,mercury1 and will give a purple colour2 after encrease the fire by degrees1 and it will be changed into a very fine green1 to which taken out1 pour the water of dew to dissolve1 which may be done in half an hour1 filtre the solution1 and abstract the water through a glass alembeck in ,b4 which pour out again afresh1 and abstract1 which do three times1 in the mean time that greeness will be turned into a black colour1 like ,ink1 stinking like a carcass1 and therefore odious3 and it behoves sometimes to take away the water reaffused and digested1 and that blackness and stink will depart in the space of forty hours1 and will produce a pure milky whiteness1 which appearing1 take away all the moisture till it be dry1 which will be a white mass1 and in few hours of a pleasant colour1 divers colours first appearing1 it is turned into a fine greeness better than the former1 to which you must affuse the spirit of wine well rectified1 to the depth of two or three fingers1 and that green gold dissolved will draw that spirit of wine1 for the great amity1 like a dry spunge drawing waters1 and will communicate to it a quintessence as red as blood1 by which means the greeness is deprived of its quickening tincture1 the superfluous ashy body being left4 ,you must decant and filtrate the tinged spirit1 and in a ,b4 by a glass alembeck1 abstract it from the red tincture1 attracting the fiery essence of the spirit of wine1 so that they may be very close and inseparably conjoyned1 from which an unsavoury water only distils1 the vertue of the spirit of wine being left with the tincture of gold like a red fiery salt1 fusile and volatile2 of which grain #a4 can tinge i4 of spirit of wine1 or any other liquor1 with a blood-red colour1 for it is soluble in any moisture2 and therefore may be kept in a liquid form for the ,panacea of most desperate ,diseases4 ,now ,i will communicate the proprieties of the true tincture1 by which true potable gold is known4 ,this tincture next the stone is the best of all medicines1 between which and that1 there is but this difference1 the soul of gold is volatile1 nor hath entrance into imperfect metals1 and therefore cannot transmute into pure fine gold1 which vertue is attributed to the ,philosophers stone4 ,the soul of gold1 though it be the best part1 yet it is not fixt in fire1 but volatile2 but the ,philosopher's ,stone is fixt in fire1 and remains1 by reason of a longer digestion4 ,but whether that soul or volatile tincture and red ,lyon may be fixt by help of fire1 and turned into the ,universal medicine1 and tinging stone1 that ,i know not1 because hitherto ,i have not tryed1 c4 therefore he may who extracts the soul of gold1 make further tryal1 whether he can find any thing better4 ,for this ,work treateth of nothing but the best medicine of gold1 but other things ,i know not4 ,therefore the deceit of the ,distillers of ,wine1 and other vegetable waters1 selling potable gold1 is not unknown1 being not ashamed to sell any water coloured yellow or red to the ignorant for a great price4 ,and the errour of others dissolving the body of gold in ,aqua ,regia1 or spirit of salt1 which again they abstract to a dry remainder1 to which for extraction they affuse the spirit of wine3 ,which is not an extraction1 but some particular solution of gold1 made by help of the corrosive spirits left in the gold1 tinging the spirit of wine with a yellow colour1 which so coloured1 they call their potable gold2 which notwithstanding is reduced into gold1 the spirit of wine being abstracted1 which can do no more than any other ,calx of gold1 which the ,archeus cannot digest1 but separates1 being indigested1 with the ,excrements4 ,and also it is the errour of others1 ignorantly deceiving themselves and others1 extracting the ,calx of gold with peculiar menstruums and spirits1 knowing not that the menstruum affused to gold to be red of it self by a long digestion1 which decanted1 they administer instead of potable gold1 who if they weighed the remaining ,calx1 would by experience see that nothing departed from the gold2 which you may try by the setting the spirit or menstruum in a remiss heat1 or longer in cold1 which of it self doth wax red1 as if it had been affused to the ,calx of ,sol4 ,but the cause of this redness is 7unknown to them7 nothing but a certain nitrous salt and volatile1 as of ,antimony1 ,urine1 ,tartar1 ,hartshorn1 ,hair1 c4 exalting the colour of any ,sulphur4 ,wherefore it necessarily follows1 if ,artists mingle with the spirit of wine in which is a sulphur1 such exalting salts1 that it will thence be exalted in colour1 and wax red2 which also happens to them1 who use to extract a tincture with distilled ,oyls1 having a volatile salt1 as are oyl of ,lemmons1 ,cloves1 ,soot1 c4 ,for such-like tincture or potable gold is inefficacious1 as experience witnesseth4 ,but ,i would not say there is no other tincture to be prepared out of gold1 beside this tincture3 for being dissolved in sweet menstruums1 that it cannot be separated by precipitation1 it can do wonderful things in many grievous ,diseases2 but alwaies the living metal is to be chosen instead of the dead4 ,but true potable gold is not so only in name and shew 7as are divers waters tinged with a yellow or red colour7 but also endued with golden faculties and vertues1 so that it may actually appear to be made of gold1 but irreducible by ,fire into ,gold1 spiritual and penetrative1 strengthning the vital spirits1 that they may overcome their enemies4 ,but it must also be endued with this ,vertue1 that it may change imperfect metals1 chiefly ,mercury1 ,lead1 and silver into pure gold2 not truly like a fixt tincture1 tinging with profit the baser metals in flux2 but only perfecting particularly in a moist way by digestion1 where some part of the metal alone is turned into better4 ,for this tincture of salt or gold is very volatile1 so that it cannot resist the fire2 but with a gentle heat it melteth like wax1 and is sublimed like red salt1 soluble in spirit of ,wine1 that it may be fit for ,physical uses4 ,also true potable gold being tasted1 is neither corrosive1 nor astringent like other solutions of gold3 neither doth it pollute the hands1 the nails and hair with a black or yellow colour1 but rather makes them more fine2 neither doth it infect copper1 tin1 lead1 with rust or a black colour1 but rather makes them more clear2 neither is it a body of gold reducible by extraction1 nor into white gold1 which may recover its former colour by ,antimony1 and ,aqua ,regia1 but it is like an ashy earth1 and sublimable in a gentle heat like ,arsenick1 not enduring the tryal of the cuple1 which vertues if it have1 it may be called the true ,tincture of ,gold3 but if not1 not so1 but rather a sophisticated potable gold1 not to be medled withal4 ,of the medicinal use of this golden ,medicine4 ,we have before demonstrated the sun to be the original of gold1 or endued with the incredible vertues of the terrestrial sun4 ,for the strength and vertues of all vegetables1 animals and minerals lie hid in it2 which cannot be manifested but by a ,philosopher1 and that by separation1 to wit1 of the intrinsical and pure parts1 from the impure4 ,this speech will happily seem to thee incredible1 or not very likely to say that gold is reducible into a spiritual essence1 agreeable to humane nature1 endued with the strength of all animals1 vegetables and minerals4 ,surely thou shalt hardly perswade him whom ,vulcan hath not made a ,philosopher to believe it4 ,but who will trouble himself so much as with sure reasons to decide all ,controversies1 which if possible1 yet for many reasons is here omitted2 but for sureties sake ,i will send back the ,reader to the second part of our ,furnaces1 where he shall find how out of ,antimony and ,sulphur1 by a good ,chymist1 with the help of fire1 may be drawn not only the force and faculty of divers vegetables1 but also their natural odour2 which yet did not appear in them before they were radically dissolved1 which if it may be done by any imperfect and fetid mineral1 why not also by a perfect and mature mineral8 ,if we were good naturalists1 and very diligent ,chymists1 then we need not to fill ,elaboratories with so many pots and boxes1 nor spend so much cost in fetching in so many forreign medicinal species1 because without question the strength and properties of all vegetables1 animals1 and minerals1 by an easier way may be found in some few subjects4 ,and as the true tincture of ,sol well fixed1 is endued with all the vertues of all vegetables1 animals and minerals2 so also deservedly is ascribed to it the force of curing all diseases2 but with a difference4 ,for there are divers kinds of the ,gout in hands and feet1 as also of the ,stone and ,leprosie2 which sometimes are inveterate and uncurable ,diseases1 sometimes new and curable4 ,who therefore1 not mad1 would promise to cure all and every disease indifferently1 by any certain medicine8 ,certainly no man1 although he had the very stone of the ,philosophers4 ,for oft-times the ,stone of the ,bladder is expelled or cut out1 most hard and insoluble by ,aqua-fortis1 which not any medicine not corrosive could dissolve2 which strength1 although they ascribe to their medicine1 yet they cannot perform it4 ,promises therefore do not suffice1 which none can perform3 for ,promises become ,debts1 which is observed by few2 wherefore by the haters of the ,art the truth suffers1 and the hope of good success of ,chymical medicines dyeth4 ,it is best therefore to perform more than promise1 and the work shall praise the workman4 ,how can a ,medicine penetrate to the extream parts of the body2 to wit1 the hands and feet1 and dissolve the coagulated matter waxing hard1 which out of the ,body no corrosive ,medicine can dissolve8 ,it is sufficient if a medicine finding a viscous tartareous and salt matter1 nor yet coagulated1 do dissolve and expel it4 ,the like is to be understood of the stone in the reins1 and bladder4 ,in this manner ,i will ascribe the curing of the ,gout in the hands and feet1 the stone in the kidneys and bladder1 to my tincture of ,sol1 as well in old as young2 but so that1 if need be1 specifical ,catharticks may be administred1 and extrinsecally ,bathes for promoting the cure1 whereby ,nature may the sooner do its office4 ,but above all things1 we must not slight ,divine ,providence3 ,for ofttimes ,god smites us with a ,disease incurable by ,art1 unless ,divine wrath be first appeased by humble ,repentance1 which is the best medicine of all4 ,as also the cure of all ,diseases coming of the corruption of the ,blood1 as the ,leprosie1 the ,french ,disease1 and other impurities2 which are taken away by this tincture1 if withal ,catharticks and ,diaphoreticks are administred1 cleansing and renewing the blood above all other medicines4 ,this ,tincture also takes away all the obstructions of the ,liver1 ,spleen1 ,kidneys1 and other parts1 because it warms1 attenuates1 incides1 and evacuates the original of divers ,diseases4 ,it also cures all violent and acute diseases1 as the ,epilepsie1 ,plague1 ,feavers1 c4 ,it provoketh the ,menstrues of old and young1 chiefly1 if also extrinsically it be rightly administred3 which way many are well cured1 who otherwise are like to perish miserably2 it warms and cleanseth the ,matrix above all other ,medicines1 and renders it fit to perform its office3 ,it preserves it also from all accidents of ,sterility1 and other very grievous ,diseases1 causing death4 ,it expels the water of the ,dropsie by urine1 it rarifieth and dryeth up the superfluous moistures of the internal and external parts1 like the ,sun drying and consuming waters1 by which means the body recovers its pristine sanity3 of other diseases to write in particular there is no need1 because in all and every one1 without difference1 it may be used as a general ,medicine1 in old as well as young4 ,this medicine doth not only restore1 but also conserve health till the predestinated time4 ,the ,dose is from three grains or drops to twelve or more1 but to ,children #a1 #b1 or #c4 with its appropriated vehicle1 or in wine or beer to be administred daily1 which ,dose may be taken oftener in a day1 respect being had to the sick party4 ,and so ,i make an end1 hoping to have pleased my ,neighbour3 for without doubt1 who useth this golden ,medicine well1 shall do well1 chiefly lifting up his heart 7acknowledging his sins7 to ,god the ,giver and ,creator of all good1 in filial humility1 imploring his help and blessing2 which the omnipotent ,god and merciful ,father1 that he would bestow on us his temporal blessing in this life with sound health1 and hereafter life eternal1 of ,his free grace1 ,let us pray1 ,amen4 ,,finis4 ,,the ,,mineral ,,work3 ,,the ,,first ,,part4 ,wherein is ,taught the ,separation of ,,gold ,out of ,flints1 ,sand1 ,clay1 and other ,fossiles by the ,spirit of ,salt1 which otherwise cannot be purged4 ,also a ,panacea or ,universal ,antimonial ,medicine1 and the use thereof4 ,invented and published in favour of the ,studious in the ,,chymical ,,art4 ,by ,john ,rudolph ,glauber4 ,a ,preface to the ,reader4 ,there will be some without doubt1 because the ,edition of other ,pieces 7of which ,i made mention in some former ,tractates a few years past7 hath been hitherto by reason of diverse journeys1 and other various impediments1 neglected1 who will think 7having no knowledge of me7 that ,i am unable to perform my promise2 and there are others1 who knowing my ,condition1 and the ,contumelies of my ,enemies1 will fear that ,i being diverted from my purpose by these ,reproaches1 will make void my secret promises4 ,but ,i have resolved to stand to my promise1 that these men may see that ,i am neither moved nor altered with the ,taunts of the ,envious2 but that they may be convinced by real demonstration of my secrets2 some of which1 ,i shall now for the publick good endeavour to communicate4 ,and although the ingratitude of the ,world be cause enough for my silence1 yet the uprightness of my ,heart would not permit me to conceal those things1 notwithstanding the malevolent and ungrateful4 ,beside also the following ,reason moved me1 because there are some ambitious men1 who falsly boast of the knowledge of diverse of my secrets2 wherefore1 some have been moved to think that mine are not my own1 but the ,works and ,writings of others2 by which means ,i have been deprived of my due ,praise1 being attributed to another4 ,and this ,i have often found1 that one or other having by entreaties obtained a secret from me1 have afterward through ,ostentation ascribed it to themselves4 ,there are others also who fear not to reproach me1 and my ,writings1 as though they were trifles1 not attaining their desired end1 who 7rather than ,i who have written plain enough7 are themselves to be blamed1 for being ignorant how to work4 ,such and other things might deter me1 but ,i would not omit the publishing of these ,writings for those mens sake who are pious and honest4 ,wherefore ,i openly affirm1 that these things published by me are not only no trifles1 but most true1 and also my own1 and not the ,invention of another4 ,and ,i call him a lyer1 who shall boast himself the ,author without any of my help4 ,but of these enough6 yet ,i would have the ,reader know1 that for the meaness of the stile1 ,i am not like many ,writers1 who more look after the flourish of words than the thing it self2 ,i rather seek that my ,neighbour may profit by me4 ,wherefore1 for his better understanding1 ,i had rather be prolixe in words1 tedious to delicate ears1 than write in obscure brevity adorned with ,rhetorical figures4 ,for ,i know that the studious in the ,art do affect a prolixe1 plain1 and distinct information or instruction1 rather than a ,ciceronian or obscure4 ,and now1 in the ,name of ,god1 ,i will begin my ,work which is most profitable to all1 and will faithfully communicate and publish the same in that manner as it was written by me in my travel1 under the title of ,the ,mineral ,work1 divided into three parts4 ,in the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and golden flints1 corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of ,spirit of ,salt4 ,which secret1 although it may seem small1 yet it is that whereby 7a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained7 life may be sustained1 and also the cost laid out may be recompensed1 as shall be proved in the following parts4 ,in the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of metals1 and also of the destruction of ,minerals and ,metals4 ,in the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol transmutation by ,nature and ,art1 and that with divers reasons3 which demonstration is not 7unless ,i am deceived7 performed yet by any1 being the foundation of all metallick ,philosophy1 and the ,golden ,crown of all my ,writings4 ,which ,god grant ,i may perfect1 to the glory of his ,divine ,name1 and the good of my ,neighbour4 ,amen4 ,the ,first ,part of the ,mineral ,work4 ,a most profitable process of the separation of ,gold out of ,flints1 ,sand1 ,clay1 red and black ,talk1 and other ,fossiles1 containing very subtle ,gold1 thin and spongeous1 which otherwise cannot be separated1 either for its scarcity1 or the obstinacy of the ,mineral1 by reason of the great ,cost to be bestowed2 viz4 very easily with the spirit of ,salt4 ,know first1 7good ,reader7 that not all ,sand1 ,clay1 nor all ,flints1 and other ,fossiles do contain ,gold1 but only some1 without the knowledge of which1 this secret availeth nothing4 ,and because the knowledge of these are very necessary for the ,artist1 ,i will shew how they are to be proved1 whether they contain ,gold or not1 that he labour not in vain1 but that it may prove to his commodity or profit4 ,the madness of ,men1 searching after uncertain things is wonderful1 but neglecting certain1 although exposed to every ones view1 for many seeking the perfection of ,metals to gain ,riches1 are busied about an uncertain thing1 because of a thousand scarce one obtaines his end3 altho' they may be perfected and purified1 ,i mean imperfect and impure metals1 so that good ,gold and ,silver may thence be extracted1 but this ,art is given to few1 neither is every one fit to perform the business2 because it requires an ingenious and experienced ,artist3 ,but the thing which is certain1 may be performed with small cost and labour by any vulgar ,chymist1 having any knowledge of the ,art of fusion and separation1 being an ingenious man1 and not seeking things too high or too gainful at the first tryal4 ,be cautious therefore in the extraction of the aforesaid stones1 for if thou shouldst with the spirit of ,salt extract many of them1 having no ,gold without doubt thou shalt find no ,gold there3 ,and if thou shouldst extract some contained in them1 and if thou be ignorant of the separation of it by ,antimony1 thou canst thence hope for no profit4 ,first then1 the knowledge1 viz4 of those stones is necessary afterward of that separation by ,antimony4 ,impute therefore the fault1 if thou errest1 not to me1 but to thine own ignorance1 if thou knowest not to extract the ,gold2 for ,i have written clearly1 though thou shouldst not know any thing that were omitted4 ,and ,i before admonish thee to be cautious in thy work1 lest thou labour for nought3 ,for it is certain1 and no fiction1 that in many places there are found golden flints1 and golden clay1 and sand1 oft-times abounding with gold4 ,and if they do not abound with it1 yet may they be extracted with profit3 but the flints abounding with it are extracted with greater gain4 ,there are also found whole ,rocks and ,mountains of ,gold1 and great ,mountains filled with golden ,sand and ,clay1 not returning the charge of washing1 either for its too great rarefaction or spungiosity and levity1 by reason of which1 its washed away with the sand2 all which1 how poor soever1 may be extracted by the spirit of ,salt with gain1 and by ,antimony fixed and purifyed4 ,in brief1 this is such a secret1 by which1 no man can be an impediment to another1 as in other mechanical operations1 whereof no man may be ashamed2 for ,god did therefore create ,gold in the earth and stones1 that we may therefore extract it to the glory of ,his ,name1 and the benefit of our ,neighbour2 neither hath he forbidden the true and genuine use of it4 ,i say therefore in truth1 that ,i have here described this ,art1 how ever despised by the ignorant1 yet of greatest moment1 and almost incomprehensible4 ,now consider the thing a little farther1 thou shalt find every where in the earth great ,treasures to be hidden1 which only through ignorance are not discovered4 ,truly it is known to all1 that there is found golden sand and clay in diverse places1 which for the aforesaid ,reasons are left unlaboured1 but by this our ,art may easily be worked upon4 ,there are found also silver ,mountains1 out of which1 silver cannot be extracted for the little weight it yields3 there is also found in many places a certain yellow or reddish earth1 or such like clay1 which though it contain store of silver1 yet it cannot be extracted with profit by this way1 yet separable1 with gain1 but not by the spirit of salt1 which leaves it untoucht1 but by some other thing1 every where to be found in plenty1 of which1 for some reasons we shall speak nothing here4 ,and this way of separation makes much for the poor mineral of copper1 which with profit cannot be worked upon by the vulgar way1 to be separated from the ,copper1 afterward by ripening it into a better metal1 or turning it into verdy-grease for want of a better art1 which business also may well and honestly more than maintain a family4 ,this way also may the rejected dross of the gold1 silver1 and copper be with profit separated4 ,but because ,i have decreed to handle here only the extraction of gold out of stones1 therefore these menstrues which are used in the extraction of copper and silver1 are deservedly omitted1 and reserved for another place1 where sometime they shall be delivered1 to wit1 if ,i shall see that this demonstration shall be accepted in mens eyes1 which more very excellent shall follow4 ,as now ,i have undertaken a more excellent matter in love to my countrey1 by which it may appear1 that ,germany however reduced to want1 is yet rich enough1 if it would but at last look upon its hidden treasures4 ,there is no need to offer a fore-chewed bit1 for demonstration is sufficient1 neither will we obtrude a good upon the negligent2 for to the ungrateful the best things are unacceptable4 ,these therefore being waved1 in short we will give the demonstration and extraction of those flints1 not doubting but the expert and experienced1 though the sluggish may not1 will thence reap profit1 and give ,god the praise4 ,what belongs then to the aforesaid stones1 out of which gold may be extracted1 thus the matter stands4 ,all kind of flints for the most part have invisible gold1 sometimes visible and invisible1 volatile and corporeal together3 but many commonly contain impure iron-like volatile gold1 and also mature1 and a few1 sulphureous and copper-like4 ,stones which the ,germans call ,quartzens and ,hornstein1 containing pure and corporeal gold1 although mixt with silver and copper1 may be burnt and ground1 and extracted with ,mercury1 and if they abound with gold1 be purged by flux2 which labours are usual with diggers and dealers in metals1 of which ,i do not intend to write1 because others have heretofore writ of them4 ,but those flints ,quartzen and ,hornstein every where almost to be found1 containing but a mean quantity of dispersed iron-like ,gold1 ,marcasite-like1 and that either fixt or volatile1 cannot be separated with gain1 to wit1 neither by ,mercury nor by ,flux1 wherefore they are neglected by the ,miners1 either out of ignorance or for the intolerable costs4 ,but ,i having tryed those base stones1 that how little gold soever they possess2 yet may it be separated with great gain1 ,i would not intermit to publish this knowledge for my ,christian neighbours sake1 not doubting but this publication will be profitable to very many4 ,for ,i am not ignorant that there are as well learned1 as unlearned1 noble as ignoble1 secular as spiritual1 either by war or otherwise exposed to poverty1 so that they are hardly able to maintain their family1 c4 and for their sakes and others in want4 ,i have published this secret1 which rightly handled may bring no small gain yearly1 but especially where those stones are plentiful1 and also that spirit of salt1 whereof the description is given in the first part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces1 and hereafter there shall be given a better1 if nothing hinder2 in the mean while use and enjoy these4 ,and if it happen so that thou canst not rightly perform all things of the aforesaid tractate1 blush not to learn the manual ,operations which cannot be so exactly described from those that are experienced1 lest you hereafter unprofitably spend your labour and costs4 ,as for those stones know that very many of them are found in several places1 chiefly in those that are sandy and mountainous1 but in some more and better than in others3 for there is seldom seen sand without flints1 and oft-times the sand it self1 though very little doth not want ,gold4 ,but they are very likely to be found on the shoars of ,rivers1 where the waters washing away the sand from the flints they are found in great abundance1 though they are not so easily known by their outside1 as those which were found clean in the sand1 because they are covered with slime4 ,wherefore they must be broken with a hammer1 that that may be seen which is in them1 which may better appear if they be burnt1 and quencht in cold water4 ,for the stone retaining its whiteness when it is burnt and quencht doth contain nothing2 but acquiring a redness it shews there is something in it1 and the more red it is the better token it is4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but this is not to be understood of sandy stones1 waxing red in some part1 in the fire1 containing no gold1 but of flints out of which by a mutual percussion fire is brought forth1 which the more pure they are the purer gold do they yield4 ,there are also flints out of which fire is forced by percussion being red in the fire1 which contain no gold but ,iron2 which you may know by that clear redness before the burning1 which being burnt is changed into an obscure redness1 not shining and crude3 but the flints containing ,gold1 being burnt do acquire a fair golden yellowness1 or reddish colour1 as if they were covered with gold1 and that through the whole substance if they be broken in pieces4 ,and these give a pure gold1 but those other yield a red extraction like blood1 yielding not gold1 but the purest and malleable iron1 good in ,chymick uses1 7but chiefly for silver to be cemented and exalted7 for gold is seldome to be found in them2 the which is well to be observed lest thou draw out iron in stead of gold1 and so lose thy labour4 ,also the best stones containing gold1 are those which are white and shining1 here and there throughout having in the whole substance green spots and lines1 red1 yellow1 skie-coloured and brown4 ,there are also black flints out of which fire is forced by percussion1 having gold and iron1 which may be separated with profit1 yielding sometimes plenty of ironish ,gold1 which may in like manner1 be separated of which afterward4 ,they are very good flints also which being burnt retain a whiteness1 with veins green1 skie-coloured1 and such like1 neither are they disesteemed which burnt1 have black spots1 and not veins4 ,but the stones 7,quartzen and ,hornstein7 although they in burning are not altered1 yet if there be seen before gold volatile and spiritual1 they by separation of themselves yield gold4 ,gross and subtle sand having light and yellow gold1 yields in the burning a skie-coloured smoak1 and is exalted in colour1 viz4 brownish3 but that hath nothing which is not altered4 ,subtle earth1 yellow or red1 passing through sand or a mountain like a vein contains also gold1 which is for the most part volatile1 and not mature1 flying away in reduction1 having ingress into silver and other metals1 and therefore for this reason conservable4 ,for thy better knowledge thou mayst prove the stones1 with white fusile glass1 which thing is treated of in the fourth part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces1 that thou mayst not have cause to impute the fault of thy errour to me2 therefore ,i would have thee understand1 viz4 that all stones contain not gold1 neither in all is it separable by the spirit of salt3 they are therefore to be known before they be applyed to the work4 ,now follows the preparation of flints1 and the extraction of the gold contained in them1 by the spirit of salt4 ,first the flints being made red hot in the fire1 they must be quencht in cold water1 after taken out and cooled1 and finely powdered4 ,n4 ,b4 ,when they are broken in a ,mortar the better parts may easily be separated from the baser3 for while they are finely powdered1 always the best part goes into red powder first1 the worser part thicker and harder1 containing little or nothing1 being left2 ,and if they be coursly powdered and sifted through a fine sieve the more subtle part like red powder goes through the sieve1 the unuseful part being left in the sieve like white dust1 which may be cast away3 and if yet some redness appears1 it must again be powdered in a ,mortar1 and the better part shall go into a red powder1 the baser part being left in the sieve hard and white which is to be cast away1 but you must observe that not all and every of these flints are thus separable by powdering2 for some being beaten do every where retain the same colour1 without any separation of the better parts1 which you must finely powder and extract in the whole substance1 ,but they 7viz4 those separable7 are more easily extracted1 because all the gold contained in one pound for the most part may be gathered out of three or four ounces finely powdered and separated in the aforesaid manner2 so that it is not needful to extract the whole stone1 nor to spend so much spirit of salt4 ,but sand and clay need not such a preparation1 but without a preparation being made before1 are extracted by the affusion of the spirit of salt4 then of the flints as aforesaid prepared and separated two1 three1 four1 six pound1 to which being put into a cucurbit of glass whole 7undivided7 pour of the spirit of ,salt to the depth of three or four fingers breadth1 and place it in hot sand or ,balneo1 that there the spirit of salt may be hot1 and may extract the ,gold1 and so let it continue for five1 six or more hours space1 until the spirit tinged with a deep redness1 can extract no more4 ,and perchance at the first time 7though seldom7 it may not be tinged with so great a redness1 then must you decant that same imperfectly tinged spirit1 and pour to other flints after the manner expressed1 prepared in another cucurbit1 and place it with the flints in a moderate heat for to extract the gold2 which done pour it off again1 and pour it to fresh flints1 and do so often until it hath drawn to it a sufficient quantity of gold2 which afterward thou must keep1 until thou hast gotten a greater quantity1 and all the ,gold may be separated at one time from it1 as afterward shall be said4 ,which done pour to the reserved flints in the first cucurbit1 a fresh spirit of salt1 and leave that so long in heat1 until it be coloured1 and extract the gold that is left in the flints1 and was not at the first time extracted2 which spirit being afterward decanted1 pour it to the flints reserved in the second and third cucurbit1 to extract the residue of the gold which was left at the first time2 and so consequently to the others reserved1 until the spirit be sufficiently coloured1 and can attract no more2 which afterward pour off and put it to the first1 which was reserved4 ,you must also pour a fresh spirit to the remainder of the extraction for the extracting of all the gold4 ,at length pour to it also common water to wash away the tinged spirit of gold remaining in the flints1 that none of the ,gold may be lost4 ,and this labour is so long and often to be repeated till there remain neither flints nor spirits2 in the mean while you should cast away the flints extracted and washed1 that the cucurbits may be filled with fresh flints1 and so continue the work2 and if there be no more spirit left to continue the extraction1 you may then separate the extracted gold from the spirit1 which is done as followeth3 but first you must have plenty of glass vessels1 or retorts of the best earth1 which may retain the spirits2 which you may so far fill with the impregnated spirit1 that the spirit in the abstraction run not over1 which done1 it is to be extracted in a dry ,balneo by little and little from the ,gold1 which spirit ye may use again in the aforesaid work4 ,and the ,gold which is left in the bottom of the vessels1 is to be separated from the vessels with a crooked iron wier and 7kept being very like to red earth7 for its use1 until thou hast gotten a good quantity1 viz4 so much as sufficeth for separation and purgation 7of which afterward7 to be made by ,antimony4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but when thou shalt extract red talc with spirit of salt1 red or black granates1 ,smiris1 or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 and other ,fossiles1 which beside fixt ,gold contain much immature and volatile ,gold2 you must in the abstraction cast in a little iron1 viz4 to the solution1 which retains and fixes the gold which otherwise flyes away in fusion4 ,wherefore those solutions and extractions of ,talc and other things containing volatile gold are better extracted out of iron ,cucurbits by earthen alembicks than out of glass and earthen retorts1 because then that volatile gold doth attract only so much thence as is sufficient for its fixation2 which iron is after easily separated by the ,antimony from the gold1 as shall after be taught4 ,and this is to be noted1 that not the whole granate is soluble in the spirit of salt1 although it be long left in digestion1 always retaining its former colour2 wherefore there is a difference to be made1 or a preparation to be learned1 requisit for the solution of the gold contained in them4 ,and you must extract ,talc not with too much or excessive heat1 lest its substance be totally dissolved in the spirit and be a hinderance to the work2 because there is little profit then1 for it is therefore appointed1 that a little gold dispersed in a great quantity of ,talc may be reduced into a little compass that it need not that all the quantity of ,talc be made fusile1 because it will thereby procure loss4 ,but there is no danger in flints1 because the spirit of salt doth not dissolve them as it doth ,talc1 but only extracts gold from thence1 the stony body being left4 ,the lapis calaminaris may also otherwise be handled in the extraction and fixation than granates1 flints and ,talc1 because it is almost wholly soluble in the spirit of salt2 which work is not here to be handled1 because the extraction and fixation is taught in a peculiar way in another place1 neither do ,i mean to treat of it here1 but only of the extraction of gold out of flints every where to be found4 ,and this is the way of extraction of ,gold out of flints and sand in heat by the spirit of salt1 to be done in glass vessels4 ,but there is another way too1 which is done in cold without glass vessels1 which ,i thought worth the setting down1 that in the aforesaid work you may choose which you please1 this or that1 and it is done as followeth4 ,we must have in this way store of earthen funnels well burnt1 and not sucking up the spirits2 for want of which we must have such as be of strong glass3 there must also be a form with many holes in it to receive the aforesaid funnels1 under which must be placed glass dishes or basons to receive the strained spirit4 ,here follows the work to be performed by ,funnels4 ,the ,funnels being put in the holes of the form1 you must first put a big piece of flint in the straighter part of the ,funnel1 to which after put lesser pieces1 and on these again less1 viz4 as much as serveth to fill the straight part of the ,funnel1 of which the larger part is after to be filled with powdered flints1 but so that there be left a depth of three or four fingers breadth for the spirit of salt4 ,by this means those greater pieces in the lower part will hinder the passage of the fine powder in the ,affusion of the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,which being done as it ought1 pour to the flints contained in the ,funnels the spirit of salt1 two or three fingers breadth in deepness1 which forthwith shall work on the flints1 and attract their gold1 and then run into the dish or bason set underneath3 and because for the most part at the first time1 some of the powder passeth through with the spirit1 you must so often pour the same spirits on the flints until there be a stoppage1 and the spirit come clear2 afterward pour this spirit into the second ,funnel with flints2 and then into the third1 and so consequently1 until it be strained through the flints of every ,funnel2 or till the spirit be sufficiently coloured1 which you must keep until you have gotten a sufficient quantity to be distilled by retort for the separating the spirit from the gold4 ,then that first spirit being strained through the flints of each ,funnel according to order and coloured1 pour a fresh spirit to the flints of all the ,funnels according to order1 beginning at the first1 till you come to the last1 until that be sufficiently coloured2 which being done1 pour a fresh spirit of salt to the flints 7according to their order7 contained in every ,funnel4 ,and when you see the strained spirit not to receive a tincture1 it's a sign that all the gold is extracted2 and then pour on no more spirit but common water1 that it may be strained1 and the water will attract the spirit of salt left in the flints1 that none shall be lost1 which acidish water save by its self to the same1 and the like uses3 which being done1 take out the extracted flints1 and fill the ,funnels with fresh as before1 viz4 to be extracted2 and do this so long as you have flints and spirit4 ,but you must not pour a spirit not sufficiently tinged into the spirits that are well coloured and impregnated with gold1 but keep it a part1 and pour it still to fresh prepared flints1 according to order1 contained in divers ,funnels1 viz4 until it be sufficiently coloured2 and being coloured1 separate it by the glass retorts with the rest1 extracting it from the gold by abstraction2 and being abstracted again1 use it to a new work like the former4 ,and by this means with #ajj pound of spirit of salt may be extracted some thousand pounds of flints prepared1 and separate the gold contained in them1 which otherwise by fusion cannot be done4 ,but the chief point consisteth in the extraction 7the spirit of salt being well and rightly first administred7 viz4 that the spirit may not be wasted1 whereby many stones may be abstracted with a little spirit4 ,but this caution is to be observed in this extraction1 which is done in cold1 that it requireth a stronger spirit of salt than that1 which is done in heat by cucurbits1 or else the busines goes on slower3 but with a stronger spirit by this 7the cold7 way they are extracted sooner and easier than by that which is done in heat2 and neither so dangerous1 laborious or costly3 this extraction then1 viz4 the cold1 requires a stronger spirit of salt 7which is worth noting7 than the hot4 ,and this is that way1 by which those golden flints1 and other golden fossiles are prepared1 and with the spirit of salt are extracted1 and by which it is again separated from them3 ,now shall follow the manner of purification1 viz4 of the ,gold left in the ,retort4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the pure gold being extracted out of the flints1 not the iron-like1 there needs no great business of purification2 for thou mayst purify it by fusion with borax1 or with the fluxing powder made with the equal weight of nitre and tartar3 but if the gold extracted out of ,flints be mixt with iron1 as for the most part it is1 then you must not fuse it with ,fluxing ,powder1 because it is not thereby purifyed or rendered malleable ,gold1 but separate it by lead1 by which way it is purged and made malleable4 ,and if such ,gold have any sulphureous impurity mixt besides1 it is not to be separated with lead1 because it is then partly turned to dross and other impurities by the iron with loss2 wherefore it is to be purged with three parts of ,antimony and separated2 by which means nothing is lost2 which is the best way of separation and purification of ,gold1 viz4 the ferreous1 without which it cannot otherwise be separated without loss4 ,how impure ,gold may be separated and purged by ,antimony4 ,this work is necessary to be known1 if you think to have any benefit by the aforesaid extraction of ,flints by the spirit of ,salt1 which without this separation and reduction is of no moment3 and what profit ,i pray is there by the extraction of immature ,gold1 which by the common way cannot be purg'd1 requiring the industry of the ,artist in fusion1 whereby it may be separated from its sulphureous fces and fixed8 ,for it is easie to conjecture1 that such spiritual and volatile gold mixed with ,iron1 by that common flux is not reducible into a body1 but rather into dross3 for experience testifies that gold dissolved with the spirit of salt1 and also iron1 or any other sulphureous thing1 the spirit of salt being abstracted cannot be reduced whole by the vulgar flux made of ,nitre and ,tartar1 going into dross3 which if it happen to corporeal1 pure and fixt gold1 how shall it be otherwise with that which is incorporeal1 unclean and volatile8 for the ,gold being ironish commonly1 which is extracted out of stones1 and iron having great affinity with gold 7by reason of which being nearly united1 it is difficultly separated1 so that it easier goes with iron into dross than parted from it7 you must of necessity make a flux not only attracting that impure gold1 but also purifying and cleansing it1 that which ,antimony alone doth1 which with its combustible fusible ,sulphur easily enters that ironish ,gold3 ,but by its ,mercury it attracteth the pure corporeal gold1 and cleanseth it1 and separates it from all dross without any loss3 wherefore there cannot be a better flux1 but requiring industry1 or an ingenious separation of the ,antimony from the gold1 without wasting the gold2 which is done as follows4 ,and first your ferreous gold1 that is left in the abstraction of the spirit of salt1 must be finely powdered in iron retorts or pots1 and mingled with it two or three parts of ,antimony powdered1 and mixt in a very strong crucible filled and covered1 and then fused in our fourth furnace1 until that flow like water2 which soon appearing1 pour them together into a heated ,cone1 smeared within with wax1 and when they be cold1 separate from the dross the ,regulus 7having most of the gold7 with a hammer1 and keep it by it self4 ,which done1 you must again melt the drossy ,antimony 7as yet containing much gold7 that was left1 in the crucible1 and add to it a little filing of ,iron1 mixing them with a crooked wier1 and that ,antimonial combustible ,sulphur will be mortified by adding iron1 and will yield a ,regulus containing the rest of the gold1 which1 as a regard is had to the quantity of iron added1 will be more or less1 and for the most part will answer in weight to the weight of the iron2 then cast the mass 7well flowing7 into a ,cone heated and smeared on the inside with wax1 which being cold1 separate again the ,regulus from the dross with a hammer1 which also is to be kept by it self2 melt the dross again1 as before1 and precipitate it with iron1 and extract the ,regulus thence1 which keep by its self1 for it contains gold and silver mixt4 ,for the best gold is precipitated the first time1 but afterward the baser sort1 and at last only ,silver4 ,wherefore every ,regulus is to be kept by it self1 that the purest gold may be a part1 and the silvered gold by it self4 ,n4 ,b4 ,and if the ,antimony1 by the addition of ,iron1 do lose its fusibility1 and therefore can yield no ,regulus1 it's required1 that you at every time when precipitation is made1 by adding iron1 that you do also cast in some ,misy1 to make the mass to melt in the crucible and precipitate the ,regulus4 ,all the gold and silver being reduced into three or four ,regulus's1 you must keep the drossy parts by themselves that were left1 of which we shall speak hereafter4 ,now follows the way of separating the ,gold and ,silver from the ,antimony4 ,the aforesaid antimonial ,regulus's may many waies be purged1 and first by help of ,bellows on a plain earthen test1 as the custom is with ,goldsmiths when they make ,gold fusile by ,antimony1 which labour is tedious and dangerous2 which cannot be done often without the loss of health1 nor in great quantity3 wherefore when a better way is known1 'tis a folly to do it so4 ,the ,regulus's also may be purified by lead on a teste1 which work may be done in a great quantity1 but it requires abundance of coals and lead1 where the ,antimony cannot be preserved3 but it may be done with gain1 and is to be preferred before the former waies3 ,thou maist if thou pleasest calcine the aforesaid ,regulus's to ashes1 and then fuse them2 which way the gold and silver may easily be drawn out4 ,thou maist also fuse them in a crucible1 and by the addition of some salts1 separate the antimony from the gold and silver1 turning the antimony into dross1 which being separated1 those are found purified and malleable1 which though it be the easiest way1 it is yet also very dangerous1 for the salts often1 if you do not warily proceed1 do spoyl much gold and silver1 and sometimes leave gold immalleable1 and so double the pains4 ,but he who knows how to do this by ,nitre only1 he may with great gain1 and in a short time1 purifie a great quantity of the aforesaid ,regulus's without loss of the gold1 silver1 or antimony4 ,there are also other means for the doing of it which to relate were tedious and indeed impossible4 ,wherefore ,i will set down the best of all1 most profitable in the separations of great quantities of ,regulus's4 ,where first is required some peculiar little ,furnace with a ,fire almost like to that in our first part of ,philosophical ,furnaces1 built for the subliming of ,flowers2 it wants indeed a grate1 but it hath little vents for to make the coals burn1 that thy antimony separated from the gold1 may be sublimated or elevated into sublimatory vessels4 ,which being rightly built and heated1 let so much of the ,regulus be cast in with a spoon as the ,fire can bear1 which will quickly melt and be elevated1 the air being attracted by the vents1 without any trouble3 which being sublimed1 you may cast in more1 if you have more1 until all the ,regulus be separated and sublimated from the gold and silver1 which are left in the ,fire pure and malleable2 the furnace being cold1 you may take out the ,flowers and keep them 7of which afterwards7 for uses1 which way you may not only separate a great number of ,regulus's from gold and silver in a small time1 but also keep all the antimony1 which may many waies be used in ,alchymy and ,medicine with great profit4 ,which sure is an excellent knowledge1 for not only hereby may any one get abundantly1 without wronging his neighbour1 but also help many sick ,people1 viz4 by that excellent ,medicine made of the ,flowers3 which is a special gift of ,god1 for which we owe immortal ,thanks4 ,and this is1 of all others that ,i know1 the best way of separation of gold from antimony1 which is not only done in great quantity1 in a short time1 and with small charge1 but also without loss of the ,antimony4 ,here follows the ,use of the ,antimonial ,flowers4 ,first1 you may take the whitest of the ,flowers out of the lower hole1 and keep them for a ,universal ,medicine2 but reduce the rest 7being less pure7 into ,regulus by the salt of ,tartar1 for divers uses1 as shall be said afterward2 or you may mingle them with an equal weight of common sulphur1 or antimony1 which being mixt in a covered crucible1 melt them1 and they will yield an antimony like to a natural1 good to purifie gold3 or thou maist mingle them with other metals or minerals1 that by this means they may be made better4 ,or thou maist use them in ,chyrurgery1 for they of all stiptick plaisters make the best4 ,in brief1 the aforesaid ,flowers may many waies be used with good gain and success4 ,the aforesaid antimonial dross may also be reduced into ,flowers1 and used in the same manner2 which indeed are endowed with as excellent ,properties1 as they which are made out of ,regulus's2 because in that fusion and separation of gold extracted out of ,flints and ,talc1 the gold only that was fixt and mature1 was separated from the ,regulus's1 7the immature and volatile being left in the dross7 and elevated with the ,flowers3 ,it follows thence1 that these are better1 as well in medicine as in the transmutation of metals4 ,or1 if thou wilt1 add to the antimony 7as aforesaid used7 old iron1 to reduce it in a furnace1 and take the ,regulus1 having gold and silver1 which may therefore be used in other operations of ,chymistry1 where there is need of ,regulus1 as we may shew hereafter4 ,but the dross doth yield a ,regulus1 viz4 in a very strong ,fire1 and a ,furnace with a peculiar separatory by abstraction1 which although it contain not gold1 yet it may be used not without gain1 as if it be mingled with ,tin in fusion1 it procures to it a hardness and sound1 useful for fashioning divers sort of ,houshold-stuff1 which is not so easily darkened as the common ,tin1 or if thou wilt not1 thou maist make weights of it4 ,hitherto we have treated of the extraction of gold out of ,flints1 and of its putrification by antimony2 now we will teach you how to use the rest of the antimony1 as well in the perfection of base metals as in medicine1 as well for the preserving of ,health1 as the curing of ,diseases4 ,but seeing we have made mention of an ,universal ,medicine1 to be made out of antimony aforesaid1 ,i would not have thee think that that is such as can take away all distempers in general1 without distinction1 which vertue is only ascribed to the ,philosophers ,stone1 but not by me to this medicine2 to which ,i attribute no more than ,i have tryed3 ,but this in truth ,i dare affirm1 that there is1 besides the stone1 scarce any comparable to it2 for it doth not only preserve the body from divers ,diseases1 but also happily frees it from the present1 so that it may deservedly be termed a ,universal ,medicine4 ,the ,preparation followeth4 of the flowers purified from the dross a pound1 viz4 of ,antimony1 by which the extracted gold was purified1 which for the most part are of a yellow colour1 having gold volatile and immature3 in defect of which1 take the flowers made out of the golden ,regulus's1 being for the most part white1 to which pour in a ,glass ,vial1 strong and long-necked1 of spirit of wine tartarised1 three or four pound1 mingle and stir them well together1 and put on it another crooked pipe 7within which let there be some ounces of ,quicksilver1 as is described in the ,fifth ,part of our ,philosophical ,furnaces7 and make strong the joynts with a bullocks bladder thrice folded1 made wet2 which dryed1 place the glass in ,balneum1 and give fire by degrees1 that the spirit of wine with the antimony may digest1 in which leave it for #bd hours space1 and so soon as the fire is out1 take out the glass1 when it is cold1 pour off the spirit tinged red from the ,flowers1 and pour on fresh2 and place it1 as before1 in ,balneum1 to digest #bd hours space1 till it be red1 and do this the third time1 or so often till the ,spirit be no more coloured1 for then no more is to be poured on1 and that which is coloured1 is to be filtred with ,cap-paper4 ,the rest of the ,flowers1 after the extraction1 as not requisite to this business1 are to be either kept by themselves1 or thrown away4 ,but the tinged ,spirit is to be abstracted out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick1 to the half1 from the tincture1 which distilled spirit may again be used in the same work3 but the tincture left in the cucurbit is the medicine1 of which mention has been made4 ,now mention being made also of tartarised spirit of wine1 that ,i may satisfie the doubtful concerning that ,i will here also give its description1 which is as followeth4 4 of ,tartar #bj or #cj pound1 put it in a large coated retort1 and place it in sand1 and distil the spirit off with a soft heat4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this work may better and sooner be performed by that instrument of our second ,furnace2 and because it requires great and large receivers1 as being very penetrative1 thou maist first apply a tin or copper ,serpent to the neck of the retort1 instead of a receiver1 which is placed in a tub filled with cold water1 that the spirits being thereby cooled1 may be retained1 which afterward you must abstract to the half1 out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick3 for the other half with the black oyl is unprofitable in this work1 and therefore to be taken away4 ,after that1 mingle the more subtile part1 distilled with half of the ,caput ,mortuum1 of the aforesaid ,spirit1 calcined to a whiteness1 and abstract it half again in a gentle ,balneum1 out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick1 the joynts whereof are every where to be well closed1 and the calcined ,tartar shall receive with it self the stench1 together with the ,phlegm1 only the purer part of the ,spirit1 and more subtile distilling forth1 which is again to be mingled with the other half of the ,tartar calcined to a whiteness1 and to be rectified by another alembick2 the ,caput ,mortuum may again be calcined to take away the fetidness1 that it may be used again4 ,and this is that tartarised spirit of wine1 with which the aforesaid tincture and essence is extracted1 and truly not only this1 but of all other metals1 which no other can do4 ,and if it were lawful1 ,i would write something more of its wonderful force and vertue which it hath in purifying baser metals1 with which it hath a great affinity2 for it can separate the pure from the impure1 of which more in another place4 ,but when it is to be used in mending of metals1 it needs not so much rectification as is required in the extracting of metallick medicines2 where you may draw it in plenty out of the dry lees of wine4 ,but there is also another tartarised spirit of wine1 which may also be used in this same work1 which is made after the following way3 ,dissolve in a pound of the spirit of wine six ounces of ,crystal of ,tartar2 which solution use in the aforesaid extraction1 in the same manner4 ,of the ,virtues of this ,medicine4 ,this ,antimonial ,tincture doth1 above all other ,medicines evacuate vitious humours1 and insensibly purgeth impure blood2 opens any obstructions of the ,liver1 ,spleen1 ,reins1 and the other vessels1 attracting to it all malignities1 and leaving no impurities behind it4 ,and because it cleanseth the blood1 it cures the ,leprosy1 ,french-pox1 and itch1 and other ,diseases proceeding from the impurity of the blood4 ,by its penetrative and attenuative vertue1 it resolves all tartareous humours1 and evacuateth them1 viz4 which ingender the ,gout1 the stone of the ,bladder and ,reins2 but not the ,stone perfectly coagulated1 only it mitigateth its pain1 and hinders its encrease2 but being not hardened or coagulated1 it attracteth and evacuateth it totally and fundamentally out of all parts2 it takes away also all ,feavers1 and other diseases coming from the superfluity of humours4 ,it gently evacuateth the water between the skin1 by siege and urine4 ,in brief1 it strengthens and purges the principal parts1 and preserves them from all preternatural accidents4 ,it is a most excellent preservative in the time of pestilence1 and other contagious diseases2 and of them being caught1 it is a most absolute remedy1 expelling the disease suddenly from the heart1 and evacuating it4 ,in few words1 'tis of all others a most excellent ,universal ,medicine1 very profitable to both old and young1 and also very safe2 but warily to be ministred1 by reason of its strength with which it is endued1 which is most powerful1 for it is as a great fire1 which extinguisheth the lesser4 ,truly a better medicine cannot be desired than this1 which is extracted of a very mean thing1 in a short space of time1 and with very small cost and pains4 ,i ingenuously confess1 ,i never saw its like1 which ,i doubt not to be the best in the ,world4 ,wherefore then do we seek any other but this1 viz4 which excels in those things which are desired from the real medicine8 ,but as it is most excellent1 yet ,i am certain1 that many deluded people will be offended at it1 being prepared out of ,antimony1 a mean and despised thing1 and after a plain way4 ,but 'tis no matter1 ,for the world will be deceived1 looking after gay things1 disrespecting and despising mean things1 when all good things1 yea1 even when ,god himself doth rejoice in simplicity1 for which1 by wicked and proud men he is not sought unto4 ,but this is the effect of sin1 by which man is so blinded1 that though he know not good1 when set before his eyes1 yet he is studious of evil4 ,of the ,use and ,dose of this ,medicine4 ,seeing of all medicines it is the most powerful1 it had need be warily used1 for a smaller dose is alwaies safer than a greater2 which therefore may after be given2 the which is to be observed in all diseases of young and old4 ,to children of #b1 #c1 #d1 or #f months old1 against the ,worms1 ,scabs1 ,feavers1 and ,epilepsie1 you need not give above half a drop with a proper vehicle1 which you may repeat three or four times a day3 it killeth the ,worms1 it emptyeth the stomach of evil humours3 it refresheth them1 and preserves them from scabbiness2 and because it evacuateth evil and corrupt humours1 it preserveth them from the small pox and measles1 viz4 if it be used every month2 but to children of #a1 #b1 or #c years old1 you may give a drop1 and to children of #d or #e years old a drop and a half3 to young people between #ae and #bd years1 may be given #b1 #c1 or #d drops4 ,to stronger bodies from #be to #ej years1 #d1 #e1 #f1 or #g drops4 ,but the dose must be greater or less1 with a regard had to the sickness of the patient4 ,and in the ,stone and ,gout1 may be daily administred in wine or beer1 viz4 in the morning fasting1 unless the patient be very weak2 for then you may give it twice or thrice in a day1 and continue this till the cure be perfected2 where is to be observed that he must keep a temperate dyet4 ,in the ,leprosy1 ,french-,pox and ,scurvy1 every morning may a dose be given1 and the disease shall totally be rooted out4 ,otherwise1 viz4 the strength being too much wasted and weakned1 you may give only every other day1 viz4 so long as shall be need4 ,in the ,epilepsie it may be given daily2 and also in the ,dropsy4 ,in all ,feavers1 two or three hours before the fit4 ,in the ,plague it is to be given presently1 and every day to be repeated3 but for a preservative to be drunk every week once4 ,in all other internal affects it must be given daily1 until the declining of the disease2 but afterward by little and little1 the medicine is to be used till the disease be fully cured4 ,in external1 as in fresh wounds by a blow1 thrust or shot1 broken bones1 c4 every day once2 with a necessary extrinsical application of a ,plaister4 ,in old ,fistulaes and ,cancers1 it may be used once every day intrinsically and extrinsically1 the place affected may be cleansed with ,mineral ,oyntments4 ,for by this means every inveterate evil1 how desperate soever1 is throughly cured1 and pleasantly1 without all pain4 ,but although this be most precious of all medicines1 yet there is a menstruum not corrosive1 with which not only more easily than with the spirit of wine tartarised1 a ,universal ,medicine may be extracted out of ,antimony1 and endued with better than the aforesaid vertues2 so that for the charge of one royal1 in three days time1 so much may be gotten as may serve to cure some thousands of men1 but also all vegetables1 animals1 and minerals and metals1 are radically dissolved and reduced into their first matter3 by which means not only very great ,poysons are changed into most wholesome medicines1 but also bitter things are deprived of their bitterness3 for by it things are so corrected1 that they do no more provoke stool and vomit1 viz4 which are very vehement ,catharticks 7by nature7 being changed into most excellent restoratives4 ,also fetid things being corrected by it1 do acquire a sweet odour4 ,and it doth not only 7which seems a wonder7 dissolve vegetables1 animals and minerals with those things which come of them1 but also the very ,glasses2 wherefore you must alwaies chuse the strongest glasses for digestion and solution1 or in the defect of such1 the weaker are to be changed every #f houres4 ,and yet it is not at all altered by those things that it doth reduce and turn into their first matter medicinal1 neither in vertue nor colour2 for it alwaies keeps the middle place between pure and impure1 of which this falls to the bottom1 but that swims on the top of the menstruum1 which may again be used4 ,in brief1 it's vertues in preparing medicines cannot be enough praised4 ,but it may be compared with the ,mercurial water of ,basilus ,valentinus2 and the ,alcahest of ,paracelsus and ,helmont1 which ,i judge to be the ,fire of the ,maccabees turned into a thick water under-ground4 ,it is a perpetual fire1 but not alwaies burning visibly2 it is a water permanent1 not wetting the hands1 the ,sope of the ,wise1 the ,philosophers ,azoth1 and the ,royal-,bath4 ,which ,menstrue though ,i have known some years1 and have often used it with metallicks1 and by it have found out many secrets1 yet ,i never thought of its use in ,physick1 until being askt of one who was a great ,student of ,helmont1 whether ,i knew the preparation of the liquor ,alcahast of ,paracelsus2 and naming some of the vertues of this liquor in preparing ,medicines1 ,i began to bethink my self1 and ,i observed that it was my secret ,balneum1 that purifies minerals4 ,wherefore ,i presently made tryal with vegetables and animals 7for ,i knew the ,vertues thereof in metallicks7 and ,i found wonderful and astonishing things in it1 which before were incredible to me4 ,i affirm and confess therefore sincerely1 that all and every the invented medicines published by others and my self1 how rare and costly soever1 are most mean things in my estimation4 ,for this ,universal ,key was wanting to us4 ,for our vegetables and minerals1 however by art macerated1 cannot be perfectly resolved1 and therefore we hitherto have had but part of their vertues4 ,but now we need not much art1 labour and cost1 to reduce a whole body without corrosives1 into the first matter1 like in shape to some clear and excellent water1 of its own accord casting forth its superfluous terrestreity1 and becoming a most wholesome medicine1 consisting of the three purest principles2 the which cannot be done without this menstruum4 ,for1 ,what else could ,physicians extract out of herbs than ,syrups1 ,electuaries1 ,conserves and ,waters8 ,with which ,preparations they were not amended1 but only qualified with the addition of ,sugar or ,honey1 because there is no separation made of the pure from the impure1 or good from bad4 ,for all are left mixt together in the ,electuaries and ,conserves1 but in the ,syrups and ,waters distilled there is only some part4 ,extracts indeed by the spirit of ,wine are not to be disesteemed1 if rightly prepared1 but they are no better than their simples2 and besides1 want that which the spirit of wine cannot draw out1 which remainder1 though being calcined for the drawing out the salt1 which is mingled with the extract1 yet that is not of much moment1 for fire destroyeth the vertue of herbs1 so that fixed salts1 as crystallised1 do perform nothing in medicine1 those excepted which without combustion are made out of the juice of herbs1 of which in the third part of our ,furnaces ,philosophical4 ,but none dares extract the most strong or efficacious sort of herbs for medicine1 because they in preparation are not corrected or amended4 ,but by this means the most strong ,herbs1 which without this ,preparation are poysons1 are matured and purified by the liquor ,alcahest2 so that they may safely be taken against most grievous ,diseases4 ,for ,god did not create these herbs in vain1 as some think1 which he purposely created that his wonderful works might appear1 and that it is possible to take away the ,curse from them by a man1 being freed from the malediction by the regeneration through ,christ4 ,see ,opium1 ,mandrake1 ,henbane1 ,hemlock1 and other stupifying things1 how deadly they are1 being cautiously used2 which corrected by this ,menstrue1 become most safe and excellent medicines4 ,how dangerous is spurge1 scamony1 hellebor1 gambugium1 and other strong purgers 7being administred unwarily7 no man is ignorant3 all which are by this way corrected1 and changed into most wholesome medicaments4 ,who1 ,i pray1 dares eat ,wolfsbane1 and poysonous ,toad-stools1 and other venomous vegetables8 which are all so corrected by the liquor ,alcahest1 as that not only they are not poysonous1 but are also turned into most safe and wholsome medicines of many diseases1 ,nux vomica1 ,levant-berries1 and other things that disturb the ,brain1 are by this means made wholsome2 also poysonous ,animals1 as ,spiders1 ,toads1 ,serpents1 ,vipers1 c4 are by it corrected1 as that not only they are not poysonous1 but do resist and expel poyson4 ,n4,b4 ,consider the ,spiders signed with the cross1 who change their skin every month1 and renew themselves1 which the ,serpents and halcion do but once a year4 ,how great the vertue of worms1 earthy and crude1 c4 is in resolving tartarous humours1 and the ,french ,disease1 many know2 ,what then will they do1 being corrected with this ,menstrue8 ,the ,cantharides and ,millipedes are also so corrected1 that they may more safely be used in provoking ,urine4 ,and if that most venomous ,basilisk1 of which there are so many fables1 whose sight only kills men 7which according to the letter is false7 could be had1 he might be changed into medicine by the liquor ,alcahest2 as that mineral ,basilisk1 ,gun-powder may be2 which in a moment kills innumerable men2 also ,arsenick1 ,orpiment1 ,kobolt1 and the like2 so that they be deprived of their malignity1 and be reduced into very excellent medicines4 ,in brief1 its excellent vertues which it manifests in correcting of venomous simples cannot be sufficiently described4 ,wherefore it's worth our pains to search it with all our power1 that we may prepare admirable medicines1 that the sick may not for the future be so vexed with those tedious and bitter cups4 ,truly ,i cannot enough admire its great vertues1 which have been hid so long4 ,it is not a corrosive thing1 and yet dissolves every thing1 but some things sooner than others4 ,it changeth and amendeth their natural vertues2 wherefore it may be the comfort of ,spagyrists1 having a long time sought for rare medicines1 viz4 being that by which vegetables are separated and corrected1 and also animals and minerals4 ,wherefore all conscientious ,physicians may have commended to them the ,preparation of this universal ,menstrue1 by the help whereof to prepare their medicines2 of which the original and preparation is vile1 but its vertues most efficacious1 the finding out and uses abstruse4 ,wherefore it is not obtained1 but from ,god1 from whom proceeds every good gift4 ,do not think then that gluttony and drunkenness1 idleness1 pride1 and lying1 the contempt of thy neighbour1 malice1 avarice1 with an impious life1 to be the means by which it is to be obtained1 for it is only the gift of the merciful ,god1 viz4 this ,menstrue1 the gate and key of which is only ,divine mercy4 ,but that thou maist know what is to be determined concerning medicines prepared out of poysonous simples1 ,i will in brief expound that by example2 for all vegetables1 animals1 and minerals1 called poysons1 making war with humane nature being intrinsically used1 and therefore not undeservedly shunn'd of all1 are like some powerful unvanquishable enemy1 with all his power seeking the oppression and destruction of his contrary1 who being checked by a mediator of no less strength1 and reconciled with his contrary1 does no more 7being unable before the reconciliation to resist his powerful enemies7 fear the contrariety of his enemy1 which now is made his friend1 bringing aid for the exstirpating and vanquishing of all such-like 7otherwise7 invincible enemies4 ,even so is it with venomous vegetables1 animals1 and minerals1 destructive to humane nature3 which by the liquor ,alkahest 7a checker and reconciler7 are so corrected and reduced1 that they hurt not1 being deprived of their malignity and made friends with men3 whereby they are not longer poysonous enemies1 but very safe and wholsome remedies1 agreeing to humane nature1 overcoming and expelling other the like enemies otherwise poysonous and invincible1 for by how much the more enemy before reconciliation it was1 by so much the more help is brought by it1 the reconciliation being made4 ,there is not the like found in nature1 which can so suddenly correct ,poysons1 and reduce them into their first matter1 and bring them into very wholsome essences4 ,let religious ,physicians then that can1 get this4 ,and so ,i end this declaration 7not without cause set down7 which will move those hearts which are not as yet hardened4 ,this certainly is a true ,philosophical correction1 with which that which is malign is turned into a wholsome substance4 ,what profits that correction1 ,i pray1 which is made by the admixtion of other things1 as in the mixture of ,catharticks and ,cordials8 ,truly nothing1 neither can the ,cordials do any thing but debilitate the ,catharticks2 for nature is not at once able to expel a purging poyson1 and attract a thing confortative and corroborative3 ,for a ,purge being given1 forthwith that shews its strength in the body1 whose malignity nature resisting1 desireth to expel it1 before that it can attract the confortative2 wherefore that friend is expelled1 together with the disease4 ,the same happens in the mixture of sugar1 honey1 and other sweet things with bitter1 sharp1 and tart1 c4 whose unpleasantness is not corrected by sweet things1 but only dulled1 thereby acquiring another smell and taste1 without any other essential alteration4 ,which correction is like to that which is made in ,taverns1 amending the air with sweet fumes1 which before was infected with the spittings1 spewings1 and stinks of rustick drunkards1 which is to rusticks an excellent correction1 attracting the ill as well as the good aromatick odour1 being by drunkenness deprived of their judgment1 but not so to sober men enjoying the use of ,understanding1 to whom that seems a rustick correction4 ,in this manner 7not to be commended7 are at this day simples corrected4 ,but a true and ,philosophical correction is done by it self1 without the addition of other things1 by benefit of the fire only1 as well actual as potentially moist1 by ripening1 mending1 and separating the malignity2 which is done by the liquor ,alcahest2 as it is called by ,paracelsus and ,helmont4 ,but whether this my liquor be the same ,alcahest of ,paracelsus and ,helmont1 it matters not if it perform the same things4 ,fire1 and a fiery vertue may do much1 but not by burning and destroying1 but by maturation and nutrition2 and feeding and moistening4 ,of which moist ,fire1 see ,artephius1 ,bernhardus1 ,basilius1 ,paracelsus1 c4 for maturation is not done with cold things1 but hot1 promoting germination4 ,and what ever ,nature hath left imperfect in the vegetable1 mineral1 and animal kingdom1 viz4 accidentally2 that may be amended by ,art with the liquor ,alkahest1 which is the best way of correction1 until by benefit of art1 and the help of nature1 some better thing be found out1 c4 ,and these are the vertues of that wonderful liquor ,alkahest1 which is made use of in the preparation of medicines3 ,and1 because it is said before that it shews its vertues on metallicks also1 ,i could not conceal them from the studious4 ,but all its vertues shall not here be related1 for it is endued with so many1 that no mortal is able to number them4 ,as for me1 although by divine favour and the instruction of that excellent man ,paracelsus 7excellently in a certain place1 but observed but by few2 describing it1 speaking of it briefly1 but very plainly and clearly naming it7 ,i did obtain the knowledge thereof1 which afterward daily ,i did more and more encrease1 so that ,i could hardly believe that any ever had spent so much money and pains in the searching of its vertues1 for the trying of metals3 yet ,i must needs confess1 although happily ,i have made more tryal therein than any other2 that many of its vertues are as yet unknown to me4 ,seeing then that its vertues and strength cannot all be tryed by any man1 by reason of his short life1 although searching an hundred years2 and that by our merciful ,father only to a few1 and but part of the knowledge of its wonderful and incredible force1 is granted1 to the glory of ,his ,divine ,name1 in favour of the poor sick1 which none1 how learned soever1 with his ambitious learning and craft could ever obtain4 ,therefore some excellent gifts being given from the ,father of lights1 the ,omnipotent ,,god1 to some of ,his ,children1 gratis1 and out of meer mercy1 viz4 for some causes1 ,i easily believe1 that it is not ,his ,will that it shall long be kept close1 but be revealed to the world1 to the glory of ,his ,name1 and the benefit of our poor neighbour4 ,wherefore ,i could not longer hold my peace1 hiding my talent which ,i received gratis1 though small1 but communicate it gratis to my neighbour2 but so that the ,divine mystery may not be gotten by those ungodly abusers1 but only by the worthy through divine favour4 ,i affirm therefore expresly1 that in whole nature such a thing may not be found2 for not only by its help all animals1 vegetables and minerals may be reduced into very excellent and safe medicines1 but also be brought into the first matter2 minerals and metals may be purified1 washed and fixed1 and so changed into better bodies4 ,that which is worthy admiration1 that in so vile and mean a subject should lye hid so great vertues1 by which alone without any other art1 may be acquired riches and honours1 and lost health4 ,than which thing1 what doth mortal man more need in his misery1 besides the ,divine ,word1 the comfort of the soul1 than for necessary sustentation of life1 soundness of body1 and honest report before ,god and men8 ,all these things may be had with this subject1 so that one need not to involve himself into any other troublesome art or vanity of this world1 having this secret1 whereby all necessaries may in abundance be procured3 of which gift that this unclean world is unworthy1 ,i do affirm sincerely1 because it swells with ambition and avarice2 for which we are not able to give ,god the ,donor sufficient thanks in our whole life1 wherefore ,i would have all what state or order soever earnestly admonished1 that they do not use this gift from ,heaven to the destruction of their souls1 but in thankfulness to ,him that gave it1 and every way to the good of their ,christian ,neighbour4 ,now follow the ,vertues which it manifesteth in ,metallicks4 ,first1 it 7viz47 the ,philosophical ,menstrue1 doth radically dissolve all minerals and metals without noise1 and reduces them into very safe and wholsome medicines4 ,out of gold it makes potable gold2 out of silver potable silver1 and so consequently of other potable metals2 so that it may well be called ,the ,universal ,mercury4 ,secondly1 ,this secret ,menstrue purgeth1 washeth1 and transmuteth minerals and metals to a more noble species2 wherefore it may well be called ,sapo ,sapientum1 by which the saying of the ,philosophers is confirmed2 ,ignis ,azoth abluunt ,latonem4 ,thirdly1 ,by it all minerals and metals are matured and fixed1 so as that afterward the immature gold or silver incorporated with them1 may by cupellation be drawn out with gain2 wherefore 'tis deservedly compared to ,hermes seal4 ,fourthly1 ,it makes metals volatile1 and radically conjoyns them that they abide together1 and one act on the other in the fire2 it destroys and revives1 kills and renews2 wherefore it is compared to the ,phenix4 ,fifthly1 ,it separates metals without any loss1 and that speedily2 but after another manner than corrosives1 so that each of them may be had by themselves4 ,for ,example3 ,being about to separate gold1 silver1 copper1 iron1 tin1 lead mixt2 one1 or two1 three1 or four of them mixt1 that they may appear each by themselves1 without the loss of any1 you need not cupellate the mixture with lead1 which way only gold and silver are gotten out1 with the loss of all the rest3 but by this way they are all preserved1 where by turns1 one after another1 they are extracted wonderfully and swiftly1 in half an hours time1 by this sharp ,vinegar of the ,philosophers1 c4 ,sixthly1 ,by it metals may suddenly be mortified and reduced into transparent glass1 irreducible1 and like ,amausa1 but reserving the propriety and nature of every metal3 which in the reduction of ,gold do give perfect silver2 whereby is confirmed that saying of the ,philosophers1 ,the corruption of one thing is the generation of another2 and that of ,paracelsus1 ,ex aliquo fiat nihilum1 ex nihilo aliquid4 ,but this incombustible water1 or permanent water1 shews the truth of the ,philosophers writings1 generally mentioning it4 ,in it the solution1 putrefaction1 distillation1 sublimation1 circulation1 ascension1 descension1 cohobation1 inceration1 calcination1 coagulation1 fixation and fermentation1 c4 in their work to be done at one time and one way3 ,in which only operation all the colours appear of which the ,philosophers make mention2 as the head of the crow1 virgins milk1 dragons blood1 peacocks tayls1 green and red lyon1 c4 ,there is also by it demonstrated the truth 7by the liquor ,alkahest7 of that ,hermetical saying1 ,that which is above1 is as that which is beneath1 c4 and many other things are performed by its help1 as making that secret ,sandivogian ,chalybs2 also that long sought-for oyl of ,talc4 ,so far 7courteous ,reader7 hath come my ,experience2 neither doubt ,i1 but by it to obtain that universal ,salamander which lives in the fire4 ,these things which ,i write are true1 and no fallacies4 ,and though this secret be incredible to the ignorant1 for the wonderful vertues it sheweth in the preparation of medicines1 ,i would willingly publish it to the ,world for publick good1 but on consideration ,i held it not meet to communicate it for certain causes4 ,but only lest the knowledge of it should perish1 and that the true 7and almost extinct7 medicine for the curing of diseases vulgarly incurable1 might flourish1 ,i have revealed this secret menstruum to two friends1 viz4 its preparation and use4 ,see the preparation in ,mirac4 ,mundi1 and ,apology against ,farner4 ,but do thou not think1 because ,i write of these high things1 that ,i do intend to make common the ,secret to all in general2 not so1 but ,i endeavour to confirm him that seeketh1 and give him occasion to ,search this secret deeper2 which being found1 he shall not only find the truth of my words1 but he shall daily by exercise obtain far greater things than these4 ,and because ,i have never aspired after vain riches and honours1 nor never desire them2 ,i might well be perswaded to leave to others1 as yet not hating the wicked ,world1 my troublesome labours1 because in this my painful age such tedious labours are very burdensome2 besides ,philosophy hath pointed me another way1 so that what ,i am able ,i have determined to abstain from these vanities1 and to seek a perpetual good1 the life of rest2 but my counsel shall not be wanting to those that seek it3 for besides moved with the former reasons1 also seeing innumerable many vain philosophers1 as well learned as unlearned1 uncessantly working1 and losing their time and labour1 and at last despairing1 are perswaded that there is no truth in the ,philosophers writings1 but to be all filled with lyes and deceits2 whence royal ,chymistry is disgraced4 ,but this menstruum sufficeth to defend the writings of the ,philosophers1 without the metallick transmutations2 so that ,i verily believe the time to be near1 when the ,omnipotent ,,god1 before ,he judge the ,world by fire1 will shew ,his omnipotency to the ,nations1 by the revelation of the wonderful and incredible things of nature2 of which1 transmutation of metals is not the least1 which in the third part of this ,mineral ,work ,i shall deliver to the last age1 7being acceptable to ,god7 to the profit of my neighbor1 and for demonstration sake4 ,wherefore ,i now pass over such things1 with a firm hope1 that this faithful ,admonition shall be received as an undoubted and infallible truth4 ,how the aforesaid ,regulus of the flowers and dross of ,antimony1 is to be used in the bettering of course ,metals1 shall be shewn1 that ,,art may not be abused4 ,the ,antimonial ,regulus1 a radical metallick humour1 may help to perform wonderful things1 for being reduced to a water without a corrosive1 it resolveth all metals1 cleanseth1 washeth1 and purifieth them1 and turns them into a better species1 so that particularly not a small gain may be from thence received4 ,but how it may be reduced into water1 and how by its help metals may be resolved1 volatilized1 and again fixed1 hath been demonstrated by ,artephius1 ,basilius and ,paracelsus2 wherefore we need not here repeat their writings1 but refer the ,reader to their works4 ,but not only the ,regulus1 but also all ,antimony may many waies be used in the separation of metals1 viz4 ,for the extraction of hidden ,gold1 which not be done without ,antimony2 as shall appear by the following example4 ,when you find a marcasit or other ironish fossile1 that will not yield to the tryal by lead1 add to it three parts of ,antimony1 and being well mixt1 melt them in a covered crucible1 and being melted1 pour it into a cone2 and when all is cold1 separate the ,regulus1 which purge again by fire as before1 and thou shalt find gold contained in the aforesaid fossile3 ,and if it be indued with more plenty of gold1 for it is not all drawn out at one time1 viz4 with the first ,regulus1 another ,regulus is to be melted1 by adding more iron and salt-petre1 which is also of a nature near to ,sol4 ,and if these marcasit fossiles are not ferreous1 you must in the first fusion1 add iron and nitre to them1 or else they yield no ,regulus4 ,by the adding more scales of iron1 more ,regulus is made1 and for the same use as that is1 of which above in the fusion and separation of extracted gold2 weights also may be made out of the dross4 ,and thus are lapis calaminaris1 marcasit1 kobolt1 zink1 talc1 and other fossiles separated1 viz4 containing gold4 ,but all gold containing iron 7as that of ,stiria1 ,carinthia1 the ,granacia1 and of ,transylvania c47 may this way be easily separated with profit1 by the help of iron4 ,and if the iron have no gold1 yet if the ,antimony have it1 it may thence be separated by fusion with iron1 viz4 if it be brought to a ,regulus4 ,the rest of the ,antimony may again be fused with new iron and new glass of more weight than it1 but less than this1 and be reduced into a ,regulus fit for the following uses4 ,out of the dross let weights 7that nothing may be lost7 be made1 that thou maist have the more gain2 as may appear from the following example4 ,when you have the ,antimony1 a hundred of which contains two duckats1 if you will separate the gold2 take a hundred weight divided into three or four parts1 fuse it according to art1 adding a little iron and salt of ashes1 and reduce them into small ,regulus's1 weighing a pound or two4 ,then melt the dross with half the weights of the iron in a large and strong crucible1 and thou shalt have more ,regulus's about fifty pound or more1 dross #dj lib4 which make weights of1 or else guns1 c4 the rest1 about eight or nine pounds1 will vanish into smoak4 ,and so thou hast reduced the gold contained in a hundred weight1 into one or two pounds1 which thou maist sublime by fire into flowers 7leaving the gold in the fire7 for its uses1 but those #ej or #fj pounds of the ,regulus's prepared by adding much iron1 they having little or no gold1 you may mingle with tin for its beauty1 hardness and sounding1 to make divers sorts of houshold-stuff1 as platters1 dishes1 c4 for tin mixt with the ,regulus looks like silver for whiteness and hardness1 and sounds like it1 nor is it so easily dulled as unmixt4 ,now let us weigh what gain may come from the separation of the meanest ,antimony4 ,put case that a hundred weight of ,antimony be sold for three ,royals 7for so for the most part the ,polonian is sold1 than which1 although that of ,hungaria and ,transilvania be dearer1 yet this hath more gold7 to which add #fj pound of iron1 which is sold for half a royal1 and the charge of coals and crucibles requisite be half a royal more3 the total of the expences is four royals1 for which take two duckats in gold1 sixty pound of ,regulus1 eighty pound of dross1 and one or two pound of flowers4 ,those #fj lib4 of ,regulus may be sold at the price of tin1 whereof a pound is sold for a quarter of a royal1 and then their whole price is fifteen royals4 ,then the eighty pound of refuse made into weights1 may be sold at forty shillings1 or at least twenty four shillings1 or half a royal2 and all things being considered and reckoned1 as they ought1 there may remain the value of sixteen royals4 ,and though the ,antimony should yield but one duckat1 and a pound of ,regulus should be sold at the eighth part of a royal1 yet the remainder would be above six royals3 ,and in a day there may easily be two hundred weight separated by two men4 ,and then suppose it should contain no gold 7as some ,antimony doth not7 yet may four or five royals be gotten daily4 ,but when you have ,antimony1 one hundred whereof contains three1 four1 or five duckats1 and iron requisite to the separation containing one or two ducats1 then there is so much more gained4 ,then let him that undertakes this business seek for the best ,antimony and iron1 and he may well gain in a day twenty1 thirty1 and sometimes sixty royals4 ,n4 ,b4 ,and if you should have so much ,regulus that you could not mix all of it with tin1 for want thereof1 then it may be sold in parcels1 so that one may go at a fourth part of a royal2 by which means the daily gain may not be diminished1 but may be rather encreased2 as may be seen by what follows4 ,the ,regulus of ,antimony is the masculine species of ,lead2 whose first being is gold impure and immature3 but the first being of common ,lead is impure and immature ,silver2 as experience witnesses2 for ,antimony being purged and fixt1 yields gold1 but the common lead only silver4 ,and because ,antimony1 which is better than common ,lead1 is called the ,philosophers lead1 or their secret lead2 of many so named1 but known of few2 not that the thing is unknown1 or of an unknown original1 but by reason of its hidden proprieties2 therefore ,i say that its vertues are not all to be known by any mortal1 though he should have a hundred years to search into wonderful nature1 for it is unsearchable1 and the creator of all wonders1 let him injoyn himself silence1 neither let him glory in the knowledge of it1 who hath not made tryal of it2 for in it1 through it1 and by it1 ,nature and ,art do strive for perfection4 ,of which more elsewhere4 ,now follows the ,use4 ,having mentioned ,antimonial ,regulus1 which is ,lead and better than the common4 ,it must also purify impure metals1 wash them1 separate the occult ,gold and ,silver in them2 that which the common ,lead can do1 to which1 if those be added1 it attracteth the more impure part in the ,cupel1 which it converteth into dross1 and draweth down with it into the porous ashes1 leaving the purer ,gold and ,silver in the ,cupel3 but from some ,tin and ,copper not yielding to the ,lead1 nor willing to be washed by it1 it cannot extract their ,gold and ,silver2 neither hath any one written the way of separation by it4 ,lazarus ,erker indeed hath described 7and others also7 the way of separating ,silver from ,tin and ,iron1 which is not to be disesteemed if it be accidentally mixed with ,silver1 which is separable that way1 but not so1 being generated in1 and radically mixt with them1 requiring other ,lead1 willingly embracing ,tin and ,iron1 which nothing but ,regulus can perform4 ,but seeing ,tin and ,iron do for the most part1 contain much ,gold 7but chiefly ,tin7 viz4 inseparable by the common way1 it will be worth our pains to seek another ,lead and way of separation2 as it is apparent to ,refiners1 proving ,tin and ,iron by the common way on a test2 whilst ,tin and ,iron melted in the ,lead1 do forthwith shew their stubbornness by innate proprieties and forsake it1 viz4 as a contrary rising to the top like dross or ashes1 without any separation1 ,gold and ,silver being excepted1 if accidentally mixt together1 which are left with the ,lead2 but not so being hid in their middle or center4 ,but that the truth hereof may appear1 ,i will demonstrate it by example3 ,place on a test under a tyle #af4 parts of ,lead1 and one of ,tin1 after the manner of proofs1 give a fusing fire for to separate the dross2 and all the ,tin almost flying away1 will at the bottom be burnt1 and separated like ashes1 being sublimated on the top of the ,lead2 not deprived of its ,gold and ,silver incorporated together1 which afterward ,i shall demonstrate1 when all the ,tin is sublimated from the ,lead1 and calcined1 and the test taken from under the tyle1 and the rest of the ,lead poured off1 and you shall find after cupellation no more ,silver than the sixteen parts of ,lead did contain before1 if they had been cupelled without ,tin2 sometimes less1 ,some part being taken away by the ,tin in the examination3 the same is done with ,iron1 altho' thou shouldst add ,copper with glass of ,lead1 to retain the ,tin and ,iron1 thereby to separate their ,gold and ,silver1 you would effect nothing3 for although some more ,silver may hereby be extracted1 yet that would not come from the ,tin or ,iron1 but from the ,copper3 it may therefore be extracted another way1 of which1 hereafter4 ,in the mean while ,i will prove clearly1 that the separation of tin and iron by common lead1 thereby to get their gold and silver1 is of no value1 which being left in them1 are turned into ashes and dross4 ,take any tin1 and reduce it into ashes by lead1 or agitation1 on a smooth earthen vessel 7tryed before1 by the common way1 for distinction sake1 which calcine well1 that the corporeal tin powdered1 may be calcined1 or being melted1 may be separated from the ashes74 ,then take of these ashes one part1 and of the following flux1 or of that a little after six parts or more2 being mixt1 fuse them in a strong crucible with a strong fire1 until the ,flux have ,consumed or drunk up all the calx of the ,tin1 and of them both shall be made one1 viz4 yellow or red ,glass1 which may be tryed with a crooked wier put in3 which if it seem not clear1 the crucible must be covered again1 and a greater ,fire be given1 until the ,fire be perfect2 which labour in one half hour is finished3 which done1 pour it into a brass mortar1 afterward to be covered1 until it be a cold1 that it leap not out and be lost4 ,afterward powder it1 which with calx of ,tin1 mix the equal weight of filings of ,iron2 being mixt1 put them into a strong ,crucible 7because the ,flux is very penetrative7 covered1 and give a strong fire for fusion half an hour3 which done1 pour it out1 for the ,tin hath made separation1 and reduced some part of the ,lead out of the ,flux1 sinking to the bottom to be separated when it is cold1 to be reduced into dross on a test1 and then to be cupelled1 and you shall find grain ,gold drawn from ,tin without ,silver4 ,and if before you weigh the calx of ,tin by the lesser ,hundred weight1 and after that the grains of ,gold1 you may easily conjecture how much ,gold is contained in the whole hundred weight of ,tin ashes1 viz4 at the least #c1 #d1 #e1 or #f4 ,lotones1 or half ,ounces1 if thou work aright4 ,see then the ,fault is not to be imputed to the metals1 but us1 being ignorant of the separation of the ,gold and ,silver4 ,you should not perswade your self by this means to get much wealth out of ,tin2 for ,i have not written this for that end1 but only to demonstrate the possibility4 ,and if thou think that ,gold will come out of ,iron by the fluxing powder1 mingle then filings of ,iron with the ,flux1 before thou put in the calx of ,tin1 and thou shalt find in so doing1 that ,gold doth come neither from the ,flux or ,iron1 but out of ,tin2 then being hereby assured1 that 'tis the ,tin which contains ,gold1 thou mayst consider1 how most conveniently that may be extracted1 viz4 with other ,lead1 and another way1 as shall be hereafter taught4 ,neither think that ,tin contains no more ,gold than you have heard2 for more there is if you can wisely extract it3 neither do ,i deny1 that more ,gold may be extracted out of the ,tin1 but more care than this is to be given1 if you desire more plenty4 ,but ,gold may thence be extracted1 not only by ,flux1 but diverse other wayes1 in diverse weights2 for what is written1 is only for demonstration of the possibility1 that the ,gold contained in the imperfect metals1 may be extracted by a secret separation4 ,the ,fluxing ,powder requisite to this ,work4 one part of very pure and white ,sand1 or ,flints1 having no ,gold fusible2 to which1 add three parts of ,litharge of ,lead2 being mixt1 fuse in a very strong ,fire1 that thereof a transparent ,glass may be made of it1 which pour out1 that it may be cold1 and reduce it to powder2 which use in the aforesaid manner4 ,but you may ask1 why ,sand and ,flints are mingled1 seeing they are not of a metallick nature3 to which ,i say1 the calx of ,tin1 cannot1 as also other ,fossiles be ,examined by ,lead alone1 for the following ,reasons1 viz4 because in the ,calcination of ,tin1 its metallick nature is hidden1 but the impure and earthy parts are manifest1 wherefore it hath no longer affinity with ,lead and other metals2 unless the hidden parts of the lead be manifest1 and also other metals and the manifest be hidden1 for then they easily embrace one the other1 and are again mingled well1 and not altered4 ,what belongs to the alteration of other metals doth not belong hither2 for to this place only pertain ,lead and ,tin1 the alteration of which is demonstrated by this tryal2 whereby it appears to be thus4 ,lead reduced into ashes1 by it self1 or into ,litharge1 and deprived of its metallick form1 cannot so in this work be used without the flints or sand1 for the following reason4 ,the lead and glass thereof made by it self is very fusible and volatile2 but the calx of tin is very difficultly fused3 which two calxes1 although they should be mingled to fuse in a crucible1 yet would not be mingled1 nor being fused1 embrace one the other1 by reason of the difference of their fusibility2 because the calx of lead alone being fused by a small fire1 will perforate and penetrate the crucible1 the calx of ,tin being left in the crucible3 wherefore you must add sand or flints to the lead1 viz4 to hinder its fusibility1 that it may endure the same degree of heat with those that are difficultly fused1 and further their flux4 ,for like things do mutually affect and embrace each other2 as water doth water1 oyl oyl1 and glass glass2 and metals other metals2 but water is not mingled with oyl2 neither are glasses mingled with metals1 but metals with metals1 and glass with glass1 whether it be made of metals or out of sand4 ,wherefore they greatly err who mingle the calx of metals difficultly miscible1 or other hard things with lead to prove or examin1 not considering that corporeal lead hath no affinity with them3 who remaining in their errour1 and not weighing the thing further1 consequently can find nothing of any moment4 ,but when the calx of metals united with lead by a medium1 as flints or sand1 are brought together into transparent glass2 then the lead being precipitated and separated from the mixture1 it cannot be1 but that the gold and silver contained in them must be carried away with it4 ,this is a true and philosophical tryal1 and not to be contemned1 for many things may be by it performed4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but this is not to be passed by1 that in the mutual mixture and fusion of the glass of lead and the calx of tin1 and other hard metals1 one may easily err1 viz4 in the precipitation 7which is done with the mixture of iron7 of the gold with the lead into ,regulus1 by either the excess or defect1 so that nothing may be gotten1 which is committed in precipitation4 ,for if the mixture stand long in the fire not fused1 it is burnt1 so that it cannot well be separated1 and if it stand too long fused in the fire1 the gold is attracted by the dross1 by reason of the mixture of the iron1 having great affinity with the gold1 so that by this means nothing can be gotten3 wherefore the ,work is to be done warily1 and with wisdom and industry4 ,you must have a care you burn not the ,regulus of lead with too much fire1 when you reduce it into dross2 for fear of attracting the gold from the iron1 and turning it into dross4 ,and although this may by ,art be prevented1 yet we must not presently create every one ,master of ,arts1 it requiring diligence and daily exercise1 besides the reading of ,books4 ,but this ,secret shall other where be communicated4 ,this admonition then ,i give1 that thou do not impute thy errour 7if thou dost err7 to me1 but to thy self1 for what ,i have written is true3 and do not thence infer an impossibility of attracting gold by iron1 out of lead1 and of turning it into dross1 which is no wonder to me1 though it may so seem to thee4 ,which he who hath the knowledge of metals will himself easily perceive4 ,but that thou maist be certain1 try the certainty after the following manner3 ,take two hundred lib4 of lead1 of the lesser weight of the ,refiners1 put it on a test under a tyle2 add eight or ten lotons of pure gold1 of tin two or three l4 six or eight of iron1 viz4 of the lesser weight3 make them flow together an hour to make dross2 as ,examiners use to do2 then pour it out1 and separate the lead from the dross1 viz4 to cupel that which is separated1 then weigh the grains of gold left1 and thou shalt find half of it consumed by the dross4 ,if this happen to corporeal gold and fixt1 ,how will it be with that which is newly extracted out of an imperfect metal8 ,therefore you must diligently search out the natures of metals1 and then such cases will not seem incredible4 ,from hence then1 and other ,examples mentioned it appears1 that that separation which is done by tests and cupels1 is not true and legitimate2 and consequently1 that another profitable separation of metals is to be sought2 because by this the greater part of gold and silver burns into dross1 witness ,experience1 for which cause the former example was alleadged2 whither belongs the proof1 viz4 how much gold the dross hath attracted1 which is done as followeth3 the remaining black dross1 to which add a double weight of salt of tartar1 put it in a crucible filled but to the half 7for fear of boyling out7 and covered1 that nothing fall in1 under a tile or among live coals1 one or two hours space to digest2 and a new ,regulus of lead shall be precipitated1 which separated from the dross1 you may cupel1 and you shall find new grains of gold attracted by the iron in the dross1 and now separated by the salt of tartar1 overcoming the force of the iron4 ,and so you have heard from two examples1 how in the coction of the separation gold may be drawn out of the lead by tin and iron1 and that therefore there is need1 that gold be separated by the ,antimonial ,regulus out of the aforesaid metals1 and not by lead1 if you would extract the true substance with gain4 ,n4 ,b4 ,gold may likewise be separated out of the glass of lead 7being first dissolved with the ashes of tin7 with coal dust1 adding it in the flux and stirring it with an iron wier2 and also with common sulphur1 by burning it on it3 but the aforesaid way with iron1 is to be preferred before those two which spoyl the gold1 c4 wherefore the remaining dross is to be gathered1 which by some abstracting furnace by other means may be tryed1 for to recover the spoyled or lost gold and silver4 ,and all these are alleadged to demonstrate that the gold in tin and iron is to be separated by the ,antimonial ,regulus1 and not by ,lead4 ,but how this separation may be perfected1 you shall hear in the third part1 where we will treat of lead1 explained by ,paracelsus1 in his book called ,clum ,philosophorum1 and other artificial ,chymical labours3 wherefore here we omit it1 being superfluous to handle one thing in divers places4 ,in the mean while exercise thy self in lesser things1 that thou maist be more fit for greater when they shall be set forth4 ,but wonder not at my liberality in publishing so great secrets1 for ,i have reasons for it4 ,such a burden is too much for me alone1 neither doth it profit the ,covetous to sell his goods to them which keep not their words1 nor pay the money1 after they have obtained their art1 which hath hapned to me4 ,wherefore ,i have determined to communicate some secrets to all the world indifferently1 that the poor may receive some profit by them2 knowing that though ,i write plainly1 yet that all will not at the first view obtain their desires4 ,for some are so dull1 that they cannot imitate a work though often seen4 ,for some have often visited me1 to see my new manner of distilling1 which though it was sufficiently demonstrated to the eye1 yet they could not imitate it1 till with often perusals at length they have found the right path4 ,others have left it as too hard a work1 when it would not presently succeed1 which if it hapned to those who had an ocular demonstration1 how much more difficult will it be and hard to them who have nothing but what they have heard or read4 ,wherefore ,i am certain1 that though ,i should publish every one of my secrets1 yet could they not be performed by all men1 my coals and materials being left sufficing for my necessity4 ,wherefore ,i fear not to publish1 the next opportunity offered1 divers profitable and excellent secrets1 viz4 in favour of all and every one4 ,as for that spirit of salt necessary to this work1 you may find it in the first part of my ,philosophical ,furnaces corrected and amended2 but the way of separation in the fourth part4 ,and so ,i finish this work1 being published in favour of those who by war 7though honest men7 are reduced to poverty4 ,but what things are deficient in this little tract shall 7,god willing7 be delivered in the next 7which shall follow in a short time7 largely and clearly without fraud4 ,,finis4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,mineral ,work4 ,of the ,birth and ,original of ,metals and ,minerals1 viz4 ,how they are produced by the ,starrs1 and take to themselves a body out of the ,water and ,earth1 and are found in a sundry shape4 ,written and brought to light for the sake of the ,diligent ,searchers of ,nature4 ,a ,preface to the ,reader4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,whereas in a former little ,book1 lately by me published1 ,i mentioned this little ,tract of the ,generation of ,metals1 and through want of time1 could not hitherto make it publick1 although earnestly desired by men of the meanest and highest condition3 ,i have now determined to spare so much time from my other ,imployments1 as to do this ,work for the publick good1 no ways doubting1 but that 7although this my opinion of the ,generation of ,metals1 doth not agree with all the ,philosophers7 yet will it get credit from1 and the assent of not a few quick-sighted men4 ,that which ,i here declare1 ,i do not exhibit it with flattering words1 or many circumstances1 or the testimonies of other ,writings1 but with a naked and genuin simplicity2 for which very cause ,i would not make this little ,tract too prolix1 but have unfolded my mind with the most ,compendious stile that ,i could4 ,but let none think that ,i endeavour to weaken and nullifie the ,opinions of other men concerning the ,generations of ,metals1 and obtrude mine in the ,world1 no1 not in the least3 ,i leave to every man his free will1 and the ,liberty of viewing others1 who have written ,monuments of this thing1 and of comparing of them with my writings1 that he may evidently perceive which of the two ,corresponds most with ,nature and ,truth3 ,i aim not at any ,honour hereby1 as if ,i were wiser than the common sort3 ,nor do ,i reap any benefit by making this little ,book1 but 'tis done only for this end and purpose1 ,that 7because ,i have formerly written of ,metalline things1 and have also made mention of this little ,tract of the ,birth and ,nativity of them7 ,i may give light unto my ,writings1 and render them more easie to be understood2 for ,i should most bitterly suffer1 if but one only should be lead into errour by my ,writings1 but ,i trust that the light is springing up unto many1 by the guidance whereof they will more cautiously handle than hitherto they have done4 ,let the ,benign and ,merciful ,god1 our ,father of all things1 of whose ,wonders the ,heaven and ,earth are full1 give unto ,his poor needy ,children that which may tend to the ,glory of ,his most holy ,name1 and to our health4 ,,of ,,the ,birth and ,nativity ,,of ,,metals4 ,there have alwaies been many1 and various ,opinions concerning the ,original of ,metals and ,minerals1 to wit1 of what matter they are first of all generated in the ,bowels of the ,earth2 and how come to such a fixity1 insomuch1 that a young ,beginner in this hard ,science1 hath been in suspence2 which of them he should assent unto1 and by what ,phylosophy he should direct his course4 ,and whereas1 throughout the whole ,universe in so many ,nations1 there are so many men1 both of high and low degree1 as well ,learned as unlearned1 who busily seek at this day1 to get their ,felicity from the ,metals2 and whereas1 without the true ,knowledge of them1 nothing at all of profit can be had 7for by what means ,i pray can any one convert any imperfect ,metal into a better1 if he be ignorant of what ,parts it is composed2 into what ,parts it is to be resolved before that it can obtain a more ,noble ,form7 and that the ,knowledge of their ,generation is worthily necessary for their ,melioration2 we will in a few words clearly evidence1 ,what is to be considered as to their ,nativity4 ,although the whole ,company of ,phylosophers do almost unanimously testify1 7but yet in succinct1 obscure1 and nigmatical ,terms7 ,that ,metals receive their ,generation from above1 by the force of the ,stars1 and are produced in the bowels of the ,earth2 yet some there are1 who contend very ignorantly1 and affirm1 that ,metals have not any seed at all1 as other ,animal1 and ,vegetable things have2 and that 7upon this account they have no propogating faculty1 but were produced such in the belly of the ,earth1 by ,,god in the first ,creation of things74 ,but this ,deceit is too gross1 and palpable1 and may be met withal most easily1 by daily experience1 declaring the contrary4 ,for when being found in the ,earth1 they are by the ,miners brought to light1 we abundantly1 and ocularly perceive1 that even now they daily grow1 and will not cease from this motion1 unless rob'd of their ,vegetable ,vertue and ,life1 by external ,accidents1 which very thing convinceth the ,opinion of ,errour4 ,some there are1 who teach that ,god1 when he made the ,world1 did instil into the ,matrix of the ,earth1 not the ,metals themselves1 but their ,seed only for its own propagation2 which1 if so1 then long ago1 would this ,seed have afforded a new harvest of it self 7of which1 no footsteps are any where extant7 by its own absolute ,vegetation4 ,know therefore1 that the manner of the ,metallick ,seed is far different from that of the vegetable and animal ,seeds1 which are perceptible to the sence of sight and feeling4 ,for the ,metals are not all together created in the beginning of things1 but begotten in length of time1 out of the bosome of the ,elements2 and on them1 being created by the ,omnipotent ,,god1 is this ,command injoyned1 and this ,power implanted1 that they should give growth to all things1 by their ,vertue and ,efficacy2 for accomplishing of which thing1 the one cannot in the least want the ,company of the other4 ,for the ,stars or ,elements of ,fire1 delivers out the metalline ,seed out of its own bowels2 which the air carries down into the ,water1 that it may adapt to it self1 a palpable form or body1 which the ,earth 7embraceing it7 doth cherish1 nourish1 and augment from form to form1 until it comes to be a perfect ,metal1 which it 7at length7 brings forth into the light1 as a ,mother doth her mature young one2 which ,conception and ,generation of the ,metals1 taking its ,original at the very beginning of the ,world1 will alwaies continue even unto its ,dissolution4 ,for by the efficacy of the ,elements1 new things are from thence generated1 and contrarily1 old things are destroyed2 which thing is not only done in ,metals1 but most apparently in ,vegetables and ,animals3 for none can deny1 but that various ,hearbs1 and little ,animals are produced upon this ,stage1 by the alone vertue of the ,elements1 without planting of the ,herbs2 and without the ,seed of the ,animals1 which to pursue1 ,i could lay down many ,documents1 were it needful1 but 'tis altogether needless1 to say any thing of that1 of which none are ignorant4 ,and now1 who will not believe1 but that the same may be done in ,metallicks4 ,god ,omnipotent hath implanted in the ,starrs1 or ,element of ,fire1 the vivifying prolifick and seminal vertue of all things1 which power it doth not keep shut up within it self1 but sends and lets it down by ,divine appointment into the earths center1 by mediation of the air and the water2 which fiery beams cease not1 by reason of their implanted impulse and vertue1 to go forward1 until they do at last meet with a place1 beyond which it is impossible for them to go1 nor can they stay there any longer1 but leaping back from the center unto the circumference1 are dispersed throughout the whole earth1 cherishing and impregnating it3 which thing1 unless it were done1 and those sidereal vertues should remain in the center of the earth1 and never flow upwards1 nothing at all would grow upon the ,earth4 ,but because heat1 and whatsoever is of the fire1 is endowed with this nature1 to go forward as far as it can1 and where it can go no farther1 'tis struck back1 and leaps from the center to the ,superfices2 which thing is evident in a burning-glass1 whereinto when the ,solar beams fall1 and cannot penetrate the compact and polisht metal1 they are dispersedly forced backwards1 and in those fiery beams1 whilst 7every where7 they leap back1 do in the porosity of the earth snatch up1 as it were1 a fat humidity1 adheres thereto1 and by mutual mixtion are coagulated into a certain palpable ,essence1 out of which1 according to the purity or impurity of the place1 a pure1 or an impure metal is with length of time produced2 because a metal doth not presently become ripe in the same moment of time1 but the ,seed of the ,metal is by little and little nourished and increased in the matrix of the earth1 with the heat of the central fire1 until it attains its perfection4 ,like as in the generation of ,vegetables and ,animals1 it comes in use1 whose ,seed being received into the suitable matrix1 takes encrease from thence by little and little1 until 7if no obstacles prevent7 it obtains a predestinated and appointed form1 whence 'tis1 that according to the purity of the place the metals are also varied3 ,for it is but one only seed out of which ,metals and ,minerals do proceed3 but the place and other accidents are the cause of their ,unlikeness1 as we shall prove in the subsequent writing4 ,but to some men it will seem monstrous1 that ,i say there's a place in the middle of the ,earth1 the which nothing can pass through or penetrate1 but is stopt2 that which is heavy remains there1 but the more light is carried backwards3 which opinion it will be worth while briefly to explain4 ,in the ,creation of the ,world1 the ,elements being as yet not separated each from the other1 but being a ,chaos1 ,god instituted their separation1 and ordained a place where the more ponderous part of the mass should be separated1 7which is the ,earth7 which thing is even continually done1 because every heavy thing or earth knits it self to its assigned point1 as a ,bee doth to his hive1 from whence at length this ,globe is made or born1 upon which we inhabit3 ,presently after1 that which was next in weight1 the water1 made its separation from the other ,elements1 and encompass'd the ,superfices of the earth1 having the same center with the earth1 insomuch that if the earth were not1 the water it self would have chiefly or primarily encompassed the stable and founded point of ,gravity or the ,magnet2 but because the earth exceeding the water in ponderosity1 doth intercede1 it worthily assumes its appointed place1 and takes the waters upon its back4 ,now1 as the other two ,elements1 the lightest of them1 the ,fire1 ,god likewise sent to its proper aboad1 a place most remotely distant from the inferiour ,globe of the heavy ,elements2 the other light ,element1 the ,air1 being the medium between the fire and the water1 ,god hath set it between them two1 that constantly touching each the other1 they might mutually circulate1 cherish1 and uphold each the other1 until being at length dissolved1 they are reduced into their own nothing1 from whence they were produced4 ,for the ,fire cannot burn without the ,air1 nor the ,air be conserved without the ,water1 nor the ,water be nourished without the ,earth1 nor the ,earth 7being as it were dead7 bring anything to light1 except the ,element of ,fire doth first spiritually instill thereinto its own seed1 whence it is afterwards made corporeally and sensibility1 such as is necessary for all growing things4 ,and now1 lest what ,i have spoken 7viz4 that the ,earth hath its own center unpassable by any thing1 whereinto the sidereal rays striking1 are contracted into a streight room1 and 7driven back7 from thence are sublimed and distilled throughout the whole ,orb1 from which all kind of ,metals and ,minerals 7by the help of the ,earth and ,water corporifying them are produced7 may seem a fable4 ,know1 that this ,philosophy is demonstrable by many uncontroulable reasons2 which ,philosophy ,i do not my self only embrace1 but also many more have done1 'mongst whom the most famous ,sandivow is not the least1 who writ1 ,that in the ,earths center is a vacuity1 in which nothing can rest1 the which thing even the reason or order of ,nature seems to evidence1 in whose middle point a void place is necessarily requisit1 into which all the vertues of the ,stars may pour out themselves1 may mutually operate upon each other1 and excite a marvellous heat1 permitting neither delay or quietude for any thing in that place3 but from thence1 even the unbroken vertues of the ,stars are by little and little enforced to go back unto the circumference1 where joyning themselves to the most pure earth1 they exclude a metallick child2 so that you need not wonder1 because of that most intense heat that sways there1 when as all the ,asterisms1 the ,sun1 the ,moon1 the other ,planets1 with ,starrs innumerable1 do into that place inject their powers with all their might4 ,if you consider but the solar magnitude only1 being by ,astronomical ,calculation #fd times the bigness of the earthly globe 7omitting to speak of the other innumerable huge bodies1 that jointly cast their influences into the belly of the earth7 what an unspeakable furious heat thinkest thou that all these will give1 which in the center of the earth muster up their vertues1 and make them manifest and efficacious3 ,consider a little how much one pugil of the ,sun-beams can do1 being taken in a concave glass1 or a metalline ring well polished1 or any other instrument1 and straightened into the center for a concave-glass rightly made1 having but the ,diameter of a span1 doth easily burn wood1 or any combustible body2 but if the ,diameter be two spans1 it melts with the ,sun1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,bismuthum1 and other metals easily fluxible2 if #d or #e spans1 then it melteth ,copper and ,silver1 and so mollifies ,iron1 that it may be wrought upon the ,anvil4 ,if now experience evinceth this thing1 that a little handful of the beams collected and strengthened into a point1 be of so great force as to melt even metals1 and to fume away 1 1 and ,arsnick1 ,auripigment1 ,koboltum1 and other volatile and immature metals of like kind2 what thinkest thou would be1 if the beams were congregated the compass of #aj or #bj fathoms1 doubtless they would burn up all other metals1 except ,gold1 like a flame1 and elevate them into fume8 ,and what are #aj or #bj fathoms1 if compared to so many thousands of thousands which are attributed to the ,sun1 whose heat 7passing by to speak of the other great ,starrs7 if it were congregated into one place1 7which is so done in the earths center7 what an incomprehensible burning heat1 thinkst thou1 would be there8 verily nothing would be fixt enough to resist the burning2 and indeed there is nothing in reality that doth resist it1 whence necessarily that point is vacuous wherein nought can rest or remain4 ,thou wilt object1 that ,i speak of many things1 but prove a very few2 for who was ever there1 and beheld such a ,cavity8 ,i ,answer thus1 that albeit1 there be no ocular ,testimony of this thing1 yet naturally ,phylosophy affords ,testimony sufficient1 whereby 'tis in very deed demonstrated1 that such a place there is3 now none denies1 that the ,sun and ,stars by their motion do inviron the terrestrial ,globe1 and imprint their beams thereon1 which being granted 7for no sober man will contradict this7 it also follows1 that those hot and invisible beams do by an innate force and vigor go forwards1 until they are somewhere stop'd1 and a further progress prohibited them2 which thing is done in the middle most point of the ,earth1 or all the ,phylosophers are altogether ,lyers1 who unanimously believe1 that the heat is carryed directly forwards1 and not backwards3 but behold an apparent ,example of this thing3 ,put a ,coal upon some thick brass1 or iron plate1 and thou shalt see that the side under the ,coal will first wax hot by the penetrating heat2 take off the ,coal and try with thy hand1 and thou shalt find it hurtful by the overmuch heat2 try also the under side of the ,plate1 and thou shalt find it to be but gentle warm1 and after a little delay1 try yet once again1 and thou shalt find that the heat is gone directly forward1 and that the underside of the ,plate is hotter than the upper part1 whereupon the ,coal lay4 ,hence thou maist clearly perceive1 that the heat never goes backwards1 but is carried directly forwards2 which being so1 thou shalt be enforced to confess nolens volens1 that in like manner the ,astral heat sticks not in the ,superfices of the earth1 but pierceth even to the very bottom center4 ,well1 but thou wilt again object1 ,if the ,sunbeams descends through the earths thickness1 even to the very center1 ,whence is it1 that the whole earth grows not hot thereby1 or at least so warm as it is on the surface8 for 'tis found by experience1 that the digg'd-up earth is not warm1 but cold1 and no heating beams are therein perceptible4 ,take this for an answer1 ,that the dispersed beams of the ,sun do not display their efficacy1 but only in those places where they are collected and become sensible2 a hint of which you may observe in the earths surface it self2 where a speedier passage being not permitted1 but through the hardness of the stones1 and its own density1 there being a stop and obstruction1 the heat becomes duplicated1 and manifestly augmented1 insomuch1 that in all very hard rocks and clifts there is sometimes created so great a heat by the continual ,conflux and ,condensation of the ,sunbeams1 that if accidentally1 wood or fuel be laid thereto1 it burns and flames up1 which never happens in a thin and porous ,aire 7how near soever to the ,sun7 it being uncapable of stoping those beams2 for by how much the higher you ascend into the ,aire1 by so much the more intense shall you find the ,cold to be2 insomuch that the most ,touring ,mountains1 altho' posited in warm ,countries1 are alwaies covered with ,frost1 ,ice1 and ,snow1 when as in the bottom of those ,hills1 the ,ground is very warm1 and brings forth varieties of ,fruit1 although it be more remote from the ,sun3 ,the cause of which ,cold in the ,tops1 and of ,heat in the ,bottom1 only consists in the reflection of the solar ,beams1 which are stayed and multiplied below2 which thing cannot at any rate be done in the ,fire that is above4 ,these beams having first passed the superfices of the ,earth1 where they were a while joined and multiplyed1 are by little and little debilitated1 and return to their simplicity2 whence it comes to pass1 that that part of the ,terrene ,globe1 which is furthest distant from the ,centre1 hath as little heat1 as the ,aire on high3 but if it were possible to ascend higher1 and nearer to the ,sun1 the heat would by little and little be encreased1 and be found greatest at the ,sun it self3 ,in like manner may a ,comparison be made about the ,earths heat1 which near the ,surface is very faint1 but nearer the ,centre1 more and more encreasing2 7there being its ,seat and ,collection7 so that the middle ,earth1 between the ,sun 7from whom the heat flow7 and the ,centre1 where the whole being gathered together1 is repercussed1 may deservedly be esteemed the coldest part2 of which truth1 a certain demonstration is readily produceable4 ,for when in the hottest day of ,summer1 watry ,clouds are elevated by the ,winds1 higher than ordinary1 they are made pure ,ice by the force of a most intense ,cold1 which fall down in little bits of that form or shape1 which they were imprinted with by the ,aire1 to the great detriment of ,vegetables2 and is by us call'd ,hail1 and so cold1 that we are not able long to hold it in our hands1 and usually lies some daies in the ,suns heat ere it melts by the warm ,aire1 and returns into ,water4 ,now then if there were not a great ,cold in the middle ,region of the aire2 whence is it1 that those ,clouds are so frozen2 and who knows how great the ,cold is1 where the ,aire1 in its own middle point1 is most of all cold2 doubtless it is so great1 that no living thing is able to live therein the twinkling of an eye1 but would incontinently be transmuted into a stone1 even as we have frequently perceived the earthy ,exhalations born up on high into the middle ,region of the ,aire1 to have been there coagulated1 and compacted into the most hard stones1 and so to have fallen down2 and not only stones weighing some pounds1 but also metals too1 and chiefly iron of a great weight1 representing the shape of many conglomerated drops1 have been in that part of the ,aire condensed out of dry ,exhalations1 and thrown down thus concreted2 the which thing others have handled more at large2 whence 'tis sufficiently evident1 that the ,sun-beams1 in such places as they can freely pass through1 without any impediment1 give not any heat from themselves3 but only where they are detained and fixt1 and by how much harder the detaining matter is1 by so much it causeth a better heat4 ,thou also seest that ,wood1 or any porous ,body never contracts from the ,sun1 so great a heat1 as a stone doth2 nor doth a stone1 so much as a metal1 although all placed the one by the other1 to the ,suns heat2 the cause of which diversity1 doth alone consist in the pores1 of which some bodies have more1 some less2 thereby granting a more speedy passage to the heat2 for 'tis 7as ,i have often said7 the property of the heat1 to hasten directly forwards1 as long as 'tis not impeaded1 and extreamly unwilling to go back4 ,a ,testimony whereof1 as well the ,kitchen ,fire1 as the ,solar1 or ,fulminous ,fire affords unto us2 for if any body sitting near the ,fire1 hath casually in his pocket1 any metal1 be it a key1 knife or money1 the heat 7easily penetrates the thin ,garments7 lights upon the metal1 whereto it adheres and augments2 and gets so much heat1 that sometimes it cannot be held in the hand2 but the cloathing1 although nigher the ,fire1 is scarce gently warm2 the same thing usually falls out in ,thunder1 whose ,fire1 because it flyes very furiously1 if it hath not room to pass the pores of solid withstanding bodies1 it dissipates and dissolves them in a moment1 and leaves porous bodies whole1 which ,lightning1 often melts the sword in the scabbard1 or money in the purse1 the ,receptacle of them being whole3 ,it also breaks the hollow and marrowy bones of ,animals1 the flesh remaining whole and sound2 the ,cause thus1 for that this fulminous heat most swiftly penetrating1 is deprived of time to penetrate1 and warm a metal by degrees1 and will not return backwards1 contrary to its own nature1 and therefore subdues and conquers the weaker ,element by force and power2 for ,fire only is the most potent of the ,elements1 and knows not how to yield to the other three1 but they are compelled to stoop to it1 with which priviledge the said ,fire is from ,god endued1 even from its very infancy4 ,in the same and like manner is it with the ,sun's1 ,moon's1 and other ,stars heat1 and occult ,vertues1 which by their efficacy1 hasten on forwards so long1 until they meet with that which they cannot penetrate1 where making a stand1 and heated as it were together1 are compelled to go back1 searching after a place to rest1 and become corporeal2 for the chiefest heat being in the ,earths ,centre1 gives not any delay to any thing1 but continually drives back1 what flows thither1 into the porous and moist ,earth1 where the ,beams being sublimed and hidden1 may cloath themselves with a sensible ,corporeity1 and proceed from one degree to another1 until they are well concocted into perfect ,metals1 no impediment intervening4 ,but let me not be mistaken by any one1 as if it 'twere my ,opinion1 that in the ,centre of the ,earth1 the fiery place is constitute1 of which the ,scriptures make mention2 for ,i have nothing to say as to that place2 nor desire to know ought concerning it4 ,this place which ,i describe1 is discovered to us by natural ,phylosophy1 but that place the ,scripture makes mention of1 ,i leave to ,theologists1 by which they may terrify the wicked ,multitude1 that they precipitate not themselves rashly1 and by ,troops thereinto4 ,and now because the ,hellish fire is here mentioned1 ,i cannot omit to blast the most unsound ,opinions of some putatitious ,doctrines thereabouts3 ,there are in many places found ,mountains1 belching forth1 with huge force1 flames1 fumes1 ashes1 and stones3 ,in ,europe1 is the ,hill tna of ,scicilia2 in ,island1 is ,hoctu1 behind ,norway2 there's also ,vesuvius1 adjoining to ,naples1 and many more other places in other ,parts of the ,earth2 some part of which continually burn and fume2 others at certain times and intervals2 which places1 many account for the fumings of ,hell4 ,but verily this cannot be rational1 because those burning ,mountains have a natural ,original1 and ,cause of ,fireing1 known but to very few2 for in some places are found ,mountains wholly ,sulphure which being kindled1 either by the ,central or ,elemental fire of ,thunder1 or any other accident cannot but burn1 and when such a ,mountain hath but once taken ,fire1 and begins to burn1 who can restrain the burning2 no body1 because of the greatness of the ,fire1 and danger of what may happen1 being therefore left to it self1 it feeds downwards1 being never destitute of matter fit for the fire4 ,and now if any one understanding by the ,monuments of the ,antients1 that these ,mountains have burned for some ,ages1 yea1 and for ,thousands of ,years1 should wonder1 whence ,fuel sufficient for that ,fire should be had1 let him know1 that this may easily be done2 that a ,mountain should burn without intermission1 not only for the magnitude of the ,terrene ,globe1 in which a mountainous ,wax1 or ,bitumen1 ,brimstone1 and such like ,combustible ,things abound3 ,but also1 because of the never-interrupted ,motion of the ,stars1 whereby they never cease replenishing the ,earth with their out-flowings1 and generating 7besides ,minerals7 such ,combustible matters as these1 augmenting and cherishing the ,fire4 ,but they endeavour to confirm their ,opinion by the lamentable ,howlings1 which at some times are heard nigh those ,mountains2 which ,cryes1 the credulous ,vulgar ,people report to be of the ,souls1 which are lost3 ,but these are but ,trifles2 for those ,out-cryes are then only uttered1 when the ,mountains endeavour to throw out much fire1 otherwise they burn and fume very gently1 which as soon as the ,adjacent ,inhabitants perceive1 they well know1 that they shall shortly have an ,harvest of ashes1 fire1 stones1 out of the ,mountains3 and that they may avoid the hazard and danger threatned by the ,fire1 they carefully keep far enough off4 ,and for the most part1 a great ,quantity of the ,sulphure is prepared in the neighbouring parts1 whereby the needy get their food1 by digging it up1 purging it from its ,impurities1 and preparing it for humane uses2 but as to the ,cryes1 it seems to be nothing else in my opinion1 but only the fire breaking forceable through the streight ,channels1 the hard ,stones and ,caverns1 and produceing thereby a dreadful sound1 which they commonly call ,ejulation1 or ,howling4 ,they also add1 that about those fiery ,mountains1 ,ghosts1 ,visions1 and ,spirits usually appear visibly4 ,this also is true1 and ,grounded upon ,nature1 but yet thou canst not prove that they are ,devils and infernal ,spirits2 there being even otherwhere seen1 and found diverse ,spirits in the ,bowels of the ,earth1 being ,monsters not unwonted1 or strange to such as dig1 or are ,miners1 by which they are frequently injured2 yea1 and sometimes destroyed1 lamed or infected2 sometimes these spirits are hurtless and idle spectators1 or playing with the workmens implements2 or even labour themselves not in the least filling their ,pockets1 how strongly soever they shew themselves bent upon their work4 ,but such spirits appear in various forms1 oftentimes resembling an ,horse1 a ,dog1 or other ,beast1 sometimes a ,dwarf-like crooked man2 frequently they appear cloathed with an ashy ,cowle of a ,monk2 they usually are ,testimonies of great ,felicity and rich ,mines2 sometimes they do great mischief1 by choaking the ,miners with a wicked habit1 or throwing them headlong into the ,pits1 by reason of whose malice many of the rich ,mines are unavoidable left undigged1 they boldly defending their hidden ,treasures4 ,let these things concerning the spirits1 about the burning ,mountains1 or those remaining in the profundity of the ,earth1 and appearing in the several shapes1 be spoken by way of ,parenthesis4 ,and now ,i return to the thing in hand1 and will demonstrate1 that there is nothing of ,community betwixt these burning ,mountains and the central or infernal fire1 but that these blow out a thick and material fire2 which ,i thus prove4 ,first of all1 ,these ,mountains do at sometimes cease to burn1 breathing out smoak only between whiles more copiously3 sometimes they dye and expire through want of fuel to supply them4 ,but the central fire can never be either diminished or vanish as long as the sun shines and starrs glister1 and send down their vertues into the earths centre4 ,even as the infernal fire shall never expire1 the ,scripture thus testifying1 wherefore that fire1 though a most furious ,mountainous fire1 cannot be either of these two1 but is meerly material1 subject to encrease and decrease1 and its food desisting1 plainly extinguisheth3 ,besides1 the fire of those ,mountains heats not fervently1 but for the greatest part smoke obscurely2 but the adjoyning ,earth is very hot1 for the space of some miles1 so that you cannot long stand there without injuring your feet4 ,the ,waters also which slow down from them1 are boyling hot1 and manifestly smell of sulphur a good ,portion whereof they have within themselves4 ,besides these flaming and smoaking ,mountains1 there are sometimes found other ,denns or ,caverns1 breathing forth neither ,flame nor ,fume1 and yet a great heat1 which is another kind of fire1 which is largely treated of in the ,chronicles of ,metals1 where amongst other things1 this is also added2 ,that on a time a ,wind gaping1 arose in a certain ,mountain1 and sent forth a huge heat1 and in the night only was some splendor perceptible1 ascending towards ,heaven1 and sometimes a breathing heat was only observed4 ,on this a curious ,monk was in himself perswaded to let down into the cranny1 a pot1 bound on an ,iron ,chain1 with intent to draw up some molten ,gold1 which he believed to be thereunder1 which when it came to touch the fire1 it presently melted and fell down1 the which in like sort burnt away like ,chaff1 with a good part of the ,chain also1 and was ejected and thrown up again in the form of a fume1 with a great noise and crack1 but the ,monk hardly scap'd with his life1 the gold being left behind in the ,hell2 but thou maist readily divine what sort of fire this was1 which reduced the ,pot and ,chain into fume in the twinkling of an eye1 that it was not a material fire1 because void of smoak1 but the astral fire4 ,it is well known to the ,miners1 that the central and gehennal fire doth oftentimes ascend the high parts of the ,mountains1 and warm them1 and there cherish and maturate the metals3 which ,caverns1 when in their searching for ,metals1 they come nigh unto1 they feel too much heat1 that they are even against their wills compelled to desist4 ,but this heat1 although indeed in the action of the growing1 ,minerals doth usually excite and make great enough2 yet for the greatest part it derives its ,original from the central fire1 and this central from the ,starrs4 ,but after what manner and reason the starrs beget the central fire1 and this generates the ,minerals and ,metals1 ,i will demonstrate to the unknowing as briefly as ,i can4 ,thus therefore stands the case3 ,we read in ,moses1 in the first of ,genesis1 that ,god1 when he made the ,world out of the confused ,chaos1 did give the ,elements their original first1 and assigned to ,earth its proper place1 and injoyned on earth its ,office to be done2 but by what means they are preserved by the interceding perpetual ,circulation1 natural ,philosophy doth demonstrate4 ,it will not therefore be to our purpose to treat prolixly of them1 but only of the rise and nativity of metals1 will ,i compendiously speak as far as ,i know of them1 viz4 in what manner the metallick kind draws its original from them1 together with its encrease and augmentation1 and how having arrived to the top of their perfection1 they come to their end4 ,i have a little before demonstrated1 that the superiour element of fire1 as the ,sun1 ,moon1 and the other ,starrs1 send down their invisible vertues and fiery beams into the earths center1 where they are congregated1 and cause huge heat1 and being not permitted there to rest1 leap back again1 and are scattered throughout the universal ,globe1 and impregnate it with various and wonderful ,crescentials1 which are called ,minerals by the ,philosophers1 cherishing and perfecting them in various forms4 ,the reason and manner of which thing ,i will here in a few words unfold4 ,every spiritual thing1 come it from whatsoever body it will1 is invisible and impalpable1 nor can any thing be made of it alone1 but it's forced to remain a spirit1 until it meets with a subject whereto it may adhere1 be united1 and by the benefit thereof be turned into a ,corporeal ,nature1 and pure1 answerable to the purity of the subject and spirit1 the spirit is in the room of seed2 but the subject answers to the earth or matrix in which the spirit is concocted1 into a sensible body suitable to its own nature4 ,but 'tis to be known1 that the manner of ,metallick conception and generation1 is far different from that of the ,vegetable and ,animals3 ,for in most ,vegetables that have arrived to their perfection1 nature works out a seed for a farther propagation and encrease1 being the most excellent part of the herb1 which at the ,springs ,entrance being committed to convenient earth1 produceth a new plant in all points like unto the former1 from whence it sprang1 by which doing new seeds of the same plant1 are always conserved4 ,although indeed some plants are not propagated by the seed1 but by the root4 ,yet they are very few1 and in such1 the root it self serves instead of seed4 ,and that in some places ,plants grow out of the earth1 without the assistance of either seed or root1 its done by the help of the ,elements1 in whom the same force of impregnating the void earth and production of ,plants1 is at this ,instant1 as was at first1 when they generated and brought them forth in the beginning of the ,world4 ,in like manner is there a twofold production of ,animals1 the one done by a proper sperm1 by which they are propagated1 the other is a production of some little ,animals1 upon the world's stage1 even without ,sperm1 by putrefaction only1 and the mutual action and passion of the ,elements4 ,these two waies have footing also in ,minerals1 the one is the ,universal impregnation made by the ,starrs in the beginning of the world1 the other is ,daily4 ,and even as the first generation of ,vegetables and ,animals is to be accounted far more excellent than that which is accidental and quotidian1 so is it with ,minerals likewise4 ,as some ,vegetables arrive to their perfection1 and perish sooner than other some1 so do metals and minerals also2 and by how much the sooner and quicker growth they have1 by so much the sooner do they perish2 and so on the contrary4 ,and as a rational and movable ,animal is a thousand times in his nobility and fixity beyond a ,vegetable1 so also doth a ,mineral1 by reason of his fixity1 far transcend any ,animal2 which wants an immortal soul4 ,now when the ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 fatally terminating their period1 are corrupted1 and return into a nothing1 each ,element takes to it self what is its own4 ,the ,starrs1 the ,spirit1 the ,earth1 keeps the body which it formerly gave1 and the ,principles of the thing do each return unto their ,fountains from whence they at first did flow4 ,and in this manner is there perpetual ,death and ,regeneration of things1 by the testimony of ,experience4 ,there are many ways by which ,metals are brought to light1 viz4 by huge ,fires3 if by ,accident and ,carelesness of ,shepherds1 a ,wood catcheth fire1 the ,earth by reason of the intollerable heat ,gapes1 and the molten ,metal flows forth and is detected3 sometimes also vehement ,earthquakes discover them4 ,besides1 the ,veins of ,metals are found out when deep ,wells and ,pits are digged1 or by the ,plowing in the ,fields1 they are sometimes dig'd up1 and their ,veins discovered3 strong ,rivers washing away the ,earth and ,sand1 do sometimes open their ,veins2 the ,fruits of which being found in the ,banks1 give cause of searching after them4 ,they are also discovered by means of an ,animal1 even an ,horse1 by pawing with his foot1 beating away the ,earth uncovers the ,vein1 which happen'd at ,goslaria in ,ramelsbug2 even ,hogs searching after ,acorns1 have diged up ,mine-pits2 or a pure ,metal lifts up it self into the ,aire in the likeness of a ,reed1 by which means the exceeding rich ,mines of ,silver at ,kuttenberg in ,bohemia1 was by a ,monk manifested to the ,world1 who walking in the ,wood gathered a ,silver ,reed growing out of the ,earth1 and put it in his ,cowle1 and declared the thing in the ,convent4 ,sometimes also most vehement storms pulling up very great ,trees by the roots do open veins4 ,most frequently a ,corruscation gives undoubted testimony of ,veins1 which being enkindled by the warm air1 runs a long some space1 in the likeness of a blew flame2 nor is the finding out of the process of ,veins 7not lying over-deep buried7 very difficult if you rightly consider1 for they continually breath forth a warm ,sulphureous vapour1 upon which1 not only the ,grass growing is thiner than is elswhere wont to be1 but even the ,trees that grow upon them are dwarf-like1 have paler and thiner ,leaves than other ,trees elsewhere planted have4 ,likewise where the ,dew1 ,hoar-,frost1 sooner melts and vanisheth1 'tis a testimony that a ,metal is thereunder2 the cause of which melting1 is the warm vapours attending from the ,veins4 ,but that testimony which the most imploy themselves in1 in seeking by an ,hazel rod 7which my self have many times experienced7 is fallacious and uncertain4 ,this is the ,work of the ,art1 if any one conjoyning ,metals in the ,fire under a certain constellation1 melt them into an electrum and make of them a little ,ball1 perfortated in the middle1 wherein a wand of hazel of one years growth wanting little boughs1 is to be implanted1 which carry streight out before thee where thou conjecturest ,metals to be1 when the little ,ball1 bows the ,rod bends towards the ground it is without doubt that thereunder are metals1 that the labour undertaken about them will not be in vain4 ,this testimony proceeding from the ,natural and infallible foundation of ,philosophie1 is deservedly to be preferred before all other ,arts concerning the finding out of ,metals4 ,nor mayest thou wonder thereat1 for we are unacquainted with most things2 who is it that can certainly unfold why the ,magnet atracts ,iron1 and heated ,amber attracts ,straw1 ,grass1 ,thread and other ,vegetables8 the whole ,earth is full of unsearchable ,wonders and ,secrets of ,,god which are to be diligently observed by us4 ,now as to the causes1 why so many kinds of ,metals are generated so unlike amongst themselves2 some think one thing1 and some another2 many will that the ,seven ,metals onely have their product from the ,seven ,planets1 viz4 ,lead from ,saturn1 ,tin from ,jupitur1 ,iron from 4 ,gold from the ,sun1 ,copper from 4 ,quick-silver from 4 and ,silver from the ,moon2 but ,i am not of that ,opinion2 for how can the ,sun1 1 or any other ,planet seek out to it self in the profundity of the ,earth1 a peculiar place where to sow its ,seed1 and procreate a ,metal conformable to it self2 whereas we see that no ,metal is digg'd out of the earth1 alone1 but alwayes mixt with others2 for thou shalt never find ,lead but there is silver in it1 more or less2 no ,tin is dig'd or washed out but it hath ,gold and ,silver2 all ,copper and contains ,silver1 and sometimes much which is neither conceived of1 or believed by the ,metallurgists1 nor is ever ,gold found without ,silver or ,copper1 and is very seldom void of or other ,metals2 but if each ,planet should generate its own ,metal1 how comes it that another is adjoyned to it8 ,i speak of those ,metals only1 which are either solely contained in their own ,veins1 or else are found and washt out in grains in the ,earth or ,sand1 either pure or mixt with stones4 ,i exclude those which are 7two or three mixt with each other7 each in his own proper ,vein1 and are a burden or impediment1 to one another1 as ,metallists speak1 and are often carried along a great while together1 and not seldome do come together making one ,vein1 and are by and by separated and dispersed into various little ,veins2 and now1 if each ,planet should create his own proper ,metals verily he would also chuse his own place1 and would not suffer another to possess his proper nest1 and disturb his operation4 ,but let us allow to each his proper ,metal1 and then what ,starr should we assigne to ,bismuth ,cobolt1 and ,zink for their ,generator1 they being undeservedly excluded from the ,metalline ,company1 wherewith they are nearer affined then 1 being fusible with other ,metals1 and brought to use by the ,artificers hand1 which with ,cannot be done2 indeed some are to be found alone1 in ,veins1 as ,lead and ,silver1 but being any where found and cleansed from every ,mineral1 and washed out of the ,sand1 yet never wants ,silver and ,copper2 ,tin and iron are also gotten out of the ,sand1 and ,earth in small pieces1 never simple1 but mixt with stone2 these grains or pieces yield the most ,excellent ,tin1 7,called by the ,germans ,seiffenzin7 and for the most part contains more ,gold than that which is digged out of the pit1 ,because while those litle granulated stones are washed out 7,switter or ,sintranpen7 many granulated ones containing much ,gold1 commix themselves therewith1 and are excocted and melted together with the ,tin2 in like manner the little grains of ,iron yield the most ,excellent ,iron4 ,the ,miners find either runing or inclosed in a ,red stone but to be excocted and vivified by ,art2 sometimes also ,copper is found in very little stones 7,recauplein7 like the ,angulated ,piris ,stones2 otherwise all ,metals grow in their own ,mines or ,veins of the ,mountains1 out from whence being gotten with greatest labour and cost1 together with hazzard of life1 are purged from the ,mine1 by beating1 washing1 and melting2 but how each are to be known1 exploded1 digged1 beaten1 washed1 melted1 and separated from heterogeneous things1 is copiously demonstrated by the most ,famous and ,antient ,metallists1 ,george ,agricola and ,lazarus ,erker4 ,i do therefore conclude that ,metals1 and ,semimetals or ,minerals1 have their birth from one common ,seed1 but are by accident severed into various forms and shapes4 ,for the ,vertues of the ,stars being jointly carried into the ,centre of the ,earth1 do not remain alone1 but being mixt each with the other1 goe back into the ,caverns of the ,mountains1 seeking a place of ,rest1 where they may make themselves a ,body2 which if it be pure1 makes also a pure ,metal1 if impure1 an unpure ,metal2 and such place is most like unto a ,matrix1 conceiving ,seed from the ,male1 which if it forms into a body1 cherisheth1 and being excocted to maturity1 perfects it4 ,now the ,astral ,spirits supply the room of man-like sperm1 which being received into the moist ,earth1 in ,caverns1 as in a ,matrix1 is nourished1 and fashioned into diverse metallick ,forms1 and palpable ,bodies1 according to the purity of the place4 ,hence also 'tis evident1 ,that various kinds of ,metals are generated out of one ,seed accidentally1 because the ,metals1 whilst in being1 do grow riper by little and little1 and are more and more meliorated1 and daily experience doth demonstrate1 that they are nobilitated1 not only under the ,earth1 but even above it4 ,hence 'tis1 that the ,miners diging out an immature ,mineral1 as ,bismuth1 ,cobaltum1 or ,zinck examining it1 as they do silver1 and finding nothing1 say1 that they came sooner there than they ought1 which ,minerals being exposed to the ,aire1 and then exploded1 and tryed after some years1 are found to contain much silver4 ,on this account ,i affirm1 ,that if the common ,seed of ,metals1 had alwaies a clean1 and fitting ,matrix1 and no accidental impediments intervened1 nothing else but ,gold 7the highest perfection of metals7 would be generated2 and that this is ,natures intention1 alwaies to bring to perfection1 what she hath begun3 but ,gold only attains this state1 all the rest remaining imperfect2 but it shall be clearly demonstrated in the ,third ,part ensuing1 that by genuine ,alchymy1 even they may be advanced to the same degree1 which if it could not be demonstrated1 that imperfect ,metals might by ,art1 be brought unto perfection1 and by ,industry1 and the ,fire2 it might be very probable and credible1 that each ,metal had his own appropriated ,seed and ,planet4 ,but now1 if common lead possessing but little silver1 by the usual trying of the ,cupel1 may1 by the benefit of maturating ,salts1 be so far perfected by a short digestion1 as to yield much silver2 and by a longer digestion or fixation1 to yield1 even ,gold it self1 which it had not in it before ,cons4 ,part #c;d4 'tis evidently perceptible1 that 'twas not ,nature's intent1 that ,saturn should so remain in his ,saturnine ,estate1 but that he should be made ,silver and ,gold4 ,the other imperfect bodies may also be maturated by digestion1 that they shall yield forth fixt ,gold and ,silver4 ,in like manner the spurious ,metals or ,minerals1 as ,cobolt1 ,zinck1 ,bismuth1 and others of that kind may be so fixed1 as to be behind them1 in the ,cupel1 good ,gold and ,silver1 which is most plainly done in the ,third ,part4 ,thus thou seest1 ,that 'tis not ,natures ,fault1 that there is so many imperfect ,metals2 but 'tis to be imputed to external ,impediments2 for if that ,gold lay not hid in the ,potentia in the imperfect ,metals1 by what ,art could it be reduced into action8 ,art cannot create either ,gold or ,silver1 but ,nature can1 and yet doth not alwaies accomplish it upon the ,earth without the industry of ,art3 ,when a ,gardner suffers the seed and root of the ,plant to wither1 nor commits it to the ,earth1 that it might be perfected2 'tis not the fault of the seed1 but the ,gardner1 who suffers it1 that it comes thus to perish4 ,nature doth very often want help1 as appears in the fruits of ,animals1 and ,vegetables2 and why may not help be necessary and profitable in metalline products1 where1 by the ,artificers ingenuity1 they may be holpen4 ',tis evident then1 that ,nature aims1 as well to make ,gold out of ,minerals1 and baser ,metals1 as to make a ,man of an ,infant2 or a ,tree of a ,nut3 and if it be otherwise1 it is not to be imputed unto her1 but to external ,accidents4 ,now ,i suppose that ,i have sufficiently proved by these things1 that all ,metals proceed out of one seed and root2 and may be reduced thereinto1 and also1 that ,minerals may be compared unto the first buding of ,vegetables1 imperfect ,metals to ,semi-adult1 or half ripe ,plants2 but ,gold to perfect seed or fruit1 brought by ,nature unto its end or bound4 ,but this is to be understood of the ,universal ,birth1 and ,generation of ,metals2 which for the greater part1 drawing their ,original in the profundity of the ,earth out of the ,central seed1 do grow in ,caverns and ,veins1 and increase together into various forms1 and are from these digged out with great costs1 hazards1 and labour4 ,now there's another ,generation actuated in a plainly-diverse manner1 without the ,central common1 and propagated seed1 done upon the ,earths superficies1 by the ,operation of the ,stars above2 yet 'tis the least part of ,metals1 that are thus generated4 ,it hath been said1 that there is a twofold manner of ,generation1 nature makes use of in ,animals and ,vegetables1 and so its in ,metals4 ,the ,first is most frequent and notable1 the other is rare and insensible3 ,the one is done in ,plants1 by the preparation of the seed or root2 the other strongly perfected by the influence of the ,stars1 and the ,elements efficacy and power3 for ,example1 ,if ,rain-water1 being received into some ,vessel1 exhales in the heat of the ,sun1 or of the ,aire1 an ,earth remains1 which by an innate power1 produceth various little ,plants1 little ,animals1 small ,worms and ,flies1 without the access of seed4 ,the same happens in ,metals1 when the ,sun1 or any other ,star operates upon the moist ,earth2 the astral ,vertues are congregated1 and being made corporeal1 do exhibit diverse ,minerals and ,metals1 according to the purity of the ,matrix1 or moist ,earth2 where the ,water is instead of the ,matrix1 and the ,stars instead of the ,father1 or ,seed3 likewise1 it is not possible for ,metals to be generated in the ,centre1 where all things are dry1 but far off from that place1 where the ,waters moisten the ,earth1 and with which the ,central ,spirits can join themselves1 and pass into ,bodies and ,metals4 ,for a dry spirit cannot coagulate himself into a body1 by reason of his dryness1 but wants a fit subject1 from whence to take its body1 which is ,water3 as soon as ever the sulphureous spirit is mixt with the water1 it is no more common water1 but the rudiment and beginning of a metallick generation called by the ,philosophers1 not the vulgar being already made metalline1 but a viscous water1 which the metallurgists call ,gur or a fermenting spume1 which if contained in a convenient place1 and ,cherished with the due ,central heat1 and an humidity1 is in length of time maturated into a metal4 ,the ,conception therefore1 and generation of metals is not only in the profundity of the earth by the mediation of the central spirits carryed upwards1 but also in the superfices by the stars casting their invisible beams into a subtle1 and fat earth where they are held1 and become ,corporeal4 ,for the sidereal fire never ceaseth to infuse its virtues into the earth1 and to ,impregnate it with various products of vegetables1 animals1 and minerals1 according as it meets with a matrix1 nor is this done only in the earth as being most fit for metallick generation1 but even in the air in thick ,clouds1 do they act the same thing4 ,truly we frequently see that not only little ,animals1 as ,palmer-worms1 ,caterpillars1 ,frogs other insects are there conceived and thence excluded1 and descend mixt with the rain1 but tis also evident by ,credible ,testimonys1 that stones of an hundred weight1 also ,masses of ,iron in the form of small ,conglomerated drops1 exceedingly malleable have fallen down from the air1 and also various ,comets and other ,igneous substances being gathered together in the air3 are kindled2 their matter being taken away they dy1 and falling down upon the earth like a fume of ,arsnick they infect it with their brats1 whence an harvest of many deadly diseases doth most plentifully bud forth4 ,nay even thunder and lightning it self is nothing else1 but a subtle nitre enkindled1 and with the ,crack falling stones are procreated in the air2 thence it appears1 that not only the central fire doth ingravidate the ,intrals of the earth3 but also the ,astral fire seeks a place of creating metals in the superficies or in the air it self1 but no where more apt then in the veins and dens of the earth4 ,i well know1 that there are many ,opinions of those metals1 which are not in the bowels of the earth2 but are found above either in the earth1 or sand in little grains1 but they are for the most part ,erroneous4 ,most men do think that gold which is found on the banks of ,rivers and there washed out1 was not generated in that place1 but were broken off from some veins of gold by the strength of waters1 falls1 or floods1 and brought thither out of the mountains1 which indeed may be true1 for somtimes torrents do hurry alongst them little shining golden grains which are afterwards taken up on the hairy backs of the beasts1 but that all gold found in ,rivers1 and streams1 is by the help of currents washt out of the mountains1 seems unlikely1 but was rather generated there2 for sometimes gold is gathered by a river from whence the fountains are exceedingly remote and distant1 which should bring it thither4 ,likewise in open ,mountains1 never seen by any fountains1 is gold gathered out of the earth or sand1 of which kind is almost all the gold1 which the ,hollanders buy of the ,indians of the value of an hundred or thousand markes1 which is not gotten out of the fountains or rivers1 but for the greatest part out of the sand in open places1 ,elevated from the waters4 ,such sublime and dry places have been in ,germany1 also where the auriferous earth was carryed down to the rivers1 and separated from the gold1 and even to this day where little grains of ,zwitter or ,tin are washed out1 are grains of gold also found1 not in low deep places1 but scattered about the mountains and are usually melted with the ,tin1 whence tis that such ,tin is generally wont to abound with gold1 which thing ,i have frequently found experimentally4 ,the cause why gold is oftner found near rivers and streams is this1 because that being carryed on with force they wash away the sand1 being lighter and leave behind them1 the more heavy grains of gold1 from which the remaining sand is washed away with less ado2 but now the ,rhenish gold1 such as here is in ,germany1 and the like1 is not pure1 but mingled with silver and copper2 nor is it always alone1 or fine1 like a metal1 but in the form of an heavy and sulphureous powder1 whose combustible sulphur being burnt and removed by fusion1 it acquires a golden colour tenderness1 ductibility and purity4 ,but that which is brought from ,india1 is1 as to appearance gold1 and is some greater1 some smaller graines1 and not as that with us is1 yet not fine1 but some is found better than other some4 ,i sometime saw a dutch ,merchant having a lump of this kind of gold well nigh fine or of ,twenty four ,carracts weighing some ,lotons1 but generally they are of the bigness of a midling sand4 ,but that which is washt out in ,hungaria1 and ,transilvania is esteemed the finest of all1 which ,i have found equivalent to duckets4 ,now ,i suppose that ,i have sufficiently demonstrated1 that all gold is not generated by the central fire in the belly of the earth1 but also in the superfices thereof1 by the vertue of the superiour stars1 and not only gold1 but other1 metals and minerals1 especially and are in like manner generated1 and most frequently1 which is plentifully found every where in round or angulated little stones1 for the most part of a golden ,nature1 and though commonly neglected yet deserve well to be observed4 ,such also are those flints which are within of a reddish colour conteining a golden iron1 for there is a great familiarity and friendship between and 1 where under lys hid1 a great secret and in the third part shall be explained more at large4 ,now for a further conviction of such as are incredulous1 the metals are generated upwards or here above in a moist earth without the central seed1 this example is conducible in marshy parts1 and places that are always moist1 the ,superiour ,stars have a fit ,subject to generate ,metals in1 witness ,holland1 where they yearly dig a peculiar turf or earth1 which they burn instead of wood1 which contains1 besides sulphur1 ,arsnick1 and yet1 all1 is not thus1 but only that which is dig'd out of the most deep places1 and is called bactert1 the rest called been seldom contains any thing other thing than1 sulphur a little ,arsnick1 whereas the other hath very much1 sulphur and ,arsnick being an unwholesome fire to such as are not there unto accustomed1 which although it be in depth ,twenty ,thirty or ,forty feet1 yet do they scarce extract or dig out five or six1 or at the utmost ten foot1 because in some depth it wants sulphur altogether1 and is unfit for the fire4 ,now then such as try for bituminous ,turf1 or such as search for the depth of a ,marsh1 or seek after a sandy bottom1 drawing forth the earth with long borryers or ,caugers1 do find that by how much the deeper they go1 so much the less1 sulphur they find1 and at the bottom none at all4 ,whence tis evident that sulphur ,arsnick1 or that ,mineral that lys hid in the earth received his ,original from above1 and not from beneath4 ,but the most ,metals are produced in the earths bowels1 and the fewest nigh the ,circumference1 whose seed is found more powerful in the deep1 than in the ,circumference2 for the sidereal virtues do constantly hasten to the centre1 and not finding further passage fight together1 and strive each against the other1 and cause a huge heat1 by the repercussion whereof the whole globe grows warm1 and is gravidated with all kinds of ,minerals4 ,thus then are all ,minerals1 and ,metals procreated1 as well in the deep as in the ,circumference1 out of a most subtle ,astral seed1 with a sutable moisture wherein it frameth a body to it self1 nor let any wonder that ,metals are generated of an insensible1 and most subtle warm vapour1 if joyned with humidity1 they fall not down from heaven as a stone from an house1 but descend spiritual1 and getting a fitting place in the earth do 7by the waters mediation7 put on a body1 and get their weightiness from the earth1 even as the seeds of vegetables and ,animals1 which 7as is most evident7 give only the form1 increase and life1 but supplys not the place of the body it self4 ,but most false is the foundation of such as imagine1 that ,metals have there ,original from common running1 and burning sulphur 7each being a semi-mettal7 tis indeed certain that metals are born of sulphur but not the common1 but such aforementioned1 viz4 ,astral1 a sulphureous warm1 dry1 and spiritual soul1 and terrestrial viscous water1 from whose mutual conjunction 7as of ,male and ,female ,seed7 all ,metals are born4 ,that ,erroneous ,opinion hath been the cause of many labours on1 and they are not a few1 who have wasted all they had by this1 their philosophy4 ,and how many have attempted to fix common1 either with or without ,gold or ,silver1 and do at this day attempt the like1 with hopes of turning it into ,gold or ,silver1 but all in vain1 my self have to my loss tryed it1 and how far ,i have come1 the third part shall declare4 ,in like sort as great a number have attempted to extract runing1 out of ,metals1 intending to fix it 7as the first of ,metals7 into ,gold or ,silver1 but all in vain1 for as the beginning was foolish1 so the end terminates in loss2 and such have chiefly with much trouble sought after the of or ,antimony being perhaps seduced by the sayings of the ,philosophers1 who affirm that the father of all ,metals reduced into may be easily ,changed into ,gold1 but this is not that running but a viscous water1 that may be handled like the first being of ,metals1 according as the ,artificer willeth1 and may be changed into any form4 ,i cannot tell what madness possesseth men that aim to reduce or into running in hopes of a more easy fixing it1 whereas neither of both ever was running and in my opinion will never be1 but grant it may be made to what will it be more profitable then it self1 it being hereby made more volatile1 and not more fixt1 but say they is a purer substance then and will therefore the more freely be amalgamated and fixed with the ,sun and no1 by no means4 ,well6 ,i will grant that may be made of or which yet ,i can hardly believe1 what will it profit thee8 ,nothing at all2 but now ,i readily believe1 and have experienced that and being after a ,philosophical manner reduced into that is1 into a viscous water1 is most easily joyned with the and and is to be fixed even without them1 but twas never seen that1 the putatitious of did ever accomplish any praise worthy thing in the ,meliorations of ,metals4 ,i grant that running may easily be made out of any ,metal by the addition of vulgar and ,i have tryed it1 but what profit comes therefrom2 enquire of those that have to their loss practised thereabouts4 ,if running were the principle of metals1 some smal portion thereof would verily be found in all mines of metals1 or in most of them1 but because it is not there found it necessarily follows1 that such opinion is to be accounted a vain fiction4 ,now all ,philosophers do unanimously testify that nature forms the first rudiments of metals1 out of the ,astrall ,spirit1 and terrestrial water1 by affirming that every thing may by art be reduced into that1 out of which it was at first made4 ,and whereas metals may be reduced into a viscous water without any corrosive1 and this by a due heat and digestion transmuted into more pure1 and better metallick forms1 tis undoubtedly credible that they proceed from hence1 and not only metals1 but also many stones1 and mineral things1 either conteining metals1 or void of them1 found upon the earth1 and under it1 have their first beginnings after the like manner1 my self having seen some mine-diggers1 in sandy mountains diging for other things1 who have accidentally chanced upon this ,gur or ,kur1 thinking it to be a ,lump of ,fat1 one of them carryed it home1 and anointed his shooes therewith1 but the next morning he found them over laid with a stony crust1 and the lump or mass it self converted into an hard stone1 but ,i am not ignorant that stones are otherwise generated1 the reason how1 pertains not hereunto4 ,a metal being reduced into its first matter like to ,kur1 is in the ,artificers hand to induce into it1 what form he lists1 nor can it indeed be ever meliorated unless it be first reduced to its prima materia4 ,in a solid metal1 it cannot be perceived of what parts it is compounded1 but being resolved1 it's parts are discovered1 and it being by extraction deprived of its proper ,soul1 wherein its life and whole dignity lodgeth it is no more a metal1 but resembles an unshapen brittle earth1 without metallick ,liquability1 and its whole goodness consists in a very little quantity of soul1 and starry masculine seed1 the remaining body being a dead and vile earth4 ,finally1 even this 7which ,i have mentioned in my treatise of ,potable ,gold7 sufficiently confirms that metals are also created upon the earth1 because1 that not only the solar beams being collected in various subjects become corporeal1 but even the heat of our usual fires doth likewise do the same thing which the tryals of the ,cupels abundantly testifies1 let the ,reader search and view the place4 ,nitre and other salts are evidently produced by the sun1 in a moist earth1 which thing will never be effected in a dry4 ,and the ,philosophers making mention of the melioration of metals1 have always minded inceration1 as exceeding necessary to their intention4 ,in this work1 moisture is the patient1 and heat supplys the place of an ,agent2 this is discernable in ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 there being nothing that can attain perfection1 without due moistening or endure the action of a maturating heat4 ,and by how much the thicker and fatter the water is1 by so much the fitter for a matrix1 and therein seed will more greedily and speedily stick and germinate4 ,but by how much the thinner1 it is by so much the more fit it is to be accounted for the seeds vegetation4 ,water of it self cannot be made a metal1 unless it be first impregnated with seed by the stars1 and gifted with a ,vegetating life2 which seed is the original1 the soul1 and life of all metals2 and how much the more of such seed they have1 so much the better and more fixt they necessarily are4 ,on this account ,i firmly adhere to this ,opinion1 ,that metals receive their ,soul1 ,spirit1 and ,life from the ,starrs1 as from an universal seed1 and their ,body from the ,water as an universal mother1 and derive the diversity of ,bodys1 and degrees of ,goodness according to the ,scituation1 purity or impediments thereof1 and are digged out by men 7for whose sake 7as the noblest ,creature7 all things are made7 with great greediness1 costs1 and hazards from the ,bowels of the great ,animal1 and are prepared and elaborated for their many-fold ,uses4 ,let thus much suffice as to the generation of ,metals2 but now by what means they arrive to the utmost end of perfection and ,dye1 and are hindred in their growth1 we will not pass over in silence4 ,thus therefore the ,case ,stands1 ,there is a certain time prefixt to all ,creatures1 how far they may come or protract their life1 which predestinated time if it be cut off1 and attaines not unto its scope or end1 it comes by accident and may not be imputed unto ,nature1 and this is done sundry wayes according to the various tempers of such enemies as they meet withal1 some are hurt by the cold ,air1 prohibiting their growth1 as is evident in ,metals digged from their mines or trunks and exposed to the air1 then ceasing to grow1 and were they ripe or unripe ,metals1 so remaining1 but if they get a new matrix1 then as the seed of a plant on the ,earth1 they begin again to grow and hasten towards perfection4 ,to some1 as to ,vegetables and ,animals2 the aire is the life1 of which being robbed1 they expire and ,dye4 ,the air destroys ,fish1 the water is their life1 but the death and destruction of two-footed and four-footed ,animals4 ,even as all the elements have their proper ofspring which they cherish1 so are they the destroyers of other things1 which the rise and death of ,metals clearly teacheth4 ,for as soon as ever 7being conceived in the earth7 they begin to grow1 they become partakers of a certain saltish ,nature1 as their matrix1 in which1 and by which1 they are afterwards perfected1 wherein as long as they remain uninterrupted1 they go forward1 and are bettered in quality and quantity1 but as soon as ever their contrary1 as ,aire or common ,water meets with them1 they are stopt from proceeding further in the matrix and ,dye4 ,they being 7because of this most subtle salt7 while in being1 most impatient of both viz4 ,water and ,aire4 ,now if the aire invades them1 their life1 consisting in a ,volatile salt1 is elevated and drawn back by the ,stars3 ,if water breaks in1 they dissolve and are washed away1 the matrix being destroyed by its contrary ,element1 whence 'tis that such ,metals in their primum ,ens1 lying ,embryon like1 and obnoxious even to the smallest corruption1 do perish1 and never attain to the appointed perfection by reason of such destructive accidents and injuries1 whose tender salt is gon into sulphur1 and is no more subject to the corruption of either ,water or ,aire4 ,as for those that are ,mature and perfect1 if they are not cut off from their stock being extracted out of the ,earth1 from which they have no more nutriment1 their sulphurious covering being laid aside1 the defence and safegard of their ,nature being banished1 they rightly resemble a decrepid ,old man1 whose ,radical moisture is dryed up and are dissolved and eaten up by the same ,astral ,salt1 or ,vehement ,corruscation1 from whence they did spring1 and thus are reduced unto ,nothing2 amongst which1 viz4 metals1 as well as amongst ,vegetables and ,animals1 ,nature observes a perpetual ,circulation of ,life and ,death4 ,it sometimes happens that the diggers finding a metal excavated by the ,astral salt1 like to the ,hony ,comb by the ,bees1 are accustomed to say1 that they came thither too late1 whence it is concluded that the same corruscation is the begining and end of metals4 ,tis of small moment to know who first digged up metals applying them to use2 ,adam was the first to whom ,,god revealed the ,art1 because he could not want it4 ,it seemeth certain1 that that which was by his successors discovered to ,noah1 and from him propagated unto us will undoubtedly be conserved unto the ,worlds end1 because of its great necessity and benefit4 ,but as this ,art is profitable and useful1 and noble1 so it is chargable1 costly1 and dangerous1 and also uncertain of getting gain1 but yet not to be neglected on that account1 it being an honest thing1 and pleasing to ,,god1 and managed heretofore by many ,prophets and ,kings1 and now at length1 diservedly had in great estimation by us ,christians1 because of its necessity4 ,he may well boast of earthly felicity1 to whom ,,god shall vouchsafe to give such a ,light1 of seeing by what ,artifice ,nature is to be holpen1 and that which is superfluous and adhering to vile and abject metals every where1 may be removed1 and the defect supplied2 such an one hath in very deed a rich and durable ,mine2 neither are ,ghosts1 ,inundations of ,waters1 evil ,tempests1 unwholsome ,vapours1 and other inconveniences1 that hinder from a purposed intention1 to be feared4 ,but verily man1 by reason of the continued wickedness of his ,life1 being made uncapable of this high ,art and ,science1 is compelled to get out ,metals from the ,earths bowels1 in the sweat of his brows1 and to pass over his life in cares and labours4 ,and thus ,i conclude this ,tract concerning the generation of ,metals1 and refer the ,reader1 desiring things more at large1 to the ,third ,part1 wherein is accurately taught of what property ,metals are1 how to be distinguished each from the other1 opened without corrosives1 reduced into their first matter1 and how by the benefit of art and fire1 new and better ,metals are to be generated out of that first matter4 ,likewise1 how they are to be examined by a far better way and manner than usual2 how to be purged and separated each from the other1 and also unfolding 7as far as is permitted7 a little ,book of the most expert ,philosopher ,paracelsus1 or his ,book of ,the ,vexation of ,alchymists1 whereby the honour due unto him 7though much obscured by evil slanderers7 may be again restored unto him1 and the whole world may know that he was most expert in natural things1 and wrote very faithfully1 and left unto us a large light1 though observed by a very few1 for the encreasing and propagating whereof1 and defending it against the haters of the ,light1 ,i will enter upon the ,third ,part1 for my ,neighbour's good1 for the accomplishment whereof ,i pray ,,god1 the ,creator of all things1 and the ,patron of ,truth1 mercifully to vouchsafe his assistance4 ,amen4 ,,finis4 ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,the ,mineral ,work4 ,wherein under the ,title of a ,commentary on a little ,book of ,paracelsus1 called1 ,the ,heaven of ,philosophers1 or a ,book of ,vexations1 the ,transmutation of ,metals are ,taught in general2 with an ,appendix demonstrating their particular ,process1 ,melting1 ,exploration1 ,separation1 and other necessary ,operations4 ,a ,preface to the ,reader4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,i will not conceal from thee the reason why ,i have taken upon me in this ,third ,part to explain a ,book of ,paracelsus1 called ,the heaven of ,philosophers1 lest thou should'st believe ,i wanted matter to write1 did ,i not encrease my ,book by the ,writings of other men4 ,that ,good which ,i have here decreed to write1 ,i could have done even without the admixtion of ,paracelsus's ,books1 but this properly is the cause1 because ,paracelsus in our precedent ,age1 published very many most elegant ,books for the ,publick ,good1 but obscure enough1 and for this reason are by the unskilful accounted false1 and are contemned2 but yet because they are stored with ,arcana's or ,secrets1 they are most highly to be esteemed4 ,now1 after that ,i had perceived the said ,books to be true1 ,i did very impatiently bear such sinister reports of this man1 as blazed him abroad for one ,ignorant of all things1 and a ,vagabond2 who in very deed had but a few ,equals in true ,genuine ,philosophy1 ,medicine1 and ,alchymy4 ,he did many good turns to all1 especially to the ,poor1 of which many ,testimonies are extant2 and amongst others1 that ,epitaph is to be seen1 which is in the ,hospital of ,st4 ,sebastian at ,saltsburg1 where he was buried1 and to which he bequeathed his ,goods1 and is graven in ,capital ,letters in a ,marble1 and erected in the ,wall1 the ,tenour whereof ,i my self have read1 and is thus3 ,here lies buried ,philippus ,aureolus ,paracelsus1 a famous ,doctor of ,medicine1 who by a wonderful ,art cured those direful ,diseases1 the ,leprosy1 ,gout1 ,dropsy1 and other incurable ,contagions of the ,body1 and to his honour gave and bequeathed his ,goods unto the ,poor4 ,he died in the year of our ,lord1 #aeda4 the #bdth4 of ,september4 ,and what hast thou now to say8 ,had he not been such a one as is mentioned in the ,epitaph1 the ,magistrate would not have honoured him with so eminent an ,encomium4 ,moreover1 all prudent ,lovers of ,truth do to this day believe1 that he never had his equal3 ,and although through the ,envy of some unlearned men he is despised1 yet it derogates nothing from him1 for he will still remain ,paracelsus4 ,and now1 seeing that our ,paracelsus hath hitherto undergone such bitter things1 and that none have dared to open their mouths against those slanderers1 ,i will attempt the explication and illustration of his chiefest ,books1 and prove that he was not either a ,lyer or ,impostor1 but most experienced in the light of ,nature2 and to this end will ,i begin with his ,heaven of ,philosophers3 ,i will not avow1 that he could make heaps of ,gold and ,silver1 7himself mentioning not any such thing1 but he only discovers the possibility of the thing1 which even ,i also will endeavour to declare1 although ,i am ignorant of doing it in great quantities1 which thing ,i am not greedy after7 yet 'tis my contentation to be capable of discovering truth from falshood1 and convince such as are incredulous1 having some hopes1 that by this my faithful writing1 an occasion will be administred unto others of searching after and obtaining their desired end4 ,amen4 ,the ,heaven of the ,philosophers3 ,,or1 ,a ,book of ,vexations4 ,by ,philippus ,theophrastus ,paracelsus4 ,the ,art and ,nature of ,alchymy1 and what is to be thought concerning it2 being comprehended in ,seven undoubted ,rules1 respecting the ,seven vulgar ,metals4 ,the ,,preface4 ,theophrastus ,paracelsus to all ,alchymists and ,readers of this little ,book4 ,beloved and ,expert of the ,art of ,alchymy1 and all ye who promise to your selves much ,riches and ,gains of much ,gold and ,silver1 which thing ,alchymy doth plentifully teach1 and ye 7who being occupied about these things7 would be vexed1 and cannot cease until you have experienced what it gives1 and what promises it performs2 verily1 daily ,experience teacheth1 that there is not one of a thousand that becomes ,master of his ,desire2 which ,i will not call the fault of the ,art or ,nature1 but the unskilfulness of the ,artificer4 ,wherefore ,i will not stuff this little ,book of ,alchymy with difficult ,art and tedious ,labours1 as the common ,alchymists are wont to do4 7 melt it with ,nitre and ,tartar1 of this take one ,lot1 of ,gold one ,lot1 of ,tin three drams1 of ,schlich one dram1 of ,sulphur two ,lots1 of ,vitriol two lots2 let them flow with in a ,crucible with ,arsenick47 ,because also all the signs of ,heaven1 and the characters of the ,stars and ,planets1 together with their changed and inverted terms and names1 as also the ,receptacles of the matter1 and the ,instruments of ,artificers are usually very well known2 ,it will not be needful to treat of these things anew in this ,book1 although herein are used these signs1 names1 and characters1 when it seems convenient and profitable4 ,now here is delivered another ,reason of ,alchymy1 in seven ,rules1 accommodated to the seven ,metals1 after an infallible manner1 although in ,expressions not adorned1 but undressed and simple3 ,yet1 as to the sence1 the expressions are abstruse and profound as can be2 which may deservedly be called the ,mistriss and ,summ of all ,alchymy2 from which even the mysteries of other things may be produced1 divined1 and known1 with many new ,speculations1 from whence new ,cogitations and wonderous ,operations1 do 7by examining and trying7 come forth to the ,light1 that in many places they are even1 in the ,examen or tryal it self1 found to contradict the ,pleasures of the ,philosophers4 ,likewise in this ,art nothing is more certain1 than that which is least apprehended and believed2 and this is the only fault and cause of all various ,operations in ,alchymy2 whence 'tis that many suffer loss by their own unskilfulness1 and so labour in vain1 either because there's more of the matter1 or less1 or equal weight1 whence the thing is more corrupted in operation and destroyed2 or if the thing is truly lighted on1 it is become more exalted1 and tends unto ,perfection4 ,for the way is most easie1 but is found by but very few4 ,it's also expedient1 that an ingenious man consider the ,art and certain ,rule of ,alchymy1 whether he would make something or nothing3 he ought to make a nothing1 that he may bring something unto nothing1 and that something may be again generated out of nothing2 which ,saying is incredible1 but yet most true2 ,corruption makes a good thing perfect3 ,yea1 good cannot appear1 because of his covering and hider2 good also is begun whilst 'tis hidden2 the hider ought to be removed and destroyed1 then the good being freed1 will manifestly appear in his lustre1 the ,gloss3 the hider or covering is the ,mountain1 ,sand1 ,earth1 or ,stone wherein the ,metal was generated4 ,now every visible metal is the obscurer or hider of the other six metals4 ,because therefore that by the ,element of fire ,imperfect things are corrupted1 burnt up1 and sublimed such as the five metals1 1 1 1 1 are2 but the ,perfect not at all1 viz4 the two most ,noble1 the and the 1 therefore they ought to abide even in the fire1 and to assume their body out of the other ,imperfect metals1 in which they are destroyed1 and to appear visibly2 which thing1 how it may be done1 and what helps are thereto necessary1 shall be taught in the seven ,rules1 viz4 ,what the nature and property of every metal is2 what operation he hath1 being mixt with others2 and what he can do4 ',tis also to be observed1 that these seven ,rules cannot forthwith be understood by one that is somewhat dull1 at the first reading and view1 a weak understanding cannot compass hard things4 ,hence every of these ,rules wants much search and travel4 ,some are pufft up and proud1 supposing themselves well to understand2 and these things are childish1 which are here delivered1 and they know far better1 and do plainly contemn these things of mine4 ,glaub4 ,this ,preface is of it self perspicuous1 and needs not any singular ,interpretation or ,explication1 but indeed the ,process which he mentions requires a more accurate ,observation4 ,take ,antimony1 melt it with ,tartar and ,nitre1 of this take one lot2 of ,gold one ,lot2 of ,tin three drams2 of ,schlich one dram2 of ,sulphur two lots2 of ,vitriol two lots3 let them flow with ,silver in a ,crucible with ,arsenick4 ,this is the ,process of making ,gold and ,silver1 which ,paracelsus will not have to be accounted like unto other ,processes1 of much labour and long time1 but is confident1 that by the help hereof he can get ,gold and ,silver with little labour1 time1 and costs4 ',tis not to be doubted1 but that this hath been tryed by thousands1 and frustrated the hope of such as laboured thereabouts2 and that not without cause1 they imagining that these are foolish ingredients to be taken for such work2 my self have heard many of those that have made trial1 to be very much displeased3 ,by what means can gold and silver be made by volatile and preying ravenous things1 such as 1 ,vitriol1 ,sulphur1 ,arsenick are1 which do not only yield from themselves no ,gold or ,silver1 but even corrupt them1 and bring them to fume1 or at the least turn them to ,scoria2 my self trying this when ,i had blown them altogether1 ,i found that these metalline species1 as ,schlich1 ,vitriol1 ,sulphur1 and ,arsenick did1 corrupt the ,sun and ,moon1 spoiling of its metalline form1 and transmuted it into ,scoria or dross4 ,but now this is the thing which ,paracelsus requires and aims at1 and therefore should not by any means hinder or deterr us2 he presently1 for the better explication of his meaning1 adds1 ,something ought to be made a ,nothing2 and again1 the ,nothing to be made ,something2 which thing the unskilful doth not heed or believe1 that ,metals being corrupted and made ,scoria1 when by the benefit of ,art they are reduced1 are by this means meliorated2 which albeit it be most true1 yet are they but a very few 7as he saith7 who believe it to be true3 and he confirms the whole process throughout the ,chapter1 even to the ,chapter of 1 and explains it1 saying1 ,corruption makes a good thing perfect4 ,the ,good cannot appear by reason of its covering4 ,the hider or veil must be taken away1 that the ,good may be freed and become conspicuous2 that also the first covering1 under which metals are hidden1 and wherein they are generated1 is a ,mountain1 ,sand1 ,stone1 or ,earth1 all which are to be separated by fusion1 that the metals may become pure4 ,here the ,metallurgist desists1 and is clearly ignorant of any other covering4 ,but ,paracelsus addeth1 ,that each metal is a hider of the other metals1 which thing the ,seven ,rules do largely demonstrate1 and adviseth the ,chymist not to rest satisfied1 when he hath gotten from the ,mines a vendible metal1 as 1 1 1 1 melted from the dross1 but to consult further with natural ,philosophy1 and to examin whether or no these are pure enough1 without any adhering and deteriorating veil4 ,how great the difference is betwixt a rude and a vile ,mineral 7where the metal is largely dispers'd and commixt with much stony matter and other impurities7 and a tractable metal faithfully separated1 is well known4 ,so much1 and more1 is the difference betwixt a vulgar and imperfect metal1 and the ,gold and ,silver which it contains shut up in its bowels4 ,but because the melting of metals out of their mines is1 by reason of its long use1 grown vile1 and not esteemed an ,art1 but a ,trade1 and every where exercised1 without any ones admiration2 yet in its beginning1 before it became so commonly known1 it was worthily accompted a deep ,secret1 although now disrespected4 ,we may not doubt1 but that even yet another veil adheres to metals1 and may with as much facility be removed2 and its inward1 pure1 and fixt center1 ,gold and ,silver be melted out and separated1 if the way were but known4 ,but because men do not bestow any further ,labour and ,industry in searching1 and the use of vulgar metals is highly necessary1 we rest contented1 in that metals once melted from their mines become malleable1 and fitted for the use of man3 ,nor is this unadvisedly done1 for the life of man can as little want ,iron1 1 1 and ,lead1 as it can gold and silver4 ,paracelsus teacheth1 ,that imperfect metals are corrupted and brought into a nothing1 by the force of fire2 which they cannot sustain or bear2 but their good parts1 ,gold and ,silver1 cannot be destroyed1 but in the great strait and force of fire do come together out of the imperfect metals1 and mutually defend each other1 the impure portion being burnt up and removed4 ,now then1 that the species and ingredients of this process may be understood1 something must be mentioned by us thereabouts4 ,thus then 'tis written2 4 melt it with ,nitre and ,tartar1 of this take one lot2 'tis to be noted that you are not to take the lot of the whole molten mass1 but of one of the two1 either the upper part being the ,scoria1 or inferiour or lower being the ,regulus1 which this flowing mixture sends downward4 ,but which it is1 it cannot be perceived by the words2 yet because ,paracelsus's intention here is to destroy gold and silver by the admixtion of the aforesaid ingredients1 and to bring them to nothing1 out of which nothing the destroyed augmentation of the sun may be afterwards by some additament1 obtained1 in reducing it1 it seems probable to think that the ,scoria of the mixture is not to be taken1 but the ,regulus1 which hath ,ingress into ,tin1 ,arsenick1 and ,schlich1 and unites them with gold and silver1 for it is the ,property of the ,regulus1 to unite conjoin contrary ,metals and ,minerals4 ,tin is joined with malleable metals1 and melted and suffers the fire with them1 brings them into ,scoria1 the which thing ,sulphur1 ,vitriol1 and ,schlich1 also perform1 and are here used by ,paracelsus for no other end than to corrupt the sun and moon1 and bring them into ,scoria4 ,but what schlich 7,schlich7 this is1 because no proper name of ,gold1 1 1 1 1 or 1 is added1 no body can easily tell1 for this is called schlecht by ,chymists and ,metallurgists when they take a ,mineral excellently well ground1 and washed with water1 thereby separating the mineral or the rubish and stone1 the heavyer1 and more noble part of the metal remaining in the bottom of the vessel1 which examining they thereby ,conjecture the value of the metal or mineral3 this labour they call a bringing into ,schlich1 or also ,secher1 and because all metals may be reduced into schlichs or calx1 this word ,schlich or ,calx may suit with all metals1 or else it may be that most small dust or powder in polishing mills1 7,schleiff-muhleu7 where various ,iron ,instruments1 ,swords1 ,brest-plates1 and other ,arms are ,polished1 and which is wont to be under the grinding stone in deep guttars destinated to that purpose1 or gathered in wooden vessels1 and sold to such as dy black cloaths1 and is called calx or ,schlich4 ,but now whether or no1 he means this or the calx of any other metal1 it is uncertain1 nor doth it much concern2 for the ,sun and may be reduced into a nothing without any of these ,calces1 and may be again augmented1 and brought into something1 as you shall see in the following ,chapters of the ,transmutation of metals4 ,vain was their expectation who thought to turn all these speices1 thus blown together1 into ,gold and ,silver1 but yet could not get any other thing than a yellow1 or spadiceous ,scoria contrary to their hopes but the ,corruscation 7,blief7 is most blessed and gladsome1 if any one can get by reduction from a destroyed metal brought into ,scoria1 a most noble one and better than heretofore it was4 ,but this destruction and reduction is not uniform1 but is perfected many several ways as the following ,chapters teach4 ,the ,first ,rule4 ,of the ,nature and ,property of ,mercury4 ,all things are absconded and hidden in all things1 but of all things there is one which is a coverer or hider of the rest1 and is a ,corporeal ,body1 ,external1 ,visible1 ,moveable3 all fluxes are manifest in this vessel1 for this vessel is a ,corporeal ,spirit1 and therefore all ,coagulations1 and ,consistences are captivated and shut up therein being overcome by its flux compassed about and strengthened thereby1 what this flux is1 its cause and name what it is called1 cannot be found1 because there is no heat which may be therewith compared4 ,the burning of the ,gehennal ,fire may be likened thereunto1 on which account this ,flux hath nothing at all of ,community or ,affinity with other fluxes1 which are melted by the heat of common fire1 and become hard and coagulated by natural cold4 ,these fluxings or meltings cannot thus operate with 1 they are too weak1 he values them not2 hence 'tis to be observed1 that the mortal ,virtues of the four ,elements have no ingressive ,operations upon the ,clestial ,virtues1 which ,virtues we also call ,quintessence1 because ,elements cannot either give unto1 or take any thing from this ,quintessence2 the ,clestial or ,infernal ,virtue cares not for the four ,elements4 ,hence note1 ,that none of the ,elements1 nor any ,elementary thing1 be it dry or moist1 hot or cold1 none of these can do any thing against that ,quintessential ,virtue1 but each hath its operation and efficacy for it self apart4 ,glaub4 ,in this ,chapter or first ,rule of 1 ,paracelsus useth succinct but yet perspicuous words1 saying1 that the fluidity of ,mercury ariseth not from the four corruptible ,elements1 but from the ,quintessence1 and therefore hath not any affinity with these ,elementary fluxings and meltings4 ,now1 what this ,quintessence properly is1 which ,paracelsus here mentions1 much might be spoken1 but 'tis not so convenient at this time1 my self and other ,philosophers have largely treated thereof1 and therefore speak not of it now4 ,this only ,i add over and above1 ,that ,paracelsus will have the ,quintessence to be a thing not subject to the four ,elements1 but permanent and incorruptible1 whereby he gives to understand1 ,that seeing 'tis so1 that the fluidity of ,mercury hath its originality from the ,quintessence1 and not elementary ,fire1 so its coagulation is in like manner to be made by the ,quintessence and not by the elementary ,fires1 be they hot or cold4 ,but now1 what that ,quintessence is1 that coagulates ,mercury1 and transmutes him into ,gold or ,silver1 it may be easily conjectured1 that it is not to be sought for out of ,vegetables and ,animals1 but to be extracted out of ,metals1 and ought to be much more pure1 fixt1 and meltable than they are4 ,many are the things which ,paracelsus hath written of this ,quintessence1 attributing great ,virtues thereunto2 he that desires it1 may read thereof in his ,writings4 ,likewise many ,philosophers affirm it to be a thing reduced by the benefit of ,art into the purest and highest substance4 ,which name of ,quintessence1 some there are that attribute unto that ,tincture1 wherewith perfections are wont to be made4 ,by which it is evident1 ,that by the name of ,quintessence is alwaies understood the most pure1 the best1 and the most powerful part of a thing4 ,but be it what it will be1 'tis clear1 ,that ,mercury is a wonderful subject1 nor is to be coagulated and fixed so easily1 as many have falsly believed1 and tryed the contrary to their great loss4 ,many are the ,coals which have been vainly consumed about his fixation1 and are consumed1 although alwaies in vain2 my self have also1 though not often1 handled him with a great deal of tediousness1 which although not permanently fixt1 yet observing therein many singular things1 of which ,i count it expedient to relate something4 ,in him is a most great power and virtue1 most friendly to ,metals2 he is easily mixed with the purest ,metals1 and most difficultly with the impure2 which denotes him to be of a most pure nature3 ,and now1 if he come to be fixed1 ,i could demonstrate1 if need were1 by indubitable reasons1 that a thing more pure than ,gold would flow therefrom4 ,it alwaies produceth something as often as it is added to ,metals1 and constrained to undergo some fire1 helping them evidently1 even whilst it is in its ,volatility2 what then would it do1 if being therewith fixed1 it were along while melted with them in the ,fire8 ,this ,i add for the better ,lights sake4 ,when ,i was in my youthful days1 and saw many attempting to fix ,mercury with ,gold and ,silver1 by ,amalgamation1 ,sublimation1 ,coagulation1 ,precipitation1 and other ,labours of that kind1 to transmute it into ,gold and ,silver2 my self also attempted somewhat about him1 by the advice of ,paracelsus's ,sayings1 ,that in ,saturn its ,coagulation is to be found4 ,on this account ,i melted in a little ,crucible #f or #g parts of ,lead1 and added one part of ,mercury2 this ,i put into another ,crucible where ,nitre did flow1 that it might be covered over thereby2 in the mean while ,i melted the glass of 1 7being made of #d parts of ,minium1 and one part of ,flints7 in a greater ,crucible1 whereto ,i put the two former ,crucibles heated to be covered by the glass4 ,these three ,i again sunk into a new ,crucible flowing with the glass of 1 thinking that ,i should this way keep in the volatile ,guest1 having now shut up ,mercury in so many walls1 ,i put him to the fire1 intending to fix him1 and then indeed he sustained it1 not being able to break through2 but increasing my fire1 and the ,glass melting with ,nitre1 away he goes leaving an empty nest1 and left 's weight whole and perfect1 which having examined1 it yielded a grain of ,silver heavier than the common which ,i believed to be ,mercury fixt and coagulated1 but reiterating that labour1 ,i found it to be otherways1 viz4 that the ,mercury was not it self fixed1 but flown away1 but yet by his occult power penetrated and meliorated the lead1 that it afforded a little silver2 also the whole mass of lead was hereby made black1 and hardened like tin1 whereby ,i perceived1 that ,mercury being a pure1 meer fiery spirit1 is most impatient of the ,fire1 and cannot be fixed without a ,quintessence4 ,but thus much indeed it can do1 if being joined with other metals1 it can be so long held1 as to endure the ,fire2 although it presently vanisheth away1 it doth in a manner change them1 not by bettering them1 but stirring them up by its penetration1 that they may mutually act each upon the other1 and receive a meliorating faculty1 although without any great profit1 as far as ,i know1 but ,i only intend to discover its possibility1 its miraculous and almost unsearchable power1 for it may deservedly be esteemed a ,miracle of ,nature4 ,it is a meer invisible ,fire2 albeit such as are ignorant account it cold1 and by ,art it may be made far more fiery and volatile2 which ,i sometimes have tryed1 where being often injected into a vehement fire1 again and again1 and received in ,glasses1 it hath elevated it self without any fire1 and gone away into its own ,chaos4 ,in a word1 many men have accomplished prodigious things with ,mercury1 but all of them without any fruit2 of which more shall be spoken in its place4 ,the ,second ,rule4 ,of ,jupiter and his ,nature4 ,whatsoever thing is manifest1 7as the ,body of ,jupiter for example7 the six other ,corporeal ,metals are therein hidden spiritually1 and one more profound and remote than another4 ,jupiter partakes not of the quintessence1 but of the nature of the four ,elements1 therefore his fluidity is manifested by a little heat of the ,fire1 and his coagulation in like sort perfected by a little cold1 and hath communion with the rest of the metalline ,fluxes4 ,wherefore by how much one thing is in nature like to another1 by so much the readier is it united thereunto1 if they mutually touch one another2 that also which is nigh1 is more efficacious and sensible2 for that which is afar off1 doth not enforce1 nor is that which is remote1 how great soever it be1 much feared4 ,hence 'tis that heaven is not desired1 because 'tis far distant1 nor seen by any one2 neither is hell feared1 because it is far off1 whose form none hath known and seen1 nor felt the ,torment1 and therefore 'tis valued as nothing4 ,those things then that are absent1 are little regarded1 or plainly rejected1 being constituted in a thick place1 for by the property of the place every thing is deteriorated or meliorated2 which thing may be proved by many ,examples4 ,by how much therefore ,jupiter is farther off from and 1 and nigher to the ,sun and ,moon1 by so much the more ,golden or ,silver-like is he in his own body1 and seems more great1 potent1 pellucid1 sensible1 more fair1 pleasant1 notable1 palpable1 more true and more certain than elongated1 or at a distance4 ,on the contrary1 by how much the more he is elongated1 by so much the more vile and abject he is in the matters aforesaid3 for things present are alwaies more notable than those which are absent3 by how much any thing visible is nearer1 by so much a thing invisible is more remote4 ,therefore it behoves the ,alchymist to study how he may place ,jupiter in a spiritual ,arcanum and remote place1 in which are ,sol and ,luna2 and that he may take ,sol and ,luna from far1 and bring them near1 into a place where ,jupiter existeth corporally1 so that the ,sol and ,luna may also be corporal and truly present before his eyes in the ,examen4 ,for there are various labours and modes of transmuting metals from their imperfection1 into a perfect state4 ,to mix one with another1 and again to separate the one from the other pure and sincere1 is nothing else but a genuine permutation made by the labour of ,alchymy4 ,note1 that ,jupiter hath much ,gold1 and not a little ,silver4 ,put to him ,saturn and ,luna1 and the ,luna will be augmented by the rest4 ,glaub4 ,although ,i do not certainly know the reason why ,paracelsus beginning with ,mercury1 passeth next to ,jupiter2 nevertheless it is very probable that he would thereby point at some singular ,mystery4 ,here he repeateth the former sentence1 saying1 ,every visible metal hideth in it self the rest invisibly1 from which if we would reap any good1 their invisible and spiritual ,gold is to be taken and brought near1 or to be visible2 and on the contrary1 the visible to be removed afar off and made invisible4 ,but how this ought to be done he doth not teach1 but leaves the ,reader to search it out in his seven ,canons or ,rules1 which are very difficult to be understood not only by a rude ,tyro1 but even by one well exercised3 ,and seeing that not one in a thousand understands them1 it is no wonder that his ,writings have been had in ,contempt4 ,without doubt he aimed at our good1 supposing he had written very clearly1 and directed his speech in such a manner1 as if he had to do with one that is skilful in the metalline nature1 without having any respect to the common blindness and ignorance1 whereby he received great thanks1 and was highly esteemed of by all4 ,but what shall we say or do8 ',tis bad meeting with wicked proud men1 as thou most clearly writest2 yet because the unexercised1 if they have even once erred1 they wrack and abuse the ,writer with meer slanders3 ,hence it comes to pass1 that many desire rather to be silent1 and leave unto fools their own toys and vanities3 ,but the ,case being with more accurate examination considered1 it seemeth evil to be revenged on the ,innocent as well as the ,guilty4 ,as for ,tin1 if thou searchest into its nature and property1 it is a pure 7compared with the other metals7 unripe metal1 abounding with very much combustible ,sulphur1 whereby it obtains its liquifaction and corruption in the fire3 which being removed 7and it may be done with a gentle fire7 it loseth its metalline fluidity1 and very much resembles unmelted ashes1 whereto if you add another sulphur1 whereby that ashes may turn into a metal2 and again convertest it into ashes1 repeating this labour until all its combustible sulphur being burnt up1 it refuseth to go into ashes1 by ,calcination1 and then melt it1 'twill easily give forth its gold and silver in the trial 7im abtreiben47 ,now1 in the being mixt with ,lead1 it causeth a strife in a strong ,fire1 and getting uppermost1 turns into ashes1 that is to be imputed to the combustible sulphur1 whereby it so being melted with ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper and ,iron1 it makes them brittle like to ,glass1 but being dispelled of that ,sulphur1 by roasting or calcining by ,incineration or ,cementation1 or any other way1 it doth not any more make them brittle 7which thing to do is full of difficulty7 but is melted with them1 and most easily separated with1 ,venus 7last sich sehgern7 she knowing how by her kind and flattering words to perswade the two old men and 1 mutually to abide each other in the fire2 ,gold and ,silver will also do the same thing2 but because they are precious and easily flow out of the ,crucible1 and the ,work may perish1 it is sufficient to use 1 which also will give from it self its own hidden ,gold and ,silver1 and not to take these metals which are purified with great labour1 and drown them afresh in impure metals1 and destroy them4 ,there are also other waies of purging 1 from his superfluous sulphur1 viz4 a ,nitrous fire4 ,if filed 1 being mixt with ,nitre1 ,sulphur1 ,sawdust1 be kindled1 part of the tin is elevated up into flores1 and a part remains reducible in a strong fire1 which is to be so often handled the aforesaid way1 till all the substance be reduced1 into flores and ashes1 the metallick form and nature being most plainly destroyed2 after this1 let the flores be gathered out of the ,receivers1 and the ashes elixiviated or washed1 and by the help of a good ,flux be reduced into a metal1 which is to be again filed1 sublimed1 and burnt1 as before1 until all the ,tin remains like ,scoria1 and will not sublime2 which being melted with ,lead and separated1 7mit ,blen amstieden und abtreiben7 thou shalt find gold and silver shut up in its bowels4 ,likewise pour fixed ,nitre 7the liquor of it7 on the filings of ,tin1 digest it its time1 supply the evaporating moisture with new ,liquor1 that it may be alwaies moist1 but yet let it not be too wet1 but like thick water4 ,this ,liquor dissolves and takes away the combustible sulphur of the ,tin1 and fixeth that which is incombustible1 and makes it capable of enduring the fire2 so that being melted with ,lead1 and purged 7aensieden und abtreiben7 it yields its gold and silver4 ,another separation is thus instituted2 ,reduce ,tin with common or ,regulus1 j4 into ,glass or ,amausa1 which keep a good while in ,flux in a strong fire1 7forget not the inceration of ,nitre or salt of ,tartar7 by which labour the purer parts of the being gathered together1 do give a ,regulus1 the impurer parts separating themselves with the ,lead and ,salt into ,scoria1 the ,regulus being purged 7abgetieben7 thou shalt have the fixed gold and silver in the ,cupel4 ,but 'tis to be known1 that these ,operations may be done without ,copper1 but yet will yield more and if ,copper be added2 not only for that the it self gives forth its and 1 but because ,tin of it self1 without the admixtion of 1 doth not willingly let go its own and 4 ,but in seeking of shelter amongst its own 1 and withdrawing it self to the ,scoria1 is there hidden 7the ,labour being finished7 the ,scoria can no more attract it into it self4 therefore is as it were a ,receptacle1 wherein the ,sun and ,moon collected and separated out of the mass1 can defend and hide it self1 and is by ,chymists called a ,bath or ,balneum4 ,in the #dth4 ,chapter1 which treats of 1 a more large account is given of this labour of metalline ,glass4 ,moreover gold and silver may be separated out of tin in this wise4 ,melt common ,lead in a ,test 7treib scherben7 under a ,muffle 7een muffel7 and being throughly hot1 cast in a little 1 and it will incontinently have ,ingress1 but will forthwith ascend and kindle like burning sparks and go into ashes2 which must be taken off with a crooked ,instrument1 and more new ,tin put in2 which being burnt1 let it be taken out4 ,repeat this labour so long1 till all the ,lead be devoured as it were by the ,tin4 ,put these ashes on a ,test1 under a ,muffle1 and let them be yet well heated by the fire for an hour2 so that if any grains of remain1 they may be made ashes1 and the calcined ashes of the tin may be the better fixed4 ,reduce these ashes1 and 'twill become a metal1 which let be again made ashes upon a ,test2 repeat this labour1 until in reduction it refuseth to go into a metal1 but remains a ,scoria and a metal destroyed2 which put into an excellent ,crucible1 and by a ,flux made of ,tartar and ,nitre1 let it melt its due time1 and the fixed ,tin1 together with part of the ,lead1 will go to the bottom into a ,regulus2 which being washed 7abgetrieben7 makes manifest the gold and silver hid in the ,tin on the ,test4 ,this ,labour is neat1 easie1 and but of small charge1 especially where wood and coals are cheap1 the ,scoria1 from which the ,regulus is separated1 is not to be thrown away1 but kept for other uses1 of which we shall presently speak4 ,now he that promiseth ,gain unto himself from this small work on a ,test1 is deceived1 because hereby is only found how much and is contained in an hundred weight of 1 and what costs are expended in its melting1 whereby may be computed what gains may be expected every day1 nor indeed is this work 7thus done under a muffle7 so profitably accomplished1 as 'tis in greater ,furnaces1 where being a greater heat of fire1 a more plentiful gain is promised4 ,and although because of many various ,imployments my self never tryed1 yet ,i will briefly delineate and describe how a large ,return may be made1 according to ,calculation1 computed by a smaller quantity4 ,an hundred of ,tin requires #aj or #ab ,c4 of 2 7the work being wisely handled7 the price of the ,lead1 1 ,coals and ,labour1 being summed up1 and being substracted from the 1 there seems to remain but a very little to defray the charges4 ,but if you look thereinto a little more narrowly1 you will find a recompence and benefit arising thence1 not to be despised1 especially if you use ,lead impregnated with 1 which by reason of not considering the benefit and gain1 remains unseparated therefrom4 ,likewise you may use a golden 1 such being often found as contains as much as the costs2 and you may also meet with 1 which contains as much as the ,lead is worth1 but not separated by the ,refiners1 because they are ignorant of this separation1 which by the usual way cannot be separated with profit3 and that your ,labour may be the more beneficial1 you may add to your some golden or silver stones and minerals1 as ,marcasites1 1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and various ,pyrites or ,kisij 7which because of the small quantity of their included 1 are never wont to be melted7 let them be scorified1 which yielding also their gold and silver1 do bring in a greater profit2 but especially if these ,minerals having been first melted with ,copper1 are by the benefit of ,iron 7or melted with ,iron7 brought into ,regulus1 and their ,gold reduced to a narrow compass1 which ,regulus being thrown into the ,lead1 together with the ,tin1 let be made into ,scoria1 and then their is gotten without much charge1 and is depurated by the ,tin4 ,but now1 if you would have this separation profitable1 it is not to be done in ,crucibles1 but in well compact ,furnaces or ,hearths1 whereon the bright flames running1 let your metals be throughly heated or calcined1 and your ,calcination1 ,incineration1 or ,annihilation being accomplished1 let ,reduction be made in an acute ,furnace1 7im ,stichofen17 of which thing my time permits me not to give any larger account2 its sufficient to have experienced the truth thereof in a lesser quantity2 any one may try his fortune in ,metallick ,operations4 ,now1 although there are more waies of separating and from 1 yet what ,i have already declared seems sufficient for this time2 the following ,chapters1 wherein the nature of the other metals is treated of1 will manifestly open what ,i have decreed to discover concerning them4 ,the ,third ,rule4 ,of ,mars and his ,property4 ,the six hid ,metals have thrust out1 or expelled the seventh from them1 and made him ,corporeal1 leaving unto him lowest ,dignity1 and imposing on him the most thick hardness and labour4 ,in this body have they manifested their whole strength1 and hardness of ,coagulation to be1 shutting up1 or keeping inward1 their ,colours and ,nobility1 with their ,fluidity4 ',tis hard and full of ,labour1 to make a ,prince or ,king of a ,peasant1 or common ,fellow3 ,but by his ,vertue1 obtains ,honour1 and gets up into the high ,throne of the ,king3 ,but 'tis expedient1 that care be used1 least hastily posting forward1 he be taken4 ,it is to be considered by what ,art may be promoted to the ,throne2 but the and put in the place of with 4 ,glaub4 ,we are come now to ,mars in order1 it being the #c;d4 according to the ,compute also of the ,astronomers1 descending from above4 ,now ,paracelsus doth not attribute the first place to 1 as the ,astronomers do1 but to 2 and haply1 not without great ,cause1 hinting hereby some singular thing4 ,he goes on1 and says ,mars is rude1 sharp1 and thick1 because the other ,metals have cast out their most ignoble1 and basest part upon him1 which thing experience testifies3 ,he is composed of hard knotty ,timber1 and hath in him but little good2 he is sharp and churlish1 and not at all to be compared to gentle1 tender1 and noble 2 but if he be once freed from his knottiness1 which is hard to do1 and render'd tractable1 he shews his ,virtue1 and discovers himself also to be a partaker of the ,royal ,blood4 ,paracelsus adds1 that can take away his knots1 and elevate him to an higher degree1 although the ,astronomers are very much displeas'd with the ,conjunction of these two1 as being the ,author of all evil1 and have therefore inserted peace-making1 and benign ,jupiter in the middle4 ,now that ,lame ,saturn may polish and make crabbed smooth1 ,paracelsus tells you that there's need of ,caution1 lest by over hastiness1 he bring loss upon himself4 ,he stoutly resists1 nor doth he easily yield1 but rather busily contrives how to captivate and destroy others2 yet ,paracelsus mentions its possibility2 whose ,reasons1 ,way1 or ,manner1 we will briefly illustrate4 indeed is by ,birth1 fitted to wash the other imperfect ,metals1 and to purge them from their superfluous ,sulphur1 if any good doth accidentally adhere unto them1 but knows not how to remove their radical1 and innate ,impurity2 and that it is not alone sufficient for this thing1 the trial of the ,test witnesseth2 for although you add ,iron to 1 to be separated upon the ,cupel2 7,abgehen ,lassen7 yet hath it no sincere ingress into 2 but if it be so far brought by great labour1 it doth not remain1 but speedily separates to the ,superficies1 like ,scoria1 and leaves nothing with the ,lead1 but what was accidentally in it1 himself withdrawing with his whole power1 and native goodness2 ,tin also doth the same2 but ,copper albeit it swims not upon the ,lead1 nor goes away1 yet it is not therewith radically joined1 but being reduced with the ,lead1 into ,liquable ,scoria1 descends into the porous ,ashes1 of which we have accurately treated in the ,fourth ,part of our ,furnaces1 and in the ,appendix4 ,lead is not therefore the true washing of ,metals1 but that it may so become1 'tis clear that it must be aptly prepared2 and if you do more exactly contemplate on the thing1 you'll find it very rational2 for by what means can the most liquable of all the ,metals1 freely copulate with 1 which is the hardest3 ,indeed 'tis true1 that they enter each into the other by mutual fusion2 but 'tis forcedly and superficially1 not radically2 as if one boils ,water1 mixt with ,meal1 into a ,pulse2 the ,water thickens1 the ,flour moistens2 yet neither entring into the other1 radically2 but the ,water getting into the ,pores of the ,meal1 or ,flour1 makes it ,pap3 ,in the same manner is it with and 1 they are indeed mixt2 but cannot equally sustain the violence of the ,fire4 doth not alter his breeding or wit2 but in the melting together1 remain an hard1 and not easily melted ,metal2 nor is the humidity and liquability of the ,lead hereby corrected2 for although they are become one ,mass1 yet each keeps his old ,condition3 but if they are so order'd1 that both of them may undergoe the same ,fire2 then the ,iron will yield1 and deliver his ,gold unto the ,lead1 and his warm ,volatile ,sulphur maturates the ,silver1 lying hid in the ,lead2 exalts it1 and makes it corporeal1 that each bestows on the other1 his ,goodness and ,virtue2 each supplies the others defects1 and both are perfected2 for although hard crabbed be made flow with liquid and combustible ,sulphur1 or a ,sulphureous ,mineral1 as 1 ,arsenick1 or ,auripigment2 yet is not any transmutation made1 each remaining in his own ,nature1 without alteration2 like as being reduced into ,amalgama1 with or 1 makes no solution1 only adheres unto the ,gold1 and easily separates therefrom1 leaving the ,gold to himself3 ,but if any one know how to conjoin1 and with ,mercury radically1 they would not forsake one the other2 but would perfect themselves mutually in a strong ,fire2 so would the other ,metals too1 were they but radically commixt4 ,some one may ask1 what is this radical or spiritual ,commixtion of the ,metals1 and what ,i understand thereby8 for ,answer1 ,they are to be so united with an implanted ,love1 that they freely join together1 and so remain equally1 enduring prosperity and adversity2 and neither of them discernible from the other1 that they penetrate the shut ,gates1 and thick ,walls1 without any obstacle2 that the ,volatile exhales not in the ,fire3 that which is liquable1 separates not from what is illiquable2 thereby penetrating the ,vessel1 leaving behind it1 the more fixt1 or rougher part1 in the form of ,scoria3 ,but thou mayst demand by what means ,i spiritualize the ,metals1 and radically conjoin them2 what1 must they first be dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 or other corrosive ,spirits1 and be distilled by an ,alembick1 that they may become ,volatile8 ,no1 ,i mean not any of this2 this kind of spiritualization is a meer deceitful1 and cheating ,labour1 hindering many thousands1 which otherwise would be nigher to the ,truth3 ,all the ,philosophers disswade you therefrom1 that you do not torment the ,metals with sharp spirits1 whereby instead of being perfected1 they are corrupted and mortifyed radically4 ',tis madness to pour more ,water into any one that is suffocated with ,water1 thereby to restore him to ,life2 this is to put the ,bridle on the ,horse's ,tail4 ,now 'tis evident1 that the superfluity in imperfect ,metals1 is their combustible and corrosive ,sulphur2 and by how much1 the more imperfect and base they are1 so much the more of a combustible ,sulphur do they possess3 an evident ,testimony1 of which we have in ,iron1 or 3 ',tis only his acid ,sulphur that deprives him of every degree of dignity1 which gross1 acid1 and vitriolated ,sulphur1 did he not so much abound withal1 he would not contract ,rust so easily2 and by the attractive ,moisture be so soon corrupted3 and were he not so quickly rusty1 he would be put to better uses1 than now he is4 ,but you may object1 that you cannot conceive1 how he can have such a corrosive ,sulphur1 whence should it happen to him1 for the ,mineral1 and ,stones1 whence he is extracted1 do not appear to be impregnated with such a ,sulphur2 whence comes it therefore to be in him8 ,besides1 if the ,mineral did partake of such a ,sulphur1 surely it would never abide a ,fire so violent1 but it would be driven away4 ,my ,friend1 thou dost not at all understand the ,nature of ,metals1 and for what end it was1 that ,nature left such a ,sulphur in ,iron1 and the other imperfect ,metals2 for it is a ,nutriment unto their better ,parts1 being like an ,embryo1 and as it were1 a ,covering or a ,matrix1 in which a noble ,child is maturated1 and is 7after the ripeness of the pure ,metal7 thence excluded4 ,for ,natures intention was not1 that ,iron should be but ,iron1 but rather ,gold2 but the digger not willing to wait so long1 and knowing the manifold uses of ,iron1 allows not time for it to become ,gold1 just like the ,fisher-man 7who catching a very small ,fish1 and the ,fish desiring to return into the ,water1 until being grown bigger1 he might the better fill the ,platter7 said1 nay1 but ,i will hold thee1 as thou art1 for 'tis uncertain1 whether or no1 being grown bigger1 thou mayst then be found4 ,just thus doth the ,miner do1 he waits not the ,irons becoming ,gold1 but puts it to its present use4 ',tis commonly known1 that there is abundance of corrosive ,salt therein1 which is not combustible in melting ,fire1 neither needs it any further demonstration2 it having been also treated of in the ,annotations of my ,appendix3 and that thou mayst see that a ,metal can preserve1 and keep its volatile combustible ,sulphur in a melting ,furnace1 ,i will expound it somewhat clearer3 ,gold having already obtained its perfection 7it being a mature product7 ,nature hath separated this combustible ,sulphur1 or acid volatile ,salt therefrom2 because it needs it not for any further nutriment3 neither would it hold it1 if it should be put unto it1 but thrusts it from it in the ,fire1 and hath no affinity therewith1 as the other imperfect ,metals have4 ,now ,luna although it be not so compleatly perfect as ,sol2 yet1 'tis more perfect than the others1 and hath notwithstanding1 a ,commerce with this sulphureous ,salt2 yea1 so as to hold common ,sulphur a very long while in a great heat1 which we shall declare anon in the separation of ,metals2 and if 7which is almost a ripe ,metal7 doth thus1 questionless the other more imperfect ones will do it more willingly2 which thing1 that you may be the more assured of1 incorporate a sulphureous ,salt with any ,metal1 and continue it in a great heat2 and after a few hours you shall see that your ,metal will hold that ,sulphur1 and defend it against the force of ,fire2 but if a ,metal be in some sort freed from this sulphureous ,salt by a melting ,fire1 it doth again receive and hold it2 ,will it not therefore hold its own1 wherein it was born and from whence it came forth4 excells them all as to this1 being not only a friend to sulphureous and corrosive ,salts1 but also to ,vrinous which 7when it cannot have acid salts7 it doth by a magnetick power attract and defend these in the fire4 ,for example2 mix the filings of with ,nitre and salt of ,tartar1 and these salts1 in a melting ,fire1 will be fixed with 1 and resists the ,fire4 ,which thing is most worthy observation1 and by no means to be neglected4 ,but to return to my former purpose of demonstrating1 that ,imperfect ,metals are not only1 not bettered by corrosive salts and spirits1 but are rather corrupted3 ,daily experience doth prove it before the eyes1 that all such as have used corrosive spirits in their bettering of metals1 have done no good at all therewith1 but have1 to their hurt1 lost both their time and labour3 whereas those that have used other menstruums that are not corrosive1 have profited more therefrom1 and have seen more than they have sought2 such as those are in a way tending to dissolve metals without corrosives2 to make them spiritual1 and radically to unite them1 that they may mutually act in1 and sustain or undergo the ,fire alike1 and may co-operate to purity and perfection1 and may ennoble themselves4 ,of which ,spiritualization more shall be spoken in the ,sixth ,chapter1 where ,paracelsus also treats thereof4 ,this therefore do ,i affirm of 1 that he must be handled with such menstruums as are not only not corrosive1 but contrary to ,corrosives1 and such as mollify and separate those ,corrosives which the ,metals hold in fusion1 that so for the time to come they may attract no more any moisture1 and thereby contract ,rust1 and be corrupted2 but may be rather able to preserve and defend themselves against ,corrosives and combustible ,sulphur4 ,but let none think1 that being by this ,antidote freed from its thick1 earthy1 and combustible1 and corrosive sulphur1 will be wholly turned into 1 for 'tis the smallest part of that is good3 by how much the is more noble than common 1 by so much is the 1 from whence the ,sol is separated more vild than other ,iron1 and the remainder is nothing else but a most vild ,earth or ,scoria1 void of all metallick fusion4 ,the milk of a ,cow or another ,animal1 if unmixt with water1 is good milk2 but yet 'tis far inferiour in goodness to pure1 good1 well-wrought ,butter2 and by how much milk is more vild than butter1 by so much is the whey and acid milk from whence the ,cream is separated1 more vild than that which is sweet and abounds with ,cream4 ,if generous wine be spoiled of its spirit most sweet and most excellent1 by the benefit of ,destillation1 one part of that is better than #ab parts of wine out of which it was extracted2 the remainder cannot be wine any more1 but is much inferiour to good wine1 as wine is to the spirit4 ,the like is it with ,metals1 which being deprived of their soul1 whereby they obtained a metallick form1 they can no more be malleable ,metals4 ,therefore 'tis good to consider whether or no in the separation of out of the ,imperfect metals1 it will be answerable 7in value7 to the metal1 and other ,expences necessary about extracting it2 but now1 if you know how to apply the residue of the ,metal to other uses1 you may with the more confidence attempt the separation4 ,but to return to the words of ,paracelsus1 ,i will shew how may1 through 's help1 arrive to a ,kingly dignity4 ,i have before said1 that there is no familiarity between the most fusile and most hard metal1 but the one will be gone away in fume before the other will melt1 and that we cannot want in the separation of 2 but how it is to be handled1 ,i will briefly explain4 ,saturn of himself is liquable and volatile1 but yet can be made illiquable and fixt without detriment of the ,radical ,moisture or ,metallick ,nature2 so as to undergo the same ,fire with 1 and being brought to this pass1 it is then fit for the separation of 4 ',tis many waies made illiquable 7,hartflussig7 but the best way is by fixed ,salts1 of a contrary nature to the superfluous ,sulphur in 1 and excellently well separated from the ,reguli made of 2 for ,nitre and ,salt of ,tartar do not only harden 1 but unite other metals with him1 making them spiritual1 and most like to transparent1 soluble ,glass1 the which having sustained the ,fire their proper time1 the ,agent being taken away1 and the ,patient sufficiently purged1 the purest part of the ,metals1 thus spiritually mixt together1 doth by the force of separate from the other unprofitable part4 ,the ,regulus is purged easily1 so that there's no need of separating the whole ,mass by precipitation and reducing it into ,reguli2 but 1 by his innate force1 doth in its due time finish the separation or precipitation of the pure from the impure1 of metals thus spiritually commixt and united4 ,this is enough spoken concerning the way of separating gold out of 1 by 1 viz4 being first fixed by salts1 and made hard to melt1 so as to endure the same force of ,fire with 1 or otherwise 'twill be impossible to have any thing from by the usual way of the ,refiners1 by the help of scorifying with 7mit ansieden7 and separation 7abtreiben7 which even as also doth not stay with common ,lead in a strong fire1 but separate themselves and go into ,scoria2 the which we have also hinted in the ,first ,part of this little ,book1 whereto we referr the ,reader4 ,this separation of out of 1 may be done with ,regulus of and ,nitre1 and in some manner better than with common ,lead1 but that ,i do not deliver the whole ,process from top to bottom1 let no body wonder thereat1 for then the ,book would grow to too great a bulk1 and ,i should not receive any reward the more from the ,unthankful3 ,let it suffice1 that ,i have declared the manner and the ,species wherewith 'tis to be done2 for 'tis for the sake of such ,chymists as are most expert in the ,fire and ,metalline ,works that ,i write1 and not for the common ,destillers of ,waters4 ,and as touching what may tend to illustrate what is said1 it shall be supplyed with some ,processes at the end of the seven ,rules4 ,whereas ,i have attributed to in the ,first ,part of this ,treatise and elsewhere1 that he doth not only unwillingly deliver his own gold1 but also if any be either accidentally1 or of set purpose1 added thereto1 he swallows it up and hides it1 and will not restore it without detriment and loss4 ,some body may admire how it's possible for to be done so easily by and ,salts2 let him know that this ,extraction of out of is not any the common ,examen or ,trial1 7abtreiben17 but a true and ,philosophical separation 7,seigerungh7 wherewith being well dissolved1 is most throughly separated from his thick and hard body1 concerning which1 ,i never met with any full pregnant ,processes any where4 ,and albeit that ,i am not ignorant that many1 yea most that read1 will not have any higher thought or consideration1 yet ,i say that there is something else hereunder2 and do believe1 that it is to be esteemed far more excellent than ,sol it self2 which that thou maist not over-much trouble thy head about1 ,i will not be shy in communicating it also unto thee4 viz4 ,out of ,iron is prepared a ,salt without any corrosive1 which is able to extract the soul from ,gold1 that it will remain half dead4 ,but will be impregnated as it were divinely1 so as to be able to give forth a golden ,child3 the debilitated ,gold will recover its lost ,colour and ,virtue by and 4 ,other ,philosophers have likewise made mention hereof1 viz4 that will not spare even the ,king1 out of whose bowels he will steal ,treasures1 and will not blush to adorn himself with the same4 ,concerning which ,secret the most famous ,sandivow wrote on this wise4 8,the ,chymists know how to change ,iron into ,copper or 1 without the ,sun3 ,they likewise know how to make out of 3 ,others there are that can make out of 2 but if they knew how to administer the ,solar ,nature to these mutations1 questionless they would find a thing more precious than any ,treasure4 ,on which account ,i say1 that we must not be ignorant of what metals are to be conjoined one with the other1 and whose nature of them corresponds to ,nature4 ,there is therefore given one metal1 which hath a power to consume the other metals1 for it is as it were almost their water and their mother2 one thing there is that only resists it1 and is bettered thereby1 viz4 the humidum ,radicale of the ,sun and ,moon2 but that ,i may discover it1 'tis called ,chalybs40 ,thus you see1 that from also some good is to be gotten1 although all speak ill of him2 and indeed he is wicked if he gets possession3 ,nor will he spare the highest ,powers1 from whom he will forcibly wrest their hidden ,treasures1 but yet by ,commerce with he will again repay it in time to be distributed amongst the subjects2 although the king being robb'd of his goods1 looks pale upon it1 yet he lays not down his ,life1 and he remaining alive1 there is no cause of complaining1 for as long as the ,riches are not exported1 but remain in the ,kingdom1 distributed amongst the subjects1 he is able to receive his former majesty and splendor from his ,revenues1 and to gather new ,riches1 and preserve his kingly dignity whole and sound4 ,here ,i foresee that our common ,know-littles1 in the light of ,nature1 will traduce me1 as if ,i enterpret ,sandivow's ,chalybs to be common 1 and say that 'tis not to be understood according to the ,letter1 but the ,author would hint somewhat else thereby2 but 'tis no matter1 what ,i have written1 ,i have written1 and that not without cause4 ,i am not ignorant1 that he means not common ,iron no more than ,i1 but his inmost ,magnetick force and power1 or essence1 prepared without corrosive1 and known to few1 which doth most greedily extract and transmute the soul of ,gold above all other things4 ,and herewith we will rest and cease4 ,the ,fourth ,rule4 ,of the ,nature of 4 ,the other ,six ,metals have in framed all their colours1 and the medium of their ,flux 7with inconstancy7 into an ,external body4 ,it would be therefore profitable to hint to the understanding by some examples1 by what means the visible may by the benefit of ,fire be made invisible1 and this again made visible and material4 ,all combustible things may naturally be changed in the ,fire1 out of one form into another1 as into a ,coal1 ,soot1 ,ashes1 ,glass1 ,colours1 ,stones1 ,earth1 but the ,earth is reduced into sundry metallick bodies2 and if a metal combust or corrupted with old age1 is thereby become unmalleable1 sharp1 and brittle1 let it well flow1 and 'twill again become malleable4 ,glaub4 ,although that being malleable more than all the metals1 in and out of the ,fire1 is fit for all ,operations1 yet even this is not void of a combustible sulphur1 but is radically polluted therewith1 so that it will most easily1 of it self1 without addition of any other sulphur1 be reduced into ,scoria1 and be corrupted1 which corruption is occasioned by the muchness of its combustible sulphur2 ,gold and ,silver being void of that ,sulphur1 are not subject to destruction4 ,so that1 although they undergo the ,fire a most long season1 yet go they not into ,scoria like the other imperfect bodies2 and for the reducing of them into ashes1 combustible sulphur must be added2 whereas the imperfect metals too much abounding with the same1 are changed by a most light heat into ,ashes1 ,powder1 or ,scoria1 which ,scoria's are melted into either transparent or darkish tincted ,glass1 according to the nature of the metal2 which ,glasses may be melted into malleable ,metal1 and again into ,ashes and ,glass1 as you please1 but alwaies with some loss1 by reason of some combust parts irreducible into metal1 the metal also remaining1 as it was at first1 without being any thing bettered4 ,he who knows how to melt ,metals into pellucid ,glass1 by the addition not of metallick things1 but of such things as have affinity with the metals1 as ,salts1 ,sand1 or ,stones1 shall in reducing them1 alwaies find his metal better than it was in the beginning3 ,and that the ,reader1 for whose sake ,i have written these things1 may the more throughly understand my mind1 ,i will explain it somewhat more clearly4 ,paracelsus hath above affirmed1 ,that every visible metal is an hider of the other metals lying hid invisibly therein1 and that the hider is to be removed1 if you would that those visible metals become visible and corporeal1 which being most truly spoken1 ,i know not what light it may be illustrated withal4 ,the words also are succinct and easie to be understood1 yet no body believes them2 ,there's scarce one amongst an hundred that conceives what they tend unto4 ,metals cannot be changed without putting off their metalline form2 for if you keep them a long time in ,flux1 by themselves1 or joined with others1 if they remain in their ,corporality1 they cannot help each the other1 but being destroyed either by themselves1 or joined with other ,metals1 and nourished in the fire their due time1 it cannot otherwise be1 but that they should be bettered1 for so long as it retains its metalline form1 it cannot be holpen4 ',tis necessary that a hard body be broken and annihilated1 before there can be made a separation of the pure from the impure4 ,but this is to be done by a genuine ,chymical manner1 and they are to be dissolved and throughly opened1 with things of affinity with them1 whereby the purer parts may be united1 and the more gross may be separated4 ,if a metal be forced with a most vehement ,fire1 its parts do firmly hold together2 for if it be fixt1 then the parts abide in the ,fire2 but if volatile1 then the parts thereof fly away together1 their natural bond holds them together1 defending them against the ,fires power1 but dissolve their bond1 and then they are compelled to submit to ,vulcan's ,force and ,empire1 and will let you make of them what you please4 ,it may well shame the ,chymists to work so disagreeably with ,nature1 and may well learn by the ,husbandman's labours to send for ,nature's help4 ,the ,husbandman therefore1 when he sows his seed1 to have a good ,crop therefrom1 he casts not his grain upon any sort of earth1 without consideration1 but chuseth such earth for each proper seed1 as being well dung'd1 may suit best therewith1 and in a convenient season sows his grain1 that it1 being putrefied and annihilated1 may be multiplied1 he leaves it to the warmth of the ,sun1 and to the vivifying ,rain to concoct and maturate it2 well knowing1 that without precedent putrefaction and loss of its form1 it cannot be multiplied4 ,he likewise knows1 that when it hath arrived to its maturity it must not be left in the ,field1 but must be reaped1 and then the better and more heavy part is to be fanned and separated from the lighter and worser part1 viz4 the ,chaff2 the which operation is1 by ,experience and long ,use1 known to be good and needful4 ,this ,process must a ,chymist observe1 for one ,metal may be made the field of another1 wherein putrefying1 it may get it self a new body1 which being done1 he must likewise know how to separate the new body from the fces1 from which 'tis gathered and made2 and how to fan ,vulcan like the best and most ponderous1 from the lightest1 for both of them will be made better by the foregoing preparation1 and the annihilation of the bodies4 ,when a ,country-woman intends to separate the better part of the ,milk from the more gross and cheesy part1 she puts it in a quiet warm place1 that the best part may rise up1 and the worst part go down2 the which being as yet not sufficiently purified1 she adds her art1 and puts it into a ,churn1 and doth so long stir or agitate it until another separation be made of the pure from the impure1 which we call ,butter2 which notwithstanding1 had it lain never so long by it self1 had never come to have been ,butter1 without the ,hand and ,art of the ,country-woman4 ,who would believe that in ,milk there lies ,butter1 if he did not daily see it8 ,this separation of the ,butter from the waterishness1 proceeds from the quick shaking and agitation1 whereby the ,milk heats2 and if it doth not fadge1 then do they put thereto some warm moisture1 which uniting it self with the moisture of the ,milk promotes a separation1 for heat alone is the meer cause of hastening the separation4 ,this now may seem a gross ,example to the ,ignorant1 but let none imagine that this separation of the ,butter from the ,milk is alledged in vain1 but rather to show the way how out of imperfect ,minerals the golden and silver milk or part1 is to be separated by the access or addition of a warm ,mineral water1 and by the ,fires agitation3 ,even as warm ,water helps the moisture of the ,milk1 that so it doth the easier separate its own heterogeneous ,butter 7and yet the way of separating the ,butter from the ,milk1 without agitation1 by the affusion of a warm thing and coction1 is not unknown27 so also the ,metals are separated1 if they are along time boiled with their own ,water4 ,now1 because of themselves they are compact bodies1 if you keep them in ,flux a long season1 they remain compact1 and are not able by their own power to shew forth their ,good or ,evil1 nor make it appear1 whether or no they contain ,gold or ,silver3 ,they are to be a long time boil'd with ,water1 that being dispersed1 they may be translated out of their metalline nature1 and the pure 7by the agitation of the ,fire7 may be separated from the impure2 which purer part of the metal doth not swim at the top1 like ,butter1 but settles to the bottom like a ,regulus1 after the metallick manner1 and all being cool1 it must be separated from the ,scoria1 and in a ,cupel be washed to the utmost purity 7abgetrieben74 ,but now 'tis worth the while to know what ,water this is which is fit for this ,work1 and makes a separation of metals2 for seeing that it must have power to dissolve metals1 it's expedient that it be a friend unto them1 and of the same kin1 or 7that ,i may speak clearer7 'tis fit that it be their dissolver and examinator2 and this old ,saturn hath power to do1 out of which it may with small costs and labour be prepared2 but the common ,saturn1 although it be called the ,water of ,metals by all the ,philosophers 7but in the usual washing in the ,cupels 'tis not found so to be7 yet as long as it remains in a compact metalline form1 'tis unfit for this thing2 let him first be made ,water himself before he reduceth the metals into water2 which work is easie1 of small cost1 and of a few hours labour1 and it goes into ,water1 and the ,metals are thereby washt4 ,of which more shall be said in the following ,chapter of 1 and elsewhere4 ,this also is to be noted1 ,that if ,copper being dissolved with the ,water of ,lead1 be digested its proper time1 the moisture dries1 and the metal is hardened1 and returns into a metallick body2 therefore the ,solution is to be kept alwaies liquid by the affusion or pouring on of new water1 lest the mutual action be hindered1 which the ,philosophers call ,incineration3 ,which being neglected1 all the ,work doth not presently perish1 but there remains most elegant ,amausa1 and tinged ,glass1 which shines among the ,copper1 giving out from it self a ,blood-red ,colour1 wherewith not only wooden ,vessels may be adorned1 but also ,glass-,painters may use it2 of which red ,glass there hath been some found in old ,churches2 but 'twas believed that the ,art was throughly lost2 but this came not by chance without doubt1 but was purposely concealed by those whose practising hereabouts did perceive a better thing to lie under it2 for the red ,amausum or ,glass1 being burnt its proper time with a strong fire1 gives a ,regulus yielding in the ,leaden washing 7im abtreiben7 good ,silver4 ,but if you seek for out of 1 it's better not to make the red ,amausum or ,glass at all1 but to keep on with ,inceration1 that it may not come to be red1 but may remain a pellucid and green ,glass1 even until be well washt4 ,moreover this is to be noted1 ,that and the other metals are not only reducible into soluble and insoluble ,glass1 by this ,saturnine ,water1 but the same is to be done by the addition of clean ,flints and ,salts1 by which they are made much fairer than those done with 2 but in the separation 7,seigerungh7 they are vilder1 because the ,dissolvent is not so metalline1 and after purgation1 they do not so easily give their ,regulus as those that are done with the ,water of 4 ,there's also another way1 by which the superfluous burning sulphur of may be washed1 and she cleansed without the water of or of the ,flints1 viz4 with ,salt-,petre4 ,if or any other imperfect metal be often mixt therewith and burnt1 the purer parts come together1 and the combustible parts come together1 and the combustible sulphur separates in the form of ,scoria4 ,to conclude1 ,this separation and washing may be done by the help of other fixed ,salts1 but none so good as the ,water of 4 ,now let the ,reader know1 that those things spoken in a rude stile1 concerning 1 want not their weight1 even as the following ,chapters will openly declare4 ,the ,fifth ,rule4 ,of the ,nature and ,virtue of ,saturn4 ,thus speaks ,saturn of himself3 ,the other ,six ,planets have excluded and thrust me out1 who am their ,examinator1 from the spiritual ,city1 assigning me an habitation with a corruptible body2 for what they neither are1 nor will be1 ,i am constrained to be3 ,my six ,brethren are ,spiritual1 wherefore as often as ,i am in the fire1 they pass through my body1 and both ,i and they perish together in the ,fire1 the two best excepted1 and 1 who are most neatly and purely washt in my waters1 and wax proud4 ,my ,spirit is ,water1 softning the hard bodies of my ,brethren2 but my body is addicted to the ,earth1 whatsoever ,i lay hold on1 is also made like the ,earth2 and is converted into one body4 ,it would not be good that the ,world should know what is in me1 or what ,i could do2 it would be better did they but know how to get that thing which is mine1 and is in my faculty1 they would lay aside all other ,arts of ,alchymy1 and handle this thing only1 which ,i am able to perfect4 ,the ,stone of ,coldness is in me2 this is the ,water by which ,i cause the ,spirits of the six other ,metals to congeal into the ,corporeity of the ,seventh1 that is to promote with 4 ,antimony is twofold1 the one sort is the common black 1 wherewith being mixt and melted1 is purged2 this is of nearest kin to ,lead2 the other is white ,magnesia1 ,bismuth1 and nearest to ,tin2 being mixt with the other 1 it encreaseth 4 ,glaub4 ,here we have mention made of ,saturn1 from whence the ,bath 7spoken of afore7 for and the other metals is prepared1 and that twofold1 the common and 1 both which ,i have mentioned in my former ,tracts1 as profitable for this washing2 but one is fitter for some metals than the other4 ,venus willingly enters into 1 and may most rightly be washed and separated 7geseigert7 with the common ,saturnine water1 and will not2 but receives them most greedily1 holds and washeth them1 which is impossible for the common to do4 ,yet notwithstanding ,paracelsus seems to hint at some other thing here1 speaking of the transmutation of with other metals1 aiming 7as ,i conjecture7 as well at an universal as a particular transmutation of ,metals by ,saturn4 ,now ,saturn also1 as he is the water and washing of other metals1 so may he himself be washed with ,salts1 which1 as ,i shall anon declare1 are his water4 ,but let no body wonder that ,i speak no larger of the nature and virtue of ,saturn1 whom ,i set so high an esteem upon2 for it hath been most frequently mentioned1 and after this will be2 so 'tis not fit so often to repeat the same thing1 one ,chapter illustrates another4 ,see such other small ,tracts as ,i have written of ,saturn1 and compare them well together1 and without doubt you will perceive my meaning4 ,that which ,paracelsus adds concerning the difference of is plain enough1 and wants no illustration2 for common ,lead and 7although much differing in the diversity of ,sulphurs7 was by the ,philosophers called ,black ,lead4 ,bismuth1 ashy ,lead1 and ,tin1 among the ancient ,metallurgists1 is white ,lead2 which appellations we shall leave to the ancients1 and say no more thereof4 ,the ,sixth ,rule4 ,of the ,moon1 and her ,nature and ,property4 ,if anyone goes about to reduce into or 1 it will be as difficult as to make 7with great profit7 out of 1 1 1 1 or 4 ,but 'tis not expedient to make vile things out of good1 but to make precious things out of base and abject things4 ',tis also fit to know of what matter the ,moon is1 and whence 'tis risen2 he that is ignorant of this1 will find it impossible to make ,luna4 ,quest4 ,what therefore is ,luna8 ,answ4 ,it is the seventh external1 corporeal1 material1 of the ,six metals therein hidden2 for alwaies 7as it hath been very often said7 the ,seventh hath the other ,six spiritually hidden within it self2 neither also can these six be without an external1 material metal2 nor can any corporeal ,metal be without the six spiritual ones and their ,essence4 ,if you melt the seven ,corporeal ,metals1 it doth nothing as to making 3 after mixtion1 each as its nature is1 remains fixt in the fire1 or volatile4 ,for example1 mix as well as you can 1 1 1 1 1 and 1 it will not therefore follow1 that the and will transmute the other five1 that they become and 3 ,although they are blown together into one mass1 yet each remains in its own state1 viz4 if you take of the corporeal mixtion2 for transmutation consists in the spiritual mixtion and union of ,metals1 because ,spirits admit of no separation and mortification4 ,although you kill the ,body an hundred times1 yet will they alwaies have another ,body more noble than the former4 ,and this is the promotion of ,metals from one mortification into another2 that is1 from a more ignoble degree to a higher1 that is ,luna1 and from a better to the best1 that is ,sol2 a most illustrious and royal ,metal2 'tis also true1 and alwaies will be1 which hath been often spoken of before1 that alwaies the six metals generate the seventh1 and deliver it from themselves into a palpable and visible substance4 ,quest4 ,now1 then if it be so1 that the ,luna1 or any other metal1 is alwaies caused and produced from the other six1 ,what therefore is its ,property and ,nature8 ,i answer1 ,out of 1 1 1 1 1 and 1 no other metal can be made1 but 2 the reason is1 because as to the other six metals1 each are indued with two good virtues1 which in all make ,twelve3 these virtues are the ,silverish or ,lunar ,spirit1 which in brief understand thus2 ,silver is compounded into a corporeal ,metal1 out of the six ,spiritual ,metals1 and their ,properties1 in number twelve1 and is likened to the seven ,planets1 and the twelve ,clestial ,signs2 for the hath from the ,planet1 and 1 and 1 a bright white flux and splendor1 1 1 2 also hath from 1 1 and a white colour1 a great constancy against the fire and fixation1 1 1 2 from 1 1 and 1 it hath hardness1 a good clangour or sound1 1 1 2 from 1 1 1 it hath the means of ,coagulation and ,malleability1 1 1 2 from 1 1 1 it hath a fixt body with heaviness and gravity1 1 1 2 from 1 1 1 it hath a sincere purity1 and a great constancy1 against the violency of the fire1 1 1 4 ,thus is briefly explained what is the exaltation and cause of the spirit and body of ,silver1 with its own compound ,nature and ,essence4 ,it must also be known what matter the metallick spirits do take in their first ,nativity1 when they are carried down into the ,earth from the ,clestial ,influences1 viz4 a vile ,dirt or ,stone1 which the ,mine-digger by breaking the body of the metal1 destroys and burns in the fire1 in which mortification the metalline spirit assumes another body1 not fryable1 but pure and malleable4 ,then the ,alchymist coming1 destroys this metalline body1 kills and prepares it by ,art1 but that metallick corporeal ,spirit makes apparently conspicuous1 another more noble and much more perfect body1 whether it be the ,sun or ,moon2 then both the metallick ,spirit and ,body being perfectly united1 are free and safe from ,corruption by the ,element of ,fire4 ,glaub4 ,paracelsus in this ,sixth ,chapter repeats the words which have been oftentimes afore mentioned1 viz4 ,that every visible metal is an hider of the other metals which lie spiritually hid within it2 withal teaching1 that it is impossible for corporeal metals1 although melted together never so long1 to be meliorated1 unless they are first made spiritual2 which ,i have oftentimes demonstrated and shewed to be the very ,truth1 and the right way to ,transmutation4 ,but he doth not in express words teach the way by which they may be made and rendered ,spiritual2 nor is it convenient to chew a ,morsel1 and thrust it into the mouths of the ,ignorant4 ,now ,i say1 that as touching the spiritualizing of ,metals1 ,paracelsus doth not advise that ,metals be dissolved in corrosive ,spirits1 digested destilled over the ,helm with it1 by often ,cohobations4 ,the ,spiritualization which he mentions here1 is not to be done with ,corrosives1 for they are rather corrupted by them than perfected1 neither in ,glasses1 but in ,crucibles1 and that in a few hours1 without ,corrosives1 whereby they are so depurated1 and as it were poudered1 that they are transparent in and out of the fire1 and dissolvable in any water4 ,this is a true spiritualization of metals1 and gainful if it hath the said ,properties3 ',tis otherwise called by the ,philosophers1 the first matter of ,metals1 and at this time known but to few4 ,our ,laborators now adays know not any metallick spirits1 but such1 as by the help of peregrine and noxious things1 they drive over by an ,alembick or ,retort2 but ,experience testifies1 that these are wholly useless and unprofitable for ,melioration4 ,and although the ancient ,philosophers write1 ,make the fixt volatile1 and the volatile fixt1 yet they mean not that the metals should be destilled4 ,which sublimation or destillation they did not meddle with1 but all their metallick labours1 as ,solution1 ,putrefaction1 ,destillation ,sublimation1 ,calcination1 ,inceration1 ,cohobation1 and ,fixation1 were done in one earthen vessel1 without ,corrosives2 nor did they weary themselves with those ridiculous labours that are done by the means of ,glasses4 ,but of this more in another place4 ,now read diligently over and over again what ,paracelsus writes at the end of the ,chapter1 and it will appear1 that he speaks of fusion1 and not destillation in ,glasses2 where he shews1 that a metallick spirit at its first descending from the stars into the earth1 hath a most vile form1 like a stone1 or dirt1 which the digger of it melts with a strong fire1 whereby it gets a better form1 and becomes a malleable metal4 ,and here he is at a stand1 and cannot proceed any farther4 ,now1 saith ,paracelsus1 the ,alchymist comes and takes this metal1 and by his ,art destroies the metallick body1 killing and preparing it2 and by his labour it assumes a more noble and fixt body1 called 7because of its maturity7 ,gold or ,silver4 ,the 1 although it be more pure and excellent than 1 1 1 and yet having not arrived to maturity1 it is 7in comparison of the 7 like a flower1 which is more excellent than the herb1 but inferiour to the seed1 which is the most perfect part of the same4 ,and1 as in ,vegetables the flowers are indued with a more elegant colour than either the seed or fruit3 ,so also is the more abounding with ,tincture than the 2 which ,i have very often tried1 and could demonstrate by many ,examples2 contrariwise1 altho' the flower be1 as to the form1 colour and odour1 above the seed1 yet in goodness and durability it is much inferiour2 for the flower at an approaching cold falls away21 but the seed endures1 and if it be helped1 it produceth a new herb1 flowers1 and seed1 by which its species are conserved and propagated4 ,and as in ,vegetables the herb is the greatest part1 the flowers less1 and the seeds least1 so in ,minerals is the like order most fitly observed3 for should ,nature produce only ,flowers and ,seeds with the ,herb1 whence would there be ,grass for ,beasts1 whereby they might fill their ,bellies1 and so yield dung for the ,country-man to dung his ground withal1 that it might produce a new ,crop of ,herbs4 ,without doubt there's more ,tincture hidden in than in 1 the inmost part of which is a meer redness2 but the centre of is a most fixt and splendid ,sky-colour1 which is to be well observed4 ,as for the other ,properties of 1 which are most frequently known1 'tis needless to mention them2 as to purity and fixation1 'tis nearest to 1 and therefore in metallick things 'tis to be likened to a ,flower3 ',tis plainly void of combustible and preying ,sulphur2 but being not as yet arrived and concocted to perfection1 it is a most suitable ,vehicle to extract out of volatile and unripe ,marcasites1 and other auriferous ,minerals1 and to make it corporeal4 ,concerning which ,i have formerly written1 and will write more hereafter4 ,the ,seventh ,rule4 ,of the ,sun1 its ,nature and ,property4 ,corporeal is the seventh ,metal of the six spiritual ones2 in it self it is a meer ,fire2 but the ,reason of its being outwardly of an elegant1 yellow1 visible1 sensible1 ponderous1 cold and malleable body1 is1 because it hath in it the coagulation of the other six metals1 whereby 'tis compell'd into a visible body4 ,and as to its being melted with ,elemental fire1 'tis from hence1 because it hath a fluidity of ,mercury1 1 and 1 spiritually hidden in it self2 the which is also outwardly evident1 because it is most easily mixt with the 1 and detained by him4 ,and whereas after melting1 it grows hard by the ,cold1 viz4 is coagulated1 and grows stiff1 that comes from the other five metals1 1 1 1 1 and 2 in these five metals the ,cold dwells and bears sway1 and therefore cannot be fluid out of the fire1 because of ,cold4 ,nor can with his heat1 nature1 and fluidity help him against the five cold metals1 for its heat sufficeth not to keep the in perpetual flux1 so that it is enforced to obey the other metals rather than one only1 1 who 7as to coagulation of metals7 hath nothing to do1 its ,property being to make liquid1 and not hard3 ,it is the work of heat and life to make liquid1 but cold is the cause of hardness1 stiffness1 and unmovable1 being therefore likened to ,death4 ,for ,example4 ,if you would reduce the six cold metals to fluidity1 whether it be 1 1 1 1 1 1 it is to be done by the heat of the fire1 for metals are not melted with cold ,snow or ,ice1 but are hardened thereby4 ,now1 as soon as they are melted by the fire1 and that the heat ceaseth1 the cold rusheth in1 whereby the metal stands still1 grows stiff1 dies1 and remains immovable4 ,and because that is alwaies fluid and living1 tell me1 ,i pray1 whether or no such a thing proceeds from heat or cold8 ,some or other may say1 it is because of its cold and moist nature1 and that it is living because of ,cold2 but whoever saith thus1 and believes thus1 is ignorant of ,nature1 and deceived and seduced with the vulgar1 whose belief of any thing is out of the right way1 amiss1 are therefore to be avoided and shun'd by him that would truly know2 for is not living1 by reason of cold1 but because of its heat and fiery nature1 as all things else live because of heat1 for heat is the cause of life1 and cold the cause of death4 ,but that is in it self a meer ,fire1 not alive indeed1 but hard1 shewing its fiery heat only outwardly1 as yellow mixt with red1 and the other five metals1 are cold1 viz4 1 1 1 1 and 1 giving their virtues to the 1 viz4 according to their frigidity a body1 by their fire colours1 by their siccity hardness1 by their moisture weight or heaviness1 by their resplendancy sound2 and that it is not combustible1 and to be destroyed by the ,element of ,terrestrial ,fire1 that is by reason of its fixedness4 ,fire doth not burn ,fire1 nor destroy it1 but ,fire joined to ,fire becomes the greater and more powerful in strength4 ,the ,clestial fire descending from the upon ,terrestrials1 is not such a fire as is in ,heaven1 nor such as our fire is on ,earth2 but with us the ,clestial fire is cold1 a rigid and congealed fire2 and this is the body of ,gold1 and therefore we cannot tame or master with our fire1 we can only divide it and melt it1 as the sun dissolves and melts snow1 congealed ice and water4 ,wherefore it is not permitted for one fire to destroy another1 because it self is fire1 and in ,heaven it is resolved1 but with us it is coagulated4 ,gold is in a threefold state with its ,essence4 #a4 ,the ,clestial ,resolved4 #b4 ,the ,elemental is ,liquid4 #c4 ,the ,metallick ,corporeal4 ,the ,end of the ,seven ,rules4 ,glaub4 ,we are now come to 1 a kingly and most excellent ,metal1 the which ,paracelsus compares to a meer absolute ,fire1 and so 'tis found to be1 if it be separated into parts2 'tis likewise endued with a seed-like nature1 more hot than the ,herb it self or the ,flower4 ,but to what end should we write of bettering it1 when as it needs it not1 being already constituted in the highest degree of perfection1 and ,nature not being able to promote it to an higher degree3 ,now then if it be to be made better1 'tis behoveful to make it ,medicine1 for never was a more excellent metal than it seen4 ,an ,herb planted in a fruitful soil1 and brought to its perfection by the heat of the ,sun1 the seed being ripe1 it remains not in the same form1 but withers1 and the seed falls away2 but if it be seasonably gathered1 it lasts a long while1 and may1 at your pleasure1 be put into the ,earth1 for the production of new ,herbs of its kind2 or else it may be used for the health of ,mankind1 having no other notable ,use besides4 ,in like manner1 ,gold having arrived to its perfection1 if it be to be farther advanced1 it must be made ,medicine1 or be put upon the ,metallick ,earth1 as ,seed is on the ,common ,earth2 where putrefying or augmenting1 or growing1 it may exhibit and produce a metalline ,off-spring4 ,every body knows that a good ,medicine may be thence made1 and that various waies1 but few know the manner how2 but that 'tis able 7like the ,vegetable seed7 to make ,encrease out of the imperfect metals 7being its own ,earth7 ,paracelsus teacheth in this place1 and many ,philosophers witness the same1 which is not only true in a particular melioration1 where by attracting its like out of the imperfect metals1 it is encreased2 but 'tis also to be believed as true1 that from it may be separated1 by the industry of a skilful metallick ,philosopher1 its inmost ,vegetative power and purest portion 7all its husks1 or outside1 wherewith 'tis cloathed1 being laid aside7 and may thereby be exalted to a more than perfect estate1 although 'tis incredible to many1 yet 'tis not in the least to be doubted of1 except we would make all the ,philosophers to be ,lyers4 ,as for my self1 although ,i never set my hand to so hard a ,task1 yet ,i believe and affirm it to be in the nature of things1 as having evidently observed by my other metallick ,labours1 that this ,medicine is in the possibility of ,art2 the which ,i will also in due time set upon1 if ,god give ,life and ,leisure4 ,what the other properties of are1 and by what means good ,medicines may be prepared therefrom1 ,i have spoken thereof in many places of my writings1 and in its proper place more also shall be spoken4 ,and here we rest and conclude this little ,book of the ,rules of the ,seven ,metals4 ,,god and ,nature make nothing in vain4 ,the ,eternal ,city of all things 7there's an ,eternal place in all things7 without time1 without beginning1 and without end1 is every where essentially4 ,it operates in that wherein is no hopes1 and that which is accounted impossible1 unexpected1 incredible1 and plainly deplorable1 will be true even to admiration4 ,glaub4 ,paracelsus having finished his ,seven ,rules of the ,properties of ,metals1 begins after a sort1 to repeat and illustrate his sentiment or opinion1 comforting the ,operator1 lest happily he should be discouraged1 if his affairs do not presently meet with good success2 but let him ingeniously proceed1 because ,nature makes nothing in vain2 that which is least of all believed1 comes most of all to pass2 his words are clear enough of themselves4 ,item4 ,note now some things on ,argent ,vive4 ,whatsoever whitens is of the ,nature of ,life1 and of the ,property and ,virtue of ,light1 which causeth and makes ,life4 ,the ,fire with its heat gives birth to this motion4 ,and whatsoever blackens1 is of the ,nature of ,death1 of the ,property and ,virtue of ,darkness1 7having the efficacy and force thereof7 which causeth ,death2 to the which hardening or induration the ,earth with its ,cold is the coagulation and fixation4 ,the ,house is alwaies dead1 but the ,inhabitant is a living ,fire3 ,if thou hast found out the true ,use of ,examples1 thou hast overcome4 ,glaub4 ,paracelsus speaking here of ,mercury1 mentions ,fire1 which by its heat is the cause of ,light and ,life1 but that which blackens1 is the cause of ,death2 where making as it were a pause or stand1 he adds these pregnant words4 ,sacrifice the fat ,vervein 7or ,sulphur74 eight lots of ,salt ,nitre1 four lots of ,sulphur1 two lots of ,tartar1 mix them1 and let them flow4 ,glaub4 ,here begin the ,complaints of the ,alchymists1 because ,paracelsus writing of so good a matter1 doth so suddenly break off1 adding such a ,receipt1 as in their judgment hath no affinity with ,mercury1 but is to him as a thorn in a man's eye4 ,this powder indeed is a good fusile powder1 for the reduction of such metals as are otherwise hard to melt2 but in this place 'tis meerly vain and needless1 because by his innate fiery power and heat1 doth alwaies flow2 wherefore we want not this ,flux for him4 ,had he written in this place1 how he 7viz4 7 is to be coagulated and fixed1 we would most willingly have heard him1 and as willingly have been content that he had kept his fluxing powder to himself4 ,such as these ought to blame themselves and not ,paracelsus1 that wish'd well unto them4 ,the words which went just before1 may excuse him2 for he said1 that ,,god and ,nature made nothing in vain2 whereby he intimates1 that this powder is not so strangely to be look'd on1 as if it did not pertain to 1 who is more than enough fusile already1 and wants it not4 ,nor was this mentioned to vex the ,alchymist2 no1 ,paracelsus knew this nimble fusile powder1 and its operations upon the metals1 better than he that complains thereof1 7'tis of incredible benefit in the metals1 did any one know how to use it7 and he placed it here1 that we might perfectly learn its highest force and efficacy upon the metals2 the which thing his foregoing words do also admonish us of3 ,it operates beyond hope1 that which is judged impossible is unexpected1 incredible1 and desperate1 will prove true to admiration4 ,wherefore1 think you1 would he have added this fire had it not been needful in this place8 doubtless he knew how to burn the wings of 1 and thereby to stay his flight4 ,and although ,i know not how to fix herewith1 yet have ,i experienced wonderous things as well in the metals as 1 for if the metals1 especially 1 be ,philosophically joined herewith1 sublimed and destilled1 they afford wonderful ,menstruums4 ,it's also here said1 ,sacrifice the fat ,vervein 7or ,sulphur74 ',tis full well known1 that the superfluous ,sulphur in metals that are imperfect1 is the cause of their baseness1 and this fire is able to burn it up1 but 'tis impossible that all should know it2 there's need of use and diligence1 if you desire ,icarus1 flying with his ,father ,ddalus1 and approaching too nigh the ,sun 7whereby his wings being burnt1 he tumbled down into the ,sea7 should be drowned in the waters4 ,the which let suffice1 for there's enough spoken unto a wise man2 let us therefore proceed4 ,what is to be determined concerning the ,coagulation of 4 ',tis not at all expedient to kill 1 to coagulate him1 and then reduce him into 1 and to weary him with many sublimations and other things1 for this is but the destruction of the ,sun and ,moon that is in him4 ,there's another more compendious way1 whereby is made 1 of small cost and charge1 without any labour of coagulation3 ,every man reads in the ,writings of the ,alchymists1 such ,arts as are mean and vile1 and easily preparable1 whereby in a short time he might make abundance of and 1 and are tired and vexed with the ,writings of such as do not teach them clearly and plainly1 and would willingly hear this1 viz4 ,do so and so1 and thou shalt have good and to inrich thee4 ,but good ,sir stay a while1 and wait till the ,secret be plainly opened to thee in positive words without any labour2 so as to enable thee 7in as 'twere a moment of time7 to take 1 1 and 1 and make ,sol and ,luna thereof4 ,the ,art will never be so easily known1 how short and facile soever it be in it self4 ,glaub4 ,paracelsus goes on1 and saith1 ,that 'tis not needful to coagulate 1 that and may be thence made1 and that it is to be done with a most easie labour1 and therefore few words are best4 ,and here ,paracelsus is to be compared to that ,rich man1 who having heard that many perished with famine1 'tis said that he should answer1 ,that before he would be tormented with hunger1 he would rather feed on rusty ,bacon and ,pease1 believing that all abounded with this fare2 the which they despising by reason of their daintiness1 deservedly perished4 ,in like manner the good ,paracelsus believed1 that all ,chymists were his equals1 as to the knowledge of ,metals1 not dreaming of the many poor ,colliers that torment by their solutions1 precipitations1 sublimations1 resuscitations1 fixations1 and other labours2 when as they are ignorant of what it is1 what abounds or is wanting therein1 and so for want of knowledge1 toil and labour to no purpose3 is a subject of wonder1 and is frequently wont to deceive the ,alchymists1 whom 7viz4 7 if you would on the other side deceive1 when you pursue him1 give him a little breathing 7because by force he's not to be compell'd7 that he may a little wander about1 but trust him not too much1 lest flying away1 he leaves behind him an empty ,nest4 ,for which ,work the first ,furnace1 with its many ,glasses1 very well fitted and united1 will serve excellently well4 ,but in few words1 ',tis a subject of an inexhaustible wonder1 the which ,i alwaies found the most stubborn of all the metals1 that ,i have bestowed grievous pains about2 but yet do believe1 that he that knows rightly to deal with him1 will reap a benefit from him not to be contemned4 ,but who is there that discovers the ,way8 ,wonders must alwaies remain unknown unto us1 and albeit we know not all things1 yet let us acknowledge the great ,mercy of ,,god1 and give ,thanks to ,him for that which we do know4 ,the ,receipts of ,alchymy4 ,what shall we say of the many ,receipts and the various ,vessels1 such as are the ,furnaces1 ,glasses1 ,tests1 ,waters1 ,oils1 ,salts1 ,sulphurs1 ,antimonia1 ,magnesia1 ,salt ,nitre1 ,alume1 ,vitriol1 ,tartar1 ,borax1 ,atramentum or ,copperas1 ,orpiment1 ,spume of ,glass1 ,arsenick1 ,calaminaris1 ,bole-,armoniack1 ,vermilion1 ,calx1 ,pitch1 ,wax1 ,lute of ,wisdom1 ,powder'd ,glass1 ,verdigrease1 ,salt ,armoniack1 ,soot1 ,rosin of the ,pitch-tree1 ,chalk1 ,mans-fat1 ,hairs1 ,egg-shells1 ,lac ,virginis1 ,ceruse1 ,minium1 ,cinnabar1 ,vinegar1 ,aqua-fortis1 ,crocus ,martis1 ,elixir1 ,lazure1 7ultro-,marine7 ,soap1 ,tutia1 ,havergold1 ,crystals4 ,what likewise shall we say to their preparations1 putrefactions1 digestions1 probations1 sublimations1 calcinations1 solutions1 cementations1 fixations1 reverberations1 coagulations1 graduations1 rectifications1 amalgamations1 and purgations4 ,most ,books are fully stufft with these ,alchymical things1 as also what things are to be done by the benefit of ,herbs1 ,roots1 ,seeds1 ,woods1 ,stones1 ,animals1 ,worms1 ,bone-,ashes1 ,cockle-shells1 ,muscles1 c4 ,all these things are the ,labyrinths of ,alchymy1 and are great and but vain ,labours4 ,moreover1 although and might be made by the means of these things1 yet by reason of the multitudes of them1 the ,work is rather hindred than advanced2 and therefore it cannot be truly learned from the aforesaid things1 how to make and 4 ,but all such things are to be omitted1 as operate not with the five imperfect ,metals1 for the production of and 4 ,what therefore is the true ,way1 and the short ,path void of all difficulties1 that leads to the speedy making of good ,sol and ,luna8 ,how long will it be ere thou revealest it8 ,i believe that thou understandest nothing of this matter1 may somebody say1 but dost only mock us with these ,riddles4 ,for answer3 ,it hath been already spoken of1 and is evidently enough discovered in the ,seven ,rules2 ,he that understands not1 let him blame himself4 ,besides1 let no body be so mad1 as to perswade himself1 that the ,art is most easie to be understood1 and to be perfectly known by the vulgar2 that is neither so1 nor must it so be2 but it will be better understood in an occult and hidden ,sence4 ,this is the ,art1 viz4 ,if you make the ,heaven or ,sphere of to flow with life in the ,earth1 put in all the ,planets1 or which you please of them1 but let there be of ,luna least of all2 let it flow so long1 until the ,heaven of doth wholly disappear1 and the ,planets remain alone dead with their own corruptible ,bodies1 and have assumed a new1 perfect1 uncorruptible body1 that body is the ,spirit of ,heaven1 by which the ,planets become again corporeal and alive2 as afore1 ,take out that new ,body from the ,life1 and out of the ,earth1 and keep it1 for it is ,sol and ,luna4 ,and thus hast thou the ,art plainly uncovered and intire2 if thou dost not yet understand and apprehend it1 'tis well1 for so it must be2 nor must it be publickly divulged4 ,glaub4 ,in this ,chapter ,paracelsus teacheth1 ,that there's no need of so many ridiculous species1 for the transmutation of ,metals1 but that there's virtue enough in the metals to operate upon1 and to better one another1 if they are rightly conjoined amongst themselves2 yet in some ,labours we cannot be without ,salts and ,minerals1 because they are useful to mollifie hard ,metals1 and to dispose them to assume a melioration4 ,but 'tis to be observed1 that ,corrosives are to be omitted1 and such ,salts only to be used as are friendly to ,metals4 ,likewise other ,minerals and ,fossiles may be fruitfully used in fusion1 7,seigerungh7 separation1 and other metalline ,operations1 as additaments 7als ,susans74 ,the which thing ,paracelsus denies not1 but only rejects1 and that deservedly1 those ridiculous ,compositions of the unskilful ,alchymists1 which they making in their use ,sol4 ,he dehorts the studious ,artist1 and endeavours to bring him into the right way4 ,furthermore1 he teacheth but in an occult sence1 how good ,sol and ,luna1 such as will endure all trials1 is to be extracted out of imperfect ,metals2 but 'tis so obscurely done1 that no body can thereby understand the thing2 and such only as aforehand know somewhat1 and have had the like ,labours under their hands1 are able to understand his meaning4 ,doubtless this ,process hath found many an one work enough1 who have at last attained to nothing2 but yet some have by chance lighted thereon1 and so perceived the ,truth of his ,words1 most of which ,inventions do casually happen2 and whilst that one thing is sought after1 and by accident lost1 something is oftentimes found more excellent than that which was intended4 ,in like manner1 most things unsought after have happened to me2 and also my ,labours have manifested to me the greatest part of ,paracelsus's ,arts1 and not his ,writings4 ,and who will certainly and plainly teach what lies under that ,covering8 ,many ,archers there are1 but few hit the mark4 ,neither seems it so necessary to take nothing else but the aforesaid ,metals2 the which thing ,paracelsus also in his forementioned ,process doth hint at1 saying1 ,when thou makest the ,heaven1 or ,sphere of 1 to flow with ,life in the ,earth1 sow in all the ,planets1 or such as you please of them2 but let not the ,moons part be biggest1 but let it be the least of all4 ,by which words 'tis easily conjectured1 that the greatest part must be of ,saturn1 whereby the other metals are to be washed and purified1 and the least part of the ,moon4 ,but some body may ask1 ,what reason is there for the ,moon being here1 she being already pure1 for the washing of whom there's no need8 ,why this hath been already elsewhere answered thus1 viz4 ,that she may attract1 defend1 and make corporeal1 the washed1 purified1 and tender ,sun1 which would otherwise remain in the ,scoria3 ,notwithstanding this separation may be made without the ,luna1 but then 'tis not so gainful4 ,neither also is it necessary to conjoin the ,metals1 and so make but one work in washing them with ,saturn2 each of them may be taken apart1 and so cleansed1 unless a man knew how to contrive the composition1 then indeed the ,work would be facilitated1 and more ,sol gotten2 the which is to be well observed1 if either none1 or very little ,luna be taken4 ,but if you take not 1 then is to be added1 as being of nearest affinity to and 1 in its malleability1 and so that will attract the volatile and immature out of the imperfect ,metals1 and defend it in the fire1 but much weaker than 4 ,tin and ,iron being most impure and sharp metals1 may be washed with ,lead1 but with much difficulty1 and may be deprived of their spiritual and occult 1 but with far greater charges and cost1 than if you took in 1 or at least wise 4 ,now knowing this1 ,why do we not give to every one its proper additament1 for the expedition and enriching of the ,operation8 ',tis worth the while to be able to make a good mixtion of ,metals1 and with profit to wash them with 1 in which mixture none believes how much there's placed1 nor my self neither1 had ,i not with ,loss learned the same4 ,for1 when in former years ,i sought after somewhat in this kind of operation1 as washing and separation1 and had sometimes found out a good ,proba2 ,i have gone to repeat the same labour again1 and have egregiously erred4 ,and although ,i have for many years wrought hard in this kind of labour1 and spent much 7which ,i repent not of7 yet ,i dare not boast of catching the best prey1 but am content with a piece of ,bread1 but yet ,i do not dispair1 ,good things come slowly on1 and the thorny prickly ,budds spring forth before the ,roses come4 ,now1 if thou learnest the weights the ,work will be safe1 and thou needest not to doubt of doing the same in a great quantity4 ,paracelsus goes on1 and bids you to let the ,planets which you have put in1 to flow so long with the ,heaven of 1 until the ,heaven of vanish1 the ,planets will remain1 having received a new body1 which is to be taken out of the ,life and the ,earth1 which will be and 4 ,and these words are variously interpreted by sundry men1 especially what the ,heaven of is1 and are perswaded1 that if that were known1 the residue of the ,process they could state well enough4 ,many understand hereby the common separation made by a peculiar 1 taking the ,regulus ,stellate of 1 which is stampt with a ,clestial ,star1 the which they blow on and melt with the ,life1 7which they interpret to be the fire7 in the ,earth 7a ,cupel or ,test treibscherben7 the bodies being left upon the ,test1 like mortified ,metals1 the which reducing by a fusing addition1 and melting with ,lead1 7angesotten7 and promising themselves ,gold and ,silver1 they find themselves to be in an errour1 and accuse ,paracelsus of ,sophistry and ,deceit1 because they can't make good quantities of and 1 by means of his ,writings4 ,and now1 what this ,sphere of ,saturn is1 may be variously explained3 ,it may not unfitly be taken for common 1 because being fused1 it shines1 and is turned round3 or it may be taken for its ,glass1 which being melted in the fire1 shines like the ,sun3 or it may be the ,stellar ,regulus of 1 because its ,stria represents ,stars when 'tis broken4 ,but what benefit is it to know the ,heaven of and to be ignorant of the true requisite ,life1 and the reduction of the dead and reducible bodies4 ,common ,fire is not the ,life that ,paracelsus mentions1 but it may be stirred up thereby2 and so he saith2 ,the fire with its heat1 is the ,nativity to this motion3 ,if by the ,elemental ,fire he should mean the ,life1 and by the separation of 1 or blowing of the ,regulus of 1 7the flowing which ,paracelsus mentions7 then it must necessarily follow1 that the destroyed bodies which remain1 should be made more perfect1 and the ,spirit of ,heaven should yet remain with them2 for thus he writes1 viz4 ,the ,planets by it do become corporeal and living1 as they were before2 but in these kind of separation1 scorification1 or blowing off1 it is not found so to be2 but in these ,operations their ,bodies remain like ,scoria1 in which is neither spirit or life1 much less and to be found1 though never so diligently sought after4 ,paracelsus saith expressly1 viz4 ,that ,body 7viz41 of the slain or kill'd bodies7 is the ,spirit of ,heaven1 by which the ,planets do again become corporeal and alive as before2 from whence 'tis to be understood1 that those bodies are spiritual1 not only corporeal and resuscitated1 but such as may give life even to slain or destroyed bodies1 the which can't be said of them1 for a spirit must be penetrative and vivifying1 and they are not such4 ,for if 7according to ,paracelsus's mind7 the dead bodies ought to be reduced to ,corporality and ,life1 'tis necessary that they have some hidden power2 7which every one knows not7 whereby they may demonstrate most speedily their embodying and vivification in a spiritual manner1 without the addition of any peregrine ,flux1 or else they are deservedly to be rejected4 ,but if any one should now imagine1 that metals being by the red fire deprived of life1 made spiritual and again corporeal and living1 should forthwith be all and 2 he promiseth more to himself than is right1 and is deceived 7for ,paracelsus saith1 that ,that new body is to be taken out of the ,life and ,earth and kept1 for 'tis and 7 for 'tis impossible even for the ,philosophers ,stone1 to convert the whole bodies of ,metals into and 1 for out of nothing1 nothing can be made1 as the ,philosophers say2 and ,experience testifies1 none but ,god only made any thing out of nothing2 but that thing which is1 may by ,art be reduced into nothing1 and that again reduced into something4 ,seeing therefore that the greatest part of metal is an unprofitable1 combustible noxious ,sulphur1 which never was a metal1 but adhering only outwardly unto them1 and being combust1 reduceth their humidium ,radicale into ,scoria2 which ,humidum ,radicale only 7after its destruction7 and not the whole mass of ,metal or superfluous ,sulphur1 is reduced by the spirit of the ,saturnine ,heaven1 out of nothing unto something1 viz4 a ,body and ,life2 the ,sulphur which before the corruption was nothing1 remains still a ,nothing2 and if thou throughly observe the thing1 the ,case stands clearly thus2 viz4 ,if in this operation there must be a separation of the imperfect metals1 and a gathering together of the more pure1 and a dispersing of the more impure parts2 these separated parts must therefore necessarily be much unlike one another2 and by how much and is more pure1 if compared with imperfect metals1 from which 'tis separated3 ,and these separated parts are not of the same ,goodness and ,nature2 as if ten duckets were divided into two parts1 each part would have #e of the same goodness and weight4 ,now1 if from one of these halfs you take two or three parts1 and put them to the other half1 it only makes the one bigger1 and the other less3 ,and if there be nine parts on the one side1 and but one left on the other side1 yet cannot the major part boast of its excelling the other in quality1 but only in quantity3 ,as to ,goodness1 they are both equal4 ,but now1 if you take a ,mineral or ,metal commixt with stones1 and by measure divide it into two equal parts1 and then pound them1 and by pouring water thereon1 separate the lighter parts after the accustomed manner1 and the heavy ,metal will settle to the bottom3 ,now the dross and metal will fill the former measure1 but will very much differ in their goodness4 ,or if any one take two measures of ,wine1 and by the heat of ,fire1 separate the more excellent ,spirit by destilling in a ,glass ,alembick1 and leave the other measure in the ,cucurbit3 ,these two parts1 though equal in quantity1 yet they do much differ in goodness2 the one part will be more noble than ,wine1 and the other worser2 and as the other residence is no more ,wine1 being deprived of ,spirit1 ,life1 ,soul1 and ,strength1 and is thereby unable to defend it self from death1 but tends to putrefaction2 so on the other hand1 the ,spirit is not subject to putrefaction1 but preserves other things therefrom4 ,the like is to be understood of this metalline separation1 for the remainder1 from which is separated1 can no more be made ,tin1 ,copper1 or ,iron1 but is a gross earthy ,sulphur1 by the reason of the taken thence2 whereas before it was 1 1 1 or 4 ,and by how much the ,spirit of ,wine is more excellent than common ,wine1 and than an imperfect ,metal1 by so much also will the ,spirit of ,wine and excel1 if they are again separated1 and new fces segregated therefrom4 ,but this is not so necessary in this place2 'tis sufficient to have declared the way and reason of this metalline separation1 about which we have even now treated1 viz4 ,that the whole metal1 nor the or part thereof1 will become ,sol1 and the rest remain a metal2 but the separation of the pure is very small in quantity1 in comparison of the much impurity whence 'tis separated4 ,nor let any one think he hath not attained the ,art1 and so will not rest here1 if all things become not 2 'tis sufficient if there be some gotten1 and that all the ,labour is not bestowed in vain4 ,by what means ,crystals are to be ,conjured1 and all things to be seen in them4 ,to ,conjure is no other thing1 than well to observe a thing1 to know and understand what it is3 ,crystal is a ,figure of the ,air1 in which is to be seen whatsoever is moveable in the air or unmoveable4 ,the like appears in a ,looking-glass1 in ,crystal1 and in the ,waters1 for the ,air1 ,water1 and ,crystals1 are all one to ,sight2 like a ,glass wherein an ,object is to be seen1 as it were1 reverted4 ,glaub4 ,i do not fully know what ,paracelsus intends by this ,conjuration of ,crystals1 because it appertains not to the metalline ,arts2 but yet it seems not to be here added without good reason1 somewhat he would intimate hereby4 ,we read of the ,ancient ,pagan ,philosophers1 that they conjured ,crystals1 and beheld in them many wonderful things2 the which1 whether it be true or no1 ,i leave as ,i find it1 because in my ,judgment1 such an ,art seems not natural1 but belongs to ,diabolical ,magick1 which ,i have nothing to do with4 ,paracelsus also hath elsewhere written of wondrous ,looking-glasses of the same1 and hath taught how to compose them of ,metals1 melted together in a certain ,time and ,constellation2 the which many have attempted to do1 but not one 7as far as ,i know7 hath attained the ,mystery4 ,it seems very probable1 that he intends by this ,conjuration of ,crystals1 that the ,metals are to be made like to pellucid ,crystals1 ,air1 or ,water1 wherein the soul of the ,metal may shine1 if you would spiritualize them1 and make them yield their and 4 ,and in this ,sence it agrees with the aforesaid ,chapters4 ,it likewise seems1 that the mentioning of this thing is necessary for the sake of those1 who practising on a separation with 1 have experienced1 the ,metals are to be first reduced into ,transparent ,crystals1 before they part with their occult ,sol3 ,which ,i have elsewhere spoken more largely of1 about ,amausa1 and therefore will here end4 ,of the ,heat of ,mercury4 ,they that believe that ,mercury is of a moist and cold nature1 must lay down the ,bucklers1 for 'tis not so1 but it abounds with a great heat and moisture1 which being naturally planted therein1 keeps it alwaies fluid3 ,for1 were it of a cold and moist ,nature1 it would alwaies remain rigid and hard1 like to congealed ,water1 and were to be melted like other metals1 by the heat of the fire1 which it 7viz4 7 hath no need of1 because it hath already a fluidity from heat1 whereby it flows1 and is alwaies constrained to live1 and not to die1 grow stiff1 congeal1 or be fixed4 ,but this is singularly to be noted1 that the ,spirits of the seven ,metals1 or of as many of them as are conjoyned in the ,fire1 are wonderfully provoked and stirred up1 and ,mercury chiefly1 and they emit1 and send out their forces amongst each other1 for a mutual ,victory and ,transmutation2 the one takes away the ,virtue1 ,life1 and ,form from the other1 communicating a new ,nature and ,form2 so the ,spirits or ,vapours of ,metals are stirred up by heat and mutual action and passion1 and are transmuted from one ,virtue to another1 and at last to ,perfection and ,purity4 ,but what else is to be done with 1 that so his heat and moisture being taken away1 he may catch a great ,cold1 and be congealed1 stand still1 and die2 do as you hear in the following ,figment4 a most pure ,silver ,vessel1 in which shut up ,mercury1 then fill a ,pot with molten ,lead1 in the midst of which put in the ,vessel with the ,mercury2 let it flow a whole day1 and the hidden heat will be taken away from ,mercury1 and the external heat will communicate to it the internal cold of the ,lead and 1 being both of a cold nature1 by which ,mercury will grow stiff1 rigid1 and become hard4 ,note1 ,the ,cold which ,mercury hath need of for its hardening and death1 is not outwardly perceptible1 like ,snow or ,ice1 but is rather hot4 ,nor is the heat by which ,mercury flows1 felt by the hands1 but 'tis rather cold4 ,hence ,sophisters 7that is men speaking without knowledge7 pronounce him cold and moist1 and study how to coagulate him with hot things1 and thereby rather liquifie than harden him4 ,which thing ,experience it self testifieth4 ,true ,alchymy1 which by one only ,art teacheth to make and out of the ,five ,imperfect ,metals1 useth no other ,receipts1 than only from ,metals1 out of ,metals1 by ,metals1 and with ,metals1 are ,perfect ,metals made2 for with other things it is ,luna2 for in ,metals it is ,sol4 ,glaub4 ,here ,paracelsus demonstrates their ,judgment to be false1 who say that ,mercury 7in it self a meer ,fire7 is by nature ,cold1 and returns to speaking of ,spiritual ,metals1 the which being stirred up by great heat of ,fire1 do operate upon one another1 meliorate1 change1 and advance to perfection1 as hath been taught in the foregoing ,chapters4 ,then he adds a ,fable or ,story1 how to coagulate or fix ,mercury2 but it must not be taken in the literal sence1 but of the spiritual 1 whereby ,mercury is to be promoted to ,coagulation1 in a moist way1 and not in a dry1 as the other ,metals are1 which ,process ,i never yet attempted4 ,then he finisheth with an universal ,rule of ,transmutation1 saying1 ,perfect metals are made from metals1 out of metals by metals1 and with metals1 and that out of some 1 out of others is made4 ,he adviseth to take no strange thing1 and only metalline subjects are to be taken for this ,work out of some ,luna only2 out of others ,sol only1 or and 1 both are to be extracted1 which ,i have often tried2 as in 1 which of it self gives only 1 ,tin1 1 and 1 by themselves give only ,luna1 and pure ,sol2 but commixt with other ,metals in a due proportion1 they give only 1 and very little or no 3 ,which maturation is to be ascribed only to the labour and mixtion1 which is deservedly to be admired4 ,what ,matter and ,instruments are needful in ,alchymy4 ,there is no special need of any thing1 excepting a ,fire-place1 ,coals1 ,bellows1 ,tongs1 ,hammer1 ,crucibles1 ,test1 7treib scherben7 and ,cupels made of good ,beech-ashes4 ,then put in 1 1 1 1 ,copper1 1 and ,luna4 ,proceed to the end of 4 ',tis very difficult and uncertain to find out ,metals and ,minerals in the ,earth and ,stones2 yet because all ,metals are to be first sought after and digged out of the ,earth1 this ,labour is not to be contemned1 but is ,praise-worthy4 ,nor will this lust and desire in digging in ,mines sooner cease1 than the love of young ,men to ,maids will fail2 and as the ,bees are greedy of extracting ,honey and ,wax out of the ,rose1 so prone and forward should a ,man be1 to find out the ,minerals in the bowels of the ,earth1 but without ,covetousness2 he that is overmuch greedy1 receives least1 for ,god doth not fill all men with gold and silver1 but with want1 dung1 dirt1 misery1 and scarcity4 ,some men also ,god bestows a peculiar ,intellect upon1 and a piercing knowledge of ,minerals and ,metals2 so that they know a far more compendious way of making ,sol and ,luna without digging in the ,mine-pits1 and without the ,examen or ,trying1 and ,fusion of ,minerals4 ,so that 'tis not so altogether necessary to dig in the ,earth for native ,sol and ,luna1 but by a certain knowledge it might be made of five ,species1 7but of ,minerals become ,metals1 which are ,imperfect ,metals1 and are so called7 viz4 1 1 1 ,mars1 and ,copper3 ,of some more easily1 of othersome more difficultly is ,sol and ,luna to be had4 ,note also1 ,that out of ,argent ,vive1 ,lead1 1 ,gold and ,silver is easily made2 out of and difficultly4 ,nevertheless 'tis possible1 but in the beginning and access of ,sol and ,luna4 ,out of ,magnesia and ,lead comes ,luna4 ,out of and ,cinnabar ariseth pure ,sol4 ,likewise an ,ingenious man 7as ,i well remember7 is able by due attention and preparation so to handle a ,metal1 as to be able by his ingenuity to do more in the ,transmutation of ,metals to perfection1 and to guide the same better than all the ,signs and ,planets of ,heaven can do4 ',tis also needless to observe the ,twelve ,signs1 and to calculate the motions and ,regiment of the ,planets1 and to observe a time1 a day1 the hour of this or that luckey or unluckey ,planet2 such things neither promote nor hinder any thing2 they neither hurt nor profit ought in the natural ,art of ,alchymy3 ,but if thou rightly understandest the art and possibility thereof1 then go to work and labour when thou seest it most convenient2 but if thou want'st the knowledge and practice thereof1 then all the ,planets1 ,stars1 and ,signs will wholly fail thee4 ,it also comes to pass1 that metals lying long in the ,earth1 are not only changed into ,rust1 but by a longer staying in the ,earth1 they return into their ,native ,stone1 of which sort are many found1 albeit they are not observed1 for there are found stony pieces of ,money1 of the ,gentiles1 which were ,metal heretofore1 and by ,corruption were transformed into ,stone4 ,glaub4 ,here we are1 in the first place1 taught1 that for the making of and there needs not many ,instruments nor ,species1 but the metals are only to be conjoined1 but not by the common separation or washing3 ,for if you should wash all the metals with ,lead1 yet would there remain no more and than was taken at the beginning2 the rest will descend with the ,lead into the ,cupel1 and will lie at the top thereof like ,scoria2 therefore he doth again direct to a spiritual ,commixtion and ,philosophical ,separation4 ,also he adds1 ,that 'tis an honest1 good1 and necessary thing to dig up ,metals1 but that the other is the more excellent1 and that deservedly1 for it separates ,gold and ,silver by ,art from the more vile metals2 for all such as apply their minds to metals1 do well know with what dangers1 costs1 labours1 and ,cares1 they are to be gotten out2 but yet 'tis not therefore to be abstained from1 especially since we labour by this ,rule1 of having a fore-known and certain end of our pains and work2 the which cannot indeed be done in metallick ,mineings1 for we are frequently drawn by vain hopes to bestow all our ,estates on the ,mines2 and having spent all in vain labour1 we are at last compelled to desist from the ,work2 but yet if it succeeds well1 they yield the more plentiful ,returns2 and many ,chronicles of ,metals do testifie1 ,that many ,poor men have1 by the ,benefit of a rich ,mine-pit1 grown most ,rich and ,wealthy in a few years space4 ,the finding out of ,mines therefore doth wholly consist in ,chance and ,casualty1 where ,profit and ,loss are equally and alike to be expected3 ,the ,work is likewise very chargeable1 and can't be set upon by every body1 and therefore 'tis not for ordinary ,people1 who have but little to lose1 but for rich ,men1 who1 though they lose much1 are notwithstanding able to live1 unless happily a ,poor man lights upon some ,earth or ,sand that is very rich in and 1 and other ,metals1 by the washing whereof he may get a livelihood2 or else finding a rich ,mine1 and so betakes himself to a ,rich man for his ,copartner1 such a one as is able to bear the ,charges of digging it forth2 and this is often done4 ,but yet be it as it will1 the thing is full of uncertainty4 ,whereas this ,metallurgy1 or ,work on ,metals1 which ,paracelsus makes mention of1 is to be preferred far before the other1 if any one 7by the ,grace of ,,god7 attaineth the ,art1 whereby he may with profit extract the or out of the already-digged-up ,imperfect metals1 which are every where to be sold4 ,but to return to the business in hand1 viz4 ,to illustrate the ,writings of ,paracelsus1 who deserved much of his ,country4 ,he names some metals1 out of which ,gold and ,silver may easily be extracted1 and others1 out of which 'tis difficult to get it1 but in both ,sol and ,luna1 is to be added2 for 'tis profitable1 yea1 necessary 7the which ,i have frequently exhorted to7 in the extraction of ,gold and ,silver out of imperfect metals1 and is volatile1 and may the more commodiously make it corporeal and fixt4 ,then he adds1 ,that ,metals1 by a longer stay in the ,earth1 do die1 and return into stones and earth1 from whence they had their original4 ,the like happens to ,man1 and all ,creatures2 nor is there any thing in the ,world1 how glorious soever it be1 but is vain1 empty1 and perishing1 but the ,knowledge1 ,love1 and ,fear of ,,god alone4 ,what thing ,alchymy is4 ,alchymy is an intention1 imagination1 and studying1 or considering how or whereby the ,species of ,metals are transmuted from one degree and nature into another4 ,let therefore every ingenious and understanding man throughly consider the good ,art of ,alchymy1 for he that speculates and well studies1 will the sooner attain the ,art and find out the ,truth4 ,note1 ,that very much is to be attributed to the ,stars and ,stones1 for the ,stars are the framers of all ,stones4 ,and all the ,clestial ,constellations1 the ,sun and ,moon1 are in themselves nothing but stones1 from which the ,terrestrial do arise1 being as it were their burnt part1 ,coal1 ,ashes1 ,outcast1 ,excrement1 ,expurgation1 from which the ,clestial ,stones separating themselves1 become clear and transparent by their proper brightness3 ,and the whole ,globe of the ,earth is nothing else but a dejected1 slidden down1 commixt1 broken1 recocted ,rubbish1 and blown as 'twere into one ,mass1 having obtained ,rest and ,constancy in the middle ,circle of the ,firmament4 ',tis also to be noted1 that ,gemms 7the names whereof ,i shall presently mention7 together with the other ,stones1 came down into the ,earth from the ,celestial ,stones or ,stars1 to which they are nearest in all perfection of ,purity1 ,fairness1 ,brightness1 ,virtue1 and ,constancy1 or ,fixity1 and ,incorruptibility in the fire1 and are in a manner like to the ,celestial stones and constellations1 being parts of them1 and of the ,nature derived from them1 and are found by men in an impure gross vessel1 and are supposed by the vulgar 7who judge rashly of all things7 to have been there born or generated2 such as are found are polished1 and are carried throughout the ,world to be sold1 and are accounted as great ,riches1 because of their form1 colour1 and other ,virtues1 of which ,i am now going to ,treat4 ,of ,gemms4 ,the ,emerald is a green ,transparent stone2 it helps the ,eyes1 succours the ,memory1 defends ,chastity2 the which being violated1 it self1 viz4 the stone1 is hurt4 ,the ,adamant or ,diamond is a black ,crystal2 'tis called ,evax1 because it produceth ,joy3 ',tis obscure1 and of an ,iron colour1 most hard1 is dissolved with ,goats blood1 and exceeds not the bigness of a ,filberd ,nut4 ,the ,magnet is a stone of ,iron1 because it attracts ,iron4 ,the ,margarite is a ,pearl1 and not a ,stone2 'tis generated in shells1 and is white2 for whatsoever is generated in ,animals1 in a ,man or ,fish1 is not properly a ,stone1 but only in the opinion of the vulgar3 ,it is properly a depraved 7or a transmuted7 ,nature on a ,perfect ,work4 ,the ,jacynth is a yellow pellucid stone2 'tis also a ,flower1 the which the ,poets fain to have been a ,man4 ,the ,sapphire is a ,skie-colour stone1 of a ,celestial nature4 ,the ,ruby is a stone deeply red4 ,the ,carbuncle is a stone of the ,sun1 emits light and splendour1 like to the ,sun in his own nature4 ,coral also is like to a stone1 all red1 it grows in the sea1 on wood or a shrub1 of the nature of the ,water and ,air2 'tis presently changed by the ,air1 and turns to a stone1 grows red1 is incombustible in the ,fire1 and therefore may be esteemed a ,stone4 ,the ,chalcedony is a stone with bright and obscure colours1 with mixt and cloudy fluidities and colours1 ruddy1 like to a ,liver1 the vilest of all the ,gemms1 shining with every colour4 ,the ,topas is a stone1 shining also in the night2 'tis found in either rocks or stones4 ,the ,amethist is a stone of a red and yellow2 it shines4 ,the ,crysopassus is a stone fiery in the ,night1 and in the day it appears ,golden coloured4 ,the ,crystal is a white transparent stone1 like to ,water congealed by the ,air1 and cold1 7or of the ,air and ,cold7 it is sublimated1 extracted1 or 7as they say7 washed out of other ,rocks4 ,and now1 for a ,conclusion1 ,i will give you this most true farewel4 ,if any one will use a right reason1 sence1 and cogitation towards ,metals1 what they are1 and whence they come1 let him know1 that our metals are nothing else but the best portion of common stones2 they are the ,spirit of the stones1 that is1 the ,marrow1 ,oyl1 ,pitch1 and ,fat of the stones2 but it is not sincere1 pure1 and perfect1 as long as 'tis mixt and hid in the stones2 this therefore is to be sought for and found in stones1 and to be known in them and extracted from them2 and then it is no more a stone1 but a well-wrought and perfect ,metal1 assimilated to the ,clestial ,stars1 the which also are peculiar stones1 distinct from these stones4 ,whoever therefore is willing to find out metals1 let him firmly believe this1 and thus account1 ,that he must not be only intent on the common ,metals1 nor have his hope placed in the bowels of the ,earth1 that so he might get good ,minerals from thence1 for often times there is above or without the ,earth in sight1 which is not in the profundity and depth thereof1 and oftentimes is better1 and more rich4 ,therefore all such stones as you meet with1 whether great or small1 as great whole stones or flints are to be most accurately search'd or look'd into1 and to be considered of what ,nature and ,property they are2 for oftentimes a most vile ,flint is found to be more excellent than any ,cow4 ,for the ,matrix or ,rock1 ,abbruch1 whence they are gotten1 from whence such a stone did arise1 is not alwaies to be earnestly sought after1 that you may have more from thence1 for these stones have no ,rock1 the ,heaven is their ,rock2 oftentimes also the ,abject ,earth1 ,powder1 and ,sand1 hath much gold and silver ,dust1 7,schlich7 which observe4 ,glaub4 ,here ,paracelsus declares what ,alchymy is1 whose words being perspicuous enough1 need no illustration3 ,then he leads us to the birth of metals1 the which are generated in the ,earth1 out of the ,stars above3 ,he attributes to ,gemms the nearest place of ,perfection1 but does not intend that we should earnestly seek after them1 to have gold and silver from thence1 but that the metals should be made like them1 as to their outward ,aspect1 and then afterwards the and is to be extracted1 to which all the scope of the foregoing ,chapters tend1 which is to be observed and enquired into1 what his meaning is3 ,nor are the bare ,letters alwaies to be trusted to1 here is nothing mentioned by him in vain4 ,what affinity have ,gems with the metals8 ,none at all3 ,and although sometimes the hidden and may be extracted1 yet he doth not at all intend here that we should make that1 but repeating the former ,doctrine1 he hints unto us1 ,that the metals out of which the and is to be extracted with profit1 are to be first reduced into soluble or insoluble ,glass1 most like to ,gemms2 a good ,company of them he here reckons up1 and adds to what use they serve2 not that we might learn their ,nature1 ,colour1 and ,properties1 7as ,i suppose7 but to teach us1 that as they are found different in ,colours and ,virtues1 even so may the metals be prepared into ,colours like unto them4 ,he that neither understands nor will believe1 let him seek better things1 and get help and assistance elsewhere4 ,then at length1 by way of addition1 he concludes what ,metals are1 and that they are not alwaies to be gotten out of the profundity of the ,earth1 but are sometimes to be found most plentiful in most vile powder1 sand1 and stones2 neither is it necessary to be earnest in seeking their rock or original1 whereby more may be gotten1 because the ,heaven by its operation generates them every where3 he reproves men for their blindness1 because they alwaies gape after great ,mines1 lying deep1 dangerous to be found1 and chargeable to dig out4 ,that which is laid before their feet1 as it were1 they disdain to acknowledge1 peevishly affecting the dark1 and stubbornly contemning the light exhibited to them by honest men1 and by an innate malice they study to extinguish it4 ,and thus is this ,book ended1 the which ,paracelsus1 a most experienced man1 hath left behind him1 written of ,metallick things1 and is most full of abstruse wisdom1 although few believe it1 to the ,elucidation and explaining whereof1 ,i have heretofore uttered my mind1 nothing doubting1 but that hereafter it will be in better esteem with ,all4 ,indeed ,i could have written more openly1 and explained his words more largely1 and more exactly have discovered his occult sence1 but time and want of leisure permits it not at present4 ,but if ,i seem to any body to have written more obscurely1 let him consult with my other ,writings1 for they illustrate one another4 ,now follows the ,praxis of the aforesaid ,theory4 ,the afore-written ,explanation of the ,book 7of ,vexations7 of ,paracelsus1 hath taught a most certain and undoubted ,transmutation of ,metals1 and hath sufficiently advised by what means they are to be handled4 ,but because this action requires a great experience in metallick affairs1 ,i am willing to add some special waies of ,proceeding1 and that in perspicuous words2 but 'tis impossible to write so plainly that none may erre2 it would be too prolix1 tedious1 and unfit1 and as if many ,elements of the ,physicks1 and other subtile things1 were read to a ,child that is not capable of understanding them2 the labour thus bestowed1 would be wholly in vain3 ,nor do ,i undertake to instruct the ,tyroes or ,novices in ,alchymy1 but such as are skill'd in the metallick labour of fusion1 washing1 separation1 and the like1 of a subtile ,intellect and experienced ,judgment4 ,i would verily have written more clearly1 did ,i not fear that the ,art would become a ,trade2 some will think that ,i have written too openly1 and will be angry that such ,secrets are made known to the ,world3 ,who can satisfie all ,people8 ,but be it as it will1 'twill be alwaies good to have done a profitable ,work for my ,neighbour4 ,this is the ,,art4 ,when thou hast put in the ,heaven of 1 and hast made it to flow with its ,life in the ,earth1 then add the ,imperfect ,metals in a due ,weight1 viz4 1 1 1 1 and a little 2 let them flow so long with the ,heaven1 until with it they disappear1 and having lost their nature and metalline form1 are reduced into earth4 ,this metallick earth being yet joined to the heaven of 1 and compassed wholly round therewith1 raise up by the spirit of ,heaven1 and make it corporeal1 and it will receive its former metalline form2 but although it be bettered1 yet let it be killed three1 or four1 or five times1 and raised up1 that the melioration may be greater1 and produce in the separation more ,sol and ,luna4 ,there needs no ,tyle1 7,muffel7 ,cupel1 ,test1 7treibs-scherben7 ,cucurbit1 ,aqua-fortis1 and such like ,vessels and ,instruments necessary in other ,metalline ,labours1 but 'tis perfectly finished in one only ,crucible1 in one ,furnace1 with one only ,fire1 and in the space of a few hours1 from the beginning to the end4 ,and to speak more plainly in this ,process1 the ,sphere of is the ,regulus of 1 the ,life is a whitening ,salt1 having its operation and motion from the ,fire2 the ,earth is the ,crucible4 ,and thus hast thou the whole ,process of the ,work laid open1 the which ,i have tried above an hundred times in a small quantity2 but let the studious ,artist1 above all things1 observe the ,fire1 of what original1 nature1 and virtue it is1 and the other things will be the more easily understood2 for the ,wood1 the ,coals1 and such-like burning things1 are not the ,fire properly1 but only its habitation1 in which the ,fire being occultly dispersed in the ,air1 is made manifest1 visible1 and perceptible4 ,even as the ,man is not the ,life or ,soul1 but only the receptacle wherein the ,life or ,soul1 being infused from above1 doth lodge3 ,nor is the man any more a man1 but a meer carcass when the soul expires4 ,in like manner ,gold ceaseth to be ,gold when deprived of its soul1 but is volatile1 and a ,mineral without colour4 ,whence 'tis evident1 that the ,goodness of metals consists not in their bodies1 but in their souls3 ,on this account is added to the ,imperfect ,metals1 that it may receive that invisible soul which lies largely diffused throughout their bodies1 that it may collect it1 make it visible1 perceptible1 and corporeal1 whereby the mixtion of both 7viz4 of the ,luna and the ,soul of the ,imperfect ,metals7 being made1 it gets the name of 4 ,some body may ask1 ,whether or no ,gold will be produced1 if no be added to the metalline mixture8 ,for answer1 ,there will be produced1 but less in quantity than if ,luna were added1 because the most tender 7and as it were incorporeal7 golden soul of the imperfect bodies is not able to quit it self and get out by its own proper force1 from so many impurities as 'tis invironed with1 without some other help1 nor make a new body2 'tis needful and good to administer and lend to it a body wherein it may be contracted1 and thereto betake it self1 for which the ,luna is most fit2 the which being by a vivifying ,fire radically united with the unclean metals1 and well subdued or exercised in the mutual ascension and descension1 the purer particles of the ,imperfect bodies do come together in this ,circulation of the ,luna1 adhere thereto1 are mixed1 and become corporeal1 the impure corruptible body being left1 and a separation made of the good from the bad4 ,so then1 ,i have now taught perspicuously the ,art of extracting ,sol and ,luna out of all the ,imperfect ,metals1 either apart1 or conjoined with or without the addition of the ,luna4 ,if therefore thou attainest to the ,art1 ,i am glad2 if not1 thou hast no cause to complain of me1 for ,i have candidly imparted unto thee the meer and naked ,truth4 ,another ,separation of ,sol and ,luna out of the ,imperfect ,metals1 by 4 ,first of all1 melt well in a melting ,vessel1 7,scherben7 add 1 1 and 1 mixt in due weight1 melt them together1 and forthwith the and will corrupt the ,lead1 being reduced into ,scoria like to yellow ,earth1 and being reduced1 they will in part restore their own ,lead and ,copper1 but the and remain like black ,scoria1 which are to be kept3 ,let the ,coppery ,lead flow well again1 and again add and 1 and there will be again made ,scoria1 which are presently to be reduced4 ,let this ,labour of ,scorification and ,reduction be repeated1 until there remain scarce one or two pound of ,lead out of an hundred to be washed1 and you shall find and in part1 which the ,metals give out from themselves in this operation3 ,but the ,scoria which can't be reduced1 let lie well heated red hot1 in a peculiar ,furnace1 for some daies1 and be fixed1 and they will give in the reduction a golden and silvery or ,lead to be washed1 that so the remaining and which the ,scoria drank up1 being extracted1 may be of use unto us4 ,this labour 7which ,i never tried in great quantity1 will doubtlessly 7in my opinion7 succeed in quantities2 any one may try the thing1 and exactly compute how much profit may be thence had every year4 ,also the most ,imperfect ,metals may 7by the benefit of ,salts not corrosive7 be truly and infallibly fixt and wash'd by a particular way1 that they may give much and 1 concerning which none need to doubt2 the which ,i having oftentimes mentioned in my ,writings1 will not repeat it again4 ,metals also being first reduced into a ,calx1 may be purged and wash'd by the glass of ,lead1 made by the addition of ,flints1 so as to yield much ,sol1 concerning which ,i have written heretofore3 ,but there's required much 1 whereby the metals may be largely diffused1 otherwise it will not let fall the fces2 nor can its more pure parts be gathered together into a body1 and concentrated2 ,i take in the ,flints1 that they may receive into themselves the fces of the unclean ,metals1 and so make a separation of the pure from the impure4 ,and like as we are wont to mix the whites of ,eggs to ,honey1 ,sugar1 and other ,vegetable ,juices1 in the purification of them by ,water1 that thereby the viscousness of the ,juices may be attracted1 and so be clarified4 ,in like manner1 the ,flints do in this operation occupy the place of the whites of ,eggs1 and of the ,water wherein 1 1 or is to be dissolved2 the ,labour is most pleasant and speedy1 exceeding gainful1 if the ,crucibles 7perforated by the ,litharge7 would but hold the mixture1 and not let it pass through so soon4 ,but whosoever shall be so happy as to find ,vessels which can keep in the ,glass of ,lead for ten or twelve hours1 he need not be solicitous or careful of other ,arts to inrich himself by4 ,for my own part1 ,i could never be so happy hitherto1 albeit ,i have carefully sought it for so many years4 ,one only pound of ,iron1 1 or 1 doth sometimes yield half1 yea a whole lot of ,sol1 if the ,work be rightly managed4 ,and if you add a fix'd ,salt1 as of ,tartar or bare ,pot-ashes1 it will then yield more1 but the ,crucibles will be the sooner perforated to our grief4 ,i do believe that one or other will be a curious ,searcher after this1 and may in due time find how to make this ,work succeed very well1 both in ,crucibles and in great ,fires1 or melting places2 and will be thankful to ,,god the ,giver1 and to me the ,writer hereof4 ,heretofore ,i did set by this ,labour very highly2 and although ,i would not then communicate it to any body for a great price1 yet now 7being not permitted to make any further ,progress therein7 ,i freely bestow it1 that others also may try their fortune4 ,also imperfect metals are purged from their combustible and noxious sulphur1 by the suddain fire of ,nitre1 of which we have formerly spoken about ,mercury1 the which is to be lookt on as the most speedy1 and as it were a momentary ,melioration of metals ,n4 ,b4 especially if they are reduced into a soluble salt without a ,corrosive1 for which thing and are most fit1 exhibiting a ,philosophical ,vitriol1 the which may be most commodiously purifyed to perfection4 ,there's a great secret lies here under1 and haply greater than a particular work may require2 let the ,poetical fable of ,venus and her son ,cupid be considered of2 what is there meant by ,cupid1 whether or no it be not 4 ,verily ,i could discover more good ways of producing and out of the more vile metals1 but because there's enough already spoken in the explication of the seven ,canons or ,rules1 it seems good to me to forbear4 ,he that doth not understand that nor can apprehend its drift or scope1 will not be profited by the addition of more things4 ,if the fundamentals are laid open1 any one will conveniently administer his intent and labours3 ,but yet ,i will add over and above1 a most pleasant work1 ,parabolically1 being the foundation and ,basis of the whole ,alchymical ,art1 under which is comprehended the radical solution of metals1 ,conjunction1 ,destillation1 ,sublimation1 ,ascention1 ,descension1 ,cohobation1 ,cementation1 ,calcination1 ,inceration1 and ,fixation1 and so ,i will end the work of ,transmutation4 ,there was a man 77 who had two sons1 7,bismuth or ,tinglass1 and 7 the younger 77 said to his ,father 771 give me my portion1 7,note well1 ,bismuth and were always accounted ,lead1 as well by the ,philosophers1 as by the ancient workers on metals1 the one viz4 ,bismuth1 they called an ashy colour'd ,lead1 the other 77 a white ,lead1 and this a black ,lead17 and behaved himself stubbornly and unmannerly1 that is1 ascending or getting up2 his ,father gives it him1 and he goes a wandring therewith1 7,note well1 when and ,bismuth together with do feel the fire1 the is separated from the and ,bismuth1 and ascending1 takes some-what from with it1 and becomes a ,contumacious ,scoria1 and this is to go a wandring7 and he enters into an ,inn1 where the ,host1 and the ,hostess1 had the sign of the ,world 77 in a hanging ,table1 who having entertained him1 dispoiled him of all his ,fathers goods1 7,solution7 ,then there grew such a great scarcity of ,corn 7with drought7 that all men were even deformed by reason of the ,famine 7corruption71 to prevent which he is enforced to keep hogs1 7that is to dwell with ftid ,nitre7 and to feed on huskes1 7that is ,tartar7 7inceration1 imbibition7 by which being humbled 7,digestion1 ,circulation1 ,edulcoration1 ,putrefaction7 he returns to his ,father1 7,incorporation7 as a lost ,son1 7some thing is made nothing1 and nothing is made something again7 he brings forth a new ,garment1 7,argenteous7 he puts a ,gold ,ring on his finger1 7 impregnated with 7 after which he remains constant with his ,father1 and becomes a good and thrifty ,householder1 that is1 a fixt metal4 ,and now that ,i thus compare this ,transmutation of imperfect bodies1 especially of to the parable of the lost ,son let no body be therewith displeased1 for ,i did it for the easier knowledge thereof4 ,there lies under it a great secret1 ,i never observed the like-changes in my whole ,labours2 for first of all1 in the ,solution appears a blackness1 which haveing remained his time1 there follows the tail of the ,peacock1 greenness and then whiteness2 but whether or no a redness would follow1 if it be detained longer in digestion1 ,i am not certain1 for ,i never arrived beyond the whiteness4 ,it is a most pleasant ,labour1 greatly exhilerating the ,artificers mind1 of small charges and little difficulty2 if they1 find the weight and good vessels1 it shews the way and opens the ,door to higher ,secrets1 happy is he who attains the things1 he'll never be satisfyed with the sight thereof1 nor admiration1 how rich1 generous1 fair and glorious ,nature is in her retirements4 ,note well1 that every ,metal may be washt apart with and ,salts1 so that being exalted1 it may yield and in separation1 and pass through all colours1 but it will not be so profitable1 as if they were all joined together1 for then one operates spiritually upon the other1 changeth and perfects him4 ,and now having abundantly discovered1 how and is to be extracted out of the imperfect metals1 and because in that labour and is most an end jointly together1 'tis very necessary to know1 by what ,art they may be separated each from the other1 that so each may be had by it self1 which is to be done thus2 ,if this mixture hath more than 1 'tis most profitably to be melted by ,antimony and precipitated into a ,regulus with ,iron washed with ,nitre and purifyed4 ,this work you may find described in my former ,books4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the ,nitre in the separation of purification of the ,reguli1 prey upon some of the and and attract it to it self1 let none grieve thereat and account his labour lost1 but let him remember the saying of ,paracelsus1 ,destruction or ,corruption makes the good perfect2 ,the ,nitrous ,scoria1 in which the cleansed ,reguli are1 let be carefully kept and fixt1 then by a strong flux let them be reduc'd and you shall receive the lost ,son1 much more elegant than he was before it's being lost1 so that hereby you lose not1 but rather become a gainer4 ,here would be a fit place to speak of a certain profitable work if the drift of the thing would permit4 ,enough is spoken to a wise man1 ,fools will not profit by any thing3 ,but if it contain more than 1 let the mixture be at first of all granulated1 and burnt with ,sulphur1 let it be precipitated1 either with alone or without it1 with lead and ,salts2 thus separating the from the into ,reguli2 then wash it with ,nitre or with ,lead1 and let it be purifyed1 the work being to be done in like manner4 ,you are to note that if the precipitation be done with 1 then the ,caput mortuum 7,halb ,kopff7 is to be added1 whereby the work will be apparently hastned and bettered4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the ,reguli of the maturated or fixt ,metals be coppery or pale1 they need not be washt1 but 'twill suffice if being granulated1 they are precipitated with ,salts1 and the ,caput ,mortuum 7,halb ,kopff17 all the and will come forth in peculiar ,reguli1 the ,copper and the ,lead will be scorifyed1 and may in acute ,furnaces 7,stich ofen7 be reduced1 and be aplyed to other uses according to the rule of ,art4 ,i judge it inexpedient to heap up more things concerning ,extraction 7,seigeren7 washing1 and the separation of metals1 being every where mentioned in my other writings4 ,also it will be needless to explain1 by what manner metals may be more commodiously melted so as to yield more and better metals1 as also how the poor and rough ,minerals that abound with a preying and devouring ,sulphur1 whereby the metal in its fusion1 is turned into ,scoria1 and affords so little profit1 that being not able to quit cost1 they remain unmanaged1 the which ,sulphur especially in the ,minerals of ,copper and ,lead1 may by a singular ,cement or ,gradatory fire1 be inverted and changed1 so that afterwards in their fusion1 ,it's so far from swallowing up the metal1 and turning of it into ,scoria1 that it rather exalts it so as to give in the separation1 the which could never have been done without this burning or roasting4 ,no body doth throughly search after any help for this or that metal1 either before the melting or in the melting of it1 if the gross fire is not able to melt it down1 but most frequently the best part remains in the ,scoria without profit or use4 ',tis possible for an experienced ,chymist1 profitably to extract that and which the ,scoria have swallowed up1 what by fusion and by adhibiting suitable ,menstruums4 ,a work of this nature hath been hinted in my discourse of the ,extraction of ,flints1 and more shall be likewise mentioned when ,i come to write of the felicity and hidden ,treasures of ,germany1 which time let the ,reader with patience expect4 ,a nother benefit would arise to such as work on metals1 if they had the perfect way of separating and separating the by precipitation1 that lies therein1 7,neider ,schlagh7 that it may not be so unworthily wasted with the by the ,artificers4 ,and thus ,i conclude this ,appendix or addition to the ,mineral work1 the which ,i have brought forth to light with a good will for my ,neighbours sake1 that so1 being accepted with a serene mind1 the ,glory of ,god may be thereby advanced2 for which end ,i wish with all my heart a divine benediction on the ,labours of every honest and active searcher into the metalline affairs4 ,amen4 ,the ,,apology of ,john ,rudolph ,glauber1 ,against the ,lying ,calumnies of ,,christopher ,,farnner4 ',tis an ancient ,proverb1 ,he that toucheth ,dung is defiled1 and will alwaies savour of a ,dunghill4 ,experience makes it evident4 ,i ever hated ,quarreling1 as more agreeable to the ,pevishness of ,women1 than the more ,generous ,temper of ,christian ,men2 and have1 as much as ,i might1 alwaies declin'd it1 being rather desirous to suffer injuries1 to bear losses1 by silence to forgo those things ,i might lawfully lay claim to1 to undergo any thing1 so that ,i might enjoy my beloved ,peace 7with which ,,god has blest me hitherto74 ,neither have ,i ever1 so long as ,i have liv'd in the ,world1 7and ,i am pretty ancient7 been taken1 by the worst of men1 for a contentious ,person3 ,but perfidious ,farnner1 unprovoked1 urges me to this vindication of my self1 by going about not only to hurt my ,person1 but also by a ,pride no less than his ,envy1 to explode and defame all my ,writings1 and by infamous ,letters dispersed abroad1 to render me odious to all good men4 ,which wicked ,enterprize1 though ,i heard of it by many1 ,i durst not believe1 till a printed ,epistle of his came to my hands1 which having perused1 ,i thought ,i could not enough admire his detestable ,impiety1 and the many scandalous names he had for me4 ,art thou not ashamed ,farnner1 to expose my ,works to the contempt of others1 when thou neither dost1 or ever canst understand 'em1 and before now hast prais'd 'em1 as may be proved from your own hand8 ,i'm sure ,i never merited that you should cavil at me where-e'er you come1 and proclaim my ,writings unprofitable4 ,you ought rather all your ,life1 in consideration of the many benefits you have receiv'd at my hands1 to have behaved your self as a ,man grateful to me2 but instead of that1 notwithstanding the ,obligation that lies upon you to the contrary1 you have despightfully recompensed all my kindness with the basest ,ingratitude1 which is directly opposite to goodness4 ,to what end do you deny that you had your greatest knowledge from me1 and in the mean time expose it as your own1 and upbraid me from whom you had it8 ,i never before believ'd you unfaithful1 but alwaies thought you candid1 and have communicated so great things to no man as to your self4 ,i believe you will not deny your coming twice from ,lochgovia to me at ,kitzinga1 and entreating me to communicate some ,secret to you1 whereby you might get a livelihood4 ,have you not been forced twice1 being repulsed1 to return home with this ,excuse1 ,that ,i wanted time to instruct you8 ,and when you came the third time1 ,i suffered my self to be perswaded1 and did communicate some ,secrets to you gratis1 on this consideration1 ,that you should impart those things wherewith ,i trusted you1 to no man without my leave2 which you promised by an ,obligation1 7viz4 ,that you wou'd keep all things secret7 under the penalty of ,disgrace1 and the forfeiture of all your ,goods4 ,why hast thou falsified thy ,word1 and contrary to thy ,promises1 so wickedly ridicul'd me among all men1 when with thy whole ,family thou didst promise to be faithful to me8 ,not only ,obligations1 but also thine own ,letters are ,witnesses3 ,neither do ,i question1 that if ,i had lost or wanted them to convince thee1 thou wouldst have denied1 and that with an ,oath1 that thou wast ever beholden to me for any thing1 as thou hast already begun1 and as thou in thy spightful ,writings despisest all my ,secrets1 and proclaimest thine 7which yet are mine7 with praise4 ,you doubt whether or no the reading this will make me repent that ,i ever trusted you with so many things1 which ,i had never done1 had not you obliged your self to labour diligently with me in my ,laboratory1 to produce those things for the profit of us both4 ,but what can ,i do with them8 ,they are perished and gone which yet might sufficiently have sustain'd both you and me1 had not you made 'em publick4 ,i pray1 ,what gain can you hope for from them1 now they are every where known8 ,wherefore when ,i see those things taken from me1 and by you imparted to all men1 in spight of me1 for your own advantage1 ,i think fit 7for ,i cannot hope for any farther profit from them privately7 to make 'em known to the ,world2 and by the ,grace of ,,god1 ,i may live without them3 ,but if ,i also should buy all thy goods which thou unjustly possessest and sellest to every man1 of thee1 and distribute them about the world1 thou wilt see thou canst not easily recover them1 or others in their room4 ,i indeed will give you nothing for the future1 neither can my unfaithful ,servant1 whom you have made as good as your self1 give you any thing1 for whatever he hath learn'd of me these two years1 he has given you1 which you also have laid up among your own wares and exposed to sale4 ,who will hereafter trust you1 you have so wickedly deceiv'd me8 ,every man will abominate you1 and shun your ,partnership and ,company1 neither undeservedly1 for the ,laws of your own ,obligation make this your ,fate3 ,so the merit of the ,crime shall return upon the ,author1 and you can be more sure of nothing1 than that ,divine ,vengeance will pursue you4 ,i confess indeed some others1 as well as you1 have injur'd me1 but none by so wicked an act2 whom nevertheless ,,god 7to whom ,i refer'd my ,cause7 hath so severely punished1 that each of them1 by one cause or other1 has brought upon himself his deserved ,reward of ,punishment4 ,but ,i had yet farther tolerated you to exercise your ,trade at your pleasure2 neither had ,i followed you to ,lochgovia1 to urge your ,obligation to you1 but had committed ,vengeance to ,,god2 only for that you were not content to sell those things publickly for your filthy lucre1 which you had of me1 and which you obliged your self to keep secret1 and to take that profit to your self which was due to me1 but also you have rendered me1 and the things you had from me1 odious2 which has been so much to my disadvantage1 that ,i can no longer bear1 but am now resolved to the utmost to refute those impious and lying ,calumnies1 which you by your ,letters have sent into the world concerning me1 and to defend my self and my ,works1 against which you have so wickedly inveighed1 that all the world may see how great your perfidiousness has been towards me1 and that your ,heart acted by ,hellish wickedness1 has raged against me with horrid ,lyes1 ,taunts and ,reproaches1 contrary to all manner of ,equity3 ,you must needs know1 that nothing can be more troublesome to me1 than to spend that time in reproving your ,lyes1 which ,i could otherways employ to greater profit2 wherefore ,i shall answer your trifling stories as briefly as is possible4 ,every wise man will easily see how frivolous your ,excuse is4 ,do you think that any honest man will believe you1 if you say you don't owe the greatest of your ,knowledge to me8 ,no surely1 for no man is ignorant of it3 ,about two years since1 you did not know how to bring a ,crucible to the ,fire1 much less to make a trial of ,brass2 which you did not learn of me1 but my unfaithful ,servant taught it you1 whom you for that cause esteem2 yet seeing you know so much1 how lawfully may ,i complain of him1 what a ,rascal he has been to me1 and that you for that very reason have taken him to your self1 that you may fish from him whatever he had learned in those two years he served me2 although he did not shun you1 because he was unwilling to communicate those things he had learn'd of me to any man else4 ,and so you make your self ,master of my ,secrets1 and ,covenant with him to undo me and mine3 ,is this the part of a good man8 ,you do not only expose those things you had of me1 but those also which my perfidious ,servant has since given you1 to be sold at a price1 when you have no right to sell another mans goods1 to which you have no title4 ,we'll come to the point and expose all your wickedness1 as well your impious speeches1 as perfidious actions1 to the view of the world3 ,but first of all1 ,i will lay before you the obligations you gave me1 as most sure pledges of your truth1 that by the review of them1 you may judge your self how honest you have been1 and how faithfully you have kept your promises2 and every man shall thence see1 7especially those among whom you have so wickedly ridicul'd me7 with what base ingratitude you have recompensed all my ,favours4 ,the first ,obligation which ,,farnner gave me1 runs thus2 ,forasmuch as the most excellent and learned ,mr4 ,john ,rudolph ,glauber1 moved by a singular affection towards me1 has communicated1 shewen and demonstrated to me undernamed1 some of those secrets whereof he is ,master1 and hath enjoined me to silence2 ,i therefore bind my self1 and promise upon my ,credit and ,reputation1 and call ,god and my christian profession to witness1 that ,i will divulge none of those things to any man living3 but if it be so 7which ,god forbid7 that ,i do at any time communicate any of those things to any man1 then ,i shall most willingly renounce all my right in those ,goods1 movables or immovables1 which ,i shall possess1 and give him absolute power to take them to himself1 and convert them to his own use and advantage3 and not that only1 but ,i give him farther power to proclaim me perfidious and wicked1 to defame me and make me abominable to all men1 for which reason1 the laws of ,silence shall be observed by me most strictly4 ,nay farther1 in consideration of the many benefits he has bestowed on me1 ,i give up my self1 my beloved wife1 and my children to serve him in all things lawful and honest1 to go when and where he pleases1 and to ease his labours2 and if he dye first1 7which ,god avert7 to be alike serviceable to his whole ,family1 which care he also has promis'd to me and mine3 ,i promise then1 7if my ,fates grant me life7 that ,i will be to my utmost1 serviceable to him so long as he lives3 ,in witness whereof1 ,i have hereto set my hand and seal4 ,given at ,kitzinga1 the #aeth day of ,june1 #afeb4 ,testis1 ,spirensis ,canonicatus ,qustor1 ,lochgovi ,horrhemi4 ,christopherus ,farnnerus4 ,the second ,obligation4 ,i ,christopher ,farnner1 for the time being ,canonicate ,qustor of ,spire1 ,lochgovia and ,horrheme1 in the ,dukedom of ,wirtemberg1 to all by whom these presents shall be read1 make known1 that the most excellent and learned ,mr4 ,john ,rudolph ,glauber for little or no reward1 has communicated some of his secrets to me1 and with me made a covenant after this manner1 ,that ,i must oblige my self for what he hath already done1 or hereafter shall do for me1 to be all my life thankful1 not only to him1 but to his ,children also4 ,but for as much as 'tis most certain1 this life will have an end1 but we know not the time when1 the first ,obligation is not full and clear enough1 and for that cause ,i bind my self and promise1 7so help me ,god7 and swear by the ,king of ,heaven who always bears witness to the ,truth2 and farther1 upon my ,credit and ,reputation1 for the preservation whereof every ,christian man should be induc'd to keep his promise1 if 7which that ,god would in mercy avert1 ,i shall not cease to put up my daily ,prayers7 the above named ,mr4 ,glauber and his beloved wife shall die1 and leave their ,children unmarried1 ,i do oblige my self by this most solemn ,oath1 to observe faithfully1 and as a ,christian man ought1 these following things3 viz4 ,i will forthwith take his ,children to an inheritance with mine1 and to my utmost skill1 instruct them in the secrets of their dead ,father1 and shew them all things requisite and necessary1 as fully as to my own ,children2 and that after this manner1 ,that what ever of their ,parents heritage belongs to them1 they shall wholly possess1 and they shall lawfully demand it as their proper due2 and if any thing goes from him1 ,i will redeem it1 so that my ,children shall lay no claim to it3 on the contrary1 7for those secrets communicated to me1 which hereafter may redound to my profit7 ,i make the aforesaid ,mr4 ,glauber's ,children ,heirs with mine1 that they may be admitted equally to my ,estate1 and alike enjoy the ,goods of me living3 ,but if ,i ,farnner1 contrary to my expectation1 shall depart this ,world before ,mr4 ,glauber1 he is bound to instruct my ,children in his ,art1 according as they are qualifyed1 only so far1 as that thereby they may get their living1 and that they may not be burdensome to him4 ,he may at his pleasure instruct him that he shall esteem most fit in some secret1 with which he shall afterwards teach his ,brethren to get themselves maintenance4 ,and for the same cause1 ,i call my little ,son ,alexander1 and surrender him to ,mr4 ,glauber and his service1 so that he may keep him as long as he shall be willing1 and it shall not be in my power to take him from him according to the agreement we have both made with him3 all which things are restrain'd to this on either side1 ,that if the ,parents of either part die before their ,children are provided for1 which ,god forbid1 and our ,children shall be free by the early death of their ,parents1 then each shall to his utmost1 provide for his own ,children4 ,that all these things may be observed the more firmly1 ,i affix my ,seal and name1 and by my own hand writing1 oblige my self so1 that if at any time ,i falsify my word1 my ,children may be call'd to witness my perjury4 ,given at ,kitzinga the #ajth of ,september1 in the year #afeb4 ,christopher ,farnner4 ,,nb4 ,i did not require this obligation of ,farnner1 neither wou'd ,i have taken it1 but admonish'd him to be true to the first1 with which ,i was content2 for he gave me this for no other reason1 but to get more out of me3 ,but1 because ,i had found out his cheats1 and he wou'd not be advis'd for his own profit1 he at last makes mention of this new obligation1 in a certain epistle of his1 thinking thereby ,i was oblig'd to a farther communication of my ,art to him1 tho ,i have often told him1 that ,i valu'd not this last obligation but wou'd give it him again3 ,but when he refus'd to take it1 ,i cancell'd it1 and kept it by me1 for this reason1 that it might be seen how he had bound himself by this new ,obligation1 which certainly he wou'd never have done1 without very good cause4 ,expressions gathered out of certain of ,farnner's ,epistles sent to me2 from which is evident how greatly he is beholden to me4 ,therefore ,i faithfully assure you1 that ,i will shortly leave my ,house1 and take a ,journey farther off1 to provide for my ,family2 my ,wife too is very willing to go with me1 and to be interested in our agreements1 but ,i can't see what shou'd oblige her to it1 when it can't be effected very commodiously3 ,yet ,i resolve1 if nothing extraordinary hinder me1 after eight daies1 that is1 on the th4 day of ,april1 to depart hence1 and then answer your most friendly ,letters1 together with my beloved ,wife1 and all my ,family1 to take part with you in all your ,labours1 and help you with the greatest diligence4 ,but because ,i intend to be so suddenly with you1 ,i shall write no more at this time4 ,march #bfth4 #afec4 ,out of another ,epistle1 ,july #agth4 #afec4 ,i hope you will excuse me1 that ,i did not come to you1 because hindered by my ,wife's faultiness1 who telling me she wou'd come with me1 privily laid ,obstacles in my way2 this offence wou'd not destroy a ,knave3 ,wherefore ,i again intreat you not to cast me off1 but continue your wonted favour to me2 and ,i shall endeavour in my place to give you ample satisfaction2 neither shall any thing hinder my speedy performance of what ,i have promised4 ,out of another ,epistle1 ,july #bith4 #afec4 ,forasmuch therefore as ,i have by the wicked deceit of my ,wife1 broken the many ,promises ,i made of coming to you1 unless ,i wou'd have taken her wicked ,amasius or galant1 as ,companion in the ,journey2 it has at length pleased ,god to take her away1 and so put me in a capacity1 ,worthy ,sir1 of serving you without the least impediment1 wherefore ,i give my self wholly to your ,commands3 ,and altho' ,i have been perswaded by ,persons of principal ,authority to marry again1 ,i will not1 but commit my self to be manag'd by your ,counsel1 as you were my ,father4 ,therefore1 since we are parted1 if my ,fates grant me ,life and ,prosperity1 ,i will come to you1 and commit my self to your guidance and protection1 ,worthy ,patron2 for which reason ,i shall forbear to write any thing at this time of your ,laboratory1 more than what ,i see in your ,letters1 that all things may proceed the more regularly4 ,wherefore1 though ,i have been solicited by many1 yet shall reject all as much as ,i may commodiously1 in hopes of this1 that when ,i have first gotten your consent1 ,i may communicate my labour to some1 whereby ,i may get a good ,sum of ,money3 ,but these things shall be deferred till our happy meeting4 ,in another ,epistle he saith2 ,that he was confident he could find out all my ,art by my ,writings1 except that the ,vessels do not alwaies abide the ,fire1 and that the ,apothecaries refused to buy his ,medicines1 unless he would teach them the way to prepare 'em3 ,again1 he would give me ,fifty ,r4 ,dollers for each month1 for my part1 as may be shewn from himself2 these are his words3 ,and if he was not oblig'd to me1 why would he give me ,fifty ,r4 ,dollers each ,month8 ,from all which 7and much more ,i might add1 which for brevities sake ,i omit7 it evidently appears1 that ,farnner was obliged to me1 which he would never have been1 had not he receiv'd some benefit from me1 which render'd him bound to me3 ,but if he is oblig'd to me1 why was he so wicked1 as in his lying ,epistles so malapertly to despise1 and disparage me and my ,secrets1 which he had from me8 ,hence then every man may perceive what they ought to judge of him1 that he has both behav'd himself most perfidiously wicked toward me1 and also1 that he has sufficiently declar'd himself the most ungrateful in the ,world4 ,but that no man may suspect that ,i wrest any word of ,farnner's1 in his obligations given to me1 to his disadvantage1 or my own ends1 ,i have taken care to have his own hand-writing view'd by ,notaries and ,witnesses1 who will attest1 that what ,i have printed is word for word the same with what ,i have in writing under his own hand4 ,a ,specification of those ,chymical ,secrets which ,farnner learn'd of ,glauber1 and in the trial found true1 and of those which yet are found and brought to trial2 where it must be known1 that those1 of which there is no mention made here1 if ,glauber should relate them1 they would not answer his expectation in ,practice1 according to his information3 ,also the ,charge which he must be at who will make trial of those ,secrets after a right manner1 is here added4 #a4 ,glauber's ,panacea1 for #cj ,r4 ,dollers4 ,about which these things are to be considered3 ,it is made chiefly of ,antimony2 to which1 according to his common way1 ,sulphur is added2 which done1 another ,separation is made1 in which1 from a whole pound of ,sulphur and ,antimony1 no man shall receive more than three ounces of the purest ,sulphur4 ,there are indeed two other ,subjects1 which produce a golden ,sulphur better than ,antimony2 but ,i have found a way to extract a thick and pure ,sulphur from all sorts of ,metals 7except ,luna and ,sol7 and ,minerals1 and after ,glauber's manner to make ,tinctures4 ,all these ,secrets annexed will be taught for the price named4 #b4 ,to reduce ,minerals and ,metals into ,dross1 after ,glauber's way1 to reduce them to nothing1 and then without ,charge to bring them to their own ,species again1 or to turn them into fluid ,oil1 or ,powder1 or ,tinctures2 which things bear an affinity to those above3 ,for ,twenty ,r4 ,dollers4 #c4 ,glauber's ,alkahest1 and a way to prepare it1 perhaps unknown to ,glauber1 and built upon a more firm foundation2 ,fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 #d4 ,the ,trial of all sorts of ,brass1 but not of every sort at once1 for every one must have a particular ,practice4 #e4 ,to make store of ,flowers of ,coral for a little ,cost2 ten ,r4 ,dollers4 #f4 ,to make melted ,tin hard1 that it shall shine and sound like ,silver2 ,ten ,r4 ,dollers4 #g4 ,to make white ,vitrifications upon ,vessels2 for ,ten ,r4 ,dollers4 #h4 ,plenty of ,spirit of ,salt4 ,this is not prepar'd after ,glauber's way1 and though ,glauber was so great a ,lyer as to affirm1 that in a clear ,fire fifty pound of this ,spirit might be prepared in one day1 yet he cannot produce above one or two pound3 ,wherefore my invention is much better1 and my ,spirit is pure1 but ,glauber's has ,vitriol mix'd in it4 ,and though ,i gave ,glauber a great ,sum of ,money to communicate these ,secrets to me1 yet ,i have not found any of them true1 according to his ,information1 but was fain1 with great industry to seek other waies of working those abovenamed4 ,and for those that follow1 though they may seem to be derived to me from ,glauber1 yet they have not succeeded by his ,information1 but ,i was forced to go another way to work1 which will hardly be found by ,glauber4 #i4 ,to prepare good store of the ,spirits of ,vitriol1 ,nitre1 ,salt1 ,aqua fortis1 ,aqua ,regis1 also ,sulphur1 after a manner not yet known1 and which will scarce be known to ,glauber2 forty ,r4 ,dollers4 #aj4 ,to produce plenty of volatile ,mineral ,spirits1 which ,spirits ascend the ,still before the ,phlegm2 but the abovenamed after the ,phlegm4 ,,nb4 ,these ,spirits have the same taste that ,spirit of ,wine hath1 and evaporate like it1 and are void of corroding3 neither do ,i doubt1 but ,i can produce such ,spirits from ,metals also1 though in metallicks ,i have made no trial yet4 #aa4 ,flowers of ,minerals and ,metals1 almost without diminution1 compendiously under a refrigeratory cover1 which ,glauber never saw2 ,ten ,r4 ,dollers4 #ab4 ,the ,quintessence of all ,vegetables3 ,although ,glauber1 in his ,tract1 promised to bring that also to light1 yet he never performed it from all ,vegetables1 but only from hot1 which give ,oil1 which is of no moment2 but that from cold1 to wit1 ,herbs1 is artificial4 ,thirty ,r4 ,dollers4 #ac4 ,to give new strength to dead and eager ,wines1 and make them as good as ever1 or better2 ,two ,hundred ,r4 ,dollers4 ,,nb4 ,note here1 ,that ,i very much run against ,glauber's ,tract of ,vinary ,secrets2 and if my own ,industry had not taught me more than that1 ,i might indeed1 according to his instruction1 encrease the strength of ,wine1 but with an ingrateful relish1 so as ,i could never hope to try eager ,wines according to ,art4 ,but now ,i cannot only bring to maturity all sorts of ,liquors from both sweet and sowre ,grapes1 and other sorts of ,fruits2 and give them new strength in the ,hogshead1 but also render them pallatable to all men4 ,whoever hath tasted ,glauber's ,wines1 and shall afterwards taste mine1 will easily discern a difference4 #ad4 ,to give any ,wines what relish ,i please4 #ae4 ,to prepare a burning ,spirit of all sorts of ,bread-,corn in abundance1 with great ease and profit1 very much like that which is made of the ,dreggs of ,wine1 and sustaining all ,trials3 ,there are already eight pounds of it in trial1 whether they will bear a ,voyage by ,sea1 or not2 they are sent beyond ,sea1 which if they will undergo2 ,two hundred ,r4 ,dollers4 ,,nb4 ,further1 ,i knew how to reduce all burning ,spirits into one form2 as1 the ,spirit of ,juniper1 or ,bread-,corn1 like to ,brandy1 or to make spirit of ,wine like spirit of ,bread-,corn or ,juniper1 so that it shall not be discerned of what subject 'tis made4 ,neither do ,i doubt1 but that ,i know also how it comes to pass1 that some ,liquors carry'd beyond ,sea1 are corrupted3 ,which therefore1 if by the benefit of this trial1 the ,certainty is made known to me1 a good reason1 and after what manner it may be help'd1 may be learn'd of me for a trifle4 #af4 ,to encrease the strength of all sorts of ,beer1 that they shall have equal ,virtue with ,rhenish-,wine1 and yet the ,beer lose nothing of its relish1 but be both more pleasant and durable2 for when thus order'd1 it will not so soon sowre2 but if it be decay'd1 which will happen to ,wine in time1 the ,vinegar which will arise from it1 will be as good as ,wine ,vinegar3 fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 #ag4 ,to give sowre ,beer its natural sweetness1 and in fourteen days to make it sell for fresh2 and so1 though turn'd three or four times1 to make it sweet in fourteen daies time without fail4 #ah4 ,to produce ,vinegar of ,bread-,corn1 and such other things1 very like ,wine-,vinegar in all things without fail2 fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 #ai4 ,to prepare ,vinegar of green woods1 an ,hundred measures daily1 together with ,oil of ,wood1 without ,charge2 but if any man will have this like other ,vinegar1 it requires rectifying1 which will ask some time and cost3 ,ten ,r4 ,dollers4 #bj4 ,although ,glauber delivered in a little ,tract1 a way to make ,tartar of the burnt ,lees of ,wine1 yet ,i have alwaies committed many ,errours1 by following his very ,oral instructions1 till bethinking my self1 ,i at last made it with fruit1 and plainly reduced it to ,crystals4 ,,nb4 ,whoever will follow the ,directions of that ,tract1 may4 #ba4 ,to separate every ,oar of ,copper with profit1 and from thence to produce ,gain4 #bb4 ,of that sort of ,copper ,oar1 if by chance they have any from thence1 to separate it with fruit1 without loss of the ,copper and ,lead4 #bc4 ,to separate ,lead from ,tests and ,cupels1 for small ,cost1 and as little ,labour4 #bd4 ,to separate ,gold and ,silver by melting4 #be4 ,to build a ,furnace1 in which one may both torrifie1 melt1 and try ,metals in the ,probations of ,cineritium2 containing the small ,trials of an hundred ,crucibles1 or more1 only heat with ,wood4 #bf4 ,further1 a ,furnace1 in which1 without ,bellows1 one may try a good quantity by the ,probations of ,cineritium4 ,and ,lastly1 ,forasmuch as the lesser ,trials have deceived me1 if ,i went to work on a greater quantity1 ,i will teach wherein my chief skill consists4 #a4 ,in the lesser trial ,i have found1 that with the ,spirit of ,wine1 as 'tis generally prepar'd1 ,i can make an ,anatomy of all ,vegetable1 ,animal1 ,mineral1 and ,metallick ,subjects1 separate their three ,principles1 make the volatile fix'd1 and the fix'd volatile1 and force 'em through a ,limbeck4 #b4 ,to force the ,anima and ,salt of ,gold through the ,limbeck1 and to reduce it1 well mix'd with its ,spirit and volatile ,salt1 into a potable body like ,vegetable ,essences4 ,but because ,gold may be reduced into such a sort of ,essence1 it will not be very hard to render the imperfect ,metals and ,minerals1 with their ,three ,principles1 potable3 and these ,principles are inseparable in their volatility2 wherefore ,i doubt not but they may be fix'd4 #c4 ,furthermore1 ,i have found by small trials the way of taking all ,corrosion from all ,corrosive ,spirits1 by this general ,spirit1 and of reducing them 7by the help of ,divine ,providence7 into sweet ,oils or ,menstruums2 which if it answer the desire in large quantities1 7and ,i don't doubt it7 ,glauber with his ,alkahest1 which indeed is not wholly to be despis'd1 must be forc'd to hide3 for ,i have hopes1 that by the assistance of ,divine ,providence1 whatsoever subject ,i shall propose to my self1 ,i can separate and purge its three ,principles2 lastly1 join them1 and so produce a better subject and more pure3 ,but 'tis true1 seeing ,i was so often deceived in the lesser trial1 ,i did not interpret it as ,truth1 but ,speculation4 ,however1 ,i can effect very well whatever ,i have here said1 as well in the great as lesser4 #d4 ,but forasmuch as so many excellent1 as well as new1 ,secrets1 offer themselves1 that ,i can't chuse but clearly know them1 and therefore 'tis impossible that ,i should make all those ,secrets abovenamed profitable to my self3 ,and although ,i am now about many things1 that hereafter a great quantity of them may be expos'd by me to be sold in pounds and hundreds2 yet ,i shall not be so envious to refuse a ,communication of them to any man for the named ,reward2 nor keep from him any knowledge ,i can give him4 ,yet he must know1 that it is very troublesome to instruct any man that is altogether ignorant and void of skill in ,chymistry2 ,therefore whoever will learn any of these things of me1 let him either come to me1 or signifie his wind by his ,letters1 thus3 ,to ,christopher ,farnner1 ,canonicate ,qustor of ,spire1 c4 99 99 99 99 99 ,these are the words of the perfidious ,farnner1 which he hath used in his most false and wicked ,writing4 ,a ,specification of those ,chymical things4 ,this1 good ,reader1 is the ,beginning or ,preface of that ,lying ,writing1 in which he hath exposed to ,sale those ,secrets he had of me1 and found good3 ,besides1 he adds1 ,that those ,secrets which he had of me1 which do not succeed according to his desire1 are not added2 but those only whose ,truth he has found in the trial4 ,now we'll open this ,pedler's-,stall1 and look through all its parts1 to see what is in it4 ,these words follow3 #a4 ,glauber's ,panacea2 ,about which these things come to be considered4 ,here ,farnner saies my ,panacea1 for the greatest part1 is prepared of ,antimony2 besides1 there are yet two other subjects1 from which a purer ,sulphur may be extracted1 than that which is drawn from ,antimony3 ,which vain fancies he may vend1 or what else he will1 ,i can't hinder him1 seeing ,i have taught him to extract nothing but a pure ,medicinal ,sulphur from ,antimony1 by the benefit of a singular ,liquor1 which ,i call ,alkahest4 ,he adds also1 ,that he can extract the same ,sulphur from all sorts of ,metals and ,minerals 7except and 7 and after ,glauber's way convert them into ,tinctures4 ,i declare against this his first ,position3 ,farnner here saith1 ,that ,panacea may be prepared from ,antimony for the most part1 and promises to communicate it to any man that desires it1 for a certain price1 to wit1 thirty ,r4 ,dollers4 ,but thou hast seen1 gentle ,reader1 how strongly he bound himself1 by his ,obligation given to me1 to keep secret those things ,i had taught him1 and communicate them to no man1 under the ,penalty of ,disgrace1 and the forfeiture of all his ,goods4 ,i confess indeed1 being cajol'd by his frequent solicitations1 ,i taught him the way of preparing the ,panacea1 but from no subject but ,antimony4 ,this ,panacea of ,antimony ,farnner exposes to sale1 for thirty ,r4 ,dollers2 and moreover has taught that ,preparation to many1 from whence great profit hath redounded to him2 when yet this was not lawful for him to do3 ,but he shall be forced e're long to give his ,reasons for so doing1 and ,i will one day see if ,i can have a remedy for this evil4 ,i will now only shew how wicked he has been to me3 ,wherefore ,i am compelled to expose those secrets he had of me and every where makes common1 to the view of the whole ,world1 that no man shall need to give ,money to ,farnner for 'em1 or any other reward1 but may come to the knowledge of them for nothing3 for if that knowledge is divulg'd by ,farnner1 who unjustly1 by the publication of it1 endeavours to heap up to himself ,fame and ,riches1 ,i may well communicate them to all men faithfully1 that every man may save his money3 ,but because this ,panacea is prepared by the benefit of a hot and ,saline ,liquor1 which ,i call ,alkahest1 therefore 'tis necessary that he who desires this ,panacea should first know the ,preparation of the ,liquor it self1 without which he can effect nothing4 ,indeed it grieves me1 and ,i am very hardly brought to discover and divulge to the ,world so excellent a ,menstruum1 by which so many rare ,medicaments may be prepared2 and ,i had never done it1 had not this perfidious ,farnner chang'd and adulterated it and its use in the ,preparation of the abovenamed ,panacea of ,antimony and others1 from ,minerals1 ,animals1 and ,vegetables1 and by prostituting and communicating it to all men4 ,i think him1 indeed1 a ,boar out of the ,forest1 broke into my ,garden of ,flowers1 that has with his snout routed up all the many ,fruits1 which with much sweat and labour ,i have planted2 but the deed will once be rewarded4 ,now follows a very short ,description of the ,preparation and use of that ,liquor1 needfully requisite in ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral ,medicaments3 ,and though ,i might teach another and far better way of preparing it1 yet there's no necessity for throwing all my ,pearls before ,swine3 ,it is sufficient1 to my sorrow1 that ,i cannot recal those which this unfaithful ,farnner has sent abroad1 and am forc'd to behold their destruction with the greatest trouble4 ,of the ,preparation and ,use of a certain secret ,universal ,menstruum1 with which one may institute an ,anatomy of all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,metals2 correct them1 and from thence prepare good ,medicaments4 ,of this ,menstruum the ,modern ,philosopher ,helmont makes mention in some places of his ,writings1 and attributes wonderful ,effects to it1 which he exhibits in the ,preparation of ,medicaments1 and gives it the name ,alkahest2 which name ,paracelsus also remembers2 but in few words1 it is the same as if we should say ,alkali est2 for when the ,letters l and i are joyn'd with a dash1 it produces the word ,alkahest4 ,but what moved ,helmont to call it ,alkahest1 we shall not here dispute3 ,i indeed believe he did it1 thereby to demonstrate its ,nature and ,essence2 for in ,german ,alkahest is as ,al gar heis1 or ,al zu hees2 but in the ,brabantick ,idiotism1 which was the ,mother ,tongue of the ,author1 it sounds ,althohees1 that is1 very hot1 and so the name answers to the ,essence2 for this ,liquor is nothing but a meer fiery ,water1 by whose immense and ,secret heat ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 if they are put into it a certain time1 are forthwith purged1 ripened1 and made better1 so that they become excellent and wholesome ,medicaments1 which without this fiery water cou'd not be done4 ,this ,menstruum then1 is nothing but an igneous ,liquor1 prepared of urinous ,salts1 which is endowed with those ,virtues which are attributed to it in my ,treatise of ,flints4 ,an ,admonition4 ,here it is to be noted1 that this ,menstruum may be prepar'd of more than one ,subject2 for ,nature is ,copious1 and sets before our eyes many various ,ingredients1 from which1 by the help of ,art1 divers things may be effected2 as may be evidenc'd in this admirable ,liquor1 which may be made not only of the common ,sal terr1 or ,salt ,peter1 but also of the fix'd ,salt of all ,vegetables1 and especially of ,tartar2 'tis no matter of what ,subject it is prepared1 for it has still the ,same ,virtues that are ascribed to it1 forasmuch as1 if a right ,preparation be made1 the common ,sal terr and the fix'd ,salt of ,vegetables are of one and the same ,nature and ,essence3 ,for the genuine ,sal terr1 or ,salt-,petre1 may be made of ,salt of ,tartar2 and of ,sal terr1 or ,nitre1 a fixed ,salt1 like ,salt of ,tartar2 of ,spirit of ,wine1 ,salt of ,tartar2 and of ,salt of ,tartar spirit of ,wine3 of ,wine-,vinegar1 ,nitre2 and of ,nitre1 corrosive ,vinegar4 ,so those ,salts partake of either nature1 and will be manag'd at pleasure2 neither are they undeservedly by the ancient ,philosophers1 called ,hermaphroditick ,salts4 ,wherefore it is not for any one to be offended at its base original1 and accordingly undervalue it2 'tis no matter wherein the good consists1 'tis sufficient to say it is good1 and may be converted to good uses3 ,good things ought to be so much the more esteem'd1 by how much the more mean and base their original may have been1 for ,nature and true ,art use both base and abject things in their ,works1 and nevertheless1 their desires are accomplished3 ,but on the contrary1 the vain reason of ,man in his labour aims at nothing but ,sublimity and specious ,notions1 and therefore brings nothing to a good end1 but destitute of a happy success1 finishes his fruitless labours with great damage4 ,to conclude then1 take this advice2 ,be not offended at this wonderful ,liquor1 because of its mean original1 but let the ,work praise the ,work-man4 ,now follows the ,preparation4 ,if any man will prepare this ,menstruum of ,salt-,petre1 he must extract and coagulate that ,salt from the earth with common water1 and adding coals or some other vegetable ,sulphur1 fix or calcine it so long1 till it be resolv'd in the ,air into a fiery liquor1 then the preparation is finished4 ,but because that sort of earth1 from which this salt is extracted1 cannot be found every where1 in its stead1 you may take ,nitre well cleans'd1 which must be melted in a ,crucible1 upon which you must cast a small quantity of coals and that so long1 till the coals upon the flowing ,nitre will take fire no more1 but remain dead upon it1 for then your ,nitre is fix'd and prepar'd1 so as from it1 this so admirable water may be made1 which is made after this manner2 ,while the fix'd ,nitre flows yet in the ,crucibele1 pour it into a brass mortar that in that it may cool1 then beat it to powder1 and spread it on a ,glass table plac'd in the ,cellar1 or some other moist place1 that there it may flow2 so you have that fiery water which is endowed with so many wonderful virtues in the preparation of medicaments of vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 of which ,i made mention before4 ,but if you wou'd make such a liquor of ,tartar1 which will be best for preparation of ,medicaments of vegetables and ,animals1 then you must bring common ,tartar made pure by ,calcination1 ,filtration1 ,solution and ,coagulation1 and by flints purg'd from all impurity1 into a fair and bright ,salt1 mixing six or eight parts of the purest ,tartar with one part of flints well pulverated1 which mixture you must melt in a cover'd ,crucible1 and pour it into a brass ,mortar to cool3 ,this bright and white fiery mass you must reduce into powder and put it into a ,glass body1 and pouring rain water thereon1 boil it upon hot ,ashes1 for then the rain water will dissolve the ,tartar only1 and leave the ,flints at the bottom1 like a ,mucilaginous matter which draws to it self all the impurity of the ,tartar1 which before1 by the common solution and filtration cou'd not be taken away1 and so keeps it1 that the ,salt of ,tartar1 is by this means freed and purg'd from all impurity3 then you must filtrate this solution1 and draw the water from it by a limbeck1 that so that ,chrystalline fiery liquor may remain in the ,glass3 ,and this is that preparation by which vegetables and animals are reduced into the best medicaments2 but to prepare metallick ,medicaments1 and especially for the making them better1 liquor of ,tartar is not to be added1 but only liquor of the ,salt of fix'd ,nitre1 which is not prepared by coals1 but by the ,regulus of ,antimony1 and that after this manner2 ,put three parts of clean and pulverated ,nitre to one part of ,regulus ,martis1 put this mixture into a ,glass wash'd clean1 and by a prudent increase of fire1 make it boil a little in a ,fixatory ,furnace1 and in this degree of fire1 leave it five or six hours1 then take it out that it may cool1 then very finely pulverize it1 and pour upon it rain water1 and the ,nitre1 which by the ,regulus of ,antimony comes out fix'd1 wash out2 and lastly abstract the water1 so you will produce a fiery liquor fit for use in metallick operations4 ,,nb4 ,this fixation may be as well made in cover'd ,crucibles1 as in ,glasses1 and is good enough1 only the management of the fire must be observed1 neither let the heat from the begining be too intense1 least your ,nitre evaporate before it be brought to a fixation1 but keep a gentle fire1 and it will effect the fixation in conjunction with the ,antimony4 ,the ,praxis4 ,how by the mediation of this liquor ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals may be converted into good ,medicaments4 ,take an herb1 root1 or seed1 beat it very small in a stone ,mortar1 then put it into a glass1 and pour upon it so much of this fiery ,menstruum1 as that the herb may be sufficiently imbrued in it1 afterwards set it upon sand some days1 or boil it1 that of the herb and ,menstruum may be made a thick liquor1 which done put to it as much spirit of ,wine1 well dephlegmated1 as there was of ,alkahestick ,liquor1 and well mix them1 in a small heat1 lest the spirit of ,wine evaporate2 so long digest it1 till the separation shall be made1 and your ,alkahest1 with the fces1 will go to the bottom1 but the spirit of ,wine1 with the ,essence and ,virtue of the ,herb1 will stay at the top1 which afterward1 though never so much stirr'd1 will not mix1 but each remains still in his own place3 pour all that whole matter into a wide-mouth'd ,glass1 and there let it settle2 then separate the ,medicine which the spirit of ,wine has extracted from the ,herb1 with a gentle inclination from the ,alkahestick ,liquor1 which retains with it self the fces of the ,herb1 so you will have the ,virtue and ,essence well corrected and perfectly ripen'd in the spirit of ,wine1 which abstract from the ,essence of the herb in a ,bath1 and the ,medicine which remains like a red juice1 and endowed with great ,virtues1 keep and use it as it is ordain'd by ,god and ,nature4 ,but the ,alkahestick ,liquor1 mixed with the fces of the ,herb1 ,calcine in an earthen ,vessel1 that all the relish and scent of the ,herb1 which remains in it1 may be exhal'd from it1 and afterwards dissolve it in ,water1 and filtrate it1 and draw it to a fiery ,liquor1 so it will be as good as it was before1 and you may put it to the same uses as often as you please4 ,animals are to be bruised after the same manner in a ,stone ,mortar1 and with the ,alkahestick ,liquor digested1 and by spirit of ,wine separated1 and in ,vegetables the labour is the same4 ,but ,metals in their proper ,corrosive ,menstruums must be dissolv'd precipitated1 wash'd1 edulcorat'd1 exsiccated1 and then lastly with the ,alkahestick liquor poured on1 digested1 dissolved1 and with spirit of wine separated and reduc'd into a potability4 ,but ,minerals which may be pulveriz'd need not be dissolv'd and brought to a calx1 but 'tis sufficient1 that after pulverisation with the ,alkahestick liquor poured on1 they be digested1 and by spirit of wine separated4 ,nevertheless1 you may also at your pleasure render metals brittle and frangible1 viz4 ,by the help of the ,regulus of ,antimony1 so that they may be pulveriz'd1 then pouring your ,menstruum upon them1 dissolve1 digest and convert them into ,medicine3 ,which method is certainly good2 ,you may also proceed another way with metals prepar'd by ,antimony1 viz4 ,mix them with three parts of pure ,nitre1 and in a ,glass or earthen vessel1 by the dry way dissolve1 digest1 fix1 and by spirit of wine prepare into ,medicine1 which also will be good1 for it is more profitable to operate by the dry than by the moist way1 as it is customary to be done in vegetables and ,animals4 ,and this is the shortest method of reducing ,animals1 ,vegetables and ,minerals by the ,alkahestick liquor to the best ,medicaments4 ,but how imperfect metals or ,minerals1 which otherwise in a ,cupel or ,cineritium trial1 leave no gold or silver behind them1 are to be brought to maturity and fix'd1 that afterwards in the ,cineritious trial1 they may give a perfect gold and silver is done another way1 whose process is this3 ,mingle and melt so much 7,regulus7 of ,antimony with the imperfect metals or minerals as may render them friable1 that they may be pulveriz'd1 with these mix three parts of the purest ,nitre1 and this mixture close stopt up1 put upon a fire in glass or earthen vessels to fix for some hours1 afterwards take it off1 and as they are melted pour them out1 that they may give the regulus which is to be taken away1 and with lead put into a ,cupel and reduc'd to dross1 then that gold and silver which the imperfect metal or ,mineral got in the fixation1 stays in the ,cupel which may be examined by the lesser weights of probation1 whence it will appear how great a fixation so little time will produce4 ,this is the plenary and fundamental instruction of the use of ,tartar purg'd by flints1 to extract the essence of vegetables and animals and of ,nitre fix'd by coals and ,regulus of ,antimony1 which begets a penetrating1 correcting1 bettering or ripening and purifying fiery1 but not corrosive1 virtue1 which goes beyond all things1 penetrates and corrects as above written1 ,i have attributed to it4 ,but least the ignorant of natural things should esteem and proclaim this a corrosive liquor1 we will prevent them1 and shall endeavour to demonstrate1 that this liquor is no way a corrosive1 but an enemy to and destroyer of all corrosives4 ,like loves its like1 with it is mingl'd1 and immutably stays with it1 as may be seen in spirit of ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,alum1 ,nitre1 ,vinegar and other corrosive spirits when they are mixed4 ,but unlike things if they are join'd1 are contrary to themselves1 and fight against each other1 and forcibly withstand one another so long1 till the strong o'er comes the weak and kills and destroys it or produceth another substance from it3 that may be seen if this fiery liquor of ,tartar or ,nitre be mix'd with a corrosive ,spirit1 for it can not consist with it1 because contrary to it1 then which of these is the stronger1 destroys the weaker and takes its nature to it self4 ,and this difference arises from the unlikeness of the nature of either liquor1 for one corrosive does not destroy another1 as also one fix'd urinous liquor does not destroy another urinous liquor2 because one contrary fights against another contrary1 but not against his like1 so 'tis true1 as hence may be fully demonstrated1 that this fix'd liquor of ,tartar or ,nitre is not corrosive1 but only a fiery water and a perpetual enemy to all corrosives1 and both kills and takes away their corrosive faculty from them4 ,but some will say that the corrosive ,spirits of ,salt1 ,alum1 ,nitre1 ,vitriol and such like are fiery waters3 ,i confess it1 but yet with this distinction1 those ,spirits are indeed hot waters1 but not vivifying1 but rather cold and killing fiery waters1 which no way ripen1 purge or correct ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,metals1 but destroy and kill all things they are mix'd with4 ,but the fix'd liquor of ,nitre or ,tartar is contrary1 and ripens1 purifies and brings to perfection all it is mix'd with1 which is impossible to all corrosives1 whence it is as clear as the ,sun1 that it is no destroying corrosive1 but a correcting fire4 ,now follows another ,clause of ,farnner's ,epistle4 #b4 ,all ,mineral's and ,metals4 ,i much wonder that ,farnner was not afraid to offer this process to others at a price1 which is plainly and clearly described in many places of my ,books3 and is done only by ,nitre1 by which sulphurous metals 7but not all metals and minerals1 as he vainly boasteth7 are reduc'd to dross1 from which by spirit of wine1 a metallick tincture may be extracted1 as we have shewn above in the tract of the ,alkahest3 that dross is truly fiery1 and therefore easily attracts air1 and is turn'd into oil1 of which ,i have largely treated in the second and fourth parts of 7,furn47 and in the mineral work especially in the explication of the wonder of the world1 as also in my ,hermetic ,colloquies4 #c4 ,glauber's ,alkahest4 ,in this ,paragraph ,farnner openly betrays his vanity1 bragging1 and hellish calumny1 in reprehending the industry and labour of good men1 and boasteth of a more firm foundation than perhaps ,i know of2 whence it will appear to any man of ,understanding1 what this most ungrateful of men would be at1 namely1 which is the only thing he can do1 he would do what he could to bring those ,secrets ,i intrusted him with into contempt with all men1 and introduce his own foolish trifles4 ,first1 he saies1 ,glauber's ,alkahest1 and presently subjoins another and better foundation or way of preparing it3 which if he points at any thing but my ,alkahest1 why then does not he forbear mentioning and contemning my ,alkahest8 for he does contemn it1 and endeavours to prove1 that that way or fundamental is unknown to me4 ,now he exposes it to sale at fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 #d4 ,the ,trial of all sorts of ,coins4 ',tis true1 ,farnner did not mention this as a vendible1 for it is not worth purchasing with ,money of him3 for the common way of trying money has been shewn not only by many provers of ,metals1 as ,lazarus ,ercher1 ,george ,agricola1 and many others1 but ,i my self also in many places of my ,writings1 and especially in my explication of the ,wonder of the ,world1 have fully and exactly taught it1 which ,farnner can never be able to mend nor imitate4 #e4 ,flowers of ,coral4 ,you must know what belongs to this ,process that ,farnner did not learn this ,preparation of me1 but of another man1 which pleases him extreamly1 though 'tis of no moment4 ,but he most unworthily calls them ,coral ,flowers1 which he exposes to sale at ten ,r4 ,dollers1 seeing they are not ,flowers1 but rather to be called a ,cremor2 for when in a very hot fire they are reduced into a white ,calx1 from this ,calx1 by the help of ,water1 is drawn a ,cream after this manner3 ,the calcin'd ,corals are put into common ,water1 and left in the ,water a whole night1 then in the top will appear a little skin1 as is usual in ,calx viva1 which must be taken off to dry4 ,lastly1 while that is doing1 another little skin appears1 which is also to be taken off1 and that so often1 till the ,water will give no more4 ,i know also1 that this ,powder is held up by some ,apothecaries as a certain singular ,secret1 7but that indeed exceedeth it7 which is prepar'd of ,calx viva1 which ,i have also shewn to some that have attributed great things to this ,powder1 who1 the ,experiment being made1 seeing me produce true things1 ,what need is there1 said they1 to burn precious ,corals1 when common ,chalk 7or ,calx viva7 will give the same thing as ,corals1 and they prepar'd no more ,powder of ,corals1 but of ,calx viva4 ,therefore this does not deserve to be called a ,secret4 ,,nb4 ,that ,corals1 ,pearls1 ,pearl-shells1 and ,tortoise-shells1 as well those that are in the ,sea1 as those that are in ,running ,rivers1 if they are burnt together1 are brought into a true and natural ,lime1 like that which is made of burnt ,stones1 needs no probation4 ,he that will not believe me1 let him go to ,holland1 and other ,sea-,ports1 and he shall see that the men of those ,countries do not use ,lime made of ,stones1 which are wanting in those places to build ,walls1 but that which is made of burnt ,shells1 which the ,sea in great abundance casts upon the shore2 which yet1 is not so good as that which is made of ,stones1 which some ,lovers of ,curiosity have also brought them from ,germany4 #f4 ,to make melted ,tin hard4 ,and this ,paragraph1 by right1 ought to have been omitted1 for it is not worth ,ten ,r4 ,dollers1 requiring no ,art in the making it2 and ,i my self taught it many years since1 as well in the ,first part of the ,mineral ,work1 as in the ,fourth part of my ,furnaces2 and it is made by ,regulus of ,antimony1 of which one part is mix'd with #ab parts of melted ,tin1 and no more1 for otherwise the ,tin would be made brittle1 and rendered unuseful2 rather if one part of ,regulus is mingled with twenty parts of melted ,tin1 it will come out hard enough4 ,and farther1 it may as well and rightly be made of ,zink1 as by ,regulus of ,antimony1 and needing no great matter of ,labour1 melts sooner than ,regulus of ,antimony4 #g4 ,white ,vitrifications4 ,these ,vitrifications also1 which he exposes to sale at ,ten ,r4 ,dollers1 are of no moment1 for they are prepar'd of ,glass of ,lead1 ,tin-,ashes1 and ,flints1 and ,wood-ashes4 ,in ,holland this ,preparation is very common3 whether ,farnner is excellent at it or no1 ,i much doubt2 ,how then shall he teach others8 ,and if he does excel1 who will be the better for it8 ,for no man studies these ,curiosities1 or so much as looks after them1 or covets them4 ,but although ,glauber1 c4 ,here ,farnner again vomits at me a mighty heap of his infernal ,lyes1 which are as noisome as any dead ,carcass1 as if he intended to infect me with their venom2 but these stories do not at all agree with his other2 for here he saies1 ,although he had with a great ,sum of ,money purchased certain ,secrets of ,glauber1 yet he had made no ,examen of them1 but he was forc'd to convert them to other uses4 ,in the beginning of his ,calumnious ,paper1 he thus writes3 ,a ,specification of those ,chemical ,secrets which the under-written ,farnner learn'd of ,glauber1 and in the ,trial found ,true4 ,here any impartial man may see what to judge of this double3,tongu'd ,monster4 ,here he denies what before he confess'd2 he both calls them ,glauber's ,secrets1 and here affirms1 that they never succeeded to his purpose3 which if true1 ,why does he prefix my ,name to them1 if he never made trial of them8 ,but if they have succeeded1 and in the trial he has found 'em true1 as he above confesses1 ,why does he here deny it8 ,can the same thing be ,true in one place1 and ,false in another8 ,certainly ,i can refute such horrid ,lyes no way better than by his own words4 ,for if ,i should say1 ,see here1 there1 or in that place thou lyest1 he would not care1 but answer1 ,he did not lye at all1 but spake the truth2 and ,i might represent a ,contest between two scolding ,women1 one whereof calling the other ,whore1 and the other throwing back upon her the same things2 but this will do nothing2 wherefore ,i shall take another method4 ,in the first ,obligation he gave me1 he expresly saies1 ,that ,i had communicated1 demonstrated1 and shewn him some ,secrets3 ,but if they were not for his use1 why did he give me a valid ,obligation1 to keep those secrets from the publick8 ,not bent to these things1 ,why did he in all his ,letters 7which he sent me1 and which are kept safe to confirm what ,i say7 confess1 and profess1 that he1 his ,wife and ,children1 were bound to me1 and that he wou'd come to me1 that with his he might serve me all my ,life4 ,if none of my secrets have succeeded to him1 ,why did he give me long since a new ,obligation to be grateful to me8 as ,i have demonstrated from his obligations and extracts out of his ,epistles4 ,,nb4 ,what6 ,cou'd he not make trial of those things he had of me1 in eighteen ,months time8 ,but if the trial has prov'd the truth of those things1 and he has bound himself to me by a new ,obligation2 ,why then does he dare to say1 ,that none of those things which ,i communicated to him1 prov'd successful8 ,why two years after8 ,now he is alienated from me1 and having broken his ,promises of coming to me1 and working with me in my ,laboratory1 7being married again7 is an ,excuse for his absenting himself1 yet he asks me to communicate to him more secrets1 and then he'll come4 ,,nb4 ,but if the first secrets have not stood the ,test1 why does he desire more of me8 ,for he might know over and over in two years time1 whether my ,writings wou'd conduce to him or not4 ,in one ,epistle1 in which he boasts of killing a man1 he writes thus3 ,wherefore ,i again and again intreat you not to cast me off1 but do to me according to your wonted ,favour4 ,i will on all occasions1 as ,i have promised1 in my place1 satisfie you2 neither will ,i cause that any thing should therein be desir'd2 for which reason also ,i will effect it both better and sooner4 ,from these and the like words1 which in two ,epistles he us'd to me1 ,i could collect nothing of ,fraud1 and perhaps at that time he meant none4 ,but when he had kill'd that ,man1 and married another ,wife1 all his ,promises and ,obligations were to no purpose4 ,and from that very time1 all his endeavours have tended only to do me what hurt he could1 and he daily hates me more and more2 which at last appears more publick in these his lying ,calumnies4 ,indeed1 ,i am apt to think the ,devil and that ,murder had possessed his ,heart4 ,,nb4 ,for his ,epistle to me witnesseth1 that for fourteen daies together he had sought occasion how he might catch that man with his ,wife1 and bloodily revenge himself upon him2 ,i suppose1 by the instigation of ,satan1 whereby both the ,man was kill'd in his ,sins1 and the ,woman with many wounds compell'd to a lewd kind of ,life2 of both which ,crimes ,farnner is yet guilty in his own ,conscience1 and 7unless a speedy ,repentance follow on his part7 he will never be freed from them4 ,but if in a sudden passion he had done it by chance1 he might merit some excuse4 ,but to endeavour it fourteen daies together1 is nothing but a ,devilish ,revenge and ,cruelty1 which can by no means be excus'd in a ,christian1 though he do it never so secretly4 ,but besides1 he uses evil ,arts2 for he drew my ,servant to him by ,flattery1 and receiv'd him into his intimate friendship1 notwithstanding he knew ,i turn'd him away for his infidelity4 ,what he writes1 that he bought his ,secrets of me at a great price1 is a pure falsity4 ,indeed he forc'd a small ,reward upon me1 half of which ,i gave him back again1 and what ,i kept he got over and over by communicating my ,secrets to other men1 so that he has fully receiv'd what he gave me2 and by this his communicating to others1 7which was done unknown to me7 he broke his ,promise2 which nevertheless for ,peace sake ,i passed by4 ,wherefore1 if he will confess the ,truth1 ,i am sure he can never say that he bought all those ,secrets ,i intrusted him with1 at so great a price4 ,hitherto we may believe how much ,money has come to him2 for since he has sent abroad his institory ,letters five months ago1 7nay1 as ,i am told1 two years ago7 before ,i could know it3 he could not chuse but get money by it1 when forthwith he with my perfidious ,servant proceeded to that insolence1 as in a knit ,society with some of ,frankford1 he caused his ,calumnies to be every where spread1 and sent abroad1 not only throughout upper ,germany and ,belgia1 but also into ,france1 and other ,foreign ,countries1 to get ,money4 ,yet1 according to my hopes1 this institory ,ware-house 7by the ,grace of ,,god7 will soon fall4 #h4 ,plenty of ,spirit of ,salt4 ,in this ,paragraph also he goes on after his manner to disgrace me1 accusing me of ,lyes1 as if it was false1 and impossible to prepare fifty pound of ,spirit of ,salt in one ,furnace1 and in one day2 and adds1 that this ,spirit is not so good as his1 for ,every man for himself3 but this is done by adding ,vitriol4 ,which ,vitriol does not hurt the ,spirit of ,salt1 as is demonstrated in many places of the ,first ,part of my ,furnaces2 and he denies that fifty pound or above may be prepar'd in one day in my ,furnaces1 when yet it may be done commodiously enough1 and needs no farther proof4 ,from all which a wise man may easily judge how good a ,christian ,farnner is1 whose mouth uttereth nothing but wickedness1 contempt1 and contention1 and except my inward faculties fail me1 the envy of his heart1 his hatred1 lyes1 and infernal calumnies1 shall be display'd4 ,what is his spirit of ,salt to me1 or mine to him8 ,let him prepare it after his way1 and ,i will do it my way1 when need requires3 ,wherefore does he endeavour to defile my things with his1 since they cannot be deservedly reprehended by any man1 much less by him4 #i4 ,spirits of ,vitriol1 ,nitre1 ,salt1 ,aqua fortis1 ,aqua ,regia1 in plenty2 also ,sulphur2 at ,forty ,r4 ,dollers4 ,in this place may be seen the inhumane and devilish nature of this wicked fellow2 for he scarce utters three words but he proceeds to my disparagement4 ,but what hath ,glauber to do with his spirits1 for he does not use them8 and if he does need them1 he can make them without him4 ,what does he care1 if you can prepare them after a better way than he1 which yet never can be8 ,whatever ,glauber has writ of these things is worth the reading2 and he can defend both himself and it1 neither can you or yours spot his fame1 which is so well known to the ,world4 #aj4 ,mineral ,spirits3 for twenty ,r4 ,dollers4 ,here ,farnner ventures to promise a way of preparing volatile spirits1 which is eight years since fully described by ,glauber1 in the second part of his ,furnaces1 whither ,i referr the ,reader4 #aa4 ,flowers of ,minerals and ,metals2 for ,twenty ,r4 ,dollers4 ,but if any man will explore another man's nature1 let him permit him to speak1 and he shall easily know what temper he's of2 but especially that1 of all things1 may easily be discern'd in a drunken or angry man1 who can very hardly conceal his internal blemishes4 ,in like manner we may see by ,farnner that he endeavours to hide his lying ,proceedings in my name4 ,what if ,i had seen his way of preparing metallick flowers1 what profit or loss should ,i sustain by it8 ,he glories of those things which merit no praise4 ,he promises to make metallick ,flowers under a frixatory ,cover1 when yet ,flowers can't be made under it1 for they are not ,flowers when the metals are burnt under a frixatory ,cover1 into a ,calx1 or reduc'd to ashes1 there is1 and so remains a heavy ,calx3 but the ,flowers of metals shou'd be brought to a very light sort of ,flowers by ,sublimation2 as is describ'd at large in the ,first ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,farnner indeed1 with his ,shop1 leaving his filthy knife1 should rather have gone to the ,chymical ,school a little1 than 7being ignorant of ,chymical terms7 sold his heavy ,calxes or ,metals to other men for light ,flowers1 and despised ,glauber's way of preparing ,flowers1 which yet has been reprehended by no man4 ,these his ,flowers1 with his ,coral ,flowers1 are course ,meal1 which don't deserve the name of ,flowers1 but ,cream4 ,indeed1 if ,farnner had not so vehemently inveighed against me1 ,i had not display'd him thus1 nor deign'd his vain ,proceedings one word of answer4 ,yet 'tis no matter1 though good men are sometimes in this life bark'd at1 and provok'd by mad ,dogs1 since it often happens that by this means excellent things are made publick1 which otherwise would lie secret4 #ab4 ,the ,quintessence4 ,here you may see1 candid ,reader1 that wicked ,farnner's endeavours tend to disturb the quiet of all good men1 and destroy my well-grounded and yet irrefutable ,writings by his foolish ,opinions1 which he shall never be able to do1 no more than a little ,whelp is able to attack an armed man1 whom by his barking he cannot hurt4 ,my ,tract which ,i writ of the ,essence of ,vegetables1 and printed at ,norimberg1 under the ,title of ,the ,first ,part of the ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa2 neither ,farnner1 nor any man else1 could reject or contemn2 but that little ,tract will defend it self4 ,i have made publick many and excellent inventions1 but no man can shew one place wherein ,i reprehended and brought into contempt other mens ,works1 as this ,farnner does4 ,if he would act as a good man ought1 and had any thing against me1 he should speak it to my face1 and not abuse me so wickedly behind my back4 #ac4 ,all acid ,wines4 ,it troubles me ,indeed1 that ,i communicated this excellent secret of encreasing the ,virtue of acid ,wines1 and making them better1 to ,farnner4 ,what he writes1 that he found out those things1 is a pure ,lye1 which he had of me2 when nevertheless he is not afraid to tell so impudent a ,lye1 as that he had found out a better foundation of that ,secret1 which is most notoriously false2 for neither he nor any other man1 nor ,i my self1 can find any thing better than the pure ,essence of ,wine1 conducing to that ,work2 which ,essence of ,wine1 by the strength of its innate fiery ,nature and ,property1 all sorts of immature ,wines may be ripen'd in fermentation1 and turn'd to a brisk ,staple1 and good ,wine1 in which lies all the ,art4 ,for he that knows this1 may also correct acid ,wines1 yet let him have a care that he does not take foul ,brandy-wine1 as ,farnner has done1 wherewith he has done it1 as he saies4 ,this excellent ,art1 and heretofore unknown1 to him that knows how to handle ,wines1 may serve instead of many2 and this unfaithful ,farnner might have receiv'd much profit from it1 if he had not made it publick2 but since he has every where publish'd it1 there shall henceforth no profit accrue to him nor me1 if ,i should be destitute of better things1 for he has defamed this excellent ,secret every where by his lying ,epistles sent abroad4 ,as for me1 though he has taken from me the great profit which redounded to me from it1 by his prating and lyes1 ,i do not this from such a trouble of mind as will happen to him1 if he shall be forced indeed to want all its fruit4 ,if this perfidious ,farnner had hid this ,secret1 he would have needed no other ,arts1 neither need he have sold it for an hundred ,duckets1 but he might from it have procur'd to himself sufficient whereon to live4 ,a greater damage has happen'd to me by his publication than ,i can declare2 and ,i very hardly endure that so excellent and profitable a ,secret should be despised2 neither will any good man approve it1 especially they that sustain loss by it1 and for that cause will alwaies abhorr him4 ,he might have gotten enough by it1 in secret1 and without detriment to his ,neighbour1 but that he was minded rather to marr the profit and propagate the damage of not only himself1 but me1 and many others that have knowledge of it2 which no man can deny to be a wicked act4 ,that ,reward which ,farnner gave me for communicating to him my ,secrets1 in all amounted to but sixty or seventy ,ungarici 7an ,ungaricus is ,nine ,shillings of our ,money17 which yet1 from the communication of those ,secrets ,i trusted him with1 he receiv'd again1 so that all those things which he had of me1 cost him little or nothing4 ,nevertheless1 he does not stick to say1 ,that he gave me a great sum of ,money for my ,secrets1 which yet ,i refused to take2 and though he twice made a ,journey of ,fifteen miles to me1 that he might get something out of me1 yet ,i deny'd him1 and communicated nothing to him1 till he came the third time1 and learn'd some of my ,secrets1 and afterwards1 when he had oblig'd himself to work with me in my ,laboratory1 ,i communicated more to him4 ,neither had ,i shew'd him the least of those many ,secrets for his ,present1 which will never compensate the damage ,i have sustain'd by him1 had not he oblig'd himself under the loss of all his ,goods1 as also his ,credit and ,reputation1 that he1 his ,wife and ,children1 should serve me so long as ,i should live1 as plainly appears from his ,obligations given to me4 ,but if he had given me a ,thousand ,ungarici1 or ,duckets1 and ,i had known he would have expos'd this ,secret to sale1 ,i would rather have given him all of it back again1 than suffer'd it to be made common4 ,neither can his vain ,excuse1 ,that he exposes his own inventions1 and not mine1 to sale1 profit him any thing2 when 'tis evident enough1 that nothing in the nature of things can be found1 which may render small ,wines better than the ,anima or ,quintessence extracted from other ,wines2 for the ,anima of ,wine only1 and nothing else1 can encrease the strength of ,wine4 ,neither is the comparison of this melioration of ,wines incongruous with two torn ,garments1 neither of which can be worn2 but if either of this is cut1 and that which yet is whole and good1 is sewed to the other1 and so of two torn1 one whole ,garment is made2 then that ,garment may be worn1 when yet1 before1 neither of them was useful4 ,the same also is to be understood of small wines that are neither durable nor vendible1 but after one ,hogshead is strengthen'd by another1 it becomes not only durable1 as good ,wine1 but vendible1 and will yield as good a price as two small ,hogsheads4 ,and this ,secret is both very noble and profitable in those places1 where the wines are seldom brought to maturity1 and for that cause are not durable nor saleable4 ,for there is a lamentable ,complaint among ,vintners1 that immature wines are not vendible1 and they can get no money for them4 ,thus they say1 ,have we labour'd in vain with our wines a whole year8 ,look there the wines lie1 and no man buys them3 in the mean while we suffer want and can't make our selves merry with our wines1 for they neither profit us nor others2 unless we have presently some other better wine1 wherewith to mingle this1 and so render it vendible1 it will strait be corrupted1 and turn'd to water4 ,these and the like ,complaints ,i have often heard from ,vintners2 but if they had the wit of ,taylors1 that can make one new ,garment of two old ones1 their affairs would be in a better condition1 for after this manner they might preserve their acid wines1 and there would be no need of mixing better wine with them4 ,for which excellent ,invention1 all men that deal in wines1 ought to thank ,,god and me4 ,i pray1 who would not have communicated these things to a man that had given himself for a pledge8 ,but if he must not stand to these ,obligations1 ,i can't see whom we may trust4 ,i curse the unhappy hour wherein this unprofitable subject and that perverse man 7if he may be call'd a man7 came first in my sight3 which troubles and molestations he brings upon me in my old ,age1 which might spend its time much better1 than by refuting his detestable ,calumnies4 ,neither does his wickedness to me hurt me only1 but my ,children also4 ,in his last ,obligation he promises1 ,that if by premature death ,i should be taken out of the world1 that he1 for the kindnesses ,i had done him1 would adopt my ,children for his own1 and make them his ,heirs3 but here1 in his most false writing1 endeavours all he can to deprive my 7yet young7 ,children of their own1 and convert their ,goods to himself1 as indeed he has done4 ,further1 ,he in his last ,obligation also saies1 he humbly pray'd ,,god to prolong my ,life and ,health1 but in this place he endeavours by his ,cavils and ,calumnies to kill me1 and if he could do it with his own hand1 7which ,god forbid7 ,i believe he would not stick at it3 ,it is a small thing with him to spill ,man's blood1 for he has experienc'd his ability that way4 ,i indeed esteem it the ,goodness of ,god to me1 that it is ,his will1 perhaps1 that this should rather turn to my profit than disadvantage2 for hereby ,i am taught to be wiser another time1 and to shun humane ,frauds4 #ad4 ,all ,wines4 ,here any wise man may judge whether or no this thing deserves to be sent into ,foreign ,countries1 and there to be sold at a price2 when there is no ,country-man that does not know that ,wine assumes the relish of the ,herbs1 ,flowers1 c4 which are steeped in it4 #ae4 ,brandy-,wine of all sorts of ,corn4 ,that ,farnner brags of this knowledge1 he owes it to ,,god and me1 from whom he had it3 ,for when at first he complain'd to me1 that he could not keep the ,corn from burning in the ,still1 and so make the ,brandy-wine stink1 ,i upon his intreaty communicated this ,secret to him4 ,but because ,farnner so much glories of this knowledge1 he shall not enjoy it long4 ,i must confess1 indeed1 that this ,secret is not of less value than that whereby wines are meliorated2 neither does he get less by it3 but forasmuch as ,i resolve to buy all his ,wares every where of him1 ,i will neither leave him this1 that he should be free from the trouble of informing others in this thing1 and that otherwise would be forced to make long ,journeys to buy them of him1 may leave off those ,journeys1 and take this way of preparing it3 ,take as much ,corn as you will1 whether ,barley1 ,rye1 ,oats1 or ,wheat1 steep it in sweet water for some days1 then place it that it may sprout after the same manner as ,corn is ,malted for the making of ,beer2 turn it well for a certain time1 lest it be corrupted by too much heat3 then when it is well sprouted1 spread it abroad1 that it may presently cool1 and it will never sowre4 ,but if you would use it presently1 then take as much of it as your ,destillation will require1 and in a ,kettle full of water1 boil it so long1 till the grains are broken1 then pour it into a wooden ,vessel1 and when it is luke-warm1 add to it the fresh dreggs or grounds of ,beer1 and let it ferment2 when it has fermented enough1 which is usually at the end of two or three daies1 then ,brandy-wine is made in a common ,still1 by destillation from that ,corn2 what remains in the ,still will serve to feed ,oxen1 ,cows1 ,hoggs1 or other ,cattel4 ,but the ,brandy-wine which proceeds from thence1 must be rectified1 as the way is1 and by this means it is render'd more sweet and grateful to the relish1 than any other ,brandy made of ,corn3 the reason is this1 ,that all ,bread-,corn1 of which ,brandy-wine ought to be prepared1 if it be put to ferment presently after softening1 it is necessarily in the still1 by boiling1 reduced into a pap1 and so being corrupted by a dustion1 produces a stinking ,brandy-wine4 ,but this protuberating and burst ,corn cannot be burnt1 and therefore makes good ,brandy4 ,also the ,corn may be broken on a ,mill-stone1 water poured upon it1 and distilled out of a ,still1 placed within another1 or in a ,kettle full of water1 so also it cannot be burnt2 yet this way it will yield but little4 ,,nb4 ,but if any man will give this ,brandy a relish1 like that made of the ,lees of ,wine1 then he must rectifie it upon the ,lees of ,wine1 for this way by the ,oil of ,wine1 which is plentiful among the ,lees1 he acquires his ends1 and in all things he may use this instead of that4 ,,nb4 ,also1 he that will1 may1 without this previous coction and fermentation1 pour the budding ,corn hot into a vessel of luke-warm water1 for by this means the ,corn begins to ferment of it self1 and needs no other ,lees to its fermentation2 yet it does not produce so sweet a ,brandy1 as if it had first been boiled3 for by coction the ill taste is taken from the ,corn1 which the ,brandy otherwise retains4 ,further1 also it produces much more ,brandy1 if the ,corn is so boil'd1 that it may be broken4 ,and this1 good ,reader1 is a most excellent and profitable ,secret1 and will bring you in much wealth1 if you use it rightly1 and you may make great quantities of it4 ,farnner did no man wrong1 by taking 7according to his own estimation7 a ,hundred ,duckets for it1 for it is worth much more1 especially if the residue of the ,corn pays the charge4 ,yet no man hereafter will give him so much for it now 'tis made publick4 ,indeed it is injurious to me to divulge it1 but because it is now in the foul hands of ,farnner1 'tis better that others also enjoy it1 than that he only should reap the benefit of it4 ,but though by my communication ,farnner should put on a ,lyons skin for his defence1 yet he can't hide his ,asses ears under it2 as appears from this ,paragraph1 where he writes1 that he had sent four measures cross the ,seas1 to try if they wou'd bear the ,sea-water2 for then he thinketh he hath made his ,port4 ,good ,god6 how resplendant is the ,wisdom and ,philosophy of this ,farnner6 ,certainly1 if he shall make one or two ,experiments of this kind1 that his ,brandy-wine will bear the water1 he'll duly merit to be created the chief ,professor in the ,academy of ,idiots1 for that will befit him1 seeing that the reason is not hid to him1 as he writes2 wherefore ,drinks are alter'd by the ,sea-waters4 ,but he will make his first ,experiment in these four measures1 and if it proves well1 then he promises to teach this ,art at a price4 ,o the blindness of this perverse ,world swelling with ,pride6 ,who ever heard that a good burning spirit1 whether made of ,wine or ,corn1 will be corrupted by the sea-water8 ,i grant it may be corrupted1 if it be invalid before3 ,but a good and firm burning spirit will never be corrupted by sea1 for all wines bear the water1 those only excepted which labour with a defect of spirit1 but strong wines very seldom1 for the more spirits there is in any ,liquor1 whether ,wine1 ,beer1 or ,metheglin1 it is in the less danger of being corrupted4 ,but if the spirit which is in wine1 be its preserver1 and defender from ,corruption1 ,how comes it to pass that ,brandy-wine1 which if well prepar'd1 is nothing but spirit1 should be corrupted8 ,if the ,spirit in wine be the ,preserver and ,defence of the wine1 which yet is weaken'd by a great quantity of water1 so as the wine remains good1 and is safe from the corruption of water3 ,why then should not it defend it self1 since it is so strong and free from water8 ,who doubts that a concentrated ,life is able to perform greater things than a diffuse and weak life8 ,hence you may see how great knowledge ,farnner has drawn from the light of ,nature1 that he should boast so4 #af4 ,to strengthen all sorts of ,beers4 ,in this place ,farnner again shews his ,asses ears1 when he writes1 ,that he can strengthen ,beers1 that they shall not be inferiour to ,rhenish wine4 ,here every wise man may discern how great and stupendious this man's folly is4 ,behold1 he attributeth the goodness of ,rhenish ,wine to its strength1 which indeed is a great errour2 for the goodness of ,rhenish-wines consists not in their strength1 but sweetness4 ,french ,wines are far more fragrant than ,rhenish1 yet in sweetness and soundness it comes not near it4 ,so likewise ,hungarian1 ,greek1 ,italian1 and ,spanish ,wines1 c4 are much stronger1 but for sweetness1 as well as goodness and wholsomeness1 ,rhenish wine1 far better1 although the other excell it in strength4 ,and so this is a great absurdity3 ,indeed ,beer may be strengthen'd1 by adding a burning spirit to it in fermentation1 whereby it may endure the longer2 which thing ,i can't deny1 and it ought to be done3 but that a ,vinegar may be drawn from them like ,wine-,vinegar1 is a pure story2 for though it may happen that ,beer may give a strong ,vinegar1 yet it never yields ,wine-,vinegar1 for a great difference may be discern'd between ,wine and ,beer-,vinegar1 though they have both the same strength1 if you make trial of both3 ,whence it appears1 that ,farnner is ignorant what ,vinegar is1 because he knows not the difference of it4 ,strong and right ,wine-,vinegar is known by these ,trials4 ,first1 if it be shaked in a ,glass1 it by and by receives its clearness1 and leaves no scum1 dreggs1 or bubbles1 on the top1 as ,beer-,vinegar does3 for let it be never so strong1 it retains its own nature1 and causes a scum1 if it be shook just as the ,beer it is made of3 but ,wine-,vinegar leaves no scum4 ,secondly1 the longer ,wine-,vinegar is boiled1 the stronger it is2 the reason is this1 ,there is naturally in it an innate sharpness1 which is not volatile2 but the sharpness of ,beer-,vinegar consists in its volatility1 which in boiling is abated2 so that the longer it boils1 the weaker it is4 ,and these are the two chief and most certain trials of ,vinegars1 which ,farnner's ,vinegar will never bear1 and therefore will still be ,beer-,vinegar1 and does not deserve that it's ,preparation should yield ,fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 ,acid or ,sower ,beers4 ,what belongs to this1 requires nothing of ,art1 neither is it worthy to be taught at a price when every ,country man can do it1 by projecting and well stirring in a vessel of acid beer1 two or three handfuls of beech ashes well sifted1 made wet with a little beer1 and leting them lie in it about eight days1 for then the ashes by reason of the ,salt which is in 'em takes away the sowreness of the beer1 and make it drinkable4 ,,nb4 ,if the beer be not too sowre1 a handful of sifted ashes may be sewed up in a linen bagg1 and put into the ,beer through the bung1 and there left for this way the ,beer may be preserv'd from sowreing and need not be stirred nor troubled4 ,also some handfuls of wheat put into the beer1 draws its sowerness from it1 the same also is done by egg shells1 ,crabs eyes1 ,tortoise shells1 ,sea shells1 calx viva1 and such like things which attract the sharpness1 and turn it into sweetness4 ,but whence is it that ,farnner now so abounds in the knowledge of wines and beers1 when yet but two years since1 when he prepar'd and sold brandy wine and beer1 that he complain'd to me1 that he had sustained much damage in handling them1 so that he shou'd perish unless he learn'd how to take away and remedy the burning of ,corn in the ,still1 the ill smell of his brandy wine and the sowreness of ,beer4 ,why cou'd not he then help himself1 and beware of those ,losses8 he will object that at that time a certain light shone upon him1 by whose benefit he knew ,nature4 ,however true his objection be1 it will never induce me to believe that this light cou'd in so great a measure so suddenly help him1 which is a great absurdity3 for so much knowledge is given to no man in a nights sleep1 it is a false story4 ,but that my faithful instruction1 with which ,i instructed him1 has enlighten'd him1 and like a guiding star led him in the right way1 is most true1 tho he is unworthy of those precious ,pearls which like a wild boar he treads in the dirt under his feet4 #ah4 ,vinegar of ,corn4 ,what belongs to this ,paragraph1 is demonstrated in the sixteenth paragraph1 that tis impossible to make a vinegar of ,corn1 like that of wine3 wherefore this cannot 7as he thinks7 deserve fifty ,r4 ,dollers4 #ai4 ,vinegar of green ,woods4 ,indeed ,i wonder that ,farnner is not ashamed of these things which ,i have many years since so clearly describ'd or to bring them to light anew1 that he might get money by teaching those things to others1 which are already published in the first part of ,furnaces1 ,and so he adorns himself with other mens ,feathers4 ,but he will object1 ,i have in the trial found these things true1 and therefore describe them1 but he does it to this end1 and to no other than that he may cheat them of their mony who did not know that ,i had so long since writ of them4 ,he that desires any of these things1 may find 'em in the first part of my ,furnaces1 and he shall not need to give ,farnner1 ten ,r4 ,dollers for his instruction herein4 #bj4 ,altho ,glauber1 c4 ,here he contemns my way of extracting ,tartar from the lees of wine1 when yet it was a year since clearly and perspicuously describ'd and published at ,norimberg1 which ,farnner cou'd never correct4 ,but he bragg'd that he had found by a certain position another compendium1 which indeed might be1 since it is easier to add something to an ,art once found1 than to find the ,art it self1 but it does not become him to disswade men from this ,art which is already described1 and which may be had gratis1 and to despise it and bragge among all men of his own inventing a better4 ,what good men will think of these bold malignities may be easily judg'd3 but if ,i had writ nothing of these things1 who would have taught him that there was ,tartar in the lees of wine8 ,but ,i not only found and writ what was in them1 but also largely taught how they might be usefully extracted4 ,yet this trifler dares as impudently1 as falsly say1 that he had corrected it1 and added to it1 and therefore wou'd not let it go without his price4 ,after the same manner he deals with my other secrets 7which1 tho he had them of me1 he braggs that they are his own7 with which he proceeds1 as with the lees of wine1 namely with my ,alkahest1 ,panaca1 ,melioration of wine1 compendious distillation of ,corn1 preparation of vinegar1 correction of beer and others in many places4 ,whence cou'd he have known what was meant by my ,alkahest and ,panaca1 or how small wines and and beers should be meliorated1 how ,corn without adustion shou'd give plenty of burning spirit1 and whether there was ,tartar in the lees of wine or not1 and how it might be extracted thence1 except he had seen and learn'd all these things of me8 of which also ,i had many years since publickly made mention in my writings1 which is so well known that he cannot deny it1 how much soever he opposes the truth4 #ba4 ,all ,copper ,ores4 ,in this place ,farnner teaches that ,copper ,ores are to be separated1 when1 yet they are not separated but melted1 that thence the ,copper may come forth1 which ,copper if it contains silver being mix'd with a due weight of lead1 it is separated3 but ,mines of copper are never separated1 which he does not understand1 and so he betrays his ignorance in these terms4 ,this way of separating is sufficiently known1 and every where where copper mines are found1 is wrought in abundance and cannot be hid4 ,he that possesseth ,copper mines1 will easily find men that will thence elicite the copper1 and afterwards separate it1 neither will any man need to go to ,farnner on that account4 ,indeed ,i wonder at his extream impudence1 that he was not afraid to promise that he wou'd teach others so many ,sciences1 of which if he knew the half part1 his village wou'd not hold all the furnaces he wou'd need for the demonstration of them4 ,further1 for these and the following ,sciences1 which yet2 are the most difficult and laborious of all1 he requires no money1 but for a certain reward promises to demonstrate them all4 #bb4 ,from ,tests and ,cupels4 ,he has drawn this separation also from my writings1 that therewith he might fill his calumnious letters3 neither do ,i believe he cou'd do it before he had seen me do it4 ,it is done by the powder of coals1 as ,i have plainly described in my ,chymical ,colloquie4 #bc4 ,gold and ,silver4 ,this ,art ,lazarus ,eicher has described1 but because his way is too hard1 ,i have shewn an easier in the explication of the wonder of the world1 and there the following melting ,furnaces are also described1 and therefore ,i need not say any thing of them here4 ,all these inventions which ,farnner braggs off as his own1 are mine2 for my unfaithful ,servant taught ,farnner those ,furnaces which he learn'd of me4 ,and at length1 ,i have nothing to say to these four last paragraphs1 because they don't concern me as the former doe1 and ,farnner himself exposes them as speculations and not as experiments1 as ,i also believe that they are only fancies and foolish imaginations3 yet there is one thing which ,i must answer1 which he mentions in his third paragraph1 that the time will come when ,glauber's ,alkahest must be forc'd to hide1 altho it is not wholly to be rejected4 ,but if it be so unprofitable that it must hide1 why does he expose this to sale at fifty ,r4 ,dollers1 and the ,panaca which is prepar'd with it1 at thirty8 and he has already got sufficiently by it3 if it be so improffitable1 why then does he offer to ,sell it to others knowingly and willingly at a price8 ,if ,farnner has rightly term'd my ,alkahest unuseful and must be forc'd to hide1 he has surely deceiv'd many4 ,but ,i confidently assert1 that my ,alkahest will never hide1 but defend it self in all places3 ,perfidious calumniators1 thieves and their accomplices shall hide1 but not my ,alkahest4 ,if he has found out better things than ,i1 let him publish them as ,i have done1 that every man may judge whether they be true or false3 ,why this boasting and wicked vanity in despising others8 ,for truth needs few words and less braging4 ,in his writing in which he sets down the value of every ,secret contain'd in the last paragraphs1 namely1 from the twenty first to the twenty eighth1 he promises to teach other men for no certain price1 but on courtesy1 those secrets which yet are the best1 if he cou'd know them4 ,but if he can effect those things and teach 'em to others1 he wou'd not certainly teach them gratis1 for 'tis impossible for him to build those ,furnaces requisite to the making of those things in half a years time4 ,from which it sufficiently appears how ignorant he is of what he writes3 ,certainly if his wares which he had of me gratis1 should find ,chapmen1 no doubt but in one year he would get some thousands of ducats4 ,i thought fit to answer you these things now1 that ,i might shut your foul mouth which was so wide open to lyes1 but if after this you don't cease your lyes and calumnies1 you will compel me to use other means to bridle your malice4 ,in the mean while ,i doubt not1 but all good men in this short ,apology 7in which ,i have not refuted thy lying calumnies with indecent or contentions words1 but from thy own obligations and hand writing7 will plainly see how wickedly and perfidiously thou hast behaved thy self towards me4 ,this damage which thou hast done me1 neither you nor all yours both present and future faculties1 nor all thy servants can ever repair3 ,it remains therefore1 that ,i say with ,job1 ,god gave1 and ,god has taken away1 blessed be the name of the ,lord4 ,but ,i don't believe you will escape divine punishment1 to which ,i commit my cause at this time4 ,it is certain that every thing has its time1 which ,i also patiently expecting your downfal 7when ,god shall take upon him the patronage of a just cause17 perhaps with these my eyes shall sooner see than hope4 ,indeed ,i wanted not matter to dispute these things more largely1 but that for a reason known to my self1 ,i was hinder'd in doing it at this time4 ,but as soon as ,i can1 ,god assisting me1 ,i shall not be wanting to propose to all impartial men in the world1 questions to be resolv'd1 from which every ingenious and good man may see1 animadvert and give judgment1 how ungrateful1 perfidious1 unjust and inhumane thou hast been to me4 ,miraculum ,mundi2 ,or1 ,a ,plain and ,perfect ,description of the admirable ,nature and ,property of that most powerful ,subject1 called by the ,antients1 ,the ,universal ,menstruum1 ,,or1 ,the ,,mercury of ,,philosophers4 ,by which ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals may easily be ,transmuted into most ,salubrious ,medicines1 and the ,imperfect ,metals into ,perfect and ,permanent4 ,a ,preface to the ,reader4 ,to whomsoever this little ,book 7treating of the ,propriety1 ,nature1 and ,essence of that incomparable ,subject1 by the ancient ,philosophers called1 ,the ,universal ,menstruum or ,solvent1 shall occurr1 and is offended in reading of those great virtues by me ascribed to it2 and because he understandeth not the thing1 judgeth it not to be credited2 ,i would have him know1 that whatsoever power ,i have attributed to it1 that that is in no wise a ,figment1 ,dream1 or vain ,opinion1 but to be taken for a ,truth1 found out by a diligent and manifold ,practice4 ,but which will be most profitable1 for me to prostitute all my inventions to the ,world1 or conceal them8 ,for which cause ,i will 7at least for the present7 only point at many wonderful things which may be performed by this universal ,menstruum1 but not treat of them1 leaving it free for every man to believe my sayings as far as he pleaseth2 but if they shall be credited by no man1 it shall not disturb me1 it being sufficient for me to have shewed where and by what reason1 the truth or secrets of nature are to be found4 ,as for the ,subject whose nature and operations ,i have determined to touch upon1 it is like to that of which ,i have made mention in my ,mineral work1 by the signal name of ,alkahest1 which appellation ,i have there demonstrated1 not to be imposed upon it without reason4 ,but seeing that long since the chief ,menstruums of some ,philosophers1 were called by the same name1 and that ,i know not whether theirs were like to mine or mine to theirs in nature and virtues1 shall not much trouble me2 for it matters little for diverse ,menstruums to be called by the same name1 although they do not answer one another in all things4 ,for even as wine is wine1 although it come from ,germany1 ,italy1 ,france or ,spain1 nevertheless each is wine1 although the one exceed the other in strength and rellish1 as long as the same nature and virtues are found in it1 which ought to be in wine3 ,the same is to be judged concerning my ,alkahest3 ,to wit1 that if the virtues be agreeably to the name1 from whatsoever ,subject it be extracted1 it rightly meriteth the same name1 which that it may the better be understood1 ,i mean by the name of ,alkahest1 a very hot1 fiery1 dry1 and also humid water void of all corrosive power1 by which ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 are dissolved without noise1 yet not all in the same manner1 and elaborated into ,salutiferous medicines1 as ,i have shewed in the first part of my ,mineral work4 ,and because ,i have written such things of it1 many have endeavoured to prepare such a ,menstruum1 every one from his own ,subject2 ,impostors also have offered to others1 a water plainly corrosive instead of it1 fasly pretending that they had obtained the secret from me1 and that it is the same which ,i have described in my ,mineral work2 then one sells that putatious ,universal solvent to a another at a dear rate1 whose nativity and preparation lies hid with the seller1 that so the blind leading the blind both may fall into the ditch2 which thing1 when ,i knew it1 ,i was constrained whether ,i would or no1 to lay open to the ,reader1 what is properly the nature of my ,alkahest1 and what are its virtues and powers1 so that those who erre1 may have a rule by which they maybe able to judge of any other pretended ,alkahest1 whether it be mine or not4 ,therefore this incomparable subject is called an universal solvent1 because by its benefit1 many incredible things are performed in the preparation of good ,medicines1 and also in the preparation of metals1 yet let no man believe that it dissolveth metals swiftly and violently1 like aqua fortis1 aqua regia1 or other corrosive waters1 not in the least1 but worketh altogether after another manner1 viz4 ,vegetables and ,animals are dissolved in digestion1 by the moist way1 in which solution1 the pure parts are separated from the impure4 ,and ,minerals and ,metals also being dissolved in the moist way by its benefit1 may be washed1 purged and maturated1 and reduced either into good medicines1 or into better metals1 but not with the same advantage and celerity as in the dry way1 by which very many incredible mutations are presently performed1 to be admired by the inexpert1 too tedious here to be treated off4 ,besides those two ways of dissolving1 which 7that ,i might demonstrate the possibility of the matter7 ,i have shewed to some2 there yet occurrs another far different from those1 by which metals and other ,subjects are swiftly1 meliorated to the eye1 and are maturated1 depurated1 and transmuted into the best of medicines1 and into purer bodies3 the reasons of which1 solution there is no need to expose to every one1 chiefly1 because that labour requireth a skilful ,chymist and there are few who heartily search into the secrets of nature1 but most ,chymists vexing themselves with vain processes1 understand nothing solid in ,medicine or in ,chymistry1 which imaginary ,artists1 when they happen upon true writings1 cannot reach their sence with their dull brains2 they speak evil of the ,author1 disdaining his industry and unwearied labour1 in communicating his talent2 whence it comes to pass that he which brings forth any thing of good1 finding nothing but ingratitude1 chuseth rather to carry his talent with him to the grave1 than to publish it to his own damage4 ,and this is the only cause1 why ,i have not plainly prosecuted the use of this ,menstruum in the preparing of medicines1 and meliorating of metals1 but have only pointed at what may be effected by the help of it1 that it may be made manifest1 what is to be judged concerning it1 and whether that which is sold for such by others1 be like to that described in my ,mineral work or not3 ,i doubt not but many will quickly despond1 thinking that their ,alkahest will in no wise perform those things which ,i here ascribe to my ,menstruum1 and will also believe the matter not to be so easy1 as before they thought it to be1 but although it arise from a vile subject1 that nevertheless its invention and use is very difficult4 ,for whosoever hath such a menstruum1 by which these following things may be effected1 he may indeed rejoice in the possession of the universal solvent or ,mercury of ,philosophers1 having a door opened to true medicine and ,alchymy4 ,therefore for the sake of ,searchers1 ,i will begin to shew somewhat of its virtues and powers1 as far as ,i may1 that the ,magnalia of ,god may thence be made manifest1 and that ,i may give occasion to every man1 to render praise1 and thanks to his ,creatour1 who is the giver of all good4 ,of the ,transcendent ,virtue1 ,power1 ,nature1 and ,property of this ,wonderful ,universal ,menstruum4 ,it is worth our noting1 that three ,operations especially may be performed by the benefit of this ,menstruum4 ,i4 ,it maturateth all ,vegetables and ,animals1 being dissolved into a ,liquor1 and taking away their ,venom1 converteth them into salutary ,medicines4 ,,ii4 ,it dissolveth ,minerals and ,metals1 as well by the moist as by the dry way1 correcteth their venoms1 ripeneth and fixeth their crudity1 so that they may be made good ,medicines2 and after fixation1 yield good and genuine ,gold and ,silver4 ,,iii4 ,those ,metals1 ,minerals1 ,stones1 and other compact ,subjects1 not dissolvable by the aforesaid waies1 it dissolveth1 maturateth1 purifieth1 and in an hours space exalts ,metals1 more than the two former ,solutions can do in a whole day1 whose change into better may be observed in every hour3 ,it dissolveth ,metals and ,minerals into a penetrating spirituality1 so that the ,metal is not separated from the ,menstruum1 but a solution is made of both1 either by the dry or moist way1 from which the more pure part of the ,metal1 or that which is ,gold or ,silver1 after the premised fixation1 is precipitated by ,art1 especially if many were jointly dissolved4 ,whence it is sufficiently manifest1 that in all the ,imperfect ,metals ,gold and ,silver is notably absconded1 not discoverable by the vulgar ,examen of ,cupels3 which ,operation being performed by a ,menstruum1 prepared in so gross a manner1 it is credible1 that if this volatile ,hermaphrodite and spiritual ,mercury were again fixed1 and rendered ,corporeal1 that it would be by many degrees more subtile1 penetrant1 and efficacious1 for the dissolving1 altering1 and perfecting of ,bodies1 than it was before4 ,this is its ,use in general2 but specially it abundantly exerts its manifold ,virtue2 before whose description1 it seems not amiss to point out the common ,name of this subject1 and what the common ,people think of it4 ,which1 that ,i may expedite in few words1 know1 that it is nothing else but the naked salt of the ,earth1 of which ,salt-,peter is made4 ,but that every salt of the ,earth1 or common ,salt-,peter1 hath those ,virtues which ,i here assign to my subject1 ,i shall in no wise say1 seeing that it ought to be diversly prepared for divers uses1 according to which1 thou maist expect divers ,virtues4 ,this subject is necessary to be known by all the ,inhabitants of the whole ,earth1 to all orders and degrees of men1 because not to man only1 but also to every ,creature1 it is profitable or noxious1 according to its various application4 ,this subject serveth for ,physicians1 ,chirurgions1 and ,apothecaries1 of which they may prepare excellent ,medicines against the natural ,diseases of ,men4 ,whence the truth of that common saying of ,philosophers is undoubtedly asserted1 viz4 ,that of the greatest ,venom the greatest ,medicine against ,diseases is to be prepared4 ,and that ,nitre is the word of ,venoms1 ,i have evinc'd in the second part of my ,furnaces1 where ,i preferr it to the ,basilisk himself2 and that from the same ,nitre1 and its mediation1 is to be prepared a most excellent ,medicine4 ,in the ,first ,part of my ,mineral ,work1 for the sake of ,physicians1 ,chirurgions1 and others1 applying themselves to ,physick1 ,i have shewed how by the help of my ,alkahest1 ,medicines are to be prepared from ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 far exceeding the ordinary waies of ,preparation4 ,but it is not my mind at present to discourse much of ,medicines1 it may suffice to have shewed what ,virtues this ,universal subject hath1 and to what uses it may be appointed4 ,i say1 that it may be profitable to all orders of men1 as well to the superiour1 as to the inferiour1 to spiritual and secular1 noble and ignoble1 rich and poor3 of which orders the ,physician is not to be deemed the lowest4 ,that ,i may perform my promise1 what unheard of things may be done1 by the benefit of this subject1 in natural diseases incident to man1 who is obnoxious to all kind of miseries1 ,i will in the next place reveal somewhat for his health and comfort4 ,but this my ,medicine1 which ,i deliver1 is not of great price1 but of great ,virtue1 and of which the poor as well as rich1 may be partakers1 and 7by the blessing of ,god7 may be freed from every curable disease4 ,the ,preparation4 ,take two or three pounds of this ,menstruum1 whose corrosive nature transmute by force of fire into a nature not corrosive2 and you have the ,menstruum prepared1 with which you shall elaborate this ,medicine1 in this manner3 ,dissolve in this ,menstruum as much of the first ,ens of ,gold 7which is to be found in all places of the ,world1 but especially in golden ,mines more copiously7 as it will attract in the heat2 so that a red ,solution may be made1 which digest for some daies1 with its own weight of the dissolving ,wine2 make separation of the pure parts from the impure1 by removing the fces which sever themselves from the ,medicine1 by falling to the bottom1 this being concentrated by an easie heat1 will be a red pellucid stone2 very like to a soluble salt1 which is to be carefully preserved4 ,this ,medicine will be second to none1 except the stone of ,philosophers1 and will be of the same goodness1 after a ,hundred ,years1 that it was the first day it was made1 performing all things which ,i shew with amazement1 for which no mortal man can ever render sufficient ,thanks to ,god4 ,the ,use of this ,medicine in general4 ,this ,universal ,medicine will cure every natural disease both in young and old1 strong and weak1 in a very small dose1 without any danger1 not nauseating the stomach1 as the usual ,potions do2 and is to be taken in any ,liquor1 according to the ,condition of the ,sick1 as warm ,broth or ,gruel1 ,wine1 ,beer or ,ale1 ,water1 ,milk1 c4 from one grain to eight grains1 which is the highest dose4 ,it operateth after a diverse manner1 according as the strength of the sick1 or the nature of the disease requires3 if you continue in the ,use of the prescribed ,doses1 the operation will be insensible2 it strengtheneth and mundifieth the radical moisture1 and in a wonderful manner expelleth every ,evil out of the ,body being taken daily1 every other or every third day3 ,it preserveth from accidental ,diseases1 correcteth ,venom1 and resisteth infectious ,airs4 ,but if the ,dose were greater1 the ,operation will be more evident1 by ,sweat1 ,urine1 ,spitting1 and sometimes by ,stool1 according as you please1 by encreasing or lessening the ,dose2 and if the disposition of the ,disease comply1 it is cured by a small quantity of this ,medicine1 without ocular observation2 but being radicated1 requireth a manifest operation1 if it refuse to yield to a small ,dose acting invisibly2 because both in preparing and using this ,medicine1 regard is to be had1 that you neither err in excess or defect1 but by observing a ,medium1 you shall obtain both ,profit and ,honour4 ,those of ripe years may take from one to six grains every day1 if they have leisure to attend the ,cure1 but if not1 three grains every fourth day1 until there remain no foot-steps of the ,disease3 taking nothing besides this ,medicine1 and keeping that day from the cold ,air1 and abstaining three or four hours from ,food4 ,in the ,leprosie and foul ,scab1 there is no ,remedy safer than this ,medicine1 extirpating the ,roots of the ,evil without trouble4 ,nor will you ever be frustrated in the desired effect1 if the ,sick have strength sufficient to undergo the ,cure4 ,see its ,preparation and ,use more particularly described1 in ,part #b4 ,phar4 ,spagyr4 ,after the ,description and ,use of this ,medicine1 by which the health of ,man may be preserved1 and being lost1 may be restored1 which is far to be preferred to all the ,treasures of the whole ,world4 ,there now follow other ,secrets1 shewing how by the help of this subject a man may acquire an honest ,living2 and1 as ,i have said in the ,preface1 this subject may be provable to all orders of men in the ,world1 whether superiour or inferiour1 ,ecclesiastical or ,political1 noble or ignoble1 rich or poor1 by conferring or admonishing somewhat of good to every one in his ,profession4 ,therefore ,i will now begin to teach some signal uses of it1 that it may be manifest to all men1 that this is an ,universal subject1 which ,i have alwaies judged such1 and that others with me may find it so4 ,in the first place1 all ,fossiles or ,minerals digged out of the ,earth1 may be perfectly examined by the mediation of this subject1 what metals they contain1 how many1 and how much of each3 ,it is an infallible ,guide to the diggers and melters of ,ores1 saving them both loss of time and matter4 ,an excellent ,artifice1 by which the value of all ,minerals may be discovered without much labour and charge1 being highly necessary for ,metallurgists1 of ,germany especially1 being quite undone by a continual ,war1 who may in a short time lay up great ,stocks or ,treasures1 to be imployed against the ,enemies of their ,country in time of necessity3 by whose benefit also rich ,mines of gold and silver 7which otherwise would for ever lie neglected7 may be discovered1 when they are swiftly and accurately examined4 ,the ,marcasites of ,gold and silver being melted by the mediation of this1 by a singular compendium1 hitherto unknown1 do afford more metal than by the common way4 ,the volatile and immature ,marcasites of gold and silver1 are fixed in the space of three hours1 so that they yield more metal than they could have done without fixation4 ,those three things are very necessary and profitable to every ,magistrate having ,mines in his jurisdiction1 by which he may obtain much wealth4 ,all ,gold and ,silver which is not purely melted from its ,marcasite1 is swiftly purged from all additament1 the ,silver is separated from the ,gold1 by fusion only1 with small labour and cost1 but in great weight4 ,gold and ,silver are easily drawn out of old ,tin vessels1 the tin being preserved almost in the same weight1 and being made better than it was before1 may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put4 ,from ,bismuth much silver is separated1 the ,bismuth being preserved1 this secret being agreeable to those places which abound with that ,mineral4 ,from old ,copper much ,silver may be separated1 the ,copper remaining unhurt1 by which ,artifice ,countries abounding with this metal1 may not a little profit themselves4 ,every common silver1 may in the space of a few hours be exalted into the nature of ,gold1 the which if it be done four or five times1 which may be in a short space of time1 it giveth so much gold1 as affordeth a sufficient livelihood1 over and above the costs4 ,gold may be separated by fusion1 from every addition of ,copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 ,lead1 ,orpiment1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick or the like1 and be purifyed without ,cupels1 each being kept apart2 profitable for ,metallurgists and the like1 from the shortness of the time1 smallness of the charge and labour1 and much gain4 ,every imperfect metal without the mixture of other metals1 may be ripened by this secret alone in the fire1 in the space of an hour1 so that it will yield ,gold and ,silver1 but without gain4 ,there is another very gainful augmentation or increase of the perfect metals1 by the imperfect1 answering to the ,germination or growth of vegetables2 for even as every seed being cast into the earth1 groweth therein arising to be an herb or a tree1 and taketh also its encrease from the same by its inbred attractive power2 so is it here also1 for ,sol or ,luna groweth and encreaseth in ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,venus1 or ,mars1 as in their native soil1 and are nourished after the manner of herbs1 and encrease from day to day4 ,an ,art not to be despised by ,philosophers4 ,by the mediation of this1 from all imperfect metals and minerals1 yielding nothing by the usual examen of ,cupels1 ,gold and silver is produced in a manifold manner1 being an argument that the imperfect metals have somewhat of the perfect reconded in them1 when they are inverted and shew themselves to our sight1 a work not ingrateful to those who work in ,metals4 ,these are the chief things which ,i have found may be done in metallick works1 by the help of this ,subject2 yet ,i make no doubt but there are many more unknown to me1 to be revealed to others after me who shall make a good beginning from my writings1 the which ,i also wish from my heart1 that the hidden mysteries of the natural wonders of ,god1 may at length be brought to light1 for the use of mankind4 ,among the enumerated ,arcanums1 some perhaps may seem of little worth to the ,reader2 but there are some from which may be had a commodious livelihood1 so that an ,artist need not be at the will of another1 without he please4 ,o how great a thing is ,liberty1 which no man can worthily esteem1 who hath not been a ,servant himself4 ,a piece of ,bread is sweeter to a quiet1 prudent man than many dainties1 with care1 danger1 and noise4 ,it is happy for him who can say with ,paracelsus1 ,alterius non sit1 qui suus esse potest2 ,let him not be anothers1 who may be his own4 ,but it is good for him that would use well the ,gifts of ,god1 not to be unmindful of his ,neighbour1 lest temporary ,liberty cast him head-long into the ,dungeon of eternal ,slavery4 ,after shewing this subject to be conducible to all the ,inhabitants of the earth1 ,i have described its use in ,metallicks1 which is not to be indifferently undertaken by every man1 but by those only who are concerned in digging of ,mines1 and melting and separating of ,metals1 whether they be noble or ignoble1 learned 7as well spiritual as secular1 exempted from publick offices7 or rude1 which maintain themselves from ,merchandice1 or live upon their ,estates1 all which may receive ,fruit from these ,secrets1 but not ,husbandmen1 ,labourers1 ,ditchers1 c4 but that to these also somewhat of profit may proceed from my inventions1 ,i will shew in order2 although the principal will redound to ingenious ,artificers1 ,engravers1 ,painters1 ,statuaries1 those who adorn ,glass or ,clothes with ,silk1 ,gold1 or ,silver1 and they who make ,wax-work4 ,they who etch upon ,copper1 may prepare from this subject a good corrosive water1 by which 7the ,copper-plates being first smeared over with a covering fit to defend them1 and what ,images and lines they please1 being drawn upon them with a stile or stift7 by a very easie and compendious manner1 they will be eroded or eaten into4 ,painters1 by the help of this1 may prepare for themselves most excellent ,colours1 as ,ultra-,marine1 ,smalt1 fine red or scarlet ,lacca1 ,venice-,ceruse1 and others necessary for their ,uses1 which otherwise they must have from far1 as ,italy1 ,holland1 ,france1 c4 and at a dear rate4 ,engravers and ,statuaries may so harden their ,tools that they may hold their points long1 if they be to cut stones4 ,embroiderers may put any durable ,colour they please upon the silk with which they work4 ,they who paint ,glass1 by an easie work1 may thence prepare all ,colours or ,enamels for ,glass1 so that there will be no need to have them from ,venice4 ,they who work in ,wax1 by the benefit of this1 may whiten it exceedingly1 and colour it as they please4 ,printers may add this subject to their ,ink1 which will cause it to adhere most firmly to the ,paper1 and render the ,letters very fair4 ,it is convenient for ,clockmakers or ,watchmakers1 if a ,water be destilled from it1 which soldereth ,iron or ,steel without ,fire1 if a drop of that ,aqua fortis be dropped upon it1 whence the ,iron growing hot1 it presently waxeth soft1 as if it had been soldered in the fire by the help of ,copper4 ,all ,smiths may by it harden their ,files1 and other ,iron ,tools1 as hard as if they had been made of the hardest ,steel4 ,tin-workers or ,pewterers1 may harden their ,tin or ,pewter1 and give to it an elegant whiteness1 so that it will resemble ,silver both in colour and sound2 neither will it easily tarnish1 and by reason of its hardness will endure longer than common ,tin or ,pewter4 ,cabinet-makers may strike an excellent ,black upon ,pear-tree1 ,cherry-tree1 ,box1 ,walnut-tree1 and other hard ,woods1 which may be used for curious ,works instead of ,ebony4 ,skinners or ,furriers may dye their ,ermins1 ,fox-skins1 ,wolf-skins1 and the like ,furrs1 with a ,scarlet1 ,crimson1 or deep ,black colour1 far exceeding the natural4 ,in like manner1 ,feather-dyers may swiftly give any lasting colour to their ,plumes4 ,taylors may take out spots or stains out of ,woollen1 ,linen1 or ,silk ,garments1 and restore their beauty4 ,if ,shoomakers put old ,iron to this subject1 they may therewith adorn their ,leather with an excellent ,black4 ,weavers may render their ,linen threads so fine and soft1 that they shall emulate ,silk4 ,dyers1 by this1 may give so firm and unchangeable a ground to their ,cloth1 that the superinduced ,colours shall not be corrupted or spoiled by any ,wine1 ,vinegar1 ,urine1 ,pickles1 ,air1 or ,sun4 ,potters may thence prepare a ,glassy colour1 not unlike to the ,indian ,porcellane1 of which ,vessels may be made1 having the ,aspect of ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper1 a singular ,ornament for ,noblemens ,tables1 hitherto unknown to the ,world4 ,souldiers1 ,merchants1 ,travellers1 ,carriers1 and others who are much in the open ,air1 may of this prepare a ,varnish1 in which they may dip a ,linen ,cloth1 which will not permit either ,air or ,water to pass through it1 with which they may defend their ,boots or ,clothes1 so that they may travel dry in the ,rain4 ,they who make ,tapestry1 may restore their faint or faded colours1 so that they shall be strong and beautiful4 ,mistrisses of ,families may prepare of it fine ,soap or ,washballs1 far exceeding that of ,venice4 ,houshold-,maids may with it scowre or cleanse their metallick vessels1 so as to render them neat and beautiful4 ,women may change the yellow1 pale1 or brown colour of their face and hands into a beautiful whiteness4 ,old ,women may by an easie way take away the wrinkles of their face and hands2 as also1 the ,corns of their feet1 and boil their ,linen to such a softness1 that it shall come but little short of ,silk4 ,gardeners by this subject may destroy all ,insects1 by mixing it with ,water1 and pouring it into those places where they breed1 for they will either die in their holes1 or run out to die1 because they are not able to abide that fire4 ,it also ripeneth ,fruits1 if a little of this ,menstruum be applied to the roots1 at the entrance of the ,spring2 and if a large quantity of ,apples be covered well over with it1 they may thence prepare a lasting ,wine1 ,vinegar1 or burning ,spirit4 ,bakers may use it instead of ,ferment or ,yeast1 if they dissolve a few ,hops therein4 ,brewers may have very strong ,ale or ,beer by its help1 if they extract their ,hops with it4 ,mead or ,metheglin1 as also ,beer and ,canary1 which are upon the turn1 and growing sowre1 may by this be rendered drinkable4 ,comb-makers1 and other ,horn-workers1 may by this soften their ,horns1 so that they may imprint upon them what ,images they please4 ,keepers of ,armories may preserve their polished ,arms or ,harness safe from ,rust1 by anointing it over with this subject4 ,bird-,catchers may by help of this prepare such a ,birdlime as will not be hurt either by ,cold or ,heat4 ,souldiers by means of this may prepare from ,gold a fulminating ,powder1 of which the magnitude of a ,pease being put upon a red-hot ,iron plate will give a greater clap1 than half a pound1 yea1 a whole pound of ,gun-powder2 the same may also be prepared without ,gold1 only by the addition of ,salt of ,tartar and ,sulphur2 as it is described in the second ,part of our ,furnaces4 ,engineers and ,makers of ,fire-works1 may perform many wonderful things by help of this subject4 ,there may also many new ,works1 belonging to ,weaving and the ,smith's ,art1 be thence made1 which may be communicated to neighbouring ,countries1 whereby ,money may be brought in lieu thereof to a ,countrey impoverish'd by ,war4 ,if ,vine-dressers1 or ,keepers of ,vineyards1 pour a little of this subject to the ,roots of their ,vines1 they will have ripe ,grapes1 and ,must1 or new ,wine sooner than their ,neighbours2 of which they may make a good advantage4 ,nevertheless1 ,must and ,wine also may be ripened after another manner1 in the ,hogshead1 without this ,art2 so that they who understand the way1 may have alwaies good ,wine1 when others have it sowre4 ,a ,secret very profitable to cold ,climates1 which for the most part produce sowre or tart ,wines4 ,it is also agreeable to ,countries abounding with ,wine1 when through a want of the heat of the ,sun the ,grapes do not ripen well2 which may be helped by this ,art1 so that it may be readily sold4 ,but because the greater part of men1 especially of the meaner sort1 cannot be perswaded to things which they have never seen nor heard of1 ,i well know1 that if ,i should in plain words describe the reason and manner of meliorating ,wines1 scarce one man in a ,hundred would believe me1 but would rather say1 ,our fore-,fathers were wise men1 and got great ,estates by ,wine1 without the knowledge of this ,art1 nor did they desire it4 ,if ,nature will not ripen our ,wines1 let them be sowre2 yet notwithstanding1 if sometimes they will not serve the ,master1 they may be drank by the ,servants4 ,men of this sort are incurable1 neither are they 7being old7 easily tamed2 and young men take little care how prudently they manage their ,affairs4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that ,antiquity obtains upon all men4 ,but that the ,vine-dresser may see that the present ,age is more skilful than the former1 ,i will set before him only one demonstrative ,example1 by which he may plainly see how much they differ4 ,our fore-,fathers knew not how to make any thing of the fces or dreggs of ,wine1 but a burning ,spirit or ,brandy1 which being extracted1 the remainder they threw away1 or sometimes mixed it with the ,fodder of ,cattel1 very rarely dried them in the ,sun1 and burnt them into ,pot-ashes2 but by my invention1 there may be thence drawn a far greater quantity of burning ,spirit1 then also a large quantity of ,tartar1 and at last the ,pot-ashes1 which is a threefold profit4 ,which if you manage the matter well1 from a ,pipe of ,lees1 you will have at the least seven or eight ,urns 7which will be about a ,fifth part1 an ,urn being four ,gallons7 of good ,wine1 from the residue1 you will have the burning ,spirit1 and ,tartar1 at the last the clavellated ,ashes1 the profit being four times as much as heretofore1 which thing was altogether unknown to our ,ancestors4 ,how many ,thousand weight of ,tartar is every year thrown away in ,franconia1 ,suevia1 ,alsatia1 the ,palatinate1 upon the ,rhine1 ,mosell1 and ,danube1 which would be very profitable to those ,countries1 if the men were ,artists4 ,but what doth it signifie to teach1 if there be none to hear or learn3 for it is more adviseable to sit still and do nothing1 than to be largely imployed to no purpose4 ,but ,i am perswaded1 that after my death1 there will be some who will understand my good will to the ,world1 and search out the truth out of my ,writings1 to their own great profit4 ,there is an opportunity or season for every thing2 ,trees first bring forth ,budds1 then follow ,blossoms and ,leaves1 and last of all1 ,fruit4 ,there remains yet another thing very profitable to ,country-men2 the juice of ,apples or ,pears being pressed out1 by the help of this subject1 such an ,effervescency 7or working7 is promoted1 as ,wines may be thence made1 having the relish of the natural1 and but little inferiour in durability and strength3 and although the beating of the ,apples be somewhat tedious1 7which is now done much quicker by ,mills7 that labour is recompensed with a good profit1 by the ,wine arising from the juice2 a ,secret very necessary for cold ,countries1 which cannot ripen ,wines1 and yet abound much in ,apples1 but by this way may save much in the price of ,wines1 for which they usually pay dear4 ,i have indeed many ,arts relating to ,wines1 but they belong not to this place1 my purpose here being to treat of those only1 which are administred by my ,universal ,menstruum3 ,arts 7as ,i think7 hitherto known to none1 or at least not divulged1 that it may be manifest to the ,reader what proficiency the ,world hath made in good things4 ,whether the matter be credited1 or not1 signifies little to me1 ,i my self also might have doubted1 if ,i had not learned by experience2 but ,judgment ought not to be given rashly2 we are to know1 that ,god doth wonderfully dispense his benefits to those who are his ,servants1 and whom he hath appointed to be his ,instruments1 to bring his wonders to light4 ,if ,husbandmen moisten their seed with this ,menstruum1 it will sooner be ripe1 and have larger1 fatter grains than ordinary3 ,which being done1 ,i will shew by what means they may make great profit of their grain4 ,the grain being whole1 not ground1 pour to it warm water1 impregnated with this ,menstruum1 in a ,hogshead well stopped1 let it stand and ferment or work for a time1 the water will extract all the strength of the grain1 the remaining husks serving to feed ,hogs3 ,if you ferment ,hops with this ,liquor1 or extract1 it will be good ,beer3 ,if you will not do this1 you may thence draw a very good spirit1 the residue1 in a short time1 will be ,vinegar2 and if you be wise1 you may put this burning ,spirit or ,wine to many uses1 by which you shall have more profit than by selling it2 a ,secret not to be despised where grain is cheap4 ,i have yet one thing to add among my ,wine-,arts1 concerning grain1 and the ,fruits of ,trees and ,shrubs1 which is to be received with thankfulness1 as a great ,gift of ,god to ,mankind4 ,viz4 ,it is found by industry and manifold experience1 that from ,rye1 ,wheat1 ,oats1 ,rice1 ,millet1 also from ,apples1 ,pears1 ,peaches1 ,cherries1 ,plumbs1 ,sloes1 ,damascens1 ,quinces1 ,figgs2 as also from ,goose-berries1 ,mulberries1 ,barberries1 ,black-berries1 ,elder-berries1 and other-like ,fruits of ,trees and ,shrubs2 from all these1 ,i say1 may be prepared1 with little labour and cost1 a ,drink very like to ,wine1 both in taste1 smell1 and strength1 being grateful1 wholesome1 and durable4 ,for which large bounty1 the ,inhabitants of cold ,climates 7which never see ,grapes7 cannot render to ,god sufficient ,thanks4 ,there yet remains a manifold use of this subject in ,medicine1 which if it were rightly described1 would make a great ,volume1 which belongs not to this place1 but shall be done more commodiously at another time in a peculiar ,treatise4 ,it were to be wished1 that this subject were better known1 and more used by ingenious ,chymists and ,apothecaries1 that so many dead ,herbs and unprofitable ,waters might not be set to sale4 ,what1 ,i pray1 would it avail1 if the whole ,mass of ,blood being inflamed with an intolerable heat 7as happeneth in the ,plague and other contagious ,fevers7 you should wrap the head with a moistened ,rose-,cake1 comfort the ,temples1 ,pulses1 ,hands and ,feet with ,water8 think you by this to drive away the ,disease8 ,not at all1 but rather render it worse1 as ,experience hath often witnessed4 ,but it seems to me as if a vaporary ,bath or ,cauldron were too hot1 and one should go and cover the ,furnace all over with cold linen1 to temper the heat1 a thing to be laughed at2 but the wood which causeth the flame being taken out1 the ,furnace cools of its own accord4 ,by a like reason1 the malignant ,fire of hot ,diseases is in the space of a few hours1 drawn out from the most inward ,penetrals of the ,heart1 by four grains 7at the most7 of a good ,medicine1 where no place is left for external ,coolers1 or corroborating ,epithems4 ,which thing ,i have observed not only in one1 but in many ,experiments2 ,that the ,venom being excluded from the ,heart1 the ,body hath returned to its due temper1 and by degrees to health and strength4 ,to what purpose are so many ,ointments1 ,oils1 ,emplasters1 c4 when a small quantity of a good ,medicine is able to effect more than them all8 ,a whole year is often spent in the curing a small ,ulcer or ,wound1 and then left worse than at the beginning1 the ,bridle 7according to the ,proverb7 being applied to the ,horses ,tail1 and not to the original of the ,disease4 ,the ,fountains of external ,ulcers are to be dried within1 and not imprudently to be stopped up with outward ,plasters1 which otherwise1 without any outward ,remedy1 by a small quantity of a good ,medicine1 may be radically cured in the space of a few weeks4 ,therefore such a ,medicine is to be sought1 and all other trifles to be laid aside3 ,but what dost thou1 seeing the ,world will be deceived1 and desireth no other8 ,for if any ,physician have a good ,medicine1 which is much easier for the sick to take1 than many ingrateful ,potions2 this is neither esteemed nor rewarded1 for if he require a ,fee or ,reward1 he is answered1 ,that he gave only a few grains of powder1 two or three times1 which cannot be so dear3 ,hence chusing a certain thing for an uncertain1 he requireth his reward according to his visits1 and prescribeth ,bottles full of ,physick1 which may be long in taking1 and he have the fitter opportunity to encrease their number4 ,the same thing hath also obtained in ,chirurgery1 for if an honest ,chirurgeon quickly cureth an outward ,evil by the help of a good ,medicine1 he shall not have a due reward1 but shall be told1 ,that he hath only applied two or three ,plasters1 which can be worth but little4 ,therefore instead of being paid for a quick ,cure1 he reaps nothing but ingratitude2 so that being better taught1 it behoveth him to do like others1 by employing a month or more about that ,cure1 which he could perform in three daies4 ,for this1 and the like causes1 very few are treated with good ,medicines1 but ,physicians study delaies1 after the old manner1 if not in respect of the sick1 yet at least for their own profit2 for if the sick readily pays his ,fees1 he1 either out of ignorance or voluntary neglect1 neglecteth the matter1 for which he will have an heavy account to give4 ,the present ,world doth only this1 he that standeth1 let him stand1 and he that falleth1 let him lie1 none regardeth it2 every one taketh care of his own matters2 nor will he put his hand to the quenching of the fire4 ,that famous ,patron of ,art1 ,alexander the ,great1 who bestowed upon his ,philosopher ,aristotle more than a ,hundred ,thousand ,crowns a year1 for his ,inquiries into ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 now ceaseth to be4 ,the most wise ,ernestus ,duke of ,bavaria1 and ,elector of ,cologne1 ,what ,expence hath he not been at in collecting the ,writings of that incomparable ,german ,physician and ,philosopher1 ,paracelsus1 and other such ,cherishers and ,advancers of ,arts1 our ,germany hath lately brought forth8 but ,mars 7the ,sword7 asserting his ,empire1 hath banished ,jupiter and ,mercury 7,justice and ,arts7 so that they play least in sight2 but sure it is1 that if they be not quickly restored and advanced to their dignity1 it will be to the unspeakable detriment of the ,country1 and to the great advantage of ,strangers2 ,which ,god of ,his ,mercy prevent4 ,and now the benevolent ,reader hath seen1 what wonderful and incredible things may be performed by the benefit of this subject2 yet ,i will not deny1 but that it may also serve for many more things which ,i know not1 being profitable for all orders of men1 superiour and inferiour1 learned and illiterate1 great and small1 according to their several ,vocations and ,states4 ,but some men may say1 ,i do indeed believe that many great things may be done by its means2 but because thou dost not together and at once shew the way of preparing the ,universal ,medicine or ,tincture by its help2 there is therefore reason to doubt whether it be the ,universal ,secret ,menstruum of the ancient ,philosophers1 to wit1 the ,hermaphrodite ,mercury1 so much spoken of by them1 every where to be found1 a thing contemptible and vile1 to be found in every ,dunghil1 by nature cold and hot1 a great ,poison1 quickly killing and quickly healing1 a matter to be found with all men1 which the rich and poor equally possess1 which ,adam brought with him out of ,paradise1 and many more ,epithets of the ,ancients1 which are all agreeable to that thing4 ,to this ,i answer1 ,that in my judgment the ,ancients had no other ,universal ,mercury1 to which all their marks do perfectly agree1 and may be applied4 ,do not all men know it1 seeing and beholding their own ,urine1 of which it is generated8 ,is it not a very vile matter1 which we keep not in the ,house1 but throw out of doors1 according to the ,precept of the ,philosophers1 to be sought in ,dung8 ,is it not a great ,poyson when made into ,gun-powder or ,aqua fortis8 and1 ,have not ,i shewn that a ,universal ,medicine may be made of it8 ,is it not a meer ,fire1 and also being pure1 cold as ,ice8 and if you will1 hath it not equally masculine and feminine gifts8 ,doth it not so impregnate the imperfect ,bodies in the space of a quarter of an hour1 that they generate ,gold8 ,is not it self impregnated by the heat of the ,fire1 that it bringeth forth those ,fruits8 ,is it not highly volatile1 and presently firmly fixed8 ,is it not a ,water both moist and dry8 a great ,corrosive1 and yet being rightly prepared1 an ,enemy to ,corrosives8 ,is it not most heavy and most light8 ,to what thing1 except ,nitre1 doth this ,enigma of the ,philosophers agree8 ,for1 ,what is blacker than a ,crow1 whiter than a ,swan1 more hurtful than a ,serpent destroying many1 lighter than the ,wind1 heavier than ,gold8 ,is not this the true devourer of his own ,children 7the ,metals7 the ,azoth of ,philosophers1 the ,soap of the ,wise1 the ,urine of ,boys1 ,sulphur vive1 the ,salt of ,strangers1 the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers8 ,are not all these things in ,nitre8 ,but by what method they may be there found1 is not my business to shew in this place1 let it be sufficient to have pointed out the subject in which they are to be sought and found1 which no man before me hath been so kind to do4 ,for further demonstration1 to wit1 that from ,nitre a true ,universal ,solvent 7,i would not have you imagine it to be ,aqua fortis7 may be prepared1 there needeth not4 ,but thou maist contradict it if thou canst1 or name another subject in which are all those things4 ,which ,i know thou canst not do1 if thou could'st at once take a view of the whole ,world4 ,that ,i have not written any thing concerning a ,tincture to be prepared of it for the ,imperfect ,metals1 7which defect the ancient ,philosophers have supplied7 thou maist think that ,i have not proceeded so far1 and that ,i have wanted time and opportunity to make a farther ,progress1 nor did ,i ever aspire to so great things1 but have contented my self with those of a meaner ,rank4 ,but how far ,i have penetrated by searching into ,nitre1 may be seen in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces1 where ,i have prescribed some notable ,processes from a gross subject1 of which this is not the least1 where ,i shew1 that some years before1 ,i would have melted a ,calx of ,gold1 and because it would not melt1 ,i added by intervals a ,fluxing ,powder1 prepared of ,salts1 till all flowed well1 then the ,crucible being taken out of the ,fire1 and the matter poured out1 when ,i expected ,gold1 instead of that ,i found ,lead1 but the ,fluxing ,powder was very red1 7although made of the whitest ,salts7 being tinged with the ,anima of ,gold1 the ,gold being divested of all its dignity4 ,which thing1 when ,i had considered1 believing some ,secret to lie in the matter1 ,i several times repeated the labour1 but alwaies in vain3 the cause of which errour was not the subject1 but my self1 who had not observed the weights and degree of ,fire2 or ,god1 who would not that ,i should make any farther discovery4 ,truly1 if that ,labour had succeeded1 ,i should long since have possessed the ,stone of ,philosophers1 who am now forced to sustain my ,family by meaner things with labour4 ,but passing by this1 see1 ,i pray you1 what the most accurate ,philippus ,paracelsus ascribeth to rude ,nitre1 when he saith1 ,chymistry hath discovered the matter to lie in ,nitre4 ,let ,basil ,valentine1 ,sendivogius1 and the ancient ,philosophers1 be considered1 and you shall see that all their ,sayings are accomodated to the operation of this subject1 and that ,i have not attributed too much to it1 but rather less than is due4 ,i could1 had ,i a mind so to do1 compose all the terms of ,philosophers with this subject1 but to what purpose so great a prolixity8 ,he that shall once come so far as ,i am1 the ,secrets of the ,philosophers will be sufficiently manifest to him1 and will freely confess1 that this is the only true ,universal ,solvent1 and that there is no other4 ,many have alwaies believed this thing to be prepared of ,nitre1 but because they were not fully confirmed in their minds1 they tried nothing with it1 and therefore found nothing4 ,many men in my time have endeavour'd to fix ,nitre into a ,tincture1 but because they took it crude without a due ,preparation and fit ,associate1 such as it was when they committed it to the ,fire1 such it remained2 but if they had known how to have joined an amicable subject with it1 perhaps it might have been more profitable4 ,basilius commandeth to associate it with a brisk and lively female1 from whose embraces the ,queen might bring forth issue3 ,all the ,philosophers say1 that to ,mercury is to be added its own weight of ,gold and ,silver1 7but not the common7 and that of both is to be made one indissolvable thing2 for while the ,gold is dissolved by the ,mercury1 in the same moment the ,mercury is coagulated by the ,gold1 the solution of the ,body1 and the coagulation of the ,mercury1 are done both by the same ,work4 ,certain it is1 that there is one thing among ,minerals1 which is conjoined and fixed with our ,nitre1 and during the fixation1 passeth all colours2 but ,i know not the end of the thing1 having never performed that labour1 and by reason of my great age1 think not to repeat it2 nor will ,i be the adviser of any man1 that he should search after an uncertain labour with a certain ,loss3 but if any man in doing this shall miss his hope1 let him not blame me for giving him the occasion by this ,writing1 who have wrote this only for this end1 that ,i might make it manifest1 that the name of ,universal is not undeservedly assign'd to it3 ,neither also is there any need1 that a thing of so great moment should be made known to an ungrateful ,world4 ,any of those things which ,i have shewn may be done by it1 are sufficient for a man to sustain his ,family4 ,some man may except1 and ask1 ,who hath revealed to thee1 that this is the ,mercury of ,philosophers8 ,i answer1 ,that ,i know it to be such from the properties1 form1 and nature assigned to it by the ,philosophers1 which thou also1 if thou hadst ,philosophick eyes1 wouldst acknowledge to be such1 which is wont to hide it self from the proud1 and to reveal it self to whom it pleaseth ,god4 ,if a skilful ,gardener should happen into a ,garden1 where he should see that wonderful ,vegetable1 ,noli me tangere1 7which at the first was brought from the ,east ,indies1 therefore planted and cherished with great care and admiration in great mens ,gardens7 of which he had read so many portentous things1 viz4 ,that refusing every touch1 it would fall to the ground4 ,and although he had never before seen this ,herb with his ,eyes1 would he not certainly apprehend this to be that very ,herb8 for the ,vertues attributed to it argue that it cannot be any other4 ,so he whose eyes it hath pleased ,god to open1 so that he can apprehend all the ,properties to be in a subject1 which the ,philosophers affirm to be in their ,universal ,mercury1 ,will he not1 acquiescing in that1 desist from seeking out another8 ,lastly1 ,sal ,nitre is the only growth1 generation1 and encrease of all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 as also their ,destruction1 and ,regeneration1 by a perpetual ,circulation of the ,elements1 by which things being dissolved1 do again return into the same from which they arose3 ,for the ,nitre of ,vegetables in the bodies of ,animals1 by the intervening digestions and separations1 is generated into a ,mineral ,salt1 which none will deny3 and ,nitre or ,salt of the ,earth1 is ,vegetable1 ,mineral1 and ,animal1 which cannot be said of any other subject1 but the ,universal ,matter4 ,and even as it is the chief ,conserver of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 so it is also their ,destroyer and ,death2 therefore by them it is both loved and hated4 ,vegetables love it1 when growing in the ,earth1 they thence draw their nourishment2 for when the ,earth is dead1 or void of ,salt1 it affordeth neither nourishment or encrease to feed1 ,christ himself being witness1 when he saith1 ,ye are the ,salt of the ,earth3 but if the ,earth be destitute of ,salt 7or the ,salt hath lost his saltness7 it is altogether dead1 and can bring forth no ,fruit4 ,an ignorant man saith1 that ,dung maketh the ,earth fruitful1 but undeservedly1 for not the ,dung1 but the ,salt which lies hid in the ,dung1 doth this1 which is generated of ,vegetables after their putrefaction1 and again transmuted into their seeds and roots which are in the ,earth2 the same ,animals again receive in their food1 whereby their bodies are strengthned and preserved from ,corruption4 ,for no man is so rude1 but he hath learned by experience1 that ,salt is the ,preserver of things both living and dead4 ,but an ignorant man may object1 that other things also have a preservative ,power1 as myrrh1 aloes1 and other ,balsamick ,liquors1 which preserve ,flesh and ,fish from putrefaction4 ,to this ,i answer1 ,that it is not myrrh or aloes1 but their salt1 which effecteth this4 ,honey also and sugar preserve things1 which are not salts4 ,i answer1 ,that thou understandest not the nature of ,salts2 those are sweet salts1 the other are bitter salts1 which by putrefaction are changed into sowre and acid4 ,also every burning spirit of ,wine1 and other ,vegetables1 preserveth other bodies1 although they are not in form of salt1 nevertheless it is nothing else but the most pure volatile salt of the ,wine2 mixed with its sulphur1 which doth this2 for none of the ,principles is sincere1 and wholly free from the mixture of the rest4 ,vinegar doth the same thing1 and is a meer salt1 which if time would permit1 ,i could easily demonstrate4 ,what man's senses are so dull1 that he cannot understand one thing to pass into another1 by the mediation of putrefaction1 to him even great ,volumes would profit nothing4 ,from the sweetest ,must 7or new ,wine7 ,sugar1 ,honey1 by the help of putrefaction and ,fermentation alone1 is made an acid ,tartar1 a strong ,vinegar1 and a volatile burning ,spirit2 all these will presently return into a nitrous salt1 which few understand1 those especially who are believed to know much4 ,not only ,man is delighted with salt1 without which he cannot be sound and in health1 but also all ,animals4 ,mice1 above all1 are very greedy of ,salt1 the which if they find not1 they lick the saline efflorescences of ,walls1 and make a very nitrous ,urine4 ,pigeons also frequent old ,walls1 which abound with salt4 ,hens pick out the grains of ,oats from ,horse-dung1 which are full of salt1 preferring them to fresh ,oats1 and thence become more fruitful1 in laying more ,eggs1 the salt concocting the small stones which they swallow1 in their ,ventricles1 is the first matter of ,eggshells2 but if1 being shut up in ,pens or ,coops1 they have not that salt earth1 with the small sand or stones1 which they usually devour1 or their stomachs being weak1 doth not digest them1 the ,eggs they lay afterwards1 will be such as we call windy ,eggs1 having no shells1 or such as are very imperfect4 ,minerals growing in the bowels of the earth 7,experience being witness7 rejoice in salt1 from which they associate to themselves bodies1 and make an encrease3 ,in like manner1 they love it out of the earth1 and by it are ripened and meliorated2 amongst which ,salts1 ,nitre1 as ,i have said1 is endowed with a singular sympathy towards ,metals4 ,on the contrary1 ,minerals as well as ,animals and ,vegetables1 abhor salt1 if they be unduly associated with it1 for so they are corrupted and destroyed2 for salt being adhibited in a due manner1 is the only preserver1 augmenter1 and perfecter of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 which all the ,philosophers confess2 amongst whom1 ,plato ascribeth to salt something divine1 to whom succeeding ,ages have assented1 seeking many things in salt1 yea1 even the stone of ,philosophers it self2 but being ignorant what a true salt was1 and of the manner of applying and preparing it1 they could not make any further progress4 ,hence any man may easily see why the ,ancients called those ,secrets by the name of ,alchymy1 viz4 as a certain handling and melting of salt1 for which reason also they familiarly used these words2 ,in ,fire and ,salt consisteth the ,magistery3 ,implying1 that by the benefit of fire and salt1 a true ,medicine was to be prepared1 as well for the health of men1 as for the perfection of ,metals4 ,if ,god prolong my ,life1 and grant me opportunity1 ,i will hereafter1 for the good of ,mankind1 openly declare what ,salt and ,fire are1 that the incredible ,vertues of those two bodies1 as yet unknown to the ,world1 may be made manifest to all ,men4 ,one thing ,i will add1 that the ,philosophers pointing out the ,universal matter1 speak obscurely1 when they say1 that it is everywhere to be found1 that the ,poor hath it as well as the ,rich1 and that no man can live without it1 whence many have sought for ,air1 ,rain1 ,snow in ,march1 ,may-dew dreaming the universal matter to be in those1 and when their labour hath happily ceased1 they have obtained somewhat of a nitrous salt4 ,it is certain1 that the ,stars do impregnate the ,air and ,clouds with their ,catholick seed1 which presently falling in form of ,rain1 ,snow1 and ,dew1 render the ,earth fruitful and fit for germination1 and that they are again drawn upwards by the warmth of the ,air1 leaving their ,nitre in the earth1 to be again impregnated by the stars1 and again to descend to conciliate the fertility of the earth1 lest the earth at any time should labour under a want of this universal seed1 but continually applieth it self to the vegetation of things1 and preserveth a perpetual ,circulation of the ,elements4 ,hence ,hermes hath written1 that ,that which is above is as that which is below4 ,yet nevertheless1 we need not seek it among the stars1 seeing that it may sufficiently be had1 by a far shorter way1 at hand1 and before our feet4 ,for so much the words of ,hermes intimate4 ,the ,words of the ,secrets of ,,hermes4 ,true it is1 and remote from every cloak of a ,lye1 that whatsoever is below1 is like to that which is above2 by this the wonderful things of the work1 of one thing1 are acquired and perfected1 even as also things are made of one1 by the consideration of one1 so all things are made of this one by conjunction4 ,its ,father is the ,sun1 its ,mother the ,moon1 the ,wind carrieth it in its belly1 the ,earth is its ,nurse1 the ,mother of all perfection4 ,its power is perfect1 if it be changed into ,earth2 the subtile and thin being separated by the fire from the gross and thick1 and indeed prudently with moderation and wisdom2 this ascendeth from the ,earth unto ,heaven1 and again descendeth from ,heaven to the ,earth1 and receiveth the power and efficacy of the superiours and inferiours4 ,in this manner thou shalt acquire the glory of the whole ,world2 thou shalt drive away all darkness and blindness1 for this is a ,fortitude excelling all other power and strength1 for it is able to penetrate and subdue all things1 as well those which are thick and hard1 as those which are subtile4 ,in this manner the ,world was made1 and hence its admirable conjunctions and wonderful effects1 seeing that this is the way by which those wonderful things are effected1 and for this reason ,i am called by the name of ,hermes ,trismegistus1 seeing that ,i have three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole ,world4 ,so ,i conclude my ,speech which ,i have made concerning the ,solar ,work4 ,these are the words of the most ancient ,philosopher ,hermes1 who for his perfect knowledge of ,nature1 is deservedly stiled ,the ,father of ,philosophers2 in which words he hath sufficiently hinted1 ,that his little ,bird without wings 7which flying day and night is not wearied7 is the ,spirit and ,life of the superiour and inferiour ,elements1 the ,conserver of the superiour and greater1 and of the inferiour and lesser ,world1 and that it lies hid in ,nitre3 ,for the better understanding of which1 let a man throughly consider the ,air1 in which the ,universal ,spirit1 the first ,ens or ,being of all things1 dwelleth1 without which no ,animal can live a quarter of an hour1 nor any ,vegetable or ,mineral be produced2 neither can the ,sun shine1 nor the ,fire burn4 ,even as the ,excrements of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 by a continual ,circulation1 are transmuted into ,elements1 the ,elements into ,excrements1 and those again return into ,aliments1 by an uncessant renovation and transmutation1 which ,man only doth not attain4 ,the ,husbandman knoweth that the ,leafs1 which every year fall from the ,trees1 afford a new vigour and nourishment1 that the ,excrements of ,cattel produce very good ,grass1 that the ,fces or ,recrements of ,minerals1 from which a ,metal hath been once separated1 is in a short time impregnated by the ,stars1 that being melted1 they again yield the same ,metal which they had done a little before3 and the ,scoria of metals are every where returned to their ,mines1 where in a years time being recruited by the attractive power of the ,universal ,spirit1 they are again impregnated1 so that they again by melting afford metal4 ,doth not the ,earth1 from which ,salt-,petre hath been extracted1 being exposed to the ,air in the interval of some months1 yield other ,salt-,petre1 and this as often as you will1 as if nothing had been extracted from it8 ,doth not all things which are calcined1 viz4 ,lime made of ,stones1 ,shells1 ,woods1 ,herbs1 from which the ,fire hath forced the ,universal ,spirit1 by a very strong ,appetite or ,magnetism1 draw the ,universal ,spirit again afresh1 and return into a ,corporeal ,nitre8 ,is not the heat and vertue of the sun1 the excrement or superfluity of the sun1 by which it is nourished and sustained8 ,if heat were nothing to the sun1 the ,air1 by its ,nitrous ,essence1 could never render it weighty1 nor cause it to distill in fruitful ,rains2 nor could the ,earth bring forth ,fruit1 and afford fresh nutriment and food to the sun1 its conserver3 ,whence it followeth1 that an ,excrement is alwaies the conservation and nourishment of that thing which makes or separates it4 ,but here ,plato commandeth to rest2 at another time 7,god willing7 more shall be spoken4 ,we have heard1 that in salt especially in ,nitre1 although slighted by the unskilful1 there are found most potent and profitable vertues1 as well for true ,medicine1 as for ,alchymy4 ,nor is it reasonable that any man should be offended with its cheapness or low esteem2 but he may rather think1 that that which is despisable before the ,world1 and imaginary ,philosophers1 is most precious with ,god1 and those who know the mysteries of ,nature4 ,therefore it remains1 that in the nature of things there is not a better subject1 by which more and greater wonders may be performed1 than ,sal-,nitre4 ,therefore1 ,i also constantly affirm1 ,that of it may be prepared the true ,mercury of ,philosophers3 but ,i will not say1 that ,i know the ,preparation of the ,stone of ,philosophers from it1 because ,i never went so far3 ,but those things which ,i have delivered concerning it in the correction of metals1 and other good ,arts1 ,experience alone hath taught me2 in which ,i acquiesce1 and all those things1 if the matter should require1 and it should conduce to a good end2 ,i should not blush to demonstrate singly through their parts1 that it may be laid open to all men1 that all these things may be performed1 but not by every man2 seeing that ,i have not written for that end1 that they should be prostituted to all men1 for then ,i should have wrote more fully1 but that they might remain in the power and custody of ,friends4 ,it can hardly be believed1 what great troubles my ,writings have created me1 while one accosts me from this place with long ,letters1 willing me to unfold this or that4 ,others address me with a great ,catalogue of ,questions1 of which1 if ,i should answer the tenth part1 ,i should scarcely have ,bread to eat4 ,if the ,,lord see good1 he will afford me time and occasion of doing yet better things1 but if not1 let the ,reader accept the will for the deed3 ,truly1 there are many ,sciences of great moment in my ,possession1 by which ,i could point out a safe path to ,posterity1 for the attaining of higher things1 but because ,i have alwaies studied to maintain my ,family1 with my own honest labour1 without detriment to my ,neighbour1 ,i am 7contrary to my genius7 prohibited to publish more1 being constrained to apply my hands to ancient labours4 ,some may inferr2 ,if thou hast found out more1 act by others1 thy hands being suspended from the ,work1 let it suffice thee to have disposed of thy labours4 ,but he that shall thus say1 confesseth himself1 not to know the ,world to be perfidious3 ,if ,i could have been made partaker of faithful ,operators1 ,i should long since have had a free prospect of my affairs4 ,but it is not at that pass as many believe1 men are now perfidious1 keeping no promises1 every one seeketh his own1 right or wrong2 ,benefits are rewarded with evil1 which hath happened to me more than once2 when ,i have adopted one for a faithful fellow-labourer1 the contrary hath happened3 ,for as soon as he hath learned any ,secret1 believing himself to be more learned than me1 hath feigned divers excuses to get away1 which if he could not effect openly1 and with ,consent1 he hath attempted it privately2 or hath carried himself so petulantly1 that ,i should thank ,,god to be freed from him4 ,whence it came to pass1 that ,i alwaies lost my purpose1 perceiving the ,proverb to be true1 ,he that will have his business well done1 must be both master and servant4 ,but ,i trust1 that in a short time after my death1 those who shall1 distribute my ,laboratory among them1 where ,i have made a stand1 will further search out the secrets of ,nature1 and being lighted by my ,torch1 will come to the desired end3 but it will be much more grateful to me1 if my ,secrets1 which ,i have found out with great ,costs1 ,labour1 and ,care1 should be known to many1 than that they should be intombed with me1 without ,usury4 ,to which end ,i will alwaies1 according to my power1 be a most ready helper and ,counsellor1 for the sake of ,posterity4 ,,the ,,explication ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,set forth ,in ,testimony of the truth of that ,matter1 and for the ,advantage of the ,lovers and ,followers of ,,arts4 ,reader1 ,in the first place1 before ,i prove and verifie the powers and vertues of the aforesaid ,universal subject1 which ,i have attributed to it1 in every point1 it will be necessary to make known after what manner the mentioned ,salt of the ,earth performeth its ,operations1 that the benevolent ,reader may not be confounded1 nor imagine that it exerciseth all its ,operations in one only manner and way1 to wit1 crude1 as it is of it self2 for it doth not so1 but it exerteth its power in three manners1 forms1 or figures1 ,for ,example sake2 ,its first ,use is in many ,businesses and ,arts1 as it is simply drawn from the ,earth1 being purified1 and is known to all men4 ,it is applied to another use1 being first calcined by fire1 and changed and exalted into a more fixed substance4 ,again1 for another use1 it is first destilled into a volatile ,spirit1 and ,aqua-fortis4 ,and so that subject performeth its ,operations in ,figures1 simple1 as it is in its self1 in form of a ,sun2 secondly1 as a fixed fiery ,liquor2 thirdly1 in the figure of a volatile spirit1 or corrosive ,aqua-fortis2 as shall be demonstrated below1 from point to point1 in order4 ,point ,i4 ,in the first place all ,fossiles1 by the mediation of this ,subject1 may be perfectly examined1 what ,metals they properly contain1 how many1 and how much of each4 ,for the verifying and demonstrating this first point1 ,i will begin to shew1 that ,minerals may be most commodiously proved by the ,mediation of the ,salt of the ,earth1 and in what manner this is to be done4 ,first1 ,the ,mineral is to be finely powdered1 whether it be ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 or ,lead4 ,to a hundred weight of this1 add three or four hundred weight of ,calcined or fixed ,nitre1 ,note1 ,that the small ,say weight is here meant mix all very well together1 put the mixture into a very strong ,pot1 which is to be shut with its ,cover1 set it upon a small foot in such a melting ,furnace1 as is described in the fourth part of my ,furnaces1 kindle the fire by degrees1 and let the minera1 or ,ore flow well with its liquor in the ,pot1 like water1 then pour it out into a ,vessel fit for this purpose1 suffer it to cool1 then take out the ,regulus2 if it be 1 1 1 or 1 weigh it in a ,probatory ,balance1 and you shall find how much 1 1 1 or 1 there is in that ,ore4 ,,nb4 ,that ,iron and ,tin cannot be proved in this manner1 for is not fusible in such a fire1 and is reduced into ,scoria by ,combustion1 by reason of the ,salt4 ,,nb4 ,that if the ,regulus of or come not pure1 or contain any or 1 suffer it to run upon a ,test or ,cupel1 with a little 1 till it sparkle and shine1 and you shall have the ,metal fine1 which is a proof that may securely be trusted1 and according to that a ,computation may be made1 without any fear of fraud or ,sophistication2 the ,regulus of ,copper or ,lead1 need no other trial1 but are judged good4 ,,nb4 ,that if the ,ore be stubborn1 and yields no ,regulus in the first melting1 let the ,pot be again set into the ,furnace1 7if it be yet whole1 putting to the ,ore1 giving no ,regulus1 a piece or two of ,iron7 being covered1 least the ,coals fall into it1 suffer it to flow1 then the iron entereth into that untameable ,sulphur1 existing in the ,ore1 and hindering it from passing into ,regulus1 and suffereth the ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 or ,lead1 contained in that ,mineral1 to fall down1 which is to be poured out into a fit vessel1 and the ,regulus will settle to the bottom1 which being cold is to be separated from the ,scoria2 but if you will prove whether or no the ,gold containeth any ,silver1 or the ,silver any ,gold or ,copper1 or the ,lead any ,silver or ,gold1 then suffer the ,regulus to flow upon a ,cupel1 till it sparkle with a ,splendour1 and afterwards make separation by ,aqua fortis1 and you shall find how much of every ,metal is permixed with the other4 ,there is no need to describe this separation at large1 because it is every where known1 and now very perspicuously taught by ,lazarus ,erker1 so that it needs no repetition3 ,i have here shewed1 and proved1 that by the ,mediation of ,nitre1 ,minerals may easily and speedily be examined4 ,therefore1 this first ,point being now proved and verified1 ,i give thanks to ,god1 who ,i trust1 will further assist me4 ,point ,,ii4 ,the ,marchasites of ,gold and ,silver1 being melted by the ,mediation of this1 by a singular ,compendium1 hitherto unknown1 do afford more ,metal than by the common way4 ,that which is contained in this second point is not the least amongst my ,lucriferous ,secrets1 but one of the best1 which ,i have always reserved most secret within my own ,breast4 ,many ,men have often allured me with fair ,speeches1 to demonstrate it1 but hitherto ,i have not been prevailed with to do it1 not out of envy1 or that my self alone should have that art at command1 but because ,faith is hardly any where to be found1 it is now reputed an honour to promise many things1 and perform few1 but a disparagement to keep ,promises2 for ,i have often learned to my loss1 that when through fair ,words1 and ,promises oftentimes more than ,i required1 ,i have been perswaded to ,communicate this1 or that ,secret2 as soon as it hath been out of my hands1 ,i have found the quite contrary1 for instead of a ,reward1 they have either derided me1 or began to quarrel and contend1 and in this manner1 the ,benefits which ,i have confer'd upon them1 have been recompensed with great ,impiety4 ,the ,process followeth4 ,let there be a ,furnace built of good ,stone1 which is able to endure the ,fire1 small or great1 as you please1 or according to the necessity and commodity of your ,labour1 in the following manner4 ,first build an ,arch about a ,cubit high from the ground1 the which cover and make level above with ,iron ,plates1 or ,stone that will hold the ,fire1 which shall be the foot of the ,furnace1 the length of which ought to exceed the breadth four times1 that is1 it ought to be four times as long as broad2 by this ,arch or foot of the ,furnace there is yet another ,furnace to be erected1 whose bigness within must behalf the breadth of the long ,furnace1 and about two ,cubits high from the wind holes1 into which the ,wood is to be put1 and in that ,furnace1 on that side which adjoineth to the melting ,furnace1 is to be a hole1 through which the flame of the lighted ,wood may strike upon the ,hearths of the ,furnace2 and heat them2 above1 let there be an ,iron ,cover1 to that end that when the wood is put in1 the ,furnace may be covered with it1 and the flame may be forced to enter by the side into the ,melting ,furnace1 and let the ,melting ,furnace1 the ,hearth being now perfect1 be divided according to its length1 into three ,chambers or parts1 so that every ,chamber be square1 that is1 as long as broad1 and between every ,chamber let there be a ,wall1 with a hole in the lower part1 that the flame may pass freely into the second and third ,chamber1 between which two let there be also the like ,partition or ,wall1 with its hole at bottom1 and let the third or last ,chamber be close1 saving its little door1 let it have one only hole1 by which the flame may pass out1 also on one side of the ,furnace1 there is to be a hole in every ,chamber1 by which the ,hearths may be discerned1 and the ,minerals and ,metals taken out and put in1 but the ,chambers are not to exceed a ,foot1 or a ,foot and a half1 in heighth2 in the upper part of which1 let there be a ,cover or ,cap of good ,earth1 well luted and accommodated to it in such manner1 as whensoever need shall require it may be removed with a pair of ,tongues1 and put on again4 ,all these things being thus rightly prepared1 let a ,hearth be made in the first ,chamber of good ,earth1 which can sustain the fire1 let the ,earth not be too fat1 or too lean1 but of a middle condition2 in the second let there be a ,test made of ,argill1 or ,wood ,ashes1 but in the third ,chamber1 let there be a ,hearth of good ,earth1 and in the ,name of the ,lord1 let the fire be kindled in the side ,furnace1 that the ,furnace with its ,hearths may be throughly dried4 ,which being done1 let the ,ore of or being rightly prepared1 be put into the last ,chamber1 that it may be made hot by degrees1 and burn1 but not melt1 which may be hindered by the help of the little door1 and the fire may be governed at a beck1 according as it shall be necessary1 and the ,mineral requireth1 or shall be able to suffer2 the ,minerals are sometimes to be stirred and turned well about in all parts1 with an ,iron ,hook or ,ladle1 that they may be well ,calcined4 ,in the first ,chamber let there be put so much ,lead as the ,hearth will hold1 and when it moveth well1 put upon it1 spoonful after spoonful1 of the ,calcined ,mineral in the last ,chamber1 stirring it with the ,lead1 and turning it with an ,iron ,ladle1 and let it be so long upon it1 till the ,lead shall have attracted all the ,metal1 then the ,scori are to be taken out with an ,iron ,ladle fit for this work1 and to be kept by themselves2 then again1 more of the ,calcined ,mineral is to be put upon the ,lead1 and so the melting1 turning1 and taking out of the ,scori1 is to be continued as long as there is any of the ,mineral at hand1 or as much as is sufficient for the ,hearth2 and if during this labour1 the ,lead should be impregnated with a sufficient quantity of ,gold or ,silver1 by the ,mineral1 7which may be perceived by taking a little out in a ,spoon1 and examining it upon a ,cupel7 then let ,nitre be burned upon it1 and let it be repeated two or three times1 for so the ,lead will be purifyed1 grow white1 and be rendred ductile1 and passeth freely in the ,test1 without waste1 which yet would not be if it had not been first depurated by ,nitre2 the ,lead into which the ,gold and ,silver hath passed1 is to be taken from the ,hearth with a ,ladle1 and the ,hearth made of ,ashes1 in the middle ,chamber is to be filled with it1 and the ,bellows to be planted against it1 to blow the ,coals to the other side1 and according to the common manner1 the ,lead is to be deduced into ,salt1 and the ,cake of ,gold or ,silver is to be taken out1 and afterwards to be throughly depurated in good ,tests3 ,and so in that ,furnace may be performed three ,labours1 and more of the ,gold and ,silver is retained then by any other way1 for blowing with ,bellows wastes and destroys much of a ,metal1 and reduceth it by burning into ,scori1 which the sweet flame of wood doth not do2 the ,scori being taken out1 suffer them to pass through a high ,furnace1 that if there be yet any ,lead among them1 it may be saved1 to be used again in the former ,labours1 7to wit for attracting ,gold and ,silver1 in the first ,chamber1 from the ,minerals ,calcined in the last7 in this manner nothing will be lost1 and not only more ,gold and ,silver obtained1 but also without so great a charge of ,coals as is used in the ordinary way4 ,you should have always two of those ,furnaces1 or more 7if you have a great quantity of the ,mineral7 in your ,elaboratory1 that whilst you work in one1 the other may be repaired1 and when there is need1 furnished with new ,hearths4 ,this is the best and most profitable manner of melting the ,ores of ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,lead1 containing in themselves ,lune1 and this without ,coals1 and strong blowing1 but by the flame of wood only4 ,a4 the ,foot of the ,furnace1 ,b4 ,c4 ,d4 the three ,chambers1 ,e4 ,f4 ,g4 the three little doors of the ,chambers1 by which the ,minerals and ,metals are put in and taken out1 ,h4 the ,cover or ,cap of the ,furnace1 ,i4 the ,wind holes1 or ,registers by which the flame is governed1 ,k4 three holes in the ,walls1 or ,partitions of the ,chambers1 through which the flame passeth1 for the heating of the ,chambers and ,hearths1 ,l4 the ,furnace on the side1 into which is put dry wood1 ,m4 the ,ash hole1 ,n4 its ,cover or ,stopper1 ,o4 the hole in the side1 by which the flame is conveyed into the ,chambers1 ,p4 the ,iron ,rods1 with which the ,minerals are turned1 whilst they are in torrefying and the ,scori are taken away from the ,lead1 ,q4 a ,spoon or ,ladle1 by which the torrefied ,mineral is put upon the flowing ,lead1 and the ,lead which is impregnated with ,gold and ,silver1 is removed from the first ,melting ,hearth to the other1 ,r4 the ,tongs with which the ,cakes of ,gold and ,silver1 are taken from the second ,hearth1 ,s4 the ,furnace in which the ,cakes of ,gold and ,silver are perfectly depurated1 ,t4 the ,tests1 ,v4 the ,cineritia4 ,,nb4 ,that the ,works coming from the first ,hearth1 may also be perfectly finished in the second ,chamber1 but it is better to do it on ,tests fit for this purpose4 ,the figure of this ,furnace is not printed in the ,latin ,copy1 nor to be found among the other ,originals4 ,,nb4 ,that what concerns this ,point1 is of greater moment than many will believe1 because in our ,country1 there are found in many places rich ,mines1 abounding with ,gold and ,silver1 which nevertheless are not rightly depurated by the common way of ,melting1 so that they afford so little1 that it will not pay the charge of the ,coals2 and therefore it is yet unknown how much good ,metal they contain1 but it lies hid in obscurity1 which nevertheless might be very well perfected in this manner1 with great profit4 ,i know ,mines of this sort in various places1 which ,i have found very poor1 according to the common way of proving1 but according to my ,method very rich4 ,what ,treasures doth ,hungary1 ,bohemia1 ,carinthia1 ,stiria1 and ,saltsburg posses in their ,regions1 unknown to them1 and yet after an easie manner to be obtained8 ,what ,treasures hath ,misnia1 ,thuringia1 ,brunswick1 and ,fichtelburgh1 hid in them1 and do no good8 ,there is no ,man of a sound mind1 but may easily by labour and observation discern what a great difference there is between the common way of ,melting1 and mine1 if he seriously consider the matter4 ,a ,mine of ,lead doth not want an exquisite ,art of melting1 because it is of small price1 nor will the loss be great1 if some of it be burnt in melting1 or remain in the ,earth4 ,in like manner the vulgar way of melting ,copper1 by high ,furnaces1 and strong blowing1 is sufficient4 ,but the ,mines of ,gold and ,silver1 are not to be treated so grosly1 but after a more subtile and profitable manner1 that nothing of them may be lost1 but may be of greater use and profit1 than hitherto hath been done4 ,for the ,mineral of ,gold1 although it is not in some great ,rocky ,mountains1 yet for the most part1 it is found in ,flints1 and ,stones containing ,iron1 or in any crude ,mineral in which ofttimes ,antimony1 red ,sulphur1 and ,arsenick1 is mixed together with the ,minera of ,gold4 ,as may be seen in ,carinthia and its ,confines4 ,but how should such a ,mine1 if melted with ,coals after the common manner1 yield its fruit without loss2 for whether it be torrefied1 or not1 if it be cast upon ,coals1 and agitated with the strong blast of ,bellows1 that which is immature flieth away1 carrying with it self that which is good2 that which remaineth passeth into ,scoria4 ,for although it should be mixed with ,lead1 the ,minera of ,lead1 or ,salt of ,lead1 yet they would not remain conjoin'd1 but the ,lead is easily melted1 floweth1 and leaveth the ,ore1 which by strong blowing is reduced into ,scoria1 retaining much gold1 which so is lost1 as well as the other which flew away in smoak1 and at the best but a very little saved1 which hath entred the ,lead4 ,,nb4 ,but1 in my way1 it is necessary that the ,ore should be broken and subdued1 and thereby forced to yield its ,gold1 if it be well incorporated with the lead1 and the volatile is preserved with the fixt2 add1 that the flame lightly striking or playing upon the matter1 destroyeth nothing1 and by this way1 there is no metal lost4 ,that the thing is so1 ,i will prove by a certain similitude or comparison2 make proof in what manner you please1 of gold or silver ,ore1 and observe how much good metal that contains1 afterwards prove the same in a great quantity upon ,coals1 and you shall find much less in that1 than in your small proof2 when nevertheless the contrary ought to be1 because a great fire hath a greater force of acting upon the ,ore1 than a small one2 and this is the only cause1 because a great quantity requireth a more violent fire than a small one2 which is averse to all crude and volatile ,minerals4 ,but by my way1 there is found as much1 if not more1 in a large quantity1 as in a small proof4 ,therefore ,i will here shew yet by another manner of probation1 that by the common and usual way of melting ,minerals1 all the metal cannot be obtained1 and sometimes scarcely half or a third part4 ,to an hundred pounds of the ,mineral1 reduced into a small powder1 add #h1 #ab1 #af1 or #ah pound of granulated ,lead1 or as much as the ,mineral shall need1 mix the ,mineral and the powder of ,lead1 which with a little ,spoon are to be committed to a fiery hot ,cupel1 placed under a ,cineritium or ,muffle1 give a strong heat1 and the ,lead will attract all the metal from the ,ore1 and cast out the ,scoria or dross1 which will rest upon the moving ,lead2 which being done1 you must have at hand a hot ,iron ,rod1 with which you may move and stir the ,scoria every way well1 up and down upon the ,lead1 to the end1 that if any good metal should as yet remain in them1 the ,lead by that moving may lay hold on it1 and catch it to it self2 afterwards suffer the ,scoria for a little while to heat and burn upon the ,lead1 that it may flow well2 then let the heat of the fire somewhat abate1 and the ,scoria will become thicker and fit to be drawn out with an ,iron rod1 which is to be broad at the point1 round1 and sharp1 that the ,scoria may be every where clean and wholly drawn away from the ,cupel1 which are diligently to be kept1 that nothing be lost1 and lest the future essay should be false4 ,this being done1 drive the ,lead remaining in the ,cupel with an indifferent heat1 then there will remain the gold or silver1 which that hundred pounds of ,ore did contain2 that grain or portion is to be taken out and reserved4 ,,nb4 ,that whilst you are proving the ,mineral1 you may also impose another ,cupel1 of the same magnitude and weight1 and as much ,lead upon it as was mixed with the mineral1 without it1 suffer it to flow alone by it self4 ,the grain or portion which comes to be obtained from the mineral upon the other ,cupel1 will be what that mineral did contain4 ,afterwards the two ,cupels are to be weighed apart1 and as much as this1 in which the ,ore was wrought1 shall be heavier than that in which only the ,lead flowed1 so much of ,lead or ,copper that hundred weight of ,ore did contain2 and so much gold or silver as the grain or portion remaining in the ,cupel weigheth1 and so much ,scoria or dross as was removed and drawn out with the ,iron ,rod4 ,,nb4 ,some man may object1 ,that the ,scoria cannot be so accurately and purely removed from the ,cupel1 but somewhat will be left behind4 ,i answer1 ,that although the removing of the ,scoria should not be exactly done1 which notwithstanding may be done1 if diligence be used1 because the ,scoria to be removed are not pure ,scoria1 but as yet contain somewhat of the ,lead1 which may be easily as heavy1 yea1 heavier than the ,scoria remaining in the ,cupel1 and which cannot be removed1 nevertheless the proof will be just and good4 ,but if by a melting made in a great quantity1 you shall find as much or 1 or 1 7,,nb4 that ,iron and ,tin cannot be proved in this manner7 as the small proof demonstrated1 ,i think it should be1 if you shall not find c4 and the character should be 4 believe that you have not rightly proceeded1 and that that which is lost is gone in fume1 or by combustion1 into ,scoria4 ,seeing therefore that this proof is of a great weight1 and accordingly is to be made by a great melting ,work1 ,i will declare that labour more copiously4 ,for example sake1 ,i take two ,cupels1 accomodated to one and the same form1 ,i weigh them singly1 if one be heavier than the other1 then with a knife ,i pare or scrape it a little above or below1 so that they may be of equal weight1 afterwards ,i put them side by side conjunctly1 or one before1 and the other behind1 under a ,cineritium2 when they are duly hot1 ,i put upon one the ,mineral1 mixed with the granulated ,lead1 and upon the other1 the granulated ,lead only2 then ,i suffer them to flow together1 seasonably abstracting the ,scoria from that where the ,mineral is2 then ,i cause both to cease4 ,now supposing that ,i have added to the ,hundred weight of ,ore1 #abjj pounds of ,lead1 and also wrought #abjj pounds of ,lead in the other ,cupel alone1 and each ,cupel to have weighed three ,lothones1 according to the weight of the ,city1 and that ,i find in that ,cupel in which the ,mineral was wrought1 a portion of ,gold or ,silver1 weighing 7according to the probatory weight7 nine ,lothones1 and in the other ,cupel1 a portion of ,silver weighing three ,lothones1 which the #abjj pounds of ,lead yielded3 ,but in regard that ,i also added to the ,mineral #abjj pounds of ,lead1 which also have yielded three ,lothones1 which ,i substract from the nine ,lothones1 and there remaineth six ,lothones of ,gold and ,silver1 which the ,hundred weight of ,ore hath yielded4 ,,nb4 ,if you would know whether the ,mineral also containeth ,lead and ,copper1 and how much1 then ,i weigh both the ,cupels apart1 observing how much that in which the ,mineral was wrought is heavier than that in which the ,lead was wrought alone1 and so much ,lead or ,copper ,i may affirm to have been1 together with the ,gold and ,silver1 in that ,mineral2 suppose the ,cupel in which the ,mineral was wrought to weigh #cj pounds1 according to the probatory weight1 more than that in which the ,lead was agitated alone1 then ,i am sure that there was so much ,lead or ,copper in that ,mineral1 together with the gold and silver 7for iron and tin do not enter the ,cupel1 but pass into ,scoria1 but the and remain on the ,cupel7 and the remaining weight1 to wit1 seventy pounds1 ,i find all in ,scoria1 for a little flieth away in fume3 in this manner it may be observed what quantity a hundred pounds of the ,ore of ,lead or ,copper containeth of good ,metal1 and whether it have any gold or silver or not2 according to which a computation may be made1 whether it will pay the ,charge in a great quantity1 or not1 and what gain may be had from it4 ,this is a most desirable proof1 invented for the use of gold and silver1 which are necessarily by this way yielded in great quantity2 if it happen otherwise1 the errour is to be ascribed to the working2 for the ,mines of copper and lead1 this proof doth not succeed in great quantity1 although by it may be certainly known how much of either of them is contained in an hundred weight of ,ore1 for both these metals are easily burnt by the fire1 and reduced into ,scoria1 which happeneth not to gold and silver1 if they be rightly handled2 only here it is made appear what quantity of ,saturn or ,venus is contained in an hundred pound- of ,ore of ,saturn or ,venus1 which is impossible to extort in great quantity1 by the common and known way3 for soft and sulphureous metals of this sort lose much1 because part is driven away by strong blowing2 another part is reduced into ,scoria3 but by my way nothing is lost thus1 and but very little remaineth behind4 ,i know yet another way1 and that better too1 of perfecting the ,minerals of gold1 silver1 copper1 and lead1 with a certain compendious profit2 but seeing that in my ,miraculum ,mundi ,i have made no mention of a ,work of this sort1 ,i shall here say nothing of it4 ,i also know a way of extracting from very poor ,copper ,mines1 all the ,copper contained in them1 without great labour and cost2 which ,mines are every where in great quantity to be found1 but are not sufficient to pay the ,charge of melting in the common way2 but this my secret way will yield great profit1 for scarcely one pound of ,copper will remain behind1 and be lost in an hundred pounds of ,scoria4 ,point ,,iii4 ,the volatile and immature ,marcasites of ,sol and ,luna are fixed in the space of three hours1 so that they render a double quantity of ,metal1 to what they could have done before fixation1 c4 ,this fixation is a singular secret1 in perfecting ,antimonial and ,arsenical ,minerals1 which are wholly crude1 which commonly yield a little ,gold3 ,for when ,minerals contain much ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 or ,orpiment1 and are torrefied in the common way1 then the ,arsenick or ,orpiment destroyeth much of the ,gold1 carrying it away in fume2 but if they be melted without a foregoing torrefaction1 then the blowing forceth away more2 if from a ,mineral of this sort1 the yellow or red ,sulphur1 ,arsenick1 or other rapacious substances1 be diminished or consumed1 by closing it in ,earthen ,vessels1 as many do1 then by this means the ,mineral is burnt1 loseth its flux and ingress into ,lead1 so that much of the gold is destroyed1 and reduced into ,scoria2 to prevent which1 this following way is the best3 ,with one part of the mineral mix half a part of ,nitre1 let it be kindled with a ,coal1 and fixed1 then the ,nitre burneth away the greatest part of the rapacious sulphur1 and fixeth the rest1 so that there is but little of the ,gold lost1 and it keepeth its flux and ingress into ,lead2 if it be put into the foregoing ,furnace1 and there wrought1 it yieldeth all the gold and silver which it containeth1 and nothing is lost4 ,here some may object1 and say1 ,that although in this manner1 more gold may be obtained2 yet the ,nitre maketh the work dear1 which ,i indeed confess to be true1 if the ,nitre be bought at a dear rate1 but if by an artificial ,culture1 it may alwaies be had at hand1 it will cost little1 and this torrefaction and fixation1 may be perfected with great profit4 ,point ,,iv4 ,all ,gold and ,silver not purely melted from its ,marcasite1 may be swiftly purged from every ,additament1 the silver separated from the ,gold1 by fusion only1 with a small labour and cost1 but in great weight4 ,this way of purifying and from all addition quickly1 and in an easie manner1 is a thing most profitable1 and an ,art highly necessary to be known by those who handle metals2 for it is sooner done1 than by the way of cupellating or blowing off with ,lead1 but is dearer1 by reason of the ,nitre2 nevertheless1 the labour is easie and pleasant1 and it is done in this manner3 ,let a ,crucible of impure gold or silver be placed in such a ,furnace as is described and depicted in the ,fourth ,part of our ,furnaces1 let it be melted1 then cast in some ,regulus of ,antimony1 more or less1 according to the greater or lesser impurity of the ,gold1 and according as it hath more or less need of cleansing for its purification4 ,when all shall flow and be clear in the ,crucible1 cast into the ,crucible upon the metal1 at several times1 about so much ,nitre1 as there is of addition to the ,gold2 let it flow1 then the ,nitre attracteth the ,regulus of ,antimony1 together with the impurity contained in the ,gold1 which passeth into ,scoria4 ,and this ,process doth not serve only for impure ,sol and ,luna1 but also for such ,sol and ,luna which contain ,copper1 ,iron1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,chalcitis1 ,aurichalcum1 and other metallick and mineral matters1 ,tin especially1 which is difficult to be separated from ,sol and ,luna by ,lead1 without loss4 ,but in this manner it may be quickly and easily done4 ,but that my meaning may be the more rightly understood and the less errour be committed in working1 ,i will here institute the ,process clearly1 and in express words4 ,suppose to j4 of gold or silver1 there be two lothones of ,copper1 and three lothones of ,tin 7a lothone is half an ounce7 which ,i would separate1 and if it be done by the known way of blowing off with ,lead1 there will need at the least thirty or forty lothones of ,lead1 and nevertheless one part of the ,sol or ,luna will be lost2 but by my way to two lothones of ,copper1 and three lothones of ,tin1 adjoin five lothones of ,regulus of ,antimony1 then abstract the ,regulus1 together with the addition of ,copper and ,tin1 by the mediation of ,nitre1 which may be done in the ,crucible in the space of one hour1 which by torrefaction and agitation in the common way1 could scarcely have been done in #aj or #ab hours2 besides nothing of the ,additaments is lost1 all remaineth in the ,scoria1 from which1 afterwards1 as well the as the and ,regulus of ,antimony may be recovered1 to wit1 if the ,scoria1 in which the 1 1 and ,regulus of ,antimony is1 be put into a ,crucible1 a live ,coal cast in1 and then the ,crucible covered with a tyle1 let them flow a quarter of an hour1 pour all out1 and you shall find in the bottom of the ,cone a little ,regulus1 in which will be the remaining ,sol or ,luna1 which the ,scoria did prey upon2 let them be depurated on a ,cupel1 if they be not already pure enough3 ,the ,scoria being again melted1 cast in a live ,coal1 suffer all to flow well together1 again there will fall another ,regulus from the ,copper1 the remaineth1 and neither by ,coals nor any other art1 can be brought into ,regulus2 but if these ,scoria be driven through a probatory ,furnace1 then they also yield the ,tin again1 and that better than it was before4 ,this ,process is not only pleasant1 artificial1 swift and easie1 by which gold and silver is quickly and purely separated from all addition1 but there is also hidden in it a great mystery3 ,but because ,i have only proposed to prove those things to be true and natural1 of which ,i have made mention in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 let what ,i have now said suffice1 and what is here desir'd may be found perspicuously and satisfactorily declared in the following ,processes4 ,point ,v4 ,gold and ,silver are easily drawn out of ,old ,tin or ,pewter ,vessels1 the ,tin being preserved almost in the same weight1 and being made better than it was before1 may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put4 ,this ,process also is very well performed by the mediation of ,nitre1 viz4 in this manner4 ,let the ,tin1 in which is or 1 be reduced into ,ashes1 even as ,lead is wont to be prepared1 for the working of ,minerals2 and let there be mixed with it as much powder of ,nitre1 let the mixture be put in a strong ,pot which will endure the fire1 upon which put subliming ,pots1 let the mixture be kindled in the lower ,pot 7which is under the ,subliming ,pots1 and must have a little hole in the side for that purpose7 with an ,iron ,rod1 red hot1 then the ,mass beginneth to burn1 and sendeth many ,flowers into the ,subliming ,pots1 the ,tin and ,salt-peter remaining in the ,pot1 take out1 and melt in a ,crucible1 if there be much ,lead1 then that falleth together with the and 1 to the bottom of the ,crucible1 but the ,tin with the ,nitre passeth into ,scoria1 which if the melted ,mass be poured out into a ,cone1 they are ,separated from the ,regulus of ,lead1 and after cooling maybe taken out1 which ,regulus of ,lead1 by the addition of other ,lead1 may again be wrought1 and in a strong ,crucible be reduced into ,scoria with ,nitre2 then there will remain a little ,regulus of ,lead1 which containeth the and 1 which was in the 4 ,the first and last ,scoria may be reduced by a strong blast in a ,probatory ,furnace1 then the ,tin will be again obtained1 better1 harder1 and whiter than it was before2 the reason is1 because the ,nitre hath consumed part of the combustible ,sulphur1 and also separated the ,lead4 ,although this ,process is not done with any great profit1 yet nevertheless it shews the possibility2 but he that knoweth how to handle the matter1 will suffer no loss1 for those sublimed ,flowers are of greater worth than ,salt-peter and ,tin1 because they may be prepared into a good ,medicine2 they are also very available in those curious red ,colours for ,cloth ,scarlet1 or ,bowdy exalting them in a wonderful manner1 and firmly abiding in the ,cloth1 shining1 and giving it a fiery ground4 ,point ,,vi4 ,much ,silver may be separated from ,bismuth1 the ,bismuth preserved1 a ,secret agreeing to those places which abound with that ,mineral4 ,this ,secret is not of so little weight as perhaps it will seem to some2 for no ,man even to this day hath proved this in the matter it self and with effect1 yet seeing that it may easily be done1 viz4 in this manner1 melt ,chalcitis in a ,crucible1 and cast upon it successively so much ,nitre1 until all the ,chalcitis shall pass into ,scoria1 or green ,glass1 pour out the ,mass into a ,cone1 then the ,silver will settle to the bottom in form of a ,regulus1 which was contained in the ,chalcitis1 then put the ,scoria of the ,chalcitis into a ,crucible and melt them well for the space of an hour1 so all the ,chalcites will be revived1 rendred ,corporeal1 and a little will be lost4 ,he therefore that can make the ,salt-peter himself1 and needs not to buy it at a dear rate1 will hence reap great profit1 otherwise not2 however it proveth that the ,salt of the ,earth can perform what is here attributed to it4 ,point ,,vii4 ,from old ,copper much ,silver is separated1 the ,copper preserved unhurt1 by which ,artifice ,regions abounding with this ,metal1 may reap no small profit4 ,that this extraction of ,silver from ,copper by means of the ,salt of the ,earth1 may be verified1 you are to proceed in this manner3 ,mix with the ,copper its own weight of ,regulus of ,antimony1 then melt both together1 upon which cast so much ,salt-,nitre successively or at times1 until it turn the ,copper together with the ,regulus of ,antimony into green ,scoria1 then make the fire stronger1 and cause these ,scoria to flow like water1 and luit a ,regulus1 which although it be not sufficiently pure1 it may be depurated upon a ,cupel with a little ,lead1 and it yieldeth the ,silver which the ,copper contained4 ,,nb4 ,this process is most true1 and will never deceive any ,man1 but ,i do not say that he shall obtain ,riches by this means1 but only prove to be true1 what ,i have ascribed to it in my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,,nb4 ,but he that knoweth how to fix the ,scoria1 that is the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony with ,salt1 and to melt them into ,artificial ,stones1 or ,enamel1 so that nothing be lost1 he shall be sure not to undergo the ,labour in vain2 otherwise he may cast in a live ,coal upon the ,scoria1 from which the ,silver is separated1 when they are in ,flux1 and let them flow half an hour1 then it leaveth the ,regulus of ,antimony together with the ,copper1 which the ,nitre hath reduced into ,scoria1 and afterwards another ,regulus1 to be applied to use1 which if all things be well handled1 from both1 viz4 from the ,regulus of ,antimony and ,copper1 7after their ,edulcoration7 a green colour for ,painting may be extracted1 and so the ,labours will be compensated1 and the gain will be so much the greater4 ,point ,,viii4 ,every common ,silver may in the space of a few hours be exalted into the nature of ,gold4 ,this ,gradation of ,silver is performed by the help of a certain ,mineral ,sulphur1 to wit1 of and ,antimony1 in this manner4 ,adjoin to as much ,regulus ,martis1 and again let it be separated from it by ,nitre1 which labour is performed in the space of an hour1 to the remaining ,silver adjoin again as much ,regulus1 which is again to be abstracted2 and let this labour be reiterated five1 six1 eight1 or ten times1 which may be done in one day1 afterwards let the be dissolved in ,aqua-fortis1 then the ,gold1 which the ,nitre by the help of the hath obtained from the ,regulus1 will remain in the bottom1 which is to be edulcorated1 and corporify'd with ,borax1 the ,gold will be good in an excellent degree1 but the value thereof is scarce enough to pay for the ,regulus1 and ,nitre4 ,but he that knoweth how to make his own ,nitre1 or can obtain it without price1 may reap a considerable profit3 ,especially if he know how to transferr the detracted ,scoria into further use1 which is not here sought1 but is only proved that may be exalted into by the help of ,regulus ,antimonij ,martialis4 ,point ,,ix4 ,gold may be separated by fusion from every addition of ,copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 ,lead1 ,orpiment1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 or the like1 without ,cupels1 each being kept apart4 ,this manner of separating of ,metals1 from one another1 and of depurating without ,cupels1 is a most pleasing1 fair1 and profitable secret1 by which in the separation of ,metals1 much time and expence is saved1 and no detriment to be feared1 which no man1 even to this day could effect1 my self excepted3 ,you are to proceed in this manner4 ,first1 the mixt ,metal1 whether it consist of few or many1 is to be granulated1 the grains are to be conjoined with a fourth part of powdered ,sulphur1 somewhat moistened1 and to be set on fire in a ,crucible luted according to art1 which being done1 the cover of the ,crucible is to be taken off1 and the enkindled ,metal to be covered with the fourth part of its weight of ,antimony4 ,,nb4 ,that if there be much pper1 or in the mixture1 then the more ,antimony is to be adjoined1 that it may draw to it self the imperfect ,metals4 ,therefore when the ,mass flows with the ,antimony1 inject a little well purified ,nitre1 dried and pulverized1 and when it flows well1 the ,mass is to be poured out into a ,cone1 and the ,regulus1 if there be any1 to be shaken out1 which will contain the greatest part of the which was in that ,mass4 ,,nb4 ,if there shall be no ,regulus1 that is a sign that there was not ,nitre enough to suffice the crudity1 which is to be remedied thus3 ,return the ,mass into the ,crucible1 and permit it to flow1 which being done1 throw in as much filings of ,iron1 as you judge there is ,gold in the ,mass1 and mix it with the ,mass with a red hot ,iron1 cover the ,crucible1 and give a melting fire for a quarter of an hour1 pour it into a ,cone1 when it is cold separate the ,regulus from the ,scoria1 which will be about the same weight with the filings of ,iron1 which you used in the precipitation1 purifie the ,regulus in a small new ,crucible1 by the injection of ,nitre1 if it yieldeth ,gold without ,silver1 then it is a sign there is ,gold yet in the ,mass1 therefore it is necessary to flux the ,mass again1 and precipitate with ,iron1 if the ,regulus be yet golden1 then it is to be depurated apart by ,nitre1 and to be kept2 but if it hath more than 1 it is a sign that all the ,gold is precipitated1 afterwards suffer the ,mass to flow again1 and inject as much filings of ,iron1 stirring them well with the ,mass1 with a red hot iron1 permit them to flow well together1 then it rendereth as much ,regulus of ,silver1 as there was ,iron put in1 afterwards also the will be precipitated1 and last of all1 the ,scoria are again to be fluxed well being mixed with ,nitre1 that it may appear whether there be yet any ,metal in them4 ,the ,regulus of is also depurated in the same manner as the ,regulus of 3 ,venus1 1 and other ,additaments1 are melted by ,bellows1 so that nothing is lost4 ,this separation of and from the viler ,metals1 by melting1 hath been long sought by many1 but found by few4 ,lazarus ,erker1 in his ,writings hath taught by what means may be separated from by fusion1 but that separation is unlike to this which ,i have mentioned1 because here it is not only shewed how may be separated from 1 but also from other ,metals4 ,point ,x4 ,every imperfect ,metal1 without the mixture of other ,metals1 may be ripened by this ,secret alone in the fire1 in an hours space1 so that it will yield ,gold and ,silver1 but without profit2 an indication that the viler ,metals1 may by ,art be promoted into the ,nature of the perfect1 to the great profit of ,metallurgists4 ,this is done only by the power and virtue of ,salt ,nitre1 whereby the ,metal is penetrated1 depurated1 and fixed into a more perfect1 or exalted in maturity1 but cannot be performed with much profit in a great quantity1 but it proveth that ,nitre hath a virtue of transmuting every imperfect ,metal into perfect1 which is done in this manner4 ,let the ,metal be laminated into very thin ,plates1 whether it be 1 1 or 1 is indeed corrected by this way1 but melteth not in any ,crucible1 and also is transmuted into other forms1 but not into or 4 ,make in a ,crucible stratum super stratum with ,saw-dust1 ,sulphur1 and ,nitre1 as also with the laminated ,metal1 of which mention is made in the second part of ,furnaces2 kindle the mixture at the top1 then a great and suddain flaming fire will arise1 by which the laminated metal is penetrated1 partly fixed1 and amended1 so that if it be wrought on a ,cupel with ,lead1 it leaveth some or 1 which nevertheless before1 would have yielded neither1 whence it is manifest1 that the flame excited by the ,nitre hath corrected the ,metal4 ,,nb4 ,that is first to be coagulated1 and ,chalcitis to be pulverized1 before they be commixed with the sudden fire of ,nitre1 and enkindled4 ,in these ,labours1 although they may be esteemed of small moment1 a great ,mistery is hidden1 which nevertheless will be valued by no man1 although it should be discovered in plain and open words1 because the process is mean1 costeth little1 and may be performed in the space of a quarter of an hour4 ,point ,,xi4 ,metals also grow up in this subject1 in the form of ,vegetables1 before the eye1 in the space of two or three hours1 to the length of a ,finger1 or hands breadth1 into many branches and twiggs1 without ,fruit indeed1 but is a demonstration that even ,metals themselves do germinate in it like ,vegetables4 ,this ,point is mentioned only for this end1 to shew that ,nitre hath a power of making ,metals to grow after the manner of ,vegetables4 ,which thing the ,liquor of ,flints also performeth1 of which mention is made in the ,second ,part of our ,furnaces2 but the ,liquor of fixed ,nitre is better2 which is prepared by fixing it with powder of ,coals and ,flints1 which is also taught in the ,second ,part of our ,furnaces1 so that there is no need here to repeat it4 ,if therefore the metals being prepared in little bits1 be put into this liquor1 they will grow and encrease after the manner of ,herbs1 and so quickly1 that in a few hours space they will grow to the height of a hands breadth1 which is very delightful to the eye1 and worthy of a singular meditation1 whence so sudden an encrease should proceed4 ,certainly many things might be written concerning this matter1 but because in this place ,i have promised no more1 but to verifie what ,i have attributed to the salt of the earth in my ,miraculum ,mundi2 let what is said suffice4 ,point ,,xii4 ,there is another augmentation or encrease of the ,perfect ,metals1 very gainful1 by the ,imperfect1 answering to the germination or growth of ,vegetables1 c4 ,as for this augmentation1 it is done by a way far distant from the foregoing1 viz4 in this ,sol and ,luna are joined with ,lead1 ,tin1 and ,venus1 or with ,tin alone1 where it is to be left for a convenient time1 then the ,sol attracteth from the ,lead or other imperfect metals1 a golden ,essence1 is encreased and made heavier4 ,the ,process is this3 ,take one lothone 7or half an ounce7 of ,gold1 eight or ten lothones 7which is four or five ounces7 of ,lead1 let them be melted together2 if you please1 you may add ,tin or ,copper2 put the ,crucible1 together with the ,lead or other imperfect metals1 into a strong ,crucible1 give a temperate and constant ,fire1 that the ,lead with the ,gold may only flow1 but not be white hot2 cast into the ,crucible upon it half an ounce of the best ,nitre1 cover the ,crucible well1 that no ,coals fall in1 and keep it in a constant easie fire1 then in such a time the ,lead1 together with the other metals1 which were mixed with it1 will be turned into ,glass1 but the ,gold being pure1 is separated from the ,glass by it self1 and will adhere to the bottom of the ,crucible1 which when the ,crucible is broken1 take out and weigh1 and you shall find your ,gold encreased1 and that it hath taken weight from the other metals4 ,although this labour affords no profit1 yet it sheweth how the nature of metals are to be known4 ,there is yet another way of trying this thing1 thus1 viz4 ,take half an ounce of ,gold1 join with it #e or #f ounces of ,lead1 and drive away the ,lead again upon a good ,test1 till the ,gold sparkle and shine1 and you shall find your ,gold to be made much heavier than it was before1 which weight it hath drawn from the ,lead only4 ,point ,,xiii4 ,by the mediation of this from all ,imperfect ,metals and ,minerals1 yielding nothing in the usual ,examen of ,cupels1 ,gold and ,silver is produced in a manifold manner1 being an ,argument that the ,imperfect ,metals have somewhat of the ,perfect reconded in them1 when they are inverted1 and shew themselves to our sight4 ,if we would obtain ,gold and ,silver from the ,imperfect ,metals1 by the help of ,nitre1 an equal weight of ,regulus of ,antimony is to be added to them1 that they may be rendred frangible1 and fit to be pulverized1 so that they may be commixed and fixed with ,nitre in this manner3 ,take an ounce1 or an ounce and a half of ,copper1 ,lead1 ,tin1 or ,chalcitis1 melt it with as much ,regulus of ,antimony2 pulverize the mixture1 and mix with it its equal weight of the best ,nitre1 put the mixture into a crucible1 kindle it with a live coal1 then the mixture will be reduced by the ,nitre into ,scoria1 which must be melted by a very strong fire1 in a ,wind ,furnace1 then the ,metal will pass into a ,regulus1 but the ,regulus will remain in the ,scoria1 which by the casting in of a live coal may be precipitated and brought to ,regulus again3 but weigh the metallick ,regulus according to the ,hundred weight1 and drive it 7if it be ,lead7 upon a ,test1 then you shall find it to contain gold and silver1 which the metal had not before4 ,if the metal be ,copper or ,chalcitis1 a due proportion of ,lead is to be added to it1 that it may be wrought upon a cupel1 then it leaveth gold and silver1 which without this ,operation it would not have done4 ,this ,work may also be effected by another way1 viz4 ,mix or with its own weight of ,regulus of ,antimony1 suffer it to flow well with the metal in a melting ,furnace1 inject successively by a little at a time1 so much ,nitre as both the ,metal and the ,regulus did weigh1 then let the ,regulus and the ,metal be fired by the ,nitre1 that some of the superfluous sulphur may be burnt and the mixture reduced to ,scoria1 afterwards give a strong fire1 that the ,scoria may be well melted1 then the ,metal will be separated from the ,regulus1 which may be tested1 and the correction of the metal1 made by the benefit of the ,nitre1 will be manifest4 ,as for these #ac ,metallick ,labours1 they are in themselves very good1 and profitable to be known by every one handling ,metals1 some of which1 if they be accurately manag'd1 and by a skilful ,artist1 will afford great ,gain1 and they are all done by the help of the ,salt of the ,earth4 ,but ,i will not deny1 but that those ,labours may also be performed by another way1 which needeth no ,nitre4 ,but ,i do not now intend to say any thing of that1 but only to prove that all those ,secrets and ,transmutations may be effectually performed by the contemptible salt of the ,earth4 ,in ,mechanicks4 ,point ,i4 ,they who ,engrave or ,etch upon ,copper1 may of this subject prepare a good corrosive ,water1 by which 7the ,copper ,plates being first smeared over with a ,covering fit to defend them1 and what ,images or ,lines they please1 drawn upon them1 with a stile or stift7 by an easie and compendious manner1 they will be eroded or eaten1 which otherwise would require a long time to be engraven4 ,that a corrosive and graduating ,aqua-fortis may be prepared of ,nitre by destillation1 needs no proof1 the way of making it being every where known1 as a thing common1 only here it is proved1 that this shortening of the ,engraver's ,work may be performed by the ,salt of the ,earth4 ,point ,,ii4 ,painters by the help of this1 may prepare for themselves most excellent ,colours1 as ,ultra-,marine1 blue ,smalt1 fine red or ,scarlet ,lacca1 ,venice ,ceruse1 and others necessary for their ,uses1 which otherwise they must have from far1 as ,italy1 ,holland1 ,france1 c4 and at a dear rate4 ,that excellent colours for ,painting1 may be made by the salt of the ,earth1 ,i will thus prove3 ,blue ,smalt is otherwise prepared of flowing ,sand1 ,chalcitis1 and ,potters-ashes3 ,but if instead of those ashes1 you take the fixed salt of the ,earth1 the smalt will not be only rendred more open1 loose1 and fine1 but also purer1 by reason the salt of the earth is purer than those ashes4 ,lacca for the most part is made of ,flocks shorn from crimson or scarlet cloth in the dressing1 and by a singular lixivium 7instead of which ,nitre may be taken7 the colour is extracted1 which is to be precipitated1 edulcorated1 and dryed upon clean ,boards in the sun1 or by a stove4 ,verdigrease and ,ceruse are commonly prepared by the help of ,vinegar1 in ,iron ,vessels put in ,horse-dung2 but if the ,copper or ,lead be dissolved in spirit of ,nitre1 and the ,copper precipitated by a lixivium of salt of ,tartar1 but the ,lead by salt water1 then edulcorated and dried1 the ,copper will exhibit a green colour1 which may be used in all ,paintings1 and will not corrode and destroy other colours1 as the common ,verdigrease is wont to do3 ,and the ,ceruse is rendered more delicate white1 and pure than that which is prepared by ,vinegar1 with which oftentimes much ,chalk is mixed to augment it1 and is not so conducible to ,painting1 nor to the shops1 as that which is made per se1 without any mixture4 ,point ,,iii4 ,engravers and ,statuaries may so harden their ,tools1 that they may hold their points long1 if they be to cut stones4 ,that ,iron may be hardened by ,cementation with ,salts1 so that it may serve instead of ,steel1 is now openly known2 but the iron or steel is to be kept in cementation as long as need shall be1 not with common salt alone1 but mixed with the powder of coals and salt of ashes2 then the ,iron grows as hard as steel1 but steel is rendered harder than it was before4 ,point ,,iv4 ,embroiderers may put any durable ,colour they please upon the ,silk with which they work4 ,it may be known1 that ,nitre1 as being a depurated salt1 will easily induce colours1 and constantly preserve them1 yea1 exalt them1 which many know1 they especially who dye cloth with rich grain colours1 as ,scarlet1 ,crimson1 c4 when they add the spirit of ,nitre in the boiling1 to aluminate it1 7as the ,dyers call it7 the colour is wonderfully exalted1 and made much more fiery1 so that it may be sold dearer than common ,crimson or ,scarlet4 ,this spirit of ,nitre also tingeth ,ashes1 ,nails1 or ,hoofs1 ,quills1 or ,feathers1 with a golden colour1 but if the ,nitre be fixed by calcination1 then it also equally exalteth1 but not into a red1 but a ,purple2 ,dyers use ,potters ashes for these ,works1 but fixed ,niter is much purer1 and rendereth the ,work more beautiful than those impure ashes4 ,point ,v4 ,they who ,paint ,glass1 by an easie ,work1 may thence prepare all ,colours or ,enamels for ,glass1 so that there will be no need to have them from ,venice4 ,the ,painters of ,glass sometimes complain1 that their fusory ,glass or ,enamel will not readily flow1 and that the ,glass which they are to colour is melted first2 the ,salt of the ,earth being fixed1 remedieth this1 if the colouring ,glass be mixed with it in a due proportion1 and again melted1 for by this means they will be rendered fluxible at pleasure4 ,point ,,vi4 ,they who work in ,wax1 by the benefit of this1 may whiten it exceedingly2 and colour it as they please4 ,that ,salts with ,water do whiten yellow ,wax1 being melted thin1 and exposed to the ,air1 and often sprinkled with the ,salt ,water1 is sufficiently known1 and wants no proof but not better than salt-,nitre it self4 ,point ,,vii4 ,printers also may add this subject to their ,ink1 which will cause it to adhere very firmly to the ,paper1 and render the ,letters very fair4 ,that fixed ,salts will readily conjoin ,ink with ,water1 is not unknown1 and none better than fixed ,nitre1 which also excelleth all sharp lixiviums1 having a power of cleansing ,lead1 ,tin1 ,copper1 or other ,vessels4 ,point ,,viii4 ,it is convenient for ,clock-makers1 or ,watch-makers1 if a ,water be destilled from it1 which soldereth ,iron or ,steel1 without fire1 if a drop of that ,aqua-fortis be dropped upon it1 whence the ,iron growing hot1 it presently waxeth soft1 as if it had been soldered in the fire by the help of ,copper4 ,if an ,aqua-fortis be destilled from ,niter and calcined ,vitriol 7,,nb4 that there must be no ,water or ,phlegm in the ,spirit7 and two little pieces of ,iron be melted with it1 7between which there must be little ,filings of ,iron7 then the ,iron groweth hot by the ,aqua-fortis1 which acteth upon it1 and the one will be joined to the other by melting1 as if it had been done by the fire4 ,but he that will use that water1 must know how to prepare it himself1 because such is no where to be found to sell4 ,point ,,ix4 ,all ,smiths may by it harden their ,files1 and other ,iron ,tools1 as durable1 as if they had been made of the hardest ,steel4 ,fixed ,salts being mixed with ashes and powder of coals or sand1 after that they have remained #bd hours in a close ,fire1 do harden iron like steel2 as is proved before in the third point4 ,point ,x4 ,pewterers may harden their ,tin or ,pewter1 and give to it an elegant whiteness1 so that it will resemble ,silver both in colour and sound2 neither will it easily tarnish1 and by reason of its hardness1 will last longer than common ,pewter4 ,if ,tin be often melted1 and extinguished in a lixivium of fixt ,nitre1 it is made harder than it was before2 but if it be put to ,nitre in ,flux1 and suffered to melt in it2 then also it will be more hard4 ,,nb4 ,but if the ,tin be reduced into ,scoria by ,nitre1 and the ,scoria again reduced1 it will be rendered harder and fairer1 than by the two former ways4 ,point ,,xi1 ,,xii1 ,,xiii4 ,cabinet-makers may strike an excellent ,black upon ,pear-tree1 ,cherry-tree1 ,box1 ,walnut-tree1 and other hard ,woods1 which may be used for curious ,works instead of ,ebony4 ,skinners or ,furriers may dye their ,ermins1 ,fox-skins1 ,wolf-skins1 and the like ,furs1 with a scarlet1 crimson1 or deep black colour1 far exceeding the natural4 ,in like manner ,feather-dyers may swiftly give any lasting colour to their ,plumes4 ,if an ,aqua-fortis be destilled from ,nitre and ,vitriol1 and a little silver dissolved in it1 and ,rain water poured thereon 7for the weakening of the ,aqua-fortis7 then not only all hard ,woods1 are blacked by it1 so that they represent ,ebony1 but also skins and feathers are made black as a coal1 a ground being first laid upon the feathers1 skins1 or woods1 that the ,colours may remain and endure firm4 ,therefore the #aa1 #ab1 and #ac points are thus verified together4 ,point ,,xiv4 ,taylors may take out ,spots or ,stains1 out of ,woolen1 ,linen1 or silk ,garments1 and restore their ,beauty4 ,of fixed ,nitre is made a ,soap1 so subtile and pure1 that by it all ,spots may be taken out of ,garments4 ,point ,,xv4 ,if ,shoemakers put old ,iron to this subject1 they may therewith adorn their ,leather with an excellent ,black4 ,if ,nitre be dissolv'd in ,vinegar1 and old ,iron lie some time in it1 it will make an ,ink with which ,hides may be blacked with an excellent ,black4 ,but there is no need of ,nitre for this use1 for if ,iron be put to ,aqua ,calcis1 it effecteth the same thing2 only mention is made of this in ,miraculum ,mundi1 that it might be manifest1 that this ,universal ,subject may be of use1 to all and singular ,artificers4 ,point ,,xvi4 ,weavers may render their ,linen ,threds so fine and soft1 that they will emulate silk4 ,all ,men know that the boiling of ,thread in a strong ,lixivium renders it soft and delicate1 but seeing that fixed ,nitre is better than a strong ,lixivium1 it will also perform this work better than any common ,lixivium4 ,point ,,xvii4 ,dyers by this may give so firm and unchangeable a ground1 to their ,cloth1 that the superinduced ,colours shall not be corrupted1 or spoiled by any ,wine1 ,vinegar1 ,urine1 ,pickles1 ,air1 or ,sun4 ,if the ,spirit of ,nitre be put into the first boiling with the ,alum and ,tartar1 for the aluminating the ,cloths1 it will give a permanent ground1 as is already proved in the fourth point4 ,point ,,xviii4 ,potters may thence prepare a ,glassy ,colour1 not unlike to the ,indian ,porcellane1 of which ,vessels may be made having the aspect of ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper1 a singular ,ornament for ,noblemens ,tables1 hitherto unknown to the ,world4 ,the ,glasing of ,earthen ,vessels1 that they may appear like a natural ,metal1 is an egregious art1 but it doth not always succeed1 for the ,colours are easily burnt and destroyed by too much heat1 so that no ,metallick ,vitrification can be discerned4 ,vessels therefore1 ought to be glased not in a common ,potters ,furnace1 but in a peculiar ,furnace1 that the fire may be oftner observed4 ,if the ,vitrification be to represent ,gold1 or ,silver1 or ,copper1 then ,gold1 and ,silver1 and ,copper is also to be taken in this manner3 ,take one part of ,gold and ,silver1 or ,copper1 ,regulus of ,antimony two or four parts1 melt the ,regulus and the ,metal1 pulverise them in an ,iron ,mortar1 and mix them with an equal portion of ,nitre1 suffer the mixture to be fixed in a ,crucible1 with which mixture the earthen vessel is to be rubbed over or gilded1 afterwards to be committed to a ,furnace fit for this purpose2 if you proceed right1 you will obtain a very beautiful ,vitrification1 as if the ,vessel was gilt with ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper1 which will not vanish or decay1 and will far exceed in beauty and splendour the ,vessels which are gilt with those ,metals1 for those in process of time lose their splendour1 but these do not as long as the least bit remains4 ,point ,,xix1 and ,,xx4 ,souldiers1 ,merchants1 ,travellers1 ,carriers1 ,fishermen1 and others1 who are much in the open ,air1 may of this prepare a ,varnish in which they may dip linen ,cloth1 which will not permit either ,air or ,water to pass through it1 with which they may defend their ,boots or ,cloths1 so that they may travel dry in the rain4 ,they who make ,tapestry1 may restore their faint and faded ,colours1 so that they shall be strong and beautiful4 ,here mention is made of a certain mixture in which if ,linen ,cloth be dipped and dryed will not permit water to pass through1 and it is done in this manner4 ,there is nothing wanting in ,linseed ,oyl1 but that the humidity be taken from it1 which always hindereth its dying2 now to effect that1 there is no better way1 than to boil the ,linseed ,oyl gently and gradually with the ,flowers of ,lapis ,calaminaris or ,saturn1 7which are sublimed by ,nitre7 so long till the ,oyl be tenacious1 and groweth hard enough for this use4 ,,nb4 ,that a ,linen ,cloth immersed in this mixture1 and shining ,talk being finely laid upon it1 may be coloured of any colour1 which will very strongly adhere to it1 and may serve for the making of ,tapestry4 ,therefore in this manner the nineteenth and twentieth ,points are confirmed4 ,point ,,xxi1 and ,,xxii4 ,mistresses of ,families1 may of it prepare fine ,soap or ,wash3balls1 far exceeding the ,venetian4 ,houshold ,maids1 may with it scour their ,metalline ,vessels1 so as to render them neat and beautiful4 ,that fixed ,nitre will wash and purifie ,linen cloth beyond all ,soap1 no ,man will deny1 who comprehendeth the matter1 concerning which thing1 the ,ancients have written much1 and not in vain1 calling ,nitre the ,soap of the wise1 but not for the washing of ,womens ,linen1 but for the intrinsecal purifying of the imperfect ,metals3 ,their ,external ,purgation may also be performed by help thereof1 so that the twenty second ,point is also verified4 ,point ,,xxiii4 ,women may change the ,yellow1 ,pale1 or ,brown ,colour of their ,face1 and hands1 into a beautiful whiteness4 ,that an ,egregious ,cosmetick may be made of ,nitre1 calcined with white ,talk 7by which ill coloured skins may be whitened7 is not to be doubted4 ,for if ,nitre fixed by the ,regulus of ,antimony alone1 performeth that1 why should it not yet do it better1 if it be conjoined with some white ,mineral ,talk in the ,calcination8 ,point ,,xxiv4 ,old ,women may by an easie way1 take away the ,wrinkles of their ,face and ,hands1 as also the ,corns of their ,feet1 and boil their ,linen to such a softness1 that it shall come but little short of ,silk4 ,it is easie to verifie this1 to wit if ,nitre be fixed with ,regulus of ,antimony1 and set in a moist ,cellar to run into an ,oyl1 which ,liquor will be so fiery1 that if any hard ,skin1 or ,corn1 be often anointed with it1 it will so soften it1 that it may be cut away with a ,pen knife1 and afterwards other smooth and soft ,skin will grow in its room4 ,point ,,xxv4 ,gardeners by this subject may destroy all ,insects1 by mixing it with water1 and pouring it into those places where they breed1 for they will either die in their holes1 or run out to die1 because they are not able to abide that fire4 ,it also ripeneth ,fruits1 if a little of this ,menstruum be applied to their ,roots1 at the entrance of the ,spring2 and if a large quantity of ,apples be well covered over with it1 they may thence prepare a lasting ,wine1 ,vinegar1 or burning ,spirit4 ,it is not to be doubted1 but that fixed ,nitre will kill all ,worms in the ,earth2 ,i have often tried it with good advantage1 and found it true1 in this manner3 ,many years ago1 ,i had a ,garden1 in which was a ,bed of ,asparagus1 which ,i covered all over in the ,winter with ,horse-dung1 to defend it from the ,frost1 which occasioned the breeding of many small ,worms like ,threads1 sticking to the ,roots of the ,asparagus1 so that they could by no means grow or increase1 only by reason of the great quantity of ,worms1 which took away the nutriment of the ,vegetable for themselves4 ,and once by chance throwing some fixed ,nitre exposed to the ,air1 and turned into a ,liquor1 out at a ,window into the ,garden1 it fell upon that place where these ,worms were1 the fixed ,nitre was dissolved by the following ,rain1 and penetrated the earth2 which done1 the ,worms in great numbers crept out of the earth1 because they could not abide that fiery ,liquor1 the ,asparagus grew up in the same place more plentifully and perfectly than before1 which moved me also to apply this ,liquor in other places2 by this means the whole ,garden was in a very short time freed from ,worms4 ,point ,,xxvi4 ,bakers may use it in stead of ,ferment or ,yeast1 if they dissolve a few hops therein4 ,if pure ,nitre with flower be throughly moistened with warm water and set in a warm place1 then1 by its own proper power and virtue1 it beginneth to ferment1 especially if some fresh ,hops be put to the water1 by which also other things are promoted to fermentation4 ,point ,,xxvii4 ,brewers by its help may have very strong ,beer1 if they extract their ,hops therewith4 ,in the like manner also warm ,beer may be excited to fermentation4 ,point ,,xxviii4 ,mead1 and ,metheglin1 as also ,beer1 and ,canary wine1 which are upon the turn1 and growing sowre1 may by this be rendred drinkable4 ,any kind of ,drink1 whether it be ,canary1 ,metheglin1 or ,beer1 which easily sowre in ,summer1 if you would amend them1 to a ,tun of the ,liquor put about two or three ,ounces of fixed ,nitre put up in a ,linen ,rag into the ,bung-hole at the top of the ,cask1 and let it hang down into the ,liquor1 then in a short time the sowre ,liquor will be rendered drinkable4 ,point ,,xxix4 ,comb-makers1 and others who work in ,horn1 may by this so soften their ,horns1 that they may imprint upon them what ,images they please4 ,that every ,horn1 or ,bone may be softened1 if it be sufficiently boiled in a ,lixivium of ,nitre1 may easily be apprehended2 which thing another strong ,lixivium1 not so fiery as that of ,nitre1 will also perform4 ,point ,,xxx4 ,keepers of ,armories may preserve their polished ,arms1 or ,harness free from rust1 by anointing them over with this ,subject4 ,it is credible1 that fixed ,nitre will preserve ,iron from ,rust1 seeing that it is equally contrary to ,corrosives1 with a simple ,aqua-,calcis which performeth the same4 ,point ,,xxxi4 ,bird-catchers1 may by the help of this prepare such a ,birdlime1 as will not be altered by ,cold or ,heat4 ,if a ,spirit be distill'd from ,nitre1 and ,lapis ,calaminaris dissolved in it1 and the ,spirit again drawn off1 there will remain a thick and heavy ,oyl1 with which the ,glue for ,wood being throughly humected and dissolved1 it becometh tenacious and viscous1 which will not be dried by the heat of the ,sun1 but keepeth its unctuosity in all ,seasons4 ,n4,b4 ,that ,spirit of ,salt1 or ,vitriol1 also performeth the same thing1 if any ,glue be dissolved therein4 ,point ,,xxxii4 ,souldiers may by help of this prepare a fulminating powder from ,gold1 of which the magnitude of a ,pea1 put upon a red hot ,iron ,plate1 will give a greater ,clap1 than half a pound1 yea a whole pound of ,gun-powder2 the same may also be prepared without ,gold1 by the addition of ,salt of ,tartar and ,sulphur1 as it is described in the second part of ,furnaces4 ,as for this point1 it needeth no proof2 for it is sufficiently known1 that of dissolved in ,spirit of ,nitre 7in which also was dissolved ,sal ,armoniack7 and precipitated with ,salt of ,tartar 7or ,spirit of ,urine1 which is better7 then edulcorated and dryed1 such a powder will be made1 which being put upon an ,iron1 ,copper1 or ,silver ,plate1 and enkindled by a light heat1 fulminateth more strongly than half a pound of common ,gun-powder1 concerning which1 ,i have treated at large in other of my ,writings4 ,point ,,xxxiii4 ,engineers1 and makers of ,fire-works1 may perform many wonderful things1 by the help of this ,subject4 ,that common ,nitre is used in the making of ,gun-powder1 and other ,fire-works1 wants no ,testimony1 being a thing every where known4 ,point ,,xxxiv4 ,many new ,works belonging to the ,weavers1 and ,smiths ,art1 may be made thence1 which may be ,communicated to ,neighbouring ,countries1 in lieu of which1 money may be brought into a ,country impoverished by ,war4 ,as for this point1 it is most certain1 that by the mentioned ,subject1 various ,manufactures may be perfected1 which thing let no ,man doubt2 but there is no need here to particularize2 let it suffice that ,i have verified 7by the assistance of ,god7 those things which ,i have named1 and proposed to explain in that place4 ,point ,,xxxv4 ,if ,keepers of ,vineyards1 pour a little of this ,subject to the ,roots of their ,vines1 they will have ripe ,grapes1 and new ,wine sooner than the rest of their ,neighbours1 of which they may make a good advantage4 ,plebeians1 ,country-men1 ,gardeners1 ,vine-dressers1 and the like1 who are conversant about the propagation of ,vegetables2 do say1 and believe1 that ,dung causeth ,fertility1 and the increase of things3 ,but a ,philosopher1 penetrating farther into ,nature1 and who is a most diligent ,searcher of her ,works1 attributeth that to the ,salt which is hidden in the ,dung1 and the matter it self is no otherwise1 for by digestion in the ,stomachs of ,men and ,bruits1 the essential ,salt1 as well of ,animals1 as of ,vegetables1 is transmuted into a ,nitrous ,salt1 which together with the ,excrements passeth out by the ,belly1 and is used by ,men for the propogating of ,vegetables of all kinds1 but another ,salt which doth not participate with that1 is separated by another way1 to wit1 by ,urine1 the greatest part of which ,salt is acid1 and contrary to the growth of all ,vegetables1 7although it carrieth along with it some volatile ,salt7 it destroyeth1 mortifieth1 and taketh away from them the power of growing1 yea1 ,life it self1 if they be often moistened with it2 but the ,nitrous ,salt reconded in ,excrements1 on the contrary1 vivifieth all ,vegetables1 and maketh them to encrease1 grow strong1 and bear ,fruit1 which all men know4 ,therefore if it be probable that it is not the ,dung1 but the ,salt which is hidden in the ,dung1 that causeth fertility and encrease1 it will be possible1 that an encrease by such a ,salt may be procured in all ,vegetables equally as with ,dung it self1 and indeed better1 for there is ,urine also conjoined with the ,dung2 which if it be not for some time exposed to the ,air and the ,rain1 for the washing away that sharp ,salt1 the ,dung would avail nothing to the fattening of the ,earth1 which ,country-men know1 and therefore they do not presently use their fresh ,dung1 but lay it in the ,fields before ,winter2 ,vine-dressers in their ,vineyards2 and leave it there all the ,winter1 to that end1 that the ,rain may wash out that sharp and hurtful ,salt2 and this being done1 then at length they mix it with their ,earth2 and the event teacheth them that this fattens more than ,dung carried fresh out of ,stables1 and full of ,urine4 ,therefore if ,i know how to make a ,nitrous ,salt1 which is reconded not only in the ,excrements of ,men and ,brutes1 but also in ,rainwater and common ,earth1 ,i may use this instead of ,dung1 7being first purged from its contrary acid7 one pound of which will perform more than an hundred weight of ,dung2 yet in the mean time it conduceth to that purpose1 if a little ,sheeps-dung be dissolved together with the purified ,nitre1 in ,water1 with which the ,roots of the ,trees are to be moistened or ,seeds throughly wetted with the same4 ,and this ,i have proved more than once1 and found1 that by the help of ,nitre well depurated1 an encrease is most powerfully and swiftly promoted1 yea1 more than can be believed4 ,,nb4 ,that ,i would have none understand me1 as if common ,nitre were to be taken1 which is not at all profitable in these matters4 ,point ,,xxxvi4 ,nevertheless ,must and ,wine may be ripened after another manner in the ,hogshead1 without this ,art1 so that they who understand the way may have alwaies good ,wine1 when others have it sowre1 c4 ,this is a very fair and profitable ,secret in those places1 where ,wines1 by reason of cold1 cannot come to maturity1 but are forced to remain crude and impotent1 which by this ,remedy may be brought to maturity in the ,hogshead2 so that ,wine which is eager and sowre1 may be made delicate1 friendly1 generous1 and durable4 ,and although ,i here write nothing but the truth1 and what ,i have often effectually proved1 yet ,i very well know1 that but a very few will apprehend or believe it1 which matters little to me2 ,i am satisfied1 that ,i have verified what ,i have written in this point4 ,point ,,xxxvii4 ,there remains yet another thing very profitable to ,countrymen4 ,the juice of ,apples or ,pears being pressed out1 by the help of this subject1 such an effervescency or working is promoted1 as ,wine may be thence made1 having the relish of the natural1 and but little inferiour in durability and strength1 c4 ,in this point mention is made how the juice of ,apples1 and ,pears1 may be corrected1 that it may be like to ,wine1 keeping many years uncorrupted3 which certainly is a ,secret of great moment and profit4 ,apples1 when ripe1 of their own accord fall from the ,trees1 every thing hath its period2 what advantage may be made by this ,art in those places1 where a great quantity of ,fruit groweth2 whether is it not better to make this use of them1 than to leave them to rot and be lost8 ,i will do what lies in me1 and not bury my ,talent1 that ,i may be rendered excusable before ,,god and the ,world1 although that which ,i teach may not be received1 as becometh it to be used4 ,at length1 after my ,decease1 it will be observed1 what is hidden in my ,writings1 but the ,phrygians were wise too late4 ,therefore ,i again affirm1 that all things contained in this point1 are purely true1 and may be perfectly effected4 ,see ,apology against ,farnner4 ,point ,,xxxviii4 ,if ,husband-men moisten their ,seed with this ,menstruum1 it will sooner be ripe1 and have larger and fatter ,grains than ordinary3 which being done1 ,i will shew by what means they may make great profit of their ,grain1 c4 ,the #ce ,point confirms the truth of this1 ,that ,grain will grow the more plenteously1 if it shall be humected with the ,nitrous ,water above-mentioned1 before it be sown1 but common ,nitre is not here to be understood4 ,the other is also consentaneous to ,truth1 which is written about the most profitable use of ,grain1 which none need doubt2 for as yet more may be done in that than ,i have here spoken of1 for without much labour and cost1 by that water1 every good and kernelly substance1 as ,i may so speak1 of ,grain1 is extracted1 which ,extract may be kept for many years1 as a ,treasure of great moment1 of which afterwards1 at any time or place1 7by the addition of ,water of ,hops7 good ,beer may be made1 and ,vinegar1 and burning ,spirit2 it is also of such a very ,nutritive substance1 that in case of necessity it may be used instead of ,bread1 one pound of which will afford more nourishment than two or three pound of ,bread made after the common manner4 ,it may also be kept in ,garrisons with great commodity3 ,also it may be used at ,sea1 by those who sail to the ,indies1 and trade about in ,ships1 when they want ,bread2 of which by the addition of warm water of ,hops1 may be made very good ,beer1 at any time of the year1 for it is easily and wholly dissolved in warm water4 ,for this reason also it may be most commodiously carried from place to place by ,armies in time of ,war1 which in the ,field1 at any time1 ,winter or ,summer1 with the water of ,hops1 it may be boiled into ,beer1 and there is no need to carry the water far1 because it is to be found in all places2 neither are ,hops of any great burden2 therefore in one only ,tun there may be carried of this ,extract as much as sufficeth for the brewing of six or eight ,tun of ,beer2 and which is more1 by this means1 wholesome ,beer may be made in the ,dog-daies1 as well in ,camps1 as in ,cities and ,ships1 without any fear of impediment or future sowrness2 at which time good ,beer is not otherwise made1 because then it is wont presently to grow sowre2 and many other ,commodities are procured by this means1 all which to declare1 would be superfluous4 ,let what hath been said suffice4 ,point ,,xxxix4 ,i have yet one thing to add among my ,wine-,arts1 concerning ,grain1 and the ,fruits of ,trees and ,shrubs1 which is to be received with ,thankfulness1 as a great ,gift of ,god to ,mankind1 viz4 ,it is found by industry and manifold experience1 that from ,rie1 ,wheat1 ,oats1 ,rice1 ,millet2 also from ,apples1 ,pears1 ,peaches1 ,cherries1 ,plumbs1 ,sloes1 ,damscens1 ,quinces1 ,figgs2 as also from ,goose-berries1 ,mulberries1 ,barberries1 ,black-berries1 ,elder-berries1 and other like ,fruits of ,trees and ,shrubs2 from all these1 ,i say1 may be prepared with little labour and cost1 a ,drink very like to ,wine1 both in taste1 smell1 and strength1 being grateful1 wholesome1 and durable1 c4 ,in this point mention is made1 ,that of the ,fruit of ,trees and other ,bushes and ,shrubs1 a clear ,drink may be made1 which is also grateful and durable1 being like to ,wine in taste1 colour1 and virtue2 which thing1 although it may seem strange to those who are ignorant of the matter1 nevertheless it is most true2 so that those things which are contained in this point1 may be boldly credited4 ,for what should it profit me to write those things which ,i am not able to prove1 it would only turn to my disgrace and detriment4 ,for this reason ,i have determined to have such a ,laboratory prepared1 in which not only the owners of ,metallick ,mines 7if they desire it of me7 may learn the manner by me newly invented1 for the compendious melting of ,minerals1 so that they shall yield more ,metal1 than by the known and common manner2 but will also shew other ,secrets1 that the ,magnalia and wonders of ,god may be made manifest1 and ,we stirred up to give ,thanks to the ,giver of all ,good3 ,which ,elaboratory shall continue open for one whole year1 which being past1 it shall again be shut up and cease2 for ,i purpose not to render the whole course of my ,life obnoxious to those great ,labours1 but at length to enjoy a quiet tranquility2 which thing ,i am willing that all men should know1 that they may spare me with their ,letters1 which it is impossible for me to answer1 much less that ,i should see the ,persons1 seeing that the burden of journying is to me altogether insupportable2 but whatsoever ,i may perform at home1 ,i will not refuse4 ,see for this point ,apology against ,farnner4 ,here thou hast1 benevolent ,reader1 a fundamental ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi1 7as for those last points1 to wit1 #cf1 #cg1 #ch1 and #ci1 they might indeed have been very commodiously explained here1 but because this is done at large1 in a peculiar ,treatise1 entituled1 ,the ,prosperity of ,germany2 there is no need to explain them in this place2 therefore what the benevolent ,reader finds wanting here1 there he shall find it at large1 to which ,i remit him7 whereby it will appear to all men1 unless to those who are wilfully blind1 that ,i have not ascribed too much to the ,salt of the ,earth1 as a universal subject1 but that ,i have proved to the whole ,world1 that every thing which ,i have attributed to it1 is possible1 and plainly agreeable to ,truth4 ,but that these ,secrets which ,i have proved1 may be performed by the benefit of the ,salt of the ,earth1 may not be done by other waies1 and perhaps nearer1 ,i go not about to deny1 but do necessarily affirm1 that the mentioned ,metallicks1 as well as the ,mechanicks1 may be performed after other manners4 ,only here it is verified1 ,that the ,salt of the ,earth is deservedly esteemed a universal subject1 which no man will deny1 nor will be able to refute by ,arguments1 supported by truth1 how wise soever he may seem to himself4 ,therefore let its vileness offend no man1 for the best of things is oftentimes hidden in things of small price4 ,wherefore all men erre1 who attribute good to outward splendor1 in which yet it is not1 but is only to be sought1 found1 and obtained in things vile1 and of low esteem4 ,note this1 believe this1 otherwise thou wilt never attain to any ,good4 ,but here some ,man may object in this manner3 ,if ,nitre be a ,universal ,menstruum according to my praises of it1 it will thence necessarily follow1 that the stone of ,philosophers should be made by it1 of which nevertheless ,i have here made no mention4 ,to obviate this ,objection1 ,i do indeed readily confess1 that ,i have not proceeded in this subject1 any further than those things which ,i have now proved2 but without doubt it containeth in it self greater things1 than are manifested to me and others4 ,i have made a beginning1 ,i have strowed the way1 let others follow me1 and prosecute the thing further1 if ,god shall grant it to them2 as for me ,i am content with small things1 and do not anxiously1 or sollicitously aspire after the highest4 ,yet in the mean time1 this ,i freely confess1 if ,i were not so old as ,i am1 ,i should not leave this ,matter unessay'd4 ,it is not to be doubted1 but many men have sought the ,universal stone in ,nitre1 but what they have found1 that themselves know2 and of this ,i am the more assured1 because there ,matter in the end of the ,work taking fire1 hath vanished like a ,clap of ,thunder2 hence the ancient ,philosophers have performed their work in ,winter1 lest they should be hurt by ,corruscations2 it is most true1 and void of all errour1 that a most noble essence of this sort1 obtaining a power of expelling all the ,natural ,diseases of ,mortals1 and of transmuting all the imperfect ,metals into ,gold cannot be prepared from an impure ,metal1 or ,mineral1 nor also of ,gold it self4 ,much less of viler and more unlikely things in which ,fools are miserably ,occupied1 prodigally1 and unprofitably wasting their ,goods2 but in my judgment1 it should be no other thing than a ,concentrated ,astral fire1 exalted by ,art1 into the form of a stone1 without any other ,adventitious matter4 ,for in the nature of things1 no purer ,essence can be found1 than fire1 exercising a very great power in all things1 especially in ,metals3 ,for if we had not fire 7,i pray consider it7 all ,arts1 and ,mechanicks would grow cold1 and be involved in the dark silence of ,cessation4 ,arts were invented1 and draw their ,original from the fire1 otherwise how should ,metals be got out of their ,minerals1 and prepared for use8 truly they would be of no use at all4 ,therefore the fire containeth more than can be believed4 ,he that doth not know fire to be a most powerful ,element1 knoweth nothing1 nor without this1 can he find out any thing1 neither by any just right can he assume the ,name of a ,philosopher4 ,the fire alone1 without the addition of other things1 is sufficient to make ,metals of stones1 and particularly1 the best ,metals out of the vilest stones1 provided we know how to use it2 but universally1 being concentrated into a stony matter2 which last although ,i have not experienced1 nevertheless ,i have observed1 if 7by the favour of the ,almighty7 a man could exalt the fire into a ,corporeal fixed substance1 he would certainly have a ,tincture for men1 and the imperfect ,metals4 ,but some man may object1 by what way is this ,crown to be obtained8 ,truly by no other than by ,divine ,revelation4 ,for the ,secrets of ,god of this sort1 are not so easily to be found out1 nor will they be manifested to ,impious men1 although the whole ,world is infected with a foolish madness1 who doatingly think by force to extort ,gold from things in which it is not1 and one that hath understanding of the fire and ,metals1 cannot sufficiently admire those foolish and doltish ,labours1 which they who are ,captivated by the hunger of ,gold1 undertake for the making the stone of ,philosophers2 many being willing to ascend the ,ladder1 are presently sollicitous about the uppermost ,round1 when notwithstanding they are as yet far from the lowermost step3 ,but this is a matter of a higher and more diligent search4 ,in the fire1 ,i say1 are contained ,secrets of great moment1 yea1 insomuch that some ,philosophers 7among whom ,plato is the chief7 write that ,god is most clearly discerned and apprehended in ,fire and ,salt4 ,fire1 and the ,immortal ,god alone can make light of darkness1 which is granted to no ,mortal to do2 without fire is darkness and death3 ,without fire nothing can live1 nothing groweth or encreaseth4 ,in sum1 ,fire is the most ,noble1 and most ,potent ,work of ,god in the whole ,universe1 he that knoweth how to use it rightly1 will have need of no ,art4 ,let the ,benevolent ,reader also take with him my small judgment concerning the great stone of the wise2 let every man believe what he will1 and is able to comprehend4 ,such a work is purely the gift of ,god1 and cannot be learned by the most acute powers of an humane mind1 if it be not assisted by the benign help of a ,divine ,inspiration4 ,and of this ,i assure my self1 that in those last times1 ,god will raise up some1 to whom he will open the ,cabinet of ,natures ,secrets1 that they shall be able to do wonderful things in the ,world1 to his glory1 the which ,i indeed heartily wish to ,posterity1 that they may enjoy1 and use to the ,praise and ,honour of ,god1 ,amen4 ,the ,,epilogue4 ,i doubt not but many ,men considering the great good that may be effected by the benefit of ,nitre1 will be desirous of knowing how they may attain it in great quantity1 that so they may not be forced to buy it at a dear rate2 which certainly would be a great help not to a few who labour in the fire1 and ,i could wish from my ,soul1 that all honest and pious ,chymists might be able to recover some compensation for the ,coals they have consumed without fruit4 ,but seeing that ,i have made mention of the production or preparation of ,nitre1 in a peculiar ,treatise entituled1 ,the ,prosperity of ,germany2 it is needless here to repeat it4 ,but this ,i will say by way of prediction1 that ,nitre1 being thoroughly known by my ,writings1 true ,alchymy1 or the ,transmutation of the imperfect ,metals into better1 will in a short time be as common1 as it was in ,egypt long since in the time of the ,emperour ,dioclesian1 who could not overcome or subdue the ,egyptians1 until he had by many ,cruelties extorted their ,books from them1 which he burnt1 and so brought them under the yoke of servitude4 ,,nb4 ,that it is no wonder that the ,transmutation of ,metals should have been so common with the ,egyptians only1 seeing that ,nitre is found in all places of the ,land of ,egypt1 and the famous ,river ,nile is impregnated with ,nitre1 which only by its overflowing 7which it doth twice in a year7 so fateneth the whole ,country1 that it is made very rich and fruitful in all things without dung2 for the ,nile aboundeth with ,nitre1 as the ,sea doth with common ,salt4 ,for at certain times of the overflowing1 viz4 in the beginning1 the inhabitants are wont to dig deep ,pits1 that they may remain full of the water1 which being afterwards dried up by the ,sun1 ,nitre is very ,copiously prepared1 as common ,salt is made in ,spain1 and other hot ,regions4 ,this therefore ,i was willing to discover for the information of the ,reader2 if he be wise1 and ,god be propitious to him1 he will believe that ,i have said enough2 but if not1 an ,explication ten times clearer will not help him4 ,therefore let it suffice1 that what is here desired1 shall be had in those ,treatises which are entituled1 ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 whereby a man filled with the ,love of ,god1 will be greatly delighted4 ,,the ,,continuation ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,in which ,nature is clearly laid open to the ,eyes of the whole ,world2 demonstrating1 that the chief ,medicine of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 may be prepared of ,salt-petre1 and that ,salt-petre truly merits the ,name of an ,universal ,menstruum4 ,the ,,preface1 to the ,,reader4 ,this ,treatise1 to which ,i have given the ,title of the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 containeth four excellent ,arcanums1 which ,i doubt not1 but will prove very profitable to the publick4 ,the first of these ,i offer to ,country-men1 as ,husbandmen1 ,vine-dressers1 ,gardiners1 and all such who are occupied in ,tilling and manuring the ,earth1 that they may learn a new ,method of fattening and enriching their ,fields and ,gardens1 without the usual and customary way of dunging1 and thence yearly acquire a greater profit4 ,the ,second1 ,i give to all ,citizens1 ,merchants and others who have time and leasure1 and abounding in riches1 know not by what means to augment or improve their ,gold and ,silver4 ,which way ,i will shew them1 and how to effect it after a much better and honester manner than putting it to ,usury1 or incommoding or oppressing their ,neighbours4 ,the ,third1 ,i present to all ,conscientious ,physicians that they may learn to prepare ,salutiferous and ,efficacious ,medicines with small charge1 little labour1 and in a short time2 that 7as becomes ,christians7 they may help and succour the ,miseries of the sick1 and acquire to themselves an honest livelihood4 ,the ,fourth1 ,i dedicate to all persons of great ,name and ,authority1 by the benefit of which1 they may preserve their ,health entire1 and recover it when lost4 ,the ,omnipotent ,god give us his ,divine ,grace1 that we may make such use of his fatherly bounty1 as may tend to the promoting of his ,honour1 and the ,love of our ,neighbour4 ,amen4 ,arcanum ,i4 ,being a ,gift given to ,husbandmen1 keepers of ,vineyards1 ,gardeners1 c4 ,although ,i had determined with my self to reserve the ,press1 mentioned in the first part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 7by which the juice might be pressed out of great ,trees1 the searching after which hath wearied many ,mens ,brains7 for the third part of the same work2 nevertheless1 it seems good to me to describe it in this ,treatise for the good of the publick4 ,and that chiefly for this reason1 because the ,omnipotent ,god hath now revealed to me other manners of extracting ,salt-petre1 in plenty1 out of all ,wood1 and that without a ,press2 and not only from ,wood1 but also from all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 so that by an easie business1 and in a short time1 without a ,press and putrefaction1 ,wood1 and ,salt may be converted into ,salt-petre3 ,yea1 in the space of three or four hours1 every ,vegetable1 or ,animal1 as also ,salts of every kind1 may be so transmuted1 as that they pass into a ,fatt1 fervid and sulphureous ,salt1 which afterwards by the benefit of the ,air is animated1 and converted into ,salt-petre4 ,such a ,salt1 although it doth not presently conceive flame1 and burn like ,salt-petre1 yet it is now brought to that pass1 that in the manuring or dunging of poor and barren ground1 it doth the same thing as the dung of any ,cattel is wont to effect4 ,hence by the same ,salt every pure ,sand destitute of all fatness1 is quickly so fatted1 that it is rendered fit for the sowing and bringing forth ,corn4 ,few will believe what ,salt can perform1 when spoiled of its ,corrosive force4 ,therefore ,christ saith not in vain to his ,disciples1 ,ye are the ,salt of the ,earth4 ,that ,earth which wanteth ,salt is dead2 nor can it bring forth ,fruit3 ,for this inverted ,salt serveth not only for sandy and plainly barren ,fields1 but also for those which are fruitful1 that they may be sowed every year1 and bring forth ,fruit4 ,truly it is a great ,gift of ,,god1 of which this ungrateful ,world is not worthy4 ,it often happens1 that a ,husbandman1 through want of ,dung1 is forced to let his ,fields lie unsown1 till he can have an opportunity to sow them2 but what a loss is this to those who in the mean time must pay the ,magistrates1 ,taxes1 or ,duties1 for them1 and yet make no benefit of them4 ,were it not better for such to possess only the ,third or ,fourth part of what they have of such ,land as would yield him every year an encrease4 ,certainly by this means1 that ,land which otherwise is scarce able to maintain one ,country-man1 would be sufficient for the keeping of ten1 if it were fatened after this manner by an inverted wood or salt4 ,in like manner also ,vineyards and ,hopyards might be so fattened1 that the ,labour bestowed upon them might not be in vain1 but they might abound in ,fruits4 ,so also ,fruit-trees1 and ,meadows1 and ,pastures1 which bear but little ,grass1 may by the same ,salt be so amended1 as to bring forth better ,fruit and richer ,crops of ,grass4 ,but let this suffice1 concerning those things in this place1 more shall follow 7,god willing7 in the ,third ,part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in the mean time the ,plenty of ,corn and ,wine will be in part consumed4 ,but ,i doubt not but that this excellent ,gift of ,god will be sought into by good ,masters of ,families1 be had in esteem1 and even from this time to the ,world's end1 be put to use for the promoting of the ,divine ,honour1 and the well being of many ,thousands of men4 ,sidenote3 ,vid4 ,prosp4 ,germ4 p4 #c4 ,but the manner of expressing of ,wood by its proper ,fire1 and again of coagulating this acid juice1 by the benefit of the fixed ,salt remaining in the burnt ,coals or ,ashes1 into a ,salt fattening of barren ground1 or of reducing it into ,salt-,petre by the benefit of the ,air1 is indeed an excellent and singular ,artifice1 which rendereth all unprofitable ,wood highly profitable and beneficial2 yea1 these are ,inventions so profitable1 as the like hath been yet published by no man4 ,and this ,invention is much better than that of reducing ,wood into ,pot-ashes1 in which all the acid juice passing away in smoak1 wholly perisheth1 and is lost1 and from a great quantity of ,wood a very few ashes remain1 and out of them there is found but a little ,salt 7scarcely the ,tenth ,part7 fit for the fattening of ground1 or to be turned into ,salt-,petre4 ,for it is not the ashes1 but the salt contained in them1 that serves to both those purposes4 ,therefore this my method of extracting the juice of wood1 and converting it into a good salt1 is far to be preferred to the making of ,pot-ashes of ,wood4 ,nor doth this press serve only for the pressing out the juice of ,wood1 where ,wood is plenty1 but it may be also used with great profit in ,moorish places where ,wood is wanting1 and which abound with ,turf1 which may be used instead of ,wood4 ,for the juice of ,turf is equally fit with the juice of ,wood for enriching of ,land2 so that no ,country hath cause to complain that the ,creator of all things hath not plentifully provided it with some part of that mundane ,treasure4 ,countries that lie high abound with ,wood1 and the low afford abundance of ,turf4 ,therefore1 as in ,regions of an higher scituation1 an unspeakable quantity of ,wood perisheth by putrefaction1 and growing1 and again rotting1 serveth for no use or benefit2 so also it is in places lower scituated1 with ,turf1 in which very often vast ,tracts yield not the least profit to any man1 although in their inward ,penetrals are hidden great ,treasures4 ,seeing that it is so in ,moorish and ,marshy places1 if they are overgrown with ,grass1 and ,beasts should be sent to feed upon that ,grass1 what profit will thence accrue to men8 ,but if they shall be invironed with too much wet or plashiness1 7too boggy7 so that they are impassible by men1 they are of no utility at all4 ,there are ,marshy tracts which are covered over 7or swerded only with ,moss7 which neither afford ,turf1 or nourishment for ,cattel1 inasmuch as the growth of ,grass1 and ,turf fit for burning1 is hindred1 either by too much ,sand1 or large ,moss4 ,and yet those very tracts being pressed by ,fire1 yield a fertile juice1 by which the neighbouring ,fields 7especially the ,sandy7 may be rendered fruitful4 ,for those ,moors or ,marshes contain nothing but that fatness which the ,rain-water hath collected from the neighbouring1 high1 and sandy grounds1 and washed down with it self into the ,valleys1 where it concreteth into ,moss2 whence of right it should be restored to those barren sandy grounds1 to fatten them4 ,and by this means it may be brought to pass1 that great fruitfulness may be conferred on much desert and waste ,land1 which brings no profit at all to ,mankind4 ,what ,i say1 is agreeable to the ,truth it self1 and perhaps in ,process of time1 will be found most true1 and come into use in very many places4 ,but at this time1 these things seem to ,country-men1 meer ,dreams1 and far exceed the ,capacity of their maulted ,brains4 ,but as every fat ,marsh is able to fatten the adjacent1 barren1 high1 sandy grounds2 so the ,ocean is the ,universal ,medicine1 and nutriment of all high and barren ,regions1 through which it passeth1 and by the salt contained in it1 bestows upon them fruitfulness4 ,vid4 ,nat4 ,salium4 ,whence the incredible ,providence of the ,divine ,goodness manifestly appeareth1 for which uncessant ,thanks are to be given to the ,almighty by all men1 for ,his ,fatherly ,care1 and great benefits never to be forgotten4 ,but how the ,sea-salt fatteneth1 and maketh fruitful sandy-ground1 which is destitute of all fatness1 shall afterwards be exactly demonstrated4 ,here1 by the way1 in the ,description of my ,press1 for the pressing of wood1 ,i was willing to mention this thing4 ,how much better therefore is this my ,art and ,invention of preserving the juice1 and almost the whole pondus or weight of the wood 7the unprofitable ,phlegm only excepted7 in that transmutation1 than the invention of reducing it to ,pot-ashes8 ,for any man of ,understanding may easily see1 ,that in that open burning of the wood the noble ,sulphur is consumed by the ,fire1 and can be of no benefit4 ,but if the business may be so ordered1 that the wood shall burn1 and not consume it self in burning1 but be converted into a sulphureous ,salt1 it will be a thing of great moment4 ,he that knoweth how to perform this1 hath indeed attained the scope1 and arrived to the desired end4 ,although a ,coal be deprived of its juice1 nevertheless it retains almost the same quantity that the wood had1 whereof it was made4 ,one pound of such ,coals being burnt1 scarce yields an ounce and an half of ashes1 which ashes afford but a third or fourth part of ,salt1 fit to be changed into ,salt-,petre1 or to fatten the ,earth4 ,therefore it is no small ,art to preserve the ,sulphur of the ,coals 7whose ,virtues are great7 and to convert it into so noble a ,salt4 ,for the acid juice of wood being pressed out1 and reduced to sweetness1 will effect far more in the manuring and fattening of ,fields1 than any one can easily believe4 ,hereafter1 if ,i shall see it necessary1 ,i shall publish yet more and greater things2 but ,i shall yet for some time suspend the publication of the ,third ,part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 till ,i see how things will prove2 being assured that my ,writings for time to come will be more grateful1 than to this present ,age4 ,i will now enter upon the description and use of the ,press so often mentioned1 for the expressing and again coagulating the juice of ,wood4 ,of the ,figure1 ,use1 and ,utility of the ,press1 by whose help the ,juice is plentifully pressed out of ,wood1 without great labour1 fit for the making of ,salt-,petre4 ,the ,form or ,figure4 ,first1 ,let a round ,furnace be built with ,bricks of the same form with that in the first ,figure1 noted with the ,letter ,a4 ,it must be like a ,glassmaker's ,furnace1 large at the bottom1 and rising round by degrees to a small point at the top2 in the top must be a round hole1 opening about a foot broad1 by which the ,wood may be put into the ,furnace4 ,to the hole is to be fitted a ,cover or ,stopper1 made of the same matter1 with the ,bricks1 and burnt as they are1 to shut up the hole4 ,on one side of the lower part of the ,furnace1 is to be a door1 by which the ,coals may be taken out4 ,on the other side is to be a little hole1 to which an earthen ,channel or ,pipe of about three or four cubits long1 is to be fitted1 in which the smoak or fume of the wood1 forced out by the fire1 may be condensed into an acid juice1 and may destil into a wooden ,vessel or ,barrel1 which is to be fitted to the ,pipe1 to receive the destilling acid juice4 ,see the first ,figure noted with pag4 #ac4 at the beginning of this ,treatise4 ,a is the ,furnace or ,oven wherein the ,wood is char'd4 ,b1 ,the ,cover of the ,furnace4 ,c1 ,the ,door at which the ,coals are taken out4 ,d1 ,the ,canes or ,pipes wherein the sap or juice of the ,wood is condensed1 and from thence runs into the ,receiver4 ,e is the ,vessel or ,receiver into which the ,vinegar of ,wood runs4 ,all things being prepared in the manner aforesaid1 let the ,furnace be filled with wood up to the top1 and if the wood be not dry enough1 intermix with it1 in the putting in from the bottom to the top1 some dry ,shrubs or ,bushes1 or small ,faggot-sticks1 by whose help the wood may be the more easily kindled4 ,after the wood is kindled1 and burns well1 the hole in the top of the ,furnace is to be close shut with its ,stopper1 that there may be no exit for the smoak1 but that it may be forced to descend and seek its passage through the lower hole1 by the ,channel or ,pipe4 ,therefore when the wood begins to burn1 and yet can emit no flame1 the heat presseth out all the juice1 and forceth it into the pipe1 in which1 from the smoak1 it is changed into an acid ,juice or ,liquor1 which destilleth by the ,pipe into the appointed receiving ,barrel4 ,all the wood being turned into ,coals1 and emitting no more fume1 the whole ,furnace1 wheresoever it may admit the air2 and also the hole to which the ,pipe is fitted1 is to be smeared over with wet ashes1 that the ,coals in the ,furnace being suffocated or choaked1 may remain entire4 ,the ,coals being taken out1 may be put to necessary uses1 being equal in goodness to other ,charcoal which ,colliers make in ,woods4 ,,nb4 ,i would have this understood1 of such wood as is of a pretty good thickness1 and suffers its self to be reduced into ,coals2 for if you cast into the ,furnace ,bushes or small ,brushy wood1 to press out the juice1 you will obtain only a ,powder of ,coals1 which after the juice is pressed out1 is to be left in the ,furnace open 7not smeared over1 as we taught above7 till it pass into ashes1 which is required for the coagulating the expressed juice2 as shall appear by and by1 when we come to speak of its coagulation4 ,,nb4 ,when you have no occasion for ,coals1 or cannot sell them1 it is necessary1 that letting the ,furnace be open1 you suffer them to burn to ashes4 ,if this operation be instituted in a place where there are stones fit to make ,lime of1 it would be worth the while to fill the ,furnace with a layer of ,wood1 and another of ,stones1 from the bottom to the top1 which ,chymists call ,stratum super ,stratum1 and after the juice is pressed out to open the ,furnace1 that the wood may be turned into ashes1 by doing of which at the same time the stones will be calcined1 and changed into ,lime1 which being exposed to the air1 7yet so that the ,rain cannot come to it7 will fall to pieces into a fine powder4 ,to this ,powder1 being mixed with wood ashes1 the acid juice is to be poured1 which was pressed out of the wood1 that those two contrary natures may mutually work upon each other1 and well unite3 in which operation the sharp spirit of the wood loseth its ,acrimony1 and the fixed ,salt of the wood and stones is altered1 so that from both there proceedeth a contrary middle nature1 and a sweeter salt2 which being long exposed to the air1 draweth from thence a ,life1 and is transmuted into the best ,salt-,petre4 ,,nb4 ,this mixture is so to be exposed to the air1 that lying under a ,covering or ,roof1 and being open on the sides1 it may be defended from the ,rain1 and nevertheless attract the air4 ,if it shall be dried by the air1 it must be moistened again with the ,urine of ,men or ,beasts1 that it may never be throughly dry4 ,if these things be rightly performed1 you shall have plenty of the best ,salt-petre1 from this matter1 in the space of a year and an half1 or two years at the most2 which being extracted1 purified1 and boiled up1 shooteth into very pure ,crystals4 ,the rest of the matter being again laid in its former place1 under the covering or shed1 and being ordered in the same manner1 as before1 will in the space of two years produce new ,salt-,petre1 which may be extracted and boiled up as before2 for that mixture still remaineth good1 provided it be moistened with ,urine when dry1 as was said4 ,,nb4 ,he that desireth to acquire ,salt-petre sooner1 after the conjunction of the acid spirit with the ashes1 and the precipitation and mortification of both1 from that conjoined matter1 by the pouring on of water1 he may extract and boil up the ,salt1 and then dissolve the ,salt in ,urine1 and digest it by ,circulatory ,vessels2 by which means he may obtain the best ,salt-petre in the space of one year4 ,this labour of pressing the juice out of ,wood1 and at the same time of making ,stones into ,lime1 may be used in all those ,cities and ,places where wood and stones are plenty4 ,but if this operation were to be instituted in a ,wood1 there would be no need of a ,furnace built with stone1 seeing that the ,pile of ,wood might be covered all over with green ,turfs1 after the same manner which ,colliers use in making their ,charcoal1 only with this difference1 that here must be a hole in the side1 to which the duct or pipe is to be adjoined4 ,the juice being pressed out1 the pile or stack is to be every where well closed1 that the ,air may have no passage1 if you would preserve the ,coals4 ,all being cooled1 the ,coals may be taken out and sold1 or put to necessary uses1 so that the expressed juice1 which being received in no ,vessel1 would have vanished in smoke1 plainly costs nothing2 but if you do not desire ,coals1 let them be burnt into ashes1 that they may serve for the coagulating the spirit into salt1 and afterwards by the help of the air1 in a certain space of time transmute it into good ,salt-,petre4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,a4 ,ist der ,ofen darin das holtz gebresset wirdt4 ,b4 ,der deckel darmit der ,ofen geschlossen wirdt4 ,c4 ,die thur an dem ,ofen dardurch man die kohlen aus nimbt4 ,d4 ,seind die rhren darinnen sich der holtzsafft ,condensirt vnd heraus rinnt4 ,e4 ,ist ein fas darin der holt essig laufft4 ,illustration3 ,a4 ,ist der ,ofen4 ,b4 ,das distillier gefs in dem ,ofen4 ,c4 ,das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swnge eingetragen wird4 ,d4 ,die ,zange mit deckel darmit das gefs nach dem eintragen geschloss wirdt4 ,e4 ,ein ,eisen lffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt4 ,f4 ,die recipienten4 ,g4 ,die banck darauf die recipienten ligen4 ,h4 der ,laborant4 ,illustration3 ,a4 ,ist der ,ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet4 ,b4 ,ist der ,vnterste theil des ,ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder wand anzusehen4 ,c4 ,ist das obertheil des ,ofens4 ,d4 ,der rost in dem ,ofen4 ,e4 der ,herd4 ,f4 der ,mffel so auff den herd gehret4 ,g4 der ,deckel dar mit der ,ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen darin sein vnd in voller arbeitstehet4 ,h4 das rauch fanglein an dem ,ofen4 ,,nb4 ,it is here also to be noted1 that the expressed juice carries along with it a sharp hot ,oyl of a dark reddish colour1 which is not to be cast away1 but is to be poured upon the ,ashes together with the acid ,spirit1 that putrefying with the ,salts1 it may with the rest put on the nature of ,salt-petre4 ,but he that will may apply the same to other uses2 forasmuch as it is profitable for other things4 ,any ,wood exposed to the ,rain1 or standing in the ,water1 easily rotting1 being anointed with this ,oyl1 will be preserved1 so that it will not so easily rot1 seeing that the water cannot adhere to the ,wood1 but is forced to slide off1 or is hindered from penetrating the ,wood4 ,carters1 or ,waggoners may use the same instead of ,grease to their ,wheels and ,axle-trees1 especially when it is a little thickened with ,suet or ,rosin4 ,but the best use of it that ,i yet know 7if you except ,salt-petre7 is to dissolve and boil it with a sharp ,lixivium made of ,lime and ,ashes1 by which it becometh a very hot and penetrant ,soap1 procuring fertility2 if a poor sandy ground be sprinkled with the same and moistened3 ,for it rendereth it very fruitful2 which thing it doth not only in ,fields1 but also in ,trees and ,vines1 insomuch1 that one ,tun of it avails more in the fatening of ,fields1 than ten ,cart ,loads of ,horse-dung or ,cow-dung3 ,and a ,hogshead1 or ,tun of this ,soap may be carried into ,fields and ,vineyards1 far remote1 more easily than ten ,loads of ,dung1 which is carried to ,vineyards situate in ,rocky places with great labour1 and no small charge4 ,,nb4 ,if this ,soap be used for the fattening of ,vines1 too much of it is not to be used at a time1 least the ,vines grow too fat and luxuriant2 therefore its moderate use is required1 which needs not that exactness in the dunging of ,arable ,land3 ,although in that an excess brings damage1 and indeed it is the excess of good things that doth harm4 ,a ,tree1 or ,vine being made too fat by dunging1 grows luxuriant1 and putteth forth more fruit than it can bear and bring to ,maturity4 ,the ,wood it self becomes too fat and soft1 so that in the ,winter it is easily injured by the cold4 ,whence in all things a ,mediocrity ought to be observed4 ,this ,black ,soap made of the ,oyl of ,wood1 is truly a very great gift of ,god1 in those places where ,sand renders the ground barren4 ,hence the admirable ,wisdom of our ,creator appeareth1 as it were thus speaking to us3 ,ye rude1 and unskilful men1 wherefore do you leave this place uncultivated8 ,because you cannot sow it with any kind of ,grain1 ,i will that it shall produce wood1 and afford you a matter1 with which1 if you will1 you may render it fat4 ,for it is sufficiently known1 that ,animals1 and ,vegetables rotting1 dung the earth1 and render it fat2 which thing even the ,rusticks have now learned1 that they do the same without putrefying or rotting1 when they cut down1 and burn the ,trees and ,bushes1 which had grown up in the ,fields1 during the long time of the ,war1 and spread the ,ashes on the ground1 by which it is fatned4 ,but that they know not how to save1 invert1 and use with the ,ashes for dunging1 the acid ,spirit1 and hot ,oyl1 which vanish in the burning1 ought to seem strange to none1 seeing that no man hath hitherto declared it to them4 ,nevertheless1 ,i perswade my self that this way of dunging of ,land1 will come into use1 in process of time1 but ,i believe not quickly here in ,germany by reason of that great quantity of grain which every place affordeth in this time of ,peace4 ,but if hereafter1 a new ,war should happen 7which ,god avert7 and the ,fields should lie many years untilled1 through the want of ,men1 ,horses1 and other necessaries1 then ,i believe1 and not before1 this necessary ,art will be sought after4 ,but what other things the said juice of ,wood is able to effect1 we cannot here declare1 by reason of our intended brevity3 ,yet this ,i will add1 that if this acid ,spirit be rectified1 it may be used in the preparation of good ,medicines1 in ,mechanick ,arts1 in the making of many fair ,colours1 from the extraction of ,metals1 ,minerals1 and ,stones1 and for all things for which common ,vinegar is used2 yea1 far more commodiously1 because it much exceedeth the common ,wine1 and ,beer ,vinegar in sharpness4 ,and even it self alone is a ,medicine which cureth many incurable ,diseases2 being mixed with warm water1 and used in a ,bath for washing the ,body1 is far more efficacious than those ,baths which issue out of the ,earth2 especially in all ,scabs1 in ,members relaxed by the ,french ,palsie1 ,paralysis ,gallica ,i suppose he means the ,venereal ,lues in ,fistulous and stinking ,ulcers in the ,legs and other parts of the ,body4 ,also in the ,gout1 ,stone1 ,cramp1 ,sciatica1 ,palsie1 ,diseases of the ,womb1 and all sorts of sickness otherwise to be cured by the help of ,baths1 which this ,vinegar pressed out of ,wood1 far exceedeth in ,salubrious ,vertues4 ,the same also doth the hot ,oyl which is expelled by expression with the ,spirit1 which exerteth wonderful ,virtues in curing those ,ulcers and external affects4 ,for which certainly1 as a great gift1 and to be easily found in all places1 none of those who are burdened with grievous ,diseases1 can render sufficient thanks to the ,almighty3 ,but especially the ,poor1 who have not ,money to buy ,physick4 ,,nb4 ,here also it ought to be observed1 that those who use the ,bath tempered with the juice of ,wood1 should before they enter into it drink some spoonfuls of this ,vinegar4 ,for this ,vinegar by penetrating the whole ,body1 casteth out all things superfluous and noxious to nature by sweat1 and openeth all ,obstructions of the ,liver1 ,spleen1 and ,lungs3 ,and especially when the ,vinegar is elicited from a ,wood1 or ,herb1 which is endowed with peculiar ,virtues for the eradicating of those ,diseases4 ,as for ,example3 ,the acid ,spirit of the ,vine1 ,beech1 ,birch1 and the like1 taketh away the ,obstructions of the ,internal ,bowels4 ,that of the ,oak1 and other hard ,woods1 cureth the ,corruption of the ,blood1 and all ,diseases proceeding thence1 as the ,pox1 ,leprosie1 external ,ulcers of all sorts1 ,scabs1 ,fistula1 and all open ,sores4 ,also all ,contractures or ,cramps1 ,falling-sickness1 ,apoplexy1 and ,palsie4 ,so the ,vinegar of ,ash1 ,cherry-tree1 ,plumb-tree1 ,sloe1 or ,bullace-tree1 ,medlar-tree1 ,arbute-tree1 and the like ,trees1 which bear ,fruits having ,stones or ,kernels1 cure the ,gout1 and the ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder4 ,that of ,balsamick ,herbs1 as ,st4 ,john's ,wort1 ,sage1 ,paul's ,betony1 or ,fleuellin1 ,sanicle1 ,betony1 ,lung-wort1 ,liver-wort1 ,saxifrage1 and other like1 taketh away the internal ,hurts of the ,liver and ,lungs1 and all inward affects arising from ,blows1 ,falls1 c4 ,so efficacious a ,medicine is this juice of ,wood1 that the most costly ,galenical ,compositions are forced to give it place4 ,in making the ,bath one ,pound of the acid ,spirit is to be added to ten pints of water1 and this quantity to be augmented1 or diminished1 according to the condition of the ,patient and the ,disease4 ,before the use of the ,bath1 some drops of the ,oyl may be adjoined to the spoonfulls of ,spirit1 which so fortifieth the ,spirit1 that it more readily penetrateth the body1 more forcibly accosteth the ,disease1 and the sooner expelleth it4 ,in ,gouty ,pains1 and in the stone of the ,kidneys1 the same ,oyl being rubbed upon the part with the ,spirit1 gives a relief not to be contemned4 ,in brief1 this juice of ,woods and ,herbs1 if it be duly prepared and used1 is able to shame and confound all the ,apothecaries ,shops of ,galenical ,medicines1 notwithstanding their proud ,furniture of ,painted and ,gilded ,glasses and ,boxes4 ,and ,i do not doubt but in process of time1 that ,physicians out of a good ,conscience1 will explode those unprofitable ,coctions1 and in their room institute better preparations1 that ,god may have his due praise1 and the miseries of the sick receive succour4 ,for although this acid water doth not contain the ,virtues of the whole ,herb1 nevertheless it is to be reputed and used as an efficacious water of ,herbs1 in ,medicine1 seeing that that which is used in the ,shops hath very little virtue1 as daily experience witnesseth3 ,it being nothing but the pure ,phlegm of the ,herb1 the chief ,virtues and ,essence of the ,herb remaining in the supposed fces1 although the water hath carried along with it something of the ,smell and ,taste4 ,look upon any dry ,herb1 which the heat of the ,sun or ,air hath deprived of all its ,phlegm and ,humidity1 and see whether it be also deprived of its ,smell1 ,taste1 and ,efficacy4 ,and although in length of time it will lose all its ,taste and ,smell1 nevertheless its chief ,virtues yet lie hid in it4 ,yea1 although its acetum be drawn from it by distillation1 that an unskilful man would think that there remained no virtue at all in the remaining black ,coals of ,wood or ,herbs1 yet the most efficacious ,virtues yet lie hid in the best ,sulphur and ,salt4 ,and that great ,virtue doth yet remain in the ,coals1 is not unknown to ,rusticks1 who in the ,winter burn them to warm themselves1 and boil their food1 which thing they could never do by the ,phlegm separated by distillation4 ,those black and contemptible ,coals are of so great vertue1 that they emulate the powers and properties of the most ,noble ,creature the ,sun1 for which cause they merit the name of ,terrestrial ,suns4 ,for whatsoever the ,astral and ,sydereal ,sun effecteth in the superiour ,firmament1 the same doth the ,terrestrial ,suns1 viz4 ,coals1 which are its ,vicars1 also effect4 ,the superiour rendereth all things partakers of ,life and ,growth1 the same doth also the inferiour ,suns4 ,in the ,winter time when the ,sun is far distant from us1 all the ,vegetables of the ,earth are as it were dead3 ,in the ,spring upon his return1 all things revive1 grow1 move1 increase1 and are nourished4 ,insects themselves which have hid themselves in ,holes and ,caverns of the ,earth to fly from ,cold1 and have lain as dead1 do again come forth into the light4 ,all which effects are produced by the superiour ,sun4 ,the same things also the inferiour ,sun can effect4 ,for when ,flies1 ,spiders1 and other like ,insects in any ,parlour or ,chamber1 to shun the cold1 betake themselves to ,holes and ,chinks1 and there lie as it were dead2 the first heat they perceive by the making of a fire in that room1 recover their former life1 and again creep out of their hiding places1 as upon the ,suns approaching us in the ,spring4 ,yea1 if in such a ,room made hot1 there had been before reposited great ,insects1 as ,frogs1 ,snakes1 ,lizards1 and the like1 as also ,herbs killed by the cold1 they would revive1 recover strength and grow equally as if they had been illustrated by the ,rays of the great ,elementary ,sun4 ,therefore if this ,contemptible ,coal1 which in the judgment of the unskilful is deprived of all its ,juice and ,virtue1 can perform these things2 what a ,medicine think you may be prepared by the help of ,art of such a ,coal8 ,but some ,putatious ,physician may here ask2 who can prepare any ,medicine from so dry and insipid a ,coal8 ,it can neither be dissolved by the strongest ,corrosive ,liquor1 nor by the most intense fire1 if no air come to it3 of which1 if the least ,portion shall touch it1 it presently conceiveth flame1 and is consumed1 so that nothing of it remains but a few ashes mixt with a little ,salt4 ,and those ,virtues which refresh all things living1 and revive the dead1 all perish by ,combustion1 and vanish in smoak1 which could they be taken and preserved1 might doubtless afford a ,medicine of great moment4 ,to this ,i answer3 wherefore cannot so great an efficacy be preserved1 and used for the making of a good ,medicine1 before that it vanisheth by burning1 and flieth into the air8 ,whatsoever ,philosopher is ignorant of the manner of effecting this1 truly he is a weak ,philosopher1 who ought to blush in that he setteth himself before others1 and contemneth them who exceed himself in ,learning and ,science4 ,he that knoweth not how to use any palpable and coagulated matter1 before it be consumed by burning1 and vanisheth away1 by what means will he elicit the same out of its ,chaos1 and concentrate it8 ,but that the way of freeing this ,noble ,sulphur from its ,bonds and ,keepers1 is not known to everyone1 is no wonder4 ,for it will not come at every call4 ,of all the ,philosophers1 there is none who more clearly and openly teacheth by what means it may be delivered from its ,bonds1 than ,sandivogius1 who expresly saith1 ,that this ,sulphur lies hid and is held ,captive in an obscure or dark prison1 and kept by very strong keepers4 ,but that ,salt only in the conflict or fight1 gave him a deadly wound4 ,no ,man hath spoken more clearly than this worthy ,author4 ,therefore he that knoweth not how to extricate that ,vital virtue from its bonds1 and how to use it in ,medicine1 let him read the above cited ,sandivogius1 who will clearly instruct him4 ,if he cannot learn of him1 there is no reason why any one should labour to help him4 ,i will propose the matter by a similitude2 a ,man is compounded of three things1 viz4 ,body1 ,soul1 and ,spirit2 ,the ,body is visible1 immoveable1 gross1 earthy1 and corruptible3 ,the ,spirit is invisible1 movable1 living1 and nevertheless mortal2 ,but the ,soul of ,man1 which is his most noble part1 is immortal4 ,in like manner1 there is also a certain ,anima or ,vital ,principle in ,vegetables and ,minerals1 although there are few who know how to extract it4 ,therefore as in ,man the ,soul is the most noble part2 to which the ,spirit is inferiour1 and the ,body the lowest or vilest2 so it is also with ,vegetables and ,minerals4 ,to acquire the ,anima or ,vital ,principle of any ,vegetable or ,mineral1 that fixed and constant ,anima is to be separated by the help of ,art1 from the gross1 unprofitable1 and dead body4 ,for as long as the gross body adhereth to this noble ,principle1 so long it cannot move it self in a due manner1 nor demonstrate its nobility1 but is held ,captive by its gross body1 till it be set at liberty1 by some body who knows how to dissolve its bonds4 ,being freed from its bonds1 and the gross body laid aside1 it can presently exert its power4 ,therefore let this be the principal care of ,physicians1 that instead of a body dead1 and destitute of ,virtue1 they labour to attain the fixed and living ,anima of ,vegetables1 that using that in the cure of diseases they may perform far greater things than now they do4 ,i have here inserted this discourse1 only for this cause1 that ,i might shew that a whole or intire body is of very little moment1 and that that thing whereby any ,good is to be effected in ,medicine1 is to be found only in the most noble part1 to wit1 the ,anima4 ,and even1 as in ,minerals1 besides a fixed and incombustible ,sulphur1 there is also found another1 combustible and fugacious3 so also there is found a twofold ,sulphur in ,vegetables1 in the destilling of which1 by a ,retort1 an ,oil is expelled1 together with the acid ,spirit and ,phlegm1 which indeed hath its virtues1 but can in no wise perform those things which that part remaining in the black ,coals is wont to effect4 ,for by how much a ,medicine shall be more fixed and constant1 by so much the more do they enter and encounter long and fixed diseases2 so on the contrary1 fugacious medicines are found less efficacious in eradicating the same4 ,what ,i have said concerning ,vegetables1 viz4 ,that there is in them a volatile and fugacious spirit1 and a constant fixed ,anima2 the same is also to be understood of ,minerals1 which besides a combustible ,sulphur1 possess also a fixed and constant ,anima4 ,but whosoever knoweth how to conjoin the ,anima of ,vegetables with the ,anima of ,minerals1 hath obtained a ,medicine which is able1 after a wonderful manner1 to corroborate the ,vital ,spirit in ,man4 ,for the ,anim of ,vegetables and ,minerals1 are the ,rays of the ,sun coagulated1 which necessarily contain a vivifying or enlivening power1 seeing that the sun maketh all things partakers of ,life4 ,and a man1 if he only beholds the sun1 or its ,vicar the fire1 the earthly sun1 although he be in some very deep and cold place under ground1 where he cannot feel its warming and enlivening power2 yet he shall perceive his ,heart to be recreated and strengthened by the bare aspect of it3 ,but how much greater a recreation and corroboration would he perceive1 if he should take the ,anima of ,wine1 or of some other ,herb conjoined with the ,anima of ,gold1 for the curing of his body1 with both which it hath a great familiarity2 for like rejoiceth in like1 and desireth to be joined to it3 ,and therefore it ought to seem strange to no man1 that ,i assert1 the humidum radicale of the humane body may be augmented by the ,anim of ,vegetables and of ,gold3 ,for the ,anima of ,vegetables is nothing else but an essential universal salt1 which is found in all things4 ,seeing therefore that ,philosophers confess1 that the redness of gold and whiteness of silver may be encreased by its own universal salt1 it is reasonable for us to acquiess in the same opinion1 and to maintain it against those that erre4 ,a visible and palpable demonstration is to be credited4 ,nevertheless ,i easily perswade my self1 that this discourse of mine will not be credited by many1 which ,i cannot help4 ,it contenteth me1 that ,i have written the ,truth1 and lighted a ,candle to my ,neighbour4 ,after one and the same manner1 of ,wood of little or no worth1 ,i have shewed the making of ,salt-petre1 for ,souldiers1 ,gardeners1 ,vintners1 and ,husband-men1 fit for the dunging of ,orchards1 ,vineyards1 ,fields1 and ,meadows2 of commodious ,baths1 for the ,sick2 of a good ,vinegar for ,chymists and ,apothecaries1 necessary for many extractions4 ,it now remains1 that ,i also offer a ,gift to the ,owners of ,metallick ,mines4 ,if they shall humect or moisten the ,calx viva1 or ,lime made of stones1 in the ,press1 as we have taught1 with the ,acetum or ,vinegar of ,wood1 they shall obtain a cheap ,flux1 by which those hard and untractable stones digged out of metallick ,veins1 may easily be melted2 for the acid spirit of ,wood is fixed by the ,lime1 and converted into a salt1 causing an easie ,flux4 ,nevertheless1 this salt will be of greater profit to ,husband-men1 for the dunging and fattening their ,fields 7for whose sake ,i also describe it7 than in the melting of ,mineral bodies4 ,physicians may use the noble and efficacious juice of ,wood1 for the happy cure of many incurable diseases1 and to their own honour and profit4 ,this ,vinegar of ,wood being exposed in ,hogsheads to the cold in ,winter1 that it may be frozen to ,ice1 the ,phlegm only freezeth1 but the sharp spirit1 with the ,oil1 is not turned into ,ice1 but remaineth in the middle of the ,hogshead so sharp1 that it corrodeth metals like ,aqua-fortis4 ,if ,princes and ,great men would be pleased to take care that the ,wood in their ,dominions 7otherwise rotting in the ,woods7 might be turned into ,salt-,petre1 they would do well1 and it would not repent them of their labour1 seeing there is a time at hand1 in which ,salt-,petre will be much wanted4 ,there is yet another secret1 which for the sake of ,country-men ,i ought to discover1 which will yield them no small profit2 which is this3 ,if ,hop-poles be burnt at the ends which are to go into the ,earth1 and those burnt ends dipt in the ,oil of ,wood1 that they may imbibe or suck in that fatness1 and afterwards set into the earth1 they admit no humidity or moisture1 which otherwise they are wont to do1 being every year diminished in that part which standeth in the earth4 ,it also cometh to pass1 that they communicate their fatness to the vines and stalks of the ,hops to which they are joined1 and render them more fat and fruitful1 by this means affording a twofold profit1 first in preserving the ,hop-poles from rotting a longer time than they are wont to last4 ,the other is1 ,that the ,roots of the ,vines and ,hops1 drawing fatness and nourishment from the bottoms of the poles grow the faster1 and are more fruitful4 ,moreover1 those ends of the poles1 in length of time growing rotten1 yet there is no loss of the ,oil1 but still the same profit remaineth1 seeing that those rotten ends of the poles being taken up and planted again in the earth with the ,roots of ,hops1 they will afford them nourishment for some years1 better than if they had been dunged with dung4 ,in like manner1 by the help of this ,oil of ,wood1 strong and durable quick-hedges may be made for the fencing in of ,vineyards1 ,orchards1 ,gardens1 and ,hop-yards1 by which ,beasts and ,thieves may be kept out4 ,for this purpose the sharp end of the stakes fit for the ,hedges1 are to be put into the ,fire till they grow black1 and then whilst they are hot1 be dipped into the ,oil1 that they may well imbibe the same4 ,with these1 being drove into the ground after the usual manner1 an ,hedge may be made by planting a young shoot or set of ,thorn1 ,crab-tree1 c4 all along between the ,stakes4 ,those sets or sprigs1 which otherwise1 growing but slowly1 are many years before they come to a requisite height and thickness1 their roots now obtaining fatness and nourishment from this ,oil1 arrive to maturity in less than half the usual time1 and become a thick and strong ,quick-hedge before the ,stakes are rotten4 ,moreover1 there is no danger of wild ,beasts coming into those places where the ,hedge stakes are imbrewed with this ,oil1 seeing that wild ,beasts shun all strong odours1 and dare not approach them4 ,if you shall imbibe ,hempen-,cords1 or such as are made of the ,bark of ,trees twisted together with ,grass1 with the said ,oil1 and then bind them about ,fruit-trees1 it will hinder the creeping up of ,spiders1 ,ants1 or ,pismires1 ,palmer or ,canker-,worms1 and other the like ,insects1 which are wont to damnifie ,fruit2 inasmuch as those ,insects plainly abhor such hot ,oils4 ,by this means also may ,rats and ,mice be hindered from creeping up ,hovel-posts1 and devouring the ,grain4 ,there is yet another manner of promoting the dunging of ,fields1 and the happy growth of ,seeds1 and not only those ,fields which are lean and sandy1 to which ,cow-dung may be used1 but also those which are hard and craggy1 in which neither sand nor any dust of ,earth is found4 ,but in making manifest this ,artifice to the whole ,world1 my intention is not that the ,world should thereby be inriched with great profit1 as ,i have endeavoured by describing the manner of ,dunging poor ,sandy ,land1 by the acid juice of ,wood4 ,my ,scope or end is only this1 ,that every man may see and consider how many wonderful things may be effected with wood and shrubs1 which are every where found in great quantity1 and nevertheless are of no use or profit4 ,who would credit any man1 affirming1 that it might be effected1 that not only ,grain1 but all sorts of ,trees1 and excellent ,vines should grow in any hard and naked ,rock1 without the addition of any ,earth or ,dung8 ,truly1 ,i believe that there is no man in the ,world1 to whom this will seem likely4 ,this will more amaze ,farnner1 with his whole ,crew1 than my ,miraculum ,mundi did4 ,yet because the thing may be done1 ,i cannot forbear to divulge the ,artifice1 only to this end1 that ,i may subject the ,divine ,wonders to the eyes of the blinded ,world4 ,but yet it cannot be1 but that it will be profitable in many places1 in those especially which lie near ,rivers1 and afford ,wine2 such are those which lie upon the ,mne1 ,mosell1 ,necker1 ,rhine1 ,danube1 and other the like ,rivers1 where great and craggy ,mountains frequently occurr2 in which having the heat of the ,sun all the day1 ,vines might be commodiously planted1 if ,earth and ,dung could be carried thither4 ,certainly ,vines grow no where better than in ,rocks and ,craggs1 into whose clefts and cracks they insinuate their roots1 that they may thence attract to themselves nourishment1 which few other ,plants are wont to do3 ,and because for the most part much ,wood grows about such ,rocks1 it would be worth while to press out its juice1 by which the hard ,rocks might be reduced into a soft ,dust1 fit for the ,reception of ,vines1 which might be performed by this operation2 which nevertheless would not be necessary to undertake1 but for the manifesting of the wonders of ,god to the unskilful1 and shewing that such things may be done4 ,if any desireth to plant in a place of this sort1 in which ,vines or ,trees growing freely in rocky and stony places1 as ,cherry-trees1 ,plumb-trees1 ,service-trees1 and others1 bearing ,fruits which have ,stones2 at the beginning1 a little hole is to be cut in the ,rock by the help of ,masons ,tools1 which is to be filled with the ,vinegar of ,wood2 which being done1 the hole is to be covered to keep off the ,rain4 ,after some daies1 let him see whether the ,vinegar hath insinuated it self into the ,rock1 and again fill up the hole with fresh ,vinegar1 and cover it with a ,stone1 as before4 ,and this ,labour is to be repeated in the ,summer time so often1 till the ,rock hath drunk up much ,vinegar1 and be thereby so softned for the space of an ,ell in length1 breadth1 and depth1 that it may be easily dug up with a sharp ,instrument1 and become a great hole2 the matter digged out is again to be cast into the hole1 and to be again filled with the ,vinegar of ,wood1 and covered with stones1 and so left till all the matter grows so soft1 that it may be crumbled to pieces with the fingers4 ,and in the ,autumn1 when ,trees have lost their ,leaves1 or in the ,spring1 before the ,leaves come forth1 viz4 in the ,month of ,march1 ,vines or ,trees are to be planted in the matter contained in the hole1 and the matter to be trampled close down about their ,roots1 then all to be wetted by the pouring on of ,water1 and the event to be committed to ,god4 ,so the ,vines or ,trees grow as well as if they had been planted in other manured ground4 ,the reason is this2 ,because the ,rocks consisting not of ,sand1 but of stones1 fit for the making of ,lime1 do contain much ,salt-,petre1 as also the acid juice of ,wood1 partaketh of the same nature1 this1 by corroding the ,rock1 dissolveth the ,salt-,petre in the stone1 and setteth it free1 and at the same time loseth its own corrosive ,acrimony1 so that it cannot hurt the ,roots of ,vegetables1 but is like to ,cow-dung or rather better1 for it fatteneth and nourisheth the ,roots better4 ,therefore a ,tree or ,vine planted after this manner in a ,rock1 if it shall once put forth1 afterwards dieth not1 but the ,roots insinuating themselves into the ,clefts of the ,rock1 seek their own nourishment4 ,nevertheless every ,winter when the ,leaves are fallen off1 some of that acid juice is to be poured to the ,trunk of the ,tree or ,vine1 that during the ,winter1 it may again soften some ,portion of the stone1 which will afford new matter of nourishment to the ,roots4 ,and by thus affusing of fresh juice every year1 there will be no need of ,earth or ,dung1 seeing that the ,stone is changed into earth and dung by the juice of the wood4 ,although this ,arcanum will seem a thing impossible to many1 yet it is most true1 of which1 if any will make trial1 he may easily do it in this manner3 ,let him get a stone which doth not consist of sand1 but of such of which ,lime is made1 which being exposed to the ,sun1 let him pour upon it the acid ,liquor of ,wood2 which when the stone shall have well imbibed or drank in1 let him pour on more1 and repeat this labour so often1 till the stone be rendered so soft1 as it may be rubbed to powder between the fingers4 ,in this matter1 rubbed or ground small1 let him sow any ,seed1 which will sprout forth thence1 as if it had been sowed in any good earth3 ,the reason we have already declared1 viz4 because the stone is converted into earth1 having its own ,salt-,petre1 or proper ,dung in it self1 and moreover1 changing the juice of wood into ,salt-,petre4 ,he who rightly understandeth and followeth my ,doctrine1 and shall set about the ,work with diligence1 will without doubt attain his end4 ,but if he tries with a ,sandy stone1 he will effect nothing4 ,for stones of this sort want a nourishing ,salt1 and they wholly refuse solution by the ,liquor of ,wood1 so far are they from imbibing1 coagulating1 and changing it into a ,dungy ,salt4 ,but after the following manner any one may prove1 that natural ,salt-,petre may be made of the stones of which ,lime is made1 and the juice of ,wood4 ,let him take some pieces of this sort of ,lime-stone1 not yet burnt 7for when burnt1 it is much more facile1 as ,i have taught7 and immerge or dip them all over in the ,vinegar of ,wood1 and dry them in the heat of the ,sun1 or some other warm place1 and let him repeat this labour so often until they be so soft that they may be rubbed or ground to pieces like ,earth4 ,from this ground matter extract the ,salt with ,rain-water1 which will be plainly like to ,salt-,petre4 ,so of the ,stone is made ,earth2 of the ,salt of that ,stone1 and the ,vinegar of ,wood1 ,salt-,petre2 or a salt equally ,serving with the ,dung of ,cows or ,sheep1 for the dunging of all ,vegetables4 ,nevertheless we have not written these things to that end1 as if it were necessary to plant ,rocks with ,vines1 by the help of the ,vinegar of ,wood4 ,our purpose is only to set forth how the great efficacy of the juice of ,wood may be known1 and how by its help1 fertility may be procured even to the hardest ,rocks1 which being hitherto unknown and unheard of1 my diligent search and enquiry hath now brought to light4 ,let it not seem absurd to any1 that ,i ascribe so great power to the ,vinegar of ,wood2 for common ,vinegar doth the same thing in softening of hard ,rocks3 ,why then should not this acid juice of ,wood do it1 which far exceeds the common in strength and sharpness8 ,it is said1 that ,hannibal made a passage through the ,alps1 for himself and his ,army1 softening the ,rocks by the benefit of ,vinegar2 what ,vinegar that was1 ,histories do not mention4 ,perhaps it was the ,vinegar of ,wine2 but if he had had the ,vinegar of ,wood1 he might sooner have attained his desire4 ,this ,arcanum1 without doubt1 will give occasion of finding out many other profitable things1 by the help of this ,vinegar4 ,i have opened the way1 let another come1 who by searching further may enlarge it1 that thereby some perfection may the sooner be acquired4 ,there are many things lie hidden in ,nature1 which through our sloth and negligence not being sought after1 yield no profit to ,mankind4 ,but ,i doubt not but time will produce sedulous men1 who will make a further progress in this ,vinegar1 so that much profit may redound from it4 ,there is found another kind of stones1 which for the most part is used for the building of ,houses1 which being soft1 is easily cut1 so that steps or stairs1 and ,window-frames are made of it4 ,it is to be reduced by the help of ,fire into a ,calx of a white1 ashy1 and reddish colour2 it also refuseth to be melted2 nor is it like to ,sandy stones1 but is ,partaker of both natures1 and contains much ,salt-,petre4 ,but neither by its reduction into a ,calx1 nor by the pouring on of water1 can it be extorted from them1 except it be first prepared after a singular manner1 for then it yields to water2 concerning which thing ,i have written a peculiar ,treatise1 which ,god willing shall shortly come forth4 ,there are whole ,mountains of this sort of stone1 containing a great ,treasure of ,salt-,petre1 which hath hitherto been known to none4 ,these few things ,i was willing to offer to ,country-men1 concerning the pressing of wood1 and the utility thereof4 ,the ,circulatory ,vessels in which the juice of the wood1 and all the salts of the ,air are animated by an uncessant motion1 and converted into ,salt-,petre1 ,i will not divulge at this time1 but reserve them for my self and my ,friends4 ,these are described in the ,third ,part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in the mean time this excellent ,art will not sleep1 but will be exercised in many places4 ,now whosoever shall need the same1 he will know what is to be done4 ,for ,i have determined to bestow the same for the good of my ,neighbour1 lest it should be buried with me in oblivion4 ,i have also an ,artificial ,invention 7which is taught in ,the ,prosperity of ,germany7 of turning common salt in the space of a few hours1 so that it shall be plainly like ,salt-,petre1 for the enriching of poor1 lean fields2 and yet an hundred weight of it will scarce cost a ,doller 7which is about #d s4 #f d47 ,which is indeed a singular ,gift of ,god in these last times1 which will be highly profitable both to the ,rich and ,poor1 in all places of the ,world4 ,for if the ,culture of ,wine and ,corn shall every where become better1 and more profitable1 by the help of this ,art1 it cannot be1 but that all men will receive profit1 and obtain a more commodious way of living4 ,for by this ,art1 not only all ,fields1 whether they have lately brought forth ,fruit1 or whether they have lain fallow1 and for some time brought forth nothing1 are brought to that condition1 that they may bear ,fruit every year3 but also barren places1 which would never bring forth any ,fruit1 are rendered fertile1 and fit to bear ,fruit2 so that no place can be found in the world1 how barren soever it be1 which by this medium may not be rendered fertile4 ,moreover1 this ,art is to be greatly esteemed1 because by it ground may be fattened in those places where no ,cattel are found1 and therefore afford no dung2 seeing that hitherto no other than the ordinary way of dunging hath been known4 ,so also in places far remote from the ,dwellings of men1 to which ,dung cannot be carried1 this ,art may be exercised with great profit2 especially when ,dung is difficult to be procured1 or costs dear1 and is not carried to those remote places without great charge1 for which reason they cannot be tilled1 but are forced to lie uncultivated4 ,seeing that one ,hogshead of my fattening ,salt can effect more than some ,cart-loads of common ,dung4 ,nevertheless this is to be noted1 ,that when any ,field dunged with the said salt1 is to be sowed with ,corn1 the seed is first to be macerated or steeped for one night in water1 in which that salt is dissolved4 ,for being so prepared1 it will grow faster than if it had been committed to the ,earth1 without any foregoing maceration4 ,consider1 when the ,souldiers have taken away the ,horses and ,carts1 carried away the ,oxen1 devoured the ,cows and ,sheep1 and wasted the whole ,country1 by what means shall the wasted ,fields be dunged and restored to the ,husband-man1 that returning to their former fruitfulness1 he may reap from them the expected ,fruit4 ,indeed1 in time of ,peace1 when ,horses and ,oxen abound both for the ploughing of the ground1 and making of ,dung1 ,dung is alwaies of worth1 there never being too much of it1 and therefore this my ,invention may bring not a little profit4 ,whence it may be of a far greater advantage in those places1 where 7by the ,divine permission7 those ,locusts have eaten up all things4 ,ought we not then to receive so excellent a ,gift of ,god with all ,thankfulness8 ,the ,omnipotent ,,god give to us all ,his ,grace1 that we may shun all temporal and carnal ,security1 as the deceitful snare of the ,devil1 and seek after that which is eternal1 constant1 and perpetual4 ,amen4 ,arcanum ,,ii4 ,being a ,gift presented to rich ,merchants1 c4 that they may improve their ,money and ,estates without ,usury4 ,although ,i had determined to treat of this ,arcanum1 with other excellent uses of ,salt-,petre in the emendation of ,metals1 in the ,third ,part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany2 yet for certain reasons ,i have deferred the publishing of that ,book for some time2 but considering my profitable ,inventions of making ,salt-,petre1 and not doubting but that there will be found men who will put ,salt-,petre to better uses than that of making ,gun-powder1 ,i could not forbear here to describe one good and profitable use of the said salt in the emendation of ,metals1 which is free for any boldly to experience1 seeing that ,i have written the very ,truth4 ,he that shall follow the sence of my words1 and hath some skill in metallick ,labours1 will not lose his pains1 but will thence reap no contemptible profit4 ,but if any man would perswade himself that such a work is to be done without labour and trouble1 and great ,masses of ,gold to be obtained with idleness1 he will be greatly deceived1 not considering that this requires his putting his hand to the plough1 and using great diligence4 ,i have described the following ,operation openly and clearly2 affirming1 that it will succeed to the ,operator1 according to my description4 ,if any shall erre in the performance1 let him blame himself and his own ignorance1 and not me4 ,for in this process all things are plain1 and to be understood according to the ,letter1 and may also be performed by an easie imitation4 ,the manner of the ,operation4 ,r4 of ,copper one part1 of ,gold or ,silver two parts1 and of ,regulus ,martis three parts1 all which melt together in a good and well-covered ,crucible1 taking great heed that no ,coals fall into the ,crucible and corrupt the ,work4 ,all being melted1 and the cover taken off1 yet warily that no ,coals fall into the ,crucible1 cast in as much ,salt-,petre1 well dried and powdered1 as there is of ,copper and ,regulus in the ,crucible1 to the melted matter1 and again cover the ,crucible1 with the same caution about the ,coals1 which so put about the ,crucible1 that they may not lie upon its ,cover1 but it may be at liberty1 to be commodiously lifted up with the ,tongs for the inspecting the ,mass in the ,crucible4 ,for if the ,fire should be too great1 the ,salt-,petre would boil over the ,crucible1 and inferr loss4 ,and this may easily happen1 seeing that the ,salt-,petre entring and working upon the ,regulus and ,copper1 swelleth and riseth up4 ,wherefore it is necessary1 that this ,work should be done in such a ,furnace1 as ,i have described in the ,fourth ,part of my ,furnaces1 having its doors1 by which the ,fire may be governed1 and rendered stronger or weaker4 ,after that the ,salt-,petre hath imbibed the ,regulus and ,copper1 and turned them into a reddish ,scoria1 which is wont to be done in the space of a quarter or half an hour1 the lower door being opened1 the upper one must be shut1 that the ,fire becoming stronger1 may melt the ,scoria1 till they flow like water2 which when you see1 by lifting up the ,cover a little1 remove the ,coals about the upper part of the ,crucible1 and take off the ,cover1 and having taken good hold of the ,crucible with your ,tongs1 lift it out of the ,furnace1 and pour out the melted matter into a melting ,cup or ,cone1 ,such a one is described by its ,figure in the ,fourth ,part of ,furnaces4 being first heat1 and well smeared within with ,wax2 in the bottom of which1 when cold1 there will be a ,regulus of pure ,gold1 which being freed from the ,scoria1 will be so much encreased in weight1 as it hath attracted from the ,copper and ,regulus ,martis1 which will be the fiftieth part of the weight of the ,gold4 ,the red ,scoria1 which have a fiery taste upon the ,tongue1 contain the ,salt-,petre1 ,copper1 and ,regulus reduced into a ,scoria2 which if you would separate from the ,salt-petre1 as soon as you have parted it from the ,regulus1 put it again into the ,crucible in the ,furnace1 put a ,coal to it in the ,crucible1 which being well covered1 let it again flow well for a quarter of an hour4 ,in this ,operation1 the ,coal or ,coals put to the ,metals1 viz4 the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony1 will separate them by precipitation from the ,salt-,petre1 so that they will become a ,regulus together1 and the fixed ,salt-,petre will be separated1 and rest upon the ,regulus1 from which being cooled1 it may be removed by knocking it off4 ,if the operation be rightly performed1 you will recover almost all the ,regulus and ,copper3 but little also of the ,salt-,petre is lost1 which hath now put on another nature1 becomes fixt1 and answereth in virtue to the salt of ,tartar4 ,,nb4 ,because those ,scoria cannot be so perfectly removed from the ,salt-,petre by the ,coals1 but it still retaineth somewhat of the ,copper and ,regulus1 which the ,coals could not precipitate2 they may be kept in some warm place1 lest they be dissolved by the air1 till you have a quantity of them2 which being reduced by burning ,coals1 may yield their ,metal4 ,of which more shall be said anon4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this ,labour1 although it squares not with the capacity of the rude and unskilful1 nevertheless it is easie to be done by those who have any knowledge in the melting of ,metals4 ,but all the manners of operating cannot be so accurately delivered1 that every unskilful man should presently be rendered capable of understanding them2 ,i write the ,truth openly1 and he that well understandeth me1 may rejoice with profit4 ,i write not to unskilful ,tyro's1 but only to those who know how to handle ,metals in the ,fire4 ,it may be here asked1 ,whether this augmentation of the ,gold1 ariseth from the ,copper1 or from the ,regulus of ,antimony8 ,i answer1 from both1 but more from the ,copper than from the ,regulus4 ,for there is no ,copper or ,antimony found1 from which ,gold is not elicited after the aforesaid manner1 seeing that there is in both an invisible and spiritual ,gold1 nevertheless one containeth more than another2 and being melted with ,gold1 give it forth to the same1 which also attracteth it4 ,therefore as often as ,copper1 and ,regulus of ,antimony1 and ,salt-petre shall be melted together with ,gold1 so often will the ,gold receive an encrease2 so that this ,labour being repeated eight or ten times every day1 there will be an augmentation of the ,gold not to be contemned1 for besides all the ,cost1 it will afford the daily ,gain of one ,floren out of an hundred4 7,a ,floren is #b s4 in ,germany1 about two and twenty pence value in our ,money47 ,this is certainly a profit to those who will put their ,money to ,usury1 much more honourable and safe than their trusting it in the hands of others4 ,but seeing that this ,labour is to be performed in ,crucibles1 7and that too in large ones1 if the gain aforesaid be expected7 it doth not want its trouble and difficulties2 for if a man will use great ,crucibles1 he can hardly perform the ,operation above three or four times in a day2 and if he use small ones1 although it be ten or eleven times repeated in a day1 yet the profit will be very small4 ,i will therefore here appoint a way to do it without ,crucibles1 upon ,hearths instead of ,crucibles1 which neither let out the melted matter by running over1 or by their cracking or breaking1 as ,crucibles are wont to do1 but alwaies remaining in the ,oven or ,furnace1 save the trouble of putting in and taking out of the ,fire4 ,for ,crucibles1 how good soever they be1 being exposed to the cold ,air1 by taking out1 and thence being suddenly again put into a great heat1 are very easily broken4 ,from whence it is manifest1 that great danger of losing some of the ,gold attends the use of great ,crucibles1 so that their use is to be abstained from1 altho' the ,work it self be of great profit4 ,but good strong ,hearths may be used for this ,labour1 without all danger2 for as long as they are left in the ,furnace1 so long they are good1 and the melted ,mass doth not flow out4 ,if ,i had not found out this way of working with ,hearths1 ,i should not have divulged this operation1 which is as followeth4 ,the manner of preparing the ,hearths or ,tests4 ,an ,iron ,ring or ,hoop is to be made1 either square or round1 of the thickness of one finger1 and four fingers high 7or deep7 one side being a little narrower or lesser in compass than the other2 being well smoothed or polished on its inside1 having two ears or handles1 whose magnitude and space will be known by the quantity of the matter which is to be daily handled4 ,to prepare the ,focus or ,hearth1 place your ,ring or ,hoop upon some smooth stone1 and then put into it1 so standing1 your ,earth1 being first rightly prepared1 7for this purpose our ,stafford-shire ,clay is excellent1 as also for making of ,crucibles to abide the ,fire7 so that it may a little exceed the upper superficies of your ,hoop1 force it down strongly with a broad ,iron ,hammer1 by beating or knocking it in1 and what riseth above the top of the ,hoop1 cut off with a ,knife1 that it may be even with the ,ring2 then remove it with the ,ring1 and strew upon the stone some fine sand1 or rather the fine powder of broken ,crucibles1 upon which set the ,ring1 with the bottom upwards1 that the other side1 which before lay upon the stone1 may be wrought in with the ,hammer1 as the first1 so that the ,ring or ,mould may be exactly filled with the ,earth4 ,the ,focus or ,hearth being prepared in this manner1 the larger side thereof is to be so excavated or hollowed away by a bowed or crooked ,knife1 having two handles1 so that the rotundity declining from the ,superfices of the ,ring1 even to its middle1 where inclining it self1 it may keep the thickness almost of a finger at the top or superficities of the ,ring1 and so it will become like a ,vessel or ,pan1 having a round or spherical ,cavity1 such ,hearths or ,tests are wont to be prepared of ,ashes1 for the bringing of ,gold and ,silver to a purity in ,metallick ,mines1 ,mints1 c4 at length that hollowed roundness is every where to be smoothed with a smooth and round ,hammer or ,mallet1 and after the smoothing1 the whole ,test being inverted with the ,hoop1 is to be set upon a ,board1 without stirring it2 if the inside of the ,hoop or ,ring were before besmeared well with ,oil1 it will the easier come off of the ,test1 which being exposed to the ,air1 and dried a little1 is then to be set in the heat of the ,sun or warm ,furnace1 that all the humidity being taken away1 it may obtain its requisite dryness1 before it be put into the ,furnace to endure the ,fire2 for except it be very well dried1 it will crack or chap in the ,furnace1 and be wholly unprofitable for this ,work4 ,the ,test being taken out of the ,ring1 and set by1 the inside of the ,ring is again to be anointed with ,oil or ,grease1 for the making of another ,test1 of which so many are to be made as need requires1 or the quantity of the prepared ,earth will allow4 ,the earth that was left in the hollowing of the first being mixed with the rest1 whilst it is yet moist1 serveth again1 so that there is no waste or loss of the ,earth4 ,the same earth also serves for the making of the ,covers or arched ,roofs with which the ,tests are to be covered1 to keep the ,coals from falling into the melted matter4 ,,nb4 ,there is no need of having two ,hammers1 seeing that one sufficeth1 having one end of a hands breadth1 and smooth1 and the other end round4 ,the way of making the ,covers of the ,tests1 which are called ,muffles4 ,first1 a ,type or ,mold is to be made of ,wood1 answering to the bigness of the ,test1 but not with one ,handle1 as those are made for the purifying of silver1 but with two oblong ,necks1 and without ,chaps or ,chinks1 which otherwise are wont to happen1 that so the ,cover may remain entire4 ,then to this wooden ,mould the ,earth is to be applied1 and the ,cover to be wrought in the usual manner4 ,of the ,figure of the ,furnace4 ,the ,furnace is so to be built1 that it may have within-side the space of an hands breadth all round the ,test from its ,walls1 for ,coals1 the ,test standing in the middle2 so that the magnitude of the ,furnace is to be proportionable to that of the ,test1 and may be either round or square1 provided it be built with good ,bricks1 or fit ,stones1 and ,lute1 or ,earth rightly prepared4 ,there ought to be at least a span between the bottom and the grate1 which also ought not to be fastened to the ,furnace1 but standing upon four ,feet1 that it may be taken in and out by the foreside of the ,furnace 7when need requires7 being alwaies open4 ,let the ,furnace rise above the ,grate the heighth of a span1 being every way close1 having no door4 ,upon this heighth of a span a hole is to be left of an hands breadth and heighth1 by which the ,test may be inspected1 and the mixed ,metals put in and taken out1 and the ,fire may have its passage4 ,,nb4 ,but if the ,test should be above a span over1 which would also cause the ,furnace to be the greater2 then that hole being too little1 would not allow a sufficient passage for the ,fire2 therefore the hole is to bear a due proportion to them4 ,from this hole1 nourishing the ,fire by its ventilation1 the ,furnace is yet to be carried up the heighth of two spans1 to its upper hole or top1 where the ,coals are to be put in4 ,moreover1 an ,iron ,cover is to be made with hollow ,superficies1 with ,iron ,buttons1 or little ,knobs infixed1 by which the ,lute being put on1 may stick fast2 the ,convex or upper part of the ,cover must have a ,handle1 by which it may be lifted up when the ,coals are to be put in1 and afterwards put down again to shut the ,furnace4 ,see the ,figure of this ,furnace1 in all its parts1 at the beginning of this ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 noted at the top with ,pag4 #fb4 ,a1 ,the ,furnace1 as it is working4 ,b1 ,the lower part of the ,furnace open4 ,c1 ,the upper part of the same4 ,d1 ,the ,grate4 ,e1 ,the ,hearth or ,test4 ,f1 ,the ,muffle that belongs to the ,hearth4 ,g1 ,the ,cover of the ,furnace1 with which it is to be covered when the ,coals are in and at work4 ,h1 ,the ,vent for the ,smoak4 ,when you will work with the ,furnace1 first put in the ,grate1 and upon it the foot or prop made of firm ,lute1 and upon it the prepared ,test1 and upon the ,test its ,cover or ,muffle1 the foremost neck of which ought to come close to the hole on the foreside of the ,furnace1 and the hindmost neck to touch the back of the same4 ,the foot also which supports the ,test1 ought to touch the fore-part of the ,furnace1 that the space between the ,test and the ,wall of the ,furnace1 may be well stopt or closed4 ,also1 if the neck of the ,cover or ,muffle doth not fit close enough to the foremost ,wall1 the joints are to be well closed with ,lute mixed with ,hair1 that the ,fire may have no passage by them1 but may pass through the hindmost neck of the said ,cover1 and under the ,cover it self into the ,test1 and thence out of the foremost neck4 ,if the ,fire shall have any other passage by the foremost neck1 the heat will not be ,sufficient to melt the ,metal4 ,therefore the chief ,artifice concerning this thing1 is the building of the ,furnace in due form and proportion4 ,an ,iron door is to be fitted to the ,furnace under the ,grate1 for the governing the ,fire1 by which it may be encreased or diminished1 as need shall require4 ,and the other hole in the superiour and fore-part of the ,furnace1 by which the ,metals are put in and taken out of the ,test1 is also to have a door1 that necessity requiring1 the fire may be governed1 and if too great1 it may be restrained4 ,to this also a little ,chimney or ,funnel is to be fitted1 which may receive and carry away the noxious fumes of the ,metals and ,coals1 that they may not hurt the ,operator4 ,all these things being rightly prepared1 the ,furnace being well dried1 is to be filled with ,coals1 and to be covered with its ,cover1 a lighted ,coal or two being put next the ,grate1 the doors are to be shut1 that the ,fire may kindle by degrees1 by which the danger of breaking the ,test1 and its ,cover1 the ,muffle1 by a sudden heat1 may be avoided4 ,the ,furnace1 ,test1 and ,muffle1 being all red hot1 the ,metals 7viz4 the ,gold which is to be augmented1 and the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony1 from which the augmentation is expected7 are to be put upon the ,test with an ,iron ,ladle1 the great door below1 and the little one above1 are to be opened1 that the ,fire growing more powerful1 may forthwith melt the ,metals on the ,test1 which being rightly melted1 a little dry ,salt-petre in powder is to be cast in upon them with an ,iron ,ladle1 which will presently change a portion of the melted matter into a ,scoria3 ,when it flows no longer1 but ceaseth from operating on the ,metals1 lying upon them like ,dross1 a little more ,salt-petre is to be cast upon the melted ,metals1 which will again change part of them into ,scoria4 ,this ,injection of ,salt-,petre is to be continued so long1 until the ,scoria shall be no longer hard1 but remain liquid like ,water1 which is a sign that the ,salt-petre hath abstracted the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony from the ,gold1 and its operation to be finished4 ,and so much ,regulus of ,antimony and ,copper is not to be put upon the ,test1 ,i believe the word not is an errour of the ,printer1 in the ,copy1 and ought to be left out that it1 when a due portion of ,salt-,petre shall be added1 may be full to the brim1 and the ,coals not be burnt out in vain1 in the empty ,test1 which is well to be noted4 ,the fluid ,scoria of the ,salt-,petre1 ,copper1 and ,regulus of ,antimony1 are so long to be kept in ,flux upon the ,gold1 as you think the ,test can suffer it2 for by how much the longer the ,gold shall remain in its ,flux1 under these ,scoria1 so much the more of spiritual ,gold it will attract from them1 and render it corporeal2 and the ,gain will be so much the greater4 ,nevertheless1 for the greater certainty sake1 after the ,scoria have lain ten or twelve hours in ,flux upon the ,gold1 they may be taken out of the ,test1 to see whether the ,test be yet strong enough to sustain them longer in flux1 because in a continual flux they are wont to attenuate and perforate the ,test with holes1 especially if they were not prepared of good ,earth1 which is able to endure the ,fire4 ,therefore1 if you find the test yet strong and thick1 and not perforated with holes1 you may again add the ,scoria to the ,gold lying in the test1 and keep them so long in flux1 as you think the test will hold good4 ,when the ,scoria condense themselves1 and flow with difficulty1 a little fresh ,salt-petre is to be added1 by which being reduced to a thinner flux1 they may give nourishment and encrease to the ,gold1 which in this operation hath the place of a seed1 as the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony supply the place of the earth1 by affording aliment and augmentation to the ,gold2 the ,salt-petre is in the stead of ,rain1 which moisteneth the ,earth1 and rendereth it fruitful2 therefore by how much the longer the ,gold lieth and groweth in this ,earth1 so much the more encrease it obtaineth4 ,after the test is no longer fit to bear the fire1 or you would leave working1 open the lower door of the ,furnace1 and take off the ,cover from the top1 that the heat of the fire may be diverted from the test1 and the ,scoria grow thick1 and the ,gold under them hard1 draw out the ,scoria by degrees with an ,iron ,hook1 from the ,gold1 that it may remain in the test intire1 and in one compact ,mass1 and not be mixed with the ,scoria1 like ,grains1 and occasion loss4 ,all the ,scoria being taken out1 the ,gold is to be freed from the test with a thin sharp-pointed ,iron1 then taken out with the tongs1 and weighed1 to see what encrease it hath got4 ,,nb4 ,that as long as the ,test keeps firm and good1 it were better not to take out the mass1 but to be left upon the ,gold in continual flux4 ,this is a ,labour not to be despised1 seeing that the first ,coals being burnt out1 more are to be added only2 so that this operation may be continued for some daies1 without intermission1 provided the ,tests be well made1 which also ought to be done if you expect any profit2 of which you need in no wise doubt1 if the operation be rightly instituted2 especially if the ,antimony and ,iron1 of which the ,regulus is made1 be good3 ,for the more ,gold the ,antimony1 ,iron1 and ,copper shall contain1 the more volatile ,gold the fixed ,gold which is melted under them1 will attract to it self4 ,but if you want such ,metals as are rich in ,gold1 and are forced to be content with the common1 the ,gold will nevertheless get an encrease in the ,operation4 ,,nb4 ,when ,metals containing ,gold are to be had1 there is no need to keep the first ,scoria in so long a flux upon the ,gold1 seeing that presently after the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony shall be turned into ,scoria by the ,salt-petre1 they may be removed from the ,gold with an ,iron ,hook1 and new ,metals forthwith added1 and again reduced into ,scoria by the ,salt-petre4 ,this labour of removing the ,scoria1 and adding fresh ,metals1 being long continued1 will add the greater encrease to the ,gold1 because ,copper1 ,iron1 and ,antimony contain much corporeal ,gold1 which in their reduction into ,scoria1 associateth it self with the ,gold4 ,therefore when those ,scoria are withdrawn1 and new ,metals added1 it cannot be1 but the encrease of the ,gold must be greater than proceedeth from the first ,scoria1 in which only the spiritual ,gold is rendered corporeal4 ,the addition of fresh ,metals1 and the abstraction of the ,scoria repeated #aj1 #ae1 yea #bj times a day1 must necessarily give a great encrease to the ,gold1 if the ,metals contain both corporeal and spiritual ,gold4 ,the abstracted ,scoria may be reduced in a ,test of the same ,furnace 7of which ,tests there ought to be many in readiness7 and the ,copper and ,regulus precipitated from them1 and put to other uses1 of which my other ,writings every where make mention4 ,and they are precipitated by the ,powder of ,coals1 or ,antimony4 ,the way of precipitation is this2 the ,salt-petre hath absorbed the ,sulphureous ,metals1 viz4 the ,copper and ,regulus ,martis1 and changed them into ,scoria4 ,now1 if to these ,scoria some other ,sulphur be injected1 which the ,salt-petre coveteth more than the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony1 it layeth hold on that1 by which those ,metals which it had first absorbed1 are dismissed1 and fall to the bottom4 ,but the ,regulus and ,copper cannot be so separated by precipitation1 but that somewhat of them will yet adhere to the ,salt-petre4 ,these may be fixed together1 that they may render ,gold again in fusion1 or the fixt ,nitre may be extracted from the ,scoria1 with ,rain-water1 to be used for other ,labours2 as shall be taught hereafter4 ,the residue of the ,scoria will be yet of use to ,potters1 to glaze their ,earthen ,vessels4 ,but if the ,scoria and ,salt-petre be not separated1 but left together1 they may be used with greater profit for the making of ,salt-petre1 or for the dunging of ,land 7of which we shall presently speak7 than if they be separated4 ,the manner of doing these things shall be described in their order4 ,but first it seems good to me to exhibit a proof1 by which every one may know the certainty of this matter1 viz4 that this work doth not only afford a profit to the ,operator1 not to be contemned1 but also that the ,gold doth obtain a true and certain encrease from the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony1 whereby the ,work may be undertaken with the greater boldness and confidence2 which ,i thus demonstrate4 ,take a small piece of silver1 freed from its gold by ,aqua fortis1 that you may be sure there is no ,gold in it3 to which1 in fusion1 adjoin so much ,copper and ,antimonial ,regulus1 as being reduced into ,scoria by ,salt-petre1 and again separated from the silver1 may leave it malleable and ductile4 ,this being dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 will leave at the bottom undissolved a reddish powder of gold1 which it hath attracted to it self from the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony4 ,now1 so much as there shall be of this ,gold1 so much and no more corporeal ,gold did the ,copper and ,regulus contain1 which the ,silver hath absorbed4 ,the ,scoria possess no more corporeal ,gold1 but yet abound with spiritual1 which you may find by the following ,experiment4 ,cover those ,scoria put into a new ,crucible with ,powder of ,coals1 and set the ,crucible into a small ,wind-,furnace1 that they may melt4 ,in this melting1 the ,nitre will rather enter the ,sulphur of the ,coals1 than that of the ,metals2 and associating it self to that1 dismisseth the ,copper and ,regulus4 ,which being done1 pour out the melted ,mass into a ,cone1 and when it is cold1 separate the ,regulus separated to the bottom1 which will be the same ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony which the silver hath deprived of their corporeal gold2 which is demonstrated as followeth3 ,take a bit of ,silver1 cleared from its ,gold1 which join with the said ,regulus by melting1 and reduce the melted mass by ,salt-petre into ,scoria1 as before1 pour the mass into a ,cone1 and being cold1 separate the ,silver4 ,this being dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 leaves at the bottom no reddish powder1 as the first silver did4 ,by which it clearly appears1 that the ,copper and ,regulus of ,antimony had yielded all their corporeal ,gold to the ,silver in fusion1 which nevertheless can afford no gain1 except the ,labour be many times repeated with fresh ,copper and ,regulus4 ,but because this repetition is wont to require no small quantity of ,copper1 ,regulus of ,antimony1 and ,salt-petre1 to bring the silver to a golden nature2 and moreover1 every one knoweth not how to make profit of the ,copper and ,regulus1 deprived of their ,gold1 or to put them to other uses1 and that ,salt-petre is not seldom sold at a great price1 no great profit can accrue by this ,labour to such4 ,nevertheless1 they will obtain no small gain1 who after the extraction of the gold1 know how to use the ,copper1 ,antimonial ,regulus1 and ,salt-petre1 which ,i have shewed in many places of my ,writings4 ,but those ,metals being melted with ,gold1 and turned into ,scoria by salt-petre1 bring far greater profit than when wrought with silver4 ,for somewhat of the silver is consumed1 as well as somewhat acquired by it2 but nothing of the gold is lost1 if the ,crucible be firm1 that nothing run out4 ,,nb4 ,if any gain be expected from silver1 such ,iron1 ,antimony1 and ,copper are to be used1 as are pregnant with ,gold1 and to be often abstracted from the silver1 and the metals themselves afterwards to be put to other uses1 bringing profit1 to say nothing of the ,salt-petre1 which may be made at a far cheaper rate 7that it can be bought7 by those who seek profit from ,silver4 ,i have instanced these ,experiments1 to demonstrate that every ,copper1 and every ,regulus ,martis contain somewhat of corporeal ,gold1 and being reduced into ,scoria1 do yield it to the adjoined ,gold or ,silver2 and that nothing more can be extorted from them1 except being reduced into ,scoria by ,nitre1 they be for some time kept in ,flux upon the silver1 or ,gold which is better1 that their spiritual ,gold may insinuate it self into the corporeal1 and augment it1 which the following ,experiment sheweth4 ,take of ,copper1 and ,regulus of ,antimony1 deprived of all corporeal gold1 by the addition of other gold1 what quantity you will1 melt them with gold1 and convert the ,copper and ,regulus into ,scoria1 after the usual manner1 with ,salt-,petre1 which keep in ,flux upon the ,gold for #f1 #h1 or #aj hours1 and then pour all out into a ,cone2 the gold being separated from the scoria1 and weighed1 will shew what it hath gained in this operation4 ,this encrease from the twofold matter added1 viz4 the ,copper and ,regulus ,martis1 is profit2 which notwithstanding proceeds more from the one than the other1 as this ,experiment will prove4 ,take one part of silver1 which holds no gold1 and one part of ,regulus ,martis1 being melted in a ,crucible1 reduce them1 as hath been often said1 by salt-petre1 into scoria1 and being well melted1 pour them out into a small ,ingot2 which when cold1 separate the scoria from the silver with a ,hammer2 the silver will be pure white1 and of very easie fusion1 but will contain nothing of gold4 ,,nb4 ,if to the silver and ,regulus of ,antimony1 you shall also add ,copper1 and then turn all into scoria by the help of salt-petre1 and when well melted1 pour them into an ,ingot1 so that the scoria flow upon the silver4 ,this silver being separated from the scoria with a ,hammer1 or by lying a while in water1 you shall find that part which was covered by the melted scoria1 to be all over so gilt1 that you can scarce rub it off with your fingers1 which ,gold hath adjoined it self to the ,silver1 chiefly from the ,copper4 ,for if more ,gold had proceeded from the ,regulus1 the melted ,silver would also necessarily have been gilded by that1 which yet without the addition of ,copper is not wont to be4 ,nevertheless1 let no man perswade himself that the ,regulus of ,antimony being omitted1 the same augmentation would happen1 because the greatest part of the ,gold proceeds from the ,copper4 ,for without the ,regulus1 the ,copper would not suffer it self to be reduced into ,scoria by the ,salt-petre2 so that necessity requireth1 that all those matters should be conjoined in the said manner1 to acquire any profit4 ,here thou hast1 benevolent ,reader1 ,specimens sufficient for the trying the truth and certainty of this thing3 ,it's free for every man to enter upon the prescribed way with greater and longer ,operations1 that he may attain the desired profit4 ,what ,i have many times said1 ,i say again1 ,that this ,operation is true1 and brings great profit1 provided it be instituted in a due manner4 ,the ,salt-,petre is the chief thing required in this ,operation1 which he that knows how to prepare with small cost1 and understands what ,i have written1 may boldly undertake the ,work2 but he that must buy it at a dear rate1 ,i will not advise to meddle with it4 ,he that cannot understand what ,i write1 'tis better for him to spare his labour and charge1 and employ himself in those things which do not exceed his capacity4 ,it behoveth me now to shew the use and benefit which the scoria which are left in this ,operation are of1 that there may be no waste or loss4 ,but the quantity of scoria in this ,operation will be more or less1 according as it shall be exercised4 ,if good ,antimony1 ,copper1 and ,iron1 which contain corporeal ,gold1 may be had in plenty1 and ,salt-petre also cheap1 the loss will not be great1 if the scoria should not be altogether put to the best advantage4 ,for if there be enough of the ,copper1 ,regulus-,martis1 and ,salt-petre to be had1 they are to be reduced into scoria1 flowing upon the ,gold1 that with it they may leave the ,gold contained in them4 ,but here no regard is had to the spiritual or fugacious ,gold which they contain1 which is laid aside with the scoria1 and new ,copper and ,regulus is put to the ,gold1 and the scoria again laid aside for other uses1 so that in one and the same day1 this labour of adding new matter1 and as oft separating the scoria1 may be repeated ten or twelve times4 ,whence it comes to pass1 that the ,gold is every time inriched1 and attracteth more corporeal ,gold from those matters in one day1 than it could do in fourteen daies1 if they contained only spiritual ,gold4 ,but on the contrary1 a great quantity of ,copper1 ,regulus1 and ,salt-petre are required for this labour1 which if they cannot be had cheap1 the charge will be the greater1 seeing that those ,metals which are pregnant with corporeal ,gold1 will abundantly compensate the charge1 especially if benefit be made of the scoria1 which we will presently shew4 ,but if a quantity of the said matters be wanting1 and vulgar ,antimony and ,copper be used for the extracting the spiritual ,gold only1 there will not be made so many ,scoria2 but it sufficeth1 that the first scoria be left so long in flux upon the gold or silver1 until they have yielded some augmentation to the same4 ,and in the mean time1 the addition of no other thing is required1 but ,salt-petre1 of which a little is to be injected to the hardened scoria1 to render them more fusile1 and to cover the ,gold the better with their flux4 ,this way will not cost so much1 besides a good quantity of ,coals3 ,nor will the ,work it self be so troublesome1 seeing that it need be inspected only once in two or three hours1 and any ,boy may govern the fire4 ,or if the ,furnace be so built1 that 7like a dull ,henry7 the ,coals constantly sliding down1 the fire may feed it self1 the ,operation may be continued night and day without any looking after4 ,in the working the other way with ,metals containing corporeal ,gold1 there is more labour and care1 seeing that every hour the scoria ought to be removed1 and new metals to be added4 ,therefore every man may chuse that which is most convenient for him4 ,moreover1 where neither ,antimony1 ,copper1 or ,iron abounding with corporeal ,gold1 are to be had1 the ,operation may be instituted in another manner1 and applied to the making of salt-petre in abundance1 and with small costs4 ,for after the ,regulus and ,copper1 in flux upon the gold1 are reduced to scoria1 they are not to be removed1 as otherwise they are wont1 but the ,copper with the ,regulus must be precipitated from the ,nitre1 by the ,powder of ,coals1 in which precipitation the gold taketh to it self the metal reduced into scoria1 so that the fixt ,nitre only is to be removed1 which is afterwards to be put to other uses3 ,and the ,copper and ,regulus1 by the addition of new salt-petre1 are again to be reduced to scoria1 and to be precipitated from the ,nitre by the ,powder of ,coals1 and the ,nitre again removed4 ,so the ,copper and ,regulus will alwaies remain in flux upon the gold in the ,test1 and nothing but the added ,nitre will be every time separated4 ,,nb4 ,this ,labour doth not indeed draw forth so much gold as that which hath new metals added every time to the gold2 but yet it excelleth that in which the ,metals are kept in a continual flux upon the gold1 without the addition of new2 for as often as the ,copper1 with the ,regulus1 are burnt by the ,nitre1 so often the ,nitre burneth and consumeth somewhat of their superfluous sulphur1 and by how much the more the combustible sulphur is burnt and consumed1 by so much the more the spiritual gold in it is dissolved1 and adjoineth it self to the corporeal gold1 to get it self a body4 ,and this is the difference of those ,operations1 of which a man may chuse which he pleaseth1 or rather that which fits the matters1 he hath at hand4 ,whichsoever he shall undertake1 it will afford a profit not to be slighted1 especially if he pay not too dear for his ,nitre1 or can make it himself at a cheap rate4 ,how ,profit may be made of the ,scoria which remain after this ,operation4 ,it behoveth the studious of ,art to know1 that there is a difference in the scoria removed from the gold by the forementioned ,operations4 ,those which are removed from the gold only remaining in the test1 and in which the ,nitre1 ,antimony1 and ,copper remain mixt1 are metallick1 from which the ,copper and ,regulus may be precipitated and separated1 by the casting in of crude ,antimony or ,powder of ,coals4 ,the scoria from which the ,metals are already precipitated in the test1 are nothing but fixt ,nitre4 ,the scoria also differ1 in which the ,metals are precipitated by ,antimony1 from those which are precipitated by ,coals2 those partake more of sulphur1 these less2 for the sulphur of coals differs in its nature from the sulphur of antimony1 and requireth that a difference be observed1 and that either scoria being put to its due use1 it may bring the desired profit4 ,and this is the difference3 ,when the ,copper1 with the ,regulus-,martis1 is precipitated by coals1 that the ,copper1 with the ,regulus of ,antimony1 is precipitated1 but the ,iron which was in the ,regulus admitteth not of precipitation1 but remaineth in the scoria2 whence it comes to pass1 that the ,regulus1 after precipitation1 is found to be lighter than when it was put into the ,crucible4 ,therefore what the precipitated ,regulus hath lost1 necessarily remaineth in the scoria2 for which cause those scoria are of more hard and difficult fusion than those which remain after the precipitation with ,antimony3 ,for when the metals are precipitated by the casting in of ,antimony1 to one pound of scoria1 an ounce1 and sometimes more1 of ,antimony1 is cast in1 which precipitateth all the ,copper and the ,regulus attracted by the ,nitre1 and giveth a more ready fusion to the scoria4 ,but nothing more plainly sheweth the difference1 than the pouring of water upon the scoria1 to make a lixivium4 ,the scoria upon which the coals were cast1 yield a clearer and sharper lixivium than those on which ,antimony was cast4 ,on the contrary1 the ,antimonial ,scoria1 by reason of the ,antimonial combustible sulphur1 are of a drier nature and property4 ,the best thing in both the scoria1 is the fixt ,nitre1 which is to be drawn out of them by ,water1 and may be put to various uses1 with no small profit4 ,in the first place1 from those scoria a good ,medicinal ,tincture may be drawn by the affusion of spirit of ,wine1 of which mention is made in divers places of my ,writings4 ,those scoria far excel all ,dung1 and also common salt-petre it self1 in promoting of vegetation4 ,nevertheless1 they are first to be made more temperate1 because they are too fiery to be used alone4 ,they also effectually promote the augmentation of ,gold1 and also the health of the humane body1 by their most pure ,essence extracted by the spirit of ,wine4 ,they may without injury be called ,the ,philosophick ,dung1 because they augment the growing power in ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 neither in ,operations of this kind is there any ,equal in the world4 ,their smell is like that of humane ,excrements2 nor are they unlike to them in ,aspect1 but most efficacious in their use4 ,there are many things of great moment yet lie hid in them1 all which it is not for me to describe4 ,those things which ,i have hitherto written1 ,i have often done with my own hands1 and proved by many ,experiments4 ,what ,i deliver is not from hear-say1 or the reading of others ,books1 being resolved to publish those things only1 which an infallible ,experience hath taught me1 so that every man may boldly1 and without any doubting1 give credit to them4 ,moreover1 this fixed ,nitre is endowed with the same virtue with other strong lixiviums3 ,nevertheless1 it is more efficacious than that of any common ,wood1 inasmuch as ,nitre exceedeth the fixed salt of ,wood in its maturity4 ,the residue of the scoria from which the lixivium is extracted1 serveth for the glazing of earthen ,vessels4 ,he that desireth to know more of fixed ,nitre1 may find it in my ,furnaces1 as also in my ,pharmac4 ,spagyric4 and especially in ,the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi2 where he will meet with many things worthy of admiration4 ,for the ,philosophick ,dung1 see the #ce ,article of ,the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi1 my ,apology against ,farnner1 and the ,description of my ,press for ,wood1 in this ,treatise2 in which places he may find those things which will abundantly satisfie him4 ,concerning this ,universal 7tho' contemptible7 subject ,nitre1 we will treat more1 ,god willing1 in the following second part of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,here we have shewed the well-minded ,reader1 how by this one only ,operation1 he may encrease or augment his ,gold1 inrich his ,fields with a fruitful soil1 and preserve his health2 so that there will be none who may not receive profit from it4 ,i cannot but here commemorate what some time happened to me in this ,operation4 ,when the ,copper and ,regulus-,martis were mixed by melting together1 and reduced into scoria by ,nitre1 the matter thence proceeding was wonderful1 appearing in variety of fair ,colours1 emulating a ,peacocks ,tail4 ,therefore when ,i saw such various colours1 ,i presently thought with my self1 whether that matter might not be fit for making a ,tincture1 which might change the imperfect ,metals into ,gold2 seeing that ,i had read in some ,philosophers1 that there is more ,tincture in ,iron and ,copper than in ,gold1 which gave me an occasion of considering whether this conjunction of ,mars and ,venus1 might not be the ,adultery spoken of by the ,poets1 or rather the ,vitriol of the ,philosophers2 for this matter retaineth a very fair greeness1 not only in the fire1 but also out of it1 as well wet as dry4 ,whence ,i began to perswade my self1 that ,iron was the ,gold of ,philosophers1 ,copper their ,luna1 and ,antimony their ,argent-vive1 and ,nitre to perform the ,office of a ,solvent or ,bath1 in which they are dissolved and digested4 ,being moved with all these things1 that ,i might make a trial1 according to my simplicity1 ,i put all the said matters into a ,glass1 and committed it to ,vulcan1 7or the ,fire7 which being administred by degrees1 all the matter passed together into a black colour2 to which a very fair greenness1 with variegated colours resembling the ,tail of a ,peacock1 succeeded1 which continued in the fire for some weeks4 ,but seeing that it would not at all be changed1 ,i being wearied with the tediousness1 took the fair matter out of the glass1 and put it into a ,crucible1 which ,i set in a ,glass-makers ,furnace1 that ,i might perform this ,operation with the less ,labour3 ,and after three daies ,i again took it out1 and ,i found all the matter changed into a glass of a bloody colour1 but not transparent4 ,the ,crucible being broken1 ,i found in the bottom a little ,regulus of an ,iron-like colour1 which being tested with ,lead1 yielded white ,silver1 which being dissolved in ,aqua-fortis1 left no ,gold at the bottom4 ,being strook with admiration1 ,i began to think whence that ,silver should proceed1 seeing that ,i did not expect ,silver1 but ,gold2 at length being satisfied in that1 ,i was of opinion1 that from this subject by one and the same labour1 might be made both a red and a white ,tincture2 but ,i have not hitherto had time and opportunity to try the truth of the matter experimentally4 ,whatsoever ,i have here written1 is only that ,i might afford matter to others who are desirous of seeking1 by whose diligent searches some good may be obtained4 ,this ,admonition ,i also think necessary1 ,that they who endeavour to bring any subject to a constancy in the ,fire1 by fixing1 as the ,chymists call it1 that they lute and close well their ,vessels1 lest the ,air 7which is a great impediment to the ,operation7 should hinder the ,work4 ,for ,example4 ,a ,wood-coal1 for the greatest part1 consisteth of a fugacious and immature ,sulphur1 mixt with a few fces1 being put into an open ,crucible1 and set in a small ,fire1 it is presently burnt1 and being all consumed1 leaveth nothing in the ,crucible1 but a few ,salt-ashes2 but being put into a ,crucible well closed and defended from the ,air1 and committed to a great ,fire1 and therein kept for many years1 yet would lose nothing of its weight1 colour and body1 but would remain a black ,coal1 without any alteration4 ,but on the contrary1 if any ,mercurial salt be added to the ,coal in a due weight1 and be enclosed with it in a crucible but one day1 and kept in the fire1 the coal will be changed into a red1 fiery1 heavy stone1 more ,metallick than ,vegetable1 whose admirable ,virtues the ,tongue cannot declare4 ,seeing therefore that from any fugacious and volatile ,vegetable in so short a time a constant fixed thing may be made by ,art1 ,why should not the same be made much better of some ,mineral or ,metal1 which is much nearer to ,fixity8 ,and although these coals black the hand1 nevertheless they contain much good1 which he that knows how to come at1 will by the same easily make his hands white again1 and draw that from it which is more conducive to the health of ,man's ,body1 than from all the costly and fading things in the whole ,world4 ,a ,word is enough to the ,wise4 ,although ,i have here shewed1 that sulphurated ,nitre is a true ,medicine for ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals1 yet ,i would not be understood as if ,i affirmed there was no other1 which is not my intention1 seeing that if this ,medicine were to be generally used for ,vegetables1 it would be too costly1 and there are other things described in this ,book for that purpose1 which are far cheaper and ,i have shewed it only to the end that the wonderful ,works of ,,god might be manifest to those who are willing to try4 ,for if any one will macerate the seed of any ,vegetable in the ,tincture drawn from sulphurated ,nitre1 by the ,spirit of ,wine1 in a warm ,bath1 he may from that macerated seed produce a growing ,herb1 in a few hours space4 ,a ,tincture of this sort will effect more in curing of ,diseases1 than a whole ,apothecary's ,shop4 ,but he that knoweth how to join some spiritual ,gold with this ,tincture1 that the ,gold may thence attract to it self nourishment and encrease1 as a ,vegetable doth from the ,earth1 will easily obtain a ,universal ,medicine4 ,but if any think that ,i mean such a ,medicine as changeth the imperfect ,metals into ,gold1 in flux1 he is mistaken1 for that is to be attributed to the ,stone of ,philosophers only4 ,but ,i call it ,universal1 as it is the chief ,medicine of ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,metals1 which ,i intend alwaies to keep by me1 ready prepared1 that ,i may render others partakers thereof4 ,i intend also this ,winter to prepare a great quantity of the ,universal ,medicine for ,vegetables1 by the benefit whereof ,grain may be made to grow in meer ,sand1 that so this ,invention may become profitable to many men1 provided they will but undertake the work3 ,not that ,i intend to prepare this of ,nitre1 which is too costly for the ,dunging of ,fields4 ,for common ,salt1 which is abundantly cheaper1 in a few hours1 may be so changed1 that losing its corrosive ,nature and ,property1 it becomes plainly like ,nitre in taste1 figure1 and virtue1 but not inflamable1 and excelleth the ,dung of ,cattel for dunging of ,land4 ,neither let any man fear that this ,preparation of common ,salt requireth much labour or trouble1 or is difficult to be done2 for he that shall see the ,operation but once1 will easily be able to understand and imitate the same4 ,hence1 seeing that in all places there are many barren ,fields to be found1 it cannot be1 but that great profit may be acquired by it4 ,arcanum ,,iii4 ,a ,gift offered to all diligent ,physicians4 ,the profitable use of ,salt-,petre1 in the ,concentration of ,metals1 and ,preparation of ,excellent ,medicines4 ,although in the ,first ,part of ,miraculum ,mundi ,i have described divers concentrations and emendations of ,metals2 nevertheless in those there is nothing common with that ,arcanum1 which ,i intend here to describe4 ,for those ,arcana concern only the emendation of the imperfect ,metals2 but this also treateth of the ,preparation of many excellent ,medicines4 ,the manner of concentrating and amending of ,metals by ,nitre4 ,first1 a ,man is to be made of ,iron1 having two noses on his head1 and on his crown a mouth1 which may be opened1 and again close shut4 ,this1 if it be to be used for the concentration of ,metals1 is to be so inserted into another man1 made of ,iron or ,stone1 that the inward head only may come forth of the outward man1 but the rest of his body or belly may remain hidden in the belly of the exteriour man4 ,and to each nose of the head1 glass receivers are to be applied1 to receive the vapours ascending from the hot stomach4 ,when you use this man1 you must render him bloody with fire1 to make him hungry and greedy of ,food4 ,when he grows extreamly hungry1 he is to be fed with a white ,swan3 ,when that ,food shall be given to this ,iron man1 an admirable ,water will ascend from his fiery stomach into his head1 and thence by his two noses flow into the appointed ,receivers2 a ,water1 ,i say1 which will be a true and efficacious ,aqua-vit2 for the ,iron man consumeth the whole swan by digesting it1 and changeth it into a most excellent and profitable ,food for the ,king and ,queen1 by which they are corroborated1 augmented1 and grow4 ,but before the ,swan yieldeth up her spirit1 she singeth her ,swan-like song1 which being ended1 her breath expireth with a strong wind1 and leaveth her roasted body for meat for the ,king1 but her anima or spirit she consecrateth to the gods1 that thence may be made a ,salamander1 a wholsome ,medicament for men and metals4 ,this manner of operating1 by which metals are wont to be concentrated1 ,i was willing to describe in this ,enigma1 that it may be known to be no ,fable1 but that the same manner hath been described by other ,philosophers before me4 ,this appears from the sixth ,key of ,basil1 where he delivers the like manner4 ,basilius writeth concerning ,salt-,petre speaking of it self2 ,when my ,end is threatned1 c4 ,from which words it is manifest1 that he used the same way for the particular and universal emendation of ,metals1 as also for the preparing of excellent ,medicines4 ,but because this ,enigma is a little too obscure for the unskilful1 ,i think good to interpret it word by word4 ,the ,iron man is the destilling ,vessel1 which ,i have described in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,this is put into another ,iron or ,stone ,furnace1 and the fire under it4 ,to the noses or pipes of the upper part1 some ,receivers are to be so applied1 that at least three ,glass-,receivers may be applied to one nose1 the first of which is to be firmly luted to the nose2 the second must enter the perforated belly of the first ,glass1 by a ,pipe2 and in like manner the third must be inserted into the belly of the second2 the ,pipe of the second ,glass1 which entereth the belly of the first1 is to be well luted2 the third is not to be luted to the belly of the second1 but to remain open1 that the expiring gass may go out of the second into the third4 ,to the other nose also three or four ,receivers are to be applied after the same manner1 but so that the last may reremain unluted4 ,the white ,swan is the ,amalgama of ,tin and ,argent-vive1 to which ,nitre is added2 and it is done as presently you shall hear4 ,see the ,figure of this ,furnace1 before the beginning of this ,treatise1 noted with pag4 #if4 ,a is the ,furnace4 ,b1 ,the ,vessel in the ,furnace4 ,c1 ,the ,hole with an hollow ,verge1 through which the ,swan is conveyed into the ,vessel4 ,d1 ,the ,tongs holding the ,cover with which the ,vessel is to be covered as soon as the ,swan is put in4 ,e1 ,an ,iron ,ladle1 wherewith the ,swan is put into the ,vessel4 ,f1 ,the ,receiver4 ,g1 ,the ,bench that supports the ,receiver4 ,h1 ,the ,laborator4 ,r4 one part of ,tin1 melt it in a ,crucible1 when it is melted1 take the ,crucible out of the ,fire1 and pour out the melted ,tin into another earthen ,vessel1 and mix therewith one part of ,argent-vive1 which will presently be absorbed by the ,tin1 but the ,tin will become so brittle and friable1 that it may be ground upon a stone to fine powder4 ,with this fine powder mix two parts of good and pure ,salt-,petre1 by grinding them well together1 till the ,amalgama cannot be known from the ,salt-,petre1 but one white powder be made of both4 ,this powder is ,the ,swan of ,basilius1 of which he prepareth ,meat for the ,king2 but ,i call it ,the ,fulmen of ,jove1 by which all ,metals are destroyed and reduced into nothing4 ,and from this nothing1 ,metals much better and more noble are generated de novo4 ,concerning this destruction and regeneration of ,metals1 consult ,paracelsus's ,book of ,the ,vexation of ,alchymists1 and the ,third ,part of my ,mineral ,work1 and you shall find1 that ,paracelsus hath involved this ,operation in obscure words1 as also ,basilius1 who delivereth the same in his sixth ,key1 with the same obscurity1 which here1 without any covering1 ,i have openly and clearly made manifest4 ,,nb4 ,i would have the studious of this ,noble ,science know1 that ,jupiter alone1 or ,tin mixt with ,glass only1 in this artificial destillation by the fiery man1 yields that medicinal spirit1 without the addition of ,argent-vive1 and leaveth the meat or augment of and in the bottom4 ,but that our ,ancestors have adjoined ,mercury or ,argent-vive1 ,i also by experience have found it profitable4 ,but it is chiefly done for this end1 that the ,tin being rendered friable and fit for grinding1 may the better be mixed with the ,nitre2 for it would be laborious and troublesome to file the ,tin to mix and destil with the ,nitre1 as ,baptista ,porta teacheth in his ,natural ,magick4 ,this reduction into ,powder by ,mercury1 is performed in a very short time1 and wonderfully promoteth the ,labour1 whilst the ,mercury acting upon the porous ,jupiter1 penetrateth him1 and rendereth him compact4 ,on the contrary1 ,the ,fulmen of ,jove burneth the wings of ,mercury1 and maketh him remain stable1 so ,jupiter is an help to ,mercury1 and ,mercury to ,jupiter1 and both become more noble by the power and efficacy of ,salt-petre2 for ,jupiter possesseth much combustible sulphur1 which nevertheless burneth not per se1 without some help2 in the effecting of which ,salt-,petre is a ,master1 having neither superiour nor equal4 ,well doth ,basil say1 that sulphur only is ,nitre's best ,friend1 and also its worst ,enemy1 which we have found to be most true1 in this operation4 ,when the ,tin and ,nitre grow hot together1 they take ,flame like ,gunpowder2 the purer part1 like some subtile spirit1 vanisheth into the ,air1 and the more fixed1 stable1 and better remaineth at the bottom2 for the noxious and superfluous ,sulphur of the ,tin is burnt by the ,salt-,petre1 which being separated1 the rest of the ,tin acquireth a more compact and better body4 ,the ,mercury also adjoined in this operation1 yieldeth whatsoever good he hath1 offering his ,spirit for ,medicine1 and his ,body for the encrease of ,gold or ,silver2 so that more profit accrues by the addition of ,mercury1 than if ,jupiter were fulminated by ,nitre alone4 ,very few will believe how noble a ,sulphur there is hid in ,jupiter1 which can be made manifest by ,nitre only4 ,truly ,mercury can by no way be better deceived and overcome1 than by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 which casts a terrour upon all the gods4 ,therefore they are very wary1 lest they be touched with that ,thunder1 and slain with sudden death4 ,if ,jupiter were destitute of his most efficacious ,thunder1 neither his father 1 nor 1 nor 1 with the rest of the gods1 would be subject to him4 ,mars1 ,venus1 and ,mercury would only sport themselves with him4 ,mars would shew him his ,sword1 would intangle him with her amorous ,net1 and 1 the deluder of all dreaming ,alchymists1 would fly away1 and laugh at him4 ,volens nolens they all fear ,jupiter1 and must allow him the ,empire2 the conversation of ,iove is perilous to all the ,metals1 even as it often brings subjects into no small danger1 to converse with their ,prince4 ,hence the vulgar ,proverb1 ,procul a jove1 procul a fulmine2 ,he that keeps from the fire1 is not in danger of being burnt4 ,but leaving those things1 we will now address our selves to the operation it self1 and plainly shew how it is to be performed4 ,and first1 let the studious know that this ,work requires a diligent and skilful ,operator2 but he who knows not how with skill to handle the ,fire1 ,i advise him to abstain from this ,work4 ,the ,art is true and excellent1 so that he that understands but a little1 may see the whole ,work to stand upon a firm foundation drawn from ,nature4 ,he that knows the nature of ,metals and ,minerals1 knows that the goodness and perfection of ,gold and ,silver1 the best of ,metals1 consists in a stable1 fixed1 and incombustible matter1 and on the contrary1 that the imperfection of the imperfect ,metals1 proceedeth from a combustible and stinking ,sulphur only2 which superfluous ,sulphur1 if it shall be any way separated from them1 that which remaineth1 ought necessarily to be purer1 more fusible1 and constant in the fire4 ,there are many waies by which that superfluous and combustible ,sulphur is separated from ,metals2 of which mention is made in the ,mineral ,work1 and the fourth part of ,furnaces4 ,in this operation1 the manner of separating it by combustion1 is performed by ,nitre4 ,in this ,treatise also other waies are indicated1 yet ,nitre is to be used in them all4 ,but the studious of ,art ought to know that in this ,operation1 not only the superfluous ,sulphur of ,jupiter and may be separated and consumed by burning and each ,metal concentrated and amended1 but also to both1 or to alone other ,metals may be added1 and by the help of ,salt-petre may be fulminated and concentred2 for the ,fulmen of ,iove doth not only concenter and amend his own proper body1 but also other ,metals adjoined to him4 ,nor do ,i know a nearer way of destroying ,gold and ,silver quickly1 than the ,fulmen of ,jove1 which so destroyeth all the ,metals1 that afterwards without the addition of other things1 they cannot by any force of fire be reduced to their former fusile bodies1 inasmuch as in melting per se1 they alwaies pass into ,glass1 every one being tinged with that colour which is proper to the metal4 ,gold is changed into a very elegant glass1 like to a ,ruby2 the glass of ,silver hath the colour of a ,chrysolyte2 the glass of ,copper hath a green and red colour like a ,jasper2 the glass of ,mars differs not much from it2 the glasses of ,tin and ,lead remain white4 ,these ,glasses being 7by an artificial reduction7 reduced into their bodies1 are much better and nobler than they were before4 ,this sudden fire also clippeth the wings of ,mercury1 so that part of him is constrained with the to abide the fire4 ,that swift fluxing powder which is compounded of ,nitre1 ,tartar1 and ,sulphur1 mentioned in the second part of my ,furnaces1 is also not to be contemned1 for when that mass is mixed with 1 and kindled by a live ,coal1 the is altered1 as when it is to suffer the fire1 it maketh a cracking noise1 till it breaks through the fire1 but being apprehended by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 it hath no time allowed it to cry out2 for when it beginneth to feel the heat1 it singeth a ,swan-like song1 but before it can break out from the ,fulmen it is killed4 ,basilius calleth this ,the ,song of the ,swan1 alluding to what the ,ancients have delivered concerning that ,bird1 viz4 ,that when she is old1 and ready to die1 she sings a song1 which being ended1 she presently dieth4 ,this ,saying the vulgar believe of that ,bird1 which yet is false1 seeing that ,i never yet heard any man say that he had heard the ,song of a dying ,swan4 ,the ancient ,philosophers hereby meant our ,metallick ,swan4 ,but let any one enquire1 whether the ,amalgama of and may be compared with a ,swan2 because it may every way be broken1 within and without1 it is like to the ,feathers of the said ,bird1 and therefore the ,philosophers have not unfitly called it a ,swan4 ,as for its singing1 it is thus2 ,when the ,amalgama is mixt with ,salt-,petre1 and wrapt up in ,papers1 and one after another of them cast into the ,iron man1 the with the beginneth to sing a ,song like the fine ,note of some ,bird1 which endureth no longer than the crowing of a ,cock1 seeing that the flame presently followeth1 which maketh the separation4 ,but that any one may be more certain of this matter1 ,i will openly and clearly expound the ,operation word by word4 ,r4 of ,tin and each j4 make an ,amalgama1 as ,i have taught above2 grind this with ij4 of pure ,salt-,petre1 freed from all its fces1 reducing the whole mass into a minute powder1 till the ,amalgama can be no more felt by the fingers4 ,this fine powder distribute into sixty equal parts1 more or less1 and put each part into a ,paper1 so that every ,paper may contain about two lothones1 or an ounce1 wrap them up3 ,this quantity is not to be exceeded1 especially if the ,iron man and the ,receivers be not large2 for the lesser ,vessels require the less of the matter3 ,for the matter being cast into the red-hot ,vessel in ,papers1 when it taketh flame1 giveth a crack or puff like ,gun-powder1 which is kindled with a ,coal4 ,the ,labour is easie1 which may be called ,the ,work of ,women1 or ,play of ,boys4 ,for as soon as one ,paper is enkindled1 the vapours ascending with smoak and wind1 pass into the ,receivers1 which being quietly settled1 another ,paper is presently to be cast in that it may sing its ,swan-like ,song1 and pass into the ,receivers in a fume4 ,this casting in of the ,papers is so long to be continued till they are all spent4 ,you can scarcely put in above ten ,papers1 or fifteen at the most1 in an hour2 for if one ,paper be cast in too soon after another1 the ascending ,spirits of the and would not all settle1 but some would fly out at the hole of the last ,receiver1 and be lost4 ,by this means the ,iron man is nourished by degrees with his food1 viz4 the white ,swan1 even as ,infants are successively fed by their ,mothers4 ,after all the ,papers are in1 the fire is to be let go out of its own accord2 and when all the ,spirits are condensed in the ,receivers1 the ,receivers are to be removed one after another1 in which is the ,anima of ,tin and ,mercury1 and of that metal which was added1 of a white or ashy colour1 if ,tin and ,mercury only were used4 ,but if ,gold was added1 it will be of a purple colour2 if ,silver1 of a yellow2 if ,copper1 the colour will be reddish4 ,and this is not only to be understood of the matter which passeth into the ,receiver1 but also of that which remains in the bottom of the ,iron man4 ,the ,anima hideth it self in the corporeal flowers which ascend into the ,receivers1 by which it is the more easily acquired1 and which otherwise1 perhaps1 by reason of its great subtilty1 would be very difficult to obtain4 ,if you can put your hand into the ,receivers1 you may take out the flowers with a bent spoon1 which hide the ,anima2 but if not1 with an ,iron ,wier fitted for the scraping them off1 or by washing them out with ,water1 which are to be handled further1 as you shall presently hear4 ,the mass remaining in the stomach of the ,iron man1 being taken out when it is cold1 hath a fiery nature and a white colour1 if it were only of ,tin and ,nitre1 but if any other metal was added1 the colour will be varied1 as above4 ,this mass cannot be reduced to its former body by ,fire alone1 how vehement soever it be1 seeing that when it is melted1 it runneth into glass1 and that too very difficultly4 ,nevertheless1 by the following operation it may be reduced to its pristine ,body3 ,put it into a very strong ,crucible1 which cover1 and set in a ,wind-,furnace that will give a very strong ,fire 7such as is my ,fourth ,furnace7 the ,fire being raised by degrees1 let it be made white-hot1 and when it is so1 the ,cover being a little removed1 throw into the fiery mass a little ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 or ,coals in fine powder1 put on the ,cover again1 and lastly1 cover the ,crucible over with ,coals1 that all the matter may flow well4 ,in this operation the combustible ,sulphur will enter the fixt ,nitre1 and separate it from the fixed ,metal1 and with the same1 whatsoever of ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 or ,coals was added1 will be turned into black ,scoria4 ,the ,tin1 with the ,mercury1 and the ,metal1 if any were added1 separateth it self from the ,scoria1 and returneth into a metallick body1 which after it is poured out and cold1 is to be ,separated from the ,scoria4 ,jupiter hath the aspect of his former body1 but is amended1 as the proof will shew him that pleaseth to make it2 the remaining ,scoria are to be kept1 because an excellent universal ,medicine may be made of them4 ,the ,regulus being melted again1 is again to be amalgamated with its own weight of ,mercury1 which ,amalgama is to be mixed with its equal weight of ,nitre1 and put up into ,papers1 and again cast into the ,iron man1 as we have shewed before1 that the ,flowers and ,anima may be collected and added to the former4 ,the remaining mass is to be precipitated with sulphur1 as before1 and the ,scoria being separated from the ,regulus1 to be added to the former1 and the ,regulus to be again brought with ,mercury to an ,amalgama1 that with ,nitre the ,flowers and ,anima may be again elicited4 ,this ,labour is to be so often repeated1 until half the ,regulus be converted into scoria3 ,that part which remains being examined by the ,cupel1 will shew how much gold and silver is generated by this ,labour4 ,which profit will serve to buy other ,coals and ,metals to carry on the ,work4 ,the ,anima which passed into the ,receivers yieldeth a most excellent medicine2 so do also the scoria which were reserved at divers times1 afford one little inferiour to that2 and how they are to be handled1 we will teach in order4 ,therefore by this only operation a universal medicine for humane and metallick bodies is acquired particularly1 and from the remaining part1 an amended metal paying the necessary costs which are required for the continuing the great ,work4 ,how therefore particularly of ,tin and ,copper often fulminated1 one may get a profit not to be contemned1 ,i will clearly shew2 forasmuch as ,i have not performed that labour only once1 but many times2 in like manner ,i will deliver the way and mode whereby an excellent medicine may be prepared for the curing of all curable ,diseases1 which also ,i have often done4 ,but how a ,universal medicine may be prepared of the ,anima of metals1 for humane and metallick bodies1 ,i cannot teach2 for ,i have not hitherto had time and opportunity of perfecting so great a ,work4 ,nevertheless1 ,i do not at all doubt1 but that the ,philosophick stone may be made of this ,anima3 ,but by what means ,i think this may be effected1 7saving to every man his own judgment7 ,i will not conceal from the studious of the ,divine ,wonders4 ,what ,i have done with my hands1 ,i can render others the more certain of2 those things which ,i have not done1 ,i leave as they are4 ,the beginning of the ,labour ,i have clearly enough proposed2 from which1 if any man cannot learn more1 'tis best for him to abstain from this kind of ,labour4 ,all the ,philosophers cry out with one voice1 ,fix the volatile1 and volatilize the fixt1 and you shall have the true universal medicine4 ,from which scope he will not erre1 who shall take good subjects for his work4 ,therefore1 because in this our operation1 ,gold 7besides the rest of the metals7 being endowed with a most pure body1 is rendered volatile and fugacious1 and stript of its ,anima1 verily it will be credible1 that of the ,anima of ,gold1 if the ,anima of ,mercury shall be joined with it and digested to fixation1 may be made the ,salamander constant in the ,fire4 ,the purple ,anima of ,gold and ,mercury which hath passed into the ,receivers1 ,i free from the ,flowers of ,tin1 by washing it out with the sweet universal ,water1 known to every one1 filtring it through ,paper1 coagulate it1 and then fix it into a tinging stone4 ,and ,i doubt not1 but some good thing will thence proceed4 ,from the scoria remaining after the reduction1 you may easily extract a medicine4 ,nevertheless1 those scoria are divers1 and have a diverse nature2 for those which remain after the operation with ,tin and ,argent-vive1 are of another nature and property than those which proceed from the working with other ,metals adjoined to those two1 as ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 or ,iron4 ,every ,metal hath its own proper powers and virtues1 which in the extraction of the ,scoria go forth together1 and render that ,extract more noble1 or else diminish its virtues4 ,gold and ,silver have a different nature and properties from ,copper and ,iron4 ,nevertheless ,copper and ,iron are not malignant or hurtful in the ,scoria1 but also possess great virtues4 ,nevertheless the greatest virtues which are elicited from the ,scoria1 are to be taken for a ,tincture of ,sulphur2 for the ,metals being destroyed by fulmination1 and again reduced into a body1 leave but a very small part in the ,scoria1 seeing that their greatest part returneth into a metallick body4 ,therefore the ,scoria principally consist of fixt ,nitre1 and that ,sulphur by which the destroyed ,metals are again reduced into a metallick body from the ,nitre4 ,the ,scoria of the ,metals destroyed and precipitated by ,coals1 or common ,sulphur1 have one and the same nature1 virtues1 and properties4 ,the ,scoria of that reduction made by ,antimony1 partake of another nature1 to wit1 of a grosser and stronger than those which are made by common ,sulphur or ,coals1 for they sometimes cause vomiting1 which the other do not4 ,and this ,i would note1 that because ,antimony as yet containeth many ,arsenical qualities1 common ,sulphur containeth but few1 and ,coals none at all2 that therefore also the ,scoria made by these1 are safer than the other2 nevertheless1 ,i confess that those are somewhat cruder1 and more immature than those made with ,antimony2 but being extracted with ,spirit of ,wine1 yield an excellent ,tincture1 which is a kind of a ,universal ,medicine2 for it is sufficiently known1 that no subjects 7,gold and ,silver excepted7 are found fitter for ,medicine1 than ,antimony and common ,sulphur4 ,and because ,wood-,coals exactly answer to this common ,sulphur in their nature1 properties1 powers1 and virtue1 therefore ,i commend the ,scoria's made by them1 and prefer them to those prepared by ,mineral ,sulphur and ,antimony2 not that there is a greater efficacy in ,coals than in ,antimony and common ,sulphur1 but because those of ,coals dissolved by fixt ,nitre1 are rendered more apt and easie to render their virtues to spirit of ,wine1 are of a more easie extraction1 and are somewhat more familiar to the animal nature1 than common ,sulphur and ,antimony4 ,but the ,medicine prepared of either of those scoria1 is efficacious1 and differeth but little in its external species and colour4 ,all the difference in those ,tinctures1 is1 ,that that which is extracted from the ,antimonial scoria1 if it be taken in a little the larger dose1 before fixation1 causeth vomiting1 and operateth more forcibly than the other two4 ,all three after the manner of sulphurs1 gild silver1 help the growth of ,vegetables1 by dunging1 and nourish and augment ,gold being made spiritual1 and closed up in the moist way4 ,and although ,i do not yet know what it can perform in the transmutation of ,metals1 yet ,i am perswaded1 that if it were fixed and rendered constant in the ,fire1 and made to have ingress into metals1 that it would effect something in transmutation4 ,it sufficeth me at this time to have indicated the way by which a universal ,remedy against all curable ,diseases1 is to be prepared of the remaining scoria4 ,he that desires to know more1 let him set to his hand1 and search farther2 the way is opened to him3 ,but if he desires somewhat better1 let him set upon the ,spirit of ,mercury and ,gold1 which is forced into the ,receivers1 and search for it in that4 ,as for the remaining parts1 viz4 the metallick flowers1 and the running ,argent-vive1 which passed together into the ,receivers1 the running ,argent-vive may be separated from the ,flowers1 and used again for the like labour1 by amalgamating it with ,jupiter4 ,the ,flowers are again to be reduced with the fulminated metals1 that nothing of the ,gold and ,silver may be lost2 so this labour being continued1 will give a perpetual encrease of ,gold and ,silver1 besides the tinging ,anima1 and the ,expences will be only for the ,salt-,petre1 which will be little to those who know how to make ,salt-,petre themselves1 for the making of which1 ,i have shewed the way2 so that without any great labour1 trouble1 and cost1 not only an honest livelihood may be gotten1 but also a good medicine1 for the relief and comfort of the forsaken ,sick4 ,but before ,i conclude this my concentration of metals by ,salt-petre1 ,i think fit here to adjoin some admonitions for the benefit of the studious of these ,labours4 ,when in the reduction of the metals destroyed by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 the scoria are left too long upon the gold1 and not poured off in due time1 they 7after a certain magnetick manner7 attract the remaining ,anima which the ,fulmen hath left in the ,gold1 and leave the whole pale4 ,if ,argent-vive be amalgamated afresh with this pale ,gold1 and this ,labour sometimes repeated1 the ,gold will be wholly spoil'd of its ,anima1 being partly driven into the ,receivers1 and that which is left attracted by the scoria1 then the gold loseth all its colour1 and the scoria put on a bloody colour4 ,from this red scoria the ,tincture is to be extracted1 by a certain singular ,artifice1 and to be used in the known manner4 ,the pale ,gold recovereth its yellow colour by ,iron1 ,copper or ,antimony4 ,moreover1 this is also to be observed1 ,when by the ,fulmen of ,jove the anima of and is propelled into the ,receivers1 the ,receivers being taken off1 the ,flowers which hide the ,anima1 are to be taken out1 and kept in ,glasses close stopt4 ,for the said ,anima of and is so spiritual1 volatile1 and fugacious1 that like a ,bird it presently flies away1 and leaves an empty ,nest2 the truth of which thing ,i have experienced4 ,he that will not believe what ,i say1 let him try1 and he will find it to be true4 ,but that ,i may shew the studious of the ,hermetick ,medicine how he may experience this matter1 ,i will declare by what chance ,i my self came to know it4 ,at a certain time1 when ,i had taken the anima of ,gold and ,mercury1 made by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 out of the ,receivers1 not clearing one ,receiver so well1 but that somewhat of the anima remained therein2 ,i put in some ounces of ,water1 that ,i might thereby the better wash out the remaining ,flowers3 ,in the mean time1 some more urgent business called me away1 ,i set the ,receiver with the ,water in it1 upon a ,table in my ,laboratory1 before or near a ,window1 and forgetting it1 left it there for some daies2 the ,cold being then very sharp1 in that time had frozen all into ,ice2 ,i coming into my ,laboratory1 to see if some ,glasses1 in which were ,water1 were not broken by the ,ice1 as is usual1 ,i found some wholly filled with ,ice1 and seeing this ,receiver to lie there1 ,i presently believed that ,receiver to be broken by the ,frost2 but taking it up in my hand1 ,i found that the ,water in it was not frozen1 but remained clear1 therefore ,i rejoiced that the ,glass remained unhurt1 and wondered much whence it should proceed2 but ,i could impute it to no other thing1 but to the hot spirit of ,gold and ,mercury1 of which notwithstanding there could not above three or four grains remain in the ,glass1 which although so very little1 preserved some ounces of ,water from freezing4 ,from that time weighing the matter more diligently1 ,i found an incredible heat in that ,anima4 ,let others enquire and search what may be performed by such a heat2 this ,i know1 that hereafter there will be sedulous ,artists1 who will thank me for this my faithful ,institution4 ,for it is very likely1 that this subtile and fiery ,spirit of ,gold and ,mercury1 such as it yet is before fixation1 may be presently used with great profit1 in the taking away many occult ,diseases of the ,body4 ,moreover1 it is to be observed1 ,that if ,metals1 whether ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper be to be conjoined by amalgamation with ,tin and ,argent-vive1 they ought first to be reduced into pure and shining ,calces1 that they may be the more readily received by the ,mercury3 ,but only a fourth or sixth part of the ,calx is to be added in the ,amalgamation1 lest the ,tin 7by too great a quantity of the ,calx7 be hindered in fulminating1 for the whole operation consisteth in a right fulmination4 ,but lest any should erre in working1 he may first make trial1 whether all things be well mixed and prepared1 by putting half a dram of the mixture into a small ,crucible1 and upon that a live ,coal1 and beholding the ,fulmen with an intent eye1 that he may see what colour it gives3 ,if it riseth so white and clear1 that it dazleth the eyes1 as the looking upon the ,sun is wont to do1 all things are rightly and orderly mixt2 the smoak is tinged with the colour of the adjoined ,metal1 as ,purple from ,gold1 ,blue from ,silver1 ,green from ,copper1 but ,tin and ,argent-vive only give ,white4 ,also from the ,mass remaining in the ,crucible1 it may be seen whether the ,fulmen be rightly performed1 viz4 if the ,caput ,mort4 or residing ,mass be porous1 and fiery upon the ,tongue1 being touched therewith4 ,the ,colours also of that ,mass are various1 according to the added ,metal2 ,tin and ,argent-vive alone leave a fiery white matter4 ,neither is this to be passed by1 being of no small moment1 viz4 ,if you seek not a ,medicine1 but only the emendation of ,metals1 it is not necessary to add ,mercury with the ,metals1 but the ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper may be melted with ,tin1 for so they become a brittle ,mass1 which may be powdered in a ,mortar1 and mixed with an equal weight1 or a little more1 of ,salt-petre1 and put into a strong ,crucible1 and covered1 then put into a circular fire1 so that the fire may approach it by degrees1 till the ,crucible and ,matter be hot1 and at length taking flame1 may be enkindled and dispersed4 ,in which operation many ,flowers flie away1 and a fiery ,mass remaineth in the bottom1 which is again to be reduced into a metallick body in a strong ,crucible1 in a ,wind-,furnace1 by the addition of some combustible sulphur1 and after the reduction1 to be reduced again into powder1 and mixed with fresh ,nitre1 and again treated in the same manner1 by sometimes repeating the former ,labour4 ,at length that ,mass being reduced in a ,crucible1 the ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper will be found augmented by the ,tin4 ,,nb4 ,because in this operation1 not a little of the ,metals flies away in fume1 the ,crucible may be set in some ,wall1 and on the ,wall over it some ,vessels or subliming ,pots capacious enough may be fastened over it1 that the ,metals being kindled by the ,fulmen1 the elevated ,flowers may be preserved and advanced to a purer ,metal than they were before4 ,this ,labour doth not differ much from the ,operation of ,basilius1 in which ,salt-petre saith1 ,my ,lover is a cheerful or pleasant ,woman1 c4 ,there are only two feminine ,metals1 viz4 ,luna and ,venus1 either of which serveth to this ,labour1 yet this is more profitable than that1 yea1 and the same ,labour giveth an augment to ,sol1 ,mars1 and ,saturn1 which are not feminine4 ,when ,tin is melted with or 1 these pleasant females are elevated with joy1 they sing1 dance1 and suffer themselves to be handled in what manner soever it shall please one to treat them1 therefore they are called brisk or pleasant ,women4 ,this is an ,operation not to be contemned1 forasmuch as it well compensateth the ,labour1 and requireth but small costs besides the ,salt-,petre1 and also may be wrought in a great quantity1 but our former with ,mercury is better4 ,there is yet more lies hid in this operation1 but ,i think it not necessary here to recount all things4 ,let the ,reader kindly accept of this1 and shortly 7,god willing7 more and better shall follow4 ,whatsoever ,i have here written1 is the very truth1 and confirmed by many ,experiments1 in which every one may safely confide1 and if he operates aright1 will find the truth2 for all things here delivered1 are to be understood according to the ,letter1 and so to be observed in all the ,labours4 ,a ,,treatise ,of an ,universal ,medicine2 ,,or1 ,a ,true ,aurum ,potabile4 ,being an accurate ,description of a ,true ,universal ,medicine1 and of its admirable ,virtue and ,efficacy which it sheweth upon the ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 ,a ,gift presented unto all such ,noblemen as are desirous to preserve their ,health1 and to attain to a ,long ,life2 it being an ,universal ,medicine1 or ,a ,true ,aurum ,potabile4 ,after that ,i had by ,,god',s assistance described three excellent ,processes in the ,continuation of the ,miraculum ,mundi1 and had bestowed the same on men of several orders1 that thereby they might the easilier1 and with a safer ,conscience1 provide themselves with ,food and ,raiment3 ,i was also desirous of tendering some small ,present to ,noblemen too1 and such who are of eminent power and authority1 and whom ,i had not forgotten to present with some ,gift1 which may serve for the preservation of their good health for a long time1 and for the restauration of it when lost4 ,for it is a thing of the greatest ,concernment for the ,nobles1 and such men as are placed in the degree of ,power and ,authority1 to have the fruition of bodily health1 whereby they may wisely rule over the subjects committed unto them by ,god1 and may use a sound mind about the defence of the ,good1 and the punishment of the ,ungodly4 ,now a sound mind inhabiting in a sound body1 doth proceed 7next after the ,divine ,grace7 out of a sound ,heart and ,brain4 ,and it cannot be1 that a publick ,government can be rightly and well administred without a good ,health2 and this is as clear and evident as the noonday light is4 ,forasmuch therefore as the safety and preservation of all ,kingdoms and ,republicks is placed in the ,wisdom of their ,rulers and ,magistrates1 and that imprudence and ignorance of the ,rulers is wont to ruin their ,subjects1 it is a thing of the highest consequence to save the ,head of the whole ,kingdom or ,country sound1 whole1 cheerful1 prudent and ingenious1 and that he be not made unfit or uncapable for the ,government1 by diseases1 sadness1 slothfulness1 and stupidity4 ,therefore the love of my ,neighbour constrains me to publish this ,universal ,medicine for the sake of the ,great ones of the ,world1 seeing it is so much conducive to the perpetual felicity and happiness of a sound and good ,government2 for no man can be said to be a sound man1 if he be not of a sound constitution of ,body4 ,what benefit1 ,i pray1 can a sick man bring to himself1 or to other men8 ,verily none at all1 but is rather an hindrance and detriment both to himself1 and unto others likewise3 ,for when the ,head is ill1 there are a great many ,members must serve it2 but if the ,head be sound and well1 it exerciseth the governance of the whole ,body very happily4 ,what profit has a man that is tormented with ,sicknesses and ,dolours1 of all his vast ,wealth and ,riches1 since he can neither use them nor enjoy them1 looking upon them with a kind of nauseate1 and at last leaving them with grief behind4 ,certainly a sound body is to be preferred far before all the ,treasures of this ,world1 and no body will gain-say this4 ,he is to be judged the ,happiest man1 that possesseth those two the greatest ,gifts of ,god1 viz4 good ,health and ,riches4 ,sickness and ,poverty are to be esteemed worse than even ,death it self4 ,we sometimes see1 that pious ,magistrates and ,governours are snatcht away1 and killed with small ,diseases1 which otherwise might have yet ,ruled very many years over their subjects1 had they had but good ,medicaments1 by help whereof they might have been succoured4 ,as for the way of ,conserving good ,health1 and recovering it when lost1 this little ,book doth most exactly shew the same1 which ,i commend unto all those who are desirous of its preservation4 ,of a ,universal ,medicine1 ,,or1 ,,aurum ,,potabile4 ,the ,medicine that is honoured with the ,title of ,universal must be of this property1 viz4 to operate universally upon the three ,kingdoms1 viz4 the ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and the ,mineral1 and to be able to succour each of them1 as a most high ,medicine should do4 ,whatsoever now does not abound with such an excellent property1 the ,title of ,universal is falsly attributed unto it2 nor is it worthy such a ,noble ,name4 ,therefore it doth1 in the first place1 behove me really1 and in very deed1 to demonstrate in this ,book which treats of such a ,universal medicine1 that this same medicine which is so intituled1 doth also possess those very same virtues and properties which a ,universal medicine ought to have4 ,and farther1 ,such a ,universal medicine ought not only to be a most friendly ,auxiliary and ,helper1 universally1 to those three ,kingdoms1 viz4 the ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 but it is likewise necessary that it be also preparable out of all those three ,kingdoms1 ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 and that too out of each apart1 without the addition of any peregrine thing1 and without any great labour1 for the benefit and profit as well of the ,poor as of the ,rich4 ,they therefore do extreamly erre who are of such a foolish opinion1 as to ,dream that the matter of the universal medicine is only produced in such or such a place1 and is to be fetch'd out of this or that ,country with a great deal of ,labour and ,charges4 ,this opinion is ,diametrically opposite to the common ,vogue and ,saying of all true ,philosophers1 who do unanimously confess1 that their matter is every where to be found1 and every one has it1 and it is in the possession both of the ,poor and of the ,rich3 ,and this verily is so open and evident a ,saying1 that nothing can be spoken more apparently4 ,for my part1 ,i do affirm1 that this ,art is ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 and that there is not a man to be found in the whole ,world1 that has not the knowledge of this universal matter1 and that does not use the same4 ,yea more1 ,i do also affirm1 that even a new-born ,infant cannot live without it4 ,i have already accurately demonstrated in many places of the ,writings ,i have hitherto published1 that ,nitre is found in all the things of the whole ,world2 and so not only in all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 but also in the very ,elements themselves1 viz4 in the ,earth1 in the ,water1 in the ,air1 in the ,fire3 ,and for this reason it both may1 and deservedly ought to be called a ,universal matter2 for without the ,elements can no man live4 ,and now1 whether any one believes this which ,i here mention1 or does not credit it1 'tis all a case to me1 what ,i have said ,i have said1 nor need ,i say more4 ,and thus much let suffice concerning the universal matter4 ,the ,preparation ,i have openly enough treated of in many places of my ,writings1 but especially in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in the other ,writings thereunto appertaining2 and therefore ,i forbear to make any more prolix declaration1 and to multiply any more words about it4 ,but yet notwithstanding1 ,i do here adjoin thus much1 and confess1 that although ,i have several times prepared that universal medicine1 yet the ,preparation thereof has not at all times answered my desires2 nor hath it as yet been ever brought by me unto the utmost perfection and fixation1 because ,i have wanted both time and opportunity of accomplishing it1 and many other ,impediments have hindered me from compassing the same according to my mind4 ,but as concerning what ,progress ,i have therein made1 and that ,i can as yet perform or finish the same in three daies time2 this1 ,i say1 ,i will consecrate to eternal memory1 and in no case hold my peace1 but speak on1 for the instructions sake of ,posterity4 ,and this ,i do to this end1 that the omnipotence and bounty of ,god may be the more manifest1 and that ,his ,divine ,name may be honoured the more1 and that many ,thousands of ,sick people may be succoured with a most present and speedy ,remedy4 ,this is the only cause that stirred me up to make this ,discourse of the universal medicine2 for ,i neither would1 nor indeed ought ,i to burthen my ,conscience by the concealment thereof1 nor to hide and bury with me in my ,grave1 such a noble ,gift of ,god1 and the ,talent which of ,his ,gracious ,benignity ,he hath been pleased to bestow upon me4 ,but yet ,i would not that any one should perswade himself that he shall 7by his soothing words and large promises of golden mountains7 squeeze out from me the ,preparation of the same1 whereby he may make use thereof to lead his ,life in ,pleasures1 ,pride1 and ,impiety1 and so hurt poor mankind4 ,no1 let such an one be assured1 that ,i will never do so1 for it is not in my power to reveal to every one such a great ,gift1 and which is of ,god1 and not of ,man1 but 'tis in the power of ,god alone so to do3 ,and as for my self1 ,i would much rather die1 than to reveal and prostitute it to a wicked man4 ,besides1 ,i would not have any one to suppose1 that whereas ,i call this medicine of mine ,universal1 it is therefore able to transmute the ,imperfect metals into ,gold1 so as to furnish one with such vast ,treasures as the ,philosophers attribute unto their universal medicine3 ,no1 for ,i am as yet ignorant of such a transmutation1 nor indeed do ,i covet it1 or gape thereafter1 but give unto ,god only most great ,thanks for that medicine1 by which 7being vouchsafed me of ,his meer bounty7 ,i am able to succour the miserable1 sick1 tormented1 and diseased ones1 and celebrate the glory and benignity of the ,lord4 ,i do withal readily confess1 that ,i have not as hitherto received any benefit at all therefrom about the bettering of the ,metals thereby2 nor do ,i at all seek after any benefits in that kind of way1 being contented with that ,medicine1 advanced to such a pass1 as whereby it may be able to suffice me to get ,food and ,raiment by ,god's help4 ,i covet not after abundance of ,riches1 and do only beg of ,god1 that ,he would neither afflict me with ,poverty and ,want1 nor bestow on me too much ,satiety and ,fulness1 lest ,i should be lifted up with ,pride1 and say1 ,who is the ,lord8 ,nay verily1 if ,i could with this ,medicine get my self great benefit1 as to the metallick affairs1 yet would ,i not do it1 nor would ,i lay out such a great ,gift of ,god1 upon temporary things1 thereby to rob the poor1 miserable1 sick people of the same1 for whose sake ,god was pleased to bestow it4 ,perhaps it may so come to pass1 that this my ,medicine may1 by the labour of diligent searchers1 be brought to such a pass1 as to be capable of exercising its power upon the lesser and imperfect metals1 and that by a fruitful or profitable amending and correcting them3 ,but this is a thing that ,god reserves to ,himself1 as posited in ,his alone good pleasure1 whose ,grace and ,favour we must with a patient expectation wait for3 ,mean while we may lawfully enjoy this most excellent medicine1 which being a most certain ,argument of the verity and power1 arising from such a notable ,art1 doth abundantly serve to stop the shameless mouths1 and break the mischievous ,teeth of all ,farnnerian ,asses4 ,but yet notwithstanding some or other of them may haply spue out some poisonous stuff out of his shameless mouth1 and say1 ,with what right can ,i impose the name of ,universal ,medicine upon this ,medicine of mine1 seeing that ,i do not in the least deny1 that it is not available to bring me any benefit out of the metals1 but can only heal the ,diseases of the ,sick3 ,whereas the ,philosophers do on the contrary attest1 that their ,universal medicine hath such virtues as are wont to transmute the lesser or meaner metals into ,gold1 and that with most exceeding profit4 ,for answer to such as these1 ,i say1 that although this medicine of mine which is here treated of1 hath not hitherto brought me any profit by the melioration of the metals1 yet it demonstrates it self to be universal1 and to be worthy that same ,title2 for ,i have been hindered through want of time and other letts 7as ,i said afore7 from hitherto bringing it unto perfection and fixation4 ,and ,i pray who can tell what ,god will be pleased to vouchsafe in process of time4 ,a new-born ,infant cannot well be upbraided 7if wanting wit and judgment it does not attempt and effect some great matters7 and be on this wise twitted4 ,ho6 it is not a man1 'tis beardless1 it understands nothing1 it lies along and cannot help it self1 it has nothing but what they reach out unto it4 ,well1 well1 let the ,infant but arrive unto its due age1 and let its due meat and drink be administred unto it1 and then in length of time it will attain to a requisite stature and strength1 and will propagate and multiply its own kind4 ,for if there be but once the humane form1 there will not proceed ought else thencefrom1 but a perfect man4 ,just so stands the case with my medicine1 which is exceeding like to a new-born ,infant1 whereto regard being had1 according to a ,philosophical manner1 there will be no doubt1 but that it will arrive unto a due perfection4 ,and now1 the things which it doth even already perform1 do all of them sufficiently argue and testifie1 that process of time both can indeed must produce thereout of some better thing2 even as a good ,parent wisheth for nothing more1 than that 7whilst himself is living7 his ,children may grow up to man's estate1 and be happily married1 and by a new ,offspring preserve his ,name and ,stock1 and yield their help towards the multiplication of mankind1 and he himself is wondrously joyed in his ,grandchildren3 ,but yet in the meanwhile he cannot be at all certain that his ,life shall be so long prorogued1 as to have a fruition of so much happiness1 and therefore must commit the whole affair to ,god's pleasure1 and patiently wait upon him1 and ,see what that ,omnipotent ,creator 7who indeed shewed unto ,moses the ,promised ,land1 but granted him not so long ,life as to enter thereinto7 will do with him and his2 even so hath the ,lord shewed unto me the ,promised ,land1 but whether or no ,i am worthy to arrive so far as to enjoy the pleasant ,fruits thereof1 ,,god only knows2 ,his merciful bounty hath bestowed upon me in my old ,age a ,philosophical ,infant1 which doth exceedingly rejoice me3 ,but yet verily am ,i utterly ignorant whether or no ,he will vouchsafe unto me so long a ,life1 as to see the virile or man-like age thereof4 ,therefore1 like as a ,father1 unto whom in his old ,age the ,divine ,bounty hath vouchsafed an ,heir1 tho' 7haply7 he well knows that the said ,heir cannot possibly arrive unto man's estate1 during his 7viz4 the ,father's7 life1 yet nevertheless he is exceedingly joyed1 in that he hath an ,heir to keep up his ,name1 and which will in time trace his ,father's footsteps 7viz4 have more ,children73 ,even just so doth my new-born ,philosophical ,infant exceedingly rejoice me1 though haply ,i know that my ,life will not last so long1 as to be a ,possessor of the same1 in the state of its being advanced unto perfection4 ,however1 ,i doubt not but that ,god will stir up other nursing ,fathers to this tender ,infant1 that being educated and nourished by them1 it may arrive unto a ,man-like strength1 and unto virile powers and virtues1 and may become serviceable to the advancement of the ,honour of ,god1 and to the succouring of many ,thousands of sick ,people4 ,the way of attaining this1 ,i have1 according to my simple judgment1 too and agen1 and peicemeal as it were1 opened and revealed in divers places of my ,work1 viz4 how it may be most commodiously effected1 and therefore ,i judge it needless to treat thereof any farther in this place4 ,of the ,nature1 ,form1 ,properties1 and admirable ,virtue and ,efficacy of my ,true ,aurum ,potabile4 ,as touching the form of this same new-born ,infant1 ,i would have the well-minded ,reader know1 that it is like unto a poor1 naked1 tender ,babe1 of no splendour1 of a simple aspect1 but yet carries within it self all the colours of the whole ,world1 which by how much the older it grows1 so much the fairer colours doth it yield4 ,the ,fire affords it nutriment1 and clothes it with ,garments of various colours1 and makes it strong1 fair1 noble1 and potent1 insomuch that it may not undeservedly be termed its ,father4 ,being born out of the ,earth its ,mother1 it loves it1 and useth it for its nutriment1 until that arriving unto full years1 it becomes like its ,father the ,fire1 and leaves its ,mother the ,earth1 and like a ,lord of full age1 bears rule over its ,hereditary ,possessions4 ,but during its ,minority and ,infancy1 all its actions are look'd on as childish1 but yet so that presently 7or even now7 appears what kind of notable man he will be1 making good that ,proverb2 ,urit mature quod vult urtica manere4 ,that which will a ,nettle be1 ,stings betimes1 trust you me4 ,for seeing that a new-born ,infant doth abound with so much virtue1 as to be able to do so much good1 ,what would not he be capable of effecting1 should he attain to a ripeness of years8 ,it will be therefore worth while to hear and see what virtues it is able to exercise upon ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals2 and first1 we will treat about the ,vegetables4 ,by what way a ,trial is to be made1 whether or no this ,aurum ,potabile1 or ,aqua-vit of the ,philosophers1 be a most high ,medicine for the ,vegetables4 ,every body knows1 that the ,vegetables which are to grow up1 and be multiplied1 must be also nourished4 ,this nourishment now is nothing else but a sulphureous ,salt1 whether it hath its ,rise from the ,vegetables1 or from the ,animals1 or from the ,minerals2 for 'tis all a case to the ,vegetables1 from whatsoever it proceeds1 so that they have but their nutriment1 by which they may grow1 be encreased1 and be multiplied4 ,the ,husband-man useth the ,dung of any ,cattel or ,sheep1 to dung his ,lands withal1 that the ,seed sown in the dunged ,earth1 may thence extract the ,salt1 and convert it into its own nutriment1 and so grow up1 and be encreased2 and besides this kind of ,dunging he knows none4 ,but the true ,naturalist makes use of the ,excrements of other ,animals1 yea1 and the ,minerals themselves too1 for the dunging of the ,ground2 concerning which thing1 ,i have written at large in my other ,writings1 and especially in my ,miraculum ,mundi2 and therefore there's no need at all of making any farther repetition of the same here4 ,forasmuch therefore as my ,aurum ,potabile is also a sulphureous ,salt1 but yet far stronger1 and more efficacious than that which lies in the common ,dung of ,beasts and ,cattel1 and so consequently promotes the accretion or growth1 and multiplication of all the ,vegetables in a wonderful maner4 ,i have judged it a thing worth while to set down in this place the use thereof in the melioration of the ,vegetables1 that so it may be evidently demonstrated1 that this my ,potable ,gold is the most excellent ,medicine for all the ,vegetables1 and that their ,particular ,medicine which doth first proceed from the ,dung of ,sheep and ,cattel1 doth afterwards display its virtues by an ,universal operation4 ,for if the ,dung of ,horses1 ,cows1 and ,sheep 7as 'tis barely ,dung7 could but succour ,men and ,metals1 like as it brings a medical or helping succour unto the ,vegetables1 then might it by the same reason be likewise called ,universal4 ,but whereas it is an helper to the ,vegetables only1 and hath no conjoining familiarity with the ,minerals and ,animals1 therefore is it rightly and deservedly to be referred to the order of particular ,medicines1 which are helpful to the ,vegetables only4 ,but yet notwithstanding1 the ,salt being extracted out of those sorts of ,dung1 and converted into ,saltpetre1 7which is a thing easily done7 doth then admit of being transmuted into a ,universal ,medicine3 ,but now1 afore such a ,transmutation be made1 it does not exceed the order or bounds of ,particular ,medicaments4 ,but this ,aurum ,potabile of mine merits the name of a true ,universal ,medicine1 as being not only a most high ,medicine for the ,vegetables1 but also for the ,animals and ,minerals too1 and this shall be perfectly demonstrated as follows4 ,you must get some ,vessels made of the best ,earth1 and strong1 and such as being well burnt in the ,fire1 become like a ,stone4 ,and amongst such ,earths1 the ,colen1 ,siburg1 ,waldenberg1 and other such-like natured ,earths1 are the fittest for this ,work2 let them be made very thick1 and such as will not imbibe any ,water4 ,if you want such as these1 cause then your ,vessels to be made of ,glass2 for every porous kind of ,earth1 though it be glazed over with ,lead-glass1 yet it is not so fit for this kind of operation2 therefore you must of necessity provide your self with fit and convenient ,vessels1 and have a most especial regard to this admonition4 ,let such a ,vessel be a span long1 or high1 or deep1 and let it have the same breadth or largeness1 and let its bottom be perforated with some small holes1 like as those ,pots which are made for the keeping of ,flowers in are wont to be3 ,the ,pots being thus prepared and filled up top-full1 with clear and lean ,sand1 you may put or plant therein three or four ,seeds of such ,herbs that you have a mind to plant1 that so if haply one of them comes not to good1 the second1 third1 or fourth may4 ,when the seeds are on this wise put in the said ,sand1 and shall have been moistened with our ,universal ,water1 the ,pots must then be set abroad to the ,sun and ,air1 that so the ,seeds may spring up and grow2 which seeds1 if good1 and not too old1 will in a few daies time1 grow up out of the ,sand1 as if they had been in any other fat ,earth4 ,now1 when they shall have sprouted up so high as a fingers length1 you must leave in your said ,pots two of the biggest and strongest stalks or sprouts1 and pluck up the others1 lest they should impede each others growth2 and you must let them have room enough in the ,pot to grow4 ,this ,vessel thus filled with ,sand1 and planted with seeds1 is to be set upon another strong ,dish or ,platter1 and which is made of the like sort of ,stone-like ,earth1 that so if that medicinal water should happen to penetrate and destil through the sand1 it may not be lost1 but being saved1 may be again poured into the pot-full of sand4 ,moreover1 you must diligently take heed that no ,rain-water fall therein and wash away that medicinal water1 and so take from the ,herbs their nutriment4 ,the sand must not be too much wetted1 but lie alwaies somewhat moist1 lest by being quite dry1 or too wet1 the whole ,work be corrupted by either the excess or defect of the due1 temperament3 ,all things here prescribed being duly observed1 the ,herb springs up in a short time1 and bears ,flowers and ,fruits sooner and better1 than if it had grown in other dunged ,earth4 ,the ,colours become fairer1 the ,odours will be stronger1 the ,virtues also will be greater1 and these ,herbs do likewise longer keep their virtues1 and are not so corruptible as others are4 ,after that all the humidity which you poured first on1 shall have been consumed by the ,sun and the ,air1 so as that it is plainly vanisht1 there must some other ,rain-water 7wherein a little of that potable ,gold shall have been dissolved7 be again poured on upon the ,sand1 that so the ,herb may have its due supply of nourishment1 so long as it shall be a-growing1 for the whole ,world knows1 that there does not grow ought at all out of sand1 which is only wetted with bare ,rain-water4 ,likewise by the help of this ,universal ,medicine all kinds of ,herbs and ,plants may be made apt to germinate and grow even in mid-,winter1 and may be at any time amended1 if so be that dissolved ,liquor be but poured on upon the ,roots4 ,so will they be sooner ripe1 and yield their ,flowers and ,fruits much speedier than those that are dunged after the common way2 yea1 and more too4 ,i say1 that as to their virtues and efficacy1 they are to be preferred far before the common ones4 ,the bare simple ,universal ,medicine is wont to shew so much efficacy1 as is here mentioned3 ,but now some metallick ,ferment being added thereunto1 makes it far more efficacious2 for by means thereof1 the ,herbs acquire greater and better virtues4 ,if there be adjoined thereunto an aureous ferment1 the ,herbs will not only get the virtues of the ,gold1 but will also appear spotted here and there1 in their ,leaves and ,flowers1 with golden spots like little ,stars1 and will wonderfully please the sight by their delicate aspect4 ,if a ,silver ,ferment be thereto added1 the ,herbs will be impregnated with ,silvery virtues1 and be painted with silver spots as they grow4 ,the ,herbs being by this means bettered with a golden ,ferment for the ,heart1 and with a ,silver ,ferment for the ,brain1 do with a more admirable efficacy succour those ,members4 ,and if the great ones of the ,world did for their ,health's sake take care for the nourishing such ,herbs as these in their ,gardens1 there's no doubt at all to be made1 but that they would thencefrom obtain most great benefits4 ,for1 besides their wonderfully delighting the sight with their beauty and delicateness1 and besides their admirable virtues1 in which they far excel the common ,herbs1 they do likewise bring this exceeding great profit1 viz4 they may be made use of instead of my ,aurum ,potabile1 which perhaps some great men may be averse from taking1 through the perswasions of their ignorant ,physicians1 who most-an-end do1 by reason of their sottish stupidity and ignorance1 snarle and bite at such kind of eminent ,medicines1 and divert their ,lords and ,masters from the using of them1 as if they were so many ,poisons4 ,if therefore 7to free themselves from that needless care7 they did but make use of these ,herbs instead of my ,potable ,gold1 they would however1 by the help of such ,vegetables1 enjoy so much of the efficacy of my ,potable ,gold1 as to keep themselves in good ,health1 or to recover it1 being lost4 ,besides too1 the said ,potable ,gold may be most commodiously and fitly applied to the use of ,mankind1 not only by the help of the ,vegetables1 but also of the ,animals too1 and that on this wise4 ,hens 7or ,pullets1 c47 are to be a while nourished with ,oats1 ,barley1 ,wheat1 or other kind of ,grain1 macerated with the ,liquor of that ,universal ,medicine2 and being nourished therewithal1 they will by concoction or digestion transmute those ,medicinal ,virtues into their ,flesh1 and so be far more efficacious and nobler than the flesh of other ,hens or ,poultry4 ,the ,dung likewise of such ,fowls may be ,saved1 and mixt with ,sand1 and ,herbs be therein planted1 which by this means will be rendered better than the common ,herbs1 because they assume to themselves the ,reliques of that ,liquor which the ,fowls did not consume1 and by digestion transmute into their ,flesh1 and so do convert it into their proper juice1 so that there is not any thing at all of that ,liquor lost1 but the whole of it passeth into most notable profit4 ,verily this is an excellent and admirable ,transplantation of an ,universal ,medicine1 into the ,vegetables and ,animals1 the which the tender great ones of the ,world may make use of with the greatest security4 ,such now as these 7viz4 the great ones7 seeing that this ,universal ,medicine of mine doth not at all hurt the tender seeds of ,herbs1 or the young ,pullen1 but rather bestows on them a greater efficacy and strength1 will doubtlesly be induced to believe and understand thus much1 viz4 that this same ,medicine will in no case prove hurtful unto ,men1 who as to tenderness1 cannot be like the seeds of ,herbs1 or like tender ,pullen4 ,if this ,medicine be of so great an efficacy as to be capable of transmuting some venenate ,mineral1 such as ,mercury is1 into true ,gold1 and that in a few hours space1 as we shall see and hear by and by1 it must necessarily follow1 that it is not infected with any malignity or venom1 for the malignity of one thing does not amend or correct the malignity of another thing1 but rather makes it worser4 ,from hence it is apparently manifest1 that that ,potable ,gold does not at all partake of any malignity1 but is a most wholsome ,medicine for both ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals3 ,which thing1 if any one will not give credit unto1 or shall not be capable to understand the same1 ,i know not what other help to afford him2 for minding my own affairs1 ,i have propounded and set down all things out of a good and sincere mind2 if so be that any one hath ought that is better1 let him produce it out-right1 and not despise those things which he does not understand1 lest haply he hazardeth his good name1 as that convicted ,lyar ,farnner hath done1 and be derided1 and made a laughing-stock to the common ,people4 ,but ,farnner's setting upon me with his calumnies and slanders1 hath ministred unto me an occasion of answering1 and of defending my self3 ,upon this occasion of my replying1 there have sprung up1 and come forth to the ,light most excellent ,secrets and ,arcana's of ,nature4 ,surely ,i should never have so openly published my knowledge in natural things1 but should have lain hidden in quiet1 had not that ,blood-sucker and secret ,murtherer thrown me out of my tranquility by his venomous biting4 ,but that it may not seem a thing strange and absurd1 that ,i write1 that this ,aurum ,potabile of mine doth induce into the growing ,herbs a golden ,nature1 it seems a thing expedient unto me1 to confirm the business by some true ,histories4 ,in the ,hungarian and ,transylvanian ,chronicles1 it is mentioned1 ,that in those ,countries1 in which the soil or ground hath every where about in the ,mountains1 an aureous or golden nature1 and from whence1 for this ,thousand years1 even to this very day1 much ,gold hath been1 and yearly is digged out by the ,gold,miners1 and been molten1 and coined into ,moneys1 there have been oft times found such ,vines1 as have not only had their ,leaves1 but also the ,grapes too gilded over1 as it were1 with ,gold1 just as if they had been artificially gilt4 ,nor is this an old ,wife's ,fable1 but a thing most certainly true1 and which many have affirmed unto me for a most undoubted ,truth1 some of which ,persons have had their ,habitations in those places1 and othersome of them do even live there at this day4 ,about some six years since1 when ,i lived in ,franconia1 it chanced1 that a ,vine to whose ,roots ,i laid ,gold opened1 and reduced into its first ,ens1 produced ,bunches of ,grapes1 whose ,stones were gilded3 ,which ,story ,i have mentioned more at large in the ,consolation of ,navigators4 ,and but very lately a certain ,nobleman of ,hungary1 told me for a most certain ,truth1 that not far from ,cremnitz1 being one of the ,mountain ,cities of ,hungaria1 a certain ,husbandman found in his ,vineyard a piece of corporeal ,gold1 above an ,ell long1 grown out of a ,stone1 and twined round about the said ,stone1 a little piece of which was given me by the said ,nobleman1 because of the ,novelty and ,wonders sake4 ,but put case that this were not true1 which notwithstanding is very true and indubitable1 as being a thing known to the whole ,world1 that such gilded ,grapes are often found in ,hungaria and ,transylvania2 yet however1 those things that ,i have mentioned1 and attributed unto my ,potable ,gold1 are most assuredly true4 ,nor can ,i alleadge any other cause for these gilded ,grapes and ,leaves in ,hungaria1 but this1 that the ,earth there is impregnated with golden vapours1 or with the not yet hardened and coagulated first ,ens of ,gold1 and that aureous water being mixt with the ,rain-water1 insinuates it self into the ,roots and from thence ascends up into the ,boughs and ,grapes1 and in them manifests it self1 and becomes visible4 ,even thus also is it with my ,aurum ,potabile1 7which is like to a spiritual ,gold7 if it be dissolved with common ,rain-water1 and be therewithal commixt1 and the sand 7in which the seeds of the ,vegetables were sown7 be moistened with that ,liquor1 the nutriment is attracted out of the sand by the ,vegetable ,herbs1 and being attracted1 renders them partakers of an aureous nature3 ,and this experience testifies to be a thing most true2 nor can it be otherwise4 ,by these few things here spoken1 every body 7as ,i suppose7 will sufficiently enough perceive1 that my ,aurum ,potabile is a most high ,medicine for the ,vegetables4 ,now we will likewise prove by some few but yet clear and convincing ,arguments1 that it is a most high ,medicine for the ,minerals too4 ,of the ,use of my ,aurum ,potabile in the melioration of the ,minerals4 ,as concerning the bettering of the ,minerals by my ,potable ,gold1 thus stands the case3 ,it is capable of exhibiting to those that are inquisitive after the transmutation of the ,metals1 and would make trial of the same1 some most exact proofs of the possibility thereof1 both in the moist and in the dry way4 ,in the first place1 it is behoveful for every one to know1 that the said ,aurum ,potabile1 when brought to its due perfection1 and such as my self know1 hath the resemblance of a bright and clear water1 is of a burning1 hot1 and fiery taste upon the tongue1 and gives out a sulphureous1 but yet pleasant odour4 ,but some may say1 ,what can any such virtues be in a clear ,water8 ,what reason have you to call it ,potable ,gold1 for that ought to be yellow or red8 ,to such an one ,i answer1 ,that in the whiteness is a redness hidden1 which is not discernable in its tender ,infancy2 but when by the help of the fire it arrives to a greater age1 then it discovers it self1 and shews forth its comeliness and excellency together with most eminent strength and efficacy3 ,for thus say the ,philosophers1 ,unless you make our ,gold white1 you cannot make it red4 ,and in another place1 ,if any one knows how to destroy ,gold1 so as it shall be ,gold no more1 he hath arrived to a most great ,secret4 ,and again1 in another place1 ,our ,gold is not common ,gold1 but ,gold potential1 not formal 7or ,gold in power1 not in shape74 ,such ,sayings and ,sentences the whole ,troop of the ,philosophers is full of2 by which it is exactly demonstrated1 that the true ,aurum ,potabile ought not to be presently red1 as to the outward view1 but that it merits this ,title1 if there be but only that golden and red virtue and efficacy lying hidden in its internal principle4 ,for if this whiteness did not cover over an hidden redness1 it could never possibly become red4 ,now my ,aurum ,potabile being coagulated by the means of fire1 and reduced to a stability in the fire1 is turned into a stone of a blood-red colour1 and yields not in the melting any corporeal ,gold1 unless a metallick body be adjoined unto it1 into which the ,spiritual and ,philosophical ,gold1 betakes it self1 that so cloathing it self with a body1 it may become ,corporeal4 ,this potable ,gold of mine is1 ,lac ,virginis1 or the ,virgins ,milk1 which is coagulated with a small heat4 ,this ,coagulum ,passeth into 7or becomes7 the ,dragons-blood1 which being coagulated1 must necessarily yield the constant or durable ,salamander4 ,i confess1 that hitherto ,i have not prepared it2 nor had ,i any opportunity to prepare it1 but remain contented with my ,lac ,virginis1 as with a most excellent ,universal ,medicine1 patiently expecting what the ,divine ,grace will in time to come bestow upon me4 ,but that ,i may proceed on to shew that my ,aurum ,potabile doth likewise heal the ,minerals1 amend them1 and make them golden1 ,i will here set down some waies of doing the same both in the dry1 and in the moist way4 ,the manner of trying 7by the moist way7 whether or no my ,aurum ,potabile be a true ,philosophical ,volatile ,gold4 ,take of my potable ,gold j4 and j4 or ss4 of ,common ,quick-silver1 put them into a strong ,glass1 and so small1 as that it may be half full with this matter4 7,,nb4 ,the glass must have a round bottom1 whether it be a piece of some small ,bolthead1 or of some small ,phial1 that so the ,mercury may gather it self into one ,ball in the bottom7 and place your glass1 with the potable ,gold and ,quick-silver1 in ,sand1 to the heighth of the ,liquor1 then heat it1 and leave it for about one hour in a sufficient heat1 that the ,phlegm being exhaled1 the potable gold may stay behind in the form of a white ,salt3 ,this done1 pour agen upon that ,salt so much ,rain-water as it evaporated in the boiling1 or fill the glass so full with ,rain-water1 as it was before full of the ,aurum ,potabile1 that so lying a while upon the said ,salt1 it may dissolve it1 which is hereby again turned into the same potable ,gold1 having the same colour1 the same taste1 and the same virtues as it had before4 ,the ,mercury being freed from the said potable ,gold1 which is to be poured off1 is found to be hard1 and fix in the bottom like the best gold1 and of the same bigness or quantity1 as when it was put into the glass4 ,,nb4 ,if by some errour committed the ,argent-vive be not enough tinged and brought to a due degree1 but hath gotten some blackness1 it is to be taken out of the glass1 and put into some little ,crucible1 and to be heated red-hot with live ,coals1 that so it may receive the due golden colour2 which said colour it will get1 and will be like the best ,duckat ,gold1 and will abide good and firm in all trials4 ,but that ,aurum ,potabile which was used about the coagulation of the ,quick-silver1 may be often made use of about the same labour2 but yet you are to note1 that you alwaies take each time less and less ,quick-silver to this operation1 because the potable ,gold doth in each of those successive labours lose by little and little its virtues4 ,this way of coagulating of ,mercury may be likewise used about the coagulation of other ,minerals and ,metals1 provided that the said metals be reduced into thin ,plates or ,leaves1 and so put in2 for being put in too thick1 they cannot be totally digested in so short a time by the ,aurum ,potabile1 into the due degree of ,perfection1 but remain 7as their inside part7 crude1 and therefore an accurate regard is hereunto to be had4 ,if this ,labour be rightly done1 the ,metals will be throughly transmuted into pure and good ,gold1 and that of the same magnitude1 figure1 and form they were of when you put them in2 but yet one metal is sooner transmuted1 and more commodiously than another1 according as it shall be of a nearer affinity unto gold4 ,,nb4 ,if the ,metal be not in a due manner proceeded withal1 but be as yet black when it is taken out of the potable ,gold1 it is then to be well heated red-hot1 that so it may get its golden colour4 ,and if there be even yet any doubt left1 let him put it in 1 and purge it by the ,cineritium1 or the ,cupel1 that so he may be assured of having true gold1 and may be freed from all kind of scruple and doubt2 for neither nor will take away ought therefrom2 which thing the proof it self will most clearly demonstrate4 ,the manner of making a ,trial1 by the dry way1 concerning the ,transmutation of the ,imperfect ,metals1 by my ,potable ,gold4 ,take of my potable gold1 or ,lac ,virginis1 j4 and put it in a glass dish2 which done1 and the dish placed in sand1 evaporate all the humidity1 until there remain about almost half an ounce of white ,salt2 put this ,salt in a ,crucible1 with j4 or ss4 of the ,plates of ,silver1 or ,copper1 or ,iron1 for ,tin ,lead need not be laminated3 ,place your ,crucible1 together with the ,salt and the ,metal1 amongst ,wood-,coals1 and the ,salt will presently melt like ,wax1 and penetrate all the whole ,metal1 and transmute it into gold2 and this operation is done in one quarter of an hour1 or half an hour at the utmost4 ,the molten ,salt being poured forth out of the ,crucible1 you will find in the ,same ,crucible the ,plate of the ,metal1 of the same quantity and shape it was of when put in1 and throughly transmuted into pure good gold4 ,the ,tin and the ,lead will be molten into ,granes1 as being of easie fusion1 which ,granes will have the nature of pure good gold4 ,if the ,crucible should be too much heated with too intense a ,fire1 it may also happen1 that even the 1 ,copper1 and ,iron too may melt into granes4 ,and this ,i thought good to inform the ,studious of4 ,these 7,o thou ,lover of ,arts7 are the too ,examens and ,proofs of my potable gold1 and of trying it both by the dry and the moist way1 which if thou shalt rightly perform1 thou shalt not erre from the mark4 ,but now ,i must needs confess1 that this ,transmutation is not gainful1 and ,i have already said before1 that my divulging of all these things is only to this end1 viz4 visibly to shew the possibility of the ,art4 ,for although that the gold gotten by these proofs be true1 and purely good1 and passing all the usual ,trials1 yet nevertheless it brings no profit1 because this ,aurum ,potabile requires so much expences1 7afore it arrives unto this degree of power7 as that the gold gotten by the benefit thereof1 cannot countervail the same4 ,nay1 if it should be somewhat profitable in this way1 yet would that man do much amiss1 that should waste away and imploy so kingly a ,medicine for the getting of a little ,gold1 seeing there are other waies to get ,gold by4 ,and verily1 it would be a great sin and shame for a man to consume such a most excellent and eminent ,medicine for little mony's sake4 ,neither is it for this end1 that ,i have thus mentioned what ,i have here said1 viz4 to use it about the making of ,gold2 for my aim is only this1 that all the world may see that there are men to be found1 even at this very day1 upon whom the ,divine ,grace hath bestowed the ,art of preparing and making most excellent ,medicaments4 ,i do not envy1 that other men should learn something out of my ,writings1 and take the opportunity of advancing this ,work to a farther perfection3 ,but ,i would not have the impious ones at all to perswade themselves that they shall obtain this ,instrument to do evilly1 and to exercise their wickedness by ,god1 who knows what ,he has to do1 will not do those things which are 7perhaps7 liking and pleasing to our fancies4 ,i can every hour demonstrate the truth of what ,i have written1 with which demonstration ,i rest satisfied4 ,i can easily conjecture that various men will pass various censures upon my ,writings1 but this is what ,i am not able to prevent2 nor indeed do ,i much care1 but ,i do herein comfort my self1 in that ,i have written an undoubted ,truth1 and can defend it even before the whole ,world4 ,i can withal readily guess1 that some or other may object against me1 and say as followeth1 viz4 ,that my ,potable ,gold is a bare solution of common ,gold1 which being adjoined unto the other ,metals1 is by them precipitated1 and so reduced into its former body2 and this cannot be said to be a true transmutation of the ,gold4 ,to refel this objection therefore1 ,i demand1 ,whether or no the common corporeal ,gold can be dissolved without some corrosive ,liquor8 ,for this ,aurum ,potabile of mine is void of all corrosion1 and is a fiery water1 most extreamly contrary unto all corrosives3 ,seeing it is nothing else but fixed ,nitre1 or a sulphureous ,salt1 betwixt which ,salts verily1 and common ,gold1 there is no familiarity at all2 nor are there any such virtues therein1 as to dissolve the ,gold3 ,but put ,case it could so be1 that the body of common ,gold should be dissolved with those fixed ,salts1 and that by such a ,solution it should dissolve 7or make7 my ,aurum ,potabile1 verily it would necessarily follow1 that such a solution of ,gold would be of a yellow or red colour4 ,but now 'tis not so with mine1 for my ,aurum ,potabile is so clear and bright1 as that it far exceeds the bright transparency of even ,fountain-water it self3 ,besides too1 the solution of corporeal ,gold tingeth the hair1 hands1 and nails with a black colour2 but on the contrary1 my ,potable ,gold does not so at all1 and therefore justly and deservedly1 it both may and ought to bear the ,title of ,philosophical ,gold2 for all the ,philosophers that have been true ,possessors of an ,universal ,medicine1 do confess in express words1 ,that their ,gold1 or the solution thereof1 doth not at all colour the hands1 by which ,character and ,sign they distinguish betwixt the vulgar and philosophical ,gold4 ,from hence it necessarily follows1 that my ,aurum ,potabile is prepared of the true ,philosophical ,gold1 seeing it does not tinge the hands with any colour4 ,but put case that a ,solution of common ,gold should be made by the help of some menstruum that is not corrosive1 7but such is not my solution7 yet notwithstanding1 it would not throughly tinge the ,imperfect ,metals and common ,quick-silver in digestion with them1 and transmute them1 but would cover over 7as it were17 their ,superficies only with the colour of the precipitated ,gold1 like as is wont to be with all other solutions of ,gold1 and such a powder performing the same effect1 may be prepared of common gold2 the way of the ,preparation thereof ,i have delivered in my ,writings4 ,silver being therewithal laid over1 is as well gilt1 as if it had been done with ,gold and ,quick-silver3 ,the superficies therefore is only gilded over1 but the body of the ,silver it self is not at all transmuted1 but abides in its former state4 ,so ,gold dissolved in spirit of ,salt1 doth1 by the help of the ,vitriol of ,venus1 gild over the ,superficies of any ,iron1 but the ,iron retains its ,irony property and nature3 ,if to such a solution plenty of ,water be poured1 and ,argent-vive1 ,tin1 ,lead1 ,iron1 or ,bismuth1 be put thereinto1 the gold is wont to precipitate out of the corrosive water1 in the form of a porous ,sponge1 and to adhere to the metal thereinto put4 ,now1 as soon as ever the water is shook about1 the precipitated gold disperseth it self abroad in the water1 like a troubled muddiness1 and the ,metal is the same as it was before putting in1 without any transmutation at all4 ,moreover1 if any ,solution of common gold could tinge the whole body of the imperfect metals 7but yet this can never be7 it would necessarily gild over the external superficies of the ,metals1 and especially the external superficies of pure ,luna1 when rubbed or smeared over with the same2 and even this now my ,aurum ,potabile does not do2 but if it be smeared upon ,silver1 it colours and paints it with all kinds of colours1 and as infinite as appear in the ,peacock's ,tail1 and in such wise too1 as that they cannot be easily rubbed out2 and these ,colours are an undoubted ,argument1 that this my ,aurum ,potabile is not the vulgar ,gold1 but the ,secret ,gold of the ,philosophers4 ,all these1 and other the like ,objections1 ,i could most easily prevent by due and fitting ,answers1 if they should be objected against me2 but ,i think no body will be so audacious1 as 7without producing any better things7 to oppose himself against those things which in the judgment of the whole ,world are accounted for good4 ,of the ,use of my true ,aurum ,potabile in ,medicine4 ,to what purpose should ,i make many words of the most great ,efficacy and ,virtues of my ,potable ,gold in ,medicine8 ,i do not deem it a thing necessary to write a large ,book concerning them1 for such kind of ,writings do many times more hurt than good3 ,for there is such an odd custom of ,writing so prevalent1 as that some men blush not oft-times to ascribe such great virtues to some coloured ,brandy-wine1 as can hardly be attributed even to ,aurum ,potabile it self4 ,i confess1 that many times there lies more ,virtue in some very vile mean thing1 than in precious and sumptuous ,pearls4 ,but seeing that every one cannot discern the true from the false1 and is constrained 7on the contrary7 to give credit unto those things which he draws in by his ,ears1 it cannot possibly be1 but that he erre from the ,truth1 and often chuse the evil instead of the good2 which defect is easily helped by making trial1 and proving them1 for this way is wont to try the ,truth of things4 ,should ,i but describe in an accurate manner the ,virtues of my ,potable ,gold1 it would fill a large ,volume3 ,and this is not my intent in this place1 but 7,god permitting7 it shall shortly be effected in a little ,book1 wherein shall be comprized many other of my best ,medicaments1 and shall shortly come abroad under the ,title of ,glauber's ,pharmacopia3 ,and in this place ,i will in few words hint out the ,use of my ,aurum ,potabile4 ,therefore1 forasmuch as my ,potable ,gold is 7as ,i have already frequently repeated7 a concentrated ,fire1 and reduced into a liquid form1 and all its whole ,essence may be said to resemble nothing else but some tender penetrating ,fire1 yet void of flame1 every one may readily conjecture what it is helpful for1 and what use it is of in ,medicine4 ,amongst all the ,elements1 the purest1 subtilest1 most penetrative1 and most efficacious1 is ,fire1 and this is granted by every body2 for the force of the ,fire1 viz4 its heat penetrates even the most compact bodies1 as ,metals1 and ,glass2 nor is there any thing that can stop its way2 the ,water1 ,earth1 and ,air are easily shut out4 ,the ,omnipotent ,god ,himself is compared with ,fire1 from whom all things receive ,spirit and ,life1 and without whom nothing can live or move it self1 for without him1 all things are dead1 hard1 and cold2 as appears in the bodies of men and other ,animals1 which being alive1 are alwaies hot1 but being dead1 become more cold than any ,ice4 ,therefore1 as long as that small spark of ,life in ,man1 and other ,animals1 is fed and nourished with its due ,food and ,drink1 so long also doth it attract its nutriment1 and continues in its vigorousness4 ,but as soon as it is destitute of its nutrition1 and that it be taken thencefrom1 the ,life doth presently begin to be debilitated1 and to fade1 like as a kindled ,lamp1 if ,oil be not poured thereunto1 doth at last go out1 and extinguisheth4 ,seeing now that the ,life of a ,man is a meer fire1 and is fed and sustained by a suitable ,food and ,drink only1 like to a ,lamp1 which 7without the pouring on of ,oil1 and without ,air1 without which no fire can burn1 nor any ,life live7 cannot conserve its light4 ,some or other may demand1 ,what the reason is1 that such men are so easily seized on by ,diseases1 who have no want of the best ,food and ,drink1 and which too is most fit for the sustaining of ,life8 ,hereto ,i answer1 ,that in such kind of men1 the gross1 crude1 tenacious1 and cold humours do shut up the passage to the point and spark of ,life1 whereby it is deprived of the nutriment1 being hereby kept back4 ,for an ,example of which1 ,take a kindled ,lamp1 in which the ,wick or ,cotton is furred and clogg'd up with the ,dreggs of impure ,oil1 whereby the ,oil can have no farther access to the burning ,flame2 and hence it comes to pass1 that it goes out1 and vanisheth1 and dies1 though there be store enough of ,oil4 ,so likewise is it with an old ,tree1 though there be store of ,dung thereto applied1 yet the vegetation is not alwaies1 and for ever1 but all things die at last4 ,now1 the crude1 gross1 and clammy humours insinuating themselves into the ,roots1 do hasten on this death1 and the ,roots being stopt or clogged1 the due nutriment is withdrawn or with-held from the ,tree1 like as is wont to happen in ,men1 and in burning ,lamps1 as we said but now4 ,all things have their natural ,causes1 the which thing ,god ,himself hath doubtlesly so ordained and implanted in ,nature1 that all things in their order hastening on to their destruction1 nothing may be found wholly constant and stable in natural things1 but be all subject to decay and death1 and that ,eternity alone1 and ,divine stability1 7or the durability of celestial things only7 might be laid open4 ,bright clear ,water1 having its course through ,channels and ,wooden ,pipes1 doth1 after many years time1 at length fill them with ,dirt1 stops them up1 and bars up its own way and current4 ,this is the ,operation of the clear and cold ,water of ,fountains2 the hot ,baths do it far sooner1 as appears in the ,aquisgrane ,baths1 and others1 in which the ,aqueducts and conveyances for the ,water are to be frequently opened and cleansed1 whereby the ,water may have the freer passage4 ,bur those ,waters1 which being hot1 do 7when cool7 presently let fall their fces in the ,vessels1 and stop or furr them up1 do most speedily of all shew this same operation4 ,the same is also done in open ,vessels1 if1 viz4 the clear and transparent ,water of ,fountains be several times heated in a ,copper1 and be agen so often cooled1 there doth then at length stick on to the inside of the ,copper a tenacious sliminess1 which at last is turned into an hard ,stone4 ,if now the pure and bright ,water of a ,fountain effecteth such an operation1 ,what1 think you1 would that ,water do1 which in its own nature is troubled or muddy1 thick1 saltish1 and slimy4 ,hence it is that not only new-prest ,wines1 or that thickish1 muddyish ,must1 do let fall their fces to the bottom1 and fasten their ,tartar to the sides of the ,barrel1 but even the old ,wines do likewise do the same1 but not so much as the new ones do4 ,now then1 seeing that such kind of troubled drinks are used by men for nutriment1 it is clearly necessary1 that 7the internal ,bowels of the body being stopt by their dregginess7 their nourishing property of the ,life must with-draw1 like as the feculent ,oil withdraws from the light of the ,lamp3 ,for all those things which a man feeds upon1 and daily drinks1 do in process of time stop up the passages of the internal bowels and conveyances in the body of man1 and so despoil the vital ,fire of its nutriment4 ,therefore by how much the more this nutriment of the ,life is withdrawn1 so much the sooner is the light or vital ,fire extinguished1 and the cold and darksome death approacheth the nearer1 and becomes superiour4 ,from hence arose that old ,proverb1 ,eat such things as are well cook'd or baked2 ,drink such drinks as are clear2 ,speak such things as are true1 that so you may be long-lived4 ,but now some may say1 ,i will therefore shun troubled drinks1 and feed upon well-drest and well-prepared ,meats1 that so by shunning the way for ,death's entrance1 ,i may enjoy a long-life4 ,i confess1 'tis well said1 for sobriety in meat and drink1 and the shunning of gross and crude meats1 and troubled drinks1 do much help to conserve health3 ,but yet it does not follow1 that he shall not be at length subject to ,diseases1 nor die2 for there is no meat that is so well cook'd1 and no drink that is so clear1 but it carries with it its hidden fces1 with which the internal ,vessels may in a longer process of time1 be stopt up1 and ,diseases introduced1 even as we shewed but now1 by an example drawn from ,fountain-water1 which in process of time stops up its own passages3 ,and by the same reason too must those ,trees that are in the highest tops of the ,mountains at length die1 when 7though they are nourished with most clear ,rain-water7 their nutrition is with-held from them by the stopping up the pores of the ,roots4 ,but yet ,i do not say that an ,oak1 or some other wild ,tree1 in wild places1 which is nourished only with the ,rain-water1 and the ,leaves which yearly fall off1 dures no longer than some ,fruit-bearing ,tree does1 which is dunged and nourished in the ,gardens with singular care and labour3 ,no1 for it is known1 that an ,oak doth many times endure and live a ,thousand years2 whereas on the contrary1 such a tilled or tenderly-kept ,tree scarce attains to the ,hundredth year1 and this is to be imputed to the diversity of nutriments4 ,the ,stag in the ,woods1 and the ,crow in the ,air1 live above an ,hundred years1 but being caught and finely fed1 they scarce live ,fifty years4 ,a man that lives barely upon ,bread and ,water1 will doubtless prolong his ,life to far more years than if he used delicate food and drink2 and this is a most manifest thing1 and yet men lay it not to heart1 but by enjoying too great a plenty of delicacies1 they burthen ,nature with too great a load1 from whence obstructions of the bowels do arise1 and a way laid for ,diseases to enter in4 ,a ,tree that is dunged with too much ,dung1 gets to it self1 together and at once1 too much fatness1 and this choaks up the ,roots and hinders nutrition1 whereby the body and boughs thereof cannot be supplied1 and so consequently ,death must enter in1 and put out the ,life of that ,tree4 ,what ,counsel now8 ,you will haply say1 ,if that obstructions be the principal causes of ,diseases and ,death1 are there no ,remedies1 by whose help such like obstructions may be prevented2 or 7if they already are made7 be wholly removed and taken away8 ,yes1 ,i say1 that both may be done1 viz4 a timely prevention1 and also a thorough abolition of them1 when they have gotten head2 and this to be done by such kind of ,medicaments which are friendly to ,nature1 and contrary unto the things from which those obstructions and constipations have their rise2 for cold1 tenacious1 impure1 and watery humours must necessarily be attenuated1 mollified1 cut1 and opened by heating1 attenuating1 inciding1 or cutting1 penetrating1 and fiery ,medicaments2 for daily ,experience teacheth1 that it is a thing clearly impossible for obstructions to be taken away1 what kind soever they be of1 without the help of warming and penetrative ,medicaments4 ,and amongst all those ,medicines1 these are found to be the most certain and most efficacious1 viz4 the volatile ,spirit of common ,salt1 or of ,vitriol1 void of corrosiveness2 the volatile spirit of crude ,tartar2 the spirit of ,urine1 and of ,salt-,armoniack1 and other the like fiery ,spirits1 which do exercise their ,virtues with most excellent success in the taking away of those kind of obstructions4 ,but forasmuch as those volatile spirits do for the most part set upon and resolve such obstructions as are but beginning1 and not as yet confirmed1 but do not seize upon the more fixt and inveterate ones1 as having not so much strength as to subdue and cast out them1 for they are to be cast forth by their like1 that is1 by the more fixt ,medicaments2 which thing no skilful ,physician will gain-say4 ,the whole drift therefore of the business lies in this1 viz4 by what means such kind of ,medicaments may be gotten1 as by whose help not only the newly-risen obstructions1 but also the inveterate and confirmed ones too1 may be driven out of the body of man4 ,now1 this cannot be effected by ,herbs1 and such-like natured things1 as is sufficiently witnessed by this present ,age1 for no body that is subject to those kind of obstructions1 is cured by the help of the ,herbs1 and such-like things4 ,for after that the sick ,patient hath a long time used the palliative ,cure in vain1 ,death at length comes forcing in1 and snatcheth him away after his licking in many ,pots full of such stuff1 which notwithstanding1 by some good ,medicine might have been easily prevented3 ,for1 ,i pray1 how can it possibly be1 that a cold1 gross1 crude1 and not well-prepared ,medicine should draw forth cold and gross humours1 which should be heated1 cut1 and mollified8 ',tis just as if a man would melt one piece of ,ice with another piece of ,ice1 and so reduce it into ,water2 but yet it will never be done without fire or heat4 ,and therefore a penetrating1 fiery1 living1 and good ,medicament1 is to be applied unto those cold and tenacious obstructions1 to heat1 extenuate1 and scowre them out2 and the ,syrups1 ,conserves1 and the cold1 dead1 and mucous or slimy ,juleps should be removed4 ,verily1 ,i cannot sufficiently enough wonder1 when ,i think upon the small regard that is had to the ,life of ,man1 and how rashly and wantonly it is neglected1 out of meer pure ignorance4 ,the present ,world is so blind and perverse1 as that it neither will nor can believe this1 though it be shown it even with ones fingers3 ,but yet this stubborn perverseness does not hurt any so much as it does the ,innocent1 who understand not these things1 and are even constrained to credit those things only which they hear of2 all other things they commit to ,chance and ,time1 together with the rest of those errours1 unto which1 as likewise unto other abuses1 this endeavour of mine1 will 7if ,god so please7 some time hereafter administer some ,redress4 ,we do therefore conclude and determine1 that the principal and chiefest occasion and cause of ,diseases and ,death1 are these slimy1 gross1 tenacious humours1 which by little and little seize on and stop up the internal bowels of the body1 and withdraw 7or withhold7 from the radical humidity its nutriment1 and so debilitates the vital fire more and more1 and at length quite extinguish it4 ,now1 to remove and throw off these ,furrings1 there is no other ,remedy1 but that the passages of the internal bowels be kept open and clean1 or that they be opened and unlocked1 as 'twere1 if already stopt up4 ,now this thing my ,aurum ,potabile can perfectly effect2 a better ,medicine than which1 and one more apt and fit to open all the obstructions of the body of man1 'twill not be so easie a matter to find2 for it is in its nature a subtile1 fiery1 penetrating essence1 warming all cold affects1 attenuating the gross1 inciding or cutting the tenacious1 and consuming1 and drying up all humours and ,waterishness2 insomuch that 7being made use of7 it doth inhibit and impede the generation 7or growth7 of all kind of obstructions1 and by mollifying and inciding them when they are already generated1 doth wholly take them away3 ,upon this accompt1 by its corroborating the radical moisture and vital spirit1 and preserving it safe and sound1 it gets the preheminence over all other such ,medicaments as perform the same effect3 ,most worthy is it therefore to be called and esteemed the concentrated center of all ,medicaments4 ,for all those virtues which are found simple and divers or distinct in any of the ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 and which do1 by a ,particular ,efficacy1 set upon ,diseases2 are concentrated in my ,aurum ,potabile1 and being collected into one1 do display all the virtues of those particulars universally1 and therefore do these virtues discover it to be well worthy the name of an ,universal ,medicine3 ,for this ,medicament does not only exceed all other ,medicaments in the most speedy operation of its virtues in the curing of the bodies of men1 but also it plainly abounds with the same admirable virtues in the bettering of the ,vegetables and ,minerals2 and therefore it is to be preferred beyond all others1 and to be extolled with the highest ,praises4 ,but now1 if in case it should abound with far more noble and more efficacious virtues1 7as to the taming and subduing the ,diseases of men7 then it already hath2 and yet1 on the contrary1 should effect nothing by those its virtues in the melioration or amending of the ,vegetables and ,minerals1 it could not possibly claim to it self the ,title of an ,universal ,medicine1 but would be rank'd amongst the number of ,particular ,medicaments1 as tending only to the curing of the ,diseases of ,animals4 ,but now1 seeing that 7as we said before7 my ,aurum ,potabile doth most powerfully help not only men1 in the ,animal ,kingdom1 but likewise in all the ,vegetables and ,minerals1 7out of the ,dominion of which three ,kingdoms1 viz4 ,animal1 ,vegetable1 and ,mineral1 there is nothing in all ,nature to be found7 and is a most high ,medicine unto them all2 therefore also the ,name and ,title of a ,universal ,medicine doth rightly and properly appertain thereunto4 ,the ,philosophers do indeed ascribe thus much unto their ,universal ,medicine1 viz4 that it is able to heal all the ,diseases of ,mankind1 and of the imperfect ,metals1 and their defects1 and transmute the said metals into perfect ,gold4 ,but concerning its being the supream medicine for ,vegetables too1 that they are silent in3 ,why they silently pass this over1 for my part1 ,i cannot certainly tell1 nor do ,i deem it necessary to expound the same3 ',tis sufficient that my self have proceeded farther1 and do manifestly declare1 that it will perform the same in the ,vegetables too4 ,but yet ,i would that every one should understand me aright1 and not count me so simple1 as if ,i did liken or compare my ,aurum ,potabile with that great ,stone of the ,philosophers1 which transmutes vast quantities of imperfect metals into most pure ,gold by projection3 ,no1 no1 ,i do not ascribe such great ,virtues unto my ,medicine1 which it has not in it1 but yet withal ,i cannot tell1 whether or no in process of time some better thing may not arise therefrom4 ,farther too1 the ,philosophers say of their ,medicine1 that it can make variously-coloured precious ,stones agreeable in any colour to the natural ones1 out of all kinds of ,flints4 ,and now1 perhaps some or other will require this of my ,aurum ,potabile2 to whom ,i reply1 as afore1 so agen now at present1 that my ,aurum ,potabile is as yet imperfect1 and is but in its infancy1 which haply 7being brought by the benefit of the fire unto perfection7 will effect the self-same thing3 ,but in the state which at present it is in1 and whereunto my self have brought it1 and 'tis at present constituted in1 it is turned in three hours space in a covered ,crucible1 into a transparent ,stone1 red like blood1 and resembling a ,ruby3 ,of which1 if a little bit be cast into molten glass1 it makes it green1 yellow1 sky-colour'd1 or even black too2 according to the moreness or lessness of the quantity thrown in1 or according as it is longer or lesser while kept in ,flux4 ,if now it operates these things1 whilst unfixt and immature1 any one may easily conjecture what it would effect1 were it brought to a perfect constancy in the fire4 ,but it tingeth some sorts of the white ,flints1 kept for some hours in the ,fire1 with various colours1 and transmutes ,sulphur it self into most excellent ,gold2 which effect makes me more admire1 than all the things that ,i ever heard of2 and how this betided me1 it will be worth the while1 at present to make mention of4 ,i did once put some ounces of my said ,aurum ,potabile in a porcelane dish1 as they call it1 and placed it in ,sand1 that by the evaporation of the ,phlegm1 ,i might reduce it into a ,salt3 ,but whilst ,i was absent1 the heat of the ,fire being too much encreased1 a good part of the ,liquor boil'd over the ,dish1 and spilt it self into the ,sand1 ,now when ,i came to look to it1 ,i perceived that the ,liquor which boild over the dish had hidden it self in the hot sand1 ,i took out the said sand1 which with the ,aurum ,potabile was gathered into one body or mass1 and ,i put it in a glass1 and poured ,rainwater thereupon1 and placed the ,glass in hot ,sand1 then ,i put the ,water with which ,i extracted the ,salt1 into a ,tunnel1 together with the sand which was to have the salt separated from it1 and so ,i separated by a ,filter the ,liquor thus impregnated with the salt1 from the sand1 which said ,liquor past through transparent1 and unchanged in colour and taste3 ,but now this sand1 which was white at first1 was clad now with a red colour1 which stirred in me an exceeding admiration1 that this ,potable ,gold of mine should tinge the sand4 ,this sand ,i put in a ,cupel1 and brought it to the ,test1 and it yielded me pure good gold2 and this made me wonder the more2 for verily it is a wondrous transmutation1 and such as ,i never heard of4 ,upon this account do ,i perswade my self1 that a piece of ,crystal may by a bare digestion in this potable ,gold1 be digested into a precious ,stone1 but ,i have never as yet tried it1 but yet ,i will try it1 if ,god prolong my ,life4 ,having made this trial with the sand1 ,i presently conjectured1 that the sand which ,i planted my ,herbs in1 and which ,i moistened with my ,aurum ,potabile1 did not impart the full virtues1 and all the qualities of the gold to the ,herbs1 implanted therein1 but did retain the better part to it self1 for its own melioration1 and afforded but the smallest portion thereof to the ,herbs3 ,nor did this conjecture deceive me1 for upon this occasion ,i searcht farther into this business1 and found it even so4 ,and therefore1 for the future1 ,i used no more sand1 for the communicating the golden virtues and faculties unto the ,herbs1 but instead thereof1 ,i used ,sawdust1 in which ,i began to sow or implant the ,herbs1 for ,wood is not endowed with such powerful or strong virtues1 as to be capable of extracting the aureous ,essence out of the ,potable ,gold1 like as the sand doth4 ,upon this accompt therefore any rotten ,wood or even the ,sawdust of ,wood will be more fit for this ,work of planting1 than sand it self is1 for the sand attracts to it self the most principal virtues of the ,aurum ,potabile1 and thereby doth better it self1 and bestows upon the ,vegetables some small ,reliques only4 ,had ,i not accidentally found this effect1 the sand would have robb'd me of much benefit4 ,moreover1 this thing likewise1 which is well worth the knowing1 must not be passed over in this place1 viz4 that what herbs soever are 7by the help of my ,aurum ,potabile7 grown up1 they are all of them greater and stronger than the common sort are1 and do far exceed them in colour1 taste1 smell1 and in all virtuous qualities4 ,the reason is this1 because the said ,universal ,medicine is a meer fire1 and bestows its fiery vigour upon the ,vegetables and ,herbs3 ,for it is a thing sufficiently known1 that by how much hotter the ,countries be1 so much the more efficacious ,herbs do they produce4 ,the ,herbs that grow in the lower ,holland ,countries1 are not comparable to those which the upper ,germany 7which is of a drier and hotter soil and air7 doth produce1 neither in odour1 savour1 nor virtues4 ,nor doth ,high-,germany produce ,herbs of that efficacy and bigness as ,france doth1 which is of a hotter and drier air than ,germany is2 for in ,germany ,rosemary will hardly preserve it self safe from being injured by the ,winter season2 whereas in the ,french ,desarts it grows so exceedingly well1 as that it runs up like ,trees1 capable of defending one against the ,rain1 the which thing is not usual in the more cold ,countries4 ,verily most excellent ,honey is brought from ,marseilles1 7where the ,bees suck it out of the ,rosemary ,flowers7 into ,germany1 ,holland1 and other ,countries1 wherewith excellent ,metheglin is made1 and other ,fruits and ,flowers conserved therewithal4 ,but that ,honey which the ,bees are wont to gather in ,holland and ,friezland1 about in the moist ,meadows and moorish ,fields1 from the ,flowers there growing1 hath scarce any odour at all1 but yet it is in goodness beyond that which the ,bees gather from the strong-smelling ,flowers of wild ,trees1 or from the ,blossoms found in the barren ,broomy ,thickets4 ,by this therefore it appears1 that there is a vast difference between the ,virtues of the ,herbs in this or that ,country1 and that such men are not a little deceived1 who without any regard had1 esteeming of all the ,europan ,herbs alike1 do attribute to the ,herbs of the ,northern ,countries1 as ,denmark1 ,swedeland1 ,norway1 ,poland1 the self-same ,virtues as the ancient ,physicians ascribed to theirs1 in the more ,southern ,countries4 ,and thus do our modern ,galenists1 affirming that their moist ,herbs in these cold ,countries are of equivalent ,virtues to those ,herbs which the ancient ,physicians have made mention of2 but ,experience sufficiently testifies what effects they shew1 and what errours the said ,galenists commit4 99 99 99 99 99 ,avicenn1 ,averroes1 gineta1 and the pillager ,galen1 were not ,germans1 ,swedes1 ,danes1 or ,polonians1 but dwelt in those hot ,countries1 wherein the soil or earth was day and night heated with the ,solar rays1 and impregnated with an aureous property1 and so communicated to the ,herbs wonderful ,virtues and admirable ,efficacy4 ,extreamly therefore do they erre1 that dare attribute the very self-same virtues to the ,herbs of our colder ,countries4 ,but ,i confess1 that by the benefit of ,art1 the self-same virtues may be bestowed on the ,herbs1 even in our most cold ,lands1 which those ,authors attribute to their ,arabian ,vegetables2 ,where ,nature ends1 there the ,artist must begin1 say all the ,philosophers1 but especially ,hermes1 who is1 as it were1 the ,father of all the ,philosophers1 doth clearly and openly testifie the same in his ,smaragdine ,table1 saying1 ,that which is beneath1 is like that which is above2 and that which is above1 is like that which is below1 for the accomplishment of the ,miracles of one thing1 c4 ,and albeit that these words are expounded with divers ,explications1 yet notwithstanding1 the general sense and meaning of them points at nothing else but the superiour and inferiour 1 which generates all things1 and brings them to perfection3 ,we cannot by any force draw unto us the upper 1 much less enjoin him to make our ,lands partakers of his more hot beams1 and to fill the ,herbs that grow therein with the self-same virtues that the ,arabian ,vegetables were endowed with3 ,alas1 the ,sun neither hears nor knows us1 but proceeds on in its accustomed course1 and dischargeth that ,office which was imposed on it by the ,divine ,power4 ,if we are desirous of bettering those gifts of ,nature that are vouchsafed unto us1 then must we set about the ,work of ,art1 and see whether or no it 7being an imitator of ,nature7 can afford us any help4 ,and this it will do very easily1 insomuch that our ,europan ,earth may bring forth as efficacious ,herbs as the ,arabian soil doth1 and that with small ,costs and ,labours2 so that there is no need of my more chargable ,aurum ,potabile for the accomplishment of that business2 for a sulphureous and fluid salt ,water will perfectly effect the same1 seeing that in salt and sulphur the ,solar beams are abundantly concentrated and coagulated4 ,this is our ,terrestrial 1 by the virtue whereof all things do grow1 which if we do but know how rightly to fit and order1 we should verily effect the very self-same thing by the help of ,art1 that the superiour and natural ,sun operates in the ,herbs1 after its natural kind of way4 ,he now that neither understands nor apprehends these things1 is not at all worthy to be accounted a ,philosopher1 but follows after blind ,leaders1 and hurries others as well as himself into darkness4 ,the ,sun performs its course in the ,firmament1 according to its accustomed manner1 and cannot be rendered either greater or lesser3 ,but we have the inferiour ,sun in our power1 and can accommodate it to our ,herbs according as we list our selves1 and in what quantity we please4 ,upon this accompt ,art doth far outstrip ,nature2 and 'tis in our power1 by the help thereof1 7viz4 of ,art7 to outstrip it1 if so be we have it and know how to use it4 ,but this ,discourse of mine hath been more large than ,i intended1 and minds me of desisting therefrom4 ,i suppose ,i have spoken enough for a wise man's instruction2 and thus much ,i thought it was expedient for me to hint by way of a ,parenthesis4 ,but yet however1 that ,i may the more clearly and more perspicuously set down all matters1 that so every one may see and apprehend1 that ,i have set before them the meer pure naked ,truth2 ,i judge it expedient to insert here yet more ,examples and ,instructions1 that so whoever has a mind to make trial1 may in very deed experiment the ,truth of this thing4 ,coagulate my ,potable ,gold into a red ,salt1 and put in #c1 #d1 #e1 #f1 #g1 #h1 #ab grains1 more or less1 into half an ounce of ,crystal glass melted in a ,crucible1 that lying in the superficies thereof1 the said grains of ,aurum ,potabile ,salt may be molten4 ,this done1 the glass will presently attract into it self the ,tincture1 and become of a ,jacynth colour1 and so delicate1 that it is not a whit inferiour in colour to the natural ,jacynth4 ,,nb4 ,if the melting be continued yet longer1 the glass will be tinged with a golden1 green1 sky-coloured colour1 and at last with a black-colour too1 if it be too long left in the fire4 ,he that desires to make a ,ruby1 let him put the bare coagulated ,potable ,gold 7without the addition of any peregrine thing7 into a pure and covered ,crucible1 and there leave it in fusion for some hours1 and he will get such a delicate blood-like coloured glass1 as is capable of refreshing a man's nature1 when debilitated with the multiplicity of cares1 troubles1 and labours1 and this by a bare looking thereupon4 ,and any one may easily conjecture what a refreshment it will be to a man's mind1 when 7after abundance of vain-spent labours1 and exceeding earnest expectations of the ,blessing of ,god upon them71 he doth at last see with his own eyes1 that that thing is possible to be effected1 which with such an incredible1 ardent a desire he hath so long a time sought after4 ,without doubt the seeing of the promised ,land did affect ,moses with an unexpressible joy1 though he never entred thereinto4 ,what man knows by looking upon the seed of any thing1 what colours and what figure the ,plant is of1 that will proceed therefrom8 but in its growing up by a due nutrition1 it doth at length become manifest1 which afore lay therein hidden3 ,even so the true first ,ens of ,gold lies hidden in my ,aurum ,potabile1 and is not visible to the sight1 much less doth that appear which shall or may by ,art be made thereout of1 before it shall have arrived unto its constant fixity or fixation1 7as the ,chymists phrase it7 by the help of the fire4 ,and therefore must there be a patient expectation until this ,infant wax ripe1 and attaining unto a man-like estate1 it performs man-like actions4 ,who would ever have believed that there lies hidden in an ,egg the whole essence of a ,bird1 with all its ,members1 ,feathers1 and whatever else appertains thereunto1 but that it is a thing so thoroughly common8 ,the ,must of ,wine1 if drank in too great a quantity1 hurts the stomach1 weakens it1 and causeth ,colick pains2 and the same ,liquor1 after it is become a strong and clear ,wine1 corroborates the stomach and the whole body1 and so at length lays off those virtues or properties which it held hidden in it self whilst it was ,must4 ,he that knows a ,vegetable ,seed1 an ,animal ,egg1 or a ,mineral primum ,ens1 doth at last also come to know1 that from a ,seed there must proceed an ,herb1 from an ,egg a ,bird1 and from the first ,ens of ,minerals an ,universal ,medicine3 ,but he whose understanding cannot comprehend these things1 but contemns them1 as an abject or contemptible ,seed1 ,egg1 and first ,ens of ,minerals1 viz4 a sulphureous ,salt1 such a one doth even ignorantly despise the ,herb1 the ,bird1 and the ,universal ,medicine hidden therein4 ,therefore no body should contemn those things that he has no knowledge of4 ,and seeing it is clearly perceptible1 that the first ,ens of ,gold hides within it the true ,universal ,medicine1 and which ,time1 ,art1 and ,nature will really produce unto the ,light3 ,therefore there is no reason why any one should undervalue my ,potable ,gold1 or despise it1 because it is as yet in its infancy1 and is like some common salt water2 but he should rather think thus with himself1 that it is like the white of an ,egg1 which hides within its inward bowels1 as ,i may so say1 its yolk1 which in process of time will bring forth a most delicate ,bird4 ,but these things which ,i have already spoken of the nature and properties of my ,aurum ,potabile may suffice2 its ,medicinal use shall shortly be clearly described amongst my chiefest ,medicaments1 and so be published1 together with them4 ,but he that is minded to make use of the same in the mean while1 may safely do it1 and without any kind of hazard at all1 for it operates nothing else1 but what is conducive to the good health of man's body1 corroborating the debilitated radical humidity or vital spirit1 and confirming it1 by which the life of man is nourished1 encreased1 and conserved many years in a wish'd-for1 healthful estate1 just as a ,lamp is kept alive by the pouring on of ,oil1 or the vigour of the ,fire by the apposition of ,wood thereunto1 by which it is preserved from extinguishing and dying3 ,but yet the use thereof must be warily and judiciously admitted1 because being a meer pure fire1 it must be moderately adhibited4 ,at the beginning of administring it1 one or two drops may be given in ,wine1 ,ale1 or other ,drink1 unto the ,sick1 but best of all in the spirit of ,wine3 ,then the next following day one little drop more may be added1 and so the ,dose may each day be augmented by the apposition of one small drop1 until it work by ,sweat and ,urine1 and sometimes also gently by ,stool4 ,this ,operation being made 7and on this wise active7 then the ,doses are to be in like manner daily lessened by the omission of one drop at a time1 until the ,sickness be happily removed1 and so the ,sick need no farther use of the same4 ,all things being thus rightly instituted1 it will manifestly appear1 that all ,sicknesses1 yea1 the hidden ones too1 are expulsed by this ,medicament1 and even as it were consumed like as ,wood is consumed by a burning fire1 in such wise1 as that nothing at all of it remains1 save the fixed ,salt1 but is all reduced into a ,nothing3 ,for all ,diseases1 as we shewed afore1 have their rise from moist humours1 which nothing can heal and remedy more commodiously and safely than this ,aurum ,potabile of mine1 which is such a vehement resister of all over-abounding humidities1 opening1 inciding1 consuming1 and dispelling them1 just as the consumes ,water in a ,vessel1 and wafts it away by evaporation4 ,hence it is1 that it both cures1 and by way of a preservative1 prevents the ,leprosie1 ,french-,pox1 ,quartane1 and all other ,fevers2 the ,scurvy1 ,epilepsie1 ,apoplexy1 ,hypocondriack ,melancholy1 the ,stone in the ,reins and ,bladder1 the ,gout1 and all the ,diseases of the ,matrix1 both known and unknown1 and the various ,sicknesses of ,women1 as also the dreadful ,plague1 with all the evil effects arising therefrom4 ,for it is found that nothing is subject to ,corruption and ,death1 but an abounding ,phlegm1 or an immature humidity which is wont most speedily to pass into a putrefaction4 ,from hence it is clearly manifest1 that the sanguine man1 which is endowed with a drier temperature1 has a far better fruition of his health than the phlegmatick man hath1 who abounds with moisture4 ,dry ,sugar dures many years1 but being moistened1 it turns sowre1 and becomes ropy and ill-savour'd1 tho' it be a ,salt1 and is mixt with other corruptible ,vegetables to preserve them4 ,from hence may it be seen1 that a superfluous humidity opens the ,gate for ,death to enter in by1 and seize upon the ,life3 ,but on the contrary1 a temperate siccity preserves all things in an healthful state1 and barrs up the passage against any corruption4 ,the ,roof of a curious and stately-built ,house being full of chinks and holes1 lets the ,rain in1 which moistens all the whole structure1 and causeth it to rot and spoil3 ,but if the holes in the ,roof be stopt1 and the windows by which the ,rain beats in be shut1 and the windows on the other side of the house1 where the wet beats not in1 be on the contrary opened1 that the warm ,air passing in1 thereby may throughly dry up all the moisture1 and so inhibit or put a stop to the ,progress of ,putrefaction1 then the whole frame and building will be kept sound and good1 which otherwise would be rotted and quite spoiled4 ,such men as live in the moorish fenny ,countries1 and feed upon a waterish ,meat and phlegmy ,drink1 are for the most part of an unsound temperature1 and troubled with ,catarrhs and the ,scurvy4 ,but on the other hand1 those that inhabit high and lofty places1 and have the fruition of a drier and purer ,air1 and that feed upon such meats as are more conducive unto health2 these men know nothing of those watery sicknesses1 but have flourishing and strong bodies1 and have firm1 compact1 and excellently well tempered flesh4 ,and this difference is not found only to be in ,men1 but also in all other things4 ,for not only ,bread1 ,flesh1 ,fruit1 and such other things as are used for daily food1 do grow mouldy much sooner in the moist places1 and so corrupt1 but also even ,metals themselves too1 as ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin1 and the like1 even these cannot shun the corruption of the ,air1 but are laid over with ,rust1 which 7in a drier air7 they do not so easily contract4 ,by all these circumstances it is so clearly evidenced1 that superfluous moisture is to all things alwaies hurtful1 and gives an inlet unto ,corruption1 that ,i think there is no body that will dare to say any thing to the contrary4 ,and therefore seeing that this ,aurum ,potabile of mine doth 7amongst all other ,medicaments1 what ,title soever dignified with7 most notably excel in the taking away of ,corruptions1 and may be most safely made use of both for preservation from1 and curing of ,diseases1 it ought to be accounted and esteemed of as an ,universal ,medicine1 and that very deservedly1 and which gives place to none4 ,these few things ,i was willing to describe here in this place1 concerning the use1 efficacy1 and virtues of my ,potable ,gold1 in the curing of the ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 ,there shall suddenly follow more concerning the same1 in ,the ,description of the use of my ,principal ,medicaments4 ,it now remains1 that ,i make some brief mention of the preparation of my aforesaid ,potable ,gold1 although ,i have already often done the same in many places of my ,writings1 and have very clearly shown the same1 but yet after a ,philosophical manner1 and without setting down any ,receipt1 but here and there by piecemeal2 as for example1 in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 in its ,exposition and ,continuation1 where it is briefly described1 so as that it therefore needs not any farther illustration4 ,but yet1 that ,i may abundantly satisfie all men1 ,i do 7by way of over-plus7 admonish every one1 that he do not think that this subject is to be sought after from foreign and far remote places1 with a great deal of costs and charges2 for the matter out of which my ,aurum ,potabile is made1 is in every place1 and offers it self even in a manner gratis1 to the most poor as well as the richest1 and without ,costs1 and is brought to its perfection in three daies space3 ,to that perfection1 ,i say1 7that you may rightly understand my mind7 as its infancy requires1 viz4 so as to become a ,lac ,virginis1 or a clear ,universal ,medicinal ,water1 which ,i call ,aurum ,potabile1 and in which the most precious ,dragon's-blood lies hidden1 which is to be transmuted in a certain limitted time1 by fixation1 into a constant ,salamander2 the which ,i have not as yet ever effected1 and therefore forbear to use more words1 resting satisfied with this my ,aurum ,potabile1 which ,i have many a time prepared by my labour1 and here treat of1 and forbear to multiply any more words about things of greater moment4 ,in the mean time ,i doubt not1 but that 7if time and labour be bestowed hereabouts7 this ,aurum ,potabile would arrive unto the utmost fixity and constancy1 both in the moist and in the dry way4 ,farthermore1 ,i deny not1 but that this same ,aurum ,potabile may be made of all the things of the whole ,world1 but yet easier and sooner out of one subject than another4 ,there is no ,infant that is born so poor1 but that he necessarily enjoys that subject1 and cannot live without it3 ,therefore some of the ancient ,philosophers have written1 ,that ,adam and ,eve had the same matter in ,paradise2 when as yet they had no cloathing4 ,mary the ,prophetess and ,sister of ,moses1 calls it1 ,the ,work of three hours2 another calls it1 ,the ,philosophical ,work of seven daies3 ,i ,glauber1 being a new ,disciple of ,hermes1 do most truly affirm1 ,that this my ,aurum ,potabile1 which ,i here treat of1 may be perfected not only in three daies1 but even in three hours space1 and that out of such subjects as are every where to be found1 and which all men know and make use of1 and cannot be without4 ,i speak the pure naked ,truth1 without hiding it under any ,coverings of similitudes or enigmatical expressions4 ,and that no body may think that these my ,writings are not to be understood according to the ,letter1 but that they conceal all things under an hidden meaning1 ,i do again affirm this third time1 that the ,aurum ,potabile which ,i write of1 may be made of any ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 but yet sooner out of one than another4 ,for although any one may prepare it out of a piece of ,wood1 ,bread1 or ,flesh1 and out of an handful of ,straw1 ,leaves1 or ,grass1 yet notwithstanding1 it may be easier made out of an handful of the salt of any ,vegetables and ,animals1 as being their concentrated center2 and this ,i bequeath to the whole ,world as an infallible ,truth4 ,but ,i would have every one rightly to understand me1 what ,salt ,i here point at1 viz4 ,i mean no other1 but that which is to be found in all things4 ,but that the true meaning of my words may be yet the clearer and openlier disclosed1 ,i will adjoin a short but fundamental ,discourse4 ,it is not sufficient for a lover of ,art1 that is inflamed with a desire of obtaining some good thing1 barely to read over such or such a ,philosopher1 and presently to perswade himself1 that by the meer reading1 he shall forthwith understand clearly and perspicuously the ,art treated of4 ,no1 but he must accurately meditate1 and consider what that is which he seeks for1 whence it hath its original1 and by what means or what way he may obtain it4 ,for if we will make our search from the utmost and extreamest ,coasts 7or ,bounds as it were7 even to the inmost bowels or center1 we shall find1 that ,god was ,one and alone from ,eternity1 even till the time wherein it pleased him to create visible things for ,his own glory and delight4 ,and when ,he went about doing this1 ,he said1 ,let it be3 ,assoon as this ,fiat1 or ,let be1 was pronounced by ,god1 it began to move it self1 and to change 7or turn7 into four ,elements1 out of which ,elements there afterwards arose all those ,creatures1 which can be discerned with our ,eyes1 and without the four ,elements they could neither be nor consist1 and without them even ,nature her self can bring forth nothing4 ,now1 if any one would endeavour after what is purer and better than those things which are generated from the ,elements1 he must make his attempts by ,,art1 the which1 by overcoming or outstripping ,,nature1 hath its tendency to that ,butt whereunto ,nature cannot attain2 and he must there begin his operation where ,nature ended hers1 as not knowing how to make any farther progress3 ,for then is a ,quintessence obtained1 which exceeds ,nature one degree1 and cannot be promoted by ,art any farther4 ,but if any one has a desire of obtaining any better and greater thing than this same ,quintessence1 he must then proceed some other way2 for 7as we said but now7 ,art cannot make any farther progress beyond a ,quintessence3 ,and therefore necessity requires1 that there be made a regress or retrogradation unto the ,center from which the very ,elements themselves have their original4 ,this ,center is that ,divine ,fiat or ,universal ,hermaphroditick ,salt1 participating of both natures1 which being the true ,primum ,mobile1 comprehends hidden in it self two contraries1 which acting one upon another1 do bring forth the three ,principles of the three ,kingdoms1 ,vegetable1 ,animal and ,mineral1 and do nourish them by the four ,elements1 and multiply them1 and this is the common course of nature4 ,but now ,art makes a much farther progress1 and reduceth the ,circumference to the ,center1 and doth not permit unto that ,center or ,primum ,mobile1 that the ,patient be overcome or subdued by the ,agent1 by the operating of those two contraries upon each other1 nor does it suffer it to pass into those three kingdoms1 viz4 ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 as into its ,circumference1 but doth so subdue1 and keep1 and bridle in that ,primum ,mobile1 that it does not divide or dilate its ,virtues by a large circumferential walk1 as it were1 but doth in a manner swallow them down into its own self1 or concenter them2 just as if a ,dragon should bite off his own venomous ,tail1 and therewithal nourish himself1 when he cannot light upon any other ,food1 and so by this means becomes a most high ,medicine4 ,and therefore most wisely said ,hermes1 ,our ,dragon doth not die1 but by its ,brother and ,sister4 ,it is a thing necessary1 that one fire should overcome the other1 and transmute it into a more noble essence4 ,such a fire as this1 is my ,alkahestical ,arcanum1 or true ,aurum ,potabile1 with which wonderful things may be effected4 ,it is a transparent clear ,water1 wherein the colour and form of fire lieth hidden and introverted2 but yet that internal ,fire is easily and speedily manifestable1 and educible unto view1 by either the dry or moist ,fire4 ,the dry way is done by the heat and fire of common ,wood-,coals2 and as for the moist way1 a well-rectified ,spirit of ,wine is to be used1 and such as is void of all its ,phlegm4 ,take therefore of the dry and concentrated ,fire j4 put it into iij4 of the moist ,fire or ,spirit of ,wine1 which moist fire will presently swallow up the dry one4 ,these being both of them digested by a due heat of ,fire for some hours1 in a long-neck'd ,phial or ,bolthead1 will put on a blood-red colour1 and will manifest and expose to view its concentrated ,virtues1 with curious colours1 and with a pleasant taste and smell1 by which heart-corroborating qualities it far excels all other ,aromatical ,essences1 that serve for the strengthening of the heart2 for those properties which afore lay turned inwards1 and were shut up in its inmost bowels1 are all of them drawn forth and made visible1 and become subject to the external distinguishing senses4 ,by this means the abject and little ,infant which was clad in a white colour1 becomes a speaking1 strong1 and prudent man1 and this very ,lac ,virginis it self is changed into the most efficacious ,dragons-blood4 ,this now is the most true ,aqua-vit1 and the most true ,wine of ,health1 some few drops of which being daily taken1 do conserve good health1 and bestow long ,life4 ,many honest men have with their own eyes seen at my ,house the admirable and most speedy effects of my often-mentioned true ,potable ,gold1 and especially its operative efficacy in the transmutation of the ,imperfect ,metals4 ,if therefore such a one as is troubled with grievous ,diseases1 and who finds no help in those vulgar1 commonly-known ,galenical ,medicaments1 shall need the help of this my ,aurum ,potabile1 ,i will out of ,christian ,charity willingly bestow upon him so much thereof1 as may be requisite for the recovery of his former health2 and this ,i will the rather do1 that the wonderful miraculous deeds of the ,divine ,power may be made known in these last times4 ,no body shall fish out from me more ,directions than those which ,i have too and agen hidden in my ,writings1 concerning this ,aurum ,potabile2 let it suffice every one1 that he can find this ,medicine ready prepared in my hands1 the which scarce one of an hundred would be able to make1 were he a ,possessor of the ,secret4 ,this ,medicine shall lie ready prepared by me as long as ,i live2 ,i will not deny it to any body2 nay more1 ,i will openly shew the use thereof too1 unto some of my friends1 in the melioration of both the ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals themselves1 that so the ,wonders of ,,god1 and the possibility of ,art may be manifested1 and come to light4 ,and now1 may it please the ,omnipotent ,,god1 who is the beginning and the end of all things1 to inspire us1 out of ,his meer ,grace and ,mercy1 and implant in our cold hearts1 which are stopt up with darkness1 the warming heating spark of ,his ,holy1 ,eternal1 ,infinite1 and all-correcting ,light1 that it may therein1 as in some saltish and sulphureous ,earth1 be nourished1 and grow up like a little ,seed1 and bring forth ,fruit a ,thousand fold1 to the ,salvation of all our ,souls4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,in which is described the ,magnificent ,coming of ,,elias ,,the ,,artist2 ,and that the wonderful ,salt of ,philosophers is the most ,excellent ,medicine of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 ,by the help of which1 not only ,vegetables do grow1 and are multiplied2 ,diseases of ,men and ,animals1 whether internal or external1 are miraculously ,cured1 and ,imperfect ,metals really changed into ,sol and ,luna2 yea1 pure ,sol rendered able to sustain the ,force of ,fire beyond the natural #bd4 to the #bh4 degree but also from every ,plant natural ,sol is extracted1 and disposed to fixedness1 for multiplication of it self4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,candid ,reader1 ,among ancient ,philosophers of the ,heathen1 as ,chaldees1 ,egyptians1 ,persians1 ,greeks1 and ,romans1 yea1 and the ,hebrews themselves1 it was a long-received ,custom1 enigmatically to propose what they esteemed most worthy of confederation1 lest such ,secrets should either be divulged or lost2 to the end1 that unworthy persons having regard to the ,letter only2 and not respecting the ,sence expressed in those words1 might know nothing at all of them3 ,but contrarily1 the ,worthy1 enlightened with the ,light of ,,god and ,nature1 well understanding what is signified by those ,words1 might thence reap most profitable ,fruit4 ,the ,truth of this is sufficiently proved by the ,writings of ancient ,philosophers2 also by the ,books of ,moses1 and the ,histories of the ,prophets4 ,for all these1 or the greatest part of them1 do indeed need another explication1 than the ,letter it self seems to inferr1 because some occult matter is in that contained4 ,in like manner our ,christian ,philosophers1 both ancient and modern1 discovered their ,arcanum's enigmatically2 as1 among many other1 ,basilius and ,paracelsus did3 ,for1 although these men delivered all things true1 yet they are understood by very few3 ,which hath been the occasion of ,contempt and ,reproaches1 with which ignorant men1 and the evilly-disposed1 asperse all ,philosophers 7among whom ,kings themselves1 and divers ,princes1 in times past have been1 and are yet found7 and say1 ,there is no such thing in ,nature1 as the ,transmutation of ,metals into a better state2 and that ,the ,universal ,tincture or ,stone of ,philosophers was never found by any ,man4 ,truly it is a matter worthy of sharp ,reproof1 and not to be suffered1 that the ,chymical ,writings of many excellent pious men1 should 7although most consonant to ,verity7 be so maliciously rejected1 and proclaimed false4 ,this is rather due to ,chymical ,mountebanks1 7understanding nothing less than ,chymistry7 because they expose to sale the ,philosophers ,stone unto others3 ,this sort of men have rendered ,chymistry so vile and abject at this day1 as many men judge it a ,reproach to be called ,chymists4 ,that we might1 as far as is possible1 prevent this evil1 and demonstrate those things to be true1 which the above-named ,writers have left to us1 under the ,title of ,the ,salt of ,ancient ,philosophers1 which by ,paracelsus is called ,elias the ,artist2 we resolved to effect the same thus4 ,paracelsus treating of the ,transmutation of ,metals1 because he was not willing to insignize ,the ,salt of ,philosophers with its true name1 refers the ,reader to ,elias the ,artist1 who1 he saith1 when he comes1 will teach the way by which the ,transmutation of ,metals may be effected4 ,here ,men imagine ,wonders1 and generally regarding the words themselves1 expect the coming of a certain ,man sent from ,,god1 whom they believe1 shall in the later ,ages of the ,world1 discover occult ,arts1 and make known the ,secrets of ,nature4 ,whereas1 if the ,name ,elias the ,artist be rightly considered1 or a transposition of the ,letters be made1 we read ,artis ,salia1 and these ,salts indicate ,elias the ,artist of ,paracelsus4 ,these perform ,wonders1 so as a man possessing the ,salt of ,art1 or knowing the nature thereof1 may effect ,wonders4 ,elias the ,artist to such a man appears to be the cause of effecting marvellous things4 ,basilius1 in his ,testament1 did very obscurely describe this ,salt1 where he sheweth the way of making ,the ,stone of ,philosophers of common ,vitriol2 yet no man is able from those ,writings to gather which way he should prepare the same4 ,also he that considers the words of ,paracelsus1 where he foretells the coming of ,elias the ,artist1 will find1 that in that he describes ,vitriol1 both obscurely and openly2 obscurely indeed in his ,treatise entituled1 ,the ,tincture of ,naturalists2 openly1 in that which he left1 touching ,vitriol in ,species4 ,he would not expresly say1 that ,elias the ,artist1 or ,the ,salt of ,art1 was expresly contained in ,vitriol2 only this he was willing to shew to ,posterity1 viz4 ,that the ,art of changing vile ,metals into better1 was descended from the ,ancients unto him1 and with him should perish1 until the coming of ,elias the ,artist1 who should shew the true ,transmutation of ,metals1 viz4 in the #ehth4 year of the following ,age4 ,this time many have expected with grief and trouble1 but in vain hitherto4 ,many ,philosophers1 besides ,paracelsus1 have predicted the ,coming of ,elias the ,artist1 who coming from the ,north1 attended with a strong ,lion1 shall teach ,arts1 find out and manifest the secret ,treasures of ,nature1 and dispose the various mutations of mundane things for the benefit of ,mankind4 ,these have many men in vain believed to be spoken touching some one man2 for if we consult the ,writings of those men1 who have set down this ,prediction1 we shall find them not to have intended a ,man1 but ,salt-petre only1 and his ,brother the ,salt of ,art3 ,hence it is that they cry out1 ,o our ,salt6 ,o our ,salt-petre6 ,o our ,radical ,salt6 ,hence also it is1 that they write1 ,if ,,god had not created this ,salt1 it had been impossible to make our ,medicine2 and various expressions like to this1 in many places of their ,writings they use1 as ,i have declared in several of my ,tracts1 especially in the ,third ,part of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where 7among other things7 ,i said1 ,i hoped that in time to come1 by me should be unto all men exhibited ,salt-,petre1 or ,the ,salt of ,art1 sitting 7like some ,monarch7 in a ,triumphal ,chariot4 ,i doing this1 take ,paracelsus out of his ,sepulchre1 and 7as himself predicted7 turn him towards the ,orient1 that is1 ,i expose him to the ,light1 by which the verity of that ,prediction may be discerned by ,all4 ,perhaps my ,disciples may do the same2 and they seeing the verity of the ,transmutation of ,metals1 or restoring the ,sick to health in a way unheard of1 draw me after ,i am dead1 or whilst ,i live1 out of the ,sepulchre into which my evil-minded ,enemies have cast me4 ,and when they do these things1 they will effect so notable a mutation in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as indeed for the future there will be even no ,artist1 who will not see and understand the frauds1 ignorance1 or hatred of the proud and high-flown ,adversaries of ,art and ,truth1 and justly oppose themselves against such malicious ,enemies of true ,verity4 ,thus may those who have long before been blind1 receive sight1 profess themselves to have been ,opposers of ,truth1 and strenuously labour to suppress and amend what's amiss4 ,in such a time not only true ,medicine1 and the most noble ,art of ,chymistry would begin to flourish1 but also all ,arts would ascend to a greater degree of perfection2 and so one ,age will exhibit it self much more excellent than others4 ,wherefore my ,prayer is1 that the ,gates may be opened to divine and natural ,arcanums1 that ,elias the ,artist1 and the ,salt of ,art would discover the predicted ,golden ,age1 and that the most ,wise ,,god would unto pious men grant an entrance into the ,land of ,promise1 that they may thence bring ,fruits1 and present them to their ,neighbours1 for the ,honour of ,,god most high1 and the solace and comfort of the ,needy4 ,amen4 ,indeed ,paracelsus makes some mention of this ,salt in his ,works1 calling it ,sal ,enixum2 but we in our ,treatise 7published in the year #afeh47 of the nature of ,salts1 have somewhat more largely expounded the matter1 calling that ,sal ,mirabile4 ,in the present ,treatise of the ,salts of ,art it is expresly called ,elias the ,artist2 the verity of which ,appellation1 we shall by the help of ,,god clearly demonstrate1 viz4 that ,elias the ,artist of ,paracelsus signifies no other than the ,salt of ,philosophers1 prepared of ,salt-petre1 common ,salt1 or ,vitriol4 ,indeed it is in taste like ,salt-petre1 yet it is not inflammable1 although it may be procured by ,art4 ,paracelsus and ,basilius made it of ,vitriol1 as several parts of their ,writings shew1 which for better knowledge sake ,i shall here insert4 ,elias and ,elisha1 what men they were1 and what miracles they wrought1 ,sacred ,letters shew4 ,the ,miracles they wrought were ,divine2 the same almost is our ,salt able to perform in a natural way3 ,therefore not without reason have we called it ,the ,monarch of the ,world1 or ,elias the ,artist2 for there is no subject found in the nature of things1 by help of which we are able to do the same1 as may be effected by the benefit of ,this4 ,the truth of this all ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals do witness1 as we shall demonstrate variously anon4 ,but some ,one may say1 ,since ,chymistry is treated of in so various ,tongues1 and there are found almost infinite numbers of ,chymical ,books1 ,how comes it to pass1 that this ,salt hath so long remained unknown1 even until this day1 and it was never so clearly described by any ,writer1 as we thence could understand what it is1 or which way it should be made8 ,i answer1 ,writers and ,readers also are found of a twofold condition4 ,they1 who writ by the guidance of ,experience1 did all acknowledge1 and obscurely describe this ,salt3 ,otherwise they1 who compiled their ,books from the ,writings of others1 being ignorant of the thing it self1 proposed nothing but ,fictions1 leading the ,reader into a ,labyrinth and various ,by-paths4 ,writers are diligently to be considered2 regard is not so much to be had of their ,words as of their ,sence2 if this be minded by you1 you will find none of the true ,writers1 who did not make mention of this ,salt1 which1 as it is manifest to those that understand1 so it is hid from those who are yet ignorant of these things4 ,you may find very many1 who in ,writings seek the ,stone of ,philosophers1 and yet are ignorant what they seek1 or what the ,stone is1 whether it be something black or white1 hot or cold4 ,and if such a thing should be presented to those men1 they would neglect it1 and after their fashion leaving the most precious ,jewel1 proceed to please themselves in ,dung4 ,many men handle this ,salt with their hands1 yet what they have in their hands they know not1 because they are blind1 and their arrogant mind instigates them to betake themselves to things more vile4 ,but on the contrary1 not a few may be found1 who will divulge none of those excellent things which they know4 ,oh1 how happy is he that studies ,taciturnity6 he is permitted to lead a quiet life4 ,i indeed do seriously bewail my so liberal ,communication of ,secrets1 but ,i did that to discover the ,wonders of ,,god1 to serve my ,neighbour1 and to preserve our ,art4 ,egregious things would often be exhibited to the ,world1 did not the high ,ingratitude of mortals deterr the ,writer1 and prevent his good intention4 ,when they find a man endowed with the ,knowledge of some things beyond others1 they flock about him1 entreating him to impart his ,secrets to them3 there are found divers of this sort4 ,the ,wealthy come1 the ,needy come1 and men of a middle condition also come4 ,the first sort of men being1 for the most part1 very covetous1 will return nothing in exchange2 the second sort have not any thing to give2 but the third only we have sometimes found grateful4 ,what we have acquired with very great labour1 we cannot easily impart to ,enemies4 ,yet it often happens1 that those who are judged good1 are afterward found evil1 and in a ,farnnerian manner1 for ,benefits received1 return ,calumnies and ,reproaches4 ,therefore1 in such cases there is need of great circumspection1 and we must not discover all we know1 lest afterward we repent4 ,but as for my self1 ,i have not changed my mind1 ,i have begun to make known the ,wonders of the ,omnipotent1 and will go on 7,,god willing7 and kindle an unextinguishable ,light to this blind ,world4 ,in this ,treatise ,i shall only describe the wonderful ,virtues of the ,salt of ,art1 reserving the way of preparing or use to my ,friends2 for what are our ,arms1 we must not cast them away1 lest our ,enemies take them up1 and wound us with them1 after the example of ,farnner4 ,i speak of the ,salt of ,art1 the ,virtues of which ,i know1 ,i will not communicate its ,preparation or ,use2 all shall be open to my ,friends1 7yet with respect of persons7 more than is fit1 is already discovered to ,enemies4 ,is there any reason we should cast ,pearls before ,swine8 ,if what others obscurely treated of1 ,i should here openly communicate to ,enemies1 would they1 think you1 cease to do evil1 and begin to do well8 ,although ,i purpose not at all to discover the ,preparation and ,use of this ,sal ,mirabile1 yet ,i doubt not1 but that ,i shall prepare and make easie the way for finding it out2 so as in a few years space all ,europe will see ,alchymy flourish1 and not so much any other way1 as from the discovery of this ,salt4 ,of other ,arts1 which we shall perceive to arrive to a more excellent state1 the reason is the same4 ,it is sufficient that ,i have shewed such an incomparable ,salt is found in the nature of things2 yea1 ,i demonstrate the place where it may be found4 ,if ,columbus had not told us1 ,that the ,occidental part of the ,earth did abound with ,gold and ,silver1 who could have found the same1 to bring such ,treasures thence to us8 ,if some ,one had not revealed1 that gold1 silver1 and precious stones were contained in ,caverns of the ,earth1 and ,pearls to be found in the ,sea1 who 7doubting the event7 would ever have been at those vast charges of ,diggings and ,fishings8 ,but now we all know such ,treasures are to be found there1 none refuseth to search for them4 ,and although they are not obvious to all1 yet that they are in being no man doubts2 even so ,i judge it to be with our ,sal ,mirabile4 ,the virtues of it ,i deliver1 which are great1 and with most easie labour1 and a very little direction2 other things may be thereby obtained4 ,the only moving cause why ,i propose these things1 is the most ,wise ,,god1 whose wonderful ,works ,i neither would nor could hide or keep to my self any longer4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi1 c4 ,i4 ,of the ,original of this ,salt4 ,touching the ,original of this ,salt1 ,i have before shewed which way it should be made of ,f4 and common ,salt4 ,yet ,i would not have these words be so taken1 as if the same could be prepared no other way than this4 ,the methods of preparing it are various2 for it may be prepared of ,g4 only1 without the mixture of common salt1 yea1 of allume1 sulphur1 or common salt1 without the addition of ,h4 or without the benefit of the ,fire of any other salt4 ,no salt can be found1 which is not a commodious matter for this salt of ,art2 yet it may be collected from one more easily1 and more copiously than from another4 ,but because we exhibited one only way of preparing that before1 as well for other reasons1 as because of want of time1 and lest we should be too tedious to the ,reader2 therefore we now think it convenient to signifie1 that these wonderful salts may be prepared1 and that they are endowed with special virtues denied to others1 which they exercise1 as well universally as particularly1 in ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 ,for1 ,who can deny that salt to be of another nature1 which remains after the ,destillation of spirit of common salt1 and that which is left in the ,destillation of ,aqua-fortis or ,r4 although they be salts of a most diverse nature1 of which these are prepared8 ,yet every one of these is endowed with power of dissolving and fixing4 ,but that which is made of ,sal ,armoniack volatilizeth all bodies so1 as the souls of them pass over by ,alembick2 in like manner a spirit separated from ,sal-,armoniack1 by the help of ,c4 manifests other virtues and properties1 than those which are found in the ,spirit of common ,salt4 ,to one more accurately considering these1 ,arcanums of great note will exhibit themselves3 ,but more of these elsewhere4 ,of the ,name of this ,universal ,salt4 ,on this ,salt we impose the name of1 ,the ,universal ,salt of ,philosophers1 respecting those excellent ,powers and ,virtues1 with which it is endowed above any other ,salt4 ,we deservedly call it ,universal1 because it is the highest of those ,medicaments which proceed from ,minerals1 ,animals1 or ,vegetables2 as in the following ,treatise shall be demonstrated3 ,of ,philosophers is added1 because the demonstration of this matter is necessarily grounded on ,philosophick foundations4 ,of the ,virtues of this ,universal ,salt4 ,touching its virtues1 they are innumerable1 and we judge it impossible to discover them all2 for if ,i should undertake only to write what ,i know of the virtues thereof1 a whole years time1 day and night labouring1 would scarcely suffice4 ,perhaps ,,god will discover more to others2 perhaps they1 who are younger than ,i1 may find what is to me unknown4 ,by me the first1 by me the ,guide is opened to the ,searcher an entrance to things more excellent4 ,my purpose is to communicate to others those things1 which the most ,bountiful ,,god hath largely conferred on me1 for ,his ,honour1 and the profit of my ,neighbour3 ,i intend1 ,i say1 to divulge the wonderful ,works of ,,god1 but at this time 7by reason of various businesses and hindrances7 ,i shall only make mention of some of the virtues1 which ,i find to be in my ,sal ,mirabile1 or ,salt of ,art1 reserving the more special explanation of all things to a more commodious time4 ,this ,salt is rightly called ,universal1 because it is the principal ,medicament of the three ,kingdoms1 viz4 of ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals1 and hath power to perfect and augment the same4 ,i remember that heretofore ,i have attributed to ,nitre the ,dignity of this1 and not without reason2 yet in many things it is inferiour to this ,sal ,mirabile1 so as it deserves not to be compared with the same4 ,therefore in no wise correspondent to ,verity are those ,writings1 which teach1 ,that by the help of a certain ,corrosive1 a transparent ,salt may be extracted from a ,metal1 and that ,salt1 dissolvable in water1 is the true ,salt of the ,wise4 ,such ,writings are of no other use1 than to seduce the ,ignorant by ,lyes4 ,for the salt in which a ,metal is dissolved1 deserves no more to be called or esteemed a simple salt1 but receives the condition of a metallick ,vitriol1 whether that ,vitriol is green or yellow1 of ,sol and ,luna1 or white1 of ,mercury1 ,jupiter1 and ,saturn2 or blewish-green1 of ,mars and ,venus2 for what is to be an ,universal ,medicine1 extending it self to all ,kingdoms1 must necessarily have no extraneous thing mixed with it4 ,this is consentaneous even to the ,judgment of ,rusticks4 ,the true ,universal ,salt should be partaker of no metallick matter2 but altogether pure1 and most easily able to put on the nature of all things contained in the kingdoms of ,vegetables1 ,minerals1 and ,animals1 and so exhibit it self a most excellent ,medicine4 ,and since these ,properties are most fully found in our ,universal salt1 there is no reason we should ascribe to it less ,honour1 or not preferr it before all salts4 ,intending to expose the ,verity of these sayings to all1 we begin first with ,vegetables4 ,of the wonderful power of the ,universal ,salt in the kingdom of ,vegetables4 ,i said in my ,miracle of the ,world1 and the ,continuation thereof1 that a sulphureous sweet salt is the most excellent ,medicament of all ,vegetables3 ,the ,truth of which no man hath cause to doubt2 for ,i have shewed in various places1 that barren grounds are made fruitful by the addition of that4 ,of this salt1 which we may use instead of ,dung1 there is great diversity1 for it is prepared of ,wood-ashes1 of ,stones burnt to ,lime1 and of other bodies putrefied by length of time4 ,but the ,chief of all these is ,salt-petre1 being the salt of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals putrefied1 especially because it is endowed with a certain occult and sweet ,fire4 ,also the signature proper to it1 clearly exposeth to our sight its augmentative virtue2 for it exhibits not it self in a ,cubical form1 as is observed in corrosive salts1 7altogether adverse to the augmentation of ,bodies7 but ,dart-like or acuminate4 ,by this signature ,nature intended to shew of what condition and virtue salt-petre is4 ,and indeed1 if ,experience be consulted1 the things we have proposed will be found true1 viz4 that in ,nitre is a principal ,virtue1 augmenting ,bodies4 ,as for example3 ,r4 what ,corn you will1 steep it for a night and day in ,rain-water1 wherein ,nitre is dissolved1 commit it to the earth1 and you will find1 that it not only shoots up more copious stalks and ears1 and hath a more swift germination and ripening1 but also is endowed with a much more acceptable taste1 than other ,corn in the vulgar manner produced by the help of the ,dungs of ,animals4 ,but of this matter1 more at large elsewhere4 ,pure ,nitre is a salt genited in old ,stables1 from the ,dung and ,urine of ,animals4 ,urine and ,dung are no other than ,vegetables themselves1 putrefied by digestion in the stomachs of ,animals2 which concoction is wont to be perfected in #bd hours space3 ,but ,vegetables and ,animals1 out of the stomachs of ,animals1 cannot be putrefied without long time1 especially when they have acquired some undue hardness4 ,thus we see ,putrefaction differs in respect of time1 yet it acknowledgeth no diversity2 for whether it be made in the stomach of an ,animal1 or out of it1 it is all one1 and never different in virtues4 ,by this medium the ,vegetable kind hath its propagation and encrease1 but altogether in a rustical manner1 because a better way is not yet known4 ,indeed1 unto ,philosophers is known a more easie and more compendious way of reducing ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals to their first matter1 or into a sulphureous sweet ,salt2 yet they reserved the same among their ,arcanums1 lest such a most noble ,art should be made too common4 ,as it is altogether impossible that the seed of any ,vegetable set in dry ,herbs should grow1 or ,man himself1 or any other ,animal1 should be able to sustain ,life1 encrease1 or be multiplied1 with the only use of ,sand or ,flints2 but earth moistened with a saline liquor1 is required1 unto which the seed must be committed2 and in ,man such ,aliment must be digested in the stomach1 as will easily be changed into nutriment of the ,parts3 so it is impossible to augment ,metals1 unless they have been before reduced to their first matter1 and so spiritually conjoined each to other1 as one may give nourishment and encrease to the other4 ,all these things are far more easily and more readily performed by ,art than by ,nature4 ,by ,art that all ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral subjects may most easily and swiftly be reduced to their first matter1 which is a sulphureous sweet ,salt2 and by that means be multiplied1 the true ,universal ,salt clearly demonstrates2 which salt1 if we observe its signature or long figure7 is not only more excellent than ,salt-petre1 but is also generated easily in the air4 ,we have discerned sand or a stone to imbibe this salt1 if exposed to the air1 and from an ingenited virtue thence to grow1 yea1 and that which first grew being taken away1 in a few daies space another hath shewed it self1 and so to ,infinity4 ,indeed these things seem impossible1 but they are not so to him who rightly knows ,nature2 for that augmentation is effected in a ,magnetical manner1 of which we do more fully treat in another place4 ,hence1 not without good cause1 do we ascribe to this ,universal ,salt the title of ,,hero1 and a most rich and liberal ,monarch4 ,the ,,process4 ,a most easie ,way of acquiring ,spirit of ,salt together with the ,sal ,mirabile4 ,r4 of common salt two parts1 dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of common water2 pour ,a4 upon the solution2 put the mixture into a glass ,body1 or a glass ,retort well coated1 or else into an earthen ,body or ,retort4 ,if a ,body1 set on an ,head1 and begin to destil with ,fire of sand1 encreasing your ,fire gradually2 with the first heat comes off the unsavoury ,phlegm1 which gather apart2 when the ,liquor comes forth sowrish1 change your ,receiver1 and receive the sowre ,spirit3 ,continue the operation till no more spirits will arise1 then let out the ,fire1 and permit the ,vessel to stand in sand till all is cooled1 when cold1 take it out1 and if it be unbroke1 fill it again with the aforesaid matter1 and proceed as we taught3 ,the ,phlegm is not to be cast away1 but must be kept1 that in it may be dissolved ,salt 7because it is better than common ,water7 for another destination4 ,thus from every pound of ,salt you will have j4 of the best and most pure spirit4 ,dissolve the salt remaining in the ,body or ,retort 7if neither be broke7 in ,water1 filter and evaporate the ,water1 let it crystallize1 the ,crystals will be white1 endowed with wonderful ,virtues1 to be declared here following4 ,note1 ,if the ,glass be broke1 there will be no necessity of dissolving the ,salt1 it will be enough to take out the dried ,sal ,mirabile1 and reserve it for ,use4 ,note1 ,this destillation may be performed in a silver ,body1 for so doing1 we shall be free from all danger of breaking2 yet the ,vessel must be made of very pure ,silver1 void of all ,copper1 lest those most sharp spirits do attract the ,copper from the ,silver1 and so the ,body become altogether porous and soft4 ,although in the salt is no property agreeing with silver1 yet every destillation it raceth off some of the silver1 which that you may save1 gather the white ,powder left in the ,filtre1 after filtration of the dissolved salt4 ,dry this ,powder1 moistened with a strong ,lixivium1 and melt it in a ,crucible into silver2 yet you must not institute this melting of the silver per se1 because it hath acquired such volatility from the spirit of salt1 as it will fume all away4 ,and although every destillation some quantity of the silver be raced off1 yet you may destil the same matter some hundreds of times in the same ,body1 before you shall need a new one4 ,thus we shall have the less need of ,glasses1 and sooner perform the destillations1 because a strong ,fire may be given at first1 without fear of breaking the ,vessel4 ,a yet more compendious way is1 when we set the ,body alone upon a ,trivet1 and by putting ,fire under it1 extract the spirit2 for so we shall need no ,furnace1 unless we will1 for better constringing the heat3 ,nor will any great quantity of ,coals be spent in such extraction1 because j4 of salt may be destilled with two or three of ,coals4 ,this spirit being of it self sufficiently clear1 and of a grateful taste1 needs no rectification4 ,yea1 it is able to effect more than we ascribe to it in our ,writings4 ,also the remaining salt effects other incredible things1 besides those we ascribed to it in our ,treatise of the nature of salts4 ,plainly1 after the very same manner as we have taught spirit of salt to be prepared1 so may also be made ,aqua-fortis and ,aqua-regis4 ,instead of salt1 take ,nitre1 and you will have ,aqua-fortis2 and if to a solution of ,salt and ,nitre1 equal parts1 you add a sufficient quantity of ,b4 you will1 by help of ,destillation1 acquire ,aqua-regis4 ,therefore since the infallible ,basis and ,foundation of ,medicine and ,alchymy is ,c4 or else ,d4 it is now known to us1 which way1 and for little ,charge1 we may produce large quantities of this ,medicine2 whereas in the vulgar way great ,costs and ,labour is required2 and the more easily we can obtain it1 the more abundantly profitable will it be to us1 especially when we intend to bestow time in the transmutation of the more vile ,metals4 ,wherefore its principal ,use is directed to the ,preparation of ,f4 as is said most easily4 ,hence also the spirit of salt and ,sal ,mirabile may duly be used in true ,medicine and fruitful ,alchymy4 ,of a ,lyon and ,panther is produced a most sharp-sighted ,lynx2 yea1 of a ,lyon and ,eagle is genited a most potent ,dragon1 vomiting ,fire1 flying on high1 and carrying up in the air an ,horse1 with a man sitting upon him4 ,although these can do very much1 yet they could not preserve the most noble ,art of ,alchymy from being accounted unprofitable and neglected by evil-minded and ignorant men4 ,yet at length an unsatiable ,gulo consuming all things1 being genited of a ,dog and a ,wolf1 restored the same to a due splendour4 ,this dares to demonstrate the species of ,metals to be mutable1 contrary to the opinion of ,aristotle1 and by this means plainly shew and confirm1 that ,alchymy is most profitable1 and contemned without cause4 ,alchymy stands obliged to this1 because by the same it hath recovered its pristine and truly royal honours2 to this1 because it both acquires favour and praise4 ,of the ,utility which our ,salt of ,art contributes unto all ,men1 of what state or condition soever they be4 ,the ,utility of this is very great1 for if seeds1 before they be sowed1 be steeped in it1 they will yield an incredible encrease2 which is a thing of very great concern to all men dwelling on the ,earth1 because they shall never sustain the want of ,bread4 ,and will not the ,husband-man1 gathering in his ,fruits for less labour and charge than in the vulgar manner1 be able the more certainly to pay his ,dues to the ,magistrate8 ,of ,artificers also the ,reason is the same2 because they being hereby better able to exercise their ,crafts1 may also return the benefits thereof to their superiours4 ,unto ,physicians1 by the help of this1 are known more excellent ,medicaments1 and they being present1 more speedy and certain relief is procured to the sick4 ,so is it with ,apothecaries1 ,chirurgions1 and their ,medicines1 ,plasters1 and ,unguents1 which by this are more perfectly prepared1 and therefore the ,cure is sooner1 and more happily absolved1 than by ,medicines vulgarly known4 ,and ,i believe every ,artificer and ,trading ,man1 when he can perform his ,work with less labour and charge1 and acquire his ,wares for less trouble and cost1 will sell his ,commodities to his ,neighbours1 at a cheaper rate than he could before he found the benefit of this salt4 ,husbandmen and ,gardeners1 and other such labouring men1 when they can more easily1 sooner1 and more abundantly reap their ,fruits than before1 cannot chuse but sell to the buyers for less price than they could afford them at when they had no benefit of this4 ,thus we generally see1 of how great ,utility our ,salt of ,art is1 or what benefits may thence redound to men of every condition4 ,what man1 considering these things1 will not imploy all his faculties that he may become the ,master of such a salt1 whence he may not only benefit himself1 but his ,neighbour also8 ,of the ,use of this ,sal ,mirabile in ,medicine4 #a4 ,this ,salt ought to be numbred among ,universal ,purgers1 for by a ,magnetick ,virtue it extracts all sorts of noxious humours out of the ,body4 #b4 ,this purging ,property is augmented by ,metallick or ,mineral ,bodies dissolved in it4 #c4 ,for expelling all depraved humours1 the most profitable to be dissolved in it1 is ,antimony2 when the ,medicine is to be appropriated to the ,heart1 ,gold2 when to the ,brain1 ,silver2 to the ,liver1 ,spleen1 and ,reins1 ,iron2 to the ,lungs1 ,tin and ,sulphur2 to the ,habit of the ,body1 ,copper and ,mercury4 #d4 ,if purging ,vegetables1 ,minerals1 and ,animals be boiled in the ,water in which this salt is dissolved1 and that decoction be used in a ,clyster1 we know all corrupt humours will be evacuated thereby4 #e4 ,in all those ,persons1 young or old1 which cannot or will not take purging ,medicaments1 either by the mouth1 or otherwise1 it will be very profitable to free their bodies from corrupt humours1 to make suppositories of ,honey and this salt mixed4 #f4 ,in ,head-achs1 all ,fevers1 and the ,epilepsie1 it will deserve the praises of a suitable ,purger4 #g4 ,in ,catarrhs1 when the ,head is full of ,phlegmatick ,humours1 half a grane1 or a whole grane of this snuffed up the ,nostrils early in the morning1 or in the day-time1 wonderfully evacuates the ,phlegm4 #h4 ,it is an admirable ,remedy in ,affects of the ,jaws1 and parts adjacent1 as the ,tongue1 ,tonsils1 ,cheeks1 and ,gums1 having their original from a sharp ,catarrh falling down1 and oftentimes conjoined with ,ulceration and ,corruption1 as is frequently known to happen in ,scorbutick ,diseases4 ,for it extracts the humours causing the ,evil1 and heals the part vitiated1 if it 7dissolved in ,water7 be often used hot as a ,gargarism1 and the use of ,purging not neglected4 #i4 ,in like manner1 in the ,tooth-ach it performs ,wonders1 drawing out the ,humours causing dolour in the ,teeth2 if as much as will lie on the point of a knife1 or j4 of it1 be applied1 tied up in a fine ,cloth1 to the aking ,tooth1 yet after the use of some gentle ,purgation4 #aj4 ,it is a famous ,medicine in ,affects of the ,eyes and ,ears1 drawing their ,original from a ,catarrh1 provided the use of some ,purging ,medicine be not neglected4 #aa4 ,this salt is egregiously useful1 and especially after ,metallick ,bodies have been dissolved in it1 against green ,wounds of the ,body and old ,fistula's4 #ab4 ,if it be mixed with a due quantity of common ,water1 and thence a ,bath be made1 it admirably clears away the ,scab and like ,affects of the skin1 better than natural ,baths themselves2 for by its famous power of attracting depraved ,humours1 lying between the skin and flesh1 and producing such ,affects1 it heals and extracts the same1 especially if that power be helped by some other ,medicine4 #ac4 ,it extracts ,humours of every kind1 sharp1 gnawing1 or which1 are most firmly inherent in the external parts1 or which often produce ,vermin like ,lice1 and cannot be removed by ,baths or ,unguents4 #ad4 ,this used internally and externally1 7viz4 in a ,bath7 extracts the ,water out of ,dropsical persons2 and this it effects so much the more powerfully1 if ,gold be dissolved in it4 #ae4 ,it is a famous ,medicine for removing ,dolours of the ,gout1 or diminishing the same4 #af4 ,inwardly given1 it is conducent against bloody ,fluxes of every kind4 #ag4 ,also externally applied1 it wonderfully stops ,blood in ,wounds1 especially if after it is calcined and reduced to ,powder1 it be mixed with ,cobwebbs or ,peacocks ,dung1 or which is better1 when ,steel hath been dissolved in it4 #ah4 ,it kills and expels all ,worms4 #ai4 ,in ,fractures of ,bones1 and in ,ruptures1 it is a most excellent ,medicament4 #bj4 ,it1 dissolved in ,water1 and put upon the body1 not only preserves ,insects from ,corruption1 but also greater ,animals1 and ,man2 yet it may be used in a more dry form4 #ba4 ,it is an excellent ,conditure not only of ,animals but also of ,plants and ,flowers4 #bb4 ,it preserves bodies dissected from rottenness1 stink1 and dryness2 contrary to what we have observed ,turpentine1 ,spirit of ,wine1 ,aloes and ,myrrh to do2 yea1 from decay1 as we have seen done in ,salt-water4 #bc4 ,it of ,gold produceth an excellent ,elixir1 in a few daies1 some granes of which used either liquid or dry1 most gently expels depraved ,humours by ,urine1 ,sweat1 and ,seidge4 ,such an ,universal ,arcanum was never before this time known to ,mortals2 we liberally give it1 for the ,honour of ,,god1 and ,health of our ,neighbour4 #bd4 ,it so prepareth ,gold1 as by the help of ,alcolizate spirit of ,wine1 it passeth the ,alembick of a golden colour1 and is a famous ,medicament4 #be4 ,also by the help of that 7although after another manner7 a blue ,tincture may be extracted from ,gold1 of excellent use in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 #bf4 ,it is able to impress the nature of ,vegetables on all ,metals2 so as ,metals this way prepared1 and added to the ,roots of ,herbs1 impart to those ,herbs the nature of the ,metal applied4 ,how famous the use of such ,metallick ,medicines will be in ,medicine1 it is easie to understand4 ,of the ,utilities of the ,salt of ,art1 in various ,,arts4 #a4 ,it suddenly coagulates ,river-,water1 ,rain-,water1 or any destilled ,water1 so as it becomes ,ice1 and may be carried in ,paper1 a ,sack1 or ,wooden-,box or ,chest1 wheresoever you will1 and be dissolved when need is1 so as the salt may be separated from the ,water2 which salt is not at all changed by the ,water1 but may oftentimes again be used for like ,coagulations4 #b4 ,after the same manner ,wine1 ,vinegar1 ,beer1 ,metheglin1 and like ,drinks1 may be reduced by coagulation into a clear substance1 and again be most easily dissolved4 #c4 ,also by help of that may be coagulated saline spirits1 as1 ,aqua-fortis1 ,aqua-,regis1 spirit of ,salt1 spirit or oil of ,vitriol1 and the like1 so as they will become hard salts1 without any change or corruption1 portable in ,paper or wooden ,boxes1 to other places1 where being dissolved when need is1 they exhibit a ,liquor distinct from the salt1 the salt in the mean while keeping its coagulating ,virtues intire4 #d4 ,to ,honey and ,syrup it gives the consistency of sugar4 #e4 ,fountains may be so stopped with it1 as their flowing to be stayed4 #f4 ,it changeth wood in process of time into a most hard stone4 #g4 ,it abstracts the superfluous ,phlegm from ,wine1 ,beer1 ,vinegar1 and spirit of ,wine1 so as they become the stronger4 #h4 ,it separates the ,phlegm from subtile ,mineral-spirits1 whence they are made volatile and more powerful4 #i4 ,it takes away from ,wine1 ,beer1 ,vinegar1 and spirit of ,wine1 its ungrateful taste or odour1 and unto them also gives greater clearness4 #aj4 ,also it corrects the unsavory smell of ,vessels1 so as we may commodiously use them4 #aa4 ,it preserves for a long time all ,fruits1 as ,cherries1 ,apples1 ,pears1 ,grapes1 ,garlick1 yea1 ,hens-,eggs1 and whatsoever may be changed by the air1 and otherwise would be corrupted4 #ab4 ,unto ,painters it may be a ,basis for their ,colours4 #ac4 ,the seeds of ,vegetables moistened in it1 are wonderfully multiplied1 so as from one only grane #aj1 #bj1 or #cj ears will arise3 ,and the same will be effected1 if the salt it self be committed to the earth4 #ad4 ,it causeth the ,earth long to keep the ,rain-,waters it receiveth4 ,hence must necessarily arise great profit to the ,fruits4 #ae4 ,this applied to the ,roots of ,trees1 recovers them1 though almost dead before1 and makes them fruitful4 #af4 ,yea1 ,animals suffocated or drowned in ,waters1 as ,dogs1 ,cats1 ,mice1 and ,insects1 by help of it may again be restored to life4 #ag4 ,it attracts the breathings of many men lying together in one ,chamber1 and coagulates the same as snow or ice2 not indeed by any reall co-touching1 but being included in some ,glass1 and hung up by a ,thread4 ,even so1 in a ,magnetick manner have we observed such breath or vapour to adhere to the outside of ,glass like true ,ice4 ,but this is a ,winter operation4 #ah4 ,flowers and odoriferous ,herbs1 by addition of this1 may be preserved without change of odour1 taste1 or colour4 #ai4 ,by the benefit of this salt1 various colours and very many odoriferous species may be prepared2 whence the ,roots of ,plants1 if they be applied to them1 attract the colour or odour1 which they communicate to the ,herbs themselves4 #bj4 ,it takes away the bitterness of ,oil-,olive1 rendering it sweet and clear1 better than boiling can do4 #ba4 ,linseed-,oil being mixed with it1 is presently clarified1 and freed from its ,aquosity1 which otherwise cannot be effected in many daies4 ,see more in the ,second ,century4 ,of the ,use of the ,salt of ,art in ,alchymy4 #a4 ,it dissolves and fixeth all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 #b4 ,in three hours space it reduceth all the aforesaid into their first matter1 whence most excellent ,medicaments are made1 and whence proceeds a product of ,metals1 new and more excellent than others4 #c4 ,it demonstrates1 that in all ,herbs1 none excepted1 there is volatile 1 and teacheth which way it should be fixed4 #d4 ,it adds strength to ,aqua-fortis1 ,aqua-,regis1 and spirit of salt4 #e4 ,in a few hours space1 it extracts the soul from ,gold1 so as it ascends by ,alembick1 and becomes a very excellent ,medicament4 #f4 ,to the white body of 1 and of other ,metals1 spoiled of its soul1 it restores the same4 #g4 ,in a very short time it reduceth ,gold to such an essence1 as it may be united with the seeds of ,vegetables1 and communicate it ,self to the ,herbs4 #h4 ,it extracts ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper from ,metals most compendiously1 and with very great profit1 in a dry way1 without fusion or any addition4 #i4 ,it gives more noble qualities to metals1 whilst they are washed in it1 so as even by the help of such a ,lotion1 ,iron can join it self with ,mercury1 yea1 become fluid and ductile1 like ,copper1 which is a thing very profitable4 #aj4 ,it brings imperfect ,metals by graduation to maturity1 and so changeth them into and 1 as well by the dry as humid way4 #aa4 ,it can ripen every iron into steel4 #ab4 ,by the help of this1 ,iron may be changed into ,copper1 ,copper into ,silver1 and ,silver into ,gold1 either by the humid or dry way4 ,also every ,gold may be brought to the #bhth4 degree1 yea1 to a true ,tincture4 ,but of the last ,i have as yet made no experiment2 nevertheless1 it seems not to be impossible1 because there is no metal which may not be changed into another1 and indeed more excellent metal2 yea1 we know that common keeping its colour1 may be exalted4 ,and although the way of making this ,tincture is not yet certainly known1 yet there will be some one1 that shall succeed us1 to whom ,,god will grant the knowledge of the same1 who shall stop the mouthes of all slanderous and evil-minded men1 and discover their malice4 ,but some one may say1 ,how shall we know this colour of ,gold to be true ,gold1 and not ,copper8 ,to him ,i answer2 ,for this ,process neither ,copper nor any other ,metal is required2 only a ,vegetable ,sulphur with the ,salt of ,art absolves that4 ,whence then should the ,copper have access to the ,gold8 ,to say1 from the ,vegetable ,sulphur1 is nothing3 for that must be numbred among ,miracles4 ,hence1 if that should be ,copper1 we see it may well be demonstrated1 that all ,metals yea1 and ,the ,philosophers stone it self1 may be prepared of ,vegetables4 ,which is a saying most nearly correspondent to ,truth3 for there is no ,plant1 yea1 ,i say1 no ,excrement1 no not humane ,dung1 which exhibit not true ,gold1 or a true ,tincture4 ,therefore this colour1 which we find to have access to ,gold1 by help of the ,sal ,mirabile1 and ,vegetable ,sulphur1 argues not ,copper1 but true ,gold4 ,the ,elementary ,rays of have passed into ,sulphur in the coagulation in ,herbs2 this1 by help of the ,salt of ,art1 is changed into ,tincture1 when fixed1 and added to ,gold1 becomes corporeal4 ,from these and the like1 we judge the certainty of the ,transmutation of ,metals to be sufficiently manifest to every one4 ,indeed many have endeavoured to demonstrate this1 but none more clearly than ,i have done1 because this appertains to ,sal ,mirabile only4 ,therefore let ,ignorants cease to gain-say ,,god and the ,truth1 lest they be severely punished4 ,these1 and various such-like ,transmutations1 may be performed with very great profit2 therefore ,i judge it needless to speak more of them4 ,occasion of knowing many things offers it self to ,posterity1 if ,,god give the ,blessing4 ,for the ,utilities of this ,salt are daily more and more known to my ,disciples1 so as it cannot otherwise be1 than that all ,europe by the help of this ,salt only1 shall see true ,alchymy flourish4 ,whence1 and not undeservedly1 it is called the ,salt of ,art1 or ,elias the ,artist1 who entring into the ,world1 should communicate various ,arts to the same4 ,here you now have him1 teaching those things which alwaies were accounted impossible4 ,the ,world not contented with this ,elias1 must necessarily expect another4 ,the ,jews considering the abject state of ,christ1 esteemed him unworthy the ,honours of the before prophesied of ,messias1 altho' with their own eyes they saw very many ,miracles wrought by him4 ,if the same happen at this day in this case1 what wonder is it8 ,it is very hard to belive1 that such a wonderful ,salt can be found in most abject ,vitriol4 ,could such men know the nature of common ,vitriol exposed to the eyes of all men1 they would easily understand more to be contained in the same1 than ,i have attributed to my ,sal ,mirabile4 ,it is better something should be reserved to ,posterity1 than all things laid open to our ,age4 ,i have begun1 let others proceed4 ,paracelsus1 in that ,chapter he writ of ,vitriol1 saith1 ,by help of this every ,iron may be changed into the best ,copper but which way1 something more excellent1 viz4 ,iron1 may be changed into ,gold1 ,elias the ,artist 7which we call the ,salt of ,art7 when he comes1 will demonstrate1 ,that the occult virtues contained in ,vitriol may be more known to every man1 what this ,author left in ,writing1 touching ,vitriol1 ,i thought good here to insert4 ,therefore1 since ,i in this ,treatise denominate my ,salt of ,art1 ,elias the ,artist long since predicted1 some one may properly say1 ,my ,glauber1 you proclaim your ,sal ,mirabile to be ,elias the ,artist2 but in ,paracelsus's ,writings we read1 ,that when he comes1 he will teach the way of transmuting ,iron into ,gold2 now shew us which way your ,sal ,mirabile can do this4 ,i answer1 ,that here is nothing of impossibility1 ,i have obscurely in this and other places shewed2 but which way the ,operation is to be instituted1 ,i have not declared3 because ,i my self have not as yet obtained a perfect understanding of the same4 ,nevertheless1 that it is possible we have often observed2 for ,iron hath access to ,gold1 and so augments it even as it augments ,copper4 ,for when ,copper is dissolved in a certain salt1 and the solution is poured upon thin ,iron ,plates1 not only the ,copper and ,iron settle to the bottom1 and so becomes ,copper again1 but also whilst the coction is performing1 a great quantity of the ,iron hath access to the ,copper1 so as you take out more ,copper than you put in4 ,i bring for a true ,testimony of this ,experiment1 the ,saying of that most true ,writer1 ,lazarus ,ercker1 in his ,probatory ,book1 where he saith1 ,he had often observed1 that ,iron ,instruments in length of time were changed into ,copper1 without any depravation of their ,figure4 ,yet it is credible1 that this ,mutation is from ,spirits1 not from ,bodies1 because ,spirits are endowed with a greater penetrative power4 ,since the ,writings of this man are in the hands of few1 ,i thought good here to insert what he hath left written1 touching the ,transmutation of ,iron into ,copper4 ,whether ,copper may be made of ,iron4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,i did for a long time persist in denying1 ,that ,iron in ,coppery ,waters1 such as are made of ,vitriol1 green ,tartar1 and the like1 could be precipitated into ,copper2 nor could ,i in any wise believe1 that any encrease could come to ,copper1 from ,iron2 but daily ,experience hath taught the contrary1 viz4 ,that in ,mines and ,mountains of ,vitriol1 were left ,iron ,instruments1 which after long time were changed wholly into ,copper4 ,for although precipitation of ,copper is made1 by the benefit of ,iron1 yet the same quantity of that1 as is put in1 is not taken out again4 ,notwithstanding this1 here it is to be observ'd1 that together with the ,copper1 which is so precipitated1 ,silver also 7if any be7 settles to the bottom4 ,therefore they seem to do well1 who for ,precipitation of ,silver1 besides ,copper cast also into the ,aqua-fortis ,plates of ,iron3 ,and so in one and the same ,operation1 ,silver and ,copper settle to the bottom1 and we save all1 which the separatory ,water did contain4 ,as it is manifest1 ,copper may be made of ,iron1 so also that the same may be changed into ,gold1 is most easily demonstrated4 ,that it is possible1 ,i have often observed1 although without profit1 because the true way of ,operating was then unknown to me4 ,iron is not changed into ,copper in every solution1 but in that which is in certain ,determinate ,salts4 ,for1 if you dissolve ss4 of ,copper in ,aqua-fortis1 and to repress the sharpness of the ,aqua-fortis add a little common ,water1 cast in ,plates of ,iron1 or duly institute coction2 ss4 of ,copper will indeed be precipitated by the ,iron1 but the ,iron not changed into ,copper4 ,the certain reason of this1 we believe1 is1 because no ,salt having power of ,graduation1 was added to the ,aqua-fortis4 ,of ,gold1 the reason is the same1 if it be dissolved in ,aqua-regis2 for the ,gold is here found to be precipitated alone1 and the ,iron not changed into ,gold1 because of the defect of salt convenient for gradation4 ,but if a solution of ,copper or ,gold be made in spirit of salt1 and ,iron cast into that solution1 then not only the ,copper or ,gold settles to the bottom with the ,iron1 but also in this solution part of the ,iron passeth into ,copper or ,gold1 because the spirit of salt more potently acts upon the ,iron1 and introduced ,tincture better than ,aqua-fortis4 ,although any ,iron1 as you see1 may be changed into ,copper or ,gold1 yet no profit is thence to be expected1 for commonly some part of the ,gold remains in the solution1 and is not precipitated2 and which way this may be separated from the ,water is not known to all4 ,therefore it is better to omit this ,operation1 than to labour and be at charge to no purpose3 ,for reduction of this ,gold1 mixt with the solution1 experienced men are required1 which will do all things with judgment1 and are not contented with that only which exposeth it self to sight4 ,yet ,i do not in any wise think that such gradation cannot be instituted without profit4 ,if we can really transmute a very small ,particle of ,iron into ,gold or ,copper1 ,why may we not also do the same in a greater quantity8 ,it is our faults if we do it not1 who are ignorant how to use rightly ,salts of gradation1 sufficiently able to compleat the work4 ,that the way of effecting that was known to ,paracelsus1 ,i doubt not2 yet he would not communicate it to the ungrateful ,world1 but referred the divulgation thereof to the coming of ,elias the ,artist1 and that not without ,reason4 ,i doubt not1 but that this gradation may be performed with very great profit1 by help of my ,sal ,mirabile1 or ,salt of ,art2 yet ,i cannot subscribe to it as an infallible certainty4 ,i have other things now in hand to speak of3 ,my ,labours and almost incredible ,charges have discovered various secrets1 which ,i publickly communicate for the profit of my ,neighbour4 ,other things may be effected in time1 by which 7,darkness being discussed7 ,light may be given to the ,world1 and the ,miracles of the ,omnipotent ,,god be exposed to the view of all4 ,here is need of ,labour4 ,that ,gradation of ,iron may be made by the help of appropriate salts1 so as to be changed into ,copper1 ,silver1 or ,gold1 our ,sal ,mirabile plainly enough declares1 whether the gradation be instituted in an humid way1 or ,cementation made in the dry4 ,now it remains1 that we demonstrate1 that such gradation may be made by spirits1 having power of perfecting and fixing1 so as no consumption of the ,iron be1 as we see done in the addition of ,aqua-fortis4 ,it is sure that the same gradation which ,lazarus ,ercker said1 he observed in the aforesaid ,mountains1 is of like condition2 and since we possess such ,spirits1 we also1 remote from ,mountains1 may effect the same4 ,i cannot believe that any other can 7if he would7 teach us the way of preparing such spirits1 besides ,elias the ,artist4 ,in what relates to me1 ,i say1 that this gradation of ,iron may be the better performed1 ,copper1 ,silver1 and ,gold must first be reduced into ,vitriol1 having power to effect gradation1 and that indeed by the benefit of the ,salt of ,art4 ,i have more than once1 by the help of the ,salt of ,art1 changed silver or gold into a green ,vitriol3 ,i need not speak of ,copper1 the mutation of which is far more easie1 yet the other is not very difficult1 and indeed in an humid way4 ,for ,i have not seldome 7when it happened that the ,iron being consumed1 my labour was to no purpose7 had one end of an ,iron ,wier changed into ,copper1 and the other into ,gold4 ,if time will permit1 for my ,friends sake1 and that they may be mindful of me1 ,i will repeat the same labour4 ,but the principal thing1 which infers difficulty in this ,operation1 is a too great corrosion of the ,iron by the ,vitriol4 ,note4 ,besides this1 there are other things1 which cause difficulty1 and so render the labour invalid1 in the dry way as well as in the humid1 viz4 the aptness of ,glasses to break in the humid2 and of ,crucibles in the dry way2 whence it comes to pass1 that the ,sal ,mirabile cannot be kept in them a due time1 but runs out4 ,the gradation of iron into gold1 in what way soever made1 without gold can very difficultly be perfected2 and if a glass happen to break1 ,who shall be able to gather up what runs out8 ,the loss of one gradation1 by the breaking of the ,vessel1 and outflowing of the ,liquor1 will scarcely be repaired with #e or #f other gradations compleated without loss4 ,therefore it is best to desist from such ,works4 ,of that ,operation1 which is performed by the dry way1 the reason is the same4 ,for here the gold1 which is added for gradation1 is almost all lost1 without regard to the breaking of ,crucibles1 which by that means cannot contain the ,salt of ,art its due time3 ,and besides all this1 the substance of the ,crucible will imbibe some of it1 and together with the same part of the ,gold2 and1 ,who can without loss extract it thence8 ,yea1 we think the ,crucibles drink in a greater quantity of the gold1 than we acquire by the gradation1 although our ,work succeed well4 ,by ,experience it is manifest to me1 that when there are eight parts of ,gold1 but one part of ,iron in gradation is changed into ,gold1 which way soever the ,work is performed4 ,what will it avail to spend our time in perfecting those things1 the event of which is very uncertain8 ,this is the reason why very many with me have refused this profitable ,operation4 ,we considering the possibility of the matter1 whether it was possible to prevent those difficulties1 began to labour1 but to no purpose1 a great while1 until at length it pleased the ,highest ,giver of all ,good things to hear our ,prayers1 and opened to us the way of preparing such ,glasses1 as 7although not luted7 are able to bear the vehemency of ,fire without coating2 and ,crucibles also we know how to harden so1 as they will continually keep ,metals in ,flux4 ,i now hope1 if ,,god hinder not1 for better success4 ,a man not fearing the breaking of ,glasses and ,crucibles1 might perform egregious things1 this way handling ,metals1 according to his will instituting gradations and fixations1 and so reduce ,metals to due maturity1 even as the sun1 by continual digestion1 ripeneth ,fruits3 ,for no man1 if he fear breaking of his ,vessel1 and loss of his matter1 is able to keep the same till its final compleatment in a ,glass or ,crucible4 ,by the benefit of either of these inventions1 such things may be effected in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as before were impossible to be done4 ,yet let no man sollicite me 7considering the great labour and vast charge ,i have expended thereon7 to divulge this secret4 ,nevertheless1 that it may not be buried with me1 ,i purpose to communicate that to two of my most loving ,friends1 adding 7besides many other ,arcanums7 a succinct ,explanation of this second part of the ,miracle of the ,world4 ,it will concern these men to use the same for the ,honour of ,,god1 and good of their ,neighbour4 ,i did not this to profit our selves1 because they are rich enough and ,i live contented with what ,i have1 but only that the sustentation of the ,poor might be chiefly regarded4 ,iron may also another way be changed into ,gold or ,copper1 viz4 by the help of fiery spirits1 which ,salt-,petre 7the ,cousin-,german of our ,salt of ,art7 exhibits1 and of which ,i have very plainly discoursed in a special ,treatise1 not yet published4 ,that you may see the possibility1 ,i will declare the matter by example4 ,make a ,fulmen of ,tartar1 ,sulphur1 and ,nitre mixt1 to this add of the ,minera 7or ,ore7 of ,copper1 ,silver1 or ,gold1 never exposed to the vehemency of ,fire1 but still endowed with its own ,sulphur1 endowed with power of tinging and perfecting ,gradation an eighth part4 ,put fs4 or j4 of the mixture into a ,crucible at one time1 and set this ,crucible under the ,receiving ,vessels of our fifth ,furnace1 and with a live ,coal kindle the ,fulmen1 and then the ,orifice being well closed1 you will find and observe the ,gradation of ,iron unto ,copper1 ,gold1 or ,silver1 according to the diversity of matter added to the ,fulmen4 ,here most commodiously may be used ,steel-,needles2 these ,i have often drawn out of a ,crucible1 wholly changed into ,gold4 ,note4 ,he who intends to make ,gradation with ,gold1 must necessarily apply ,receivers1 in which he may collect the volatile ,spirits of ,gold4 ,if a man be contented with a very small quantity1 he needs not use ,receivers1 afterward 7being first assured of the certainty of the ,operation7 he may build a ,furnace fit for it4 ,i built such a ,furnace1 in which the last ,summer1 for my ,friends sake1 ,i performed this ,operation4 ,note4 ,if a sufficient abundance of good ,metals be wanting1 that your labour may not be in vain1 it will be requisite to make the same spiritual with ,salt-,petre1 before they be added to the ,fulmen4 ,if you would make trial of graduating into ,gold1 to j4 of the ,fulmen1 you may add j4 of fulminating ,gold 7precipitated with spirit of ,urine1 not with ,lixivium7 and your endeavour will have good success1 if you proceed right4 ,by help of this ,fulmen1 all ,metals may be changed into ,gold or ,silver2 that is1 the true ,regal ,cement of ancient ,philosophers1 which they alwaies kept secret2 only ,paracelsus1 in his ,preface to the ,book of ,cements1 was willing to make some small discovery2 ,you must not 7saith he7 so much regard the ,ingredients of the ,cement1 but the way of cementing is only to be considered1 the ,fire only1 which is in it1 must be endowed with power of fixing and graduating4 ,yea1 in his ,book of ,vitriol he almost speaks the same4 ,but some one may say1 ,what is that ,regal ,cement1 or what is the way of using the same8 ,although this hath been alwaies kept as a ,secret1 yet ,i in these last times communicate the same to ,all4 ,there is indeed no ,metal1 which may not 7even without the addition of any other thing having power of perfecting ,gradation7 by the help of this only1 be turned into gold2 as in our work of we largely shew4 ,yet this ,operation is not done with so great profit1 as that which adds ,powders perfecting gradations to the ,cement2 nevertheless it is sufficient to shew the possibility4 ,but that the ,doctrine of ,elias the ,artist may be more manifest by the aforesaid ,paracelsus1 we thought good here to subjoin his own words at large1 which take as follows4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,philip ,theophrastus ,bombast ,of ,hohenheim1 ,monarch of ,philosophers1 ,prince of ,spagyrists1 ,chief of ,astronomers1 ,paradoxical ,physician1 and great ,master of ,mechanick ,secrets4 ,,touching ,the ,,tincture of ,natural ,things1 ,against ,sophisters born since the ,flood1 in the ,age of ,our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ the ,son of ,,god4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,since thou1 ,sophister1 with foolish and lying ,words1 hast reproached me in all places1 because ,i was born in ,helvetia1 that ,i am rude1 and understand or know nothing2 also1 that being one ,letter more than a ,physician1 ,i rove and wander about from one ,region to another3 ,therefore ,i purpose in this small ,treatise to discover and lay open to the ,world1 ignorant and unexperienced men2 also that in the first ,age good ,arts were in being2 and what your ,art is able to effect against mine and mine against yours1 and what is to be judged of either1 and how ,posterity in the ,age of ,grace will imitate me4 ,consider ,hermes1 ,archelaus1 and others in the ,first ,age1 what ,spagyrists they were1 and how great ,philosophers4 ,that they were such1 is witnessed even by their ,enemies1 who are thy ,patrons1 7or ,idols rather at this time7 ,o ,sophister4 ,but if this had not been testified by your ,authentick ,fathers and falsly-reputed ,saints2 yet the ancient ,smaragdine-,table discovers more of ,art and ,experience in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 ,magick1 and other like ,sciences1 than can ever be taught by you and all your ,tribe4 ,if from the ,precedent you do not yet understand what1 and how great ,treasures these be1 tell me why no ,prince or ,king was able to subjugate the ,egyptians8 ,then why did ,dioclesian the ,emperour command all ,books of ,chymistry 7how many soever they were he could come by7 to be burnt8 ,for their ,books being destroyed1 they were long since compelled to bear such an intolerable ,yoke1 as will in time fall upon the neck of thee and thy ,collegues1 ,o ,sophister4 ,in this ,middle ,age the ,monarchy of all ,arts is at length derived to me1 ,theophrastus ,paracelsus1 ,prince of ,philosophy and ,medicine2 for unto this am ,i chosen by ,,god1 that ,i may extinguish all ,phantasies of devised1 putatitious1 and false ,works1 and presumptuous ,words1 whether they be the ,placets of ,aristotle1 ,galen1 ,avicen1 ,mesue1 or any other ,follower of them4 ,and my ,theory proceeding from the ,light of ,nature1 shall never fail through its unconstancy1 nor be changed1 but begin to flourish in the #ehth4 year of the following ,age4 ,then the ,practice following1 it shall be proved by admirable and incredible ,signs1 so as it shall be openly manifest to ,mechanicks and the ,common ,people1 how constant and unmoved the ,paracelsick ,art stands against the ,trifles of ,sophisters2 in the mean while that ,sophistick ,art hath need of ,papal and ,imperial ,privileges1 to strengthen and uphold its ,impertinencies4 ,but whereas ,i am by thee1 ,o ,sophister1 accounted a ,beggar and ,vagabond1 the ,danube and the ,rhine1 ,i being silent1 shall answer for me to thee4 ,often hath those impertinently-devised ,calumnies of thine against me1 displeased many ,princes and ,earls1 also ,imperial ,cities1 ,noblemen1 and ,knights2 for ,i have a ,treasure in a certain ,city of ,forum ,julij1 called ,weiden1 hid in the ,hospital there1 which neither thou ,leo the ,roman1 nor thou ,charles the ,german1 with all your ,substance1 are able to purchase4 ,although a signate ,star fell upon the ,arcanum of your ,names1 yet it was known by none but the ,sons of the ,divine ,spagyrick ,art4 ,wherefore since1 thou ,verminous and ,lowsie ,sophister1 judgest the ,monarch of ,secrets to be an ignorant ,fool and prodigal ,decocter1 ,i will now1 in the middle ,age1 openly discover 7as an honourable prosecution of those things ,i have asserted7 the ,virtues and ,preparation of that ,tincture1 for the profit and honour of the ,lovers of ,truth1 and that the ,contemners of true ,arts may be reduced to ,beggary4 ,the latter ,age will be illustrated and honoured with this ,arcanum1 as the ,gift of ,,god1 and manifest ,endowment of the true ,spirit1 so as from the ,beginning of the ,world the like sprout of ,understanding and ,wisdom was scarcely ever heard of4 ,in the mean while1 ,vice shall not be able to suppress the ,just1 nor the ,riches or power of those that are evil1 be any ,damage to the ,upright4 ,of ,philip ,theophrastus ,paracelsus ,his ,tincture of ,natural ,things1 c4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,i ,philip ,theophrastus ,paracelsus ,bombast1 say ,that 7after the manifestation of ,divine ,grace7 many waies to the ,tincture of natural things1 were found out1 which did all finally tend to the same scope and end3 ,for ,hermes ,trismegistus the ,egyptian set about this ,work1 according to his own ,reason4 ,orus the ,grecian observed the same ,process4 ,hali the ,arabian persisted in his own order2 but ,albertus ,magnus followed a ,process very prolix4 ,every one of these proceeded in his own manner1 yet they all attained to one and the same end at last1 viz4 to long ,life1 and an honest sustentation and ,conservation of the same in this vale of miseries4 ,at this time1 ,i ,theophrastus ,paracelsus ,bombast1 ,monarch of ,secrets1 am endowed with peculiar ,gifts of ,,god1 viz4 in such a manner1 as every searcher of this high natural ,work must needs imitate and follow me1 whether he be an ,italian1 ,polonian1 ,french-man1 ,german1 or whatsoever he is1 and whosoever he is4 ,hither must you all1 ,philosophers1 ,astronomers1 and ,spagyrists1 how high soever you be1 come after me4 ,i by my own immense ,labours1 will shew and open to you1 ,alchymists and ,doctors1 that corporeal ,regeneration4 ,i will teach you that ,tincture1 ,arcanum1 or ,quintessence1 in which the ,foundations of all ,mysteries and ,works are latent3 ,for every man may and ought to give credit to another in those things only1 which he hath experienced by ,fire4 ,if any one1 otherwise than by this experience1 offer any thing in ,chymistry1 he is not to be believed1 because the true must be separated from the false by ,experience in ,fire4 ,assuredly the ,light of ,nature was created for this end1 viz4 that by it the trial or ,proof of every thing should appear2 yet to those only who walk in that ,light4 ,with this ,light we shall be taught by the best demonstrations1 ,that all those who ever before me entred this so difficult ,province1 with their proper phantasies and acute speculations1 have made trial to their own hurt4 ,therefore1 by my ,foundation1 many ,rusticks have been made ,noble-men2 but on the contrary1 by the putatitious and opinionative ,art of those men1 of ,nobles1 many have been transmuted into ,rusticks2 because they could bear golden ,mountains in their ,heads1 before they had put their ,hands into ,coals4 ,but first are to be learned ,digestions1 ,destillations1 ,sublimations1 ,reverberations1 ,extractions1 ,solutions1 ,coagulations1 ,fermentations1 ,fixations1 and every ,instrument requisite for this ,work1 is to be known by use1 as ,glasses1 ,cucurbits1 ,circulatories1 ,vessels of ,hermes1 ,earthen ,vessels1 ,balneums1 ,wind-,furnaces1 ,reverberatories1 and other such-like2 as also a ,marble1 ,mortars1 and ,coals2 so may you at length proceed in ,alchymy and ,medicine4 ,but as long as you by ,phantasie and ,opinion adhere to your ,fictitious ,books1 you will be apt for1 and predestinated to none of these4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,of the ,definition of the ,subject and ,matter of the ,tincture of ,natural ,things4 ,before ,i come to the ,process of the ,tincture1 it is convenient ,i should discover to you the ,subject thereof2 for this was alwaies kept secret 7with a peculiar concealment7 by the ,lovers of ,verity4 ,therefore the matter of the ,tincture 7here you must understand me in a ,spagyrick sence7 is a certain thing1 which from three passeth into1 or remains in one ,essence1 by the ,art of ,vulcan4 ,but that ,i may signifie the same to you by its ,name2 according to ancient use1 it is by many called the ,red-,lion1 but by few known4 ,this1 by the help of ,nature1 and the ,art of the ,artist1 may be transmuted into a white ,eagle1 and of one two be made2 yet then the golden splendour shines not so much to the ,artist1 for they two kept in one shine more4 ,now1 if you understand not the use of ,caballists and ancient ,astronomers1 thou art not born of ,,god for the ,spagyrick ,art1 nor by ,nature chosen for the ,vulcanick ,work1 nor created to open thy mouth in ,alchymistick ,arts4 ,therefore1 the matter of the ,tincture is a very rich ,pearl1 and a most precious ,treasure1 and the noblest thing 7next to the manifestation of the most ,high7 and most worthy of humane consideration1 that can be in the earth4 ,this is the ,,lili of ,alchymy and ,medicine1 which ,philosophers have so diligently sought1 but through defect of intire knowledge1 and perfect ,preparation1 they attained not to the perfect end thereof4 ,by their ,searches and ,experiences1 a ,beginning only of the ,tincture is given to us2 but the true ,foundation which my ,collegues should imitate1 was left to me2 wherefore no man must mix his ,vizors with our ,intentions4 ,i1 after my long ,experiences1 deservedly correct ,spagyrists and separate the false or erroneous from the true1 having by continual ,searches found out those things1 by reason of which ,i may justly reprehend and alter many and diverse things4 ,yet had ,i found the ,experiments of the ,ancients more excellent than my own1 ,i would not have sustained so great ,labours1 as ,i willingly undertook for the sake1 profit1 and honour of all good ,alchymists1 c4 ,therefore1 since the subject of the ,tincture is so sufficiently declared1 as a more faithful discovery cannot1 nor must be made between two ,brothers1 ,i will enter upon the ,preparation thereof2 and after ,i have posited the ,experiences of the ,first ,age1 ,i will also add my own ,inventions1 unto which1 in time to come1 the ,age of ,grace will adhere1 whomsoever thou 7,sophister7 from thy own ,philosophy in the mean while shalt constitute ,patriarchs or ,principals4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,of the ,process of the ,ancients in preparing the ,tincture2 and of a more short way found out by ,paracelsus4 ,ancient ,spagyrists putrefied ,lili for a ,philosophick ,month1 and then destilled from it the humid ,spirits1 so long as until the dry were elevated3 ,the ,caput ,mortuum they again imbibed with the humid ,spirits1 and from it1 by destillation1 often abstracted them1 and continued this ,operation so long1 as until the dry ,spirits were wholly elevated4 ,then they united the abstracted humours and dry spirits by a ,pellican together1 #c or #d times1 until all the ,lili remained dry in the bottom4 ,although the first ,experience followed this ,process before fixation1 nevertheless our ,ancestors often obtained their wished end perfectly4 ,but they would have had a more short way of coming to the ,red-,lyon's ,treasure1 if they had learned the ,concordancy of ,astronomy with ,alchymy1 as ,i have demonstrated it in the ,apocalyps of ,hermes4 ,yet since every day 7as ,christ spake for the comfort of the faithful7 hath its proper ,care1 the ,labour of ,spagyrists before me was vast and great1 which now by help of the ,holy ,spirit assisting1 will be eased and lightned by my ,theory and ,practice1 and declared to all those1 who abide constant in their ,labours with patience2 for ,i am experienced in the ,property of ,nature1 and know the ,essences and ,conditions thereof1 and the conjunction as well as resolution of the same4 ,which is the highest and greatest thing in ,nature1 never yet known to ,sophisters4 ,when the first ,age had the first ,experience of the ,tincture1 ,spagyrists of one simple made two2 but afterward1 when in the middle ,age that ,invention was lost1 their ,successors1 by diligent search1 at length happened on the two names of that simple1 and with one denomination called it ,lili1 as the subject of the ,tincture3 ,then the ,imitators of ,nature putrefied this matter 7no otherwise than as ,seed in the ,earth7 for its due time2 because before this ,corruption1 nothing could of it be produced1 nor any ,arcanum discover it self2 and after putrefaction1 they abstracted the humid spirits from the matter1 until by the force of ,fire they were dried and sublimed2 that this way 7no otherwise than as the ,husband-man waits on the ,seasons of the year7 the said spirits might come to maturity1 as one thing is wont to rise and fall after another4 ,and lastly1 as after ,spring the ,summer appears1 they incorporated those ,fruits and dry ,spirits1 and brought the ,magistery of the ,tincture so far1 until it should come to its ,harvest1 and dispose it self to ripeness4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,of the ,process of preparing the ,tincture of ,natural ,things1 abbreviated by ,paracelsus4 ,ancient ,spagyrists would not have undergone so prolix a ,labour1 and made such tedious ,reiterations1 if they had learned their ,work from my ,school1 and in their labour followed the ,rules of the same1 but would full as well have obtained their end with much less ,labour and ,charge4 ,at this time1 in which ,theophrastus ,paracelsus1 the ,monarch of ,secrets1 comes1 is the ,season of ,invention1 which was hid from all ,spagyrists before me4 ,wherefore ,i only say2 ,take the ,blood of a ,rosie colour from the ,lyon1 and the ,gluten from the ,eagle1 which1 after you have joined them together1 coagulate according to the old ,process4 ,thus you will have the ,tincture of ,philosophers1 which infinite men have sought1 but very few found4 ,whether thou wilt or no1 ,sophister1 this ,magistery is in ,nature1 and is a wondrous ,work of ,,god above ,nature1 and the most precious ,treasure in this ,vale of ,miseries4 ,if you consider it externally1 it appears to be that which transmutes some vile thing into another much more noble than it was before4 ,yet that ,miracle is produced by a ,spagyrist1 because he had patience1 and was not weary1 and by the ,art of his ,preparation did corrupt the vile extrinsecal ,body1 and from thence raised up another and most precious ,essence4 ,if thou hast learned1 or knowest any like thing by the light of ,aristotle1 or from the ,rules of ,serapio1 produce it here1 and bring it to light by experience4 ,now keep the ,law of the ,schools1 as becomes a ,lover of ,honour1 and a ,doctor4 ,but if thou knowest nothing1 or art able to do nothing1 ,why dost thou contemn me1 as an irrational ,helvetian ,calf1 and accuse me to be a ,vagabond ,circulator8 ,art is another ,nature1 and a peculiar ,world1 as ,experience witnesseth and demonstrates against thee and thy ,idols4 ,therefore the ,alchymist sometimes compounds certain ,simples1 which he afterwards1 according to his necessity1 corrupts1 and thence prepares another thing4 ,for so1 very often of many1 one thing is at length made1 which effects more than ,nature per se is able to do2 as is sufficiently manifest in ,gastaynum1 where of ,saturn ,venus is made2 in ,carynthia1 of ,venus ,luna1 and in ,hungary1 of ,luna ,sol4 ,not to mention other ,transmutations of ,natural things 7sufficiently known to ,magicians7 which bring greater wonders to ,light than ,ovid speaks of in his ,metamorphosis4 ,but that you may rightly understand me1 seek your ,lion in the ,orient1 and your ,eagle toward the ,south1 which are to be assumed for this ,work4 ,you cannot find better ,instruments than ,hungary and ,histria produce4 ,but if you would deduce that from ,unity1 through ,duality into ,trinity1 with an equal permutation of either1 then you must direct your ,journey towards the ,south1 for in ,cyprus thou canst not obtain all thou desirest2 yet here we must discourse no farther than at present we have declared4 ,of these ,arcanums1 which exhibit transmutations1 there are many more1 although known by few2 and should they by the ,lord ,,god be manifested to any one1 the rumour of this ,art would not therefore presently break forth1 but the ,omnipotent1 together with it1 would give understanding to conceal these2 and other things1 until the ,coming of ,elias the ,artist1 in which time nothing shall be so hid1 as not to be revealed4 ,you very clearly see 7although there is no need to speak of this here1 which may by some be taken in derision7 in the fire of ,sulphur1 is a great ,tincture of ,gemms1 which indeed exalts them more sublimely than ,nature per se is able to do4 ,but this ,gradation of ,metals and ,gemms must in this place be omitted by me1 because ,i have very sufficiently writ thereof in my ,secrets of ,secrets1 in ,the ,book1 of ,vexations of ,alchymists1 and in other places4 ,as ,i have begun our ,ancestors ,process of the ,tincture of ,natural ,things1 ,so ,i will perfectly conclude the same4 ,,chap4,v4 ,of the ,conclusion of the ,process of the ,ancients1 made by ,paracelsus4 ,lastly1 the ancient ,spagyrists1 by a certain orderly augmentation of fire1 long continued1 fixed their pellicanate and dry ,lili1 until from blackness1 through a change of all colours1 it became red as ,blood1 and with its colour had put on the condition of a ,salamander4 ,rightly indeed did they proceed in such a ,labour2 and it is equal and fit1 that every man1 who would compass this ,pearl1 should proceed after the same manner4 ,to declare this more clearly to thee1 would be very difficult for me1 if you have not in the ,school of ,alchymists learned to observe the degrees of fire1 and also to change your ,vessels4 ,if you have done this1 then you will see1 that as soon as your ,lili shall be made hot in the ,physical ,egg1 it will with wonderful apparitions become blacker than a ,crow1 afterward1 in success of time1 whiter than a ,swan2 and lastly1 passing through yellowness1 become more red than any blood4 ,seek1 seek 7saith the first ,spagyrist7 and you shall find1 knock and it shall be opened unto you4 ,it would be an impious and uncomely thing to put ,meat into the mouth of so perfidious a ,bird4 ,he should rather be suffered to flie out1 as ,i1 and all others before me were compelled to do4 ,therefore follow the true ,art2 for this will lead thee to the perfect knowledge of ,that4 ,there is no reason to set down any thing here more amply or clearly than ,i have already done2 let thy ,pharisaick ,schools teach thee what they will1 from their own unstable and tottering ,foundation1 it will not reach their end or scope2 but after you shall1 as accurately as is possible1 have learned ,alchymistick ,industry1 nothing then in the nature of things will be so difficult1 but it1 by help of this ,art1 may be manifest to thee4 ,indeed1 ,nature her self brings forth nothing to light1 which is brought to its highest perfection2 as in this place may be seen by the ,unity or ,union of our ,duality2 but ,man should1 by ,spagyrick preparations1 deduce it to that1 unto which it was ordained by ,nature4 ,thus far have ,i said enough of the ,process of the ,ancients1 and of my correction of ,the ,tincture of ,natural ,things1 as to its preparation4 ,now1 we having this ,treasure of the ,egyptians in our hands1 it concerns us to convert the same to our profit1 which is two-foldly offered to us from this ,spagyrick ,magistery4 ,in the first way1 how it may be applied for ,renovation of the body2 in the second1 how it is to be used for ,transmutation of ,metals3 ,therefore1 since ,i ,theophrastus ,paracelsus am experienced in both diversly 7according as the signs of the ,work1 both in experience and proof1 have appeared better and more perfectly to me than any other7 ,i will describe and propose the same4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,of the ,transmutation of ,metals by ,projection of the ,medicine4 ,if the ,tincture of ,naturalists be to be used in ,transmutation1 one pound of it is first to be projected upon a thousand pounds of in ,flux2 then your ,medicine will be prepared for transmuting the ,leprous humour of ,metals4 ,this is a wonderful ,work in the ,light of ,nature1 viz4 that by this ,spagyrick ,magistery or ,operation1 that which before was such a ,metal1 should perish1 and become another ,metal4 ,that renders ,aristotle1 with his evilly-founded ,philosophy1 a ,fool3 ,the ,countrymen in ,hungaria casting ,iron for a convenient time into a certain ,fountain called ,zipferbrunnen1 find it consumed into a ,ferrugo 7or ,iron scurf7 which melted in a strong ,fire with ,bellows1 is presently pure ,copper1 which never more returns into ,iron4 ,likewise1 in the ,mountain ,kuttenberg 7as it is commonly called7 they strein a ,lixivium from ,marcasites1 in which ,iron is presently changed into the best ,copper1 highly gradated1 and more malleable than other natural ,copper4 ,these1 and many such like1 are better known to ,simple men than to ,sophisters1 for these men transmute one species into another2 yet these ,arts remain for the most part absconded1 by reason of the notable contempt of ,ignorant men1 and also partly by reason of the just ,envy of ,artificers4 ,in ,istria ,i have often brought ,venus beyond the #bd 7alias #ch7 degrees1 so as the colour of ,sol could not ascend higher1 and it was constant in ,antimony1 or in the ,quartal ,examen2 this indeed ,i used in all ,cases1 as the other4 ,although ancient ,artists were earnestly desirous of this ,arcanum1 and sought the same with very great diligence1 yet very few could after perfect ,preparation deduce it to its end4 ,for the ,transmutation of a ,minor-,metal into a better1 brings with it many difficulties and hinderances2 as when ,tin is to be transmuted into ,silver1 or ,copper into ,gold4 ,perhaps ,,god will have the ,magnalia of ,nature hid from many ,men1 by reason of their ,sins4 ,for sometimes it hath happened1 that when this ,tincture hath been prepared by ,artists1 and they could not bring ,projection to effect1 that the same 7through their neglect and carelessness in keeping of it7 hath been devoured by ,hens1 whose ,feathers afterward fell off1 and grew new again1 as ,i my self have seen4 ,this way1 by abuse1 through negligence of ,artists1 came ,transmutation into ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,for when they could not use that ,tincture according to their own desire1 they converted the same to ,renovate ,men1 as you shall hear more at large in the following ,chapter4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,of the ,renovation of ,men4 ,some of the first and ancient ,physicians in ,egypt1 by this ,tincture1 lived #aej years4 ,also the ,life of many was produced and prolonged for several ,ages1 according as we find it clearly recorded in divers ,histories1 which seems a thing almost incredible4 ,for its ,virtue is so admirable1 as it extends the strength and vigour of the ,body further than is possible by ,nature1 and ,conserves it in that degree so firmly1 as it lives safe from all ,infirmities4 ,and although it be grown aged1 yet it appears as in a youthful ,constitution4 ,therefore this ,tincture is an ,universal ,medicine1 like an invisible ,fire consuming all ,diseases1 howsoever they are predominant4 ,its ,dose is very small1 but the ,operation of it most potent4 ,with it1 by me1 the ,leprosie1 ,venereal ,lues1 ,dropsie1 ,epilepsie1 ,colick1 ,rosy-drop1 ,gutta ,rosacea and like ,diseases1 have been cured and healed2 also1 the ,wolf1 ,cancer1 ,noli me tangere1 ,fistula's1 and other internal ,diseases1 more certainly1 than can be believed2 of which ,germany1 ,france1 ,italy1 ,polonia1 ,bohemia1 c4 will give a ,testimony large enough4 ,now1 thou ,sophister1 behold ,theophrastus ,paracelsus1 and consider how your ,apollo1 ,machaon1 and ,hippocrates1 natural ,physicians1 sought this ,tincture for resisting ,diseases1 because all ,physicians aim at long ,life1 and by this ,universal1 they1 for the most part1 obtained it1 and that very efficaciously2 and according to their own ,arbitriment1 named it the ,tincture of ,naturalists4 ,for in all ,medicine1 what can be greater1 than such a cleansing of the ,body1 by which every ,superfluity in it1 is totally eradicated1 and transmuted8 ,the ,seed being found1 all things are perfect4 ,what profits the evilly founded purgation of ,sophisters1 since it removes nothing of that1 which should be taken away8 ,wherefore the most excellent ,foundation of a true ,physician is1 ,regeneration of ,nature1 and ,restoration of ,youth3 ,then1 that new ,essence1 expels all whatsoever is adverse to its self4 ,for this ,regeneration1 the ,powers and ,virtues of the ,tincture of ,naturalists were strangely found out1 and until our time used by true ,spagyrists1 and absconded as a ,secret4 ,of ,,vitriol4 ,nature generates a ,salt1 called ,vitriol4 ,this is a peculiar kind separated from all other ,salts1 possessing also ,virtues different from them4 ,its ,virtues are so many1 and so famous1 as of right they ought to be described in this ,book4 ,for1 a perfect ,cure of the ,jaundice is latent in ,vitriol1 also of the ,gravel and ,stone in the ,reins or ,bladder1 of all ,feavers1 ,worms1 ,falling-sickness1 c4 ,and in ,constipations of the ,body1 it is a famous ,deopilative3 ,in the mean while of other ,virtues in this ,chapter to be mentioned1 ,i here am silent4 ,the ,description of this is to be directed both to ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,for in ,medicine1 it is an excellent ,remedy2 in ,alchymy it is profitable for many other things4 ,but the ,art consists in the ,preparation of ,vitriol for ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,for ,vitriol crude1 is no such thing4 ,it is like ,wood1 of which all things may be made4 ,it is profitable for ,medicine of the ,body2 it profits also in ,chirurgery1 or ,external ,diseases1 as the ,psora1 ,tetter1 ,hereditary ,leprosie1 and others2 where all other ,remedies are ineffectual1 and as it were dead to the ,disease4 ,vitriol assaults ,diseases of this kind powerfully1 and cures them fundamentally4 ,therefore the true ,preparation of ,vitriol is in a special manner to be known by ,physicians4 ,for its ,virtues when crude are other1 than when dissolved2 and other when calcined1 than when converted into a green1 red1 or white clear ,oyl4 ,this is the condition of it1 that as often as it is reduced into another form1 so often it is made a peculiar ,arcanum4 ,this confounds all ,apothecaries1 and ,writers1 both ,italians and ,germans4 ,for this part is such1 as it alone per se can fill a fourth part of all their ,shops1 and cure ,diseases proportionally4 ,this being present1 there is no need of so many ,boxes1 ,pots1 ,glasses1 c4 set all of a row1 and disposed in order in ,shops4 ,it concerns a ,physician1 not to take care for so many ,boxes1 and ,beyond-,sea ,medicines1 but to be circumspect1 provident1 and wise as a ,virgin2 since in such numbers of ,vessels adulterate ,remedies are for the most part contained4 ,if he use the aforesaid circumspection1 at his own doors he will find more choice ,remedies1 against all ,diseases1 than ,india1 ,egypt1 ,barbary1 or ,greece can afford4 ,let every ,physician follow this ,basis1 for it is now known even to plain ,country-men1 that meer ,frauds are contained in those ,boxes3 ,which1 as they are for the most part of ,wood1 so are they that use them ,wooden ,doctors and ,apothecaries3 ,but like with like do very well agree4 ,of the ,species of ,vitriol4 ,there are many ,species of ,vitriol1 for they vary according to the ,pits out of which they are taken4 ,the common ,probation of this is1 as ,coperas is proved upon ,iron1 but this is not true4 ,the ,genuine ,probation is1 that it be used crude against the ,worms1 in that manner as we will now explain2 and accordingly as it expels ,worms1 so is it more or less excellent in ,medicine4 ,in ,alchymy1 another ,probation by ,cuprosity is more available2 yet it may also be thus proved4 ,if ,vitriol change ,iron into ,copper1 and that speedily1 and the same be perfectly well gradated and soft under the ,hammer1 then is that ,vitriol best in ,medicine and ,alchymy8 ,for there is a ,conjunction of ,iron and ,vitriol1 where of ,iron it makes ,copper good and excellent4 ,of the best ,vitriol the best ,copper is made4 ,let no man wonder1 that ,copper can be made of ,iron by ,vitriol2 for there is also this virtue in ,nature1 viz4 that the ,water of ,borax makes ,quick-silver of ,lead4 ,also experience teacheth1 that ,cachymia's transmute all ,metals into other1 no otherwise than as ,vitriol changeth ,iron into ,copper4 ,nor is ,vitriol1 only the transmuter of one ,metal into another1 but there are also other things1 which have like effect upon all ,metals4 ,the reason why we know not them all1 is1 because ,sophisters pervert ,arts for their private benefit1 using them only to supply their ,purse and ,kitchin4 ,in ,hungary is a ,river proceeding from ,vitriol1 or per se consisting of ,vitriol1 not coagulated into ,crystals4 ,if ,iron be put therein1 and left for its due time1 it turns to a ,rubigo1 or ,rust4 ,if that ,rust be melted by a ,wind-,furnace1 it is presently made pure and constant ,copper1 not convertible into its own ,nature of ,iron4 ,there are infinite ,mines of ,vitriol found throughout ,germany1 all which cannot be described apart4 ,yet the aforesaid ,probations are to be used both in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,there is besides these another ,probation 7not profitable in ,medicine1 but in ,alchymy only7 and that is3 ,if the ,colcothar of ,vitriol do from it self by ,fire1 give or yield ,copper4 ,if it give ,copper1 then in ,medicine it is weak1 but in ,alchymy strong ,vitriol4 ,likewise the ,colours of ,vitriol are to be observed3 ,that which is all over blue1 mixed with no other ,colour1 is not so good in ,medicine1 as that ,vitriol1 which is 7as it were7 parted1 and all over filled with red and yellow ,lines and ,veins4 ,what in the ,air inclines to whiteness1 is efficacious1 and fit for the green and white ,oyl of ,vitriol3 what turns to a redness and yellowness is more excellent for the red ,oyl4 ,there needs no more to be said touching the ,species of ,vitriol1 than what is suggested by ,probation2 which every ,physician and ,alchymist should make1 according to the use he intends it for4 ,lastly1 this ,probation is never fallacious4 ,if mixed with ,galls1 or ,oak-,apples1 it makes good ,ink1 then it may be used in all ,cases3 ,but if it maketh an aqueous1 or waterish ,ink1 that needeth many additions1 it is not so good4 ,of the ,virtues of ,vitriol in ,medicine3 first1 of it ,crude1 and its ,colcothar4 ,in explaining the virtues of ,vitriol1 ,i will first speak of the virtues of it ,crude1 and of its ,colcothar4 ,therefore1 know ye1 ,vitriol is a famous ,purgation1 in grievous and difficult ,diseases of the ,stomach4 ,for it sometimes happens1 that the ,stomach is distempered by ,meats and ,drinks1 and falls into a ,diuturnal ,disease1 which continues unto death1 and by depraved ,meats and ,drinks1 it often comes to pass1 that the ,sick are either contracted in their ,members1 or die4 ,also among ,souldiers1 through ,immoderation1 it frequently happens1 that burning ,feavers1 ,dysenteries1 and other ,diseases arise4 ,in all these ,evils1 the highest1 and most excellent ,remedy is a ,purgation by ,vitriol1 which rightly and ,allegorically is called ,gryllum4 ,its ,dose is as much as you can take up at six times upon the point of a ,knife4 ,if that ,operate not1 repeat the same ,dose1 and if not this ,dose neither1 give it a third time1 and it will be sufficient4 ,to the ,weak1 give it in ,wine or ,water2 but to a strong ,man1 that is not easily ,laxative1 in rich ,wine4 ,it so exhibited1 will throughly purge upwards and downwards4 ,indeed ,hellebore1 both the ,spurges1 ,coloquintida1 c4 do famously purge also2 yet not with virtues equal to ,vitriol4 ,the ,reason of this is1 because in ,vitriol is a certain sowreness1 which hath a conjoined ,sharpness1 ,acrimony1 and ,detersion2 by which saline sowreness the ,operation obtains a full and perfect power1 which neither ,hellebore1 nor ,coloquintida1 c4 hath4 ,for the ,nature1 or way of ,purgation is here two-fold3 ,one purgeth per se1 the other by ,saltness4 ,therefore here the two virtues are better than the only one in ,hellebore4 ,in ,saltness a ,specifick ,form is latent1 and that of such a ,nature1 as all ,worms touched by it die4 ,and that is a singular power1 which destroys ,worms1 being what none of the aforesaid doth4 ,therefore it is evident to every one1 that a ,purgation1 which hath in it self sowreness and saltness1 together with a ,laxative virtue1 doth in a double way and manner exquisitely cleanse1 evacuate and purge4 ,wherefore1 for ,internal ,diseases1 it is twice more noble1 and more excellent than other ,purgations4 ,but because ,i intend at large to declare to you the ,nature of ,vitriol1 there is no need ,i should also explain those ,internal ,diseases3 ,yet in general ,i say1 that a ,purgation of this kind in all ,vices of the ,stomach1 in the ,falling-,evil and ,vermination1 is most profitable and most safe1 if it be used according to the condition of time1 ,disease1 ,person1 c4 ,touching ,colcothar you are to know1 that it is not inwardly to be taken1 but only to be applyed in ,chirurgick ,diseases1 viz4 in putrid ,ulcers1 which admit not of ,sanation3 ,for in these it discovers the way to perfect healing4 ,yet there are many ,chirurgick ,diseases1 as ,grievous1 ,malignant1 ,worse and ,worst4 ,against the ,worse and ,worst1 ,colcothar is not conducent1 yet is effectual against those1 which consist in the first degree2 and therefore to be applied to them4 ,for the ,worse and ,worst of all1 its ,oyl is to be used according to the degree of the evil1 and of the ,oyl4 ,all ,ulcers of this kind1 how many soever they be1 are cured by ,vitriol2 but according to the degree1 the use of it is1 that it be reduced to good ,colcothar1 which must be certain times extinguish'd in ,vinegar2 and being dry1 be sprinkled on1 or permixed with some ,plaster1 which by the ,physician shall be judged apt and fit for that evil4 ,so it makes an ,escar1 which taken off by ,fatness1 a good and easie ,cure follows4 ,but the ,evil1 which is not obedient to this ,cure1 of it you shall thus judge1 viz4 that there is yet more venom latent1 which must thenceforth be searched out with ,oyls applied2 because the ,basis of the ,ulcer cannot sufficiently be amended with ,colcothar for an intire ,sanation4 ,if crude ,vitriol be dissolved in ,vinegar1 and the ,solution thickened with ,colcothar into a ,powder1 and so applied1 it soon cleanseth the bottom of the ,ulcer much more potently1 than of ,colcothar is said4 ,but the best way of reducing it to ,colcothar1 is to extract the water thereof1 and therewith to imbibe the ,caput mortuum1 until it be consumed1 afterwards to dry it leisurely in the ,air4 ,if this be used1 it induceth a better bottom in ,ulcers4 ,but whatever you do1 mind the degree of ,ulcers1 ,tetters1 c4 ,whatsoever of these is not cured1 set about the ,cure of1 with its separated ,oyl and ,water of which afterwards4 ,although ,colcothar answer not the desired end1 yet by reason of that the ,cure must not be despaired of1 but you must think of correcting it in distilling4 ,for by ,preparation the ,medicine is brought to the highest degree1 so as it even cures all ,ulcerous ,affects1 as the ,wolf1 ,cancer1 and the like4 ,these are explained more at large where we speak of the ,preparation of them4 ,of the ,water of ,vitriol in ,chirurgick1 and ,internal ,diseases4 ,alchymy discovers many excellent ,arts to ,physicians2 by which1 wonderful ,sanations of many ,diseases are made4 ,for this cause in the beginning of ,medicine1 ,physicians always used ,alchymy2 because this was the ,mother and ,genetress of many ,commodities4 ,these two ,faculties1 viz4 ,medicine and ,alchymy as ,sociates so long kept together1 as until ,deceivers and ,humorist ,sophisters arose1 who mixed ,venom with ,medicine1 and made her a ,strumpet4 ,such ,medicine as this1 will always remain1 as long as ,humorists live4 ,these things ,i thought good to premonish you of1 that henceforth you may give the more diligent heed to this head ,chapter1 by reason of its famous ,medicinal ,utility4 ,but this is always to be premised1 viz4 ,that as often as unskilful ,men take in hand any ,art1 so often do they every way defile and corrupt it1 and of a ,pearl make a stinking ,puddle4 ,the very same is also committed in ,vitriol4 ,at first1 the ,spirit from ,vitriol extracted1 was wont to be gradated to the highest4 ,by this exalted1 the ,ancients did perfectly cure the ,falling-,evil1 whether ,recent or ,inveterate1 both in ,men and ,women1 of what ,condition soever they were4 ,but here unskilful ,laborators rushing in1 attempted otherwise to reduce the ,virtues of ,vitriol1 and thus failing of the first way and ,arcanum1 they suffered that to expire1 and then sought an ,oyl in the ,colcothar1 which could not any way be made to that end1 or have such a ,use4 ,for what is to take away the ,epilepsie must have a subtile1 sharp1 and penetrable ,spirit4 ,in that consists a faculty of piercing through the whole ,body1 and of leaving no one thing untouched therein4 ,and by that pervasion1 or penetration1 the ,disease is assaulted in its own place4 ,for it cannot be known certainly and indubitately1 whence comes the ,seat1 or ,centre1 or ,period thereof4 ,hence we conclude1 that a ,physician hath only need of such ,remedies1 as can penetrate the whole ,body4 ,this is the ,reason1 why sordid ,humorists heal none1 but prostitute all their ,doctrine and ,profession4 ,therefore1 ,i positively affirm1 that in the ,oyl1 which those ,laborators seek1 is no penetrating ,spirit4 ,a meer ,terrestreity 7as ,i may call it7 is by them used1 which penetrates not at all1 but where it falls there it lies4 ,wherefore it is greatly to be bewailed1 that the true ,process is suppressed by that unskilfulness1 and a false substituted in its stead4 ,but ,i am perswaded1 the ,devil contrived that1 to the end the ,sick should not be cured1 and the ,sect of ,humorists might thenceforth spread the more4 ,let us return to the beginning2 how the ,spirit of ,vitriol was found out4 ,the ,humid ,spirit of ,vitriol was at first distilled from its ,colcothar2 then it was gradated1 by distilling and circulating per se1 as the ,process teacheth4 ,this way the ,water began to be used for many ,diseases1 both ,internal and ,external1 as for the ,falling-sickness1 c4 and thus a marvellous ,sanation was effected4 ,but in the extraction they were wonderful diligent2 for they took the ,spirit of ,vitriol corrected1 as above1 and distilled it from ,colcothar eight or ten times1 with a most strong fire2 so the dry ,spirits were mixed with the ,humid ,spirits1 and the ,work so long continued1 as until the dry ,spirits came forth together with the ,humid1 by extracting4 ,afterward1 both ,spirits put into a ,phial were gradated to the highest4 ,this ,medicine they found to be of much more powerful ,operation against ,diseases1 and by that ,medicament effected so much1 as they confounded all ,humorists in ,general4 ,yet here is no ,correction added to it 7by ,artists7 by ,spirit of ,wine1 to render it of greater ,penetration4 ,but it was of no greater degree1 than as ,i shewed4 ,now ,i will ,communicate to you my ,process1 which ,i commend to all ,physicians1 especially for ,cure of the ,falling-,evil1 the singular ,cure of which1 consists in ,vitriol4 ,for which cause1 ,charity to our ,neighbour binds us to institute a more diligent ,cure in this ,disease4 ,the ,process is thus4 ,i imbibe the ,vitriol with ,spirit of ,wine1 and afterward distil it from the dry and humid ,spirits3 ,this being done1 ,i find the following ,addition to be very profitable1 viz4 ,if ,spirit of ,tartar1 corrected1 be mixed to a third part of the ,vitriol1 and ,spirit of ,treacle-water ,camphorate1 be added in a fifth part1 with respect of the ,vitriolate ,spirits4 ,thus ,i administer it1 before the assault of the ,fit1 or certain times in a day4 ,this ,medicine is famously efficacious against this ,disease2 yea1 so excellent1 as a better cannot be desired from ,nature4 ,therefore1 the first ,process invented by the ,ancients1 is to be retained with the said ,correction1 viz4 by imbibing with ,spirit of ,wine before distillation1 and by adding the ,spirits of ,tartar and ,treacle-water after distillation1 as is said4 ,for so is attained the ,heart of ,nature1 and every ,virtue4 ,i hope ,i shall not be blamed1 but commended rather by every good ,man1 that considers the horridness of this ,disease1 which would even move a stone to ,commiseration4 ,since so great is the vehemency and horridness of this ,disease1 as almost any ,man may lawfully say1 ,cursed be all ,physicians1 who passing by such ,sick1 yield them no relief1 but like the ,priest and ,levite in ,jericho1 who forsaking the wounded man1 left him to be cured by the ,samaritan4 ,i pray here give your judgment1 what ,condemnation were that ,priest and ,levite worthy of1 who passing by the distressed1 stopped their ,nose1 as the ,proverb is2 surely they were worthy of ,hell ,fire1 from which is no ,redemption4 ,and who can judge any other of all ,physicians1 none excepted1 that look upon this ,disease1 and yet pass by with their ,nose stopt8 ,who can otherwise say1 than that they must render an account of it at the last day8 ,notwithstanding1 all these men are generally so disposed1 as they will not wag their hand1 or bestow one penny1 for acquiring a more certain ,foundation for the cure of this ,disease4 ,did they not1 as it were1 by compact imitate ,priests and ,levites1 but would rather study to imitate the ,samaritan1 ,,god certainly would recompense their fidelity with a manifestation of the ,secrets of ,nature1 with which they might be helpful to the ,sick4 ,and if such ,virtues were not incited in ,nature1 the ,almighty would undoubtedly create them anew4 ,therefore ,i testifie1 together with you noble and ignoble men1 that all ,doctors generally have basely erred and deviated from the ,truth4 ,whatsoever those ,seducers1 ,galen1 ,avicen1 c4 foolishly devised1 to that they adhere1 and relie upon those ,lyes1 so far are they possessed with the ,devil1 that they cannot exercise ,charity towards their ,neighbours2 and in this manner they make themselves the ,sons of ,damnation2 for their only study and drift is to heap up ,wealth4 ,the ,kingdom of ,,god is first of all to be sought1 yet not after the fashion of the ,priest and ,levite1 but according to the ,samaritan nature4 ,if we be merciful1 and follow the example of the ,samaritan1 ,,god is with us1 who will presently help us with a ,remedy not yet created in ,nature4 ,in the mean while1 since ,physicians deal with the ,sick ,levitically and ,priest-like1 the most ,wise ,,god withholds ,medicine1 and reserves it to himself4 ,the ,sick flie to the ,kingdom of ,,god1 but ,physicians to the ,infernal ,abyss1 prepared for ,levitical ,doctors of the same sort4 ,therefore open your eyes and look1 the way is two-fold1 one leads to infernal shades1 this the ,levites follow2 the other way leads to ,heaven1 unto which the ,samaritan directs his ,feet4 ,that ,vitriolate ,arcanum1 and its extraction1 is not only excellent in the ,falling ,evil1 but is also conducent in other species like unto it1 as in ,swounings1 ,extasies1 c4 ,also it is after the same manner beneficial in all ,oppilations and inward ,imposthumes1 and is no less efficacious in precipitation and suffocation of the ,matrix4 ,yet in it are many more ,virtues acquirable than are here commemorated1 if greater diligence in inquiring be bestowed thereabout1 and ,physicians themselves would be better men4 ,but the ,devil1 whom they serve1 possesseth them1 and stirs them up to the hating of ,him who loves ,verity4 ,even thus things are acted about the ,health of ,good ,men4 ,it is further to be known1 that the aforesaid ,receipts of the preparation of the humid spirit of ,vitriol cannot more clearly be described2 for to understand that1 a sufficient ,artist is required2 those sordid ,decocters cannot understand a thing of so great moment4 ,therefore you are only to expect all-sufficient ,information from true ,artists1 and ,alchymistick ,laborators2 so also by them you must be fully instructed about the correction of spirit of ,wine4 ,for the ,doctors of ,academies are so very rude1 as they can scarcely discern ,agarick and ,manna4 ,yet this kind of ,asses are created ,doctors4 ,you have ,treacle-,water contained in my practice1 in the ,chapter of the ,cure of the ,falling-,evil2 what others there are of this kind1 are not here to be recited4 ,by this ,chapter you may learn1 ,that the ,art and all ,virtue of ,vitriol1 consists in well-extracting the ,spirit1 and graduating it to the height1 and by addition deducing it to ,penetration1 whereby it may search out the center1 root1 and seed of the ,disease4 ,for 'tis impossible so exquisitely to find the places1 as those ,doctors babble of ,humours4 ,certainly1 the ,foundation is not yet known1 as what it is that makes a ,disease1 or where that lies1 or what that is1 which casts a man into so grievous a ,fit4 ,therefore every ,operation is only to be committed to that ,arcanum1 which ,nature hath directed to the ,disease2 that ,arcanum searcheth out his ,disease1 as the ,sun penetrates all the ,angles of the ,world4 ,briefly1 ,i say1 whosoever endeavours to be a true ,physician1 ought first of all to learn to be a ,samaritan1 not a ,priest or ,levite4 ,if he be a ,samaritan1 all things he hath need of will be given him2 nothing will be occult to1 or hidden from him4 ,but to him who will first be a ,priest or ,levite1 nothing will be given1 unless it be ,infidelity1 which he also had before4 ,thus are such men paid in their own ,coin4 ,of the ,red ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,you are also to understand1 how of the ,colcothar by a ,retortive ,destillation1 in a ,chymical manner1 a blood-like and most sowre ,oil may be prepared4 ,this ,oil ,laborators have judged more efficacious in the aforesaid ,diseases than the ,spirit1 but that their judgment was erroneous4 ,the vulgar ,process of preparing it ,i think not to mention here2 for every thing of moment is cited in manual ,operation and diligent ,inspection1 also in convenient ,instruments4 ,as touching the ,virtues you are first to understand1 that it is a sowre thing1 so far exceeding all sowreness1 as nothing than it is more sowre4 ,it likewise contains a corrosive nature1 for which cause it had need be used circumspectly and warily1 viz4 not per se1 but in a good ,concordancy and suitable mixture1 with respect to that against which it is exhibited4 ,we will explain this by ,example3 ,the ,viper is a ,serpent most venomous1 therefore of no use alone1 but in ,composition it is most excellently useful2 for of it ,treacle is made4 ,the very same is also to be judged of this ,oil1 viz4 ,that it is not to be used alone1 but in a ,composition suitable and fit1 as of ,treacle we have said4 ,by reason of its sowrness1 it profits a ,stomach free from ,choler and an ,imposthume2 but if either an ,imposthume or ,choler be present1 it is manifest by ,experience1 that it hath no good effect4 ,for the ,imposthume is inraged by it1 and exasperated by such sowrness1 passeth into an unquiet matter4 ,and if ,choler be present1 a mutual ,ebullition and ,strife is caused1 no otherwise than as is seen between ,aqua-fortis and ,tartar1 neither of which can remain or persist with the other4 ,therefore diligently and circumspectly consider1 lest you erre to the damage of the ,sick4 ,in ,composition this ,oil is profitable for other ,affects1 as in all ,fevers and want of ,appetite1 if given in the aforesaid manner1 viz4 in a good concordancy4 ,there are many other ,virtues said to be in this ,oil1 but ,experience confirms few of them4 ,i have seen and proved those to be egregious ,lyars1 who have boasted1 that they could do ,wonders with this ,oil4 ,it is true1 it is useful in the ,stone and ,gravel1 yet ,i have known no man cured by it4 ,in all it doth something1 but not to purpose3 ,yet in my ,practice1 in the ,chapter of the ,cure of ,gravel1 you shall find a ,composition thereof1 for this and other diseases4 ,but as ,i said of the ,corrosion of this ,oil1 used by it self1 so ,i do also affirm1 that the same ,corrosion hath power of diminishing or breaking the ,stone1 and expelling ,gravel2 yet that is done with so great difficulty1 as there is need of some other ,invention1 than hath hitherto been practised2 for otherwise it may not safely be used4 ,as much as any man hath gained by ,experience1 so much ,i allow of4 ,this ,medicine is new2 wherefore it daily ought to be proved anew1 and as oft as need is permixed with new ,compositions4 ,but as to ,chirurgery1 of this ,oil you are to note1 ,it doth indeed excite great dolours1 yet it inferrs present ,health1 even in the most difficult diseases4 ,for in the ,hereditary ,scab of the ,head1 called ,achores1 it is so effectual1 as it takes the same off in one whole piece1 as a ,man pulls off an ,helmet from his ,head4 ,with this ,oil the whole ,head is to be anointed with a ,feather1 where it is hairy1 for #c daies continually2 then expect its ,operation4 ,if you see it not sufficient1 anoint it more often1 according as the ,scab shall be4 ,the same ,oil may also be co-tempered and mixed with ,water of ,selandine1 and the ,head often washed therewith4 ,yet he who would be healed1 must not think that his ,cure can be effected without dolour2 for the condition of the ,sick is the same as of a pregnant ,woman1 which brings not forth without exceeding great pain4 ,so ,meat1 without pain1 cannot be prepared for us2 with dolour and sweat also we are freed from diseases4 ,this way all ,tetters1 ,scabs1 and ,itch1 together with all other ,vices of the skin1 howsoever arising1 are healed2 and likewise the depraved ,tentigo1 by anointing herewith1 is cured1 and the ,wolf and ,cancer expelled and mortified2 yet in this case you must diligently observe1 if the ,evil be very forcible 7that the ,venom so deeply penetrate1 as the quick and sound flesh be in success of time like to be eaten away and fall off7 to apply a good ,oppodeloch for a defensive4 ,but in whatsoever estiomenous ,ulcers1 other ,remedys be deficient1 this ,medicine yields relief1 by reason of the degree it holds4 ,it will not be improper to mix this ,oil with some fat ,unguent1 and so apply it4 ,this way it will cause less pain1 but it is not so swift in operating3 ,dolour can by no means be avoided1 no more than a ,woman in ,travel can be delivered without pains4 ,the best1 and most sublime way of preparing this ,oil1 is to destil it into spirit2 so a very small weight will be sufficient in all the aforesaid diseases1 which are then removed with little trouble4 ,these things ,i have found out by experience of the ,red ,oil of ,vitriol1 which in grievous diseases is an excellent and famous ,medicine2 for fetid and contagious diseases of this kind1 as are the ,scab1 ,itch1 ,tetter1 ,achores1 and other like ,affects1 which are of affinity to the ,leprosie1 may be cured by this great ,gift of ,nature1 which is here offered to the ,physician1 by which he may effectually cleanse and heal diseased men4 ,there is not an abundance of ,remedies of this kind1 therefore ,i will carefully preserve this ,oil1 c4 for all other ,coctures are nothing worth1 nor do they remove these loathsome diseases1 but with their fatness do cause them to be reincrudated and encreased4 ,of the ,white and ,green ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,it is worthy of consideration1 that from crude ,vitriol an ,oil is destilled by descent1 sometimes white1 and sometimes green1 according to the condition of the ,vitriol4 ,this ,oil deserves a singular commendation2 for since it is prepared of crude ,vitriol1 therefore it also contains the spirit of the same1 touching which ,i have above treated4 ,this ,oil1 made by descent1 demonstrates by those its ,virtues that it is an excellent and admirable ,remedy for the before-mentioned internal diseases4 ,the same ,oil whether it be white or green1 7but the green is better7 if circulated and mixed with the above-commemorated spirit of ,vitriol1 is a certain and indubitate ,remedy against the ,falling-,evil1 and all its species4 ,but it is worthy your observation1 that this disease is seldome so solitary1 as not to have other ,evils concurrent with it4 ,indeed1 that such a concurrency is1 is evidently manifest by all diseases4 ,hence it is now clear1 that a ,remedy against the principal ,evil is not sufficient1 but ,secrets against concurrent symptoms are also required4 ,for this cause in my ,practise ,i have designed a peculiar ,chapter of the ,falling-,evil1 not for the principal ,remedy sake1 which in this place is sufficiently described1 but only for the understanding of those things1 which concurr together with the first ,affect4 ,if other ,accidents do not concurr together with the first ,affect1 there is no need of exhibiting other ,medicaments than the principal1 which is sufficient4 ,therefore1 touching the green ,oil1 thus do ye3 ,graduate it to the highest1 that it may be separated from its terrestreity and fces1 in ,balneo first1 afterward in dry ,fire4 ,so in ,balneo the phlegm is taken away1 and the terrestreity removed by dry ,fire1 and the spirit of the ,oil only is collected1 which in it self is circulated4 ,afterward you may make addition with spirit of ,wine1 but there is no need of adding more1 if it be only to be used as a ,primary ,remedy1 without ,medication of coherent diseases4 ,it is to be given in ,water of ,pony1 alwaies before the coming of the ,fit1 whether it be frequent or seldome1 c4 ,therefore mind the ,paroxisms4 ,as soon as the spirit of the ,oil finds out the center of the disease1 then the ,fit is pacified1 and thenceforth waxeth more and more gentle4 ,but when it exerciseth a power of ,healing1 it first of all excites a ,vertigo sensible to the ,sick1 who notwithstanding do not fall nor foam1 nor are shaken1 or quake1 nor deprived of reason1 but are seized with a gentle sleep1 and are much better presently4 ,at length the ,vertigo also ceaseth1 and the sleep is ended2 yet in the mean while the ,medicine must continually be applied1 several times reiterated1 according to the condition of the ,disease and ,patient4 ,this way the ,cure is to be followed1 and all things diligently administred4 ,this belongs not to a drunken ,physician1 or ,doctor ,levite4 ,of the ,vitriolate ,oyl to be used in ,alchymy1 and also of the ,crude4 ,now to speak of the ,alchymistick ,virtues absconded in ,vitriol3 ,i will first propose to you the ,virtues of ,crude ,vitriol3 ,how every ,crude ,vitriol of ,iron makes ,copper4 ,for the ,alchymist doth not this1 but ,nature1 or ,vitriol1 by the ,operation of the ,alchymist performs the same4 ,and this is the sublime power of ,nature4 ,and in the light of ,nature it is done1 but not without admiration2 to see any ,metal1 as it were put off it self1 and become another2 which is almost1 as if of a ,man1 a ,woman should be made4 ,but in these things ,nature hath her singular ,privilege granted by ,,god1 for the sake of ,man4 ,i speak this of ,transmutation1 that you may understand1 that the foolish ,philosopher ,aristotle1 was not well grounded in his ,philosophy1 but was meerly fatuate4 ,now ,i will give you the ,receipt1 that you may know how1 in all places of ,germany1 to make ,copper of ,iron2 whence we may easily gather1 what the power of ,transmutation is1 and that many other ,transmutations may be made2 although they as yet be unknown to ,us4 ,to change ,iron into ,copper is not of so great moment1 as to turn ,iron into ,gold4 ,therefore1 what is least1 ,,god manifests1 but the greater is yet hid1 until the ,elias of ,sciences shall come3 ,for ,arts also1 want not their ,elias4 ,the ,receipt of this ,transmutation is thus4 ,r4 ,of the ,scales1 or ,filings of ,iron 7without all other ,metals1 as ,copper1 ,tin1 c47 j4 ,quick-silver1 ss4 ,put both into a large ,iron ,pan1 or ,pot1 and pour on them one ,measure of ,vinegar1 and of ,vitriol iiij4 ,sall-,armoniack1 j4 ss4 ,boil them together1 and continually stir them well with a ,wooden ,spatula4 ,if the ,vinegar vapour away1 pour on more1 and add new ,vitriol4 ,by this ,decoction1 ,iron is changed into ,copper3 ,if it be made ,copper1 it all passeth into the ,quick-silver1 the boiling being continued for ten or twelve hours4 ,after the ,cocture is ended1 separate the ,quick-silver from the ,iron 7as much of it as is left7 and well wash it1 that it may be clean4 ,put that ,quick-silver into a ,bag made of ,leather or ,cotton1 and press it out2 so you will see an ,amalgama left4 ,suffer that ,amalgama to expire by ,vulcanick ,heat1 and you will find pure and good ,copper4 ,of this ,copper1 ,r4 ss4 of ,silver as much1 make them flow1 or melt them together1 and the ,silver will presently ascend to the sixteenth degree4 ,this way you may prove1 that such ,copper is made of ,iron3 ,but that the degrees are fixed1 is not true4 ,yet he1 who in ,regal ,cement is able well to operate1 may thence receive a sufficient ,recompence for his pains4 ,the whole business consists in the ,operation1 and in ,judicious labouring3 ,yet in this most men erre4 ,nevertheless1 by the aforesaid ,process1 you may always make ,copper of ,iron4 ,i so often inculcate this1 only to confirm the transmutation of one into another4 ,also of ,vitriol such is the ,nature1 as if the ,colcothar thereof be calcined1 it with easie liquefaction is turned into ,copper4 ,for in it is a wonderful ,coppery ,nature1 and in ,copper also a ,nature of greatest ,affinity to ,vitriol4 ,if ,copper be dissolved in ,aquafortis1 and ,crystallized1 it makes every ,copper ,vitriol1 and it is no more ,copper3 ,so also of ,vitriol1 ,copper is made2 and that is no more ,vitriol4 ,therefore the ,reason of such ,affinity in ,vitriol and ,copper is very strange4 ,what is ,cuprous or of ,copper1 makes good ,vitriol4 ,so ,verdigrease1 which is good and highly gradated1 gives a ,saphyrick ,vitriol4 ,although it may seem ridiculous for us to discourse of these things2 yet it cannot be deny'd1 that in ,vitriol a ,tincture is latent1 which is of greater efficacy than many can believe4 ,blessed is he that understands this4 ,but touching the ,oil of ,vitriol1 further note4 ,if the ,oil of ,quick-silver1 and this ,oil be conjoined1 and so coagulated in their ,process1 a ,saphire of wonderful ,nature and ,condition is produced3 ,not indeed a ,saphire stone1 but like unto it1 of an admirable ,tincture2 of this ,i will say no more4 ,hence it is evident1 that stupendous1 and to be admir'd ,arcanums are treasured up in ,nature1 and in many other things created by ,,god1 and produced by ,nature4 ,now1 it would be more commendable for us to search out these things with an indefatigable labour and study1 than to consume our days in ,luxury1 ,drunkenness1 ,whoredom1 c4 ,but at this time1 ,lascivious ,whoremongers1 are in greatest ,honour1 and so are like to be1 until with these ,vices one third part of ,men be suffocated1 and another third part destroyed by ,pestilence2 so as one part of the ,world1 will scarcely remain untainted1 or unconsumed4 ,for with this abomination the ,world cannot long endure1 nor good ,arts flourish4 ,therefore1 of necessity these evil ,courses must be annihilated and cut off1 otherwise no good can have place4 ,but when this evil time is expired1 the ,golden age shall flourish2 that is1 ,man at length shall use his own ,understanding1 and live as a ,man1 not as a ,brute1 nor act as a ,swine1 or lie in the ,caves of ,murtherers or ,robbers4 ,therefore1 since ,i have communicated to you these things of ,vitriol1 out of my good affection to all2 ,i do earnestly entreat all ,physicians in general1 when they shall see the unhappy and miserable sick so afflicted with that most grievous ,disease the ,falling-,evil1 seriously to confider1 what ,,god the ,creator1 their own ,consciences1 and ,charity to their ,neighbour1 command and require of them in such a deplorable ,state as this2 and not contemn1 or slightly esteem of the ,virtues1 which by ,,god himself are insited in ,vitriol4 ,let ,charity move you night and day to be diligent in these things3 ,let none be found idle1 but every one make it his business to help his needy ,neighbour3 ,but be not you deterred herefrom1 because ,lawyers do not this4 ,hear what ,christ said3 ,woe to you ,lawyers4 ,surely this is not a light ,saying4 ,nor take you any offence at ,theologians1 because they rather seek ,rewards and ,salaries1 than take care for the sick3 ,these are they1 which in ,jericho passed by4 ,be ye ,samaritans1 and press after the ,samaritan ,virtue3 ,so ,,god will conferr on you such profound and necessary ,gifts1 as in curing the sick you shall be sensible of no ,deficiency4 ,all things you have need of shall be given you1 do you only search out this ,treasure4 ,thus far ,paracelsus4 ,an ,admonition4 ,although all things we have in the foregoing ,discourse proposed1 touching our ,sal ,mirabile1 be consentaneous to ,verity2 and the ,virtues1 which we have ascribed to it in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and various ,arts1 do powerfully discover themselves1 yet we find very much diversity in it1 according to the diversity of matter1 of which it is made4 ,for1 that which is prepared of ,vitriol1 is of a far other ,nature1 and endowed with far other ,properties1 than that1 which is made of ,salt-,nitre4 ,and what is made of common ,salt1 agrees with neither of these3 ,for one possesseth a greater sharpness than another2 yea1 this more than that1 dissolves ,metals4 ,the more potent1 are fit for ,transmutation and ,solution of ,metals2 the more weak subservient to ,medicine2 the weakest1 and most sweet1 profitable for multiplication and propagation of ,vegetables4 ,these things1 he who would reap the desired ,fruits of his ,labours1 ought necessarily to know1 and consider accurately of4 ,for if any one1 in hopes of future ,multiplication1 committed to the ,earth the ,seeds of ,vegetables imbibed with the stronger ,salt1 he will indeed never obtain his desired end1 nor will the ,earth give forth any ,plants1 because such sharp ,salts do rather destroy1 than augment ,vegetables4 ,in like manner1 ,metals are delighted with a convenient ,salt1 viz4 with the more sharp1 as ,vegetables are with the more sweet4 ,therefore1 when we find our labour to be frustrated1 we must not impute that to the ,sal ,mirabile1 but to our own ,unskilfulness4 ,indeed these ,salts are endowed with far more noble ,virtues than we mentioned in the precedent ,discourse2 but the high ,ingratitude of ,men of this ,age1 permit us not to discover the same4 ,for if you communicate your ,secrets to those ,men1 from whom you cannot require a promise of ,secrecy2 be assured1 the knowledge of those ,secrets will presently come to others1 who will proudly use the same to thy ,disparagement4 ,if you do the contrary1 and keep to your self1 whatsoever you have purchased by your own ,labour and ,costs2 you will create ,enmities to your self4 ,so as which way soever you take1 you will sustain loss4 ,the ,consideration of these things1 have caused me to resolve to expose my ,laboratory1 with all my ,arcanums1 to the view of others4 ,the end of this only was to exhibit to the sight of all1 the truth of those things1 which ,i have purchased with indefatigable ,labour1 and communicated to the ,world by writing2 that this way1 the ,mouths of the ,malevolent and ,ignorant may be stopped4 ,i could1 if it were needful1 give various other ,reasons1 by which ,i was moved to make my ,laboratory common to those that desired it4 ,now the year is past1 in which ,i promised in my fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 ,i would build a ,laboratory1 and exhibit the ,wonders of ,,god to my ,friends4 ,i then publickly and privately demonstrated various most excellent ,inventions1 not without labour and very great ,charges1 all which ,i value not1 since ,i know1 that by this means ,i have discovered the ,truth to many1 which they also will publickly own to the honour of the most high ,,god1 and ,correction of envious ,detracters4 ,i did purpose also1 in the following year1 to continue my ,labours for the sake of faithful ,friends1 but 7besides other hinderances7 my ,age prevented that1 ,nevertheless1 those1 to whom ,i have committed my ,laboratory1 will perform the same1 and exhibit a ,light to this blind ,world4 ,this ,i was willing to signifie to all1 that they may for the future cease to trouble me with ,letters4 ,but whilst ,i exhibit the ,virtues of my ,sal ,mirable1 and to it 7prepared in ,glasses after the above recited manner7 ascribe the virtue of changing imperfect ,metals into ,silver and ,gold1 ,i would not have this matter so understood1 as if we could by the help of it acquire to our selves ,gold in a very great quantity1 it is sufficient to have demonstrated the possibility 7of ,transmutation7 and the same to be proved by a small quantity4 ,it is most certain1 that very many ,medicaments may be prepared1 by the help of it1 against various effects of the ,humane ,body4 ,also it is most certain1 that it is very conducent for a particular gradation of the ,minor ,metals into better4 ,believe me1 that have experienced the same2 if you rightly proceed1 you will reap no mean ,fruits4 ,but touching the true ,universal1 ,i do question1 whether by the help of it1 it may be procured4 ,assuredly1 if common ,gold1 as to its degree1 can be changed above what is ,natural1 ,why should it be judged impossible1 to exalt it further1 in length of time8 time8 ,my decrepid ,age forbids me to put my hand to this ,work2 yet to ,posterity 7better able than ,i to sustain the heat of fire7 occasion is given1 by ,prayers and ,labour to search further2 perhaps1 ,,god will grant to them1 what he hath denied to us4 ,this ,operation1 by which we peculiarly draw profit from the ,minor ,metals1 cannot be performed in common ,crucibles1 as we before said2 because they are obnoxious to breaking1 and so the ,liquors are easily lost2 but in such as will not easily break1 unless after a long time1 and will not permit the humid ,salt to run out4 ,here it will be needful to peruse those things 7relating to this matter7 which ,i mentioned in the ,third and ,fourth ,parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,to prepare these ,crucibles is a great ,work1 greater to make some ,pounds of ,salt1 or rightly to use the same2 but greatest of all1 7and in which the summ of all consists7 to know what ,metals are to be joined1 or in what quantity4 ,here many will have enough to do1 and be at a loss1 although they enjoy my ,secret ,furnace1 and know how to make the ,salt of ,art in abundance4 ,besides all these1 we must needs crack the hard ,nut1 if we will eat the sweet ,kernel4 ,it is required of us to know an easie way of separating ,gold or ,silver from fixed ,metals2 for such a ,metallick ,mass1 altogether untameable1 cannot be separated by the help of ,lead1 per se1 as ,ductile ,metals2 but here is need of another ,separation2 which is the principal thing4 ,nor should any ,man perswade himself1 that all things are here so clearly written by us1 as he can by their literal sence most easily institute the ,operation4 ,for there is need of a long time1 and a skilful ,master4 ,it would be a very inconsiderate thing to set about those things1 of which we have no knowledge4 ,although this is my ,admonition1 here often repeated1 yet there will be some1 who neglecting it1 will set about the said ,operation1 and perhaps find out various profitable things3 ,in like manner1 there will be various found1 who following my ,prescripts1 will reap much benefit from the ,minor ,metals4 ,who can deny1 but that ,mary ,ranta1 a ,brittain1 hath ,prophesied truly1 viz4 ,that true ,alchymy should flourish in the ,year of ,christ1 #affj8 ,i my self have not seen this ,prediction1 but have it from the ,relation of others1 whereunto ,i refer the ,reader4 ,and add1 that if such a ,prediction were not1 daily ,experience doth abundantly witness1 that egregious things are here and there performed in ,metallicks1 by help of my ,sal-,mirabile4 ,and there is no doubt1 but that all ,darkness will daily more and more be dissipated by the power of this ,light4 ,i have unto some communicated the use of this ,light for their proper benefit2 but these1 contrary to my ,intention1 have caused what ,i thought to have kept secret1 to be spread abroad in publick and many have hit on the right way leading to ,verity4 ,if this be done without my knowledge1 what would not have been done1 if my ,laboratory had been open for a year longer8 ,certainly the ,world would have shewed it self other than it is1 and altogether new2 which the new and great ,star extending it self from the ,south to the ,west1 seems to indicate4 ,let the most high ,,god grant what are necessary1 and salutary for us1 turn the ,ungodly into the right way1 and give to his own ,children1 ,rest and ,peace1 that his most ,holy ,name and ,truth always to be magnified1 may not be totally suppressed by the ,impious4 ,amen4 ,,annotations ,,upon ,,the ,,continuation ,,of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,explaining and ,defending the ,,secrets therein contained2 ,as also the ,true ,aurum ,potabile therein mentioned4 ,it is truly said1 that ,he who builds an ,house by the ,highway exposeth his ,building to the judgments of all sorts of men1 and to their censure especially who have not skill enough in ,architecture1 to erect a ,country ,cottage4 ,the same is wont to happen to those who write concerning things not common or unknown4 ,for you shall presently hear ,people saying1 ,who knows whether this be true or not8 thereby signifying that they cannot perceive those things which exceed their ,capacity2 but nevertheless they will not altogether reject them1 because they are yet in doubt concerning the truth of them4 ,this their doubting is not to be taken ill1 because it proceedeth from ignorance1 but not from envy4 ,on the contrary1 there is another sort of perverse men1 who being puffed up with their own putatitious knowledge1 despise unknown things1 not out of simplicity or ignorance1 but out of a meer diabolical envy to those who have a greater knowledge and experience of things than themselves4 ,this hath also happened1 and doth daily happen to me1 especially since the publishing of my ,miraculum ,mundi1 in that ,i have there disclosed ,secrets of great moment1 of which the ,vulgar1 nor yet the bubbles of ,envy1 have plainly no knowledge2 and therefore out of meer ,envy1 reproach them for ,unprofitable and ,false4 ,but to stop the mouths of such persons1 ,i intend shortly to build a spacious and well-furnished ,laboratory1 and in it to place a good ,laborious ,operator1 who being occupied therein with continual ,labours1 shall shew the ,divine ,wonders to those who desire to see the same4 ,which being done1 ,i shall have no farther need to defend my ,writings against every ,calumniator2 seeing that ,i know there will be those 7,,god willing7 hereafter1 who will defend the truth which they have seen with their eyes and handled with their hands4 ,in this ,laboratory shall be seen not only those ,artificial destilling ,furnaces1 and my ,press for ,wood1 with the circulatory ,instruments necessary for the easie making of ,salt-,petre2 but also those things shall be shewed1 which ,i have treated of in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and its ,continuation1 yea1 and much more than ,i have there declared4 ,those things also which ,i have ascribed to my ,aurum ,potabile shall be demonstrated to be the very truth1 viz4 ,that crude ,mercury1 in an hour or two's time1 may be by it converted into pure ,gold4 ,nor shall this only be proved1 but also that after my ,aurum ,potabile hath tinged and changed the into pure and constant ,gold1 that nevertheless it hath yet great ,virtue1 viz4 that any ,arsenick1 whether white or yellow1 being digested in it for some hours1 is so changed1 that its poisonous quality passeth into a good ,medicine1 resisting all ,poison4 ,nor doth it only become a powerful ,medicine against venomous and incurable diseases1 which cannot be eradicated by purging1 bleeding1 sweating1 and the like ,remedies1 whilst it ,tinctureth the evil ,humours in the ,blood and other parts of the ,body1 and changeth them into good ,humours4 ,but this also being changed into ,medicine1 and its ,venom converted1 sheweth its power in ,metals2 if it be cast upon melted ,copper1 then the ,copper poured out and proved on a ,cupel with ,saturn1 leaveth behind it some good ,silver and ,gold4 ,these two proofs are sufficient for the defence of my ,aurum ,potabile4 ,but that any one may be yet rendered more certain1 after those two ,experiments1 viz4 the coagulation and transmutation of ,mercury into pure ,gold1 and the conversion of poisonous ,arsenick into a safe ,medicament1 he may yet try a third1 and that indeed incredible1 with the same ,aurum ,potabile that hath been twice used1 as before1 and this not upon mild or slight ,poisons1 but upon the most dangerous and indefensible both to ,men1 ,beasts1 and all living things1 to wit1 ,mercury sublimate1 which being digested for some hours in the said ,aurum ,potabile1 layeth aside all its horrid and formidable ,venom1 and passeth into a safe ,purging and ,diaphoretick ,medicine1 and losing its former white ,colour and corrosive ,venom1 it becomes a sweet red ,powder1 purging out the ,gout1 ,pox1 ,leprosie1 and other detestable diseases1 and impregnateth ,saturn in some measure with a ,golden ,tincture4 ,so also white ,arsenick1 after digestion1 putteth off its white colour1 loseth its corrosive faculty1 and is changed into a sweet and yellow powder4 ,these ,experiments and ,proofs ought not to be hidden to the ,studious of good ,medicines1 but to be made manifest to the everlasting and immortal testimony of the ,truth1 against all ignorant ,sophisters whatsoever4 ,i have1 for my defence1 the most sharp ,sword of ,truth1 whose edge1 if any desire to feel1 let him come forth2 the defence of the ,truth will be grateful and easie to me1 although the malice of the whole world should oppose me4 ,i here challenge all those ,calumniators who being moved by a diabolical envy1 have endeavoured to oppose my most true ,writings2 let them come forth with their ,lyes into the open light1 and into the view of the whole ,world1 and shew any ,experiment like to those which ,i here promise to shew1 that we may see how filthily or basely they will appear1 like the darkness vanishing by the light and splendour of the ,sun4 ,if they cannot1 as indeed it is not in their power1 7for he that hath any knowledge of things never contemneth a good one7 nor will be possible for them to do2 forasmuch as they know nothing1 it is but reasonable that for the time to come they should restrain their virulent tongues1 and cease to calumniate those things which they neither know nor understand4 ,i do not wonder that those ,slanderers1 attempting the coagulation of ,mercury into ,gold1 have erred1 seeing that it hath sometimes happened to my self1 that ,i have erred two or three times together1 and could not effect that ,transmutation1 until the cause thereof was known to me3 ,for if through too much haste the humidity of the ,aurum ,potabile shall exhale or evaporate too fast1 the ,mercury being dried up1 cannot be sufficiently penetrated1 nor throughly tinged4 ,an errour also may be committed1 if the glass containing the ,mercury and the ,aurum ,potabile grow hot too fast1 so that the ,mercury with the ,aurum ,potabile boil1 and leaps1 disperseth it self by too much motion1 and exhibiteth it self in form of a powder1 when it ought to remain in the bottom1 concreted into a round mass4 ,so will he also greatly erre1 who shall use ,mercury that is not pure and clean1 but adulterated1 and defiled with many sordes or impurities1 which ,impediments deny ingress to the ,tincture1 and render the trial uncertain and precarious4 ,therefore it is necessary that the ,mercury be first well ground with ,salt and ,vinegar1 in a lignum vit1 or ,stone or ,glass ,mortar1 and by a diligent washing freed from all its blackness1 whereby it more easily admitteth the ,tincture4 ,i have found that ,mercury very fit for this ,operation1 which is sublimed by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 into which my ,aurum ,potabile hath a swift ,ingress1 and tingeth the whole of it4 ,truly it shews the great ignorance and boldness of those ,calumniators1 to dare to spread such false clamours and rumours1 saying1 ,that ,mercury cannot be indeed tinged into ,gold by my ,aurum ,potabile1 but that the ,gold which was before in my ,aurum ,potabile applieth it self to the ,mercury1 and in some sort coagulateth it1 but doth not render it fixt and constant4 ,but this is indeed a very rude and ignorant ,assertion1 which every one but meanly versed in the handling of ,gold and ,mercury1 is able to detect of ,folly4 ,for if common ,gold1 dissolved in ,water1 would readily coagulate ,mercury1 what should we further seek or desire8 ,but this is greatly wide of the matter1 seeing that in all such ,solutions the ,gold in digestion adheres to the injected ,mercury by precipitation1 and passeth with it into a white ,amalgama1 the ,mercury constantly persevering in its pristine ,nature1 not admitting the least transmutation into ,gold1 the which exceedeth not the knowledge and capacity of ,rusticks1 but is difficult to be understood by those putatitious ,doctors1 who believe such things to exceed all ,belief4 ,it is well known1 that the purest ,gold hath no more of perfection than what it needeth for its own defence2 that hath not the least power to amend any other metal1 and to render it fixt and constant1 much less that it can coagulate ,mercury1 7the derider of all ,alchymists and ,sophisters7 into ,gold4 ,of both is made a white ,amalgama1 but not hard yellow ,gold constant in the ,fire4 ,he that believeth not me1 let him make trial himself1 and he shall find it answerable to my words4 ,besides1 all corporeal ,gold refuseth solution by fixt ,nitre1 of which my ,aurum ,potabile is prepared1 the which1 if it were yet possible1 the ,gold would not be hid in it1 but the solution would be yellow1 and would colour the skin with a subrubid or blackish colour1 which my ,aurum ,potabile doth not4 ,therefore its tinging ,virtue consisteth not in corporeal ,gold1 but in a golden ,tincture1 from the first ,ens of ,gold1 converted into an ,astral ,essence1 by the benefit of ,art4 ,by a like reason the ,astrum of ,luna impresseth ,mercury with the nature of ,silver1 the ,astrum of ,venus transmuteth it into ,copper1 the ,astrum of ,mars converteth the same into hard ,iron1 the ,astrum of ,jupiter of it maketh ,tin1 and the ,astrum of ,saturn investeth it with the nature of ,lead4 ,for ,mercury is transmuted into that ,metal1 whose ,astrum it shall receive4 ,so the ,astrum of ,mercury changeth all the metals into a running ,argent-vive1 although this transmutation brings little or no profit4 ,nevertheless1 ,i intend to prepare the ,astrums of all the metals1 and thereby to shew the power of ,nature and ,art to the studious of the ,truth1 and so to manifest it to the ,world4 ,the ,astrums of metals being extracted from their first ,ens1 they are no longer metals1 but their tinging ,anima's1 which at length with ,mercury1 become corporeal metals4 ,this is the true and genuine ,foundation1 upon which the whole structure of my ,aurum ,potabile is built4 ,therefore1 as pure ,gold1 cannot render ,mercury partaker of its own golden nature2 so neither ,silver1 nor ,copper1 nor any other metal1 will communicate its nature to ,mercury1 but being precipitated1 attracteth it to it self1 but in no wise changeth it4 ,hence the ,philosophers say1 ,that the ,tinctures of ,metals are not to be sought in the metals themselves1 but in their first ,ens4 ,as ,basil ,valentine2 ,quod prima ,entia non efficiunt1 ,hoc ,aurum ,argentum non faciunt4 ,which is to be well regarded by him who desires to attain his wishes4 ,from all these things it appears1 that my ,aurum ,potabile being made of the first ,ens of ,gold1 by ,art1 into an ,astral ,tincture1 ought to be an excellent ,medicine2 as also1 that it is such1 ,i have largely demonstrated3 ,for if it were not better than a common ,solution of ,gold1 it would not change ,mercury into true ,gold1 neither also would it have the power of transmuting a most potent ,poison into an excellent ,medicine4 ,without doubt1 such ,medicaments1 which by the help of my ,aurum ,potabile1 from most violent ,poisons1 are changed into so salubrious a nature1 as ,antidotes1 do powerfully refill other ,poisons and pertinacious ,diseases1 and may be used in ,physick with great admiration4 ,what would it profit1 if the ,body should be purged by an hundred stools1 and at the same time the ,disease doth not consist in the matter of stools1 but still keeps its place1 and gives no way1 except it be attacked in its own quarters8 ,neither will it avail anything to let all the blood out of the body1 if the fear of the ,disease be not in the blood4 ,yea1 if it were there fixed1 and the whole mass of blood wholly corrupted1 it would be in vain to undertake to amend the same by bleeding2 for all the blood cannot be drawn out1 without peril of ,life4 ,and if1 for example sake1 two or three pounds of twenty should be left in the body1 to be amended by sanguifying ,meats and ,drinks1 and good ,blood to be encreased1 yet the event would not be answerable1 because the encreasing blood would be corrupted by the former4 ,e4 g4 ,an ,hogshead of sharp ,vinegar1 out of which1 if you should draw all the ,vinegar1 leaving only the fces or ,lees1 and should by degrees pour into it noble and generous ,wine1 the ,wine would be plainly corrupted by those few fces4 ,even so it is with those fixed ,diseases1 which have taken such deep root in the humane body1 that they cannot be taken away neither by ,purging1 ,bleeding1 nor ,sweating1 nor by outward ,anointings4 ,therefore they are to be tinged and amended in those places1 to which they pertinaciously adhere1 by the help of ,tinctures or ,astral ,medicines1 as above is done with ,mercury1 and ,mercury sublimate1 that remaining there1 they may put on a better nature and quality1 and no farther molest the humane body4 ,and this is the true and genuine way of ,curing radicated and incurable ,diseases4 ,yet ,i would not be so understood1 as if ,i condemned all ,purgation2 for ,purging being used at a due time1 brings no small profit4 ,blood-letting also being seasonably used1 wants not its utility2 but being often abused1 is the cause of great mischiefs1 and not seldom hastens on untimely death4 ,moreover1 the following ,experiment1 for the trying the ,truth of my ,aurum ,potabile1 is not to be contemned4 ,rub some ,argent-vive upon a small ,silver ,plate1 and what is superfluous1 and doth not adhere1 wipe off with a ,linen cloth1 after the manner of ,goldsmiths1 7or ,gilders7 who gild with the ,amalgama of ,gold and ,quick-silver3 ,digest the ,silver ,plate in my ,aurum ,potabile1 for half an hour1 or an hour1 then take it out1 and you shall see with how1 fair a ,golden ,colour it will be gilt4 ,for in this digestion the ,mercury is not so heated1 that it can vanish in smoak1 and therefore adhereth to the ,silver ,plate1 and is tinged by my ,aurum ,potabile into the best ,gold4 ,now try the same operation with another ,silver ,plate1 rubbed over with ,argent-vive1 and digest it in a solution containing corporeal ,gold1 to see if that ,plate will be gilt like the other4 ,for the ,plate coming out white1 you will see a very great difference4 ,i could here add more such ,experiments1 if ,i thought it needful4 ,if ,goldsmiths 7or ,gilders7 could gild their ,silver ,vessels1 by such a coction 7or digestion7 in a solution of corporeal ,gold1 without doubt they would soon leave the common way of gilding by the ,amalgama of ,mercury and ,gold1 because by its poisonous ,mercurial fume1 affecting the bodies of those who handle it1 it is wont to cast them into dangerous and lasting ,diseases4 ,but because they can effect nothing by such golden solutions1 they are forced to supersede their ,use1 and to acquiesce in the old usual way4 ,these few things of my ,aurum ,potabile1 which is the ,fourth and ,last ,article in my ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 ,i am constrained to publish for its defence1 that every one may know ,i have not attributed too much to it1 but that it can perform much more2 the truth of which ,i am ready to exhibit4 ,therefore this is a ,medicament most worthy to be presented to ,great and ,noble ,men1 as a precious ,gift4 ,as for the ,third ,process in the same ,work1 which is offered to ,physicians and ,citizens1 that they may by an easie labour obtain good ,medicines for ,mankind1 and an honest livelihood2 it is openly and clearly described1 so that in it not the least thing is hidden or concealed1 ,i cannot force any to believe or try the matter2 ,i have enough to do with my own affairs2 but if in my ,youth ,i could have obtained such a ,manuduction1 as ,i have hitherto and still do administer to others1 ,i should not have been forced to the searching out of ,nature with so great charge and labours1 heavy stinks1 and great danger of my ,life1 as ,i have4 ,i here again assert that which ,i have often asserted1 viz4 ,that by the fulminating of ,salt-,petre with ,tin and ,mercury1 much ,gold and ,silver is acquired2 which thing ,i have often done1 and as yet can do it1 and do promise that in due time ,i will demonstrate it publickly in my ,laboratory to ,friends4 ,the other point1 in which ,i have taught how ,rich men may augment or improve their ,gold and ,silver1 much safer than they are wont to do by putting it to ,usury1 ,i have truly and candidly revealed1 and have kept back nothing4 ,,nb4 ,but that there are other waies of acquiring ,riches1 without great ,cost and ,labours at the ,fire1 the troublesome ,exercise of ,merchandise1 or other things1 disturbing or hurting the mind1 ,i do in no wise deny4 ,for the like things are every where obvious1 in divers place of my ,writings1 especially in the #b1 #c1 and #d parts of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where mention is made of an ,excellent ,work1 by means of which an honest livelihood may be obtained in tranquility1 without noise1 meltings1 and blowings of ,bellows1 and that by the help of a certain ,water extracting ,gold and ,silver from ,sand1 ,earth1 ,clay1 ,stones1 and ,minerals1 without great labour and costs4 ,and although there should not be at hand any such ,earth1 ,sand1 or ,stones1 which contain ,gold and ,silver1 from which these cannot be elicited by common melting2 7yet there is hardly any place in the ,world1 where these matters do not occurr7 nevertheless there is no want of ,lead and ,tin1 from which two at all times1 and in all places of the ,world1 ,gold and ,silver1 by the help of the said ,water of ,salt-petre may be extracted2 which is an excellent and profitable ,art1 the which1 lest it should die with me1 ,i have already shewed it to some ,friends4 ,i also here promise1 that in my publick ,laboratory ,i will shew and demonstrate various ,secrets4 ,but let no man perswade himself that ,i will do this to all men1 without descrimination1 or admit every unknown ,person to this demonstration1 but only those whose ,piety and ,candour ,i my self have long known1 or such as shall be recommended by them1 or other known ,friends4 ,moreover1 besides my publick ,laboratory1 ,i will also have a private one1 in which shall be shewed to my ,friends the more curious and excellent things which ,i have mentioned in my ,writings4 ,there shall be shewed rare and hitherto unknown ,wonders of ,nature1 as ,vegetable and ,mineral ,plants4 ,as for example4 ,vegetables of a ,metallick ,nature2 of which we have spoken in the ,treatise of ,the ,nature of ,salts4 ,herbs springing up or growing out of hard ,flints1 yea1 out of pieces of ,iron4 ,metals in a few hours growing up like ,vegetables1 by the help of a certain ,water2 concerning which1 see my ,description of the ,liquor of ,flints1 in ,the ,second ,part of ,furnaces4 ,metals in a few hours space1 like ,herbs1 without the addition of any foreign matter1 growing up1 so that they lose nothing in the trial of the ,cupel4 ,also divers manual ,operations1 and ,compendiums not common in the ,destillation of excellent ,spirits1 profitable both in ,alchymy and ,physick1 such are ,spirit of ,nitre1 ,spirit of ,salt1 ,aqua-fortis1 ,aqua-regis1 and the like1 by which they are so easily and swiftly destilled1 that with two or three pound of ,coals1 by a ,body and ,head1 in ,sand1 every hour may be destilled one pound of spirit1 and that so pure1 sweet1 and clear1 that it needs no rectification4 ,but seeing that this is a thing unheard of1 and therefore will be look'd upon by the common ,chymists as a thing incredible1 ,i cannot forbear here only to point at the way1 by which it may appear possible to be done4 ,suppose that ,i have need of some pounds of spirit of salt1 and want the opportunity of preparing it in a long time1 by the force of fire1 ,i use the following preparation4 ,instead of a great and continual fire1 ,i use a separatory ,art1 severing the pure from the impure1 dissolving common ,kitchin-salt1 or salt-petre1 in common ,water1 and adding to the solution put into a ,cucurbit a separatory sulphur4 ,the ,cucurbit1 with a ,head or ,retort1 7by which also the ,destillation may be made7 being set in sand1 ,i kindle a fire1 by which the water containing the salt may boil1 and so by the sulphur1 in the boiling1 the pure parts are separated from the impure2 the purer parts are rendered very fugacious and sweet clear spirits2 the grosser1 more earthy and fixed salt remaineth in the ,cucurbit or ,retort1 of a very wonderful ,nature and ,property4 ,and after this manner1 from one pound of salt or salt-petre1 may easily be destilled one pound of spirit of salt1 or spirit of ,nitre4 ,from a pretty large ,cucurbit1 in ten hours1 may be made ten pounds of spirit of salt1 or spirit of ,nitre1 which two spirits being mixed together1 make an ,aqua-regia4 ,the quantity of your spirit in each ,destillation will be greater or lesser1 according as your ,cucurbit is larger or smaller4 ,he that desireth to make ,aqua-regia by the same destillation1 must dissolve equal parts of salt and salt-petre in ,water1 and destil by a ,body or ,retort4 ,this is indeed an excellent ,compendium for all those that need a great quantity of those ,spirits4 ,gold1 ,silver1 as also all the other ,metals1 may be dissolved without ,aqua-fortis1 or ,aqua-regis1 and the like spirits1 by the help of certain salts dissolved in water1 which truly is also a famous ,invention4 ,so also it is with those other rare ,experiments above mentioned2 as for example1 ,if a metal ought to grow in height1 something contrary is to be added to it2 for this1 while it flieth from its contrary1 arising out of the mass1 groweth up as well in the dry as the moist way4 ,if we would have an hard ,metal or ,flint bring forth an ,herb2 the ,metal1 whether it be gold1 silver1 copper1 iron1 tin1 or lead1 are first to be reduced into a tender ,powder by salts1 and that ,powder being put into an ,earthen ,vessel1 is to be moistened with a certain peculiar ,water1 and the seeds of the ,herbs to be sowed or set therein1 which after they are grown to perfection1 are to be no longer moistened1 but the powder is to be exposed to the ,rays of the ,sun1 which again becoming a metal or an hard stone1 plainly like to another metal or stone1 containeth the inhering ,roots of the ,herb1 and causeth the ,ignorant to admire how an ,herb should grow out of a piece of ,gold1 ,silver1 ,iron1 ,copper1 or an hard ,flint4 ,this is also certain1 and not to be doubted1 that the said ,herbs so growing out of the ,metals1 do obtain the nature and properties of those out of which they arise4 ,although these ,experiments of ,herbs thus growing afford no profit1 yet they are noble ,operations of ,nature and ,art1 having more in them than they promise at the first sight1 therefore ,i have not here brought them in vain1 inasmuch as they are of no small moment4 ,but that ,i may here 7at least7 mention somewhat of this growing faculty of ,vegetables and ,metals1 be it known to every one1 that in my publick ,laboratory shall be seen the seeds of all sorts of ,herbs1 and especially of ,grain1 as ,wheat1 ,barly1 ,oats1 and others1 viz4 by what means they may be so prepared1 as to acquire a swift faculty of growing1 and that one grain may produce ten1 twenty1 or thirty strong stalks1 with full ears1 and fruit an hundred fold4 ,in like manner shall be shewed to some ,friends1 how ,salt-,petre1 as the only promoter and helper of the growing faculty1 may be sowed it self1 so that it shall recompence the labour an hundred fold2 for salt-petre multiplieth it self1 and groweth up out of common salt1 like other ,vegetables2 whence that old ,proverb of sowing of salt might perhaps take its ,original4 ,it behoveth that ,i here make mention of yet another wonderful thing concerning the growing faculty1 to be shewn 7,god willing7 in my private ,laboratory4 ,and it is this1 that ,gold and ,silver do grow1 are encreased and multiplied out of gross ,saturn1 even as the seeds of ,vegetables1 out of a dunged and salt ,earth1 so that in fifty ounces there is daily an augmentation of one ounce1 if not of two4 ,he that shall be here a good ,husbandman1 and skilful in ploughing of ,saturn1 and rendering him fertile1 and of sowing or planting in him a fit seed1 he will have a plentiful ,harvest1 answerable to the seed which he sowed1 and will easily gain three or four times as much4 ,therefore1 because the growing faculty of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 or ,metals1 taketh its rise from the only and ,universal ,salt of the ,earth1 and this from the ,salt of the ,sea1 and the ,sea ,salt1 from the ,sun1 if the ,divine ,goodness shall grant me ,life1 ,i will shew to my ,friends1 how by small labour and charge1 the ,universal ,salt fatness1 fit for the rendring all barren and sandy ground fruitful1 instead of ,dung1 may be copiously separated from ,sea ,salt4 ,yea if need require1 ,i can easily demonstrate1 that also the natural ,seed of ,gold1 the true ,universal ,medicine may be prepared of the same1 or that it may be acquired from the visible ,ocean which is known to every ,man4 ,but seeing that belongs not to this place1 we referr the ,reader1 desirous of such subtile knowledge1 to the ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts1 where he will find those things which will satisfie his desire4 ,these1 and the like ,experiments shall be shewn in my ,laboratory1 among all which1 that is the most excellent1 by which a ,man1 without the incommoding of another1 and with great quietness and ,tranquility1 may honestly get his ,food and ,raiment4 ,there shall be also demonstrated those four ,arcanums treated of in the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and many other things treated of in my ,writings1 which many believe cannot be effected4 ,that so ,i1 by giving an occular ,demonstration1 may vindicate my ,writings from the ,injuries and ,reproaches of the ignorant1 and also leave behind me somewhat for the good of ,posterity4 ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,the ,nature of ,salts3 ,,or1 ,a ,clear ,description1 declaring by a perfect ,explanation1 the ,nature1 ,properties1 and use of such ,salts as are commonly known1 as also of a certain other very wonderful ,salt1 hitherto unknown to the ,world2 by whose help all ,vegitables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 without diminution of their weight1 or change of their form1 may be transmuted into hard and incombustible ,bodies3 ,,with ,a most firm ,demonstration that ,salt 7after ,god and the ,sun7 is the only ,beginning1 ,original1 ,propagation and ,augmentation of all things2 from which the greatest ,treasure of the whole ,world2 and the greatest ,riches may be obtained4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,the manifold and various sorts of food1 whether prepared of ,flesh or ,fish1 if brought to the ,table not seasoned with ,salt1 are not grateful to the ,palate2 in as much as they neither exhibit a pleasant relish1 nor conduce to the health of the ,body4 ,every man will readily assent to the truth of this trite and vulgar ,maxim1 if he shall consider with an accurate mind1 that among all the ,seasonings and ,sauces of food1 ,salt holdeth the chiefest place1 and that there is no other equal to it1 so that among so many1 there is no one to be preferr'd to it4 ,therefore what great and excellent ,treasures1 admirable ,virtues1 and most worthy ,endowments1 in which1 by diligent search1 and inquisition the minds of men may be occupied1 are contained therein1 ,i have determined in this present ,treatise to enquire into1 and declare2 inasmuch as for the space of fifteen or sixteen years1 ,i have endeavoured nothing more1 than that by all my ,labours ,i might serve the ,divine ,glory1 and the publick good4 ,for by my first endeavours ,i published a ,work1 treating of ,philosophical ,furnaces in five parts1 and ,i discovered five ,furnaces1 adapted to the various modes of ,distillation2 ,i also shewed the way of preparing 7by an artificial manner7 excellent ,medicines which drive away various and divers ,diseases afflicting the ,humane ,body1 which profitable and artificial ,inventions1 no man before me hath revealed4 ,next follows my ,mineral ,work1 shewing the ,original1 and emendation of ,metals and ,minerals3 ,to which succeedeth my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 in three parts1 treating of ,vegetables1 and by what means efficacious ,medicines may be prepared of them4 ,next after these1 was my ,work of the ,admirable ,nature and ,properties of ,salt-petre1 in which is solidly demonstrated1 that that ,miracle of all sorts1 is the true ,universal ,solvent of ,philosophers1 which is subservient to the use of all men1 high and low1 rich and poor4 ,that little ,treatise ,i have called by the name of ,miraculum ,mundi1 which ,i have augmented by an ,explication and ,continuation1 and fenced it with a defence and ,apology1 against the wicked ,insults of ,envy and ,scorn4 ,in all these ,i have set before the ,eyes of this blind ,world1 the ,divine ,miracles and ,misteries of ,nature4 ,after this1 came out another ,treatise1 under the ,title of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 in four ,books1 the two latter of which are not yet ,printed1 but shall be published in a short time1 if ,god shall prolong my life1 which contain very profitable ,precepts of the ,oeconomy and ,administration of things familiar4 ,then another little piece1 called1 ,the ,consolation of ,sailers2 teaching how they may defend and preserve themselves in all long ,voyages1 as to the ,east-,indies and other parts1 against ,hunger1 ,thirst1 and other incommodities of that kind1 to which they are wont to be ,obnoxious4 ,moreover1 ,a ,treatise of ,tartar1 ,vinegar1 and ,spirit of ,wine1 shewing their easie attainment and preparation4 ,to these ,i have adjoined1 a ,treatise of ,aurum ,potabile1 and another of true ,aurum ,potabile1 or the ,universal ,medicine1 and other ,apologetical ,writings1 in which ,i have not only set forth the perfidious unfaithfulness of men1 but have also revealed many excellent ,sciences1 that by all these ,writings ,i might illustrate the ,divine ,glory1 and contribute to the benefit and profit of my ,neighbour1 by giving him as it were wholsom and excellent food1 whereby both his ,body and mind may be equally refreshed4 ,and although the said ,meats be wholsome1 of a good ,savour1 and contain their own ,salt2 nevertheless1 it seems to me necessary1 to salt them as it were afresh1 and to season them with a certain ,sauce1 that they may be tasted with so much the greater appetite and pleasure4 ,and ,i have so much the more a mind to do this1 as ,i more studiously endeavour to observe that precept of the ancient ,doctors1 that no ,meat should be brought to the ,table without ,salt4 ,for it was a received custom in former time in well ordered ,families1 to set the ,salt first upon the ,table before any other ,dish1 and not to take it away till all other ,dishes were first removed3 ,the which indicates1 that ,salt is a most profitable thing1 and an highly necessary gift of ,god1 therefore of right claimeth the precedency of other ,meats in setting upon the ,table1 and of remaining there1 till they are again removed4 ,but that this most ,noble and ,divine ,gift1 may the better be understood by the ignorant1 and may be made more known than hitherto it hath been1 ,i cannot pass by1 but ,i must indulge my self1 as my time will allow1 in a few words1 and as it were by the bye1 to shadow out1 and depict its great and admirable efficacy1 for the profit of ,mankind4 ,but here ,i shall speak but of few things1 and that very compendiously1 the studious of ,divine ,wonders may find the rest in the ,writings of other pious and diligent ,men1 if he hath a desire to know more4 ,as for the ,original of ,salt1 which is drawn out of the ,ocean1 as an ,universal ,storehouse1 ,writers are divided into divers parts and ,opinions4 ,some think that those ,salt ,fountains1 which in many1 and various places of the ,earth break forth from their ,springs1 and by the help of boiling1 yield their ,salt1 do not take their beginning from the ,ocean1 but from a ,salt peculiarly generated1 and brought forth in many places of the ,terrene ,globe1 like ,metals4 ,and they establish their ,opinion by this ,argument2 ,that the ,water of those ,fountains much exceedeth1 oftentimes1 that of the ,sea in saltness2 and on the contrary1 the ,sea ,water being brought by long and tedious ,passages through the ,earth1 necessarily looseth its saltness1 and therefore leaving its ,salt1 it ought to come forth plainly sweet1 or insipid4 ,this reason1 at the first sight1 seemeth so agreeable to truth1 that one can hardly think the matter to be otherwise4 ,but most ,springs of sweet ,water1 in their first rise were ,salt1 which penetrating the passages of the ,earth1 have deposited their ,salt in the same1 to nourish the ,earth1 and that they might come forth sweet for the daily use of ,man4 ,whence they have given rise to so many1 and such various ,rivers1 which again return in that ,universal ,store-house the ,sea1 or ,ocean1 by which incessant and ,reciprocal ,flux1 they are impregnated with ,salt1 and ,communicate the same to the ,earth1 that it may never labour under a want of due nourishment1 but may render ,minerals1 ,stones1 ,trees1 ,grass1 ,beasts1 and even ,men also1 partakers of the same perpetually1 and so may serve as well for the ,sustentation1 ,propagation1 and ,conservation of ,irrational1 as ,rational ,animals1 the which no man of a sound mind can deny1 except he will also deny the ,circulation of the ,blood in the ,body of ,man1 or ,microcosm1 which is plainly unknown to not a few1 and will say1 that the blood in the little ,toe1 or little ,finger1 or left ,ear1 or other places1 doth not arise from the ,liver1 the ,universal ,fountain of ,blood1 but that it is particularly generated and produced by the ,vital ,spirit1 in those very parts1 which savoureth not a little of ,absurdity4 ,seeing therefore1 that the constant ,circulation of the ,blood in the ,microcosm1 can be in no wise deny'd1 why should not also such a ,circulation in the ,macrocosm be admitted as true8 ,for as the ,blood of the ,human ,body arising from the ,liver1 diffuseth it self through all the ,passages and ,veins of the ,body1 as well small as great1 and ,conserveth the life of the whole1 nourisheth all the parts1 and augmenteth the good juices1 which are changed into ,flesh1 ,bones1 ,skin1 and ,hairs in the ,members themselves1 and leaving the unprofitable ,phlegm to be expelled by the ,pores of the skin3 ,so also is it with the ,nutriment and ,universal ,aliment of the great ,world1 while the ,salt water without intermission1 of the great ,sea1 or ,ocean1 encompassing the whole ,globe of the ,earth1 by many small and great passages or ,veins1 passeth through all the parts of the ,earth1 and nourisheth and sustaineth them with its ,salt1 that ,minerals1 ,metals1 ,stones1 ,sand1 ,clay1 ,shrubs1 ,trees1 and ,grass may be nourished and grow1 and in growing take their encrease4 ,the rest of the ,water being freed from all saltness1 is exterminated as a superfluity in the ,superficies1 and being diffused into various ,springs1 as well small as great1 is expelled1 no otherwise than the superfluous sweat of the ,blood in the ,microcosm1 by innumerable passages and pores4 ,but that in many places of the ,earth1 the ,water doth not leave its salt1 but carrieth it along with it self1 that may very well come to pass for divers reasons4 ,for first1 the most excellent ,governour1 by ,his ,divine ,providence1 hath most wisely ordained and appointed1 that a salt water of this kind1 which men could in no wise be without1 should break forth out of the ,earth1 and it is thus effected3 ,the ,sea-water every where passing through the passages and clefts of the ,earth1 in some places is dried up by the ,central fire1 and coagulated into hard and great pieces1 which being digged up by men1 and dissolved by the help of ,water1 and freed from its fces1 is boiled up in fit ,vessels1 and reduced into a pure ,salt4 ,but if it happeneth that other ,water passing through those passages1 findeth pieces of ,salt of this kind1 it dissolveth so much of the same as it can carry along with it1 and afterwards is boiled into ,salt after various manners1 according to the greater or lesser quantity of ,salt it hath carried along with it4 ,but that one ,salt ,fountain is richer in ,salt than another1 the cause of the difference is in the ,water1 which passing by1 doth more or less associate it self with the ,salt1 and so is made stronger or weaker4 ,these few things are sufficient for the refelling of their ,opinion1 who assert1 that ,saline ,fountains do not draw their original from the ,sea1 but are generated and produced in a peculiar manner in the ,earth1 by the help of the ,stars4 ,but if this should seem credible1 nevertheless it would seem more credible1 that the ,sun and ,stars casting their ,rays and ,influences into the ,ocean or ,seas1 should there generate ,salt1 which afterwards penetrating through the pervious passages of the ,earth1 should convey due nourishment to the same4 ,this reason may also be assigned of the greater or lesser quantity of ,salt in ,fountains or ,salt-springs1 that those passages which receive salt water from the ,sea1 differ in scituation of place1 and are also differently disposed or allotted by the sea-water it self1 which being various and manifold 7in respect of saltness7 differs much in one place from another4 ,for by how much the nearer the ,sea-water is to the ,north1 it contains so much the less salt1 so that oftentimes it scarcely holds the tenth or twelfth part of ,salt4 ,but the nearer it is to the ,south or the ,east1 it is inriched with so much the more salt4 ,for this reason1 in many places of the ,east and ,west ,indies1 the sea aboundeth and swelleth with so great a force of salt1 that when it is stirred up by the vehement impetuosity of ,tempests1 it casts out with its surges a copious spume or frothy scum upon the shore1 which being afterwards dried by the ,rays of the ,sun1 the ,inhabitants are wont to use for the salting of ,flesh and ,fish4 ,experience teacheth1 that in places of this sort1 four pounds of ,sea-water yield one pound of salt1 and the fertility of those ,lands also indicates the great quantity of salt1 which without any cultivation or human labour1 both ,winter and ,summer inrich the ,inhabitants with most excellent ,fruits4 ,but those ,regions scituated near the ,arctick ,pole1 or ,north1 do not enjoy so great a fertility1 because they want the greater and more penetrating ,beams of the ,sun1 and do not exhibit so great a quantity of ,salt1 which is the cause of all fertility1 and therefore those ,regions are denied so large and spontaneous a fruitfulness4 ,but that ,salt which the ,unskilful have been accustomed to have in little or no regard1 may be had in greater honour1 ,i neither could or would any longer pass by its due ,name in silence1 and therefore ,i have called it the greatest ,treasure1 and most ample ,riches of the ,world4 ,moreover1 that ,i may prove and demonstrate1 that this common abject salt1 known to every man1 7in which the life1 conservation1 growth1 and propagation of all the ,creatures consisteth1 and which is the beginning and end of all things7 doth deserve this title1 and that a greater ,treasure is not found in the ,earth2 it will be necessary to do this1 that ,i make manifest the infallible ,verity of the ,mysteries of ,,god and ,nature4 ,but ,i desire of the unprejudiced ,reader1 that he will not be offended at the vileness of abject and contemptible salt1 nor think that ,i1 in giving this ,title to it1 and calling it the greatest ,treasure and chiefest ,riches of the whole ,world1 have exceeded or given it too great honour4 ,for so great and honourable a ,title doth of right belong to it1 and should as yet be insignized with a greater1 if a greater by me could be attributed4 ,and ,i easily perswade my self1 that if those who are captivated by the hunger of ,gold1 shall see this ,book1 and read the ,title1 they will conceive no other thing in their minds1 than the description of the great ,universal it self1 or the revelation of great ,riches and massy ,treasures1 which they will hope to find in this ,treatise1 never dreaming that poor abject and contemptible salt should be set before them1 and therefore will say1 ,what is all this noise about a handful of ,salt8 ,who could have thought that ,glauber would have dared to have given such a ,title to ,salt8 ,but ,i earnestly require of thee1 my ,friend1 that thou wouldst patiently read those things which in this ,writing ,i have put before thine eyes1 concerning ,salt1 and that thou wouldst accurately examine them1 that thou maist apprehend me to have written the pure and sincere truth4 ,if they exceed the capacity of thy mind1 and thou hast not hitherto learned or understood the same from the ,books of others1 ,i would have thee to understand that all men have not knowledge of all things1 and that the ,omnipotent ,,god hath left many ,sciences to ,posterity1 which he hath hitherto concealed from the proud and haughty4 ,read over and over the true ,writings of the ancient ,philosophers1 that thou maist know1 and throughly know1 that those men who have searched the most intimate ,penetrals of ,nature1 had salt in great estimation1 to have industriously concealed its ,mysteries and ,arcanums from the ingrateful ,world1 which now in these last times are brought to light1 for thee and all others1 to be received as incomparable ,gifts1 with a grateful mind4 ,therefore ,reader bend thine ,ears1 and open thine ,eyes1 overgrown with blindness and darkness1 attend to those good things which ,i shall discourse to thee of salt2 if thou wilt make trial1 and will search them throughly by an accurate examination1 whether they agree with ,god1 ,nature and ,truth1 ,i doubt not1 but thy mind will be enlightened with a great light1 and thou wilt become as a man renovated2 but if with a proud mind thou shalt refuse to learn and understand those things1 or scoff or mock at them1 thou shalt be reckoned amongst the number of ,fools1 and perpetually abide in the same1 although ,aristotle himself1 and all the ,professors and ,doctors should sit upon thy long ,ass-ears1 and thou with the same shouldst endeavour as an ,ass with a sack to cover thy foolish ,pride and proud folly4 ,it is much better for a man to know many things1 and measure or estimate himself in his own way or manner1 than to know nothing1 and bear himself out with the vain pride of his own ignorance4 ,i have never seen any man endowed with true knowledge1 who hath preferred himself to others2 on the contrary1 ,i have found very many1 who being stirred up by envy1 hatred1 and inhumane malice1 do nothing sooner or more readily1 than insult and make a mockery at pious men1 to whom the ,divine ,bounty hath granted his ,gifts1 and as it were1 devour them with their ,wolf-like ,teeth1 which diabolical wickedness the ,divine ,justice in its own time will not suffer to escape unpunished4 ,thus much ,i was willing to say to the proud ,caviller2 now therefore attend to those things which ,i shall speak concerning ,salt4 ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,the ,nature of ,salts1 c4 ,i4 ,of the ,nature of ,,salt4 ,that it may be demonstrated in a ,compendium1 how many good things1 as first the ,tranquility of our mind1 the chiefest ,temporal ,good1 the ,conservation of our ,bodily ,health1 the great ,riches and ,treasures1 and other things which are necessary for humane use1 are latent or hidden in the despicable ,body of ,salt2 in the first place let us hear what our ,saviour ,christ himself saith1 who is the ,truth1 the ,light1 and the ,life1 in the ,gospel of ,st4 ,luke1 ,chap4 #ad4 ,ver4 #cd4 and in ,mark1 ,chap4 #i4 ,ver4 #ej4 ,salt 7saith he7 is a good thing4 ,and in ,luke1 ,chap4 #ah4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,no man 7saith he7 is good1 but ,god alone4 ,but he calleth his ,disciples the ,salt of the ,earth1 and addeth1 ,if the ,earth wanteth salt1 it is unprofitable1 neither doth it bring forth ,fruit4 ,and ,dung it self1 without ,salt1 is of no use4 ,this is as if he should have said1 ,salt is the most noble thing of the whole ,world2 and yet amongst ,fools the most abject and contemptible4 ,be ye like to this1 and do the ,will of ,god1 and as ,mediators1 lead ,sinners to ,,god1 which otherwise cannot be done4 ,i am your ,head1 your ,master1 and go before you2 tread ye in my footsteps1 follow me1 ,i am the ,way1 c4 ,but to return to ,salt1 we will hear the opinion of others concerning it3 ,there is here no need to cite the ,writings of ,philosophers at length1 seeing they are at hand1 and from them it may be manifest to every man1 that next after ,,god1 the ,sun1 and ,fire1 they have esteemed it the most ,noble ,creature1 and have given to it ,honours as it were ,divine4 ,the ,heathens would not sacrifice to their gods without ,fire and ,salt4 ,if you read the ,old and ,new ,testament1 you shall find that ,god himself hath commanded to have regard to ,salt4 ,in the ,gospel of ,st4 ,mark you shall find that all men are to be seasoned or preserved by ,fire1 and all sacrifices with salt1 and that the ,lamp or ,light upon the ,altar was never to be put out1 but to be kept in continual ,burning4 ,in the ,christian ,church1 this manner is still observed1 that no ,infant is baptized1 without some ,light or ,candle be present1 and the ,priest sprinkles a little salt upon the mouth of the ,baptized1 with these words1 ,receive the salt or seasoning of ,wisdom2 as if he should say1 ,learn to understand and know ,god and be not like the ,beast1 which hath no understanding4 ,these ,ceremonies are observed in some places at this day4 ,the ,greek ,church baptizeth with fire and water1 by that ,rite indicating the ,holy ,ghost to be like to fire1 because he warmeth the cold hearts of ,men1 enliveneth them1 and turneth them to ,,god4 ,god ,himself calleth himself a consuming ,fire2 and the ,holy ,ghost hath alwaies appeared in the form of ,fire1 and shewed ,himself to the ,disciples of ,christ in fiery ,tongues4 ,the ,abysini professing the ,christian ,religion in ,africa1 under the most ,potent ,king and ,priest ,prester ,john1 baptize with ,fire and ,water1 and make a sign or mark in the ,foreheads of the men which are baptised1 by ,burning4 ,in short1 there is not any man among the ,heathens1 ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,christians1 who doth not highly value ,fire and ,salt1 of which notwithstanding he knoweth no more than a mad-man1 or than a ,swine1 or an ,ox1 or other irrational ,beasts1 which pass their life without understanding4 ,but these two ,creatures of ,god1 to wit1 ,fire and ,salt1 are one and the same in the foundation of ,nature2 for ,fire produceth ,salt1 and ,salt is again converted into ,fire1 and ,fire into ,salt1 so that by a mutual conversion they are alwaies changed one into the other4 ,therefore ,hermes the ,father of ,philosophers faith1 ,that which is above1 is as that which is below1 and that which is below1 as that which is above2 as you may read in his ,smaragdine ,table4 ,the ,sun or ,fire is above1 ,salt is below1 which is by an easie way rendered combustible1 like the sun or fire2 as ,i have taught in many places of my ,writings1 and all ,philosophers1 with an unanimous consent1 do confess1 that the greatest ,secret lieth hidden in fire and salt4 ,hence is the word ,alchymy from fire and salt1 which penetrate all things1 and ,fire is the ,symbol of ,,god1 who hath alwaies exhibited himself to mortal eyes1 in the form of ,fire3 ,but ,salt is the ,symbol of ,eternity1 inasmuch as it defendeth and preserveth all things from ,corruption4 ,there are some who determine the ,evangelist ,john to have understood ,hermetick ,philosophy2 and there is yet extant an ,hymn1 composed and sung by the ancient ,fathers1 in honour of the same ,john1 in which occurr these words3 ,who maketh ,gold of ,rods or ,twiggs1 and ,gemms of ,stones4 ,nevertheless ,i leave those things to every man's judgment1 and here ,i only say this1 ,that both ,heavenly and ,earthly ,mysteries were known to the ,prophets and ,apostles4 ,but although ,i have never taken in hand so great a ,philosophick ,work1 nevertheless it is so known to me from the ,writings of the ,prophets and ,apostles1 and from the ,light of ,nature1 that by comparing things ,divine and ,humane1 ,i could easily subject it to the ,eye1 but that power is not allowed me1 and therefore ,i trust that no man will make an evil ,interpretation of what ,i have said1 seeing that thereby ,i aim at nothing but the glory of ,god1 and the profit of my ,neighbour4 ,there is no need for any man to seek many things from the ,old and ,new ,philosophers1 seeing that by reading and considering the ,divine ,writings of ,moses1 the ,prophets and ,apostles1 he may obtain his desire1 and may without doubt1 in them1 find the ,stone of ,philosophers described1 provided he shall have but a little knowledge of ,nature4 ,i will say no more1 but that the infallible ,truth occurrs in those4 ,all these things are to be taken so1 that things ,divine may be understood in a ,divine sence1 and ,natural things in an ,elementary sence1 without changing or mixing1 seeing that they have no ,communion among themselves4 ,but lest it should seem to any1 to be absurd1 that ,st4 ,john the ,evangelist should make ,gold of ,sticks or ,twiggs1 and ,gemms of ,stones1 as the said ,hymn teacheth1 by an ,art indeed great1 and to be admired1 ,i have thought it necessary to open and shew to the ,unskilful by what means that might be done4 ,in the first place1 this was possible to ,st4 ,john1 as he was a man abundantly gifted with the ,holy ,spirit1 and seasoned with the ,salt of ,wisdom1 so that he might perform this action supernaturally1 as well as naturally1 seeing that he was endowed by the holy ,spirit1 without all doubt he had also the natural ,light in his possession4 ,but by which of those powers he effected this1 is not for us to know1 nor doth it behove us to know4 ,but because few will believe that ,st4 ,john wrought the same by natural means1 and many not believing in ,nature and ,art1 will only say1 that it could never be that ,wood should be transmuted into ,gold1 and ,stones into ,gemms4 ,and although the later should be in some sort credible1 by reason of the alliance or likeness between ,stones and ,gemms1 nevertheless the former1 by reason of the great disagreement between ,woods and ,metals1 inasmuch as they belong to divers ,kingdoms1 they object1 exceeds all ,belief1 and other ,objections of this sort1 may be found among the ,unskilful1 by reason of the external species of place4 ,but such things are wont to move no admiration in ,philosophers1 much less any doubt1 seeing that they are not ignorant how great familiarity there is of the ,vegetable ,kingdom with the ,mineral1 both which have their ,rise from the same ,subjects1 viz4 ,salt and ,fire1 which their ,anatomy doth clearly demonstrate4 ,and although this may exceed the ,capacity of some1 yet it doth not thence follow that it is not true4 ,if all things were to be spoken truly and openly1 ,i confess there would be found a very small number of those who rightly understand ,nature1 seeing that almost all men who have but frequented a ,school for some years1 and obtained any thing of ,latin1 whether they understand ,nature1 or are ignorant of her1 will be taken for ,philosophers1 traduce those ,philosophers who are illuminated by the light of ,nature1 with strange ,cavillings and wicked ,lyes1 every where setting forth themselves by their own ignorance4 ,therefore it is no wonder that the ,secrets of ,nature should lie hid1 and by the ignorant and unskilful of this sort be all taken for ,fables and foolish ,whimsies1 which their ,sheeps ,brains cannot reach4 ,but who is able to cure this ,evil8 ,perverse manners are to be left with a perverse ,world4 ,but that ,i may prove and demonstrate that it is not altogether impossible for ,art to transmute ,wood into ,gold1 ,i will point out by what means it may be done4 ,first1 ,then it is manifest before all things1 that all ,wood and every ,herb hath its original from a certain sulphureous salt1 to which ,metals also owe their ,rise and greatly agree in similitude1 and by an intimate agreement in the same name2 so that how easily a ,mineral suffereth it self to be changed into a ,vegetable1 and that again into a ,mineral1 ,i have signified in other places of my ,writings4 ,indeed if you shall look upon the external difference of any ,wood or ,herb1 and a ,metal1 it will indeed appear great2 but being reduced to their first matter1 they will not differ in any discrimination2 as is manifested in my ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,therefore if the first matter of ,vegetables be adjoined to any metallick seed1 this is nourished by that2 and again1 if a metal be reduced to its first matter1 and any ,vegetable seed put to it1 that will be changed into a ,vegetable2 which ,experience hath often shewed me4 ,but if those two had not a great affinity with each other1 they would not so easily admit of a mutual conversion one into the other2 the seeds indeed differ between themselves1 but they agree in the first matter1 which appeareth thus3 ,if a sulphureous salt1 not corrosive1 be mixed with sand1 and moistened with water1 and the seeds of divers ,herbs sowed in it1 for every seed doth thence attract its own nourishment1 every one1 according to its species1 producing its like1 endowed with various colours1 smell1 and proper taste1 powers1 and virtues1 all which proceed from one only salt1 and are manifested by the heat of the ,sun1 and the operation of the internal ,archeus4 ,but to make the matter more clear1 it is to be known that the principals of ,vegetables are ,water1 ,salt1 and ,sulphur1 from which also ,metals take their original1 and not from running ,mercury1 as many think4 ,for that ,argent-vive1 in its own peculiar nature1 is also a metal arising from the same three principles1 from which the other metals1 and all ,vegetables draw their original2 viz4 from ,water1 ,salt1 and ,sulphur1 which their ,anatomy maketh manifest4 ,here the rout of ,unskilful men will take ,counsel to resel this my opinion1 inasmuch as it will seem worthy of credit to few4 ,but the cause of this incredulity is the rudeness and unskilfulness of men of this sort1 who having no ,experience in ,natural things1 nor in no wise enlightened by the ,light of ,nature1 are blinder than a ,mole4 ,those things which hitherto ,i have so often1 and with so many words inculcated1 the same ,i here repeat and affirm1 to wit1 ,that a ,metal may be converted into a ,vegetable1 and that again into a ,metal1 and that no ,vegetable is found1 from which a natural and yellow ,sulphur1 in all things like to the ,mineral1 may not be prepared2 and this ,sulphur prepared of any ,vegetable1 if it be adjoined to any fixed metallick ,sulphur1 it is maturated by the same1 into a metal1 yet not without a medium2 as ,i have often indicated in my ,writings1 and that medium ,i have said to be ,salt4 ,therefore whosoever knoweth how to adjoin any immature sulphur1 whether ,vegetable or ,mineral1 to any ripe ,metal1 the fixed and constant sulphur of ,gold and ,silver1 will be nourished and encreased by the ,vegetable or ,mineral sulphur1 not fixed1 and will transmute that into the species and property of the other1 as the ,ferment shall be white or red1 in like manner as the seed of any ,vegetable doth4 ,so gold and silver may be made of a sulphureous salt1 according to any ones will1 which nevertheless requires a due time1 seeing that a transmutation of this sort is perfected gradually1 and by a due heat1 as also in the propagation of ,vegetables ,minerals it is wont to be done4 ,from these things it appears1 that this ,transmutation is the meer ,work of ,nature1 which many ,experiments which ,i have made1 and yet am able to make1 do evidently demonstrate2 therefore there is no reason why such things should seem so wonderful or absurd to any4 ,whether ,st4 ,john performed the ,transmutation of which we have spoken1 by the help of any natural ,art1 or whether he did the same by a ,divine ,power1 we will not here dispute2 but let it suffice to have demonstrated that such things may be performed by a natural reason4 ,for when ,wood1 ,bread1 or piece of a ,bone2 or also any ,herb shall be adjoined to its own salt1 in due manner of ,art1 and reduced to its first matter1 that salt transmuteth the ,flower1 ,bread1 ,wood1 or ,herb into a sulphureous salt1 which encreaseth the growing faculty of ,vegetables and ,minerals4 ,a salt of this sort being mixed with a small quantity of white ,flint reduced to powder1 and melted in a strong ,fire1 will give a red and pellucid stone or glass1 which if it be kept long in the ,fire1 it turneth green1 and at length black1 like a ,coal1 and acquireth so great hardness1 that it may be cut and polished after the manner of other precious stones4 ,here the desirous of ,art may see1 that by one and the same way1 and in one and the same time1 that ,gold may be prepared of ,wood1 and fair and pellucid stones1 of various colours1 of white ,flints4 ,but that the ,eyes of the studious of ,divine and ,natural things1 may be the better opened1 ,i will more clearly expound what the first matter is4 ,therefore1 as to this first matter1 of which we here speak1 that of it ,metals no less than ,vegetables may be brought forth1 it is to be known how easily it may be prepared by the help of ,fire1 and of a certain ,salt not corrosive1 of ,metals1 ,vegetables1 and ,animals1 and indeed so swiftly1 that in the space of three hours a piece of ,bread1 ,flesh1 or of any ,metal1 may be transmuted into a sulphureous salt4 ,the same thing also happeneth in the stomachs of ,men and ,beasts1 in which the ,vegetables and ,animals which are eaten1 are consumed in the space of #bd hours1 and transmuted into that sulphureous salt from which they have drawn their ,rise4 ,but ,metals being too fixed and compact1 those stomachs have no ,jurisdiction over them1 inasmuch as they are not able to reduce them to their first matter1 except the same were so reduced before1 and so should come into the stomach1 opened by a radical solution1 and so are digested and consumed like ,animals and ,vegetables4 ,but what need is there of the help of humane stomachs to perform such things1 seeing that ,operations of this sort may be perfected by the help of ,fire and ,art4 ,a moist putrefaction without the help of ,fire1 performeth the same thing in ,vegetables and ,animals1 in a long ,process of time2 but in ,metals very difficultly1 and not except in a very long time4 ,neither are humane ,stomachs themselves alike potent1 in reducing every ,vegetable to its first matter1 inasmuch as they exercise their power only upon those ,vegetables which by a due ,preparation are first rendered fit to be digested and concocted by the stomach1 and reduced to their first matter4 ,for first they are boiled1 roasted1 or prepared by some other way1 because those things which are admitted into the ,body1 contrary to humane ,nature1 exercise nothing but venomous ,operations4 ,by a like reason ,metals and ,minerals refuse to be brought to their first matter in a humane ,stomach1 seeing that the stomach cannot suffer them1 as being averse to humane ,nature1 but ejects them as a certain ,venome1 not without great peril of ,life4 ,here ,i except ,gold1 which ,metal only1 being first rightly prepared1 doth not refuse reduction into its first matter in the stomach of ,man2 nevertheless ,art doth it more easily and readily4 ,he who knoweth not this ,artificial ,reduction1 must be content with the ,natural1 which nevertheless is not desirable1 by reason of the toil1 stink1 and length of time which it requires4 ,for which reason it is of less account than the artificial4 ,some of the ancient ,philosophers have indeed 7not without reason7 used the ,dungs of ,animals1 by reason of the incredible ,virtues which they possess4 ,but because we have better and fitter ,medicaments at hand1 not without reason we omit those1 and leave them to them who labour under the want of better2 which happeneth to ,country people1 who being remote from ,cities and ,medicines1 are wont to use ,dungs in various ,diseases instead of ,medicines4 ,they purge the ,bodies of ,boys and ,girls with ,mouse-dung1 ,horse-dung1 and ,goose-dung1 being dissolved in ,wine or ,beer1 and strained through a ,linen ,cloth1 they use in curing the ,falling-sickness by ,sweat4 ,in the ,cure of an ,erysipelas1 or ,burns1 or ,scalds1 they use ,hoggs-dung2 and in all kind of ,swellings ,sheeps-dung2 in a ,quinsey white ,doggs-turd1 or ,humane dung1 as also to other ,diseases of the ,neck1 which the rude and ignorant are wont to drink against various inward and outward defects of the humane ,body4 ,i remember once to have seen an admirable ,cure done in a moment by the help of humane dung1 in a certain1 long1 and tedious ,disease1 which it plainly and swiftly removed1 drawing those into admiration who were ignorant of the reason of so swift a ,cure4 ,he that understandeth the nature and properties of ,dung1 will easily perswade himself1 that wonderful things may be effected by the same4 ,the reason is ready1 because humane ,dung is nothing else but ,bread and ,flesh1 reduced into their first matter1 all their ,bonds being loosened1 and rendered fit for the exercising of their ,virtues2 and from humane ,dung is elicited1 without any great difficulty1 a natural ,burning1 and like to ,mineral ,sulphur1 of which being mixed with ,coals and ,salt-petre1 ,gunpowder is wont to be made2 as also a certain ,salt1 not much unlike the ,sal ,enixum of ,paracelsus4 ,and both those1 to wit1 that ,sulphur1 and that ,salt1 the ,humane dung containeth in it self2 the which may put forth their wonderful ,virtues1 by admirable ,operations1 ,i think may be doubted by no man4 ,put a piece of ,gold for a time into ,humane dung1 and afterwards cleanse it by washing1 you shall find it equally yellow1 as if it had lain in a ,lixivium1 in which common ,mineral ,sulphur had been dissolved4 ,and that yellowness adhering to the ,gold or rather ,silver1 for the better distinction is but the ,vegitable or ,animal ,sulphur arising from the ,food which the ,man hath eaten4 ,this ,i say is the cause that the ,dungs of ,men and ,beasts produce so great effects1 which ,bread and ,flesh otherwise cannot produce1 before they are reduced into their first matter4 ,nevertheless1 ,i do not therefore admit them of value in ,medicine1 but only shew whence they have their ,virtues of resisting ,diseases1 that by this means ,i may assert ,vegitables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals do highly exercise their ,virtues1 when they return to their first matter1 not that it is at all necessary to be done in the ,stomachs of ,animals1 seeing that the ,operation of the fire alone serveth for this reduction4 ,in what manner soever this first matter be made1 whether by the ,stomachs of ,animals1 or by the ,operation of fire1 there is no great difference1 only that which is made by fire is purer1 and not so stinking1 as that which is done by the ,stomachs of ,animals1 although in gilding of ,silver1 they are found to be equal1 and obtain a ,sulphurous nature4 ,and hence it appears1 that there lies hid in ,bread1 and in ,flesh1 a fugacious and spiritual ,gold4 ,and for this reason ,i conclude1 that in all things of the ,world born of ,salt1 and brought to ,maturity by the heat of the ,sun1 there is necessarily reconded a fugacious ,volatile1 and spiritual ,gold1 yet in greater quantity in one subject than another1 but not manifested till the body containing it1 by the help of art1 returneth to its first matter4 ,the which ,art1 seeing that it is out of the reach of ,rusticks1 it is but reasonable1 that they should make use of ,dungs1 without any ill interpretation4 ,for in the greater1 and more powerful ,virtues to be produced1 ,dungs are found more potent than those things from which they proceed4 ,bread1 ,wine1 ,flesh1 and the like things destinated for the nourishment of the ,body1 are not ,medicines1 but only ,nutriments1 from which1 after an ,animate ,body hath separated its ,aliment1 that which is left1 obtaineth ,medicinal ,powers and ,virtues2 and did ,i not fear that this dungy discourse should lead me too far from my purpose1 ,i could declare things to be admired of ,dungs4 ,for ,metals also being prepared but once by the help of ,animals1 may be wonderfully ,converted1 and reduced to their first matter1 although it is in no wise necessary that we should take that way of doing it1 seeing that an easier and better way is at hand1 than that by the help of ,animals4 ,but he that is ignorant of this artificial ,conversion1 must be content with the other1 till the teachings of experience1 shall bring him to better things4 ,that incredible ,virtues are hidden in the ,dungs of ,animals1 ,paracelsus at some time declared1 in the presence of some ,noble-,men1 to some ,unskilful ,physicians1 who being moved with anger1 departed1 thinking themselves to be highly reproached by ,paracelsus1 because they had asked of him some great ,medicinal ,secret1 and he had set before them ,humane ,dung4 ,but without doubt1 he would have shewed them great ,secrets hidden in such a matter1 which exceeded their dull ,capacities1 but not the incomparable ,ingeny of ,paracelsus1 who without doubt had revealed to them those ,secrets which himself had found1 had they not gone away from him with wrath and ,indignation4 ,in another place of his ,writings1 he saith in express words1 that he that knoweth not his own ,dung1 knoweth nothing at all1 and is a blind ,ass1 to whom nothing of ,heaven and ,earth is manifest2 which words do plainly prove ,paracelsus to have been able to perform many things with ,dung4 ,but this ,i assert1 that this my ,transmutation1 and ,conversion of things into their first matter1 doth far excel that which is done by ,dungs1 in as much as being endowed with a greater efficacy1 it appeareth not in the species of ,dung1 but of a ,sulphureous ,salt1 and may commodiously be used by all ,men1 and in all ,diseases4 ,its ,virtues are not restrained to any particular ,disease1 but operate generally1 not only in all ,humane ,diseases1 but also in all ,infirmities and ,defects of ,vegetables and ,minerals1 as ,i have shewed in other places of my ,writings4 ,what ,i have here spoken of ,dungs1 ,i would not have any think that ,i have done it to the end that ,i would have them used in ,medicine1 but for this reason1 that ,i might shew the great difference between an ,herb as brought forth by the ,earth1 and that which being first digested1 the ,animal ,stomach hath freed from its ,bonds1 and reduced it to the operation of its hidden ,virtues3 ,the which ,i have very clearly proved by the ,dungs of ,animals4 ,therefore the expert and learned ,physician1 setting aside all ,dungy ,medicines1 may by the ,spagyrick ,art1 reduce his ,herbs to their first matter1 that is a ,sulphurous ,salt1 and may perform by ,salts of this sort1 more and greater things1 than by the unprofitable1 and destitute of all ,virtue1 ,barks1 ,shells1 and empty ,husks1 which a multitude of ,physicians are accustomed to use at this day4 ,i have thought fit to expose to the light these few things1 concerning the first matter of things1 and ,dungs1 which are not distinguished1 by any great difference3 ,but let us return to the matter it self1 and see how fairly the light of ,nature shineth from the ,divine ,light4 ,as ,god formed the first ,man ,adam of the ,earth1 and breathed into him a living ,soul1 and placed him in ,paradise1 and the ,devil withdrew him from ,god1 and ,precipitated him into ,eternal ,damnation1 using the ,serpent as a ,mediator3 ,so also1 ,man who fell from his ,creator1 being deceived by ,satan1 by the ,divine ,serpent and ,mediator1 to wit1 ,jesus ,christ1 was again to be reconciled to ,god1 which could no otherwise be done1 and ,god permitted it so to come to pass1 who otherwise might have bridled the ,devil1 so that he could not have seduc'd a ,man1 and also could have kept ,satan himself in his ,angelical ,estate1 that he should have had no hatred against ,god or ,man4 ,now this ,philosophick ,elementary ,secret may be compared1 in all points1 to the ,heavenly ,mistery4 ,for if the ,elementary ,sun1 in the separation made by ,god1 in which he lifted himself on high from the rude and formless ,chaos1 had not ejected his earthly and corruptible ,sulphur1 and sent it down to the ,abyss of the ,earth1 the ,rays of the ,sun1 when they now penetrate the ,earth1 would not be hindered to ,communicate with the ,solar ,progeny or ,issue1 so that the ,bowels of the ,earth would produce nothing but ,gold2 and the other ,metals1 viz4 ,iron1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,copper1 c4 should not be1 which nevertheless are brought forth impure owing their received impurity to that impure1 stinking1 and earthly ,sulphur1 which is mixed with a ,metallick ,body in the ,bowels of the ,earth4 ,but to help ,metals infected with a ,sulphur of this sort1 that they may become like to ,gold1 as the ,son of the true ,sun1 it is necessary that ,sol should humble his ,son1 to wit ,gold1 and suffer him to put on a ,saline nature1 whereby he may become the ,medium of reducing radically the imperfect ,metals to perfection4 ,salt is the only ,medium of reconciling ,gold to common ,sulphur1 and of making of it a ,tincture1 changing the imperfect ,metals into perfect1 of which all the ,philosophers1 whom few understand1 have written so clearly4 ,concerning this matter ,i have written very clearly in a ,treatise1 which ,i lately published1 describing a ,saline ,water1 or ,aurum ,potabile1 which certainly containeth a great ,mistery1 although very many can neither understand or believe it4 ,for because it wholly tingeth ,mercury1 it cannot be a solution of common ,gold1 because no ,water1 nor no ,liquor prepared of ,corporal ,gold it self1 can give to ,mercury a constant ,tincture4 ,it may indeed be done that ,gold dissolved1 may adhere to argent vive1 or that to ,gold1 so that both may pass together into a white ,amalgama3 ,but that such an ,amalgama should become yellow and hard1 or the ,argent vive transmuted into ,gold1 will never happen1 although it should be digested or cocted an hundred years in such a ,golden solution4 ,for the snowy whiteness of ,mercury never suffereth it self to be tinged or coloured by common ,gold1 but is obedient to any tinging and coagulating ,sulphur1 concerning which in the ,appendix to the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 more things are declared4 ,let these few words be well examined1 in which will be found a great ,mistery2 to wit the whole ,philosophick work it self1 provided the light of ,nature shall a little shine4 ,nevertheless this is not so efficacious1 as that it can reveal such ,misteries to a ,man who wants ,venus to open his ,eyes1 with which he may behold the light of ,nature4 ,for without ,god1 there is no light1 and without light1 no life1 no ,understanding nor ,wisdom2 ,obscurity is ,death1 and ,death ,eternal ,destruction4 ,salt speaketh thus of it self2 ,i am fire and life1 and no ,combustible ,sulphur can be made ,gold1 except ,i be the ,mediator4 ,salt is the only ,medium between ,combustible and ,corrupt ,sulphur1 or the imperfect ,metals1 and ,gold4 ,the pernicious ,sulphur or ,satan1 which lieth hid in lean ,death1 is first to be vanquished and overcome in ,hell1 then arising a ,glorified ,body1 it occupieth its ,royal ,throne1 and ,converteth the ,diseasie ,metals into ,gold4 ,but to delay the ,reader1 burning with a desire of ,divine and ,humane ,mysteries1 no longer1 ,i will describe the whole ,operation in a ,philosophick manner1 briefly1 clearly1 and truly1 as ,i have oftentimes done it with my hands1 but never yet1 by reason of various ,obstacles have brought it to a due perfection4 ,to the common ,salt of the ,earth well cleansed1 adjoin a ,terrestrial ,sulphur in a due weight1 the injected ,rays of the ,sun being first received by the ,salt2 the ,salt and ,sulphur will fight in ,hell so long1 until the ,salt overcometh the ,devil and ,death1 and ariseth a ,glorified ,body1 by which its sick ,brethren are to be ,cured1 or ,converted into ,gold4 ,this is the whole ,operation1 in which nothing is omitted1 but the weight1 and the name of ,satan or ,death4 ,but the name of the ,salt ,i have already manifested1 and nothing here remains1 but that ,i should express the name of ,satan and ,death1 which for the ,glory of ,god and ,profit of my ,neighbour1 ,i will not conceal4 ,the ,death and ,devil of all ,metals1 is that ,combustible ,sulphur1 which having its seat in all things1 is equally in ,vegitables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals4 ,conjoin ,salt and burning ,sulphur1 and cause them to fight until the life 7that is ,salt7 shall overcome and swallow up the burning ,sulphur1 which is ,death1 and from both will proceed a ,glorified ,body1 like a fair ,ruby1 or pellucid and red ,carbuncle1 by which the ,diseases of ,men and ,metals may be cured4 ,in this manner of operating1 delivered in few words1 lieth hid a mistery of great moment1 which one of a thousand will scarce understand1 and by reason of the vileness of the matter1 it will be to many offensive1 and contemptible4 ,but we will have no regard to ,fools1 blinded with their own folly and madness1 who seek good where it is not to be found1 and neither do nor will know it when put before their eyes4 ,if after a ,sophistical manner ,i should have proposed some ,chymical ,operation with a long and tedious ,circumstance of words1 ,i make no doubt1 but the blind ,world would more readily have received it1 than a short and compendious way of operating of this sort3 ,whence ,sendivogius1 and other true ,philosophers1 have not said without cause1 that if the true manner of ,operating should be revealed to any man1 nevertheless1 by reason of the vileness of the matter1 it would not be believed4 ,for this reason1 some will object2 ,i pray what good is like to be in so vile and abject a thing as ,salt8 ,and when was ,sulphur wont to be made ,gold8 ,hence also1 they neither will nor can believe the truth4 ,but that ,i may clearly prove1 that there are ,secrets hidden in ,salt and ,sulphur1 it behoveth1 that ,i manifest those things more largely4 ,salt is the ,symbole of ,eternity1 seeing that it is not diminished nor altered1 neither by ,fire1 ,air1 ,water1 or ,earth1 but preserveth all things for a longtime from ,corruption4 ,it is a thing well known1 and conversant in the sight of all the ,world1 and is a help to all other things1 yet wants not the help of any thing4 ,burning ,sulphur is the ,symbole of ,death1 and the true ,infernal ,devil1 which no ,element1 nor any other thing 7one ,salt excepted7 is able to vanquish and overcome4 ,for although ,sulphur not yet freed from its ,bonds1 being surely kept in its ,prison should suffer it self for many years to be tortured by the fire1 yet would it not receive any sensible mutation1 nor any loss of weight1 provided there be no open passage for its ,exit4 ,by the like reason1 if it should abide an hundred years1 in the ,air or ,water1 yet it would in no wise putrifie4 ,salt only overcometh it1 and changeth it into a ,carbuncle2 ,i say into a ,carbuncle1 so called1 because shining with a pellucid redness1 it sheweth like a burning ,coal1 and for its excellency may be accounted among ,precious ,stones4 ,it is found by few1 but they who have it in possession1 hide it1 nor do they expose it to ,sale like ,diamonds1 or other ,gemms4 ,it is not digged out of rough ,mountains1 as others1 but is sought by ,prayers to ,god1 and acquired by the ,labour of the ,hands4 ,but why do ,i say so much8 ,seeing that ,i have already exceeded my due limits1 yet ,i know1 that what ,i have said will exceed the capacity and understanding of the ,impious4 ,but that no man should doubt1 that salt and sulphur are most noble ,creatures1 although very lightly esteemed1 ,i will prove that salt is the beginning and end of all things4 ,in the ,creation of the ,world salt was first made1 from which afterwards the four ,elements proceeded1 so that by the ,philosophers salt is called ,the ,center of the ,elements concentrated2 and by the same reason1 by which it was the first1 it still is1 and remaineth the last4 ,all things arise from salt1 and after they are destroyed by death1 do again return into the same4 ,et sal thesauros grandes possidet ignis4 ,in ,salt and ,fire are contained great ,treasures4 ,salt is ,fire1 and ,fire is ,salt1 and they contain in themselves a third thing1 to wit1 an hidden ,spirit4 ,when the most ,omnipotent ,creator had pronounced the word ,fiat1 and had created salt1 the ,chaos was afterwards parted or divided into four portions1 and divers seats or places assigned to each1 and also each had its ,name given to it2 which being done1 the ,elements took their beginning1 instituting in themselves mutual actions1 and ordaining their generations4 ,the most pure and subtile part became the ,firmament1 and gave the ,sun1 ,moon1 and ,stars the more gross and heavy1 joined together into a mass of ,earth1 and like fces or dreggs1 occupied the lowest place4 ,the watery and airy ,portions encompass the ,terrene ,globe4 ,now when the superiour or fiery part1 with the ,stars operate and immit their powers upon the lower part or ,sea1 the ,water is rendered pregnant1 or as it were with young1 and generateth ,salt without intermission4 ,but lest this continual generation of ,salt1 effected by the operation of ,fire1 should be produced in the ,sea or ,water only1 and the rest of the ,elements should be idle1 ,god hath also given to each of these its proper ,gift1 viz4 to the ,air1 that it should receive the seed sent from the ,stars1 and communicate it to the ,water2 to the ,water1 that it should distribute the received seed through the passages and clefts of the ,earth1 that so by this reason ,minerals and ,metals of every kind might as well be produced within the earth1 as all kinds of ,herbs1 ,fruits1 and ,trees1 without it in the superficies1 serving for the nutriment1 encrease and multiplication of ,animals4 ,this thing is witnessed by daily ,experience2 for if the ,sea should not disperse its salt through the earth1 so many excellent ,minerals could in no wise exist in its bowels1 neither in its superficies could not so many and so great ,trees nor so various and manifold ,herbs1 and such divers sorts of ,grass1 be brought forth4 ,for as much ,salt as ,vegetables draw to the external superficies1 and ,minerals to the inward bowels1 so much the ,sea or ,salt-water restoreth to them1 so that the ,earth may never labour under a want of its salt1 of which the ,indigent are to be rendered partakers4 ,for if the ,sea should not provide for the ,globe of the ,earth a continual nourishment1 the ,earth it self being destitute of the same1 would not be able to afford a due aliment and encrease to other things4 ,for a ,chest which is continually exhausted by taking out1 and nothing put in1 at length being empty1 retaineth nothing4 ,but because the wise ,providence of ,god hath appointed that the ,terene ,globe1 without intermition1 should be fertile in bringing forth good ,fruit for the nourishment of ,mankind1 necessity requireth that a perpetual aliment should be afforded to the ,earth1 from the ,sea1 for which end the ,stars never cease in animating the ,air and ,water with their influences1 that the ,elements1 by mutual helps1 might succour one another1 and no stop or hinderance should be put to the course of ,nature4 ,for if one ,element only rest1 and cease to perform its office1 the other would also cease from working1 and fall into such a ,rest4 ,except the ,stars should generate ,salt1 and the ,water receiving it1 should disperse it through the ,earth1 by what means should it come to pass1 that any thing should be brought forth1 grow1 and encrease8 ,the whole ,orb of the ,earth would at length grow dry1 and perish1 which nevertheless by the perpetual access of salt1 never intermitteth1 but is encreased and sustained4 ,there is no ,stone which can want ,salt1 which argueth ,salt to be its beginning and nourishment1 and that those ,mountains1 in which is a great quantity of a saline nutriment1 do grow and encrease thereby1 as receiving it in a plentiful manner from the nearest sea4 ,this is no where more easily to be found1 than in those places in which the ,mountainous ,coasts are very fertile and fruitful in ,metals1 for the acquiring of which the ,rocks are to be digged through with holes in height or depth1 affording a commodious going in and out4 ,but when in places of this sort all the ,metals are dug out1 or the metallick ,veins are broken off 7 lost7 from the transverse ,walls1 or sides1 or also from the sliding or dropping ,waters1 they are rendered unprofitable2 and for that reason such a ,mountain is to be deserted2 nevertheless it doth not cease to grow1 and indeed as well the ,stones as the ,metals1 having their seat in it4 ,whence it is wont to happen1 that those holes or passages abovementioned1 through which one might have walked upright1 in a long process of time1 do so grow together1 and become so little and strait1 that he who desires to go into the most intimate ,penetrals1 must stoop even to the ground4 ,this is to be understood of such sorts of ,stones as abound with salt1 for places not passable by salt1 are found to be fit neither for the generation of ,stones1 or of other things1 as also those which refuse to admit ,water3 ,for ,water is the ,vehicle which carrieth ,salt through the whole ,globe of the ,earth1 and by it disperseth its nourishment1 as the ,air is the ,receptacle of the ,astral seed1 of which the ,water is to be rendered a partaker4 ,those things which ,i here write1 altho' they may seem to be vile1 and of small moment1 nevertheless they are most true1 and cannot be rendered more clearly and truly by any man4 ,and altho' the same might be proposed by a more prolix description1 yet there is no need of that prolixity1 when all things may be delivered more compendiously4 ,nevertheless1 that ,i may as yet confirm by a clearer demonstration1 that the ,life of the whole ,world is ,salt1 and that of it all things take their original1 ,i will bring for witness the ,universal ,opinion of all the ,philosophers unanimously asserting1 ,that all things being reduced into their first matter1 return into salt2 from which ,saying it followeth1 that they have taken their beginning from ,salt2 and this ,argument can be refelled by no man4 ,now some man may say1 ,how shall ,i be sure of this8 or1 ,by what reason may all things be reduced to their first matter8 ,to obtain the knowledge of those ,labours and ,operations1 it behoveth thee by experience to go to clear ,philosophers and ,chymists1 because ,i intend not at the present to treat of operations of this kind4 ,every ,countryman taketh notice of the ,work of ,nature1 who seeth daily1 that every ,herb1 every ,wood1 every ,man1 and every ,animal1 after that it hath attained its end by ,death1 passeth by putrefaction into a sulphureous salt1 hidden indeed in a putrefied ,dung1 but unknown to him1 although with the same he dungeth his poor and barren ,land wanting salt1 and rendereth it fat and fertile4 ,as long as the ,herb1 ,wood1 and ,animal enjoyeth its own vital ,air1 it doth not dismiss its salt by which it is preserved1 but superfluous fces4 ,but as soon as death hath taken away the vital ,air1 and dissolved the ,vinculum or ,bond1 the rest of the parts can no longer subsist1 every one going out to that place whence it proceeded4 ,rain dissolveth the salt1 and by all ,rivers carrieth it back to its ,mother the ,ocean1 from whence it had come forth2 the ,spirit is attracted by the stars2 the earthy matter remaineth in the ,earth1 to which it oweth its ,rise4 ,for the ,fruits of the ,earth do not obtain this universal nourishment from the ,sea1 by right of ,inheritance1 but they take it only as a profitable ,aliment1 given them to enjoy as long as they live2 after death1 the universal ,mother1 to wit1 the ,sea1 taketh it back1 and bestoweth it upon others which she hath accommodated to it4 ,if thou hast a mind to make trial of this thing by another way1 burn any ,herb1 ,wood1 ,stone1 or ,animal in the ,fire1 for so whatsoever is spiritual flieth into the air1 and the salt will remain in the ashes1 to be extracted with water1 and separated from the dead earth4 ,salt therefore in all things is the beginning and the end1 and most worthy1 which is accurately to be noted1 inasmuch as it is that which containeth great mysteries and secrets4 ,he that is ignorant of these things1 deserveth not to be called a ,philosopher1 but rather a proud ,ass1 knowing and maintaining nothing but slanders and calumnies1 with which1 to conceal his own ignorance1 he cavilleth at the ,truth1 and bringeth it into contempt4 ,the ,ancients were not ignorant of the excellent ,virtues hidden in salt1 so that many of the ,philosophers have thought that something ,divine was hidden in salt1 and therefore they have expresly written1 that the knowledge of ,god can be drawn from nothing more clearly than from ,fire and ,salt4 ,therefore they at all times adjoined to their ,sacrifices and ,altars ,fire and ,salt1 as ,symbols of ,god and ,immortality4 ,they were afraid to touch any ,fire or any ,salt with unwashen hands1 lest they should draw the ,divine ,wrath upon themselves1 if they should defile those most noble ,creatures with impure hands3 ,they swore by ,salt and ,fire1 not using any greater ,oath2 and in any matter to be searched out by a diligent examination1 they proposed to the interrogated ,salt and ,bread1 that so he should witness the truth2 whence perhaps came that ,proverb1 ,salem ,mensam1 non violabis4 ,our ,saviour ,christ is called ,the ,salt of ,wisdom4 ,in holy ,baptism1 the ,priest putting a little ,salt to the mouth of the ,infant1 is wont to add these words1 ,receive the ,salt of ,wisdom2 which custom1 with the burning of ,wax-,candles1 alwaies adjoined in ,baptism1 that ,christ might be remembred to be the light of the world1 is now in many places abrogated by ,innovations2 so that it is to be feared1 if the world should continue long1 the matter would come to that pass1 that it would also be prohibited to name the very ,name of ,christ4 ,for truly it is already come to that boldness1 as to prohibit the ,celebration of our ,saviour's ,nativity1 under the injunction of a certain penalty4 ,o the miserable condition of ,christendom at this day6 ,christ himself calleth his ,disciples the ,light of the ,world1 and the ,salt of the ,earth1 ,luk4 #ai4 #i4 ,salt and ,water1 by ,faith and ,baptism unite ,god and ,man3 so also fixed ,gold and combustible sulphur are copulated by the help of salt and water1 which thing1 although it may seem impossible1 nevertheless it is very well known to true ,chymists2 for when they are minded to separate melted ,gold and ,silver1 they are wont to inject a little sulphur1 which interceding between both1 like a ,partition wall1 disjoineth the gold and silver1 by reason of the enmity which it hath with the gold1 disagreeing with the sulphur by so great an antipathy1 that it can at no time suffer it4 ,nevertheless salt and water take away this ,enmity1 reducing both into favour with each other1 no otherwise than ,christ1 the ,salt of ,wisdom1 and the ,divine ,light1 as a ,mediator1 reconciled the filthy sinner to ,god4 ,christ saith in certain places1 salt is good1 or it is a good thing3 ,when the ,earth wanteth salt1 being dead1 it bringeth forth no ,fruit2 the same is ,dung1 when destitute of salt4 ,here ,i have the eternal ,truth ,himself my ,witness1 reproving my impious ,farnnerian ,enemies1 who endeavour to refel my ,miraculum ,mundi with their false ,calumnies and ,cavils4 ,in which ,book ,i have demonstrated by most manifest ,arguments1 that the ,earth is rendered fat and fertile1 not by ,dung1 but the ,salt which is in it4 ,these ,calumniators being convicted by the true testimony of this witness of their shameful ,lyes1 must without doubt bridle their venomous ,tongues1 and for time to come1 cease to tear me with their savage ,teeth4 ,the ,truth may indeed be pressed1 but never quite born down2 for ,,god at length will bring it to light1 although for some time it may be pressed and perplexed by ,satan the ,father of ,lyes1 and its capital enemy4 ,in another place ,christ saith1 ,none is good but ,god4 ,also in another place1 ,salt is good4 ,this is truly a most efficacious testimony1 and famous praise1 by which ,salt is extolled4 ,salt is also taken for ,understanding and ,wisdom1 and for that reason a rude and ignorant man is called dull and insipid1 and in the same sence a speech is said to be unsavory or witless1 as if having nothing of salt1 it were unhandsome and stupid2 whence the vulgar ,proverbs are wont to say1 ,how heavy and insipid is this man8 ,how dully and unsavourily doth he speak8 ,also that usual saying1 ,that which relisheth1 nourisheth2 and so on the contrary1 where there is no savour1 there is also no nourishment4 ,there is nothing can be brought forth in the nature of things1 without the medium of salt2 yea1 ,man himself is not born without the ,sun1 ,man1 and ,salt4 ,therefore a certain ,philosopher saith very appositely1 ,the vigour of salt is fiery1 and of a ,celestial ,original4 ,the sun and salt are the ,parents of all things1 which procreate all things1 and without which nothing is procreated2 ,bread and ,flesh1 which are seasoned with salt1 afford more ,virtues than all other ,foods which are not salted4 ,salt being added to ,wine in its fermentation1 rendereth it stronger and sweeter4 ,,nb4 ,that nevertheless the salt here spoken of ought not to be common and vulgar salt1 which doth not give a good relish to ,wine4 ,empty ,hogsheads may indeed be purged by common salt dissolved in warm water1 so that every ill taste or smell may be drawn out1 and the wine preserved in its vigour4 ,moreover salt exceedeth wine in corroborating the heart of ,man1 and is therefore in many things to be preferred before it4 ,and he that knoweth how to conjoin true salt with wine1 and in the same to dissolve the ,sun of the earth1 7which is ,gold7 may from it extract a ,royal ,medicine1 as is shewn in other places of my ,writings4 ,for any man of understanding may easily see1 that if the noble virtues of these three things ,corroborating the heart1 to wit1 ,gold1 ,wine1 and ,salt shall be joined together1 what a noble ,medicine will proceed from such a ,conjunction4 ,paracelsus hath not without reason determined with the ,philosophers1 that no true ,aurum ,potabile1 can be prepared without ,salt4 ,if there were no ,salt in the ,earth1 neither ,herbs1 nor ,grass would be brought forth for the food of ,animals1 nor the life of ,man sustained4 ,all ,animals also do therefore desire the ,salt of fruitfulness1 concerning which1 you shall find more1 in the description of my ,green ,liquor4 ,the ,combination of ,gold and true ,salt1 restoreth decaying seeds to their pristine fruitfulness1 and also restoreth to half dead and barren ,trees1 their faded greenness1 if that ,medicine be applied to their ,roots4 ,on the contrary1 common salt before preparation1 is hurtful to ,vegetables1 and killeth them by its ,corosion1 but after preparation it exceedeth dung in fatening them3 ,nevertheless1 there are some ,vegetables1 which are able to bear the ,corosive power of salt1 viz4 those which grow spontaneously upon the ,sea shore1 as the ,herb ,kaly1 of which the ,ancients prepared their ,sal ,alkali2 for being burnt it leaveth a very sharp salt4 ,also all those ,fruits which are of a sowre1 or bitter ,taste1 or have sowre1 or bitter ,rinds1 do equally bear the ,corrosion of salt1 as ,olives1 ,limons1 ,oranges1 ,lentisk1 and the ,palm1 which also rejoiceth in common salt2 as on the contrary1 the ,vine1 ,grain1 and ,fruit-,trees are delighted with the sweeter ,sun2 concerning which1 more hereafter4 ,i remember to have read1 that in the ,island ,sardinia1 near the ,city ,catar1 so great a quantity of salt hath been digged up1 that it was given to the ,inhabitants for their necessary uses1 for nothing1 and the rest was sold to ,foreign ,sailors and ,merchants to be ,exported4 ,and the ,countreymen so abounding with salt1 gave it so largely to their ,cattel1 that they wonderfully abounded in ,milk1 whence they made most excellent ,cheese1 which was sold all ,europe over1 but whether it be that which we call ,parmasan1 ,i know not4 ,but it appears1 that so great a plenty of ,milk and ,cheese proceeded from salt only1 which is also very agreeable to the ,truth4 ,the same ,author 7whose ,name is ,bernbardus ,comesius7 also taketh notice1 that in the ,west-,indies there is a ,city standing in a sandy and barren place1 abounding with a great multitude of ,fishes1 which are there taken4 ,and the ,inhabitants cast the ,heads of the ,fishes into a pit1 or hole in the ,earth1 sprinkling them well with salt1 and after a certain time taking them out1 they plant or sow in every ,head1 a ,corn of some ,grain1 and cast the same into the sandy ,earth1 and those ,grains growing1 do again bring forth an hundred fold4 ,that this might be so done1 is not dissonant to the truth1 seeing that the ,heads of the ,fishes preserve the salt in the ,earth1 that it cannot be washed away with the ,rain1 nor the ,grain be deprived of its ,alimentary ,juice4 ,but such ways of sowing ,grain1 are tedious and laborious4 ,i have a far other preparation of salt1 which without much cost and labour1 rendereth a great quantity of it fit to make sandy ground fruitful1 and yet is not washed away by the ,rain1 salt is to be rendered sulphureous1 that it may generally and universally nourish4 ,n4,b4 ,here some may say1 if a sulphurous salt be the effecter of ,fertility1 how is it that the ,mare ,mortuum1 or dead ,sea of ,sodom1 abounding with sulphur and salt1 doth neither bring forth ,fish1 nor contribute any thing to fruitfulness8 ,i ,answer1 because the said ,sea is full of bitter and ,vitriolate ,minerals1 which by their ,venom are hurtful to all ,fish1 and ,vegetables1 and also ,fishes themselves cannot live in ,waters which are too salt1 which is to be observed4 ,for every thing that is too much1 is turned into a ,vice4 ,but what ,fertility salt imparteth to natural things1 may be learned by ,fish1 many thousands of small ,fishes at once1 proceeding from the ,spawn of one ,fish1 which is not granted to ,birds and ,animals4 ,it was not in vain that ,god would have ,king ,pharaoh ,dream first of seven fat ,kine1 and afterwards of other seven lean ones1 descending from the ,earth into the ,sea1 thereby signifying fruitfulness to draw its ,original from the ,sea4 ,joseph being illuminated by ,god1 both by ,divine and ,natural light1 understood this1 and interpreted the ,dream3 ,to wit1 that it was in the power of salt4 ,salt is insignized with the ,title of the ,fountain of ,philosophers4 ,hesiod1 ,homer1 ,plato1 ,pythagoras1 and other ,philosophers1 deliver that of all things1 salt is most affine or near to ,god4 ,i assert1 that by the help of salt1 many become the chosen ,sons of ,god4 ,if the ,earth should want salt1 there would not thence proceed any fruits affording necessary ,aliment for ,men1 whence ,mankind would perish1 not being able to draw its ,nourishment and ,multiplication from the ,air1 but is constrained to take it from the ,earth4 ,salt becometh ,milk1 ,honey1 ,sugar1 ,wine1 ,bread1 ,flesh1 and passeth into all those things which we want4 ,salt is all in all things1 the beginning and the end of all things which ,god hath created4 ,but some man may here ask2 whether therefore do all things arise from salt8 ,whether it be necessary that salt in the seeds of ,herbs1 should be changed into ,herbs1 in the seeds of ,animals1 into ,animals1 and in the seed of ,metals1 into ,metals8 ,whether such degrees may not be sooner passed by the quicker progress of ,art1 correcting the more slow advance of nature8 ,i answer2 yea1 it may be done1 it is possible for ,art to bring salt to its highest perfection1 by a far more compendious way1 than nature can4 ,but by what way that may be done1 is not proper to shew in this place4 ,this ,i would have you to know1 that wonderful ,generations do arise from the ,sun or ,fire1 united with salt1 which otherwise would not appear4 ,for ,example1 in the ,months of ,june1 ,july1 and ,august1 fill a wooden vessel with common water1 and expose it to the ,rays of the ,sun1 that it may night and day receive the ,astral ,influences1 and be dried up1 being dried up fill it again with more water1 and so keep the ,vessel always full1 in which at length1 from the salt contained in the water1 there will be brought forth ,vermin of all sorts without any seed2 such as is accustomed to be brought forth in other putrid ,waters1 as ,frogs1 ,toads1 and ,serpents4 ,,nb4 ,that the ,vessel must be made of ,wood1 not of ,metal1 least the water should suck in a ,vitriolate ,juice which is adverse to the life of ,animals3 ,also beware that nothing of ,iron or ,copper fall into the ,vessel1 and corrupt the ,operation4 ,or fill the same ,vessel with sand1 and moisten it with water1 then subject it to the ,sun beams1 and when it is dry1 moisten it again1 repeating the ,humectations1 and by this ,operation you shall see various and unknown ,herbs to come forth and be produced1 without any seed1 as is manifest from other places of my ,writings4 ,gold the most constant of all ,metallick ,bodies1 and as it were invincible1 feareth not the violent assaults of any other ,element1 and subsisteth in the fire it self with so great constancy1 as not to lose any thing of its weight1 although for many years it should be kept in a continual torture of ,fire4 ,nevertheless1 salt draweth from it its ,anima1 and taketh away that fair red colour1 and that constancy1 whereby it was wont to resist the fire1 so that it obtaineth the colour of ,lead1 and the brittleness and fugacity of ,antimony4 ,a thing exceeding the credit and belief of the unskilful1 although experience it self witnesseth it to be true4 ,hence it appeareth1 that there is a greater power in ,salt than in all the ,elements and ,elementary things1 and therefore we deem it to be justly called the ,center of the ,elements concentrated4 ,gold eludeth the most potent and subtil powers of the fire1 which nothing can resist1 and yet is overcome by ,salt1 which by a stupendious ,miracle of ,art1 attracteth its most ,noble ,part1 viz4 its ,anima being separated from its more gross and earthy parts4 ,how noble a thing the ,anima of ,gold is1 any ,man may easily imagine1 and without doubt may see1 that it hath the chief place in ,medicine4 ,this is like to what ,sendivogius hath written concerning his ,chalybs spoiling ,gold of its ,anima1 but although such an extraction hath divers times succeeded to me according to my wish1 that the ,anima being extracted1 the body of the ,gold hath been left brittle1 fugacious1 and black2 yet ,i confess1 that the same ,operation hath not always answered my desire2 as if ,god would not permit such a secret to be commonly known4 ,therefore ,i am well content with lesser things1 and have shewed these things only to the end that ,i might manifest the ,powers of ,salt1 and teach them to others3 ,nevertheless1 ,i would not have any ,man perswade himself1 that this ,royal ,medicine may be extorted from ,gold1 by the help of common ,culinary salt2 for to this matter another ,salt is required1 to be prepared by ,fire and ,art4 ,but of this ,artificial ,concentration of ,gold1 the fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 which ,god willing1 shall shortly be published1 will shew more at large4 ,more indeed might be said concerning ,salt1 which we leave for another time and place1 seeing that those things which have hitherto been spoken1 seem to me to be sufficient4 ,therefore ,i conclude1 and affirm ,salt to be a help to all things1 and on the contrary1 to want the help of nothing4 ,here some ,man may ask me and say1 ,of what ,salt dost thou speak1 for there are many sorts of ,salt8 ,i speak of the ,universal ,salt1 known to all ,men1 which is boiled up from ,sea water1 or ,salt ,springs1 or digged out of ,pits in ,mountains or other places1 and put to common and familiar uses4 ,this known ,salt1 ,i here call 7and not injuriously7 the ,universal ,treasure1 and general ,riches3 ,for it administreth ,nourishment to the whole ,world1 that not only the ,beasts of the ,earth1 ,fishes in the ,waters1 and ,birds in the ,air1 but also all ,metals in the ,bowels of the ,earth may subsist for the use of ,man1 to say nothing of the great and ,universal ,medicine1 which may be obtained by its benefit4 ,of right therefore it meriteth the ,title of the ,universal ,treasure of the ,world1 seeing that nothing can be found1 which doth not owe its ,original to ,salt4 ,but that one salt is purer1 better1 and more precious than another1 ,i do not deny1 that the ,original and beginning of all salts1 is one and the same1 and that their difference happeneth only from ,accidents4 ,for so long as salt is pure1 and mixed with nothing1 as it is made by the ,sun in the water1 it is one and the same1 and possesseth one and the same ,taste1 and the same ,virtues3 ,but as soon as it is mixed with other things1 or changed by the fire1 its first nature being laid aside1 it becometh either better or worse4 ,this is taught by ,wood and ,stones1 reduced by the fire into ,coals or ,ashes1 in which part of the salt flieth away with the smoak1 the rest remaineth in the ,ashes1 shewing a far other nature from that which it had before it was destroyed by the violence of fire4 ,indeed1 by the ,operation of the fire1 all salts obtain a fiery and sulphureous nature1 and therefore necessarily assume another ,property1 which being well known needs no dispute4 ,the most known1 most simple and void of all mixture is that salt which is elicited from ,sea-water1 or salt ,fountains1 or ,mountainous ,caverns4 ,vitriol and ,alum1 are indeed also salts1 but infected with an ,earthy and ,mineral ,property1 and therefore unworthy of the name of simple salts4 ,salt-peter is also numbred among salt1 but it cannot be said to be a simple salt1 such as the ,sun operateth4 ,for it is either digged out of the ,earth1 being generated of the ,urine of ,men and ,beasts1 and elicited by water1 and by decoction shooteth into ,christals1 and separateth from other ,salts2 or it is taken from the ,mortar of old walls made with ,lime1 or it is taken out of ,mountains and ,limy or ,chalky ,hills1 by the help of water2 or it is made by ,art of common ,salt1 ,wood1 or ,lime-stones4 ,but which way soever it cometh1 it is of one and the same nature1 and burneth with a flame1 as my ,treatise of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 describeth more at large4 ,salts extracted from the ,ashes of burnt wood1 do again possess another nature and other ,properties1 and are called by the ,name of ,alkalies4 ,also there is another ,salt prepared from ,urine1 common salt1 ,soot1 and ,bulls blood1 known by the ,name of ,sal ,armoniack1 and is used instead of another ,sal ,armoniack1 which was digged up in certain ,mountains1 and brought to us1 which now ceaseth to come4 ,these are the most noted salts1 and serve for very many uses1 as ,sea salt1 ,fountain salt1 ,mountain salt1 which is also called ,sal ,gem1 which are used in the ,kitchin for seasoning of food1 for the salting of ,flesh and ,fish to preserve them some time from ,corruption4 ,the use of ,vitriol is chiefly in ,dye-houses1 for dying ,silks and ,cloth black1 as also in ,apothecaries shops1 where it serveth for the preparing of ,medicines3 ,concerning these things1 see more in the first part of my ,furnaces4 ,alum is profitable for ,dyers1 ,physicians1 and other ,artificers4 ,of ,salt-petre is made that devilish thing call'd ,gun-powder4 ,besides this it is profitable for the making of many excellent ,medicines1 and for the ,chymical ,emendation of ,metals1 and the inventing and utility of many ,mechanical ,arts1 as appears by the second part of my ,chymical ,furnaces1 and the second part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 also ,miraculum ,mundi1 its ,defence1 and ,continuation1 as also the four parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,of fixed salts1 those which ,wood ,ashes afford1 have their use in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 but they are more frequently used in ,dying of ,cloth1 and making ,soap4 ,sal ,armoniack is used in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and other ,arts1 but all those salts are so well known1 that we shall supersede any farther ,declaration of them4 ,those therefore which we have here mentioned1 are ,salts1 which hitherto1 by a long ,progress of time1 and continual experience1 have made manifest their own ,virtues and ,powers4 ,among those1 the ,culinary or ,kitchin-salt is most eminent in nobleness1 excellency and necessity1 inasmuch as it is that from which all the rest do arise1 as also by the help of ,art may be made1 as my ,writings every where teach2 and is the ,basis of all other ,salts1 whether known or unknown2 which thing is most true1 and will alwaies remain to be true3 ,for by a very easie business1 by fire and the addition of any metallick sulphur1 it is turned into ,alum or ,vitriol2 by the help of ,sulphur1 ,fire and ,air into a burning ,salt-petre2 and by the help of a certain peculiar strong fire1 it passeth into an alkalisate salt1 and being deprived of its sharpness1 becometh very profitable for the dunging and fattening of ,fields1 and sandy and barren ,land4 ,moreover1 the common ,kitchin-salt suffereth it self to be purged and cleansed by its own spirit1 and by that purgation and cleansing acquireth a clearer and whiter colour1 pleasanter taste1 and more excellent powers and virtues for the seasoning of ,food1 and salting of ,flesh and ,fish1 for it becomes sweet1 clear1 and pellucid like ,crystal1 and shooteth into square ,crystals like ,dice1 reduced into ,figures so perfect1 that they cannot be more perfectly formed by any ,instrument4 ,hence no man will deny1 but that such a cleansed salt is more conducible to health than that which is gross and impure4 ,i admire at our supine negligence1 who are so little sollicitous about our own health4 ,we daily see with our eyes1 that no man can want the use of salt1 that it is subservient to the health of man1 and also necessary for ,cattel4 ,and if when gross1 as it comes from the pans1 and as yet loaded with many fces1 it doth much good2 without doubt it would do much more1 if it were cleansed and prepared by an artificial preparation4 ,it is the interest of great men 7if not of others7 who have the government of many ,subjects1 to preserve a firm health of ,body1 and to cause such salt to be prepared for the use of their ,tables4 ,the ,cost required for the doing this is small1 by which the salt is made so sweet1 that by its pleasantness it will invite every one to covet it4 ,it doth not provoke thirst after the manner of common salt1 inasmuch as it wanteth those earthy fces which yet adhere to common salt1 but quencheth it1 allayeth hunger corroborateth the heart1 as also the stomach1 brain1 and all the members of the body1 admitteth no putrefaction in the body1 preserveth it against all ,diseases1 and excelleth with wonderful ,virtues1 to which that gross salt is in no wise to be compared4 ,truly it is a great ,treasure and high ,gift of ,god1 by which ,mankind is sustained1 nourished1 corroborated1 and encreased1 for which great thanks are to be given to ,god4 ,besides the commemorated ,purgation of salt1 inversion and commutation of common ,salt into ,alum1 ,vitriol1 ,salt-petre1 ,alkalies1 and the like salts mentioned in my ,writings1 there is yet a more secret purgation and emendation of the same common salt1 exalting it into a more noble and far more excellent state1 concerning which ,i do not remember that ,i have read any thing in any ,author1 except in ,paracelsus1 who maketh mention of it in few words1 in the ,chapter of the ,virtues of common salt1 saying1 ,the ,virtues of ,salt consist in its preparation2 crude salt only doth this1 that it preserveth the goodness of ,flesh and ,fish4 ,but if it shall become a ,sal ,enixum1 it keepeth all things in their state1 safe and sound1 for an incredible space of time1 it turneth ,wood into ,stone1 as also dust and sand2 the ,leaves of ,trees remain green in it2 whatsoever is besprinkled with this salt1 refuseth all mutation4 ,it preserveth like a ,balsam1 and effecteth more1 because in process of time it coagulateth all things4 ,these are the words of that incomparable ,physician and ,philosopher1 concerning his ,sal ,enixum1 but what this name signifies ,i know not1 but ,i call it ,sal ,mirabile4 ,he attributeth this to it1 that it is able to preserve all things safe and sound for an incredible space of time3 ,nor doth he erre from the ,truth1 for he that can prepare such a salt1 may not only perform that1 but also much more4 ,the manner of preparing it is well known to me1 because ,i have often made it1 and found in it things incredible3 ,whether my preparation agrees with the preparation of ,paracelsus or not1 nevertheless all things which ,paracelsus ascribeth to his ,sal ,enixum1 and far more1 ,i do in no wise doubt to attribute to my ,sal ,mirabile2 neither is it any matter to me or others1 whether ,i use or not use the same preparation that ,paracelsus did1 provided my salt performeth the same things which ,i affirm it can perform4 ,also ,i would not give the same name to my salt1 which ,paracelsus did to his1 lest ,calumniators and ,cavillers should1 out of envy and hatred1 take occasion thence of calumniating me1 and saying1 ,that my ,salt is not the ,sal ,enixum of ,paracelsus1 which hath already happened to me1 when ,i gave the name ,alkahest to my ,universal ,menstruum3 ,for the proud ,sophisters and ignorant haters of me1 in their debauched ,cups1 have taken occasion to cry out against me with loud vociferations1 saying1 ,the ,alkahest of ,glauber is not the ,liquor ,alkahest of ,paracelsus and ,helmont2 when nevertheless mine exceedeth the ,liquor of ,paracelsus and ,helmont by many degrees4 ,for mine is at hand1 and to be seen1 by help of which ,i prepare my ,aurum ,potabile1 tinging ,mercury into pure ,gold4 ,that ,liquor of ,paracelsus and ,helmont is plainly invisible1 and can be prepared or procured by none3 ,a small ,bird in the hand1 is better than many thousands of great birds that flie in the ,air1 can neither be seen nor taken4 ,and this is the reason why ,i would not call my ,salt by the same name1 because ,i would not afford my haters1 the wonderful ,brethren of ,ignorance1 new matter of flouting1 scoffing1 and defaming me2 although ,i well know1 that my ,sal ,mirabile doth not in the least come behind the ,sal ,enixum of ,paracelsus in ,virtue1 and perhaps also much to exceed it2 which in the following ,narration ,i have determined to make manifest4 ,as ,paracelsus delivereth1 that his ,sal ,enixum defendeth all things which are put into it from ,corruption1 for an incredible space of time1 and at length1 by an admirable ,metamorphosis1 transmuteth them into stone2 my ,sal ,mirabile doth not only perform that1 but effecteth ten times more4 ,but before ,i enter upon the description of the ,virtues lying hid in my ,sal ,mirabile1 ,i think it necessary to indicate1 ,that ,salts of this sort do every where occur in the ,earth1 and being dissolved by ,water1 are carried to the superficies1 and such ,fountains are enumerated by ,gerogius ,agricola1 shewing in what places they may be found1 and that all things put into them are in a short time converted into a stony matter2 which other ,writers also testifie1 and especially ,celsus in his ,book ,de rebus metallicis4 ,nor is there any reason why any man should doubt it1 seeing that ,fountains of this sort offer themselves in our ,germany1 although few judge them to be of any moment4 ,there is such a one in a certain place of ,helvetia1 which in a certain space of time converteth all ,wood cast into it wholly into ,stone4 ,and the ,inhabitants of that place do very often make trial of the thing by ,experiments1 by cutting some ,wood1 and reducing it to the figure of a ,whetstone1 and putting it into the water of the said ,fountain1 in which1 being converted into a stone1 they afterwards use for the whetting of ,sythes1 and other the like ,instruments4 ,i my self have seen whetstones of this sort1 and had them in my hands1 from the figure of which it sufficiently appeareth1 that they were first wood1 and have been converted into stone by so wonderful a ,metamorphosis4 ,the matter is out of all doubt1 and there are many ,fountains obvious in other places1 of the same ,nature4 ,i have not seen that in ,helvetia1 but ,i have seen the ,infant of ,basil with ,dr4 ,exius1 who is yet living4 ,to this ,infant1 in a very large ,glass1 standing upon a low settle1 the ,signior ,exius had poured a certain peculiar ,liquor1 which had preserved it plainly uncorrupted and unhurt1 to that time that it was shewed to me4 ,and they told me1 that the ,infant was by the ,liquor changed into stone2 but ,i1 seeing ,i did not touch or handle it1 cannot affirm that for certain2 but ,i saw it sitting with a full body1 as if it had been but new born1 since which time it is now above ,twenty years1 and then it had been ,ten or ,fifteen years in that ,water1 in which also it yet remains1 as ,i have lately heard4 ,but no man knoweth what water that was which the ,signior ,exius had put to that ,infant1 whether he took it from a ,fountain turning wood into stone1 or whether he made it by ,art4 ,there is a ,fountain of the like nature and property in ,austria at ,neapolis ,viennensis1 a fenced ,city about eight miles distant from ,vienna2 ,i being a young man1 long time since travelling towards ,vienna1 fell into a burning ,feaver1 known by the name of ,the ,hungarian ,disease1 which seldom any stranger escapes1 and having somewhat recovered my former health1 came to the said ,neapolis1 and suffering a ,relapse1 was constrained to stay there4 ,and the ,disease had so debilitated the ,appetite of my stomach1 that it neither desir'd nor digested any ,food4 ,the ,inhabitants advised me to go to a ,well of almost an hours ,journey from the ,city1 situated near a certain ,vineyard1 and to drink of the ,water to recover my lost ,appetite4 ,following their ,counsel1 ,i took a great piece of ,bread with me to the ,well1 nevertheless ,i gave but little credit to their words1 who told me1 that ,i would eat all that piece4 ,coming to the ,well1 ,i eat the crumb of the ,bread sopped in the water1 and it relished to me very pleasantly1 who before at home loathed the greatest ,dainties4 ,i took up the same water with my hollow crust of ,bread1 and drank it1 which so excited my ,appetite to eat1 that at length ,i also eat up my ,cup1 which ,i had made of my ,bread2 returning home much better and stronger1 ,i declared to the ,inhabitants the event1 succeeding according to my wish1 who affirmed to me1 that if ,i would continue the use of that water1 the faculties of my stomach would be throughly confirmed4 ,i asked them what kind of water that was8 ,they answered that it was water of ,salt-petre1 which ,i believed1 being then unskilful in such things1 but afterwards ,i found the contrary3 ,for it could not be the water of ,salt-petre1 seeing that in no wise conduceth to the stomach1 but rather occasioneth nauseousness and loathing4 ,it might be1 that the water of the said ,fountain being evaporated to a ,cuticle1 might shoot into ,crystals like to ,salt-petre1 but notwithstanding was not true ,salt-petre1 as wanting all burning1 and not taking flame1 which they might easily have found1 if putting a little of that salt upon a burning ,coal1 they had tried it after the accustomed manner of trying ,salt-petre3 ,for now it is certainly evident to me1 that that ,fountain contained that ,salt which ,paracelsus called ,sal ,enixum1 and ,i ,sal ,mirabile2 and also that it is the nature of that to shoot into long ,crystals1 and yet not to conceive flame4 ,that ,well is enclosed with wood1 in which many water-,mice have their ,habitation1 which presently will seize and swallow any crumbs of ,bread cast into the water4 ,i asked why a ,well of so great moment was enclosed and fenced with wood1 and not with stone8 ,they answered1 ,that could not be done without damage1 for the wood being taken away1 which had now passed into a stony nature1 it would come to pass1 that the sand falling into the well1 would choak it up4 ,the wood which did not touch the water was now rotten1 as ,i then very accurately observed1 being a young man of #ba years of age4 ,staying in the same ,city the following winter1 ,i found1 that the ,moors or ,marshes about the same1 which rendered it so strong1 were never frozen into ,ice by the cold of the winter2 which is an ,argument that a certain peculiar salt is latent in that water2 which is the reason that the ,planks or ,piles fixed into the ,marshy ground1 upon which many1 yea1 the greatest part of the ,houses of that ,city1 do stand1 or are set1 in a long progress of time1 are changed into meer stones1 and afford a firm ,foundation to the ,houses built upon them4 ,from all those indications ,i have hitherto conjectured1 that all the ,springs about that ,city abound with that sort of salt which ,paracelsus calleth ,enixum1 seeing that in the said ,marshes ,i have seen the ,grass green all winter1 which is a certain indication of this kind of salt there existing4 ,the watery ,animals which are in the ,fountain and ,marshes near to the ,city1 confirm the conjecture1 among which the number of the water-,mice is not small1 which cannot live in all waters2 and the shell-,fish1 or ,tortoises1 which are every where in an incredible quantity1 in the water flowing about the ,city1 and watering the ,marshes and ,gardens1 although wont to be esteemed by great men among ,delicacies1 are here of no account at all2 and for that reason both the ,citizens and ,countrymen put two or three of those shell-fishes into the vessel in which they save the washings of their ,dishes1 to give to their swine1 saying1 that this sort of ,animals abiding in their wash1 conduceth much to the fattening them4 ,and from these things it appeareth1 that water-,mice and ,shell-,fish of this sort1 do delight in sweet waters1 tempered with a certain salt4 ,any man that hath a mind to take the said ,shell-,fish1 or ,tortoise1 goeth into the ,meadows or ,pastures in a morning1 which are watered with this kind of water1 where they wander about in the wet ,grass1 seeking their ,food2 and also in the evening after sun set1 when they return again to feed4 ,if they perceive any body in their way1 they presently betake themselves to the water1 and in their entrance into the water1 they retract their four feet1 which with their head and tail 7like to the heads and tails of ,serpents7 they hide and secure in their shell1 which is so hard1 that it can scarcely be broken with a strong and heavy ,hammer4 ,the ,inhabitants1 when they will boil them1 prick them with some sharp ,instrument1 at the feeling of which1 they again put their head and tail out of the shell1 which they presently cut off with a knife4 ,the body being boiled in water1 the shell openeth of its own accord1 out of which the ,fish being taken1 is purged1 and prepared with ,butter1 ,wine1 and ,spice1 and is not much differing from ,veal1 nor of an ingrateful taste1 and therefore reckoned amongst delicate ,foods1 by those who are given to feed daintily4 ,truly1 ,i am perswaded1 that ,animals of this sort are not to be used as ,food1 but are rather profitable to the health of ,mankind1 because they abide in pure waters4 ,these few things my ,experience hath administred to me concerning these ,waters1 by which ,wood is changed into ,stone1 yea1 not ,wood only1 but also the skin and bones of ,animals4 ,i have also seen half a ,loaf of ,bread turned into a ,stone2 whence any man may conjecture1 how great a fixing power is latent in the said salt1 concerning which there is yet more to be said4 ,this ,transmutation of ,wood into ,stone will put all the ,brethren of ,ignorance to the blush1 who with their ridiculous ,mockeries laugh at and deny the wonders of ,nature of this kind1 that by the operation of ,art emulating ,nature1 a ,body should be spoiled of its fugacity1 and be transmuted into a constant and incombustible body4 ,all ,wood being burnt by the fire1 is consumed1 leaving nothing behind it except a few salt ashes1 which nevertheless being transmuted into a stone by a fixing water of this kind1 retaineth its pristine body1 and cannot be consumed by any fire4 ,this is an infallible ,argument1 most clearly refelling those ,ass-like ,deriders of ,art4 ,can these ,belweathers be more clearly refuted by any other ,argument or ,testimony8 ,i speak these things1 to the end that they may be brought to a more easie belief1 and not to be amazed with so great admiration1 when they shall in the following ,treatise hear me affirm1 ,that any subtile ,spirit of ,wine1 by the help of this kind of ,water1 may be changed into a fixed ,salt1 constant in the ,fire4 ,seeing therefore it may come to pass1 that by such a ,transmutation any fugacious ,spirit of ,wine may pass into a fixed and constant ,salt1 ,who will deny1 but that the same constancy may be afforded to fugacious ,metals1 by a water of this kind8 ,but by what means such an operation1 which seems impossible to every man1 may be effected1 may be worth the while to indicate in few words1 seeing that it happened to me casually1 not seeking it1 and which ,i my self at that time should not have believed1 although any one had seriously affirmed it to me4 ,the ,sal ,enixum of ,paracelsus1 or my fixed ,salt1 which dissolveth all things1 is endowed with that virtue and efficacy1 that it dissolveth all things by ,fire2 at a certain time ,i had dissolved ,gold with it by the dry way1 and would make trial whether ,spirit of ,wine would take a ,tincture from it or not3 ,the dissolution being made1 ,i would have poured upon it a burning ,spirit of ,wine1 but by chance ,i poured upon it in the ,glass ,spirit of ,juniper2 afterwards perceiving my errour1 ,i set the ,glass aside1 and half a year after1 ,i found the ,spirit tinged with a bloody colour1 which ,i filtred through a brown ,paper1 and put the clear ,tincture into a ,glass1 to separate the ,spirit from it by the ,fire4 ,but seeing that ,i obtained not a ,spirit1 but an insipid ,phlegm by evaporation1 ,i found that that ,red ,salt1 in a long process of time1 had rendered the ,spirit fixed1 and by a wonderful change had coagulated it into a fixed ,salt4 ,the same ,salt afforded me another ,experiment1 and indeed yet worthy of greater admiration3 ,a certain ,friend gave me a glass of ,oil of ,citrons1 prepared from mouldy or decaying ,oranges and ,citrons1 by destillation1 which ,oil smelt mustily1 to take away which ill smell1 ,i would have poured upon it ,spirit of ,salt1 but by chance put to it my ,sal ,enixum dissolved1 and destilled it by fire1 which indeed rendered me a clear ,oil1 but in small quantity1 and scarce the one half2 ,therefore continuing a stronger fire1 when nothing more would destil1 ,i let the fire out1 the ,glass being cold1 and taken out of the sand1 ,i found all the residue of the matter turned into a black ,coal1 and when ,i had taken it out of the ,glass1 ,i put it upon a burning ,coal1 to see whether or no any ,oil yet remained2 but the matter being consumed by the fire1 left many ,ashes1 and discovered the fixing nature of my ,salt4 ,and searching more accurately into the operation1 ,i found many wonderful things1 which afterwards gave me occasion to call that ,salt by the ,name of ,sal ,mirabile4 ,let others search into the matter1 by more exact ,meditations1 that they may be able to penetrate into it with a deeper sight4 ,he that cannot see the virtues of this ,salt1 is destitute of ,eagles eyes1 beholding the ,rays of the ,sun with an unmoved aspect1 and hath the eyes of an ,owl1 which can see somewhat in the dark1 but is blind at ,noon-day4 ,truly1 it is a thing to be admired1 that an ,oil so combustible1 in the space of a few hours1 should be reduced to that state1 that it should glow and burn in the fire like a ,coal4 ,therefore let it not seem strange to any man1 that any ,wood abounding with much combustible ,oil1 should in a long progress of time1 by the help of this ,salt1 be transmuted into a ,stone4 ,the knowledge of these things happened to me by chance2 ,but who doubteth1 but that the studious of ,art may1 by a sedulous and accurate search1 find out many more8 ,these are enough to the wise4 ,now followeth the ,praxis1 demonstrating the ,theory1 by what means this ,salt is to be prepared1 and to what uses it is to be adhibited1 and what wonderful and incredible things may be performed by its help1 as well in ,alchymy as in ,medicine4 ,i4 ,of the ,preparation of ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,this my ,sal ,mirabile is prepared and separated from all vulgar ,salts1 by the help of ,art1 nevertheless more easily from one than from another3 ,for it may be elicited not only from the ,salt of the ,kitchin1 but also from other salts1 as ,salt-petre1 ,vitriol1 and ,alum3 ,alum and ,vitriol abound with many sulphureous and mineral qualities1 and therefore occasion much difficulty and labour in their separation2 and ,salt-petre possesseth a fugacious and burning nature4 ,therefore setting those ,salts aside1 we prepare our ,sal ,mirabile of that common salt which is used in ,kitchins1 separating from it1 by the help of fire and ,water1 whatsoever is earthy and terrene2 and the same being prepared1 as much as in us lies1 we use it to the ,honour of ,god1 and the profit of our ,neighbor4 ,of the external ,figure1 ,colour1 ,taste1 and ,smell of ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,this ,sal ,mirabilis being rightly prepared1 looketh like ,water congealed or frozen into ,ice2 it appeareth like the ,crystals of ,salt-petre1 which shoot into a long ,figure2 also it is clear and transparent1 and being put to the ,tongue1 melts like ,ice4 ,it tasteth neither sharp1 nor very salt1 but leaveth a little astringency upon the ,tongue4 ,being put upon burning ,coals1 it doth not leap and crackle after the manner of common salt1 neither conceiveth flame like ,salt-petre1 nor being red hot1 sends forth any smell2 which gifts or endowments no other salt possesseth4 ,,ii4 ,of the ,external and ,internal ,use of my ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,in the first place it is to be known1 that my ,sal ,mirabilis containeth many great and hidden ,virtues1 inasmuch as it is not so sharp and acute as other salts1 and therefore its internal as well as external use1 is easily admitted in ,medicine4 ,externally adhibited1 it cleanseth all fresh wounds1 and open ,ulcers1 and healeth them2 neither doth it corrode or excite pain1 as other salts are wont to do4 ,within the body it exerciseth admirable ,virtues1 especially being associated with such things whole ,virtues it encreaseth1 and which it conduced to those places to which it is necessary they should arrive3 ,for ,salt is the ,conducter and ,rector both of good and evil ,powers or ,virtues1 and carrieth them along with it self1 according as they shall be joined with it4 ,as the nourishment of ,vegetables and ,minerals consisteth only in ,salt1 so also the nourishment of ,animals dependeth upon the same4 ,for if the ,herbs1 ,bread1 ,flesh1 and all other things which we eat1 should be destitute of salt1 they could in no wise sustain1 nourish1 and encrease the ,bodies of ,animals1 for by such it would forthwith come to pass1 that they should consume and die3 ,therefore ,food also nourisheth1 as it is well and in due manner seasoned with salt1 for a thing that hath no relish1 is unfit for nourishment1 according to the common ,proverb1 ,quod sapit1 nutrit2 ,and that which hath no taste1 doth also not nourish4 ,therefore the ,omnipotent ,,god hath given salt to all ,his ,creatures1 by which they are nourished and sustained2 so that there would have been no need of salting of ,foods with salt1 appointed for the use of ,man1 had not ,sin and the ,curse debilitated and corrupted all things1 seeing that they were endowed with their own ,salt by ,nature3 ,therefore for the succouring of ,nature1 those things which contain little salt1 are to be salted with common and vulgar ,salt1 which is appointed by ,god for this end1 that it might afford nourishment to the humane ,body1 corroborate and strengthen it1 as we see that ,bread1 ,flesh1 and all ,herbs or ,sallets1 may be indeed eaten without salt1 but not to afford so much nourishment3 ,for it is commonly known1 that ,flesh1 ,fish1 and ,sallets being salted1 do far better satisfie and nourish1 than if those ,foods should be received into the stomach wholly destitute of ,salt4 ,for this reason men that undergo hard labours eat ,flesh1 ,fish1 ,herbs1 and other ,foods1 plentifully seasoned with salt1 whereby their ,bodies are preserved in their due strength2 but those who are not exercised with ,such labours1 feed upon ,foods not so salt1 but of a more easie digestion4 ,salt therefore is the only nutriment not only of ,vegetables and ,animals1 but also of ,minerals2 yea1 it universally nourisheth and encreaseth whatsoever existed in the ,world4 ,seeing therefore that without salt nothing can exist or live1 and that the life of all things consisteth in salt alone1 as is witnessed by daily experience2 ,wherefore do ,fools think ,salt to be a thing of so small moment8 ,i answer1 ,that this happens because very few know what ,salt is1 what ,powers and ,virtues it exerteth1 and what is reconded in its inward ,penetrals3 ,as is said a little before1 ,i compare salt to a ,carrier1 because he carrieth or conveyeth all those things which are put to him1 whether good or evil1 thither to where they are to be conveyed1 without any labour or trouble1 but committing the care to him1 who taketh all the burden4 ,in like manner1 ,salt being mixed with good things1 which administer a good nourishment1 assisteth the nutritive faculty1 and is the conveyer1 helper1 and strengthener of the adjoined nutriment3 ,being mixed with venomous and hurtful things1 it encreaseth and confirmeth the ,venom with great detriment to the ,body1 insinuating it into the ,passages and ,members1 into which1 without salt1 the ,venom could not have penetrated2 therefore with the good it is good1 and with the evil it is evil1 and being addicted to neither part1 is subservient to both1 according to the will of the ,artist1 making good the vulgar ,proverb1 ,salt and ,wine quicken the wit3 ,that is1 when mixed with good things1 they be moderately used4 ,so also the contrary is true1 if it be said1 that ,salt and ,wine deprave the ,wit2 which ,i could demonstrate by many ,examples1 which for brevity sake are here omitted4 ,nevertheless1 that ,i may be the better understood1 ,i will instance in two things3 ,as ,i said but now1 if ,salt be mixed with good subjects1 containing a good nourishment1 such are ,bread1 ,flesh1 and ,herbs1 the same are rendered fitter for nourishment1 if daily experience may be credited1 which no man will deny4 ,why therefore should not the contrary be likely1 that it should render an evil thing yet worse1 and corrupt it more1 if it be associated with it4 ,as for example1 ,common ,argent-vive is esteemed ,poison1 and indeed truly1 and is rendered obnoxious to a greater or lesser poisonous quality1 according as it shall undergo this or that ,preparation4 ,if one swallow half an ounce of it1 it operateth nothing in the ,body1 and passeth away without hurt2 but being sublimed with salts1 and exalted in its venomous quality1 being exhibited in the weight but of two1 three1 or four grains1 is sufficient to kill a man4 ,in the same manner ,orpiment1 as digged out of the ,mountains1 performeth nothing of good in an humane ,body1 exciting frequent and intolerable vomitings and stools1 if given in too great quantity2 nevertheless one1 two1 three1 or four grains of the same may be taken without any danger1 causing easie vomits and stools2 but being exalted by sublimation with common salt1 becometh so hurtful a ,poison1 that being drank1 it forthwith killeth ,men and ,beasts4 ,so also it is with white ,arsenick1 which being sublimed with ,salt1 obtaineth such a poisonous nature1 as is commonly known1 although the cause of that evil be known to few1 as the said ,examples do sufficiently declare4 ,i will yet add one thing over and above1 for the sake of the ,ignorant3 ,they who have been versed in the ,labours of the ,fire1 know those things1 and want not my teaching1 although their number be very small1 but of the ,ignorant and ,unskilful it is large enough4 ,arsenick and ,cobolt are indeed most vehement ,poisons1 but nevertheless are not hurtful to the ,body1 if they be taken in their corporal form2 but being exasperated by sublimation with ,salts1 and reduced into a more fugacious nature1 arrive to that vehemence1 that they are able to kill a man only by their odour4 ,those who have mixed ,arsenick with ,vitriol and ,salt-petre1 for the preparing of graduating ,waters1 as they call them1 have experienced the ,truth of this4 ,such ,waters are so vehemently poisonous1 that they smite the ,heart with a trembling of any one that taketh in their odour by the ,nose1 and also extreamly debilitate the ,brain4 ,that vulgar ,proverb1 which saith1 ,that ,salt corroborateth the ,heart and quickeneth the ,wit1 is true1 when wholesom and healthful things are associated with it2 but if things unwholesom and poisonous be adjoined with it1 it doth the quite contrary1 suffocating the ,heart1 and weakening the ,brain1 both which ,i my self have found4 ,long ago1 when ,i was young1 being occupied with ,arsenical ,waters of this kind1 it often happened to me1 that those strong saline ,spirits had almost put out my ,candle4 ,again1 on the contrary1 ,i have found1 when ,i have mixed corroborating subjects with ,salt1 that it hath encreased their strengthening ,virtues1 and exalted them in a wonderful manner4 ,therefore it is not without reason that ,paracelsus teacheth1 ,that ,gold exerciseth no power or virtue in the humane ,body1 but by the ,spirit of ,salts1 which insinuate the virtues of ,gold into the ,members1 and augmenteth them4 ,here some may say1 ,seeing that other ,metals exert their powers in humane ,bodies without ,salt1 ,why should not ,gold also do the same1 if it hath any virtues8 ,i answer1 ,that this is the reason of the difference1 because the other ,metals being reduced into small ,particles1 by filing1 do act in the humane ,body1 by reason of their own ,vitriolate ,salt1 which they retain in melting1 more easily admitting solution in the ,stomach1 and performing their ,operations1 by reason of that natural acidity1 which ,operations would be exasperated by the addition of ,salt4 ,but that the imperfect ,metals effect nothing of good in the body of ,man1 is witnessed by ,tin and ,copper1 in a ,vessel of which1 ,wine standing all night1 and then drank1 causeth ,vomitings and ,cholical pains1 as also ,palpitations of the ,heart2 in exciting of which1 ,copper exceedeth ,tin1 which doth not so frequently excite ,accidents of this kind1 especially that which is not adulterated with ,bismuth or ,tinglass1 but is pure and unmixt4 ,lead being swallowed1 drieth1 and cooleth too vehemently3 ,but the filings of ,iron are used medicinally1 not without great profit1 because they kill and expel the ,worms in ,children2 and its ,crocus is also wont to be mixed with astringent ,medicines with ,fruit4 ,silver being filed and taken1 is of no use in the humane ,body1 because it hath in it self no salt1 with which ,iron and ,copper are endowed4 ,nevertheless1 being prepared with ,salt1 it obtains an entrance into the ,members of the ,body1 and expelleth all hurtful ,humours1 and strengtheneth the ,brain4 ,but being bitterer than ,gall1 it is so ingrateful to the ,palate1 that it is more difficult to be taken than ,vitriol it self4 ,gold1 the most eminent among all the ,metals1 in purity and nobility in its own nature1 possesseth no ,salt1 and therefore hath no ,operation at all in the ,body1 whether it be taken in filings1 or reduced to a subtile powder2 for the acidum of the ,stomach is not of so great power1 that it can enter and dissolve ,gold as it dissolved ,copper and ,iron1 but dischargeth it with the ,excrements in the same form in which it was taken4 ,hence the ,unskilful have been so bold1 as to exclude ,gold from a medicinal use1 as a thing destitute of all ,virtue1 and altogether of no use2 an errour truly not ,philosophick1 but foolish1 proceeding from meer unskilfulness and ignorance1 seeing that ,experience doth altogether testifie the contrary4 ,he that believeth no ,virtues to be in ,gold1 may by an easie experiment find the contrary1 if he shall dissolve it in ,spirit of ,salt well cleansed and rectified1 and shall drink a little of this ,solution mixed with ,wine or ,beer1 or any warm ,broth or ,gruel1 for he shall perceive a very swift and healthful ,operation1 calling out all ,superfluous fces1 according as they shall offend1 either by ,vomit1 ,stool1 or ,sweat1 or ,urine1 without any weakening of the ,body1 but evidently confirming its strength1 as ,i have shewed in my ,book entituled1 ,the ,consolation of ,navigators1 in few words1 by reason of the shortness of time1 which did not allow me to treat of this matter more at large4 ,nevertheless ,i here assert1 that a solution of ,gold of this sort by ,spirit of ,salt1 is able to perform very much in ,medicine1 although by reason of its ingrateful relish1 it is not much to be esteemed3 ,for seeing the spirit of ,salt1 with which the ,gold is to be dissolved1 ought to be very strong from this corrosive ,liquor1 without which the ,gold cannot be dissolved2 first1 this incommodity ariseth1 that its use is unpleasant1 it blacketh the ,lips and edgeth the ,teeth2 to which may be added1 that a great quantity of ,liquor is required for this solution1 and the acidity by degrees bringeth loathing to the sick1 and sometimes the sick cannot bear the sharpness4 ,moreover1 if this solution be taken in ,broth1 it hindereth its operation1 and wanteth the desired success1 of which it is not destitute when drank in ,wine or ,beer4 ,for this reason this ,medicament1 which in itself is very noble1 and of great moment1 is difficultly admitted into use4 ,but because we have said that ,gold without ,salts is able to operate nothing at all1 its whole solution consists in such a menstruum which is neither corrosive1 nor of an unpleasant relish1 nevertheless openeth the ,gold1 and rendereth it apt to become a very wholsom ,medicine2 which endowments ,i have found in no other thing but my ,sal ,mirabile1 which being void of all corrosion and unpleasantness1 is it self an excellent ,medicament1 and conciliateth a pleasant sweetness to all things which it dissolveth3 ,for when it dissolveth ,gold1 it doth not stain the lips and hands with any colour1 like other solutions1 which are made by ,aqua ,regia1 or spirit of salt2 neither also doth it astringe like other solutions1 but is of pleasant use1 and exerteth its gift by a noble ,operation4 ,i have tried many admirable things with this ,salt1 and at length obtained a solution1 or rather an extraction of ,gold1 green as ,grass1 and is a very wholesom and most noble ,medicament3 ,for he who hath brought ,gold to a greeness1 hath performed much1 in praise of which1 many ancient ,philosophers call it ,the ,blessed ,viridity4 ,but what this greeness may effect in ,medicine1 belongs not to this place1 seeing that ,i intend here to treat of nothing but ,salt1 and to prove it to be the ,beginning and ,end of all things1 and that it encreaseth and exalteth the powers and virtues of all things4 ,and seeing that this is agreeable to ,truth it self1 and cannot be disproved by any man1 it must necessarily be granted1 that a ,salt brought to the highest degree of ,purity1 7as mine is7 must be far better1 and more noble than any gross and impure ,salt4 ,also because it amplifieth and exalteth the virtues of all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 and that ,gold exceedeth in nobleness all other ,creatures which are found under the ,sun1 it is easie to conjecture1 that if the purest and most noble part of ,salt shall be associated with ,gold1 that also a most noble ,medicine must thence arise3 ,for ,salt and ,gold1 being the ,off-spring of the ,sun1 are 7as it were7 immortal and incorruptible1 and therefore afford help to all mortal and corruptible things1 and defend them from putrefaction and corruption4 ,nevertheless1 ,i would not have any man perswade himself1 that in these words ,i go about to assert any ,immortality1 my purpose tendeth not thither1 seeing that ,i am not ignorant that there is no ,medicine against ,death4 ,i would only signifie this1 that from the association of ,salt and ,gold1 there must necessarily proceed an excellent ,medicament4 ,if ,salt carrieth and promoteth the ,virtues of other things1 wherefore also should it not promote and convey the ,virtues of ,gold8 ,truly there is found no ,herb so abject1 no ,stone so vile1 nor no ,bone so contemptible1 that doth not possess its own ,virtues3 ,who then can deny that ,gold1 as the most ,noble ,creature of ,god 7after the ,sun and ,salt1 of which it is generated7 should possess ,gifts and ,endowments1 to be preferred to those of the more vile ,creatures8 ,that nothing of evil can proceed from two excellent subjects1 to wit1 ,gold and ,salt1 every unskilful ,rustick can understand2 ,wherefore then cannot those proud and idle ,scoffers perceive it8 ,i think it to be1 because they would not be numbred among rude and ignorant ,asses1 if subscribing to my words1 they should confess such a ,medicine to be in rerum natura1 and notwithstanding to be ignorant of its ,preparation4 ,but it were better for them not to envy those who have received such ,gifts1 nor to assault the ,innocent with so many filthy ,calumnies and ,slanders1 but to leave those things to them which exceed their own ,capacities4 ,i now make mention of my ,green-,lyon1 whose wonderful ,virtues are to be declared and manifested to the whole ,world2 although ,i well know1 that this ,green-,lyon will not find fewer enemies than my white or red ,aurum ,potabile hath done3 ,for the ,devil can in no wise suffer1 that any thing which is profitable to ,mankind should be made manifest1 therefore he useth all his power and arts to hinder the knowledge of the ,truth1 by casting stumbling-blocks in its way4 ,what various ,arts have been excogitated1 to bring my ,aurum ,potabile into ,contempt1 and indeed by such a sort of men1 who might easily think that ,i should not grant one drop of it to such haters of the ,truth1 although they should petition me for it4 ,and seeing those ,pot-,companions could not ask it of me1 they have endeavoured to extort it from me1 under pretence of the sick1 not that they would serve the sick1 but only get an occasion of contemning it1 and of bringing it into an ,odium with the ,sick1 lest by it they should recover their former ,health4 ,have they not taken counsel together in their ,meetings1 one offering this1 another thing1 so that by every way possible they might oppugn my ,aurum ,potabile8 ,but1 this ,hatred and ,envy1 carried on against me with great study1 ,i leave to the ,divine ,vengeance2 and although many watery and obscure ,clouds may endeavour to hide the ,sun1 and to overspread his warm and vivisick ,beams with darkness1 nevertheless they shall effect nothing2 for at length being dispersed into vapours1 and vanishing in ,clouds1 they will give place to the ,solar ,rays4 ,there is nothing able to extinguish the ,truth1 which may indeed be prest1 but never overcome1 and is therefore like the ,light1 never wholly extinguished4 ,the ,air is never filled with so many dark ,clouds1 but at length they being dissipated1 the ,sun again appears to sight4 ,by a like reason also the ,truth at length freeth it self from the snares of lyes1 and cometh forth into the ,light3 ,therefore ,i may without fear propose the ,truth1 although there be many that can but ill bear my liberty of speech2 for ,,god is to be obeyed rather than ,men and the benefits due to ,good men are not to be omitted for the sake of those which are ,evil4 ,therefore 7in the ,name of ,god7 ,i will go on in declaring the ,virtues of my ,sal ,mirabile2 because ,i have said in the precedent discourse1 that ,salt is the ,rector or ,disposer of all things1 carrying their virtues conjoined with it self1 to their due place2 therefore it is not fit that evil and venomous things should be adjoined to it1 but such as are good only1 if any thing of good be expected from it4 ,but there is no ,creature under the ,sun more noble1 excellent1 and pure than ,gold1 nor which more resisteth the destruction of all the ,elements1 which without a true solution1 as we have said1 cannot render the ,body of ,man partaker of its ,virtues1 and all corroding solutions are found to be unfit to dissolve it2 therefore such a solution is required1 as may be performed by the help of a ,salt which is not corrosive2 therefore taking such a one in hand1 we will see what good is to be expected from it4 ,of the ,use of my ,sal ,mirabilis1 as well in the ,solution of ,metals1 as in the ,preparation of ,medicines4 ,first1 it is to be noted1 ,that not only ,metals1 but also all ,stones1 and ,bones themselves1 refusing the solution of all corrosive ,salts1 may be radically dissolved by my ,sal ,mirabile1 and most things so dissolved1 whether they be ,metallick1 ,vegetable1 or ,mineral1 put on a green colour1 of some of which the greeness remaineth1 but of others1 in process of time1 is changed into a yellow or red colour4 ,concerning this wonderful mutation and solution1 ,i could write a great ,volume1 if ,i had not designed this ,labour for another place1 intending here only to describe the solution of ,gold1 because another better cannot be found4 ,i have found the solution of the rest of the ,metals which are adhibited1 to be unfit either for the preservation or recovery of ,health1 as ,i have admonished a little before2 but ,i have found ,salt and ,gold to be most noble subjects1 of which an excellent ,medicine must necessarily be prepared3 ,for ,salt exalteth the ,powers and ,virtues of all things to a high degree of perfection1 and insinuateth them into the humane body3 ,this seems to me not unlike the volatile and fugacious ,spirit of ,vegetables1 as of ,wine and ,beer1 c4 which coming into the ,body of ,man1 addeth strength to the ,animal ,spirit1 that it moveth it self more readily1 and with greater alacrity4 ,indeed every other ,meat and ,drink1 whether it be ,bread or ,water1 communicateth some strength to the ,body1 but not so powerfully and efficaciously as any generous ,wine1 whose ,spirit is very pure1 efficacious1 and subtile2 so that its too plentiful use awakeneth all things that lie hid in a ,man1 and brings them to light4 ,in the same manner ,salt encreaseth and confirmeth all things1 being united with them1 maketh manifest all their hiden ,virtues1 which without ,salt would remain in darkness4 ,who could have manifested to us that great ,poison which lies hid in ,arsenick1 if ,salts had not revealed it8 ,if any melancholly ,person 7who otherwise in his own nature is prone to stilness1 like one dead7 shall drink any spirituous ,wine1 or strong ,drink1 his ,spirits1 that were before dull1 and as it were buried in a ,dream1 will presently be awakened1 and his ,tongue set at liberty4 ,the same doth ,salt perform1 which addeth an encrease to the powers of all things1 especially of the ,metals1 which it rendereth manifest and known4 ,and indeed without ,salt ,poisons could not have been known1 as ,i have said a little above1 concerning ,arsenick and ,argent-vive3 ,if ,salt worketh those things in evil subjects1 by dilating and encreasing their malignity1 ,why should it not effect the same in good subjects1 by augmenting their goodness8 ,therefore1 because among ,animal1 ,vegetable1 and ,mineral subjects1 there are none more noble and eminent than ,gold and ,salt1 which have their original from the ,sun1 it would be ill done to pass them by1 and to seek viler subjects1 for the making of an excellent ,medicine1 seeing that if we take ,wine1 ,salt1 and ,gold1 there are no other things which afford us so excellent ,virtues4 ,therefore acquiescing in these1 we will endeavour of them to make a most noble ,medicament4 ,the ,,process4 ,take three or four parts of ,sal ,mirabile1 and one part of ,gold 7rightly fitted or prepared for this ,operation7 mix them1 and put the mixture into a strong ,glass ,retort1 well luted1 which place in an open fire1 encreasing the fire by degrees1 until the ,glass be red hot1 urge the fire1 and continue it stronger1 for an hour1 then cease1 and let all cool1 take out the ,retort1 and free it from the ,lute1 that it may not be mixed with the matter contained in the ,glass1 but that may remain pure1 which is to be accurately separated from the ,glass1 and together with what is sublimed into the neck of the ,retort1 to be put into a clean glass2 which matter will look of a greenish colour3 ,to this matter pour some ,rain-water1 that it may be dissolved in an easie heat1 and the ,salt1 with part of the ,gold1 may be mixed with the ,water4 ,filter this grass-green ,solution through ,paper1 and draw off some part of the water by destillation1 that the green ,liquor may remain1 not corroding nor tasting sharp1 nor yet too urinous1 but fit to be drank in all ,vehicles4 ,the ,gold which the ,sal ,enixum hath not dissolved1 you will find after the solution1 which you may again use for the like ,work2 but the green ,liquor you may presently use1 as well in ,medicine as in ,alchymy1 which will afford you many profitable things4 ,he that will draw off all the ,phlegm to a green ,salt1 and then extract that salt with an alkalized ,spirit of ,wine1 will obtain a ,medicine yet more efficacious3 ,for the ,spirit of ,wine will not be tinged with a green1 but a red colour1 and will be very sweet1 rendering the ,golden ,virtues of the ,salt more efficacious1 and more commodiously and readily insinuateth them into the ,members of the ,humane ,body4 ,,nb4 ,this is to be noted1 ,that the ,sal ,enixum doth not imbibe the whole mass of ,gold in dissolving1 but only its purer part4 ,now1 if you repeat this ,operation upon the same pure mass1 as yet once more1 you will extract the greatest purity1 and without all doubt obtain a most noble ,medicament1 which no man can refute1 although he be a capital ,enemy to the ,truth4 ,this is the ,operation1 no less compendious than true1 of preparing a great ,medicine of ,gold1 ,salt1 and ,wine1 meriting the name of an ,aurum ,potabile1 whose great ,powers and ,virtues are now to be manifested to the necessitous ,sick4 ,of the ,powers and ,virtues of my ,green-,lyon1 ,vitriol of ,sol1 or ,wonderful ,golden ,salt4 ,this green golden ,liquor may be safely and pleasantly used by all1 whether young or old1 sick or in health1 without any difference of ,persons1 because it containeth nothing which is evil or prejudicial3 ,for a cleansed ,salt and ,gold1 never inferr any ill1 but are alwaies profitable1 exercising their wholesom ,operations1 as well in ,vegetables1 as ,animals and ,minerals1 as in the following ,treatise shall be clearly demonstrated4 ,first1 ,this green liquor1 only by its external aspect1 cheereth the ,heart1 ,brain1 and all the vital ,spirits1 seeing that of all colours there is none superiour to the ,green in pleasantness1 of which all men are witness1 who have overcome the intense cold of a sharp ,winter1 behold the renewing greenness of the ,trees half dead1 and ,herbs extinct1 in the ,spring time1 with great delight and pleasure1 and feel all the ,blood in their ,body to be renewed and revived4 ,secondly1 ,this ,golden ,liquor being drank1 strengtheneth and confirmeth the whole humidum radicale1 ,stomach1 ,brain1 and all the inward parts of the body1 beyond all other ,medicines which ,i have hitherto known4 ,also it expelleth ,melancholly1 and all anxieties of ,mind1 taketh away ,palpitations of the ,heart1 openeth ,obstructions of the internal ,vessels2 it healeth the hurts of the inward parts1 as ,liver1 ,lungs1 c4 and cureth all inward ,exulcerations2 it cureth ,gravel and ,stone1 whether in the ,reins or ,bladder2 it keepeth the ,body soluble2 expelleth ,wind1 with the pains of the ,cholick2 preserveth the ,blood from ,corruption2 cureth the ,leprosie1 ,scabs1 and ,fevers of all sorts2 in process of time it taketh away the ,gout2 to the insulting ,apoplexy and ,epilepsie it affordeth present ,cure2 it cleanseth the ,blood infected by the ,scurvy1 ,plague1 and other contagious ,diseases2 it preserveth and freeth from all internal ,ulcers2 defendeth the ,lungs1 ,liver1 and other parts1 and removeth ,exulcerations already arisen1 and takes them away radically4 ,it so tingeth all the inward parts of a ,man with its ,balsamick ,virtue1 that not being easily obnoxious to ,diseases1 they enjoy a sound and long ,life4 ,outwardly used1 it healeth all fresh wounds1 no less than old and open ,ulcers1 without any ,ointments or ,plasters2 for in curing ,ulcers of this sort1 there is nothing in ,animals1 ,vegetables1 or ,minerals1 which answereth to this in ,virtue2 as also inwardly it cureth ,ruptures4 ,this is the nature and property of ,gold1 that it most potently taketh away all filths1 and also astringeth2 which two things are necessarily required in the ,cure of all ,ulcers4 ,this ,salt1 by its own help1 commodiously doth the same1 and also wonderfully promotes the ,virtues of the ,gold3 ,the said ,liquor very quickly taketh away the ,ulcers of the ,mouth and ,throat1 with all their scorbutick ,infection1 which are wont to give way but very slowly to other ,medicines3 ,and this it doth1 although the ,tongue1 ,uvula1 and all the ,palate should be full of ,pustules4 ,in short1 for the taking away all internal and external ,ulcers1 ,i think no ,medicine preferrable to this ,liquor2 but all other defects of the ,body which it cureth1 for brevity's sake1 ,i will pass over4 ,moreover1 this green and golden ,liquor hath this nature and property1 that beyond all other ,medicaments1 it conciliateth a wonderful fertility to all things1 as its signature1 the wit1 the green colour1 and my diverse infallible ,experiments1 do truly testifie4 ,hence the seeds of all ,vegetables being macerated in the same ,liquor1 and set in meer naked ,sand1 they put forth golden ,sprouts and ,plants1 having a smell much stronger and pleasanter1 a fairer colour1 and greater length than those which grow out of a fat ,earth4 ,therefore this green ,liquor holdeth the chief place in rendering ,vegetables green and fruitful1 and augmenting their growing faculty2 so also among all the ,medicines1 ,i know it hath no equal in conciliating and preserving fertility in the humane body3 ,for in all the ,diseases of ,mankind it bringeth great help and comfort1 and effecteth more in assisting the fruitfulness both of ,male and ,female1 than can be believed1 and is so great an exciter of ,venus1 that it bringeth great solace not only to ,old men1 who being baulked by their younger ,wives1 are forced to lie still1 but also to such ,women who are barren in their flourishing age1 and therefore destitute of ,heirs4 ,i write not dreaming1 but am taught by ,experience1 having seen some men so strengthened by this ,medicine1 that they have seemed to themselves never to have been weak1 the which also some ,women have experienced4 ,nevertheless such ,medicaments are not to be administred too frequently to this ,sex1 seeing that without this sort of help they are wont to be sometimes exagitated by a more salacious ,itch than is convenient3 ,its use is more safe to ,old men1 inasmuch as it cannot do them the least damage4 ,nor ought those things which ,i here deliver1 to seem a wonder to any1 for they have their certain and undoubted causes of ,operation4 ,let those two ,subjects1 of which the ,green-,lyon is composed1 to wit1 salt gold be inspected2 they are the best of things1 necessarily required to the generation of all things2 for1 what herb can be brought forth without seed and salt8 not indeed the least3 for if the earth or sand wanteth salt1 the seed of the ,herb can neither have nutriment nor production3 ,yea1 if the seed it self be also sowed in a fat ,earth1 and yet be destitute of the ,rays of the ,sun1 it can in no wise grow out of the ,earth1 but will be suffocated and perish2 the which thing is not hid to ,rusticks1 who after they have sowed their seed1 do ardently expect the warm ,sunshine4 ,therefore1 for a desirable coming up of ,vegetables out of the ,earth1 and their encrease1 there is required a fat and salt ,earth1 as also the warm and fruitful heat of the ,sun1 with necessary ,rain2 which also is to be understood of the generation and multiplication of ,animals4 ,,nb4 ,in ,aurum ,potabile salt supplies the room of fatness1 ,gold is the ,sun1 and the ,spirit of ,wine performeth the ,office of the warm and fruitful ,rain2 so also no ,minerals are procreated1 but by the help of the sun1 and labour of salt4 ,they exercising their operations upon the ,water1 generate ,minerals1 as the ,writings of the ancient ,philosophers teach4 ,some ignorant man may here object and ask1 ,how it can be1 that the ,sun1 by operating in the depth of the ,earth1 should generate ,minerals and ,metals of salt8 ,let him know1 that the ,sun1 by his hot ,rays1 doth excite the central fire in the profundity of the ,earth2 which central fire is not unknown to those who are occupied in digging ,metals out of the ,earth1 who sometimes feel so strong a heat1 that laying aside their ,clothes1 they are constrained to labour very leisurely1 yea1 sometimes wholly to intermit it2 as ,i have taught in ,the ,first ,part of my ,mineral ,work4 ,therefore no man of a sound mind will dare to oppose these things1 seeing that it is wholly agreeable to ,truth1 that generation and encrease in all ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals1 do arise from the sun and salt1 to which water is wont to be an help4 ,seeing therefore that my golden ,liquor is prepared of such subjects1 it can operate no other thing than fertility1 and thereby signed by ,nature with that beautiful greenness1 by which it signifieth its endowment to render all things fruitful3 ,god adorneth nothing with ,his marks and signs in vain2 from which1 as from ,his signatures1 the powers and virtues may be more clearly known1 than from ,books4 ,for the signature with which things are signed by ,,god and ,nature never erreth2 but the ,books and ,writings compiled by ,men very often erre4 ,wherefore did the ancient ,philosophers and ,poets worship ,venus1 the ,goddess of ,love and of ,generation1 and attribute to her a beautiful green1 generated of the spume or foam of the sea8 ,what is the foam or froth which the sea calleth out upon the shore1 but salt1 which being dried up by the heat of the sun1 is reduced to salt8 ,and the ,poets1 especially ,virgil and ,ovid1 who were men of great literature1 would not have handled such things with so prolix an ambage of words1 but that they were willing by their ,fabulous writings to reveal that great ,philosophick ,mystery to the world3 ,therefore ,i constantly assert1 ,that this green ,liquor is the chief ,medicine of all things to grow or be encreased1 as its pleasant ,viridity and infallible ,experience do testifie4 ,the ,ocean1 the ,mother of all fertility1 sheweth also its greenness1 especially in those places where it is rich in salt1 and strongly irradiated by the ,beams of the ,sun4 ,this is well known among ,seamen1 who from the change of the water into a greener colour1 presently collect1 that they are near to hotter ,regions1 in which the ,sun-beams are more strongly projected2 for in such places the ,sea is so salt1 that it shineth like fire3 ,the ,urine of those pissing out of a ship1 falling into the ,sea1 sheweth like sparks of fire2 there four parts of water are found to contain one part of salt4 ,the ,mediterranean ,sea is not so full of ,salt1 as that which is between ,spain and ,france2 and again1 in this it self is found not a little difference1 seeing that the ,spanish side exceedeth the ,french in saltness2 and the ,ocean it self1 by how much the nearer it is to the ,north1 by so much it is less salt2 for which reason also the salt is weaker1 and of less ,virtue1 being more remote from the beams of the ,sun4 ,therefore the ,danes1 ,sweeds1 and other ,nations1 inhabiting the ,northern parts1 although they have plenty of ,sea-water1 nevertheless they do not make salt of it1 but fetch it from ,france or ,spain2 which is a ,testimony evident enough1 that salt is elaborated in the water by the most ardent ,beams of the ,sun1 and produced for the sake of an universal fertility4 ,this is indicated by the ,german name of the ,sea1 ,meer1 which is all one as if we should say ,vermeer1 that is1 ,encrease1 ,enlarge4 ,an ,appellation very well agreeing with the thing1 because without the ,sea nothing would encrease in the ,earth1 but on the contrary1 all things live1 and are encreased by it4 ,hence the green colour is a manifest ,index and ,signature of ,fruitfulness1 which might be demonstrated by infinite examples1 which1 for the avoiding of prolixity1 is not here necessary1 seeing that the thing it self is so manifest4 ,some profligate ,deriders1 who love to oppose the ,truth1 may say1 ,that this green colour doth not proceed from ,gold1 but from ,copper1 that so they may draw honest men away from the ,truth1 because no ,gold seemeth to them to be of use in ,medicine2 with which ,cavil they have before now accosted my ,aurum ,potabile4 ,that ,i may stop their impure mouths and obviate the frivolous ,objections of this sort1 ,i say1 that ,i indeed confess1 ,copper among the ,metals doth obtain a green colour1 if it be dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 and other corrosive ,liquors of that kind3 ,but ,gold being dissolved in the same1 appeared in a yellow colour1 and not a green1 which is known to every body4 ,but who would think me to be so stupid and rude1 to impose upon any so open a ,cheat8 ,who also in any wise could hide such a ,cheat8 ,for ,copper being dissolved in salt waters1 would presently discover the ,fraud1 by its evil nauseating and ,vitriolick taste1 of which but one drop being swallowed down1 would excite violent ,vomitings1 and would not be a ,medicine1 but rather a ,poison4 ,moreover1 if you put a ,knife into such a solution1 it will be presently covered over with the ,copper1 and appear to be ,coppery4 ,the contrary plainly happeneth1 if any pure ,iron be dipped in my ,green-,lyon2 for it will presently appear to be gilt with the colour of ,gold1 and that more fair and eminent than any ,ducat1 or other piece of golden ,mony exhibiteth4 ,if any ,iron-,wire be put into it1 and there left for a certain time1 it will at length be changed into a pure ,gold1 which is an infallible testimony1 that that ,liquor doth not draw its original from ,copper1 but from ,gold4 ,again1 it may be objected1 that a vulgar solution of ,gold by ,aqua ,regia1 also tingeth ,iron with a golden colour1 and adhereth to the same2 therefore this is no strange thing1 forasmuch as it is common and known to every man4 ,i answer1 ,that such a ,solution1 not green1 but yellow1 doth indeed by precipitation adhere to the ,iron1 and dissolved the ,iron it self1 and reduced it into a ,mud1 but doth not penetrate it1 and preserve it in its form1 as my green ,liquor doth1 which therefore is not to be numbred among those corrosive solutions2 but that which is done by the ,sal ,enixum1 is rather to be called an ,extraction than a ,solution3 ,for my ,sal ,mirabile is of that nature1 that it doth not throughly dissolve any fine ,powder1 or ,calx of ,gold1 but only extracted from it whatsoever is most pure1 and leaveth the rest like a black ,powder4 ,moreover1 that ,solution is not corrosive2 for if it were1 it would corrode and dissolve the ,iron1 and not tinge it with the colour1 and advance it to the degree of ,gold1 the ,iron remaining whole4 ,by a like reason the green ,solution of ,copper1 made with the vulgar corrosive waters1 associateth it self with the ,iron1 in a green colour1 corrodeth it1 and forsaketh the ,copper4 ,but if ,copper be dissolved with my ,sal ,mirabile1 that solution doth not penetrate ,iron1 but transmuteth the whole in its own form into ,copper1 yet not presently1 but in a long progress of time4 ,from all these things may be seen the great difference between the vulgar corrosive solutions of ,gold1 ,copper1 and other ,metals1 and mine1 void of all corrosion1 which is performed by my ,sal ,mirabile1 dissolving the ,bodies of the ,metals1 after a far other manner than those corrosive solutions are made4 ,therefore it is not to be reckoned among vulgar solutions1 seeing that it possessed far other ,virtues4 ,the vulgar solution of ,gold1 made by ,aqua ,regia1 hurteth all things1 as a corrosive ,poison2 a little of it being put to any ,vegetable seed1 deprived it of all its growing faculty1 and throughly killed it4 ,some drops of it being drank by a ,man1 would corrode his throat and stomach1 like ,poison4 ,a ,liquor of this sort1 by its corrosive and gnawing faculty1 converteth the ,metal put into it into slime or mudd4 ,that solution which is made by the rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 may safely be taken by any1 when a sufficient quantity of ,water is mixed with it2 but it is not sweet1 it constringeth the ,tongue1 and staineth the ,hands2 this doth not my green ,liquor1 for it neither coloureth the ,hands1 nor astringeth the ,tongue1 nor yet corrodeth the seeds of ,vegetables1 but rather exciteth them to fertility4 ,whence it appears1 that my said ,sal ,mirabile is not corrosive1 but by it self is a good ,medicine for all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 which ,experience it self most evidently argueth3 ,therefore it can work nothing but good1 because prepared without any ,corrosive1 and represented to the eye by a wonderful signature1 to wit1 the fair ,green colour4 ,this signature is an undoubted token of its extraordinary ,virtues1 in rendering all living things vegete and fruitful1 which lie absconded in its inward ,penetrals4 ,and this ,i think sufficient to be said to those foolish and idle ,cavils of ignorant ,scoffers1 with which they may insult over me4 ,whatsoever ,i have here ascribed to my ,green ,lyon1 my red ,aurum ,potabile1 extracted with ,spirit of ,wine1 also performeth the same1 and that as well in ,vegetables and ,animals1 as in ,minerals2 for the ,spirit of ,wine can hurt none of them1 but rather insinuateth the virtues of ,gold into ,vegetables and ,animals1 and rendereth them more efficacious4 ,but concerning the solution of ,gold by my ,sal ,mirabile1 and its efficacy and operation1 this may suffice for the present4 ,as for the solution of the other ,metals1 there is no need to make many words1 or to write a large ,volume about it1 seeing that from what hath been already said1 any man may easily conjecture1 that solutions of this sort1 made by the help of ,sal ,mirabile1 are far better than those made by ,corrosives4 ,the ,vitriol of ,venus made by its help1 doth not hurt ,vegetables1 as common ,vitriol1 which killeth the same by its corrosion2 but the ,vitriol made by ,sal ,mirabile wonderfully promoteth the growing faculty in ,vegetables1 so that ,lunar1 ,venereal1 ,martial1 ,jovial1 and ,mercurial ,herbs may be produced1 which will have wonderful effects1 especially if the ,vegetative faculties of ,lunar ,herbs be encreased and promoted by the ,salt of ,luna2 of ,venereal1 by the ,salt of ,venus1 and so of the rest4 ,enough hath been spoken to the ,wise1 but he that hitherto cannot apprehend what ,i have said1 is an ,ass1 and unworthy of such ,arcanums4 ,from this ,foundation a diligent ,physician may erect a far other method of ,curing1 and may prepare for himself such ,medicines1 by which he may obtain ,honour and ,wealth4 ,i have for many years observed1 that ,herbs are wont to acquire ,martial faculties and properties1 if they grow out of a reddish ,martial ,earth1 although they were not before of a ,martial nature1 but of a ,solar1 ,lunar1 ,venereal1 ,jovial1 ,saturnine1 or ,mercurial ,property4 ,but how much more would the innate properties and virtues of ,herbs be strengthened and encreased1 if they were not nourished by the ,dung of ,animals1 but set in pure sand and watered with ,sal ,mirabile impregnated with the virtues of ,metals1 and thence acquire the promotion of their growing faculty4 ,truly other ,herbs of far greater ,virtues1 and other odours and tasts1 would be brought forth1 than the common1 which are wont to be produced by the ,dung of ,animals1 and the simple ,salt of the ,earth4 ,by this means so strong an attractive ,power may be conciliated to the ,seeds of all ,herbs1 that by a ,magnetick power they may attract to themselves the ,astral powers and influences1 and so encrease their ,virtues1 that without any ,preparation they might be able to cure all ,diseases to admiration4 ,,nb4 ,that it is necessary1 that he that would exactly understand the nature of ,herbs1 should know how to promote the vegetative faculties of ,solar ,herbs1 with ,solar ,salt2 of ,lunar with ,lunar1 and so of the rest1 and not that he should intermix the one with the other1 without any consideration2 which without doubt would be a hindrance to the desired success4 ,consider these things with an accurate ,meditation1 as great ,secrets and ,arcanums1 which will not be revealed to the perverse ,world4 ,a word to the ,wise is enough2 therefore ,i will add no more2 but ,i make no doubt1 but that this ,revelation of my ,sal ,mirabile1 in process of time1 will be accepted by diligent ,physicians1 and bring so much benefit1 that they will by the same effect much good in comforting and curing the ,sick4 ,all things have their time1 so also this ,arcanum1 which in its time will be in vigour2 but ,i would not have any man perswade himself1 that he may fish out of me the ,preparation of my ,sal ,mirabile1 ,i will not cast ,pearls before ingrateful ,swine1 but will reserve them for ,friends4 ,but lest an occasion should be given to ignorant ,deriders1 and those that hate me1 of calumniating and slandering me1 as if ,i my self were ignorant of preparing of a ,salt of this sort1 ,i have determined to deliver some small portions to divers prudent men1 not of this ,salt only1 but also of those ,salts which are endued with the ,virtues of ,gold1 ,silver1 and other ,metals1 that at any time they may be able to exhibit a clear ,testimony of the ,truth3 ,and ,i will produce those ,herbs themselves1 that ,i may have them in readiness to shew to others4 ,therefore let no man trouble me with his ,letters1 to ask of me this salt1 or other ,medicines1 for ,i will communicate them to none1 but such as ,i know1 and with whom ,i am familiar4 ,great ,thanks are to be given to ,almighty ,,god1 who hath made this present unworthy ,world partaker of such ,magnalia4 ,i have sought1 and have opened the way to others2 let another also seek1 and enter by the way ,i have shewed1 that insisting in my footsteps1 he may by the easier labour1 obtain a greater light of ,nature4 ,but that ,i may omit nothing which pertaineth to the good ,institution and ,doctrine1 and concerneth the glory and honour of ,salt1 ,i will yet over and above add one infallible ,testimony1 by which any rude and ignorant man may evidently see1 that all fertility consisteth in ,salt only1 and that it is the most precious ,treasure of the whole ,world1 for the health of the ,body1 and that in it lie hid most ample ,riches4 ,fertility is indeed already demonstrated in many foregoing ,testimonies2 but because the ,history of the ,prophet ,elisha agreeth more than a little with these my sayings1 and may be a clear ,testimony to them1 ,i have thought fit here to adjoin it4 ,we read in #b ,kings1 #b4 #ai4 that the men of the ,city said to ,elisha1 ,behold1 it is good to dwell in this ,city1 as my ,lord seeth2 but the water is naught1 and the ground about it is barren3 ,bring hither to me 7saith he7 a new ,vessel full of ,salt4 ,which being brought1 he went to the ,spring into which he cast the ,salt1 saying1 ,thus saith the ,lord ,i have healed this ,water1 from henceforth there shall no dearth and barrenness arise thence4 ,so the ,water was healed even to this day1 according to the word of ,elisha which was spoken4 ,that this great ,mystery may the better be understood1 it will be necessary first a little to consider the ,history it self1 from which it may be known by what means the ,salt of ,elisha became so strong1 that it expelled ,death1 and rendered the ,water good1 and the barren ,earth fruitful4 ,when ,elias was to be carried up into ,heaven1 he said to ,elisha1 ,ask of me what ,i shall do for thee1 before ,i am taken from thee4 ,elisha asked of ,elias1 that he would grant to him a double portion of his ,spirit3 ,elias answered1 ,it is a hard thing which thou hast asked2 if thou shalt see me when ,i am taken from thee1 it shall be as thou desirest1 but if not1 thou shalt obtain nothing4 ,and when they went on together talking1 behold1 there cometh a fiery ,chariot with ,horses of ,fire1 and parted them asunder2 so ,elias was carried to ,heaven in a fiery ,chariot2 and ,elisha seeing this1 cried out1 ,my ,father1 my ,father1 c4 ,listen therefore1 ,wherefore did ,elias say to ,elisha1 ,if thou shalt see me when ,i shall be taken from thee1 thou shalt have thy desire1 otherwise not8 ,and why with this condition8 ,could not ,elias at his own will have rendered ,elisha the possessor of his wish8 ,perhaps very easily1 but ,elias would not without some medium1 because ,elisha was to be doubly seasoned with the ,celestial ,fire1 by which he was separated from ,elias1 for ,fire bringeth forth ,salt2 the ,celestial ,fire bringeth forth a ,celestial ,salt1 and the ,elementary ,fire an ,elementary4 ,in this ,history is set before our ,eyes the eternal ,divine ,light1 and also the natural1 although few discern either of them1 inasmuch as their hearts are hardened and obscured by a horrid blindness4 ,and both the ,old and ,new ,testament are full of such ,mysteries2 so that ,i dare boldly affirm1 ,that all the ,treasures both of ,soul and ,body may be found in the ,holy ,scriptures1 if we will2 and that we have no need to read the ,writings of the ,heathen ,philosophers4 ,i add this one thing1 ,that it is of ,god alone to open the ,eyes of those who desire to understand ,divine and ,natural ,mysteries2 for without divine illumination1 all things are dead and buried in darkness4 ,this ,truth putteth to flight the diabolical ,cavils and ,slanders of all scoffing ,mountebanks and ,jack-puddings4 ,but which of them will oppose this1 and seek fertility from any other thing than ,salt8 ,truly1 ,i believe no man1 except that most profligate ,farnner1 with his wretched ,followers1 who determine1 ,that ,salt doth not fatten1 but ,dung2 when nevertheless this is to be ascribed to the former1 and not to the later4 ,but those ,ass-like ,brethren of ,ignorance1 being convinced of their filthy ,lyes by the most evident ,truth1 will ,i hope have their impure and shameless mouths more than sufficiently stopped4 ,i therefore acquiesce in this demonstration1 in which ,i think ,i have evidently proved1 ,that the ,sun and ,salt are the most noble ,creatures of ,god1 and that ,salt is by me rightly and deservedly called the greatest ,treasure1 and the greatest ,riches of the ,world2 because after an earthly manner of speaking1 nothing can be more desirable for fruitfulness4 ,salt is the ,original of all fertility1 the ,sun is the original of ,salt1 and ,god the ,creator of all things1 of the ,sun1 to whose ,name be ,honour and ,glory for ever1 ,amen4 ,but although this demonstration1 which doth evidently shew1 that salt is the greatest ,treasure in the world1 be most clear1 and beyond all doubt2 nevertheless1 ,i doubt not1 but it will not satisfie the ,covetous1 who will say1 ,where is the ,stone of ,philosophers which we expected from thee1 as the greatest ,treasure of the whole world1 that it being known and acquired1 we might lead a brave life8 ,but stay1 my friend1 until some man shall come and render sordid men partakers of so great a ,gift3 ,for thinkest thou that if ,i its possessor1 that ,i would describe so great a ,mystery1 in such clear words as ,i have described the fertility of the ,earth3 ,not at all2 nor have ,i the power of doing that1 seeing that a man cannot give to any those things which are not his own1 but ,god's4 ,nevertheless1 that the pious searcher after ,truth may have some manuduction to a ,work of so great moment1 ,i cannot but hold forth to him that small ,light granted me by ,divine ,grace1 provided he hath not ,owls eyes1 shunning the light of ,nature1 because they cannot bear its splendour2 which if he hath not1 it cannot be1 but he will give credit to a manifest ,truth4 ,and concerning so great a work1 this is my opinion1 ,that it is altogether possible1 that the most noble universal ,pearl1 to wit1 the ,medicine and ,stone of ,philosophers1 restoring the diseasie ,bodies of ,men and ,metals to their pristine health and state1 may be prepared of common salt3 ,but of the ,preparation1 which is unknown to me1 ,i can affirm nothing certain2 but that it may be done1 manifold and infallible ,experience hath caused me to believe2 which ,experience ,i keep to my self1 and will not part with it to any1 although ,i could very freely1 if ,i might or durst make pious men partakers of it3 ,but because ,faith is effected in us by ,god alone1 it is to be sought from ,him by ,prayer1 and not to be expected from ,men4 ,therefore that 7according to my promise7 ,i may demonstrate1 ,that the ,stone of ,philosophers1 lying hid in salt1 may be got out of it by the benefit of ,art1 ,i desire only this thing of the studious of divine ,mysteries1 that he would search after those things1 in my ,writings lately printed1 which ,i have spoken concerning the little ,fish ,echineis1 viz4 by what means he may be taken with a ,net out of the salt ,sea1 for there he will find a sufficient manuduction1 of which it is not necessary that ,i should here say any more4 ,those are the things which ,i was willing to add in honour of that noble creature salt3 ,he that will not believe the most noble ,pearl1 of a universal and particular ,medicine1 to be included in the inward ,penetrals of ,salt1 ,i cannot help him2 it is free for every man to seek and walk in another way4 ,would it not be too tedious1 ,i could also plainly prove1 that from marine ,bodies1 7as ,coral1 ,mother of ,pearl1 ,oyster-shells1 and the like things1 being dissolved into water1 and precipitated7 may be extracted corporal ,gold1 which ,i have done with my own hands1 and therefore can boldly witness it4 ,but ,i will shut up the ,tables1 what ,i have hitherto spoken being sufficient for this time2 from which ,i hope and believe that others will receive benefit3 ,which ,i heartily wish1 together with the divine benediction to all pious men4 ,amen4 ,a ,,treatise ,of the ,signature of ,salts1 ,metals1 and ,planets4 ,,or1 ,a ,fundamental ,institution evidently shewing by what means not only the ,virtues1 ,signification1 ,nature1 and ,properties of ,salts1 ,metals1 and ,planets1 may be easily known1 but also the reasons of their ,names and ,appellations1 and this not from ,books or ,writings1 but from their naked ,signature1 to be obtained and known by the help of the ,circle and ,quadrant4 ,written for their sakes who delight in the ,profitable and highly ,necessary ,contemplation of ,divine ,miracles4 ,to the well minded ,,reader4 ,it is a common saying1 ,beware of those whom ,nature hath marked1 the which is indeed true1 if it be understood concerning men who are insignized with some preternatural marks1 or of the abortions of ,nature1 but concerning other things it is false4 ,for the ,almighty ,god hath signed all ,his ,creatures1 as well small as great1 equally with their own certain signatures1 and hath as it were subjected their depicted ,lineaments to the ,eyes of men1 by which they might know what the nature and property of every thing is1 and what ,commodity and ,profit it may bring to mankind4 ,hence not only all ,vegetables1 as ,herbs1 ,shrubs1 and ,trees1 but also ,animals1 as ,beasts of every kind1 yea1 and ,man himself1 which abide upon the ,earth1 the ,fishes inhabiting the ,waters1 and the ,birds of the ,air2 but also all things moveable and immoveable1 he hath signed with their peculiar forms and figures1 to signifie to us by those their signs1 of what use every ,herb1 every ,animal1 every ,bird1 and every ,fish is1 and for what purpose it serveth4 ,and this is the ,divine ,inscription which the ,divine ,finger hath written upon all things1 and by which the nature of all things should have been learned by us4 ,but after that ,men began more and more to decline from the humane1 to a brutish nature1 and ceased to have the ,reason of so noble a ,signature1 preferring their brutal ,conceptions to the ,divine ,works1 and postponing the ,signatures incited in all things by ,nature2 it came to pass1 that in a long process of time that true ,signature1 or ,divine ,inscription1 being obscured1 perished by degrees1 and wholly vanished2 so that but a very few are found in this ,age1 who are endowed with any knowledge of so great a ,science2 for the greatest part of men are wont to follow the duct of ,books and ,writings1 and study to learn the ,virtues and ,proprieties of things out of them4 ,neither could this study be disapproved of1 if the true1 incorrupted1 and entire ,writings of the ancient and singularly-experienced noble ,authors remained with us4 ,but because in a long ,series of time their frequent descriptions1 emendations1 and interpretations have so corrupted them1 that scarce any thing of truth is to be found in them2 it were far better that such mangled and corrupted ,writings were not so much followed1 but that rather that old foundation laid by ,god himself1 upon which all those ,writings1 all ,characters1 and all ,signatures do rest1 and from whence they have received their beginning1 should be again brought out of ,darkness into ,light1 and the nature and properties of things learned from thence4 ,this would be the true way of coming to the knowledge of ,nature1 in a short space of time1 without so many errours1 to which1 by those false ,writings1 a man cannot come in many years4 ,some perhaps may ask1 where that ancient ,foundation laid by ,god ought to be sought1 or where it may be found8 ,i answer1 ,every where1 inasmuch as it is before the eyes of every man1 but especially shewing it self in the ,heavens1 where the ,sun1 ,moon1 and all the ,stars are constituted by ,god in a round ,figure1 signifying to us that all ,forms and ,figures take their beginning from a round ,circle1 and that a ,circle or ,rotundity it self1 as a most perfect thing1 pertaineth to the ,heavens1 and to ,,god ,himself4 ,the ,ancients certainly put it in that manner1 that by a round ,circle they might denote those things which they could neither comprehend by number1 pronounce by words1 nor conceive by their ingeny2 and on the contrary1 those things which did not exceed their capacity1 ingeny1 nor number1 they signed with a square ,figure3 ,so that things celestial1 and exceeding humane capacity1 they have denoted by a ,circle1 but things visible1 earthly1 and subject to humane capacity1 by a ,square1 proceeding from a ,circle4 ,and although the same ancient ,philosophers1 attributing a ,circle to ,god only1 were of the opinion1 that ,god could not be more aptly exprest by any thing than a ,circle1 having 7like ,himself7 neither beginning nor end3 ,nevertheless all those things which after ,god they esteemed great1 they also noted with a ,circle1 to wit1 the ,sun in the ,firmament1 and ,gold in the ,earth2 the first of which1 some of those ,philosophers thought to be ,god himself4 ,others of those ,heathen ,philosophers have feigned for ,god the ,effigies of a ,serpent1 winding himself into a round ,circle2 and all earthy things of a celestial original1 they have represented by a ,square1 and so they have shadowed out the ,celestial and the ,terrestrial1 by the ,circle and ,quadrant4 ,therefore as they observed how much of the ,celestial or ,terrestrial ,nature were in the things to be signed1 so much of the ,circle or ,square they added or substracted1 and according to that they varied their ,figures3 ,and not only in the ,celestial ,lights1 to wit1 the ,sun1 ,moon1 and other ,planets1 but also in all earthly ,creatures1 produced in the ,earth by the operations of the ,sun1 ,moon1 and the rest of the ,planets and ,stars1 viz4 ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 ,lead1 and ,argent-vive2 they have used this manner in signing them all with ,characters of this sort1 and have noted them with the same ,characters which they have given to the ,celestial ,lights1 producing and effecting the ,causes of those inferiour ,creatures4 ,so the ,sun and ,gold1 as the most perfect ,creatures of ,god1 are signed with a ,circle having a point or center in the middle2 the ,moon and ,silver appear in the figure of an half ,circle1 or of two semicircles1 at a small distance from one another2 which shew their ,bodies not to be absolutely perfect1 but as yet to labour under some defect4 ,the ,characters of the other ,planets1 as 1 1 1 1 and 1 are also the ,characters of the rest of the ,metals1 viz4 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,iron1 ,copper1 and ,argent-vive1 because they are much more vile and imperfect than ,gold and ,silver1 and are noted with more imperfect ,characters2 such are an half ,circle and half ,square1 signifying that they scarce answer to the perfection of ,silver in the half part1 and hardly to the fourth part of that of ,gold4 ,but that ,i may propose the thing more clearly1 ,i think it necessary to inclose the ,characters of the ,celestial ,lights1 as 1 1 1 1 1 1 and 1 and of the ,terrestrials1 as ,gold1 ,silver1 ,argent-vive1 ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 and ,lead1 which the ancient ,astronomers and ,philosophers have imposed upon them1 in ,squares1 consisting of the same magnitude1 that by those it may appear in what degree they differ from each other in perfection4 ,illustration ,here those ,characteristick ,figures of the ,signatures are enclosed as it were in little ,houses1 which are the ,squares3 ,now1 if into one of those ,i put the ,character of the ,sun or ,gold1 viz4 a round ,circle noted with the letter ,b1 it toucheth four parts of the ,square1 marked #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 and filleth it up1 signifying that among ,celestial and ,terrestrial ,creatures1 the ,sun and ,gold do excell all other things1 in their perfection4 ,the ,character of the ,moon or ,silver1 under the letter ,c1 toucheth three sides of the ,square1 to wit1 the superiour with the top of her ,horn1 marked #a1 the lower side marked #c1 and the bending of her back toucheth the third side1 marked #b2 but by reason of the incurvating concavity of her ,superficies1 she cannot touch the fourth side1 marked #d4 ,the ,character of ,mercury1 under the letter ,d1 with both his horns toucheth the upper side of the ,square1 marked with number #a1 and with the bottom of the ,cross the lower side number #c3 the other two sides1 #b and #d1 he leaveth untouched1 so that the half part of the ,square remaineth untouched by ,mercury4 ,luna toucheth three sides or the same1 and ,sol or ,gold is contiguous to all the four sides4 ,venus or ,copper1 under the letter ,e1 also adhereth only to two sides of the ,square1 to wit1 to the superiour number #a1 and to the inferiour1 marked with the number #c1 but the sides1 #b and #d1 remain untouched4 ,in like manner also ,mars1 or ,iron1 toucheth only the upper and lower sides1 as you see under the letter ,f4 ,so also ,saturn1 or ,lead1 under ,g2 ,and ,jupiter or ,tin under ,h1 you see touch but two sides of their ,squares4 ,therefore from this figure may be seen in what degree of perfection the ,metals exceed one another1 so that he who hath respect to this figure1 cannot erre in discerning the said degrees4 ,the ,ancients have not imposed these ,characters1 neither by chance nor in vain1 but they have directed the whole reason of characterising to this end1 that the ,character might exactly agree with the ,nature and ,property of the thing signed2 as the great agreement between the ,celestial ,luminaries or ,planets1 and the ,metals1 doth clearly manifest4 ,nevertheless these things are not to be discerned by all men1 but by those only who are able throughly to inspect the nature of ,metals1 and from that knowledge of the ,metals1 to know the said degrees of perfection2 for so much of rotundity as exhibits it self in the ,character to the sight1 so much also of purity and perfection is in the signed body2 and so much as it shews of the square1 so much also it hath of imperfection3 ,and this is a ,chymical ,axiom or ,precept altogether infallible1 and so certain1 that he who in the emendation of ,metals shall follow it1 will not easily erre4 ,gold1 the most perfect of the ,metals1 by touching the four sides of the square1 argueth its great perfection3 ,silver is not far from the perfection of ,gold4 ,and among the rest of the ,metals1 ,argent-vive1 ,iron1 and ,copper have the half1 but ,lead and ,tin only the fourth degree of perfection4 ,these few things we think sufficient for those who are desirous of so great knowledge4 ,he that desires to know more of these ,harmonical ,signatures1 of the ,celestial ,lights1 and ,terrestrial ,bodies1 let him accurately examin this ,foundation1 and he will find those things which neither ,aristotle long ago1 nor our ,schools at this day1 have had any knowledge of4 ,this ,i dare assert for truth1 ,that the ,ancients1 in the ,egyptian ,schools1 have hidden great ,mysteries under the ,characters of their ,signatures1 and not only in those signs imposed upon the ,sun1 ,moon1 ,stars1 and ,metallick ,bodies1 but that they have manifested great ,secrets by the very ,names which they have given to all things1 which was not by chance that they have given to this thing such a ,name1 and to that another3 ,but when after times changed many ,names1 thence it happened1 that those ,signatures fell into great uncertainty1 and are now perplexed with many doubts4 ,the ,names which from ,adam1 ,noah1 and their ,posterity1 were in use with the ,egyptians1 ,chaldeans1 and ,hebrews1 the ,greeks also had in use1 and from the same ,foundation called things by due and true appellations4 ,the ,latins have taken no care about those derived to them1 although the only and true ,foundation of every ,investigation of those ,secrets is placed in those4 ,indeed ,i being ignorant of the ,egyptian1 ,chaldean1 and ,hebrew ,tongues1 know not how to interpret those ,names with their signature4 ,but one that is skilful in those ,languages1 and endowed with some knowledge of natural light1 by applying himself to such searches1 by a prudent inquisition1 will find the ,truth of those things which ,i have here written1 to wit1 ,that the ,nature and ,property of all things are posited in their ,names and ,characters3 ,i will expedite the matter by a clearer ,explication1 and in a few words expound the ,circle and ,quadrate4 ,in my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts1 ,i have clearly taught and demonstrated1 that all things in the ,world have their original from the ,sun and ,salt4 ,the ,ancients have designed the ,sun by a ,circle1 and ,salt by a ,square3 ,but as a ,circle is first drawn before that a ,square can be put to it2 and as a ,circle by right is preferred before a ,square1 inasmuch as that is the ,original of this2 so also the sun is to be preferred to salt1 to which it hath given ,rise1 and which it hath preceded in its existency1 and which being compared with the sun its ,original1 is less to be esteemed3 ,hence1 without the sun1 salt generateth and produceth nothing2 nor yet the sun without salt1 because in every generation and production there is necessarily required the conjunction of ,male and ,female1 the sun performing the office of the male1 and the ,moon of the female4 ,so ,eve the ,female1 as a ,square1 arose from ,adam1 as from a ,circle1 and from both1 to wit1 from the circle and the square conjoined1 the fertility and propagation of mankind hath drawn its original4 ,the ,poets have attributed this propagation to ,venus1 and noted it with a sign composed of a ,circle and a square1 saying1 that the ,goddess ,venus was born of the froth or foam of the ,sea and ,salt1 and dried up by the ,rays of the sun4 ,the ,character of ,venus being weighed with an accurate consideration of mind1 very perspicuously sheweth how wisely and prudently the ,ancients have shadowed out the ,mysteries of ,nature by their ,characters4 ,venus is signed with a round ,circle1 with a ,cross pendant from the ,circle2 the ,circle denoteth the ,sun2 the ,cross1 ,salt3 ,for when four lines are conjoined in their extremities1 they make a ,cross1 all the ends meeting in one point4 ,but if all those ,lines be disposed foursquare1 they form a ,quadrate4 ,therefore in things signed1 the ,cross and the ,square differ only in their external ,figure1 and signifie one and the same thing4 ,that this ,mystery may be the better apprehended1 ,i will interpret the true signature of those principal ,creatures of ,god1 7to wit1 the ,sun and ,salt1 from which all things proceed7 attributed to them by the ,ancients1 according to their ,latin significations ,sol and ,sal1 that their degrees and difference in nobility and goodness may evidently appear3 ,for the more ,circles there are conspicuous in those words1 the more of purity and goodness they argue to be in the things which they denote2 and the more ,squares there are in a ,word1 the more of earthiness1 imperfection1 and impurity is shewn to be in the thing thereby signified4 ,but this ,rule holds only in those words which were imposed upon things by the ,ancients1 in others not4 ,seeing therefore that it is beyond all doubt1 that these two words1 ,sol and ,sal1 were by the ,ancients imposed upon the things they signifie1 according to a true signature2 we will therefore further explain them4 ,and here it is first to be noted1 that all the forms and figures of ,vegetables1 viz4 of ,trees1 ,herbs1 and other things growing out of the ,earth1 and also of ,animals1 whether ,men or ,beasts1 also of ,minerals1 do take their original only from the circle and square1 so that by those it may be known what bodies or members are round or long2 for the ,body of a ,man1 as also the ,trunk of a ,tree1 have not only a round1 but also an oblong figure1 and the joints of every finger1 and the leaves and branches of ,herbs and ,trees shew forth the same figure1 so that in those the ,circle and the ,quadrate are every where found4 ,and not only all the ,creatures of ,god are noted with the same signature1 but also all ,writings and ,letters1 proceeding from ,adam1 ,noah1 and their ,posterity1 have taken their beginning from the ,circle and ,square4 ,as for example3 ,all the ,latin ,letters1 even from the beginning to the end1 you shall find to be composed of a circle and a square4 ,a containeth two lines and a half of a square2 ,b consisteth of two semicircles1 and one line of a square2 ,c is a semicircle2 ,d is formed of a semicircle1 and one line of a square2 ,e hath three lines and a half of a square2 ,f two and a half of the same2 ,g consisteth of a semicircle1 and half a line of a square2 and so on to the last ,letter of the ,alphabet3 ,so that all the ,letters being composed of a circle and a square1 were left by the ,ancients to shadow out and signifie those ,mysteries to ,posterity4 ,therefore seeing that in my ,treatise of the nature of ,salts ,i have evidently demonstrated the ,sun and ,salt to be the beginning of all things1 ,i think it necessary to interpret those two words1 ,sol and ,sal1 according to their nature1 and to prove that they are the true beginning1 and true end of all things4 ,between the words ,sal and ,sol there is no other difference1 but the middle letter1 which in ,sal is ,alpha1 but in ,sol ,omega2 by which two ,christ manifested himself to ,st4 ,john3 ,but the initial and final letters of both words are the same1 they are distinguished only by the middle letters1 ,alpha and ,omega1 and that not without great reason2 for as ,sol generateth ,sal from the beginning1 and all things which are take their original from him1 so also the end of all things shall happen at the last day1 when all things born and arisen from the ,sun and ,salt1 shall again be consumed by fire1 as ,peter writeth1 to wit1 that the ,sun1 ,moon1 and all the ,stars1 shall fall from ,heaven1 and that the whole ,earth shall be reduced to ,ashes4 ,therefore in ,sol and ,sal1 the beginning and end of all things are perfectly discerned4 ,neither do these two words only set before our eyes the beginning and end of all things1 with the destruction of this earthy and fading ,world1 but they also make manifest the whole ,mystery of the ,holy ,trinity1 which ,i could very easily demonstrate4 ,but because the ,egyptian ,learning1 built upon the foundation of ,nature1 is lost1 and in the room thereof ,sophistical ,schools have grown up1 which by their vain loquacity have altogether oppressed and banished the truth2 it might easily happen1 that ,i might bring a ,nest of ,hornets about my ,ears1 if ,i should write such things publickly1 as fly the knowledge of the learned multitude4 ,therefore it is better to be silent1 than to incumber my self with unnecessary contentions4 ,but that we may see there have also been others1 who were not ignorant of the ,mysteries hidden in salt1 it seems fit to me1 in the end of this ,discourse1 to subjoin the opinion of a certain learned man1 explaining the ,greek word 1 ,chap4 #ac4 ,book #d4 and as it were1 bringing into view the great ,mystery of ,god hidden in the same1 that so we may be invited to read the learned ,book of the said ,author1 concerning salt1 which containeth many things highly worthy to be read1 and of the reading of which no man will repent2 the name of the ,author is ,bernardus ,gomesius1 printed at ,frankford1 in the year #afje1 a ,book truly worthy of any man's reading1 and as such ,i studiously recommend it to those who are desirous of learning any thing of good4 ,but to return to my purpose1 ,i seriously affirm1 that the nature and property of ,metals may be learned and openly known1 not only from the signature assigned them by the ,ancients1 but also from that which the fire introduceth into them1 and this signature proceeding from the fire1 is far to be preferred to that of the ,philosophers2 not therefore because the ,element of ,fire possesseth a greater authority or might than all ,philosophers ever had or can have3 ,but because the ,fire alwaies performeth immutable actions1 and committeth no errours1 nor can it commit any1 provided the ,operator who handleth the fire doth not deviate from the manner of operating1 for at all times in one and the same manner it sheweth the signatures of the metals4 ,the nature of the fire is such1 that whensoever we will1 it exhibiteth to us1 by a singular signature1 the occult nature and hidden properties of the metals2 for even as any burning spirit of ,vegetables1 or volatile salt of ,wine1 being drank by men1 stirreth up their nature and properties1 and exposeth these things to view1 which before lay dorment1 and which would not have been known1 if the warm spirit of the wine had not manifested them3 ,so also is it with ,salt1 which1 as we have taught in the precedent ,treatise of the nature of salts1 hath a power and faculty of exciting the nature of metals1 and of manifesting their medicinal ,virtues4 ,but the ,fire1 of which we here treat1 hath the faculty of subjecting their perfection to our eyes4 ,for as by the pure spirit of ,wine the vital spirit of a ,man is presently cheered1 and being awakened1 the hidden signature forthwith goeth out of the inward ,penetrals of the heart2 so that the ,sanguine sing1 dance1 play1 and are occupied in ,amours2 the ,cholerick break forth into quarrels and fighting2 the ,phlegmatick grow drowsie and sleepy1 and the ,melancholy are taken up with speculations1 meditations1 and searches4 ,these signatures the spirit of ,wine can draw forth from the most inward recesses of men4 ,by the same reason the signature of ,metals is awakened1 excited1 and educed by the operation of the fire1 viz4 when they are melted in a ,crucible2 for the smoak or fume going out from them1 presently indicateth the nature and property of every of them4 ,pure ,gold1 and free from all addition1 emitteth no fume alone1 but being melted with salt1 giveth a purple exhalation4 ,silver alwaies exhaleth somewhat of a blue1 bitter1 and unpleasant fume3 ,the fume of ,copper is green1 and stinketh3 ,of ,iron not so much as ,copper1 being also red1 striketh the ,nostrils with a stink3 ,lead and ,tin send forth a white fume1 stinking and poisonous3 ,argent-vive1 in its whole substance1 vanisheth in a venomous fume1 and these are the signs of the fumes1 by which melted ,metals1 when they are not mixed1 are wont to be distinguished and known from one another4 ,but if ,copper1 or any other imperfect ,metal1 shall be mixed with ,gold or ,silver1 it changeth the fume1 and rendereth the proof or examen doubtful and uncertain3 ,nevertheless of the judging of the perfection of ,metals by the ,fire1 this ,experiment is of all the most perfect and certain1 viz4 when they are so melted by a very strong fire1 that they move themselves1 and are as it were turned or whirled about in the ,crucible1 and by how much the rounder this motion shall be1 and the higher it elevateth it self1 by so much it sheweth the ,metals to be more perfect2 the more depressed and equal1 and the plainer the superficies shall be1 the lesser of perfection is in that melted ,metal4 ,the trial of this thing is easily made1 by which it is found1 that among all the ,metals ,gold is chiefly moved on the ,test1 or in a ,crucible1 by a round or spherical motion2 next ,silver2 next to that ,copper2 next to ,copper ,iron2 after ,iron ,lead2 and lastly1 after that ,tin4 ,the same difference of perfection and imperfection is shewed by the pouring of a melted ,metal upon a ,porphyry stone1 or any the like well levigated1 and put into a ,kettle of ,water1 so that the water may not touch its superficies1 which is to receive the melted ,metal3 ,this therefore being poured out upon the said ,stone1 leapeth and divideth it self into many grains1 greater or lesser1 more round1 or less round1 according as the ,metal shall be more or less pure4 ,but of all the ,metals1 there is none more imperfect than ,tin1 which by effusion upon such a ,stone1 very rarely disperseth it self into grains1 but if the effusion be dextrously made1 it dilateth it self in breadth in a very thin form1 like to writing ,paper1 so that it may be writ upon 7by a stile or stift7 like ,paper1 and folded and sealed1 and sent to others1 after the manner of other letters3 ,such letters made of ,tin1 are hurt by no ,water1 so that they may be of great use1 where necessity requireth secresie in sending letters4 ,but that ,tin spreadeth it self into such broad leaves1 and doth not separate into grains1 after the manner of ,gold and ,silver1 the reason is its imperfection1 which its before-mentioned signature evidently argueth1 containing but little of roundness1 and taking the greatest part from the square4 ,the knowledge of a metallick perfection is also acquired from the rotundity of the metallick motion in the ,examen of ,saturn1 or the separation which is made by ,lead in a ,cupel1 where ,gold1 before all the rest boileth with a spherical roundness1 and all the lead being sent away in fume1 by the violence of the fire1 remaineth on the ,cupel or ,test1 in a pure1 round1 or spherical body1 especially when there shall not be too great a quantity of ,gold4 ,silver doth not answer to ,gold in its round body1 in which it remaineth1 yet it exceedeth ,copper in roundness1 which sometimes also remaineth pure and round1 if it be in a small quantity4 ,iron and ,tin do not admit the ,examen of ,lead by the ,cupel1 for indurating the ,lead1 they deprive it of all flux1 so that by combustion it is reduced into a powder4 ,argent-vive is by the ,fire wholly driven away into the ,air1 in which nevertheless keeping a perpetual flux1 its signature of perfection may be judged of in the ,cold1 which perfection exceedeth that of the other imperfect ,metals1 and cometh near to gold and silver2 for being diffused into small grains1 it exhibiteth in running a round or spherical body1 imitating melted ,gold3 ,so that it is not without reason1 that the ,ancients in its signature have used the signs of 1 1 and a square2 being within wholly ,gold and ,silver1 if it be coagulated2 the truth of which many ,experiments have demonstrated to me1 made by the ,waters of gradation1 as they are called2 ,experiments1 ,i say1 which ,i have performed in small ,instruments1 for hitherto ,i could not make them in great ones1 and in a large quantity4 ,if any young man shall have a desire to try the same1 let him in the first place beware that he use not corrosive and eating waters1 and by this means render the ,argent-vive more fugacious4 ,it behoveth that he seek and know true sulphur1 which if it shall be red1 he shall also bind it with a red bond2 but if white1 he shall preserve its colour constant1 and bind it with a white bond2 otherwise it is wont to vanish in fume4 ,these few things ,i could not pass by1 but signifie to the studious of the ,divine ,signature of ,metals and ,planets4 ,let every one occupy the powers of his ,ingeny in the exercise of this ,science1 that he may become expert in the wonders of things1 especially of those which lie hid in the words or names imposed upon things signed by the ,ancients1 who have found out great ,secrets1 as well ,celestial as ,terrestrial1 and have comprehended them in those4 ,some such words of the ,ancients ,i would have interpreted here1 but that in so doing ,i should have divulged those things which are not vulgarly known1 for which cause it is better to pass them by in silence4 ,he that will bend his endeavours to so great a ,science1 may obtain many wonderful things2 but of these enough2 it sufficeth at the present to have laid the ,foundation1 the rest ,i leave to him1 who being prompt to the study of seeking1 shall bring his mind to the acquiring of this knowledge2 if he shall once get into the right path1 he will find out more than he seeketh or desireth4 ,also ,mountains1 ,woods1 and ,countries1 by their signatures do not only indicate the ,treasures and ,riches1 given them by ,god1 but are also wont to foretell their own ,fates1 as their ,rise1 ,encrease1 and ,destruction4 ,it remains1 that we briefly examin1 and take a short view of the signatures of salts1 with what notes or marks they are signed by ,god1 and also by what they signifie their natures and properties2 for without doubt1 they have their signatures1 and especially the common and vulgar ,salt1 the which1 wherefore should it not have its signature1 seeing that it is the original of all other things8 ,there is not found any ,herb or ,weed so vile1 any ,worm so abject1 which wanteth its marks given it by ,god1 by which it manifesteth to us its nature and virtues4 ,i have above indicated the ,sun by a ,circle1 and ,salt to be designed by a square added to it3 and in the ,sun and ,salt all earthly things as ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 to have the beginning and end of their generation1 propagation1 and encrease2 also all things being risen from the sun and salt1 to be signed by the ,almighty ,god1 with certain signatures1 from which their nature1 powers1 virtues1 and properties may be known2 neither have ,i only asserted1 but also affirmed1 that all the ,mysteries of ,languages and ,words may be searched out and known by those signs1 to wit1 the ,circle and ,quadrate4 ,these things are so certain and true1 that they are beyond all confutation1 which ,i will make plain to every one1 by one only ,argument1 not exceeding the ,capacity of a simple ,boy1 if the envious ,brethren of ,ignorance1 being lifted up by their great pride1 shall refuse to undertake it4 ,that the ,sun is conveniently and appositely signed with a ,circle1 no man will deny1 because it never sheweth it self to the sight in any other figure than a round fiery ,sphere1 which sign being attributed to the ,sun1 by the ,ancients1 so remaineth even to this day4 ,the ,ancients have also signed ,salt with a square1 which by the length of time1 and the negligence of men1 hath vanished1 so that every one hath signed the species of salts according to his pleasure1 one in this1 another in another manner2 and by this occasion peculiar ,characters are invented by almost every ,chymist1 whence one useth not that which another doth4 ,but at this day among them1 for the most part1 ,salts are signed in the following manner4 ,the common ,kitchin ,salt hath the ,character of a ,circle1 cut by a line transverse3 ,salt-petre hath a ,circle representing the form of an ,egg1 and cut by a line drawn from the top to the bottom2 ,but who was the ,author of those ,characters to these ,salts1 ,i know not1 neither is it much matter1 whether a man know1 or not know it2 but without doubt they were men who had never seen ,salts brought to their highest ,purity3 ,for vulgar salts1 as they are every where found1 have not their proper figure and form which they ought to have1 and which they obtain after their cleansing3 ,so the vulgar and simple salt1 as it is made from the ,sea1 or salt ,fountains1 or dug out of the ,earth1 hath not its true and proper signature1 neither can it have1 by reason of its many earthy feculencies2 but after all its fces are removed1 and it hath obtained a great purity and cleanness1 its own true signature1 to wit1 a square then appeareth1 and indicateth the sign which is due to it4 ,i have already demonstrated this to be true in my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts1 where ,i have taught by what means every common ,kitchin ,salt is to be so purged1 that it shall be no longer rough1 foul1 obscure1 and astringent1 but clear and transparent like ,crystal1 both in small grains1 and greater pieces1 of a sweet savour1 and a square or cubical figure1 and which way soever it is thrown1 alwaies exhibiteth four ,angles1 like to a square1 as if it were formed by ,art3 ,going forth in this most pure form1 it seemeth thus to speak to ,mortals3 ,here ye see my true and natural form1 given to me by the ,sun my father1 in the body of the ,water my mother1 which the ,earth indeed hath covered with a rough and vile ,garment1 but ,art hath again taken it off 7praised be ,god7 restoring to me my pristine form1 to the future advantage of many sick2 therefore as ,i was created from the beginning1 so now ,i appear1 without any impediment1 to perform those things for which ,i was appointed by ,divine ,creation4 ,if the ,sun in the ,firmament could by any accident be so defiled and corrupted1 that he should lose his ,light1 it could in no wise be that any thing in the whole ,world could remain alive for one day4 ,which thing ,experience it self sheweth us1 when the ,moon interposing between the ,sun and our ,eyes but for one hour1 depriving us of his ,rays2 in which ,case the ,sun in no wise suffereth1 nor is in any manner corrupted1 but only hindred for that little time1 from transmitting to us his vivifying ,rays4 ,therefore if so small an ,impediment in the ,orb of the ,earth can cause so many ,diseases1 and other ,incommodities to men1 why should not also the fces obscuring ,salt1 eclipsing its natural form1 and rendering it more ignoble1 be a detriment and impediment to its ,powers and ,virtues8 ,let every man judge1 if a gross and impure ,salt can be as commodious to all ,men and ,beasts1 as that which hath been restored to the highest purity of its ,body4 ,seeing therefore that it is the great interest of ,mankind to enjoy such a pure ,salt1 ,i have determined to prepare a quantity of it1 according to that manner of purging it1 prescribed in my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts1 that ,i may be able to accommodate many therewith4 ,i have hope1 that at length the ,eyes of ,mortals will be opened1 that they may see how for a long time they have been seduced by blind ,leaders1 and finding this1 will have a greater regard to their own health4 ,truly there is but a very small ,labour and ,cost required for the cleansing of common ,salt1 to free it from its earthy fces1 and render it clear1 transparent1 and in the ,water of a ,cubical ,figure1 and that without the addition of any foreign thing1 only by solution1 filtration1 and coagulation of its own proper spirit4 ,if by these ,operations you shall bring salt to its highest purity1 you may boldly assert1 that you have acquired such a salt as the pure ,sun operated in the pure ,water at the beginning2 when the ,sun1 seated in the height of the ,firmament1 would very freely perform his ,office1 yet being hindered by gross and turbid ,clouds1 interposing between him and the ,earth1 whereby he cannot render us partakers of his all-warming ,rays1 we ought not to impute the fault to the sun1 inasmuch as he is not in fault1 but rather to those thick and dark ,clouds1 which hinder us of his splendour and efficacy4 ,so also is it with ,salt1 which would freely exercise the ,gift bestowed upon it by the ,almighty ,creator1 were it not hindred by its terrestrial fces2 therefore this impediment is not to be attributed to salt1 but to the intervening fces1 which hinder its salutary virtues4 ,if it were in our power to remove those thick ,clouds from the sun at our pleasure1 as it is to separate the earthy fces from ,salt1 we might every year make our selves a very commodious ,summer1 which nevertheless cannot be done1 seeing that ,god the great ,pater familias1 hath reserved this alone to ,his own ,power4 ,as for the signature of ,salt-petre1 that certainly is very unequal1 by reason of the great diversity of this ,salt1 arising hence1 that it is well or ill purged1 is defiled with more or fewer fces1 or other strange salts4 ,the ,common1 which is required for the making of ,gun-powder1 is never perfectly pure1 but alwaies mixed with other ,salts1 which cannot be separated from it by the accustomed and usual manner of solution and coagulation3 ,hence also you shall find no salt-petre1 which can have that true and genuine signature1 which ,god and ,nature hath given it4 ,for by whatsoever vulgar labour and pains the ,salt-petre which is got out of ,stables1 is purged by ,solution and ,coagulation1 it is yet impossible that it should obtain its due cleanness and signature4 ,but to acquire that1 it behoveth to use the following ,operation4 ,first1 some pounds of ,salt-petre are to be taken1 which are to be purged by ,solution and ,coagulation1 and that to be so of ten repeated1 untill it acquire that purity which it is wont to admit by this vulgar ,operation4 ,being so cleansed1 it is to be divided into two equal parts1 and one of them to be mixed with white ,potters-earth 7or ,tabaco-pipe-clay7 of which little ,balls are to be formed1 to be dried in the ,sun1 and put into a ,glass ,retort well coated1 or an ,earthen one which will hold the spirits1 that the pure spirit of ,nitre may be ,elicited by ,distilation1 and received in a large ,glass adjoyned to the ,retort1 containing some ,water1 into which the spirit entreth freely4 ,the other part of the cleansed ,salt-petre1 being put into a ,crucible1 is to be reduced into a fiery fixed ,salt1 by the casting in of ,charcoal1 ,tartar1 or the ,stellate ,regulus of ,antimony1 then to be dissolved in rain ,water1 and filtred through brown ,paper3 ,so much only of this ,liquor of fixed ,nitre1 is to be poured drop by drop to the distilled ,spirit of ,nitre as will suffice for the fixing it4 ,this ,operation stirreth up a great noise1 hissing and bubling1 which ceasing1 admonisheth to leave off pouring in any more1 and indicateth that those two contrary ,natures1 to wit1 the acid spirit1 and fixed liquor of ,nitre have mutually satiated one another1 and the corrosive spirit hath lost its corrosive nature1 and the fixed fiery liquor its fiery quality1 both returning to the pristine nature of ,salt-petre4 ,from this liquor1 the ,glass being imposed in sand1 the unprofitable ,phlegm is to be distilled off so long untill a ,cuticula or thin skin appear at the top of the matter1 the sand being cold1 the glass is to be taken out1 and set in a cold place1 and let stand for one night to shoot into long and sharp ,chrystals1 to be freed from the rest of the liquor1 by pouring it off4 ,this liquor is again to be freed from its unprofitable ,phlegm by distillation1 and again to be exposed to the cold to ,chrystallise4 ,whatsoever shall remain after every ,operation1 is again to be ,evaporated in sand1 till the ,cuticle appear1 and to be reduced to ,chrystals in the cold1 which ,chrystals may be used as common ,salt-petre4 ,the ,chrystals of the two first ,operations1 are once more to be dissolved in ,rain ,water1 ,filtred1 ,evaporated and again ,chrystallised1 which are now white as snow1 and extend themselves into length1 thin1 sexangular1 and so equal1 as if they were smoothed with a ,plain3 ,for not the least roughness or unevenness is to be seen in their superficies1 but they ,exhibit the true and natural signature of ,salt-petre4 ,if any one shall be desirous of bringing this ,salt yet to a higher purity1 he may again divide this purified ,salt into two parts1 and from one draw the ,corrosive spirit by distillation1 and fix the other with ,coals1 and destroy both by ,commixion1 repeating the ,operations as we have already taught1 he will prepare a ,salt-petre far more ,excellent as well in ,chymical as ,medicinal ,operations1 as is manifest in many places of my writings4 ,if you ,operate rightly all the ,chrystals1 none excepted1 will be straight1 sexangular1 and equal in length1 without any roughness1 or unevenness1 which is the true and genuine signature of well purged ,salt-petre4 ,,nb4 ,the fixed liquor of ,nitre1 being left in the ,air for a long time1 and afterwards ,evaporated to a ,cuticle1 shooteth into small ,chrystals1 representing the ,effigies of ,stars1 whose figure appeareth in a rotundity so neatly and pleasantly ,constituted1 that those six ,rays proceeding from the little body in the center or middle1 seem to be most exactly disposed and distributed to an equal distance and length1 as in a circle4 ,truly it is an admirable and stupendious work of ,nature1 and a signature very unlike to the former1 in as much as the six ,angles of this1 are comprehended after a ,circular manner1 but in the other they extend themselves only in length and sharpness4 ,those things which we have here delivered concerning the true signature of common ,salt1 and ,salt-petre1 the same are also to be understood of the signature of other ,salts1 which must be free from all their sordes and fces1 before they can shew forth their true signature4 ,vitriol and ,alum1 which always shoot in a knotty and uneven ,figure1 after they have laid aside their defilements1 exhibit clear and pellucid ,chrystals1 which yet will be much clearer it purged by several ,operations4 ,yea1 being reduced to their highest purity1 they put on a ,cubical figure like common ,salt1 nevertheless in ,elegancy1 ,beauty and ,pleasantness1 giving place to that4 ,hence it is manifest1 that nature is always ready for the gracing and adorning of her own fruit1 if a helping ,hand be afforded her by ,art4 ,before ,i put an end to this ,treatise of the signature of ,salts1 ,i think it fit to point out in what degrees of ,dignity1 those two ,words ,sol and ,sal differ1 and are distinguished4 ,the word ,sol1 containeth two ,circles and the half part of a square1 ,o4 is a whole ,circle2 ,s4 hath two semicircles1 which being conjoined1 make an entire ,circle2 this being cut in the middle1 and the half of the section turned upwards1 towards the right hand1 and the other half downwards1 towards the left2 giveth two semicircles forming the ,letter ,s4 ,l4 is the half part of a square4 ,the word ,sal hath only one ,circle1 to wit1 the ,letter ,s4 consisting of two semicircles3 ,also one square1 constituting the ,letters ,a and ,l1 which argueth that the good which is in ,salt is partly tempered with the other ,elements1 and partly combined with ,earth4 ,the ,sun far exceedeth ,salt in purity1 nevertheless it is not absolutely perfect because the ,letter ,l containeth the half of a square1 which sheweth that it cannot be endowed with an absolute and perfect purity1 neither is it as ,telescopes at this day demonstrate1 by whose help those solar spots have been observed in those times4 ,neither also ought it to have an absolute perfection1 the which belongs only to ,god1 and not to any creature1 in the number of which is the ,sun3 ,nevertheless that he is the purest of all creatures1 there is no ,man dare deny4 ,hence it came to pass1 that the ignorant ,heathens1 attributed to the ,sun ,divine ,honour1 thinking that besides the created1 there was as yet another uncreated ,sun2 ,that is1 the ,omnipotent ,god himself1 the ,creator of the ,elementary and shining ,sun1 which according to the ,words of ,christ shall also perish at the end of the ,world4 ,by a like reason there is a twofold ,salt1 viz4 one ,eternal1 ,divine and ,celestial2 the other ,terrestrial and fading4 ,and as the ,holy ,spirit proceedeth from the ,eternal ,light1 and ,divine and ,celestial ,salt1 for the warming and enlightening the ,hearts of ,men involved in darkness and for the defending our souls against the crafts and deceits of ,satan2 so also from the ,elementary ,sun or ,fire1 and the ,terrestrial ,salt1 proceedeth that most noble saline spirit for the strengthening of humane ,bodies1 defending them against various ,diseases1 and preserving them in good ,health4 ,therefore there is an ,eternal and ,divine ,sol1 a ,celestial ,sal and ,holy ,spirit2 and also an ,elementary1 frail ,sun1 ,salt and ,spirit4 ,but it is our ,duty to ,love1 ,praise1 ,honor1 and ,adore the ,eternal ,sun1 and to him to commend the health of our souls4 ,and to use and enjoy temporal and fading things for our necessities1 with thanksgiving4 ,the ,explication of the ,word or ,sal1 by ,bernhardus ,gomesius4 ,but before we undertake to expound such excellent places1 it behoveth us to invoke the divine ,being2 that1 that which cannot be fore-known by any ,augury and ,divination1 we not erring1 but being led by the ,divine inspiration and instinct1 may at length expound2 seeing that in the treating of things so ,divine and unspeakable 7that being wanting7 if we should erre1 in might be unpardonable1 but if we shall piously and happily prosecute the matter1 universal thanks and praise may be given to ,god alone1 and to ,christ the great giver of ,salt4 ,first1 therefore we are to shew what the ,celestial ,salt is1 and by what means it may be distinguished from the ,terrestrial ,salt1 of which ,christ speaketh in the ,gospel4 ,and because the ,evangelical ,words of ,christ will be of great force to us in the speaking of it3 ,and seeing that ,christ when he would grace the ,apostles with a high ,title1 called them the ,salt of the earth3 we think it not improper to call him the pure and undefiled salt of ,heaven4 ,for there is scarce any thing of so many preparations of an inferiour nature which excels the 7as it were7 ,divine strength and efficacy of ,salt in this part3 ,for ,christ and his blessed ,humanity is the only ,salt that is placed upon the ,table of the ,blessed4 ,in whom ,salt is the fullness of his infinite1 inexhausted1 and neverending divinity2 which abundantly filleth both ,heaven and ,earth and all things therein2 and then again making himself palatable to us1 he exhibits himself to be tasted most sweetly by all ,men4 ,for from that all things that are1 and ever were and that shall be hereafter1 have both received their being1 and are made perfect1 and without it could not be1 for his ,divine seasoning1 or become palatable to the seasoner4 ,so this salt endeavours to express his1 in whose name are both in ,greek and ,latin three ,letters in one syllable2 or rather to adumbrate this one and the same ,divinity common to the three ,persons4 ,for tho' the ,divine mystery and sacred things are shut up in ,letters chiefly with the ,chaldees and ,hebrews1 because ,,god spake by them3 ,yet they don't always want the ,elements of the tongues1 especially the ,greek1 which was both derived from them1 and words construed from these things are not imposed from their power but from their propriety1 as ,plato the greatest of the ,greeks supposes2 ,for that the divine infinity and ,immensity is exprest and explicated in ,greek letters1 is shewn in the ,apocalyps1 ,cap4 #a4 where ,john saw and heard our ,lord ,christ preaching of himself1 ,i am and 1 the ,beginning and the ,end4 ,for as the sun1 when it lightly touches with its perspicuous light1 by that its image and splendour it is forthwith given3 ,so the ,heavenly and ,infinite ,divinity1 with all ,goodness1 as it were ,his ,brightness1 does not only leave ,his imprest ,image in the things themselves1 but also in ,letters1 with which those things are enlightened and made perspicuous4 ,the like we have found in ,salt1 design'd in ,greek notes2 for that which in ,latin is called ,sal1 in ,greek is called 1 express'd by the same ,letters1 though chang'd in order1 and extended in three ,letters1 but one ,syllable2 but the ,greek word expresseth both more plainly4 ,for the first ,letter of it is 1 which by its infinite roundness1 as with two ,horns1 seems to be brought into the following ,letters2 which note plac'd with the ,holy and ,divine ,trinity1 signifies the first ,person of it1 to wit the ,immense ,father3 ,who as 1 is an infinite beginning in himself2 so the same pours out and infinitely communicates his ,nature to other two ,divine ,persons proceeding from himself3 in one of which by ,generation the ,son2 but in the other by inspiration he produces the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and further1 the shews it self1 its certain divine ,operation follows that ,eternal1 ,infinite and never ending ,power of the same ,mighty ,father1 which also he sometime pour'd out from his ,almighty ,infinity1 to procreate the ,universe4 ,as also in two horns1 ,i mean ,benedictions one is found to be in ,creatures by the ,creation of things2 and the other in their ,preservation2 both by the ,wisdom of the ,omnipotent ,son1 and by the ,goodness of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,but the middle ,letter 1 is a ,note full of sweetness3 which is expressed with a ,face1 round1 and composed for ,mirth2 and its ,figure is not unlike a ,circle4 ,for from the superior ,angle two sides stretching backwards1 seem to make a ,triangle1 yet without a base and without end1 as the ,letter it self expresses4 ,which note again relates to the same ,trinity1 and represents the second ,person of it1 to wit the ,son1 or ,word proceeding out of the most sweet ,mouth of the ,father3 ,in which1 two eternal ,relations1 as they call 'em1 as to ,infinite sides1 are found3 the one whereby he relates to the ,father1 from whom he proceeds by his eternal ,generation2 the other whereby he is ,related to the ,holy ,ghost1 whom he breaths together with the ,father by an eternal and infinite habitude1 and without any intermission4 ,but this note 1 ,i mean ,christ the ,son of ,,god1 and ,mediator between ,,god and ,man1 is never when time presents1 wanting in his most beneficent ,actions3 that he who had taken the ,human nature to the ,divine1 and was made the ,corner stone1 might 7as he has done7 connect the two ,walls1 to wit the ,israelites and ,gentiles as two sides1 when he built in himself a strong and safe ,sanctuary for them both1 that flying to ,him1 they might escape the fearful sentence of everlasting damnation4 ,lastly1 the ,letter 1 concludes this ,monosyllable4 ,this note is design'd with a certain sinuous and ,circumflext line drawn from hence and thence1 which going from the two extreams in the middle1 designs as it were two distinct semi-circles2 out of which is shewn that they are made and constituted4 ,which lineament compar'd with the ,trinity it self1 adumbrates the third ,divine ,person1 to wit the ,holy ,ghost4 ,for that spirit proceeding out of the ,bosom of both the ,father and of the ,son1 by one and the same ,inspiration1 so knits those two distinct ,persons1 to whom he is co-equal and co-eternal1 by an ,infinite tie of ,love1 that he remaining a distinct ,person1 might agree with them in their most simple1 individual1 and immense nature4 ,but as to the other ,persons1 so also his ,communication is attributed to the ,holy ,ghost in time2 which is wonderfully expressed by the shape of this ,letter 3 ,yet if we consider its lower extream1 which seems as it were to arise of the former ,letters of the ,monosyllable1 that is how it comes to be stretch'd chiefly towards the right hand3 then from right to left1 is wrested a little by ascending by a sinuous derivation3 and thence at last1 with the like following obliquity it ends again on the right hand4 ,for the same ,holy spirit proceeding from those two eternal and infinite ,persons1 as from an immense ,fountain of ,infinity1 whilest from time to time he communicates his ,gifts to the ,world1 first those on his right hand1 that is into the hearts of ,men1 he pours out to them that are illustrated and endued with the ,divine ,light of ,nature3 ,then the same ,light remaining1 as it were bending from the right1 ascending a little to the left1 he brought forth the ,mosaick ,law written with the ,finger of ,god1 that is ,dictated by him to the ,israelites4 ,lastly1 leaving the ,mosaical ,law on the left1 he return'd to the right hand1 and season'd the ,evangelical ,law deliver'd by ,christ our ,saviour1 with his most ,wise and ,loving salt of ,grace4 ,from all which1 that which pertains to the business1 appears from those three ,letters of ,sal1 making one ,syllable2 and again1 this unfolding it self in those three ,letters1 shews us1 that there is in ,sal a certain impress or image of the sacred and ,individual ,trinity1 which we worship1 ,three in ,one1 and ,one in ,three4 ,which ,trinity we should have had1 as an infinite1 eternal1 and inexpressible thing1 commonly unknown1 and incomprehensible1 and as a most remote ,salt1 never heretofore put into an humane or ,angelick ,saltseller1 we should have left untouch'd2 unless at length the ,divine ,person of this ,trinity1 the ,word1 in taking the ,humanity to himself1 as it were ,salt into a ,saltseller1 had presented to our taste so much ,divinity2 for this very ,saltseller1 both in figure1 is covered with the eternal splendour of the ,father1 as also pointed and illustrated with the embroidered ,notes of ,his ,passion and likewise adorned with the ,unction of the ,holy ,spirit is alwaies placed upon the ,heavenly ,table of the ,blessed1 to season their ,food and solemn ,banquets1 after an eternal and ineffable manner2 for in him all divine1 and most sweet relishes and excellent tastes of ,his eternal ,wisdom are season'd anew2 for ,christ ,himself is not only the ,heavenly and most ,wise seasoner of the most opulent ,feast1 but also the very seasoning1 and thing seasoned1 and the ,food which is so placed2 for by ,him his ,heavenly ,father1 the ,king of kings1 and magnificent ,lord of lords1 who out of ,his ,goodness1 and as ,he loves ,his good things1 gives most liberally to all ,people a very large measure of ,salt1 that is1 the help of ,his ,grace to seek ,him1 and ask of ,him ,heavenly things4 ,true1 that they who are called to the ,heavenly ,banquet may prepare themselves to come in this measure1 and most happily sit down in it2 but if 7like fools7 they refuse to come1 the ,measure being taken from them1 they will be plung'd into eternal punishment4 ,in which respect they may be likened to ,flesh and ,bones put into a ,pot together1 and water and salt put to them1 hung over the fire to boil1 and afterwards brought to the ,table3 ,of which the ,bones1 which will be neither seasoned by salt1 nor softened by water1 are thrown under the ,table1 to be broken by ,doggs2 but the ,flesh1 because it is made tender by heat and water1 and takes the seasoning1 is again sprinkled with a purer salt on the ,table1 and eaten with the greatest pleasure3 ,for as ,bones are to ,flesh1 so are ,evil men mingled with ,good3 ,of which these1 when they will neither relish the ,salt of ,divine ,grace1 nor be washed nor softened by pure ,water1 nor warmed by the heat of the ,heavenly ,word to be willing to divine things1 will by the severe ,judgment of the great ,taster ,christ1 at his magnificent ,table1 be reserved to the most exquisite punishments3 ,which obstinate and unseason'd ,fools1 ,he1 for their hardness1 finding unworthy his heavenly ,table1 plucks out from among the ,righteous1 and throws 'em down into ,hell1 there to be torn in pieces and devoured by those infernal ,dogs1 to all ,eternity4 ,but the ,good1 who have been seasoned not only with the former1 but also the later ,salt1 ,i mean with antecedent 7as we say7 and consequent ,grace1 and are not only adorned with ,virtue1 but have suffer'd all crosses and afflictions of this ,life for ,christ3 ,these1 as ,flesh worthy ,his ,table1 the divine ,taster offering to ,god the ,father1 ,he seasons with the new ,salt of ,glory2 and though ,aliens and ,strangers1 places them among the ,angels and ,citizens of ,heaven1 and with these ,commands an equal ,mansion of ,blessedness to be given to them1 though nevertheless they both come to the same felicity1 by a different way of meriting it4 ,for from what those above ,angelical ,citizens1 from the very beginning of things1 and since first a full desire seiz'd them1 they have preferred the ,heavenly ,suppers of ,christ to the mid-day ,dinners of the most insolent ,lucifer2 they have deserved to follow those ,oppipary1 and 7as they call 'em7 ,princely ,banquets seasoned with the most sweet ,salt of ,grace1 and made resplendent with the shining light of glory4 ,but the ,inhabitants of the ,earth1 and ,men1 strangers of ,heaven1 opprest by the great weight of a ,body1 and involved in the thick darkness1 have made so long a ,journey to the ,country1 by a far more tedious way of travelling2 for the ,universal occasion of desert is not to be snatch'd by those in the ,journey of ,life it self1 and those under the terminative moment following the ,creation2 but they ought rather studiously and laboriously to take this by a continual and daily period of life1 even to their death3 ,besides that1 the ,journey to the ,country is so hard and wearisome1 and exposed to so many dangers1 brings so many anxieties upon strangers every where1 leads them into so much anguish of mind and troublesome solicitudes1 that it is plain1 that not humane ability1 but divine grace must cause1 that strangers are not deficient in the way1 or that they do not wander from the true scope or end of their ,journey3 ,which would be the fortune of every one in the ,world1 unless ,christ1 by divine ,counsel constituted the ,parochian of the whole ,world1 who giveth to his strangers every where ,salt and ,wood1 doth recreate and refresh them1 and also lead them into the way that directs to the same ,heavenly ,country4 ,this may suffice to be spoken of the signature of ,salts1 ,metals1 and ,planets1 at this time4 ,he that diligently weighs it1 will search ,nature deeply enough3 ,if ,god grant me life1 ,i shall publish a ,tract of the ,signatures of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals2 also in which ,i shall deliver many things good and profitable for all sorts of ,men4 99 99 99 99 99 ,o ,eternal1 ,almighty1 ,bountiful1 and ,merciful ,,god and ,father1 the ,heat1 ,light1 and ,sun of ,justice1 enlighten and warm the hearts of all men1 overwhelmed with a sleepy numbness1 shadowed with thick darkness1 and made rigid by an horrid coldness1 that they may see1 know1 love1 and fear thee1 and give thee due ,thanks and ,praises for all thy ,benefits1 and at last awakened1 they may receive that sight they had before lost4 99 99 99 99 99 ,o ,eternal ,word of ,god1 most sweet1 wholsom1 and palatable ,salt1 ,jesus ,christ1 recreate and refresh our sick and miserable souls1 by thy ,divine ,virtue and ,efficacy1 that we being corroborated1 neither ,death nor the ,devil may hurt us4 99 99 99 99 99 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 the only ,leader to ,truth1 who proceedest from the ,eternal ,fire and ,heavenly ,salt1 comfort all the sudden and desarted ,sheep1 wandering this poison'd ,marsh and ,valley of ,miseries1 among devouring ,wolves1 and corroborate them1 that they may patiently endure their ,cross2 and hereafter separate them from the stinking ,goats1 and bring all the ,elect into the green and heavenly ,pastures1 that there they may continually behold the eternal ,light1 taste the heavenly ,salt1 and enjoy the fulness of ,joy1 ,peace1 ,grace1 and ,mercy for ever4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,consolation ,,of ,,navigators4 ,in which is ,taught ,how they who ,travel by ,sea may preserve themselves from ,hunger and ,thirst1 as also from ,diseases1 which are wont to happen to them in long ,voyages4 ,written for the ,help1 ,comfort1 and ,solace of all those who make long ,voyages for the ,good of their ,country4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,reader1 ,,our ,,saviour ,,christ hath prescribed to us this ,doctrine1 that we should behave our selves towards our ,neighbour1 as we would that he should do to us2 yea1 that we should love him as our selves3 ,this ,he hath earnestly commended unto us1 as the indispensible ,will of ,god1 contained in the ,law and the ,prophets4 ,but although there be few who consider this1 and all men seek only their own1 yet one or other is still found1 who calleth this duty to mind1 and as far as he can1 taketh every opportunity or occasion of serving his ,neighbour4 ,although also there may be some who bear a love to others1 and desire to assist them with their counsel and help1 and yet are destitute of a power of giving them any thing2 for no man can distribute more than he hath4 ,moreover1 ,covetousness and ,envy so far governeth some1 who have plenty enough to bestow upon others1 that they will do good to none but themselves2 of which sort there are many now to be found in the ,world1 and hence ,charity towards our ,neighbour is wholly vanished4 ,seeing therefore that the ,almighty1 of ,his singular ,grace1 hath bestowed on me a small ,talent1 in searching out the ,secrets of ,nature1 it is1 without doubt1 to the end that ,i should thereby do good to others2 which ,talent ,i would not bury1 but have put to use in writing particularly from year to year1 for the publick ,good1 and being affected towards my ,neighbour1 have made them publick4 ,i have also determined1 if time shall permit1 to publish yet more and better things of this nature4 ,but after that some described ,voyages to the ,east and ,west-,indies1 and other far distant places1 had happened into my hands1 ,i perceived1 not without great admiration what immense daggers occurr on the ,seas1 not only from ,robbers and ,pyrates1 but also the adversitys of violent ,winds1 7to pass by many other ,calamities in silence7 by which the ,ship1 together with all in it that draw breath1 are overwhelmed1 and perish3 ,and when ,i further contemplate those things with an intent mind1 nothing seems to me more grievous and intolerable than ,hunger and ,thirst1 or the want of ,meat and ,drink1 which sometimes happeneth to ,ships by adverse ,fortune3 ,for when they are overcome by the hand of an ,enemy1 they are wont indeed to suffer the loss of their ,goods1 but the ,lives of the men are for the most part saved2 which loss of ,goods they may again easily repair by ,merchandizing2 and although they should be adjudged to death1 yet their pain would quickly have an end4 ,but if through an ill fate of necessity one be destitute of ,bread and ,water1 and be forced to tear another in pieces to eat1 that is of all the highest misfortune1 and death it self were more desirable1 than to sustain extremities and miseries of this sort4 ,and although the want of ,food doth not so frequently happen1 yet the want of ,water often falls out1 whence ,seamen are grievously tormented with ,thirst1 to whom1 as in a most urgent ,calamity1 ,mercy and ,christian ,compassion ought to be administred2 but1 ,who can carry them succour afar off1 and in a tempestuous ,sea8 ,and seeing that the ,prosperity of ,maritime ,countries 7where for the most part there is no ,wine1 no ,fruits1 no ,mines1 as in the upper ,germany1 and other places7 consisteth only in ,navigation1 it were very well worth the while that this should be promoted to the utmost4 ,i have therefore diligently considered the matter with my self1 and have found that a ,remedy may be applied to this ,evil1 viz4 the want of ,meat and ,drink1 by providing in time an ,apparatus1 or certain matter to be carried in ,ships1 which is of far greater efficacy in mitigating ,hunger and ,thirst1 than common ,bread and ,water2 yea1 is able to prevent and expel that ,disease which is so familiar to ,seamen1 to wit1 the ,scurvy1 which is often a great hindrance to ,sailing3 ,so that this matter may be carried together with the usual ,provisions1 as a ,preservative1 and in case of necessity1 as if the ,ship be overmuch harass'd with ,storms1 or be hindred by other infelicities1 or detained longer in the ,voyage than expected1 it may be taken and used4 ,it were indeed to be wished1 that these materials might never be wanted in any ,ships1 but as the old ,proverb hath it1 ,a superfluous ,caution never doth hurt2 therefore it is alwaies better to have a thing in readiness1 which we do not use1 than to want it when its use is necessary4 ,but what those materials are1 of which ,i speak1 and how they are to be used when need is1 ,i shall communicate to my ,neighbour1 for the publick ,good1 not at all doubting1 but that this invention will prove highly profitable to many who use the ,seas4 ,the ,reader now understands what hath moved me to write this ,treatise1 viz4 the love of my ,neighbour1 and that ,i have not composed it only for the sake of some few1 but that ,i have emitted it to the publick1 to the end1 that those highly profitable ,inventions might afford help and comfort to all ,mankind1 and especially to all that use the ,seas1 and such who are infirm in their health3 ,nor do ,i doubt but that this my sincerity of mind will be a great preservative1 comfort1 and relief to those who pass the ,seas1 when they are in danger1 by the benefit of which1 they may escape various ,chances and many ,misfortunes1 or beware of them for the future3 ,for by this means which ,i shall here produce against ,hunger and ,thirst1 or other ,diseases which are wont to afflict ,sailors1 it will be found1 that what ,i ascribe to them may be fully deduced to the desired effect4 ,and therefore many ,thousands of men may thence receive ,fruit and ,profit1 as long as the ,world shall endure2 so that all who travel the ,ocean1 and are afflicted with any ,disease1 ought to rejoice1 and give ,thanks to ,god4 ,now1 if any one should yet doubt of the success of this matter1 7which nevertheless is shewed from so clear and irrefragable ,fundamentals7 ,i leave him to his freedom1 whether he will put the matter into examination1 and certifie himself of the ,truth1 before he give credit to it3 ,which also may be proved in a small quantity1 and not only on the ,seas in ,voyages1 but on the ,land also in the ,house1 among both the ,sound and the ,sick4 ,therefore let no man vilifie what he doth not understand1 but let him commit the thing to trial1 and see its reason and quality1 before he contemneth it1 or pass an immature ,judgment1 lest his curiosity or imaginary ,wisdom from a vain instinct1 deceive him1 or confound him with shame1 when the proof shall shew it to be better than he could perswade himself4 ,but that in some places ,i have used obscure words1 and have not proposed all things so clearly1 as that every man will be able to understand them1 let no man wonder at this for ,i have certain reasons for so doing2 for no man will have any prejudice or injury thereby1 seeing that nevertheless there are such points of this sort elucidated1 which will remain after me safe and sound3 ,therefore whatsoever the ,reader shall here find written1 let him esteem it worthy to be received and embraced1 as the ,gift of ,god2 the which1 if ,i find to be gratefully accepted1 more 7,god willing7 shall follow4 ,also to all those who shall have need1 ,i offer the ,medicaments aforesaid1 profitable against ,hunger and ,thirst1 and all ,sea-faring ,diseases1 a good quantity of which ,i will cause to be prepared1 that every man may use them that will1 and thence satisfie his desire4 ,wherefore it is the interest of any to whom ,i have committed the ,preparation of this ,medicine1 to betake himself to it1 and when need shall be1 he will not be unwilling to use it4 ,i have not sought my self in these things1 being content to serve my ,neighbour out of ,christian ,charity4 ,and although this my good ,will shall not be accepted by foolish and ungrateful men1 nevertheless ,god shall have the praise1 who hath committed to us a mutual participation of love and good will1 which also in his own time will grant the benefit of this to be derived and redound to my ,children after me1 by some pious ,souls1 of which ,i make no doubt1 and therefore readily acquiesce in my present condition4 ,,the ,consolation of ,navigators1 c4 ,now to come to the ,work it self1 we will point out the ,remedies1 whose use is so necessarily required in ,navigation1 and which is able to preserve us not only from the pressures of ,hunger and ,thirst1 but also from the injury of ,diseases2 and they are no other than ,corn and ,water concentrated1 or reduced into a more compact and narrow compass1 the one for the extinguishing of ,hunger1 the other of ,thirst2 and how they are both to be concentrated1 and administred in case of necessity1 ,i will exactly describe and teach4 ,and1 ,i4 ,of the ,concentration of ,corn or ,grain4 ,as for this1 it is sufficiently explained in the ,first ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany2 so that it might be here passed over2 nevertheless ,i will make this short repetition4 ,make a ,malt of ,wheat1 ,barley1 ,oats1 or any other ,grain1 as is usual for the brewing of ,beer1 ,see the full ,description1 ,prosp4 ,germ4 p4 #a4 cap4 #b4 and extract all the strength with ,water1 as if ,beer were to be made thereof3 ,afterwards boil this ,liquor away gently in broad and shallow ,vessels or ,coppers1 to the consistency of ,honey3 ,the ,dreggs or ,grains serve for ,food for ,cattel1 but the inspissated liquor or juice may be commodiously carried by ,sea1 and at pleasure may be made into ,beer with a mixture of ,hops and ,water4 ,and because for the most part eight ,tuns of ,grain afford one ,tun of the inspissated ,juice1 every ,tun of ,grain maketh a ,tun and an half1 yea1 two ,tuns of ,beer1 for every ,tun of ,liquor maketh at the least eight1 ten1 twelve1 or more ,tuns of ,beer1 according as you will have it stronger or smaller4 ,therefore it is easier and cheaper to carry in a ship one ,tun of this ,juice1 than ten or twelve ,hogsheads of ,beer1 which easily corrupts and grows sowre2 but on the contrary1 this ,liquor being kept from the ,air1 retaineth its goodness2 and this is of singular advantage1 seeing that good fresh ,beer may be made of this juice4 ,to this also belongs another great ,commodity1 viz4 that if this ,juice be mixed instead of ,water1 with ,wheat flower1 and baked1 it makes an efficacious ,bread1 which affordeth far more nourishment to sailers than their common ,bread1 and containeth in it self so great power1 that it can refresh and cheer the ,sick3 ,for which reason our ,ancestors did not in vain use to temper fine ,flower with clarified ,honey instead of ,water1 and make ,bread thereof1 which they called ,cakes of ,life1 because they were a great support to the ,humane ,body1 and as it were excited the ,life it self3 ,but in our daies all things being subservient to ,avarice1 you may see those sweet ,cakes1 made up with common1 impure1 and unclarified ,honey1 which cannot generate much good blood1 or juices2 but this our ,bread will approve it self to be of a greater sweetness1 nobility1 and efficacy1 inasmuch as the elicited juice of ,grain1 affordeth a far better nourishment than ,honey4 ,but if any desire to proceed farther with it1 this concentrated ,liquor of ,corn will yet afford a greater utility1 viz4 if being inspissated or brought to a thick consistency1 it be mingled with fine ,flower of the best ,mault1 and ,bread made thereof1 which after it is baked1 is to be cut into pieces1 and again put into the ,oven1 till it be dry and hard1 and then put up into ,chests or ,hogsheads1 to preserve it from the ,air1 and so carried to ,sea2 for then this ,bread1 when necessity requires1 may be infused in warm ,water with a few ,hops1 and excited to the separation of its fces1 and it will acquire the substance of ,beer3 ,but that which doth not pass into the ,liquor1 nor become ,beer1 may be heat in a ,kettle1 and some ,butter put to it1 which will very much comfort the languishing stomachs of ,seamen1 as well1 or better than the eating of ,bread softened in ,beer4 ,but in regard that bitter ,potions are not agreeable to all ,palates1 it may also be made into ,beer without ,hops1 by mixing the bread with good water only1 and afterwards boiling it for the evaporating the more phlegmatick part1 which will have a pleasant taste4 ,but this ,bisket also1 or twice baked ,bread1 may be ground small in a ,mill1 and put up close in ,casks1 and preserved on shipboard4 ,afterwards1 when need shall require1 you may temper it with warm water1 and in an open ,hogshead 7which yet must have a bottom7 suffer it to settle1 and clear it self2 so the flower ascendeth upwards1 and the water attracteth the sweet liquor1 and hence becometh excellent and wholsom ,beer1 which if it be drawn out at the bottom of the ,hogshead runneth as clear1 as if it had been made some ,months2 for there is now a separation made of the pure part of the ,bread1 from the impure or gross1 and when that which is fine is drawn off1 the gross part may also be drawn out of the ,vessel1 which being boiled with butter1 affords a singular pleasantness to the taste2 yea1 also is of a greater salubrity1 and better digestion in the stomach1 than ,pease1 ,beans1 or ,french ,barley boiled3 ,so that here is nothing lost1 ,bread or ,meal of this sort affording good ,beer1 and also a wholsom ,food to eat4 ,and thus on shipboard one may at any time of the year not only have good fresh ,beer1 but also thence may be made good ,vinegar4 ,and this may suffice to have briefly taught the manner of mitigating ,hunger and ,thirst by concentrated ,corn4 ,i shall now treat of the ,cure of ,diseases1 to which ,seamen are liable1 and which often bring death4 ,now1 if you regard the ,nature of ,man1 you shall generally find1 that he useth no measure or mediocrity in eating and drinking1 but rather puts down so much till his belly will hold no more4 ,which ,vice one man obtrudeth upon another1 under the shew of kindness and good-will1 from an old custom and enormous abuse1 although in this one offends more than another4 ,therefore while the ,appetite is more liberally indulged1 than admitteth of a good digestion1 the ,liver assumeth a ,chyle which is scarce half concocted3 ,whence also a gross blood is generated2 and so in process of time the ,viscera are filled and obstructed with crass and viscous humours2 hence they cannot perform their office as they ought1 but rather many and divers ,diseases do arise1 according as the heap of crudities encompass the ,flesh covering the ,joints1 obstruct the ,veins and ,nerves1 and deprave all the mediums of nourishment2 therefore when the ,evil cometh to that pass1 and grows prevalent1 the whole body is sensible of it1 but chiefly in that place where it fixeth its seat3 ,and hence necessarily one part suffereth by the hurt of another1 till at length all the powers go to decay1 and the whole body languisheth1 and cannot help it self1 and unless succoured by ,art1 dyeth4 ,for these causes ,physick was invented1 that those ,diseases arising from intemperate eating and drinking1 might be met in the way1 the perverse ,enemy or primogenial ,vice of the body be removed1 the viscous and phlegmatick ,saburra of the depraved humours dissolved and opened1 and the oppressed ,members expurged1 that so the body may again recover its former healthful estate2 the which is wont to be done by divers means1 and in various manners1 according as the ,physician understandeth the ,disease to be1 so he also affords his help1 viz4 taking it away by ,evacuations upwards or downwards1 by ,sweat or ,urine1 or by other means1 as the nature of the ,disease requireth4 ,but by which way soever the recrements of the malignity be dissipated and expelled1 and the inward parts be freed from them1 it is well1 and the ,physician hath performed his ,office1 also meriteth ,thanks and a due ,reward4 ,therefore whosoever well understandeth the nature1 rise1 and birth of diseases1 and also possesseth a good ,medicine1 or can obtain one1 is fitly qualified for a ,physician2 but he who knoweth not the disease1 nor is also furnished with fit and efficacious ,medicines1 nor knoweth how to obtain them1 grievously erreth by trying ,experiments so long1 till the ,evil more and more encreasing1 the ,sick at length expires2 the which is so well known that it needeth no proof2 so that many who have contracted diseases from immoderate eating and drinking1 are afraid to commit themselves to an unskilful ,physician1 but chuse rather to cure themselves by abstinence and fasting1 which way is indeed safe1 although it be tedious and full of delay4 ,others again use vulgar and trifling ,medicines1 and yet recover their health1 tho' late1 thinking that this happened by the use of their ,medicine1 when nevertheless the length of time1 and the sparingness of their meat and drink1 during their illness1 whence the superfluous pravity of humours hath gradually wasted1 hath effected this2 which also sometimes happens to those who take no ,physick2 but by how much the greater the pravity of the humours is1 by so much the longer it will be before ,nature will be able without help to overcome and expel them4 ,the which1 if it take #d1 #e1 or #f weeks to accomplish1 a ,physician 7by the benefit of good ,medicines7 might effect it in #b or #c days4 ,so great is the difference between a ,cure which ,nature performeth in a long time1 and that which is quickly done by ,art4 ,but here it may be objected1 that all diseases take not their beginning so much from an evil and superfluous humidity1 as from manifold other causes1 one being derived from this1 another from another cause4 ,to this ,i answer1 that all those affects of the ,body which exist in the skin1 and do not proceed from external accidents1 as wounds1 bruises1 falls1 c4 whence the bruising of the body1 and also ,death1 at length happens1 do draw their original from the intemperance of eating and drinking1 which administer occasion1 and furnish matter to noxious humours1 which hence occupy and infect divers ,members2 for one part affecteth another1 till the whole body abounds1 and is imbued with a multitude of viscous humours4 ,when the ,stomach is over-gorged1 and its tone is spoiled1 it contracteth cold crudities1 and falls into a dangerous estate1 ,how then should it rightly digest the ,food8 and1 ,what good can it transmit to the ,liver8 ,and seeing the ,liver receiveth nothing but what is evil and depraved1 ,what can that procreate of good1 and diffuse throughout the whole body8 ,therefore as ,i have said1 one ,member must suffer by another1 till the errour become common4 ,whilst a ,tree or an ,herb in the ground remains temperate1 that it be neither too wet nor too dry1 its root draweth from the earth virtue1 and imparteth it to the trunk1 and the trunk to the branches1 leaves1 flowers1 and fruit1 and is able to produce fruit conducible to health1 for many years4 ,but if the root be ill placed1 the ,salt being ill disposed1 whatsoever the stock there finds1 it associates to it self1 and also comnmunicateth the same1 and no better to the branches3 ,and if it stand too wet1 it brings forth an insalubrious ,fruit1 which by reason of too much moisture1 falleth off before it is ripe1 in whose stead fungous protuberances arising from putrefaction1 spring up1 and such ,plants do not endure long4 ,again1 if the ,root stand too dry1 it cannot thence have juice sufficient to nourish the ,tree1 and bring forth ,fruit1 but will by degrees wither away and die4 ,so also it is with ,men1 and their ,diseases2 for according as their ,bodies are treated1 they are healthful and fruitful1 or else diseasie4 ,now seeing that ,i have proved ,diseases from redundancy or humidity1 or from driness1 it will be easie to provide preventive ,remedies against them2 or if any errour or delay should happen in this1 it may be amended in the curative part1 by which the ,evil may be abolished4 ,these are required to be of that nature and property1 that they attract the superfluous and pernicious humours from all the ,viscera and principal ,internal ,members of the whole ,body1 into the ,ventricle1 conciliate a new concoction or digestion1 separate the pure from the impure1 adjoin the one to the ,liver1 and eject the other by ,seige3 ,and so the body is not only freed from depraved burthensom humours1 but also recovereth its strength1 and is cured of all ,infirmities4 ,which manner of ,curing1 at this day1 the more the pity1 is known but to few2 seeing that it is not to be effected with common ,herbs1 but somewhat better is required1 than what the ,philosophy of old ,women prescribeth3 ,nevertheless there is a great efficacy in certain ,simples2 as may be seen in ,hellebore or ,helleboraster1 by whose benefit the ,ancients prolonged their lives1 by the daily use of a certain dose of it4 ,moreover1 ,tabaco where it cometh to maturity1 effecteth things to be admired1 being rightly prepared and administred2 yea1 even that which 7being crude7 is taken in ,pipes1 cooleth and refresheth the body1 and also in some measure relieves against ,hunger and ,thirst2 which common experience daily witnesseth4 ,but whence this ,virtue happens1 ,tabaco-takers neither know nor care1 but acquiesce1 in that they either receive pleasure or profit by it3 ,therefore1 if ,tabaco1 or any other vulgar ,plant can perform so many and so great things1 being yet crude1 without any preparation1 ,what would not an ,extract or concentrated ,essence of all the ,vegetables do1 being rightly made8 which nevertheless ought to be of that nature1 that it may not only dispel every heap of malignant humours1 but also strengthen the inward parts1 and preserve from all things which may happen in the generating of a ,disease4 ,such a ,medicine is that which ,i here present to all those who continually use the ,seas1 and besides the ,scurvy1 undergo many other ,diseases2 by which they may not only efficaciously protect themselves against the assaults of ,distempers1 and hinder their progress when already began1 but also under the present want of ,meat and ,drink1 may make sound an infirm body3 ,but how1 and from what ,ingredients this ,euporist may be made and prepared1 needs not to be manifested to every one4 ,this is a great ,gift of ,god1 which ought to be honoured1 and not prostituted to the ,unworthy4 ,let it suffice at this time1 that such a ,medicament may be obtained at a small price2 ,i will not suffer it to be buried with me1 but will leave it to others1 who may keep it1 and sell it to those who desire it at a reasonable rate4 ,this is given in form of an ,electuary1 and may be taken for a ,preservative1 daily1 or every second1 third1 or fourth day1 as occasion requireth1 in the quantity of half or a whole ,pease1 upon an empty stomach1 fasting two hours after it1 if need be1 but if not1 ,food may be taken presently after it1 although it is better to abstain some hours3 ,but when a ,disease hath already invaded a man1 whether it be ,fever1 ,scurvy1 ,headach1 ,catarrh1 or any other ,disease infesting ,seamen1 let the ,patient forthwith swallow down of this ,electuary the magnitude of an ordinary ,pease 7for it hath no unpleasant taste7 and sweat if he can2 if not1 let him keep however a very moderate ,dyet all the day1 and in ,summer time1 as much as he can1 avoid the intense heat1 and in ,winter1 the extremity of ,cold2 the next day let him take the quantity of a ,pease or two1 and so let him encrease or diminish the dose1 according to the state of the ,disease4 ,these things being well observed1 all ,sicknesses will give place4 ,if a man carry with him but half an ounce of this ,medicine to sea1 in a long ,voyage1 he will possess a ,panacea1 both for the preventing and curing all ,diseases incident to his body4 ,this is of very great use and profit especially for ,masters of ,ships1 to whom ,i also highly recommend it as such1 and not to them only1 but also to all the ,inhabitants of the ,earth1 to whom it promiseth no less success4 ,if a ,medicine can be invented1 7besides that universal one of the ,philosophers7 accommodated to all diseases1 truly this is one1 and will perform all1 or even more than ,i have attributed to my ,catholicon in the ,second ,part of my ,pharmac4 ,spagyr4 that is a ,powder1 but this1 of which ,i now discourse1 an ,electuary prepared of certain good ,ingredients and ,sugar4 ,i affirm again1 ,that there is no disease1 whether internal or external1 for the curing of which this ,medicine doth not suffice2 for it doth not only resist the ,fever1 ,scurvy1 and ,pox1 but even the ,gout and ,leprosy it self1 provided they be not too much fixed and radicated2 yea1 although they be very inveterate1 and cannot be throughly rooted out by this ,medicine1 nevertheless it gives relief in them1 and renders them more tolerable1 and hinders the accession of the daily fits1 and keeps it under4 ,certainly where this ,medicine can yield no help1 ,nature must be wholly ruined and tired out4 ,what ,i have here written1 is the ,truth1 which ,i am able to prove by experience2 however it is free for every one to believe or not believe me1 as he pleaseth3 ,christian ,charity to my ,neighbour hath compelled me1 if it be well taken1 it is well1 if not1 ,i have done my part1 and discharged my ,conscience4 ,nor will ,i insist any farther on the praise of this ,panacea1 ,i have said enough to those who believe1 or can understand me4 ,and thus ,i have set before the whole ,world1 that ,medicament which can preserve from1 and cure the most grievous ,diseases accompanying ,ships and ,voyages1 and also relieve in the extremity of ,hunger4 ,this being done1 there yet remains another ,remedy whereby the ,body may be relieved1 and refreshed in extremity of ,thirst1 when drink is wanting2 and this is done by ,water concentrated1 which is of so great virtue1 that it giveth such a refrigeration to a thirsty ,palate1 that in the whole ,world there is not the like4 ,seeing therefore that in long ,voyages ,water is often wanting1 and putrefieth and stinketh1 it will be very necessary here to declare and shew1 how ,thirst may be restrained and rendered tolerable in time of necessity4 ,then also how common ,water may be preserved from corruption2 moreover1 that one ,tun may effect as much for the quenching of ,thirst1 as otherwise #b or #c ,tuns of common ,water can4 ,which is not only my saying1 but the ,truth it self2 as ,i will here prove by manifest testimonies3 ,and this is to be done as ,i have said1 by ,water concentrated and coagulated4 ,but what that is1 ,i will first shew1 and then by what means it is to be prepared and used4 ,to explain the genuine ,property of concentrated ,water to many1 may seem unnecessary1 in regard that ,seamen are not skilled in such discourses1 nor careful about them2 and that they rather belong to ,philosophers1 and the ,contemplators of ,nature1 that they may render the knowledge of them familiar to themselves3 ,but this ,treatise without doubt will come into the hands of wise and experienced men1 as well as into those who use the ,seas1 and therefore perhaps ,i shall not lose my labour1 if ,i somewhat more exactly describe the nature of that water4 ,it is sufficiently evident to all those who have saluted but the ,thresholds of ,nature1 that the ,omnipotent ,god1 in the first ,creation of the ,world1 hath separated the ,elements from the rude ,chaos1 as also the ,elements from one another1 placing the ,earth in the bottom or foundation of the ,center1 and over that the ,water1 over the ,water the ,air1 and over the ,air the ,fire2 so that every of them holdeth its own receptacle and seat1 from whence1 without the will of ,god1 it cannot recede4 ,nevertheless1 we find that one alwaies participates of the other1 and none is found without another1 although one be predominant and visible2 but the rest exist in it invisibly1 and by the skill of an ,artist1 may visibly be deduced from it4 ,so from the ,earth we elicite ,air1 ,water1 and ,fire2 from the visible ,water1 natural ,earth1 ,air1 and ,fire2 again1 from the ,air1 ,earth1 ,water1 and ,fire2 and from the ,fire1 ,air1 ,water1 and ,earth4 ,hence the ,elements are continually circulated from one species into another1 which indeed we do not observe or perceive1 and no ,element can want an ,element1 but draweth its life and nutriment from another4 ,the ,fire cannot burn without ,air2 the ,fire operateth upon the ,water1 and of it maketh ,air2 the ,water resteth in the ,earth1 and moisteneth the same2 the ,fire impregnateth the ,air2 the ,air insinuateth the ,seed into the ,earth2 the ,earth nourisheth and cherisheth the ,seed unto perfection1 and afterwards bringeth to light what it hath conceived1 and carried in its belly4 ,these things are only hinted at by the way1 and not without cause4 ,but to return to our concentrated water1 that we may explain its nature1 know1 that water is the principium or beginning of all the ,elements2 which thing is sufficiently manifest1 and may be seen daily1 especially in the subterranean ,mines of ,metals1 whose inward bowels are so penetrated1 that there is not only water1 but we also see it to be quickly transmuted into various forms of ,mineral ,bodies1 the which without is familiar2 and the more limpid or clear the water is1 the brighter ,stones and purer ,minerals it generateth3 ,of which you may read more in that ,treatise1 ,the ,second ,part of the ,mineral ,work where ,i have described the generation of ,minerals2 also that ,flints and ,sand1 in the ,earth1 ,rivers1 and ,seas1 receive their encrease from water1 is sufficiently manifest2 for all sand was primitively water only1 and hath passed out of water into hard sand or stones1 and into which it may again be changed4 ,but this is not to be used as a ,remedy against ,thirst1 because it is now too hard1 and difficultly returneth to its first matter1 viz4 ,water1 except by the benefit of another subject1 which is a medium between ,sand1 ,flints1 ,crystal1 and common water1 viz4 ,salt1 which hath an agreement with the nature both of common water and that of stones1 and may be easily changed into either of them2 as you shall hereafter hear4 ,but this concentrated water1 which ,i here propose for the vanquishing of ,thirst1 and refreshing of the body1 is salt prepared and concentrated1 either of the waters of ,mountains1 or of the ,sea1 which are of the same goodness3 ,of which afterwards is prepared by ,art a water so excellent1 that for repressing of ,thirst and refreshing a languid body1 there is no ,remedy in the world may be compared to it4 ,here some one ignorant of natural things may object1 and say1 ,how can it be that ,salt should repel ,thirst1 seeing that when it is eaten1 it exciteth and encreaseth the same8 ,to this ,i answer1 ,that common salt1 as it is first extracted or boiled1 can in no wise restrain the ,appetite of drinking1 but rather provoke it1 except its pravity be first corrected and depurated2 for every salt seems to have laid aside its nature and property1 so long as it contains earthy and gross fces1 which nevertheless may be removed from it by solution1 filtration1 and coagulation2 whence also it is bitter1 astringent1 and hard2 but this harshness and terrestreity being removed1 the salt remaineth no longer hard1 but is reduced into a soft and fluid ,liquor1 not sweet1 but pleasantly acid1 tasting like an ,apple or the stones of ,grapes4 ,and this purification must be made by the force of ,fire1 viz4 when the salt in destilling is sublimed in earthen ,vessels1 by strong ,flames2 and then the purest and most noble part only ascendeth1 and the more gross and earthy remaineth in the bottom1 and is of no use2 but the purer part is of great power and virtues1 not only against ,thirst1 but is also very necessary for many other things1 as shall hereafter be demonstrated4 ,that otherwise in impure common salt a great ,virtue is latent1 let no man doubt1 seeing that it may be daily observed3 ,wherefore that excellent ,philosopher ,plato writeth1 ,that in salt there is somewhat divine2 and according to the opinion of other great and wise men1 ,,god hath openly manifested ,himself in ,fire and ,salt1 and the ancient ,philosophers were hence taught to prepare their ,universal ,medicine2 which ,art of preparing they have called ,alchymy1 or ,the melting of ,salt2 but ,i speak not this by experience1 in regard that ,i never yet durst attempt so great a ,secret1 being contented with smaller things2 but this ,i know1 and have divers times done1 viz4 that by a certain ,artifice1 ,i have precipitated from common ,salt some corporeal ,gold1 although without profit1 and only to see the possibility1 which without those precipitations remaineth spiritual1 and at length by them obtaineth a corporeal substance4 ,indeed the greatest ,mystery of the whole ,world consisteth in ,fire and ,salt1 and with those two 7after ,god7 nothing may be compared2 for the ,flame raiseth ,light out of ,darkness1 which otherwise none but ,god can do4 ,it is also fit to restore life to the dead1 no otherwise than the warm ,sun or ,oven reviveth ,worms1 ,frogs1 ,serpents1 ,flies1 and other ,insects1 which have been killed by the ,cold2 of which ,i have made mention in the second part of my ,pharmacop4 ,spagyr4 as also in ,miraculum ,mundi1 and its ,explication4 ,many men use ,fire1 yet know not what they have or use3 ,so also it happeneth with salt1 all men use it out of custom1 but observe not what they taste4 ,salt is a thing of great moment2 by it we give strength to resist ,corruption1 both to the living and the dead4 ,and so it is1 that if men had not salt1 or at the least those ,plants and ,fruits1 in which it dwells1 they would putrefie while yet living4 ,which would also happen to ,cattel1 if they did not eat ,grass1 which contains in it self its own salt1 and sufficeth them in feeding2 nevertheless if something better were given them with it1 it would be very profitable for them2 for if to horned ,beasts1 as also ,hogs1 some saltness were given with their meat and drink1 they would thereby acquire much strength and fatness4 ,seeing therefore that ,salt1 whilst it is yet gross and rude1 and defiled with many impurities1 performeth such things in living ,creatures1 and preserveth ,flesh and ,fish1 as also all ,herbs and ,grass1 long from ,corruption2 ,what could not such a salt do1 which by the help of ,art hath received a greater purity than ,nature hath bestowed upon it8 ,for the ,fire containeth a power of correcting and purifying salt1 and converting it into a finer and better substance4 ,the common salts which we daily use1 do indeed give a relish to all ,edibles1 and preserve them from putrefaction2 yet nevertheless they dry1 astringe1 and bind the belly2 also excite ,thirst2 but salt being rectified and depurated1 communicateth a sweet and grateful taste1 also more powerfully resisteth ,corruption than the other1 neither doth it bind the belly1 but keepeth it soluble1 expelleth ,urine2 nor doth it cause ,thirst1 but rather taketh it away both from the sick and sound3 ,so great a difference is there between the common and corrected and depurated salt1 which ,rusticks little understand4 ,the nature and property of common salt is known to every one1 as far as concerns the ,kitchin1 but the rectified is known to few3 ,and the ,spirit of ,salt1 which is in use in ,apothecaries shops1 and which they also sell1 being for the most part not rightly prepared1 effecteth little1 and therefore not frequently used3 ,but if it were made and rectified as it should be1 it would not only have a pleasanter taste1 but also a better operation4 ,so many things bear ,names which are not agreeable to the thing1 and therefore cannot perform what is expected from them4 ,the ,ancients have ascribed great ,virtues to ,spirit of ,salt in ,medicine1 which it indeed hath1 if after its destillation it be well rectified and dephlegmed2 but if it be administred so crude as it ascends the first time1 it may perhaps do more harm than good1 inasmuch as a great deal of terrestreity comes over with it1 which in the rectifying remaineth in the bottom of the ,glass1 as an insipid1 bitter1 or astringent salt4 ,and although this be well enough known to some1 nevertheless they abhor to rectifie their spirit1 because the spirit in rectification loseth a great part of its weight1 by separating its superfluities4 ,i taught1 many years since1 how to prepare the spirit of salt in quantity1 whose description is also exactly set down in the first and second part of my ,furnaces4 ,it also demonstrateth its utility in ,metallicks2 as manifestly appears in the first part of my ,mineral ,work1 where the manner of extracting ,gold from ,stones1 by its help1 is taught4 ,altho' the spirit for that work should be prepared after another manner1 than that which is to be used at ,sea1 or on shore1 for the curing ,diseases or repressing of ,thirst2 wherefore ,i'll first teach the way of making this1 and then also shew its ,use4 ,as for the manner of anatomising ,salt by ,fire and ,art1 and transmuting it into a pure and sweet spirit1 it is various1 for one useth this1 another way1 as ,i also have taught divers waies1 in the first and second part of my ,furnaces2 but here ,i will appoint another1 which is the best and most commodious for the uses treated of in this ,book1 and is thus to be performed4 ,get some strong ,retorts1 made of good ,earth 7but ,glass is better7 fill them with the following mixture of ,salt and ,earth1 then according to ,art1 destil thence a spirit gratefully acid1 which duly rectifie1 and it will be prepared for ,use4 ,the salt is to be thus prepared for destillation3 fill a great ,crucible with ,sea-salt1 which cover with an earthen ,cover1 and by degrees put ,fire about it of flaming ,coals1 encreasing it1 until the salt be all over red-hot2 this being done1 presently remove it from the fire1 and let it cool2 by this means1 if any greasie sordes1 or other combustible impurities1 adhere to the salt1 they will be consumed and vanish4 ,dissolve the salt in common water1 filter or strain it through a fine close ,linen ,cloth1 that the fces may be separated2 the clear ,liquor evaporate in an earthen glazed ,vessel1 till the ,cuticula appear1 then make little balls of clay and sand1 about the bigness of ,walnuts or ,pigeons ,eggs2 dry them1 and heat them red-hot in an earthen ,vessel1 and so the fat spirit of the ,earth will be burnt away2 then imbibe those balls with your strong salt water1 by letting them remain in it for some hours1 that they may drink in as much of it as they can1 then take them out1 and dry them3 ,with these fill your ,retorts1 and administer ,fire by degrees1 and at length urge with the strongest flames1 so long1 till they emit no more fume1 for then all the spirit is come forth3 ,the ,receiver must be of ,glass1 and very large1 in whose bottom must also be a little water1 to attract and condense the spirit4 ,the ,destillation being finished1 the spirit is to be rectified by it self in a low ,cucurbit in sand1 and first the water or phlegm will come over1 7which you may keep for another destillation7 then the pure and sweet spirit will rise limpid and clear1 and an unpleasant salt will remain in the bottom1 which is to be cast away1 and the spirit to be kept for the uses to be shewed hereafter4 ,but if you desire to have the spirit yet more pure1 and efficacious1 you may rectifie it again upon calcined or powdered ,flints1 which will retain in the bottom whatsoever is yet gross or impure1 and the spirit will be rendered very pure and subtile2 for the ,flint at the first was ,water and ,salt1 and hence both contain in themselves so streight a communion4 ,this may be seen among the ,glass-makers1 who reduce ,sand or ,flints into clearness by melting1 that thence they may make pure ,glass2 for ,salt in the ,fire dissolveth sand1 ,flint1 ,crystal1 and together with them receiveth the ,essence of ,glass2 yea1 and these very species and matters1 by the help of an ,alkaly ,salt1 are resolved into a diaphanous ,glass1 which being put into common ,water1 melt like salt2 of which ,i have discoursed in the ,third ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,when we destil the aforesaid rectified ,spirit of ,salt again from powdered ,flints1 from the innate love which it hath to the ,flints1 it carrieth some part of them upwards with it self1 and is made better for use in all ,diseases1 especially in the ,dropsie1 ,stone1 and ,gout it is an excellent ,medicine4 ,the ,flints remaining in the bottom1 yield a water which dissolveth the hardest ,crystals1 and is acid like the spirit of ,salt1 and nothing else but part of it coagulated with them1 and may be administred in all cases as the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,let no man wonder that ,i ascribe more to this ,spirit rectified with ,flints1 than to any other common spirit of salt2 for few know what ,virtues are latent in flints or sand4 ,all ,birds and four-footed ,animals use sand4 ,many men administer the powder of ,flints and ,crystal1 for the corroborating of weak stomachs4 ,hens devour ,sand and small ,pebbles1 that they may thence have matter for their ,eggshels1 and being debarred of it1 lay ,eggs without shells4 ,wherefore ,i affirm1 ,that this spirit of ,salt1 abstracted from flints1 to be better in many ,diseases than the common spirit1 and especially the ,crystals1 or spirit of salt coagulated1 of which we have above made mention4 ,let this ,suffice concerning the ,preparation of spirit of salt4 ,now we will also teach1 how it is to be administred either at ,sea or on ,shore1 for the repelling of ,thirst1 and the ,cure of ,diseases3 ,to what other purposes the spirit of salt serves1 besides ,medicine1 ,i have shewed elsewhere2 here my intention is only to signifie of what great use and profit it may be in ,voyages to ,sea1 which was the only occasion of writing this ,treatise4 ,of the ,use of ,spirit of ,salt in ,ships1 against ,thirst1 and also the ,scurvy4 ,in the first place1 this spirit is profitable to the body1 when a small quantity of it is put into the ,hogsheads of ,water1 thereof ,seamen and ,souldiers drink1 to which it gives a grateful acidity1 like that of ,wine1 and is far more effectual in quenching of ,thirst1 and in less quantity than other ,water1 and besides preserves the ,water from corruption and stinking1 which otherwise in long ,voyages it is wont to suffer1 contracting a muddiness1 blackness1 and breeding ,worms1 which generate the ,scurvy2 for the ,water containing the spirit of salt1 cannot corrupt2 which spirit also preserveth other things1 both living and dead1 from putrefaction4 ,and because the water with the acid spirit of salt extinguisheth ,thirst more than any other1 it necessarily follows1 that so great a quantity of water need not be carried for a ,voyage1 as otherwise is usual4 ,moreover1 seeing that the spirit of salt resisteth all putrefaction1 it suffereth not the ,scurvy to take root1 for it refresheth and exhilarateth a man with great vigour1 corroborateth the stomach1 and all the members of the body1 it consumeth pituitous matter in the ,reins and ,bladder1 expelleth ,urine and ,stone1 keepeth the ,belly soluble1 promoteth digestion2 it suffereth no ,disease to grow from corruption of the ,blood1 to which otherwise ,sea-faring men are subject3 ,moreover1 it exerteth its salutiferous ,virtues1 if a little of it be mingled with ,wine and ,beer1 in ,ships1 which will long preserve it in its goodness and sincerity1 causing it the better to repress ,thirst1 and therefore to go the farther in use4 ,also ,beef1 ,mutton1 and ,veal may by it be preserved a long time1 viz4 if they be put into stone pots1 and powdered or condited with some salt1 dissolved in the spirit of salt4 ,nevertheless it behoveth that the ,flesh be without many ,bones1 and that all the legs1 shins1 or shanks be cut off4 ,moreover1 a very small quantity of the spirit being added to the water in which ,fish is to be boiled1 maketh the ,fish eat firm and close1 and of a much solider relish than when sprinkled with ,vinegar4 ,so also ,raisins being put into water impregnated with spirit of salt1 will grow soft1 and swell1 and will recover their strength and sweetness1 as if they were fresh plucked from the ,vine1 which will afford a great refreshment to those who frequent the ,seas4 ,in a word1 this spirit may commodiously be used1 not only in ,water1 ,wine1 or ,beer1 but also in all sorts of ,food in ,ships2 for it giveth a very pleasant taste to all meat and drink1 and correcteth them so1 that they become more wholsom4 ,it hath also another very profitable use1 viz4 ,if in hot weather but one drop1 or so small a part of the coagulated spirit1 as the magnitude of an ,hempseed1 be mixed with sugar and held upon the ,tongue2 for it so cooleth the mouth1 and allayeth ,thirst1 that there will be no need of bad ,water or ,beer1 by which the body is more violated than corroborated1 through drinking often and much of them4 ,nor is this the least of its virtues1 that when in a long ,voyage there is a want of water1 a little more of the spirit of salt may be put into it than will serve for a grateful acidity2 for so it will quench ,thirst for a longer time1 and in a less quantity than otherwise a greater quantity of water can do4 ,yea1 although the ,ship should be cast away1 and the men forced to betake themselves to their ,boat1 or broken pieces of the ,ship1 as it often happens1 if they have but an ounce of the spirit of salt in a ,glass1 or half so much of it coagulated1 in defect of ,drink1 they may sustain their lives and health therewith so long1 till it please ,god to afford them a means of getting to shore2 nor will they be forced to drink their own ,urine1 or ,sea-water1 which is pernicious4 ,these and the like ,virtues the spirit of salt sheweth in ,ships1 which for brevity sake1 are not all declared4 ,i have also meditated how the ,sea-water may be made sweet and drinkable by precipitation1 which would be very desirable in want of water3 ,and so far ,i have attained1 that ,i can precipitate a good quantity of the salt from the water1 which also becomes much sweeter1 but yet not so fully1 but some saltness remains in it4 ,although in case of necessity this water may be used in ,ships for the boiling of ,pease and ,beans1 as also for the fermenting of concentrated ,corn4 ,what ,i now know concerning this precipitation1 ,i will make manifest for the good of my ,neighbour1 and shew a good beginning how ,sea-water may be made fit to drink4 ,there is a certain kind of ,mineral called ,mary's ,ice2 it is not the ,muscovian ,glass1 as perhaps some may think1 but another thing2 when it is heat red-hot in the fire1 and so cast into ,sea-water1 it is presently reduced to a tender and white powder2 which being done1 the ,water will be agitated and moved hither and thither2 then the ,powder attracteth to it self part of the ,salt from the ,water1 and settleth to the bottom of the ,vessel1 and the ,water groweth clear1 which may be poured out1 and if this labour be once or twice repeated1 the ,water1 by this precipitation1 will indeed be made sweeter1 but not altogether potable4 ,also the salt or solution of ,saturn dismisseth much of the salt from ,sea-water1 yet by that it is not rendered drinkable4 ,the best way which ,i now know1 is this which follows1 but it is somewhat costly3 ,nevertheless when necessity urgeth1 sweet and good water profiteth a man more than a ,bond of an hundred pieces of ,gold4 ,hence this ,art deserveth to be honoured1 although it be costly2 for a man ready to die with ,thirst would give all he hath for a draught of ,water to save his ,life3 ,wherefore somewhat of this precipitation may be committed to ,ships1 for their preservation1 which may be used in great necessity1 but if no such be1 it may be brought home again1 and kept for another ,voyage1 seeing that it will in no wise decay1 but be as good after an hundred years1 as the first day of its preparation4 ,but what this is1 there is no need openly to divulge1 but he who desireth it1 may come to me and have it3 ,but for the information of those who are skilful in ,chymistry1 ,i will intimate this2 ,that the precipitation of ,salt from ,water1 is necessarily to be performed by a singular sand1 which doth not only drive salt downwards1 but also all ,phlegm1 ,sordes1 and ,impurities2 so that although the water should be like to a ,fen or ,dunghill in filth and stink1 by the benefit of this precipitation1 in a few hours1 it should become like clear ,fountain water1 because the evil odour and taste would also be precipitated4 ,the same may be done in all ,waters1 how nasty and muddy soever1 and not only in ,waters1 but also in all potable ,liquors1 as ,wine and ,beer1 although the ,wine were red1 seeing that the precipitation casteth to the bottom all muddiness1 colour1 and stink4 ,and hence not only those ,liquors1 which are changed red by corruption1 or other accident1 but also ,crystals1 which are red by nature1 may be reduced to a perspicuous clarity2 which is a thing very profitable for ,vintners2 for otherwise the ,sea-waters become sweet when they are carried far through common sand1 which imbibeth their salt2 for those two have a mutual communion and communication1 seeing that both are generated of ,water2 hence also1 by the fire1 they are resolved into a dry ,water1 or pellucid ,glass4 ,whence any man knowing in the nature of things1 may apprehend1 that this precipitation of ,sea-water is built upon a foundation agreeable to ,nature4 ,my ,alexipharmac1 or ,mineral-,electuary1 before mentioned1 as also the ,spirit and ,crystals of ,salt1 may be administred1 as well at ,land as on ,sea1 against the ,scurvy1 ,fevers1 and other ,diseases4 ,and although in the ,second ,part of my ,pharmacop4 ,i have already described a certain ,mineral ,remedy1 under the ,title of a ,panacea1 and commended it against all ,diseases1 by which admirable ,cures are e'ry where done1 yet ,i prefer my ,mineral ,electuary before that1 because it is more accommodated to use1 seeing that when need requires1 it may be taken out of a ,box with a ,knife only2 neither is there need of any ,vehicle1 as ,wine1 ,beer1 or others1 which are necessary to be used with the ,panacea2 neither is there need of weighing it1 but may be proportioned by the ,eye1 according to the age and strength of the sick4 ,those who are of full age and strength1 may take as much of the ,electuary upon a fasting stomach as will equal the magnitude of a ,pease1 and fast some hours after it1 if time and opportunity permit2 also let the ,patient avoid the cold ,air1 and the heat of the ,sun in hot seasons4 ,it is to be taken twice1 four times1 or oftner1 in a week1 according to the necessity of the sick1 to which it must also be proportioned by encreasing or diminishing the ,dose2 for if one grain should not work1 the ,patient may take two1 ascending to #c or #d1 if need be4 ,when a small ,dose is administred1 it works insensibly2 if a little more1 then it worketh by stool1 and sometimes by vomit1 when it findeth diseasie matter in the stomach2 if it findeth depraved salt humours1 it casteth them out by sweat1 spitting1 or urine1 and throughly purgeth the body from every evil4 ,in brief1 ,i say1 it greatly purifieth the ,blood1 openeth all obstructions of the internal principal members1 as the ,liver1 ,spleen1 and ,lungs1 beyond all ,phlegmagogues3 ,it hindereth the growth of all ,apostemations both within and without the body2 it consumeth ,fluxes and ,catarrhs1 which fall upon the ,eyes1 ,ears1 and ,teeth2 it exterminateth the venereal ,pox in a short time2 it also cureth the ,dropsie1 ,leprosie1 ,gout1 and ,falling-sickness1 both in old and young2 expelleth the ,stone both of the ,kidneys and ,bladder2 cureth all sorts of ,fevers2 and lastly1 it healeth all inward and outward ,wounds and ,ulcers1 being taken inwardly1 and a due ,diet observed4 ,this is a safe and approved ,medicine in the cure of all curable diseases1 nor doth it fail to help in inveterate affects1 viz4 when a disease hath been long growing1 and is now firmly rooted and fixed1 that it cannot be totally expelled1 as the ,gout and ,stone1 yet then this ,medicine mitigateth the pain1 and maketh the ,fits slower and more tolerable1 and suffereth not the ,disease to encrease1 but to be more and more abated and diminished4 ,it cures all ,scabs and ,ringworms1 or ,tetters1 proceeding from an impure ,blood and ,liver1 only by taking it inwardly1 without any outward unctions4 ,what shall ,i say more8 ,this ,medicine cannot be sufficiently praised1 seeing that it operateth universally against all the diseases both of ,men and ,beasts3 ,but ,i must forbear1 for if ,i should shew all its ,virtues1 this ,treatise would swell to too great a bulk4 ,in ,maritime ,towns1 and other places where the ,scurvy is regnant1 a better ,medicine than this cannot be found1 for it removeth all pravity of ,humours1 from which such diseases proceed2 it preserveth from the ,plague1 and other ,contagions1 and happily cureth their ,infections2 it strengtheneth the ,memory1 ,heart1 and ,brain2 preserveth from the ,palsie and its ,concomitants3 ,in time it restoreth those who have their ,members contracted1 and their ,nerves repressed and immovable1 after the being anointed with ,mercury1 for the cure of the ,pox4 ,he that will take it every week or once in #c or #d weeks as a preservative1 shall not have the ,tooth-ach1 nor shall his ,ears be troubled with ringing or other noises1 nor shall his ,eyes be troubled with sharp ,rheums2 but by the benefit of this1 those continual inveterate ,corroders of the ,body1 ,catarrh1 ,fistula1 ,cancer1 and other almost incurable symptoms1 are throughly cured4 ,hence both ,rich and ,poor1 and those especially who go long ,voyages to ,sea1 and want ,physicians1 ought to esteem this ,alexipharmac1 and provide themselves with it against a time of necessity4 ,if any man carries with him half an ounce of it1 it will be sufficient for preservation and curation for more than a year1 in many diseases4 ,if a ,ship going to the ,east or ,west ,indies1 carry with them half a pound of it1 they may save the ,lives of many men2 one of which is of ten times more value than the price of the ,medicine1 by help of which the lives and health of many ,hundreds of ,men may be preserved1 and being sick1 may be reduced to their former health4 ,now it is farther necessary to describe the ,virtues which the ,spirit of ,salt sheweth on ,shore2 for that which is profitable to the sick on shipboard1 is not hurtful for those who dwell at ,land3 ,for this spirit may be used in all ,houses in their usual drink1 as ,beer or ,wine1 especially in these moist ,regions1 where the ,scurvy commonly reigneth2 so that there is scarcely an ,house to be found1 in which there is not one at the least infected with this ,disease2 for the drink is hereby made clear1 so that it well dilateth the ,urinary passages1 moreover hindereth the growing of the stone in the ,kidnys and ,bladder2 it also gives a pleasant taste to the ,wine1 removeth its superfluous ,tartar and precipitateth it to the bottom1 so that ,spanish and ,french ,wine acquire a clearness like to ,rhenish wine4 ,in ,summer time1 after ,liquors have once wrought1 it suffereth them not to fret1 grow mucous1 or work again1 but keepeth them from many ,accidents4 ,french ,wines1 as sold in many places1 have neither odour nor taste1 but good ,wine is endowed both with a ,vinous relish1 and a grateful odour2 and when these are wanting1 the name agrees not with the thing4 ,but the ,spirit of ,salt1 with the ,essence of ,wine1 conciliates to ,french wine the smell1 taste1 and colour of ,rhenish wine4 ,hence also being so meliorated1 it will1 like ,rhenish1 keep many years1 which otherwise will hardly hold good two years4 ,moreover1 by the spirit of salt that quality may be taken away from ,honey1 which renders its taste somewhat ungrateful1 and its hidden ,impurities may be precipitated1 so that an excellent wholsom drink may be made of it4 ,which is a famous ,art to be used in those places where there is no wine2 for when ,honey is well depurated1 and the unpleasant taste taken from it1 it becomes as a comforting ,balsam to ,man2 as that old ,souldier had experienced1 whom ,alexander asked what he had used to prolong his ,life to so great an ,age1 he answered1 ,that inwardly he had used ,honey1 and outwardly ,oil4 ,and it is evident to many1 that there is a great virtue in ,honey1 but by reason of the unpleasant taste1 it is loathed2 which yet is removed by the spirit of salt1 so that a drink prepared of such pure ,honey1 is as wholsom as the best wine3 which hath also this benefit1 that every ,housekeeper may have this drink at his ,table1 at any time of the year4 ,this honied ,nectar also holdeth good many years1 after the manner of the best ,rhenish wine1 and is made for a small charge1 and will be a great comfort to those who are not able to go to the price of wine4 ,moreover1 every one may make his own drink as strong and as sweet as he pleaseth2 which is the principal head of the ,art1 to take away the ungrateful taste from the ,honey1 which being removed by the spirit of salt1 the drink will become clear1 to which you may add a little ,french or ,rhenish wine for taste sake4 ,you may thence also make good ,beer1 which will hold its goodness #aj or #bj years1 or more1 viz4 if instead of common water you take the water of ,hops1 to dissolve the purified ,honey1 to which 7if you please7 you may give divers tasts1 by putting into it divers ,herbs1 as is wont to be done in wine and beer4 ,but this you are especially to regard1 ,that for this business you do not use unrectified spirit of salt1 for such would spoil the taste1 and corrupt the drink1 but alwaies take that which is well rectify'd1 which ,i have sufficiently taught the manner of doing of1 both in this ,treatise1 and divers other places of my ,writings4 ,,nb4 ,there is no need to put the spirit into a ,vessel of ,wine or ,beer1 but it sufficeth to keep it in a small glass1 and as often as you have occasion to put some drops of it into a ,bottle of ,wine or ,beer1 and so to drink of it4 ,every one therefore may make his drink as he will1 by putting in more or less of the spirit1 according to his ,palate2 which doth not only serve to make the wine and beer clear and diuretick1 but may also be used in ,fountain-water1 in hot weather1 for the allaying of wine3 ,for if some drops of it be put into a bottle of water1 it giveth it a grateful acidity1 not much unlike to the natural ,mineral acid waters1 and in hot weather allayeth the over-great heat of the ,blood1 and quencheth ,thirst1 so that there is no need of burdening the stomach with much wine or beer4 ,also all those drinks1 as wine1 beer1 and water1 which are mingled with the well-rectified spirit of salt1 are far wholsomer than other ordinary drinks4 ,if a little pure ,steel be dissolved in spirit of ,salt1 and then put to fair water1 it will have almost the same taste with the ,spaw-water1 and if some quantity of it be drank1 it looseth the belly1 and evacuateth black ,excrements1 whence a man grows lively and vigorous1 as if he had drank of the ,spaw-waters4 ,and this benefit may accrue by it to all ,travellers1 who carrying with them a little spirit of salt in a glass1 may at all times1 and in all places1 correct and amend their beer or wine in their ,tuns1 and give it a better relish3 ,but because this spirit is more liable to be lost in a liquid form by any accident befalling the glass1 therefore being coagulated into a dry form1 it may be more commodiously carried about in a ,paper or ,box1 of which the magnitude of a small ,pease drank in one cup of water1 quencheth ,thirst better than a great quantity of water alone4 ,this spirit or salt will be serviceable to men of all sorts1 but to none more than to ,seamen or ,souldiers1 in war-like expeditions1 of which sometimes more die through want of water1 than by the sword1 who also for the most part contract their ,diseases from the filths in ,ships1 which might easily be prevented4 ,what will it profit a ,captain of a ,man of ,war1 or the ,commander of a ,merchant-ship to have many men for his defence and service1 if they are disabled by a ,disease8 ,were it not then better to use all diligence to preserve their health1 and to restore it when lost8 ,which may be done with small ,labour and ,cost4 ,a ,general brings an ,army some time into the ,field1 of #aj1 #bj1 or #cj ,thousand ,men1 and seeing that those observe no due order in eating and drinking1 and being destitute of ,medicines1 if the ,plague1 ,fever1 or ,bloody-,flux comes among them1 they drop off one after another like ,flies in ,winter2 when notwithstanding they might be succoured and helped in those ,diseases by my ,electuary1 ,this ,electuary ,i think to be the ,panacea ,antimonij made up with ,sugar4 ,salt of ,salt1 or ,spirit of ,salt1 inspissated or thickened with ,sugar4 ,the spirit of salt hath alwaies been highly esteemed1 both by ancient modern ,physicians1 for its great virtues which it sheweth both inwardly outwardly2 besides which1 it is of great use in other ,arts1 as ,i have shewed in the first and second ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,and that the ,reader may see that ,i am not singular in what ,i have ascribed to the spirit of salt1 ,i will here set down the ,experience of that no less learned than famous ,physician ,conradus ,kunrath2 of the spirit of salt1 as he hath expressed it in his ,medulla ,destillatoria1 printed at ,hamburgh1 ,anno #afch4 in these words1 ,part #a4 pag4 #ei4 ,the ,great and ,effectual ,operations which are attributed to the ,spirit or ,oil of ,,salt4 ,the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt is not of so acrimonious a taste1 as ,salt commonly is3 ,nor hath it so great an acidity as the ,spirit of ,vitriol1 but it tasteth almost like the juice of wild ,apples1 with somewhat of sweetness intermixt4 ,it discusseth1 dissolveth1 consumeth1 and dryeth1 yet it doth not heat too much1 but hath a temperate nature1 mitigating and comforting the natural heat1 which it also encreaseth1 and dispelleth all things contrary to ,nature1 preserveth the state of sound humours unhurt1 especially profitable for those who are phlegmatick1 whose viscous ,saburra of humidities it consumeth1 taketh away ,catarrhs which fall from the ,head1 and preserveth from all ,diseases which arise from a noxious ,pituity1 ,mucor1 and ,fluxes4 ,yea1 those who use labour and study1 shall perceive their ,strength to be restored by it1 and as it were renewed4 ,experience1 the ,mistris of things1 witnesseth1 ,that it is a present ,remedy against the ,falling-sickness1 being administred in good ,aqua-vit3 ,against the ,apoplexy1 ,palsie1 or loss of ,speech2 as also the trembling and beating of the ,heart1 and all dejections of ,mind2 as also in the time of the ,plague1 or in any infectious ,air1 it may be administred with profit1 by mixing half an ounce of the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt with two ounces of the ,juice of ,violets1 and as much of the ,electuary of ,juniper-berries1 in a ,stone or ,glass ,mortar1 and the ,patient taking the quantity of a ,filberd in the morning upon an empty stomach4 ,this ,compound-,medicine being given to ,women with ,child1 facilitateth the ,birth1 and is highly profitable against various symptoms of ,women in ,child-bed1 without any danger4 ,if any desire to preserve their native heat1 let them often use this ,alexipharmack4 ,whoever is burdened with superfluous moisture1 let him take this ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt daily1 in ,wine or some other ,vehicle4 ,in ,coldness1 and continual ,fluxes1 which stop up the ,breast1 it conduceth much1 and taketh away inveterate ,coughs and grievous ,asthma's1 which are stirred up by those ,fluxes4 ,it dissolveth1 consumeth1 and dissipateth depraved humours1 collected and indurated in the stomach3 and although of it self it communicateth little nourishment1 yet it excites the ,stomach to a good ,appetite1 and disposeth the ,meat to a good digestion and passage through the body4 ,it helpeth in the ,tartarous and indurated ,obstructions of the ,liver and ,spleen1 which it openeth and relieveth1 and hence removeth and taketh away the ,jaundice1 ,dropsie1 ,hypocondriack ,melancholy1 and pains and affects of the ,ribs and ,viscera1 and also whatsoever ariseth from ,wind and ,flatulency1 and other symptomes proceeding from the said causes1 it especially absumeth the ,anasarca1 or ,water under the skin1 and throughly removeth watery ,tumours in the ,genital ,members or ,legs1 which for the most part happen to those who are ,hydropical1 ,phthisical1 or labour under a ,distemper of the ,liver4 ,it also taketh away the great ,thirst in those1 which otherwise in this kind of diseases doth not lightly afflict1 so that the ,patient shall have no desire of drinking1 but may remain some daies without4 ,the same is also a ,remedy against all putrid ,fevers4 ,in tormenting ,pains of the ,belly1 and ,cholick1 which are excited by the viscosity of humours1 or intemperature of flatulency1 or force of cold1 and a dense and tough ,phlegm driven into the ,intestines2 this spirit resolveth and consumeth1 and so openeth the stopt passages of the ,bowels1 and looseneth the ,belly1 that it easeth the ,iliack pains1 whether it be taken at the mouth1 or administred ,clysterwise4 ,in the ,lientery1 ,dysentery1 or ,hmorrhage1 it is to be given in ,clysters2 in like manner in ,nephritick ,diseases1 and the dolorous ,stone in the ,bladder1 which it dispelleth and exterminateth4 ,in ,ruptures1 as the ,hernia and ,enterocele1 let some drops be given daily in good ,wine2 let the ,tumour of the ,scrotum be also often anointed with this ,spirit or ,oil1 and cherished by a fit ,truss1 or some other bandage1 and in a few daies the sick will recover his former health4 ,it killeth all ,worms in the ,body1 casteth them out1 and prohibits their breeding again4 ,it is a most effectual preservative against the contagion of the ,plague2 and also is very conducible to those who are already infected4 ,it also wonderfully profiteth such as have eaten ,poisonous ,mushrooms or ,opium1 as also those who are hurt by ,serpents1 ,vipers1 ,spiders1 and the like venomous ,insects1 it is accommodated both to inward and outward use1 because it consumeth virulent humidities4 ,for the stinging of ,wasps and ,hornets1 it is to be applied topically4 ,for fat ,women1 and those who are troubled with impurities of the ,matrix1 from a superfluous phlegmatic humour1 it is very profitable2 for by the benefit of it1 every redundancy and incommodity of ,phlegm is purified1 consumed1 and dried up1 so that the seed may more easily rest in the ,womb1 and fertility be greatly promoted4 ,in protuberant ,excrescencies of the ,eyes1 ,films1 ,cataracts1 ,blisters1 ,pustles1 or ,spots1 ,dimness or ,darkness of sight1 it is to be used in a good ,collyry1 or other commodious ,vehicle4 ,in ,blows1 ,bruises1 or ,falls1 when the ,blood is congealed1 7which we call black and blue7 in the ,eyes or ,face1 let a bit of a ,sponge or ,lint be wetted with the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 and applied to the place affected2 or else dissolve in the same a little red ,myrrh1 and with the ,dissolution mix a little ,honey1 and anoint with it4 ,it driveth away noise and pain of the ,ears1 also when the ,ears send forth an ulcerous and purulent matter1 the same ,medicine may be administred with an happy success4 ,and in these ,symptoms it is to be mixed with ,wine-,vinegar1 and dropped into the ,ears1 and rubbed upon the diseased parts4 ,in the ,thrush1 and other sore mouths of sucking ,children1 also in the glandular or kernelly ,swellings of the ,neck1 foulness of the ,tongue1 swelled and rotten ,gums1 ,scurvy in the ,mouth1 ,tooth-ach1 superfluous humours and filths adhering to the ,teeth and ,gums1 this ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt is an excellent ,remedy2 as also in preserving from those ,evils1 it is to be conjoined with clarified ,honey1 and the ,mouth1 or parts affected in it1 to be anointed therewith4 ,against the evil ,affects and ,ulcers of ,womens ,breasts1 some linen rags are to be humected with the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 and they will be quickly healed4 ,the moist ,itch1 ,tetters1 ,ringworms1 and other contagious ,affects of the ,skin1 are happily cured by both the inward and outward use of this ,spirit4 ,ulcers and fungous ,tumours in the ,venereal ,disease1 or others1 if we would bring them to a suppuration1 the ,oil of ,salt will effect it1 being applied either alone1 or mixed with other convenient ,remedies4 ,for the healing of venomous ,ulcers1 which pierce the ,bone it self1 as also all virulent ,apostems1 the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt is to be mixed with ,white-wine1 and ,barley-,flour1 into the consistency of a ,plaster1 which is to be applied to the ,sore4 ,also in cancerous1 eating1 and spreading ,ulcers1 it is very profitable1 being mixed with the juice of ,rhue1 and aptly applied4 ,that ,i may summarily express its use both inwardly and outwardly1 it resisteth all fluid and corroding ,vices1 and layeth the foundation of their ,cure4 ,in luxated1 shortened1 or contracted members and joints1 it affordeth present help1 being used alone1 or joined with fit fomentations or ,epithems4 ,in the taking away of ,warts1 this ,spirit is to be mixed with the juice of ,marigolds1 and applied to them3 ,it also taketh away ,corns1 if after they are softened with warm water1 they be well cut and anointed with this ,oil4 ,in the ,erysipelas1 ,st4 ,anthony's fire1 this being mixed with ,elder-,vinegar1 and applied1 is of great virtue4 ,the ,hands or ,feet being corrupted or chapt by ,cold1 are recovered by the benefit of this ,medicine4 ,this ,spirit or ,oil greatly conduceth to help the weariness and weakness of the ,feet and other ,members1 restoring to them their strength and vigour1 if they be well bathed therewith before the fire4 ,moreover1 in the dolorous ,gout it is a famous ,remedy1 and a profitable ,anodine for allaying the pain1 if besides its internal use it be also applied topically3 ,for to this our ,medicine are to be joined ,oil of ,turpentine1 ,oil of ,wax1 ,oil of ,camomile1 or also ,oil of ,cowslips1 with which the parts affected are to be well anointed4 ,but where the members are contracted by ,fluxions and ,catarrhs1 fit ,fomentations are also to be used1 and besides our ,oil or ,spirit1 the dulcified ,oil of ,vitriol1 and pure ,oil of ,turpentine1 are to be mixed together1 and the parts to be therewith anointed before the fire4 ,and hence the ,nerves and ,joints are so comforted1 that they will not so easily admit such ,fluxions again4 ,also if there be ,tophes or ,nodes in the ,joints1 they will be discussed beyond belief2 being duly anointed with this ,oil1 mixed with the dulcified ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,it is also used with great profit both inwardly and outwardly1 against the ,cramp and ,convulsion of the ,nerves by ,cold4 ,in external ,wounds and ,symptoms there often happens a ,putretude1 and also proud ,flesh sometimes starteth up1 and causeth great pain4 ,these ,protuberances being anointed with this ,oil or ,spirit1 are presently dissolved and consumed1 and also preserved from future corruptions4 ,in brief1 this is a most excellent ,medicine1 overcoming many ,diseases4 ,moreover1 the ,reader is to know1 that this spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 7besides those ,virtues which ,i have declared7 if it be diligently prepared1 and rightly prescribed1 may be used for the preparing of many excellent and precious things in the ,chymical ,art2 for it dissolveth ,gold1 ,gemms1 and other ,stones1 ,pearls1 ,corals1 c4 so that they are reduced into excellent ,medicines1 in a liquid or potable form1 highly useful for ,mankind3 ,but how those ,processes are to be instituted1 ,i shall here pretermit1 ,but he that hath drawn a good foundation of working from that information which my ,medulla ,destillatoria hath faithfully propounded1 let him weigh the matter with an accurate mind1 and put his hand to the ,work1 there is nothing in it so tedious1 but he will easily conceive2 moreover1 let him associate himself with honest1 sincere1 and skilful ,artists1 and take their counsel1 then he will find out many ,secrets of ,nature1 and singular ,arcana's1 and will see that his care and diligence hath not been in vain3 ,then let him use that ,experience to the ,glory of ,god1 and the help of his needy ,neighbour4 ,the ,virtues or most efficacious ,operations of the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 in which ,gold is rightly dissolved1 according to ,art2 or1 when it shall be made an ,aurum ,potabile4 ,philosophers and ,physicians1 endowed with the great ,exercise and ,knowledge of ,things1 have attributed to the ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 in which ,gold is rightly dissolved1 or the ,aurum ,potabile made with it1 very great operations in the body of ,man1 inasmuch as in all ,diseases and ,infirmities1 of what name soever1 it giveth present help1 and in all dejections of the vital spirit1 although they tend to the fatal period1 it giveth such relief1 that life and vigour may be yet somewhat farther protracted1 if two1 three1 or four drops be administred as occasion shall serve in a good ,aqua vit or ,cordial ,water4 ,in like manner1 if three drops be administred once a week in generous ,wine1 or ,aqua vit1 or other fit ,vehicle1 it renovateth a man1 makes him youthful1 changeth gray ,hairs1 produceth new ,nails1 and ,skin1 preserveth from various and diverse symptoms of ,diseases1 and preserveth the body in such a state1 even to the prefixed hour of the ,divine appointment4 ,these are the very words of that famous ,philosopher and ,chymical ,physician ,conradus ,kunrath1 in his ,medulla ,destillatoria2 as the ,reader may there see4 ,now any may easily conjecture1 that although this learned man had found out many things1 yet that he knew not all1 but what was known to him1 that he divulged4 ,but that as yet more might be done by that ,spirit or ,oil of ,salt1 than what he had set down1 easily appeareth from that which he sheweth at the end1 concerning the ,oil or ,liquor of ,gold1 prepared by the ,spirit of ,salt1 which words are ,truth it self1 and much more may be done by the benefit of that solution4 ,he hath written what ,experience hath taught him1 the rest he hath left to the study and searches of others4 ,seeing therefore that ,i also 7not to speak boastingly7 have often handled ,furnaces and ,coals1 and among others1 have found this ,liquor of ,gold or ,aurum ,potabile1 made with ,oil of ,salt1 to be of great virtue1 and knowing its great use1 power1 and virtue by experience1 ,i will describe it in an open stile1 lest so noble a ,medicine should be buried4 ,such a ,liquor of ,gold as is here mentioned1 is compounded of the purest ,sol1 and the most highly rectified and again concentrated ,spirit of ,salt3 ,the ,sol is to be first melted1 and throughly purged with ,antimony1 then to be dissolved in ,aqua ,regia1 and precipitated with 1 to be edulcorated and brought into a subtile ,calx1 which must be heat red-hot 7to free it from the 7 and then dissolved in strong and well-prepared ,oil of ,salt2 being dissolved1 abstract part of the spirit of salt from it1 and a very yellow ,liquor of ,gold will remain at the bottom1 which yet is not1 fit for use alone1 seeing that the ,oil of ,salt containeth too much ,acrimony2 therefore a drop of it is to be mixed with a spoonful of ,beer1 ,wine1 or warm ,broth1 before it be administred to weaken the spirit of salt2 but if any desire to have it sweeter1 instead of ,wine1 ,beer1 or ,broth1 it may be mixed with melted ,sugar1 or syrup of ,roses4 ,the ,dose for a man of ripe age1 is two or three drops1 which if he shall perceive not to operate sufficiently1 he may encrease to three or four drops1 so long1 till he shall find an evident operation1 which appearing1 let him encrease the ,dose no longer1 but rather diminish it a drop2 and when the ,oil of ,gold rightly performeth its operations1 these signs will appear3 ,in the first use1 a certain loathing or nauseousness of the stomach1 will be perceived1 when the ,oil of ,gold findeth there a vitious pituity1 and endeavouring to expel it1 driveth it downwards1 and ejecteth it by stool4 #b4 ,the ,excrements are as black as a ,coal1 and during the use of the ,medicine1 the sick maketh a discharge by stools at least twice1 sometimes three or four times1 without any impediment or sence of necessity1 as is wont to be in the working of ,purges4 ,the ,urine will also be thick and turbid1 because the ,medicine dissolveth the ,tartar and ,phlegm in the ,reins and ,bladder1 and by degrees expelleth it4 ,,nb4 ,that by the black ,excrements1 it is manifest1 that ,gold may be radically dissolved in the stomach of a ,man1 which some think to be impossible4 ,the humane stomach hath a greater power in the destruction of things than the strongest fire1 as may be here seen by the ,gold3 ,yea1 all things which are eaten or drank1 in the space of #bd hours1 it throughly dissolved and transmuteth into a new form of ,excrements4 ,if the stomach of a man can effect such things1 why not ,art also8 ,yea1 hence it is expresly proved1 that the colours of ,gold1 at length1 when it is radically dissolved and destroyed1 do appear1 and may be known1 seeing that in ,colours ,blackness hath as it were the first and chief place1 and containeth all others hidden and concentrated under it4 ,,nb4 ,that these black ,excrements should not be cast away1 but the radically-dissolved ,gold ought to be separated from them1 with which perhaps some great thing may be effected4 ,i some time since administred this ,oil of ,gold1 for eight or ten daies successively1 to a certain ,infant1 for the freeing his body from ,mercury1 which had been imprudently given him for the ,worms2 ,i ordered the ,excrements to be saved1 for some ,experiment1 which nevertheless1 because they stood long and bred ,worms1 ,i could not use1 but commanded them to be put to the ,roots of a young ,vine1 which had not yet born ,grapes1 being but of two years growth1 which produced a small ,grape with large stones1 which had golden spots like ,stars1 admirable to behold4 ,this ,example is worthy of a profound consideration4 ,it also seems to me1 that the ,urine of those who continually use the aforesaid golden ,liquor should be auriferous1 although it appear not in the colour4 ,the thing is out of doubt1 seeing that men1 in the use of the said ,medicine1 attract only a certain hidden virtue from the ,gold1 and again send the rest forth of the body1 that that ,gold is better than other common ,gold3 ,the ,benignity of the ,divine ,being hath disposed and ordained every thing in the ,world for the best4 ,seeing that in the ,stomach of ,man or ,beast the ,food is destroyed and putrefied1 ,nature taking a little from it only for nourishment sake1 casteth out the rest by siege1 which yet is not of so abject a condition1 as to want its virtues8 for if these ,excrements be mixed with any ,earth1 moistened with ,rain-water1 and exposed to the open ,air1 there will thence spring forth divers ,herbs1 without the addition of any seed2 but if the seed of any ,herb be adjoined1 then is also brought forth fruit of the same substance and quality2 so that these ,excrements may degenerate1 and be converted into whatsoever ,fruits we will3 ,from which ,fountain the multiplication of ,herbs and ,metals may perhaps take its original4 ,therefore it is necessary1 that ,putrefaction should go before ,multiplication2 which our ,saviour himself told his ,disciples1 saying1 ,except a grain of ,wheat shall fall into the ,earth1 and die1 it remaineth alone2 but if it die1 it bringeth forth much fruit4 ,the ,axiom of ,philosophers is1 ,where ,nature endeth1 and leaveth the ,work imperfect1 there ,art ought to begin4 ,but the manner of proceeding farther they have involved in silence4 ,nature from the beginning hath sublimed a ,mineral ,ens1 or first matter of ,metals1 as much as it could1 and brought it to the royal seat1 or highest perfection3 ,art hath destroyed the most perfect body of ,gold by corrosives1 and being destroyed1 hath again dissolved it in the body of ,man3 ,but if any know the manner of proceeding farther with it1 he may easily reduce that ,essence of the dissolved ,gold into a better1 and multiply it3 ,but ,i would not have this taken for an ,oracle1 seeing these are only my ,cogitations4 ,the ,use of this ,medicine is to be continued till the body is freed from all ill ,symptoms2 nor are any other ,remedies to be intermixed with it1 that its operation may not be hindered3 ,but before this ,medicine be administred1 a ,dose or two of my ,panacea ought to be given1 7of which the ,second part of my ,pharmacop4 treateth7 for then its effects are to be admired4 ,this ,oil of ,gold1 or ,aurum ,potabile1 is of much greater force in all those ,diseases1 in which the simple spirit of salt is conducible1 because the ,oil of salt hath double the strength of the spirit1 and also diffuseth its virtues much better1 by reason of the ,gold which is anatomized in it2 the which1 because it is of a hot and dry property1 agreeth very well with the ,oil of salt1 whose nature is hot and moist3 and hence it effectually resisteth all ,corruption which may arise in the humane body4 ,sidenote3 ,spirit of ,salt1 a ,remedy against ,drunkenness4 ,besides1 the ,virtues which the spirit of salt1 and especially the ,oil of ,gold prepared with it1 manifest both within and without the body2 it is an egregious preservative against ,drunkenness1 which is the root of many ,diseases1 and the gate by which many evils enter3 ,for strong ,wine or stale ,beer being drank1 suffer nothing in the stomach1 because it cannot restrain their subtile spirit1 which presently flieth up into the ,head1 and disordereth and confoundeth all the senses4 ,but if in the drinking1 a little spirit of salt be mixed with the ,wine1 it openeth the ,orifice of the stomach1 and suffers not the spirits to fly upward1 but restraineth and bindeth them1 also mitigateth and represseth that unnatural ,thirst1 which otherwise the ,wine causeth in excessive drinkings3 ,nor doth the ,wine1 which is mixed with spirit of salt1 so easily hurt the ,liver2 for as the spirit of wine heats and inflames the ,liver1 so the spirit of salt corrects and cools it4 ,add that the spirit of salt permits not the liquor to lie lurking in the stomach1 but presently casteth it out by ,urine3 and the sooner the superfluous ,wine is cast out of the body1 the less hurt it can do4 ,but this is to be understood of the spirit of salt well rectified1 and subtilly prepared4 ,in short1 ,i might sooner want ,paper to write1 than matter to express what good the spirit of salt coagulated can do1 being taken in drink2 ,i have said enough for the present2 in my ,vegetable ,work ,i will more fully discourse of this matter1 in which ,i now acquiesce4 ,whatsoever ,i have here written of a ,medicine against all ,sea-faring ,diseases1 and of the concentration of ,corn and ,water1 against ,hunger and ,thirst2 as also of the most efficacious use of ,spirit of ,salt1 against ,drunkenness1 and of the melioration of ,wine1 ,beer1 ,water1 and other ,drinks1 is built upon the pure foundation of ,truth1 which ,experience it self will sufficiently testifie2 with which ,i put an ,end to this ,discourse4 ,a ,true and ,perfect ,,description ,,of ,extracting good ,,tartar ,,from ,,the ,lees of ,wine1 ,and that after a ,plentiful ,manner4 ,to the most ,reverend ,,prince ,,john ,,philip1 ,lord ,arch-,bishop of ,moguntina1 ,high ,chancellor of the ,empire1 and ,elector1 ,bishop of ,herbipolensis1 ,duke of ,franconia1 c4 my most ,honoured ,lord4 ,i presume1 you remember 7most ,reverend and ,noble ,lord ,arch-,bishop and ,elector7 that about ,two ,years since1 ,i crav'd ,your ,lordship's ,licence1 to ,extract ,tartar from the ,lees of ,wine2 which your ,highness was pleased to grant me4 ,from which ,work1 seeing ,i have been hitherto hindered by the multiplicity of other business1 and the great ,waste and ,loss which is daily sustain'd in the ,electorate of ,moguntina1 and ,bishoprick of ,herbipolensis1 proceeding from the ignorance of the ,lees1 daily troubles me2 ,i have determined to dedicate this gainful ,extraction of ,tartar from the ,lees of ,wine1 to your ,electoral ,reverence1 under whose ,patronage ,i may be safe1 and for this ,reason especially1 ,because none of the ,princes of ,germany enjoy a greater ,vintage than your ,reverend ,highness2 to whom not only a good part of the ,tract of the ,rhine1 but almost the whole ,jurisdiction of ,mne1 together with ,franconia1 by ,divine ,providence1 belongs2 being very fruitful in ,wines2 where also much ,lees are cast away1 thro' ,ignorance of the way of extracting their ,tartar1 for the ,good of the ,country1 from which a good ,spirit of ,wine might first be drawn by ,destillation2 the ,tartar contained in the thick ,lees1 and remaining in the bottom of the ,still1 is by all ,men cast away1 as unprofitable1 a few excepted1 who with great ,labour dry them1 and of them make clavellated ,ashes3 ,which ,waste or ,loss of the ,lees1 seeing that it makes every year an incredible ,loss of ,tartar1 ,i have thought fit to expose the ,knowledge of this ,mystery to the ,eyes of all ,men1 for the ,good of my ,country1 by which some being instructed1 may set about the ,extraction of ,tartar with great ,gain1 not doubting1 but many1 when they shall see this ,labour to be profitable to others1 undertaking the same1 will bring great ,profit to their impoverish'd ,country4 ,therefore ,i trust1 this ,little ,work will be acceptable to your ,reverend ,highness4 ,and ,i pray the ,giver of all ,good ,things1 to furnish both your ,soul and ,body with ,his ,gracious ,benefits1 who study to be ,your ,highness's most ,humble ,servant1 ,j4 ,rud4 ,glauber4 ,a ,true and ,perfect ,description of ,extracting good ,,tartar from the ,,lees of ,,wine1 c4 ,first of all1 we must know what ,dregs are1 or what is their ,essence and ,nature1 how they are resolv'd into ,parts1 and the ,good separated from the ,unuseful1 because without the knowledge of the thing we can't give a right judgment of it1 but must erre3 ,therefore it is necessary that we know what we have in our hands1 that we may the safer handle it4 ,for this cause ,i shall shew the ,ignorant what are properly ,dregs1 and which way the better part may be extracted1 that hereafter so great a ,good may not by ignorant sluggishness be laid aside1 but converted to the profit of all4 ,all thick matter1 whether it be of ,wine1 ,beer1 ,vinegar1 or the like1 when it has stood a little1 sends the earthy1 heavy1 and more thick part of it1 to the bottom1 which we call ,dregs or ,lees1 upon which the clearer part flows1 to be separated from the impurity1 as in the making of common drinks may be seen4 ,there was no use of these ,dregs heretofore1 except the making ,brandy with 'em1 and the rest to be thrown out of doors1 in which was much ,virtue1 which ,men did not think of3 ,but that all things are not unprofitable which the ,vulgar pronounce so1 and that there may be great ,virtue in ordinary ,matter1 ,i shall demonstrate by this ,excrement of ,wine4 ,when the ,juice out of the ,winepress is put into ,hogsheads1 that there working1 the dregs falling to the bottom1 the clean ,wine may come out1 the superfluous ,salt of new ,wine1 while it is squeez'd out of the ,grapes1 with the same labour is separated1 part sticking to the sides of the ,vessel1 which we call ,tartar2 but the greater part of this ,salt or ,tartar1 imply'd in the turbid dregs like ,sand1 sinks to the bottom4 ,besides1 this is the property of ,salts1 that by a hot humour they make a thin water1 the humour growing cold1 not being able to keep all the dissolv'd ,salt that is compell'd to separate1 which excluded the ,vehicle1 seeks a new place4 ,if you put into the ,solutions ,sticks or ,strings1 that ,crystalline ,salt1 in a cubical or angular figure agreeable to its nature1 will stick to them2 or otherwise it cleaves to the sides of the ,vessel4 ',tis beyond all ,controversie1 that the ,grape above all ,vegetables has much ,salt1 not sensible1 unless it is fermented with a minute heat1 which working by ,nature1 endeavours a separation1 while the purer and more liquid part retains so much ,salt as the ,wine has need of1 the thicker ,salt being exturbated1 part of which incrustates the sides of the ,vessel1 part of much thickness sticks1 and subsiding with them1 gets the appellation of dregs1 from which the vulgar are wont to destil a ,spirit or ,brandy ,wine3 ,but these dregs are not a useless matter1 as they have been hitherto thought1 for much ,tartar may be extracted out of 'em with little cost4 ,but he that shall search more narrowly into the thing1 will find a way whereby poor and decaying ,wine may be made good4 ,in some places1 as suppose in ,franconia1 ,alsatia1 ,austria1 and the ,rhenish ,tract1 most fruitful for store of wine1 these lees of wine are made nothing of1 but are given to ,swine and other ,cattel to drink1 by which means the ,tartar in it so purges 'em1 that they are soon fat2 they seldom try to draw the spirit thence4 ,otherwhere1 where wine is not made1 especially where they fetch their wine a great way1 they are much esteemed of1 not only because wine may be drawn from 'em1 but also put in small ,hempen sacks1 are pressed in adapted ,presses1 a good mixt wine flowing thence saleable to others2 yet this being but a small wine1 many have destinated it for ,vinegar1 to which it best agrees2 but he that knows how to restore to it what it lost in pressing1 may make a palatable strong wine1 not inferiour to what it was at first3 ,but this ,secret belongs to another place1 ,i shall here only treat of ,vinegar and ,spirit of ,wine4 ,in ,holland1 ,france1 ,italy1 this pressing of the dregs and preparation of ,vinegar is of frequent use1 and very profitable to many1 who get nothing but what they squeeze out of the dregs they have of the ,vintners1 and convert the ,wine into ,vinegar2 the residue of the dregs they put into ,barrels1 and sell it to ,hatters1 which being boil'd in water1 they thicken rough ,hats with it2 for ,wool is brought into a little compass by hot water1 and by how much the hotter that is1 the ,hats are made the thicker by it3 ,for since it is the nature of ,tartar to make the water wherein 'tis diluted hotter than fire1 and since there is much ,tartar in the dregs1 by virtue of which1 water acquires a more intense degree of heat1 which the ignorant ,hatters ascribe to the limosity of dregs1 rather to be attributed to the inherent ,tartar1 hence they put so much dregs in every pot as they know to be needful to the constipation of the wool4 ,and this is the use to which prest ,lees are put1 but if they have a greater quantity than the ,hatters use1 sometimes they are corrupted1 part turns to ,worms1 and afterward to a most stinking dirt fit for nothing4 ,when they sell them to the ,hatters1 then the ,vinegar made of the wine prest out of them1 which cost them little1 brings 'em great profit1 otherwise they would not gain much by their own ,art1 if they were not eas'd by the ,hatters taking the residue4 ,but after what manner ,vinegar may be made1 ,i shall briefly shew3 ,vinegar-makers dispose many ,hogsheads upon ,stands a foot high from the ground1 under which a pot to receive the ,vinegar is set1 erected in a hot place1 the upper head being taken out1 about the middle of the ,hogshead they place two pieces of ,wood across1 sustaining another foraminous bottom1 upon which they put the ,vinous dregs1 filling the ,vessel even to the top1 then they cover it with the head or some good square ,cover1 that little ,air may enter2 when in two or three daies1 by putting in your hand1 sufficient heat is perceiv'd1 the wine which before was prest out of the dregs1 is to be pour'd to it1 so that the wine may be above the dregs1 so the ,hogshead close covered is left1 till on the opposite row another ,hogshead can be filled with the like dregs and grow hot2 then the ,wine being drawn out of the first hogshead1 is poured into this1 till the dregs in the first hogshead begin again to be hot1 which are again to be macerated in the first ,wine4 ,this mutual affusion and depletion of the ,wine is to be repeated till a just acidity follows1 which may be done in the space of two or three weeks1 according to the heat of the ,air2 which will be good and permanent ,vinegar1 to be kept for sale in another ,hogshead4 ,presently the first dregs being hot1 fresh wine is to be pour'd to them1 doing all things as before1 till this wine also shall become good ,vinegar4 ,if you have many ,hogsheads1 you may make ,vinegar all ,summer only1 but if you will also work in ,winter1 the place may be made hot by the help of a ,furnace4 ,after this manner in ,france and ,holland1 many ,families are maintain'd and enriched1 by the dregs of ,wine prest and converted to ,vinegar4 ,and now ,i shall produce my ,invention1 a good ,gift of ,god1 as ,i take it1 to good men2 ',tis certain1 that in ,viniferous ,countries1 where much dregs are bought for a small price1 they may obtain a profit to themselves not to be despis'd2 for which 7next to ,god7 they are beholden to me1 who by unwearied toil have found this ,science1 and let 'em shew their gratitude towards ,needy ,persons1 lest they incurr the displeasure of ,god1 and so turn this ,blessing into a ,curse4 ,first of all1 let there be a good ,press1 with a long ,beam1 from which hang weights1 let there be put in small bags at least #e or #f ,firkins of ,lees1 and them soundly prest4 ,the wine that comes out by pression1 you may turn to ,vinegar1 either by the help of other ,lees1 or some other method2 pour as much of the thick in the sacks with a due proportion of water into a ,still1 let it not boil in stilling1 the ,head being on1 apply the refrigeratory1 manage the destillation as otherwise ,spirit of ,wine is wont to be drawn1 keep the ,spirit proceeding thence till there is a good quantity of it1 which you ought to rectifie or clarifie by several destillations3 7tho this ,spirit is not abundant in the dry dregs1 yet there is sufficient to pay for the making of the ,vinegar and ,tartar7 when there comes an insipid water1 take out the fire1 open the ,pipe or ,cock coming from the ,still1 let the water with the dregs run through the ,channel into a great sack put to the ,press1 when 'tis close ty'd1 press it1 that the moist may be separated from the dry3 the ,liquor cooling in a peculiar ,vessel1 and congealed into ,tartar1 will stick to the sides1 the rest falls down like sand3 ,take out the dregs remaining in the sack1 dry them in the heat of the ,sun1 burn them under a ,still as wood1 and you will have very sharp ashes1 commonly called clavellated ashes1 useful for ,dyers1 the price of which 7at least7 exceeds the pression and preparation of ,tartar4 ,when you have finished one destillation with the ,press1 fill the empty ,destillatory with fresh water and dregs1 as before1 and while you draw spirit thence1 press the first dregs1 and continually put the destillation to the same ,press1 which coming out hot1 don't put it to the former1 but give proper ,vessels to each destillation4 ,the day after1 put the first water from which the ,tartar went to the bottom1 to the third destillation1 instead of fresh water1 that is1 by dissolving and destilling new dregs in it1 as ,i have taught3 ,let the fces of the fourth destillation be pour'd in the second water1 which hath let fall its ,tartar1 and so afterwards1 by which ,compendium you will make no waste of ,tartar1 but what remains in the water1 may take encrease from the new dregs to which it is pour'd1 and it will give its ,gain3 ,but if you will1 you may animate that acid water from which the ,tartar is separated1 and with a small charge1 by ,grain and ,fruits of ,trees1 give it life and soul again1 that it may again be made ,wine1 not unlike the first prest from the ,lees1 after the same method it is turn'd into ,vinegar1 7because 'tis already sharp1 the life or soul only that preserve from ,corruption being wanting7 the way of proceeding will bring great ,gain to him that understands it4 ,if you know not the administration1 do as ,i have order'd1 and instead of common water1 dissolve the hard dregs in this acid1 and you will have good ,tartar2 but that languid water may also be adhibited to other uses1 which ,i shall set down in the end of this ,book3 ,this do1 that the fces be not burnt by too great a fire1 nor the spirit stink1 and the still be spoil'd1 which you may prevent if you anoint the bottom with ,lard before you put in the heavy water1 and draw off the spirit4 ,here ,i might shew a ,compendium whereby the dregs1 tho' dry1 should not be in danger of burning1 but it would be long and tedious to the ,reader4 ,but if you mind diligently what ,i have written1 you will get enough4 ,when you have gotten a good quantity of ,tartar from the ,lees1 not neat to outward appearance1 but very like dirt or sand1 purge it yet more1 that either it may be reduc'd to a very fair ,crystal1 or till it cleaves in great ,fragments to the sides of the ,vessel1 which you may effect by the following ,way4 ,fill a ,vesica with limpid water1 almost to the top1 put a little granulated ,tartar into that water1 soundly boiling to dissolve1 putting a stick to the bottom1 you may see when it is dissolv'd1 add more by degrees1 till no more will melt in the water1 which you may thus find out3 ,fill a ,pewter ,saucer with this ,liquor1 if it contracts a little skin or cream1 it shews that it has enough ,tartar to produce ,crystals1 but if not1 add more ,tartar1 till you see this sign in the pot2 while it boils1 add the scum taken off with a perforated ,brass ,ladle1 to the dry ,lees1 which by reason of the ,tartar adhering1 when burnt1 conduces to the clavellated ashes2 when the boiling has drawn ,tartar enough1 let it be let out thro' the ,pipe of the ,still into a clean ,receiver1 where while the water cools1 the ,crystals will incrustate on the sides2 apply the rest of the water to the same uses1 you will do better2 if you shall change it into ,wine or ,vinegar1 let the ,crystalline roughness remain in the ,vessel1 for if you add a new boiling1 greater and fairer sorts of ,crystals will be made1 because by how much the thicker this ,tartar is1 so much the dearer 'tis held2 and thus you may conciliate thickness to your ,crystals4 ,when it shall seem enough1 pour the rest of the ,solutions into another ,vessel1 in which the first ,tartar has concreted1 let it dry of it self1 afterwards strike the sides of it with a great blow1 and great ,fragments of ,tartar will fall down1 which you may sell for profit1 put the vessel to the same labour again4 ,this is the exact description of producing good ,vinegar and ,tartar necessary for many ,arts1 from the basest dregs1 and of justly getting much profit with little pains4 ,now ,i proceed to make the ,wine which some call ,adust1 or ,spirit of ,wine1 of the ,lees of ,wine1 without any ,costs4 ,after the defecated ,wine is pour'd out1 put the fces into the ,still1 add as much water as the dissolution of the inherent ,tartar requires1 kindle a fire1 stir it at the bottom with a wooden ,ladle1 that it may not burn to2 when you can no longer bear the heat of the water with your hand1 and the spirits break forth1 take out the ,ladle1 put on the ,head1 and destil till you perceive no spirit1 but meer ,phlegm2 the remaining ,liquor draw out into a sack close ty'd1 work it in the ,press1 and you will have spirit of wine by destillation1 and also ,tartar by expression1 concretion1 crystalisation1 with double encrease2 as ,i shall shew more clearly by and by1 that before you begin to work1 you may be sure1 how much you hope to gain thereby1 lest you labour in vain1 maturely consult that you may discern by a premis'd computation what is to be done4 ,for instance1 ,if five ,firkins of ,lees cost half a ,doller each1 five ,firkins will yield two ,r4 ,dollers and an half2 from these ,i press out two ,firkins of ,wine1 two ,firkins remain in the sacks1 one ,firkin is supposed to waste in the transfusion1 when yet a ,vessel seldom soaks up four quarts3 ,i turn the two ,firkins of ,wine into ,vinegar2 the two ,firkins of thick ,lees being diluted with ,water1 ,i draw ,spirit of ,wine1 and press out the ,tartar2 this ,wine drawn by the ,fire1 together with the dregs left of the ,tartar1 being reduced by burning into clavellated ashes1 do equal the ,charge of making the ,vinegar ,tartar1 but two firkins of dregs afford from #dj to #ajj pounds of ,tartar1 as the ,wine is sweeter or more acid1 7tho' the harsh affords more ,tartar than the sweet7 but if they yield but #dj pounds1 this ,tartar refunds the price of the ,lees2 the ,spirituous ,liquor and clavellated ,ashes1 recompence the ,wood1 and the two ,firkins of pressed wine you have over-plus to be turn'd into ,vinegar4 ,or if you buy two ,firkins of ,lees for one ,r4 ,doller2 first you may draw off the spirit2 after that1 you may press out about ten pounds of ,tartar1 both together saleable at one ,doller1 as much as the ,lees cost2 all the ,liquor of the ,spirit will be clear gain1 by an egregious short labour to grow ,rich4 ,suppose a ,firkin to cost a ,doller1 and to yield not above #i pound of ,tartar1 each of which is worth two ,bazeins2 tho' some ,lees are better than others1 yet seldom any are found so poor1 that do not afford their value in ,tartar2 even the ,rhenish1 ,franconian1 and ,austrian1 one ,firkin yielding one ,doller1 oftentimes affords fifty pound of ,tartar1 or more4 ,besides1 we must note1 if the ,lees are dear1 ,tartar and burning spirit of wine can't be cheap1 because the dearness of them depends on the scarcity of wine3 ,but if the ,lees are dear1 the ,vinegar1 ,spirit1 and ,tartar cheap1 7which yet was never known7 so that the quantity of ,tartar will not yield the price of the ,lees2 neither also can you have the ,vinegar and spirituous wine gratis2 yet you shall have this profit above others1 living on ,vinegar and burning wines only1 that the ,tartar and clavellated ,ashes collected from the refuse of the eliquated wine1 by others rejected1 you may get an help1 that you may sell the spirit of wine1 that cost you little1 for more than otherwise4 ,if therefore he gains by only pressing wine1 or destillation of the spirit1 how much rather you that acquire both ,vinegar and spirit of wine from those dregs for a gratuity8 ,one thing more ,i add for confirmation3 ,if #h ,firkins of ,lees1 that cost #d ,dollers1 make #d or #f ,firkins of vinegar1 or one of burning wine or brandy1 that vinegar or brandy yields #aj or #ab ,r4 ,dollers3 ,the prest or destilled dregs1 if they give fifty or sixty pound of ,tartar1 they equallize the first price of the dregs2 but if there be a less quantity of ,tartar1 the vinegar or spirit will stand you in but little1 which being made better1 or sold cheaper than ordinary1 you 7the seller7 will allure buyers before others4 ,some man may say1 the ,art indeed has been unheard of1 and is gainful1 but does not agree with every age and condition2 for all don't understand ,merchandising1 but rather some abhor it1 seeing the ,scriptures compleatly testifie1 that the fraud between the buyer and seller sticks as fast as a pin between the stones of a wall2 to whom ,i answer1 that to every ,christian an honest ,occupation is permitted by ,divine ,providence for the sustentation of him and his1 but he need not burden his ,neighbour in any case4 ,for that it is lawful to endeavour a livelihood this way1 or that1 is attested to by a laudable example1 in both the ,old and ,new ,testament4 ,this is the true way of pressing wine from ,lees1 and reducing it to ,vinegar1 and drawing out ,brandy and ,tartar1 and incinerating the refuse4 ,it remains that ,i set down the uses to which the rest of the water from the ,tartar may be adhibited with profit2 but we must know by the way1 that the sourness in that water is nothing but ,tartar dissolved1 which does not take a ,crystalline form at the sides of the ,vessel3 therefore this acid water performs whatsoever is effected by ,tartar diluted in common water4 ,since there is no man but knows how to dissolve ,copper in tartarised water1 without the help of salt1 as in the dealbation of ordinary ,coins and ,silver ,vessels among the silver-workers may be seen1 who take away the ,copper sticking in the superficies of money or silver-vessels by boiling1 the silver appearing as if it had nothing of copper mix'd with it3 to this work the aforesaid water may be very profitably applied2 and seeing that a great quantity of it remains in the working of the ,lees1 it can scarcely be better imploy'd than by the following method4 ,if the viler ,marcasites of ,copper1 every where obvious1 and which cannot otherwise be melted with profit1 as also the ,scoria or dross of ,copper1 which is thrown away1 be boil'd in this water1 it will attract the ,copper to it self2 cast in ,filings of ,iron1 and they will be exalted into ,copper1 and the extracted ,copper will be precipitated from the water by the addition of the ,iron4 ,this gradation of ,iron into ,copper being done1 which in outward appearance will be like a dirty ,mudd1 it is to be edulcorated with clear water1 and then throughly melted by the force of fire1 which will yield a very fair ,copper1 no way coming short of other ,copper in goodness4 ,which ,labour is very profitable1 because a great quantity of tartariz'd water proceeds from this ,work2 but that it may the more easily act upon the ,copper1 in extracting it from the stone or ,marcasite1 a little salt is to be added in the boiling4 ,but if the ,marcasite or ,copprious-stone abound with too much sulphur1 which yet seldom happens in the more ignoble ,marcasites1 they must first be torrefied1 that the sulphur may be burnt1 then to be ground1 and boil'd with the tartaris'd water1 and precipitated with ,iron2 which way more ,copper is acquir'd than was in the ,copprious-stone it self1 because while it is precipitated1 part of the ,iron is exalted to ,copper1 part turns to ,vitriol unlike to the natural in hardness2 for a green solution remains1 whereby ,cloth and ,yarn are made as black as with common ,vitriol2 also it affords the best ,black for ,shoemakers to colour their ,leather1 and is naturally adapted with ,oak to conciliate a black colour to ,wood4 ,if this vitriolated ,water be boil'd in an ,iron ,pot till it be dry1 and the residue melted in a strong fire1 you will obtain a most tenacious or tough ,iron of wonderful virtue1 if not to be preferr'd to good ,copper1 at least to be compar'd with it4 ,and so the common ,copprice-stone of ,iron is better than the filings or scales of ,iron1 if with the ,lees of wine it be reduc'd by the spirit of the world into small ,balls1 when you melt them1 a very ductile and pure ,iron will come out1 fit for more uses than common ,iron2 which labours if any will enter upon1 they will reap fruits not to be despis'd4 ,it would not be beside the matter to annex the manner how you might use both your ,tartar and ,ashes at home1 neither that you might be forc'd to sell them abroad1 but it would be too long1 and rather hurtful than profitable to the present business4 ,this ,i think to treat of farther another time1 by the ,grace of ,god4 ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,germany3 ,wherein is ,treated of ,the ,concentration of ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood1 and the more profitable use of them1 than hath hitherto been4 ,,to ,all those ,patrons that ,love ,,god1 and favour their ,country1 ,,health4 ,ye ,pious1 ,prudent1 and your ,country-loving ,patrons4 ,the ,most ,excellent ,glorious ,god1 and our most ,merciful and ,bountiful ,father1 hath 7out of his great ,love unto1 and ,fatherly ,care of us1 from ,eternity7 set ,nature before our ,eyes1 that he might signifie to us his ,will2 which said ,nature1 is no other thing but the proper1 eternal1 and only ,will of ,god4 ,to this ,nature1 ,god hath 7as to his obedient and faithful ,instrument7 absolutely delivered1 and committed his ,will and ,command to be by her faithfully and diligently performed2 she accomplisheth the ,task imposed on her1 without intermission1 nor resteth she one moment of time from doing the ,divine ,will with her utmost study and endeavour4 ,therefore1 deservedly ought we to learn to know1 worship1 and love the ,creator above all things else whatsoever1 seeing the ,creator is known by the ,creatures4 ,if his ,creatures be great1 and unperceivable to our sight1 and so wonderful2 certainly it of necessity follows1 that the ,creator is far greater1 and far beyond all ,human ,understanding2 and this1 everyone may easily understand3 ',tis therefore clearly and evidently manifest1 that ,god ,created all things for the service of man1 that he might thereby acknowledge the ,divine ,bounty1 and ,honour1 and fear the ,creator1 and bestower of all good things1 and yield him due ,thanks for his ,gifts4 ,but seeing that it may so be1 that the most just ,god will sometime or other1 at last 7being provoked by the perfidious malice of men1 avenge himself on the most ,impious living of this perverse ,world1 by bringing scarcity of ,food1 7,war1 and the ,plague72 and seeing that it may so be1 as that the small ,company of the ,pious1 lying hid amongst the ,impious ,crew of the wicked1 may partake of the same punishment3 ,therefore ,i thought it very expedient1 with a cheerful mind to publish 7to the ,honour of ,god1 and my ,country1 and for the comfort and solacing of its ,pious ,inhabitants17 the ,talent that ,god hath vouchsafed unto me1 by the help of which1 very many such ,calamities as may come1 viz4 ,famine1 ,war1 and the ,plague1 may be prevented4 ,but the way ,i have pitched on to serve my ,country in1 doth chiefly consist in the manifestation and ,revelation of those most great ,treasures that lie hidden in ,germany1 being such as by the regardlessness of ,men have been hitherto unknown1 unsought1 and not gotten forth4 ,i have therefore endeavoured1 faithfully to manifest in this present ,treatise1 by what means those ,treasures are to be sought for1 and rightly ordered for the profit of my ,country2 and withal1 to open the ,treasures of the ,noble ,state of ,germany1 wherewith it is most abundantly enriched1 beyond all the other ,countries of ,europe1 and hath hitherto enjoyed1 and used 7but not so well as it should have done7 viz4 ,wine1 ,corn1 ,wood1 ,minerals1 and ,metals4 ,for ,ungrateful ,men have extreamly wasted unprofitably1 the most wealthy1 and rich ,benediction of ,god1 who hath bestowed ,wine and ,corn on them1 in abundance1 and the ,relicks 7which they spent not7 have they suffered to corrupt and perish with lying4 ,nor is there any body that doth in the least entertain any thoughts1 by what means such an abundance of so great ,gifts1 might be kept and preserved for future years1 which may be accompany'd with extream scarcity and ,dearth4 ,every one shifts for himself and his1 with that plenty of ,goods he enjoys2 and leaves another to take care for himself1 and to see for time to come1 that he provide himself for things necessary whereon to live4 ,and it is come to such a pass1 that the overplus which remains of the abundance of the ,blessing of ,god1 is meerly cast away through a careless disregard1 and so nothing is preserved for after times4 ,and yet our ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself when he fed many thousands of ,men with ,bread1 commanded his ,disciples carefully to preserve the remaining ,crumbs1 that nothing might be lost2 the which without all doubt he did for no other end1 but that we might have the ,gifts of ,god in high esteem4 ,but where shall we find such as will imitate1 and do the same2 certainly no where1 which is inexcusable with ,god and good ,men4 ,certainly such a largess of ,divine ,gifts1 is not bestowed on us1 that they should miserably perish1 or be cast away2 but we should rather labour and take care of diligent laying up and preserving 7like so many ,laborious ,ants7 all that overabundantness which we cannot make use of4 ,let it be but considered1 ,i pray1 in what great heaps ,corn lies heaped hoarded up1 and is spoiled4 ,and is it not the same with ,wine1 which being gathered in such over-great quantities1 is become vile and abject1 or cast away8 ,what1 cannot there be store laid up out of this very plenty 7which now is grutched at1 as 'twere7 as so many great ,treasures for future ,calamitous ,years8 ,well however1 though as yet this hath been left undone1 yet ,i am confident1 that some good ,housholders will be found1 that will not despise this ,instruction and ,admonition of mine1 but will condense the so much superfluity of ,wine1 and ,corn1 and preserve it against future ,years scarcity4 ,nor do ,i at all doubt1 but that others1 after they have by this ,book well learned the manner1 will turn the superfluous1 and cast away ,wood 7which lies and rots1 and is reduced to nothing7 into ,salt-petre in great quantities2 that by its help the ,enemies may be resisted1 and the ,inhabitants defended4 ,but in the three following ,parts1 which treat of the ,concentration of ,metals1 and ,minerals1 wherein all kinds of ,medicaments resisting natural ,diseases1 shall be taught1 ,i know that every one will find refreshment1 and help1 against the future ,plague1 and ,contagious ,diseases4 ,so then1 when we have ,food and ,drink necessary for a ,livelyhood1 and ,salt-,nitre to defend us against our ,enemies1 and ,medicines serving for the preservation of us in ,health1 there remains nothing else we can desire1 save a little ,gold and ,silver1 by which we may exercise ,trade1 or ,merchandise1 and furnish our selves with ,outlandish ,wares4 ,the which1 that we also may get out of those ,mountains1 we every where meet withal1 and out of those abject1 and given-over ,mine-pits1 ,i question not1 but 7,god permitting7 to effect it1 and clearly to shew it in the three following ,books of the ,concentration of ,minerals and ,metals4 ,upon this account ,i would no longer keep by me this small ,book of the ,concentration of things1 but publish it to the ,honour of ,god and my ,country1 7it being a ,talent vouchsafed me by ,god47 ,i do therefore ,dedicate it to all ,pious1 ,faithful1 and ,good ,housholders1 hoping that my sincere ,admonition1 and ,instruction1 will find some place1 and not be rejected4 ,the three ,parts ,i promised1 shall shortly follow3 ,furthermore1 ,i offer my most faithful help to every one in the opening and revealing the said ,concentration of ,wine1 ,corn1 ,wood1 ,minerals1 and ,metals2 for all things being in a readiness1 ,i can easily shew the manner of ,concentration4 ,and seeing ,i am ignorant1 how long a time the most ,merciful ,god will vouchsafe unto me1 the use of life and light2 ,i would not willingly bury with me a ,science so eminent1 so ,noble1 and so profitable to my ,country4 ,but if now it should so fall out1 that few or none should at all mind it1 yet have ,i done my part1 and satisfied my ,conscience4 ,though indeed ,i do not in the least doubt1 but that there will be some good and faithful ,housholders1 by whom these ,profitable ,inventions of mine1 will be regarded1 and be made use of for ,god's ,honour1 and for the ,conservation of the ,country1 and its ,inhabitants4 ,this ,i certainly know1 that if this ,counsel1 or ,direction of mine1 concerning the ,concentration of ,wine1 ,corn1 ,wood1 and ,minerals 7which proceeds from the simplicity and sincerity of my mind7 shall find any place of entertainment1 that our most praiseworthy ,country of ,germany1 will in a few ,years space become most exceeding happy1 and be so enriched1 that both high and low will be much joyed1 and praise ,god1 and give him thanks4 ,but ,i easily conjecture with what various and different ,judgments this ,off-spring of my ,brain1 will be expounded4 ,one will haply give credit to the things ,i have said2 but another will condemn and disdain them1 as mere ,impossibilities1 and ,dreams4 ,but however1 the truth will at length break forth1 and the work it self will purchase to its ,master due ,praise1 and herein ,i content my self4 ,the most ,blessed1 most ,merciful ,god1 and our ,father1 that great ,housholder1 bestow on us his ,divine ,benediction1 that so we may institute in most places of this our most dear ,country this ,concentration of ,wine1 ,corn1 ,wood1 and ,minerals2 and may by the help thereof obtain such ,treasures1 as may serve for the sustaining of our life1 in time to come1 and for the resisting of our enemies1 and for the ,glory of ,god1 and the help and succour of very many needy ones in ,distress4 ,the ,,preface4 ,if the ,proverbs of the ,ancients are to be embraced as wholsom ,doctrines1 then certainly this 7being none of the least7 is not to be rejected2 and is thus1 ,that he that will not hear1 'tis fit he should afterwards feel4 ,the meaning of it is this2 ,if so be any one be regardless of a warning1 and so come to damage1 every one is wont thus to say of him1 ,he is but justly rewarded1 why did he not yield to a faithful warning8 who will help him now8 ,but however1 ,i have endeavoured 7for the ,honour of ,god1 of the ,magistrate1 and of my ,country1 and the benefit of my ,neighbour7 to shew1 by good ,admonition1 and by a profitable ,testimony1 by what means1 that great plenty we have in these as yet prosperous times1 wherein we have abundance of ,corn1 ,wine1 and other things in great plenty throughout all ,germany1 may not unprofitably be lost2 but be preserved for support in those years of scarcity that are next to come1 according as ,joseph that most excellent ,steward mentioned in ,holy ,writ is said to have done4 ,and now that there may be as much prevention as is possible1 that the ,wine1 and ,corn perish not with lying1 but be preserved against a future scarcity1 ,i have published this little ,book for every ones view1 concerning the ,concentration of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 ,minerals1 and ,metals1 in which1 the prosperity and felicity of all ,germany1 and indeed the ,universal ,treasure and ,wealthiness of the whole ,world1 is seated4 ,and because such an abundant plenty of all these things begets a nauseating and loathing1 as it were1 of those ,minerals1 ,metals1 ,wine1 and ,corn1 wherewith ,germany exceeds all the other ,countries of ,europe2 ,i judged it well worth while to constringe1 or concentrate this plenty into a little room1 and preserve it from the loss and destruction of the same1 arising from ,negligence and ,contempt4 ,for when such vile1 or cheap things are driven into a small compass1 the baser and unprofitable part goes off1 and the nobler and better part is driven together1 and preserved1 and doth not so easily become corrupt as afore1 when both good and bad are commixed together4 ,and this is to be understood of the ,minerals1 and ,metals1 and of ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood4 ,for where the ,water is separated from the ,wine and ,beer1 and the more ,noble ,parts are concentred1 as it were into a ,centre1 you may even preserve them as long as you list4 ,and when you need either ,wine1 or ,beer1 the concentrated parts may be relaxed by the apposition of ,water1 and be enlarged1 insomuch1 that one ,vessel will hold six ,vessels of ,wine2 and this1 taking up but one place1 and yet contains six times the quantity1 there will not need so much costs1 nor will so much ,wine be spoiled by vapouring away1 as would be by six ,wine ,vessels1 which must always be kept full4 ,besides1 this farther benefit ariseth hencefrom1 viz4 ,that out of such concentred ,juices 7if they be at hand7 there may be made every ,autumn new ,wines sooner than ordinary1 #d1 #e1 or #h weeks time or more1 and be sold at a bigger rate1 than in the very ,autumn ,season1 when the ,grapes are ripe1 and every ,body furnished with ,wine4 ,,nb4 ,for such a work there is requisite a certain peculiar ,instrument1 and artificial knack1 by the help of which the ,must may be holpen to a speedy fermentation2 there are also other ,conveniences which arise from these thus concentred ,musts1 which for ,brevities sake we here omit4 ,so likewise ,beer being after the same manner concentred1 doth bring a many more ,utilities than ordinary ,beer4 ,for that ,corn which eight ,barrels were scarce sufficient to contain afore1 need no more but one here1 the which being put in the ,beer ,vessel1 will not turn into ,vermin2 nor will it flie out of the ,barn1 but may be used after #aj or #bj years4 ,such ,artificial ,factitious ,ales1 seeing they are 7in their condensation7 boiled a longer while1 are far better than the common sorts which are made of dried ,corn1 or ,malt4 ,whosoever therefore shall in a great plenty of ,grain1 buy up ,corn1 and condense it by such ,artificial ,concentrations1 and so lay it by1 till a scarcity comes1 will gain abundantly1 and will not only get to himself an honest1 and to others no ways injurious profit2 but will withal 7being thus studious of ,charity and ,mercy7 deserve exceeding well of his ,neighbour1 if he helps him in his great necessity1 and he will readily pay him for his ,corn1 whereby he may get ,money to sustain his ,family and be a profitable gainer4 ,so then1 no body is injured by this condensation1 and concentration of ,ale1 or ,wine1 but both the ,buyer and ,seller are ,gainers1 and this should of right1 be in every ,man's heart1 what condition soever he be of4 ,it would be well done of ,noble ,men1 ,princes1 ,kings1 ,emperors1 and other ,magistrates and ,common ,wealths1 if they would provide in their ,store-houses for ,warfare1 such kind of condensed ,liquors1 and ,juices1 that so the poor may in a time of scarcity be made partakers of that plenty1 and they will have no loss thereby1 but rather benefit4 ,but the ,condensation of ,wood1 and turning it into ,salt-petre or ,nitre1 is far more profitable than that of ,wine or ,ale2 for wood may be had even as it were gratis1 and be with a very small ,cost transmuted into ,nitre1 the which may be kept without hurt in the ,storehouses for a long time1 seeing it is not wont to corrupt or perish1 and be there conserved until it be made up into ,gun-powder with ,coals and ,sulphur1 both which are also not subject to corruption2 so that it is not so very necessary 7nay1 rather it is hurtful7 to have such vast quantities of ,gun-powder in their ,castles and fenced places4 ,there are examples enough of ,towers in which ,gun-powder hath been stirred up1 which either through negligence1 or else by lightning1 being fired1 have in less than a moments time o'return'd whole ,cities1 and slain abundance of men4 ,now this mighty inconveniency may easily be prevented by this only ,remedy1 viz4 ,if the ,powder be not made up1 but the matter thereof 7viz4 ,nitre1 ,sulphur1 and ,coals7 be only kept in readiness1 wherewith the said ,powder may be made1 as necessity requires3 ,besides1 herein also doth the concentration of ,wood exceed 7as to profit7 the condensation of ,wine and ,ale1 not only because there lie vast heaps of ,minerals in ,germany1 7which not containing a fixt and corporeal ,gold1 are therefore disesteemed7 that admit of a separation of their better part1 and fixation of it by ,nitre2 but withal1 the meaner ,metals 7their superfluous ,sulphur being burnt up7 may be transmuted into better2 and the perfect ,metals1 viz4 ,gold and ,silver1 may 7by the help thereof7 be destroyed1 and be enforced or concentred into a better part2 the which thing the following ,second1 ,third1 and ,fourth ,parts treat of4 ,so then1 this ,transmutation of ,wood into ,salt-petre or ,tartar1 of both which not only great quantities may be sold1 but may be also applied to sundry uses1 will bring to our noble ,country of ,germany 7in which there is an incredible quantity of ,wood to be had almost every where gratis7 a most notable encrease of ,power and ,strength1 not only against its future1 but its present ,enemies4 ,whosoever therefore shall have abundance of ,wood1 shall likewise be enriched with store of ,wealth1 provided he will but set his hand to the work1 and not fear that ever ,salt-petre will be such a ,drug1 as to be of no value1 and not vendible3 ,and yet if it should so be1 yet in the ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi1 already published1 ,i have manifested so much1 and will1 in the three following parts of this ,book1 manifest such things as concern the use of this ,salt1 that there will never want such1 as penetrating into the knowledge of these ,secrets1 will not full well know its ,use4 ,he that hath ,eyes1 let him look about1 and use them1 for the time comes1 yea1 and by little and little approacheth1 in which ,knowledge will be a profitable thing2 and it will be well for those who are seasoned with the knowledge of things profitable4 ,verily1 ,knowledge is better than store of ,goods1 for no body can carry them with him1 nor 7in some cases7 help either himself or his ,friends with them4 ,happy is he that can say with the ,philosopher1 ,all that is mine do ,i carry with me3 ,how injuriously do they speak of the most bountiful ,lord ,god1 who accuse ,him for that ,he hath forborn the bestowing of ,wine1 plenty of ,corn1 ,pome-,citrons1 and ,gold on some ,countries1 and yet fully as great ,treasures are to be found there1 if the ,eyes of the ,inhabitants were not darkened8 ,if there were nothing else1 yet certainly there is ,wood to be found1 which without any labour1 costs1 or trouble of ,rich or ,poor1 doth grow night and day1 and offers it self unto us1 and as it were1 saith unto us in these words2 ,what6 am ,i of no use8 ,do not ,i come forth to thy view1 that thou maist by contemplating on me acknowledg the ,divine ,bounty1 and make use of me with thankfulness8 ,there is not therefore any reason why one ,country should exalt it self before another1 because it is better2 or contrarily complain1 that the ,divine ,benediction less regarded it than other ,countries2 no1 each ,country hath enough1 if it would but be content with what it possesseth4 ,as for those ,countries which are even destitute of ,wood1 they do nevertheless abundantly enjoy the ,divine ,benediction2 witness ,island1 and other cold ,northern ,countries1 which have their ,corn1 and other ,necessaries for ,life1 brought them out of other ,countries4 ,but now on the other hand1 these ,countries afford ,cod or ,stock-fish dried2 and so1 though they want ,trees1 ,fruit1 ,corn1 and ,wine1 yet they do not want1 and are equally as well nourished by the ,divine ,bounty as the rest be4 ,though they want ,wood1 yet have they ,pit-,coals2 for the ,earth there is very sulphureous1 and at the ,mountain ,hekla it burns perpetually1 and casts out fire1 smoak1 and ashes1 and yields to the ,inhabitants a great quantity of ,brimstone1 which they dig out and sell to our ,country ,mariners and ,traffiquers1 thereby sustaining themselves4 ,some one or other may object to me and say1 ,seeing that ,salt-petre is to be accompted of as an ,universal ,subject1 and to be found in all things1 it must necessarily be1 that seeing ,island has no ,wood at all1 the ,salt-petre is to be found in the dry ,stock-fish1 for otherwise this ,salt can't be said to be ,universal1 as being not to be found in such or such a ,country4 ,well then1 to clear this doubt1 ,i do affirm1 7as ,i said before7 that ,nitre is in ,fishes also1 though not in such plenty as in other subjects1 viz4 in ,wine1 ,wood1 and ,corn3 ,but it is found far more plentifully and potently in ,stones1 with which those ,countries are well stored2 and any one may easily guess what ,riches they would produce1 were they but versed in the knowledge how to extract it2 for in ,stones which by burning are turned into ,lime1 7the which may be done without ,wood1 even by dried ,turf or ,pit-coal1 and that easily7 ,nitre is as abundantly hidden1 as in ,wood1 and in other ,vegetables3 ,nor is there ought else requisite1 save the knowledge of the way of its extraction4 ,if therefore that harsh and wild kind of ,country1 wherein nothing grows1 be put in the ,philosophical balance1 with the most rich ,country1 it would 7seeing it contains hidden in its ,earth and ,stones such great ,treasures7 easily exceed it1 and obtain the chiefest place4 ,there is therefore no reason why any one should complain before ,god3 ,a small man doth usually exceed1 as to swiftness and agility1 one that is big and tall3 ,a weak man may oppose the acuteness of his wit against the strength of the lusty3 ,a poor man enjoys ,quietude1 and patiently undergoes his more hard fortunes2 but contrariwise1 the rich is invironed with cares4 ,and this may be also understood of other living ,creatures4 ,these things being well considered1 every one may understand and perceive1 that ,god hath satisfied every one1 and that there is no ,creature that can justly complain4 ,it is reported of the ,peruvian part of ,america1 ,that it is enriched with the most abounding ,silvery ,mountain ,potosi1 seated in a part of that ,region1 and is about some #ej ,german miles in compass1 and that it doth by its exceeding cold ,air hinder the growing of any ,vegetables1 and yet notwithstanding1 there is such a notable power and excellency obtained by the ,riches of that place1 that the ,city there founded doth abound with the best ,wine1 ,corn1 ,sugar1 and other such-like necessary things1 and is scarce inferiour in bigness and fair ,buildings to any ,city of ,germany1 and from this very ,mountain only receiveth it this felicity4 ,it is hence evident1 that all such things are not unprofitable1 which 7by reason of the meanness of the outward shape7 are not so well known to every body2 for sometimes a ,countryman throws a ,stone at a ,cow1 which is far more worth than the price of the ,cow is1 and yet it is contemned1 because unknown4 ,the external and superficial ,figure therefore of a thing is not alwaies to be regarded1 but its inward parts are to be search'd into and viewed2 and that we may attain hereunto1 ,alchymy points out to us the way1 7she being the ,instrument of the true praise-worthy ,philosophy7 and opens the ,gate1 whereby we may search into the inmost bowels of every thing4 ,he who well knows the fire1 and the use thereof1 will not be distressed with want4 ,and he that has no knowledge of the same1 neither will he throughly search into ,natures ,treasures3 ,from these things it is evident what ,treasures we ,germans do unknowingly possess1 and yet convert them nor to our use2 ,and were not foreign parts as ignorant too of these things as we our selves are1 they would readily have upbraided us ,germans1 that we spend more time in eating and drinking1 than on good ,arts and ,sciences4 ,now as concerning my writings about the concentration of ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood1 and the condensation of 'em1 ,i shall never be better able to prove and confirm the ,truth of the same1 than by producing it to manifest light1 that so the ,eyes seeing it1 all admiration may cease1 and all incredulity vanish4 ,there is credit therefore to be given to all the things mentioned in this ,book1 as to an experienced ,truth1 and which are not made publick for any other ends1 save only that those natural ,sciences may tend to the utility and benefit of my ,neighbour4 ,whoever therefore shall believe them1 will purchase ,honour and ,profit2 and contrariwise1 he that will not believe1 will get only disgrace and detriment4 ,i will therefore predict or foretell1 that this one only ,artifice of making ,salt petre in such great plenty1 and the way of using it to metalline works1 will bring incredible ,treasures to our ,country of ,germany1 if we be not too negligent1 or let it slip by a sluggish slothful drowsiness4 ,i do verily believe1 that if ,god doth yet vouchsafe me one years life1 that this said ,artifice of ,salt-petre will be profitable to very many2 but if so be that it shall not please the ,divine ,majesty to prolong my life so short a time1 it may however be accounted of1 that ,god hath indeed shewed us ,germans1 as heretofore he did to ,moses1 the ,land of ,promise1 but hath1 by reason of our sins and incredulity1 shut up the passage against us4 ,but that ,i may absolutely serve my ,neighbour1 and that he may have no cause to complain1 as if ,i had served him but by halves1 in that ,i have not described the ,press for ,wood1 together with the appertaining ,instruments1 ,i do now therefore certifie every one1 that all the things necessary and requisite for the concentrating of ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood1 are to be seen in my custody in perfection4 ,if now any one be desirous of receiving benefit from his ,wine1 ,corn1 or ,wood1 and that he find it highly to concern him to get this knowledge he will well know1 by the inspection of the ,work presented afore him1 wherein lay the defect as to the getting this thing1 and what means the said defect is to be holpen by2 but the ,instruments that ,i have mentioned1 shall be no longer to be seen1 than from the ,calends of ,march to the ,calends of ,september1 this present year #afef4 viz4 six months time2 for ,i have purposed to my self1 not to render my life burdensome alwaies unto my self1 by carrying such troublesome burthens about to and fro1 but at last to get a quiet seat and abode4 ,so then it will1 by this here spoken1 be evidently manifest to every one1 what he is to do as touching this matter4 ,the three other ,parts concerning the concentration of ,minerals and ,metals1 shall 7if ,god permit7 shortly also follow4 ,but because ,nitre is the alone ,instrument of that work1 and that no body can get any eminent profit1 unless he can have ,nitre at a very cheap rate1 it is wholly necessary that some labour be bestowed about the procuring it1 which if you can get good store of cheap1 then will the hoped-for profit be perceived1 both out of ,minerals and ,metals3 ,if not1 vain will it be for you to make your search into that ,mineral kingdom4 ,well1 ,i do affirm1 ,that by the benefit of ,nitre1 things wonderful may be effected in ,metallick ,labours2 yea1 ten times more than what ,i have described in my small ,treatise1 called ,miraculum ,mundi1 or dare to describe for the future2 for all things requisite to true ,alchymy1 may be perfectly accomplished in it1 by it1 and with it4 ,herewith ,i conclude this ,preface4 ,whatsoever is here wanting in this ,treatise1 for brevities sake1 the demonstration visibly exposed to view1 will afterwards compleatly recompence1 insomuch that any one will easily wind himself out of all doubts4 ,and here we rest for this time4 ,,the ,,first ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 c4 ,in the ,name of the most ,holy ,trinity do ,i begin to describe the most great ,wonders of ,god1 that ,i may manifest to everyone 7without concealing ought7 ,his ,grace and ,mercy1 which ,he embraceth ,mankind withal2 and ,i pray ,god1 the ,father of us all1 the merciful ,creator of ,heaven and ,earth1 to guide and direct this ,work1 that it may serve to ,his ,divine ,honour1 and tend to all our welfares4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we will enter into ,franconia1 and see what a wealthy and large ,benediction of ,god is to be found therein3 ,and ,i will first begin with ,wine1 none of the least of the most noble ,creatures of ,god1 and will demonstrate how ungrateful we shew ourselves to the bestower of all good things1 and how basely we abuse ,his ,goodness4 ,every one knows what a noble ,creature wine is1 how strained from the ,grape and made1 and therefore this thing needs no further description1 forasmuch as others have heretofore sufficiently enough done this task and daily ,experience is an abundant testifier of the use of the same4 ,it is behoveful here1 that we only signifie how it ought to be handled better than it has hitherto been1 and may so likewise bring a greater profit and utility to the tillers thereof than hitherto4 ,every one knows1 that wine is the noblest amongst all drinks1 and most conducive to health1 and may and ought to be called the ,purest drink3 ,it cherisheth old men1 and heats the cold1 but such as are of a tender age1 should deservedly shun wine1 because being drunk too soon1 it easily inflames the ,liver1 and dries it up1 and stirs up various ,diseases1 and at last causeth ,death it self4 ,so then1 there is nothing so good1 but may also do hurt1 nor is any thing so evil1 but doth sometimes bring some benefit1 according as the difference of the use is which it is applied unto2 as is here evident in ,wine2 the which being drunk moderately1 and at due seasons1 doth not only excellently well digest and concoct the ,meat in the ,stomach1 but likewise evidently strengthens the ,heart1 ,brain1 and ,vital ,spirits1 and generates pure and sound ,blood and ,flesh4 ,contrariwise1 being immoderately taken1 it overflows as 'twere the ,stomach1 ,lungs1 and ,liver1 fills those ,vessels with many evil humours1 and obstructs them1 so that they cannot well perform that office whereto they are destinated by ,,god and ,nature1 but are overwhelmed with whole ,troops of ,diseases2 for the ,heart and ,brain is set upon by their spiritual efficacy and hot nature and property1 and is weakened1 and the vital spirit is overcome and suffocated1 as we see in the fire1 the which when greater doth alwaies suppress and overcome the lesser4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that men that load themselves with daily drinkings1 do little differ from new-born ,calves and ,geese1 and are wont to be neither profitable to ,god1 nor to ,men1 nor to themselves4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the ,name of ,god1 therefore we will proceed on in the matter we have proposed1 and see by what means more profit may be reaped from ,wine than hath hitherto been4 ,in the first place1 he that aims at the bettering of any thing1 must know what the thing is which he studies the amending of1 and of what parts it consisteth4 ,therefore1 as concerning ,wine1 it consisteth as well as the other ,vegetables of three principles1 viz4 of ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury 7that ,i may use the ,philosophers terms74 ,the ,mercury is its insipid moisture1 and the ,sulphur is that burning ,spirit which is extracted or drawn out thereof4 ,you shall thus know the thing1 by this following ,experiment4 ,put a ,cucurbit full of ,wine in a ,b4 and with a gentle heat draw off what will come1 but yet so1 that the parts which in the destillation alter or change themselves1 be each of them received apart in its peculiar ,receiver4 ,for example2 ,if there were #ab parts of wine1 or #ab measures1 there ascends first only one part of spirit1 which is the soul and life of the wine2 after it1 come ten parts or measures of insipid water2 the remainder in the bottom of the ,glass is a thick and austere or harsh matter1 which being the ,tartar or ,salt of the wine1 is also almost one part or measure of the wine4 ,of these three parts all wine is compounded1 but yet partakes of one or the other of the ,principles1 more or less1 according to its being more or less mature1 or its growing in such or such a place4 ,as for example2 ,the ,austere ,wine hath alwaies more ,tartar and less ,spirit than the ,ripe ,wines2 and contrarily1 the ripe wine doth abound with more ,spirit than ,tartar1 as the ,spanish and other extraneous wines witness1 which do alwaies abide sweet1 and plainly have no ,tartar in them2 the reason is this1 ,because in those warm ,countries they are brought by the ,sun to meer sweetness1 and so are ripe2 so that the austere ,tartar or ,salt is throughly changed1 and concocted into a sweet ,sugar4 ,hence it comes1 that the said wines do not in the afore-proposed ,examen leave any austereness1 as our wines in ,germany do1 but rather yield twice as much spirit1 and scarce the half part of insipid water3 ,whenas austere ,wine yields about a twentieth part of spirit1 the ripe ,german wine yields almost a twelfth part1 and the ,spanish a sixth part of spirit1 four parts of water1 and one part of fces without ,tartar4 ,so that from good ,german wine there comes 7as ,i said afore7 one part of spirit1 ten of water1 and one part of austere or sowrish matter4 ,he that knows these things1 will easily contrive and prepare for himself by the help thereof1 at all times1 be it hot or cold1 good and constant1 or durable wine4 ,neither is there any room left a man here of complaining1 as if ,god shewed greater bounty to men one year than another4 ,the fault of this defect is not to be imputed to ,god1 but to our own selves1 who know nothing1 nor are willing to know1 nor study how to help ,nature2 for ,art can bring an assistance and help to ,nature when she is impeded in her work1 and is unable to bring her ,fruits unto a maturity1 provided the ,artist removes away that which the wine naturally abounds withal1 and addeth thereunto what it is destitute of4 ,for example1 ,let us examin a thin wine1 which being not sufficiently concocted and ripened by the ,sun1 is endowed with too much sharpishness and water1 and contrarily has but little of spirit2 if now to such a wine1 when it begins to boil or ferment1 some spirit shall be added1 so that it may work together with it1 it will be even as well ripened in the wine-vessel1 by the benefit of this fiery spirit1 as if it had been ripened by the ,sun1 as it hung upon the ,vine2 insomuch1 that by this means there mought be made excellent wines every year1 if any had but the knowledge of thus helping them4 ,,nb4 ,but now such a spirit must not be such an one as that common ,adult or ,brandy-wine is1 but a grateful and pure ,essence of wine2 the manner of making it ,i have described in my ,vegetable ,work4 ,now by how much the more this ,spirit shall ferment or work with such a wine1 so much the stronger and more efficacious doth the wine become3 ,forasmuch as all the ,virtues of all the whole wine consist in the ,spirit only1 and the ,tartar or ,salt doth by its muchness make it austere and sharp4 ,but ,musts being by such an ,artifice made stronger and more efficacious1 do keep a longer time afterwards without corrupting1 and may be carried or transported whithersoever one please2 whence it comes to pass1 that they are never spoiled1 as they are otherwise usually wont to be1 when 'tis not of ripe growth4 ,from these things 'tis evident1 that out of one ,must1 grown in one and the same ,autumn1 there may with ease be made wines of #c1 #d1 or more kinds1 according as there is more or less of this spirit added to the ,must and fermented with it4 ,there is also another way1 by the help whereof every austere wine is easily corrected and amended1 thus3 ,in the ,vintage time1 let the liquor of the ,must1 or of the expressed juice of the ,grapes1 be so boiled in peculiar ,vessels1 that the unprofitable moisture or tasteless water do exhale by little and little1 until thou hast as much as thou wouldst1 or as the efficacy of the wine1 or the degree thou wouldst by correcting reduce it to1 shall require3 ,for1 in the exhalation of the superfluous moisture nothing goes away1 save that insipid water2 but the sweetness and the austereness remains in that thick and condensate juice1 like to ,honey2 so that that boiled mash comprehends all the strength and virtues of the wine1 concentrated as it were1 and condensate1 and will again disclose them1 if it doth again work1 with water thereto added in a due proportion2 but the use of this condensate ,must1 which as yet hath not wrought or fermented1 is this1 ,that it can be at all times carried1 and most profitably sold in far remote ,countries1 which thing could not afore be done4 ,for every one knows1 that when there is a cold ,summer1 ,wines become immature and acid1 and are not wont to keep2 for as soon as they come to be a year old1 they are covered over with a filmy skin1 and being mouldy1 corrupt1 because they have not in them spirit enough4 ,from whence it comes to pass1 that many times ,vintners1 or ,vineyard-keepers1 suffer great loss1 after that they have diligently betook themselves to dress the ,vineyards for an whole year1 and have lived sparingly and hardly1 and working hard1 have sustained their lives with ,bread and ,water1 hoping that upon selling their wine they should scrape together a little ,money1 to buy them some ,clothes and other ,necessaries for their ,family's supportation2 for the expected plenty of the wine hoped for1 and of the profit accruing by the store of ,money for it1 when sold1 hath prop'd them up with this hope2 but now the wine fading and deluding their hopes1 and turning into an acid and austere taste1 they cannot sell it1 seeing 'tis scarce worth the carriage2 or if it be sold1 'tis at such a mean rate1 as scarcely sufficeth to discharge the ,cost of dressing it2 and what shall now be done for ,food1 ,drink1 ,raiment1 and other ,necessaries to sustain the ,family8 ,and yet the ,vines must be dressed for the next year too1 and more ,monies laid out upon them2 but from whence shall ,monies come for ,food and ,raiment1 in the mean time8 ,alas1 what course will they take if some such-like years should follow one another together8 ,either the poor miserable men must1 together with their ,wives and ,children1 famish1 or else turn ,souldiers1 and be kill'd1 or be made so desperate1 as to betake themselves to thieving and robbing1 and so finish their daies by an ,halter3 ,for the present world is so much estrangd from ,mercy1 that one will not use so much ,christian ,charity1 as to help another in his necessity4 ,and besides1 the ingratitude it self of men doth sometimes make others slow and fearful of administring and affording a mutual help2 forasmuch as very many1 when they are rid out of their incumbrances1 do refuse to restore those things1 or by labour to requite or make amends for the things by which they were delivered out of their ,straits4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that he who does a friendly good turn1 for such an ingrateful man1 loseth his ,money1 and by reason of that so ill placed formerly1 abhors the lending his helping hand again4 ,now1 that such great inconveniences may be removed1 and the ,vine-dressers somewhat holpen1 so as that they might every year sell their wines at a beneficial price1 and may never be oppressed with that foresaid detriment2 it may very conveniently be done by the help of this concentration or condensation1 by evaporating the ,must to the consistence of ,honey1 the which may profitably be carried into far distant places1 in which no wine is accustomed to grow1 and be there sold4 ,such now as buy up such ,must thus condensated by boiling1 do now know how by dilating it with ,water1 to reduce it again into good wines4 ,this ,artifice therefore being so laudable1 will be helpful to both1 to the ,vine-dresser1 in yielding him presently ready ,money for his ,must1 and to the ,merchant1 in easilier furnishing him with ,wine1 and quitting him of so much ,charges in the ,carriage4 ,but that the business may be yet the better and more clearly understood1 let us see by making computation1 what the benefit and profit of this condensation is4 ,let us suppose then1 that a ,wine not ripe remains acid and weak1 and that a ,franconian ,urn1 or half an ,hogshead of ,frankfort measure1 yields scarce a ,florin1 or a ,doller at the utmost4 ,such a ,wine as this will not quit the ,costs of the ,carriage1 though but for #ab miles2 a ,german mile is three of ours4 for it degenerates by the carrying it1 and becomes mouldyish1 as 'twere1 and turns sowre1 so that the ,huckster can't sell the same1 and he'l have a care how he buys such wines another time2 and the ,vineyard-keeper is even enforced to keep them to his great loss1 forasmuch as all his safety or dependance is built thereupon4 ,as for the ,rich men1 tho' they have some acid wine1 they are not undone by the loss1 for they have still by them other better wines1 which they mix those worser and more acid wines withal1 and so sell them off2 or else they keep such thin wines till the ,autumn comes1 with more plentiful and riper ,grapes1 and to the ,must proceeding from them1 do they pour this thin ,wine1 and let it work therewith anew1 and by this means it becomes vendible4 ,but yet the ,gain arising hencefrom1 is sufficiently poor and mean3 ,for by how much the thinner the acid wine is than it ought to have been1 tho' it be mixt with good ,wine1 yet doth this become so much the worser2 nay1 it sometimes happens1 that both are corrupted and lost2 for as much of help as the acid ,wine gets from the good wine1 so much of goodness doth depart even from the good wine4 ,so that such a kind of bettering after what manner soever it be instituted1 cannot be very profitable or advantageous4 ,for example1 that ,i may be the better understood1 let us instance in two pieces of ,gold1 each of which should be the value of #be ,imperials3 ,let them be put in the ,balance and examined1 and being examined1 let one of them be the due weight1 and let the other be less in weight or price the value of four ,imperials4 ,if now you are minded to take so much away from that piece which is of current weight1 as to make them both of alike weight1 you may indeed so do1 but yet you are no waies benefited thereby1 but rather suffer loss3 ,forasmuch as you took away from that piece that was of due weight1 and added unto the other piece that wanted of weight1 so much of its value is departed1 and both pieces will be unfit to go in payment1 as wanting their due value and weight4 ,what profit therefore can hence redound unto any man8 ,even so is the case with the ,wine1 for if one should get some two load of wine1 and could sell one of them for #bj1 and the other but for #aj ,imperials1 and yet should not be accounted of as vendible ,wine1 and now the ,merchant should mix that thin wine with the better1 that they may both be equal1 would not that better wine become worse1 and that thin wine be rendered not much the better8 ,for my part therefore1 ,i cannot see that such a kind of meliorating can bring much profit4 ,but as for my bettering and correction1 it is always profitable1 whereby the acid wines are not corrupted by the acid1 but the good and superfluous humidity only is separated by the benefit of ,art1 and the good part being condensate in it self1 and by it self is reduced into a narrower compass4 ,,nb4 ,he that is so minded1 may separate from the sweet ,must1 a fourth part only1 or a fifth or sixth part1 by evaporation1 and presently bring it to such a pass1 as to work or ferment2 for they become so much the better1 by how much the more water hath been consumed by evaporation3 ,if the ,quintessence of wine be added to that working ,must1 the wines become the better1 and the more generous4 ,this kind of way may be made use of in those places in which the wine doth for the most part remain acid2 for there needs not this ,art to those ,vines that ,nature hath ripened4 ,besides1 the wines may be condensated to the thickness of ,honey1 that they may be thereby rendered the fitter for ,transportation4 ,six ,hogsheads1 or ,oma1 of ,must1 may be so condensated1 that one ,hogshead will hold them2 the which 7if need be7 may again by the apposition of #e ,hogsheads of water1 which quantity it lost in the condensation1 make #f ,hogsheads of wine of the very same goodness and efficacy as it would have been of before the condensation1 if it never had been condensated1 but been presently put out of the ,press into the ,barrels1 to have fermented and work'd into wine after the usual manner4 ,,nb4 ,but now if any be desirous of making his wine better and more noble than it would have been afore the ,concentration1 then he must not put five1 but only #d parts of water2 for should he add but three ,hogsheads or parts1 it would be yet better and nobler by one degree than the others3 ,hence is it manifest1 ,that it is in the hands of the ,artist to make and alter these wines at his pleasure1 and to render them strong1 stronger1 and middling1 and by the addition of water to give them even what efficacy and what virtues you list4 ,but now1 to all the mixtures he may add the soul of wine1 if he has it1 that the wines may thereby be the sooner clear and pure4 ,for the ,quintessence of any wine being conjoined with new ,musts1 and working with them1 brings them in a short space of time to clarity and purity1 so that they become transparent1 but principally when they are tartarized1 or full of ,tartar1 for the spirit of ,wine brooks not any ,tartar1 but precipitates it in the fermentation to the bottom1 or drives it away from it self1 and so by consequence makes the ,wine clear and transparent4 ,but as concerning1 what means the ,tartarized 7,spirit or7 ,essence of ,wine is to be artificially prepared by1 'tis needless to repeat here1 forasmuch as it is already described in divers of my ,writings hitherto published1 but especially in the ,vegetable ,work4 ,besides1 it is not so convenient1 that every one should know1 by what means the concentrated ,musts may be prepared with water1 and the ,tartarized ,quintessence4 ,it is sufficient in this place1 to know how the ,musts are to be concentrated1 or brought into a narrow compass1 that so they may be transported and sold4 ,let this be the care of the ,merchants to know how to use them when they have bought them4 ,for the ,brains of the ,vineyard keepers are incapable of these things4 ,yet nevertheless1 there will be some ,men who will know how to make a due use of such boiled and condensed ,musts1 if they can but get them1 and every one may be ,master of this ,affair1 if he has but ,coppers and ,kettles1 necessary for such an ,operation2 whereby he may make store enough of ,juice4 ,but yet every ,countryman can't get such ,kettles1 neither will it be worth while1 forasmuch as a small ,portion of ,wine1 will not be able to quit the ,costs4 ,but whosoever bestows his ,study and ,moneys in exercising this ,artifice1 will reap thence from a great deal of ,utility and ,advantage4 ,but whether he does these things1 or does them not1 he neither benefits1 nor injures me4 ',tis sufficient1 that ,i have evidently demonstrated to the ,vineyard ,masters1 by what means they may always sell their ,wines1 whether they be ripe1 or have come short of their ,maturity4 ,but for the better instruction of the ,courteous ,reader1 ,i will compute the ,charges of this ,operation1 and show1 what gain is to be expected from the ,condensation of these ,musts4 ,in the first place therefore1 let us buy some ,musts in those places1 in which they are thin1 and are sold for a mean price1 viz4 twelve ,urnes1 or six ,hogsheads1 or ,oma's1 for xij4 ,imperials2 an ,imperial is about #d s4 #f d4 this ,must we will condense to the ,consistency of ,honey1 so that there may be but one ,hogshead1 or ,oma remaining4 ,let the ,costs requisite to this ,concentration 7always provided you are furnished with the ,copper ,vessel7 be valued at half a ,dollar1 or thereabouts2 and the charge of the ,wood we'll count an ,imperial for4 ,the ,wine ,cask which is to be filled with this condensate ,juice1 we will value at half an ,imperial1 its carriage forty ,miles1 we'll reckon six ,imperials for4 ,all which ,charges being summed up1 make nineteen ,imperials and an half4 ,and so much will be the ,charges of one ,hogshead1 or one ,oma of this ,condensate ,must1 and its ,carriage forty ,miles4 ,this ,must now being brought into such a place where ,wines are dear1 you may at any time of the year1 by the addition of ,water1 and by ,fermentation1 transmute into good ,wine4 ,and that one only ,hogshead being the condensate ,juice of six ,hogsheads of ,must1 will yield thee so many ,hogsheads of such ,wine as the ,must would have been afore its ,concentration4 ,and if thou desirest to have thy ,wine stronger and nobler1 than as it comes out of the ,press1 and than it could be afore this ,condensation1 you may omit the putting thereunto so much water as it lost in the ,condensation1 and lessen it proportionably1 that so those six may make no more than four ,hogsheads1 and they will be the more generous2 the which thou shalt far better have by this means1 if viz4 ,you know how thereunto to adjoin a ,quintessence4 ,if now1 that one ,hogshead of juice1 which afore its ,condensation was six ,hogsheads1 doth again yield four and no more it must of necessity be much better1 and more noble than otherwise it would have been1 had it been made after a ,natural manner1 7viz4 just as it came from the ,press47 ,and by this means too1 it will last the better1 and may be the easilier transported and sold4 ,so then1 if in such a place as is #dj ,miles distant from ,wine-making ,countrys1 an ,hogshead1 or ,oma1 is sold but for twelve ,imperials1 and you have of six ,hogsheads of thin ,wine1 made four of better1 and each of these you sell for but #ab ,imperials1 yet you shall have #dh ,imperials1 out of which substract your #ai and ,charges1 you shall have clear ,gains #bh ,imperials1 and 4 ,but ,i have set a most low price on this ,wine1 for in such places which are about some #dj ,miles from those ,countries1 in which abundance of ,wines grow1 an ,hogshead1 or an ,oma1 is not usually sold at the ,rate of #ab1 but of #bd ,imperials4 ,the gain therefore of about a ,wayn-load of such a thin ,wine1 which haply would have corrupted with lying1 and never yielded any profit1 doth at the least yield above fifty ,imperials4 ,every one now may easily see how much ,gains this ,artifice of the ,concentration of ,musts doth bring4 ,for besides this ,commodity arising from this ,labour1 viz4 ,that the ,musts being presently sold1 yield ready ,money2 there is this also1 that the ,money being again presently disburst1 opens the way for the next years profit4 ,the ,merchant also has this benefit by this ,labour1 that he is not enforced to pay so much ,water's carriage so long a ,journey2 and that he may even at his pleasure make his ,wine more or less strong and efficacious2 for what a deal of profit is this1 for to have all the ,wine of six ,hogsheads1 carried in one ,hogshead4 ,besides1 the ,merchant doth not only gain the price of the carriage of those five ,hogsheads1 but also is quitted of the fear of the ,carter's corrupting1 or spoiling that ,juice by the way1 as is usual with them to do with ,wine1 drawing it out1 and filling up the ,vessels again with ,water4 ,this danger these ,juices are not subject unto2 and may be kept in great plenty in fruitful years of ,wine1 until you need them4 ,for they are not wont to be corrupted1 if they are but kept in pure1 and well shut ,vessels4 ,by this means every ,vintner may in such exceeding plentiful years1 furnish himself with a great ,treasure1 and store of ,wines1 and so afterwards1 when a dear year comes1 reduce his ,juices into ,wine1 and enjoy a great deal of profit4 ,i have to this end described this so famous an ,art1 that the common ,vine-,masters1 may have present sale for their ,musts1 and not be enforced so long to keep them1 till some ,carrier comes and enquires after ,wine1 but may presently get their ,moneys1 and may profit themselves by bestowing them to the use of their ,family4 ,so then1 it fares not only well1 which the ,vine-,masters1 and the ,merchants1 but also with all such as dwell in those places which yield no ,wine1 because by the benefit of this ,medium 7or ,artifice7 they may also drink ,wine at a cheaper rate4 ,for if any ,honest ,citizen provides himself with an whole ,hogshead1 or half an ,hogshead of this ,juice1 he may turn it into stronger1 and weaker ,wines1 and all times of the ,year make new1 and as yet fermenting sweet ,musts1 whensoever he pleaseth1 and as oft as his need requires2 and may by the apposition of ,spices1 or ,herbs1 make ,aromatical1 or ,physical ,wines2 which thing cannot be effected without these ,condensate ,juices2 forasmuch as ,sweet ,musts1 cannot be carried by ,land to any other place1 for that they presently ferment1 and boil up1 and will either break out of the ,vessels1 or rend the ,cask1 and be lost1 which 7by having these ,juices7 is not at all to be feared4 ,i do therefore think that ,i deserve exceedingly well of very many1 by the faithful manifestation of this ,artifice2 which deed of mine1 whether it be praised1 or dispraised1 yet will it not be despised by such men as shall apprehend1 and perceive the benefit and ,commodity of so great an ,artifice4 ,it remains now1 that we also describe1 and set afore your ,eyes the ,instruments and ,vessels serving to this ,condensation1 7without which1 this ,concentration cannot be effected7 and withal shew the manner of proceeding1 which is to be thus ordered4 ,in the ,first place1 provide a ,copper of such a bigness as you shall judge needful for the great1 or less quantity of ,juice you have2 let it have a plain and even bottom1 and let it have the sides about a ,span high1 and get it well ,tinned over in the inside1 and not ,leaded1 the which ,vessel you must put in a ,furnace of a sizeable bigness1 and so order it1 that being set in the ,furnace1 the ,flame may come but only to the bottom1 and not be able to touch the sides4 ,the ,walls of the ,furnace are to be some two foot high1 and must have an ,iron front1 or ,stone ,door1 serving for the putting in the ,wood1 and registring the fire1 by opening and shutting it4 ,at the backside is to be an hole of such a bigness1 as may suffice for making the fire burn by the access of the ,air1 and for carrying away the ,smoke and ,flame4 ,but it must be so ordered1 as to be covered with a broad stone1 if need be1 that so the fire may on such wise be registred1 that the ,juices may not boil over by the overmuch fire1 or taste of burning4 ,these ,juices are to be so long boiled with the wood1 until they begin to wax thick1 and then more new ,must is to be thereunto added1 this addition is to be so long made1 and so often repeated1 until the ,copper be almost filled with those thick ,juices4 ,then the holes of the ,furnace that serve for giving air1 are to be shut both above and below1 that there may be no flame under the ,copper1 but the bare heat of the fire1 and a sweet and gentle warmth1 which will bring the ,juices by a sweet decoction to the consistence of ,honey1 and will condense them without any adustion1 insomuch that they will become as sweet as ,sugar4 ,these ,juices1 you may let out by a ,pipe1 or ,cock placed near the bottom of the ,vessel1 and shutting it again1 pour in more to be condensed after the same manner1 until all the ,musts are condensed1 but you must not presently put the ,condensate ,juices1 as soon as ever they come hot out of your ,copper1 into your ,barrels1 but let them run first into some wooden ,vessel1 and be there left so long till they are cool1 then put them up in your ,barrels1 and shut them up tight1 and so may you keep them whole and sound1 and free from ,corruption1 even as long as you list3 ,for if you should put them hot into your ,barrels1 and so shut them up1 the ,barrels would burst1 or else when you open them1 would 7by reason of the pent-up ,vapours1 which can have no exhalation7 break or run out4 ,,nb4 ,and here comes a notable ,secret1 which ,i think good to add4 ,when the ,juices have rested some two or three weeks1 and be afterwards dissolved with warm water1 the residue of the ,tartar which would have made the wines acid1 will fall down undissolved to the bottom1 in the form of small and big ,crystals1 and being washed with common water1 may be used instead of ,tartar forasmuch as it is nothing else than a meer absolute ,tartar4 ,now this separation of the ,tartar1 is of great concernment as to the ,wine1 for it thereby becomes much better than if those ,crystals had remained dissolved with it4 ,nor is any thing lost by this means1 for that the ,tartar is of as much value as the ,juices3 ,and besides1 the ,wines will be by this means freed from their acidity1 and rendred better and sweeter2 which thing verily deserves to be esteemed of as a great and profitable ,artifice2 and which1 many there are that will know to use it to their great profit4 ,verily1 he that is of so dull an ,apprehension1 as not to be capable of understanding these things1 that are so clearly1 and evidently manifested1 will not be any whit the better by larger ,discourses4 ,but he that has a desire of setting about this work1 will insinuate1 or work himself by a farther ,meditation into the inmost centrality as 'twere of this so great an ,artifice1 and will with a far juster mind bear with me1 in that ,i have not so much time at present1 as to use a more prolix1 or larger ,stile4 ,but if so be1 any do desire to have this ,artifice declared unto him1 by a more clear delivery1 let him read my ,explication of the ,appendix adjoined to my ,fifth part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces2 as also the ,vegetable work1 and there he shall find more such ,artifices4 ,or if haply it concerns him1 he may see in my ,laboratory1 the ,furnaces and ,coppers requisite to such a work1 together with the ,manual ,operations4 ,i am even constrained briefly1 and as it were by the bye1 to insert thus much1 that if some more than usually unskilful ,men cannot understand those things which ,i have declared concerning the three ,principles1 viz4 ,that all ,wine must needs consist of the same1 to wit1 ,salt1 ,water1 and ,spirit2 ,i dare boldly and confidently averr1 that he who knows how to conjoin 7according to art7 these three ,principles1 may every where make good ,wine4 ,,nb4 ,but yet ,i would not have such an one perswade himself that he can do any good1 if he mixeth ,tartar1 ,water1 and ,spirit of ,wine together1 no1 no1 that is not the way for him to be ,master of his desire4 ,there are far other-guise ,manual ,operations1 requisite to this ,artifice1 and such as ,i think it inexpedient to manifest in this place4 ,let every one be content with the things at present shown him1 haply ,god will sometime or other bestow 7on him7 better4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,treateth of ,corn3 ,shewing what means it is to be ,concentred1 and ,condensated by1 so as to be ,exported in great ,quantities into other ,countries1 whereby both ,gain and ,moneys may be thereof made4 ,i have instructed you in the foregoing ,chapter1 after what manner such ,wines as are of a mean price1 may by the help of ,concentration be conveniently transported out of one ,country into others more remote1 where no ,wines grow1 and produce good profit4 ,the which ,artifice may be of most great benefit to the ,inhabitants of such ,countries as abound in ,wine1 and want sometimes ,chapmen or ,merchants for the same4 ',tis very well known to every one1 that in most places of ,germany 7but especially in ,franconia1 and in the other ,countries adjoining7 ,corn is so exceedingly plenty1 and of so vile a price1 that the inhabitants know not what to do therewith2 and for that reason it lies and rots in their ,barns and ,granaries1 the exceeding abundance thereof either hindring the sale of the same1 or the great costs and charges of ,carriage hinder the ,transportation of it into the lower ,countries of ,germany1 where 'tis dear enough4 ,hence comes it to pass1 that the miserable ,inhabitants have indeed ,wine and ,corn enough1 but want ,moneys to pay the ,tributes due to the ,magistrate2 so that tho' they have such plenty of the ,divine ,gifts1 and so much ,riches1 yet for all that they are in great penury and want1 in that they cannot sell off so much as to pay their ,family's expence1 viz4 ,men-servants and ,maid-servants wages1 or so much as to sustain them4 ,verily1 this is a punishment from the hand of ,god1 and a singular one too1 by which he corrects us ungrateful men4 ,in time of the ,wars1 when a huge ,scarcity pinched the ,inhabitants of ,germany1 then the common outcry went up to ,heaven1 and promised largely an amendment of life2 but when the ,war was over1 and all quiet1 and a most wisht-for ,peace returning1 then all men generally became worser1 and more wicked1 tho' the goodness and bounty of ,god had bestowed on them such a great plenty of things so exceeding necessary3 ,and now such great ,fulness being enjoyed1 they now gape after ,money too1 and murmur against ,god1 as the ,israelites did1 who loathing1 as 'twere1 the plentiful abundance of things necessary1 murmured at ,moses4 ,the reason why ,corn is so exceeding plenty1 is this3 ,after the making of ,peace1 and sending away the ,souldiers1 many ,commanders being weary of warfare1 and abounding with ,money and ,horses1 bought 7or rather squeez'd out7 of the poor ,inhabitants1 every where destitute of ,money1 most notable ,farms1 for a very mean price1 and did set themselves with the utmost of their ,industry to till the ,earth1 which had lain fallow a long time2 which ,lands became so fruitful that it even amazed all men4 ,the poor ,inhabitants too1 who now had gotten a little ,money1 they also set their hands to the ,plough1 and used even the utmost of their endeavours in the tillage of the ,earth3 ,from hence it came to pass1 that they were so furnished with such a vast deal of ,corn in a few years space1 that they knew not at all what to do therewith4 ,as for carrying it into far distant ,countries1 the troublesomeness and charges of the ,carriage were too great an hindrance3 ,to lay it up in the ,granaries1 that the ,air will not suffer them to do1 tho' in the time of ,joseph such a thing was done in ,egypt1 where the ,air being ,nitrous1 dry1 and not so easily subject to corrupting1 as ours is1 preserved the ,corn from ,corruption4 ,what ,i have here written1 hath proceeded forth from a good mind and sincere intention1 and ,i hope 'twill do more good than hurt4 ,i know that the eyes of many will be opened to see what a ,babylonish ,confusion the present ,world is in2 ,i pray ,god to be an helper to the ,good1 and to be a reducer of the ,wicked from the course of their ,impiety1 into the ,right way4 ,the ,process of ,concentrating ,corn is this3 ,in the first place1 you are to make a ,malt of your ,barly1 ,wheat1 ,oats1 ,spelt1 or any other kind of ,grain or ,corn1 the which dry either in the ,sun or in the ,air1 or else in an ,oven heated a little1 and not to be scorched and parched as it were after the ,brewers custom2 for so the sharp fume of the wood would stick thereunto1 and make it black and bitter1 and it may easily be conjectured1 that there would be no good come of it1 for by this means the smoak of the wood would stick on to the ,corn and the ,sprouts it has thrust forth1 and are moistened1 and so would make the ,ale that is boil'd thereoutof unwholsome1 and of an ungrateful bitter flavour3 ,but now such ,malt as is dried in the ,air1 ,sun1 or in a warm ,stove or ,oven1 has no such ungrateful taste as comes from the smoak of the wood1 but remains sweet and pleasant4 ,,nb4 ,else you may do thus2 ,the ,corn1 after it hath sprouted and hath been thrown abroad on some ,floor1 open to the air1 and thereby been a little freed of some of its moisture1 may be dried purely and quickly too in the ,brewers great ,coppers1 in which they are wont to boil their ,ale or ,beer1 provided it be continually stirred about with some wooden stick without ceasing1 that it may be all over hot1 and so become dry4 ,but yet you must have a care that your fire be not too strong under your ,copper wherein you dry your ,malt1 and so burn the ,corn1 and make it taste untowardly2 this done1 the dried ,malt is to be ground as other ,malt which is used to make ,ale withal is wont to be1 but yet so1 that it be not too finely ground nor too grosly2 for if it be too gross1 and the ,grains be unbroken1 the water cannot sufficiently get out the ,virtues and ,juice in the boiling1 but that the best part will remain in the boiled ,grains1 and so be thrown away on the ,beasts in their nutriment2 but if it be ground too small1 it will run into heaps1 and hinder the straining out of the ,ale2 therefore a mean is to be observed1 and care taken that no errour be committed1 by either excess or defect4 ,the ,malt being on this wise prepared1 every one may boil his ,ale according to his custom1 and so much thereof as his ,vessels1 ,coppers1 and ,coolers will admit of3 ,some do pour boiling water on their ,malt1 and mix them both by stirring them well together1 and then let them settle for some time that the water may take into it self the strength of the same2 then they draw out that water by a ,tap1 and pour on more1 and repeat the ,infusions so often1 until the water can get out no more sweetness1 and there remain nothing but the insipid ,husks1 the which are nourishment for ,cattel4 ,,nb4 ,othersome that have no ,vessels to extract the ,virtue out of the ,malt in1 by boiling water1 do put the prepared ,malt in wooden ,vessels or ,tubs1 and pour thereon warm water or cold1 and stir it very well about1 and leave it so for some hours1 that the ,malt may be macerated2 then do they put it in a ,copper1 and pour thereunto so much water as may keep the ,malt from burning to in the boiling2 and having boiled it for half an hour1 they pour it out upon a bed of straw1 fitted for that purpose1 and placed over a ,cooler1 and so strain the ,ale3 ,this ,labour of pouring on1 boiling1 and straining1 is so oft repeated1 till the water sucks no more sweetness out of the malt4 ,this manner of boiling ,ale is used by those only who want store of ,vessels1 and pretty large ones3 ,the former way is not only better and more commodious1 but likewise more fit for the boiling of a greater quantity of ,ale4 ,,nb4 ,this is to be observed in this place1 when the best and first ,juice or ,extraction is drawn out of the ,vessel by a ,tap1 and fresh boiling water poured a second time on the malt in the ,copper1 and again drawn off by the ,tap1 those two waters in which the chiefest ,virtue of the malt is1 may be boiled and thickened by little and little in a plain or flat ,copper4 ,the third and fourth pouring on are indeed as yet good1 but yet not fat enough1 and seeing they are not very strong1 are not worth the boiling away1 for they won't quit the costs of the ,fire1 and therefore are to be applied to some other uses4 ,now when a man is about this work1 he may so order his boilings1 as to have several of them one after another2 and then those pourings on1 viz4 the second and third1 remaining of the first course of boiling may be poured on the second course of boiling1 in the stead of bare water3 ,and so is it to be handled1 that alwaies the first and second pouring on 7and which contain in them the chiefest ,virtues of the malt7 may be boiled to the consistency of ,honey in a ,copper made for that purpose1 of ,evaporation2 and the third and fourth pouring on may be alwaies kept for the next following course of boiling1 and be poured on the malt in the room of bare water1 and so are to be condensed by evaporation in a ,copper1 as the first and second pouring on were done withal in the first course of the boiling2 and so always the #c;d4 and #dth4 pouring on of the former course of boiling1 is to be the first and second in the next following course of boiling2 and this way of proceeding draws out of the malt its best and chiefest ,virtues1 and lessens the charge of the boiling3 ,for the ,costs would be far greater1 if the third and fourth pouring on were to be boiled off per se4 ,,nb4 ,the ,coppers and ,pans necessary for the thus reducing these extracted ,juices to the consistency of ,honey1 are already described1 where mention is made of the ,concentration of ,wines4 ,he that can't well enough understand me1 may take the pains to come and see my ,furnaces1 ,coppers1 and other ,instruments appertaining to this work2 as likewise the manual ,operation1 for ,i cannot help him any other way4 ,and as for a larger description of these things1 my time will not permit me at this instant to make it4 ,the ,juices being condensate1 are to be drawn out of the ,copper by a ,tap fastened therein1 or laved out1 and being cool1 put them up in ,barrels1 and shut them up tight1 that the external air may not get thereinto2 for thus may you keep them uncorrupt1 even as long as you please4 ,,nb4 ,in your boiling them you must be very diligent that the ,juices be not burnt to1 by the overmuchness of your ,fire1 or that by being heat too hot1 they boil not over2 all which may be prevented by ,registers 7as the ,chymists call them7 destinated for the regulating of the ,fire4 ,this is a most compendious way of extracting the ,virtues out of ,corn1 and of reducing them into a narrow room1 the which if you order according to ,art1 that nothing of your ,juices be spilt or lost1 #h ,barrels of ,malt will yield you one full of ,juice1 and which contains all the ,virtues that were in those eight ,barrels2 the residue serves to fatten ,beasts withal4 ,,nb4 ,he who knows how to convert those remains to his use1 in another kind of way will do better1 and extract thereoutof so much as he is constrained to lay out in buying his ,corn1 insomuch that he can have his ,juices as it were even gratis4 ,but of these things more hereafter4 ,as touching these ,juices1 they comprehend in them the whole ,virtue of the ,corn1 out of which you may when you please boil ,ale1 make ,adust or ,brandy-wine or bake spiced ,cakes2 for if it be used to them instead of ,honey1 it makes them much the sweeter4 ,these ,juices therefore are to be prepared in those places in which ,corn is sold at a very mean rate1 and which cannot be exported to foreign parts1 and is there in such great plenty1 as that the ,country-men know not what to do therewith1 but there it lies in great ,stacks and rots4 ,farther1 they are yet prepared with greater benefit and more gain where the plenty and cheapness of wood is1 the which yields no small encrease and addition to the ,gains4 ,but that the nature and condition of this ,labour may be the better understood1 the following ,computation will shew4 ,suppose ,i take #h ,barrels full of ,corn and bring them into ,malt1 then boil it into ,ale after the aforesaid way1 and condense it into a ,juice1 wherewithal ,i fill one ,barrel3 ,this one ,barrel now is far more commodious to be carried into foreign places either by ,waggon or by ,ship1 than those #h barrels1 and will bring me double or treble the profit that #h ,medimni 7a ,measure containing some six bushels1 or the eight barrels7 of ,corn4 ,why8 because the greatest labour is already over1 and there remains but very little to boil the ,ale out of the ,juice1 as the following ,example will demonstrate4 ,i buy me eight barrels in that place where ,corn and ,wood are to be had at a mean rate1 and there passeth some ,river or other by the place1 as the ,mhene in ,franconia1 ,nicer in ,suevia1 ,visurgis in ,hassia1 and the ,dukedome of ,brunswick1 ,albis in ,saxony and ,misnia2 for in all these places there is abundance of ,corn1 and store of ,wood1 and the price of each1 mean enough in conscience4 ,if now one ,medimnus 7or six bushels7 of ,corn be esteemed at the price of one ,imperial1 eight ,medimni will yield eight ,imperials2 the ,wood will cost one ,imperial1 the ,labour one ,florin3 ,the juice out of the #h barrels of ,corn may be put in a ,fir-,cask1 as they use to do with ,honey1 that so in paying the carriage1 it may not be accompted for ,wine or ,ale1 but some dry ,goods1 and so valued by the hundred1 as other dry ,wares are priced2 so then the ,barrel will cost the ,carriage by ,water to some of the ,maritine or ,sea-coast ,cities1 two ,florins4 ,now if we sum up all these ,expences upon the ,corn1 ,carriage1 ,fire1 and ,labour1 they come to #ab ,florins or #h ,imperials4 ,but now1 out of that one ,barrel of ,juice there may be made eight ,barrels of the best ,ale1 and if you will have it somewhat smaller1 then 'twill make #aj or #ab1 according as you boil your ,ale to a stronger or weaker degree4 ,however1 this is certain1 that one ,barrel of ,corn will yield more than a ,barrel of good ,ale2 so that out of one ,barrel of ,corn may be made one and an half of strong ,ale4 ,now then1 if one of those ,barrels of ,ale yield three ,imperials1 the eight ,barrels1 which cost the buying1 and reducing into one ,barrel1 and the transporting it1 eight ,imperials1 may there be sold for #bd ,imperials2 from which the eight being subtracted1 the remainder of the ,gains is #af ,imperials1 which verily is enough upon those #h ,barrels4 ,but put case the ,corn were dearer1 and the ,carriage of the ,juices to those places did cost more1 and that those #h ,barrels of ,corn1 or one ,barrel of ,juice1 did yield 7besides all the costs7 only #h ,imperials profit1 yet would this be profit enough1 and may well content a ,man4 ,i forbear to mention the other benefits and profits arising over and above besides this ,gains2 for by this kind of way is saved and made vendible that ,corn which would else be spoiled3 ,besides in a plentiful time the mean-prized ,corn may be bought up1 concentrated and kept till a scarcity come4 ,nor is there any cause of fear that it will be devoured by the ,mice and ,rats1 or be spoiled with lying1 or wax mouldy1 or be any other way corrupted4 ,nay more1 it occupies less room than the ,corn would2 for where one ,barrel of ,juice lies1 there should have lain eight ,barrels of ,corn4 ,besides1 the ,magistrates and ,subjects may by this means reap much profit and help4 ,the ,magistrate may be satisfied by taking ,corn of the ,inhabitants instead of tribute4 ,the ,subjects may by the benefit of this ,medium satisfie the ,magistrate1 and there will not need the selling his ,cattle1 or ,sheep in the ,fold1 or to borrow ,money upon use1 and to give his ,wife and ,children for pledges4 ,for there is requisite no other labour than that the ,magistrate appoint a place to boil his ,ale1 in which the ,corn may be malted1 boiled and thickned into ,juices4 ,as for ,wood1 that he has himself and needs not lay out a farthing upon that4 ,so now1 by this means may a ,country be brought to that degree of happiness as never to want ,money1 ,corn1 or any other necessary things4 ,for where the ,juices can be but brought to the ,sea-towns many thousand ,barrels full may be sold to those ,magistrates and ,merchants which send their ,ships into the ,east and ,west-,indies2 in which ,countries may be made good ,ale at any time of the ,year1 even in the midst of ,summer1 or in the ,dog-daies themselves1 if you have but ,hops and ,water at hand2 the which is far better and more profitable4 ,for in the room of this one ,barrel of ,juice1 there must have been stowed #h ,barrels1 and yet that sometimes turns sour too1 and is spoiled1 the which never betides these ,juices4 ,now such ,ale prepared of the ,juices by means of ,hops and ,water are much wholsomer than the common ,ales are1 because that the ,fire hath consumed all the ,crudities2 in the boiling of the ,juices or hath corrected them1 and this every one will readily believe or assent unto4 ,nay more1 these ,juices may 7and that with very great profit too7 be sent into those places wherein 7by reason of the abundance of ,people there7 ,corn and ,ale is much esteemed1 as in ,holland1 and the bordering ,countries4 ,if the ,ale-brewers could but once get such ,juices1 without doubt they would not be at the costs to brew it out of the ,corn1 for they would not need so much time to brew in1 nor such ,coppers1 nor so many ,mens help1 all which they must necessarily have in the common way of brewing4 ,in these ,juices1 there is much sparing of ,fuel1 7the which makes the common way of brewing ,ale1 more costly17 and of ,men's labour which doth likewise prove chargable4 ,nor are we silently to pass over that great benefit which they have hereby1 for that good ,ale and such as will not sour may be made without any danger even in the midst of the ,dog-days4 ,every one knows what it is to brew ,ale 7then17 and that the brewing is at other times sufficiently troublesome1 viz4 so to order it as to prevent the danger of souring4 ,but now this brewing 7that ,i mention7 is void of all this kind of fear of souring2 whereas the usual kind of brewings do for the most part 7in the ,summer season7 become sour either in the straining it through the ,grains1 or by standing in the ,coolers3 but these labours are in our brewing already dispatched1 and that in those places where the charges of ,labourers1 ,wood1 and ,room fit for boiling it in1 are not so great4 ,this work therefore is of mighty profit both to the buyer and seller3 ,for the seller can afford his ,corn at a reasonable rate4 ,and the buyer need not be at any other charges in brewing good and wholsome ,ale at any time of the ,year save only the hire of one man that may prepare or sit the ,juices1 and ,hops1 and ,water for the boiling1 and set it a-working or fermenting and pour it into the ,vessels4 ,whereas on the contrary in the common brewing of ,ale there needs many mens help1 huge ,coppers1 and wooden ,flats and a great deal of room to brew in1 and store of ,fire which is sufficiently dear in some ,countries2 all which are avoided in the brewing with the ,juices4 ,do but consider ,i pray what a notable and profitable thing this would be in great ,cities1 and especially in those places where ,houses1 ,fuel1 and ,mens labour are very dear1 if such kinds of ,juices were set to sale2 that so every ,master of a ,family might buy up some ,barrels of this ,juice1 and dissolve them at his own home with ,water and ,hops1 in a small ,copper according to his pleasure1 and make the said ,juices into ,ale1 as fat or as lean or small2 and as bitter or as sweet as he listeth2 and then put it up in his own purified and well cleansed ,vessels1 and he and his1 drink thereof all the whole year2 and if need be1 might make either ,physick-drink or ,spiced-ale4 ,and would it not be much better than the buying such ,ales of the ,brewers1 which are sometimes either too new or too stale1 and oft-times acid1 impure1 not well boiled1 and stinking1 and instead of ,hops have ,aloes1 ,xanthium or ,burr1 ,henbane and such like ,herbs put in them4 ,for in some places1 the ,brewers use such kinds of ,herbs and the like hurtful things1 instead of ,hops1 to make their ,ale bitter1 and to save a few charges in the making their drink4 ,therefore all such as use to drink of such kind of ,beer are never wont to be in compleat health2 and especially in watery and moist places they are for the most part afflicted with the ,scurvy1 ,melancholly1 c4 which is the usual fruits of such kind of ,drinks1 for they obstruct the internal parts of the body and the principal members1 and stir up such ,diseases4 ,but our ,ales that are made of the ,juices and good ,hops do not only not stir up such ,distempers1 but do even 7by their purity and clearness7 resist them1 and preserve men from them2 but especially if such ,juices be made of such ,malt as has not a smatch of the smoke of ,wood1 but is dried in the ,air1 and which are so handled in the fermentation or working of them as that all the defilements settle to the bottom2 for then will you have such ,ale1 as doth both in wholesomness and sweetness exceed such ,wines as are infected with1 or have a tang of1 ,sulphur1 or that grow in a soil abounding with ,chalk4 ,they dull not the head1 they do not cause windiness1 they puff not up the body after the manner of other ,ale2 they do not stop the ,urine but provoke it1 and keep the ,belly soluble3 ,they are ,medicinal without the addition of ,physical ,herbs1 are sweet and wholsome1 and of an excellent tast1 and such as the like of them cannot be made without this medium or way4 ,such ,ales deserve a peculiar praise1 and many would there be who would drink of ,ales often1 could they but get such3 and would leave off the drinking troubled1 unwholsome1 and sulphured ,wines4 ,for my own part ,i will make use of such kind of ,ale1 and ,wine1 in my own house for the sustaining of mine own ,family4 ,i could mention much more concerning such ,ales if the time would permit me1 but ,i have spoken enough already4 ,and as for what remains unwritten here1 may be gotten out of1 7or understood by7 the things here described4 ,i question not but that good 7or provident7 ,masters of ,families will set about this business of preparing these ,juices1 and of sending them into such places where they may be sold to ,ships that are bound for far ,countries1 and so mightily enrich those ,countries with store of ,money that abound with ,corn4 ,besides1 the ,brewers of ,ale or ,beer that are in great ,cities will not disdain such an excellent ,art1 but will themselves buy such ,juices at a considerable rate4 ,princes1 ,nobles1 and great ,cities1 will also provide 7or buy up7 great quantities of such ,juices1 and lay them up in their ,forts and ,castles1 and in their ,store houses as a good ,treasure1 that so they may have it to use in time of necessity4 ,nor will good 7or provident7 ,housholders neglect to furnish themselves therewith1 that so they may have wherewithal to sustain them and theirs in a time of scarcity4 ,in the time of ,wars1 eminent ,captains and other ,military chieftains will take care to have them1 and carry them into their strong holds1 and there loosen them 7or put a proportionable quantity of ,water to them7 and turn them into good ,ale2 as for ,water1 there's to be found 7enough7 of that every where1 and so need not store up that1 and as for ,hops that is easie enough to be bought4 ,so then1 there will be a notable benefit by this ,artifice to strong ,holds and ,castles1 and such fenced ,places as fear a ,siege4 ,briefly1 ,words cannot express the benefit and profit which will redound to all places1 by these ,juices1 in times both of ,peace and ,war4 ,therefore every ,magistrate who has a care of his ,subjects health and preservation1 will worthily and with his utmost diligence carefully provide for the having such prepared ,juices1 that so in times of necessity they may be at hand for use4 ,but now1 some may object and say2 ,i perceive and well see that this ,artifice is good and profitable1 but 'tis not so easie a matter for every one to purchase himself ,coppers requisite for this work8 ,to such ,i answer4 ',tis not so needful that every one should furnish himself with such 7utensils72 if there be in every ,city but one man only that is imployed thereabouts1 who may buy off his ,neighbours ,corn and pay them their ,money for the same1 'tis sufficient4 ,and if others also betake themselves thereunto1 there will be the more ,money gotten1 and the ,country made the richer2 neither is any reason to fear or doubt1 but that1 if he shall bring eight thousand ,barrels of ,corn condensed into a thousand ,barrels of ,juice unto the ,cities on the ,sea coast1 he will sell it off for ready money4 ,will a thousand ,barrels 7think you7 be sufficient 7or be a drug7 in some populous ,city wherein are daily drunk some thousands of barrels of ,ale8 ,verily he that shall expose to sale in such a like ,city many thousand ,barrels1 would not stay long there1 but would be loaden 7or furnished7 with ready ,money for the same1 by those who knew the ,art of making ,ale with such ,juices4 ,i do verily believe that it would be altogether much better to sell ,corn after such a manner1 and so to have profit by it1 than let it perish with lying2 which is a great sin before ,god1 and a shameful disgraceful thing before ,men4 ,but further1 ,it may be objected and said4 ,if this ,artifice of making ,ale were set up in those places1 in which there is wont to be a certain ,tribute paid the ,magistrates for every ,barrel 7of ,ale17 it would not be allowed of1 because by this means the ,tribute or ,customs due to the ,magistrates would be diminished4 ,this inconvenience is easily prevented1 if the ,magistrate impose the same ,tribute of ,ale on the ,juices4 ,for by this means the ,tributes or ,customs would not be at all diminished1 but be equally as profitable upon the ,juices1 as upon ,ale4 ,the like may be done with the condensate ,juices of ,wine4 ,so then 'tis clearly evident1 that there cannot possibly arise any detriment from these ,juices1 but rather infinite profits and commodity4 ,and therefore every ,magistrate should seriously cause his ,subjects to make these kind of ,juices of such ,corn as they cannot sell1 and instead of spoiling it get riches by it4 ,certainly this would be far better1 and far more profitable for such ,subjects as are very poor and go miserably tattered and naked1 and have nothing to help themselves 7of which sort there are not a few47 ,verily there would be no want of any thing1 but the ,subjects as well as their ,rulers would have enough3 ,and for this reason have ,i willingly undergone this trouble and this labour in manifesting and laying open this ,artifice4 ,and although ,i am not to expect any reward from any body for manifesting a thing of so much concernment 7for this is an unthankful ,world7 yet have ,i obeyed the will of ,god and have out of a ,christian love benefited my ,neighbour1 and in this well-doing do ,i rest1 no ways doubting but that ,god the rewarder of every good 7action7 will recompense in another place1 this my well-doing which ,i bestow upon the ,world4 ,farther1 ,i can in a kind of a ,prophetical manner predict1 that if regard be had of this my wholsome ,doctrine and ,admonition1 many ,countries will in a very short time recover their former happiness1 and both the highest and lowest will live in a prosperous condition2 but especially those who first set upon this business afore it becomes common1 will get great riches4 ,now then1 whosoever they be that by the help and benefit of this way shall get the blessing of ,god1 let them not forget the poor1 but bestow that blessing on the cherrishing and comforting poor ,orphans and ,widows1 to the ,honour of ,god4 ,for the ,treasures and ,riches in this temporal ,life cannot be better laid out1 and laid up1 than in distributing them amongst the poor4 ,for by that means there's no fear of being spoiled of them by ,thieves and ,robbers2 ,and more1 in the ,life to come1 they shall be recompensed with a ten-fold reward4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,of the ,concentration of ,vegetables4 ,we have already taught in the two foregoing ,chapters by what means ,wine and ,corn are to be by an ,artificial condensation reduced into a narrow compass1 and brought to be a gainful ,merchandice4 ,it now remains to shew the way conducing to a condensation of the ,virtues lying hid in ,herbs1 ,bushes1 ,shrubs1 and ,trees3 7which ,vegetables do most plentifully abound in most places and yield no profit7 that so even out of them as well as from ,wine and ,corn may be reaped a very great profit4 ,no body is ignorant of this1 viz4 ,that there is nothing more vile and of less esteem than the ,grass 7or ,herbs7 of the ,field1 and ,briars or ,bushes1 and ,shrubs1 and lofty ,trees too1 especially when being at a good distance from ,men's dwellings they cannot be applied to any use1 and upon this account are they not valued at all1 nor by reason of their distance profitable to any1 but there they grow and perish in those vast woods and desart places4 ,and this is to be seen in those most huge ,woods of ,germany1 such as are the ,ingriones1 the ,wood ,ardenne1 the ,ottonicane1 ,hercinian1 ,semane1 and ,bohemian ,woods1 and the woods of other ,countries1 in which woods there rots and is spoiled above ten times more wood than men make use of4 ,now no body hath hitherto known what use to put those ,woods unto2 such ,woods as are not too far off from ,cities or ,villages1 do ,men make use of for building1 for firing1 for boiling1 or brewing1 and for baking1 and other occasions1 so that the ,wood which is daily used1 and every year fetch'd from the bordering ,woods or ,forests1 is thereby saved from rotting and being spoiled4 ,but as for such wood as is in ,mountains and ,woods scituated far off from mens dwellings1 and which are not frequented1 that is not of any use at all1 they are ,dens and lurking places for cruel ,beasts1 as ,bears and ,wolves2 which said wild beasts do annoy and hinder other profitable ones1 as ,staggs1 ,does1 ,boars1 ,hoggs1 ,sheep1 c4 from feeding on the wild ,fruits of such places4 ,but who is there will amend it1 and bring such places to a due or good use8 ,what6 should such vast ,woods1 which are the receptacle of those cruel wild ,beasts be cut down and lie a rotting1 or be consumed by ,fire1 so to destroy those wild beasts8 ,surely no body will attempt it1 as fearing the toilsomness requisite hereunto3 ,and besides1 forasmuch as no other profit is to be thereby expected1 save an extirpation of those wild beasts1 there's no body will take that ,task upon him4 ,nor is it a thing so behoveful to ,fire1 and burn down such huge ,woods1 as we read in ,history1 that some have heretofore done1 viz4 most great ,woods have been burnt1 meerly to destroy ,insects and other hurtful1 wild1 and ravenous beasts4 ,there is an hazard run in so doing1 for such a ,fire may spread wider1 and do a great deal of mischief4 ,there are such ,examples which may be produced1 which witness how that ,fire being put to ,heaths1 have 7by burning thereof7 crept into the bordering ,woods and destroyed them1 and mightily injured the neighbouring ,inhabitants3 ,and therefore 'tis not so advised a ,work to consume ,woods by ,fire2 and to cut them down1 that so they may lie and rot1 and be thereby rooted out1 cannot be done1 because of the great costs thereto requisite4 ,so that such places must of necessity even remain the ,receptacles of hurtful ,beasts and ,thieves2 for albeit that sometimes the ,glass-makers do in suchlike places build their ,furnaces or ,glass-houses1 yet they fall far short of consuming so much ,wood by their making of glasses1 for those ,woods are scarce the thinner or lesser for that3 ,tho' they spend daily in every such ,glass-house twenty loads1 yet such a vast quantity as that is1 will not decrease4 ,besides1 the ,glass-men do not use all the wood without making any difference1 but make choice of the streightest and smoothest wood1 such as they may best and easiest cleave3 ,as for shrubs and knotty ,oaks and ,beach1 those they touch not4 ,so then the best ,trees only are used about their ,glass ,works1 and the brushy woods1 as ,briars1 ,thorns1 c4 and which are the most commodious hiding places for the wild ,beasts1 are unmeddled withal1 as being unprofitable for the ,glass-makers3 ,nay1 they let most curious arms or branches of ,beach lie a rotting1 and make use only of the body of the ,trees4 ,moreover1 in such ,woods as are far off1 the ,glass-makers build no ,houses1 but do erect them as near as possible they can1 to such places as are inhabited1 because they must of necessity have commerce with men4 ,farther1 'tis not a little wood that is spent in the ,mines about ,metals1 especially in such ,mines where ,iron is molten2 but what we said but now touching the ,glassmen1 the same is to be observed here2 for such metal-melting ,houses are never erected on the high ,mountains1 or are built in far remote ,woods1 because they must have the assistance of ,men1 and water to drive their bellows-mills1 and besides the place must be such1 as that all ,necessaries may be brought them in ,waggons1 and their ,iron transported into the ,cities or ,towns4 ,nor do the ,metal-melters indifferently use any wood they meet with2 nor make they their ,charcoals of every kind of wood1 but leave the shrubs and bushy woods as unfit for coaling4 ,and therefore those great and vast woods1 tho' there be ,glass-houses and ,metal-melting-shops in many places1 do remain untouch'd1 because no body knows the use of them4 ,but now1 forasmuch as ,i have all my life-time most accurately search'd by a diligent observation into the wonders of ,god1 and have not spared any labour or costs about the secret wonders of ,nature1 and have learned from ,nature her self1 my instructing ,mistriss1 that ,god being a true and just ,lord over his ,family1 did neither do1 make1 or create ought without certain and just causes1 which notwithstanding is not regarded by the most part of us men1 who imitate the irrational beasts1 and alwaies live without the knowledge of ,god and of ,his ,works4 ,verily1 we have no colour of ,reason at all for it1 not considering that men were created and appointed by ,god for another-guise end1 than the brute beasts1 which are void of all ,reason2 and we regard not the ,truth of that old ,saying1 ,god and ,nature never make any thing in vain4 ,so then1 whereas this is a ,truth 7as assuredly it is7 certainly we may see that these huge ,woods were not in vain made1 but that they have some benefit 7for so they have7 viz4 a most great ,treasure for such who know it1 and know how to use it4 ,which ,i will therefore shew1 as clear as the ,noon-day ,sun1 and will so set it afore the eyes of the blind and darksom world1 that the ,deriders and ,contemners of natural ,philosophy1 such as is to be ,learned only by the fire1 and not out of ,aristotle1 may be even enforced1 will they1 nill they1 to confess and grant that the ,fire is the true ,teacher and ,master of natural ,arts1 and so will be2 for whosoever they be that are ,ignorant as to the ,fire1 and that know not its wonderful efficacy1 tho' they may be most skilful ,proficients in foreign ,tongues or ,languages 7which in the more-secret ,philosophy makes not at all to any purpose72 yet nevertheless they will not be able to accomplish any the least matter in things of so great a moment3 ,i do therefore say1 that such men as are skilled in natural things1 are not of right to be contemned1 or secretly back-bitten by those who say1 ,believe not such a man that hath not attained the empty vain ,title of a ,doctor in the ,universities4 ,i confess ingeniously1 that ,i never frequented the ,universities1 nor ever had a mind so to do2 for should ,i have so done1 haply ,i should never have arrived to that knowledge of ,nature1 which ,i mention without boasting1 as ,i now possess2 neither doth it ever repent me1 that ,i have put my hands to the ,coals1 and have by the help of them penetrated into the knowledge of the ,secrets of ,nature2 ,i do not desire to disturb any one in this way1 or to thrust any out of their places2 ,i never was willing to live on the costs of great men1 but have with my own hands gotten me my ,food and ,raiment1 alwaies advisedly thinking on that most known ,verse2 ----,alterius non sit qui suus esse potest4 ,let not him anothers be1 ,who can of himself live free4 ,but to return to my concentration of ,wood1 ,i can with truth affirm and will experimentally demonstrate it1 that the greatest ,treasure of the ,world2 yea1 as great or greater than is in ,wine or ,corn1 lies hidden in ,wood4 ,wine and ,corn do require the ,labour of ,man for its growth out of the ,earth2 but ,leaves1 ,grass1 ,briars or ,bushes1 ,shrubs1 ,twigs1 all sorts of ,trees great and small1 do come forth out of their seeds and sprouts and grow up and encrease infinitely without any help of man at all4 ,therefore ,i say that more profit may be reaped of ,wood than of ,corn and ,wine1 were the ,art of extracting thencefrom so great a benefit but known to any4 ,so then1 forasmuch as this little ,book 7as being the first part of the ,treatise of concentration of things7 treats of the emendation of ,vegetables only2 and that of ,wine and ,corn is already finished2 ,i will now in the name of ,god set about ,wood1 ,leaves1 and ,grass1 and lay open those most great and hitherto hidden ,treasures and ,riches1 and set them forth before the ,eyes of the whole ,world4 ,and ,i pray ,god1 the ,omnipotent1 ,wise1 ,unsearchable and ,merciful ,lord and ,father of all ,creatures in ,heaven1 in the ,earth1 ,water and ,air1 that he would so govern and guide my hand that ,i may here write and teach nothing save only such things as serve for the ,glory of his ,divine name and the health of all ,mankind4 ,amen4 ,we have shewn in the two foregoing ,chapters how ,wine and ,corn are to be condensed into their juices1 that so they may be commodiously sent into those places1 in which profit may be gotten4 ,here now falls in this question1 ,how the ,juices are to be squeezed out of ,herbs1 ,twigs1 ,shrubs and great ,trees1 and being pressed out what good they serve for1 seeing they are not of use for meat and drink like those which are extracted out of ,corn and ,wine4 ,to this question ,i make this reply1 that indeed there is not any food to be prepared from them1 but that yet other things are thence preparable1 and such as men cannot be without1 viz4 ,wholesome ,medicines1 and likewise ,gold and ,silver wherewith a man may also buy1 besides ,wine and ,corn1 other necessaries as ,garments and other appurtenances which men stand in need of1 besides meat and drink4 ,but to begin the work it self1 we should in the first place teach the way how juices may be squeezed out of ,leaves1 ,grass1 ,shrubs1 and then afterwards shew their use4 ,but forasmuch as none is of so weak a judgment as to lay out ,moneys or things valuable1 and to bestow his labour and sweat on such a thing whose use and profit he is ignorant of2 'tis therefore necessary1 that 7before we come to teach the way of squeezing out the ,juices7 we first shew1 what benefit and profit ariseth from that kind of work2 that so a ,man's labour may not be spent in vain3 ,to give satisfaction herein1 ,i affirm1 that the greatest and best virtues of all ,vegetables are hidden in a certain ,salt which the ,physicians and ,philosophers call the ,essential ,salt4 ,of this ,salt all ,vegetables are full1 but yet1 one fuller than another as experience testifies4 ,such ,herbs as have not much taste1 as ,lettuce1 ,coleworts1 ,rapes and such like have a less portion thereof1 and are therefore easily putrefied4 ,but such as are sharp and bite the ,tongue1 as ,water-robbin1 ,arsmart1 ,laurel1 ,pepper-wort1 ,scurvy-grass1 all the kinds of ,cresses1 all the sorts of ,radishes1 ,leeks1 ,onions1 ,garlick1 ,mustard1 and such like2 also all bitter ,herbs1 as ,carduus benedictus1 ,wormwood1 ,fumitory1 ,esula1 c4 all such as these are full of it4 ,besides1 all such ,vegetable plants as are naturally sour1 yield much of that ,salt2 amongst which1 may be reckoned1 unripe ,grapes1 sour ,apples1 sour ,cherries1 ,wild ,plums1 rough 7or wild7 ,grapes1 the unripe ,mulberries or ,black-berries1 the unripe ,barberies1 c4 ,but yet some of them yield more1 others less ,salt2 which inequality and changableness is accidental1 for they are as to their natural foundation like each other4 ,,nb4 ,some ,herbs and chiefly those which have a notable bitterness1 as ,carduus benedictus1 ,wormwood1 ,fumitory1 do 7after their being squeezed1 and when their ,juice is depurated1 and the ,phlegm draw off1 and the remaining ,juice concreted or condensed in the cold17 yield natural ,nitre1 and such as being put upon a burning ,coal will presently burn up in a flame1 like the common ,salt-petre which is usually extracted out of the ,earth digged in ,stables1 and so concreted1 or crystallized3 ,as for other ,herbs and ,fruits which are not bitter1 but have a piercing sharpness1 as all the ,cresses1 they 7after their expression or squeezing7 yield a volatile ,salt1 which does not burn like that which is drawn out of bitter ,herbs3 ,such as have an acidity in them1 as ,sorrel1 ,barberries1 ,ribes1 curled ,grapes1 wild ,apples and ,orchard ones1 and other unripe ,fruits1 do yield another ,salt1 viz4 a ,salt tasting like the acid taste of ,wine1 and resembling ,tartar of ,wine1 in taste1 virtue1 efficacy propriety4 ,and now albeit that these three kinds of ,salts are unlike in taste1 yet notwithstanding the one is most easily transmuted into the other1 insomuch that ,tartar may be made ,salt-petre1 and ,salt-petre ,tartar4 ,the third sort which is more volatile than the others1 and which proceeds from the ,cresses1 ,mustard1 ,aron1 ,pepper-wort1 c4 will easily be turned into either of the former4 ,but as concerning this last1 it is virtuous in ,medicine1 as ,i have hinted to you in several places in my other ,writings1 but 7set aside its ,medicinal use7 and it is of but little benefit4 ,the two latter1 viz4 ,the ,nitrous1 and ,tartarous are of various use4 ,the ,dyers use ,tartar in ,dying their ,cloths1 and ,salt-petre is used to make ,gun-powder withal1 and for the ,transmutation of ,metals1 and other such like ,arts1 as ,i have clearly proved in my ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,forasmuch therefore as both sorts of ,salt are used in great quantity throughout the whole ,world1 and that there can scarcely be had so much as serves for necessary use1 and upon that account are always good ,commodities1 and that ,salt-petre is twice the value of ,tartar1 therefore 'tis but fitting1 and well worth while to extract ,salt-petre out of the ,juices of ,herbs and ,trees1 it being of more value1 and better price than other ,salts4 ,but if it should so be1 that there should be so much ,salt-petre as that it should be of a poor price1 then may the ,juices be turned into ,tartar4 ,but forasmuch as it will not easily so happen1 that there should be such a glut of ,salt-petre1 it will be the best way1 to improve those ,juices on the making of it2 and specially because it may at all times serve for the profitable bettering of ,metals2 nor can ever so great a quantity be produced1 but that it will sometime sell off4 ',tis more profitable1 and better to use it for the bettering of the meaner ,minerals than to make ,gun-powder with it2 and were not that most pernicious ,art already too well known1 it were better to be without it1 than to make it1 so far should it be 7from any one7 to describe the manner of making ,gun-powder4 ,but forasmuch as neither my desire nor will tends to be any occasioner of hurting my ,neighbour by the help of ,salt-petre1 but inclines rather to benefit him thereby2 and to this end ,i have already clearly enough disclosed many most profitable ,arts which proceed therefrom1 viz4 in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in the ,explication of the same1 and moreover shall do in the following third and fourth part of this ,book1 about the bettering and concentrating of ,metals3 ,i am1 verily1 confident1 that none will interpret it in the worst part1 if ,i shew the way of making ,salt-petre out of ,wood and other things1 that so1 our ,country may by the benefit of 7such7 ,herbs1 ,grass1 and ,wood1 which otherwise1 ly a rotting1 and are of no profit1 be enriched 7if it be only sold7 with abundance of ,treasure1 and may afterwards be spent on most profitable ,arts1 as may be seen in the ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in the ,concentration of ,minerals and ,metals4 ,so that he that would not make it into ,gun-powder1 has no need so to do4 ,besides these ,virtues of ,salt-petre which we have reckoned up1 there do daily more and more new and admirable ones spring up out of the dark1 all which1 were they here to be summed up they would even draw the whole ,world into an admiration of them4 ,but we will forbear to multiply more words concerning things of such moment2 for it may easily be perceived from what has been hitherto demonstrated1 and from those ,publications ,i have made 7by my ,writings7 that many more1 and greater things lie hidden in this ,subject1 which neither ,i1 nor others know of4 ,deservedly therefore may ,salt-petre1 or ,nitre1 be termed an ,universal ,subject1 and ,wonder of the ,world1 notwithstanding many rude and unskilful ,fellows1 will upon this saying1 shrink up their ,noses1 and audaciously contradict me 7and say7 that ,nitre is not the true and ,universal ,dissolvent4 ,but if ,nitre be not that ,universal ,subject1 then let those that prate against this ,judgment or ,opinion of mine1 produce another and better ,subject2 which1 yet1 in my ,opinion they will never be able to do4 ,if it were not an ,universal ,subject1 how comes it to be so plentifully found to be in all things4 ,is it not found in all ,vegetables8 ,is it not in all living ,creatures that live either under the ,earth1 or in the ,waters1 or in the ,air1 or on the ,earth8 ,is it not met with 7or found7 in the inmost ,bowels of the ,mountains1 and even in the most hard ,stones8 ,i will demonstrate it in this small ,treatise by most clear ,arguments1 and will most evidently evince it4 ,in the first place1 that all ,vegetables have it1 is already clearly demonstrated and proved1 for ,i my self 7and ,i am the first1 as ,i know of7 made trial and turned their ,juices into natural ,salt-petre4 ,but ,i will now so evidently shew the truth of this thing1 that even those blind ,back-biters and ,detracters shall feel it with their hands4 ,in the first place therefore1 ,i demand1 whence the common ,nitre is gotten8 ,is it not out of the ,earth1 which is digg'd out of the ,stables where ,beasts stand8 ,for it has insinuated it self into 7or joined it self with7 this 7,earth7 passing out of the ,excrements of the ,beasts in length of time1 and hath coagulated it self therein1 out of which it is at length drawn by pouring on of water1 and then is boiled up into ,salt-petre4 ,who can deny this8 ,i think no body can4 ,so then if this be granted1 that ,nitre is found in the ,stables where ,cattle stand1 the ,question is1 ,by what means1 and way it came into the ,stables8 ,it is by the help of the ,urine and ,excrements which the ,beasts have there cast forth4 ,then again1 ,i ask whether or no those ,beasts have those ,excrements from their ,meat and ,drink1 or from elsewhere8 ,they cannot arise from water1 forasmuch as they drink nothing but ,water3 ,so that they must necessarily have their rise from the food they eat1 and that consists of the ,vegetables1 ,grass1 and ,herbs4 ,therefore we affirm1 that the ,salt-petre was of necessity in these ,herbs1 and ,grass1 afore the ,beasts feeding on them4 ,for if it had not been there it could never have been made in the ,beasts ,bodies that which it was not afore4 ,for their ,stomachs contribute nothing to this ,operation1 save a bare putrefaction4 ,and besides1 the ,countreymen do even the same thing1 for they gather up ,stubble1 the ,leaves that fall from the ,trees1 the ,grass1 and such like things1 and put a great quantity of them into a ,pit together1 and there leave them so long1 till by the help of ,putrefaction they are all turned into ,dung1 and therewith do they afterwards ,dung their ,ground 7in such wise7 as is wont to be done with the ,excrements of ,beasts4 ,therefore1 forasmuch as that putrefied ,grass and ,stubble doth dung the ground and render it fruitful1 7as well7 as the ,excrements of ,beasts1 it must needs be granted1 that they have likewise ,salt-petre in them4 ,for it is not the ,dung1 but the ,nitre in the ,dung1 that is1 the ,author of that ,dunging ,impregnation and ,fertility1 as ,i have already confirmed by ,arguments in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and which will be sufficiently convincing proofs here in this place4 ,i would therefore fain see that ,man that dares be so bold and heady as to deny this thing1 that the ,essential ,salt neither is1 nor can be made1 ,nitre4 ,and now we come to treat of the ,beasts in the ,fields1 of the ,fish in the ,waters1 and of the ,birds in the ,air1 that so by a thorough examination of all these sorts we may see1 whether or no they are enriched with ,salt-petre1 and whether or no their ,essential ,salt be like the ,essential ,salt of the ,vegetables1 and can by the same means pass into ,nitre4 ,in the first place1 and above all1 this is here to be considered1 as a main principle1 7viz47 ,that all those things which dung the ,fields and ,lands1 and fatten them1 most necessarily contain in them ,salt-petre4 ,for from this only1 and alone1 comes all the fertility throughout the whole ,earth1 which ,axiome cannot be gainsayed4 ,but now1 that the ,animals1 or ,beasts1 ,birds1 and ,fishes are ,partakers of the same ,virtues1 ,i firmly gather from hence4 ,first of all1 it is not unusual for the ,gardiners to put the ,horns1 ,hoofs1 and ,bones of ,beasts1 to the ,roots of ,trees1 and so cover them over with ,earth1 and that on this account1 because they make them exceeding fruitful4 ,this now is every where used3 ,likewise the ,gardiners do every where buy up ,hens ,feathers1 ,hens1 and ,pidgeons ,dung2 as also from the ,tanners and ,curriers the ,offals or ,shavings of the ,beasts ,skins1 and their ,hairs1 and use them to enrich their ,gardens4 ,the ,vine-dressers also buy up the shavings of ,horns of the ,comb-makers in many places where they can get them1 by which1 they fatten their ,vines1 far better than with ,dung1 and that lasts for nine or ten years4 ,the ,gardiners do likewise buy up from the ,tailors bits1 or pieces of ,woollen and ,linen to dung their ,gardens when they plant ,colworts4 ,if they did not find any ,nitre1 or ,fertility in them1 to what end would they lay out their ,money on so base a ,matter8 ,to the ,ignorant and ,unskilful1 these things may seem wonderful and incredible1 because such a kind of dunging ,land is not every where in use4 ,he that is incredulous1 let him go to ,colen on the ,rhine1 and there he'll find that ,i have spoken nothing but the truth4 ,all these things do the ,gardiners make use of according to their ancient custom1 for from their ,predecessors learned they these ,secrets4 ,nor know they what other reason to alledge for their doing this1 but only tell you1 that they serve exceeding well to enrich their ,fields and ,vineyards4 ,but ,i do assuredly affirm1 that 'tis the ,nitre that is hidden in these things1 performs this effect3 ,there is therefore far more abundance of ,salt-petre in the ,superfluities 7as ,nails1 ,horns1 ,hair1 c47 than in their ,excrements1 or ,dung4 ,and ,i thus prove it4 ,first1 ,because they will give you for one ,sack full of the ,shavings of ,horns1 half an ,imperial1 which is as much as will buy four or five such sacks full of ,cow1 or ,sheeps dung4 ,secondly1 ,they will give the ,tanners1 or ,curriers1 above an ,imperial for one ,cart-load of the ,shavings of the ,hides1 whereas with the same ,money they may buy three or four ,load of dung4 ,rags are sold for a quarter of an ,imperial4 ,were they not virtuous or effectual1 why should they be so dear8 ,this here spoken1 we have proved so to be1 by the customary practice of the common men only1 as ,husbandmen and ,gardiners4 ,were it lawful for me to reveal somewhat to the purpose1 ,i could teach how to extract out of every hundred weight of ,bones1 in ,beasts1 ,birds1 and ,fishes1 ten pound of ,salt-petre4 ,but this is not to be divulged4 ,now it remains in the next place1 to confirm1 that ,nitre does not only lie hidden most plenteously in the ,vegetable and ,animal ,subjects1 but that it may be digged1 or gotten out1 and prepar'd of ,stones1 ,rocks1 ,cliffs1 ,hollows of ,mountains1 and out of the plain ,field in a very many other places2 and this is undeniable1 for 'tis evidently known1 and if need were1 ,i could1 for witness sake1 make mention of many such ,testimonies4 ,he that is desirous of knowing more1 as touching this salt of the ,earth1 let him peruse the ancient ,philosophers4 ,but forasmuch1 as every one hath not those ,books at hand1 and that many ,men cannot understand them1 ,i will for ,amplifications sake add yet one demonstration1 to shew whence that ,nitre ariseth1 which sticks on to1 or swells out of those moist and old ,walls of ,houses4 ,comes it not from the ,mortar1 with which the ,bricks are joined together8 ,not only all ,stones are fit for making ,calx1 or ,lime of1 but also all kinds of ,stones1 which break1 or grow in the ,waters1 like ,drops1 or ,pebbles3 ,likewise1 those stony things which grow in the ,sea1 as ,coral1 the ,pearl shells1 or ,mother of ,pearl1 and ,shell fish of all sorts1 which being burnt1 moulder in the ,air1 have in them plenty of ,nitre1 and will easily yield it forth to those who have the way of extracting it disclosed unto them4 ,but this is not the place to mention it in1 because ,i have determined to treat here1 of only expressing the ,juices of the ,vegetables1 concentrating them1 and making them gainful or profitable4 ,forasmuch as we have hitherto understood 7or shewn7 that ,nitre or ,salt-petre may be had from all things1 viz4 from ,herbs1 ,wood1 fourfooted ,beasts and creeping ,things1 from ,birds in the ,air1 and ,fishes in the ,water1 yea from the very ,elements themselves1 as ,earth1 ,water1 ,air1 and ,fire2 ,it must needs follow that it is that so much spoken of ,universal ,spirit without which nothing can either be or live3 ,it is the begetter and destroyer of all things2 in which all things are1 as ,i have demonstrated in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 out of the most ancient ,philosopher ,hermes4 ,i therefore hope1 that no body will any more doubt thereof or oppose himself with a perverse stubbornness against a truth so manifestly known4 ,were not the shortness of time an impediment unto me ,i could most easily produce more arguments and those too more pregnant4 ,if any one is minded firmly to cleave to his own stubborn perverseness1 even ,hermes himself should he arise from the dead1 would lose his ,labour in teaching him2 and therefore let them keep their contumacy to themselves4 ,we have sufficiently confirmed and that by arguments enough1 that ,salt-petre is an universal ,subject1 and every where to be found4 ,hence it may be easily believed that it may also be met with in woods1 and that more strong1 more powerful1 more corporal1 palpable1 and visible than in any other ,subject3 ,upon this account therefore is it to be also sought for1 and drawn forth out of them too4 ,but forasmuch as such an ,extraction cannot be made afore that the ,juices are prest out of the ,wood1 out of which ,juices the ,nitre is to be drawn forth1 the whole ,art consists in ,squeezing out these ,juices1 but yet by another kind of way than is done with ,herbs4 ,therefore the due ,presses being fitted ready1 ,i shall be able to shew him who requesteth it at my hands 7so as he does not endamage me7 the way of squeezing them4 ,for to prostrate a work of such great moment to every ones view1 whereby those that are unworthy1 should partake of such great ,secrets1 and by which a thing of so much value should be obnoxious to a common ,abuse1 is not verily1 either necessary1 profitable1 or laudable4 ,let not any one therefore take it amiss1 that ,i have so careful a regard of things so considerable4 ,let it suffice1 that ,i have detected the thing1 wherein such great ,treasures have hidden themselves1 which hitherto are profitable to no body1 but are easily acquirable1 or to be had4 ,do but look a little upon those most vast ,woods of ,germany1 which are stored with such mighty abundance of ,trees1 that wood is of no account4 ,there hath been none as yet that has converted them unto their use1 save a few1 who in some places make ,pot-ashes of the wood they burn2 and yet they have but small gains therefrom1 because they can't have vent sufficient for as much as they could make by their burning the wood1 nor do any use them1 but ,soap-boilers1 and ,dyers4 ,besides1 ,i never as yet saw the ,man that duly attempted that ,artifice1 and so administred it as to get therefrom a greater gain4 ,for sometimes they gather scarce an hundred weight of ,pot-ashes out of the burning of ten or twenty great ,trees1 and they can hardly have above five or six ,imperials for it4 ,and now consider but the great ,labour and ,sweat in burning so much ,wood into ,ashes1 and of boiling the ,ashes into a black ,salt1 and then of making this ,salt red hot in peculiar ,furnaces1 that it may become white1 green1 or blueish2 all this consider'd1 'twould make a ,man admire what 'tis that could stir up those that follow this work1 or order it to be done1 to suffer such a quantity of ,trees to be burnt up1 for so very little profit4 ,but what need many words8 ,they have the wood for nothing1 and 7as the ,proverb runs7 ,the half ,white of the ,egg1 is better than the empty shell4 ,haply if they knew how to make any thing better1 or more profitable out of their ,wood1 they would not omit so to do4 ,how many hundred weight of wood1 are they to burn afore they have one hundred of ,pot-ashes8 ,but now if the ,juices that are squeez'd out of them were boiled into ,salt-petre1 they would get ten times the profit with far less trouble4 ,let us compute the case1 and suppose that out of an hundred pounds of ,wood1 there are squeezed forth twenty pounds of ,juice1 and that from these twenty pounds of ,juice1 you have some #d or #e pounds of ,nitre1 and that a midling ,oak or ,beach will load1 when cleft1 some ten ,carts1 and each load hold twenty hundred weight4 ,now then1 one hundred yielding five pound of ,nitre1 a load of twenty hundred1 yields an hundred pound of ,nitre2 the ,tree that is about ten load1 yields a thousand weight4 ,now we'll put case that a hundred weight of ,nitre yields twenty ,imperials1 which being ten times multiplyed1 makes two hundred ,imperials for ten loads1 or for that one ,tree divided into ten loads4 ,but to wave so accurate a computation1 and not to extend it too far1 we will suppose a hundred of ,wood to hold only three pound of ,nitre1 and a load to be about twenty hundred of ,wood2 this load will yield ,sixty pounds of ,niter1 and the ,tree ten loads1 ,so there will be ,six hundred pounds of ,niter4 ,if now one hundred 7of ,nitre7 will cost ten ,imperials1 that ,tree will yield sixty ,imperials for the six hundred pounds of ,nitre4 ,the smallness of the cost 7in making it7 makes the labour the more profitable2 nay1 if by this invention of mine1 the price of ,nitre should fall down1 even to ten ,imperials 7which notwithstanding1 will not so easily come to pass7 yet would the gain thereby be great1 yea ten times more than that which comes from the ,pot-ashes4 ,but he that knows how to use this ,nitre1 for the concentrating of ,metals1 7concerning which the three following parts of this ,book shall treat7 will not have any cause of fear1 that this ,nitre will lie on his hands and yield him no profit4 ,by what hath been said1 the well-minded ,reader will easily perceive what vast treasures are oft-times before his eyes1 and through ignorance lie as yet unknown1 and not used to advantage4 ,what man knows ,god's end1 in producing to light such great ,mysteries and ,secrets of ,nature1 in this most filthy ,dregs of the ,world8 ,to give thereof a ,reason1 we will not tire our understanding1 but give most humble thanks to ,god for such great mysteries that he hath revealed for the comfort of many men1 and will pray unto him graciously to bestow on us his fatherly blessing1 to the end that we may well use such great gifts so freely bestowed4 ,but now if any should be of the mind that it is wholly unnecessary1 that this ,art should be made publickly known1 because that ,gun-powder is made of ,salt-petre1 and that by ,gun-powder many ,cities and most strong holds are overthrown1 and nothing is to be expected thencefrom1 but ,slaughters and ,destruction3 ,to such1 ,i answer1 ,that it was not for this end that ,i disclosed this most great and most profitable ,art1 that by its base abuse ,i might help on these horrid ,calamities2 but my aims have been chiefly at this1 if haply any new ,foreign ,enemies should invade our most dear ,country 7which is a danger we seem not far off from7 we might be able to receive them with like ,arms or ,weapons1 and by a just defence drive away such a ,calamity4 ,and withal1 that those most thick and vast ,woods being despoiled of their thickness1 may not for the time to come be a shelter for ,thieves and ,robbers1 as likewise for wild beasts1 all which oftentimes do much mischief4 ,and farther1 ,that many thousands of ,men may get their ,food and ,rayment more ,commodiously and more easily1 and may make good ,gold and ,silver from the unprofitable ,wood4 ,for by means of this ,art1 thousands of moneys may be gotten in our ,german ,countries1 without any hurt to our ,neighbour4 ,nor is it needful to cut down any great ,tree1 for the superfluous ,branches or ,loppings1 and the shrubby briary ,underwood which is all about the ,trees1 and doth chiefly afford a passage to the ,stags1 and hiding places to other hurtful ,creatures1 will be sufficient for this kind of use or imployment4 ,the other ,trees that grow up aloft may be preserved to build ,houses withal1 which may be employed about ,hunting3 ,and besides1 when the ,trees are freed from that thickness1 and have thereby a free access of ,air1 they will the more easily dilate their ,boughs1 and grow up taller4 ,and then too1 those wild ,beasts that are profitable1 will 7when such vast deal of underwood or shrubbiness is taken away7 meet with fatter pasture1 and with more plenty of ,grass1 and escape by having a freer ,course from the pursuing ,woolves1 which now they are letted from by those most thick ,shrubs and ,bushes4 ,but yet if so be that in such places in which is such a deal of ,wood1 and to no man useful2 a good part even of the great ,trees should likewise be cut down1 and used about this ,artifice of ours2 yet notwithstanding there would not arise to the ,possessors thereof any loss1 but much ,profit2 and when all's done1 there would be yet remaining a huge multitude of ,trees4 ,consider ,i pray those most spacious ,woods the ,arduenne1 ,ottonick1 ,semane1 and ,bohemian ,woods1 and many others which the ,countries in ,germany are cloathed 7or environed7 with4 ,can it be imagined1 that they can at all be lessened by the ,glass ,furnaces1 or the melting of ,minerals and ,metals4 ,these places that are one year bared by cutting down the ,trees1 you shall see in few years covered over again1 by the benefit of nature1 with new ,trees2 so that it cannot possibly be1 that though even a very great many ,presses should be used to press the ,juices out2 such a vast immenseness of ,woods should be exhausted1 and make any sensible diminution of the ,wood4 ,but now1 if any one shall believe these writings of mine1 and shall1 after the afore-mentioned way1 set about the ,concentration of ,wine1 or ,corn1 or ,wood2 ,i do faithfully affirm unto him1 that ,i have in this ,book openly proposed the very naked ,truth1 without any disimulation1 and have not omitted any thing save the revealing of the ,presses1 which for certain causes ,i conceal4 ,and therefore ,i certifie every one1 that ,i will not as yet divulge this most wonderful secret1 of thus-boiling ,nitre out of the ,juices of ,wood1 or else ,i would have described the ,press too4 ,besides1 though a man should even see the ,press1 and know how to make it1 and were ignorant of the purification and concentration of the ,juices1 he would not bring the ,art to effect2 so that1 without my instruction1 the work cannot so easily be made publickly known4 ,and though this seems to be a thing so mean1 yet this squeezing out of the ,juices of ,wood1 is far beyond 7or richer7 than the operations on ,wine or ,corn4 ,but ,i doubt not but that many1 well considering of this unheard of1 and very gainful ,artifice1 will begin to think whether or no good ,nitre may not likewise be gotten out of other ,subjects easie to come by4 ,now then ,i must methinks needs instruct these4 ,the common ,fossile ,salt1 and ,sea ,salt may by the benefit of this ,art1 be also turned into ,natural ,nitre2 but ,i judge it needless to speak more of this1 for as much as that which ,i have already mentioned concerning the ,wood seems abundantly enough4 ,breifly1 ,god doth in all places set before our eyes ,his ,omnipotency1 where he gives not ,wood1 there vouchsafes ,he ,stones and ,bones1 out of which ,nitre may as well be extracted1 by those that are skill'd in this ,art1 as it may out of other things4 ,and where ,fire is wanting1 there is ,water however4 ,but ,i know that it is certain1 and past all doubt1 that by the certain experience of ,art1 plenty of good ,nitre may be made out of ,sea ,water4 ,now if any shall object and say2 ,thou affirmest that ,nitre is to be found in all places of the ,world1 but especially in ,wood and ,stones2 but yet1 that there are many places which have neither ,wood or ,stones1 have only a ,marshy ,moorish ,soil1 which brings forth ,grass only3 ,by what means can ,nitre be there1 or in what things1 or what places should it be sought for1 thinkest thou there8 ,i answer2 ,i have already1 in what hath been said afore1 confirmed1 that ,nitre may be drawn in large quantity even out of ,grass2 but verily there's no such need here of so doing1 to rob the beasts of their food1 and to use the ,grass about ,nitre-making3 ,for the ,cheese and ,butter that come from the ,grass1 will easily yield more than the ,nitre that's made thereof1 would2 ,god deals not so unjustly or unwisely with the ,creatures as to give his blessings with a liberal hand to one1 and take the same away from another3 ,no1 no2 ,the ,treasure of his ,riches is inexhaustible1 and he gives his ,creatures largely to partake of them2 nor doth that axiome 7or maxime7 which is so very usual in this perverse ,world1 prevail at all with him1 viz4 ,the fall of one is the rise of another2 but his will is1 that all should have their necessaries abundantly supplyed1 that every one should have enough1 and that every thing should come to perfection4 ,therefore it is not at all necessary1 that ,nitre should be extracted out of the ,food which the ,beasts live on1 because it may easily be extracted out of other ,subjects which bring not any profit to ,man or ,beast1 and this in great quantity too4 ,for in such plain low ,countries and moist watery grounds1 where you shall not meet with either ,mountains or ,vallies1 or ,stones1 or ,wood3 ,the most gracious ,god hath1 like a provident and wise housholder provided for the inhabitants1 giving them a certain kind of earth inlaid with many ,roots and ,fibers that grow therein1 which the ,dutch call ,torf1 we ,turfs1 the which they use instead of ,woods1 to boil with1 and about other necessary uses2 so that they may easily be without the wood1 which is yearly brought them in such vast quantity out of other ,countries4 ,now these same ,turfs contain in them the like ,essential ,salt as ,wood does which ,nitre is extracted out of4 ,as concerning ,stones1 they do not in those places shew themselves to sight 7as lying deep7 if you except such as are burnt 7or ,bricks7 and which are brought hither to build houses withal1 yet ,god hath bestowed on them a matter sufficiently apt to make ,lime withal1 so that they may be without1 even ,stones themselves4 ,the ,shell-fishes of all ,sorts 7serve to this work71 and sometimes the raging of the ,sea1 drives the ,fishes shells ashore by heaps1 and like little hills1 the which being carryed by the ,inhabitants into the ,cities and ,villages1 they put them in the ,lime-,kilns1 and reduce them by a strong fire into good ,lime1 and that by means of the ,turfy fireing we mentioned but now2 so that ,i do not see any reason why1 in these ,countries that are destitute of ,wood and ,stones1 there should be found less ,salt-petre than in others1 in which huge quantities both of ,wood and ,stone are found4 ,nay1 rather ,i affirm1 that there is more there1 than is in almost any ,country of ,europe2 for do but compare the price of ,turf and ,wood1 the ,wood is dearer1 the other cheaper2 besides the ,wood is harder to press out1 and this yields its juice more easily4 ,so then1 from all the foregoing demonstrations ,i absolutely conclude1 that there is not any place in the whole ,world1 wherein great quantities of ,salt-petre may not be made4 ,and if ,i should say1 that there is not to be found in the whole world any places in which ,nitre may be easier and plentifullier made than in the low ,countries of ,germany1 as ,brabant1 ,holland1 ,zealand1 ,flanders1 ,frieseland1 the ,groningen ,fields1 the ,county of ,emdane1 and all those ,countries which run as far as the ,german and ,baltick ,sea1 in this their moorish kind of ground2 verily ,i should not speak untruth1 but if need were1 ,i could witness it of a certainty4 ,but lest my ,writings should remain too obscure and unknown to such as are unskilled1 and that such may not overmuch torment their ,brains by unnecessary ,pleadings how this may be effected1 ,i judge it altogether necessary openly to confess the ,truth before every one1 and say1 ,that ,nitre or ,salt-petre1 were but its true use known1 is justly and worthily to be accounted of as the greatest ,treasure of the whole world1 as being a thing by the help of which1 good ,health1 ,honours1 and ,riches may be purchased2 and this we shall confirm in the three following parts4 ,if then that this be granted1 then this also will be yielded too1 that the ,subject-matter out of which it is extracted1 is not to be despised1 but to be highly valued2 and therefore ought ,wood and ,turf to have their due ,honour given them1 concerning which1 ,i have by many ,arguments affirmed1 that the one of them is every where in the upper ,germany in great plenty1 and the other in the low ,countries of ,germany1 7nor doth these at all come short of the others7 and that both may and ought to yield ,nitre4 ,besides1 not only the bare ,turf is hereto useful1 but likewise the hitherto thrown-away ashes1 which are every where cast out as unprofitable4 ,,nb4 ,they are not useful in washing1 as wood-ashes1 with which the ,laundresses make ,lyes1 and being they are not1 they are thrown away as good for nought4 ,but yet there is in them a great quantity of a certain salt1 which being inverted by ,art1 passeth into ,nitre2 therefore through meer ignorance is there cast away1 together with those ,turfy ashes1 a vast quantity of unripe ,salt-petre1 from whence a mighty profit might redound to those ,countries1 but being improvidently thrown away1 is meerly lost4 ,but yet ,i would not have any imagine1 that the ,salt which is made of the ,lee of ,turf-ashes1 is presently ,salt-petre2 no1 for 'tis needful that the subtilty of ,art be first thereto used1 afore such a ,salt be brought to that pass1 as to burn like ,salt-petre3 ,but yet care is to be taken1 that that ,art become not common1 for then so ,noble a thing1 and so profitable to our ,countries1 will be known by ,enemies as well as ,friends2 which to prevent1 it must be warily handled1 and the principal work here requisite is this1 viz4 ,that it may not be published so imprudently1 as to render the ungrateful and unworthy partakers of the same1 as well as the thankful and worthy ones4 ,by these things here spoken may every one see and gather1 that ,god is no respecter of ,kingdoms and ,principalities1 and provides for some better than for other some2 all ,men are ,his ,creatures and ,heirs of all ,his ,goods1 if so be they be but willing1 and do not stubbornly oppose and slight the ,divine ,grace1 and do not wantonly cast it away and neglect it3 ,concerning which we shall speak more in the following part1 touching the ,concentration of ,minerals4 ,this we must yet farther add1 viz4 ,that common ,salt-,nitre is in all ,coasts1 in all ,tracts or ,continents1 and in all ,countries2 yea1 even in all those places in which there's neither ,wood1 nor ,stones1 nor ,leaves1 nor ,grass1 nor ,earth1 nor any bottom of ,earth3 ,as for example2 ,near ,greenland1 where the ,sea is said to have no bottom1 where the ,whales are caught1 and which do greatly inrich the ,merchants with their fat or oil3 ,did they but know1 that the remaining ,flesh and ,bones were even yet of great use1 and knew they but how to turn them into ,salt-petre1 they would preferr it far before their ,fat1 for the sake of which1 so much labour and trouble is undertaken2 for in the flesh of one ,whale only 7which as it is1 is not at all profitable to any man7 ,i dare say1 that there may be found #bj1 #cj1 #dj1 #ej1 yea1 sometimes #ajj ,centenaries1 or hundreds weight of ,salt-petre4 ,and so likewise the ,intrails of the dried ,stock-fish that are caught in ,island and ,norway1 should ,i affirm1 that they would even almost excel the ,fish it self in value1 ,i should not be deceived4 ,i find no difficulty that might hinder me from affirming this to be agreeable to the ,truth4 ,do not the ,salt-petre-men preferr the ,nitrous ,earth that's found in old burying places 7if they can have it7 far beyond other ,nitrous ,earths8 ,and this among others1 that most excellent ,examiner of ,metals1 ,lazarus ,ercker1 in his ,book of examining of ,metals1 affirms1 and gives this ,earth the chiefest place4 ,nor is it to be wondered at1 that of late in ,poland1 towards ,muscovy1 where formerly great ,battels have been1 and many thousands of men slain1 and by reason of the multitude of them1 have 7after the ,battel7 been thrown into deep ,caverns of ,mountains for the easier burying them7 there hath been a great quantity of ,salt-petre extracted out of the ,earth4 ,were there not gain and profit to be gotten1 those men that are imployed in the extracting and boiling it1 would not lay out so much ,money on unprofitable ,ashes of ,carcases4 ,but to pass this by1 let any one make but this ,experiment3 ,fill some ,vessel with ,bulls or ,ox-blood1 and put it in a warm place till it putrefie and be turned as it were into ,earth2 then extract a ,lye out of this ,earth1 and boil it so long1 till a little skin appear on the top1 then lay it by in a cold place1 to shoot into ,crystals1 or little ,stones1 and these will be true ,nitre4 ,,nb4 ,there is another and more compendious way of extracting ,salt-petre out of the blood of ,animals1 which belongs not to this place to treat of2 let us but compute the account a little4 ,if there are yearly kill'd in some great ,city some ten thousand ,oxen1 besides ,calves1 ,hogs1 ,sheep1 and ,goats1 and the blood be cast away as unprofitable1 now an hundred weight of blood yields some #e1 #f1 #g1 or #h pound1 or more1 of ,nitre4 the question is1 ,how many ,hundreds of ,salt-petre is lost8 ,that this may be the more clearly evidenced1 viz4 ,that there is much ,salt-petre in all ,beasts1 ,fishes1 and ,birds1 take another ,experiment3 ,let a ,beast1 ,bird1 or ,fish be laid in some warm place1 where no ,rain comes1 to putrefie1 out of the ,carcass there will come ,worms2 of these ,worms or ,maggots take about one pound1 more or less1 put them in a ,glass with a narrow neck1 stop the glass with ,paper only1 and set it at the ,sun1 but not too hot1 and in a few daies the worms or maggots will be turned into water2 then pour out this water into a ,copper ,vessel tinn'd over1 clarify it with the whites of ,eggs1 as ,vegetable juices are wont to be clarified2 then evaporate the clarified ,juice1 by little and little1 by decoction1 till it be covered over with a skin2 as we have taught you in the ,vegetable ,juices2 then set it by in a cold ,cellar1 and there will shoot good and natural ,nitre1 but especially if that ,liquor shall have stood a while afore in the air4 ,the self-same ,experiment may any one make with other ,vermin that arise from ,flesh or ,cheese1 and he shall find that even living ,creatures have ,salt-petre in them3 so then there is nothing to be found1 wherein that ,universal salt of the ,world is not seen to be2 but in some the salt doth sooner put on a ,salt-petre nature1 and in others it is already made ,salt-petre by ,nature4 ,let this serve as an example1 viz4 ,the ,essential or ,universal salt of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 ,minerals1 is indeed in its own nature nitrous1 but it does not conceive any flame afore it has attracted life and flame from the ,air4 ,further1 one salt attracts that ,life sooner and willinglier than another does1 according as it is by ,nature framed4 ,by how much the more volatile and urinous the salts are1 so much the sooner do they change themselves into ,nitre2 and by how much the more biting and more corrosive1 so much the more difficultly and slowly do they put on the nature of ,salt-petre4 ,but because ,nitre is a salt that partakes of both natures1 viz4 of a ,urinous and ,corrosive ,nature1 and is compounded as it were of both a ,urinous and a ,corrosive ,salt1 therefore by the help thereof one skill'd in ,nature may easily help the salts1 and make of them whatsoever he pleaseth4 ,nor is there in the nature of things any salt1 but may by the help of ,art be turned into ,nitre2 but especially those salts which are sublimed by fire1 and are elevated by the force thereof2 as likewise those that are in the ,urine and ,excrements of all ,animals2 yea more1 ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals themselves do easily assume the nature of ,nitre3 ,this now is the first degree of salts4 ,another degree of salts are those that are somewhat fixer1 7as the ,sons of ,art call them7 and are such as are left in the fire1 from ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals3 ,these do more hardly pass into the nature of ,nitre2 but the hardest of all1 are those salts which are in the third degree1 as common salt1 ,sea-salt1 ,mountain or ,fossile salt1 ,alume and ,vitriol2 for by ,art are even these brought to that state1 as to pass into true ,nitre1 but harder than the former1 for they need a longer time for transmutation1 than the abovenamed flying1 volatile1 and urinous salts4 ,and therefore ,i would not have any of you to opinionate1 that when ,i say in my ,writings1 that this or that salt may be converted into ,salt-petre1 assoon as ever it is extracted out of the ,lixivium1 or by barely calcining with fire1 that 7,i say7 it should presently be true burning ,salt-petre2 no1 there is a yet farther time thereto required1 whereto it may attract its life and soul out of the ,air1 and become burning or inflamable4 ,every common ,barber and mean-pated fellow1 knows that the most ,salt-petre hitherto made1 hath been boiled out of a ,lee1 drawn out of the ,earth taken out of old stables1 wherein ,sheep and other beasts have stood4 ,and why1 ,i pray1 out of the old standing places of ,sheep1 ,oxen1 and the like ,cattel1 and not likewise out of the new8 ,it is on this account1 because old ,stables do not only in long ,process of time imbibe more salt out of the ,excrements and ,urine1 and consequently yield more ,salt-petre2 but also those very salts 7that come from the ,excrements of the beasts7 and which is the main thing1 have in long process of time received their soul or life from the air1 which new salts have not as yet attained unto3 ,for let any one boil1 and try his conclusions on the fresh ,dung and ,urine of ,animals1 as much as he list1 they will never become ,nitre1 unless they draw their ,life out of the ,air4 ,let any one take some good ,salt-petre1 and mix it with ,earth1 and destil off the ,spirit in a ,retort1 there will come over into the ,receiver such a sharp and corroding water1 as will dissolve ,metals1 ,stones1 and all other even the hardest ,mercurial ,bodies1 and yet the ,salt-petre was not corrosive before1 but it hath gotten that degree of corrosivity from the fire's operation4 ,contrariwise1 let some good ,salt ,nitre be taken1 and be calcined in a ,crucible1 with burning ,coals or such-like other matters as will burn or calcine it3 ,by this operation it will be changed into a very fiery and fixt ,salt1 but not so corrosive1 and thus it will dissolve all ,fat1 ,oils1 ,greases1 and sulphureous ,bodies1 which thing the former corrosive ,spirit will not do2 for such bodies as are dissolveable by this fixt and urinous ,salt1 the former acid ,spirit leaves them untouch'd2 and on the other hand1 it will dissolve those bodies which cannot be dissolved by the fixt ,salt1 and yet are they both extracted out of one and the same ,subject1 by the help of the fire4 ,hence may it easily be conjectured1 that this is an ,hermaphroditical ,salt1 and partakes of both natures1 seeing it puts on both 7or either7 of them2 for the ,philosophical ,maxim witnesseth1 that every thing hath its ,original out of that into which it can be changed and resolved4 ,now when ,i pour the acid ,spirit that destilled over into the ,receiver on that fixt ,salt again1 they are both of them divested of their nature and property2 the ,spirit loseth his sharpness and acidity1 and the fixt salt puts off its fiery nature1 and so they both become again an ,hermaphroditical ,salt1 but yet not presently1 but 'tis necessary to allow them some time of standing together in the ,air1 whereby they may receive that life and that burning nature which the ,fire hath deprived them of4 ,but yet notwithstanding1 this comes sooner to pass in this1 than in other contrary subjects1 because these two ,contraries have heretofore already been one ,salt-petre2 for such as never have been ,nitre1 but are hereafter to be so1 require a longer abode in the ,air4 ,these instructions we give to those that might haply think that ,salts may be animated without the help of the ,air4 ,and now1 that ,i may perfectly demonstrate that ,salts do get their life out of the air1 without any encreasing in weight thereby1 and not from elsewhere1 ,i will give you this following example4 ,take #a l4 of ,honey or ,sugar1 and let it be dissolved in ten pounds of ,water1 and let this ,water be set for some weeks in a warm air1 the ,honey or ,sugar will be as a magnet to this ,water1 and will by attracting a life out of the air turn it into sharp ,vinegar1 and that without any thing at all encreasing the weight of the same4 ,by this means ,water1 by the addition of ,honey1 ,sugar1 ,malt1 or any other ,vegetable ,juice1 will1 by the operation of the hidden and attracting essential ,salt1 pass together with it into excellent ,vinegar4 ,but now some or other may imagine that the ,honey1 or the juice of the ,fruit and ,corn1 have in them an hidden acidity1 which by the help of the warm encompassing air1 hath revealed it self1 and so did not attract its birth out of the air3 ,but ,i will shew you the contrary1 as follows3 ,take a pound of ,honey1 ,sugar1 or some other ,vegetable ,juice1 and force it over in a ,retort into a ,receiver1 and you will find that there will destil over #aj or #ab lots 7or half ounces7 of insipid ,water1 and so many of acid water2 the remainder is a dead ashes1 and have nothing in them2 the ,vinegar and ,phlegm that ascended1 will not yield one pound of ,liquor1 and the ,vinegar it self1 with its acidity1 will scarce be so strong in taste as those ten pounds of water that are turned into ,vinegar by the air4 ,this now demonstrates1 that there was not in the ,honey any more acidity than what was thence drawn out by the help of destillation1 for the remaining ashes have not any taste at all4 ,but put case that the acidity which is driven out of the ,retort into the ,receiver by the force of ,fire1 should be as sharp as ,aq4 fortis1 7when as tho' it is scarce as sowre as ,vinegar7 yet would it hardly make ten pounds of ,water so acid as to be compared with the other which is made by the essential ,salt and the ,air2 so that it is evident that the acidity 7as being a life7 is drawn by the ,magnetick ,virtue of the ,honey out of the air4 ,but as touching this ,essential ,salt of ,vegetables1 its being a ,magnet1 to extract an acetous spirit out of the air1 and communicate it to the dead water4 ,you are here well to observe1 that the universal spirit or soul of the ,world may be drawn out of the ,air many and sundry waies4 ,in the aforementioned ,example of ,vinegar is a spirit extracted1 which is fit for the converting of ,vegetable ,liquors into ,vinegar4 ,in ,hermaphroditical salts1 the ,universal ,nitrous spirit becomes burning1 as in ,wine1 ,ale1 and ,metheglin4 ,all these are so made by the means of air1 without which no ,wine or ,ale can ferment1 and without fermentation it is impossible for a burning spirit to be generated2 which said spirit is easily afterwards turned into ,vinegar1 and this ,vinegar into ,nitre1 and this ,nitre again into a burning ,spirit or ,vinegar2 for every ,life is of one and the same original1 and may by the benefit of ,art be changed out of one nature or property into another4 ,so likewise the same is to be understood in the generation of ,salt-petre1 all ,salts of ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals are dead1 afore they get themselves a life after a magnetical manner out of the ,air1 and be made into ,salt-petre2 for amongst all salts1 none deserve to be called a ,live ,salt1 but that one of ,salt-petre1 which by the ,philosophers is called the ,watchful ,dragon1 which likewise at the beginning was dead1 but hath got himself a ,life out of the air4 ,by all which it is most clearly manifest1 that the life of all things ariseth out of the air1 and that those ,creatures which come not into the air want ,life and that such things as already have life1 are choak'd and die if the air be taken from them4 ,hence comes the death of all things1 by a suppressing or taking away of air1 7in which air the ,life of all things consists7 what way soever it be done by1 as the aforesaid example of the ,vinegar teacheth2 for if ,honey or ,sugar were not made thin with ,water1 there would never have hapned that changing into ,vinegar4 ,so likewise ,grapes1 ,apples1 ,pears1 ,barley1 ,oats1 ,wheat1 were they not moistened with water1 but remained dry1 they never would get the nature and property of ,vinegar1 and that for this reason1 because the air could never infuse its life into a dry and shut up body4 ,this they well know who are imployed in making a quantity of ,vinegar2 and upon this account do they in ,summer time set their ,vessels open to the ,sun1 and in the ,winter1 they keep them in warm stoves near the fire1 and both afore and behind1 and at the bottom do they make holes to give the ,air entrance1 that so they might the speedilier promote the changing of the ,wine1 ,ale and ,metheglin into ,vinegar4 ,they likewise know this too1 that even strong ,vinegar if it be a long time shut and kept from ,air1 corrupts and dies4 ,the which thing1 seeing it is to be as well understood of other ,subjects1 as of these here1 viz4 ,salt-petre and ,vinegar1 we may affirm thus much1 ,that by how much the more of warm ,air comes to the ,wine or ,ale1 so much the sooner will they pass into ,vinegar4 ,and by how much the more of warm ,air the ,salts draw1 so much the speedier will they draw a ,life thereout-of1 and put on themselves the nature and property of ,salt-petre4 ,this is the reason why the ,salt-petre boilers do sometimes turn or dig up the ,earth from whence they have had ,salt-petre1 and moisten it with water1 that so the ,air may the more commodiously penetrate that ,earth by its operation1 and infuse ,nitre thereinto4 ,but yet this business goes slowly on1 and may be compared with that where a man presseth out ,grapes or ,apples a little1 and then exposeth those ,reliques of the press'd ,grapes or ,apples to the ,air1 or else grinds ,malt somewhat grosly and moistens it with water and so sets it by that it may be endued with the nature and virtues of ,vinegar3 ,it would indeed come to pass1 but yet much slower than if ,wine1 ,ale1 or other ,drinks were set by so1 without the huskiness or bran3 ,the same is to be observed in the making of ,salt-petre4 ,by how much the more1 the ,air toucheth the ,salts1 so much the speedier will it reduce them into living ,nitre4 ,this may be seen in old walls that are built in moist places1 you see how the ,lime sprouts out and is converted into ,salt-petre4 ,we see not the same thing done in the inside of the wall1 where the ,air can cannot penetrate into it4 ,hence know ,i of a truth1 that it is not the husks of the ,grapes1 nor the husks or bran of the ,corn grows sour1 but it is the thin ,juice or ,liquor that is either pressed out of them1 or extracted with water4 ,and ,i likewise see that 'tis not the ,ashes1 nor ,calx vive1 nor the like calcined things that becomes ,nitre1 but only the ,salt that is hidden in them4 ,therefore seeing that all calcined things being moistned with water and for a long time exposed to the warm ,air do extract a ,life and become ,salt-petre1 and that the ,ashes and ,calx are like a dead ,earth and never yield ,salt-petre1 but remain a dead ,earth4 ,likewise1 forasmuch as such ,earth doth not at all conferr ought to the generation and making of ,salt-petre1 but is rather every where an hindrance thereunto1 whereby the ,air cannot associate it self to the ,salt2 therefore do ,i separate the earth1 body1 shell1 and useless garment1 and keep the ,salt1 and ,i introvert it by the ,air and turn it into ,salt-nitre1 but yet not without the addition of ,water1 in which the ,salt is dissolved and rendred more fit for extracting a ,life out of the ,air2 for otherwise should the ,salt remain dry this transmutation would be a tedious while a bringing to the desired end4 ,if therefore the ,salts that are prepared by the fire are dissolved in water1 and the water be together with it kept by peculiar ,instruments in perpetual motion1 and some heat be also thereto adjoined1 so that there be not the least ,atoms of the ,salts to be found which have not the uncessant penetration of the warm air1 and which are not animated1 7because the warm air and motion do in all places touch and vivify the ,salts73 ,such an operation as this does more in four ,weeks1 than if the ,salt lay in the heaped up ,earth and open to the air 7far longer7 wherein it would not in a whole years time attain to so great a change4 ,but this perpetual agitation and heating consisteth in a certain wooden ,instrument which may of its own accord by an unceasing motion heat the ,salt-water1 so as that every ,week a growing alteration may be evidently seen and perceived4 ,it is not of any great charge1 and one may get ready as many ,vessels to be filled with ,salt-water to make ,salt-petre with 7as he pleaseth7 for one ,man can manage an hundred of them or more and conserve them in continual heat and motion1 so that a ,man may keep such an ,art secret as long as he pleaseth4 ,and as concerning the ordering the salt by the help of the fire and getting it a magnetick and attractive faculty afore it be dissolved in water to be put into the ,vessels2 and also how the ,vessels are to be prepared1 this cannot be conveniently declared in writing1 but it is expedient that as well the manual operations requisite for the endowing of salt with a magnetick faculty1 as the ,instruments necessary for the turning it into ,salt-petre be also well lookt into1 with all the appurtenances thereto belonging4 ,any one will easily comprehend them all1 and be able to imitate them2 yea far easier than any gross or great work1 and it may be improved in any subject whatever4 ,it is not any sordid kind of operation1 but pure and clean1 it needs not any making of ,lixiviums1 nor any decoction1 nor any evaporation1 but perfecteth it self without impediment or retarding the work1 and coagulates the ,salt into ,nitre4 ,verily it is a most delicate and most profitable invention1 from which many others may have a beginning and flow4 ,thus have we declared and proved that the soul of the ,world vivifying dead salts1 and turning them into ,salt-petre1 adds not unto them either weight or encrease1 and yet nevertheless it is of such abundant efficacy and power as to reduce them all to ,life1 which ,life is no other thing but the little ,bird of ,hermes1 and easily admits of being esteemed for the most noble amongst all the ,creatures ,,god hath made1 set aside but the soul of ,man1 and may by the help of ,art be again extracted out of the ,salt-petre4 ,but that ,i may mention the thing more openly and more clearly2 ,i say1 that the salts must 7by the help of ,fire and ,art7 first get a magnetick and attractive power and faculty afore they can draw a ,life out of the air4 ,now then1 after that the universal ,life of the ,world is caught and fettered as it were by the salts1 and hath turned the dead salts into living nitre1 yet that life lies hidden in that ,salt-petre invisibly1 and can but a little or scarce any thing at all shew out or display its virtues by reason of the ,gross body of the salt4 ,,nb4 ,if so be that any one shall but know how to draw out this ,life again out of the ,nitre1 and bring it into a body1 and make it visible1 he shall have a thing so admirable that he'll scarce find the like 7as ,i believe7 in all natural things4 ,for there is such a sweet and red ,liquor1 as to sight1 thence had1 that one only small drop will tinge a thousand parts of water with a ,golden colour3 which 7said ,liquor7 ,i have not as yet brought to a constant or fixed ,medicine1 but do make use of it in ,medicine 7as it is7 and ,i find in it things wonderful4 ,but this little ,bird 7as far as ,i know7 cannot be again extracted out of the ,nitre by any other subject than with a net artificially prepared of ,sheeps-skins4 ,such a worthy thing as this is1 do ,i rank in the number of great secrets and mysteries1 and ,i suppose it to be that work which the knowledge desiring ,jason1 being holpen by ,medea who was most skilful in the ,chymical ,art1 took away from the ,dragon1 and called it the ,golden ,fleece3 ,but ,i would not have any one perswade himself that ,i speak here of such a ,tincture as is extracted out of fixt ,nitre 7and likewise the same is extractable out of ,salt of ,tartar7 by ,spirit of ,wine4 ,no1 that is no true ,tincture1 but the ,spirit of ,wine is somewhat altered and tinged by the fixt salt4 ,but that ,liquor of mine is the true1 occult1 and inmost ,tincture1 ,virtue1 and ,life of the ,nitre1 and is of a golden ,nature1 but plainly flying and volatile1 one drop whereof doth so gild an whole ,imperial1 as if it were gilt over with ,ducket ,gold4 ,this ,tincture cannot be changed or altered by any contrary ,menstruum1 be it ,corrosive or ,urinous1 no nor by ,aqua-fortis1 or ,liquor of ,salt of ,tartar2 the like of which is scarce to be found in all nature4 ,for if there be a most delicate colour drawn out of the ,vegetables1 as ,cochenele1 ,saffron1 and such like1 by the help of the ,spirit of ,wine1 and there be dropt therein but one only drop of ,aqua-fortis1 the colour will presently turn pale1 and if you add more1 it will vanish for altogether4 ,or else if a drop of the ,liquor of ,salt of ,tartar should be put therein1 it would presently change colour and become duskyish4 ,but now1 this true ,tincture of ,nitre1 or ,soul of the ,world suffers not any change from either of the contraries4 ,and should one have even a metallick ,tincture1 or extract even from ,gold it self1 yet would it not stand in this tryal1 but would be precipitated either by the acid or the fixt salt1 and separate from the ,menstruums4 ,but ours doth constantly abide in every trial1 and resists both the contraries4 ,i do therefore repeat what ,i have often said1 that there is more lies hidden in ,nitre than many thousands of ,men can perswade themselves of4 ,but because it is so vile and abject a thing1 no body thinks that there lies hidden any thing of good therein4 ,but do but read the chiefest of the ,philosophers1 and you shall therein find that they do enigmatically point at ,nitre1 and do call it the ,dragon which is to be slain by its ,brother or ,sister afore it parts with its ,treasure2 ,but enough of this4 ,the things hitherto mentioned1 have ,i produced for this end1 that my ,neighbour may be the better certified concerning them4 ,all the ,philosophers ,books are full of this thing1 amongst whom1 ,hermes1 and ,basil ,valentine excel1 who have written most clearly4 ,paracelsus saith openly1 ,alchimy hath found it in ,nitre4 ,the late ,philosopher ,nuisment1 hath published a ,treatise of the ,salt and ,spirit of the ,world1 and is verily most worthy the reading1 which 7said ,book7 ,i commend to the ,reader that studies these things4 ,therefore do ,i here again repeat what ,i have so oft reiterated1 viz4 ,that ,salt-petre is the most admirable1 the most excellent1 and the most powerful ,subject of the whole ,world1 whose wonderful properties cannot be enough search'd into4 ,but because it hath its rise from dung and putrid rotten things the greatest company of foolish ones do despise it1 but the small company of ,philosophers and ,wise-men 7who are those that know what admirable virtues it has7 do most highly esteem it1 and set thereon a great value4 ,the well disposed ,reader will clearly find more as to its virtue and efficacy1 in the three following parts4 ,o thou the original of all good things1 and ,treasure of all ,treasures1 vouchsafe that we may well and rightly improve this earthly and fading ,treasure1 and may so search after1 and use it unto the end1 that we lose not the chiefest good1 but may rather find and keep thee for ever4 ,an ,admonition1 adjoined as an ,over-plus4 ,in the first ,chapter of this first part of the concentration of things1 have ,i plenarily manifested1 by what means1 new ,wines and ,musts are 7by the help of an ,artificial condensation7 to be brought into a narrow compass1 that so they might be carried into far remote places wherein there are no ,wines1 and may there be sold to great profit4 ,but yet ,i forgot to shew1 by what means the savour which the winy ,juices contracted in their concentration1 is wholly to be taken away in the fermentation when they are again dissolved in water1 that so the ,wines made of those ,juices may not have any untoward and unpleasant taste4 ',tis an ,artifice without which no man can easily1 quit himself in this ,art of making ,wine4 ,but that ,i may certify every one hereabouts1 the ,medium 7or ,basis7 necessary about the precipitation in this work is no other thing but common ,sulphur excellently well purified1 a little portion whereof 7according to the nature and property or disposition of the ,juices7 is to be hereto added1 which must boil up 7or ferment7 with the ,wine1 that so it may draw to it self all the filths1 and all the strange odour1 and savour or taste in the fermentation and by precipitation cast them down to the bottom1 which being done the ,wines become sweet1 clear1 and get a good savour4 ,furthermore it is to be known by what means 7seeing that there are many fces and defilements that will separate themselves out of those kinds of ,wines as well as out of others1 and settle to the bottom7 even they are to be put to some use1 that so there may not be any loss1 but that the gain may be by so much the greater4 ,divers ways are there of making profit from them2 as for instance1 ,the remaining ,wines may by pressed out in bags1 or else they may be turned into ,vinegar1 or a spirit may be thence destilled1 and the remaining gross matter be boiled in water1 and the ,tartar therein dissolved1 and prest out in bags1 that it may so shoot into ,tartar4 ,but as touching this expression ,i have taken care to have a peculiar ,book published at ,norimberg1 7viz4 ,the ,treatise of the ,lees of ,wine47 ,so that it is wholly needless to make any mention of the same1 in this place4 ,the ,courteous ,reader may use it to his occasions1 as being such a ,book1 in which he will find the said pressing out the ,wine and ,tartar1 and also the making of ,vinegar1 clearly described1 with all the circumstances thereabouts1 and without all question if he rightly understands me1 and sets about the work1 he will do himself a great deal of good4 ,,nb4 ,but if so be that any shall know the ,art of turning the ,tartar of those ,fces into ,salt-petre1 7and such a thing may be done and that in a very short time7 he will get twice the profit1 that is to be gotten by making ,tartar of them2 forasmuch as he need not put himself to the inconveniency of pressing them4 ,in the second ,chapter of this first part where mention is made of the concentration of ,corn1 there it has been alleadged that the remaining husks or branny parts which remain after the extraction of the ,juices1 may be made to yield as much yea more ,moneys than will pay the costs about the ,corn4 ,but it is well known1 that those reliques that are left in your boiling up of ,ale1 are improved to fatten ,beasts with4 ,if now a ,medimnus 7a measure of about some #f bushels7 of ,corn doth cost half1 nay even a whole ,imperial1 those reliques 7that are left of it in working7 can scarce cost less than one eighth part of that ,imperial4 ,and now out of such a ,medimnus or measure of such reliques1 they would very hardly when turned in the ,beasts1 into nutriment1 have made in them two pounds growth of flesh1 the price of which 7said two pounds7 would not amount to the eighth part of the said ,imperial3 ,whereas now1 if those reliques were handled after the afore-mentioned way of reducing ,wood into ,juices1 they would easily yield as much1 or more ,salt-petre than the price of the ,corn was at the beginning4 ,so that here's an enriching ,treasure offers it self to the pious and diligent ,housholder1 whereby he may do good to those in need4 ,in the third ,chapter of the first part1 is mention made only of the ,concentration of ,wood1 of the pressing the ,juices out of the ,wood1 and of the making ,nitre2 ,but because there is not every where such great quantity of ,wood1 as to imploy it to the making of ,salt-petre without omitting the more necessary use of it1 yet notwithstanding the case may be so ordered as that a great quantity of ,salt-nitre may be made of the ,leaves of the ,trees and the ,grass that grows under the ,trees1 and there's no need to cut down the ,trees1 if a ,man has no mind so to do4 ,besides too1 in such places where there's but little ,wood and much ,corn1 even the very stubble or straw 7of the ,corn7 is fit enough to be made into ,salt-petre4 ,so that there is no place where there is not matter found for the making of ,salt-petre4 ,and therefore ,i cannot forbear but must needs teach all pious ,housholders 7whether they have their ,houses in ,cities or in ,villages7 a certain easie ,artifice1 by the help of which they may gather a ,treasure for their ,children1 without any labour and costs1 and such a one as ,thieves can never rob them of4 ,and now1 seeing ,i have revealed in this small ,book1 for the benefit both of ,rich and ,poor1 high and low1 three ,artifices or ,workmanships by which1 ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood may be made more profitable2 but yet have not brought any assisting help to such as want both ,wine1 ,corn1 and ,wood1 ,i have judged it worth the while 7that so even they who have nothing1 and yet nevertheless desire to provide for their ,wives and ,children in some honest way7 to bestow on them a secret ,art1 whereby they may seek their advantage or profit4 ,and ,i hope the thing will redound to the ,honour of ,god1 and to all our ,healths4 ,besides1 ,i will shew a way to such as have no inheritance left them from their ,parents1 nor have any thing come to them by ,marriage1 by what means they may without labour and trouble get a ,treasure for their ,children4 ,first of all1 ,let such a one take care to have some shade or hovel made1 to join to that side of his dwelling that lies in the middle 'twixt the ,north and the ,east part of ,heaven1 or some other more convenient place1 so as to admit the ,sun and ,air to it1 but to keep off the ,rain4 ,under this ,pent-house or ,hovel1 let him dig a large ,pit1 and with the ,earth he digs out let him make banks round the ,pits-mouth that so it may keep the ,rain off of every side4 ,this done1 let him each day in every year1 or whensoever he can conveniently carry and throw into that ,pit these following matters1 so long till his necessity forceth him to dig all out again1 and to see how much ,treasure he hath gotten1 even whilest he slept4 ,now these matters are1 ,all sharp and bitter ,herbs1 growing in by places1 amongst bushes1 and in the way sides1 and such as the ,beasts feed not on1 as ,esula1 ,cicuta or ,hemlock1 ,hen bane1 ,fumitory1 the thick stalks of ,tabaco that are thrown away in those places where it is planted1 the hard stalks of ,colwort1 which the ,beasts eat not of1 and likewise all those things they leave in their ,troughs2 likewise ,firr tops or ,apples if you have them at hand2 also the ,leaves that fall from the ,trees in ,autumn are to be gathered2 also ,pigeons-dung1 and ,hens-dung1 ,birds and ,hens ,feathers2 all the ,ashes which ,women usually make their ,lees with1 and other ,ashes that are not fit for that use1 as also such out of which the ,lixivium or ,lee is already extracted2 the soot of ,chimneys1 ,hogs hairs1 the horns of ,oxen and ,cows1 and the bones which the ,dogs eat not of4 ,all these matters may he throw into his ,pit1 and that he may the sooner fill it1 he may gather as much as ever he can from the bordering places1 and throw it therein1 that so in one or two years time he may with all those things fill up his ,pit4 ,mean while he must pour into the ,pit the piss gathered in his ,house1 and that he may have enough he must also get as much as he can from his ,neighbours1 so as to keep the things thrown in the ,pit in a continual moisture1 whereby they may the sooner putrefy4 ,in want of ,urine1 common ,water may be taken2 if ,sea-water or other ,salt-water can be had1 it will be the better4 ,also the ,brine of ,fishes-pickle1 and the salting or salt-water that ,flesh is macerated 7or pickled7 in are of good use in this business2 likewise the ,blood of ,oxen1 ,cows1 ,calves1 ,sheep1 which you may easily have at the ,butchers2 all these things putrefying together do put on the nature and property of ,salt-petre4 ,if now1 all those matters in your full pit shall have well putrefied1 then cease from pouring on any more moisture1 and all the things are to be left so long till they are dried4 ,and then if you need ,money1 let a ,salt-petre maker be sought for1 and bargain with him about the price of drawing out your ,salt-petre by water1 of making it1 and selling it4 ,this done1 cast the remaining ,earth again into the ,pit1 together with the remaining ,lixivium that shot not into ,nitre1 and there leave it for a year or two1 and moisten it sometimes with ,urine1 or if you have not this1 with common ,water4 ,this ,earth will again yield ,salt-nitre1 but not above half so much as at first4 ,,nb4 ,if you stand not in need of ,money1 let the matter lie1 and as oft as it dries1 so often moisten it again with the aforesaid moisture1 that so the ,nitre may more and more grow and increase4 ,by this means shall such a one gather a secret ,treasure1 shall not know almost how he came by it4 ,if he needs it not himself1 his ,children will find it4 ,thieves ,souldiers will not steal it away4 ,if one ,pit be full then another may be made1 that so nothing at all of those matters1 which otherwise are most base1 7but in this case most suitable7 may be lost4 ,now if there were but only one in every ,village that were appointed to exercise this ,labour1 there would be found out as it were in a small ,country many thousand hundreds of ,salt-petre1 and so these matters still serving for the same use1 there would never be any scarcity of ,salt-petre4 ,and now1 ,nitre being present1 ,gold and ,silver are not far off4 ,let every one observe this1 and esteem it4 ,men will sometime or other at last1 become thrifty and wise1 and will see what blindness they have been possessed with4 ,give ,,god the thanks1 and be helpful to thy ,neighbour4 ,,god hath bestowed on me1 ,i bestow on thee1 do thou likewise bestow somewhat upon thy ,neighbour1 and it will be well with us all4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,the ,prosperity of ,germany1 ,wherein is shewn1 ,by what means ,minerals may be ,concentrated by ,nitre1 and turned into ,metalick1 and better ,bodies4 ,for the benefit of my ,country1 and of all such as affectionately and industriously follow after ,metalick ,affairs4 ,friendly ,reader1 ,i have taught in the first part of this ,book1 by what way the ,vegetables1 as ,wine1 and ,ale1 are to be concentrated1 whereby they may yield more profit than hitherto they have done1 and also1 how ,wood is to be reduced into ,salt-petre4 ,in this present ,second part1 shall be taught1 how the ,salt-petre is to be used1 and how1 by it ,minerals may be ,concentrated1 and wrought into ,metalick ,bodies4 ,and as to this ,concentration1 thus stands the case2 that is to say1 forasmuch as a good part of ,minerals are of very little use1 and lie neglected as things of no worth1 and prove not profitable to any one1 7whereas if there were ,men that understood but the ,art of it1 there might redound a great benefit to the ,lands where they are74 ,it hath seemed to me worth while to declare it to my ,country1 nor doubt ,i but that there will arise some diligent ingenuities1 who will lay the thing to heart1 and take care thereabouts1 and will even set their hands to the work it self1 and thence get much profit2 which to me would be very pleasing and acceptable4 ,therefore 7in the ,name of ,god7 will ,i set about the manifestation of the ,gifts of ,god 7which lie every where unknown1 and wholly disesteemed1 and which yield no ,man any fruit7 and lay them open before the ,eyes of the whole ,world1 that so they may be better known hereafter1 and be of more benefit to the ,country4 ,and ,i beseech the most ,wealthy1 and the most ,ancient ,housholder1 our most merciful ,father1 to bestow a ,blessing1 and good success on this my endeavour1 that it may tend to the ,honour of his most ,holy ,name1 and the health of all our ,souls4 ,amen4 ,of the difference of ,minerals1 and what is understood by the ,name of ,minerals4 ,as concerning the word ,mineral1 why all ,fossile and ,metalick ,mines are so called afore they have been wrought upon1 and brought by the fire into ,malleable ,metals1 ,i judge it but of small moment to make any tedious ,comment thereupon2 besides1 others have long ago thoroughly treated of that1 and yet it makes but little to the thing it self4 ,but my purpose is 7at present7 to teach1 what means such little esteemed ,minerals may be made useful1 and profitable by2 but afore ,i begin this work1 ,i will recite1 and shew the many sorts of ,minerals that there be2 then next that1 ,i will shew how1 by the benefit of fire1 and the hands of the ,artificer1 they may be converted into better bodies1 and become useful1 and profitable for ,mankind4 ,under the ,name of ,minerals are comprehended1 or reckoned these following1 viz4 ,antimony1 ,auripigment1 ,white1 ,yellow1 and ,red ,arsenick1 ,cobolt1 ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,zink1 ,bismute1 or the ,silvery ,marchasite1 likewise the ,golden ,marchasite1 ,pyrites1 or ,copperas stones1 ,vitriol of various kinds2 as also1 its kindred1 may be added to the number of ,minerals4 ,and albeit1 that some do also referr ,alume1 ,salt-petre1 ,sal ,armoniack1 ,sal ,gem1 and others of that kind to the rank of ,minerals1 yet cannot ,i acknowledge them for such1 or reckon them up amongst the number of the above mentioned1 seeing there is nothing ,metalline to be found in them3 ,such only therefore do ,i call ,minerals1 that have in them a ,metalline nature1 and which do admit of being joined with other ,metals1 and of being molten together with them in the fire1 and out of which the known ,malleable ,metals1 may be extracted4 ,these are they which ,i intend to treat of1 and will see1 what good is thencefrom extractable4 ,and first of all we'll speak of ,antimony4 ,antimony is the noblest ,mineral of all1 not only because it doth for the most part contain ,gold in it1 but upon this account too1 because more eminent ,medicines may be thencefrom prepared for the use of ,mankind4 ,in the ,mine-pits it has its peculiar ,veins2 that which is found in ,transilvania1 hath some little bigger portion of ,gold in it1 and is accompted of as the best in all ,europe1 next that is the ,hungarian 1 which likewise doth sometimes contain no contemptible portion of ,gold2 next is the ,fechtenbergick1 which is found at a small ,town call'd1 in the ,german ,tongue1 ,gold-,gronack2 the ,polonian sort1 and that which is found in most places of ,germany1 contains but little ,gold1 or none at all2 but there is some which has much ,silver in it1 and 7for the most part7 is neither wont to be used1 nor desired1 or sought for1 save by the ,letter ,founders1 and these use it to make their ,matters flow4 ,also many do use it 7viz4 7 in ,medicine1 and do much good therewith1 but it hath certain ,enemies who are none of the wisest1 and so is hated1 and rejected4 ,but yet there lies in it more hidden good1 than all its ,enemies are able to conceive of1 witness my ,panacea1 which is mentioned in the second part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica4 ,and ,basil ,valentine1 certainly an excellent ,philosopher1 writ the ,triumphant ,chariot in its ,honour1 which is an exquisite ,book and profitable to read4 ,but as concerning the way of making a ,regulus out of ,antimony1 and as to the uses it serves for1 that ,i have described in the fourth part of my ,furnaces4 ,moreover1 as to the manner of depurating ,gold thereby1 and cleansing it from all ,heterogeneous mixtures1 and as to the graduating of silver1 thereby1 that it may become ,golden1 all this have ,i spoken of in the ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi2 and as to what other effects may profitably be done1 therewith in ,metalick ,operations1 shall be shown1 partly in this ,treatise1 partly in the third and fourth ensuing parts4 ,as concerning the way of separating it in quantity out of the ,ore1 per descensum1 is to be seen in ,george ,agricola's ,book1 that he wrote of the ,metalick ,art1 and in others2 nor indeed belongs it to this place to speak thereof4 ,of ,arsenick4 ,arsenick likewise is a good ,fossile1 or profitable ,mineral1 and is put to many ,uses4 ,it also hath its singular1 or distinct ,veins in the ,earth1 whence it is taken2 it is forced out of the ,ore by ,ascension1 and ,descension1 and is purified for use3 ,it is found white1 yellow1 and red4 ,also some silvery ,minerals or ,ores do in their solution1 or melting2 yield much ,arsenick1 which the ,melters of the ,ores do catch in ,chimneys or ,funnels made for that purpose1 and keep it for use2 concerning which1 you may read in ,george ,agricola's ,writings4 ,so likewise1 ,cobolt yields ,arsenick1 and so do some ,golden ,minerals1 or ,ore2 that which is separated from a ,minera of ,gold1 per descensum1 is very red1 and auriferous2 and this1 those that deal with ,metals1 have experience of2 which1 if they separate not from the ,gold ,ore afore they melt it1 it carrys away a great part of the ,gold1 and hides it in its ,belly in the melting1 so that they would not have so much ,gold as there is in the ,ore4 ,for indeed1 such a kind of ,arsenick1 is an unripe ,gold1 as shall be hereafter proved3 ,so then1 there lies more hidden in that ,contemptible1 and ,venomous ,arsenick1 than any one will easily perswade himself to believe4 ,there are also ,medicines prepared out of it1 but such1 as serve only to be externally applied1 in inveterate1 and virulent ,evils1 as the ,cancer1 and ,fistula4 ,it is also used in ,colouring and ,dying ,cloaths1 concerning which1 you may peruse my other ,writings4 ,of ,auripigment4 ,this ,mineral is in a manner of the same ,essence that ,arsenick is of2 but this does not come forth of ,minera's1 or ,metalline ,ores1 but hath peculiar ,veins of its own1 in which it is generated2 it is an unripe ,mineral1 and doth for the most part also contain ,gold4 ,it is exceedingly ,poisonous and ,volatile1 and therefore it is but little used1 save only by ,painters4 ,it can be fixed by ,nitre1 and it makes ,copper white1 and brittle1 as ,arsenick doth3 ,and it suffers it self to be sublimed out of its yellowness1 into ,transparent ,rubies1 which are used for ,ornaments sake4 ,of ,cobolt4 ,amongst all the ,minerals that are to be found ,cobolt is the most poisonous2 it's an unripe silver1 and it ofttimes yields in melting good silver1 yet one sort more than other2 some also there is which hath not any ,silver at all1 and is used about the sky-colour'd ,smalt1 to help make it1 with an addition of ,fusile ,sand1 and ,potters ,ashes4 ,but when they meet with that which has ,silver in it1 they separate it thencefrom by ,fusion2 besides1 it may be so fixt by the help of ,salt-petre as to yield permanent ,silver1 as shall anon be spoken of4 ,of the ,silvery ,marchasite4 ,the silver ,marchasite1 or ,wismuth1 is a known ,mineral2 it's every where found to and again in the silver ,mine-pits1 as well as ,cobolt is1 but yet it is much more fixt than ,cobolt2 neither is it of so poisonous a ,nature4 ,it is gotten out of its ,ore1 or ,minera1 most easily by a small flame of wood fire1 and is used by the ,pewterers to make their ,pewter hard1 sounding1 and fluxile4 ,likewise1 out of its scoria or drossy parts1 is the blue ,smalt also prepared1 which the ,potters use to glaze their ,pots1 and the ,glass-men to make sky-colour'd ,glasses4 ,it doth very frequently abound with much silver1 and 'tis rare to find any that is wholly void of silver3 ,and if it holds so much silver1 as is of more value than the ,marchasite can be sold for 7as 'tis barely ,bismute7 they separate it1 if not1 they leave it in it4 ,for if an hundred weight doth not contain #bj or #cj ,lots1 or half ,ounces they do not separate it1 because the ,marchasite will yield so much4 ,but now1 the ,silver may be gotten out of the ,marchasite1 by ,salt-petre1 so as that the remaining ,marchasite shall lose nothing of its goodness nor be at all spoiled1 as ,i have shewed in the ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,of the ,golden ,marchasite4 ,the name of ,marchasite is proper to every unripe ,metallick matter 7and is7 of as many sorts as there are ,metals2 hereupon the matter which has ,gold in it1 is called the ,golden ,marchasite2 that which has ,copper1 the ,coppery2 that which has ,iron1 the ,irony1 and so that which abounds with ,sulphur1 is called the ,sulphureous ,marchasite4 ,but now there is ,sulphur in all the ,marchasites1 and sometimes ,arsenick too1 but 7the ,golden ones7 have more of ,gold than the other ,marchasites have2 ,besides1 out of all kinds of ,marchasites proceeds 7for the most part7 a ,vitriol1 which shews the nature of that ,metal1 which the ,marchasite contains2 one while ,copper1 sometimes ,iron2 'tis rare to find a ,marchasite that hath no ,metal at all in it2 if it hath nothing of ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper1 yet has it ,iron1 and gives out of it self a ,vitriol useful for ,dyers1 and which such as prepare ,aqua-fortis cannot be without4 ,of ,zink4 ,zink is a ,volatile ,mineral1 or a half ripe ,metal when it is drawn out of its ,ore4 ,it is much clearer and brighter than ,tin1 yet not so malleable and fluxile as ,tin is1 and it is usually put to ,tin to make it brighter and harder4 ,we have it not much growing in ,germany1 but great quantity of it is every year brought us by the ,merchants out of the ,east-,indies4 ,the way how to prepare it for ,medicinal uses1 have ,i described in the first part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces4 ,it is a golden but an unripe ,mineral1 it gives ,red ,copper a ,yellow ,colour and turns it into ,brass1 as ,lapis ,calaminaris doth2 and indeed that same ,stone is nothing else but unmeltable ,zink1 and this ,zink may properly be called a fusile ,lapis ,calaminaris2 for as much as both of them partake of one nature4 ,but with ,zink1 there is most an end conjoined ,lead too1 and then it is not fit to make ,brass of1 unless the ,lead be first taken thereoutof2 so it is at ,goslaria1 where together with the ,minera or ,ore of ,zink is ,lead also digg'd out mixt amongst it1 and is called a ,lead ,ore1 though there be contained in that ,ore1 four times more of ,zink than there is of ,lead1 and yet they burn up the ,zink for to have the ,lead1 which ,lead hath some ,silver in it4 ,in the melting it flies away in fume1 and it is a volatile and combustible ,mineral1 and sublimes it self up into the holes of the ,furnace1 whereupon the ,melters or ,founders are constrained to knock it off frequently1 least it should too much lessen the ,furnace2 this matter they knock off1 they call ,calmei 7which is ,lapis ,calaminaris7 and which turns red ,copper into ,brass1 with encrease 7of its weight72 and so verily by means of the not-knowing or being skill'd in this ,ore1 a great quantity is yearly burnt up and lost4 ,sometimes the founders do gather somewhat of the ,zink1 which is most excellently excellent2 but that ,ore might be melted with far greater profit1 if they did not so burn up the ,zink1 and force it into fume1 but seeing men are hardly drawn back from an old custom1 it must be born with4 ,but yet 7,i say again7 if that ,ore were handled in a due manner1 there would redound far greater profit thencefrom than now doth4 ,such a kind of ,mineral as this is doth ,westphalia also yield1 which the founders there accompt for a ,leaden ,ore1 because it has some load mixed with it1 but when it comes to be freed or molten it goes 7all7 away in fume1 and therefore they say1 it is also a ,calmei or ,calaminaris ,ore1 and so it lies unused4 ,of ,calmei or ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,calmei ,ore is digged out in many places in ,germany1 but there is none of such note as that which is found at ,aquisgrane1 for that is wholly void of all kind of ,leadyness1 and much different from that of ,goslaria1 or ,westphalia2 and therefore it is also very fit to make ,brass of1 which is there made in plenty1 and farther1 this has ,gold in it1 though not so much as to quit the ,costs of separating it4 ,but there is no ,mineral richer with ,gold than this1 and could it but be ripened 7and ,i doubt not at all of the possibility of so doing7 a good deal of ,gold might be drawn out from thence4 ,as concerning what else may be performed with that ,mineral1 ,i have formerly told you in my ,first and ,second ,part of ,furnaces1 nor is it needful to treat of the same thing more at large in this place4 ,of ,common ,sulphur4 ,sulphur or ,brimstone is the most known1 most used1 and most combustible ,mineral of all4 ,as touching its uses in ,medicine1 and in ,alchimy1 about the separation of ,metals2 may you find something mentioned by my self1 in the writings ,i formerly published1 and in the writings of others too4 ,but at present we will only mind you of this1 viz4 ,that it is the very ,foundation and ,root of all the ,metals2 for tis rare to find any mine wherein ,sulphur does not shew it self4 ,very many places in the ,world1 is ,sulphur both made and digged out of the ,earth1 in very great quantity1 that chiefly in ,island1 and in ,italy1 nigh to those always burning ,mountains1 ,heckla and ,vesuvius2 it is also drawn out of ,marchasites per ,descensum in many places of ,germany1 so that enough of it may every where be had for a little money4 ,these are the chiefest ,minerals that ,i ever knew of1 and these are they which are commonly sought after1 and applied to use4 ,but now1 besides these1 there are so many various kinds of ,fossiles and ,minerals to be met withal1 that one cannot reckon them all up1 or give them peculiar ,names4 ,one contains ,sulphur1 and ,arsenick1 another1 ,cobolt and ,sulphur2 another ,antimony1 and ,arsenick1 and of that kind are there very many more4 ,but yet those that we have reckoned up1 are the most known1 and most in use1 and therefore shall at present be sufficient for us to speak of4 ,having now taught what ,minerals are1 and which of them are most known used2 ,i will now teach1 in the next place1 by what means they may 7by the help of ,salt-petre1 of other ,subjects7 be fixed1 concentrated1 imbodied1 or brought into ,metals1 so as to be rendred profitable for the use of ,mankind1 and which otherwise lie every where to and again neglected and1 are wont to be of no esteem4 ,and as to the ,concentration of ,minerals1 thus stands the ,case with them2 they are either to be fixed subdued1 as 'twere by the help of ,salt-petre1 that so they may not so suddenly fly away in fume in the fire1 and be burnt up1 but may abide the fire and suffer themselves to be molten2 or they are to be reduced into bodies by the help of ,metals1 that so they may come in use1 and that by augmenting the ,metals1 as ,lapis ,calaminaris does1 or they are to be purifyed1 separated1 and made better1 as shall be mentioned of ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 and the others1 that so those kind of ,minerals of which there lies to and again1 at present1 great quantities1 wholly neglected1 and profitable to no body1 may hereafter be of use and benefit4 ,and first of all1 as to the fixation of the ,minerals1 the way of proceeding is thus1 viz4 ,the ,mineral is to be powdered1 and to be mixt with equal weight of burning ,salt-petre1 and so to be fired1 that the combustible and volatile part of the ,sulphur may be forc'd away1 and the ,mineral may afterwards brook the fire the better1 and be molten and forced downwards 7per descensum72 which operation ,i have treated of in the explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and therefore think it needless to repeat the same thing again here4 ,by this mean therefore may ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 ,zink1 ,bismute1 and other ,volatile ,minerals be in some sort fixt by the inflaming and burning up with ,salt-petre1 so as afterwards to endure the fire1 and to yield forth the good they have in them4 ,there's also another way of imbodying ,volatile ,minerals1 viz4 by the benefit of ,metals2 if the ,metals and ,minerals are joined together in a due measure1 and be likewise united together by the virtue of a ,cementing fire2 then doth the volatile ,mineral penetrate it self into the ,metal1 and becomes ,metalline1 and doth also encrease the ,metal1 as is evident in ,calmei or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 which being joined with red ,copper and cemented1 enters into it1 augments and encreaseth it1 and turneth it into ,brass2 whereas there cannot be any ,metal educed out of the ,calmei by the usual way of melting4 ,in like manner may all ,arsenical minerals be 7by cementation7 introduced into ,copper1 made corporeal2 and these do not colour the ,copper yellow as ,calmei doth1 but make it white1 nor is the ,copper rendred maleable thereby but britle2 but yet 'tis not without profit2 for if that white ,copper be handled after a convenient manner of taming or over-mastering it1 then the ,gold and ,silver that was in the ,arsenick1 betakes its self into ,regulus's1 which are to be depurated in a ,test or ,cupel1 or else by the help of ,salt-petre2 but there cannot any metalline body be made out of ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 or ,cobolt1 by bare melting4 ,the way of proceeding with it is thus2 ,the ,copper is to be cut into small bits1 and to be moistned over with ,linseed ,oil1 and the ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt or any other ,realgar is to be powdered and strewed thereupon1 and so a bed of ,copper1 and a bed of ,arsenick to be put one a top of another in a melting ,pot2 then the ,pot is to be well covered and fenced with ,lute1 and placed in a circulatory fire1 and the fire is to be put nearer and nearer to it1 until the ,pot is through red hot1 then let it cool1 and you shall find that the ,arsenick hath gotten ingress into the ,copper1 and makes it black and brittle4 ,the ,copper thus burnt1 may be reduced into powder1 and burnt with good ,salt-petre1 whereby the ,volatile ,gold and ,silver which was contained in the ,arsenick1 is made corporeal1 and abides as constant upon the ,test as other fixt ,metals do2 so that by this means permanent and good ,gold and ,silver may be gotten out of every sort of ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and the other volatile1 venomous and base minerals4 ,,nb4 ,this kind of operation is very dangerous to those that are unskilful1 and who being unversed in the ,chymick ,art1 have not learned to take heed to themselves4 ,and therefore it behoves every one to beware of doing ought rashly or heedlesly4 ,he that knows not how to carry himself 7or his business7 warily1 let him forbear to meddle at all with this labour or process3 ,but as for one who is better versed1 and pretty well experienc'd1 he may set about this work safely and will gain by it3 ,because there is oftentimes found ,arsenick and ,auripigment that hath in it much hidden volatile ,gold and ,silver1 and which cannot be retained in the common way of melting by ,fire1 but will totally fly away3 ,but now if it be imprinted in the ,copper by ,cementation1 and fixt in the same by ,salt-petre1 and then precipitated by means of ,lead or ,iron into ,regulus's1 it will render all that fixt which afore was unfixt and flying4 ,but as concerning such a ,cementation and ,fixation to be done by ,nitre1 will be manifested by the following process4 ,,nb4 ,but you are carefully to observe1 that one mineral must help another in the separation of their ,gold and ,silver 7if you would undertake this ,labour for profit73 ,for so each will produce what it has in more abundance1 and thou wilt have a greater reward for thy pains and costs4 ,for example1 ,i prove and try ,auripigment or ,arsenick1 and find that it is auriferous1 and ,i have a mind to perfect it and turn it unto my use2 hereupon do ,i look for such ,copper as is likewise auriferous1 7and indeed there's plenty enough of such every where73 ,into this ,copper do ,i introduce my auriferous ,arsenick by ,cementation1 and that ,i may not need to cupellate 7or blow off7 the same upon a ,test 7for the very ,labour of so doing will cost more than the gains will be of that separation7 ,i do precipitate the ,gold that is therein into a ,regulus1 which ,regulus being purified1 ,i obtain the ,gold that was contained in that ,arsenick and ,copper1 neither is there any need of cupellating all the ,copper4 ,but that the precipitation of the ,regulus may be the more commodiously done1 ,i proceed on this wise4 ,i find out some ,antimony of a good sort1 and which is of a ,golden nature2 likewise such ,iron as hath ,gold in it1 both which1 viz4 the ,iron and the ,antimony1 may easily be gotten1 and then ,i set on the separation which ,i thus institute4 ,first of all ,i implant the auriferous ,arsenick into the auriferous ,copper 7if such may be had7 then reduce ,i these into powder1 and fire them with an equal admixt weight of burning ,salt-petre2 by this means the ,arsenick is made a little more fixt1 and suffers it self to be the better dealt withal in the fire1 but if you are well skilled in this kind of labour you may spare your ,salt-petre and may melt down your ,copper 7burnt with the ,arsenick and powdered7 with an equal weight of ,antimony4 ,and if of its own accord it lets fall a ,regulus out of it self1 then there needs no precipitation1 the ,regulus may be laid by1 and that which remains may be likewise precipitated into a ,regulus with common ,iron2 and this 7last ,regulus7 is also of use1 as shall hereafter follow3 ,but if not 7that no ,regulus falls7 then that ,mass may again be put into a ,crucible1 be molten1 and a little ,iron filings be cast in to make it settle2 the which must be stirr'd about with a red hot ,iron rod1 and when it's well molten1 'tis to be poured out into an ,iron ,cone2 which being cool1 the ,regulus may be knockt off1 in which ,regulus will you have the ,gold that was in the ,arsenick1 ,copper1 ,antimony and ,iron4 ,this ,regulus must be cupellated either by ,salt-petre in a ,crucible1 or with ,lead upon a ,test2 which done1 you will have the ,gold that lay hid1 and shut up in the afore-mentioned ,minerals4 ,but now1 if one hath a mind to make that separation yet more compendious1 and to have greater benefit thereby1 he may add to that ,copper burnt by the ,arsenick1 some ,silver burnt with ,brimstone1 and so melt it with the ,antimony1 and by the means of ,mars precipitate them into a ,regulus1 then the ,silver will so much the better draw to it self the ,gold out of the ,arsenick and ,antimony1 and yield 7in the separation7 greater benefit4 ,,nb4 ,if so be a man be not skilful in this operation1 let him forbear his ,silver a little1 and add some ,silver to the ,regulus by melting them1 and then afterwards purifie the ,regulus by ,salt-petre2 for so the ,gold that is in the ,regulus associates its self to the adjoined ,silver1 and inricheth it with no little increase1 viz4 according as the ,minerals have had more or less ,silver1 in the making their separation4 ,and this is such a work as seems sufficiently able commodiously to sustain life2 but it requires an experienced ,artist1 not a giddy headed fellow4 ,neither have ,i written this process for those who are not as yet well versed in ,pyrotechny1 but for such who are well skill'd and dexterous2 and although this kind of operation needs no great store of ,art1 yet notwithstanding1 every one will not rightly perfect it1 and therefore do ,i warn such as are not well skill'd in ,pyrotechny to desist from this labour1 and betake themselves to some other1 and set themselves about doing such things in which haply they are better skill'd1 and not to lay the blame on me1 when they are frustrated of their expectation1 as if ,i had not dealt faithfully and sincerely in my writing1 but let them rather impute it to their own preposterous rashness and unskilfulness2 and what loss soever they bring upon themselves1 let them impute it only to their own 7misconceptions74 ,to deal plainly with you1 that labour is conjoyned with some difficulty2 but yet if any one be diligent and well exercised in the ,pyrotechnical ,art1 the operation will succeed in such an ones hands very pleasantly2 nor will he want a worthy profit1 especially if he takes such ,minerals as are richest1 and use them about this separation4 ,but some perhaps will say1 ,whence shall ,i have those so good ,minerals8 ,who demonstrates to me1 which are auriferous1 and which are not auriferous1 which are good1 and which are to be rejected1 that so least being deluded in this1 ,i should lose all my labour8 ,i would have such a one know1 that if he has not gotten so much skill and experience as to prove a ,mineral1 whether it be auriferous1 or not1 he is not at all fit to take upon him this ,labour of separation1 and he were far better advised1 if he wholly abstained from setting about it4 ,but yet that ,i may not omit ought which may seem to be desired from me1 ,i will over and above add here in this place1 what way ,minerals may be proved by1 whether they be auriferous or not1 and 'tis on this wise to be done2 all ,realgars1 as ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and others of that kind1 are first of all to be implanted into ,copper by cementation1 then are they to be molten1 or throughly purged and subdued with ,lead 7like as you do with a crude ,mineral72 after this1 there comes out a certain little silvery ,pellet1 and this you are to prove as you would for ,gold4 ,now according to the moreness or lessness of the same1 so is the business to be ordered1 and compute to be made1 whether or no the said ,mineral is worth the pains of separation as aforesaid4 ,likewise the ,copper it self may be cupellated with ,lead alone1 and then the remaining silver ,pellet be proved for the ,gold1 with ,aqua-,fortis2 but as for the ,antimony1 and ,iron1 they may be well melted jointly together in a ,test under a ,cover or ,muffel1 or in a clean ,crucible in a ,wind ,furnace1 with this observation1 that there be used twice as much ,antimony as ,iron1 and so a ,regulus will settle1 which is to be purged or tried with ,lead in a ,test1 and kept flowing till all the fugacious parts are evaporated1 which done1 there is found a silver ,pellet1 which is to be proved with ,aqua-fortis1 how much ,gold it has4 ,,nb4 ,this probation1 or trial is to be accounted of as a certain and lawful trial1 but such though as you may easily err in the doing of1 and so may have nothing1 though it had in it a good part of ,gold2 for the ,antimony will not easily suffer it self to be vanquished1 or go off1 but it will break the ,test1 or ,cupel1 and the little ,pellet which is the probatory ,globulus betakes it self 7by reason of the fierceness1 or eating penetrativeness into the ,test7 so that the ,proba or trial it self1 may most easily become fallacious1 and yield no certain discovery4 ,which to remedy1 the business is to be thus managed1 after that your two parts of ,antimony shall have been well melted in the ,crucible1 with your one part of ,iron1 there must be put thereinto a little dried ,salt-petre powder1 and the ,pot1 or ,crucible must again be covered over1 and care taken to make them melt well together2 then are they to be poured out into an ,iron ,cone first smeared over with ,wax1 and when 'tis cold1 the ,regulus is to be knockt off from the ,scoria1 to which must be added twice or thrice the weight thereof of ,lead1 and the ,regulus of the ,antimony doth in the melting-pot separate it self by ,salt-petre from the ,lead1 and the ,lead is to be afterwards cupellated1 and so that goes all off1 and the true weight is had4 ,but albeit1 that this description be clearly enough delivered1 yet certain ,i am1 that one in ten will not understand it aright1 and therefore it is behoveful1 more fully to inform1 and clearly to shew the ,reduction of that ,regulus into scoria by ,salt-petre4 ,to make this trial or proof 'tis not needful to take a huge vast pot to fill with ,iron1 'tis sufficient to take of ,iron #ajj l4 of the smaller probatory weight1 and #bjj l4 of ,antimony1 both which are to be molten together1 and to be precipitated with a little ,salt-petre1 for so the ,regulus doth the better separate it self from the scoria's1 the which is then to be washt and purified by ,lead and ,salt-petre4 ,this ,regulus that comes from the ,antimony and ,iron1 put with three times its weight of ,lead in a clean ,crucible1 and make them well to flow in a wind ,furnace1 but cover your pot close that no ,coals fall in1 and so hinder the work1 then take off the cover and throw in a little powdered ,salt-petre1 and again cover the ,crucible1 and above all things have a care that there fall not in any ,coals1 and let them lie and operate a little upon each other1 then the ,salt-petre imbibes all the ,antimony1 ,iron1 and ,lead1 and thereby becomes hard4 ,this being done1 some more ,salt-petre is to be again cast in1 and you must make them flow together1 and so all the whole parcel of ,antimony1 ,iron1 and ,lead1 betake themselves into the ,salt-petre1 and pass into scoria1 but part of the ,lead remains whole or free1 and is not scorified1 and therein will the ,gold be1 which the ,antimony and ,iron had immixed in them1 which if it be blown off on a probatory ,cupel1 or ,test1 under a ,muffel1 there will then remain the true weight4 ,,nb4 ,but it is expedient1 that there be a just proportion observed in this kind of ,work1 that you take not overmuch ,salt-petre to this ablution1 or converting it into scoria1 and so bring all the ,lead into scoria1 but the business is so to be managed1 that there be left remaining one third part at least1 of those three parts of ,lead you took1 which is not reduced into scoria with the ,antimony2 then may it be poured out into a ,cone1 and when 'tis cool1 the ,regulus is to be knockt off from the scoria1 and ,cupellated4 ,,nb4 ,he that is minded to wash ,metals after this manner by the help of ,salt-petre1 and to reduce them into scoria1 must have an especial care that not a ,coal falls into the ,crucible1 for they will much hurt1 and will again precipitate them1 which the ,salt-petre hath already imbibed1 and so render the operation invalid4 ,besides1 it is worth the while to admonish1 and tell you that all ,arsenick1 and ,antimony is auriferous1 but yet so1 as that one sort is richer than another1 and that abundance of ,copper and ,iron hath likewise in it ,gold1 which no body finds out1 nor can it be separated by that old beaten way of ,cupellating it with ,lead4 ,but some1 or other might here say1 ,where shall ,i find ,arsenick1 ,antimony1 ,copper1 and ,iron1 which have ,gold in them8 ,had they any thing of worth in them1 others would doubtlesly have extracted it1 and not have suffered it to come to my hands whole and sound8 ,to satisfie such an one1 ,i answer thus1 tho' those that work on the ,metals1 do for the most part know1 that there is in ,arsenick and ,antimony1 a ,volatile ,gold1 yet know they not how to extract it thencefrom with profit1 for the separating way they take would cost more than the ,gold they should have would yield1 because 7according to their usual way and custom of working7 all of it would vanish away with fume4 ,and this is to be understood of ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and ,antimony1 all which may 7by the way we have here mentioned7 be tamed and introduced into ,copper1 and be made permanent and fixt4 ,but now1 that there should sometimes be ,gold implanted1 naturally in ,copper1 and should there also be left remaining untoucht1 is so done on this account1 because there is not in it so much as to pay the ,costs of the separating it by ,lead 7for verily the ,cupellating it with ,lead on a ,test1 requires great expences47 ,this is the reason why ,gold lies immixed in the ,copper oftentimes1 and cannot be thence extracted with profit4 ,the same is to be understood of ,iron1 for a ,vein of ,iron doth oftentimes offer it self1 which is very much impregnated with the more precious ,metals1 and yet no body either knows1 or observes it4 ,for the ,ore of ,iron is for the most part wont to be forced out by unskilful ,men who have no care at all of the ,gold1 but only of such an ,ore as contains a good portion of good and malleable ,iron2 and suppose they did certainly know1 that there were in #ajj l4 of ,iron1 some ,lots of ,gold1 by what means 7,i pray7 would they extract it thencefrom8 ,for ,iron cannot be dealt withal by ,cupellation on the ,test1 much less can it be separated 7as ,copper is7 by the means of ,lead2 so that there's no reason for any one to wonder that there are so few to be found1 that promise themselves1 or seek after much good out of ,iron1 seeing it is not so apt a ,subject to be separated1 and subdued as ,copper is4 ,but by the help of ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 or ,antimony1 'tis no difficult matter to tame1 and bring it under1 so as to make it yield forth what it has3 ,and 'tis thus4 ,this ,iron1 which is auriferous1 may first be cemented with ,arsenick1 as we have afore taught of doing so with ,copper1 then is it to be precipitated into ,regulus's by means of ,antimony1 which ,reguli being imbued1 or mixed with ,lead1 and reduced by ,salt-petre into scoria1 and cupellated1 the ,gold doth at last offer it self 7which was hidden in the ,minerals1 or ,ores1 and so despised7 and that with no contemptible profit4 ,but now if any hath a mind to have the business yet more perfect1 he may instead of ,lead1 add some ,gold1 and then reduce the ,regulus into scoria's1 by ,salt-petre1 and abstract it from the ,gold2 for so the ,gold you put thereto doth the better hold that other ,gold which it has attracted out of the ,regulus1 and there is made a much more plentiful encrease1 than if the ,regulus had been scorified upon ,lead4 ,nor are the scoria to be thrown away1 but they may be precipitated by throwing in live ,coals1 whereby the ,salt-petre doth again let fall the ,regulus which it hath swallowed up1 and which ,regulus you may separate from the dross when 'tis cold4 ,this ,regulus may be afterwards commodiously used in other ,metalick ,operations1 that so it may yield anew out of it self the ,gold2 concerning which business there will a place fall in to speak of by and by4 ,and besides1 those drossy ,offals 7which for the gratest part are fixt ,salt-petre7 are also of good worth1 which may be reserved for the subsequent ,metallick ,operation1 which may be stiled a perpetual ,metallick-working artifice2 so that there is nothing at all wasted1 but all things are of use4 ,and this way of the separation of ,metals is so very profitable1 as that any one may get himself sufficient gain for to supply the necessities of ,life4 ,but if you have no fansie to meddle with ,arsenick1 or ,auripigment and would willingly shun them by reason of their poisonous nature1 they may even be omitted1 and you may cement that auriferous ,iron1 with the ,golden ,marchasite1 melt it with ,antimony1 and precipitate it into ,regulus's4 ,for even by this means too1 the ,gold that was in the ,marchasite1 is brought in use1 and yields an increase to that ,gold which is extracted out of the ,iron and ,antimony4 ,but if so be there be no ,golden ,marchasite to be gotten1 that separation may be ordered1 even with ,iron and ,antimony1 and if the ,iron be but auriferous1 the ,labour will not be without profit4 ,this kind of separation or eduction of ,gold out of the volatile ,minerals1 and baser ,metals will be an egregious aid or benefit to such as have learned rightly to operate in the ,fire1 and whom 7otherwise7 a grievous want of things and small estate afflicts2 for there is enough of the aforesaid ,minerals1 every where obvious1 but they cannot be well handled1 or wrought upon by reason of their unfixedness and immaturity1 and therefore do they lie neglected and as it were wholly useless1 and are not made beneficial to any4 ,i know that some do well understand the way of fixing ,cobolt1 and ,bismuth by ,salt-petre1 and do thence get an abundance of ,silver2 and likewise there are some that know how to tame and subdue ,arsenical ,realgars by the help of ,salt-petre1 so that they suffer themselves to be molten1 and yield forth their hidden ,gold and ,silver4 ,but he that shall so manage the business as to adjoin thereto the auriferous imperfect ,metals1 such an one will make a more successful work thereof2 especially if he gets himself some auriferous ,iron1 the which he may get for a small matter3 ,and besides1 if he makes his ,salt-petre himself1 then all that whole operation of fixing or separating the volatile ,minerals would be done with very little costs1 and yield much gain4 ,,nb4 ,but now if any one would yet get more profit by this separatory operation1 then he must contrive the doing it not in ,crucibles or ,pots1 but in hearths 7or furnaces7 where a great heap of the volatile ,mineral may by fixing ,nitre melt together1 and be precipitated into ,regulus3 then the ,regulus may be separated from the ,scoria1 and be depurated by ,nitre in other ,furnaces1 and be fitted for use2 and so by this means may there be so much gain gotten1 the like whereof1 the great heaps of ,ores which ,men are necessitated to dig out of the bowels of the ,earth with so much expence and charges1 will scarce afford4 ,likewise all ,minerals may by the help of ,salt-petre be fixed by the moist way1 so as to yield permanent ,gold and ,silver2 whereby 7without doubt7 full as much1 if not more1 is obtained1 as is by the dry way4 ,the way of operating is this4 ,dissolve a volatile ,mineral1 be it ,cobolt1 or ,zink1 ,wismuth1 ,calmei1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 or any other the like mineral1 in a strong ,aqua-fortis2 the solution being made1 separate the ,aqua-fortis again2 then shall you have remaining a white ,calx1 which is fixed by the virtue of the ,aqua-fortis3 ,so that now it will admit of being molten with ,lead1 of being separated from the ,scoria1 and of being cupellated4 ,but he that knows how to melt that ,calx with ,antimony and to precipitate it with auriferous ,copper and ,iron1 gets more ,gold than by that operation with ,lead4 ,but haply1 every one can't perform that separation2 for the excoction or melting1 the reduction into ,scoria1 and ,cupellating upon the ,test1 are operations more known and easier to be done4 ,moreover1 there are also some ,minerals1 which may be fixed with the moist fire1 that is1 with a most strong ,aq4 fortis1 so as to yield their ,gold and ,silver in the ,scoria1 but especially ,tin1 ,quick-silver1 and ,lead3 ,if a vehemently-strong ,aq4 fortis be but once abstracted from ,tin1 it makes it so fixt1 as that it will not fly away in the greatest ,fire1 but will melt into a white ,glass4 ,but now1 if you would have it to yield forth its ,gold1 you must melt other ,metals with it1 into which the ,gold may insinuate it self1 and be made corporeal1 such as are ,silver and ,lead4 ,lead1 if it be dissolved in ,aq4 fortis1 and precipitated by ,urine1 it gets such a hardness1 that it will scarce melt in a ,crucible2 if you precipitate it with a ,lixivium1 it becomes glassy2 if with ,salt-water1 it is rendered exceedingly volatile2 for common ,salt makes all ,metals volatile1 and on the other hand1 ,nitre fixeth them both by the moist and by the dry way1 binds them1 and constrains them to abide in the ,fire2 and this you are to know aforehand4 ,now1 for the better confirmation of this thing1 see how easily the common ,mercury is made to abide the fire1 if ,aq4 fortis shall have been several times drawn off therefrom1 insomuch that it will suffer it self to be made wholly red-hot4 ,but now1 if the same be sublimed with ,spirit of ,salt1 it becomes more and more volatile1 so amongst all ,salts there's not one that fixeth ,minerals1 save this most noble ,nitre1 and this hath a natural aptness to do it both by the moist and dry way1 as hath been even now demonstrated4 ,and verily1 this way of fixing the imperfect ,metals 7which is done by the help of ,nitre1 by either the moist or dry way7 is to be preferred far before that which is done only with a ,fire of ,wood1 not barely on this account1 because it is sooner and speedilier performed1 but for this reason too1 because it fixeth better and more durably3 ,for if any one shall endeavour to make ,arsenick1 ,cobolt1 or other volatile ,minerals1 permanent or fixt1 by the bare force of common fire1 ,how much time1 ,i pray1 must he allow it8 ,haply it will require some months for this kind of ,work1 if not a whole year1 yet at least half a year 'twill need2 whereas by the means of ,nitre it may be done in one or two daies3 ,for if a volatile ,mineral be mixed with ,nitre1 do fulminate1 and be edulcorated1 and that fulmination be repeated #c or #d times1 it will afterwards endure a sufficiently-vehement melting ,fire4 ,or if a ,mineral be only dissolved in ,aq4 fort4 and that ,aq4 fort4 again drawn off therefrom1 it will even by this means be rendered fixt and constant in the ,fire2 so great is the force and virtue that lies hid in ,salt-petre3 ,and this the ancient ,philosophers well knew1 and therefore said that the most vehement fire of all was to be used to the fixation of volatile ,minerals2 and this fire is hid only in ,nitre1 and is no where else to be found2 for the ,central ,fire hath too soon withdrawn it self from the volatile ,minerals and baser ,metals1 and left them unripe1 and they can be advanced to a maturity1 both by our common ,wood-fire1 and by the fire of ,salt-petre1 and be fixed4 ,and now ,i suppose that ,i have more than sufficiently proved1 by what ,i have said1 ,that ,salt-petre fixeth ,minerals and ,metals1 both by the dry and moist way2 nor can any one reasonably deny the same4 ,moreover1 ,i judge it not fit to pass this too over in silence1 viz4 ,that ,salt-petre doth likewise make volatile1 not only the unripe ,minerals1 but also the fixt ,metals themselves2 so as that they suffer themselves to be sublimed and destilled wholly 7like common ,sulphur or ,mercury7 save the fces1 which are somewhat blackish and stay behind4 ,any understanding man may easily consider here what benefit is to be hoped for from such a ,destillation of ,metals2 for seeing that all things are by destillation brought to the highest purity 7as is clearly evident7 it may well be concluded1 that when in impure metals the pure parts are separated from the impure1 something of excellency must therefrom proceed4 ,i will say no more of this matter at present1 for ,i have already clearly enough demonstrated and plainly enough delivered this kind of destillation or purification of metals1 in the third part of my ,spagyr4 ,pharmacop4 and have there shewn1 that every imperfect metal1 if it shall be destilled1 yields volatile ,gold1 and that that volatile ,gold may be made corporeal1 without almost any ,cost in a particular way1 7and haply also in a universal1 which ,i confess ,i have not as yet proved7 thither therefore referr ,i the studious ,reader of ,hermetick and truly ,philosophical ,arcana and ,secrets4 ,but that the difference of those waies of fixing or concentrating the volatile ,minerals1 and likewise the imperfect ,metals1 may rightly be perceived and laid open1 and that it may appear how much more compendious and easie that way which is done by ,nitre is than that which is done with common fire2 it will be a good help to set down here some process for an example1 by which it will be manifest how laborious this way of doing it barely with ,wood is1 and contrarily how easie that way of doing it by the moist ,fire of ,nitre is4 ,it is impossible to fix ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and such-like as these without the help of ,saltpetre1 unless they are first introduced into other metallick bodies1 and are together with them1 burnt with a ,fire of ,coals1 and reduced into ,ashes1 and turned into ,scoria1 and wholly destroyed1 and then at last reduced again into a metalline form1 by the force of the intense fire of a ,blast or ,bellows3 ,all which1 that they may be dexterously performed1 you must proceed on this manner1 as followeth4 ,first of all1 the ,cobalt1 ,arsenick1 or any ,realgar like these1 that is auriferous1 is to be introduced into ,copper or ,iron by cementation1 in the way that we have aforementioned2 then the ,copper or ,iron thus cemented with the ,realgars1 is to be reduced into fine powder1 and to be commixed with ,antimony1 ,calmei1 or ,calaminaris1 the ,marchasite1 and such order is to be taken1 7if for ,gains sake you would do a greater heap of matter7 to have them slowly and by little and little made red-hot in ,furnaces or ,ovens1 such as in which the flame may have room to play1 and as'twere brandish it self at top of the matters1 and stir them1 and so let them be calcined and burnt into ashes1 until they emit no more fume1 and this will be in some few daies2 then are they to be reduced in a convenient ,furnace1 and restored to their metalline form2 then again must they be put into the former ,oven1 and there be calcined and burnt into ashes1 still stirring them to and fro1 and the ashes are to be reduced1 by the vehement ,blast of ,bellows1 and this ashifying and reduction is to be so long repeated1 till there be a ,regulus found in the reduction1 and all the residue turns into unprofitable ,scoria4 ,this ,regulus then is to be reduced on a ,test into ,scoria1 and the ,regulus being cupellated1 the ,gold and ,silver which the volatile ,minerals contained in them1 doth shew it self4 ,,nb4 ,altho' this reparation is attended on with indifferent labour1 yet notwithstanding 7if there be a great quantity of matter dealt in7 it is also gainful1 especially where ,minerals and ,coals are to be had for a small price1 and also the other imperfect metals 7as ,lead1 ,copper1 and the like7 that concurr in this kind of ,operation2 by which it also comes to pass1 that there is a greater quantity of ,gold and ,silver extracted4 ,for example1 ,i burn ,copper or ,iron with ,arsenick1 ,cobolt1 and other poisonous volatile ,realgars1 or with bare ,calmei only1 which also avails to constringe or bind fast2 with these ,i mix ,antimony1 ,bismuth1 ,zink1 and ,lead1 and melt them together3 ,hence ariseth a brittle mass1 which is to be reduced into ashes1 either in ,ovens1 as is already afore-shewed1 with the flame of ,wood1 which darts it self at top of that mixt matter1 and by heating ripens it1 or by live ,coals in a peculiar ,furnace1 and that on this wise3 ,let there be built a great or small ,furnace1 7of good ,bricks or ,tiles that will endure the ,fire7 according to the quantity of your matter which you take to prepare1 let it be at least a foot over in the inside3 in the forepart let it be open a foots heighth from the ,pavement or ,ground1 to this end1 that the ,grate may be put in and taken out1 as need is4 ,then some #b or #c foot higher than the ,grate1 let a door be made1 whereby you may throw in the ,coals1 and above or at top of the ,furnace are to be made ,chimneys1 fitted to receive and condense the fume of the metal1 that it may not fly into the air1 but being there cool'd1 may be taken out4 ,all this being done1 fill the ,furnace with ,coals1 and when they are well kindled1 cast in a portion of your metalline mixture1 which will quickly melt1 and being melted1 will run through the fiery ,coals1 and still keep fuming1 and elevate it self up into the appointed ,chimneys2 that which melts down through the ,coals and ,grates1 and is in the form of metal under the ,furnace1 7which bottom must be made somewhat shelving71 that the metal which falls down may run into a hole or pit1 is to be taken up with an ,iron ,spoon1 and again thrown in upon the ,coals1 and this is to be so often repeated1 and so long1 till all your whole mixture be burnt into ashes1 or carried up in fume1 and so shall be ashified and sublimed in the appointed ,tunnels or ,chimneys1 which ,flores or metalline ,fumes you must take and reduce them in a reducing ,furnace1 so part of them will pass into a fusile ,metal1 but brittle4 ,this ,metal now must be again ashify'd in that roasting or burning ,furnace1 and be reduced by blast of ,bellows2 and this ashifying and reduction is to be so often repeated1 till all be seen turned into ,dross or ,glass2 which ,dross or ,scorias are then to be reduced with the most vehement blast of ,bellows1 and so they will produce a ,regulus which is to be cupellated with ,lead1 as is abovesaid4 ,,nb4 ,but if so be that of the last-made ,scoria a ,regulus cannot be made by the blast of the ,bellows1 and that the ,scoria remain ,scoria1 'tis a sign that you have taken too much ,tin1 or that your ,fire hath been too intense2 and therefore you must take such ,scoria1 and beat them to powder1 and mix them with a little of either the fluid ,ore of ,lead1 or ,spume thereof1 and make them flow in a reducing ,furnace1 then the ,lead draws the ,gold and ,silver out of the ,scoria1 which may afterwards be cupellated4 ,but as concerning the manner of making the roasting or ashifying ,furnace1 as likewise the fusing or reducing ,furnace1 ,i cannot indeed at present here decipher it1 but ,i will do it in the ,third ,part following1 where more such-like concentrations of ,metals shall be mentioned and treated of4 ,and farther1 the well-minded ,reader must also know1 that this kind of ,concentration is not at all written for those that are as yet wholly ignorant of the ,art of melting metals1 but for such only as have already sweated at the ,fire1 and have been often and much versed in such ,separations or ,liquefactions4 ,i question not1 but there will be many that will despise this my way of operating1 and count it an impossible thing1 such are to be left to please themselves with their own fancies4 ,but withal1 some will be found1 to whom the nature of metals is known1 and these will give credit to what ,i say1 and will abundantly profit themselves1 especially in those places where ,minerals1 ,coals1 and other things requisite are to be had for a small price4 ,the greatest ,expence in this way of ,concentration is the ,coals1 which too cannot be any thing much in those places where there are such vast ,woods4 ,every one may have his liberty to try it or let it alone4 ,,nb4 ,but ,i do openly affirm1 that if so be any one shall know how rightly to handle and manage this ,work1 it may be compared with the perpetual or alwaies-lasting mines2 and where minerals may be had1 it will be most gainful2 but ,i will not perswade any to attempt it in those ,coasts where all things are dear4 ,nor do ,i think it amiss to disswade them that have no experience in these kind of ,operations1 lest upon the ill management of the ,operation1 the effect should not succeed so luckily as they hoped for1 and that then they should lay the blame upon me4 ,that which ,i have at present written1 is agreeable to the ,truth1 and may be successfully and gainfully performed by an experienced ,artist or ,laborator3 ,and therefore as ,i have afore warned1 so do ,i again advise the unexpert to abstain from this ,work1 unless he means to lose his ,labour and ,expences4 ,such things as ,i have here omitted for brevities sake to speak of the ,concentration of ,metals1 the ,third and ,fourth ,part shall abundantly declare2 but whoever he be that shall know how to bring to pass such a ,concentration1 either by the means of ,salt-petre1 by the dry way of a flame1 or the moist way1 by the help of ,aq4 fort4 shall have a better effect than he that useth the ,fire of ,wood2 but on the other hand1 this ,fire by ,wood is of less ,cost than the administration of the ,work of ,salt-petre is4 ,alas6 ,what a deal of costs and labours have ,i bestowed in my life1 in searching out and trying those kind of businesses1 and having now brought it to this pass1 as to be able to yield me the ,reward of my ,pains1 ,i am not able to manage so vehement a fire1 and to order the matters which require so great an heat8 ,therefore do ,i now with a willing mind make an offer of these my ,experiments1 to those who are of a vigorous age1 and have ,bodies capable of undergoing the toiling in the ,fire4 ,but that ,i may return to the things afore spoken of1 and that that ashifying and reduction may not seem to the unexperienc'd altogether impossible and incredible1 ,i will for their sakes bring undeniable ,reasons or ,arguments1 whereby it shall be sufficiently enough evidenced1 that such a cineration or turning into ,scoria1 hath its foundation in ,nature1 and that after this manner3 ,whosoever he be that hath seen or experienced somewhat in metals1 knows1 that the separation of the more excellent metals from the more vile1 is to be done by the benefit of the ,fire3 for if so be that ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 ,iron1 ,lead1 ,tin1 should be melted together into one mass1 and you would separate them by the ,fire the one from the other2 this cannot be done any other way1 but by adding to that mixture some other adventitious and destructive thing whereby the baser metals may be dissipated and deprived of their metallick form1 of which sort is common ,sulphur and such-like2 for this works first on the imperfect metals1 destroys them1 or brings them into scoria and dross1 which when they are so1 and no more metals1 they have no communion with metals1 nor desire or love to be commixt with them afterwards3 and by how much the more sulphureity there is in ,metals1 so much the easier doth common ,sulphur destroy them and turn them into ,scoria3 ,but1 by how much the nobler the metals shall be1 so much the less detriment doth ,sulphur bring upon them1 and the less able is it to disturb 7or alter7 them4 ,but besides1 ,sulphur does not only do this1 but even the ,fire1 and ,salt-petre both in the moist and in the dry way4 ,it is done with ,sulphur1 if the metallick mixture be granulated and burnt therewithal1 or that it be despoiled of the metalline ,nature1 then must it be molten and by precipitation be driven or be separated into divers ,regulus's4 ,for the ,sulphur converts the ,mass into ,scoria1 which when they are molten1 that which in them is the most noble doth always separate it self from the ,scoria1 and settle to the bottom2 then next the most noble part comes other which is excellent1 but yet short of the former1 and so consequently it descends from one degree to another1 as from ,gold to ,silver1 from ,silver to ,lead1 from this to ,copper1 from ,copper to ,iron1 c4 as hath been by my formerly described separatory ,art sufficiently enough shewn4 ,but ,nitre performs the separations it makes in a different manner3 ,for after that the metallick ,mass is molten in a ,crucible1 and that this 7viz4 ,nitre7 hath been thereinto put1 it doth in the first place set upon the sulphureous part1 and turns that into ,scoria1 then the baser ,metal1 and thus it does on1 so long till it hath attracted all the imperfect ,metals to it self1 and reduced them into ,scoria3 and so the perfect ,metals remain alone1 pure2 which order or governance of ,operation1 is also to an again1 extant in my ,writings4 ,again1 the bare fire is wont to keep another different way of destroying and scorifying ,metals1 than ,sulphur and ,nitre do4 ,for if a ,metalline mixture be put in the fire1 the more imperfect part thereof is consumed in the first place1 and driven into ashes1 the more excellent part gathers up it self into a globular form2 and as long as it finds any consumable thing therein1 so long does it work and act thereupon1 nor leaves it off afore it hath reduced all into ashes4 ,but that part which is of a constant and durable nature1 remains unhurt by the fire2 but yet if the combustible part be too much bigger in bulk than the abideing part1 it does not only carry away with it the silver1 but sometimes also a good part of the ,gold1 and brings it into ashes4 ,and now1 if those ashes shall be molten with a strong fire1 then the ashes which arise out of the imperfect ,metals1 are turned into ,glass1 or scoria1 but the ashes of the perfect ,metals do reduce1 and restore themselves into a malleable ,body1 whether it be ,silver or ,gold1 according as it had this or that ,metalline mixture in it2 and if you proceed yet farther1 with melting the aforesaid scoria in the fire1 there will a new ,regulus fall out1 which contains in it that ,metal1 which is the noblest next ,gold and ,silver1 viz4 ,lead1 and ,copper2 the ,tin1 and ,iron do for the most part abide in the scoria3 ,even as it is in ,cupellation1 or the separation of the ,metals by the ,cupel1 the separation is there also done1 by the bare fire only1 and when the fire acts upon the mixture1 it reduceth the ,lead into scoria1 or spume1 or ,litharge1 and while this is reduced thus1 it spares not the ,tin1 ,iron1 or ,copper1 forasmuch as they are likewise combustible1 and of affinity thereto1 but turns these together also into scoria1 which said scoria do then creep1 or sink into that penetrable1 and porous ,cineritious ,vessel1 or ,test1 as long as any of it remains3 ,but the ,gold and ,silver which know not how to be thus burnt up into scoria or ashes1 like the other imperfect ,metals are left depured and cleansed upon the ,cupel3 ,the like also1 is to be judged of the aforesaid incineration of ,volatile ,minerals1 or imperfect ,metals2 that is to say1 when they undergo the force of the fire1 they cannot but go into scoria and ashes1 and if they have in them somewhat that is especially good1 and durable1 yet the greater part being combustible1 has the prevalency2 so that the more excellent part which is in it1 is converted together into ashes and scoria4 ,but yet it may be afterwards reduced1 for by the vehement blast of ,bellows1 it separates it self from the more base part1 and again assumes a body ,metalline1 whether it be ,gold or ,silver4 ,by this ,discourse any one that is not wholly void of all ,metallick knowledge may see1 that the ,metallick ,incineration and ,reduction1 which we have afore delivered1 is built upon a firm foundation3 ,but he that cannot understand or apprehend these things1 is uncapable of being holpen by any art4 ,but the following third and fourth parts will yield a more clear light1 or instruction4 ,furthermore you are to observe1 that there are likewise other ways whereby ,metals are reduced into scoria1 and the better and more excellent part is afterwards extracted out of the scoria1 viz4 by the help of ,terrestrial things which are together1 sulphureous1 of which sort is all ,sand1 ,flint1 and the like4 ,if ought of this kind be permixt and molten with the metalline ,calxes1 it retains with it the viler part1 and lets go the more excellent2 as for instance1 there's the ,glass of ,lead3 ,for if the ashes of ,lead be molten with ,sand1 or ,flints1 all the ,lead together with the ,flints is converted into ,glass1 or scoria1 but the ,silver or ,gold which was in the ,lead separates it self like a ,regulus1 and descends to the bottom4 ,some kinds of ,salts also are able to make those scoria's1 viz4 those ,salts which are extracted out of burnt ashes1 and are commonly called ,alkalies1 such as are the burnt fces of ,wine1 the ,tartar of ,wine1 ,potters-ashes made of the ashes of ,wood1 and other such like2 these also love to dissolve the sulphureous parts of metals1 and do leave the ,gold and ,silver that is therein whole and sound1 and so make a separation of the good from the evil1 and give them a notable splendour3 ,concerning which washing1 we will treat more fully in the following third part4 ,besides too1 even common ,salt destroyeth and reduceth the imperfect metals into scoria1 but not after such a manner as ,alkalies do by washing1 but by dissolving and extracting4 ,for if a metallick ,calx1 or ,ore1 be powdered and mixt with common ,salt1 and molten together1 the ,salt doth more readily seize upon the metal1 than on the rest of the drossiness1 dissolves it1 and turns it into as it were scoria4 ,but to illustrate this thing by an ,example1 ,if ,i would separate a mineral which hath in it1 ,iron1 ,copper1 ,gold1 and ,silver1 and should melt it thus mixt with the ,salt1 then the ,salt would the first time lay hold on the ,iron only1 and leave the other metals2 but if so be there were not so much ,iron1 as for the ,salt to satisfy its devouring self1 it would dissolve the ,copper too1 the ,silver and ,gold remaining untoucht2 for ,salt is a common ,enemy to ,silver1 but a ,friend to the ,iron and ,copper1 which it willingly dissolves in the melting1 and attracts to it self1 whether it be each apart by themselves1 or both jointly together1 which if you are minded again to separate each from the other1 you must powder that molten ,mass1 and pour water thereupon1 and boil it2 so the ,iron and ,copper enters into the water1 together with the ,salt1 whereinto if you afterwards put some ,iron ,rods1 the ,copper precipitates it self1 and the ,iron abides in the salt water1 and is made very fit to use in dying like ,vitriol2 but if it will not be coagulated like ,vitriol1 then the ,copper 7which hath precipitated it self about the ,iron7 is to be washt and molten1 out of which comes purer ,copper4 ,but yet such a ,copper may be converted to better use than to be molten1 of which more shall be spoken in the third part4 ,by this means1 may one separate and bring into use those ,coppery ,minerals1 which have much ,iron in them1 and by which1 the ,copper is otherwise rendered unmalleable and unprofitable3 and this is such an ,evil1 as the ,metal-workers have hitherto little known what remedy to apply2 whereas in the mean while there lie in many places no contemptible ,mines of ,copper1 neglected and unmedled withal1 because they have ,iron commixt with them4 ,some there have been1 who have endeavoured to extract the ,iron by the help of a ,load-stone1 but this way is too troublesom1 and so is not profitable2 but it may be aptly and conveniently done after this manner1 did they but know how rightly to use here that aforesaid salt water1 and the precipitated ,copper3 ,for the salt exalteth the ,iron1 and the ,iron doth again exalt the salt1 and animate it1 so as that it may afterwards with a little labour and costs be1 all of it1 and without any loss1 converted into good ,salt-petre4 ,but some or other may say1 what profit would there redound unto me1 if ,i should season one or two1 or more ,copper minerals with salt1 whereby the ,copper may be thence drawn out8 ,i would have such an one to know1 that in that ,operation1 some hundreds1 or thousand pounds may be done together1 and the business may be ordered upon fire in distinct ,furnaces1 that so a great profit may be gotten2 and not only thus1 but the same may likewise be done without any ,furnace or ,oven1 with many hundred1 or thousand pounds in one ,operation1 at the open ,air in the ,field1 or in a ,wood1 where that ,ore and salt are to be found2 so that the salt may serve as a covering to the mineral1 and the mineral as a covering to the salt1 and the ,wood may serve both for the ,furnace and fire4 ,this now in my judgment is an artificial extraction of ,copper out of the ,mines1 7especially when 'tis such an ,ore71 which 7otherwise7 is not of any profit by reason of the immixt ,iron1 or else consists of such a lean ,vein of ,copper1 as will not suffice to quit the costs of getting it out1 but yet it may by this means be separated1 with no contemptible profit4 ,for there are every where almost such poor ,copper ,ore as this which lie and are not dreamt of3 ,for indeed it cannot be expected1 that1 7if when a ,copper ,mine 7or ,ore7 doth contain in it some small matter of ,copper1 it being so overwhelmed as 'twere with the muchness of heterogeneal medlies or mixtures1 that it cannot precipitate it self into ,regulus's but passeth into ,scoria7 it should answer the costs that are to be spent on the forcing it out2 and therefore such ,minerals must of necessity remain without use4 ,and how many such kind of ,ores have ,i found in ,germany1 which a man may have by heaps1 but no body regards them1 for that 7as we have already said7 they are too barren or poor3 ,whereas notwithstanding they may be most easily perfected by the help of ,salt1 so as to be made very gainful1 the costs exceedingly well repaid that shall be laid out upon them1 especially in those places where there is such an abundance of ,salt1 that the ,inhabitants know not what to do with the plenty they have of it4 ,many such places there are in ,germany1 as ,tirole1 ,saltzburg1 ,bavaria1 and the ,diocess that we call ,bergtes-gaden3 in which places all the whole mountains do not only abound with ,salts1 but have no small portion of ,copper too3 ,nor is it so in those places only1 but likewise every where2 ,salt is common and of a small price throughout all ,germany4 ,and as we have already shown you1 that ,iron and ,copper may be commodiously extracted out of the ,ores by melting it with common ,salt1 and may be again separated from each other by precipitation3 ,so likewise may the same be done in a moist way by boiling2 and is thus1 if the ,ore be ground and a long while boiled with very ,salt-water1 the ,copper will be dissolved and passeth into the ,salt-water1 out of which it is to be precipitated1 and so fitted for use4 ,but now1 if the ,salt be distilled into a ,spirit1 then is it apt not only to extract ,copper1 but also ,gold out of the ,ore1 and will be of exceeding much profit3 ,but this operation hath already been long ago described by me1 in the ,first ,part of the ,mineral ,work4 ,,nb4 ,but it will be yet more profitable and gainful to prepare that water out of the ,salts and especially out of ,nitre1 which water is but of small price1 and yet notwithstanding it is of that ,power and ,virtue1 as to dissolve or extract all the ,metals out of the ,ores3 and as well the ,silver as the ,gold and ,copper in the solution1 may be again precipitated singularly or each ,per se one after another2 and this kind of water may you likewise use about all ,fossiles or ,ores with a most wonderful abbreviation4 ,but now1 if you use common ,aqua-fortis1 it extracts only the ,silver and ,copper1 and leaves the ,gold3 and if you take common ,aqua-regia1 it attracts only the ,gold and ,copper1 and leaves the ,silver2 so that neither of these hath 7as we use to say7 all the points in it1 especially seeing such a kind of ,water serves but once only2 nor is there as yet any one found who knows how to separate the metals in the solution one from another1 so as that the water may still remain good and fit for other the like uses4 ,but as concerning this ,water of mine1 thus stands the case1 viz4 ,one ,metal may be precipitated after another out of the ,water1 and each distinctly1 and yet for all this1 the ,water loseth not ought of its ,virtue1 but may be many times serviceable2 certainly it is a most profitable invention1 which 7in the doing or perfecting some metals and minerals7 is to be preferred many degrees before any melting by ,fire4 ,for if that there are several ,metals of diverse kinds1 in one ,ore2 as ,gold1 ,silver1 ,iron1 ,lead 7and this often happens so7 and they should be forced out by ,fire1 they would yet remain mixt together2 and there's a great deal of work to separate them4 ,for first they are to be cupellated on ,tests with a great deal of ,lead1 that so the imperfect ,metals1 as the ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin and ,lead if therein1 may go off2 then the ,gold is to be separated also apart1 or by a particular operation1 by the help of a separating ,water1 and this is not every bodies work1 nor have all such as are skill'd in the ,art1 in all places necessary provision at hand4 ,but on the other hand1 there needs not in that other kind of way1 any thing save the ,water and some ,glasses1 with these may you manage and compleat all the whole business1 and get a great deal of gain without noise and trouble4 ,for as to such a one as betakes himself to this kind of work1 his ,neighbours cannot accuse him1 that he will 7one time or other7 ruine their ,fortunes and ,houses by ,fire1 for they hear no blowing of the bellows1 nor see they any ,coals carried into his ,house4 ,nor will the ,smiths say that 'tis his fault that ,coals are so dear1 as 'twas objected to him who called himself the little ,country fellow4 ,besides too1 he will shun the suspicion of the ,magistrates1 nor will he give them occasion to suspect him to be a rich blade1 and so torment him with the more grievous exactions and with quartering of ,souldiers4 ,and now yet more1 ,this kind of extraction does not only appertain to the getting out the ,gold and ,silver out of the ,ores or ,minerals and such as are volatile and crude1 and which are every where to be met withal1 and may without detriment to any1 and with a safe conscience be fixed and separated by the help of this ,water3 ,but you may also by the mediation of this ,water1 profitably and with very small ,labour separate all metallick mixtures1 such as are mixt at their first forcing out of the ,ores1 or are melted into one ,mass on any other account1 and so obtain each ,metal pure and free from all heterogeneities4 ,as for example1 ,put case ,i have in my hands a certain metallick ,mass1 which hath in it ,gold1 ,silver1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,iron1 and ,copper3 ,now ,i would willingly separate the ,gold ,silver therefrom3 hitherto there hath been no other way known of obtaining it but by cupellating such a ,mass or mixture upon the ,test with ,lead1 and so depurating it2 in which cupellation1 the ,copper1 ,tin1 and ,iron1 do pass together with the ,lead into the ,test1 but the ,gold and ,silver remain behind1 which are to be afterwards separated with ,aqua-fortis1 that you may have each by it self4 ,but the ,iron1 ,copper1 ,lead and ,tin do remain intermixt with each other in the ,test1 and should you again melt them even by the strongest blast1 yet will they be commixt1 and can hardly be separated the one from the other4 ,but by this way of ours if they be dissolved in the water together1 you may continually precipitate thence one ,metal from another1 and take them each apart1 and not only the ,gold and the ,silver by themselves1 but the ,copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 and ,argent-vive 7each apart74 ,but it is not so necessary 7if in such a metalline ,mass wherein are contained so many ,metals1 the ,gold and ,silver be but the smaller part7 to dissolve all the other baser metals together1 to get out the ,gold and ,silver2 this will not be advisedly done1 but it would be better1 first to purify that ,mass upon a ,test with ,lead1 and so to separate the ,gold and ,silver by the help of that water1 or else that ,mass may be burnt with ,brimstone1 and the ,gold be thence precipitated and depured4 ,but if the ,mass hath less of ,iron1 ,copper1 and ,tin1 than of ,gold1 there will not be such need of purifying the ,mass1 by first burning it upon a ,test1 and then separating it by ,aqua-fortis1 as is commonly known and used to be done3 but the whole mixture must be dissolved1 and the ,gold and ,silver1 which you please1 be separately1 or apart precipitated into a clean ,calx1 then the ,copper also apart1 then the ,tin2 but as for the ,iron1 you may forbear to precipitate that1 because there are no great matters to be performed with its ,calx1 and it will be better to draw off the ,aqua-fortis thence1 whereby it may again be had pure1 and fit for use4 ,then the ,iron which abides behind1 if it be made red hot1 yields a most excellent ,crocus ,martis1 and a most excellent ,ingredient for ,chirurgeons1 for all their ,wound-balsams and ,exicatory ,emplasters2 it is stictick2 it will also be serviceable to ,painters to make exquisite colours therewithal1 so that the ,iron which is the basest ,metal in the whole mixture1 if it shall be thus wrought upon and brought into good ,crocus ,martis1 yields the money that was laid out upon the water1 and yet this very water1 after its abstracting from the ,iron is not less fit for use1 but is better than it was before4 ,for in its abstraction from the ,iron1 it brought over with it some ,goldenness1 which ,golden property doth afterwards1 in other metallick solutions1 associate it self to the ,metals1 is imbodyed1 and yields as much ,gold as the price almost 7of the water7 afore 7thus used7 could be judged at4 ,so likewise there's no need of reducing the ,calx of ,venus into ,copper1 but it is twice more precious than other good common ,copper1 because it can in a few hours space be changed into excellent ,verdigrease1 and so is #d or #f times the value of ,copper it self4 ,further1 it is not needful to melt down the precipitated ,calx of ,silver without any farther profit1 but 'tis better to melt it by the means of the liquor of ,sulphur or ,antimony1 for by this operation will it become auriferous1 and be meliorated4 ,finally1 you are not bound to melt even the ,calx of ,sol1 without any profit in melting1 but you may even thereoutof draw some profit2 for if it be amalgamated with the ,mercury of or it becomes more augmented from the and 2 or else it may be used by the ,goldsmiths to ,gild withal1 and by ,painters1 if its brightness and splendour be first restored unto it1 for so it may be used about ,painting or writing4 ,so then1 from this operation doth result a manifold benefit1 and both the ,iron and ,copper1 as also the ,gold and ,silver are rendered better1 and more precious than they would have otherwise been1 if they had been separated each from the other after the common manner1 by the fire4 ,therefore1 there is not only a great benefit gotten in that way of operating1 in thus extracting ,gold and ,silver out of their ,ores1 and out of the ,crude ,minerals1 and in this so compendious a separation of a ,mass 7or mixture7 of ,metals2 but also1 that separation brings more profit than the commonly used and perceived way of separating ,gold and ,silver by ,aqua-fortis doth1 in which way the ,mass is to be first burnt to purity1 and all the heterogeneities are to be taken away upon a ,test2 then the ,silver is to be dissolved in ,aqua-fortis1 and to be separated from the ,gold2 this done1 then the dissolved ,silver is to be precipitated either by ,copper1 or by putting water thereunto1 or else the water is to be thencefrom distilled2 from whence1 there is not only to be expected no greater profit than what is had 7or gotten7 out of the ,gold separated from the ,silver1 but withal even half the water is lost4 ,but now here 7in my way7 the greatest part of the ,aqua-fortis is preserved1 and is indeed meliorated 7if there were ,tin or ,iron in the ,mass7 the very bare ,crocus ,martis only yields as much as the water cost1 the ,flos ris is meer gains2 the ,calx of ,silver is by a solution of ,antimony enriched with ,gold1 the ,golden ,calx is augmented by ,saturn1 and ,luna1 ,so that the gain is fourfold1 besides that ,gold which is gotten by ,separation out of the ,silver2 and now may not ,i justly call this an ,artificial extraction or reparation of the ,metals1 by the moist way2 but now1 like as this is a very notably profitable way of extracting the ,metals out of the ,ores or ,minerals1 of artificially separating them by the moist way2 so likewise may the same be done in the dry way by fusion2 if 7viz47 the ,minera's are dissolved by ,antimony or ,lead1 one of the ,metals after another shall be thencefrom precipitated2 so that it is not so altogether necessary to cupellate such a ,mass1 and by the separatory water 7or ,aqua-fortis to separate that1 which 7by that burning on the ,test7 shall have been throughly purged2 ,but if all the ,metals shall be molten together into one ,mass1 there may 7first7 be precipitated the ,gold1 then the ,silver1 then also the ,copper1 and by the help of ,nitre be rendred pure and malleable2 and this too may be done without much labour or costs2 so that as well by the moist1 as also by the dry way1 all the ,metals may be very commodiously and compendiously1 and in short time separated the one from the other by the benefit of ,salt-petre4 ,suppose ,i have a ,mass that has ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper and ,iron in it1 and ,i would have it suddenly depured2 therefore ,i may only burn it with ,sulphur1 and by the help of ,saturn precipitate one ,metal from another1 and purifie the ,regulus1 by ,nitre1 and such a ,mass though it were #ajj pound weight could ,i separated with the easy labour of one day1 for #c or #d ,dollars costs2 but as for such an one as hath no use for solution precipitation1 or hath not convenient melting ,pots and ,furnaces1 he may granulate such a ,mass1 and thence precipitate the ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper1 each apart1 and draw off the water from his ,mars2 then the ,mars yields him the price of the water2 the ,calx of ,venus yields the reward of his pains and labour1 and the augmentation or melioration which happens to the ,calx of ,sol and ,luna in the reduction is clear gain2 so that the ,gold and ,silver are1 as it were gratis1 and without any expence separated from each other1 and that both by the dry way and by the moist way2 for the ,silver is equally as well graduated and made auriferous in the dry way1 by the fusion or melting in the operating1 or by the transfusing 7or through melting7 with the ,antimony2 so then good ,gold may by this way be precipitated out of any ,silver not aureous1 provided the business be but dexterously managed4 ,in the first part of this ,book1 7where ,i treated of the concentration of wood17 ,i wrote1 that a ,juice might be pressed1 by a peculiar ,press1 out of any wood1 which afterwards might be turned into good ,salt-petre by the benefit of the ,air and time3 ,i likewise there added some reasons1 whereby it might be evinced1 that it was possible for ,art to perform such things1 which are no other but the ,rewards ,nature her self yields1 and that the ,salt-petre which is wont to be every where digged out of the ,stalls1 or ,stables of ,cattle1 is nothing else but the essential salt of ,vegetables1 and ,animals1 which is in a long tract of time1 and by the hidden virtue of the ,air1 turned into ,salt-petre4 ,but now if any one should haply perswade himself1 that if he exposeth that ,juice of the ,woods to the ,air for some ,days1 or ,weeks1 that it will presently become ,salt-petre1 certainly he would be much besides his aim1 neither indeed is it lawful to prescribe ,nature the time of her ,operation4 ,does not a ,husbandman deserve to be called ,ass1 or ,blockhead1 if some few days after he hath sown his ,corn1 he should go into his ,field to see if his ,corn were ripe or not8 ,just thus are you to conceive of this work1 for in all things must you expect the due time1 in the ,generation both of ,animals1 ,minerals1 and ,vegetables1 so that there is not the least need of any farther proof of this matter3 ,for every ,generation requireth its own proper time4 ,but1 that very many haply have wearied themselves with imagining about that kind of ,press1 which ,i have mentioned in the first part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and yet have not found it1 is not to be much wondred at4 ,however it is assuredly true1 that such a ,press may very easily be prepared1 by which you may daily press a great quantity of ,juice out of ,wood1 be it believed or not believed4 ,but seeing that such a ,press hath been seen with me1 and hath been beheld prepared1 and wood squeezed out therewithal1 and set to ripen in the ,air1 sure it cannot be long ere the truth will manifest it self and publickly vindicate it self from all its slanderers4 ,i say again1 that such a ,press is found by me1 and that it is an artificial one1 and is of less costs than will be easily believed4 ,nay more1 every day brings forth new and better ,compendiums1 so that there will not hereafter be any use or need for the ,press1 to squeeze the wood out by3 but every ,vegetable and ,animal1 may without labour and trouble be in a short time1 and without the press1 transmuted into good ,salt-petre1 so that many hundred weight of ,salt-petre may be generated1 or produced 7by the labour of only one person7 out of the bare ,wood1 ,leaves1 and ,grass1 7where they may commodiously be had7 and yet 'tis not the person aforesaid1 but the air that causeth this ,generation3 for the person doth no more but expose to the air the subject matter1 upon which it may operate1 and out of which it may bring forth ,salt-petre4 ,but there is nothing which ,i admire more at1 then1 that this present ,age is so sluggish and averse from searching after the secrets of ,nature4 ,whereas1 were but the ,properties only of that stupendious1 or wonderful subject ,salt-petre1 well known1 there might well be a forbearance of reading many ,chimical ,books seeing that by it alone may many wonderful things be performed4 ,i have a little afore shown1 how both a moist and dry extraction of ,gold and ,silver1 the other metals is to be done by ,salt-petre2 and if ,nitre were of no other use but this only1 yet were it well worthy to be beloved and esteemed by all1 and they should as much as in them lies labour not only to produce it in plenty out of vile things1 but withal to know how to make use of the same with profit4 ,but whereas ,i have not so very openly and clearly described1 or published the precipitation which is done as well by the moist1 as by the dry way of the extraction and separation of metals2 ,i would not that any one should take it in evil part2 for there are exceeding weighty reasons1 that make me fear to prostitute such excellent ,inventions1 or to chew meat 7as it were7 and thrust it into every ,asses mouth4 ,let it suffice1 that ,i have shewed1 that such things are possible4 ,but yet the ,art lies not so fixed in my breast1 nor is it my mind to suffer it to lie buried with me3 ,no1 ,god hath blessed me therewithal meerly for this end1 that ,i might help and succour others1 to the performance of which1 ,i am most ready and willing2 but yet not every one without any exception1 but such as are ingenious ,lovers of the ,wonders of ,god1 and know how decently to use all things1 least ,i being too improvidently liberal1 should put new ,weapons into the hands of mine enemies4 ,i could have buried-over these things in silence1 and haply been at more quiet1 but it was no ways possible for me to suppress the wonderful ,works of ,god1 so as to withhold them from coming abroad to light1 and to the view of ,men1 to the ,honour of ,god4 ,and whensoever it so comes to pass1 that the things delivered at present in this second part1 and which shall be delivered in the following third and fourth parts1 shall be believed1 and be brought to effect and be done3 then all the crew of ,slanderers and ,enemies of the truth shall be confounded with shame1 before the whole ,world1 and that ,genuine ,alchymy1 shall again be embraced1 and honourably flourish3 ,for ,salt-petre must be the ,master1 as ,paracelsus saith1 in a certain ,chapter where he treats of common salt1 and mentions ,salt-petre with a commendable ,testimony4 ,nor hath ,basil ,valentine done a less faithful ,work as to his ,nitre2 but few there are that understand it4 ,i am not of the mind to boast of the knowledge of many things1 but yet thus much ,i find1 that there is not in all nature any subject given that may in good deed be compared with ,nitre1 as to eminency or excellency2 much less deserves to be preferred before it4 ,let not the ,lover of this ,art be disquieted in his mind1 so long as there are two parts to follow1 and come forth3 ,for then men will see1 and be even enforced to confess these things which afore they did not believe4 ,and upon this score do ,i shorten this part1 that ,i may the sooner come to the third and fourth parts3 ,in which parts 7,god willing7 there shall be disclosed many most highly profitable inventions for the benefit of mankind1 but yet they shall be veiled1 after that same way and manner1 as others afore me have used to do1 that so ,pearls may not be cast afore ,swine4 ,but that ,i may return to my purpose1 and shew that what ,i have said is true1 and that great things may be done 7as to the melioration of ,metals7 by the help of ,salt-petre1 it will be necessary1 that those things which we have already written in this second part be made a little more clear1 and may be visibly demonstrated to the unskilful and incredulous1 in what it is1 that this profit we at present speak of1 is seated4 ,and first1 as concerning the ,generation of ,salt-petre1 there hath been enough said already1 viz4 ,that it may be prepared by heaps out of otherwise unprofitable ,wood1 ,shrubs1 ,briars1 c4 which rather endamage the ,ground1 than do any good1 because they become a refuge for cruel ,beasts1 which sustain themselves upon the great ruining of the other ,wild ones3 ,nor needs this work any greater costs than to cause a ,house to be built in the ,woods1 under which the wood1 together with the circulatory ,vessel1 may stand dry2 and besides too1 one man is sufficiently able to manage the whole business1 nor is there any thing else required but those unprofitable underwoods1 or ,briars1 c4 or if you have not such1 then1 the ,leaves that the wind blows off from the ,trees4 ,and if also you add some ,salt thereunto1 even it will be likewise turned by the help of the wood into ,salt-petre1 and hereby will arise a greater profit3 ,neither is there any necessity of taking the ,salt we use to season our meat withal4 ,but yet if you can have it in plentiful quantity 7as may be in many places of ,germany1 where it much abounds7 it will be well1 but if it be not to be so easily had1 the wood it self will make ,salt-petre enough2 nor needs there any other thing1 but to begin the work1 and let ,nature alone to perfect it1 and to produce the ,salt-petre4 ,but farther1 as ,germany doth never want store of wood1 so wants it not salt1 for there are whole ,mountains of salt1 which to exhaust1 is a thing impossible2 especially in the ,territories of the ,arch bishop of ,saltzburg1 in the ,elector of ,bavaria's ,country1 the ,diocess of ,berchtsgaden as we call it2 which places1 besides their abounding with ,salt1 do also abound with store of ,wood4 ,have ,i not reason to believe that great ,treasures and ,riches may be hence reaped4 ,salt they have at their ,feet1 and vast ,desarts at hand1 which are of no use3 ,o improvident ,mankind6 ,what account shall we give that so behave our selves in our ,stewardship4 ,would it not be much more praise-worthy to have drawn forth those ,treasures1 to the ,honour of ,god1 and not to have suffered them to have remained without being used1 and unmanaged2 what is the greatness of the charge requisite to the carrying on this ,work that deterrs them8 ,what expence ,i pray is it1 seeing that a little shead may easily be built in the ,woods8 ,and besides1 where great ,woods1 and many ,trees are1 there are also found ,minerals both ripe and unripe1 and the ripe may be forced out by ,wood1 or ,coals1 the unripe may be fixed1 or ripened by the help of ,salt-petre1 and the ,gold and ,silver also may be afterwards thence separated by the ,salt-petre4 ,and now ,i pray1 would not the ,country be enriched hereby with vast ,treasures1 and store of ,wealth8 ,but put the worst1 if every ,country did not abound with store of ,wood1 yet hath it a great deal of superfluous ,grass and stubble1 and this yields as good ,salt-petre as the ,wood does4 ,and if in case every ,country1 or ,seignory had not ,minerals of their own1 which might be ripened by ,salt-petre1 and from whence ,gold and ,silver might be drawn1 yet nevertheless may they be had out of the bordering ,provinces4 ,nay more1 if so be the already excocted ,metals should be advanced to a maturity by the means of ,salt-petre1 yet would not even this kind of work be without an acceptable gain1 and it would be better for us so to do1 than to hang them up at the ,walls in our ,houses1 for ,ornament1 and ,pride's sake4 ,if an ,enemy comes1 one ,ounce of ,gold1 is better than a ,thousand pounds of ,tin1 or ,copper1 which the owner thereof must necessarily be constrained to leave behind him1 whereas he could carry away the ,gold with him2 which kind of concentration we shall treat of in the following third part3 and in the fourth part shall be taught1 by what means even ,gold and ,silver may be concentrated1 that so it may lie hidden from the ,enemy1 and be transported 7under another kind of form or shape7 into such places1 where it may be free from the ,enemies ,clutches4 ,and farther1 that water which we speak of1 serves not only to extract ,gold and ,silver out of the ,ores1 or ,minera's1 7which otherwise1 could not be drawn forth by any excocting or forcing7 but also for the taming1 and bringing to use that which is in huge ,stones1 ,flints1 and the baser ,fossiles 7in which1 ,gold and ,silver are only as it were1 a little sticking1 and will not be thence had by any art of melting7 and that with profit too well worth the ,labour4 ,so that there is scarce required #f or #g ,loths of water to extract the ,gold and ,silver out of #ajj l4 of ,ore2 and if there were but #b1 #c1 or #d ,lots of ,silver at the most1 in #ajj l4 of such matter1 yet would it be a gainful extraction1 especially if the things1 or subject1 be ,arsenical1 or as yet ,volatile1 and cannot brook the intenseness of the fire1 but are driven away by a strong blast4 ,for in that extraction by the water1 that which is volatile1 is fixed1 and retained together1 that it afterwards admits of being fused1 or molten1 and that this is so1 will evidently appear to any1 experimentally4 ,let him but take ,arsenick1 and dissolve it in ,aqua-fortis1 and again draw off the water1 and he will be able presently to melt the ,arsenick1 and make it red hot4 ,quicksilver is well known to be a very ,volatile matter1 but yet even that1 7if the water of ,salt-petre be several times drawn off thencefrom7 is made so fixt as to stand and abide wholly in a most intense fire4 ,for1 that which ,wood and ,coals do 7in a long time7 perform2 the very same doth such a water effect in a few hours space4 ,but some or other may oppose or question thus2 ,how can it possibly be1 that if those matters be so very poor1 #h or #aj pound of water should be sufficient to extract the ,gold ,silver which is contained in them2 for it seems as if #h or #aj pounds of water were hardly enough to moisten #ajj l4 of ,ore or ,minera1 but would be lost amongst such a deal of ,stuff3 ,let such an one know1 that what ,i have written is possible and true2 ,i can prove it and demonstrate it even to the sight2 but as concerning the administration of that ,work1 'tis not fit it should be made too common4 ,and verily1 in this sticks the main difficulty1 here is the ,art and ,skill2 'tis not for every one to acquit himself here1 and if that the gold and silver were extracted by means of this ,water1 yet even then the chiefest of the ,art is to know how to precipitate the pure ,gold and ,silver thencefrom1 and incorporate it1 which knack ,i justly reserve for my ,friends2 for verily1 this is such an ,art1 as by the benefit of it alone ,i shall renew ancient friendship with many1 and moreover purchase me more new friends3 ,and therefore let no body be angry at me1 or count it amiss1 that ,i would not publickly disclose so excellent an ,invention1 and put new ,weapons into mine ,enemies hands to hurt me withal4 ,this is taught in the following parts4 ,and if ,i should do so much as clearly to mention every thing1 yet nevertheless should ,i incurr the enmity of many men1 as much as if ,i never had done it2 and besides too1 it cannot possibly be1 that all things should be so nakedly and plainly decyphered to the unskilful1 as that they should presently be able to do every thing4 ,if they once make trial1 and cannot do the business that they aimed at in their minds1 then they curse him that writ1 and bestow many a bitter wish on him1 as if he had been too obscure in expressing himself1 and so they despise that which is otherwise laudable4 ,but if so be that the possibility of a thing is only demonstrated1 and no ,receipt added1 then they will not undertake any frustraneous ,labours1 nor will have cause of cursing any4 ,but some or other may here enquire1 ,where shall ,i find such a sort of ,minerals and ,fossiles1 out of which ,i may extract ,gold and ,silver8 ,if any such had been to have been found1 they would not have lain idle waited for my coming2 others would have taken them away long ago1 and converted them to their own uses4 ,i think it expedient to demand as well of such a one1 who those others should be1 that should have taken them away before thee8 ,if their ,experience be as little as thine1 and thine no greater than is theirs1 there's no danger of your fore-preventing or deceiving one another1 seeing you are all alike ignorant of the thing4 ,think'st thou that the number of those that are experienc'd in ,metals is so large8 ',tis confest1 there are enough ,excocters or ,metal-,separators1 but yet they must per force leave that untouch'd which they cannot find out1 seeing they know no other way of ordering their ,affairs1 but the old ,road4 ,it oftentimes happens1 that there is more ,gold driven away into the air by these ,excocters1 than is left behind in the fire1 and yet forsooth that ,crew arrogate to themselves abundance of knowledge1 and perswade themselves1 that they stand not in any need of any ones advice4 ,nor indeed do ,i invite them to any new ,studies and ,operations2 let all such as list1 use the same way of excocting or separation that they have learned2 but if there be among them those that are not ashamed to learn better1 such may be counselled4 ,my purpose at present is1 to do some acceptable ,service to those that have no ,mine pits1 and who cannot separate ,minerals or ,ore in gross1 as ,i may say1 and yet would be very glad to enjoy in private some little small gleanings as 'twere of the bits or small pieces that the ,excocters leave1 whereby they may get sufficient gain for the commodious sustaining of ,life4 ,these are they whom ,i have a mind to assist2 the ,richer sort have enough already to fill or satiate themselves withal2 nor need they any information of mine2 as for the ,poor1 there's no regard had to them4 ,the whole ,artifice therefore consisteth in the extracting 7when there's but a very little ,water used7 and then in the precipitation of the ,metals1 so that the ,water may remain good1 and fit for other uses4 ,there's plenty enough of poor ,minerals and ,fossiles even every where1 and which no body regards and knows4 ,it would not be amiss to look upon or consider of all ,flints1 ,rocks1 and ,stones you meet with1 and consider what property they are of4 ,concerning this ,i have written in the ,first ,part of the ,mineral ,work1 viz4 ,how by the ,spirit of ,salt ,gold may be extracted out of a ,flint3 ,but as hitherto1 few there are that have set about that ,work1 partly because they could not prepare the spirit of ,salt1 and partly because they knew not how to precipitate from it the extracted ,gold1 nor knew how to melt the extracted ,calx of ,sol with ,antimony2 all which ,i must needs confess1 is not for every one to perform4 ,but now this ,extraction which is made by the ,water of ,salt-petre1 doth extract the ,silver too1 which being thence precipitated1 the water remains as virtuous as afore2 and indeed1 if a comparison be made 'twixt this and that ,extraction1 there is as much difference as is between black and white1 and between the day and night2 therefore ,i say that this is a thing worth the learning1 for it may be of exceeding much profit in times of affliction4 ,greatly is that pledge to be esteemed of1 ,which 7as the old ,proverb is7 redeems its ,lord4 ,art is no burthen to a man to carry1 but it rather carries or bears up a ,man1 easeth him1 and makes him be of a cheerful mind1 because it is a thing on which we may safely trust4 ,it is more precious than ,gold and ,gems1 which may be lost1 but this abides firm and constant even to the ,grave1 and doth abundantly enrich its master4 ,this ,extraction doth likewise serve for the drawing forth ,gold out of ,silver1 tho' it be not gilt1 which to do is not in every ones power1 tho' many know that ,silver hath ,gold in it1 yet if it be not of so much value as to quit the ,costs that are necessarily to be expended upon it1 it is left as it is2 and now there is no where separated ,gold out of ,silver1 unless it be gilt1 and they see it sticking thereupon4 ,any other silver whatsoever1 how much gold soever it possesseth1 is not separated1 when as though1 sometimes there might be made more gain thencefrom4 ,but ,i must needs confess1 that the separation of the ,gold from the ,silver1 the usual and known way is conjoined with abundance of labour1 and not worth the costs spent about making the separation1 unless1 haply1 the silver partakes much of the ,gold3 ,whereas on the contrary1 this my way of separating is done with light labour and small costs1 and therefore may be used about all silver whatsoever1 though it has in it never so little ,gold4 ,but that the business may be yet more clear1 and the better perceived1 it will be useful to add this information4 ,when you would separate the ,gold from the ,silver by ,aqua-fortis1 it must first be purified with ,lead1 by burning it upon a ,test1 now in this work there's the ,test1 ,fire1 the sufficient portion of ,lead1 the labour and time spent hereon to be considered1 and when all this is done1 then the ,lead has entred1 together with the ,copper that was in the ,silver1 into the ,test1 and may be esteemed of but as a thing just kept from being lost4 ,besides too1 the ,copper carries away with it1 a good part of the silver into the ,test4 ,and altho' that by a most vehement blast of ,bellows the ,test may be molten1 and part of the ,lead1 ,copper1 and ,silver recovered1 yet the expences necessarily requisite to this operation1 are more than the regain'd ,metals are worth1 so that these costs1 charges1 and troubles are too great4 ,then finally1 when all this is done1 and that the silver shall have been depured by burning1 then it must after all this1 be granulated1 and this is some charge1 and then when all this is done1 it may be separated by ,aqua-fortis1 and being separated1 be again molten into a ,mass4 ,now my way of working is freed from all these kind of linked labours1 and so much trouble and loss of expences and time may be avoided2 for when ,i take on me to separate any ,silver1 whether it has much or little ,gold1 ,i cut it into bits about the length and bredth of my ,finger1 so as that ,i but put it into my separatory ,vessel2 then ,i make it gently or by degrees red hot1 to the end that the defilements may be the better washt off1 and the separatory water may the better work upon it4 ,then pour ,i in the water1 and suffer the ,gold1 ,silver and ,copper to be dissolved2 then 7after this7 do ,i precipitate the ,gold1 then the ,silver1 then the ,copper2 all which operations1 from the beginning to the end1 are done in three or four hours space1 nor requires it any expence save only the water1 and a little fire1 to keep the water warm1 that it may the more strongly work upon and dissolve the ,silver2 the ,metals thus separated from each other and edulcorated1 may be melted2 and now from thence may any one see1 how much difference there is betwixt ours and the common separation of metal1 by the moist way2 and if there be any one that would use this way of mine1 of separation1 he would doubtlessly get much gain and riches1 neither could any one endammage him by way of prevention1 and he would get himself an exceeding profit wheresoever he be1 not only out of guilt ,silver1 but also out of any other2 for there is not a ,city so small1 but it hath a ,silversmith1 who buys up the old ,silver1 and separates it his own way1 which is very laborious and costly1 and therefore he would the willinglier give his ,silver to another to separate1 whereby himself might be spared the labour and cost1 were there but any one that would offer him his help thereabouts4 ,and seeing that all ,copper holds ,gold hidden in it1 and that that ,copper is not any impediment in this my way of separation1 but is resolved together with the ,silver1 therefore doth it always bring some increase to the ,gold and consequently more gain2 but the labour will be yet more gainful if it be prepared with a separatory water1 which hath other ,golden species or things added thereto in the making1 and which render the water aureous1 such as are ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,zink1 the ,minerals 7or ,ores7 of ,iron and ,copper2 for hereby is made a water that is in it self auriferous1 and which doth readily 7in the separation7 join its volatile ,gold to the ,silver1 and suffer its self to be incorporated2 in so much that even such ,silver as hath already been separated and purged1 will yield ,gold enough in the separation1 if it be dissolved with such a separatory water1 which hath been impregnated by graduating things4 ,and even as this same extraction which is done in the moist way1 by the water of ,salt-petre is exceedingly eminent and of much use1 as being sufficient to supply many thousands of men with food and necessaries for life1 so as that they need not at all to be compelled to deceive or damnify one another2 so likewise1 no less excellent is the extraction1 which is done by the dry way2 if1 viz4 the ,volatile ,antimonial ,minerals1 or ,ores 7whether they contain in them ,gold1 or ,silver1 or ,copper1 ,iron1 or ,tin1 and what metals soever they contain in them7 be molten with twice1 thrice1 or four times as much ,antimony in a ,crucible1 and be 7by the means of ,iron7 precipitated into ,regulus's2 for by this work1 what good soever there was in the ,ores1 and even the ,metals themselves1 may be obtained each apart3 for when the ,antimony hath extracted the ,gold out of the ,minerals1 the ,gold may then be first precipitated1 then the ,silver1 lastly the ,copper2 and all of them with a very small cost and little labour1 insomuch1 that in one days time many pounds of ,gold and ,silver may be drawn by this art out of the ,minerals3 and this too by a little fire4 ,for the ,antimony penetrates the mineral like water1 and dissolves what is good in it2 and as for that which is of an earthy nature it casts off from it self1 and brings it into scoria4 ,but it brings the ,metal to a ,metalline form in the precipitation1 which must then be cupellated1 or purified by the help of ,salt-petre4 ,and if haply you cannot get ,antimony for this work1 than common ,brimstone may serve in its stead1 and it will perform the same thing1 if the ,minera be ground and mixt therewith1 and be molten in a covered ,pot or ,crucible1 and be precipitated by ,iron1 for so the ,metals falls down in a ,regulus1 and the ,sulphur abides behind in the scoria4 ,but this kind of work requires a skilful ,artist or ,melter1 who hath already been long and much versed in precipitations2 for else he will be intangled therein1 and not find the wish'd for success4 ,,nb4 ,this is to be understood of that kind of ,minerals and ,fossiles which partake of ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,cobolt1 ,marchasite or ,sulphur1 being such as ,antimony and ,sulphur love to seize upon and dissolve in the melting3 such ,minerals or ,ores as have sand and stones among them1 they 7viz4 ,antimony or ,sulphur7 will have nothing to do with them2 of this kind are ,granates1 ,talk1 and such like3 so neither1 doth the water of ,salt-petre in the moist way extend its virtue to all the ,minerals1 nor extracts it ,gold and ,silver out of all of them2 but especially it acts not at all on them which are very sulphureous1 unless they are first ,torrified or ,calcined as 'twere1 and so freed from the ,sulphur1 then at length the water performs its office else not4 ,nor doth the water act upon ,granates or other ,minerals and ,fossiles which are 7as to the outward appearance7 smooth and as it were glassy4 ,and therefore all such must first of necessity be master'd by an incense fire1 and subdued4 ,there are likewise to be found some ,minerals and ,fossiles which suffer not what they have in them to be introduced into either ,lead or ,antimony1 or to bestow their ,treasure upon them2 nor will they be forced out nor cupellated1 but both are and remain scoria1 and do retain that form of glass which they afore had unless haply you make them stoop1 and master them by a most strong blast2 for by this means they suffer their ,gold and ,silver to be wrested from them3 ,but they may be mastered too1 if you thereto add in the fusing some ,potters-ashes1 or salt of the ,lees of ,wine1 or ,ashes made of ,wood1 and melt them together1 for so by this means also will they be obedient to thee2 for salts dissolve in flux all stony ,minerals1 and such as resemble glass and scoria1 which otherwise no other fire is able to do4 ,but to make any more accurate description of that thing1 appertains not to this place1 but to the following ,third ,part of this ,book2 that which we have here minded1 is only to make light touches as 'twere about shewing the variety of ,fossiles and ,minerals2 and that1 if haply any one should light on such a ,mineral1 out of which he cannot extract the metal1 neither by the help of ,antimony1 nor by the water of ,salt-petre1 he should not think it void of every thing or that he has not dexterously and conveniently enough handled the same1 but may know1 that the only cause is1 the property of the ,mineral it self4 ,and now1 even as the ,sulphureous minerals do chiefly admit of being separated by ,antimony admixed in the melting1 and those that are stony1 not so2 even so the water of ,salt-petre doth more willingly extract the stony ,minerals1 than the sulphureous ones2 but yet1 if the sulphur be taken from them by ,torrefaction1 it is able to dissolve even these too4 ,but it chiefly loves those that have ,stria1 and are a spotted 7,quartzig7 sandy1 poor kind of ,minera3 which 7otherwise7 you cannot extract commodiously neither by ,fusion or by ,mercury3 ,but that you may never be deceived here1 it will be altogether expedient to be acquainted with both ways1 both with this which is done by flux1 with that moist way which is done with ,water2 both ways are good1 and exceedingly profitable in the separation of the ,minera's or ,ores2 and that not only of such as may be every where had1 but likewise of metalline mixtures3 whether it be by melting them together1 or else by some sad mischance of your ,houses being burnt2 or finally1 if it proceed from thence1 that ,gold and ,silver do lie hidden unknown in copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 or ,lead2 now they may with ease be separated from each other by both those aforesaid ways1 and on such wise as that nothing may be lost4 ,the ancients knew not how to extract the ,gold and ,silver out of ,copper as the modern ,refiners are wont to do1 but took them together as they lay and so applied them to any uses whether to make ,bells or great ,guns4 ,neither was the separation by ,aqua-fortis so much in use in those days as in ours3 ,nay more1 if in a ,mark of ,silver there was no less than the quantity of a ,ducket of ,gold1 yet notwithstanding they did not separate it1 but did make it up into money as it was1 as the old ,coins do sufficiently testify4 ,for it is evident that all ,silver almost1 partakes of ,gold1 and ancients being unexercised and not well versed in the ,art of separation1 all the ,silver though never so auriferous was ,coined into ,money1 or put to other uses2 but their successours smelt out what they had done1 and therefore bought up all such ,money1 and separated it1 made thereof an exceeding gain3 so that there is not in our age so much as a ,dollar1 ,schrenckbergick1 ,gross1 ,crucifer1 even to the smallest half ,penny1 of ,gold ,coin to be had throughout all ,germany1 all being changed and bought up and wiped off the ,gold4 ,but yet there is ,silver enough left1 both made into money1 and wrought up by the ,gold-smiths1 a ,mark whereof contains1 or of a ,ducket of ,gold2 and therefore seeing the common way of separation by ,aqua-fortis cannot be of use here1 because the costs are too great1 and the little portion of the ,gold will not countervail the same2 it may be done this way1 and separated by either the moist1 or by the dry way1 and that with profit1 though there should be less than th part of a ,ducket in a ,mark of ,silver4 ,and besides1 ,bells ever have much ,silver in them1 neither was it separated therefrom by the ancients 7as we have said afore73 and likewise old ,tin hath a great deal of ,gold and ,silver in it1 which was of old wont to be molten and wrought up with the ,copper into ,bells or great ,guns4 ,many there are that well know1 that there is ,gold and ,silver in these things1 but how to extract them thence1 they know not3 ,for ,copper admits not of being cupellated 7or purified7 by ,lead1 much less of being separated1 yet more difficult is it to do it by ,aqua-fortis4 ,but yet1 it may be effected and that with a great deal of profit by the way which we have shewn1 both the moist and dry too4 ,and therefore he that shall be well skill'd in these operations1 doing it either by melting with ,antimony1 or by the ,water1 will get abundance of profit out of your old and broken pieces of ,bells3 ,nay should he buy them whole1 yet would he get no small matter1 for he may extract their ,gold and ,silver1 and then melt them anew4 ,for there is not barely in ,bells that portion of ,gold ,silver which the ,copper and ,tin had naturally in them1 and of which the ,bells are made2 but also1 it was the custom of the ancients1 7when a new ,bell was molten or founded17 to call some ,god-fathers or ,witnesses 7according to their ancient custom7 who named the ,bells afore they were baptized3 ,and like as it is even at this day the usual custom every where throughout ,christendom in the baptizing of ,infants for the ,god-fathers to give their ,god-child some ,money 7or ,plate7 as a remembrance2 so the ancients did do in the baptizing of their ,bells1 as they were flowing in the ,furnace they cast thereinto ,gold and ,silver1 to testify their affection to ,holy uses1 and also that the ,bells might fuse the better1 and yield a clearer sound4 ,upon this account ,i say1 that 'tis no small gain that may be gotten out of old ,bells1 seeing there never is a ,bell which is destitute of ,gold and ,silver4 ,and now the well-minded ,reader sees what use this extraction and precipitation of ,gold ,silver which is done either in the moist or in the dry way1 is of2 and that not only in ,minerals and ,fossiles1 but likewise in metalline mixtures too1 out of which there can nothing be obtained by any other way4 ,who ,i pray will not now magnifie or highly esteem of ,salt-petre1 and take care about having it prepared in great plenty1 and so convert it to his profit1 seeing it is clearly manifest that so much good may be done with it both in ,metalline ,affairs and ,medicine8 ,i do what ,i am able1 ,i offer my self to all good ,men3 ,if they will not listen to me1 ,i am not to be blamed but am void of fault4 ,man's ,life is too short1 than for one ,man to be able to describe all the things that may be done by the help of ,salt-petre2 neither indeed is it to be wished that many should know it4 ,but seeing ,i but now treated of the precipitation of ,metals and ,minerals1 ,i think it worth while1 to shew the cause of that precipitation1 that so the studious of ,art may have a more certain foundation of this thing4 ,that which is to be separated1 must of necessity be a bound up or fast knit body1 for else it would not need any reparation2 therefore forasmuch as one ,metal knits up1 or incloseth another1 they cannot be separated from one another1 but by the breaking or destruction of the bonds which they are tied withal1 and knit each within another2 this destruction now1 is to be done by the ,fire1 both in the moist and likewise in the dry way4 ,copper1 ,tin1 ,iron1 and ,lead1 may in the dry way be separated from ,gold and ,silver1 if they are ,cupellated together on a ,test3 ,for then the superfluous or burning ,sulphur1 in the imperfect ,metals acts upon it self and reduceth its own proper ,body or ,metal into ,scoria1 and seeing that there is a great part of ,lead therein1 those ,scoria are fluxile1 and it doth by little little 7as much of it as goes into scoria7 insinuate it self or slide into the porous ,tests of ,hearths4 ,but the ,gold and ,silver which have no superfluous ,sulphur1 do remain unhurt upon the ,test1 washt and clean do now shew themselves in their clarity brightness2 ,this is the separation of the good from the bad1 or the combustible from the incombustible1 which is done by the force of ,fire only1 and solely3 by which1 the imperfect ,metals are by the help of ,lead converted into brittle scoria1 and so creep into the ,tests1 and separate themselves from the perfect ,bodies2 and this is a very easie work1 and well enough known to every body1 and is by the ,refiners called ,cupellation4 ,but now in this separation1 there's only a separation made of the imperfect ,metals from the perfect1 but the ,gold and ,silver remain mixt together1 and if you would have each apart too1 then 'tis necessary that the one be dissolved and separated from the other by a most strong ,aqua-fortis4 ,but if the portion of the ,silver be more than the ,gold1 then the ,silver is dissolved by a common ,aqua-fortis made of ,salt-petre and ,vitriol1 and so the ,gold will fall to the bottom3 and this way of separation is well enough known and used by all the ,refiners and ,goldsmiths2 but if there be more ,gold than there is ,silver1 then do they dissolve the ,gold by ,aqua-regia1 and so the ,silver remains undissolv'd2 nor is the ,aqua-regia any thing else but a strong water of ,salt-petre1 in which some ,sal-armoniack is dissolved2 for the common or simple water of ,salt-petre doth dissolve the ,silver only and leaves the ,gold2 and contrariwise the ,aqua-regia dissolves the ,gold only1 and meddles not with the ,silver2 but if they know not the right way of ordering the ,aqua-regia1 they are wont to add to the ,gold in the melting so much ,silver as may make up three times the weight that there is of the ,gold1 and so they separate it by ,aqua-fortis1 which 7kind of operation7 we call 7die ,quartz74 ,there is yet another way of separation1 which is known unto them1 and this is done by ,cementation1 if 7viz47 divers ,metals are commixt together1 and they are mixt with ,vitriol1 ,salt1 and ,tiles1 ,stratum super stratum1 and so kept together a while for some due time in a continual fire2 then the ,salt and ,vitriol do assume to themselves the imperfect ,metals1 and leave the most perfect1 that is the ,gold1 alone4 ,cementing doth also attract ,silver and ,iron1 ,copper and ,lead2 but this kind of separation is only used to impure ,gold1 perfectly to purifie it4 ,there is yet another way of separation1 which is done by ,antimony1 and is likewise only used to ,gold1 to cleanse it from its impurity and vitiosity4 ,there is also another way of separating by fusion1 in which1 if you would have a metalline mixture which hath ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 and ,lead in it1 to be separated into its several kinds1 then the mixture must be granulated and burnt with ,sulphur1 and being burnt1 it must be melted in a ,pot1 and so by precipitating it either with ,lead or ,iron1 one ,metal must be separated orderly from another2 which way is wont to be used 7as far as ,i know7 but by few1 because they are not so understanding in ,nature1 nor know any cause why one ,metal separates it self from another1 sooner and more readily out of the mass or metalline mixture1 and settles to the bottom4 ,but that the ingenious ,lover of ,art may have some directory1 as 'twere1 and some occasion to consider with himself more deeply1 and may have a willingness to undertake so excellent and profitable an ,art1 ,i have a mind to discover the cause of the precipitation4 ,it is sufficiently evident1 that like rejoiceth with like1 and that there's a disagreement 'twixt unlike things4 ,oil loves to be mixt with ,oil1 ,water is willingly united with ,water1 but not at all with ,oil1 lest by a medium intervening4 ,hence it is1 that for as much as one ,metal is of a different nature from another1 that such as are alike1 love each other1 and such as be unlike do abhor and shun each other2 and therefore when there are divers ,metals in one mass1 and that you would separate them1 it is necessary that you do it by adding such a thing as is of affinity to the more imperfect part1 and is at ,enmity with the perfecter part4 ,as for examp4 ,sulphur is a friend to all the ,metals1 save ,gold1 and that it hates2 but yet it loves 7even in the imperfect ,metals7 one better than another3 for by how much the more like they are thereunto1 and the more imperfect1 so much the more readily is it a friend or enemy thereto4 ,and therefore when the ,sulphur shall have been put into the mass in the combustion1 then the most noble parts flie off1 and do their best to free themselves from the fellowship of the imperfect and unclean metals2 but yet they cannot rid themselves without some assistance2 and therefore if some sulphureous or imperfect ,metal shall be put to the sulphureous mass1 then the sulphur laies hold upon it1 and lets go the more perfect part1 tho' not so pure as yet1 but it needs a greater purification2 concerning which there may be read more at large in the ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,this work is called ,precipitation1 when the more perfect part is precipitated and separated from the more vile1 and that out of one and the same mixture4 ,the same reason is there in the precipitation made in the moist way1 if 7viz47 some ,metals1 or all together1 be dissolved in the water1 one is thence precipitated after another orderly4 ,first1 ,that which is the most noble and most perfect1 then the #b #c1 and so regularly1 until they are all precipitated4 ,this is that most excellent and hitherto wholly unknown1 and most gallant ,invention wherewith ,i hope to become serviceable to my ,friends4 ,he that well understands this precipitation1 will gain much1 but if he only meddles with this operation in a careless manner1 and meerly customary as 'twere1 and so not know the reason it self1 why such1 or such a thing is1 he may worthily be compared to an ,ass that carrys a sack1 but knows not what is therein contained1 nor whither he is to carry it4 ,therefore ,i will yet farther add a more clear information4 ,iron precipitates ,copper out of both the dry and moist solution2 ,copper precipitates silver both in the moist and dry solution3 ,mercury doth chiefly precipitate ,gold1 and altho' ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 and ,lead1 do also precipitate ,gold and ,silver1 yet each ,metal hath its own peculiar precipitation1 and farther note1 that ,precipitations done with ,salts do exceed those done with the ,metals1 for by them may all the ,metals be precipitated2 and this hath even hitherto been kept secret4 ,and besides1 one ,metal does not only precipitate another1 but doth likewise change or alter it4 ,as for examp4 ,if ,i put the ,plates of ,copper in a solution of ,silver1 then 7whether the solution or operation be done either in the moist way or in the dry way7 the silver precipitates it self by means of the ,copper4 ,and if ,i but know how to manage that business knowingly and skilfully1 the ,silver will also graduate some of the ,copper into ,silver in the precipitation1 and there will be gained more silver than was put in the solution4 ,in like manner1 if ,i precipitate ,copper with ,iron1 out of a solution of ,copper1 then doth the ,copper precipitate it self by reason of the ,iron1 but withal1 some part of the ,iron doth exalt it self in the precipitation into ,copper2 and seeing that this kind of operation is confirmed by often ,experience1 there is none can safely question it4 ,but ,i do not say1 that in such a gradation all the ,iron is turned into ,copper1 or all the ,copper into ,silver2 nor did ,i ever try it2 but yet ,i readily believe1 that it is a thing possible to be done by reiterated workings4 ,mercury precipitates ,gold most willingly1 but only in the moist way1 for in the dry way it cannot subsist2 but to precipitate it in that way1 ,iron serves excellently well2 ,copper also and ,lead are profitably useful hereabout also1 but yet ,iron is better4 ,there is a singular precipitation of ,silver with ,mercury1 which ,i will here mention4 ,the ,chymists some hundreds of years ago1 made ,silver out of ,cinnabar1 but without any benefit or profit2 neither did their silver they got come from the ,mercury1 but from that silver which they added to the ,cinnabar4 ,they took common ,cinnabar1 made of ,quick-silver and ,brimstone1 and brake it into small bits1 about the bigness of the ,nail of ones ,finger1 and made ,layes1 or ,stratum super stratum1 thereof1 with filings of pure ,silver1 then they luted up all well1 and kept it in a moderate heat for #bj1 #cj1 or #dj hours1 and by this way they found that their ,cinnabar1 which at first was red1 was made black2 this matter they cupellated with ,lead upon a ,test1 and so got as much ,silver as was the weight of the ,mercury in the ,cinnabar4 ,,nb4 ,as much silver as they got1 so much wanted there of the silver they put unto it1 and so there was no ,gain made from hence2 and they supposed 7but falsly7 that the ,quicksilver extracted the soul out of the silver put thereunto1 and that therefore the said silver was rendered volatile4 ,nor indeed is it contrary to ,reason1 that ,argent-vive should extract the soul from ,silver1 thereby convert it self into silver2 and that on the other hand1 this exanimated silver be made wholly volatile1 if it be not animated anew by other ,metals2 and this is what some have done and attained to1 by the help of ,lead4 ,but the ,operation which ,i treat of at present is rather an attraction or precipitation of silver by ,mercury1 and this precipitation is to be done in the moist way1 and is most wondrous easie2 nor is it without ,encrease or ,gain1 provided you are willing to wait its time1 and 'tis thus4 ,if one part of purer silver be dissolved in ,aq4 fortis1 and in the solution two parts of ,rain-water be added to one ,part of ,aq4 fortis1 and there be likewise thrown in three or four parts of ,quick-,mercury1 and all this be left some daies or weeks in a cold place1 unmoved1 then the silver precipitates it self out of the ,water to the ,mercury1 and the ,mercury dissolves it self into the ,water1 and both together yield a wonderful representation of growing things1 like ,mountains and ,vallies1 and certainly is of a most pleasant aspect4 ,the result of which is this1 viz4 if they stand so a long time and shall be afterwards edulcorated and reduced by ,lead1 then the ,silver gets no small encrease from the ,mercury3 ,but yet there's no gain to be thence had unless those out growings 7or representations of fine things7 be suffered to operate and germinate above a ,year3 ,and this1 few operators will yield to do1 and to be withheld so long a time from the fruits of their ,labours4 ,now the reason of this operation is thus3 ,the ,aqua-fortis is a moist and cold ,fire1 and ripens as well as the dry and hot fire1 but he need be a skillful ,artist that sets upon this ,work4 ,it is evident that some of the ancient ,philosophers maturated their ,universal ,medicine by a moist fire1 as you may see in ,artephius and others4 ,othersome ,philosophers extracted a certain secret water1 or universal ,menstruum and dissolvent out of the ,nitrous ,sea1 and did thereby perform most notable things1 but they always kept it secret1 and the description they have made thereof1 hath been obscured1 or painted over with ,riddles1 or dark expressions1 when they say1 that draws his secret water out of the ,sea1 of as clear brightness as the ,moon3 which way of drawing it belongs not to this place to shew3 only thus much is hinted1 that out of ,nitre may be drawn an ,universal ,menstruum1 which is more excellent than the ,corrosive ,spirit of ,nitre1 which said ,spirit doth indeed dissolve all things1 but after the manner of corrosives1 whereas this which draws and is of the clear brightness of the ,moon1 hath nothing of ,corrosivity in it1 but is mild and sweet1 and wets not the hands1 or tingeth them1 as that ,corrosive doth2 and altho' such a water be ,volatile1 and not fixt1 yet is it of such a nature as to constringe1 and fix other fugitive1 and unfixt things4 ',tis a thing most worthy of admiration to consider how those ,natures have a mutual love each to the other1 and embrace one another1 and are converted the one into the other4 ,and thus much may suffice to have been spoken concerning the precipitation of the ,metals out of both the dry1 and moist solutions4 ,let no body seek to fish ought more out of me by their ,letters2 but as for such as formerly have been my friends1 and even now are1 or shall hereafter be1 to these ,i will not deny any thing1 always provided1 that nothing be done against a decorum 7as they use to say7 or a discreet behaviour4 ,but now if any one thinks that 7if he comes flying from the ,east or ,west7 ,i must presently lay aside all my business1 and only attend upon doing and answering what he demands3 ,no1 that's a thing my ,affairs won't permit me to do1 for ,i have somewhat else to manage4 ,and therefore would ,i forewarn such an one1 that he enters not on such a ,journey afore he be certain whether or no it stands with my convenience or not4 ,for this hath many a time already happened unto me1 viz4 for some one to come with a desire of knowing this or that secret1 who 7when ,i would have told it him1 but that ,i had no time then to accommodate him7 hath gone away stomaching at me1 and began to reproach me publickly afore all ,men1 as if ,i were some inhumane1 or merciless fellow1 and would not satisfy his request4 ,some also there have been1 who out of the meer malice of their mind have divulged1 that ,i my self have nothing1 seeing they can get nothing from me2 there are many such perverse kind of men to be found1 who make no ,conscience of enervating1 or sucking out the very ,marrow of the ,bones of others1 so as they may be but benefited thereby themselves2 which verily is a great evil and inhumanity4 ,how often have such kind of men come unto me1 whom1 7when they have spoken with their kind words unto me1 and also carry the garb1 and outside show of very honest ,men1 and promised all decent thankfulness7 ,i have satisfy'd1 and yet have afterwards fled off from1 and broken their ,faith3 ,therefore it is the best way for him who has any singular thing1 to bury it over in silence1 and so he need not fear of being drained by others1 that know how 7by the perswasive flattering ,art7 to get out his skill1 and give no thanks afterwards for the same4 ,if ,i had not already began to describe the ,prosperity of ,germany1 certainly ,i would not now begin2 but forasmuch as ,i have taken upon me to finish what ,i have begun1 ,i will stand to my promise1 and will in like manner shortly publish 7if ,god shall see it good7 the third and fourth part4 ,and seeing that in both the following parts1 the melioration1 or concentration of the ,metals1 is chiefly to be done by the help of ,salt-petre1 ,i was willing more amply to confirm in this second part1 that which ,i wrote in the first part of the ,generation of ,salt-petre4 ,and ,i do again and again averr with the greatest asseveration1 that such a generation of ,salt-petre out of wood is very true1 and is founded on ,nature her self4 ,now must ,i proceed a little onwards1 and withal demonstrate to the simple1 that the putrefactory ,stomack1 in which the wood is digested and putrefied1 and which transmuteth all wood1 and resolves likewise all ,leaves and ,grass in a short time1 transmutes and reduceth it into ,dung1 is as the stomack of ,animals is1 and this may be done in a most vast ,quantity1 as hath been proved in the first part of the ,prosperity of ,germany2 and this no ,mortal ,man can ever refute1 viz4 that the essential salt1 or salt of ,nature1 is no other thing but ,salt-petre1 but is not as yet burning1 or flaming up1 until it be animated by the air1 and conceive a life thencefrom1 the essential salt of ,vegetables1 barely such1 is not so1 viz4 ,salt-petre1 as hath been sufficiently manifested4 ,now whatsoever gives fertility and power of growth1 is ,nitrous2 if therefore there lay hid no ,nitre in ,minerals1 as in stones1 why would the ,gardiners carry slackt ,lime into their ,fields1 and use it instead of ,dung to dung their ,fields withal8 ,whence doth the ,salt-petre come that grows on upon old ,walls1 if not from the ,lime8 ,what is the reason that the ,salt-petre men do seek after old ruined walls1 to make ,salt-petre thereout of1 were nothing in them8 ,i verily believe that this is an indubitable ,argument1 that there is ,salt-petre hidden in all things3 ,for the salt of the ,world1 or the ,universal ,essential salt1 is nothing else but ,salt-petre1 when it hath after a due time attracted a life out of the air1 to which end my secret circulatory instrument was invented1 that such an animation might be the more conveniently brought to pass4 ,nor do the other kinds of salts1 viz4 ,sal-,gem1 the salt made out of the natural salt fountains1 or sea-salt1 likewise all salts which are made out of the ,lees of ,wood ashes1 or of ,lime1 also ,alume and ,vitriol1 all these are not so widely different from salt-petre1 but they may easily be transmuted1 and converted into salt-petre by the animation of the air1 by the help of my circulatory vessel2 but for the better perception of the operation1 ,i will subjoin this ,example4 ,dissolve as much ,sal-,gem1 sea salt1 or salt made out of the salt fountains1 or common salt which is frequently used in boiling of meats1 or salt made of ,wood ashes1 or of the stones of ,calx-vive1 in ,aq4 fortis1 as much as the water will assume to its self1 or be able to dissolve1 and let it again cool2 then the salt does not concrete or shoot granularly1 any more but into longish ,cones like salt-petre4 ,pour off the ,aq4 fortis1 or ,salt-petre water1 and dissolve it1 viz4 the salt1 again in a ,lixivium of ,lime1 and cristallize it1 so shall you have therefrom a ,natural1 or ,genuine ,salt-petre1 and no less combustible than any other ,salt-petre that is digged out of the stables where ,cattle have stood4 ,then again may there be1 by the said ,salt-petre water1 more salt prepared1 either common salt1 or salt out of ,herbs1 or ,wood1 and be dissolved and crystallized1 from whence results a new salt-petre1 and this operation may be so long repeated1 until all the salt-petre water be turned together with the salt1 into salt-petre4 ,this transmutation of salt-petre is perfected in some hours1 and from hence may a worthy reward for your pains be reaped1 could it be otherwise performed than in ,glasses2 and indeed1 out of one pound of salt-petre1 would there come an hundred pounds of petre1 if a part of the transmuted salt be still distilled anew into water1 and more new salt be by it again transmuted4 ,but there is no such need of setting about a work so laborious1 seeing there is at hand a far speedier1 or more dexterous way of doing the same1 if viz4 those salts shall be animated by the air1 by the circulation that ,i have contrived1 and so be turned into salt-petre in great quantity3 which animation1 or hatching as 'twere1 may be done in vast quantity by easie labour1 and little costs1 the air 7as we use to say7 turning or making both sides of the ,leaf3 ,for one portion continually kindles and animates another1 no otherwise than as a little ,leaven doth a great ,mass of ,dough1 and as a little ,fces1 or ,yeast1 yea1 as little as will lie in a ,spoon1 serves to ferment a whole ,vessel of ,ale2 the same is done here4 ,and indeed1 common salt-petre may be implanted into other salts1 even as a ,vegetable ,seed is sown in the ,earth1 so as thence to get in a short space of time a great encrease1 even an hundred1 or a thousand-fold4 ,but the sluggish ,companions who had rather fatten themselves with eating1 drinking1 and sleeping1 and wholly give themselves to laziness1 who is able to wait so long in the expectation of this thing8 ,alass for ye1 ye sloathful1 lazy1 and devouring ,gluttons1 with what face dare ye so manifestly to betray your laziness8 ,i pray1 if you put out your ,money to ,use1 and have #e or #f per ,c4 as we use to say1 a ,year1 must you not expect the years revolution afore ye receive it8 ,and besides1 you run here a hazard too1 least your ,debtor breaks1 and defraud you of the very ,principal it self3 ,if you lay out your ,moneys on building ,houses1 so to make a great gain thereby1 may not your ,tenant be reduced to such wants as not to have wherewithal to pay you1 unless haply1 out of the very ,stubble1 or ,litter of his poverty8 ,may not your ,ships which float about in the ,sea1 be cast away by ,storms and ,tempests1 or be taken by ,pirates8 ,why are ye not as ,patient in your expectation as the ,husbandman is1 who after he hath sown his ,grain1 must wait a whole year afore he reaps with advantage what he hath sown4 ,nay1 yet more1 if he be pretty fortunate1 he scarce gains #f in the #ajj1 the costs and pains being reckoned2 and in the mean time he is in fear1 lest the ,corn should be blited by the cold1 or being near ripe1 should by a bad season be spoiled and corrupted in the field4 ,if there happens a year that is droughty1 then the ,corn cannot grow up high1 or 'tis eaten by the ,mice2 but now in the preparation of ,salt-petre all those ,cares are saved1 and #ajj ,dollars may yearly yield thee #b1 #c1 #d1 or more gains1 and that without any wronging thy ,conscience1 and without endamaging any other1 and without ,extortion2 for if thou hast much ,salt-petre1 thou maist promise thy self much gold and silver also1 for there will alwaies be such as buy it up2 and if thou attentively heedest1 thou hast so much delivered thee in my ,writings1 as that thou thy self maist spend it all on the melioration and ,separation of ,metals3 ,nor needest thou1 if thou thinkest it good1 sell any of the same4 ,nor is there any reason that thou should be asham'd or repent of such a ,work1 because one man is sufficient1 without any others help1 to manage the greatest operation3 nor need there great expence1 save only a little to build a ,small ,cottage1 wherein the ,salt-petre may be kept dry4 ,if you have huge ,woods at hand1 you may make your ,salt-petre out of wood2 if you want wood1 then out of the dung of ,horses1 ,oxen1 or other ,beasts1 and ,sheep1 or else out of even common ,salt1 which we use in seasoning our ,meats1 out of wood-ashes1 and out of ,lime3 ,whatever it be prepared from1 it will not cost much1 for #a l4 of ,salt will yield thee #a l4 of ,salt-petre4 ,but haply some or other may be in the mind to think or demand1 why ,glauber himself sets not about this work1 and reserve the whole ,gain to himself8 ,to these ,i answer1 that ,i am not of ,such a greedy desire1 as to wish for all to my self2 nor will it at all be unacceptable to me1 if another hath likewise somewhat2 nor will it be at all less lawful for me to do for my self so much as seemeth me good1 as for any other to take his liberty1 and to do to himself as seemeth him good4 ,besides too1 ,i am not of the mind to make the thing so very common1 but will see whom ,i communicate ought unto1 that so it may be applied to good uses1 and not come into the hands of the ,unworthy4 ,the first ten years however ,salt-petre will not be of so vile a price1 but that it may be made and sold to profit2 ,who knows whether or no he shall live so long8 ,and if at the utmost it should after #bj or #cj years be of so mean a price1 because of this ,invention of mine1 yet in the interim they may all that while enjoy the profit of the same2 and it may be expected from the hands of ,god1 that ,he will1 for the time to come1 provide for them some other waies3 ,but never will it be so vile1 as to be worth nothing2 and if it were so1 that you could not make any ,money of it1 7tho' it is impossible that it should ever be such a drug7 yet 7by that manuduction which ,i have afore given in the #a1 #b1 and #dth4 ,parts of my ,furnaces2 as also in ,the ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi2 in the #b;d4 #c;d4 ,part of my ,pharmac4 ,spagyr4 and in ,this ,second1 and shall be in the following ,third and ,fourth ,parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany27 it may be improved about many eminent uses1 and so ,gain be thereof made2 for ,salt-petre is such a ,subject1 as you can never have too much of1 and is therefore worth our labouring after1 and our endeavouring how to prepare it in good quantity1 and withal1 of finding out what benefit it is naturally able to afford us2 for it is even a wonder to consider how great things may be done by the help thereof3 ,it is the greatest ,poison and yet may a most excellent ,medicine be thereout of prepared3 ,colder it is than ,ice1 and yet hotter than any fire4 ,it is the ,generator of all things1 and also their ,corrupter2 it vivifies and kills all things2 it is heavier than gold1 and yet lighter than the ,wind2 it is also ,fire and ,water1 ,air and ,earth1 ,male and ,female2 it impregnateth and suffereth it self to be impregnated2 it is light1 and is also darkness2 it is black and white3 ,there are in it as many ,colours as the world affords2 it is fixt and volatile1 corporeal and spiritual2 it kindles and burns all things1 and doth also quench all burnings2 it is the ,beginning of all things1 and yet it causeth the ,end of all things2 that which is ,soft1 it makes to be congealed and become stiff2 and again1 that which is stiff or hard1 it makes soft4 ,o ,thou ,creator of all things1 ,how great a vastness is there of thy wonderful ,works8 and what a fewness is there of those who understand1 or know1 or labour to know it6 ,o thou eternal ,light6 illuminate the dark breasts of the lost ,sons of the ,world2 ,o thou vivifying fire1 mollifie1 enkindle1 heat the stubborn hearts of sluggish ,mankind1 that are oppressed with sleep1 and frozen with cold1 that so they may seek thee1 and know thee1 and learn to fear thee in true ,humility1 and to honour worship thee without ,hypocrisie4 ,amen4 ,an ,admonition1 and short ,repetition of those things which are treated of in this ,treatise4 ,that the ,friendly ,reader may make this ,book yet of more use and benefit to himself1 ,i thought it worth while by way of an ,overplus1 again to set here afore his eyes those ,secrets which have been herein mentioned1 what 'tis that the use of them doth consist properly in4 ,first of all1 it hath been shown1 how by the means of ,salt-petre1 all ,volatile1 and immature ,minerals are to be brought to a ripeness both in the moist way and in the dry way1 that so they may yield forth out of themselves in the melting1 good durable ,gold and ,silver4 ,then ,i taught by what way the ,volatile1 ,arsenical1 ,coboltick1 and ,antimonial1 ,auriferous1 and ,argentiferous ,minerals1 may by an easy labour1 be by an artificial fusion1 and extraction1 and also by a precipitation into ,regulus's1 and by the purification or cupellation of the said ,regulus's1 by the help of ,salt-petre1 converted or brought into use in the dry way1 and the ,gold and ,silver hidden in them be drawn forth4 ,thirdly1 ,i have shown the extraction of ,gold and ,silver out of all the barren1 or poorer sort of ,minerals or ,ores1 which are not worth the charges of excocting1 or the usual way of proceeding1 and of the drawing them out by a singular ,art1 with the water of ,salt-petre1 and of rightly working them2 which way is to be preferred far afore any usual excoction of those poorer kinds of ,minerals1 not only because such an extraction is performed without a melting fire1 and a ,furnace2 but also1 because in this extraction there is more obtained than is by excoction or forcing out3 ,and yet farther1 that which was ,volatile in them is fixed together1 and retained1 by that ,water of ,salt-petre which would otherwise in a melting ,fire fly away in fume4 ,and more than this too1 ,gold and ,silver may by this moist way and that with very easie ,labour be extracted and in a due manner perfected1 and that commodiously and with no small profit1 out of any1 the vilest ,fossiles 7or things dig'd out of the ,earth7 as out of disesteemed ,earths1 ,dusts1 ,sands1 and ,flints1 from whence1 otherwise you cannot extract any thing neither by ,excoction nor by ,mercury3 ,so that in all places of the ,world what coast soever1 so it be somewhat a dryish soil1 is to be found such kind of ,earth1 ,clay 7or ,marle7 ,sand1 ,flints1 and such like which contain in them a thin or sparing kind of ,gold and ,silver1 and from which they may profitably be extracted4 ,verily it is a dainty ,art which may be used in all parts of the ,world1 nor is it at all burdensom to carry1 but may be excellently 7well1 or safely7 preferred till need requires4 ,but this is to be noted that the fatter ,earth or ,clay must first be made red hot and burnt afore it be moistned with the ,water of ,salt-petre4 ,for without so doing1 the ,earth would always remain thick 7or clammy17 would drink up much water1 and it would not easily be separated1 but being burned1 it suffers it self to be extracted no other than as if it were ,sand4 ,so neither do the ,ore or ,fossiles of ,iron which are auriferous and abound with ,iron1 suffer the ,gold to be extracted and precipitated out of them as readily as other ,minera's or ,ores do4 ,but the iron1 7if then be overmuch of it7 makes the ,water thick and pappy like ,mud4 ,and therefore you must put into that solution a part of common ,water1 to make it the thinner1 that so the ,gold and ,silver may be the easilier precipitated thencefrom4 ,the auriferous ,coppery ,ores are to be burnt first1 if they are sulphureous1 if not1 they may then be extracted1 though not burnt4 ,the sandy1 stony1 brittle1 and pebblish1 ,fossiles need no other preparation but to be burnt and ground4 ,likewise all auriferous ,irony1 or ,coppery ,ores1 may be separated by common salt1 without a ,furnace1 or melting fire1 and that in the open air 7as we said afore where we treated of the poorer ,coppery ,minera's1 or ,ores37 and many hundreds of pounds may be done at one time1 and with one labour1 and the ,gold which is extracted mixtly with the ,iron and ,copper1 may be separated out of the solution1 by the moist precipitating way there delivered1 and that with a mighty profit and gain1 because that same precipitation hurts not in the least either the ,copper1 or the ,iron1 as to their malleability4 ,in like manner may you precipitate the ,gold out of any ,vitriol water1 and that in quantity 7when it has any in it73 and on such wise too1 that the precipitation of the ,vitriol shall not at all change ought of its nature2 and this is so compendious a way1 as that if there were contained no more than one quarter of a ,drachm of ,gold in #ajj l4 of ,vitriol1 yet would not that precipitation be of no use or profit4 ,and on this wise and manner may all other ,mineral waters be precipitated4 ,moreover1 as concerning the means of easily preparing the salt so as to serve for the extracting the ,copper1 in all ,countries1 but especially on the ,sea ,coasts1 the ,concentration of salt out of the waters1 or the ,sea will afford you no mean1 or obscure ,documents touching that thing2 which concentration it treated of in the ,book ,intituled1 ,the ,consolation of ,navigators4 ,but forasmuch as there is mention made in this ,treatise of a yet other certain ,artificial separation of ,gold and ,silver out of the imperfect ,metals1 in which1 ,antimonial scoria have place1 in a forenamed extraction1 which ,i would willingly 7but as yet have not7 delivered2 let no body so construe it1 as if ,i either purposely1 or carelesly omitted the same3 ,no6 ,the ,case is far otherwise1 and this is the true reason2 seeing this ,book now in hand is become more prolix than ,i intended1 ,i determined with my self to reserve that most profitable process for the following third part1 which ,god willing1 ,i will very shortly publish1 till then1 ,i entreat the ,friendly ,reader to expect or wait for it with a good and patient mind4 ,mean while he may acquiesce with these two ways1 viz4 the dry and the moist1 and delight himself herein1 and withal take care 7as far as in him lies7 to have ready by him1 some quantity of ,salt-petre2 for the following third part shall treat of nothing else but the performing and doing of processes by the help of ,salt-petre4 ,he therefore that knows how to make it in plenty at a small rate1 may hope for so much the greater benefit2 and this ,i judged expedient1 to add here for admonitions sake4 ,more shall be discovered 7,god willing7 in the third and fourth following parts4 ,illustration3 ,a4 ,ein ,kleiner ,zinbaur mit einem ,plug4 ,b4 ,ein ,zinbaur mit #c3,pflge4 ,c4 ,de ,zinbauren ,huet4 ,d4 ,de ,zinbauren #c3,pflge4 ,e4 ,die ,register dar durch da ,fer regiret wirt4 ,f4 ,da eingesetzte ,gla mit seinem ,helm vnd ,recipienten4 ,g4 ,die ,ther ,zu dem ,rster4 ,h4 ,da ,aschenloch ,i4 ,ein ,krblein mit ,kohlen4 ,illustration3 vnd mit ,gagen1 mus die ,garne tragen1 ,stelt recht nach dem ,windt1 ,so wird gefangen ,fraw ,kindt4 ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in which is ,delivered1 ,the way of most easily and plentifully extracting ,salt-petre out of ,various ,subjects every where ,obvious and at ,hand4 ,,together ,with a succinct ,explication of ,paracelsus his ,prophecy2 that is to say1 in what manner it is to be understood the ,northern ,lion will ,institute or ,plant his political or civil ,monarchy2 and that ,paracelsus himself will not abide in his ,grave2 and that a vast quantity of ,riches will offer it self4 ,,likewise ,what an one that ,artist ,elias is1 of whose coming in the last ,days1 and his disclosing abundance of ,secrets1 ,paracelsus and others have predicted4 ,to the ,,reader4 ,friendly ,reader1 ,although there are very many ,causes that might disswade me from ,publishing this ,third and the ,fourth following ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany in ,print1 7because of the inconveniencies and hurt done me by the perfidious ,farnner1 against whom no body hath hitherto opposed himself2 but all have connived and wink'd thereat2 and consequently have every one left such a perfidious ,treachery unpunish'd7 and incourage me to leave ,germany1 a most ungrateful ,germany as it is4 ,yet notwithstanding1 the ,love to my ,neighbours 7amongst whom there are many honest and good ,men to be found1 who lead a troublesome kind of ,life to get their daily food7 hath compelled me4 ,to such therefore as these are1 would ,i willingly give or hand forth a ,torch so to direct them that they may for time to come fare better and more easily get things necessary to uphold ,life withal2 but yet after such wise1 as that they set their ,hands to the ,work1 for the ,gods sell not ought to those that ,labour not1 but all good things are sought1 and found out by daily ,labour and diligent search4 ,now albeit1 that all those things which are throughly handled in this book are true1 and so confirmed by experience as that any one may easily understand and imitate them1 yet notwithstanding1 ,i am certain that there will be a very many who by reason of their ignorance1 cannot understand them1 and apply them to use2 because the greatest part of mankind are too much addicted to laziness1 and do for the most part refuse to apply their ,limbs to work1 but would rather walk abroad1 and discourse of ,arts when they are in their cups4 ,i say that these secrets of mine will no ways profit such kind of ,men1 for such must first learn in what manner the necessary ,instruments are to be handled1 and how the ,operations are to be rightly instituted and managed in seemly ,order4 ,there are abundance of ,men who 7if they hap to read some ,chymical ,writings1 or hear others talk of the profitableness of them1 7they7 are presently inflamed with such a love1 that they will even wholly devote themselves to ,chymistry on the hopes of growing rich4 ,and now when they have proposed any thing to themselves1 and attempt to do it1 if they hap to have a sparkle of ,fire light on their hands1 or that by reason of some other obstacle1 all things do not immediately fadge to their minds1 they throw away the ,tongs1 and the ,crucibles upon the ,ground1 and detest 7or curse7 the ,author1 because he hath not ,written clear enough1 and that they do not presently extract great store of ,gold4 ,let not such as these at all perswade themselves that they can receive any instruction from these my ,writings2 for my ,writings require ,men that are diligent1 whose minds are never wearied with labour1 and who are not sloathful1 and impatient of ,labour4 ,now to the studious 7searchers7 and especially to such ,children 7or ,disciples7 adopted or chosen by ,god1 all these things will be unto them clear1 manifestly evident1 and easie to be imitated4 ,for as much therefore as ,i have spoken many things in the ,first and ,second ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 concerning the making and use of ,nitre1 ,i do now go on in ,god's ,name1 and do teach in this third part1 by what easie ways ,nitre may be variously made1 and be fruitfully and profitably used both by ,noble ,men and common ,men2 so that there is not a man in the whole ,world1 but may 7if he please7 get great benefit thereby4 ,the ,omnipotent ,god1 the ,author and giver of every good thing1 bestow upon us to be able to enjoy and make use of his ,gifts1 that all things may tend to the ,honour of his most ,holy ,name1 and to the ,safety and ,preservation of us all4 ,amen ,of the ,preparation of ,,salt-,,petre4 ,i shewed in the ,first ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 the way whereby ,wood may be concentrated and turned into excellent ,nitre1 and which otherwise is every where for the most part consumed by lying rotting in the ,woods1 and yields no benefit at all unto any ,man4 ,this ,operation is to be done with the help of a certain ,press artificially contrived for that particular business1 the due 7or right7 description of which1 we gave you in the ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,but the circulatory ,vessels by which the ,lixivium of the wood 7or the distilled ,liquor out of the wood7 is to be excited and heated by the ,air1 have not as yet been described2 and therefore we have determined to do it in this ,third ,part4 ,this ,figure therefore represents them1 and its use2 and is as follows4 ,there must be two ,boxes 7as 'twere7 made of ,boards1 each of them of like bigness and capacity1 as the ,figure 7or ,letter7 ,a shews4 ,these ,boxes are to be so placed1 that a ,vessel may be set under one end of each ,box1 to receive in it 7if need be7 the ,lixivium poured into them3 ,let one of the ,boxes or ,vessels be filled top full of ,horse-dung1 ,hens1 or ,pigeons-dung2 or else with the ,leaves of the ,trees1 amongst which ,fir-tree ,leaves are best2 then pour thereupon so much of this ,lixivium which we shall make a description of by and by1 so much as may suffice to moisten the ,dung or ,leaves contained in the ,box or ,vessel1 and a little to over-top it4 ,the next day 7after you have so done7 when you judge that all the matter is throughly wetted1 let the ,lixivium run out by a ,tap1 the which said ,lixivium you must pour into the other ,box filled with the like matters1 and which stands just against it4 ,let these things stand thus wetted for some days2 ,in the mean time1 the matter contained in the first ,box1 grows hot1 and the useless moisture being most plentifully resolved into ,vapours out of the ,lixivium1 the said matter doth daily get more and more efficacy4 ,as long as you observe the heat of this ,box to continue1 and the evaporation of moisture to last1 so long must it be left in the same positure whereby the ,lixivium1 thus poured on1 may by its notable power consume and dissolve the ,dung1 or the other matters contained in the ,box1 and turn them into ,water4 ,and here you are to observe this direction4 ,you must always put in new matter instead of that which is turned into ,liquor1 and so one ,box may be always at all times kept full of the matters4 ,but now when your materials being put in the first ,box1 begin to cool1 the ,lixivium which now lies in the second ,box or ,vessel1 must be poured upon the matters yet warm1 in the first ,box1 that so it may again contract a heat thence-from by little and little1 and so may dissolve those matters4 ,and now whilst these things are thus detained in the first ,box or ,vessel1 the materials that are in like manner put in the second ,box do heat each other1 and the unprofitable ,phlegm evaporateth3 ,now as long as this second ,box vaporateth1 the ,lixivium must not be drawn out of the first ,box and be poured thereinto1 but all the matters are to be left to heat or burn 7as it were7 themselves4 ,and when you perceive that the materials cool1 then the ,lixivium must be drawn off from the matters in the first ,box1 and be poured upon them in the second ,box2 and hereby the matters contained in the first ,box will again wax hot1 be burnt1 and be turned into ,liquor4 ,by how much the oftner and longer this repeated pouring on of ,lixivium is done1 so much the more1 and sooner are the materials consumed2 from which matters thus consumed1 a most excellent ,salt-petre may afterwards be made1 for the heat makes the matters rot4 ,now then to make trial 7if it be well enough done7 take some of this ,lixivium boil it away to a sufficient height for ,chrystallization1 set it in a cold place to shoot1 dry the salt you find1 being dry1 put it on a live ,coal1 which if you find it burn up1 it is a sign that it is full time to draw off1 and take all your ,lixivium to the intent that ,salt-petre may be thereof made by due evaporation and coagulation4 ,but if you chance to find it otherwise1 and that the salt does not flame up1 the ,lixivium must lie longer in the ,boxes to be heated and animated by the ,air which is magnetically attracted by means of the heat3 ,this labour being rightly ordered1 there may be made excellent ,salt-petre out of the said matters by the help of a convenient ,lixivium1 in ten or twelve ,months space without any costs1 save some small trifle about the ,lixivium2 neither is the ,work so grievous or troublesome1 for there is nothing more required but that the ,lixivium be several times poured out of one ,box into the other4 ,,nb4 ,there are yet1 besides the other aforenamed several sorts of matters that offer themselves1 out of which1 ,salt-petre may be made by the help of the ,boxes1 a due ,lixivium far speedilier plentifullier2 but ,i judge it not needful to divulge every thing3 ,likewise there may be made a convenient ,lixivium to prepare ,salt petre sooner1 by and after another manner1 to wit1 in a dry form1 without such putrifying as is done in the ,boxes or ,circulatories2 but even this ,artifice too1 will ,i reserve yet a little longer for my ,friends4 ,nay yet more1 there may be 7by a yet secreter and shorter method7 excellent ,salt-petre extracted by the means of such a ,lixivium in three hours space1 and that with most great profit3 ,and this way of preparing ,salt-petre1 ,i do preferr before all the others1 and have found it the most excellent 7,petre7 of them all4 ,the ,lixivium is on this wise made4 ,make you a strong ,lixivium of ,wood-ashes1 and when you burn the unprofitable ,wood in the ,woods into ashes1 make by the same labour of your ,fire some good ,lime of stones fit for such a purpose2 ,then quench this ,calx or ,lime with ,water1 that so it may fall into powder1 then pour thereon as much of the ,lee of the ,wood-ashes now spoken off1 as is sufficient1 mixt it with a wooden ,spatula1 and repeat this mixing and stirring it very often1 some days following1 that so the ,lee may be made the stronger by reason of the ,lime1 and be like ,fire1 the which has an excellent virtue to putrefy the vegetables and animals1 and to turn them into burning ,salt-petre4 7,see the foregoing ,figure belonging to this ,operation noted at the top page1 #a47 ,illustration ,illustration ,illustration3 ,hie sitzt der ,haen1 vund brtet den ,basi3 liscum aus4 ,a4 ,sen die #b ,kasten4 ,b4 wie die ,kasten in wendig anzusehen4 ,c4 der ,mist1 oder die ,holtz3 bltter1 wormit die ,kasten gefullet4 ,d4 ,der ,sumpff1 oder das ,geschir1 daerin die ,lauge abgezapff et wird4 ,e4 die ,pump4 ,f4 der ,man1 der die ,lauge aus dem ,sumpff auff die ,materi in den ,kasten pumpet4 ,g4 der gelcherte bodemin den ,kasten4 ,h4 der vnteste bodem1 wor1 auff die ,lauge sonder aus zurinnen stehen bleibet4 ,here the ,cock fits that hatches the ,basilisk1 by the top of the ,chest4 ,a ,are the two ,chests4 ,b ,the appearance of the ,chests within4 ,c ,the ,horse-dung1 or ,leaves of ,trees1 wherewith the ,chests are filled4 ,d ,the ,cistern or ,vessel to receive the ,lixivium4 ,e ,the ,pump4 ,f ,the ,man that pumps the ,lixivium out of the ,cistern1 upon the matter in the ,chests4 ,g ,the ,bottom of the ,chests full of holes4 ,h ,the second or lowermost ,bottom where the ,lixivium is kept without running out4 ,another way of making ,excellent ,salt-petre in great ,quantity out of ,lime and the ,lee of ,wood4 ,take the aforesaid ,lime and ,wood-ashes1 of each as much as you will2 and twice as much ,horse-dung or ,cows-dung1 mix these matters exactly in a wooden ,vessel or ,tub1 with ,mans ,urine or beasts ,piss1 and make it of the thickness as the thicker sort of ,mortar that the ,masons use1 is wont to be of4 ,you must have good store of this ,paste made4 ,then make a certain arch of boards1 which said arch must be some three1 four1 six or more feet broad1 and deep or high1 and the length of it must be double to that 7or twice as much1 as broad1 and deep1 or high7 according to the conveniency of the place1 and the quantity of ,salt-petre you would make4 ,the arch thus made1 must be all over dawbed with the aforesaid mixture1 the thickness of an hands breadth1 just as we see ,vaults1 or ,arches built up1 of ,stones and ,lime upon wooden arches4 ,now when all is duly ordered1 there must be put some ,fire in under the vault of the arch1 at first it must be very gentle1 least the arch 7of wood7 as being the very foundation and supporter of the 7other7 arch should presently kindle and be burnt1 which must not be1 but be kept whole rather1 untill the arch or covering thereon which is made of ,lime1 ,ashes1 and ,dung1 be perfectly dried4 ,this done1 there must be dawbed on1 upon the said arch formerly made1 more of the aforesaid prepared ,calx1 of about an hands-breadth thickness1 and you will find that the humidity of this latter mass or second arching will be in a short time attracted by the first arch1 and that this second pargetting will soon be dried3 ,when this is done1 there must be again the third time made another dawbing on1 after the afore-prescribed manner4 ,and this ,operation is to be so long and so often repeated untill the arch be a foot or two in thickness1 which when so1 it is strong enough1 nor needs it any more its wooden prop1 and therefore now the ,fire may be put thereto1 and it may be burnt4 ,and thus have you a vault or arch prepared1 which is a most commodious instrument to make a quantity of ,salt-petre by3 ,and now if occasion require1 and the condition of the place will permit1 there may be built or made three or four arches after the same manner2 though it be better to have them placed one by another1 and to be of less magnitude or capaciousness2 for so they are more convenient for ,operation1 as any one that practiseth hereabouts will easily apprehend and find4 ,likewise it is better to build this arched ,vault which we have called an ,arch1 long and narrow1 than short and broad1 because the ,fire being put under one part of such a long ,chimney-like ,vault1 will very well diffuse its heat to every place thereof1 and so keep the arch continually hot4 ,when this ,chimney like vault is wholly dry1 it must be again moistned with ,mans or ,beasts ,piss1 that it may thence contract more new humidity1 which we observe will easily be1 seeing we know that it is made up of ,horse or ,cows-dung1 and not barely of ,lime1 for then it would not so readily and easily receive the humidity1 as when ,dung is mixt with it2 the wetted ,chimney-arch must be dried by the force of ,fire put thereunder1 the which may also be a little augmented proportionable to the bigness and thickness of the vault or arch4 ,,nb4 ,you must take good heed1 that the fire you put under be not too much augmented1 and so hurt your arches1 but let it always be such as may suffice to dry your arch by little and little1 or else the ,dung will be burnt up1 and the already generated ,salt-petre will be spoiled1 for the ,fire can easily endamage the ,petre4 ,but now when we shall have often thus moistned the said arches with ,piss1 and shall take notice that they 7viz4 the arches7 do attract no more thereof 7viz4 of the ,piss7 as being already filled with the ,salt of the ,urine1 the which may be done in some four or six ,weeks time1 there must be little bits broken off with an ,iron ,instrument in several places of the arch1 and these bits must be powdered and be dissolved in ,water so to make a ,lixivium of it1 be filtred1 and after a due evaporation made1 must be ,chrystallized and dried2 the dried ,salt matter must be put upon the ,fire to see if it will flame or not3 ,if we shall find it thus to be and to burn like ,salt-petre1 we must break down all the arch1 and by the help of a certain ,mill1 reduce it into powder very fine1 and pour hot ,water thereupon1 to extract the ,lixivium with1 then evaporate it as much as is convenient1 and set it by in a cool place to ,chrystallize2 this artifice of ,boiling and ,chrystallising shall be declared in proper ,figures or ,cuts in the end of this ,work4 ,but now if so be we perceive that the ,salt extracted out of those little bits of the arch do not as yet flame up1 'tis a sign that it is not as yet sufficiently animated by the air3 ,for the air gives life1 which the ,fire strongly attracteth1 so that by the help of the ,fire the air and life are attracted1 whereby the ,salt is animated and made inflammable4 ,the ,fire therefore here1 is to be again administred 7or put under7 and the arched matter to be continually moistned with ,rain water2 and that ,rain water is best1 which 7if it may be had7 falls down when the ,wind is in the ,north2 though when there is no ,rain water to be had1 other water may be substituted in its stead4 ,this pouring on of water is to be so long continued 7always1 permitting the ,furnace or ,arch to be rightly dried afore it be sprinkled with new water7 untill the ,salt1 sticking in the arch1 be found to be sufficiently animated by the benefit of the fire and air1 and be inflammable when you make trial thereof by the aforesaid method4 ,this is a compendious way of making good ,salt-petre in quantity enough1 by only ,lime1 ,wood-ashes1 and ,mans or ,beasts ,piss4 ,if you proceed rightly on1 you may get you a great quantity of ,salt-petre in a most short space of time1 and that for small costs1 in a manner no labour at all4 ,the ,lime and ,ashes from whence the ,petre is extracted1 may be mixed again with new lime and new ashes1 and other arched vaults be made thereof1 upon which ,urine must be continually poured in like manner as we taught afore1 that so they may be animated by the help of fire and air into ,salt-petre4 ,but if you have always at hand new ,calx1 or ,lime and ashes1 it is better to make new arches1 thereof in the place of those you have pulled down1 and to imploy the residue of that1 out of which the ,salt-petre hath been already extracted about dunging some barren ,soil1 especially the moister sort of ,ground1 because it is impossible so thoroughly to separate all the ,salt that nothing abides behind in the reliques4 ,this way ,i communicate to all1 but ,i reserve for my ,friends only the way by which1 with the help of other ,waters that cost nothing1 and may be had in every place1 a far greater quantity of ,salt-petre may in a yet shorter time be prepared by the said arches1 than is done by the help of ,mans or ,beasts ,urine4 ,nay more1 there are some waters which in eight days time1 we have observed to have been coagulated into burning ,salt-petre1 which secret verily may be practically improved with most notable benefit in all parts of the ,world that ,men live in4 ,besides the subjects already mentioned1 here offer themselves to our ,hands many others which are obvious to all1 of which such arches may be made1 and which will yield more ,salt-petre than the afore recited matters will2 but let what has already been delivered1 suffice4 ,i cannot here forbear1 but must tell you that there are some subjects to be found which 7without the making the aforesaid arches1 though there lie notwithstanding abundance of secrets therein7 will bring a most notable benefit1 and that belong not to this place1 and which may be changed in three hours space into excellent ,petre2 which labour 7or operation7 ,i keep for my ,friends1 and should it be divulged1 it would bring nothing but hurt1 and therefore it is better to be silent3 ,there shall more secrets be delivered in the following discourse1 where we speak of the ,northern ,monarche4 ,here follows another way of plentifully extracting ,salt-petre out of ,rocks and ,stones without ,vegetables or ,animals4 ,to the intent therefore that it may be sufficiently evidenced1 and that ,i may prove it to be true1 that ,salt-petre is an universal ,salt or ,subject1 and is consequently contained in all the things the ,world possesseth1 ,i judge it a thing worth while to set down here some proofs or trials thereto accommodated4 ,it hath been sufficiently enough already shown in the first part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 that good ,salt-petre may by ,art be extracted out of all the subjects of the ,world3 ,but the way of so doing was not at all disclosed4 ,for as much therefore as all ,men do so greedily desire it1 ,i determined with my self to describe first of all1 the ,presses requisite to the extraction of ,salt-petre out of ,wood1 to the end that so it may evidently appear unto all ,men1 that it is a thing agreeable to nature1 and that it is most easily accomplishable1 to press a juice out of any ,wood1 which may be turned by the air into good ,salt-petre4 ,but as for the circulatory ,vessels1 ,i was not willing 7then7 to communicate them1 but rather kept them a little longer for my ,friends1 which said ,vessels ,i have notwithstanding set down in this ,third ,part4 ,likewise it seemed not expedient unto me to reveal unto such as are enemies1 the transformation 7or changing7 of ,animals1 much less of ,minerals into ,salt-petre4 ,yet however ,i have done so much by my ,manuduction1 as for any wise ,men easily to understand the same by what hath been exhibited1 and ,i have in some sort opened it1 that such things are possible to be done4 ,but ,i have not so clearly shown the way of effecting the same1 least ,i should take away the occasion of other ,mens exercising their ingenuity in bethinking themselves how it is to be done3 ,otherwise1 it is not prohibited any one to seek a fuller information1 from those that have knowledge in these affairs4 ,therefore forasmuch as the way of extracting ,salt-petre out of ,stones1 is look'd on as a most impossible thing by such as are not skill'd in this ,art1 ,i have determined to describe the same1 for the sake and benefit of such as succeed us2 ,the knack of this ,artifice consisteth more in the knowing of the ,stones1 than in the extracting of the ,salt-petre out of them1 for the extraction is not any other way to be done1 than as the making of their ,lee out of the common ,nitrous ,earth is wont to be1 concerning which thing1 ,lazarus ,ercker hath written at large4 ,the knowledge therefore of the ,stones1 and the preparation of them whereby they may communicate 7or let go7 their ,nitre unto ,water1 is the principal thing1 and without that1 there cannot be any thing done in this ,operation4 ,first of all therefore 'tis necessary that the lover of ,chymistry knows1 that there are various ,stones to be found that yield ,salt-petre1 viz4 all such ,stones of which 7being commonly calcined by the force of the fire7 they make ,lime for to build houses withal4 ,for there lies hidden in these kind of ,stones1 abundance of ,salt-petre1 which cannot be gotten out thence by the help of common ,water by any kind of way or method3 ,but when they are burnt with a violent ,fire1 they yield an hot ,salt1 extractable by the benefit of common water2 which ,salt indeed is not ,salt-petre1 but yet may most easily be turned by the air into ,petre1 like as it was formerly ,salt-petre afore the ,stone was burnt1 and now first got another nature by the burning4 ,the truth of this thing1 viz4 ,that there resides natural ,salt-petre in all ,stones1 which may be burnt into ,lime1 may be proved on this wise following3 ,take of these ,stones which ,lime may be made of1 ss4 or j4 powder it very fine1 pour thereupon as much of the best ,aqua-fortis3 ,place the ,glass in which this matter is contained1 in a warm place upon ashes or sand1 that the stone may be dissolved in the ,aqua-fortis3 ,after it hath thus stood for about one quarter of an hour1 take out your ,glass out of the ashes or sand1 though the stone be not wholly dissolved as yet1 and pour thereon drop by drop1 some ,lixivium of wood1 untill the ebullition of the ,lee or ,lixivium poured upon the dissolved stone ceaseth1 and 7the noise ceasing7 you shall perceive some kind of ,salt produced from them thus commixt1 viz4 from the dissolved stone and the ,lixivium4 ,pour some common ,water upon this ,salt1 so much as may serve to dissolve the ,salt in a warm place1 the solution being made let the ,liquor be filtred1 or be strained through some thin ,linen cloth1 that so the part of the stone undissolved1 and the fces may abide behind in the ,filter or ,linen cloth3 ,the filtred ,liquor must be coagulated into ,salt by evaporating it away in a brass ,vessel1 then you are to weigh it3 ,and now that we may exactly know1 how much ,salt-petre was in that ss4 of the stone1 you must proceed on farther thus3 ,take the same quantity of ,aqua-fortis as you used but now1 about the solution of the ,lime-stone1 and pour thereon likewise the same quantity of ,lixivium1 that you used about the precipitation of the dissolved stone1 and let there be made a precipitation1 let the precipitated matter be coagulated into the substance of a salt1 and then also weigh how much this quantity of salt is3 and now1 as much less weight1 as you observe to be in this salt than in the first ,salt in which the ,lime-stone is1 so much ,salt-petre was there in that half ounce of ,lime-stone4 ,this is a most certain trial1 and by this means may we most easily find how many pounds of ,salt-petre1 are contained in an hundred weight of stones4 ,,nb4 ,to the end that the proof you make1 may be most certain1 we must use the lesser ,centenary1 or hundred weight1 as being more usual1 and more accommodate for the trying of ,metals4 ,and albeit1 that the using of ,aqua-fortis to this ,operation1 is altogether without profit1 where you would extract that salt in great plenty out of the stones1 yet notwithstanding1 it is not so slight or trivial a thing to know a certain way of trying what stones do most abound with ,salt-petre1 that so if we have a mind to extract ,salt-petre out of them1 we may take those1 in which it lies in a plentiful manner4 ,besides1 those stones which do commonly yield a ,calx or ,lime by ,calcination1 and which the ,bricklayers use2 there are found other stones1 out of which there cannot be made any ,lime by ,calcination1 and yet nevertheless1 abundance of ,salt-petre may be thence extracted without any previous ,calcination4 ,he that delights himself in this work1 must exactly know aforehand such kind of stones3 ,forasmuch as no body would easily perswade himself that ,salt-petre is contained in them4 ,nor do ,i think that ever afore this time the way of extracting ,salt-petre out of these kinds of stones was used2 but whether there was no body that knew that there was ,such a ,salt contained in them1 or judged it a thing not to be regarded1 this ,i know not4 ,but this ,i know well enough that that way of extracting ,salt-petre out of them was never observed and used in ,germany1 though there lies a most notable quantity of ,petre in them1 and easily extractable thence1 did we but know the way4 ,therefore1 forasmuch as there is plenty enough of such stones in all places1 and that ,salt-petre may easilier be made of them1 than of wood1 ,i could not forbear1 but must needs open and disclose this artifice for the good of the ,country1 and clearly explain it in this place4 ,therefore1 as concerning those stones which are here mentioned1 there is such a plentiful store of them in most places1 that they even make whole ,mountains2 they are in substance like a soft and tender stone1 whitish in colour1 or of a shining colour ashy colour'd or reddish1 and are easily broken1 and may be fashioned into all kind of shapes1 or figures2 and therefore they are frequently used about building ,houses1 for the making various ,ornaments about the ,house1 as for the corners of the ,houses1 the ,doors1 ,windows1 ,steps or ,stairs1 or other ,external ,ornaments4 ,as long as they are yet in the ,mountain1 and not exposed to the air1 they are of a considerable hardness enough1 and do always hold it4 ,when being used about ,buildings1 they are put in such places1 where they may abide at all times dry1 or else always moist4 ,but if so be they are one while dry1 and another while moist1 and are always obvious to the air or weather they easily become soft1 and there scales off from them yearly1 a little portion of the back of a ,knifes thickness1 like ,meal1 so that they are yearly lessen'd1 and are not at all fit to build stable1 or durable ,houses with4 ,the ,stone-,cutters can easily distinguish these kind of stones from others1 nor do they willingly use them where there is plenty of others to be had4 ,and now1 if you should go about to make your trial with these stones1 like as you did with those that they make ,lime of1 according to the afore delivered ,probation1 so to know what quantity of ,salt-petre is contained in them1 it will not succeed so1 because the ,salt-petre becomes ,volatile in the ,calcination of it1 and doth for the most part fly away into the air3 and much less can you with bare water extract ought out of the ,crude1 and not ,calcined stones2 for such do not yield any ,salt-petre at all1 unless they have been placed in a moist air for about half a years space1 whereby they may of themselves fall in pieces2 for being so ordered1 they easily yield forth their saltness to the water that is poured on them1 and consequently yield plenty of ,salt-petre4 ,of which thing1 this is a most certain ,testimony1 if 7viz47 such stones are laid in some dry place1 whereto the ,rain cannot come1 and we do most frequently sprinkle them with common water1 and they do thereby turn into a powder4 ,and if it fall out otherwise1 'tis a sign that there is very little ,salt-petre to be found in them1 and that the labour you shall bestow about them will be in vain4 ,but such stones as grow soft1 and fall in pieces1 in six or eight ,months time1 do promise notable ,rewards for your ,labour1 viz4 a great quantity of the wisht for salt2 an hundred weight of these kind of stones thus fallen in pieces1 will easily yield you ten pound of ,salt-petre1 more or less according to the ,condition of the stone4 ,the extracting of the ,lee1 or salt1 is done with common water1 in the same manner as the ,lixivium is otherwise extracted out of that ,earth which is digg'd up in the ,stables where ,beasts stand2 which way of extracting ,salt-petre1 of coagulating and perfecting it1 is clearly and perfectly enough described by ,lazarus ,ercker1 heretofore the ,emperours chief ,overseer of the ,metallick ,affairs1 in his most experienced ,book of his ,art of the proving of ,metals2 insomuch1 that ,i esteem him to have rendred the hardest1 or most difficult part1 very clear1 and therefore ,i will referr the well minded ,reader thither4 ,but for as much as every one cannot buy himself a ,book of such great bulk1 only to get thereby the knowledge of the way of extracting and evaporating ,salt-petre1 ,i have judged it worth while to set down here for the sake of the ,chymical ,students1 such directions as the aforesaid ,lazarus ,ercker hath delivered us hereabouts4 ,for ,i was never of the mind to cast off such things as have been well delivered by other men2 ,i only add unto them1 those things that are mine3 ,let others do the like1 that are the ,authors of any new thing1 that so there may arise some benefit thereby unto our ,neighbours1 for whose sake1 that we may 7viz47 serve them1 the most great and blessed ,god hath bestowed on us such various knowledge4 ,but that we may get a certain knowledge of distinguishing the said stones1 ,i think it altogether necessary to treat of them more at large4 ,therefore although this kind of stones are plentifully enough1 to be found every where in the ,world1 yet they are not known1 or regarded1 because we cannot perswade our selves1 that there is any the least portion of ,salt-petre contained in them2 for albeit1 that an hundred pounds of such stone should contain in it ten pound of ,salt-petre1 and we should reduce the same into a most subtile powder1 and should labour to extract from thence a ,lixivium or ,lee1 with either cold or hot water1 yet should we not hereby get so much as one ,ounce of ,salt-petre4 ,the reason is this1 because there is not to be found in such a stone as soon as ever it is digged out of the earth1 any ,corporal ,salt-petre1 which may be extracted by means of water1 but there lies hidden only a certain ,soul or ,magnet of ,salt-petre1 by the virtue of which1 that which gives a ,corporeity thereunto is to be first attracted out of the air1 to the end that ,salt-petre may arise thencefrom4 ,and this is hereby evident1 for were it otherwise1 and were there in that stone any ,corporeal ,petre at the first digging1 it must necessarily be extracted thencefrom by the help of water2 but we find it impossible to make any such extraction1 unless that stone be before laid for some certain time in the air1 and doth1 together with its softness1 acquire 7or make7 ,salt-petre in a ,magnetical manner4 ,but for all this1 we know that this our reason so exceedingly well founded1 will not yet satisfie the unskilful1 unless we make it yet more clear unto them with other ,expressions1 and various ,examples2 but ,i pray how is it possible to declare all such ,circumstances to one that is utterly ignorant4 ',tis too much labour to boil ,meat for another1 and to thrust it into his ,mouth too4 ,it is surely sufficient enough to have shown the truth1 and discovered the way by which the operation is to be contrived1 though all things be not founded on such palpable ,reasons4 ,but forasmuch1 as the work1 which ,i treat at present of1 is an altogether new thing1 and unknown to any men1 the necessity of the thing requires1 that we do a little more openly and clearly exhibit 7and set down7 the whole knack4 ,we presuppose1 that it is a thing well known already1 even to all1 that each thing hath in it its peculiar magnet1 by the benefit of which1 it attracteth unto it self from the air1 or earth1 whatsoever is profitable for it2 and especially1 because we have largely treated thereof in our ,works2 insomuch1 that we deem it altogether needless to repeat the same here4 ,however 'tis requisite that ,i add thus much1 viz4 ,that the ,minerals do abound with a certain ,magnetick ,virtue1 more than other things do2 and that they do attract their ,life1 ,figure1 or ,shape1 and ,essence1 out of the air1 like as the ,animals do1 that so they may be nourished1 and encrease2 but being destitute1 or deprived thereof1 they are observed to be as it were dead1 and bound1 or wholly void of vigor4 ,as for ,example4 ,let the ,minera1 or ,ore of ,vitriol1 or ,alum1 be digg'd out of the ,earth1 that the ,vitriol1 or ,alum in this ,minera1 be already duly digested and ripened1 the salt may even presently be extracted thereout of1 with common water4 ,but if they have not as yet attained their full maturity1 there is no salt extracted thence1 unless the ,minera be first torrified1 or calcined4 ,nay more1 a ,minera1 or ,ore1 that is yet less ripe1 will not yield any ,salt1 neither by the force of the fire1 nor without it2 but must be yet farther exposed to the air for some time1 that so it may first attract that out of the air1 that is requisite to make ,vitriol or ,alum of1 and thus 7these things being first done7 the ,alum1 or ,vitriol1 is most easily gotten thereout of1 by a convenient ,extraction and ,evaporation4 ,we made mention in the second part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces1 of a certain ,minera1 or ,ore of ,vitriol1 which is plentifully found at ,herckeroda in ,hassia sticking in that ,earth1 which in that place they make their ,crucibles or ,pots1 in great quantity with2 and we shewed a way of making a red and sweet ,oil of ,vitriol thereof1 yet with this ,caution1 viz4 ,that we shall not have from the said ,minera1 not the least portion at all of this ,oil1 if we do not expose it1 broken in bits1 to the cold air1 for half a year1 that so it may fall into powder4 ,such as have heeded this going to work1 have made thereof amost sweet ,oil2 but such as have neglected the doing this1 which ,i published out of a sincere heart1 and have reduced the said ,mineral into fine powder1 and laboured to extract a salt thencefrom1 by boiling it in simple water1 bestowed their labour in vain1 because of their refusing to expose that ,minera for a while to the air1 and they received not so much as one ,grane of ,vitriol2 and thereupon they took occasion to slander me1 and to accuse me of ,lying4 ,but now1 when they have observed that this ,mineral that they cast away1 being exposed to the air1 had attracted therefrom a salt by its ,magnetick ,virtue1 when it had lain so long as to mould into powder of its own accord1 and that thereout of a ,vitriol doth proceed1 they were enforced to believe that there lay hidden some ,vitriol in those stones2 which notwithstanding1 could not be extracted by means of water1 and so they have afterward publickly confessed1 that what they afore gainsay'd1 or oppos'd1 was agreeable to the truth4 ,thus likewise1 there are various sorts of ,copper 7,ores7 endued with an attractive power1 and upon that account1 there cannot be separated any ,metal1 by fusion1 when it is first taken out of the ,earth1 unless we have first exposed it for some ,months unto the ,air4 ,every ,nitrous ,earth1 out of which ,salt-petre hath already been extracted1 doth 7when it is again exposed to the air7 attract ,salt-petre anew1 and this we observe to happen in all ,wood-ashes1 but especially in ,lime-stones ,calcined2 for1 it attracteth more salt out of the air1 than its weight was afore its being ,calcined4 ,for1 at the first time1 you will scarce get ij4 or iij4 4 of salt out of a centenary1 or hundred weight2 now by how much the longer it lies exposed to the air afterwards1 so much the more plenty of salt doth it yield1 as is sufficiently well known already4 ,he that is ignorant of that we speak1 or else cannot understand it1 let him make trial1 and he shall find that what we say is a truth4 ,such as are ,ideots do extreamly need these kind of ,admonitions1 that so1 the business being the better understood1 we may take from them all occasion of ignorantly detracting from my ,writings4 ,i say again1 that if the stones which we here treat of1 are but well known1 though they do not at the first yield any salt1 by endeavouring to extract it with simple water1 yet is there no difficulty at all therein1 nor should we at all mind that1 but let them only be left in the air for some due time1 and by this means they will plentifully enough attract1 and yield us1 by a convenient extraction1 good ,salt-petre4 ,the ,ancients did extract ,salt-petre1 chiefly out of stones1 which way of ,extraction is now wholly lost1 or out of use4 ,all the ,europeans do now extract their ,salt-petre out of the ,earth of the ,stables where ,beasts stand2 albeit1 that the very ,name it self of ,salt-petre1 doth declare1 what matter it was first produced out of1 viz4 out of ,rocks and stones3 ,for 'tis as much as to say1 salt educed out of ,rocks4 ,nay1 even to this day there is ,salt-petre extracted out of ,rocks in the ,east-,indies1 the which they transport thence in ,ships into our ,lands3 ,our ,commonwealth of ,amsterdam only doth yearly receive some thousands of hundreds of that ,salt1 which is extracted out of the bare ,rocks without the addition of any other thing2 ,i wonder what the reason is1 that1 that way of extracting is unknown to us ,germans2 surely ,i impute it meerly to the want of skill to manage this business4 ,thus therefore do we think we have sufficiently declared that ,nitre may in very deed be extracted out of stones2 and that so clearly that ,i cannot see what reason any have to misbelieve my words4 ,but now that the certainty of the thing may be the more apparent1 and that no body may think it a fable1 that ,salt-petre may be extracted out of stones1 we will shew some places in which ,salt-,petre lies in the stones in a most plenteous manner3 ,and although that there are sundry such places that offer themselves unto us1 where the stones contain ,salt-petre in them1 we will demonstrate the verity of this in those places we have lived in1 for 'tis impossible for us expresly to pronounce such or such a ,mountain in this or that ,country full of ,salt-,petre1 which places we never saw4 ',tis not given us to search all places of the ,earth1 but such places as we have seen and come to1 we have left but few things in them untoucht1 whose nature we have not throughly examined4 ,therefore for ,examples sake1 we will take some part out of our own ,country1 and exhibit or shew unto all ,men1 those stones which are therein found to participate of ,salt-petre1 any one that is studious in these affairs may do the same in other places1 and make a diligent inquiry into them1 and he will find that almost all ,mountains are filled therewith1 and yet is known to none or at least-wise to but a very few4 ,in ,francia1 7or ,franconia7 and indeed at ,kitzing where ,i dwelt before ,i came to ,holland1 ,i often went into the ,field in clear weather1 with an intent to search out ,minerals1 and although that sundry ,men ignorant of 7such7 businesses1 do report that there are not any ,minerals at all to be found in ,franconia1 and that never any ,veins of ,gold or any other ,metal have been found there1 because all the ,inhabitants do live contentedly with the plentiful provenue of ,wine and ,corn2 nor do they labour about finding out any other ,treasures 7for there is not any ,country in all ,germany in which is gathered more abundance of ,wine1 and of a better sort1 than in ,franconia aforesaid2 which gathering of ,wine is to be accompted to the ,franks or ,franconians instead of ,mine-pits1 and yield them imployment enough7 yet nevertheless forasmuch as my mind was ever bent that way1 and ,i was naturally inclined to search very inwardly into those things which offer themselves unto us1 amongst the wonderful works of the most great and glorious ,god1 ,i could not omit the visiting such places1 which seemed to all ,men as unfit for bringing forth ,minerals1 and which were judged to be clearly void of the same1 as being willing to try whether or no some things that others knew not of might not offer themselves unto me4 ,nor was my hopes in vain1 for ,i found far more than my expectation was1 and if necessity required ,i could shew those very places4 ,but forasmuch as ,i have proposed to my self1 here to shew such places only in which ,salt-petre may be plentifully made1 ,i will at this time pass by the other ,minerals in silence3 ,yet so1 as not wholly to leave such things1 as offer themselves in the way1 untoucht4 ,i will therefore take in hand some part of the ,rhine1 which is between ,kitzing and ,aschaffenberg1 and will very briefly 7for my purpose is not to write a ,chronicle7 shew what treasures the most ,great and ,blessed ,,god hath vouchsafed unto those places1 besides ,wine and ,corn so plentifully abounding there4 ,kitzing is an ,eminent ,i own and well built1 belongs to the ,bishoprick of ,wurtsburg1 and is founded upon ,lime-stone1 and therefore the soil is very fruitful2 and yields ,wine and ,corn in abundance4 ,but as soon as ever we are past over the ,bridge of the ,mhene1 the ,earth begins to be sandy1 and has abundance of ,flints in it1 which contain in them some ,gold as well as ,iron4 ,the manner of extracting it is described in the second ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and is confirmed in this third ,part4 ,about a mile distance opposite to the said ,city is situated an high ,mountain1 very full of huge ,trees1 in this ,mountain are various ,castles 7or ,houses7 the chief of which is the ,cossel ,castle1 which is the ,house belonging by succession to the ,lords of the ,county de ,cossel3 ,at the bottom of the ,mountain there is a ,village of the same name1 belonging to the said ,castle 7or ,palace47 ,in this ,village there are abundance of ,springs1 the ,waters of most of them ,i have often times tasted1 and have perceived them to be mightily impregnated with ,salt-petre1 insomuch that the ,beasts do altogether shun the drinking of them1 much less can ,men use them about the boiling of their ,victuals3 ,yet some of them yield sweet water very fit for domestick affairs4 ,these ,nitrous ,fountains are of no use1 nor do they effect ought1 save that they drive some ,mills1 and run through the ,village a particular way afore they fall into the ,mhene4 ,and forasmuch as the aforesaid ,earls have known that the chief part 7or most part7 of the said ,fountains are wholesome by reason of the plenty of ,salt-petre in them2 they have therefore taken care to have a great ,house built1 that so the place may be rendred commodious for those that by reason of some disease should come unto this place for the sake of washing their sick bodies2 and there are abundance known to come1 that are ill1 in the ,summer time1 from places far remote2 several of them too by a due using this ,bath are restored to their former health4 ,they know not any other use of these nitrous ,fountains than what is aforesaid2 whereas if they did but know how to add some ,virtues to the said waters by the benefit of the ,juice of the wood1 of which there is great store in that place1 they would find by the use of them then1 many wonderful effects in the curing of ,diseases4 ,being therefore earnestly intent upon the search hereof1 viz4 from whence these nitrous ,waters should chiefly proceed1 ,i found that the ,mountain nigh that place1 extending it self for some miles1 was every where full of ,salt-petre1 and that it stuck in the ,rocks themselves1 out of which whatsoever is on the ,mountain grew4 ,i did therefore diligently search out1 what condition those ,stones were of1 which the workmen dig'd out in these places1 and ,i knew that there was a great quantity of ,salt petre contained in them1 insomuch1 that as many ,mountains as here 7abouts7 seem to be replenished with the same3 ,nay more1 if you shall break one or two of those ,stones with which the ,houses of the ,village of ,cossel are built1 you shall find every where in them abundance of ,salt-petre4 ,i went to visit the place it self where those ,stones are digged out1 but found not any ,salt-petre among the digging1 because the ,air had not as yet displaied its ,virtues thereupon3 ,but ,i observed that in those stones exposed a while to the ,air1 there was plenty of ,salt-petre4 ,he that would see it with his own ,eyes1 let him go into any ,house of the ,cossel ,village1 whose ,walls are of ancient standing1 and he shall find that there is abundance of ,salt-petre in those stones1 and withal1 that the ,pillars belonging to the ,bath-house do yearly wax less1 for as much as scalings of the thickness of the back of a ,knife do still fall off1 by the power of the separated ,salt-petre1 as ,i have often very accurately and curiously observed4 ,if the ,earls or ,counts did but know the true use of this excellent and o cult ,treasure1 they would get far greater riches out of that bare ,mountain only than by all the ,county4 ,i doubt not but that seeing ,i have in this place detected this ,treasure1 there will some be found that will labour for their own profits sake to find it out4 ,not far off from the said ,mountain the whole ,earth abounds with ,iron1 not in the form of ,veins but of ,reins1 insomuch that the ,metal of ,iron offers it self in various particles or pieces of diverse magnitudes2 for in some places it is found as big as an ,hazle-nut1 or an ,acorn2 in other places as big as an ,egg1 or ones ,fist1 yea and as big sometimes as ones ,head1 which by the force of the ,fire is made facile and yields abundance of ,iron2 nor did ,i ever yet meet with any ,metal of that sort more excellent than that is1 but no body knows it1 though it may be commodiously prepared or fitted for the use of ,man1 because there is in this place plenty enough of ,wood and ,water to be had for such a purpose4 ,this ,mountain stretcheth out it self some miles1 reaching as far as ,iphovia1 and the jurisdiction of the ,city of ,wurtzburg2 so that the chiefest and greatest part thereof is seated in the ,bishoprick of ,wurtzburg3 ,and therefore might immense and vast ,treasures be gotten1 were there but such as were lovers of ,art and would make themselves skill'd in the ,operation4 ,besides1 this ,mountain yields abundance of white and red ,gypsum1 which may be reduced to an exceeding whiteness by the force of the ,fire4 ,besides this too1 we have known ,marble and ,alabaster digg'd out hence1 and yet it has not been very durable1 for it becomes nitrous after it hath lain exposed a while to the ,air1 and falls to powder1 and yields plenty of ,salt-petre1 were it but rightly managed1 for there's no want of ,wood here4 ,there is yet moreover found in the said ,mountain another ,castle which is called ,swansburg1 and belongs to the ,bishoprick of ,wurtzburg1 where the ,soldiers did heretofore use the ,metallick ,rods1 to search after1 and to see if they could find 7by the using them7 some ,treasures2 and they tried whether or no 7the ,castle being burnt by the occasion of the ,war7 any such ,treasures lay any where hidden4 ,what they found ,i do not yet know3 ,but this ,i know1 that the said ,rods did shew good ,metal to be every where 7thereabouts7 ,the which thing gave occasion of explaining or unfolding the said matter in its proper places4 ,besides this1 they digged up nothing else but such nitrous stones for some fathoms depth4 ,i once viewed this place1 and found that the stones extracted some years afore out of this ,mountain were altogether brittle1 and is a manifest token that the whole ,mountain is fill'd with ,salt-petre4 ,there is besides this ,mountain1 another nitrous one that ,i know of1 of the like condition in the mid-way 'twixt ,kitzing and ,wernfeld 7and is about a miles distance from ,carlstadt7 but that which is here had1 differs from the former in this1 viz4 that the stones which it exhibits are of a red colour1 nor are they so much impregnated with ,salt-petre1 as those of ,kitzing aforesaid1 for they are richer in ,petre1 and are of a more ashy colour4 ,there are likewise such kind of stones also that they cut or dig forth at the ,mhene near the ,city ,rotenfeldt1 but they have not in them so much ,salt-petre as those have that are found in the ,cossel and ,swansburg ,mountain4 ,there's abundance of such stones in several places in ,france1 but my purpose is not to mention them all1 for ,i was minded to mention such only as my self have seen1 and that are near bordering upon the ,mhene4 ,they that have a mind to deal with them may make their search1 and they will find in all ,countrys of the ,earth fit stones for their purpose1 the which we may hereby know1 if being kept a while in the ,air1 they wax soft1 and scale off in most thin leaves1 and there sticks to your ,fingers in rubbing them off1 a reddish ,meal4 ,besides this too1 you may have a most certain sign of such ,petry places by those ,spiders that have a small body and round1 and long feet1 for they stick to those stones in abundant measure3 ,for such ,spiders do not feed upon hearbs1 grass1 flies or other insects1 but on old ,walls1 and they seat themselves chiefest of all on those aforesaid stones4 ,they are not all venemous as the common house ,spiders are1 and therefore the ,children do gather them1 and are much delighted with them4 ,now they sticking on to the softer sandish stones do most certainly demonstrate that ,salt-petre is contained in them2 for tis that which they are nourished with1 and conserve their life by1 and this ,i was willing to signify unto you4 ,but put case that no such nitrous stones were to be found1 yet however there is not the opportunity denied us of making ,salt-petre of the common ,lime-making stones1 and of them there is every where plenty enough1 if they are calcined by the benefit of ,wood1 and made nitrous with the juice of wood4 ,what shall ,i say of the ,calcined fces of ,tartar which are yearly gathered up and thrown away in vast quantities1 in all that tract which lies on the ,river ,mhene1 between ,bamberg and ,franckfort1 whereas notwithstanding some hundreds of hundreds weight of ,salt-petre might be extracted thence-from1 did they but mind it4 ,for whatsoever ,tartar is therein contained1 is all of it ,salt-petre when 'tis duly boiled with a ,lixivium of ,lime1 and being hence strained1 and a sufficient evaporation made1 it be set by to ,chrystallize4 ,for it attracts the soul after a magnetick manner1 which ,operation if rightly instituted1 there may be prepared thence from a most inflammable nitre in three days space1 the which is likewise of far greater profit than the getting out the ,tartar by the help of a ,press1 and with a great deal of labour2 or else than the making ,potashes1 as we see usually done4 ,besides too1 there are found other stones that being burnt do yield abundance of ,salt-petre1 such as are the ,tophi 7or soft sandy stones7 which may be abundantly gathered near ,triefelstein1 which is a ,monastery situate on the ,mhene1 in other places of ,germany they make even whole ,mountains3 ,so that it is evident that there is no where any want of convenient matter to gather ,salt-petre from1 if ,men would but set their hands to the work4 ,these stones are obvious unto all2 and who knows what ,treasures the ,woods 7which we do not at all search into7 abound withal8 ,would time permit me ,i could shew that various kinds of ,metals are conserved in the ,mountains situate between ,kitzing and ,franckfort1 and especially in the ,speshardensine 7,mountain17 the disclosing of which1 some other more commodious place will admit of4 ,now follows what we mentioned of the aforesaid ,,lazarus ,,ercker4 ,of the manner of ,boiling ,salt-petre4 ,,and ,,first ,by what means a ,lixivium is to be made out of a ,nitrous ,earth4 ,if you are minded to make a ,lixivium of such an ,earth1 dig it as deep as you shall find by proving it to be either good or naught1 especially if you intend to make it in great quantity1 and keep it in a dry place4 ,then take care to have some great wooden ,tubs1 or ,vessels made1 so large1 that each of them may hold about some ten ,wheel-barrows full of the ,earth1 and whereby you may be able to prepare ,lixivium enough1 answerable to the work you have proposed to your self to do1 and to the bigness of your ,copper4 ,now there are commonly required for such a work1 to one ,copper ,pan that weighs two hundred weight1 eight ,wooden ,vessels which are to be placed in such order1 that on each side there may stand four in a row1 opposite to each other4 ,these same ,tubs are to be so far distant from the next ,collateral ,vessels1 as is requisite for the ,wheel-,barrow wherein the ,earth is brought to come between3 ,yea1 and it is necessary that there be half an ,ell's space betwixt the said ,tubs and the ,earth1 or ,ground1 it self1 whereon they are placed4 ,likewise1 each of the ,vessels1 or ,tubs1 must have a hole in the fore-part1 and towards the bottom thereof1 fit to put in a ,plug 7or ,tap7 at3 ,then finally1 there must be put under those ,plugs1 a long ,vessel like a ,channel-pipe1 which may receive in it the ,lixivium running out of the ,tubs1 and may guide it along into a peculiar ,wooden ,vessel1 as into a common ,store-house set in the ,earth hollowed for that purpose1 to receive the said ,lee in4 ,all your ,tubs being thus rightly ordered1 put in upon every ,tubs bottom another 7false7 wooden bottom1 perforated with many ,holes1 and let it lie two ,fingers breadth distant from the true bottom3 ,upon this 7false7 bottom lay yet another made of ,bull-rushes1 or your small sort of ,reeds which grow plentifully in ,ditches about the thickness of a quarter of an ,ell3 ,in want of these ,reeds throw in upon the aforementioned perforated bottom1 the quantity of a ,span 7thick7 of ,chopt ,hay1 or ,straw1 laying some very thin boards thereon1 that so it may not be scattered 7or float7 abroad4 ,and your ,vessels are made compleatly ready4 ,now then1 put of the ,earth you have already tried and gathered1 as much into each of your ,tubs1 as they can hold1 yet with this ,caution1 ,that the top part of your ,vessel be empty a ,spans heighth4 ,and observe this1 that if you can get some old ashes of the ,curriers1 or ,soap-boilers1 as much of it as two or three ,wheel-barrows will carry1 it must be put in upon the topmost 7made7 bottom of the ,tub1 afore the ,earth1 but now spoken of1 be put in4 ,at the top of the earth1 lay a ,cover made of ,twigs1 7or ,withes7 and fasten it with a wooden stick at the top of the earth4 ,this done1 pour common water upon the earth contained in the ,vessel1 an ,hands breadth in heighth1 so as that it may rather touch 7or be poured7 on the ,twigs1 than the ,earth it self1 least the said earth become unequal thereby1 and hollowed in several places4 ,let it stand thus for eight hours1 which time being overpast1 draw your ,plug out1 and let the water you poured on1 run out at the hole beneath1 which as long as it is muddy1 you must always pour in again into the ,vessel1 repeating this so often1 till it comes out clear1 then keep it1 and this water is called a weak ,lee or ,lixivium4 ,this done1 pour common water again upon the earth from which the ,lee hath been already1 once separated1 that so it may extract the residue of the ,lixivium out of the earth2 and this ,lee is of no use1 save that it may be poured on upon new earth1 instead of simple water2 for it oftentimes doth even yet contain a great deal of ,nitre1 insomuch1 that you may sometimes extract out of an hundred weight thereof1 three or four pound of ,nitre4 ,this ,extraction being finished1 take out the unprofitable earth out of the ,vessel1 and put in new2 and continue the ,operation1 after the aforesaid manner1 reiterating it so long1 and so often1 until you have gotten store enough of the ,lixivium1 that the work of boiling be not intermitted for want of ,lixivium4 ,besides1 there must be some ,wooden ,vessel placed at the upper part of the ,copper which this ,lixivium is boiled in1 out of which may run so much ,lixivium into the ,copper as is wasted away by boiling1 that so there may be still kept the same order of boiling1 and the same quantity of ,lixivium in the ,copper4 ,this boiling is to be on this wise continued1 until a ,centenary1 or hundred weight of ,lixivium in the ,copper1 yields according to the less assay 7or weight7 twenty five pounds of ,nitre2 and this may be done in two ,days1 and one ,night4 ,this being thus done1 you must have ready yet two ,tubs1 or ,vessels 7more7 of ,wood1 made after the afore prescribed manner1 and furnished with a 7false7 perforated wooden bottom1 besides its own bottom1 and likewise with such a bottom as is made of ,reeds 7or ,bull rushes72 only you are to observe this here2 ,that there must be put yet another perforated wooden bottom upon this topmost bottom of ,reeds1 upon which there must be first cast in some chop'd ,straw1 then some ,ashes of ,firr1 ,beach1 or any other ,tree1 so much in quantity as may overtop the ,straw an ,ell or ,cubit1 ,ulna high2 or rather 7if it may be had for a very mean price7 as much as may fill the ,tubs1 or ,vessels4 ,but yet1 these ,ashes are not to be just simply thrown in 7as they are7 upon the ,straw1 but afore this is done1 they must be first well mixt together1 then moistened with some of the best hot ,lixivium1 that there may be made a ,mass4 ,then when the ,ashes are on this wise prepared1 and put in the ,vessel1 the ,lixivium boil'd to its heighth1 and which yields in the proof twenty five pound1 must be poured thereon1 as hot as possibly it may1 and is to be often drawn off by the lower hole1 until 7if troubled or muddy7 it becomes clear4 ,after that all the ,lee hath thus passed through the ,ashes of both ,tubs 7the which is done upon this account1 ,that all its fatness may pass into 7or be left with7 the ,ashes1 which ,ashes are hereby rendred stronger to wash withal7 keep it in a peculiar ,vessel4 ,then pour the common ,lee or ,lixivium upon the ,ashes remaining in the ,tubs1 which when it hath passed through the ,ashes1 is called the second stronger ,lixivium3 ,then again pour on yet a third time1 hot ,lixivium1 and when 'tis drawn off1 it is called the second weaker ,lixivium3 ,lastly1 the common ,lee1 or ,lixivium1 may be poured on cold upon the ,ashes1 that so all the virtue of the same may be wholly extracted4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,figure before going 7,numb4 #a47 will shew you the way of placing the ,tubs1 of preparing the ,lixivium1 and ordering the boiling4 ,a ,are the eight ,wooden ,tubs1 wherein the earth is put4 ,b ,channels1 or ,conveyances1 by which the water runs into the said ,tubs4 ,c ,channels1 or ,gutters1 by which the ,lixivium is conveyed into a ,vessel set thereunder4 ,d ,the ,vessel in which the ,lixivium is gathered1 or received4 ,e ,the little ,vessel out of which the ,lixivium runs into the ,copper4 ,f ,the ,furnace4 ,g ,the ,copper4 ,h ,the door of the ,furnace whereby ,wood is put in under the ,copper4 ,i ,the ,lower ,wind-draught 7or ,ash-hole7 of the ,furnace4 ,k ,the inward shape of the ,furnace4 ,l ,an ,iron ,grate1 which the ,wood is put upon4 ,the manner of preparing the ,liquor1 out of which ,salt-petre may be made by ,boiling4 ,first of all1 pour your second weaker ,lixivium into your ,copper1 and set it a boiling1 then let your second stronger ,lixivium run thereinto by little and little2 and then lastly1 the first ,lixivium it self1 and which is the chiefest of all1 until the ,copper be almost filled1 and the ,lixivium be boil'd enough to shoot4 ,and now when you perceive that your ,liquor is made strong enough by boiling1 put in a ,brass ,ladle perforated 7or full of holes7 several times1 even to the bottom of the ,copper1 and if the ,lixivium lets fall out of it any ,salt1 you will find it at the bottom1 the which you may take up with your ,ladle4 ,note also1 ,that the ,scum which at the end of this ,boiling is plentifully gathered1 must be carefully taken away3 ,now then try the readiness of your ,lixiviums ,crystallization1 on this wise3 ,put either two or three drops on a cold ,iron1 or on a ,polish'd ,plate of ,iron1 and if it stands1 or grows hard2 that is1 if when you turn the ,iron up and down1 it does not run 7or flow7 down1 these are signs of the fitness of your ,liquors ,crystallization4 ,or else1 you may put some of the ,lixivium in a ,brass ,vessel1 and set it in cold water1 and so you shall see whether the ,liquor be fitted enough to ,crystallize2 for assoon as ever the ,lixivium shall be cold1 there will be plenty of ,salt-petre generated3 ,nay1 even the very ,brass ,spoon it self denotes the goodness of the ,liquor1 it being put into the ,liquor1 and again taken out1 it will show it sticking on it1 as if it were ,oil4 ,out of a ,centenary1 or hundred weight of ,liquor thus perfectly prepared1 there will proceed more than seventy pound of ,salt-petre4 ,the way of rightly using the ,liquor for the ,generating of a more ,crude ,salt-petre4 ,pour your ,liquor prepared after the afore-shown manner1 out of the ,copper into a narrow ,tub1 or ,vessel1 made of ,firr1 or ,pine-tree wood2 wherein let it remain quiet1 till it be a little refrigerated1 and the muddiness1 or slimyness ,limus appear1 and you find that the salt sticks on in ,granes to the sides of the ,vessel2 now when you perceive your ,lixivium so cooled1 as that you can put your finger thereinto without burning1 pull out the ,plug1 wherewith an hole made in this long ,vessel1 about a span's heighth from the bottom1 was shut1 or stopt1 and so let the ,liquor run forth1 into very great ,wooden ,vessels1 and deep1 purposely made for such a business2 or else into ,copper ,pans1 buried almost 7up to their ,necks7 in the earth1 7for the cooler the place is1 which they stand in1 so much the better1 and the more plenty of ,salt-petre is gathered1 and ,crystallizeth7 and you will find that your crude ,salt-petre will shoot therein1 the thickness of almost two fingers breadth1 partly of a whitish colour1 partly yellow1 and partly blackish4 ,after that this boil'd ,liquor hath stood for two days1 and so many nights in the ,vessel1 the ,lixivium of the ,salt-petre which swims at top1 must be taken away1 which you may mix with the strong ,lixivium1 and pour a second time upon ,ashes1 for else the ,lixivium will contract too much fatness1 and there will be no ,salt generated4 ,sometimes it happens1 that when the ,ashes are not good1 there's no salt at all gathered in the ,liquor1 in which case there is no presenter ,remedy1 than to mix such a ,lixivium stronger than is fit1 with another1 and so pour it again upon new1 and good ,ashes1 and then let the boiling be again perfected after the afore-prescribed manner4 ,likewise1 when in the boiling you find the ,lixivium very muddy1 whereby the ,collection of the ,salt is oft-times hindred1 it must be taken away1 and let the ,washer-,women1 or ,lawndresses have it1 and other must be substituted in its room1 and be farther purified by the help of ,ashes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,figure signed 7,numb4 #b47 shews the manner of preparing the ,liquor by boiling1 and of extracting and gathering the ,salt thereout of4 ,a ,long narrow ,tubs1 or ,vessels1 in which the decocted ,liquor of the ,lixivium is cooled4 ,b ,the ,furnace wherein the ,copper stands4 ,c ,the ,man that manageth the boiling1 and extracts1 or draws out the salt with a ,ladle1 the which he lays in a ,withy ,basket placed on the ,copper1 that so the ,lixivium 7in it7 may again run down into the ,copper4 ,d ,the little ,basket4 ,e ,the little ,tub out of which the strong ,lixivium runs 7by little and little7 into the ,copper4 ,f ,coolers1 or ,vessels1 in which the ,crude ,salt-petre shoots4 ,g ,four ,brass ,pans put in the ,earth1 hollowed for the purpose1 in which likewise the ,salt-petre is generated 7or shoots47 ,h ,a strong ,vessel whereinto the ,lixivium remaining after the generating 7or shooting7 of the ,salt-petre1 is put4 ,the way to purifie the ,crude ,salt-petre4 ,when all these things are thus done1 and the ,lixivium that swims at the top of the ,salt-petre is taken away1 lift up those ,vessels1 or ,brass ,pans1 containing that salt1 and turn them up and down in some convenient place1 that so the residue of the ,lixivium1 that lies as yet in them may flow1 or run clearly out1 into another ,vessel set thereunder4 ,this done1 take the ,salt-petre out of the ,coolers1 or out of the ,coppers 7or ,brass ,pans7 with an ,iron ,spatula1 or rather with such an ,instrument as your ,plasterers use 7eine telle1 a ,truel7 and put it in a ,tub that has a hole in the bottom thereof1 that so the ,lixivium may be perfectly separated therefrom4 ,they that sell that crude ,salt-petre1 and not at all purified1 for the ,salt-petre ,boilers1 do pour thereon pure 7or clear7 ,well-water1 by the means of which1 it is made more white1 that which is thencefrom separated they do again mix with other stronger ,lixivium and so boil it up for the following use4 ,but if you have a mind to purifie this crude ,nitre from its salt1 and all its ,impurities1 that it may be rendred fair1 and white1 you are to proceed this following way3 ,take almost as much ,well-water as is sufficient for the dissolution of the ,salt-petre1 put it in the purifying ,copper ,vessel1 first cleaned with water1 and dried with a cloth1 and put the fire under it1 and make it most exceeding hot1 then throw in your ,salt-petre by little and little1 and in pieces1 continually stirring the ,salt-petre that sticks at the bottom with a spoon1 that it may be the easier1 and sooner dissolved2 this only is to be observed1 that there is required a more gentle fire1 while the ,salt-petre is cast into the ,copper1 so as the water may be kept always hot4 ,when all the ,salt-petre is almost dissolved in the water1 promote the boiling thereof1 by augmenting the fire1 then try if there be any salt in a 7biggish7 gross form1 residing in the bottom of the ,copper ,vessel1 which if you find to be1 7for indeed1 the ,salt-petre it self is not so very easily dissolved1 nor doth its being admixt in a more copious manner1 at all benefit the ,lixivium7 take it forth with a ,spoon1 7or ,ladle47 ,this done1 separate the ,scum swimming at top of the boiling water1 then have ready a ,brass ,vessel that will hold about j4ss4 of ,liquor1 fill it half full with the ,lixivium1 set the ,vessel in cold water to cool1 and you shall find your ,nitre presently to ,crystallize1 or shoot therein4 ,hereby may you try whether your ,purgative water be strong enough1 or not2 for if it be stronger than is fit1 you will find a little skin spread it self over the matter contained in the ,vessel1 and when it comes to be so1 add thereunto more hot water1 keeping the fire in that degree of heat1 as may suffice to keep the water contained in the ,copper1 gently boiling4 ,now when you have kept it thus boiling for some season1 try the goodness of your water again1 after the aforesaid manner2 and if you shall find a ,crystallization therein1 and no ,concretion1 or heaping-together1 leaving a gaping1 or chap in the midst1 the business is well done2 but if it be otherwise 7than thus well done7 so that it be wholly shut in 7or gathers a skin all over7 at top1 pour on hot water1 until your ,matters come to succeed after the manner aforesaid4 ,then after all this1 take of the best ,wine ,vinegar1 about one pound thereof1 and pour it into the said water1 and you will presently see a blackish spume1 or filth arise in plenty at the top thereof1 and when you have left it so a while1 it may be easily taken off1 because of the thickness it contracts4 ,the boiling being yet a while longer continued1 pour in the same quantity of ,vinegar again1 and diligently separate the ,scum as afore3 ,this pouring on of ,vinegar1 and separating of the ,scum1 may be repeated yet a third time1 and oftner1 whereby the purgatory water may be made altogether pure1 and that there appears not any more spume4 ,when all this is done1 cast in upon this water two or three ,ounces of ,burnt-,alum1 most finely powdered1 stir all well with a ,spatula1 whereby the ,salt-petre may shoot into longer ,crystals4 ,then after this1 pour out the purgatory water into the aforementioned deep ,vessels1 and cover them over with ,linen ,cloths1 that the ,liquor cool not4 ,let it stand thus one hour or two at most1 and a yellow slime will settle to the bottom3 ,then let the water while it is yet warm flow out hence1 into other ,vessels made of wood1 and especially of ,elm1 and which are large enough2 or else1 you may let it run into ,copper ,pans set deep in the ,earth1 for the better coolings sake1 which cover over very neatly with ,cloths1 that so the ,crystallization may begin from the bottom1 and not at the upper part1 as we see it wont to happen1 where it is not kept by ,coverings from the ,external cold3 ,and we also observe therein too1 that the ,crystals shoot not into that length1 as when the ,crystallization begins from the bottom4 ,let them stand thus for two or three days1 until you see no more ,crystals generated1 which you may on this wise try4 ,put some of the ,lixivium in your 7little7 probatory ,vessel1 wherein1 if you find that there are no more ,crystals generated1 you may take out the rest of the ,lixivium3 ,then take out the ,petre with an ,iron ,spatula 7or ,truel7 and put it into a ,vessel that is full of holes in the bottom1 that so all the ,lixivium may be the better separated therefrom4 ,and you shall have your ,salt-petre pure and white1 and freed from its ,salt4 ,forasmuch as the ,lixivium here separated hath as yet some saltness in it1 it may be mixed with other strong ,lixivium to be 7agen7 boil'd up1 for the production of the ,crude ,salt-petre is usually holpen forward there-withal4 ,some there are that for the better purifying the ,petre1 do put ,calx vive in together 7with it7 whereby the water becomes most white like ,milk1 and the ,salt-petre gets a greater fairness4 ,you must withal observe that during the time that the purifying water is contained in the ,copper1 your fire must be most gentle1 least by overmuch boiling you get some damage1 for a little fire is able easily to cause 7a too vehement7 ebullition1 and when it has got strength 7or the start of you7 it is hardly allayed again4 ,the scum which you take off from it you may pour upon ashes as if it were a ,lixivium1 that so nothing 7from whence any profit can be hoped for7 may be lost4 ,there is sometimes seen to stick to the bottom of the ,copper 7especially when it is used about many boilings7 a certain stony and hard substance like ,tartar1 which unless it be taken away1 your ,copper will easily suffer damage under that same matter and be burnt4 ,the earth and ashes left1 after the weak ,lixivium 7hath past through them7 are to be laid up in some convenient place1 and there kept for four years or more1 that so they may be again apt to yield a-new more ,lixivium by extraction2 which1 that it may be the better and easier done1 there must be made in them 7many weeks afore they are wrought upon7 by digging some ,pits or ,gutters1 that so they may be freed by the heat of the ,sun from that moisture wherewith they as yet abound4 ,nor do the ancients so much wander from the ,truth in that they suppose it much better and more profitable to keep all the earth under a roof or shed1 and that it will be far sooner reduced unto a fitting goodness1 than to lie open to the weather1 for much of the ,salt-petre is corrupted 7or spoiled7 with an abundance of moisture1 especially with the ,rain it self3 ,for it needs only a little wetting whereby it may be generated1 and extreamly shuns1 or is injured by too much moisture4 ,besides these ways1 there are many that mix with this earth that is yet contained in the ,tub the ,saw-dust of ,firr1 or some other ,wood 7the height of7 a ,fingers length 7on it73 ,and they perswade that ,salt-petre is also generated and multiplied from that fatness which is mixed with the ,saw-dust1 and that the earth prepared on this wise can be so changed in a years space 7so it be kept in a dry place7 that it may be again made use of as afore4 ,yea and they suppose too that they can do much here1 if they pour upon such a barren 7or lean7 earth1 thus lying in a dry place1 the reliques or remains of the dyes1 which the ,dyers are otherwise wont to throw away1 and evident it is that they are aluminous1 but yet not so frequently4 ,besides such waters of the ,dyers they are wont also to mix soot with their earth1 7yea and the ashes too of which ,lawndresses do commonly make their ,lee27 that so it may be made the more fruitful and may be the sooner brought to use4 ,this only is to be noted1 that there are sometimes found earths that give a thick black ,lee1 which being used by it self is too fat1 to which is to be added a leaner and dryer earth1 that so the ,salt-petre may be the better and more plentifully generated4 ,the way therefore how1 and the instruments by which crude ,salt-petre is purifyed1 is shown by the #f and #h ,figure 7in ,lazarus ,ercker's ,book ,i think he means47 ,the manner of purifying the gross and blackish ,salt that comes out of the ,salt petre4 ,that black or rather ashy colour ,salt1 which is found in the ,copper while the nitre is prepared by boiling1 and likewise in the narrow ,tub or ,vessel1 may be reduced into very good ,salt1 and very convenient for daily use1 and no ways at all hurtful to ,man1 if it be but duly purified2 which said purification is to be thus ordered4 ,the ,copper being well cleaned fill it with most clear ,well-water1 put fire under it and make it boil1 throw in the said ,salt by times 7not all at once7 into the boiling water1 that so it may be dissolved2 which1 that it may be the sooner and better done1 stir it continually with a ,spatula1 when you think that it is all dissolved pour out the ,lixivium into some ,vessel or ,tub1 you shall see the grosser part will settle to the bottom1 and the ,lixivium will clear up3 ,when you perceive this1 pour this clear ,lixivium again into the cleansed ,copper1 and boil it so long till the ,salt settles to the bottom1 which take out of the said ,copper with a perforated ,ladle1 and put it in a ,basket that is placed over the ,copper1 that so all the superfluous ,lee or moisture may again run down into the ,copper1 and yields 7or leaves7 the ,salt perfect and dry4 ,some there are who afore they use this ,salt about domestick affairs1 do decrepitate it first1 and perswade themselves that it becomes thereby the more virtuous 7or strong47 ,what remains behind of the ,lixivium in the ,copper1 you may boil it up like as you would any other ,lixivium appointed to be ,crystallized1 then pour it out into the ,vessels destinated to that purpose1 and you shall see ,salt-petre to be generated in them2 for seeing the said ,salt proceedeth out of the ,salt-petre1 this ,lixivium cannot be wholly void of ,salt-petre1 and therefore may it be separated from that ,salt by the aforesaid way1 and be purified4 ,but you are to note here1 that where there is too great a quantity of ,salt-petre permixt with the said ,salt1 or that the ,salt it self is too black and impure1 that ,salt cannot get its due lustre and whiteness by barely one such a purifying ,operation1 and therefore there is requisite a reiteration of this ,operation1 so that it be again dissolved in new water1 and be purifyed1 whereby it may become altogether white4 ,however1 such a black and impure ,salt1 may be purified even by this way 7following47 ,pour the solution it self1 while 'tis yet hot1 7the water ,i mean in which the ,salt is dissolved7 upon the ashes which a ,lixivium hath been already poured on before1 and you shall see the ,salt ,lixivium to be wholly purified3 ,but yet all the ,salt which is extracted thence1 is not sufficiently white1 but that which is gathered last of all is yellowish1 and therefore must be yet once again purified4 ,note also here1 that when such a ,lixivium of ,salt is poured on the ashes1 they must be well edulcorated 7after the operation is finished7 least the ,salt sticking in the ,reedy or ,bull-rush-bottom should give an unfitting saltness to the ,lixivium that is next poured thereupon4 ,and thus have you the common method of boiling and preparing ,salt-petre1 in which you meet with what may be well disallowed or rejected1 viz4 it is extreamly tedious1 nor is it at all gainful1 for out of a centenary of ,lixivium1 we have no more than three or four pound of ,petre2 to get which too1 all the rest of the water must be done off by evaporation1 which is a long time doing1 and requires no small costs4 ,yet ,i will shew in what follows1 by what means this inconvenience may be prevented1 which ,i have proved by mine own experience4 ,the way of augmenting the ,crude ,lixivium afore its boiling4 ,the ,salt-petre boilers have hitherto variously sought after the way of augmenting 7or fortifying7 the ,lixivium of ,salt-petre1 that is1 of causing a more plentiful provenue of ,salt-petre1 in the ,water remaining of the extraction of ,salt-petre1 but in vain1 because they were ignorant of the lesser proof which all things here are tried by4 ,its augmentation is done on this wise4 ,take of a ,lixivium1 a ,centenary of which contains iiij4 4 of ,nitre1 pour so much of it as a ,tub or ,vessel will hold1 upon new earth1 let it stand for twelve hours2 then draw off the ,lixivium1 and as much as you find wanting of what you poured on 7which may easily be known by the emptiness of the measure which it was in1 afore you poured it on1 and in which it is now gathered or received again7 pour so much simple water on the ,earth1 which draw off in like manner1 and mix it with the ,lixivium1 and you will then have the same quantity that you had in your ,vessel afore4 ,this done try the ,lixivium by the lesser experiment or proof and you will find it to contain vj4 4 of ,nitre4 ,pour this ,lixivium that contains in it vj4 4 of ,nitre upon other new earth1 and proceed on the manner aforesaid1 and you shall have your ,lixivium to contain ix4 4 of ,nitre4 ,you may pour this a third time upon other new earth proceed on with it after the aforesaid manner1 and you shall yet have more ,nitre out of a ,centenary of ,lixivium4 ,but you must be always wary in this ,operation1 that you draw off1 neither more nor less ,lixivium from the earth than you had before in the ,vessel4 ,these things it pleased me to add1 concerning the second pouring on of water1 meerly for the experiments or proofs sake1 whereby we may be made certain of the augmentation thereof 7forasmuch as the ,lixivium doth by this means hold in it more ,nitre7 and that we may be forced to acknowledge its augmentation even in that way4 ,then after this is done1 you may use the weaker ,lixivium instead of water1 to fill up the first measure1 and so the ,lixivium will be the easier1 and more augmented2 and we may in a short time have sufficient quantity hereof for to boil4 ,and although this augmentation of the ,lixivium requires a great deal of labour1 yet are all the 7pains1 c47 recompensed1 because we hereby get in one ,weeks space1 and with less expence of ,wood1 far more ,nitre than by the other common ways3 ,but yet there are requisite more ,vessels for this kind of working1 wherein the separated ,lixivium may be kept4 ,i will also give the ,reader a manuduction here1 by what way the boiling of the ,lixivium is to be ordered1 or contrived3 ,first of all1 this is well to be regarded1 that forasmuch as a great boiling requires a great quantity of earth1 and yet there does not at all times1 earth of a like goodness offer it self 7especially seeing a ,man cannot make proof of it all7 upon which the costs and labours 7necessary about it7 may be well 7or at the best hand7 bestowed3 ,it seems wholly expedient1 not to make such a great ,coction 7or boiling-trade7 but to do it with only three or four ,tubs1 that so we may choose only the best convenient earth1 which we may dig in the ,cities 7or ,towns7 out of ,houses of long standing1 and out of ,stables1 but yet not too deep3 ,such a ,lixivium as contains in an hundred weight of it eight pounds of ,nitre1 may be increased to eighteen or twenty pounds1 if we proceed according to the aforesaid method4 ,and therefore such ,nitre boilers as inhabit those regions where there is scarcity of ,wood may give hereunto good heed4 ,now the ,lixivium augmented on this wise1 doth not attract all the nitre out of the earth it self1 but there doth yet some always remain behind3 ,and therefore you need not presently throw it away1 but pour thereupon some simple ,waters1 which after it hath stood thereon for some hours1 draw off again1 and you shall have a weak ,lixivium1 which you may try by the proof1 and proceed on therewith in the method of augmenting it1 and so you will have a continual labour4 ,this likewise is to be observed in an especial manner1 let the ,work-house in which this boiling up of your ,salt-petre is done1 be very low1 and covered with thatch1 that so the heat may be the better kept about the ,tubs1 and this ,operation may be done as well in the ,winter as in the ,summer1 and that the weak ,lixivium may not at all congeal4 ,and now1 even as ,salt-petre is made by boiling1 out of the ,lixivium which is made of ,earth1 even so is it of that ,lixivium which is gotten out of ,stones or the ,lime 7and ,dung7 ,arches 7afore-spoken of27 only there is this difference1 ,that this last way of my contrivance 7with stones c47 is easier1 and yields more ,nitre4 ,such as are pleased with this kind of work may set about it1 nor will they bestow their ,labours in vain2 there may be abundance of things1 and those wonderful ones too1 effected with ,salt-petre1 as ,i have abundantly demonstrated in my foregoing ,writings1 and shall in my following ones too1 more clearly demonstrate if ,god vouchsafe strength and abilities4 ,but before ,i come to the practice it self1 and to describe the benefits of ,salt-petre in specie 7or in particular7 it is wholly necessary to shew how wonderful1 yea how incomparable a subject1 that ,salt-petre is4 ,and this thing ,i have already handled at large in the ,second ,part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces1 in the ,second ,part of the ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 but especially in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in the ,explication1 and ,continuation1 and ,defence of the same4 99 99 99 99 99 ,here the ,author runs out into a large digression in his own vindication1 upon the occasion of certain ,letters sent him by one ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 who ,stiled himself the ,son of ,sendivogius2 in which ,letters he highly extols the ,hermetick learning of the ,author1 but blames him for ,writing so plainly of great secrets1 and exhorts him to be more sparing and obscure for the future4 ,withal offering his service 7and begging the ,authors leave7 to defend his ,person and ,writings against ,farnner and others4 ,the ,author not taking his advice nor yet accepting of his service 7suspecting him to be a self designer7 this ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 afterwards published a ,book entituled ,lucerna ,salis ,philosophorum4 ,in which he offers to teach the making of the ,philosophers-stone at a price or reward2 and reproacheth ,glauber whom he before had so highly magnified in several ,letters1 advising ,people to avoid his writings as ,sophistical4 ,in this ,treatise he mentions a ,prediction or1 ,prophecy of three ,monarchs that were to appear in the ,world3 ,the first of ,paracelsus1 concerning ,elias the ,artist4 ,secondly1 ,that of ,cosmopolita of the coming of the ,northern ,monarch4 ,thirdly1 ,that of ,jacob ,behmen1 ,that a ,lily shall bring forth ,flowers from the ,north4 ,he intimates that himself is the ,elias of ,arts4 ,secondly1 ,that some ,northern ,monarch shall do mighty things in the ,world3 ,and ,thirdly1 that the ,writings of ,jacob ,behmen should be again ,printed a new4 ,after the ,author hath shewed the ill dealing of this ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 with him1 and vindicated himself1 then he proceeds briefly to ,comment upon these three ,predictions or ,prophecies4 99 99 99 99 99 ,by what hath been said1 may the ,candid and well-minded ,reader judge what judgment is to be had of this ,monarch of ,arts ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 ,every one that reads them will find whether or no such a ,monarchy is to be expected from such a ones ,writings4 ,but now that ,i my self may likewise here produce my opinion1 concerning ,paracelsus his meaning where he writeth1 ,i say that the most eminent ,secrets will not be known afore ,elias the ,artist shall come and teach them3 7,but ,i pray7 what hath the holy ,man ,elias to do with ,arts8 verily no thing at all4 ,paracelsus minded or pointed at some other thing1 he well knew1 that no body comes unto such knowledge1 unless by ,revelation from ,god1 by godly ,prayers1 and by searching3 ,this is the true ,elias which ,paracelsus speaketh of1 if 7viz47 the word ,elias be read backwards1 and ,e changed into ,a3 ,for then 'tis the same with ,salia 7that is1 ,salts7 such as these 7viz4 salts7 are known unto1 to them is ,elias a master or teacher4 ,and where the said ,paracelsus speaketh of ,salts he adds ,alchimy finds it 7to be7 in ,nitre3 ,hereby shewing and pointing at ,salia1 ,salts1 which word being read backward is ,elias8 ,and this is my opinion as touching the coming of ,elias the ,artist1 and ,i do yet 7again7 say1 that to him to whom ,salts are known1 hath ,elias appeared4 ,and let this be sufficient to have spoken of the first ,monarchy of ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 and what is to be judged thereof4 ,now follows the ,second ,monarchy4 ,as for the second ,monarchy1 he alledgeth the ,prophecy of ,paracelsus1 which runs thus3 ,a ,lion shall come from the ,north1 and become the ,monarch of the ,world3 ,which ,prediction is not at all to be understood according to the ,letter4 ,what has ,paracelsus to do with the ,northern ,lion8 ,what business has he with the ,monarch of the ,world4 ,some there are that endeavour to attribute that ,prophecy to one or other of the ,northern ,kings1 but yet that was not in the least ,paracelsus's meaning1 he drove at a far other-guess business1 and by that ,lion he meant ,salt-nitre1 which is wont to be brought unto us by the ,northern ,winds1 ,rain and ,snow1 and that several times yearly as is well known unto all2 hereupon many amongst the ,philosophers1 and some of them the latter ,philosophers1 have filled great ,vessels with the ,rain and ,snow that comes out of the ,north1 and aimed at the preparation of a ,tincture thereout of1 but they found nothing else but ,salt-petre1 which to get1 ,i have shown a much shorter way4 ,paracelsus1 ,basilius1 and others have ,written many things of the green and red ,lion1 all which are to be understood of ,salt-nitre1 which may most easily be transmuted into the green or red ,lion1 concerning which thing ,i my self have made mention in many places4 ,but some or other may reply1 ,how can it be said that the ,lion shall be expected out of the ,north1 if ,paracelsus did by it understand or mean ,salt-petre1 for that cannot be said to be expected 7or waited for7 which hath always been8 ,surely the approach of this ,northern ,lion is not to be supposed or thought to be as to the outside aspect and known use1 but only according to the internal virtue1 the ,treasure therein hidden2 concerning which1 the ,philosophers have written many things enigmatically1 and kept up all things most secretly4 ,verily he to whom the inside of ,salt-petre is known will be able to report wonderful things1 for 'tis that only that is the true ,monarch1 and is able to institute a good governance for those that possess and know it4 ,this ,monarch will not be to any one a stirrer up to kill others1 and to take from others their ,goods and ,kingdoms1 and to disquiet the whole ,world1 as we see other ,monarchs do1 but he will bring ,peace and ,concord1 and will perswade the ,soldiers to stay at home and to get their food by the labour of their hands1 and not to shed the blood of the innocent2 he will injoin the greedy ,usurers to be beneficial to the poor to put an end to their immoderate usury2 he will shew to the ,divines1 that all their contentions are vain1 and that they cause nothing but inquietude1 dissention and discord amongst ,men1 and will require at their hands to ,preach concerning friendship to1 and love of ones ,neighbour1 which under this unprofitable contending is wholly lost1 and to banish away all hatred2 and contrary-wise to strive after patience and ,christian humility4 ,these kind of ,doctrines and governance the inward or inside knowledge of the ,northern ,lion will bring with him1 and not any ,war or shedding of ,blood4 ,but afore the said ,lion is tamed and made gentle1 he is very ravenous1 and the venomous ,basilisk1 and devouring ,dragon1 preying both upon ,men and ,beasts1 demolishing ,cities and ,castles1 and destroying ,goods and ,men together4 ,thus have ,i in brief expounded my opinion of the coming of the ,lion from the ,north1 let everyone believe it as he listeth4 ,and thus much shall suffice for the ,second ,monarchy1 and how it is to be understood4 ,now follows the third ,monarchical ,prophecy4 ,as for what concerns the third ,prophecy which ,i4,h4,s4 doth also make mention of1 7 will have it7 to concern a certain ,writer1 whose name is ,jacob ,behmen1 who exercised the ,shooe-makers ,craft1 and published many ,theological and also ,chymical things1 which ,john ,beth doth again ,print3 ,as far as ,i know by his writings1 he was an honest ,man1 but ,i do not know what he understood in ,alchimy2 but however this is evident1 that he never exercised or practised ,chymical ,operations1 and that his ,chymical writings are most difficult to be understood1 but his ,theological writings are read by many4 ,my opinion concerning the business is this1 that this same ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 was minded to quarrel with me1 that so there being a brawling bred between us he might make his ,books the more saleable4 ,i have therefore thus plainly answered him1 but if he proceed on in contrarying and opposing me1 ,i shall be constrained ,nolens ,volens to meet with him another kind of way1 for ,i am even wearied and glutted with contention4 ,if he will needs brawl and scold let him do it with those that have no work to do1 such as he himself his associates are1 who have no ,family to rule and look after1 ,i can for my own part bestow my time better than in those contentions1 which bring no profit1 but only to the ,bookseller1 whose ,books before they are known sell well4 ,but to conclude1 ,i will in a few words open the ill affected mind of ,j4 ,h4 ,s4 to the ,candid ,reader4 ,when ,i had lookt into his ,treatise1 and perceived that he had ranked me amongst the ,sophisters1 ,i showed to some of my faithful ,friends1 the ,letters which he had written unto me1 that so ,i might hear their ,judgment concerning them2 verily1 there was not one amongst them all1 but wondered at the wicked mind and falseness of this ,man3 ,yea1 one of them did afterwards inform him by his ,letters1 what way ,i had purposed to take1 viz4 again to wipe off that undeserved ,title he had put upon me1 and to defend my self against such ,monstrous ,impiety2 ,to which he received from the said ,j4 ,h4 ,s4 an ,answer1 which he likewise shewed me1 wherein 7'mongst other things7 he pretends1 that the cause of his hatred against me was1 because ,i had in some places written so very clearly of the ,universal ,medicine3 ,yea1 and he farther adds1 that it is no such great despising one1 or ,contempt to call one a ,sophister2 for ,geber was accounted for a ,sophister1 and yet was he a ,king4 ,and that if ,i wrote against him1 he would do the same against me1 and endamage not only me1 but my ,children too2 which ,epistle is yet kept safe4 ,now let any ,honest ,man consider whether this be a ,human1 or ,diabolical action4 ,some1 when they heard this1 perswaded me to pass over all in silence1 and that there would come of it such another brawling business as was with ,farnner1 whose ,exhortation ,i yielded to1 that ,i would not so much as once answer him1 how great ,lies soever he told1 but rather purposed by referring all till the next ,spring1 to get me ,friends by the benefit of my very eminent ,inventions 7,god willing7 which should not only intercede1 or stand up for me1 but also for my ,children too1 after my ,decease3 ,i doubt not1 but that there maybe some principal persons found1 which are capable of overturning such ,inhuman ,perverseness4 ,these few things was ,i constrained to add 7in a ,parenthesis7 for the defence of my ,writings1 thereby to paint out the deceitfulness of ,men1 and to discover what is to be opinionated concerning such turn-coated ,foxes3 ,the which ,i entreat the ,reader not to take in evil part1 but to accept of the ,secrets laid open in this ,treatise1 as a ,reward for his pains in reading this ,apology4 ,now follows the ,most ,potent ,lion1 and ,monarch of the ,north2 to whom none in the ,world may be compared1 nor did ever any excel him in ,glory and ,power1 or shall be like unto him4 ,but before ,i begin to write any thing of that ,omnipotent ,monarch1 ,i have thought it profitable to add here in this place1 for the better knowledge of the same1 ,paracelsus his ,prophesie1 as ,i met with it1 whereby any one that is skill'd in nature1 may sufficiently see1 that ,paracelsus did not mean a ,king1 but the great ,philosophical ,mistery1 and would point that out unto us3 ,his ,words therefore are as follows4 ,the ,prophesie of ,dr4 ,philip ,theophrastus ,paracelsus of the ,northern ,lion4 ,they will not leave me in my ,sepulchre1 but will hale me out thence1 and lay me down towards the ,east3 ,and ,i do foretell unto you1 that there are three great ,treasures hidden4 #a4 ,the ,first is at ,weyda1 at the ,alps of ,julia4 #b4 ,the ,second is between ,suevia1 and ,bavaria3 ,the place ,i do not poine at1 because of avoiding the being the original of many evils1 and because of the shedding of ,bloud4 #c4 ,the ,third is between ,spain and ,france4 ,he now that shall find these1 will be carried in ,triumph1 and be admired by all3 ,likewise between ,suevia 7or ,scawben7 and ,bavaria1 there are ,books which contain no mean and common ,artifices1 that will offer themselves together with precious ,stones and a ,carbuncle4 ,i will here likewise declare the ,age of such as shall find them4 ,the ,first will be #ca years old4 ,the ,second #ej years old4 ,the ,third #bh years old4 ,and these shall be found not long after the exit 7or ruine7 of the ,austrian ,empire1 and it shall happen1 that in this very same time1 a ,yellow ,lion shall come out of the ,north1 which shall be ,persecutor of the ,eagle1 and at length its ,conquerour3 ,he shall subject under this ,empire all ,europe1 and a part of ,asia and ,affrica1 and shall profess the good and ,christian ,religion1 and shall have many ,followers thereof4 ,it shall first of all be a most troublesom work for him to chase away the ,claws of the ,eagle out of the ,empire2 but afore this comes to pass1 there will arise extreamly great ,dissentions1 and various ,grudges amongst all ,men in all ,countries2 the ,inferior will rise against the ,superior1 so that there will be a great tumult1 but yet notwithstanding the ,members shall suffer the punishments of their wickedness1 and the head abide safe4 ,nor shall here be an end1 but there shall be kindled a great fire1 which shall turn all into ashes1 but the ,omnipotent ,god will be at hand to help his own people1 for there shall yet remain a small sparkle of ,piety1 which will take rooting1 and encrease by little and little1 and strike a terrour into the plundering ,robbers1 and make that alive1 which seems to be dead4 ,the ,enemies and ,persecutors of ,christ1 will call themselves powerful1 and every where bring in great ,devastations1 insomuch that there will seem to be an end of our ,actions4 ,now whilst the ,enemy is placed in the very topmost pitch of fortune1 the most ,just ,god1 will 7by the help of a small company7 destroy1 and utterly root out the ,northern ,lion1 accompanying him1 together with all his ,clerks2 yet abundance shall be ,converted1 and believe on his ,omnipotence1 and in the most ,holy ,name of ,god4 ,when therefore this ,lion hath gotten the ,eagles ,scepter1 every body will reverence1 and run after his ,majesty3 ,he shall be powerful in ,deeds and ,counsels1 and the ,subjects that now refuse him1 shall receive him with the greatest joy1 and acknowledg him their ,superior4 ,then must the aforesaid ,treasure 'twixt ,suevia and ,bavaria be found1 which is equivalent to the ,riches of twelve ,kingdoms1 where also lies hid1 a ,carbuncle1 as big as an ,egg1 richer than any price4 ,the other ,treasure that lies between ,spain and ,france1 is indeed great and potent1 but yet it gives place to the former1 it shall be manifested at the entrance of the ,lion that comes from the ,north1 and1 which shall take the ,eagle1 and then at length shall men consider well what ,i ,theophrastus have been4 ,now when the praised ,northern ,lion hath finished his ,course1 and hath broken the edge of the ,eagles ,claws1 then shall ,peace and ,concord every where speedily and vehemently fly thereunto1 but yet he will send afore1 some signs and tokens by which it shall appear unto us1 that the ,messengers sent forth shall declare the coming of the ,lord4 ,there is yet one only thing that ,i ,theophrastus do beg at your hands1 that ye do not any of you impute unto me the things which ,i now lay open2 forasmuch as ,i cannot be against the ,will of ,god1 which ,i must put in execution in the ,nature of things4 ,these are those ,secrets of ,secrets that ,i was willing to open unto you4 ,this ,treasure far exceeds other ,treasures2 my ,arts are hidden in that place betwixt ,suevia and ,bavaria1 and they are these1 viz4 ,the true ,transmutation of ,metals of a short way3 ,the ,universal1 more than perfect3 ,the so much talk'd of ,aurum ,potabile1 and ,philosophers stone3 ,but he that by the guidance of ,god has an entrance opened to the finding of them1 shall there find 7besides other stones7 a precious ,carbuncle1 which lies hidden in a little ,box cunningly made by ,men1 and covered over with ,gems2 the ,key of the little ,box is in a ,golden ,coffin1 the ,golden is put in a ,silver one2 the ,silver one in a ,tin one2 and it lies in such a place as ,god hath chosen1 or appointed4 ,the ,omnipotent ,god will bestow upon him that finds them his ,divine ,benediction in all his ,affairs1 and will give him power to oppress all evil1 and to draw out good2 whereby things necessary may likewise be obtained from ,god who is able again to reduce the world he made of nothing1 into a nothing3 ,let the ,son and ,holy ,spirit be also with us1 the ,blessed ,trinity1 for ever and ever4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,first of all1 ,paracelsus saith in this his ,prophesie1 that ,men shall draw him out of his ,grave1 and place him towards the ,east2 who is so simple as to think that this is to be understood according to the ,letter8 ,what ,profit and ,honour would thence arise to ,paracelsus1 if his ,bones were digg'd forth1 and translated into another place8 ,whereas if he were even now living1 he could not desire a better and more excellent ,tomb1 than that he lies in4 ,whilst he was living1 he was not so proud2 he very well knew that the ,honours of this ,world are fading and vain4 ,nor did he ever require1 that any ,epitaph should be erected to his ,honour3 ,although 7when his ,friends had taken care to lay him in a decent place47 ,the ,magistrate commanded a very notable ,epitaph to be engraven on his ,tomb-stone for a ,testimonial of his ,deeds1 the which ,epitaph will bring him ,praise enough while the ,world lasts4 ,the said ,epitaph runs thus4 ,the ,epitaph of ,theophrastus ,paracelsus2 which is to be seen ,engraved on a ,stone at ,saltzburg1 in the ,hospital of ,st4 ,sebastian1 erected against the ,wall of the ,church4 ,here lies ,buried ,philippus ,theophrastus1 an ,eminent ,doctor of ,physick3 ,who by a ,wonderful ,art1 took away those ,dire ,maladies1 the ,leprosie1 ,gout1 ,dropsie1 and other the ,incurable ,diseases of the ,body2 and ,honourably ,distributed1 and gave his ,goods unto the ,poor4 ,he ,died the #bdth4 ,day of ,september1 ,anno #aeda4 ,how could he be possibly more praised after his ,death1 than ,i see to be done by this ,epitaph4 ,but yet ,i would not have you think that ,i desire you to account of my ,opinion as if it were ,gospel4 ,it pleased me here to put it for this end1 to shew1 what my thoughts are1 as concerning this thing1 every one may believe as listeth him1 but as for my part ,i will in no case believe1 that the ,prediction is to be explained according to the ,words or ,letter3 ,but whereas it is said1 that he shall be taken out of his ,sepulchre1 and put in another towards the ,east1 ,i do thus interpret it3 ,that if any shall understand his ,writings1 they shall thencefrom perceive what1 and how great a one he was1 and so will make his ,cause their own1 and will defend his ,writings against ,inimicitious ,zoilists 7or ,carpers7 and ,ignorants1 who as well since his ,death1 as whilst he was alive1 entreated him very inhumanly1 and as it were1 oppressed him with ,lies1 and ,infamous ,libels1 and so do they take him as it were out of his obscure ,tomb1 and place him towards the ,east1 by which it may appear to every one what an incomparable ,man he was2 to the performance of which1 ,i will not refuse to lend my poor help1 though small1 7,god permitting47 ,he doth afterwards add1 that there are three great ,treasures hidden1 which whoever shall find1 shall triumph very nobly2 the places which ,paracelsus points at1 and where those ,treasures are hidden1 are1 where the ,metals are digged2 and indeed such places they are1 as in which there lies hidden the highest ,tincture1 and which otherwise is not to be found neither in ,gold1 nor ,silver1 nor in all the other ,metals1 or ,minerals4 ,i do think that ,paracelsus knew these ,minerals1 and made a ,tincture of them1 and thereupon was willing thus obscurely to describe such ,treasures4 ,he that shall find1 that is dig it forth1 and shall know the way of preparing a ,tincture thencefrom shall doubtlesly be magnified1 especially if he will disclose them unto others4 ,now ,i believe that if these ,treasures should be digged out by some godly1 honest1 and wise ,man1 7for the finding them is denied unto reprobates7 would not hunt after or affect vain ,glory1 but be contented in that he knows it3 ,but it is not convenient to open or disclose what this ,minera is1 wherein ,god hath put such a singular ,tincture1 and which he hath hidden from the proud and covetous4 ,but seeing that all things reside in the hands of ,god1 who can give unto his own ,people that which he denies unto others1 ,i do not at all fear any one's exhausting so easily a ,treasure lying so profoundly hidden1 although ,i should make known this subject4 ,thus much ,i have experienced1 that there lies in them a much more excellent ,tincture than in the other ,metals or ,minerals1 but ,i do not boast that ,i have thence drawn the universal ,tincture and made it fix1 for time and occasion would not as yet permit it4 ,but ,i have often times in a particular way instituted a graduation of ,luna1 by the help thereof1 insomuch that it hath left some fix'd ,sol3 ,whereby ,i have observed1 that many excellent and profitable things may be effected1 when that volatile ,tincture is by the rule of ,art made fix'd and fluid4 ,however ,i will make trial1 if ,god shall vouchsafe me life and strength1 and see what ,i shall thence obtain4 ,as concerning the name of the subject1 it is called ,magnesia ,saturnina3 which is found between ,france and ,spain in the ,piedmont ,mountains2 'tis commonly called the ,piedmont-magnesia1 but 'tis very much unlike 7to one another7 for some of it is of a yellow colour1 and this the ,venetian ,glass-men use1 when they make ,glass1 that it may become pellucid and transparent4 ,the ,glass doth at first become of a purple or ,amethist colour1 but this colour abides not one hours space in the subject1 but it evaporates1 because it is not fix'd enough as yet1 and then the ,glass becomes wholly transparent and bright1 but if they would have the ,glass hold the purple colour1 they presently work it up as soon as ever the ,magnesia is therein molten4 ,many years agoe1 when ,i attempted operations about things of less moment1 and changed ,crystals into variously colour'd ,glasses1 ,i found that this purple colour was not fix'd in the ,fire2 and that the ,magnesia had in it many impurities1 whereby my ,glasses were obscured3 ,but yet ,i attempted to extract from thence the pure ,tincture by ,art1 and to free it from its unclean fces1 and to this end used various ,menstruums1 but yet effected nothing2 until at length ,i saw that by mixing that magnesia with fix'd nitre1 it was by boiling them in a strong ,crucible1 opened by the ,nitre1 from whence proceeded a delicate purple colour4 ,i poured out the ,mass and powdered it1 and extracted it with hot ,water1 and passed the ,liquor through a ,filter1 and then had ,i a most dainty purple fiery liquor1 which did almost every hour 7standing but only in the cold7 change colour1 so that it became one while green1 then sky colour1 another while of a blood colour of its own accord1 then again presently it received other most elegant colours4 ,out of which liquor ,i did a-new separate the more pure part1 and ,i used this red powder to tinge my ,glasses1 the which thing ,i indeed obtained1 but because the ,tincture was more fusile than the green stone it self which it was extracted from ,i was constrained to leave it off4 ,however this ,i experienced1 that there lies a mighty ,tincture hidden in the said ,magnesia1 and thenceforward ,i pondered upon the business more deeply1 and adjoined the ,magnesia thus fusile unto ,luna1 and then ,i found some ,sol3 but ,i could not bring the work to any fuller perfection because of the want of time1 store of business4 ,i am of that opinion that 7by ,gods permission7 a ,tincture may thence be extracted for ,metals and ,animals4 ,these are my conceptions1 but ,i well know1 that the ignorant ,momus1 or ,carper1 will hence take occasion of mocking at me1 but this ,i cannot at all hinder4 ,this ,saturnine ,magnesia in the ,alps of ,julia is much purer and excellenter than that ,piedmont ,magnesia1 is and there is in it more ,tincture1 the which we may extract most easily by the help of ,nitre1 and albeit the ,minera be of a yellow colour1 yet is there extracted thencefrom by the benefit of ,salt-petre1 a most elegant ,tincture1 of a greenish colour1 and is likewise one while purple2 then sky colour1 then again red1 and by and by again it assumes a green colour1 the which also is so fusile1 it fixeth every ,luna1 and doth in some sort make it golden4 ,these two ,minerals ,i have often times handled1 and have thencefrom gotten the green ,lion1 but have not proceeded any farther4 ,the third ,treasure 'twixt ,suevia and ,bavaria1 is not much unlike unto these two1 and without doubt such kind of ,treasures will offer themselves even in many other places where such ,mountains ,mine-pits are found out1 were but the right way of digging out and ripenning them1 but known unto us2 which knowledge is only granted unto the ,sons of ,,god4 ,these things was ,i willing to mention1 that so it may be known what my opinion is as touching those ,treasures4 ,for ,i am firmly perswaded that the universal ,medicine may be thence prepared1 especially out of that which very much abounds shining in ,metal resembling a vein of ,lead1 and yet yields not any ,metal by fusion1 because of its exceeding volatility1 and of wholly flying away in the form of a vapour3 ,yet nevertheless1 that ,northern ,lion is able to master it and to fatten its young ones thereby4 ,and if ,,god shall vouchsafe any one such a ,treasure1 he will verily find more ,art-containing ,books than is indeed needful4 ,and whereas ,paracelsus adds that the ,lion out of the ,north will 7after he hath found the aforesaid ,treasures7 become a ,potent ,monarch1 this is easie to be believed1 for he is enriched with the digged-out ,treasures1 and is able to manage his affairs as listeth him4 ,he will be able to give whole ,kingdoms unto others1 and yet his power will not be diminished1 he will in like manner be able to institute good precepts and government1 and there will be a notable affluence of all things1 insomuch that there will be nothing wanting4 ,there are many ,men would lead an honest ,life1 were they not constrained by poverty and need to do evilly4 ,the ,northern ,lion is able 7when he hath found the ,treasure7 to abolish all these vices1 and contrarywise recover a good political ,governance1 ,peace and ,quietude4 ,for ,wealth and ,riches are able to transmute ,strife into ,peace1 and these the ,northern ,lion can abundantly exhibit1 insomuch that he may deservedly be ,stiled a most ,potent ,monarch4 ,but if so be that evil companion1 viz4 ,sulphur be joined unto him1 which may provoke him1 he becomes more venomous than the ,basilisk1 and is able to kill in a moment of time1 both ,men and ,beasts1 yea to ruin ,castles1 ,mountains1 and ,fortifications1 and to annihilate them4 ,but on the contrary when he hath found the ,treasure1 he becomes tame and liberal1 and lays off his anger1 and bestows on all ,men sundry most acceptable gifts4 ,furthermore1 ,paracelsus saith that a yellow ,lion shall come out of the ,north1 which shall dull the ,eagles ,claws2 all which verily is to be only understood concerning ,salt-petre's transmuting virtue much conducing to a perfecter augmentation of the ,metals1 from whence and together with the ,carbuncle may be atchieved2 and not at all of a certain ,northern ,king and the ,roman ,eagle4 ,for the yellow and fiery ,lion which is here treated of1 is fixt ,nitre1 and if it be joined to the volatile ,eagle1 that is1 to the volatile ,corrosive ,salt2 this 7,eagle7 is overcome by that 7fixt ,salt7 and is tamed1 because the ,corrosive virtue which it abounded withal1 is taken away3 ,so that he that is skill'd in ,chymistry may well enough understand what ,paracelsus drives at1 and that he does not at all mean those ,monarchs and ,rulers1 as may be gathered out of his ,manual1 where he ,writes1 that the ,blood of the red ,lion is to be commixt with the liquor of the white ,eagle1 and that from them by a due ,coction is the universal ,tincture to be extracted4 ,therefore they do evilly that interpret the ,writings1 and these predictions of ,paracelsus otherwise1 they earnestly expect external ,monarchs1 but experience hath taught that those ,lions do bring with them nothing but an hungry ,stomach1 which can hardly be well filled 7or satisfied7 with the ,sheep and ,lambs of all ,countries4 ,and ,i pray ,god1 turn them from us and continue unto us ,peace and ,concord1 which is most of all to be wished for4 ,moreover ,paracelsus further saith1 that he was constrained to detect this ,treasure and hidden secrets1 to shew the nearest way to the description of the ,philosophers-stone1 which 7,stone7 whoever finds and knows how to open the ,gate1 he shall find a ,carbuncle as big as an ,egg1 together with other ,gems1 which are conserved in a ,chest made of ,gold and ,gems1 and this ,chest in a ,golden ,sepulchre1 the ,golden one in a ,silver one1 the ,silver one in a ,tin one1 on which the ,key is placed4 ,and now will there be any one so foolish as to interpret this according to the alleaged ,words3 ,no certainly unless he be deprived off the light of ,nature4 ,it was never heard off1 that ever there was any ,carbuncle found of the bigness of an ,egg3 neither the ,roman1 nor ,grecian1 nor ,persian ,monarchs are reported to have had such an one1 and from whence then should ,paracelsus only have the same8 ,all ,men therefore see that this ,prophecy is not at all to be understood barely according to the ,letter4 ,now in that he calls the universal ,medicine a ,carbuncle1 he does not therein offend1 because even other ,philosophers have imposed upon their ,tincture this very name1 and this meerly because of the form it has1 for if there is to be a certain ,tincture that should tinge the white ,metals into yellow ,sol1 it must of necessity be red2 and therefore some of the ,philosophers have likewise called their ,tincture ,hmatitis1 for likeness sake4 ,nay more1 forasmuch as it is mentioned of the ,carbuncle that it shines in the night like a burning live-,coal1 and yet such a stone was never any where seen or found1 it necessarily follows that those things which are delivered thereof are not to be understood according to the ,letter4 ,the chiefest ,lapidaries do ,witness that they never saw it2 the ,oriental ,rubies are the chiefest red ,gems that we know of1 of which there is scarce one found that is bigger than ones nail1 which notwithstanding1 if it be pure and shining1 is sold for many ,thousands of ,duckets4 ,in like manner1 ,granates are red1 and of a meaner price1 and shine no more in the ,night than ,rubies do4 ,but that a shining in the ,night like a live-,coal1 should be attributed to a ,carbuncle1 is not done without cause2 verily1 the ,authors of that thing are not at all to be supposed to be such ,merchants1 continually handling ,gems1 7as if they had ever seen such a stone73 ,no1 but they were the ,philosophers themselves1 whose words which they wrote of the prepared ,tincture1 the after ,writers did falsly construe their meaning and understood it literally1 perswading themselves that there was such a ,carbuncle in the nature of things4 ,therefore we have no reason to induce us to believe that the ancient ,philosophers did in very deed describe or mean such a ,stone as shines by night1 but let us rather perswade our selves as being thereto constrained by the ,verity of the thing1 that they did not in the least mean a natural stone1 but a stone prepared by ,art1 and their ,tincture4 ,and this1 the very ,name it self seems to point out2 for ,carbo signifies a greater ,coal2 and ,carbunculus signifies a little1 or lesser ,coal4 ,now if so be that any one would endeavour to prove with ,oaths to this blind1 proud1 and wicked ,world1 that such a red stone shining by night1 may be made of a ,wood1 or stone ,coal1 certainly every body would mock at him1 and would say1 ,that he propoundeth meer ,lyes2 and therefore no body ever dared 7though he were never so certain of the ,truth of the thing7 to write ought of the same4 ,but some or other will say1 ,whence come you to know these things1 and by what ,notes or ,testimonies do you prove that you are to be credited1 as touching this ,business1 seeing no body ever writ that these things were so8 ,to such an one ,i answer1 ,that ,i leave every one at his liberty2 for whether he believes my ,sayings1 or believes them not1 'tis all a case to me4 ,however ,i say1 that ,i can change by melting1 a meer black ,coal by the help of a ,salt 7but not common ,salt7 into a most red stone in one hours space4 ,for ,coals are nothing else but a fixt and volatile ,sulphur1 which if we will fix it1 will be fixt2 if we will volatilize it1 it will be so4 ,a wood ,char-coal 7though there's much difference amongst them7 should it lie shut up firmly most tight in an ,iron ,vessel even for an hundred ,years so as that no air get in1 and should be 7all that while7 kept in a most vehement fire1 yet would it not shew the least sign of being consumed or changed1 but let but the air come unto it1 and it will be reduced into ashes in a moment4 ,if now you have understanding and sense1 consider with your self more largely as touching this thing1 and you will find many profitable and good things if ,,god shall open unto you the ,eyes of your mind3 ,this red stone having the form of ,glass1 being poured out of the ,crucible1 shines in the dark like a burning ,coal1 according as is the ,coal you prepare it of4 ,and albeit that this ,glass can perform many good things in ,medicine and ,alchimy1 yet it is not at all the ,stone of the ,philosophers1 which they call a ,carbuncle1 for that must be fixt1 and resist the ,fire1 both which are denied to this ,glass to be1 for it is volatile1 and can easily be changed by the ,fires force4 ,i have several times made this stone of ,salt and a ,coal1 but never had time as yet to bring it to a perfect fixation1 and therefore ,i cannot determine certainly1 what may be farther hereof made4 ,however ,i would not have the lover of the wonders of ,,god to be unacquainted with this1 that 7viz47 my said ,stone of a ,coal1 or my red ,carbuncle1 if it be dissolved in the air1 it yields a green fiery ,liquor1 which if smeared upon any ,silver it gilds it as ,sulphur does4 ,if the ,divine ,clemency shall supply me with life and strength and that my enemies1 and opportunity shall permit1 ,i will some time or other set about the work of fixation1 that so it may appear what is thence to be hoped for4 ,and now friendly ,reader who art not addicted to either party tell me1 whether or no there does not redound unto thee more light from this most brief treating of the ,carbuncle1 than from the obscure ,lucerna or ,candle of ,i4 ,h4 ,s4 in whose ,book there are indeed the names of a many ,authors cited1 but none of their ,writings are explained1 and therefore it is rather a bringing others into a ,labyrinth1 than a showing of the true way4 ,paracelsus adds1 that this ,carbuncle is hid in a little ,chest made of ,gold and ,gems1 this ,chest in a ,golden ,coffin 7or ,tomb71 this in a ,silver one1 and finally this ,silvery one in a ,tin one2 which sayings verily are to be taken or understood in a far other sence than they are uttered1 as well as the words foregoing3 ,for to what end should there be such a multitude and variety of ,coffins8 ,my opinion hereabouts is this3 ,forasmuch as there lies in ,tin 7as ,paracelsus testifies in his ,book of ,vexations1 when he saith1 that ,jupiter has much ,gold in it1 and not a little ,silver7 a spiritual ,gold and ,silver hidden1 and that contains 1 and contains ,tincture1 we are to understand these things of them1 they being as so many ,coffins4 ,but some may say1 to what use serve the ,tin and ,silver1 if they are to be removed afore we can come to the ,golden ,coffin1 and get to that which contains the ,carbuncle1 may we not presently even at first dash seek such a stone in 1 and leave ,tin and untoucht8 ,i could most easily satisfie such an objection1 and give a sufficient reason of ,paracelsus his ,writing such things1 but that ,i judge it inconvenient to communicate such things of so great a consideration 7or moment7 to wicked ,zoilists or ,carpers4 ,however ,i cannot here let this slip1 viz4 that there lies hid in an excellent ,mercurial ,liquor1 which is thence extractable by the benefit of that ,key which lies upon the ,sepulchre or ,tomb1 viz4 by the benefit of ,salt-petre4 ,this mercurial ,liquor1 loosens the bonds of 1 and makes it fit1 so as to be extracted 7or made into the best 1 out of which the ,carbuncle is to be afterwards made1 for every 7kind of7 doth not at all resemble the nature of a seed1 but supplies the place only of an ,house or covering1 which containeth seed in it1 and which 7covering7 must of necessity be removed by him who desires the seed it self4 ,i have in other places shown how properly the metalline stock or nature may be compared to a ,vegetable ,apple3 ,saturn is the root of the ,tree2 ,mars the ,trunk or ,body2 ,jupiter the ,bark of the ,trunk2 ,mercury the ,juice contained betwixt the ,bark and the ,trunk2 ,venus the green ,leaves2 ,luna the white ,flower or ,blossom2 ,sol the ,fruit or ,apple of the ,tree containing the seed of the ,vegetable4 ,now then1 even as it is a thing evident to all1 that the ,apple it self is not the seed of the ,tree1 but the ,nut or ,kernel is hidden in its inward part1 so that the ,apple doth only keep or hold in it the seed2 even so in like manner is not at all to be accompted as the seed of ,metal1 but only as a preserver 7and coverer over7 of the seed4 ,he now that lights on the true ,key1 which ,paracelsus hath put upon the ,golden ,coffin1 7viz47 the inside of ,salt-nitre1 he will be able to open1 not only the ,tin ,coffin1 but the ,silver and ,gold ,coffin too1 and to take that ,coffin thereout of1 which contains the ,carbuncle and other ,gems4 ,these are the things ,i was willing to publish according to my opinion1 concerning that great ,carbuncle lying so deeply hidden in those ,coffins3 ,i permit others to expound them otherwise1 for ,i do not offer these things to the old ,men who stiffly contend for their own conceptions as it were for the best thing they have1 it being an hard matter to tame an old dog2 but ,i present them to such only as are the younger students of the true ,hermetick ,physick or ,medicine1 and who are not already drawn into various errors by the reading of many ,authors4 ,and he that refuseth to believe that even the greatest ,arcana may be handled or treated of in a meer simple or plain ,stile1 and that they need not at all any prolixity1 shall never attain his wish'd for end1 though he were able to recite by heart even all the ,philosophers ,books4 ,and thus much may suffice in this place4 ,lastly1 ,paracelsus adds at the end of the ,prophecy1 that the most ,great and ,blessed ,,god will grant to the finder out of these ,treasures notable ,power and ,fortitude1 whereby he may oppress all evils1 detect good things1 and get every profitable thing1 certainly whoever he be that shall find such an universal ,treasure1 he will labour to suppress every noxious thing1 and to disclose 7on the other hand7 whatsoever is any ways profitable for man-kind1 and necessary1 and this to the very utmost of his power4 ,for the ,philosophers say1 ,our ,art doth either find a ,man honest and godly1 or it even makes him such an one2 that is1 it is altogether impossible for such an one that lights on such ,treasures to be an ungodly ,man1 so1 as for those highly precious gifts of ,god not to stir him up to godliness and ,mercy4 ,i could render this ,prophecy of ,paracelsus more clear1 but that ,i study to be brief1 and could manifestly prove1 that it is not to be understood according to the bare ,letter1 but that ,paracelsus had regard to this great universal of the ,philosophers1 which is clearly enough hinted in these words which are mentioned at the end of the said ,prophecy1 viz4 ,that all evils may be kept under1 7or abolished7 and that all good things may be drawn forth or advanced1 and withal1 all necessary and useful things may be gotten4 ,these words do openly enough point at the universal ,treasure of the ,philosophers1 by which all evil is kept under1 and all good educed1 and all necessary and profitable things acquired4 ,on this wise are my ,conceptions of them1 let another interpret them according as seems him good4 ,for when the ,lion shall have found the said mineral ,treasure1 he will be incited or stirred up to such a great passionate wrath and power1 that is able easily to dull the edge of the ,eagles ,claws1 that is1 his adversaries4 ',tis impossible for the ,eagle to get such a ,treasure1 but a thing most easie to the ,lion2 ,for there is not a subject in all nature that can make the ,lion so fiery and powerful as the magnesia ,saturnina can1 and therefore it easily tames all ,corrosives1 and cuts off their ,claws4 ,experience confirms the things ,i here mention1 and therefore ,i will say no more3 ,yet however ,i think it expedient to add this one thing more of the nature and properties of the ,lion and ,eagle4 ,it is sufficiently manifest1 that the ,eagle is called the ,king of all ,birds1 and the ,lion the ,king of all four-footed ,beasts4 ,not1 as if the ,eagle were the greatest amongst the ,birds1 and the ,lion the strongest and greatest ,animal amongst the ,beasts3 ,no1 no1 ,there are bigger ,birds and ,beasts than the ,eagle or the ,lion2 ,geese1 ,swans1 and our ,country ,storks are bigger than an ,eagle1 7,i omit to speak of the other huge ,birds in ,asia1 ,africa1 c4 ,amongst which the ,ostrich is reckoned for one1 which is as big almost as a ,horse1 and runs swifter than a ,horse47 ,then1 for ,beasts1 there are some of the 7like proportionable stature7 as the ,rhinoceros and ,elephant1 which fear the ,lion no more than the ,ostrich and other 7great7 ,birds do the ,eagle2 yet nevertheless do they acknowledge the ,lion and ,eagle for ,king1 and that deservedly too1 because of the ,velocity1 strength1 valour1 and other virtues that those ,creatures have4 ,but yet ,historians rank the ,griffin and ,dragon amongst the ,birds and the greatest ,animals4 ,they paint 7or describe7 the ,griffin1 a winged ,animal1 one half part resembling a ,lion1 the other half part an ,eagle2 the ,claws1 ,wings and ,head like an ,eagles1 the other part of the body like a ,lions4 ,but this is a ,philosophical and ,poetical ,fable1 by which they would disclose and lay open other ,mysteries and ,arcana's4 ,for there is never to be found in all this whole compass 7of the ,world7 such a ,dragon as flies in the ,air or spits out ,fire2 but all these sayings1 point at ,salt-petre4 ,they likewise feign the ,griffin to be of such power as to be able to carry away through the air an armed ,souldier on ,horse-back2 these and greater things than these can ,salt-petre do2 for 'tis able to blow up whole ,castles and ,fortresses with many myriades of ,men into the air2 and would to ,god this were not so well known4 ,the ,philosophers have only shadowed out their ,dragon amongst other ,birds4 ,our ,dragon never dies but by the help of his ,brother and ,sister1 that is of the fixt ,lion1 and corrosive fluid ,eagle1 the which thing may be likewise said of the ,griffins4 ,for of the fixt burning ,lion1 and fluxil or fluid corrosive ,eagle1 there is created no other thing but a ,griffin1 part ,eagle and part ,lion1 which lifts 7or blows7 up ,mountains of most vast weight2 when they fight each with the other they kill one another and are raised up again out of the dead ,carkass4 ,and thus there are regenerated 7or again born7 other ,lions and other ,eagles out of the ,griffin1 and 7if you are so minded7 both the ,lion and also the ,eagle may be fed and fatted with the common ,flesh of other ,wild ,beasts1 so as thence forward they may generate innumerable ,griffins1 which you may use not only in time of ,war against the ,enemies1 but also in the ,mountains1 to dig out ,treasures thence1 and being digged to carry them into the ,nest4 ,,nb4 ,it is reported of the ,griffin that he gathers much ,gold which he carries with him into his ,nest2 ,but all these things are to be understood of the strength and virtues of ,salt-petre2 concerning which ,i could be much more prolix and more clear were ,i not even constrained to over-pass it and let it alone because of the ungodly crew of wicked men4 ,and now let us enter with the ,philosopher ,virgil1 into the dark ,cave or ,den of the ,sybill1 and let us see whether or no we can find the ,book there 7that is ,salt-petre7 wherein are found all the secrets of nature3 ,or rather1 let us enter into the ,stable with the three wise ,men or ,kings that came from the ,east1 and let us there seek the ,son that was born of a ,virgin1 who is the ,king of the ,world the ,king of all ,kings1 and let us apparel or adorn him with due gifts or presents1 that his age strength may grow up and be augmented1 he may at length drive away the ,diseases of his three brethren1 viz4 of the ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral4 ,this ,infant needs not ,gold1 ,myrrh1 and ,franckincense for his sustentation1 but we will bestow upon him instead of ,gold1 ,myrrh1 and ,franckincense1 three other things for multiplications sake2 common ,sulphur shall supply the room of ,gold2 common ,salt1 of ,myrrh2 the external green boughs of ,firr or ,elder1 of ,franckincense2 thereof will we make his ,bed1 and these shall be his coverings4 ,the ,salt which is animated by the ,sulphur and converted into ,milk shall be his food1 so long until he becomes great and strong enough1 yea a ,potent ,monarch1 and then will he gainfully reward his ,tutor 7or ,guardian7 ,joseph1 for his laborious ,wardship4 ,the ,magi and ,philosophers observed the ,star of our ,infant1 which shineth so brightly as that it dazles the sight of the beholder2 nor can any one look long upon it without hurting his sight1 and thereupon it is worthily called the ,son of the 3 ,for there is not any clear or bright light without the ,sun1 the ,country fellows therefore do not perceive such a light1 but the ,chymists can 7whensoever pleaseth them7 make and see such a light4 ,the things which ,i here declare concerning the nativity of ,salt-petre1 are most easie to be understood4 ,it is generated or born in the ,stables1 ,the is its ,father1 the is its ,mother1 the ,wind conveys the ,paternal seed in a spiritual manner1 into the moist ,earth of the ,stable1 by which1 the ,virgin ,earth being impregnated doth after due time produce its young to light4 ,,nb4 ,that ,earth which produceth and conserves ,herbs1 ,grass1 and ,metals is called the ,mother2 and that ,earth which doth not produce 7as in ,stables1 c47 is as yet to be accompted as a ,virgin1 which doth afterwards yield so noble an offspring4 ,no ,earth out of which1 ,herbs1 ,trees1 and ,minerals are born doth ever conceive again1 or ever intermits the production of such things1 and for that reason is it called the ,mother of all things4 ,but now that ,earth that is found in ,stables1 which conceives neither the ,solar nor ,lunar beams1 nor is moistned with either ,rain or ,dew1 cannot produce any thing1 unless the beams are conveyed thereinto from the ,sun by the ,air1 then the impregnated ,virgin in the ,stables1 brings forth an offspring1 which is by the ,philosophers presented for its sustentation1 with a threefold kind of gifts2 to wit1 ,sulphur instead of ,gold1 and that being in like manner fixt and most pure2 with ,salt instead of ,myrrh1 which is pure and preservative1 and with the ,juice or ,resin of the ,firr-tree1 or ,elder1 instead of sweet smelling ,franckincense4 ,these three things are the ,aliment or food of the new ,infant2 ,the ,green ,boughs of the ,firr or ,elder1 do furnish him with a ,bed for his ,cradle2 ,the ,sulphur and ,salt yield him sweet milk to nourish him2 so that there needs not any thing else but a good overseer1 ,joseph1 that may keep off the ,rain and the cold ,air from this ,infants ,bed4 ,by such a means as this may we nourish our most tender ,infant and advance him to his ,kingly ,monarchy2 when he shall arrive thither he can make all his ,brethren sound and rich3 ,for the ,vegetables do only desire profitable and convenient food1 or some fat earth1 whereby they 7being well and sound7 may attain to their perfection and encrease themselves2 which thing ,salt-petre does better than any other4 ,nor do the ,minerals desire ought else but that the impurity and superfluous ,sulphur be taken away from them1 that so they may 7after a perfect ,purification7 cast forth their seed1 that is ,gold2 and this1 ,salt-petre does most perfectly4 ,then ,lastly1 the ,animals seek not after other food than what the ,earth supplies them withal1 which to effect1 ,salt-petre must of necessity be at hand4 ,salt-petre therefore is the only preserver of all ,vegetables ,minerals and ,animals1 but the soul of ,man doth not at all belong thereunto1 for it is the propriety of ,jesus ,christ2 but as for the bodies1 ,salt-petre is the most profitable medicament4 ,whatsoever ,i have here produced in this place1 ,i have already ,written the same in other places of my ,treatises1 in another kind of manner and expression1 and therefore ,i suppose it to be plainly needless to make any farther addition3 ,he that will not be able to light his dark ,candle at this shining light1 will be blind all his life time1 and consequently incurable4 ,as concerning the preparation of ,sulphur with ,salt1 how it is to be made a ,lac ,virginis ,i have already mentioned it abundantly in many places4 ,and as for the making of the ,cradle or ,bed1 and what form 'tis of ,i shewed about the beginning of this ,work3 ,so that now there remains nothing behind but the applying the hands to the work1 if we desire to get honour and goods from 7this7 principal ,monarch4 ,salt-petre is the only ,artificer to reduce ,metals unto their first matter1 or of making them ,astral4 ,for the ,stars are nothing else but pure fire4 ,they exercise fiery ,operations1 and produce fiery things2 like as the ,vegetables do putrefy by the ,salt-petre in the ,dung1 and are reduced unto perfection and multiplication1 without which putrefying there can never be made any multiplication of the ,vegetables1 as ,christ himself witnesseth2 if the ,wheat does 7not7 putrefy in the ,earth it can produce no fruits4 ,the like is in the ,animals too1 yet especially in the ,eggs of ,birds1 which said ,eggs must stink and rot afore the hatching of the ,chicken comes4 ,therefore in vain have many tried so to defile 7or putrefy7 ,metals and reduce them to their first matter4 ,now though the ,philosophers tell us that ,metals are to be first putrefied afore they can be multiplied1 yet they meant not such a putrefaction1 but the putrefaction of ,metals must be done by the help of fire1 and withal must be so effected by ,artificers1 here below1 as the ,metals are wrought by the ,stars in the ,heaven1 for we must imitate ,nature4 ,and forasmuch as nature generates all ,metals by a ,celestial ,fire1 therefore the ,artist must go no other way1 but must imitate nature if he would do any good on't4 ,as for ,vegetables and ,animals1 we willingly allow them a moist putrefaction1 but for the ,metals1 a dry and fiery putrefaction suits with them1 and which may be perfected in two or three hours space1 as may be seen in my ,continuation of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in 7my7 ,testimony of the ,truth1 or ,explication of ,miraculum ,mundi3 ,and this is the only cause 7or rock7 against which many have fallen1 and so have not gotten any good thing1 7or profitable47 ,now1 afore putrefaction it cannot be enceased2 and every thing which induceth a putrefaction into other things must of necessity consist of two contraries in its nature3 ,water poured upon ,water remains ,water1 and there is no change wrought2 but from ,fire and ,water do many wonderful things proceed4 ,if we pour the corrosive ,spirit of ,nitre1 of ,salt or ,vitriol upon another corrosive ,spirit1 they easily embrace each other and are commixt without noise1 and there is not thence generated any new thing1 but it always remains an acid corrosive ,spirit4 ,if we put one strong ,lixivium to another like ,lixivium1 there is no noise 7or hissing7 stirred up1 nor any change made2 but now if we mix that same ,lixivium with a corrosive ,spirit the one operates upon the other1 being both contraries1 and there is generated of them both somewhat of a middle nature1 which has not the likeness of either4 ,this now is clearly evident in strong fixt ,nitre1 or any other ,lixivium of ,wood1 when it is poured into ,aqua-fortis1 and they act one upon the other2 then of them both1 there proceeded a certain middle thing1 viz4 burning ,salt-petre1 which brings all things to putrefaction1 and promotes or advanceth their multiplication1 the which thing is after a sort known in the ,vegetables1 and ,animals2 but as for the ,metals1 the ,philosophers have accompted it as a secret even to this very day2 and therefore hence comes it to pass that there hath been so much erring in putrefaction 7which is the very key of the ,art7 and nothing hath hitherto been brought unto the wish'd for end4 ,forasmuch therefore as ,metals ought to be putrefied by the ,fire1 we do not find any thing more commodious than ,salt-petre1 which in one hours space1 putrefieth all the ,metals prepared aforehand1 and multiplies them1 viz4 when a commodious and moist ,matrix is put into the ,fire1 wherein 7a man7 may put his 7metalline7 seed to be therein multiplied2 for seed is not multiplied without a ,matrix1 and this is daily observable in the ,vegetables and ,animals4 ,now1 as a ,vegetable seed needeth for its multiplication a fat and moist ,earth1 and an ,animal ,matrix2 so likewise the seed of ,metals needs a metalline ,matrix1 without which it cannot be multiplied3 ,and by how much the more apt and commodious the ,matrix is1 so much the more noble is the ,fruit1 and so on the contrary4 ,so then1 by this time all men know that by how much the stronger and better the contraries be1 so much the better are the fruits1 as hath been already said4 ,the stronger the ,aqua-fortis is1 and the more fixt the ,salt or ,lee is1 that are mixt together1 the better and the more plenty of ,salt-petre is there generated4 ,but especially if we concentrate corrosive ,spirits by ,metals do make them 7thereby7 yet more corrosive1 as also if we concentrate fixt ,salts by ,flints1 and so make them yet more fiery1 they do then perform many wonderful ,operations4 ,for whereas the bare contraries do yield but only ,salts2 being concentrated1 they do yield forth fruits that break out as if it were ,trees3 ,concerning which you may see in the second part of the ,furnaces1 about the ,liquor of ,flints4 ,this is that which we see and believe1 viz4 that by how much the more the contraries are contrary to each other1 so much the greater product is there of ,fruits4 ,but because ,fire and ,water are naturally exceeding contrary to each other1 therefore do they also produce the greater fruits1 viz4 ,metals1 which are greater than either the ,vegetables or ,animals are4 ,,nb4 ,if the ,artist can think upon a yet hotter ,fire than the common ,fire is1 and a colder ,water 7than usual7 and know where to find them1 such will of necessity likewise produce ,metals that are more excellent than the ,vulgar4 ,but seeing that amongst all the fires there is not given a hotter than ,salt-petre1 a cold wife is to be associated unto him1 and the wedding is to be celebrated in ,hell1 then will both of them leave 7behind them7 ,sons of ,riches and ,health4 ',tis an usual custom throughout all ,germany1 haply other ,kingdoms have the like1 that when two contract ,matrimony1 the ,bridgroom and the ,bride1 are led into the bathes two or three days afore the ,wedding is ,celebrated1 and they are there wash'd1 to the end that they may be the more acceptable to each other3 ,and although they put on their best apparel and do adorn themselves with most clean dressings1 yet do they at last put off all their fine ,ornaments when they desire to conjoin themselves and multiply4 ,the same is here to be understood of the new metallick multiplication3 ,if each party be but only sound of a good constitution 7though the outward raiment be vile7 yet are they able to beget as fair ,children1 as ,royal ,persons1 7who are loaden with ,gold1 ,silver1 precious ,stones1 and ,pearls17 can4 ,hence it is apparent1 that the ,garments contribute nothing to the business1 but that the multiplication doth solely depend upon the soundness and good constitution of the bodies2 and this ,pythagoras well knew1 and willingly left it to posterity1 for he observed that the soul of the ,metals being by ,art forced out of the body did presently pass into the nighest bodies and after their death1 again into the next3 ,hence it was1 that he fell into a great errour1 when he concluded1 that the same was also true as to the transmigration of the soul of man1 and the order therein the same2 to wit1 that the soul of one man did not presently pass into another man1 but as well into ,sheep1 ,birds1 ,fishes1 c4 ,and for that reason1 his successours1 7a great part of whom inhabit ,africk7 will not to this day kill so much as a little ,worm1 fearing least that they should kill such an ,animal1 as contains in it the soul of their ,father or ,mother4 ,besides too1 he signified that the soul of a man was better and more pleasant in ,frogs than in the most ,potent ,king4 ,without doubt this errour arose from hence1 viz4 his seeing the souls of ,metals that are forced out of their bodies1 to occupy or possess the nearest and more commodious subjects4 ,by how much the purer the ,subject is that the soul of ,metals finds or lights on in its departure 7or going off from the ,metals7 the willinglier doth it possess it4 ,we ,christians have a more perfect knowledge of the soul given us than was given ,pythagoras1 but if we speak of ,metals1 then this saying of ,pythagoras hath good foundation1 which thing1 no experienced ,philosopher will ever be able to gain-say or confute with truth4 ,this we know most certainly1 that ,god doth esteem the soul of a beggar as much as of a ,king2 the bodies do indeed make the difference for some bodies are better adorned than other some4 ,likewise1 the noble and not adulterated ,alchimy teacheth us that the soul of or is as good as the soul of is2 herein is the difference between them1 that their bodies are bigger and stronger1 and so their noble soul is contemned and rejected by the ignorant1 because of the rude grossness of their bodies4 ,hereupon1 the curious searchers of nature have laboured to destroy those gross bodies1 and to draw out their pure soul1 that they might translate it into better and purer bodies1 7the which thing also succeeded according to their desire7 and by the extracted souls they transmuted the imperfect and impure bodies of the ,metals into most pure ,gold3 ,nor were they ignorant of the ,artifice of particularly purifying the gross and impure bodies of the ,metals1 like as the sick bodies of men being purified by the virtue and help of medicaments are restored to their former health and vigour4 ,for when an impure ,patient meets with an expert ,physician whom he 7viz4 the ,physician7 undertakes to cure1 he doth first of all 7if his ,patient haps to have the ,itch1 ,scabs1 the ,scurvy1 ,lues ,venerea1 ,pustules and other stinking sores7 prescribe him a purge whereby all the impurities may be first expelled4 ,then he permits the sick person to use a sweating-house1 or stove1 in which he may sweat so much as to be very much debilitated by the heat4 ,lastly1 he brings him into a ,parlour or ,chamber that has a pure air in it1 to refresh him1 and therein he manageth the cure of him1 until he hath recovered his former health and purity2 and if the sick be not made clean or pure by the first purgation and sweating1 he reiterates the same remedies as often as need shall require1 and till the sick be perfectly freed from impurities4 ,just so1 doth the skilful ,chymist proceed in the purification of the imperfect ,metals1 for he expels all the excrements which they are in an especial manner endued 7or soil'd7 withal1 viz4 the impure and stinking ,sulphur by the help of the fire1 and by the help of little appropriated stoves 7or pots7 even until they get their due purity2 ,art therefore imitates ,art4 ,but if so be that all ,physicians were skill'd in ,alchimy and ,astronomy we should not need such plenty of ,coffins1 for in them 7viz4 ,alchimy and ,astronomy7 one true ,art doth continually produce out of it self another4 ,the ,astronomer when he would give a man his judgment as to the manner and term of his life1 doth first of all look to the hour of the nativity1 and fisheth out what condition that aspect is of1 that doth at that time bear chief rule in the ,firmament1 which when he hath found out he doth by the means of calculation1 predict what good or what evil things will befal the ,child 7or party7 whilest he lives4 ,although these prognostications are not at all ,infallible1 yet are they not therefore by any means to be totally rejected4 ,for we oftentimes find many things true by experience which otherwise we would not credit3 ,nor is it so much without reason that we so esteem them1 but this ought not to be done compulsively 7or1 as if they forced us7 for 'tis the usual ,proverb1 ,the ,stars incline1 but do not necessitate4 ,for like as a man that is born under an evil aspect may by doctrine and information be made good1 so that here the aspects may be of no moment2 so on the other hand1 we often find that such an one as is born under a most excellent aspect is corrupted and depraved by his conversation with evil men4 ,and these very things doth even ,alchimy demonstrate the truth of3 ,for even as soon as ever the ,infant is born begins to suck in the air1 he doth even then attract such influences 7according to the opinion of ,astronomers7 as the ,stars do that very hour emit from themselves upon the inferiour bodies 7or things here below17 and so consequently he imitates the nature of these3 ,even so the new born ,metallick ,infant1 doth in the moment of his birth attract a metallick ,astrum or ,constellation1 like to that which did at that time bear the chief sway1 and so consequently receiveth qualities like the qualities of this ,star or ,astrum4 ,and although that the metallick ,infant were made a partaker of a good ,star 7or aspect7 the first time of its nativity1 yet notwithstanding it may be accidentally infected afterwards1 so as thence to become an evil ,metal3 ,and on the other hand1 that which was bad at the first may be reduced to that pass by ,art and a convenient discipline of the fire1 as that the best ,metal may thencefrom proceed1 and this1 experience witnesseth every day1 nor can it be denied by any but such from whom the light of nature lies hidden4 ,if now the superior ,stars can exercise such great virtues1 what hinders but that the inferiour ones may exercise the same if not greater1 provided we but rightly govern and tame them4 ,the superiour ,stars are not at all subject unto our power1 they are submitted or put under ,god's guidance only4 ,but the inferiour ones may be handled by us according to our pleasure4 ,the ,physician may apply them to ,medicine1 the ,chymist may apply them to ,alchimy4 ,he then to whom the knowledge of using the inferiour ,astrums aright1 is granted1 may use them with most great honour1 and eminent benefit1 whether he be a ,physician or a ,chymist1 which 7said ,astrums7 others are constrained to leave untouch'd to their great disgrace and loss4 ,but men now adays are too much given to laziness and sloath1 so that there are but few to be found that will search after nature's ,secrets4 ,a many there are that challenge to themselves the title of learned ,philosophers and yet are altogether ignorant of the foundations of true ,philosophy4 ,there is not in this age scarce any esteem at all1 of true ,philosophers1 though notwithstanding they deal with us so sincerely and do clearly set afore our ,eyes1 the interiours of nature1 and leave us excellent ,writings4 ,so ,pythagoras whom we mentioned afore did upon this accompt suppose1 that1 7because he saw the souls of ,metals to be carried out of one body into another1 and to ,operate as well in this body as in the other former1 and consequently to animate this1 and make it more perfect17 the case was the very same with the human soul1 and by this means he directed as it were his successours to the universal and particular work of ,metals4 ,and even just after the same manner hath ,virgil done1 when he would that his ,carcass should be cut into pieces1 and be reduced unto a ,life by a continual instillation 7or dropping in7 of burning ,oil4 ,perhaps the occasion of his falling into those cogitations was this1 either because he observed that the dead metallick bodies were by the operation of the ,fire1 and addition again animated1 and so he perswaded himself that the like might possibly be done in man2 or that well knowing the impossibility of doing this thing he would give an occasion to such as came after1 more curiously to search1 and so was willing to point out with his ,fingers as it were at the multiplication and propogation of the metallick bodies 7as ,pythagoras1 of the souls47 ,most certain it is1 that it will not be any difficulty to him that knows ,nitre aright1 and can so order it as to operate in metalline bodies in the form of fire1 to multiply ,sol 7in an universal way7 and to make the viler ,metals more perfect 7in a particular way47 ,and this ,i was willing here to add4 ',tis well for him that useth the gifts granted him by ,god1 to his glory and the benefit his neighbour4 ,and thus much may suffice to have been spoken in this place concerning the nativity and multiplication of ,salt-petre1 and the ,potent ,monarchy2 more shall be spoken upon some other occasion if ,god please4 ,now follows the use and benefit of ,salt-petre4 ,having thus shown the ,generation of ,salt-petre out of every ,kingdom1 viz4 of the ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral ,kingdom2 it now remains yet1 briefly to shew what wonderful things the same doth effect in ,medicine and ,alchimy1 which thing we do not find that ever any one of the ,philosophers did perform1 but kept all to themselves for secrets4 ,forasmuch therefore as ,i have made a beginning of the thing already in the second part of this ,book1 where ,i spake of a certain moist separation2 that is1 ,i there delivered that it is possible to extract ,gold and ,silver out of all 7yea even the most vile7 ,metals1 by the benefit of a nitrous ,water1 so as that any one that will but set his hand to the work may thence get his sustenance most plentifully2 it seems a thing necessary to finish what hath been already well begun4 ,now forasmuch as ,i did in that place let pass the describing the manner it self of ,extraction1 a many ,friends have much desired an illustration of the things there spoken1 but ,i could not hitherto by any means satisfie their petition1 because that the abundance of my imployments denied me the time of ,writing4 ,now therefore ,i have determined both to gratifie these and others by opening this most noble artifice1 but yet so1 as that ,i will reserve some things unto my self1 that so all things may not be made so common to my ,enemies4 ,and if so be that any of my ,friends desire a more plain explication1 and desire an addion of the things ,i have omitted here1 it will be an easie matter unto me to satisfie their requests4 ,this ,art therefore doth not only conduce to this1 viz4 to extract fixt ,gold and ,silver out of all sand1 earth1 stones1 yea and out of the more vile ,metals 7or ,ores of ,gold and ,silver2 7but also to extract the volatile and immature ,gold1 and ,silver1 and to make it fix1 and that in such a compendious manner as that it will be a matter of 7in a manner7 no costs or labour3 ,nay more1 if so be there cannot be had any poor ,metals1 ,stones1 or such like subjects that contain in them ,gold and ,silver 7though even these are plentifully enough to be had in every part of the ,world73 ,yet nevertheless may that ,art be exercised with profit1 about even the imperfect ,metals such as 1 1 1 1 1 ,calmei1 ,zink1 ,bismuth1 ,cadmia1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,granates1 ,talk1 ,smiris1 ,hematitis1 and such kind of ,fossiles1 are2 and which contain 1 partly fixt1 and partly volatile1 and may be commodiously extracted by the help of a nitrous ,water4 ,besides too1 most excellent ,gold may be in like manner profitably separated out of all such things as are made by ,art of ,silver1 whether they be gilded with ,gold1 or not1 insomuch1 that if there be but a most few grains contained in a large portion of ,silver1 they may be separated with gain4 ,and if so be any be so minded to impregnate the separated again with ,gold1 that so it may again yield ,gold by a following separation1 he may most easily do so2 yea1 this operation may be so often repeated after this wise until all the pass 7by ,graduation7 into ,sol1 which thing may be compared to a perpetual durable ,mine-pit of ,gold1 and is perfected by the benefit of ,salt-petre only2 and therefore it both may and ought to be called and that deservedly a ,store-house and comfort for mankind4 ,for when we prepare that ,salt-petre of medicinal ,subjects1 all the ,salt-petre doth not put on the form of christals1 but much of it abides permixt with the water1 which water doth abound with a most notable nitrous virtue of thoroughly promoting ,christallization1 insomuch that the seeds of ,rye1 ,wheat1 ,millet1 ,oates1 ,beech-wheat1 and such like1 when they are macerated or steeped therein some due time1 afore they are sown in the ,earth1 do multiply themselves extraordinarily1 so that we see #c1 #d1 #f1 yea and sometimes #bj plants spring forth out of one single ,grain4 ,with the same nitrous ,liquor too1 7so it be prepared of true medicinal things1 may be made a most excellent ,medicine 7which may be in a manner compared with potable ,gold1 and by the help of which1 great diseases and as it were incurable1 are happily healed7 and that in a few hours space4 ,forasmuch therefore1 as such a ,kingly medicament 7of which ,i have made some mention in the ,second ,part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 where ,i treated of nitre7 such a most excellent incomparable dunging of the ,ground1 may1 together with the ,salt-petre1 be prepared instituted2 so most easily almost without cost1 7on which depends the health of the body1 and fertility of the ,ground1 whether you respect ,corn1 or ,wine1 or ,hops1 or any other things1 that man useth instead of ,meat and ,drink for the sustaining of ,life2 or else the extraction of and out of all the most abject ,subjects every where found7 may we not justly pronounce thus much of ,salt-petre1 that it is altogether profitable and commodious to all men2 and therefore well worth the searching after1 and the application to the use of ,man4 ,therefore like as by the help of ,salt-petre1 we see we are able to get all such things as an honest man seems to need1 such as are ,food1 ,drink1 ,health1 yea and and too1 and all this most plentifully and perfectly3 so on the contrary1 the use of this ,salt-petre is very hurtful when it is used for evil1 and this is sufficiently seen in the time of ,war4 ,yet nevertheless we should not esteem less of it than it really is1 because of its being abused1 but rather the benefits attending it 7which are very many7 should stir up our minds to make a diligent enquiry into it4 ,the end of the ,world is at hand1 and sundry things are detected1 which the ancients reserved amongst the highest ,secrets1 but they are but little esteemed2 some of them1 ,i will here exhibit and show unto you4 ,now follows the ,process1 ,operation1 or ,manner of extracting ,sol and ,luna out of all the ,metals with ,profit4 ,that you may gainfully extract out of the ,metal 7or ,mineral7 of ,silver1 ,litharge1 stones1 and the like fossiles1 which have in them1 ,first of all you must commit them to the fire1 that they may be made red hot 7but yet this needs not be done with sand7 then powder them1 and put them in a ,glass ,cucurbite1 pour thereupon as much ,aqua-fortis as is sufficient1 put this ,cucurbite in a pan full of sand1 and then heat the sand by little and little by putting ,fire thereunder2 that so the ,aqua-fortis may by the help thereof attract the out of the powder2 then pour off the ,aqua-fortis from this powder1 and pour it upon the other like conditioned powder1 that it may also extract the out of that too1 and this decanting and pouring on1 must be repeated so often until there be no more dissolved4 ,the ,aqua-fortis is always diminished or wasted because some of it adheres to the ,metal1 and therefore must there always be other ,aqua-fortis put in the room of that which is wasted2 ,the ,aqua-fortis which adheres to the ,metal is to be thence separated by the benefit of boiling1 on this wise2 ,pour common ,rain-water upon the ,metal contained in the ,cucurbite1 and mix it well by strong shaking of the ,glass1 then heat the sand so as to make it boil1 and so that hot water will draw to it self the ,aqua-fortis out of the ,metal1 which said water contains in it4 ,then when this water is abstracted by inclination or pouring off1 put on some ,rain-water a second time upon the powdered ,metal remaining in the ,cucurbite1 and this will extract that which the former water left of the ,aqua-fortis partaking of 7unwash'd off37 and so let nothing of the remain in that metallick powder2 when it's thus done the matter is to be thrown away as altogether unprofitable1 unless there lies hid therein any ,gold2 which if it be so1 we must pour some ,aqua-,regia thereupon1 and order the operation according to the foregoing method2 then mix both the strong waters together1 both that which extracted the and that which extracted the 1 mix them diligently1 and there will thence arise a certain white ,water1 and the solution will be like ,milk2 ,for the cannot abide the ,aqua-,regia1 but there will precipitate a white powder which snatcheth 7or precipitateth7 down with it self out of the ,waters the ,gold too4 ,we may make use of the decanted ,water to extract out of the other ,metals2 for the pouring on of the ,aqua-fortis with the in it1 to the ,aqua-,regia1 doth not at all take away ought of the virtues4 ,upon the precipitated powder of and hot ,rain-water is to be several times poured1 that so all the sharpness of the ,aqua-fortis may be extracted4 ,the powder of the is to be put upon some ,cap-paper and dried4 ,and as for the way of separating the from the we will presently teach in what follows4 ,the edulcorating waters as well of as of 1 are to be all of them mixt together1 and then the will settle to the bottom1 and attracts the which was in the other water 7or washings73 so that there remains not any either or in the edulcorating ,water 7or washings73 nor are these waters of any farther profit as to the work of separating as afore1 yet notwithstanding there may be made excellent ,salt-petre of them1 as we shall mention in what follows4 ,when you have rightly edulcorated and dried the precipitates of and 1 they are to be put into a strong ,crucible1 this ,crucible is to be placed in a ,gentle fire1 until the matter therein contained doth flow1 which is easily done1 for it is very fluxile2 as soon as ever you perceive it flow1 turn it out1 for fear least any of it should penetrate the ,crucible1 and so bring damage or loss to the ,operator4 ,when the is poured forth1 you will find the sticking to the sides and bottom of the ,crucible like pale ,gold1 altogether ,crude and not at all fluxile4 ,the turn'd out is brittle1 fusile1 and volatile1 and is by the ,chymists call'd ,horny-,luna1 but ,i call it the of 1 it being of excellent use in ,alchimy1 as shall be shown in what follows4 ,the ,crucible in which that remained may be kept to melt such like precipitates of in again2 when this hath been done pretty often 7in the same pot7 melt down this by adding a little borax1 and you shall receive a palish ,gold1 because in this first melting1 some of the doth adhere thereunto4 ,this now is the common way of separating these precipitates of and from each other1 there shall follow a better way in what ensues4 ,,nb4 ,that if so be1 both the ,metals are boiled in a strong ,lixivium after their edulcoration2 or if some fixt ,salt made of a ,lixivium1 be powdered and permixt with it afore melting1 then the and are reduced together1 and may be afterwards separated by the help of ,aqua-fortis3 ,there is yet a more accurate way2 7and it is this7 when we mix the edulcorated ,calxes of ,luna and ,sol with 7 ,a4 7 and being mixt put them in a coated ,retort1 and put fire thereunder by degrees 7as is wont to be done in destilling7 and keep it for #f or #h hours in a continual ,cementation2 and so the volatile of is made fixt by the help of 7 ,a4 7 and corporeal3 ,yea and tingeth some part of the added 7 ,a4 7 so that by the benefit of this ,cementation1 the is made more ,golden4 ,this ,cement is to be most finely powdered and to be reduced by the following melting3 and you will find your and augmented4 ,the melting is thus2 ,take of the best ,salt-petre1 and 7 ,a4 7 each alike3 mix them1 and separate the ,spirit of ,nitre by a ,retort1 which 7,spirit7 is much fitter for separation than simple ,aqua-fortis3 ,the ,caput ,mortuum remaining behind in the ,retort1 is to be powdered1 the fixt ,nitre is to be extracted with ,rain-water out of the powder4 ,this ,lixivium or extracting ,liquor will be of a green colour which is to be coagulated into a ,salt by a due boiling2 which ,salt is able to reduce the of 2 and to make aureous or ,golden1 yea1 and to reduce the ,cemented 7of 7 too4 ,,nb4 ,it is better to mix the fixt ,salt-petre1 or the ,green ,lyon simply with the horny 1 to cement it in a ,retort1 than 7to take it7 out of the ,retort1 7and7 reduce it with a stronger fire2 and so we shall have an excellent augmentation of 4 ,,nb4 ,the ,mercury of ,luna cemented with 7 ,a 7 may be likewise reduced by this means1 7viz4 with this flux7 that we take one part of ,flints that will melt in the fire1 and of the fixt salt of ashes four or five parts1 and so mix them together1 and melt them into a white glass2 'tis able to reduce the best ,cements4 ,and this is the best way of all of reduction4 ,besides1 all those ways of reducing a ,cement1 there may even this way too be instituted1 and that not unprofitably4 ,take of the fusile ,glass of ,lead four parts1 of the cementing ,powder one part2 melt them in an iron ,crucible in a strong ,fire1 and some of the ,lead will be reduced out of the ,glass of ,lead1 and will be near 7or partake of7 3 ,this ,lead is to be blown off on the ,test1 and you shall find an aureous 3 ,but for as much as the ,lead separated from the ,glass of ,lead in the iron ,crucible1 contracts a blackish colour from the ,iron2 it is profitable to add to the matter in the filling or melting1 some ,salt of ,ashes1 as being that by which the ,lead becomes depurated1 and so is easily separated on the ,test4 ,but if so be1 that 7for this work7 the ,metals 7of ,minerals7 of cannot be had to precipitate the ,mercury of out of them1 7then7 the artificially-made 7vessels or plate7 whether simply ,silver1 or else guilt with 1 may be made use of2 let these be dissolved with the ,aq4 ,for4 left after the precipitation1 precipitated with ,salt water or ,aqua ,regia1 and be edulcorated and mixt with 7 ,a 7 and be fixt in a ,retort4 ,now this ,operation is to be done in a ,retort1 that so the precipitated that is altogether volatile1 may not be wasted1 which in a ,crucible evaporates away1 a good part of it1 which cannot be so done in a ,retort2 for in a ,retort1 that which flies up1 sticks in the ,neck1 and may be separated thencefrom1 and be mixt with other ,cements3 ,and besides too1 the ,cement is easilyer separated from the ,glass1 than from an uneven ,crucible2 for some part always sticks thereon1 and cannot be gotten off4 ,when you are minded to purifie this ,cement sooner 7or more speedily7 it may be molten with an equal weight of ,antimony1 and there will arise from your golden a ,regulus1 which must be purified with ,salt-petre4 ,concerning which work of ,reduction1 and which is far easier than that which is done by the help of the ,glass of ,lead1 ,i have most clearly and fully handled it1 in my ,testimony of the ,truth1 or the ,explication of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,by this means every of may be rendred aureous1 and that as oft as one will1 yea1 even until all the be changed into ,gold by ,cementation and ,gradation4 ,now if you would otherwise separate ought of the aureous or golden 1 or extract the ,metals 7where nevertheless you would reduce the separated and 7 it may be effected by this means most commodiously and most gainfully of all1 because the ,calx of is made aureous by ,cementation4 ,this labour yields a continual augmentation of 1 by which we may live very well and plentifully4 ,another ,augment or ,encrease of ,sol4 ,dissolve or in ,aqua ,fortis1 also in ,aqua ,regia3 7,,nb4 ,let there be always thrice as much ,silver as ,tin27 mix the solutions very accurately1 and when you see that all the matter is fallen down 7or precipitated7 to the bottom2 pour off the water1 which said water will very commodiously serve instead of ,aqua ,regia1 to dissolve other in4 ,,nb4 ,if your ,aqua ,regia be not strong enough1 it will not at all dissolve the ,tin1 therefore in such a ,case1 you may pour on the ,tin1 ,aqua ,fortis mixt with simple water1 which after they have a while acted upon each other1 there must be some salt-water poured thereupon1 that so the or may be precipitated to the bottom of the ,vessel1 in which 7,vessel7 the white ashes of the ,tin ly4 ,this matter lying in the bottom1 is to be edulcorated1 dryed1 and reduced by a strong fire1 by which operation you have not only an augmentation of your ,luna1 but it is likewise made golden4 ,,nb4 ,this business may also be thus managed1 ,first1 dissolve or in ,aqua ,fortis2 to the solution add an equal quantity of ,rain-water1 pour this mixture upon 1 and let the solution be made in a pretty warm place with sand2 separate that which is dissolved1 the matter that is yet somewhat harder1 by decanting or pouring it off2 then make the precipitation with salt-water1 edulcorate it1 dry it1 and melt it1 and you shall have ,encrease4 ,but if this ,mass will not so easily melt1 then powder it1 and mix it either with ,antimony1 ,glass of ,lead1 or with a fluxing matter made of salt of ashes and flints1 that thereby it may be made fluxile or meltable3 ,that which is made fusile by the help of the ,glass of ,flints1 is presently pure2 so is not that which is done by the help of the ,glass of ,lead1 for that must be hence separated1 and be 7by the benefit of and 7 reduced into ,reguluses1 and be purified and washed by ,salt-petre4 ,therefore it is the better way to promote the melting1 with the ,glass of ,flints than with ,antimony1 because the may be afterwards separated without ,loss1 which is not so easie a thing for every one to do 7otherwise47 ,the ,reduction which is made by the help of the ,glass of ,lead1 is indeed 7otherwise7 a most easy way1 but by that way which is done with ,antimony1 we get more than by any other way4 ,another way of ,augmenting ,sol4 ,take the golden ,talck1 ,granates1 ,smiris1 ,hematitis1 the aureous ,scoria's of ,copper1 the greenish1 reddish1 golden ,flint1 ,sand1 or ,clay2 extract their volatile ,gold with a strong ,aqua ,regia2 pour into the solution1 a solution of ,lead made by ,aqua ,fortis2 mix it well2 when the matter is settled1 separate the ,aqua ,fortis by inclination2 edulcorate the said ,calx of with water1 and dry it1 and so have we gotten the volatile ,gold extracted out of the ,aqua ,regia by the 3 ,this volatile ,gold is made fixt on this wise4 ,take the most subtle ,powder of 1 or its most thin ,leaves1 add thereto thrice as much of this of 2 or four times as much1 or six times1 according to the quantity of it1 by which we formerly got 7or fish'd out7 the volatile ,gold3 ,set it in such a place where it may have a gentler heat1 so as that the of may just flow1 and not fume2 the matter is to be thus kept in this heat for some hours1 or rather days1 that so the filings of or its thin ,leaves may by little and little attract the volatile ,gold out of the of 1 and consequently be therewithal augmented4 ,,nb4 ,but seeing it is a most difficult thing to keep such a very temperate heat as that nothing at all of the shall fly away1 and the shall not melt in the ,crucible3 ,it is better to put the mixt with the of in a coated ,retort1 and set it at a strong ,fire for a season for so nothing of the of flies away1 or penetrates the ,crucible4 ,that which ascends up to the ,neck of the ,retort may be separated1 and be kept for common of 1 out of which may be prepared a most excellent ,medicine4 ,another ,augmentation of ,sol4 ,take of red ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,hungarian ,antimony or ,cinnabar one part1 of of three parts1 and some thin ,plates of ,gold2 let them stand in a ,glass ,retort in a pretty hot place1 and so the will attract the volatile ,gold out of the added ,minerals1 and will thereby augment it self4 ,and if so be that there be any thing sublimed up to the neck of the ,retort it may be taken thencefrom1 and be reduced to a kind of ,tincture4 ,and so we may here have a particular augmentation of 1 and a matter whereout of a ,tincture may be prepared4 ,,nb4 ,the vessel that is most fit for the fixation of the ,tincture1 is such an one as is made of fixt 4 ,,nb4 ,the of or may be reduced by a secret fusion 7or fusile matter7 whereby it presently yields an aureous or 3 but especially this of or 1 by the help of which1 there hath bin a fixt or volatile ,gold extracted out of the earth1 stones1 sand1 and such like ,minerals1 is to be on this wise reduced1 whereby we may receive 7and get7 as well the volatile ,gold as the fixt4 ,likewise too1 the of or may be artificially distilled1 purified1 and prepared for a singular ,medicament2 ,but yet let no body perswade himself that such a distillation is to be perfected after the common way with retorts or cucurbites1 for it is a meerly vain thing to hope for the separation of the pure from the impure that kind of way1 for because the fire forceth up the good and bad alike1 the which thing is not at all so done by my more secret ,philosophical distillation2 for by it1 the most pure soul only of the ,metal is driven up2 as for the terrestreity that remains1 it is separated of it self by that more impure 7thing7 to which it is conjoined1 and makes a dirtyish slime4 ,the purer part will be found 7by the help of the ,cementatory ,copple7 to contain both and 2 as well the purer part of that which is prepared by it self of this 7bare7 of and 3 as that which is prepared of such 7a 17 as by whose help fixt and volatile ,gold hath been educed 7or gotten7 out of the nitrous ,water2 which way also is a most compendious one1 of reducing the 7extracted7 volatile and fixt ,gold4 ,for when we reduce this of or by the help of fusing things1 some part of the may easily perish and evaporate3 ,but now here1 nothing at all perisheth3 ,for that which does not remain 7behind7 in the said artificial distillation1 and so separate it self from impurities1 goes out 7or passeth over7 and yields a most excellent ,medicament more excellent than it self1 which you are well to observe4 ,besides too1 it is a thing most easie to be done to fix the soul of or 7that is carried or forced up1 together with the volatile ,spirit17 in the said instrument with 2 which to effect1 there 7otherwise7 needs a longer time4 ,therefore even by this one only process is both made a most excellent ,medicament1 and withal1 is gotten too4 ,these things we have here exposed in very few and plain ,words most agreeable to the truth1 and do most exactly answer to experience2 nor is there any reason of blaming me because of my speaking somewhat obscurely1 seeing it is evident that not one of my ,predecessors did ever exhibit 7or publish7 any of those things4 ,well1 what shall ,i say8 ,excellent ,gold may be extracted out of all the kinds of ,metals1 by the help of ,salt-petre2 yea with so much facility2 that it would seem an incredible thing to most ,men1 though ,i should clearly set down all the circumstances1 word for word3 ,but yet this 7extraction is7 not 7to be done7 without the benefit 7or help7 of and 3 ,for when we have a purpose of augmenting any thing1 there must in the first place of necessity be the seed of the thing that is to be augmented1 and according to the quality of the seed there must be a fit matrix in which it may take its growth or increase4 ,for example1 ,when we seek for the increasing of any vegetable seed1 we prepare a convenient ,earth for the same1 to which ,earth we commit that seed1 and so the like sort of ,herb buds forth1 which doth again produce thousands of seeds2 which seeds are again put into the ,earth1 and so are multiplied even to infinity4 ,this multiplication of ,vegetables is sufficiently enough known1 and a most easie work it is to multiply a ,vegetable1 if we have but its seed1 and that it be well conserved least it die4 ,so likewise out of one ,fire may be made many yea infinite other ,fires1 for one is always kindled by another4 ,but when all the seed is dead1 'tis an impossible thing to produce a new seed4 ,therefore the most ,great and ,blessed ,,god1 hath most excellently ordered it1 so that the seed of ,vegetables may be kept the year about2 for if it should not be so1 we might well fear the destruction of the chief ,herbs in the ,winter season1 which now 7by the benefit of their seeds sowed in the ,earth7 we are able to produce a new4 ,now the progress or order of the seed of ,animals is widely different from these1 although that even they are committed to such like ,animal bodies1 as being their fruitful soil1 for multiplication sake3 ,but yet this sowing is done by a vastly different way from that of ,vegetables2 ,for we can keep the seed of the ,vegetables1 and carry it from place to place and so plant or sow it in any part of the ,earth we please2 which cannot be done with the seed of ,animals for we cannot so conserve that1 or transport it out of one place into another1 or sow it as listeth us our selves4 ,but it must be committed unto the matrix1 in that very moment of time that it passeth out1 for it cannot be fruitful and entire if it be but a moment of time out of the body4 ,the sowing therefore and conception are performed both together by both bodies1 viz4 by the ,male and ,female4 ,the cause of this thing is thus1 because the seed of the ,animals abounds with a volatile1 invisible1 and living ,spirit2 which once lost the work of multiplication is wholly taken away4 ,therefore like as one ,animal multiplication is perfected so is the other1 nor may we by any means transgress the course of nature4 ,in like manner are the ,minerals also multiplied1 and by the same manner that it is once perfected by1 is it to be always after perfected by4 ,the ,multiplication of the ,vegetables and ,animals is well enough known to every one1 and is every where done1 nor 7by reason of its being so very common7 doth it at all cause in any one an admiration2 ,but the multiplication of the ,minerals is not so publick a thing1 for there are but a very few that understand it1 though it be as easie as the multiplication of ,vegetables and ,animals1 insomuch that ,i also believe1 that there is not any one to be found1 that is so stupidly foolish1 that would not be able presently to apprehend and do the same1 were the way but shown unto him4 ,now that there are so many that erre1 and who walk in an unlawful or contrary path1 this is not to be imputed to the art it self1 but to those that meddle therewithal so inconsiderately1 and do not imitate nature1 who always keeps her course allotted her by ,god4 ,the ,multiplication therefore of the ,metals doth solely consist in the knowledge of the seed2 for as the condition or quality of the seed sown is1 like fruits will follow1 such nature as the seed you sow is of1 such fruits will you reap1 and no other4 ,for ,example1 ,i seek after 3 ,therefore ,i must first of all1 of necessity have the seed of 1 at hand1 afore ,i can sow it or multiply it4 ,now to have this seed1 we must not set about it with words or imagination1 but by 7getting7 the knowledge of nature2 for she shews us the safest way1 if we did not withdraw our selves from hearing her teach us4 ,now like as she commits and to the ,earth1 even so1 and no otherwise must we also do1 if we hope for any good success4 ,and as we said above1 that there lies hidden in every ,vegetable and ,animal seed1 a certain vital or procreating ,spirit1 without which it is wholly unfit for ought2 even so1 there resides a certain ,spirit in the ,minerals1 which vivifies and effecteth all1 which being absent1 death it self follows4 ,this spirit is of no weight or form1 and there is nothing to be seen by us but only the habitation or house wherein it dwells2 so that scarce the thousandth part of the seed is life and spirit1 all the rest is dead4 ,the truth of this thing doth 7among other things7 appear even from hence1 viz4 if some ,vegetable seed be kept beyond its due and naturally appointed time1 whereby the ,vegetative virtue and spirit vanisheth1 it doth not yield any fruit at all1 nor can it multiply it self1 though it hath its former shape1 bigness1 and former weight4 ,and therefore1 there is not any thing in the three-fold ,kingdom of either ,vegetables1 ,animals1 or ,minerals1 but is procreated and multiplied meerly and solely by the benefit of this spirit and implanted ,life4 ,therefore1 even as all the ,metals were first wrought after a spiritual manner by the ,stars in the ,earth 7in a convenient ,matrix7 by the ,stars1 and made fix2 so according as the ,matrix it self is pure or impure1 so pure or impure ,metals are generated2 now the ,matrix of all things is water or moist earth1 in which the ,stars are congregated 7or united together7 are made corporeal1 grow up1 and are multiplied4 ,here therefore1 if ,art would imitate nature1 there are required ,male-like ,astrums and ,feminine ,matrixes1 in which the ,astrums may exercise their operations4 ,therefore by how much purer the metallick ,astrum or seed is1 and the ,matrix purer1 so much the nobler effect is produced2 and so on the contrary4 ,but seeing that there is not any ,star nobler than 1 nor ,matrix nobler than 1 there is no more required1 but that we make common ,astral by ,art2 and that we prepare on such wise1 as that it may be instead of a ,matrix1 wherein the ,astrums of may exercise his operations2 and so without doubt1 there will thence come such ,children as will be like their ,parents4 ,nor is there any ground for any one to think that there is any other way allotted to augment and 1 besides that afore mentioned which is to be instituted in a spiritual manner3 ,after this manner the ,world it self was ,created1 where the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the ,water and impregnated it2 and even as we daily see that the ,stars do impart to the inferiour things their virtues1 and they are thereby multiplied2 even so may we do the same by art in these inferiour things2 for such as are above1 are also beneath4 ,those above are beyond our reach2 but the inferiour ones1 not so3 ,for art can do the same with or upon the inferiour things1 as the ,stars upon the superiour ones4 ,as ,hermes doth clearly demonstrate in the ,smaragdine ,table4 ,he that understands these my sayings1 will also understand those things1 which ,paracelsus delivers in his ,book of the ,vexation of ,alchymists1 in the #e4 ,rule especially of 2 and ,basil 7,valentine7 where he treats of ,sulphur4 ,it is a thing most easie to be done1 but most difficult to be found out1 to multiply even the most vile ,metals1 by the help of the ,astrums1 and by this secret way4 ,he that well knows ,salt-petre and can rightly handle the same1 will by the help thereof perform a many profitable things2 for as it is altogether impossible to get out of the viler ,metals1 without it3 ,so on the contrary it is most easie so to do by its help4 ,briefly1 ,he that knows how to handle ,salt-petre aright1 he will excellently well understand the ,writings of the ,philosophers1 and let him know1 that he has a light given him1 to arrive unto great ,secrets4 ,for we may extract and 1 out of all the common meaner or viler ,metals1 so that an expert ,chymist needs not seek after peregrine1 or strange ,materials4 ,an excellent purification1 fixation1 and augmentation may perfectly be done by the help of ,salt-petre1 which being a thing that but few know of1 so seems it impossible1 and yet the things ,i propound are most true4 ,it makes bodies volatile and spiritual1 and by and by again makes them fixt and compact3 ,so that unto it alone is that saying of the ,philosophers due1 7,make the fixt volatile1 and the volatile fixt7 and to no other ,subjects3 ,now if ,metals be not spiritualized1 there's no hopes of their augmentation4 ,of something must a nothing be made1 and again out of the nothing must something proceed3 ,so saith ,paracelsus1 which likewise is very true1 though there are but a few that believe the same4 ,the melting together of variously mixt corporeal things1 yields forth neither nor 3 ,but contrarywise a spiritual ,union which is done with a most strong heat1 is a notable author 7or promoter7 of ,multiplication2 for the ,spirits do most notably penetrate1 and by variously acting upon each other1 do induce alterations and meliorations1 which is denied to dead bodies to perform4 ,the ,spirit doth diversly bestow a life1 and vivifieth1 but the body is of no other use1 but to yield an house or habitation to the ,spirit2 the which is well to be regarded4 ,those metalline ,spirits 7when the work is finished7 do insinuate themselves anew into other bodies1 which bodies they make far better than the former were1 and all this by the help of ,salt-petre4 ,basil brings in ,salt-petre speaking of it self on this wise4 ,he that intends my death needs be a prudent ,man1 that so he may expel 7or force out7 my soul from me2 when this is done1 ,i adventure upon all the things ,i am able to do1 but ,i can do nothing that has in it firmness 7or substantially7 in the bottom1 7or radically73 ,venus is my chearful ,woman1 whom 7in this place7 ,i take to ,wife1 but the wedding is celebrated in the very inward parts 7or center7 where the sweat flows out of us both in a most plentiful manner4 ,so the subtile 7part7 in us1 expelleth all defilements1 whence it is1 that we leave behind us most rich ,children1 and do reserve 7or keep in store7 most eminent ,treasures for the dead bodies1 which we give them by our ,will and ,testament4 ,who would speak more clearly1 and would not understand these words of themselves1 7or as they are7 without any interpretation4 ,the ancient ,philosophers wrote1 that at the rising of the ,sun is a ,bird found in those hotter ,countries2 which builds his nest with ,gold2 and when he is grown old1 and can live no longer1 he gathers together exceeding dry ,wood1 which being kindled by the heat of the 1 consumes both the ,nest and the ,bird too1 from the allies moistned with rain ,water1 they say there arise ,worms which will be again changed into other ,phnixes4 ,these sayings are indeed ,fabulous1 yet nevertheless there is a most high secret disclosed by them3 for if we rightly consider all circumstances1 we shall find that ,salt-petre is hereby meant1 which gathers the ,gold into his ,nest1 that is1 extracts the ,gold out of ,metals1 ,stones1 and ,minerals1 and doth afterwards increase his ,family by the burning them4 ,this to a wise man is enough4 ,now that this ,arcanum may be the more manifest1 ,i will add over and above1 another way of extracting the fixt and volatile ,gold out of ,stones and all kinds of ,minerals1 by the help of ,salt-petre1 and of making them corporeal4 ,we may very well compare this work to a fishing ,trade1 concerning which the ,philosophers have written many things1 but very obscure2 ,sandivog1 hath more clearly treated of that thing1 but ,isaac ,holland clearest of all4 ,verily this ,philosopher was an excellent fisher of ,pearls and an excellent presser of ,cheese1 and for this very reason he assumed to himself such a name4 ,for ,isacus by transposition of ,letters is the same with ,casius1 7or ,cheese7 ,so that it may be said to be ,holland ,cheese2 not that ,hollandus was in very deed a maker of the usual ,cheese with milk1 but that he bears some kind of resemblance 7in his work7 with such ,men3 ,for he bestowed abundance of labour about working on that ,universal1 that hath some ,cheese-like fashion in it4 ,even as the ,hollanders gather the greatest quantity of ,milk more than all ,nations besides1 out of which they press their ,cheeses1 and so sustain them and theirs2 so the more skilful ,chymists do frame or make ,cheeses after a ,philosophical manner1 and that out of ,metals1 ,salts1 and ,herbs3 and this very much agreeable to that method1 according to which we see the ,hollanders proceed in making their ,sheep-milk ,cheese1 where they boil in the ,milk some green ,herbs1 and so do thence extract a colour afore they set about the coagulating ,or curdling of it4 ,that is1 they dissolve or in ,aqua-fortis1 and a ,golden matter1 though it be but or 7if they have not at hand any better7 in ,aqua ,regia3 ,they mix together both solutions having both of them the form of ,virgin-milk1 and they add as much salt as is sufficient4 7,,nb4 ',tis better to add ,salt-water1 or ,spirit of ,salt17 and you shall presently see that milk to be coagulated1 like as 7when we pour on some ,salt-water or ,spirit of ,salt upon ,cow or ,sheep milk7 we observe daily to happen3 where the ,water is partly separated by decantation1 and partly by expression from the coagulated or cheesy substance wrapt up in a ,linen cloth1 that so a ,cheese may thence be made4 ,just so do we proceed in the making of our metallick ,cheese2 for when we pour ,salt-water or ,spirit of ,salt upon the solution of or mixt with that 7solution7 which is of a goldnish ,nature1 viz4 of or 3 we presently see a precipitation made2 which done we abstract the clear water swimming at top of the precipitated matter1 by inclination or pouring off2 the which we may keep for farther uses1 principally for the solution of other ,metals and golden ,subjects4 ,we put the ,cheese or white ,coagulum abiding in the bottom of the ,vessel1 into a ,linen cloth1 and by strong squeezing it free it wholly from the wateriness1 which said water is to be kept as well as the former1 for being used about making new ,cheeses1 it makes them of the better savour1 and more aureous and vendible4 ,this ,whey1 or that water which is plentifully gathered in the making the ,cow-milk ,cheeses1 though it affords varieties of ,profit to mankind1 whether they give it their ,hogs to fatten them1 or use it themselves for their daily drink1 especially in ,summer time1 or apply it to other uses as we see daily done1 yet do not ,i see any better benefit than that which it yields to the ,curriers4 ,for they put in it some old ,iron1 and when the solution is made1 they moisten with that water the hide already perfect 7or ready dressed7 and when 'tis dry they moisten it therewithal again1 and this they do three or four times1 until it hath gotten a fixt colour1 blacker than a ,coal4 ,they do also sometimes administer some of it unto ,children 7with good success7 to kill and expel the ,worms3 ,nay more1 they are likewise wont to make a ,bath thereof very profitable for those that are troubled with the ,scabs or ,itch1 because it hath gotten a drying force from the 1 and thereupon it makes the skin smooth and hard3 and seeing that the ,country ,fellows1 and ,labourers can do so much with it1 what hinders but that we may institute such a curing more perfect1 and that on this wise4 ,take sweet ,cow-milk1 or 7which is better7 ,goats-milk1 two measures1 boil it over the ,fire1 put thereinto while it is yet warm j4 or ij4 of ,spirit of ,salt1 mix it well1 and you shall see the coagulum or curd presently separate from the whey2 out of which1 ,cheeses may be made by expression1 which are far better than others1 by reason of the addition of the ,spirit of ,salt1 whereto if you add some ,cummine1 ,carraway1 or some spices1 they are yet better and more to be preferred4 ,the ,whey here separated is of a grateful savour1 and by reason of the admixtion of the ,spirit of ,salt1 is somewhat acidish1 and a most certain and most safe loosner or absterger1 being administred to ,infants that are troubled with the ,worms1 or even to ,elder ones that are feeble4 ,how many ,infants have we observed to die unexpectedly after they have been for some while and often afflicted with a burning ,fever1 the ,convulsion fits1 and other such like effects1 and meerly because we will not perswade our selves that they have the worms1 so forbear the using any remedies to purge them out8 ,now in such a case this whey is exceedingly excellent1 being used after this manner4 ,take of the most subtile filings of steel as much as will lie upon a knife's point1 mix it with as much honey as is sufficient1 and give it the ,children3 and for their ordinary drink1 let them use the said ,whey1 and so by this means1 that filings being dissolved by the ,whey kills the ,worms1 in the ventricle or stomach and drives them out1 and verily is a most excellent ,medicament2 especially if taken two or three days2 nor have ,i hitherto met with a nobler1 than this is4 ,and so there will redound some profit to ,children and ,infants too1 by this our way of making ,cheese1 for which we owe immortal thanks to the ,great and ,glorious ,god4 ,besides this1 ,i have likewise observed the excellent use of this ,whey1 in the administration of my ,panacea of ,antimony1 if there be taken a draught or two thereof1 at the end of the ,purgation2 for it gently carries off the reliques that stick to the intestines4 ,he likewise that is so minded1 may before his dropping in the ,spirit of ,salt1 add some ,anise-seed or ,fennel-seed to the milk as it boils1 thereby to correct its ,flatulency or ,windiness4 ,and ,i do most curteously intreat the well-minded ,reader to take it in good part1 that ,i have been so prolix in declaring the virtues of our ,whey2 necessity it self1 and the love of my neighbour forbad my concealing of them3 ,for very many ,infants are killed with the ,fever1 and ,epilepsy1 or ,convulsion-fits1 and so suddenly die1 for no other cause but our not meeting with the ,worms1 which their bodies are full of1 being ignorant of convenient remedies4 ,now then to return again to our ,cheese1 and to demonstrate the most eminent benefit1 both of it1 and of our water which is thence separated2 we are first of all to know1 that even it is also able to tinge 7some7 subjects with a certain colour1 not with such a black colour1 indeed1 as the ,whey of ,milk1 prepared as aforesaid1 dyes the ,curriers ,hides with1 but with a yellow colour1 and more durable than that which is given to the hide1 for that we therewith extract a ,tincture out of and other aureous ,subjects1 and with the ,tincture1 do sometimes anoint 7or tinge7 ,luna4 ,if now the water abound with such virtues2 what virtues will not the ,cheese it self abound withal8 ,and like as our ,cheeses are diversly impregnated with spices1 so are they of different savour1 and price1 and more or less wholsome4 ,but now if that virtue which is in is also added to our ,cheeses1 there will proceed from thence admirable ,cheeses2 and this1 that ,philosopher was minded to point at1 who writes that by the help of the ,saturnine net1 he is able even in a clear night to extract the little ,fish ,eschineis out of the ,sea4 ,the ,ultimate 7or extream7 letters of this word ,eschineis i4 and s4 if conjoined together1 so as that the letter z4 be thereof made1 and then the word read backward1 it will sound in the ,german tongue the same with ,zienesch1 7viz47 the ashes of ,tin2 but yet let not any one perswade himself that those ashes of ,tin are such as are made by means of the 7bare7 fire1 but are prepared by the benefit of the spirit of ,nitre4 ,saturn does not only claim 7or merit7 the praises of being a husbandman1 but also of being a good fisher1 and hunter1 as 7among other writers7 ,basil ,valentine doth egregiously shew4 ,when 1 1 1 and pursue 7or hunt7 the wild beasts1 is bound to carry the net3 ,,nb4 the hunting dogs here are ,salts1 the hare that is caught1 is much like the colour of the hares skin1 being stript of the same1 he will yield excellent flesh1 which the ,princes can as little want as the ,subjects can4 ,see the foregoing ,figure of the ,hares and ,hounds1 with a ,flaming ,heart1 and the word ,,venus4 ,common ,vitriol1 but that especially which is found in those places where ,gold is1 is the green ,sea containing excellent fishes4 ,neither was ,isaac ,holland an excellent maker of ,cheese only1 as we said but now1 but withal1 he was a singular fisher of ,pearls2 for with the net of 7the night being clear7 we may catch most excellent ,pearls1 but yet 'tis a very hard thing to take them out of the net1 nor can they be separated but with a great deal of prudence and art1 from the threds of the nets1 to which they do stick so firmly4 ,but yet this separation is best of all done in a clear ,light1 the ,sun shining upon the ,earth with his beams1 and wholly dissipating the ,vapours1 least it should be hindred by their being present4 ,for the parts being exposed to the ,air in a 7perhaps he means unseasonable7 seasonable weather are corrupted1 nor does any thing remain behind but the shells4 ,and even these shells do in their inside shew forth such diversity of delicate colours1 as that the most ingenious ,painter cannot imitate them with his pencil1 and such they are as with which the other shells of mother of ,pearl or the commoner sort cannot at all compare3 ,for in one place they represent pure 1 in another pure 1 in another they are of a ,green colour1 ,sky colour1 ,red1 ,yellow1 and variously coloured1 so that they much exceed in beauty1 the ,peacocks ,tail4 ,if then the shells are so fair as that we cannot sufficiently enough admire them2 what ,i pray will the beauty of the ,pearls themselves be8 ,nor let any one perswade himself that ,i do here cast ,pearls before swine by too much divulging secresies2 7no7 for there are yet many necessary things hereto requisite to make the ,pearls come in sight2 and if so be that any one should know the way of dexterously extracting them out of the net it self2 yet the fixing of them doth require abundance of labour still1 whereby they may be able to defend their fairness and excellency1 against all the ,elements2 however1 in the mean time the lover of ,chymistry1 may delight his mind with those shells1 and admire at the most admirable variety of the colours in them4 ,some haply there will be1 that when they have taken the said ,pearl1 by the help of and 1 will think it a most easie thing to separate it from the net1 by the benefit of destillation2 but let those good men know1 that this is a thing impossible to be done2 for ,i my self bestowed abundance of labour in vain on this operation1 and this hath to my knowledge so happened to others too2 for in the common destillation1 that ,pearl being commixt with the net1 even the ,mother together with the ,daughter do jointly ascend and get out2 and thus to do is not at all agreeable or helpful for the great work2 though nevertheless an excellent particular ,medicament may thencefrom be made4 ,concerning which1 ,i have spoken in the second and third ,part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica2 nor may we expect 7by such a destillation7 the thing we wish for4 ,but if so be you desire to see the ,mother1 wrap the net together with the ,infant in pure linen1 first mundifyed1 and washt in the fire2 or put them in a glazed ,stove1 and put fire thereunder by degrees1 and make the ,net and ,pearl to sweat largely1 which being kept apart1 yields a singular ,medicament1 for to quench all the ,internal heat of the ,body1 and always to cool the burning ,mercury4 ,the provocation of the sweat being finisht1 break the sweating glasses1 and look for your ,pearl1 and you shall find that it is gone out of the shells1 by the force of the heat1 and is roasted 7as it were7 together with the ,net1 and cannot possibly be 7as yet7 seen2 yet nevertheless it is brought to a farther maturity1 and doth yield some profit in an especial 7or particular7 way4 ,but the ,sudatory it self1 contracts incomparable ,colours from the sweat of the ,pearl4 ,now then1 live contented with the most beautiful mother1 and delight thy mind by barely beholding it1 until it shall please ,god to give unto thee1 the infant also4 ,when it was my hap at first to behold that beauteous mother1 my mind1 that was wearied with the long labour of searching thereinto1 was so refreshed1 that ,i can scarce declare it with words2 yea ,i was so delighted1 that ,i placed that delectable mother in such a place1 where it might lie always open to my sight1 and that so long till she shewed me her infant likewise1 which ,infant verily was not unlike to ,cupid4 ,do you also seek1 and you will find what you wish for3 ,implore ,god1 and he will give unto you2 ,knock at his doors1 and they will be opened unto thee1 if so be that ,,god shall find thee worthy2 for he bestows his ,grace and ,mercy upon none1 but such as are of an humble and thankful mind4 ,take for an example of this some ,tinder1 or ,touchwood1 which being handled with dirty fingers1 refuseth to take fire1 though it be never so copiously smitten out of the ,steel with the ,stone 7or ,flint47 ,all things depend on the mercy of ,,god1 nor can we effect any thing by our labour4 ,him only should we seek1 and he will manifest himself by the works of nature1 even as the nature of a man is known by ,chiromancy1 and ,physiognomy4 ,two contraries do always produce a third thing1 and are the cause of every generation1 and change of things2 if fire be added to fire1 there ariseth no new thing from thence2 neither if you put water to water2 but water and fire being conjoined1 there are produced new ,generations2 for the fire acts upon the water1 and impregnates it according to the nature and properties of 7both7 the water and fire2 from whence there proceed things pure or impure1 according to the purity or impurity of the water and fire4 ,the thing 7or operation7 it self1 must be accurately known and handled1 if you would have any good to redound from thence unto you4 ,the ,sun is in himself always good1 yet doth he operate as well evil as good4 ,if this same ,sun bestows his ,rays or ,beams upon the ,rain as it falls down1 the ,rain doth thence contract 7or get7 a honeyish dew1 which falling upon the blossoming of ,trees1 makes them corrupt4 ,now we cannot rightly impute this evil to the ,sun or to the honey it self2 but we see that it proceedeth from hence1 7viz47 because that honeyed dew is not duely and speedily enough washt away with the rain1 but is evaporated by the heat of the 2 whence it comes to pass1 that the blossoms wither1 and worms are generated in them1 and so the whole blossom is corrupted4 ,we will set down here yet1 one more similitude for the sake of such as love the truth4 ,put case thus then2 a diligent ,gardiner walks abroad in his ,orchard for his recreation1 and if he happens to find a large1 great and curious principal ,apple lying on the ground1 he presently takes it up1 and does not only well view and consider of it1 but tasts it too2 which if he finds to be of an acceptable flavour1 he seeks out the ,tree it self1 with an intention to pluck off more such like conditioned ,apples2 having found out the ,tree1 he much sets by it1 or esteems it1 because the fruits thereof do exceed all the rest in the ,orchard1 both in tast and fairness1 and he takes care about that more than the rest1 dungs the roots well1 prunes off the withered branches with a sharp crooked knife1 and artificially cuts off those that are unprofitable1 and usually called suckers1 that draw away the juice from the fruit-bearing boughs4 ,even just after this manner doth a diligent ,chymist act2 if therefore1 7as he walks in his ,laboratory17 searching out the secrets of nature1 he happens upon a ,golden ,apple1 he seeks after the tree1 that bears such fruit1 and having found it1 he very charily keeps it1 and ministers unto it all such things as are necessary to its conservation1 that so he may thence receive more such like-conditioned ,apples2 and therefore gardiner-like he puts dung to the root1 that is1 ,nitre2 he prunes off the dry barren wood1 and also the hurtful superfluous boughs1 that is1 the superfluous ,sulphur1 with a sharp red hot iron1 whereby that same tree may1 for the future1 yield egregious or select fruits1 without any impediment1 which thing he also finds to come to pass4 ,,nb4 ,paracelsus doth very openly set before us this labour in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 in the sixth ,rule of ,mercury1 where he saith1 ,sacrifice the fat ,vervains 7or superfluous suckers72 and yet1 these words of his1 are only superficially lookt on1 most people not understanding what ,paracelsus means by those words1 though he hath clearly and perspicuously enough signed his writings4 ,it is a necessary thing here for the ,chymist to know1 how the case stands1 as concerning the metalline tree1 and what is to be accompted its ,root1 ,trunck1 ,blossoms1 and ,fruits2 is the ,root2 the ,trunck or ,body1 the ,bark about the ,trunck2 the nutritive ,juice between the ,bark and the ,trunck2 the green ,boughs and ,leaves2 the pleasant ,flower1 or ,blossom2 and the ripe ,apple containing in it self the seed of the ,tree4 ,that ,apple which yet sticks on the tree1 doth1 when it hath arrived to its full maturity1 fall down upon the earth1 of its own accord1 if it be not gathered by the ,gardiner2 and then afterwards the leaves themselves1 when the weather is somewhat colder1 fall off1 which do as it were bury the apple1 which lying hidden under the leaves1 is consumed by rottenness1 by little and little2 but the seed assuming to it self a natural humidity from the putrefying tree 7or fruit rather7 instead of nutriment1 begins to take root in the spring time2 out of which there grow up1 in process of time1 ,apple-trees1 which are to be in their fit season transplanted3 this transplanting being finished1 the ,gardiner joins to such a wild tree1 generated from the seed1 the ,scions of such fruit as he has a mind to1 and that by either ingrafting1 or inoculation4 ,and so an industrious gardiner may get from the fruit of one tree1 an innumerable company of great trees1 and those of such a nature and kind1 and grateful a savour as he likes best4 ,even on this wise doth the ,chymist do1 joining fruitful ,scions to wild truncks or stocks1 by inocculation1 so that he never wants good fruits4 ,he that cannot learn ought from these things1 ,i cannot help him any other way1 for ,i do not see how ,i can set down those things clearer than ,i have done4 ,but for the undertaking of this labour1 there is required an ,artist1 no less diligent than ingenious4 ,and of how much the better quality the dung is1 that is laid to the root of the tree1 and 7by how much7 the knife which the boughs are cut off withal1 is the sharper that so it may not hurt the green 7or growing7 bark of the tree1 and so the nutritive juice flow forth1 so much the better are the fruits generated4 ,as it is easie for a wise man to reap hence some things2 so it's difficult for an imprudent man4 ,i doubt not but that there will be some1 that being judicious men1 will know that there is an opportunity given them by my writings1 published out of a sincere mind1 of making farther inquiry after a true transmutation1 and consequently of esteeming it1 more than we find to be usually done 7because that most things are oft-times proposed craftily and cautiously74 ,but that such a noble art may be freed from any farther contempt1 ,i have purposed1 the next following ,spring1 to frame a convenient laboratory1 and to demonstrate the truth thereof to my friends4 ,and although my endeavours shall be to prohibit any entrance by any means to the faithless brethren of ,farnnerus1 yet notwithstanding1 ,i know ,i cannot so prevent and foresee1 but that one or other may adjoin himself to the number of the true lovers of ,chymistry1 and feigning friendship1 lay snares for me4 ,but put case that such a thing should not happen1 it cannot be but that the ,arcana's will be divulged2 for such things as this or that man sees1 and writes down1 may reasonably be thought1 will come to other mens hands after they are dead2 especially if the preparation of ,salt-petre be afore instituted1 or set up in divers places2 for nothing can be done in ,alchimy1 saith ,paracelsus without ,nitre2 ,alchimy is found to reside in ,nitre say ,i4 ,salt-petre shewed us ,alchimy1 or1 ,alchimy was found out by ,nitre4 ,he therefore that has abundance of ,salt-petre1 can perform egregious things in ,alchimy4 ,had not the gyptians been possessors of great plenty of ,salt-petre1 verily they would never have been so skilful in ,alchimy2 nor could they have had those riches1 by which they were able to avert 7or decline7 the yoke of the ,roman ,monarchy4 ,as long as they knew the use of ,sulphur 7,salt-petre ,i believe he means7 they enjoyed ,monarchy 7without servitude to others7 7and this was even to the time of ,dioclesian the ,emperour1 who knowing their power1 commanded all the ,books they used1 to be burnt7 and then their ,monarchy and their ,art it self perished together4 ,the ,poets have feigned many stories of ,jupiter's ,golden shower2 certainly did we but know the manner of duely managing ,salt-petre and together1 we should be likewise able to produce the golden shower4 ,jupiter1 when stirred up with anger1 doth with his ,thunder and ,lightning1 strike a terrour into all the ,gods1 and into whatsoever is upon the ,earth2 and yet the rain that falls then1 at such a time1 is of an excellent ,quality1 and makes the ,earth more fruitful than the rain that commonly falls is wont to do2 because there is a certain tinging and penetrating spirit sticking in the ,thunder1 that tingeth the air and the rain1 and animates it2 if therefore we can 7by the virtue of ,nitre1 and this same 7 produce such ,thunders1 can give to the ,thunder fire air1 by which it might operate2 verily there would nothing hinder1 but that we might 7,jupiter-like7 make a ,golden shower too4 ,the purer the shall be1 and the more clear the ,air1 so much the purer will the ,rain be1 and the ,air is more impregnated and filled with the common ,vital ,spirit4 ,he now that knows how to separate the life out of the water and air1 rightly animated1 gets a true aurum potabile1 or the ,soul of the world3 besides this too1 there offer themselves apparently such things to be done1 as are able to exhibit his daily food4 ,and thus much let suffice for this time4 ,he verily that perceives 7or understands7 not these things so clearly proposed1 surely he will not1 though all the ,gods themselves should relate them1 understand ought of those things that are taught4 ,in the mean time1 ,i hope that my friends will see with their ,eyes1 and feel with their ,hands1 the most certain truth of these1 and the like operations1 and consequently of my writings1 in a laboratory1 which ,god willing1 ,i will in a short time erect1 and will then defend me against all envious1 and carping men4 ,this one thing ,i will yet add over and above1 that the astrum of ,gold doth tinge his own proper ,mercury1 or 7the 7 of the first ens1 7therefore7 chiefest of all3 ,the ,astrum of 7tingeth7 2 the ,astrum of 1 common 2 the ,astrum of 1 2 for those three superiours do always operate upon these three inferiour 7,planets27 so that they are1 as it were1 upper men1 and lower women3 he is left in the midst1 which whosoever adds unto the others for the compleating of the operations1 will perform excellent things4 ,but he that knows how to make that ,astrum of corporeal and fixt1 he may translate the ,astrum of on this wise prepared1 out of one place into another1 and conserve it like a ,vegetable seed1 to be implanted into all the ,metals1 in time and place convenient2 which blessing1 we rightly attribute to the blessed great ,,god1 the giver of every good thing1 in the first place1 and then to ,salt-petre as being the ,northern ,monarch4 ,it now remains1 that we briefly shew1 by what means that ,nitrous water1 out of which that most noble ,pearl1 and ,gems are taken with the ,net1 may be prepared for farther uses1 so that such a fishing may need but very small costs1 and may nevertheless 7besides the daily food which it most plentifully provides us7 bestow on us a most excellent medicament4 ,we have taught in the foregoing directions1 how we may by the help of ,aqua-fortis or ,aqua-regia most easily extract both the fixt and volatile and out of the ,metals1 ,flints1 ,sand1 ,clay1 and such subjects as are every where obvious1 and precipitate1 coagulate1 dry1 and reduce it into a fixt metallick body4 ,now in doing these things1 part of the separatory water here used1 is as yet good enough1 and may be kept for farther uses2 but part thereof 7viz47 that which is extracted out of the ,metals by the help of common water1 is1 by reason of the mixing sweet or fair water therewith1 rendred too weak for operating withal1 and therefore must it be corrected and amended by some certain singular way1 so as it may be again used about doing the same work4 ,were it not for costs and labours we might separate that fair water from the ,aqua-fortis and ,aqua-regia1 by the benefit of a glass ,cucurbite1 but forasmuch as there is given us a more compendious way1 we will make choice of that4 ,for he that intends to get himself riches by the benefit of this separatory work delivered by me1 or by the extraction of and 1 will need a great deal of ,aqua-fortis and ,aqua-,regia1 for what profit is it if you would extract them out of 7but7 a few ,metals or ,minerals8 ,seeing that scarce the one half of those strong ,waters can be separated by pouring off from those subjects upon which they are poured1 but the chiefest 7or biggest7 part of them sticks to the said metalline ,matters1 and contains in it as much and 1 as that which we have abstracted by decanting it1 and requisite it is that we thence abstract the same by the benefit of fair ,water by due boiling1 from whence it comes to pass that there will be also gathered a great deal of 7insipid or useless7 ,water1 7over and above47 ,those ,aqua-fortis's that are poured off1 and hold in them and 1 when they are mixt together1 the and precipitates to the bottom of the ,glass like powder1 so that there remains nothing of the ,metal in either water1 nor is that water arising from the mixing of the ,aqua-fortis wherein the was dissolved1 and of the ,aqua-regia wherein the was dissolved1 at all the weaker1 but it retains the virtues of extracting but not of 1 because that the ,aqua-regia being added to the ,aqua-fortis converts it all of it into ,aqua-regia4 ,this precipitation being made1 and the clear water separated from the precipitation by decanting it1 you may extract that acid ,water1 which yet adheres to the precipitate1 with fair ,water2 but for as much as the virtues thereof are thereby much weakned1 'tis better to proceed after another kind of way1 and we preferr this way 7as best47 ,take the ,calxes of and as they lie at the bottom of the ,aqua-regia 7or the acid mixt ,spirits7 and put them in a ,linen cloth placed in a ,funnel or over a ,glass with a wide mouth1 and the greatest part of the ,aqua-regia will strain through into the ,glass set thereunder2 when no more water drops out1 which we find is wont to be within half an hours space1 tie up your cloth with a strong thred1 that so nothing of the calx therein contained may get out2 put it under some weight or heavy matter1 that so all the ,aqua-regia may be squeezed out1 and the calx only may remain behind like ,curd or new ,cheese4 ,but for as much as the ,calxes of and are not edulcorated1 hence it comes to pass that the ,cheese thence prepared1 after the manner now spoken of1 is as yet corrosive1 nor is it easily dried4 ,both of them 7 and 7 we may easily correct1 if we only admix therewith 7as 'tis laid in a dish7 a fourth part of fixt ,salt1 for by the virtue thereof even the corrosive ,spirits sticking as yet therein are mortified1 and the exsiccation1 cementation1 fixation1 reduction thereof is promoted4 ,the ,reduction being made of and which we are now made partakers of1 that goldenish silvery ,masse is to be granulated1 and to be dissolved in new ,aqua-fortis1 and be precipitated with that ,aqua-regia by the help of which1 hath been extracted out of the ,metals2 the ,cheese is to be freed from the water by squeezing it1 and is to be sprinkled over with a fixt ,salt1 and to be melted4 ,and all these ,operations are to be so often repeated as necessity shall require1 and there shall be at hand any ,metal whereout-of ,gold may be extracted1 and so there may thence arise a continual ,labour1 which is beneficial1 because that ,aqua-fortis may 7when the ,labour or ,operation is finished7 be used about other such like extractions1 and that which is the weaker sort may be prepared into ,salt-petre3 out of which may be made anew1 excellent ,aqua-fortis by the addition of ,vitriol or ,copperas1 and so destilling them4 ,the ,vessels wherein the precipitation of ,metals is performed1 yea and the presses too by whose help the water is squeezed out of the ,cheese1 must be framed of strong ,glass or of glazing ,earth well glazed4 ,but for as much as the ,vessels of ,glass are very subject to be broken1 and earthen ,vessels1 unless they have the solidity of ,glass1 waste abundance of water1 and so moulder away2 it would seem more convenient in my judgment to make the expression of the water out of the ,cheese1 between two ,plates of ,silver1 for the water of the ,cheese doth not at all corrode the 3 ,yea and if the ,tunnels requisite to this work were made of 1 it would not be amiss1 nor would there be any fear of their breaking4 ,,nb4 ,the ,extraction also of made with ,aqua-regia may likewise be put into a ,silver ,cucurbite1 whereby the work may be facilitated1 and all loss and damage which otherwise may be lookt for 7feared7 from the using of ,glasses1 may be prevented4 ,and suppose a ,cucurbite1 a ,press and two ,tunnels did cost one hundred imperials2 yet notwithstanding the certainty and celerity of the ,work will repay those costs very easily1 seeing that all things are hereby done much safer1 and much more speedily3 ,besides too1 there's nothing lost but the price of the fashioning your ,vessels1 for the ,silver is always of the same value1 and may again be sold at your pleasure4 ,but he that wants suchlike ,silver ,vessels or cannot buy them1 he may make use of ,glass ones so long till he can get ,silver ones2 but it is necessary that the ,silver of which these ,vessels are made be very pure1 and have no ,copper in it2 least the ,aqua-regia extract the ,copper thereout of1 and so the ,vessels 7especially the ,cucurbites7 do in process of time get an undue softness4 ,the manner of extracting ,metals by the help of this ,cheese-water1 is already disclosed in the foregoing 7writings72 however this ,i am constrained to advise here1 that it is much more expedient1 to use presently at the beginning for the extraction of 1 rectified ,spirit of ,salt actuated with ,aqua-fortis1 than ,aqua-regia1 because that by thus doing there will be more plenty of gotten in the reduction than when the operation is accomplisht by ,aqua-regia4 ,it would be too long to reckon up the cause of this thing in this place3 'tis sufficient that ,i have shown which is good1 which ill4 ,nay more1 ,spirit of ,salt is cheaper than ,aqua-regia1 if prepared according to my description3 ,nor is there any reason to give credit to that slanderous fellow1 ,farnnerus1 as if such a ,spirit made by ,vitriol1 according to the manner mentioned in the first part of the ,philosophical ,furnaces1 were not of any use1 or at least-wise could not be prepared in great quantity by the aforesaid way3 ,for when all circumstances fall not out as is wisht1 the blame is not to be imputed to my description1 but to the ignorance and unaptness of the ,chymist himself4 ,if now those good men cannot accomplish such operations which are word for word faithfully described unto them3 how would they be able then to arrive by speculations and various trials to the knowledge of any thing1 as ,i my self have done8 ,i do therefore attest here too1 that we are able most easily to prepare not barely #aj or #bj1 but even #cj1 #dj1 #ej pounds and more every day with one only ,furnace4 ,nay more1 if men did more accurately ruminate upon this business1 they would find1 that out of one pound of ,salt may be made in a ,glass cucurbite in sand1 one pound of the best1 most grateful ,spirit of ,salt needing no rectification1 and that in one hours space3 ,and by the benefit of a ,furnace scarce a span wide1 and with a very few ,char-coal1 scarce exceeding three pound weight4 ,verily if there be any artificial destillation this is it3 ,and now let the ,find-faults look about them and see if they can understand these things we have spoken2 we can at all times demonstrate the truth hereof4 ,it is altogether inconvenient to shew such an artificial destillation unto swinish ,men1 it is only due to the ,lovers of the truth1 of which sort there are to be found but a very few in this present age4 ,and that this is true1 viz4 that a most grateful ,spirit of ,salt may most easily be prepared in vast quantity1 doth even hencefrom most evidently appear1 in that there are some in these places who having followed my information1 do1 because of their making it in great plenty and without any great ,labour1 sell a pound thereof for an imperial4 ,for my own particular affairs do not permit me to take on me that ,labour1 yet notwithstanding1 ,i have bestowed the artifice on such ,men as now know it as well as ,i my self do1 and who likewise do make that ,spirit in such quantity as may supply all ,europe4 ,but forasmuch as ,i did not heretofore find out so far1 as to see it excel ,aqua-regia in the extraction of ,gold out of such ,stones1 ,sand1 and ,clay as contain ,gold in them1 and which are every where obvious4 ,i could not omit the commending of it in this place1 most highly unto all ,men2 for that ,spirit hath an especial delight in 1 not only in that which is fixt1 but also with that which is volatile1 whereby it extracts it and renders it fixt4 ,there are some ,minerals1 ,stones1 ,sand1 ,earths1 which have in them abundance of volatile ,gold1 which is not in the least durable 7or fixt17 but is carried up 7or forced away7 in the form of a vapour and vanisheth into the air1 and so consequently not at all to be accounted for true 1 seeing it cannot brook the force of the melting ,fire4 ,besides this1 there do oft-times occur moil precious ,treasures of no profit to any man1 which may be brought to most eminent uses 7or benefit7 by the ,extraction1 ,precipitation1 ,cheese-making1 and ,liquefaction delivered by me4 ,for such ,metals as the ,spirit of ,salt do not tie and make fixt in the extractions1 or makes them such1 with which we have taken or fisht the ,sol out of the ,aqua-regia or ,spirit of ,salt2 to the obtaining of which this is also of much conducement4 ,if the ,cheese now made be altogether fixt by the help of an artificial ,cement1 and the gradatory fluxing matter be especially reduced in such a ,vessel1 out of which not so much as the least volatile part can evaporate3 by which it comes to pass1 that not only the volatile ,gold you have caught is made fixt1 but even a part of the net of or is by graduation made aureous3 ,for every volatile ,gold doth exercise its operations in the ,fire upon other ,metals1 and makes them aureous1 so that the ,sol ariseth thence to be of a greater quantity1 than that was which by the help of the silvery or leaden ,dart was taken out of the extract4 ,heed these things and proceed on in a legitimate course1 and you shall find such things as you cannot as yet conceive of4 ,the ,fishing is clearly enough described in this place1 and so is the ,cementation and ,reduction of the ,cheese clearly proposed1 and may be most easily perfected4 ,but ,god 7if thou becomest acceptable unto him7 can yet shew unto thee a much more compendious way of perfecting this work with less labour1 and of obtaining greater things4 ,be content for this time with what hath been at present taught1 give ,god the thanks and forget not the ,poor1 and ,he will then shew unto thee more and more compendious ways1 of cheerfully managing the work 7here7 described1 to his ,honour1 and the ,comfort of the ,poor1 and without any wronging thine own ,conscience1 or hurting of thy ,neighbour4 ,you need not be much sollicitous about such kind of ,earths1 ,stones or ,sand1 from which you may extract the ,gold1 for every land is every where stored with such1 nor need we spend much time in searching after them4 ,likewise it will be a most easie thing for thee by my writings to make ,salt-petre1 of ,salt-petre to make ,aqua-fortis and ,aqua-regia3 ,one bare pound of ,aqua-fortis may be sufficient for thee to begin the operation withal1 for there is not much of it lost in the work it self2 and what of it is wasted may easily be repaired by an addition of common ,salt3 ,and as for the extracting both the fixt and volatile ,gold and ,luna out of the ,earth1 and of perfecting it1 thou hast no reason to hope of finding a more compendious way than that is which ,i have here exhibited unto thee4 ,you may leave such ,metals 7or ,ores7 as have in them plenty of ,sol and ,luna1 unto others2 and take only the scoria as 'twere1 and thencefrom extract your part1 and none will forbid you that4 ,but if so be thou canst be but a partaker of an aureous ,earth 7or ,ore7 then will all things fadge the better4 ,,nb4 ,the and that is in the ,extractions may be precipitated by the help of 1 but much more chargeably and more difficultly than by or 1 because the used in this operation cannot be used a second time4 ,,nb4 ,the and may be also extracted from the water without precipitation2 by abstracting the ,aqua-regia from the and the ,aqua-fortis from the 3 but besides this kind of proceeding being full of ,labour1 we should receive but little fixt ,metal1 and scarce the one half of what is gotten by the aforementioned way3 ,for the and do retain with them some part of the ,aqua-fortis and ,aqua-regia1 and thereby become sharp or sour which is a thing contrary 7or an ,enemy7 to all ,fluxes1 and which also does not only cause an evaporation of such ,volatile ,gold and ,silver as is therein1 7but withal some part of that which is fixt too17 in the melting4 ,but now in this ,fishing trade that ,i have described1 being caught it is either edulcorated1 or the corrosive power is extinguisht by the addition of a fixt ,salt2 so that hereby the or holds with it self as well the volatile as fixt ,gold and 4 ,,nb4 ,he that shall institute this operation aright1 will find that the volatile ,gold will 7in the secret ,reduction7 yet farther transmute part of the and into by ,graduation1 and so will reap a double 7portion of7 for which ,god is deserved to be thanked4 ,i have herein been more prolix than ,i intended1 which ,i entreat others to accept in good part3 ,it could hardly be that the things ,i have delivered1 could be couched in fewer words4 ,wise ,men indeed need not many words1 but where are such8 ,better is it therefore to set down things at large4 ,now it follows that we shew by what means we may have benefit out of the edulcoratory ,water1 and not be forced to throw it away4 ,we have taught in the precedent discourse1 how those waters which is extracted and precipitated with1 may be used for a farther extraction of 3 ,for when the ,aqua-fortis in which or is dissolved is mixt with the ,aqua-regia wherein is dissolved1 there ariseth not any mutation or changing1 but that or only which was in the ,aqua-fortis settles to the bottom1 so that this water wherein such a precipitation is made1 may afterwards serve instead of ,aqua-regia1 and so consequently with it may be extracted out of the ,metals4 ,but seeing that the precipitated or must be excellently well edulcorated by often pourings on of water1 afore it be dried1 hence it comes to pass that there is gathered a vast deal of such edulcoratory ,waters4 ,now that even this may not be thrown away as useless1 and that nothing may be lost in so noble a work1 ,i have here determined briefly to declare1 by what means we may likewise catch some benefit even out of that too4 ,to do this1 'tis necessary that the useless water be separated from the ,aqua-fortis2 now such a separation cannot be effected in metallick ,vessels because of the sharpness of the ,aqua-fortis2 least in length of time they should be dissolved3 ,but to perform the same in ,vessels of ,glass would take up much time and fire2 there is therefore of necessity another way here required to perform the same2 and a better than this1 which ,i will here deliver1 ,i think can hardly be contrived4 ,make you therefore an ,arch of ,lime1 ,ashes1 and ,horse-dung1 according to the afore prescribed manner1 where we treated of making ,salt-petre 7about the beginning of the book7 dry it by putting fire thereunder1 c4 ,the ,arch being dryed1 pour on1 by little and little1 so much edulcorating water1 as the ,arch is capable of attracting1 and until you shall find it to be made thoroughly moist2 the ,arch being on this wise moistned1 dry it again3 and being dryed moisten it again as afore4 ,and so repeat this work of moistning and drying so long till the ,arch will receive into it self no more water4 ,this done1 there remains no more1 but to do thus1 viz4 ,let the said ,arch be broken to pieces1 and be ground with a ,mill into fine powder2 upon the powder let be thrown fair water1 and so let there be made a ,lixivium1 out of which by due boiling may be made most excellent and delicate ,saltpetre4 ,but here must be very good heed taken1 that you use about the building of the ,arch1 ,wood-,ashes1 and ,lime made of ,stone 7or ,chalk72 whereby the sharpness of the edulcoratory water may be extinguisht 7or mortified7 by the fixt ,salt inherent in the ashes and lime1 and the corrosivity be taken away1 and most excellent ,nitre may arise thencefrom2 for if ,aqua-fortis be permixt with the fixt ,salt of wood-ashes1 both of them lose their ,nature1 and ,nitre is made thereof4 ,but that the operation may more luckily succeed1 and we may be the more certain of the event1 it will be the best way1 to put in1 by little and little1 some ,lee of wood-ashes first of all1 7afore the edulcorating water be thrown upon the ,arch7 and this putting on1 to be so long continued till all ebullition and noise cease1 whereby all the sharpness of that water may be taken away2 this done1 that water is to be poured upon the ,arch1 and you are to proceed on according to the afore-prescribed method2 and so shall you have excellent ,salt-petre1 whether your ,arch be made of ,lime and ,ashes1 or of ,mud and ,ashes4 ,,nb4 ,if this taking away of the sharpness of the edulcoratory water by the benefit of a wood-ashes ,lee1 be not finished1 and done before it be poured upon the ,arch1 it is clearly requisite that it be done in the ,arch it self1 by the goodness of the ,lime and the said ashes1 by which that sharpness may be extinguished4 ,it is1 ,i confess1 all a case whither that sharpness be extinguisht with a ,lixivium afore2 or else be done in the ,arch it self4 ,yet nevertheless1 seeing that ,operation is the safer which hath a foregoing taking away of the sharpness afore it be poured on the ,furnace1 therefore it is better so to institute it2 specially1 seeing it then matters not at all any thing1 what condition the matter is of which the ,arch is made with2 because then such a water needs no more but an unfolding 7or evaporation7 and coagulation1 and this may as well be done by the help of an ,arch made of mud1 as by one made of ,lime3 ,otherwise if the sharpness of the edulcoratory water be not taken away by the ,lixivium1 an ,arch made of mud is of no use1 for by this means you would not get any ,salt-petre at all1 but rather all the water would be consumed by evaporation1 which need not be at all feared1 if we use an ,arch made of ,lime and ,ashes1 seeing that that water is by this means mortifyed4 ,and so1 by this means1 that edulcoratory water may be most commodiously prepared for farther uses1 and the ,salt-petre which is extracted thence1 is exceeding good to make ,aqua-fortis with2 and we may gather as much in quantity thereof as the extraction of and out of the ,metals1 ,stones1 ,clay1 and ,minerals requires4 ,,nb4 ,if any one be desirous of more excellent benefits1 let him dissolve1 in that edulcoratory water1 7,b47 or 7,c47 and in the ,lixivium 7let him dissolve7 7,d47 then mix both ,solutions3 ,when the fermentation is over1 he will have double the quantity of ,nitre1 than what he would otherwise have from the bare mixtion of the contraries together1 and pouring them on the ,arch2 the reason of which thing is this2 because 7,e47 is nothing else inwardly but ,nitre1 but it cannot come forth to light before the body be broken1 and till that salt which sticks 7or lies hid7 within1 be wholly freed 7of its bonds7 whereby it may be turned1 together with the ,corrosive ,spirit into ,nitre4 ,the like is to be understood of 7,f47 because even that also is broken 7as ,i may say7 to pieces by the ,lee of the wood-ashes1 and so the ,salt that lies hid within1 and which is nothing else but ,nitre1 shews it self to sight1 and passeth with the other ,salt of the ,lixivium into ,nitre4 ,certainly this labour1 viz4 the mortification of the edulcorating water by a ,lee of wood-ashes1 and the concentration of ,nitre1 upon the ,arches made of lime or mud1 is an egregious invention2 nor do ,i think that this business can be better managed any kind of way1 than by what hath been here shewn1 especially if the ,species1 here notified1 be also thereto adhibited 7or made use of7 7,i know not ,i say1 any way7 by which greater plenty of ,nitre may be gathered2 for the coagulation cannot be done in a ,copper or ,iron pan1 because not only the ,pan would be corroded and wasted1 but the ,nitre would be rendred impure4 ,but if now the operation be instituted aright1 we shall get more ,niter than indeed is requisite for the extracting and out of the ,metals2 so that we may get us and without any costs3 which invention verily is a most noble one even in all parts of the ,world1 and a most high gift of ,god3 for which1 we have good reason above all things to render ,him deserved thanks1 and next ,him1 to those who open such a ,noble and ,unheard-of ,invention1 and which is so profitable to all ,men4 ,but this ,invention will be especially profitable in those places of the ,world1 where ,aqua-fortis is much used1 and is presently after the first using thereof1 thrown away as unprofitable1 as it usually happens in the ,mint houses1 where abundance of and is separated in great quantity1 and consequently abundance of ,aqua-fortis consumed1 so that by the benefit of this invention of mine1 we might get much every year2 but most of all in those places where are found such ,stones and ,sand which are endued with ,gold1 but yet will not yield any by the help of the usual melting4 ,besides too1 this invention is exceeding profitable for such kind of ,metals of and 1 that have not as yet gotten their due ripeness or fixity1 and so fly away in the melting1 and yield either none at all1 or at best but very little of ,gold4 ,for the common melting fire forceth away the ,volatile ,gold1 and that resides in the ,metals 7or ,ores7 which is not at all so here1 for all 7of it7 is made fixt by the ,aqua-fortis1 and preserved4 ,i do believe that there is not a place to be found1 where such kind of ,stones1 ,sand1 or ,clay may not be gathered1 as hold in them ,gold and 1 either fixt or ,volatile1 and which may be extracted thencefrom most easily1 and with exceeding profit according to the way aforespoken of4 ,but1 for as much as there are many1 who pretend that such like ,stones1 ,sand1 ,clay1 and ,minerals as have ,gold in them1 are no where to be found1 and that consequently this invention of mine is altogether in vain3 ,to such as these ,i thus apply1 viz4 ,that such like ,subjects are therefore unknown1 because few there are that seek after them1 or are willing to experience ought1 but remain contented with such things only as the ,ancients have taught1 and perswaded themselves that and cannot be separated out of the ,metals1 but only by the force of fire1 where as notwithstanding the operation may be far easilier1 and more profitably instituted1 according to the method by me prescribed1 but especially in those ,metals 7or ,ores7 of and 1 which either require too much expence for their melting1 or are as yet unripe and volatile1 and so fly away in the melting2 for a great quantity of and may be extracted with a little quantity of ,aqua-fortis2 yea the extraction being duly made1 and to the best profit1 there may be thereof made ,salt-petre2 so that such an extraction of and requires but very little costs4 ,if any one desires an easier way of extracting let him use ,spirit of ,salt prepared after the manner by me delivered1 which said ,spirit he may fortify by adding a fourth part of ,salt-petre1 which very same 7when the ,extraction is finisht7 may be reduced into ,salt-petre1 like as we have said of ,aqua-fortis that hath been already used4 ,,nb4 ,an easier operation yet then all these1 is this1 which may be performed the dry way4 ,take the ,metal1 ,stones1 or ,mineral1 reduce them into powder1 mix them with the ,salt 7,g7 and make them with clay into ,balls about the bigness of a little ,head4 ,make these balls red hot1 and by this means the ,salt will dissolve the ,sol in the ,fire1 and attract it out of the ,metals4 ,this done1 grind the ,balls or ,pellets1 and extract thencefrom in a large ,pot or ,vessel a ,lixivium with boiling hot water1 for the ,salt which hath attracted the in the ,cementation1 mixeth it self with the ,water3 ,out of this ,salt-water mayest thou afterwards catch the by the help of a ,solution of 1 added for the precipitation2 now out of the ,salt it self mayest thou make excellent ,salt-petre4 ,so that you may most easily extract out of the ,earth both fixt and volatile and without any melting it4 ,nay not only and but even ,copper too1 whether we proceed the dry way or the moist way3 ,for we may extract good ,sol out of the scoria of ,sol and ,luna and ,venus which are cast away1 yea and out of ,mars it self too1 and by the afore-shown way4 ,,nb4 ,the reason is this1 because the ,iron being purged in a strong ,fire is heapt up as it were into goldenish ,scoria which but few know of1 and will believe1 though it be most true4 ,for when a ,metal is so burnt with such a vehement ,fire as to referable glassy ,scoria1 it hath gotten to it self a more noble nature1 and thenceforth is able to exhibit or yield good ,sol3 ,yea though they be the ,scoria of or 1 which thing that excellent ,metallurgist ,isaac ,hollandus did also know1 when he said1 ,if any one makes 1 or into ,glass1 and reduceth it1 it will not be 1 1 or 1 but 3 ,and if any one full turn into ,glass1 and then reduce it1 it will not be 1 but ,tincture4 ,nor was this knack unknown to ,bracescus1 who taught the making of the ,philosophers stone out of the scoria of ,iron1 but he is laught at1 by another ,philosopher1 though undeservedly4 ,though ,i do not know the way of extracting the ,tincture out of ,iron1 yet this ,i know2 that there have been many who have extracted good ,sol by ,aqua-regia out of the very green ,scoria of ,iron1 when notwithstanding1 the it self out of which the ,scoria came was destitute of ,gold2 the cause whereof we showed but now4 ,now if they had but known my invention of most easie preparing a convenient ,menstruum for the extracting of the ,tincture1 and then the manner of afterwards separating the ,sol again1 without losing the ,water1 certainly they would have been able to perfect that ,extraction with a great deal of benefit1 whereas 7not having this7 they only beheld the possibility of the thing without profit4 ,for if this ,labour be instituted according to my invention afore-written1 we may extract the ,venus 7which commonly is in the poorer ,minerals7 out of them1 and that with much profit and in great quantity1 and the extraction being made1 7whether it be done the moist way or the dry7 we may by the benefit of the solution of or 1 get out the thence whilest it is yet mixt with the water1 yea and afterwards by the benefit of the ,copper it self4 ,he now that well understands the reason of this ,fishing and reduction needs not to search after the ,metals 7or ,ores7 of ,sol and ,luna1 for whatsoever ,metals 7or ,ores7 of ,venus contain but even a very little portion of them1 will be able to furnish a man with necessaries sufficiently enough4 ,but that the ,reader may not think that these sayings of mine1 viz4 that there are subjects to be in all places found that are endued with ,gold1 are fictions1 and are not founded upon any experiments1 7for ,i doubt not but that abundance will not only account these sayings for falsities1 but deride them too7 ,i thought it not much from the purpose1 if ,i shewed some little place only1 where you may find such ,metals 7or ,ores7 as are endued with ,gold1 which notwithstanding were never brought into use1 that so it may hence appear that such ,golden subjects must be likewise found in many places4 ,let us therefore cast an eye to a part of the ,mhene1 and let us get out those ,treasures that are there hidden1 and at present are not profitable to any1 which nevertheless may be of mighty conducement and benefit to the whole ,inhabitants of those parts4 ,the ,mhene is a ,river most abounding with ,boats and ,fish2 it hath its rise out of a very high pine-bearing ,mountain1 it is in some sort conjoined with three bordering well known ,rivers1 ,sata1 ,adrana1 and ,nava2 which again spread themselves unto the quarters of ,heaven1 as ,east1 ,south1 and ,north4 7,this piniferous ,mountain is not barely one ,mountain1 but consists of many which are exceeding full of ,pine-trees1 ,beech1 ,oakes1 ,birch1 and other ,trees set very thick together1 and so yields an ,harbour for both wild and tame ,beasts47 ,this ,pine-bearing ,mountain1 and which is the highest in all ,germany 7and of which ,gaspar ,bruschius wrote a particular ,treatise1 which is exceeding profitable for such as study metallick affairs to read17 is stored with many notable ,metals 7or ,ores47 ,for there was not only ,gold digged out plentifully in various parts of that ,mountain1 many years since1 7and thereupon there's a ,city called ,goltgangh by the ,germans1 as if you should say a ,vein of ,gold37 ,but withal the other more common ,metals that lie here hidden do for the most part all of them contain ,gold1 with notwithstanding is not at this day by reason of the ignorance and unskilfulness of ,men separated from them4 ,nor are the bare ,metals only of that place all of them endued with ,gold1 but almost all the ,earths1 ,sand1 and ,stones have ,sol in them4 ,yea even in this time even ,antimony the first ,ens of ,gold is digged out in that place4 ,therefore it may most easily be proved1 that this ,mountain out of which the ,mhene flows forth is stuffed with ,sol both in the outside and inside parts1 with which proof ,i must at present in this place rest1 least ,i should be too tedious4 ,all such as are skill'd in metallick ,affairs do well know1 that all the metalline ,ore1 that they get in and about this ,mountain1 is endued with ,gold4 ,the most studious searcher of nature ,mathesius in ,sarepta testifies that he saw an ,iron ,stone or ,ore endued with ,veins of fixt and malleable ,gold4 ,the afore-praised ,gaspar ,bruschius in the description of this ,mountain1 mentioneth amongst other things1 that in a little ,town called ,einsiedel1 situate near the said ,mountain1 was a ,tin mine heretofore found1 by the ,treasures of which the aforesaid little ,town was built4 ,there did a certain ,metal-man called ,sigismund ,wans learn from an ,italian ,woman1 whom he married after the death of her former ,husband1 how ,sol was to be separated from ,jupiter3 ,from whence he got him so much riches1 that even afore he died1 he caused an egregious ,hospital to be built1 and withal contributed thereto many thousands of ,crowns1 with which twelve ancient ,men1 and three ,priests should be always nourished2 to the performance of which there is verily a great deal of ,gold required yearly4 ,this now is not to be at all accompted as a meer fable1 but the very pure truth3 ,for in that edifice1 the ,effigies of the ,founder ,sigismund ,wans1 and the ,foundress ,barbary1 are yet to be seen even at this very day4 ,of which likewise ,matthew ,merianus in his ,description of ,franconia1 maketh mention4 ,but it is sufficiently enough evident 7besides these ,testimonies7 that this ,mountain is repleat with ,metals 7or ,ores7 and especially with ,golden ones1 both within and without1 and hence arose that ,proverb of the ancients1 viz4 ,that the ,country-man doth in this ,pine-bearing ,mountain oftentimes throw a stone at an ,ox 7or ,cow17 that is more worth than the ,ox it self4 ,strangers give credit hereunto1 as ,italians and others1 and do yearly visit this ,mountain1 and dig the ,gold out of those places where they know there lies much hidden1 and take it up at their backs1 and carry it away with them3 ,and many such there have been with me1 who have afforded their help to strangers in digging out ,gold3 ,who forasmuch as they knew not the manner of extracting it 7and that they understood by others that ,i also dealt in ,metals17 brought me various kinds of ,earths1 ,stones1 ,sands1 ,clays1 that ,i might try what was in them3 and they did all of them abound with ,gold4 ,the ,country-men that live about that ,pine-bearing ,mountain do daily for ,gaine's sake carry such earths and stones1 endued with ,gold1 unto ,norimberge2 which one or other likewise buys1 extracting thence by melting excellent ,gold4 ,but now if so be these men did but know the extraction of by the help of ,aqua-fortis only 7without melting7 out of the earths and stones 7as is here taught73 the needy ,country-men might live like the richest ,citizens1 the ,citizens like the ,nobles1 and the ,nobles like ,princes2 which seeing it hath not so pleased ,god 7to have it7 all 7these7 things have remained hidden4 ,every one may easily believe the things ,i here utter1 ,seeing it is already taken for granted that this ,mountain doth abound with egregious ,metals 7or ,ores17 and especially with ,golden ones4 ,upon this accompt therefore the most ,noble ,marquess of ,arspach who is ,lord of this ,pine-bearing ,mountain hath prohibited any ,foreigner from exporting such ,earths 7or ,ores7 thence for the time to come2 and though he hath thereby done something to it1 yet he cannot wholly hinder it1 forasmuch as that ,mountain is too vast and large4 ,but now when ,i pass down from this pine-bearing ,mountain along the ,mhene downwards1 to such places as are more plain 7or even ground7 where ,wine and ,corn grows1 there's no body seeks after ,sol and ,luna there1 but each man professeth himself well enough content with the ,wine and the ,corn1 nor hath there been any ,metal digged thence or there sought for many years3 ,because they thought that no plains can produce ,metals1 which thing ,i judge to be false1 and do gain-say it2 and contrary-wise affirm that there are some parts in plains1 that as to the production of ,metals may be compared with the most high ,pine-bearing ,mountain4 ,now1 elsewhere there ly high ,mountains of each side of all the ,mhene1 out of which there comes a mighty quantity of ,wine1 but the ,metals ly hid to all4 ,besides these1 ,i my self tried1 that there are ,ores of all kinds to be found on both sides the ,mhene throughout all the ,east of ,franconia even to ,maguntia where the ,mhene runs into the ,rheine1 but yet as far as ,i know1 there is not any ,metal anywhere digged but ,iron only2 and therefore neither can ,i positively shew and direct to such or such ,mine-pits1 out of which you may apparently get ,gold and ,silver1 but as is said1 there are every where found some footings 7as 'twere7 that contain ,gold and ,silver1 and that such ,stones in the ,mhene are rarely without ,metal3 ,but no body proves or tries them1 or puts them to use4 ,at ,bamberg 7which is an ,episcopal ,metropolis7 men are become more diligent1 insomuch that they have found out several places wherein is to be had the ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,sol3 ,such as this ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,sol1 hath been very oft-times brought me by the ,inhabitants of that ,city1 but all of it in a manner did contain a fluxile and immature ,gold1 which cannot be extracted by the common way of melting1 but vanisheth away into the ,air1 and so ,i did not at that time much esteem it1 but left it as an unprofitable ,ore4 ,but now ,i have found that such fluxile ,metals 7or ,ores7 of ,sol may be brought in use1 not by the help of a vehement melting1 but only by a nitrous ,water1 in which this kind of fluxile ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,sol is fixed in the extracting it1 and then stays in the melting1 and yields perfect ,sol4 ,concerning such a fixation of fluxile ,sol in stones1 by a nitrous ,water1 ,i did not at that time know it1 otherwise this knowledge of mine would have been extraordinarily profitable to the ,inhabitants of those places4 ,yea and the ,bishop of ,bamberg himself who is a great ,lover of the ,metals gave me some proofs of his ,clemency for services of no moment that ,i did him1 so that ,i would then gladly have bestowed my utmost power in lieu of his favours1 but nothing could be effected by the way of melting1 because of the volatility of such a ,metal4 ,but now there may be gathered very considerable ,treasures by the benefit of nitrous ,water4 ,for not far from ,bamberg1 there is found a ,stone of great bigness that is exceeding full of ,granates1 which are about the bigness of ,millet or ,hemp-seed3 ,besides too1 all the ,mountains of that place do most plentifully abound with ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,sol4 ,there is such a ,vein of unripe ,gold1 not far from ,bamberg1 that lies thwart the ,mhene1 which much hinders the ,vessels1 and especially those ,boats which are wont to bring vast quantities of ,boards1 ,beams1 c4 yearly2 insomuch that they cannot always get over it1 but at such time only when the waters are increased4 ,now in the ,summer time1 when ,rain hath not fallen awhile1 this ,vein is seen bare1 when the water is fallen away some ,ells height2 and hereupon the ,mariners have smote against it with force1 and ,tools thereby to remove it1 if possible1 but all in vain4 ,but for as much as ,i never was minded to run thither1 nor yet am so conditioned1 as that envious ,dog1 who having hay under his possession1 could neither eat it himself1 nor would suffer the ,ox to eat the same2 therefore ,i was willing to lay open these things3 ,i cannot at present say any more of this fluxile ,ore of 2 yet if any one desires more1 let him repair to an ,inhabitant and ,citizen of ,bamberg1 by name ,n4 ,n4 a ,farrier1 who many times delivered to me that kind of ore during my aboad at ,kitzing4 ,this man will satisfy every ones request1 and will shew where it is to be found4 ,there have verily been others that have brought unto me various kinds of ,ores2 but ,i have long since forgotten their names4 ,if you only seek1 you will find in that place1 abundance of such ,golden ,metal 7or ,ores7 but all of them in a manner1 fluxile 7or crude17 and possessing but little fixt ,gold1 and although they should not have in them any fixt 1 and that not any thing could thence be extracted by the way of melting1 yet notwithstanding it is now known to ,d4 ,g4 by what means 7by the liquid way of ,nitrous water7 all the fluxile 7or crude7 may be abundantly extracted out of the stones1 be fixed1 and be turned into good with abundance of profit4 ,the ,mhene near ,bamberg is occupied with ,vessels or ,ships1 and ,i my self have sailed along the ,mhene1 and on both sides of the ,mhene from ,bamberg even to ,wirtzberg1 did light upon various kinds of ,metals 7or ,ores7 which were not void of and 1 out of which much and may be extracted by the help of this invention of mine1 by the moist way by ,nitre water1 if men would but only apply themselves to the work4 ,but indeed the ,corn and the ,wine which ,god hath so abundantly vouchsafed to those ,countries1 is the cause that no body minds any thing else1 for they have enough to suffice them1 and therefore leave the ,metals 7or ,ores7 of and untoucht4 ,without doubt1 the whole ,wood that reacheth from ,wirtzberg or ,kitzing1 even almost to ,bamberg1 is full of ,metals 7or ,ores7 and yet 7as far as ,i know7 there is not digged any of the ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,sol or ,luna therein4 ,it is reported that there was ,sol and ,luna digged up heretofore at ,cassel2 at the other side of the ,mhene1 towards the ,town which the ,germans call ,koningshoefen1 in the ,mountain they call ,hasbergh1 there was heretofore1 ,copper digged1 which now is left of1 because the ,copper is not fusile enough1 nor hath it any sulphureous flint joined with it1 by the help of which it is made fluxile 7but is7 inclosed in a ,sandish ,stone4 ,now out of #ajj weight of this1 there can hardly be extracted1 by the help of a strong melting fire iiij4 4 for the ,sandy ,stone being destitute of a sulphureous flintiness1 doth in the melting turn the ,copper it self together into ,scoria2 yet notwithstanding we are able by the help of ,vinegar to extract above xij4 or xvj4 4 of ,copper1 and this ,i have tryed more than once4 ,but whether or no that ,metal 7or ,ore7 of ,copper1 contains in it any ,volatile ,gold1 ,i never tryed1 but that there is some therein1 is true2 yea1 and the ,copper is very malleable1 and we can thence extract by the help of ,vinegar1 that which is most fair1 and this ,i humbly declared to the most noble ,moguntine ,elector1 he being at this time ,bishop of ,wirtzberg2 but by the ,tryers 7or ,refiners7 of that place1 it is haply accounted of as unprofitable because it yields but little by the help of ,fusion4 ,i must needs confess that but little can be gotten out by melting1 but such ,copper may be profitably extracted by the ,acetum of the ,wood1 which ,grows in the places all about in abundance1 and may be had for nothing4 ,the ,mhene doth every where yield such kind of ,flints as are endued with ,gold4 ,near ,carlstadt there offers it self in a ,wood a certain white and fat ,earth1 and after some sort silverish1 otherwise firm 7or strong17 and is fit for making of ,crucibles1 and other ,instruments 7or ,vessels7 to be used about the ,fire4 ,you may likewise find such conditioned ,earth at ,klingenberg upon the ,mhene1 where most excellent ,wine grows1 which the ,glass-makers of ,spechart use to make the ,crucibles or ,pots in which they melt their ,glass4 ,it hath not as yet been known that there hath been any ,ore found in the ,county of ,wertheimen where great plenty of ,russellein ,wine is gathered2 yet nevertheless ,i have proved several ,earths1 which ,i found about ,breiberg1 which is the inexpugnable ,castle of the ,lord ,charles ,ferdinand the ,count of ,wertheimen1 in which ,i found there was contained much ,gold4 ,besides these1 ,i found opposite to ,wertheimen where there are ,vineyards1 an ,iron stone 7white like snow1 covered over with other stones17 which is endued with and 3 as to the external shape it resembles a white ,flint1 very weighty1 so as that it scarce yields to the weight of a piece of ,iron of like bigness3 ,but it is nothing regarded1 and is accompted of as a common stone4 ,the ,county of ,erbach doth indeed yield plenty of ,iron1 but there is nothing at all found of other nobler ,metals2 yet my opinion is1 that even in this ,iron are contained both and 3 because that there is sand found in several places thereof which yields good ,gold1 as ,i have observed more than once2 the extraction of which may be excellently well performed by the benefit of ,salt-petre4 ,likewise ,talk of sundry kinds is found in the said places1 which is endued with and 3 and it would easily yield them forth1 were it but rightly handled1 and dealt with according to the way by me prescribed3 which hitherto we never heard to have been done by any4 ,the ,county of ,erbach and likewise of ,wertheimen do abound with ,iron ,metal 7or ,ore7 and all kinds of ,minerals1 which contain in them1 and 4 ,nor are the ,metals 7or ,ores7 of less goodness that are in the ,specharten ,wood1 and the bordering ,countries2 and yet notwithstanding 'tis evident that it yields nothing at all save this1 viz4 ,that there is excellent ,salt made there and ,glass1 in great plenty4 ,it is a thing well enough known to all men that here are various ,metals 7or ,ores7 found1 but never hath any so procured as to have them wrought upon1 and thereby to enjoy them4 ,we find in ,several places1 an ,earth impregnated with white1 black1 and yellow ,talk1 especially 7in that part7 which is near to ,aschiburg1 and which contains both and 3 which notwithstanding by reason of the smalness of the quantity thereof have never hitherto been thencefrom separated4 ,not far from a ,village which the ,germans call ,schiltkrop there offers it self a stony ,talk1 ,somewhat ruddish1 which besides ,copper contains also volatile 1 and of no use at all because there's but little therein contained1 and that the is volatile and cannot be obtained by the means of melting4 ,perhaps this ,talk was known even of old time1 for the place where it is found in plenty is by the ,inhabitants of that place called the ,gold-pit even to this day3 for it is not incredible but that there was ,gold found there4 ,however there is not at this time any extracted out of that ,talk4 ,i have very often extracted thence most beauteous ,verde-grease by the help of destilled ,vinegar4 ,for seeing that there is plenty of ,wood to be had in that place1 and consequently requires no costs1 we may get us vast quantities of ,acetum gratis1 7or for nothing73 and by the help thereof extract the ,copper out of the said ,talk3 ,verily many noble ,nen would have 7thencefrom7 whereon to live honourably4 ,,nb4 ,but if we make a ,spirit of ,salt1 and with it being fortified with a fourth part of ,nitre1 extract the ,copper and the out of the said ,talk1 and then first catch the by 1 and then precipitate the by 1 we shall not only have very malleable ,copper1 but shall likewise receive even pure 2 and this ,i testify upon my own knowledge4 ,he that hath determined the experimenting of these things1 and yet sees that he does not rightly perceive the things we have here mentioned1 ,i advise him to come unto me in a friendly way1 and ,i will not be wanting unto him to serve him and the ,country by any farther information4 ,verily there lie hidden incredible ,treasures in those places1 which none know of1 and which yield nothing at all by the help of ,liquefaction1 and which we are constrained if we would have them fixt and metalline to make them so by the benefit of a sharp ,water1 and this ,i was willing to open and notifie for the ,countries sake4 ,o thou ,zoilist or ,carper that understandest not this knack1 pass not thou thy judgment hereupon1 but rather examine thy ,wines1 and tell us which is best31 either the ,heubachen1 ,klingenbergick1 or ,wertheimen sort3 ,verily neither of these ,liquors though they are strong1 are convenient for the extracting of ,venus and ,sol out of that ,talk3 ,there is a far stronger required1 to wit1 some nitrous ,spirit of ,salt1 or ,spirit of ,nitre acuated with common ,salt4 ,when the extraction is ended there may be gathered plenty of ,nitre out of the remaining ,menstruum4 ,insomuch that there is nothing else required but labour1 for the costs expended on the work are not at all considerable3 ,and thus in a little space of time1 we may get a great quantity of ,copper and ,sol4 ,after the same manner as we have shown that it is a thing possible to extract ,volatile ,sol by the help of ,salt-petre out of such a disregarded ,talk and other ,stones1 and to make it fixt1 so we can also extract the same out of several other ,minerals1 that are plentifully enough lying on both sides of the ,mhene4 ,so that now1 no body hath any ground to say that the ,ores cannot be found in this or that ,country1 or such convenient ,minerals1 as out of which we may extract the volatile and also the ripe ,gold acording to ,glauber's prescription4 ,if now such may be found in those places that are adjacent to the ,mhene1 which we always judged to be void of such treasures1 what shall we not find in those places1 which have already yielded us various kinds of ,metals for some hundreds of years successively1 and do yet daily exhibit them2 such as are ,hassia1 the ,dukedom of ,brunswick1 ,saxony1 ,thuringia1 ,moravia1 ,bohemia1 ,hungary1 and that such like parts of the ,earth abound with ,metals4 ,therefore1 ,friendly ,reader1 do not thou perswade thy self that there is any place in which we are not able to extract many good things out of the ,earth4 ,i have likewise found various ,metals in our ,holland1 and yet never1 did any one ever hear that there was the least particle of them therein found1 especially in that place that they call ,velauw2 yet notwithstanding it yields ,veins of ,iron1 and a ,yellow ,sand which hath in it 4 ,neither doth that1 place afford only such ,sand ,stones1 ,earth1 out of which volatile may be extracted1 but withal there offer themselves at the ,sea-shore in those ,sand-hills1 which the ,hollanders call ,duynen1 which the stony ,sea heaps up1 ,stones of a ,sky colour1 which contain 4 ,they are called by the ,hollanders1 ,ultramarine4 ,in this place1 is likewise gathered plenty of ,ostiocolla it is about the length and thickness of ones ,finger2 yea and sometimes is as big as ones ,arm2 and as in a clear ,season it is easily noted1 7or met with7 so in a ,rainy ,season it is not to be seen3 ,it is in some sort hollowed in the inside2 it is of a white colour1 like stone-lime1 and thereupon the ,chyrurgions use it to consolidate the broken bones of their ,patients4 ,some 7as they have related to me7 have extracted thereout-of4 ,there is not therefore1 any place that does not contain some ,metal1 and especially and 4 ,thus ,friendly ,reader1 you see that there are in all parts of the ,earth1 such ,subjects1 as do contain1 if not fixt1 yet at least wise volatile ,gold2 insomuch that no body may on good ground1 complain that nature hath denyed him and 1 so he but knows how1 and be willing to extract it4 ,did ,germany but know those ,treasures which the ,earth contains1 and did use them aright2 certainly they need not give place to the power of any ,monarch4 ,but it seems as if ,god had cast a blindness upon men1 or at least keeps them blind1 even until the due time approacheth of helping those that are his4 ,i have here shewn the way for the ,country to get riches and power by2 but as concerning the way by which we may extract both the volatile and fixt ,gold out of ,stones1 ,sand1 and ,clay1 without any considerable labour costs1 according to this invention of mine2 ,i will shew it in my ,laboratory1 which by ,gods permission1 ,i have begun to erect for the sake of ,friends4 ,but whereas ,i have omitted some words in the description of this invention2 you are to know that it was done upon this account2 least otherwise such a noble ,artifice should fall into the hands of my enemies2 ,i will never be wanting to illustrate 7or explain7 such things as are somewhat more obscure1 unto my friends4 ,the main things are delivered clear enough1 to such as are in any measure skill'd in ,chymistry1 but the unskilful may not hope for any thing else 7thereby7 but labour in vain4 ,the thing in it self is easie1 and without rubs1 so as that any one who hath but once seen the way1 may understand it1 and manage it4 ,i could have exhibited the things ,i have delivered1 in a briefer stile1 but upon consideration of the common good ,i would not2 he that cannot from these things perceive and learn ought1 let him think that ,god is not willing to vouchsafe him the ,grace of understanding them4 ,and now1 if ,i had been minded to have exalted this work with mighty praises1 ,i should not have done unseemly at all1 for as much as this labour shines even in the dark1 and makes many doubtful things firm and clear4 ,for by the means of this labour1 we may get us1 not only abundance of and very easily1 but likewise most excellent medicaments1 and which are not to be accompted common2 nay1 even the off-drawn ,salt-petre it self1 is a most excellent medicine for all ,vegetables1 because it is capable of multiplying them abundantly1 in so much that he who is skilful in this kind of work and does not forbear from setting about it1 will never want any thing4 ,what greater things can a man desire from ,god1 than a sound ,body1 daily ,bread1 and as much as necessity requires8 now these gifts of ,god do abundantly flow in upon us by this labour2 if it were not for the wicked ,farnnerianists who are not worthy of any good thing1 and do contemn every thing that they understand not1 and 7so consequently7 restrain me from treating of these things1 with any longer and clearer discourse4 ,the whole world would be amazed to see the so exceedingly easie method of bettering of the ,metals1 and of making them perfect1 and which method but few there are that know4 ,but whatsoever we have omited here1 shall1 ,god willing1 be shortly delivered in my work of 1 where we will demonstrate by what means and may be extracted with exceeding profit out of vile 7or common ,lead1 so that we need not any other ,subject1 but ,lead and the ,salt of the ,earth or a ,mineral fire 7by whose help1 nature bringeth 7or advanceth7 all ,metals to maturity7 for the performing this work2 and hence the word ,alchymy 7which signifies nothing else but the melting of ,salt7 seems to have taken its original4 ,he therefore that knows how by the help of ,salt1 to make ,metals volatile1 and again fixt 7which is not to be done but by solution and coagulation7 such an one knows the true and unsophistcate ,alchimy1 and follows the universal exhortion of the ,philosophers1 where they say1 ,make the fixt ,volatile the ,volatile fixt1 ,dissolve ,coagulate1 c4 ,he that hath in any measure meddled with ,salt-petre1 easily perceives what my meaning here is1 and what ,i drive at4 ,he whom ,nitre obeys1 him do all things else obey4 ,i have determined 7by ,god's permission7 to erect a ,tryumphant ,chariot for ,nitre1 to set it thereupon1 as the greatest ,monarch of the ,word to exhibit it to the ignorant4 ,whereas now ,i had written down this most noble way of compendiously extracting volatile and fixt ,gold out of ,stones1 ,sands1 and ,earths1 and of farther augmenting other and thereby1 ,i found nothing pretermitted of what may any waies help to the profitably accomplishing the ,work1 save this1 viz4 ,whence such aureous ,subjects are to be taken1 out of which we may extract volatile and fixed ,sol2 or by what means they 7viz4 and 7 may be prepared by such like labour in great quantity4 ,to satisfie such as these ,i neither will1 nor can deferr it4 ,so then1 as touching the ,golden ,materials1 there hath been enough shewn already to prove that they are every where to be found1 and put case there were none to be found1 is there not a ,golden ,silver every where to be found1 and that ,silver may be separated from the ,gold1 be ,cemented1 and again made aureous1 as often as one shall please4 ,yea1 and ,gold may be profitably extracted out of a certain 7sort of7 ,tin1 especially the ,geyersbergick and so likewise out of some ,iron too4 ,now that such1 7viz4 ,gold7 may be made in great quantity we may dissolve the that sticks in ,stones1 with ,spirit of ,salt1 acuated with a little quantity of ,nitre2 for such a spirit will not be so costly as ,nitrous water is4 and besides this too1 it will 7after it hath been used in the said separation7 yield excellent ,salt-petre1 of full as much price and value as the ,spirit of ,salt it self was of4 ,so that by this means we may extract the without those costs 7too73 ,and this moist extraction may be excellently well performed in a ,vaporous ,balneo4 ,but if we seek after the dry way 7of doing it7 then the ,stones are to be mixt with ,salt and a fourth part of ,nitre1 and being mixt are to be made up into little balls by the help of some fat ,earth1 so as to stick together3 ,then are they to be dried in a peculiar ,furnace1 or else even in the open field1 with a ,fire of ,wood1 the which may be done in one hours time4 ,the ,cementation being made1 they are to be powdered1 and out of the powder is a ,lixivium to be extracted by the means of ,water1 and you shall have the permixt with the ,lixivium1 which is to be thence extracted by the help of the solution of 1 out of the ,lixivium may ,nitre be afterwards made4 ,and now by this means may a most easie and no ways costly operation at all1 be instituted with some hundreds weight4 ,sidenote3 99 ,mentioned in the ,second ,century4 ,but as concerning the melting and reduction of the which contains in it the which it caught1 it may easily be done1 but 'tis by the benefit of a peculiar99 ,tigil or ,pot1 the making of which is known only unto my self2 which said ,tigil or ,crucible lasts a long time1 and doth not at all let any thing of what is thereunto put1 run out1 because it has its cover made of the ,lute of ,wisdom4 ,but now again here may arise another doubt1 and it may be demanded1 how we may have so much ,spirit of ,salt for the moist way1 or so much ,salt and ,nitre for the dry way1 as is requisite to make this extraction of the ,metals4 ,salt-petre is chargeable1 and the ,spirit of ,salt will be difficultly gotten in such plenty2 and haply they will stand us in more than the ,gold thereby extracted would be worth8 ,to such ,i answer1 ,it is not so precisely necessary to buy ,salt-petre for this work1 seeing that the said dissolvent when it hath done what you would have it1 both in the dry and moist preparation1 may be again turned by the help of common ,salt and other mean ,subjects1 into excellent ,nitre3 so as we may thence have more ,nitre1 than it was afore4 ,and farther1 as concerning the ,spirit of ,salt it may be made in great plenty1 insomuch that 7by the benefit of one ,furnace7 there may be daily made #ej1 #fj1 #gj1 yea #ajj pounds thereof1 and out of every pound of ,salt may you extract a whole pound of rectified ,spirit of ,salt with the help of two or three pounds of ,coals3 ,so that1 that ,spirit will in a manner cost nothing at all save ,salt and ,coals1 which doth again after it hath been put to its appointed use1 yield more ,nitre than the ,salt and ,coals cost4 ,this operation therefore may be done without any costs as it were4 ,the things ,i here mention are true1 although ,i well know that scarce one of a hundred will believe what ,i say2 however ,i matter it not1 but it is sufficient to me that ,i know these things1 and can exhibit 7or demonstrate7 them to any ,friends4 ,albeit that this be a most easie ,labour and of no expences to extract volatile and fixt ,gold out of ,ores1 ,sand1 ,clay1 according to the prescribed rule2 yet ,i question not but that many men that are given to slothfulness will desire here1 a yet easier way1 whereby they may heap up a great deal of ,gold without any trouble at all4 ,to such as these1 ,i verily could shew an easier way of extracting out of the ,minerals without melting1 did ,i not count it wholly an unbeseeming thing1 to detect all these secrets both to ,friends and ,enemies alike without any distinction4 ,i will not be at all wanting to communicate my more secret way to those who deserve well1 thankfully acknowledge towards me and mine1 the benefit they have received4 ,but yet1 that the knack may be in some sort manifested1 and it may be somewhat known by what means and may be gotten even out of the ,ores and ,minerals themselves1 ,i will a little stretch out the thred of my discourse1 and will in some sort delineate the very work it self4 ,you are therefore to know1 that all those ,minerals which contain fluxile 7or unripe7 or volatile ,gold1 whether they be stony or not1 do for the most part contain in them some ,iron3 ,now then1 when a man would thence extract the by the ,spirit of ,salt1 it cannot be but that together therewith the ,iron would be dissolved too1 to the doing of which there is much spirit required3 ,and albeit you may make the said spirit most easily according to the way by me delivered1 yea and may besides1 by the addition of some even the most mean matter again make excellent ,nitre1 so as that the ,nitre thence extracted shall be of more value1 than the costs expended about the operation2 yet notwithstanding1 this business is not void of all kind of labour and trouble1 and it requires diligent men 7not drones7 of which sort there's more scarcity than plenty4 ,but now this which we treat of at present1 may a beardless ,country ,boy of about some #aj or #ab years old perform3 ,it requires but little ,fire1 and all the 7,metals7 may be extracted in great plenty4 ,which to do1 you must know that where the ,metals 7or ,ores7 are sulphureous1 that ,sulphur must be taken away by the force of the fire1 for else the ,spirit of ,salt leaves all untoucht4 ,,nb4 ,however it is your best way not to force away by the fires violence the ,sulphur out of the goldenish ,flints1 because that so1 there goes off part of the ,spiritual 3 but rather extract every such aureous ,sulphur with a strong ,lixivium made of fixt ,nitre1 and precipitate it with dissolved1 and so the aureous ,sulphur goes to the bottom1 and is to be edulcorated1 and 1 1 or is to be thereto added1 and so they will seize upon the volatile 7,gold7 and the is by the means of the ,lixivium made in some sort fixt1 and is to be separated by destilling of the 3 ,the edulcorating waters do again yield ,nitre4 ,so that the extraction requires no costs at all1 at leastwise but very little4 ,,nb4 ,when we have extracted the aureous ,sulphur 7by the help of fixt ,nitre1 or some other very strong ,lee of ,wood-ashes17 out of the ,flints1 and have precipitated it with the solution of the 1 and edulcorated it1 and sublimed it by a ,retort1 there is thence made an elegant 7or delicate7 ,cinnabar1 which by the addition of the filings of ,silver may be changed 7by ,cementation7 into fixt which is aureous1 by reason of the volatile 1 which was permixt with the ,sulphur4 ,whereas otherwise1 other ,cinnabar is by this way 7of proceeding7 wont to yield only 3 ,for the filings of the thereto added1 become volatile1 and vanish away into the ,air1 for the ,cinnabar hath extracted the soul thereout-of1 and hath by it made it self fixt2 so that there redounds no profit at all thence-from1 save only that the possibility of nature is laid open4 ,but now when the ,cinnabar of this place 7or mentioned in this place7 is mixed with fusile 1 edulcorated and precipitated with ,salt1 or with the ,calx of 1 either alone or else both mixt together 7viz4 the and 7 they do greedily betake themselves into each other1 and there ariseth thencefrom a black stone1 which being kept in an apt 7or suitable7 ,fire by degrees1 and that for a due time1 doth daily more and more acquire a fixity3 ,yet do ,i believe that it needs a long time1 to make it wholly fixt3 which thing seeing ,i have not as yet any experience of1 ,i will not here mention ought of certainty concerning it1 perhaps some particular ,tincture may thence be extracted1 because that the subjects which constitute it are excellent ones1 for as ,sulphur is said to be the ,father of all the ,metals1 so is called the ,mother4 ,what may not a burning ,sulphur not unlike the common ,mineral ,sulphur that is in all ,metals1 be extracted by ,art out of any ,vegetable8 which 7said ,sulphur7 ,i have implanted in mercurial subjects more than once1 and have fixed it in them2 yea and by the help thereof have so extracted natural ,gold thence-from4 ,verily it is to be wondred at1 that this science or skill hath been hitherto unknown to the ,inhabitants of the world1 and that no body hath commited the same to writing4 ,but indeed all men may cease to admire1 when they shall consider that the ,great and ,blessed ,god bestows his gifts1 and the knowledge of ,nature to such only as it ,pleaseth him1 viz4 to such as bear an humble1 and pious ,mind2 and contrariwise denyeth them to such as are impious and proud4 ,and here falls in a thing highly needfull to be known2 by him especially1 who would effect ought in ,chimistry with profit 7and that is this1 viz47 ,that there can be no bettering of the ,metals at all 7be it either in the universal or in a particular way7 but by the benefit of ,sulphur 7which is the father of all the ,metals7 this both in the moist and in the dry way4 7,,nb4 ,the ,spirits of ,salt1 of ,nitre1 ,vitriol and ,sulphur1 serve instead of a sulphur though a moist one1 and perform their office in the moist way47 ,if therefore all the ,metals were at first a ,sulphur 7for no ,metal is there wherein it may not be found1 and besides too1 it is known to be in all the ,vegetables7 by what means possibly can it be1 but that being by the help of a ,sulphur1 ,salt1 and apt ,fire1 reduced to fixity1 it 7viz4 any ,metal7 should yield good seeing that it 7viz4 ,gold7 is nothing else but a fixt pure ,sulphur4 ,but for as much as ,sulphur 7as being of the ,masculine kind7 cannot produce any ,metal alone1 but that there must necessarily be thereto adjoined1 7as being of the ,feminine kind72 every one is bound to seek after an apt or suitable 7as being the ,female7 for his ,sulphur 7as being the ,male7 and to join that to this ,sulphur1 and let these two celebrate their ,nuptials in ,hell1 where ,vulcan is ,president4 ,now then1 when the ,agent hath acted on the ,patient1 and perfected the operation1 whether by the moist or by the dry way1 it shews it self to be a pure product1 and so much the purer too1 by how much the ,agent and ,patient were more or less pure4 ,when we sow fruitful ,seed in a fat ,soil1 good ,fruits do thence-from proceed4 ,now then let ,sulphur be the seed there1 and the field it self1 yet so as that your ,sulphur 7or seed7 be pure1 and that the 7or ground7 have no ,tares in it2 but let it be duely endued 7or dungd7 with ,salt1 and so let it have the fruition of the solar beams1 and patiently wait for the thence proceeding fruits4 ,now if you meet with such a subject as hath both ,sulphur and already joined together by nature2 you are there only to begin the operation where nature left off1 and so by the help of ,fire and ,salt1 bring it unto its due perfection1 which nature was constrained nolens volens to leave imperfect1 by reason of the defect of ,salt and fire4 ,i could here present the ,student of ,hermetick medicine1 with such a foundation1 as out of which abundance of commodious conveniencies might be expected2 but the ingratitude of the men of this ,age1 prohibits the divulging such things4 ,therefore do ,i herein follow ,paracelsus1 who saith1 ,we could verily lay open most mighty ,arcana in a very few words1 if it seemed good unto ,god to grant unto all men the same 7equity of7 ,riches4 ,turn over and over his ,writings1 ,reader2 and thou wilt easily attain the foundation of the truth2 but especially1 view well such writings as he hath left us concerning ,sulphur and ,vitriol1 which we will here rehearse in this place 7because of the affinity of the matter7 for thy sake and benefit1 which writings of his if any one can make nothing of1 verily neither will he understand those things which we shall add4 ,and now are all things 7requisite7 sufficiently laid open to such1 to whom ,god vouchsafes his blessing2 and contrariwise1 the same will always remain hidden and unknown to the impious4 ,thus much ,i add 7viz47 ,that neither can any ,tincture be obtained without ,sulphur1 nor any ,sulphur fixt without ,salt2 both these now are found conjoined in ,vitriol1 from which the noxious superfluity is to be separated1 and the pure is to be made fixt4 ,now follow ,paracelsus his words1 concerning ,,sulphur and ,,vitriol4 ,i will present unto you1 as one well skill'd1 my experience in all respects concerning ,sulphur1 viz4 what is contained in ,sulphur1 both as to ,medicine and ,alchimy1 and to other things1 and unless ,god be against it and hinder1 the operations of ,sulphur are so stupendious and admirable1 that the natural ,light in man cannot enough admire them4 ,now if ,god himself doth not hinder1 then the defect is in the workmen1 that so handles the ,sulphur as that the operation answers not to the implanted ,virtue4 ,now seeing that every babling fellow is a ,physician1 and every prater an ,alchymist1 this is the cause why 7in plain ,terms7 the ,sciences 7of ,physick and ,chimistry7 cannot be brought to light4 ,this now is the ,foundation or ,basis1 viz4 ,that in ,sulphur are contained such great ,arcana and ,virtues relating to both ,faculties 7viz4 ,medicine and ,alchimy7 that no body can ever search them out sufficiently3 ,i say1 that there lies such excellent ,virtues hidden therein1 as may very deservedly cause in all ,men great admiration4 ,for after long experience gained in both ,faculties1 such are the ,virtues of ,sulphur found and known to be1 that there are not many other things that are either its superiour1 or which may therewithal compare in ,medicine and ,alchimy4 ,sulphur reproves ,aristotle1 when as he saith that the species of things cannot be changed3 ,for ,sulphur is transmuted2 did ,aristotle live now adays he would wholly be ashamed and blush4 ,thus far he1 as for the many more additions that he makes every one may read them in his ,works4 ,as concerning my self1 ,i say thus1 ,that nothing at all can be done in ,alchimy without ,sulphur or sulphureous ,salts2 like as without seed1 neither ,vegetable nor ,animal can2 as is clearly evident1 be possibly generated4 ,sulphur is instead of ,seed1 and ,mercury instead of a ,matrix3 ,but you must not think that ,i do here speak of common ,sulphur only1 and common ,mercury3 ,no6 ,i do comprise under them such as are far more excellent1 and this you are well to heed4 ,if now a metal be not sulphureous1 it must be brought to a due softness by the force of ,fire1 which is done thus1 viz4 ,making it red hot and quenching it some times in water4 ,but if so be it is already soft enough1 then bare powdering it is sufficient1 without so much as ever heating it red hot and quenching the same4 ,put this powder in ,pans of cast ,iron1 and that there may be the less waste of ,fire1 let it be encompassed with a wall or mured in a ,furnace2 fill them half full1 and pour thereupon 7whether it be ,metal or ,ore1 or ,sand1 ,stone1 or ,clay1 or golden ,mineral17 so much of the water which we shall by and by describe1 as the ,iron ,vessel can contain1 yet so that the said ,vessels want of being top full the breadth of #c or #d fingers1 least as you stirr it about some of it spil over4 ,this done1 put to an hundred pound weight of the ,metal or ,ore1 about one pound of an aureous1 silvery1 ,magnet4 ,then put ,fire under the ,pans or ,cauldrons1 and make the water boil1 continually stirring the matter contained in the ,iron ,pans1 with an ,iron ,spatula4 ,now forasmuch as this water is of such a quality as that it can neither dissolve nor 1 it leaves both the and 1 and by reason of the admixtion of the ,magnet1 it attracts only the ,iron or the ,copper4 ,when the water hath attracted as much or as it can1 it is to be drawn away1 and more new put on in the room thereof1 and you must proceed on to boiling as afore-mentioned1 and thus are you to reiterate this work1 until all the or shall be extracted out of the ,metal1 and nothing remain behind save a dead ,sand1 which may most easily be separated from the ,magnet1 by the pouring on of common ,water1 for the sand mixeth in self with it1 and the ,magnet remains pure in the bottom of the ,vessel1 which hath received into it self the and 3 ,this now and is again easily separated from the ,magnet1 which said ,magnet may be again used for such another work4 ,thus now1 one only person can by this means daily separate a great quantity of ,metal from the and it has in it2 all the artifice consisteth in the preparation of such a water as extracteth and out of the ,metals or ,ores3 ,and therefore must it be of such a nature1 as to dissolve neither nor 1 be nevertheless strong enough to dissolve and to separate them from the 3 ,for that the ,magnet cannot extract the out of the and unless they be afore dissolved4 ,but as touching the quality 7or composition7 of this water2 'tis no ways expedient to divulge it1 forasmuch as the whole business dependeth thereupon1 nor can any thing at all be effected without the knowledge thereof4 ,when now ,venus and ,mars1 or else ,venus alone1 or ,mars alone1 are extracted out of the stone 7or ore7 by the benefit of the said water1 the precipitation of them may be made by the addition of some contrary thing1 whereby it comes to pass1 that not only its sharpness is taken away but also excellent ,nitre may be thence prepared afterwards1 which is to be separated from the ,mars or ,venus3 ,the precipitated ,mars may be reduced with a strong fire1 and so it will be made fluxile1 and which easily melts in a ,crucible like ,venus1 and becomes malleable2 yea1 and of more worth than the best ,venus1 because it performs very many profitable things in ,alchimy1 which we forbear to speak of here1 for some certain reason4 ,he therefore that knows such a menstruum or dissolvent1 and which requires no costs to make it1 and yet notwithstanding doth very well dissolve ,mars and ,venus 7and leave the ,sol and ,luna73 ,such an one verily may in all places find plenty of ,mars and ,jupiter 7,venus ,i believe he means7 which contains plenty of both fixt and volatile ,sol and ,luna3 neither need he be much sollicitous about ,golden ,metals or ,ores4 ,forasmuch then as the whole ,artifice consisteth in the knowledge only of the water1 and in the manuals 7or contriving7 of the placing of the ,magnet1 and in the separating all the unprofitable matters from the and 2 he that does not know such a ,magnet and how to prepare such a dissolvent1 by whose help and may be concentrated1 and and be separated from them1 let him search hereafter even as ,i1 my self have done3 ,but if so be he cannot find out or invent either of them1 let him get from me what he desires to know1 and ,i will not omit to satisfy his request1 provided it may be done without my detriment and disquiet4 ,but now you must not think that therefore ,i will give answers to all such as trouble me with their tedious ,letters1 for my time permits not the doing of such matters4 ,there is yet another way by which we may expect profit out of such ,minerals as contain in them much if we deal with them on this wise4 ,let it be reduced with the strong blast of bellows1 and you shall find either a greater or lesser ,regulus in the bottom 7according to the muchness or lessness of the that the stone contains7 which ,regulus compriseth in it self the and which was in the ,mineral or ,ore1 if such an ,iron be malleable1 ,plates may be made of those ,regulusses1 with are to be dissolved 7in the ,cauldrons made of cast ,iron7 with that secret water1 out of which solution1 the may be extracted by the benefit of the ,magnet1 according to the afore-prescribed manner4 ,but if the said ,regulus be brittle1 and not malleable1 then may it be granulated3 ,nay1 it would not be much amiss to make large ,cauldrons and such like ,pots thereof by melting1 that may be of #b1 #c1 or #d ,fingers thickness4 ,nor must we suppose that what the said water dissolves of the ,cauldron and takes from it1 besides that which it receives from the ,plates or ,granulated ,iron put therein to dissolve1 is meerly lost3 ,no1 for even it doth in like manner exhibit its ,sol too2 so that by this means a most rich ,mine-pit may be made4 ,but some will say1 whence shall we have such ,minerals that yield 1 and that bring such great profit8 ,we have said before1 that such ,minerals or ,ores containing such ,iron1 are every where to be found3 ,nor can you light on any common which has not therein1 which may easily be extracted from thence1 and that with most great profit4 ,this now is known unto most 7,refiners7 that there is plenty of corporeal to be found in the ,iron that we commonly use which 7said corporeal 7 is far surmounted 7as to quantity7 by the volatile 2 but if a man would separate it thence by the help of fusion and the addition of 1 it requires too much costs1 and therefore men never attempted any other way of extracting it4 ,all ,germany affords this sort of ,iron 7that is thus endued with ,gold7 in a most plentiful manner1 ,i could shew very many places in which it may be found1 if some pregnant 7or notable7 causes did not prohibit me from so doing4 ,but that all men may know1 that ,i tell the very truth1 and do not like a vain man tell you of great ,treasures1 and that they are every where to be found in ,germany1 and yet notwithstanding by reason of their not being known are not of any use2 ,i will show some of them with my very ,fingers as it were1 which haply in respect of othersome that ,i know not of as yet1 will be but a very few1 and these very vile or poor1 too4 ,first of all then1 all the ,iron that is in the ,pine-bearing ,mountain and about it1 doth contain both fixt and volatile 2 and this ,i have often experienced some years since1 when ,i lived at ,kitzing in ,franconia1 and extracted thence from by the help of a melting ,fire excellent 3 ,for as then1 the manner of extracting from thence by waters only1 without any melting fire1 was to me unknown3 ,for at that time those most eminent ,men ,mr4 ,christopher ,herbst1 the chief ,physician of the ,prince of ,arsparch1 and ,mr4 ,adam ,renningen the said ,prince's ,lieutenant1 and chief of his ,house1 7or ,governour7 in the ,castle of ,blassenburg near ,culmbach1 presented me various kinds of minerals1 to try what was in them contained3 ,and amongst these ,iron ones ,i find all of them to be endued with ,gold1 which might be exceeding profitably extracted thence by the afore-disclosed moist way4 ,there were likewise given me such like conditioned stones and metals 7or ores7 which were found near ,bamberg1 of which we have said somewhat afore4 ,the truth of this thing is the more confirmed by the ,lord ,fleishman1 ,governour of the ,province of ,bamberg my singular ,friend1 who wrote unto me some few months since1 that an excellent ,gold-mine is found in the ,province of ,bamberg1 but yet that the ,gold thereof cannot at all be separated from the ,iron by the force of ,fire2 which volatility of ,sol ,i signified to him in my answer might most easily be amended4 ,now like as all the ,minerals and the ,iron it self which are found near the ,pine-bearing ,mountain1 are very much endued with ,gold1 so those which are found in ,misnia1 ,saxony1 ,thuringia1 and ,bohemia1 do abound with 3 both of which may be extracted thence by the way by me delivered1 with very great profit4 ,i know by good experience that in the ,hungarian and ,mine-pits much volatile ,gold and ,silver is forced away into the ,air through meer ignorance4 ,certain ,i am1 that the ,metals 7or ,ores7 throughout all ,carinthia and ,styria do possess much volatile and fixt ,gold2 especially the ,iron ,metal 7or ,ore73 ,for ,i have many a time made experiments of that thing4 ,moreover1 the ,hircinian ,wood1 ,brunswick1 and ,hassia yield such kind of ,minerals4 ,nor is ,suevia destitute of such ,iron as is impregnate with 2 and amongst other things ,i think good to declare1 that some few months since1 a certain ,basilian ,ruler sent me a potion of such kind of ,iron2 withal relating1 that the lesser experiment did there yield ten ,crowns of ,gold1 and that an hundred weight was of this ,iron sold for nine ,florins price4 ,which ,iron when ,i had tried by the help of a fusing or melting ,fire ,i got a sufficiently great quantity of 1 but in proceeding by my moist way1 ,i got twice or thrice as much4 ,such kinds of stones as these are found in plenty throughout all ,germany1 to which may be reckoned the red and black ,talk1 the ,irony ,talk1 black and red ,granates1 ,smiris1 ,hmatites1 and the like1 which always are endued with 1 if not with fixt1 yet with volatile ,gold4 ,so that now it is manifestly apparent1 that in those places where is digged1 all the stones are repleat with volatile ,gold at least1 if not with fixt too3 like as all the ,iron that is digged in ,spain doth of a certainty besides volatile ,gold contain also corporeal ,gold4 ,nay more1 there are not only found such stones that have ,gold in them in those hotter places1 but also in most cold places too1 witness ,norway2 where you may meet with whole ,mountains consisting of ,iron1 ,talk1 and ,granates2 out of which there has not hitherto been any gotten by the help of a melting fire with any profit2 though ,i my self have found 1 in the lesser experiments4 ,last year ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 brought me various ,ores out of the ,county of ,eysfeldein1 that ,i might try what they contained4 ,amongst others1 there were some little grains of ,iron round like a ,pease1 though somewhat lesser1 thus generated in the ,earth naturally3 ,this ,earth as ,i was informed1 is altogether black1 one handful of which contains #aj1 #ae1 #bj ,grains3 wherefore it is not improbable that all the ,earth of that place is repleat with ,iron2 these little ,grains are so very tractable1 as that they may be made into ,plates with an ,hammer1 and contain much ,gold4 ,such a kind as this of black ,iron grains 7yet not so round or tractable as those but now spoken of7 were brought me from ,saxony1 which are endued with plenty of ,gold1 but volatile2 they are easily pulverisable1 and 7as was related to me7 are to be found near the ,mountain which the ,germans call ,geyersberg1 where also is gathered a ,tin stone1 which doth also contain ,gold1 such as ,misnia yields more plentifully4 ,out of #ajj weight of this ,tin1 ,i found that #aj or #ab ,crowns of ,gold might indeed be extracted2 but this work requires such costs as far exceed the price of that which is extracted3 and therefore they sell off the ,tin1 just as 'tis digged out1 to avoid the expence of extracting the 4 ,that which is gathered in the said ,mountain1 ,i have often tried1 nor did ,i ever find it destitute of 1 the which may be very well extracted by my moist separation4 ,the ,stabelein ,abbot presented me with such like ,iron stones and several others that had ,gold in them1 together with diverse ,minerals1 some #ah months ago1 some of which were gathered in ,westphalia1 some in the ,province ,luttinge1 in that part that is under the ,government of the ,elector of ,cologne1 ,p4 ,m4 ,the ,prince himself having a mind to see by what means ,i would extract the volatile ,gold out of them1 came unto me1 but he died in his ,journey homewards2 since that ,i have not received any more of such like aureous ,metals 7or ,ores47 ,amongst other 7,ores7 ,i knew an ,iron ,metal 7or ,ore7 found in ,westphalia1 the half whereof was very aureous1 but of no use1 because the ,metal-men were ignorant of the way of separating those ,metals from one another2 whereas notwithstanding both the pure ,copper1 and the it self may be most easily separated from the ,iron according to the way by me delivered4 ,there were also a while ago several ,iron stones brought me by the ,cologne ,merchants1 and especially ,mr4 ,peter ,sevet 7,p4 ,m47 which are found in plenty in the ,mountains1 and do abound with much 3 ,besides this too1 all the ,mountains of ,germany1 do yield a yellow ,earth1 endued with ,iron and 3 of which kind a certain ,physician of ,erfurt sent me some1 which 7as he related to me7 at ,eysfeldt near ,erfurt towards the ,province of ,moguntia is plenty thereof4 ,such an ,earth containing silver1 ,i my self found here in the bordering places 'twixt ,arnheim and ,embrick1 but not of such worth as that of ,eysfeldt is4 ,who knows but that that same place which we call ,velaw hides in it vast ,treasures4 ,for ,i have found near ,amheim a white ,clay and ,earth out of which ,i extracted some 3 ,yea and ,i found there too1 true ,veins of ,iron1 which whether or no they contain and ,i cannot tell3 ,for ,i never proved them1 but the first opportunity ,i have ,i intend 7,god willing7 to make an ,essay4 ,thus 'tis evident that there is not at all wanting unto us the matter of effecting some good and profitable thing by1 but the love of idleness is the reason why we neglect abundance of sufficiently obvious ,treasures4 ,the ,earth nourisheth men of diverse natures2 for some of them are altogether slothful1 sluggish1 and extraordinarily backward to labour1 and yet nevertheless get fat bodies enough3 ,on the other hand1 there are some who are very diligent1 do too much consume themselves1 and concerning whom 7being like unto a burning ,candle7 they may say thus of themselves1 by serving others1 am ,i consumed4 ,and as much benefit as the ,candle gets by affording a light unto others and by consuming it self2 so much doth there redound1 especially from ungrateful men1 to a diligent man who by serving others wasts and consumes himself4 ,these and such like most abject ,subjects are plentifully enough to be found in all parts of the ,world where ,mountains are1 and out of them may you extract and by the help of my nitrous ,water1 were but the way of doing it known1 which way hath been hitherto reserved amongst ,arcana by reason of mens extream ingratitude4 ,and ,i pray is it not altogether useful and expedient that we should gather such ,treasures1 and make use of them to ,gods ,honour1 and to the defence of ,kingdoms and ,mankind8 ,is there not sufficient store of idle fellows1 whom it would be very expedient either to invite to labour or 7if they shun work7 to banish them the ,kingdom8 ,i believe that this blindness will hardly leave men afore they are reduced to straits1 but beware least you hap to begin to grow wise too late4 ,this work1 like as is every other perfection of ,metals is done by ,sympathy and ,antipathy3 ,for that1 dissolvent which drives off and from it self1 by ,antipathy1 all this doth a mercurial ,magnet greedily attract by ,sympathy1 seeing it thus1 that viz4 as like loves like1 and draws it to it self2 so one contrary hates another contrary1 and drives it away4 ,two contraries do always produce a third thing4 ,where the ,agent acts upon the patient1 and that this patient is even enforced to suffer against its will1 and cannot by any means shun the force of the ,agent1 there must of necessity arise some better product from them4 ,when water is added to water1 neither of them suffer1 because they are both of them of the same nature3 ,but when fire and water are joined together1 the weaker is the sufferer1 and from them doth a third thing proceed4 ,the stinking and volatile ,sulphur is the enemy of 1 and common ,salt1 of 2 and by how much these have more stench the one1 and sharpness the other1 so much the greater is the hostility they shew4 ,the greatest matters are performed by love and hatred2 such things as are friendly beget a chearfulness1 joy1 and vivacity3 ,whereas1 on the other hand1 the things that we abhor beget a teadious wearisomeness1 grief and death3 therefore the more acceptable a thing is1 the more it brings of life2 the less acceptable the more of dolour doth it bring4 ,all the perfection therefore of the baser metals consisteth only in ,antipathy and ,sympathy3 ,and if once we do but rightly know the nature of metals1 all things are easily accomplished4 ,it is storied of a certain ,philosopher in ,italy1 ,that he had committed some evil deed1 for the which he was accused1 apprehended1 and cast into prison1 being here shut up1 he could not be brought1 neither by entreaties1 nor by threats2 no1 nor by any means to confess his fact2 but at last they put into his company a man of no sobriety or modesty at all1 who did so grieviously exasperate him with his words1 that the said ,philosopher could not brook it1 and so rather chose death2 for he affirmed1 that the mind of man was far more noble1 than to be plagued by such a tag-rag1 with reproachful contumelies4 ,even just so is it with ,metals1 by how much the nobler and purer they are1 so much the less will they commix themselves with impure things4 ,gold the purest of the ,metals cannot be knit with stinking impure and common ,sulphur2 for there is an antipathy betwixt them4 ,salt alone is endued with those virtues as to be able to reduce contrary natures into agreement1 and to commix them2 and being commixt1 the fixt is able to make the unfixt ,sulphur1 like unto it self in respect of fixity1 whereas otherwise they always persecute each other with hatred4 ,sol cannot suffer any thing until it has gotten the nature of a ,salt1 and then may it be tormented 7as it were7 by the impure ,sulphur1 and be changed into better4 ,when the ,soul of the imperfect ,metals 7which is a spiritual 7 is to be forcibly pluckt1 and severed from its body1 it cannot possibly be done without the dolour or pain of the ,patient2 for where the pure and spirituous goldenish substance that dwelleth in the corruptible bodies1 is to be made ,corporeal1 and consequently assume a more noble form1 the first form must necessarily be annihilated1 that so the hidden tender body may come forth to light and be seen4 ,and this verily is done by another kind of way than the common and already known2 by which 7said common way7 the ,metals are separated by ,aqua-fortis from one another1 and are afterwards ,molten4 ,for if any one should make one ,metalline ,mass of 1 1 1 1 and 1 by melting1 and then would again separate them1 by the help of common ,aqua-fortis1 he would effect nothing2 for the ,aqua-fortis would dissolve only and and part of and 1 and leave the remainder with the undissolved2 or if he should pour on ,aqua-regia1 there would be only and 1 together with some part of and dissolved1 and that which remains of the and 7undissolved7 would be left behind with the 1 and so there would not be made any good separation4 ,but if so be that any one has a mind to attempt this thing on this wise1 and should say1 ,i will dissolve 1 1 or 1 by the help of ,aqua-fortis1 or as much of it as possibly ,i can1 for so the that is in the mixture must needs be dissolved4 ,now then when its dissolved ,i will precipitate it 7viz4 the out of the solution1 by salt water 7if it be so yet72 the therefore remains1 which could not be dissolved by the ,aqua-fortis2 or1 if ,i should dissolve the ,metal 7or mixture17 by ,aquaregia1 then the is dissolved1 7but not the 71 and so ,i can precipitate the out of the solution1 by a ,lixivium1 and edulcorate it1 and melt it1 and so by this means may ,i get it4 ,well 7let me tell you7 that neither will this way fadge1 for these ,metals1 and especially and are too terrestrial1 and admit not of such a separation1 though there should be in the aforesaid ,metals1 abundance of ,corporeal and 1 whereas notwithstanding the greatest part is fluxile1 and must be again made fixt and corporeal by solution2 for in this work the already pure and fixt and may be altered1 so as that a ,mercurial magnet cannot be able to assume them4 ,as for example1 ,take you a ,metal1 as 1 1 or 1 which 7as is well known7 there is ,corporeal 4 ,dissolve this in ,aqua-regia1 and precipitate the by a ,lixivium of fixt ,salt2 boil this precipitate with 1 and see if that precipitated will pass into the 2 you'll find not1 for this hath gotten a ,crust 7as it were7 in its precipitation by the ,lixivium2 that is1 it is environed with a saline ,terrestreity1 in so much that the cannot attract the 4 ,neither likewise can attract or assume such a silvery ,calx as is precipitated out of the solution with salt water1 and that by reason of the terrestreity alone1 which adheres thereunto by means of the precipitation1 by which it is altered and deprived of a pure ,metallick form4 ,the truth hereof may you easily experiment1 on this wise4 ,dissolve a particle of pure in ,aqua-fortis1 and dissolve the same quantity of pure in ,aqua-regia1 precipitate the with salt water1 and the with a ,lixivium1 so as that the be precipitated into a white1 and the into a yellow ,calx2 edulcorate both ,calxes apart after the best way that possibly you can1 with hot water many times1 so long till the edulcorating water be wholly sweet1 then weigh these dryed ,calxes1 and you shall see that the and you took1 are one fourth part heavier than before the solution of them2 and this is to be ascribed to the ,salts only1 that have adjoined themselves to the ,metal in the precipitation1 and cannot be thence seperated by edulcoration2 and therefore such a silvery ,calx yields not 7when molten17 a pure ,lunar body1 but a certain ,ashy coloured ,mass1 fluxile and volatile1 by reason of the ,salts2 and this ,calx is not changed 7or swallowed up7 into the neithar before nor after its being molten1 nor 7after its melting17 can it ever be dissolved by ,aqua-fortis or ,aqua-regia1 which alteration proceeds meerly from the ,salts that have adjoined themselves thereto in the precipitation4 ,even just so is it with such a golden ,calx1 which being separated by precipitation out of the ,aqua-regia with a ,lixivium1 will not have ingress into 1 by reason of the impurities that accompany it2 and therefore this golden ,calx 7when it is made hot7 kindles1 and vehemently operateth upon it self1 and this is meerly from the ,salts4 ,from hence it is clearly evident that the ,calx of precipitated by ,salt1 and the ,calx of by a ,lixivium1 have not any communion with 1 how then can such a ,calx1 which is 7now7 at first forced out from many terrestrial parts1 and imperfect ,metals1 and separated from them1 have a greater communion therewithal1 have ingress thereinto1 and conjoin it self therewith by digesting4 ,other wayes therefore must be taken1 by which you may extract the volatile and fixt ,gold1 that lies hidden in 1 1 1 or 3 ,now many there be who do in vain search into those things which they know not the nature of1 and so walk in darkness like one that hath already fallen into a ,pit4 ,but if you come to know such a menstruum or dissolvent1 which is an enemy to or 1 and yet nevertheless doth plainly dissolve 1 1 1 and 1 then the spiritual that lies hidden1 will manifestly appear corporeally and visibly1 and will pass into the ,mercurial ,magnet4 ,besides1 this dissolvent must likewise be of such a nature1 as that 7when in the solution or digestion of the imperfect metals1 it makes the spiritual and volatile ,gold corporeal1 and casts it off from it 7as ,i may say7 by antipathy in the form of a powder7 this powder may not be environed with any crustiness as abovesaid1 but that both the ,calx of and of may have their natural metallick splendor1 whereto the may adhere1 and may attract unto it self whatsoever the dissolvent separates by the continual digestion4 ,farther1 this ,dissolvent must be of such a nature as not to be so sharp as to dissolve the for then the work would not succeed2 indeed it is scarcely necessary to make use of the 1 to receive into it the spiritual and fixt ,gold which is separated in the digestion fixation and separation of the ,volatile of the ,metals2 for when it is once evacuated it will never again occupy 7or seize upon7 its impure body2 yet notwithstanding this chiefly is done for this reason1 viz4 that the spiritual in the imperfect metals may be the more willingly made ,corporeal1 when it finds a fitting subject wherein it may lie hidden and rest4 ,besides too1 this spirituall and of the ,metals1 is indued with such virtues1 as that it tingeth some part of the into and 1 when it hath thereinto entred1 whereby it yields the more profit4 ,thus much likewise are ye to know1 that this labour does not only proceed in the moist way1 but also in the dry2 but yet far easier in the moist than in the dry way2 yet in the 7dry way7 a greater profit is gotten in a shorter time4 ,for like as to one measure of ,milk are required #a1 #b1 #c or #d spoonfuls of ,salt1 that so the ,cheese 7or ,curd7 may be separated from the water 7or whey71 but there needs not the quantity of one spoonful of the ,spirit1 which is much stronger than the bare ,salt3 ,even so stands the case with ,metalline operations2 for by how much the greater and more powerful the ,agent or ,contrary is1 so much the sooner and stronger doth it perfect its operations4 ,hence it is1 that where the ,agent must be yet more strongly active 7as in the dry way1 it must of necessity be where the strong fire adds virtue and vigour to the ,agent7 it being consequently more contrary 7or powerful7 the separation is sooner perfected4 ,for example1 ,let us see how it is with ,milk1 where #aj or #bj drops of ,spirit of ,salt separate some cold ,milk1 there will need but half the quantity only when the ,milk is boil'd or otherwise heated2 even so is it with our ,agent1 whereby we make the ,volatile ,gold in the more vile or meaner ,metals1 corporeal and visible2 it operates far more strongly in the dry way1 than in the moist way2 for in the dry way1 the external fire aideth our fire1 and hereupon finisheth its operation so much the sooner2 but in the dry way must another ,magnet be made use of4 ,thus much let suffice touching the particular washing or external purgation of the viler ,metals2 as concerning the internal1 central1 universal washing1 by which the interiour ,soul of and is extracted for the ,tincture1 ,i do not as yet 7certain7 know any thing thereof1 nor desire ,i to know such abstruse and hidden things3 content ,i am with such things as ,god of his meer grace hath bestowed upon unworthy me1 and if ,god shall so please1 so far to profit mankind either by mine or any others help1 he will also present an occasion of laying hold thereon 7viz4 on the ,tincture7 for all good things come from ,god4 ,now in this action 7or operation7 is required an ocular inspection1 such great things cannot be understood by ,books or ,writings1 and he that desires to excel in these 7operations7 let him take it in good part1 that 7,i say7 he ought frequently to here me as a master1 and to see me labouring about these things1 which otherwise he will never learn1 for the common ,alchymists are plainly ignorant of this work2 yea the ,ancient ,philosophers did hide it as a secret1 the most they could1 that so it might not be trodden under foot by ,swine4 ,but whereas ,i do so clearly set down these things1 otherwise than ever any before hath done1 the consideration of the time 7or age7 requires it1 and best of all known it is to ,god1 why he now delivers these things to be divulged4 ,forasmuch as mention hath been made in the aforegoing treatise of ,spiritual 1 which might be extracted1 together with the corporeal1 and some or other would perhaps very willingly know what is to be understood by the name of spiritual 2 ,i think it not much amiss a little more largely to explain these things for the sake of the ,ignorant4 ,every ,spiritual thing is invisible1 and void of a palpable body2 but now if a body be given thereunto1 in which that spirit may be made corporeal and visible1 then the spirit is not any more a spirit1 but is changed into a body2 if therefore the ,spirits are good1 they do likewise make good ,bodies1 and so on the contrary4 ,for all the ,philosophers tell us1 that the ,spirit or ,soul in ,iron and ,copper is more noble than in it self1 because the body which it dwells in is gross1 terrestrial1 and impure4 ,the case then standing thus1 it is no wonder that if these spirits are separated by art and force1 and expelled from such grose bodies1 and joined to other purer subjects1 they then produce some good thing4 ,would not the other ,beasts reverence the ,ass clad in a ,lions skin1 as if he were their ,king1 and this mearly by reason of his skin2 though inwardly he were an ,ass8 ,if so be any man be but cloathed in silken rayment1 and go gawdily2 do not every body put off their hats to him1 and honour him1 though inwardly he haply is a thief or a knave2 and so on the contrary1 if a most honest and most learned man go in tattered apparel1 or at least in mean rayment1 is he not rejected1 and despised by all4 ,from hence it sufficiently appears how sinisterly the common people judge of all things1 and neglect the inside1 and only look to the outside shew4 ',tis the external ,shape1 according as tis good or bad1 that makes a man esteemed by the vulgar either good or bad1 contemptible or honourable1 though his nature 7or education7 possesseth other properties4 ,the like is to be understood1 concerning the contemptible ,metals1 ,mars and ,venus1 which according to the report of all the ,philosophers have more ,tincture in them than ,sol it self hath2 but yet by reason of the grossness of their bodies are they rejected3 now therefore1 by how much better the means or way is by which this noble ,spirit is extracted1 and added to the pure bodies1 so much the better is the product4 ,when therefore the gross bodies of and are artificially broken1 and the spirit dissolved1 and thence forced out1 it seeks it self another body wherein it may dwell and be at rest4 ,therefore when we do by art disturb 7as ,i may say7 the gross bodies of ,mars1 ,venus1 ,jupiter1 or ,saturn1 and dissolve the pure ,soul1 and expel it by antipathy1 out of its impure houses1 and contemptible garments1 and set before it a pure 1 it possesseth it1 and so assumeth another nobler body than it had before1 and which then is and 1 according as 'tis managed4 ,this is my opinion1 and after the same manner is the thing to be understood concerning ,spiritual ,gold4 ,but what business have we here with the ,spiritual of ,metals8 ,let us be content with the ,corporeal1 and leave the ,spiritual to the ,philosophers1 to make the ,tincture with4 ,but forasmuch as upon the occasion of my teaching the means of extracting ,corporeal 1 ,i could not leave the speaking of the ,spiritual wholly untoucht1 ,i made also some kind of mention of the same2 and it will be beneficial to some or other1 who till they do understand my meaning1 may be content with the ,corporeal 4 ,but such as have open and attentive ,ears to consider what my drift is in this discourse1 my doctrine will be more profitable unto them1 than either ,sol or ,luna4 ,there is yet one thing more to be added4 ,in some places they are wont to reduce the ,sol and ,luna into a powder with 1 that so the ,corporeal and may be separated and extracted from the ,stone 7or ,ore72 and this is no new or unheard of thing4 ,but this is more rare 7or seldomer used73 a ,metal which hath not as yet arrived to his due maturity but is as yet conjoined with his first ens1 and consequently it flies away in the melting1 and neither yields nor 1 when it 7viz4 such a ,metal7 is commixt with salt and vinegar1 and let lie to act upon each other for some days1 it comes to pass that the ,mercury attracts the immature1 ,spiritual and 1 and makes it corporeal and fixt1 so as it may thenceforward be molten4 ,if then the ,spiritual and doth so easily enter into the 1 and make it ,corporeal1 it is yet much more facile to be done by my way1 which is effected by the help of more strong 7or powerful7 instruments1 than by bare only1 and ,salt and vinegar1 with which they mix the ,metal with the 1 nor can they possibly do so much as my secret menstruum which penetrateth all things4 ,when now the ,matter1 together with the ,salt and ,vinegar is duly separated from the by the help of fair water1 they pass the ,mercury through a skin of ,leather1 which is again serviceable for the same uses2 but that of it which adheres to the 1 is thence separated in an ,iron ,retort1 then is tried the weight of that which is separated1 and as much as there wanteth of the weight of the 1 so much of do they receive in its stead1 which is a thing well worthy thenoting1 and deserves a farther inquiry1 and is not here set down in vain4 ,let not any one despise these few things which ,i have here adjoined1 for they comprise in them most great mysteries2 yea and greater than most will believe4 ,neither let any one imagine that ,i will presently communicate this most noble ,secret 7which clearly shines in the dark7 to every stranger2 no1 no such matter2 ,i will 7,god permitting7 shew these things to my honest friends1 that so it may not perish together with me2 but however ,i will well think on that much used ,proverb1 ,fide1 sed cui vide2 ,trust1 but see whom you trust4 ,the ,farnnerianists have given me this document2 many there have been who have come unto me and declared the miserable state they were in1 that what by the ,wars1 and by other misfortunes1 they have lost their ,goods1 and have begged me for the love of ,god1 to succour them1 by communicating to them some operation1 whereby they might sustain their lives1 promising that they would requite this kindness by their earnest prayers unto ,god in my behalf4 ,these and such like words have sometimes moved me that ,i have given some secret to one or other1 and have bestowed on them an overplus too2 yet ,i obliged some of them1 that they should convert it solely to their own use1 and not communicate it to others without my privity1 which thing they promised largely enough4 ,but as soon as they have been gone from me1 they have presently sold those secrets of mine to others1 and which is more1 to my ,enemies4 ,now when by reason of their ignorance1 they did not know how to institute the operation aright1 they falsely affirmed1 that they bought this ,art of me at a price1 and that they have been cheated2 whereas they well know1 that it was pure affection induced me to bestow these things upon them without any reward4 ,these and such other like 7or ,gift-hinderers7 have deterred me from communicating any thing to others for the future2 and this ,i would have every one to consider1 and not trouble me with either ,letters or ,visits4 ,yet nevertheless ,i will communicate store of my secrets unto my ,friends1 that so they may not clearly perish with me1 nor be thrown to my ,enemies1 and swinish men4 ,i have done as much as in me lay1 nor will ,i omit to do more where ,i shall see a grateful mind2 in the next place ,i will 7for the service of my ,friends7 treat about and shew in the fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 the ,secrets of ,saturn1 by what means any one that is but a little versed in managing the fire1 may seek 7or make7 some ,country fellows1 his tributaries1 who may pay him an appointed tribute every week1 after the ,example of ,kings and ,princes1 who bestow upon their faithful servants 7that deserve well of the ,country by their valour against the ,enemies7 ,kingly gifts as whole ,cityes1 ,towns1 ,villages1 and many ,subjects as an inheritance1 of whom they may afterwards receive ,tribute and live very abundantly or plentifully4 ,now by how much the more ,country-men there are that be ,subject to a noble man1 so much the richer is he supposed to be1 for they pay the more tribute4 ,and the more ,ploughs the ,country-man hath a going1 the greater is the tribute he pays his ,lord1 which thing the governance of ,states or ,common-weals induceth1 as being a just thing4 ,now after the same manner as these things are in use in political governments1 are they also in ,alchimy1 for it doth likewise when we have for some time faithfully served under her1 bestow on us tributary ,country men 7as 'twere7 by way of recompence1 from whence we may have ,food and ,rayment4 ,the more ,fields and ,ploughs that we give to these country-folks1 the more ,tribute do they pay4 ,neither do these forsake their ,masters1 for they are shut up in a stall1 and when their bellies are filled with ,coals1 and that they are safe from the ,rain 7or ,weather7 they are contented1 and do perform the businesses that are imposed upon them4 ,by how many more the ,ploughs are which we give unto them 7though one ,country-man can hardly manage above two or three1 so much the more do they give4 ,such ,country-men as these doth the true ,alchimy distribute amongst her ,servants1 whereby they may thenceforward lead a quiet ,life4 ,if ,god shall vouchsaft me life and leisure yet a while longer1 ,i have purposed with my self to bring most mighty benefits unto my ,country4 ,in the mean while1 let these things be accepted in good part1 ,those same tributary ,country-men may be shewn my ,friends1 together with sundry other profitable ,inventions1 in my laboratory4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,,germany4 ,in which are revealed many excellent1 usefull ,secrets1 and such as are serviceable to the ,country3 and withall1 several ,preparations of efficacious ,cates extracted out of the ,metals1 and appointed to ,physical uses2 as also various ,confections of ,golden ,potions4 ,to which is also adjoyned a small ,treatise1 which maketh mention of my ,laboratory2 in the which there shall be taught and demonstrated 7for the publick good and benefit of ,mankind7 wonderfull ,secrets1 and unto every body most profitable1 but hitherto unknown4 ,the ,,preface to the ,friendly ,,reader4 ,although ,i promised1 above a year ago1 in the ,preface to that ,book which ,i published of the ,nature of ,salts1 that 7besides ,salt7 ,i would likewise adjoyn some ,broth and sugared ,sawces and ,seasonings to the other ,meats disht out upon the ,table3 yet notwithstanding such as are searchers after good ,arts1 would not in any case allow me so much time as to prepare those ,sawces2 and being prepared1 to dish them forth upon the ,table3 but earnestly requested this boon onely1 viz4 that ,i would not forget to furnish the said ,table with ,cheese and ,butter4 ,the satisfying of whose request1 ,i confess my self very ready to yield unto1 nor doe ,i find any other obstacle1 save onely the scantness of time1 which ,i am constrained to imploy about other affairs more necessary4 ,but however1 seeing it is esteemed a very praise-worthy action in a ,man1 by diffusing his kindnesses in many places to benefit many1 ,i have deemed it a thing well worth while1 to adjoyn 7setting aside other things7 unto the afore-disht-out ,meats those promised ,sawces1 with ,butter and ,cheese1 in to boot2 but yet1 with as much brevity as conveniently may be4 ,had a longer space of time been permitted me1 ,i would have clarified the ,sugar better1 and made the ,sawces more savory1 which the hasty posting away of time hath hindered the performance of4 ,besides1 forasmuch as ,i have promised a ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 together with a disclosing of excellent metallick ,medicines1 it hath seemed good unto me 7for the fulfilling of my promise7 to publish these my most efficacious ,sawces under the ,title of the ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany2 and the rather1 because ,i have not time sufficient for the description and detection of other ,secrets4 ,now by how much the viler and more contemptible cloathing these present ,arcana's do come abroad in1 so much the greater and more noble virtues do they hide under their sordid or despicable rayment4 ,i was of the mind1 ,i confess1 to have kept yet longer by me this ,fourth ,part1 that so 7being sent abroad to publick view in a more convenient season1 it mought have been more adorned with ,secrets of greater moment afore its being exhibited to every ones view4 ,and amongst those ,secrets1 one eminent one1 is the ,concentration of ,gold and ,silver1 and their reduction into such a form and figure1 as that it cannot at all be known by our ,enemies 7who sometimes rush in upon us unlookt for71 7which sore affliction ,god 7of his mercy7 keep us from47 ,and so by this means may it come to pass1 that such kind of ,bodies being thus hidden under an unknown ,garment1 will not be robb'd and taken away4 ,and whereas ,i have demonstrated in the foregoing ,third ,part1 by what means great ,treasures of ,gold and ,silver may easily be gotten in all places throughout all ,germany1 by the help of my ,inventions2 ,i made no question1 7nor indeed can it otherwise be7 but that such as are diligent ,house-holders will listen unto my sayings1 and put in practise many of those things1 especially seeing ,i will both counsel and assist them1 as much as in me lyes4 ,if now the searching after so great ,treasures be not too securely and negligently handled1 it will undoubtedly come to pass1 that our ,country will 7by such a notable ,medium1 and such great ,treasure7 be rendred even wholly invincible4 ,history maketh mention1 that the gyptians 7by their skill in the ,meliorating of ,metals7 enjoyed such vast riches1 and so great a power1 as that they cast from off their necks the ,yoak of the ,roman ,monarchy1 even untill that time in which their ,books comprising the ,art were burnt by the ,emperour ,dioclesian1 whereby they were enforced to be subject to the ,empire of ,rome4 ,for the most noble ,art of ,printing ,books was in those days unknown1 and their ,sciences were wont to be written in ,parchment with great labour and much cost2 and undoubtedly they were not throughly stored with such kind of ,books1 whereby the ,romans did the easilier get them into their hands and burn them4 ,now when once a ,writing is committed to the ,press1 it may be printed off in an almost-infinite ,number1 for a ,printer will doe more in one day1 than a vast multitude of ,scribes would be able to write4 ,and being it is so1 who could possibly be able to scrape together out of all the places of a whole ,country such a multitude of ,books1 thereby to root them out in these our times1 and by burning annihilate them1 as the ,romans did4 ,this one thing ,i here say1 viz4 ,did ,i but know and find that those things which ,i have hitherto published1 would not onely be acceptable1 but be also put in use and practise1 it would be as a spur unto me to stir me up to adjoyn to what is already done1 more and greater ,secrets4 ,meanwhile let what is at present offered be well accepted1 and what is promised1 be patiently expected4 ,of the word ,sawce1 and what is meant thereby4 ,i have obliged my self by promise1 to adjoyn unto those my ,meats which ,i have hitherto disht out upon the ,table1 some good ,sawce and ,pickle2 which ,meats1 seeing they appertain not unto the plain common ways1 but belong to a very excellent ,skill or ,science2 it is altogether needfull1 that the ,sawces be correspondent thereunto1 and that even they as well as the meats themselves1 be by reason of their savouriness1 gratefull unto the ,palate4 ,now therefore as in the ,feasts of great men1 the ,pickles are not set on the ,table afore the ,guests have fill'd themselves with ,flesh and ,fish1 and so allayed their hunger1 but are set afore them 7afterwards7 as so many ,vehicles to drill down the ,wine with the greater delectation1 for such ,pickles do for the most part communicate a sweeter 7or toothsomer7 tast to all kind of ,fruits1 ,seeds1 and ,spices1 and ,sugar3 ,so likewise must ,i1 in the making and dishing out such ,sawces for this ,feast of mine1 mind onely this business1 viz4 to take care of providing my self of the best ,sugar1 and choice ,spices2 and these are extractable onely out of the ,metals2 ,saturn affording ,sugar1 and ,sol and ,lune yielding most sweet ,spiceiness4 ,but afore ,i dish out my ,pickles1 ,i have thought good to set afore them a sweet ,broth or ,seasoning1 together with ,butter and ,cheese1 that haply one or other of my ,guests are minded to dip a piece of ,roast-meat therein1 or else to tast of my ,butter and ,cheese1 whereby they may with the greater delight tast the sweetness of the following ,sawces4 ,and although ,i was minded to exhibit in this place some excellent and efficacious ,metallick ,sawces3 yet notwithstanding ,i could not chuse but first present you with a fore runner as 'twere1 signifying unto you1 how that by the help of ,salt good ,broths and ,sawces may be made out of the ,vegetables1 and ,sawces1 serving for the bettering of ,cheese and ,butter made out of ,animals3 that so my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts may not be at all defective1 and that every one may see what a most noble and most excellent ,creature ,salt is1 which is capable of exalting the ,animals1 ,vegetables and ,minerals to a far more worthy degree by so excellent a ,melioration of them4 ,salt and ,vinegar are commonly reputed to be the best ,sawce1 and 'tis most truly spoken3 ,for amongst all the ,sawces and ,seasonings put unto ,meats1 ,salt and ,vinegar bear the bell2 now the ,vinegar is for the most part made of ,wine1 ,fruits1 ,ale1 ,honey3 ,but as for ,salt1 if it be turned by distillation and rectification into a sweet and acid ,spirit1 it becomes a sweet and strong ,vinegar1 and to be preferred before all others3 so that there's no need at all of the ,vinegar of ,wine1 ,ale1 ,honey1 and ,fruits4 ,we will therefore shew unto such as are desirous of sweet or savoury ,sawces and ,picklings needfull for ,flesh and ,fish1 and of well tasted ,cheese and ,butter1 the way of preparing the same by the help of ,salt2 whereby a ,man may make himself for his own ,kitchin use or ,cookery1 various ,sawces as him listeth4 ,and having shewn this1 we will proceed on to the description of metallick ,sawces4 ,he that is desirous of a good ,sawce or ,pickle fit for ,flesh and ,fish1 will not find any thing that is more fit or proper than a well-prepared and rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 the which he may prepare with whatsoever ,herbs and ,spices he pleaseth1 according as is agreeable to his ,palate4 ,for example1 ,like as otherwise most acceptable ,broaths or ,sawces are wont to be made with ,wine1 ,vinegar1 ,pepper1 and other ,spices1 and are put unto the ,boiled or ,baked ,flesh or ,fish in the same ,dish1 or set by the same in little ,sawcers1 that so all those ,meats may leave the more gratefull tast upon the ,palate3 ,even so may the same be effected with ,spirit of ,salt1 and that far more commodiously1 and to better profit than if ,wine or ,vinegar were made use of to the confection of those well tasted ,sawces4 ,but it is my ,spirit of ,salt ,i here speak of1 7which being prepared according to my prescription1 is of a most delicate pleasantness17 and not of that which is most an end sold in the ,apothecaries ,shops1 and in other such like places1 and is for the most part ill prepared1 and not at all rectified1 and consequently by its ungratefull sharp and harsh tast1 it provokes to ,vomit1 if it be taken into the ,stomach2 ',tis likewise of a yellowish colour1 and with its sharp constriction draws up the ,tongue1 whereas it should be more clear and transparent than ,fountain ,water1 and by the pleasantness of its acidity excell the juices of ,apples1 ,grapes1 or ,limons4 ,and being furnished with such a sweet or pleasant ,juice of ,salt1 ,i need not any ,wine1 ,vinegar1 or other sharp ,juices of ,grapes1 ,limons1 ,rasp ,berries1 ,sorrel1 and the like1 to give a pleasant and savoury tast unto my ,flesh or ,fish3 for it may be done far better with this good ,spirit of ,salt1 than with ,wine or ,vinegar3 ,for1 that ,spirit of ,salt serves instead of them all1 nor is it at all subject to corrupt as other ,juices are1 but conserves its sweet and pleasant essence without any decay4 ,but if you would make use thereof singly or alone1 then must a little ,water or ,sugar be mixed therewith1 that the acidity or sharpness thereof may be a little allayed1 and thus may it serve instead of a ,sawce to be added to either baked or boiled ,flesh or ,fish4 ,but now if a man be minded to add green ,herbs for alterations sake of the tast1 such as are ,parsly1 ,garden ,cresses1 ,spanish ,pepper1 and the like2 he may beat or shred them small and moisten them with ,spirit of ,salt allayed with ,water1 and so put them instead of a cold ,sawce to ,flesh and ,fish4 ,but if now the ,sawce is to be poured warm to the ,fish and ,flesh1 then must a little ,butter be thereto used1 and that on this wise following4 ,take some pure and clean ,water1 and make it somewhat sharper 7with good ,spirit of ,salt7 then strong ,wine1 ,vinegar1 put thereunto some good ,salt ,butter or ,fresh1 at your pleasure2 and likewise such ,spice as 7besides ,pepper1 ,ginger1 ,nutmeg1 and such like7 you list to add1 as also ,salt if need be2 put it in a little ,earthen ,glazed ,pot1 and not in a ,copper or ,iron ,vessel1 for they are altogether unfit for this ,operation2 set the ,pot over a few ,coals and heat it gently to melt the ,butter1 then stir it throughly about without ceasing1 with a ,wooden ,spoon1 and then being molten it assumes to it self the saline ,vinegar1 and the ,sawce becomes thickish1 the which must be then poured out to the boild and seasoned ,flesh or ,fish4 ,but if green ,herbs1 as ,chervil1 ,parsly1 ,cresses1 ,piperitis or ,spanish ,pepper1 and such like are to be adjoyned thereunto1 you may bruise or chop them small1 and then put them into the ,pot unto your hot ,broath or ,sawce1 and mix them well together1 and then presently pour out your ,sawce to the ,flesh or ,fish1 for by this means the ,herbs retain their tast and greenness1 and so delight the ,eyes with their lovely aspect1 and please the ,palate with their pleasant tast1 which would not be if they boiled much with the ,liquour1 for then they would lose both their subtile tast and green colour4 ,moreover1 you are warily to observe in this thing1 that this ,broath or ,sawce be not let lie upon the ,coals too long1 and so the ,acetum separate it self again from the ,butter2 which to prevent1 there may be mixt with the ,sawce one1 two1 or three yelks of ,eggs1 which being well stirred with the same makes it the thicker1 and better to stick on to the sopping when you take it out of the ,dish where the ,flesh or ,fish is4 ,such ,sawces do give the ,fish either boiled or fried1 a most acceptable tast1 and probably if some ,sugar be thereto added it would do very well for ,flesh too4 ,but yet1 sharp ,juices or ,broaths are better and more agreeable for ,fish4 ,now after this manner may every one make his own ,sawce as he listeth1 and render the same with some ,herbs and ,spices1 the more savoury unto his ,palate2 and consequently needs not either ,wine or ,vinegar1 nor any other acid things4 ,if any one has but any pure and clean ,spirit of ,salt at hand1 he may 7by the addition of certain ,herbs and ,spices7 prepare his ,sawce as best likes him1 and make it far more pleasant and delightsome than if it were made with ,wine1 ,vinegar1 or ,ale-,vinegar1 nor can you get these every where neither4 ,but the ,spirit of ,salt may be prepared and so had every where1 and therefore on that account too is it deservedly to be preferred before all other seasonings4 ,now in the ,winter ,season1 when green ,herbs are not to be gotten1 the pounded ,roots of ,spanish ,pepper may serve1 or ,mustard ,powder reduced with ,sugar and ,spirit of ,salt into hot and cold ,sawces4 ,nor would ,i have any one to be so bold and foolish as to contemn these my ,sawces afore he hath tasted of the same2 for ,i doubt not but that if he once comes to tast the delightsome pleasantness of the same1 he will prefer them afore all other1 and will give the ,vinegar of ,salt its due honour4 ,and now to give an experiment1 taken out of the ,treasury of ,salt1 unto those that are delighted with the tast of good ,butter and ,cheese2 let them listen unto those things which here follow4 ,if thou art desirous to prepare a durable ,cheese of ,cows ,milk1 and such ,cheese as hath all the tokens of a good ,cheese1 viz4 such as is weighty1 compact1 close without ,eyes1 and putrifying ,holes1 void of sliminess and bad smell1 thou may'st be a ,master of thy desire by observing the following ,operation4 ,take of ,cows ,milk1 ,sheeps or ,goats ,milk1 or of either of these which thou hast at hand1 as much as thou pleasest1 or as much as is sufficient1 7but amongst these ,milks1 ,goats ,milk is the best1 ,sheeps next1 and ,cow ,milk inferiour to the other two both in goodness and excellency37 ,heat it at the ,fire1 and pour it out into a wooden ,vessel 7,n4 ,b4 ,iron and ,copper ,vessels are not to be used in this way7 and reduce the ,milk into a ,curd by the pouring on of ,spirit of ,salt4 ,now one ,spoonfull of this ,spirit is enough to curdle ten measures of ,milk4 ,this done1 and the ,milk and ,spirit of ,salt having been well stirred about with a wooden ,ladle and curdled1 put the same into ,hair ,strainers or in very clean ,linnen ones1 that so the ,whey may drain out and be separated1 then gather up the ends of your ,strainer1 and lay thereon heavy weights and squeeze out all the wheyish moisture4 ,then take your ,cheese out of these ,strainers1 and put it into wooden ,vessels1 and there break it into small bits or pieces2 which being thus broken1 sprinkle some ,salt1 and some of your pure ,spirit of ,salt too thereupon1 and mix all well together with a wooden ,ladle or with your hands well cleansed3 ,being thus mixed1 fill your ,vessels or ,cheese ,fats which let be greater and lesser as need is1 and squeeze and compress the matter well in1 as they are wont to do in making of ,cheeses4 ,then expose them to the warm ,air1 and dry them1 and it will give you compact and durable ,cheeses1 not unlike to those they call ,parmesant1 and such as will be void of ,eyes1 and of ftid and putrid ,holes1 ,slimyness1 and such like defects usually incident to the common ,cheeses1 nay they never are obnoxious to those faults4 ,the reason is1 because the first ,coagulation or ,congelation of the ,milk is made by the help of pure ,spirit of ,salt1 which defends from all putrefaction1 and not by the help of the ftid putrid ,rennet1 from which nothing can proceed but ,rottenness and ,worms4 ,then farther1 the ,spirit of ,salt being together with ,crude ,salt sprinkled thereupon 7after the squeezing out of the ,whey7 doth in an especial manner resist all that putrefaction that is wont to be in ,cheeses1 and condenseth the ,cheeses1 and impedes any fermentation1 which dilateth the said ,cheeses and makes them spongious and porous2 and by thus condensing them1 it makes them remain safe and free from all putrefaction4 ,such ,cheese therefore as is brought to this perfection1 doth well deserve the preheminence above the rest1 and is extolled by the praise of those ,ancient ,verses1 viz4 ,good ,cheese must neither ,argus be1 ,largus nor ,magdalen1 ,methuselah1 nor ,habbacuck1 nor ,lazarus1 ,amen4 ,that is1 it must not be eyed like ,argus1 nor tough like ,largus1 nor hairy and crying like ,magdalen1 nor hoary like ,methusalem1 nor light like ,habbacuck1 nor full of stinking holes and rotten sores like ,lazarus3 which defects if ,cheese wanteth1 it well merits the title of goodness3 and such are those ,cheeses which are made by the help of the ,spirit of ,salt2 do but make such a ,cheese and try whether or no it will not be of a more pleasing relish than all others are4 ,such ,cheeses are never corrupted1 they never become tenacious1 limber1 full of holes1 and worms4 ,the ,spirit of ,salt being poured into the holes of ,sheep ,milk ,cheese1 or ,cow ,milk ,cheese1 doth either kill all the ,worms or cause them to get packing1 it contracteth the holes1 and turns the bad ,cheeses into good ones1 and this my self have tried4 ,thus friendly ,reader1 hast thou learned how to make a fit ,sawce for ,fish and ,flesh1 and likewise good and durable ,cheese2 it now remains that we teach thee how also to make good ,butter4 ,if you are desirous of making good ,butter by the help of ,spirit of ,salt1 and such as is dainty1 pure and yellow1 and of a most delicate tast1 and such as will not easily contract a ranck tast1 you may obtain your desire by proceeding on this wise4 ,take off the ,cream from good ,cow ,milk1 and make it into ,butter1 afore it be any thing mouldy1 or of an unpleasant tast1 and separate the ,butter-milk according to the usual custom1 then put the ,butter in a wooden ,vessel1 and wash it so long in pure cold ,salt ,water1 untill there be no more ,wheyishness left1 and that the ,salt ,water do come off thencefrom1 as clear as it was at first putting on1 and that the ,butter appears sufficiently clean1 which wash it once agen1 on this wise following4 ,dissolve in pure and rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 as much ,salt as it will dissolve in the cold3 ,and herewithall wash your ,butter anew1 yet several times1 and work it well with that ,spirit1 and by thus proceeding will it absume the residue of the ,wheyishness which is the cause and rise of rankness1 and which common ,salt ,water could not remove4 ,this done1 the ,butter is to be seasoned with common ,salt according to the usual manner1 and thus will it abide perfectly good for a long time4 ,but now the big ,sea ,salt is accounted the fittest for this purpose1 which being a little heated red hot in the ,fire1 comes to be of a very delicate whiteness1 and doth the easier admit of reduction into fine ,powder1 and is better than that which is boiled up in ,iron1 or ,leaden ,pans or ,cauldrons4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but he that can get such a pure sort of salt of a sexangular shape like a ,dye1 as is prepared in my ,laboratory1 he may use that1 as being by far the purer4 ,as for the ,vessel it self whereinto the ,butter1 prepared and cleaned after the aforementioned manner1 is to be put1 it must be ordered on this wise following4 ,you must get you a new ,oaken ,barrel1 and so steep it in strong ,salt ,water1 not the common ,sea ,water1 as that it may well imbibe the ,salt into this ,vessel must the ,butter1 washt as aforesaid1 be prest and thrust in so tight and close1 that there may not be any hole or gaping place left therein2 but you must leave two ,fingers breadth in the ,barrel at top of the ,butter1 which is to be filled up with ,spirit of ,salt1 glutted with good and pure ,salt dissolved therein1 that so the ,butter may be well covered over1 and all ,air being excluded1 it may keep fine and savoury a long time4 ,now when you would ,dish out some of this ,butter on the ,table1 you must take it out of your ,tub with a clean ,wooden ,spoon1 and not an ,iron one1 and wash the same in pure and clear ,water afore you eat it1 if you would not have it retain the sharpness of the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,well1 here is yet a better way still1 viz4 ,take new ,butter and let it melt very gently over the ,coals1 and it will be covered over with much frothy ,cheesyness1 let that froth be neatly scummed off2 which being so done1 it will look in the ,pot like to a pure and clear ,oil1 pour it out very clearly into another ,vessel1 that the sediment at the bottom may abide behind4 ,this ,butter when 'tis cold looks just like yellow ,wax1 but yet is it a little softer than it ought to be1 and therefore it must be well wrought its due time with ,spirit of ,salt impregnated with new ,salt1 that it may obtain the hardness of common ,butter1 and then be salted1 and barrel'd up1 and kept for use1 which will be far better than the common ,butter4 ,for although this purging it by the ,fire takes from it all its ,cheesyness1 from which it had its hardness2 yet notwithstanding the ,spirit of ,salt gives unto it a far different and much better hardness1 and causeth it to excell all other sorts in goodness and long keeping4 ,these things was ,i willing to take out of my ,kitchin and set afore you1 namely ,sawce1 ,cheese1 and ,butter of good and exquisite tast1 which if they please not the ,palate of some or other1 ,i would have him even forbear to use them4 ,it is not without some weighty cause that ,i have done these things1 which ,i well know will undoubtedly undergo the perverse ,censures of ,spies and ,mockers1 who probably will say1 what ,womanish ,toys1 and ,childrens ,baubles doth ,glauber here ,tattle about1 making himself a ,laughing ,stock to the ,women1 and ,female ,sex1 who will say of him1 that by his teaching to make ,butter and ,cheese1 he hath thrust his ,sickle into the ,womens ,harvest4 ,well1 let them prate as pleaseth them1 ,geese are not wont to utter ought else but a ,goose-like ,gagling4 ,for my part ,i minded nothing else but to have this ,treatise be a meer ,woman's ,work1 and ,boys ,play1 but yet it will reveal to the ,ignorant more good1 than is attainable by the perverse instructions of all such ,authours whose ,writings are ,spinn'd out to that height of subtility as to exceed every ones ,capacity4 ',tis not every one that will easily apprehend those ,knacks which ,i teach and reveal under this ,cheese-making ,trade1 and these ,kitchin ,operations2 nor indeed doth it much matter that they should understand4 ,god will open the ,eyes of such as he shall judge worthy of such great gifts1 and will conceal and hide the same from the ,proud and ,wicked ,crew4 ,having thus finished this ,cheese and ,butter-making3 ,let us in ,gods ,name enter upon another ,work of ,women1 and ,boys ,play1 which ,kitchin-like ,labour1 and ,cheese and ,butter-making1 is meerly metallick and doth far excell in excellency and nobility the hitherto described ,operations1 although it be performed by the help of the self same ,salt4 ,for without ,salt no imperfect ,metal can be really bettered1 the very title of the ,art it self witnessing as much1 which being stiled ,alchymy1 signifies no other thing than a melting of ,salt3 but yet ,i do not tell what kind of ,salt is here to be understood1 or1 that any kind of ,salt is here meant but thus much onely do ,i averr1 that the transmutations of the ,inferiour ,metals must be effected by ,salt4 ,now then1 forasmuch as this ,treatise of mine depends on a former1 intituled of the nature of ,salts1 as being an overplus2 so it is likewise altogether necessary1 that instead of ,fruit and ,sugar1 ,i use ,salts and ,metals about the preparation of these my ,sawces4 ,and whereas the making of the ,sawces or ,sweet-meats with ,sugar1 doth not onely belong to the meaner ,sex1 but also to the more noble1 and yet nevertheless the ,operation it self is nothing else but a meer washing and boiling1 and a true ,womens ,work1 we will therefore in our description bring the same upon the ,stage under the ,title of the ,work of ,women1 and ,play of ,children4 ,if we rightly look upon the ,work of ,women1 and compare our metallick labour therewithall1 there presents it self unto us1 a very notable agreeableness betwixt them4 ,the ,womens ,work is to boil and wash1 and when they are about to boil1 they set their ,pots over the ,fire1 and having washt their ,flesh1 they strow thereon some ,salt and ,spices1 and boil the same in the said ,pots with ,water1 ,wine1 or ,vinegar1 till it be tender1 and become fit to be eaten4 ,they likewise feed the ,fire they boil withall by putting ,wood thereon1 whereby the heat may be kept up1 and no impediment may betide their ,work3 ,and this is the way and method observed by the ,female ,sex in their boiling4 ,but as to their washing off the filth from their ,cloaths1 they are wont in the first place to pour hot ,water thereupon thereby to wash off the more gross part of the ,dirt3 and then they use a sharp ,lee1 or some ,sope1 or even both together to take away the remainder of the filth1 and to wash out all the ,spots and ,dirt1 then do they agen wash off the ,sope and ,lee with fair and hot ,water3 ,but as for the odour that the ,sope leaves1 and which by no washing how much or how oft soever it be done can be carried off1 to get that off ,i say they are wont to lay their ,linnen out in the open ,field1 and sprinkle and moisten it with pure ,water1 which being dried by the ,sun1 ,air1 and ,wind1 they do agen repeat the same labour1 untill all the stinking smell of the ,sope be drawn forth by the ,sun and the ,air1 and a better and more wholsome ,odour come in its room4 ,then at last they dry them at the ,air and ,sun1 and being dry1 they fold them up and put them in their ,chests and ,trunks1 and keep them for their use4 ,just so do we deal with ,metals1 when we wash off their defilements1 and do by boiling turn them into wholsome ,food or ,medicaments2 but yet we do not use common ,vinegar1 common ,salt1 and common ,spices1 but mineral or metallick subjects1 as also a duplicate ,fire1 viz4 one of them is a secret1 philosophical1 moist1 cold1 and vaporous ,fire2 and the other is the elementary and common ,fire1 by which we stir up the former ,philosophical ,fire to display its virtues1 and render it powerfull and efficacious4 ,the elementary ,fire we make with ,wood1 ,coles1 or ,oil3 ,the universal ,agent1 or ,philosophical1 ,cold1 ,moist1 ,digesting1 ,penetrating1 ,mundifying1 ,bettering1 and not ,burning1 but ,conserving1 and vaporous ,fire1 we seek for in ,salt1 and leave the ,operation to the vivifying ,sun and ,air2 which being well done1 we obtain wonderfull ,plants1 and most efficacious ,food1 or ,sawce for our ,life4 ,and forasmuch as my purpose here is1 to treat of such metallick and medicinal ,sawces1 ,i will here in ,god's name adjoyn some of them1 which being as so many samplers or patterns1 every one may at his pleasure imitate in composing and making of the like4 ,and he will here find a way of confecting some good ,medicament1 as clearly and evidently demonstrated by me as was lawfull for me to do1 nor was it in my power to discover the same more perspicuously3 ,and therefore ,i beseech every one to take in good part what is here presented1 and to forbear to trouble me for the time to come with needless questions4 ,so then1 seeing ,i am about to treat in this place of metallick ,sawces1 it is also behovefull to have a metallick ,sugar and ,spice1 and this1 ,saturn will afford us in the steed of the common ,sugar by whose help we reduce ,sol and ,lune as being most excellent ,spices1 into most effectual ,medicines4 ,nor would ,i have it seem strange to any one that ,i use ,lead here instead of ,sugar1 for the inmost juice of ,lead1 doth exceedingly out-go the sweetness of any ,sugar1 which thing ,isaac ,holland doth very evidently testifie in his ,treatise of ,saturn4 ,the ,chymists do frequently extract a sweet ,salt out of ,lead1 with distilled ,vinegar1 and call it the ,sugar of ,lead1 and do very well know and find that there is such a sweetness in ,lead as is not in any other ,metal beside4 ,from it therefore will we prepare our ,sugar to make our metallick ,sawces withall1 as follows4 ,take of ,lead-ashes one1 two1 three1 or more pounds1 which put in a strong well glazed ,earthen ,pot1 then pour thereupon some ,wine or ,ale1 ,vinegar1 or ,vinegar of ,honey1 as much as may over top it an hands breadth4 ,set your ,pot upon the ,coals and make the ,vinegar boil4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,ashes are to be uncessantly stirred1 in the boiling with a wooden ,spatula1 lest they gather into one entire solid ,mass3 ,after that the ,vinegar has boiled for about half an hour1 and is become yellow1 and as sweet as ,sugar1 you must decant it from the ,ashes1 and pour on more1 and agen boil it1 and extract more sweetness1 and this labour must you repeat so often untill the ,vinegar can extract no more sweetness2 then having put all these ,vinegars together1 pour them gently off from the ,fces that settle in the bottom of the ,vessel1 and being thus ,separated1 filter the same through ,cap ,paper or by a filter1 that so the ,liquors may be very clear1 and may give you by separation1 that sweetness of the ,lead which they hold up in them4 ,into these clear ,vinegars1 therefore being put in a ,glass ,vessel1 pour thereinto 7by little and little7 as much rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 that so the yellow ,vinegar may be turned into a white ,milk1 and may by little and little settle to the bottom like curdled ,cheese1 from which the ,vinegar being now become agen clear is to be removed by decanting2 then put the ,saturnine ,cheese in some strong ,linnen ,cloath and tie it hard up1 and squeeze out the residue of the moisture1 and so dry it and lay it by for use4 ,it is a most tender ,powder1 of a bright snowy colour1 and void of all tast2 for in the precipitation1 all the sweetness being introverted by the ,spirit of ,salt1 hath hidden it self within1 which doth again afterwards 7when that mass shall be reduced into a ,sawce7 shew it self1 and discovers its former tast1 as we shall hear anon4 ,i would have the friendly ,reader know1 that ,i am not minded to produce here many and divers ,operations1 for ,i am straitned in my time1 which stops me from giving you a more prolix and circumstantial description3 ,i do onely propose some few1 and leave every one to his fancy to make the rest of the ,sawces or ,medicaments1 according to the ways here prescribed1 according to his likeing1 and that as many as he will1 and out of such subjects as best pleaseth him4 ,but that ,i may contract these things concerning my ,sawces into a narrow room1 ,i suppose it is well enough known1 that ,sawces and ,junkets are disht out in the second course for this end1 either to close up and ,strengthen the ,stomach1 or that if a fudling storm be at hand it may drill the readilier down into the ,stomack by these kinds of ,vehicles4 ,but yet my purpose is not directed to this end as to teach the making of such banqueting ,dishes in this place1 as may allure ,wine into the ,stomach by such an unprofitable ,prodigality1 and so detriment the ,body it self too4 ,no1 but the main drift of my ,sawces should rather be this1 viz4 to remove that evil which is stirred up in the ,body of ,man1 by the common ,junkets and the overmuch guzling in of ,wine1 and to ,strengthen the ,stomach1 ,heart1 ,brain1 and other ,members of the ,body1 to heal the parts that are hurt1 and in particular1 to restore them to their former health3 ,and finally1 to be as a kind of guide and manuduction to lead on the ,ingeny of ,men in such wise1 as that they may by an easier way arrive unto the ,knowledge of the universal ,medicine4 ,to begin therefore1 ,i confess that of all fruits preserved with ,sugar1 none have a more gratefull tast on my ,palate than ,bar-berries1 and ,ribes1 or ,st4 ,john's ,grapes as they call them2 which fruits1 preserved up with ,sugar1 do not onely get the ,stomach an ,appetite1 but do withall allay ,thirst1 and do extinguish all the internal heat stirred up and kindled by overmuch drinking3 ,the like metallick ,sawce or ,junket shalt thou prepare on this wise4 ,buy some ,steel filings of the ,needle-makers1 and take thereof as much as you please1 dissolve them in rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 which ,solution will be green1 and be of a sweetish tast2 abstract the insipid ,phlegm1 insipid ,i say1 for although it be a very strong ,spirit of ,salt that is poured upon the ,iron1 yet nevertheless no ,spirit comes off1 but onely an insipid ,phlegm in the abstraction and distillation1 and the ,irons retains all the acidity of the ,salt1 and remains a red1 sweetish1 astringent ,juice4 ,take of this1 and of the ,saturnine ,powder which we taught you the making of but now1 of each alike weight1 and put them into a well coated ,retort1 and the ,saccharum ,saturni will presently drink up the ,juice of the ,steel4 ,put the ,retort in a ,vessel fill'd with ,sand1 and augment the ,fire by little and little that all the insipid ,phlegm may be wholly drawn off4 ,when 'tis all come off1 and that acid drops begin to come1 then must you apply thereunto a ,glass ,receiver1 and the ,fire is to be encreased by degrees untill the ,retort be throughly red hot1 which must continue so about an hour1 or half an hour a least4 ,by this means1 the ,spirits of the ,salt which were in the ,steel1 do almost wholly come over into the ,receiver1 and do carry over with them the ,spirits of the ,saccharum ,saturni1 and oil of ,mars1 in the form of a red sublimate1 which settles it self in the neck of the ,retort1 which sublimate when the ,retort is cold and broken you must take out of its ,neck1 and keep it from the ,air1 for in the ,air it will dissolve into a red1 sweet1 and ,astringent ,oil1 of no small virtues in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,in the bottom of the ,retort you will find a molten ,mass1 resembling ,lapis ,hmatitis1 which being separated from all defilements1 will give you a red1 brittle1 fusile ,stone1 and in some sort astringent1 of great virtues in ,medicine1 and without doubt in ,alchymy too1 if it were but first made constantly to abide in the ,fire4 ,and even this too1 must you keep from the ,air1 for it is still impregnated with the ,salts1 and therefore is easily resolved4 ,now when you would make use of this ,stone in ,medicine1 break a little bit thereof into small ,powder 7for it is no harder than other ,salt1 and therefore doth easily admit of grinding to ,powder47 ,this ,powder heals both internal and external ,wounds and ,ulcers1 being administred in the quantity of two1 three1 four1 five1 six1 or more ,grains1 according to the age and condition of the ,sick1 and being taken in a convenient and proper ,vehicle1 it is highly ,sanative and a stopper of ,bloud4 ,being applied externally to ,wounds1 it wonderfully forwards healing2 hinders all ,symptoms1 and fundamentally dries1 and cures all ,ulcers and ,fistulaes1 if used outwardly and inwardly too4 ,it doth most safely and most certainly help all the overflowing of the ,menses in ,women1 and is so excellent a ,medicament in the ,dysentery1 ,lientery1 and other ,fluxes of the ,belly1 that its like is not to be found4 ,thus have we that true and genuine ,hmatitis of the ,ancient ,physicians1 of which they have written so many things1 but what through the carelesness of the ,physicians that succeded them1 and what through the length of time it became wholly lost instead of which there hath been hitherto used the insoluble and hard ,stone of ,iron4 ,the ,ancients imposed upon their more noble ,medicaments1 ,names deduced from similitudes or resemblances1 as may be seen in this our living ,hmatitis1 and in the dead ,hmatatis of the common ,physicians1 which is call'd for at the ,apothecaries1 and administred to stop ,bloud withall2 ,but yet it is nothing else save the ,stone of ,iron1 and such ,oar as is very rich and abounding with this ,metal1 the fragments of which appears either in the form of spear-like ,stria's or ,streeks1 or like a cleft stone4 ,this our live ,hmatitis is of the same form1 but soluble1 and is of a very pleasant and astringent sweetness1 and containeth most efficacious virtues for the allaying of all bloody ,fluxes both outward and inward4 ,now that common and well-known ,hmatitis doth not possess any more virtues than that ,iron ,scinder-dust which the ,smiths smite off at the ,anvil1 doth4 ,and as for that red ,sublimate which ascended up in the neck of the ,retort1 it is twice stronger in subduing the afore-mentioned diseases1 but it is not of so sweet a ,tast as is the ,stone it self1 which resided in the bottom of the ,retort4 ,and being externally applied in cleansing and mundifying old ,fistulous ,ulcers1 it works much stronger than this our ,hmatitis 7which is more pleasantly administrable in internal defects7 doth4 ,but whoever he be that knows how 7by many ,solutions and ,coagulations7 to make this ,stone constant in the fire1 will obtain a far more excellent ,medicament3 concerning which1 we will speak more in the end of this ,treatise4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this now is such a ,sawce or ,junket1 as every good ,physician and ,chyrurgeon hath just cause most highly to esteem in all ,fluxes and ,sores1 both old and new1 if he would obtain that repute which he thirsteth after2 for it is endued with great ,virtues1 whereas on the contrary1 the ,juyce of ,sloes1 the common ,hmatitis1 and ,crocus martis1 are1 in comparison of this1 to be accounted of as meer dead ,medicaments4 ,i could tell you of more virtues that are in the red ,sublimate1 and this in an especial manner1 viz4 that without being either bound on1 or inwardly taken1 but sympathetically and at a distance1 it is able to cure any issues of ,blood whatever4 ,but ,i shall doe better to pass these things over in silence1 because to the greatest part of unskilfull ,men1 they will not onely seem wonderfull1 but impossible likewise4 ,however1 ,i commend to every ones acceptation this so excellent a ,medicament1 for all internal and external ,issues of ,blood1 in all wounds and hurts1 as also in all the obstructions of the ,spleen1 ,liver1 and other members of the body4 ,after such a manner as this1 may any one easily turn all the ,metals into ,sugars1 and into most excellent ,medicaments4 ,but forasmuch as the ,metals are not all of them indifferently fit to be administred inwardly to the sick1 ,i will make mention of ,gold and ,silver onely as being the best of all1 and pass by the others1 and will teach the preparation of yet more ,sawces and ,junkets2 ,copper1 ,tin1 and ,argent-vive are somewhat cruder bodies1 and require greater care and diligence1 to have the ,title of good ,medicaments4 ,we will therefore let them pass1 as having ,gold and ,silver at hand1 which are more ripe4 ,the manner of ,preparing a good ,sawce or ,junket out of ,silver1 which helpeth the ,distempers and ,diseases of the ,brain4 ,the skilfull ,chymical ,physicians have assigned ,silver for a ,medicament for the ,brain1 which ,assignment of theirs ,i acquiesce in1 and doe here present you with such a ,sawce or ,junket as is of most especial use for the succouring of the ,brain4 ,take of common ,aqua ,fortis 7such as is commonly used about the dissolution of ,silver7 one pound3 ,in two ounces of which you must dissolve one ounce of pure ,silver2 ,dissolve likewise one ounce of ,lead by it self3 ,put both ,solutions together in a glass with a wide mouth2 and being thus mixt1 pour thereupon as much rectified ,spirit of ,salt as is sufficient for the precipitation of both the ,metals4 ,pour off the clear water from the precipitated ,metals1 and pour upon them some fresh water1 and stir them well about2 which done1 and the precipitated ,calx settled to the bottom1 the water is to be again decanted off1 and more fresh water poured thereon3 and this ,labour is to be so often repeated1 untill that precipitated ,powder be void of all ,acrimony3 then put it in a pure linnen ,cloth placed in a ,funnel1 that so the remaining moisture may drain from it4 ,then tie the cloth very firm1 and squeese out1 in two balls 7or squeesings7 all the residue of the moisture out of that silvery ,cheese1 and lay the same upon ,cap-paper1 and that will drink up all the rest of the moisture1 and will soon dry your ,cheese4 ,this ,cheese 7or precipitated ,powder7 is to be put into a well coated ,glass-retort1 and to be forced with a gentle fire of ,sand1 that so all the superfluous moisture may be separated4 ,then1 at last1 the ,fire being augmented1 will force out part of the ,silver and ,lead in the form of white ,flores1 ascending up in the neck of the ,retort4 ,now when the ,retort hath been thus kept red-hot for one hour1 let the fire go out of its own accord1 and take out the cold ,retort1 and break it1 and you will find in the bottom of the same a white and sweet ,stone1 which will melt 7upon a red-hot ,plate of ,metal7 like ,wax1 and penetrate the same1 and is volatile like ,argent-vive4 ,two1 three1 four1 five ,grains1 even to eight or ten1 of this ,stone ground into a ,powder1 being administred 7respect being had to the ,patient's age and sickness7 yield a most present comfort in the diseases of the ,head and ,brain1 and so are those white ,flores wont to doe likewise3 but in ,chymical operations they are of eminent use4 ,now although this ,stone be it self of a fugacious nature1 yet notwithstanding in progress of time it makes ,mercury1 together with it self1 constant in the fire2 of which thing ,i have elsewhere already mentioned in my ,writings1 so that ,i need not say any more thereof in this place4 ,however1 ,i cannot omit to tell you1 that1 although1 otherwise1 there is no familiarity at all betwixt ,silver1 and ,lead1 and ,salt1 yet nevertheless these three may be so prepared as 7by a certain mixtion7 not to refuse each others society4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that if the ,salt be rightly fitted for this operation1 it puts forth more powerfull virtues1 and for that reason doth the ,silver suffer the more1 and doth by so much the sooner attain to a constancy in the fire3 and so 'tis evident1 that the name of ,alchymy or fusing of ,salt1 was not imposed on this ,art for nothing4 ,for by the help of ,salt1 are the ,metals to be molten and meliorated1 which thing you may take notice of4 ,another ,sawce or ,junket made of ,gold and ,silver4 ,take some pure ,silver1 and dissolve it in ,aqua ,fortis1 and precipitate it with ,spirit of ,salt1 and free it from its ,acrimony with common water1 and squeese out the water1 and lay your matter upon cap-paper to dry1 and deal with it in all respects as we spake afore in the ,process of ,saturn4 ,of this ,calx take three parts1 and one part of ,gold dissolved in the ,oil of ,salt2 and first put your ,silver ,calx into a strong ,glass-retort1 which must be well coated1 then pour thereto your yellow ,solution of ,gold4 ,place the ,retort in ,sand1 and1 first1 force out your ,spirit of ,salt1 in which forcing out1 the ,calx of the ,silver will retain with it self the ,gold2 and of them both will be made a purple ,stone1 inclining somewhat to redness1 fusile1 and volatile4 ,but the ,oil of the ,salt will carry up with it something of the ,gold and ,silver into the neck of the ,retort2 which1 together with the aforesaid ,stone1 you shall take out of the broken ,retort2 but yet you must keep each apart1 for a medicament of great moment3 both which 7if they were turned 7by ,solution and ,coagulation7 into a fix ,ruby17 would doubtlesly perform their work1 in the metallick ,operations1 with greater benefit and profit4 ,so have you here1 briefly described1 the third ,junket1 which1 should it be described with all its ,circumstances1 the ,process it self would in good sooth be more prolix and tedious than is fitting4 ,and forasmuch as my ,writings may seem unto many sufficiently tedious1 'tis but fit that ,i aim at brevity here in this place2 though 7on the other hand7 they will seem 7,i well know7 too short and brief unto others4 ,but ,jupiter himself pleaseth not all alike4 ,and the birth-day of him who can satisfie all1 is yet to come2 for he is not as yet born4 ,for behave thy self as thou wilt in thy actions1 either in briefly delivering thy self1 or in uttering thy mind in a longer discourse1 thou shalt not at any rate fulfill the expectation and desire of all men4 ,i doe therefore here dish out this ,junket1 and commit the care of eating the same to the ,guests4 ,every one that will1 may more accurately weigh and consider of the same1 that so he may come to find1 how great the ,efficacy and ,utility of this ,process is1 though delivered so very briefly4 ,another ,junket or ,sawce1 viz4 ,a ,confection of a ,mineral ,alkermes4 ,there is in the ,apothecaries shops a ,confection made of the ,berry or ,grains of ,kermes1 known by the name of ,confectio ,alkermes2 in which composition1 there are added to the said ,berries some ,pearls done into ,powder1 and ,leaf-,gold1 and ,amber-grease1 and other such-like corroborating ,simples4 ,this medicament being confected with ,sugar1 is lookt on as the chiefest amongst all those ,medicines which are wont to be administred for strengthening the ,heart1 and it merits the praise ascribed to it4 ,but now instead of the ,leaves of ,gold1 7which cannot be digested or concocted by the stomach1 and are therefore carried forth with the ,excrements without any operation17 ,i will substitute another ,gold1 which being made suitable1 and accommodated unto nature1 shall be able to put forth its virtues1 and supply the place of foliated ,gold1 in the ,confection of ,alkermes4 ,and if any one be so minded1 he may omit even the grains or the berry it self 7for they are not to be had every-where7 and make use of this ,juyce of ,gold1 which ,i am about to teach in this place1 and mix it with ,sugar and other ,powders that are strengtheners of the ,heart4 ,for this ,golden ,confection of a purple ,colour1 doth most notably strengthen the ,heart by its corroborative virtue1 and the ,gold it self gives a far more excellent purple or scarlet ,colour than the ,grains of that berry doe1 which are brought us from ,mompelier4 ,the way of preparing the said ,gold1 is as follows4 ,dissolve the ,calx of ,sol1 or of ,gold1 in strong ,spirit of ,salt1 and pour upon the ,solution some three or four parts of water more than the ,solution is1 that so the ,acrimony of the ,spirit of ,salt may be somewhat allayed4 ,being thus prepared1 put thereinto a bit of ,tin1 and such as hath no ,lead commixt therewith1 which said ,tin1 the allayed ,spirit of ,salt will seize upon1 and dissolve part thereof4 ,and being also debilitated thereby1 it will let fall all the ,gold that it contained1 in the form of a purple ,powder1 adhering partly on to the ,tin1 and part will be of its own natural colour1 and settle to the bottom1 but as subtile as the ,atoms that fly about in the ,sun-beams1 and resembling little stars4 ,when therefore the whole body of the ,gold is precipitated into a most delicate and fine ,powder1 out of the ,spirit of ,salt1 which will now be clear and bright3 ,pour off the ,spirit1 and take the ,tin out from the ,golden ,powder1 and wash the ,powder with clean and pure water1 that so none of the ,spirit of ,salt may be therein discerned2 and being now thus prepared1 it may be used instead of ,gold about the ,confection of ,alkermes4 ,moreover1 if you are so minded1 you may take some pure ,sugar-candy1 and make it up into a syrup with weak ,spirit of ,salt1 and then put thereunto this ,golden ,powder with a little ,amber grease and some ,powder of ,pearls1 and so make full as good1 nay a better ,confection than that common ,confectio ,alkermes is2 because a greater corroborating of the powers of the ,heart1 and a delicater purple ,colour cannot be found in any other thing than in ,gold4 ,if now you operate aright1 it cannot otherwise be but you must needs attain to this purple and golden ,confection4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,tin must be very pure and clean1 for by how much the whiter it is1 and the acuter sound it has1 so much the fitter is it for this work4 ,and in the ,composition it self you may use this following weight or measure4 ,take of the ,calx of ,gold one ,lot or half ounce and dissolve it in three or four ,lots of strong rectified ,spirit of ,salt3 ,pour unto the ,solution twelve or fifteen ,lots of pure water2 then to all this1 put two ,lots of ,tin1 and set the ,glass that the ,solution is in1 upon hot ,sand1 and heat it scalding-hot1 but let it not boil4 ,when it hath thus stood for one or two hours1 all the ,gold will be turned into ,powder1 of a ,purple and ,gold-like hue1 and settle to the bottom4 ,then having poured out the ,water1 and separated the ,tin1 separate all the ,acrimony from the ,powder by several washings1 and so will you have it fitted for the ,confection4 ,this done1 take twelve ,lots of ,sugar-candy1 and one ,lot of rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 and as much pure fair water as is sufficient to reduce the ,sugar into a thick ,syrup2 ,hereto add one ,lot of that purple and tender golden ,powder1 and it will tinge all the ,sugar with a ,purple or ,scarlet-colour4 ,then add likewise thereunto1 two ,lots of ,pearls made into fine ,powder1 and one ,quintula 7about two drams and an half7 of ,amber-grease1 mix them well together and set it by for use1 as being a most efficacious ,confection4 ,and if you please1 you may add to the former ingredients other strengthning and refreshing ,powders4 ,the ,dose of this ,confection is from #c1 #f1 #i1 #ab1 #ae1 to #bj ,grains1 according as the persons are4 ,it corroborates the ,heart1 ,brain1 and the whole ,body1 and doth likewise 7by reason of the ,spirit of ,salt7 allay thirst1 and stirs up the appetite to food4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and thus much may suffice this time about ,sawces or ,junkets4 ,it now remains that we likewise search after some select and harmless ,purges out of the ,metals too1 and adjoyn them to the former4 ,when in feastings 7or merry-meetings7 the ,guests are wont to drink ,healths to their ,lords1 and tope off many ,cups1 and store of ,glasses full of strong ,wine1 it cannot possibly be1 but that their ,stomachs must be stufft with tenacious and clammy humours1 and the ,head much oppressed with ,catthars1 and the ,bowels fill'd with store of wind4 ,now here cannot be a better and more profitable way of succouring these ,stomachs and ,heads1 thus beset with so many tenacious humours1 and of helping the whole body thus corrupted by so often repeated draughts1 than by a purgative ,medicine1 which by expelling all the evil and offensive humours opens all the passages of the ,body1 and again brings the so necessary respiration4 ,we will therefore present you here with three such purging ,medicaments1 and those very good ones4 ,one is of ,antimony2 ,the second of ,silver and ,antimony2 ,and the third of ,gold and ,antimony3 ,each of which1 by it self1 doth far exceed the other purging ,medicaments made of the ,vegetables4 ,for ,metals do penetrate the ,body far better1 and do perform their ,operations with less hazard than the ,vegetables do1 most of which abound with a resinous clamminess1 which doth often stick to the ,bowels1 and cause great gripings1 which is not to be feared at all from metallick purgative ,medicines3 which 7upon this account7 are to be preferred before those that are prepared of the ,vegetables2 nor do ,i contemn these ,vegetable ,purges1 for they are good1 and may be made use of1 where better are not at hand4 ,therefore1 forasmuch as ,i have in my time1 made trial of many such ,medicaments1 and have in very deed found1 that metallick ,purges do excel the ,vegetable ones both in pleasantness and efficacy1 and are far safer2 ,i could not but commend the same above all other ,purges to such as come after me1 but yet leaving every one at his pleasure to make use of either these or them4 ,a ,purge of ,saturn4 ,dissolve two ounces of ,lead in pure ,aqua ,fortis1 and pour upon the ,solution one ounce of ,butter of ,antimony1 that so they may be precipitated together into a white ,coagulum or ,curd1 whereto you must put a good quantity of fair water1 and stir it very well about1 that it may imbibe the ,spirit of ,salt which was in the ,butter4 ,then pour off this water1 and put on more1 and repeat this labour so long1 untill all the sharpness be washt out of the precipitated ,powder4 ,this white ,powder being dried is a most excellent ,purge1 educing all evil and hurtfull humours out of the ,body without danger1 and being administred from one ,grain to ten1 according as the ,patient is1 doth work downwards1 especially when it is given in a lesser ,dose4 ,but if there be need of vomiting too1 then the ,dose may be encreased1 especially unto those that can brook vomiting1 and cast with ease4 ,it may be used without danger as a good and safe ,purge1 in all such ,diseases as purgative ,medicaments are1 and may be administred4 ,a ,purge of ,lune4 ,dissolve two ounces of pure ,silver in four ounces of ,aqua ,fortis1 and pour upon this ,solution one ounce of the ,butter of ,antimony1 which together with the ,silver will go into a white ,curd1 as we said but now of the ,lead in the preceeding ,process4 ,wash this ,powder with common water1 and dry it and administer it in the same ,dose as the ,saturnine ,powder is to be given2 and it will perform its part in all ,diseases1 but especially in those of the ,head4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,butter of ,antimony must be made of the ,regulus of ,antimony1 with rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 and not with ,mercury sublimate1 as the common custom is4 ,purging ,gold4 ,in the first place1 you must make a most strong ,spirit of ,niter thus1 viz4 put equal parts of calcined ,allum and good ,salt-peter into a well coated ,retort1 out of which is to be drawn 7leisurely and by degrees into a very large ,receiver luted on to the neck of the ,retort7 a ,spirit1 which will make the ,receiver look red4 ,all the ,spirit being distilled1 let the ,fire go out of its own accord1 and leave on the ,receiver so long till all the ,spirits are setled1 and that the ,receiver be become clear agen3 ,macerate the ,lute1 which joyned the ,receiver on to the ,retort1 with water1 and have an especial care when you take off the ,receiver1 that none of the ,lute fall into the ,spirit4 ,put the ,spirit in a strong ,glass1 and shut it up well with ,wax1 that it may not exhale1 for it is very strong1 and is red as ,bloud1 because it had no water put unto it in the ,receiver4 ,pour two ounces of this strong ,spirit upon one ounce of the ,butter of ,antimony1 and it will presently pass into a red ,solution1 whereto put one ounce of pure ,gold that it may be dissolved1 which ,solution will be redder than ,bloud4 ,then pour in thereupon some common fair water1 and the ,antimony and the ,gold will precipitate into a ,purple ,powder1 which is to be washt well with water1 and so dried4 ,its ,dose is from one1 two ,grains to six1 7according as the ,age and ,party is17 it may be given in ,wine1 ,ale1 ,water1 or any other ,liquor1 which may be as a ,vehicle unto it4 ,it works without any danger1 and doth safely and pleasantly 7beyond all other ,purges7 drive out all offending ,humours out of the ,body of ,man4 ,aurum ,diaphoreticum1 or ,sweating ,gold4 ,if no water be poured upon the just-now-spoken of red ,solution1 thereby to precipitate the same1 but that that strong ,spirit of ,niter be drawn off by a ,retort1 it then takes from the ,antimony its purging and vomiting power and makes it ,diaphorical4 ,nor needs the ,purple ,powder1 when it's taken out of the ,glass1 any washing at all1 because being administred in two1 three1 four1 five1 six1 or ten ,grains ,dose it may be safely taken1 and it provokes ,sweat4 ,it is therefore very profitable in all the ,diseases that are to be expelled by ,sweat2 yea in the ,leaprosie1 ,gout1 ,dropsie1 ,french-pox1 ,plague1 ,scurvey1 and in all ,feavers doth it play its part even to admiration1 for 7by reason of the ,gold which it contains in it7 it doth both provoke ,sweat1 and strengthen the powers of the ,body4 ,the former ,powder or purging ,gold1 being mixt with an equal weight of purging ,lune1 or purging ,saturn1 and molten in a ,crucible1 turns into a red ,stone or ,glass1 of which1 little ,tablets or ,pellets somewhat bigger than a ,pea may be again cast or molten1 and kept for use4 ,and now when there's need of purging1 let one of those ,tablets be put in to some spoonfulls of ,wine and lie therein all night1 and let the ,wine be drunk off in the morning following1 just after the self same manner as other purges are wont to be administred4 ,for there is so much virtue extracted by the ,wine out of the glazen ,tablet as to give several ,stools4 ,if one ,tablet or ,pellet be not sufficient1 then may a second1 or a third1 or more be adjoyned thereunto1 and so left all night in the ,wine1 that so the ,wine may work more effectually if need requires4 ,the ,tablets or ,pellets remain good a long time1 and may be many times applied to the self same use4 ,but if any one should be desirous of performing this labour even yet better1 he may get a little ,pot or ,cup to be made for him of white ,earth1 and may have it glazed both inside and outside with this same ,glass2 for two or three ,spoonfulls of ,wine infused for a night in such a ,cup1 and drunk off next morning1 are capable of purging you even as doth the other4 ,these are the effects of these purges in ,medicine4 ,they likewise do some good in ,alchymy1 if all three of them1 viz4 the ,saturnine1 the ,lunar1 and the ,solar are reduced by melting into a ,glass3 this ,glass being ,philosophically cemented somewhat of the ,silver1 ,lead1 and ,antimony will be meliorated1 and turned into ,gold by the ,gold4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now for a ,farewell1 take this which follows4 ,if the ,god ,appollo the ,inventer of ,medicine1 would bestow his light upon any one1 and by his hot ,beams melt the waxen ,wings of the untamed1 flying1 and 7to his ,father ,dedalus7 disobedient ,son ,icarus1 7and flying out of the ,isle of ,creet1 over the ,icarian ,sea17 that so he might fall down into the sweet and sulphureous ,sea of the ,sun1 and may remain drowned therein3 ,then from this dead ,body 7which is not wont to be subdued by any other means7 may a most excellent ,medicine be prepared4 ,for what way soever he is handled by otherwise1 whether he be turned into a white sublimate1 or be reduced into a yellow or red precipitate1 he is notwithstanding always corrosive2 and brings more hurt than good1 and therefore may very deservedly be eschewed4 ,or if we did but know the way of fixing it without any corrosivity1 by those three principal ,columes of all ,medicine1 namely ,vitriol1 ,sulphur1 and ,antimony1 he would undoubtedly be administrable without any fear1 and be withall capable of performing great matters4 ,for then he would not stir up and cause so many purgations1 and such vehement ,salivations1 and other hurtfull symptoms as usually comes to pass1 but would bring a most speedy help to the ,sick by his gentle operation by ,sweat and ,urine1 and get the ,physician a most eminent praise4 ,this ,i would have every one know1 that ,sulphur has a power of killing all ,corrosives1 and reducing them to a sweetness1 whether it be done by the dry way or by the moist4 ,and of all ,sulphurs1 a ,vegetable ,sulphur is the fittest1 which being freed from its inflamable nature1 is capable of reducing any ,corrosives1 though never so great1 unto a sweetness in one hours space4 ,nay more1 any ,metal being first dissolved in such like ,corrosives1 doth together with the same become a sweet ,medicament3 ,and so when ,gold is dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 and ,silver1 ,tin1 ,copper1 ,iron1 and ,lead are dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 and that that ,corrosive ,dissolvent is transmuted by a sweet ,sulphur1 it so comes to pass that the ,metal together with the ,corrosive is made a ,medicament1 and becomes potable4 ,such potable liquor of the ,metals1 7but especially of ,gold and ,silver17 and void of all ,corrosivity1 will you meet withall in my ,medical-shop2 which liquor1 as well those of ,silver1 and ,copper1 as that of ,gold1 are red4 ,the ,liquor of ,gold may be used instead of ,aurum ,potabile1 and it guilds ,quicksilver and the other ,metals with a golden ,colour1 like as the ,silver-liquor guilds ,mercury1 and ,silver or ,copper1 probably with a ,silver ,hue2 and the ,coppery-liquor guilds ,mercury and ,iron with a ,coppery ,colour4 ,n4 ,b4 ,aurora being inflamed with the love of ,jupiter1 and withdrawing him together with her self into ,heaven1 if both of them be again thrust down headlong by the other ,gods into the ,salt-,sea1 they come forth out of this ,bath1 so delicate and so white1 that she resembles the fairness of ,diana2 and he1 the comliness of ,apollo3 but not as yet constant in the ,fire4 ,but when the time of bathing is over1 ,mars coming to the ,sea ,shore1 draws both of them out upon a dry ,island called ,irony1 from ,iron2 where they are yet once more washt by ,vulcan1 7who makes use of ,saturns help7 in a dry ,bath1 who washeth off the ,defilements far more accurately than the ,salt ,sea could1 for he leaves not off washing and purging them1 untill all the ,defilements are separated from both their ,bodies1 and that they be made like unto ,diana and ,apollo1 in ,constancy and comeliness4 ,mars seeing that his ,sister ,venus1 and ,brother ,jupiter did come forth out of the ,salt ,sea with so lovely a fairness1 leapt thereinto himself1 that so by spending some time in washing1 he might rinse off those black ,defilements from his black ,body4 ,but there was such store of filth washt off1 as made all the ,sea green and sweet1 and it hid or swallowed up ,mars himself1 being now much diminished1 insomuch that he could never have escaped out of that ,sea1 had not ,sol1 out of meer pity on him1 dried up the water of the ,sea1 for old limping ,saturn to come unto him1 and to take poor wretched him out of the ,dirt and ,mire1 which he also did4 ,but because there was such a deal of ,mire and ,filth as that this 7slim7 lame1 7hopping ,fellow7 could not get out agen1 he even there stuck fast with ,mars1 and so lost his ,life4 ,of the dead ,bodies of these two1 viz4 of ,mars and ,saturn1 ,vulcan did at length make one ,head having two ,faces1 or a double ,countenance1 one resembling ,apolo1 the other ,diana2 and upon this account was the name of double-visaged ,janus bestowed upon it by ,vulcan4 ,by these few and short ,operations and ,processes1 may any one make and devise many more such like4 ,i am not at this time1 for my part1 minded to busie and trouble my self about any more tedious a description of such matters1 for ,i guess that in what ,i have already said and disclosed to the unthankfull1 ,i have too much exceeded my bounds4 ,every one may choose to himself those things which he shall deem most profitable1 and forbear to despise that which he shall not be capable of apprehending the meaning of4 ',tis a usual ,proverb1 ,that a ,cup of generous ,wine must accompany ,dainty ,delicates4 ,because therefore we have in the three precedent ,sawces or ,junkets1 presented you with fine savoury ,cates1 it is but fitting that we accompany the same with three dainty draughts1 and those drawn out of the best of ,metals too1 namely out of ,gold and ,silver1 because the ,cates or ,sawces themselves were composed of the same4 ,our ,ancient ,predecessors called those ,drinks of old time ,nectar1 or the drink of the ,gods1 which in our days are known by the names of potable ,gold1 and potable ,silver4 ,concerning these two1 do many of ,ignoramus his ,fraternity babble many ,stories1 and falsly boast that no true potable ,gold can be prepared1 or be in ,being without the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,this conclusion of theirs is clearly untrue1 for a ,man may easily make ,gold and ,silver potable1 though he hath not any knowledge at all of the universal ,medicine1 which is to be thus understood1 viz4 when the ,gold and ,silver either alone or conjoyned1 are dissolved in a sweet and not ,corrosive ,menstruum1 and rendred fit to be administred to the ,sick in ,water1 ,ale1 ,wine1 or any other ,liquor4 ,for those kind of ,solutions may be taken for a simple potable ,gold and ,silver4 ,but now for any one to dissolve ,gold in that corroding ,aqua ,regis1 or ,silver in ,aqua ,fortis1 and then to imagine that he hath potable ,gold and ,silver1 he is altogether in an ,errour4 ,potable indeed they are1 because they may be drunk like other ,liquors3 ,but forasmuch as those kind of ,solutions do corrode all things1 and bring extream ,detriment1 they are justly rejected1 and the rather because being poured into ,wine or ,ale1 they defile and thicken the same2 which1 no true potable ,gold dissolved in a ,not-corrosive ,menstruum1 will do1 but when 'tis mixt with ,wine1 ,ale1 or ,water1 it remains bright and clear4 ,besides too1 true potable ,gold must be of such a property1 as to have no visible corporal ,gold producible thereout of1 and yet notwithstanding1 be able to indue the meaner ,metals1 yea and ,mercury it self with a golden nature1 if they be therein boiled1 or to coagulate and transmute them into ,gold by the dry way in a ,crucible1 whether it be done with profit or without profit it matters not4 ,now this tinging virtue comes not from corporeal and dead ,gold1 but from a spiritual living and ringing ,gold4 ,if therefore the common and corroding solution of ,gold1 cannot be accounted for a true ,aurum ,potabile1 and that the spiritual and tinging ,gold1 which is dissolved without any corrosiveness should not come under this ,title neither1 whence ,i pray should it be sought for1 and where should it be inquired after4 ,i confess1 ,i do easily perswade my self1 that as for the first ,ens of ,gold if we did but know how to wash and purge it in such wise1 as that being turned into a bloud red liquor1 it would admit of ,distillation by an ,alembick or a ,retort1 we should have a better potable ,gold4 ,but where shall we find such an ,artificer1 as can teach us the way of preparing such a potable ,gold8 ',tis therefore our best way to content our selves with such ,medicaments as we have at hand1 so long untill ,god bestoweth better upon us4 ,this likewise ,i believe1 that if we did but know such an ,artifice as to wash and purge ,mercury1 in such sort as that it might pass into a ponderous and sweet ,water1 and if we could so adjoyn some pure ,gold thereunto instead of a ferment that they might lift up or sublime themselves together1 and again become constant and fix3 that then1 from them would arise a red and soluble ,carbuncle1 or true potable ,gold4 ,but these are onely my simple thoughts and conceptions1 no dispraise to those suppositions which other men have entertained concerning this matter4 ,so likewise if spiritual ,gold1 and the spiritual ,sulphur of the ,vine be conjoyned by the help of ,salt1 they give a good potable ,gold1 which contains in it ,gold potentially1 but not actually or palpably1 as may be seen in my ,treatise of the true ,aurum ,potabile1 which being clear like ,water1 and a bright or fair potable ,gold1 ,i do adjoyn to my ,cates or ,sawces instead of ,white-wine4 ,but even as ,white-wine the longer it is kept1 the yellower it grows1 so likewise white ,aurum ,potabile doth not retain its whiteness above two or three months1 but becomes more and more yellow1 and is at length turned into a redness1 but still retains its tinging faculty4 ,he therefore that shall not be well pleased with the tast of my ,wine or potable ,gold1 let him tarry till being more old they become yellow or red1 for then they are of a pleasanter tast1 as having 7through long ,process of time7 lost their ,sulphureous ,tast4 ,but as touching the manner of making that potable ,gold1 as also all other unpleasant1 sugacious1 and unripe metallick ,potions1 pleasant1 ripe1 fix1 and sweet ,liquors1 that shall be revealed afterwards4 ,furthermore1 ,i do here serve out instead of a good drink1 the golden-coloured ,soul1 or my ,tincture made of ,niter1 of which ,i have spoken in the second part of my ,spagyrical ,dispensatory4 ,it is of as much virtue in ,medicine as that potable ,gold is1 which ,i made mention of but now1 but performs nothing in ,alchymy or in the ,transmutation of ,metals2 but what it would do if it were made fix and constant in the ,fire1 ,i do not as yet know1 for ,i have not as yet brought it to that pass4 ,but how it may be made fix shall be presently shown4 ,this very ,tincture in the degree it is at present in1 produceth great effects in ,medicine1 yea and greater too than those which ,i published about it1 in the second part of my ,spagyrical ,dispensatory4 ,it is of a delightfull ,tast to the ,palate1 it removes the obstructions of the ,liver1 ,lungs1 and ,spleen1 it provokes ,urine1 expels the ,stone1 prohibits ,obstructions with the ,excrements1 it may be most safely used by old and young1 yea even by those whose strength is much debilitated1 and it is wont to afford them present help2 it wonderfully ,corroborates1 and makes all ,animals1 ,minerals1 and ,vegetables fruitfull1 and this will easily appear so to be1 if you do but take some ,vegetable ,seed and macerate in the same1 and then put in the ,earth1 it grows far speedier and ripens much sooner than other ,seeds are wont to do4 ,i have sometimes macerated ,wheat1 ,barly1 ,pease1 and the ,seeds of such like ,corn in this ,liquor for a night1 and being thus steeped1 have sown it in pure ,sand1 and they have grown ripe far sooner than those which have been planted in good and fat ,earth3 which is such a thing1 as hath made many ,men extreamly to wonder1 when they saw ,corn grow in bare ,sand without any other ,earth or ,dung1 and be able to arrive to such perfect maturity4 ,many other ,salts there are of no great cost1 and such as are to be had in vast quantity1 with which1 ,corn being macerated and sown in barren ,lands1 and in such as are not dunged doth come to perfect maturity2 and this ,i have tried not onely once1 but oftentimes2 and have also purposed 7if ,god please7 to bring it into publick use1 in these ,united ,provinces3 to which end1 the most ,supreme ,orders1 ,general and ,provincial1 have granted me a ,priviledge 7or ,patent7 for many years2 whereby it is forbidden to sow or plant barren1 sandy ,grounds and undunged1 after this kind of way1 without my consent4 ,the main ,basis of the knack lies in ,sea-salt1 which may be plentifully had in these places1 and be easily prepared and made use of 7to fatten lean and dry ,grounds with7 instead of ,dung4 ,but amongst all such like ,medicaments1 the ,tincture of ,nitre bears away the ,bell1 for it causeth many ,stalks to spring up out of one ,grane1 and to yield fruit1 a thousand fold4 ,nor doth it onely make the ,vegetables fruitfull1 but ,men too1 and the terrestrial ,animals1 and even the ,birds themselves that live in the ,air4 ,and by the same reason also may it be brought to pass1 that even the ,metals may be multiplied by the help thereof1 as we shall declare anon1 in what follows4 ,both these ,wines or efficacious ,drinks doe very well suit with the metallick ,sawces or ,junkets1 they heat the ,body1 help the concoction of the ,stomach1 corroborate the ,spirits1 give good ,nourishment1 drive forth out of the ,body the superfluous ,excrements1 in a due manner by ,stool and ,urine1 they cause ,chearfulness1 bestow a prosperous ,health1 give a comely ,look1 and change the ,complexions into the ,sanguine and best ,complexion2 in the accomplishment of all which things1 that pure and golden coloured ,tincture of ,niter excells4 ,and here ,i must make a little digression1 and set somewhat more clearly afore your ,eyes1 the four primary ,complexions2 from which the other mixt ones do arise1 according as a ,man partakes the more of this or that ,complexion4 ,therefore as touching the ,complexions1 the ,ancient ,physicians judged thereof according to the form and colour of the ,hair1 and were of this ,opinion1 that the ,sanguine ,complexion which of all others is the purest1 produceth red ,hairs and a white ,skin full of small and bright ,pores1 such ,men being indued with hot and moist ,bloud1 and of a sound ,constitution are diligent1 learned1 pious1 prone to ,venery1 ,ingenious1 ,chearfull1 and for the most part long liv'd1 but are subject to hot ,diseases1 as ,feavers1 the ,plague1 and the like2 and do in their nature resemble the ,sun1 amongst the ,planets1 and ,gold amongst the ,metals4 ,the ,cholerick have very black ,hair1 a yellowish ,skin1 and their ,bloud is hot and dry1 and they are wrathfull1 quarrelsome1 strong1 bold1 ,warriours1 addicted to ,whoredoms1 subtle1 wicked1 false1 merciless1 rejoycing at others harms1 as is wont to be in ,war4 ,they are tormented with raging ,feavers1 as also with the overflowing of the ,gall1 and they are of the nature of ,mars and ,venus amongst the ,planets2 and of ,iron and ,copper amongst the ,metals4 ,the ,hairs of the ,melancholy ,complexion are for the most part betwixt a white and black colour1 and their ,skin is white4 ,they are of a cold and dry nature1 quiet1 laborious1 musing1 industrious1 sincere1 pious1 and mercifull1 inclined rather to weeping than laughter1 if they hear of any mischances1 they aim at ,justice1 and fear ,god without ,hypocrisie1 or esteem of ,men4 ,they are subject to all kinds of ,diseases1 are afflicted with a debility of their ,limbs1 and are compared to ,saturn and ,jupiter amongst the ,planets1 and to ,lead and ,tin amongst the ,metals4 ,the nature and property of the ,phlegmatick is moist and cold1 the ,hair and ,skin white1 the ,wit dull1 a dreaming sleepy quality1 negligent1 carefull of nothing1 obstinate1 envious1 slow1 and gross1 and unteachable1 the ,body consists of thick or homely ,limbs1 and is wont to be troubled with the ,scab1 ,ulcers1 and cold ,feavers4 ',mongst the ,planets the ,moon1 and 'mongst the ,metals1 ,silver1 are supposed not much to differ from their ,disposition4 ,these are the marks 7as is believed7 of the ,complexions in ,men and ,beasts4 ,but yet you are to know1 that one single ,complexion doth very rarely bear absolute sway in any ,man1 but they are for the most part mixt1 and so the denomination is given according to the predominant ,complexion4 ,a ,man that consists of a sanguine and phlegmatick property1 is as it were double complexioned1 and both the colour and denomination are divided1 so that from red and white1 yellow hairs arise1 and the ,men themselves are of a good1 temperate and fruitfull nature2 and thus is it to be understood of other ,commixtions4 ,but forasmuch as a pure and sanguine complexion is esteemed the best and wholsomest1 the ,ancient ,physicians in their ,cures were wont to call the superfluity of any phlegmatick scabby person1 ,phlegm and watery ,blood3 the superfluity of the ,melancholick1 sad and irksome cogitations or pensive dumps3 and the superfluity of ,cholerick1 a mad raging brain4 ,now of this ,phlegmatick1 ,melancholy1 or ,cholerick person do we make a ,sanguine one1 that is1 a ,man of a sound and pure blood4 ,upon this account have they ascribed this property unto their ,universal ,medicine1 viz4 that it does not onely change all the imperfect complexions of ,men1 as the ,cholerick1 ,melancholy1 and ,phlegmatick into the ,sanguine2 but doth also transmute all the imperfect1 unripe1 gross1 and volatile ,metals into pure ,gold4 ,for if a ,medicine be of so much virtue as to convert all the ,complexions into the ,sanguine one1 it will necessarily transmute all the imperfect ,metals likewise1 as ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,mars1 ,venus1 ,mercury and ,lune into ,sol or ,gold4 ,now forasmuch as ,i have often found by the frequent ,experiments that ,i have made1 that my said ,medicine1 or ,tincture of ,nitre is wont to colour all kinds of ,hair1 as white1 brown1 black1 7black ,i say1 which may seem impossible unto many1 but nevertheless is very true2 for to dye white ,hair with a yellow colour is a thing commonly known1 but to tinge black ,hair with a yellow or red colour1 is a great secret7 and even all other colours1 none excepted1 with a golden colour2 and this it does while it is as yet of an unripe and flying nature3 ,upon this account ,i dare perswade my self1 that if it were but brought to a fix and constant nature1 it could not possibly be1 but that it would bestow upon the imperfect ,metals1 a golden nature and perfection4 ,but by reason of its too tender a nature1 which is extreamly impatient of a ,fire of ,coals1 ,i pondered upon the business more accurately1 and perceived1 that it is indeed a thing possible to be done1 although that hitherto ,i never had a convenient time of perfecting of the same4 ,and as concerning the manner how it may be done1 ,i cannot but out of ,christian ,love1 discover the same to my ,neighbour4 ,during the time that ,i considered not the ,words of the ,angel in the ,sepulchre of ,christ1 saying1 ,why seek ye the ,living among the ,dead8 and therefore search'd about in filthy ,sepulchres1 in which ,i could not find the ,life4 ,god at length vouchsafed to look upon me with his gratious and mercifull ,eyes1 and brought me into the right way1 insomuch that leaving the ,sepulchres and ,monuments or ,tombs of the ,dead1 ,i began to look for ,life amongst the ,living1 and not amongst the ,dead4 ,god onely is the alone and eternal ,life1 who bestoweth upon us the so much desirable ,sun1 7as being the ,servant of ,god7 by the help of the ,air4 ,let us boil1 roast1 bake1 and labour as much1 and in what manner soever we please2 yet shall we never find any liveliness1 save from the ,sun1 the ,servant1 ,minister1 or instrument of the ,omnipotent ,god4 ,for else we doe but prepare us ,medicaments destitute of virtues1 of fine out-side ,colours1 but within1 dead and full of poison1 because from things wanting life1 no help can be expected4 ,forasmuch therefore1 as we gave not life unto our own selves1 neither can we defend the same against death without that one onely life coming unto us from above3 it is very expedient1 that1 omitting the stinking dung1 we betake our selves to the pure and living fountain of ,god1 as being the ,centre of all life2 and doe seek for life1 from the ,sun1 as being the great master of all the created ,palace or ,world4 ,the way of effecting this1 will ,i reveal unto you in a few words4 ,if we accurately weigh with the utmost of our discretions this whole business1 we clearly see it afore our ,eyes1 that there is no other life to be any-where found1 besides that universal life which ,god hath implanted in the ,sun1 and which the ,sun sends down unto us by the help of the ,air4 ,let any one make trial1 what way soever it likes him1 and he shall find this most true4 ,if you would putrefie an ,herb or ,animal in a shut glass1 so that the ,air cannot penetrate into it1 there will indeed be ,magots generated1 but they will want life so long1 untill the glass being opened1 they receive life and motion from the ,air4 ,if you put ,herbs1 or the ,flesh of living ,creatures chopt or bruised in a glass1 and shut it close1 and keep the glass for a while in hot ,horse dung1 or else in warm water1 there will ,vermine or ,maggots be indeed generated1 but yet void of life1 which 7the glass being opened7 will begin to stir of themselves2 and so having gotten life1 creep out1 and become greater1 and will get other forms or shapes4 ,place likewise in a warm place1 some little ,barrel half full of ,wine and let the bung-hole be open1 that it may putrefie and begin to wax sowre2 ,the ascending vapour will gather it self about the said ,bung hole into a tenacious matter1 which will yield small little vermine or ,mites1 much like those which are engendred in ,cheese2 and which at length will1 by reason of the ,air1 live and creep forth4 ,if you put a ,cover over the hole1 all these little ,mites will again dye1 because they are deprived of the ,air from which ,life doth proceed4 ,then the ,cover being again taken off1 and the ,air admitted1 they doe agen creep2 and following after the ,air1 endeavour to get out of the ,barrel3 out of which1 if they doe but stay some hours onely1 and feel the full ,air2 ,they attain to another form1 and get wings and fly away1 which cannot be done without the ,air1 seeing that without it they can have no life4 ,let such ,earth as hath ,seeds sown therein be so covered over1 as that the ,air cannot penetrate into it2 which being shut out1 nothing will be brought forth3 or let it be some ,plant1 which hath already sprouted up out of the earth2 if you doe but take the ,air therefrom1 it will cease growing and plainly wither and come to nought4 ,from whence it is clearly evident1 that the rise of all ,life is to be imputed to the ,air1 which very ,life it self1 the ,sun hath first wrought in the ,air1 and ,art knows how to extract the same again thereout of1 by a certain ,magnetical way1 and make it visible1 palpable1 and sensible4 ,but all the ,air is not meer life1 but contains this same life dispersed1 or dilated in it1 like a great deal of water containing in it but little ,salt1 it self being visible1 but the ,salt which is therein1 invisible4 ,and just so is the life dispersed in the bodies of ,men1 and other ,animals1 and1 being invisible1 hath its habitation in the blood1 so that1 without it1 the whole body would be immovable and remain dead4 ,now when either a ,man1 or any other living ,creature is conversant in the open ,air1 he attracteth to himself by his breathing1 7by a certain ,sympathetical power and property7 as much ,air as is requisite for the ,heart1 7which is the ,center1 ,receptacle1 or ,house of the ,life7 for the nourishment of the spiritual ,life1 and as for the residue1 and unprofitable part1 it casts it away by the ,antipathetical virtue and property of the out-blowing 7breath or7 expiration4 ,so that no ,man1 no ,animal1 no ,herb1 no ,mineral1 can possibly enjoy a living and growing faculty1 if this food of ,life were withdrawn therefrom4 ,which seeing it is so1 and cannot be otherwise1 it doth necessarily follow1 that the true universal ,medicine cannot be prepared in any shut up 7or close7 ,vessels as is commonly done4 ,do but look ,i pray upon the ,birth and ,generation of ,salt-peter1 the ,body of which is nothing else but the essential ,salt of the ,vegetables1 ,animals1 or ,minerals1 which attracteth to it self the ,fire out of the ,air1 as is well known4 ,therefore1 whereas all ,salts are wont to be turned 7by the help of the ,fire and ,air7 into burning and live ,salt-peter1 and that no body can bring the same to pass without ,air3 we should by good right learn from thence thus much1 viz4 to endeavour to make our ,medicaments too1 alive by the ,air4 ,for a ,medicine that is destitute of life will subdue and destroy a ,disease even just as much as common ,salt will overturn a ,mountain1 and throw it out of its place1 without being animated as it were by the ,air1 and transmuted into burning and living ,salt-peter4 ,truly therefore and by experience do ,i say1 that all the faculty of growth1 all ,transplantation1 and every life owes its birth to the ,air1 and without it do they all become dead and so remain4 ,the ,air receives its vital food from the ,sun1 and the ,sun derives its ,original from ,god1 the ,center and ,beginning of every ,life4 ,and therefore when we are desirous of extracting that vital food out of the ,air by the help of ,art1 and of reducing it into a visible body1 it is behoovefull and expedient1 that we expose thereunto a certain ,magnet1 which may draw the same unto it self1 and be by little and little augmented therewithall1 and may grow both in quantity and virtue1 even as an ,herb out of the ,earth2 or as an ,animal gets it self growth and encrease by meat and drink1 and adds to it self an augmentation of strength and greatness1 and at length associates it self unto or couples with its like1 and multiplieth its kind4 ,man himself doth without intermission attract to himself the ,air1 by the help of his ,lungs2 but the ,heart retains onely the vital food thereof1 and rejecteth all the rest like so much excrement4 ,the ,body it self also doth daily assume food and sustenance by the ,mouth1 but the ,stomach transmits the nutriment that is separated thereout of1 to the ,liver1 to be reduced into blood and flesh3 but the ,excrements1 as the ,dung1 ,urine1 ,sweat1 and the like1 it banisheth out of the body by the usual passages4 ,thus like wise stands the case with our ,medicament4 ,according as the ,magnet is1 that we expose to the said ,air1 so accordingly doth it attract its like out of the said ,air1 whereby it may get to it self1 ,life1 ,virtue1 and ,power4 ,but it cannot possibly be1 that it should extract that virtue and faculty simply pure and clean2 ,no1 but it gets to it self also a certain1 unprofitable1 and watery ,essence1 which is associated unto that virtue1 which acqueity doth again go off1 as a superfluous ,excrement1 and must necessarily bestow the ,life onely upon the ,magnet1 that it may be therewithall encreased and strengthened4 ,if ,i desire to have a ,vegetable1 then must ,i sow a ,vegetable ,seed2 or such a ,magnet is to be placed there1 as may associate or adjoyn unto it self its like out of the ,air4 ,if you would have an ,animal1 then an ,animal ,seed1 or ,animal ,magnet is to be used4 ,but if that which ,i seek is to be more pure1 and more constant or lasting3 a purer ,magnet must necessarily be exposed2 for like doth always seek its like2 love1 o'ercome1 and conserve it3 according to the testimony of the ,ancient ,wise men1 ,nature rejoyceth with ,nature3 ,nature overcomes ,nature3 ,nature retains ,nature4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and therefore seeing our purpose tends to this1 namely1 to extract the invisible faculty of ,life1 the power and virtue of the ,sun out of the ,air2 to concentrate it1 and make it corporeal1 visible1 and palpable2 ,it behooves us to provide our selves with a fitting ,seed or ,magnet1 which may earnestly attract1 overcome1 and hold the same4 ,now such ,magnets are pure ,gold1 and the most pure ,soul of ,salt-peter1 both of them being the true off-spring of the vivifying ,sun4 ,because therefore like desires its like1 loves1 and seeks after it1 a poisonous ,magnet must not be exposed to attract a vital food3 ,for as is the nature of the ,magnet1 so likewise doth it attract good or evil out of the ,air4 ,it is a thing that ,husbandmen are well acquainted withall1 namely1 that ,wheat produceth nothing else but ,wheat1 and from ,tares do ,tares arise4 ,if the ,seed or ,magnet be aureous and pure1 it will also acquire to it self pure and golden ,virtues1 and be encreased by them4 ,the manner of so placing the ,magnets1 that 7by ,solutions and ,coagulations7 they may receive the ,astral and vivifying ,rays of the ,sun1 and may render them visible1 corporeal1 palpable1 and durable in the ,fire4 ,you must get made some flat and strong glass ,dishes or ,platters1 in which you must put your ,magnet the thickness of half a fingers breadth1 and expose it moist to the ,sun1 that the unprofitable humidity may vanish by evaporation4 ,which done1 7and in the ,summer time it will be done in a few hours1 especially if there were not too much of the ,golden ,liquor put into the ,dishes7 expose the same ,dishes1 which contain in them the thus dried ,salt1 in the night-time1 open to the cold and moist ,lunar ,beams1 that the ,salt may by its magnetick virtue associate unto it self from the ,air1 the ,water1 which carries in it the universal food of the ,air1 and consequently may be dissolved4 ,this ,solution is to be agen set out in the day-time to the ,sun-beams1 which will again dry up the unprofitable moisture1 and leave in the ,salt1 that vivifying and golden ,seed1 which it contracted in the cold ,night and ,air1 together with the humidity1 which is void of any virtue4 ,the ,salt being freed by the ,sun from its superfluous moisture1 must be again exposed at ,night to the ,lunar beams1 that it may again imbibe the ,astral virtues1 and may be agen dissolved in the imbibed water1 that1 being the next day1 as the day afore1 exposed to the ,sun1 it may be animated anew with those same virtues3 ,these exposings by turns to the ,sun and ,moon1 must be so long and so often repeated1 untill the said ,magnet1 7after its being dried at the day time in the ,sun7 will1 at the nighttime1 hardly admit of any moisture from the ,air1 and that being dry and put upon a red-hot ,plate1 it readily melts without fume4 ,for then may it be applied to use1 as being a constant and fix ,medicament4 ,this interchangeable ,solution and ,coagulation must be repeated some hundreds of times1 and every ,solution and ,coagulation is to be accounted for a ,philosophical day4 ,if now in the ,summer-season the heat of the ,sun be not strong enough in our ,countries for the effecting of this operation1 the said heat may be concentred by ,glasses1 or metallick ,instruments1 and be made more efficacious1 that the ,coagulation may be ripened or hastned4 ,but in defect of such ,instruments1 and want of the heat of the ,sun1 which is frequently over-cast with store of ,clouds1 you may easily forward the ,coagulation with our ,common ,fire1 and that too with a more unfailable and speedier operation than that is1 wherein the drying up by the ,solar heat is always to be waited for4 ,and although this operation1 which is performed in the ,sun1 is to be accounted of as far the better1 yet notwithstanding the ,sun doth operate together with our ,common ,fire after an invisible manner1 when we cannot make use of the ,sun it self4 ,for wheresoever the ,air is1 there also is to be found the invisible ,sun1 and the occult virtue and power of life4 ,he that can have the opportunity of using the ,sun in this operation1 needs not any other ,fire4 ,but the using of our ,common ,fire requireth a peculiar ,iron ,furnace1 whereon the ,dishes or ,basons are to be placed to dry4 ,but yet the heat must not be underneath1 and strike at the bottom of the said ,basons1 but it must be such as may strike the heat downwards at top of the matter onely1 and may gently and by little and little consume the humidity3 ,for else there would be hazard of the ,liquors boiling over1 and of being lost1 if the heat should be placed under the bottom of the ,dishes4 ,the ,iron ,furnace may be made of ,iron ,plates1 resembling ,arched work1 or ,oven like and be placed within a ,stone ,furnace1 and have a ,door fitted thereunto1 that so neither ,dust nor ,ashes may fly thereinto1 and by this way will the ,salts be dried in two or three hours time4 ,and now1 that you may not need to wait till the night approacheth1 you may have a wooden ,box or ,chest made1 and covered over at the top1 but pierced full of holes all round about the sides1 which 7with the ,basons placed therein7 may in the ,winter-season be set abroad to the cold ,air1 and in the ,summer-time may be placed in some moist ,cellar1 that so the ,salts may attract from the ,air the food of ,life4 ,for in all places of the ,world doth the ,air contain in it 7though in one place more plentifully1 and better1 than in another7 that occult faculty and virtue of ,life1 without which1 neither ,men nor ,animals are able to live4 ,but by how much purer the ,air shall be1 so much the purer and more excellent is the acquired ,medicine4 ,as for the ,transmutation of ,metals1 it matters not much what ,air it is that you get1 for every sort of ,air is fit for this operation4 ,we doe in this place manifest onely the way of fixing it3 ,now every one knows that a pure and clean ,air is better than a gross and an impure one1 and that the heat of the ,sun is better than the heat of ,coles1 or of a ,lamp4 ,thomas ,aquinas writes1 that ,god with his ,angels cannot want our fire1 and therefore is he reproved by ,paracelsus1 because he saith that ,god cannot want the ,elementary fire4 ,alas1 ,good man1 he did not so accurately weigh this matter1 for this proposition tends onely to this end1 namely1 to set afore our eyes the purity of the ,fire necessary for the ,coction of our ,medicine4 ,from whence it is sufficiently manifest1 that a ,medicament will be so much the better1 by how much the purer the ,fire shall be4 ,for a gross ,air begets a gross ,blood4 ,but in this operation1 the ,air is the ,meat and ,drink of our ,golden ,salt1 but the ,water or ,phlegm is to be driven away by heat1 it being a superfluous ,excrement adhering on to that ,air4 ,now in those manifold ,solutions and ,coagulations1 the ,magnet doth always retain some good thing1 and encreaseth both in weight and virtue1 and attaineth a constancy3 like as ,men and other ,animals are encreased with ,meat and ,drink1 and doe grow in stature1 and multiply themselves4 ,the whole work therefore of making this kingly ,medicament by the help of the secret ,solar fire1 doth consist in a good1 pure1 and golden ,magnet1 and afterwards in a true ,solution and ,coagulation3 ,which if it be too speedy and strong1 the over-much heat will burn up and consume the attracted food of ,life4 ,if therefore a ,medium be not used1 it so happens1 as 'tis wont to be in any ,earth that is too moist1 and therefore not capable of bearing fruit4 ,so that nothing is more necessary than to have a due regard of mediocrity1 not onely in the ,solution1 but in the ,coagulation likewise4 ,and this is that way by which the ,solution done in the ,air1 and the ,coagulation made in the ,sun1 doe reduce the ,mercurial water1 and the ,minerals prepared with ,salt into fusile and tinging ,stones2 which thing the ,common fire will never perform in a glass closed up1 and without the ,air4 ,note this1 and believe it1 and doe it1 and thou wilt find what thou hast believed1 come to pass4 ,supper being ended1 and the ,drinking-bout over1 'tis time for the ,guests to go to ,bed1 unto whom the custom of some is to present a closing ,cup1 made of good and profitable ,herbs1 'mongst which1 such as are more bitter1 are for the most part in greatest esteem1 because they close up the mouth of the ,stomach1 and beget a quiet ,sleep4 ,now to parallel this ,custom1 ,i will here set one down1 for those that are desirous of such like bitter ,potions1 and such an one as they may prepare according to their pleasure1 and apply to use4 ,take of common ,aqua ,fortis1 which you must rectifie by a ,cucurbit1 or by a ,retort1 that it may be bright and clear4 ,dissolve therein1 by boiling in hot ,sand1 as much cupellated ,silver as it will dissolve2 but you are to note here1 that there must not be any ,copper at all in the ,silver1 for it would spoil the ,medicament4 ,into the ,solution pour strong and well rectified ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 so long till the ,aqua ,fortis makes no more ,ebullition4 ,when all the tissing and noise is over1 there will be about the half part of the ,silver precipitated1 and settled to the bottom1 and will be of an ashy colour4 ,place the ,glass in ,sand1 put ,fire thereunder1 and boil the precipitated ,silver with the ,menstruum1 in which boiling there will separate yet more ,silver out of the ,menstruum1 and the residue will remain dissolved up in the ,menstruum1 which is to be filtered through ,cap paper1 and then to be evaporated by little and little in ,sand1 that all the humidity may be abstracted4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,aqua ,fortis and ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 turn into a liquid and volatile ,salt1 and have lost their corroding property1 which ,salt hath introverted the ,silver1 and drawn its bitterness forth1 insomuch that both ,salts are converted into one bitter and green ,salt4 ,this ,salt must be dissolved1 filtered1 and purified by pouring ,water thereon1 and again drawing it off2 and being hereby rendred more pure1 it resolves it self in the cold ,air into a green and bitter ,liquor1 one drop of which is able to make a whole ,cupfull of ,wine bitter4 ,and this ,wine being drunk is profitable to the ,stomach1 causeth quiet ,sleep1 dissipates ,windiness1 and keeps the ,belly ,soluble4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,salt guilds over ,glasses1 and other glazed ,vessels with ,silver1 nor does it vanish away but remains constant4 ,it likewise performs other considerable effects in ,alchymy1 as may be seen in my other ,writings1 but especially in the second part of my ,furnaces1 of the last ,edition4 ,and thus do ,i leave the ,guests to their rest1 that they may ,sleep even till broad ,day-light4 ,the ,sun being up1 and some of the ,guests being very droughty or thirsty with their ,yesternight ,surfeiting1 and being tormented with overmuch ,heat2 they endeavour to extinguish this ,inflammation of the ,liver1 with cold ,fountain ,water1 or with small ,beer1 or with hungry and sharpning ,wine4 ,others send to the ,apothecaries for some ,syrup of ,roses1 or ,violets1 and mix that with ,fountain ,water1 and so drink it off4 ,but the burning hot ,liver is presently smitten with a sudden horrour1 the ,stomach is refrigerated1 and beset with clammy ,humours1 and most an end the ,limbs are debilitated1 the ,skin becomes ,scabby and cold ,feavers possess the ,stomach4 ,instead therefore of such like drink1 ,i will here substitute a far better cooling ,potion1 which shall not hinder the health1 as those do1 but be profitable to the same4 ,take one pound of ,spirit of ,salt1 not of that yellow1 unrectified ,spirit that is sold in the ,shops1 but of our well rectified ,spirit2 wherein dissolve as much ,tartar as it will associate unto it self in a gentle boiling2 filter the ,solution through ,cap-paper1 that so all the ,fces which were in the ,tartar1 may abide in the ,paper1 and the ,spirit of ,salt itself together with the dissolved ,tartar may pass through1 bright and clear2 if the ,solution stands long in a cold place1 part of the ,tartar will shoot into ,crystals1 and part thereof will remain mixt with the ,spirit of ,salt1 and give it a gratefull vinous ,acidity4 ,if you use white ,tartar then the said ,spirit will remain white1 red ,tartar tingeth the same with the colour of a ,ruby4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,spirit of ,salt is of such a nature1 as that it makes all colours more fair4 ,you may therefore use red ,tartar to make this ,potion withall1 because of the loveliness of the colour1 wherewith it tingeth the ,spirit of ,salt1 for as to the virtues and efficacy of them1 there is no difference to be found between them4 ,this ,tartarized ,spirit of ,salt is very sweet1 and tasts like an acid ,wine1 some drops of which1 being drunk in cold ,fountain ,water1 will not at all hurt the ,liver3 nor will it onely allay the droughtiness and thirst1 but also stir up in the ,stomach an ,appetite to meat and drink4 ,and therefore ,i do commend this ,tartarized ,spirit of ,salt1 beyond all other thirst-allaying ,remedies1 and it may be taken safely and pleasantly1 both ,summer and ,winter1 because the unripe and acid ,wines being drunk with ,fountain ,water and ,sugar1 do refrigerate the ,stomach1 and load it with tenacious humours1 and weaken the ,appetite1 and hinder digestion4 ,most profitable therefore is this our ,spirit unto those1 who daily drinking much ,ale1 may always mix a little of the same with their ,ale4 ,for it makes the ,ale to tast like an acidish ,wine1 it allays thirst1 so that there will not need such a guzling in of so great a quantity of thick ,ale1 it discusseth ,wind1 expells ,urine1 hinders the generation of the ,stone in the ,bladder and ,reins1 and if it be already generated it dissolves and consumes the same1 and by little and little drives out the same with the ,urine4 ,being administred to such as are troubled with the ,feaver1 ,gout1 ,stone1 and ,scurvy1 and that in all their drink1 it is a pleasant and profitable ,remedy4 ,concerning the use of which1 you may find more spoken in my ,treatise1 intituled1 ,the ,consolation of ,sailors4 ,now besides all this1 there is yet one thing more that ,i shall here admonish you of2 namely1 that by the ,spirit of ,salts help may a ,remedy be administred to many more hurtfull disorders1 but especially in the stead of those sharpish ,waters1 unto which1 ,men are wont to come from far and undertake long ,journeys1 losing their most pretious time and ,money1 neglecting their ,calling1 their ,houshold ,affairs1 their ,wife and ,children1 upon the bare hope of recovering their former ,health3 ,whereas notwithstanding1 the ,spirit of ,salt well prepared with ,tartar1 and having a little ,steel ,powder put thereinto1 will perform the very same effect as the ,calibeat ,waters are wont to do1 and so they may avoid the loss of so much expences1 and of their pretious time2 and thus every one may discharge and follow his own ,calling and ,domestick ,affairs1 and yet for all that1 be cured by the help of the ,tartarized and ,chalibeat ,spirit of ,salt which openeth the ,obstructions of the ,liver and ,spleen4 ,but what shall ,i say much for8 ,some haply there are that go the more willingly to those ,waters every year for other reasons4 ,such as have old chiding ,wives at ,home1 that take it very ill if their ,husbands do but stir out of ,doors1 and are continually a plaguing them with ,scoldings and ill ,words1 have not these think you great reason to seek some ,diversion8 ,young ,women also love to visit these ,waters and ,baths1 who meeting not with so much heat in their feeble and aged ,husbands1 as to beget them with ,child1 betake themselves to those ,waters and ,baths1 where at all times they meet with active strong ,companions1 full of strength and ,metal1 who without doubt do frequent the said places1 for this very end1 namely1 to apply warm suppositories to those cold ,women1 and uterine emplasters to make them ,fruitfull1 and to take away ,sterility4 ,such kind of ,dames being restored to their former health1 and returned ,home1 their ,husbands find 7after some few ,months7 how effectual the use of those ,waters have been upon their ,wives4 ,besides1 it most an end happens that the ,master and ,mistress being absent1 the ,houshold ,affairs are very awkwardly administred and managed by the ,children1 the ,men-servants1 and ,maid servants2 and that common ,german ,proverb doth usually take place2 ,the ,cat being out of the way1 ,the ,mice upon the ,shelves do play4 ,the truth of this is sufficiently testified by frequent ,examples4 ,and therefore it is much better to drink these acid ,waters at ,home1 whereby both ,money and ,time is spared1 and many evils prevented4 ,and thus much may suffice to have been said concerning a refrigerating ,drink4 ,and now1 seeing we have at hand good ,cheese and ,butter1 good ,sawces or ,cates1 and delicate ,drink1 can we not be here with content8 ,verily in my ,judgment here's enough disht out for one ,banquet4 ,but some may say1 in very good time6 ,glauber indeed does not onely teach us the preparation of good ,meats1 but likewise of ,cheese1 ,butter1 ,sawces1 or ,junkets1 and pretious ,wine1 but yet tells us not from whence the ,milk to make the ,cheese and ,butter withall is to be had1 nor whence the ,sugar and ,spices for the ,cates1 and the ,grapes needfull to make the ,wine with1 are to be gotten8 ,what benefit have we by knowing how to make ,cheese and ,butter1 and yet want ,cows to yield us ,milk8 ,to satisfie these1 we will demonstrate unto them1 that even both the ,milk it self1 and the precious ,spices1 and most excellent ,grapes are all attainable by the help of ,salt4 ,in my ,treatise called ,miraculum ,mundi1 as likewise in that called ,the continuation of the same1 and in that ,book1 of the nature of ,salts1 ,i have clearly enough shown1 that all the faculty of the ,growth and ,nourishment of all growing and movable ,creatures doth take its rise and original out of ,salt alone1 and that the correction or melioration1 not onely of ,vegetables and ,animals1 but even of the ,minerals too1 is to be sought for from the same4 ,but forasmuch as this bettering of the ,metals meets with but little credit and is very hardly believed and understood1 7nay 'tis plainly thought a thing impossible to be effected17 ,i could not choose but manifest and demonstrate the truth of the same unto the whole ,world2 namely1 that like as the ,metals are in long process of time maturated by ,salt in the ,bowels of the ,earth3 ,even so may the same be likewise maturated1 mundified1 and amended out of the ,earth1 by ,salt1 by the help and benefit of ,art2 not onely by the moist way1 but also by the dry1 and that with one ,fire1 in one ,furnace1 and with one ,servant1 whom ,i will in this place call ,the ,countryman paying his yearly ,rent4 ,when his belly is continually fill'd with ,coles1 his ,plows never cease going1 so that weekly1 monthly and yearly he is able to pay his master the due hire1 namely ,gold and ,silver1 wherewith all things necessary for houshold expences may be gotten4 ,and although this ,countryman1 which ,i will here describe1 be not that great ,country-,farmer1 which ,i have mentioned in the ,third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany3 yet notwithstanding he is a little one1 and one that will discover so much unto the ignorant as to cause them to believe that the things which ,i speak of are possible to be done1 and that there is a yet richer and better ,countryman4 ,but this here is to be accounted as a small ,cow1 and which will however supply you with ,milk1 ,butter and ,cheese1 for necessary uses1 if not with ,sugar1 ,spices1 and ,wine too1 to be set out upon the ,table4 ,if this ,country fellow be too little and small for any one1 he may even provide himself of a better1 and learn by the consideration of this1 by what means such ,countrymen are to be nourished1 that so the ,rent may be gotten from him in its due time4 ,a4 ,the little ,country ,tenant with one ,plow4 ,b4 ,the ,countryman with three ,plows4 ,c4 ,the ,countryman's ,cap4 ,d4 ,his three ,plows4 ,e4 ,the ,registers to govern the ,fire by4 ,f4 ,the ,glass set in with his ,alembick and ,receiver4 ,g4 ,the ,door to shut the ,crate4 ,h4 ,the ,ash-hole4 ,i4 ,a ,basket of ,coals4 ,see the ,fig4 before the #c;d4 p4 of the ,prosperity of ,germ4 noted with pag4 #gf4 ,in the first place you must prepare you some pounds of good ,spirit of ,salt1 after the way which ,i prescribed with ,vitriol1 without which it will effect nothing1 for out of this ,vitriol it doth in the preparation carry over with it the spiritual ,gold1 or tinging ,spirit1 which said spiritual ,gold is1 in the performing of the operation1 fixed1 together with that spiritual ,gold1 which lyes hidden in the inferior ,metals1 and so becomes manifest4 ,then 7in the next place7 you must build you a ,furnace1 which is called by the ,chymists the slow ,henry1 or dull ,harry1 but ,i call it ,the little ,country ,farmer or yearly ,renter3 you may build it1 ,i say1 of what bigness you please2 or for ,example sake1 the ,tower which holds the ,coles may be about ,man-heighth1 and about one ,cubit broad in the inside1 but so1 that the top part and bottom part be narrower1 and the middle part wider4 ,to this ,tower you must adjoyn two or three ,furnaces1 which are here called the ,countryman's ,plows1 and in which the ,vessels are to be placed1 which hold the ,metals that are to be maturated by the ,spirit of ,salt1 and which have a continual heat1 whereby the never-ceasing coction is holpen from the ,tower that contains the ,coles4 ,now see that you make all things cleverly and well proportioned1 whereby that the ,fire may be well and commodiously governed1 and may be conserved for twenty four hours at least1 without any looking too or medling with1 as may be seen by the now described ,figure4 ,the ,vessel1 in which the ,spirit of ,salt1 with the ,metal1 is to be exercised 7or laboured7 with a daily ,coction1 must be made of such matter as doth not flie with the heat of the fire1 nor is not eaten with the sharpness of the ,spirit1 7but7 such as may be seen in my ,laboratory1 and will for the most part dure and hold the ,spirit of ,salt a whole year without breaking4 ,all things being ready and fitted1 the ,countrymans ,belly is to be filled with ,coals up to the ,neck1 and his ,head covered with a ,cap1 that the ,fire may not find any out-let1 save by the lower holes1 through which1 the heat may find an entrance into the adjoined ,furnaces2 and as for the ,vessels1 they are to be filled with the ,spirit of ,salt1 and with ,metals fitted for this ,operation1 and to be covered with their ,alembicks1 that the ,spirits which ascend in the boiling may be received and conserved4 ,when all the ,spirits of the ,salt are come over1 they are to be again returned back upon the dried matter in the ,cucurbit1 and are to be agen drawn off by distillation4 ,this operation and cohobation being often repeated1 doth ripen and fix the spiritual ,silver and ,gold1 whereby it becomes ,corporeal3 ,but yet the ,spirit of ,salt alone is not able to give ,gold1 but ripens ,silver onely1 but by the addition of other ,salts1 it will give ,gold too4 ,and even for the fixation of ,silver1 common ,salt may be also added to the ,spirit of ,salt1 that so the ,spirit of the ,salt may be made strong in the digestion2 yea and in time so very strong1 as to fume even in the cold ,air1 and therefore a little water may be also added besides the ,salt4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that in one days digestion six pounds of ,spirit of ,salt will give seven pounds of the same2 unto which1 if you again add one pound of ,water1 and one pound of ,salt1 you shall have eight pound of ,spirit of ,salt3 which by the addition of another pound of ,salt1 and one pound of ,water more1 it may be farther augmented2 insomuch that the ,spirit of ,salt1 by a continually-repeated addition of ,water and ,salt1 gets a perpetual encrease1 and the ,metal is so far from being at all hindred in its maturation1 as that it is daily ripened more and more4 ,for the ,agent and ,patient are continually encreased1 and become bettered both in quantity and quality1 which verily is a most excellent work1 and never so manifestly described by any body as by my self4 ,but that ,i may be yet better understood by every one1 ,i will here adjoyn a way which every one may imitate1 and which teacheth how1 by the ,spirit of ,salt alone affording not ,gold but ,silver1 the said operation may be instituted with ,copper4 ,you must take care to have a ,vessel made either bigger or lesser1 of such matter as the ,spirit of ,salt cannot spoil or prey upon2 ,and pour thereinto as many pounds of the ,spirit of ,salt as it will well hold1 and as many pounds as there be of ,spirit1 so many ounces of ,copper-plate must you put in1 and to them add twice as many ounces of ,salt1 so that to one ounce of ,copper there may be two ounces of ,salt4 ,the ,spirit of ,salt being drawn off even till the ,copper and ,salt be dry1 it will be stronger and more in quantity1 because1 from the adjoyned ,salt1 it hath acquired to it self an encrease and greater ,virtues4 ,pour this ,spirit agen upon the ,copper1 which in the first distillation was wholly dissolved up2 and boil the ,spirit of ,salt over the fire1 that the ,copper1 together with the ,salt1 which was not carried over by the ,spirit in the first distillation1 may be again dissolved4 ,the ,furnace being cool'd1 ,take the glass out of the ,sand1 and pass the ,spirit of ,salt with the dissolved ,copper through ,cap-paper1 and wash the white ,calx that remains in the ,paper with water1 dry it1 and melt it with a fix ,lixivial ,salt1 and you shall find as much pure ,silver1 nay1 even somewhat more than the ,copper had in it by its own nature4 ,put the green filtred ,solution agen into the ,cucurbit1 being first well wash't2 of which1 if there be six pounds1 add thereunto one pound of ,salt1 and half a pound of ,water1 that so there may be seven pounds and an half1 provided the ,cucurbit will contain so many pounds1 if not1 then put the less matter therein4 ,then being placed in ,sand1 draw off the ,spirit of ,salt from the added ,salt1 even to dryness1 and as much increase as you find it have above six pounds1 lay it by1 and add as much water to these remaining six pounds1 which you must again put upon the dry matter in the ,cucurbit1 and then agen distill it off till the said matter be dry1 and repeat the same ,operation again by pouring on and distilling off4 ,if the ,spirit of ,salt be augmented in quantity one pound1 then put more ,salt into the ,cucurbit1 and agen augment the six pounds of ,spirit of ,salt by the addition of ,water1 and repeat the pourings on1 and drawings off after the aforesaid manner1 always removing at each ,distillation1 the increase that is over and above six pound3 and renewing the apposition of more ,salt1 after that the former is drawn off1 untill you shall have gotten in the fifth1 sixth1 seventh1 eighth1 or tenth ,distillation as much ,spirit as you at first took1 to begin your ,distillation1 which was six pound4 ,now all the operation consisteth in this knack1 namely1 that you so operate1 as that nothing flies away in fume1 for all the encrease ariseth from the ,salt and ,water which you added thereunto4 ,when you have gained thus much1 you may 7without adding any more new ,salt7 pour on the ,spirit of ,salt several times upon the ,salt which is left remaining in the ,cucurbit1 and agen draw it off so often thencefrom1 untill it hath brought over with it self almost all that ,salt4 ,which ,salt being almost wholly changed by the ,spirit of ,salt that was poured into the ,cucurbit1 ,dissolve up the remaining ,mass of the ,copper and ,salt1 and the ,sand being cold1 take out your ,cucurbit1 ,filter the ,spirit through ,cap-paper1 and wash the white ,powder left in the ,paper1 and dry it1 and melt it as afore with a ,lixivial ,salt1 and you shall have as much pure ,silver as the ,spirit of ,salt was able to fix1 of the ,copper1 in such a time4 ,then put this green ,spirit of ,salt into the ,cucurbit together with more new ,salt1 and repeat the said labours ten or twelve times1 and the ,spirit of ,salt will be always encreased and rendred more strong1 and the ,copper will agen yield forth ,silver4 ,this ,labour1 you may at your pleasure1 continue as long as you list1 for you will always get some ,silver1 and have an encrease of ,spirit4 ,for both the ,agent1 viz4 the ,spirit of ,salt1 and the ,patient1 viz4 the ,copper doe encrease both as to quantity and quality4 ,but it may be demanded1 ,whenee that ,silver comes8 ,that which gave forth it self the first time we impute not unto the ,spirit of ,salt1 as if by it made1 no6 but we say that it was in the ,copper before1 and was melted out of the ,oar1 together with the ,copper1 for this may well be4 ,for there's no ,copper to be found which does not hold some ,silver hidden in its belly3 and though the ,refiners have as accurately separated it as they could1 yet nevertheless we doe conclude that that first ,silver separated in the first ,operation1 was what was left of the ,oar in the ,copper1 and remained unseparated by the ,melters or ,refiners therefrom1 and was not made by the ,spirit of ,salt1 but onely separated4 ,and the ,spirit of ,salt being in its nature an enemy to ,silver1 does not dissolve it4 ,but whence then did that come1 which offered it self unto us the second1 third1 and fourth time2 whereas in the first ,solution1 all the ,silver was clearly taken out1 and none at all left therein1 but was all of it separated by filtration8 ,what shall we here say1 or indeed how shall we dare say otherwise1 but that we believe and confess1 that the ,spirit of ,salt did by its operation make the same of the ,copper4 ,nor is there any reason why this should seem so very strange unto us1 forasmuch as yearly1 in the ,earth1 all ,copper is naturally turned by ,salt into ,silver1 and not onely ,copper1 but all the other ,metals were at first1 ,salts3 not such indeed as we use about our ,cookery in the ,kitchins1 but such as are impregnated by the ,sulphureous ,stars or ,constellations4 ,but forasmuch as we doe at present treat onely of ,copper1 we doe not therefore meddle with the rest of the ,metals3 for very rarely is ,copper digged out of the ,earth but it hath ,vitriol therein1 or1 in defect of ,vitriol1 a ,sulphur salted with a vitriolate salt4 ,for any sort of ,sulphur being burnt1 and its fatness flaming1 the sharp ,salt is released1 and passeth away in fume1 resembling the tast1 of the fiery ,oil of ,vitriol1 and is captivated or caught in the great ,alembick under which the ,sulphur is burnt4 ,this sharp ,oil supplies the place of an ,agent as to the ,minera's or ,oars1 in the ,veins of the ,earth2 and doth more and more ripen the ,minerals and ,metals1 but exceeding slowly3 for ,nature doth scarce attain to that limit in a thousand ,years1 which ,art doth in a few ,months time4 ,for there are no impediments to obstruct the operativeness of our ,agent1 such as are the ,stones1 ,flints1 ,sands1 and various ,earths which frequently occur1 and are much abounding in the bowels of the ,metallick ,veins3 insomuch that it can discharge its ,operations freely1 and without any ,impediment at all3 and besides too1 we use our external fire by which we help this our ,agent1 and strengthen its virtues1 and keep it in a continual action4 ,by all this discourse may every one see1 that when we speak of ripening ,silver out of ,copper by the ,operations of the ,spirit of ,salt1 it is not contrary to nature1 but altogether agreeable with the same4 ,but now we doe not say that any one will suddenly become rich by this ,labour1 done with the ,spirit of ,salt and ,copper1 but we have described this ,operation in this place1 for this end1 namely1 that hereby the possibility of the thing may be learned1 and that there may be good ground to believe1 that even this too is most true1 viz4 when we write that by such or such an ,agent1 corroborated or fortified with such or such ,subjects1 and placed in such-like ,digestions1 ,gold may be extracted as well as ,silver out of the meaner ,metals1 which how little soever there be of1 may notwithstanding prove profitable4 ,for having once made onely some pounds of ,spirit of ,salt1 you will not need to make any more anew1 for in the digestion and maturation of the ,metals1 it will daily encrease1 and that in a plentifull manner1 and that too without any considerable costs1 seeing that the ,salt it self1 which is to be added1 is likewise cheap enough4 ,if you make your ,cucurbit of pure ,silver1 7for the ,spirit of ,salt will not work upon that7 and digest your matters therein1 you need not then stand in fear of the breaking of ,glasses3 ,besides too1 you may always let such a made ,vessel lie in the ,furnace1 and as soon as ever the ,spirit is drawn off1 you may presently put it on agen1 nor is there any need of your waiting so long1 and ceasing from the work till the ,vessel cool4 ,if therefore a ,tower to put the ,coals in 7as afore7 be added to that ,furnace1 or ,furnaces1 then is it a true ,countrey ,farmer1 or ,tenant1 for the sustaining of whom1 there will need no other charge but that of ,coals1 and yet notwithstanding he gives you a perpetual gain without labour1 cost1 and trouble4 ,nay more1 if we do but rightly weigh the business1 we shall find that the daily encrease of the ,spirit of ,salt in these labours1 is easily sold for more ,money than the ,coals will cost1 so that all that ,gold and ,silver which is gotten out of the ,metals1 doth offer it self unto us for nothing4 ,besides1 such kind of ,metals may be taken for this ,operation as are wont to yield more ,silver and ,gold than ,copper1 and the plentifulness thereof will be yet more1 if several such kinds of ,metals are joyned together and so dissolved1 and digested1 in which operation they better one another by a mutual action2 for one supplies what another wants1 and likewise from another1 are those superfluities which it has in it1 taken therefrom3 so that 7as we said afore7 the mutual melioration of those ,metals may be set on foot and promoted1 as it were without any cost1 and by a very little labour4 ,whosoever he be therefore that has the knowledge and experience of the nature and property of the ,metals1 which they are1 that have a correspondency with each other1 and that love to better each the other2 and is not ignorant what ,agent is agreeable to ,gold2 such a one ,i say as this is1 will commit unto his ,countrey ,tenant the care of ,weekly and ,monthly paying the due ,rent1 and will be able by this means to serve ,god his ,creator without wicked ,usury2 to do good unto his ,neighbour1 to extricate himself out of that ,diabolical ,fellowship1 of the impious and the great crew of evil ,men2 and to lead his ,life in ,tranquillity and ,quietude2 which verily is a great and singular gift of ,god1 unto any one that can arrive unto such a knowledge4 ,but yet no ,man hath any reason to perswade himself1 should he be a ,master of this ,art and ,science here shewn1 that he shall be able daily to separate great heaps of ,gold out of the more imperfect ,metals1 whereby he may be enabled to lead a vicious ,life4 ,no1 for my endeavour shall 7in the first place7 be1 not to make any wicked ,man partaker of this ,art4 ,and secondly1 the whole business consisteth in the blessing of ,god1 as we find it ,written1 ,paul hath planted1 and ,apollo ,watered1 but ,god hath given his ,blessing3 ,for without this ,blessing1 all our ,labour is but in vain3 ,and this the ,prophet ,david doth likewise testifie1 saying1 ,in vain do ye rise up early1 and being loaden with many cares1 go to ,bed late1 and eat your ,bread with troubles3 ,for unto them whom ,god is favourable doth he bestow his gifts even while they are ,asleep4 ,moreover ,st4 ,paul saith1 ,it is not of him that wills1 nor of him that runs1 but of ,god that sheweth mercy4 ,and therefore a wicked ,man1 though he should possess so great a thing1 yet would he not do any good upon it1 if he wanteth ,gods ,blessing4 ,besides1 ,i do not here bring forth my little ,countryman upon the ,stage1 as if he could help any one unto huge ,treasures2 no1 but onely as one that can bestow so much as may suffice1 honestly to live4 ,unless haply a ,man should light upon rich ,veins and metalline ,oars1 which should abound with much corporeal ,gold1 and so by this means should yield great ,treasures4 ,now so much cannot be lookt for1 from such ,metals as have in them but a spiritual ,gold onely1 unless the true weight be found1 and that there be gotten the knowledge of those ,metals which have a great affinity with each other1 and which being joined together yield forth ,gold4 ,otherwise you must not expect ought else from this ,operation save an honest and moderate profit4 ,but now1 as touching what ,metals they are that have such affinity1 and what the true proportion of the weight is1 no body hath any reason to enquire of me1 for ,i do not as yet profess my self an expert and absolute ,artist in this matter1 for sometimes ,i have a very gainfull success of my trials that ,i make1 and sometimes agen ,i get less4 ,i was willing therefore to shew the way here1 of ripening the meaner ,metals by the help of ,salt1 and that too in a manner without any costs3 which way of so doing being by me laid open1 may suffice for this time1 nor did ever any reveal it before me 7,i speak it without boasting7 or produce it unto publick view in so open a manifestation as ,i have done4 ,and now if this separation should be used about the fixed ,gold onely which lies hidden in the ,oars and ,metals1 yet mought great profit be thereby gotten in all places2 for there is no place in the ,world in which there are not to be found such ,earth1 ,sand1 and ,stones as contain in them corporeal ,gold1 which may be extracted by the afore prescribed way without any costs at all4 ,but here is to be observed that those things which ,i have written1 and clearly demonstrated concerning such separatory ,operations in the third part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 are to be agen read over1 and well lookt into4 ,moreover1 this is also to be known1 that this maturation if instituted by the dry way1 brings more profit than if done by the moist way2 for in the dry way the ,agent is more holpen than in the moist way1 in which there is always plenty of moisture4 ,but however1 both ways namely the dry way1 and the moist may be done with one and the same ,fire1 nor will the cost be any more than if the moist way were made use of alone by it self4 ,for that ,tower wherein the ,coals are1 and which is to keep the ,spirit of ,salt in perpetual digestion1 and to heat the adjoined ,furnaces1 is always bright hot at the ,grate1 upon which grate if a cementing ,vessel filled with ,salt and ,metals be placed1 there will then be even thence as much profit as by an adjoined ,furnace1 and so by the ,fire of one ,furnace1 and by the self same labour and cost is a double ,operation performed1 and a continual rent may be expected from the double ,countryman4 ,you must likewise note1 that there is a great difference of ,salts1 and that one ,salt is more fit for this labour1 and another for that2 but by how much greater the ,acrimony is1 that the ,salt abounds withall1 so much the more potent an ,agent it is3 insomuch that it is of great concernment for a ,man to know how to concentrate the moist ,fire or ,agent1 concerning which ,concentration there is no need of mentioning any thing in this place2 forasmuch as ,i suppose that these things which are at present spoken are sufficient enough4 ,moreover ,i would have the ,son of ,art know1 that the ,salt of the ,macrocosm or of the ,ocean1 which we have taught the making the ,spirit of1 is nothing at all so efficacious as that which is gotten out of the ,microcosm3 ,for whatsoever things are found to be in the ,microcosm or greater ,world1 the same are likewise in the ,macrocosm or lesser ,world1 namely1 ,man4 ,but it is not my purpose to discourse farther of this thing in this place1 but will 7,god so permitting7 treat more at large of the same1 if ,i come to write somewhat of the nature and signature of the greater ,world4 ,for hereby great mysteries may be learned1 which omitting to speak more of1 ,i keep close to ,salt and say1 that that ,salt which comes out of the ,ocean or ,sea of ,man1 or of some other ,animal1 that is1 which is voided out of the ,bladder1 is far more fit for the ,transmutation of ,metals1 than that which is gotten out of the ,sea1 as being the ,bladder of the great ,animal4 ,the ,ancients have called the ,world the great ,animal1 and very rightly1 for in its ,center it hath a fiery heart by which 7as being the great ,animal7 it moves it self1 and conserves its life1 as shall be ,spoken of in another place if ,god shall permit1 for according to the common ,proverb1 ,man proposeth and ,god disposeth4 ,morien was not ignorant that ,arcana's of great moment lie hidden in ,urine1 but hath manifestly signified it4 ,for when he had prepared the ,tincture for ,king ,calid1 he wrote upon the ,vessel in which it was1 these words1 ,he that carries all things with him1 needs not any others help4 ,and having so done1 he silently betook himself unto his ,cell4 ,but he had said before unto the ,king1 ,in thee ,o ,king6 the ,medicine is1 by which words1 he meant ,urine4 ,for out of ,man's ,urine may a fix ,stone be made1 which shall be manifested in other places4 ,furthermore this likewise is to be here known1 that it is a most notable and a true experiment and artifice in ,alchymy1 that is1 in the true melting of ,salt1 when the ,agent of ,salt1 and the ,patient1 or ,metal1 are so thoroughly conjoined and mixed1 as that the ,agent is disperst throughout the ,patient1 that so the ,patient may suffer the more1 and consequently that that ,patient ,metal may be the sooner ripened and fixed4 ,when a ,flock of ,sheep being in the ,fold1 see the ,woolf coming1 they are indeed all terribly affrighted1 but are not all bitten and torn1 and so a part of them feel the hurt and the other part remain free4 ,but if the ,woolf seizeth upon the ,sheep in the open ,field1 and that the ,sheep are scattered far and wide so that they cannot possibly flock together1 they will certainly suffer more grievously4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for ,example sake1 when ,i would meliorate ,lead by means of ,salt1 whether by the moist way by ,spirit of ,salt or by the dry way by dry ,salts1 if now ,i cannot radically conjoin the said ,salts and ,lead together1 ,i do but little to purpose1 because ,lead and ,silver1 unless prepared by singular ,ingeny and ,skill1 are not touched upon by ,salt and its ,spirit1 and so suffering but superficially onely they are able to resist a long time4 ,but being radically united unto ,salt by the benefit of ,art1 so as that they cannot be distinguisht from each other1 then they suffer in all their parts and die1 which death is their melioration and life4 ,he that desires to arrive at this ,goal1 must rise betimes1 and use a most notable diligence1 for sloathfulness hedgeth up the way of coming thereunto3 ,even ,i my self am no perfect ,artificer1 but wait upon the ,omnipotent ,god1 expecting what he will please to bestow upon me for time to come1 and ,i live content with my present enjoyments4 ,thus likewise let another do4 ,but if now ,saturn is to be used after another way and to serve instead of ,earth to receive and multiply the metallick ,seed1 there's no need of dissolving it in ,salts1 but it will be better to have it onely swell or puft up in them1 and keep in such a positure as ,earth is1 conserving the ,seed sown therein1 in a moderate humidity and in the temperate heat of the ,sun1 which way is also a good one and commodious for the production of good metallick ,fruits1 and that by the help of ,salt1 as the following ,process shews1 under this title1 namely1 ,the ,fire and ,azoth wash ,laton4 ,some of the ,philosophers have called their ,patient ,laton1 and their ,agent ,azoth4 ,but what subject that is which they meant by the name of ,laton there are many ,opinions of ,authours concerning it1 in whose ,writings may be seen1 that the greatest part of them do intend thereby ,saturn1 but yet not the vulgar3 and even so is it too concerning their ,azoth1 or ,vinegar1 that being likewise diversly accepted4 ,but be it as it will1 yet this is certain1 that even in the common ,saturn do many abstruse secrets lie hidden1 7to say nothing of the more mysterious ,saturn1 did we but know how to get it out47 ,all ,philosophers do suppose1 that the ,heart in ,saturn is better than that in ,gold it self1 and for that reason do they call ,lead a ,leaprous ,gold1 and say1 that if it could be mundified by a true washing1 some great matter would proceed thereout of4 ,many ,men have very much busied themselves about this washing1 but yet have not attained unto ought else1 save that they have brought the ,saturn into a white1 fugacious1 and liquid ,body1 concerning which labour ,i have made mention in this ,treatise of metallick ,cates and ,sawces1 and also in the third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in my judgment1 the common ,saturn is a commodious ,earth1 for the reception of a metallick ,seed1 and for bringing the same unto multiplication ,witness ,paracelsus himself who tells us1 that ,saturn may be compared to the ,earth1 for all such things as it seizeth on it makes like it self1 and turns them into ,earth1 viz4 in the common ,fire1 for ,paracelsus here intends that4 ,but now1 if some metallick ,seed be sown in ,saturn1 as being a commodious metallick ,earth1 and that such an ,earth and such a ,seed be moistned with a due metallick ,water1 and be exposed to the fruit producing and vivifying ,sun1 the earth together with the ,seed1 doth by reason of the moistning caused by the pouring on1 or affusion of the mineral ,water1 swell up1 and become porous1 and receives and conserves the ,water1 so that the ripening ,sun cannot dry up the ,earth1 and consequently burn up the ,seed4 ,and by how much the oftner the ,earth is moistned with the mineral ,water1 and the ,sun expelleth the said humidity1 so much the speedier doth the ,seed ripen1 and attain to his maturity4 ,for like as the ,husband-man when he is about to sow this ,corn1 chooseth such a ground1 as contains a fat and tenacious mould1 which may not be washt away with the ,rain1 nor suffer the due nourishment to be withdrawn from the ,seed2 for if the ,seed be sown in ,sand1 a little ,rain can easily wash away the ,sand and ,seed1 and impede the faculty of growth1 which in a fat and tenacious ,soil is not wont to happen4 ,for the ,water or ,rain should but onely moisten the ,earth1 that it may not be too closely comprest1 but become porous and admit of the ,rains penetrating unto the ,seed3 which when so1 then is there hopes of the ,seeds sprouting1 in such a fat ,earth which swells up by means of the ,water1 and of bringing forth its ,fruit4 ,even just after the same manner are the metallick ,seeds to be sown1 and ripened2 and for ,example sake1 let us take the vulgar and common ,saturn1 7well mundified7 for that ,earth1 into which we will sow such a ,seed as having a great affinity with ,saturn1 loves to be augmented therein1 whereby it may bring forth fruit4 ,and like as the ,seed of any ,animal requires an ,animal ,matrix1 as a ,field or ,earth to be multiplied in1 and hath not any affinity with the common ,earth3 ,even so likewise doth a metallick ,seed require a metallick ,earth1 ,matrix1 or ,ground1 wherein it may germinate and be multiplied4 ,now this multiplication is on such wise made1 as is done in the ,animals1 by the conjunction of ,male and ,female1 one performing the office of the ,agent1 and the other of the ,patient4 ,so then1 we will make some trial in this ,process which is here annexed1 not for the intent of getting great ,treasures thereby1 but for the sake of searching into1 and getting the knowledge of ,nature2 we will take the ,male in the room of the ,seed1 and the ,female instead of the ,ground or ,field1 and we will try whether or no the ,seed will admit of multiplication4 ,let us therefore take the common ,saturn for the ,feminine ,matrix1 and ,antimony of the ,male-like-seed1 which we will sow into its own ,matrix1 as ,husbandmen are wont to do4 ,i do not gain-say but that there are other ,seeds1 and probably better to be found to be implanted in ,saturn1 than ,antimony is3 ,but yet here ,i content my self with this of ,antimony1 as having an intention of onely shewing at this present1 by what way it may appear that a metallick ,seed may be brought to a faculty or possibility of growth in the ,saturnine ,earth4 ,and upon this account for ,demonstrations sake of this ,labour1 was ,i willing to use ,antimony1 it being a masculine ,seed of a ,saturnine kind4 ,for common ,saturn is usually accounted for the true first ,ens of ,lune1 and ,antimony for the true first ,ens of ,sol1 and they are in very deed found so to be4 ,for you shall not find any ,lead without ,silver1 nor any ,antimony without ,gold2 so that ,i strongly perswade my self that from those two1 there cannot arise ought else but what is good and profitable1 did we but know how legitimately to compound and handle them4 ,and although ,i do not profess my self to know many things1 yet will ,i simply tell you my opinion1 concerning the way which ,i suppose such a ,commixtion and ,maturation may be effected by4 ,a ,philosopher saith thus1 ,by ,gold and ,silver you will nothing do1 ,unless you use their first ,ens thereunto4 ,the first ,entities of both these are ,lead and ,antimony1 the latter of which1 7viz4 ,antimony17 is not to be admitted in that impure state that we find it in1 unto the former1 as unto its ,bride or ,spouse1 but must first be washed in a hot and sharp ,lixivial ,bath1 that it may thereby attain to a delicate silvery whiteness1 and shine like a ,star in the ,firmament2 which ,antimony thus purged1 is called by ,paracelsus1 the signed ,star4 ,but yet ,i would not have any one to think1 that ,i do here mean the common stellate ,regulus of ,mars1 which would be dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 and would separate it self from the ,lead1 which ought not to be3 ,but that signed ,star must be so prepared1 as not to admit of being dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 for else it will not serve for this ,work4 ,it must be so concreted as if it were so many thin ,shells 7one within another17 and so very hard as to be able to cut ,glass1 and to strike ,fire out of a ,flint4 ,this signed ,star being so washt1 is to be sown into its own ,matrix1 and by the solar ,heat and fruitfull ,rain1 to be promoted and enforced unto growth4 ,take of the thus prepared masculine ,seed1 or signed ,star1 ,a parts1 and of the feminine kind1 ,b parts1 melt the signed ,star in a pure ,crucible1 unto which being molten cast the ,woman in1 which being cast in1 there is presently made a sweet ,conjunction and ,commixtion of them both in that infernal ,heat1 in which they familiarly couple together4 ,the ,mass being commixt1 is to be poured out of the ,crucible through wet ,brooms into cold water1 and is to be reduced into ,grains1 and so the masculine ,seed or ,husband will be legitimately and duely mixt with its ,earth or ,ground1 or ,wife3 which ,earth together with the ,seed which it contains is to be put into a firm ,vessel1 which fears not the violent corrosion of the ,spirit of ,salt1 but in such a quantity as that scarcely a tenth part of the ,vessel may be filled therewithall3 ,then must there be put thereon as much mineral ,water1 namely pure ,spirit of ,salt1 as the ,cucurbit can bear1 and ,fire is to be put thereunder1 whereby the ,spirit of ,salt is to be again drawn off1 by which ,operation1 the ,earth together with the included ,seed will day by day be refreshed1 be moistned and swell up1 by reason of the ,spirit of ,salt1 no otherwise than as if you should moisten some dry and as it were parched ,earth1 with ,water4 ,for the ,saturn is not dissolved by the ,spirit of ,salt1 but onely swells up1 and becomes foliated1 and yet remains whole or entire1 nor is it much unlike unto lovely lookt ,talk1 which shines with a delicate whiteness3 and therefore the ,philosophers say1 sow your ,gold in white foliated ,earth4 ,without doubt they meant not common ,gold1 for then they would not have said1 our ,gold1 but would have simply said onely ,gold1 had they not intended a peculiar ,gold1 or first ,ens of ,gold4 ,n4 ,b4 ,i cannot by any means omit to give you thus much notice1 namely1 ,he that cannot hit upon the manner of preparing the said signed ,star1 may endeavour the making of common ,saturn aureous1 particularly after this manner1 as follows4 ,extract with ,spirit of ,salt out of the ,oars or ,veins and metallick fugacious ,earths1 the spiritual ,gold that lies hidden therein1 and extract or draw off this ,spirit thus impregnated with ,gold from ,saturn1 which ,spirit may by this means be all agen had1 and be used about new extractions4 ,and as for the ,gold which the ,spirit extracted1 that the ,saturn hath imbibed1 and indues it self thereby with a golden nature2 which if you imbue or moisten with many such extractions1 that goldenness will1 as ,i may so term it1 grow up or increase in each cohobation1 and the ,spirit of ,salt it self will become augmented4 ,if now the ,saturn be imbued with a sufficient ,portion of spiritual ,gold1 it must be reduced by ,x1 or ,alkalies1 that so the spiritual ,gold may be made corporeal1 which will exhibit it self pure unto you1 after that the ,saturn shall be driven away on the ,test4 ,but yet there is no need of doing this1 seeing it will be better to granulate the ,saturn1 and by those repeated cohobations to draw off the ,spirit of ,salt agen1 being each time impregnated with that spiritual ,gold1 and so by this means will you enrich your ,saturn with the greater plenty of ,gold4 ,and being so enriched it must be reduced by a fixing ,x1 in my secret ,crucible1 which neither suffers any thing to go away in fume1 nor to run out2 in which reduction the spiritual ,gold and the fugacious ,saturn it self are fixed1 so that both ,gold and ,silver are found on the ,test with great profit1 this labour requiring no other costs save those of the ,fire4 ,this ,operation which separates fugacious and fix ,gold out of the ,oars and ,stones1 is far better than that which is made by the ,solutions of ,lune and ,saturn1 described at large in the third part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,for here1 we do not need either ,aq4 ,fortis or ,vinegar for the ,solution of ,saturn or ,lune1 neither need we the same to get the extracted ,gold out of the ,spirit of ,salt1 but being free from that labour and costs1 we onely draw off from ,saturn1 that ,spirit which hath extracted the ,gold1 which ,saturn attracts and holds the volatile and fix ,gold that was in the extraction1 insomuch that there is not requisite to this labour of drawing off the extractions from ,saturn1 any thing else save onely ,coals and ,fire4 ,add hereunto also1 the gainfull encrease which daily comes in by the addition of ,salt and ,water1 by which the ,spirit of ,salt is day by day augmented without any costs4 ,n4 ,b4 ,when the ,spirit of ,salt becomes too strong by reason of the ,salt put thereto1 that ,water wherewith the ,oar is washt1 after the first extraction of the ,spirit of ,salt1 or after it hath first been extracted with ,spirit of ,salt may be made use of and put thereto instead of common ,water4 ,for it is somewhat sourish1 and hath likewise a golden nature4 ,n4 ,b4 ,praise ,god1 and forget not the ,poor1 seeing thou art sufficiently informed and taught by what means thou maist get great ,treasures4 ,the things ,i here write1 are not for this end1 namely1 to teach others how to make great heaps of ,gold1 but onely to shew them a way of attaining to a good ,medicament1 and withall1 of knowing and perceiving by the same labour1 that the melioration of the ,metals is altogether possible and certain4 ,whoever he be that could attain so far as to bring ,antimony and ,lead1 as being the first ,ens of ,gold and ,silver1 into a certain ,dissolvent1 so as that the one would not precipitate the other2 then at length would he have entrance upon the right way1 which leadeth unto great things1 like as also ,gold and ,silver being dissolved in one and the same ,menstruum gives beginning to things of great moment4 ,i dare affirm therefore1 that he that can reduce ,gold and ,silver1 or ,antimony and ,lead1 with ,salt1 into an agreement1 hath opened a most strong ,gate which leads unto a great ,treasure2 for then the ,patient must suffer even unto death1 and must die1 out of whose dead ,body1 new and living ,bodies do afterwards come forth4 ,although ,i have often told you in my ,writings that ,gold has no greater enemy than combustible ,sulphur1 and that nothing is more inimicitious to ,silver than ,salt1 and nothing more displeasing to ,mercury than a strong ,lixivium1 and that amongst these contraries there is a perpetual ,antipathy so long1 untill they are constrained by ,art and ,skill to become friends and mutually to embrace each other3 yet notwithstanding2 this will not be so easily fesible by every prating ,boaster1 and that makes a great noise by his lofty vapouring speeches2 no1 but for the sake of these very ,men1 are such great ,arcana's justly and deservedly wrapt up in darkness1 and indeed 'tis fit they should so be4 ,moreover if there be required a great suffering1 'tis necessary that both the ,gold and ,silver1 as being ,male and ,female1 should suffer together and not barely the one or the other apart3 for hereby this ,regeneration will be made so much the nobler and the more magnificent4 ,for ,example1 make a ,circle1 and cut or divide it with ,diameters crosswise or at right ,angles through the ,center so that the extreams of the ,diameters which divide themselves in the middle or central point of the cross may touch the ,circle1 and that of those four extreams or ,semi-diameters one may touch above1 and the other beneath1 and the other twain may reach1 one to the right side1 and t'other to the left4 ,place the ,gold in the uppermost extream marked with the letter ,a1 and his enemy1 namely ,sulphur1 in the lower extream1 which the letter ,c1 demonstrates4 ,in like manner place ,silver on the left side of the ,gold1 at the letter ,b1 and its enemy1 viz4 ,salt on the right side marked ,d1 and you will see how aversly these enemies behold each the other4 ,the ,sol looking about him espies his capital enemy1 ,sulphur1 directly opposite unto him1 and hath ,lune at his left side1 and ,salt at his right2 and very willingly would he enter into friendship with ,lune1 and ,salt which are joyned at his side1 if they but would1 or indeed could4 ,but he honours not his capital enemy ,sulphur1 with so much as a look4 ,the ,lune placed by the side of the ,sun1 does not permit the ,salt to joyn it self with the ,gold4 ,for when the ,salt is with the ,sol1 it clearly hinders the ,lune from associating it self with the same4 ,nor can it possibly be that ,salt1 ,lune and ,gold should enter into a thorough familiarity4 ,thus too is it with ,lune1 who hath her capital enemy diametrically opposite unto her1 and very willingly would she enter into friendship with both her neighbours1 viz4 ,sol and ,sulphur1 if they were not such great enemies 7to each other17 and refused this familiarity4 ,for if ,lune associates unto her self the ,sun1 then ,sulphur denies to come into the society4 ,if she admits the ,sulphur as her companion then1 then ,sol is excluded1 as abominating the friendship with his enemy ,sulphur4 ,much less therefore can ,lune be the companion of them both together4 ,see the ,fig4 in the ,book of ,dialog4 ,but now if the ,gods please1 that these four capital enemies1 should unite in one sociable amity1 and that wonderfull regenerations should arise from this new familiarity1 7then7 do they command ,vulcan to heat in the ,fire this ,circle comprizing those four capital enemies1 thus constituted in the four aforesaid extreams1 and casting such hatefull looks upon each other1 and yet not knowing how to escape out of the ,circle1 and to press them together more and more with his ,hammer by little and little1 untill all four being driven into one mass1 do come together into one body1 which body doth then obtain a power of reconciling all enemies1 and of effecting great matters4 ,by this here spoken may any one easily conjecture1 what great suffering there is in this ,conjunction1 and what great streights do afflict these enemies1 when each of them must thus against their will enter into friendship with his capital enemy4 ,verily we find them to be such sufferings as have not their like again1 and therefore do they produce to light1 such great and such wonderfull regenerations4 ,now whatsoever it be that is exercised in but a small suffering1 the same doth admit of but small emendation4 ,the greater the suffering1 the greater the melioration1 so that that affliction which brings with it even death it self1 brings with it also so much the more noble and magnificent ,regeneration and ,resurrection4 ,he that suffers not in this ,world1 shall not have the ,crown put upon him after his ,resurrection4 ,by how much the greater and more innocent the suffering and affliction of this life is1 so much the greater1 and fairer a ,crown may be expected in the other ,world4 ,the ,grape is prest so long1 till it be rid of all its juice1 this juice doth indeed bring a sweet and pleasant delightsomness unto mortal man1 but the ,grape it self which the juice is prest out of1 ceaseth to be a ,grape1 and perisheth through defect of juice1 and passeth into nothing4 ,but unto the noble ,vine1 hath ,god given this benefit1 that it yearly bears not barely one but many ,grapes together3 ,all which being pluckt off1 it doth nevertheless produce the following year no fewer1 but rather more ,grapes2 and still remains a blessed and fruitfull ,vine1 because it is furnisht with roots and fertile ,boughs4 ,on the contrary1 they that have devoured the good and sweet juice themselves1 remain always hungry and thirsty1 and that for this reason1 because they guzle down the juice too new and fresh1 whereby their ,bellies swell1 and they receive no nutriment therefrom4 ,this is a thing certain and undoubted1 that the bodies of the ,metals become by suffering and dying far more excellent and more noble4 ,he therefore that knows that the patient is to be subjected unto its own agent1 and doth also understand by what way they are to be conjoined1 will never labour in vain1 but will reap the wished reward of his pains4 ,when the agent doth touch onely the superficies of the patient1 and penetrates not into its heart or root1 there will verily be but a very little good done1 save onely this1 viz4 ,that the ,agent being afore rendred aureous1 is able to give unto its patient also a golden nature1 and to bring the same to an aureous degree1 and to bestow upon it the perfection of ,gold3 but that melioration which is done onely by it self proceeds on very slowly4 ,as concerning the manner of enduing the ,spirit of ,salt with an aureous nature1 that so it may the sooner render its patient a partaker of golden virtues1 we have spoken of that already1 and demonstrated it clearly enough2 he that does not understand1 we cannot help him any other way4 ,n4 ,b4 ,when the ,eagle1 the ,servant of ,jupiter1 hath with his beak and talons pluckt out the coagulated beams of the ,sun out of the ,cliffs and ,rocks1 and brings them unto ,jupiter1 he is so very bountifull1 that he sends down the same unto us by the ,rain1 which is of so much efficacy1 as that all the ,herbs upon which it falls are bettered1 and the martial1 venereal1 saturnine1 ,lunar and mercurial ,herbs do put on the golden nature of the ,sun2 so efficacious is the golden ,rain of ,jupiter1 if the ,eagle hath first brought unto him the coagulated rays of the ,sun4 ,and that ,i may be the better understood1 and that it may be known1 that the ,melioration of ,metals may be accomplished by a dry ,agent1 full as well1 yea and better1 and more profitably than by a moist ,agent2 ,i have judged it a thing worth while to adjoyn the following ,process under the ,title of the ,great ,country ,farmer4 ,and let the studious ,artist know1 that the amending of the ,metals by the dry way1 by the operation of dry ,salt1 is far more easie1 and may likewise be dispatcht in a greater quantity1 than is wont to be done by the moist way3 and that there is nothing required to this operation save ,salt and ,coals1 be the ,metals that are to be fixed1 even what they will4 ,for ,example1 if a man be desirous to fix ,saturn1 or to procure unto it a ,silvery nature1 there needs not pure ,lead be taken for this work1 seeing he may have the ,oar or ,vein thereof for much less price2 and indeed there is some that is a wild and sulphureous ,oar1 which yields not1 in the melting1 any good ,lead1 and may be had in great plenty in some places of ,germany that ,i know of1 for a very small price1 or rather for none at all4 ,such a wild ,oar of ,lead as this is1 which yields neither good ,lead1 nor is fit for the ,potters to glaze their ,pots withall1 by reason of its hard fusion1 doe ,i chuse for my operation1 not onely because it costs less than other such ,oars of ,lead doe1 but for this reason too1 because it hath store of ,sulphur1 and fit enough for fixation4 ,this ,vein or ,oar doe ,i bring into small ,powder1 and mix as much ,salt thereto as need requires1 then cast it in upon the ,coals1 in such a ,furnace as ,i have described to make store of ,spirit of ,salt in3 ,the ,salt and the ,sulphur exercising their vehement or powerfull virtues upon the ,lead1 causeth it to be afflicted with terrible dolours1 insomuch that part thereof ascendeth on high or sublimeth with part of the ,salt1 and betakes it self into ,receivers fitted on for that purpose4 ,in which sublimation1 the ,salt and the ,lead ascend in a spiritual manner1 and contrary to their will1 suffer spiritually1 and so are constrained to enter into friendship1 finding a place of quietude in those cold ,receivers1 and there setling together4 ,the residue of the ,oar1 and part of the ,salt being burnt up1 and emitting no more flores1 but falling down through the ,grate like ,ashes1 more new or fresh ,coals must be put into the ,furnace1 and new matter must be thrown thereupon1 as afore2 and this ,labour is to be continued so long1 as it shall please any one to follow it4 ,now by this1 the ,saturn is far more vehemently afflicted1 than in the moist way by the ,spirit of ,salt2 ,and if unto the ,oven or ,receiver receiving the fume1 and in which the flowers of the ,salt and ,lead settle1 there shall be applied yet several ,receivers1 there will then be therein caught store of ,spirit of ,salt1 which being rectified1 may be agen made use of in the moist way4 ,the flowers being taken out of the ,oven or ,receiver into which the fume goes1 are to be agen thrown in upon the live ,coals in the ,furnace1 that they may suffer anew and be sublimed4 ,after that they are all sublimed again on this wise1 they are to be agen taken out of the ,oven1 and be cast in upon the live ,coals2 and must be afflicted with these ,labours so often repeated1 untill they become fix and ascend no more1 but fall down into the ,ashes4 ,which being washt1 will yield a ,salt profitable for many things1 and will quit all the costs which have been laid out upon ,lead1 ,salt1 and ,coals2 so that the ,spirit of ,salt which is gotten1 and that which is amended in the ,lead ,oar by the ,salt1 cost nothing4 ,the ,ashes being washt are to be reduced1 in a ,furnace1 by blast1 and be so often tormented1 till a good portion of ,silver be gotten by this operation1 which the elaborated matter1 being purged by a due separation upon the ,tests1 will give4 ,and so shall you have ,gold and ,silver by the benefit of this operation1 by which operation we have manifested unto you the ,great ,country ,farmer paying his yearly ,rent4 ,now like as ,saturn is dealt withall in this operation1 even so are the other ,metals wont to be handled too2 but yet you must observe the ,regiment of the fire1 which1 according to the diversity of the ,metals1 must also be diversly administred4 ,and even the ,commixtion it self requires good heeding1 as being a business of no small moment4 ,moreover1 in this operation you must also note1 ,that one ,salt is more fit for this operation than another is2 for by how the sharper nature they have1 so much the more commodious and profitable doe they shew themselves to be4 ,so ,common ,salt sublimed1 as is done in this ,labour1 will operate far stronger than ,common ,salt it self unsublimed4 ,besides1 there are ,salts to be found which work yet far more powerfully1 yea so strongly1 as that they need not the help of an external fire1 but doe produce their effects even in the cold4 ,the operation of which1 in the moist way1 if any be desirous to promote and strengthen by an external fire1 he may so doe1 in a ,lamp-,furnace1 and free himself of the charge of ,coals1 and be exempt from that frequent ,labour by which the ,fire is to be maintained4 ,some moist ,fires are of such great virtues1 as that they need not any ,lamp-fire1 but a small golden thread or wire in burning ,spirit of ,wine is capable of administring heat sufficient4 ,and the burning ,spirit1 if made of ,leaves1 ,grass1 rotten ,fruit1 or ,corn1 and ,grape-stones or husks will be but of small costs1 or in a manner none at all4 ,now a pound of such ,spirit being placed with a ,golden wiek in a convenient ,lamp will suffice for three or four days1 and give heat enough4 ,but yet nevertheless1 that moist fire doth ripen its ,metal without the help of any external fire at all1 and yields its profit1 but then it requires a longer space of time4 ,put case therefore1 that ,i make my moist fire so strong as to be able to perform its office in the cold1 and that it needs not any external fire3 ,and if ,i were to make a fire1 it would needs require one ,ducket's charge3 ,if now1 standing any-where1 it yields me two ,golden ,duckets out of the maturated ,metal1 it wou'd doe well enough1 and abundantly recompence the labour and costs expended4 ,for there's nothing wanting of the ,metal you took to ripen save that which is changed into ,gold and ,silver4 ,and forasmuch as ,i can set by many such ,vessels1 and those great ones too1 there's no doubt to be made1 but that my gain will be the greater1 and that with very little labour4 ,for now1 at first1 the labour of preparing the moist fire1 is in a manner no labour at all1 for in three or four days may be so much made as is sufficient for the maturating of a great deal of ,metal4 ,for this fire may be compared to a ,seed1 which being sown in the ,earth afore ,winter1 doth in the ,summer-season produce store of ,fruit1 and fit to be reaped4 ,and though this maturation proceeds on exceeding slowly1 and excludes all hast1 yet it brings with it this benefit1 namely1 that it requireth no other labour in the ,winter-time1 but to be onely once laid by1 and the perfecting thereof must be committed to ,god and ,time4 ,there are various and divers such cold ,fires1 that promote the maturation of the ,metals1 and may be gotten out of divers ,subjects1 namely1 out of ,tartar1 ,urine1 ,hairs of ,animals1 ,horns1 ,calx-vive1 ,soot1 the ,blood of ,animals1 the ,feathers of ,birds1 the ,bones of ,horses1 ,oxen1 and other ,beasts1 cut of which such a fire is very difficultly prepared1 one of them1 here reckoned up1 excepted1 out of which the said fire may by an easie labour and business be made1 and without costs4 ,it is therefore a great gift of ,god1 and an especial grace from our ,creator1 if he maketh us possessors of such a ,country ,farmer1 which being sustained without any costs1 doth notwithstanding very largely pay his yearly ,rent4 ,to ,god therefore are uncessant thanks to be returned for so great a benefit4 ,but we have said enough of these moist and dry ,metal-ripening ,fires2 what way soever any one is minded to chuse1 that way may he follow1 for it lyes in his own free choice4 ,if he chance to err1 let him not lay the blame upon me1 who out of a good mind have undertaken these labours of writing1 but cannot thrust the chewed meat into any ones mouth4 ,i will by ,god's permission show the wonders of ,god to some friends this next ,summer1 that so such as come after us may likewise have occasion of praising ,god1 and of giving him thanks4 ,but even as the common ,earth1 when it is moistned with often showers1 and now and then freed of them by the heat of the ,sun1 retains in it self a fruitfull ,salt1 and doth necessarily acquire a fertility3 ,so likewise our ,earth doth not onely daily encrease in goodness1 but in weight too1 and becomes more ponderous3 but you must not think that this heaviness or weight proceeds from the ,spirit of ,salt's insinuating it self into the porous ,earth1 no3 ,for if the said ,mass should be but onely eight days time in the digestion1 and the ,spirit of ,salt be then washt off1 yet would it be encreased a quarter part2 which ponderosity comes indeed from the ,spirit of ,salt1 out of which the ,saturn draws something unto it self for nutritious sake1 as the ,common ,earth does out of the showres of ,rain1 and becomes more weighty4 ,for if there were no occult and nitrous virtue in the ,rain1 it would conduce but little to fertility2 and if there were no spiritual and astral ,gold1 or spiritual and astral ,sun in ,salt1 the immature ,metals could not be ripened by the same4 ,by how much the oftner therefore1 a good ,spirit of ,salt is drawn off from the ,saturnine ,earth1 and ,saturnine ,seed1 so much the sooner also doth that ,seed arrive unto its full ripeness4 ,for at every turn of drawing off something of the good part of the ,spirit of ,salt remains behind1 attracted by the ,earth and ,seed1 from which the melioration and augmentation doe arise3 as may be seen in the ,vegetable ,seeds which sprout forth out of the ,earth1 and are encreased by the help of ,rain4 ,the possibility of these things ,i have seen1 but have not hitherto brought the said matters to a full maturity1 or to speak more rightly1 ,i have not finished the whole operation4 ,he that is minded to make a thorough trial1 may so doe3 and if he misseth the effect of his endeavours1 let him not blame me1 for ,i doe not aim at drilling on any one by my perswasions1 to bestow his charges on an uncertain thing4 ,but ,i mention these things that so the nature of ,metals as also of ,salts may be known1 and that 7by the help of this knowledge7 the ,writings of the ,philosophers may be the better understood4 ,for the labour here proposed avoucheth the truth of those ,operations which the ,philosophers call their ,calcination1 ,dealbation1 ,incineration1 ,ascention1 ,descention1 ,cohobation1 ,inceration1 ,distillation1 ,sublimation1 ,volatilization1 ,maturation1 ,fixation1 and say that all these and the like ,chymical ,operations may be made in one ,vessel1 with one ,fire1 in one ,furnace1 without any change of the ,labours1 ,vessels1 or ,fire4 ,for the ,philosophers have described their greatest secrets and ,arcana's parabolically1 and in ,riddles1 but especially the ,poets1 as ,ovid1 ,virgil1 and many others1 who are very hard to be understood by those that have not the knowledge of the nature of ,metals1 which being once known and understood1 renders the meaning of the ,poets easie4 ,for the ,poets were wont to impose one while such a name upon such a ,metal1 another time another name upon another ,metal1 which custom of theirs1 he that does not heedfully mark will easily fall into an errour1 and miss the apprehension of their meaning4 ,for ,example1 in one place they call ,copper ,venus1 in another1 the ,wife of ,mars1 in another1 the ,sister and ,wife of ,jupiter4 ,and so deal they with ,silver too1 one while they call it ,lune1 by and by ,diana or ,jana1 another time ,vesta4 ,apollo is by them stiled one while ,sol1 then ,phbus1 then ,latons1 so that it is exceeding necessary1 for those that are desirous to learn ought out of their ,writings1 to be well acquainted with those different names and ,appellations4 ,and although the ,poets do account all the ,metals for the ,sons of ,saturn1 yet do they sub-distinguish them and stile them1 ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,venus1 c4 ,the common ,lead is ,saturn1 and so is ,antimony1 ,saturn1 ,bismute1 ,tutia1 ,lapis ,calaminaris1 the ,ashy ,colour1 ,yellow1 ,white1 and red ,magnesia are termed by the name of ,saturn3 ,the white ,marcasite and ,zink are deemed to be of the ,family or ,pedegree of ,jupiter3 ,orichalcum or white and red ,copper1 are stiled by the name of ,venus4 ,but according as ,venus is impregnated1 and according as the ,copper is white or red1 so hath it its name4 ,the red ,copper is as yet a ,virgin4 ,forasmuch therefore as the ,poets have committed unto ,writing the ,transmutation of the ,metals under the ,cover1 and vail of ,fables1 and have made mention of ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,mars and ,venus2 it can never possibly be1 that he who knows not this different distinction can understand their meaning4 ,and for an ,example hereof1 consider but the ,fable of ,diana and ,apollo1 brought forth at one ,birth by ,latona1 who was gotten with ,child by lying with ,jupiter1 and was driven into exile by jealous ,juno1 and having a long time suffered ,persecution by the biting ,serpent ,python1 and being driven to flye through all the ,countries of the ,world1 did at last after many grievous labours and troubles pass over the tempestuous ,sea into the ,island ,ortygia1 and betook her self to her ,sister ,asteria1 by whom she was received1 and begat these ,twins1 viz4 ,diana and ,apollo4 ,who will be able to apprehend the meaning of this ,fable1 save he that well understands the nature of the ,metals8 ,verily no body will so much as dream of or smell out ought of those ,mysteries1 unless he shall meet with such like ,histories in his metalline labours1 and then at length will he understand what the meaning of the ,philosophers is4 ,but for ,example sake1 let us take two ,metals which have an affinity with each other1 namely ,jupiter and ,venus1 these ,i joyn together1 that so the ,woman may be impregnated with the masculine ,seed4 ,latona therefore being great with ,child1 ,i cast her forth into exile1 that she may be continually persecuted by the biting ,serpent ,python1 untill she flies through the ,salt and stormy ,sea1 into the ,island ,ortygia1 to her ,sister ,asteria1 dwelling in the ,island ,ortygia1 and there bring forth the fair ,diana and ,apollo4 ,now these things are easily understood1 were but the genuine ,appellations substituted in the room of such strange terms1 of which thing ,i have onely some knowledge1 but do not profess my self a perfect ,interpreter4 ,yet methinks ,i cannot choose but say somewhat4 ,the venemous ,serpent ,python is a sirname of ,appollo1 for he is produced by the efficacy of the ,sun1 and is that corrosive ,salt which doth so long afflict and torment the impregnated ,latona all over the dry part of the ,world1 untill she betakes her self by the ,sea1 that is1 by that strong ,salt ,water1 unto her ,sister1 that is1 unto pure ,venus1 and precipitates her self1 and brings forth the fruits of ,jupiter1 namely1 ,diana and ,apollo together4 ,the ,poet doth here mind both the moist and the dry way together1 when the ,metal is wrought with a due ,cement1 and made fix it is then dissolved with the ,salt ,water of the ,sea1 and pure ,plates of ,venus are put into it thus dissolved1 that so the pure ,metal may draw unto it self her impregnated ,sister1 who brings together with her ,gold and ,silver1 which having been so long hidden in its body doth now manifest it self4 ,it is indeed the better to fix the ,metals by ,cements1 and so to render their fugacious ,gold and ,silver compact1 which may be as well done in the moist way by sharp ,waters and moist ,fires4 ,but if the ,metals1 legitimately impregnated1 do first pass through a dry and burning hot ,fire1 and are afterwards yet once more transmitted through the moist and cold ,fires1 then ,pluto sends the mundified ,soul out of ,purgatory unto ,neptune1 by whom it is carried into ,paradise1 where it doth afterwards remain safe and free from all danger of the ,serpent4 ,upon occasion of the aforesaid ,fable1 and particular ,transmutation of the inferiour ,metals1 this is to be yet more observed1 that every ,jupiter is not fit to impregnate ,latona1 but that onely which is yet living1 efficacious1 young1 and full of ,seed is able to impregnate ,latona4 ,for ,latona carried with her no more but the ,seed onely of ,jupiter into the ,island ,ortygia1 and left behind her all the body of ,jupiter4 ,moreover this is to be considered1 that ,latona did bring forth ,diana first1 in the ,bosom or ,lap of ,venus1 that is1 of the ,midwife1 but ,diana1 presently after she was ,born1 performed the office of a ,midwife in receiving her ,brother ,apollo in her ,lap1 which thing is sufficiently manifest unto those who have laboured 7though but little7 in the ,metals4 ,for should the ,nativity of ,apollo have preceeded1 ,venus could not have received him1 for which reason ,diana ought to come forth first1 that so she might the more commodiously receive ,apollo from ,latona4 ,i know not how by any means it may be proposed more clearly4 ,every one that does but know the nature of the ,metals doth well understand1 that when ,gold and ,silver are spiritually dissolved in one ,water1 and that plates of ,mars probably are put in to the ,solution of the ,gold and ,silver1 neither of those ,metals will adhere to the ,plates4 ,but if the ,plates of ,copper are put into that ,bath1 he shall presently see that all the ,silver that was in the ,water will adjoyn it self thereunto4 ,and now1 after that the ,silver is thus precipitated and sticks on to the ,copper1 the ,gold will likewise fall down out of the ,solution1 and apply it self to the ,silver2 which labour ,i have more at large handled in the third part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,it could not therefore otherwise be1 but that ,latona must first bring forth ,diana1 and ,apollo afterwards1 seeing that ,venus the ,sister of ,latona could be helpfull onely in the bringing forth of ,diana4 ,it was therefore necessary that ,diana her self should be an assistant in the ,birth of her ,brother ,apollo1 for otherwise he could not have been ,born4 ,my time admits not of producing any more such similitudes in this place4 ,we will defer them till some other time1 namely1 for the ,edition of the ,work of ,saturn1 wherein shall be taught how the most vile1 and most abject ,metals are to be maturated by the benefit of ,salts1 whereby they may in a particular way yield forth ,gold and ,silver4 ,but forasmuch as ,i cannot divine1 what impediments may put a stop to the edition of the work of ,saturn1 and that in this very ,treatise here is often mention made of ,saturn4 ,it cannot ,i think be any ways hurtfull1 if some good thing be yet farther adjoyned4 ,and such things as are here manifested of ,saturn1 it will not be needfull agen to mention them in other places1 seeing there doth yet still remain matter enough for to fill a whole ,book of the ,secrets of ,saturn4 ,and there lie such wonderfull ,secrets under the vile and dirty ,garment of ,saturn1 as being manifested1 would exceed all the belief of unskilfull ,men4 ,for he is not onely an expert ,fisher in ,fishing ,pearls out of the ,salt ,sea1 but is withall an expert ,hunter1 in driving the ,wild ,beast out of his green ,grove or ,cops1 and of catching him in his ,nets1 as we have told you in the foregoing third part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,nay1 he is a bathing ,gentleman of singular skill1 who by his bathing and washing his ,children1 adorneth them with the comeliness of ,diana and ,apollo4 ,when he is alone1 he serves onely for ,apollo and ,diana to wash off their accidental impurities and defilements1 that so they may recover their natural fairness4 ,the other ,metals can't brook his so over sharp and rigid bathing1 but are rather suffocated and killed therein1 than become more fair and more pure4 ,but if ,saturn shall have first washt himself even unto the highest whiteness1 in a ,bath of common ,salt1 he is not then so austere and severe1 but prepares for his ,children a far more tolerable ,bath1 which being agreeable or proportionable to their ,weakness and ,sickness1 renders them all fairer and more pure4 ,his greatest virtue consists in his ,water which doth both particularly and universally free the ,metals of all their defilements4 ,i have often had a particular experience hereof1 and yet daily can 7,god be praised7 shew and teach the same unto others4 ,but ,i cannot do any such thing in an universal way1 and inform others as to that2 nor do ,i vainly brag of so great a matter1 though ,i have my thoughts as touching the manner how this thing may be effected4 ,nay the more ,i conceived about that matter1 the lesser would ,i boast of the same4 ,verily it is a great shame to boast of that thing1 of which thou hast not even the smallest knowledge1 or at least dost not know any thing else1 but what thou hast drawn in1 by the reading of other ,writers4 ',tis a common proverb1 ,that those ,cows which ,bellow1 or ,low overmuch1 are said to yield the least ,milk1 and that this is a thing true1 yea most true1 experience it self doth testifie4 ,the ,chymical ,art is become at present so common1 that almost every body1 after he hath but viewed over one or two ,chymical ,books1 7though he never moved his hands to the ,work1 nor understands so much as the ,chymical ,terms themselves7 is nevertheless wont impudently and lyingly to boast of the knowledge of the universal ,medicine4 ,nay thou shalt see some to proceed on to that heighth of boldness1 as even to write ,books of so great a ,secret1 and to dare promise the ,revelation of the same unto others1 and yet for all this know nothing at all1 and have not so much as any the meanest foundation1 but rely solely upon that knowledge1 which 7being as we said afore1 drawn out of other ,writers7 causeth in them a most uncertain hope1 of a thing most extreamly obscure4 ,he that is not a stranger unto1 nor ignorant of metallick affairs1 can easily discern the ,lyers from the true ,writers1 and can judge who are true1 and who false4 ,such as do know somewhat are not wont to make a bragging noise of their skill4 ,on the contrary1 those ,brethren of ,ignorance do offer unto every one that most secret miracle of ,art and ,nature1 namely1 the universal ,medicine1 which thing a true ,philosopher neither ever did1 nor ever will do4 ,but as for the revealing of the particular washings1 purgations1 and meliorations of the ,metals1 whereby ,gold and ,silver are to be extracted1 if any one doth know these things and discloseth them1 and desires not to bury his ,talent in the ,earth1 he does well4 ,neither would any one be endammaged by such a discovery though those particular ,arcana's should be known even unto all ,men1 and that every body could effect such ,operations2 for nothing could redound from them but great gain throughout all the ,world4 ,but these things here mentioned may sufficiently serve for an evident and manifest admonition for every one to beware of the ,books of such ,writers1 7but why do ,i say ,writers8 they are rather ,collectors and ,describers1 who after the manner of ,botchers do patch up new ,books our of old cast ,garments7 and to give no credit at all unto them as containing nothing of truth in them1 and to think that those kind of ,men betake themselves to this ,book-patching ,trade1 meerly to get their ,bread by4 ,some such ,men have ,i known1 that provide not either for their ,food or ,rayment any other way1 than by the sale of such false ,philosophical ,books1 which they have from the ,printers to sell to others1 receiving a certain price for their labour1 which they bestow in profering them to ,sale4 ,o miserable ,philosopher6 ,who doth not know so much as to get his ,food at ,home in his own ,house1 but is constrained to shift after it by the bare selling of such kind of ,books4 ,let this here spoken be as a warning4 ,if need required1 and occasion were1 ,i would not fear to divulge their names too2 who having not any the least knowledge of nature1 do nevertheless dare to offer the ,revelation and ,confection of the great universal unto others1 and cast such a great blemish of reproach upon the most noble ,chymical ,art1 as makes it much contemned1 whereas a more noble and more excellent ,art cannot be found4 ,i'le not censure any1 but yet it would become the magistrate to examine those great ,philosophers1 whether or no they were actually and in very deed skill'd in that great universal1 7which they boast so wonderfully of1 and write ,books of such great moment1 and promise to teach others too1 as if they excelled even ,hermes himself in the knowledge of the ,art7 and if in the proof or tryal they gave good satisfaction1 and confirmed the truth of their ,writings by a real and true melioration of the ,metals1 then to honour1 defend1 and protect them1 as rare and singular ,philosophers4 ,but if they know nothing nor could perform ought of their pretended ,art1 the magistrates would not do unjustly if they punished such men1 and made them exemplary1 seeing too that they endeavour to asperse and backbite other honest men1 who are endued with the skill and knowledge of such great things1 with lying reproaches4 ,a good ,gardener being wont to gather good ,honey out of the ,bee hive which he has in his ,garden1 if he finds a ,nest of ,wasps or ,hornets any where near1 built in some hollow ,tree1 and that they steal away the ,honey from his ,bees1 he right worthily destroys such a ,nest1 and roots out of his ,garden those ,thieves and ,robbers of his ,honey1 that so for the future they may not detriment them any more4 ,were but one or two of those ,fellows handled in such a manner the rest would be deterred and would not so easily promise others by their deceitfull ,writings1 the making of the ,philosophers ,stone1 which they are so extreamly ignorant of4 ,certain it is therefore1 that no true ,philosopher1 were he a partaker of the great universal1 will indifferently offer the same unto all ,men1 and calumniate 7without any cause given7 those that are so innocent 7and who have forgotten more than others have learned7 and publickly bespatter them with most false ,lyes before the whole ,world1 to the great detriment of the ,persons so abused4 ,but to return to my purpose1 and to shew in this place yet another very considerable ,arcanum of ,saturn1 you must know1 that ,i have already published divers great secrets in this fourth and third preceeding part1 but cursorily onely1 because ,i have not as yet attained to the one half part of their most great utility1 and ,i was willing onely to shew what things mought be done4 ,but forasmuch as ,i have fortified their use with good and sharp ,weapons1 and that one or other sometime lighting thereupon by chance1 and reaping great profit therefrom1 may possibly judge that he is no ways at all bound or beholding unto me for the same2 ,i was willing for the better information1 and instruction sake1 to adjoyn these few things1 which are very weighty and considerable4 ,in divers places of the foregoing third part1 and of this fourth part too1 ,i have the preparation of the ,mercury of ,saturn and ,lune1 that is1 ,i have shewn how ,saturn and ,lune may be reduced out of their ,solutions1 by the help of ,salt1 into a ,snow like1 fusile1 fugacious1 pure and dry ,water2 which ,waters are by me called the ,mercuries of ,saturn and ,lune1 by reason of their fusile and volatile nature3 ,they are metallick ,waters not wetting the hands1 and yet by reason of their form do they bear the name of ,water1 because being put into a ,crucible1 and molten with a small ,fire1 they are pellucid and transparent like unto ,fountain ,water1 insomuch that they may be seen through even to the very bottom3 ,but yet the ,water of ,saturn is of a more transparent clarity than the ,water of ,lune is4 ,but forasmuch as our main scope in this place is to make some mention of the use of the ,saturnine ,water1 we will let pass other matters1 and declare some of the virtues of the said wonderfull ,water in the melioration of the ,metals4 ,let the lover of ,art therefore know1 that the ,saturnine ,water doth display its virtues in washing the ,metals that are to be amended4 ,for if any imperfect ,metal1 as ,iron1 or ,tin1 or ,copper1 be adjoyned thereunto1 and held in such a ,vessel1 as in which1 that ,water cannot by means of its fugaciousness vanish away1 nor through its subtile and penetrating power run out1 and that it be digested for a while in such a ,vessel1 this ,saturnine ,bath seizeth upon1 washeth1 and purgeth the ,metal1 and transmuteth it into a better and more pure ,metal1 but yet with no great profit1 for it onely shews the possibility4 ,but yet if some tinging ,species be adjoyned thereunto1 it does not onely make a pure washing1 but likewise exalteth and tingeth the same1 according as the tendency of the adjoyned subject is1 either unto a white or a red ,tincture4 ,but what those ,species are1 there's no need of disclosing them to every one4 ',tis sufficient that ,i have laid open the ,water1 and the use thereof in the washing of the ,metals4 ,but that the ,saturnine ,bath may the sooner and readier seize upon the ,metals1 and wash them1 it is the best way1 to add one third part of the ,mercurial ,water of ,lune1 to the ,mercurial ,water of ,saturn3 which ,waters do very readily conjoyn1 and each help the other in the washing1 and do also tinge1 according as the property of that ,tincture is1 which is adjoyned thereunto4 ,i will for ,example sake adjoyn the manner1 which shall both shew the possibility of the thing1 and administer occasion of farther search4 ,dissolve one ounce of pure ,silver in ,aq4 ,fortis1 and three ounces of common ,lead1 in more ,aq4 ,fortis1 mix both the ,solutions together1 and precipitate them1 either with common ,salt ,water1 or with ,spirit of ,salt1 which is all a case4 ,pour off the ,aq4 ,fortis from the ,coagulum1 after its being settled to the bottom1 which said ,coagulum1 you need not wash with ,rain ,water1 for this ,work1 but press the liquor onely through a thick ,cloath and so free it of its humidity2 this done1 dry this metallick ,cheese by the ,fire1 and you shall have a ,bath very fit to wash ,venus1 ,mars1 and ,jupiter4 ,and now when you are minded to try whether or no the success will fadge well1 divide your ,bath into three parts1 and wash those three ,metals on the following manner4 ,n4 ,b4 ,let no ,body take it in evil part1 that ,i here silently pass over my secret bathing ,laver1 serving to wash the ,metals in1 and not permitting the ,water it self to go away in fume3 ,he that is minded to try this ,operation1 may for the first time make use of ,crucibles1 which1 although they may bring some loss by letting go part of the ,saturnine ,bath1 yet notwithstanding they will demonstrate the success of the business1 and the loss by them caused may afterwards be prevented by due ,mediums4 ,the manner of using the ,bath aforesaid1 is as followeth4 ,take of the filings of pure ,iron1 ,copper or ,tin one part1 mix it with three parts of our dry ,bath1 and put the matter thus mixt into an earthen ,vessel1 which hath the compactness of ,glass1 such as those are1 which are made at ,siburg near ,colen1 at ,bamberg in ,franconia1 and at ,waldenburg1 near ,cassela in ,hassia1 and in other places of ,germany4 7,n4 ,b4 ,the common ,vessels and ,crucibles cannot retain this ,water1 but it penetrates through them like ,oil47 ,heat your ,vessel so hot as to cause the ,water together with the ,metals to melt and flow well1 in which liquefaction1 part indeed of the water will pass away in fume1 but this loss may be easily prevented4 ,when therefore your ,metal hath been thus boild for about one quarter of an hour1 part of the same will be found washt and turned into good ,silver3 nor must you thus understand me as if the ,silver in the said ,water were onely precipitated by the ,metal1 and that no part of the ,metal it self underwent any ,transmutation4 ,for albeit that that ,silver which was added to the ,saturnine ,water be precipitated by the adjoyned ,metal1 and returns into its former ,body1 yet nevertheless there is more ,silver gotten than was added to the ,water4 ,for that ,saturnine ,bath while it is occupied about the dissolution of the ,metal1 doth by the efficacy and ,operation of the adjoyned ,lune1 exalt and tinge part of the ,metal to an higher degree4 ,but although this labour does not promise any golden ,mountains1 it is here put for this end onely1 namely1 that the possibility of the thing may be learned hereby3 yet notwithstanding1 if any one did but know how to adjoyn to this ,saturnine ,water1 a golden ,ferment1 instead of a silvery one1 it could not otherwise be but that he would get no contemptible gain and profit3 yet if the same ,operation be so instituted with a white ,ferment1 as that not any the least part thereof may go away in fume1 and be lost of the ,bath1 it will bring no loss4 ,n4 ,b4 ,neither is it always needfull that the ,ferments of pure ,metals be adjoyned to this ,saturnine ,bath1 for ,i think that apt ,minerals may be found1 which may be adhibited in the room of aureous and argenteous ,ferments4 ,nay more1 ,i do likewise think that such subjects may be adjoyned to this ,saturnine ,mercurial ,water1 as may be therein fixed into white and red ,tinctures2 the thing it self ,i have not as yet tried1 nor do ,i profess my self so great a ,master1 for ,i propose to my self this onely end in my ,writing1 namely1 to shew unto such as are desirous after transmutations1 the way of arriving unto the truth it self4 ,for it will be far easier for every one that searcheth into the business more thoroughly1 and that maketh more accurate tryals1 to find out far greater things1 yea much more than he could ever believe4 ,more such ,woman-like ,washings1 and more ,boys ,plays shall 7,god willing7 be manifested in my ,work of ,saturn4 ,but now this ,saturnine dry ,bath may be prepared much easier1 on this wise following2 choose you out such an ,oar or ,minera of ,lead1 which is very pure and clean1 and hath nor either ,iron1 or ,copper1 or any other ,metal admixt therewithall3 7,n4 ,b4 ,if ,silver be likewise in the ,oar1 it rather profits than hinders1 but the said ,oar must not have much earth mixt in it1 and that which is on to it must be taken from it by washing off the same with fair ,water47 ,one1 two1 three1 or more pounds of this leaden ,oar thus washt1 must be put into a strong ,cucurbit1 and so many pounds of ,spirit of ,salt must be 7put on and7 drawn off thencefrom1 which ,spirit of ,salt1 as being a moist and ,philosophical ,fire1 will reduce the pure ,oar of ,lead1 which it toucheth every where and in all places of the same1 into a bright1 ,snowy1 easily ,meltable1 and fugacious ,calx1 which is to be well washt with ,water and be dried3 ,this is that metallick ,bath1 and that dry ,water of the ,ancients1 which wets not the hands1 and which is able to perform admirable things in the ,metals4 ,but that this ,philosophical and moist ,calcination of the ,oar of ,lead1 may be accomplished without any costs1 some ,salt ,water must be poured upon the ,spirit of ,salt1 in the ,cucurbit1 that the ,salt may ascend together with the ,spirit1 and may augment the same with so great a quantity of ,spirit1 as may quit the costs of the ,oar and ,fire1 and yield you the dry ,saturnine ,bath for nothing1 which said ,bath may be employed various ways about the washings and emendations of the ,metals4 ,for out of the ,oars which never underwent the burning by the ,fire1 and were never as yet deprived of their growing faculty1 this ,bath thus prepared is to be preferred far afore that1 which is made of the molten ,metal4 ,i do here open to the studious of ,art1 the ,gate that leads unto most great secrets1 which were never so clearly manifested by any ,man4 ,it must necessarily therefore be1 that either ,god must put a stop1 or that the ,operator or ,labourer himself must be of a stupid and simple capacity1 if he cannot learn from these instructions1 as much as to live in quietude1 and so furnish himself with ,food and ,rayment4 ,if therefore ,god shall vouchsafe his ,blessing unto thee in the use of this secret1 then give unto him1 the bestower of all good things1 thy utmost thanks1 and be not unmindfull of the ,poor4 ,sustain thy life by the works of thy hands1 and let thy light shine before the blind1 neither bury the same enviously in the ,earth4 ,do good to every one1 that it may be discerned and appear what ,tree thou art4 ,entertain not too great an opinion of thy self1 but remember that thou art a ,man and mai'st err and fail4 ,give no body occasion of quarrelling and brawling4 ,if an unjust conflict be brought upon thee1 commit thy self wholly unto ,god1 and he will succour thee4 ,give place to the greater1 and spare the lesser1 ,god will defend thee and suppress thine ,enemies4 ,the ,heathen ,philosophers accounted the ,prophet ,ezekiel as a clownish ,philosopher1 because he wrote so very clearly of the ,divine ,mysteries4 ,for they took it very untowardly1 that he was not so envious1 as to involve such great ,mysteries in silence1 but wrote so openly of the same4 ,he that will now-a-days make it his design to wind himself out of the crew of ,sophisters1 and such kind of ,philosophers that putteth together hurtfull ,books1 consisting of fine ,spun1 and seducing words onely meerly for their own gain1 and without any profitable information at all in them2 he ,i say that would free himself from such1 overcome them1 and bear away the prize1 must imitate that countrey man1 who on a time entring into a ,fencing ,school at ,norimberg did behold the ,fencers artificially combate together so strongly and so long1 untill all the others being tired1 and forsaking the ,stage1 there remained but onely one as sole victor2 who1 with a disdainfull look1 contemning all the rest1 assured himself of the victory4 ,being therefore about taking up the ,prize-,money there deposited1 out steps the ,countryman1 saying1 you shall not have the reward1 except you beat me too off the ,stage3 ,fight therefore he must with the ,countryman1 or forsake the prize2 but promising himself an assured ,victory1 he exerciseth his most curious and artificial postures1 which he had learned in the fencing ,school1 thereby to make a speedy dispatch with the ,countryman1 supposing that the ,countryman would be frighted1 and laying down his ,weapons1 quit the ,stage4 ,the ,countryman being no ways scared stood very quiet 7as confiding in his own strength7 so long1 till the ,fencer approaching nearer with his oblique ,flourishes1 made as 'twere a ,wheel afore his ,nose1 whom the ,countryman struck all along1 with such a smart blow as made the ,hair of his ,head flye off1 and the ,bloud run about his ,ears4 ,so artificial a ,combatant as this being o'erthrown1 he was asked by that plain ,countrey ,fellow1 whether or no he would yet once more try the fortune of the ,play1 but he would no more prove the ,countrey down-right blows of a ,non-,citizen1 but left both the ,money and ,honour of the ,victory to the ,countryman1 who being asked how he durst adventure upon so artificial and experienced a ,fencer1 and could so o'ercome him1 he replied1 that he perceived the ,fencer used many oblique ,skippings1 but was no strong ,man3 and therefore ,i opposed my strength to his artificial ,flourishes1 and so with one blow struck him down4 ,by this ,history it is evident1 that that finely ,spun1 and sophistical prating of the ,schools1 makes nothing to the purpose but a certain experience1 and an infallible knowledge of things both is and so remains the sole ,mistress4 ,for the sake of those that are lovers of divine and natural ,miracles1 'tis expedient that ,i yet farther manifest some certain secrets of ,salt1 which are hitherto altogether unknown1 and shall be shewn unto my ,friends in my ,laboratory4 ,nor do ,i at all doubt1 but that some few will be found who will easily understand these things1 and look on them as things credible4 ,but ,i matter not1 whether they credit me who speak the very truth or not4 ,it sufficeth me that ,i can not onely perform the things ,i say1 but likewise shew them to ,friends1 whereby they may be able to reap some benefit and profit therefrom4 ,salt may be so introverted by the ,operation of the ,fire1 as that it shall lose its sharp properties1 and acquire a sweetness1 and be brought by the help of other ,vegetables and of ,water1 unto ,fermentation1 and so yield a good and sweet burning ,spirit1 a clear1 sweet1 and strong white ,ale1 conserving its tast for many years2 various drinks1 not unlike in tast to the ,wine made of ,honey and ,fruits of ,trees1 strong and clear ,vinegar1 and white ,tartar1 fully as profitable for such ,operations1 as the common and natural ,tartar of ,wine is wont to be used about1 and may be with those others afore mentioned prepared with small charges4 ,the ,air and ,fire do in a short time transmute ,salt1 into true natural ,salt-peter1 which is no small profit4 ,the ,fire doth likewise very easily endow common ,salt with such kind of properties1 as render it capable of fatning and dunging barren ,fields1 ,vines1 ,fruit ,trees1 ,hops1 and all other ,garden ,herbs as well as ,sheeps or ,beasts ,dung4 ,salt is also so changed by the ,fire in few hours time1 as to put on a magnetick nature1 and attract the moisture and water out of the ,air1 and to retain it with it self a long while1 and therefore is not easily dried up by the ,sun4 ,corn1 as ,oats1 ,barley1 ,rye1 ,wheat1 ,pease1 ,beans1 and other ,seeds being steeped in such a ,salt for a ,night1 do by means thereof1 grow up the speedier out of the ,earth4 ,it is very profitable therefore in the ,summer ,season1 wherein there's scarcity of ,rain1 and especially in sandy ,grounds1 because it holds the ,rain ,water a good while1 so that it is not so easily dried up by the ,sun4 ,besides1 too1 that ,salt is of such attracting virtues as that one ounce thereof1 being put in some little ,glass to two ounces of ,water1 hardens all this ,water1 in the likeness of ,salt1 so as that you may carry the same about you in a ,paper2 whereas there were two parts of ,water to one of ,salt4 ,this ,salt abounds with yet many other wonderfull virtues1 some of which ,i have declared in my ,treatise1 of the ,nature of ,salts1 stiling it by the name of ,sal ,mirabilis1 and that not without good cause4 ,it is of the form of ,salt-peter1 and is void of all ,acrimony1 it is a little bitterish to the tast1 and is of a ,balsamick ,nature4 ,for being rub'd on ,beef or other such like ,flesh1 it keeps the same1 though exposed to the open ,air1 from being infested with ,magots1 and from being corrupted3 ,and therefore it is an efficacious subject1 with which as being a most efficacious ,balsom1 dead ,bodies are conserved from corruption4 ,it converts all things put into it1 in long process of time1 into an hard ,stone1 and abounds with many other wondrous virtues1 which 7for certain causes17 ,i pass by in silence at this time4 ,paracelsus calls it ,sal ,enixum1 but ,i ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,nor ought it to seem at all wonderfull1 that common ,salt doth so easily obtain by the ,operation of the ,fire1 a better and sweeter quality4 ,i do in very deed affirm1 that not onely the common ,kitchin ,salt1 but even those too1 which are of a most biting corrosivity1 as ,aqua ,fortis1 ,aqua ,regia1 ,oil of ,salt1 of ,sulphur1 and of ,vitriol1 may by a certain sweet ,vegetable1 7without the addition of any contrary ,salt7 be brought to such a pass in three hours time1 as that a ,man cannot perceive the least ,corrosion at all in them4 ,nay more1 if this very ,salt hath dissolved up any ,metals1 it does not part with them1 but holds them still3 so that the corrosive ,solution of ,gold which is made with ,oil of ,salt1 becomes a sweet liquor1 which likewise comes so to pass1 with the ,solutions of ,silver1 and of the other ,metals3 so that by this way excellent ,medicaments may most easily be made out of ,metals4 ,new ,wines being fermented with such a ,salt1 do change their ,tartar into sweet ,wine1 and become clear in a months time1 and suddenly have both the tast and odour as old ,wines usually have4 ,certainly it is a secret of very great concernment1 when by reason of the coldness of the ,air1 the ,wines cannot attain unto their due maturity4 ,n4 ,b4 ,there appertains to this fermentation1 a singular and excellent ,artifice1 by which the ,wines and other drinks are promoted to a speedy and strong fermentation1 insomuch that the ,wine boils in the ,vessel1 though the ,vessel should be set out to the ,snow and ,ice in the coldest time of ,winter3 whereby the ,wines must needs be made better1 stronger1 and sweeter4 ,it is a very artificial invention1 hitherto concealed by me1 but now ,i am minded to reveal the same unto my ,friends4 ,by the same ,salt too1 ,wine1 ,ale1 ,metheglin1 and other drinks may be in short time turned into good and sharp ,vinegar without the help of the ,sun1 or of a warm ,stove4 ,if therefore any one needs for his ,operations any distilled ,vinegar1 he may even distill it in wooden ,vessels1 without any ,sparkle of ,fire1 onely in the ,air1 by the proper efficacy of the liquors themselves1 and by the help of the ,air3 and this in such wise1 as that a whole ,barrel of distilled ,vinegar will not cost so much as one ,token1 the ,barrels or ,vessels excepted1 which verily is a most ,artificial ,distillation4 ,thus likewise by the same means may a sweet burning ,spirit be distilled out of ,ale1 ,wine1 and other the like ,liquors4 ,any common ,wine may be rendred so strong by the help of a certain sweet ,salt and artificial fermentation1 as that it cannot be drunk because of its strength4 ,some ,pots full onely thereof1 being poured into a ,barrel full of small ,wine1 will make the same so strong1 as to equalize it with generous ,wine4 ,he that is so minded may add some sweet ,spices in the fermentation1 and so make it the more sweet1 more efficacious1 and more wholsome1 and so a little quantity thereof being poured into another ,barrel will make all the ,wine therein contained become sweet and good4 ,out of common ,salt may easily be made good ,allum and ,vitriol1 no less usefull for the ,dyers than the natural are4 ,it is likewise a thing easily feasible1 and that too in few hours space1 to turn the same into a fiery nature1 and make it have the same property as the ,salt made of ,wood ,ashes1 and of the burnt ,lees of ,wine and such like1 and as ,pot ,ashes have1 and may serve for the ,soap ,boilers and be applied to the same uses that those ,salts are used for4 ,moreover1 store of sweet ,spirit of ,salt may be gotten with small charges out of common ,salt1 serving not onely for the preparation of many excellent ,medicaments1 but also for the maturation of the meaner and unripe ,metals1 as we said afore4 ,these and the like wonderfull things1 yea and very many such effects incredible to the unskilfull doth that contemptible and common ,salt produce1 to the exceeding benefit and profit of mankind3 which excellent things ,i neither would nor could 7for the honour of ,god1 the giver of all good things1 and for the sake and profit of mankind7 any longer conceal4 ,but some or other may object and say1 if by the help of common ,salt1 such great things may be effected1 why do not you prefer the same before ,salt-peter1 which you have so exceedingly praised in the third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and have constituted it the ,monarch as it were of the whole ,world3 whereas notwithstanding it is so venemous a ,dragon as is wont to devour all things4 ,can't these two ,salts ,i pray1 namely the common and ,salt-peter1 divide the ,government of the ,world between them1 and bear sway and command both together4 ,to such ,i answer1 that although that common ,salt be the producer of many wonderfull effects1 yet must it needs give place unto ,salt-peter1 which being inflamed and on ,fire is wont to overturn huge ,mountains1 and blow them up into the ,air1 which thing seeing common ,salt cannot do1 'tis but fitting and right that it should be dignified with so great a ,title4 ,however1 being by the ,operation of the ,fire and ,air made equal unto ,salt-peter1 and performing the same effects1 it may then worthily be graced as ,salt-peter is with the ,title of ,monarcy4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the effects which ,i have attributed to common ,salt and ,salt-peter1 ,i can every hour shew1 in very deed1 to be most true4 ,ill therefore do they do1 that bark against me for saying that ,salt-peter is a universal ,dissolvent1 and that endeavour by their tatling reproaches to obstruct the truth4 ,why do they not produce some better thing1 seeing they will not admit of this universal ,dissolvent8 such ,men as these do nothing else but bewray their own foolishness1 and kick against the ,pricks4 ,had they ever done ought1 or set their hands to work1 for the sake of searching throughly into nature1 they would never so boldly contemn1 and reject that1 which they never as yet understood4 ,they behave themselves very basely1 and clearly discover unto all ,men's view1 that they have suckt in their uncertain and foolish ,opinions1 by the bare reading and hearing of uncertain and dubious ,writers1 whose meaning notwithstanding they understand not2 for my part ,i remain constant in my ,opinion1 and say1 that ,salt-peter is an universal ,dissolvent1 and is able to dissolve all the things in the whole ,world1 if it be made use of in three forms or shapes4 ,whatsoever the acid ,spirit thereof1 or the ,eagle with its sharp ,claws cannot effect1 its fixed ,salt1 or the fiery ,lyon will accomplish3 and whatsoever is impossible to be done by these two1 the ,griffon which hath its rise from the ,eagle and ,lyon1 will artificially perform4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the acid ,spirit of ,niter doth not dissolve sulphureous subjects1 but mercurials onely3 ,contrarywise1 the fix ,niter doth not seize upon mercurial subjects1 but sulphureous ones2 but the flame of ,salt-peter performs both3 which verily is wonderfull1 that things so unlike should in some few hours time be extracted out of one and the same subject4 ,for the corrosive ,spirit prepared out of ,salt-peter by ,distillation1 and likewise the fix ,salt1 are most bitter enemies to each other1 which ruinating and slaying one another1 and being dead1 return agen unto that which they were afore1 and partakes of both natures2 which the ,ancient ,philosophers do clearly point out unto us by the ,griffon1 which is headed and winged like an ,eagle1 and the hinder part of its ,body like a ,lyon1 as we have mentioned more at large in the foregoing third part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,upon him that rightly understands this ancient ,fable of the ,griffon1 ,lion1 and ,eagle1 doth the ,sun shine1 for he will get no small profit to himself thencefrom4 ,whatsoever the ,corrosive ,eagle dissolves and tears a-pieces1 that the fix and fiery ,lion precipitates4 ,and whatsoever the ,lion devours1 that the ,eagle doth agen snatch from him3 but they kill each the other1 of whole dead bodies the ,griffon exists1 which hath the body of the ,eagle and ,lion4 ,by how much the oftner this labour is repeated1 so much the more potent and stronger doth the ,griffon come to be1 especially if both the ,eagle and the ,lion have filled themselves with food and are grown fat2 or by how much the bigger the ,eagle and the ,lion are grown1 by such ,subjects as are agreeable unto them1 afore their mutual fighting2 the ,griffon doth also become of magnitude proportionable4 ,once every day therefore may such a conflict1 slaughter1 revivification1 and transmutation of these two fighting and capital ,enemies1 viz4 the ,eagle and ,lion into the ,griffon be made4 ,but if you would have it profitable1 then must ,vulcan sharpen ,saturn's ,sythe1 by which he may divide the ,griffon in twain1 and may turn whatever proceeded from the ,eagle1 into the ,eagle again2 and may transmute that which arose from the ,lion into the ,lion agen4 ,when the dominion of the ,griffon is divided1 and that the ,eagle bears sway onely over his birds1 and the ,lion onely over his beasts1 like two ,kings1 then all is well1 and there's no war4 ,but if once the ,eagle endeavours to snatch away from the ,lion his prey1 then ariseth a great war1 and of so long a continuance1 till they have slain each the other1 of whose bodies the ,gods doe make the ,griffon4 ,but when the ,griffon becomes too disdainfull1 and affecteth ,tyranny1 and designs to bear rule over birds and beasts together1 he is agen divided by ,vulcan1 by the perswasion of old ,saturn1 that so he may return by a reiterated transmutation into the ,eagle and ,lion3 which wheel or rotation of reciprocal transmutation doth never rest1 but converts it self or turns it self round in a perpetual course for ,man's punishment1 as long as it shall please the most high ,god1 who1 at last1 will put an end to all fightings1 slaughter1 and contention1 that afflict this world3 at which time all the ,eagles and ,lions which ever were in the world1 shall be turned into the ,great ,griffon1 which will rend and overthrow the whole ,earth4 ,this time all pious ,souls doe expect and wait for with ardent desire1 and many sighs1 that they may be at last freed from the talons of the ,eagles1 which rend all things a-pieces1 and from the claws of the roaring ,lions1 and enjoy everlasting peace and quietude4 ,thus much may suffice to have been spoken of ,salt-peter at this time1 which1 how it may be prepared very plentifully1 and with great profit1 out of the ,salts of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 ,i have already declared in the foregoing third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,he now that dreams of so managing his affairs as to reap benefit and profit to himself thencefrom1 may inquire into the business by a more accurate meditation and search4 ,yet let him know1 ,that ,salt-peter may be very easily made of many vile ,subjects1 which may be every where had3 of which ,salt1 if you have plenty1 you cannot want other things4 ,for not onely most excellent ,medicaments against all kinds of ,diseases may be made with ,salt-peter1 as likewise the growing faculty of ,fruits springing out of the ,earth1 be promoted1 as of ,corn1 ,wine1 and such-like things necessary for the sustaining of the life of ,man2 but also pure good ,gold may very easily1 but with great profit1 be gotten out of the imperfect ,metals4 ,seeing then1 that by means thereof1 a man may be supplied with firm health1 food1 and rayment1 and with ,gold and ,silver1 what other thing is there1 ,i pray1 that he can want8 ,that which ,i have so often said1 ,i doe here repeat and affirm1 ,that there is not in the whole ,world any subject that can compare with ,salt-peter1 much less be preferred before it4 ,such a noble1 yea so kingly a ,subject therefore as this is1 well deserves to be most highly honoured by us1 and to be searcht into by the utmost of our endeavours1 because of the so great benefits it bestows upon ,mankind4 ,we will therefore proclaim and pronounce ,salt-peter to be the ,monarch of the whole ,world1 though all its and my enemies1 who endeavour to bespatter our honour and repute with the brands of infamy1 doe even burst for malice4 ,o most foolish men1 with how vain a hope doe ye expect the ,lion and ,monarch from the ,north1 as the ,jews doe their ,messiah1 who came above #afjj years ago4 ,the ,lion of the ,north1 and the ,monarch of the ,world is even at this time present1 and hath always been1 but yet hath been known but by a few2 the full and perfect revelation of which1 ,god alone knows4 ,i doe verily think the time is now at hand2 ,these things which are known unto us concerning him1 are all of them but particulars1 and very few too4 ,but if the said ,northern ,lion shall find out and dig forth the treasures which lye hidden in the ,mountains1 then will he at last exhibit his power to be seen1 and shew himself to be the ,monarch of the whole ,world4 ,salt-peter is that great and fire-spitting ,dragon1 the keeper of the ,golden ,apples1 and that venomous ,basilisk which kills all things with his looks4 ,if he be but fixt and made constant in the fire1 then is he that ,salamander living in the fire1 and that ,phnix the bird of the ,sun1 which having gathered pure ,gold out of the ,sand1 useth it to the making of her nest1 and arriving to its utmost old age1 burns her self2 out of whose ,ashes other ,phnix's are produced4 ,he that desires to know more of the ,griffon1 ,phnix1 ,dragon1 ,basilisk1 and ,salamander1 all which doe exceedingly thirst after ,gold1 and dig it out of the ,earth and keep it1 may read ,pliny1 and other the ancient ,writers of natural things2 as also ,ambrosius ,calepine's ,dictionary of eight ,languages1 and of the last ,edition4 ,the ,conclusion4 ,these 7,o friendly ,reader7 are the things which ,i was willing to publish at this time for the ,countries good2 ,had ,i had more time and opportunity1 ,i would have added more profitable secrets1 and such too as are of no small moment4 ,if ,i find that these here written are acceptable1 ,i will in a subjoyned ,appendix make a clearer interpretation of such obscure places as may be herein met with4 ,n4 ,b4 ,i would have the friendly ,reader here know1 that although ,i have written these ,four ,parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany clear enough1 above my other ,writings or more clear than the others yet notwithstanding ,i have reserved for my self and my friends somewhat amongst all the ,processes1 and ways of operation1 so that ,i know how to effect the preparations of ,salt-peter1 and to make use of its various properties1 in extracting ,gold and ,silver out of the ,oars1 and in the melioration of the imperfect ,metals1 and transmuting them into ,gold and ,silver much easier1 and far more compendiously1 and with much less costs4 ,the things which ,i have written1 ,i have written for every one1 ,friends and ,foes together2 ,the other1 and those better ,secrets1 ,i have reserved to my self and my friends4 ,this shall now 7,god willing7 be my chiefest care1 that my ,laboratory1 in which the truth of the whole business shall be shown unto my friends1 may be fitted up and made ready4 ,in the mean time1 the ,princes and ,noble men1 whose territories such metallick treasures are in1 and cannot be extracted by the help of common fusion1 may consider1 whether or no it will be agreeable to their minds to make use of these my ,artificial1 and not vulgar ,operations in extracting the ,gold and ,silver by ,salt and ,salt-peter out of such-like auriferous subjects4 ,if it shall seem unto them a thing worth while1 to institute such operations for the profit of their ,countries1 they may send unto me a fit person1 and one that knows how to deal in the fire1 and one that is of a silent disposition1 and of good education1 who may learn the very work it self in my ,laboratory4 ,but they that are ,lords of such places as doe not contain in them those auriferous ,minera's or ,oars1 and can nevertheless get store of them from the bordering ,countries1 and are desirous of amending them1 and using them for their profit1 we deny not to shew and disclose the ,art unto them too1 7the persons always considered17 namely that artificial and moist ,extraction of the volatile and fix ,gold1 not onely out of ,minerals1 ,stones1 ,sand1 and ,clay1 but likewise out of the already-molten ,metals themselves1 as ,lead1 ,tin1 ,iron1 and ,copper2 in which ,metals1 there is often times hidden much ,gold and ,silver1 which admits not of being extracted by the common melting ,fire2 but is easily drawn thereout of1 by the maturation and separation that is caused by ,salt and ,salt-peter1 and so brought to common use4 ,all these things we will not be loth to make friends partakers of1 as likewise of other rare and artificial inventions1 and such as are profitable to all kinds of men1 none excepted2 which are such things as will bring much profit to my ,country1 and shall be shewn in my ,laboratory1 publickly1 and privately unto friends3 but with this proviso1 namely1 if the said friends will faithfully promise unto me1 that they will with a faithfull silence conceal those secrets which they shall see and learn from me1 and improve the same1 onely to the honour of ,god1 to the comfort of the sick1 to the help and succour of poor ,widows and ,orphans1 and to the defence of the ,truth2 and not use them to ,diabolical disdain1 and detestable pride1 and other fooleries and vanities4 ,the ,end of the ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,,germany4 ,clearly and ,solidly demonstrating1 and as it were shewing with the ,fingers1 what ,alchymy is1 and what benefit may by the help thereof1 be gotten every where1 and in most places of ,germany4 ,written and ,published to the ,honour of ,god the giver of all good things1 primarily2 and to the ,honour of all the great ones of the ,country2 and for the ,health1 ,profit1 and ,assistance against ,forreign ,invasions1 of all their ,inhabitants that are by due right and obedience subject unto them4 ,like as the weighty command of ,god injoyns all ,children to love their ,parents1 and to submit themselves unto them1 with a due obedience in all lawfull and equitable things1 and to yield them due fidelity3 ,even so likewise doth he require from every subject a due obedience to their particular ,magistrates1 that they most willingly obey them 7with a faithfull observance1 as being the ,fathers of the ,countrey1 and to whom they are tied by all right of ,fidelity7 in all such things as pass not beyond the boundaries of equity1 and withall it behoves each such subject to communicate any thing whatsoever that is requisite for their safety and defence1 and for the repelling and beating off the ,enemies4 ,the consideration of this dutifull service1 which binds every ,subject to his ,magistrate1 stirred me up 7seeing that greivous and sudden ,fire which almost destroyed all the ,kingdom of ,poland1 and therefore fearing1 lest by dilating it self it should also detriment our ,countrey7 to take care in publishing1 some four years ago1 a little ,book intituled the first ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,i therein taught1 by what means the vast plenty of ,corn and ,wine might be so concentrated as to be easily preserved and kept1 and so be made serviceable for the common good1 and of exceeding profit1 in future calamitous times4 ,i likewise shewed the way and manner of some other ,arts1 and such as are most usefull for the common good of the ,countrey1 'mongst which1 that discovery of making ,salt-peter out of old and rotten ,wood1 7from which may a vast quantity thereof be had7 is none of the meanest4 ,i have also bethought my self of another way of pleasuring my ,countrey with no small benefit afore ,i die1 and thus ,i intend it4 ,first of all1 ,i would have the whole ,world know by this small ,work or ,treatise1 that ,i have a mind to demonstrate the most profitable and principal secrets which ,i have treated of 7partly openly or plainly1 and partly obscurely or more darkly7 in those four parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and that both to the high and low in my publick and private ,laboratory1 afore this year is run about4 ,to this end1 ,i have already the chiefest and most necessary ,utensils at hand1 and when all the necessary provision is gotten together and made ready1 those said ,arcanums which will be so exceedingly profitable to the ,countrey1 shall be visibly demonstrated to such as the chiefest ,magistrates shall make choise of1 and to other honest ,citizens and ,men of the ,countrey4 ,and amongst these ,arcana's which are of such great benefit1 the three following ones are the most principal4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the first is1 the making of good ,salt-peter out of contemptible1 and every where obvious subjects4 ,the second is1 how by the help of this ,salt-peter1 easily and copiously to extract the fugitive1 and the fixt ,gold and ,silver and ,copper out of the ,minera's or ,oars1 with a great deal of profit and mighty advantage1 and that without any melting or fusion by ,fire4 ,the third is this1 the truth and certainty of ,alchymy shall be shown1 and it shall be proved1 that it is not any vain dream1 deceitfull ,phantasie or ,fallacy1 as the greatest part and number of its haters and ,ignoramus's have hitherto slanderously reported2 but that it is a most true ,artifice1 and of wondrous consequence1 by the help of which1 7it making use of ,fire and ,salt17 all contemptible ,minerals and ,metals1 and which are of no great gain1 as ,lead1 ,iron1 ,tin1 ,bismuth1 ,cobolt1 ,zink1 ,lap ,calaminaris1 ,marchasites1 all other fugacious ,minerals may be so fixed and ripened1 as that much and true and constant ,gold and ,silver may be extracted out of them with small costs1 but abundance of profit4 ,these three secrets verily are in my judgment of great moment and therefore are worthy for the great ones1 and ,princes1 and other ,fathers of the common ,weal to be made partakers thereof by revealing the same unto them4 ,i have deemed it worth while1 in a few words to illustrate the incredible utility thencefrom arising1 that any one that hath but any reason may perceive it4 ,and first1 as concerning ,salt-peter1 the whole ,world knows what profitable and needfull a subject it is4 ,there can never be so great a quantity thereof prepared1 but it may not onely be applied to necessary uses but also to such as bring a great deal of profit4 ,i forbear to speak of its most great use and exceeding profit in making ,gun-powder1 which no ,kingdoms1 no ,common-wealths can want to defend their ,countrey withall1 and drive off their ,enemies4 ,and if there were no need of it for this thing1 yet would it be of mighty moment1 and bring in abundance of profit by extracting ,gold and ,silver out of the poorer ,oars which will not bear the charges of melting1 and now there will never be so much ,gold and ,silver1 as that it will not be of any profit to a ,countrey4 ,nay more1 if there were no want of ,gun-powder1 nor of ,gold nor ,silver1 7which time when 'twill come1 and how it should come1 for my part ,i cannot see7 yet 7having ,peter7 we cannot be in want of ,bread2 and how great soever the plenty is of ,wine1 and ,corn1 and ,fruits1 yet there is never wont to be too much4 ,corn and ,seeds being macerated with ,salt peter afore they are sown1 and the ,roots of ,vines and ,trees being moistned with a very little of its liquor1 do not onely grow more plenteously1 but also produce more plenty of ,fruits1 and such as ripen far sooner1 and are of a sweeter ,tast1 than if they were dung'd with that stinking ,beasts ,dung liquor4 ,if then1 ,salt-peter be a subject so excellent1 as that we can by no means want it1 and that it may so easily be prepared out of ,wood and ,stones in plenty2 if above all other things it makes the ,earth fruitfull1 if it can extract plenty of true ,gold and ,silver out of the contemptible ,sand and ,flints1 what can we desire more from it1 unless it be a sound and healthfull ,body1 whereby we may in fulness of health quietly and peaceably enjoy such great benefits vouchsafed us by ,god8 ,but now this very same ,salt being justly called the wonder of the ,world can bestow upon us1 this very health we speak of4 ,i do affirm that ,alchymy it self1 or the ,transmutation of the lesser1 or meaner ,metals into the greater or more noble1 and into ,gold and ,silver1 is not a vain dreaming dotage1 and an opinion void of reason1 but is the very truth it self1 and confirmed by many experiments2 the demonstration of which1 ,i do1 ,god willing1 this ,summer not rashly but advisedly set about shewing it by publick and evident experiments1 and its use for the good of the ,country4 ,now then1 forasmuch as the ,countrey is every where sufficiently stored with ,iron1 ,lead1 ,salt and other mineral matters1 and such like contemptible subjects1 and yet notwithstanding there is not at present any profit arising thereby2 verily it cannot be1 but that in a few years time 7if such melting ,houses were in all places made7 ,men would be rendred ,masters of great ,treasures4 ,who knows what ,god will do1 and whether or no it may not so come to pass1 that it may be said of the great ones of our ,countrey as is mentioned in ,holy ,writ concerning ,solomon4 ,and he made ,silver as plentifull as the ,stones that lie in the ,streets1 c4 ,but that ,i may yet more open the ,eyes of the ,studious after all1 and show them1 by what means all these things may come to pass1 and fall out true1 ,i do hereby assure him1 that there's no need of taking those ,metals for this ,fusion1 that are already pure enough as ,iron1 ,lead1 ,tin1 and already fit to be imployed about ,mans use2 no1 those common and sulphureous leaden ,minera's or ,oars which are found to be uncapable of yielding profitable and venal or sellable ,lead1 are well enough for this ,fusion and operation we speak of2 and so likewise those ,irony and ,coppery ,oars1 out of which 7seeing they admit not by nature of any fusion or melting7 mallable fusile ,copper or ,iron cannot be extracted4 ,for this ,operation of ours needs not ,copper1 ,iron or ,lead to work upon1 as being content with those poor sort of ,oars1 and with the bare ,salt which the ,earth is every where well replenished withall1 so that there's no cause to fear that there will ever be a want of any matter for such an ,operation4 ,but what need ,i speak much of these unknown1 and so very profoundly hidden secrets of nature1 seeing ,i have openly enough taught already1 in the second part of the ,miraculum ,mundi1 by what means1 pure and natural ,gold may be gotten out of every ,herb4 ,this very thing ,i publickly demonstrated in my ,laboratory above a year ago1 in the presence of most learned ,men1 ,professors1 ,doctours of ,physick1 and other ,men both noble and ignoble1 as their ,testimonies1 which are under hand affirm4 ,but there's no need of that1 forasmuch as the manner it self of the ,operation is published in ,print1 and manifested to every one1 and there can hardly pass over one years space1 but that even a thousand ,men or more may imitate the ,operation and search into the truth it self of the business4 ,but that the well minded ,reader may have a little more light1 and may himself see what foundations the work ,i have undertaken is built upon1 ,i have judged it altogether necessary in a few words to set afore your ,eyes1 what ,alchymy it self is1 and whether or no it has any foundation in ,nature and ,art4 ,for if so be any ingenious ,man gives an ,herb1 an ,animal1 or a ,man any name1 certainly he does it not rashly and without any ground1 but well knows and understands for what cause he intitles any thing by such or such a name1 and it is chiefly done on this account that by such assumed names the nature of the ,herb1 ,animal1 or ,man1 and its properties might be known4 ,a few ,examples will illustrate it the more4 ,what reason have the ,physicians and ,philosophers of old to call the ,herb ,st4 ,johnswort1 perforata8 ,because its leaves are full of small holes1 and it is so signed by nature1 to shew1 that it has eminent virtues and peculiarly appointed to take away and cure external and internal stabs and wounds of the ,body1 and this is confirmed by experience4 ,why are some ,herbs called ,saxifragers8 because their nature is1 to cleave assunder and break through great heaps of ,stones in their growing up1 and to penetrate through old ,walls1 by the growth of their hard roots4 ,their ,seeds likewise are like unto the smallest ,sand and after a sort stonyish and do break the stony matter in the ,reins and ,bladder of ,man's ,body and bring it forth4 ,so a ,serpent hath its denomination from creeping1 because it wants ,feet1 and creeps and crawls along on the ,earth4 ,a ,shoemaker hath his title from his making and sewing of ,shoes4 ,a ,black smith is not wont to be called a ,gold-smith1 because he works not on ,gold but on ,iron1 and he hath his denomination from ,iron1 which he is occupied about4 ,the same is to be understood of the word ,alchymy1 which denoteth no other thing save a ,fusion and liquefaction of ,salt1 and so it teacheth us1 what cause it was for1 that the ,ancients called the ,transmutation of ,metals ,alchymy2 viz4 because of the fusing or melting of ,salt1 without which1 no particular ,transmutation of the viler ,metals can be perfected and accomplished4 ,therefore it was not an unadvised and rash action that the ,ancient ,philosophers did when they put the title of ,alchymy on the ,transmutation of ,metals1 but as a ,gold-smith is so called from the ,gold1 which he is a ,labourer in1 so is it with this4 ,the name therefore doth openly point out the matter transmuting the baser ,metals into the more noble1 viz4 ,salt1 which being as an universal ,agent does not onely maturate and bring to due perfection the ,metals generated in the ,bowels of the ,earth by a natural ,operation1 but it also does the same out of the ,earth by the ,operation of ,art1 ,salt alone1 and ,fire alone are sufficient for the maturation and transmutation of the unripe ,metals4 ,for ,salt 7as being the ,agent7 is driven or forced as 'twere by the ,fire to display its virtues upon the ,metals and by exercising its power1 to render them better and more noble1 as ,paracelsus openly witnesseth in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 saying1 that the ,corporal mixtion of metals though commixt a long time and kept so in ,fusion1 is neither wont to give1 7nor indeed can contribute so much as ought to their ,transmutation4 ,but if so be the metals are to be perfected by any amending1 they are to be conjoyned in a spiritual commixtion1 and so they come to their hoped-for amendment2 and this is very agreeable to the truth1 and evidently signifies1 that without a saline agent and fire1 there is no way of attaining to a particular transmutation and bettering in the metals4 ,elias the ,prophet1 whose name inverted yields the word ,sali or ,salts1 did not work his most great miracles afore he came into ,zarpath1 or ,sarepta1 that is1 into the melting ,house or fusing ,work-shop where he filled the poor ,widows ,oil ,vessels1 that so she might have wherewith to live in a time of scarcity4 ,for as long as the terrestrial ,salts do lie hid in barren and stoney ,mountains1 in which there grows nothing but ,juniper ,bushes1 and are there nourished by the ,stars1 they cannot shew forth their wonders1 but they are wont then to disclose them when they come into the melting ,houses4 ,even so is it with ,salt1 when it comes into the melting ,shop1 it doth effect so much as not onely to fill the ,oil ,barrels but the ,cellars and ,barns too1 and that plentifully1 but especially when the due or suitable ,salts ,elias and ,elisa do come together1 and ,elias is carried in his fiery ,chariot into ,heaven1 and sundred from ,elisa and doth send down a double portion of his ,spirit upon ,elisa his ,companion2 by which1 ,elisa being strengthned and acquiring more strength than it had afore1 is made fit for greater and more powerfull ,operations4 ,but amongst those most great miracles1 this was an eminent one1 that after the departure of ,elisa the ,prophet out of this life1 there was another dead ,man thrown into his ,sepulchre who by the touch of his ,bones was restored to life4 ,therefore1 like as this miracle did supernaturally happen by the divine power3 ,even so doth it come to pass naturally1 by the virtues of our ,sal ,mirabilis corroborated with a double ,spirit1 which doth not onely restore a dead body and ,wood turned by the ,fire into ,charcoal1 when it is cast into the ,sepulchre1 that is into the ,earthen ,pot or ,crucible to the white ,bones of our ,sal ,mirabilis1 and bring it 7in the space of one quarter of an hour7 unto its former viridity and life1 and with this very green ,liquor of the ,wood may other half dead ,trees1 as also other things be restored to viridity1 and increase1 and their former fertility1 more than by any thing else3 ,but also1 even various dead insects1 if they be put to our ,sal ,mirabilis can recover life again4 ,and although that this may seem a new unheard of1 and incredible thing1 yea a meer ,paradox to any one1 yet is it as true as truth it self2 the true way of which ,operation ,i will 7,god willing7 describe and shew clearly in the first ,century of my general ,appendix4 ,but although that these wonderfull ,operations of my ,sal ,mirabilis may seem such1 as to be never capable of being effected yet1 to all such as know its ,composition1 'tis a thing very easily accomplished4 ,nor can it be but that the divine wonders should be still more and more laid open by the help of my ,sal ,mirabilis1 and be exceedingly sown abroad1 and made known to such as are ignorant4 ,which being done1 the ,world will conceive a far other guess ,opinion of ,alchymy1 and judge otherwise thereof than hitherto it has done4 ,but that such as are admirers of the divine and natural wonders1 may clearly see how large an extent those things ,i have hitherto discovered1 are of1 ,i cannot omit the adding of the solar ,work or ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes1 the ,father of all the ,philosophers1 the which being in my judgment accommodated to this discourse of mine ,i will illustrate4 ,but to summ up all ,i will say1 ,i have here briefly declared1 that if a ,spirit be elevated or sublimed from a true ,salt by the help of a strong ,fire1 or be drawn from out of its ,body1 and be again returned to the same own fixed ,body left behind and be restored to it in a due manner2 that fix ,salt1 gets double the strength and virtue it had1 7as hath been shown concerning my ,sal ,mirabilis7 and does perform things wonderfull2 which ,hermes and ,basil ,valentine have hinted unto us in these next ensuing expressions4 99 99 99 99 99 ,hitherto belongs the small ,circular ,figure1 noted ,pag4 #ai4 at the beginning of the third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,the ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes1 c4 ,see it at the end of the ,first ,part of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,the nigma of ,brother ,basil ,valentine4 ,there is a ,stone1 of all others the least precious1 out of which is extracted a fugitive or volatile ,fire1 and out of this ,fire is the ,stone it self made1 it is of colour white and red and yet is it no ,stone4 ,in this ,stone doth nature operate1 and produceth a ,limpid or clear ,fountain1 which choaketh in the ,waters and swallows up his own fixed ,father1 untill at length a ,soul be given or restored him1 and his fugitive ,mother be made like him in the ,kingdom4 ,likewise this ,stone brings power and great strength1 it exceeds the ,sun in ,age1 its fugitive ,mother is prepared by ,vulcan and its ,father was begotten by the ,spirit4 ,likewise the ,soul1 ,body1 and ,spirit consist or abide in two1 out of which1 all things are2 these things are of one1 and is one thing1 conjoyning the fix and the fugitive4 ,they are two1 and three1 and one1 and if thou art ignorant of this1 thou will be frustrated and deprived of the effect of the ,art4 ,adam is placed in a ,bath1 in which ,venus finds her like1 now this ,bath was prepared by that old ,dragon1 when he had lost his strength and power4 ,but now this is nothing else 7saith a ,philosopher7 but a duplicate ,mercury4 ,in this is its name hidden1 which is to be sought after with all diligence and continual labour4 ,the ,event proves the ,actions4 ,it seemed unto me very expedient to set down here in this place1 these few1 but exceeding weighty words of ,hermes and ,brother ,basil1 because they do so notably square with this ,work of mine which ,i have here described4 ,and therefore ,i do here again affirm what ,i have often said1 viz4 ,that he who knows ,salts well1 but especially ,niter and ,vitriol1 and knows how to conjoyn them1 is well skilled in ,medicine and ,alchymy2 and sufficiently enough understands that the ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes is ,vitriol1 an excellent ,smaragd or ,emrald1 and that ,niter is 7according as ,paracelsus and ,basil ,valentine have at large described7 the ,kingly ,infant of the ,sun1 with whose descriptions we at present content our selves4 ,i will make a more prolix mention of the same in my ,centuries1 those things that ,i have adjoyned here ,i could not1 for certain reasons let slip and pass by4 ,now by these few words it is manifest1 what virtues ,salts are endowed withall1 and what miraculous effects they shew1 when they are cast into the melting ,fire1 viz4 ,such ,salts as are corroborated with a double ,spirit poured down from above4 ,these ,salts 7,i say7 are wont not onely to fill the poor ,widows ,oil ,vessels1 but even the ,cellars and ,barns with ,wine and ,corn4 ,but ,i would not that any should interpret it amiss1 in that ,i make some kind of ,comparison 'twixt the wonderfull virtues of ,salts1 and the miracles of the ,holy ,prophets3 ,for verily the thing it self admits it1 and by such ,comparisons1 the natural light is greatly strengthned1 which thing we shall speak more at large of elsewhere4 ,whosoever he be that well knows the nature and properties of ,salts1 and is something skilled in the management of the ,fire1 he will hereby easily learn thus much1 as easily to perceive that there is such a thing1 as a profitable transmution of the more vile ,metals into the more noble ones4 ,but there are requisite to this ,operation manual ,arts1 peculiar ,furnaces1 and singular ,commixtions of ,metals1 the knowledge of all which1 he must have that desires beneficially to employ himself in these ,operations4 ,the whole ,operation with all the appurtenances requisite1 and all the things thereto appertaining1 shall 7if ,god please7 be exposed to be seen in my ,laboratory this ,summer4 ,as my ,writings lately published1 and the ,labours performed in my ,laboratory the last year1 do sufficiently enough testifie that ,i have both publickly and privately demonstrated and manifested the truth of the chiefest secrets which ,i have mentioned in my ,writings4 ,and as for what remained of being done the last year1 this present ,book promiseth the demonstration of1 this ,summer4 ,what ,writer alive1 did ever endeavour the demonstration of the truth of his ,writings by most evident experiments8 ,none at all save ,glauber4 ,therefore ,i doubt not but that seeing this little ,book offers the ,countrey such great benefits and ,commodity1 there will not onely be some of the ,vulgar sort1 but also many of the ,noble ones or ,magistrates be found1 to whom the reading of the same will not be a tedious thing4 ,and now ,i return again to speak of ,alchymy1 openly disclosing my ,opinion concerning it1 and firmly averring1 that ,salts onely have power to wash1 maturate1 and perfect the unripe ,metals4 ,but some of ther may here say1 if ,alchymy be the fusing of ,salt1 by what means can it possibly ever be1 that ,gold and ,silver should be gotten out of ,salt by melting8 ,if there were ,gold in it1 cannot it be gotten forth easier than by melting in the ,fire8 ,i answer1 you are not so to understand it1 as if huge heaps of ,gold could be gotten by a bare fusing and melting of ,salt4 ,no6 no such matter4 ,but when the ,metals have ,salts adjoyned to them in a due manner1 and so undergo a melting ,fire1 they do 7in that fusing7 display their virtues upon the ,metals1 and do so bring them to a maturity as to yield forth ,gold and ,silver4 ,for ,salts are the universal ripening ,agents1 both in the dry and in the moist way1 as is clearly evident from the third and fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 so that there needs no more to be spoken as to this4 ,but yet1 that these things may not seem new1 or altogether absurd1 ,i say1 that in all ,salts there lies hidden spiritual ,gold1 but yet it cannot be extracted from them without the addition of the ,metals4 ,for all the things that are1 are generated1 encreased1 and sustained by the ,sun1 7and amongst these may be reckoned up the smallest ,vegetable7 do contain the fugacious beams of the ,sun hidden in them1 which said beams may by the benefit of ,art be made corporeal and fixt4 ,this ,i taught and demonstrated more prolixly in the second part of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,i will teach the same in the first ,century of my general ,appendix1 which said ,appendix shall illustrate all my ,writings with more clear notes2 and ,i will evidently show the way1 by which true and natural ,gold is to be gotten 7by the benefit of a certain precipitating matter1 out of ,sea ,salt1 both by the dry and by the moist way4 ,this ,operation brings not any considerable profit1 but doth in very truth show the possibility of the thing4 ,but he who knows the way of conjoyning true and due or proper ,metals with legitimate or suitable ,salts1 and of handling them in a due and true way of ,fusion1 will get ,gold and ,silver out of all the imperfect ,metals1 and that with no small profit2 and this shall be demonstrated in my ,laboratory this present ,summer by ,god's help4 ,and for the more evident proof hereof1 it seems worth while to adjoyn a ,story out of the ,journal of ,william ,litgou of ,england1 rather ,scotland who ,journying through ,italy1 testifies that he saw in ,trapundia1 a ,city in ,sicilia1 much ,gold excocted or drawn out of ,sea ,salt2 which thing1 seeing it agrees with my ,opinion1 and confirms what ,i say1 ,i will add the ,words of the ,authour himself as they are in ,latin4 8,the fourth ,city of ,sicily1 is ,trapundia1 scituate in the ,west-side1 and opposite to the ,city ,biserta1 seated on the ,barbarian ,coast of ,africa1 which yields pure ,gold1 which is exported by the ,merchants into ,italy1 ,venice1 ,dalmatia1 and ,greece4 ,it is excocted in some ,artificially made ,salt-pits by the more vehement beams of the ,sun1 which ,pits are filled and emptied every month4 ,now the ,salt here on the ,sea-shore1 has a colour like the redness of a ,ruby1 or ,corral3 ,the ,city is almost the one half of it imployed about working thereupon4 ,the ,gold it self being purged is distributed throughout the whole ,christian ,world40 ,these are the words of the said ,authour1 ,i know nothing of the certainty of the thing it self1 he that is desirous to find out the truth of this ,relation may easily do it4 ,as for my self1 ,i easily credit this ,relation1 because of the ,mount tna which always is burning in that ,island1 and because of the ,sulphur too1 which all the ,land of ,sicily abounds withall4 ,and verily it seems a thing altogether likely1 that when the ,inhabitants of this ,island upon the ,seashore1 make ,salt of the ,sea ,water for their necessary use1 by digging ,pits in the ,earth after the manner of all those hot ,countries1 and letting in the ,sea ,water1 and that the warm beams of the ,sun separate or any of the unprofitable sweet or insipid ,water1 in ,vapour1 and that that ,water of ,salt is endued with a notable sharpness2 it extracts the ,sulphur out of the ,earth which is there in plenty every where1 and it renders this ,sulpher by the help of the heat of the ,sun1 constant1 corporal and fixt1 so as that it can be afterwards molten in a melting ,furnace into ,gold4 ,if now the most hot beams of the ,sun1 and ,salt ,water can change common earthly ,sulphur into ,gold1 why may not the same be done also by the benefit of ,fire1 ,salt1 and ,art4 ,that all ,gold is at first naturally generated of a pure ,sulphur in the ,earth1 no body will indeed deny4 ,that any ,sulphur may by the help of ,fire and ,salt be fixed and changed into natural ,gold1 daily experience witnesseth1 not onely in my own ,laboratory1 but in my ,disciples ,laboratories too1 the which1 visibly demonstrates1 and even by manual ,operation confirms the truth of those things which ,i have mentioned in the second part of my ,miraculum ,mundi1 hereabouts4 ,that which is mentioned in the old ,hymn of the ,ancient ,church-,fathers1 viz4 who made ,gold of ,rods or ,twigs1 and ,gems of ,stones1 seems to the ignorant altogether as ,paradoxal1 new1 and incredible3 and from which 'tis gathered that ,st4 ,john the ,evangelist made ,gold of ,sticks of ,wood1 and ,gems of common ,stones3 ,i can in a few words demonstrate that both are true4 ,dissolve common ,sulphur1 or any ,vegetable in common ,salt1 this ,solution will make the ,sulphur of a red colour4 ,keep this ,solution for at least one hours space in the ,fire1 you shall find a little of the ,sulphur changed into ,gold2 to the red ,salt1 adjoyn the ,calx of ,saturn1 melt them by ,fusion into one ,body1 and reduce the ,lead by a ,cupel1 you shall find a grain of ,gold1 it yields indeed no profit but demonstrates the certainty and possibility of ,art4 ,but if any one shall be skilled in managing this ,operation in great quantity 7as shall be done this ,summer in my ,laboratory7 he will not complain of loss1 but will always get profit4 ,but let this suffice as to the making ,gold out of any ,wood1 or any ,herb1 by the help of ,fire and ,salt4 ,let us now see by what means ,stones of manifold colours may be made by the help of ,salt1 out of ,wood or any ,herb4 ,adjoyn to the red ,salt made of ,wood1 a little ,powder of white ,flints1 put them in a ,crucible1 and melt them in the ,fire1 that they may become a red ,glass1 resembling almost the colour of a ,ruby2 if you keep them longer in the melting1 the red colour will be changed into a green1 and have the likeness of an ,emrald3 ,after this1 comes a sky-colour1 resembling a ,saphir1 then follows a yellow1 not unlike a ,jacynth3 then in a longer continuance of ,fire1 it becomes black and like an ,agath4 ,indeed these ,stones are no harder than common ,glass1 but as to their colours and beauty do exactly resemble the precious natural ,stones4 ,these two ,arcanum's indeed do as to the outside view seem not very excellent1 but yet ,i believe1 the well minded ,reader1 to whom ,i offer them as a pledge or ,love-token for to remember me by1 will not think them 7seeing they teach the extracting of ,gold out of any ,wood or ,vegetable1 and how by white ,flints to make ,stones of several colours7 of so small a moment or value1 as they appear here to be1 but will believe that he has a foundation laid open for him1 to arrive to greater secrets4 ,as concerning these kind of wonderfull things1 and ,transmutations hitherto unknown to the ,world1 and changing things into more noble and better ,species1 ,i will treat more at large in the ten ,centuries1 in which1 my ,writings shall be declared with more evident and clearer ,explications1 to which ,i refer the well minded ,reader1 concluding this ,book with those ,verses of ,ovid4 ,jamque opus exegi1 quod nec ,jovis ira1 nec ,ignis1 ,nec poterit ferrum1 nec edax abolere vetustas4 ,and now1 a work ,i finisht have1 of which1 ,jove's wrath1 or flame1 ,or ,sword1 or all devouring time can ne'er raze out the name4 ,an ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,,germany4 ,clearly and perspicuously revealing and declaring1 7for the benefit and profit's sake of the whole ,countrey7 by what means those three ,arcana's promised in the said fifth part are to be advantageously effected4 ,together with an adjoyned ,explication of some obscurer places which are not so clearly disclosed in the third and fourth parts of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 as likewise in the first ,century4 ,friendly ,reader1 ,i doubt not1 but it will seem a wonder to many1 that ,arcana's of so great moment and so much utility should be laid open by me1 in so perspicuous and evident a description1 as for every one thoroughly to know them4 ,however1 any ,body may easily perswade himself that ,i have not so done without weighty causes1 which to reckon up here at present1 ,i judge it not so altogether necessary1 but that it will be more commodious to refer it to some other convenient time4 ,the chiefest and which is the most over-swaying reason amongst all the rest1 is this1 viz4 the perverseness of some abusive ,men1 not onely endeavouring to make my ,writings envied or hated by ,men of common rank1 but also by the great ones1 by their lying reproachfull slaunders2 and especially most falsely averring1 that those three ,arcana's which ,i promised in the ,fifth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 are of no profit1 and therefore cannot be effected with any advantage1 and that ,i my self sought after nothing else by promising their discovery1 save onely by imposing them upon or selling them unto others to scrape some ,monies together4 ,now forasmuch as this is the property of ,slanders1 to be admitted far easilier and readilier than the truth it self1 and that for this reason many have diverted their minds from the truth of this thing by busying them about these ,calumnies1 and so have not known how the case stands2 but 7on the contrary7 seeing ,i am conscious of mine own ,innocency1 and am far wide of those ,crimes so falsely charged on me1 ,i have judged it most just and most highly necessary1 not to suffer those most false ,accusations to rest upon me1 but to shew the contrary to the ,eyes of the whole ,world1 and by demonstrating and disclosing the very truth it self1 to recover my honour so perfidiously and treacherously snatcht from me2 the which could not possibly be done by any better way than this4 ,necessity therefore required the ,work it self to speak1 and to defend its own self1 which indeed is a true and genuine defence1 and way of stopping the shameless and lying ,mouths of all reproachfull ,slanderers4 ,god will in time recompence such false ,mens most wicked ,works1 whereby they have exceedingly injured me4 ,mean while every one may apply these most profitable inventions to their use1 and undertake the doing one or other of the ,operations whereby they may reap some benefit1 which ,i wish them from my ,soul4 ,nor do ,i doubt1 but that a very many ,men will1 by following the ,doctrine by me prescribed1 and insisting upon the foot-steps of my ,writings1 which are founded on the truth1 as being a sure ,foundation1 get themselves no small profit2 whilest they quietly and peaceably enjoy the gainfull practising on my ,arcana's3 ,and especially of that most easie secret1 by which1 fugacious and volatile ,gold is extracted out of all kinds of ,flints1 7every where plentifully offering themselves1 and so by the help of ,lead1 is rendred ,corporeal4 ,which ,work verily is such1 as that one ,man doth no ways damnifie another by1 but may rather help and profit him4 ,therefore do ,i at present affirm to every body with that truth which ,god loves1 and will defend1 that all the following ,operations which ,i manifest in the publishing this little ,treatise1 have been wrought by me not once onely but often times1 and have been shown to many others1 so that no body has any reason to doubt hereof1 nor need he be sollicitous about any other thing but how wisely to manage1 the ,operation1 and to be diligent about his labours4 ,but if it should so fall out as that a ,man should commit an errour or two1 which may easily happen1 let him not ascribe the errours he commits1 to the ,art it self1 and thereupon to accuse it of falsity1 but let him rather inquire into the occasions and reasons of his own errours1 and without doubt by such enquiries will he attain his end1 and get the hoped for fruit3 in which thing1 my first and second ,century will by an easie ,manuduction help him4 ,these are the things which for the truths sake and to witness it1 was ,i willing to produce4 ,and ,i do hereby signifie to every one that now my publick ,laboratory is at an end1 and shall remain shut for time to come1 which ,i was willing every one should know4 ,the first ,operation shewing the way of reducing any ,lead1 or any ,vein of ,lead by the help of common ,salt1 and by ,coals1 into ,ashes1 in the ,furnace called ,stichofen1 that so the ,gold and ,silver may be extracted with profit4 ,take of ,lead or a ,leaden ,vein two parts1 and of common ,salt one part4 ,the ,lead ,oar is to be ground in a ,mill1 and so are they to be commixt1 and by little and little thrown with a ,shovel upon the ,coals in the ,furnace1 serving to make ,ashes1 and which has ,pipes or ,chimnyes fitted thereunto to receive the fume and the ascending ,flores4 ,that molten part of ,metal and ,salt which falls through the ,grate is to be again taken up with your ,shovel1 and cast in upon the ,coals untill the whole ,metal1 or all that metallick ,vein shall be turned into ,ashes4 ,then farther1 all the burnt matter1 is to be freed by divers washings from all the defilements1 and the remaining ,ashes of the ,metal or ,metallick ,vein1 is to be reduced into a ,metal in a ,furnace which the ,germans call ,stichofen4 ,these incinerations and reductions are to be so often and so long repeated1 untill you find 7by making trial with some little piece7 that your ,lead is now fitted to be handled or wrought on in the ,hearths or ,furnaces by the ,fire of ,separation4 ,for then in the ,hearths or ,tests it is changed into ,litharge1 whereby it may the more commodiously yield forth the ,gold and ,silver1 which by the ,fire and ,salt are therein maturated4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but you are here to observe that the leaden ,oars can indeed be commixed with the ,salt1 and so thrown in upon the ,coals3 ,but now ,lead admits not of being so dealt withall1 for it is not mixable with the ,salt1 and therefore it requires that the ,salt be first cast in upon the ,coals1 and then must it be thrown in afterwards at top of it4 ,and this way is to be observed and so often repeated and so long1 always throwing in1 first the ,salt then the ,lead1 till the ,lead being turned into ashes1 hath wholly lost its metallick ,fusion4 ,the said ashes are to be washt with ,water and reduced in the ,furnace1 on such wise as we spake of but now4 ,n4 ,b4 ,other lesser ,metals may be added to the ,lead or to the leaden ,vein or ,oar1 and so be reduced into ,ashes together1 as ,tin1 ,iron or ,copper4 ,but yet these leaden ,oars are more advantageous and profitable if they are taken alone1 as being more fit for this kind of labour1 seeing they have already in them ,iron and ,copper1 and yield not any good and vendible ,lead1 by reason of their wild nature1 and so there's no need of burning up ,copper and ,tin which are already vendible4 ,n4 ,b4 ,whilest this ,incineration is done1 many ,metallick ,flores does ascend up into the ,receptacles appointed for the fume to go up in1 and which are adjoyned to the ,furnace1 which 7if need be7 may be taken out1 and by washings be freed from the ,salt which ascended together with them1 and by ,reduction be restored or reduced to their former body3 and will yield ,lead which contains in it ,silver1 and is to be converted into ,litharge like other ,lead1 that the ,silver may be separated therefrom4 ,this likewise is heedfully to be observed in the other ,minera's or ,oars turned into ,ashes1 that afore their ,reduction1 they be thoroughly washt from all the ,salt1 and the light filths or defilements are to be well separated from the metalline body2 for if this be neglected1 the ,salt being forced with the strong blast of the ,bellows would carry off the ,metal together with it self1 and the ,ashes of the ,coals would hinder the ,fusion of the ,metal it self1 and reduce the same into ,scoria's4 ,as concerning the ,reduction it self1 this is well to be regarded1 that the ,fire must be kindled in the ,furnace at least two hours afore the ,ashes of the ,oars that are to be reduced1 are to be put in1 that so the ,furnace may be thoroughly bright-hot within2 for if it be not through fiery-hot1 the ,cast in ,minera's melt not1 and being not molten they lie in the ,fire1 and hinder the blast of the ,bellows1 and spoil the ,operation it self4 ,these labours therefore require a skilfull ,artificer1 and one versed in such ,operations1 for they are not so very ,facile as they seem to many1 to appear to be4 ,then farther1 this is likewise to be noted1 that if the ,minera's or ,oars that you take to this ,operation are full of ,sulphur1 and that that ,sulphur is not wholly taken away by torrifying or calcining them it will by its fierceness reduce in the melting the body of the good ,metal into ,scoria's1 and instead of ,metal present you with ,dross4 ,and this is that ,incineration and ,reduction which ,i have showed in my ,laboratory1 both to ,friends and ,enemies2 ,but yet ,i have 7since that time7 found out a far easier way of doing this labour1 by the help of which1 one ,man will do more in one day1 than he could otherwise in eight days4 ,but because this way is not as yet made common1 it seems not convenient in my ,opinion to divulge it here2 for as much as ,i have determined with my self in this present ,appendix to disclose onely those things which ,i exposed to be seen in my ,laboratory by others4 ,by what means ,gold1 ,silver1 yea and ,copper too1 may with great profit be extracted out of the poor ,metallick ,veins by the moist way1 and which cannot quit the costs of doing it by ,fire4 ,first of all1 the metallick ,earths are to be made red hot1 and to be quenched in cold ,water1 that so being made brittle they may be ground in a ,mill4 ,if ,sulphur be admixt in them1 then must they by a foregoing fireing be freed from the same1 because the ,sulphur hinders the ,aqua ,fortis1 from duely dissolving those ,oars4 ,being now thus prepared1 they are to be put into the stronger ,glasses1 or into ,earthen ,cucurbits made of the best ,clay1 and the following ,water is to be poured upon them1 and is to cover them over three fingers breadth4 ,the ,cucurbit being filled with these matters is to be set in a ,case or ,pot full of ,sand1 and prepared for this use1 and all the ,water is to be drawn therefrom by ,distillation3 which is not onely all of it again recovered1 but withall doth get it self an encrease or augmentation from the ,salt-peter or the ,salt1 so that there ascends more ,water by ,distillation than was poured on4 ,the ,oars are to be taken out of the ,cucurbit1 7or ,cucurbits1 if there were more ,pots used7 and being taken forth you must pour common ,water thereupon to extract the remaining ,salt thereout of1 in the which ,salt is found the ,gold and the ,silver that was in the ,oars4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this is to be observed in this labour1 that all the ,spirits are not to be drawn off from the ,oars even to the dry ,salt2 and this not onely to shun the dammage that might happen by breaking the ,glasses1 but also for this reason1 viz4 that there may be left behind with the ,salt a little ,acrimony1 because of some ,salts which easily pass into ,salt-peter when some ,aqua ,fortis is drawn off them4 ,and albeit that ,aqua ,fortis will easily turn the whole ,body of ,kitchin ,salt into ,salt-peter1 yet notwithstanding 'mongst all the ,salts one ,salt admits of a speedier1 another of a slow ,transmutation1 according as it is more or less akin in its nature unto ,salt-peter4 ,and therefore to prevent this errour1 some humidity is to be left with the ,oars4 ,for when all the ,spirits are drawn off1 and the ,salt is turned into ,salt-peter1 the ,water would not be sharp enough to hold up the ,gold that is extracted1 when the ,solution is made1 for the ,water would dissolve barely the ,salt-peter1 and leave the ,gold remaining behind with the ,oar4 ,if this errour should chance to be committed1 the ,salt-peter is to be extracted out of the ,oars with the ,water1 and more new ,salt must be poured on upon the same ,oars together with the ,aqua ,regis that was drawn off by ,distillation2 that so this ,aqua ,regis having been once abstracted may not afterwards transmute all the ,salt thereto added into ,salt-peter4 ,for by how much the oftner the ,aqua ,fortis is drawn off from the ,salt1 so much the less is the ,salt turned by it into ,salt-peter1 and at length1 it will come to such a pass as to remain just as it was afore the abstraction of the so oft drawn off ,spirit4 ,for this is the nature of ,aqua ,fortis1 viz4 to transmute half its weight of ,salt into ,salt-peter at the first time2 the second time it transmutes but a fourth part2 the third time much less2 and at length will transmute none at all2 but puts on the nature of ,spirit of ,salt2 which notwithstanding is most fit to extract ,gold and ,copper withall out of the ,oars in infinitum1 if ,salt be thereto added1 out of which1 it is wont to get it self a perpetual encrease 7and be7 like other ,spirit of ,salt4 ,now then1 to prevent this inconvenience1 the ,aqua ,fortis may be left off for altogether1 and those ,minerals and ,metallick ,earths may be extracted with the ,spirit of ,salt onely1 and ,salt added thereunto3 onely observing this thing in the ,distillation1 viz4 that some of the humidity be left behind with the ,oars whereby they may be the easilier taken out of the ,glasses4 ,moreover this is to be likewise known1 that ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper may be extracted out of their ,oars or ,earths even without ,aqua ,fortis or ,spirit of ,salt1 if onely ,salt or ,salt-peter be but added4 ,for if some ,oil of ,vitriol or of ,sulphur be poured upon the ,water of ,salt-peter1 or that the ,water of ,salt be acuated therewithall1 it becomes strong enough to extract ,gold1 and after the extraction and distilling the ,phlegm off1 there follows by distilling a pleasant ,spirit of ,salt1 or from ,salt-peter a good ,aqua ,fortis4 ,this labour therefore is more gainfull and less troublesome1 than if ,aqua ,fortis or ,spirit of ,salt were used thereunto4 ,there are other easier and more compendious ways of extracting ,gold1 ,silver and ,copper out of their ,earths1 which1 seeing they have not been as yet shown in my ,laboratory1 ,i shall silently pass them by at present and that not without reason4 ,but yet there is frequent mention made of the like ,operations in my first ,century1 in which he who has an earnest desire to know more of those kind of ways1 may make enquiry4 ,the ,preparation of sutable and proper ,waters to extract ,gold1 ,silver and ,copper out of poor ,oars4 ,take of ,salt-peter one part1 of common ,aqua ,fortis two parts2 these being joyned together1 extract ,silver and also ,copper4 ,but to extract ,gold out of its ,oars or ,minerals1 there must be taken one part of common ,salt1 and four parts of ,aqua ,fortis4 ,one pound of ,salt1 and four of ,aqua ,fortis1 make four pounds and of ,aqua ,regia1 the other half pound of ,salt stays behind with the ,metallick ,veins or ,oars in the bottom of the ,cucurbit1 and contains the ,gold that was in them1 and is to be extracted with common ,water4 ,the way of getting out the ,gold and ,silver out of the washt-out ,salts by precipitation1 and of reducing them to their peculiar bodies without detriment or loss4 ,if it be ,water of ,salt-peter and hath ,silver in it1 the ,water of ,salt being poured in1 precipitates the ,silver to the bottom4 ,but if ,water of ,salt1 and has ,gold in it1 the ,gold is precipitated by pouring on a ,lixivium which hath in it a little liquour of ,flints4 ,and now this ,water it self thus mixt by pouring 7other precipitating liquors on it7 yields 7by decoction7 most excellent ,salt-peter4 ,and the ,aqua ,fortis and ,aqua ,regis1 which ascended by ,distillation1 are fit to make new extractions of ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper out of their ,earths2 and by iterated extractions 7by the ,salts and ,waters thereto added7 do they get a perpetual encrease1 insomuch that in these extractions of ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper1 there are not required at all any other expences save those few1 bestowed on firing4 ,therefore in the beginning of this ,work there is not required ought else but one onely pound of ,aqua ,fortis1 because in the progress of the ,work it proceeds on to an infinite encrease1 yea1 enough for the extraction of many thousands of pounds4 7,hence is it that this ,work is an unheard of ,operation1 and doth almost exceed all belief1 and from which there must an immense gain of necessity accrew1 because ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper may by this means be extracted out of their poor ,metallick ,earths without costs4 ,there remains yet one thing which is to be heedfully regarded in the precipitation of the ,gold and ,silver4 ,a common ,lixivium cannot precipitate all the ,gold out of the ,aqua ,regis1 and therefore ,i bid you add to the ,lixivium some liquor of ,flints1 and this will also appear in my first ,century4 ,therefore it behoves every one1 clearly to see whether or no he makes use of true and genuine ,liquor of ,flints in his ,operation1 that so he may not instead of it1 use a bare simple ,lixivium onely1 and so commit a great errour1 as it hath happened to some as ,i have been told4 ,but he that can't make true and good liquor of ,flints1 or else has it not at hand1 may substitute in its steed1 common ,spirit of ,urine prepared in a ,copper still1 which together with the said liquor precipitates all the ,gold out of the ,aqua ,regis4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but this ,gold thus precipitated by ,spirit of ,urine1 fulminates like ,gun-powder1 unless it be burnt with common ,brimstone afore the ,reduction1 and that this fulminating faculty be taken away from it1 which inconvenience the liquour of ,flints is not wont to bring4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if there should be much ,zink1 ,iron1 or ,lapis ,calaminaris in the ,oars of ,gold or ,silver1 the ,aqua ,fortis or ,aqua ,regis would not all ascend by the ,distillation1 nor get increase2 but some part thereof would stay with those ,metallick ,earths1 and with the ,lapis ,calaminaris1 c4 and by adhering thereunto be concentrated3 but yet there would not be any loss by that1 for by the pouring on a ,lixivium of ,wood-ashes1 may it be turned into good ,salt-peter1 of as much value as may easily recompence the charges of the ,aq4 ,fortis1 or ,aq4 ,regia4 ,besides1 you are likewise to observe this1 that if there should be ,copper admixt in the ,oars of the ,gold and ,silver1 the ,aq4 ,fortis would extract the ,copper too1 as well as the ,silver4 ,but now the nearest way of separating these two ,metals from each other1 is this1 ,let ,spirit of ,salt be poured to the ,aq4 ,fortis1 and it will precipitate all the ,silver out of the ,aq4 ,fortis1 down to the bottom and the ,copper will be left in the water2 which if you put some ,iron into1 it will stick to the ,iron1 and by this means be gotten out of the water4 ,this water now1 after the ,metals are withdrawn from it1 is fit to make new ,salt-peter with1 and by addition of ,vitriol to yield a new ,aq4 ,fortis by distillation4 ,alkali ,salts do in the ,fusing bring the precipitated ,silver to its former body1 which otherwise is very fugacious4 ,the ,copper is turned into excellent ,verdigrease4 ,and so the ,oars of ,copper1 though never so poor1 may be extracted1 and that with no small benefit3 ,because the ,verdigrease made of the bare ,copper is twice the price of the molten ,copper it self4 ,the manner of making good ,salt-peter in plenty1 out of ,kitchin-,salt and ,calx-vive4 ,take the ,stones of ,lime1 which have been thorowly changed or reduced into ,powder by the ,air1 four parts3 of ,kitchin ,salt1 or ,common ,salt1 one part1 by weight1 and not by measure whether pure or impure it matters not3 and of this mixture is a thickish paste to be made by moistning it with ,urine1 or1 in want of that1 with ,water2 which is to be made up into a ,pile with ,wood1 and so may it be made ,stratum super stratum1 of what bigness you please3 and it may be done in a ,furnace made for that purpose1 or else in the open ,field abroad in the ,air4 ,but you must beware in the building up of this ,pile1 that the mass of ,salt and ,calx-vive be not too thick laid1 and too much2 but it would be better to make it up in balls or pellets1 that so they may be well fired by the flame1 which must penetrate everywhere through the pervious heap or pile3 which cannot be1 if the mass be spread too broad1 and so stop up the passages of the flame4 ,the heap being made as big as you are minded to have it1 the fire must be put under1 and so long fed1 till all the wood is burnt1 and the balls themselves have been red-hot1 a whole hour at least3 that the ,acrimony of the ,salt may in so great a heat be changed by the ,calx-vive1 and get it self a milder nature1 and consequently be so much the easier transmuted into ,salt-peter4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,salt that is on this wise transmuted1 is most fit for dunging ,lands1 and to be used instead of the common beasts dung1 as ,i have at large taught long ago in many places of my ,writings4 ,this is the preparation of turning ,salt into ,salt-peter1 which ,artifice1 if any be minded to work about1 it is necessary for him to order his ,operation this following way4 ,the manner of making ,salt-peter out of this prepared ,salt4 ,first of all1 this introverted ,salt must be exposed to the open ,air1 and beams of the ,sun2 but yet so1 as that the heap may not be moistned by the ,rain1 and it must lie in its heap the heighth of some three or four ,feet2 the which heap is to be wetted either with ,man's piss or ,beasts2 or if there be not enough of this to be had1 then with bare water onely1 that so the pellets or balls lying quietly for some days1 may be dissolved and be mixed with the rest of the matter4 ,now when the warm ,air hath consumed all the humidity1 and dried up the heap1 the aforesaid moistning is to be repeated2 which being again consumed1 and the heap dried1 the labour of repeated moistnings and exsiccations is to be so long continued1 as long as necessity requireth3 ,for in long progress of time is the ,salt-peter generated1 which must be washed out with water1 and by decoction be reduced into ,stria's or ,crystals4 ,this generation of ,salt-peter proceeds indeed slowly on1 but yet it brings a great profit4 ,for if once the ,salt-peter be but generated in such an heap of ,salt1 and the reliques left after the washing out of the ,peter be again put to the same heap1 there will new ,salt-peter be generated in process of time3 so that new ,salt-peter will every year offer it self to be washt out of the heap3 and this work may be continued without end4 ,but he that would have some ,salt-peter from this inverted ,salt in a shorter tract of time1 let him know1 that the ,seed or ,ferment of ,salt-peter must be added unto the said heap1 that so this same ,seed may get augmentation from the ,salt1 and encrease and grow1 like as an herb is wont to grow in a fat and saline ,earth4 ,for all things have their ,seeds1 and doe draw their ,encrease out of other ,salts4 ,the ,seed of ,salt-peter is volatile1 as is its acid ,spirit3 its ,root is fixed ,niter2 which being implanted in all sharp ,salts1 doth beget ,salt-peter in a most plentifull manner1 and such as is very good1 or even better than that which ariseth out of those acid ,salts and ,alcalies4 ,we doe not here show this propagation of fix ,salt-peter by acid ,salts1 because it is described in the following ,labour and ,operation4 ,therefore like as any ,vegetable may be propagated and multiplied not onely by the help of its ,seed1 but even of its ,root too2 ,even just so is it with ,salt-peter1 for it admits of propagation and multiplication by the means both of its ,seed and of its ,root1 as other ,herbs doe4 ,as concerning the ,seed of ,salt-peter1 it is very easily preparable by those who deal in metallick separations and extractions by the moist way4 ,for if ,gold be separated from ,silver by ,aq4 ,fortis2 or that ,gold and ,silver be by it extracted out of their ,oars1 this very operation hath already abundantly recompenced the charges laid out thereon1 and so it offers it self without any costs1 and as it were ,gratis4 ,and now1 if ,i pour this water on1 instead of common ,water1 upon the inverted ,salt1 it does not onely become good ,salt-peter1 but doth also yield 7as being the ,seed of true ,salt-peter7 an hundred fold encrease1 after the manner of the ,seed of all ,vegetables1 and doth the same as they do4 ,and by how much the more of this ,nitrous ,seed is sown in the ,earth1 so much the more ,salt-peter1 and so much the sooner too is generated4 ,for when a ,gardener doth sow his ,seed sparingly1 he must necessarily have but a thin harvest3 and so on the contrary is it to be understood of a plentifull harvest4 ,and if now there should be any one that should upbraid the ,gardener with the slowness of his ,seed1 because it produceth not ,buds1 nor ,stalks1 nor ,flowers1 nor ,fruits in a few days space1 would not he say that he cannot compell nature1 for it reserves to it self its due time1 and its natural course8 ,the very same would ,i have you understand here concerning ,salt-peter3 if haply my ,enemies1 those most ignorant ,sheepsheads1 would object against me1 that seeing the ,salt-peter doth not presently1 in a few days1 grow or spring forth from its seed sown1 therefore that seed was nor true nor good1 or that it is altogether impossible that ,salt-peter should be generated so plenteously out of ,common ,salt3 ,i answer such1 as the ,gardener does1 ',tis necessary to allow ,nature her own appointed time4 ,but that it may evidently appear1 that this my planting of ,salt-peter1 and that this augmentation may be far more evidently demonstrated1 than that of any ,vegetable seed2 the business may be tried for confirmation sake in a small ,experiment1 afore you set about a more laborious and prolix exercise1 and to prevent your fears of attempting it in vain4 ,take the ,salt prepared with the ,calx-vive three pound1 and put each a-part in several ,earthen ,vessels4 ,take likewise of the ,water of ,salt-peter already used 7as being the ,seed of ,salt-peter7 one ounce1 two ounces1 and four ounces3 with the one ounce of that ,aq4 ,fortis commix as much ,common water as may serve to moisten one pound of the aforesaid inverted ,salt3 ,then to the two ounces of the same ,aq4 ,fortis1 adjoyn likewise as much water as may serve to moisten the other pound of ,salt with3 ,and so doe with the other four ounces1 and therewithall moisten the third pound3 ,set those three ,pots1 containing the three several pounds of the said prepared ,salt1 at the heat of the ,sun1 but so1 as that the ,rain may not come1 and wash off all the ,salt4 ,all the moisture being consumed by the ,solar heat1 moisten your matters in your pots with ,rain water onely1 so often1 as the drying needs the watering it4 ,when two or three months are over1 take out each pound separately by washing it out of the matters in each pot1 and you shall find a vast difference1 and shall see that that one pound of ,salt which had those four ounces of ,nitrous seed in it will be all transmuted into ,salt-peter1 save a few feces3 but that pound which had two ounces of the said ,seed poured upon it1 will contain a lesser portion of ,salt-peter2 and the other which had but one ounce onely will have the least portion4 ,moreover1 if you pour those ,salt-waters you washt out1 and which are not yet turned into ,salt-peter1 upon the feces again1 and so dry it as afore1 and bestow yet other three months on these exsiccations and moistnings1 and then again boil the ,salt-peter out of the ,salt1 it will be much encreased and bettered2 and so you will have so much the greater encrease of ,salt1 by how much the longer you shall have prosecuted this ,labour4 ,such ,experiments doe demonstrate1 that by how much the more ,seed there is sown in a fat and salt ,earth1 so much the more plentifull encrease of the ,seed is to be expected4 ,but those deriding mockers and persecutors of ,art and ,truth may here object and say1 that the ,salt-peter ariseth from the ,salt-peter water onely that was put thereunto1 and not from the ,salt it self8 ,but ,i answer1 ,that that used ,aq4 ,fortis is indeed the ,seed of ,salt-peter1 but can never recover the ,nature of ,salt-peter without the help of some fix body3 ,like as the ,seed of an herb cannot become an herb1 unless it be cast into a moist and salt ,earth1 from thence doth it get its body1 and so is encreased4 ,verily ,i willingly confess1 that the ,spirit of ,nitre may be reduced to the former nature of ,salt peter1 by assuming it self a body out of all the fix ,salts4 ,but yet1 as far as ,i have hitherto known1 by my manifold inquiries and investigations a long time1 ,i could not find any other ,salt 7save the following7 by the help of which1 those ,waters used about metalline ,washings1 may be sooner and better transmuted into ,salt-peter1 like as this1 and the following ,salts doe3 ,and therefore ,i doe commend it as of the best rank for the making of ,salt-peter4 ,the manner of preparing good salt ,nitre out of the extracted ,oars is already revealed in the first ,century1 and therefore needs no superfluous repetition here4 ,another ,preparation of ,salt for the making of ,salt-peter4 ,take ,common ,salt one part1 and of a sulphureous ,oar1 which the ,germans call ,schewelkies1 two or three parts1 if they contain less ,sulphur3 ,but if they have ,vitriol in them too1 then must you take equal parts of both4 ,grind the sulphureous ,mineral in a ,mill1 mix it with the ,salt1 and heat it red-hot by well torrifying or calcining them for two hours 7in ,furnaces serving for such a work17 either upon a ,grate1 or else without a ,grate1 upon ,hearths2 that so1 during this ,candefaction1 the ,sulphur may have ingress into the ,salt1 and may alter it4 ,this ,salt being washt out of the sulphureous ,minera with water1 and boiled till a skin gathers at top of the water1 it shoots into long ,stria's or ,crystals1 like ,salt-peter1 and tasts like it1 but falls into ,powder in a warmish ,air4 ,if it be burnt and prepared by putting ,calx-vive thereto1 after the way afore going1 it is convertible into good ,salt-peter1 but sooner and in a shorter time4 ,if the ,minera's you use have ,copper in them1 or any other ,metal1 yet nevertheless may they be gotten out thence by fusion1 for there will be nothing lost in this operation but the ,sulphur2 and this must have been driven away by burning it1 however1 if you would have any of the ,metal out of the ,minera4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,caput mortuum out of which the ,spirit of ,salt by the addition of the ,vitriol is extracted1 yields such a like ,salt1 and very fit to make ,salt-peter withall4 ,there are also several other ways1 which yield no small plenty of such ,salts1 and that in a manner without any costs1 especially if the help of ,stone-coals be thereto used4 ,besides too2 this you are to be advised of1 that 7seeing the ,salt is to be burnt with the ,calx-vive7 one ,calx is better than another1 for some ,lime stones are more apt for the making of ,salt-peter1 but primarily those1 which when you touch your tongue with1 doe yield a fiery tast2 with which sort1 the ,lime made of ,sea-shells doth not compare as to goodness4 ,by what means the ,root of ,salt-peter is to be implanted in acid ,salts1 so as to be thereby augmented1 like at the ,root of a ,vegetable1 being transplanted1 gets an increase from the saltness of the ,earth4 ,even as we have demonstrated in the foregoing discourse1 that the acid ,spirit of ,nitre is the seed of ,salt-peter1 and doth encrease it self out of ,alkali ,salts like as an ,herb doth out of the ,earth3 ,even so by the same reason1 fix ,salt-peter1 which is the root of ,salt-peter1 admits of transplantation1 yet not by fixed ,salts1 like as the sharp ,spirit does1 but by sharp ,salts1 whereto it is to be united by implantation3 ,for1 two ,acidities1 and two ,alkalies1 cannot produce any new ,essence1 but two ,contraries doe always produce a third4 ,the acid ,salt1 which is of the meanest acidity1 and which doth easiliest admit of being transmuted into ,salt-peter1 is the common ,kitchin-,salt1 which we taught the way but even now of inverting by the ,minera's of ,sulphur4 ,and if that such provision cannot be had to prepare it by1 the very ,kitchin-salt it self being taken both in the moist and in the dry way1 would perform the same1 as ,i have already shown in other places of my ,writings4 ,and as for the making of fix ,nitre1 you may meet with the way of doing that too and agen in my other ,writings1 and especially in that place where ,i have treated of the dry separation of washing of ,metals1 viz4 when sulphureous and ,antimonial ,metals are washed by ,nitre4 ,the way of preparing ,spirit of ,salt1 necessary for the ,extracting of ,gold and ,copper out of their ,oars2 as likewise of making good ,salt-peter of the matter left after the distillation is finished4 ,mix with two parts of ,vitriol or ,allum1 one part of ,kitchin-salt1 and throw in this mixture upon hot burning ,coals1 the ,spirits of which are to be taken in great ,leaden ,cisterns instead of ,receivers4 ,this operation 7besides the salt ,spirit it gives7 yields also sharp ,flores4 ,if any shall provide himself with double ,leaden ,cisterns1 and shall make the ,outer one to hold in it the lesser ,cistern1 and so fill this outer one with cold water1 he shall obtain more plenty of ,spirits by reason of this better refrigeration4 ,but such ,cisterns requires a great deal of ,lead2 for verily even those three alone which ,i had in my ,laboratory contained a thousand and forty pounds of sheet ,lead4 ,there may be other kinds of ,receivers applied to this use1 which1 to reckon up1 would be too tedious in this ,book4 ,the matter remaining after the ,distillation may be ground in a ,mill1 and one part thereof mixt with two parts of ,calx-vive2 and so balls are to be made thereof1 and to be put upon wood and burnt1 as we shewed afore1 that so they may be transmuted into ,salt-peter4 ,but besides all these1 there hath been a far better and more compendious incineration1 and bettering of the lesser and more perfect ,metals shown and demonstrated to my friends1 in my ,laboratory1 which requires not so many ,circumstances and ,labours1 as the foregoing more prolix operation1 which is performed by throwing ,common ,salt upon the ,coals1 does3 ,for it is to be done in a peculiar ,furnace1 and with purer ,salts2 and being wrought about a greater work1 yields very considerable profit3 so that it impregnates ,silver and ,lead with ,gold1 with twenty four hours easie labour1 and renders them worth the labour of separation4 ,in like manner1 ,copper may by the help of such ,labours be very much amended1 and gets no small portion of ,silver1 if it be added3 so that with a little fire and a very few expences1 every sort of ,copper1 though it has endured the fire scarce twenty four hours1 is wont to be so much bettered1 as to shew in the ,touchstone the marks of two1 three1 and sometimes six ,lots1 according as it has been diligently and circumspectly handled4 ,hence comes it to pass1 that by vile and every-where obvious ,subjects any ,silver and ,lead may be maturated by little and little into ,gold1 and so may ,copper it self be ripened without any detriment into good ,silver1 by a few repeated ,labours4 ,now these operations requiring but small costs1 and but a few labours to accomplish it1 may be exercised without intermission1 and bring vast profit4 ,these inventions are such as never were as yet thought on by any1 and so never at any time saw the ,light4 ,but now they that saw and learned1 in my ,laboratory1 the great incineration1 did not all of them see this ,labour and ,artifice1 and apprehend its use1 but such of them onely that stayed out constant1 even to the end of the whole ,demonstration in my ,laboratory4 ,and as for such as too soon forsook their ,master and the ,school1 they are 7and indeed very deservedly7 altogether ignorant of this operation4 ,for should they have been masters of this ,arcanum too1 they would verily have detrimented me more1 which ,god of his mercy prevented1 and hereby provided1 that all my ,arcana's should not fall altogether into mine ,enemies hands4 ,the ,furnace which ,i used about the said ,incineration and ,melioration of ,metals1 is as yet in my ,laboratory1 and will haply there remain all this ,winter4 ,but as for mine own part1 ,i have determined with my self to leave off ,chymical ,labours1 communicating them to others1 with whom this more compendious bettering of the ,metals will be yet longer to be seen4 ,therefore all the whole ,drove of my ,enemies1 though never so big1 will not at all be able to oppress the truth1 what mad attempts soever they make against it4 ,for although one or another of them hath theevishly stole from me my ,secrets1 yet presently the ,divine goodness hath largely supplied me with others4 ,i have now laid a sure ,foundation in ,alchymy1 and have kindled a ,light for both ,friends and ,enemies1 which will very hardly be extinguisht as long as the ,world endures4 ,but now1 that some little knowledge may be had of this more compendious ,incineration1 and bettering of ,metals1 viz4 of ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin and ,lead into ,silver1 and of ,lune into ,gold2 ,i say that it is to be done in a twofold manner4 ,the first is1 when the ,metals are destroyed either with common1 or else with prepared and moist ,chymical ,fires1 and converted out of their own ,metallick being into an ,earthy nature and ,essence1 are imbibed with spiritual ,salts1 and burnt by a close ,cementation1 so as by their mutual efficacy and actings upon each other1 to amend themselves1 and afterwards by reduction and separation to yield forth ,silver and ,gold with profit4 ,and this ,labour admits of being exercised in as great a quantity and plenty as any one pleaseth1 and is clearly void of tedious troublesomeness1 and great expences1 for one onely person may discharge this ,operation in one onely ,chimny1 and that with no small quantity of matter too4 ,nay more1 7and which is of greater moment7 if any one shall in this operation make use of such ,salts as they call ,graduating ,salts1 which are easie to be got1 and cost almost nothing1 he will get far greater profit1 especially if he shall put ,copper-plates to be burnt with the ,metals reduced by the said ,cementation into ashes which said ,plates1 those ,graduating ,spirits will penetrate wholly and throughout1 and in this penetration1 better them1 and bring them unto a more noble degree1 so as to give on the ,test1 ,silver impregnated with ,gold4 ,nor is it necessary that those ,copper-plates be separated by ,lead in the secret ,pot1 so to get the ,gold and ,silver made in them1 by the said operation1 though they have already gotten a meanly-white ,colour4 ',tis better and more profitable to put them yet again in some new ,cementations1 and urge them more with the violence of the ,fire1 and they will be enriched with a greater access of ,gold and silver1 then afterwards are they to be ,separated by adding a due quantity of ,lead1 which is thus done1 when the ,lead containing the ,gold and ,silver1 together with the ,copper1 are melted together into a great ,cake1 these are to be put in the ,furnace1 which the ,germans call ,seigerofen1 that so the ,lead melting may flow down1 and in flowing or running down may carry away with it all the ,silver and ,gold that was in the ,copper4 ,by this ,artifice is the ,copper conserved1 and is to be a new made into ,plates1 and to be used about new ,labours1 and be again enriched with ,gold and ,silver by ,cementation4 ,n4 ,b4 ,there is not at all any need of any peculiar ,lead for this ,separation of the ,copper1 forasmuch as that ,lead may be used thereabouts which is molten out of the ,powders of the ,cement1 and already contains in it ,gold and ,silver1 which ,metals are conserved by one and the same work in the labour of ,separation1 and are already gotten by the ,gradatory ,cements out of the ,minerals1 and the more imperfect ,metals4 ,and this now is my more compendious ,incineration and ,cementation of the imperfect ,metals1 to make them better and more perfect4 ,this ,operation have ,i shown to some ,friends in my ,laboratory1 which will moreover be in many places exercised with profit4 ,and now any one may easily foresee and guess1 what shame mine ,enemies1 7who with their ,diabolical ,clamours and ,calumnies1 say my ,writings are unprofitable and all over full of ,lyes17 must at length be confounded withall1 and how basely they have behaved themselves4 ,nor verily is it to be doubted but that there will be such frequent exercise and so familiar a practice of ,alchymy 7which is an ,art that produceth infinite benefits7 throughout all ,europe1 that even abundance of ,work-men or ,trades men will leave their ,trades1 and many ,countrey-men leave their ,plows1 and set themselves about ,alchymy1 and by the ,assistance of my ,writings get themselves ,food and ,rayment in an easier and pleasanter way1 even out of the contemptible ,sand1 and abject ,stones4 ,whereupon it will of necessity follow1 that in all those places where now poverty is rife1 plenty of ,gold and ,silver will again come in sight4 ,these are new fruits which ,god bestoweth in this ,age4 ,and every one that gets so far as to obtain their fruits1 let him have regard to the poor and needy1 and not forget his ,benefactours from whom such things proceeded lest he pull upon himself the wrath and anger of ,god4 ,moreover1 there were some other ,arcana's ocularly demonstrated in my ,laboratory1 during the shewing of those meer prolix secrets1 the reckoning up of which here ,i judge needless4 ,some of them are of no small concernment1 which by the same ,sinister or unlucky mishap fell into the hands of mine ,enemies1 and will without all doubt be by them manifested4 ,for that very reason will ,i my self reveal some1 in my second ,century 7,god permitting7 that it may not be concealed from any one1 what excellent secrets ,i have disclosed for the use of mankind4 ',mongst other ,arcana's1 this is none of the meanest1 which1 viz4 teacheth to extract ,copper1 7by ,waters of almost no cost or charges1 out of poor ,oars of ,copper which are every where obvious1 and are not rich enough to defray the charges necessary for a melting ,fire17 and bring it to use1 and that in great quantity1 and so easily as that without question the poor ,countrey-men that can very hardly sustain themselves1 their ,wives and ,children1 will for the time to come set about such an ,operation1 and get such ,minera's or ,oars1 or even the ,scorias of them1 to extract the ,copper out of them and sell it1 and so provide themselves ,food and ,rayment against a sharp ,winter1 whereas otherwise they must live miserably in want and poverty4 ,the ,operation it self is this4 ,how ,copper may easily and very profitably be extracted and made corporeal 7without any melting or fusion7 by a certain ,water of very small expences4 ,there are two sorts of ,oars or ,veins of ,copper met withall1 some are mixt with ,sulphur1 and refuse extracting with ,aqua ,fortis2 insomuch that you must first remove the ,sulphur from them by rotting as it were and burning them1 afore that ,salts or sharp ,waters can display their virtues upon them4 ,now that roasting 7or calcining7 then1 is to be done on ,hearths by the flame of ,wood1 on which1 that metalline matter broken into ,powder1 is to be uncessantly stirred with ,iron ,instruments1 so long till it emits no more sulphureous stinch3 ,this done1 they admit of extraction with ,aqua ,fortis4 ,other ,minera's or ,oars which have no ,sulphur admixt with them1 need not this calcining1 for they are to be onely heated red hot in the ,fire and quencht1 with ,water and so broken to pieces1 and then are they made fit for extraction4 ,but all sharp ,waters which dissolve ,copper may be used to extract the ,copper out of poor coppery ,oars1 and that with profit1 when the ,waters are of no great costs1 but are to be had for a very little charges4 ,such are an ,acetum or ,vinegar of ,corn1 ,acetum of ,woods1 which any ,countryman may get easily and in great quantity2 also1 ,water of common ,salt1 ,water of the ,lees of ,wine1 out of which adust ,wine 7or ,brandy7 or ,spirit of ,wine is prepared1 and which else are cast away4 ,these two latter are of the meanest price1 and may therefore be easiest of all gotten4 ,the ,operation it self is this4 ,the ,oars being reduced into ,powder must be put into small and low 7,copper7 ,pans1 about the thickness of a ,span1 for if they should lie too thick or compact1 they would more hardly be stirred with a wooden ,stick3 ,upon them thus lying in the ,pans1 pour that acid ,water the heighth of a ,span or at least a hands breadth above the matters2 then put ,fire under the ,pans1 let it boil strongly1 and let the matter be uncessantly stirred1 that so the ,water coming to it in every part1 it may extract all the ,copper the more easily4 ,when this ,water has boiled one or two hours1 and so gotten a most green colour1 and that it can dissolve no more ,copper1 it must be poured out1 and more put on1 and be on such wise boiled so long till it hath gotten the same colour4 ,now this pouring on is to be repeated with new ,water so often and so long till it imbibes 7or extracts7 no more greenness1 which is a sign that all the ,copper is extracted out of the ,oars4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if there should be but little ,copper in the ,oars1 the first ,water will extract all the ,copper1 and so there will not need the pouring on any other ,water4 ,nay more1 it sometimes happens that even the first ,water would attract more ,copper if the ,oars had had more of the same4 ,therefore the ,copper is not to be precipitated out of that ,water which hath not extracted ,copper enough1 but is to be reserved and poured upon new ,oars1 that it may be thoroughly impregnated with ,copper1 and so the precipitation with ,iron may not be used in vain4 ,for by how much the more ,copper1 the ,waters shall be extracted 7or held up in them7 so much the greater is the gain1 and so much the less ,water is required to this ,work4 ,it is a thing easie to be understood by him that shall thoroughly search into this ,operation1 and manage it with due diligence1 so as to commit no errour4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you have store of these green ,waters1 put in some old ,iron for one or two nights1 and you shall get out the ,copper that will adhere unto it like filed ,copper1 and 'twill leave the ,water white and clear1 which said ,water can be used no more about this kind of extraction1 but may be poured upon ,calx-vive mixt with ,wood-ashes1 and so be dried up1 by the ,air or the ,sun1 under some ,roof to keep off ,rain1 and from this used ,water1 and the ,calx or ,lime is ,salt-peter generated in such a manner as ,i taught afore4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,copper which sticks on to the ,iron1 is to be freed from all the ,saltishness by washing it with common ,water1 and is to be afterwards dried1 and so may be used in the stead of pure ,copper1 for if molten it nothing at all differs therefrom1 if the ,operation be but well managed4 ,nay more1 it has in it a most notable ,commodity1 as being more tender and more pure1 and more commodious for many ,operations than that gross common ,copper is4 ',tis also very fit to be converted into most excellent ,virdigreese1 if it be moistned with sharp ,vinegar and set in the heat4 ,moreover ,i have shown in my publick ,laboratory1 by what means ,spirit of ,salt1 ,aqua ,fortis1 ,aqua ,regis1 and my ,sal ,mirabilis may be easily gotten1 and that in great quantity too1 by a ,separatory ,sulphur1 which is nothing else but ,oil of ,sulphur or of ,vitriol1 of which ,i have very clearly treated in the second part of the ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,likewise how ,gold may in one quarter of an hours space be converted by the ,sal ,mirabilis 7in a ,crucible7 into its first matter2 or1 into a red1 transparent1 sulphureous1 and soluble ,stone1 which suffers it self to be dissolved by common ,water into a most excellent ,medicine4 ,this golden ,water being poured to the roots of ,herbs1 makes them to have a golden property1 as concerning this thing you may consult my ,treatise of the nature of ,salts1 and the second part of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,besides1 ,i have shown to some of my ,friends1 how in the extraction of ,gold and ,silver out of the poor ,oars a ,gradatory and withall fixing ,spirit may be received1 which is able by graduation to perfect 7or exalt7 any ,argent-vive into ,gold and ,silver1 according as the extraction has been made either of ,gold or ,silver ,oars4 ,this so great a secret hath as yet escaped mine enemies hands1 and so has that my secret incineration and cementation of ,metals1 of which they would likewise have been ,masters had they waited but yet two or three days longer2 for ,i presently showed such ,operations to those that stayed1 and unto other honest ,spectators4 ,to these may be also added that notable ,arcanum of bringing ,lead in one quarter of an hours space to such a pass1 by means of a graduating ,fulmen1 without almost any costs1 as to be so impregnated with ,gold as to be worth the separating4 ,these and such like ,arcana's with many most profitable discourses have been seen and heard in my ,laboratory1 a tedious and needless ,repetition of which ,i willingly omit4 ,finally1 to mention somewhat by way of addition1 'tis necessary that ,i say onely thus much1 that happily in some short time1 the business will so come about that many ,men will not for the time to come take on them such a deal of care about the laborious1 costly1 and uncertain ordering of ,mine-pits1 but will rather lay hold on and manage 7and that with greater profit7 such as can be had and gotten better on the outside of the ,earth4 ,but especialy there will not be a few who will set about these ,cementations of mine for gains sake1 for they have many times many lying idle by them1 and which yields them no profit1 which by this assisting way they will augment1 and without doubt it will be effected too by many4 ,verily ,i cannot at all see 7as far as ,i know7 whether there can be found any honester and certainer way of sustaining ,life in the whole ,world1 than this true melioration of ,metals1 which brings with it so great a benefit4 ,for even ,merchandise it self though it be so very gainfull1 yet doth it stick amidst ,sins1 as firmly as a ,nail does in a ,wall4 ,the ,services of ,lords and great ,men are laborious and full of servitude1 which many have experienced4 ,and as for ,war1 that snatcheth away abundance of ,men by an immature death4 ,far better therefore is it to live quietly with one's ,family in some poor ,cottage1 and to feed on a piece of ,bread1 than to hunt after uncertain ,riches by most great dangers4 ,therefore ,i doubt not but there will be many found for time to come1 who being holpen by my ,writings1 will more commodiously sustain themselves together with their ,wives and ,children1 than hath been hitherto done4 ,nor do ,i at all doubt1 but that many will take it very untowardly1 that ,i have so manifestly and so perspicuously revealed all things4 ,for this is often done and daily is it1 that ,i am upon that account reprehended by others1 as the following ,letter may witness1 the like of which ,i could have here added more had ,i so listed4 ,there is no ,body can satisfie all4 ,even ,jupiter is not the same 7or alike acceptable7 to all3 ,one is troubled with hear1 another is burdened with cold4 ,what things soever ,i have written1 they are clear and evident to such as are skilfull in the ,art1 and have understanding in the business1 and therefore they had rather ,i had written more darkly4 ,but the unskilfull and ignorant do judge that ,i have plaid the ,sophister in ,writing1 because they hit not the mark4 ,but all their judgments and ,censures mought be tolerated whatever they be that they pass upon my ,writings1 did they not by reason of their ignorance1 contemn the good things themselves1 and say of such things as are most true1 that they are ,fallacies and ,lies3 but this needs not seem strange to any1 forasmuch as such wicked contemnings proceed from those that by reason of ignorance and blockishness do no better understand the business4 ,but this is plainly diabolical1 to be highly benefited by any one1 and to be made partaker of such great secrets1 and yet afterwards impudently to deny the same and say1 that they never had any good thing conferred upon them4 ,the detestable malice and impiety of these ,men hath enforced me to manifest in this ,appendix1 so many excellent secrets1 which ,i would at no time have laid open1 had ,i not been so treacherously deceived by those perfidious ,men4 ,this is the ,letter written unto me1 of which ,i made some mention even now4 8,thou hast written too clearly1 and again too manifestly2 beware lest ,god stir not up against thee another new ,farnerian ,devil1 to punish thy easiness or forwardness of publishing such ,mysteries4 ,for they are not to be profaned by the ungodly1 let not the present corruption of ,men deceive thee1 and that blindness of theirs which for the most part ariseth therefrom2 for all wicked ,men are not blind1 ,i know many ,farners that are defiled with all kinds of ,evil1 and yet are not all of them so blinded as thy ,farner is4 ,nay1 their ,wit is so penetrative and so clear-sighted1 that should they but read the divine ,books that thou hast published there would not be a secret in all nature1 but they would know it2 nay more1 they would in a short time perfect that ,philosophick ,work4 ,which should it so come to pass1 7the more's the grief7 what a many ,slaughters1 what ,whoredoms1 how many ruinings6 ,and what evils of all sorts would break in upon mankind2 of the which1 thou thy self 7though innocent7 would'st be the cause4 ,i know that the detestable ,calumnies of the impious ,farner enforced thee to publish them1 for he every where reported and to all1 that thou wert ignorant of them4 ,but my most dear ,sir1 what is your knowledge as a thing of nothing1 unless another likewise knows that you know it8 ,god knows that thou knowest1 for he gave thee thy knowledge4 ,thine own conscience also knows it4 ,what8 ,cannot these two most plenarily bless or make a ,wise ,man happy8 ,the pleasure that depends on the ,opinion of ,men is unhappy4 ,in vain do we seek after true ,felicity without us1 if so be its solid principle or foundation should be within us4 ,what matters it1 if ,men think thee to be less learned than thou art1 as long as the very light it self of nature shines unto thee8 ,i would to ,god that ,i could once accomplish that1 which1 by thy divine ,books it is most certainly manifest unto me1 thou hast perfected1 and let all ,men believe me to be a most stupid ,fellow2 ,i wish not thus1 as if ,i did at all doubt of the truth of any ,work4 ,for though ,i should have perfected the whole work an hundred times1 ,i could scarce be more certain of the truth thereof than now4 ,he that knows the way of concentrating ,fire1 and of uniting the terrestrial ,sun to this concentrated ,fire1 and the ,arcana's of ,fermentations doubts not1 nor seeks after any thing more4 ,i may boldly say1 that seeing nature doth perform whatever she has a mind unto1 by these three1 it must necessarily be1 that it should do some most eminent thing4 ,but if ,i could but once have finished the ,work it self amidst those thousand of businesses that have hitherto withheld me1 and kept me off from the ,operation1 ,i should have been long ago able to wind my self out of the intricacies of this present ,age1 and wholly devoted my self unto ,god1 and to the most holy ,philosophy4 ,i beseech thee therefore my dear ,master1 and entreat thee by ,god and by the most laudable charity thou owest thy ,neighbours1 to write more obscurely for the time to come1 nay1 and if it may be1 to wrap over the ,books thou hast already published with some new cloudings1 lest that celestial treasure fall into the hands of the unworthy1 and so become hurtfull to pious ,men4 ,pardon ,sir the liberty of my complaint1 for there is no other cause thereof save piety to ,god1 and a ,zeal to the most ,learned1 most upright ,man1 and one that too well deserves from ungratefull mankind4 ,and albeit thou knowest not me1 yet canst thou not be unknown to the ,curious1 seeing thou hast ,written such wonderfull things4 ,nor can there be any one that shall but once have read over thy ,books1 but he will be highly obliged unto thee1 if he has but any light of ,justice or ,righteousness remaining in him1 c40 ,many such like ,letters as these1 have been ofttimes sent me from learned and skilfull ,men1 tending to this end1 to warn me not to publish such excellent secrets for the time to come4 ,yet nevertheless1 amongst those that are rendred partaker of such1 there are some who 7although the ,operation it self has been sometimes manually showed them very perspicuously and clearly17 are notwithstanding so sottish and ignorant1 as that they cannot imitate the aforeshown ,operation4 ,but some there are also that are come to such an heighth of ,treachery1 as that 7being either seduced by their own false malice1 or drawn away with the desire of profit17 they deny even the truth1 certainty and stability of that very thing themselves have manually experienced1 and dare to say it is false1 this verily is an astonishing and detestably malicious wickedness1 and justly and deservedly gives every one an occasion to shun such devilish ,men more than a ,dog or ,snake4 ,i ,glauber may justly and deservedly be compared with a burning ,candle1 by serving others1 am ,i consumed2 have not ,i by the publishing such very excellent ,writings kindled a clear and new light to the whole ,world1 and added and consumed mine own peculiar ,oil1 and that in vain too1 as reaping no recompence proceeding from a gratefull mind8 ,an ,explanation of some obscure places which are to be met withall in the ,third and ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and in the first ,century4 ,in the ,third ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in the ,operation which teacheth to extract ,gold and ,silver with profit1 out of all ,oars or ,metallick ,earths1 in ,page #cfj1 ,a4 signifies ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,page #cfa4 ,a4 is once met withall there1 and signifies the same ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,in ,page #cgj1 the same ,letter ,a1 once put1 signifies the same ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,in ,page #cgj4 b4 where we treat of the ,waters used about ,washing or ,edulcoration1 and show their use1 the ,letter ,b4 signifies pieces of ,cloth1 and the ,letter ,c4 the shells of ,eggs1 and all ,cockle-shells and ,muscle-shells1 or ,shell-fish of all kinds1 in the water and out of the water3 but the ,letter ,d4 denotes the ,feces or ,lees of ,wine4 ,in the same ,page1 the ,letter ,e4 shows or signifies ,eggshells1 and the ,shells of all ,shell-fish4 ,the ,letter ,f4 signifies ,stones and ,lime4 ,in ,page #cga4 a4 the ,letter ,g4 signifies ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,in the ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,in ,page #cig4 b4 the ,letter ,a4 signifies one part1 and ,b4 three parts4 ,in ,page #cih4 a4 by the first ,x4 is understood ,alkalies1 and by the other ,x4 is meant a fixt ,salt1 helping on ,liquefaction or ,fusion4 ,here follow some profitable ,operations1 and which appertain to the ,extraction of ,metallick ,earths2 they are indeed treated of1 or published in the first ,century2 but because of the omitting of some words1 they are hard to be understood3 which1 forasmuch as they comprise the things that primarily concern the ,extraction of ,gold and ,silver1 it seemed to me a matter worth the while to insert the same in this ,appendix1 the which 7as ,i hope7 will not be unacceptable to those that search after such great ,secrets4 #ca4 ,by what means volatile ,gold is to be compendiously extracted by the moist way1 out of coloured ,flints1 red ,talk1 ,granates1 ,sand1 ,clay1 and such-like ,oars or ,minerals1 and made corporeal4 ,first of all1 such ,minerals are to be heated red-hot in the ,fire1 and be quenched1 then ground with ,mill-stones1 and are to be put in ,stone-,pots1 or ,waldenburg-,pots1 or ,colein-,pots1 that in them they may be moistned with pouring ,aqua ,regia thereupon4 ,these ,pots you must put ,coals about1 and heat them well4 ,the ,minera's being together with the ,aqua ,regia well heated1 there must be poured thereupon so much ,common warm water1 as will suffice to wash off the ,aqua ,regia4 ,being on this wise moistned1 they are to be put into great ,pots made of good ,potters ,earth1 having a many little holes in the bottom1 over which is some ,cap-paper to be spread1 that nothing of the ,oars fall out through the holes1 but the water onely may distill down4 ,after that all the first water is run out1 you must pour on more hot water1 and these pourings on are to be so often repeated1 till the water tasts on more saltish1 for then it has carried off with it the ,aqua ,regia that contained the ,gold in it4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,pots are to be set upon a ,bench or ,dresser that hath holes in it1 so that the ,waters may pass through the bottoms by the holes1 and ,vessels may be set there-under4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,minerals may also be put in ,barrels1 having a double bottom1 such as those ,barrels are in which they use to wash out the ,salt-peter with ,common water out of the ,earth4 ,and now after the same manner are the pourings on of ,common water to be so long continued till there is no more saltishness perceived4 ,n4 ,b4 ,albeit that there is no more tast of saltness discernable1 yet nevertheless some of the ,salt doth as yet abide with them1 viz4 with the ,oars and which is to be turned into ,salt-peter1 on this wise following4 #cb4 ,how good ,salt-peter is to be made with profit even out of these ,oars4 ,mix these ,minera's that are thus deprived of their ,gold with an equal weight of ,calx-vive and ,wood-ashes1 then heap them up in a heap under some ,shed or ,pent-house1 and moisten them for half a year1 or for an whole year by repeated pourings on1 of either ,man's piss or ,beasts1 as often as 7after the drying up of the moisture7 need requires4 ,in want of ,piss you may use ,common water4 ,by this means the ,aqua ,regia1 which was not thoroughly washt off with the warm water1 and so remained behind in the ,oars1 will1 by the assistance of ,urine1 or even of ,rain-water1 convert the ,salt in the ,calx-vive into good ,salt-peter1 which is to be washt off like other ,salt-peters1 and be reduced into ,stria's or ,crystals4 ,the remaining matter being freed of the ,salt-peter by washing it off1 may be again put under the same ,shed or ,roof1 to keep off the ,rain1 and be exposed to the ,air and ,solar heat1 and be moistned with ,urine1 and it will in its season again yield ,salt-peter1 and will even keep doing the same for many following years1 if it be dealt withall on the like manner4 ,and so even the very ,aqua ,fortis it self1 which remained behind in the ,oars1 will bring its benefit4 ,the reason of this manner of ,salt-peter making is this1 because the ,aqua ,fortis1 or ,spirit of ,nitre1 is as it were the seed of ,salt-peter1 and is of this nature1 viz4 when it is put among other ,salts1 7like as when some ,vegetable seed is sown in the ,earth17 it augments it self thereby1 and is multiplied1 even as the ,seeds of ,herbs are wont to doe4 ,and haply1 hence came that old ,proverb1 of sowing ,salt1 which the unskilfull and ignorant mock at1 saying1 ,how can it be possibly done1 that ,salt should be sown and multiplied1 seeing the ,rain can dissolve it and wash it away8 ,these foolish ones did not know either what ,salt was to be sown1 or how4 ,evident it is1 that even this is the sentence and opinion of the ancient ,philosophers1 that even ,salt may be sown and multiplied in the manner of ,vegetables4 ,n4 ,b4 ,out of the extracted ,oars or ,minerals being conjoyned with ,calx-vive and ,wood-ashes1 may ,salt-peter be made1 in a few days space1 by moistning the matters with pouring on1 even barely ,common water1 and so drying it up again3 but then there will not be such a quantity1 as when more continued and more frequent pourings on of ,urine have preceded4 ,n4 ,b4 ,it is likewise a thing possible to be done1 to make good ,salt-peter even in one days space1 with the ,waters used about the ,edulcoration or washing of the ,oars if they be poured upon ,calx-vive so long till all the noise or tissing ceaseth which is made in the ,solution4 ,and thus out of the sharp water of ,salt-peter1 and the fix ,salt in the ,calx-vive is presently generated ,salt-peter1 shooting into long and delicate ,crystals1 after that the superfluous moisture shall have been thence drawn off in a ,copper-pan4 ,the remaining ,salt-peter water must be again boiled in a ,copper even to the appearance of a thin skin1 and then be set in the cold to shoot more ,salt-peter2 these ,labours are you to go on withall untill all the ,salt-peter be boil'd out4 ,i think now that ,i have written and delivered all things perspicuously and clearly3 ,he that cannot comprehend them1 must even let them alone as an ,ass must the ,harp4 ,as concerning the sharp ,waters which are used about the ,extracting of ,gold out of the ,minerals or ,oars1 so as the ,gold may not be lost that is in them1 but be conserved1 and that with profit1 there are several ways that offer themselves1 amongst which we have thought good to produce these following4 #cc4 ,the ways of ,reducing volatile and fixt ,gold unto a body1 out of the ,edulcorating ,waters 7so called7 with which the ,gold aforesaid hath been ,extracted out of the ,oars2 and also of usefully or profitably improving the said already used ,waters themselves4 ,he that desireth to enter upon the best way1 may pour into the ,solution of the ,gold1 or into the ,water containing the dissolved ,gold1 a ,solution of ,silver or ,lead1 and in such a quantity as he shall guess the ,gold is of1 that is dissolved in the ,water4 ,as for ,example4 ,suppose there be two or three ,lots ,lotones or half ,ounces of ,gold in the water1 there must then likewise be dissolved so many ,lots of ,silver or ,lead in ,aqua ,fortis1 or thereabouts2 which ,solution is to be 7be it more or less7 put to the said water1 and to be well mixt by a strong shaking it to and fro1 till it becomes like ,milk4 ,when it shall have settled1 it must be shaken again1 and those strong agitations must be several times repeated in an hours space4 ,then all being well settled1 the clear water is to be poured off1 and the grosser matter is to be put in a ,filter1 that so all the humidity may by distillation or filtration be removed from the dissolved ,lune1 or dissolved ,lead1 and the ,metals themselves may afterwards by reduction be reduced into their pristine body1 by such an help as we will presently teach4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the ,silver or the ,lead should not have extracted all the ,gold out of she ,water1 or drawn it to themselves1 which may easily happen1 yet notwithstanding there is not any loss of the same4 ,for1 because the ,aqua ,regia being debilitated by pouring plenty of water thereupon is rendred unfit to extract any ,oar anew1 there may be poured into that edulcorating ,water out of which the ,gold is already drawn by the ,solution of ,silver or ,lead1 a sharp or strong ,lixivium made of ,wood-ashes and ,calx-vive1 and rendred a little sharper by a little ,liquor of ,flints4 ,for the ,flints doe precipitate all the ,gold out of the ,solutions4 ,and now the ,aqua ,regia being kill'd by the ,lixivium1 lets fall every ,metal that it has in it1 whether it be onely ,gold1 or ,copper1 or ,iron1 in the form of a yellow ,powder3 ,this ,powder is to be dried1 and to be reduced after that manner which ,i told you but now1 that ,i would teach4 ,the same ,gold may likewise be gotten out of the ,aqua ,regia 7first debilitated by ,common water7 very commodiously by a ,solution of ,mercury or ,quicksilver put thereinto2 ,the ,mercury abides in the ,aqua ,regia1 and the ,gold falls to the bottom like a tender fine ,powder1 which being washt and made corporeal by reduction will be #bd ,carracts fine4 ,and as for getting the ,mercury out of the ,aqua ,regia1 it is not to be better done than by pouring thereinto a sharp ,lixivium1 by which the ,mercury is constrained to fall down to the bottom like a yellow ,powder1 which is profitable for such-like precipitations4 ,the ,aqua ,regia and the ,lixivium serve for to make ,salt-peter withall4 ,the ,edulcorating-water out of which all the ,metals are already reduced or precipitated being boil'd in ,coppers1 till a skin appear at top1 and then poured out into other ,coppers or wooden ,vessels1 yield excellent ,salt-peter1 fit for the distillation of ,aqua ,fortis for a new ,operation4 ,he that is skill'd in managing this work1 will get as much ,salt-peter as will pay the costs of the ,aqua ,fortis2 insomuch1 that the ,gold is extracted without any costs4 ,for five or six pound of ,aqua ,fortis1 which holds in it two or three pound of dissolved ,salt1 and is precipitated with a sharp ,lixivium of ,calx-vive yields about some ten pounds of ,salt-peter3 and this will certainly answer the price of the ,water or ,aqua ,fortis2 and so you will have ,gold extracted out of the ,stones without expence or charges4 #cd4 ,another and better way of getting out the ,gold that is ,extracted out of the ,oars1 out of the ,aqua ,fortis4 ,make1 by ,calcination1 some ,ashes1 of one part of ,tin1 and four parts of ,lead1 and put them in an ,iron-pot1 whereto pour the extracted ,gold1 or the ,aqua ,fortis containing the ,gold1 boil it and continually stir the ,calx with an ,iron rod1 that so all the sharp ,spirits may cleave to the ,lead and ,tin ashes1 and the ,phlegm onely may exhale4 ,after that the said ,calx of the ,metals hath concentrated all the ,spirits1 and is become wholly dry1 let it be taken out1 and be cast upon ,coals in a secret ,melting-pot or ,crucible1 in which operation the fire forceth out all the ,spirits into the ,recipient1 which are to be again made use of for new ,extractions4 ,the volatile ,gold1 and which is mixt with ,iron1 adheres to the ,calx of the ,metals1 and is to be reduced in the ,furnace which the ,germans call ,stichofen2 whereby the ,lead impregnated with the ,gold1 and exalted by it1 is gotten1 which by reparation yields the ,gold and ,silver4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if that ,lead should not contain ,gold enough as to be worth the while of separating it on the ,cupel or ,test it is to be again commixt with ,tin1 and be reduced into ,ashes1 and by this ,calx are new ,extractions to be ,concentrated1 that so by the so many repeated ,labours1 the ,lead is at length made rich enough1 and yields 7by separation7 a good portion of ,gold and ,silver4 ,if 7in the separating7 the matter be turned by the blast of ,bellows into ,litharge1 it is not needfull to melt such a deal of ,lead on the ,tests1 which would require so much fire4 ,but however1 it is a thing feasable for the ,gold to be gotten out of or by the ,tests without melting1 which shall be taught afterwards4 #ce4 ,how an ,aqua ,regia is easily acquired for the ,extraction of ,stones4 ,forasmuch as ,spirit of ,salt may be had in great quantity1 you need onely dissolve some ,salt-peter therein1 and this ,solution is to be used to extract the ,minerals withall4 ,for the ,spirit of ,salt being made stronger by the ,salt-peter1 doth readily and willingly seize upon the tender ,gold that is in the ,stones4 ,and as for the ,spirit of ,salt1 it may be used as it comes over in the first distillation without any rectification4 #cf4 ,an easier way of getting an ,aqua ,regia usefull for extraction4 ,because that these ,operations do always bring forth ,silver impregnated with ,gold1 and that ,aqua ,fortis is requisite to make the ,separation of them2 the ,solution of ,silver may be used1 and so the labour of the aforesaid incineration be omitted4 ,into the ,aqua ,regia wherewith you have extracted the ,gold1 pour in a ,solution of ,silver1 and it will fish out the greatest part of the ,gold out of the ,aq4 ,reg4 and is1 viz4 the ,aq4 ,reg4 to be afterwards made use of to a new extraction1 and be again divested of its extracted ,gold by a ,solution of ,silver4 ,in want of a ,solution of ,silver1 the extract is to be concentrated with the ,ashes of ,lead1 and you must proceed 7by driving off the ,spirit out of the ,ashes1 and by reducing the same ,ashes in a ,furnace17 after the same manner as we taught you but now in our foregoing directions4 ,n4 ,b4 ,you are here to note1 that the ,aq4 ,fort4 which containeth in it the dissolved ,silver1 and is poured into the ,aq4 ,reg4 or nitrous ,spirit of ,salt1 doth add an encrease unto these same ,waters4 ,for the ,aq4 ,fort4 doth corroborate the ,spirit of ,salt far better than ,salt-peter doth4 #cg4 ,how the ,silver 7wherewith the ,gold has been separated out of the ,aq4 ,regia7 is to be gotten or reduced out of its ,calx4 ,after that the ,solution of the ,silver being poured into the ,aqua ,regia1 hath extracted the greatest part of the ,gold2 the ,aqua ,regia is to be poured off clear from the ,silver remaining in the bottom1 and is to be used about new ,extractions4 ,but if so be it should yet contain ,iron in it1 it must be concentrated by ,lead-ashes4 ,the white ,calx of ,silver is to be put upon some ,cloth over a glass or stone ,vessel1 and so is to be freed from the remaining ,aqua ,regia1 which will drop from it2 and by pouring on of warm water1 it must be altogether rid of the ,aqua ,regia1 which as yet adheres thereunto4 ,this done1 your ,linnen-cloth being strong and three double1 the ,common water is to be squeezed strongly thereout of1 and the ,calx it self laid by1 to dry2 which may afterwards be reduced in the ,secret ,crucible1 or be used about a ,cementation of ,lapis ,calaminaris into ,gold and ,silver4 #ch4 ,how the said ,calx of ,silver is to be reduced without any loss of its weight1 and without any ,detriment4 ,forasmuch as this white ,calx of ,silver is made so very volatile by the ,salts1 as that it cannot be reduced at all in the common melting ,pots or ,crucibles without great ,detriment1 there is no way of preventing that loss more commodiously than this which follows4 ,mix this silvery ,calx with an equal weight of a ,sal ,alkali1 and cast it into the secret red hot ,crucible1 wider at bottom and narrower at the top1 the which you must cover with its ,cover made of the ,lute of ,wisedom4 ,by this means will the ,calx melt1 nor will it lose any thing by fume1 nor will it penetrate into the melting ,pot or ,crucible3 and so the ,silver impregnated with the ,gold will be conserved without hurt1 which being granulated the ,gold may be separated by ,aq4 ,fortis3 ,now this very ,solution of the ,silver by the ,aq4 ,fortis1 may be again used to gather or separate more new extracted ,gold1 and so will afterwards produce the ,silver to be reduced the same way we instructed thee1 and so give thee a perpetual ,separatory ,operation of ,gold and ,silver1 which may every where be exercised with a great deal of profit4 #ci4 ,another way teaching to reduce fugacious ,silver with greater profit4 ,put upon the ,rudder of thy ,silvery ,ship1 the little ,fish called ,remora1 that so it may be freed from its speedy flight1 and abide quiet4 ,melt thy said ,ship together with the ,remora that fits on the ,rudder in the secret four-square melting ,pot1 in which melting together1 there is not onely recovered all the ,silver without any ,detriment1 but it doth also get an increase of its weight1 out of the white ,bristles or ,fins of the little ,fish1 and becomes enriched with ,gold by its ,bloud3 so that this ,additament yields 7in the ,reduction7 a greater quantity of better ,silver than other ,additaments do4 ,but as concerning other ,commodities or ,benefits that this fugacious ,silver bestows1 it shall 7,god willing7 be taught afterwards4 ,thus much was ,i willing at present to teach and reveal1 concerning the extracting of volatile ,gold out of ,stones and the poorer ,oars1 and of a successive graduating of ,silver into ,gold4 ,there shall be more taught elsewhere4 #dj4 ,a gainfull extraction out of the poor ,oars or ,minera's of ,silver and ,copper1 by the moist way4 ,these ,minerals or ,oars are to be dealt with after the same way as we showed above about the ,minera's of ,gold1 viz4 they are to be heated red hot1 quenched1 and ground with ,mill-stones and be moistned with ,aqua ,fortis1 and to be extracted after the like manner as the ,oars or ,minera's of ,gold are1 all the difference being onely in the ,waters2 for ,aqua ,regis is to be used to extract the ,gold with1 and ,aqua ,fortis for the extraction of the ,silver4 ,if therefore there be the ,minera's of ,gold and ,silver at hand1 the ,gold is to be extracted by ,aqua ,regis1 and the ,silver by ,aqua ,fortis2 and both the ,solutions are to be mixt together1 in which mixion the ,silver precipitates to the bottom in the ,aqua ,regis1 and withall fisheth out the ,gold out of the ,aqua ,regis4 ,neither is it here any impediment if the ,oar of ,silver should also contain ,copper in it1 which will be extracted together with the ,aqua ,fortis4 ,for the ,silver and ,gold fall down to the bottom1 and the ,copper abides in the ,aqua ,regia1 which is again fit to extract more ,gold withall1 and may indeed be used as many times as any one shall please4 ,the ,copper it self is extracted out of the ,aqua ,regis by ,iron ,plates1 but they tinge the ,aqua ,regis with a yellow colour1 and therefore make it altogether unfit for any farther labours of this kind4 ,better is it therefore to concentrate it upon the ,ashes of ,lead1 that so that spiritual ,iron in the ,aqua ,regis1 may convert some of the ,lead into ,gold by ,gradation1 and the ,aqua ,regis it self having been so often used may be yet again used4 #da4 ,another far easier way of plentifully extracting ,gold and ,silver out of the poor ,minera's or ,oars1 ,sand and ,clay1 and the like ,minerals without the ,fire of melting4 ,fill a ,glass ,cucurbit1 or one made of the best ,earth1 and excellently well luted a little more than half full1 with the ,minera1 ,sand1 or ,stones containing in them1 fugitive and fix ,gold1 and hereupon pour as much of the following ,menstruum as is sufficient to moisten them2 then presently put on an ,alembick 7for assoon as ever the dissolving ,water is poured on the ,oars or ,minera's1 it presently works and fumes7 and draw off therefrom 7in ,sand7 all the humidity by ,distillation3 that so in the distilling the ,gold it self may be dissolved1 and the ,aqua ,regis it self may by ,distillation be recovered2 which is again profitable for a new ,operation1 as we shall tell you by and by4 ,all the moisture being drawn off1 let the ,cucurbit cool in the ,sand1 and then take it out1 and put in some ,water1 that the ,minera's and ,salt may be softned4 ,now extract very carefully and diligently1 all the ,salt out of the ,oar1 in which said ,salt is the ,gold that is extracted out of the ,oars or ,minera's1 and boil it up into a red ,salt1 to which must be added some ,litharge1 and so must be molten in such ,pots as will not break4 ,the ,litharge will imbibe all the ,gold1 which how it is to be separated from the ,lead1 we will presently teach in the following discourse4 #db4 ,the preparation of the ,water necessary to this extraction4 ,for the extraction of ,gold1 ,salt is to be dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 and for the extraction of ,silver1 you must dissolve ,salt-peter in ,aqua ,fortis4 ,with these ,waters1 of which you may furnish your self with plenty without any great labour1 moisten the ,oars and then distill them off again from the said ,oars1 and they will be always fit for such like ,operations1 insomuch that you need never to make new ,waters4 ,nay more1 in all the several ,operations and ,extractions of the ,oars1 they will be more and more augmented1 so that if thou usest but at first no more than two pounds of the same ,waters1 they may suffice thee for infinite extractions4 ,n4 ,b4 ,by this means1 all the ,gold1 how little soever1 may be extracted by thee out of all ,flints1 ,sand1 and other ,minerals without any expences1 the ,fire onely excepted4 ,this also is expedient for me here to show1 that sometimes there are to be found fugacious ,minera's of ,gold1 and coloured ,flints which are sufficiently rich with ,gold1 and are painted as 'twere with delicate colours1 viz4 green1 sky-colour1 and red3 but in the heating them red hot1 those colours vanish1 and leave the ,flints white4 ,such as these admit not of heating red hot1 like as others do1 which retain their colours in a red hot ,fire4 ,therefore such must be reduced into ,powder without any previous heating red hot1 and you must extract them as they are that so the volatile ,gold may be attracted by the ,aqua ,regis1 which said ,gold being abstracted again by the ,ashes of ,lead commits it self to or imbibes it self in the said ,ashes1 which are to be reduced by the help of the secret ,crucible2 in which ,reduction1 the ,gold becomes corporeal and admits of being separated from the ,lead with profit4 ,n4 ,b4 ,such ,stones may likewise be mixed with the sharp coagulated ,spirits1 and these ,spirits may be forced over by a ,retort3 ,for so1 the fugitive ,spirits of the ,salts carry over with them the ,volatile ,gold1 and make a very excellent ,gradatory-water1 transmuting fugitive ,mercury into ,gold1 with greater profit1 than if this very volatile ,gold had been made ,corporeal with ,lead4 ,this secret is none of the least of those which teach the ,extraction of ,gold out of colour'd ,flints or ,stones4 ,such a volatile ,gold may also pass into other ,metals by gentle ,cementations1 and so become fix1 and will bring no small profit1 nay rather a greater benefit than if it were gotten out by fusion4 ,in such ,cementations1 the volatile ,gold hath time of getting a body with the other ,metals1 and of acquiring a fixity1 and is as it were a golden ,seed1 which augments it self into ,gold1 in1 or out of the ,metallick ,earth4 #dc4 ,another ,water to ,extract ,gold and ,silver withall4 ,for ,gold1 let ,salt2 for ,silver1 let ,salt-peter be dissolved in the ,water or ,aqua ,fortis and let be thereto added as much ,oil of ,vitriol as half the ,salt as you put4 ,this ,water extracteth ,gold and ,silver out of the poor ,minera's ,sand and ,stones1 and requireth the same operation as the precedent ones doe4 ,it is likewise augmented even to infinity1 insomuch1 that ,gold and ,silver may be extracted out of the poor ,mines without ,costs1 if you except but the fire4 ,n4 ,b4 ,oil of ,sulphur does the same that ,oil of ,vitriol doth1 and therefore may it serve instead thereof in such ,extractions of ,gold and ,silver4 #dd4 ,another far easier way of plentifully ,extracting ,gold and ,silver out of the poor ,minera's or ,oars1 with very little or in a manner no ,costs at all4 ,mix the ,oars or ,minera's with their due ,waters1 and therewithall fill small ,pots or ,crucibles made of the best ,earth1 which put near one another in a great ,iron pot4 ,put an ,alembick upon the ,pot1 and draw off the ,spirits by distillation1 which ,spirits will requite all thy disbursements1 and will so give thee ,gold ,gratis1 which you are to wash out of the ,oars with ,water1 and get it or corporifie by ,saturn4 #de4 ,another yet easier way4 ,moisten the ,oars with their due ,waters1 cast them in by little and little upon the live ,coals1 and that in such a manner as we taught thee about distilling ,spirit of ,salt4 ,by this ,distillation the ,spirits pass into the receiving ,vessels1 and the ,gold and ,silver are dissolved and stay behind with the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and is to be washt out of the ,oars with ,water1 and to be molten with ,saturn4 ,thus is gotten the ,gold and ,silver that was in the ,minera's or ,oars1 without any expences1 and the ,spirits quit all the ,costs4 #df4 ,how ,gold and ,silver may plentifully be extracted out of ,fat ,clay4 ,although that the ,extraction of ,gold and ,silver by moist waters is a sordid operation1 as was aforesaid at the beginning1 yet is it not done without profit2 because the ,gold and ,silver may be gotten out of the ,waters by precipitation1 and of the used ,waters may ,salt-peter be made4 ,but now the case is far otherwise with fat ,clay1 for that1 it being fat1 the ,spirits hide themselves therein1 that the one half thereof can hardly be recovered1 unless such an ,earth be freed of its fatness by heating it red-hot3 and this requires some labour to effect it4 ,but seeing that in all places of the ,world1 wheresoever any ,earth is1 there is such a kind of ,earth1 and that in no small quantity1 that contains ,gold and ,silver3 and there hath not as yet been any body that hath endeavour'd to reduce it to any profit1 and bring it into use1 but especially when it contains not in it so much ,gold and ,silver as to defray the charges of separating it by ,lead4 ,but ,i have found out a very easie way of doing it with profit1 and ,i think it my duty to disclose that ,artifice for the publick good2 and it is thus3 ,mix such an ,earth as contains therein ,gold and ,silver with the ,water of ,vitriol1 which ,i have afore described1 and make it up into balls somewhat bigger than ones fist1 which throw orderly and by little and little into my first ,furnace1 or into my second distillatory ,furnace1 and draw off the ,spirit by ,distillation4 ,the dissolved ,gold and ,silver remaining in the ,sal-,mirabilis is to be extracted out of those balls broken small1 with warm water1 and to be reduced by ,lead1 after the afore described manner4 #dg4 ,by what ,artifice ,gold may be plentifully and easily extracted out of ,granates1 ,agates1 ,saphires1 ,rubies1 ,sand1 or other hard ,minerals which suffer not themselves to be tamed neither with ,lead1 nor with sharp ,waters4 ,it is certain that all ,granates1 what ,colour soever they are of1 or what place soever you meet with them in1 whether you have them out of ,rivers1 or wash them out of ,sand or fat ,clay1 or that you find them in the high ,mountains and ,rocks2 they always contain in them much ,gold3 but by reason of their ,glassy nature1 they cannot by any means be extracted with ,aqua ,fortis or strong ,waters1 nor can they by reason of the hardness of their bodies fusion be molten with ,lead4 ,hence it is1 that as hitherto they have never been so handled as to have their ,gold extracted out of them with profit1 and therefore are they neglected as unprofitable1 unworthy1 abject1 and contemptible ,minerals1 whereas notwithstanding it is a thing feasible for a man to enjoy their ,gold and ,silver with a little labour1 and as it were without any trouble4 ,but now what course must we take to doe this1 seeing they elude the sharpest powers or efficacy of all strong or sharp ,waters1 whereby their heart may be penetrated1 and ,gold may be extracted out of their bowels8 ,i answer2 ,they are to be overcome by ,concentrated ,spirits1 and which are reduced to the form of ,salt1 as also by a fusile ,salt of ,lead1 and be so divested of the ,gold they contain in them1 and without this will the victory over them hardly be obtained4 ,for ,spirits being reduced to the form of ,salt1 doe abide the fire most patiently1 and perform a double labour2 one by their ,acrimony1 the other by a strong fire1 insomuch that nothing can escape their power1 and therefore all things are tamed and subdued by them1 and doe afterwards readily obey the virtues or power of ,saturnine ,salt1 and yield forth their ,gold by fusion4 #dh4 ,a ,demonstration1 above the reach of any ,confutation1 shewing that more ,gold and ,silver may be gotten out of the ,oars or ,minera's of ,gold and ,silver1 by the hitherto prescribed ways1 by sharp ,waters or ,salts1 and in a manner without ,costs1 than is wont to be done by many ,expences1 and by the fire of ,melting4 ,i believe it is not unknown to any one that is but a little acquainted with the knowledge of the ,minera's of ,gold1 that the ,gold cannot be gotten out of them without the addition of ,lead1 or the help of some matter rendring the fusion more easie4 ,and now when such ,oars contain but little ,gold1 and contrariwise much ,lead1 or matters requisite to promote fusion are of necessity to be thereto used1 how can it be1 that that little portion of ,gold or ,silver should recompense or defray such great expences8 ,therefore such poorer ,oars have hitherto lain as cast-aways1 as being uncapable of bearing the ,expences of reparation1 and so are not put to any use1 nor are at all profitable4 ,but admit that the ,oars do contain as much ,gold and ,silver1 as that the ,costs of melting may be repaid by them2 yet such a fusion1 compared with this invention of mine of ,extracting ,gold and ,silver with ,waters and ,salts1 is as if you should compare ,water with ,wine1 or the night with the most brightsome day1 which have no comparison4 ,for1 first of all1 the common melting of ,metals is accompanied with far greater ,expences1 than that ,extraction of mine with ,salts1 which verily needs but a very little charge4 ,then farther1 it can never be1 that all the ,gold should be so perfectly ,extracted out of the ,oars1 but that some of the same will abide in the ,scoria's2 besides1 the volatile ,gold and ,silver1 which must necessarily be blown off by the vehement blast of the bellows1 and the acuteness of the fire1 and so be lost4 ,now amongst all the conveniencies that arise from the ,extracting of ,gold and ,silver out of the poor ,mines1 that is none of the meanest1 viz4 that not onely all the fix ,gold and ,silver are conserved by the ,salts1 but also the ,volatile too1 and this latter is made fix and constant in the fire1 together with that former fixt part1 whereas by the ,fusing fire it is all of it lost4 ,n4 ,b4 ,for the ,waters of the ,salts doe make the volatile ,spirits of ,gold and ,silver1 and which otherwise would vanish away fix and constant2 for by a strong blast and force of fire are they rendred yet more fugacious4 ,hence comes it to pass1 that there is but the one half part of that ,gold extracted by the fire of the usual way of melting1 that the ,waters of ,salts get out of the ,oars4 ,upon this account my ,invention doth not onely yield this commodiousness as to get both the fix and volatile ,gold and ,silver together1 without any detriment out of the ,oars1 but also gets not a little in sparing ,coals1 7not to mention this1 that one man does more in the ,extraction of ,gold and ,silver by ,salts1 than three men are wont to doe in the common way of ,fusion4 99 99 99 99 99 ,by what hath now been said1 it is evidently apparent1 what a deal of benefit and profit this invention will bring in all places of ,germany4 ,for this ,extraction may be used commodiously and profitably1 not onely in all ,minera's or ,oars both rich and poor ones1 but also may be used in ,extracting the ,gold and ,silver out of all colour'd ,flints1 wherewith all ,rivers1 ,brooks and ,fields do abound4 ,but some or other may haply say here1 by what means can it possibly be1 that ,gold and ,silver should be extracted out of the ,stones that lie too and agen every where in the ,streets8 ,i answer such1 that indeed it is very rare to find fix ,gold and ,silver in such ,stones1 but yet they have in them a spiritual1 unripe and volatile ,gold1 which is not onely made fix and constant in the extraction made by ,salts1 but it doth likewise turn some of the ,lead it self that is added in the fusing and separating it into its own nature by ,graduation4 ,hence 'tis evident1 that in all places of the ,terrestrial ,globe wheresoever ,stones are1 good ,gold and ,silver may be gotten with profit1 by a little labour and small costs4 ,praise and glory be eternally given to the most bountifull ,lord ,god for such ,inventions4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,these are the ,secrets which ,i publickly demonstrated and divulged or communicated in my ,laboratory1 for the benefit of my ,countrey4 ,and ,i do now again affirm and witness that if even the very bare ,letter be observed1 no body can err4 ,and if so be that any one should change this or that order1 and so think to better the ,operations1 and should err1 let him not lay the fault upon me who have ,written the naked truth1 but let him blame himself4 ,i had several other things of no small moment1 to have spoken to here at present1 the which ,i shall ,god willing very suddenly dispatch in my second ,century1 for the present time does not permit it4 ,and in the said ,century will ,i declare with a yet clearer and easier manifestation1 those ,secrets here disclosed1 the which could not at present be done because of my too much hast4 ,and now ,i wish to all the pious ,students after this so great an ,art1 a large and plenteous blessing from the mercifull ,lord ,god1 as to this so very excellent a ,work1 that the poverty and want of abundance of miserable ,people may be supplied in many places4 ,which if it be 7as ,i hope it will7 it will exalt the honour and glory of the most high1 and will encrease the ,prosperity of the ,countrey1 and withall will check and keep under the most base attempts of mine ,enemies4 ,but especially if the counsel that ,i have proposed in my first ,century1 7viz4 that every one may have liberty to exercise such ,operations17 takes place4 ,this being granted1 it cannot be1 but that ,gold and ,silver and ,copper will every where be gotten out of the ,earth1 with the help of these my ,writings1 to the great profit and benefit of all the whole ,countrey4 ,and so ,i conclude this so much hastned ,appendix1 wrested from me occasionally by perverse ,men4 ,those things that ,i have not in such or such a place clearly and evidently enough expressed for want of time1 ,i will express ,god willing in my second ,century with a clearer ,explanation1 and thither do ,i refer the well-minded ,reader4 ,the ,end of the ,appendix4 ,,the ,,sixth and ,last ,,part ,,of ,,the ,prosperity of ,,germany4 ,in which the ,arcana's already revealed in the ,fifth ,part are not onely illustrated with a clearer ,elucidation2 but also such are manifested as are most highly necessary to be known for the ,defence of the ,country against the ,turks3 ,together with an evident ,demonstration1 adjoyned shewing ,that both a particular and universal ,transmutation of the imperfect ,metals into more perfect ones by ,salt and ,fire is most true2 and withall1 by what means any one that is endued with but a mean knowledge in managing the ,fire1 may experimentally try the truth hereof in four and twenty hours space4 ,to the ,friendly ,,reader1 ,health4 ,i taught in the ,first ,part how the over-abounding quantity of ,wine and ,corn is to be ,concentrated1 that it may abide uncorrupt for a very many years1 and when necessity requires it may be an help to many in need4 ,in the ,second1 ,third1 ,fourth and ,fifth ,parts ,i taught the ,extraction of both fix and unfix ,metals1 to great profit1 and almost without any ,costs1 out of the bodies of vile1 poor ,minerals and ,metallick ,earths1 which will not quit the ,costs of a ,fusing-fire1 and this to be done by no costly ,waters2 and withall1 how to bring them into use1 which no body afore me ever did4 ,and did not ,i disburse a great deal of ,monies in building a convenient ,laboratory1 in which ,i produced such most profitable things to the view of every one1 and demonstrated them to be true8 ,and what have ,i reaped for these so great benefits ,i have done1 but a most ungratefull casting off their remembrance8 ,have not all the things ,i have taught been accused of falsity and deceit both to the high and low1 by those who have so audaciously dared to deny the ,melioration of ,metals by ,fire and ,salt8 ,these have also asserted1 that the making of ,salt-peter of ,common ,salt is altogether impossible2 and they have affirmed it to be a thing quite contrary unto nature1 that ,metals should be gotten out of the poorer sort of ,metallick ,earths by the help of a ,water made of ,salt-peter2 but yet that even this is most certainly true1 the ,appendix of my ,fifth ,part1 and my ,second ,century1 doe demonstrate by indubitable ,experiments4 ,and albeit that the three said ,arcana's are evidently enough delivered and described1 so as even to be palpably felt by the hands of those that know how to manage the ,fire1 yet notwithstanding they have brought but very little benefit as yet1 because that although they are most true1 yet are they contemned and disregarded by unskilfull ,men1 out of meer ,envy and most perverse hatred1 and doe even yet stick in contempt4 ,however1 not regarding these base dealings and that ,i may mete them all things in full measure1 ,i have a mind yet farther to detect some secrets1 by which there may redound to the ,country very notable fruits3 ,and that not onely by converting the many ,metallick ,earths that contain in them ,gold and ,silver1 and which have not hitherto been profitable to any unto a gainfull and a beneficial use2 but also by defending the ,country against the most dangerous invasion of the ,turks1 who are the ,capital ,enemies of the whole ,christian ,world1 and that by so strong and efficacious a defence1 as never any mortal man did yet contrive the like of4 ,as to what belongs to ,mineral ,treasures1 ,i have exhibited a sufficiently clear and manifest description of them in the second1 third1 fourth and fifth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and also in the ,appendix to the fifth ,part1 and in the second ,century4 ,but yet there is nothing so perfect and absolute but that in process of time there may be added and adjoyned thereto some new thing1 and somewhat of perfection3 ,witness my ,instrument which ,i mentioned in the second ,century1 by the help of which1 ,gold1 ,silver and ,copper are easily and plentifully extracted out of their ,metallick ,earths1 and that on such wise1 as that there are requisite no other ,costs but the bare ,charges of the fire4 ,and farther1 this way would bring no small profit even from those ,metallick ,earths which are ranked amongst the poorest sort of ,oars2 if it were well known1 and exercised in many places1 there would flow thencefrom most mighty profit throughout all ,germany1 and the said ,instrument would by its assistance wonderfully promote the same4 ,for although ,i have heretofore publisht several ways of preparing sharp ,waters1 and of extracting the ,metals with them out of the poor ,minerals2 7and yet even these ways bring no despicable gain7 yet they perform not that which is wont to be accomplished by the help of the said ,instrument4 ,for this ,instrument serves not onely to extract those sharp ,waters in a greater quantity1 but is also far fitter and more convenient for the ,extraction even of the ,metals themselves out of their ,earths1 and for the separation of the ,dissolving ,menstruum from the ,metals1 than those ,glass ,vessels are1 which have been commonly used about this ,operation4 ,therefore it much concerns him that employs himself about these kind of ,operations1 well and thoroughly to know its ,use4 ,i made indeed some mention of the same in my ,second ,century1 but yet not so clearly as for any one thoroughly to understand its ,use by what ,i there spake4 ,therefore ,i have thought it expedient to give here somewhat a clearer and more perspicuous description of the same1 that so ,i may not seem to be at all wanting in my diligence unto any one1 but may be said to have done all things with a due candour and openness4 ,the ,description of the ,instrument1 serving for the plentifully preparing of ,spirits1 and for the easie extraction of ,metals out of their ,oars1 without much ,cost4 ,this ,instrument is to be made of good ,earth1 that can sustain both the ,fire and the ,spirits2 ,metals are unprofitable to make it with1 because they doe not long resist the ,corrosion of the ,spirits2 ,but now1 that the said ,instrument may the longer abide in the ,fire1 its outside superficies must be fenced with ,iron bonds4 ,this ,earthen ,vessel therefore must be made of such an ,earth as abides the violence of the ,fire1 and resisteth the ,corrosivity of the ,spirits1 so as that it breaks not nor chaps with too much heat1 nor be corroded and eaten thorough by the ,corroding ,spirits4 ,such ,earths there are enough of too and agen in ,germany4 ,moreover1 this said ,instrument may be made greater or lesser1 according as you are minded to prepare a greater or lesser quantity of ,spirits2 ,but however1 it must not be made too big1 for then 7if it exceeds a due magnitude7 it will not abide the fire so well4 ,therefore is it necessary to have several of these ,instruments made1 if a man be minded to make at one and the same time a great quantity of ,spirits4 ,but if any be minded to set about this ,operation so as to have huge quantities of ,spirits1 it will be his best way to have his ,instrument made of ,iron plates1 such as the ,armourers use1 and to strengthen them with ,iron rods1 and so fence it both in the inside and on the outside every-where with ,lute or strong ,clay4 ,for by this means the ,instrument being made of a sufficient bigness for the work you would put it to1 will in its inward superficies hold the ,corroding ,spirits1 and in its outward superficies undergo the violence of the fire without detriment1 and be far more commodious than so many little ,instruments that are made onely of ,earth4 ,of the ,form and ,figure of this ,instrument4 ,the matters out of which the sharp ,spirits are to be drawn1 are not to be put nakedly in as ,i may say into the ,instrument it self1 but are to be put in some strong ,earthen-pots and so put in1 that after the ,spirits are distilled off they may be again taken forth1 and other ,pots fill'd with new matter may be put in1 in their room2 and this to be so often done as need requires4 ,and seeing the ,salts that are to be distilled are not put naked into the ,instrument1 but are put in1 in ,earthen-pots2 the ,instrument must necessarily be so prepared1 as that those ,pots may be put in as often as need is1 and be again taken forth1 when the ,distillation is done1 and new ones be put in1 in their stead4 ,the ,instrument therefore must be of a like bigness both above and below1 and 'tis no matter to have it much exceed the heighth of your ,pots you put in4 ,one side of it must have a ,door to put in the ,pots at1 and to take them out again1 the which ,door must be made to shut handsomly after your putting in and taking forth4 ,to the other side must be fitted a ,pipe somewhat large1 by which the ,spirits may have a passage forth into the ,receiver4 ,and the ,instrument must be on such wise placed in the ,furnace1 as that the ,door and ,pipe may lie without the said ,furnace4 ,to the ,pipe must be added another ,leaden ,pipe1 twining round like a ,serpent1 and therefore is by the ,chymists called a ,serpent or a ,worm3 the which must be set in a ,vessel full of ,water1 that so the ,spirits passing out may be cooled and be caught in the ,recipient4 ,of the use of the ,instrument4 ,when you will distill your ,spirits1 you must put thereinto so many ,pots filled with your prepared ,salts as your ,instrument can hold1 then close the ,door well1 and put ,fire in the ,furnace4 ,this done1 the ,spirits will ascend out of the ,pots thus heated in the ,instrument1 and finding no other out-let but by the ,pipe and ,worm1 they will enter into them1 and being there cooled will run down into the ,receiver4 ,you shall know if all the ,spirits are forced out of the ,salts or not1 when they cease to flow out through the ,worm into the ,recipient4 ,which when you shall perceive1 you must open your ,door and take out the ,pots in order1 and then put in new1 that so the ,distillation may be continued on without any delaying4 ,but now1 those ,pots that are to be put a-new into the ,instrument1 must be set nigh the ,furnace a while1 that they may grow hot3 for else being put in cold1 they would not brook the sudden heat1 but chap and break4 ,when all the ,spirits are distilled off1 then you may put in other new ,pots in the room of them you took out1 and the ,operation is to be so long and so often repeated as need shall require1 or as any one has a mind to do4 ,the ,salts that remain behind in the ,pots you take out1 are to be moistned and macerated with some ,phlegm or weak ,spirit1 and they do again1 sometimes emit ,spirits by ,distillation1 but yet not in such quantity as at first they did4 ,this is that way of preparing sharp ,waters usefull for the extractions of ,copper and ,gold4 ,but as for ,aqua ,fortis requisite for the extracting of ,silver1 it cannot be prepared by this same ,instrument1 because it will corrode the ,worm or ,leaden ,pipe1 if it should pass through it1 which the ,spirit of ,salt and ,aqua ,regis do not do4 ,n4 ,b4 ,when therefore you would make an ,aq4 ,fortis1 you must make you another twining ,pipe or ,worm of some other ,metal which will not be preyed on by the ,aqua ,fortis1 or else set some other ,stone ,vessels to the ,nose of the ,pipe that goes out of the ,furnace4 ,it is also a thing possible to be done1 to make such strong ,acetum of ,corn and ,honey by the addition of some ,salts1 as that it shall not onely extract ,gold and ,silver1 but also ,copper and ,lead out of metallick ,veins or ,earths4 ,thus much may at present suffice to be spoken concerning the preparation of sharp ,waters needfull for the extraction of ,metals out of the ,oars4 ,the preparation or ,operation it self follows4 ,how ,metals are to be extracted out of their ,earths or ,oars1 by the help of this ,instrument4 ,the preparing or fitting of the ,minera's or metallick ,earths for extraction1 hath been described in the ,appendix of the fifth part1 and therefore needs not be repeated here4 ,but as we there showed1 that the roasted or calcined and powdered ,oars were to be put into ,glass or ,stone ,cucurbits1 that so they might be moistned with the sharp ,waters1 and be macerated setting the ,cucurbits in warm ,sand2 so the very same thing is to be done here1 this onely excepted1 that viz4 the earthen ,pots supply the place of ,glass and ,stone ,cucurbits1 and the ,instrument it self in which the extraction is made1 performs the office of ,sand3 ,after the extraction1 the ,water impregnated with the extracted ,metals is poured off1 and the remaining matter it self is washt by pouring common ,water thereupon1 after such a manner as hath been prescribed in the ,appendix of the fifth part4 ,by ,what means the ,metals extracted by the dissolving ,water out of the ,oars are to be separated from that same sharp ,water without any ,detriment1 nay rather with an augmentation of the said ,water4 ,we have taught in the ,appendix of the fifth part1 that if a ,man be not minded to precipitate the ,metals out of the ,solution by the contraries1 viz4 by ,alkalizate ,liquors1 then there is no commodiouser and nearer way than that which separates the dissolving ,water from the extracted ,metal1 by ,distillation in ,glass or earthen ,vessels4 ,if now any one is minded to encrease his dissolving ,water in this separation he may be ,master of his desire by adding thereto common ,salt1 and drawing off the ,water from it1 which said ,water will by this means be encreased and rendred stronger4 ,and now there will come no inconvenience to the ,metals themselves that are held up in that ,water1 in that some ,salt remains with them1 7no17 for in the reducing them1 the said ,salt gets them an easier and readier ,fusion and ,flux4 ,but yet it is not necessary to leave the ,salt with the ,metals1 seeing it is better to separate it from the ,metals with common ,water1 and so use it again to the same labours rather than let it be lost in the melting4 ,the ,reduction of the ,metals from which the dissolving ,water is separated4 ,albeit that that ,reduction hath been already described in my second ,century1 yet ,i thought it worth while here again to repeat the same in a few words4 ,it is to be done two manner of ways1 and that partly in ,crucibles1 and partly in the melting ,furnace which the ,germans call ,stichofen4 ,the pure ,metals1 as the ,gold and ,silver are wont to be molten and reduced in ,crucibles3 the ,copper may be reduced in the said ,furnace1 and needs nothing to be added about its ,reduction4 ,but for the reducing of ,gold and ,silver1 fix ,salts1 the ,glass of ,lead1 ,borax and other additions of that kind1 7of which we have made mention in the second ,century7 may be made use of4 ,and as touching the addition of those matters which are wont to be used to promote the easier ,fusion1 this is primarily to be regarded1 whether or no the ,metals are pure and alone by themselves or else have other ,metals mixt with them1 that 7so acordingly7 convenient additions may be applied4 ,for if the ,gold should also have ,copper or ,iron in it1 then there cannot be any better thing added than ,antimony1 which reduceth the ,gold by one and the same labour or ,operation and also separates the ,copper and ,iron therefrom1 which thing1 other such like matters that are used to make the ,fusion the easier1 do not perform4 ,therefore it is necessary that he who would set himself about such ,operations1 do well understand the ,artifice of a metallick ,fusion1 and so administer or order his labours by adding or taking from1 according as the subject requires and as is best4 ,it is impossible to prescribe such things to any one in such a manner as to make him presently understand1 learn1 and imitate the same4 ,some other manual ,operations which are needfull to be known in the use of this ,instrument and which may be exercised4 ,first of all1 it would be no small or mean ,compendium1 or good ,contrivance if this same ,instrument were composed of two or three parts1 taking for the lowermost part a broad ,iron ,pot1 and so to set on the upper part with its ,door and ,pipe thereto annexed4 ,and because the bottoms of the ,iron ,pots do a little bow rounding1 and that yet notwithstanding the ,pots you put therein may not stand leaning or awry1 the bottom is to be made level with calcined ,allum1 that so the ,pots put in upon that may stand upright4 ,from hence likewise ariseth this ,commodity too1 that if your ,pots should chance to break1 and the dissolvent run out1 it would not be so lost but would lodge it self in the burnt ,allum1 and may easily be recovered in the preparation of the sharp ,waters and be applied to use4 ,secondly1 the ,instrument may likewise be so prepared1 as that the ,pots may be put thereinto by taking off the upper part1 and then the ,pots being put in1 the upper part must be adjoyned again to the nether part1 and so be again covered with its ,cover2 for being thus1 there needs not the ,door in the side to put the ,pots in by4 ,n4 ,b4 ,there must be some ,notch or ,channel likewise fitted to the top of that upper part1 which being filled with ,sand may receive in it the ,cover1 and so prevent the out-let of the ,spirits that way1 by means of its tight shutting2 as we have taught in the second part of the ,furnaces4 ,the ,instrument prepared on this wise1 will haply be more commodious to many ,men1 than if it had a ,hole or ,door in the side4 ,but every ,man may choose either this or the other way1 which he pleaseth4 ,thus have ,i now taught1 and opened the use of my more secret way of easily preparing the sharp ,spirits of ,salts in great quantity1 and the manner of dealing about the ,extraction of ,metals out of the poorer metallick ,earths3 ,away 7,i say7 most easie to do such great things1 and which was never as yet known unto the ,world4 ,but yet ,i doubt not but that the ,metals will for the time to come be plentifully and very profitably extracted 7and so applied to common use7 by the help of this ,artifice and ,instrument1 out of the poorer ,minera's which contain in them ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper1 and which will not quit the costs of the ,fire2 and forasmuch as by the help of this ,instrument1 the sharp ,spirits of ,salts may be gotten easily and in large quantity1 not onely for the ,extraction of the ,minerals1 but also for the concentrating of moist ,fires1 and seeing that wonderfull things may be done by the help of those ,fires2 ,i do therefore commend it to the ,studious of ,art1 as a thing of better esteem than ordinary1 and have sufficient reason of so doing4 ,for to omit the saying1 that those cold ,fires do give an excellent ,magnet for ,water or ,ice1 they do also abound with such virtue as by which they can ripen and better the ,metals2 the which we will make a larger description of1 in what follows4 ,besides too1 there may haply be effected far greater matters with those cold ,fires1 as to the defence of the ,countrey against the ,turk1 that ,capital and ,bloud-thirsty ,tyrant and ,enemy of the ,christians1 in some cases than with ,gun-powder3 if such moist ,fires be cast into places a prety distance off by suitable ,instruments1 or be forced out of those lesser and greater ,guns and ,war-like ,canes1 they will bring far greater ,detriment to the ,enemies than ,gun-powder is want to do4 ,by this means1 one weak ,woman will in some cases be able to repel many armed ,men2 but this is a thing which such ,men as are unskilfull in natural affairs1 will deny till it be made manifest1 and used against the ,turk4 ,therefore ,i have a mind to set aside all other businesses1 and to make those kinds of admirable ,fires to the utmost of my power in great quantity1 forasmuch as ,i well and assuredly know how great ,detriment may be brought upon the ,turks by the help thereof4 ,fires they are which any one may carry about with him like ,waters2 they will not burn or overthrow ,horse and ,man sooner than any have a mind they shall4 ,nay yet more1 if any has a mind to fortifie their ,virtues1 he may by adding other ,fire-breathing matters1 make them far more vehement and efficacious1 and do far greater matters with them as being much more hurtfull than with those simple ,fires4 ,and now seeing ,i have so very much commended the concentrated ,fires of ,salts1 to #a4 ,diligent and provident ,masters of ,families1 thereby to take away the superfluous watriness from their smaller ,wines1 ,ales1 and other ,drinks1 and so to concentrate them1 and carry them 7in case of necessity7 into the strong and fenced ,cities2 #b4 ,to the poor ,chymists1 that they might by them correct and better the ,metals and so help their own poverty and want2 #c4 ,and to the ,christian ,chieftains of ,war1 and faithfull ,rulers of the ,countrey1 that they may stoutly resist the ,turks1 that are the sworn ,enemies of the ,christians4 ,i judge it altogether necessary to treat of them somewhat more clearly4 ,by what means and way this threefold use of cold ,salts may be most profitable to the ,countrey4 ,first of all1 the concentrated ,spirits of ,salt may bring most great advantage1 by concentrating the poorer sort of ,wines1 the which they make better1 as is shown in the second ,century3 when the superfluous ,water is removed from them1 insomuch that they do not onely keep their goodness constant and durable1 but may likewise be far more commodiously and easily transported out of one place into another1 so that necessity requiring1 they may be more easily transported out of such places as are more remote from ,cities and fenced places into the stronger holds and fenced ,cities1 and so be conserved4 ,it is as yet fresh in every ones ,memory how miserably the case stood with ,men in the foregoing ,war1 which lasted thirty years4 ,if any ,farmer had his ,cellars full of ,wines1 and the ,soldiers break in to the ,countrey1 did horribly abuse the gifts of ,god1 that which they could not consume by their detestable ,gluttony1 they wickedly spilled upon the ground2 the ,soldiers ,i say1 and such ,men as profest themselves ,christians1 and durst boast of the ,christian ,religion4 ,from hence may it easily be conjectured what it would be1 if such a multitude of ,turks should over-run our ,countrey1 which imminent evil1 ,god of his mercy turn away from us4 ,in the days of ,noah1 the ,men then lived in all security1 and not at all regarded the ,preachings and ,admonitions of that godly ,man1 by which he exhorted them unto ,repentance for #abj years together1 they did ,eat1 they ,drank1 ,married and gave in ,marriage1 till the ,floud swept them all away1 and there was no more room for ,repentance left1 as sacred ,writ testifies4 ,we reade of ,sodom and ,gomorra1 that the ,inhabitants of those ,cities being even drown'd in ,leachery1 did so despise the reproofs and warnings of the godly ,man ,lot1 untill a ,fire was sent upon them from the wrath of ,god and consumed them4 ,who is there that in this ,season feareth ,god1 and lives piously8 ,he that is the strongest oppresseth the weaker1 nor does at all think on this1 that there is one far more powerfull than he himself is1 who comes when he pleaseth1 and punisheth such powerfull ,oppressours4 ,but these things1 and such warnings of this nature are plainly mockt at4 ,did not ,god sufficiently enough warn us the last year #affj1 and shewed unto us his wrath1 by those dreadfull ,tempests and ,storms1 and ,earthquakes1 wherewith almost all ,europe trembled4 ,doth he not also this very present year 7#affb7 shew us his self-same displeasure8 ,what portends that ,comet that was seen in the ,heaven1 any one may easily guess what it means4 ,verily it threatens nothing else but evil1 especially because it extended its ,tail contrary to the usual wont of other ,comets1 towards the upper part of the ,heaven1 just as if it should say1 ,i will show unto the ,men1 that 'tis not this or that ,countrey1 this or that ,enemy that shall chastise you1 but 'tis the ,king himself of all ,kings1 who is in ,heaven1 that hath purposed to punish you for your ,wickedness2 whose ,rod ye may yet divert from you that is stretcht out to punish you1 if you apply your selves to him by serious ,prayers1 true ,repentance1 and unfeigned amendment of your ,lives1 now whilest you have time allotted ye to repent in1 if such admonitions as these can but find entertainment with you4 ,and what ,i pray will this warm ,winter bring upon us1 the which being destitute of all cold ,ice and ,snow hath permitted the ,trees to flour in the very month of ,february1 and the ,medows to be clad in ,flowers1 and ripe ,cherries to be seen8 ,without doubt1 nothing else but all kinds of poysonous ,diseases and which will speedily kill ,men1 and with which mankind will be afflicted2 and if so be that an intense cold should yet follow1 which may easily be1 there would doubtlesly follow a great ,dearth of ,grain and ,provision by spoiling the ,wine and ,corn1 whose buddings are already come so far forth1 as that the cold may easily destroy them4 ,and now are we not sufficiently enough admonished by these fore-runners and signs of the wrath of ,god coming on us1 and hanging over our ,heads8 ,besides all this1 let us consider that great ,conjunction of all the ,planets in ,sagitary1 such as hath never been since that time in which all the ,planets were in ,conjunction in ,aquarius4 ,and this ,conjunction in ,aquary preceded the deluge1 which destroyed all mankind by the breakings in of the ,waters1 ,noah and his onely excepted4 ,but as concerning what that great ,conjunction in ,sagitary the next year #affc will show us1 and bring upon us ,god knows4 ,sagitary is a martial sign1 and deadly1 and portends nothing but ,dissentions1 ,seditions1 and uproars of ,war2 and therefore prophesieth unto us nothing but bloudy ,wars1 insomuch that it is much to be feared that this ungratefull ,world will be consumed1 and blotted out as 'twere by ,fire1 and the ,sword1 and the anger of ,god3 which evil1 ,god of his mercy turn away from us4 ,certainly these ,conjunctions are not wont to fore-signifie or bring along with them any good4 ,but ,i heartily wish ,i may prove a ,liar in this case1 though ,i fear me1 that there is more evil coming upon us than will be welcome unto us4 ,for when ,god sheweth us any thing with his ,finger1 it should be of more concernment unto us than all humane ,writings1 for they may err4 ,but ,god never does any thing in vain and without cause4 ,never did there at any time a ,comet shew it self in the ,air but many ,calamities succeeded it4 ,that old ,proverb may very likely prove true1 which the ,ancients have pronounced1 viz4 that it will come to pass in the year #affj1 that ,alchymy will begin to flourish1 but will bring along with it such changes for some years following1 and such dreadfull changes too1 that the third part of ,men will perish with ,famine and ,pestilence1 the third part will perish with ,fire and ,sword1 and there will be but a third part onely left4 ,but yet ,i would not that you should take or look upon this my prognostication on such wise as if all these things should infallibly come to pass as ,i have predicted4 ,no1 ,i was willing onely to open to you my ,meditations upon the years to come4 ,for all things are seated in ,gods power alone1 in whose hands onely and alone we know our firm helps and assistance to be ready for us1 and therefore do not in the least confide in our own strength and power1 which are more vain than are all fading things4 ,but forasmuch as there are natural means granted us1 of driving away our ,enemies1 we may well use them as far as in us lies1 for that it belongs unto every ,christian ,man1 to do his utmost to repell with all his power the common ,capital ,enemy of all ,christendom4 ,and now therefore that ,i my self may not be found to be the least in defending my ,countrey1 ,i have determined to exhibit in this ,book the help and assistance that ,i can afford1 and this is not ,money and ,wealth which ,i have not1 but by offering such artificial inventions1 and disclosing them1 whereby the ,enemies may be valiantly resisted4 ,for in all things we see1 that many times far greater things may be done with ,wisedom and ,prudence1 than with ,strength and ,fortitude1 and this is clearly evident in the most efficacious ,operations of ,gun-powder1 which produce far greater effects than ,mens hands1 though never so strong1 could ever bring forth4 ',tis well known1 that the use of ,gun-powder was not always known1 but was first found out by a certain ,monk in ,germany1 in the year of our ,lord #achj1 who by chance lighted on the finding of its dreadfull strength4 ,neither is there any one ignorant1 what great ,victories they that well knew its use1 obtained over their ,enemies afore it was made manifest4 ,but when it became publickly known1 then it served both ,parties1 so that neither part had more advantage by it than the other1 and then the deciding the ,controversie consisted 7next the blessing of ,god7 in the multitude of the ,men1 of which their power was composed1 and not in ,art4 ,and like as it seemed a meerly incredible thing at first when it was heard of1 that a ,powder of such mighty force could be made of such vile ,subjects1 viz4 ,brimstone1 and ,salt-peter1 and ,charcoals3 ,even so will it at first exceed all belief1 when it shall be heard say that ,waters may be prepared out of such ,subjects1 which said ,waters can doe such wonderfull1 and so many great things4 ,it is also reported or ,chronicled that the said ,monk did not search after ,gun-powder purposely1 but being addicted to ,chymistry1 and occupied about ,operations upon ,salt-peter and ,sulphur1 endeavoured to distill a ,water from them4 ,now these being mixt1 and by chance taking fire1 he perceived them to break every thing1 and rend it into pieces3 ,and hence came that man to know the unheard-of ,virtues of ,salt-peter and ,sulphur1 which being so thoroughly contrary to each other1 made such great concussions or shakings4 ,the same thing hapned even unto my self1 for purposing to make sharp ,waters out of ,sulphur1 ,salt-peter1 and other ,salts fit for my purpose2 ,i perceived in such ,operations1 that far greater things mought be brought to pass by such firey ,waters than could be done by ,gun-powder4 ,nevertheless1 ,i buried these ,secrets in great silence1 nor manifested ,i them to any man1 though ,i knew them above these twenty years2 fearing this1 that should they be known1 they might be as ,instruments in the hands of the ,christians to torment one another with4 ,but now seeing ,god hath vouchsafed to bestow a peace upon the whole ,christian ,world1 and that the ,turks doe begin more and more to persecute and vex the ,christians by their ,tyrannical ,persecutions1 and endeavour even thoroughly to root them out1 as they have already made a beginning in ,hungary of their detestable attempts1 ,i advised with my friends whether or no it would not be expedient to detect and lay open those ,secrets to the ,christians1 that so they may be used against the ,turks1 and ,i was advised by these my friends to proceed on in the revealing of them4 ,upon this account 7all other businesses laid aside7 ,i wholly betook my self to this very one thing1 to get great store of those kind of firey ,waters in readiness1 which may be made use of as most substantial bucklers or defence both offensively and defensively against the ,turks4 ,now ,i have done this the more willingly and readily1 because they kill no man1 but doe onely so far debilitate them1 that they may be overcome1 and easily taken and made ,captives4 ,for were this invention of mine such as would kill men1 ,i would never have at any time produced it in publick1 and thus divulged it4 ,and therefore ,i am even yet of this mind1 that that ,monk ,barthold did not well in divulging the preparation and use of ,gunpowder1 by which such a multitude of ,men are destroyed and slain4 ,but by this ,invention of mine1 no man is slain1 and yet the victory wrested out of the ,enemies hands4 ,and the ,enemies being taken alive and made ,captives1 may be constrained to work1 and in my opinion may bring more benefit than if they were slain4 ,i doubt not but that the things ,i here propound may seem impossible even to the wisest sort of men of this ,world2 nor indeed is it to be wondred at if it be so2 for they are unheard-of ,secrets1 and unseen1 and so exceed all belief4 ,i dare not here trust my ,pen too much1 though ,i could disclose them in a few words1 and so1 as to bring every one to acknowledge the truth hereof1 and to feel it as it were with his hands4 ,but ,i must deal warily1 lest such sharp1 and yet not killing1 weapons fall into the ,enemies hands4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but yet that ,i may in some sort satisfie the desirous ,reader1 ,i doe signifie unto him in brief1 that all the whole ,art lyes coucht in this knack1 that vast quantities of those artificial ,waters may be gotten without great ,expences2 and being prepared1 may be afterwards applied to use by some certain secret ,instruments both offensively and defensively4 ,for those watry ,fires1 or firey ,waters which ,i speak of1 are of such a burning nature1 that neither ,men nor ,horses whom they touch are able to resist or endure them2 ,and yet they doe not kill1 unless one be minded to slay others1 and then they must have a more peculiar preparation4 ,but as they are by themselves1 they kill none1 but doe extreamly disturb both ,horse and ,man1 that it makes them even impatient of the pains1 and so forceth them upon one another1 whereby their order being broken1 they ruine themselves4 ,this done1 the victory is as it were given into the adverse parties hands1 whereby they can without any labour vanquish and take their ,enemies ,captives4 ,i dare not to say any more hereabouts1 this onely ,i add by way of overplus1 that even ,women 7where ,men are wanting7 may not onely 7by this invention of mine7 drive off the ,enemies from any fenced place1 but they may force them out again out of the place1 or o'erwhelm the ,company of them that are entred with ,stones4 ,though this seems an incredible thing1 yet is it most true1 and will without doubt1 after it shall come to light1 in a short time serve as a most notable defence for the ,countrey4 ,and as touching the easie1 and not at all costly preparation of the moist ,fires and their due use1 together with the ,instruments hereto requisite2 all this shall be shown and detected to those onely who both can and will use them against the ,turks4 ,but to others not1 and this we were willing to signifie by way of admonition or advice4 ,this little1 but yet exceeding weighty ,secret1 and which may be used against our ,countries ,enemies with most notable benefit1 ,i have revealed enough of at this time4 ,mean while ,i hope1 that even this very year the ,enemies of the ,christian ,world will be notably endamaged by it1 which ,god of his grace and mercy grant1 that it may be a solace and help to the ,christian ,world so dreadfully persecuted by the ,turk1 even for the honour and glory of his holy ,name4 ,amen4 ,now follows the third use1 and that consists in the melioration of the ,metals1 by which also great benefit may redound to the ,countrey4 ,as for such things as concern the true and indubitable melioration of ,metals by ,salt and ,fire1 ,i have already sufficiently enough demonstrated in the fifth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and in the ,appendix thereunto4 ,but seeing my true demonstration there made1 seemed not sufficiently clear and evident to not a few1 and that therefore they have most lyingly dared to aver1 that there is no such thing as a true transmutation of ,metals1 and that such like ,affirmations as these are meer fables1 meer falsities1 and meer dreams3 ,therefore ,i could not choose but 7to stop the mouths of such wicked ,men1 and shame them17 to lay open and publish an evident and palpable truth4 ,and this is no great task for me to do1 for ,i was many years ago certain of the truth hereof1 and therefore can easily set it afore the ,eyes of others1 and that not onely particularly or a particular transmutation but also universally1 insomuch that even the blind may see and palpably feel1 that the transmutation of ,metals is not an old ,wives ,fable1 but is a certain and firm ,science1 and what is risen even from the foundation of nature her self4 ,if now ,i shall prove it to be thus1 ,i have then ,i hope secured my affairs1 and have not onely defended the ,writings my self have sent abroad1 but withall the most true assertions of other honest ,men1 and so shall have evidently demonstrated those things which to the greatest part of ,men seems a thing impossible to be done4 ,albeit that there are many who have left us the truth in their ,writings1 yet are they so involved in obscurity1 that such as know not the ,fundamentals of the ,art1 can never learn ought of certainty from them4 ,whence it comes to pass1 that so many ,men have vainly attempted the ,art1 and therefore the ,art it self hath been mightily despised4 ,the ,transmutation of ,metals is not a thing of so small a moment 7as that eminent ,philosopher ,sandivogius witnesseth7 in his ,preface prefixed to his ,writings2 where he also tells us1 that he that obtains the knowledge of the same1 so as to transmute any imperfect ,metal into a more perfect one1 though it be done without benefit1 hath met with an open ,gate1 and entrance leading to greater matters1 and this is also exceedingly agreeable with the truth4 ,for if any one shall take some imperfect ,metal1 and by handling or dealing with it with such or such matters1 shall find that it is advanced to a golden or silvery nature1 may more deeply look into the business with fuller and more accurate ,meditations1 and at length wholly search it out1 viz4 whence that bettering proceeds1 and by what means or in what manner his labours are to be contrived4 ,and now when such an one doth make fix and constant1 such or such a ,metal by the benefit of the ,fire1 and useth no other matter about the ,operation but ,salt1 and doth really find a true melioration of the ,metal1 certainly he cannot ascribe it to any other thing but the ,fire and ,salt3 and now whereas he assuredly knows1 that the melioration of ,metals can be perfected by the help of no other thing but of ,fire and ,salt1 he will not need to search for any other1 but will rather wholly apply himself thereunto1 whereby he may most commodiously deal with the ,metals by the means of ,fire and ,salt1 and better them with profit4 ,and if now he be once ,master of his desire1 he will gain sufficiently thereby4 ,but if not1 he cannot blame the ,art but himself1 who indeed sees the possibility of the ,art but hath not 7yet7 entred in by it1 or through it to the great ,treasures it discloseth1 so as to take to himself a due or competent part4 ,but forasmuch as such happy ,men are very seldom found1 who find the ,key that opens the ,doors to such ,mysteries1 ,i judged it a thing worth while if ,i did here detect this very ,key1 and show by what means the ,gate 7by which the closest of ,arts is made fast7 is wont to be opened4 ,and if now it shall please the ,studious ,artist to enter thereinto1 he may with all my heart1 and so enjoy those ,treasures4 ,i will not pass the bounds ,i have intended to observe3 it is sufficient for me to have shown the right and kingly way1 wherein every one may go that listeth1 that so he may arrive to his wisht for end4 ,but as for the ,key that unlocks the ,closet of ,art in true ,alchymy1 ,i do confidently affirm1 that ,salts are such ,keys1 and especially ,salt-peter1 and also common ,salt and ,vitriol1 each of which is of it self efficacious enough to open the ,door which shuts the ,parlour or ,closet of ,arts in ,alchymy4 ,but one ,salt joyned with another as is expedient and in convenient wise as ,art requires1 does effect more and show greater power than if it abode alone1 and this my ,writings do too and agen largely shew4 ,but those ,salts are in an especial manner more excellent as to power and virtues than others are1 those ,i say which being first made volatile or spiritual are afterwards made corporeal1 like as the following example doth evidently demonstrate4 ,an evident demonstration of the possibility of transmuting the viler ,metals by ,salt and ,fire into more noble ones4 ,take of ,vitriol two parts1 and of good ,salt-peter one part1 mix them well1 and being mixt distill an ,aqua ,fortis therefrom1 with this ,water1 dissolve ,silver or ,lead1 and pour into the ,solution some ,spirit of ,salt1 or else some common ,salt onely dissolved in ,water1 that so the dissolved ,metals may be turned into white ,powder1 and precipitate to the bottom of the ,vessel4 ,this done1 wash off the ,aqua ,fortis from the ,calx of ,silver or ,lead1 with ,rainwater1 and you shall find it to be one quarter part encreased1 and this augmentation cannot be washt off with any ,water4 ,now these saline ,spirits do make the ,lune and ,saturn so very volatile1 fusile1 and flying1 that they melt in a small heat and penetrate all hard ,bodies4 ,upon this account ,i called those fugacious and fusile ,metals1 by the name of a ,mercury1 which said ,mercury of ,lune1 or of ,saturn hath assumed to it self onely so much of the ,salts as it needed1 to amend it self in the ,fire1 when they mutually act upon each other1 and the ,salt maturates the ,metal4 ,but what course shall we now take with these ,metals1 seeing they are so very volatile1 that they cannot resist the indifferently strong force of ,fire1 and therefore go away in fume8 ,and forasmuch as they abide not the ,fire and do not die1 by what means can they be amended8 ,there is no better way to be taken with them here1 than 7for prevention of their volatility7 to add to them some metallick body1 into which1 the fugacious exceeding fusile1 and ,salt ,metal may hide it self1 and so brook the ,fire4 ,and amongst these six metallick ,bodies1 ,i know not as yet of any better than ,tin reduced into ,ashes1 which is most fit for this ,operation1 because it is the most unfit or hard to melt of any the ,calx's of the rest of the ,metals4 ,if therefore you will make experiment of this ,operation1 adjoyn to one part of the ,mercury of ,lune or ,saturn two parts of the white ,ashes of ,tin1 which being well mixt and put into a ,glass ,cucurbit well fenced with ,lure1 set it into ,sand1 put ,fire thereinto by little and little untill the matter in the ,glass be well heated2 in this darkish red hot heat1 leave it so long untill some part of the matter doth ascend by sublimation up into the ,alembick placed at top1 and up the neck of the ,cucurbit4 ,then you must put on another ,alembick1 and take out all the sublimate out of the former ,alembick1 and put it back upon its matter in the ,cucurbit1 and it is to be again left so long in the ,fire1 untill there doth again ascend some part by sublimation into the ,head4 ,this being taken out of the ,head is to be again put into the ,cucurbit1 and to be added to its own matter1 7and to be proceeded with7 till again some portion sublimes up out of the matter into the ,alembick4 ,now these labours are to be so often repeated1 untill there ascends no more matter up into the ,head1 and all the matter abides behind in the bottom of the ,cucurbit fixt4 ,this being done1 a stronger ,fire is to be administred1 that the ,metals may be operated upon by the ,salts4 ,for by how much the more and longer they endure the violence of the ,salts1 so much the better do they grow1 which being taken forth and reduced by the adding unto them their due matters and being separated by a ,cupel do yield forth a notable encrease of ,gold and ,silver4 ,this undoubted ,experiment and evident ,demonstration1 doth 7by its evident ,operation7 clearly and perspicuously teach and prove the melioration and transmutation of the ,metals into better and more pure2 but if this way seems to any very laborious and full of troubles1 ,i will show him a more compendious way and such as is of less labour1 for the sake of searching out the truth4 ,fill a ,hassiak ,crucible 7one of the best make7 with the self same mixture1 viz4 one part of the ,mercury of ,saturn1 and two parts of ,tin-ashes1 and squeeze in the matter thereinto with your ,thumb pretty hard1 and fit at top of this ,pot1 another somewhat lesser1 so as that they may shut close and tight at their mouths1 and one may not fall off from the other1 if they be turned 7topsie turvy37 ,now in this upper ,pot1 put some ,plates of ,copper in1 afore you place it on the lower one1 yet on such wise that in the turning the ,pots 7up and down7 they fall not out of their places4 ,each ,pot likewise is to be well fenced with ,lute such as will not chap when it is dried1 and yet it may be mended if it should a little cleave by dawbing some more on1 and this is done1 that no fume at all get out4 ,the ,lute being dried1 place this double ,pot or ,crucible in a circular ,fire1 and augment the ,fire more and more1 and move it nearer and nearer it untill it be well heated4 ,then put thereto larger ,coals1 and cover the ,pot all over with them1 that it may be every where red hot1 in which great heat of the ,fire it is to be left some two or three hours4 ,then being cool1 take out and open your ,pot1 and you shall find the ,copper ,plates in some sort tinged with a white colour1 but yet this colour is not so constant and fix as to abide in the ,cupel or on the ,test with its ,body4 ,therefore necessity requires that those ,plates be dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 and be precipitated by pouring thereon ,salt dissolved in common ,water1 in which precipitation the ,silver ,calx settles to the bottom4 ,this ,calx being freed of its ,saltness by pouring ,water thereon1 and being dried1 is to be wrapt up in a ,plate of ,lead1 or some sheet ,lead made as thin as ,paper1 and be put on a red hot ,test1 in which there must be a little ,lead in ,flux1 which may the more readily receive the silvery ,calx wrapt up in the leaden ,paper1 and which is volatile1 and may hinder it from going away in fume2 the ,lead being consumed1 there will be a grain of ,silver abiding on the ,test1 which being dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 will let fall some ,gold to the bottom4 ,if any of the remaining matter in the ,crucible be to be reduced1 then boil it with ,lead1 and let it be reduced into ,scoria's3 out of the ,regulus will there also remain on the ,test a grain of ,silver containing ,gold in it4 ,but this way brings no profit1 as being here taught for this onely end to demonstrate the possibility of the thing4 ,but if you would get any profit by such an ,operation1 it will be altogether necessary to use such ,vessels in which nothing at all may go away in fume1 but all the matter may abide together1 and may so get a fixity and constancy3 and this cannot be done in ,crucibles1 but it will bring a profitable melioration by the said way4 ,some may now demand from whence that ,gold and ,silver should come8 whether out of the ,lead or out of the ,tin8 doubtlesly it comes from both4 ,and therefore seeing the ,copper ,plates in this ,cementation1 as likewise the cementing powder it self have put on a golden and silvery nature1 can any one doubt that this is a true ,transmutation by ,fire and ,salt8 ,and this is especially manifest even from the ,copper ,plates1 which had nothing at all toucht them1 save the saline ,spirits ascending up out of the ,cementatory ,powder1 which in the heat of the ,fire penetrated the ,copper1 and amended it in so short a time4 ,is there any one now so blinded as that he cannot here see1 that this bettering the ,metals proceeded from ,salt and ,fire4 ,certainly no body will be able to heal him that is blinded with such a darkness of his sight1 and therefore must he even lie all his lifes time in such obscure mists4 ,for this ,operation is set down so clearly and evidently that it may be even felt and perceived with the hands4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if so be any one is desirous of getting more ,gold and ,silver by the help of this ,operation1 he may use the ,mercury of ,lune instead of the ,mercury of ,lead1 for it will yield far more than ,saturn will4 ,i could exhibit no small variety of these kind of ,experiments1 but that the shortness of time bids me stop1 and forbear their description2 those that cannot learn ought from these things1 greater ones will not be at all usefull unto them4 ,thus have ,i a-new evidently demonstrated1 that a particular melioration of the ,metals is done by1 and proceeds from ,salt and ,fire alone4 ,an infallible demonstration1 that a true tincture or universal ,medicine may be made by ,salt and ,fire1 for the melioration of ,metals4 ,recipe one pound of the ,mercury of ,lead1 or rather of ,lune1 of the ,ashes of ,tin two pounds1 mix these matters together and put them into a ,glass ,retort coated1 and put it in ,sand1 or rather in an open ,fire1 and give a ,fire by degrees4 ,in this ,operation1 the ,salts inhering in the ,mercury of ,saturn or ,lune1 do display or exercise their virtues upon ,jupiter1 and seize upon it and leave the ,lune or ,lead1 and ascend up into the neck of the ,retort like ,mercury sublimate1 and are very heavy and ponderous1 and do very rarely fall down into the ,receiver1 because they presently settle assoon as ever they feel any ,refrigeration4 ,therefore it is needfull that the neck of the ,retort be somewhat wide1 that so the ,mercury sublimate may meet with space and room enough1 and may not by wanting room break the ,retort4 ,now when the ,retort has been kept three hours in a red hot heat1 which time is requisite for the ,mercury sublimate to ascend in1 then cease from continuing or keeping on your ,fire1 that so it may cool4 ,then take out the sublimate out of the neck of the ,retort when cold1 and you shall find about some eight ,lots #d ,ounces1 and proceed with it the way following1 as we shall by and by tell you4 ,mix the ,reliques or what is left1 with two parts of ,regulus of ,antimony made with ,iron1 and melt it into a body3 ,wash off the ,regulus and ,tin from the ,silver with ,salt-peter1 and you shall have your ,silver not onely encreased by the ,jupiter1 but also indued with somewhat of a golden nature2 as much as the ,salts could maturate in so short a time1 which is indeed a speedy ,transmutation4 ,but if you use ,mercury of ,saturn1 there will not follow much amendment in so short a time4 ,yet nevertheless1 that even the truth it self may even by this means be searcht out1 there may be added a little ,lead1 and be boiled and reduced into ,scoria's1 in which there will remain a grain of ,silver1 which will give you information1 how much melioration the saline ,spirits are able to bestow in three or four hours space4 ,but this is not the right way of getting profit1 for as much as it shows onely the possibility of the thing4 ,but if you would have any profit by such an ,operation1 you must get you a ,cucurbit for this sublimation made of good and vitreous or glazefying ,earth2 and the sublimed ,mercury must be taken forth of the ,alembick1 and be again added to the dry matter lying in the bottom of the ,cucurbit1 and this ,operation of subliming it must be so often repeated1 till there ascend up no more1 and that all abides fix with the ,tin4 ,then is a stronger ,fire to be put thereto1 and the ,jupiter and ,saturn will be maturated by the ,salt as we taught afore4 ,and if now any be minded to take that same sublimated matter1 as it ascended in the first sublimation1 and would make it fix and constant 7per se7 in a ,glass1 he would get a ,tincture that will in projection tinge with a white and red colour1 but yet ,i never have as yet tried the latter of these4 ,however ,i doubt not1 but it may be done4 ,for seeing that this sublimed matter1 doth 7though it be so volatile7 penetrate the ,plates of ,copper1 by three or four hours time cementation1 and turns somewhat of the said ,plates into the nature of ,gold and ,silver by graduation1 how much more would it do1 if being brought to a due fixity and constancy1 it should be projected into some molten and flowing ,metal8 ,for that in such a white sublimate 7principally in that which proceeds from ,lune7 there lies hid also an occult redness1 and may be manifested by the ,fire1 this ,i say1 mine ,eyes have seen1 and mine hands have felt1 but have not as yet brought the ,operation to its compleat end1 by reason of various lets and want of time4 ,farther1 by such a sublimate ,mercury may likewise be wrought various ,transmutations1 which ,i think not fit to divulge4 ,it is in its nature fugacious and volatile1 and yet notwithstanding doth it in process of time make all other volatile and fugacious matters1 such as are ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and even the most flying of all1 viz4 common ,mercury1 fix and constant1 which effect is to be attributed to the ,salt onely4 ,he that knows rightly to manage this ,operation1 will not labour in vain1 but will be rendred a partaker of great secrets1 which thing ,i leave to the ,sons of ,art1 as a ,testament or ,will4 ,but yet that ,i may kindle some little ,torch for to guide the desirous ,reader1 and may make him more certain of a true ,tincture1 which this abject ,mercury sublimate showing it self in a white colour hides in it1 ,i have thought good1 yet farther to add this following way4 ,extract out of this sublimate a running ,mercury1 vivifying and separating it by apt and magnetick subjects2 and evaporate a little portion or particle thereof1 of about the bigness of a ,pea1 in a ,silver ,spoon2 when 'tis all gone1 you will find a purple ,powder left in the ,spoon4 ,if you cast this ,powder upon hot boiling ,lead1 you will find after its blowing off1 a grain of ,gold on the ,test4 ,the ,spoon it self will bear the mark of a purple spot in that place1 in which the ,mercury went away in fume1 and it cannot be blotted or rubbed out1 because the ,mercury hath deeply impressed the ,tincture in the ,spoon4 ,now may some or other say unto me1 whence did that little grain of ,gold left on the ,cupel1 and that purple spot which tinged the ,silver ,spoon1 proceed1 came it from the ,lead or from the ,tin1 or from the ,silver1 or out of the saline ,spirits8 ,the greatest part of ,men will say it proceeded out of the ,lead1 ,tin1 or ,silver4 ,but ,i say1 that it did indeed come out of the ,lead1 ,tin or ,silver1 but that the ,tincture adjoyned thereunto is for the most part the true ,soul of ,niter1 which the ,mercury took unto it self1 and again left it and forsook it assoon as ever it was vexed or forced with the ,fire4 ,but ,i doubt not but that if such a ,mercury impregnated with the ,soul of ,niter1 were fixed and made constant in the ,fire1 it would afford an universal ,tincture4 ,i confess ,i have tried many a time this ,operation in small ,experiments1 which sometimes answered not my desires1 what diligence soever ,i used thereabouts2 but when ,i attempted it in a greater quantity it never succeeded4 ,this thing seems to be posited in the will and pleasure onely of the ,omnipotent ,god1 who will not have those his so great ,mysteries and ,gifts profaned4 ,i have indeed 7like unto ,moses7 seen the promised ,land1 but yet ,i do not know whether or no ,god will bring me thither in this ,life1 that so ,i may enjoy those most precious ,fruits4 ,and if ,god should not vouchsafe me that benefit1 yet do ,i willingly rest content with this1 that ,i have seen with mine ,eyes1 and felt with mine hands the truth of the ,art more than once1 which ,art so many thousands of ,men do so greedily gape after1 but yet not with such good hap and success as to find it out or see it4 ,i have ,i say seen the truth1 but not the ,tincture brought to its end or perfection1 but yet have ,i seen its beginning which makes me certainly assured so far1 as that ,i dare to affirm1 and confidently aver1 that there is in nature such a thing as a true ,tincture1 and that it may by ,gods blessing be prepared by an ,artists hand4 ,i have not yet had so much quiet and so much time as to undertake this so weighty a ,work4 ,yet now ,i have a resolution to set aside all worldly cares1 solicitudes and businesses1 and to attempt and wait upon this kingly ,work1 and expect what the divine grace will bestow upon me4 ,for we are to look for all good things from above1 for else we labour in vain1 whatsoever diligence we make use of4 ,these things ,i was willing to publish for the ,assertion sake of the truth1 and to prove that there was in nature a true ,tincture1 that so it may evidently appear that ,metals may be transmuted both universally and particularly4 ,and if by some desperate ,men or by a sudden and immature death 7which chances ,god of his mercy graciously keep from me7 all the ,mediums or means of perfecting so great a ,work1 and finishing it should be cut off from me1 yet notwithstanding the truth it self will be able to bear witness to my sayings when ,i am dead and gone4 ,for ,i have by me even yet those ,silver ,plates tinged with ,purple ,spots1 which can at all times witness the truth of those things ,i have here delivered4 ,for it is an impossible thing that ,silver should be tinged with a purple colour without a ,tincture4 ,if therefore there is to be found the truth in that white and fugacious sublimate1 what ,i pray would be found in the fix and ,fire-abiding red ,tincture8 ,would it not be1 that effects of far greater moment would be produced by such a ,tincture4 ,the ,ancients therefore that desired firmness of health and a long life1 bestowed such labours and sweats upon getting a true ,medicine for humane and metallick ,bodies1 and some of them arrived to their wisht-for end1 but the greatest part of them were deceived with vain labours1 and frustrated of their conceived hopes4 ,if any ,man did certainly know that there were in some places to be found mighty treasures of ,gold1 ,pearls1 and ,precious ,stones1 and it were granted every one to search after them for his own proper advantage1 what think you1 he would be lazy and slow1 and would not set himself to seek after them4 ,but if any should so order his search that like a blind ,man1 he neither knows nor sees what it is he seeks after1 or in what place it is to be sought by him1 certainly such an one would labour in vain1 and lose both his time1 pains1 and costs2 and this usually betides the greatest part of ,men1 for they spend their labours in vain in their search after this ,work1 because 7like blind ,men7 they neither know what they are to seek1 nor where4 ,but yet 'tis credible that there would not such a multitude of them have stray'd from the truth1 had but any one so clearly and perspicuously shown and pointed as it were with the ,fingers at the place where the ,treasure lyeth hidden1 as ,i have now done4 ,and although the envious and lying ,devil should oppose the truth even with his greatest power1 and should most cruelly rage against it1 yet notwithstanding he will not be able to shew us any one ,man that hath produced and brought the truth forth to the light with greater perspicuity and evidence than ,glauber hath4 ,i have therefore yet once more at present shown by a most evident demonstration even before the whole ,world1 and have asserted it for a truth1 that not onely the more imperfect ,metals do admit of being really transmuted by ,salt and ,fire into the more perfect ones1 but withall1 that by them1 viz4 ,fire and ,salt a ,tincture may be made4 ,and now let all mine enemies visible and invisible ones1 open and secret ones1 what name soever stiled by1 come forth and publickly produce the true ,transmutation of ,metals1 with a clearer and more conspicuous manifestation than ,i have here done4 ,i acquiesce with what ,i have hitherto spoken2 if ,god shall please ,i will divulge admirable things in my next third ,century4 ,in this little ,treatise there are laid open onely four secrets1 but yet so clearly and conspicuously that no body hath as yet manifested such and so eminent things with clearer and more perspicuous expressions4 ,for that first ,instrument is clearly enough described1 by the help of which1 not onely a great plenty of all sharp ,spirits may be prepared with very little costs and easie labour1 and the four-fold use of these ,spirits is able to bring most great profit to the ,countrey4 #a4 ,all ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper are thereby extracted out of the poorer sort of ,oars which ,germany abounds with every where1 and that in a far easier manner than by fusion1 and are so brought to a very gainfull improvement1 to the great benefit of all ,germany1 the which hath never been hitherto done4 #b4 ,of the said ,spirits is made a ,water-attracting ,magnet1 for the bettering of poorer ,wines1 that so they may keep good1 and be the easilier transported out of one place into another1 as ,i have signified in my second ,century4 ,it is a secret which offers gain both to the rich and poor1 and may be prepared in great plenty4 #c4 ,the imperfect ,metals are sundry ways bettered by those saline ,spirits1 of which may be made vast quantities as ,i have shown in this ,work or ,book1 and this melioration my ,writings do variously teach and treat of4 #d4 ,by the help of these fiery ,spirits of ,salts1 preparable in mighty plenty1 which is a thing commodiously to be done by the ,instrument described in this ,book1 may the ,turks who are the ,enemies of the ,christian ,world be resisted without any ,bloud-shed4 ,concerning these fiery ,waters1 which being such a notable destruction on the ,enemies1 this is here to be noted1 that immense quantities of them are easily gotten without any ,distillation and with very little expences4 ,for if much be to be effected by them1 it is necessarily requisite to have vast quantities of them in readiness1 without which1 no great matters are in this case to be accomplisht4 ,but as concerning the manner of so greatly endammaging the ,turks by these moist ,waters ,i cannot so accurately describe the same here1 as being a meer stranger to1 and ignorant in military affairs4 ,however ,i will briefly and in few words shaddow out1 what way ,i think it may be done by1 viz4 to resist and mightily endamage the ,enemies by them4 ,first of all1 this is the nature and property of these moist ,waters4 ,as to outward view they are like ,water1 and may be handled or dealt with as other common ,waters1 but their inward virtue is nothing but a meer ,fire4 ,and because these moist ,waters may be thrown not onely with the hands1 but with greater ,warlike ,engines or ,guns a good way off1 by artificial ,instruments prepared for that purpose2 therefore is the use of them manifold1 and as necessity requires may they be used several ways for the expulsion and overcoming of the ,enemies4 ,we will illustrate our meaning by an example4 ,suppose ,i am in a ,city or ,castle besieged by the ,enemies1 and that ,i have by me some of those kind of ,instruments which are accommodated to this use for the moist ,fires4 ,if now the ,enemy should set upon the ,trench1 ,wall1 or a ,bul-wark1 and ,i were furnished with that defensive ,water of mine1 should stand behind the ,wall or ,bul-wark in that place which the ,enemy sets upon1 he could not possibly come at me2 for those moist ,fires may be cast by the said ,instruments far without the ,city1 like a fiery showr of ,rain1 or like a ,cloud1 which ,rain being forced out of but one onely ,instrument would dilate it self far and wide upon many hundreds of ,men1 and whatsoever it touched it would hurt and burn like common natural ,fire1 and it would especially blind their sight1 so that the ,men would not be able to look up or see4 ,if now the ,enemies should make their attempt upon any place1 and there should be shoured down upon them such a fiery ,rain1 and by hurting their ,eyesight make them quite blind1 how would they be able being blinded to get over the ,walls or ,bul-warks8 ,i do believe that if they should have gotten over the ,walls or ,forts1 and be made thus blind1 they would be heartily glad if they could but get out again and recover their own party4 ,but it would be better to beat them off1 and blind them when they come with their ,ladders to scale the ,walls1 than to permit them to approach any nearer4 ,but yet if it should so happen that the ,enemies had gotten even into the ,city it self1 and there were some ,houses in the principal places or streets in which the defendants may rally themselves and that such ,houses were furnisht with such moist ,fires1 and that such fiery showers were shot out thence so blinding them that they durst not open their ,eyes1 what ,i pray would they be able to do1 being blinded and clearly deprived of the use of their sight8 ,would they not throw away their ,arms and solely mind the getting the ,fire out of their ,eyes1 and yet it would hardly be so done in half a days time1 nay if it should touch their ,eyes in pretty quantity1 it would scarse be quencht in two days time1 and if they should go to wipe their ,eyes with their hands1 then would they make their torments much more intolerable1 and would add more ,fire to their ,eyes1 because their hands are likewise moistned and plagued with that continual shour4 ,and now may not such unbidden ,guests be overwhelmed and slain with ,stones cast on them out of the adjoyning ,houses8 ,and may not one ,single ,woman with such a little ,instrument onely filled with these moist ,fires defend her ,house against an hundred ,soldiers4 ,verily in my opinion there may be made a better defence with such a little ,instrument that one may carry about with him1 than with ten or even an hundred ,musquets4 ,for #ajj ,musquets require #ajj ,men1 all which when they have discharged their ,guns once1 and have slain some ten or twelve ,men 7and yet it is not wont usually to happen so in such cases neither7 they need some time to load their ,musquets again1 if they would keep on shooting4 ,but this ,instrument may be used even by ,women1 two or three of whom will haply do more hurt to the ,enemy than twenty or thirty1 yea haply one hundred ,men are able to do with their ,musquets4 ,and if the ,women and other weak ,men do but blind their ,enemies1 the armed ,men may take them thus blinded ,prisoners2 that so not being killed but made ,slaves1 they may be set to ,work and ,till the ,land1 and this would be far more profitable than the killing of them would be4 ,so then1 may not an hundred ,soldiers by the help of my ,instruments defend any ,fortress with greater and more certain defence than a thousand ,men could otherwise do4 ,verily ,i believe they may4 ,for these blinding ,fires of mine1 or fiery ,clouds and ,rain being adjoyned to other usual and customary military ,weapons1 will most mightily endamage the ,enemy1 nor will there need so many ,soldiers1 for the ,citizens themselves may use the other customary ,arms1 and the ,women and ,children may use the ,instruments1 whereby they would haply defend themselves more strongly than if they committed their defence to chosen and registred ,souldiers4 ,for these ,instruments1 7by which the moist ,fires are driven far off upon the ,enemies like fiery showers and ,clouds of ,rain1 and that without intermission1 and as oft as ever need requires7 although they be great1 yet a few ,men may govern or manage them1 so that it will be impossible for the ,enemies to effect any considerable enterprize in besieging any ,city4 ,but it is needfull to place such ,instruments that thus squirt forth ,fire1 behind the ,walls and ,bul-warks1 that the ,enemies great ,ordinance may not hurt or destroy them4 ,verily ,i cannot so very accurately and compleatly show what the best way is of endamaging the ,enemies by the help thereof1 for this the practice it self will better shew us4 ,i can furnish forth the ,instruments themselves and the moist ,fires belonging thereunto4 ,i commend the use of them unto the ,souldiers1 who may learn to use them as they shall find good by experience ,i do again repeat what ,i have hitherto so often spoken1 and ,i do affirm1 that with one such ,instrument may some thousands of ,men be blinded in a moments time1 and being blinded what ,i pray can they then do8 ,if so be that others shall endeavour to come to help them and fetch them off1 they may likewise be blinded1 nor can they run away1 and therefore must necessarily be taken ,prisoners4 ,and this in my judgment may be done in ,hostile ,invasions and ,sieges4 ,but now whether or no there may be any use of such ,instruments in ,battailes and ,conflicts with the ,enemies1 ,i do not well know1 but that a ,city1 ,castle1 or ,house may be defended by their means1 and so drive off the ,assailants1 is a thing evident and undoubted4 ,should there be a thousand ,enemies beset the ,house of some particular ,citizen1 yet must they depart if onely such a fiery ,cloud or ,rain 7the ,doors and ,windows being shut7 should be shoured down upon them4 ,for so they would be rendred blind and not be able to see or find the ,door1 as it was in ,lots time1 when his ,enemies environed his ,house to have out those two ,strangers1 they were smitten with such blindness that they were constrained to leave the ,house1 and it was permitted ,lot1 and his1 to pass out of the same without any impediment4 ,and is it not lawfull for us to smite our ,capital ,enemies the ,turks with blindness1 and to defend our selves1 our ,wives and ,children8 ,god himself saith1 ,i will encompass those that are mine1 with a ,wall of ,fire1 and defend them against their ,enemies4 ,briefly1 this invention of mine1 of making such a fiery ,mist or ,rain1 is an incomparable defence and safeguard1 the like of which was never as yet known in the ,world4 ,and now may any one easily conjecture what may be done offensively with this same invention4 ,for example1 suppose 'tis necessary to take such or such a place from the ,enemy1 but now there is not time enough left1 nor are there ,souldiers enough for the enterprize2 and therefore some ,stratagem must be used to become ,masters of one of the ,gates at least whereby the ,souldiers may be let in4 ,and now in my judgment some ,gate may be seized on and that easily by the help of these moist ,fires of mine1 and 'tis thus1 let some ,souldier or other fit for such a design1 be taught the use of my ,fire-spiting ,instruments1 and when he understands it1 he may be clad in ,countrey ,habit1 and so let him go to them upon the ,guard1 and in the ,court of ,guardhouses in which they be1 let him shour in upon them a fiery1 ,eye-blinding1 and forcibly hissing shour4 ,this done how can the ,guarders possibly resist those that come to the ,gate and are ready to enter in8 ,nay more1 the ,souldier thus clad may have a ,granadoe given him to carry in a ,sack1 which being filled with those moist ,fires1 may of its own accord 7without any benefit of ,gun-powder7 leap assunder and fill all the whole room with his blind making ,dew1 he may throw into those ,watch-houses where they keep ,guard1 and so make all that are there present unfit to fight4 ,and if so be there should be more of those ,houses than one1 the same ,souldier may likewise have more such ,granadoes given him1 one of which he may throw into each ,house4 ,nay farther1 if need be1 and that you would have it fadge better and have it more certainly succeed1 there may be sent several ,souldiers with such ,fire-breathing ,granadoes to several ,gates1 to o'erwhelm the ,watch-men and possess them4 ,for the ,watch-men suspecting no evil from one ,countrey-man onely1 will not cry out ,arm1 ,arm1 but let him in without any impediment4 ,such ,fire-breathing ,balls or ,granadoes may be made of ,iron1 ,copper or ,earth1 which however1 properly are not ,fires as long as they feel not the ,air1 and they then become ,fires onely1 when any one is so minded to have them such1 breaking every thing in their reach like ,gun-powder burning1 and depriving all such as are present of their sight1 and making them ,sick4 ,granadoes made on this manner1 and of about the bigness of a ,mans ,head1 do not of their own accord conceive a flame without ,air1 nor do they flie assunder1 or at all operate4 ,but if you would that the ,air be let in whereby they may operate1 there must be a little ,spicket or ,tap to be drawn out of the ,granadoe1 that so the ,air entring in may vivifie the ,fire that lies in the ,ball or ,granadoe4 ,such a ,granadoe being thrown into any ,watch house1 the ,watch men will without doubt presently run and take it up and see what it should be1 and what end it was thrown in there for2 then as they all of them stand round and contemplate upon the novelty1 if any of them hap to draw out the ,spicket1 which without all question they would do1 the ,air gets in1 and the ,fire enkindles and breaks that ,granadoe thus stuft with that venemous ,fire all to pieces1 and so will strike them all down together4 ,and may not now the ,souldiers in the mean time hasten and break in to that fenced place without any let1 and become ,masters of the ,gate8 ,verily methinks it should succeed very well4 ,i tell you my thoughts of the business1 ,i never tried the thing it self nor do ,i ever desire to try4 ,such as have a desire to try it1 and have occasion and opportunity of doing it1 may more accurately contemplate thereupon1 and so will they find what way they may most conveniently detriment their ,enemies most of all by4 ,i have laid the foundation1 others must valiantly proceed on and bring the thing to a most usefull ,issue4 ,however ,i do not doubt but that the most part of ,men that shall hear me say1 that there may be such effects produced by these fiery ,waters1 that may equal the dreadfull ,operations of ,gun-powder1 will mock at me1 and judge it an impossible thing2 nor will it be any thing strange they should1 because they have not any knowledge of nature4 ,before those dreadfull virtues of ,gun-powder were known1 certainly no body would have believed the same1 had they heard it told1 that it were a possible thing to hurry or throw such a great ,ball of ,iron1 into so far a place with so little ,powder4 ,and now it is a thing so very common1 that he that will not believe it will be laught at4 ,even so1 those things ,i have here mentioned of moist ,fires will seem extraordinarily wonderfull and absurd to the ignorant1 untill they shall see with their ,eyes1 and feel with their hands1 that the ,turks shall even this very ,summer feel it if ,god permit1 and vouchsafe me health so long4 ,if ,god 7,i say7 shall permit1 which ,i would have you understand1 as thus1 viz4 unless the wrath of ,god shall be so enkindled against the ,christians1 and shall therefore put a stop1 and prevent the accrewing of any benefit1 by any help how great soever it be4 ,for when ,god pleaseth to punish any ,countrey with deserved afflictions1 certainly no ,instruments of defence will at all help or do ought4 ,these things was ,i willing to declare at present1 to demonstrate in what manner the ,enemies power may by such ,artificial moist ,fires1 and a peculiar kind of ,granadoes1 such things as never were as yet known in the ,world be broken4 ,there are verily other far greater effects1 and which exceed ,mans belief1 that may be effected by these my newly found out ,fires2 and such as are not to be written but to be revealed onely unto those that are truly well ,willers to the common ,weal1 and who study how to destroy the ,capital ,enemy of all the ,christian ,world4 ,but thus much ,i add1 that by these ,artificial1 ,secret1 and unknown burning and flame-conceiving ,fires1 far greater things may in my judgment be effected at any time whensoever one is minded1 than by ,gunpowder1 for that it operates not afore it be enkindled with the ,fire4 ,but my ,fires are enkindled and inflamed by the ,air1 and therefore must necessarily exeed ,gun-powder in the production of greater effects1 and this time will manifest4 ,those common ,granadoes being thrown into any ,city may be covered with wet ,hides or ,cloaths and be quenched1 so as not at all to operate1 but it cannot be so with my ,instruments4 ,and therefore it is not without cause that ,i prefer them afore ,gunpowder4 ',tis not expedient to make any larger discourse concerning these matters1 and to take up any more room by revealing more4 ,i could verily in a few words so disclose these things that every one mought be able palpably to feel1 and visibly to see them1 and so as that he would assuredly know that far greater things mought be effected by these my ,fires than by ,gun-powder4 ,they may together with the ,gun-powder use these my moist ,fires as they think good and as need requires4 ,and ,i do not question but that hereafter ,wars will be waged after another manner than hath hitherto been done1 and force must give place to ,art4 ,for ,art doth sometimes overcome strength4 ,we will illustrate the business by an example4 ,when any little weak ,man ,fights with a bigger and stronger than himself1 and they have both of them like skill in the use of their ,arms1 the stronger over ,masters the weaker and ,conquers him4 ,but now if the little ,man be better skilled in the use of ,weapons than the greater and stronger one is1 he beats him and becomes the ,victour4 ,and when two are of equal ,stature and ,strength2 they smite alike forcibly1 and beat one another alike1 just as your ,laundresses that beat ,cloaths with a wash ,beetle1 so do these lay on blows on each other with like measure4 ,so among the ,ancients did they fight ,man to ,man1 and the strength of the blows prevailed4 ,but when ,gun-powder was found out1 then a few could kill and put to flight a greater number than themselves4 ,and now again 'tis every where known1 that ,men now a days do again fight with equal hand1 as 'twere1 neither party having more help by ,art than the other party hath3 save that the stronger party doth for the most part get the ,victory1 so that the ,wars in our time consist not in ,art1 but in the multitude and company of ,men4 ,mean while ,i firmly hope that if the use of my moist ,fires be but known1 there will be another kind of ,warfare than now is1 by fighting on equal ,terms with blows as the ,countrey fellows do1 and whereby the stronger can overmaster and subdue the weaker4 ,but now by the help of ,art1 the weaker may overcome the stronger4 ,and if so be that ,art and strength concur together they are wont to be most efficacious4 ,david with his sling shewed the skilfulness of his ,art1 and subdued that great ,goliah1 who little expected such a mischance from such a little ,shepherd4 ,and like as ,goliah mocked at ,david with his ,sling1 so perhaps will the ,turk have us in derision1 should we meet him with such ,water-throwing ,instruments4 ,but even as that great ,goliah was smitten down by a ,stone of the ,shepherd1 so may the ,turk be easily burnt and radically rooted out by those moist ,fires1 if the ,christians will themselves4 ,but some or other may here object and say1 suppose some perfidious ,christian should happen to flie to the ,turks1 and put such ,weapons into their hands1 to use against the ,christians agen1 what shall we do then8 ,i answer1 such a mischief may be prevented by an accurate diligent wariness1 that these secrets be not revealed to every body1 but to such onely as are known1 and that have possessions1 ,wives1 and ,children3 for such will hardly be allured or corrupted with any reward4 ,besides too1 the vulgar will not be so easily apprehensive of all things hereto requisite1 seeing the ,art consists not barely in one or two1 but in many things or circumstances4 ,it cannot therefore be that such inventions should so easily fall into the ,enemies hands1 and that for several causes which ,i forbear to reckon up here4 ,nay more1 if necessity should require there mought 7by accurate meditation7 a farther inquisition be made1 whereby more such inventions mought be found out4 ,for this may easily be effected by ,men of a quick piercing ,wit1 viz4 by their diligent search to add to what is found out and to better the same1 for 'twill be a facile thing to do4 ,for nature being so most exceedingly richly stored can never at any time be thoroughly found out4 ,and therefore even ,i my self do hope in some short time greatly to augment or meliorate the said ,inventions of mine4 ,if ,god vouchsafe me life1 there shall be even yet produced by me to light wonderfull things1 which will miraculously promote the safety and happiness of my ,countrey1 and especially if ,i shall but find amongst ,men a thankfull remembrance thereof4 ,moreover1 ,i doubt not but that abundance of ,men will wonder if they shall see these my newly invented ,warlike ,instruments to be published in ,print1 which is a thing that ,i would never do1 for ,i have resolved to make such onely partakers of the knowledge of the same1 as stand in need thereof4 ,but because ,i have conferred with one or two 7whom ,i thought to have born me a loving and friendly mind7 about these things1 and spake to them too openly about the very business it self1 they got some part of the ,art it self1 and saw the very ,instruments in the ,workmens hands whom ,i had taken order with about making them1 and without doubt perswaded themselves that they had the full knowledge of the whole ,art4 ,presently upon this they were become invisible and withdrew themselves1 insomuch that ,i suspect that those perfidious ,men have repaired to the ,courts of some great ,men1 to offer and sell these my inventions as if they were their own4 ,now then to meet with such treacherous perfidiousness1 ,i thought good to publish openly somewhat concerning these matters1 that so every one may know that whatever ,men shall sell such secrets as their own1 they were not invented by them but by me1 and they have fraudulently stolen them from me4 ,but ,i except those here1 to whom ,i have revealed them to this intent1 that1 viz4 they may make use of them against the ,turk4 ,and because ,i can methinks prophetically as it were conjecture that these my newly invented military ,instruments will be desired and sought after by a great many both high and low1 ,i judged it a thing worth the while1 to take care for the getting some of those same ,instruments1 and also those moist ,fires thereunto appertaining to be prepared1 and sent into those places1 where they may detriment or annoy the ,turks4 ,for without doubt there may be far stronger resistance made with these newly invented ,instruments against those our ,capital ,enemies1 than can ever be done with ,gun-powder4 ,for ,gun-powder is never wont to operate afore it be kindled with the ,fire1 which kindling and inflamation ,water will hinder1 and now my moist ,fires are not at all impeded thereby4 ,and upon this account it is a thing altogether possible that a fiery ,globe or ,granadoe may be as well emitted or be as forcible out of the deep ,waters with or by them1 as it may with ,gun-powder out of the ,water1 the which seems indeed incredible1 but yet is very easie to him that is endued with the knowledge of these things4 ,there yet rest a few admonitions to be given1 viz4 that no body pass his sentence upon these my secrets here disclosed1 with a prejudiced and forestalled judgment1 unless he has a mind to slur himself with an infamous mark1 but let him have patience1 till he of his own knowledge perceive the whole ,basis of the business4 ,many things there be that lie as yet hidden1 which 7as ,prophesies tell us7 must be manifested before the ,worlds end4 ,this time draws nearer and nearer1 though so few believe it4 ,for my part ,i am verily of this ,opinion1 that there is such a wonderfull time at hand1 the like of which hath neither been seen or heard of from the time of the ,floud even to these our days4 ,i pray ,god to ,defend the ,pious1 and to ,convert the ,wicked1 ,amen4 ,the ,end of the ,first ,part4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,glauber',s ,,works4 ,the ,first ,,century1 ,,or ,wealthy ,store-,house of ,treasures4 ,,being ,a ,general ,appendix to all his hitherto-published ,writings4 ,the which doth not onely illustrate all obscure places1 as well in his ,philosophical and ,medicinal as ,chymical ,writings1 and explain those hard places to be understood2 but also do so abundantly supply those which are defective1 that the learned and the unlearned1 the highest and the lowest1 and more1 the meanest ,workmen and ,husbandmen1 may sufficiently be able to comprehend that ,glauber hath in all his ,writings1 written the pure and simple ,truth1 and hath again brought to light the most noble ,art of ,alchymy which hath so long lain hid in darkness hitherto2 and hath discovered it for the common good of ,mankind4 ,,london1 ,printed in the ,year ,,mdclxxxix4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,that every promise becomes a debt1 is reported by a common ,proverb or ,by-word1 and therefore to stand to ones word or promise1 is a thing which procures a great ,ornament or grace no less to ,juniors than to ,seniors4 ,since therefore in my ,writings ,i have ingaged my ,faith or ,credit through the promising of some little ,works1 and yet have not been able1 by reason of the scantiness of time1 hitherto to satisfie the expectation and desire of very many1 by publishing of the same2 yea since greater ,discommodities and ,impediments being cast in my way1 do hinder me from day to day whereby ,i cannot write more things1 although ,i have nothing more in my desires than that in standing to my promise1 ,i may acquit my credit1 and set forth the said little ,works2 to wit1 my ,vegetable ,work1 my ,work of ,saturn1 my ,book of ,dialogues or ,discourse1 the fourth part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa or ,chymical ,dispensatory1 and my admirable little ,book1 of the concentring of the ,heaven and ,earth3 truly they being ,treatises containing most excellent ,arcanums or ,secrets1 and the most worthy ones whereof ,men can be made partakers1 notwithstanding ,i am of necessity destitute of time for the writing of any ,treatise peculiarly1 and for that cause ,i am constrained to insist in a nearer path1 and for the sake of promoting the publick good1 to send forth the said ,treatises in publick by a less labour and trouble4 ,the present ,treatise notified with the ,title of an universal ,chest or ,cabinet full of ,riches1 or of a general ,appendix of all my ,writings hitherto exposed to the publick view performs this1 whereby all things which have been either the more briefly and obscurely spoken in them are with a more clear or perspicuous illustration explained1 or things that have been wholly omitted are supplied1 and by the same endeavour the promised ,treatises are added1 yet not in that order wherein they ought otherwise to be written down1 and the which order here to be observed1 would administer very much trouble2 but wherein all the secrets have in process of time been made known unto me1 and committed to ,paper4 ,but it is free for any one to add according to his own ,judgment1 ,medicinal ,secrets unto ,medicinal ones1 ,mineral ,secrets unto ,mineral ones1 ,chymical ,secrets unto ,chymical ones1 if it shall so please him1 and time shall also permit the same1 which it in no wise permitteth unto me1 every one that acquiesceth and is content with these things may consider1 if a certain ,cook should set a ,dish on the ,table filled with the best ,meats1 as being destitute of time1 to put every sort of ,meat in a several ,dish1 whether he could of right be angry with him1 or by whisperingly prating1 he could dare to say1 he was to be blamed as being not skilfull in the affairs of the ,kitchin1 because collecting so many delicate and such dainty ,meats into one ,dish1 and daring to set them on the ,table8 ,i suppose not any one could of right complain of such a deed of any ,cook2 the ,cook1 desiring to have it taken in good part1 such ,meats as he had1 such he sets before them2 he that refuseth to take of them1 may use his own liberty1 and may let those ,meats alone1 which he is not compelled to receive1 even as the ,cook also may be constrained by none in preparing of the same according to his own will or judgment4 ,whatsoever ,meat doth not please the ,pallate of one1 yet will not be ingratefull to the ,pallate of another1 but on the contrary gratefull1 seeing one ,food is wont to savour or relish this ,man1 and another the other1 neither is he inordinately affected with the disdain of confused ,meats1 who taketh of those which relish him1 and leaveth the rest for others4 ,let every one that blameth these ,writings do the same1 not in hastily taking them in evil part1 but in friendly and courteously excusing me that ,i have not sent them abroad in a more harmonious order4 ,they are like unto a certain true and great ,cabinet or ,chest1 filled with very many excellent ,secrets1 being reduced into my knowledge through a successive diligent search of thirty years and so collected into one heap1 that they might either be conserved for my own or at some time be made of publick use or service3 out of this ,chest every one shall be able to exhaust those ,arcanums and ,secrets1 which shall please him or serve his uses4 ,as to what concerns my self1 because ,i daily behold sometimes this ,man1 sometimes that ,man being snatched away by death1 to be carried forth and committed to the ,earth1 ,i may easily conclude rationally with my self1 that those changes or chances will in a short time happen also unto me2 ,i should commit a very grievous offence or errour1 that so many costs1 labours and troubles1 of so many and so great ,secrets being consumed in vain1 ,i should carry them away with me under ground1 and not bestow them for a common good3 ,i shall here perform the office of a good ,house-holder1 or skilfull ,house-keeper or ,steward1 who after that he hath made abundant of ,provision for ,winter-cloathing for himself1 his ,wife1 ,children and whole ,family1 if he hath as yet plenty of ,linnen and ,woollen ,cloth remaining1 he doth not cast them away1 but rather casts them together into a ,chest1 so long to be kept1 untill he shall obtain an occasion of administring them for the use of his ,neighbour4 ,in the name of the ,lord therefore1 in making a beginning with the opening of my ,chest of ,treasures1 ,i will empty it out by little and little by degrees1 and will offer it for a common use1 that out of so many ,treasures1 every one may convert unto his own use1 what things he shall judge to be profitable unto him2 to wit1 a ,physician ,medicinal things1 and a ,chymist ,chymical things1 even as every one shall discern any thing to be fit for his own use1 every one of what rank soever shall find those things wherewith he might be content1 so indeed that whatsoever he shall not meet withall in the first1 second1 or third ,century may be found in the rest1 for which things sake1 if ten ,centuries shall not be sufficient1 ,i will adjoyn other ten or more1 that so ,i may remove from me all those cares1 and carefulnesses wherewith the custody of so great ,treasures hath importuned and affected me for so many years4 ,like unto a travelling ,woman1 who with the greatest desire expecteth the hour of her delivery1 and who desireth the beholding of her ,fruit1 do ,i desire that time wherein all things shall be printed in ,letters4 ,the ,almighty ,god bestow on me so much presence of mind1 health1 and strength1 and prolong my ,life so far1 that ,i may finish it to his ,honour1 and the ,succour1 ,comfort and ,profit of all ,mankind4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,first ,,century3 ,,or ,,glauber',s ,wealthy ,store-,house of ,treasures4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,in the ,name of the most ,holy ,trinity ,i begin to write the ,first ,century of my ,general ,appendix1 or an ,exposition of all my ,writings hitherto set forth4 ,i4 ,concerning ,fire and ,salt1 and what ,alchymy is4 ,alchymy is a ,science1 and ,art of destroying1 of purging immature or unripe and impure ,metals1 by ,fire and ,salt1 and by a singular ,artifice1 of converting the more pure part into a better form and kind1 according to the words of ,paracelsus1 who saith1 ,every ,something is to be converted into ,nothing1 and every ,nothing into ,something4 ,also ,corruption renders that which is good perfect1 the which is to be equally understood of particular and universal ,operations4 ,nevertheless it is not of necessity that ,i should here tediously treat of a particular ,transmutation of ,metals by ,fire and ,salt1 because that hath been already long since performed in the second part of the ,miracle of the ,world1 and also in the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany4 ,a ,square within a ,circle4 ---------------- ,in the ,sun and ,salt are all things4 ---------------- ,,ii4 ,a ,demonstration whereby it is proved that ,fire and ,salt are most noble ,creatures of ,god1 and that in ,fire there lies hid the purest ,salt1 and in ,salt a most efficacious ,fire4 ,that ,fire and ,salt are most noble ,creatures of ,god ,i have evidently enough demonstrated in my little work concerning the nature of ,salts4 ,but that there is a subtile saltish spirit in any fire1 and that between the heat of the ,sun1 and of our ,kitchin fire1 as to their saltish spirit1 a great difference doth interpose is sufficiently and over sufficiently known4 ,but to comprehend or lay hold of1 to concenter such a pure saltish spirit of ,sol1 to render it corporal1 palpable or perceivable1 and visible1 remains hidden and unknown to us by reason of our sins2 because ,god reserves so great mysteries for his own alone1 of whom he is honoured and feared3 for ,god himself useth no better similitude than the fire1 whereunto the ,ancients exhibited divine honour1 and by the help of the same1 perfected all their ,sacrifices3 ,so among the ,caldeans1 ,fire1 and ,god are called by one and the same name of ,esch3 and among the ,heathens1 the chief ,philosophers1 yea ,hermes himself thought the ,sun to be a ,god1 and worshipped it for a ,god4 ,these things are found expressed by ,mutius concerning the nature of ,gods1 and therefore those things are not necessary which may be here repeated4 ,yet that is well to be noted1 that ,god hath always appeared to his ,saints under the shew of fire1 and hath talked with them out of it1 it being that which is full of the greatest mysteries1 yet observed but by a few1 as in a peculiar little work concerning the concentration of the ,heaven and the ,earth ,i will more plainly and fully declare4 ,i affirm therefore1 that it can scarce be1 that the admirable1 yea incredible nature of fire should be described without the revelatian of the highest or greatest mysteries of ,god4 ,therefore it is better that such ,secrets are passed by in silence1 than that precious pearls should be cast before ,swine1 who are wont to receive them with laughter1 and proclaim that they are nothing but the mere sophistries of triflers1 even as is evidently manifest from the description of ,j4 ,h4 ,s4 of the ,philosophers ,stone1 wherein ,nature1 he saith1 makes not use of ,glasses1 ,vessels1 ,fire1 ,salt1 ,urine1 and the like in the bowels of the ,earth2 and the universal ,elixir may very fitly be prepared by him1 who also hath not handled any ,chymical ,labours1 or was never busied about ,fire or ,salt3 ,let it shame the man of such stinking lies1 wherewith he endeavours to cover his own ignorance1 ,i on the contrary affirm1 that all those that know not how to handle ,fire and ,salt1 do in very deed know nothing1 but do give credit unto those things only which they hear1 or read in others writings1 and also for that cause are unworthy of the name and title of true ,philosophers2 for true ,philosophy is to be thoroughly or perfectly learned by the help of ,fire and ,salt alone1 the which ,god willing shall be more evidently demonstrated4 ,,iii4 ,it is moreover demonstrated1 that in all ,salts an admirable ,fire doth lurk as being laid up therein1 through the indeavour whereof very many admirable things may be perfected as well in ,medicine as in ,alchymy3 and also that it may be altogether performed1 that out of ,vitriol the ,stone of the ancient ,wise men1 out of ,salt ,peter a spiritual ,gold1 and an excellent yellow tincture1 and out of common ,salt the true ,pearl of the ,philosophers may be prepared4 ,in all ,salts1 that a most potent ,fire doth lurk as being laid up therein1 those have best known who have the labours of the fire thoroughly viewed and certainly known4 ,for through the efficacy and operation hereof1 salts are reduced unto a fiery force1 or power1 or unto a moist fire1 out of which they before arose1 after the laying down of their earthliness1 yet one salt draws out one fire far unlike to the fire of another1 so that this is volatile1 the other is fixed1 and remaining constant in the fire2 another is partly volatile and partly fixed1 even as the operation shall procure this or the other property unto them1 yet all such fiery salts may by the benefit of ,art be concentred1 and made more efficacious than they were made by some one distillation4 ,for example sake4 ,if any one beholdeth ,vitriol1 and considers of the nature thereof1 he shall in very deed certainly find that by the help of1 a strong fire1 there may be allured or extracted out of it that which was in the beginning1 to wit1 a fiery spirit1 which by the aid of external fire1 being reduced into a narrow ,central room1 or ,con-centration1 draws out that internal fire1 uncloathing it self of1 or displaying so great virtues1 that it reduceth into a ,coal all things which it moisteneth or encompasseth1 even like as if it had been burnt up by common ,kitchin fire1 or by ,glasses receiving the ,sun-beams and burning up all things that are objected against it4 ,concerning these fiery salts1 and the preparation and use of them1 ,i being here to deliver a few things1 ,i will take my beginning from the fire of ,vitriol1 and the preparation of the same1 the various and manifold use whereof shall be afterwards explained in its own place4 ,,iv4 ,of the ,preparation of the ,fire of ,vitriol4 ,retorts made of the best earth do draw out the fire of ,vitriol by distillation after this manner following4 ,common ,vitriol is calcined in earthen pots unto a redness1 and reduced into a powder1 it is put into an earthen ,retort1 and placed in a ,furnace1 and a great vessel adjoyned to the neck of the ,retort1 which is to receive the ,spirits going forth2 the fire is kindled by degrees1 and is gradually increased untill the ,retort be brightly red hot1 in which degree of fire it is so long to be urged untill no white ,clouds or little vapoury ,mists do any longer appear4 ,this operation is perfected in #bd hours space at the most4 ,but if the ,retort shall be very large all the ,oyl cannot be extracted in the space of #bd hours1 but will require a longer time for the operation1 which experience it self will determine3 after all the ,spirits are distilled off and settled to the bottom of the ,receiver1 the clay luting which joyned the ,receiver to the neck of the ,retort is to be mollified with a wet cloth put round about it1 and the ,receiver taken off1 and the spirits poured out of it into a glass body well coated with ,clay1 the which 7having an ,alembick put on7 is to be set in sand1 that the volatile ,spirit may slowly and gently be drawn off1 and kept for its use afterwards to be taught4 ,also afterwards the phlegm is to be drawn off1 and reserved for its own uses1 because it hath its own peculiar virtues4 ,at length also the last spirit is to be received in a peculiar vessel1 the which1 after that it hath ceased1 and fiery drops do follow1 the fire is 7by degrees7 to be removed1 and when the sand is cold1 the gourd is to be taken out1 in which 7the ,alembick or head being taken away7 thou shalt find a fiery ,oyl of a black or somewhat reddish colour1 the which is again to be rectified in an open fire in a ,retort well coated1 that it may be rendred more fiery and clear4 ,by this oyl admirable things1 and those not only profitable for ,physicians but also for ,chymists1 and other ,artificers1 are perfected as we shall straitway see4 ,there are indeed other ways or means also by which this oyl is attained1 but this afore taught is the easiest of all1 although it require the more time4 ,but if any one stand in need of a greater quantity of the same1 he may procure those greater ,cans prepared of the best ,earth1 they being so joyned to each other1 that the uppermost being placed on the fire1 the rest might be placed without the fire1 so that the lowermost may receive the oyl going out by descent4 ,v4 ,a proof whether this ,oyl of ,vitriol be well prepared and strong1 and fit enough for that operation of which we here treat4 ,let down a quill or some small piece of wood into the ,oyl1 the which1 when thou hast left in it for some small time1 draw it out2 if it shall be burnt unto a ,coal the oyl is well prepared1 but if not1 it is a sign that somewhat of moisture is as yet therein1 which is again to be expelled by fire4 ,,vi4 ,another tryal or experiment4 ,dip in the oyl a piece of woollen1 linnen1 or which is better a piece of cotton cloth extended to the breadth of a finger1 and pour on the same being taken out and laid down some drops of the spirit or oyl of ,turpentine1 the which if being kindled they shall conceive a flame it is a sign that the oyl was well prepared4 ,,vii4 ,another further ,proof4 ,pour into some little glass some small quantity of spirit of wine wanting all phlegm1 and pour on the same some drops of this oyl by little and little2 and if the spirit of wine kindle and burn all away the oyl is prepared after a due manner4 ,,nb4 ,i admonish that every one doth warily handle this operation3 for in these two fires1 to wit1 saltish and sulphureous ones1 there is great virtue hidden1 the which seems probable but to a few1 if it should be manifested unto them1 neither that have ,i consulted or decreed that it should be made known to very many4 ,these few particulars do sufficiently teach after what sort such fires are to be used in ,medicine1 ,alchymy and other ,arts2 but these experiments are sufficient4 ,,viii4 ,concerning the use of this fire of ,vitriol in ,medicine4 ,the use of this fire1 as also of the volatile spirit of the same1 and of its flegm1 thou shalt find described in the second part of my ,furnaces1 and among other ,authours2 so that the repetition thereof is here superfluous1 this is onely to be known that this fire being onely besmeared or anointed with a feather on all uncurable and ,cancerous or eating ,ulcers1 kills the ,poyson1 and causeth that such ,ulcers do very easily admit of cure1 if so be the ,escharre be but first removed by the applying some ointment or emplaister which cures adustion or burning4 ,for this oyl burns up all wild or forreign flesh1 and that which 7as proud7 lifts up it self with an abounding poyson1 like unto a certain bright burning ,iron1 and separates all evil and hurtfull flesh from the good and sound flesh4 ,,ix4 ,of the general use of this ,oyl in ,alchymy4 ,by this mineral fire1 all kind of ,transmutations of things are perfected1 but particularly it exalteth some of the more base metals into a higher degree1 and makes them more constant1 of which more shall be said in the following ,chapters or ,treatises4 ,in the general1 some ,vegetables1 ,animal and ,mineral subjects1 may by the operation of this ,oyl be reduced into fixt ,medicines1 and indeed far more commodiously than by the common fire of ,wood or ,coals4 ,and moreover which is a far greater thing in this very oyl a fiery ,tincture is hidden1 and is manifested by the benefit of ,art1 as ,fryer ,basilius1 and other ,philosophers do affirm4 ,x4 ,of the use of this fire in other ,arts4 ,by the virtues of this invisible1 and yet essential fire1 all sorts of most profitable matters are performed1 the which notwithstanding is not here safe for me to describe1 but ,i am constrained to refer it till another time1 it onely in this place seems worthy my labour1 briefly to shew that this fire performs all those things which the fire of ,coals is otherwise wont to effect4 ,truly it is a fire1 but it shineth not like the fire of ,wood or ,coals3 ,but he that will have it to shine1 he must needs add unto it a subtile or fine ,sulphur1 that he may extract or allure forth of it a visible fire4 ,this fire being defended against the entrance of the ,air1 remains occult for many thousands of years1 and doth not manifest it self1 unless any one make it manifest4 ,truly it is an admirable fire1 and most fit for the effecting of many incredible things1 whereof we have spoken many things sufficient for this time4 ,,xi4 ,an evident demonstration of such a fire lying hid even in the ,salt of the ,kitchin1 and that known to every one4 ,after that ,plato and many other ,philosophers took notice that nothing endowed with life did consist without ,salt1 and that dead ,carcasses themselves were preserved for a long time from putrefaction by the virtues of the same2 they thought and wrote that a certain divine thing lay hid in it4 ,but after what sort this divine and hidden thing is to be made visible1 they have not taught4 ,but without doubt1 those most wise ,philosophers would by this word shew and denote something of a singular excellency4 ,because therefore ,god himself is a fire1 and hath never appeared to his ,saints in any other shape but that of fire1 and besides also all ,salts are generated in the moist bowels of the earth from an ,astral fire1 and on the contrary1 a true fire may by the operation of ,art be extracted and rendred palpable and visible out of all ,salts1 it being that which without doubt lay not hid unto them1 therefore it is also very likely that those ,philosophers have not without a cause of great moment written that a certain ,divine or fiery ,being did secretly lurk in ,salt4 ,but that they have intimated not any thing to be better1 or more noble than that fiery and saltish ,spirit may be foreseen by an easie conjecture2 for if a certain divine thing shall lie hid in ,salt as they write1 it shall of necessity follow that that divine spark being freed from all its earthly bonds should be far superiour to all earthly things in beauty1 virtues1 efficacy and power2 and that next to the eternal ,god himself it should remain the chiefest and most precious ,pearl in the ,world4 ,but who shall teach us the manner of separating so precious a ,pearl out of the common and ,kitchin ,salt8 none but ,god alone1 or some good friend2 who can make his friend a partaker of the knowledge received from ,god8 ,but since that very few mortals do seek1 love1 fear and honour ,god with sincere hearts1 but do much rather cleave fast unto the frail and unjust ,mammon1 and attribute divine honour unto the same2 its no wonder that ,god doth reserve those things to himself1 or at least doth sparingly bestow on us those things which he abundantly supplyed the ,ancients withall from his own bountifull hand3 ,and moreover the same omnipotent ,creatour enlightning some fit subject1 with a certain spark of nature1 grants unto him also so much wit that he knows that by a due silence he is to beware of this wicked dreg or dross of the ,world4 ,whence it is no wonder that the light of nature is at this day made known to so few mortals4 ,but before ,i treat in many particulars of that precious ,pearl of ,salt1 it seems altogether necessary for me1 first to shew the manner and reason of extracting that fire out of ,kitchin ,salt2 the separation whereof can be perfected in no other respect than through the violence of common fire1 to wit1 whenas the ,salt being mixt with a certain earthly matter that it cannot flow1 is urged in a retort with a most strong fire1 that the more pure part of the ,salt1 which is nothing else but a sharp spirit1 may depart into the ,receiver joyned to the ,retort1 in which sharp and sweet spirit a most efficacious fire lurketh which in manner following is to be extracted and concentred4 ,,xii4 ,of the preparation of the fire of ,salt4 ,take of this acid or sharp spirit of ,salt1 rectifie it out of a ,glass ,retort in sand2 the flegm will come over first1 which was put in the receiving ,vessel in the first ,distillation to condense or collect the spirits the more commodiously4 ,after that all the flegm is come off1 and acid drops begin to come1 remove or change your ,receiver1 and take your spirits therein2 continue the ,distillation so long untill all the spirits be come forth1 it being indowed with an acid sweetness1 is an effecter of very many operations1 which doth bring much profit both in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as is manifest out of diverse of my writings1 and especially out of the #b;d4 part of my ,furnaces1 and the comfort of ,mariners4 ,in this sweet and sharp spirit like ,wine there is an infernal fire hidden1 which doth equally like ,coals burn up all things put into it1 like as the fire of wood and coals doth ,vegetables and ,animals1 and it reduceth all things which common fire doth1 by calcining them into ashes1 such as are immature metals1 tin1 lead and the like1 which when they are put into it1 it burns them up by calcining them into white ashes4 ,,xiii4 ,a ,concentrating the rectified ,spirit of ,salt into a moist and cold ,fire4 ,every ,spirit of ,salt consisteth of two things1 to wit1 ,fire and ,water1 which water the fire doth so firmly co-knit to it self1 that it cannot be wholly separated by any distillation or rectifying2 but it always adheres to the fire1 how often soever it be rectified or distilled3 if any one therefore desireth by rectifying to separate them he must of necessity put immature metal-like subjects to the ,spirit of ,salt1 the which1 by how much the more immature or unripe they are1 by so much they render the spirit of salt the purer2 such are ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,zink1 and ,iron1 which by reason of their moist and attracting nature1 do draw to them that invisible fire out of the spirit of salt1 as it were that agent whereof 7as to their maturity or perfection7 they are necessarily destitute1 and without which fiery agent1 a metallick kind of body is able to attain unto no perfection in the earth4 ,such metallick subjects therefore1 the spirit of salt1 they being put into it1 assaulteth1 and as much as it can dissolves them4 ,this solution being distilled out of a glass retort by sand1 with the more gentle fire1 sends forth nothing but a meer and unsavoury phlegm1 the fiery essence it self remaining with the mineral in the ,retort1 the which if it be more and more urged1 and the fire more increased1 that it may become plainly burning bright1 then that mineral cannot longer retain the fire of the salt1 but dismisseth it1 which descending into the receiving vessel1 is condensed into a thick and fiery oyl1 which is afterwards to be kept in strong and well stopt glasses1 because it fumes without intermission1 and desires to return into the air1 as it were its ,chaos from whence it came forth4 ,this fire is the operator of great effects in ,alchymy and ,medicine1 of which effects very few have known how to discourse4 ,but it hath far different properties and qualities from that which is extracted out of ,vitriol1 whereof it shall be afterwards treated4 ,and although through the help of this fire1 incredible things may be performed as well by ,chymists as ,physicians1 and other ,artificers2 yet it is a consuming1 destroying1 and also a ripening fire2 neither hath it the least of the most noble ,pearl with it whereof we have made mention above1 and the which in this preparation is converted into such a fire4 ,that ,pearl1 if it should be extracted or allured out of ,salt1 in my simple opinion it were to be extracted not by the benefit of the fire1 but through the endeavour of metallick and attracting subjects4 ,but although ,i do not profess my self to be so skilfull a ,master1 and do not arrogate to my self the knowledge of so precious a pearl1 yet ,i cannot but bewray that small little spark of ,nature which ,god hath granted unto me1 that so every one may have a clear knowledge and sight of what admirable mysteries ,salt doth hide in its own vile body4 ,,xiv4 ,the manner whereby that most precious ,pearl of ,salt may at least wise in some respect be rendred conspicuous or apparent4 ,even as ,i have admonished in my foregoing writings1 that the powers1 colours1 and virtues of all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals are found concentred in ,fire and ,salt1 so also ,i now affirm and assert the same thing that by ,salt through the benefit of ,fire1 all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,metals1 may in their own species1 nature and properties be increased and propagated into an infinity4 ,so that we have the seeds of them4 ,for example sake1 ,i prepare ,kitchin ,salt by the fire1 that its tartness being lost1 it puts on the nature of an ,alcali or ,lixivial ,salt1 ,i mix some parts thereof with some barren earth1 or with naked sand1 the which ,i moisten with water1 in these ,i sow the seeds of vegetables1 that they may be nourished by that ,salt and may grow1 which in thus growing do obtain their own proper figures1 virtues and colours1 they appear green1 yellow and red1 sky-coloured1 purple coloured1 and white1 c4 and have a sweet1 sour1 sharp1 bitter1 savour1 even as ,god hath bestowed on every particular kind its own proper nature1 which operation proceeds from this one onely ,salt1 and the fiery beams of the ,sun being tempered with air4 ,when therefore ,beasts are fed with these ,herbs growing1 and receiving nourishment from the ,salt1 they are of necessity also nourished and increased by the same2 even as also the same ,herbs growing from the same ,salt do supply nourishment and increase themselves4 ,but if any one could obtain the true seed of ,gold1 and increase that seed by the help of ,salt and ,fire2 he might 7without doubt7 obtain great plenty of ,gold1 but ,god will not have it that the tail of the ,goat should be as long as the ,cows1 the which being lifted up with too much pride1 would strike out her own eyes with her too long tail4 ,if therefore all things and ,gold it self1 as also ,silver1 ,pearls1 and precious ,stones1 are after an invisible and occult manner hidden in ,salt1 and may by the help of art and nature be rendred palpable and visible2 why also might it not come to pass that the most excellent ,medicine and most precious ,pearl of the wise men might be allured forth out of the same ,salt8 ,truly common ,pearls are bred out of ,salt waters1 wherein if the first matter of ,pearls were not1 after what manner or sort should they bewray themselves out of the same8 ,therefore that it may evidently be made manifest1 that by the operation of art1 also ,pearls may be extracted out of ,salt which do far excell those ,pearls1 which by fishing are drawn out of the depth of the ,sea1 in beauty1 virtue1 efficacy and excellency2 ,i will prescribe as much indeed as hath been granted unto me1 for demonstrating the possibility of the thing1 a certain manner whereby every one shall be able to take to him a firm and sure foundation of weighing or considering of the matter more exactly4 ,,xv4 ,an operation of alluring forth a ,philosophical ,pearl out of ,salt4 ,dissolve thou in common water1 as much of common ,salt as thou wilt1 by how much the greater plenty thou shalt take1 by so much the more thou shalt obtain4 ,in like manner dissolve in aq4 fort4 one or two ,ounces of ,silver1 pour this solution of ,lune on the dissolved ,salt1 and stir both the dissolutions up and down divers times1 that it may become white and like unto ,milk4 ,for ,silver cannot well indure the ,salt1 but departing from it is precipitated to the bottom1 and there resides1 in the form of a snow-like ,powder1 which by the effusion or pouring off the water is to be separated and dried4 ,this silver powder hath extracted a spiritual and philosophical gold1 or the said precious ,pearl out of the ,salt ,water4 ,because ,diana hath known no less how to fish ,pearls in the ,salt ,sea1 than to hunt wild ,beasts in the green ,woods3 ,but that ,pearl is made corporal and visible in manner following4 ,,xvi4 ,how the ,pearl being attained is made visible4 ,it is to be noted that that silver powder being thus by it self1 and without an admixture of other fixxed ,salts1 doth very hardly by fusion return into its former form of silver1 but that it flows like ,salt1 and pierceth any vessel whatsoever1 yea doth depart into a smoak4 ,for the spirits of the ,salt do render the silver so fluid and volatile2 that it is made altogether mercurial2 and therefore its more tender and noble part may be separated from its more gross part by distillation1 if this could be done by glassen1 or earthen1 or metallick vessels4 ,when this mercury of ,lune is melted in an open crucible1 it vanisheth into smoak4 ,it being put into a ,glass ,retort1 refuseth to yield to the fire1 the which being too much increased makes the glass to melt1 and destroys the glass together with the silver4 ,if earthen vessels be used1 the same mercury pierceth the same unhurt like oyled ,leather1 when it departs1 the ,salts also depart into smoak1 and do leave little grains of silver adhering to the vessel1 whereof in this respect there is made a loss1 which renders the sublimation void4 ,of ,iron vessels also here is no use1 because of the ,salts that are admixed with the silver rising up against the ,iron1 they dismiss the silver reduced to its ancient body1 and besides a little spirit of salt they send forth nothing1 so that no separation is made1 but the pure and impure do remain co-mixt4 ,for the sake of avoiding those discommodities ,i have tried many ways and manners in vain1 and at length ,i took notice1 that if such a matter be added to the most penetrating mercury of ,lune1 which may so hinder its efficacy of solving and co-melting1 that it may be changed into a porous lump1 than that1 through the benefit of fire there might be an easie separation thereof1 which without this help doth most difficultly exist4 ,in the name of the ,lord1 therefore adjoyn thou unto thy fishing ,net2 that is1 unto the mercury of ,lune1 such a matter in due weight and measure which admits not of melting1 and which suffers not the mercury of ,lune to conflux1 or melt together4 ,such are wooden ,coals being reduced into a fine powder1 with the which being mixt with the mercury of ,lune1 thou shalt fill thy distilling vessel1 whether it be earth1 or iron1 or glass which is the best of all1 even unto the half part1 and shall set it in the fire1 the which is to be gently increased by degrees1 untill the glass become burning bright1 keep the vessel so long in this heat untill all the spirits are departed1 which ceasing1 thou shalt take away the vessel being cold1 in which thou wilt find the remainder of the mercury which did not ascend1 reduced into a corporal or imbodyed silver1 or at least wise such1 to which adding a little borace is easily reduced into silver1 the which doth contain somewhat of gold2 but keep thou that subtile and pure matter which ascended in distillation as a precious treasure1 and meditate after what sort1 or by what means thou mayst be able to fix this precious ,pearl1 and convert it into a fusible1 or flowable1 and piercing stone4 ,but in what respect1 or in what manner this thing is to be done1 in very deed ,i cannot tell1 because ,i am he who have not hitherto had leisure1 nor time of perfecting that thing1 and therefore ,i have been willing here to shew onely these things which ,i have seen with my eyes1 and handled with my hands4 ,another shall be able by his own judgment to make tryal1 and to see what ,god will bestow upon him1 ,i have shewn in stead of the mercurial ,statue or ,image1 that which shall suffice at present4 ,,xvii4 ,a more easie manner of obtaining a ,philosophical ,pearl4 ,if thou shalt be desirous of obtaining a ,philosophical ,pearl after a more easie manner1 thou must of necessity thus operate4 ,unto half a ,loton1 i4 e4 two drams of the mercury of ,lune1 add a little of the powder of ,coals1 and put the conjoyned matters into a small glass1 the which set in a crucible encompassed with sand unto that height which the matter in the glass it self shall determine4 ,on the mouth of the glass put a small piece of some glass that it may be well covered1 and so place thou a less crucible with the upside downward upon that little glass1 that its 7top7 utmost and highest bound being overwhelmed with the said sand may drive away all air from that little glass4 ,set that crucible being in this manner co-fitted1 and containing the little glass shut up between them in live ,coals of ,wood1 and make them bright burning hot1 that that may remain fired for a quarter of an hours space1 then let them cool1 and thou shalt find a little lifted up by sublimation1 the rest being melted by borace1 will afford a silver impregnated with gold1 yet without gain1 the which demonstrateth onely in the space of half an hour1 what may be done3 but what gain may be obtained by this very operation shall hereafter be shewn4 ,furthermore it is here to be seen how most beautifull a ,pearl doth bewray it self1 although very little of it come forth1 because in this labour no small part thereof flies away into the air1 and sheweth onely its colours alone in the glass1 far more beautifull than gold1 silver1 and precious stones2 if any one shall rightly operate1 neither shall there be any ,painter who shall express it by imitating and painting4 ,for this time take what hath been spoken in right and good part1 and immediately weigh thou so great a thing the more exactly1 pray1 labour1 seek1 and in seeking thou shalt find such things which thou couldst never before have believed4 ,the ,brethren of ignorance1 my enemies1 will here object against me1 and say1 that these most elegant colours have drawn their original from the silver3 unto those ,i briefly answer1 ,that they were indeed extracted out of the ,salt by the help of the silver1 but that they do not 7per se7 or by themselves pertain to the silver1 for if they were of the silver they would also be solved by aq4 fortis1 the which1 since it is not done1 they are not silver1 but the meer ,anima or ,soul of the salt4 ,that this thing may be confirmed by a more evident argument1 ,i bring the solution of ,saturn or ,lead1 the which it self also can fish out the same ,pearl from ,salt1 without ,silver4 ,if anyone shall operate after the same manner which ,i but now shewed1 ,i also add this1 that ,i am hereafter to teach a way whereby ,saturn may be able to fish pure simple gold out of all salts4 ,let us now return unto the moist and cold fire of the ,philosophers1 and see what an admirable fire ,god hath hidden in ,salt ,peter4 ,that a most potent fire doth lurk in ,salt ,peter is not worth our confirming by any argument4 ,that horrible ,gunpowder which shakes or rends all things asunder proveth the thing most manifestly1 and ,aq4 ,fortis1 which dissolveth and destroyeth all ,metals1 yet another fire of far more powerfull virtue is hidden in the same ,salt1 which very few have known and beheld1 and the which we will here make manifest1 for the honour of ,god1 and the profit of all mankind4 ,,xviii4 ,of the preparation of the moist and cold fire of ,salt ,peter4 ,take of ,potters earth being without sand1 and burnt1 #b parts1 and #a part of ,salt ,peter very well purified1 with both these matters being reduced into powder and well mixed together1 fill a glass retort well coated with clay1 put it in a ,furnace for distillation1 and joyn a ,receiver to the ,neck of the ,retort1 into which put as many pints or pounds of water as there were pounds of ,salt ,peter mixed with the earth1 that the ,spirits going forth may so much the sooner be condensed into moisture1 after thou hast exactly joyned and luted thy ,receiver to the neck of the ,retort1 with a due lute 7or clay7 kindle a fire according to ,art by degrees1 and the spirit of the ,salt ,peter 7representing a yellow or red mist in going forth7 will joyn it self to the water placed in the ,receiver4 ,all the ,spirits being come forth1 take off thy ,receiver1 and separate them from the water1 put this sharp spirit of ,niter into some strong glass3 it being by distilation freed from its superfluous phlegm and rectified1 is applied unto ,medicinal and ,chymical uses3 concerning the operations and virtues whereof there is mention made in the second part of my ,furnaces1 and in the ,dispensatory of ,schroderus4 ,moreover1 the manner of extracting and concentring a fire of this spirit is this4 ,pour this spirit of ,niter on the powder of ,lap4 ,calaminaris or ,zink reduced into small little grains that it may dissolve as much as it can3 and when it will dissolve no more in the ,cold1 place the glass in hot sand that it may dissolve more of the matter1 filtre the solution and by sand draw off all the phlegm in a glass retort2 the phlegm being all come off1 change thy ,receiver1 and increase thy fire and drive out a fiery oyl1 which oyl thou shalt keep well stopt1 because it uncessantly fuming would wholly vanish away in the ,air4 ,this fiery smoke of ,salt ,peter1 as also that of ,vitriol1 and common ,salt1 burns up all ,herbs1 ,grass1 ,leaves and ,flowers1 and whatsoever it toucheth1 just as if they were burnt with a strong heat of the ,sun or ,fire4 ,and this is the preparation of the moist and cold fire of ,salt ,peter1 of the use and efficacious operation whereof in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 it shall be more exactly and fully treated on in the following ,chapters4 ,,xix4 ,of the moist fire of ,allome4 ,allome also by the work of ,distillation and ,concentration yields an efficacious fire most like to that of ,vitriol1 in efficacy and virtues1 but the plenty doth not answer by reason of too much earth wherewith it abounds1 yet if somewhat of the other ,salts be added unto it1 it rightly and orderly bestows its fire4 ,,xx4 ,of the moist and cold fire of ,sulphur4 ,although ,sulphur finds not a place in the order of ,salts1 because it refuseth the solving in water1 yet it contains a vitriolated salt laid up in it1 which doth not manifest it self before that the more fat substance thereof shall be withdrawn by inflaming1 by the operation whereof the salt is attenuated or made thin1 and is carried on high by the flame like a sharp smoke1 so that this sharp sulphureous spirit burns all things which it toucheth1 after the manner of all those fires which are drawn out of salts4 ,for the attaining this vitriolated and sulphureous spirit the flame of the sulphur is to be received1 in a certain ,alembick made of glass or earth1 peculiarly for this operation1 wherein that vitriolated spirit of salt condenseth it self1 and issues forth like a thick fat1 and fiery oyl1 not unlike to that which is made of ,vitriol1 whereof it is treated on in my ,furnaces4 ,all these things do very evidently confirm those particulars1 which ,i have many years agoe committed to memory3 concerning ,sulphur and ,vitriol1 to wit1 that ,sulphur is the original of all metals1 and that no metal at all is digged out of the earth1 which hath not either ,vitriol or ,sulphur1 or for the most part both adjoyned unto it1 for no sulphur is destitute of vitriol1 nor vitriol of sulphur1 so that both of them do challenge the rise or birth of any kind of metals whatsoever unto themselves4 ,and every sulphur is by its own proper agent or vitriolated salt1 which it hath in its possession by nature 7whereto the central fire of the earth is an assistant7 excocted or boiled up more and more into a metal2 neither doth this universal agent or vitriolated salt depart from the fatness1 or its patient1 untill the fatness together with the agent shall depart into a malleable metal1 or a metal that undergoes the hammer4 ,lead1 iron and copper1 do make this thing manifest1 which metals do never appear without vitriol and sulphur1 and that for this cause2 because they being as yet unripe and imperfect ones1 do stand in need of their agent4 ,a less plenty of ,sulphur or ,vitriol is found with silver1 than with ,copper4 ,gold hath little of ,vitriol or ,sulphur1 yea plainly none at all1 if it shall attain to its highest maturity1 because it is then found to be pure and malleable1 and wants not a further fusion or melting1 but by how much the more of ,copper1 ,gold1 and ,silver have1 by so much the more of ,vitriol or ,sulphur they have1 as also require the more time for their ex coction and perfecting4 ,from these particulars1 it manifestly appears in what respect metals may in a long time be generated in the bowels of the earth by their first principle1 namely ,sulphur2 and may be ripened to perfection1 by its own ,salt1 or agent1 which it hath in its possession4 ,if nature doth effect this in a long time1 why also may it not come to pass1 that art should perform the same in a shorter time8 ,but let these things that have been spoken be sufficient1 he that understands not1 nor also perceiveth the scope or mark1 which ,i so clearly shew is blind1 and doth not admit of a remedy for his blindness4 ,truly ,i judge these few things1 7but yet such as shew a most long way with a most shining ,torch7 to be sufficient concerning the moist and cold fires of minerals1 by which the ripening and perfecting of metals1 are to be perfected as well by nature in the bowels of the earth1 as by art above the earth4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if therefore a mineral may by the help and impulse of its own vitriolated ,salt1 wherewith it is endowed1 be ripened from its vile form and lowest degree unto a better1 and at length unto the best of all1 that is1 unto the purest gold1 it being that which none 7that is seasoned but with the least knowledge of natural things7 will deny4 ,also if such a ,sulphur is hidden in any vegetable1 which answers to a mineral ,sulphur in its nature and properties1 why also might it not come to pass1 that this same ,sulphur might be perfected into mature gold1 alike equal to the other8 from hence it most evidently appeareth that in any ,herb1 although the most abject one1 which is promoted by the ,sun unto its maturity1 a spark of the immature beams of ,sol may be found1 which through the operation of art1 are to be changed into pure gold4 ,but after what manner such a ,sulphur may be extracted out of any ,herb or any ,wood whatsoever1 in all things like to a mineral one1 ,i have long since delivered in my little work concerning the nature of ,salts1 and in the second part of the miraculum mundi1 and below ,i will demonstrate by a much more clear manifestation4 ,let us proceed to ,animals and ,vegetables1 and consider whether in these very things1 such a ripening fire may be found1 and may from thence also be drawn and made visible4 ,but we must know that no small living creature or small ,herb can grow1 live1 and receive1 increase without a certain fiery and ,salt ,agent2 the which although it cannot be believed by any one that is lifted up with pride1 and of a stupid brain1 yet it in very deed exilteth1 and can easily be demonstrated by the hand of the ,artificer4 ,,xxi4 ,a most powerfull manner of extracting a fire out of any ,wood1 or any ,herb whatsoever1 and of rendering it palpable and visible4 ,fill some glass1 stony1 or earthen distilling vessel with any dried ,wood or dried ,herb1 and distill off the ,vinegar or sharp liquor from thence1 and separate the ,oyl from it2 and pour that sharp liquor on ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,zink1 or ashes of lead1 which matters do dismiss all the unsavoury moisture in distilling1 and retain the whole sharpness with themselves1 the which being distilled from thence ascends like unto meer fire1 it being of great use as well in ,medicine as ,alchymy1 whereof mention shall be made hereafter4 ,but here it is to be noted that this fire extracted by distillation1 is onely a part of that fire of the ,wood and ,herbs1 and that the other part remains in the ,coals thereof1 which is far more fixed than that which ascended1 and is that ,sulphur which we spoke of but now1 which wholly answers to the nature of a mineral ,sulphur1 and which may be extracted out of the ,coals being solved by ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 which shall be taught and manifested in the following ,chapter4 ,for if there were no fire in them1 after what sort should they burn and draw out heat8 all ,coals being converted into ashes1 after that their hidden ,sulphur hath done its office1 the feces of the ,wood remains like dead ashes1 wherein as yet lies hid a certain singular vegetable fire1 being altogether of another nature1 and wholly contrary to that which ascendeth in ,distillation4 ,this water being extracted out of the ashes presents a ,lixivium1 the which by decoction exhaleth all the moisture1 and leaves the rest a fiery ,salt1 whereof in the second part of my ,dispensatory4 ,if it be made hot without fusion1 or melting1 it becomes the more fiery1 so that it being bound to the skin for some hours in the bigness of a pea1 it burns a small hole therein as if it had been burnt with a bright burning iron4 ,and therefore ,chyrurgeons make use of such fires that they may open unripe ,ulcers1 or make ,issues4 ,it may be seen by these particulars that in any ,wood or any ,herb1 there are also fires of divers kinds1 the which also are found in living creatures1 they being partly volatile and sharp1 and partly fixed1 and obtaining the nature of ,alcalies or ,lixivial ,salts4 ,both ,salts or ,fires1 after they are conjoyned they lose their fiery nature1 and get unto themselves another quality and property2 to wit1 a middle one1 and these two contrary fires become an essential tartarous ,salt1 and sweet in use1 wherein no fire appears1 although that fire being turned out and in by art1 may be again extracted and made visible4 ,concerning these wonderfull changes of nature1 and conversions out of one species or particular kind into another1 many things are found up and down in my writings4 ,in the first part of the continuation of the miracle of the ,world1 it is manifestly described after what sort a plenty of such fire may be attained out of ,woods1 but the concentring thereof is here delivered4 ,in general it is here to be noted1 that one ,wood or one ,herb doth more abound with such a fire than another4 ,but by how much any ,wood or ,herb is the elder1 and by how much the longer the ,sun-beams have operated on it1 by so much the more of fire is in it1 as is manifest from the ,vine2 which hath received plentifull ,rays of that sort1 and therefore excells all other vegetables in the greater and stronger fire1 as appears not onely by the burning spirit1 but also the tartar1 or tartarous ,salt thereof1 which is almost all fire1 and yet without ,distillation and ,calcination it cannot be manifested4 ,that therefore it may be brought forth into open view1 and be rendred visible1 we must make use of the following operation4 ,,xxii4 ,the manner of manifesting the fire of the ,vine4 ,fill thou a ,glass ,retort with common ,tartar1 and distill forth the volatile spirit and oyl1 the which thou shalt separate after a due manner4 ,great virtues are in this oyl1 whereof ,i have made mention in the second part of my ,furnaces4 ,the spirit is to be rectified in ,b4 that the fiery substance onely may depart1 and the unprofitable flegm remain behind2 the rectified spirit is to be poured on the fixed ,salt1 7residing in the ,retort1 which must be first calcined by a strong fire and made fiery7 and from thence again distilled1 that the fixed ,salt may retain the rest of the unprofitable flegm1 and the spirit attain the greater fiery virtues for the performing of wonderfull effects in medicine1 the which my writings do teach4 ,,xxiii4 ,another manner of extracting or drawing forth a far more stronger fire out of ,tartar4 ,dissolve thou that ,alcalizated ,salt from which the spirit was abstracted in rectifying in a little water1 that it may become a very sharp ,lixivium or ,lye2 pour one pound of this ,lixivium on two pounds of white ,tartar in a ,gourd1 and that being reduced into powder1 put on a head which being well luted on with clay1 set it in sand and kindle a fire by degrees1 if thou shalt rightly work thou shalt obtain a most subtile fire1 one drop whereof doth burn the tongue1 as if it had been touched with a burning ,iron4 ,how wonderfull things may be effected by this fire1 ,i have already shown in other places of my writings4 ,,xxiv4 ,a manner of drawing forth as yet a more vehement fire out of ,tarter4 ,take of crude ,tartar and the ,regulus of ,mars1 or the purest metallick part of iron1 the scoria being separated1 equal parts1 the which thou shalt mix by beating together1 put them in a crucible with a cover so well fenced with clay that it may admit of no air1 keep them in a bright burning fire for the space of an hour1 then take them away4 ,from all these particulars it is made known to every one that a vehement fire lies hidden in vegetables readily serving for the effecting of many admirable things in ,medicine1 ,alchymy and other arts1 from the declaring whereof the shortness of time and this treatise1 commands us at this time to cease4 ,but moreover we must see whether living creatures also are potent in the same fire1 and in what respect any one may be made partakers of the same4 ,,xxv4 ,the preparation and ,con-centration of fire out of ,animals4 ,as the ,vine is the most noble of all vegetables1 so man also is esteemed by all that are indowed with judgment to be the most noble of all ,animals1 or living ,creatures2 the truth whereof the thing it self affirmeth by a plentifull ,testimony4 ,therefore we pass by all other ,animals in silence1 and do here shew 7by the following manner7 the preparation of that fire onely that lies hid in ,man4 ,the ,ancient ,philosophers have called the great ,world1 ,macrocosmus1 and man as it were the lesser ,world1 ,microcosmus1 and a comparison being made1 they have determined that what things are found in the great ,world1 the same are to be found in the lesser ,world1 that is in ,man4 ,from whence also they unanimously believed1 and also committed to memory1 that as well the life of the greater1 as of the lesser ,world1 doth consist in a saline and saltish spirit1 and that this spirit doth bear rule in one place more1 in another less4 ,neither is there any one also who will or can deny1 that the whole earth is filled with ,salt as it were its ,balsam2 and that minerals are alike equally bred thereby in the very bowels of the earth1 as vegetables are in the ,superficies4 ,yet notwithstanding the ,salt of the great ,world is no where more plentifully found than in water1 or in the ,seas2 the which as it is a thing most known1 it needs no confirmation4 ,the same thing is to be understood concerning the little ,world1 viz4 ,man1 and although the whole body in all its parts abound with their true ,balsam1 yet a greater plenty of this ,salt and ,balsamick spirit1 is found in his flesh than in his bones1 a greater plenty likewise in his bloud than in his flesh1 but the greatest plenty in his ,bladder1 or in the ,salt ,sea of the lesser ,world1 the which is hidden to none1 but it is the custom not to seek necessary things in remote places1 but in places nigh where they are most easie to be found4 ,hence because a more plentifull ,salt is no where found in man than in his ,urine1 we of right lay hold on an occasion of seeking and con-centrating the fire in the same1 and we make use of the following preparation4 ,,xxvi4 ,the operation of preparing a fire out of man's ,urine4 ,i have at large delivered this operation in the second part of my ,furnaces1 whither ,i refer the ,reader2 where he shall not onely find a manifold composing of this fire1 but also its various use in ,medicine4 ,but although it be needless to describe that operation there repeated1 yet it seems meet to me 7for a more evident declaration's sake7 here to adjoyn some admonitions which concern it4 ,,xxvii4 ,observations which concern the preparation of an ,animal fire4 ,such a fire is for the most part drawn forth out of man's ,urine being putrified by it self for the space of some weeks1 and is by rectifying converted into a moist and fiery essence as the second part of my ,furnaces sheweth2 ,i have there taught a more easy manner of drawing forth the same fire out of ,sal-,armoniack1 which is prepared out of ,urine1 and by the addition of a strong ,lixivium it is distilled and rectified4 ,i have also taught the manner of preparing the same fire out of ,sal-armoniack by the ,addition of ,lapis ,calaminaris1 by distilling it through a ,retort4 ,spirits rightly prepared after these manners are equally profitable in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and other arts2 because they are those which being well made are all of them good1 after what manner soever they may be prepared4 ,but although these volatile animal fires do readily serve for the performing of famous and notable things 7and the fixed ,salt of ,urine it self1 may by ,distillation and rectification be con-centrated into another kind of fire7 yet they are at a far distance from that true ,philosophical fire which the ,ancients have hidden with so great care and diligence1 because that in these preparations the best and chiefest part of the fire flies away and is lost4 ,but this ,i say1 that these fiery ,spirits of ,urine being con-centrated even as ,i have taught them to be1 are indeed able to effect all those things which ,i have attributed to them1 and shall as yet attribute4 ,but indeed they do not coagulate the con-centrated fire of the ,vine1 which coagulation is not the least key for the composing of an universal ,medicine4 ,for when the ,spirit of ,urine attains this nature1 that by coagulating the most subtile ,spirit of ,wine1 7when poured on it7 into a ,salt1 this ,salt extracts the soul of ,gold duely prepared2 the which also1 if it be changed by it self1 and converted into a dry and sweet ,salt1 and be fixed1 possesseth the virtues of a ,medicament of a most famous and great use in ,medicine4 ,every one that is illustrated1 but even with the least light of nature1 shall be able by an easy business1 to smell out what may hiddenly lurk under this ,salt4 ,from the most pure ,vine is the substance of the ,spirit of ,wine1 which strengthens the heart of man beyond all other things1 as also his brain1 and other members4 ,the ,spirit of ,urine is the purest and most subtile ,mercurial ,animal ,salt1 not having its like in penetrating1 opening1 and resolving4 ,this subtile ,mercurial1 ,animal and piercing fire therefore1 being joyned to the most pure vegetable1 that is1 the ,spirit of ,wine1 that it may be changed together with it into a dry ,medicine1 any one shall be able by an easy conjecture to foresee what it will effect in ,medicine4 ,but that ,i may make manifest the errour1 and demonstrate the cause wherefore a ,spirit of ,urine is so seldom prepared1 which will coagulate the ,spirit of ,wine into a ,salt1 ,i admonish that a respect be had by every one of the following particulars4 ,for first it is to be taken notice of1 that the most subtile part onely of the ,spirit of ,urine1 and not the more gross part1 is fit for the coagulation of the ,spirit of ,wine3 ,if therefore in the preparation of the same1 the most subtile part shall be lost1 through the negligence or ignorance of the operator1 it can in no wise be brought to pass1 that the more gross and dreggy part should cause that coagulation4 ,but that most subtile ,spirit doth not onely vanish away in distillation through an insufficiency of the ,luteing not being good1 but also a great part of the same is lost before distilling1 to wit1 when the ,urine being successively gathered1 is constrained to stand and wait too long1 so that the ,spirit by little and little exhaleth and departs into the ,air1 especially when it is gathered together in the ,summer or ,winter time1 for that fire not being patient of any extreme1 is expelled by a little heat or cold1 and therefore the fittest times for collecting the same are the ,months called ,march and ,may1 or ,september and ,october1 in which ,months the ,air is temperate1 neither too hot1 nor too cold1 those ,months therefore are the fittest for collecting and extracting of an ,animal fire out of it4 ,furthermore1 ,calx-vive or unslaked ,lime is to be added to the ,urine 7when putrified7 and distilled1 that the insipid water may be so much the more easily or readily separated from that volatile fire1 the which is not done if it be distilled per se4 ,i would not pass by these few things in silence for the sake of the ,reader1 and of him that is studious of good ,medicines3 ,but after what manner ,metals may be amended by this ,animal fire is not here shewn1 but ,god willing shall by and by in the following ,chapters4 ,but we put an end to the preparation and con-centration of ,animal and ,vegetable fires1 with these sayings1 whose admirable virtues and faculties in medicines1 ,alchimy and other profitable ,arts1 shall here be manifested in order1 as much as time will permit4 ,look ,i pray you on the ,elementary ,sun1 as also on the fire of woods1 and the virtues of light1 and the virtue of both1 the which all creatures1 and especially mankind it self1 is constrained to make use of for their own safety2 could even the least grass bewray itself8 or any small worm be bred and live without the ,sun8 could any workmanship or artifice be exercised without the help of common fire8 the which1 if it were not1 we should be constrained to eat unboyled ,herbs1 and raw ,flesh like wild ,beasts3 yea1 the whole conversation and negotiation or traffique among men should be wholly taken away1 if earthly fire and light should be wanting unto us4 ,if there were some one man onely in ,some whole ,city or ,province1 or in a whole ,kingdom1 who alone could make others partakers of fire and light1 would there not be made the greatest concourse of all men unto him8 but because it is known to every one1 and everyone hath known by an easy manner1 how to strike it out of flints1 it is had in no esteem1 for it is customary not to esteem those things which are made common1 although they are pretious4 ,the same thing hath happened to the fire1 the which although it ought to be made of greatest account1 yet it is reckoned of no worth because it is common and vulgar4 ,but even as the common fire1 and that known to every one1 doth by very many most profitable operations bring much good to mortals1 who can least of all want the use thereof2 so also ,i affirm that those artificial and hidden fires are to be very much accounted of1 because a ,phisician can hardly be without them1 for the preparations of efficacious ,medicines1 and a ,chymist can never want for the transmutation of the more base metals into better1 either of them without the aid of those fires shall perform nothing of any great moment in ,chymical ,labours4 ,he that works and is ignorant of such fires1 what will he effect in metallick operations8 he being conversant in cold and darkness is afflicted with the ,same difficulty1 as a certain brewer or baker is1 who wants wood in the winter season1 or who is not able to use water1 it being congealed into ice1 the one he cannot bake although he hath the best meal1 and the other brew drink although he have abundance of the best malt4 ,so also goes the matter with ,alchymical ,affairs1 the want whereof causeth that we handle not the most noble ,alchimy with any profit1 but rather receive loss from the same1 daily experience being witness1 that #ajj are wont to be sooner undone than that it happens to any one man to get himself riches thereby4 ,the blame of which discommodity is not to be transferred on an impossibility of the art1 but rather to be imputed to the want of those moist1 cold1 and ripening fires extracted out of ,salts1 the which after what sort they ought to be used for the amendment of metals1 as also for medicine and other arts1 shall be taught partly in this1 and partly in the other ,centuries4 ,,xxviii4 ,the general use of our concentred fiery and ripening ,spirits1 extracted out of ,salts1 in the amendment and converting of metals into more noble ones2 also the preparation of many excellent medicaments1 and the increase and amendment of many other arts1 are briefly here demonstrated2 the which1 ,god granting1 shall more largely be declared in their particular use4 ,that ,i may discourse in few words whether imperfect metals may by the operation of the more common and gross ,salts1 and of the fire be broken1 destroyed1 cleansed1 and reduced into a better form1 it being that which the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany confirmeth by divers experiments4 ,i affirm that the pure ,spirits of ,salts1 do with a greater efficacy1 and far better effect the same1 the which1 since those simple ,spirits are able1 better and more easily to perform than gross ,salts1 why should not also con-centrated ,spirits after the best and easiest manner of all perform the same thing8 ,from a like reason the use of ,salts shall not be of so great efficacy in the preparation of medicines1 and other arts1 as the useing of common ,spirits is2 the which1 notwithstanding being still for the most part clogged with much phlegm1 do of necessity not disclose so great virtues1 as those con-centred fiery ,spirits do which are freed from all phlegm4 ,the ,sun-beams are for an example which do not send forth so great heat1 when they are co-mixed with a moist air1 as also green and wet ,woods do not so vehemently burn with heat1 as withered and dry ones are wont to do4 ,yea if the hot beams of the ,sun are con-centred in or by some hollow glass increasing the fire1 or the fires of ,coals by a strong blowing of the ,bellows1 and are as it were constrained into straights or narrow passages1 they effect ten times1 yea one hundred times more than those which are not centred together after such a sort4 ,but by how much the more strictly those forces of the beams of the ,sun1 or of other fires are con-centred by so much the greater1 stronger1 and sharper heat they draw out4 ,a burning glass of one foot ,diameter1 onely enflames ,wood2 but one of two foot ,diameter will melt ,tin1 ,lead1 and other metallick matters of that sort1 which are easie to be melted1 as ,bismuthum1 or the whitest1 lightest1 and basest kind of ,lead1 ,zink1 the non-splendent metallick dark matter ,koboltum1 c4 ,but if you extend the ,diameter to four foot1 the ,sun-beams taking the stronger increase will melt silver and copper1 and will render iron it self so bright burning hot1 that it may be wrought with a hammer1 as if it had been heated with ,coals4 ,this effect is to be ascribed unto the con-centring of the ,sun-beams by an instrument1 and to the constraining of the heat of ,coals1 by ,bellows1 or ,wind4 ,the same thing is to be understood concerning our con-centred and moist fires1 which ought to be compared1 not onely with the common beams of the ,sun1 or with the heat of ,kitchin fire1 but also with those ,sun-beams which are con-centred by a glass1 and with the fiery heat of ,coals constrained or forced by windy blasts4 ,whence they must of necessity be of greater virtues than the common ,salts1 and watery spirits of them1 the which the more quick sighted will sufficiently comprehend and believe4 ,simple ,countrey ,people do see this thing with their eyes1 and handle it with their hands1 as well knowing that the subtile1 hot1 sweet ,spirits of ,wine and ,ale1 7and those procuring strength to the heart17 when they are freed from all moisture by ,distillation1 and con-centred by ,rectification2 effect ten fold more than if they had still remained with their humidites4 ,that thou mayest understand the thing more clearly1 well weigh thou ,grapes1 ,bread-corn1 or the ,fruits of ,trees1 which we eat in that substance as the trees bring them forth unto us3 and they afford us a nourishment1 but not such a one1 as their juice being pressed out1 and separated from its dreggs1 and by fermentation reduced into a clear and sweet drink4 ,if necessity compell1 ,bread corn may be used for nourishment as it is1 yet not so well as when it is separated from its husks1 being changed into meal1 and reduced by water into a mass or lump1 and ,salt and ,leaven added1 and by fire concocted or digested into ,bread of the best ,savour4 ,by the same reason ,bread-corn being boiled in fair water yields a potion indeed somewhat better than the water it self1 but if it be artificially handled1 and boyled up into ,ale or ,bear1 the husks are separated from the more pure juice1 the which afterwards by fermentation1 separates many dreggs from it1 and arrives to a more noble nature1 yielding a sweeter and better drink4 ,but if the same juice be after that brought by distillation into a greater purity1 and con-centred together by rectifying1 that the virtues thereof may come into a narrow compass1 7because it is a meer fire7 it will exercise far greater virtues1 than gross ,bread-corn which wants a power of exercising so great virtues4 ,so also doth it succeed with con-centrated ,salts1 to wit1 when the dreggs are separated from them by the help of art1 and the more pure parts converted1 and con-centred into a fiery substance1 performing effects of great moment in ,alchymy4 ,but that ,salts do commonly destroy metals1 as well by a moist as a dry way1 is known to every ,barber1 and persons of no reputation4 ,but after what manner metals being destroyed may be reduced into more noble bodies than they were before1 there hath been none hitherto 7who being skilled in that artifice or craft7 that have not hid it with the greatest care4 ,hence it hath come to pass1 that nothing of profit hath been perceived from metallick transmutations1 and ,alchymy it self hath been made a mock of by the most unskilfull rout of ignorant ones1 as if it were most false1 and at the farthest distance from truth4 ,that this doubt therefore may be taken away1 and the truth it self may be more evidently placed in our view1 ,i have resolved in my mind1 by ,god's assistance1 to place before the eyes of the whole world1 a true and profitable transmutation of metals1 by a clear description1 and to assert the certainty of so many writings set forth by such men1 by the most true experiments1 so that every one that is seasoned but even with a light or small knowledge of the fire1 may by an easy business hereafter obtain some profit from them4 ,but ,i will first treat of common and crude ,salts1 and then of the simple ,spirits of those1 and at length of their con-centred ,spirits and ,fires1 which we have taught to extract out of them4 ,but before ,i attempt to describe and assert this kingly and noble art1 ,i have been led first to shew the cause why some places do occur in the description of the same1 wherein words are omitted1 and signs or blanks reposed instead of the same4 ,indeed this was therefore done1 that the art may be concealed from the unworthy1 and they in all respects to be driven from the same1 and may be made known onely to ,adeptists1 and the ,sons of ,art4 ,besides also that all secrets may not in all places1 and without difference be divulged1 but that the chief things thereof may be preserved for friends1 lest they be trodden under foot1 and broken to pieces by the unworthy1 but that they may be left to friends as it were a certain secret stroak1 and that an unknown one to others1 for to fight successfully4 ,i therefore earnestly require of every one by a friendly ,petition that he be not suddenly angry1 if he be not able clearly to perceive1 by the sharpness of his wit1 all those things which ,i propose1 but rather let him consider that they are not written for him1 but for others2 by whose capacity they can be perceived4 ,neither is it altogether necessary that all do know all things1 neither also would it be of concernment if friends and enemies attain all those things in their understanding alike1 without any difference1 which ,i here openly produce by my descriptions2 it is sufficient that some onely1 and indeed those that are worthy may clearly and knowingly possess the same1 and testifie the truth4 ,,xxix4 ,an infallible practice of changing the more imperfect ,metals into more perfect ones by the help of crude ,salts4 ,as ,i have already a little before1 and also in other places of my writings1 evidently enough demonstrated that ,salts1 or the spirits of ,salts1 are in the earth1 or out of the earth a universal ,agent1 promoting the maturation or ripening of metals3 ,so here ,i again firmly affirm the same thing1 and do say1 that by ,salts the gross bodies of metals are destroyed1 and trans-changed into more noble metals1 and that indeed after divers manners1 and that more easily or difficultly as any one shall be more or less conversant in ,chymical labours4 ,i will hear ,god willing make manifest all things1 yet not to every one1 but to the worthy onely2 and that indeed after the manner of a ,clock or ,watch-maker1 who taking some ,clock or ,watch in pieces1 do lay up all the parts thereof in some place without any order2 the which he that is unskilfull in the art1 shall never again compose and reduce into order4 ,but another who before hath handled that art1 will by an easie labour again conjoyn all those parts1 and reduce them into the former body of a ,clock or ,watch4 ,all those therefore who have experienced the foregoing labours to be perfected by the fire1 shall by these my descriptions easily dispatch or accommodate themselves in future things1 not easie to be understood by the rout of ignorant persons which have made no experiments in the fire2 who will in vain look into those things which ,i have written2 no otherwise than as if any one being plainly unskilfull in reading and writing1 should behold written letters1 and knows not what they signifie1 or what argument they may contain3 ,such a man if he would be angry with the writer1 should he not do him much injury1 because as being far remote from the fault of that ignorance which hinders him1 whereby he cannot read these letters which he had never learned to read4 ,the same thing must be understood concerning my writings1 which are openly published1 not for the sake of any one1 but onely of those who have first learned to understand those kind of writings4 ,but that ,i may set upon the thing it self1 and may teach the amendment of metals for the better1 and shew the very foundation of the whole business1 ,i say1 that a true changing of them is attempted in vain1 unless they are first destroyed1 and wholly slain4 ,a grain of ,wheat1 as ,christ himself saith1 will never increase or multiply1 unless it first putrifies in the earth4 ,if therefore metals ought to be destroyed by ,putrefaction1 that must needs be done by the help of ,salts1 according to the truth of the ,philosophers ,maxim3 the corruption of one thing1 is the generation of another4 ,the death of one thing1 is the life of another4 ,since therefore metals must die1 it must needs be that death be brought on them by enemies1 or contrary things1 because nothing in natural or artificial things dieth1 unless it be slain by its own enemy4 ,since metals therefore ought to be destroyed1 and killed by their enemies2 it is of necessity that they are invaded1 tortured1 and so long vexed by the same1 untill the ,agent as the stronger part1 be overcome by the ,patient as the weaker part2 that it be slain by it1 or rather the ,patient be overcome by the ,agent1 and be translated into a better nature1 in which action the ,patient ought not to depart from the ,agent1 but to be tortured with an un-intermitting torment4 ,whosoever seeing his enemy and conceives himself of the weaker force1 indeavours as much as in him lies to decline him1 by retreating1 but all occasions of running away and slipping aside being taken away1 he is constrained to deliver his life to his enemy1 who handles the ,patient or suffering party according to his own pleasure1 and doth whatsoever he will1 therefore after the same manner is the melioration of metals1 the which although they should be melted together with ,salts their enemies1 yet would they make little account of them1 but would separate themselves from the same2 so that every part of them being unhurt1 would keep its own nature and essence4 ,but if the ,salts do take away the occasion of flight from metals1 and do inclose them in their ,prisons1 that they have no way of escaping1 but remain1 suffer1 and die1 then they obtain victory over the ,salt1 and of slain metals are made more pure and better4 ,this thing is done in the fire by the moist and dry way1 of which enough hath been spoken already4 ,this is the whole and intire art1 and there needs no other superfluous teachings2 yet he whom these things doth not ,suffice1 let him read the following operations thorough1 wherein he shall find truth1 and see with his eyes1 and handle with his hand2 those things which have been heretofore impossible to him1 and very many more4 ,,xxx4 ,after what manner ,metals may be slain by their enemies and be transmuted into better4 ,unto ,metals not one but many enemies are adverse2 and part of those enemies are enemies to some and friends to others1 but the other part is friendly to some1 and at enmity with others4 ,for example sake4 ,nothing more prosecutes ,gold with an hostile hatred than burning ,sulphur and sulphurious ,salts1 such as are ,alcalies1 and crude tartar2 the cause of this hatred is1 because ,gold is nothing else1 but a fixed ,sulphur1 and therefore it disagreeth by a capital hatred1 with every burning ,sulphur2 ,silver and ,lead do love every ,sulphur1 and all sulphureous ,salts1 such as are ,vitriol1 ,salt ,peter1 ,salt ,armoniack1 and the like1 the which they stand in need of for their colour2 they have an hatred against ,kitching ,salt1 because it is of a mercurial nature1 and therefore not requiring its help1 but onely desiring a ,sulphur and ,tincture1 ,copper1 ,iron1 and ,argent vive1 or ,quicksilver do possess both natures1 to wit1 a mercurial and sulphureous one1 and for that cause they prosecute all ,sulphurs1 and any ,salts with love4 ,tin is an enemy of all ,salts1 whether they are sulphureous or mercurial ones1 when it is slain by ,sulphur and ,salt1 and recalled unto life1 it obtains a more pure and thin or fine body1 whether of ,gold or ,silver1 according as it shall be handled4 ,moreover1 if any should desire to obtain as yet a better essence out of better metals1 its necessary that he slay them by their enemies1 and raise them up again by their friends2 by how much the greater and vehement the enemies are whereby metals are slain1 by so much the more those metals do suffer1 and with so much the more famous and better bodies do they re-arise4 ,the whole art therefore consisteth in this1 that metals are overwhelmed by their greatest enemies1 are slain by them1 and after death are separated from them1 and that by their best friends1 are restored unto a better life4 ,thou hast the whole art1 neither doth any other thing remain than that thou attempt the matter1 and set to thine hand4 ,for example sake1 ,i will add an operation4 ,slay a light metallick matter by the sharp ,spirits of sulphurious ,salts1 that it may become a white calx2 free this from the ,salt ,spirits1 by water being poured thereon1 the which being freed1 cannot be reduced into a metallick body by any violence of fire4 ,likewise slay mercurial metals as are ,b4 by mercurial1 ,salts their enemies1 and change them into white calx's1 the which being freed from their saltness1 will be liquid or flowable2 mix those calx's1 to wit1 the mercurial and sulphurious being slain1 put them into a double vessel of cement1 cover the uppermost with a certain plenty of ,b4 fence well the juncture of the cementing vessel with clay1 set them into a cementing furnace1 and at the beginning administer a gentle fire1 that the calx's may rise up against or assault each other1 and the fixed sulphur may bind the fugitive flowable and mercurial calx's1 ,d4 for although in the cement something would depart into smoak1 yet that is intercepted by ,e4 and after a certain manner is thus exalted into the degree of ,f4 ,too much fire is not presently to be joyned to the cement or plaistering it self1 that some time may be granted to the matter that is swift of flight1 whereby it may adjoyn it self unto the fixed matter1 and may also become fixed and constant with the same for four hours space1 therefore the fire shall be somewhat the more slack1 and afterwards for the space of eight or ten hours1 it shall be kept in a clear bright burning heat1 that ,g4 may not melt3 the said time being ended1 the fire is to be extinguished1 and the cementing vessel to be taken away1 in ,g4 a black or brittle body shall be found containing ,silver1 the easy separation whereof we shall afterwards hear4 ,the calx of both metals being coagulated into a hard stone1 if by grinding it be reduced into powder1 and be put into a furnace fit for this thing1 a metallick body will be attained1 being impregnated1 not with a little ,gold and ,silver1 especially if the metals shall be slain1 not by the ,spirits of common ,salts1 but with gradatory martial waters4 ,in this cement1 ,h4 is rendred aureal or golden1 and ,i4 is silvery1 by one and the same endeavour4 ,the profit also it self is of no small moment1 especially if this operation be exercised with the greater quantity1 and the bigger instruments alwaies to supply or afford ,silver being pregnant with ,gold for separation4 ,,xxxi4 ,a brief and compendious manner of extracting and rendring corporeal1 a volatile ,gold out of coloured ,flints1 ,red ,talck1 ,granates or ,red ,marble ,stones1 ,sand1 ,white ,clay and the like metallick earths4 ,at the beginning1 these mineral or metallick earths are to be made bright burning hot1 to be quenched in cold water1 and to be broken in a mill1 into meal or powder4 ,after that they are thus broken1 thou shalt put them into some ,waldenburge1 or ,cullein ,can1 and shalt pour so much of ,aq2 ,regis on them1 that they may onely be moistened1 and let them1 together with the ,can1 be placed in a fire of coals1 and incompassed therewith1 to be made hot2 after that the minerals and ,aq2 ,regis have waxed well hot together1 so much hot water is to be poured on those very minerals as shall be necessary for the extracting of the ,aq2 ,regis4 ,put the minerals thus moistened with the water into great pots1 and those made of the best earth1 having many little holes in the bottom1 on which lay paper for sustaining of the minerals that they may not fall out through the holes1 but may dismiss the water onely4 ,after the first water is gone forth1 other hot water is again to be poured on1 and this effusion of water is so long to be continued1 untill it depart with the very same sweetness as when it was poured on1 and no longer offers any sharpness to the tast4 ,so the common and hot water brings away with it the ,aq4 ,regis1 and the ,aq4 ,regis ,gold out of the minerals4 ,the earthen pots may be placed in a bench bored thorough with holes1 through which their bottoms may pass1 that so the water may be received in vessels set under them4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the minerals may also be put into barrels or hogsheads having a double bottom1 such as are used for the cleansing of ,salt-,peter1 that so water may be so long poured on them1 untill all the acrimony be extracted by the water4 ,,xxxii4 ,after what manner out of ,minerals being extracted1 a true ,salt-,peter may as yet be gotten with profit4 ,the minerals being after the said manner freed by extraction1 they are to be co-mixed with an equal weight of calx vive and wood ashes1 and cast together into an heap under some open gallery or room1 that now and then it may be moistened with ,urine1 or in want of that with ,rain-water1 as oft as they shall be dryed4 ,in this operation the ,aq4 ,regis1 which remained in the minerals1 and was not wholly extracted by the hot water by the help of the ,urine or ,rain-water1 changeth the ,salt in the calx vive into the best ,salt-,peter1 the which may be washed off with ,rain-water1 and boiled up after the wonted manner4 ,therefore after the said minerals have been handled for half or a whole year after the said manner1 and are by rinceing deprived of the ,salt it self1 they may again be 7under an open ,gallery or ,roof so exposed to the air1 that ,rain come not at it7 collected into an heap and be handled after the former manner1 for the supplying 7in their own time7 new ,salt ,peter1 the which may be done for many years together4 ,so also from that ,aq4 ,regis which could not be drawn forth from the minerals1 a profit is received4 ,the cause of this ,salt ,peter1 its being made1 is this1 because the ,aq4 fortis1 or ,aq4 ,regis1 or ,spirit of ,nitre in the same ,waters1 contains as it were the seed of ,salt ,peter1 it obtains that nature1 that like an ,herb it may take an increase from other ,salts1 and be multiplied2 whence perhaps the old proverb arose1 to sow ,salt1 which thing the ignorant have received with mock1 saying after what sort can ,salt be sown and multiplied1 when it is solved and drawn from ,rain-water8 ,but it hath lain hid from those1 what kind of ,salt it is1 and after what manner it is to be sown2 the which we have here demonstrated1 also the saying of the ,ancient ,philosophers1 asserting that ,salt may be sown and multiplied like ,vegetables4 ,as to what pertains to those sharp waters1 whereby gold is extracted out of minerals1 by what skill they are to be handled as also without loss1 yea that they may render that gold with profit2 the following operations are to be observed4 ,,xxxiii4 ,a way shewing the extraction of a volatile and fixed ,gold out of the ,water1 from which the ,minerals are withdrawn1 and the profit which may be received by that ,water4 ,the best way is this1 into the solution of gold1 or into the water which containeth gold1 pour in the solution of ,lune or ,saturn more or less1 even as you suspect more or less of gold to be in that water3 ,as for example4 ,let there be in the water two or three half ounces of gold1 dissolve thou therefore about two or three half ounces of silver1 or lead1 in aq4 fortis1 and pour this solution into the water containing the gold1 be it more or less1 mix them well together by shaking or stirring1 that the water may obtain the form of milk2 after they have settled in quietness1 shake or stir them again1 and repeat this motion for divers times the space of one hour1 and at length suffer all quietly to settle to the bottom4 ,separate all the clear water from the sediment by pouring it out1 and strain the sediment itself through a filtre1 that the water may be wholly separated from the silver4 ,this silver is to be dried1 and reduced into its former body1 after the manner which shall by and by follow4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the silver or lead had not extracted all the gold1 the which may easily happen1 yet that gold is not lost1 for because sweet water whereby the ,aq4 ,regis is weakened is present1 the which now remains unfit for another use of extracting out of minerals2 now by the solution of ,lune or ,saturn deprived of their gold1 a sharp ,lixivium made of wood-ashes1 and ,calx vive may be poured on the same1 with which a little 4444444444 is to be added or admixed4 ,for 4444444444 do precipitate or fix all gold in solutions4 ,after this manner the ,aq4 ,regis is killed1 and every metal which it has yet retaineth1 it dismisseth like a yellow powder1 whether it be gold alone1 or mixed with copper or iron1 which powder is to be dried1 and reduced after the manner which shall strait-way be taught4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that the water after the total precipitating of the metals1 being exhaled in a ,copper ,kettle unto a thin skin1 and exposed in peculiar vessels unto the cold1 it will afford thee a beautifull ,salt-peter1 concreted or grown together into drops or ,ice-acles1 whereof thou may'st again make an ,aq4 fortis1 to be again made use of for the like operations4 ,he that shall rightly operate shall get so much ,salt ,peter as will recompence the charges of the ,aq4 fortis1 and ,aq4 ,regis3 ,so that he shall extract his gold without costs4 ,for five or six pounds of ,aq4 fortis1 wherein two or three pounds of ,salt is dissolved1 and the which hath at length been precipitated by a sharp ,lixivium prepared with ,calx-vive1 doth render ten pound of ,salt ,peter1 the which doth answer the price of five pound of ,aq4 fortis1 and this is the manner of extracting gold out of minerals without cost4 ,,xxxiv4 ,another and better manner of extracting gold by ,aq4 ,regis4 ,take of 4444444444 by torrifying made into ashes1 pour the extraction into an iron ,pot1 and stir the ,calx with an iron ,spatula while it boileth4 ,all the sharp spirits do stick fast to the 4444444444 the phlegm alone vanisheth by exhalation4 ,when therefore the spirits are wholly con-centred with the 4444444444 and 4444444444 are dried1 they are to be put into a close ,tigil or ,crucible upon ,coals in a secret ,crucible or melting ,pot1 then the fire expels the con-centred spirits into a receiving vessel2 the which spirits may be used for a new extraction4 ,a fugacious gold mixt with iron1 remaineth with the 4444444444 which ,calx being reduced in a ,furnace fit for those operations1 which the ,germans do call ,stichofen1 draws out a lead mixt with gold1 the which being expelled by a ,cupel enricheth the operators with the best gold and silver4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if such lead should not contain so much of gold and silver1 as that it should deserve a separation by a ,cupel1 that is again to be mixt with 44444444444444444444 and to be reduced into ashes1 and the operation is so long to be repeated1 untill the lead being rich enough in gold1 may deserve that separation4 ,the separation is also to be perfected with the ,bellows1 lest so great a plenty of lead should be melted out of the ,tests1 which operation requires much fire1 yet the lead may be collected or conjoyned in the ,test without a wastefull melting1 as shall be taught hereafter4 ,,xxxv4 ,an easie making or composing of ,aq4 ,regis1 for extracting of minerals4 ,because a plenteous quantity of spirit of ,salt is easily prepared1 the ,salt ,peter is onely to be dissolved therein1 and with that solution minerals are to be extracted4 ,for the ,salt ,peter strengthens the spirit of ,salt1 that it can so much the more easier set upon and snatch to it the tender gold in those minerals4 ,the same spirit of ,salt1 may also without any rectifying be administred for this operation1 to wit1 such as ascends in the first ,distillation4 ,,xxxvi4 ,another as yet more easier way of preparing ,aq4 ,regis for extraction4 ,because silver doth always in this operation bewray its being impregnated with gold1 which is to be separated by ,aq4 fortis1 the solution of silver is also fitly used to extract after this manner4 ,pour the said solution into ,aq4 ,regis which hath extracted gold1 that the silver may attract the greatest part thereof to it self4 ,but the same ,aq4 ,regis may again extract other gold1 and be attracted by the solution of silver4 ,but if there should be no solution of silver in readiness1 the gold extracted is con-centred with and the operation is perfected by the means or after the manner abovesaid1 by driving the spirit out of the 4444444444 and by reducing it in a ,furnace1 called by the ,germans ,stichofen1 as was said before4 ,n4 ,b4 ,aq4 fortis being dissolved therein1 or poured on or into ,aq4 ,regis1 or the nitrous spirit of ,salt1 it adds an increase and strength to the ,aq4 ,regis1 because ,aq4 fortis doth corroborate the spirit of ,salt better than ,salt ,peter4 ,,xxxvii4 ,how the ,calx of silver1 which hath fished out gold by ,aq4 ,regis1 is to be recovered4 ,when the solution of silver is poured into ,aq4 ,regis1 and the chiefest part of the gold is extracted2 rest is so long granted unto it1 that the ,calx of the silver may settle to the bottom1 and afterwards the ,aq4 ,regis by pouring it forth is separated1 cleared from the ,calx of the silver1 again to be used for a new extraction2 unless perhaps as much of iron had been admixed with it1 in which case 4444444444 the white ,calx of the silver is put into some ,cloath laid in an earthen or glass ,tonnel1 and hot water is to be poured on it1 to take away with it the ,aq4 ,regis1 which is left in the ,calx of the silver4 ,the remaining water is to be pressed out of the ,towel or ,cloath1 and the ,calx dried1 and reduced in the secret ,crucible1 or is made use of in the con-centring of 4444444444 into silver or gold1 viz4 gold and silver4 ,,xxxviii4 ,after what manner precipitated silver is to be reduced without a loss of its weight4 ,seeing the greatest fugacity is procured unto this ,calx of silver1 so that its former body cannot be restored unto it in common ,crucibles without great loss1 this discommodity cannot after a more convenient manner be prevented than by that which follows4 ,mix thou an equal weight of 44444444444444444444 with this volatile ,calx1 and cast it into a close bright burning ,crucible1 that is narrow above1 and broad beneath2 the which after thou hast covered with a ,cover1 and well fenced with the lute of ,wisedom1 thou shall melt the matter together1 nothing whereof shall depart into smoke1 neither shall so much as the least of it pierce through the ,crucible1 and all the ,silver which the gold received is by this means attained without any loss4 ,this silver thou shalt by fusion reduce into grains1 and shalt separate the gold from the same in ,aq4 fortis4 ,and thou shalt again apply the silver thus reduced unto a new labour1 in which labour thou proceeding without intermission shalt have a continual separatory operation of gold and silver2 and this labour thou mayest exercise with great profit in all places4 ,,xxxix4 ,another manner of reducing a fugacious or volatile silver1 with greater profit4 ,place thou at the ,stern of this little golden ,ship1 a little fish whose name is ,remora1 that it may be spoiled of its swiftness and may be at a stand1 cast this silver little ,ship with the little fish ,remora1 sitting at its ,stern1 into a close and square ,tigil or ,crucible1 that by fusion they may depart into one body4 ,in this fusion not onely all the silver is returned without any loss into its former body1 but also is by the white ,finns of the little fish1 augmented with a certain increase of its weight1 and becomes more golden2 so that by this additament more of better silver is gotten1 than if by the addition of other things it had been restored to its former body4 ,what other profits any one may be able to obtain through the help of this volatile silver1 we will ,god willing hereafter teach4 ,these are the things which ,i at this time have been willing to teach1 concerning the extraction of a volatile gold out of stones1 and the more poor minerals1 as also of the extending or bringing forward silver by successive degrees into gold2 of which matter more things shall be spoken in other places4 ,,xl4 ,an operation1 teaching to extract ,stones and ,minerals1 or ,mines that are poor in ,silver1 and ,copper by a moist way4 ,these matters being made bright burning hot1 are to be quenched with water1 then moistened and extracted with ,aq4 fortis2 after the same manner as was taught above concerning the minerals of gold1 and no difference is here met with but in the waters extracting1 since gold is extracted with ,aq4 ,regis1 and silver with ,aq4 fortis4 ,if the minerals or mines of gold and silver are at once in readiness1 the gold is extracted by ,aq4 ,regis1 and the silver by ,aq4 fortis1 and the solutions are to be united1 in which dissolving1 the silver being precipitated by the ,aq4 ,regis1 doth also snatch with it the gold from the ,aq4 ,regis2 and although copper shall be present with the mine of silver1 and it be extracted together with the silver by ,aq4 fortis1 yet it is no impediment to the operation1 for the silver and gold do sink to the bottom1 and the copper is retained by the ,aq4 ,regis to be afterwards administred for a new operation1 and that indeed as often as any one shall be willing4 ,the copper is recovered from the ,aq4 ,regis by thin plates of iron being put therein1 which operation makes the ,aq4 ,regis red1 and wholly unfit for the like labours4 ,therefore the iron being then spiritual1 promotes something out of the lead unto the degree of gold1 and so the ,aq4 ,regis being thus often used1 it is again rendred profitable4 ,,xli4 ,a more easy manner as yet by far1 of plentifully extracting ,gold and ,silver out of poor mines1 as ,sand1 ,white-,clay1 and other the like minerals1 by fire without fusion4 ,the mine or mineral ,argilla1 or ,white-,clay1 c4 containing a volatile and fixed ,gold1 being rosted or calcined1 and broken in pieces in a mill1 fill thou a glass gourd therewith fenced with clay1 or made of the best earth1 half full1 and pour so much of the following menstruum on that matter1 as that it may be well moistened3 but as soon as that menstruum is poured thereon1 it presently begins to give a smoak1 wherefore it is altogether necessary1 that thou presently put a head on the gourd or body1 which is to be set in sand1 and all the moisture separated by distilling1 and that while the distillation is performing the gold may be dissolved1 but the solving matter it self is to be collected in a receiver by it self1 the which hath the virtues of ,aq4 ,regis1 and may be again applyed for use1 as shall by and by be shewn4 ,after that all the humidity is come forth1 take the gourd 7being cold7 out of the sand1 and pour some water on the matter that it may become soft1 and that a ,salt may be extracted from it1 wherein the ,gold lurketh1 which was contained in the mine2 coagulate the ,lixivium being full of ,gold1 into a ,red-,salt1 the which by adding ,litharge1 is to be melted in such ,crucibles which are not broken4 ,the ,litharge draws the ,gold unto it out of the ,salt1 which is to be separated from the ,lead1 after that manner which shall be shewn in the following ,chapters or ,treatises4 ,,xlii4 ,the preparation of a ,water necessary for the extracting of ,gold4 ,take of 44444444444444444444 this water of small charges1 which thou shalt prepare plentifully without trouble1 pour upon mines1 and again separate it by distillation1 to be again used in new labours1 that there may be no need to prepare it again anew1 because this doth not onely alwaies remain effectual1 but also is increased in every operation3 ,so that thou mayest be able to extract mines and minerals ad infinitum1 if so be thou shalt prepare but one pound or pint at the first4 ,n4 ,b4 ,by this means all ,gold how little soever it be1 is plentifully extracted out of flints1 sand1 and any other minerals1 without any cost excepting fire4 ,,xliii4 ,another water for extracting silver4 ,take 44444444444444444444 this water extracteth silver out of the poor mines of silver1 sand1 and stones2 the operation of the same1 is like the former one1 and its increase is like the increase of the former water1 so that after this manner silver may be plentifully extracted out of poor minerals1 and no other cost is required besides fire4 ,n4 ,b4 ,instead of 4444444444 may 4444444444 be taken since it performs the same thing in extracting1 which the other performeth4 ,,xliv4 ,another easie manner of plentifully extracting gold1 and silver out of poor minerals1 it being of little or no cost4 ,mix thou the mine or minerals with the requisite waters1 fill with the same 44444444444444444444 of good earth1 set them near each other in a great 4444444444 put it in 4444444444 and distill the spirits1 which pay all the charges1 and which supply gold and silver without any costs1 the which is to be received by lead4 ,,xlv4 ,another more easie manner of extracting gold and silver out of minerals4 ,mix the mine or mineral with the requisite waters1 and moisten it by degrees1 cast the whole into 4444444444 the spirits depart into a receiving vessel1 and in the time of distillation1 the gold and silver are dissolved by that dissolvant1 the which being extracted1 remain with or among 4444444444 and are rinced by water out of the mineral1 so that they are attained without costs1 and the spirits being collected in the receiving vessel1 do recompence all charges4 ,,xlvi4 ,an easie operation of plentifull extracting gold and silver out of fat white ,clay or ,potters-earth4 ,although gold and silver be extracted out of minerals by moist waters1 by a troublesome operation as we have taught in the beginning1 yet such an extraction brings no small profit1 because they may be freed from those waters by precipitation2 and those very waters do readily serve for the making or preparing of ,salt ,peter4 ,with a fat ,argilla or white ,clay1 the matter goes otherwise1 because the spirit hath crept into the fat earth1 and scarce a half part is received1 unless the earth be first deprived of its fatness by making burning bright1 it being that which doth also require its own peculiar labour4 ,seeing that therefore in all places of the world1 wheresoever earth is found1 such fat white ,clays containing gold and silver do plentifully offer themselves1 and none hath been hitherto found1 who hath indeavoured to extract and bring them to use1 especially whenas they contain but little of gold or silver1 not able to defray the charges of the lead bestowed4 ,i could not but open a very easie way of performing that thing with no small profit1 the which is perfected by the following labour4 ,mix such an earth containing gold or silver1 with 4444444444 or of that greater one1 and cast it by degrees into my first or second ,distillatory ,furnaces1 and draw forth the spirits by distilling1 that the solved gold or silver may remain in 44444444444444444444 ,from that which is broken by a ,mill or grinding 4444444444 is washed off with hot water1 and is reduced by lead as is shewed before4 ,,xlvii4 ,after what manner by the help of art1 gold may be easily and plenteously extracted from the sand of ,granates1 ,agaths1 ,saphyrs1 and ,rubies1 and other stoney ,mineral earths1 which do neither admit of fusion1 nor ,lead1 nor sharp ,waters4 ,it is certain that all ,granates or ,marbles1 the red1 black1 ash-coloured1 duskish1 also of whatsoever colour they are1 or wheresoever they are found1 whether in ,brooks or ,rivers1 or in ,sand1 or fat ,earth1 or in high ,rocks1 do always contain much of ,gold1 but that by reason of their glassy nature1 they cannot be tamed by ,aq4 fortis's1 and by reason of their most difficult fusion cannot be wrought by ,saturn or ,lead2 for that cause they have made none partaker of their gold1 and they have been neglected as unprofitable earths1 whenas notwithstanding they being handled by little labour1 they are able to afford much gold4 ,some one therefore may ask1 because they cannot be subdued either by lead or ,aqu fortis's1 what course must be taken1 that gold may be extracted out of their bowels8 ,i answer4 44444444444444444444 and also by a ,fusible 44444444444444444444 they may be so overcome1 that the gold which they have may be withdrawn from them with profit1 for 4444444444 because they can bear the fire1 they are 4444444444 and perform by a double labour1 one through their sharpness1 and another by reason of a strong fire1 so that nothing is safe from so great forces1 but all things are constrained to yield unto so great violence4 ,hence they do willingly afterwards enter the ,salt of ,lead1 and in time of melting do readily draw out their gold4 ,,xlviii4 ,a most firm demonstration1 that sharp ,waters and ,salts after the manner of the ways hitherto described1 do draw forth more ,gold and ,silver as it were without cost1 out of ,mines or ,minerals containing ,gold and ,silver1 than sumptuous or costly melting ,fires4 ,it is not unknown to every one that is seasoned but even with a mean knowledge of gold bearing ,mines1 that without the addition of ,lead or other flowable things1 ,gold can in no wise be melted out of them1 whenas therefore there is little ,gold in those1 and nevertheless much of ,lead or other matters is required to be added for an easie fusion or melting sake1 who shall be fit for the undergoing of so great costs8 ,hence it hath come to pass that such poor minerals could bring nothing of profit in common4 ,it being also granted1 that there is so much of ,gold and ,silver in ,minerals1 that they will defray the charges of fire and fusion1 and afford ,gold and ,silver with profit1 yet such operations are not comparable to my inventions using ,waters and ,salts1 no more than as ,water to ,wine1 or ,night to ,day4 ,for first1 fusion or melting far exceeds in its costs the extraction which is perfected by ,salt and ,waters4 ,and then it can never be brought to pass that fusion should expell all the ,gold and ,silver out of ,mines and ,minerals1 but leaves some thereof in the drosses1 next also there is made a loss of all the volatile ,gold and ,silver1 which are cast forth by a most strong fire1 and driven away into the air2 on the contrary1 of the more ample and wealthy profits1 which the extraction of ,gold and ,silver out of ,minerals bringeth1 this is not the least1 that not onely all the ,gold and ,silver which is fixed1 is drawn out without any detriment or loss1 but also those two metals being as yet volatile are extracted at once and made fixt and constant in the fire1 whenas notwithstanding by the vehemence of a melting fire1 they are wholly dispersed and reduced into nothing4 ,for the ,waters of ,salts do fix the volatile fugative spirits of ,gold and ,silver1 the which by the vehement blasts of ,bellows1 are rendred as yet far more volatile1 so that by the help of fusion scarce half the ,gold is gotten which the extraction by the ,waters of ,salt affordeth4 ,add to this1 that not onely all the ,silver and ,gold1 as well the volatile as the fixt is gotten together without any loss1 but also the charges of ,coals are far less1 and one operatour may perform as much of this extraction of ,gold and ,silver1 as three in the labour of fusion or melting4 ,from hence it is easily to be seen1 how much profit and fruit may be gained by this my most excellent invention in all places of ,germany4 ,for this extraction is not onely for extracting ,gold and ,silver as well out of rich as poor ,mines1 but also snatcheth out all the ,gold and ,silver1 in ,flints tinged with any colour1 wherewith all ,brooks1 ,rivers1 and ,fields are filled4 ,now follow some particular transmutations of the imperfect ,metals into more perfect ones1 by common fire1 and ,crude ,salt1 and by the not common con-centred moist fire of ,salt4 ,,xlix4 ,a fundamental and evident demonstration1 that a true transmutation1 or trans-changing of ,metals may be exercised in all places of the earth1 wheresoever ,men may dwell1 yea in the least ,cottages of ,countrey folks1 and indeed by the same matters and vessels which are found in them4 ,it is well known1 that even the poorest and vilest or meanest ,countrey can want neither fire1 nor salt1 nor earthen vessels1 necessary for the boyling of ,meats4 ,therefore being furnished with ,salt1 a piece of ,copper of some old ,kettle shall easily supply him1 the which it shall be free for him1 by fire and salt to trans-change into a better and more noble body1 but because ,man hath a far better and commodious ,salt for the transmutation of ,metals in his possession1 which excells common ,salt in its goodness1 he may of right and worthily make use of his own proper ,salt before a strange and foreign one1 and that after this manner4 ,boil thy own1 or the ,urine of another man1 to the consistancy of ,honey1 in which decoction1 all the unprofitable moisture of the ,urine departs by exhalation1 and the ,salt thereof remains in the ,kettle or earthen ,pot2 admix thou with this condensed ,urine1 so much of ,calx-vive1 or the ashes of burnt ,woods1 that it may come into a thick or gross lump4 ,but thin plates of ,copper cut in pieces1 and purged by making them bright burning hot ought to be in readiness1 and also an earthen ,pot having its ,cover1 wherein let that mass of ,urine1 and ,calx-vive1 together with the thin plates of ,copper be put2 when thou hast all these things in a readiness1 mix the ,urine as abovesaid with the ,calx or slack-lime or ashes1 and fill thy ,pot to the height of three or four fingers1 upon which put some of the plates of ,copper1 and so stratum super-stratum till the ,pot is full1 then cover it with its ,cover1 which thou shalt well fence with ,lute made of ,meal1 ,water1 and ,paper1 that not any vapour at all may come forth4 ,for assoon as the ,calx-vive is mixed with the condensed or co-thickned ,urine1 the ,spirit of ,urine begins to operate by its own proper efficacy1 and therefore it is necessary that the ,cover be straightway laid on the ,pot1 and be fenced with a due ,lute or ,clay2 the ,pot being thus filled and cover'd1 set it aside in some certain place for the space of half a year1 in which time the spirit of ,urine being stirred up by the ,calx-vive1 displays its virtues on the ,copper1 and exalts it into a higher degree1 as that it is tinged of a skie and green colour mixed1 and is rendred fit for the ,painters ,art2 one pound whereof is more worth than two or three pounds of ,copper1 one pound whereof doth for the most part render one pound with four or five ounces of this colour1 and so it affords a profitable transmutation of ,copper4 ,l4 ,after what manner1 out of this partly ,green1 partly ,skie-colour of ,copper1 ,gold and ,silver is to be separated4 ,he that desires to separate ,gold and ,silver out of this colour1 whereof no great masses are attained1 but onely and alone whereby it is demonstrated that the thing may be done1 he must use the following operation4 ,first1 he must take good heed in taking the colour out of the earthen ,pot1 lest any thing of the mass of the ,urine1 and ,calx be mixed with the beautifull colour1 and render it impure4 ,the thin plates being taken out1 they are to be often crookedly bowed1 and moved upwards and downwards1 that the colour may fall off from the plates like scales4 ,the remaining ,copper which is not yet turned into colour1 is reserved for a new labour2 to be repeated after the same manner4 ,wine-vinegar is poured on the colour1 or the sharp water of ,tartar extracted after the ,distillation of adust ,wine from its ,lees1 with water by decoction1 and it is to be so long boiled in a ,copper ,kettle1 or an earthen ,pot glazed1 till all the colour shall be solved2 the ,solution being cast into a ,filtre1 the ,vinegar or ,water of ,tartar onely passeth through1 and a reddish powder is left in the ,filtre1 the which being melted with ,lead in a ,cupel1 after the exhalation of the ,lead1 it leaves a grain of ,gold4 ,for the spirit of ,urine hath ripened somewhat of the ,copper into ,gold1 which the ,vinegar or ,water of ,tartar did not dissolve but left1 attracting onely the ,copper by solution4 ,and because somewhat of ,silver is ripened in the ,copper through this same operation1 and is dissolved with the ,copper1 by the ,vinegar or ,water of ,tartar1 something of common ,salt is to be added to the ,water of ,tartar or ,vinegar1 that the ,silver may not be solved by the same1 but may remain with the ,calx of ,gold1 and may be retained with the same4 ,n4 ,b4 ,pure and clear ,vinegar ought to be taken for this labour1 if you would preserve the colour unhurt1 for after some part of the ,vinegar is evaporated away1 the green colour of the ,copper grows together into fair green small stones1 one pound whereof is more to be esteemed than five or six pounds of ,verdi grease1 which is sold in the ,shops4 ,this artificial operation therefore affords a beautifull and christalline vitriol of ,venus1 and some small quantity of ,gold and ,silver2 whereof although there be not so great plenty that it may bring profit1 yet it shews the possibility of the thing1 and teacheth that a transmutation of ,metals1 may be exercised in any small ,cottage by any ,countrey ,man4 ,but if any one shall collect ,urine1 and extract from thence the volatile spirit of its ,salt by ,distillation1 he shall far more deeply pierce the heart of the ,copper1 and shall obtain more of ,gold and ,silver than he can get by the but now mentioned rustical labour1 of which matter more things are found in other places of my ,writings4 ,,li4 ,after what sort pure ,gold may be extracted out of any ,copper4 ,in all ,copper a spiritual occult ,gold lies hid1 the which in the labour of separation by ,lead in a ,cupel or ,test1 is not taken notice of1 or considered4 ,but this very ,gold is nothing else but the colour of ,copper1 so firmly adhering unto its body1 that it remaineth very difficult to be separated from thence1 but the operation being rightly instituted1 although it be not gainfull1 yet it demonstrates a possibility of the thing1 for the sake of experiencing whereof1 to wit1 whether there be ,gold in all ,copper1 thou must labour after the following manner4 ,dissolve ,copper in ,aq4 ,regis1 and pour much water on the solution1 that by this water the dissolved ,copper may be largely diffused4 ,into this solution diffused by the water1 pour ,lead that is dissolved in ,aq4 ,fortis1 so that one or two half ounces of ,lead may answer to one pound of ,copper4 ,but as often as the ,lead shall settle to the bottom1 thou shalt shake or stir it1 that the solution may be well mixed1 and that the ,lead may attract something of ,gold2 and may precipitate it with it self to the bottom1 the which being dried and separated in a ,cupel1 will leave a small quantity of ,gold1 not for an argument of profit1 but a token of a possibility1 which testifies that there is ,gold in all ,copper4 ,but if any thing of profit were to be received1 such ,copper was to be taken which was already changed into vitriol4 ,but among vitriols the ,hungarian1 ,cyprian1 ,indian1 ,japanick1 and other the like do excell1 which do offer themselves in the ,mines of ,gold-bearing ,copper1 and are handled after the following manner4 ,,lii4 ,the manner of extracting ,gold out of natural vitriol4 ,dissolve thou vitriol in common water1 and pour on the vitriol dissolved1 a littled of dissolved ,lead1 and stir both solutions by frequent motions1 that the ,lead may attract the ,gold out of the vitriol1 to be dried and separated by a ,cupel1 which will remain like a grain of greater or lesser quantity1 as the vitriol shall contain more or less of the same4 ,of the vitriolated water out of which the ,gold was extracted1 thou shalt again make vitriol by so long boiling1 and evaporating till a thin skin appear1 which being then exposed to the cold will shoot into ,crystals4 ,but this operation brings with it more profit1 if it be not now boiled up into ,crystals1 but that vitriol onely be taken which is drawn out of its ,mineral into ,water1 and after the extraction of the ,gold1 is at length boiled up into vitriol4 ,but least this fishing of ,gold out of vitriol should seem wonderfull unto any1 we will shew a way1 whereby ,gold may be extracted out of ,sea ,water1 or ,sea ,salt1 the solution of ,lead assisting3 ,the manner is as followeth4 ,,liii4 ,after what manner ,gold is to be extracted out of ,sea ,salt1 or ,sea ,water1 not indeed with profit1 but onely that it may be demonstrated1 that ,gold is hidden even in ,sea ,water or ,sea ,salt4 ,fill a great ,copper ,kettle with ,sea ,water1 and pour thereon a little dissolved ,lead2 the which goes to the bottom because it cannot indure ,salt1 and is straightway precipitated into a white powder1 move and stir the water in the ,kettle often1 that the solution of ,lead may every where touch the ,sea-,salt-,water4 ,through this action1 a spiritual ,gold adheres to the leaden powder1 and sinks to the bottom together with it1 which powder being freed from its ,salt by common ,water1 and dried1 and melted in a ,cupel1 leaves a small grain of ,gold1 as a remainder4 ,n4 ,b4 ,for this fishing ,silver is more fit than ,lead4 ,,liv4 ,how1 out of poor ,mines of ,copper1 from which no profit can be perceived1 ,copper1 as also ,gold it self if it be present1 is to be easily and without costs1 extracted and separated4 ,the sandy or sulphurous ,mine or ,mineral of ,copper is to be roasted or calcined1 by burning even to the consuming of the ,sulphur1 because sharp waters do not assault sulphureous matters1 the ,mineral being calcined and beaten into a powder1 fill a gourd1 and pour our solving secret on the same1 the which ,i have taught above at the extracting of ,minerals4 ,the whole dissolvent in abstracting or distilling is recovered1 and that indeed not without increase4 ,but the ,copper and ,silver do stick fast in the dissolved ,salt1 which remained in the ,mineral after the abstraction1 and the which is to be washed out with water1 out of which water1 which drew out that ,salt1 the ,gold contained therein1 may by the solution of ,lead or ,silver1 be drawn forth4 ,but if the same water be boiled untill a thin skin appear at the top1 and exposed to the cold1 it will shoot into a green vitriol1 but for the extracting the ,copper out of the ,salt-,water1 ,rods of ,iron are to be put therein1 which do attract the ,copper1 the which being withdrawn and washed clean1 and melted into ,copper by fusion1 is administred for other uses3 ,for because it is like to a tender and filed powder1 it is changed by an easie business into ,verdi-grease1 after the manner which shall by and by be taught4 ,,lv4 ,after what manner ,gold may by an easie business by ,fire and ,salt1 be separated out of ,copper4 ,if ,gold shall be mixed with a mass or lump of ,copper1 all the ,copper is to be reduced in a bright burning ,fire into ,ashes3 and the ,ashes are to be infused in our secret ,aceum or ,vinegar1 the which dissolveth the ,copper onely by decoction1 and leaveth the ,gold undissolved1 like a shining powder1 to be dried and melted with ,borace1 out of which ,gold of twenty three ,caracts proceedeth4 ,that ,vinegar1 our secret ,aceum1 draws all the ,copper from the golden ,calx4 ,the ,copper is separated from the ,vinegar by ,rods of ,iron1 being laid therein as we have taught in the foregoing manner4 ,,lvi4 ,how ,copper being extracted out of vitriolated ,water1 and adhering to ,rods of ,iron1 is to be changed into ,verdi-grease4 ,this pure ,copper may be moistened with the strongest ,vinegar1 and put into earthen ,pots1 the which being covered with its ,cover well fenced with ,clay1 are to be placed in ,horse dung1 and to be left therein for a time1 yet so as that the heap of ,dung be sometimes renewed4 ,all the ,copper is in a short time changed into ,verdi-grease1 and indeed far more pure than that which is set forth to ,sale in the ,shops1 and which is made in ,spain1 by the husks or pressed out of clusters of ,grapes4 ,n4 ,b4 ,in extracting ,copper out of ,mines1 regard is to be had unto this thing1 to wit1 that with poor and wild or course veins of ,copper1 ,lapis ,calaminaris1 or ,zink is sometimes found to be admixed2 which is no ways perceived to be in them4 ,but if those ,minerals are extracted with ,aq4 ,regis1 and this be to be taken away by ,distillation1 none of the ,aq4 ,regis goes forth1 but onely a flegm without savour1 because the ,lapis ,calaminaris or ,zink doth retain all the ,acrimony with it1 just as if those two ,minerals should say to the ,aq4 ,regis1 we do not as yet let thee go1 because as yet1 we have need of thy indeavour for our amendment1 c4 ,but it is certain that whatsoever ,minerals and ,metals do retain with them sharp spirits1 are as yet immature1 and may be ripened by those spirits1 that they may bestow ,gold and ,silver1 as hath been already said1 and shall as yet more largely be spoken to4 ,,lvii4 ,out of wild or course ,minerals1 or veins of ,lead1 admitting of no melting1 out of which no good ,lead1 much less ,gold or ,silver1 can be drawn1 how to extract not onely ,lead1 but also ,gold and ,silver with profit4 ,as we have said above1 that some ,minerals or ,veins of ,copper do appear in ,mines1 the which by reason of ,lapis ,calaminaris or ,zink do refuse all melting1 and can be by no fire reduced3 ,so also we here admonish1 that ,minerals of ,lead are found1 the which do indeed contain much ,lead1 but by reason of the ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,zink1 and a sulphureous ,sand being admixed with them1 they cannot be overcome by any melting1 for these matters do take away a ready flowing from the ,lead1 and do cause that such ,minerals1 which for the most part together with ,lead1 do also hide not a little of ,gold and ,silver1 are cast away as altogether unfit1 and unprofitable1 whenas notwithstanding very much profit might be received from them after this manner4 ,let the ,mineral by pounding be broken in small pieces1 and in my little secret ,furnace which ,i have fitted for the calcining of ,minerals1 let it be roasted with bright burning ,coals1 that the gross ,sulphur may conceive a flame1 and burn4 ,if in time of operation the matter should gather it self into heaps or knobs1 and in co-heaping should make round ,pellets1 it being taken out of the ,furnace1 let it again be beaten1 be set upon live ,coals and roasted1 and these labours be so often repeated1 untill all the ,sulphur shall be consumed1 and the ,mineral doth no longer co-heap it self into knobs1 but being made bright burning hot like dead ashes2 it no longer sends forth a sulphureous stink4 ,at length out of these ashes being well washed1 a dead and unprofitable matter separates its self from the good and metallick earth1 the which being melted by it self in a ,furnace called by the ,germans ,stichofen1 becomes a flowable ,lead which containeth ,gold and ,silver4 ,but if the ,mineral be so stubborn that it altogether refusing all melting1 could not by it self be reduced1 and nevertheless contain ,gold and ,silver1 something of ,litharge is to be added to that metallick earth1 which procures a flux unto it1 and yields that ,gold and ,silver bearing ,lead1 which by the common operation wholly refuseth to offer it self4 ,,lviii4 ,another way teaching by the help of ,salt and ,fire to draw ,silver and ,gold with great profit1 out of all stubborn or rude and untamed metallick earths1 in whose ,veins ,lead1 ,copper1 ,gravel1 or course ,sands1 ,iron1 or ,lapis ,calaminaris have for the most part conjoyned in ,society1 and which do deny all profit by vulgar operations4 ,as ,fire burns up every gross and combustible ,sulphur in ,mines or ,minerals1 that these do at length subject themselves unto melting1 and do render ,metals easie to be hammered3 so also ,salt fixeth1 and makes constant whatsoever volatile body endeavours to flie away into the air1 that it may afford a ripened1 melted1 and profitable ,metal4 ,for that cause such ,minerals common ,salt being added as was abovesaid1 are to be roasted in live ,coals1 that that devouring gross ,sulphur may vanish by burning with a flame1 and that together also the ,metal it self may be promoted to maturity1 and so that by this very thing1 good ,gold and ,silver may be separated1 whenas notwithstanding otherwise1 not any one should obtain so much as the least thereof out of these very ,minerals4 ,such an amendment and changing the more imperfect ,metals into the more perfect ones1 may be attained by the help of ,salt and ,fire4 ,if therefore common ,salt and gross ,fire are able to perform this in ,minerals1 what shall not these1 not common but secret ,fires of ,salts effect1 in trans-changing ,metals already pure1 into more pure and subtile ones8 ,,lix4 ,after what manner ,metals are to be amended by pure ,fire1 or the fiery spirits of ,salts4 ,it may easily be perceived if a gross ,salt and ,fire do some good to more gross ,metals1 that also a more pure ,fire and ,salt may do more good on purer ,metals4 ,instruments whose edges are made very sharp by whetting1 are far more fit for operation than those that are dull1 and will perform more4 ,by how much the sharper an ,auger or ,wimble is1 by so much the sooner it boareth thorough the ,wood1 and on the contrary1 by how much the more blunt it is1 by so much the slower it pierceth thorough4 ,he that is earnestly desirous to obtain any good in the amendment of ,metals1 he must of necessity apply the subtile and strong spirits of ,salts1 that he may destroy ,metals with the same1 may kill them1 and reduce them unto their former life1 and so may procure more noble bodies unto them4 ,when their former body is restored to those moist and cold ,fires of ,salts1 to wit1 that they may return unto the form of ,salt1 but of a more noble and subtile one1 ,metals may far more speedily be destroyed2 a double ,fire performs more than a single one1 since therefore ,salt is by it self no other thing but a meer and con-centred ,fire1 and the ,fire of ,wood or ,coals joyning it self with the other a greater efficacy must needs be expected from them than by common ,fire alone1 but we have hitherto made mention of such operations1 and therefore its needless here to repeat them4 ,from what hath been hitherto said1 every ,chymist may gather and learn those things which concern the amendment of ,metals1 wanting the help of ,salt and ,fire2 more ,god willing shall follow4 ,,lx4 ,let us now ascend higher1 and demonstrate what incredible miracles or wonders our secret ,fires of ,salts may effect nigh to that great work of ,philosophers4 ,as in the foregoing ,chapters it hath been sufficiently confirmed1 that unripe ,metals may by the help of ,fire and ,salt1 be particularly promoted to a more perfect maturity3 ,so also in the multiplying of ,animals and ,vegetables1 that thing evidently appeareth2 to wit1 if sufficient meat and drink be administred to any ,infant1 that he groweth dayly in bigness1 and strength of body1 untill he come to the age and perfection of a ,man4 ,the same multiplying in ,vegetables offers it self to our view1 in that a small seed or root do snatch to them their nourishment from an earthly ,salt2 and the beams of the ,sun1 and do rise up into a perfect1 great1 and fruitfull ,tree4 ,this particular transmutation is conversant before our eyes1 and therefore is a thing most known1 but after what sort the most noble part or purest essence is to be extracted out of the bodies of ,vegetables1 ,minerals1 and ,animals1 that other more weak bodies may be strengthned and amended by the same ,philosophers have always hidden and covered with the greatest endeavour4 ,hence it is1 that there hath been very few1 and as yet are1 who have had the knowledge of this highest ,science4 ,as to what therefore belongs to the great work of the ,philosophers1 all the ,philosophers do in their writings with one accord affirm1 the which ,i do also in all my writings affirm to be most true1 and do as it were shew with my ,fingers1 to wit1 that nothing in the nature of things doth effect a ,tincture and ,tinge with a most gratefull colour1 but ,sulphur alone1 and that one onely1 and that this same combustible immature and volatile ,sulphur is fixed and changed by the operation and help of ,salts into a true ,tincture1 the which is as certain as that which is most certain1 and yet laborious also1 and requiring a space of time long enough1 especially if any one doth insist in a moist way4 ,the way of coming unto the end of such a work as ,i think1 yet with the safety of others judgment1 this is the best1 if any one bind or fix such a ,sulphur1 which was already brought unto a perfect maturity by nature1 they might bring this profit with it1 that it should not require a longer time for its maturity4 ,but such a fixed and tinged ,sulphur1 is no where more nearly found than in ,metals1 and especially in ,copper and ,iron1 but the better and more pure in ,gold2 the finding out whereof notwithstanding 7by reason of its most firm and intimate conjunction with its body1 as also its separation7 hath been always esteemed almost impossible4 ,for unto diligent searchers1 a true separator which might separate the pure part from the impure1 hath for the most part every where been wanting4 ,for as it is known such a hard or compacted metallick body1 can very difficultly be separated and divided into its parts4 ,the solution of sharp waters1 sups up indeed every ,metal1 but it effects no separation4 ,for because ,metals are ,homo-geneal things1 and the metallick ,sulphur is so strictly bound to its metallick mercury1 by the bond of the metallick ,salt1 it can never be brought to pass1 that by such solutions1 or by precipitatings1 or by other ways1 one part should be separated from the other4 ,if a ,metal being dissolved by a water be precipitated all its parts being so mixed as they were before its dissolution do fall down and settle1 and admit of no separation4 ,but if any one would also render ,metals spiritual1 that so the more pure parts might be disjoyned from the more impure ones by distillation1 yet there is no separation made1 but the more pure body it self ascends1 and again as before1 it consisteth of three principles1 performing indeed more in ,alchymy and in ,medicine than the more gross bodies of ,metals1 but is unfit for a true ,tincture1 because nothing operates in all bodies1 but a lively ,soul1 and that which vivifies or quickens other dead bodies1 for it is the spirit1 as ,christ saith1 which quickneth1 the body is unprofitable4 ,let man1 or any other living creature be for an example1 the which as long as it lives1 it moves it self and operates as long as the spirit1 the ,authour of ,life is present with it2 but that vanishing away the body wants all motion1 and remains a dead ,carcass4 ,if now it could be brought to pass1 that we could lay hold of such ,animal ,spirits1 and could render them corporal ones1 we might also perform incredible things by the same1 and perhaps fashion or form a living creature of a lump of earth1 the which notwithstanding ,god hath reserved to his own self4 ,but this that bountifull ,father hath granted unto us1 that out of unmoveable subjects1 or those wanting a moveable and animal life1 we may extract their pure ,souls or ,essences1 and render them corporal1 and effect thereby things of great moment in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,but the souls of ,metals do excell herein1 as being more fixed and constant than the essences of vegetables1 but they are far more difficultly attained4 ,for the souls of vegetables do suffer themselves to be easily extracted1 but the colours and souls of ,metals do hardly admit of extraction1 and for that cause are accounted of by the ignorant for a thing impossible to be done1 nor indeed is it altogether without some cause2 for the separation of the tinging soul from the hard metallick body is a thing of great moment3 many are the ways that have been attempted for the procuring of this ,sulphur2 and some ignorant fellows have written ,books1 of the acquiring or getting of the same1 whereas 'tis evident that they never saw such a ,sulphur4 ,the most learned and most witty ,helmont wrote egregiously concerning this ,sulphur2 but yet not so clearly as that any one could out of those his writings get a perfect knowledge of the same4 ,nor indeed is it expedient that such kind of ,pearls should be cast under the feet of swinish ,men4 ,there is no ,writer 7as far as ,i know7 that hath mentioned any thing concerning this matter1 clearer than ,isaac ,holland in his ,ch4 ,de ,amausis1 where he teacheth1 that he who hath gotten the art of changing ,metals into transparent ,glasses with their peculiar colours1 hath purchased a notable secret in ,metallick affairs4 ,he alludes 7by way of likeness7 to the bodies of ,men brought to a clarity or brightness after this life1 and thus declares his ,doctrine and says2 ,the souls of ,metals do shine forth through their ,amausa's1 or clarified bodies1 clad in their proper colours1 even as the ,souls of ,men shall hereafter shine in the other ,world1 from or through their clarified bodies4 ,and further he saith1 that when such ,amausa's or ,glasses are reduced into their former bodies2 then the ,amausa's of ,copper and ,iron become fixt1 that of ,silver becomes ,gold1 and that of ,gold becomes ,tincture4 ,the ,said ,authour hath not clearly expressed the manner of accomplishing this1 but in my opinion 7without prescribing ought to any one7 this is the nearest way of attaining to such an operation1 viz4 of getting the souls1 or the pure ,sulphurs of ,metals1 viz4 ,if the ,metals be first reduced into ,amausa's1 or transparent ,glasses1 out of which their souls are easier extractable than out of their gross bodies4 ,but now1 for such an extraction here is such a menstruum required as doth not work upon all the whole body1 or dissolve it1 but doth onely attract there out of the colour and purest ,sulphur1 and leaves the body behind white4 ,but where shall we find the description of such a menstruum8 none speak of it openly1 but many mention it obscurely2 nor indeed is it so necessary that such an ,arcanum of so great moment be manifested to every one4 ,but however1 this in brief you are to be admonished of1 that like draws its like and extracts it4 ,if a mercuriality be to be extracted out of the metallick masses or bodies1 then 'tis expedient to use a mercurial menstruum1 for like rejoyceth in its like4 ,so sulphureous essences are extractable by sulphureous menstruums1 and not by mercurial ones4 ,for ,water doth willingly associate it self with ,water1 and ,oyl with ,oyls4 ,and forasmuch as all the ,philosophers write that the ,sulphur or tinging ,soul in ,iron and ,copper1 doth as to goodness and nobleness equalize the ,sulphur in ,gold1 it will be needless 7in my opinion7 to take ,gold1 but to bring ,iron and ,copper to that pass1 that they may become transparent ,glasses1 from which their colours may be extracted4 ,but if so be that any one is minded to prefer ,gold before these1 and to extract the tincture hence from1 he may do as he pleases1 and will find in many places of my writings a manuduction1 directing him to the transmutation of ,gold1 7and so of the other ,metals too7 into transparent bodies1 which thing is highly necessary4 ,for there is not an easier way of extracting the tincture out of ,metals1 than by first reducing them into transparent ,amausa's4 ,now the menstruum serving for this extracting of the ,sulphurs out of the metallick bodies is to be so prepared1 that it dissolve not the body1 but extract onely the ,sulphur or pure ,soul there out of4 ,such menstruums ,paracelsus himself makes mention of1 and affirms1 that with them the skie-coloured ,saphyrs1 the red ,rubies1 and the yellow ,jacynth may be so deprived of their colours1 as that there remains no more of them save onely the white bodies4 ,besides1 that white ,crystals may 7by the help of tinging sulphureous ,spirits7 be died with various colours4 ,verily 'tis a secret of most mighty concernment1 to have the skill how to prepare such a menstruum as will penetrate the most hard ,stones and most compact ,glasses to extract them1 and withall to communicate to othersome various colours1 without the corrupting1 breaking and destruction of any of the bodies1 the which thing seems in my opinion very likely to be true1 though as yet ,i know not how to do it4 ,that which ,i have tryed by my operations ,i can write and teach1 viz4 how all the ,metals may very easily 7yet one more easily than another7 be changed into fair transparent and most delicately coloured glasses1 and how out of these glasses the pure and tinging metallick souls may be extracted1 viz4 by such menstruums as are sulphureous1 subtile1 not dissolving1 but onely extracting4 ,but for as much as these kinds of menstruums are not 7as far as ,i know7 described by any one1 and yet are the producers of such notable effects2 ,i could not omit the discovering of something concerning them1 for the sake of such as are ,students in true ,philosophy1 and after some sort shew that kind of extraction1 which is to be accomplished by the help of our con-centrated spirits of salt1 or of our moist ,philosophical fires4 ,,lxi4 ,how a vegetable subtile sulphur is to be so actuated by the nitrous moist fire1 that it may extract the fixt sulphur of metals1 or their pure tinging soul4 ,first of all1 the oyls of the vegetables are to be exalted by distillations1 and often repeated rectifications to the highest degree of purity and subtilty1 and afterwards to be once rectified by some con-centrated nitrous fire1 that so being already of themselves subtile1 they may get a fiery vigour endued with a faculty of seizing upon metallick sulphurs1 and of extracting them out of the hard and compact bodies4 ,for any vegetable oyl how subtilly soever it be prepared1 hath not any power of entring into the metals1 and much less of having any ingress into their glasses1 nor can it extract in the least1 though such bodies should be covered with it for a long season4 ,but now if an artificial operation shall have sharpenedw such an oyl with those most subtile spirits of salts1 and have rendred it more acute and penetrative than those con-centrated spirits of the salt do lead in the sulphur1 and bestow on it a power of attracting to it self its like4 ,and albeit that such con-centrated spirits do when per se1 and alone1 wholly dissolve metallick glasses and make no separation at all1 no1 nor do not extract the least particle of any sulphureous substance1 yet the case with them is vastly altered1 when such fiery spirits are artificially united with most pure sulphureous oyls2 insomuch that they bestow on them a faculty of working upon metals1 and of extracting from them a most pure sulphur2 nay farther1 they purchase these oyls a capacity not onely of extracting the colours out of metals1 but also out of other things4 ,now we have taught at large in our second part of ,furnaces1 the manner of rendring the oyls of vegetables subtile2 and as for the nitrous fire requisite to this operation1 the way of con-centrating it is to be found in this ,book a little before1 so that 'tis wholly needless to repeat the same things over again which have been afore treated of4 ,and thus far is my knowledge come1 viz4 how 7by the help of oyls animated and actuated by the aforesaid means7 to extract the most pure soul out of metallick ,amausa's1 or those hard and glassy subjects3 ,but how such a sulphur is to be brought into a tinging medicine1 ,i 7professing not my self so great a master7 do not as yet know4 ,neither is it at present needfull to exceed the due bounds by so large a treating of such worthy things2 for things wonderfull may be effected by this menstruum both in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 and in other arts1 concerning which we shall 7,god willing7 presently add somewhat more4 ,and whereas ,i have made mention here of clarified bodies1 and con-centrated spirits2 ,i judge it worth while also to shew what difference there is betwixt those con-centrated spirits and clarified bodies as the ,chymists call them4 ,the clarified bodies therefore are nothing else save bodies purged and mundified by the operation of the fire4 ,for the fire is the ultimate examiner of all things1 as being endued with such a power by which it burns up all things1 reduceth them into ashes and powder1 and out of the ashes makes glass2 that being the utmost or ultimate thing whereunto all things are reduced4 ,if therefore there be in any thing any good1 which being burnt in the fire is by fusion or melting1 turned into transparent glass1 it doth manifest it self in its utmost or ultimate essence1 and shine forth in its brightness1 insomuch that every one may see what lay hidden in its life afore thus burning it4 ,for example1 ,i take wood1 an herb1 or an animal1 ,i burn it and transmute it into ashes2 these ashes ,i melt and turn into glass4 ,having thus done1 there appears no colour visible1 for the glass is white1 and that because the sulphur is consumed in the burning2 and the mercury is fled away into the air in smoke1 as being two principles which are no ways able to resist the force of fire3 ,but the salt1 as being a contemner of the fire remained in the earth of no efficacy4 ,but now a metal being by the fire turned into ashes1 though part of the sulphur and mercury hath in the combustion and vitrification flown away into the air1 yet notwithstanding the best part remains2 and this is the reason why such metallick glasses are coloured according to the metals nature and property1 and which 7afore thus burning it7 was hidden4 ,we will yet farther evidence it by an example4 ,if ,i burnt copper or iron1 and reduce it into ashes1 and do by melting it turn it into glass1 then the copper if per se and no other thing added unto it1 yields a green glass1 and the iron yields a yellow coloured glass4 ,but if there be made an addition1 then are produced glasses of other colours1 as for example4 ,if ,i add to burn iron or crocus martis the glass of lead1 then the glass made by melting will have the yellow colour of a ,hyacinth4 ,the same crocus martis being molten with common glass1 made of wood-ashes and salt2 yields a greenish coloured glass which is the natural and proper colour of the iron4 ,for the lead altered the colour of the former mentioned glass of the iron and made it yellow in the melting1 and so hindred it from manifesting its true and natural colour4 ,the glasses of two several colours being molten together do exhibit false colours1 as may be seen by co-melting a skie colour and a yellow glass1 the which being molten together yield a green colour1 and doth so represent it self both in the fire and out of it too4 ,from hence took ,i occasion to write and teach the way of finding out 7by molten glasses7 what kind of metal is hidden in any mineral or metallick earth4 ,which way of proving mines or minerals is far better and speedier than that which is usually done by a decoction and exhalation of lead in the ,cupel4 ,thus may you mix five1 six1 eight or ten grains of some finely powdered mineral1 with one or two lots of ,venice glass being of easie fusion1 and put the matter thus mixed in a well covered crucible1 and by melting it reduce it into glass4 ,the colour which will be in the said glass1 will shew what metal the minera contained3 ,lead will yield a duskish colour1 tin1 a white1 copper1 a ,sea-green2 iron a somewhat greenish1 silver a yellow1 and gold a skie coloured3 each of which colours is the true and internal colour of the respective metal4 ,gold doth also resemble a ,ruby as to colour if other colours be added thereunto4 ,but yet in the mean time1 the skie-colour is its proper and natural colour1 and so is yellow of silver3 and this is notably agreeable with the truth1 though to such as are ignorant1 it seems a thing wonderfull1 for indeed such mens knowledge ends in external things1 but they are wholly ignorant of internal ones4 ,but now the colours of gold and silver are better and more perfectly known1 if there be added unto them some fix and white sulphur1 which prevents the gold and silver from being thoroughly reduced into their peculiar bodies by fusion4 ,if the ,calx of gold or silver be molten with ,borax1 they both return into their former bodies1 and do not pass into glass any ways coloured3 ,but that some glass of easie fusion be mixed with those ,calx's1 together with a little powder of flints and so molten1 then the flints will 7by reason of their sulphur7 hold with themselves the gold and silver and so keep them that they admit not of fusion or reduction in their whole body1 but do remain in the glass with some part of the metalline property which renders their internal colours visible1 which else would not appear to sight4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you have the minera's of gold and silver at hand and melt them with glass1 their colours will also appear1 because that in the minera's there always is some sulphur that hinders the metal from wholly returning into a body1 so that some part of it abides in the glass and therein shews its colour4 ,this also is to be minded1 that if haply some minera or metallick earth contains not one metal barely1 but #b or #c more metals1 then always that metal of which the most quantity is in the said minera doth after fusing shine in the glass beyond the rest4 ,as for example4 ,suppose ,i would make tryal in the red ,granates stones ,i powder some eight or ten gr4 and mix them with one lot of white ,venice glass finely powdered1 and ,i melt them1 and so turn them into glass4 ,now in this transmutation the glass doth not become red1 but of a delicate grass colour1 and so teacheth me what metals are hidden in those ,granates1 viz4 copper and iron1 and also more of this1 viz4 the iron than of the other4 ,and though there should be some gold too1 yet is it unperceiveable because of the predominancy of the iron over the copper and over the gold3 ,for 7in this operation7 that metal onely manifests it self to sight1 which is in greater plenty therein than the rest be4 ,isaac ,holland would by this vitrification signifie unto us1 that after this life1 viz4 when the world is consumed with fire1 there shall arise from the bodies of men reduced into ashes other clarified bodies1 and of such and such colours1 according as their souls have 7either good or bad7 framed1 or as it were made unto themselves in this life-time in their gross bodies4 ,what other thing ,i pray are fair colours1 but the virtues of those subjects out of which they emit or send forth their splendour4 ,take a similitude hereof from the melting of minerals1 wherein though a mineral of silver or copper hath in it much silver or gold1 yet if the superfluous sulphur be not 7before the melting the said mineral7 separated by a little as 'twere roasting fire2 but be 7together with that gross sulphur17 set in a vehement melting fire1 there will not verily be any metal gotten hencefrom1 but that stinking sulphur would transmute the good metal into black ,scoria's4 ,so likewise1 no fair and transparent glass can be 7by melting7 made out of pure metals1 if that kind of gross sulphur should adhere unto them4 ,these few things touching clarified bodies1 ,i could not pass over in silence1 and much less could ,i omit this1 viz4 that the bodies of all things may be much better transmuted into clarified bodies by our secret fire1 than by the common fire4 ,for the common fire drives away the volatile parts1 whereas on the contrary1 our fire doth preserve them and renders them fixt and transparent as well as the other parts4 ,and therefore of necessity these bodies must needs shine with fairer and brighter colours than those others1 in which the common fire hath expelled the mercury and sulphur1 and left remaining nothing else but the salt4 ,but now as concerning such a transmutation into ashes by our moist and secret fires1 any one may easily guess the way4 ,for whatsoever is put in them must be necessarily burned into ashes1 and they far better ashes too than are made by burning in the common fire4 ,for if the common fire burns any herb or wood into ashes1 the sulphur burns away in a flame1 the mercury betakes it self to its wings and away flies it1 and the salt abides behind in a few ashes or a little earth4 ,now our ,philosophical calcination takes away nothing but conserves all the princip'es so called together2 and doth in the first place produce to view a black coal1 then afterwards other various curious colours1 and then a white colour1 and at last to compleat the operation1 it yields a red fusile and medicinal stone4 ,n4 ,b4 ,here it is to be noted that for preparing a pure medicine1 a pure subject is to be made use of2 for if so be that any one would endeavour the transmutation of an herb1 wood1 or any animal into a medicament by the help of the secret fires1 then all the ashes and feces which were in the herb would also adhere unto the medicament and would render it impure1 therefore necessity requires that you do not take the whole herb1 or the whole animal1 but onely their essential salt1 the which being void of feces consists onely of the pure principles of the herb2 and doth easily admit of being transmuted into a red tinging1 and more soluble stone than the herb it self with its feces by it1 doth4 ,i would not have you to account of these things here delivered you as if they were of small moment4 ,no1 for they are such things as cover over with this their vile or base covering1 such matters as are of great weight1 and which will not come to every bodies knowledge4 ,surely 'tis a considerable thing that a part of any vegetable1 animal or mineral body should 7by conserving all the most volatile parts1 and by rendring them altogether constant and stable1 without the least loss of weight7 be ripened into a fixt soluble and tinging red1 and medicinal stone4 ,this way of transmuting all things without loss of the weight thereof into clarified bodies1 is of all others the best4 ,and those bodies on this wise clarified are without doubt of greater efficacy than are the gross bodies themselves of the animals1 vegetables1 and minerals1 which do as yet abound with their gross and impure feces4 ,but if so be any one be not herewithall content but panteth after higher things1 he may advise with himself about extracting the soul out of this red and fixed stone1 and reduce it again by a reiterated operation unto the form of a stone1 whereby he will without doubt make it yet far more effectual4 ,and by how much the oftner any one shall repeat this same operation1 so much the more effectual a medicine will he obtain1 for it will at every reiteration notably augment its virtues1 for by such actions the efficacy and virtues of things are con-centrated and driven into a very little compass1 wherewithall wonderfull things may be performed4 ,we are yet moreover to see what spirits are1 but principally what con-centrated spirits are1 and what they are able to do4 ,and because the matter in hand gives occasion of treating thereof in this place1 we will briefly give you a declaration of the same4 ,,lxii4 ,what spirits are1 and by what means they operate good or evil4 ,in the first place1 there are spirits called vegetable ones1 viz4 ,when vegetables are beaten to pieces1 and being contused are moistened with water1 7provided they have not juicyness enough of their own1 or do altogether want it7 and so fermented1 being fermented they are to be distilled1 which distillation brings forth subtile and efficacious spirits1 and such as are the effecters of many profitable things in ,alchymy and in other arts1 besides the use thereof in medicine4 ,secondly1 sundry and divers spirits are also made out of animals by distillation1 as out of ,blood1 ,urine1 ,hairs1 ,horns1 ,hoofs1 and such other parts of animals1 also which spirits have their use in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,thirdly1 there are also spirits which are expelled1 or forced out of minerals and metals by the force of fire1 but principally out of ,salts1 as ,vitriol1 ,allum1 ,salt ,peter1 common ,salt and such like2 of the preparations of which kind of spirits1 the ,books of ,chymists are full1 and therefore stop us from the superfluous repetitions of the same4 ,but as for the concentrating of them and the utility of them1 it hath been already described by us4 ,i hereby give occasion for all the diligent searchers after true ,medicine and ,alchymy2 to contemplate1 what may be effected in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 if those fugitive spirits were1 by our fixing and moist fires which separate not any one part from each other1 but do fix all the parts together1 deprived of their volatility and made fixt4 ,these few things we were willing to mention concerning the spirits which are subjected to a ,man's power and are within his reach1 and serviceable for the use of mortal ,men4 ,,lxiii4 ,the particular medicinal use of the con-centrated spirits of salts4 ,we have heard that the con-centrated spirits or moist fires of salts do reduce all things into a ,calx1 after a ,philosophical manner1 without a forcing away of the mercurial part1 and a burning up of the sulphureous3 insomuch that 7by conserving1 altering and bettering7 they fix the whole4 ,being therefore compelled by a love to my neighbour1 ,i have a mind to set down in this place some medicaments1 as well universal as particular2 but yet so as that they may not fall into the clutches of my unworthy enemies1 but may be reserved onely for friends4 ,and first1 here shall be a medicine mentioned1 that amendeth the weak digestion of the ,stomach4 ,take out the teeth of a ,wolf or a ,dog when he is half dead1 7being first shot with a ,gun7 and pour thereupon two or three parts of the con-centrated spirit of salt in a ,cucurbit1 set the glass upon sand that it may be heated moderately1 whereby the oyl of salt may dissolve them and bring them into a thick pulse or mash4 ,upon this mash pour warmed water that so all the ,acrimony of the spirit of salt may be separated therefrom1 and that there remain onely the white pulse1 wherewith 7because some of the oyl of the salt doth yet remain1 and is not washable off wholly with water7 a little ,sugar-candy is to be mixed1 that so that remaining ,acrimony may be allayed1 and the pulse be the pleasanter for your uses4 ,,lxiv4 ,an ,antidote against ,poyson4 ,the teeth of a mad ,dog being prepared after the aforesaid manner1 do yield an ,antidote against ,poyson4 ,and indeed so do the teeth of all ,animals1 but especially the teeth of ,stags and their ,horns1 do 7after such a preparation7 resist all ,poysons4 ,,lxv4 ,what ,beasts they are whose ,teeth and ,horns doe 7as to medicine7 exceed the rest4 ,the teeth of all ravenous animals1 as likewise of ,sea-monsters1 and their ,horns1 are of great use in medicine2 as of ,wolves1 ,bears1 ,lynxes1 ,tygers1 ,lyons1 ,leopards2 and as to the watery animals1 ,crocodiles1 and such like ravening fishes1 whose horn1 teeth1 and scales1 and likewise the claws of ,birds of ,prey1 may be by the con-centrated spirit of salt1 converted 7after the aforesaid manner7 into good medicaments4 ,,lxvi4 ,an experimental discovery of what ,vermine are fit for the use of medicine4 ,take strong and well rectified spirit of salt1 or onely a strong ,aq4 ,fortis1 put thereinto your ,vermine1 of what kind soever it be1 and it will presently endeavour to get out assoon as ever it feels the said moist fire4 ,but being it cannot get out1 it will struggle till it dies4 ,now by how much the longer the worm or flie liveth in the ,aq4 ,fortis1 by so much are its virtues in medicine greater1 and this may serve as advice to every one4 ,as for the way of preparing medicaments out of ,bark of ,trees and ,husks shall be mentioned by and by4 ,,lxvii4 ,an experimental discovery1 of what ,herbs are profitable for ,medicine1 or unprofitable4 ,you are to make use of the way but now mentioned concerning ,vermine1 and such ,herbs as thou knowest not1 or such whose virtues are to thee unknown1 put 7one after another7 into the moist fire2 and that ,herb which is of a slower solution1 excells that which is sooner dissolved1 both in strength and virtues4 ,for example1 ,lettice1 ,purslane1 ,mellons1 ,cucumbers1 and such like waterish ,herbs1 7and so is it with fruits too17 have a moist nature1 and are presently turned into water by those fires4 ,but ,rosemary1 ,sage1 ,thyme1 ,dodder1 and other hotter ,herbs1 require a longer time for their solution4 ,ginger1 ,pepper1 ,cloves1 ,nutmegs1 ,cinamond1 ,cardamoms1 ,zedoary1 c4 do require a yet longer time as to their solution1 afore they will thoroughly pass into a water4 ,from hence may any one know the nature and properties of ,herbs very easily4 ,this also is to be observed1 that the ,medicine out of a ,vermine1 or out of any ,herb1 is by so much the more efficacious1 by how much the vehementer venenosity it abounds withall4 ,,lxviii4 ,the manner of preparing an effectual medicament out of venemous ,vermine and ,insects4 ,i have taught in the second part of my spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 a way of correcting venemous insects by the fixt ,liquor of ,niter1 and of transmuting their venome into an effectual ,medicine1 which way of preparation he who is studious of good medicaments will there find4 ,but now in this place is taught1 by what means such like ,vermine1 and such ,herbs as abound with ,venome are to be corrected by the con-centrated fire of salt1 and to be turned into excellent and penetrative medicaments4 ,the operation whereof is thus4 ,pour into some glass vessel1 one1 two or three ounces of our con-centrated fire of salt1 then put thereunto such ,vermine as you would prepare your ,medicine of1 one after another1 provided that you do not put more in1 than the said fire is able to dissolve and consume4 ,when all are dissolved and converted into water1 all the poysonousness is lost or gone and they become good medicaments4 ,,lxix4 ,the manner of separating the medicament made of ,vermine dissolved by the moist fires4 ,there is found to be a great difference amongst ,vermine and venemous insects4 ,for some of them are of a dry nature and property1 some of a moist1 some of a fat and oily nature1 insomuch that it is altogether needfull to make a due distinction of their natures4 ,such insects as be of a dry nature as ,cantharides and such like1 are to be used in the form of a salt4 ,the aqueous ,vermine1 as ,earth-worms1 ,spiders1 and such like2 they exhibit their medicinality in the form of a ,liquor3 ,the ,balsamick ,vermine1 as the ,may-worms1 and others of that kind1 do 7beside the medicament they afford7 yield also a fat and ,balsamick ,oyl2 and indeed 7both for external and internal medicinal use17 much more effectual than the ,liquor it self4 ,but that the thing may be the better understood1 ,i will here set down an operation1 which every one may follow as a leading ,star4 ,,lxx4 ,how the operation in dealing with all kinds of ,vermine is to be used4 ,take some ounces of ,may-worms1 put them in a glass1 pour upon them so much of the concentrated spirit of salt1 that the ,worms may be well covered therewith and be by little and little dissolved2 after that they are wholly dissolved1 put the solution into a separating glass1 shut the mouth of the glass with your finger1 then turn the glass upside down1 keeping it so long shut with your finger1 till all the fat oil swim at top of the ,liquour4 ,then take away your finger that the ,liquour may run out1 and when the oil comes1 shut the mouth of the glass again with your finger1 and let it run out into another glass4 ,keep this ,oil or ,balsam as a precious treasure1 with the which thou wilt perform wonderfull effects in the curing of diseases1 but principally in the ,gout and ,stone4 ,but yet thou wilt get but little oil from these ,worms1 and when you put them into your dissolving ,liquor1 you must have a care that you do not touch them with your hands1 but take or catch them with a small ,forceps1 and so put them into your glass4 ,for they have in them this property2 if you touch them with your hands1 they presently colour them with their fat ,balsom that they cast out1 which somewhat resembles the smell of ,musk4 ,as if they should say1 ,pray let us live1 for we give thee all we have3 ,take this ,balsom and make use thereof for the curing of incurable diseases4 ,some men studiously carefull in such affairs have gathered this ,balsom1 and have found it to be far more efficacious than the ,worms themselves1 yea indeed too strong1 because they were ignorant of the way of correcting it4 ,,lxxi4 ,the separation of the medicinal ,liquor from the moist fire1 after the separation of the ,oil4 ,as concerning the ,liquor from which the ,balsom is separated1 viz4 the medicinal parts is very hardly separated without a mortifying of the moist fire2 therefore the moist fire of the ,salt is to be killed with a contrary fire1 that so the separation that is required may be made2 and 'tis thus to be effected4 ,filter the ,liquor consisting partly of the dissolved ,worms1 and partly of the fire of salt1 that so it may be rendred clear1 and free from the ,coals or ,husks of the ,worms1 it haply there be any of them remaining undissolved4 ,and if 7by reason of the too much fatness7 it be very difficult to filter1 pour thereunto so much common water as to make it thinner1 and more ready to pass through the ,cap ,paper4 ,into this thus cleared ,liquor1 drop the ,liquor of ,salt of ,tartar1 and it will kill the sharp fire of the salt2 so that there will arise from the fire of the salt and from this ,alkaly-salt a salt of a middle nature1 and concreting into ,crystals1 and will leave the other part in a liquid form2 the which said part will be either white or yellow according as the saline fire which you made use of1 is4 ,now this ,liquor is more virtuous than the concreted salt is1 as being that which contains the essence of the ,worms1 which doth not congeal or shoot with the salt1 but abides in the form of a ,liquor4 ,experience will teach the business more largely4 ,now such qualities as these ,worms had afore their preparation and as yet not deprived of their ,venome2 the same do they obtain after their preparation1 but with this provizo1 these qualities are safely used1 which afore were hazardous4 ,but now the properties of these ,worms are these1 they do not onely draw out of the body all podagrical humours1 but also expell the ,stone out of the ,reins and ,bladder beyond all other medicaments2 and besides1 do cure other such like diseases as are meerly unknown1 and are adjudged plainly incurable4 ,more1 it wholly takes away that volatile ,gout1 which runs wandring through the ,members of the ,body4 ,but here ariseth this ,qury4 ,,lxxii4 ,whether or no every moist fire of salt is also fit for this labour8 ,for answer ,i say1 that indeed this very labour may be accomplished by any moist fire2 whether it be prepared out of vitriol or common salt1 or salt peter4 ,but withall ,i affirm1 that there proceeds a great difference from those salts4 ,for the con-centrated spirit of niter1 doth 7after its being mortified with a fix salt7 shoot into salt peter4 ,the con-centred spirit of salt1 shoots into square ,crystals4 ,the same doth oil of vitriol and salt of tartar4 ,but the salt that is in this operation made of the common salt exceeds the others1 as to sweetness4 ,that which comes from vitriol1 doth beget a nauseating by reason of its bitterness2 and that which ariseth of salt peter is of a middle nature4 ,but yet they do all three of them enjoy a laxative and purging faculty2 and likewise provoke ,urine either stronger or weaker according as the ,vermine are1 which these said fires have been used in the dissolution of4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that the operation of the ,liquor doth always exceed the virtues of the salts4 ,when the sharp spirits of salt are not mortified with a ,lixivium of ,tartar1 but with the spirits of ,urine or of ,sal4 ,armoniack2 the salt and liquor become far stronger1 than when the precipitation is done with ,salt of ,tartar4 ,for the spirit of ,sal4 ,armoniack doth for the most part precipitate the dissolved and corrected ,vermine into a ,powder1 which being washed off with common water1 and freed from all ,acrimony or sharpness is used in medicine1 in a dry form4 ,but this1 the ,lixivium will not do1 but always conserves the ,vermine in the form of a liquor4 ,,lxxiii4 ,question4 ,whether or no there may be any more or any other usefull things learned from this solution of venemous ,vermine8 ,for ,answer4 ,yes1 for this operation doth not onely teach the good and bad properties of all ,vermine1 but doth withall evidently demonstrate1 that every animal of what kind soever1 7yea and ,men themselves too7 when they are put into such an agony and perceive the approach of death1 do discover and clearly evidence the internal motions of their nature1 which they have 7in their life time7 been indued withall4 ,,lxxiv4 ,the way how to know the internal nature of every ,worm in the earth1 ,fish in the water1 ,birds in the air1 yea even of ,man himself4 ,take a ,scarabus or ,beetle1 either such a one as lives in ,horse dung1 or else one that is of a coppery colour1 put him into a glass wherein is some ,aq4 ,fortis1 and you shall see that in the utmost necessity or last agony of death1 he will not endeavour to get from out of the ,aq4 ,fortis1 but will strive to hide himself in the earth according to his innate property4 ,but whereas the bottom of the glass is too hard for him to get thorough1 he will be so long endeavouring to accomplish his desire1 and in striving to get through the bottom till he dies4 ,from hence may it be perceived what his ultimate refuge or shift is3 viz4 to endeavour the shunning of his approaching death1 by sheltering himself within the earth4 ,if you put a flie in the ,aq4 ,fortis1 she will not go to the bottom but will do her utmost to get out at top1 because her living is in the air1 and so all volatile or flying things are wont to do4 ,as for a fish if it be put to its shifts1 it endeavours to shun the danger by betaking it self to the bottom4 ,in such a kind of manner doth the nature of men become apparent1 when they are reduced to the extreamest of difficulties4 ,a godly man1 whose thoughts are in this life time always upon ,god1 will constantly adhere unto him in his ,agony1 and being upon dying will betake himself to him for his refuge1 in whom he hath at all times built his hope1 and waiting or looking for help from thence1 from whence he hath always hoped for it4 ,but the ungodly ,man who hath never in his life time feared ,god1 nor set him before his eyes1 but hath always yielded himself with his thoughts unto the will of ,satan1 he will very hardly implore 7in his greatest anguish7 the help of any other than of him1 to whom he hath 7in this life time7 adhered in all his thoughts and actions4 ,,lxxv4 ,the preparation of good medicaments out of venemous vegetables1 by the con-centrated spirits of salts4 ,we have hitherto taught1 that our moist fires of salts do indeed destroy all things1 but do not burn up1 or force away ought of such things as the common fires are wont to do4 ,that this is true1 even the vegetables themselves bear witness1 which being put into our moist fires are therein dissolved1 and pass into a water4 ,but their oil which is in them is separated1 and swimmeth at the top1 and so may be separated thencefrom1 as we have mentioned above concerning the ,may-worms4 ,after the same manner the essence of the herb may be severed from the spirits of the salts1 as we have there declared4 ,the oyls which by this operation are drawn out of the herbs and other vegetables1 do obtain great and peculiar virtues1 because they are excellently well corrected by the efficacy of the moist fires1 and are amended1 which correction1 and bettering they do not at all attain by their being distilled and expressed4 ,,lxxvi4 ,the correction of the too vehemently purging subjects by the moist fires1 whereby they may be safely made use of4 ,diagridium or ,scammony1 ,hellebor1 ,cataputia1 ,gambogia and other vehemently purging subjects may be dispoiled of their venemous faculty1 by the aforementioned way1 and be rendred more sweet and milder4 ,,lxxvii4 ,the correction of the too vehemently operative ,diureticks1 whereby they may be of safe use in the cure of the ,stone4 ,dissolve ,cantharides1 ,may-worms1 ,earth-worms1 ,millipides or ,pig-lice1 in our con-centrated fires1 and follow those ways of operation which we have afore prescribed1 and you shall acquire an excellent and safe medicament1 having a faculty of healing the ,stone of the ,bladder and ,reins4 ,,lxxviii4 ,the amending of narcotick and somniferous subjects by our moist fires1 that so they may perform or shew their virtues without hurt or danger4 ,take ,opium1 ,henbane seed1 ,mandrake1 or the like subject that provokes to sleep1 pour on it the con-centrated spirit of salt1 and it will melt or dissolve therein2 if there be in it any oilyness1 as in the ,henbane seed is usual1 it will separate it self1 and swim on the top of the liquor1 the which is to be severed from the liquor1 and to be warily kept2 because it being onely anointed on the ,temples will presently cause sleep4 ,the liquor is to be used internally1 as we have prescribed in the precedent preparations4 ,,lxxix4 ,the amending of venemous subjects1 that are together purgative1 sudorifick1 diuretick1 and somniferous1 by our moist fires2 insomuch that they do not onely become safe1 but are the effecters of much good in medicine4 ,amongst the number of such kind of subjects1 are ,stavesacre1 or the seed of the louse-killing herb1 ,levant ,berries1 vomiting ,nuts1 and many others of such a like faculty1 which are to be proceeded withall after the same manner1 and by the same operations as the former4 ,by this or the like way may all venemous1 and vehemently operative vegetables and animals be corrected1 so as to be safely admitted to internal uses1 and to be producers of such effects as are of great moment in ,physick2 whereas otherwise 7though they have in them excellent virtues7 they cannot by reason of their vehement operations be taken into the body without danger4 ,,lxxx4 ,whether or no poisonous minerals may be corrected as well as the vegetables and animals1 by our secret and moist fire of salt1 and be turned into wholesome medicaments4 ,you are to know1 that not onely venemous animals and vegetables but likewise all the minerals that abound with poison may be amended1 and their most present or speedily operative poison be converted into most excellent medicines4 ,for example4 ,,lxxxi4 ,how the venenate and volatile minerals are so to be inverted by our moist fires1 that the volatile be rendred fix1 and the poison be made a medicine4 ,take of white or red ,arsnick one part1 pour thereto two or three parts of the con-centrated fire of niter1 the which niter-spirit you shall distill thencefrom in a head and body in sand2 then take the remaining matter out of the glass1 and wash it with common water2 which being done1 you shall have the ,arsnick1 ,diaphoretick1 and such as may with safety be taken into the body2 but yet in a small dose1 because it doth sometimes provoke vomit1 and principally when the nitrous fire is something of the weakest4 ,but to prevent such vomiting1 the said fire is to be twice or thrice drawn off from the ,arsnick1 by an ,alembick2 that so the poison may the better be slain1 and the volatility transmuted into a fixity2 and the same ,arsnick may be afterwards molten and handled with the other metals without all danger of poison1 which was impossible to be done afore4 ,for the ,arsnick whose poisonousness is not as yet removed from it1 cannot be admitted into the body without great danger4 ,neither do we here insert the preparation of such medicaments out of ,arsnick1 and the like venemous minerals1 for this cause that they should be introduced into medicine2 no1 for there are other safer medicaments to be had1 our aim herein is onely this1 to shew that even the most poisonous1 and most fugacious or volatile minerals may be inverted or turned in and out by our moist fire1 and dispoiled of their venenosity and rendred fixt4 ,,lxxxii4 ,the manner of transmuting the fugacious and easily fluxible minerals by the moist fires of salts1 so as that being fixed they hardly admit of fusion or melting4 ,to exemplifie this1 let us consider of ,tin or ,zink1 which are reckoned amongst the metals of most easie melting1 and are most volatile4 ,for the vulgar know that ,tin is molten with a very little fire1 and doth thereby vanish in fume1 if it be but kept in continual flux4 ,but if it be calcined by continually stirring it into ashes1 it becometh fix1 nor doth it admit of reduction to its former body by any violence of fire1 but is turned into glass4 ,so after the same manner do we roast or calcine ,tin1 ,zink1 and the other flying metals with our moist fires1 and burn them into ashes1 and they such ones too as do not return to their former body1 and thus 'tis done2 when we pour on them our fiery liquors1 so as that they heat together1 or do even by abstraction or distillation1 again free the said metals from those liquors2 for then these metals remain in the bottom like to dead ashes1 nor do they suffer themselves to be by any means reduced to their former bodies4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but whoever he be that knows the using of such matters and powders thereunto1 as can reduce such ashes to their former and fusile bodies1 such a one will not spend his labour in vain2 for he will get a metal of a much more noble and better nature than ,tin1 whose greatest internal part is gold and silver4 ,but yet let no body imagine that he can perform this reduction by the help of ,borax or ,salts2 no1 in no-wise4 ,for there are metallick matters required to this labour1 to cause a fluxing or melting1 sundry preparations whereof ,i have taught to and again in my writings1 but not under such a title or name as if this power or efficacy of thus doing were ascribable unto them4 ,for ,i have barely mentioned their use in other metallick transmutations4 ,,lxxxiii4 ,how flying mercury is to be so fixed as to admit of heating red hot4 ,coagulate common mercury with common sulphur into a black ashes1 and then mix this ashes with the con-centrated fire of vitriol1 or rather with such a fire as is extracted from sulphur it self2 so as that there may arise from this mixture a thin mass2 of which mass put one or two lots in linnen or cotten rags1 and so rowl them up that one fold may come over another1 and the mercury may be in the middle4 ,then tie this ball firmly and strongly with a thread1 and let it be environed all about with the fire1 that so all those rags may be red hot and changed into ,coals4 ,take out all this red hot mass1 let it cool1 separate the burnt linnen rags1 and you shall find the mercury turned into a red powder2 but yet it hath no ingress into the metals1 nor performeth it any thing of much moment in medicine1 because it is converted by the burning of our fire into a dead earth4 ,neither have ,i here mentioned this coagulation as if any gain were to be received thencefrom2 but onely on this account1 that the most great virtues and powers of our fires may by the operation thereof be demonstrated4 ,,lxxxiv4 ,another experiment easily demonstrating the possibility of rendring mercury constant in the fire1 by our secret fires of salts1 which thing the known and common fire can never do4 ,melt one part of common and yellow sulphur in a crucible or earthen ,pot1 and being molten like oil cast thereinto two parts of common mercury1 and mix the matter well with a ,spatula1 that the sulphur may assume the mercury1 and may pass with it into a black mass4 ,to which mass you must yet add so much sulphur as the weight of the whole mass in the ,pot is of4 ,then all is to be molten together1 and to be by well stirring so long mixt untill it get an ashy colour4 ,then you are to dip in the said mass as it is in flux1 pieces of linnen1 such as they are wont to use about fuming their ,barrels with a brimstony odour1 to preserve them from stinking4 ,such rags being put on an ,iron ,crook may be kindled1 by which kindling they are burnt up1 the sulphur and part of the mercury vanishing into the air1 but some part being calcined with the flame of the sulphur and fixt1 sticks to the burnt linnen4 ,but what virtues this calcined mercury abounds withall ,i cannot tell1 as having never experimented it1 and ,i have onely inserted here this operation1 for this end1 that the power of our moist fires may be made apparent4 ,many more meditations and inquisitions will be thereby laid open1 which otherwise would never have been sought after nor found out4 ,for in this labour there operateth a twofold fire1 viz4 the visible flame1 and invisible moist fire which the sulphur hideth1 and by the burning up of its body1 manifesteth1 and renders visible and efficacious4 ,for that heavy acid oil of sulphur1 which sticks hidden in all sulphur1 performeth most great matters in metalline things2 and because the flame or external fire exasperates and forceth on the internal1 sharp and moist fire of the sulphur1 that acid quality lets upon that subject that is adjoyned to it1 and destroyeth the same1 and advanceth unto a more fixed state4 ,but that ,i may in some sort satisfie the greedy searcher after truth in this thing1 it seems to me expedient here to mention the occasion1 which 7without studying thereafter1 viz4 this coagulation of mercury7 did by chance bring me thereunto2 and did chiefly shew me an excellent ,arcanum of bringing all ,wines1 ,vinegars1 and other such like drinks easily and speedily to a clarity and transparency4 ,such a secret it is1 as ,i believe never was known as yet to any1 and therefore worthy to be here set down for the common benefit of mankind4 ,,lxxxv4 ,an historical discovery of the reduction and restoration of tenacious and corrupt ,wine1 to its former clarity and goodness4 ,i had some ,wine in a ,vessel that became viscid or ropy and tenacious2 for the amending of which1 ,i sent for a ,wine cooper1 he pours it out 7as is the usual custom7 into another fresh vessel1 and used thereunto all his art1 that so he might better it4 ,he passed it oft times through a long ,pipe made of white plates1 and perforated with many small holes1 and many other means he used1 even whatever he had knowledge of1 but yet all he attempted was in vain1 then at last he put into the ,wine no small portion of salt1 and shook them both together very strongly1 but all in vain1 insomuch that he left my ,wine corrupt as he found it and out of all hope of restoring it4 ,but because there was too much salt thrown into the ,wine1 yea so much as that it might be perceived even by the tast1 the ,wine was rendred unfit to be drunk1 though it should have thereby recovered its former clearness4 ,so there remained nothing else to be done therewithall1 save the extracting of its spirit by distillation4 ,yet nevertheless ,i had a good mind yet to try whether or no it could possibly be freed from that tenacity3 to this end therefore ,i kindled some sulphurized rags1 being sprinkled over with the mineral or oar of lead reduced into powder1 and with that fume imbued ,i my ,wine1 as is the usual custom when ,wines are through corruption degenerated from their good state or condition4 ,i added thereto the oar of lead because that as the sulphur was burning the fume of the lead might penetrate the ,wine and precipitate all the defilements to the bottom4 ,but this experiment did not fadge4 ,then ,i took mercury and mixt it with sulphur after the aforeshown manner in the foregoing ,chapter and dipt some rags therein and kindled them1 hoping that the mercury being transmuted into fume would have ingress into the ,wine4 ,but yet it appeared quite contrary in the use1 the sulphur indeed was consumed by burning1 but the mercury would emit no fume1 but was contrarily turned into a red powder1 and stuck on to the burnt rags4 ,after these burnings1 7viz4 of this mercurialized sulphur7 often reiterated1 the ,wine did not smell of the ,brimstone1 as it's usual to do1 but of ,musk or ,ambergrease1 and recovered its former clarity2 but yet not fit to be drunk because of the overmuch quantity of the salt thrown thereinto4 ,thus it happened unto me1 the which thing others may consider of with a more accurate meditation1 and may haply 7from this history apprehend such things1 as may in other matters be very profitable4 ,for it is not in vain that ,i mention these things in this place4 ,enough is said to the wise4 ',tis sufficient that ,i have showed the way1 if any one refuse to go in the same let him blame himself4 ,,lxxxvi4 ,how our moist fires of ,salt are able after a sort to fix the yellow and common sulphur1 so that it may be used with profit both in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,take one part of yellow sulphur beaten into powder1 and four or five times so much in weight of the con-centrated fire of salt peter1 which spirit pour upon the said powder in a glass cucurbit1 and abstract it thencefrom several times by an ,alembick2 this done1 the sulphur in the cucurbit will get a red colour and become pellucid or transparent4 ,if it resolves in the air into a fat oil1 the operation is well handled2 if not the labour is to be repeated either with the self same fire or with more new1 which is the better way4 ,for the said fires are to be so often drawn off thencefrom untill it flow or resolve into a fat oil3 ,an oil ,i say of sulphur which is endued with great virtues1 not onely in ,alchymy and ,medicine1 but may likewise be used in other arts with a great deal of profit4 ,but especially it is an egregious ,balsom1 resisting all the sicknesses of the ,lungs1 and other putrifying corruptions1 as shall be apparently evidenced in the following ,centuries1 more largely treating about these things4 ,,lxxxvii4 ,a way of turning ,antimony into a snow-white medicament1 by our moist fires of salts1 and which is of safe and profitable use against the ,plague1 all ,fevers1 and other diseases4 ,when the ,regulus of ,antimony made per se without iron1 and beaten into a powder is perfused or throughly moistened with the con-centrated fire of salt peter1 and is for a while kept in warm sand2 the moist fire burns the ,regulus of the ,antimony into a white powder4 ,after that the whole shall be of a white colour1 pour thereto common water1 and it will imbibe or draw to it the fire of the niter1 which will again be fitting for other labours1 and perform the office of spirit of niter4 ,the white powder being by many washings rendred sweet1 and then dried1 performs the office of an excellent diaphoretick medicament and may with safety be used2 it strongly resists the ,plague1 all ,fevers and other diseases1 that are to be expelled by sweat4 ,,lxxxviii4 ,by what means black and crude ,antimony is to be reduced by the nitrous fire into a white powder1 and the combustible and yellow sulphur separated therefrom1 that it may serve as a ,panaca for the resisting of all diseases1 and may operate by the four ,emunctories1 ,vomit1 ,stool1 ,sweat1 and ,urine4 ,antimony is by so much the better and nobler1 by how much the longer and fairer ,rays or ,stria's it appears to be of1 and therefore such is of greater efficacy in medicine than all other sorts4 ,to this therefore being powdered1 pour so much of the nitrous fire as may serve to dissolve it2 the which fire will presently even in the cold1 begin the work of its dissolving4 ,when that is done1 put the glass in warm sand that all the ,antimony may be dissolved1 and its yellow sulphur may swim at top of the solution like a yellow powder4 ,the solution being cold1 strain it thorough a pure linnen cloath1 and the sulphur will stay behind in the cloath1 and hath its peculiar use in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,but to the solution pour common water1 thereby to quench and weaken the nitrous fire1 so that the ,antimony may fall down to the bottom1 in the form of a tender and snow-white powder2 the which being well washed and dried1 may be made use of as a ,panaca to drive away many diseases3 ,for it operateth with a singular efficacy by all the ,emunctories1 but yet very safely1 unless any one doth too foolishly and unskilfully abuse the administration2 ,it is also endued with all those virtues that ,i have ascribed to my red ,panaca4 ,,lxxxix4 ,by what means the con-centred fire of ,kitchin salt drives over ,antimony in a retort like ,butter1 and affordeth a matter of profitable use in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,pour upon the ,regulus of ,antimony beaten into a powder1 the heavy con-centrated oil of common salt1 the which being again drawn off thencefrom in a retort by distillation1 brings over with it as much of the ,regulus of the ,antimony as it can1 and ascendeth like a thick ,butter4 ,it is a mighty fire1 and very fit for the ripening of some immature metals2 and withall is most profitable in ,surgery1 and lays a good ,basis and foundation for the curing of incurable and cancerous ,ulcers4 ,if you pour water upon this oil1 the ,antimony precipitateth out of it1 in the form of a white powder2 and is to be afterwards well washed and dried2 so that being reduced into that white powder1 it becomes a good medicament to be used in all those diseases1 wherein the aforesaid medicaments are appliable2 but with this caution1 that it be given but in a very small dose1 because it is of a more powerfull operation than the aforegoing medicaments prepared by the help of the nitrous fire are of1 and that for this reason1 because the oil of common salt makes things fugacious or flying1 but the nitrous fires renders them more constant in the fire4 ,,xc4 ,the way of turning mercury into a red1 and strongly purging medicament by the operation of the nitrous fire4 ,abstract two or three parts of our nitrous fire1 from one part of purged mercury1 by distillation in a glass cucurbit2 and it will make the mercury far more fixt than if ,aqua ,fortis were many times drawn off therefrom by distillation4 ,this red mercury is to be freed from its saltiness with common water1 and so becomes a strong purge1 and is to be used in a small dose of one1 two1 three1 or at the most four grains1 and effecteth the cure of ,morbus ,gallicus1 and other such like loathsome diseases4 ,after the same manner there may be easily prepared1 not onely sundry and excellent medicaments1 by the operation of our moist fires1 but there may be likewise done things of great moment in ,alchymy and other arts2 concerning which time will not permit me at this present to make a more ample narration of1 but ,i will remit it to the next following ,centuries4 ,now forasmuch as ,i call in this ,treatise the concentrated spirits of salt1 moist fires1 and yet as to their outward shape they represent no shew of fire at all2 ,i deem it necessary to shew by a more firm demonstration1 that they abound not onely with fiery virtues1 but also are 7after their inside is turned outwards1 and their outside inwards7 true1 visible1 palpable1 and sensible fires1 but especially the nitrous fire1 which best of all confirms this our opinion and saying1 it being prepared by the ,chymick ,art and operation out of a fiery subject4 ,,xci4 ,the way of converting or turning the internal and yellow colour of our moist and white nitrous fire from the inmost parts1 outward1 and making it visible4 ,that there is hidden a yellowness and redness in niter1 is not beyond the reach of any ones capacity1 but it is very easily likely1 and credible4 ,for seeing that salt peter is a solar child1 it must necessarily answer to or resemble its father the ,sun in colour1 form1 virtue and efficacy1 if it would purchase belief with any one as to its original and nativity4 ,but salt peter shines with a white colour1 but the ,sun is clad with a yellow garment and shines like the fire2 insomuch that there is no correspondency or likeness of colours1 though otherwise there is found the greatest similitude in burning1 and in ripening all things4 ,this onely being the difference between salt peter and the ,sun1 the one1 viz4 the peter doth particularly onely augment1 ripen and advance all things2 but the ,sun doth universally bestow on all things1 life1 increase or growth1 and nutriment1 but yet the salt his companion is an helping assistant as shall be evidently proved in the end of this book4 ,i do verily believe1 that if it were an easily accomplishable thing by us1 viz4 to extravert the internal and innate redness in salt peter outwards1 and to separate the same from its unclean and gross body1 and knew we how to render it fix and constant1 we should perform things of most great moment1 in an universal way4 ,but yet for the removing of this doubt1 ,i will shew that salt peter is the son of ,sol1 though 7as to its outward ,physiognomy7 it resembles not its ,father4 ,i do therefore say1 that its ,father is the yellow ,sun1 from him it is generated1 but yet by the help of the white ,moon1 she is the ,mother1 and bestows on it the white colour4 ,but ,i say1 that the paternal bloud and fiery virtues it hides in its inmost bowels4 ,so wisely is ,salt ,peter signed by its ,parents1 viz4 by the ,sun its ,father1 and the ,moon its ,mother4 ,the ,father bestows on this1 his ,son a fiery heart2 the ,mother a white and cold body2 from hence 'tis that it is clad with an ,hermaphroditical nature1 being ,male and ,female together1 hot and cold1 red and white1 vivifying and killing4 ,,xcii4 ,of the admirable nature of ,magnetism1 attracting to it self its like4 ,according to my simple and small judgment1 the red colour of salt peter is not 7by the operation of any other thing7 to be separated from its white body1 better and more commodiously than by the affinity and likeness of some certain magnet that will touch it4 ,for example3 ,let us consider a little of common gold and common quick-silver1 they are so linked with a tye of mutual love1 and internal likeness to each other2 that the one draws the other unto it self4 ,for if in dealing with mercury any portion thereof should happen to fall on the ground1 and dashing it self into a thousand ,atoms1 it cannot be by any kind of way better gotten together again1 than by the help of such a magnet1 as will attract to it self the dispersed and dilated ,atoms2 such a magnet metals are1 and especially gold1 as being conjoyned to it in the nearest affinity2 therefore ,i sweep together this so widely dispersed mercury1 together with the earth and other defilements from which the said mercury is scarcely distinguishable as being all over covered therewithall3 and to these defilements do ,i put a piece of copper1 silver or gold1 which being well shaken to and agen amongst these filthes1 draws to it self the widely dispersed and small ,atoms of the mercury1 and so recovers it by extracting it out of all that rubbish4 ,now when the metal hath attracted mercury enough1 and can attract no more1 the mercury is to be wiped off from the metal with a linnen cloath2 which being again well shook amongst the trash as you did afore1 draws to it self the other ,atoms3 these labours are to be so often repeated1 till it be all extracted1 and so renders it thee the same without any loss4 ,just so and after the self same manner may the inmost soul1 and which is largely dispersed throughout the whole body of the salt peter1 be extracted thencefrom2 were onely such a magnet but known unto us1 as had a great affinity with the soul of the niter4 ,i will yet set down another1 and a more evident similitude1 that so the business may become the more clear and manifest and be the better understood4 ,,xciii4 ,a clear and evident demonstration1 whereby is shown that even the most hidden things may be manifested and rendred visible by their magnets4 ,let the admirable nature and property of the common magnet be well considered2 nature having endowed it with two plainly contrary virtues1 one of attraction1 the other of expulsion4 ,for on one of its sides it draws iron to it self1 and on the other of its sides it drives it off2 and thus it does1 not onely in its great pieces1 but also when 'tis broken into very small bits4 ,for always on one side it draws to it self the iron1 and on the other side drives it from it self1 by this operation respecting both poles1 viz4 the ,northern and the ,southern4 ,but to return to my purpose3 ,i will demonstrate by evident examples and operation1 that the inmost and most hidden nature and properties of things1 are wont to be most evidently manifested and obtained1 by attracting1 and repelling magnets4 ,for all the things that are1 have their enemies and their friends1 as shall be proved in the following operations4 ,,xciv4 ,an operation demonstrating or affirming1 that the internal and hidden natures and properties of things may be manifested and obtained by attractive or repulsive magnets4 ,dissolve some lots of lead1 and such as is wholly void of silver1 in ,aq4 ,fortis1 and precipitate the lead by pouring thereunto some salt water1 this precipitated lead wash with fair water and dry it4 ,take some three or four ounces of this ,calx of lead1 and thereto admix a fifth part of pure gold1 being first reduced into most pure and most subtile ,atoms1 on such wise as hath been taught in other places of my writings2 but if you have not at hand such a ,calx1 use another ,calx of gold prepared any kind of way1 but yet the first ,calx is the fittest for this operation4 ,melt both the ,calx's1 viz4 the leaden and golden one in a crucible1 that the lead may become a fusile stone2 but the gold ,calx will 7by this operation7 be much heavier1 and be white1 this whiteness is nothing else save pure and good silver1 drawn out of ,saturn by ,sol sympathetically1 and made visible1 which 7afore7 lay hidden in the lead in a spiritual and invisible manner4 ,but some may here demand2 forasmuch as there is so much silver hidden in all lead1 whence comes it that none are found that get it out from thence8 ,i answer1 that there are indeed a many that would get out great masses of silver out of lead1 did they but understand the art1 and could so bring it to effect4 ,but seeing they are ignorant of the natures of metals and their properties1 and know not how to do any thing1 they cannot become masters of their wishes4 ,now in this extraction1 there is a two-fold cause presents it self1 viz4 ,sympathy1 and ,antipathy4 ,the gold by reason of the kin and amity it hath with the lead1 draws thencefrom unto it self the spiritual silver2 and because of an inbred hatred it has to salt1 it drives away the same from it self4 ,the gold therefore 7in extracting the spiritual silver out of the lead7 hath an assistant1 aiding it by a contrary operation1 and so bringing to pass1 that there is so much the more silver extracted1 because the salt being added to the lead1 doth by reason of that inbred enmity and difference 'twixt it and silver drive this1 viz4 the silver away from it as its enemy4 ,and although that out of such lead prepared with salt may silver be always molten1 yea without adding any gold thereunto1 meerly because of the inimicitiousness that is between silver and salt1 whereby is caused that the silver is thrust out of the lead by the same as by its enemy2 yet so much silver is not gotten by that way1 no not by the half1 as is drawn out by the addition of gold4 ,for when the gold attracts1 and the salt expels1 there are made two actions together1 the one by ,sympathy1 the other by ,antipathy1 both aiming at this mark1 viz4 to extract the hidden silver and gold out of the lead4 ,let there be evaporated in a cupel two small centenaries or hundreds weight1 each of like weight2 and to one of the centenaries add some pounds 7of the proportionable small weight as the centenaries are7 of pure gold1 and there will come from that centenary more silver by the help of the gold1 than from the other1 whereto was added no gold3 ,but the gain by this operation will not be much1 or haply none at all2 but this is onely to shew1 that it is verily possible1 for gold being put upon the cupel with lead1 to get some silver thereout of1 and to be more in weight2 which effect is produced onely by a sympathetical faculty4 ,be now if salt doth also lend to gold its assistance1 then is there a twofold operation of a double operator2 whilst in extracting of the silver out of the lead1 the gold is occupied in attracting1 and the salt in expulsion4 ,these things were of necessity to be laid open by me1 forasmuch as they teach by what means the inmost and most pure parts are to be separated from the more gross2 so that every one may know the natures and properties of things themselves1 viz4 with what love they imbrace each other1 or what hatred there is betwixt them4 ,by this experiment then1 may any wise and understanding man easily learn and believe1 that even out of salt peter or any other white body1 the red soul may be extracted4 ,whosoever therefore shall know how to get these helpers1 viz4 ,sympathy and ,antipathy for his purpose1 shall never labour in vain1 but shall at all times reap fruit by his labours4 ,and as we have shewn that out of any lead1 by the help of gold1 a good part of silver may be extracted2 so likewise may the same be clearly proved to be done with the other metals1 and which may also be effected without the help of gold4 ,yet nevertheless the more fixt metal doth more readily and willingly atract the more volatile and purer part of the other impurer metals1 than an unclean metal doth1 and even much more readily yet1 when there is afore adjoyned to that metal from which any thing is to be extracted1 an enemy of that thing which you labour to extract4 ,upon this account therefore was ,i willing to insert an experiment1 that so none might account of the thing mentioned as of small moment1 but rather that he accurately ponder thereupon in his mind1 that so he may thereby arrive to things of great moment by a well examining of the same4 ,now as it hath been clearly and evidently taught that fixt silver may be gotten out of any lead1 as well by ,sympathy as by ,antipathy1 even so may it easily be proved1 that the spiritual gold may be extracted out of other metals1 partly by ,antipathy1 and partly by ,sympathy1 but much easier by ,antipathy and ,sympathy joyntly together1 so that one matter may draw unto its self the object it loves1 and the other may drive from it what it hates2 as we have proved in lead4 ,if then this may be done in metals1 why may it not be likewise done in other subjects4 ,we will therefore proceed on and see1 whether or no it can be so brought to pass1 that the hidden redness may be drawn out of salt peter by ,sympathy and ,antipathy4 ,having therefore understood by the things already spoken1 that like draws to it self its like1 and is repelled from its unlike1 there remains nothing else for us to do but to know what that like is1 by which salt peter suffers it self to be extracted4 ,when we advisedly consider the rise or birth of salt peter1 it is not to us unknown that it draws its originality from the excrements of animals1 but especially from the dung of horned ,beasts1 as ,cows and sheep4 ,and forasmuch as ,sheep and ,cows do feed onely on ,herbs and ,grass that grow in the ,fields1 and that those vegetables do proceed from the terrestrial salt by the help of the solar beams1 it is more clearly evident than the ,noon-day light1 that the hot ,sun is the ,father of salt peter and the cold night the ,mother1 the earth the ,nurse1 and ,salt the ,food1 nutriment and encrease of the same2 the which is to be understood as in reference to the ,macrocosm or great ,world4 ,but the vegetables1 or all shrubs1 herbs1 and all grass which arise out of the earth in the ,macrocosm1 cannot be more aptly compared with ought1 than with the ,hairs and ,wool of ,men and ,beasts1 which are born out of the earth of the ,microcosm or out of the animal body1 like as the shrubs and herbs1 and grass do spring forth and grow out of the ,macrocosmical ,earth4 ,upon this score1 the hairs1 hoofs1 or claws1 and horns of ,beasts2 likewise the feathers and claws of ,birds1 and also the teeth and scales of ,fishes1 do altogether square as to their similitude with salt peter2 they being such things as whereout of1 together with other the superfluous excrements of nature1 true and good salt peter may be made with ease4 ,and like as to the procreation of vegetables in the ,microcosm1 and for their increase or growth1 there is requisite fat and salt earth1 the warm splendor of the sun1 and the fruitfull ,rain1 whereby all kinds of fruits are born1 and ripened2 but contrarily by the penury or want of salt 7it being the onely nutriment17 and of the warm ,sun beams1 and of the ,rain which is the promoter of all fertility1 every thing that is vegetable must needs perish and die2 even so is it in the body of ,man3 ,for as long as the heart of ,man is in a prosperous healthfulness1 and that the central fire1 or vital spirit1 and radical moisture be not defective1 all things are well and in good equipage1 and the whole body takes increase or growth1 and the hairs grow plentifully3 ,but on the contrary1 when meat and drink fail1 the whole body suffers loss1 consumes and withers away and the hairs fall off4 ,but to comprise all in brief1 ,i say1 that all growths and augmentations as well in the ,macrocosm as in the ,microcosm1 must of necessity be at a stand and lessen as soon as the warm solar beams1 together with the nutriment it self ceaseth and is deficient4 ,so then it is a truth1 that in ,man as being a ,microcosm or little ,world1 and in the other animals1 the hairs may be compared with the ,trees1 ,shrubs1 ,herbs1 and ,grass of the great ,world1 because of the great likeness that is between them4 ,and therefore the hairs of animals and hoofs1 claws1 feathers and scales of them are very like to salt peter1 insomuch that one part doth after a sympathetical manner extract from the other1 the most great virtues and inmost soul1 and so one doth manifest the other4 ,for example1 when the skin1 hairs1 claws1 hoofs1 or nails of a man or any other animal1 as likewise the feathers of ,birds are smeared with the spirit of niter1 or anointed therewithall1 they presently become as yellow as gold1 and do as t'were put on a golden hue4 ,it may now be demanded1 from whence ariseth that colour8 comes it from the hairs themselves1 or from the niter spirit8 ,if that golden colour did arise from the hairs themselves1 then it would of necessity be1 that it should also discover it self1 when the hairs are moistened with other sharp and strong waters2 but thus 'twill never do1 but onely when they are smeared with the spirit of niter1 or else with ,aq4 ,fortis1 which containeth the niter spirit4 ,from these things therefore it is evident1 that the superfluities of the ,microcosm have a most notable affinity with the superfluities of the ,macrocosm1 viz4 herbs1 and grass4 ,hence comes it to pass1 that one part draws or sucks from the other part its best virtues and power1 and renders them visible1 which afore lay hidden invisibly and impalpably in their gross bodies4 ,,xcv4 ,the manner of extracting out of niter its gold-like soul4 ,if we would go the nearest way to work with niter to extract its soul1 then the gross niter is first to be mundified by distillation1 then afterwards out of this purged body is the most pure part to be extracted by a convenient magnet1 and the gross fces to be removed2 and this most pure soul to be brought by concentration and fixation to the utmost degree of perfection and dignity4 ,and albeit ,i could here set down in more clear expressions1 the manner of extracting it1 yet ,i am not so minded to do because of the unworthy4 ,let this manuduction suffice1 whereby is shown what means it is to be done by1 viz4 by some magnet attracting to it self its like by a magnetick operation4 ,i can at all times exhibit such a yellow gold like soul of niter1 and use it in the sicknesses of my neighbour4 ,but1 enough as touching these matters1 we shall be more large concerning them1 in the following ,centuries4 ,,xcvi4 ,how the moist and cold fire of niter is to be so ordered as to yield its visible flame4 ,put some ounces of our con-centrated and moist fire of niter in a glass1 and pour thereupon drop by drop a sharp ,lixivium made of ,wood ashes1 or rather of fixed niter1 and keep pouring on so long1 till all the noise1 fuming1 and ebullition cease1 and that the moist fire it self be wholly allayed and slain4 ,this done1 all the corroding faculty is taken away from that fire1 which said fire doth by this operation return to its former nature1 and is changed into such a salt peter as it was afore its being converted into a moist fire4 ,out of this salt peter1 being now made purer and better by so many conversions and operations1 may a new moist fire be extracted by distillation and con-centration1 which is far better and much stronger than the former4 ,and now if this second moist fire be again extinguished with a ,lixivium of fixt niter1 and be again turned into salt peter1 and this peter be by a new distillation and con-centration turned into a moist fire1 this said fire will be endued with far greater virtues3 ,for in every mortification and vivification it becomes one degree stronger1 nobler1 and more efficacious2 and so is the salt peter it self too by those conversions and reductions exalted several degrees1 and is at length brought to that pass1 that it can do more wonderfull things than the common is wont to do2 for one pound of such a salt peter being exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty is far more efficacious than many pounds of common salt peter1 and stronger1 and much excels it in virtue4 ,but it is not expedient that every one should know1 what may be effected with such a most subtile and most pure salt peter4 ,the ancient ,philosophers hid the preparation and use of common salt peter2 and why should not we also hide such a salt peter exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty1 wherewith the common peter is not at all comparable1 especially in all such labours whereunto the common sort is wont to be applied1 this operates much readiler1 and far better and more effectually4 ,but that the truth may be clearer than the noonday1 ,i will add one operation of a metallick transmutation1 by which it shall be clearly evidenced unto every one what such a most subtile salt peter is able to effect4 ,,xcvii4 ,an operation shewing the manner how by the help of salt peter promoted to the highest degree of subtilty1 the superfluous combustible sulphur of the imperfect metals may be kindled and burnt up2 even as common fire burns up wood1 insomuch as nothing will be left remaining save a little fixt salt and ashes2 so likewise in this burning up of the impure metals by our most pure salt peter1 there remains also nothing save that fixt gold and silver which lay spiritually hidden in the metal1 and is now left by the combustible ,scoria's4 ,every one knows that out of the common ,salt ,peter and ,brimstone1 may ,gunpowder be made2 but yet short in goodness1 of that which is made of purified salt peter4 ,by how much the purer and subtiler the salt peter is1 so much the better and stronger powder doth it make4 ,the same may be understood as touching the other uses of salt peter4 ,further1 every one knows that the common salt peter reduceth the common metals into a ,scoria by burning them1 and washeth gold and silver1 and leaves them pure1 concerning which fiery washing ,i have hitherto mentioned several things4 ,but that the common salt peter doth perform this washing better than the pure1 and this pure better and more efficaciously than the purest1 is no such matter in the least1 which thing experience will most manifestly open to him who will try the same4 ,verily a small fire will not do those things which a greater will do1 nor will this greater effect such things as the greatest will1 and this is so evident and manifest that there is none dares deny it4 ,take one part of the ,regulus of ,antimony and four parts of pure ,tin2 melt them in a crucible and pour them out1 and let them cool2 this mass makes all iron and steel fusile1 therefore when you would melt iron or steel1 fill a crucible with either of the metals1 set it in a ,wind ,furnace1 and leave it so long in the ,coles till all the matter wax highly red hot4 ,then take off the cover and put into the crucible1 half as much of the said mixt mass of ,regulus of ,antimony and ,tin1 as the iron or steel put in the crucible weighed1 then put on the cover1 and cover it over with the ,coles1 and urge the fire as strongly as ever possibly you can1 that so the mass you put in1 may cause the iron or steel to melt4 ,when 'tis all well molten1 pour it presently forth1 least the ,tin flying away in fume1 leave the molten iron1 and so it returned to its former hardness and not suffer it self to be fused4 ,this matter consisting of the ,regulus of ,antimony1 ,tin1 and ,iron1 or ,steel1 is so hard1 that you may strike fire thereout of with a flint4 ,now then if you would experiment the abovesaid combustion or burning up1 take a good strong crucible made of potters earth1 and fill it with salt peter1 set it on live ,coals so that the salt peter may melt1 then having cast your tin and iron in the form of small rods1 heat one end of the rods so as not to melt1 hold the other end in a pair of ,tongs1 and put it into the molten salt peter1 that the iron together with the tin and ,regulus of ,antimony may be burnt up as if it were wood1 and vanish away with the flame into a fume4 ,for almost all tin and iron are a meer sulphur1 and being consumed by the flame1 leave nothing else in the crucible save ,scoria's1 which being washed with water1 and boiled on a cupel or test with lead and blown off1 do leave behind1 the true gold and silver hidden in both metals4 ,for when by the flame of so pure a salt peter1 the impure sulphur of the iron and tin is burnt up1 it must necessarily be that what good soever was in the metals do remain behind4 ,i do not therefore here set down this operation1 as if ,i would thereby promise any one golden mountains4 ,no such matter4 ,for ,i onely manifest these1 and such like labours meerly for this end1 that every one may know1 that salt peter being brought to a requisite purity1 is wont to burn up imperfect metals as one burns up wood2 and it may be easily gathered thencefrom1 that such a pure salt peter doth as to its virtues much exceed the common peter4 ,as for such like labours of burning up the imperfect metals by salt peter purified in a due manner1 and of getting pure gold and silver with profit1 they shall be taught in the following ,century 7,god willing47 ,for even as this first ,century doth for the most part treat of fire and salt2 so the chiefest part of the following ,century shall treat of the wonderfull and great efficacy of purified salt peter in destroying1 and reducing metals1 and that with great bettering of them1 and with no small profit4 ,and albeit ,i was desirous of inserting in this first ,century1 such like profitable betterings of the metals1 yet it could not well be done2 principally because that there are many other things concerning the profitable use of the con-centrated spirits of salt1 that ,i must necessarily pass over here1 because the number of this ,century is already up1 and therefore must ,i refer them to the following ,centuries4 ,and forasmuch as there is frequent mention made in this ,century1 of glasses and crucibles1 which none can be without in the preparing and use of these moist fires1 because of the many hazards and losses wherewithal common instruments are accompanied1 for they often break1 or else easily let out or spill the boiling matters2 it is altogether requisite that ,i should here have manifested this excellent invention of mine1 which preventeth all such discommodities2 and which ,i hinted at in the second part of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,but whereas ,i have bestowed both those inventions there on the poor1 of meer gift1 it would be an unjust thing to take away from them what is theirs2 nay rather they should have by good right more bestowed on them4 ,so then being not able to proceed any farther as to this case1 this thing onely remains1 viz4 an affirmation that neither ,medicine nor ,alchymy can want or be without such excellent ,inventions4 ,but yet if any one desires to have them1 he may write to those two men1 to whom ,i have given them1 that they may trade for the poor2 whatsoever any one that is desirous of knowing those secrets shall bargain with them for1 he will not be repulsed but obtain his desire1 and purchase from them the secret2 the which process ,i will nevertheless describe1 omitting the naming of the matters4 ,,xcviii4 ,the way of putting glasses in distillation and digestion1 and so conserving them1 that the boiling matter be not spilt4 ,take 44444444444444444444 with this matter fence your glass1 that the matters you put into them run not out1 or be spilt1 and you shall not lose them4 ,,xcix4 ,the manner of preparing such crucibles as will hold metals in flux a long time1 and which can neither be broken nor melted4 ,r4 4444444444 mix these matters and moisten them with common water1 that they may be converted into a mass1 of which you shall 7by a crucible mold7 frame small and great crucibles1 knocking them into your mold with an heavy mallet1 according to the manner ,i described in the fifth part of my ,furnaces4 ,then take them forth of the mold and dry them in the air1 and when they are dry use them2 for they need not any burning in the ,potters ,furnace4 ,they will 7being rightly handled7 stand a long time in the coals1 and will not chap1 neither will they melt with the most vehement fire4 ,c4 ,an infallible demonstration1 that in salt and fire all things lie hidden2 or1 that by the help of the ,sun and ,salt all things are generated1 arise1 grow1 and encrease4 ,forasmuch as ,i caused to be stamped at the beginning of this small work1 a circle with a square in its inside1 and with these annexed words1 ,in the ,sun1 and in ,salt are all things2 7the truth of which figure and inscription is sufficiently enough evidenced by the so many operations described in this ,century27 it seemed worth while unto me1 to make an assertion here in the end of this ,treatise by a true and evident demonstration1 that all things are procreated1 conserved1 and encreased by the ,sun and ,salt1 as being the principal and most noble creatures of ,god2 but with this provizo1 that there be present the seeds of those things that require multiplication4 ,for though the ,sun and ,salt were yet far excellenter and nobler subjects than they now be1 yet notwithstanding could they not produce or generate so much as the smallest herb or meanest worm 7to say nothing of a ,man7 without seed4 ,if we have but seed1 then it is permitted us by ,god1 to propagate the same by the ,sun and ,salt4 ,the begetting of seeds1 ,god hath reserved to himself alone4 ,the seed therefore is for us sufficient1 which if we have1 we are able to propagate and encrease it even to infinity1 by the efficacy of the ,sun and ,salt1 7that universal nutriment of all things47 ,the universal medicament and nutriment that the ,countrey men use about conserving their ,vineyards1 ,grounds1 and ,pastures1 is the ,dung of ,cattle and ,sheep2 from the which ,dung being laid to the roots of the ,vines and ,trees1 and thrown into the ,fields and ,pastures1 the ,vegetables do attract their necessary nutriment1 do grow and bring forth fruits needfull for the support and nourishment of ,men and ,beasts4 ,but forasmuch as this nutriment which all the ,vegetables do extract out of the ,dung of the ,beasts is nothing else but a urinous ,salt1 and that we know how to prepare out of the common ,salt1 such a urinous ,salt which may be used about dunging and fatning the ,earth instead of ,dung1 therefore verily we may be without that said ,dung1 being but furnished with such a ,salt2 the which being ,alkalizated by the fire doth extend it self much wider1 or goes farther1 and dures much longer in the ,earth1 nourishing and dunging it1 than the ,beasts ,dung doth4 ,besides it gives to all ,fruits and ,corn1 a far sweeter savour1 and smell1 than ,dung it self doth1 the truth of which will easily appear to him that will make tryal of the same4 ,nay more1 and what is of far greater moment2 there may 7by the help of such ,salts7 be communicated to ,fruits1 especially to those that grow on ,trees1 and to ,grapes1 a most fragrant odour2 if instead of ,dung1 such ,salts be used to the ,fields and ,gardens1 and some spices or other things of a fragrant smell be mixed with those ,salts1 and put to the roots of the ,vegetables4 ,an example will illustrate it more clearly4 ,plow up some part of some barren ,ground1 such as is so for want of ,dung2 or1 even some meer sandy ,ground1 and throw upon it of the said salt as much as is sufficient1 and by plowing mix it with the ,earth it self1 and sow therein any kind of grain you please1 and it will spring up out of the salted ,earth or ,sand1 and be encreased1 and recompence the pains taken about it1 with an hundred fold encrease of the seed1 even just as if you had dunged it1 nay better than with the common ,dunging4 ,and now ,i pray1 whence doth that faculty of growing1 encreasing1 and multiplying arise1 save from ,salt alone1 which you sowed your barren ,field withall8 ,for the seed cannot purchase to it self nutriment1 and aliment1 growth and encrease from the barren ,sand and ,rain-water onely4 ,and this you may try the truth of very easily1 if you fill two wooden ,chests or ,boxes with common ,sand1 and put to the ,sand in one of them one1 two1 or three pounds of that inverted ,salt1 7according to the bigness or smallness of your box7 and in the other box let there be onely ,sand4 ,if now you sow divers seeds in each of the ,sands1 and set them in the air1 moistening them with ,rain-water1 those seeds will indeed grow out of both the ,sand-boxes and get increase1 but yet that which grows where it has been sprinkled with ,salt is far fuller and perfecter1 insomuch that it will hold on its growth till it comes to its utmost ripeness1 whenas the other seeds in the other ,sand-box will by little and little perish and dye4 ,it evidently appears from hence that the faculty of growing and increasing1 in all things proceedeth from ,salt onely4 ,if so be therefore1 that ,pease1 ,beans1 ,oats1 ,barly1 ,rye1 ,wheat1 ,wine1 and all kinds of ,fruits1 do grow1 and are increased by the benefit of ,salt1 it necessarily follows1 that ,salt is the subject and universal nutriment4 ,but that it may be understood how the common ,salt 7which otherwise is wont to corrupt or extinguish all the faculty of growth in those things it is mixed withall7 is to be inverted or turned in and out1 that its hurtfull corroding property being put off it may put on the nature of ,alkalies or urinous ,salts1 ,i do here covertly set down the manner of the operation1 so that it may remain hidden to mine enemies and be communicated onely to my friends4 ,take common ,salt1 c4 ,see the ,preparation in ,append4 #e4 p4 ,prosp4 ,germ4 ,let them be well heated red hot together at the fire1 this done1 the salt will be dispoiled of its ,acrimony and get an urinous property1 and being used in a due quantity instead of ,dung1 to barren ,grounds1 causeth that the seeds sown therein produce much fruit4 ,but this kind of dunging requireth frequenter ,rains than that which is done with ,dung2 and therefore it may be better and more commodious in moorish places than ,beasts ,dung1 if it may be done1 which conjoyns the said salt1 and produceth the most wished effects ,but especially the said salt is far better for ,vines and ,fruit ,trees than ,dung is3 for it gives to ,grapes1 ,apples1 ,pears and such like ,tree-,fruits1 a far better savour than ,dung is wont to afford3 ,besides1 this benefit accrues to ,vines thereby1 that being sprinkled with that ,salt1 they have oft times nutriment enough for twenty years1 and do every year bring forth ,fruit most plentifully3 whereas the nutriment of dunging will scarce suffice for five or six years4 ,further1 ,that ,salt may be far easier1 and with much less costs carried and transported into the high ,mountains than ,dung can2 for a far greater quantity of ,dung is required than of the said ,salt1 which said ,salt diffuseth it self far larger1 or goes much farther than the ,dung1 and dures longer4 ,i did this very spring-time last past1 put such an inverted salt to some half dead ,vines1 which being planted in a lean sandy ground could scarce grow up a fingers heighth1 and they presently began to flourish1 and grew up so fast that the growth was day by day perceptible4 ,when therefore on a certain day ,i was shewing some ,friends of mine the melioration of metals1 in my ,laboratory1 to be effected by the help of common salt1 as they were wondring at the thing1 ,i shewed them those ,vines afore my ,laboratory1 that sprang up from the half dead stocks1 and they measuring some of the branches of the ,vines1 found that in two or three months they were grown some #f1 #g1 #aj1 and #aa foot long1 and the stocks or stalks whence they grew were two or three times thicker than at first2 which great change or transmutation in the ,vines1 proceeding from the salt1 would be more admirable and profitable than that of metals1 if we did not look upon that transmutation of gold with such covetous eyes4 ,and forasmuch as this transmutation spoken of1 was observed in the month of ,july1 and that there are almost yet three months for ,vines to encrease and grow2 any one may easily conjecture what an encrease the wood or branches of the ,vines would have in the space of a whole ,summer4 ,but let this suffice concerning the inversion of the common salt1 being a most profitable promoter of the growing faculty in all things2 the which things ,i was necessitated to declare here in the end of this small work1 that so ,i might demonstrate those things which ,i asserted at the beginning of the same1 viz4 that in salt lie all things hidden1 and by the seeds of things and the help of the ,sun are rendred visible1 palpable and essential4 ,an ,admonition to the friendly ,reader1 or a ,proposition not prescribing or tying to any body1 whereby is shewn how much benefit the ,countrey may in general obtain by my not chargeable extraction of ,gold and ,silver out of the fugacious or flying ,minerals4 ,that my inventions may be in many places profitable for the whole ,countrey1 ,i judged it worth while1 briefly to declare my meditations or conceptions thereabouts2 and to make a declaration of the way or manner which ,i judge it may most exceeding profitably be done by4 ,first of all1 ,i suppose it is sufficiently well known that ,princes and ,noblemen are occupied or troubled with otherguess burdens and business than to employ or busie themselves with the care and enquiry after the metalline mine-pits1 that are here and there in the ,countries subject unto them4 ,and if they should commit the care of these things to their servants1 'tis likely that they would rather pass their time in feastings or merry meetings1 than in a painfull search of ,mines and metallick ,veins in the woods and mountains4 ,and as for the subjects themselves1 seeing they are altogether rude and ignorant of such arts1 by what means1 and with what success they can undertake such kind of ,labours1 any one may easily guess4 ,these are the ,causes why things of such great moment are let slip without any profit at all1 and are plainly neglected4 ,but in my judgment1 though it be but slender1 any ,prince that hath many ,subjects under his obedience1 may every year gather store of gold and silver1 and that without costs1 if he would but onely cause a small ,laboratory to be erected1 wherein the poor ,mines may be extracted with due waters2 and leave given to such of his subjects as breath after the knowledge of such ,arts1 to frequent such a ,laboratory1 and there to learn such ,arts1 with this ,proviso1 that every one should bring the gold1 silver and copper boiled or gotten out of the poor minerals by the help of the said extraction1 into the ,mony-shop or ,coining-house1 at such a rate as they are every where esteemed or valued at1 and not transport it out of the ,countrey4 ,now by this means1 not only the chief ,magistrate would without any cost and labour get no small profit by the mony1 but likewise every body would to their utmost1 labour in the inquisition after such poor ,mines1 that he might get ,gold and ,silver1 and other ,metals1 out of those poor metallick ,veins1 and get gain for him and his4 ,but now if the ,prince or ,magistrate will not permit his ,subjects the exercise of such a work1 but keep all to himself1 any one may easily conjecture1 that not so much as a man will set about searching after such ,mines1 but will rather hide them1 especially if the ,magistrate 7as is wont to be sometimes done7 would constrain his ,subjects to such kind of ,labours4 ,this 7according to my simple opinion1 no ways prescribing to any what to doe7 would be the readiest way1 without hurting of any man 7nay rather it would help and assist many a man7 of furnishing our ,country with ,gold and ,silver ,coin1 which ,foreigners have made it bare of4 ,but this will not be by any way1 unless the ,magistrates themselves do make a beginning1 as to the institution of such a work1 by this means inviting and stirring up their ,subjects to undertake such like ,labours1 which will bring great ,treasures even to the whole ,country4 ,by this means may rich ,mints be set up in very many places1 instead of those which at this time afford ,mony or ,coin so sparingly1 and no small portion of ,copper too1 mixed with it4 ,these few things was ,i willing to advise for the sake of the good of the whole ,country2 only laying down my simple opinion without prescribing a rule to any1 hoping1 that no body of what rank or condition soever they be1 will take it otherwise than well4 ,secondly1 ,every ,prince and great man would mightily promote the common welfare of his poor1 if he would but take the care of shewing the way of so inverting common ,salt by one hours heating it red hot1 and bringing it to that pass1 that it may be made use of instead of ,cattles dung1 for the fatning and bettering of barren ,vineyards1 unfruitfull ,gardens1 and other ,fields that are backward or slow in bearing ,fruits3 for verily1 even from this very ,art would redound much profit to some ,countries4 ,for1 many ,vineyards here and there1 and many ,grounds do want due tillage because of the scarcity of ,dung1 whereas otherwise they would prove very profitable both to the ,subjects and ,magistrates1 if they could be fatned and made fertile by this kind of way4 ,besides too1 all ,wines would be had in much more plenty1 and be of a far sweeter and pleasanter taste1 by such a medium1 than if the ,vineyards and ,fields were dunged with ,beasts dung4 ,but as touching this thing1 see more in the continuation of my ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,the end of the ,first ,century4 ,the ,second ,century ,,of ,,glauber',s ,wealthy ,store-house of ,treasures4 ,which doth ,illustrate his hitherto published ,writings1 with a more evident ,explanation1 and doth more clearly demonstrate the ,truth hidden in them4 ,the ,first ,arcanum or ,secret of the ,second ,century1 ,,sheweth1 ,by what means such ,metals as are imperfect1 wild1 and in a manner unapt for use or sale1 may be ripened or bettered by ,common ,salt and ,fire1 so as to yield forth ,gold and ,silver with benefit and advantage4 ,i have in the foregoing first ,century1 as also in the ,appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany1 described the incineration or reduction into ashes1 which is to be done with ,coals in a peculiar ,furnace1 fit for torrefaction or calcining4 ,though this be a laborious way and tedious1 yet is it not without its benefit1 provided that a great quantity 7as ,i have already oft times said7 of the not vendible minerals and metals be thereto used4 ,but that such an incineration may be done after a more easie and compendious manner1 the following way may be made use of4 ,build an ,hearth of good and fitting earth upon a firm foundation1 put thereupon a ,furnace or an ,arch of good stones1 adjoyn hereto an ,oven1 or side ,furnace out of which the fire may play and emit its flame over all the said ,hearth1 and pass thereout of by a ,chimny made for that purpose4 ,upon this ,hearth put those metalline earths being broken in a ,mill1 and commix them with the ,salt1 and ,coals reduced into powder1 and leave them for twenty or twenty four hours1 that they may be all well fired and heated red hot3 ,for by this means1 the salt makes the fugitive metal in some sort constant and able to brook the fire2 and the wild sulphureousness leaves the metalline mineral1 and adjoyns it self to the salt1 and converteth it into a vitriol or ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,this twenty or twenty four hours heat1 gets a constancy and fluxibility to those wild metallick veins1 and doth withall by that labour so fit and prepare the salt1 that it doth afterwards by an easie mutation pass into good salt peter4 ,after that the said minerals have gotten themselves a better state by the said ,cementation1 they are to be drawn out of the ,fire or ,hearth1 with iron instruments fit for such a purpose1 and new and fresh minerals are to be put in1 and to be dealt withall after the same manner as we said but now4 ,the minerals that are taken forth are to be broken in a ,mill1 and then the salt to be washed off with common water1 and to be afterwards used about making salt peter1 the which we have taught in the ,appendix4 ,the light ,coals or ,scinders and unprofitable earth is to be separated by water1 from the metalline part1 and this metalline part1 or heavier limus1 being reduced and molten in the ,furnace called ,stichofen1 yields a beautifull or pure and gainfull metal4 ,there are sometimes found in many places of ,germany1 wild1 fugacious1 and unmeltable minerals of lead1 which for that they contain in them ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 do not admit of reduction in the ,furnace called ,stichofen1 but do either go off in fume1 or turn into dross4 ,but being first roasted after the aforesaid manner1 and fitted for liquefaction1 the lead1 comprehending in it silver too1 may be thence gotten with profit1 whereas otherwise they are wont to be dealt withall without any fruit1 and are therefore given over4 ,this incineration therefore is profitably used to such degenerate minerals4 ,now if so be any would deal with vendible and good metals1 and would have profit from them by incineration1 he must proceed this following way4 ,,ii4 ,the manner of reducing lead into ashes1 and so handling it with the spirits of salt1 that gold and silver may be thence gotten with profit4 ,i have at large taught in my first ,century1 that in the ripening of metals and other chymical operations1 a greater fire is endued with stronger power than a lesser1 which is easie to be understood by those that have any wit4 ,i just now taught the maturation and bettering of unprofitable and wild metallick earths with crude and gross salt4 ,but forasmuch as the gross salt and a weak fire cannot of necessity put forth so much strength as a stronger fire is wont to doe1 therefore for such as desire a stronger fire than the common salt1 the purer part is to be 7by the help of ,art7 drawn out of the crude salt and to be separated from its grosness and impurity1 the which is easily brought to pass by distillation4 ,and as for these fires of salts1 and the procuring them in great plenty1 my writings1 but especially the precedent first ,century1 do clearly and evidently treat of them1 and this second ,century will yet treat of it more4 ,,iii4 ,the operation of incinerating the lead1 or reducing it into ashes4 ,having built a ,furnace such as is for ,cementation1 put therein a strong iron ,pot1 just after such a manner as the sand cupels or pans are wont to be made1 let there be a ,grate to make a fire on1 let the ,furnace be bigger or lesser according to the bigness or littleness of the ,pot you would put in1 or according to the quantity of lead-ashes you would make4 ,put fire under the ,pot and heat it red hot1 and put thereinto so much lead as is requisite for the covering of the bottom of the ,pot2 the lead being molten1 stir it about in the ,pot without ceasing1 with an iron spoon having a long handle1 the which labour will turn the lead into ashes in the space of about two hours4 ,take these ashes out1 and put in more lead into the ,pot1 and repeat this labour so often untill you have gotten enough ashes4 ,these ashes of lead are fitted to receive an amendment by the spirits of salts1 and afterwards to yield their gold and silver by fusion1 and that with profit4 ,,iv4 ,the manner of bettering the ashes of lead by the spirits of salts1 and of extracting thencefrom the gold and silver with gain4 ,first of all1 you must have plenty of the spirit of salt or ,aq4 ,regis1 as concerning the easie getting such spirits1 we have mentioned the way at large in the foregoing ,appendix1 and will yet treat more of them in this present second ,century4 ,besides1 you must also provide your self of red or reddish kind of flints1 which 7besides iron7 do also contain in them a volatile gold4 ,out of these is the tincture to be extracted by the spirit of salt1 or by ,aq4 ,regis2 after that manner ,i delivered at large in the first ,century1 and in the ,appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany1 and will yet farther teach more clearly and more compendiously in this ,century4 ,these extractions are to be poured upon the lead-ashes1 that they may be well moistened therewithall2 the unprofitable phlegm is to be evaporated by a gentle heat1 and the fire to be augmented that the spirits also may follow2 of which more heavy spirits there will be enough remaining in the secret ,cementatory ,pot1 and as much as is sufficient for the due operation upon the lead1 that so being bettered it may afterwards prove a gainfull emitter of its gold and silver4 ,he that has a desire of exercising this labour with greater profit1 may satisfie his desire1 if he will but pour on such extractions twice or thrice upon the said lead ashes1 that they may be con-centrated by them afore they are cemented in the ,cementatory ,vessel1 and may be reduced into the bettered lead4 ,for by this means1 all the labours and costs will be more largely recompenced1 and the more plenty of gain gotten4 ,this now is the making the lead-ashes1 whether you do either per se1 or by the help of the other metals1 convert it by ,cementation into a better metal4 ,v4 ,a brief description of the secret ,cementatory ,pot1 which admits not of any spilling1 and which is sealed with the ,seal of ,hermes1 of which ,i made mention in the first ,century4 ,build with ,stones or ,clay or ,potters earth such a ,furnace as that is1 which ,i described in the first part of my ,furnaces1 as necessary for the making of spirit of salt4 ,but let the lower part thereof be a little broader that so the ,metals being cast upon the ,coals may not stick to the walls of the ,furnace and so be somewhat lost1 but may fall directly down on the live ,coals4 ,it must be made four square and of such a bigness as may serve the purpose according as you are minded to cement a greater or lesser quantity of metal therein4 ,,vi4 ,of the ,cover of the ,cementatory-pot1 what it ought to be1 that so it may suffer nothing to goe away in fume4 ,this ,cover of this ,cementatory ,box or ,furnace which ,i told you was to be made of the ,lute of ,wisedom1 is not properly a ,cover but a ,leaden ,cistern1 serving for the reception of those spirits which are driven up by the fire out of the ,lead-ashes4 ,this ,lead receiver is to lie in another ,leaden ,cistern1 which is to be filled with water1 and 'tis to be so fitted to a pipe that is to come out of the ,furnace1 that the ascending spirits passing thereinto may be the better refrigerated by the water1 and the sooner condensed1 and saved for farther uses4 ,,vii4 ,of the use and benefit of this secret ,cementing ,pot4 ,when any one has a mind to cement the ,lead ashes1 from which the extractions of the coloured ,flints have been sometimes abstracted in the said ,cementatory ,box1 and to graduate them1 or so bring to pass that they may contain or hold the ,gold and ,silver1 let him first of all fill his ,furnace with ,charcoal1 and let him so order it that his fire may kindle by little and little till the ,furnace be well heated red hot2 till this is done1 the ,cover that is at top is to be taken so long off1 that so neither the heat nor smoke may pass out at the side through the ,pipe into the adjoyned ,leaden ,cistern4 ,when the ,furnace is thoroughly heated1 and that 'tis now time to begin the ,cementation1 the top of the ,furnace is to be shut with its ,cover1 that the heat may be forced to pass through the ,pipe into the ,receiver4 ,having so done1 you are to fill an ,iron ,spoon or ,ladle of your prepared ,lead-ashes1 and put them into the ,furnace at the fore-hole which serves for the throwing in your ,coals1 the which ashes are to be so put in as to cover the ,coals over1 but not so as to choke them but that they may have air enough to burn1 and that the fire be not put out1 but doe just in that manner as you are wont to distil the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,by this means all the ,spirits that remained yet behind in the ,lead-ashes1 will betake themselves into the ,receiver1 and the ,ashes of the ,lead will be bettered by the graduating and tinging spirits1 and will part of them be reduced into a body1 and part will yet retain the form of ashes1 and fall down through the ,grate to the bottom of the ,furnace4 ,then the ,furnace is to be again filled with ,coals1 and more ,ashes are to be put thereon with a ,spoon as afore1 and this labour is to be continued so long till all the ,ashes are consumed4 ,all the labour being finished1 take out your ,ashes together with the lead reduced into a body1 melt them in the ,furnace which is called ,stichofen1 they will melt wondrous easie1 then put some small part thereof to the ,test1 thereby to try whether or no they are enriched enough1 to be turned into a ,litharge and undergoe the metallick separation4 ,if they won't as yet brook the trial1 let the ,lead be again turned into ,ashes in your ,iron ,pot1 and repeat the whole afore prescribed labour1 and that so often till at length the ,lead be rendred rich enough in ,gold and ,silver1 the which may be converted into ,litharge after the usual manner1 and separated from the ,gold and ,silver4 ,the ,litharge being taken away1 and gathered together1 and broken in a ,mill1 serves for farther uses in this operation4 ,the ,regulus of the ,gold and ,silver that is left upon the hearth is to be taken out and to be farther mundified in a ,cupel after the accustomed way4 ,this is that more compendious incineration and reduction of ,lead1 which kind of bettering it1 enricheth the operators with ,gold and ,silver4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that in this ,cementation the sharp spirits do carry over with them some of the ,volatile ,lead into the ,receiver1 and there it settles to the bottom2 the which powder being freed from all the ,acrimony of the spirits by due washings1 and being then dried1 may be used to all such intents and operations to which the ,mercury of ,saturn is wont to be used1 and which is made by dissolving the ,lead in ,aq4 ,fortis1 and precipitating it by ,salt-water4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this distilled ,mercury hath more hidden under it than the other hath2 for it carries hidden in it a ,volatile ,gold1 which may be separated from it and improved about the gradation and ,tincture of other ,metals1 and that with no small profit1 concerning which we will say more afterwards4 ,thus1 friendly ,reader1 hast thou my more compendious incineration and reduction into better ,metals2 the which ,i would not hide from thee1 and hereby shall ,i satisfie those to whom the way prescribed in my ,appendix is too tedious and laborious and they may make use of this way instead of that other1 which withall is easier and will without all doubt yield more ,gold and ,silver than that other way4 ,,viii4 ,another emendation or bettering of ,lead by the graduating extractions of coloured ,flints4 ,extract either coloured ,flints1 such as have in them ,volatile ,gold or ,sand or ,clay1 by the spirit of ,salt or ,aq4 ,regis1 and draw off the ,liquor by ,distillation4 ,if you thereto add ,salt afore their extraction the dissolvent will receive encrease from the ,salt1 especially if done in such an instrument1 in which a great quantity of extracted matters may be abstracted in a few hours1 without either ,cucurbits or the other commonly known distilling ,vessels1 and the same operation may be continued a long while4 ,by this means1 there is not onely the least loss of your dissolvent1 but it rather gets no small encrease from the ,salt4 ,by this instrument also1 thou maist not onely prepare great store of sharp spirits necessary for thy operation at the beginning1 but likewise commodiously extract your ,minerals1 and separate the dissolvent again from the ,minerals so extracted1 so that you shall not lose the least particle of your dissolvent4 ,but forasmuch as all the ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper may much easier be separated from its ,menstruum1 by this so unheard of and never seen instrument1 than by the way of precipitation1 'tis altogether better and safer for a ,man not to precipitate his extracted ,metals1 but rather draw off the ,menstruum from them1 that so he may have them dry4 ,and though that all the spirits go not wholly off1 so as that nothing of them abide with the ,metals1 yet they do no hurt1 but rather exalt the ,litharge that is put unto them into an higher degree1 as it also does to the ,ashes themselves of the ,lead1 when they are cemented together in the afore described cementing ,furnace2 in which ,cementation the ,volatile ,gold is1 together with the corporal ,gold conserved1 and which otherwise would vanish away in the common melting ,fire4 ,but if so be that any one has a mind to precipitate the ,metals extracted out of poor ,mines1 after the manner prescribed in the ,appendix1 to the intent he may after the precipitation make ,salt ,peter of the remaining ,waters1 he may reduce the ,calx's of the ,metals1 and principally of the ,gold very easily and without any loss1 by this following way4 ,,ix4 ,the manner of reducing the precipitated and washed ,calx of ,sol without any loss4 ,the precipitation of ,gold by ,lixiviums1 ,liquor of ,flints1 ,spirit of ,urine1 ,solution of ,mercury1 hath been clearly enough described in the ,appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany2 but yet the reduction of the same was past over in silence1 because of the too much hast of the said ,book4 ,therefore it seemed unto me necessary to insert the same here1 for their sakes1 who have but little knowledge1 or in a manner none at all in these affairs2 for should ,i go to propound such a thing for the skilfull ,chymists1 ,i should but do what is already done1 especially because he deserves not the name of a ,chymist who is ignorant of the reduction of the solar ,calx4 ,but forasmuch as it may so happen1 that even the unskilfull may set about this extracting of the ,minerals1 and yet be ignorant of the way of reducing the ,gold though they should have extracted it2 therefore have ,i judged it not amiss to illustrate that reduction by my describing thereof here1 the which being divers1 according as the precipitation is made by such or such a means1 doth also require different operations4 ,x4 ,the reduction of the solar ,calx precipitated by the ,liquour of ,flints4 ,albeit that ,borax reduceth every ,calx of ,sol to its former body1 if it be therewith mixed and melted in a ,crucible1 yet that would prove too dear1 if somewhat a greater quantity thereof be required for the reduction2 for there must be of it at least twice or thrice as much in weight as is of the ,gold1 if you would have a due reduction of the ,gold made4 ,the reason is this1 because the ,flints precipitated to the bottom together with the ,gold1 and so sticking on to the ,gold impead its fusion so that it cannot rightly come together into its due body4 ,hereupon is it necessary that there should be the double or treble weight of ,borax added to the ,gold if you would have all your ,gold return unto its former body without detriment4 ,but whereas there are also other matters to be found which make the ,gold fusible and are not so dear as ,borax is1 the use of such things is to be admitted1 but especially when a great quantity of ,gold is to be reduced4 ,otherwise if it be but little ,gold that is to be reduced1 and you have not the aforesaid matters at hand1 one may for such a small trial use ,borax4 ,but where there is a greater quantity to be reduced the following matter will be found to be far more profitable and beneficial4 ,,xi4 ,how the ,gold which is precipitated by the ,liquor of ,flints1 is to be melted without ,borax1 by the ,glass of ,lead only1 which is of a far meaner price4 ,take of your ,gold precipitated by the ,liquor of ,flints and dryed1 one part1 of ,glass made of ,lead and beaten into powder1 three parts2 the which mix well with the ,gold and put into a ,crucible1 which said ,crucible let be put into another bigger one 7for which operation the ,hassion pots are most fit7 that so if the ,gold chance to flow out of the inner pot1 it may stay in the outer and be conserved4 ,for the ,glass of ,lead is of such a nature that it usually perforates or runs through the pot4 ,having thus done put your twofold ,crucible containing your commixed matters into a wind ,furnace1 such an one as ,i have described1 and when you have covered it1 put ,coals under it or about it and urge your fire for one quarter of an hour1 that all may well flow1 then pour it out1 and separate the ,regulus of ,gold with a stroke or two from the glass of the ,lead2 which said ,glass hath attracted to it self all the flinty matter1 and suffers the pure and malleable ,gold to settle to the bottome into a ,regulus4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if your glass of ,lead be still yellow as it was before the operation1 'tis a sign that all the ,gold is separated therefrom2 but if it be of a green colour 'tis a sure sign that it has as yet some ,gold mixed with it4 ,for ,gold being mixed with ,glass shews its being there by yielding a skie-colour1 the which skie-colour is necessarily changed in the yellow glass of ,lead into a green2 because every yellow and skie colour do in their commixtion beget a green4 ,now then that you may get out the reliques of the ,gold out of the leaden ,glass you must proceed the following way4 ,,xii4 ,by what means the ,glass of ,lead which as yet contains in it some reliques of ,gold is to be dealt withall1 that it may let them goe out of its body4 ,melt that ,glass of ,lead in a well covered pot1 that ,i mean in which you suppose some ,gold to be1 and being well molten cast in a little iron filings1 and mix it well by stirring it with an iron rod1 and leave it in the fire thus molten1 for one quarter of an hour1 that the sulphur of the ,glass may be killed by its corroding of the iron1 and may let fall a leady ,regulus wherein the ,gold will be1 and which 7in the first melting7 the ,glass held up1 will separate it by the ,cupel from the ,lead4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but here you are to observe that the filings of the iron are to be used very sparingly to this precipitation2 for by how much the more iron is added1 so much the greater will the ,regulus of the lead be1 and consequently require a greater ,cupel1 which is not so necessary4 ,for put case the ,glass of ,lead in which the ,gold is suspected to be is about one pound weight1 and there is but about a ,quinta1 or certain small weight of ,gold2 now it is not necessary to have any more than one ,lot of ,lead or thereabouts1 precipitated thereout of into a ,regulus1 to which precipitation is required no more than one ,lot of the filings of ,iron4 ,for the ,regulus of ,lead precipitated out of the ,glass1 doth for the most part answer in weight1 to the weight of the ,iron filings used about the precipitation1 or to speak more clearly1 you will get so much leaden ,regulus1 as the ,iron is you added4 ,the remaining ,glass becomes black and is unprofitable for any farther melting with ,gold1 but yet needs not be cast away1 because those ,scoria's do yet contain much ,lead1 and therefore serve to be mixt with such ,pots as you have used and broken about ,metals1 or with other wild and hardly fusile metallick ,veins1 to render them fusible1 being ,i say commixt with these1 and put in the ,furnace which the ,germans call ,stichofen1 do not onely yield forth all their ,lead1 but withall draw out the ,metals out of those matters which were mixed with them in the melting4 ,but they are principally profitable for the melting and reducing of those ,metals1 which do not onely very difficultly admit of fusion by themselves1 but withall do1 being mixed with the ,ashes of ,tin1 so much the more difficultly suffer themselves to be reduced by melting1 unto their former bodies4 ,but in defect of such ,metals and ,minerals1 as are not but with much adoe tamed by ,liquefaction1 you may put to that black ,glass of ,lead1 one fourth part onely of filings1 or ,scoria's of ,iron made into powder1 that so both the matters thus commixt may be molten in the ,furnace ,stichofen4 ,so by the addition and help of the ,iron1 all the ,lead will be reduced to its former body1 and will withall extract out of the ,iron whatsoever of ,gold and ,silver lay therein hidden2 so that by this means there may be reaped a great benefit from this reduction of the ,glass of ,lead4 ,but yet that ,lead is to be tryed by a foregoing tryal1 whether or no it be rich enough in ,gold and ,silver to quit the costs of separation8 ,for if it be not1 it must be used to the afore described incineration1 that so there may be no loss either of the ,gold or the ,lead4 ,,xiii4 ,the preparation of the ,glass of ,lead1 for the reducing such ,gold as being precipitated by the ,liqour of ,flints1 is of difficult fusion4 ,take of white and fusile ,flints or ,pebles one part1 and of ,minium1 or any other ,ashes of ,lead1 or else even of ,litharge it self four parts1 each of which being powdered apart1 you are to commix and melt them well in a strong double ,pot1 then pour them out1 and you will have a ,hyacinth-coloured ,glass1 the which ,glass is to be powdered and mixt with the ,gold1 and it makes the ,gold ,powder which resisteth melting fusible4 ,,xiv4 ,another way of reducing ,gold precipitated by the ,liqour of ,flints4 ,to one part of this hardly-melting ,gold which is precipitated by the ,liqour of ,flints1 admix two or three parts of ,litharge1 which matters put in a strong double ,pot1 and cover it well1 and melt them well down in a ,wind ,furnace1 that the ,litharge may draw unto it self all the ,flints1 and all the ,gold may separate4 ,having separated the ,regulus from the ,scoria's of the ,lead1 you must precipitate these ,scoria's1 which do as yet hold in them some small portion of ,gold into a small leaden ,regulus1 with the filings of ,iron1 as we shewed you but now1 that so you may also have even that residue of ,gold4 ,the ,scoria are conserved by being reduced in the ,furnace ,stichofen1 according to the operation already spoken of4 ,,xv4 ,another way of rendring the ,gold precipitated by the ,liqour of ,flints fusible4 ,take of the said ,gold one part1 and the fixt ,salt made of ,salt ,peter and ,tartar1 by combustion or calcination1 three parts2 commix them and melt them down in a crucible well covered4 ,in this co-melting the ,salt swallows up the ,flints1 and the ,gold being at liberty settles to the bottom4 ,pour out the molten mass1 and separate the ,regulus of the ,gold from the ,salt1 the which being dissolved with common water gives you your ,liqour of ,flints1 to be again used to precipitate more extracted ,gold4 ,this ,salt doth not so easily perforate the ,crucibles as those ,glasses of ,lead do1 and therefore is it to be accounted of as the best and easiest of all these three prescribed ways4 ,,xvi4 ,the way of reducing ,gold1 precipitated by the spirit of ,urine4 ,the spirit of ,urine or of ,sal4 ,armoniack doth perfectly precipitate all the ,gold out of the ,aq4 ,regis2 the which being washed and dried1 doth not admit of reduction after the manner of the other ,gold1 for if it be but onely heated a little before it becomes red hot1 it presently takes fire1 and fulminates with a far more dreadfull noise than any ,gunpowder4 ,for if you put a small portion of the same1 and no bigger than a ,pea in a ,silver1 ,iron1 or ,copper ,spoon1 and put it on the ,coals that it may wax hot1 it will give such an horrible crack1 that 'twill even dull the hearing1 and make a dent in the ,spoon as if it had been beaten in with a ,hammer4 ,from whence it may easily be conjectured1 that if somewhat a bigger quantity be put in a ,pot on the ,fire1 it would make ,pot and ,furnace flie1 by its so dreadfull thundring a stroak into most small shivers4 ,so then there is need of great wariness1 to prevent the happening of so great danger1 which is easily prevented by the following manner of operating4 ,,xvii4 ,by what means the fulminating force of ,gold precipitated by a ,lixivium1 or spirit of ,urine is to be taken away4 ,mix with this ,gold precipitated by a ,lixivium1 or by the spirit of ,urine1 half a part of ,sulphur reduced into ,powder1 and let the said ,sulphur be removed therefrom by burning amidst live ,coals2 for so being despoiled of that fulminating force1 it may without danger be reduced by any kind of such matters as promote fusibility4 ,,xviii4 ,by what means ,gold that is despoiled of its fulminating force1 by means of ,sulphur may be reduced4 ,forasmuch as this ,gold is void of all impurity1 there needs not the addition of such matters as promote fusion1 seeing it is of it self prone enough to melt4 ,but yet least some grains of the ,gold should stick on to the ,pot1 'tis expedient to add some portion at least of such a kind of matter as accelerates or hasteneth fusion4 ,and for this work1 ,borax1 and the dry ,liqour of ,flints are excellent1 of which if you add but one half part onely to such ,gold1 7or1 if you take of the ,flints prepared with ,salt of ,tartar7 it will by that means presently melt1 and the ,borax1 or ,liqour of ,flints will not retain the least doit of the ,gold4 ,,xix4 ,the manner of reducing the ,metals that are not gotten out of the ,waters by precipitation1 but are freed from them by abstracting them4 ,the ,metals which are extracted out of the ,mines1 and freed from the waters by the abstracting of the dissolvent1 cannot be so pure as those are which settle to the bottom by precipitation4 ,for it is very rare for ,gold and ,silver to be found in metalline ,veins1 ,stones1 or ,clay1 without being commixed with other ,metals2 because for the most part1 ,copper is mixt with ,silver1 and ,copper or ,iron with ,gold1 the which being unseparated in the reduction makes the ,gold and ,silver impure4 ,but now in the precipitation one ,metal is freed after another from the ,menstruum1 and are not mixed with each other4 ,but on the contrary1 in the way of abstracting it1 all the metals remain mixt together without any separation1 and require a new separation and consequently a double labour1 and more expences4 ,this inconveniency may be easily remedied by him who is versed in the knowledge of my dry separation of ,metals4 ,i have mentioned it in divers places of my writings1 ,so that it would be needless to trouble the ,reader with a superfluous rehearsal of the same in this place4 ,but forasmuch as every one hath not by him all my writings1 ,i believed that it would be worth while1 if ,i should here set down that ,laver or ,bath which washeth off the ,metals with the help of ,salt peter by the dry way4 ,for1 without the knowledge of this ,artifice of separating the extracted ,metals from each other1 there would be yet requisite much labour1 and much costs for the obtaining of the said ,metals4 ,but they are very easily1 and with little labour1 and with small costs separated the one from the other by the way here by us described1 and indeed with more gain than is wont to be had by the way of precipitation4 ,and even as in the precipitation of ,metals there is always some portion of the ,waters1 that puts on the nature of ,salt ,peter1 viz4 when the ,waters that have been used1 which are as it were the ,seeds of ,salt ,peter1 are implanted in an ,alkalisate ,salt1 and so do multiply themselves in a wonderfull manner4 ,so likewise in the dry separation of ,metals1 there is in a manner1 yet more ,salt ,peter gotten1 viz4 thus when they are separated in the melting ,pots1 from each other by ,salt ,peter1 and by an artificial precipitation of one ,metal after another1 the ,salt ,peter you used is rendred fixt and ,alkalizated1 which ,alcalizated niter is to be accounted of1 as the root of ,salt ,peter4 ,this root being implanted in acid ,salts1 is in like manner enriched with a plenteous encrease1 and reduced into natural and inflamable ,salt ,peter2 for1 by it do the sharp ,waters get to themselves the nature of ,salt ,peter1 from those ,alkalizate ,salts4 ,and if so be you seek not after the common ,salt ,peter1 it is better to sow the ,seed of ,salt ,peter 7that is1 some spirit of niter which you have used7 into the appropriate root of ,salt ,peter1 that is1 into fixt niter4 ,for by that means you will have 7at the encrease7 a wonderfull ,salt ,peter1 which1 in all operations1 doth far more powerfully act than the common ,salt ,peter1 what way soever it be mundified by2 which is evidenced in my foregoing first ,century4 ,therefore forasmuch as in the separation of ,metals by the dry way1 there remains 7after the operation is over7 so much fixt ,salt ,peter as there was of nitrous ,water in the moist extraction1 it always abundantly supplies both ,seed and ,root of ,salt ,peter1 so that they may be exceeding plentifully multiplied by other ,salts1 nor will you have any need of buying any more new ,salt ,peter for the now spoken of ,labour4 ,verily this is a most compendious way1 not onely of separating all ,metals even in fusion1 but also of somewhat bettering them1 as shall be afterwards demonstrated4 ,,xx4 ,by what means such ,gold as is commixt with ,iron1 or ,copper1 and from which 7being extracted out of the ,minerals7 the dissolvent has been drawn off1 is to be reduced4 ,let such unclean ,gold be commixed with two or three parts of its weight of the ,glass of ,lead1 and melt them in a strong ,crucible4 ,if there happen to be much ,iron1 it will of its own accord yield a leaden ,regulus1 which being forced by the heat of the ,fire in a ,cupel will leave your ,gold pure1 because the ,glass of ,lead is wont to attract unto it self ,iron and ,copper4 ,but if so be there is but little ,iron mixt with your ,gold the ,regulus of ,lead will not separate or precipitate in the melting1 and therefore as it melts some filings of ,iron are to be added1 and to be accurately stirred with a red hot ,iron1 that so a ,regulus of ,lead may fall to the bottom1 bigger or lesser according to the muchness or littleness of the ,iron you added4 ,,xxi4 ,another proper and fitting matter to reduce such ,gold as hath ,iron in it4 ,take of ,salt ,peter one part1 and of ,antimony four parts1 reduce them into a black ,glass1 by melting them4 ,this ,glass being powdered and commixt with a wild or raw and not fusile ,gold and so molten1 precipitates the ,regulus of the ,gold to the bottom1 and brings the ,iron into ,scoria's4 ,,xxii4 ,the separation of the ,antimony from the ,gold4 ,such golden ,regulus's do not admit of separation in the ,cupel1 like as those do which the ,glass of ,lead is used to4 ,therefore ,salt ,peter is to be used in the melting ,pots or ,crucibles1 to make the separation of them4 ,put this ,antimonial ,regulus in a melting ,pot1 melt it down in a ,wind ,furnace1 and being molten cast in by little and little some dry ,salt ,peter1 that so it may seize upon the ,regulus and transmute it into ,scoria's4 ,the ,scoria flowing in the ,pot like water1 are a sign that the ,gold is well cleaned1 and that all the ,antimony is reduced into ,scoria's4 ,then pour it forth into a ,cone that it may cool1 and the pure and malleable ,gold will settle into a ,regulus at the bottom4 ,now all the ,salt ,peter is rendred fixt in this operation1 then if you put your ,scoria's again in the ,crucible1 and put into it some ,coals and melt your ,scoria down1 almost all the ,antimony being freed from the ,salt ,peter will gather into a ,regulus1 and will again serve for reducing of more ,gold2 for it will as readily reduce your extracted ,gold unto its former body1 as the aforesaid ,glass it self will4 ,but this labour requires a diligent ,operator who knows how to handle it with singular skill1 though it be easie1 and requireth not any great ,artifice1 but onely an accurate diligence1 which use onely makes a ,man skilled in4 ,the ,salt ,peter used about this labour1 gets the nature of an ,alkali ,salt1 and being put on the live ,coals doth no more burn1 but being dissolved in ,water yields a sharp ,lixivium1 very proper for many operations1 and serving instead of a ,lye made with ,wood-ashes4 ,but the chiefest use thereof is this1 viz4 seeing it is the true root of ,salt ,peter1 it may be added to other ,salts1 out of which in process of time1 it will be notably augmented and produce new burning ,salt ,peter4 ,he that has a desire gainfully to augment this fixt ,salt ,peter with common ,kitchin ,salt1 and again to transmute it into inflamable ,salt peter1 may accomplish his desire if he makes use of the following operation4 ,,xxiii4 ,the way of making most excellent and inflamable ,salt ,peter in plenty1 and with profit out of common ,kitchin ,salt and the ,lixivium of ,salt ,peter that has been used4 ,there is so small a difference betwixt common ,kitchin ,salt1 and ,salt ,peter1 that the ,salt may easily be turned into ,salt ,peter1 and that by several operations1 as well by the ,seed of ,salt ,peter as by sharp spirits1 as we have taught above1 or even by fixt niter which operation we will here shew4 ,we will use for an example1 the baking of ,bread1 and the brewing of ,ale4 ,if when the ,meal is with ,water brought into ,dough1 there be added unto it but a few grounds of ,ale or ,leven1 the whole mass begins to heave it self up1 and becoming thin or light is rendred fit to be baked into ,bread1 the which hath altogether the same property as those few ,ale ,grounds1 or that little ,leven had4 ,and so that very self same ,dough is likewise fit to make other ,meal ferment1 even to infinity4 ,the same is likewise observable in the brewing of ,ale1 so that he who hath but once onely so much ,ale ,grounds or ,yest1 or levened ,dough as served his turn once1 may brew ,ale and bake ,bread even to infinity4 ,so likewise is the same evidently manifest by the encrease of ,vegetables1 which may be infinitely multiplied by the ,alkalizated ,salt of the ,earth1 if you have but once their ,seeds and ,roots4 ,in like manner may the same propagation be performed by another way1 viz4 by ingrafting of that which you would propagate into another of the same kind4 ,for example1 ,i have in my ,garden excellent ,apples1 ,pears1 ,cherries1 or such like ,tree-fruits1 and ,i have a mind to see more of them in my ,garden2 therefore do ,i cut off some branch1 or perhaps even the ,tree it self to the trunk or body2 of some wild1 or at least not so noble a ,fruit-bearing ,pear ,tree or ,apple ,tree1 and therein1 viz4 in that branch or stock1 do ,i ingraft according to ,art some little boughs or cions of some other ,tree that bears excellent ,fruit1 and which ,i desire to encrease1 the which ,tree now doth no more produce the wild and degenerate or bad ,fruits1 it did according to its kind1 but such ,fruits as the ,tree whence the cion was taken1 bears4 ,by these kind of similitudes may any one that hath understanding easily see1 that it is possible by ,art1 to transmute one nature into another1 if1 viz4 the ,seeds and ,roots of things are applied to this transmutation4 ,but now if any one should plant a stalk or leaf in the digged earth1 and would thereby encrease or propagate it1 he will never see any success of his labour2 for the stalks and leaves would rot and so no new ,herb would again bud out from them as is wont to be out of the ,seed and ,roots4 ,even on this wise is it with ,salt ,peter1 which if it be mixed with common ,salt it would not verily produce any encrease1 as 'tis wont to do out of its ,seed and ,root1 as we have already laid open4 ,such likewise is the nature of ,metals1 touching the propagation and encrease of which their proper seeds and roots are requisite4 ,what ,i pray are those ,tinctures1 7one onely particle of which and that no bigger than a ,pea1 being cast on an whole pound of ,tin or ,lead1 transmuteth that same ,metal into pure good ,gold1 and changeth and augmenteth it self 7as being the true seed of ,metals7 a thousand fold1 out of so gross and earthly a body into so noble and so golden a nature in so short a space of time17 what 7,i say7 are those ,tinctures1 but the very seeds of ,metals1 and the very metallick roots4 ,but by what means they are to be obtained1 and to be brought under a ,man's power1 for my part ,i do not know4 ,but yet ,i could not but deliver my simple opinion and conceptions concerning this thing1 to the studious of ,art4 ',tis certain that all ,metals have their rise out of one and the same ,seed1 but that they differ so very much amongst themselves1 and that one becomes more ripe than another1 is to be imputed to the diversity of accidents4 ,in one and the same ,tree are produced ,blossoms1 and small ,fruits of an unpleasant tast2 then afterwards bitter and immature ones1 and at length ripe and sweet ones1 and are not alike either in form1 odour1 or savour1 nor are they of like effects1 and yet do they all arise out of one beginning1 viz4 out of their ,seed and ,root4 ,so is it even with ,metals4 ,for as touching their ,seed ,i do verily believe1 that if from the most soft and as yet most immature ,metals1 such as ,zink1 ,lead1 ,tin1 ,antimony1 ,bismute1 ,cobolt1 c4 their stinking combustible and superfluous ,sulphur1 could by some ,bath or other be so taken away1 as that nothing may remain save onely a most pure ,mercury1 that then ,i say such a ,mercury1 or such a ,seed of ,metals may be easily transmuted by pure ,gold1 as being the most pure ,root of ,metals into a true ,tincture4 ,but to turn common ,salt into ,salt ,peter1 the operation is thus4 ,take one part of black or of any other common ,salt1 and mix it with two or three parts of ,calx-vive being reduced into ,powder by lying in the ,air1 and lay it in such a place as lies open to the ,air and ,sun-beams1 but yet keeps off the ,rain1 as we have taught in the ,appendix4 ,moisten this heap with the above said ,lixivium of ,salt ,peter1 and being dried1 repeat the moistening and drying so long1 untill the ferment shall have converted all the common ,salt and turned it into inflamable ,salt ,peter1 the which doth either sooner or later happen1 according as the operation hath been the more diligently or negligently handled4 ,all being turned into ,salt ,peter1 let an extraction be made with common ,water1 as the usual custom is1 and lay the ,reliques in the aforesaid place1 and again moisten them with the said ,lixivium as afore1 or in defect thereof sprinkle them with common ,water1 still moistening them after each drying1 untill there be a new encrease of ,salt ,peter begotten1 the which you are to wash off with common ,water4 ,and so this operation proceeds1 or holds on even to infinity4 ,,xxiv4 ,another far more compendious way of converting common ,salt1 by the help of fixt ,salt ,peter into excellent ,salt ,peter4 ,mix some certain weight of common ,salt dissolved per se in common ,water1 and as much of fixt ,salt ,peter likewise dissolved in common ,water1 mix them in a wooden ,vessel2 in which ,vessel the fixt ,salt ,peter being as it were a ferment will seize upon the common ,salt1 and turn it by fermentation into excellent ,salt ,peter4 ,he that desires a more mature ,salt ,peter may instead of the solution of common ,salt1 pour upon the fixt ,salt ,peter ,lixivium1 those sharp waters of ,salt ,peter1 which have already been used about other labours1 and they will seize upon that ,lixivium with a more vehement operation1 so that of both the solutions as well the acid and spiritual1 as the fixt and corporeal ,peter1 there will be gotten in a few hours space1 the most excellent ,salt ,peter and such as cannot be by any other way whatsoever purchased4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if any one has a mind of getting a greater quantity of ,salt ,peter1 he may first dissolve his common ,salt in the sharp ,water of ,salt ,peter1 and mix it in that self same ,lixivium1 viz4 of ,peter1 and after the mixing of these two contrary solutions evaporate the common ,water1 that the ,salt ,peter may shoot into ,crystals1 of which there will indeed be a greater quantity1 but then it will not be so good as that which was made by the first operation4 ,,xxv4 ,another gainfull way of making good and burning ,salt ,peter out of common ,salt1 by the help of fixt ,salt ,peter4 ,commix equal parts of the ,scoria's of fixt ,salt ,peter that you have used1 and of the common ,kitchin ,salt together1 and add thereunto twice as much ,calx-vive first reduced into ,powder by lying in the ,air1 as they both weigh4 ,of this mixture make up round ,balls1 and so pile or stow them with ,wood1 that it may be a ,stratum ,superstratum1 or a ,bed of each orderly1 as the ,chymists call it4 ,kindle your pile of ,wood and let all your ,balls be red hot for an hour3 ,and the fixt ,salt ,peter will by a wonderfull inversion transmute the nature of the common ,salt1 and turn it into ,salt ,peter1 but yet not inflamable till the ,salts have been moistned some due time1 and so attracted a life out of the ,air1 and made fit to conceive a flame1 or to burn4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if instead of ,rain water you use such ,waters as you have already used and extracted your ,minerals withall1 to moisten your mass with1 then will you thence get in some few ,weeks space1 an inflamable ,salt ,peter4 ,but forasmuch as in the extraction of ,minerals and separation of ,metals1 there will be such a great quantity of sharp nitrous ,waters1 and likewise of fixt ,salt ,peter offer themselves for the accomplishment of this operation1 and so great a benefit and gain is gotten by that so plentifull an augmentation of your ,salt ,peter 7which hath already ,sufficiently profitably paid your costs7 out of vile and common ,salt2 hence clearly follows1 that all those hitherto described labours and operations are effected1 in a manner without any costs or expences1 which is indeed an unheard of thing1 but yet most true1 and exceeds the belief of ignorant ,men4 ,,xxvi4 ,the reduction of ,silver extracted out of the ,minerals1 and freed from the ,aq4 ,fortis by abstraction1 or drawing off the said ,aq4 ,fortis4 ,the ,silver from which ,aq4 ,fortis has been drawn by ,distillation1 needs not any matter to help on fusibility1 for as much as it doth of its own nature admit of a very easie ,flux2 but that the ,fugitive ,spirits that adhere unto it would carry away somewhat of the same4 ,so now1 to prevent this discommodity1 you may add unto such a ,silver a little of the fixt ,salt separated out of the ,lixivium of fixt ,peter1 the which ,salt ,alkaly will mortifie the acid spirits so1 that they shall not be able to carry off any thing at all in the melting4 ,,xxvii4 ,the reduction of extracted ,copper4 ,if the ,copper be not mixt with any other ,metals1 and be but little in quantity1 it may be reduced so in ,crucibles by it self1 but if it be in a plentifull quantity it may be done by blast4 ,but where it contains ,iron or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 7which two the ,minerals of ,copper do frequently abound withall7 there it admits not of reduction per se without the help of other matters1 because of the ,iron1 ,zink1 or ,calaminaris2 which ,minerals associating themselves with the ,copper1 in the melting are wont to make it brittle4 ,but this inconveniency may be prevented the following way4 ,,xxviii4 ,the way of making ,copper1 which hath ,iron in it malleable by reduction4 ,mix such ,copper as hath in it ,lapis ,calaminaris or ,iron1 with common ,salt1 and put it in a ,crucible and melt it1 that so the ,salt may associate or draw unto it self the ,iron or ,lapis ,calaminaris out of the ,copper1 and turn them into ,scoria's1 leaving the ,copper1 which will settle to the bottom and go into a ,regulus4 ,,xxix4 ,by what means ,copper is to be separated from the ,silver1 if they are both together extracted out of the ,mines1 and the ,silver has not been precipitated out of the solution by the ,water of ,salt1 but the dissolving ,menstruum hath been abstracted from them so conjoyned both together4 ,if the ,silver be more in quantity than the ,copper1 then the ,copper is easily extracted out of the other by the ,water of ,salt wherein a little ,tartar hath been dissolved4 ,for ,salt and ,tartar do readily dissolve ,copper1 and leave the ,silver4 ,but if the ,copper bear the ,bell1 and there be more of that than the ,silver1 then will it be better to precipitate the ,silver first by the ,water of ,salt1 out of the first extraction of the ,minerals2 and afterwards the ,copper will be likewise freed by abstracting the dissolving ,menstruum1 insomuch that each of these two ,metals are gotten apart4 ,,xxx4 ,if the extracted ,copper comprehends in it any ,gold1 by what means the ,gold may be therefrom separated4 ,albeit if a solution of ,saturn or ,lune being poured on the dissolved ,copper1 and well shook with the same solution will fish out some ,gold1 yet it gets not all unless it be debilitated by some ,lixivium4 ,but now the ,lixivium being poured thereunto that so the solvent being debilitated may the easier let go its ,gold thereby1 hath with it this inconveniency1 viz4 that the solvent is made wholly unprofitable to be used about any more extractions4 ,nay more1 there's also this discommodity1 that if an error be committed by pouring on a little more ,lixivium than is expedient1 there will also precipitate some of the ,copper together with the ,gold4 ,to prevent therefore these inconveniencies1 the solution of the ,copper which contains in it ,gold1 is to be drawn off even unto driness1 in my secret and by me invented distilling ,vessel1 in which ,vessel it may easily and in great plenty be done2 and the following ,menstruum which dissolveth onely ,copper and not ,gold is to be poured upon the dried matter1 that the ,copper may be dissolved1 and the ,gold 7be it either much or little7 may remain in the bottom undissolved4 ,the dissolved ,copper may be precipitated out of the ,water with a ,lixivium1 whereto is added some of the ,liqour of ,flints1 and be washt and dried1 and with strong ,vinegar be turned into a most delicate ,verdigreace4 ,the ,water that is thus made use of1 if it be poured on ,alkalizated ,salts yields good ,salt ,peter4 ,he that does not much regard that green colour may separate the dissolvent from the ,copper by ,distillation1 and again use the same for the like dissolving of new ,copper4 ,but now there must be in the ,copper ,so much ,gold as to quit the costs of this labour1 and to prove gainfull2 otherwise it is better to leave the ,gold with the ,copper than to buy it at so dear a rate4 ,,xxxi4 ,the making of such a ,menstruum as dissolveth the ,copper and drives from it self1 or precipitates the ,gold4 ,this dissolvent is no other than ,aq4 ,fortis1 wherein a little ,tartar is dissolved4 ,for the ,tartar being an enemy to the ,gold1 is wont to precipitate the ,gold out of the solutions like as common ,salt doth ,silver out of ,aq4 ,fortis4 ,by this way may all the ,copper be easily separated from the ,gold1 concerning which1 more shall be spoken in its due place4 ,,xxxii4 ,another reduction of ,copper that hath ,gold in it1 and the perfect separation of the ,copper from the ,gold4 ,add to such ,copper that hath ,gold in it1 some ,silver1 and melt it with so much ,regulus of ,antimony as is twice the weight of the said ,metals thus together taken4 ,separate the said ,regulus together with the ,copper from the ,silver by the addition of ,salt ,peter1 that so the ,silver may retain with the ,gold that was in the ,copper1 the which is to be afterwards separated if it be worth the while4 ,now it is not necessary presently to separate it1 forasmuch as it is far better many times to abstract such a ,copper that has ,gold therein from such a ,silver1 that so the ,silver may be enriched with a great quantity of ,gold by so many abstractions2 the which abstractions require but very little costs besides the charges of the ,fire and ,crucibles4 ,for all the ,salt ,peter used hereabouts1 together with all the ,copper and all the ,regulus of ,antimony may be thencefrom again recovered1 by him who rightly knows the precipitation4 ,besides1 there lies hid under this operation1 some great matter as concerning the amending of the ,metals4 ,for it is a way of arriving to the knowledge of impregnating all ,silver by ,copper1 with ,gold1 and ,copper it self with ,silver2 concerning which thing there are more instructions to be found in other places of my ,writings4 ,these things may at present suffice1 touching the reduction of the ,metals extracted out of the poor ,mines1 and concerning those things which by reason of the hasty ,edition of the ,appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of ,germany were omitted therein2 the which defects the well minded ,reader may from hence supply4 ,,xxxiii4 ,a brief description of the above mentioned artificial ,instrument1 by the help whereof the spirits necessary for the extraction of the ,metals out of the poor ,mines that contain in them ,gold1 ,silver and ,copper1 are plentifully prepared1 the ,minerals themselves extracted1 and the dissolving ,menstruums1 again easily separated from the ,metals4 ,this incomparable and by me newly found out ,instrument1 being most profitable and commodious for the easie extractions of ,metals1 and preparations of the dissolving ,menstruums1 is made of a peculiar earth1 and is almost of the figure or likeness of a ,bakers ,oven1 and is either of a bigger or lesser size1 according to the quantity any one has a mind to labour in2 ,in the forepart it hath a ,door1 and in the end or top or very near it1 it hath an ,outlet4 ,to the ,cover serving instead of an ,alembick1 a great receiving ,vessel is to be fitted1 fit for the reception of the outgoing spirits4 ,after that the ,furnace is heated1 the prepared ,salts being put in peculiar ,pots or ,crucibles made of the best earth are to be put with a pair of ,tongs prepared for this peculiar use into the ,instrument1 and all the spirits will be drawn off with a speedy ,distillation4 ,now there is no danger here of breaking the ,instruments1 and the ,distillation may be done in the space of one or two hours1 how great a quantity soever of ,salt was used to the ,distillation4 ,when the ,distillation is over1 the ,pots that were put into that ,instrument or ,furnace are to be again taken out with your ,tongs1 and presently other ,pots filled with ,salts are to be put in the room of them you took out1 and the spirits again driven out by a new ,distillation4 ,this labour may be kept on as long as one pleaseth1 or as long as he hath any matter to distill withall2 because the ,vessel never cools as long as the ,distillation is continued4 ,this ,furnace therefore is most notably fit for the ,distillation of a great quantity of ,salts1 and that by a labour which is so exceeding speedily finished4 ,the same way of ,distillation is to be observed in the extraction of ,minerals or ,metalline ,earths1 the which can be far sooner extracted and far speedier this way1 than by that described in the ,appendix which is to be done by heating the ,glasses4 ,after the same manner is the dissolving ,menstruum it self speedily again abstracted from the extracted ,metals1 and being thereby preserved without any loss is to be applied to farther use4 ,this ,instrument therefore doth so compendiously and easily dispatch all those said labours1 that 7set aside your ,fire and ,salt7 the plentifull making your spirits1 the abundant extraction of the ,minerals1 and the separation of your ,menstruum's from the extracted ,metals and its preservation1 are in a manner done without any costs4 ,,xxxiv4 ,now follows an explication of some secrets effected by the help of my ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 concerning which there is mention made in the second part of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,it is clearly evident from many places of my ,writings1 and principally in the second part of ,miraculum ,mundi that my ,sal4 ,mirabilis is diversly prepared2 hence it follows of course1 that the use thereof is different4 ,for it hath one use when 7after the spirit is thencefrom distilled7 it is taken out of the ,cucurbit1 and hath as yet a corrosive nature4 ,contrarily1 it hath another kind of use when this corrosive ,salt is dissolved in common ,water1 and filtred1 and set in the cold1 that so the best part thereof may shoot into long ,crystals1 which having no corrosive power1 serve for a peculiar use4 ,it hath likewise another use when it is deprived of all corrosivity and turned into a sweetness1 as ,i have shown in many places of my ,writings4 ,this is to be known by such as would use it1 for this or that labour1 that so they may commit no error1 but be thereby rendred ,masters of their desires the more easily4 ,we will therefore make inspection into some of those principal secrets which are declared in the second part of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and examine whether or no they can be effected after the same manner ,i prescribed8 ,,xxxv4 ,by what means any ,water1 ,wine1 ,ale1 ,vinegar and other liqours may be coagulated in a few hours space into hard pieces like ,ice1 by the ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,for such a coagulation of all watery and moist things1 well edulcorated 7as the ,chymists phrase is7 ,sal4 ,mirabilis is to be taken and such as is shot into long ,crystals1 prepared of an equal weight of ,salt and good ,oil of ,vitriol1 because a most great driness ariseth from the ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,such an excellently well prepared ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 and which is shot into long ,crystals1 is to be reduced 7by calcination in the ,sun7 into a fine powder1 that so it may lose all its moistness and yet not melt4 ,for if it melts1 then it would need grinding again2 one part of this calcined ,sal4 ,mirabilis is able to coagulate three parts of ,water1 ,wine1 ,ale1 or any other liqour which it is mixed withall1 into a dry matter like to ,ice1 insomuch that it may be carried in a ,sack or a ,sieve full of holes4 ,but what use such a coagulation may serve for1 would be too tedious to declare in this place4 ,any one will find what use is to be thereof made1 if he well meditates upon the thing4 ,,xxxvi4 ,the separation of the ,water1 ,wine1 or ,ale1 from the ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,the coagulated liquors may be commodiously separated from the ,sal4 ,mirabilis by ,distillation2 but the aquosity of the coagulated ,wine and ,ale are to be separated onely by ,distillation1 and the grosser part remains behind in the ,cucurbit with the ,salt4 ,but the ,sal4 ,mirabilis is by calcination1 again freed from all impurity1 and again made white and fit for any other such like new effect4 ,n4 ,b4 ,i doubt not but that there are other ways of coagulating watery liqours into ,ice1 concerning which we shall say somewhat in their due place4 ,,xxxvii4 ,how the sharp spirits of ,salts1 as ,aq4 ,fortis1 ,aq4 ,regis1 ,spirit of ,salt1 ,spirit of ,vitriol1 of ,allum1 and the like may be coagulated into hard ,salts1 not unlike to frozen ,water4 ,this coagulation of sharp ,spirits out of ,salts1 is done the same way as the coagulation of common ,water1 and other sweet liqours is performed by2 but the separation ought to be done in ,vessels of the best ,earth1 or in ,glass1 because of their sharpness4 ,and certain it is1 that with these coagulated ,spirits of ,salts many things of great moment may be done1 the mentioning whereof we for brevity sake do here pass over4 ,for ,i have purposed to demonstrate at this time1 some secrets onely which are mentioned in the second part of ,miraculum ,mundi1 and to assert the truth of them4 ,by these two described coagulations any one may easily learn that the coagulation of other moist things are possible to be done4 ,,xxxviii4 ,how the head of a fountain may be stopped up by this ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,it sometimes happens that there breaks out a ,spring of ,waters in some places where it proves offensive and hurtfull4 ,and forasmuch as they are sometimes very difficult to be stopt up1 ,i will set down a way in this place of stopping it by ,sal ,mirabilis1 but chiefly to this end1 that the nature and property of things may be throughly learned1 and besides1 that even ,arts and ,sciences themselves do sometime bring no small help1 especially when no counsel avails4 ,take therefore of your ,sal ,mirabilis1 heated red hot as much as is sufficient1 wrap it up in a linnen cloth and thrust it into the hole of the ,fountain1 and it will be turned with the ,water into an hard ,stone1 and thereby enforceth the ,fountain to seek it self some other passage4 ,,xxxix4 ,the way of separating the ,phlegm from subtile ,spirits4 ,because the ,volatile and sulphureous ,spirits of ,salts are of great efficacy in ,medicine1 and principally when their ,phlegm or aqueous humidities are removed from them1 the which thing every one can't bring to pass1 ,i have therefore judged it worth while1 even for the sake of the ,sick1 to discover an easie way of so doing1 by my ,sal4 ,mirabilis as follows4 ,fill a ,glass ,cucurbit half full with ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 pour thereupon the ,volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol1 ,niter1 or common ,salt1 and distill thence by ,b4 the most subtile ,spirit1 the which will come off1 and leave the unprofitable ,phlegm behind with the ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 the which 7by heating red hot7 you may again render fit for new operations4 ,,xl4 ,another and easier way1 yea even almost an incredible and miraculous one of freeing ,wine1 ,ale1 ,vinegar1 ,brandy1 and all other moist liquors from their unprofitable ,phlegm in a moment of time1 by my ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,the precedent coagulation of moist liquors ariseth from that most great driness which lies hid in the ,sal4 ,mirabilis4 ,but this way we now deliver1 proceedeth from the concentrated cold of moist ,fires1 which ,fires we have treated of in the first ,century1 and 'tis thus4 ,take one pound of the abovesaid ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 put it in a strong ,glass1 and pour thereupon two parts or pounds of the con-centrated and cold ,fire of some ,salts1 whether it be of ,vitrol1 or common ,salt1 or ,salt ,peter1 whose ,fire excells the ,fires of other ,salts2 and let them lie quiet for some hours1 and there will be made an ,icy mass of them both1 the which you shall in the ,winter time set out in the ,snow or in some cold place which by how much the colder so much the better2 where the longer it abides in the cold1 the more will the cold ,fire be con-centrated1 and consequently so much the greater matters may by such a con-centrated body be effected4 ,,xli4 ,the receiving or catching the breath of ,men1 as they sit in some warm ,stove1 and the changing it into the form of ,ice4 ,if thou hast a mind to create a kind of admiration amongst thy ,guests or ,friends when they are with thee1 and to give them some profitable recreation1 you may accomplish your desire the following way4 ,carry with thee a ,glass full of the moist ,fire of ,salt1 and which is coagulated by the ,sal4 ,mirabilis1 and hath stood some hours in the cold1 into the warm ,stove1 and hang it up over the ,table by a thread or small line1 when your ,guests are set at the ,table1 and when they ask you what this signifies1 you may tell them that you will for their ,recreations sake1 shew them some pleasant diversion2 after they have made an end of eating and drinking4 ,upon this they will all of them have a desire to see those tricks and ever now and then cast up their eyes upon the ,glass4 ,but after that the ,glass has there hang'd a minute or half minutes space1 the breath of the ,men that sit about it will presently apply it self to the ,glass1 and stick on to the outside thereof like ,snow1 and cover it all over2 and thicken more and more1 insomuch that in a short time it will have a thick and hoary beard1 all about consisting of natural ,ice2 and will so long keep on its encreasing as the con-centrated cold lasts in the ,glass4 ,then at length the ,glass growing a little hot1 after the internal cold of the con-centrated ,fire is consumed1 that ,icy beard begins again to melt and being resolved1 to distill into a ,water1 for the receiving of which distilling drops some ,vessel is to be set under4 ,this is a wonderfull ,distillation of ,men's breath1 which coming out of their mouths in their discoursing1 is reduced by the concentrated ,fire of ,salt into ,ice1 and at length1 again into ,water by the heat of the ,stove4 ,this so speedy an operation or transmutation of a moist and watery vapour into natural ,ice1 seems indeed at the outside view to be but a vile and unprofitable thing2 but if it be but well minded by the sight of the internal mind1 it not onely begets a most great admiration1 but withall opens the most excellent knowledge of natural things4 ,such as greedily hunger after ,gold will say1 what benefit comes from these tricks8 had ,gold but distilled from the ,glass we would have saved it1 what need we any ,water8 or if it had been noble or generous ,wine1 we could have prized such an ingenious knack1 and drunk it off4 ,take away that filthy ,water and bring us the gallant ,wine4 ,such discourse as this1 let one of thy ,friends purposely utter1 being thereto first suborned by thee1 that so thou maist the more delight the rest of thy ,friends that are ignorant of these things1 by thy presently satisfying him that is so desirous of ,wine1 saying1 that if thy ,friends and ,guests do desire better ,wine1 thou art ready to draw it them4 ,upon this1 thy ,guests will diligently listen and desire to see what better ,wine thou wilt draw them out of thy ,celler4 ,the chiefest of these will well know that thou hast not in thy ,cellar such variety of ,wines4 ,in the mean while1 have ready some small ,glasses which contain some ,ounces1 filled with the concentrated ,fires of ,salts1 and well shut and strings tied ready unto them2 now when thou hast a mind to give them a relish of thy ,art of bettering ,wines1 and rendring them more generous1 command a ,cann of common ,wine to be brought thee1 and give it to thy ,guests to drink4 ,but now when they shall perceive that it is the same sort of ,wine they had formerly1 and that thou hast not given them any better1 thou shalt satisfie them by the following way4 ,,xlii4 ,a momentary operation of rendring any common ,wine more generous1 and exceedingly bettered by the cold ,fires of ,salts2 and that in the presence of many ,men4 ,command one of those ,glasses prepared for this purpose to be brought unto thee1 and let it down by the thread into the ,glass full of ,wine1 which being done1 the con-centrated cold that lies in thy little ,glass1 which thou hang'st in the greater one of ,wine will draw to it self the watery and unprofitable parts of the ,wine1 and change it into an incipid ,ice4 ,and by how much the longer you leave that little ,glass in your ,wine1 so much the more ,water will be drawn there out of1 and the ,wine will be made the more generous thereby4 ,but the sooner you take it out1 the less ,water will be separated2 so that out of one ,cann of ,wine you may by this means give your ,guests several sorts of ,wine to drink1 or rather may let them better the ,wine themselves even according to their pleasure4 ,for by this operation the unprofitable ,water being drawn out of the ,wine and turned into ,ice1 is separated and taken away2 part therefore of the ,water being taken away1 the remainder must necessarily be much more efficacious and more sweet than it was afore1 when it had ,water conjoyned as yet with it4 ,a ,master of a ,family using this ,artifice may make for himself and his ,guests1 divers ,wines though drawn out of one ,barrel4 ,now such a secret is not onely full of ,curiosity1 but also of profit1 and may prove helpfull and do much good several ways4 ,i could if need required declare a thousand conveniencies1 and ,commodities proceeding therefrom4 ,but because ,i judge it needless to spend time in declaring them1 ,i will at present mention onely some few1 remitting the rest to the following ,centuries1 in which shall be made mention of them according as the matter and time requires or permits4 ,,xliii4 ,the amending of any midling or smallish ,ale in the ,winter ,season1 as well at ,home as ,abroad4 ,it sometimes happens that a ,master of a ,family hath but onely one sort of ,wine or of ,ale in his ,cellar1 the which he is accustomed to drink1 and puts not in his ,cellar any better ,wine or ,ale either by reason of poverty1 or else because the ,cellar lies open to every body1 both ,men-servants and ,maid-servants1 and they will to the best ,tap1 and so he fears it will be too chargeable4 ,but forasmuch as old ,men's ,stomachs1 when they sometimes feed on ,stock-fish dried1 or on ,martelmas ,beef1 or ,fish1 by reason of its debility through old ,age1 cannot perform its office of ,concoction3 ,the ,ale or ,wine may by the help of this secret be presently rendred stronger1 especially in the ,winter ,season1 in which ,season a warmer and stronger draught of ,ale and ,wine is more beneficial than in the former months1 and then they can better brook the want of the same4 ,but some may object and say1 where shall ,i get such a concentrated cold as may enable me to extract the ,water out of the ,wine8 hereunto ,i answer that there will be many that will prepare it for time to come and will spare it to others2 and yet no body needs so great a quantity thereof neither4 ,if a ,master of a ,family hath but one onely half pound of the same1 he may use it his whole life time1 if he but keep it so as that the ,glass break not and spill it4 ,for when he hath taken away the ,water of one or two ,pots of ,ale or ,wine1 let him remove the ,ice from the ,glass1 and set it again in the cold till he needs it4 ,for such a cold concentrating ,magnet always keeps its virtues1 and is never corrupted1 but always fit for the effecting of many wonderfull things4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you have not those fires of ,salts the heavy ,oil of ,vitriol1 ,oil of ,salt1 or ,aq4 ,fortis may be used hereabout2 but yet these ,oils do not in any comparison perform what those concentrated ,fires of ,salts are able to effect4 ,but however they demonstrate the thing it self though they bring no great store of profit1 and this any one may easily understand4 ,for there is a great difference betwixt the watery and not watery ,fires of ,salts1 any common and simply bare ,water cannot become so cold as the ,water of any ,salt1 and this ,salt-water cannot be so cold as a common ,spirit of ,salt1 nor can this ,spirit by any means arrive to that degree of cold as a concentrated ,spirit usually attains to4 ,so a skin of ,leather is never so cold as ,wood1 nor ,wood as a ,stone1 nor a ,stone as an heavy ,metal2 the difference proceeding from the thickness of the compaction1 for verily any thing will concentrate the more cold or heat and fix it with it self1 by how much the compacter and thicker body it shall be of4 ,for it is the property of a concentrated cold to kill a thing and to make it hard and stiff4 ,contrarywise a concentrated heat gives a speedy life1 and correction1 and emendation1 and this experience it self teacheth4 ,o happy ,man is he that can make a ,metalline ,salt as compact and thick1 and heavy as a ,metal1 and can by conserving it a due time in the heat of the ,fire1 that the heat may by little and little and gradually be concentrated and fixed therein1 make it fusile4 ,without doubt such an one would get a ,tincture that would cure the most grievous ,diseases1 and change the imperfect ,metals into perfect4 ,for it is the ,fire onely that begets a maturity to any thing1 and by how much the stronger and greater the ,fire is so much the speedier and better amending of any thing may be expected4 ,these things which ,i have here briefly declared are of greater moment1 dignity1 and weight than any one can believe2 and besides there's no doubt but that there will shortly some step forth1 who will without any fear testifie the verity of ,art1 by changing imperfect ,metals and turning them into pure ,gold2 so common will ,alchymy become in this ,age1 which was neither heard of nor seen before in this ,world4 ,nay more1 ,men will make this ,art so familiar unto them that they will not much esteem even of particular ,tinctures4 ,but why ,god permits such things to be done1 is to us wholly unknown1 thus much we see onely1 that doubtless there will follow some great change in the ,world2 happy shall they be who having the fear of ,god before their eyes1 and are of a pure mind1 cannot be hurt by the ,devil nor ,sin his ,mother4 ,,xliv4 ,wherein this secret is beneficial to those that travel in the ,winter ,season4 ,necessity doth sometimes enforce old ,men to undertake a ,journey in the ,winter1 which1 if no urgent hast forceth1 may be so ordered that at ,noon and ,night quiet rest may be always taken in such a place in which is plenty of ,meat and ,drink4 ,but if so be that an urgency of occasion requires a going on forward1 whether one ride on ,horseback1 or in a ,coach or ,waggon1 and that either the ,snow render the way difficult1 or some ,wheel of the ,waggon be by chance broken1 and so the journying ,person hindred from coming to the place aimed at in the appointed time1 he is sometimes by this means constrained to turn aside to a poor ,peasants lodging1 or if his fortune be a little more favourable1 he is necessitated to ,inn in some poor ,village1 where he can neither meet with ,wine or good ,ale2 he now that thus journieth may out of the poor ,wine or ,ale make himself better ,wine or ,ale1 and the better provide for his health if he hath about him1 such a magnet in some small ,glass that attracteth ,ice to it4 ,,xlv4 ,what profit those that sail in the ,sea may have by this secret4 ,it may so happen that a ,man taking ,ship with hopes of arriving in a short space of time to the end of his ,voyage1 though he has some little of good ,wine or ,ale1 may be enforced if the ,wind prove contrary to stay longer upon the ,sea2 his good ,wine therefore and his ,ale being spent1 he may make that small ,beer in the ,ship which the common ,marriners drink of1 better1 and preserve his own health4 ,,xlvi4 ,how by the help of this secret the unprofitable ,phlegm of ,brandy made of ,corn may be taken away1 that so it may become equal to the spirit that is made of the lees of ,wine4 ,to the effecting of this business there is required a greater ,magnet1 which may remove that ,phlegm then needed to the ,wine or ,ale1 because ,brandy is of an hotter nature than ,wine or ,ale1 which do more willingly let go their wateriness than adust ,wine is wont to do4 ,,xlvii4 ,by what means the superfluous waterishness is to be taken away from the weaker or waterisher ,vinegar1 that so it may be made stronger4 ,the waterishness of the weaker or more aqueous sort of ,vinegar doth suffer it self to be more easily extracted by the help of that ,ice-attracting ,magnet1 and the rather because it1 viz4 the ,vinegar puts on an ,icy form much sooner than any other ,drinks4 ,,xlviii4 ,it may be quried whether or no this bettering of ,wine1 ,ale1 ,vinegar1 ,brandy1 and other ,drinks1 and rendring them stronger and sweeter1 may be done in great plenty1 or whether it is to be accounted of as a curiosity onely8 ,for answer1 verily it is a most excellent secret most aptly satisfying the curious inquiry of mortal ,men1 which the ,world as yet never knew1 and yet it can effect such unheard of things1 which it is not necessary that they should be divulged4 ,as touching the plentifull separation of ,water from ,wine1 ,ale1 or other ,drinks in great quantity the same may be done and that with profit1 and in some places bring no small gain to him who knows how rightly and artificially to accomplish the same4 ,i have done enough as to my affairs in laying it open2 we must not boil meat for the slothfull and thrust it into their mouths4 ,let them get it themselves if they will1 and rightly take care of their own matters4 ,,xlix4 ,whether or no likewise a great quantity of cold ,fires out of ,salts may be easily prepared4 ,for answer1 yes1 so great a quantity of them may be prepared as a ,man would wish for1 or as his necessity shall enforce him to desire4 ,but because such cold ,fires of ,salts are the effecters of admirable and incredible things which the ,world never knew of1 therefore the copious preparing and getting of them deserves to be concealed4 ,let therefore every one be content with those things which ,i have published in the first ,century3 haply in process of time more may follow4 ,l4 ,how my ,sal ,mirabilis can free watery ,oils of their superfluous humidity4 ,mix one pound of this my ,sal ,mirabilis reduced by warmth into a fine ,powder1 with ten or twenty pounds of good ,oil ,olive1 or new ,linseed ,oil2 the ,sal ,mirabilis is to be commixt warm with the ,oil1 and being well stirred about with it1 draws to it self all the ,water1 and settles to the bottom of the ,vessel1 from which the clear ,oil is to be separated by pouring it off2 and all the ,water and impurity of the ,oil is to be severed from the ,sal ,mirabilis1 that so it may be recovered and be again profitable for such like operations4 ,,li4 ,the way of taking off the mustiness or stink from a ,vessel corrupted or grown musty by lying1 that it may be again fit to put more ,wine into4 ,smear over the inside hollowness of such a ,vessel with the concentrated moist ,fire of ,salt1 that it may be every where wetted1 and sprinkle thereupon so much of the ,sal ,mirabilis as will stick thereunto4 ,for so that cold ,fire of concentrated ,salt1 with the attracted ,sal ,mirabilis will become hard and not run1 and stick on to the ,vessel2 and that said ,fire will in a few days space burn up all the mouldiness and stinch1 just as if the common ,fire of ,wood had been used thereabouts4 ,the ,vessel being washed with boiling ,water is again rendred fit and convenient to put ,wine into4 ,this operation is not here taught for some stinking ,vessels sake that is not worth the while1 but to this end1 that other secrets of greater moment1 and which are profitable1 may be learned thereby and known4 ,for under these operations lie hidden many wonderfull things1 and such as the greatest part of the ,readers will not consider4 ,but to what end is it to light up a ,torch before such ,men1 that are left by ,god in blindness and darkness1 and hath not vouchsafed to bestow on them any ,eyes4 ,,lii4 ,the manner of preferring all kinds of ,fruits1 ,eggs1 ,onions1 and other moist ,fruits of the ground a long time from corrupting4 ,the sweet or dulcified ,sal ,mirabilis is to be well dried by the help of the ,fire1 and being put in some ,vessel with ,fruits1 ,eggs or such like1 with a thick and close laying or bed of one upon the other doth by its driness so preserve all things1 and by its attracting virtue of all corrupting humidity1 that for a long time they feel not the least corruption4 ,,liii4 ,question4 ,why doth the ,sal ,mirabilis1 which ,corn has been macerated withall afore its sowing1 and some whereof is mixed with the ,earth1 or sown attract the ,rain1 coagulate it1 and hold it with it self longer than other ,salts8 ,for answer1 this is to be imputed to its most great driness which it abounds withall4 ,,liv4 ,the preparation of the ,sal ,mirabilis1 so as that it may become an universal ,medicine for all ,vegetables4 ,the ,sal ,mirabilis as it is of it self1 is by reason of its corroding virtues which it as yet retains plainly unfit for the multiplication of the ,vegetables1 for that being so used would prove more hurtfull than profitable4 ,upon this account it is necessary that to one part of it be added two parts by weight1 of the best ,calx-vive1 which being moistened with ,water and made up into ,balls1 are to be well heated red hot for an hour1 that so all the corrosivity being introverted the ,sal ,mirabilis may be ,alkalizated1 and used to the ,vegetables for an universal ,medicine2 for it conserves its attracting force1 and loseth it not in the heating red hot4 ,,lv4 ,what's the reason that ,wood lying long in the ,water wherein ,sal ,mirabilis is dissolved1 is turned into an hard ,stone8 ,for answer1 this operation is to be ascribed to the incredible astringent property and nature1 that the ,sal ,mirabilis is endued withall4 ,,lvi4 ,to reduce an half dead ,tree to life again by the help of ,sal ,mirabilis1 that it may revive and begin again to sprout out4 ,mix with the digged up ,earth1 with which the ,roots of the ,trees are covered1 one1 two1 three or more pounds of the ,sal ,mirabilis1 according to the bigness or littleness of the ,tree1 and again1 cover over the ,roots with the same1 and pour upon the ,earth it self1 some ,rain water1 that being thereby moistned1 the ,roots may the better partake of the ,salt that is mixed with it4 ,by this means1 the ,tree will attract to it self the ,medicine or good nutriment out of the ,salt1 and will be cherished and refreshed just as a piece of bread or other food being given to an hunger-starv'd ,man restores him his strength again4 ,,lviii4 ,how by the help of ,sal ,mirabilis most hard and insoluble subjects may be very easily dissolved4 ,let the nature and property of a ,char-coal of ,wood be considered1 the which is such1 as that if it be kept in the greatest ,fire for many years1 and all external air kept out from it2 it will neither ever melt1 nor ever lose ought of its body1 but will come out again in the very same form as it had at your putting it into the ,fire4 ,so likewise a ,wood coal is able to endure an hundred1 yea a thousand years in the ,earth1 ,water1 or even the most sharp corrosive ,waters unhurt4 ,this so most sharp a tryal1 neither ,gold nor ,silver though they be the purest and most constant are able to undergo4 ,and although a ,coal be thus durable1 yet nevertheless will ,i dissolve it in half an hours space1 and convert it into a red fusile ,salt1 which is dissolvable with ,water1 and yields a wonderfull liquor which is the effecter of incredible operations both in ,medicine and in ,alchymy4 ,,lix4 ,what ,sal ,mirabilis is to be used to dissolve the ,coles4 ,the ,sal ,mirabilis is diversly prepared1 as appears in the second part of ,miraculum ,mundi2 but what way soever it be prepared by1 it may be commodiously applied to the solution of ,char-coals1 nor needeth it any farther preparation1 but even just so as it is taken out of the ,cucurbit and is as yet corrosive is to be used to dissolve all things4 ,,lx4 ,the manner of reducing any ,char-coal in half an hours space to its first matter1 that is1 into a sulphureous ,salt1 by the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,melt two or three ounces of ,sal ,mirabilis in some ,pot or ,crucible1 and throw in a peice of ,wood-coal or ,char-coal1 and cover the ,pot with its ,cover1 and let it flow for one half hour1 that so the ,salt may dissolve as much of that ,coal as it can1 and may leave the rest of it which it cannot dissolve1 undissolved4 ,then pour out your matter and you shall find a red ,stone of ,salt1 which being tasted upon the ,tongue burns it like ,fire1 as all ,alkaly ,salts do4 ,for the corrosive force is inverted by the ,vegetable ,sulphur1 and changed into an ,alkaly4 ,this red ,carbuncle being dissolved in ,water yields a green ,solution1 which being filtred1 and let stand still for some hours1 appears of a white colour1 and being let alone quiet longer1 acquireth a yellow colour4 ,one drop thereof gilds over an imperial as ,sulphur does1 if it be therein put4 ,for the ,char-coal is no other thing but a ,sulphur of the same nature as the ,mineral ,sulphur is of1 and penetrating all the ,metals1 suffers it self to be fixed with them1 and doth after another manner perform all those things that the ,mineral ,sulphur is wont to do4 ,the very well skilled ,sendivow in his ,dialogue concerning the ,sulphur of the ,wise ,men1 saith he is strongly guarded1 and sits ,captive in a dark ,prison1 and is not easily freed2 but ,salt gives him a deadly wound4 ,a ,sulphur therefore sits in this black ,coal in a dark and obscure ,prison1 shut up with strong ,bands1 and is a ,captive1 nor can any one free him from those ,bands but onely ,salt4 ,but being once released out of ,prison1 he is wont to come in view1 and not before4 ,thus now have we brought forth ,sulphur out of his obscure ,body4 ,and now will we also bring him forth to publick view4 ,,lxi4 ,how the ,vegetable ,sulphur is to be made visible4 ,if you pour into the white ,solution of the ,coals some ,acidity1 as ,vinegar1 ,spirit of ,salt1 of ,vitriol1 or some ,aq4 ,fortis1 and that leisurely and by little and little as much as is requisite for the killing of the ,sal ,alkaly2 the ,sulphur will settle to the bottom like a white ,powder1 which being separated from the ,salts1 and washt with fair ,water1 and dried1 will burn and exactly answer to the virtues of the ,mineral ,sulphur4 ,,lxii4 ,another way demonstrating that a ,mineral ,sulphur lies hidden in all ,vegetables4 ,put this green or white juice of the ,wood or ,coals expressed or squeezed out by the ,salt1 in a ,glass ,cucurbit upon some ,sal4 ,armoniack powdered1 put on an ,alembick and draw off all the moisture by ,distillation1 in which ,distillation the spirit of the ,sal4 ,armoniack will bring over the ,helm1 the ,vegetable ,sulphur of a golden colour4 ,it is a most penetrative ,spirit and of wonderfull efficacy in ,alchymy and ,medicine1 and this will easily be credited by him1 who knows its penetrating and graduating virtue and property1 in which it excels all other penetrative ,spirits1 you must keep it very warily because it easily vanisheth4 ,,lxiii4 ,there is yet another way of making the same ,sulphur of ,coals visible4 ,when you have poured out our ,carbuncle out of your melting ,pot1 beat it into ,powder and mix therewith half its weight of ,sal4 ,armoniack powdered1 draw off by a ,glass ,retort1 both matters exactly commixt by ,distillation1 that the ,sal ,armoniack may bring over with it that ,sulphur4 ,wash off this red matter drawn out by ,sublimation1 with common ,water1 the which being freed from the ,sal4 ,armoniack1 is a ,sulphur inclining from its reddishness to a yellow colour1 and is altogether like to the ,mineral ,sulphur4 ,,lxiv4 ,there is likewise another way of extracting the same ,sulphur out of ,coals4 ,first of all1 exactly melt the ,coals by the ,sal ,mirabilis in a melting ,pot1 that the ,salt may be accurately ,alkalizated by the ,coals1 and burn the ,tongue like ,fire4 ,then pour it forth and beat the ,coals into ,powder and put them in a ,glass1 and pour upon them ,spirit of ,wine freed from all its ,phlegm4 ,then set the ,glass in warm ,sand and ever and anon take it out and shake it well that the ,spirit of ,wine may extract the ,sulphur1 and leave the ,salt untoucht4 ,your ,spirit being as red as bloud1 pour it out into another ,glass1 and again1 pour on more ,spirit of ,wine upon the matter1 and repeat the former operation2 these pourings on1 and cantings off are to be so often repeated1 till the ,spirit of ,wine when poured on will extract no more4 ,put all these red extractions into a ,glass ,cucurbit1 and separate the ,spirit of ,wine by a ,b4 and it will leave behind in the ,cucurbit a sweet ,oil of the colour of bloud2 a ,medicine of so great moment in all ,chronical ,diseases1 as that none is to be preferred afore it4 ,for this ,sulphur is far better than the ,mineral ,sulphur1 which for the most part is mixt with some ,arsenical property1 whereas this is extracted out of the ,coals of ,wood1 and is therefore far purer and necessarily more conducive to ,man's health4 ,and as touching the whole operation of this precious balsamical ,sulphur1 which is but little inferiour to potable ,gold1 the chief knack of duely making it consisteth in this1 viz4 that the ,sal ,mirabilis be well and accurately ,alkalizated by the ,coals4 ,for if not1 the ,spirit of ,wine would dissolve the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and would not extract the ,sulphur1 nor would it answer thy wishes1 if it be not deprived or despoiled of all its humidity4 ,he that shall be well skilled in the due handling of this ,operation1 will obtain a most excellent ,medicine not much inferiour to potable ,gold1 of a sweet and pleasant ,tast1 and of an admirably gratefull ,odour and ,colour4 ,by such a means as this1 is extracted out of a dead ,herb1 or dead ,wood1 its greenness in the first ,solution made by ,water2 and after the ,extraction with ,spirit of ,wine1 the most delicate red ,colour thereof1 with a most sweet vegetable ,odour2 all which lay hidden in the black ,coal1 and are again brought forth to light4 ,the use of this most delicate ,oil of ,sulphur is not small both as to the metalline ,operations and other ,arts2 and this so speedy a putrefaction and revivification of the dead ,vegetables into a living medicine carries in its ,intrails a great mystery4 ,,lxv4 ,it may be demanded1 whether or no the ,coles themselves are to be onely made use of for this revivification of the dead ,vegetables1 and not the green or dry ,wood they are made of1 and the ,herbs too1 may also be thus dealt with4 ,for answer1 even the ,herb it self1 or the unburnt ,wood it self may be changed in a ,crucible into a red ,stone by the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,for the operation tends to the same end be it ,herb or ,wood1 green or dry1 or made into a ,cole4 ,,lxvi4 ,it may be queried1 what ,wood or what ,herb being changed after that same manner by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 yields the most excellent ,medicine4 ,for answer1 the ,woods that are weightiest do excel all others2 for they are riper and have in them a better ,sulphur1 than those ,woods or those ,herbs have which are lighter1 and grow up in half a years time1 the older the ,trees are1 the more fit for medicine they are2 such as are the ,roots of ,vines1 ,juniper1 ,box1 ,beech1 ,oak1 ,cedar1 and such like4 ,,lxvii4 ,a ,demonstration1 that out of dead ,herbs and such as are again restored to life1 may new ,herbs be produced without the addition of the ,seed of other ,herbs4 ,fill some ,pots with some ,fertile ,earth or ,clay1 void of all ,herbs or ,seeds1 and moisten it with the green or white ,juice of the ,coals4 ,if now you expose these to the ,sun and ,rain1 there will spring up thencefrom divers new and unknown ,herbs4 ,,lxviii4 ,how by the help of ,sal ,mirabilis1 ,metals are to be dissolved by the dry way1 and to be converted into most excellent ,medicaments1 and first of ,gold4 ,when you would make your trial of ,gold take a piece of golden ,money1 and bow it1 and add thereunto so much ,sal ,mirabilis as may be #e1 #f1 or #h times the weight of the ,gold4 ,melt it in a ,wind ,furnace1 and pour it out into a ,vessel fit for to receive molten ,metals2 and you shall find your ,salt to be of a purple ,colour4 ,if all the ,gold should not be dissolved but some part thereof should settle to the bottom1 separate that ,regulus from the purple ,salt1 and dissolve your remaining ,gold in a ,crucible with new ,sal ,mirabilis1 that so all the ,gold being dissolved may colour the ,salt with a purple ,colour4 ,with this purple ,salt may be performed many very profitable things1 which appertain not to this place4 ',mongst which those are chiefest which respect the emendation or bettering of ,metals1 concerning which1 ,i will here add onely one ,operation4 ,,lxix4 ,the graduating of any ,iron into ,gold by this purple ,salt4 ,for the due performing of this1 you are to have stone-like melting ,pots1 and the best that can be1 such as by no means may drink in the ,salt1 or let it run through1 for that the ,solution of the ,gold with the ,salt is otherwise wont to hide it self in such ,pots as are not strong enough4 ,if thou canst not get such1 'tis better for thee to abstain from this labour1 than to lose thy ,gold1 unless haply thou hast a mind to try the possibility of the same4 ,if therefore thou desirest to encrease the ,quinta1 or small weight of thy ,gold which thou hast added to thy ,salt1 with some ,augmentation2 put two or three ,quinta's of ,iron bits or pieces into a good ,crucible1 and having put thereto your purple ,salt1 melt it very accurately for one half hour1 in which time1 the ,gold will precipitate it self out of the ,salt into the ,iron1 and graduate some of it by turning it into ,gold4 ,for whilst the purple ,salt doth eat upon the ,iron and consume it1 it doth together therewithall make some of it participant of a golden ,nature by graduation4 ,i do not insert this ,operation here1 to the end that by the help thereof a ,man should think of getting ,masses of ,gold1 no2 for the sole end of my proposing it was this1 that ,i might confirm the possibility of the thing by ocular ,demonstration4 ,now as here the ,iron is graduated by the help of the ,gold or golden ,ferment1 into ,gold2 so likewise may ,copper be graduated and exalted into pure ,silver2 by the application of a silvery ,ferment1 as followeth4 ,,lxx4 ,the manner of exalting ,copper into ,silver4 ,dissolve ,silver in a ,crucible by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 made of ,salt-peter and ,oil of ,vitriol2 in which ,solution you shall get a green ,salt1 fit for the graduating of ,copper into ,silver1 after the same manner as we taught but now of the ,gold4 ,and albeit the ,silver augmentation be not so great1 yet the possibility of the ,art is thence apparent and demonstrateth1 that one ,metal admits of being converted into another4 ,but yet he that has good skill in handling this labour1 will1 if he be fraught with good and apt ,crucibles1 which can hold the ,sal ,mirabilis and not swallow it up1 receive no small benefit by this same ,operation4 ,the ,scoria which are remaining in this1 and the precedent ,operation are not to be thrown away1 but to be mixed with ,litharge1 that so being reduced by blast1 they may graduate the ,lead1 and enrich it with no contemptible ,portion of ,gold and ,silver4 ,for great are the ,vertues of this ,salt in graduations1 which the ,ancient ,philosophers have openly enough hinted at1 saying that their ,salt augments the redness of the ,gold and whiteness of the ,silver1 and that this is a thing most true1 he who shall in a due manner perform the ,operation will learn that so it is1 by his own ,experience4 ,but least an ,errour should be committed and some of your ,gold and ,silver lost1 it is better that a ,man exercise himself in making his ,experiments in the lesser ,metals2 and omit the dealing with ,gold and ,silver so long till these lesser ,metals make him a sufficiently experienced ,master for the dealing with the greater4 ,,lxxi4 ,how ,iron may be exalted into ,copper in the melting by the help of ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,dissolve one or two whole ,lots of ,copper in melting it by ,sal ,mirabilis1 which ,solution will yield thee a ,salt enclining from a green1 to a black colour4 ,into the same ,pot which contains your ,copper dissolved by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 put three or four ,lots of bits of ,iron1 and adjoyn them to the ,copper dissolved in the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and force it with the ,fire1 so that they may be kept in flux together for one half hours space4 ,by this means the dissolved ,copper will adhear to the ,iron by precipitation and exalt some particles of the ,iron into ,copper4 ,all being well molten1 pour it out into your ,cone that the ,copper may settle in a ,regulus4 ,the ,sal ,mirabilis and ,iron being turned into a ,scoria1 are usefull for the inriching of ,litharge1 in the strong melting by blast1 with ,gold and ,silver4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if the ,mercury of ,saturn be mixed with these1 or else with those other ,scoria's which were left by the ,gold and ,silver and are far better1 and so be melted together with a strong ,fire1 the ,lead will be bettered and that by an encrease not to be contemned1 and will abundantly pay for the labour and costs4 ,but yet ,i would not put any one upon the undertaking of this work2 except he be well versed with meltings in ,crucibles and without them1 by the ,bellows upon ,hearths4 ,for ,i write not these things for young ,beginners1 but onely for such who well know what belongs to the ,art of melting4 ,but yet that he may have some manuduction into these labours1 ,i will declare the general use of the ,sal ,mirabilis in the emendation of ,metals4 ,,lxxii4 ,the universal use of ,sal ,mirabilis in the emendation of ,metals4 ,though the wonderfull ,salt of ,art dissolveth all ,metals1 and conjoyneth them in a spiritual manner as it were1 and renders them efficacious to better each the other in the ,fire1 yet is there a difference to be observed in that thing1 by him who desires to follow the nearest way1 and to decline all diversions1 or goings about4 ,for example4 ,he that has a mind to dissolve and conjoyn the ,metals1 ,gold1 ,silver1 ,lead1 ,copper1 ,tin1 and ,iron1 by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 that they may display their virtues in operating to the perfection of each other1 must take for the ,gold1 ,iron1 ,copper1 and ,tin1 such a ,sal ,mirabilis as being prepared of common ,salt doth easily dissolve those ,metals4 ,but now the same ,salt used about ,silver and ,lead1 would effect nothing as to their ,solution1 because there is no familiarity or friendship between common ,salt1 and ,lune1 and ,lead1 for it is an enemy to those ,metals1 kills them1 and reduceth them to nothing4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but when those ,metals are by the help of ,salt reduced into their ,mercuries1 then may it come so to pass1 as that they may be conjoyned with ,gold1 ,iron1 ,copper1 and ,tin2 for without a foregoing preparation1 they enter not into the ,salt1 unless the ,lune and ,saturn be dissolved in that ,sal ,mirabilis which is prepared of ,niter1 and be adjoyned to the ,solution of ,mars and ,venus2 of which ,solutions the one doth very willingly embrace the other1 insomuch that one ,metal doth easily operate upon the other1 and consequently a profitable graduation1 fixation1 and emendation succeeds4 ,but now if you would have your ,metals1 not constant in the ,fire1 but volatile and made flying1 then1 that ,sal ,mirabilis is to be used1 which is made of ,salt ,peter or ,kitchin ,salt1 by the help of ,sulphur4 ,this is the universal use of ,sal ,mirabilis1 serving for the ,solution1 ,graduation1 ,fixation1 and contrariwise ,volatilisation1 or the conversion of all ,metals into a volatile nature4 ,but the special ,solutions1 ,fixations1 or ,graduations of them by the ,salt of ,art1 require an addition of some ,vegetable ,sulphur1 which being adjoyned to the ,metal1 yields some help to the ,sal ,artis in the ,graduation of a baser ,metal1 which help the conjunctions of ,metals that be of a sulphureous nature1 do not at all need2 though indeed 'tis better if you help them with some ,vegetable ,sulphur4 ,for ,sulphur and ,sal ,artis are like ,male and ,female1 they bear a mutual love to each other1 and beget a rich ,off-spring2 when they lovingly court each other in the ,fire1 even alone and without the addition of any ,metal1 and are brought unto perfection4 ,so then1 thus by these operations may gain and profit be divers ways1 and in divers manners gotten1 as well particularly1 as haply also universally1 7but this last way ,i am not as yet acquainted with47 ,all these things do sufficiently1 yea abundantly shew one the way of arriving by the help of the ,salt of ,art1 to the attainment of such things as are of some moment4 ,enough to the wise4 ,although that the ,metals do admit of a most easie ,solution by the ,sal ,mirabilis in the dry way1 yet notwithstanding1 that ,solution may yet more commodiously be perfected the following way1 viz4 thus1 when the ,metals are put into the ,cucurbit or ,retort1 in the distilling off the ,spirit4 ,for whilst the ,spirit is driven off1 out of those distilling ,vessels1 the ,metal is dissolved during the ,distillation1 and remains in the bottom with the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,but whatever of the ,metal remains undissolved1 is to be removed2 but the golden ,lunar1 ,venerial ,salt1 c4 is to be kept for such uses as it is necessary for4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if so be any be minded to pour on again that distilled ,spirit1 upon the ,metalline ,salt abiding in the bottom he may so do1 and 'tis profitable2 because that ,metalline ,salt is by this means rendred far more commodious and apter for ,transmutation4 ,but that none may err from the right way1 it is necessary that we first shew how the ,metals 7out of which being bettered1 ,gold and ,silver are to be extracted7 are to be afore prepared1 that so they may admit of being the more easily exalted and amended4 ,for all things are to be done by the prescribed method1 and to be managed by promoting them to their appointed limit and scope1 if any profit is thence sought4 ,lune and ,saturn do not by any commixion associate themselves to the ,metalline ,salt1 unless these same metals be first reduced into their ,mercuries1 concerning which thing we have treated at large in the third and fourth part of the prosperity of ,germany4 ,,lxxiii4 ,by what means the imperfect ,metals may 7by the ,sal ,mirabilis7 be turned into perfect ones4 ,take of ,sal ,mirabilis four ounces1 the filings of ,venus half an ounce4 ,put this matter in a strong1 double1 and well covered ,hassiack ,pot1 set it in a wind ,furnace1 melt it strongly for half an hour1 that the ,sal ,mirabilis may rightly dissolve the ,copper and make it spiritual4 ,to this ,copper thus made spiritual1 add half a part in weight of the ,mercury of ,saturn1 and melt together both metals by a repeated melting1 for an half or even an whole hour4 ,in this conjunction and operation1 the spiritual ,copper will get to the ,saturn by graduation1 no small bettering and fixation4 ,for by how much the longer they are kept in flux1 so much the greater amendment doth ,saturn purchase4 ,but yet no ,regulus can thus per se settle to the bottom1 unless some ,iron be added in the melting1 concerning which1 no certain weight can be prescribed4 ,for when some small bits onely thereof1 or some little particles are put in the ,crucible1 the ,salt is mortified by corroding of the ,iron1 and lets fall the amended ,lead which in the ,cupel leaves the ,gold and ,silver4 ,this way shews you the manner of using the ,sal ,mirabilis for the amending of metals ,n4 ,b4 ,other metals may also be rendred spiritual by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 by which not onely ,saturn but likewise ,luna may be graduated1 or exalted to a golden degree4 ,but yet ,saturn is more commodious and fitter for this operation than ,luna is4 ,for when the ,mercury of ,saturn is graduated and reduced1 there needs no other labour than the separating of that ,regulus on the ,test1 where the ,gold and ,silver is left behind in the ,cupel4 ,but if the ,lunar ,mercury be amended by graduation1 and precipitated into a ,regulus1 it is first to be separated by ,lead in the ,cupel1 and afterwards the ,gold and ,silver are to be separated by ,aq4 ,fortis2 so that there is requisite a twofold labour1 which in the operation by ,saturn is but one2 and therefore it is to be preferred as to these operations before ,lune4 ,n4 ,b4 ,all such subjects as have a graduating virtue1 as ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,hematitis1 ,smiris1 ,granate1 ,talk1 c4 may be used to these labours4 ,but however ,gold is the best of all1 which if so be that any one is minded to use1 it behoves him to be furnished with such ,pots and ,crucibles1 which do not drink up the ,gold1 and so rob you of more than the produced gain amounts to4 ,thus have we demonstrated the use of the simple ,sal ,mirabilis1 in the bettering of metals4 ,if some ,sulphur be added to the ,sal ,mirabilis1 it exalts the metals with a far more profitable graduation1 and brings more gain than that single operation1 which is instituted by the ,sal ,mirabilis simply and alone per se4 ,,lxxiv4 ,the manner of conjoyning ,gold contrary to its nature1 with any burning and ,volatile ,vegetable ,sulphur1 and of amending the other ,metals1 all done by the help of my ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,every body full well knows that there is no affinity or familiarity betwixt burning ,sulphur and ,gold1 which is a fixt ,sulphur2 forasmuch as they are exceedingly inimicitious to each other1 and yet this enmity may be at length changed into the greatest amity4 ,for 'tis usual with all such as are wont to separate molten ,gold from ,silver by precipitation1 to use common ,sulphur about that precipitation1 which by its innate ,antipathy thrusts out the ,gold from the ,silver2 the same thing is likewise done in the moist way1 when the same ,gold is precipitated out of ,aq4 ,regis or ,spirit of ,salt1 by sulphureous ,salts1 such as are ,crude ,tartar1 ,salt of ,tartar1 ,spirit of ,urine1 and other ,alkali ,salts4 ,these are to shew that ,gold hateth and shuns ,sulphur worse than any thing1 as being its ,capital ,enemy2 and yet these most bitter enemies doth the ,sal ,mirabilis easily reconcile and convert this so great an enmity into sweet friendship4 ,this operation hiding in its ,bowels great ,mysteries deservedly1 and by all right lies hidden to this ungratefull ,world1 if these ,mysteries could be excepted which fell into the hands of mine enemies1 in my ,laboratory1 unwittingly to me1 who without any regard had to the ,writings given me by way of an ,oath under their ,hands1 do now make merchandise of such secrets1 and so basely abuse my good ,will4 ,although the manifold use of this great ,treasure hath escaped them1 upon this account it hath seemed good unto me to reveal unto the whole ,world1 those things that fell within their reach1 that so it may be known to all1 that such great secrets proceeded from me onely1 and not from others1 nor from those mine enemies themselves4 ,take one ,quinta or small weight of ,gold1 more or less1 reduce it into thin leaves or plates1 and bow them in the fashion of a ,cilinder1 and add thereunto six1 eight or ten parts of ,sal ,mirabilis1 which matters you must melt in a ,crucible with an accurate and strong fusion3 ,when they flow1 throw in some pieces of ,coals into the ,salt and ,gold as they are melting in the ,pot1 that the ,sal ,mirabilis may dissolve the ,gold and ,coals in the melting1 which usually is done in half an hour or thereabouts4 ,the matter being poured out will shew you whether or no you have well operated for all the ,gold1 as likewise the ,sal ,mirabilis and ,coals will be dissolved and changed into a red ,stone1 that bites the ,tongue as if it were ,fire4 ,this ,fire and red ,stone1 is the golden ,carbuncle of the ,ancients1 for it shines in the dark like a burning ,coal1 and produceth such wonderfull effects in ,medicine and in ,alchymy1 which we have no mind at present to reveal4 ,for this ,gold being thus conjoyned contrary to its nature with ,sulphur and ,salt1 is by that means unlockt1 opened and prepared2 as that it may by an easie business or labour be made spiritual1 and that divers ways by divers ,menstruums1 either ,acid or ,urinous1 and be distilled over the ,helms1 and the pure separated from the impure4 ,and albeit that ,i here make use of no ,circumlocution and speak no plainer1 yet have ,i spoken enough to the ,wise1 and have shewed them such a way to go in1 as that whereby they may without labour1 as 'twere arrive to the most happy and wished end1 unless ,god for some singular causes prohibit it4 ,but that ,i may not altogether shut the door of ,art upon the ,son's of ,art1 ,i will teach them the making of a most excellent ,medicine out of this ,carbuncle4 ,,lxxv4 ,the way of making a most excellent ,medicine out of the ,carbuncle of ,gold4 ,this ,carbuncle is to be beaten into ,powder1 and the best ,spirit of ,wine is to be poured thereupon1 which may extract the ,tincture4 ,this tinged ,liquour is to be poured off into another ,glass1 and more fresh ,spirit is to be again poured upon the matter1 that it may again extract in the heat more ,tincture2 these ,labours you must repeat so often till all the ,tincture is extracted1 and the ,spirit will be no more coloured4 ,the ,spirit being drawn off by distillations in a ,bath leaves behind a most red ,tincture in the bottom1 in the form of a ,liquour named ,c ,o ,s1 for here are present1 ,colour1 ,odour1 ,savour or ,tast2 the ,colour and ,odour from the ,gold1 and ,sulphur2 the ,savour from the ,salt4 ,the remainder which is left after the ,extraction of the ,tincture is not to be thrown away as unprofitable1 but to be converted with new ,sal ,mirabilis1 and ,coals made of ,vine wood into a red ,stone1 by fusion1 and to be so long extracted till all the ,gold be converted with the vegetable ,sulphur into a ,medicine4 ,for one onely labour serves not to extract the whole ,gold by the ,spirit of ,wine2 but the oft repeated labours attain to the end proposed4 ,thus hast thou friendly ,reader a ,medicine of great moment and of great efficacy1 in which the most pure parts of the ,gold and of the ,vine are conjoyned1 nor can they be other than a most profitable ,medicament for men and metals4 ,,lxxvi4 ,how by the help of this ,medicament1 there may be conferred on the ,seeds of ,vegetables1 such an excellent faculty of growth1 that they may be as it were seen grow1 and may obtain a much nobler ,nature1 ,colours1 ,savours1 and ,vertues1 than they are wont to get out of the most stinking ,dung4 ,mix with one part of fat ,lome1 ,clay1 or ,earth done into ,powder1 four parts of ,sand1 that so the fatness of the ,earth may be somewhat allayed4 ,with this mixture fill a ,pot1 such a one as the ,gardeners are wont to keep their ,flowers in2 pour thereupon some ,rain-water wherein is mixt or dissolved a little of that ,medicament made of the ,carbuncle1 and plant or sow in that ,earth some of those ,herbs which abide unhurt by the ,winters cold4 ,set the ,pot with the implanted ,herbs to the warm ,air1 but so1 as that no ,rain come at it1 for the ,rain may wash away that medicinal nutriment4 ,when the ,earth becomes dry1 you must pour on more of the ,medicine prepared of the ,carbuncle1 and that so often as need requires4 ,so will the ,herbs begin to grow1 which if they meet with no other nutriment besides the ,rain-water1 they cannot attract any other whereby their faculty of growing may be promoted and encreased4 ,and for as much as the ,golden medicament was adjoyned to the ,rainwater1 the ,herbs must necessarily draw it to themselves together with the ,water1 and obtain other properties than if they grew from the stinking ,beasts ,dung4 ,n4 ,b4 ,under your ,pot that contains your ,herbs is to be put a ,dish made of good and firm ,earth1 or else of some ,metal1 which may serve to catch the medicinal ,water1 that flows through the bottom of the upper ,pot1 or distills thence1 and having received it may not drink it up but conserve it4 ,besides1 it would not be amiss if some of that medicinal ,water were put in the under ,platter1 which might always keep the bottom of the upper ,pot moist1 and so may supply the ,herbs with an uncessant nutriment4 ,it would be better also1 if the ,pot it self were made of some ,metal and not of ,earth1 that so it may not drink in that precious ,water1 but rather conserve it4 ,,lxxvii4 ,what is to be observed in this ,operation1 that a good effect may proceed from thence4 ,in the first place1 diligent heed is to be taken1 that the ,lome or ,earth you take1 partake not of any salt faculty1 nor hath any other corrosive ,property1 for many such ,earths there be which would hinder and spoil the faculty of growing4 ,secondly1 there must regard be had to the moistening of the ,earth1 lest the ,seed be choked with too much humidity1 or in defect of sufficient moisture1 dry up and wither4 ,thirdly1 there must be observed a measure of the ,medicament it self1 that neither too much1 nor too little of the same be commixt with the ,rain-water4 ,for an overmuch quantity thereof burns up the ,seed1 and a more sparing ,portion cannot yield nutriment enough to the ,herbs4 ,farther1 some ,musk or other things that emit a fragrant ,odour may be therewith mixed1 which addition is wont to get to the ,herbs a most fragrant ,odour4 ,if so be a man fears to apply the aforesaid precious ,medicament to this ,operation1 because of the ,costs of the same1 he may use that ,tincture which we taught a little afore1 to prepare of ,coles onely without ,gold2 and which indeed will perform all those things1 7as in reference to the growing faculty7 which that ,golden medicament is wont to perform2 this onely excepted1 viz4 that the ,herbs will nor partake of that golden ,property which they obtain by that ,golden medicament4 ,the things we have here written and published concerning the promoting the faculty of growth in golden ,herbs1 though they seem not of any great moment1 yet hide they under them mysteries of great moment1 the which many ,artists will apprehend1 and convert unto their ,use4 ,,lxxviii4 ,how any ,wood or any ,wood-coal may be so prepared by the ,sal ,mirabilis1 as to be capable of a long while resisting the ,fire4 ,dissolve some ,sal ,mirabilis in common ,water1 put some ,wood or ,wood coal therein1 let it lye in it for some days1 or so long till it be well glutted with the ,liquor and become ponderous4 ,then take it out and dry it very well at the fire1 that all the moisture vanishing away may leave the ,sal ,mirabilis in the ,wood3 ,then put it in the said ,solution yet again1 and take it out and again dry it1 which labour will render the ,wood so much the solider by how much the oftener it shall be repeated4 ,by this means1 all the ,pores will be filled with the ,salt and the ,air will be shut out1 that it can penetrate it no more2 without which ,air no ,wood can ever take fire or burn4 ,if now you put such ,wood or such ,coals with other ,wood and ,coals in the fire1 these un-imbibed ,coals1 c4 will be consumed by the ,fire in a short time and be reduced into ,ashes1 but those others will remain untoucht1 and may be taken out unhurt1 though indeed even they too will be burnt if they lye over long in the ,fire4 ,this is certain concerning ,coals1 that those that are made of more weighty ,wood1 and which abound with a greater ,quantity of ,salt1 such as are the ,oak1 ,beech1 ,juniper1 ,vines1 and other ,trees whose ,wood is ponderous dure far longer in the fire than those ,coals do which are made of ,firr1 ,pine1 ,alder1 ,willows1 and such like lighter ,trees1 and which have a lesser ,quantity of ,salt1 and this now ,i do not mention barely for fashions sake1 but to this intent1 that occasion may be given from this kind of knowledge of drawing some profitable matter therefrom2 as for ,example4 ,,lxxix4 ,how such kind of ,woods which are always so near the ,fire1 as that they are still in danger of being burnt1 and thereby threaten damage may be conserved from firing4 ,dissolve some ,sal ,mirabilis in ,water1 and with a ,pencil smear over such ,wood which by reason of its nearness to the ,fire is always in danger of being burnt4 ,when the ,water is dryed up1 moisten it again with the same ,water1 and repeat this moistening so often1 till it hath drunk in a sufficient ,quantity of the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and become able to resist the heat4 ,by this means might men be often freed of many fears and cares1 in ships dawb'd with pitch and in other places1 where by reason of the too nearness of dry ,timber there is danger of firing4 ,,lxxx4 ,how by the help of ,sal ,mirabilis any ,wood may be conserved so1 as for a long time to remain unhurt in the ,water4 ,he that desires to preserve ,wood1 that it may not be detrimented by the ,water nor rot in a long time1 may be master of his wishes1 the following way4 ,dry your wood very well1 and being dry moisten it with strong ,oil of ,vitriol very exactly1 and being moistened sprinkle it with the ,sal ,mirabilis beaten into ,powder1 that it may stick well on to the ,oil of the ,vitriol4 ,for the ,oil of ,vitriol doth in its penetrating of the wood carry in the ,salt thereinto1 and makes in the outside thereof every where about a black ,crust1 just as if that wood had been burnt by the ,fire4 ,now because ,coals resist putrefaction1 it must necessarily follow that the wood being in that wise ordered must remain a long time unhurt in the water4 ,,lxxxi4 ,the ,preparation of the ,sal ,mirabilis for this ,work4 ,there ariseth no small difference amongst the ,salts themselves from the different way used in making the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,if the ,oil of ,vitriol wherewithal this ,sal ,mirabilis is prepared1 be not by reason of the superfluous humidity strong enough1 any one may easily conjecture that a good ,sal ,mirabilis cannot be made thereof1 because the ,kitchin ,salt would receive therefrom but little alteration4 ,to prevent this inconvenience therefore1 you are to take equal weights of ,salt and ,oil1 that so one may be assured that the common ,salt is well inverted1 and made a good ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,,lxxxii4 ,by what means trial may be made1 if the ,sal ,mirabilis be duely prepared1 and how it may be fitted for this and other ,uses4 ,its ,colour ought to be white and transparent2 its figure is in long ,stria's or ,chrystals2 its tast is like ,ice melting upon the ,tongue and yields some bitterishness4 ,being dryed in the ,fire and all the moisture gone off1 it will loose three parts of its own ,body1 and retain a fourth ,part onely2 being dissolved in ,water it will recover those three ,parts again4 ,but on the contrary1 if it shoot into a square ,figure1 and hath as yet a saltish tast1 and being dryed loseth but little of its weight2 it is not worth a rush4 and shews that either the ,oil of ,vitriol it self was not good1 or that there was not enough used to the ,operation4 ,these things we would not bury in silence1 that so we might well advise young beginners1 and withdraw them from their ,errours4 ,,lxxxiii4 ,it may be queried1 whether the ,sal ,mirabilis serves for the use of ,artificers and ,craftsmen4 ,for answer1 yes4 ,for this ,sal ,mirabilis is not onely able to perform things of great moment1 and those too1 such as are not common2 both in ,alchimy and in ,medicine2 7a rehearsal of which1 we shall for brevities sake omit7 but withall it may be used in other ,arts and ,handycrafts with great admiration and profit2 and this we cannot neither at this time demonstrate because of the but now mentioned brevities sake4 ,we will onely shew here1 that even the poorest ,husbandman1 might 7if they knew its preparation use it to notable advantage and profit4 ,,lxxxiv4 ,how every ,countreyman may encrease any kind of ,corn or ,seed with a thousand fold encrease1 by the ,sal ,mirabilis if he can get it4 ,we have aforetold you1 that the ,sal ,mirabilis being so1 as it is per se1 is plainly unapt for the multiplication of the ,vegetables1 unless that corrosive ,faculty be taken therefrom by lime or other ,alkali ,salts1 the which must be done if you would expect therefrom any good concerning this multiplication4 ,here now will ,i disclose a business of no small moment2 yet not to this end as if ,i would perswade the ,countreymen1 to get for the future1 or afford to their ,corn so plentifull a faculty of encreasing4 ,no1 no1 ,i well know that they know not how to make the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and if they did1 yet would they not depart a ,nails breadth from their ,ancient ,custom4 ,for 'tis a common ,proverb1 ,old ,dogs are very difficultly tamed2 and this1 the common ,course of mens ,lives doth clearly teach2 wherein you'l find1 that a man hardly unlearns that in his old ,age which he learned in his ,youth2 so that an ,old man doth very difficultly suffer himself to be withdrawn from those things whereto he hath been accustomed when young4 ,neither is it my purpose so to do1 for as much as ,i insert the things here mentioned by me1 for this end onely1 viz4 that the possibility and wonderous ,properties of the ,sal ,mirabilis may be brought out of ,darkness unto ,light1 and may be made evident to the whole ,world4 ,i would likewise be thus understood as touching other ,workmen1 for whom these things are not delivered or treated of1 that they should desist from their old ,custom1 and obey my admonitions and instructions2 but for this end it is onely that ,i publish these things1 viz4 that they every one may know that my ,sal ,mirabilis can be an helper to men of all ranks1 and also may bring even to the ,craftsmen themselves and to the poorest ,husbandmen1 great fruit and benefit4 ,now when you hear it mentioned that some ,grain of ,corn is augmentable beyond the usual ,custom1 by an unheard of multiplication1 it must of necessity be1 that it emit more than one1 two1 or three ,stalks1 for as much as so few ,stalks1 cannot yield so great an ,encrease4 ,but now if one ,grain is to put forth so many ,stalks1 it is wholly necessary that it be done by some certain singular and strong efficacy of expulsion2 and that too1 even presently and at the beginning when the grain is at first sown in the earth4 ,for whatsoever is not here done even at the beginning1 will never be done afterwards4 ,for all the stalks that spring forth after are small1 and quite unfit to bring forth ,corn4 ,so then1 seeing that many stalks are to break out at one and the same time out of one grain1 if an eminent multiplication is expected to follow1 then verily 'tis even necessary that some help be administred to that same grain afore it be put in the earth1 that so it may plentifully grow and be speedy1 in presently sending forth even at the very beginning1 good store of stalks4 ,the ,countreymen know not any thing serving to such an operation but onely ,dung2 but ,i do even now again say as ,i have often done afore1 that this effect of the usual and common multiplication ariseth not from the ,dung it self1 7as being but the outside ,husk7 but from that sulphureous ,salt that lies hidden in the ,dung4 ,hence it is1 that by how much the purer and better the ,salt is so much the speedier and more efficacious an operation ariseth therefrom4 ,if then1 that such a ,salt can be made by ,art1 which performs the same that ,dung does1 it altogether follows that we are able to do the same without ,dung1 and that far better than by ,dung1 in which the salt is so much dilated1 and which 7by the benefit of ,art17 we contract into a narrow compass4 ,i hope the well minded ,reader will not be displeased that ,i use so many words here1 about the stinking ,dung of ,animals1 because ,i can't indeed use in this place any other manner of speaking1 seeing ,i intended the laying open of this thing1 and therefore am ,i even compelled to speak of the same3 ,for he that minds the publication of any thing1 cannot do it1 unless he speaks of the same4 ,and although that ,dung may seem to some finical ,men a very contemptible thing1 yet notwithstanding it is the onely and principal ,medium1 by the help whereby our daily ,bread and the necessary sustaining of our ,bodies is had4 ,but as for the stinking ,dung of ,animals1 ,i even remit it to the ,dunghill1 and return to my ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,,lxxxv4 ,whether or no a thousandfold encrease may be had of ,corn by the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,melt one or two pounds of ,sal ,mirabilis in a ,crucible1 then throw in some ,coals and dissolve them1 and reduce them by ,solution into a red and fiery ,stone2 which matter being compounded by melting of them both1 beat into ,powder and pour thereupon common ,spirit of ,wine1 that it may wax red by extracting out the ,tincture4 ,pour this out into another ,vessel1 and pour on other ,spirit upon the aforesaid matter4 ,and this pouring on and canting off1 is to be repeated so often till all the redness is extracted4 ,by this extraction you shall get a sulphureous ,salt1 fit to steep or macerate ,corn withall2 because it agrees very well to the properties of that ,salt which sticks hidden in the ,dung of ,beasts3 ,now ,i use ,spirit of ,wine to the extraction for this cause1 for that it hastens the germination or budding of the ,seeds even as well as the ,salt doth1 and enricheth it with an emission of many ,stalks4 ,but yet your ,spirit of ,wine must not be over strong1 for then it would hinder the faculty of growing1 the which thing even the ,salt will also do if too great a quantity thereof be added to the weaker ,spirit of ,wine1 because it would by burning up the ,seed1 be an impediment to the faculty of the ,seeds growth4 ,it is therefore necessary that a good regard be had 7in those operations7 to a due measure4 ,for an overmuch access of any thing is wont to be no less hurtfull than a defect or clearly wanting of the same4 ,this is the preparation of the ,sal ,mirabilis1 necessary for the macerating of ,corn1 that so it may produce many ,stalks2 now follows the true and genuine use thereof in macerating of the same4 ,,lxxxvi4 ,the true and right way of macerating ,corn in the ,sal ,mirabilis4 ,there are several kinds of ,corn1 and of these various and different sorts4 ,hence is it1 that one ,seed is longer a macerating than another is2 and that because one becomes soft sooner than doth another1 or attracts humidities to it self quicker than another1 so that regard is to be well had to the difference thereof4 ,rye and ,wheat are encompassed with thin ,skins1 and therefore are the sooner macerated1 ,oats require a longer time1 and so doth ,barley which has a yet harder ,husk than the ,oats hath1 and therefore requires a longer time for its maceration4 ,but as touching these things1 every one may find them out by his own understanding and often experience1 because it is impossible to mention all things so clearly and perspicuously4 ,but this is a general rule1 your ,corn is to be so long left in steep1 untill you may easily bite it a pieces1 for you must beware of softning it too much1 for then it would presently putrifie1 and by that its putrefaction corrupt and spoil all the growing faculty4 ,but experience will instruct you far more commodiously and more perfectly herein1 than a larger description can4 ,,lxxxvii4 ,the true and right way of sowing your macerated ,corn in the ,earth4 ,any one may easily conjecture that if the ,corn macerated by the aforegoing way1 be sown in the ,fields the usual way and so thick as the ,husbandmen are wont to do1 it will not succeed because of the overmuch thronging and thickness by which the ,corn would hinder each other and so choak themselves4 ,this incommodity therefore is to be prevented1 and such macerated ,grain to be thinly sown in the ,fields that they may have room for the freeness of ,air1 and so may grow up and not spoil each other by a mutual suffocation4 ,nay rather that the more accurate diligence may be had or used about this sowing1 a ,man may make him some wooden ,instrument1 whereby together and at once many grains of ,corn may be sown in the earth in good order and at a certain distance2 concerning which labour ,i have purposed to speak more at large in another place4 ,for so no grain will unprofitably perish1 and with one ,sack of ,corn may be sown more ,ground than six1 eight or ten ,sacks are wont to do otherwise2 my too short time constrains me to break off my discourse concerning these things4 ,,lxxxviii4 ,by what means the ,sal ,mirabilis may bring profit to the ,dressers of ,vines4 ,if there could be a good quantity had of ,sal ,mirabilis1 and that without great costs1 'tis without doubt but the ,vines might be made very fruitfull therewithall4 ,but because they are ignorant of the preparation thereof1 who dress ,vines2 'tis expedient for them to acquiesce in their ,beasts ,dung1 or make use of that onely for the fattening and dunging of their ,vines1 which is made of common or ,kitchin ,salt by inverting and ,alkalizating it by ,calx-vive4 ,unless a man has ,vines about his ,house or in his ,garden1 and would make them fruitfuller than ordinary4 ,for to make tryal thereof in great ,vineyards would be too costly4 ,but yet ,i will propound another way to the ,vine dressers1 by the help whereof they may get plenty of ,wine every year4 ,i have at large taught in my foregoing ,writings1 and that by various descriptions1 by what means one may be ,master of noble and ripe ,wines every year1 yea even in those times1 in which by reason of the coldness and unseasonableness of the ,air1 and the want of the ,solar-beams1 the ,grapes cannot attain their due maturity3 and withall1 how in those places where they seldom or never grow ripe1 they may be ripened by concentration by the help of the ,fire1 or else by fermentation with their own vinous spirit distilled out of the ,lees1 and added to the said ,wine2 having ,i say already taught this there's no need of repeating it again4 ,yet nevertheless if ,god lengthen my life out so long1 ,i have purposed to write a peculiar ,book of the propagating and bettering of ,wines4 ,but that ,i may ingratiate my self with those who not much caring for poor thin ,wines1 desire to have some noble ,wine in their ,cellars1 ,i will here reveal a certain secret which may not onely refresh the body and spirit of many thousands of ,men1 high and low1 rich and poor1 throughout all ,germany1 yea and all ,europe too2 but also administer them no small profit4 ,i have taught a little afore1 how by the help of the ,sal ,mirabilis1 and of the concentrated and cold ,fire of ,salts1 a ,man may make his ,guests different ,wines out of one ,cup1 and therewithall refresh them2 and ,i have likewise shewed1 that such a bettering of ,wine may be exercised in most places1 with notable profit4 ,the truth of which thing1 it hath seemed good unto me to demonstrate divers ways1 for the sake of my ,neighbour4 ,i have frequently laid open in my ,writings some excellent secrets1 and have withall made a discovery of the most great benefit which one may thereby receive4 ,but because ,i have not pointed out with my ,fingers where and whence such notable profit is to be gotten1 the most part could not apprehend or find the same1 and have therefore rejected the thing it self being it was not so perspicuously and clearly laid open1 as unprofitable and worth nothing4 ,and now least it thus happen to this secret1 if ,i should not shew and point as it were with my ,fingers1 the benefit thereof1 and if therefore such secrets lying in the dark should not come forth to the profit and use of mankind1 7which would be a grievous thing and to be lamented1 if it should not17 it hath seemed good unto me to manifest the utilities of the same4 ,,lxxxix4 ,by what means notable profit may be gotten by my ,water-attracting ,magnet4 ,first of all1 it is no small benefit when the overmuch ,water is taken away from the poorer sort of ,wines1 with which ,germany doth every where almost abound1 and the ,wines made nobler1 stronger1 more efficacious1 and more durable1 and do get a far more acceptable savour4 ,for the unripe and watery ,wines are not of any long lasting1 but do in a while lose all their savour and all their strength1 and become mouldy1 and corrupt with lying1 and 'tis not seldom that they grow tenacious1 or ropy1 thick and muddy1 reddish and filthy3 all which incommodities doth my ,magnet cure in the space of one onely hour1 by the drawing away the overmuch waterishness4 ,,xc4 ,the second benefit4 ,if the plentifull ,vintage or large encrease of the ,wine should be more than you have ,barrels to fill1 nothing can be more acceptable than that the ,wine may be concentrated by the ,magnet1 7which draws to it self the ,water and turns it into ,ice7 by extracting the overmuchness of the ,water1 that so by this means the more contracted ,wines may be laid up the more commodiously1 and may if not very good1 be rendred better4 ,,xci4 ,the third benefit1 and which is most acceptable to all ,masters of ,families4 ,if so be that the ,master of the ,house had a whole ,cellar full of ,wine1 and every ,vessel filled with the like or self same noble ,wine1 without any difference2 then verily the ,master and ,servant would be of equal degree1 nor should the ,master have any prerogative above the ,servant4 ,but now using the help of the said ,magnet1 he may have his ,wines bettered as he pleaseth1 and have divers ,wines in his ,cellar1 as we taught a little above2 if1 viz4 he shall draw from it the unprofitable watery part4 ,,xcii4 ,another way of getting profit by the ,magnet's drawing the ,water out of ,wines4 ,the ,anatomizing and examen of ,wine discovers1 that in twelve measures thereof1 there is about one of more noble spirit1 and almost one measure of ,tartar4 ,the residue are nought else but an insipid water altogether like to common water4 ,now when the ,wines are to be transported out of the ,countries wherein they grow1 into more remote places1 what need is there of carrying the water with it so long a ,journey8 would it not be better to separate some part thereof from the ,wine1 and so transport the ,wine1 and let the water alone1 and thereby shun a great deal of charges disburst for the carriage of water into such places as have enough already8 would there not redound a great benefit hereby1 both to the ,buyers and ,sellers of ,wines8 yea verily1 ,i believe that there will not onely redound unto them a great conveniency1 but withall a great deal of ,treasure4 ,,xciii4 ,there's yet another way of getting notable profit by the said ,magnet1 viz4 if the ill tast and fetidness be taken away from the ,brandy2 usually made of ,corn4 ,there is some mention made in what went afore concerning this amending2 but 'tis not done so clearly and manifestly4 ,i will therefore open it more clearly and more perspicuously in this place4 ,mix one part of your ,brandy made of ,corn1 with two parts of common water poured thereunto1 that the stench and ungratefull savour may diffuse it self into the added water4 ,having so done1 you must again free this ,brandy thus tempered with water by putting your ,magnet thereinto1 and so will you draw therefrom all the stinkingness1 and 'tis just as if you had washed that ,wine1 and rinsed off all its filth4 ,,xciv4 ,the benefit purchased by separating the ,water from ,vinegar4 ,if you would have benefit by this liquor1 the same may be done by the same reason2 in those places out of which it is transported into other ,countries2 if1 viz4 the unprofitable water be removed after the same manner as we taught to be separated from the ,wine4 ,,xcv4 ,by what means good ,wine and ,vinegar may be every year prepared by the help of this same ,magnet1 in those ,countries in which the ,grapes do not ripen4 ,although that in all the ,coasts scituated upon the ,rhine1 as in ,rhingovia1 ,moguntia1 ,wormatia1 ,algentorati2 in ,alsatia1 the ,palatinate1 ,franconia1 ,austria1 and the ,dukedom of ,wurtenberg1 7in which places1 the ,wines do for the most part arrive to their perfection every year7 this ,art be not so very necessary2 yet nevertheless ,saxonia1 ,misnia1 ,thuringia1 ,suevia1 and ,bavaria do stand in need thereof2 in which ,countries the ,wine doth for the most part remain acid1 unless the ,summer hath by a singular chance hapned to be very hot4 ,for in these places it is no less profitable than pleasant to drink a sweeter and nobler ,wine instead of the more acid ,wine1 if so be one could get it by the help of the said ,art4 ,besides1 this same ,art yields no small profit and benefit in those ,countries1 in which though the ,wine is 7as we said but now7 wont to be noble4 ,for it may happen that some unseasonable ,weather may hinder the ripening of the ,grapes1 and that the ,vineyards wanting the due heat of the ,sun cannot arrive unto maturity4 ,for oftentimes in one and the same ,countrey1 there are divers ,wines produced1 so that one sort exceeds another in nobility and goodness4 ,those therefore that are good and generous need not the help of this ,art1 but contrarily the smaller and less noble ,wines want it4 ,hence ,i conclude that in all the ,countries of the ,world1 wheresoever ,wines are made1 this ,art may be serviceable and profitable to any one4 ,,xcvi4 ,how in those cold ,countries2 as in ,poland1 ,denmark1 ,suedeland1 ,norway1 c4 ,which by reason of the ,coldness of the ,air admit not of making ,wine1 there may nevertheless good ,wine and ,vinegar conducive to the health of ,man be made4 ,though the ,cold may so hinder as that ,vines will not grow1 nor ,vineyards be1 yet notwithstanding those places so obnoxious to the ,cold1 have plenty of ,apples1 ,pears1 and such like ,tree-fruits2 whose ,juice being pressed out1 and fermented1 and after the ,fermentation1 freed of the greatest part of the unprofitable water1 will give a better and more durable ,drink1 than that which is made the usual way of ,apples and ,pears4 ,for this drink cannot last long because of the muchness of the humidity1 but becomes ropy1 acid and muddy1 and so corrupts4 ,so likewise may those ,countries that abound with ,corn be rendered partakers of most excellent and wine-like ,drink1 which may be used and drunk instead of ,wine1 to the great benefit and advancement of the health of the ,body2 and it is to be thus done4 ,first of all1 let very good ,wheat be made to germinate or sprout by stewing in some gentle heat2 as in making of ,mault then after the sprouting let it be put in some warm ,furnace1 or in great ,coppers1 and stirred about with some wooden thing without ceasing till it be dryed4 ,in this ,operation you must have an especial care1 that the ,corn smatch not of the ,fire1 which is then brought by drying to a sufficient hardness1 when it is not soft in biting it with your ,teeth1 but leaps as 'twere in pieces2 this is a sign that you have done your work well4 ,having prepared it thus1 let it be broken or ground and boiled after the manner of other ,ale1 without ,hops2 and then after it has fermented let it be freed from its superfluous moisture by our ,magnet4 ,so will you have remaining a sweet ,drink not much unlike to ,wine2 which ,liquor if you would yet have more near in its likeness to ,wine1 you must put in for every ,tun or every ,butt about a pound of ,tartar in the ,fermentation1 that so it may ferment together with the ,corn1 and may give unto this ,drink a winy ,tast4 ,after the same manner may excellent ,metheglin be made of ,honey and ,sugar1 or such a kind of ,drink as but little differs from the ,savour of ,wine4 ,an ,art1 verily1 most profitable in those places which have no ,wine1 but have that defect supplied by the great ,quantity of ,honey and ,sugar4 ,the manner of making such a kind of ,drink is this4 ,let there be added to the ,honey so much water as is sufficient1 for their boiling together in a ,copper1 and let them being boiled be diligently scummed so long till the ,honey becomes thick again1 and gets a duskish or a reddish ,colour1 which is a sign1 that the less sweet1 and less honied ,savour is removed away1 by the boiling4 ,to this ,honey reduced to the said thickness1 let be again added as much water as is sufficient1 that they may be boiled together1 and being boiled put up in ,barrels4 ,whilst it is yet warm some ,ale yest must be added1 which being fermented1 renders this ,liquor so sweet that it is but little inferiour to ,wine2 moreover it will come nearer to the ,tast of ,wine1 if a due part of dissolved ,tartar shall be added thereunto in the ,fermentation1 that so being fermented together herewith1 it may acquire to it self a winy ,tast4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but here good heed must be had1 that in the last ,solution there be not taken too little water1 but rather more than is wont to be taken in the making of common ,mede4 ,the reason is this2 because the ,honey gets not its due fermentation1 but retains its usual and a kind of nauceous ,sweetness1 and cannot be made partaker of a winy ,savour4 ,but now1 water enough being added1 promotes the ,fermentation1 and causeth that it gets its ,purity and ,clarity much sooner1 and is of an excellent sweet ,savour4 ,after that this ,metheglin hath gotten the requisite ,clarity1 the superfluous water is to be abstracted thencefrom by your ,magnet1 which water being removed1 the remaining ungratefull ,savour of the ,honey going away together with the water1 vanisheth1 and this ,wine of the ,honey1 gets its strong ,spirits from the ,honey1 and has a winy ,savour from the ,tartar4 ,if any one be so minded1 he may add to the ,honey in the first boiling1 some ,spices1 or which is better1 may hang them in a little ,bag in at the ,bung1 that so they may be fermented with the ,metheglin1 and give it a sweet ,savour4 ,the ,spices are these that follow3 ,cardamoms one1 ,coriander two1 ,orris ,roots three parts2 the which will give the ,metheglin a fine ,tast4 ,the ,flowers of ,elder make it tast just like ,wine made of the ,apian or ,muscadel ,grapes4 ,cinamon and ,cloves also do give it a delicate ,sweetness4 ,but every one may use such ,spices as he thinks best1 according as he fancieth this or that ,tast4 ,of such ,metheglin is made most excellent ,vinegar1 which scarce is inferiour to wine ,vinegar though of the very best ,sort4 ,,xcvii4 ,whither or no1 there be any other benefit1 which our ,magnet can bestow4 ,he that shall onely diligently enquire by trials made1 will without doubt1 find1 that such a ,magnet as attracteth water1 can be profitable many ways2 which to treat largely of here1 the time will not permit4 ,for because that this ,magnet draws out of all ,liquors1 their superfluous water1 it doth certainly bring much ,benefit1 and manifold ,fruits1 very many of which1 we would here declare if need required4 ,but the time admits not of any longer dwelling about these things4 ,but yet1 however1 ,i will reveal an ,art for the ,poor's sake who have no ,wine growing1 nor any money to buy it1 and are therefore enforced 7but especially in the winter ,season7 to drink cold water after their hard ,labours27 by the help of which said ,art they may have good ,wine to drink all the year both in the ,summer and ,winter months2 ,i mean in those places in which theres plenty of ,wine made1 and is in the ,autumn ,season squeezed out with wine ,presses4 ,in all those places in which store of ,grapes are prest out with ,presses1 there is great store of the husks1 the which is partly kept for the ,beasts to nourish them in the ,winter1 and partly thrown away as unprofitable1 especially in those ,seasons which afford a great ,quantity of ,wine4 ,but if so be that the ,wine ,harvest be somewhat poor and not so plentifull1 then they pour water upon all the husks or on some part of them1 and leave it so for some days1 and again press them2 and thereby is made a ,drink that has some kind of wine-like ,savour which is given to the ,servants1 and other ,labourers to drink instead of bare water4 ,but now in such ,years wherein they are thoroughly busied in curing or making much ,wine1 they have not the time to bestow about making that ,drink then4 ,nay sometimes they have such a deal of ,wine that they have not ,cask to put it in1 but are compelled to give away their smaller ,wines to others1 and stuff their ,cellars with the more noble4 ,if therefore the poorer sort would have now and then a good ,draught of ,wine1 they must get them some large ,vessels which they must fill with the ,offal of the ,grapes1 and with water poured thereupon1 and leave them thus1 so long untill the rich ,people have done with their wine ,presses and stowed their ,wines in their ,cellars4 ,then may they also press out their second ,wines in the rich mens wine ,presses1 and by the oft-spoken of ,magnet separate the unprofitable water therefrom1 and so lay up their ,wine1 the which will last and abide good and durable all the ,year about1 which it will not otherwise do4 ,for such kind of second ,wines dure only 7for the most part7 but the ,winter and ,spring1 and part of the ,summer1 and the utmost time they remain any thing good is but till the ,month of ,july1 afterwards they grow ropy or musty4 ,but now the unprofitable part of the water being separated1 they get a shorter or longer durability according to the moreness or lesness of their ,concentration4 ,this advice and secret was ,i willing to bestow upon the poor that they may also drink good ,wine4 ,but they may demand where should we get us such a ,magnet1 by the using of which we might make our second ,wines good8 ,i answer1 they may borrow it of the ,rich men who have ,vineyards1 for so long2 and when they have done with it may restore it them again2 for it is so lasting that it never loseth any thing of its ,body nor of its ,virtue1 but always remains good4 ,the rich men therefore will buy it of the ,chymists1 the preparation whereof is clearly and perspicuously delivered in my first ,century4 ,if now this be done 7which ,i doubt not of7 the ,chymist by preparing1 and the ,merchant by using of the same will reap no small ,benefit and profit4 ,and questionless1 there will be found some men that are studious of new things1 who will make trial of this ,concentration of ,wines in small experiments2 that so they may fish out the possibility of the thing4 ,but ,i know not whether they will exercise this ,operation in a greater ,quantity or no4 ,for its neither here nor there to me whether they will exercise this ,art or let it alone4 ,for this is the natural disposition of most men1 they would very willingly get store of gain1 provided it could be done without great labour and much trouble4 ,from hence it is certain1 that this ,art of ,concentrating ,wines by cold ,fires will not be so soon common1 especially because ,i have not here delivered how such a ,magnet may be made in great ,quantity1 and applied to use4 ,but yet ,i think ,i have sufficiently done or hinted at those things ,i have revealed4 ,let others draw out of their own store too1 if they have any thing4 ,more things ,i could not reveal1 for many weighty causes which ,i count it needless to mention here4 ,very many men will commit many ,errours1 e're they attain the right ,scope4 ,verily it would be much better if there were a greater ,number of such ,persons as readily understood this ,art2 especially in those places of ,germany in which the ,wines are so acid1 that it will make ones ,eyes run with water if a bigger ,draught than ordinary be drunk to quench ,thirst4 ,and therefore in those places ,ale is in the most esteem1 and indeed it is no contemptible drink1 if good1 but yet it is not at all comparable to the noble ,wine1 concerning which noble ,liquor these ,verses may rightly be pronounced4 ,with what a lovely gift are all things blest ,by th' noble ,wine from tender ,vines exprest1 ,to sick mens pains it doth an easement bring1 ,it joys the ,countrey ,peasant1 makes him sing4 ,and you shall see that that man whom to day ,by means of ,wine lies tumbling in the way1 ,will on the ,morrow have his t'other lay4 ,there are many ,songs in the praise of ,wine1 but ,ale is not celebrated with any ditty1 though it be never so good4 ,upon this account therefore the noble ,juice of ,wine is not undeservedly preferred before all the rest1 provided it has its due generousness and excelling goodness4 ,but if it be not good1 'tis wholly expedient to help it1 lest by keeping its ,sourishness and waterishness it perish4 ,but filthy covetousness bears too great a sway upon mortals1 insomuch that there are too many to be found that would rather pour water to their ,wine and spoil it1 than better it by abstracting of the water4 ,i have often heard the complaints of ,vineyard ,masters in those ,seasons1 in which they have had whole ,cellars full of small and poor ,wines1 which have not arrived to so much ripeness as to be able to be sold and transported into other ,countries4 ,hence comes it to pass1 that if they lie a long while and be not drunk up1 they degenerate more and more1 and become exceeding poor1 and at length corrupt by lying and so perish for altogether2 unless it happens by chance that some years of a more happy ,vintage do succeed1 with which more noble ,wines they may mix their small ones1 and so sell them off1 but yet with a poor profit1 because the ,merchants are not wont to buy midling ,wines1 but the very best of all4 ,but they may have noble ,wine every year by that means that ,i have shewn4 ,for if one eighth part of water were extracted from the ,wine1 it might have the name of good ,wine4 ,but now if a fourth part of that water should be taken away thencefrom it would become far more excellent1 for a little water is able to make a most noble ,wine smaller and more base1 a tryal whereof you may make as follows4 ,a ,hogshead of rich ,wine1 containing some six ,renish ,oma's or ,aulms1 costs an hundred imperials2 yea sometimes more1 an hundred ,duckets2 ,now if you take thencefrom one eighth part of the measure1 and put in the room thereof one eighth part of water1 you will find by the tast1 that its goodness is so much diminished1 that that ,vessel will be scarcely valued at fifty imperials4 ,but if a quarter part be taken away1 and so much water put in its room1 any one may easily conjecture that such a ,vessel filled with such ,wine will be hardly judged worth twenty imperials4 ,so then by this way that ,i have told1 any ,wine might be brought to such a nobleness by taking away one fourth part onely of its water1 that a ,vessel which afore would have yielded but twelve imperials1 will afterwards yield three times the price4 ,by all this that hath been spoken may any one easily conclude the truth of the true ,alchymy1 and what incredible benefits may be reaped thencefrom4 ,from this ground ,i say1 that that delicate sup of ,wine which ,i have here taught the preparation of will so inflame many1 even of the enemies of ,alchymy1 that they will for the future put their hands to the ,coals1 and try to get thereby such a delicate ,magnet1 and to have it by them4 ,this ,magnet will also help not a few ,alchymists themselves that are in straights and want1 and afford them a good ,cup of ,wine2 whose ,vineyards1 ,house1 and all their substance1 the smoak and hot fire hath already driven up the ,chimny1 and in lieu thereof this cold fire will recover them again with no contemptible increase4 ,for this ,leap-year #affj is the first year since the ,world's ,creation1 in which the miserable ,coal-blowers may arrive to a way of getting their ,bread1 if they will but stretch out their hands4 ,and that ,i may be here well understood1 ,i don't onely mind the concentration of ,wine1 for there are other most profitable uses to be found out of these cold fires2 which time will manifest4 ,it seems good unto me to add by way of an overplus 7because ,i have taught the making of a ,cup of good ,wine1 and there is a great familiarity 'twixt ,wine and ,corn17 the showing away how one may get a most delicate sort of ,bread and of an excellent savour1 that so he may be furnished with the choicest of ,food and ,drink4 ,let some part of the water be extracted by the cold ,magnet out of new ,milk1 that it may be made better than the common ,milk4 ,this would be a most excellent nutriment for the sustaining of ,infants1 whose ,mothers die too soon4 ,for every ,infant cannot bear raw ,cows ,milk2 and if the superfluity of the ,water be removed by boiling1 the ,milk 7not brooking much boiling7 doth easily tast of the fire1 which would not be if it were freed of its water by the oft mentioned ,magnet1 for it would remain sweet1 and be of an excellent ,tast4 ,with this fat ,milk1 moisten your ,wheat ,meal1 7which must be of the best7 in the stead of water2 and let the ,bread be baked1 and without doubt the ,bread will be of an excellent ,tast1 which could not be by the common baking1 although that ,butter were added thereunto4 ,one may feed upon this ,bread alone1 without ,cheese and ,butter1 because the ,cheese and the ,butter are with the ,milk in which they lie hidden1 added unto the ,bread4 ,such ,bread is strong nourishment and far better for filling and nourishing than the common2 and in eating thereof one may easily commit excess1 because it notably pleaseth the ,pallat by the sweetness of its tast4 ,for so it happened on a time to me1 for eating such ,bread as was made up with fat ,sheeps ,milk ,i exceeded a mediocrity in my eating4 ,but verily this is wont to happen to such as in their eating and drinking1 abuse the delicate ,meats and ,drinks1 and so fall into the hands of the ,physicians1 because indeed the most ,diseases do arise from too much fulness and surfeiting4 ,and therefore good reason is it that a most special regard be had to a mediocrity and temperance in all things4 ,,xcviii4 ,how the ,water attracting ,magnet may be serviceable to ,physicians4 ,in my opinion a ,physician may very well examine the ,urine of the ,sick1 and ,anotamize the same1 and that more easily than by an external bare aspect or looking-on onely1 if1 viz4 he separate and take away therefrom a part of the water by the ,magnet4 ,for by this means he will discern a great difference betwixt the one and the other part1 and know the causes and properties of ,diseases2 and that far better and more certainly than by a bare outside view1 after the ,gallenical fashion1 or by the weight1 and by ,distillation according to the custom of ,paracelsus and ,turnheiser2 ,but ,i leave it to every ones pleasure to enquire which of these three ways is to be preferred4 ,and now follows by way of ,corrolary or ,surplusage1 a description of certain most excellent ,medicines to be administred1 for the curing of most greivous ,diseases both in ,men and ,beasts4 ,,xcix4 ,the ,cure of the ,stone in the ,reins and ,bladder1 and likewise of the ,gout4 ,the ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder1 and the ,gout1 are judged to be the most greivous ,diseases1 and in very deed they are most grievous ,sicknesses1 but especially the ,gout1 which being various and manifold afflicts the ,body of ,man with most grievous ,pains4 ,now for the cure and removal of these ,diseases1 ,i will prescribe a certain and safe ,medicament1 easily preparable1 and of small charge4 ,take one or two pounds of white ,tartar1 and pour upon every pound beaten into ,powder about some eight or ten pound of common water1 which set over the ,coals in a well glazed earthen ,pot1 and boil it so long1 till all the ,tartar shall be dissolved by the water1 which you may try if done or no with a clean wooden ,spoon1 putting it to the bottom and seeing if there be any left undissolved4 ,in the boiling you must very diligently take off the ,scum with a wooden ,scummer1 that so there may remain no impurity4 ,after that all the ,tartar is dissolved and that there appears no more ,scum1 evaporate the water so long till a thin skin appears at the top4 ,then take off the ,pot from the ,coals1 and set it in some cold place1 and leave it there unstirred for a day1 and there will stick on to the sides of the ,pot1 delicate ,crystals like a ,dye1 having a ,cubical form ,paracelsus calls this mundified ,tartar ,ludus1 and that very properly1 and without doubt he did so1 because it gets 7after its purification the shape of the square ,dice4 ,out of this pure and ,cube-like ,tartar is prepared an universal ,medicine against all tartarous ,diseases1 as follows4 ,if you have one pound of this pure and ,cubical ,tartar1 reduce one pound of ,crude ,tartar into a white ,salt by ,calcination2 the which you are to dissolve with so much common water as is necessary to its dissolution2 filter the dissolved ,salt through ,cap-,paper1 that you may have your sharp ,lixivium freed of all its ,fces4 ,pour this ,lixivium into the glazed ,pot wherein your pound of the said purified ,tartar is1 and boil it accurately therewithall2 in which boiling the ,tartar will be easily dissolved by the ,lixivium1 and be turned with the same into a ruddish coloured juice2 though that your ,lixivium and ,tartar had each of them a white and clear colour4 ,the reason is this1 because the ,tartar is as yet defiled with many hidden and black ,fces1 and doth at length after its solution with the ,lixivium render them visible and manifest4 ,pass this muddish solution through a filter1 and it will be a yellow liquor1 and leave many ,fces in the ,philter1 good for nothing but to be thrown away1 for they are of no virtue more4 ,verily 'tis a thing worth the admiring1 that there should yet be so many ,fces left in so well purified a ,tartar4 ,this liquor being thus prepared is very profitable for the taking away and curing of all kinds of ,tartarous ,diseases1 by being daily used1 or however1 it doth at least strongly tame their violence1 but you must first purge the ,body by ,antimonial ,medicaments1 one of which we will presently shew you4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,medicament will be yet far more noble1 if all the humidity be vapoured away and the reddish ,salt that is left be dissolved in good spirit of ,wine and filtered1 and the said ,spirit of ,wine be again separated therefrom by a gentle ,distillation4 ,for so by this second solution1 there will be severed yet more ,fces and the ,salt it self will get a yet greater purity4 ,this ,salt may be safely used as a most precious ,treasure against all the abovesaid tartareous ,diseases2 ,for it expells ,urine1 and drives out all the impurities out of the ,reins and ,bladder1 and hinders the gathering together1 and generation of ,sand or ,stones in those ,members4 ,but if there be already ,stones generated1 and that they be not too hard1 it consumes them by little and little1 and carrys them off2 provided that ,antimonial purges be 7as we said but now7 afore used to purge the ,body with4 ,i have in these few words taught thee how the ,ludus1 that is1 the ,dye-like figured ,tartar is changed by its own proper liquor ,alkahest1 or its own ,alkalizate ,salt into a ,medicine resisting all ,tartareous ,diseases4 ,the ,dose thereof is a ,scruple in ,wine1 ,ale1 or other ,vehicles1 oftentimes every day1 or twice at the least1 viz4 ,morning and ,evening1 for such as are fifteen or twenty years old and upwards1 and they must fast after the taking of the medicament1 for some due time4 ,such as are younger1 from three1 four1 to ten1 or twelve may take at one time1 three1 four1 six1 eight1 or ten grains1 according as they are older or younger4 ,this so excellent a medicament have ,i described for the benefit of mankind1 nor is there as far as ,i know1 a better1 though it seems to arise of so vile a ,parentage1 and be so mean4 ,suffer not thy self to be affrighted by any one1 but use the same boldly1 whensoever necessity requires2 and firmly believe me that thou wilt not find a better1 ,i do not deceive thee2 and the truth hereof will be demonstrated by its use4 ,this is a quick and wonderfull purification of ,tartar1 and a changing it into a sweet ,salt1 which is neither sweet nor sour1 but a midling tast 'twixt both1 and it gets a middle nature1 from the ,acid and the ,alkalizate ,tartar4 ,now follows the ,antimonial ,purge4 ,c4 ,an universal ,antimonial ,purge to be used in all grievous ,diseases1 with1 a very happy success4 ,take of ,crude ,antimony1 ,tartar1 and ,niter1 of each alike1 ,powder them each apart1 commix the ,powders1 being mixt1 put them in a melting ,pot or ,crucible1 and kindle them with a live ,coal1 that by this kindling they may flame up1 and go into a ruddish kind of coloured mass4 ,your ,pot being yet hot set it into your ,wind ,furnace1 and melt it1 that all your matter may flow in the ,crucible like water1 then pour it out into your ,cone1 and being cold take it out1 and separate the ,regulus therefrom1 and lay it by for other uses1 because 'tis not serviceable for the operation here minded4 ,now out of one pound of ,antimony1 you'l have eight ,lots1 or four ounces of ,regulus1 so that of your one pound you will get a ,regulus of four ounces or the fourth part of the pound4 ,the ,scoria's which will be of a reddish colour and of a fiery tast upon the ,tongue must be again melted in the same ,pot they were melted in1 if it be whole1 or in some new ,pot1 and when they flow1 put a live ,coal into the ,pot4 ,the ,salt peter will seize upon the ,coal1 and being occupied about corroding the same1 will let fall the remainder of the ,regulus it as yet held up4 ,then the matters being poured out into your ,cone1 and cool1 strike off the ,regulus at the bottom with the stroke of an hammer1 and beat the ,scoria's which will be of a red colour and fiery tast1 into ,powder1 and being thus poudered let the ,salts be extracted or dissolved in the heat with common fair water2 the which holding in them the most pure ,sulphur of ,antimony do turn the water into a red ,lixivium1 in which is hidden the ,medicine that we seek after2 and is to be gotten thence by the following way4 ,for after that the ,sulphur is dissolved1 by dissolving all that will be separated by the ,salts or ,lye1 the ,reliques or ,remainder are good for nothing4 ,having so done1 dissolve white and purified ,tartar in fair water1 in some glazed ,pot1 and thou shalt have an acid ,solution2 being thus hot as it is 7for when 'tis cold the ,tartar will again shoot in it7 pour it by little and little into the ,antimonial ,lixivium1 and it will debilitate the same1 so that the ,sulphur of the ,antimony will fall down to the bottom in the form of a yellowish or reddish ,powder4 ,when all the ,sulphur is setled1 separate the clear ,water of the ,salt1 from the ,sulphur1 by canting it off2 then pour on some warm ,water and wash it so often till all the ,salt be gone off4 ,then philter it1 that all the ,water may be separated and the ,powder stay in the ,philter1 which you shall put upon new and dry ,cap-paper thereby to remove all the wateriness1 and then dry it in the heat of the ,sun4 ,this is that ,universal purging ,medicament which drives out all malignant humours by all the ,emunctories1 viz4 by ,vomit1 ,stool1 ,sweat1 ,urine1 and ,spittle1 out of the whole ,body2 and that very safely if warily administred1 and the ,dose thereof not too much encreased2 in which case even the ,galenical medicines themselves do hurt1 if their due ,dose be exceeded4 ,hereupon it is better that there be used at the beginning rather a lesser ,dose than too much1 that so no errour may be committed1 and a safe trial may be made1 how much the strength of the ,patient will bear or not bear4 ,and albeit that the ,dose of this medicament should be given in so small a ,quantity as not to work1 or have any visible ,operation at all1 yet nevertheless it well performs its ,office1 and drives out the ,distempers1 but yet more slowly than when 'tis administred in a due ,dose1 such as may give about one1 two1 or three ,stools4 ,and to such as are strong and youthfull ,persons1 the ,dose may be given in such a ,quantity as to cause ,vomit1 in such ,i say as can brook vomiting4 ,the usual ,dose for those that are above fifteen ,years of ,age is1 one1 two1 three1 four1 or five ,grains1 according as they are older or younger4 ,to ,infants and such as are a little elder an eighth part1 a quarter1 or half a ,grain even to an whole ,grain1 may be administred1 with regard had to the ,age and the ,disease4 ,this medicine is of good use in all kinds of ,diseases1 and in all kinds of ,men1 and ,women save onely ,women with ,child2 and to them you must administer either none at all1 or at least wise so little as to be sure it provokes not to any inclination of vomiting4 ,and the like is to be observed by such ,persons who are so weak1 as that they clearly want strength requisite for this ,operation of vomiting4 ,but yet it may be used even to new born ,infants1 viz4 for ,convulsion ,fits with which a great many of them are wont to be snatch'd away without any remedy4 ,the ,dose must not exceed the bigness of a ,rapeseed1 and it must be administred in the ,mothers milk4 ,but if the ,infants are grown already up to be somewhat stronger and are above half a ,year old1 the ,dose of the said medicament is to be a little encreased1 that it may operate visibly1 and so cast forth all the malignant humours out of their ,bodies2 and they themselves may not be afterwards afflicted with the ,small-pox1 and other such like ,diseases as ,infants are subject unto4 ,verily1 all the ,children whom ,i have given this medicine unto1 have not hitherto tasted of those ,diseases2 the which truth the ,parents of such ,infants and others can confirm by their ,testimonies4 ,but especially this medicament is a most present remedy against the ,epilepsie both in young and old1 and a most certain ,secret in the ,plague and all ,feavers2 and a most excellent purge in the ,gout1 ,leoprosie1 ,french-pox and other most grievous ,diseases2 and likewise in external new ,wounds1 in ,fistula's and old ,ulcers1 what ,name soever they are called by1 if it be but used inwardly to purge them4 ,briefly1 this medicament hath scarce its fellow1 so that we have no reason at all to regard such men as out of meer ignorance1 oppose and slander ,antimony in their learned bawlings1 and say that it is nothing else but ,poison1 and therefore no ways profitable4 ,but let no body believe their barking1 but first try the same1 and he will clearly find the contrary4 ,this indeed ,i readily confess that ,antimony is of no use in the body of man1 nor can it be1 afore it is prepared2 but after preparation ,i do boldly affirm it to be a most admirable medicine4 ,concerning which1 reade but the chiefest of the ,ancient ,philosophers1 especially ,basil ,valentine1 who in the honour of ,antimony wrote the ,triumphant ,chariot thereof4 ,do but see what ,paracelsus1 ,alexander ,suchten1 and several others have recorded in writing1 concerning the incomparable ,vertues and ,power of ,antimony2 by all whose ,writings is clearly evinced1 what things lie hidden in ,antimony1 ,i forbear to speak of other ,physicians as well modern as ancient4 ,for it possesseth the ,vertues and ,powers of all ,vertues and ,powers concentrated4 ,what need many words8 ,let it be brought but to the ,test1 and it will most apparantly testifie by its trial1 what ,treasures it carries in its bosom4 ,the things that ,i speak of here proceed out of meer pity and love to my ,neighbour1 that ,i might help his sickness and miseries4 ,a very small ,portion of the said medicament may be able not onely to preserve a whole ,family for a whole ,year free from all the ,diseases that might befall them1 but also to rid them of them4 ,so likewise it sends packing all the sicknesses of beasts by its effectual ,virtue4 ,i was willing from a faithfull and good mind to bestow this comfort and help upon mankind1 against all incident ,diseases1 whether external or internal2 ,in the third following ,century shall be described more very excellent medicines against all kinds of ,diseases1 which may be made use of by such as without cause are afraid of ,antimony4 ,and as touching that ,salt which is made by the mixtion of the acid ,water of the ,tartar1 and the ,lixivium made of the ,tartar calcined2 it is not inferiour as to its excellency and eminency to the but now spoken of ,sulphur of the ,antimony it self2 herein onely is the difference1 that there is to be administred a bigger ,dose thereof4 ,and therefore it must not be thrown away1 but after that the ,sulphur is separated1 the insipid ,water is to be evaporated1 and there will then remain a yellow ,salt behind1 which has even yet in it no small ,portion of the ,antimonial ,sulphur2 and therefore 'tis in a manner better than the ,sulphur it self1 because of its own peculiar ,nature1 which by the discharging its own office or proper work1 may be even per se reckoned up amongst those most excellent medicines which strongly resist all ,tartareous diseases4 ,for that reason therefore do ,i commend this ,salt most highly to all such as are burdened with grievous ,diseases4 ,the preparation thereof is altogether easie1 for it is not made of any chargeable matters1 but mean ones1 and therefore not without cause to be highly esteemed of4 ,the dose of this so excellent a ,salt is to be encreased or diminished according to the ,quality of the ,persons and the ,diseases4 ,to such as are of ripe ,age1 one ,scruple or somewhat more is sufficient4 ,to ,infants1 and to such as are a little older1 from one to twelve ,grains may be given1 regard being had to the difference of their ,years4 ,it gently purgeth the belly1 without any kind of ,danger1 it draws out all evil humours1 and especially it helps the gouty and stony ,persons with a most wisht for ,easement4 ,the weight of those two contrary ,salts1 viz4 of the fixt ,salt of ,tartar by which the ,sulphur is extracted out of the ,antimony1 and of the common and acid ,tartar dissolved in ,water1 and which precipitateth the ,sulphur of the ,antimony out of the ,lixivium1 cannot be certainly defined and limited4 ,for according to the greater or lesser ,quantity of the ,lixivium1 is required more or less of the ,tartar water to be poured upon the ,lixivium1 that so being mortified it may let go that ,sulphur of ,antimony it holds up in it self4 ,the ,lixivium it self will shew you if you have not poured on ,water enough of the ,tartar by its being not yet freed of all the ,sulphur1 and that there is more ,water of ,tartar required to allay all its ,acrimony that all the whole ,sulphur may be turned out4 ,a bigger ,quantity of the ,water of ,tartar poured on the ,lixivium than just enough doth not spoil it2 it takes in as much of the dissolved ,tartar as it can1 and what is overplus remains an acid ,tartar1 and is not changed in its ,nature4 ,but whatever of it is dissolved in the ,lixivium is no more ,tartar1 because it becomes a midling ,salt of the two1 neither acid nor sweet1 but partaking of both ,natures1 and dissolves in cold ,water1 which the acid ,tartar will not do4 ,this ,salt therefore is able to perform great matters in medicine1 and not onely in medicine but in ,alchimy too1 and in other ,arts can it exhibit abundance of riches2 concerning which thing1 more shall be spoken in another place4 ,thus finish ,i now this my second ,century1 wherein ,i have not onely abundantly supplied those things which by reason of the overmuch hast1 ,i could not insert in the ,appendix to the fifth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 but have withall laid open some part of the ,use of my ,sal ,mirabilis1 as much as the shortness of my time would give me leave to do4 ,if by the ,grace of ,god ,i have a yet longer ,life vouchsafed me1 ,i will about half a ,year hence1 bring so great a benefit not onely unto my own ,countrey1 but perhaps even to the whole ,christian ,world1 as ever they received from any man1 in so much that the ,world shall seem as if 'twere new1 and so for the present ,i rest and make an ,end4 ,the ,third ,century ,,of ,,glauber',s ,wealthy ,store-house of ,treasures4 ,wherein many ,profitable ,chymical ,secrets are discovered4 ,faithfully translated out of the ,high-,dutch of the ,authour4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,having some ,years since begun to communicate to the ,world my manifold profitable ,inventions in ,centuries1 but of late been hindred by sickness and other impediments from continuing the same3 yet now being sollicited thereto by many ,lovers of ,art1 ,i could do no less than to endeavour to give them some satisfaction by the publishing of these2 and withall assuring them1 that1 in case ,god be pleased to continue my ,life 7notwithstanding that because of great ,age and ,sickness ,i am fain to keep my bed7 ,i intend to compleat the rest of my promised ,centuries1 desiring the kind ,reader in the mean time to accept of these three1 and to pardon the confused manner of writing them1 having for want of leisure1 set them down as ,i found them in my ,notes1 being chiefly the occasional discoveries and inventions during my ,chymical ,labours4 ,neither would ,i have the ,reader offended that in some places ,i break off so abruptly1 especially where ,i am speaking of the matter which ,adam brought with him out of ,paradise1 for whatever may be wanting in this fifth ,century shall ,god willing be supplied in the sixth3 ,i also desire the ,reader not to be moved by the ,calumnies of any ,envious ignorant ,persons1 to think that the things here set down 7being most of them new and unheard of inventions7 are mere ,fables and invented matters1 and no real experimented ,truths1 but rather remit the verification of them to time and his own ,experience1 which will not fail to satisfie him of the ,truth of the ,particulars herein contained4 ,farewel4 ,,the ,,third ,,century4 #a4 ,to wash common ,tartar ,snow white in a few hours time1 and reduce it to a pleasant ,salt which dissolves in cold ,water1 and wherewith of ,sugar1 ,honey1 or any sweet ,fruits at all times1 yea all hours of the day1 and in all places ,liquors may be prepared like to ,wine in ,tast1 smell1 colour1 strength and virtue1 and of which afterwards good ,brandy and ,vinegar may be made with great profit4 #b4 ,to purifie common ,salt in great quantity1 in one days time1 so as to become very white1 pure and transparent and of a pleasant ,tast1 shooting into cubical ,crystals fit for the ,tables of great ,persons1 its tast being very agreeable1 and the meat season'd with it much more wholsome than that which is drest with the common ,salt4 ,see the ,treatise of the nature of ,salts4 #c4 ,a secret to preserve all sorts of ,wine1 and make them durable1 whether of ,grapes1 ,sugar1 ,honey1 ,apples1 ,pears1 ,quinces1 ,figs1 ,plums1 ,cheries1 ,malt1 ,wheat1 c4 and is of great use to a ,house-keeper4 #d4 ,any of the forementioned ,wines may with ease be turned into very good ,vinegar1 not inferiour to that which is made of ,french or ,rhenish ,wine4 ,see my ,vegetable ,work4 #e4 ,to make good ,sal ,armoniack of several contemptible matters which are trod under foot and cast out on the ,dunghill very easily and in great quantities1 so as one ,man every day may prepare one hundred pound weight of it with ten shillings charges4 ,see my ,treatise of the ,mineral ,squill in order to long life4 #f4 ,a secret water wherewith in an hours time the yellow colour in ,diamonds may be drawn from them1 which makes them ten times more worth than they were before4 ,see my ,treatise of the ,divine ,character4 #g4 ,in like manner may the dark red colour of ,granates be extracted1 leaving them onely so much colour as makes them like ,rubies4 ,for ,granates and ,rubies resemble each other in their bodies and colour1 the onely difference between them being1 that the ,granates abound with too much colour1 which makes them less valued1 when therefore some part of their colour is extracted from them1 they do in virtue1 hardness and beauty1 equal ,rubies1 one ,karat of which is more worth than ten pound of ,granates1 so as this extraction must be very gainfull to him that is ,master of it4 ,see my third ,appendix to the seventh part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 #h4 ,in like manner also may be extracted the colours of blue ,saphyrs1 yellow ,jacinths1 ,topaces1 and ,purple ,amethysts1 by which means they become white as ,diamonds1 and when brought to the same degree of hardness are every whit as valuable as they4 ,see my third ,appendix as before4 #i4 ,in a moments time to rob ,sol of its colour and make it white as ,silver4 ,see my ,treatise of the ,seal of ,god4 #aj4 ,to separate from ,mars and ,venus when dissolved in ,water as well as from any other ,vitriol1 by means of an artificial ,precipitation1 their hidden spiritual ,sol or ,tincture1 and that in a moment2 a thing of great use in ,physick1 as well as in the transmutation of ,metals4 ,see the second ,appendix4 #aa4 ,to extract ,sol out of ,sand and ,stones with great ease and little charges1 which by precipitation is afterwards separated from the dissolvent1 retaining its former strength1 and may be made use of again for the like extraction4 ,see the prosperity of ,germany the seventh part1 or ,novum ,lumen ,chymicum4 #ab4 ,to extract ,sol from ,luna with a small quantity of dissolvent1 which1 after precipitation of the ,sol1 remains in its full strength1 and may be used as before to the great gain of the ,artist4 ,see ,glauber's ,laboratory1 and prosperity of ,germany1 #gth4 part4 #ac4 ,in one days time to prepare a particular1 whereof one part will tinge three parts of ,venus into ,lune4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,tincture is a white ,stone which being placed in a fit ,furnace1 and a due fire administred1 within few days the whiteness will be changed to a yellow colour1 and that into a fix'd red1 whereof one part being cast upon four parts of ,lune in ,flux1 exalts it so far that in the separation it gives a fourth part of ,sol4 ,which sudden fixation is performed by the proper ,agent of the matter which is white of it self1 and yet affords a red ,tincture1 when handled1 as is here set down4 ,see my ,treatise of the secret fire of ,artephius4 #ad4 ,in a short time to prepare a particular ,tincture of a red subject1 which exalts ,silver to that degree1 as to yield much ,sol in the separation4 ,see my explication upon ,pontanus his ,letter4 #ae4 ,a good graduating water which being digested with ,lune1 makes it yield much ,sol in separation4 ,see the ,treatise concerning the most secret natural ,sal ,armoniack every where to be found4 #af4 ,another graduating water in which ,mercury being digested1 becomes coagulated into ,sol and ,luna4 ,see the fiery ,alkahest4 #ag4 ,another fixing water1 which being once or twice abstracted from ,mercury makes it lose its property of making ,sol and ,venus white1 and on the contrary gilds ,luna when rub'd upon it4 ,i have as yet carried this experiment no further1 but am of opinion that if ,mercury were long enough digested in the same1 it would turn the ,mercury into ,tincture1 coagulating and fixing each common ,mercury into ,sol4 ,see ,hastecal4 #ah4 ,a volatilizing ,water which being abstracted from ,sol highly exalts its natural colour1 and carries it over the ,helm1 which done it is no more common ,sol1 but may in a short time be fixed into a transparent red ,carbuncle4 ,see my third ,appendix1 c4 concerning the ,griffins ,claws1 and ,eagles ,wings4 #ai4 ,a water of like nature that volatilizeth all fixt matters1 wherewith in one single ,distillation1 the ,tincture or ,soul may be extracted from ,mars1 ,venus1 and all coloured ,stones1 and carried over the ,helm2 which ,tinctures afterwards with one rectification are highly purified1 and have their ,medicinal and tinging virtue doubled1 which exalted and multiplied ,tinctures1 notwithstanding their great volatility may within twenty four hours time be concentrated1 by means of a secret ,magnet1 and fixed into a ,stone1 penetrating all compact ,bodies1 with which incredible things may be done in ,alchymy and ,physick4 ,see my third ,appendix1 c4 #bj4 ,to prepare a ,salt in an hours time1 and without extraordinary charges1 which makes all fixt matters volatile1 and is of such virtue that when a little of it is joyned with ,spirit of ,wine it makes it so strong and fiery1 that it dissolves all ,metals1 ,minerals1 ,animals and ,vegetables1 carrying their ,q4 ,essence over the ,helm1 and is the effecter of wonders in ,physick and ,alchymy3 so that he who knows how to prepare and make use of this wonderfull ,salt1 needs never want either bodily health1 or a competent supply of maintenance4 ,see my ,treatise of ,elias ,artista in ,quarto4 #ba4 ,a wonderfull1 to all ,men known1 but withall contemptible matter1 which every where may be had for nothing1 which whosoever knows1 together with the use of it1 needs never want1 because thereby he may effect whatsoever is necessary for ,soul or ,body4 ,see my first1 second and third ,appendix of ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 #bb4 ,the manner of preparing a running ,mercury out of all ,minerals and ,metals1 and that in one days time1 which joyn'd with ,sol becomes fixed into ,sol4 ,see my third ,appendix4 #bc4 ,how such a ,mercury may be prepared in an hours time of the martial ,regulus of ,antimony1 without any charges to speak of1 which is a true ,tincture1 fixing the imperfect ,metals into ,sol4 ,see my ,treatise concerning the secret ,fire of the ,magi4 #bd4 ,a water made of a particular sort of ,chalk which changeth a yellow or brown skin into white1 and which cannot be wash'd off with water1 of valuable use for ,ladies and ,gentlewomen4 ,see my #dth ,century in ,folio4 #be4 ,a water prepar'd of ,sol1 which turns white hairs into a yellow gold colour4 ,see my ,laboratory4 #bf4 ,another water made of ,silver1 which tinges hair cole-black1 good for such as are gray hair'd1 and endeavour to conceal their ,age4 ,see ,glaub4 ,concentrate4 #bg4 ,a water made of ,sol1 which colours the hair and skin of ,man1 as also the bones and horns of ,beast1 and feathers of ,birds1 of a fair lasting ,purple4 ,see ,glauber's ,laboratory in ,quarto4 #bh4 ,a water into which when any ,metal is put1 it begins to grow within twenty four hours time in the form of ,plants and ,trees1 each ,metal according to its inmost colour and property1 which ,metalline ,vegetations are called ,philosophical ,trees1 both pleasant to the ,eye and of good use4 ,vide my fourth ,century4 #bi4 ,a water made of ,sand and ,flints1 having the property of changing ,wood that is laid in it1 in a short time into hard ,stone of several colours according to the pleasure of the ,artist4 #cj4 ,a dry water1 or rather ,stone1 upon which if any volatile saline ,spirit be poured and set in the ,sun1 it presently sucks in the volatile mineral ,spirit and in one days time makes it so fixt that it may be made red hot in the ,fire1 without any evaporation4 ,see my universal ,coagulator4 #ca4 ,by this means also may the combustible stinking ,sulphur1 the greatest enemy of ,metals be fixed1 which afterwards being cast upon the imperfect ,metals in ,flux1 doth meliorate them1 and make them afford ,sol and ,luna on the ,cupel with profit4 ,see my second ,appendix4 #cb4 ,in like manner may ,antimony without any loss of weight be fixed1 so as no more to cause vomiting1 but casts all evil out of the ,body insensibly by sweat1 restoring health1 and renewing youth4 ,see my proper ,agent4 #cc4 ,in the same manner may ,orpiment be fixed1 so as no longer to be a ,poison1 but a ,meliorator of imperfect ,metals4 #cd4 ,likewise also may ,arsenick be fixed within two or three days time1 so as it may safely be taken inwardly1 being an excellent ,diaphoretick for the cure of ,diseases1 and good to exalt ,metals1 so that in separation they afford ,gold and ,lune4 ,see my proper ,agent4 #ce4 ,much after the same manner may ,mercury1 without any considerable loss of weight 7though with longer time and more patience7 be fixed1 so as to suffer himself to be melted and hammer'd like any other ,metal1 and on the ,cupel leaves ,sol and ,luna4 ,see my ,treatise of the universal ,coagulator4 #cf4 ,in like manner may the martial ,regulus of ,antimony be fixed into a tinging ,stone1 that meliorates all imperfect metals4 #cg4 ,a wonderfull ,magnet which being put into any watry ,liquors or ,oils1 draws the water to it self leaving the ,oils more pure1 subtile and penetrating4 ,see ,elias ,artista4 #ch4 ,by means of this ,magnet1 we can separate from the highest rectified ,spirit of ,wine1 one half of insipid water1 which ,spirit of ,wine after this separation is an effecter of wonders4 #ci4 ,this ,spirit of ,wine when poured on pulverised ,coral and thence abstracted1 brings their red ,tincture over the ,helm1 being a wonderfull ,cordial and purifier of the ,blood4 #dj4 ,by means of this ,spirit of ,wine1 may the ,cordial ,virtue of ,pearls be brought over the ,helm1 being of great efficacy for the recovery of sick and weak ,persons4 #da4 ,this ,q4 ,essence of ,wine being poured upon clean washed ,egg-shells1 dissolves them1 and distilled from them1 brings over with it their ,stone-breaking and dissolving virtue1 and is a singular remedy in the ,gout1 and the ,stone of ,kidney or ,bladder4 #db4 ,the same also dissolves the ,lapis ,lyncis and ,judaicus1 as also ,crabs ,eyes so called1 and other ,stones found in ,fishes1 carrying their virtues with it over the ,helm4 ,see my fifth ,century4 #dc4 ,the same ,spirit of ,wine dissolves1 extracts and brings over the ,helm1 the inmost virtues of all ,animals and ,vegetables carrying them over the ,helm1 whence incomparable medicaments may be prepared4 #dd4 ,black ,snails such as are found in ,may on the ,grass dissolved in the same1 and brought over the ,helm1 and duely exhibited to those that have the ,gout or ,stone1 carries off all tartareous slimy matter from the ,kidneys1 ,bladder1 and other parts of the ,body by ,seige and ,urine4 #de4 ,aloes1 ,saffron and ,myrrh dissolved in the same1 and their ,tinctures carried over the ,helm1 affords an excellent ,elixir ,proprietatis1 very conducive to long ,life4 ,see ,paracelsus concerning ,elixirs4 #df4 ,cantharides dissolved therewith1 and brought over1 are a powerfull ,diaphoretick1 above all others1 cleansing the ,kidneys and ,bladder1 but ought to be heedfully used1 because it is a vehement ,medicine1 which being overdos'd will hurt the ,kidneys1 ,bladder and ,ureters4 #dg4 ,the ,leaves of ,helleboraster1 extracted and brought over with the same1 affords an ,excellent ,aqua ,vit1 conducing to long ,life4 ,see ,paracelsus4 #dh4 ,sea ,squills being dissolved in this ,spirit of ,wine1 and spiritualized by being brought over the helm1 is of great use for removing of ,diseases1 and maintaining of health4 #di4 ,nux ,vomica1 being first grated and then dissolved therein1 and their restorating ,vertue being brought over the ,helm1 doth wonders in restoring the decayed strength and health of man1 but must be used with understanding4 #ej4 ,common ,mercury dissolved and brought over with the same1 is the highest ,medicine against the ,french ,pox and all venereal ,diseases4 #ea4 ,mercury of ,antimony prepared after the same manner1 affords a ,medicine against all ,diseases of mankind4 #eb4 ,fixed ,antimony thus extracted and brought over is a ,diaphoretick curing all ,diseases1 and restoring the highest degree of health4 #ec4 ,in like manner may many excellent ,remedies be prepared1 out of all ,vegetables and ,minerals1 for restoring and preserving of health4 #ed4 ,a further use of our ,water attracting ,magnet is this4 ,abstract the ,oil of ,tartar1 ,hartshorn1 ,amber1 ,soot1 or that which is distill'd from ,smiths ,coals1 and the ,magnet will attract all the ,water and bad ,smell to it self1 which remains with the ,magnet1 and the pure clear and subtil ,oil1 onely comes over1 which ,magnet being made red hot1 loseth its water and stink and may be made use of as before4 #ee4 ,in like manner may the ,oil of ,wax and ,bricks1 commonly called the ,oil of ,philosophers1 be deprived of their bad ,scents1 and made exceeding penetrative and pleasant4 #ef4 ,so also may all ,vegetable and ,animal ,oils distill'd by retort1 be purified and made pleasant4 #eg4 ,likewise all the ,oils of ,herbs1 ,seeds1 ,woods and ,spices1 which with the addition of ,water are distill'd by a common ,still1 may by distilling them from our ,magnet be made much more subtil1 and their sweet ,smells much more strong and piercing2 so that a little of these ,oils set in an open ,vessel1 perfumes not onely the ,room in which it is but also the whole house1 they being so volatile that without any ,fire they vanish in the ,air4 #eh4 ,and as by means of this volatalizing fiery ,spirit1 the pleasant and well scented ,oils of ,spices may be greatly meliorated and exalted2 so likewise may all stinking and poisonous ,vegetables1 ,animals or ,minerals1 thereby be made much more stinking and venemous1 so as their ,smell alone will be sufficient to kill men1 doing it with far greater expedition than any ,corporal poisons whatsoever4 ,see ,elias ,artista4 #ei4 ,all well scented ,oils1 may by means of our volatile saline ,spirit1 be purified to the highest ,degree1 and afterwards be reduced to a hard ,body3 which ,body then is no common gross ,body 7as being a coagulated ,spirit7 but a clear1 transparent spiritual pure ,body4 #fj4 ,this ,labour may with profit be practis'd on ,amber1 whose ,oil being by rectification made clear and transparent1 and then digested with our fiery salt ,spirit1 becomes hard again as it was before distillation2 by which means we may make pieces of ,amber as big as we please1 and may mix with it some small ,threds of ,sol1 and so shall have the old highly esteemed ,stone called ,chrysophoros2 or else we may put into it1 whilst yet it is soft1 little ,worms1 ,flies1 ,spiders1 ,pismires1 or whatever else we please1 which is a notable ,curiosity and shews as if they were grown there1 to those that are ignorant of this ,art4 #fa4 ,in the same manner may the ,oil of ,turpentine be reduced to a hard ,gum1 to very good use and purpose4 #fb4 ,all distilled ,oils of ,seeds1 ,woods and ,spices1 when by long standing1 they turn yellow1 red or thick1 may by means of this fiery salt ,spirit be again made clear1 thin and transparent1 when some of the said ,spirit is poured on the said ,oils and so distilled1 some part of the ,oil comes over clear and transparent1 the other part remaining in the ,glass1 in the form of an hard ,gum1 in which small ,insects may be inclosed as before said of the ,amber4 #fc4 ,amongst all ,oils these following are apt to grow thick and ropy1 viz4 the ,oils of ,lignum ,rhodii1 ,oranges1 ,limmons1 ,juniper-berries2 those of ,cloves and ,cinamon are apt to grow red4 ,the ,oils of ,fennel-seed1 ,anniss1 ,coriander1 ,caroway and ,cumin-seed1 and all other ,oils distill'd from ,herbs and ,seeds1 that have hollow ,stalks1 and are umbelliferous1 forasmuch as they abound with much volatile ,salt1 are apt to turn thick3 ,if any of these be rectified with an acid saline ,spirit1 it immediately destroys the volatile ,salt1 and the ,oil becomes clear and transparent1 and the remaining part of the ,oil becomes hard as a ,gum1 and is a special inward and outward ,medicine4 #fd4 ,and forasmuch as a fiery saline ,spirit can make old and red ,oils clear1 thin and transparent1 we may conclude1 that such a ,spirit is able also to volatilize and bring over by distillation those ,oils which by length of time are become hard and dry in ,seeds1 ,herbs and ,woods1 and cannot by maceration in water be brought over1 but must by this more powerfull means be made thin and volatile1 that they may afford their ,oils as easily in distillation1 as green ,seeds and ,woods are used to do4 #fe4 ,now as thick and ropy distill'd ,oils may be made thin1 by means of saline ,spirits2 so there are some salt ,spirits wherewith we can coagulate all thin and subtil ,oils1 in the form of a volatile pleasant strong scented ,salt1 of great use in ,physick4 #ff4 ,in this manner1 viz4 by pouring a strong saline ,spirit upon them1 we can distill subtil and powerfull ,oils from all rosins1 gums and thick juices1 and afterwards reduce them again to the hardness of ,amber4 ,thus ,mastick1 ,frankincense1 ,benzoin1 ,storax1 ,camphir1 c4 afford very pure clear and transparent ,oils1 which when hardned to the consistence of ,amber1 draw straws and other light matters to them like it4 #fg4 ,in like manner also can all sulphureous ,minerals be purified to the highest degree1 when distill'd with such a ,spirit1 and then may be reduced again to hard transparent clarified ,bodies3 and amongst the rest ,antimony and ,orpiment do afford in this way most powerfull and superlatively penetrating medicinal ,stones4 #fh4 ,and as these fiery saline ,spirits do bring over by distillation all unfixt sulphureous ,subjects1 and purifie them2 so they do the same in fixt ,sulphureous ,metals1 e4g4 ,mars and ,venus1 which ,metals being thus purified may be fixed into tinging medicinal ,stones4 #fi4 ,they who know the art of the metallick purification and fixation1 are possessours of an incomparable ,treasure1 forasmuch as by this means in three days time with the charge of one ,crown1 a true universal ,medicine may be prepared1 for the ,bodies of men and metals1 not in great quantity indeed but sufficient to assure the ,possibility of it1 and may afterwards be tryed in greater quantity4 #gj4 ,by means of such a fiery salt ,spirit fixt ,chrystals1 ,flints1 and other hard ,stones may be made volatile and spiritual1 and then may tinge them with what colours we please1 and coagulate them again into hard transparent colour'd ,stones1 and that of what form and fashion we please4 ,this is a very gainfull ,art1 because fair transparent colour'd ,stones are always preferrable to ,sol4 #ga4 ,and as we have understood that by means of volatilizing waters1 nor onely ,vegetables and ,animals1 but also minerals and fixt metals may be made volatile1 and their purest parts brought over the ,helm1 and by this means do wonders as well in ,physick as ,alchymy4 ,now though this separation of the pure part from the impure1 by means of ,distillation be high'y to be valued1 yet there is a better1 easier and less chargeable way to separate the purer parts from all ,metals1 ,minerals1 ,stones1 ,sand1 and coloured ,earths containing ,sol and ,tincture1 by means of a ,magnet1 which being laid in the ,solutions of ,metals1 and extractions of ,stones1 within a few hours time draws to it all the spiritual as well as fixt ,sol and ,tincture contain'd in the said ,solutions2 so that after abstraction of the dissolvent by ,distillation1 we find the dis-animated dead ,body1 which being put aside1 we separate the attracted ,sol or ,tincture from the ,magnet1 and thus obtain whatsoever good was hid in the foresaid gross ,bodies4 ,n4 ,b4 ,though indeed this extraction of ,sol and ,tinctures be very easie1 as hath been said1 yet ,i shall here1 for further information of the ,reader1 set down what ought to be observed in the extracting of ,sol from each ,metal1 ,mineral1 ,stone1 or ,earth4 ,and first of fixt ,sol4 #gb4 ,when there is fixt ,sol in ,sand or ,stones1 we need onely to pulverize them1 and pour upon them ,aq4 ,regis wherein common ,salt hath been dissolved1 and let them boil together a quarter of an hour1 by which means the ,aq4 ,regis draws the ,sol out of the ,sand and ,stones1 in which extraction if we then put the ,sol attracting ,magnet1 it will draw the ,sol to it self1 which being separated from the ,magnet1 is melted down with fluxing ,powder1 the ,aq4 ,regis continuing good to be employed on the like occasion4 #gc4 ,but when in the ,sand or ,stones there is no fixt but onely a volatile unripe ,sol1 then we must put the ,sand or pulverized ,stones into a ,glass ,retort1 and pour upon them of our volatilizing fiery ,alkaliest1 and abstract the same from the ,sand or ,stone1 by which means it carries the ,sol over with it1 which hath been attracted by the golden ,magnet1 which being reduced will be found good and fix'd ,sol4 ,the dissolvent may again be used to the same purpose4 #gd4 ,but if the ,stones besides the ,sol1 do also contain ,lune1 then an ,aq4 ,fortis must first be poured upon them to extract the ,lune1 and afterwards precipitate it by casting some common ,salt into the ,solution1 by which addition of ,salt the ,aq4 ,fortis is turned into an ,aq4 ,regis1 and being poured upon the ,stones1 it extracts the ,sol also4 #ge4 ,for if at first we should pour an ,aq4 ,regis upon these ,stones1 it would indeed extract the ,sol1 but withall so alter the ,lune1 that it would be impossible afterwards to extract it with ,aq4 ,fortis1 and therefore we are to proceed in the manner abovesaid4 #gf4 ,in like manner also we are to proceed with white1 yellow and red ,earths1 for to extract the ,lune and ,sol that is in them4 ,and if it be a fat ,earth and contains fix'd ,sol1 it must first be made red hot to rob it of its fatness1 because else it would devour too much ,aq4 ,fortis4 #gg4 ,but when the ,earth contains onely volatile ,sol1 as the yellow ,earth of ,silesia and the red ,terra ,lemnia ,sigillata1 it must not be made red hot1 but pour some ,alkahest upon it1 and so bring the ,sol over the ,helm4 #gh4 ,yellow and red ,earths do commonly contain ,sol or ,lune or both1 and therefore we may boldly make trial of them2 for oftentimes a great treasure is shut up in very contemptible ,earth1 such as might serve to maintain many thousands4 #gi4 ,in the same manner we may extract the fixt as well as immature ,sol out of ,ruddie1 red ,jasper1 and red ,blood-stones1 which in some parts are found in great quantities4 #hj4 ,with our ,sol attracting ,magnet1 we can extract much ,sol out of any common ,vitriol1 and after the ,sol is extracted1 reduce the ,solution to ,vitriol again1 which is as good for the ,dyers use as it was before4 #ha4 ,with the same ,magnet1 good ,sol may be extracted out of those yellowish1 reddish1 and greenish waters which flow from some ,mountains1 which waters being to be had for nothing1 must make this work very gainfull4 #hb4 ,and in case we should not be able to meet with this sort of running waters1 then we may take the ,copperas ,stones which are often found in ,sand1 but for the most part grow in fat ,earth1 which when they are expos'd to the ,air1 fall in pieces1 and having water poured upon them afford a good ,vitriol1 which easily yields the spiritual ,sol it contains to our ,magnet4 ,so that an ,artist can scarcely be to seek for subjects1 from whence unripe volatile or fixt ,sol may be had with profit4 #hc4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but when we have a mind to bring the volatile ,sol which is in red ,sand1 ,stones and ,clay1 with volatilizing waters by ,distillation over the ,helm1 it is good to add to our ,eagles ,wings1 or volatilizing water1 some of our most secret ,sal ,armoniack1 by which the same is extreamly strengthned and animated1 so that like a ,griffin for strength1 it carries the ,man on ,horseback away in the ,air to his ,nest4 #hd4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,griffin is the ,artist1 that prepares this fiery water1 wherewith he seizeth as with his ,talons the ,man armed ,cap a ,pe2 that is1 red ,stones1 ,sand and ,earth1 abounding with a martial ,tincture1 extracts and carries them to the young ones in his ,nest1 that is1 provides a good maintenance for his ,family thereby4 #he4 ,but because to these operations of extracting ,sol volatile and fixt1 and ,tinctures from the subjects just now mentioned1 when we work them in quantities1 much ,aq4 ,regis1 or other like waters are required1 which every one hath not an oportunity to prepare for himself1 and therefore must buy them1 which encreaseth the charges of the operation2 wherefore ,i am willing to teach a near way to prepare these corrosive waters4 #hf4 ,forasmuch then as we know that ,vitriol is an universal acid1 and the chief of all ,salts1 and the ,spirit it yields by ,distillation1 much more fiery than that which is forc'd from other ,salts1 therefore we may make use of the ,oil of ,vitriol1 for a ,basis with the help of others ,salts1 to prepare several sorts of saline ,spirits1 with small labour and charges1 in manner as follows4 #hg4 ,recipe two parts of ,niter dissolved in water and one part of ,oil of ,vitriol1 distill them in an ,allembick1 and you will obtain a good ,aq4 ,fortis to dissolve ,lune1 ,saturn1 and ,mercury4 ,this operation spends little ,fire and comes over easily4 #hh4 ,and if we dissolve one pound of ,salt1 and as much ,niter in three pound of ,water1 adding thereto one pound of ,oil of ,vitriol1 and distill it in ,sand1 by ,alembick or ,retort we shall get six pound of good and strong ,aq4 ,regis to dissolve ,sol1 ,venus1 ,mars and ,jupiter4 #hi4 ,but when we take two pound of ,salt1 and dissolve it in three pound of ,water adding one pound of ,oil of ,vitriol1 we get five pound of good ,spirit of ,salt4 ,the ,salt that stays behind is called ,sal ,mirabilis or wonderfull ,salt1 because wonders may be done with it1 as appears from several parts of my ,writings1 these ,salts being of divers vertues according to the nature of those ,salts that are added to the ,oil of ,vitriol in ,distillation4 #ij4 ,these ,salts are commonly added to metals1 and melted down with them in ,crucibles1 by which means they become dissolved in the dry way1 which is much easier and readier than the wet way of dissolving4 #ia4 ,in particular by this way we can dissolve ,sulphur1 which resists all corrosive saline ,spirits1 and remains undissolved by them4 #ib4 ,now to obtain ,oil of ,vitriol with ease and in great quantity1 we may proceed several ways1 and especially thus1 by dissolving ,vitriol in water1 adding a contrary to it1 which separates all its impurities1 by which means the purified ,vitriol may with a small ,fire be reduced to ,oil1 so as one pound of ,oil of ,vitriol will not require above ten pound of ,coals4 #ic4 ,and because ,oil of ,sulphur is of the same nature with ,oil of ,vitriol1 yea is more proper for some operations than it1 therefore we may make use of the same ,oil of ,sulphur1 to prepare strong saline ,spirits1 especially because the same may be prepared in quantity and very compendiously1 according to a particular way described by the ,ancient ,philosophers4 #id4 ,they have taught us the preparation of ,oil of ,sulphur in their wittily devised ,fables1 giving to this ,oil the name of ,venus1 whom ,vulcan when come to ,man's estate took to ,wife3 by the word ,vulcan1 we are to understand every combustible ,sulphur1 and by the word ,venus1 its incombustible corrosive ,oil1 which for this reason probably they called ,venus1 because when a drop of it falls on burning ,coals1 it gives forth a red smoak like to ,venus1 or because this acid ,oil like a wicked ,woman1 has sharp ,teeth1 and a keen deceitfull ,tongue1 wherewith they lay hold of ,men1 and lead them astray in the same manner as this ,oil cleaves to1 and enters a ,league with every metal to which it is joyned1 forasmuch as all metals proceed from ,sulphur1 and have great affinity with it1 as the ,woman hath with ,man4 ,here follows an ,explication of the ,poetical ,table1 teaching us to make the ,oil of ,sulphur in quantity4 #ie4 ,we reade that ,vulcan1 that is1 a combustible ,sulphur1 took ,venus to ,wife1 by which is meant the incombustible ,oil of ,sulphur2 now whilst ,vulcan was busie at his work in the ,caves of the ,earth1 for he was a ,miner and a ,black-smith1 ,venus betakes her self to ,mars1 who lies with her2 now when ,vulcan found his ,wife in the embraces of another ,man1 he calls all the ,gods to his help1 who appearing1 cast an ,iron ,net over ,mars and ,venus that they might not escape1 but with great shame be exposed to the derision of the ,gods4 #if4 ,when ,vulcan is kindled in a ,furnace made for that purpose1 that is1 labours in metals1 the flame carries ,venus1 i4 e4 the ,oil of ,sulphur into ,mars his lodging1 that is1 into the ,recipient1 which must be fill'd with ,steel ,wire1 where she commits ,adultery with ,mars1 that is1 begins to dissolve the same1 and produceth a ,vitriol1 which when exposed to the moist ,air1 becomes resolved into a clear sweet water1 which from the ,steel ,wire runs into the ,vessel appointed to recieve it1 which sweet water is nothing else but ,arostrus the ,son of ,mars and ,venus1 or the martial ,oil of ,sulphur1 or to speak more plainly1 the ,vitriol of ,mars4 #ig4 ,this ,vitriol of ,mars is called by the ,philosophers the juice or water of the ,birch ,tree1 and of which they say the ,philosophers ,stone may be prepared1 for many of them have writ concerning it1 and pointed to this sweet ,iron ,juice1 which they have termed ,birch ,tree ,waters1 because of the likeness it has therewith1 for when in the ,spring-time we make a hole with a ,piercer1 reaching to the ,pith of the ,tree1 and thrust into it a ,quill or ,faucet1 much sweet water proceeds from it1 which some make use of to brew ,beer1 because the same is accounted very good against the ,stone in the ,kidneys and ,bladder4 #ih4 ,this ,vitriol also is ,virgil's ,arbor ,opaca1 or dark ,tree1 whose ,branches he declares to be easily flexible2 now what is more flexible than ,iron1 or ,copper ,wire1 which are therefore compared to the ,birch1 which is a very juicy ,tree1 and hath very flexible branches4 #ii4 ,that this shady ,tree is the fittest1 according to ,virgil's ,doctrine1 to break off one golden ,twig after another is also certain1 for ,i have tried it divers ways and found it to be true1 that it affords its golden ,twigs very freely to him that knows how to handle ,proserpina4 #ajj4 ,but if the ,artist be acquainted with the use of our ,sol attracting ,magnet1 he may then with ease and more profit1 without ,distillation or ,fire1 break off the said ,twigs1 than he could do with the help of ,proserpina4 ,and thus ,i conclude this third ,century1 the fourth and fifth follows1 which will be found of better use than this4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,century4 ,to extract the ,sol that is in ,granates4 #a4 ,if ,granates be melted with ,glass1 that contains ,lune1 the ,lune containing ,glass will unite it self with the ,sol that is in the ,granates1 which with an ,aq4 ,regia may be afterwards separated4 ,to make a good ,mercury of ,wine4 #b4 ,recipe ,crude ,tartar and pour upon it a ,lye of ,salt of ,tartar1 distill in an ,alembick1 and you'll have a strong ,mercury of ,wine1 which is a much stronger and more fiery ,spirit1 than ,spirit of ,urine1 especially if some ,sal ,armoniack be added to it4 ,to make a ,mercury of ,metals4 #c4 ,and if before we dissolve a ,metal or ,mineral in the foresaid lye of ,salt of ,tartar1 or in the ,crude ,tartar1 before that both these contraries be put together1 then the volatile ,spirit of ,tartar will bring over the ,tincture or ,mercury of the said metal or mineral in the form of a subtile ,spirit4 ,in this manner we may drive the ,mercury of all minerals and metals over the ,helm4 ,what the ,soul of the greater and lesser ,world is4 #d4 ,plato call'd common ,salt the ,soul of the great ,world1 and if so1 then ,salt of ,tartar may very well be accounted the ,soul of the lesser ,world3 for whatsoever is in the ,macrocosm1 the same is also in the ,microcosm4 ,all superfluities of ,nature afford a volatile ,salt4 #e4 ,for the ,salt of ,hartshorn of ,hair1 ,soot1 ,blood1 and of the ,seeds of ,mustard1 ,cresses and ,scurvygrass1 c4 are much of the same ,nature as ,salt of ,tartar4 ,a ,good ,bath4 #f4 ,common water sprinkled upon red hot ,flints or ,pebbles that are found in running ,streams1 affords an hot ,vapour1 which by reason of the subtil ,sulphur of the ,stones it carries up with it1 is very penetrating1 so that in this manner without any other ,fire we may prepare an hot dry ,bath1 very available to cure many ,diseases by sweating1 the great vertue of it chiefly proceeding from the sulphureous ,spirit of the ,stones4 ,to separate ,sol from ,luna by fluxing in a ,crucible4 #g4 ,when we have a mind to separate ,sol from ,luna by means of ,sulphur we need not make use of granulated or filed ,saturn for precipitation1 but instead thereof we may make use of ,antimony1 because the granulated or filed ,saturn is made hard and influxible by the ,sulphur3 neither shall we make use of common ,venus for precipitation1 as ,erker teaches1 but such a ,venus as hath been made friable with ,arsenick or ,orpiment1 by which means we shall get more ,sol than without ,arsenick1 because ,arsenick and ,orpiment contain much volatile ,sol1 which in this ,operation becomes fixed with the ,luna4 ,to recover the ,sol and ,luna which is got into the ,pores of the ,crucible4 #h4 ,the ,crucible must be beaten into fine ,powder1 and put into a reverberatory fire1 stirring it continually by which means the ,antimony and ,sulphur vapour away1 and the ,sol and ,luna remains with the ,earth1 which1 with strong ,waters may be separated4 ,another way to perform the same4 #i4 ,or we may add filings of ,saturn to the powder of the ,crucibles1 and give them a strong heat1 by which means the ,saturn will take in the ,sol and ,luna4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but the ,separation with strong ,waters is the more easie way of the two4 ,to extract the ,colour from ,sol4 #aj4 ,venus1 ,jupiter and ,regulus ,martis melted into a mass with ,sol1 and ,venus1 the ,jupiter and ,regulus ,martis afterwards separated from the ,sol by ,niter1 then melt other metals as before with the ,sol1 and separate them as before with ,niter1 which must be continued till the ,sol have lost his ,colour4 #aa4 ,the dross being afterwards melted in a ,crucible1 and a small quantity of ,coles made of ,blood cast upon it1 the extracted ,tincture of ,sol will separate it self from the dross1 falling to the bottom like a ,regulus4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the metals ,venus1 ,jupiter and the martial ,regulus may be separated from the dross onely with common wood ,coal4 #ab4 ,niter fixed by the ,regulus of ,antimony1 and distill'd with ,sal ,armoniack1 gives an excellent ,mercury of metals1 which hath a scent like musk4 ,to extract ,sol out of ,stones4 #ac4 ,if we take ,sand or ,stones that contain ,sol1 and melt them with ,lead ashes into ,glass1 and reduce them again with fixed ,salt1 then by cupelling this ,lead ashes1 and the reduced ,sand or ,stones severaltimes1 we shall have the ,sol that was in the ,stones4 ,to extract ,sol from ,stones4 #ad4 ,the black or brown ,pebbles found in ,brooks1 and which break smooth like ,glass1 being mixed with the best ,eagles wings and distilled by retort1 yield much ,sol4 ,a ,tincture from ,metals4 #ae4 ,jupiter is the highest ,regent over the upper ,constellations4 ,sol gives to all ,stars their ,light1 ,mars rules upon ,earth1 and ,saturn in the ,earth1 and of these four an universal ,tincture may be prepared4 #af4 ,mars and ,saturn in particular yields great riches1 when being reduced to ,glass they are several times driven through a ,reverberatory1 according to that of the ,ancient ,philosophers2 by ,saturn and ,mars1 fire and art1 great wealth may be found4 ,that there is a renovating vertue hid in ,spiders4 #ag4 ,spiders renew themselves every month by casting their skins1 wherefore a medicine prepared of them by the ,flame of ,spirit of ,wine renews man4 #ah4 ,it is also to be observed that all ,birds1 especially those that feed upon ,flies and ,worms1 when they are sick1 cure themselves by eating ,spiders4 ,secrets of ,serpents4 #ai4 ,all sorts of ,serpents renovate themselves once a year by casting their skins1 wherefore if we extract them with ,spirit of ,wine1 and correct them by burning away the ,spirit of ,wine1 they yield an assured medicine against all ,poyson1 and renews man4 #bj4 ,regulus of ,antimony being duely fixed with ,sol1 tingeth as well in the wet as dry way4 ,sol and ,sulphur yield a ,tincture4 #ba4 ,common combustible ,sulphur cannot join with the incombustible ,sulphur of ,sol1 without such a medium as partakes of both their ,natures1 viz4 ,antimony3 when by this means the combustible ,sulphur is fixed by the incombustible ,sulphur of ,sol1 the ,sol gives it ingress into imperfect metals to tinge them4 ,to make ,sol red4 #bb4 ,if the ,blood of the ,lion be digested with ,tartar and ,aqua ,fortis1 this purple ,colour will be changed into a red1 and separate it self from the ,salt1 falling in form of red powder to the bottom1 and is a most excellent ,colour for ,painters4 ,to make ,purpurissa1 or a ,paint to make the ,face look ruddy4 #bc4 ,dissolve ,sol and ,jupiter in ,aqua ,regis1 digest and edulcorate with ,water1 yields an excellent paint for ,women4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but a little ,oil of ,talk ought to be added to it4 ,an ,experiment upon ,purpurissa or the ,blood of the ,lyon4 #bd4 ,when we digest or boil the ,blood of the ,lion so long till the red ,colour becomes as white as milk1 and then pour upon it as much ,water1 as has been evaporated during the boiling1 this milk will be chang'd again to ,blood4 #be4 ,of the blue ,paint called ,smalt1 by means of ,salt of ,tartar may a most excellent ,paint be made for ,limners1 not inferiour to ,ultramarine4 #bf4 ,of ,mercury1 ,jupiter1 ,sulphur and ,sal4 ,armoniack is made the ,paint called ,aurum ,musicum4 ,a ,cementation that graduates ,venus into ,sol4 #bg4 ,recipe ,vitriol calcined to ,redness1 mix it with ,salt and ,coal dust1 lay this with thin ,copper ,plates stratum super stratum1 put them into a ,fire that may keep the ,plates of ,venus red hot for six hours without melting them1 by which means the ,sol in the ,venus will be encreased2 if we repeat this ,cementation several times till the ,venus be of a golden colour1 the gain will be much greater4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the cause of this melioration is1 because the ,coal ,dust hinders the corrosive ,spirits of the ,vitriol and ,salt from corroding the ,venus1 and therefore onely penetrates and graduates the same4 ,to make all ,corrosives sweet4 #bh4 ,vitriol distilled with ,salt yields a ,corrosive ,spirit1 but if ,coal ,dust be mixed with them1 they give a sweet ,spirit1 which graduates ,lune into ,sol when digested therein4 #bi4 ,recipe1 ,calx of ,jupiter mixed with ,mercury of ,lune1 and therewith ,cement plates of ,venus1 by which means the saline ,spirits introduce the white ,sulphur of ,jupiter into the ,venus1 and change it into ,lune containing much ,sol4 ,a sweet graduating ,spirit1 usefull to the ,melioration of ,metals4 #cj4 ,recipe1 ,coal ,dust1 mix them with ,sal ,mirabilis1 and distill by retort1 and you will get a sweet graduating ,spirit1 exalting some ,metals to ,sol4 ,the ,philosophical ,work4 #ca4 ,the ,father of all things is the warm ,son1 their ,mother is the moist ,moon1 the ,earth is the ,womb1 the ,wind carries the ,seed through the ,suns driving into the ,womb the ,earth1 which foments1 and at last brings forth the ,child4 ,sulphur is the ,father of all ,metals4 #cb4 ,the ,central ,fire in the ,earth mounts upward continually into the hollow places of the ,earth1 and meeting with water or moisture1 cleaves to it and makes ,stones1 as also all ,metals and ,minerals of different natures and properties1 according as the water is pure or impure4 ,sulphur is the universal ,coagulator4 #cc4 ,a sulphureous vapour is that which coagulates ,mercury1 as well in ,vegetables and ,animals as ,minerals4 ,demogorgon the ,grand-father of all things4 #cd4 ,the ,central ,fire in the great ,world keeps it in continual motion1 and causeth the growth of all things as well upon1 as under the ,earth1 being the ,governour of the great ,world4 ,the ,vital ,spirit1 or radical moisture1 is the ,life and ,growth of all ,men4 #ce4 ,as the great ,world is governed and maintained by the ,demogorgon or ,central ,fire1 so ,man the little ,world is governed1 and maintained in continual motion and growth1 by the ,vital ,spirit seated in his heart4 #cf4 ,fire is the ,father of all things1 ,water the ,mother1 the ,earth is the ,womb1 the ,wind or ,air drives the ,fire1 being the universal ,agent1 into the ,water1 being the universal ,patient1 in order to bring forth ,fruit4 ,see my ,treatise of the divine ,character4 #cg4 ,man1 ,beasts1 ,fish and ,fowl1 and all that lives and grows1 draw their life from the ,air1 onely the ,salamander draws his life1 and has his ,body from the ,fire1 wherefore also in power and strength he excells all living ,creatures4 #ch4 ,the secret ,fire of the ,chaldeans1 which at all times draws ,fire out of the ,air1 wherewith the ,jewish ,priests kindled their ,sacrifice1 as may be seen in the ,maccabees1 is made of ,steel1 ,niter and ,sulphur4 #ci4 ,when we abstract an ,aqua ,regia wherein ,sol is dissolved from the ,butter of ,antimony1 the ,soul of ,sol and ,antimony comes ,bloud-red over the helm1 which poured upon a ,solution of ,lune1 the ,lune falls to the bottom1 and draws the ,tincture of ,sol and ,antimony to its self out of the ,water1 and the ,lune by this means becomes red1 and is a ,tincture and ,universal medicine for humane and metallick ,bodies4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the remainder of the ,sol and ,antimony that did not come over is wholly fixt1 and a good ,diaphoretick1 thus the ,souls of the dead1 i4 e4 of ,sol and ,lune are brought up from ,hell4 ,see ,nuisement de spiritu sale ,mundi4 #dj4 ,when in the manner now said with the ,butter of ,antimony1 we bring over the ,soul of ,mars we get a much higher ,tincture than from that of ,sol1 and in coming over becomes wholly fixt4 ,see my ,treatise de #c principiis ,metallorum4 #da4 ,in like manner may from the ,butter of ,arsenick and ,lune a white ,tincture be brought over the helm1 tinging ,venus1 ,mars1 ,jupiter and ,saturn into ,lune4 ,n4 ,b4 ,these ,tinctures in coming over are fixed by ,plato's ,stygian ,water1 so as to need no further fixation4 #db4 ,but if we precipitate these ,tinctures of ,mars and ,antimony with the ,solution of ,sol1 and then edulcorate and dry the same1 we by this means do obtain a dry graduating ,water1 which being molten with any white or red metals makes them yield good ,gold1 and ,lune on the ,cupel to the great profit of the ,artist4 #dc4 ,oil of ,vitriol mixed with ,sal ,armoniack1 is also of good use to bring over ,tinctures1 but not in that quantity as ,butter of ,antimony4 #dd4 ,our dry1 sweet universal tinging water dissolves white ,pebbles and ,crystals1 and changeth the same into precious ,stones of several colours1 excepting onely their hardness1 which it cannot communicate4 #de4 ,the easiest way to get the ,sol or ,lune that is in ,jupiter1 is by casting it upon molten ,venus1 which draws the ,sol and ,lune to it self out of the ,jupiter4 #df4 ,in like manner doth the ,regulus of ,antimony when in flux readily draw to it the ,sol and ,luna in ,jupiter1 and then washing the ,regulus with ,niter we get the ,sol and ,luna contained in ,jupiter4 #dg4 ,but this operation ought not to be done in ,crucibles made of common ,earth1 which easily break and spill the metal1 but in those that are made of a fat crucible ,clay1 mix'd with coal dust1 as is taught in the fifth part of my ,furnaces4 #dh4 ,as the ,sulphur in ,tartar coagulates a thin water into a hard ,hepar1 or ,liver so called1 so likewise doth a fixt ,sulphur coagulate ,mercury into ,sol and ,luna4 #di4 ,the often calcining of ,salts and dissolving them in ,water1 doth purifie them1 and makes them easily fluxible1 and in particular ,vitriol may by this means be so purified1 as to yield its ,oil with a very small heat4 #ej4 ,the ,solution of ,saturn and ,lune poured into a volatile ,spirit of ,mars or ,venus1 draws the tinging volatile ,sulphur out of the ,water to it self1 and makes the same ,corporal and fixed4 #ea4 ,tartar contains a coagulating and tinging ,sulphur1 for it coagulates ,water into a ,hepar1 and tinges red metals to a white ,stone1 which may be pulverized2 this ,sulphur is the cause why ,tartar will not dissolve in cold ,water as other ,salts4 #eb4 ,when therefore the ,tartar is freed of this ,sulphur that coagulates all ,water1 then much good may be done therewith as well in ,physick as ,alchimy1 and many other ,arts besides4 #ec4 ,tartar by being boiled in a strong ,lye1 lets go its coagulating ,sulphur1 and a neutral ,salt proceeds from them both2 but if we have a mind to separate the ,lye from the purified ,tartar we must do it with an acid1 that may mortifie the ,lye1 by which means the purified ,tartar will be left snow white4 #ed4 ,if the ,lye be kill'd with a ,spirit of ,niter or ,aqua ,fortis1 then from both these contraries proceeds a good ,niter4 #ee4 ,but if we make use of a ,spirit of ,salt1 then there is made up of both a tartarized ,spirit of ,salt4 #ef4 ,if we take distill'd ,vinegar to mortifie the ,lye1 then from the joyning of those both proceeds a neutral volatile ,salt which is a good ,diuretick in the ,gout and ,stone4 #eg4 ,this is the best way of purifying ,tartar1 which after this ,operation is of far greater use in ,physick and ,alchimy than the common ,tartar4 #eh4 ,tartar as hath been said1 contains a coagulating and tinging ,sulphur1 coagulating all ,water into a thick ,hepar1 and exalting the ,colours of metals4 ,thus we see that by boiling ,golden or ,silver ,vessels with ,tartar1 their several ,colours are exalted4 #ei4 ,and whosoever has the ,art of separating this ,sulphur from ,tartar1 may by means thereof effect great and wonderfull things4 #fj4 ,a like wonder working ,sulphur is likewise found in ,animals1 and more especially in man1 who brings it with him into the ,world4 #fa4 ,whence some ,philosophers tell us1 that ,adam brought the ,philosophers ,stone with him out of ,paradise1 and after his death carried it with him into his grave4 #fb4 ,minerals also afford the same coagulating fixing and tinging ,sulphur1 for which reason the ,philosophers ,stone is said to be ,animal1 ,vegetable and ,mineral1 because of each of these three ,kingdoms an ,universal medicine may be made for men and metals4 #fc4 ,but the easiest way is1 when we extract the best part of all these three ,kingdoms1 and conjoyn them according to ,art for an ,universal medicine4 #fd4 ,wine is the chief of ,vegetables1 ,man of ,animals1 and ,gold of ,metals4 #fe4 ,spirit of ,wine purges and purifies all things1 with its purifying ,flame2 as may be seen in my ,purgatory of the ,philosophers4 #ff4 ,the volatile ,salt of ,animals1 and especially of ,man purifies all things by its volatilizing ,virtue1 as appears in our most secret ,sal ,armoniack4 #fg4 ,the incombustible ,sulphur of metals tingeth the ,bodies of men and metals1 to the highest pitch of ,health1 as may be seen in the third ,appendix to the seventh part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 #fh4 ,demogorgon with his ,russet mantle and green ,coat1 is the ,grandfather of all the ,heathen ,gods i4 e4 of all metals4 #fi4 ,and like as in the ,earth he doth generate and bring to perfection all metals1 so also out of the same1 if the ,artist knows how to manage him1 he perfects all unripe and imperfect metals1 in a short time1 with the help of ,fire1 to that degree that they shall endure the ,test as well as ,sol or ,luna4 #gj4 ,this wonderfull virtue of fixing all volatile minerals1 the ,philosophers call their secret ,fire or proper ,agent1 wherewith not onely the imperfect metals1 as ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,venus1 and ,mars1 but also volatile ,mercury1 combustible common ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 ,orpiment1 and ,arsenick may be fixed1 so as on the ,cupel to leave ,sol and ,lune4 #ga4 ,and as this ,demogorgon1 or invisible secret ,fire of the wise ,men1 doth fix the unripe minerals and metals into ,lune and ,sol2 so likewise can it fix the said minerals and metals1 and exalt them to an higher degree than that of ,sol1 even to the plusquam perfection of true ,tinctures1 whereby all imperfect metals may be changed into ,sol4 #gb4 ,this our ,demogorgon hath the virtue even as it comes raw and unprepared out of the ,earth to change and meliorate all metals as follows4 #gc4 ,it makes ,saturn as hard and white as ,lune1 when tinged with it1 of which all manner of ,vessels and ,dishes may be made1 it onely wants the sound of ,lune and enduring of the ,test4 #gd4 ,if a little of this ,tincture be cast upon fluxed ,venus it presently becomes white and hard as ,steel1 continues as fusible as before1 and yet is so hard that it cannot be filed1 so that several ,vessels may be made of it1 not subject to bending or breaking4 #ge4 ,when cast upon melted ,jupiter1 it makes it hard as ,lune1 and sounding like it1 is of great use to make all sorts of ,vessels of4 #gf4 ,and amongst other things that may be made of it with great profit1 this is one1 viz4 that ,looking-,glasses may be made thereof1 which being polished continue a long time clear and fair1 without being obscured in moist ,weather1 as other metalline ,glasses are1 and all this by reason of the extraordinary hardness of the metal4 ,see my ,treatise of ,looking-glasses4 #gg4 ,this ,tincture cast upon ,lune1 makes the same ,coal-black throughout1 so that it is no more like ,lune1 of which ,bells and ,clocks may be made of a far better and clearer sound than those that are made of ,venus and ,jupiter4 #gh4 ,by this means also in times of ,war1 or other danger ,lune may so be disguised as not to be known for such1 and so may be a good way to preserve it from being taken by the ,enemy4 #gi4 ,in like manner it makes ,sol so hard that it can no way be bent or destroyed1 and therefore might be of good use in many of the following cases4 #hj4 ,it would be very proper for some great ,emperour or ,king to make his ,statue of1 it being indestructible1 and not to be diminished or injur'd by any way whatsoever4 #ha4 ,money coin'd of this ,sol would be of good use if a ,king or ,prince had a mind that his ,coin should not be transported elsewhere1 because differing so much from common ,sol it would not be passible in other ,countries4 #hb4 ,this golden ,coin also would not be subject to be clipt or fil'd4 #hc4 ,medals also might be made of this ,sol1 and would be a great curiosity besides the indefectibleness of them4 #hd4 ,it would be excellent also to make ,rings of1 especially such as are designed for the remembrance of ,friends1 as lasting for ever4 #he4 ,it would be very proper to cast ,seals of1 or the divine ,character or other secret ,sigils4 ,see my ,treatise of the ,divine ,character and ,seal of ,god4 #hf4 ,or the said ,divine ,character being exprest upon my ,lapis ,ignis 7which being but for a little while carried in ones mouth1 cures many grievous ,diseases without any other ,medicine7 might be set in this hard ,sol1 and so without wasting be carried constantly about one4 ,see my ,treatise of the ,mineral ,squilla in order to a long life4 #hg4 ,great ,princes also might have ,armour and ,arms made of this hardned ,sol1 which would be much better than any of ,iron or ,steel1 which easily take rust1 to which ,sol is not ,subject4 #hh4 ,of this ,sol might also very conveniently be made ,candlesticks and ,lamps1 with other ,vessels for the use of the ,church and ,altar4 #hi4 ,to many more uses this ,sol might be put1 especially for that by reason of its hardness1 it suffers it self to be polished to that degree1 as to cast a great lustre from it1 like the ,sun4 #ij4 ,as to the further use hereof1 ,see my ,treatise de tribus ,lapidibus ignium secretorum4 #ia4 ,with the hardned ,lune1 ,venus1 ,jupiter1 ,mars and ,saturn1 many profitable and curious things may be done1 which for brevitiy sake are here omitted4 #ib4 ,the ,sulphur of the ,philosophers when set free from his dark ,prison1 wherein he is detain'd by his ,brethren1 by our ,key that opens all ,locks1 gives his ,deliverer for reward1 the possession of the three ,kingdoms in the ,world1 viz4 enabling him to make all ,vegetables grow swiftly1 and very fruitfull1 to cure the ,diseases of all ,animals1 and to meliorate and exalt all ,metals4 #ic4 ,and when the ,philosophers1 saith ,sendivogius1 see this ,sulphur restor'd to liberty1 swimming in their ,sea1 they worship it1 and draw it out with a ,silver ,line1 though others do it with their ,sol attracting ,magnet1 and fix it into an universal ,medicine1 wherewith they afterwards effect wonders3 ,as may be seen in my ,elias ,artista1 and ,purgatory of ,philosophers4 #id4 ,the ,philosophers say1 except first you make our ,sol 7that is1 the redeemed ,sulphur7 and ,mercury white1 you'l never be able to make them red4 #ie4 ,they say also1 our ,sol tingeth not except it be first tinged it self1 that is exalted in its colour4 #if4 ,all things in the ,world have their rise from ,fire and ,water1 and derive their ,purity or ,impurity1 from the ,purity or ,impurity of their ,parents4 #ig4 ,the common ,fire brings forth its ,fruits very slowly1 whether they be ,stones1 ,minerals1 ,animals1 or ,vegetables4 #ih4 ,and so do likewise the warm and dry ,sun1 and moist ,earth3 but when we assist ,nature with ,art1 then she works much more swiftly1 and brings her ,fruits to maturity in much shorter time4 #ii4 ,the ,meteors in the ,firmament which are made of ,fire and ,water1 especially ,thunder and ,lightning1 produce sometimes ,stones1 and cast them to the ,earth4 #ajj4 ,a common fulminating ,powder made of ,sulphur1 ,niter and ,tartar gives a stinking offensive smoak1 corrupting some things1 and meliorating others3 whereas a ,fulmen prepared of ,niter1 ,jupiter and ,mercury1 yields a particular tinging mercurial ,water4 ,the ,fulmen of ,venus tinges ,mars into ,copper1 that of ,lune graduates ,venus into ,lune2 and the ,fulmen of ,sol graduates and tinges ,mars into ,sol4 ,the universal ,fulmen of the great ,tincture graduates all ,metals into ,sol1 which ,god of his mercy grant unto us1 ,amen4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,century4 ,the best particular and cheapest ,universal4 #a4 ,when with the help of ,sendivogius his ,chalybs1 or ,glauber's ,magnet1 we have extracted the colour from ,sol1 and again restored it through ,venus and ,antimony1 we may by oft repeating the said extraction and restoration get great profit1 this being one of the best particulars that can be4 ,this multiplication of ,sol may very well be compared with the generation of ,man1 for as a ,man in generating1 doth with meat and drink restore the loss of his ,seed1 by which means he continues the said multiplication for a long time1 by turning the meat he eats into ,prolifick ,seed2 so likewise the ,chymist changeth ,venus1 ,mars1 ,jupiter1 ,saturn1 ,mercury and ,lune into ,sol1 by feeding the dis-spirited ,sol that has lost its colour with them1 restoring it to its former strength and vigour4 #b4 ,the ,sperm of ,man is not the ,seed of ,man1 but onely the ,shell and receptacle thereof1 as may be seen in ,old ,men1 whose ,sperm is unfit for generation by reason of the weakness of their vital ,spirit4 #c4 ,so likewise the ,seeds of ,vegetables1 are not all pure ,seed1 but the ,house and ,vehicle thereof1 that is1 of the growing and multiplying virtue1 which appears in that when the ,seeds have been kept so long till this vital virtue is exhaled from them1 they never bring forth any thing4 #d4 ,no more can ,sol be said to be the ,seed of metals1 but onely the receptacle thereof1 for the ,seed is not the whole ,body1 but onely the lively colour of the ,body1 and the vegetative and multiplicative virtue that is hid in it4 #e4 ,now as the ,seed of ,vegetables is more perfect and noble than the ,vegetables1 so likewise is mature fixt ,sol1 more perfect than ,mercury1 ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,venus1 ,mars1 though in the imperfect metals also a ,seed be hid1 but not so fixt and good as that in ,gold4 #f4 ,the imperfect metals may be compared to an ,herb1 whose ,seed is not yet ripe1 which being put into the ground cannot grow or multiply1 but rots in the ,earth4 #g4 ,the virtue of ,corals lies not in their whole ,bodies1 but in their colour2 and therefore ,paracelsus bids us not to make use of ,corals in substance1 but extract their ,tincture1 and use that for ,physick1 wherefore also he rejects white ,corals1 as being an unripe ,fruit1 from any use in ,physick4 #h4 ,for this reason also the immature gray ,pearls1 which are frequently found in ,cockle ,shells in fresh running waters1 are looked upon as useless in ,physick4 #i4 ,and this not without reason1 for as unripe ,grapes are the cause of griping of the ,guts1 and hurt the ,body2 so ripe ,grapes nourish and strengthen the same1 especially when by fermentation they have quitted their ,fces4 #aj4 ,all imperfect metals subvert and trouble the ,stomach1 and cause vomiting and purging1 and that by reason of their unripeness4 #aa4 ,whereas on the contrary ,sol taken into the ,body causeth not the least alteration1 but powerfully strengthens the same when reduc'd to ,potability4 #ab4 ,thus ,sol may be compared to ripe ,grapes1 which when eaten raw1 do indeed no hurt to the ,body1 but rather affords some nourishment1 yet cannot strengthen the ,heart1 ,brain1 and whole ,body1 and make a chearfull mind2 but when by fermentation they are delivered from their skins and other impurities1 they readily and as it were in a moment perform all this4 #ac4 ,in like manner when ,sol by fermentation hath laid aside his gross ,body and become ,spiritual1 if then made use of1 it not onely nourisheth as ripe ,grapes1 but exerts its virtue like a ,spirit or ,q4 ,essence of ,wine1 penetrating the whole1 and making it lively1 strong and vigorous throughout4 #ad4 ,neither do the other metals display their hidden virtue1 untill by fermentation and distillation1 they be subtilized and their gross ,bodies laid aside4 #ae4 ,thus when ,lune by fermentation and distillation is subtilized1 then it draws away all ,diseases of the ,brain1 and corroborates the same exceedingly even as ,sol doth the ,heart4 #af4 ,venus so purified strengthens the ,reins and procreative faculty4 #ag4 ,the volatile sweet ,spirit of ,mars1 removes all obstructions whatsoever1 provokes the terms in ,women1 and opens the ,hmorroides in ,men4 #ah4 ,the sweet ,spirit of ,saturn cures all inward and outward hot ,distempers4 #ai4 ,the sweet ,spirit of ,jupiter cures all ,distempers of the ,lungs4 #bj4 ,the volatile ,spirit of ,mercury cures the venereal ,distemper4 #ba4 ,n4 ,b4 ,these volatile spirits of metals must be cautiously used1 as being of very great force4 #bb4 ,the manner of preparing them1 may be seen in my ,book of ,fires1 but most plainly set down in my description of the most secret ,sal ,armoniack4 #bc4 ,all ,spirits act according to their nature and property either good or ill1 as the ,bodies are good or evil from whence they are taken4 #bd4 ,the ,spirit quickens1 the ,body or ,flesh profits nothing1 saith ,christ1 ,john #f4 #be4 ,these words are ill interpreted1 when understood by some1 as if ,spirits onely were of use1 and ,bodies not at all1 which is a great mistake1 as it is applied by some4 #bf4 ,indeed in ,metals1 ,vegetables and all ,animals without the use of reason1 who grow1 move1 and live1 by the driving of their in-born ,spirit1 it does hold true1 for when their ,spirits are by ,art separated from their ,bodies1 the said ,bodies are thenceforward of no use1 as being upon the separation of their ,spirit1 dead and without all virtue4 #bg4 ,but the case is different with ,man1 who being created in the ,image of ,god1 and endowed besides his ,animal ,spirit1 with an immortal ,soul1 which latter onely and immediately derives from ,god1 and not from nature1 as the mortal ,spirits of ,animals do4 #bh4 ,wherefore ,pythagoras was much mistaken1 in believing that the immortal ,souls of ,men1 when departed from their ,bodies did immediately enter into those of ,beasts4 #bi4 ,which mistake of his seems to have been occasioned hence1 because he knew how by ,art to take away the ,soul1 i4 e4 ,tincture from ,sol1 and transfer the same to an imperfect metal1 thereby making the same in all things like to true natural ,sol4 #cj4 ,certain it is that this may be done by art1 for the fixt ,body of ,sol may be destroyed1 its ,soul extracted1 and by being joyn'd to another metal make it good ,sol4 #ca4 ,when this disanimation of ,sol is duely performed1 the ,body is left wholly dead1 and is in all things like a volatile unmalleable mineral1 and cannot endure the test1 but fumes away like ,arsenick with a little ,fire4 #cb4 ,but in case this disanimating of ,sol be not rightly done1 so that the ,body continues as white as ,lune1 and malleable 7which is a sign that some life is still left in it7 then his ,colour may be restored again by means of imperfect minerals1 as well as his former fixedness in the ,fire4 #cc4 ,but when the ,body of ,sol will no longer endure the fire1 but goes away in smoak1 then we can say it is truly dead and no more ,sol4 #cd4 ,he that finds difficulty to believe this1 let him reade ,paracelsus1 ,sendivogius and other ,philosophers4 #ce4 ,sendivogius saith1 ,our ,steel1 that is1 our ,magnet1 can draw from the ,rayes of the ,sun1 what many have sought for and not found2 if this our ,magnet copulate eleven times with ,sol1 the ,sol becomes weakned almost to death1 and the ,steel or ,magnet shall conceive and bring forth a ,son more illustrious than his ,father4 #cf4 ,from which words it appears that ,sendivogius had the ,art to disanimate ,sol1 else could never have writ so plainly concerning it4 #cg4 ,it is certain also that there are some1 that at this time can do as much within a few hours1 ,i having lately been an ,eye-witness of the same1 with three other persons in company4 #ch4 ,it is not necessary to say any more how this cheap and speedy way of disanimating ,sol is to be performed2 forasmuch as all the ,philosophers writings are full of it4 #ci4 ,however to pleasure the unskilfull ,i will add thus much1 that this may be done four several ways4 #dj4 ,but the easiest and cheapest way is by means of ,spirit of ,wine1 and a microcosmical saline ,spirit2 yea this extraction may be performed by a ,spirit of ,wine alone1 without any animal ,spirit1 or by an animal saline ,spirit without the ,spirit of ,wine4 #da4 ,if this were not so1 we might have reason to accuse both ancient and modern ,philosophers of falshood1 who tells us that ,adam brought the ,philosophers ,stone with him out of ,paradise1 and after his death took it with him into his ,grave4 #db4 ,which words may seem strange to some1 forasmuch as he was driven bare and naked out of ,paradise4 #dc4 ,yet the ,authority of those who assert this being so great and incontestable1 it cannot well be called in question4 #dd4 ,what therefore the ,philosophers meant by this ,stone which ,adam brought with him out of ,paradise1 is well worthy our ,enquiry4 #de4 ,the ,philosophers commonly say our stone is a stone and nostone1 c4 which implies thus much1 that to outward view it is a stone1 but in deed and in vertue1 a ,concentrate form of ,sol4 #df4 ,wherefore ,petrus ,bonus saith1 ,we do not seek ,sol1 but the form of ,sol4 #dg4 ,what is then properly this form of ,sol8 #dh4 ,answ4 ,it is a substance which to outward view looks like a contemptible stone1 and yet is of such superlative ,vertue1 that when joyned with imperfect metals on the ,fire1 it transmutes them into the highest perfection of ,sol4 #di4 ,it may further be demanded1 whether ,adam brought such a matter with him out of ,paradise1 whereby this transmutation of metals into ,sol may be performed8 #ej4 ,ans4 ,yes he did bring such a matter with him out of ,paradise1 and after death took it with him to his ,grave1 wherewith all ,diseases of mankind may be cured1 and all metals changed into the finest ,sol4 #ea4 ,if this be so1 might some say1 ,adam must either have been very blind1 in not discerning the ,treasure he was possessed of2 or very envious in not communicating the same to his ,posterity4 #eb4 ,i cannot believe that ,adam1 out of envy withheld this secret from his ,children1 but rather suppose that the blindness into which his fall had cast him1 was the cause of his not percieving the great ,jewel he had about him4 #ec4 ,but how could he be blind1 who was made by ,god himself1 and after his own ,image8 #ed4 ,adam was certainly blind1 and his blindness proceeded from his ,pride1 because he aspired to be like to ,god2 he was not blind as to his outward ,eyes1 but his heart was blinded1 which is by far the worst blindness of the two3 ,for all sin and wickedness blinds the hearts of men1 that they cannot percieve the folly of their doings4 #ee4 ,thus ,adam also by means of his disobedience to ,god1 became so blind1 as not to percieve1 or be sensible of the ,love that ,god had for him before his ,fall1 and how richly he had endowed him4 #ef4 ,whence also his ,children were so wicked and blind1 that the one ,brother slew the other2 which wickedness hath still encreased in their ,posterity1 as appears by the deluge1 and the destruction of ,sodom and ,gomorrah4 #eg4 ,and thus the ,world from day to day still grows worse and worse1 notwithstanding the ,examples of ,god's ,vengeance against ,sinners4 #eh4 ,and all this proceeds because men are so generally blinded by the ,devil in sin and wickedness4 #ei4 ,but to leave this1 it may be further question'd2 that seeing all mankind is become so blinded through ,adam's fall1 as not to discern the ,jewel they carry about them2 who then was the ,person that first discovered1 that man was the ,possessour of so great a ,treasure8 #fj4 ,ans4 ,who was the first discoverer of this ,treasure ,i cannot tell1 but thus much is certain1 that it was an honest man and fearing ,god2 because ,god doth not reveal his secrets to the wicked2 wherefore ,tho4 ,aquinas saith1 ,our ,holy ,art1 either finds a man holy1 or makes him so4 #fa4 ,but some will say1 don't we reade of ,heathens that have been ,possessours of the ,philosophers stone2 and how can we imagine that those who have no knowledge of ,god1 and are blinded with sin1 should ever be able to find out ,so great a ,mystery8 #fb4 ,ans4 ,those ,heathens that have been ,possessours of this great secret1 were not without the knowledge of ,god2 for they lived according to the ,law of ,nature1 honouring ,god and loving their ,neighbour2 wherefore also ,god accepted of them4 ,they learnt to know ,god from his ,works of ,wonder1 and according to their knowledge1 loved1 honoured and feared him2 and so were made ,partakers of his grace1 light1 and the knowledge of his secrets4 #fc4 ,we are also to know that the ,ancient ,philosophers know more than one way to attain the ,philosophers ,stone2 though indeed the most of them sought it in minerals and metals1 which is the longest way4 #fd4 ,and that because it is impossible to change the metallick species1 without bringing metals back into their first matter4 ,see my ,treatise of the principles of metals1 and the seventh part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 #fe4 ,but others have taken a nearer way to attain this secret2 and to some ,christians ,god hath been pleased to discover the shortest way of all1 by revealing unto them that he made ,adam every way perfect1 giving him all that was necessary1 either for his ,soul or ,body4 #ff4 ,now that ,adam could not discern how richly ,god had endowed him1 was his own fault1 because he was disobedient to ,god1 following the deceitfull ,serpents advice4 #fg4 ,and after this manner doth the ,devil yet daily deceive ,men1 by perswading them to do against the commands of ,god1 and that their disobedience shall not bring any such mischief upon them as ,god's threatnings seem to import4 #fh4 ,this then is the reason why ,men do not understand the secrets of ,god1 because they give too much way to ,sin1 whereby they become blinded1 that they can neither see nor hear the good that comes from above4 #fi4 ,now the reason why most of the ,alchymists have sought for this great gift of ,god in minerals and metals1 and especially in ,sol1 is this1 because their intention was to multiply ,sol1 which they supposed could no way better be done than by sowing it like other ,seeds in the ,earth1 but could not imagine that besides common ,sol1 there were other subjects1 wherein the ,sol-making virtue did reside4 #gj4 ,which opinion of theirs was probably grounded upon that saying of the ,philosophers4 ,what you sow1 that you will reap4 #ga4 ,this seems at first sight very rational1 that from filth or excrements no good1 and so no ,sol can come2 but let us hear the other side also1 and we shall be otherwise informed4 #gb4 ,for the ,philosophers say that their ,medicine is ,vegetable1 ,animal and ,mineral2 so that ,vegetables and ,animals are not excepted4 #gc4 ,albertus ,magnus1 writes that the greatest mineral aurifying virtue is in ,man1 and especially in his ,head between the ,teeth1 and proves it2 because in dead ,men's ,skuls he had found grains of ,sol sticking between the ,teeth4 #gd4 ,the same is also confirmed by ,thomas ,aquinas1 ,rhasis1 ,janus ,lacinius1 and others4 #ge4 ,there is also an old ,book1 whose ,authour is unknown1 which treats at large of that subject which ,adam brought with him out of ,paradise1 wherein the ,operator is warned to have a great care of the fumes of the matter as he would avoid the ,plague1 or the most deadly ,poyson4 ,from this ,authour ,i have alledged some passages in my other ,writings1 and shewed that the ,philosophers ,stone may be prepared of any subject whose ,elements may be separated4 #gf4 ,now certain it is that from all ,animals and ,vegetables1 the ,elements may be separated1 and consequently follows1 that from all ,vegetable and ,animal ,subjects1 the ,philosophers ,stone1 or universal ,medicine for the ,bodies of ,men1 and ,metals may be prepared4 #gg4 ,morienus ,romanus1 who prepared this ,medicine for ,king ,calid1 declares that he took the subject matter of it from ,man4 #gh4 ,for when the ,king asked ,morienus1 in what kind of subject the ,philosophers ,stone was to be lookt for2 he answered1 the ,medicine is in thy self ,o ,king2 wherefore also after that he had finished the ,work1 he wrote round about the ,glass1 in which the ,medicine was1 these words3 ,he who carries all about him1 needs not the help of another4 #gi4 ,thereby intimating1 that he always carried about with him1 whatsoever was necessary for the preparing of the ,medicine1 and therefore did not stand in need of the ,king's assistance4 #hj4 ,this same honest ,morienus1 writes plainly concerning the preparation of this ,medicine1 and doth as it were with his finger point us to the matter1 in these words of his1 quoted by ,arnoldus de villa nova2 ,grind the ,phlegmatick and ,cholerick with the ,sanguin1 untill it become a tinging ,heaven1 c4 #ha4 ,arnoldus explains these words of ,morienus thus3 ,the ,phlegmatick is cold1 as ,mercury1 the ,sanguin is warm and moist1 as the ,sol or ,gold1 the ,cholerick is hot and dry1 as ,sal ,armoniack3 intimating that of these three1 ,mercury1 ,sol1 and ,sal ,armoniac1 the ,philosophers ,stone is to be prepared4 #hb4 ,but that he meant not this concerning common ,mercury1 ,sol1 and ,sal ,armoniack is apparent from this1 that ,morienus1 as soon as he had prepared the ,medicine for the ,king1 went away privately1 without expecting any reward from the ,king2 it also appears from the answer before mentioned1 which he made to the ,king1 that he spoke of such a ,mercury1 ,sol1 and ,sal ,armoniack which every ,man carries about with him4 #hc4 ,this is abundantly confirmed by all the ,philosophers that went his way1 forasmuch as they declare that no charges are required to the preparation of it1 that their subject is a contemptible matter cast out upon ,dunghills1 and trod under feet1 and that the ,poor have it as well as the ,rich4 #hd4 ,morienus yet more clearly intimates this1 in telling us that the matter whilst it is preparing1 exhales a smell like to that which comes from the ,graves of the ,dead1 which is a very offensive smell4 #he4 ,now like as ,vegetables whilst they are putrifying give forth an ill scent1 and ,animals a worse1 as appears in the stink of rotten ,eggs1 and the putrefaction of ,man's ,blood1 especially when the same are putrified in a close ,glass in warm ,horse ,dung4 #hf4 ,for without putrefaction1 there can be no separation of the ,elements by ,distilation1 and if no separation be made1 neither can any melioration or exaltation be expected4 #hg4 ,we know that every ,chaos1 as it is a product of the four ,elements1 contains many impurities1 and in particular much dead ,earth1 and ,water void of all virtue2 and that the ,element of ,fire alone is proper to heal and meliorate ,men and ,metals4 #hh4 ,wherefore seeing that no separation of the ,elements can be without a foregoing putrefaction we must conclude putrefaction to be the beginning of our ,work1 without which no good end can be expected4 #hi4 ,now he that knows our ,horse ,dung1 and how to putrifie the well known and every where to be found most universal natural subject by means of the same1 he will easily afterwards by ,distillation separate the most pure and all things penetrating and meliorating ,element of ,fire1 from the gross ,chaos to his great satisfaction1 and make use of the same to the astonishment and wonder of the ignorant4 #ij4 ,but in this state it is onely good for the health of ,man2 and therefore in order to its meliorating of ,metals1 the pure ,element of ,fire must be first fix'd with ,sol1 by which means it obtains ingress into imperfect ,metals1 reducing them to the perfection of ,sol4 #ia4 ,now when the pure ,element of ,fire is separated from the ,chaos1 and reduced to the highest degree of purity1 then it stinks no more1 neither is poisonous as it was before purification1 but is an ,antidote against all poisons whatsoever1 wherefore also the ,philosophers have called their ,medicine ,theriaca4 #ib4 ,but all this is to be understood onely of that subject which every man carries about with him1 and brings with him out of his ,mothers ,womb4 #ic4 ,if any one following the ,letter of ,morienus1 should take for his subject common ,mercury1 ,sol and ,sal ,armoniack1 neither will he be mistaken1 but if he rightly proceeds will have a good ,work1 though it be not at all necessary to make use of common ,sol and ,mercury1 because our natural subject contains both a living ,sol and ,mercury4 #id4 ,it is no prejudice to our ,animal ,subject1 if we join ,minerals with it1 because our ,sol joins it self with all subjects1 and unites it self readily with them4 ,but if we be ignorant of the due proportion and composition of ,sol1 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 or any other metal or mineral1 then it is better to prepare our ,medicine out of this one subject onely1 because so there is less danger of erring1 as ,i can witness by experience4 #ie4 ,i have also found by experience that this ,microcosmical ,subject is alone sufficient1 without the addition of any minerals or metals1 to meliorate all imperfect metals4 #if4 ,as to a particular this of all others hath pleas'd me best1 viz4 ,recipe common ,sol1 and with the help of our ,magnet disanimate it so1 that it may be no longer ,sol1 as not enduring the ,test1 and smoaking away with a small ,fire like ,arsenick4 #ig4 ,then take this ,sol and conjoyn it with our ,microcosmical ,subject1 with which digest a solution of ,lune1 by which means the ,lune will be meliorated1 and on the ,cupel leave ,sol to good profit4 #ih4 ,but if we joyn common ,mercury and common ,sol with it1 and cast this mixture into a solution of ,mars1 and digest it for some days then the pure ,sol and easily flowing ,mercury graduates a good part of the gross and difficultly flowing ,mars into good ,sol1 to the great satisfaction of the ,artist4 #ii4 ,and if we unite ,lune and ,jupiter therewith1 and cast this mixture into a solution of ,venus1 and digest it the moist way1 then by means of our secret ,salt these two white united metals change the red ,venus with little loss of weight into good ,lune that will abide the ,test4 ,and it is indeed matter of wonder1 that our universal ,salt1 should be of so great virtue1 when fermented with white or red metals1 to change other imperfect metals into good ,sol and ,lune on the ,test4 #ajj4 ,wherefore this shall be my conclusion1 that in ,man is hid the greatest virtue of changing all metals1 as well as the ,bodies of ,men1 both universally1 and particularly2 which if intended for the melioration of metals1 the adding of fixt ,sol and ,lune for a ferment will facilitate the ingress into other metals1 and further diffuse its tinging virtue4 ,n4 ,b4 ,i shall not be satisfied till ,i have given a fuller and plainer description of this ,royal ,labour1 which ,i intend to do in the sixth ,century1 if ,god permit4 ,novum ,lumen ,chymicum3 ,,or ,a ,,new ,,chymical ,,light4 ,being a ,revelation of a certain new invented secret1 never before manifested to the ,world4 ,whereby a clear and unextinguishable light is set before the ,eyes of the blind ,world1 and1 as it were1 palpably demonstrated1 that good ,gold may be found and attained with profit1 every where throughout the whole ,world1 as well in cold as in hot ,regions1 so that in all those places1 where ,sand and ,stones are found1 a ,man cannot set his ,foot1 where1 not onely ,gold1 but also the true matter of the ,stone of ,philosophers is afforded4 ,,reader1 ,i will now address my self to the discovering of the wonders of ,god1 not hitherto heard of2 to wit1 that throughout the whole ,earth1 no less in cold than in hot ,countries1 where there are ,sand and ,stones to be had1 good ,gold may be extracted from thence with profit4 ,because a ,man cannot set his foot in any place where ,gold doth not exist4 ,nevertheless ,chalk1 or ,lime-,stones1 are to be thence excepted2 because they onely seldom or never contain any thing of ,gold1 otherwise all sandy and rocky ,stones1 all ,flints of what colour soever1 as also all ,sand1 fine and course1 all sandy ,stones upon high ,mountains1 in deep ,valleys1 in the bowels of the ,earth1 in ,ponds and ,rivers1 and lastly1 all the ,sand on the ,sea-shore1 none excepted1 although it hath as yet obtained no colour1 but be white and clear4 ,the which indeed will seem incredible to very many1 but is asserted by me as a sincere truth1 which ,i never found1 by reading or hearsay1 but have proved by many and various experiments4 ,some of which ,i will here set down for the confirming and demonstrating the truth of my ,writings1 that by those1 all ,men of a sound mind may be able to discern1 that my ,assertion is no ,dream1 nor fabulous trifle1 but sufficiently founded upon experience in the light of nature4 ,therefore ,i would not have thee judge of those things which thou understandest not1 nor canst not at present apprehend1 but remember that the wonders of ,god triumph with magnificence and power4 ,but search out those things in every part before thou presumest to interpose thy immature judgment4 ,and although in the proof thou shouldst be mistaken as may easily happen to one making tryal1 yet do not impute the errour to my ,writings1 but rather to thy own unready ,wit4 ,for ,i will here write nothing but what ,i have oftentimes performed1 and can yet perform at any time4 ,consult other searchers after this matter1 among which ,i think all cannot err1 in a matter so easie1 that even a ,boy of ten years of ,age may apprehend it1 for what belongs to the possibility of it1 but it will be evident to many of them with me1 ,that there is ,gold in all ,sand and ,stones1 through all places of the ,world4 ,but there is no need that ,i should here shew the way of extracting it from them1 in a great quantity or large use1 but rather ,i shall beware1 that ,i put not so sharp a ,dart into the hands of my ,adversaries1 to wound my self1 for ,i have published this to gratifie candid ,friends1 not ,counterfeits1 but least of all the ,compilers of notorious ,libels1 in which opinion1 ,i will remain and acquiesce4 ,we will now proceed to the ,trial whether those things which ,i have here written be true1 and are able to abide the ,examen of the ,cupel1 to wit1 that in all ,sand1 there is good ,gold4 ,the first ,specimen of ,probation4 ,recipe one ,ounce of white ,sand or ,flint1 which you esteem to be altogether void of ,gold1 with which mix three parts of ,minium1 or of any other ,ashes of ,saturn4 ,put this mixture into a ,wind ,furnace1 or to the ,bellows1 let it flow well together for an hour1 and it will turn to a yellow glass2 suffer it not to stand too long lest the glass of ,saturn perforate the ,crucible1 and run out into the ,ashes4 ,pour out the glass and powder it1 and mix it with half its weight of ,sal ,alcali or ,pot ashes1 put this mixture into an ,iron ,crucible1 into which you have first put some bits of ,iron1 or old ,nails2 give fire and cause the matter to flow1 and the glass of ,saturn will be continually reduced by the ,mars1 and at length return into ,lead3 ,pour it out into a ,cone1 and the ,regulus of ,saturn will sink to the bottom1 and the ,sand or ,flint will be uppermost as a dross4 ,after all is cold1 take out the ,regulus of ,saturn1 which hath drawn to it self so great a roughness and blackness from the ,iron1 that it cannot easily be cupellated3 which you may remedy thus3 put this black ,regulus of ,saturn into a ,crucible in a ,wind ,furnace1 cause it to flow well2 and if there be of that one ,ounce1 cast upon it a ,drachm or somewhat more of ,salt-peter1 and make them flow together1 then the ,salt-peter will attract the roughness from the ,saturn and turn it into ,scoria4 ,which being poured out and the ,regulus of ,saturn separated from the ,scoria1 it will be white and tractable1 and easily runneth upon the ,cupel4 ,this ,i call washing4 ,but if thou knowest not how to perform this ,lotion1 which yet in it self consisteth in an easie labour1 put thy black and rough ,regulus of ,saturn into such an ,instrument 7as they call ,treib ,scherbe7 or1 a close ,cupel1 under a covering or ,muffle1 and suffer it so to be defecated for the space of half or at least a quarter of an hour1 pour it out and separate the ,scoria from the ,regulus2 which will be white and tractable4 ,but the ,lotion by ,salt-peter is much the better4 ,of this ,regulus of ,saturn1 and of that same ,lead of which the ,ashes of ,saturn were made1 take equally the same weight1 exactly weighed with the lesser weights1 put each of them apart upon a dephlegmed ,cupel1 suffer them to run2 compare one with the other1 and you shall find1 that ,saturn which was blown off with the ,sand or ,flint to leave behind it a grain of ,gold1 but on the contrary1 the common ,saturn will onely leave a grain of ,silver4 ,who now can deny1 but that the grain of ,gold proceedeth from the white ,sand or ,flint8 ,for no ,gold could come from the ,salts4 ,this ,specimen of ,probation is a palpable ,argument1 that ,gold is contained in all ,sand and ,flints of what ,colour soever4 ,but that there is no difference between one ,sand or ,flint1 and another1 so that there is no more ,gold in one than another1 ,i do not assert1 for 7in that respect7 they greatly differ4 ,also that the ,sand of hot ,regions containeth more ,gold than that of cold ,countreys1 is in no wise to be doubted1 as every prudent ,man will easily think4 ,for we have let down this ,specimen of ,probation1 onely to the end that you may find ,gold to be in all the ,sand and ,flints of the whole ,world4 ,the second ,specimen of ,probation4 ,recipe one part of white ,flint or ,sand1 with which mix three or four times as much ,salt of ,tartar1 or of any other ,alcaly1 which mixture put into a ,crucible1 so that it be not above a third part full1 because this mixture in the melting might rise up and run over the ,crucible2 let it stand half an hour1 that it may be well melted1 and it will be turned into a white transparent glass4 ,pour it out and dissolve it in water1 or rather in a ,lixivium1 and the ,sand or ,flint will be dissolved1 and converted into a thick ,liquor4 ,in this ,liquor digest for the space of an hour or two1 half an ,ounce of ,filings or ,raspings or rather thin shavings of ,lead1 and the ,lead will extract the spiritual ,gold from the ,water of ,flints1 and will thence grow yellow3 ,which being taken out of the ,water dry1 cupel it1 and you shall find a grain of ,gold4 ,also cupel another half ,ounce of the same ,lead1 and you shall find a grain of ,silver1 as is commonly wont to be had from all ,lead1 from which you may be certain that white ,flints and ,sand1 contain spiritual ,gold1 which becometh corporeal with ,metals4 ,a ,third ,specimen of ,probation4 ,dissolve ,saturn in qua ,fortis1 and pour into the solution ,salt water1 and all the ,lead will fall from the ,water like a white ,powder3 mix three parts of this edulcorated and dryed ,calx of ,saturn with one part of ,sand1 to which add half so much of the ,salt of a ,lixivium or other ,alcaly2 which mixture put into an ,iron ,crucible1 into which you have first put some bits of ,iron1 which being covered1 suffer it to melt for the space of full half an hour1 untill the sharp ,spirits of ,salt which were in the ,lead be mortified by the ,iron1 for then the ,saturn is reduced and rendered corporeal1 which being poured out into a ,cone1 the ,regulus of ,saturn falleth to the bottom1 which you may wash with ,salt-peter as we have taught above1 or purge it from the ,fces on the ,treib ,scherbe or ,muffle weigh it exactly by the lesser ,probatory ,weights1 weigh also as much of any other common ,lead1 which is not melted with ,sand1 cupel each by it self1 and that ,lead which was melted with the ,sand1 will leave a grain of ,gold in the ,cupel1 but the other common ,lead leaveth onely a grain of ,silver4 ,which sufficiently proveth that there is ,gold in all ,sand1 none excepted4 ,but ,i do not assert that all ,sand containeth so much ,gold as that it may be thence extracted with profit4 ,because some ,sand is poor1 other rich1 another richer4 ,therefore whosoever intendeth any profit by this ought before hand to know the difference of ,sand and ,stones1 that he may not lose his labour4 ,the which may easily be found out by experience1 to wit1 if you do nothing in great ,quantities1 before you have made trial in lesser1 that is1 such as may be performed by the lesser ,specimens of ,probation4 ,a ,legitimate and ,infallible way and manner of finding out and proving every ,flint1 ,stone1 and ,sand1 whether it containeth much or little ,gold4 ,recipe four ounces of ,sand1 ,flint1 or other ,stones or ,rocks1 which you have a mind to prove2 heat them red hot in a ,crucible1 and cast them so into cold ,water1 where they will become tractable1 and may easily be brought to fine ,powder1 to those four ounces of powdered ,flints1 ,sand or ,stones1 put into a small ,glass ,cucurbit1 pour two ounces of ,aq4 ,regis1 that the ,sand may be well moistned2 set the ,cucurbit upon warm ,sand for half an hour1 and the ,aqua ,regis will attract to it self the ,gold which is contained in the ,sand or ,flint4 ,to which if two ounces of hot ,water be poured into the ,cucurbit1 and mixed by a strong shaking it together1 and filtred through a brown ,paper1 the ,water with the ,gold goeth through the filter1 and the ,sand will remain in the ,paper1 to which if you pour a little common ,water1 and let it run through it will take out the residue of the ,gold1 which yet adhereth to the ,sand1 which is to be added to the first4 ,upon this ,solution if you pour a ,lixivium1 but rather ,spirit of ,urine2 that ,lixivium or ,spirit of ,urine1 mortifieth the ,aqua ,regis and precipitateth the ,gold which is in it in form of a yellow ,powder1 from which the ,water is to be poured off1 and the ,sol to be edulcorated with fresh ,water1 and dryed1 and that very warily1 because ,gold of this sort1 when it groweth hot1 fulminateth1 so that it is shattered into minute parts4 ,to this fulminating ,gold if you add a little common ,sulphur1 and make it red hot in a ,crucible1 it doth not fulminate4 ,if you reduce such a ,calx of ,gold mixed with ,borax in a clean ,crucible1 you will find how much ,gold that four ,ounces of ,sand or ,flint contained4 ,n4 ,b4 ,except the ,sand or ,flint should happen also to be impregnated with ,iron1 which would render the ,sol brittle and pale4 ,for in that case1 the ,sol precipitated from the ,aqua ,regia1 and burned with ,sulphur would not flow with ,borax1 because the ,iron being mixed with it1 would adulterate the ,probation3 ,but if you cupel such ,gold partaking of ,iron1 with ,saturn1 the ,iron may be separated from the ,sol1 and the proof will be void of errour4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that ,sand and ,flints1 may indeed be proved another way1 but seeing this which we have here prescribed1 is easie to be practised1 we will rest in that4 ,but this one thing is also necessary to be known1 viz4 ,it is indeed true1 that in all ,sand and ,flints there is ,gold1 as the above mentioned proofs do witness2 nevertheless know that there is a difference between native1 corporeal1 and solid ,gold1 and the volatile spiritual first ,ens of ,gold4 ,for the corporeal ,gold is easily extracted by the help of corrosive ,waters or ,salts2 but the spiritual not so4 ,and because corporeal ,gold is always elicited by the benefit of the above mentioned ,probation it may thence happen1 that although in white ,sand there should plainly be no corporeal ,gold1 nevertheless by the help of the aforesaid ,probations it would be thence elicited1 indeed not much1 nor no more than what the ,lead which was used for the proof1 did contain of ,silver3 because the ,lune in the melting or dissolving hath attracted to it self the spiritual ,gold1 from the ,flint or ,sand1 so that it is thence tincted and transmuted into ,gold4 ,which is manifest in that the grain of ,sol doth not exceed the magnitude of the grain of ,silver1 which is gotten from other common ,lead4 ,but if besides the spiritual1 there be also corporeal ,gold in the ,sand1 the grain of ,sol will necessarily exceed that of ,luna1 for the ,silver which was contained in the ,saturn doth not vanish into ,air but remaineth and because it doth not remain the same ,silver but passeth into ,gold1 that change is ascribed to the notable ,operation of the first ,ens of ,gold or spiritual ,gold in the ,sand4 ,wherefore who soever intendeth to extract ,gold from ,sand1 ,flint or ,stones with profit1 ought to know certainly before by smaller experiments1 that besides spiritual1 they also contain corporal ,gold4 ,for ,i have written this ,book onely upon the account of extracting from them corporal ,gold1 leaving the spiritual ,gold to ,philosophers that of it they may make their ,stone4 ,but necessity required that ,i should lightly touch at those few things4 ,for if according to my prescribed ,probations1 any one in working should have found a grain of ,gold of equal quantity with the grain of ,silver1 he might wonder in his mind1 which way the ,silver had made its escape1 seeing that he had found ,gold instead of ,silver4 ,wherefore ,i thought it necessary to shew the reason of that1 for the taking away all scruple from every ignorant mind4 ,wherefore whosoever seeketh ,gold from ,sand or ,stones1 let him chuse such1 from which corporal ,gold may be extracted with profit4 ,for they will afford him such profitable fruit1 as the white ,sand denieth4 ,but that for the performing my ,specimens of ,probation1 ,i have taught to take white ,sand1 ,i have done it for this reason1 that ,i might make it evident to every one that there is ,gold in all ,sand1 but that it cannot be extracted from all with gain4 ,for white ,sand or ,flint is very often void of corporal ,gold1 but never of spiritual1 by which ,silver may be converted into good ,gold4 ,i might have passed by this admonition with silence1 seeing that those things are not necessary to be known by the vulgar1 in asmuch as corporal ,gold will abundantly satisfy their desire2 but a ,philosopher neither wanteth1 nor seeketh corporal ,gold1 but onely spiritual1 to prepare of it a ,tincture4 ,add1 that to him it is sufficiently known1 in what subjects the first ,ens of ,gold is plentifully contained4 ,hence1 although the first ,ens of ,gold be also in white ,sand1 as is manifest by the foregoing proofs1 he useth not that1 but rather seeketh such ,stones for his work1 as contain much ,tincture4 ,neither also doth any true ,philosopher so tie himself to this or that subject onely1 that he will not elicit his ,tincture from any other1 inasmuch as it is evident to him that the first ,ens of ,gold may be found in all things in the whole ,world4 ,for wheresoever there is ,sulphur1 there may also be had the first ,ens of ,gold1 whence a ,tincture may be prepared4 ,but it is evident that in all ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals there is ,sulphur4 ,for the matter of the ,stone of ,philosophers1 every where offereth it self1 so that the poor as well as the rich may attain it without cost1 according to that saying of the ,philosopher2 ,that their matter is every where obvious1 and prepared without money1 trod under foot and thrown to ,dunghils4 ,so the true ,philosophers speak and write4 ,but ,sophisters1 who falsly assume the name of ,philosophers1 wandring up and down from ,court to ,court1 where they offer their service for the acquiring the ,philosophers ,stone1 by their lying ,fables1 perswade credulous ,noble men1 that the matter of the ,stone is to be sought in this or that place or mountain1 as in ,hungary1 ,transylvania1 the ,forrest of ,hercynia1 ,thuringia or ,bohemia1 or in the ,rocks of ,sueden or ,norway1 and elsewhere4 ,others again perswade credulous ,persons1 that the ,stone of ,philosophers1 can be made of nothing but common ,gold1 and therefore require of their ,patrons not onely some ounces1 but some pounds of ,gold1 for their own greater profit4 ,one of those ,pseudo-philosophers was lately here at ,amsterdam1 who by perswading certain ,merchants1 trickt them out of two and twenty ,marks of ,gold1 thence to make the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,he indeed put the ,gold into the ,vessel according to his own manner1 before those ,merchants1 giving to it a continuall ,fire4 ,but after much time being elapsed1 when they expected to reap the ,fruit1 he1 who had plaid the ,philosopher1 privately withdrew himself into ,i know not what ,countrey1 and would not return to take out the two and twenty marks of gold4 ,therefore the ,merchants themselves being about to take them out1 found those solar ,birds were flown1 and had left onely the empty nest4 ,which empty nest as yet lies in a place in this ,city1 nor doth any one know how to convert it to his own use4 ,but if the ,merchant had given to that impostor in hand1 onely two1 or at the most three ounces of gold1 they had not received so great a loss4 ,but as they unadvisedly credited his fine ,clothes1 and his finer words1 so they were intollerably deceived4 ,a true ,philosopher wanteth not so much gold for his ,medicine1 inasmuch as if he bringeth but one half ounce to perfection1 it may suffice for his whole life1 and may be in his own power to do the same again as often as necessity shall require1 so that he will have no need to run up and down from one to another who are greedy of gold1 to blemish the noble art of ,chymistry1 and bring it into hatred with the whole ,world4 ,some years since1 when ,i had written of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 and from a good intention had taught how ,wine and ,corn might be concentrated1 and in case of necessity1 might be commodiously carried from one ,countrey to another1 and there safely kept in ,garrisons or ,fortresses for future use2 fearing that at sometime while the ,shepherd slept1 that most ravenous ,wolf the ,turk might break into the ,german ,fold1 and cut the throats of what ,sheep he could not carry away4 ,against which1 ,farner with his accomplices1 hath set forth notorious ,libels1 and hath every where traduced me for a false ,prophet3 ,whose ,calumnies ,i have not opposed1 because he hath sheltred himself under the protection of ,princes4 ,moreover1 this ,farner1 with a consort of ruiners of fame1 or good name1 have reproachfully wounded my ,honour1 by falsely accusing my ,writings1 and traducing them for ,lyes3 ,and seeing that almost all of them abide in great ,men's ,courts1 and have not put their names to their invective ,papers1 ,i have not indeed been able to reach them4 ,but yet at length those ,men of darkness1 who have concealed their names1 that they might give the greater reputation to their slanderous ,papers1 do come to be more and more known to me4 ,besides at last the event hath shewed those things to be true1 which ,i had predicted should happen2 to wit1 that the depraved ,christians should be chastised by the ,turks and ,tartars4 ,but it is to be pitied that also ,men of better note1 should be ensnared and captivated by the common judgment1 by reason of that ,company of the ,devils attendants4 ,for the unerring truth declareth1 that the righteous scourge of ,god1 will not be taken away from us1 before such spoils of a ,man's good name be restrained by the ,magistrate4 ,now1 to return to our purpose1 to demonstrate1 that not onely ,gold1 but also somewhat more rare2 to wit1 a true ,tincture is hidden in ,stones1 and by the help of ,art may be extracted from them1 which the ,ancients have hinted at in these words3 ,auro quid ,melius8 ,jaspis1 c4 ,and that there is much ,tincture contained in the ,jasper1 ,i have long since inculcated in other places of my ,writings4 ,paracelsus highly commendeth ,red ,talck1 ,granates1 ,antimony1 and ,lapis ,lazuli1 adding that ,tinctures or the first ,ens of ,gold1 may be gotten from them by the help of sublimation4 ,moreover the first ,ens of ,gold1 may also be found in other ,stones1 especially in the ,hematitis1 ,scythis1 ,magnesia of ,piedmont1 ,smiris1 and others of that kind1 in which it is so fixed1 that there is nothing wanting to obtain it but onely the way of extracting1 and giving it ingress by ,sol4 ,on the contrary1 the first ,ens of ,gold is indeed in ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral ,sulphur1 ,marcasites1 and ,antimony1 and that abundantly1 but so volatile that ,stones are to be preferred to them4 ,and although my intention in this ,book extendeth no farther than the extracting of ,gold out of ,stones1 ,sand1 and ,flints1 yet nothing hinders but that in a few words1 ,i may also shew1 that in ,stones1 there is not onely fixed ,gold1 but also volatile1 whence a true ,tincture may be perfected4 ,which ,tincture ,i have not as yet made1 but nevertheless ,i am certainly perswaded that it is in no wise impossible to be done4 ,for whosoever can render the first ,ens of ,gold1 in ,stones1 volatile1 and draw it out by ,distillation1 he will continually obtain a gradatory water1 whereby he may coagulate every running ,mercury into good ,gold4 ,but he that knoweth how to joyn this volatile ,gold with corporal ,sol1 to unite them and procure ingress1 may thence expect a far greater good4 ,for the first ,ens of ,gold is more conducible for the preparing ,tinctures1 than corporal ,gold1 as one of the ,philosophers hath signified in the following words3 ,thou canst not make ,gold or ,silver1 except thou shalt obtain their first ,ens4 ,the first ,ens of ,gold1 which is hidden in all ,vegetables and ,animals1 coagulateth ,mercury also into a yellowness1 but not constant2 but if it shall be fixed1 it also coagulateth and fixeth with constancy1 but not before4 ,therefore it is most certainly true1 that where ,sulphur is1 there is also the first ,ens of ,gold2 and where there is the first ,ens of ,gold1 there is also ,tincture4 ,therefore seeing that ,sulphur may be found1 in all things in the ,world1 even in the smallest ,herb1 it followeth that also from every ,herb1 ,wood1 ,stone1 or ,bone1 a true ,tincture may be prepared4 ,whosoever will believe1 let him1 it matters little to me whether it be believed or not1 ,i think my self satisfied in that ,i have not put that light which ,i have received under a ,bushel1 but have exhibited it to the ,world for information4 ,for the light conduceth nothing to him who is blind1 and resolveth to remain so4 ,you shall find more in my third ,century1 as also in the sixth part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,how it may be known whether ,sand1 ,flints1 and the like ,stones1 being pregnant with ,gold1 contain much ,gold1 or but little4 ,white ,sand and ,flint1 contain the least ,gold of all2 which ,sand indeed is never without ,gold1 although it cannot be extracted from it with profit4 ,in the white and red1 there is more ,gold than in the white1 nevertheless not always so much as will pay the cost4 ,in the yellow1 brown1 or black1 there is commonly much ,gold contained1 whensoever veins of white or yellow ,sand run through them1 and especially when such ,sand shineth with abundance of small golden sparks1 closely adhering to each other4 ,in like manner that ,sand is rich in ,sol1 which is like to ,talck1 or when ,stones are found in it1 in which there is red or brown ,talck1 even as ,sol is contained almost in every ,talck1 nevertheless in some more1 in other less4 ,all ,river ,pebbles 7which although outwardly they appear white1 yet when heated red hot and broken1 are stained with yellowness1 and contain ,sol7 are in extracting sufficiently rich in ,gold4 ,green1 yellow1 or blue ,stones1 being transparent like horn called in the ,german ,tongue ,hornstein are also for the most part fruitfull in ,gold4 ,also all red1 dark-coloured and black ,flints contain ,gold1 with which ,iron is frequently admixed1 which in the extraction is drawn out with the ,sol1 and weakneth the ,menstruum1 and rendereth it unprofitable4 ,all ,quarries or rocky ,stones1 whether they be found in the ,earth after the manner of ,ducts1 or whether they lie in the open ,air1 when they are coloured1 contain ,gold4 ,every ,hmatites1 and that which is a kin to it1 the ,smiris1 the ,granate1 and ,lapis ,lazuli1 all contain ,gold1 nevertheless always one more than another1 so that some of them are rich in ,gold4 ,all ,granates contain ,gold1 and besides ,gold1 also the first ,ens of gold2 but they are endowed with so hard a body1 that ,aqua ,fortis cannot exercise its power upon them4 ,but there may be a remedy found1 by whose help their extraction may be instituted4 ,in every golden ,stone called ,chrysocolla1 ,saphyr1 ,ruby1 ,amethyst1 and ,hiacynth1 there is gold1 but difficult to be extracted4 ,all ,fluors or things fluxing1 which are applied to the ,mines of ,sol and ,lune1 for the bringing their ,oars to a flux or melting1 whether they be of a violet colour1 or purple1 yellow1 red1 or green7 are all endowed with unripe and volatile gold4 ,which if you shall make red hot1 the colour evaporateth like a green1 yellow1 or red smoke1 leaving the ,stones white4 ,but if any ,man shall know how to intercept1 and detain such fugacious ,sol1 he may therewith coagulate ,mercury into gold4 ,in like manner from all ,stones1 in which is the first ,ens of gold1 a green-water may be extracted by the help of ,distillation1 in which ,mercury coagulateth it self into gold4 ,the ,ancient ,philosophers have called such a green-water1 their ,green ,lyon1 which devoureth gold1 and of it prepareth a ,tincture for ,lune and ,mercury4 ,concerning this matter1 ,i could indeed say somewhat more1 did not the avarice and improbity of ,men1 who seek nothing but the damage of their ,neighbour1 restrain me4 ,hence all those in which any light of ,god shall arise1 ought diligently to beware that they communicate nothing of it to wicked ,men1 although they put on the shape of an ,angel4 ,for ,faith is now no where kept among ,men1 as these following words of a golden ,alphabet do witness4 ,soli ,deo tu ,confidas1 ,promissis hominum diffidas1 ,deus solus fidem servat ,a mundo fides exulat4 ,in ,god alone repose thy trust1 ,with ,mens pretence be not beguil'd2 ,god onely keepeth ,faith1 is ,just1 ,which from the ,world is quite exil'd4 ,if many years ago1 ,i had known those things which ,i now do1 it would have profited me much in being aware of the dissembled sanctity of impostours4 ,but what is past cannot be recalled3 ,let these things at this time suffice to be spoken of the knowledge of ,sand and ,stones1 every ,man may look further for himself1 and search out and learn more4 ,if any ,man findeth any good from what ,i have written in this ,book1 let him give ,god thanks1 and be mindfull of the ,poor2 if not1 let him look upon himself as unworthy to be partaker of it4 ,for ,i have here written more perspicuously1 than any ,philosopher hath done before me1 in which ,i rest4 ,it now remains that we should say something concerning the easie way1 and incomparable invention1 by whose benefit ,sol may be extracted from ,sand and ,stones1 in great quantity and with a considerable gain4 ,which invention hath been hitherto unknown to the ,world1 and it is almost impossible that a better should be found4 ,but that the searcher into ,art may see that this new invention of mine1 is of all the most easie for the extracting of ,gold from ,sand or ,flints1 and that the ,world hath never known the like1 ,i have thought fit to shew in what this ,compendium consists1 and it is thus4 ,it is sufficiently known with what labour and costs the ancient ,workers in ,metals1 and even those at this day1 have extracted1 and do extract ,gold from ,sand and ,stones1 viz4 when first they burn the ,oars or ,stones1 then grind it in peculiar ,mills accommodated to that purpose1 with ,argent-vive and water1 where the ,argent-vive draweth to it self the ,sol1 and the ,stone goeth away in the washing1 and the greatest part of the ,argent-vive is strain'd from the gold through ,leather1 which may again serve for the same use4 ,then in ,iron ,retorts they drive out the residue of the ,argent-vive1 which yet adhered to the ,sol1 which is saved2 then they melt the ,sol4 ,in which operation they lose much of the ,argent-vive1 which in the grinding and washing goeth away3 so that often times the charge of the ,mercury is no less than the gain of the gold4 ,therefore by this way nothing can be gotten from a poor ,mine4 ,but this is the easiest way they have to separate ,sol from its ,oar or ,stones4 ,another way is1 when they mix the washed ,oar 7which the ,germans call ,schlicht7 with its weight of ,litharge1 and melt it with ,bellows1 then cupel the ,regulus of ,saturn1 and so they obtain the ,sol which was in the ,oar4 ,which way of melting1 is also dear1 because much of the ,lead is lost3 ,but yet they are obliged to follow this way1 who know no better4 ,now ,i will compare my way with this1 that it may be evident which of them is the most easie and profitable4 ,as for my method of extracting1 it chiefly depends upon four singular ,compendiums1 by which the operation is rendred easie4 ,the first of which is a water of small cost1 which may be copiously prepared1 without ,distillation4 ,the second is a singular ,metal1 of which the ,kettles or ,pans are made1 in which the ,stones or ,sand is boiled with the water of small cost1 and yet are not corroded nor consumed4 ,and when the water shall have dissolved and imbibed the ,sol in the ,sand1 the ,oar1 ,sand1 or ,stones1 with the water are to be taken out of the boiling ,vessel1 and put into another ,vessel adapted to this use1 with a bottom all over perforated with small holes like a ,colender and first covered with inside1 with a thin ,matt1 then the water will drop down through the ,sand and ,matt into another ,vessel placed under it2 moreover more hot water is to be poured upon the same ,sand1 and let to run through it1 which water will also extract the gold which as yet remained in the ,sand4 ,and after this ,elixiviation1 the ,sand1 7which is now of no use7 is to be taken out of the filtering ,vessel1 and this labour to be continued so long1 untill no more ,sand is to be extracted4 ,the third ,compendium is this1 when the ,lixivium of ,gold1 is collected to a just quantity1 a singular ,water of small cost1 is poured into the ,solution of ,gold1 whence all the ,sol is precipitated from the ,solvent1 the ,solvent by inclination is decanted from the ,calx of ,sol1 and may again be used for the like extraction1 seeing that it still retaineth its strength1 being nothing weakened by the precipitation4 ,therefore we may use this ,solvent a long time4 ,and that which is lost by pouring too and again1 is of small charge1 because it may be recruited again by the like cheap ,water4 ,but if one should mortifie that dissolvent with other contrary ,lixiviums1 to precipitate the ,sol1 as otherwise is wont to be done1 and ,i have taught above1 about the proving of ,sand1 what a loss should we undergo1 if at every time we should destroy our ,solvent8 ,besides such an extraction is costly and laborious1 when made in glass or earthen ,cucurbits4 ,but this extraction is almost of no charge1 seeing that it may be perfected in great ,kettles1 and the ,gold thence precipitated without loss of the ,water4 ,this extraction of ,gold is like the extraction of ,salt-peter from ,earth1 where the ,workmen also elixiviate one part of the ,earth1 by the help of ,water1 which ,earth they then throw away1 and in room of that put other ,earth into the ,vessel1 which they also elixiviate or wash1 and that so often till they have elixiviated all their ,earth impregnated with ,salt peter4 ,and by the same reason we elicit our ,gold from ,sand1 as they make their ,salt-peter4 ,the fourth ,compendium is this1 that the precipitated ,calx of ,sol1 after the ,water is filtred from it1 is taken out of the filter and dried1 and by the benefit of a certain singular good flux1 not at all costly1 is reduced1 so that in the melting nothing of the ,gold is lost4 ,in those four ,compendiums the whole work of our extraction consisteth1 as a building standing upon four ,pillars1 one of which failing1 the whole structure is ruined4 ,he that knoweth those four ,compendiums may boldly enter upon the work1 to extract ,sol from ,sand and ,stones3 for then it will be a work of profit to him1 otherwise not1 which ,i have declared for the information of every man4 ,but that ,i have made none of those four ,compendiums manifest1 let no man wonder1 because ,i have been sufficiently hurt by the slanderous ,forgeries of cavelling ,detractours4 ,for when by reason of their dull apprehension1 they could not understand nor perform those things which ,i had written openly and plain enough1 they falsly traduced my ,writings1 as abounding with lies4 ,let these things suffice to be written at this time1 concerning the extraction of ,gold out of ,stones1 ,sand or ,flints3 which ,i doubt not but will be of use hereafter to many indigent ,persons4 ,for although all men should apply themselves to that extraction1 yet they would in no wise incommode one another1 seeing there are ,sand and ,stones every where obvious to all4 ,and also the ,salts for extracting are so plentifully afforded1 that nothing is wanting but a man to put his hand to the work4 ,but some one may here object and say3 ,i do indeed believe ,glauber1 that in the ,sand and ,stones of the ,east and ,west ,indies1 ,africa1 ,spain1 ,italy1 ,france1 and other hot ,countries1 much ,gold may be found1 but who will remove his dwelling thither to extract it8 ,there is no need that any should go dwell in ,africa1 or either ,indies1 thence to fetch us ,gold1 seeing that it may be had sufficiently in ,europe1 and may be found in all cold places4 ,it is well known1 that in many parts of ,germany1 ,gold is elicited from the ,sand as well of small1 as great ,rivers and ,lakes4 ,but that more ,gold may not be had in ,germany1 which is temperate1 than in cold ,norway1 or ,sweden1 and less in ,germany than in ,france or ,spain1 ,i will not deny4 ,therefore we need no ,commerce with thirsty ,africa1 or ,america1 as that with great peril of body and mind1 we should seek ,gold thence1 seeing that we have it in every ,countrey of ,europe1 and that not onely under ground in the ,veins of the ,earth1 whence it is to be digged out with great trouble1 cost and labour2 but it is also every where manifest upon the ,earth1 where it is much more largely and easily acquired4 ,the most famous ,monarch of ,philosophers1 ,paracelsus1 in his ,book of the ,vexations of ,alchymists saith3 ,that more ,gold and ,silver may be found above the ,earth1 than in its profundity1 and that oftentimes a ,countreyman throweth a ,stone at a ,cow1 which is of greater value than the ,price of the ,cow4 ,which thing indeed is certainly true1 nevertheless whosoever will not with ,glauber believe it1 let him remain in his unbelief4 ,in ,esdras1 we reade these words3 ,there is much ,earth of which ,potters make their ,vessels1 but a small quantity of ,powder or ,dust of which ,gold is made4 ,which words are commonly thus interpreted1 that1 by the words powder or dust of which ,gold is made1 the ,writer hath understood the ,stone of ,philosophers4 ,the which is very agreeable to truth1 but yet no ,earth is found void of metals1 nevertheless all are not so rich1 as to afford any profit in the extracting4 ,on the contrary all ,stones and ,sand 7although every of them doth not contain corporal ,sol so largely1 as to be thence extracted with gain7 rejoyce in the first ,ens of ,gold1 or such a ,calx by whose benefit ,gold may be made4 ,which powder1 if we know how to extract from them1 we may make it better than ,gold it self4 ,but seeing such an ,aurifick ,calx is very largely diffused in ,sand or ,stones1 and cannot be thence hammered out1 but is extracted by ,art alone1 therefore the blind ,covetours of ,gold1 with the ,ignorant1 will not believe it1 because they know not how to perfect it4 ,hence an ,art of this kind was by the ,philosophers kept most secret1 where ,paracelsus speaking of the first ,ens of ,gold1 saith that it may be elicited by sublimation4 ,basilius writeth that the preparation of the universal ,tincture1 may be compared to the distillation of a burning ,spirit from the ,lees of ,wine4 ,a comparison sufficiently perspicuous6 ,for even as in a great quantity of ,wine or ,beer1 there is hidden but a small quantity of good ,spirit1 and the residue is nothing but an unprofitable mud1 but nevertheless that little ,spirit1 by the help of distillation is always extracted from the great quantity of unprofitable mud1 with gain1 and is concentrated into a very subtile penetrating ,spirit1 of which one spoonfull is more to be esteemed than a whole pail full of ,lees4 ,by such means the ,philosophers would have us extract by ,art1 that first ,ens or form of ,gold being very far dispersed in ,sand and ,stones1 and concentrate or bring it into a small compass1 of which1 but asmuch as the magnitude of a ,pease1 is of greater worth than a huge ,mountain of unprofitable ,earth4 ,moreover1 this ,i will not conceal1 that throughout all ,germany1 in and about the ,rivers may be found ,stones1 which are sufficiently rich in ,gold and ,silver1 and moreover if you break them into pieces1 you shall find within them little ,holes and ,caverns1 which abound with a yellow or brown ,powder1 which if any one shall take out1 and melt it together with ,borax1 he will acquire ,sol mixed with ,silver4 ,but as yet1 ,i never saw any man1 who knew this sort of stones1 and much less that golden ,calx which is hidden in them4 ,which thing without doubt they have passed by1 by reason of their negligence1 not loving or seeking to know the physical ,magnalia of ,god4 ,i have found many the like stones in the sandy ,hills about ,utrecht1 and in other ,sand-pits of this ,belgick ,nation1 but more about the ,banks of the ,rhine1 and the ,isle1 as also the ,coast of the ,southern ,sea1 some of which stones ,i have yet by me4 ,also in the rough places of ,walavia you may find much ,sand and ,stones1 which contain corporal ,gold4 ,but there is no man knoweth any thing of them4 ,and this might be of great use to ,children1 if they were placed for a time in the ,shop or ,workhouse of some ,artist1 of whom they might learn1 whence in any case of necessity they might be able to sustain themselves4 ,but the rich1 relying upon their own fortunes1 think that they have ,wealth enough for their ,children1 but if any adverse fortune shall chance to befall them1 as their ,houses to be burnt1 or their ,ships robbed by ,pyrates of their rich ,merchandizes1 or be cast away by ,tempests1 or their ,debtours break and run away in their ,debts1 then they know not which way to turn themselves2 and because they have learned no ,art1 whereby to get their living1 they commonly degenerate into men of a desperate life4 ,for one leaveth his ,wife and ,children1 and goeth into the ,indies1 where not a few have become a ,prey to wild ,beasts or ,cannibals4 ,another1 for a small stipend or pay1 selleth his ,freedom to fight by ,sea and ,land1 untill like a mad ,dog he is miserably slain4 ,i have heard that it is a ,custom in ,germany1 that a man may play away1 pawn1 or sell his ,liberty or ,freedom1 which being once gone1 he becomes a ,vassal or ,slave to the publick ,service of the ,prince or ,state1 during his ,life4 ,others1 7after they have consumed and wasted all their substance1 and have learned nothing that is gainfull in their youth1 whence they might honestly maintain themselves and ,families7 betake themselves to a vitious kind of life1 till they perish in it4 ,to have truely learned ,mechanick ,arts1 indeed helpeth much in fortunate times2 but when the times happen to be troublesome and difficult1 and many men in the same ,city exercise one and the same ,art1 one often hurts another1 by eating the ,bread out of his mouth1 and reduceth him to straits4 ,but if a ,physician knoweth somewhat besides the ,profession of ,physick1 by which he may obtain a ,living1 he will have no need to make so many ,visits to the ,sick out of a pressing desire and expectation of getting mony for his diligent attendance4 ,therefore ,hermetick ,philosophy and ,medicine1 with their ,cousen ,german natural ,alchymy1 are the most excellent of all ,arts1 and will so remain to the ,end of the ,world4 ,seeing therefore that such great ,treasures 7as we have heard7 are hidden in the despised ,earth1 and in such subjects as are every where trampled under foot1 wherefore should we not extract them1 for an honest maintenance1 and defence against the injury of the times8 ,why should we not leave ,india to the ,indians1 and have regard to our own ,europe1 which abundantly affordeth whatsoever we need for the sustentation of ,life8 ,i cannot but say again and again1 that were ,i but ten years younger than ,i am1 ,i would not cease1 but for the good of the publick1 would publickly teach1 and demonstrate to the ,eye1 true ,philosophy1 ,medicine1 and ,alchymy4 ,but my glass being almost run1 ,i must commit the care of this labour to others who are younger and have greater strength of ,body4 ,therefore in the mean time1 whatsoever good ,i can do my ,neighbour by wholsome ,writings1 ,i will not omit4 ,i intend shortly 7,god favouring my design7 to publish many secrets1 hitherto unheard of4 ,nothing now remains but to close this little ,treatise with1 ,the ,end4 ,glory be to ,god alone4 ,an ,admonition to the ,,reader4 ,whatsoever ,i have written in this little ,book of the compendious extracting of ,gold1 out of ,sand and ,stones1 is so true1 that nothing at all is to be doubted concerning it3 ,nevertheless after this ,treatise was gone to the ,press1 another way1 and that much better came into my mind1 by the benefit of which1 ,gold may be extracted with a much greater expedition1 than by the help of the former4 ,because for the operation of this last way1 there is no need of any ,kettles or ,pans made of a certain singular ,metal1 but the extraction may be made in quantity without any boyling1 in such ,vessels as are every where in hand1 and may be had1 so that one man in one day1 may by an easie business perform the extraction of a thousand ,pounds weight of ,sand4 ,which method is indeed much to be preferred to the former4 ,wherefore ,i could not but also notifie this way of extraction4 ,what seekest thou8 ,if ,i shall find that those my profitable inventions are gratefully received1 ,i will not neglect officiously to serve the publick1 in this present evil ,age1 and in the worser to come1 by publishing the same4 ,with which1 benevolent ,reader1 ,i commit thee to the ,divine ,care and ,protection4 ,dated at ,amsterdam the #bfth4 ,day of ,july #affd4 ,a ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa3 ,,or ,,dispensatory4 ,being an exact description by what means1 profitable1 efficacious1 and penetrating ,medicines may be made1 and prepared out of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals2 after an unwonted and easie method4 ,,part ,i4 ,to the well minded ,reader4 ,some or other will perhaps wonder at1 and fain know what the reason should be of my describing this ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 or ,chymical ,dispensatory1 especially when they consider that there are not onely found various preparations of divers ,chymical ,remedies in my ,books that ,i have published1 but also many such innumerable ,writings of such kind of businesses1 are publick even from the days of old down to this very day1 both profitable ones 7of which the number is very small7 and also unprofitable ones 7of which there are a great multitude17 insomuch that it might seem altogether needless to commit to the ,press any more matters of that kind4 ,to satisfie such a one that thus enquires1 ,i judge it well worth my while to demonstrate in this place1 that it is not onely very profitable1 but also highly necessary1 well to distinguish between good and tried ,medicines1 and such as are not proved ones1 not because you should neglect1 correct1 reject1 and suppress other ,mens ,writings1 and to esteem highly of mine4 ,no such matter1 for ,i well know that none can give more than he possesseth1 and if any one doth 7out of a candid mind7 bring to light any thing for the profit and benefit of his ,neighbour1 how vile soever1 and mean the thing be1 yet is it to be most thankfully accepted of2 and therefore let no body be so proud1 as to presume upon the rejecting of the industry and labour of another ,man1 but rather extoll it with praises1 though he himself could have done better4 ,and so by what is here spoken1 ,i would hint unto you that the very reason why ,i have published this small ,treatise1 is this1 viz4 that my inventions may reach out an helping hand to poor afflicted mankind1 and that ,i may assist them in a ,christian manner1 according to the will and command of the most high4 ,and although ,i have already described the preparation of many profitable ,medicines1 as well out of ,vegetables and ,animals1 as out of ,minerals1 in my ,philosophical ,furnaces1 by the use of which in case of necessity1 every curable ,disease may be sufficiently enough driven out and carried off2 yet nevertheless it hath seemed expedient unto me1 to set forth this little ,work under three ,parts1 each of which parts shall contain singular ,medicaments as for example4 ,the first ,part shall comprehend such ,medicines1 as proceed from ,vegetables1 the second ,part1 such as proceed from ,animals1 and the third ,part1 such as may be had out of ,minerals4 ,and this also is a primary reason why ,i have comprised each kind of ,medicaments in a singular ,work or ,treatise1 because of the envious know-littles1 and foolish deriders1 and despisers of ,art1 who reject all ,mineral ,medicaments1 7but they know not their properties7 as unsafe at all times1 because not taken forsooth out of the wholsome ,vegetables1 7whose use and virtue say they hath been approved for many ,ages7 but out of the poisonous ,minerals and ,metals1 whereto no trust is to be given1 and the use of them too is to this day very rare1 and their operation too vehement4 ,now that ,i may stop the mouths of these kind of ,men1 and that they may see and know1 that ,i likewise am well versed in the virtues of ,vegetables1 and their true preparations1 together with their purification and fundamental ,anatomy1 and with their reduction into most wholsome and most safe ,medicaments1 ,i have purposed with my self in my first part of my ,spagyrical ,dispensatory1 to treat of no other things save onely such ,medicaments as are made out of known ,vegetable ,simples1 without the addition of any other things1 7either ,animal or ,mineral7 as for instance1 out of ,herbs1 ,flowers1 ,roots1 ,fruits1 and ,seeds1 their separation by ,art1 and their reduction into a better form4 ,in the second part1 we will treat of such things onely as proceed from1 and are prepared out of ,man1 and other ,creatures1 and such as live in the ,air1 and also such as live in the ,waters4 ,but in the third ,part ,i shall not desist from defending those ,medicaments of mine1 which ,i published some years since1 and were prepared of ,minerals1 and shall demonstrate unto you1 that they are not at any rate to be shunned or neglected1 if rightly prepared and applied1 but are to be preferred far before those ,medicaments that are prepared out of ,vegetables and ,animals4 ,to them ,i will also adjoyn the use and preparations of several other things1 which ,i never as yet made mention of4 ,nor do ,i doubt but that the eyes of the blind will sometime or other be opened1 so as to see the truth1 and confess it and love it1 to the doing whereof1 ,i pray ,god1 that ,eternal1 ,immutable1 and durable ,light1 the ,father and defender of the truth to help us4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,spagyrical ,,pharmacopoea3 ,,or ,,dispensatory4 ,what ,vegetables are1 or what is meant by the name of ,vegetables8 ,you are in the first place to note1 that under the name ,vegetable1 comes all that which hath its ,food out of the ,earth1 which grows or is encreased1 be they ,herbs1 ,shrubs1 or tall ,trees with what appertains unto them1 as the ,root1 ,stalk1 ,leaves1 ,flowers1 ,seeds1 and ,fruits of them1 as well cultivated as wild1 both of our own ,countrey1 and ,forreign1 as well the known wholsomes one1 as the unknown and hurtfull1 whatsoever name they are called by1 the kinds1 shape1 form1 property1 virtue1 and power2 of which1 may be found described by many ancient and later ,philosophers and ,physicians1 so that 'tis needless to make any farther rehearsal of them4 ,my purpose is onely to tell by what means1 and by what most excelling way that innate virtue1 operation1 and efficacy1 which ,god hath implanted into them1 may1 and indeed ought1 by the dexterity and industry of ,man1 to be separated from their dead ,fces and ,husks1 and be concentrated and applied in a convenient form to ,diseases1 and be reduced into a most pleasant and acceptable ,essence4 ,but some may object and say1 what good is here in bestowing such a deal of labour and care to extract the virtues out of ,herbs1 and concentrate them1 and so at last administer them to the ,sick8 ,will it not be all one1 if any one know their natures1 virtues and properties1 7the which may abundantly enough be known by the large description given of them1 in the ,books both of the ,ancient and ,modern ,physicians7 and so make use of them1 green and dryed1 according as they are at hand1 or else first steep them in ,wine1 ,ale1 ,water1 or any other drink used at ,meals1 or else boil them therein1 or omit the decoction1 and drink the infusion1 and so administer help4 ,will not that perform the very same effect1 that the well prepared1 pure1 subtile1 sweet1 and efficacious essence will8 ,i answer that without question1 there is extracted some kind of virtue out of the ,herbs1 by such a kind of infusion in ,wine1 ,ale1 or such other like drinks1 and is together with the ,wine carried into the ,body1 and effects no small things1 if it meets not with too much matter that is to be turned out4 ,but yet no body will deny but that their virtues being extracted and concentrated1 and taken in a spoonfull of ,wine or ,ale1 will operate more speedily1 and be taken in more pleasantly1 and display its virtues more effectually than the boiled ,herbs1 or its infusion2 wherein by reason of the virtue of some few drops as it were lying hid in a whole handfull of ,herbs1 we are constrained to drink down together herewith such a deal of ,wine or ,ale1 which too is rendred very unpleasant and ungratefull by the ,herbs3 ,this the ,ancient ,physicians well observed1 and made an accurate search many ,ages ago1 by what means they might best of all prepare ,herbs sundry ways1 so as to be taken inwardly with delight1 and be encreased in their virtues4 ,thence it came to pass that so many preparations are brought into the ,dispensatories1 which abide in use even to this very day3 amongst which there are distilled ,waters1 ,oils1 ,balsoms1 ,ointments1 ,juices1 ,electuaries1 ,conserves1 and such like2 the which ,i do not by any means reject1 but onely mention how the virtues of ,herbs may be administred to the ,sick1 in a far more pleasant form4 ,it is all one to me1 if the aforesaid and usual preparation of ,herbs be still in best repute and so continue1 for ,i neither sow there1 nor expect to reap thence4 ,and should ,i need their help 7which ,god forbid7 and that ,i had no better to supply my necessity1 ,i would give ,god thanks1 for his vouchsafing me a part of those prepared ,herbs1 lest ,i be constrained to make use of raw ,herbs1 in that manner that the ,cows eat grass1 but yet that ,i have better1 no ,body can blame me1 if ,i rather use them1 and am willing to communicate them out of love and duty to my ,neighbour4 ,verily no ,body is compelled to do otherwise than as pleaseth him1 one useth ,herbs in an infusion of ,wine1 another eats them with ,vinegar1 ,salt1 and ,oil1 another takes them green as they are1 and cuts them small1 mixeth them with ,sugar1 and assoon as they are come to a dryness1 brings them into ,powder1 and takes them in some ,broth2 ,another may thicken them with ,honey1 and ,sugar1 squeeze them in a ,press1 and so use them4 ,and plainly 'tis no matter what way a ,man takes in using them4 ,some there are that can't abide any ,powders1 because they stick to their ,gullet and will not pass down into the ,stomach1 others can't endure ,pills1 and some you will meet with to whom all sweet things as ,honey and ,sugar are distastfull4 ,and you will find many too that can't endure ,wine or ,ale1 wherein ,herbs have been steeped but all night4 ,upon this account venerable ,antiquity considered of so many preparations of ,herbs1 that if haply one way did not like them in administring them1 the ,physician might make use of another way1 and so ,men did year after year attempt more and more the preparation of sweet ,medicaments1 and so trimmed and adorned their ,pharmacopa's daily by little and little1 and brought it to a better state3 ,and that is thus evident 7,i will now speak onely of the ,vegetables17 viz4 there are to be found almost in all well constituted ,pharmacopa's1 burning ,spirits1 which are produced 7by distillation7 out of fermented ,herbs1 as likewise ,salts1 which are extracted out of calcined ,herbs and again coagulated2 also extracts1 and 7by the mediation of the ,spirit of ,wine7 thickned ,juices are extracted2 also distilled ,oils1 and some coagulated into ,balsoms4 ,and many more preparations of this kind1 and better sorts there are1 which have not been of any very long standing1 but have been by little and little added by good and faithfull ,physicians1 all which things do perform as much as they ought 7or may be expected in the rank in which they are7 nor ought any one to throw them clear off4 ,but now if any one knows how ingeniously to extract the virtue of an ,herb1 and to concentrate it in such a manner1 as that one onely drop shall be of as much efficacy as a whole cupfull of distilled ,water1 or as a spoonfull of ,powder1 ,juice1 ,syrrup1 or ,conserve4 ,why ,i pray1 should not one drop be in all likelyhood more willingly taken than a full ,cup1 or a spoonfull8 ,that which may be done by a few1 needs not be done by a great many4 ,but haply some other will say1 how can ,i be certain that there is a greater virtue in some drops of some good ,essence1 than in a whole spoonfull of dryed and finely powdered ,herbs1 or of green ,herbs condited and beaten with ,sugar1 or than a ,potfull of distilled waters2 now this may be known by the virtue1 odour1 and tast1 and that on this wise4 ,if a few drops be put into a potfull of pure fountain water1 and be stirred with a ,spatula1 the said water doth then exactly resemble the odour of the ,herb when whole1 and doth as to its tast agree with that water which is drawn out of the green ,herb by distillation4 ,if therefore the odour and tast be there1 the virtue cannot be far off1 besides the use will easily shew it1 if both of them are in the proof compared together4 ,and this now cannot be contradicted by any probable argument1 for it is clearly evident to every one1 that such a kind of ,essence is an hundred thousand times more efficacious 7respect being had to the quality and quantity of the same7 than the ,herb either green or dryed3 ,besides there also ariseth this benefit1 that such a kind of ,essence doth not at all lose any thing of its virtues though kept a great many years1 whereas the other preparations and especially the distilled waters will grow musty and putrifie4 ,but an ,essence will 7if warily preserved7 endure as efficacious above ten1 yea an hundred years1 as it was the very first day that it was made4 ,forasmuch therefore as these things are without controversie thus1 we should rather mind the chusing of such things which being but small in quantity1 are pleasanter and more efficacious than those that are of so great a bulk1 which indeed are of little or no efficacy at all4 ,there is no body will deny1 but that the virtues of ,herbs are widely dispersed and hidden in themselves1 and for which virtues sake we are forced to take the whole ,herb1 that is1 the dead body for that little virtue that lies hidden therein1 just as if a ,man instead of ,bread should eat the crude wheat together with the stalk whereon it grows1 which certainly would prove very hurtfull to the ,stomach1 and would together with its allaying our hunger corrupt the ,stomach1 and make it unfit for digestion4 ,if therefore the ,countrey-men who are the most sluggish and unaptest ,men of all others1 have by a long course of time arrived unto and experimented this ,wisedom and ,dexterity1 viz4 that the ,corn is not just as it comes out of the ground in its husk and stalk1 at all fit for the use of ,man1 and do likewise well know that it is far more profitable 7if the grain be first threshed out of the ,eare1 then ground small in a ,mill1 the husky ,bran be separated1 and then the pure ,meal mixed with a little water and ,salt1 or ferment ,leaven1 and so the ,past suffered to ferment1 and afterwards be baked7 than to use the crude ,corn just as it grows1 why should we not use also the utmost of our endeavours to extract the most pure ,essence out of medical ,herbs1 and so to administer them to the ,sick2 than to use the crude ,herb as it comes out of the ,earth8 ,and this ,i instance onely for example sake1 that it may appear that a legitimal preparation exalteth a thing into a far better state than it was before4 ,and this may be demonstrated by sundry examples1 if need required1 but sure here is no body that is such an unwise ,tatler as to dare to oppose it4 ,forasmuch then as the case stands thus1 that an extracted1 pure1 and subtile ,medicine1 operates far more speedily and safely1 than when prepared after the common manner1 ,i judge it much amiss to conceal the way that leadeth thereunto1 and not to give directions for the use and profit of ones ,neighbour4 ,nor indeed can ,i say that this invention of preparing ,essences of ,herbs did proceed first of all from my self2 for 'tis unknown to me what another may either have done1 or is able to do4 ,but this ,i know1 that no body hath hitherto mentioned the same either in ,writings or otherwise1 and that this preparation is no where known or in use4 ,well be it as it will1 whether or no others know it as well as ,i1 or have known it before me1 yet it ought to be accompted a good thing1 that ,i bring it forth to light for the sake of so many sick ,people4 ,and it would have been much more acceptable unto me1 if any body else had published it before me1 and had eased me of this labour4 ,but that ,i may return to my purpose2 ,i will begin a brief but very clear description of the way whereby the virtue of ,herbs is to be extracted and concentrated1 that so by this means they may be more effectually operative in ,diseases1 and be more commodiously administred than the crude and unprepared ,herb1 and it is to be done as followeth4 ,the ,preparation of the ,essences of ,vegetables4 ,take of an ,herb cleansed from the ,earth1 and its withered and putrified ,leaves1 both ,root1 ,stalk1 ,leaves1 ,seed if they may be had1 as much as you list1 but however let it be at the least some fifty pounds weight1 for the ,fermentation will not succeed so well in a lesser quantity1 as if taken in a due measure and plenty4 ,cut the ,herb1 c4 small1 pour ,water hereupon as much as is sufficient to fill your ,copper ,still1 within an hands breadth of the top1 urge your fire somewhat strong1 and there will distill forth a clear and well smelling ,water1 together with a little ,oil1 which you must separate from the ,water by a tritory or separating glass1 and reserve it apart3 then take out the ,herbs remaining in the ,still1 put more of your ,herbs in1 and distil the ,water and ,oil as before1 this repeat so long1 until you have distilled all the ,herbs1 always separating the ,oil from the ,water1 and keeping it apart4 ,now then all the ,herbs being thus distilled1 pour water on them again1 and put thereto a spoonfull of good new ,ale yeast1 and let them ferment together in a woodden ,vessel covered over for some three or four ,days3 ,then when the ,herb begins to leave off working1 'tis enough1 and is fitted to send forth in a volatile manner by distillation its most pure parts1 viz4 ,salt and ,sulphur4 ,stir the matter well with a stick1 that so both thick and thin may be well mixed together2 fill your ,still herewithal1 give a fire by degrees1 that the ,herbs burn not too1 and the ,spirit tast of an ,empyreume4 ,distill it with a ,refrigatory so long as the water hath any savour1 the which you may easily find by tasting it often1 when the water comes forth insipid cease from the ,distillation1 keep what is distilled forth in glasses3 ,then empty your ,still and fill it again with more fermented ,herbs1 even within an hands breadth of the top1 distil thence the ,spirit1 the which so long repeat until there remains nothing of the ,herb undistilled4 ,then having cleaned the ,still and ,refrigatory1 pour hereinto all your distilled ,spirits1 and rectifie them1 take onely the strong ,spirits1 pour out the insipid water left in the ,still2 rectifie the ,spirit again in an ,alembick in ,b4 ,m4 and it will again put off an insipid water2 and if need be repeat this rectification yet once more in a glass ,alembick1 that so the ,spirit being exalted by a farther operation may become very strong and subtil1 and its internal ,vertue may be concentrated4 ,so then1 now take the ,herb from which the ,oil and ,spirits proceeded1 make thereof small ,balls which dry in the ,sun or at the ,fire1 burn them unto ,ashes1 from which ,ashes extract the ,salt with the insipid water left in rectifying your ,spirit1 and coagulate it3 ,this ,salt you must again dissolve with more new water and filter1 and coagulate it and then it is enough4 ,to one part of this ,salt1 pour two parts of the rectified ,spirit1 and gently abstract it in a ,b4 ,m4 and so the ,spirit will receive into it self asmuch as it needeth of the fixed ,salt1 and bring it over with it self by the ,alembick3 ,but the fixed ,salt holds back the ,phlegm1 which as yet lurked in the ,spirit4 ,but now the ,salt thus moist1 if it be again fired 7or calcined7 is as good as it was before4 ,to this ,spirit thus concentrated even to the utmost1 pour an half or a third part of the ,oil you distilled before out of the said ,herb1 mix them together by shaking them well1 and the concentrated and ,alkalizated ,spirit will in a moment devour his said proper ,oil1 and will all of it be converted into a clear efficacious and pleasant ,essence4 ,in which ,essence the volatile ,salt and ,sulphur of that ,herb are united with the fixed ,salt1 and are to be accompted of1 as a pleasant1 penetrative1 efficacious ,essence1 and friendly to nature2 the which may be mixed and profitably taken with any ,liquor3 ,a few drops of which have more ,vertue than a whole handfull of the crude ,herb4 ,and this ,essence being taken into the ,body1 doth not onely operate more efficaciously in those kinds of ,diseases which the ,herb served for before its being thus prepared1 but doth also 7by reason of its subtil purity7 more speedily display its ,vertues1 and being externally applied1 doth 7by its ,odour7 corroborate the ,heart and ,brain beyond all other1 how sweet and odoriferous soever thickened ,oils1 prepared with ,civet1 ,musk and ,ambergrese2 all which it compared with this ,essence1 are to be esteemed of as a dead ,body3 ,for in this ,essence1 the volatile ,salt which is conjoyned with the ,oil1 doth presently introduce 7or lead it inwards7 and make it subtil1 even to ,admiration4 ,and so this ,medicine serves as well for inward1 as for outward ,uses4 ,and certain it is1 that the sweet ,odour of any ,herb1 such an one as by which the ,heart might be comforted1 as it were in a moment1 doth sometimes effect more than another comforting ,medicine taken into the ,body4 ,for the ,heart of a ,man lives of the ,air1 as a ,fish doth in the ,water1 the which being pure1 the ,heart becomes also well thereby1 and so on the contrary ill4 ,why should a ,man love to smell a ,flower1 did not the sweet ,odour comfort his ,heart and ,brain1 and were not his ,spirits refreshed thereby4 ,if then the ,flower and ,herb effecteth thus much1 where the sweet and comforting ,spirits are as yet encompassed1 involved1 wildly diffused1 and tied to their dead ,body2 what will the ,spirit do1 being separated from the ,body1 highly depurated and again concentrated4 ,besides the daily1 and 7to all7 well known experience1 that a pleasant ,air refresheth the ,heart1 but a corrupt and infected ,air 7as is evident in the time of the ,plague7 doth 7on the other hand7 debilitate it1 and plainly suffocate it2 ,it might be an easie matter to produce ,histories to prove and verifie the same1 but that it would be too tedious4 ,but yet ,i must needs set down here one or two memorable ones1 for the better confirmations sake of my ,opinion4 ,josephus de ,acosta an acute and very expert ,philosopher1 of the ,order of the ,jesuits1 wrote a ,book of the ,condition and ,property of the ,isles of the ,west ,indies newly found out1 and amongst other things in the third ,book1 and ninth ,chapter1 speaks of things no less incredible than true1 concerning the nature of some ,winds which 7in some ,provinces scituate beyond ,chili7 leap down as it were from the ,tops of ,mountains and ,desarts1 and saith of them1 that these ,winds1 do 7by reason of the notable piercing cold7 not onely cast or throw down for dead1 the ,passengers passing that way1 who not dreaming of any such thing are not well provided against it1 but doth also wholly kill some meerly from that most subtile ,cold1 so contrary and extremely inimicitious to the ,spirits and ,life of ,man4 ,for even as a pleasant and temperate ,air doth preserve and cherish our vital ,spirit1 and nourisheth it2 so on the contrary an intemperate and cold ,air1 doth suffocate and kill it3 ,the which thing is wont to happen to such as sail at ,sea1 for there the ,air is infected by the motion of the salt ,sea1 and doth so affect and debilitate those that are unaccustomed thereunto1 and especially their ,brain1 ,heart1 and ,ventricle 7as we said above concerning the cold ,wind1 in the ,desarts about ,chili7 that it causeth men to vomit1 their ,head and ,heart pains them1 they loath both ,meat and ,drink1 until they are accustomed to the ,air1 and can well brook it4 ,besides this story ,i will yet add another1 to shew that an infected ,air can bring more detriment to the life of a man1 than any corporal ,poyson4 ,for a corporal ,poyson invades the stomach onely1 which by the help of ,nature doth easily expel the same again1 which is sufficiently witnessed by all well known ,histories1 viz4 that a man casts out by vomit a ,poyson that is drunk down inwardly1 but that spiritual ,poysons do hasten to the ,heart1 to suffocate the vital ,spirit1 unless a man be well armed1 and this shall be instanced unto you by the following ,history4 ,about some #cj years ago1 there were two ,mountebanks at ,paris1 that had their stations not much distant from one another1 and they did each of them to their utmost commend their own ,treacle which they sold to the ,inhabitants1 thereby to disparage each other1 and each to allure the men to himself onely4 ,but at last they came to a bargain betwixt themselves1 which was this1 each of them should defend himself with his own ,treacle1 against the ,poyson the one should give unto the other1 and thereby defend the excellency of his ,medicine4 ,well1 one of them takes a huge ,toad1 swallows down one half1 gives the other half to his ,companion to devour1 the which he also swallowed and neither of them hurt4 ,the next day following1 the other invites his ,adversary and used this ,stratagem4 ,he took a ,viper1 together with a ,toad and put them into a ,drum1 adding hereto an handfull of ,salt1 and ordered the ,drum to be beaten a while with ,drum-sticks1 with which unwonted noise both the ,serpent and ,toad being enraged1 breathed forth their spiritual ,venome1 and filled all the ,drum herewith3 ,this done1 he bid his guest put his nose to the hole of the ,drum1 which is usually about the middle of it1 for the letting forth of the sound1 who as soon as ever he had drawn in the spiritual ,venome1 fell backwards and died presently1 not dreaming any such matter1 nor understanding that the spirits either good or bad have as effectual operation upon the body1 as a corporal ,poyson hath4 ,i have not inserted these two stories1 to fill the ,paper up with words1 but to shew1 that ,spirits being separated and freed from their bodies1 are in there virtue and operation an hundred times stronger than the bodies themselves are1 though conjoined with their ,spirits4 ,the which thing doth as well take place in such subjects that are wholsome and friendly to ,man's nature1 as in these here rehearsed4 ,it is abundantly known how many good and subtile ,spirits ,i have described for the sake of the ,sick1 in my second part of ,philosophical ,furnaces2 yet few are here to be found that set about the preparation of them4 ,amongst which ,spirits1 that of ,sal ,armoniack is not the meanest1 which because of its penetrating and temperate heat1 doth exhibit a most present operation1 and is a ,spirit worth all ,men's knowledge1 and worthy every where to be had at the ,apothecaries ,shops4 ,yet ,i have not as yet seen it any where to be had1 though ,i described a short easie way of preparing of it3 ,but of this 7if ,god will7 more shall be spoken in the next part1 where we treat of such ,medicaments as are prepared out of ,animals4 ,such as are their volatile ,salts1 and fixed ones1 wherein a great virtue lieth hidden1 and are 7in some cases7 to be far preferred before those ,medicaments that are made out of ,vegetables4 ,but yet though it be thus1 ,i cannot but admonish here that good and subtile ,medicines are to be circumspectly used1 and not to be administred to the ,sick in a greater quantity than their nature will bear4 ,good and sound ,wine is able to comfort1 and conserve in health1 the ,heart1 ,brain1 and whole ,body of him that useth it aright4 ,whereas another that useth it immoderately1 even the same ,wine is able to inflame and infect his ,lungs and ,liver1 to possess his ,head1 to bring a trembling into his ,hands1 and a ,gout into his ,feet1 to weaken his ,sight1 and to fill his ,reins and ,bladder with the ,stone2 and for this end it was never given by ,god1 nor gotten with so much labour1 but was created onely to serve for the health of ,man4 ,o what curious secrets do lie hidden in the ,wine onely 7not to speak of ,corn and other ,fruits7 all which the ,world neither knows nor cares to know1 and ,i have determined with my self to publish1 in my ,vegetable ,work1 but yet it is at the pleasure of ,god1 whether he will permit so to do or not4 ,it is sufficiently manifest by ,wine alone1 that the abuse of a thing hurts not the abused subject1 and the same may be said of other penetrating ,medicines1 whose operation is according as you use them4 ,we do not suffer a ,child or a ,fool1 neither of which are compos mentis1 to meddle with a sharp ,knife1 for fear lest they should hurt both themselves and others too2 but now a ,wise ,man useth it aright1 and knows how to employ it both to his own and the use of other ,men4 ,if then one hurts another with a ,knife1 the fault lies not in the ,smith that made it1 because he gave it such a keen edge1 but in him rather that used it amiss4 ,thus much ,i judged it worth the while to advise you of1 lest haply some of the ,essences which ,i have described1 should undergo a wrong censure1 as if they were too hot1 but if they should1 it may be known what answer to give4 ,for ,i confess that too much heat doth as well extinguish the ,vital ,spirit 7seeing it is a temperate warmth that is its life and nutriment7 as the cold1 which is an enemy to nature3 and therefore you are here taught not to drink down these fiery ,essences as if they were your ordinary drink1 but they must be wisely administred1 viz4 #a1 #b1 #c1 or #d drops at a time according as the ,patient is1 in a spoonfull of ,ale1 ,wine1 or other liquors4 ,and so the ,medicine penetrateth through the whole body1 and performeth that effect which ,god hath given it4 ,but this is to be known1 that the force and essence of all good and wholsome ,herbs consisteth of heat1 the which by how much the more it is dilated and diffused throughout the body of that ,herb1 so much the less observable is it2 and by how much it is contracted1 by so much the more visibly and sensibly is it apprehended4 ,whatsoever yields a temperate heat1 is acceptable and wholsome to nature2 and contrarily1 whatsoever refrigerateth too much1 all that is inimicitious and deadly1 and this even every one1 to whom nature is in any small measure known1 is enforced to acknowledge4 ,the death and destruction of the life of ,man1 is no other thing saving a dissimilitude and contrariety1 whereby that which is alike and temperate is destroyed and dissipated1 whether it be done by too much heat or too much cold1 'tis both on the same manner4 ,too much heat doth exhaust the strength out of a ,man's body1 just as a great fire draws to its self a lesser4 ,but a mighty cold drives the spirit and life of a ,man to the heart1 and is worse than the heat1 but yet more insensible1 and this is clearly evident in ,wine1 which being set in a ,vessel at the fire1 the ,sun1 or some warm place1 the heat draws to it self the spirit and life of the ,wine1 and leaves behind an insipid or unsavory matter1 because like covets its like1 but if a ,vessel filled with ,wine1 be set in an intense cold1 that cold doth not attract the ,spirit as the ,fire did2 but hates it as being unlike it1 drives it into a little room into the center of the ,vessel1 so that having broken the ,vessel and separated the ,ice1 the spirit will be found whole by it self1 which otherwise1 and in the heat did ascend and might be caught in a ,receiver set hereto ,so then1 the ,spirit is constrained as well by too much cold1 as by too much heat to forsake its ,soul and ,habitation and leave it to the power of ,death4 ,and many things might be spoken both of the nature of heat and cold which are understood but by few4 ,there lies hidden therein great ,arcanums which is not at all fit for the contemners to be acquainted withall4 ,an hot and temperate ,air1 and the light of the day being dispersed widely or a far of1 are the graces and virtue of ,god4 ,but the concentrated hot ,air and ,light of the ,day1 what can they be else but ,god himself1 the ,habitation of pure ,spirits4 ,the darksome and cold night is nothing else1 but the emitted and widely dispersed or dilated curse and wrath of ,god4 ,but the concentrated and dark night is nothing else but the eternally mortifying power and center of all evil1 and ,habitation of evil ,spirits1 where is howling and gnashing of ,teeth4 ,do but a little consider1 what is it that a little concentrated handfull as it were of the ,sun will not do8 will not the heat kindle ,wood1 as it were in a moment1 and melt ,lead and ,tin8 what would not the ,sun do if intercepted the breadth of three or four paces8 without doubt it would suffice to melt ,iron and ,copper4 ,but it exceeds all understanding to guess if the shining ,sun were concentrated a miles breadth what would it then do4 ,but yet it is likely that it would burn up the whole ,world in a moment1 and make it vanish away in smoak1 should the ,sun shine on it in this wise4 ,this may be demonstrated by the contact and union of the ,sun's beams in ,concave one a burning ,glass4 ,and if we are unable to behold the light of the ,sun1 when a little collected by some instrument because the brightness thereof is such1 as to hurt the ,sight2 who is able to stand before the ,sun it self1 7and yet he is but as an egress or out-gone virtue of ,god7 much less before ,god himself who is the ,center of light4 ,and could the darkness be so concentrated as the light is1 what an incomprehensible and dreadfull monster 7such as ,death1 the ,devil1 and the infernal ,pit are7 should we see1 which ,god in mercy prevent4 ,for by how much the fairer1 excellenter1 and more unutterable the concentrated light is1 as being the divine presence and clarity1 by so much must the concentrated darkness be the more horrible and more dreadfull1 for these two are contraries4 ,i may haply have made too wide a digression1 but yet these things are well worth your consideration1 that so it may even from hence appear how little the nature of man is able to abide the extreams and centers of either heat or cold1 for either of these is a death and poison1 but their temperature is the life of a man4 ,forasmuch therefore as a ,physician ought to be a ,philosopher and ,spagyrist1 and such an one who hath nature in his hand and power1 it is not difficult for him to find out a true temperature1 which may give to nature that which she desires and stands in need of4 ,thus now it is hereby proved1 that my ,vegetable ,essences are not to be therefore shunned1 because they are in themselves hot1 for then we might upon the same account shun ,god too1 who in himself is a consuming ,fire2 but it lies in the ,physicians hands to temperate and moderate these kinds of ,essences with proper and suitable vehicles1 according as best conduceth to the help of the ,sick4 ,moreover the external use of those ,essences is very notable in the cold affects of the members1 in which case they are a present help3 for the volatile ,spirit is as it were a leading vehicle to the ,oil and volatile ,salt1 and the use of them is pleasant1 if a little ,cotton be herewith impregnated1 and so put to the ,nostrils and smelt to4 ,it doth most notably vivifie 7in time of infected ,air7 and comfort the ,spirits1 preserves the heart from the corrupt ,air and contageous ,vapours4 ,it doth also correct and refresh the pent up ,air in ,parlors and ,chambers1 c4 if the ,glass wherein they be1 be opened and exposed to the ,air1 from whence the subtile ,essence may be without ceasing diffused into the ,air1 and make the room smell sweet4 ,so that whosoever is already in the room1 or goeth hereinto will be refreshed with the friendliness of the ,odour4 ,nor are they very dear neither to him that knows how rightly to prepare them1 and is not to seek in manual operations4 ,but now this method 7which ,i have spoken of7 serves for such ,herbs onely as may be had fresh and plenty1 and not so well for forreign ,herbs1 dried ,spices1 ,woods1 ,seeds1 and ,roots1 for they require another way which is as followeth4 ,process for ,spices1 c4 ,forasmuch as that extraneous well smelling ,vegetables are not every where to be had1 as our home-grown ,herbs are1 we must deal more sparingly with them1 and that on this wise4 ,they must be powdered1 and to every pound must be put five or six pounds of common water1 and be macerated some three or four days in a warm place 7whether it be ,root1 ,wood1 ,herb1 ,seed1 or the like7 then put them into a ,still and by ,distillation draw according to ,art some part of the water1 and there will come forth together herewithall an ,oil of that ,herb or ,fruit1 which you must separate from the waters and keep by it self1 untill you get the ,spirit and volatile ,salt also1 the which are to be joyned with the ,oil and be converted into a sweet ,essence4 ,then take out the water that remains together with the ,vegetable out of the ,still1 put it in a wooden ,vessel1 and add hereto the water you distilled and put thereto so many pounds of ,sugar as the ,vegetable weighed4 ,when your ,sugar is dissolved in the ,water1 mix therewith new ,ale-yest1 and let it stand in a warmish place1 and the ,spice will ferment as if it were a new ,herb2 when it hath done working1 put it into your ,still1 and it will yield a ,spirit1 like as the new fresh ,herbs did1 and such an one as will both tast and smell strong of that ,seed or ,wood you distilled1 the which you ought to rectifie as is said before3 the residue is to be burnt into ashes1 the ,salt is to be extracted1 and the ,spirit to be thence distilled1 with which the ,oil is to be conjoyned according to the before prescribed weight4 ,n4 ,b4 ,now forasmuch as the outlandish ,spices can scarce be distilled in quantity enough at one time onely1 so as to yield ,salt enough out of the remainder thereof1 it will be well enough1 to use the ,salt of another ,herb1 instead of its own1 or in defect of that too1 you may use highly depurated ,salt of ,tartar as a substitute1 but yet it is better to use its own proper ,salt1 provided it may be had4 ,this is the true and genuine description1 how the ,essences both of our own home-grown ,vegetables1 and likewise of forreign and dry ,vegetables are to be prepared4 ,now remains that we describe the virtue and efficacy of the prepared ,essences2 and this ,i could do1 would it not be too tedious1 viz4 to describe the virtues and efficacy of the several ,herbs4 ,but seeing there are already ,books that are full thereof1 ,i look upon it as superfluous to repeat the same1 but refer the well minded ,reader1 to those kind of ,herbals which treat of the virtues of the said ,herbs4 ,for whatsoever virtues the ,herb either green or dry abounds withall1 its ,essence possesseth the same much more excellently1 as being what is brought into a small compass1 and so multiplied3 whereas otherwise a good part of the ,herb goes to the said contained vertues2 especially of our ,herbs here in ,germany1 in which the vertue is widely dispersed1 and it is therefore far more advisedly done to collect them into a narrower room1 that they may be the more commodiously administred4 ,this moreover is well worth the noting2 viz4 that we can search out the ,vertues of all ,vegetables by their ,signature1 far better than by reading those ,books that are composed of scraps from one1 and scraps from another c4 ,neither is it so well always to acquiesce in the ,writings of the ,ancients1 who also remained ignorant of such things as ,god taught them not1 by nature4 ,pray what ,master is there of knowledge that never erred from the truth8 and who is it that you can in all things safely trust8 ,o6 ,i could wish1 that we could but reade1 and understand the ,writings and ,signs of the said ,herbs1 by which it speaketh with us1 we should not need so many seducing ,books4 ,who ,i pray exalted ,moses1 ,daniel1 ,joseph1 ,solomon1 and many other ,philosophers1 to such an height of ,wisedom and ,art8 ,it was onely ,god1 who yet lives and can at any time easily doe whatever he formerly could3 who can doubt as touching him1 when ,god minds the enlightning or blessing of any one with his ,gifts1 he makes no use of any ,books1 for this purpose1 and so instruct out of them1 nor doth he dispute or controvert with him4 ,we should seek unto this ,master and learn from him1 and not out of the elegantly written ,arabian1 ,grcian and ,latine ,books4 ,but now the world is come to such an height of pride and errour1 that it can neither believe nor comprehend that any one can learn ought but in the ,schools1 and yet the most expert and most famous men that ever lived in the world1 arrived to that famous light of nature without making use of the ,schools1 and the things that they wrote1 they did not publish them in a strange ,language1 but in their own ,mother ,tongue1 as is sufficiently evident4 ,and this is the saying to this very day1 viz4 ,whence hath this man his understanding1 and was never bred up in the ,schools8 ,i knew him from his youth1 and that he had nothing in him4 ,alas good ,sir1 you are very wise4 ,brought you with you into the ,world more than ,i did8 ,were not you born a naked ,infant as well as ,i1 and that skill which any one hath1 received it he from his ,parents1 hereditary8 ,is it not the gift of ,god1 whether it be much or little8 ,art doth not consist in the variety of strange ,languages1 but in experience4 ,it is one ,art to understand and speak several ,tongues1 it is another ,art to calculate the ,course of the ,sun1 ,moon and ,stars1 and to predict from them the ,changes of ,times and ,seasons4 ,again1 it is another ,art to prepare and purifie the ,nature1 ,properties1 ,vertue and ,efficacy of all the ,vegetables1 partly for the conservation of the ,life of ,man1 and partly for diverting accidental ,diseases1 and to know how to use them as need requires4 ,besides it is another ,art1 to get out of the ,earth those many rare kinds of the wonderfull ,creatures of ,god1 and those ,fruits of the ,earth as the ,minerals and ,metals1 for ,man's use1 7which is the ,end they were created for1 and which we cannot want7 and to depurate them by the ,fire1 to transmute them out of one form into another better form1 and to have the knowledge1 understanding and experience of them all4 ,as concerning the signature of ,herbs1 by which ,god teacheth us their hidden ,vertues1 many things might be said1 and it were to be wish'd1 that such a knowledge were earnestly desired1 and sought after by all those that deal in ,physick1 and do thencefrom get their food1 there would not then be so much need of troubling ones ,brains with so many forreign and domestick ,writings1 where you shall find one gainsaying another1 and so leave they as doubtfull what party we were best addict our selves unto and believe2 but now we may easily find out the certainty and truth by their signature1 and distinguish what is erroneous1 and proceed on with more safety in all the practise1 yea and in time too 7by ,god's permission7 come into a far better ,state4 ,and here you are to remember1 that the signature of ,herbs1 do shew a ,physician their ,vertues as well as ,books do1 for indeed they rather trace by-paths1 than walk in the way of truth4 ,and here would be a very convenient place to treat of the signatures of ,vegetables1 but forasmuch as ,i have written a peculiar ,book concerning them 7which ,god willing7 shall suddenly come abroad1 let the friendly ,reader have a little patience and expect it1 wherein he shall find things wonderfull and unheard of4 ,but that there may appear some footsteps thereof in this first part1 viz4 by what means you are to meet with ,diseases by the ,essences which ,i have described above1 ,i could not omit the reckoning up of some specifical ones1 which ,i have proved by most certain experience to be good against some principal and well known ,diseases3 ,that is to say1 in the ,gout1 there is ,hellebore but especially ,helleboraster 7which is a kind of ,ellebore7 the ,german's ,tobacco1 and the ,tobacco of the ,west ,indies are a singular specifick and most notable asswager and helper in all ,podagrical griefs4 ,now the ,physician should know and understand1 what the reason is that ,ellebore and ,tobacco ought to be used in such kinds of ,diseases4 ,then for the stone1 ,i commend the ,essence of the seed of the ,ash or ,ash-keys before all other stone-breaking ,diuretick ,medicines4 ,for verily very many men have 7by that same ,medicine7 been freed and restored to health1 who have lain sick of it many years1 insomuch that after their death there hath not been found 7in anatomizing them7 not so much as the least footstep thereof either in their ,reins or ,bladder3 ,and yet before they used this ,medicine1 they were almost every day pained with the same4 ,this specifick is made of the seed of ,ash1 which is usually ripe in ,autumn1 the seed you are first of all to bruise well1 and then mixing water therewith distil it into your ,still1 and separate the ,oil from the ,water1 and reduce it into small ,morsels or ,troches with ,sugar1 for your daily use4 ,but a whole sack full1 and as much as a man can carry1 will scarce yield you an ,ounce or two of ,oil3 and one ,ounce of this ,oil will suffice for two pounds of ,sugar1 for a greater quantity makes the ,sugar too unpleasant2 for the ,oil of the ,ash-keys is very unpleasant and nauseous1 insomuch that it will provoke to vomit1 if too much of it be taken1 otherwise it performs wonderfull effects in this case4 ,but now if out of what remains behind1 you do 7by the means of fermentation7 distil its ,spirit1 and after its concentration extract the fixed ,salt out of the ,ashes1 and unite it with the ,oil1 then will you have a perfect ,medicine1 and most high specifick in the stone4 ,and seeing that we treat onely of ,vegetables in this part1 it will not be expedient to mix herewith the ,animal and ,mineral medicaments1 but in the second part somewhat shall be mentioned of ,animals1 which doth efficaciously bring forth stony and gouty ,humours4 ,insomuch that the ,urine of such a sick ,person1 doth 7after the use of this ,medicine7 being heated at the fire1 coagulate 7like ,cheese or ,cows ,milk7 in the manner of natural ,calx vive that is made out of stones4 ,there is likewise amongst the ,minerals1 one of them that efficaciously drives out the stone and gouty ,humours1 which also we shall speak of1 in its due place1 viz4 in the third part4 ,in some internal affects of the ,liver and ,spleen1 and in all concreted ,blood be it from a blow1 fall1 or any other accident1 the ,essence of ,st4 ,john's wort bears the chiefest note3 ,for it banisheth away all pains1 resolveth congeal'd ,blood1 and healeth an hurt 7or wounded7 affect provided the evil be not too inveterate4 ,as for the ,uterine affects of ,women1 when the ,womb hath taken ,cold and is moved out of its place1 or otherwise hurt1 the which produceth to ,women many difficult and chronical ,diseases2 the ,essences of ,tobacco1 ,henbane1 7of all sorts7 being applied by means of a ,spunge in a ,uterine ,instrument1 are a most certain lenative and sure ,medicine3 they restore the ,matrix to its place and quietude1 and heal all other infirmities4 ,in weak decrepid and decayed men1 what will not the true ,essence of ,roses and ,cinamon do8 if often taken1 it comforts the ,heart and ,brain above all other ,medicaments3 ,but this ,essence must be prepared1 and concentrated into a narrow room1 that so one or two drops1 whether put on the ,tongue1 or put to the ,nose1 may corroborate the whole ,body by its vertue1 and the stander by may have enough to do to admire its sweet ,odour4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if any one hath a mind to make such an ,essence1 it behoves him that he first gets the true ,oil of ,roses1 which is distilled out of the yellow ,thrums on which the ,roses grow1 and not out of ,lignum ,rhodium1 and is gotten out by the mediation of water 7but you must not ferment them before you have gotten their ,oil7 then afterwards ferment them with new ,yeast1 whereby you may get their ,spirit1 for if you observe not this method1 you will effect nothing1 the reason is this3 because if you set them a fermenting first1 the ,oil 7as being the best and most efficacious part7 is mixed and united with the ,spirit1 and so widely dilated1 that it will be a hard matter again to concentrate it4 ,well1 what shall ,i need say more of the vertue and efficacy of the vegetable ,essences1 seeing that the ,nature and ,vertue of them is enough known already3 ,but yet thus much ,i must needs confess1 that ,i have not in all my life time seen any thing done1 which was more sweet1 friendly and efficacious1 than these ,essenses of ,vegetables4 ,for if the ,essences are but prepared according to this description of mine1 we can hardly be satisfied with their ,odour1 especially if made out of well smelling ,herbs1 as ,roses1 ,violets1 ,clove-gilli-flowers1 ,bawm1 ,camomile1 ,pennyroyal1 and other such like4 ,besides such kind of ,essences may be made out of ,gums1 when their ,oil is driven forth by the ,spirit of ,salt1 7lest else they savour of an ,empyreum1 and become unpleasant7 but with this ,proviso that you use the ,alcalizated well swelling ,spirit of some other ,herb1 whose ,odour is not much unlike1 for the ,gums do not afford a ,spirit4 ,now there's ,assa ,ftida1 or ,benzoin1 ,storax1 ,mastick1 ,camphire1 ,amber1 and the like1 nay even ,civet1 ,musk1 and ,ambergrese may be reduced into very fair and pellucid ,essences1 by an ,alcolizated ,spirit1 and be rendered far more pleasant than the common ,musk1 ,ambergrese1 and ,civet3 ,for the volatile ,salt contained in the ,spirit1 makes the ,body volatile and spiritual1 so that at the opening of the ,glass1 wherein such an ,essence is1 the whole room will be filled with the sweetness of the ,odour3 ,but more of this in the second and next following part1 wherein shall be taught1 by what means a sweet ,odour may be extracted out of our small ,animals in ,germany1 not unlike to ,civet4 ,what shall ,i say more1 methinks ,i have done enough1 he that understands not this1 would much less understand the things that are more subtil1 should they be described4 ,and though ,i could shew a far more compendious way of preparing ,essences1 yet haply the ingratitude of the ,world being considered1 this that ,i have already done is too much1 and if any is minded to carp at these here1 let him first give us better than these1 but they will have a care how they attempt that4 ,for he that is endowed with understanding1 even he also understands that the labour and diligence of another man is not in the least to be disesteemed1 for the truth will remain truth though never so much exposed to injuries4 ,and as we have said1 that good and efficacious ,essences1 may be prepared out of pleasant and well smelling ,herbs3 ,even so by the same rule may ill smelling ones be made out of bad smelling ,vegetables and ,animals1 which also have their use and are profitable1 as in the suffocation of the ,matrix1 where1 7for the most part7 such things that egregiously stink are applied to ,womens ,nostrils1 that 7by their grievous smell7 they may impead and repress the rising up of the ,womb3 ,and this doth sometimes succeed very prosperously2 these are ,assa ,ftida1 ,castoreum1 burnt ,rags1 burnt ,feathers and such like1 which yield a most filthy ,odour3 ,and if now the unprepared ,body1 in which the ,odour lies largely dilated doth nevertheless perform notable ,operations1 what would it be think you if the ,oil of such bad smelling things were conjoyned with the volatile ,alcolizated ,spirit8 ,i say it would do more than the crude ,body1 not onely ten1 but twenty or thirty times more4 ,but amongst all the fetid and ill smelling things1 which are not inimicitious to ,nature1 these ,i find the strongest1 viz4 the black ,oil of ,tartar1 which is drawn forth by distillation1 and that too which is distilled out of ,goats horns1 ,hogs hoofs1 ,birds feathers1 and the ,hairs of all ,animals1 all which do stink extreamly1 and yet are not hurtfull unto man1 as those ,stinks are which proceed from rottenness1 as from dead ,beasts1 ,fishes1 rotten ,eggs1 and such like1 whose stink is wholly inimicitious to the ,spirit of ,life1 do threaten its destruction1 and are 7as much as possible can be7 to be shunned4 ,for the ,heart1 ,brain1 and whole ,body is therewith infected1 and debilitated4 ,but why such strong smelling ,oils as those are1 that come from ,beasts horns1 ,hairs1 and ,hoofs1 do not perform the same1 shall be told in the following second part1 where we will treat of ,animals and of such parts of them1 as may be made use of for ,medicine4 ,and thus will ,i put an end to the first part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 and would have the ,reader admonished that 7if he would use this my ,description of ,essences7 he would have a watchfull ,eye by whom they are prepared1 and not trust every ,body that hath scarce saluted even the very first entrance of ,art1 and yet dares to make ,medicaments1 and administer them to others4 ,for under this covering will be exercised great deceit1 for some will not for their gain sake1 bestow so much ,labour and ,costs1 as to make ,essences out of good and new ,herbs1 but scrape up any thing1 that thereby they might onely bring forth somewhat or other that may resemble the ,odour and ,savour of the ,herb4 ,and although such ,essences should be prepared of some of the best ,vegetables1 yet the covetousness of profit may cause that the ,spirit be in too great a quantity mixed with the ,oils1 which may easily be done1 if to one part of ,oil1 five1 eight1 ten1 or twelve parts of ,spirit be taken1 because the ,spirit is easier to be had than the ,oil1 7whereas according to my prescription two or three parts are to be taken onely7 and therefore may you easily conjecture1 that such ,essences are far less efficacious2 for the greatest virtue consists in the ,oil1 the which being by the ,alcalizated ,spirit1 made volatile and penetrable1 is introduced 7or carried more inwards47 ,and besides this is not all1 but there may be another abuse too1 as when a ,man willing to spare his own labour1 doth not himself make the ,oils1 but buys them cheap from some sweet ,powder makers1 which ,oils may 7and sometimes 'tis so7 have in length of time lost their most subtile part1 and are become rank and clammy1 and so makes use of such1 from whence no laudable matter can be effected1 as is manifest to every ,body4 ,but admit it be so1 that new ,oils can neither be had nor prepared with your own hand1 because of the defect of the ,commodity1 yet may such ,oils as are never so old and never so much clammy be rendred usefull1 if they are first distilled and then rectified in a ,retort1 by ,spirit of ,salt3 ,for then they come over clear1 and become fit for an ,alkalizated ,spirit to dissolve them1 which such ,oils as are old will not do4 ,this ,i thought good to advise1 lest haply he that thinks he enjoys a good ,medicine1 should impute the blame to me1 or lay the fault to the ,essence1 when the effect answers not his expectation3 ,for thus it hath hitherto hapned to my ,medicaments1 and doth even to this day fall out so1 viz4 that very many 7in sundry places7 do falsely pretend as if they knew my secrets1 but 'tis untrue1 and a meer diabolical couzenage1 for they administer their own unprofitable ,medicaments1 selling them for mine1 and especially my ,panacea and ,tincture of ,antimony1 which notwithstanding hath no affinity with mine1 and what is more too they fear not to affirm that such ,medicaments are made by my universal ,menstruum 7which they neither understand nor know how to use47 ,and because here falls in some mention of this ,menstruum1 'twill be expedient to say somewhat of it1 viz4 what is to be understood concerning it1 seeing there are so many various opinions of the same4 ,most ,people think that the ,alkahest is a subtile water1 whether drawn out of the ,air by certain instruments1 or prepared by subtile ,distillations1 but in this opinion1 they err4 ,but yet ,i will not deny but an efficacious water may be drawn1 not onely out of the ,air1 but also out of the most intense light of the ,sun1 and thus ,i my self have sometime done4 ,but this moist dry ,menstruum which ,i call by the name ,alkahest1 is nothing else but the ,salt of the ,earth1 and may be used both in a moist and a dry form1 and thus much the very ,etimology of the word signifies1 if rightly lookt into and read1 viz4 ,alkali est1 for the word ,alkahest is compounded of two words1 of ,alkali and est1 where the l and i1 by a transverse line are made one letter1 viz4 h1 and is then read ,alkahest1 but take away the transverse line1 and then 'tis read ,alkali est4 ,hence 'tis manifest to every body1 that ,i have not rashly imposed that name upon this ,menstruum1 but have thereby openly named the subject4 ,for this very reason it will be very expedient to suspend your judgment1 and not to be so hasty in uttering your opinion and censure of such a thing as you do not at all know1 but rather think thus1 who knows if ,i understand what ,i say or not3 ,i may happen to say somewhat unadvisedly which may easily be refuted1 the which we see here to be done4 ,for there have been various discourses of this ,menstruum1 as if ,i had given it a name so famous without any ground1 seeing it ariseth from ,salt onely1 when as the ,alkahest is a subtile water4 ,but by what ,i have abovesaid it appears that ,i have not given it an improper name1 but have called it by its peculiar ,title2 the which ,i did for the sakes of such as contend1 to prevent any future controversie about the name thereof1 but how it is to be used as to those secrets contained in ,miraculum ,mundi1 is not to be spoken of here4 ,let it suffice the well minded ,reader that ,i do again1 and again assure him1 that all and every of the things ,i have there spoken1 may without controversie be done by this one onely subject1 viz4 the ,salt of the ,earth4 ,and so that ,treatise doth rightly deserve the ,title of ,miraculum ,mundi4 ,but yet ,i do again by way of ,summary as 'twere1 ,admonish1 if any one should use this my ,essence1 and have it not rightly prepared1 he throw not the blame on me1 as that ,i had written unprofitable things1 but rather let him that has not rightly prepared it1 bear the blame4 ,but yet 'tis not to be doubted but that men of all states or conditions will in process of time endeavour the preparing of those ,essences1 not onely because they are a pleasant and efficacious ,medicament1 but withall because of their comforting1 penetrating1 and highly gratefull ,odour4 ,for the crude and cold ,air in pent in rooms may not onely be tempered and rendred acceptable and friendly to nature1 but it may also be happily and safely made use of in external cases and ,diseases1 as need requires4 ,it will therefore behoove everyone what way he may most profitably attain them by4 ,the preparation is easie1 so he use but diligence1 and then may a good quantity of those kinds of ,essences of all the ,vegetables and ,spices which are in use in the ,shops1 be easily gotten4 ,now such an one that hath conveniences to prepare them himself1 he verily best knows what he has1 and may safely trust thereto4 ,there is also great difference in the ,essences according as they are prepared2 one will happily prepare them very neatly1 another but rudely1 but the difference will easily appear as well by its efficacy as by its sweet smell2 as for instance4 ,that ,essence which is rightly prepared according to the aforesaid weight and proportion1 must necessarily be very subtile1 sweet1 efficacious1 and of a strong ,odour and ,savour4 ,but if it be otherwise 'tis a sign that the ,oil was too sparingly added1 and it can't be accounted of as a rightly prepared ,essence4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the things which ,i have here spoken1 of ,odour and ,savour which the ,essences ought to have1 are to be understood onely of well-swelling ,vegetables1 such as are ,roses1 ,marjoram1 ,rosemary1 ,violets1 ,camomil1 for the ,essences that are prepared out of these1 must needs be well-smelling and efficacious4 ,but as for those ,essences which are prepared out of those kind of ,vegetables that have no such notable ,odour1 it can't be expected that the ,essences prepared from them can afford more ,odour than the ,vegetable had1 but yet do they excite a more present efficacy1 as for example4 ,the ,essence of ,wine which doth easily exceed all other comfortatives is notwithstanding void of any eminent ,odour1 nor haply doth it resemble any other than the flower of the ,vine in ,spring-time3 and therefore being taken into the body1 it displays its ,virtues1 but not by its ,odour2 even so1 neither doth the ,wine it self being taken into the body operate by its ,odour4 ,and hitherto belongs the teaching how to come to get such an ,essence1 seeing that it is not prepared after such a manner as ,i have delivered for the general dealing with ,vegetables1 and that1 because the pleasant ,oil of ,wine 7without which oiliness no ,essence can be prepared7 is hard to come by4 ,i will therefore teach the way of preparing it1 but what ,i now write is onely for the sake of weak and decrepid old ,men1 and also the poor1 but not for the wiselings and unworthy ,deriders4 ,for ,i very well know that some or other after he hath read this ,book1 will out of the good conceit he has of himself say1 this is no news to me1 ,i knew this many years ago1 ,glauber doth not publish this of himself1 but hath gotten it elsewhere out of some old ,book or other3 ,he that thus judgeth of me doth for no other cause say so1 but out of envy and hatred to detract from my ,writings3 ,and the answer ,i make to such envious men is this4 ,that ,i do not know whether any one heretofore either had1 or at present hath either such or such a secret which ,i have made mention of in my ,writings1 or no4 ,it may be for ought ,i know that such secrets were extant above an hundred years ago1 and may be even at present in use with some1 that ,i know not3 however that's nothing to me3 ,for it is assuredly false1 if any say that ,i have borrowed from any one1 or else out of any old ,books1 so much as one1 much less most of1 or all the secrets 7according as the envious say7 which ,i have published in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 or in any of my other ,writings3 ,but ,i obtained them through the ,grace of ,god by the many ,trials ,i made1 searching after them with my ,costs and ,labour4 ,and forasmuch as such envy me1 therefore do they privily scatter abroad their lies concerning me1 which will in short time 7,god permitting7 be demonstrated4 ,but put case that ,i did take whatsoever ,i have written out of others1 and out of ancient ,books1 will they ,i pray be either more or less profitable because of that1 than if they were my own3 ,is it not one and the same for any notable thing to be emitted1 who writes it1 or whom it proceeds from1 so that it be1 and may be exceeding profitable to very many4 ,but because of this envy and calumny which ,i undergo from wicked men1 ,i do keep within my breast many things1 which otherwise ,i would have communicated for the common good4 ,and if so be that they cannot believe nor comprehend what is mentioned in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 7and yet is not of such deep search as the unskilfull imagine7 how will they believe1 that ,i should set before them far higher things8 ,well therefore may the old ,proverb take place1 ,secret things are for secret ,men1 and foolish things for foolish ,men4 ,now followeth the process of preparing a comfortable and pleasant ,essence out of the ,oil of ,wine1 and its fixt and volatile ,salt4 ,i think there's no body will deny1 but that hitherto there hath not been made any mention by those that are wont to distil ,wine of any such thing as an ,oil2 save that by those that have written1 that the ,oil of ,wine is to be sought for in ,tartar and in the ,fces1 and that a black ,oil may be distilled both out of the dried ,fces of ,wine and also out of ,tartar1 ,i think is sufficiently known to all ,chymists3 ,but such an ,oil doth purchase to it self 7by this way of proceeding7 such an ungratefull ,odour1 that it is merely on that score1 used neither inwardly nor outwardly1 though it be endued with good ,vertues4 ,for verily ,i do not yet know whether there can be found 7amongst all other things7 any thing that stinks worse than that ,oil that is prepared out of ,tartar1 and therewithall may'st thou drive away both ,men and ,beasts1 because the ,odour that it emits1 is in a manner intollerable4 ,whereas this which ,i here mention1 is a pleasant1 friendly1 clear and bright ,oil1 and is made thus4 ,in the ,vintage time1 when the ,grapes are pressed forth1 take some pure ,must1 let it ferment in a ,barrel1 until it becomes white1 and the greatest part of the ,fces settle to the bottom1 which done begin your distillation1 and draw out the ,spirit1 either out of a ,copper ,still tinned in the inside1 or some other distillatory ,vessel2 of the ,spirit will be no great quantity4 ,after it hath ceased1 take off the head1 and pour that which remains into clean ,glasses1 let it stand for some days1 and there will swim at the ,top a white ,oil1 and sometimes it will settle to the bottom1 the which is to be separated from the ,must1 and will serve for the making the abovesaid ,essence4 ,but the ,must1 from which the ,spirit and ,oil are taken1 may be mixed with your other ,must1 and it will again ferment and become ,wine1 but if you can't do thus for want of skill1 make thereof a ,vinegar4 ,this is a most compendious and the most easie way of preparing the ,oil of ,wine1 and although ,i know another way besides this1 and how such an ,oil may be had even out of the ,autumn ,season1 yet doth it seem to me not so well to publish all things together1 and at once3 ,this way of preparation that ,i have now taught will to many be hard enough to effect1 though it be clear enough described4 ,and you are to observe1 that in this work the due time of distillation is to be regarded1 viz4 ,when the ,must is so far fermented1 as that its tast is neither plainly sweet1 nor plainly vinous1 but a midling between both2 which if neglected the fault is none of mine1 for ,i have advised you of all things to a tittle4 ,if you begin your distillation too soon before the ,must is sufficiently dissolved1 it affords no ,oil2 if you tarry too long1 the ,oil precipitates with the ,fces1 nor wilt thou get ought1 and therefore all things are to be done in their due time4 ,but how this ,oil is to be reduced1 with his own ,spirit1 and his fixt and volatile ,salt1 into an ,essence1 is mentioned before1 what use this ,essence serves for needs no description4 ,for every body well knows what a vivifying and comforting vertue there is in ,wine1 and yet the ,wine is endued but with little ,oil 7though the ,oil as we said before is the best part of the ,vegetable7 and besides1 it is united with a great quantity of insipid ,water1 and crude ,tartar1 but the ,essence is freed from those ,crudities of ,water and ,tartar1 and is compounded of a due proportion of the most pure parts1 or of the three ,principles1 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury1 and may deservedly be called the ,quintessence or ,soul of the ,wine4 ,whosoever he be that hath it1 will see what good it is endued with1 and how to be used4 ,to me it seems to be an ,antidote against ,poisons2 for seeing it is written of old1 that a ,serpent or other venemous ,animal1 cannot abide in the ,vineyards at such time as the ,vine flowreth1 therefore the ,oil and ,essence of the ,wine resembling this very ,odour1 the ,essence may not unfitly be thought so be good in healing contagious ,diseases4 ,but this is to be noted concerning ,essences1 that they must not be stopt with such things that will be melted by the ,essence1 but be rather stopt in with a double ,bladder1 lest the volatile ,spirit should fly away4 ,for should this so be1 the ,oil would again be debilitated and let go its ,spirit1 and the ,essence would be corrupted4 ,and because my purpose was to speak of the preparation of ,vegetable ,essences1 but not make a description of their most ample use1 ,i will now put a period to this business1 leaving every one to be wiser as his own capacity is4 ,but yet1 would the present time have permitted1 ,i would have mentioned some specificks1 which may haply be elsewhere done4 ,but thus much ,i say1 that in ,wine1 lies hidden very much which but few know1 and which if one would reckon up1 would stir up admiration4 ,but it appertains not to this place1 but to the ,vegetable ,work1 which 7if ,god permit7 shall soon follow4 ,but seeing ,i have made mention of ,wine1 ,i cannot omit to add in this place one thing1 viz4 what yet farther use the ,essences of ,herbs might be of1 if always to be had ready prepared in the ,apothecaries ,shops3 ,for one1 two1 three1 or more drops of ,essences1 being put in a ,cup of ,wine at pleasure and stirred about1 that the ,wine may be united with the ,essence1 do presently make the ,wine clear and pleasant1 resembling the kind and nature of the ,essence you put in2 and by this means divers kinds of ,wines may presently be made out of one and the same ,vessel1 to refresh and please your guests3 ,and this way far exceeds the using of extracts1 which make the ,wine troubled1 but this leaves it clear4 ,it will be needless therefore to put different sorts of ,wines in several ,vessels in ,cellars1 where they will all of them by degrees wax weaker and weaker1 unless they are kept always full2 but one onely ,vessel1 is sufficient for to make various kinds of ,wines at your pleasure2 and this is a very profitable secret for great ,men and others1 who sometimes must have various ,wines4 ,it is a usual thing with many to drink a draught of ,physical ,wine in a morning on a fasting ,stomach1 to strengthen the weak ,stomach1 and to preserve it from hurtfull ,air1 if they can but get it1 and if they use that which is usually made of the ,reliques of the ,wine1 and such decayed stuff1 such is void of virtue1 and brings more hurt than benefit4 ,but now1 having these ,essences of ,herbs1 you may easily impregnate generous ,wine therewith and make it ,medicinal1 and by this way maist thou be certain that thou hast good ,wine1 and not such as is made out of the droppings and refuse1 which is usually employed to make ,medicinal ,wines of1 and from whence gripings and other incommodities do frequently exist3 ,but that which is composed of generous ,wine1 and a well prepared ,essence deserves the name of wholsome ,physical ,wine4 ,these things ,i was willing to add to this first part of my ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa by way of ,ornament1 and do request the well minded ,reader1 that he think well of my ,labour1 ,diligence1 and ,intention4 ,there shall follow 7,god permitting7 in the two next parts1 more good ,medicines4 ,the ,end of the ,first ,part4 ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory4 ,concerning the preparation of ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals1 by an ,universal ,dissolvent4 ,wherein is clearly demonstrated and exactly described1 that ,niter is the true ,universal ,dissolvent1 and how all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 are therewithall dissolved1 corrected1 and their venemous and obnoxious property changed into wholsome ,medicaments1 contrary to the opinion of many ignorant ,men4 ,what ,animals are1 and what is understood or meant by them4 ,i do here understand by the name of ,animals all such things as have life1 and a vital motion1 as ,men1 all kinds of ,beasts1 ,worms1 and ,insects1 either in the ,earth or above the ,earth1 the ,fishes in the ,water1 the ,birds in the ,air1 and all the ,creatures that can move themselves1 and that do partake of a visible life4 ,amongst these living ,creatures1 there is this difference to be observed1 viz4 that some of them serve for the use of ,medicine2 other some of them are not fit for ,medicine2 for all those ,animals which nourish mankind and sustain his body1 have not a medical but nutritive power1 so that out of them can't be prepared ,medicaments resisting ,diseases4 ,for although that out of some ,animals 7as ,oxen1 ,sheep1 ,goats1 ,hens1 ,birds1 and such like7 a good ,essence may 7by the benefit of ,art7 be extracted1 so as to restore and strengthen a body that is debilitated by sickness 7as you may see in my ,book of the ,kitchin ,art7 yet that labour doth appertain to the ,kitchin1 and ,cooks1 rather than to the ,apothecaries4 ,therefore in this ,treatise nothing else shall be mentioned1 but concerning such ,animals onely as do not nourish the body of ,man1 but 7being eaten or any ways entring into ,man's ,belly1 or other parts of his body7 do by their venome most greatly hurt3 ,but being inverted or turned in and out by the ,spagyrical ,art do become excellent ,medicines1 and 7without that bettering them7 would remain venemous and hurtfull3 such as these are ,vipers1 ,serpents1 ,toads1 ,scorpions1 ,spiders1 and other venemous ,insects2 the which being spoiled of their venome or changed by ,art1 do become ,medicines of a penetrative efficacy4 ,indeed a ,serpent1 a ,toad1 and other like venemous ,creatures being onely boiled in common water1 are barred of their ,poison1 and may be eaten without any hurt1 seeing that their ,poison consists not in the ,flesh1 but in the ,spirit1 and vanisheth by a bare decoction4 ,many examples do confirm this thing1 and 'tis evidently known that ,serpents have been oftentimes boiled and eaten instead of ,eels4 ,it is no new thing in ,india1 that that ,people do feed on great ,serpents boiled1 instead of ,food1 and contrariwise other ,animals there are which do not deposite or lay aside their venome by a bare boiling1 but do retain it1 such as are ,scorpions1 ,tarantula's and such like4 ,but now1 if to such kind of ,vermine that are endued with so hurtfull a ,poison1 a water or liquor of a stronger efficacy be added1 wherein they may be digested1 their venome is turned into a wholsome ,antidote1 and is a resister of ,poison1 as shall be proved anon4 ,this is certain1 that the omnipotent ,god hath not created so much as the least ,worm in vain1 which cannot bring some profit1 though by the under sort of ,men1 it be contemned and plainly neglected4 ,but forasmuch as almost all such ,vermine and ,insects1 are 7by reason of their ,poison7 rarely used in ,medicine1 and scarce any one knows their occult virtues1 from that signature ,god hath given them1 or cares to know1 the use of them remains unknown and in the dark4 ,nay it is well done1 that 7seeing the way of correcting such ,poisons1 or turning them into ,medicine1 hath lain hid from the greatest part of the ,learned ones7 their use was thrown out of the ,apothecaries ,shops4 ,but yet in process of time1 some of those kind of ,vermine were admitted by the ,physicians1 as the ,scorpions1 ,cantharides1 and such like4 ,the ,scorpions being suffocated in ,oil ,olive do tame their own proper ,poison2 ,cantharides1 great ,worms1 and ,milli-pedes1 or ,pigs lice1 are used to provoke ,urine4 ,but yet not without danger1 because of the venome they abound with4 ,nevertheless ,men have dared to use them1 and many times they have proved very profitable4 ,but had their bettering been known2 and had they 7being thus corrected7 been made use of1 they would 7without all fear of danger7 have procured a greater honour to those that used them4 ,now the usual way of all such as know not the manner of correcting them1 such little ,animals are dried1 and 7crude as they are7 beaten into a powder1 and so administred to the sick1 and do some times 7though with mighty hazard7 perform great cures4 ,were the signature of such ,vermine well examined1 and their use in ,medicine well known1 and they were afterwards transmuted and changed 7by the help of an universal ,dissolvent7 into a safe ,medicament1 they do then become such safe and effectual remedies1 as to take away most grievous1 7and in the accompt of some plainly incurable7 ,diseases1 and do in many ,degrees exceed the weak operations of ,vegetables4 ,for the ,animals which ,god hath gifted with life1 are of a far greater efficacy than the ,vegetables1 and this any one will not be over hard in believing of4 ,you will find many wonderfull things in my ,book of the signature of ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals 7which shall shortly come forth to light7 nay and besides their signatures1 as well their unknown and occult ,vertues as their known ,vertues shall be herein declared4 ,but in this ,treatise1 shall onely be mentioned some of the principal small ,animals of use in ,medicine1 viz4 by what means they may be reduced into most excellent and most safe ,medicines1 by the help of the universal ,dissolvent4 ,as for their ,vertues1 and ,efficacy1 the well minded ,reader may search for them in my other ,writings4 ,and although ,i have met with admirable ,vertues in some hitherto neglected ,vermine1 and would have also described them for the profit of my ,neighbour1 and so purposed to have made a large discourse concerning them2 yet the love to my ,neighbour 7whom ,i would not willingly lead about in many erroneous ,turnings7 hindred me from performing it4 ,for all the ,vertues that are apart dispersed amongst all the ,vegetables and ,animals1 are all of them concentrated in one ,mineral1 and found perfectly united1 so that there's no need of using so many distinct ,medicines of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 and therefore ,i refer the ,reader thereunto4 ,but yet for satisfactions sake of such who abhor such ,medicines as are made of ,minerals1 and dread them as if they were a ,poison1 ,i will detect the ,vertue and ,power of some of the most principal ones in ,medicine4 ,of the ,signature1 ,property1 and ,medicinal ,vertues of the ,bull-like and ,horned ,scarabus or ,beetle4 ,i have known some of the biggest and flying ,scarabus's that have weighed half an ,ounce1 or a whole ,ounce1 and of a ,chestnut ,colour1 and they will firmly stick to any thing by reason of their sharp ,feet1 and are furnished with double ,wings1 the upper ones are hard and smooth like an horn1 the under ones are very thin and transparent1 and shew like the dried leaves of ,poppy4 ,the ,male is for the most part bigger than the ,female1 and is armed with two horns1 which in their branchings resemble the ,figure of ,stags horns1 hard and smooth like horn1 and hollow on the inside1 without any marrow1 with these he defends himself4 ,if you put one of them on a ,table1 and smite him often with some small twigs1 and enrage and provoke him to anger1 he doth not run away like as other ,animals do1 but sets upon his ,enemy1 with his upright and variously branched horns1 as if he would revenge himself for the injury done him2 and whatsoever you reach out to him1 he presently snatcheth with his horns1 and holds it so fast1 that 'tis a hard matter to get it from him3 ,if the thing be too heavy1 he then leaves it1 and goes his way without it3 ,but if it be light1 he carries it away with him1 and afterwards unlooseth his horns from it and lets it fall4 ,the ,females two horns are lesser and crooked1 which open and shut like ,pincers2 whatsoever they seize on1 they hold it most firmly1 and if you expose to its horns any thing that is not hard she doth gripe it so long1 till the tops of her horns touch each other4 ,being hanged at a ,cats or a ,dogs ,ear she presently pierceth it through1 and so holds that the ,dog can't cast her off with her ,feet1 but 7not knowing what is happened to him7 runs to and fro1 howling and crying out1 as if he implored help from some body else1 such is the innate anger and malice of this small ,creature4 ,they feed not upon ,grass and the ,leaves of ,trees as other ,scarabus's do1 but are nourished with the ,juice of the thin soft reasinousness which is in ,summer ,flowers out of those ,trees that bears fruit with stones in them1 such as ,nuts1 ,cherries1 ,plums1 ,pruens1 ,peaches1 and such like4 ,these ,trees they sticking fast on1 do by sucking out the ,rosin thence flowing1 support their lives withal4 ,these small ,creatures are truely ,martial1 and as if they were endued purposely by nature with ,weapons1 and armed4 ,some men do break off their horns1 and carry them about them1 as if they were a safeguard against the invasions and being set upon by wild ,beasts1 but ,i count this as superstitious4 ,some 7,i know7 do reduce them with their ,wings into pouder1 and make use thereof1 and have healed the inward pains and prickings of the ,body3 ,and have cured ,quartanes1 yea have in all ,feavers hanged it about the ,neck2 but yet ,i believe it would bring more profit1 if it be duely prepared and so taken into the ,body4 ,but what effects they will perform in the other parts of the ,body ,i know not1 nor have ,i hitherto tried or known them to have been used to any other intent than before mentioned4 ,but ,i am certainly assured1 that there is a most wholsome ,vertue in this insect1 because of his thus living on1 and being nourished by those resinous ,juices which flow out of such ,trees as bear those kinds of ,fruits that have ,stones in their inside3 ,wherefore ,i think that their whole ,body is of a balsamick ,nature1 and ,i do judge by their signature1 that they may be profitably used in curing all inward and outward hurts arising from beating1 wounding1 stabbing1 and shooting1 if they are first reduced into an ,essence according to my method4 ,the horns and those hard wings1 may be reduced into a ,magistery1 apart by the universal ,dissolvent1 and serve for inward ,use4 ,and the body being on like manner prepared1 may be applied and made use of for the allaying of all griefs1 or pains both externally and internally4 ,without doubt it aboundeth with many other hidden ,vertues which are unknown both to my self and other men4 ,of the ,pilular or ,globular ,scarabus4 ,there are other ,scarabus's used in ,medicine1 viz4 the black and globular ones1 usually abiding in ,horse dung1 and also those that live in ,oaks1 and be of an ashy ,colour1 and are pleasant food to ,poultry1 who by feeding on them do lay abundance of ,eggs1 but the black ones they abstain from1 and do not eat them4 ,i know not whether or no these last mentioned 7viz4 the ,oak ones7 are any thing at all helpfull in ,medicine4 ,but yet thus much they do1 if they are bruised and applied to the bare skin they cause ,pustles1 and so do those too that are called golden ,scarabus's that are usually on ,roses1 and ,elder-flowers4 ,both these sorts have this property internally and externally1 and so have the ,cantharides or those green ,flies called ,spanish ,flies1 and do most vehemently provoke ,urine4 ,if now these are by ,art changed1 and their venemous quality taken away1 they are profitably used1 and safely1 in curing the ,gout1 ,stone1 and other grievous ,diseases and bring a great deal of benefit4 ,the black and globular ones are martial1 and are not much unlike to the horned ,scarabus's2 the ashy ones are of a ,saturnine nature1 the green ones of a venereal ,quality1 and the red and little ones are of a solar property4 ,these last mentioned1 are by the ,germans called ,golden and ,god ,almightie's ,birds1 and some do boast that they have gotten out from them good ,gold1 and put it to the ,test1 which to me doth seem unlikely4 ,i will not deny but that there lieth hidden in them a strengthening ,cordial 7as they call it7 properly for corroborating a man's heart if a preparation or correction preceed1 ,i should be unwilling to make use of them crude and unmended4 ,besides the aforesaid reckoned up ,scarabus's1 there is yet another kind of black ones which creep along the ,grass in the ,months of ,may and ,june1 and cannot flie as the above mentioned ones can1 and yet have little ,wings4 ,these are exceeding slow creepers1 and being put upon ones hand1 do turn out a strong smelling ,liquor1 and are called ,may ,birds1 and the ,worms of ,fat by the ,germans2 the ,latines call them the uncteous ,scarabuses4 ,they operate most efficaciously1 and are used by many for curing those most grievous ,diseases of the ,gout1 ,stone1 ,leprosie1 ,french-pox1 and ,dropsie1 one two or three ,grains of them being reduced into powder1 are usually administred1 in some proper ,vehicle4 ,they do most vehemently expel ,defilements1 by vomit1 stool1 and ,urine1 insomuch that the ,urine of the ,gouty1 ,leoprous1 or those that are afflicted with the ,stone will be coagulated like ,milk1 or will become tenacious1 and wax hard like a stone1 the which event may well astonish any one to consider of4 ,i know very many that have had the ,gout1 and been cured of it thereby1 though ,i confess it is a ,medicine somewhat hazardous because of the force of its operation4 ,but if it be first corrected by the ,universal ,salt1 it may be most safely afterwards used in the curing of the said ,diseases4 ,wierus1 a very learned ,physician1 did heretofore publish a ,treatise of the wandring ,gout1 and highly commended this ,may ,worm1 so called by some3 ,and likewise the great common ,earth-worms1 for curing it4 ,neither is it without ground that this ,worm or ,scarabus we mention1 far exceed all the rest of them that are endued with ,virtues1 healing ,diseases4 ,the ,cantharides come far short of it1 and the sky coloured ,flies1 which are formed onely in ,carkasses1 are far short of the ,cantharides4 ,in the next place follow those greater ,flies1 that usually stay in men's houses1 and keep buzzing about till they can find some raw ,flesh1 whereon they cast their filth in the likeness of small ,eggs or ,knits1 which become ,worms in a days time4 ,and ,i do believe that there is scarce any ,creature endued with a smelling so acute and subtile as this ,flie1 and upon that account ,i do not question1 but that it would shew its ,virtues in hidden ,diseases4 ,yet ,i would not be any man's ,authour or encourager to make use of him1 because nature her self cannot by any means endure 7when a man by chance eats the flesh that is defiled with their ,excrements7 their filth in the ,stomach1 but doth presently cast it forth by vomit as that it were a ,poison4 ,i ascribe to these ,flies a mercurial ,nature1 and ,i likewise affirm that there are in the common ,worms medicinal ,virtues4 ,for they do strongly expel by ,urine and ,sweat1 and being made use of1 crude as they are1 they provoke to stool1 and cause vomiting4 ,but ,i verily believe1 that being corrected by the universal dissolvent and transmuted into a sweet ,essence1 they will become an excellent ,specifick against ,impotency1 and a notable corroborative to such that are tired with the venereal ,sport4 ,their signature is testimony enough1 and the ,figure of their ,bodies1 for they will sometimes stretch out themselves at length1 otherwhile contract themselves into a shortness1 one while become thicker1 then presently1 and as often as they please can they extenuate themselves or become smaller1 nor can any ,animal do thus besides themselves4 ,nor know ,i any ,animal that doth 7in ,coition7 more firmly adhere to the ,female1 than this ,worm1 whom ,i have many a time seen1 in the ,spring ,season when the ,cold is asswaged and the ,earth again open1 to join himself to the ,female 7not under the ,earth7 but to creep out of the ,earth with half his ,body1 and so apply himself to the half part of the ,female1 who likewise creeps out of the ,earth1 and he so long labours with her1 till there is made a thorough conjoining of both their ,bodies4 ,and these two ,worms are so pertinacious or earnestly bent on this action1 that they will rather suffer themselves to be slain than be separated4 ,this venereal ,labour being finished1 they do each of them betake themselves into their ,caverns or ,holes4 ,such ,hens as feed on them do plentifully lay ,eggs daily1 and sometimes two on a day1 the which thing no sort of ,corn will make them do4 ,that ,earthworm is endued therefore with a venereal ,nature and ,property4 ,there are besides these1 other small ,vermine that are far more prone 7and approach nigher7 to a venereal ,nature1 and they are a sort that have six ,feet and run most nimbly1 and have wings but do not make use of them4 ,they are small and broad1 and are in great companies in old ,walls1 and old rotten ,boards of ,stables1 and lay their ,eggs in the ,walls and ,wood4 ,they come abroad onely in curious ,weather1 and in a rainy and cold ,season do betake themselves to their ,holes1 and in fair weather out come they again1 and observe no order in their coupling4 ,the ,female going1 carries the ,male along with her sitting on her back1 another ,male being stronger throws him off1 and himself gets up upon the ,female1 and he again being thrown off in his room comes a new trader1 and thus spend they the day in this riding kind of ,sport1 and the ,female is exercised with an uncessant ,change of ,males4 ,they are not seen to eat any ,food4 ,some of them ,i shut up in a ,glass so that they could not get away1 yet 7in this captivity7 they betook themselves to this venereal ,act1 and at length setting upon each other1 would rather perish with ,famine than be separated4 ,they are so small that an hundred of them will but weigh an ,ounce3 ,their wings are red and spotted with black4 ,they run exceeding swiftly1 ,i never could find any thing written of them4 ,i gave them to ,cats and ,dogs to eat with their meat1 and ,i found wonderfull things4 ,hens and other ,birds will not eat them1 haply because they cannot brook the too vehement operation of them4 ,they must needs be endued with singular gifts1 he that will make trial1 may so do1 but yet so as not to use them but corrected1 because 7amongst all the ,vermine that ,i know of7 they do most excell1 and abound with the greatest venereal ,venome4 ,there are yet besides these1 other ,worms 7or ,vermine7 that are profitable to make ,medicine of4 ,the food and nutriment of the ,aselli or ,pig-lice is rotten ,wood2 if you touch them they rowl up themselves into a round ,ball4 ,they are for the most part used for repressing of the ,stone4 ,the ,cimexes1 or ,knats1 or ,flies1 are of a red colour1 and do vex and disquiet a ,man at night1 they suck his bloud1 and usually quarter in old ,pine-wood1 and in ancient ,chambers1 and are detestable things because of the stinch they emit4 ,and besides them1 there is another kind of such ,vermine that are of a green colour1 and more venemous1 and yield a more filthy stinch than the red ,worms do4 ,this ,insect has wings1 and is four times bigger than the ,cimex1 and live in the ,grass2 but when the cold ,winter approacheth1 they then live in hollow ,trees1 or hide in the ,chinks that be in ,walls4 ,if an ,ox or ,cow do by chance in eating ,grass swallow down such a kind of ,vermine1 they swell up1 and sometimes die of it2 but yet they do so well know how to shun them1 that the ,beasts seldom swallow them4 ,i do from hence guess1 that there lies hidden in this kind of ,animal1 some singular matter1 because of its wonderfull disposition it hath3 ,for ,i have tried by certain experiments that it can either retain1 or emit its stinch as it pleaseth4 ,it is a notable subtile and fallacious ,creature1 and this ,i could confirm by wonderfull stories4 ,it doth exactly imitate the perverse disposition of all ,turn-,coats1 ,lustfull1 ,venereal1 and ,bestial ,men4 ,it doth presently deposite or lose its stinch in the universal ,menstruum1 but what it will 7being thus prepared7 perform1 ,i having as yet omitted farther inquisition1 cannot tell4 ,infinite is the number of these and such like ,insects1 and without doubt they were not created in vain1 they prosecute each other with a mutual and deadly hatred1 and do by laying snares endeavour to destroy each the other4 ,i have known one little small ,worm or ,insect1 that by sucking out the juice and strength of the great ,earth-,worms do wax fat1 and is in all places his ,superiour or ,master4 ,in the ,spring-time he is a small lean ,worm1 and is not so big as the ,blatta1 that live upon ,meal1 but in ,summer time he doth so fatten himself with the ,earth-worms1 and becomes so unwieldy that he can hardly creep3 ,he is black as a ,coal1 and moves himself by the many short feet he has1 is about the thickness of a ,quill1 and about a fingers length1 and under the earth shrewdly bites the poor ,earth-worm1 and sucks from him his best juice1 which said ,earth-worm being no ways able to defend himself1 doth out of meer pain creep out of the ,earth1 and brings out his fast adhering ,enemy3 he sticks on to him so close1 that he can't be driven off1 and so long sucks1 untill being well satiated and full1 he at length falls off of his own accord4 ,i have often seen these ,earth-worms so long vexed with them and twined themselves to and fro till this little ,vermine hath pierced the ,worm through1 and divided him in twain1 but yet closable together again1 if he can but onely get into the ,earth4 ,you may see evident signs of the malice of this small ,vermine1 upon some of the older ,worms1 that have had several such bitings1 and yet closed together again4 ,for ,i know no enemies the great ,earth worms have1 save onely the ,mole1 and this same ,worm4 ,this black and martial ,worm having done with one1 presently sets upon another ,worm1 and so sucks out the best juice1 and leaves the body of the said great ,worm destitute of any strength4 ,he is of great virtue and as to his excellency is to be preferred far before all other ,worms if but well prepared3 ,as for ,spiders1 there are many talks of them as if they were poisonous1 but ,i could never as yet find any such thing in those that grow in the space of one year1 and then vanish away again2 they are such that make their ,webs on ,trees1 ,bushes1 and the like to catch ,flies in1 and are cross-bearing ,spiders1 because they have on their backs the figure of a ,cross4 ,every month they put off their old skin1 and so do those too that make their ,webs in the corners and holes in ,houses1 and will live three months without either meat or drink befor they die4 ,these are somewhat worser than the former1 and yet not so poisonous as the report goes1 and as is believed4 ,all the green sort of ,spiders1 that live in the ,grass and among ,leaves are void of all ,poison1 7and all others7 save those which abide in cold places1 as ,cellars1 and moist ,vaults1 and nourish themselves with ,insects1 and are covered over with a black and roughish skin like black ,silk or ,velvet1 are slow paced1 and as being the ,kings of all ,spiders1 do kill the others by their biting1 and devour them if they can but get them within their power4 ,if one ,spider be thrown into the ,nest of another1 the stronger drives out the weaker1 but they cannot any of them abide these black ,spiders1 abhorring their presence1 and running away as fast as they can4 ,nay more1 neither the ,black-bird1 nor other ,birds 7whose food's the other ,spiders are wont to be7 will eat them4 ,they grow old very slowly1 and live in a ,cellar many a year1 as being patient endurers of the cold1 and do not renew their skin as the rest do4 ,those likewise that devour the ,flies in stores in the ,winter1 or at least-wise are nourished with the sweet fume or vapour of ,hony1 ,sugar1 and such like things1 and arrive to an old ,age1 are also venemous4 ,all these are rarely used in ,medicine1 there being indeed no need of them amongst such plenty as there is of good ,medicaments4 ,this one benefit ,i have observed in them that they so purge sick ,hens1 as that they recover their former health1 and do presently after get strength and wax fat4 ,emmets that live by the juices and ,rosins of ,trees1 are also used in ,medicine1 but yet do no great matters4 ,locusts1 ,grylli 7a kind of ,grass-hopper7 and such like ,insects1 7though they are endued with hidden virtues7 are notwithstanding neglected1 forasmuch as there is one onely ,mineral that can effect more then all the bigger or lesser ,animals1 ,worms1 and ,insects1 and therefore well may they be despised4 ,there are also some things that are taken from the bodies of the bigger sort of ,animals that are used in ,medicine1 as the ,stomach1 ,intestines1 and ,teeth of the ,woolf2 the ,lungs of the ,fox3 ,the ,gall1 the ,hair1 the ,skin1 the ,excrement1 the ,horns1 c4 of other ,animals2 but yet no great matters have been hitherto done by all this ado1 because they are parts or ,members of such ,animals1 as being altogether void of ,poison1 are usually ,man's ,food1 or may so be4 ,whereas were they the parts of ,animals that would alter our nature1 or were they the ,teeth1 ,bones1 ,horns1 or other parts of venemous ,creatures1 and then changed and reduced into good ,medicaments1 somewhat might be done by them4 ,by such as alter nature ,i mean1 the ,teeth of ,dogs1 ,wolves1 ,bears1 ,lions1 and such ravenous ,creatures2 the ,bones and ,horns of the ,elfe1 ,goats1 ,kids1 ,does1 ,stags1 ,elephants1 and the ,hairs of ,men and other ,animals4 ,amongst the venemous ,animals1 the ,teeth and ,skins of ,vipers1 ,serpents1 ,toads1 ,salamanders1 c4 ,in the third degree are the ,teeth of the ,sea-dog1 and ,whale1 and of the horned ,fishes1 and those which the ,dutch ,marriners call ,walrussen1 and others the ,unicorn3 the ,horns of them1 and of other such like ,sea ,monsters1 whose ,flesh is venemous1 and therefore their ,teeth must necessarily be endued with medicinal ,vertues1 provided they be changed and converted into a convenient ,essence4 ,besides in the ,excrements of all ,animals1 lies hid a singular medicinal ,vertue1 nor is the volatile ,salt 7but especially of those that are poisonous7 to be contemned4 ,the fixed ,salt being the subduer of many ,diseases1 doth not a little help to the making of ,medicine4 ,but ,i am not minded to treat of these at present1 but will onely demonstrate by what means all ,animals are to be dissolved by the universal ,menstruum1 and ,poison to be converted into most wholsome ,medicine4 ,the ,vertues of them are already known1 nor is ought more required save a due preparation1 the knowledge of which ,i am minded to manifest in this ,treatise4 ,it is apparently evident that the ,teeth1 ,horns1 ,skin1 ,hairs1 and ,claws or ,hoofs1 are by so much the better and more efficacious ,antidote1 by how much the greater and more present ,poison their ,flesh is endued withal1 and this we see by experience4 ,such as desire to know more1 of such like venemous ,animals1 may read my ,book1 of the signature of things1 wherein they will find many profitable things and worthy of consideration4 ,the preparation and changing of all venemous ,animals and ,worms1 c4 into safe and efficacious ,medicaments4 ,as touching what belongs to their preparation1 it doth not consist in the way that hath been hitherto used as to the preparing of ,animals for medicinal ,use1 the which have hitherto been either reduced into ,powder1 or else have been converted into ,spirits1 ,waters1 and ,oils1 by decoction in a ,b1 or else turned 7by ,calcination7 into ,ashes1 that so their fixt ,salt1 may be extracted1 or 7by sublimation7 pass into a volatile ,salt4 ,i do no wise contemn these1 and other hitherto used ways and methods of preparing ,animals for the use of medicine1 for in very deed they are good and profitable4 ,but forasmuch as ,i have the knowledge of a better and more compendious way of doing all these things1 ,i neither would nor could any longer hide the same1 but communicate it for the good of mankind1 and for the help and comfort of the sick4 ,and now that the well minded ,reader1 may percieve a difference between the old way of preparing these ,medicaments and my way1 ,i will briefly declare and demonstrate the same4 ,i have not hitherto heard or read of any other way than this which followeth1 viz4 ,the ,animals are either wholly or else some part of them1 dried in the ,air1 then powdered and administred in ,powder in some appropriate ,vehicle1 or else some ,honey or ,sugar is added to the ,powder1 thereby to make it into an ,electuary2 or else the ,animals are digested 7whilst new or fresh7 in ,oil1 then pressed out1 and changed into a ,balsam1 that so they may serve either for inward or outward ,uses as necessity requires4 ,or else they are made up into other ,medicines1 and so confected and kept for use4 ,or1 being new1 are distilled by a ,b4 in water1 the residue is by ,calcination burnt into ,ashes1 and the fixed ,salt1 is 7by the benefit of distilled water7 extracted out of the ,ashes4 ,some do distil the bodies of ,animals1 dry1 or moist1 in a ,retort1 and do get a stinking ,spirit1 ,oil1 and volatile ,salt1 which parts they ,sever from each other1 rectifie them1 and keep them to use in time of need4 ,others do put the venemous ,animals alive into ,oil1 or into some other ,oil drawn out of an ,aromatical ,vegetable by distillation1 and so suffocate them herein2 and do afterwards use that ,oil for outward and inward ,uses1 as is evident in the ,oil of ,scorpions4 ,these are the ways hitherto made use of for the preparation of medicaments out of ,animals1 nor have they been fruitlesly used4 ,but whereas ,i saw1 that the ,animals being prepared the aforementioned ways are venemous and crude1 but especially when they are but onely dried and powdered1 and so used1 and that the administring them to the sick is not without danger1 because they set upon nature with too much vehemency1 if any 7nay the smallest7 errour be committed in the ,dose3 and besides1 they do 7by their ungratefull and loathsome savour7 beget a nauseate1 and withal considering1 that the ,spirits1 ,oils1 and ,waters drawn out of ,animals by distillation1 do for the most part smell of an ,empyreum1 and are extremely distastefull to nature2 and that though the volatile ,salt1 and the fixt1 which contain the greatest ,vertues of the ,animals1 and may more commodiously be taken into the body than the ,oil1 which is plainly intolerable to sick ,persons because of its stinch2 yet forasmuch as in such an ,operation the chiefest ,virtue is burnt up1 and corrupted1 and that therefore the ,medicament so distilled is less profitable than the crude ,body of the ,animal2 this way and method cannot at all be accompted of as worthy the being ranked amongst the best sort of ,medicines4 ,seeing then and well percieving all these ,circumstances1 ,i counted it wholly necessary to bethink my self of a more profitable and better way1 and such a way too1 as by the help whereof1 every ,animal1 or at least such a part of it according as is requisite1 may 7without any separating of the whole body into divers parts7 be dissolved1 and changed in its whole substance by a certain dissolving and correcting ,water poured upon it1 and so its venome be converted into ,medicine4 ,now the dissolving ,water1 and the dissolved ,medicine stand in such a posture1 as that it may be again abstracted and separated from the dissolved and corrected body after its dissolution and correction1 and this so corrected or purged body may be administred in some convenient ,vehicle to the sick1 or else alone by its self1 as shall be more clearly manifested in the following discourse4 ,a universal ,menstruum by the help of which all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals are dissolved1 corrected1 and reduced into a most pure and most safe ,medicament4 ,i have in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 taught and told you that ,niter is the true universal dissolvent1 and is operated withall three manner of ways4 #a4 ,as it is in its own proper nature and form4 #b4 ,when it is changed into a fixt and fiery ,liquor4 #c4 ,when 7by the benefit of the fire7 it is distilled into an ,acid ,spirit4 ,with these three instruments are dissolved all whatsoever is in the nature of things1 are amended1 and transmuted into a better and purer substance4 ,but the manner how this is done shall clearly be taught in this ,treatise1 and explained1 insomuch that all such as have either out of gross ,ignorance1 or conceited ,pride1 or meer diabolical hatred and envy1 hitherto contemned1 despised1 and traduced it as a thing impossible to be done 7as ,farnerus for one7 may be confounded with shame1 and be driven to confess1 that their meer ignorance1 pride1 and envy1 caused them to oppose the ,noonday light1 and attempt the extinguishing1 blotting out1 and obscuring the same4 ,and although that ,i have described the preparation and use of the universal ,menstruum1 both in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in its explication1 as likewise in my ,apology against ,farnerus2 yet notwithstanding many perswade themselves1 that that description is too much clad over with darkness1 and that without a more accurate and plainer declaration or explication1 it cannot be understood1 and consequently not made use of4 ,therefore that such ,men may have their food ready chewed1 and thrust into their mouths1 and may have no farther cause of labour and consideration1 ,i will give a plainer declaration and make 7in ,god's name1 for whose honour1 and for the benefit of all mankind1 ,i have thus purposed to do7 an initiation1 and perfectly demonstrate1 that ,niter is 7by the three aforementioned ways7 able to dissolve1 and alter all whatsoever is in the nature of things1 and to reduce them into a better substance4 ,these are the weapons wherewith ,i enter the list with all deriders and haters of the truth1 and do demand1 if they have any better and more powerfull thing1 than this universal dissolvent out of ,niter1 if so1 to produce it2 if not1 then to let this alone4 ,every man has his liberty1 7if he hath better7 to publish it for the common good2 but if he can't produce a better1 he may well submit himself to the truth4 ,verily would any man discover a better universal dissolvent1 he would do me an acceptable thing1 and ,i wou'd most readily acknowledge any errors ,i have committed in this matter1 and would refuse my own proper writings4 ,but that some such will arise and do this thing1 ,i do not in the least fear4 ,if such an one should come1 we will hear and see him1 and recieve him with a decent reply4 ,in the mean while we will address our selves1 to the preparation of good ,medicines1 to the honour of ,god1 and benefit of our ,neighbour4 ,the bettering and correcting metals1 which is to be accomplished by the said ,niter1 is exactly described and demonstrated in the second1 third1 and fourth part of the ,treatise of the prosperity of my ,countrey2 in this place we have purposed to treat onely of medicines4 ,but as for the way of reducing ,niter into a fixt and fiery ,liquor1 and also into a ,volatile1 ,acid and fiery ,spirit2 we have already taught in other places of our writings1 so that it is a meer needless thing1 here again1 to repeat the same4 ,but because it is profitable to the lover of ,arts1 that he find both the preparations here conjoined1 ,i have deemed it necessary to set them down both to your view4 ,the ,process of turning ,salt-peter into a fiery ,liquor4 ,take of pure ,salt-peter1 and such as is free from all common ,salt one pound1 put it into a strong and well burned ,pot or ,crucible1 with a ,cover to it1 put it into a ,wind ,furnace1 urge it so long with ,coals till it be a bright red hot1 and all the ,niter flow2 which being molten and in flux1 cast in a little ,powder of good ,char-coals1 that so it swimming at top of the ,salt-peter may burn up4 ,this ,coal ,powder being consumed1 throw in some more of the same1 and proceed on thus with casting on ,coal ,powder so long till the ,coal ,powder you cast in will not take ,fire any more1 and the ,salt-peter appear of a greenish and sky-colour4 ,then pour it out thus molten into a warmed ,mortar or ,bason1 7for if you throw it into a cold ,vessel1 it will leap up into your ,face7 and there let it lie till it be cold4 ,if you touch your tongue with some of this ,salt1 you shall find it fiery like the ,salt of ,tartar4 ,beat this ,salt into a ,powder and put it into a ,glass1 or else set it in some moist or cold ,cellar1 and in few days1 nay1 or hours1 it will be dissolved into a clear and fiery liquor1 which strain through ,cap ,paper or a ,filter 7as they call it7 and set it up for use4 ,the use thereof in the preparation of such ,medicaments as are made out of ,animals1 and also ,vegetables4 ,forasmuch as the use of this ,menstruum is already demonstrated in my first ,apology against ,farnerus1 and in the first part of this ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 wherein the ,essences of ,herbs are taught4 ,but in this ,treatise shall mention be made onely of such ,medicaments as are preparable out of ,animals4 ,i will here set down the way and manner of operation1 whereby not onely ,animals1 but also ,vegetables my be corrected and transmuted into safe ,medicaments4 ,and here it is to be noted1 that the use of this ,menstruum1 takes place onely in correcting such ,herbs and ,animals as are strongly operative and as it were venemous1 whose malice is to be necessarily removed4 ,for those ,herbs that are good1 and used in the ,kitchin1 and without any hurt in them1 need not any correction1 except one will make out of them1 an extract by ,spirit of ,wine1 or make of them a burning ,spirit1 and ,oil1 as also a fixed ,salt1 and conjoin them by the benefit of ,art1 and make them into sweet ,essences1 which labour is accurately described in the first part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,in this place we treat onely of turning ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals into sweet ,medicaments1 by the benefit of ,salt-peter3 ,and in other places of my ,writings is sufficiently enough taught by what other ways1 and those various ones too1 several ,medicaments may be prepared1 and that without the help of this universal dissolvent1 whereto ,i refer the well minded ,reader1 and proceed on here to teach the preparation of the said ,medicaments by that hitherto often named fiery dissolvent1 which 7without any additions7 is of notable effect4 ,the ,preparation of ,animals and ,vegetables by the fiery ,liquor of ,niter1 their ,dissolution1 ,correction1 and ,transmutation into wholsome ,medicines4 ,take any ,animal or ,herb1 what you please1 if it be new1 cut it small2 if the ,animal or ,herb be dry1 beat it into ,powder1 and pour thereto the liquor of fixt ,niter1 that it may well moisten the ,animal or the ,herb1 and may cover it all over2 set the ,glass in a ,b4 and digest the venemous ,animal or ,herb for one day and night1 in which time the liquor of ,niter will ripen the venemous ,animal or ,herb1 and transmute it1 and make a ,medicine of the ,poison4 ,after the ,cucurbit is cooled in the ,balneo1 take it out and pour forth the liquor1 together with the corrected ,animal or ,herb into another ,glass having a long ,neck1 and pour thereon the best ,spirit of ,wine1 or burning ,spirit of ,corn1 and such as is well purged from all ,phlegm1 that it may swim on the solution the height of two fingers4 ,note well1 that the liquor of ,niter1 and likewise the burning ,spirit1 must be well freed from all ,phlegm1 so that the ,spirit may not conjoin it self with the ,niter1 but swim on the top of it4 ,for if both of them be watery or phlegmy1 there would be a conjunction or commixion of them both1 and your labour would miss the event hoped for1 and this is well to be observed4 ,therefore seeing that such a commixtion1 is prevented by removing of the aquosity1 the burning ,spirit will attract to it self1 the true and corrected ,essence of the ,herb or ,animal1 and leave the fixt liquor together with the unprofitable ,fces of the ,herb or ,animal4 ,separate the burning ,spirit thus impregnated with the ,essence1 and so much that it can attract no more1 by pouring it off from the liquor1 and pour more ,spirit thereupon1 repeating this labour so long and so often1 untill all the ,essence shall be extracted out of the liquor of the ,niter4 ,then take all these extractions which contain the transmuted or corrected venome of the ,herb or ,animal1 and put them together in a ,cucurbit1 in a ,b4 ,m4 and draw off the burning ,spirit with a gentle heat1 that so at length the remaining liquor1 may be of a thick and dark coloured reddishness4 ,note well that the best part of the burning ,spirit may be also separated in a ,b4 and reserved for farther use1 but its remaining and weaker part may be taken out with the extract1 out of the ,b4 ,m4 and be evaporated in a ,glass ,vessel1 over a vaporous ,b4 to the thickness of ,honey4 ,for in so doing1 there's no fear of burning the extract in the ,cucurbit1 if the ,b4 should be over hot2 and this you are to have an especial regard unto4 ,but if the evaporation cannot be done in ,glass ,vessels1 by a vaporous ,b4 then when the ,essence is brought to such a pass in a little ,cucurbit1 pour thereto some of that burning ,spirit1 that came first over1 and presently shake it well about1 and mix it well1 and this will again forthwith extract the purest part of the ,essence1 and leave behind a few ,fces1 with a little of the fixt ,niter ,liquor1 from the which1 the burning ,spirit together with the ,essence1 is to be forthwith separated1 by pouring it off1 lest it should 7by any longer stay on the ,fces7 draw also to it self the ,salt1 and so not get the sweet ,savour and ,odour of the ,essence4 ,but if any one doth yet desire to make the ,essence more pure and more sweet1 he may extract it yet a third time after the aforesaid manner1 and after this third labour there will remain again some more ,salt1 and the ,essence will become sweeter4 ,if a diligent regard be not had hereunto1 there will 7for the most part7 some of the fixed ,salt abide with the ,essence1 and render it of an unpleasant savour3 this admonition therefore is not to be neglected1 but such a one that covets the obtaining of any good must bestow his labour with all kind of diligence4 ,this is an exact description of the manner of preparing most efficacious ,medicines1 out of the most venemous ,herbs and ,animals4 ,furthermore this is to be noted1 that when the ,essence is extracted by the burning ,spirit1 out of the ,alkalizated ,herb or ,animal1 the remainder is to be boiled in an earthen or glazed ,pot even to driness1 and afterwards to be made red hot1 that all the impurity may be consumed by calcination1 and the pure fixt ,niter may remain alone1 which if you set in a ,cellar1 and do again let it dissolve into a liquor1 it will be of the same virtues as before1 and thus will it be many a time1 and so may the ,spirit of the ,wine be used for the like operation4 ,now although this fixed ,niter doth change as well venemous ,minerals1 as ,animals and ,vegetables1 and reduce their venenosity into wholsome ,medicine3 yet is it more fit for the sulphureous ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 than for mercurial ones2 and for such the ,acid ,spirit of ,niter is more fit1 though it doth also dissolve1 correct1 and transmute ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals2 the which is chiefly observable in the ,minerals1 for therein may be learned the wonderfull property1 and the all-things-changing efficacy of this ,fire4 ,for ,niter crude as it is in its body1 being mixed with combustible ,animals and ,vegetables1 and enkindled1 burns up all things1 and drives them with the flame up into the ,air1 insomuch that nothing save the fixt ,salt onely is left remaining3 ,and therefore this crude ,niter is altogether unfit for ,vegetables and ,animals1 if you would have any good from them4 ,but in the venemous ,minerals it performeth its office better than the fixt ,niter1 or than the volatile corrosive or ,acid ,spirit1 as shall be afterwards shown where we treat of ,minerals4 ,this ,i thought expedient to advise you of1 and have thus done to this end1 that those that are desirous of the ,art may learn the divers operations of ,niter4 ,the crude ,niter doth 7by its flame7 display its virtues upon the venemous ,animals1 and changeth them in few hours space into safe ,medicaments74 ,being reduced into a fixt liquor1 it dissolveth all sulphureous ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 the which thing the common or crude ,niter1 as also the acid and corrosive ,spirit will never do3 ,as this fixt liquor of ,niter also dissolveth wholly the sulphureous ,minerals1 and leaves nothing behind save the onely ,fces4 ,so the acid ,spirit of ,niter dissolveth all mercurial ,minerals1 that nothing remains undissolved4 ,from whence 'tis evident1 that every nature doth lovingly embrace its like1 and is willingly conjoyned therewithall1 and especially if such natures are pure and clean1 and not mixed with any other things4 ,but that you may yet better understand these things1 hearken a little farther4 ,there is no ,herb1 no ,animal1 no ,mineral1 that consisteth not of its three first principles1 viz4 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury1 but yet are these very unequal3 for in one subject1 the ,salt is most powerfull1 in another1 the ,sulphur1 in a third1 the ,mercury3 ,but when in such subjects consisting of the three principles1 there is not too much inequality1 and that no principle bears sway over another1 then either the acid ,spirit1 or the fixed ,salt of the ,niter will alike dissolve them1 as is evident in many ,vegetables1 ,minerals1 and ,animals1 which being compounded of well tempered ,principles1 do admit of ,solution and ,correction1 both by the fixt ,liquor1 as also by the volatile acid ,spirit3 ,for example4 ,i take some ,herb1 be it ,napellus1 or ,mandragora1 or ,opium1 or some ,animal1 as a ,spider1 ,scorpion1 or ,golden ,scarabus1 ,i deal on this ,subject now with fixt ,niter 7as ,i afore taught7 and the whole will be dissolved1 changed1 and become a safe ,medicament1 7for they consist of well tempered ,principles47 ,if now ,i pour upon either ,subject the acid ,spirit of ,niter1 it will be dissolved therein1 changed1 and corrected1 and put on the nature of an wholsome ,medicine1 as well as when dissolved in the aforesaid ,liquor4 ,now though both ,liquors1 viz4 the fixt ,liquor and the acid ,spirit do arise out of one ,root1 yet do they exceedingly differ in their nature1 and do prosecute as it were each the other with a deadly hatred3 ,and that because the fixt ,liquor1 as well as the acid ,spirit1 are in some sort as yet adversaries1 and do not absolutely bear such sway as if they were in one ,nature4 ,for they are from one subject1 and are by the fire drawn out of common ,salt-peter1 and reduced into two contrary parts and into ,enemies opposing each other4 ,but they are again conjoined1 that they may mutually set upon each other1 with that enmity they have received from the fire1 and may overcome and kill each other1 then neither the fiery ,liquor1 nor the acid ,spirit is any more discerned1 but they return unto that which they were before1 and from which they were born1 viz4 unto ,niter or common ,salt-peter4 ,excellently well therefore say the ,philosophers1 make the fixt ,volatile1 and the ,volatile fixt4 ,hermes also saith1 that our ,dragon dieth not without his ,brother and ,sister1 many things might be spoken of this matter1 but they belong not to this place1 but to the fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 in which is treated of the ,concentration of ,gold and ,silver into ,tinctures1 but if so be that one of the aforenamed ,principles1 whether it be ,sulphur or ,mercury 7for the ,salt is not to be here considered7 do bear overmuch sway in any subject1 then both the dissolvents cannot alike dissolve that body1 but that dissolvent onely which is appropriated to the nature of that ,subject3 ,as for example4 ,the seed of any ,herb 7though it hath a mercurial ,salt7 yet the ,sulphur hath the predominancy1 and therefore admits of dissolution by the fixt ,liquor rather than by the acid ,spirit4 ,but if the ,oil be separated from the mercurial ,salt1 either by expressing it or distilling it out of the ,seed1 then the fixt ,liquor hath a greater efficacy of operation upon its like1 and dissolves all the ,oil1 without leaving any part thereof behind4 ,but contrariwise1 the ,oil being severed from its mercurial ,salt1 which admitteth of the acid ,spirit onely1 the acid ,spirit hath no power at all to dissolve it1 though he be arisen from the very same ,subject1 as his brother the fixt ,liquor is4 ,so then the ,sister answers not the brother in the like operation1 and 'tis impossible for the ,sister to accomplish those things that the ,brother doth4 ,but when both brother and sister are mixed together1 they do again beget ,children like to their ,parents1 viz4 ,hermaphrodites1 from whence themselves had their ,original1 returning to simple and crude ,niter1 out of which there do again proceed the like ,procreations and ,generations of the masculine and feminine ,sex4 ,and so one birth transmutes it self into another1 augmenteth and bettereth each other and that even to infinity1 if it do but get its own conjugal bed1 and be dealt withal in a ,philosophical manner4 ,and what we have said of the vegetable ,sulphur1 the same may likewise be understood of the ,animal and ,mineral4 ,for such a ,sulphur as is severed from its ,salt and ,mercury1 the acid ,spirit of ,niter will not dissolve1 but its sulphureous ,liquor doth readily perform it1 and this doth wholly dissolve the common mineral ,sulphur1 whereas the acid ,spirit leaves it untouched4 ,but such a ,subject as participates of both ,natures1 viz4 of the sulphureous and mercurial one1 doth admit of dissolution both by the fixt ,liquor1 and by the acid ,spirit1 whether it be a ,vegetable1 ,animal1 or ,mineral4 ,therefore the extreams1 viz4 the beginning and the end1 the first ,ens and last ,essentiality1 the volatile and combustible1 and the fixt and incombustible1 are to be compared with each other1 7as thus47 ,let the common combustible ,sulphur and which adheres to ,minerals and ,veins of ,metals be accompted of as the beginning1 and let ,gold be accompted the end4 ,the fixt ,liquor now dissolves the ,sulphur wholly1 but cannot do so with the ripe ,gold2 but the acid ,spirit dissolves that1 and cannot at all dissolve the ,sulphur4 ,but now such as are middle ,subjects and do partake of both natures1 viz4 of a sulphureous and a mercurial1 such as are ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,mars1 ,venus1 ,mercury1 ,lune2 for they are dissolveable by both1 viz4 by the fixt ,liquor1 and also by the acid ,spirit4 ,but by how much the more either of them partake of combustible ,sulphur1 by so much the easier doth it admit ,solution by the fixt ,liquor4 ,so this ,liquor doth easily dissolve these ,minerals1 viz4 ,antimony1 ,auripigment1 common ,sulphur1 red ,arsenick1 c4 and of metals these1 ,mars1 ,venus1 ,jupiter1 ,saturn1 difficultly2 ,lune more difficultly2 ,mercury most difficultly2 but for ,sol1 which is the last and best of all1 it doth in no wise dissolve1 because it is plainly freed by nature from its superfluous1 extraneous1 and burning ,sulphur1 and is washed1 purified1 and maturated into a most pure mercurial ,substance4 ,contrariwise the acid ,spirit 7if it be strong enough7 doth dissolve all1 even from the supreamest metal1 to the lowest ,mineral1 ,sulphur onely excepted1 which it can't dissolve4 ,yet doth it more easily dissolve one ,subject than another according as it is of more affinity with1 or remote1 from its own ,nature4 ,and therefore every ,chymist may easily know the ,nature and ,properties of every metal and mineral by the dissolving them1 with these two1 viz4 ,liquor and acid ,spirit4 ,note well1 ,i have 7by this means7 found out what ,metals and ,minerals are of nearest ,affinity with ,gold1 and this kind of enquiry is far more certain and safer than the reading of many ,books2 nor will it be hurtfull to him if he did understand the signature of metals and minerals1 and thereby know how to learn their ,nature and ,property2 but my intent is not to treat of that1 in this place1 but will refer my labour to the second part of my ,treatise of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where we will speak of the ,concentration of ,metals and ,minerals4 ,but that ,i may trifle out no more time in the discoursing of the difference of metals and minerals1 ,i will go on and describe how the venemous ,subjects of ,animals and ,vegetables are to be dissolved by the acid ,spirit of ,niter1 to be transmuted and ripened thereby1 and converted into safe ,medicaments4 ,the ,process and ,preparation is as follows4 ,take either ,nux ,vomica1 or venomous party-coloured ,toads1 ,scorpions1 ,cantharides1 or such like venomous ,vegetables or ,animals4 ,cut your ,vegetables1 but take your ,animals whole as they are1 that so dying 7in the ,menstruum7 they become greater and safer ,medicaments1 put them in some glass3 ,as for example4 ,take one ,ounce or two ,ounces of the ,spirit of ,niter2 put it in a glass with a narrow neck1 that so it may be stopped1 and put into that ,spirit such ,vegetables as you would dissolve2 which being dissolved into a ,liquor1 then put yet more ,herbs1 thus doing so long till the ,spirit grows thickish1 and can dissolve no more4 ,after the same manner may you proceed with the ,animals if dead2 but if alive1 then to the ,spirit add some water before you put the ,vermine thereinto2 for the too vehement force of the ,spirit1 is to be so allayed1 that the ,vermine being put in alive may not presently die1 but may kill himself with his own proper ,poison4 ,for if the ,spirit be too strong1 such kind of ,animals will die in less than a moment1 and not know what hath happened unto them4 ,but now they live longer in the milder ,spirit1 and when they see that they must needs die1 they are extreamly enraged1 do prick1 and bite1 and kill themselves with their own ,poison1 insomuch that the venome is increased1 and the ,medicine acquires the greater ,virtues4 ,so then those which thou hast put in being dissolved1 add more untill the ,spirit becoming thick1 can dissolve no more2 strain this ,solution through a thin ,linnen ,cloath into another glass1 and pour thereon by little and little1 or drop by drop1 the fixt ,liquor of ,niter1 that it may kill the acid ,spirit1 and they both having lost their strengths return into ,salt-peter as they were before1 and the corrected ,vegetable or ,animal may be precipitated to the bottom in the form of a ,powder4 ,when you have so done pour on some more fresh ,water1 or ,rain-water1 that the ,salt-peter may be the better dissolved4 ,then pour out all the ,solution1 through a thin ,linnen ,cloth placed in a glass ,funnel1 into another glass1 that so the ,salt-peter1 which before was partly an acid ,spirit1 and partly a fixt ,liquor1 and is again become ,niter1 may 7being dissolved with the water poured thereon7 run through the ,cloth1 and that corrected ,vegetable or ,animal may stay behind in the same1 the which by pouring on store of fair water1 is to be freed of all ,saltishness1 and afterwards to be put together with the ,cloth upon ,cap-paper several times doubled4 ,this ,paper will drink up all the moisture1 and the remaining ,animal or ,vegetable ,powder will stay behind3 which being thus dried is to be lay'd up for use1 and may afterwards be used either per se in the form of a ,powder or be reduced into ,pills1 which before this preparation could not be safely used1 nor without much danger4 ,there is besides1 another way of turning ,animals and ,vegetables by the acid ,spirit of ,niter1 or by the fixt ,liquor into wholsome ,medicaments3 and the manner thereof is thus4 ,those ,subjects which refuse to be dissolved by the fixt ,liquor1 are dissolved by the acid ,spirit1 and precipitated with the fixt ,liquor1 or contrariwise those which are not dissolveable by the acid ,spirit1 are dissolved by the fixt ,liquor1 and precipitated by the acid ,spirit4 ,all being precipitated1 and the ,dissolvent sufficiently slain1 let some more of the fixt ,liquor be poured thereupon1 so that it may much exceed in quantity the acid ,spirit4 ,this done1 let the ,phlegm be drawn off in a vaporous ,b1 and to the remaining ,liquor1 let be poured as much burning ,spirit as is sufficient1 that so it may by extraction extract all that is to be extracted4 ,this burning ,spirit operates upon1 and attracteth to it self1 no other thing save the onely ,essence of the ,herb or ,animal alone1 and leaves the ,dissolvents untoucht4 ,but this ,essence is no ways inferiour neither in virtue or efficacy1 to that which was prepared after the before described manner4 ,and thus much let suffice to have been said of the preparation of ,vegetable and ,animal ,medicaments4 ,and now we will betake our selves 7in ,god's ,name7 to speak likewise of ,mineral and ,metalline ,medicaments1 and see what good thing the ,omnipotent ,god bestoweth on us by the benefit of these things4 ,the preparation of ,metalline ,medicaments is almost a-kin1 and like to the precedent preparation of ,vegetable and ,animal ones1 and doth herein onely differ1 that the most part of ,minerals and ,metals1 are dissolved1 corrected1 and converted into safe ,medicaments by crude and purified ,niter1 as the following manner demonstrates4 ,take of powdered ,antimony and purged ,niter each alike1 mix these equal parts in a covered ,pot least the ,mass leap out1 calcine it1 after ,calcination pour it forth1 and reduce the ,mass into a ,powder1 and wash off the ,salt-peter with ,water and dry the ,antimony1 which hath now lost its black ,colour1 and is become white4 ,mix it again with an equal part of ,salt-peter1 calcine it1 and wash it1 and repeat this ,labour a third time4 ,this done1 the ,antimony hath laid aside all its venomosity and blackness1 and become white1 and such a medicament1 as may be most safely administred in expelling all ,diseases by ,sweat1 the ,dose from two1 three1 four1 even to six ,grains4 ,note well1 if you use the ,regulus instead of the ,crude ,antimony1 it will presently1 in the first operation become a white ,diaphoretick1 and to be adhibited in the same ,dose4 ,even after the same manner may you deprive poisonous ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 and such like ,poisons of all their venomousness1 and transmute them into most safe ,diaphoretick ,powders4 ,but forasmuch as the preparations of them do not correspond with every ones mind1 yea and may easily injure the ignorant and unskilfull1 my advice to such men is this1 that they abstain from medling with them and betake themselves to ,antimony onely1 and to fix him well1 for that they may use him with far more safety4 ,but that ,i speak here of those most highly venomous ,objects1 ,i did it for this end1 that every one might know1 that even the chiefest ,poisons may be corrected and transmuted into ,medicines1 merely by the help of ,niter alone4 ,but he that desires yet farther to render ,antimony safer and better1 let him use the following preparation3 ,take the aforesaid ,diaphoretick ,antimony1 fixed by the help of ,niter1 dissolve it up in strong ,aqua ,fortis3 and being dissolved1 precipitate it with the fixt ,liquor of ,niter1 that it may settle to the bottom like a snowy ,powder3 ,pour off the moisture1 vapour away some part of the humidity1 and set by the remainder that the ,salt may shoot1 and so will you have your ,niter again4 ,as for the ,powder1 dry it and wash it well with water1 and it may well be styled a ,bezoardicum ,mineral1 being a most excellent ,medicine to expel all ,diseases by ,sweat1 the ,dose of which is one1 two1 three1 four1 six1 even to twelve ,grains1 according as the ,disease and ,patient is4 ,but ,i have sufficiently enough treated of this ,medicine at large in my other ,writings1 and therefore needs not to be repeated in this place4 ,so then all1 ,metals1 ,minerals1 ,stones1 and whatsoever is in the ,world1 may by these three ways be dissolved and corrected by ,niter1 either crude1 fixed1 or acid1 and be transmuted into ,medicines void of all kind of danger4 ,thou maist dissolve all the ,metals 7,gold onely excepted7 with the acid ,spirit of ,niter1 and if thou put thereto a little ,sal ,armoniack1 or rectifie it with common ,salt1 then it will likewise dissolve common ,gold4 ,but the ,minerals are dissolved with the fixt ,liquor of ,niter1 and precipitated1 and then washed with common water1 and being washed are used to make ,medicine with4 ,they yield subtile ,powders1 according to the nature and property of their ,metals and ,minerals4 ,the ,powder of ,gold is yellow1 and is called ,aurum ,fulminans1 of ,silver1 ,ashy1 of ,copper1 ,green1 of ,iron1 ,red1 of ,tin1 and ,lead1 ,white1 of ,antimony1 white2 of ,lapis ,calaminaris1 ,tutia1 and ,cadmia1 ,ashy3 ,but the common ,sulphur1 and all the precious and common ,stones1 it 7viz4 the acid ,spirit7 cannot dissolve1 but leaves them for her ,brother1 the fixed ,liquor to dissolve4 ,so then what the ,sister cannot do1 that the ,brother can perform with ease1 and that which the ,brother can't effect1 that the ,sister undertakes the accomplishment of2 and what neither of them can possibly perform1 we see it possible to be done1 by their ,father and ,mother1 viz4 the crude ,niter1 insomuch that to this subject is a power given of doing what you please4 ,but that ,i may perfectly demonstrate1 that ,niter is able to dissolve all the things that are in the ,world1 and may withall shew1 how those subjects1 which yields not to a ,solution by the acid ,spirit may come under the power of the fixt ,niter1 ,i will proceed on1 and begin with the common ,sulphur4 ,take ,sulphur reduced into ,powder1 one part1 of fixt ,niter two parts1 put them in a ,cucurbit1 pour thereon twice as much water as they both of them weigh1 viz4 six parts4 ,boil them about one hour in ,sand1 in which boiling the ,liquor of the fixt ,niter1 will dissolve the ,sulphur into a red ,solution4 ,strain it through ,cap ,paper1 and precipitate it by the acid ,spirit1 then wash it1 and you shall have a white and subtile ,powder1 profitable in the ,diseases of the ,lungs4 ,and now it remains that ,i shew you ,flints1 ,sand1 ,crystal1 all kinds of ,stones both precious ones and common1 7which the acid ,spirit is not capable of dissolving7 may be dissolved by the fixt ,niter1 and display their ,virtues1 the which is thus done4 ,make the ,flint1 ,crystal1 ,marble1 or any other ,stone that is meltable in the ,fire into a ,glass1 very red hot1 and presently squench it in cold ,water1 and dry it1 that it may be powdered with ease4 ,take one part of this ,powder1 and three or four parts of fixt ,niter1 mix them well1 put them into a ,crucible1 and cover the ,pot1 and melt them with a strong ,fire in a ,wind ,furnace1 that it may become a transparent ,glass4 ,then turn it out1 ,powder it1 and set it in a ,glass ,vessel in a moist ,cellar1 that the ,stone may be turned into a ,liquor2 or else having powdered the said molten ,glass1 pour common ,water thereupon1 which will dissolve the ,powder4 ,if now you pour the said acid ,spirit of ,niter on the clear ,solution1 then the fixt ,niter being deprived of its fiery virtue and force1 will let fall the dissolved ,stone in the form of a ,powder1 which is to be washed with store of ,water1 and be dried1 and it will be the ,magistery of that ,stone1 which this operation is bestowed on4 ,these ,stones may likewise be digested and dissolved in a strong ,glass set on ,sand1 with the fixt ,niter ,liquor1 but this moist way is more slow and tedious than the former dry way which is done by melting4 ,and besides1 the ,glasses themselves cannot long endure this liquor1 but are therewith also dissolved4 ,now these ,magisteries or ,stones thus prepared are profitable in the ,stone1 the which they do not onely expel out of the ,reins1 but likewise out of the ,bladder1 if it be not too much hardned4 ,if you desire to make this ,medicine yet better1 then do thus4 ,take the ,liquor of the ,flints or ,crystals1 that are dissolved in a ,cellar after their having been melted1 put it in a ,vial having a long ,neck1 whereon pour twice as much ,spirit of ,wine1 but see that the ,belly of your ,glass be but half full2 then let some body or other shake the ,glass in their hands strongly up and down1 and commix the ,liquor and ,spirit of ,wine well1 then will the ,spirit penetrate1 dissolve and render it sweet4 ,note well1 this agitation is necessary1 because if it be not thus tossed to and fro1 the ,spirit of ,wine will stand at the top of the ,liquor1 and not attract the fixt ,niter to it self4 ,now when the ,spirit of ,wine that you poured first on1 is sharp enough1 pour that out and pour on more1 and when that is sharp enough1 decant that also1 and pour on more1 repeat this operation so often1 untill the ,liquor of the ,stones be rendred sweet4 ,note well1 the ,spirit of ,wine must be void of all ,phlegm1 for if there be in it any water1 the ,liquor of the ,stones would be precipitated into a ,powder4 ,but he that proceeds well and rightly will obtain a noble ,medicine against the ,stone of the ,microcosm4 ,n4 ,b4 ,after that the ,liquor of the ,stones is brought to a sweetness1 it is to be covered over with the ,spirit of ,wine1 in the ,glass you keep it in1 that so the ,liquor may abide in its ,liquidity1 otherwise it will in a few days space be turned into a ,stone in the ,glass4 ,when you would use the ,liquor1 stop the mouth of the ,glass with your ,thumb1 and turn down the ,glass that the ,spirit of ,wine may 7as being lighter7 give place for the ,liquor to flow out by your ,thumb1 and thus may you take out as much ,liquor as you please4 ,i have been the more curious in describing this preparation in this place1 that so no error may be committed1 seeing this labour requires an expert ,man1 and not such a rude and insipid ,sot as ,farnerus is4 ,experience testifies that the ,liquor1 and the ,magistery of ,sand1 ,flints1 ,crystals1 and such like ,stones1 are endued with one and the same virtues4 ,any one may chuse which in his opinion is best4 ,i commend the common white ,flints1 that are in the ,sands of ,rivers4 ,the ,magistery of these are notably conducive to weak ,stomachs1 nor is any thing corrupted by the same1 whatsoever ,diseases they be used unto4 ,the ,dose of the ,powder is #d1 #h1 #ab1 #bj1 #cj ,grains1 of the ,liquor1 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 even to #aj ,grains4 ,this ,liquor1 wheresoever it comes1 adheres to every matter it meets with1 if it be kept in a dry place1 it becomes a natural and transparent ,stone4 ,in ,man's ,body1 it attracts to it self its like1 and carries it off with it self4 ,there lie hid in it many other secrets1 which forasmuch as they pertain not to this place1 are to be found in my other ,writings4 ,moreover there are ,stones found which do not admit of ,solution either by the fixt ,liquor or acid ,spirit1 and they are to be thus tamed4 ,take that ,stone which yields not to a ,solution by the fixt ,niter ,liquor1 nor by the acid ,spirit1 beat it into ,powder1 then mix it with three times as much of the ,powder of pure and well dried ,niter4 ,then with this mixture fill a ,crucible half full1 take up a ,coal with your ,tongs1 and put it into the matter1 and hold it hard on1 least the flame throw it clear out again4 ,so the ,niter being kindled by the ,coal doth 7together with the ,stone7 flame and burn up1 and cause such a speedy and vehement ,fire1 that the ,stone is thereby penetrated and opened1 and may 7after this operation7 be dissolved with common ,water4 ,this done1 the ,solution which hath imbibed 7or which contains7 the dissolved ,stone1 is to be purified by passing it through ,cap ,paper1 and to be precipitated by pouring in of the acid ,spirit1 that so the ,stone may settle down in the form of a ,powder1 the which is to be washed with ,water1 to be dried and kept for use4 ,thus now have we dissolved all the ,metals1 all ,stones1 all ,vegetables1 and ,animals1 and transmuted them into ,medicaments4 ,and were there yet any other thing in nature besides these subjects1 or could there be found any thing else1 ,i would have taught its ,solution by this my universal ,menstruum4 ,but forasmuch as ,i find nothing else besides ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 as likewise all kinds of ,stones1 yea and ,glass it self1 nor can find ought besides1 it will deservedly remain an universal ,menstruum1 and ,dissolvent 7though the moamish deriders1 and brethren of ignorance1 and haters of the truth1 split for anger7 constant1 unconquered1 and incomparable1 as long as the ,world stands4 ,as to its efficacy in bettering and correcting ,metals1 the second1 third1 and fourth ,parts of my ,treatise of the ,prosperity of ,germany will testifie1 for therein we treat of the concentration of ,metals4 ,but as for such other mysteries as concern true ,hermetick ,philosophy1 and that lie hid in this wonderfull subject1 they are accurately and succinctly described in my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,gold1 and of the concentration of the ,elements1 in which ,book the studious ,reader may delight himself with divine and humane ,miracles4 ,so now we have proved and demonstrated1 that ,niter is an universal ,menstruum and ,dissolvent1 seeing there is nothing in the nature of things that is able to resist its dissolving virtues2 nor can its like be found out4 ,well therefore may it most deservedly remain1 as in very deed it is1 and as 'tis accounted of both by my self and all skillfull ,chymists4 ,but now if any one shall object and say1 that the before produced proofs are no ways satisfactory to him1 neither do demonstrate that this dissolvent is also profitable as to the ,philosophick ,work1 ,i do not intend to answer him1 nor will ,i so open my ,bosom to such ,adventerers as ,arnoldus did to ,lully1 but leave secret things in a secret place4 ,i have spoken enough1 and do also speak much in my ,treatise of the concentration of ,heaven and ,earth4 ,he that understands not my sayings1 and doth as yet despise them1 has no reason to reckon himself amongst the ,adeptists and ,sons of ,hermes1 but rather is of the rank of the ,farnerians sodality1 and must remain at the ,hogs ,trough4 ,the ,use1 ,power1 and ,virtues1 of the ,medicaments out of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals3 ,the ,composition whereof we taught above4 ,as concerning ,vegetables1 some few of them there are that need correcting by the universal dissolvent4 ,for such things as are in their own nature whole and sound1 need not any ,medicament4 ,for ,rosemary1 ,fether-few1 sweet ,marjoram1 ,sage1 ,thyme1 and such like ,herbs needs no correction1 but may be reduced into their sweet ,essences1 according to the ways that ,i have prescribed in the first part2 but those ,herbs that are more strongly operative1 and used in medicinal affairs1 are not without danger1 such as are ,henbane1 ,hemlock1 ,mandrake1 ,opium1 ,tobacco1 ,napellus1 ,levant-,berries1 ,nux ,vomica1 c4 these must be amended by a good correction1 or else can they not be safely taken into the body4 ,if they be dissolved by the fiery operative ,menstruum and corrected thereby1 7as we shewed in the foregoing discourse7 then may they be taken into the ,body most safely1 and without any danger1 and will perform things wonderfull in ,medicine4 ,and whatsoever was a ,poison before is afterwards rendred a ,poison subduing ,antidote4 ,for ,example1 ,henbane1 ,mandrake1 ,opium1 have by their nature a stupefactive power1 and do suppress the vital ,spirit1 do infect1 or destroy1 the ,humidum ,radicale1 do procure overmuch ,sleep1 yea1 do close up the ,life in perpetual ,sleep4 ,but now those ,herbs being corrected by the force of the fiery ,water1 and being dissolved of their ,poison1 do no more hurt1 but allay all inward and outward pains1 do pacifie the vital ,spirits being provoked and enraged1 do compose all disquietudes with a sweet pleasant rest1 do expell venemous humours out of the ,body by ,sweat1 and do by reducing all things into a quiet ,state1 heal many ,diseases4 ,the ,cicuta or ,hemlock1 ,napellus1 ,levant-berries1 ,nux ,vomica1 c4 do not onely cause a most deadly ,sleep1 but do also provoke most vehement vomitings1 and make most accute prickings in the body1 and deprive ,men of their ,scences and understandings1 and do at last bring on ,death1 if they be admitted into the ,body in too great a quantity1 and are not drawn out from thence again by strong vomitings4 ,but such ,herbs being corrected1 and changing the ,poison into wholsome ,medicaments1 do no more cause such horrible and dreadfully painfull ,symptoms1 but by penetrating the whole ,body in a harmless and insensible manner1 do take away all obstructions1 and cast forth all hurtfull things out of the ,body1 by sweat1 urine1 and stool1 and frees the inward bowels by purging them from all impure humours1 and do happily take away occult ,diseases4 ,and now if they did before load the head with a very great heaviness and render it mad and unsound1 it doth now mundifie it1 and purge it1 and free it from grievous and obnoxious ,vapours1 and do comfort the ,brain and make ,ingenuity or ,memory better4 ,so that what they did corrupt 7before their correction7 they do now 7after their being bettered7 amend and refresh it4 ,but however you are to have good regard1 that you be carefully provident in the use of these ,medicaments1 that you exceed not a due measure1 and so commit an errour1 for it is not lawfull to play with such kind of penetrative ,medicaments4 ,the strongest purgative ,medicaments1 as ,esula1 ,cataputia1 ,stavesacre1 ,gummi ,gutta1 and such like1 being dissolved in this ,menstruum1 and precipitated1 do lose their vehement1 and as it were venemous quality1 and become safe and gentle purges4 ,n4 ,b4 ,you are here to observe 7as concerning this ,solution7 that forasmuch as the ,seed of ,esula1 ,cataputia1 ,stavesacre1 as likewise ,gutt ,gambogia1 and ,scammony1 are of a fat and resinous nature1 are not to be dissolved with the acid ,spirit of ,niter1 but with its fixt ,liquor1 or better with the ,spirit of ,wine corroborated and alkalizated by fixt ,niter1 and to be precipitated with the acid ,spirit4 ,and so with the same ,spirit of ,wine1 being made more strong by the addition of the fixt ,niter1 all ,gums that have a fat quality 7may be thus dealt with7 and contrariwise such as are not fat may be dissolved with the acid ,spirit1 and precipitated with its contrary ,liquor4 ,so likewise all bitter ,juices1 as ,aloes1 ,myrrh1 and the like1 being therewith dissolved and corrected do acquire a more sweeter and more gratefull ,savour4 ,it is also very fitting1 for the grievously smelling ,gums1 as ,assa ,ftida is1 and for correcting other such like stinking things arising from ,animals or ,vegetables1 and so spoil them of their grievous ,odour1 and for correcting them into a gratefull smell4 ,insomuch that some things that emit even almost an ungratefull stinch may be so transmuted as that they may afterwards yield a pleasant smell4 ,and although that ,i made some mention of this ,work or ,operation some years ago in the first ,book of my ,philosophical ,furnaces1 where mention is made of the ,spirit of ,salt1 yet will ,i not leave it off so1 but describe more1 yea and compendiouser ways too in my third part of the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 for effecting such matters1 and thereto refer the studious for the preparing of pleasant and efficacious ,medicines4 ,as for such ,animals as serve for the ,kitchin1 as ,beef1 ,mutton1 ,pork1 ,hens1 ,geese1 and such like1 also ,fishes and ,birds1 they need not much correction4 ,those of them that are a year old or more may be boiled with ,water1 ,salt1 ,spice1 ,wine1 and ,vinegar1 c4 the younger may be roasted on a ,spit4 ,these are not hurtfull to such men as are in health1 if they feed on them and drink after it a good draught of good ,wine or ,ale1 that so they may thereby wash down into the ,stomach any such matters as might stay by the way in the ,throat1 c4 ,if now any one would make use of venomous ,worms1 and ,insects in ,medicines 7for sometimes they perform far more in ,medicine than ,vegetables can1 as experience witnesseth7 they are not to be adhibited without correction4 ,but ,i do not here understand the ,kitchin correction1 which is done by ,wine1 ,sugar1 and ,spices2 but such an one as in which all the parts remain together1 and are corrected and amended by the fiery ,menstruum1 and that without the addition of any other thing as we taught before4 ,and being on this wise corrected1 they do not onely safely conduce to a ,medicinal help in desperate ,diseases1 but do also become of greater assistance and comfort to many a sick ,person1 and purchase to their ,authours a greater honour4 ,it is well known even to blind ,bayards and ,barbars what effects sometimes the great ,earth-worms1 ,scarabus's1 ,cantharides1 ,aselli or ,pigs-lice1 and suck like ,urine provoking ,insects do effect1 being administred to the sick1 crude1 dried onely and so powdered2 he that desires to procure a good quantity of ,earth-worms1 let him but thrust a stick into the ,earth1 and stir it to and fro thereby to disquiet the ,worms1 for they will presently guess that the devouring ,mole is at hand1 and will for fear creep by heaps out of the ,earth1 so as you may then easily take them4 ,if any one loaths the ,worms themselves1 let him take that ,earth which the ,worms do cast out to the top of the ground1 after a warm ,rain in the ,spring time1 and is like small bunches2 as if they should say1 give us our lives for this ,earth's sake2 and from thence you may extract an ,essence1 which will be as profitable to you as if you took us3 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,merul or ,blackbirds seeks after this ,earth and carries it to her young ones lying in the ,nest1 which thing they would not do1 did it contain no good in it1 but would rather take the ,worms themselves and carry them4 ,a ,dog which hath devoured many bones seeks out for some clean place to dung in1 either on a smooth stone1 or on the grass1 as that he should say1 ,this do ,i give you by way of thankfulness for the food which you have bestowed on me1 keep it and use it according to your knowledge4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the greatest ,vertues of ,animals are placed in their ,excrements1 and not in their flesh4 ,next the ,excrements are the superfluities of the bodies1 which 7in men7 are1 the ,hair1 ,teeth1 and ,nails3 ,in ,beasts1 the ,hairs1 ,teeth1 ,hoofs1 and ,horns3 ,in ,birds1 the ,claws1 and ,feathers1 c4 ,and that the ,may ,worm frees from the ,gout and ,stone1 ,see ,doctour ,wierus1 he hath written a peculiar ,treatise of the ,gout1 and of the wandering or moveable pains of the ,joints1 and of the intrinsecal and hidden ,scurvy1 and other such like ,diseases1 and which are commonly accompted of as uncurable2 all which he teacheth the removal of1 by the means of the ,may worms1 or unctious ,scarabus's4 ,nor indeed is it without ground1 that there is sometimes more effected by such abject and contemptible ,vermine1 than by the most precious and highly esteemed ,compositions and ,vegetables3 ,this now they do crude as they are1 and uncorrected4 ,but if the great ,earth-worms1 and principally their ,enemies1 viz4 those black1 smooth1 and many footed ,vermine1 that suck from the ,worms their ,juice and ,strength2 and likewise those broad1 and party-coloured1 venereous small ,vermine1 which we have before mentioned 7if all these ,i say7 be corrected by the fiery ,menstruum1 they would not onely drive forth ,urine1 and the ,stone1 safely and without hurt1 but would withal most notably strengthen the nature of ,man1 and be a great comfort to many debilitated ,gallants4 ,the green ,scarabus's1 the ,cantharides1 and green ,flies1 being all of a venereal ,nature1 do 7being corrected7 not onely drive forth the ,stone and ,urine1 but do also wonderfully shew their efficacy in the ,feet ,gout1 wandring ,gout1 and other grievous ,diseases which have already gotten deep rooting3 ,but that black and slow creeping ,may worm1 or unctious ,scarabus doth operate the most efficacious of them all1 and may be plentifully enough had in the ,months of ,may and ,june4 ,the whole knack of the business doth consist in this1 that such ,vermine be well corrected with the ,liquor ,alkahest1 and so prepared before they be made use of4 ,as for those great and horned ,scarabus's1 that live upon the ,juice and ,rosins of ,nuts1 ,cherries1 and ,plums1 and are wholly of a ,balsamick ,nature1 if they be corrected1 ,i do highly encourage the use of them both inwardly and outwardly1 viz4 when the internal and external ,members are tormented with most vehement pricking ,pains and ,torments4 ,as for ,emmets or ,ants they have a wholsome and efficacious ,balsam1 and are healers both of inward and outward ,dolours4 ,but the chiefest of them are those that live in ,woods wherein are store of ,pines1 and ,fir-trees1 and do there feed upon the ,rosins of the ,trees1 and do not as the others do1 live upon leaves and grass1 but do in the ,summer ,months store their little ,holes with the small ,grains of those ,rosins for their ,winter food4 ,and this the ,inhabitants of those ,woods know full well1 and do seek after it and sell it the ,druggists instead of ,mastick4 ,for it answers to the ,mastick that comes out of ,india in efficacy1 vertues1 form1 and odour1 and haply we might not need that ,gum1 knew we but how to get and use this4 ,there is great variety and plenty of such like ,insects as these1 which without all question may be of great use in medicine2 but seeing they can't be gotten in such plenty as the ,vegetables and ,minerals may be1 the use of them is forborn1 and rarely are they sought after4 ,nor indeed is it necessary to seek after and fetch from far1 such things as we have present before our ,eyes4 ,the drift of my writing is this primarily1 that ,i may demonstrate1 that there are in the universal ,menstruum1 such vertues as are able to correct all venemous ,animals1 and deprive them of their ,poisons1 and to convert them into wholsome medicaments1 for the honour and renown of it1 was ,i even constrained to write these things4 ,and as to its energetical ,operation on venemous ,minerals1 it is sufficiently enough known1 and doth most clearly appear even in its effect upon ,antimony alone1 the which being burnt twice or thrice with common ,niter1 is wholly deprived of its blackness1 and cloaths it self with a most white colour1 and becomes a ,diaphoretick and an all-evil-resisting ,powder4 ,so is it too with ,arsenick and ,auripigment1 those most vehement ,poisons1 which may be so changed in a few hours space1 as that they may be taken afterwards into the ,body without any hurt or danger1 and will subdue and expel the greatest ,poisons1 though indeed there's no necessity of making use of those venemous ,subjects1 seeing there is plenty enough of other means4 ',tis sufficient that we have shown1 that ,niter hath such notable vertues1 as to be able to invert the venemous ,nature of every ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral1 and of transmuting the ,poison into a wholsome ,medicament4 ,now because the ,animal vertues are more efficacious than the ,vegetables1 and that the ,minerals exceed them both1 therefore by good right are those ,minerals of greatest use in medicine1 which be most efficacious1 most sweet1 and most safe4 ,but yet we would willingly have the ,animals and ,vegetables to retain their own dignity and station3 ,and for the better discovery of the difference betwixt these1 and that my ,neighbour may be the better and more sincerely served1 necessity doth even require a larger explanation4 ,this therefore is generally to be observed1 that by how much the riper the ,minerals be 7and so 'tis with the ,animals and ,vegetables7 by so much the nearer they are to the ,sun1 and abide therein1 so much the safer and securer may they be taken into the ,body4 ,all ,herbs1 ,vermine1 and ,animals1 that delight in a warm ,air1 and love to abide therein1 are never infected or impregnated with so great a ,poison as those are that delight rather in obscure1 shady1 and darksome places4 ,for ,napellus1 ,mandragora1 ,cicuta1 and such like ,herbs are never1 or at least most rarely1 to be found in other than dark places that are shaded over4 ,and so the most venemous ,animals and ,vermine1 do most willingly take up their abode in holes of the ,earth1 in cold and darksome ,dens2 and by reason of the want of the warm ,air remain venemous1 and do necessarily hurt mankind4 ,but being digested by the ,liquor of fixt ,niter1 they deposit their venemous quality and become wholsome ,medicaments4 ,so then all the maturation of things consisteth in heat1 but ,poison consisteth in cold1 witness ,wine and the ,fruits of ,trees1 the which being ripened by the solar heat1 men may feed on them without hurt1 but if they be eaten raw and unripe they corrupt their ,stomachs4 ,now as we have said of ,animals and ,vegetables1 the same is also to be understood of the unripe minerals and metals4 ,by how much the unriper and cruder they be1 so much the more do they hurt1 and are unfit for the making of medicine4 ,and as for metals1 they do by little and little1 and step by step go on towards their perfection1 and end3 ,like as an ,infant doth by little and little arrive to its highest degree of age4 ,and as there is more to be found in a man that is arrived to man's ,estate than there is in an ,infant1 so is there in minerals and metals that have in long success of time attained to their maturity4 ,and forasmuch as in them may be found1 most safe1 sweet1 and efficacious ,medicines1 ,i have deemed it necessary briefly to detect their dignity and degrees1 and shew the ,ladder as it were1 or ,scale1 wherein the metals stand in order1 and how by their signature that perfection which they have gradually arrived unto1 may be known4 ,i do resemble the mines of metals to a ,tree1 thus1 ,saturn is the ,root1 ,mars the trunk or body1 ,jupiter the bark that covers the ,tree over1 ,mercury the ,juice that sticks between the bark and the trunk1 ,venus the green leaves1 ,lune the flower1 and ,sol the fruit4 ,the ancient ,physicians or ,naturalists1 compared the seven principal metals with the seven ,planets1 the which comparison squares notably well with them4 ,for the ,planets and ,metals have a mutual correspondency with each other4 ,the ,chymists ascribe ,lead to ,saturn3 ,tin to ,jupiter3 ,iron to ,mars3 ,copper to ,venus3 ,quick-silver to ,mercury3 ,silver to ,lune3 and ,gold to ,sol3 ,and even as the ,planets do excel one the other in brightness1 vertues1 and other things2 even so do the metals1 and this their nature informs us of1 and their different signature demonstrates4 ,verily when the ancients would mark out to us a perfect thing1 they described it under the form of a round ,circle3 ,and by how much imperfecter the thing was1 by so much the less rotundity did they give unto it4 ,the ,character of the ,sun is ,sol1 viz4 a ,circle with a point in the midst3 ,the ,circle denotes the ,golds perfection1 the point in the middle of the ,circle signifies the ,original of perfection4 ,the sign of ,silver or the ,moon was this ,luna3 which consisteth of two half ,circles1 and tells us of its half perfection3 ,so is it with the other signs1 and signatures of the other metals4 ,how much the nearer they approach to a roundness1 so much the nearer are they to perfection1 and so on the contrary4 ,the ,sun being the noblest amongst all the ,stars1 doth also yield and make the noblest metal1 viz4 ,gold1 the which is likewise to be observed of the other metals4 ,but by how much perfecter the metals be1 so much excellenter are the medicaments that proceed therefrom4 ,saturn or ,lead1 is not much profitable for the inward use of the body1 except it be in the ,plague1 and in other most hot ,diseases4 ,being outwardly applied it dries up the moist affects of the body1 and moist ,ulcers1 and healeth heat and all the external affects arising thencefrom4 ,jupiter or ,tin is somewhat hotter than ,saturn1 but yet is withal very dry4 ,mars or ,iron is hot and dry4 ,venus or ,copper is hot and moist4 ,mercury or ,argent vive is hotter and moister4 ,lune or ,silver is of a midling heat and moisture4 ,sol or ,gold is at length of temperate heat and moisture4 ,if now any good thing be made our of ,gold1 it corroborates the heart as being the most noble member of the body of man4 ,and so in like manner1 ,silver doth the brain3 ,argent vive the ,liver3 ,tin the ,lungs3 ,iron the ,gall3 ,lead the ,milt or ,spleen3 and ,copper the ,reins4 ,thus have the ancient ,philosophers and ,physicians distributed the metals and distinguished them1 the which ,i leave as ,i find it1 though perhaps some of them may yet admit of another distinction4 ,but so long may they remain 7as they are7 until ,elias the ,artist1 shall by his coming release us of our ,errours4 ,amongst the ,minerals ,antimony is the chiefest1 in whom the ,vertues of all the ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 are collected and concentrated into one1 as its signature declareth4 ,for the ,philosophers have signed it with a round ,sphere 7by which the ,earth is deciphered7 and on it a cross put1 and is without doubt for this reason1 because the ,earth never produced any fitter ,subject for medicine1 and this is attested by all true ,chymists1 as may be read in their ,writings2 but especially in ,basil ,valentine's triumphant ,chariot of ,antimony1 being a ,treatise he wrote in honour of this ,mineral4 ,the same thing doth that ,philosopher testifie1 saying1 common ,gold and ,silver doe not effect it1 but their first ,ens does it4 ,now that ,antimony is the first and true genuine ,ens of ,gold1 is not onely testified by all the ,philosophers1 but also daily experience it self witnesseth the same1 from whence it is as clear as ,noon day1 that ,antimony is rarely to be found in any other places but in ,gold ,mines1 nor is there 7besides7 any ,antimony but what is pregnant with ,gold1 but yet some ,antimony contains more ,gold and other some less4 ,nay farther1 amongst the very ,veins of ,gold it self is ,antimony often met with1 and may therefore undeservedly be stiled an unripe ,gold4 ,i my self have seen a piece of golden ,vein1 which was digged out of the ,gold ,mines1 and contained some pounds weight1 in one side there was pure ,gold1 mixt with the hard ,flint1 on the other side was a black ,vein of ,antimony4 ,there is a place in ,germany called ,gold ,granack1 nigh which in the ,sudetis ,mountains called ,fichtelberg by the ,germans1 was found heretofore much ,gold1 but now at this day is there digged out onely ,antimony1 cleaving on to the hard ,flints and ,rocks4 ,and herewithal is immixed a golden ,marquesite1 which being separated therefrom1 and prepared after a due manner1 becomes a most excellent ,medicament1 of which we shall hereafter make mention4 ,further1 had we not this testimony of a daily experience1 yet have we the witness of the true ,alchymy1 which doth most assuredly affirm1 that true ,gold may by the help of ,art be extracted out of ,antimony4 ,nay more1 this incomparable ,art1 doth not onely perform this1 viz4 of bringing ,antimony to the true ripeness of ,gold1 but doth also so change the ,gold 7by extracting its ,soul7 that it is no more ,gold1 but is plainly indistinguishable from any ,regulus of ,antimony both as to the form1 volatility1 nature1 and properties of the same4 ,and although an infinite number of men will contradict these sayings of mine1 yet shall they never draw me from this my opinion1 for ,i believe but what my ,eyes have seen4 ,one ,eye-witness is of more value than ten hear-say ones4 ,such as do gainsay these things1 do build on no other foundations save such as they have gotten by reading or hearsay1 and what will not at all correspond with experience4 ,well1 ,i will remain stable in my opinion and in very truth demonstrate1 that there is no subject to be found in the nature of things1 that may be preferred in ,medicine1 before ,antimony1 so that it be but duely brought into its true ,essence4 ,i confess that whilst it is crude and as yet unprepared1 it is a mere ,poison1 and the use thereof is accompanied with a great deal of danger4 ,and such as do use the common glass of ,antimony1 and other ,medicaments made thereof after a rude manner1 and so hurt the sick1 must impute the blame to themselves and not the ,antimony4 ,i have mentioned in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in my first part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 the preparation of a ,medicine out of ,antimony1 and have called it a ,panaca4 ,this now out strips the capacity of very many rude and ignorant men1 to whom it seems unlikely and impossible1 that a ,medicine of such wonderfull efficacy should lie hidden in so contemptible and base a thing as to deserve such a ,title as a ,panaca3 but especially seeing some unskilfull men1 have instead of it1 administred to the sick crude ,antimony1 and by saying it is my ,panaca have with a wicked boldness deceived men1 and have hereby brought an ,odium and contempt amongst very many men1 upon this true ,medicine of mine4 ,amongst these is that faithless ,farnerus none of the least1 yea rather is more eminent or standard-bearer to the rest1 and such a one as may rightly be termed the blot and scandal too of other men4 ,for my part1 he that lists may persecute ,antimony with as much hatred as he pleaseth4 ,but whereas ,i have already praised it1 and the thing doth withal concern my ,neighbour's profit1 ,i could not omit yet farther to magnifie and exalt it with greater praises1 and in very deed confirm this truth1 viz4 that such a ,medicine may be made thereout of as ,i have described1 and therefore every one that judgeth of the truth without prejudice must confess1 that there is not a better1 an effectualler1 or a more harmless medicament1 and purchasable by a meaner price1 insomuch that both rich and poor may enjoy the same1 if so be it be but prepared and used as it ought4 ,but that he who is studious after good medicaments may withal see1 that ,i have not spent my labour altogether on ,antimony1 but on other ,subjects too1 ,i will adjoin the description of the preparation1 use and efficacy of other ,subjects1 and will take care for the preparation of those medicaments for the benefit of mankind1 and of the sick1 and for the distribution of them amongst the needy4 ,for by this means shall ,i satisfie my conscience and shall not be accused thereby of burying the ,talent given me1 out of envy and hatred to my ,neighbour4 ,and whoever he be that hath any good thing1 let him make it common1 and being moved with pity and commiseration become serviceable unto his ,neighbour4 ,but if he neither hath1 nor knoweth ought better1 let him desist from contemning this1 and omit despising the things he is ignorant of4 ,and let him not deprive the miserable poor sick people of such things as himself cannot give1 that so he may remain an honest and pious man4 ,but as touching the ,medicaments1 which are here treated of1 they are indeed but few1 however they are such as may next ,god be safely confided in4 ,i have formerly written of preparing a ,panaca of common ,antimony1 and taught its way of making4 ,but whereas the description is dispersed in divers tracts1 and is obscurer thereby1 and haply one man may not have all those ,treatises1 ,i have judged it expedient to repeat that description in this place1 and to mention it in this ,treatise4 ,the preparation doth for the most part consist in the ,calcination by ,niter1 which corrects and changeth the venome and immature ,quality of the ,antimony4 ,then afterwards the pure part is extracted by ,spirit of ,wine1 and becomes a tender and spadicious 7or light-red7 ,powder1 and can effect those things1 which ,i do here ascribe unto it4 ,it may be taken in a morning before you eat1 either in ,wine1 ,ale1 or some hot ,broth1 or in a soft poached ,egg1 or roasted ,apple1 and fasting some hours after it untill its operation be finished4 ,the ,dose is or of a ,grain1 or #a1 #b1 #c1 or #d1 ,grains at most for one time1 regard being had to the ,age and ,disease1 concerning which1 the well minded ,reader will find more written1 in the first part of this ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 and in my ,miraculum ,mundi1 but yet ,i will here likewise annex it for the benefit of the sick4 ,of the common use of this ,medicine4 ,this ,universal ,medicine may safely and without any kind of danger be used in all the natural ,diseases of new born ,infants1 as well as in those of years1 and strong people1 and may be used ,i say without any danger1 and in so small a dose as may not move in any one either a loathing or a nauseate1 as these large ,cup-fulls of the common ,potions are wont to do when they are drank down4 ,for that dose exceeds not #a1 #b1 #c1 or #d ,grains at the most1 and may most easily be taken down in a spoonfull of warm ,broath1 ,wine1 ,ale1 ,water1 or ,milk1 as the necessity of the sick requires4 ,for if this prescribed dose be observed1 it operates after an invisible manner1 and strengthens the radical ,moisture1 and purgeth and expelleth out after a wonderfull manner1 every hurtfull thing 7by little and little7 out of the whole body1 if it be daily used1 7or every second or third day7 once each day according as the condition1 or necessity of any one requireth4 ,it defendeth every body from all hurtfull ,causes and ,diseases1 and admits not the least venomous ,air1 but if the ,dose be augmented1 it doth also display its vertues1 by a visible operation1 and drives out by ,sweat and ,urine1 or ,spittle1 sometimes upwards and downwards1 every noxious thing1 and operateth even as you will have it1 according as your dose is either more or less1 and as your ,disease needeth4 ,a dose that is very small and void of any visible operation1 is wont to heal many ,diseases1 yea and the greatest part of them4 ,but some ,diseases there be which have deep rooting1 and do therefore require a visible operation1 forasmuch as they cannot be expelled with a small and invisible operating ,dose4 ,every one therefore that prepareth and administreth this ,medicine1 must accurately observe this direction1 that so 7having regard to the ,disease7 he neither exceed nor come short in the administration of this ,medicament1 but by a right using of the same1 he may obtain praise and glory4 ,but that the whole matter may be the better and more clearly apprehended1 ,i will set down the use of the said ,medicine1 according as my self have experienced it1 in the most grievous ,diseases1 that so the sick may be instructed and helped1 and the less ,errours committed4 ,in the ,plague and other raging burning ,diseases1 and contagious ,feavours1 this ,medicament doth 7next ,god's help7 preserve every one that takes it daily1 in this proportion1 viz4 to ,infants a ,grain1 to those of a midling ,age1 #a1 #b1 or #c1 at most4 ,but if any one be infected by either of those ,diseases1 then the dose is to be doubled according to the parties age1 or trebled1 that the sick being well covered may sweat4 ,if one time sufficeth not to free him of this ,disease1 the dose of the said ,medicine may be repeated the day following1 or the third day1 and so is it to be proceeded on with1 till the ,disease being weakened is cast forth4 ,this way of preservation and curing is not onely to be observed in the ,plague1 but in all contagious ,diseases that assaults with heat or cold1 and in all kind of ,feavers whatsoever4 ,the sick need not any other ,medicaments1 for this is powerfull and effectual enough2 provided you pray seriously therewithal1 that it may 7by the help of ,god7 drive away that abominable and detestable ,disease the ,plague1 and the pricking paining ,pleurisie1 with the other ,feavers4 ,nay farther1 there is no ,medicament1 no not of the best that performs what this can4 ,in the ,epilepsie1 or ,convulsions of ,children1 of whom a great ,number destitute of such help die1 this ,panaca is a most experienced and certain remedy for them1 and is to be administred to a little ,infant presently after its ,birth1 the quantity of the part or part of a grain1 in a little ,milk1 or else in some warmed fresh ,butter1 and is to be repeated again the third and eighth day following4 ,but if it should be so1 that after some days1 weeks1 or months1 the fits do again come1 then let your ,dose be somewhat stronger if the ,child needs it1 and be so often reiterated untill the ,disease be wholly subdued and carried off4 ,i do most highly commend this ,medicine to all ,mothers1 for that abundance of ,infants 7otherwise healthfull and sound enough are without any help1 snatched away by the violence of ,death4 ,and here the error of some ,physicians deserves to be taxed1 who administer to the poor little ,babes1 whole ,glassfulls of the ,water of ,pearls void of all kind of ,virtue4 ,also the ,powder of ,bezoar ,stone either with1 or without the ,water1 together with the infusion of such like unprofitable things4 ,such ,men as are of riper years1 may daily use the ,dose of one1 two1 or three grains1 and it will profit them4 ,if not daily then may they repeat it every third or fourth day at least1 and so continue untill the ,disease being subdued pass away3 ',tis needless for them to use any other kind of thing1 onely to observe this direction1 viz4 that day that they do use this ,medicament1 let them shun the cold ,air1 and abstain from ,food three or four hours at least4 ,in the ,leprosie1 and other like detestable ,diseases of whatsoever name they are called by1 and in every kind of ,scabbiness1 there is not to be found any ,remedy1 whereby those affects are more easily and without any trouble or labour1 taken away better than this1 which never fails your hoped event1 provided the sick be so strong as to brook the ,cure4 ,in that detestable and venemous ,disease of ,whoredom usually called the ,french ,pox1 there is nothing can be administred safer and securer than this ,medicament1 if the ,dose be but so much augmented1 as not onely to cause ,sweat strongly1 but also to provoke ,vomits and ,stools2 and you are so long to go on with using this ,medicine every other day1 untill the ,sick be well1 which may be in some eight or fourteen days4 ,he that is overwhelmed with the ,dropsie1 may take one ,dose every ,day1 and forbear eating 7for some hours after the use of this ,medicine1 7the which is necessary to be done in other ,diseases also7 but let him that takes it so as to work strongly1 proceed gradually from one grain to two1 c4 untill it causeth a kind of nauseate 7but without vomiting7 in as big a ,dose as is needfull1 and as the ,patient can well bear4 ,which being thus done1 the ,dose is afterwards to be lessened one or two grains1 and the lessening to be continued untill all the ,water be cast forth by ,sweat1 ,urine1 and ,stool1 and the ,sick become as healthy as he was before4 ,nor is there any reason why any one should doubt of radically taking away this ,disease1 7except it be plainly deplorable or desperate7 by this my ,panaca onely1 forasmuch as experience demonstrateth it more clear than the ,noon-day ,light4 ,in the ,gout 7a ,disease accounted by the common ,physicians for incurable1 as well as the ,leprosie and ,dropsie7 doth this ,medicament perform wonderfull things1 and doth effect more in a short space of time than any one would either imagine or believe1 provided it be rightly administred4 ,for it doth in a short time draw back the affluence of noxious humours1 and brings them forth out of the ,body after an invisible manner2 so that1 ,day after ,day1 the pains do by little and little remit and abate1 the tumours lessen1 and the ,fit becomes more tolerable1 comes the slower1 and at length vanisheth for altogether4 ,as for the ,dose1 you are to observe the same instructions that we gave you but now for the ,dropsie1 viz4 that you daily make the same addition unto one grain so long till you cause a nauseate 7but no vomit7 and then must you again lessen it one or two grains4 ,the ,patient must do thus daily on a fasting ,stomach1 7and keep himself warm and abstain from ,food four hours1 after the use of this ,medicament7 as long as need shall require4 ,haply the things which ,i here mention1 will meet with many incredulous ,men1 and such as will not believe it possible1 for such a ,disease as hath been hitherto esteemed incurable by almost all ,men1 to be rooted out by the aforesaid ,medicament2 the ,opinion of such ,men ,i confess that ,i cannot take in bad part1 forasmuch as even ,i my self was but a few years since 7before ,i had experienced the wonderfull efficacy of this ,medicament7 of the very same ,opinion4 ,but after my experience had taught me to judge otherwise ,i do truly and faithfully affirm1 that this ,disease is in no wise incurable1 but may 7provided it be not too inveterate1 and that the strength of the ,sick1 either through old ,age1 or ,debilities1 hinder not the ,medicines operation1 or that ,god himself withdraws not his own blessing7 by a good and sutable ,medicament1 be1 if not radically rooted out1 yet for the greatest of it expelled4 ,now it is not to be thought1 that he who useth this ,panaca may be at his choise to live as he list1 viz4 either soberly1 or to stuff his ,stomach daily with hurtfull and forbidden ,food1 and to swallow in ,wine as he pleaseth4 ,no such matter1 such ,men err most hugely1 for even the ,philosophers ,stone it self1 that is1 the so much famed rooter out of ,diseases would not help there4 ,for whatsoever those most excellent ,medicines do mend in the ,fore-noon1 and correct1 the ,after-noons ,surfeiting and ,gluttony1 and the so large excess of ,meat and ,drink1 will again destroy and corrupt4 ,nor is there any room for the ,opinion of those ,men that think to be freed of this ,disease1 by a bare ,abstinence from ,wine3 ,no1 this ,disease comes not always from drinking of ,wine1 for it is most evidently known1 that sometimes even the poorest of ,men that never drank ,wine are afflicted with this ,disease4 ,and therefore the fault is not wholly to be imputed to the ,wine4 ,every kind of repletion or overfilling whether with too much ,wine or ,ale1 may procreate and encrease a ,disease1 but that is not the onely or sole cause4 ,for there are many other causes1 from whence this ,disease is wont to arise4 ,verily1 often being wrathfull doth most vehemently disturb the ,family1 as it were1 of the internal ,bowels4 ,lust1 and an often use of ,venery 7which is the usual attender and follower of ,drunkenness7 doth vehemently enervate and debilitate the strength of the body4 ,from hence nature being enervated and debilitated1 is not able to expell out of the body the copious relicts and excrements1 remaining of the too much abundance of meat and drink1 and therefore those excrements abiding in the body and exercising their powers without controll1 do produce most grievous ,diseases4 ,for that part which nature is weakest in1 there doth the ,enemy make his first attempt1 according to the usual ,german ,proverb1 every one climbs over the ,hedge in that place where it is lowest4 ,the same doth for the most part fall out in the procreation of this ,disease1 viz4 when the body is loaden and filled with overmuch ,food and ,drink1 for the body being overwhelmed with overmuch ,wine1 and then an immoderate coition or act of venery presently following thereon1 doth most exceedingly weaken the body4 ,for nature being by this means weakned1 hath not strength enough to expel those remaining excrements1 which soon get ,head1 to the great hurt and detriment of the whole body1 and do make themselves a fixed seat1 the which is to be well headed in this ,disease4 ,besides this ,medicament doth resist all the obstructions of the ,milt and ,liver1 7which corrupt the ,blood1 and stir up most grievous ,diseases1 as the ,scurvy1 ,joynt-,aches1 ,erisipelas1 continued ,headachs1 weakness of the ,limbs1 a ,stinking ,breath2 and in ,women a suffocation of the ,matrix1 a suppression of the ,months1 panting of the ,heart1 ,swounings1 the ,lipothimy1 and many such known1 and unknown ,diseases7 far more efficaciously than all other ,medicaments do4 ,all these aforementioned ,diseases are healed by the said ,medicine1 being taken oftner or seldomer every ,week according as the ,disease is1 and you will see wonderfull effects produced4 ,i commend also this ,medicament to all those that employ themselves in ,surgery1 that they respect it as the chiefest ,remedy that they can get4 ,for being daily given in a small ,dose to those that are wounded1 it heals all new wounds in the ,flesh1 without the assisting help of any vulnerary potions1 and external applications of ,emplaisters that are compounded of so very many simples4 ,for it withholds all ,symptoms1 and advanceth healing even from the very bottom1 and so to the external parts1 and doth also consolidate2 but this is to be understood of those wounds in which are no hurt or broken bones1 for as for these the manual ,art is requisite1 which may again set the ,bones in their due order and place4 ,likewise deep ,stabs are to have ,tents used to them according as the ,chirurgeons order is to apply them4 ,but no external thing need to be used besides1 save onely the ,patients own ,urine and ,salt-,water1 wherewithall the wounds are to be washed1 and after washing1 to be covered with pure or clean ,linnen1 that the coldness of the ,air hurt them not4 ,but if wounds be dangerous and over great1 then may also be applyed some vulnerary ,balsam1 and ,plaisters made of the ,flores of ,minerals and ,metals1 and done up with ,wax1 ,turpentine1 and ,oil3 7,such ,emplaisters ,i have taught the composition of in my other ,writings47 ,so that there's no need of so many ,oils1 ,unguents1 ,emplaisters1 and such like1 to be applyed to new wounds1 if this medicament of mine be daily administred to the wounded ,patient4 ,this medicine doth operate even to admiration in open ,fistulaes1 rotten and stinking ,ulcers1 nor is there any need of outward remedies1 save haply some ,mineral ,balsam to keep the ,ulcer clean1 and some ,plaister made of common ,wax and ,turpentine to keep off the cold ,air4 ,for this ,medicament doth begin its healing even from the very bottom1 and carries it on very successfully even to the outer ,skin1 and doth throughly consolidate and perfectly cure all ,ulcers1 without any other external remedies than aforesaid4 ,having then well considered these things1 and that every one cannot prepare the prescribed ,medicine1 and yet very many may be found that would willingly partake of the same2 ,it seemed good unto me to adjoin this admonition1 that they that know how to prepare it1 be entreated not to count it burthensome1 but rather being moved by a ,christian compassion1 readily make such as are ignorant of the manner of preparing it1 partakers of the same2 ,and not to mind wholly their own profit1 according to the custome of this perverse world1 and the scraping up of store of wealth1 but to be well content with an honest and just reward for their charges and labour which they have bestowed4 ,and forasmuch as the often spoken of ,medicament1 if sent abroad either in a ,liquid form1 or in the form of ,powder1 into other parts1 cannot be in due manner used by every body1 because an ,error may easily be committed in the measuring of ,drops1 and in weighing of ,grains1 and so more or less be given4 ,i have therefore deemed it very necessary to reduce it into ,pills1 that so the less ,errors may be committed in its administration2 and one ,pill weighs one ,grain1 and two ,pills two ,grains1 and so on2 so that the ,patient needs neither to measure or weigh1 but onely to use them as the disease requires1 and as ,i have before prescribed1 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 or more ,pills at one time4 ,these now are the principal ,vertues of my ,panaca made of ,antimony4 ,as for the rest that are besides these1 and are 7for brevity sake7 omitted1 they may be easily understood and known by every ,judicious man1 from the before described circumstances4 ,i do therefore yet again testifie1 that all the things that ,i have ascribed to this ,medicament1 yea far more than they1 can be done and effected thereby1 if it be rightly prepared and administred2 ,and principally1 if the ,name of ,god be seriously invoked4 ,for prayers and a trust in ,god do strengthen every ,medicine1 and make it happy by his benediction1 though the wicked will neither believe it1 nor hearken thereunto4 ,indeed some ,medicament may1 by ,god's permission1 restore one 7without prayers7 to his former health2 ,and so may ,bread allay hunger without giving thanks1 and this we see daily done amongst the unreasonable ,creatures3 ,but this enjoying of the gifts of ,god is bestial1 and not humane4 ,but this now is truely ,christian-like when 7in our diseases7 the help of ,god is invoked1 and then after that1 the ,medicine used4 ,and this way of using of ,medicaments is necessarily accompanied with an happy event4 ,but if thou wouldest perswade thy self1 that every ,disease1 how inveterate soever1 may1 by the help of this ,medicine1 be certainly removed without any difference1 thou extreamly errest4 ,for we speak here of those ,diseases1 natural ,remedies are able 7by ,god's help7 to heal4 ,for sometimes ,man's inward bowels or parts1 are so stuffed and obstructed with gross humours1 that they cannot be freed by even the most efficacious ,medicaments4 ,sometimes the ,lungs and ,liver are almost wholly corrupted1 e'er the true place of healing is sought after4 ,and who1 ,i pray1 is able to restore the things that are lost8 ,for ,man's inward bowels and principal members do not again grow1 being once lost1 as the ,crab's shells and ,spider's feet that are broken off and lost1 doe4 ,farther1 sometimes ,god inflicts a disease upon a ,man1 whom he will not suffer to be cured4 ,such like ,diseases as these cannot be taken away with natural remedies4 ,with ,god all things are possible2 who alone is able to bring help and remedy in such kind of diseases1 whensoever pleaseth him8 but besides him alone none can help4 ,there are therefore some incurable diseases1 which cannot be cured by any ,panaca1 yet not the ,quartane1 ,leprosie1 ,gout1 ,epilepsie1 and ,dropsie1 as most men think1 though ,experience 7or the being put on trial7 should witness the contrary4 ,and although that all humane diseases be1 in process of ,years and ,ages become worse1 and more troublesome1 and doe1 together with the augmentation of sins1 encrease2 ,yet the most bounteous ,god hath also bestowed thus much1 that there are more and more efficacious and natural ,remedies to be found out 7by the ,divine instinct7 by diligent men4 ,it happened some few years ago1 that an honest man's child1 of about some ten years old1 had its ,tongue perforated with many ,exulcerations1 which pained it very much day and night4 ,to cure which1 the ,parents spared for no costs nor pains1 and consulted with divers of their neighbouring ,physicians1 but they used all their ,labour and ,skill to no purpose1 for the ,exulcerations daily encreased with much pain1 and grew worse and worse2 and the poor child1 being destitute of all help1 wasted away4 ,then1 at last1 they called me to advise with them1 and having told me how many1 and otherwise famous ,physicians1 could not by all the labour and pains they bestowed for full two years do any thing to the purpose1 but had at last left the poor child destitute of help and succour4 ,i seeing the effect1 considered that this was nothing else but a ,corrosive ,catarrh arising from infected bloud1 which did so possess the ,tongue1 and perforate it1 and was the cause of this burning1 eating1 and cancrous effect1 and so hitherto refused any kind of healing1 and gave the ,parents such an answer1 that in my opinion there was no better way to meet with this evil1 than by some purging ,minerals1 which were capable of working1 upon even the fix'd humours1 and of bringing them away1 and that to be done principally by an ,antimonial ,vomit4 ,the ,parents assented to my opinion1 and requested me to begin the cure1 the which ,i did1 and first ,i gave a small ,dose of my ,antimonial ,panaca1 not doubting but that it would stir up one ,vomit at the least2 but yet it fell out otherwise1 for there succeeded no sensible operation at all3 ,the following day ,i gave again the same ,dose1 but without any sensible operation too1 but yet nevertheless all the pain vanished1 and the ,child could again move its ,tongue1 and use it1 and also ask't for ,meat1 which it had not done in a year before1 but was forced to be content with ,broths1 because its ,tongue could not brook any solid food4 ,the third day ,i administred the same ,dose again1 and so the ,exulcerations began to be consolidated1 and all the whole ,tongue was throughly healed in eight days space1 insomuch that there scarce appeared any place where it had been ulcerated2 and the ,child daily grew better and better1 its natural ,colour returned1 the which drew all that knew it into admiration as well as my self4 ,by this ,cure that ,i have told you of1 the vertue and efficacy of my ,panaca did farther manifest unto me what ,i knew not before to be in it1 nor should ever have believed it1 7had ,i not perceived a manifest operation7 viz4 that the ,bloud should1 by the help of so little ,medicine1 which was not in all above six grains1 be able in such a short space of time to effect so much2 ,and afterwards ,i perceived the same effects in other ,diseases likewise1 and found that the daily use of this ,medicine did not onely shew its operation upon the ,tartar in the ,reins and ,bladder not as yet coagulated1 but did by little and little lessen the already hardned ,sand and ,stone1 and in length of time expell it3 ,and did also in success of time resolve and root out even ,podagrical inveterate humours4 ,but thus much may suffice to have been spoken of the common ,antimonial ,panaca4 ,this name ,panaca hath made some envious men stare1 and such as judge this ,medicament unworthy such a name1 seeing it is prepared out of so vile a subject1 and doth withall sometimes 7when too unskilfully handled7 stir up vehement ,vomitings1 which is not the property of a ,panaca to do4 ,that ,i may answer such1 ,i say1 that the name ,panaca denoteth such a ,medicament as may profitably be administred in all ,diseases1 the which thing the ,panaca of ,antimony is also wont to doe as daily experience testifies4 ,but as for its being taken out of such a vile and 7by many brethren in ignorance7 despised subject1 that doth not at all derogate from its ,name1 provided that the ,medicine thence drawn performs those things that are spoken of it4 ,pray what brought ,david1 that contemptible ,shepherd1 unto a ,kingdom8 was not he of a low name1 and low birth3 the same is to be understood of this ,medicament4 ,it is its most noble efficacy and operation hath given it this name1 and not its vile birth1 nor contemptible nativity and abject form4 ,neither is this any lett thereunto1 viz4 that it is prepared out of a mean subject1 and such a one as the ignorant contemn and despise1 and which 7before its preparation7 was a ,poison2 for the ,poison is now transmuted by the help of ,art1 and of the fire1 into a wholsome ,medicament1 and the more strong operation thereof1 such as to cause vehement ,vomits1 is not to be imputed to the ,medicine it self1 but unto the abuse of it4 ,for so the best ,wine and most fragrant ,spices1 are a poison to such as do abuse them4 ,abuse may turn the best ,medicine into ,poison2 and ,art and ,fire1 both can and usually are wont to turn ,poison into a ,medicament4 ,that which ,i have often spoken1 ,i do here again repeat1 and call ,god and the ,truth to witness1 that ,i never met with any subject1 that might with more profit be transmuted into a wholesome ,medicine1 than the vile and contemptible ,antimony2 ,the which ,i will take care to see it prepared ready for the ,poors use3 ,and as for the ,rich1 to them ,i commend the ,golden ,purple-coloured ,panaca1 which hath the same efficacy as the former has1 but herein differs from it1 viz4 it operates more gently1 and is less sensible in the operation1 and may be far more safely administred unto ,infants and old ,men1 and may be doubled in the ,dose4 ,some few years since1 many men of high and low degree have by the help of this ,medicine been freed1 not onely from the ,gout1 but from other grievous and inveterate ,diseases3 ,nor have ,i ever heard since the time ,i have prepared it1 for my ,neighbours benefit1 that the use of it wanted some good effect3 ,nor is there any cause to fear offending by the abuse or excess thereof1 as is in the vulgar ,antimonial ,medicament4 ,but this ,golden ,medicine will rarely stir up ,vomiting in the sick1 unless a due measure be by a wanton abuse exceeded1 or the ,dose too much enlarged4 ,for this reason ,i will hereafter have by me1 for such as need the same1 this ,golden ,medicine1 in the form of a ,purple ,powder1 and the common ,antimonial 7because that it being like a red ,powder may be easily counterfeited1 and so ill-prepared ,antimony may chance to be sold to the sick instead of a ,panaca7 shall be ready made up in ,pills1 and in that form onely1 each of which shall contain one ,grain1 that so being ready weighed the sick that use them may receive no detriment by weighing and so taking them4 ,these now may be used by such men as are of a midling age1 or elder2 but to those that are ,infants1 and aged1 and weak persons ,i commend the ,golden1 as operating more gently and safely4 ,the ,antimonial ,panaca made up in a ,pillular form1 may be most exceedingly profitable in those long ,east and ,west-,india ,navigations1 in which the ,souldiers and ,mariners are so extreamly troubled with the ,scurvy1 and debilitated thereby1 and yet have so little benefit or help from the ,medicaments which they carry with them4 ,now this ,medicine is able so far to help them1 as that they may make their ,navigations with a more courageous and more cheerfull mind4 ,for ,i have not hitherto met with any subject in the whole nature of things1 that can oppose it self with greater efficacy against all the corruption of the bloud1 and oppilations of the inward members1 than this ,medicine2 the which both ,souldiers and ,marriners may have with them1 it being not very dear1 nor easily corruptible1 and so make use thereof in necessitous ,cases4 ,there is not to be found in the whole ,world a more commodious and more wholsome ,medicine1 as well for the ,marriners that sail for many ,months in the vast ,ocean1 as for the ,souldiers lying in ,camps1 that undergo troubles and discommodities of all sorts1 and lead a disorderly life4 ,and therefore if ,chyrurgions that be in ,ships and ,camps were furnished with this ,medicament1 they would verily preserve the lives of many ,marriners and ,souldiers1 and would with one onely ,ounce1 which is of no great price1 out of which may some ,hundreds of ,doses be made1 easily effect far more than with a whole ,chest full of such ,medicaments as are but of small virtue4 ,if a ,physician or ,chyrurgion1 that follows the ,camp1 had by him some ,ounces1 he would preserve the ,lives of many ,thousands of men1 which would otherwise miserably perish4 ,it is a ,medicine of easie carriage1 and as easily kept1 which is a thing deservedly to be accounted of1 seeing it much concerneth him who is a ,commander1 to have at hand some present remedy for his ,souldiers that are usually oppressed with the ,plague1 ,scurvy1 ,dysentery1 malignant ,feavers1 and other such like diseases1 with which whole heaps of them perish1 as ,flies do in a cold season4 ,this incomparable ,medicine doth easily resist all those diseases4 ,upon this account ,i will have ready by me for time to come1 good store of this ,medicament1 and such as need the same may seek it from me1 and be made partakers thereof4 ,i will perform the office of a good ,christian1 who being not born onely for himself1 but for his ,neighbours too1 ought to be helpfull unto them1 even as the hand helps the hand1 and one member helps another1 the which thing verily every one should necessarily 7and well worthy is it to be7 observe more carefully4 ,next this ,antimonial ,medicine1 in the form of ,pills1 and the ,golden ,panaca 7of a ,purple ,colour7 follows1 my ,nepenthes1 or ,anodine medicament1 allaying all ,pains1 and is made of corrected ,opium1 extract of ,saffron1 and the ,volatile ,sulphur of ,vitriol4 ,every one knows that ,opium is stupefactive and soporiferous1 because so much mention is made of the correcting and preparing it1 and the way1 described by many1 of so doing2 ,for they well perceived1 that it being sometimes imprudently administred1 did not onely cause sleep1 but brought also the brother of ,sleep too1 viz4 ,death1 insomuch that the sick being cast into an everlasting sleep1 could not be awakened any more1 7for it is a praise-worthy ,medicament1 and such an one as will beget credit enough27 and therefore they not knowing how to take away this ,poison1 did bend their studies thereabouts more and more1 to correct the ,opium1 and to tame the venomous force it had4 ,therefore they dried it throughly1 and reduced it into ,powder1 and dissolved it with ,spirit of ,wine or ,vinegar1 and extracted it1 and by distillation abstracted these ,menstruums1 and brought the extracted ,opium to the consistency of ,honey1 and thereto admixed a certain portion of the best ,saffron1 wherewith they endeavoured to tame and correct the venomous quality of the ,opium4 ,others mixed that ,powder with ,oil of ,anniseeds1 ,liquid ,storax1 or extract of ,saffron1 7which are ,simples that will procure ,sleep without ,opium7 and made it up in a ,mass1 and accounted it a most excellent confection1 as being every-where hitherto in the ,apothecaries ,shops1 and used by the ,physicians with good success1 sometimes in many deplorable diseases3 ,and is even to this day 7and deservedly too7 in use1 for there could not be found a better and more safe one4 ,but now forasmuch as a better and safer way is found out1 'tis but just to admit of this1 and omit the other which is not so good4 ,since the time that ,i knew the use of the ,universal ,dissolvent1 or moist and cold ,fire1 ,i found out and corrected many ,subjects by the help of the same4 ,and amongst others1 ,i dissolved ,opium in the ,liquor of ,niter after my way1 and prepared it1 and perceived wonderfull effects therein1 but especially when ,i adjoined to it the ,volatile ,sulphur of ,vitriol1 which is of it self an excellent and incomparable ,somniferous ,anodine1 allaying all ,pains with a wonderfull success4 ,i also hereunto added the ,essence of ,saffron1 a wonderfull strengthener of the ,heart4 ,opium being uncorrected1 is a vehement ,saturnine stupefier1 which doth by its immoderate stupefying property constringe as it were and choak the ,vita faculties1 insomuch that the often using the same make men pale1 and to sleep 7for the most part7 with their mouths and eyes open1 and they can hardly be awakened before the operation thereof be over3 ,and therefore many do deservedly abhor the use of the same4 ,the adding of the ,oil of ,anniseed and ,saffron1 may in some sort restrain the cruel rage of it1 but cannot throughly subdue it2 ,but yet even this may be done with ease1 when being reduced unto ,powder1 it be dissolved with the ,volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol1 instead of the ,spirit of ,wine or ,vinegar1 and so strained through a ,paper1 and precipitated with the contrary 7or different nature7 ,liquor of ,niter1 and be washed with common ,water1 be dried and prepared into a ,mass with the ,essence of ,saffron1 in which operation the ,narcotick ,sulphur of the ,vitriol adjoins it self to the ,opium1 and this is far better1 and corrects it by its sulphureous and acid ,spirit4 ,but that the ,spirit of ,vitriol is most fit for this effect1 ,i will shew the well-minded ,reader4 ,the common ,vitriol doth1 for the most part1 consist of a ,sulphureous ,salt1 and of an ,earth containing ,iron or ,copper4 ,but when it is distilled by the ,fire1 the ,spirit of the ,salt carrieth up with it a ,volatile and ,sulphureous ,spirit out of the ,mars2 the which being precipitated with somewhat that is of a contrary nature1 affords you a subtile ,narcotick ,sulphur1 very little in quantity1 but of a most wonderfull efficacy1 the which ,i have made mention of in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,but if now there be added to the ,calcined ,vitriol an equal weight of ,iron filings or ,iron cinders1 such as are smitten off from the red-hot ,iron on an ,anvil1 and half a pound of ,salt-peter1 and a water be distilled out of these matters thus conjoined1 the ,spirit of ,niter will bring over a great portion of the ,spirit of ,mars4 ,this ,volatile ,sulphureous ,spirit is to be separated from the ,corrosive ,spirit by rectification1 and to be distilled into a ,receiver that has in it a little fair water4 ,this ,volatile rectified ,spirit1 and not that corrosive one that was left behind in the rectification1 is to be used for the dissolving and correcting of the ,opium4 ,and although that many diligent ,chymists have before now understood somewhat of this ,narcotick ,vitriol1 as ,i my self did1 yet we have done but little as to the preparation thereof4 ,but at length when on a certain time ,i had added ,filings of ,iron to ,calcined ,vitriol1 to distill thence from an ,aq4 ,fortis1 my ,retort being very red hot1 did by chance break1 so that the matter fell out into the fire1 out of which proceeded so sulphureous a fume1 and so much1 and so filled all the ,laboratory that ,i could not stay in the ,room2 therefore ,i took the live ,coals out of the ,furnace1 as speedily as possible ,i could1 because of the suppressions and difficulties 7of breathing7 which that ,spirit overwhelmed me as it were withall1 and hardly got my self out of the ,laboratory-door1 but having got a little fresh ,air1 ,i presently came to my self again1 and perceived that the whole ,house was filled with the fume1 and therefore to let it out1 ,i opened all the windows and doors of the ,house4 ,when ,i had thus done1 presently hapned another danger1 for the burning ,coals that ,i had pulled out of the ,furnace1 had kindled the other ,coals that were next them2 ,there being danger of fire1 and that ,i might prevent it 7being destitute of water1 and in the night-time hapning7 ,i ran to the rest that were sleeping in the ,chamber1 to get them to arise and fetch water1 and to help me quench the fire4 ,but they slept so exceeding soundly1 that though ,i called and did my best to awaken them about quenching the fire1 yet was ,i forced to go about it my self1 and do it as well as ,i could4 ,having quenched it1 away go ,i into the ,chamber to see what they were doing of1 and ,i found them all oppressed with a most heavy sleep1 yea and the sweat dropped from all their faces1 though it was ,winter-season4 ,when it was light they awoke and arose1 to whom ,i told the danger ,i was in1 and that ,i could not awaken them4 ,they all of them confessed that they dreamed that they were oppressed with some heavy thing1 so that they could not stir themselves4 ,from this mischance1 learned ,i two things1 the first is this1 viz4 that in ,vitriol and ,iron lay hid an highly ,narcotick ,sulphur3 ,the other was this1 what the cause is that some ,men but especially melancholy ,men do in the ,night ,dream1 that they are so oppressed with some thing1 and yet cannot be awakned4 ,for the ,sulphureous martial and saturnine ,vapours which cast the ,brain and ,heart into such straits1 and do bind as 'twere the vital ,spirits with a ,cord1 do cause such ,dreams4 ,this breaking therefore of my ,retort1 discovered to me an excellent ,medicine1 and the ,disease subject to the same1 so that there is nothing so evil out of which some good doth not sometimes spring up4 ,i judged it worth my labour1 to gratifie those that are studious in ,medicine by adding to the aforegoing things1 this story1 hoping it will not be a thing tedious to any4 ,besides this is worthy of consideration1 that hapned to one of the ,children sleeping in the same case1 whose head was much troubled with phlegminess1 but the ,catarrs were so dissolved and loosened by the efficacy of this fume1 that it was ever after of a sound head4 ,from hence did ,i conjecture that there was more to be found in the ,sulphur of ,vitriol than can be believed1 and this did ,i conjoyn with the corrected ,opium1 by the often use of which ,medicine1 ,i have freed many ,children from the ,epilepsie or ,convulsions1 and found besides that it was most exceedingly profitable for old ,men1 and such as were of riper years2 ,but with this proviso1 that my ,antimonial ,panaca be first administred1 to those of a midling ,age1 and my golden ,panaca to ,infants and old ,men1 which being premised or first used1 this most excellent ,nepenthes1 can by so much the better and more commodiously display its virtues4 ,by this ,medicine all internal pains1 a disquiet mind1 and light-headedness in ,fevers1 are allayed1 a quiet and gentle sleep procured1 the ,winds and ,gripes of ,infants and elder ,men1 that afflict their ,bellies and ,intestines are driven away1 a good ingeny and chearfull mind is procured1 all wild and unquiet ,spirits that molest the ,heart and ,brain are restrained and laid a sleep3 ,the vital ,spirit being overcome and suppressed with corrupt humours is reduced to its former liberty1 and the lost strength and vigour of the ,body so happily restored1 that a most evident help is presently perceived1 and principally if the ,opium be well corrected by the help of the volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol4 ,it may likewise be profitably corrected by the fix'd ,liquor of ,niter1 extracted with ,spirit of ,wine1 and be reduced into an ,essence4 ,but if this correction be made by the acid ,spirit1 it is better and more profitable1 than that made by fixt ,niter4 ,for in correcting it by the fixt ,niter1 the corrected ,essence is to be extracted by ,spirit of ,wine1 which makes the powers of the ,opium too volatile and penetrative1 the which thing we seek not after in this place1 being it is far better1 that the ,opium lets upon his enemy leasurely and not too strongly2 and this experience sufficiently testifies the necessity of4 ,this most excellent medicine is one of the four ,cardinal ,pillars1 whereon the whole fabrick of medicine is built4 ,the ,antimonial ,panaca is a most excellent and safe purge1 most fit to drive out all the evil humours out of the whole ,body4 ,the golden ,panaca is the best and most excellent ,diaphoretick and ,sudorifick4 ,but the corrected ,opium and vitriolate ,sulphur is the most eminent ,anodine and ,somniferous ,medicament4 ,a ,diuretick and ,nephritick1 extracted by the help of a certain proper ,vegetable ,spirit1 and endued with excellent ,virtues4 ,take of ,cantharides one ounce1 ,aselli or ,hog-,lice two ounces1 put into a ,glass1 and pour upon them three ounces of the ,spirit of ,niter1 and dissolve the ,vermine in a gentle heat1 that they may be reduced into ,water1 which will be in few hours1 or else leave them in a ,cellar for some days and nights1 and they will be dissolved as well as in the heat4 ,afterwards add to this ,solution three ounces of ,earth-worms and leave them yet for some days more in the ,cellar4 ,when they are all dissolved strain them through a fine ,linnen ,cloth1 put in a ,funnel of ,glass1 that the ,solution may be separated from the ,fces1 which if many1 squeese well the ,cloth with your ,fingers1 that the whole ,solution may be separated from the ,fces1 then throw away the said remaining ,fces4 ,and to the ,solution that you strained through the ,funnel into the ,glass1 pour the ,liquor of fixt ,niter by little and little1 and so long untill all the ebullition shall have ceased1 and a thorough precipitation be made4 ,all things thus done1 separate the ,liquor by pouring them off from the ,vermine1 and coagulate it1 that it nay be again made ,salt ,peter1 and be usefull for more occasions4 ,wash your precipitated ,vermine well with common ,water1 thereby freeing them from all saltishness1 and dry them in a gentle heat1 that they may be reduced into a pillular form1 or into an ,electuary3 ,the which medicament may be most safely and without all danger used in the ,stone1 of the ,bladder and ,reins1 being given from one1 two1 four1 six1 eight1 and twelve grains at most1 according to the condition of the ,sick3 ,for it brings forth the ,urine and the ,sandiness and ,tartar2 that is1 as yet uncongealed1 and not lumped together in the ,reins and ,bladder4 ,if any one desire to have them shew their ,virtues more strongly1 he may then extract the dissolved1 precipitated1 washed1 dryed1 and corrected ,vermine with some burning ,spirit of ,saxifrage1 ,parsly1 ,juniper berries1 ,ash1 or such like ,stone expelling ,herbs1 that so there may be yet again a separation of ,fces1 and the ,spirit may draw unto it self the purest ,essence4 ,this ,spirit being separated by a gentle heat in a ,b4 leaves in the bottom an ,essence like a red ,balsam1 which is far sweeter1 profitabler1 and pleasanter in the forenamed ,diseases1 than it was before the extraction1 when in the form of ,powder1 ,pills1 or ,electuary4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if a venereal ,medicine be to be prepared out of the ,earth-worms1 then the ,cantharides and ,aselli are to be omitted1 and an half part of those venereal ,vermine1 which are in the ,summer ,months in ,gardens1 and adhere to old ,seats1 and old ,walls in abundance1 to be added to the ,worms1 and to these is to be added one fourth part of a ,stags ,pizzle and all to be prepared after that manner we have taught and prescribed4 ,the ,worms are to be gathered at such a time as the ,earth first opens it self after the cold ,season1 and may be dig'd out1 that so you may have the ,worms before they creep forth out of the ,earth1 and have enervated each other by their coition1 for when they are thus gotten they are endued with wonderfull virtues1 and are far more efficacious than they be afterwards4 ,these ,worms being dissolved1 precipitated1 and well washed with common ,water2 if they are yet once extracted by the burning ,spirit of ,satyrion1 ,hop1 or ,sparagus-roots1 and reduced into a sweet ,essence1 do become a present and effectual ,medicament against impotency4 ,all ,diuretick and principally ,earth-worms being maturated and corrected1 have a power to strengthen the venereal faculty4 ,but the correcting of them must not be after the usual ,kitchen way of ,women1 where ,wine1 ,sugar1 ,spices1 and such like things are added to correct any subject by4 ,no1 but it is to be done by the benefit of ,fire1 after a ,philosophical manner1 without the addition of any other things1 not with the ,kitchen ,fire1 but with that ,philosophical1 moist1 vaporous1 digesting1 altering1 penetrating1 ripening1 amending1 conserving1 and in one degree always abiding ,fire1 the which is to be sought after in ,niter4 ,great is the errour that is committed in the decoctions of ,vegetables1 when ,herbs1 ,flowers1 ,seeds and the like are boiled in some ,liquors1 as ,water1 ,wine1 ,ale1 and the like1 and being boiled the decoction is given the ,sick to drink1 as if it had extracted all the virtues of the ,herbs2 nor is it in the mean time considered that in such decoctions1 the penetrating and effectual ,spirit1 and sweet ,oil vapoured away with the water into the ,air1 and yet may this be easily smelt1 for the ,vapour that goes out in such boilings is always endued with a sweeter ,odour than the remainder left behind is1 and which they use in ,medicine1 and this can be denied by none4 ,why ,i pray are the ,waters in the ,shops1 where abundance of them are used1 and sold1 wont to be distilled now1 not any more in a ,b4 per se1 but for the most part1 in a ,copper ,still with common water added1 to prevent burning too2 of which waters it is likewise said1 that they are as good as those that be distilled in a ,b4 per se1 without ,water1 and this is agreeable to truth3 ,for in the distillation1 the most subtil moisture of the herb onely rising up1 and the common ,water 7as being the heavier7 stays behind in the bottom of the ,still1 and therefore they have a certain sign in the distillation of the said waters1 viz4 when the ascending water1 tasts no more of the distilled herb3 ,then do they desist from farther operating1 and cast away the remaining herb with the water in the bottom4 ,but such whose study it is to make sweeter and more efficacious ,waters1 do take the water which came off in the distillation1 and pour it upon more of the fresh herb1 and do again distil it1 and draw off the most pure part of the herb1 and make their ,water more efficacious1 which way of preparing the ,waters of ,herbs1 is good and profitable4 ,besides every one knows1 that the ,spirit and ,oils of ,vegetables1 are to be distilled by a ,copper ,still by the apposition of a great deal of ,water1 as we have taught in the first part of this ,pharmacopa3 ,it is therefore manifest1 that the common decocting of herbs in water is of no value1 and that the best part vanisheth away into the ,air in boiling1 and that the less sweet1 and most efficacious part alone remains behind4 ,some skilfull ,cooks know this full well1 and never put in the ,spices into the ,pot to boil1 but let the flesh be first boiled1 and already set at the ,table1 by which they take care of losing the best ,odour of the ,spices by boiling them4 ,if you go by the ,ale-,brewers when they are boiling the ,hop1 and the ,houses of the ,apothecaries1 you shall meet with a far sweeter fragrancy1 and what doth more comfort the heart1 than what remains behind1 and is given men to drink8 ,and this cannot be otherwise1 by the fore alledged reasons1 for the chiefest and best part go away in boiling4 ,therefore ,i do here again repeat what ,i said before1 and do affirm1 that that ,decoction which is done in the cold by the universal fiery ,water1 is to be preferred far before that otherway4 ,now it is sufficiently enough known that the greatest part of the food we eat1 whether ,flesh1 ,fish1 or ,pulse1 are wont to be boiled in the ,kitchen by the help of ,water to preserve them from burning1 that thereby they may be the better digested and concocted by the ,stomach4 ,and why are not medicaments prepared after the same manner8 ,now though in the decoction of ,flesh1 ,fish1 and ,pulse1 there goes off some of the vertues of the same1 yet that is a matter of no great moment1 for the remainder is what stuffs the ,stomach from whence the body may get its nourishment4 ,but in medicinal decoctions1 no such great quantity is to be administred1 but a little of them given to the ,sick to drink of2 and therefore they must necessarily have their vertues left in them1 and not be deprived of them by decoction1 and yet this ,curtation of theirs cannot be shunned when the decoctions are done over the fire with common water in open ,vessels4 ,this way therefore of mine1 by the fiery ,water is far to be preferred before that other way4 ,for in this decoction there can't be lost so much as the least vertues of the herb or ,animal1 seeing it is done in the ,cold4 ,but all abide together1 in the watery or fiery ,water1 are ripened1 bettered1 and changed into medicine1 and must necessarily be transmuted1 whether they will or not4 ,there is no way for the vertues to go off as is in that other decoction1 where the most noble vertues vanish away in the ,air4 ,therefore this digesting1 conserving1 ripening1 and amending ,fire and ,water ought to be highly esteemed by the ,physicians1 wherewith they may prepare their medicaments1 or at least for the preparing of some few good ones which cannot else be gotten1 as is apparent in ,diureticks1 which being so inverted by this ,philosophical water1 do not onely afterwards expel ,urine1 and the ,stone1 and all things pertaining thereunto2 but do also corroborate1 even as all things that have a hot subtil and penetrating ,nature whether simples or compounds are wont to do3 ,insomuch that they do not any more cause torments and pains by a forceable expulsion of ,urine and the ,stone1 but do gently and sweetly stir up to a casting them out1 and do withal strengthen and conserve the virile ,nature3 ,but contrarily those immature and crude ,simples1 do by their ,crudity and ,wildness hurt1 and not onely expel ,urine1 but even stir up pains4 ,this discourse and proposed matter1 concerning the watery ,fire and fiery ,water 7by the benefit of which venomous ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals may be 7as ,i have taught7 turned into wholsome medicaments7 will haply create in many some disagreeable ,cogitations1 and may seem to them as if it were a strange thing1 that ,i should call the ,liquor of fixt ,niter1 and the ,spirit of corrosive ,niter1 fiery ,waters1 and watery ,fires1 whereas there is in them no apparent visible ,fire4 ,well1 to remove this ,scuple from their minds1 ,i do in the first place judge it expedient to demonstrate that ,niter is no other than a mere ,fire2 ,for put but ,niter on a live ,coal1 and 'twill all flie up and burn away in the ,air2 this now is evidently seen in ,gun-powder1 in which the ,salt-peter is together with those other added matters discharged all of it into the ,air4 ,niter being brought by ,calcination to a fixity or constancy in the ,fire1 or else by distillation to a corrosive ,water1 hath not for all this lost its fire1 but hath it as yet perfectly with it self4 ,and that this is true is hereby cleared1 viz4 that both those ,liquors the fixt and the corrosive volatile one being mixt together1 do deposit that nature they got from the ,fire1 and do return to their form1 or ,saltpeter nature4 ,hence may it be manifestly proved that both these ,liquors as well the fixt one as the acid ,spirit may and ought to be called fiery ,waters1 seeing that they do in very deed demonstrate their fiery vertues4 ,for they do yet retain their ,fire1 and do melt all things and reduce them into ,water1 whatsoever you put into them4 ,this demonstration ,i hope is a sufficient satisfactory testimony to such as have any understanding though not so well skilled in the light of nature4 ,but that ,i may yet meet with the most unskilfull of men1 who are for the most part wont to measure by their most unskilfull fancy1 such things as are to them wholly unknown1 and that ,i may set it most clearly before their ,eyes1 that the said ,waters are mere true ,fires2 ,i would perswade them that for trial of the truth they would put one little drop onely or one small piece of a ,grain upon their ,tongues1 and see whether or no they will not in less than a moment of time find1 and say that that ,fire is hidden in the ,water1 and is just as if their ,tongue had been touched with a ,coal of ,fire4 ,but if they would see the very flame it self1 they may coagulate or concenter either both or either ,liquor1 either by ,antimony or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 by which all ,corrosives do chiefly love to be concentred1 and to put off their adjoined ,waters4 ,therefore when you have a mind to see a flame pour upon your concentrated acid ,spirit1 or on your fixt ,liquor of ,niter1 the pure ,spirit of ,wine1 and what is separated from all ,phlegm3 ,by which pouring on1 the hidden ,fire of the concentrated ,niter1 will forthwith manifest it self1 and will kindle and burn up the ,spirit of ,wine4 ,if he would yet farther try the truth of this thing1 let him fix ,niter by ,regulus ,martis1 and coagulate it into a fiery ,mass1 and keep it in a strong earthen ,vessel well shut1 that so the ,air enter not therein1 and that the ,fire may remain so long hidden as he pleaseth4 ,now if he would have it grow hot1 let him pour in a little water into the ,vessel1 which done the hidden ,fire will become presently manifest1 and make the ,vessel so hot1 that it cannot be held in ones hand3 ,by how much the more the ,water is that is poured thereupon1 so much the hotter the ,vessel becomes1 so that by the too much effusion of water1 there is danger of the ,vessels breaking into ,pieces4 ,a mean therefore is to be observed in the pouring water on1 if you would have your ,vessel endure the longer1 and give a lasting heat4 ,this secret doth not onely teach the ,miracles of ,nature1 but is likewise profitable for such as journey in the ,winter ,season1 whether in a ,wagon1 or a ,ship1 day and night1 in exceeding cold ,weather1 for by the help of such a ,vessel may they heat themselves4 ,for if they have a ,vessel containing about one or two ,pounds of this concentrated ,fire1 it will keep heat for #bd hours3 ,and so in case of necessity such as ,journey may have with them greater and more ,vessels1 and not be scantied of this ,fire4 ,and if in the extremity of cold they want water1 they may heat the ,vessel by stirring up the same ,fire with their own ,urine4 ,how vile soever this secret appears1 yet lies there in it a great mystery1 and what is serving to true ,philosophy1 and in which such a fire lies hid as was buried by the ,priests1 mentioned in the ,maccabees1 and after some hundreds of years again digged out and found4 ,for such a kind of ,fire being fenced against the access of the ,air1 remains uncorrupt for #ajj1 yea a thousand years1 and this verily is a thing most worthy of diligent consideration4 ,we have by what has been said sufficiently demonstrated that fixt ,niter is a mere ,fire1 and that it manifests it self so to be whensoever any one is so minded as to try4 ,the acid ,liquor doth the same1 and hath a far different nature and property from the fixt ,niter1 the which nevertheless doth also produce to light its occult ,fire according as the ,artist pleaseth1 and is on this wise done4 ,dissolve in it ,iron or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 and draw off the moisture by ,fire1 ,n4 ,b4 ,you shall have nothing else come over or evaporate save onely a sweet water void of all tast1 and the fiery part will concenter it self in the ,iron or in the ,lapis ,calaminaris1 and become a fiery and dry ,earth1 the which being preserved against the ingress of the ,air1 will remain dry1 nor will it ever change it self into water4 ,this fiery ,spirit thus concentrated in this ,earth is so burning hot1 that if it be put to the ,tongue in no bigger a piece than a ,hempseed1 it will burn it just as if you had touched it with an hot ,iron4 ,and if you would have fire thereout of1 pour in some ,spirit of ,wine1 and you shall see the flame break out3 ,but if you would warm your self with that heat1 as we before spake of in the fixt ,niter1 then put in a few drops of water1 which done1 the hidden and concentrated ,fire will become manifested 7as in the fixt ,niter7 and continue a long while1 if there be not too much water poured thereupon4 ,if you would quench your ,fire and have the ,vessel cool1 then shut it1 and if you would have it again hot1 then open it and pour on a little water4 ,thus therefore shalt thou have this ,fire most ready for thy use whensoever thou hast a mind to employ it4 ,so then all these things do most abundantly confirm that the acid ,spirit of ,niter is a cold and hidden fire1 for if you put into it a little piece of ,iron or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 it will make the glass so hot1 that you cannot hold it in your hand4 ,we hereby learn that from this ,original do the ,baths arise1 and is thus4 ,when an acid mineral ,spirit joins it self in the ,mountains to some ,fountain of sweet ,water1 and doth together therewithal pass through some ,mines of ,lapis ,calaminaris1 or ,iron1 it becometh so hot that it breaks out like water heated in a ,copper4 ,nor are ,baths any where to be found save in ,mountains1 and in places that abound with ,lapis ,calaminaris or ,veins of ,iron1 as may be seen in many places1 but especially in that of ,aquis ,granum1 where the most curious or bravest ,baths of all ,europe are found to be1 and the ,mountains that lie round it do abound with ,iron1 and ,lapis ,calaminaris4 ,but as concerning those other profitable and gallant ,secrets1 that lie hidden in this concentrated ,fire1 'tis not expedient to speak of them here4 ,we have revealed to you enough already1 and he that learns nothing hencefrom1 shall have nothing1 nor is it given him of ,god to know the unsearchable properties of this ,fire1 and to open the ,gate of true ,philosophy and ,hermetical ,medicine4 ,here then the ,son of ,art sees what a concentrated ,fire is able to effect1 and how its many vertues are as yet impeded by reason of the ,earth1 7consisting of the ,iron ,calaminaris1 and ,antimony7 wherein it is included and hindered from answering the event that may be hoped for from it4 ,for an impure body is able even to make a pure ,soul inhabiting in it1 ignoble and impure1 yea and plainly to kill it2 and this may be understood as well of ,men as ,minerals4 ,now it may be easily conjectured what such a pure ,soul1 and which is separated from all ,fces is able to do4 ,things incredible and almost ,divine may be effected by such a ,fire4 ,the ,fire of common ,wood and ,coals1 if concentred will perform things wonderfull4 ,but ,i pray what then will the concentred ,fire of the ,sun do1 which is a thousand times purer than that4 ,next after ,god1 is the ,sun1 next the ,sun the ,fire of ,coals and ,wood1 is of all things in the whole ,world1 the most noble4 ,were it lawfull openly for me to declare my opinion of the ,fire for the rude and unskilfull to understand1 ,i should enlighten many a dark ,corner4 ,for the ,elementary ,sun1 which bestows upon the whole ,world all ,light1 and all ,life1 is nothing else but the ,garment and ,covering as it were of the omnipotent ,god4 ,if then the ,garment and ,covering be so noble1 so efficacious1 and so potent1 in its ,essence1 how great then is and ever will be the ,majesty of ,god1 that ,eternal ,light and ,center of all ,lights8 ,we cannot so much as look upon that ,garment1 viz4 the ,sun without hurting our sight1 nor search out its wonderfull virtues and properties by all our speculations1 and as ,i may say1 ,philosophations4 ,why then are ,men so foolish to speak1 and think so lightly of ,god1 and yet know nothing of him8 ,hence is it that almost every one feigns to himself a peculiar ,god1 and worshippeth and adoreth him1 which horrid impiety1 the true and onely ,god abominates4 ,the ,ancient ,physicians attributed the round fiery ,sphere that hath its rise from ,god1 unto the ,sun1 and figured it out by the sign of perfection1 viz4 a ,circle with a prick in the middle1 whereby the ,center is deciphered4 ,but seeing that in all things1 the ,center is far more noble and excellent than the circumference it self1 which hath its birth from the ,center1 but the circumference it self doth by so much the more differ from the ,center1 and is more unequal to it1 by how much the farther off it is from it3 ,and contrariwise1 is to be judged so much the equaller to it1 by how much the nearer it approacheth thereunto3 ,what then shall the prick in the ,sun be1 seeing that the ,sun it self being but as the circumference to that point1 be such a most noble and excellent ,essence8 ,what name shall we call that point by8 ,to whom is it lawfull thus to do1 7viz4 to describe that name7 in this perverse ,world8 ,i even constrained1 though against my will1 to forbear farther discoursing thereabouts1 and to refer it to my ,treatise of the concentrating of the ,heaven and the ,earth4 ,but thus much ,i say1 that our ,terrestrial ,fire which we daily make use of1 is the first degree of that ,ladder whereby we ascend to ,god1 so as to comprehend 7or lay hold on7 this omnipotency1 to perceive and search into it1 to ,love1 ,fear1 ,worship1 and at last to see and be rendred 7through ,divine ,grace7 partaker of the ,divine ,majesty3 ,seeing then that the common ,fire and which every body knows is as ,i will yet again say1 the first degree in that ,scale or ,ladder1 whereby we may ascend to ,god and his ,mysteries1 and yet the property thereof is so much unknown unto us3 ,what ,i pray shall we think then of the second and third degree1 the which we know nothing of1 though we think our selves to know so much4 ,i do therefore affirm here1 and that boldly1 that our knowledge is as nothing1 and there is not one amongst many thousands that knows the second1 7much less the third7 degree4 ,but haply hereafter ,i shall speak and demonstrate more things of this nature4 ,a ,cordial and ,comfortative to be used in great and continual ,diseases4 ,take the ,flowers of ,marjoram1 ,sage1 ,rosemary1 ,mace1 two ounces1 ,nutmegs1 ,cardamoms1 ,zedoary1 ,galangall1 one ounce1 chosen ,cinamon eight ounces1 extract the ,tinctture with ,spirit of ,wine1 then dissolve in rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 and which is acuated by an addition of ,niter1 one ounce of ,gold3 ,pour this ,solution to the ,spirit of ,wine1 which is impregnated with the ,tincture of the said simples1 and put them to distill in a ,glass ,retort in a dry ,b4 ,there will first come over the ,aromatical ,spirit of ,wine1 not onely sweet but withall clear1 which when it begins to come white and troubled1 take off the ,glass that you received your ,spirit in1 and put on another1 and draw off all the moisture in a gentle heat1 till there comes out no more ,spirit of ,wine1 and an acid ,water of an unpleasant ,tast follows4 ,then take out all the ,fire from under your ,retort1 that it may cool4 ,in which 7when all is cool7 and the ,solution taken forth1 you shall find the ,oil of the ,spices swimming on the top1 which is as red as blood and is impregnated with the ,tincture of the ,gold3 ,the which being separated by a separating ,glass from the ,spirit of the ,salt1 you must add to the ,aromatised ,wine that came first over1 which will presently imbibe the said ,oil1 and be tinged with a most curious red4 ,as for the remaining ,gold1 which the ,oil of the ,spices hath not attracted to it self1 you may precipitate into a tender and bright ,calx1 and wash it well with water and add it to the ,aromatised ,spirit1 and ,oil with a sufficient quantity of ,sugar ,candy1 that the ,spirit may be rendred sweet and pleasant4 ,so shall you have a most efficacious ,aqua ,vit1 the which doth wonderfully corroborate and refresh the ,sick1 in all kinds of weaknesses4 ,but this precipitation is not to be made like as the common is1 in which the ,powders that are precipitated do lose their ,metalline form as ,gold1 which being changed into a yellow ,powder is called fulminating ,gold1 and being put upon a ,plate1 and heated1 gives a noise like a ,gun1 the sound it gives is very loud1 and the blow strikes downwards1 so that the bigness of a small ,pea being kindled in a silver ,spoon will make a little hole4 ,but you are to precipitate the ,gold on such wise as that it may retain a ,metalline form1 but so tender and fine that it may be well brooked even in the ,eyes4 ,neither must all the ,gold be precipitated1 but onely the most noble part1 and as it were its ,soul1 which as to its colour is much fairer and sublimer than common ,gold is4 ,but the more vile part is to be separated by a peculiar precipitation1 and to be reduced by fusion4 ,to this pale part is its former colour to be restored by ,antimony1 so that no loss may be made4 ,if then the former part being precipitated1 is better than pure common ,gold1 the latter part must necessarily be 7being reduced by fusion7 more vile1 or thus1 if the latter be baser than common pure ,gold1 the former shall be better than it is1 and will therefore be more profitable in ,medicine1 forasmuch as it will 7being digested and consumed in the ,stomach7 display its virtues1 which the common filed ,gold1 or yet the ,leafe ,gold will not do4 ,i purposely tried this matter1 and found the things ,i tell you of1 to be true4 ,but if so be as any doubt as yet of this thing1 concerning the first precipitated ,gold as being the best part thereof1 and which we bid you to add to the ,aromatized ,spirit1 he may melt it down with some ,borax1 and compare it with the latter precipitated ,gold1 and then he will easily perceive the wide difference that is betwixt them4 ,the first will as to its ,colour1 far exceed the ,gold of the best ,duckats or ,rose ,noble1 but the latter will be far worse4 ,that first being again dissolved and precipitated after a ,philosophical manner1 that half of it may again settle down1 it will become more noble1 and again leave behind it a particle of pale ,gold4 ,which operation is verily most worthy admiration1 by the help whereof1 ,gold certainly may be at length haply so concentrated1 as to be able 7when reduced to the highest nobility1 colour1 efficacy and vertue7 to give colour to the other metals1 and amend them4 ,but this is not what ,i have hitherto1 for want of time1 tried3 ,but ,i hope 7,god permitting me7 shortly to shew such a ,gold to the studious of ,art1 seeking after it merely for this cause1 that ,i might thereof make an excellent medicine4 ,i will treat more plainly and more fully in my fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 concerning the ,artificial and ,philosophical ,concentration of ,gold and ,silver into good ,medicaments2 but that ,i may here give the ,lovers of ,art some small ,testimony how such a precipitation may be effected1 take with you these few things4 ,the precipitation may be done as well in the dry as moist way1 but there the moist way is used1 which is requisite in the making of this ,medicine1 but yet it is troublesome and hazardous1 because that sometimes the glasses break1 and the ,gold falls amongst the ,ashes4 ,but the dry way and which is void of any danger1 belongs not to this place but to the fourth part of the ,prosperity of my ,countrey4 ,i mention it for this end onely1 that it may be seen and considered1 that it is possible to make some ,separation in ,gold as well as in the meaner metals4 ,for he that knows how by the benefit of ,art to make a ,separation in some metals of the best part from the worst1 hath a profitable amendment of the metal4 ,we teach in the second part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 how the volatile and unripe ,minerals1 may by ,niter be reduced into malleable ,metals4 ,in the third part we shew the way of turning the common and imperfect ,metals into perfect ,gold and ,silver4 ,then at last in the fourth part we shew by what means ,gold and ,silver may be advanced into more than perfect ,bodies and appertaining to medicine2 concerning which ,separation more shall be spoken in what next follows4 ,nor hath any one reason to make any ,scruple and imagine that ,i contradict my self1 seeing that in the aforesaid medicament ,i make use of precipitation and tender ,gold1 and yet have openly in many places spoken the contrary1 viz4 that corporeal ,gold cannot be concocted and digested in the ,stomach1 and this ,i have most often tried4 ,for the ,gold which we teach the precipitation of here is much better and more noble than the common ,gold1 and upon that accompt is not to be accompted of as corporeal1 but for the very ,kernel1 and ,soul thereof as it were1 which being digested in the ,stomach of a man1 doth produce its vertues into open light4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that the said golden ,aq4 ,vit being to be used1 you must first shake the glass a little wherein it is kept1 that so the most subtil ,attomes of the ,gold may commix themselves with the ,aq4 ,vit2 then afterwards some few drops of the same according as the ,person and ,disease is1 are to be administred in some convenient ,vehicle4 ,if you make trial with one or two small drops1 you shall experience its wonderfull heart strengthening ,vertues1 and its most profitable use in all weaknesses4 ,another ,metallick ,medicament prepared by the help of ,nitre1 out of a ,vein of ,lead containing ,silver1 and most profitable in all the ,sicknesses or ,distempers of the ,brain4 ,take a ,vein of ,lead that is rich in ,silver1 nor hath either ,copper or ,iron mixed with it1 but by how much the richer it is with ,silver1 so much the better and more beneficial is it for this work4 ,separate from this ,vein all the ,sulphureity or ,brimstony stinch by ,niter1 according to the ,spagyrical ,art1 that so the most pure1 most subtile1 and most highly ,volatile and fluid ,mercurial part may remain4 ,wash off the ,niter as carefully as you can1 and separate it1 that a bright snow coloured heavy ,powder may remain4 ,this most exceeding fluid and ,volatile ,powder is the ,mercury of ,saturn1 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 even to #ab grains thereof1 being administred in convenient ,vehicles1 doth exceeding quickly yield help in all grievous affects of the ,brain1 in the ,plague1 ,pains of ,children that are troubled with ,worms2 it quencheth all internal heat1 and withholds the gross ,vapours from ascending up into the ,brain1 it opens all the obstructions of the ,liver1 exhilerates the melancholy1 restores the ,lunatick1 foolish and phantastick ,ingeny1 especially if their ,bodies be first prepared by my ,antimonial ,panaca4 ,nay more1 this ,cephalick medicament will operate yet better1 if after the first preparation by ,niter it be again washed1 and made more subtil1 yea and plainly fixed1 that so it may exercise its vertues and power with the greater efficacy4 ,last of all1 it is yet rendered most efficacious1 if this ,mercury of ,saturn be in the last ,operation driven over in a ,retort and so converted into a sweet ,milk1 demonstrating the truth of that ,philosophical saying1 ,the ,fire and ,azoth do wash the ,laton4 ,niter is the true ,azoth of the ,philosophers1 and besides it1 is no other to be found3 ,it is the ,scope of the wise men1 the universal ,bath of ,metals2 ,the said sweet ,milk may be coagulated1 and fixed into a transparent and fluid ,stone1 which again coagulateth and fixeth common purged ,mercury4 ,but ,i have not as yet so brought it to such pass as to undergo ,saturn's trial in the ,cupel as they call it2 yet am ,i doing it1 and hope to bring it to pass4 ,but although the ,stone is yet volatile1 yet doth it penetrate the imperfect ,metals as ,mars and ,venus1 and makes them easily fluxible and volatile2 but seeing it does so now1 what would it do were it reduced to a fixity1 this any one may easily conjecture what effects it would have4 ,haply this work is not much different from the work of the little ,countreyman4 ,but seeing that purification is not different from this matter1 we think it worth while briefly to teach1 what it is1 and in what it consisteth3 ,but principally because all my writings tend to this end1 viz4 the separating of the pure from the impure1 from which ground have we given this ,book its name4 ,few are they that know the way and manner of ,separations1 and therefore we deem'd it highly necessary to speak somewhat thereof in this place4 ,for all the ,philosophers do cry out with one voice1 make the fixt volatile1 and the volatile fixt4 ,an hard and fixt thing doth by laying down its ,earth become fluid and volatile1 and this is a ,philosophical separation and operation2 after it comes sublimation and distillation1 by which a thing is yet again made more pure1 being separated from its gross ,fces4 ,for by how much the oftner any thing is distilled or sublimed1 so much the purer doth it become1 and by how much the purer it is1 so much the more efficacious and penetrative it is found to be4 ,now again if the most pure part of that thing be brought to such a pass as that it will resist the most violent and all things consuming forces of the ,fire1 every one will easily conjecture what may be obtained by such like operations as these4 ,these things we have spoken do shew the metallick purification1 effected by the benefit of the ,spagyrical ,art4 ,the ablution of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals is threefold2 ,the first washing carries off by the help of ,water the adhering impurities1 as ,sand1 ,powder1 and ,earth4 ,the second separates the thin and watery parts from the earthy ones1 by distillation1 and doth the same thing as sublimation is known to do in the separation of ,metals4 ,the third separation is performed by the ,fire1 viz4 when the subject that is to be purified is made red hot in the ,fire1 that so the combustible ,sulphur being inflamed may be consumed1 the ,mercury may go away in fume1 and the fixt ,earth onely with the ,salt stay behind1 the which is to be understood of ,vegetables and ,animals4 ,the case stands otherwise with the ,metals1 whose three principles are so knit by nature with so straight and radical a tie1 into such an homogenial matter and so hard1 that they very hardly admit of separation1 but do either very slowly and by little and little ascend together by ,cohobation1 or else abide constantly together in the bottom4 ,and albeit that some black ,metal1 be either by sublimation elevated into ,flores1 or by calcination reduced into white ,ashes1 yet after reduction the ,metal is found to be as before of the same form1 and endued with the same properties1 which it had before calcination1 so that these operations do no ways deserve the name of ,philosophical ,purgations4 ,how many have deceived themselves1 by thinking if they turned ,mars into a red ,crocus they should therewithal make ,lune fixt1 not considering that that ,crocus returns by reduction to its own former nature and ,iron shape4 ,common ,mercury is precipitated into a most fair and most red ,powder1 and returneth by reduction to its first running nature4 ,saturn being calcined by common ,salt becomes red ,powder1 or a ,minium1 which being reduced is the same ,black-lead as it was before4 ,hereupon may such an one be deservedly said to wash the ,black-moor that bestows his labour on this work4 ,the same ,saturn being washed with ,vinegar or any other corrosive liquor1 gives indeed a white ,ceruse1 but it is but a borrowed colour1 and he covers his black body over with a white ,robe1 but yet for all that is presently disrobed of the same by ,vulcan3 ,the true ,philosophers do nothing esteem of this sophistical ,purification4 ,saturn is by all the ,philosophers accounted for a black and leprous ,gold1 for they openly say1 that there is in ,saturn what the ,philosophers seek3 ,read but ,paracelsus his ,book of the vexation of the ,alchymists1 and there he mentions more4 ,nor is it without cause that that old ,symbol or ,proverb is used amongst the ,chymists4 ,the ,fire and ,azoth do wash ,laton4 ,azoth is ,niter1 and ,laton signifies the matter of the ,stone4 ,some do ascribe ,laton to ,saturn1 ,i will forbear1 onely thus much is to be observed1 that the word ,laton signifies the matter of the ,stone1 which is to be washed by ,azoth or the ,acetum of the ,philosophers that is ,niter4 ,verily ,i well know that besides the common ,saturn and ,antimony1 there is another1 more easily washed by ,niter2 but because we here treat of the ,vulgar1 or the first ,ens of ,lune1 and the reducing it into a good ,medicament by ,niter1 we will acquisce in what is already spoken1 put off the explication of the said matter to another place4 ,a ,uterine approved ,medicament4 ,forasmuch as ,i have hitherto taught the preparation of some notably efficacious ,medicines by the help of ,niter1 and yet have not in the mean while made any mention of the ,sicknesses familiar to the ,feminine ,sex4 ,i judged it wholly necessary to help this weak and infirm ,sex 7which is appointed for the propagation of mankind7 with some singular ,medicament3 ,for 7besides those ,diseases whereto the ,women are subject as well as the ,male ,sex7 they are yet afflicted with many ,sicknesses that do arise out of the ,matrix1 wherewith all as well ,maids as married ,women1 and these last also are troubled not onely before ,child-bearing1 but afterwards1 viz4 when the ,matrix is not well purged after ,child-birth1 and so begets various ,sicknesses1 ,pains1 ,winds1 ,inflammations1 ,suffocations1 the ascending of evil ,vapours unto the ,heart1 or else by obstruction of the ,menstrues1 do cause a swelling ,belly1 ,weakness1 ,debilitation of the ,strength1 a straightning of the ,heart and ,brain1 most vehement ,griefs1 and lastly ,death it self3 ,or else the ,matrix may be moved out of its place1 in ,child-birth1 its ,bonds broken1 and the ,matrix it self so much repleated and debilitated with overmuch moisture1 that it has not so much power as to be put and retained firm in its due place1 but some are constrained to leave it hanging out1 to their great detriment1 and are extreamly tormented with this so great a detriment1 the ,matrix presently slips down out of the ,body by either vehemently walking1 or any other violent motions1 and are necessitated always to carry about them a pessary framed to the intent of keeping the said ,matrix up in their bodies1 and that to their exceeding great trouble4 ,now then for the meeting with1 and resisting these aforenamed and other such like discommodites1 but especially such as are overwhelmed 7as it were7 with them1 ,i will set down the way and manner of so doing4 ,as concerning the ,matrix and its ,diseases which do arise after ,childbirth1 if so be that the ,matrix be not rightly cleansed1 even the ,women themselves know their own ,remedies1 and do for that reason plant those ,herbs that are usefull thereunto in their own ,gardens1 or gather them in a fit season and so keep them by them1 till they have need to use them in expelling the remains and trash left after ,childbirth3 ,such as these are ,pulegium1 or ,penny-royal1 ,mother-wort1 ,mug-wort1 ,savin1 and the like ,herbs1 which have a powerfull expulsive virtue1 and there are waters too in the ,apothecaries ,shops distilled to this intent1 concerning which it is needless to write any more in this place3 ,thus much onely we would advise1 that such ,herbs and ,species as are used for such effects1 are to be rendred first more subtile by separating the pure from the impure1 that they may afterwards operate more speedily and better4 ,the which thing may be most commodiously done on such wise and manner as ,i have taught and prescribed in the first ,part of this ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa concerning the ,essences of ,herbs4 ,but the obstructions of the ,matrix1 and stoppage of the ,menstrues are not so easily unlocked by bare ,medicaments thus barely taken in1 for they penetrate not so far with their ,vertues1 but rather1 as experience teacheth1 is effected by such ,medicaments as are applied beneath1 and that more easily1 and which we have already mentioned in the ,second ,part of the ,furnaces in the ,ch of ,spirit of ,urine1 where ,i have manifested a peculiar instrument by which such necessary ,medicaments may be intromitted into the ,matrix4 ,i have therewithall hitherto performed many happy ,cures4 ,bur forasmuch as ,i have since that time found out a far fitter instrument for such diseases1 ,i will clearly describe it for the sake1 comfort1 and help1 of such ,women as are obedient to their ,husbands1 and chastly observe the bands of ,wedlock1 viz4 both how to prepare and how to apply the same4 ,you are to get an ,instrument made of good ,silver 7not of ,copper7 its figure to be round1 and like a small ,cane1 and shut in the fore part1 and to be a little longer than a man's finger1 and about that bigness2 ,you are likewise to get another a little smaller so as to go into the other1 which other or bigger one must have three little edges on its inside all the length of it1 thereby to keep the smaller instrument about the back of a knifes breadth from each side of the bigger one1 that so it may not touch it4 ,in the hinder part let be a ,cover made which may shut the ,instrument tight when the ,medicine is put in1 lest the spiritual vertue of the same fly back out of the body1 and so order it that it may perform its operation on the ,matrix through the ,instrument1 which is to be perforated 7towards the top7 with holes4 ,to the hinder part of this ,instrument let a ,thread be tied whereby it may be plucked out when its operation is over3 ,therefore like as the disease is1 so shall a suitable ,medicament 7and what is made exceeding ,spiritual7 be applied3 ,on this wise let a small piece of fine ,sponge be embibed therewithall1 and let the inner small ,pipe be filled therewith1 and be so put up to the ,matrix4 ,if the ,menstrues be obstructed1 then the most approved remedy is the concentrated ,spirit of ,urine1 which by its subtile1 penetrating1 warming1 mollifying1 and opening vertue opens the little ,veins of the ,matrix1 and gives an ,exit to the obstructed ,menstrue4 ,but if the ,matrix labour not with this disease1 but is onely besieged as it were with cold and tenacious humours1 then the hot and penetrating ,oil of ,tiles or ,wax1 rectified most subtilly1 is to be applied1 which being smeared on some ,sponge1 is to be conveyed in by the ,instrument into the cold and watry ,matrix1 the which will thereby be warmed1 dried1 and freed from the greatness of its moisture4 ,but if so be the ,matrix shall be moved out of its place1 or its cords broken1 or too much relaxed1 or any other way affected1 and so not be capable of retaining the ,matrix1 and keeping it from sliding forth out of the body2 ,then must astringent things be used1 which may constringe the too much loosened bands1 and may heal and tie the ,matrix again in its due place1 and strengthen it4 ,such as these are the distilled ,oils out of mens hair1 out of the ,wool of ,sheep1 and such-like ,animals1 out of the ,horns of ,goats1 ,claws of wild ,beasts1 and ,feathers of wild and ravenous ,birds1 and such-like things1 which being laid upon the ,coals1 do draw themselves up together1 and do by that contraction shew to us as it were their use4 ,but the manner of distilling and rectifying these ,oils we have already taught in the ,second ,part of our ,furnaces1 so that it is plainly needless to repeat the same in this place4 ,i say1 and that truely1 that if so be that these three kinds of ,medicaments be rightly applied in those three affects of the ,matrix1 that they will perform things even wonderfull1 and many pious ,mothers might be preserved sound1 a longer time amongst their poor ,children1 were they but help'd by such remedies4 ,for it cannot be that much help should be brought to the sick and hurt ,matrix by the ,potions that are drunk of1 or the hysterical watry ,medicines that are injected by a ,syringe4 ,for such ,medicaments as are taken in at the mouth cannot penetrate with their ,vertues home to the ,matrix1 so as to help it1 to open1 to purge1 and to heal it1 or to heal the dissolved and relaxed bands4 ,and as for ,waters and ,decoctions that are applied beneath1 and there injected1 they presently slide out again1 and do help the ,matrix but little1 or nothing at all4 ,but now these ,oils of mine and ,spirits are commodiously applied by means of the ,instrument1 and discharge their office most efficaciously4 ,but there is yet one thing necessary here to advise you of1 viz4 that such as desire to use the ,spirit of ,urine1 ,oil of ,tiles1 or ,wax1 or ,oils out of ,horns1 ,hairs1 or ,feathers1 for curing of the said defects of the ,matrix1 do prepare them themselves1 or commit them to such to prepare them1 as are skilled in the ,art of distillation1 and versed in rectifying such ,spirits and ,oils1 thereby exalting them to the highest subtilty4 ,for if so be that any would buy in some ,apothecaries shop1 those things that he knows not how they are prepared1 and haply such as are corrupted already1 and not fit for use1 will be grosly mistaken4 ,for it is not sufficient 7if a thing is to be made use of7 that it hath a bare name onely1 and be destitute of the ,vertues themselves1 and which are no ways effectual7 for the said ,sicknesses of the ,matrix are here taught to be cured not with corporeal1 but with spiritual and efficacious ,medicaments4 ,it is therefore necessarily requisite1 that the ,medicines we have spoken of1 viz4 those ,oils and ,spirits1 be excellently well prepared1 and so as to exercise their ,vertues by emitting or ejecting their invisible odour and vigour onely4 ,the ,spirit of ,urine is to be so volatile and very subtile1 as that it will vanish away out of an opened glass1 and therefore there needs a greater diligence in preserving and keeping it2 ,it is to be well preserved in glasses close stopt1 for if the ,spirit vanisheth away1 there remains onely an unprofitable ,water void of all kind of ,vertues4 ,i have therefore taught the making of peculiar ,glasses1 which will not let go the ,spirits1 the shape of them are described in the ,second ,part of my ,chymical ,furnaces1 in that place where ,i treat of the ,spirit of ,urine4 ,in like manner the said ,oils are to be well rectified1 and to be made exceedingly volatile1 so that being exposed some few hours to the warm ,air1 they will vanish away2 which if they will not doe1 neither will they effect ought4 ,i must needs confess that all the time in which ,i have lived1 ,i never found a good ,spirit of ,urine1 nor well rectified ,oil of ,wax or ,tiles4 ,i will say nothing of the ,spirits of ,hairs1 ,horns1 ,feathers or ,quills 7for there's no use of them47 ,i have indeed found amongst many1 a bare worthless1 saltish ,phlegm1 but the very true ,spirit of ,urine it self ,i have not met withall4 ,the ,oils of ,tiles and ,wax are indeed found in all ,apothecaries shops1 but are for the most part corrupted by their long lying1 and are old1 thickish1 red1 tenacious1 and deprived of their due odour1 are stinking1 and spoiled of all their vertues4 ,for 'tis very rare that such ,oils are rectified1 but are sold1 such as they be1 when they come first out of the ,retort1 with a saltish kind of ,acrimony adjoined unto them1 which in the rectification abides in the bottom1 and is at last separated from the ,oil4 ,such ,oils are of no value1 and appertain not to this curing1 for they will do just nothing2 and thus much ,i could not omit advising you of4 ,for haply when some sick person or other readeth here in this my book1 that such ,oils do most highly conduce to expell the said defaults of the ,matrix1 and yet perceive no comfort or help by the use of them1 without doubt the fault will be laid on me1 as that ,i had written a lie1 and not upon the ill prepared ,oils4 ,this therefore do ,i affirm1 that except your ,oils be good1 you will never have from them the hoped for event4 ,and how 7indeed7 shall the sick man know if the ,oils be good or not4 ,the ,merchant or ,seller of them won't confess them to be old1 ill prepared1 and deprived of their odour4 ,so oft times the fault is laid upon the ,authour1 and he's condemned for writing unprofitable things1 and which are not agreeable to the truth4 ,but the fault verily can light on none save upon the ,magistrates1 who 7by winking at such things7 do permit it4 ,and when any one goes to be furnished with these things which are requisite1 in some ,apothecaries shop1 and the ,apothecary haply sells but few ,wares1 and all the rest wax old as they lie1 and are corrupted2 and if haply sometimes one or two such and such ,simples or ,medicaments be sought for but once or twice1 it may be1 in a whole year1 he delivers the things he has by him1 which if helpless as to the sick buyer1 yet are helpfull to the ,apothecaries purse4 ,but yet this is an unjust thing1 and a thing contrary to the love that is due unto our ,neighbour1 and what will burthen the ,conscience4 ,the sick man thirsting for help1 puts the hope of his help and comfort in the ,medicine exhibited him1 which if not good the disease prevailing1 the sick man dyes1 but had good and profitable ,medicaments been used1 instead of the unprofitable and evil ones1 he might have recovered4 ,he therefore that is guilty of such evils1 let him look to it1 what account he will at last give unto ,god for his transgression2 ,that which ,i have aforesaid1 doe ,i again repeat1 and do yet firmly alledge1 that the beforementioned ,spirit of ,urine1 as likewise the ,oils of ,tiles and ,wax1 and these other ,oils of ,horns1 ,hairs1 and ,feathers1 and their most efficacious ,spirits may be made use of in the expulsion of the affects of the ,matrix of what kind soever1 both in the younger ,maids or ,women1 and in those that are of riper years1 and that with most high admiration4 ,it is therefore a just and right thing that they should be found in all the ,apothecaries shops1 and that they should all of them be prepared after a due manner4 ,for they are not onely good in those diseases that afflict the ,womb1 but do likewise operate miraculously and doe things incredible in many other diseases and affects of the ,body if well and rightly prepared and duely administred inwardly and outwardly2 ,concerning which we have written more at large in the ,second ,part of the ,furnaces1 viz4 how they are to be prepared and made use of4 ,any one that is endued with understanding will perceive easily that a living ,spirit is far more efficacious than a dead ,body and exanimated ,carkass4 ,forasmuch therefore as you have here heard that such grievous and incurable 7so accounted at least by almost all ,men7 diseases of the ,matrix1 by which so many ,women are swept away without any help1 are to be cured by the alone application of subtile ,spirits1 and so few know the preparation of them1 ,i will teach for the sake of that weaker ,sex a better and more effectual ,medicine1 and withall will prove it by an example1 that all subtile ,spagyrical ,spirits may be concentrated and augmented in their ,vertues by the help of ,art1 and that one ,spirit hath the power of concentrating another4 ,and because this ,treatise1 and all the ,medicaments therein proposed1 aim onely at this end1 to shew the wonderfull ,vertues of ,niter2 ,and it hath been besides shown1 how all the said ,medicaments ought1 by the help thereof1 to be prepared2 the same shall likewise be done in the demonstration of this ,medicine4 ,i taught in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces to prepare a ,spirit of ,urine and ,sal ,armoniack by the addition of ,calcined ,tartar2 ,but yet the already concentrated ,urine or ,sal ,armoniack may be mixed with double the quantity as its own weight is1 of fixed ,niter1 and so be distilled1 for so those ,spirits will be more strong and more efficacious than if ,tartar were added unto them4 ,and if the ,oil of ,tiles or of ,wax1 which is made by the addition of ,earth1 so heated as to imbibe the ,oil or ,wax1 be yet once more distilled by the concentrated ,spirit of ,niter1 it will be brought to the highest subtilty1 and 'tis to be done after this following manner4 ,dissolve in one pound of the ,spirit of ,niter1 four ounces of ,lapis ,calaminaris3 ,put the ,solution in a ,glass-,viol upon a vaporous or dry ,b1 that the ,phlegm may evaporate by little and little 7for the ,lapis ,calaminaris holds all the ,spirits1 and permits the ,phlegm to go off7 and the ,spirit of ,niter will remain behind in the ,viol like ,oil4 ,take one part of this concentrated ,spirit of ,niter1 and half a part of ,oil of ,tiles or ,wax1 put them both in a glass ,retort well luted1 and force them out 7by a distillation in ,sand7 from the concentrated ,spirit into a great ,receiver2 and by this operation it will be far more penetrative than it was before4 ,for the ,spirit of ,niter being by concentration by the ,calaminaris freed from all its ,phlegm1 and seeing it is thereby become the more attractive1 and can find nothing else that it might attract1 it associates to its self all the humidity that lies hidden in the ,oil1 and which could not be separated by the former distillation1 and hereby brings to pass that the ,oil doth necessarily become more subtile and efficacious1 yea so penetrative1 as that it performeth wonderfull things1 especially in the effects of the ,matrix1 the which nought but very subtile ,spirits can heal1 and which those concentrated ,spirits are wont to do far more certainly and securely than all the other ,medicaments in the whole world3 ,after the same manner is the concentration and purification of the other ,oils to be performed4 ,and now that none might scruple as to ,waters being mixed with the said ,oil or ,wax1 which have no affinity with ,water1 the separation of which from the ,oils1 ,i have here taught2 ,i would have such an one to know1 that much fatness1 as the expressed ,oils of ,vegetables are never without an aqueous moisture1 though it be invisible1 and cannot be perceived1 for the fire can make it manifest by distillation3 ,as for instance2 ,there's ,oil olive1 one pound of which is wont to yield six or seven ,lots of ,acid ,water by distillation2 and thus do all ,oils1 ,wax1 ,turpentine1 ,rosin1 ,gums1 ,pitch1 ,amber1 and all combustible fatnesses4 ,yea even the very burning ,spirit of ,wine it self1 and such others as are prepared of ,vegetables1 can never be thoroughly rid of their ,phlegm1 unless they be poured on some ,calcined ,salt1 and so rectified1 they leave their humidity therein1 and become more subtile4 ,but this is to be noted1 that by how much the drier and more attractive that ,salt shall be1 so much the readier will it attract the moisture out of the winy ,spirit and hold it4 ,therefore the ,salts of ,vegetables1 ,calcined ,tartar1 and principally fixed ,niter1 serve for such a rectification4 ,the other ,corrosive ,salts1 as fixt ,sal ,armoniack1 ,calcined ,vitriol1 and such like1 do rather love to hold and retain the ,phlegm of their own peculiar ,volatile ,spirit than of the ,spirit of ,wine4 ,and thus much let suffice as to making subtile ,oils more subtile1 that they may perform wonderfull things in ,medicine4 ,and now having described in this my ,second ,part of the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 some of the most necessary ,medicaments1 that are preparable by ,niter1 and have shewed the way of using them1 and which may safely be given in chief diseases as well for preservation as cure3 ,i could to these add many more1 and so encrease the number of them4 ,but because there are not a few of such good kind of ,medicaments in the writing ,i have hitherto published1 viz4 in the first1 second1 third1 fourth1 and fifth ,part of the ,furnaces1 in the ,miraculum ,mundi1 and in the ,mineral-,book1 and there shall yet follow more in the following third ,part in this ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 in the ,vegetable work1 as also in the second1 third1 and fourth ,parts of the ,prosperity of my ,country1 ,i judged it needless any longer to dwell on these here1 but will onely by way of conclusion1 and for 7as it were7 ornaments sake1 yet add one onely ,medicament of ,niter1 which will be none of the meanest4 ,but forasmuch as this is not a common preparation1 but comprehends in it great ,mysteries1 it seems not good unto me to set down its preparation before the eyes of the perverse world4 ,let it therefore suffice to give onely some hint1 that the ,common ,niter1 which to our ,eyes appears most white1 doth contain in it a ,soul of a deep red ,colour1 which by the benefit of the ,vulcanick ,art may be thence educed4 ,for when ,vulcan hath reduced that old ,dragon1 bound in ,chains1 unto a most high streight by his ,iron and fiery ,mallet1 and yet cannot plainly kill him2 ,neptune coming in to help1 meets the ,basilisk with a clear ,looking-glass1 and turns on him his own peculiar poison1 and so slays him4 ,as soon as he begins to die1 and ceaseth to vomit forth fire1 ,neptune laying aside all fear1 approacheth boldly near him1 and puts a ,sheeps-skin over his ,jaws1 and receives his ,bloud and ,soul1 and precipitates it into the ,salt-sea1 wherein being drowned and choaked1 he lays off all his venome and all his filth1 and is converted into a most fair and most red ,medicine4 ,one onely drop of this ,soul of ,niter can tinge an ordinary glass full of ,common water with a golden ,colour4 ,but he that can turn this ,bloud of the ,dragon by the help of fire into a fire-resisting ,salamander1 he may deservedly be compared with the happy ,jason1 and obtain most great ,honours1 ,treasures1 and ,riches4 ,from all these things may a studious ,artist easily see what ,mysteries lie hid in ,niter4 ,the things which ,i have hitherto described are onely as it were small sparklings of those kinds of ,mysteries that lie hidden in ,niter4 ,there shall be described in the fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of my ,country1 and in the following third ,treatise of this ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa more and eminenter ,metallick ,medicines1 and which are preparable by ,niter3 and this is done to the intent1 that every one may know1 how wonderfull and excellent a subject ,niter is1 the which is notably hidden by the ,antients1 and never wont to be called by its true name1 but by ,enigmatical ,riddles4 ,from hence has sprung up even infinite names1 as1 a dry water1 a water not wetting the hands1 an ,hermaphroditical ,mercury1 a ,balneum ,regium1 the ,soap of the ,wise men1 the flying ,dragon1 the ,urine of ,boys1 a ,dunghill1 ,azoth1 the washer of ,laton1 a most sharp ,vinegar1 the ,stygian-water1 the ,death of the ,living1 the ,life of the ,dead1 the ,purgatory of the imperfect ,bodies1 the ,basilisk1 the forked ,serpent1 the most great ,venome1 the ,venome of ,herbs1 the ,menstrue of ,women1 and such like infinite names1 whereby they have wrapped over its true hidden name in ,cimmerian darknesses1 but is now by me revealed1 and is set before the eyes of the whole world1 and it shall farther be revealed and detected in the three remaining ,treatises of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 which shall very shortly follow1 and so its wonderfull power and most efficacious vertues1 which it performeth in the bettering of ,metals1 and in preparing ,metalline ,medicaments may be manifested and laid open before the whole world4 ,i will not onely declare this in writing1 but also will 7,god permitting7 very shortly shew1 even manually and in very deed in a convenient ,laboratory1 the making and use of all my ,furnaces1 hitherto published in my writings1 and the preparation of many excellent ,medicines1 as also the truth of the metalick ,transmutation4 ,nor will ,i do thus to the end that ,i may advance my own profit1 but will rather do it for this intent1 viz4 that the health and safety of many thousands may be provided for that are afflicted with various sicknesses1 and that the whole ,world may see1 believe and confess1 that the ,transmutation of ,metals by the abject ,niter may be effected4 ,but because in such a like demonstration1 if the ,laboratory be frequented but for one years space onely1 and daily laboured in1 and the confecting of so many ,medicaments be shown1 such a great quantity of various ,medicaments as ,i shall have by me1 cannot be all used by my self1 nor can they be of any use if laid up1 and therefore they shall be sold to any one for a small and vile price1 that so they may each that needs them use them in their necessity4 ,it is not ,covetousness that driveth us thus to doe1 thinking thereby to get great riches1 but onely to get just as much as may serve to pay for all the necessary matters1 as ,coals1 ,glasses1 and other things4 ,so then by this so good and laudable a work1 there will not onely be laid open to the whole world1 the occult ,mysteries of ,nature1 to the honour of ,god3 ,but withall1 the most miserable poor ,sick will easily obtain good ,medicaments1 and recover their former health4 ,nay farther1 not a few of such as have been in want will be able by the most profitable use of ,niter in transmuting the inferiour ,metals into better1 be able to sustain themselves better and more quietly4 ,but that the whole world may see and consider that my own peculiar profit and gain is not sought1 but that my ,neighbours profit is out of a ,christian affection onely aimed at1 there shall be adjoined at the end of the following third ,part1 the price of every ,medicament2 from whence every one may easily conjecture1 that there is not expected any gain or large profit1 but onely the recovering of my disbursements2 seeing no one is to be found who1 bestowing great costs in teaching others1 would willingly lose both his ,expences and ,labour too4 ,i will with a willing mind reach others1 but ,i will not lay out my ,money and run the hazard4 ,the ,world is wise enough1 and great is the number of those sick people that need help3 ,and therefore this publick ,laboratory will 7by ,god's help7 be able to bring abundance of profit to all mankind2 ,in this ,laboratory there shall be all the ,furnaces and all the ,instruments whereof ,i have made mention in the ,writings by me published1 but the resemblances of them not pictured1 because there's no occasion for that to be added2 ,and withall1 those ,furnaces1 ,presses1 and ,instruments which we have mentioned or shall mention in the first1 second1 third1 and fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of my ,country1 and in the ,vegetable work1 and my other ,writings shall be there to be seen1 the which certainly will be exceedingly helpfull to most men that abhor not to labour1 to procure them food and sustenance in their necessity4 ,furthermore1 forasmuch as all my ,writings hitherto published1 are very negligently and faultily printed here and there by other men1 against my knowledge4 ,i will again send them forth corrected1 amended1 adorned1 and encreased with the figures hitherto omitted4 ,and this ,i was unwilling to conceal from the ,lovers and ,students of ,arts4 ,herewithall will ,i conclude this ,second ,part of my ,spagyrical ,dispensatory1 and shortly add the ,third ,part1 onely wishing that this ,work of mine may serve for the comfort and assistance of very many sick persons4 ,amen4 ,the ,end of the ,second ,part4 ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,wherein is taught1 how by ,salt and ,fire1 the ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals may by a ,spagyrical way and method be ,mundified1 and how from them1 ,medicaments wonderfully penetrating and most speedily operating may be prepared4 ,as for the manner of reducing ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 by ,distillation into good and pure ,medicaments1 by the help of the ,spirits of ,salt1 thus stands the case3 ,the manner and way of distilling ,vegetables1 ,animals1 or ,minerals per se1 after the common manner or way into ,oil1 ,spirit1 and ,volatile ,salt either in a ,b4 ,sand1 or naked ,fire1 which hath been long ago1 and also is at this day in much use1 ,i cannot in all respects commend1 because that such ,spirits1 ,oils1 and ,volatile ,salts1 7whether from ,animals1 or ,vegetables7 do all of them stink1 and though they be often rectified1 yet do they not totally lose that innate stink gotten in their ,distillation1 but do always retain a kind of an ungratefull ,empireum1 and are thereby loathsome to the ,sick 7and that not without cause too7 whereas otherwise they have abundance of virtues2 but being rectified with ,spirit of ,salt 7as ,i have taught in the second ,part of my ,furnaces7 they become pure1 and losing their stinch are gratefull and acceptable1 but not at all so without that rectification4 ,now all ,men know1 especially the ,spagyrists1 that the chief virtues of ,vegetables and ,animals are placed in their ,oils and ,volatile ,salts1 7for you must note that in ,minerals the contrary is found1 for their mercurial parts are most virtuous7 but both ,oil and ,salt do in distilling by a ,retort pass over adust or burnt1 and therefore are not made use of1 and 7the more's the pity7 are serviceable to none4 ,for all such as distill the ,oils of ,vegetables1 by the apposition of common water1 in ,copper ,stills1 do know how very little a ,portion is obtained by such a process1 and that the greatest part of them 7,oils7 do abide in the ,still1 and are of no profit1 because common water can't be made hot enough1 to drive out the fatness1 but it gives onely some little portion1 the residue is made thick and tenacious by the boiling1 and remaineth in the ,herbs3 ,hereupon some ,men knowing this thing1 do add to the ,herbs common ,salt1 and ,tartar of ,wine1 whereby the water being rendred one degree hotter1 gives more ,oil3 ,this is a way that ,i do indeed approve of1 but yet the one half part of the ,oil will not ascend1 and therefore distilled ,oils are commonly very dear1 especially if made out of dear things4 ,whereas if the ,oils were distilled by this method of mine1 they would have much more ,oil1 whereby the poor might also buy them4 ,i will instance in one similitude whereby it shall appear1 what great profit may be made by distilling of ,oils according to my method1 and what a vast difference there is betwixt my method here described1 and the common usual way4 ,suppose therefore that ,i seek after an excellent ,medicine for the ,stone1 and that ,i do certainly know that it lies in the ,ash1 7as ,i have clearly enough discovered in the first and second part of this ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 certainly knowing1 that the ,oil distilled out of its ,seed doth 7by manifold experience7 far exceed all other ,medicaments against the ,stone47 ,this ,ash indeed yields a prety quantity of ,seed1 but much of that ,seed yields but very little ,oil1 because 'tis resinous1 and doth not distill over with the water1 and upon that account is prepared but by a few1 and such poor ,men as are sick1 can't partake of it because of its dearness1 and this is much to be bewailed1 that the ,omnipotent ,god should set before our ,eyes this ,medicine in such plenty and yet no body enjoy it4 ,besides this is to be observed1 that if some diligent ,physician should distill such an ,oil1 and yet not know how to correct it according to my method1 he may sometimes do more hurt than good1 because that ,oil brings over with it a certain volatile ,salt1 which 7infects or works on7 the ,copper ,vessel it is distilled in1 and the ,copper refrigeratory which it passeth through1 and is usually thereby rendred yellowish1 or green1 and hath been by many discreet ,men made use of without any regard thereunto1 and 7by reason of the ,copper7 hath put a nauseate and debility of ,stomach upon the ,sick1 and hath been more hurtfull than beneficial4 ,but now if they had rectified it with ,spirit of ,salt once1 or at least well shook it in a ,glass with the said ,salt ,spirit1 that so the ,copper might have been extracted by the ,spirit of ,salt1 and so have administred it1 they had done well1 and would have gotten a most excellent ,medicine1 though ,i confess somewhat dear1 7proceeding this way7 because that a ,sackfull of the ,seed1 and as much as a ,porter can carry at once1 will scarce give two ounces of ,oil1 and this is too dear for the ,poor ,man's ,purse4 ,for the sake therefore of all sick ,people as well ,poor as ,rich1 ,i will discover my way that ,i use in getting the ,oils1 ,spirits1 and ,volatile ,salts out of all the ,vegetables1 and that in good quantity1 and with very small ,costs1 that so all ,men may partake of the gifts of ,god1 and may all have occasion of giving thanks to the ,creator of all good things4 ,take therefore in ,gods name whatsoever ,vegetable you list1 and fill a great ,glass ,retort therewithall1 and by degrees distill over all that will come4 ,separate the ,oil from the ,spirit1 and the ,spirit by rectification from the ,volatile ,salt2 rectifie also this ,volatile ,salt1 and the ,spirit upon its own ,caput ,mort4 or upon some other ,salt of ,ashes being first fired and calcined1 and so they will become pure and lose that fetid stinch that they got in the ,distillation3 ,if one rectification is not enough1 add a second or a third1 always provided that it be done on the fixed ,salt of that ,herb out of which you drew the ,spirit4 ,now though the ,oil be also depurated by a rectification upon the ,caput ,mort4 yet that depuration and rectification is not comparable to this of mine which ,i mention here1 and therefore well do we prefer this way1 and 'tis thus4 ,take your black distilled ,oil1 put it in a ,glass ,retort with six or seven times as much rectified ,spirit of ,salt1 and give first a gentle ,fire1 then a greater as the thing requires1 so the ,oil will pass over pure with the ,spirit of ,salt1 and the stinch together with the blackness1 will stay behind with a part of the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,if now you will have that ,oil yet purer1 then rectifie it again with new ,spirit of ,salt untill both the ,odour and ,colour thereof please you4 ,as for the ,oil that stayed behind and did not ascend1 separate it from the ,spirit of ,salt1 and 'twill be somewhat thickish like to a black ,balsam1 and hath great virtue both inwardly and outwardly1 but its inward use we need not1 for we have enough of the pure ,oil for that purpose4 ,but that ,i may be yet farther serviceable to my ,neighbour1 and that he may understand me more thereby1 ,i will make use of this similitude or example4 ,put case1 that ,i have some four1 five1 or six pounds of the ,seed of the ,ash1 which falls from the ,trees in the ,month of ,september or ,october1 ,i do fill a ,retort with the ,same and by it distill the said ,seeds1 and ,i usually have about one or two1 sometimes three1 four1 five1 or six drams of black ,oil1 some ounces of ,volatile ,salt1 and some pounds of ,acid ,spirit3 ,now forasmuch as ,i seek for the ,oil onely1 ,i separate this from the ,spirit1 and rectifie it with ,spirit of ,salt untill it becomes pure1 and this ,i keep for my use2 and ,i make of the ,spirit either a certain ,essence1 as ,i have taught in the first part of my ,pharmacopa1 or sugered ,tablets1 7or ,lozenges7 or what ,i please3 ,and by this way do ,i get more ,oil out of five or six pound of the ,seed of the ,trees1 than otherwise by the ,vesica or common hot ,still1 out of #ajj pound1 and that which remaineth after rectifying is profitable for external uses1 if it be prepared as follows1 viz4 ,separate this thick ,oil from the ,spirit of ,salt and mix it with ,wax1 that so it may be made somewhat thicker1 so as to be spread like an ,emplaister1 the which put upon the ,reins1 and use the distilled ,oil inwardly1 and thus this ,emplaister will perform as much outwardly as the distilled ,oil operates inwardly1 and so the ,patient is thereby doubly repaired and helped4 ,and if you desire yet a third way of healing1 then rectifie the acid ,spirit well1 and dissolve the ,volatile ,salt by subliming it with the ,spirit1 and use this ,spirit every day 7besides the inward use of the distilled ,oil7 on this wise3 ,heat it a little1 and dip in it some ,linnen ,cloaths and therewith wash or bath the ,back and ,reins putting on the ,emplaister afterwards1 and hereby the ,sick ,person will in a short time 7unless ,god doth in a singular manner put a stop thereto7 certainly recover4 ,note well1 after this manner may you distill all other ,vegetables into ,oils1 ,spirits1 and ,emplaisters1 and make use of them in this ,disease1 such as are ,saxifrage1 ,parsly1 ,cumin1 ,carraways1 and such like other ,herbs and ,roots3 ,neither is it always necessary to have the ,ash ,seed1 unless you please3 ,for that this ,tree is not to be had in all places1 and it yields also at some ,seasons but little ,seed8 ,n4 ,b4 ,here some may demand and say1 you have taught us the manner of preparing ,oils1 ,spirits1 and ,balsams out of the ,seeds1 but now if such a ,medicine could be made out of the ,herbs it would be something1 for whence shall so much ,seed be had8 ,i ,answer4 ,if thou hast not so much ,seed1 thou may'st make the ,medicine out of the whole ,plant1 as the ,root1 ,stalk1 ,flowers1 and ,leaves3 ,and the reason why ,i mentioned onely ,seed1 was this1 because the chief virtue of all the ,vegetables1 is occultly placed and concentrated in the ,seed1 else the whole ,plant may 7as aforesaid7 be made use of1 which although it yield not so much ,oil as the ,seed does1 yet may we even this way receive a good quantity3 ,and if we should neither take ,seed1 ,herb1 ,leaves1 or ,stalks1 yet would the ,root alone afford much ,oil2 but in ,trees1 as in ,ash1 ,linden1 ,nut1 ,cherry1 ,peach1 and the like1 the very bare ,wood it self will abundantly supply1 if distilled per descensum1 or by a ,fire of suppression 7of which afore17 so that a little ,ash if rightly handled may afford you some pounds4 ,nor are you to suppose that this way of plentifully preparing the ,oils of ,vegetables and clarifying them by ,spirit of ,salt1 serves onely for such ,vegetables as are good against the ,stone1 because ,i have onely instanced them as examples2 ,no1 but even all ,vegetables1 serving for every ,disease1 may be by this aforeshown way reduced into most sweet ,medicaments4 ,nay not onely ,vegetables may1 but also ,animals and ,minerals too1 but with some difference and distinction1 which we shall mention in what follows4 ,there remains yet one thing more to be mentioned about the ,oils of ,vegetables1 and the ,distillation of them1 and 'tis this4 ,some or other may reply and say1 that haply such ,oils as are prepared first by a ,retort and per descensum1 and then rectified and clarified by ,spirit of ,salt1 are not equivalent in their virtues to those which are distilled in a ,copper by the help of ,water4 ,for prevention of this ,qury1 and the removal of such needless cares1 we do in the first place demand1 in what the virtues of the ,animals and ,vegetables do consist1 whether or no in their connate and occult property1 or in the ,odour1 ,savour1 and ,tast4 ,for answer1 the greatest virtue of most ,herbs1 and living ,creatures doth for the most and greatest part consist in their ,co-nate or ,co-born nature and property1 and not in the ,odour or ,savour1 as is sufficiently evident in some ,plants1 which have scarce any ,odour or ,savour1 and yet are found notably efficacious in ,medicine1 and some there are both of a ,sweet ,odour and ,savour1 which have no ,medicinal use1 and some that have an ungratefull ,odour and ,savour1 and yet have no mean ,medicinal ,virtues4 ,and many there be of things which both smell and tast sweet1 and are also profitable in medicine1 because ,god hath created them so or to that intent4 ,i must needs confess that sometimes an ,odour or ,savour of such an ,herb as hath but little virtue is notably refreshing and comfortable to the ,vital ,spirit1 nay more1 the very seeing of a fair and comely thing is capable of comforting the ,heart1 and an ugly thing of debilitating it2 a notable example hereof we have in a friendly man1 and in ,gold1 as being things which by the very beholding of them do refresh the ,heart1 whereas contrariwise1 an angry man1 and a venemous ,creature do terrifie it1 7viz4 the ,heart7 and as 'twere make it ,sick1 yea and sometimes kill outright4 ,besides1 not onely the seeing of such and such objects do profit or hurt1 but even the very voice of a man1 or of a living ,creature do hurt1 weaken1 and kill1 if proceeding from a malignity4 ,farther1 the bare imagination can effect good or evil1 heal or hurt2 but this belongs not to this place1 but such things are treated of in my short ,treatise of things natural and supernatural4 ,that which ,i have here spoken is to this end1 that the unskilfull might know1 that the virtues of ,vegetables do consist more in their ,co-born ,nature than in the ,savour or ,odour1 and that this ,distillation by a ,retort1 and rectification by ,spirit of ,salt1 can neither add to or diminish from their virtues1 because their virtue remains always unhurt1 in what manner soever the ,distillation be made1 provided that that which is distilled be diligently depurated1 and all the ungratefulness removed therefrom which it got in the operation1 that is to say1 when ,oils are adust 7or ,savour of burning7 by their being distilled in a ,retort1 then that accident may be taken away from them by rectification with ,spirit of ,salt1 and this now ,i add for the sake of the ,ignorant4 ,moreover as it is with ,vegetables1 so likewise must you order your distillation of the ,oil1 ,salt1 and ,spirit of ,animals3 ,neither need you to proceed farther or otherwise4 ,as for the ,vertues of both ,animals and ,vegetables1 the ,physician ought to know them by their ,signature1 and not by the books of ,writers1 because the ,signature doth shew us the ,vertues of all things much clearer and righter than many ,writers1 who write many things meerly from hear say1 whenas themselves do in truth know very little or nothing at all4 ,and thus for this time ,i omit to say any more1 for that the present occasion will not admit of a more prolix discourse hereabouts4 ,what ,i have done is for the ,sick that are poor1 that they might know my method of purifying the ,spirits of the ,acid ,salts from ,vegetables or ,animals1 by ,spirit of ,salt1 and of bringing them into wholsome ,medicaments3 ,and this cannot be accomplished so plentifully without this ,medium2 and now this way being shown1 the ,poor may also enjoy the benefit of them1 and be able to pay the ,apothecary1 whenas before even the ,rich could hardly have any of the good 7in them74 ,note well1 you are yet farther to observe1 that indeed the ,animals are first to be distilled by a ,retort 7as we spake before concerning the ,vegetables7 that so their ,oil1 ,spirit1 and ,volatile ,salt1 may pass over together2 and their ,spirit and ,volatile ,salt may be rectified and purified the aforesaid way4 ,but the ,oil will not come over by a bare ,spirit of ,common ,salt1 or of ,niter1 but that ,spirit must be first concentrated with ,calaminaris1 and then it brings over the ,oils of ,animals1 else not4 ,but as touching the ,concentration of the ,acid ,spirit for this rectification1 we shall speak of it anon1 and will therefore first set down 7for better instructions sake7 one certain process of distillation and rectification1 lest any might err1 and that all might rightly apprehend my meaning2 and 'tis this3 ,take some pounds of ,turpentine1 distill thence an ,oil1 and the ,fces of the ,turpentine will stay behind4 ,this ,oil though it be rendred by ,distillation purer than 'twas before1 yet it hath put on another nature by means of the ,fire1 viz4 an hotter nature1 and therefore serveth not for every effect which the ,turpentine before served for1 because the ,turpentine is not very thick nor very thin1 nor too hot or too cold1 nor too subtile or too thick or gross1 but is of a temperate essence and property1 which now by ,distillation it possesseth no longer1 but1 because of its heat and subtilty1 it is unusefull4 ,well1 what of all this8 ,why some or other might have objected to me that indeed things are by distillation rendred more pure and subtile1 but doe thereby get an hotter nature and vertue1 and therefore that way of purifying doth not doe well in all subjects4 ,well1 to prevent this objection1 and that the distilled ,oils may after their purification be restored to the same degree of thickness1 rarity or thinness1 colour or frigidity1 that they had before1 and yet retain the purity they got by distilling3 the method is easie1 and is thus done4 ,suppose that ,turpentine be 7as it is ,turpentine7 hot and subtile in the first degree1 but being distilled it arrives to the third degree1 and being rectified to the fourth4 ,i must now needs confess that that subtile ,oil is to be used onely in cold affects1 and in no others1 whereas it might before have been employed about other accidents4 ,to this ,i say1 and yield1 that if it be proceeded with after the common and known way1 'tis so3 ,but my way is far otherwise to be reckoned of3 ,for though hereby the things distilled doe1 together with a purity1 get a subtile heat1 and doe in some operations become too thin and hot1 yet in rectifying by the ,acid ,spirit1 such qualities are broken1 divided and dissipated1 so that it is in part rendered of a like thickness and tenacity as it was at first1 and a part of it remains subtile4 ,so that you may have out of one subject1 both thin1 hot1 thick and temperate parts together1 but both of those parts pure1 as shall be evinced by this ,example4 ,the ,spirit of ,salt1 or of ,niter is indeed inwardly a mere ,fire1 but externally a mere ,cold1 by which all thin things do stiffen and wax hard4 ,therefore as the distillation doth induce heat1 expels and extenuates1 so the rectification doth by the acid ,spirit compel or drive the same inward1 thickneth it1 and reduceth it into an equal temperature3 ,for the ,oil in the first distillation is plainly hotter and subtiller both within and without1 than 'twas before1 but by rectifying it with the acid ,spirit1 the most subtil part comes over first1 then the middle part1 and the thickest resides in the bottom1 which is of an equal degree of heat and thickness as the ,turpentine is1 and is as usefull both inwardly and outwardly as the ,turpentine it self is4 ,and ,i have over and above that middle ,oil1 and that most subtil ,spirit burning and penetrative1 the which ,i can make use of for those effects1 which require such subtilty1 or if ,i lift1 thicken it with what ,i left remaining of it self behind1 which is thick1 but yet purified1 or else thicken it with some other convenient thing4 ,and thus may ,i reduce one ,subject into as many ,degrees as ,i please1 whereas the ,turpentine had before but onely one ,degree3 ,from hence may the friendly ,reader see what ,basis this my distillation and rectification by an acid ,spirit hath3 ,whereby not onely a great deal1 yea #c1 #d1 or #e times more ,oil comes over than by the common hot ,still2 but also the ,volatile ,salts and the ,spirits1 and sharp ,vinegars may be hereby gotten out of ,vegetables and ,animals1 and besides a pretty quantity of thick ,oil to be externally used1 and which otherwise in distillation by water in a ,vesica or hot ,still1 would remain wholly behind4 ,the benefit therefore of this distillation and rectification1 doth not onely consist in the getting a far greater quantity of the pure ,oil1 but also in getting the ,volatile ,salt1 7which as to its use is equivalent in vertue to the ,oil7 and withal1 an acid ,spirit which abundantly sufficeth both inwardly and outwardly according to its ,office4 ,i do therefore earnestly demand of all skilfull ,spagyrists 7for 'tis in vain to appeal to such as are yet ignorant what the ,art of ,fire is7 whether or no this distillation is not to be preferred before the others1 and to be made use of for the benefit of mankind4 ,i hope that the well minded ,reader will follow this rule1 and will apprehend from this one process onely1 so much as to be afterwards easily able to reduce every distilled ,oil into its former hardness1 by the help of an acid ,spirit4 ,let us consider ,amber onely1 'tis indeed a fine transparent kind of stone1 which was before 7or at first7 soft and fluid as ,turpentine was1 an ,oil or a kind of thin ,bitumen1 but now so hardened by the salt ,water that it may be beaten to a ,powder1 yet may it be distilled and so separated and cleansed from its earthly ,nature3 ,and the pure ,oil may be reduced into its former hardness1 by the help of ,spirit of ,salt onely3 ,for it became at first hardened by ,salt1 when it flowed thin out of the ,rock3 ,but of this enough1 we shall say more of it in another place4 ,now follows the ,process of purifying ,minerals by distillation or sublimation1 and of depurating them even to the utmost1 by rectifying them by an ,acid ,spirit4 ,to exemplifie which1 ,i will instance in ,common ,sulphur1 according to which rule the other purification of ,minerals may be instituted4 ,take common ,brimstone1 sublime it the usual way into ,flowers1 or by it self in a ,coated glass retort1 or let it be mixt with decrepitated ,salt1 for so will it be freed from its most crude terrestreity1 and be rendered fit for a farther ,mundification by an ,acid ,spirit4 ,take one pound of these ,flowers of ,sulphur1 and put it into a strong ,glass ,body coated1 then pour in one or two pounds of the ,spirit of ,niter1 or of common ,salt1 and place it in an ,earthen-vessel in ,sand3 ,put there under a ,fire1 encreasing it gradually untill the ,spirit of ,salt boils in the ,retort1 and the ,sulphur melts1 and there will swim somewhat like ,oil on the top of the ,water3 ,n4 ,b4 ,an ,alembick is to be put on the ,body1 lest the ,spirit of ,salt ascending up1 goes away in fume2 but in the ,alembick it will be refrigerated1 condensed1 and may be saved4 ,this boiling is finished in some five or six hours1 and so the ,sulphur is mundified1 and becomes as clear and transparent as ,glass4 ,for the ,spirit of ,salt attracteth the ,metalline ,parts1 which are in the ,sulphur1 whether it be ,copper1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,vitriol1 or such-like impurities which are commonly adherent1 and stickers on to the ,sulphur1 and would otherwise have remained in it1 and done more hurt in ,medicine3 ,and this ,paracelsus knew1 and adviseth to beware of2 ,for certain it is there lye hidden in ,sulphur incredible ,vertues1 and such as its common ,flowers do not shew or discover1 as being yet infected with ,mineral venenate ,spirits1 which may be taken thencefrom by the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,and if then either the ,flowers be sublimed out of it1 or that it be dissolved in a ,balneum with ,spirit of ,juniper1 or of ,turpentine1 or be by any other way reduced into a ,liquid form1 it doth much good in ,medicine1 nor is there any more fear of its venomous nature1 for the ,spirit of ,salt hath took that away4 ,i could indeed here mention some preparations of ,common ,sulphur1 into efficacious ,medicaments1 but that ,i have intended to proceed no farther with it here1 than onely as touching its purification by the ,spirit of ,salt3 the rest we will leave to another time4 ,as ,sulphur may be proceeded with1 so likewise may you deal with the other ,minerals1 and first mundifie them by a ,retort1 and distill them into black ,oils1 then may the ,oils be clarified with ,spirit of ,salt1 and be reduced into sweet ,oils and ,balsams4 ,nor will any man easily believe what notable ,vertues there are hidden in the mountainous and terrestrial ,minerals1 and yet not usefull at all inwardly1 because of their ,arsenical nature1 which may with ease be taken away from them by ,spirit of ,salt1 and be thereby more securely used as to ,medicine4 ,and had ,i not purposely tried it1 ,i would not at all have written of it4 ,for information therefore of the unexperienced1 ,i will tell you a story1 whereby it will appear1 that those ,minerals do usually lodge in them evil and venomous ,arsenical ,spirits4 ,in the ,county or ,province of ,erbach1 scituate between the ,mne and ,neker in ,franconia1 is found plenty of a ,sand knit as it were together by a fluid ,mineral1 and grown together into huge heaps like little ,mountains of a duskish colour2 which if you lay on burning ,coals1 emits a sweet odour altogether like ,amber4 ,when ,i saw it1 ,i put some into a ,retort1 and distilled an ,oil thencefrom1 wholly like the ,oil of ,amber both in colour and smell1 and had used it in its stead1 had ,i not shortly after tried another knack3 ,for ordering the ,chambers to be fumed with the ,sand1 because it yielded such a fragrant odour1 ,i very seasonably observed that that fume was unwholsome and venomous1 for it caused pains of the ,head1 and a kind of nauseate1 'twas also offensive to the ,stomach1 and this made me leave off my ,fumigations1 and set about rectifying the ,oil thence distilled1 by the ,spirit of ,salt1 and by this means ,i got a clear and pure ,oil1 and the ,spirit of ,salt attracted to it self the ,arsenical ,essence1 which being purged and rectified1 yielded me at the bottom real ,arsenick1 whence ,i perceived that all those ,minerals are very ,arsenical1 and no ways fit for internal use1 unless they be first mundified by the ,spirit of ,salt4 ,many such kinds of ,minerals are to be found1 which we neither care for1 nor know3 some of which are as hard as a ,stone1 some thin1 some fluid like ,oil2 such an one is that ,fountain about ,baccharach that boils up in the middle of the ,rhine1 and fills the whole ,rhine for about three miles space and an half with its fatness1 and yields a most fragrant odour1 is of a duskish colour4 ,for as ,i was ferrying by it1 ,i took up some of the water in my hand1 and questionless the ,fountain of it must needs flow very plentifully1 forasmuch as the whole ,river ,rhine is filled therewith as far as you can see1 and yet scarce one ,man amongst a hundred or a thousand doe in their sailing by it take notice thereof4 ,doubtless this ,fountain hath its efflux and rise out of the ,mountains which border on each side the ,river4 ,did it break out at the top of the ,earth1 it would be worth ,gold and ,cedar1 but lying so deep1 'tis of no use4 ,were curious ,men inhabitants there1 they would doubtless find out this ,fountain2 ,for on this part of the ,rhine1 where the ,city ,baccharach lies1 is a high ,mountain1 where grows pretious ,wine1 and is in ,foreign parts sold at a dear rate1 because of its most sweet savour and odour1 and by the ,inhabitants is called ,muscadel1 and 'tis a sort of ,wine produced onely in this ,mountain2 nor can the neighbouring adjacent places make the like4 ,hence ,i presume that this ,fountain at ,baccharach ariseth from a ,mineral ,oil1 flowing out from this ,mountain into the ,rhine1 and that hence also ariseth the goodness of the ,wine4 ,and whereas this ,mountain affords not such a quantity of ,wine as the ,inhabitants wish1 they bethought themselves of a remedy for this scarcity1 casting in ,herb-scarlet into the common ,wine1 from which it got the same kind of taste1 and became almost ,muscadel4 ,nor let it seem strange to any one for the ,wine to attract a savour from the ,earth lying about it1 for 'tis very certain1 and ,i my self have tried it2 ,and since it is so that this matter affords me opportunity of speaking of these things1 ,i will give you my opinion more clearly in what follows4 ,below ,frankford1 some four miles from the ,river ,mne1 there lies a ,village called ,hohenheime under the ,moguntia ,elector1 and there's a ,mountain which yields very good ,wine1 though not of so delicate a savour as that of ,baccharach1 yet 'tis of a sweet smell1 whereby it exceeds all the ,rhenish ,wine1 and is therefore dear2 ,the cause of this1 ,i attribute to the ,soil1 in which the ,vines grow1 which ,soil brings forth ,stone ,coals1 and were heretofore digged hence1 and are now again sought after1 which ,coals have in them a sweet ,mineral ,oil1 as ,i shall shew you4 ,farther1 there lies a high ,mountain at the ,river ,mne about the ,castle ,klingenberg1 scituate between ,odenwall and ,spessart1 where that ,earth is found too1 such as ,i above mentioned1 which yields a sweet ,oil in distillation4 ,and this ,mountain doth likewise produce sweet and good ,wine1 so that it yields not a whit 7in its kind7 to that of ,baccharach or ,hohenheime4 ,but now whether or no the ,mineral ,oil that is not far off to be here found1 be wholly the cause1 ,i doe not affirm1 but ,i believe it1 for my part1 so to be1 let another follow his own opinion4 ,there is also a great ,mountain at ,herbipolis1 at the ,steine so called1 that yields pretious ,wine1 but not of a savour like these three4 ,hence arose that ,proverb3 ,at ,baccharach on the ,rheine1 ,herbipolis on the ,steine1 ,klingenberg on the ,mne1 and ,hochheime on the ,rehn1 are the four best ,wines4 ,i confess there grows good ,wine every-where on the ,river ,mne1 but yet these four do far exceed all the others1 and that haply because of that sweet savour which they attract out of the ,earth where they grow4 ,for it is certain that the ,vine doth draw an odour and savour 7more than all other ,plants do7 out of the ,earth1 whence it hath its nutriment3 ,so that it is not very difficult for a good ,physician to communicate to the ,vine any savour that he listeth 7which will be7 according to the nutriment which is put to the ,root4 ,i make no doubt but that there will be some ,zoilists that will make a mock of these ,reasons of mine1 as concerning the ground and rise of the taste of the ,wine at ,baccharach1 ,herbipolis1 ,klingenberg and ,hochheime1 and will not attribute the cause to the ,soil1 but say that my ,reasons are invalid shallow ones1 the which derision ,i shall patiently undergo3 such kind of ,men will rather drink the good ,wine even to excess1 than produce any reasons whence the savour proceeds4 ,but ,i speak experimentally1 and say that the ,vines do attract a savour from the ,soil whence they are planted1 the which ,i have many a time tried and found so to be4 ,verily the ,gardiners know1 that ,man's dung will give a nutriment or encrease to ,flowers1 but yet will put an odd smell upon them2 ,and therefore do they carefully shun the putting it to the ,roots of sweet-smelling ,flowers1 but use it rather to such as are void of odour1 as ,tulips and such-like1 that so they may grow the sooner4 ',tis also evidently observed1 that if the ,root of the ,vine be planted in such a place where ,man's dung lieth1 it acquires an unpleasant odour1 and the ,grapes are thereby rendered unfit to be eaten4 ,besides1 the most curious ,vine-dressers have long ago attained to this experience1 that if the ,scarlea or any other odoriferous ,herb be applied to the ,root of the ,vine1 it will bestow its ,odour on the ,grapes1 7but it serves for no more years than that onely7 whereas if they pour upon the ,root an ,oil of a sweet and strong ,odour1 that ,vine will produce ,muscadel for ten years and more1 the which ,i have handled at large in the ,vegetable work1 and do mention it herein briefly upon this account2 ,because that a ,mineral ,oil lies hid in the ,earth in abundance1 the which being incorporated in ,plants1 but in ,vines especially1 produceth excellent ,fruits1 whereof but a few ,men have the knowledge4 ,but now that ,i may yet demonstrate this more clearly to the unskilfull1 and consequently incredulous1 viz4 that there is a most great sweetness in the ,minerals1 which may here be extracted by distillation and rectification with ,spirit of ,salt1 ,i will instance this example3 ',tis well known to all ,men that the ,stone ,coals which are in many places digged out of the ,earth1 doe 7being burnt7 emit an ungratefull ,odour1 and are hence usually esteemed of as venomous2 but in those places where they are plentifully digged1 they are daily used in coction1 nor doth any hurt arise therefrom3 ,so that it must needs be acknowledged1 that they do not stink of themselves1 but that the ,fire onely is the cause of the stink1 and that their innate fatness is of a savoury and sweet-smelling nature1 yea so sweet as any ,vegetable1 as ,i can easily evidence4 ,you have an ,example in ,roses1 or any other ,vegetable1 which if distilled by a ,retort1 loseth its sweet odour1 and puts on a smell of burning too3 ,what hinders from being so in ,minerals1 as in ,pit-,coals1 and the like8 ,i grant indeed1 that if enough ,oil would come over out of the ,vegetables by an hot ,still1 there would be no need of this distilling by a ,retort1 and rectifying by ,spirit of ,salt1 because it requires a great deal of labour2 but forasmuch as there doth not distill enough over1 'twill behove us to acquiesce in this method4 ,nor fear ,i to affirm1 that if it were possible to distill an ,oil out of such ,coals by a hot ,still1 it would give place to no ,aromatical ,oil whatsoever in the sweetness of the smell4 ,from whence1 ,i pray1 should so many kinds of ,herbs draw such various ,odours and ,savours1 were there not lying hid in the ,earth an ,universal ,sulphur or ,balsam8 ,but to put an end to this discourse1 and that ,i may shew that the ,pit-,coals do contain in them an ,oil or pretious and wholsome ,balsam1 no whit inferiour as to its ,vertues to any of the most pretious ,oils or ,balsams brought us out of the ,indies observe but this process4 ,fill a ,retort with ,coals1 and distill a black ,oil1 the which separate from the ,acid-water that came over the ,helm with it1 and rectifie it by ,spirit of ,salt1 and so there will first of all come the clear and pure ,oil1 then a yellow ,oil1 not so sweet as the former1 and the thick and black ,oil remains behind1 and serves for to be mixt with ,emplaisters2 for 'tis a wonderfull healer1 by reason of its innate siccity2 now the yellow ,oil may be yet farther rectified once more by ,spirit of ,salt1 that it may become pure1 white1 and fair3 ,but if you are yet farther minded to make a difference betwixt these pure ,oils1 and will again rectifie them with new ,spirit1 then shall you take the most pure part by it self1 which as to heat1 subtilty1 and sweetness1 is fully equal to the true ,oil of ,peter2 and which being kept apart1 and used for cold accidents1 both inwardly and outwardly1 will do the same1 yea and much more than is attributed to the ,oil of ,peter4 ,nor is there any fear at all of these ,oils being ,arsenical1 for the ,spirit of ,salt hath took off all the ,arsenick in the rectification1 and if you please you may use the ,oil which comes next after the most subtile ,oil in mixing it with ,balsams1 or it may be safely used by it self1 either inwardly or outwardly1 and 'twill perform wonderfull things1 and such as exceed belief1 forasmuch as in ,pit-,coals lieth a most great ,balsamick vertue2 ,if the depurated ,sulphur which we spake of afore be dissolved with this ,oil1 and reduced into a ,balsam1 thou shalt have a ,medicament1 which may deservedly be styled an ,universal terrestrial ,mineral ,balsam1 and doth both as to inward and outward uses far exceed all other ,balsams3 ,and therefore 'tis in my mind to prepare this ,balsam in great quantity1 for the benefit of ,mankind3 ,the most notable ,vertues thereof should ,i describe1 the very description would amount to a particular ,treatise1 but that belongs not to this place1 but it sufficeth me to have at this time explained the manner of the preparation4 ,i may haply 7if ,god please7 more largely teach concerning its ,vertues1 another time1 as likewise the ,vertues of the rest of my ,medicines4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and thus will ,i put an end to the ,third ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 in which ,i have 7in my opinion7 mentioned sufficient enough2 and although it be but a small ,book to sight1 yet do great things lie hidden under it1 which one amongst a thousand will scarce comprehend4 ,but that the well-minded ,reader may understand1 what reality there is lies hidden in this ,treatise1 ,i will here teach by way of an ,appendix one ,process onely1 whereby it shall evidently appear how noble the ,art of ,purging things by distillation is4 ,this operation is well enough known in the ,vegetables and ,animals1 viz4 that always from the thing you distill1 the purer part comes over first1 then the more vile part1 but the unprofitable earthiness abides in the bottom with the fixed ,salt4 ,now in ,metals this ,process is not so well known1 nor will it be so soon made publick and common1 nor indeed is it expedient1 for this world is not worthy the knowledge thereof4 ,but that ,i may satisfie my promise1 and shew1 that ,metals may by distillation be made ,spirits1 and purged in the highest degree4 ,i will make use of this following ,example3 ',tis known to every one1 that if any dry thing is to be distilled by the fire1 some moisture must be mingled therewithall1 which may attract to it self the gross and heavy part1 as you may see in the common distillation of ,herbs1 to which ,herbs 7when dry7 ,water is added1 with which their savour and vertue distilleth over3 ,and to every dry thing there is requisite its proper humidity1 which must of necessity have a ,communion or ,affinity with the dry1 if it be to bring over the dry with it self4 ,now common ,water is able to carry over 7in distilling7 the odour and savour of ,herbs1 yea and of ,salts1 but not of hard ,sulphureous or ,mercurial ,minerals1 much less of the fixed ,metals4 ,but forasmuch as ,metals are ,homogeneal1 and cannot be purged by any force of ,fire1 nor separated from the impure part1 unless they be dissolved by agreeable and convenient ,menstruums1 and be rendered apt by distillation1 for always that which is brought into ,flores doth 7if reduced7 yield such a ,metallick body as it at first came from4 ,thence arose an opinion of an impossibility of separating the pure part from the impure4 ,indeed to the blockish and unskilfull all things seem impossible1 and therefore from them is not to be lookt for any judging of good secrets4 ,but to return to my purpose1 and shew that a ,golden ,essence may be distilled and separated out of the crude ,metals by ,distillations1 ,i will make use of a common ,example4 ,dissolve in a ,common ,aq4 ,fortis1 made the usual way of ,niter and ,vitriol1 one ,ounce of pure ,silver2 which being wholly dissolved and reduced into pure ,water1 pour out the ,solution gently into another ,glass1 that so if haply any ,gold were mixt with your ,silver it might stay behind1 and not be dissolved1 or mixed together1 lest the ,experiment prove fallacious4 ,then some common ,salt is to be dissolved in common ,water1 the ,salt to be in weight equal to your ,silver2 and this ,water is to be added to the dissolved ,silver1 and to be so long poured out of one ,glass into another untill it be well mixt1 then let it settle1 and let the pure ,water be poured off1 and a white ,powder of the ,silver will remain1 which is again to be macerated with pure ,water several times1 untill the ,calx of the ,silver be freed from all ,saltness and ,corrosivity2 ,then dry it1 and you shall have a white and tender ,powder1 and very fusile1 so that it will melt even with the flame of a ,candle1 and is not unlike to a ,mercury1 but may well be called the ,mercury of ,lune1 but the ,chymists usually call it the horned ,moon1 for being molten it resembles the shape of an ,horn1 and with this may be wonderfull things effected both in ,medicine and ,alchymy2 but belongs not to this place to speak of1 and therefore are to be but just hinted4 ,and like as we have spoken of ,lune1 so likewise must we proceed with ,saturn2 and he will also yield you a white ,volatile and fusile ,powder1 as easily melting1 yea easier than the ,mercury of ,silver1 and is deservedly called the ,mercury of ,saturn4 ,these two are willingly associated to a third1 viz4 to ,common ,mercury1 and do fix him1 and so is that ,axiome of the ,philosophers fulfilled1 ,nature rejoyceth with ,nature1 ,nature overcomes ,nature1 ,nature retains ,nature4 ,farther1 these ,mercuries do admit of distillation and a separation of the pure part from the impure1 no otherwise than as doth a ,vegetable4 ,but the way of doing this is not to be so hastily written1 ,i spent a whole year in searching after it1 till ,i found it1 and so let another seek2 and if ,god grants it him1 he may enjoy it2 ,and if ,god vouchsafeth him so much1 he will also give him the knowledge how to use it3 ,if the ,mercury1 which in it self is white1 volatile and fusile1 is rendered more white by distillation2 'tis also a necessary consequence that it will become likewise more volatile1 more fusile1 and more pure3 but of this enough4 ,but to come yet nearer to the matter1 and to shew that ,metals may be so separated by distillation as to become golden1 take this ,example3 ,take two ,ounces of the aforesaid horny ,lune1 and reduce it into ,corporeal or pliable ,silver1 and separate it by a ,cupel1 for then thou art assured that no other thing is in it but ,silver3 ,dissolve this ,cupellated ,silver again in common ,aq4 ,fortis1 and it will leave a good part of ,golden ,calx4 ,now it may be demanded1 whence comes this ,golden ,calx8 ,comes it from the ,silver1 or the ,aq4 ,fortis1 or from the ,salt-water1 all which three were in use in the precipitation8 ,i answer1 that the ,spirit of ,niter brought over with it self1 in the distillation1 a certain ,goldenishness from the ,iron and ,copper which were in the ,vitriol1 and that in the form of a ,spirit1 and assumed its ,body from the ,lune4 ,now if any other ,body concludes it to be otherwise1 viz4 that the aforesaid ,gold comes from the ,lune onely1 and not from the ,aq4 ,fortis1 ,i do but ask him this ,query1 ,why the very same sort of ,silver1 being dissolved and precipitated out of the ,aq4 ,fortis with ,salt of ,tartar1 or by ,copper ,plates1 be not equally as golden as this is which is precipitated with ,salt-water8 ,but some may yet urge farther1 that this ,gold proceeds onely from the ,salt with which the ,silver is precipitated1 and not from the ,aq4 ,fortis or ,silver1 because the ,silver being dissolved in ,aq4 ,fortis1 and precipated with ,brass ,plates1 or the ,liquor of ,salt of ,tartar1 yields no ,gold2 but that onely gives ,gold which is precipitated with ,salt-water4 ,to answer this ,objection1 and clearly to demonstrate that this ,gold owes its ,original to them both1 viz4 the ,tincture to the ,aq4 ,fortis1 but the ,body to the ,silver1 and not to the common ,salt1 7for though there lies hidden in all common ,salt a certain ,golden power1 which may be thence drawn by ,art1 yet that is not to be done this kind of way1 but by another1 which we mention in our ,book called the ,consolation of ,sailours7 ,i do certainly know1 that this ,gold proceeding from the precipitated ,silver1 doth arise from the ,vitriol and ,silver onely1 and not from the ,salt3 ,and this may be clearly observed thus2 ,if you add to the ,vitriol and ,niter a ,verdigrease prepared with ,sulphur and ,salt1 the ,aq4 ,fortis will be twice more ,golden than if 'twere made of onely ,vitriol2 the reason is this1 because the ,iron and the ,copper are fixed in the ,vitriol1 and do not easily yield ,gold2 but if the ,copper be first reduced with ,salt and ,sulphur into a ,volatile ,calx1 and be added to the ,vitriol and ,niter1 then is this kind of ,labour done to profit1 else not3 ,this which ,i write is onely to demonstrate the possibility4 ,and should you add to the ,vitriol and ,niter1 or to ,allum and ,niter1 other ,species containing ,volatile ,gold1 as ,calaminaris1 ,zinck1 and such like1 the ,water will be rendered so much the more ,golden3 ,but if you add to the ,niter and ,vitriol such ,species as contain in them ,volatile ,silver1 such as are ,cobolt1 ,bismuth1 ,arsenick then the ,aq4 ,fortis is rendered more ,silvery1 and makes part of the ,copper in the ,solution purely ,silvery1 like as the ,goldenish water when 'tis in the ,solution makes part of the ,silver ,golden4 ,by which it is demonstrated1 that crude ,metals are depurated by distillation1 and may be made ,volatile1 and that by that means of ,solution1 ,corporal ,gold and ,silver may be precipitated out of the ,metals1 according as the ,dissolvent is prepared out of ,golden or ,silvery ,subjects4 ,this ,example ,i account sufficient to evidence1 that the crude ,metals may be purged by ,distillation so as to become golden4 ,if then it be so with the crude and impure ,metals1 what then may be done with the pure ones if they be made by ,distillation1 yet more pure2 without all question a most excellent medicine might be from thence prepared1 and far to be preferred to ,gold or ,silver4 ,this discourse do ,i here make use of to the intent that it may be seen1 that even fixt metals being after a due manner opened and made volatile1 are capable of sending out their best part1 and of being separated by ,distillation from the more crude part4 ,but this ,treatise appertains not to ,alchymy but to ,medicine1 and yet ,i thought good to induce this argument1 viz4 7that out of crude ,vitriol1 may a volatile ,gold be drawn by ,distillation and be incorporated with ,gold and ,silver7 to this end that all men might know of a certainty1 how much good may be done in metals by ,distillation1 and what a pure substance may be thence drawn4 ,nor doth ,basil ,valentine that ,german ,philosopher1 doubt expresly to write that the ,philosophers ,stone is full as easie1 yea easier to be prepared out of ,vitriol than ,gold4 ,if therefore the highest universal medicine both for man and metals may be prepared out of common ,vitriol1 why may not the same be possible to be done out of the purer metals if they were reduced into ,vitriol1 and so as to admit of ,distillation1 whereby the pure may be separated from the impure4 ,if now the common ,vitriol of ,copper and ,iron1 do in ,distillation yield volatile ,gold1 why should not the ,vitriol of ,lune do it much more and yield it nobler1 as being indeed the true and onely metallick ,vitriol of the ,philosophers1 which ,basilius appoints to be taken for his ,work1 and doth truely deserve the name of ,vitriol4 ,for if you would have your common ,vitriol tinge1 you must add ,galls thereto1 but this ,vitriol doth truely blacken all things without ,galls4 ,but you must not imagine that ,i do here intend such a ,vitriol of ,lune1 as is by solution 7in ,aq4 ,fortis reduced into a white ,crystal1 or such as is precipitated by the water of ,salt out of the ,solution 7in ,aq4 ,fortis7 no such matter8 ,for this resembles not ,vitriol1 because it may be again reduced 7into ,silver47 ,but the true ,vitriol of the ,philosophers is prepared out of ,lune without ,aq4 ,fortis or such like ,corrosives1 and is not reduceable in the strongest ,fire1 but remains a ,vitriol1 tingeth the ,tonge1 is astringent1 and yields a golden ,water1 which dissolveth ,gold and fixeth it therewith4 ,such a ,vitriol will we make use of in medicine and ,alchymy1 and leave the common ,vitriol for the ,dyers4 ,the ,ancients called their ,salt ,vitriol1 on this account1 because that it did as to its external ,figure resemble ,vitriol1 but though they so called it1 yet they took not the common ,vitriol1 which every wise man may be easily perswaded to believe4 ,so then let the ,lune be the ,earth1 ,gold the ,seed1 and ,mercury the 7,water1 but not the common ,mercury7 with which it is to be watered1 and let the rest be committed to ,god and ,art4 ,thus far have ,i declared to you my opinion1 let every man follow his own4 ,but thus is confirmed the assertion of that excellent ,philosopher ,basil ,valentine1 who affirms1 that even out of common ,vitriol may be extracted a certain goldenishness2 how much more credible then is it1 that a ,vitriol prepared out of the more pure metals may yield a better goldenness4 ,every one may believe what ,i here write for ,i have oft times tried it1 but yet ,i have received more ,gold sometimes than at other some according as ,i ordered my process1 and reduced my precipitated ,silver2 for you are to know1 that such a kind of ,silver as is precipitated out of ,aq4 ,fortis1 by the ,water of ,salt is wholly volatile1 nor melteth it like to a ,calx of ,lune1 but goes away partly in fume1 and part is reduced into an horny ,stone1 and yet by a peculiar ,distillation doth all come over1 but enough of this4 ,hereupon is ,salt of ,tartar to be added to this volatile ,calx1 lest being molten it vanisheth away in fume1 for ,borax doth not prevent it4 ,but it melteth better if it be help by that notable fluxing ,powder1 made of ,niter1 ,tarter1 and ,sulphur1 and it be kindled by a little ,coal and burnt up1 but then all the ,silver doth not melt1 but part of it goes away in fume4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you catch this fume which is a thing easily done1 it resembles the form of a red ,powder1 and will abundantly recompence your pains1 nor may that saying of ,paracelsus be unfitly applied hereunto1 viz4 to corrupt is totally to perfect1 because these ,flores of ,silver are not lost1 but are of a greater price than the ,silver was4 ,he that well knows this labour 7for indeed experience is the best master7 will not labour in vain4 ,and if he learns nothing from this little here-taught1 neither will he find out ought from a greater4 ,for ,i have in these few words revealed much1 yea haply more than ,i ought to have done4 ,all which we do in the first and chiefest place attribute to ,god1 next him to ,niter1 which renders ,metals so fluxible4 ,from hence may the well minded ,reader percieve that there is in ,niter1 not onely a power to fix all volatile ,minerals and ,metals 7of which ,i have treated in my second part of the ,prosperity of ,germany7 but also of making them wholly volatile1 so that they may be distilled and purged1 as is sufficiently evident in the aforegoing example3 ,besides1 there is another way of making ,metals volatile1 as well as by ,niter1 but so as that they be not wholly dissolved1 but are by a moist nitrous ,fire reduced so far as to retain the form which they put upon themselves in the said moist ,fire1 and yet they become so volatile1 as to suffer themselves to be wholly distilled and sublimed1 and will in the ,proba give ,gold1 the which the gradatory ,water hath made in them4 ,but of these things more at large in the fourth part of the ,prosperity of ,germany3 ,thus with what hath been said1 will ,i finish the third part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,the ,end of the ,third ,part4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,treating of the four principal ,pillars of ,medicine1 viz4 ,sulphur1 ,vitriol1 ,antimony1 and ,mercury1 but chiefly of the great harmony between the ,superiour ,elementary ,sun and ,moon1 and the ,inferiour and ,terrestrial ,gold and ,silver1 and the magnetick way of attracting the ,virtues of ,sol and ,lune by the ,air1 and of rendring them palpable and visible4 ,,reader1 ,after that ,i had intended to publish in the ,fourth ,part of this my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 some singular and excellent ,medicines1 and such as might much exceed all others1 and so must consequently be prepared of choice and excellent subjects and matters2 ,i accounted it my task in the first place to shew you out of what subjects such efficacious ,medicines may be drawn and extracted1 viz4 out of ,gold1 ,wine1 and ,antimony1 as likewise out of ,vitriol and ,mercury1 but not the vulgar ,mercury4 ,now although most ,men are blinded with a thick darkness1 but principally those that prosecute the truth with a deadly hatred1 and do prate much1 and by reason of their blindness and ignorance do affirm1 that ,gold being a thick and compact body is not at all fit to admit of such a preparation as thereby to display its most efficacious virtues in ,man's ,body3 ,and as for ,antimony and ,mercury1 that they are most present ,poisons1 and can't serve as ,medicines without great danger2 but as for ,wine1 that it is indeed fit to be drunk1 but is of no validity in ,medicine1 not knowing how to imploy it about any ,medicinal use1 but are rather ready and skilfull ,artists at swallowing it down in full draughts2 however though they thus chat yet these objections are frivolous1 and do proceed from their ignorance which is wrapped about with most thick ,clouds1 and which ,i refute by this brief and strong ,reply4 ,but ,i do not at all deny1 that ,gold reduced even to the smallest ,powder1 and so made use of 7as 'twas wont of old to be by the ,ancient1 yea and latter ,galenists1 and is even too at this day7 by mixing it with such ,medicines as are for the comforting and strengthning the ,heart and ,vitals of ,men1 cannot contribute so much as the least ,iota to the health and preservation of the body of ,man3 ,and so ,i say of ,antimony and ,mercury1 that they are not at all salutiferous to ,man's ,body1 but contrariwise are deadly and destructive ,medicaments1 untill 7by a due preparation7 they are deprived of all their ,venenosity1 and thereby rendred fit to be safely made use of4 ,so ,wine it self being taken per se as it is1 is a restoring and refreshing ,drink for ,man1 provided it be moderately used3 ,but contrarily is a causer of many ,diseases if it be frequently and in large quantities swallowed in1 and doth operate in ,man's ,body more hurt than good1 this daily experience doth sufficiently testifie1 and renders it evident1 that being so immoderately taken1 it fills all the ,members of the whole ,body with ,tartar1 and makes obstructions and stirs up intolerable ,pains1 and principally in the ,bladder1 ,reins1 and other parts of the ,body1 viz4 if coagulated in the ,hands1 ,knees1 and ,feet1 whereupon it doth not easily suffer it self to be exterminated1 unless by such ,artists as well know the properties and nature of ,tartar1 but of such ,men there is at this day a great scarcity1 and therefore that proverbial ,verse still takes place4 ,solvere ,nodosam ,nescit ,medicina ,podagram4 ,the ,art of ,physick can't root out 7,thy dire ,disease7 the ,knotty ,gout4 ,but he who is so well skilled as to separate the fiery1 penetrative1 wholsome1 and true ,medicinal ,spirit of ,wine2 ,yea its true ,balsam from its ,fces1 he will easily expel out of the ,body of ,man all tartarous impurities and defilements1 and will perform things wonderfull in the ,stone and ,gout4 ,but now forasmuch as the educing so wholsome a ,medicine out of gross crude ,tartar is known but to a very few1 no wonder that there hath been so little or rather nothing at all performed by ,physicians in such like most grievous tartarous ,diseases that have gotten deep rooting in the ,body of ,man4 ,but the way how you may be rendred ,possessors of such a ,spirit of ,wine shall be spoken of afterwards4 ,yet ,i would not that anyone should perswade himself that my meaning and intention in this place is about the common ,spirit of ,wine1 or either that which is gotten out of ,tartar by the usual known way of ,distillation4 ,no1 there's a vast difference betwixt that ,spirit which ,i here make mention of and the other4 ,for in this ,spirit the crude ,tartar is first to be washed by common ,water from all its ,defilements1 and that without the addition of any other things1 so as to shine like ,snow1 then to be afterwards made black by putrefaction1 and out of that blackness the said ,balsam is to be drawn off1 of which we shall hereafter make a more ample ,declaration4 ,this now is that ,spirit which doth ,anatomically resolve the compacted ,body of ,gold1 and converteth the venemousness of ,antimony into a wholsome ,medicine1 and doth perform things wonderfull in all tartarous ,diseases4 ',tis the true ,wine of ,health1 and the very ,aq4 ,vit of the ,philosophers1 and hath a great familiarity with ,gold and ,man1 and may be excellently compared with the coagulated solar beams4 ,therefore as it is evidently known to every body1 that ,gold and ,wine are advanced on to maturity1 by the heat of the ,sun1 and that ,men do notably love and desire both of them4 ,so may any one conjecture what ,gold and ,wine would do if a ,man could but have them reduced to a spiritual essence4 ,hence now it seems necessary unto me1 that before ,i pass on to the preparation of the said ,medicine1 ,i do in a few words describe the harmonial love that is between the superiour and inferiour ,sun and ,man1 that so it may appear1 what a bond or tie of love and necessity there is betwixt these three most noble ,creatures of ,god1 to one another4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,of the ,harmony and ,agreeableness between the ,superior ,elementary1 and ,inferiour ,earthly ,sun1 with ,wine and ,man4 ',tis well known even to the blind ,bayards and ,barbars1 that the ,sun in the heavenly ,firmament1 is the most noble and most eminent ,creature ,god made4 ,for it is that onely light which makes all the ,stars partakers of its ,splendour1 ,light and ,brightness4 ',tis also the onely ,fountain and as it were ,father of all the ,creatures1 because if they are deprived of it1 they are in the dark and die3 ,nay even man himself cannot live without the help of the ,sun1 and all things would perish1 should the ,sun be but one moment withdrawn from them4 ,for all things that are do receive their ,life and ,augmentation from the ,sun2 and he was 7according to ,moses his ,doctrine7 the first and chiefest that did proceed forth by ,god's creating1 and will doubtless be the last when all things shall be dissolved1 and pass into a better ,state at the final ,destruction of this worldly ,fabrick4 ,the ,sun supplies the place of a heart in the wonderfull ,structure of the ,macrocosm3 ,and in like manner the heart it self in man's ,body is aptly compared to the ,sun1 as being the first liver1 and last dier in the humane ,fabrick2 and this is known to every body4 ,and therefore amongst all the ,creatures indued with life and motion1 man doth in nobility and magnificence excel them all1 as having gotten his body from the earth1 his ,spirit and ,life from the ,sun1 and his ,soul from ,god4 ,but as to the insensible ,creatures the highest ,degree of ,nobleness is attributed unto ,gold1 the which is likewise generated by the ,sun4 ,these three admirable ,creatures1 viz4 the ,sun1 ,man1 and ,gold are coupled with a bond of wonderfull ,necessity and ,friendship1 and are conjoined by the instinct of ,nature her self4 ,men do desire the ,light of the ,sun1 as also its heat in a dark and cold ,season1 for thencefrom proceeds all life1 and all the encrease of life1 because the ,suns beams do perform the office of the universal ,spirit1 and ,life in the ,conservation of the ,life of ,man4 ,but now as touching ,gold1 men do partake of that in a particular way onely1 and one man is usually stored with a bigger ,portion1 another with a lesser1 not by the instinct of nature1 for she bestoweth it on us onely for our use1 but by reason of the abusive malice1 avarice and the unsatiable ,covetousness of men2 but yet this way is not the right manner of loving ,gold1 nor genuine1 but false and oft times very hazardous4 ,we should rather love it because of its wonderfull ,vertues which it possesseth1 hidden in its body1 and may afford a most notable ,comfort to man's sickness and infirmities4 ,verily the ,ancient ,philosophers were not ignorant of the incredible ,vertues1 which the ,gold hides in it self1 it being truely no other thing than a body consisting and compacted of the coagulated and fixed ,beams of the ,sun1 and this was well known to those men who were most skilfull in the nature of all things4 ,seeing then that the ,sun's beams being as yet unfixed can bestow on all things life and encrease1 why may not the same be accomplished by them when fixed1 and made constant1 if so be they be rendred spiritual1 and thereby be capable of displaying their ,vertues in a visible and palpable efficacy1 which thing they could not do if they retain their corporal ,coagulation1 nor can display their occult ,vertues4 ,many men have industriously attempted with great ,labour1 artificially to open ,gold1 and to reduce it to a spiritual ,nature1 and to render it living and efficacious1 but few there have been that have been ,masters of their desires1 but such as at length had thereto attained1 did perform things wonderfull in the sicknesses of mankind1 and this is witnessed by many most true ,histories1 as for instance1 by the ,turba of the ,philosophers1 and by the ,theatrum ,chymicum4 ,the which ,books do indeed describe such a notable secret1 but so obscurely and intricately1 as that no body can therefrom learn its preparation1 unless ,god reveals it to them1 or it be manifested by some good friend or other that knows the ,art4 ',tis no wonder that amongst many thousands of ,searchers1 so very few do arrive to the knowledge of the same4 ,for ,god hath barred up this so great a secret with such firm bolts1 that all wicked and malicious men are easily excluded from the knowledge of finding it out4 ,verily ,i must needs say 7but ,i boast not of it7 that ,i see by what means those bonds are to be loosed1 and that precious ,pearl may by removal of those bolts be taken forth4 ,but yet ,i profess not my self to be a perfect and absolute ,master1 and such an one as perfectly knows its preparation1 and would make it publick by describing it4 ,no6 the ,crumbs serves my turn1 and the ,fragments of the ,bread1 with which hunger may be allayed as well as with the ,bread it self4 ,i have ,i confess tasted somewhat of the ,crumbs of what pertains to so worthy a ,medicament1 and with what great ,vertues they abound4 ,and such things as my experience have administred unto me ,i have here purposed to reveal them1 for the comfort and sake of my ,neighbour1 as far as the time and occasion will permit2 but yet with this ,salvo1 that ,i cast not ,pearl before ,swine1 and so incur the ,philosophers ,curse4 ,to whomsoever the things that ,i speak shall be more obscure1 let him wrestle earnestly by his ,prayers to ,god for light1 and refrain from troubling me with multiplicity of entreaties1 for ,i have firmly resolved with my self not to reveal for the time to come more than what ,i have opened in the present description4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,of ,gold1 and the ,comparison betwixt it when living1 and when dead4 ,it is so well known as that nothing can be more known1 that ,gold being so compact and corporeal and without any opening1 doth not when used inwardly to man's ,body emit any ,vertues at all4 ,i will instance in one ,example of ,mercury2 ,this being living and unbroken and undissolved1 doth not1 though used inwardly in a great weight1 bring any hurt1 but passeth out again as 'twas before taken in without any alteration of the ,body4 ,but if it be sublimed with ,salt1 or shall be dissolved by some other corrosive ,water1 and be administred to a man to drink the quantity of #a1 #b1 or #c ,grains it will shrewdly hazard his ,life1 because the ,salts have made its hidden lurking ,poyson manifest4 ,thus stands the case with ,gold1 which cannot shew forth its hidden force and vertues as long as it remains bound and tied with the fetters of its own compaction1 but 7on the other hand7 displays them1 assoon as ever it shall be released from its bonds1 be vivified by ,salts1 and rendred efficacious4 ,you see in a black ,coal1 whiles it is not fired1 there is not any heat at all perceived1 but being kindled1 and being by the ,air rendred living1 it discovers the fire and heat being therein hidden1 the which you may likewise consider of concerning ,gold4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,of the ,preparation of ,gold1 and its ,dissolution into most tender ,atoms apt for vivification and profitable application to ,medicinal use4 ,gold doth not by any way more easily admit of being turned into most tender and most subtil ,attomes than by this following4 ,dissolve pure ,gold in ,aq4 ,regia1 and being dissolved pour thereto as much of the ,water of ,tartar as is sufficient3 ,so the clear ,gold1 and clothed too with a golden ,colour1 will precipitate it self to the bottom of the ,vessel1 nor will it be a darkish ,powder1 as 'tis wont to be if precipitated by ,lixiviums or by the ,spirit of ,urine3 ,but it is light and tender1 and shews in brightness like little golden ,stars1 yea becomes so very tender and subtil1 that it swims as 'twere in the ,water and settles to the bottom exceeding leasurely1 and is thereby so much worthier than all other ,calxes of ,gold how subtil soever they be1 that they may be accompted of 7if compared with this7 but onely as a gross ,earth2 whereas these shining golden little ,stars are made so tender and so subtil1 as that they may easily discover and demonstrate their ,vertues in medicinal use very notably1 by the help of other things1 and by being dissolved sundry ways4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,by what means this most pure ,calx of ,gold is to be farther opened1 whereby it may be inverted1 made volatile1 and rendred like to a ,vegetable4 ,this tender ,sol or ,calx may be brought to such a pass1 without any corrosive in #bd hours space1 as that it shall not remain a fixed metalline ,body1 but become wholly volatile as it was at its beginning4 ,now this is effected by the help of the ,salt of ,nature onely1 which is to be found every where1 and may be gotten by the poor as well as by the rich4 ,yea so easie as that it is scarce credible1 should it be manifested openly and clearly1 and which those ,brethren of ignorance and proud ,court-like ,flatterers would entertain with scorn and derision1 and accompt the truth it self to be a lie1 as hath been oft times done hitherto4 ',tis better therefore to pass over such things in silence1 than by benefitting others to injure ones self4 ,for such ,arcana's are to be wrapt up in silence1 and not to be cast before such ,hogs4 ,but yet to the ,adept shall be revealed such things in the end of this writing or treatise1 as they have been hitherto ignorant of4 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,qury1 ,whether or no these most subtil ,atoms of ,gold are capable of performing any thing in ,medicine1 and of displaying their hidden ,vertues like ,vegetables1 without any other unlocking of them4 ,for answer1 ,i say no4 ,for the ,stomach is too weak to dissolve and get thence that efficacy as it doth from ,vegetables1 though it be thus reduced in a most tender and subtile substance4 ,in vain therefore is it administred to the sick1 because it passeth out again with the ,excrements so as 'twas taken in1 and that without any remarkable efficacy4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,qury1 ,whether or no the ,stomach may not be so help'd as that it may be able to dissolve and consume ,gold as well as ,iron and ,copper4 ,for answer ,i say1 yes4 ,and forasmuch as the most thin filings of ,iron and ,copper1 being given any one to drink1 are digested and consumed by the natural acidity of the ,stomach1 or are by dissolution there turned into ,vitriol1 which 7said ,vitriol7 doth vehemently stir up the ,body by ,vomit1 and by ,stool 7according to the quantity of the exhibited ,metals7 and killeth the ,worms both in old and young folks1 and casteth them forth1 and coloureth the very ,excrements as black as a ,coal2 hereby evidently demonstrating1 that being dissolved and consumed by the ,stomach1 it hath brought out1 together with it self2 the slain ,worms2 ,any body may easily conjecture that the ,acidity of the ,stomach was sufficiently strong to set upon the two aforesaid ,metals1 being of a ,salt nature1 and of an easie ,solution1 and to reduce them so far as to cause them to display their hidden ,vertues4 ,but now the ,stomach is not endued with so strong an ,acidity1 as to be able to set upon and dissolve ,gold and ,silver1 being ,metals as 'twere void of ,salt1 and admitting no ,solution there4 ,hereupon it usually happens1 that they being used inwardly in ,medicine1 do come away with the ,excrements in such form as they were administred in4 ,thence do the unskilfull conclude 7but falsly7 that there are no ,vertues in ,gold and ,silver1 because that being brought into a most subtile ,powder1 and administred to the sick1 they are notwithstanding destitute of any kind of ,vertues4 ,the reason why they do not operate at all is1 because the ,acidity of the ,stomach is not sufficient enough to work upon them1 and to stir them up to operation4 ,but being dissolved by ,acid ,spirits1 viz4 the ,gold by ,spirit of ,salt1 and the ,silver by ,spirit of ,niter1 they doe evidently shew their ,vertues in ,medicine1 being inwardly taken1 and do purge the ,body no less than ,copper and ,iron doe1 and do withall colour the ,excrements black1 and kill the ,worms both in old and young3 ,neither indeed will any find a more present remedy for killing the ,worms1 which do ofttimes destroy many ,infants and ,children destitute of any kind of help1 than the ,vitriol of ,gold and ,silver1 about which shall be written a peculiar ,chapter anon4 ,but forasmuch as the dissolved ,metals1 but especially ,gold and ,silver1 do by their ungratefull savour offend the ,palate1 and dye the ,tongue and ,lips of a black ,colour2 ,men do abhor to use them1 although they might be very helpfull in ,medicine3 ,but however these discommodities may be prevented1 by rendring the said ,metals acceptable to the ,palate1 and so ordering them as that they shall no more ,colour the ,lips1 but evidently shew forth their ,vertues1 and perform great matters in ,medicine4 ,this now may be done divers ways1 some whereof shall be here described and declared4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,by what means ,gold may be brought to such a pass as that 7being inwardly made use of in ,medicine7 it may display its virtues and be stirred up to operation by a guider 7or leading ,card as 'twere7 added thereunto4 ,gold being reduced by the way now spoken of into most tender 7,atoms1 may be stirred up divers ways1 so as that being inwardly administred1 it may manifest its virtues and that notably and efficaciously4 ,as first when such ,salts are thereunto added as do corroborate the ,stomach1 and augment its acidity1 so as to make it strong enough to work upon the tender ,gold and dissolve it1 and to turn it into ,vitriol in the ,stomach1 in which case my ,sal ,mirabilis is very excellent1 but yet other ,salts are not to be despised1 to each of which ,i give the honour due unto them4 ,then farther1 the same may be done when such ,mineral ,species are added to the said ,golden ,calx as do by their natural propriety expell by ,sweat and ,urine3 ,for a ,mineral ,medicine1 as soon as ever it begins its operation in the ,body1 whether by ,sweat or by expulsion by ,urine1 doth also stir up the ,gold to operate1 so that it works too after the same manner as the ,medicament adjoyned to it is wont to operate1 just as 'tis usually wont to be in some kind of ,fraternity or ,consortship2 ,if one begins to sing1 to dance1 to be enamoured with a ,virgin1 to brawl1 or to play1 he presently stirs up others to do the same1 who would otherwise have abode still4 ,now as to the ,minerals1 amongst the many inciters there1 ,antimony obtaineth the first place1 and doth stir up to operate with himself any such things as are thereunto adjoined1 whether they be ,gold or ,silver1 yea though they be dead4 ,and so a ,mineral being purgative1 or ,diuretick1 being mixt with ,gold1 doth perform its operation much more safely and efficaciously than if it were alone and used per se1 inwardly1 without any addition of ,gold thereunto4 ,for the tender ,gold is stirred up and driven as 'twere to ,cooperate together with the operation of the ,mineral ,medicament1 which otherwise1 and without such an impulsion and incitement would have remained as dead1 and void of any kind of operation1 and so passed forth together with the ,excrements4 ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,a better way of making ,gold and ,silver living and efficacious4 ,gold and ,silver may be made living and efficacious after another and better way and manner1 thus4 ,if they be dissolved in suitable ,waters1 and made ,spiritual1 and so used in ,medicine1 for they are by this means fitted to operate and display their ,vertues after their manner1 and according to their preparation4 ,the manner of making such well opened and unlocked ,golden ,water1 ,i taught some years since1 and published it under the title of ,aurum ,potabile4 ,for ,i then knew a way of reducing ,gold into a white ,water by some certain ,medicinal ,salts1 and have it now by me at all times1 as being better and far more excellent than that former ,aurum ,potabile1 and may supply the place of an ,universal ,medicine2 and that on this account1 because it doth operate universally in all curable diseases1 and doth withall excell all the other ,medicaments that ,i know of in its wholsome operation1 for it doth by little and little expell every obnoxious thing out of the whole body4 ,i confess that the same things are performed by my ,golden ,panaca1 or my ,purging ,gold1 and ,diaphoretick ,gold1 but in some cases ,i prefer this white ,aurum ,potabile of mine1 as ,i now prepare it1 before them1 for it hath an invisible and contrary or different operation from my ,purging ,gold1 or ,golden ,panaca1 which do1 for the most part1 work visibly4 ,and whereas ,i have formerly divulged those ,medicaments in my ,treatises1 ,i will omit their superfluous description here1 and onely add thus much1 ,that these three ,medicaments of mine1 viz4 the ,golden ,panaca1 my ,diaphoretick ,gold1 and my white ,aurum ,potabile are so abundantly sufficient both for the preserving from1 and curing of all diseases1 that whosoever will onely use them1 need not at all any other ,medicaments4 ,but forasmuch as ,men are delighted with variety1 and that sometimes such or such a coloured ,medicine1 or such an ,odour or ,savour is far more acceptable1 ,i have judged it worth while to add for the sake of the sick yet two or three excellent ,medicines more1 and such1 as to the best of my knowledge1 were as yet never divulged4 ',tis at every ones liberty to make use of such an one as best likes him1 or now and then to try this ,medicine or that1 and so to make use of that which best pleaseth him4 ,the incomparable ,paracelsus1 the ,monarch of ,philosophers and ,physicians1 supposed1 that these four ,minerals1 viz4 ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 ,antimony1 and ,vitriol1 did prop up the whole ,medicinal ,art1 like so many ,capital ,pillars1 and that by them mought all things be prepared1 as were necessarily requisite for any kind of cure4 ,and indeed the thing it self 7or the effect7 sufficiently proves the truth of this opinion1 and so doe those four ,minerals themselves too1 if they be but dissected1 purged1 and prepared according to ,art1 else they are of no worth1 but doe more hurt than good1 because if they be not duely prepared1 they are not deprived of their ,venenosity1 and are not turned into wholsome ,medicines4 ,but as for such as are set to sale in our days in the ,apothecaries shops1 they are verily but of small moment4 ,for the ,antimony which 7being turned into ,glass7 they sell1 hath never as yet admitted of any separation of the good from the evil4 ,and as for ,mercury1 they turn him into a ,sublimate1 abounding with ,venom1 and likewise into a red ,precipitate1 both of which are sufficiently hazardous both in external and internal ,medicinal uses2 ,for the vulgar ,mercury never desisteth from his malice1 unless it be exalted by a safer and better preparation4 ,it is sufficient 7to say7 that being prepared after the aforesaid usual ways1 it ought to be wholly shunned1 and so it will not create any danger4 ,as for ,common ,sulphur1 although it be exalted into ,flores1 and those exceeding subtile too1 such as are at this day in use1 yet shews it no wonderfull matters2 for there is not as yet made any separation of the pure part from the impure1 neither is it thoroughly opened by ,sublimation1 or rendered subtile or fit1 to operate upon the ,body of ,man2 for as it was taken in1 so it passeth out with the ,excrements3 ,for the ,acidity of the ,stomach cannot dissolve it2 so far is it from yielding to the ,stomach any efficacy1 for a strong ,aq4 ,fortis cannot dissolve it4 ,as for ,vitriol1 it yields the ,workmen an austere or sowr ,oil1 and a sharp ,spirit1 little availing to ,medicinal uses1 this onely excepted1 viz4 the mixing it with cooling ,syrups and ,conserves1 gives them a gratefull sowrishness2 the which ,spirit of ,salt well rectified1 would perform much better4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that these four ,minerals1 according as they are at this day used1 and sold by the ,apothecaries1 cannot be accounted for the four ,pillars of the whole ,body of ,medicine1 and possess that title1 which ,paracelsus exalteth them by1 unless they are prepared after another manner than they have hitherto been4 ,as for ,sulphur1 ,i bring it to the highest purity by a due washing1 and do by suitable and proper ,salts turn the same1 together with ,gold1 into a clear water1 that so our ,nature may assume it to it self1 as is to be seen in my ,aurum ,potabile4 ,i draw from ,antimony its purer part1 and ,i implant it in exceedingly well prepared ,gold1 that it may make the ,gold efficacious1 witness my ,purging ,gold4 ,instead of the common ,vitriol1 ,i use the ,vitriol made of ,gold1 the which is wont to perform such effects in ,medicine as the common ,vitriol never will1 as shall be taught by and by4 ,instead of the common and poysonous ,mercury1 ,i make use of a ,mercury prepared out of a good ,metal1 or artificially extracted by a certain ,magnet from the beams of ,sol and ,lune1 as shall be taught anon4 ,and this ,mercury is rightly called the ,universal ,mercury of the ,philosophers1 because being as yet an invisible thing1 is extracted out of the ,air1 and made visible and palpable1 and is the effector of wonderfull things in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as we shall hear anon4 ,but before ,i proceed to ,vitriol and ,mercury1 ,i count it fit1 first to set down a good ,medicine prepared out of ,silver by the help of ,antimony1 that so every body may know1 that even ,gold and ,silver 7how thick and compact soever they be7 may1 by the addition of other ,medicinal ,subjects1 be quickned and stirred up1 and be brought to such a pass as to emit their ,vertues1 as we have afore mentioned more at large4 ,the preparation of this ,medicine out of ,silver and ,antimony is as followeth4 ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,the manner of preparing a good ,medicament out of ,silver and ,antimony4 ,in the first place prepare out of the ,mineral or ,oar of ,antimony an ,acetum by distillation1 according to ,art3 ,then take one part of the best ,antimony1 and two parts of the ,calx of ,silver2 which being well washed1 mix it with the ,antimony1 by grinding them very well together1 that they may be changed into a grayish or somewhat a blackish ,powder4 ,put this ,powder into a small ,glass1 ,cucurbit or little ,retort1 and pour thereupon so much of the ,antimonial ,vinegar as may serve to bring the said ,powder into a thin ,pultis or ,pap4 ,put the ,glass in ,sand1 and distill off the said ,vinegar1 this pouring on1 and drawing off let be so often repeated untill the ,antimony shall have lost its blackness1 and the ,silver its whiteness1 and be both of them turned into a red ,stone1 like to ,cinaber1 which is usually done in the third or fourth ,cohobation4 ,note well1 if such an errour should be committed as that your fire being too strong should when you draw off the ,acetum melt the mass in the ,glass1 it would be rendred wholly uncapable of admitting or drinking up the ,acetum1 and then you must of necessity break the ,glass and take out the mass and reduce it again into small ,powder by grinding1 and repeat the operations according to the aforesaid way4 ,this ,medicament being turned into a red ,stone1 and ground upon a ,marble into a most subtile ,powder1 is called by me purging ,lune1 and may be made use of in all ,diseases as a kind of ,panaca1 7like as my purging ,gold may be7 with great fruit and good success4 ,for this ,medicine of ,silver doth operate very gently1 expelling all evil humours out of all the ,members of the whole ,body of ,man1 and this scarce any other ,medicine will do save my golden ,panaca4 ,for it leaveth no impurity in the ,body1 7but expels it7 not onely by purgation1 but also by ,sweat and ,urine4 ,if you should chance to err and take too big a ,dose1 it will also cause vomiting1 but especially with such as abounding with ,choler are prone to ,vomit4 ,to ,infants under four ,weeks old may a ,dose be given of about the bigness of a ,rape ,seed1 and be mixt in a spoon with a little of its ,mothers ,milk1 and so given them4 ,it conserves them free from the invasion of the ,epilepsie1 and frees them4 ,if you find that they are infected with the ,small-pox or the like1 within a years space1 the ,dose is to be augmented1 and a fourth or eighth part of a grain may be administred to them1 the which will bring out of the ,infants all the impurities by ,stool1 and preserve the ,face untouched4 ,those that are from one to two1 or twelve years of age1 and being troubled with the ,worms1 do fall into acute ,feavers1 7and hereby a great many perish destitute of all help7 may have the ,dose augmented if need be1 and that as their age is1 from a grain to two grains1 for so the ,worms will be killed1 and the ,feaver sent packing4 ,nay farther1 if the ,feavers in ,children1 be they ,boys or ,girls1 do not proceed from the ,worms but from other causes1 yet may so much of this ,medicine be administred to them as may be requisite to purge and sweat them1 and by this means will they be 7without any hazard of their lives7 restored to their former health4 ,there can scarce be found a more profitable and more present remedy against the ,plague and other ,feavers in young men1 middle aged men1 and old men than my golden ,panaca or purging ,gold1 and this same purging ,lune here described1 the ,dose is from one grain to five or six grains with reference to the age and ,disease4 ,such a ,dyet is to be observed as ,i have prescribed in the use of my ,panaca1 viz4 that the ,sick 7after the taking of this purging ,silver7 do abstain from ,sleep and all kind of ,food for three or four hours at least1 and beware of the cold ,air1 and have an especial regard to keep a good ,dyet4 ,this ,medicine of mine1 together with my ,panaca ,aurea 7or golden universal ,medicine7 may be safely1 and without any fear of danger made use of in the ,french ,pox1 ,dropsie1 ,leprosie1 ,stone1 ,gout1 and other such ,diseases1 whatever name they are called by2 insomuch that men may 7next their trust in ,god7 safely confide therein4 ,and besides by this ,medicament may very many things be performed in metalline affairs1 the discovering of which we shall at this time omit1 contenting our selves with having shewn the things that appertains to the use of ,medicine4 ,furthermore it is likewise notably efficacious in curing of external ,wounds and ,ulcers1 provided it be discreetly administred inwardly1 and the external defects of the body be kept sweet and clean4 ,there will in a short time be much more benefit received therefrom1 than from such a deal of ,ointments and ,emplaisters as are frequently used4 ,praise ,god and give him thanks for such great benefits4 ,,chap4 ,x4 ,the preparation of the ,vitriol of ,gold and its use in ,medicine4 ,dissolve ,gold in some acid sulphureous ,sal ,mirabilis1 and not alkalizated1 viz4 by the moist way1 pass the solution through a ,philter1 and abstract the unprofitable ,phlegm so far untill there appear a thin skin at the top1 which appearing1 set the remainder in the cold1 and you shall get a green ,stone like to an ,emrald4 ,that part of the ,liquor which is not shot1 evaporate again even so long till a skin appears1 that so you may get the rest of your ,vitriol3 ,so all the ,gold will together with the ,sal ,mirabilis shoot into a ,vitriol1 resembling the greenness of ,grass1 7and so green7 as nature never produced the like4 ,in this ,smaragdine ,table are found written 7or engraven7 many wonderfull things1 which will neither be read nor understood by every body4 ,i will hint some few things concerning it1 and such as appertain to ,medicine3 ,and in the first place1 what kind of ,vitriol this ought to be1 and what notes and marks it is to be distinguished by1 7as thus7 a little of it being rubbed with your thumb1 on pure or cleansed ,iron1 doth guild it of a golden colour1 whereas the common ,vitriol makes the ,iron look of a coppery colour4 ,this is a sign of this golden ,vitriol's being prepared after a due manner1 which said ,vitriol will effect those things in ,medicine which ,i am about to ascribe to it4 ,besides1 it makes ,copper and ,brass shew of a golden colour and performs wonderfull things with ,mercury1 if digested with it1 in the moist way1 but for brevity sake ,i omit these things4 ,for it grows like a little ,tree1 and sends forth golden ,sprouts4 ,as touching its ,medicinal ,virtues such of them as ,i have found out1 are here briefly described2 without question there lie hid in it yet more and more excellent ,virtues1 which as yet are unknown unto me1 but will come to light in process of time4 ,but the chief efficacy and virtue of this golden ,vitriol as far as ,i know1 doth consist in purging and bringing out all evil and noxious humours out of the whole body of ,man1 and withall in corroborating and strengthening him4 ,and as to this office it outstrips all other ,medicines whatsoever4 ,nay more1 it performs its operation speedily1 yea more speedily than any other purge doth4 ,for as soon as ever it shall be taken into the body it doth presently begin to work1 because the ,salt is soluble1 and therefore such bodies as are not opened1 can't at all compare with it1 for they must necessarily lie in the ,stomach at least half an hour1 or a whole hour before they begin their operation4 ,and because every common ,vitriol is a capital enemy to all the ,worms of the ,belly1 and the ,feavers arising therefrom1 wherewith a very many ,infants both ,boys and ,girls do die1 void of all kind of help1 ,i do most highly commend this ,vitriol of ,gold to all such ,fathers and ,mothers of ,families1 whose ,children are dear unto them1 that they at all times have it in a readiness1 to be made use of in cases of necessity4 ,for verily ,i never found any better or certainer ,remedy against the ,worms than this very same1 because it not onely kills them1 but also casts them out1 and doth by strengthening the ,sick1 take away all the ,feavers both of old and young4 ,it is also a most great secret in the ,plague1 in which ,disease verily1 a longer delay or abiding of a ,medicine in the ,body 7without working7 is hurtfull4 ,besides1 it is not onely a certain and safe curative ,medicine1 but likewise a preservative too in the ,plague1 and in all acute and contageous ,feavers1 as well of young as old1 the like to which is scarce1 yea very rare to be found4 ,for this ,vitriol doth speedily and swiftly draw back from the heart every ,poison1 and every burning heat1 and being drawn back from all the ,members of the whole ,body1 doth drive it forth by all the ,emunctories of the whole ,body1 but principally by ,stool and ,sweat4 ,furthermore1 if the ,disease require it1 and the ,patients strength permit it1 it may be administred in a bigger ,dose1 and then 'twill provoke to ,vomit1 and powerfully expel ,choler4 ,it doth in the ,lues ,venerea shew it self most efficaciously virtuous1 and powerfully casts out ,tartarous ,fluxes and acute humours out of all the whole ,body3 ,by which operation it likewise brings much help and comfort to such as are troubled with the ,stone and ,gout1 it removes the ,epilepsie both from young and old1 and frees the ,hydropical of the ,water betwixt the ,skin4 ,and that ,i may comprise all as 'twere in one word1 'tis such an universal purge as that it roots out of the whole ,body whatsoever is found to be hurtfull and offensive therein4 ,it hath not its fellow as to ,remedy the ,feavers of ,children whether proceeding from ,worms or from a corrupted ,stomach1 the which kill such abundance of ,infants of both ,sexes1 without any help left4 ,nor do ,i think that there can be found a better ,remedy in the ,plague1 and in all other acute ,feavers which usually kill ,men suddenly1 than this ,vitriol of ,gold1 if it be but rightly made use of4 ,the ,dose is small1 and is easily made pleasant to ,childrens ,palats1 by putting a little ,sugar thereunto1 or some such like sweet things4 ,to ,infants newly born1 you may give scarce an eighth part of a grain1 against 7or to prevent7 the ,epilepsie1 or ,convulsions4 ,to such as are from one year old1 to #aj or #ab years of age1 the ,dose may be one1 two1 or three grains1 according as their age is1 the which ,dose may be augmented in such as are older1 according as the age and condition of the ,sick requires4 ,where the ,disease is ,worms1 there the ,dose must be so strong as not onely by well purging to kill them1 but also to cast them forth when killed4 ,for from those slain ,worms1 if they abide in the ,bowels1 other new ,worms usually breed4 ,i hope that by my thus revealing this ,medicament1 ,i shall so bring it to pass1 as that for the time to come1 so many ,infants both ,boys and ,girls will not be destroyed by ,feavers arising from ,worms1 but very many will be safely preserved from so immature a death4 ,but here1 some or other may say or at least think within himself1 what is the reason that ,i have such an especial regard to ,infants and ,children1 and am so very solicitous of preserving them from an untimely end4 ,i answer hereunto1 that nothing is more necessary than to afford some comfortable due help to ,infants1 and poor innocent ,babes1 who do evil to none1 and whose loss their ,parents do sadly brook4 ,for it is certain and without all kind of doubt1 that 7amongst ,diseases7 the ,epilepsie or ,convulsion is the first that sets upon new born ,infants and sweeps them away4 ,then presently follows ,measels1 ,small ,pox1 and such like1 and these kill not a few4 ,then comes the ,worms1 and they cause ,feavers which afflict them with a continual burning1 whereby they lose all their ,appetite to eating1 and covet nothing but drink1 and the ,parents use no remedy to suppress them1 being ignorant that such guests are lodged there1 and do not perceive them when the poor sick ,babes ,bellies do not swell4 ,but further1 when by the swelling of their ,bellies1 they do know that they have the ,worms1 and though they desire to use some ,remedies1 yet can they hardly make their little ones to take them as being so averse to them4 ,nay more1 though sometimes they do administer common ,worm-feed1 or some other ,vegetable ,powders good against the ,worms1 yet there's scarce one in ten that is help'd1 and the poor sick ,children grow worse and worse3 ,and at last when the ,disease hath gotten such head as that the ,parents see that death is at hand1 then is the ,physician sent for1 who 7if he knows the ,disease to arise from ,worms1 and be furnished with a good ,medicine7 doth presently help the ,sick1 and free him of the ,disease4 ,but if he be destitute of a good ,medicine1 and attempts to refresh or cherish the ,sick with his sweet ,syrups1 c4 he widely erreth1 for by such kind of sweet ,juices he gives ,nutriment to the ,worms4 ,neither doth it at all avail to put ,linnen ,cloaths1 dipped in ,rose water1 to the ,head1 thereby to allay its burning heat1 and to little purpose are the gentle purging drinks prescribed4 ,for as soon as ever the ,worms do perceive any thing given to the ,sick1 which is contrary to them1 they presently hide themselves 7or run to holes7 and do wreath themselves into a kind of ,ring1 and pass out with the ,excrements4 ,but if they perceive any sweet thing which is pleasant to them to be given to the ,sick1 they do receive their nourishment thencefrom and remain alive4 ,and if by some hap or other it doth so chance that one or more is hurried away with the ,excrements1 yet the rest of them remain unhurt1 and the ,disease is not taken away1 but prevaileth more and more1 and at last deprives the ,sick of ,life4 ,he therefore that endeavoureth after the happy curing of such ,feavers as arise by reason of ,worms1 must of necessity 7in defect of this golden ,vitriol7 give his ,patient such things to drink for three or four days as do cause a bitterness in the ,stomach4 ,and although bitter things are unpleasant to the ,palate of poor ,sick ,infants1 yet are they enemies to the ,worms1 and do kill them4 ,such bitter things therefore being drunk for three or four days1 the ,worms do sometimes in some ,sick ,children die the first or second day1 but in other some 'tis the fourth day e're they die4 ,now then as concerning such bitter ,medicaments1 which ,i here write of1 that they may not be bitter in the ,mouth1 but be made so in the ,stomach1 ,i say1 that the ,metals are such1 and especially ,iron1 ,copper1 ,gold and ,silver1 the which being dissolved do obtain a very bitter and ungratefull ,savour4 ,but the reason why ,gold and ,silver being taken into the body1 when they are filed and ground most exceeding small1 do not operate any thing at all1 comes from thence1 viz4 because the ,acidity of the ,stomach is too weak to set upon them3 ,and therefore 'tis necessary that they be first converted into ,vitriols1 if you would have them operative in the ,stomach1 as ,i have taught you concerning ,gold4 ,but forasmuch as every ,body cannot be ,masters of such a golden or silver ,vitriol1 it seemed expedient to me to reveal to the poor1 a certain and never failing ,secret1 by the help whereof the ,worms both in old ,people and young are killed4 ,it is not unknown to ,physicians that every common ,vitriol wherewith ,dyers use to dye their black ,colour1 doth 7being administred to young ,people7 kill the ,worms and cast them out too4 ,but because of its unpleasant and odd tast 'tis a hard matter to make ,children take it4 ,but now if you do a little more accurately examine the properties of common ,vitriol1 you will find it to be nothing else but a mere acid ,salt1 by which ,iron or ,copper1 or both together are dissolved in the ,earth1 by nature4 ,if now we are so minded1 we can also make a ,vitriol in the ,stomach1 which will be equally as operative as that which is made by nature and taken in at the mouth1 and 'tis done thus4 ,if we give most small filings of ,iron or ,copper to little ,infants in a due weight1 these now may be easily administred unto them1 as containing no ungratefull tast4 ,for1 being reduced into thin or curious filings1 and being a metal easily admitting of ,solution1 as soon as ever it comes into the ,stomach1 the ,acidity of the ,stomach doth meet with it1 by which 'tis easily dissolved1 and turned into a ,vitriol1 and so endued with the very same operation as that is1 which is prepared in the ,earth by ,nature4 ,but you are here to observe the difference that is betwixt the filings of ,copper and ,iron1 and that is this1 the ,copper works strongly1 and the ,iron much milder4 ,besides the ,copper makes the ,stomach vomit1 but the ,iron causeth no ,vomits1 and doth very rarely disturb the ,stomach1 and when it doth1 'tis onely in this case1 viz4 when 'tis administred in too great a ,dose4 ,therefore amongst all such ,medicaments1 ,iron is the best1 the safest1 and the least cost1 though to proud men it may appear sufficiently vile and base4 ,nor is it to be questioned but that the brethren of ignorance will entertain it with derision1 and say2 if ,glauber knows no better remedy for the ,worms than this1 which consists of the gross filings of ,iron1 he had done a great deal better to have kept it onely to himself3 ,and if ,iron abounds with such ,vertues there's no reason for him so to praise his pretious ,vitriol of ,gold with such a deal of commendations4 ,to this ,i answer1 that my aim in teaching the preparation of the ,vitriol of ,gold is not directed for the ,worms in ,children so much4 ,but ,i have added this remedy of ,iron to the description ,i have made of the vertues of the golden ,vitriol1 to this end1 that ,i may demonstrate it self also is so excellent a remedy against ,worms1 and for the removal of those ,feavers as are caused by them4 ,but because their cure can be more easily perfected 7as we just now spake about the filings of ,iron7 'tis worth the while to have regard to the way that is most compendious4 ,he that pleaseth may administer of the ,vitriol of ,gold1 but ,i commend ,iron to such as are poor1 for they may have that even every where4 ,there is no ,village so small but hath a ,smith living in it1 who can when your necessity requires supply you with some filings of ,iron4 ,but that my mind may be fully understood1 ,i judg it necessary yet more clearly to give you a ,declaration of this thing1 viz4 in what manner and with what conveniency the filings of ,iron may be administred to the sick ,infants4 ,and 'tis thus done4 ,whilst the ,infants are unweaned1 some ,grains of the said filings from #b1 to #f or #h ,grains1 may be mixt with a little ,sugar and put into their mouths1 and then presently give them suck1 that so those filings may be suckt down together with the ,milk into the ,stomach4 ,do this three days together and the ,worms will be destroyed1 and the ,feaver vanish4 ,but if any body will make use of any other ,vehicle than what is the ,child's ordinary food1 he may do so if he please4 ,but as for such as do not suck1 but do drink out of a sucking ,bottle according as the usual custom is1 you may easily give it them1 on this wise2 ,put a little into the ,bottle and stop the hole of the ,bottle with your finger1 and so turn it upside down that the filings may slide down to the hole1 and so let the ,infant suck it down1 and 'twill pass with the drink into the ,stomach4 ,to such ,boys and ,girls as are bigger1 and have more understanding1 it may be given easily and any way you please1 onely telling them that they will be restored to their former health4 ,to such as are #aj or #ab years old a quarter part1 or an half of the weight which we usually call ,quintlein from #aj to #bj grains may be given safely1 for #c or #d days4 ,but in the mean while let not the meats they use be of hard ,concoction1 but made of ,pottage1 ,prunes1 and such like mollifying and loosening things1 which may help forward the operation of the ,iron1 and so the sick will become the sooner well4 ,i could not refrain from highly commending to all tender ,mothers that love their ,children1 this most safe and not at all costly ,medicine against all the ,feavers proceeding from ,worms1 which do kill so many poor little ones destitute of all kind of help4 ,let no body matter its vileness1 but rather think with himself1 that ,god hath also endowed vile and contemptible things with great vertues4 ,verily this ,cure1 and thus taking away the ,worms1 and the ,diseases arising therefrom1 is strongly founded on natural reasons1 or arguments4 ,for seeing that the common ,vitriol is a ,poyson to ,worms1 but because of its bitter and nauseous tast 'tis exceeding unpleasant to the ,palate1 they do very well1 that substitute ,iron as being void of all ,savour1 in the room of the common ,vitriol1 that so being given to their ,children it may be converted to ,vitriol in their ,stomachs1 and so kill and drive out the ,worms4 ,i my self have tryed many experiments about the ,cure of the ,worms in my ,children1 but never found any thing safer and better than contemptible ,iron4 ,a ,story of a ,child that had ,worms4 ,i will tell you an instructing ,story1 concerning a great and eminent man's ,child in such a ,disease proceeding from the ,worms1 in which my self was concerned4 ,a certain rich man did on a time consult with me1 7or ask my advise7 about this ,child's ,disease4 ,i gave him as much filing of ,iron as was sufficient for one ,dose1 for his ,child to drink4 ,it seemed an absurd thing to the good man1 to give an ,infant filings of ,iron1 upon this conceit he omitted to use it1 and having called two ,physicians he shews them the filings1 and askt them whether they would advise him to administer it to his ,infant4 ,they earnestly disswaded him from using it1 saying that if he used it his ,child would be killed1 and that it was a ,medicine onely fit for curing of ,horses1 and that they would prescribe a far safer and better one4 ,they said there was no danger in the ,child of ,worms1 and therefore they prescribed it a cooling and purging ,syrup1 thereby to take away the ,feaver1 and they also added confections of ,pearls1 with other cooling ,waters4 ,death despised these kind of ,potions1 and snatcht away the ,infant3 ,the ,child being dead1 there crept out of his mouth great ,worms1 and clearly testified to the ,parents their unseasonable rejecting my advise1 haply because the ,medicine ,i prescribed was not costly1 but prepared out of a vile ,subject4 ,but it repented the ,parents too late3 ,the ,mother coming afterwards into the ,house of a certain ,neighbour1 gave that filings which ,i had delivered them1 unto an ,infant troubled with a ,feaver and the ,worms1 who upon the taking of that one dose onely became better1 and by little and little returned to its former state of health1 ,i was willing to set down this history to the end that ,i might demonstrate1 that vile and abject things are many times capable of performing more than ,pearls and precious ,stones can4 ,and so ,i conclude this so very necessary a discourse concerning ,worms1 and the ,feavers arising from them1 whereby great multitudes of poor ,infants are destroyed4 ,i hope that no body will take it amiss that ,i have made so long a discourse concerning ,worms4 ,for ,i judged it necessary to shew the cause from whence so many little ones do dye in the flower of their ,age4 ,he that refuseth to believe what ,i say1 let him try the thing by his own loss4 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,of ,mercury and its excellent ,vertues1 both ,medicinal and ,chymical1 ,i mean not the common and well known ,mercury1 but the ,mercury of the ,philosophers1 the which is extracted by the ,vulgar and well known ,gold and ,silver1 7but they are to be first rendered ,magnetical7 out of the ,beams of the superiour ,sun and ,moon1 by the help and assistance of the ,air4 ,it is well known to those that have looked over the manifold ,writings which are extant at this day1 how many and how great searches have been made1 and how various and many opinions there have been abroad for many ,ages1 concerning the ,philosophers ,mercury2 as many men so many minds1 one man concludes with himself to prepare it out of such a matter1 another out of such a thing1 and 'tis hereby come to such a pass as that1 there's no more faith left for any such ,mercury1 and 'tis lookt on as if there were no such thing in nature1 nor is at present any where extant3 ,because so many thousands of men have been occupied in the search thereof1 and so most exceedingly small a number have been masters thereof4 ,others have opinionated1 that the most pure substance is to be extracted out of ,gold and ,silver1 but not in the form of a running ,mercury1 but in a watery form1 and to be coagulated and fixed by the help of the ,fire into a medicinal ,stone4 ,othersome have perswaded themselves that ,gold and ,silver being ripe and fixt1 are no ways fit for so great a work1 but 'tis rather to be sought for in such ,subjects as never assumed to themselves any shape1 but do as yet lie hidden in that great and universal ,chaos the ,air1 because they saw that the life of all things lay hidden in the ,air1 and that out of it every ,creature of ,god doth daily and without inter mission attract it unto it self after a magnetical manner1 both for its own life and augmentation1 and that it is so too with the seeds1 abundance of them 7and they most different sorts too7 being sown in the same ,earth1 do each of them 7according as its nature and property is7 acquire to it self both life and augmentation hencefrom1 viz4 the ,air4 ,so likewise may it be brought to pass1 that even the ,metals may according to their nature and propriety extract their encrease out of the ,earth or ,air1 knew we but how to get the true ,seed1 or true ,magnet which might get out that augmentation4 ,for why should not ,god have as well given a ,seed to these his ,creatures for their encreasing1 as well as to the other ,creatures8 ,so then there are very many sundry ,opinions sprung up1 concerning the ,mercury of the ,philosophers1 and very many men have to their uttermost searched after it1 yet but a very few have obtained the same4 ,though it be thus1 yet the fault is not to be imputed either to ,nature or ,art1 but to the searcher after it1 because he errs and seeks not in the due place4 ,verily ,i did very many years ago exceeding studiously apply my self to the search of such a spiritual and ,gold and ,silver attracting ,magnet1 but ,i could not hitherto attain to the true ,scope1 until ,i at length by chance found that a true living and running ,mercury might1 by the benefit of ,art1 without any ,addition of ,mercurial things1 be extracted out of the fugacious and imperfect ,metals1 such as are ,lead1 ,tin1 ,bizmuth1 ,zink1 and ,antimony4 ,and although ,i had read many ,philosophers affirming this thing1 yet did ,i always doubt of the same1 and indeed not without cause2 for in my youthfull days1 serving a man of great note in ,chymical ,labours1 ,i tried in two years space two hundred ways of making the ,mercury of ,saturn1 and not so much as one of them succeeded4 ,now my said ,master was stirred up to the search of this ,saturnine ,mercury upon this occasion as follows4 ,he had some familiarity with many noble ,personages that were also addicted to the study of ,alchimy3 ,one of them knew how to make running ,mercury out of ,lead1 and to turn it into the best ,gold1 and he sent unto my ,master one lot or somewhat better of that said ,mercury1 together with the way of turning it and fixing it into ,gold4 ,we set about the work and it succeeded to our desires1 and yielded us as much ,gold as there was ,mercury sent us4 ,this hoped for success did so edge on my ,master1 that he could not rest till he had obtained from him that knew it1 the manner of making this ,saturnine ,spirit4 ,but as often as ever we tried the operation according to the way prescribed us1 both our hopes and labour were in vain4 ,and then my said ,master readily granted1 that we could not effect it4 ,hereupon it was that he sought all abroad with the greatest diligence1 and had got such abundance of processes and operations1 that two years did scarce suffice me to try them all2 though there was not so much as one amongst them all that answered our wishes1 but all our ,labours were in vain4 ,upon this score1 ,i could believe neither ,basilius or ,paracelsus when ,i read in them1 that ,gold and ,silver might be resolved into true and running ,mercury2 seeing that the bare turning of unripe ,lead into ,mercury1 did cost me and others so great ,labour and ,pains1 and yet we could not obtain it neither4 ,whereupon ,i fell into this opinion1 that the ,philosophers pointed at some other thing1 by their running ,mercury3 ,and ,i did so long adhere to this opinion of mine1 untill ,i chanced to light on the making of a running ,mercury out of ,lead1 and ,i have several times repeated the operation with the same success4 ,i have likewise revealed it to others1 who have also done the same1 but onely in small quantities hitherto4 ,but some of them have bestowed much pains about it1 and to prepare it in a greater quantity2 and that principally1 because 'tis certainly manifest that no small benefit lies herein hidden4 ,nay if it were no otherwise profitable than barely thus1 that it may be turned into ,gold1 and of this ,i am certain1 7'twere worth while47 ,for if the said ,mercury be but rubbed upon a piece of ,gold1 it makes it white1 and being then put upon the ,coals1 it separates indeed from it1 but yet leaves it tinged of a higher and deeper ,colour4 ,if this ,labour be ought repeated1 the ,gold will become weightier4 ,and hence may easily be conjectured1 that if it were adjoyned to a pure ,golden ,calx1 it would in a short space of time easily pass into good ,gold4 ,neither is there any doubt1 but that if any one did but know the manner of rightly handling such a ,mercury1 he would obtain some notable thing out of it1 because all the ,philosophers do in their ,writings promise so much good of ,saturn4 ,they generally affirm that ,lead is 7inwardly7 far beyond ,gold4 ,how many ,philosophers are there that reach the preparation of the universal ,work from thence8 ,see the ,universal ,work of ,isaac ,holland1 ,paracelsus his ,heaven of ,philosophers1 ,the great and small ,countryman1 c4 ,many do expresly write1 that all things which the ,philosophers do seek for1 are to be found in ,lead2 ,hereupon they called it ,leaprous ,gold4 ,and some ,philosophers do write1 that in ,mercury are all things that are sought for1 haply they mean not the ,common1 but such an one as is drawn out of ,metals4 ,but we'll even let pass this ,mercury of ,saturn1 and see whether or no we cannot find a better ,mercury1 and such a one as is of greater moment4 ,in the mean time the said ,mercury of ,saturn will fly about1 and bring good news to the ,lovers of ,truth1 viz4 that ,,glauber is now in the way1 to triumph1 by the help of ,god1 over all his ,enemies4 ,we will therefore go on to search out1 whether or no there is not another and better running ,mercury than that to be found1 which comes out of ,lead4 ,when ,i did somewhat more accurately search into ,nature's secrets1 ,i clearly saw1 that all things which live and doe in growing take an encrease1 do proceed or come forth by the ,sun's operation1 insomuch that such fruits as are nearer hereunto are the more excellent1 and by how much the farther off any are from it1 by so much the vilder be they4 ,as for example in ,wine2 by how much the nearer it is to the ,sun1 so much the nobler is it2 and by how much the farther it is from it1 so much the vilder is it4 ,the same may be observed in the generation of ,metals1 viz4 that in the hotter regions there is a greater quantity of ,gold1 and of ,silver1 than in the colder ,countries4 ,this is well known1 and out of all dispute3 ,so then when ,i saw that the hot beams of the ,sun1 together with the cold and refreshing light of the ,moon1 did not onely ripen ,gold1 but also those excellent ,wines1 and the best tasted ,fruits1 yea and the most contemptible ,herbs1 and that it gave to all things their most acceptable ,savour2 well did ,i conclude1 that if a convenient ,matrix1 or suitable ,magnet were exposed to the hot ,sun-beams1 and to the cold light of the ,moon1 that might day and night receive their ,operations2 ,it could not possibly be1 but that the ,seeds of those 7viz4 of ,sol and ,lune7 insinuating themselves into such a ,magnet1 will pass into most excellent ,fruit1 and obtain a perfect maturation4 ,i did once make trial to see whether it would be so or no1 and having artificially prepared ,gold and ,silver1 opened them1 and brought them to a ,magnetical attractive vertue2 and being well mixed1 ,i exposed them to the ,sun and ,moon1 to see and try what would proceed thencefrom4 ,then afterwards1 supposing them to have stood long enough at the ,sun and ,moon1 ,i put them into a small ,glass ,retort1 and placed it in ,sand1 and separated 7by distillation7 all the moisture from the ,golden and ,silver ,magnet1 that it had attracted from the ,air4 ,i got indeed a sweet ,water1 but yet not without ,vertues4 ,but having administred a stronger fire to this ,magnet1 ,i drew therefrom an astringent ,liquor1 resembling a golden yellow ,colour1 and like to ,gold4 ,i again exposed the said dried ,magnet to the beams of the ,sun and ,moon1 that it might by them be impregnated1 and that ,i might see whether or no a ,second1 and more ,births would be produced1 answering in all respects to the former4 ,i doe not doubt of them1 ,i confess but that they will be of a like property and nature as their ,father and ,mother are1 or indeed be more fair and excellent than they be3 ,for that first-begotten off spring brought with it self into the ,world a far more excellent fairness than its ,father had4 ,farther1 bringing this ,birth of ,sol and ,lune to a more accurate trial1 that so ,i might find out its vertues and efficacy1 ,i first of all perceived1 that there lay hidden therein 7though as yet so ,volatile7 a ,medicine of great moment4 ,and dealing with it upon a certain time1 and putting a little of it by chance upon ,gold1 ,i found that it made the ,gold white2 and rubbing the said ,liquor many times upon the ,gold1 it did at length produce 7or show forth7 the live ,mercury that lay hidden therein1 which said ,mercury thus living and visible1 ,i extracted out of this same ,liquor2 but it is better not to vivifie it1 but to take it as 'tis born1 and so fix it and make it constant4 ,and now1 ,i suppose1 that such a ,mercury as is extracted out of the ,air1 by ,gold and ,silver1 being not so much corporeal as spiritual1 is to be accounted of as the true ,mercury of the ,philosophers4 ,but if now any will object and say1 that this ,mercury doth not proceed forth from the ,air1 or that it is not extracted out of the beams of ,sol or ,lune by the ,magnetick ,gold and ,silver2 such a one may even say what he pleaseth1 but in the mean time he will not get the things he fisheth for4 ,besides1 ,i do not matter it so much1 viz4 whence it ariseth1 provided ,i can obtain the same2 ,if it did proceed out of the ,gold and ,silver1 it were not therefore to be rejected1 but it would be altogether better than that which is made out of gross ,lead1 nay haply it might become a ,tincture1 did but any one know how rightly to handle it4 ,it is a usual ,proverb1 that the ,apple falls not far from the ,tree1 and each thing follows the ,seeds of its proper and peculiar nature4 ,by how much the nobler the ,tree is1 by so much the more worthy is the ,wood thereof4 ,the younger sort sing over the same ,song as the old ones doe4 ,now these ,proverbs do declare1 that the ,fruits are so much the more excellent1 by how much a better nature the ,tree is of1 and this is a sure rule3 ,and therefore it necessarily follows1 that such a ,mercury as is drawn by ,gold and ,silver out of the ,air1 or doth proceed barely from ,gold and ,silver must needs be far better than that which hath its rise from ,lead3 ,and herein ,i acquiesce4 ,let every one take from thence what best likes him1 ,i was willing to leave to such as come after me1 those things which ,i met withall of so great moment4 ,and as concerning the ,medicinal ,vertues of this ,golden ,mercury1 ,i doe give this caution about it1 that if it be used as it came over at first in the distillation in ,medicine1 because 'tis as yet immature1 and but newly born1 it may work too strongly upon the ,body of ,man4 ,it is therefore better that it be fixed with some corporal well-opened ,gold1 and so 'twill effect those things which a ,universal ,medicine is onely able to perform4 ,i confess that hitherto ,i have not brought it to any constancy or fixity1 because ,i have not had time of rightly handling it3 ,in the mean while there are others that will set about this labour1 and will in due time manifest more things concerning it4 ,let every one be content therefore with this present discovery1 viz4 that a truely live and running ,mercury may be extracted1 not onely out of the soft and volatile ,metals1 and consequently unripe ones1 but also out of the ripe ,metals4 ,and seeing that most ,men doubt much of the truth of such a thing1 ,i could not omit the affirmation of the same1 as being a most true thing3 ,he that listeth may make trial of the same4 ',tis enough for me to have shown you the way4 ,let others likewise publish something1 that so the truth which hath been so long supprest hitherto1 may at length spring forth out of the darkness into light4 ,and now1 at last1 let's come to treat of ,wine1 and examine what an harmony and familiarity there is in it with ,gold and ,man4 ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,sheweth how great harmony1 familiarity1 and love1 there is in ,wine1 with ,mankind and ,gold4 ,it is evident1 even from the ,writings of all the ,philosophers1 that ,wine and ,gold is a wholsome remedy for ,mankind1 but yet not in such a gross state1 and without any preparation1 as they come forth out of the ,earth1 but they are to be destroyed1 and their most pure parts to be extracted1 and again conjoyned4 ,to obtain this knack1 there have been used many ,menstruums1 and one more excellent than another4 ,the common ,spirit of ,wine hath no familiarity at all with ,gold1 because of its unripe and combustible ,sulphur1 from which ,gold is wholly averse1 as being its enemy4 ,this thing ,i have in several places of my ,writings made mention of1 and have also taught it in this very ,treatise1 that ,gold being dissolved in ,aq4 ,regia1 and precipitated with the ,water of ,tartar1 yields most curious fine ,atoms1 which cannot be done any other kind of way4 ,for the common gross ,wine1 and the common sulphureous and unripe ,tartar are enemies to the ,gold1 the which is evidently manifest by this preparation of the most subtile ,calx of ,gold1 caused by the pouring of the ,water of ,tartar thereunto1 whereby 'tis precipitated unto the bottom4 ,the certainty of the truth of this thing may be thus tried1 if a little ,gold being dissolved in ,aq4 ,regis be put into a glass full of ,rhenish1 or any other sharpish ,wine3 ,the ,gold will be presently precipitated1 by the ,tartar which is in the ,wine1 into a tender and shining ,powder1 but it will not in a moment of time settle to the bottom1 but by little and little4 ,and yet if you put the ,wine in a ,vessel over a fire of ,coals1 and boil it1 then will it be speedily precipitated4 ,from whence 'tis evidently apparent1 that ,wine being as yet not at all separated from its impurities1 doth as it were differ from ,gold1 with a deadly hatred1 and yet carries hidden in its bowels a substance most friendly to the ,gold1 the which will1 in the end1 manifest it self so to be1 when the more gross parts are separated from the more subtile4 ,basilius teacheth its preparation by a peculiar proper instrument1 wherein 7as ,i judge7 the ,spirit of ,wine is to be kindled and burnt1 that so by the burning up of the ,sulphureity1 the ,mercurial ,salt may be separated and caught in a cold ,receiver4 ,and with this very ,salt 7saith he7 may a ,tincture be extracted out of ,gold1 which seems very probable to be so1 if one could but get or catch that said ,mercurial ,salt4 ,many indeed have attempted this labour1 but perhaps not a man hath found an answer to his expectation1 where the defect lies1 ,god knows4 ,others have mixed ,gold with ,alkalies1 and have taught the extracting of a ,tincture by an ,alkalizated ,spirit of ,wine1 which way1 though they may doe somewhat1 yet it is not the genuine way4 ,also some have by distillation gotten a certain fiery ,spirit out of ,tartar1 and therewith endeavoured to conquer ,gold4 ,here indeed is an appearance of some kind of possibility1 but yet this ,spirit is not to be attempted for that1 which unlocketh all the bowels of the ,gold2 and that for this reason1 because it doth as yet abound with combustible ,sulphur1 to which ,gold is a bitter enemy4 ,but now if you would duely joyn ,gold with ,wine1 then must all the combustible ,sulphur 7of the ,wine7 be first separated from its ,mercurial part1 and the ,mercury of the ,wine is to be brought by distillation into a notable fiery ,spirit2 if this be not done1 there will be no great matters effected with it4 ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,by what means such a ,spirit of ,wine as doth associate it self to the ,gold may be prepared4 ,without doubt many such as perceive that there is a possibility of preparing such a ,spirit will be most vehemently desirous to know the operation1 how 'tis to be done4 ,but it is even a wickedness to cast such a great ,secret before the unworthy and impure ,swine4 ,it therefore will be sufficient to shew both that it may be done1 and after what manner2 the rest to be left to ,god4 ,but that the studious ,artist may not be wholly affrighted or kept back1 ,i will here declare1 so much as may be sufficient to any one that is versed in the ,labours of the ,fire1 for the acquisition of so great a ,spirit3 ,but yet with this proviso1 that he make use of ,patience in his operation1 for this work is not to be dispatched in a day1 like as that labour which in one days distillation affords a ,spirit out of the ,lees of ,wine1 or out of ,tartar4 ,no6 ,but the manner of the work is thus3 ,take white or red ,tartar 7for both of them being well mundified1 are as good one as the other7 dissolve it in ,water1 and separate all its gross ,sulphur by a certain precipitating matter4 ,this impurity abiding in the ,water1 is to be separated from the precipitated ,tartar1 by pouring out the ,water1 the which 7,tartar7 remains in the bottom like a snowy ,sand1 and is to be well purged by reiterated washings with ,water1 so long untill 7all the impurities being well separated7 the ,powder it self becomes like to the white ,snow4 ,now although that this ,tartar be most exceeding white1 yet doth it contain as yet many ,sulphureous ,fces2 which being black1 do never suffer themselves to be separated by any ,solutions and ,coagulations1 but it is necessary that they be precipitated by a certain precipitating matter4 ,therefore let that ,tartar be again dissolved in pure ,water1 and be precipitated1 the which ,solutions and ,precipitations let be so often and so long repeated1 untill there appear no more black ,fces4 ,this most pure and most acceptable ,tartar melteth in the mouth1 and doth almost in the manner of other ,salts easily admit of ,solution in cold water4 ,being brought to this pass1 it is rendred fit to be dealt withall in the following manner4 ,dissolve some pounds of this pure ,tartar in cold water1 so as to make it sufficiently acid4 ,put this ,solution in some warm place1 or rather in ,horse-dung1 or in a warm ,balneo1 that the ,tartar may begin to putrefie and lost its acidity1 and get a kind of sweetishness1 which before it will come to be1 there is required the time of some months4 ,after it hath thus putrefied1 and lost its acidity1 all the unprofitable ,water is to be evaporated by a ,balneum1 untill it become a thick and black ,juice like ,honey2 the which being set in the ,glass in ,sand1 and being urged with a stronger fire than was made in the ,balneo1 will yield a fiery ,spirit1 and such an one as will mix it self with ,gold dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 and will separate the purer parts by digestion1 and draw them to it self1 from the more gross parts1 and so will perform its office in ,medicine even to most high admiration4 ,for any one may easily conjecture that the most pure parts of ,wine1 ,salt1 and ,gold will operate no evil effect4 ,what it will perform in ,metalline affairs1 ,i doe not as yet know2 ,but1 without question1 if it be rightly administred1 and duely made use of1 it will play its part very notably4 ,this operation before set down1 seems easie to be done1 if barely looked on outwardly1 but there's more labour and trouble in it than one would imagine4 ,such as have not the gift of patience1 and knows not what belongs to patient working1 may forbear this labour4 ,for the putrefaction proceeds on very slowly1 and there is required the knowledge of a matter precipitating ,tartar1 without which it will never suffer it self to be precipitated and purged1 'tis an hard thing to find1 but he that knows it1 it renders him all his labour facile and easie4 ,any impure ,tartar1 whether it be white or red1 may be so washed in one or two hours space1 and so purged1 that 7losing nothing save its ,fces7 it will become most white1 and much more apt for many operations4 ,but my time will not admit of treating farther of these affairs1 it may 7,god willing7 be done afterwards in another place4 ,however1 thus much ,i will yet add more2 ,that if ,spirit of ,wine brought to the highest purity1 so as to retain no filthy savour or odour1 be in a due quantity conjoyned by the help of common ,water with this excellently well depurated ,tartar1 there will result from them two a drink of a most excellent savour1 like to natural ,wine1 and may be used instead of wholsome ,wine4 ,this would be a most profitable thing for those that travel1 had they but that ,spirit of ,wine1 and that so excellently well prepared ,tartar4 ,for there is ,water to be had in all places1 and so they may at all times and every where make themselves good ,wine1 yea so good and so strong as they please1 according as they add more or less of that ,spirit and ,tartar4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,art would be very profitable for the cold ,countries1 in which ,countries1 in the want of ,spirit of ,wine1 because no ,wine grows there1 the ,spirit of ,corn will perform the same4 ,the chiefest knack is1 to be furnished with that ,tartar1 which by an easie ,solution enters into 7or is dissolved in7 the ,water4 ,but this is a business of a greater moment than to be divulged4 ,i have already opened to some the manner of preparing such a ,tartar1 who make it in plenty1 and so any one may easily get from them as much as they shall need4 ,besides the use of that kind of ,tartar1 conduceth to the accomplishing of many other things1 but not to be spoken of1 lest it should prove a detriment to such as know it4 ,but ,i doe here truely and sincerely affirm1 that whosoever he be that can without wast and cost so prepare the common vulgar ,tartar1 he will be hereby able to get his food and rayment1 and other necessaries for life1 wheresoever and in what ,country soever he shall abide4 ,this thing will in process of time have a farther progress1 and many will by the benefit thereof live more happily1 and perform things incredible4 ,i have made a beginning1 and the ,mice shall never gnaw off what ,i have here written1 but contrarily my ,successors shall enjoy the same to ,god's glory1 even to the ,worlds end1 and will in the first place thank ,god1 and next him1 me1 as being the ,authour and ,revealer of the same4 ,i could reveal many most profitable things that might be done by such a ,tartar1 were it not for injuring such as get their living by it1 and which for certain causes are not at present to be mentioned4 ,i have said enough to ,wise men1 and as for deriders and mockers1 ,i have said too much1 for they will say all are ,lies1 because they know not how to doe thus4 ,as to what appertains to the use of this here described ,liquor1 conjoyned of ,gold1 ,tartar1 and ,salt1 it may serve instead of ,aurum ,potabile1 in all ,sicknesses1 and may be profitably administred1 in corroborating the vital ,spirits2 for it doth not discover its ,vertues by a remarkable and visible operation1 but it strengthens the ,body1 and doth very gently drive out ,urine and ,sweat1 and seldom is it that it provokes to stool1 unless it be given in a strong ,dose4 ,the ,dose is from one1 two1 three1 six1 nine ,drops1 even to a ,scruple1 according as the ,sick is1 in ,water1 ,wine1 or ,ale1 or other ,liquors1 in a ,morning upon a fasting ,stomach1 and at ,evening after ,supper1 for some days together4 ,it keeps the ,body open1 and strengthens the ,brain1 and all the ,members4 ,but principally 7before the use of this ,liquor7 the ,body be well purged with good purging ,remedies1 such as are my purging ,gold1 and purging ,lune1 because then this ,medicine of the said ,golden ,liquor operates far better1 and more profitably4 ,in using it1 you are to observe whether or no the ,excrements become black1 if not1 the ,dose is so long to be augmented or continued untill the ,excrements that come away be of a black ,colour4 ,moreover1 the ,disease decreasing1 the ,dose is to be lessened by little and little1 according as necessity or the disease requires4 ,these things ,i thought good1 at this time1 to publish in the ,fourth ,part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,i entreat that every one would take in good part these few ,medicinal ,secrets1 but of very wide and large extent4 ,and1 ,god willing1 my ,third ,century will shortly come abroad and present you with a ,manifestation of more excellent ,medicines1 and other profitable ,secrets4 ,the ,end of the ,fourth ,part4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,dispensatory4 ,discoursing of the true ,universal ,medicine1 and of those most ,eminent ,arcana's1 as well ,universal as ,particular1 which are hitherto unknown unto the ,world2 by the help of which unheard-of and almost incredible ,operations may be effected1 not onely in ,medicine1 but also in ,alchymy4 ,proposed by way of ,question and ,answer4 ,question #a4 ,whether or no it is a thing possible in nature for such a ,tincture1 or so ,universal a ,medicament to be prepared1 as by the help of which1 both the ,bodies of ,men and ,metals may be promoted unto an higher1 better1 and more noble ,degree or ,essence8 ,answer4 ,it is not at all to be doubted of1 for1 as well the ,authority of so many and so great ,men 7who confess by their ,writings which they have published that they have made the same7 as daily experience demonstrates the same to be a truth1 void of any doubt4 ,question #b4 ,if those things which so many illuminated ,philosophers have written of this ,universal ,medicine be true2 how comes it to pass1 that though almost the whole ,world search after the same1 yet scarce one of so many thousands is master of the same1 and that the greatest part of the inquisitors after it1 wast their ,estates in the search to no purpose8 ,answer4 ,the ,art is not to be blamed1 because of the fruitless endeavours of so very many men that so greedily gape after so great a treasure2 but the fault is to be imputed to their own selves1 for they are hereto driven and stirred up by their insatiable covetousness and unjust intentions1 to make their search after so divine a gift1 and their design is to scrape up to themselves1 by the help thereof1 great ,riches and ,honours1 little thinking that ,god always hath and still doth bestow his gifts upon such as are upright and sincere1 and who doe not onely daily pray unto him for the same1 but do also search after them with uncessant ,labours4 ,this the ,apostle himself doth witness in express words1 saying1 ,it is not of him that wills1 nor of him that runs1 but of ,god that shews mercy4 ,and yet the extreamly blinded ,world believes it not1 nor proposeth unto it self any other ,scope than the scraping together of ,gold and ,silver right or wrong1 and fain would as it were wrest this so great a treasure out of the hands of ,god2 and having gotten it1 add fewel to their malice1 pride1 and impiety2 ,and so by this means1 more nearly approach 7even in this life7 to the ,devil the ,father of all wickedness1 and be at last plainly like him4 ,and this now is the primary and principal cause1 why so very many as are busied about the search of so great a treasure1 do lose both their labour and expence4 ,question #c4 ,but are there no other impediments that present themselves1 and which may be an hindrance and bar even against pious men too1 and such as lead a blameless life before ,god and ,man1 whereby they cannot have admission to the knowledge of so great a ,medicament8 ,answer4 ,yes verily1 there are exceeding many1 or almost innumerable impediments that lie in the way1 and shut up the passage even against the approaches of pious men to so great a work1 though they attempt the same too with a good intention1 and do sue unto ,god by their daily prayers1 and make their search with a most diligent meditation1 and continual ,labours thereabout4 ,question #d4 ,what are those impediments1 ,i pray8 ,answer4 ,to reckon up all those impediments apart1 and to set down each of them so clearly as for every one to understand and apprehend the same1 cannot at present be done2 neither is it necessary to mention all1 for it would not onely amount to a great ,volume1 but would also be a burthen to the ,reader1 and be rather an hindrance than an imitation and encouragement unto him concerning the attainment of the knowledge of so great a work4 ,but yet that ,i may satisfie in some sort1 the desires of some or other1 ,i will recount some of the chiefest of those impediments1 by the knowledge of which1 every one may know the reasons that are wont to stave off even pious men from so great a ,secret4 ,n4 ,b4 ,first of all therefore1 there are a many that have not means necessary or requisite to begin and perfect the ,work withall1 though they have a good ,judgment1 and are inflamed with an ardent desire of searching after nature and its miraculous effects1 and doe not at all fear1 nor are discouraged at the hard labours that are necessarily requisite to ,chymical ,operations4 ,such men therefore as these are 7being stirr'd up by a singular candour and sincerity of mind to a love of honesty7 doe not thrust themselves forward after the manner of impious and deceitfull ,impostors and slanderous ,vagrants that thirst after nothing but ,gold1 and pretend to some greedy ,miser1 that they will teach him the making of the ,philosopher's ,stone 7the knowledge of which themselves are clearly destitute of47 ,no6 but they even loath such vain acquaintance1 and disdain that despicable name of ,gold makers1 and content themselves rather to set at home1 and enjoy those few things which ,god hath vouchsafed to bestow upon them1 than to turn ,parasytes1 and live in the ,courts of ,princes and great ,men1 where they must strive by a ,fox-like subtilty to please every one1 and to bow the head to each shoulder1 and to scrape with his feet4 ,this now is the first impediment1 which keeps off not a few good ,men from the possession of so great a ,secret4 ,besides1 there are not a few of this sort1 that briefly and cursorily running over the ,writings of the ,philosophers without any serious meditation upon the thing they read1 or without understanding of the same1 do think themselves masters of a great deal of ,wisedom1 and firmly perswade themselves1 that if they have a little smatch of ,learning1 and have but the knowledge of a ,tongue or two1 and have but by some ,anagrams pleasantly tingling in the ,ears of some great ,men1 sooth'd their minds a little1 and wip'd them of some of their ,silver1 the finding out of so great a mystery cannot possibly escape their profound ,scholarship1 but they must needs catch it4 ,but yet 7by their leave7 they are quite out1 and full well are they known unto ,god1 who with-holds from those proud deriders1 and envious contemners of the truth1 his benediction1 and leaves them wallowing in their courtly pastimes so long1 untill at length 7after their turning and applying themselves from one foolish deceived man to another1 and so on7 they doe themselves lay open their own gross ignorance and most filthy shifts1 which they have wrapt over with such a detestable babling1 and by the fruitlesness of the event shew that their large promises of golden ,mountains are most vain and idle4 ,and hereupon their hopes of having the ,philosopher's ,stone 7which they seek for meerly to advance their pride1 and the more easily to suppress the truth7 vanishing away with the smoak1 they lose all their credit and their good report1 and can find no more such credulous persons that will suffer themselves to be soothed by their most vain promises4 ,and this is another kind of those that bestow their labour in vain about this so great a work1 who doe thereby add a great load to their wickedness1 by wasting other mens goods1 and deceiving the too credulous1 and ruining others as well as themselves4 ,there are yet a third kind of erroneous searchers1 and who deceive themselves with their vain labour1 and they are such as being a little too credulous and simple when they have lighted upon some of the ,philosophers ,writings1 and read what vast treasures are to be gotten by ,chymical ,labours1 doe presently feel an itching desire after ,gold1 and being inflamed with the covetous desire of such hungry treasures1 doe apply themselves with unwashen hands 7as we may so say7 to the reading of the same1 and then follow the bare letter in their operations4 ,from whence it comes to pass1 that 7all things being obscure and dark to them1 being ignorant and unskilfull1 and the light of nature not shining upon them7 they wander from the right path1 and immerse themselves in the fruitless attempts of vain ,labours4 ,some there are that have indeed some kind of knowledge of managing the ,fire1 and who doe very diligently read over the ,writings of the ,philosophers1 but yet are quite confounded by their reading them1 seeing that they cannot find out the true ,fire1 and true matter of the ,stone1 which the ,philosophers have so obscurely and so variously written of4 ,for some of them teach the making of the ,stone out of fixt ,gold and ,silver1 and not out of the other immature and volatile ,minerals1 because what a ,man sowes1 that he reaps2 others tell us the quite contrary1 and say that there cannot be any better thing made of fixt ,gold and ,silver1 seeing they are already brought by nature unto that perfection as not to be reduceable into their first matter1 out of which 7said first matter7 they affirm that their ,universal ,medicine is to be made1 and not of fixt ,gold and ,silver3 ,and therefore rejecting fixt ,gold and ,silver1 they say that the first ,entities 7of the said ,sol and ,lune7 being yet ,volatile1 are the true first matter of the ,philosophers ,stone1 because they are as yet immature 7as they phrase it7 and tender1 and fit for the making of those things which we are desirous to accomplish1 which 7they tell us7 cannot be possibly made out of those two fixed bodies4 ,and to help forward yet more confusion1 the multiplicity and variety of names1 which the matter of the ,philosophers is stiled1 is no mean impediment to the understanding4 ,one bids us seek it in ,vitriol1 another in ,mercury1 some in ,saturn1 others in ,magnesia3 ,and thus is that matter deciphered by various and innumerable names1 insomuch that it is impossible but that he who is ignorant1 and not well versed in these affairs should be hurried into various doubts and perplexities1 being clearly ignorant whether or no the ,philosophers mean the common ,vitriol1 or a ,vitriol extracted out of the fixed ,metals1 especially seeing they too and agen affirm1 that their ,vitriol ,mercury and ,saturn are not those vulgar ,metals of ,gold1 ,quicksilver1 and ,lead4 ,who therefore ,i pray could be so wise and prudent as to rid himself out of the so many confused and intricate windings of this ,labyrinth8 ,even hence it is that the most learned and diligent searchers have been wound into so many erroneous ,labours1 nor could by any means get clear of those hedg'd up turnings4 ,nay yet more1 the inconstancy of such as labour is no small impediment1 who 7should they have the matter7 would not perfect the same by reason of their fickle inconstantness4 ,for if the ,stone does not presently come forth1 and make them masters of what they desire1 away they throw their ,books and tread upon them1 and load the ,authours with curses and imprecations1 accusing them of wicked deceit1 in that they have not written clear enough for every one to understand so great an ,art at the very first dash1 and to become a master of such a notable treasure without any labour at all4 ,you shall likewise meet with some that are so very wise as that it seems no ways likely unto them1 that so divine a gift can be prepared out of so vile abject1 and contemptible things1 whenas though 7by their leave7 every good thing 7for the most part7 is wont to be abject and mean1 and not precious1 witness ,sandivow1 who tells us that he had declared the whole ,work to not a few1 even from the beginning to the end1 but 7by reason of the meanness of the same7 they judged it to be but of small moment1 believing that no good could possibly proceed thencefrom4 ,besides too1 it oft times happens that even many of those who by their reading and diligent scrutiny have attained the knowledge of the true matter1 are notwithstanding that ignorant of the true ,fire that gives ,tincture unto that true matter1 and therefore cannot be masters of their wishes and desires4 ,infinite is the number of these and such like obstacles which impead1 and retard the desirous searchers after so great a ,work4 ,for many there be that seek1 but few are they that find4 ,question #e4 ,whether or no the ,philosophers do so much differ amongst each other1 as that one hath prepared that ,universal ,medicament of this matter1 and another of that8 ,answer4 ,yea1 verily they seem much to differ amongst themselves1 nor onely as to the external ,letter1 but their ,opinions also that concern the very matter it self are very various and discrepant1 but yet as to the ,basis and ,fundamentals of the truth1 there they are of one mind1 though one hath prepared his universal ,medicament of one matter1 and another of another matter1 and have each 7after the finishing of their ,work7 described the operation agreeable to their own way of proceeding4 ,question #f4 ,whether or no there are more universal matters than one1 out of which the universal ,tincture is prepared8 ,answer4 ,as far forth as we can gather from the ,writings1 both of the ,ancient and ,modern ,philosophers1 they have not onely used divers matters1 but also different ways of operation1 in the preparing of their ,tinctures3 ,but the ,tincture being acquired1 each had an universal ,medicine1 and was therewithall content1 though 7,i confess7 one ,medicine was more virtuous and efficacious than another4 ,question #g4 ,which of the ,metals and ,minerals are to be accounted of as the true matter of the ,stone8 ,answer4 ,if you should onely mind the literal sence1 the ,philosophers then seem to know a way of preparing their ,tincture1 not onely out of all the ,metals1 but even out of the ,minerals too3 ,for they have imposed so many names upon their matter1 calling it one while ,gold1 another while ,silver1 or ,mars1 or ,saturn1 yea and ,magnesia1 ,arsenick1 ,sulphur1 ,soot1 ,urine1 ,blood1 ,sperm1 ,menstruum1 and ,i know not how many absurd names1 which have seduced the unskilfull ,searchers into various errours1 whereby they have bestowed their ,labours1 and spent their ,estates upon unprofitable matters1 and so lost both their ,pains and ,charges4 ,question #h4 ,whether or not the ,tincture may not be extracted as well out of fixt ,gold and ,silver as out of the other imperfect ,metals1 and immature and volatile ,minerals1 seeing that the ,philosophers say1 that all the ,minerals and ,metals have their original out of one and the same root1 and do agree as to their inward ,essence1 the difference that is between them consisting onely in the purity or impurity1 and in the fixity or volatility of them4 ,if therefore the pure be but separated from the impure1 and ,shell from the ,kernel1 that separated purity of the imperfect ,metals will give the same that the most pure ,gold and ,silver will4 ,nay more1 if it were necessary it mought easily be demonstrated1 that a true ,tincture1 and wholsome for both the bodies of ,men and ,metals1 may not onely be prepared out of any ,metal and ,mineral1 but even out of the ,vegetables and ,animals themselves too1 and that by reason of their included ,sulphur1 which is the ,father and ,original of all the ,metals8 ,answer4 ,but what need is there of seeking that in far remote places1 which offers it self nearer at hand8 wisely therefore did the ,philosophers reject all the ,vegetables and ,animals1 and other the like unprofitable things1 as to the making the universal ,tincture1 they expresly advised us1 that such things as you desire to reap1 you must sow2 and that he that thinks with himself of bestowing his labours about such operation1 must begin with those things that nature hath left off at and could not advance to a farther perfection4 ,and what else ,i pray do ,artists seek for but ,gold and ,silver8 if so1 then 7as the ,philosophers do seriously admonish us7 we must take their ,seeds and ,sow them1 if we would ,reap a much augmented and exalted ,crop of ,gold and ,silver4 ,question #i4 ,if the case stands thus with these labours1 as that those things which are sown1 are again reaped in a multiplied encrease1 why is not the most noble ,seed of ,gold onely sown8 ,what need is there of adding ,silver thereunto which there's no appearance 7as to the outside view7 of any colour4 ,answer4 ,although there be not any apparent colour in the ,silver1 yet is it certain that there lies abundance of colour therein hidden1 which notwithstanding does not dissolve it self before it is unlockt and inverted by the labour and help of the true ,chymick ,art1 and that its external whiteness be hidden1 and its internal redness be brought forth to light4 ,for verily a true ,tincture necessary for the transmutation of the ,metals can never be prepared out of bare simple ,gold1 without an addition of ,silver thereunto3 ,for ,silver is the ,matrix of ,gold1 in which1 this 7as being the masculine ,seed7 germinates1 grows and multiplies its colour4 ,question #aj4 ,this seems to every body a wonder that a red colour should also lie hidden in white ,silver1 seeing that there are not a few who think that even ,gold it self does not contain more of colour than it needs for its own self4 ,how therefore must this be understood8 ,answer4 ,as to this1 you must not at all mind the external shape1 but that which lies occultly hidden4 ,the internal parts of any ,seed are not visible to the sight1 as for example4 ,a ,vegetable ,seed presents you not with the sight of any various colours1 but when it is committed to the ,earth as to its ,matrix1 it then sends forth first green ,sprouts1 then ,stalks1 then ,leaves1 after which succeed most curiously painted colours1 that at last the ,seed comes forth with an incredible augmentation1 all which were not visible in the bare ,seed4 ,consider also the ,egg of any ,bird1 in which no body can discern any ,bird1 consisting of such divers and various ,members1 and adorned with such delicate ,feathers afore the said ,bird is hatcht1 the ,egg being ripened by an external cherishing heat4 ,question #aa4 ,this similitude of the ,seed of a ,vegetable1 and of a ,bird1 doth not a little enlighten my mind and give me encouragement to believe3 ,i do therefore firmly believe that there is hidden an abundance of colour not onely in yellow ,gold1 but also in white ,silver it self too1 insomuch that ,i do assuredly perswade my self1 that a constant and most high ,tincture may easily be prepared out of ,gold and ,silver1 and that it is a very difficult matter to prepare a permanent ,fire-brooking ,tincture out of the imperfect ,metals and immature ,minerals 7though they also hide within their inside bowels most exquisite colours7 by reason of that imperfection and unripeness which they lie under4 ,answer4 ,your judgment and opinion is true4 ,for although1 the lesser ,metals1 as also the ,minerals themselves too do hide within their bowels1 the most high colours1 and though those very colours may easily be separated from their unprofitable bodies1 yet notwithstanding there is requisite to such operations a long space of time1 great expence1 and hard labour1 viz4 to make such ,tinctures constant1 permanent1 and fixt by the common ,fire of ,wood and ,coals4 ,but yet he that knows the secret ,fire of the ,philosophers1 will easily give unto such ,tinctures that constancy in the ,fire that is requisite1 which otherwise1 and by the common ,fire1 will very difficultly and hardly ever be effected4 ,for example1 common water will always remain water1 and therefore will never be brought into a stony or metallick nature by the ,fire of ,wood or ,coals4 ,but a thing may be easily reduced unto that which it was before3 ,if an hard ,stone be turned into pure water1 it may be reduced 7even by the help of the common ,fire7 out of that same ,water into a more pure ,stone1 and so is it likewise with a ,metal1 if treated with the same operation4 ,but yet ,i do not deny but that even any common water1 or any ,stone may be changed into a ,metal1 but then ,i say1 it must be done by the help1 not of the common ,fire1 but of the ,fire of the ,wise ,men1 by which ,fire1 even the ,waters are wont to be changed into ,metals in the ,earth3 ,for all ,metals and all ,stones have their rise out of the ,water1 and were at first ,water4 ,whosoever therefore doth well and throughly know this secret ,fire1 which the ,philosophers have always with their utmost diligence and care concealed1 he may work upon all the first beings of ,gold and ,silver1 as common ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 ,cobolt1 and others of that kind1 and transmute them into red and white ,tinctures4 ,but if he has no knowledge at all of the same1 let him in ,god's name apply himself onely to fixt ,gold and ,silver1 and having volatilized them1 turn them into ,water1 and again turn this same ,water into a fixed ,stone1 which if he brings but to pass1 he enters upon the nearest way1 and will be a master of that which he bestows his labour in the search of4 ,question #ab4 ,if this be the most compendious way of getting the ,philosophers ,tincture1 viz4 out of those known ,metals1 as fixt ,gold and ,silver2 ,why do some of the ,philosophers write that their ,sol and ,lune is not that common and well known ,gold and ,silver1 and that as well the ,poor as the ,rich have that ,sol and ,lune as is theirs1 and may easily prepare the ,tincture it self there out of2 so that 7it seems7 all such as busie themselves in the searching after that most eminent ,medicine in the common ,gold and ,silver1 do extreamly err8 ,answer4 ,these ,philosophers that reject the common and well known ,gold and ,silver1 were clearly ignorant of the knowledge of making of the ,tincture out of them1 which had they but known and well understood1 they would not so confidently have affirmed such a thing in their ,writings4 ,but forasmuch as they knew but that one way of making the ,tincture our of the volatile ,minerals1 and that that way of making it with fixt ,gold and ,silver was unknown unto them1 they could not mention unto us any other way than their own2 whereas though there are not a few of the ,philosophers1 that on the other hand commend unto us the common ,gold and ,silver1 and reject all the other ,metals4 ,nor is the number too very small1 of such as do confess1 that the ,tincture may be made of the more imperfect ,metals1 and volatile ,minerals1 but yet with this caution1 that one subject is much easier1 speedier1 and better to operate upon than another is4 ,no ,man can all at once clearly know and apprehend every thing1 and therefore it would be much2 better for a man to judge onely of the things he knows1 and not censure the things he is ignorant of1 that so the ,world may not by this means be stuft with so many ,writings which thwart one another4 ,some there are who perswade themselves1 that 7when they do at long run arrive by many turnings and windings unto the wisht for place7 there is no certainer1 nor more compendious way than that which they took in making their ,journey4 ,hence it is1 that the ,writings of the ,philosophers are so involved with intricate opinions1 out of which no body can well free himself1 unless the whole knowledge of nature be opened unto him3 ,but seeing the number of such is very small1 therefore it must of necessity follow1 that they who err are very many1 and that they who become masters of the truth1 are but a very few4 ,question #ac4 ,what therefore is it that is necessary for us to know1 or what things must we be furnished withall1 when we apply our minds to the search of so great a secret8 ,answer4 ,forasmuch as the universal ,medicine is the gift of ,god1 and not of ,man1 it is but just1 that the same be sought for at the hands of ,god1 and not of ,men1 who 7in one night and by a ,dream7 can reveal those things1 which a ,man will not get all his life long by his reading of the many intricate ,books extant2 ,and thus much doth ,david teach us1 saying1 ,in vain do you rise up early1 and go to ,bed loaden with cares1 for ,god bestows his gifts upon those that love him1 even whilst they ,sleep4 ,question #ad4 ,by what means may a gift so divine be obtained from ,god8 ,answer4 ,by daily praying unto him1 and by accompanying your ,prayers with daily and diligent ,labour4 ,for ,prayers alone wont serve turn1 unless the reading of good ,authours1 and continued ,labour be also adjoyned thereunto4 ,god reveals his good things to mortal ,men1 by their serious ,prayers1 and continual ,labours4 ,question #ae4 ,are all ,men fit to beg so great a gift at ,god's hands1 without any difference at all1 or doth so great a secret require onely some particular ,men's ,supplications1 and not admit every one1 as if all were fitted thereunto8 ,answer4 ,verily every body is not fit or worthy to be a master of the same4 ,for should it be granted every one1 this so exquisite an ,art1 and of so great a concernment1 would become as common as the baking of ,bread1 and brewing of ,ale1 but this is contrary to the command of ,god1 who wills not1 that the ,goat should have so long a ,tail as the ,cow1 for so in ,pride she may smite out her own ,eyes4 ,god well knows when1 and where to give1 and who it is that merits such great favours4 ,but however this is an undoubted truth that the proud shall never obtain any good thing at the hands of ,god4 ,whosoever therefore has a desire after great things1 let him throughly search his heart1 and see if it be upright and sincere towards ,god1 or no1 and it is necessarily expedient for him well to examine himself1 7before he sets about the ,labours of so great an ,arcanum7 for this reason1 lest it should happen to him1 as it did to that ambitious and proud ,guest1 who 7as ,christ teacheth7 sate himself down in the chiefest place of the ,feast1 which he was not worthy of1 and was afterwards constrained 7to his great shame and reproach7 to yield the same to a worthier and honester ,man than himself4 ,question #af4 ,how must such a ,man be qualified1 that desires to obtain from ,god by his ,prayers1 so great a secret1 and by his ,labours to bring it to a final end8 ,answer4 ,first of all an ,arcanum of so great an importance requires a free ,man1 and such an one as is not bound to any other1 nor intangled with any other humane affairs1 that so being in a quiet and silent possiture1 he may by his daily ,prayers sue unto ,god for his ,blessing1 and may be at leisure continually to read good ,authours1 and to let no time slip wherein his ,labours are required4 ,then farther1 such a ,man must likewise be pious and liberal1 and forward in helping of the ,poor3 he must also be no ,tatler1 he must have a good and sound mind1 and be given to temperance and sobriety4 ,he must not do as the roving ,mountebank doth1 insinuating himself one while into this ,man's ,acquaintance1 another while into that ,mans3 ,he must not be over credulous1 presently to believe every ones pretension3 ,he must not mind his sole benefit nor be prone to covetousness1 and aim at grasping all unto himself4 ,he must not be of an unconstant mind1 but expect and wait for 7with a patient and constant ,resolution7 the end of that which his desire inclines him to1 and therefore he must not be presently enraged1 or be affected with a wearisomness if it should so happen unto him as not to have every thing presently answering his expectation4 ,he does not propose unto himself the getting of great honours in the ,world1 and of having in his hands power and authority1 but rather aims at the honour of ,god1 and the helping and succouring the poor sick and distressed ones4 ,farther yet1 he must be furnished with necessary means1 lest he be constrained through the want of ,coals1 ,materials1 and other necessaries1 to leave off the ,work he has begun4 ,but he must especially have ,god always before his ,eyes1 and expect the happy event from him alone1 and attribute nothing at all to his own peculiar ,wisedom1 and be daily at his ,prayers1 and labour without ceasing1 and with a patient mind wait on the ,lord for a successfull end4 ,briefly he that is studious after such a secret1 must so lead his life1 as to walk unblamably both before ,god and ,man4 ,question #ag4 ,which of these two ways is most safe and most easie for the attainment of this divine gift1 that which makes use of the common ,gold and ,silver1 or that which useth the unknown1 and as yet volatile ,gold of the ,philosophers8 ,answer4 ,you must know that both ways are good1 and lead you on to your wished end1 if they be but rightly and orderly according to ,art proceeded withall4 ,question #ah4 ,by what means shall an unskilfull beginner1 and one who is ignorant of so great an ,art1 enter upon the right way1 and not err1 whenas he hath not any one to guide him as it were along by the hand8 ,answer4 ,who shewed the way unto the other ,philosophers that were before us8 were not all of them 7some few excepted who confess that they learned the ,art from good ,friends7 constrained to learn the same out of the ,books of the ,ancients1 and by the divine ,revelation8 ,question #ai4 ,where may a ,man find such good and well disposed ,friends who will shew the way to him that is unskilfull8 ,answer4 ,such men are wondrous rare1 and indeed good reason have they so to be1 and to deal warily and wisely in revealing such notable secrets4 ,it is not engraven on each ,man's ,forehead1 whether he be good or evil2 we rarely meet with any example1 whereby it hath appeared1 that even a ,father hath disclosed to his ,son so great a secret before his death4 ,nay more1 if ,parents have left ought written for their ,children at their death2 yet hath it been so intricate as that they could not do any good on it without divine ,revelation4 ,and upon this very account have divers such desisted from the work1 finding that the ,writings which their ,parents left them were fully as hard to be understood as those written by other ,authours1 and which were not penned and published for the sake of their ,children1 but for the sake of all others in general4 ,question #bj4 ,what use are such intricate and obscure ,writings of8 would it not have been better that they had not ,written at all8 ,if they had but onely disclosed the true matter1 it would have afforded the searching inquirers more light1 and they would have been able more easily to have apprehended the truth8 ,answer4 ,no surely1 it would not have been better1 if they had passed over so weighty a thing in silence4 ,whence ,i pray should we their ,successours have known1 that there is such an excellent ,medicament in nature8 ,the ,books they have written do remove from us even every ,scruple of doubt1 and cause us to believe1 that there hath been1 is1 and may be made such an universal ,medicament1 if ,god permits4 ,the reason why they have not jumpt together in disclosing the matter of the ,stone with one unanimous consent1 is this1 because one used this matter1 another that1 for the making of their universal ,tincture1 and so each of them have described the way of making the same after his own way4 ,hence it is1 that one hath delivered this manner1 but another that hath proceeded another way could not give us the self same accompt of making it just as the other did1 but hath hinted unto us onely1 the way which he himself used4 ,the greatest difference is about the matter onely of the ,stone2 one part of them saith that the common and fixt ,sol and ,luna is the matter of the ,stone1 and lays by or rejects all other ,subjects4 ,another part affirms that a volatile and an unripe ,gold is the ,master of the same1 and that the common ,sol and ,luna are to be wholly waved as being unprofitable for the matter of the ,stone4 ,moreover the ,philosophers in their description of making the ,stone mention a dry way and a moist way1 a long way and a short way1 a common ,fire and a secret ,fire1 which they used in the ripening of their ,tinctures4 ,and now 7on this accompt7 it could not otherwise be2 but that they should publish such unlike1 dubious1 and thwarting ,writings1 which have rendred the way of finding out the truth so difficult and intricate1 and have led the ,lovers of the ,art into such abundance of ,errours1 and fruitless ,labours4 ,the common ,fire ,i wish1 is destitute of the power of ripening volatile ,gold1 and reducing it into a ,tincture1 which that secret ,fire1 continually burning with its flame in the glass upon the matter of the ,stone1 is able to effect4 ,now besides the common ,fire1 there must necessarily be the assistance of the moist ,fire1 which being kindled by the ,fire of ,coals and made efficacious1 doth radically conjoin the fixt ,gold and ,silver1 brings them unto a volatility1 and makes them again constant in the ,fire4 ,this way 7in my judgment7 is the shortest1 easiest and safest of all2 for it makes the fixt ,sol and ,luna spiritual and volatile in three days time1 and turns them into the ,mercury of the ,philosophers1 which white ,mercury of the ,philosophers doth afterwards pass in one days space1 into the black ,lead of the wise men1 if a small ,fire be administred thereunto4 ,this ,lead being put into its requisite glass1 may 7by the help of common ,fire7 be reduced 7after its changing of ,colours7 into a constant ,tincture4 ,and now though the ripe and fixt ,gold cost and be far dearer than the immature ,sol is1 yet that's no matter1 for there needs not a pound of ,gold to be used about the compleating of this work1 but half a pound onely1 or else but two or three ounces1 that so the operation may be the sooner ended4 ,nor will he that shall once have brought one half ,ounce unto a due perfection1 need such a deal of ,gold1 for he wants not ,gold any more1 wherewith to begin the operation a new4 ,and although on the other hand the maturation of the immature ,gold by the secret ,fire doth not require so much expence as the common ,gold doth1 yet it requires more time for its perfection4 ,besides too1 the moist way is always subject to more ,casualty and ,hazard1 and requires a much longer time to bring it to the desired perfection4 ,it is therefore at every man's pleasure1 to choose which of these two ways pleaseth him1 onely he must proceed warily and prudently4 ,and if he should chance to commit some ,errour once or twice1 yet will not such ,errours be of any great detriment unto him1 if he can but at last arrive unto the wisht for end1 and reap the multiplied and manifold ,fruits of his ,crop4 ,thus much was ,i willing 7and indeed ought7 to communicate of my opinion 7concerning the universal ,medicine7 unto the ,disciples of ,hermes1 but yet without prescribing 7or obtruding my thoughts7 upon any one1 but leaving every one to his own ,conceptions4 ,mean while ,i would advise every one not to attempt a thing of so great a moment1 rashly and inconsiderately1 but in the first place accurately to weigh all things in his mind1 as to what may be done1 and what may not1 lest he repent him at last and be quite tired with his fruitless ,labours4 ,for it is no mean slight business to prepare the true ,tincture of the ,philosophers1 neither is it given unto every man to have the knowledge and possession of so great a ,work4 ,question #ba4 ,would it not be a very convenient thing for two or three ,friends to joyn their hands together1 and help each other by their mutual ,labour and ,expences1 and so ease that trouble which otherwise one alone must undergo8 ,or if any one be so minded as to attempt the work alone1 would it not be better for him to get him some faithfull and diligent ,operatour1 whose help he might make use of1 in the promoting and forwarding of his ,operations4 ,answer4 ,for my part1 ,i would not advise any one to do thus4 ,for when a work of so great a moment is to be undertaken1 and to be accomplished by the common mutual ,expence and ,labour of others1 the ,affairs are then obnoxious to no small hazard1 and for the most part come short of the hop'd for event1 by reason of the most different ,opinions amongst men1 concerning which the ,comdian said very right1 so many heads so many opinions1 every one hath a peculiar fancy4 ,now then1 from one desiring this thing another that1 there can't arise ought else but confused actions and operations1 which are so far from forwarding the work1 as that they retard and obstruct the same4 ,many ,work-men disagreeing amongst themselves1 can never build an ,house agreeable to the right dimensions of building4 ,and therefore it is far better for every one to apply himself single and alone to the performing of so great a work1 and quietly to attend upon the same1 and invoke ,god's help alone1 and leave off his expectations from man1 amongst whom fidelity and love1 are like the rare ,bird in the ,earth1 and as scarce as a black ,swan6 ,nay even the friendship of brethren is wondrous rare1 and 7which is worst of all7 the bond of friendship is too often broken asunder betwixt ,parents and ,children4 ,the golden ,alphabet doth likewise in its beginning teach us the very same1 saying1 trust in ,god onely1 and in him place thy hope1 give not any credit to the promises of man1 ,god onely is faithfull1 fidelity is banished out of the ,world4 ',tis sufficiently evident1 what kind of doings there is in the ,courts of great men1 you'l there find #b1 #c1 #d1 or more ,chymical ,operatours busily imployed about making the ,philosophers ,stone1 for they seek after nothing less1 but yet by reason of their ignorance1 they effect but very little or nothing at all1 for the main thing that they mind is to strut it bravely out in their ,silks and gay ,apparel1 and to have their ,tables furnished with plenty of various ,dishes1 and generous ,wines and ,drinks1 whereby they may stuff their ,bellies2 and this is clearly testified by daily experience3 and as for taking to ones self an ,operatour1 that is more hazardous than the other1 where the work is attempted by a confederacy1 at their common mutual ,expences and ,labour4 ,for seeing you cannot make an inspection into any man's heart1 whereby to know what ,monster he there cherisheth1 and what good or evil he has hidden in the inside of his heart1 you cannot possibly promise your self any certainty of his taciturnity or fidelity1 and therefore plainly ignorant must you needs be whether the man you would take to assist you be faithfull and no tatler4 ,verily even the common ,labour cannot be committed to such men without hurt and damage1 but great ,arcana's cannot be left to their care without assured loss of all4 ',tis wondrous rare to find a ,servant so faithfull1 who 7after he hath slily gotten the knowledge of one or two ,secrets though but trifling ones too7 does not presently perswade himself1 that now he's a skilfull ,artist enough1 and no longer needs the instructions and manuductions of any other4 ,these kind of perverse men being by thus 7evilly perswading themselves7 seduced1 are presently wont secretly to withdraw themselves1 or if haply they do stay yet longer with their ,master1 they behave themselves so malepertly and unmannerly1 as that they spoil the things committed to their ,charge merely to accomplish this end that their ,master may dismiss them4 ,if therefore you will not wink at and suffer them to spoil and destroy1 by their saucy regardless ,labours the things they have under their hands1 but are constrained to put away these most ungratefull and plainly unmindfull men of the benefits they have received1 yet will they not acquiesce here with an honest dismission and parting1 but will every where gnaw and wound thy good name by abundance of reproachfull ,stories1 as being now thus opiniated that they far excel you1 their ,master in ,wisdom1 ,skill and ,knowledge4 ,but yet ,i except in this place those ,servants that are honest1 pious and diligent1 and that love vertue1 and make a conscience of their ways4 ,for the ,devil has not got the possession of all men's hearts1 for there are some ,chymical ,operatours to be found who are so faithfull unto their ,masters1 as that could they of a farthing make a ,florin for their ,masters1 they would most cheerfully do it4 ,but yet these men are so very rare1 that scarce one in ten can be found that you may give credit to1 and trust4 ,and my own thirty years experience hath taught me1 and therefore ,i tell you no more than what my self have to my own detriment experienced4 ,read but what ,paracelsus hath written of these perfidious ,knaves1 amongst other things he confesseth1 that thirteen of his ,servants came under the ,hangman's lash1 and that of them all he found but one faithfull1 7and that was ,operinus7 and yet he 7after ,paracelsus his death7 did manifestly enough bewray his dissimulation and unfaithfulness2 for he did not onely load him with reproaches1 but also published slanderous ,writings of him4 ,this is the thankfulness the ,world is wont to repay for the good that is done it1 shun therefore such as these the most you can1 for they neither fearing ,god nor reverencing men1 make no matter at all of either opposing the most apparent truths1 or of defending it by most manifest and evident ,lies4 ,and although the malicious wickedness of a man1 be not presently known1 yet notwithstanding it bewrays it self by the slanderous reproachfull lies1 with which it requites the good turns done him by his ,neighbour4 ,thus much ,i judg'd worth while to communicate to all the ,disciples of the ,hermetick ,art1 that so they may learn to beware of these kind of ,harpies4 ,question #bb4 ,seeing it is not good to enter into friendship or consortship with others1 in order to the attempting so great a work3 ,and seeing a man runs a greater hazard in taking to himself an unknown ,operatour1 haply it would be the best way to seek after some particular ,medicament which may be serviceable for the benefit of both high and low1 and which may not onely prove helpfull unto the poor1 but also by which a necessary ,sustenance may be found even amongst the rich1 and so by this means may a man lead a quiet life4 ,answer4 ,this advice or determination ,i confess seems far better and more safe than the two former1 but even this too needs a provident wariness1 viz4 if a man should haply 7by his sedulous search7 acquire the knowledge of some eminent and excellent ,medicaments1 he must take heed lest by presently making every one partaker of the same1 he pulls damage on his own head4 ,for 'tis an usual custom amongst wicked men to endeavour 7assoon as they find any one gifted by ,god with such a blessing7 to get it our of the breast of the ,possessour of the same1 by most cunning ,subtilties1 and promise even golden ,mountains1 and such as they are never able to perform4 ,and if once thou let'st the ,art pass but out of thy hands and come within the ,clutches of other men1 thou may'st well fear in the first place lest it should be made publick1 and so thy self be deprived of the benefit of the same1 though they whom thou hast trusted with the same have bound their credit with the firmest obligations imaginable1 and this now is to be understood of such men from whom such bonds as they call them may be demanded4 ,but as for the great ones that are wont to give onely their words 7and stand upon that7 when they have got any ,arcanum1 they are wont to deliver it to their ,chymical ,operatours to make1 for themselves are partly ignorant of ,chymical ,operations1 and partly let not their own hands to work2 if their ,operatours be skilfull in ,chymical ,operations and bring the same to the expected end1 you shall be presented with some small reward1 and even of this too will he 7whose charge the presenting of it is committed unto7 keep to himself the better half4 ,this now is done unwittingly to their ,masters1 and who dares inform them of such deceitfull ,servants1 and purchase to himself the envy and hatred of the ,courtiers8 ,and so those who are commanded to bring thee good sweet ,milk1 do themselves first take away the sweet fat ,cream1 and then bring thee the sour ,whey4 ,but if for the more surety1 thou sendest any ,servant that may be there at the perfecting of the ,operations1 he will 7if faithfull satisfie thee2 if not1 he will present thee with as much of the reward as himself pleaseth4 ,thus hath it hapned unto me1 for 'mongst other ,servants ,i have had such1 that in their ,cups have impudently boasted of such kind of theft1 and have prevented me of a present or two that belonged unto me1 and have made themselves merry therewithall4 ,these and other such like inconvencies are wont to happen upon the revealing of ,arcanums1 though they should fully answer the expectation of those whom they are revealed unto4 ,but if it should happen that those ,chymical ,operatours should by reason of their ignorance commit some ,errour in their ,labour1 or should have no mind to the work as being a little more troublesome than ordinary1 fearing lest the ,sparks of the ,coals should light upon their ,silken ,garments1 and that their hands should be defiled with the blackness of the ,coals1 they presently perswade their ,lords1 that the ,arcanum which was thus revealed is false1 and that you are a cheat and a mere vapour1 and so they do not onely rob thee of thy good name1 but do likewise by their fraudulent and lying tricks deceive their ,masters affirming those things to be false1 which notwithstanding are most certainly true4 ,several ,letters ,i have by me1 written unto me from such ,court ,operatours1 in which they confess that they have wrought up 7or made7 those ,arcanums 7which were sent them7 not without good ,success1 and that therefore they would desire yet greater ones than those3 but yet they have afterwards spread obroad a false report1 and said that they never could receive any benefit by them at all4 ,and that fruit or reward which was due unto me for my discovery1 themselves intercepted1 some got them fat ,offices1 others were gifted with ,nobility and ,money4 ,and so indeed is it an usual thing for those that dress the ,vines1 and press the ,grapes and make the ,wine1 to be 7by a forc't put7 content with the ,husks1 whilst the idle and such as work not1 drink up the ,wine4 ,far better is it therefore1 for every one to press out his own ,grapes4 ,by this means will a man know what is his1 what he has1 and what he does1 whereby he may use his own things as best likes him4 ,now then well may the man that knows many ,secrets be deterred by the so many and such adverse ,chances1 from making others partakers also of the same1 and well may he esteem it much better to enjoy the few things ,god hath bestowed on him1 with a quiet mind1 than to expect many things 7but with a great deal of danger7 from others4 ,and thus much shall suffice to have been premised by way of ,questions and ,answers4 ,now follows the use of some eminent ,arcanums and incomparable ,medicaments1 which have been mentioned in the ,books ,i last published1 one of which treats of occult ,fires1 and the other contains three ,dialogues4 ,of the ,lyon1 or of the ,bloud of the ,lyon1 or ,gold1 how it is to be prepared1 and to be most profitably used as well in ,medicine as in other ,arts4 ,as concerning the way of preparing this ,bloud of ,gold1 it is already described in the first ,dialogue1 and its adjoyned ,corollary1 insomuch that there needs no fuller declaration in this place4 ,but yet you are to know that ,i have met with 7since the writing the first ,dialogue7 a far easier and more compendious way of converting or turning any ,gold1 even in a moment1 into ,bloud1 by the help of our occult ,sal ,armoniack4 ,but this ,bloud is not to be used in ,medicine1 as it is per se1 because of the ,sal ,armoniack1 which transmutes the ,gold and changeth it into ,bloud4 ,for these sharp ,saline and ,corrosive ,spirits are unprofitable1 and hurtfull in ,medicine1 and are therefore to be separated from the ,gold1 which is done by the pouring on of common ,water or ,rain water1 which imbibes the ,spirits of the ,salts1 and precipitates the most red ,powder of the ,gold to the bottom of the ,vessel4 ,this ,powder must be well wash't by several waters1 and be well freed from all its saltishness2 which being so freed1 may 7by the addition of some ,cordial ,water7 be reduced to the consistence of a ,syrup1 and so kept2 the ,dose whereof may be augmented or diminished according to the condition of the sick1 and the disease4 ,but commonly so much of this ,golden ,bloud is sufficient as serves to tinge a spoonfull of ,wine1 ,ale1 or other ,vehicle1 with a red ,colour4 ,it is usefull in all diseases in which the ,heart needs strengthening4 ,but especially it allays the immoderate ,flux of ,bloud both in ,men and ,women1 and cures the ,gonorrhea1 ,leprosie1 and ,french ,pox1 if the ,body shall be purged with due ,purging and ,sudorifick ,medicaments4 ,it heals those ,pustules in the ,skin1 the ,nose1 and other places of the ,face if outwardly anointed with a ,feather several times a day4 ,for it drys vehemently1 and makes the ,skin it self fair and smooth4 ,and therefore upon this account it is exceeding profitable for ,women that have naturally pale ,faces and ,lips1 for being laid on1 it changeth the paleness into a comely and natural ,colour1 especially if a little white ,oil made of ,talk be thereto admixed1 to temper and allay that most red ,colour of the ,gold1 and it likewise is a most delicate ,fucus for such ,women whose ,faces are not onely pale1 but also dyed with a duskyish or yellow ,colour1 and by means of this ,cosmetick or ,fucus may they paint their ,faces of a natural ,colour4 ,for no ,fucus may compare with this1 for it is so commodious and durable that it cannot be distinguished or known1 nor be corrupted as others are1 which being done with ,vinegar1 sowre ,wine1 ,lemon-juyce and such like things do presently1 by a breathing on them1 turn into a filthy ,colour1 and bewray a painted ,face4 ,for this ,golden ,bloud is so very constant1 and doth so keep its most curious ,colour1 as that it remains safe from all injury of the ,elements4 ,furthermore1 this ,bloud 7before it is freed from its ,saline ,spirits7 tingeth the ,hair1 ,skin1 ,wool1 ,bones of ,beasts1 and ,feathers of ,birds1 with a most delicate purple ,colour2 which passing into a redness1 is so constant1 as that no sharp ,waters can corrupt it1 and therefore it is far beyond all other purple ,colours1 what name soever called by1 and worthily may it be accounted for a kingly ,colour4 ,it would be too long to reckon up in this place its various other uses3 ,it serves in ,medicine for the tinging of divers ,confections and ,cordial ,waters1 which ,colour is much nobler1 and more profitable than those wherewith ,confectio ,alkermes and ,cordial ,waters are wont to be tinged4 ',tis evident that the ,colour of ,gold doth rather benefit than hurt the ,sick1 which if the said ,confections or ,cordial ,waters are coloured withall1 they become the fairer1 and they are rendred yet more delicate1 if the ,atoms of ,gold1 being thereunto adjoyned1 fly about in the ,wine or ,water like so many very small ,stars4 ,for if to an ,aq4 ,vit1 which is already tinged with the ,bloud of ,gold1 a little of the said ,atoms be admixt1 they will shine out of that delicate purple ,colour1 like the most bright ,aurora 7or day-break7 in the ,heavens4 ,this is a most excellent way of making ,aq4 ,vit's1 for the ,atoms of the ,gold are so very subtile1 as that they easily admit of concoction and digestion by the heat of the ,stomach1 and emit their ,virtues1 which those common ,gold leaves which are mixt with ,confectio ,alkermes1 ,aq4 ,vit1 and such like compositions onely for ornaments sake1 doe not doe3 ,and therefore they are no ways comparable to those ,atoms of ours4 ',tis no small trivial matter that ,i disclose unto you1 and verily it would be well worth the while for the ,apothecaries shops of noble men to esteem highly of the same3 ,and as for what and how great things may farther be done with this same ,tincture of ,gold1 as to the ,metallick matter1 may be found in the first ,dialogue4 ,an easie way of making and preparing the ,atoms of ,gold4 ,dissolve an ,ounce and an half of ,gold in strong ,spirit of ,salt1 or if you are not furnished with this ,spirit1 then dissolve the same in common ,aq4 ,reg4 and pour upon the ,solution one pound or two of ,rain water1 whereto is admixt about one pound of ,rhenish ,wine1 mix them altogether in a glass1 and shake them well1 and shut the glass close that no dust fall therein1 set it by for some days in a warm place that so the ,gold may precipitate out of the ,water1 and settle to the bottom of the ,vessel in the likeness of most curious small ,stars4 ,but if all the ,gold shall not be precipitated in this time1 set then the ,glass in a ,b1 and let the ,solution boil a while2 then when it is again cool1 set by the ,vessel some-where that the ,gold may settle1 which being dissolved into ,atoms1 7and the ,water and ,wine poured neatly off7 is to be taken out of the ,glass1 and to be often wash't with pure water3 ,so shall you have the ,atoms of ,gold1 which you may safely make use of in ,medicine4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but you are to note1 that it is impossible for the ,gold to be by thus proceeding so dissolved as for nothing at all thereof to remain in the dissolving water4 ,and therefore 'tis necessary that you separate the residue of the ,gold out of the water by precipitation4 ,and in my other ,writings will you meet with several ways of separating the same4 ,these most fine and subtile ,atoms of ,gold may you also make use of with most notable profit even in other ,chymical operations1 concerning which you will find clear instructions in other places of my ,writings4 ,and forasmuch as ,i here make mention of a most excellent ,aq4 ,vit1 it seems in my ,judgment necessary and profitable to add here a full description of the same1 together with the use thereof4 ,the way of making a ,golden ,aq4 ,vit1 and such as never as yet hath been described and published unto us by any ,physician4 ,take of the best and purest ,salt-petre1 and of white and pure ,tartar1 each one pound1 of yellow ,sulphur half a pound1 make these matters into ,powder1 and having well mixt them1 put them into a ,crusible1 and by putting thereunto a live ,wood coal1 kindle them1 that they may take fire and burn up2 and leave a yellow mass behind in the ,crusible2 which being molten in the fire1 and turned forth into a ,mortar1 will give you a fiery sulphureous ,stone1 biting the tongue by reason of its sharpness4 ,now whilst it is yet warm1 powder it1 for it presently attracts 7when cool7 humidity out of the ,air1 and admits not of pulverization4 ,being powdered1 pour thereupon two or three pounds of the best ,spirit of ,wine1 and set it by in a cold place for some days1 but with this proviso1 that you daily shake or stir your matter in the ,vessel with the ,spirit of ,wine3 ,by this means will the ,spirit of ,wine attract a red ,tincture out of the ,sulphur1 and will withall acuate it self with the ,salt1 by the ,calcined ,tartar1 then filter this ,spirit of ,wine by ,cap-paper or a ,filter1 as they call it1 and draw off two third parts by distillation in a ,b1 that so you may have your ,spirit again1 but of a very pleasing tast and smell1 which it gets out of the ,sulphur1 as out of the ,center of all odour4 ,this ,spirit of ,wine1 having the following ,spices and ,flowers steeped therein1 and being again distilled off in a ,b1 will give thee an efficacious ,cordial ,spirit of ,wine1 which said ,spirit you may colour red1 with the ,tincture of the ,gold1 and by the apposition of as much of the ,atoms of the ,gold as is sufficient1 make it ,aureous4 ,now as much as there shall be in quantity of this same ,spirit1 you may thereto afterwards add so much sweet volatile ,spirit of ,gold1 as will allay the overmuch heat of the said ,vinous ,spirit4 ,but that this yet overmuch heat may be yet more allayed1 and that the strong odour it self of the ,aureous ,spirit may be corrected1 you may therein dissolve about some four ounces of ,sugar-candy beaten into fine ,powder1 and this will make this truely ,aureous ,aq4 ,vit most sweet4 ,this most incomparable ,aq4 ,vit may be used in all the ,sicknesses of the ,body most safely and most profitably where the ,vital ,spirits the ,heart and ,brain need strengthening4 ,for the ,aromatical ,spirit of ,wine doth even per se corroborate the ,vital ,spirits1 and now the ,spirit of ,gold makes it more potent and effectual1 and the ,atoms of the ,gold too1 doth render it yet more vertuous1 insomuch that this ,aq4 ,vit bears away the ,bell from all others1 nor can a better and more powerfull be prepared4 ,for not onely the red ,tincture of the ,gold1 but likewise even the ,gold it self being thus turned into ,atoms1 is constrained to undergo the concoction and digestion of the ,stomach of ,mankind3 ,and therefore where 'tis used1 the ,excrements are generally black1 which could not be if the ,gold past forth again undigested4 ,seeing therefore it is an undoubted truth1 that it is thus overcome and subdued by the ,stomach's digestion1 it cannot be but that by its most wholsome operation it must needs prove helpfull to the sick body4 ,besides too1 ,i think it not amiss to tell you1 that the very ,excrements 7save your presence7 of those sick ,patients that daily make use of this ,aq4 ,vit1 are not to be thrown away1 for they will even yet afford some small benefit1 if they are laid to the roots of ,vines to dung them with1 for it will make the ,vines produce such ,grapes as have their ,stones speckled with little ,golden ,stars1 as my self have tried4 ,and perhaps something of greater moment may be effected in the ,metallick trade by such kind of ,excrements1 though ,i confess 'tis needless1 seeing good may be done upon them by other ways4 ,the ,spices and ,flowers which are to be extracted by the aforesaid ,alcolizated ,spirit of ,wine1 and to be used in the ,aqua ,vit4 ,take the ,flowers of the ,lilly of the ,valley three ounces1 ,of ,red ,roses1 ,cinamon1 ,mace1 ,cardamoms1 ,borage1 ,rosemary1 ,sage1 ,lavender1 two ounces1 of ,ambergrease1 ,musk1 a scruple4 ,all these ,flowers fresh gathered are to be put1 with the dry ,spices1 into the ,spirit of ,wine1 and are to be therein macerated1 and then distilled4 ,if you can't get fresh ,flowers1 you must even content your self with dried ones1 but yet the fresh-gathered are better if they can be had4 ,the ,use of the ,universal ,medicament described in my second ,dialogue4 ,the vertue and efficacy of this ,medicament is of such a large extent1 as cannot be comprehended nor apprehended by humane understanding4 ,it is prepared of the immature1 and as yet volatile1 and not fire-brooking ,mineral1 called by the ,philosophers the ,magnesia of ,saturn4 ,when this black ,mineral is purged from all gross impurity1 and reduced into a most white and delicate ,colour1 and is in the form of a most delicate1 fine1 bright1 and very ponderous ,powder1 it may be used with notable benefit about the curing of the most grievous diseases4 ,it casts forth out of the ,body of ,man all hurtfull things1 and that both by a visible and invisible operation1 freeing and purging it of all hurtfull and ill humours1 beyond all other ,medicaments1 what name soever distinguish't by4 ,it shews incredible ,vertues in a very little ,dose1 insomuch that there hath not been found hitherto any ,medicament1 which being exhibited in so small a quantity1 hath shown such incredible efficacy4 ,and although ,antimonial ,medicines are notably vertuous1 and cause every one to wonder at them1 as appears by my ,golden ,panaca1 and my ,panaca of ,antimony1 which for this twenty years space have been famous all over ,europe1 yet can they not be in any case compared to this ,universal ,medicament4 #a4 ,for first of all1 they are far inferiour in virtues to this1 for one grain of this will do more than two1 three1 or four grains of the other can effect4 #b4 ,secondly1 this is heavier and more ponderous than the others1 for one ounce of this will lie in less room than three1 four1 or five times as much of my ,antimonial1 or of my golden ,panaca1 and therefore is it much easier and more commodious to be taken by the ,sick4 #c4 ,thirdly1 this is also to be preferred before the others if you consider them as to tast and smell1 for this hath neither odour nor tast1 whereas that ,antimonial and the golden ,panaca have always some odour and tast of the ,salts1 and for that reason do breed a nauseate and loathing in the ,sick if often used4 ,therefore ,i have determined with my self to substitute this universal ,medicament1 in the room of my ,panaca made of ,antimony1 and the rather for this reason1 because ,deceivers and ,cheaters have made a red ,powder of ,antimony1 and perfidiously sold the same for my ,panaca2 but now this deceit of theirs must end1 for they will never be able by all their deceitfull imitations to counterfeit this ponderous ,medicament void both of smell and tast4 ,as for the ,dose of this ,medicament1 there must care be had that scarce one quarter part so much of it1 be administred as is wont to be of my ,panaca of ,antimony4 ,there must scarce be given the tenth or twelfth part of one grain at one time1 to such ,infants as are under six ,months old1 and which are afflicted with the ,epilepsie or ,convulsions1 the ,small ,pox or ,measels1 the ,feavers or such like ,diseases4 ,to such as are upwards of six ,months1 even to #ab1 #ac1 or #ad ,months old1 an #hth4 #fth4 or #dth4 part of a grain may be administred1 to such as are #b1 #c1 #f1 #h1 or #aj ,years old1 or part of a grain may be given4 ,to such as are upwards of #aj1 even to #bj years old1 a grain1 or or at utmost but #a whole grain may be administred4 ,those that are between the #bjth4 or #ejth4 ,years of their age1 may use #a grain or #a gr4 and 1 nor must they exceed #b grains at most4 ,from the #ejth year1 all the rest of their age even to their lives end1 the ,dose of this universal ,medicament is to be again lessened1 for old age is not able to brook so much as youth1 and as a ,man in the prime of his years can4 ,but however you may administer this so notable an universal ,medicament to every age1 pleasantly1 safely1 and without any danger at all1 if a due ,dose be but observed3 ,insomuch that you need not fear to administer the same even to ,women with ,child4 ,but yet the lesser half part of the ,dose which other ,men use is enough for them4 ,in ,feavers it must be given afore the ,fit1 in the ,plague as soon as it's felt and afterwards too1 in the ,dropsie once 7or if that one ,dose be not sufficient7 twice every month2 in the ,gout and ,stone twice a ,week2 in the ,leprosie1 ,french ,pox1 and such like ,diseases as arise from the impurity of the ,bloud1 thrice a ,week1 in obstructions of the ,milt1 ,liver1 ,mesentery1 once a ,week2 in the ,epilepsie1 ,madness1 and other preternatural affects of the ,head1 let it be given twice a ,week1 and this so long till the evil be quite removed4 ,the affects of the ,chollick will need a ,dose every day before they cease4 ,this is the manner of curing the aforesaid ,diseases of the ,body and all others1 by the help of this universal ,medicament4 ,which being used inwardly performs things incredible1 and doth likewise work admirably in all dangerous wounds1 open or running ,sores1 as well old as new1 the ,cancer1 ,fistula1 and the like4 ,being inwardly taken once in eight days it consumes all untoward ,salt ,humours1 and hinders them from running to the ,wounds or ,sores1 and making them by that means worse and more dangerous4 ,but yet you must likewise apply externally excellent ,balsams and ,emplaisters1 such as are mentioned in my third ,century1 that so the ,wounds and ,ulcers being duely purged1 may admit of help by the applied ,remedies and be the more easily cured4 ,this also is to be considered in the using of this ,medicament1 the ,sick is to lie in his ,bed four or five hours at least after he hath taken it1 nor must he either eat or drink all that time1 and he must abide all that day in ,bed1 or at least in his ,chamber1 for the avoiding of the ,air1 nor must he sleep afore the ,medicament hath finisht its operation4 ,the ,vehicles which it is to be mixt with1 and to be taken in1 are ,wine1 ,ale1 the warm ,broath of ,flesh1 ,syrups1 ,conserves of ,roses1 fresh ,butter1 roasted ,apples1 and such like4 ,neither is it amiss to make a light ,supper1 and feed upon easily digestable ,food1 and which may make the ,stomach more apt and fit for purging1 the night afore you are to take the ,medicine the next morning3 ,and those are ,prunes1 ,raysons1 and other such like ,food1 as by their laxative property make the tough and viscous humours slippery and softer2 when the operation is over1 the sick ,patient is to avoid hard meats and strong drinks1 nor must he presently stuff his ,stomach therewithall1 but rather use much temperance the next day after his purgation1 and feed onely upon the ,broaths of ,herbs1 as ,chervil1 ,fennel1 ,spinach1 and the like1 whereby the ,medicament may operate the more easily1 but it will yet more readily perform its operation1 if just at your administring it you add a ,drachm of pure white powdered ,tartar1 and boil it with a ,drachm of ,sugar1 or 7which is better7 some ,manna1 in some pure clean ,water1 and so drink it warm1 which said potion following after your ,medicament first taken1 is wont well to purge and cleanse the ,stomach and ,intestines4 ,and this is the use of our ,mineral ,medicament1 which if you do but accurately regard1 there will no errour be committed1 and the said ,medicament will 7by its laudable operation7 abundantly satisfie every ones desires4 ,but we have now said enough of this incomparable ,medicament in the form of a ,powder4 ,but if this ,powder be reduced1 by melting it into small ,stones of the colour of ,milk1 it then requires another way of using it4 ,if therefore you would use one of the said ,stones1 instead of the aforesaid ,powder1 and purge and free the ,body hereby from all hurtfull humours1 you must then put it for some hours in a spoonfull of ,wine1 and so drink off the ,wine1 and it will effect the same operation1 that the ,powder is wont to do4 ,but yet you must be wary in the use of these ,stones1 that you do not wast and spend the strength of the ,sick so much1 but that there may be but just as much as is requisite for them1 and as they can bear4 ,but when their strength is spent1 you must put in a greater or lesser ,stone into the ,wine to be imbibed2 but an ,infant is not so strong1 nor can bear so much as a strong ,man can1 whose strength is far greater4 ,it is therefore necessary that those1 who desire happily to cure the ,diseases of mankind by the help of these ,stones do 7for the first time7 leave one of these ,stones one1 two1 or three hours in the ,wine1 and then heedfully mind the operation of the said ,wine when drunk off4 ,if the operation be to his mind1 he may always observe that length of time1 as it lay in the said ,wine4 ,if the operation be less than what you would have it be1 it may lie longer2 if stronger and greater than what you would have it1 it must lie less while in the ,wine1 and thus by this provident forecast may you so order it1 as to have it just to your mind4 ,now1 although the use of this ,medicament in the form of a ,stone be far better than using it in the form of a ,powder as being more pleasant1 and more gratefull1 yet notwithstanding it is better for him that cannot so accurately observe the use of the same1 to make use of the ,powder it self1 that so they may be the surer of what they do4 ,but they that do know the way of using the said ,stones1 they need not use the body of the ,powder1 forasmuch as they who drink that ,wine wherein the ,stones are macerated1 may have the fruition of the virtues alone1 without the corporeity4 ,those very ,stones too1 though they are several times steeped in the ,wine1 do not 7,i confess7 lose their virtues1 but yet they grow less especially if 7for the stronger purgations sake7 they are boiled in the ,wine which is poured upon them1 for the boiling diminisheth its little body1 and lessens the ,stone4 ,and these are the directions which concerns the use both of the ,stones1 and of the ,powder it self1 in the taking away and purging out all the hurtfull and evil humours in ,man's ,body1 both in young and old4 ,the body therefore being sufficiently purged by our said universal ,medicament1 it will be expedient 7for the prevention of a relapse7 to observe a due ,dyer1 and to hold such a ,stone in their mouths a quarter or half an hour every day1 which will attract unto it self not a little vicious tough moisture1 out of the ,brain and ,stomach1 which you are to spit out so often1 and so long1 untill there flows no more plenty of waterishness into the mouth4 ,this attraction will much ease the ,brain and ,stomach1 and free it from noxious obstructions1 and will take away the preternatural ,appetite and ,thirst1 and so may a ,man expect his ,dinner without any preternatural ,appetite4 ,for when the internal ,vessels of the ,body of ,man1 as the ,spleen1 the ,liver1 the ,mesentery1 are obstructed with tough humours1 and the ,stomach it self is stuft with these obstructions1 insomuch that for some hours after his rising out of his ,bed1 he is usually troubled with a preternatural ,hunger and ,thirst1 and with a debility and faintness of his ,members2 many think that these inconveniencies can be averted by ,food and ,drink1 but they are out4 ,for experience teacheth that the weakness of such ,men is increased by eating and drinking a little1 so far is it from being capable of being removed and taken away by such means4 ,from whence it is clearly manifest that that weakness is not to be imputed to the want of meat and drink1 but rather to the obstructions of those inward ,vessels1 which hindring the passage of the ,vital ,spirit to the ,nerves1 which it ought to strengthen1 doth of necessity cause such a debility and weakning of the ,members1 and begets in the ,stomach a preternatural ,appetite4 ,if therefore such obstructions be by little and little taken away by the daily use of these ,stones1 so that those tough humours cannot encrease1 it must necessarily follow1 that the ,disease must give place by little and little too1 and be diminished and consequently the former good health must follow with a prolongation of the ,life4 ,the ,stomach therefore being beset with such tough and ,melancholy humours1 it cannot possibly be that they should so very easily be expelled1 but 'tis behoovefull1 that the ,wine wherein the ,stone hath been boiled be drunk1 and so cast them forth3 ,and that ,stone may be afterwards held in the mouth 7according to the aforementioned way7 for conservation sake of health4 ,but if it should happen that those tough humours of the nauseate and weak ,stomach1 and those clammy obstructions of the ,vessels1 and that preternatural ,hunger and ,thirst should not be taken away by this way of healing2 'tis a sign that all these inconveniencies have a deeper rooting and cannot be thoroughly removed by the said ,medicaments4 ,and therefore such ,remedies as are stronger and more powerfull are to be made use of1 which may soften those tenacious humours of the ,stomach1 may incide them1 and cast them out1 and may unlock all the obstructions of the body1 and open the passages of the ,vital ,spirit1 to enter unto all the ,members1 and may strengthen the weakned ,stomach1 whereby it may be capable of concocting the meats it takes1 with a laudable digestion1 and generate good and laudable bloud4 ,forasmuch therefore as such an efficacious ,medicament as is fit to take away all the obstructions of the inward ,bowels1 and ,vessels1 and to corroborate a weak ,stomach1 is to be found but with a very few1 it hath seemed good unto me1 to reveal at present such a ,medicament 7for the sake of mankind7 and which is so efficacious a ,remedy1 as ,i dare boldly affirm the like thereof hath not for above these hundred years last past been in the hands of any ,physician1 but was found out by my self by divine instinct1 and which ,i here publish with a willing mind4 ,the ,preparation thereof is as follows4 ,take of new and strong smelling ,myrrh1 and of the purest and clearest ,aloes1 and of the best ,english ,saffron1 of each one1 two1 or three ounces4 ,beat them all into ,powder1 and pour thereupon the strong1 operative1 and volatile ,spirit of ,mars1 7of which ,i have made mention in my ,book of ,fires7 and dissolve as much thereof as will dissolve1 to the ,solution add a little of my secret ,ferment1 which will presently cause it to ferment4 ,now before the putting your ferment thereunto1 you must have an ,alembeck or ,head ready at hand1 and ,paper and ,past wherewith the ,alembeck being put upon the ,body1 may be well luted1 and suffer nothing to pass out4 ,for as soon as ever the ,ferment1 shall be added to the ,solution1 it presently begins to ferment1 and the glass being placed in ,bal4 and feeling the heat1 that volatile ,spirit of the ,iron will ascend readily and nimbly like the ,spirit of ,wine1 much inferiour thereunto as to its heat ,i confess1 but yet of a far more penetrating efficacy4 ,the ,spirit being all ascended the remaining humidity is to be drawn off even to the consistence of honey1 but yet so gently1 that the remaining ,juice may not at all smell of burning4 ,this done1 take out the glass and let it cool1 and pour on upon the ,juice after its refrigeration the same volatile ,spirit of ,mars which you separated from the matter by distillation2 which ,spirit will dissolve that thick ,juice1 which being dissolved will become a ,balsam of a strong ,odour1 a penetrating ,efficacy1 and a red ,colour like bloud2 which 7by reason of its penetrative ,efficacy7 is to be kept well shut1 and may be accompted of as a ,balsam of ,life2 for it takes away the obstructions of the whole body1 and doth mightily corroborate and strengthen all the internal ,vessels and ,members1 and preserves them safe from all corruptions4 ,nor is there any ,balsam whatever1 being brought whencesoever it will1 that is comparable unto this4 ,for it does not onely defend the living bodies of men from all ,diseases1 but likewise performs the same effects in the preservation of the dead bodies from putrefaction1 as other ,balsams do1 but far more efficaciously3 ,for it penetrates all things1 and by its so admirable vertue keeps them from putrifying1 insomuch that no body can enough admire these so great and wonderfull works of ,god4 ,now to try the truth of this1 any man may make proof thereof with a ,frog1 ,mouse1 or such like small ,creature4 ,the use of this same ,balsam as to the taking away of all the obstructions of the internal ,vessels1 and corroborating the weak ,stomach1 is this1 viz4 ,the body is first of all to be well purged1 and then #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 even to #aj or #ab drops thereof 7according to the ,age of the ,patient7 is to be administred to a fasting ,stomach1 in that ,water1 which was drawn over after the volatile ,spirit was all come1 as aforesaid4 ,after the taking of the ,medicament1 you must fast an hour or two1 this ,balsam penetrates all the ,members of the whole ,body1 and strengthens the ,stomach1 ,brain1 ,heart1 and all the internal ,vessels1 takes away all obstructions1 makes good blood1 excites a good appetite to meat and drink1 and augments the radical humidity1 and so conserves the body of man 7by ,god's ,grace and ,blessing7 even unto old ,age4 ,but let it not seem to any one a strange thing1 nor let them suffer any such thoughts to come into their minds1 as if others have already had this ,balsam1 because ,paracelsus made his ,elixir ,proprietatis of ,myrrh1 ,aloes1 and ,saffron1 and so others too insisting on or tracing his footsteps have made the same1 and which hitherto hath been in great esteem amongst all skilfull ,physicians2 no1 no4 ,that ,elixir of ,paracelsus1 being as yet in its corporeal form1 and being nothing else but the meer body1 is far short of the ,vertues of my ,balsam2 for my ,balsam of ,life excels1 by reason of its most efficacious ,spirits1 which penetrate the whole body of man1 and fills all his ,spirits1 and even the whole body it self with its most pure vertues1 corroborating the same1 and driving away all corruption and rottenness4 ,farther1 if any one be minded to make this ,balsam of ,life yet far more efficacious and powerfull1 he may instead of the aperitive ,spirit of ,mars1 use the ,spirit of ,gold1 which questionless will enrich the said ,balsam with far greater vertues1 but then the cost will be the more1 so that this ,medicament will be fit for the rich onely4 ,a man may also in the preparation of this ,medicament1 preserve the volatile ,spirit apart1 and use the same as a spiritual ,balsam1 or ,elixir of ,subtilty1 for the conserving of the inward parts of the body1 and so thou wilt most potently dissolve 7by its more penetrative1 more potent1 and more efficacious vertues1 all hurtfull obstructions1 and all the most clammy and tenacious humours4 ,and after the same manner may you reserve the simple ,balsam apart for its proper use4 ,now by this way which ,i have here delivered1 may be made likewise other efficacious and penetrating ,spirits and ,balsams of great worth1 out of other ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,minerals1 wherewith a man may perform wonderfull effects in ,medicine4 ,i have here laid a foundation1 whereupon every one may as he thinks good build a strong ,edifice4 ,nothing verily would be more desirable1 and more to be wisht for1 than to substitute1 and introduce such subtil and penetrating ,medicaments1 in the room of so many unprofitable compositions made by their boilings and stewings1 c4 ,it would be far better for the health of mankind1 nor would so many men die1 remediless1 of such small and contemptible ,diseases as arise meerly from the tenacious and pituitous humours of the ,stomach3 ,what vertues ,i pray can there be in the common distilled waters of herbs8 ,verily scarce any at all4 ,but if they be prepared according to the way by me prescribed1 they would be 7both in odour1 tast1 and vertues7 much better and more profitable4 ,if to some common ,wine1 which hath already undergone its natural and accustomed fermentation1 there be another fermentation given it by the help of my secret ferment1 and then the ,spirit thence extracted1 it will be of so strong and efficacious a savour and odour 7especially if some ,spices1 and other sweet smelling fragrant ,herbs1 be fermented together therewith7 as that other ,wines may be thereby rendered savoury and well tasted1 and odoriferous too4 ,upon this account ,i dare boldly and constantly aver1 that the ,spirits of ,metals deserve the chiefest place in ,medicine above all other things whatsoever3 ,but ,i do not as yet know what may be done with them in metallick matters1 onely thus much1 viz4 they are wont to coagulate the common and running ,quicksilver4 ,did we but know the ,art of fixing them 7,spirits7 and making them constant1 without question we should not onely obtain an excellent universal ,medicament in medicine for the conservation of the health of mankind1 but also a most absolute ,tincture for the tinging of the bodies of the metals4 ,that this is possible1 the ,writings of the ,ancient ,philosophers do too and again hint so much1 but yet ,i have not as hitherto effected the same4 ,however ,i am content1 and most heartily thank my ,god1 in that he hath honoured me with so excellent a ,medicament1 which haply no body for this hundred years last past hath been rendered a partaker of3 ,for had it so been1 it would long since have been revealed and disclosed4 ',tis not a ,boys play nor so very mean a thing1 to bring not onely ,vegetables and ,minerals1 but even the most fixed metals themselves1 in 7as it were7 a moments time1 to such a pass1 as to undergo a fermentation1 and to yield 7by distillation and rectification7 so strong and penetrative a ,spirit2 believe it or not believe it1 all's a case4 ',tis enough for me that ,i can perform the same whensoever ,i please2 which thing the incredulous shall very shortly1 7,god willing7 find to be most true1 and see it with their ,eyes1 and feel it with their hands4 ,but however1 by the same way1 as the aforesaid ,balsam is ordered to be prepared1 may various and unknown effectual ,medicaments be made out of other matters4 ,a ,preparation of ,opium would yield such a ,spirit1 as 7by its odour7 would procure rest1 and lay the exteriour ,senses asleep4 ,the like would ,tobacco1 or ,henbane1 and other such like ,herbs effect1 and so would the other inebriating ,herbs1 whose ,spirit being mixt 7even in the least ,dose7 with ,wine1 or ,ale1 and so drunk off1 would presently make a ,man drunk4 ,by the help of such kind of ,spirits might many waggish tricks be done1 as for example1 ,if ,barley1 ,pease1 ,beans1 or other ,seed and dry ,fruits were moistened or steeped in the same1 and thrown to ,fishs1 ,birds1 and other wild ,animals1 and they eat of the same1 they would be made so drunk1 as that you may take them with your hands4 ,in like manner1 by such kind of ,spirits emitting such a strong odour1 may all mischievous wild ,beasts1 as ,bears1 ,wolves1 ,foxes1 and other such ravenous ,creatures be driven away2 and on the contrary1 may ,fishes disperst in the ,waters be gathered together into one place4 ,for they 7viz4 the ,beasts7 shun all strong odours and stinks1 but these 7viz4 the ,fishes7 are wont to follow after them in the ,water4 ,briefly1 and in a word1 those aforesaid ,spirits would be fit for the effecting of such wonderfull conclusions1 as is no ways fit so much as once to mention1 much less to reveal and make known the same4 ,and for this reason ,i have determined with my self to bury this so great a ,secret of ,fermentation with me in my ,grave1 and not to disclose it to any one4 ,in the mean while ,i will take care to provide a sufficient plenty of the best ,medicaments1 whereby ,i may be serviceable unto my ,neighbour4 ,and ,i will omit taking care about other needless affairs1 unless it should chance to happen1 that that ,turkish ,tyrant thirsting after nothing but ,bloud1 should approach too near unto us 7which ,god forbid7 against whom my wonderfull and hitherto unknown ,artificial ,fires1 and other new inventions of mine1 arising from my unwearied ,labours1 will be of such resistance1 as that ,i am confident his numerous host will be rid of the care of again returning back4 ,for it is beyond all kind of doubt1 that such fiery ,globes or ,granadoes may be made1 as for one pound thereof to exceed the violence even of twenty pounds of ,gunpowder4 ,and who knows for what cause ,god hath vouchsafed the revealment of such great ,secrets1 at this nick of time8 ,perhaps to shew his ,omnipotency1 he will effect some singular and admirable work for the freeing of the ,christian ,world by this ultimate and extream defensive way1 out of the most present and imminent dangers3 ,and though it 7viz4 the ,christian ,world7 be immerst and even drowned in the ,labyrinths of various ,errors1 and is gone greatly astray from a true ,christian-like life1 yet notwithstanding it doth yet contain many a pious ,soul4 ,never did ,god make1 or vouchsafe ought without a cause2 ,and therefore it is altogether credible1 that these new inventions did not light into the hands of men in vain1 the which time will manifest4 ,the ,explication of the two ,circular ,figures of the ,quintessence at the beginning of this ,fifth ,part of the ,pharm4 ,spagyr4 ,about the ,circle of the first ,figure4 ,the ,quintessence of the ,minerals1 is a ,universal ,medicine4 ,without side the ,square in the ,circle4 ,separate the pure from the impure4 ,within side the same ,square4 ,the four ,elements4 ,in the four ,angles of the ,square4 ,fire1 ,air1 ,water1 ,earth4 ,without side the ,triangle4 ,the three ,principles4 ,within the three ,angles4 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 ,mercury4 ,make the fixt ,volatile4 ,within the ,circle1 in the ,triangle4 ,two ,contraries4 ,within the ,central ,circle4 ,the first ,ens4 ,which if you begin to read in the ,center1 the sense will be thus4 ,from the first ,ens1 proceed two ,contraries2 from thence the three ,principles2 from them the four ,elements2 from which1 if you separate the pure from the impure1 you obtain the ,quintessence1 which is an ,universal ,medicine4 ,about the ,circle of the second ,figure4 ,the ,salt of ,metals1 is the ,stone of the ,philosophers4 ,without side the ,square in the ,circle4 ,and bring it unto ,maturity4 ,within side the same ,square4 ,the four ,elements4 ,in the four ,angles of the ,square4 ,fire1 ,air1 ,water1 ,earth4 ,without side the ,triangle4 ,the three ,principles4 ,within the three ,angles4 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 ,mercury4 ,and the ,volatile1 make fixt4 ,within the ,circle of the ,triangle4 ,dissolve1 ,coagulate4 ,within the ,central ,circle4 ,the primum ,mobile4 ,to understand the ,scope of those two ,figures1 you are to begin with the first1 in the ,center1 and next read the ,center of the second1 for they answer one another in all their ,parts4 ,as in the ,center of the first ,figure are these words3 ,the first ,ens4 ,which in the ,center of the second is1 ,the primum ,mobile4 ,and so on to all the other parts4 ,the ,end of the ,fifth ,part4 ,illustration3 ,quinta ,essentia in die ,pharmacopoea ,spagirica4 ,,the ,,sixth ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,or a ,light lately risen1 and a strong ,key for opening ,philosophick ,verity1 treating of the most secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 viz4 ,how it is to be used profitably and commodiously for the preparation of many ,royal ,medicaments2 and how1 by the benefit of it1 ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals2 venemous1 ftid1 noxious1 and wholly adverse to ,humane ,nature1 may be converted into a gratefull and most salubrious ,medicine1 ,mineral-,salts1 and the ,corrosive ,spirits of them dulcified2 and fixed ,metallick2 ,bodies transmuted into ,volatile ,spirits4 ,as also how these ,volatile ,spirits may again be changed into ,bodies fixed1 tinging1 and penetrating through every ,metal and ,glass1 and other rare things of that kind may be performed4 ,,reader1 ,i did some time since1 sincerely discover to certain of my ,friends1 some of the best of the ,arcanums 7described now publickly7 in this ,treatise1 with such condition as they themselves should prepare the same3 but they have not as yet set about the ,work1 and perhaps for no other reason1 than because they thought it a matter not of great but of small moment4 ,hence it was1 that they could not believe so great a ,medicine could be prepared in so few days4 ,it is manifest by the ,writings of ,philosophers1 that ,maria the ,prophetess1 ,sister of ,moses1 could ripen the ,stone of ,philosophers in three ,days4 ,likewise1 some ,philosophers have absolved their ,work in a ,week4 ,others have consumed some ,months labour upon the same4 ,but now1 those erroneous ,fellows 7who run from one to another1 and although themselves be rude and ignorant of all things1 proffer their labour for reward to make the ,stone of ,philosophers7 require to themselves for digestion the space of one1 two or three whole years4 ,but what a vast difference is there between three days and three years4 ,as for my self1 ,i indeed as yet have never elaborated so great a ,work1 but have seen with my ,eyes so great a possibility thereof1 and with my hands handled things so1 as 7if time and place be given1 and ,god grant success7 ,i am confident ,i shall prepare this supream ,medicine in a very short space of time4 ,but ,i can truly affirm1 that in all my life ,i never aspired to things so high2 yet what hath been conferred on me by ,god1 ,i now make common4 ,wherefore1 he 7whom ,god shall favour7 may there begin1 where ,i have ended1 and happily consummate the ,work3 but if he 7whom ,god favours not7 shall attempt any thing therein1 let him not disquiet me with troublesome ,interrogatories2 for ,i know not how to answer more1 than are here discovered by me4 ,yet 7if ,god please7 after some short space of time1 ,i will clearly expose to publick view1 whatsoever ,i have found and seen in the particular ,melioration of ,metals4 ,which indeed will contribute great ,light to this later ,age of the darkened ,world4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,describing that artificial ,philosophick ,distillatory ,furnace 7of which the little ,book of ,fires treats7 by the help of which in the space of one hour1 all ,chymical ,operations at one time1 the secret ,fire mediating1 may be demonstrated so1 as was never yet described by any ,man4 ,get a ,furnace made of good ,earth 7which in burning will be rendred as compact and solid as ,glass2 such you may find about ,colen1 ,sibburg1 ,freichiem1 or ,waltenburg7 in its ,diameter1 at least two ,foot broad1 but rather 7if that well may be7 three4 ,prepare a ,vessel like the ,hemisphere or half-,globe1 having three or four handles1 to be hanged up by1 fill that with cold ,water1 and your ,recipient or ,blind-head will be perfect4 ,then fit to it a plain ,pan of good ,earth1 the breadth of three or four ,thumbs1 and a ,thumbs breadth high4 ,this ,pan fill with common ,sulphur1 mixt with some other ,mineral ,subject1 as ,mercury1 ,auripigment1 ,arsenick1 or ,antimony2 which you desire to fix1 either particularly into ,sol1 or universally into ,medicine4 ,kindle the ,sulphur that it may burn1 then this ,sulphur will calcine and fix that subject 7in the ,fire continually burning17 which was put in to be fixed4 ,if in burning the ,sulphur be deficient1 it must be supplied with other ,sulphur4 ,if the ,sulphur should happen to be extinguished1 you must kindle it again1 that it may constantly burn and never go out4 ,it will not easily go out1 if you prevent the extinction1 by putting a little ,cotton in the midst of the ,pan4 ,when the burning ,sulphur1 with its penetrating and ripening ,fire1 penetrates the subject added1 then the volatile ,mineral at first cannot bear patiently the vehemency of the ,fire1 but a part of the same is elevated upwards with the fiery ,oil 7fixing all ,mineral subjects7 which concretes round about to the ,vessel1 and again distills down upon the burning ,sulphur into the ,pan1 so as it excites no small admiration in the ,beholders4 ,the motion of this ,oil1 which is so often and long driven upwards and downwards2 ,philosophers have named their ,distillation1 ,ascent1 and ,descent1 also ,cohobation and ,circulation3 but the ,sulphur continually burning1 they called ,calcination and ,solution4 ,for1 in this operation1 two very potent ,fires act4 ,the flame of ,sulphur is a strong fixing ,fire1 but stronger yet is that fiery ,oil continually distilling4 ,by the help of both which ,stygian ,fires1 the volatile subject in the ,pan1 is in a short space of time 7unless it was very impure before7 without any diminution of its weight fixed into a fixed ,medicine4 ,it is to be admired1 with how great virtue1 either ,fire is endewed1 for fixing volatile ,metals2 also it is pleasant to behold1 how 7when any drop of that ,oil of ,sulphur driven upwards distills down again upon the burning ,sulphur7 the flame that ascends then1 will be red as bloud1 which otherwise from ,sulphur onely ascends yellowish4 ,the repeated ,distillation of that into the under set ,vessel was by ,philosophers called ,inceration3 ,but when the whole resided in the bottom without any ascending fume1 that was by them called ,fixation4 ,these operations ,i have performed with my own ,hands1 and seen with my own ,eyes4 ,more at this time ,i dare not publish2 for more than enough is already spoken to impious ,men4 ,which indeed ,i should not have done1 if this excellent ,philosophick ,work had not been made too common already1 or 7to express my meaning more plainly7 if it had not fallen into the hands of unworthy ,persons1 to me most ungratefull4 ,for indeed ,i permitted onely some few of my ,friends to see this ,philosophick fixing ,furnace2 yet the knowledge of it was by them so far divulged1 as ,i repented ,i had ever communicated it4 ,nevertheless1 instead of that1 not long after by ,god was given to me a certain other1 far better and more elegant gift1 for he shewed me such an ,instrument1 as would far more commodiously than the former1 receive the ascending sulphureous fume1 so as none of it should be lost4 ,therefore this divine gift shall by me be more warily kept than the former4 ,illustration3 ,the ,explanation of the ,,cut4 ,a4 ,is the standing part of the ,furnace4 ,b4 ,the lower ,hemisphere or half ,globe1 which is to contain the ,sulphur1 or what you intend to make into ,oils or ,spirits4 ,c4 ,the upper ,hemisphere with its ,pipe to draw the ,oils or ,spirits by4 ,d4 ,the body that holds the ,water4 ,e4 ,the ,cavity or top of the body to put in the ,water4 ,,fff4 ,the handles by which it is hanged up1 which are made of the same ,earth that the ,body is made of4 ,g4 ,the ,cock to let out the ,water1 that you may put in more cold4 ,h4 ,the ,hemisphere to work the ,minerals and hath no ,pipe4 ,i4 ,the body to hold the ,water to keep it ,cool4 ,k4 ,the ,cavity of the ,body to put in the ,water4 ,,lll4 ,the handles to hang it by4 ,m4 ,the ,cock to let out the ,water that you may put in more cold4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,the way of preparing another ,medicine of ,sulphur onely4 ,fill an earthen ,pan full of ,sulphur1 and set it under the ,blind-head4 ,kindle the ,sulphur and keep it continually burning for eight or fourteen days4 ,and when the burning ,sulphur causeth its ,oil to ascend1 and the same again descends upon it1 and this ascent and descent hath so long been made1 as untill the ,oil is fixed1 and no more ascent is perceived1 then let the ,fire go out1 and that which you find in the bottom1 looking black as a ,coal1 take out1 pour clear ,water upon it1 and make them boil together4 ,in this boiling the ,water extracts the fixed ,oil of ,sulphur1 which passed into ,salt1 from the black ,fces4 ,this extracted ,salt distill through a ,filter1 and permit the ,water to exhale in ,balneo2 so the ,residue will remain in the bottom sweet1 in the form of a sowerish gratefull yellow ,salt4 ,which take out1 and put into a clean ,crucible1 where keep it hot1 but not red hot2 then the ,salt will wax red4 ,this dissolve again and ,filter1 and it will leave some ,fces4 ,you may reiterate this operation if you will1 and the ,salt will be so much the more pure4 ,this ,salt is of a middle tast between sower and sweet3 ,of which five or six grains being taken inwardly will penetrate the body and strongly provoke sweat4 ,but a larger ,dose will provoke gentle ,seidges1 especially if the operation be made in some ,iron ,pan1 yet it contracts from the ,iron a sweetish tast1 but that is not at all to be feared1 because the ,salt plainly deposits this tast1 especially if you heat it hot and dissolve it1 coagulate and heat it hot again1 unto the third time4 ,for then it loseth that tast1 and becomes a sweet red ,salt1 which is a safe remedy against all ,diseases1 where there is need of sweating and purging4 ,note1 here is need of caution1 that in making it hot1 your ,fire be not too strong1 and so the virtues of your ,salt diminished1 which is a thing accurately to be minded4 ,ancient ,philosophers likened this operation to such a ,fire vomiting ,dragon1 as devours his own ,tail1 and converts it into a salutary ,medicine4 ,the ,dragon is burning ,sulphur1 his ,tail is its fiery ,oil1 which slides down upon the burning ,sulphur1 and in it converts it self into an efficacious ,medicine4 ,note1 ,i would have you give credit to me1 in these ,works1 which ,i here have opened in few words1 are many things of great worth contained4 ,therefore1 if you be wise1 you will more diligently search into the matter1 and find out much more than is here disclosed by me4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,anther secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 by which all venemous and ftid ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral ,subjects1 may be changed and prepared into a most efficacious ,medicine4 ,rectifie ,spirit of ,wine so perfectly well from all ,phlegm1 as it will all burn away4 ,for this way you will have a secret ,fire1 by help of which you will be able to effect wonders in ,medicine4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,where first is exhibited an efficacious ,medicine from this ,vegetable ,fire it self4 ,prepare you of stony ,earth polishable in ,fire1 or of ,metal1 a ,furnace in such wise1 as under it a flaming ,fire may burn1 and yet none of the fume fly away1 but in it condense either into ,water or ,oil1 and thence descend into some fit ,receiver4 ,under such a ,furnace1 in some earthen ,pan kindle an ounce or two of this subtile ,fire1 and let it burn4 ,the ,spirit of ,wine being burnt1 the volatile ,salt as incombustible 7yet the volatile ,mercury of the ,wine7 comes forth1 is cooled in the ,receiver1 and so preserved4 ,note1 when the first ,spirit of ,wine is burned1 more must be put in4 ,of how great profit it will be in ,medicine1 you may easily judge1 because it is the immortal and incombustible ,soul of ,wine4 ,how much it is able to effect in ,alchymy1 is not very well known to me1 ,i not having laboured much in it as yet4 ,basilius touching this ,mercury1 thus ,writes3 ,whosoever can obtain it1 will be a principal ,master in ,chymistry4 ,he1 as ,i judge1 well knew how from ,gold its ,tincture was to be extracted by the help of this4 ,but of these enough at this time4 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,how by the benefit of this secret ,vegetable ,fire1 the ,microcosmick ,mercury may be corrected1 freed from its nauseous stink1 and converted into a sweet ,medicine4 ,rectifie ,spirit of ,urine as highly as you can1 according to my ,prescripts1 largely described in the ,book of ,furnaces4 ,to this ,animal ,mercury add five fold or six fold its weight of our ,vegetable ,fire1 with which fill a ,pan1 and kindle this ,fire under our ,philosophick ,alembick2 then will our ,fire burn up all the nauseous stink of the ,animal ,mercury1 so as it will ascend with a gratefull odour and tast4 ,if it be not to your mind the first time1 commit the same to this purgation a second time1 and make it pass over2 then you will find your ,animal ,mercury sweet1 by virtue of which you will be able to do great things in ,medicine1 because it forcibly penetrates4 ,therefore a diligent ,physician should not be ignorant of the use of this4 ,it is known that ,spirit of ,urine doth much good in ,medicine yet it is commonly abhorred by reason of its unpleasant tast4 ,but when it hath sustained the trial of our ,philosophick purgation1 then it ascends into its ,heaven1 that is1 into the ,alembick without stink4 ,also by help of this purgation1 all other ftid1 bitter and unsavoury ,vegetable1 ,mineral1 and ,animal ,subjects1 may be purged1 rendred sweet1 pleasant1 and gratefull1 as the following examples will prove4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,recipe of common ,sulphur1 ,tartar1 and ,niter1 of each one pound1 pulverise1 mix and decrepitate them in a ,crucible1 kindling them on the top1 otherwise they will fulminate4 ,when decrepitated1 melt and pour out the mixture1 reduce it to ,powder1 and extract thence the ,tincture with ,spirit of ,wine4 ,burn away the ,spirit of ,wine under the ,philosophick ,alembick1 and what ascends reserve for your use in ,medicine4 ,what remains in the bottom will be sweet and void of all evil savour1 because the ,spirit of ,wine hath burnt up all the stink4 ,this ,medicine is a most excellent ,diaphoretick4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,how the ,tincture or ,soul of ,antimony may be purified by the benefit of this ,vegetable ,fire4 ,recipe of ,antimony1 ,tartar1 and ,niter1 of each alike2 decrepitate1 melt1 pulverise1 and extract the ,tincture1 which cause to pass through this ,purgatory ,fire1 and you will have a safe ,medicine against all ,diseases4 ,but if you would render it yet more excellent1 to this ,antimony 7which hath already once sustained that ,purgation7 again add its own weight of ,tartar and ,niter2 decrepitate1 melt1 extract1 and cause it to burn as before1 and you will have your ,medicine more excellent4 ,and if you shall repeat this labour the third time1 you will have it far more excellent1 for every time there are some ,fces deposited1 whence the ,medicine becomes more efficacious4 ,as is said of ,sulphur and ,antimony1 so also all other stinking and bitter ,subjects2 yea the stinking ,dungs of ,animals may be so purified as to become sweet4 ,but there is no necessity to speak hereabout in this place4 ,for whosoever studiously searcheth for some famous ,medicine1 will easily find some excellent thing1 so as he may attain both ,riches and ,honour according to his wish4 ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,how by help of the ,vegetable ,fire1 ,mineral ,fires may be extinguished1 and the corrosive fiery disposition of them converted into sweetness4 ,it is very well known1 that the greater common ,fire doth always 7as often as one is set near the other7 either extinguish the lesser1 or cause it to languish1 the same also happens to ,philosophick ,fires4 ,as for example1 ,put into a ,stone dish or ,pan1 ,spirit of ,salt1 ,vitriol1 ,niter1 or ,sulphur1 or some other acid ,spirit1 and three1 four1 or six parts of the best ,spirit of ,wine which kindle1 and the ,spirit of ,wine will burn away1 but the acid ,spirit through the subtilty of the flame becomes sweet4 ,which sweet ,spirits1 especially that of ,sulphur and ,salt1 manifest great ,vertues in ,medicine4 ,basil ,valentine speaks of the dulcified ,spirit of ,salt1 that it extracts from ,gold its ,tincture2 and that he1 who knows how to dulcifie it1 will be honoured by ,philosophers4 ,he in like manner teacheth1 that ,spirit of ,wine is seven times to be abstracted thence3 ,yet undoubtedly he intended not the vulgar ,abstraction1 but this secret ,abstraction rather1 of which we now speak4 ,because such ,spirits are not dulcified at one time1 but ,spirit of ,wine is often to be abstracted thence by the help of ,fire1 before they will be sufficiently dulcified4 ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,another way1 by help of other ,fires1 to cleanse and sweeten ,vegetable1 ,animal and ,mineral ,subjects4 ,every man knows1 that the ,nature and ,property of common ,fire is1 to absume every stinking ,sulphur1 to drive away ,mercury1 and leave nothing but dead ,ashes1 with a little fixed ,salt2 which is no ,correction1 but a violent ,destruction and ,corruption of good things4 ,therefore1 in preparing famous medicines1 we should use a better ,fire1 viz4 such1 as neither consumes ,sulphur1 nor drives away ,mercury1 but onely ripens1 cleanseth and swetens them2 as will be proved by these following ,examples4 ,first let us make trial with the 7to us abominable7 ,dung of men1 and see1 whether its ,stink can be totally taken away1 and of it an ,universal medicine be prepared4 ,it is very manifest1 that the ,dungs of ,animals crude and not prepared1 are of some use in medicine1 and we know they have been long in use with ,galenists and ,apothecaries3 ,for they presume to cure the ,jaundies with ,goose-dung2 ,feavers with ,horse-dung2 ,inflammations of the ,bowels with the distilled ,water of ,cow-dung1 which they call the ,water of all ,flowers2 and the ,quinsey1 with the white ,dung of a ,dog1 which they call ,album ,grcum4 ,pertinent to the purpose1 ,history makes mention of a certain ,countryman labouring with a ,quinsey4 ,to this man a ,physician gives a ,bill1 by which he was to go to an ,apothecaries ,shop1 and buy ,album ,grcum4 ,the ,bill he gave to a ,boy in the ,shop1 who having read it1 looked into the ,box in which ,album ,grcum was wont to be kept2 and finding the ,box empty1 bid the ,countryman stay a little1 and he would serve him presently4 ,but the ,boy not wise enough to conceal the ,secret1 runs presently into the ,church ,yard1 where he gathered some of the white ,dung of ,dogs1 which he brought home1 and put into his ,mortar to pulverise4 ,the ,countryman seeing this1 spake to the ,boy thus3 ,i pray thee lay aside those things1 and give me what ,i have need of2 for ,i can stay no longer4 ,to which the ,boy answered3 ,this is that the ,physician prescribed you2 therefore stay but a little while1 for it will be beat enough presently4 ,then the ,countryman angerly said3 ,what do you say1 you ,whelp6 ,must ,i buy ,dogs-turd of you for ,silver8 ,i have enough of that at home3 ,therefore you and your ,doctour shall eat it your selves for me4 ,and having spoken thus1 he went out of the ,apothecaries ,shop in a great rage4 ,many such ,histories are variously commemorated3 by which you may clearly see1 that the ,dungs of ,animals1 although crude and not at all prepared1 have been used by ,apothecaries4 ,all which had they not been usefull in ,medicine1 would long since have been abrogated4 ,but humane ,dung1 which deservedly is to be preferred before all other1 is not used medicinally2 and that onely because of its evil smell4 ,yet ,i have known some old ,women give that to be taken inwardly by such as laboured with ,feavers 7but without their knowledge7 and so have expelled those ,feavers4 ,there are some ,chirurgeons so skilfull as to know1 that the ,salt of humane ,dung onely generates ,putrefaction1 but on the contrary all other ,salts preserve from it4 ,wherefore they use that for putrifying such excrescent ,caruncles1 as they fear to cut off1 by reason of the intermixed ,veins4 ,yet1 that humane ,dung 7if inwardly taken7 wants not its effects1 no man doubts3 but because of its great ,stink1 its use is to be abstained from1 and not to be admitted in medicine4 ,nevertheless1 if it can be freed from its abominable ,odour1 it may be used in medicine1 otherwise not4 ,wherefore1 ,paracelsus so highly esteemed it1 as he said3 ,from him ,heaven and ,earth is hid1 to whom humane ,dung is not known4 ,an ,history1 which shews what happened in ,csar's ,court1 between him and the ,court ,physicians1 plainly sheweth this4 ,for when those ,physicians asked him to leave behind him some medicinal ,experiment unto them1 ,paracelsus ordered humane ,dung to be brought and laid before them4 ,they seeing that1 went away in a rage and reviled him4 ,but ,paracelsus answered4 ,you indeed run away1 thereby proving your selves unworthy of the ,secret ,i purposed to have discovered to you4 ,whence it is very manifest1 that ,paracelsus knew how to render stinking ,excrements fit for use4 ,for undoubtedly1 he never administred them to any man1 before they were prepared2 because he had other ,medicaments always in readiness4 ,now1 that it may be known to be possible to take away the ,stink of ,dungs1 ,i will prove the same by the following4 ,to a sound and healthfull ,man for two days together give nothing to eat1 but a little well baked ,wheat-bread2 or to drink1 but good ,wine4 ,his ,excrements for these two days cast away4 ,on the third day let him eat a peculiar ,bread1 with which is mixed before it is baked about an ,ounce and half1 or one ,ounce of my ,blood of ,sol2 also let him have an ,ounce and half1 or one ,ounce of the same ,blood of ,sol mixed with his ,drink1 that it may thereby be tinged with a red ,colour4 ,and all the third day let him eat nothing but this ,bread1 in which the ,blood of ,sol1 or ,gold rendered irreducible hath been baked1 and use that ,wine onely1 which the ,tincture of ,gold hath coloured4 ,then on the fourth day1 let his ,excrements 7which will be tinged with blackness like a ,coal7 be put into a glazed ,pan or ,dish1 yet with this ,caution1 that no ,urine be mixed therewith2 because that will be injurious4 ,indeed these ,excrements will have a very evil ,odour1 but that you may take away their stink1 and convert them into an ,universal ,medicine1 proceed thus4 ,if these ,excrements be in weight one pound1 or somewhat above1 pour on them two ,ounces of well dephlegmated ,oil of ,sulphur1 or in defect of that1 as much strong and well rectified ,oil of ,vitriol2 mix the whole well stirring it with a wooden ,spatula1 that the ,oil may act upon the ,excrements3 ,expose the whole to the ,air for one ,night2 and that mineral ,fire will calcine the ,dung ,philosophically1 and deprive it of all its stink1 without any diminution of its ,weight2 which is very strange4 ,and if any part of the evil ,odour should be left remaining1 add to it again one ,ounce and half of the ,mineral ,fire1 and suffer them to stand together for one ,day and ,night4 ,then must you also have in readiness the ,animal ,fire1 viz4 ,spirit of ,urine exactly rectified1 of which pour leisurely and by degrees upon the ,dung1 so much1 as until both those contrary ,spirits cease to act each upon other1 and are still3 ,for then those two contending ,fires have mortified each other1 whence a middle ,salt is generated4 ,upon this mixture put into a ,glass do you also pour so much of the ,vegetable ,fire1 7that is1 of the best ,spirit of ,wine7 as may rise in height above it two fingers breadth4 ,set this glass in ,balneo1 and digest the whole for twenty four hours3 ,for in that time the ,spirit of ,wine dissolveth that ,salt1 which proceeded from both the contrary ,fires1 together with the ,microcosmick ,salt1 ,sulphur and ,mercury2 and from that ,gold1 now the second time inverted1 extracts the ,tincture1 which it hath1 and is thereby tinged red as ,blood4 ,this ,tincture pour off1 and re-pour on other ,spirit of ,wine1 and let that also stand twenty four hours in ,balneo for extracting what remains3 but this will have but little ,tincture1 because the first extraction drew forth almost all4 ,add both extractions together1 and in ,balneo1 with very gentle heat1 by ,alembick abstract the ,spirit of ,wine from the ,tincture2 then will remain in the bottom of the ,vessel a very red and pleasant ,salt2 upon which must be poured so much ,aromatick ,spirit of ,wine1 as will suffice to dissolve all the ,salt4 ,which ,solution pour out from the ,glass it was dissolved in1 into a strong and very clean ,glass-bottle1 and keep it by you as a most pretious ,treasure4 ,the ,dose of it is very small3 for if you give1 at one time1 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 or #f drops1 it will provoke ,urine1 expel ,sweat1 and the ,stone also powerfully4 ,but if the dose be augmented1 it purgeth the ,belly1 and that without any molestation4 ,in a word1 this ,universal ,medicine may safely be used in all ,diseases4 ,yet because ,i intend brevity1 ,i forbear to write more touching this ,medicine4 ,the ,excrements or ,fces1 from which this ,tincture is extracted1 are not to be cast away1 but must be calcined with ,fire till they are red hot1 and 7after a strong ,aqua ,regia hath been poured upon them7 the remaining ,gold1 which was not before extracted1 must be dissolved4 ,yet you shall have very little of that2 because the ,man's ,stomach did a second time invert that ,gold1 7which was once before inverted7 and made it reducible1 so as it could be extracted with ,spirit of ,wine by help of the ,mineral and ,animal ,mercury4 ,it is hard for me to believe1 that a more excellent ,diuretick and ,diaphoretick ,medicine can be found1 than this ,microcosmick ,salt1 which is tinged with ,sol4 ,for you will know of how great vertue this ,diuretick and ,diaphoretick ,salt is1 when you shall precipitate the acid ,oil of ,sulphur 7or in defect of that1 rectified ,oil of ,vitriol7 with good ,spirit of ,urine1 and reduce it into ,salt4 ,and will not such a ,salt as this be far more excellent1 when ,sulphur the 7,philosophically calcined7 ,salt and ,mercury of the humane ,body1 together with the ,tincture of ,gold have ,access8 ,i have not writ any thing here of this ,universal ,medicine1 to the end it should be preferred before others1 because ,i very well know1 we can of other ,subjects prepare famous ,medicines1 and easily be without humane ,dung2 but whatsoever ,i delivered here1 ,i did it for the good of all4 ,for my part1 ,i say1 if any one hath no mind to proceed in this ,operation1 let him forbear4 ,it sufficeth me1 that ,i have signified to the ,world1 how by the help of ,art1 all venomous and stinking ,subjects may be amended and cleansed4 ,thus may the industrious ,physician1 by the benefit of the three ,principal ,fires prepare many excellent ,medicines1 and before all sluggish and careless ,physicians be had in great honour by the ,sick1 and obtain the favour of ,,god and ,men4 ,for he may invert the ,venom of ,vipers1 ,serpents and ,scorpions1 and convert the same into an ,antidote powerfull against the ,pestilence1 and other ,venoms4 ,he also understands how to prepare a ,medicament of ,toads safe to be given to dropsical ,persons3 of ,spiders a ,medicine healing the ,leprous2 of ,cantharides and ,may-,woms1 a certain ,salt good against the ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder2 of ,earth-,worms1 or ,rain-,worms1 a venereal ,experiment2 of ,opium1 ,tobacco and ,henbane1 a famous ,somniferous ,medicine2 of ,wormwood a ,stomachal and ,antifebrile2 of ,hellebore1 ,agarick1 ,spurge1 ,asarabacca1 ,squill1 and the like1 an ,universal ,purging ,salt2 of ,pearch-,stones1 and ,crabs-,eyes1 a ,nephritick ,medicine against the ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder2 and of ,napellus1 ,stavesacre1 and ,wake ,robbin1 a famous ,antipodagrick4 ,these1 and other such most excellent and presently medicinal ,salts may after the same manner be prepared3 ,these1 for the health of infirm ,mankind ,i could not content my self to conceal4 ,indeed ,i could have writ more at large touching this matter2 but brevity1 which ,i now study1 forbids a more ample ,declaration4 ,,chap4 ,x4 ,of the ,nature and ,property of that ,fire1 which lies hid in ,tartar1 or the ,stony ,fces of ,wine4 ,tartar is a ,salt1 which in ,fermentation separating it self from the ,wine1 adheres partly to the sides of ,wine ,cask1 and partly resides with the ,dregs in the ,bottom4 ,this ,salt or ,tartar1 although it is numbred among ,salts1 yet it is of another disposition than all other ,salts2 because they may be dissolved in cold ,water1 but this ,tartar cannot be dissolved1 except in boiling ,water onely4 ,no ,man hitherto was willing to open the ,cause of this hard ,tye4 ,but ,i1 seeing ,death daily approaching nearer and nearer1 was not willing to carry it with me to my long ,home1 therefore ,i chose rather to leave it behind me for ,mankinds sake4 ,and thus it is with ,tartar4 ,tartar contains in it self a peculiar ,sulphur by which the ,salt is so bound or fixed1 as it cannot like other ,salt be dissolved in cold ,water4 ,for if the ,sulphur be separated from it1 it is easily dissolved in cold ,water1 like other ,salts4 ,yet so soon as such ,sulphur is taken from it1 the secret ,fire which lay hid in it1 is also taken away3 and thenceforth it can no more serve instead of a secret ,fire1 by which ,metals are ripened into ,tinctures2 but is rendred onely fit to perform its ,office in medicine4 ,touching which1 for brevity sake we shall here make no mention4 ,the method of depriving ,tartar of its tinging ,sulphur1 that it may be dissolved in cold1 is thus3 ,by burning two ,pound of ,tartar1 reduce it into a white ,salt1 upon which1 if you pour ,water to dissolve it1 it will become a ,lixivium4 ,which ,lixivium pour upon one ,pound of ,tartar1 and boil them together in an ,earthen glazed ,pot3 ,then the ,lixivium dissolves the ,tartar1 and separates the binding or fixing ,sulphur from the ,salt4 ,then pour on one part of common ,tartar1 boil them together yet once1 filter the boiled ,liquour through ,paper2 then in the bottom will remain the ,sulphureous ,fces1 and the ,water of ,tartar pass through yellowish2 upon which ,water pour distilled ,vinegar to mortifie the ,lixivium4 ,this being done1 the ,vinegar will also be coagulated with both ,salts1 and be changed into one ,salt2 which ,salt in ,medicine and ,alchymy is of great use and benefit2 touching which if ,i should here write more ,i should be too tedious3 but 7,,god willing7 the manifold use of it shall be shewed in my ,third ,century4 ,for here my purpose is not more at large to speak of the matter4 vide ,helm4 ,fol4 #ahc4 and ,basilius p4 #bdj4 ,that feculent ,slime1 which adheres to the sides of the ,filter you should not cast away1 but endeavour to fix4 ,for then you will find some admirable thing1 and more than here ,i dare discover4 ,because that is the genuine ,coagulator of running ,waters1 which it hardens1 and is joined in a singular familiarity with metals1 and especially with ,sol2 as ,i with admiration have experienced4 ,for in a few hours it tinged ,sol with whiteness1 and turned it into brittle ,glass2 whereas otherwise ,sol is an ,enemy to every volatile ,sulphur4 ,i do not believe there is any other thing in ,nature second to this wonderfull ,sulphur2 which is endewed with a potency coagulating and hardning running ,subjects4 ,for nothing1 except ,sulphur onely1 can be found1 which coagulates and tingeth4 ,mercury and ,salt tinge not3 but ,sulphur doth that4 ,consider ,i pray1 how great power common ,sulphur hath over ,mercury1 since four ,ounces of it can coagulate a ,pound of running ,mercury into hard and red ,cinnabar4 ,also four ,ounces of common ,sulphur can coagulate two or three ,pounds of ,oil into a ,liver-like ,mass3 and one ,pound of ,oil reduce ten ,pounds of ,lixivium into hard ,soap4 ,likewise one or two half ,ounces of the volatile ,vapour of ,sulphur in subterranean ,veins1 can coagulate serene ,water into hard ,rocks and ,stones1 as also all sorts of minerals and metals4 ,so1 that little ,sulphur which is found in ,tartar1 can render much sower ,wine or ,water hard as a ,liver2 as is known to those that labour in ,wine and ,vinegar4 ,i once purposed and endeavoured to extract from ,gold its ,tincture by the benefit of ,salts1 among which ,salts ,tartar also was2 whence my ,gold came out white and altogether brittle as ,glass4 ,but ,i1 being willing to prove whether my ,gold was constantly white or no1 cupellated that with ,saturn2 and then ,i found my ,gold not to remain white1 but to have received its pristine yellow ,colour4 ,that whiteness proceeded from nothing else1 than the tinging ,sulphur of ,tartar1 and because the ,colour was not fixed1 therefore in cupellating it vanished away3 ,note3 ,hence1 when ,i had broken small a little of this tinged white and brittle ,sol1 and cast it upon a little vulgar ,mercury made hot in a ,crucible1 it presently had ingress1 and coagulated the ,mercury into an heavy white ,body1 which when ,i exposed to a cineritious ,examen1 all the ,mercury vanished1 and the ,sol onely remained in its ,colour4 ,the ,reason hereof was because the aforesaid ,sulphur of ,tartar was not fixed4 ,yet thence ,i observed1 that it might be fixed with ,sol into a constant ,redness4 ,if any one hath convenient time and place1 he may more profoundly search into this ,work1 because in it lies a great ,arcanum4 ,but how otherwise from ,gold its ,tincture is to be extracted1 shall afterward be taught4 ,enough of that at this time4 ,but there remains this one thing to be spoken1 viz4 that whosoever knows how to conjoin the ,sulphur of ,tartar with the ,sulphur of ,metals1 send to fix it with them1 may certainly obtain the ,tincture3 ,as ,ripley clearly intimated1 when he said1 ,he saw a red ,toad so long and so often drinking of the ,juice of ,grapes1 as until his ,bowels burst4 ,if you do more seriously think of this 7and ,,god judge you worthy of his ,grace7 you will experience wonderous things2 if not1 then conclude thou wast not worthy of those ,secrets4 ,so much may suffice for this time to be spoken touching the admirable ,sulphur of ,tartar4 ,more elsewhere of it1 if ,,god will4 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,proceeding now to ,metallick fixed ,salts1 ,mercurial volatile and most subtil ,spirits1 let us see what they are able to effect in ,medicine4 ,and first let us speak of ,antimony1 as the ,radical ,juice of all ,metals4 ,recipe of the ,minera of ,antimony finely pulverised one ,pound1 of our secret ,sal ,armomiack six or eight half ,ounces2 which diligently mixed put into a coated ,glass ,retort1 which set into a ,distillatory ,furnace1 and apply a ,receiver thereto1 ministring ,fire leisurely according to ,art1 that the ,glass be not broken4 ,in distilling first of all ascends a little sowrish ,water1 then 7the ,retort being hot7 a thick ,oil fat and yellow1 in which is contained the most excellent ,mercury of ,antimony1 which you may thence thus separate4 ,upon the yellow ,oil distilled1 pour common ,water1 which ,water will draw to it self the ,salts1 and precipitate the ,mercury1 like a yellow ponderous and shining ,calx1 which being edulcorated and dried1 will be an ,universal ,purger4 ,its dose is very small4 ,i use no more than a quarter of a ,grain1 which 7saving your ,reverence7 gives me #c1 #d1 or #e ,stools3 but to a robust man ,i give half a ,grain1 a whole ,grain1 and sometimes two ,grains4 ,note3 ,if a larger dose be given1 this ,mercury excites vomiting also1 though very gently4 ,if you would render it ,diaphoretick1 you must thence abstract rectified ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,then this ,mercury of ,antimony1 which before was liquable as ,wax1 becomes altogether fixed and unmeltable2 and then you may give of it from #a1 #b1 #c1 to #h1 or #aj ,grains1 which indeed move not ,seidges1 but provoke ,sweat without weariness to the ,patient1 and performs the ,office of a blessed ,medicine against all ,diseases1 where ,sweat is needfull4 ,reduce the ,caput ,mortuum taken out of the ,retort to ,powder 7the finer the ,powder is the better your ,work will succeed7 and having put it into a ,phial pour ,spirit of ,wine upon it1 mix them by a continued stirring and shaking of the ,glass 7for otherwise it turns it self into an hard stony ,mass7 and in ,balneo digest it for a natural ,day4 ,thence the ,spirit of ,wine will acquire a red ,colour1 which pour off1 and repour on fresh ,spirit1 which also permit to extract as much as it can4 ,then with gentle heat of ,balneo1 abstract the ,spirit of ,wine from the ,tincture1 which will reside in the bottom like a red ,salt4 ,which ,salt is so great a ,treasure in ,medicine1 as exceeds all estimation4 ,for it passeth through the whole ,body like ,fire1 and consumes ,diseases1 as ,fire burns up ,wood4 ,for according as it finds any defect in the ,body so it operates1 expelling ,sweat and ,urine1 purging out all malignant and noxious ,humours of the whole ,body1 and highly purifying the ,blood1 so as ,i believe no more noble ,tincture and ,salt than this can be extracted out of ,antimony4 ,its dose indeed is very small1 but of great efficacy1 insomuch as using but half a ,grain of it you will find a most evident ,operation4 ,therefore1 if a ,master of a ,family provide for himself but one ,drachm of this ,medicine1 he may by the help of that for the space of one whole year not onely preserve himself and family from many ,diseases1 but also defend himself and them from all other ,affects every where prevailing4 ,therefore let ,,god have the ,praise of it4 ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,that this way also may be prepared from ,auripigment and ,arsenick a ,mercurial ,oil1 and a fixed ,tincture4 ,recipe of ,auripigment one ,pound of our secret ,sal ,armoniack four ,ounces1 which reduced to ,powder mix1 and distil in a ,retort by degrees a volatile yellow corrosive ,oil4 ,at last1 in the neck of the ,retort will ascend a sublimate ,red as ,blood1 transparent and as beautifull as an ,oriental ,ruby2 the external use of which is famously medicinal against ,ulcers and gangrenous ,affects4 ,and the yellow ,oil is a most present ,remedy for mortifying all gangrenous ,ulcers1 and laying a solid ,foundation for their ,cure1 if the part affected be onely anointed with a ,feather dipt therein4 ,if any one pour ,water upon the aforesaid ,oil1 that corrosive1 which ascended with the ,auripigment1 will be separated and precipitated into a yellow ,calx1 which edulcorated and dried1 becomes so strong and vomitive1 as it cannot safely be given inwardly3 but outwardly sprinkled upon ,wounds1 it lays a good foundation for healing4 ,but if from the aforesaid yellow ,powder1 ,oil of ,vitriol be abstracted1 it then becomes so fixed1 as it will bear the force of a most violent ,fire1 without any exhalation of fume2 and then loseth all its venome1 and may be most safely used from #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 to #f1 or #h ,grains1 against the ,pestilence1 all ,feavers1 and such ,diseases where ,sweat is needfull4 ,it is to be admired1 that this ,subject so very volatile and venomous1 should by one onely abstraction of ,oil of ,vitriol1 become so fixed and constant in ,fire4 ,also it is no less admirable1 that this ,oil like any other ,oil of ,minerals1 doth not ascend in the form of a ,liquor1 but like and in the form of some fat ,vegetable ,oil1 whereas in it is not any fatness at all1 because all proceeds from the ,auripigment4 ,moreover1 it will be profitable also to teach1 that the aforesaid fixed ,auripigment 7whensoever unto it1 by the help of ,mercury of ,luna1 ingress is procured7 projected upon a ,red-hot ,plate of ,copper1 renders the same totally white and as tractable as ,silver4 ,which things being known1 although of little use1 do notwithstanding savour of a pleasing ,curiosity1 by which you will find1 that of red ,copper1 white ,silver may be made4 ,also1 after the same manner of white and red ,arsenick1 such a medicinal ,oil and ,tincture may be prepared for ,venus4 ,note3 ,whosoever is desirous to labour herein1 must studiously avoid the venomous fume3 ,for ,arsenick cannot well be handled without peril4 ,i might here also say something of the running ,mercuries of ,metals2 but since they rather appertain to the ,transmutation of ,metals1 than unto ,medicine1 ,i thought it best to pass over the mentioning of these in this small ,treatise1 and to publish them in the following ,centuries4 ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,of the subtil and most penetrating ,medicinal ,spirits of ,metals4 ,in my little ,book of ,fires1 and also in my fifth ,part of the ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa1 ,i have indeed made some mention of volatile ,spirits1 but for brevity sake concealed the method of preparing4 ,when ,i considered1 that such ,works were judged by many impossible1 ,i thought it would be worth while here to insert the ,preparation of them2 and that onely from one ,metal1 that every ,man may see the ,verity of all the other4 ,for whosoever is desirous to operate in ,metals1 he may be able by this one ,process sufficiently to learn so much ,skill1 as it will not be difficult for him to extract such volatile ,spirits from other ,metals also4 ,the way of preparing the volatile ,spirits of ,metals4 ,recipe of the ,steel ,wyars1 which the ,needlemakers cannot use1 one ,pound1 which so heat in the ,fire1 as all squallidness and filth may be burned away4 ,afterward put them into a glass ,body1 and pour on them of the hereafter described dissolving ,water #d1 or #e1 ,pound4 ,place the ,vessel in ,balneo or in ,sand1 and administer ,fire so to it1 as the ,water in the ,glass surrounding the ,steel may wax hot and not boil2 then the ,water preys upon the ,iron to be dissolved4 ,for in this ,operation the ,steel is dissolved1 and fermented like new ,beer or ,wine4 ,in this ,fermentation a certain most subtil ,spirit of ,mars ascends1 without any corrosive1 breathing a very strong ,odour1 and endued with a ,taste vehemently penetrating4 ,for such a ,spirit so penetrates the ,tongue1 as the taste long remains1 although a ,man wash his mouth1 yet this taste is not unpleasant4 ,by penetrating the ,body of him that takes it down1 it provokes ,sweat copiously1 opens obstructions of the ,liver1 ,spleen and ,lungs1 and comforts the vital ,spirits and ,stomach4 ,also it is admirably conducent to the ,health of those1 who are accustomed to drink ,wine mixt with ,water2 because it gives the ,wine a gratefull ,taste1 and that far better1 than the best of sowrish ,springs are able to perform4 ,if any one knows how to fortifie1 or concentrate this ,spirit by ,rectification1 he will be able to effect wonders by the benefit of it2 which indeed yields not to be so readily concentrated1 as ,spirit of ,wine3 as you shall hear anon1 yet it is possible4 ,the ,water is prepared in this manner4 ,recipe of common ,salt one ,pound1 which dissolve in #d1 or #e ,pound of common ,water1 and pour upon it half a ,pound of ,oil of ,vitriol1 to which superadd some ,steel-wyar1 and thence by distilling separate the ,water2 then no sharp ,spirits will ascend with the ,water1 but all the corrosive will remain with the ,mars1 and nothing ascend but a subtil ,spirit void of ,corrosion4 ,this moveth admiration1 that of such an hard and fixed ,metal1 with the help of so gentle heat1 should ascend such a flying and penetrating ,spirit4 ,but it is more to be admired1 that this white1 volatile and penetrating ,spirit1 in a few hours space1 is able to turn it self into a fixed red ,tincture3 yet you will find this incredible ,miracle verified1 thus4 ,fill a glass ,body above half full with our ,spirit of ,mars1 yet take no more of it than #e or #f ,pound1 because that would be more than is needfull for ,probation4 ,place the ,body1 with its ,head luted well in ,sand1 and distil off almost the ,water by ,ascent1 so as onely half a ,pound may be left remaining in the bottom4 ,take what ascends out of the ,receiver1 and you will find it endewed with little more taste than ,rain-water2 and that because the volatile ,spirit in this ,abstraction or ,decoction is separated from the ,water1 and again converted into a fixed ,body1 viz4 ,a most red ,powder4 ,which red ,powder is indeed a true ,tincture1 yet it hath no ingress into ,metals1 unless that be procured to it by the help of ,gold4 ,hence is fulfilled the ,precept of ,philosophers thus teaching3 ,make the fixed volatile1 and render the volatile fixed4 ,what1 ,i pray1 is more fixed than ,iron8 ,what more volatile than its ,spirit8 ,and lastly1 what more constant in ,fire1 than the ,spirit again fixed into a red ,tincture8 ,note3 ,whensoever the ,glass with the remaining ,water1 in which the red ,powder is1 shall by motion be disturbed1 the ,water will seem to be blew1 which blew colour ariseth onely from the ,tincture1 which by that agitation is dissipated into most small ,atoms4 ,for when the ,tincture red as ,blood is again setled in the bottom1 the ,water stands above it white as before4 ,touching this flaming ,sulphur ,cosmopolita thus speaks3 ,when ,philosophers have freed their ,sulphur from his tenebrous ,prison1 and see him swimming in his own ,sea1 they adore him1 that is1 are delighted with his ,beauty4 ,but whosoever would operate any thing to purpose1 it will be expedient for him to provide in readiness a good quantity of this ,water1 because from ten pound of this ,water1 there is no more than one ,scruple of our ,sulphur to be expected4 ,which ,avicen1 in his advice to his ,son observed1 saying1 he had need to procure to himself sixty pounds of that ,water before he began his ,work4 ,touching which also ,bracescus hath excellently discoursed1 although he was seemingly refuted by ,tauladanus1 who 7by reason of the great subtilty of his ,wit7 could not conceive1 that any good could lie hid in despicable gross ,iron4 ,but that good ,man ,tauladanus no more understood the meaning of ,bracescus than he knew the nature of ,iron4 ,if any one be seised with the desire of operating in this ,subject1 let him reade ,bracescus1 by whom he will be sufficiently informed4 ,but many by his ,writings have erred1 through their mistake of what he mentions in the latter end of his ,book1 viz4 that he spake not of vulgar ,iron1 which by strong ,fire might be again reduced into ,iron2 but that such ,iron was to be chosen1 as by the force of strong ,fire1 could turn it self into a green or blewish ,glass4 ,where the simple ,readers following the bare letter1 sought their ,tincture in common ,scales of ,iron1 but to no purpose4 ,here ,i speak of a blew or green ,scoria1 which can no more be reduced into ,iron4 ,for whensoever any one shall melt our fixed ,sulphur mixt with ,borax1 although with most vehement ,fire1 yet he shall never reduce it into ,iron1 but into a greenish ,glass4 ,this ,crocus ,martis cannot do1 nor any other destroyed ,iron2 but in ,reduction it will always yield some small ,grains of ,iron1 wherefore thence no ,tincture can be made4 ,for whatsoever is endewed with a tinging ,vertue must not be ,metal1 according to the ,universal ,consent of all ,philosophers4 ,if any one would find out some excellent thing1 let him learn the ,art of concentrating that1 by which ,concentration it will be multiplied in vertue4 ,these few things ,i was willing at this time to communicate touching the volatile ,spirit1 and fixed ,sulphur of ,mars1 for publick good4 ,the whole work is neither difficult nor chargeable1 because we may use one and the same ,menstruum always again and again1 nor is there need of new ,expences1 which are now easily acquirable4 ,these are things accurately to be noted1 according as that most ingenious ,poet ,virgil hath perspicuously hinted in these ,verses4 ,consider first1 what here is to be done3 ,a ,golden ,branch1 with ,leaves of ,gold thereon1 ,upon a ,tree concealed groweth3 ,this ,to the ,infernal ,juno sacred is4 ,but the whole ,grove1 with dismal shades of ,night1 ,obscure and keep this ,tree from humane ,sight2 ,and till some one shall take down from the ,tree ,this ,golden ,branch1 there can no ,entrance be ,into ,earths ,caverns4 ,beauteous ,proserpine ,ordained hath that this rare ,gift divine ,shall brought be unto her4 ,no sooner is ,the first ,branch cropt1 but in the place of this ,a second sprouts2 and that most pure and fine1 ,as did the first1 with golden ,leaves will shine4 ,therefore distinguish ,right2 when rightly known ,this ,branch is unto thee1 then with thy own ,hands crop the same3 for it will follow ,thee1 ,if thou1 by ,fates1 for this ,work chosen be2 ,if otherwise1 no humane ,violence1 ,nor strength of ,iron force it can from thence4 ,by these it evidently appears1 that when one golden ,bough is cropped off that ,tree1 another follows2 and not onely one and another1 but as often as you will crop one1 another follows3 ,provided the ,heavens favour our ,enterprize2 otherwise all endeavour will be vain4 ,yea1 it will be impossible with hard ,iron1 or from hard ,iron 7as the ,gold-bearing ,tree7 to acquire or crop one ,branch4 ,consider these things in your ,mind4 ,for here are words plain and clear enough to every man1 whose ,ears and ,eyes ,,god shall open4 ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,of the ,preparation of the volatile and subtil ,spirits of other ,metals1 and of their ,use4 ,note3 ,this labour of preparing subtil ,spirits of fixed ,metals1 and of reducing volatile ,spirits1 into fixed ,bodies1 so fully explains the ,table of ,hermes1 as even ,children may understand it4 ,also it proves the verity of that ,aphorism unanimously used by all ,philosophers3 ,the fixed make volatile1 and the volatile fixed4 ,he1 whom ,,god favours1 will easily understand this2 but to all others it will remain most firmly locked1 although it be described to them with great clearness4 ,i doubt not1 but that this ,work 7when these my ,writings in time to come shall fall into the hands of most diligent ,searchers7 will be more throughly sought into1 and a nearer way found1 than this here described by me1 by the benefit of which1 the ,sulphur of ,philosophers may be released out of that dark ,prison1 in which he is kept bound with most strong ,iron ,chains4 ,it would amaze a man to think1 that from such a tenebrous and shadowed black ,tree1 such fair golden ,branches should be cropped4 ,although they 7who are not ,philosophers1 but would be accounted such1 whilst they walk magnificently adorned with splendid cloathing7 by reason of their blind ,pride cannot see what ,i have here clearly written2 yet those ,artificers1 who wearing ,linnen ,frocks1 labour in their simplicity1 will see2 because to their ,endeavours ,,god gives his ,benediction4 ,as ,i have here taught the way of extracting penetrating volatile ,spirits from contemptible old ,iron1 and of reducing those ,spirits into fixed tinging ,bodies2 so also from other ,metals the same may be prepared4 ,indeed one ,metal is more apt for such an ,operation than another1 and one gives forth its spirits more readily than another3 yet such ,spirits may be extracted from all ,metals1 but with the help of divers ,solutions4 ,for that ,water which dissolves ,gold1 leaves ,silver undissolved1 and what will dissolve ,silver1 dissolves not ,gold4 ,common ,salt1 and ,salt ,niter1 with the ,water and ,oil of ,vitriol1 7but rather of ,sulphur7 dissolve ,sol1 ,mars1 ,venus and ,jupiter4 ,niter the ,water and ,oil of ,sulphur dissolve ,lune and ,venus4 ,most sharp ,wine ,vinegar dissolveth ,saturn4 ,the ,spirit of ,gold coagulates ,mercury into ,sol1 the ,spirit of ,silver coagulates it into ,lune4 ,both these ,spirits are ,medicinal4 ,the ,spirits of ,venus and ,jupiter are of a loathsome ,taste and ,odour1 and therefore unfit for ,medicine4 ,spirit of ,saturn is a mere penetrating ,venome1 or a ,water1 which by its ,odour suffocates the vital ,spirit1 wherefore every man should studiously avoid it1 since its use cannot be without ,peril2 otherwise that ,spirit in metallick ,works excels all4 ,nor do ,i believe we can easily prepare a ,tincture1 whereby to coagulate ,mercury1 unless by the help of ,saturn cold and killing all living things1 yet it must be warily handled4 ,with these ,i close up my discourse of these ,spirits2 because1 although of them much more might be spoken1 yet it will not be the part of a considerate man to cast ,pearls before ,swine4 ,besides1 ,i judge ,i have already divulged more than is fit4 ,but it is worthy of all observation1 that ,,god is a faithfull ,defender and ,governour of all most subtil ,arts and ,things4 ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,how by the ,benefit of a ,magnet from the ,air may be extracted an ,universal ,medicine4 ,it is sufficiently known1 that the ,life of all things is reconded in the ,air1 without which ,spirit1 or ,soul of the ,world1 nothing in this ,universality of things can live or grow4 ,but the ,ancient ,philosophers sought out various ways1 by which that ,spirit might be brought from a far off nigh unto us1 be received and exhibited palpable1 and at length they found the way1 and by the benefit of it performed great things both in ,medicine and in ,alchymy1 and that more or less1 according as one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it4 ,for the whole ,art consists in this ,concentration4 ,therefore1 since by the ,grace of ,,god1 unto me also is something known touching a like ,concentration of the ,universal ,macrocosmick ,spirit of ,life1 ,i was not willing 7like some envious or covetous man7 to keep so great a ,gift of ,,god to my self onely1 and suffer the same to be buried with me2 but chose rather 7for the health of mankind1 for the profit of my ,neighbour1 and for the ,honour and ,glory of ,,god7 to impart something thereabout2 yet no more than is fit or convenient4 ,if any one desireth to extract some good thing from the ,air1 he must first well understand what will be a good ,magnet1 and how to make choice of an oportune place and time4 ,for in a moist ,season1 you shall extract nothing but an unprofitable ,water from the ,air4 ,wherefore no man should undertake this labour of extracting1 unless in the height or midst of ,summer1 when the ,air is very serene1 void of ,clouds1 and hot with the ,solar ,rays4 ,because1 at such a time1 the ,magnet1 which you shall hang up in the ,sun1 immediately 7from the hot ,rays of the ,sun7 extracts a medicinal ,water1 which every one may use according to his ,capacity4 ,also1 ,i would have you to know1 that various ,magnets are found1 by help of which ,water may be extracted from the hot ,air1 but all such ,waters make not for our ,universal ,medicine4 ,yet ,i am willing here to subjoin some of those vulgar ,magnets4 ,the ,first ,magnet4 ,with #c1 #d1 or #f ,pound of ,mercury1 or more or less fill small ,stone ,jugs1 or strong ,glasses1 which ,glasses firmly closed let down into a deep cold ,well1 where the ,mercury in it self will concentrate the ,cold4 ,now1 if you would extract ,water from the ,air1 hang up such a cold ,glass or ,jug full of ,mercury in the ,air1 where it will presently draw ,water to it self4 ,therefore under the ,glass or ,jug must be set a ,glass ,tunnel with a long ,pipe2 by which the distilling ,water may be received1 and conveighed through the ,pipe1 from the hot ,sun into a cold ,cellar4 ,if this be not done1 the ,sun will again draw to it self the distilled ,spirit4 ,you may leave the ,magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and ,water distils from it3 ,but assoon as no more water will distil1 you must immerge it again in a ,cold ,well1 that it may recover its ,coldness4 ,in the mean while1 instead of it hang up another2 and repeat the labour so often as until you have gathered water enough4 ,another ,magnet4 ,hang up in the hot ,sun ,jugs or ,glasses full of such water2 which of their own accord will their contract so great ,coldness1 as you can scarcely endure to touch them with your hand4 ,to them1 as is abovesaid1 water will adhere1 and distil into the ,tunnels set under them4 ,a ,cold water is thus prepared4 ,in common water1 or ,spirit of ,vitriol1 dissolve of ,sal4 ,armoniack and ,salt-peter equal parts1 as much as can be dissolved4 ,with this water fill your ,glasses1 and with them1 as is above shewed1 extract water from the ,air2 and that will be equal in vertue to the former4 ,if you be desirous to extract something more excellent from the ,air1 you must also expose to it more excellent ,magnets4 ,for as is the ,magnet so it extracts4 ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,proceed in your ,work thus4 ,prepare #c or #d ,pound of ,oil of ,sulphur per ,campane1 which rectifie1 that it may become very fiery3 ,then provide a large ,trough like a ,chest or ,box1 which you may cover with linnen ,cloath so1 as through it no ,dust1 but the ,air onely may penetrate4 ,in this ,chest set your rectified ,oil of ,sulphur1 poured into divers small ,pans or ,dishes so as they be not above half full4 ,leave these there three or four ,days1 or so long ,day and ,night expose them to the ,air1 as until the ,oil of ,sulphur hath drawn to it self so much ,water as it self was1 and filled the ,dishes4 ,this being done1 empty out all the ,dishes into one ,glass ,body1 and in ,balneo with gentle heat abstract thence all the humidity4 ,the ,oil remaining in the ,bottome again expose to the ,air in those ,dishes1 as before1 so long as until they be filled4 ,that water again abstract thence1 and proceed in extracting so long1 as until you have got water enough4 ,this water passeth through all ,tinctures2 but ,i have not as yet compleated this ,work4 ,note3 ,all the best of that1 which this ,magnet draws from the ,air1 remains with the ,magnet it self or ,oil of ,sulphur1 as its true ,matrix1 in which it is nourished and ripened2 as the most ,ancient ,hermes1 or the ,father of all ,philosophers1 in his ,smaragdine ,table1 hath described in these words4 ,here the ,soul of the ,world speaks4 ,my ,father is ,sol2 my ,mother is ,luna2 the ,wind or ,air secretly bears me in its ,belly3 the ,earth conceived and brought me forth1 and is my ,nurse1 c4 ,the ,spirit of the ,world can bring forth no ,fruits1 unless it be first seminated in a fit ,matrix2 because nothing in the ,world can be progenited without a ,womb4 ,this our ,magnet is of all ,magnets most gratefull to the ,soul of the ,world1 and a most natural ,friend to the ,spirit of the ,world4 ,much might be spoken touching this1 but it is not necessary to thrust pulse ready chewed into a sluggish ,crows mouth1 let him fly out and seek for himself4 ,here1 in this ,work are verified those sayings of ,philosophers3 ,nature rejoyceth in ,nature1 ,nature overcomes ,nature1 ,nature retains ,nature4 ,here it is proper also to observe1 what ,hermes1 at the end of his ,table saith2 viz4 ,my power is not intire1 or perfect1 before ,i am turned into ,earth4 ,but how this is to be done1 ,i leave to the consideration of every ,man4 ,for the unworthiness of the present wicked ,world forbids me to discourse more amply thereof4 ,to all men1 whom ,,god shall favour1 these will be clear enough4 ,yet elsewhere touching this matter 7if ,,god will7 ere long shall be taught4 ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,how from ,gold its ,tincture may be extracted by help of a ,magnet4 ,recipe of most pure ,gold an ounce and a half1 and of the ,stellate ,regulus of ,antimony made with ,steel1 one ounce1 both which melt together in a covered ,crucible2 and whilst in flux cast at times a little ,salt-peter1 until the ,niter shall have extracted all the ,regulus of ,antimony from the ,gold1 and turned it into ,scoria's4 ,permit the whole to flow well for some time1 that the ,gold may well settle to the bottom from the ,scoria1 which will flow like water4 ,then pour all out into a ,cone1 where the ,gold becomes a ,regulus1 which must be separated from the ,scorias4 ,this ,regulus of ,sol comes forth much paler than it was before4 ,if this pallid ,sol be again melted with the aforesaid ,martial ,regulus1 and the ,regulus thence abstracted by the help of salt ,niter1 the ,gold will come forth a little paler than it did the first time4 ,if you repeat this ,operation #h1 #aj1 or #ab times1 you will find your ,gold at length almost totally white1 and that its ,tincture is extracted from it by the help of that ,regulus4 ,the ,tincture of ,sol is absconded in the ,scorias2 this1 by the benefit of a certain ,antipathetick ,salt1 will be precipitated from the ,fces liquified1 like a ,regulus highly tinged4 ,note3 ,yet in these ,cases1 the ,precipitation must be warily handled1 lest you also precipitate the ,regulus of ,antimony together with it1 and so vitiate the ,tincture4 ,for this ,extraction no vulgar ,regulus is conducent1 but such onely1 as is made of good ,steel1 and hath such a property1 as when a ,flint is strook upon it1 it yields fiery ,sparks1 no otherwise1 than as from hardned ,steel4 ,which vertue1 if it hath not1 it cannot rightly draw to it self the ,tincture of ,gold1 but all endeavour will be in vain4 ,this ,extraction1 ,cosmopolita1 in his new ,chymical ,light1 hath very well described and discovered in these words4 ,such ,chalibs must be taken1 as is endewed with power of extracting that from the ,rays of the ,sun1 which many have sought1 but few found4 ,but further he saith3 ,there is found yet another ,chalibs1 which from ,gold extracts its ,seed 7if it be united or copulate with it #ab times7 and thence is impregnated2 but the ,gold is infirmed even to death4 ,but the ,chalybs or ,magnet brings forth a ,son1 which will be more excellent than his ,father1 viz4 ,gold1 whence he proceeded1 whosoever knows this ,magnet 7of which ,cosmopolita makes mention1 and an hint of the preparation whereof ,i have here shewed7 and understands how to use the same1 in two or three ,days he will behold and find so great things1 as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied4 ,for1 if any one hath ,philosophick ,eyes1 he will see what is most pleasing1 if not1 he will be no more delighted than a ,swine1 who among the ,sweepings of ,vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable ,pearl or ,jewel1 but knows not the difference between a ,pearl and that ,dung4 ,,chap4 ,,xviii4 ,how from ,gold its ,tincture may be extracted by another ,method1 or by the benefit of a certain other ,chalybs4 ,first1 prepare the ,green ,lyon of ,ancient ,philosophers 7by help of my mineral ,salt7 of sulphureous ,subjects4 ,to this ,green ,lyon cast ,sol1 that is1 pure ,gold2 which he1 through his greedy desire of devouring always1 will swallow1 and thereby acquire to himself notable ,strength1 ,power and ,beauty4 ,for his whole ,body will be thence renewed4 ,his head1 with the fore part of his ,body will shine with a ,grayish ,hair1 very like a ,crows ,head2 but his ,tail with the hinder part of his ,body will acquire many various and beautifull ,colours1 resembling the genuine form of the ,rain-,bow1 or the ,tail of a ,peacock4 ,and as soon as the ,green ,lion hath sufficiently concocted and digested the yellow ,lion or ,sol in his ,stomach1 he by ,seidge expells the ,residue1 which will be void of ,colour or ,bloud4 ,then the ,lion1 proud and adorned with various and beautifull ,colours1 walks to the ,waters1 in which he immergeth himself1 and washeth away all his ,colours1 and becomes totally white like a ,swan1 which white ,swan the ,cook roasteth at the ,fire3 where that white ,swan first waxeth yellow1 then more and more ,red1 untill he is able at length to bear the ,fire1 and1 like a ,salamander1 live in it without any peril or hurt4 ,this ,red ,salamander is one of the most noble ,medicaments that can be prepared by ,art4 ,this ,operation ,i performed but once2 and then unto me appeared all those ,colours one after another1 untill ,i obtained a ,red ,salamander1 which is a most present ,remedy against all ,diseases4 ,but what it is able to effect in ,chymistry1 as yet ,i have not known1 being onely content with a ,medicine for ,health4 ,,chap4 ,,xix4 ,yet another way of extracting the ,tincture from ,gold4 ,recipe of our dried ,red ,bloud of ,sol1 in the form of ,powder irreducible one ounce1 or an ounce an half of our ,sulphureous fixed ,sal-mirabile five1 six or seven ounces4 ,both which mixt together put into a strong ,crucible2 which covered1 set into a ,wind-,furnace1 giving ,fire so1 as they may flow together like ,water for the space of half an hour afterward pour them out into some ,iron ,vessel1 or ,cone1 when the ,sal-mirabile hath drawn from the ,tincture of ,gold a ,bloudy ,colour4 ,the ,mixture cooled1 separate the ,red ,scorias from the ,regulus1 which will be white as ,lune4 ,pulverise the ,red ,scoria1 or tinged ,sal-mirabile1 upon which pour common ,water2 this ,water dissolves the ,sal-mirabile1 not indeed tinged with a ,red1 but greenish ,colour4 ,filter the ,solution1 and evaporate the unprofitable ,water in a ,glass-dish4 ,then in the bottom will remain a ,red ,salt1 which fortified with the ,seal of ,hermes or ,luting of ,sapience1 keep for a sufficient time in a continual ,fire of ,coals3 for then the ,sulphur1 as yet immature1 will fix it self with the ,sol1 and become constant in ,fire4 ,from that ,lute of ,sapience1 you may afterward 7by the help of a proper ,magnet7 abstract a fixed ,tincture1 and convert the same to ,medicinal use4 ,note3 ,that green ,saline ,water1 in which the ,redness is latent1 coagulates ,mercury into ,sol1 not indeed for wealthy profit1 but onely by the benefit of that to know the possibility of such a ,work4 ,the ,red slime1 whence the ,salt is extracted by the benefit of common ,water1 must be taken out of the ,filter1 mixed with new ,sal-mirabile1 and in a strong ,crucible be made to flow well for half an hour4 ,then also more ,tincture will be extracted1 and a white ,regulus of ,sol again settle to the bottom4 ,if this labour be a third time repeated1 the ,tincture will be good1 and a white ,regulus will again settle1 yet not so much1 as was the first and second time4 ,,chap4 ,,xx4 ,how by the benefit of a certain ,metallick ,salt1 from ,venus her ,son ,cupid1 or rather the true ,mercury of ,philosophers1 may be prepared in the space of ,one ,day1 so1 as to sustain the ,trial of a ,cupel3 and indeed1 it is neither ,sol nor ,lune1 but a ,tincture most ample for certain white ,subjects4 ,as for the ,method of ,proceeding1 ,i have willingly offered to the ,sons of ,art occasion of understanding ,that3 but the thing it self is of so easie ,operation1 as even the ,forgers of infamous ,libels1 and all the ,brethren of ,ignorance1 would understand and perform the same1 if any ,one in describing it should give them but a very little ,light4 ,it would be an unadvised thing to cast so noble a ,pearl before ,swine4 ,wherefore ,i must forbear to write fundamentally of it4 ,nevertheless1 that the ,world may know such a ,tincture is in the ,nature of things1 and may be prepared of ,things of small value2 ,i confess ,i thought it worth while to discover something thereof4 ,recipe of irreducible fixed ,arsenick1 and of ,mercury of ,luna1 of each eight ounces4 ,both which ,species being diligently mixed1 you will have a famous ,cementing ,powder1 by help of which you may perfect this ,arcanum1 thus3 ,recipe of ,plates of ,venus beat thin and cut small four ounces1 which1 with the ,cementing ,powder above mentioned1 7making ,lay upon ,lay1 as the manner is7 into a ,cementing ,box glazed within1 the ,cover of which you must lute very well1 and place that in a ,cementatory ,furnace2 or 7if you have not such a ,furnace7 upon a ,chimney ,hearth1 putting so many ,coals round about1 as the ,box may be covered well4 ,kindle the ,fire above1 and heat the ,box leisurely1 and keep it there red-hot among the ,coals ten or twelve hours4 ,then let your ,fire go out1 and the ,box cool3 out of which1 if you take your ,cement1 you will find1 that the ,volatile ,spirits of ,luna1 taking the fixed ,arsenick to themselves1 have introduced the same into the ,copper ,plates1 and procured to it the whiteness of ,silver4 ,this ,cement1 together with the ,copper ,plates mixed with salt ,alcali or burnt ,tartar1 melt in a strong ,crucible in a ,wind-,furnace1 and pour out the ,mixture into a ,cone4 ,when cold1 separate the ,scorias from the ,regulus1 which will be white as ,lune4 ,cupellate this white ,venus with ,saturn2 then that1 which is not ,lune1 will enter with ,saturn into the ,cupel1 but the fixed ,mercury remain above upon the ,cupel4 ,granulate that1 and dissolve it by the help of ,aqua-fortis2 then indeed the ,luna will dissolve1 but the ,philosophick ,sol1 or rather ,mercury of ,philosophers1 will remain in the bottom undissolved1 like an ,ash-coloured ,calx4 ,this edulcorated and reduced1 passeth into an heavy ,metallick ,body2 in ,face1 ,colour1 and ,hardness very like common and known ,lead1 which by ,spagyrists is called the ,black ,lead of ,philosophers4 ,this ,black ,lead hath sustained the ,examen of the ,cupel1 yet it is neither ,sol nor ,lune4 ,for if it had been ,lune1 the ,aquafortis would have dissolved it2 and if it had been vulgar ,sol1 it would have been infected with no ,lead colour4 ,nor can it be ,copper or ,arsenick2 because if it had been so1 it could not have sustained the ,trial of the ,cupel4 ,therefore1 according to the ,fables of ,poets1 it must be ,cupid1 or the ,son of ,venm4 ,when the ,gods saw that ,vulcan1 or the ,son of ,jupiter and ,juno1 was born so very black and deformed1 they took care to have him carried into the ,isle of ,lemnos1 that there being washed by ,apes 7that is1 by ,men or ,philosophers imitating ,nature7 he might obtain a better ,form1 be nourished and brought up to ,man's estate4 ,who afterward married ,venus1 of whom he begat ,apollo4 ,whosoever desires farther ,information touching this matter1 let him read that ,ingenious ,treatise of ,john ,bracescus1 of the ,tree of ,life2 where many great ,arcanums are revealed1 and the obscure ,writings of ,poets and ,ancient ,philosophers explained4 ,here ,i have in few words divulged one of the greatest of ,arcanums4 ,i have not my self1 as yet1 by trial adhibited this ,mercury of ,philosophers1 for the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,nevertheless1 as ,i have written1 it is a very far extended ,tincture for white ,bodies1 and this ,i have several times experienced2 yet onely in white ,glass3 where one part of the ,tincture tingeth one thousand parts with the redness of a ,ruby1 but the ,glass keeps its own hardness4 ,now1 if it could obtain the hardness of a ,ruby1 as well as its fair ,colour1 such a ,tincture would be full as good1 as if it could tinge ,lune it self1 or ,mercury into ,sol4 ,for a good ,ruby weighing but one ounce1 is more esteemed than sixteen ounces or a pound of ,gold4 ,but this ,glass1 with how great ,beauty soever it is tinged1 still remains ,glass1 and cannot otherwise be used than to adorn certain ,pictures and ,images4 ,note3 ,if any one knows how to extract the ,tincture from this coloured ,glass1 they will obtain a most excellent ,universal ,medicine4 ,for1 although this ,mercury of ,philosophers hath once passed the ,trial of the ,cupel1 yet this happened onely by help of the ,silver1 which defended it from devouring ,saturn2 otherwise it had been consumed by it4 ,but now it is separated by help of ,aquafortis from the ,luna1 it is destitute of a ,defender1 and is constrained to enter again into its ,mothers ,womb1 that it may there be ripened1 and afterward new born4 ,for all ,sand or ,flint1 of which ,glass is made1 is the ,matrix or ,mother of all ,metals4 ,glass is the ,philosophers ,lute of ,sapience1 or ,seal of ,hermes1 with which all ,volatile ,mineral ,subjects are so bound and fixed1 as they can abide fixed1 sustaining the force of ,fire4 ,,chap4 ,,xxi4 ,how1 by the benefit of the ,common ,lute of ,sapience1 ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment1 and the ,sulphur of ,vegetables1 may in a short time be fixed into fixed ,medicaments4 ,recipe any one of those ,subjects1 which you will2 which if you dissolve either by the dry or humid way1 in a sharp ,lixivium1 the ,lixivium so far constringeth the ,volatile ,subject1 as it will not1 when heat red-hot continually evaporate4 ,such a ,lixivium coagulate into ,salt3 ,if of this ,salt you mix four or five parts1 with one part of a liquable ,flint or ,sand1 and put the ,mixture into a ,cementing ,box well luted2 set that into a ,furnace of ,cementation or ,fixation to be fixed1 the ,sal-,alcali preys upon the ,flint1 and with it is converted into ,glass4 ,but the ,volatile ,mineral hides it self in this ,glass1 and is not driven thence by the violence of ,fire1 but suffers it self to be fixed into a fixed ,tincture4 ,after that1 which was put in1 shall be fixed1 take your ,box out of the ,furnace or ,fixation1 and make the ,glass flow well in a ,wind-,furnace4 ,this ,glass1 when poured out1 will be ,red in ,colour4 ,if you reduce this ,glass to ,powder1 and by the help of ,spirit of ,wine extract the fixed ,tincture1 from this fixed ,subject1 you will have a most efficacious ,medicine against all grievous ,diseases1 especially1 if the ,tincture hath been extracted from ,antimony1 or ,common ,mineral 7not ,vegetable7 ,sulphur4 ,the ,tinctures of ,arsenick and ,auripigment1 are not so safe to be used in ,medicine1 but in ,chymistry they are more profitable4 ,for such ,subjects cannot be fixed by any more easie ,method1 than is here discovered by me4 ,and ,paracelsus1 ,basilius and other ,philosophers judge1 that a ,tincture drawn from fixed ,sulphur or ,antimony1 will be admirably efficacious in ,medicine and ,chymistry4 ,but that ,i so abruptly break off this discourse1 it is not without ,reason1 for ,i am confident ,i have writ plain enough to him whom ,,god favours4 ,note3 ,if to your ,hermes ,seal1 you add such ,sand or ,flints1 as per se abound with the first ,ens of ,gold1 you will acquire the more noble ,tinctures4 ,,chap4 ,,xxii4 ,how to prepare a famous ,universal ,medicine of ,gold4 ,recipe three or four ,ounces of the coagulated and irreducible ,bloud of the ,lion2 of which the little ,book of ,dialogues treats4 ,dissolve them1 in the dry way1 by the help of ,sal-mirabile1 into a ,red ,stone2 from which reduced to ,powder1 extract its ,tincture1 by the help of ,alcolizate ,spirit of ,wine4 ,this ,tincture is a famous ,aurum ,potabile against many ,diseases4 ,also it coagulates living ,mercury into ,sol4 ,i purposed to have prepared no small quantity of this ,aurum ,potabile1 that ,i might therewith help and succour the ,distress of the ,diseased4 ,but ,i was hindred for two years1 so as ,i could not attend this ,operation4 ,now ,i have found an easier ,method of preparing it1 and by help of that1 do hope hereafter ,i shall do more than ,i could doe before4 ,touching its salutary use in ,medicine1 and its ,coagulation of ,mercury1 shall 7if ,,god will7 be treated of hereafter1 before it be long4 ,here the ,description of that would be too tedious4 ,,chap4 ,,xxiii4 ,how a ,medicinal ,water may be ,distilled from ,jupiter and ,mercury1 by the benefit of ,fulmination1 or a sudden ,flaming ,fire4 ,make an ,amalgama of ,tin and ,mercury in equal weights3 ,mix this ,amalgama with ,sulphur1 ,tartar and ,nitre mixt in equal parts1 and ,grind them exactly upon a ,stone1 and then your ,matter1 with its ,fulmen1 is fit for ,distillation4 ,therefore1 when you purpose to distill a ,medicinal ,water from ,jupiter and ,mercury1 begin your ,operation thus4 ,against some ,wall1 set up five or six ,glass ,cucurbits1 or ,subliming-,pots of ,earth glazed within one above another1 so as they may exactly shut in one into another1 and let the ,junctures be firmly closed with ,paper and ,starch1 as ,i taught to be done in preparing ,spirit of ,salt4 ,the lowest ,glass must have an ,orifice in the side1 into which the neck of the ,distillatory ,vessel may be inserted4 ,which ,vessel must be made in form of a ,box or ,cabinet round1 a span broad and high2 in the upper part thereof1 which is to be filled with ,sand1 the ,cover may be included in such wise1 as ,i taught in the ,second ,part of my ,philosophical ,furnaces2 yet below it must not be round1 but plain2 so as standing out from some ,bench it may be fitted to the ,receivers4 ,when all ,junctures of the ,receivers shall be closed exactly1 your ,furnace is compleat4 ,then1 at one time put in no more of the ,mixture into a ,crucible set in that ,furnace1 than one ,ounce4 ,from this 7when you have kindled it with a live ,coal1 and nimbly put on the ,cover again7 will be excited a ,fulmination1 and flame suddenly penetrating1 and with great noise separating the ,mercury from the ,tin2 in which separation1 part of the ,jupiter and ,mercury ascends in the form of a sowerish ,water1 but another part in the ,species of a subtile yellow ,powder4 ,when this ,fulmination ceaseth to fume1 take out that ,crucible1 and put another in his place3 set fire of the ,mixture in that1 and let it burn as before2 and continue the same labour1 taking out and putting in1 as long as any of the ,mixture is left4 ,then take the ,water distilled1 together with the ,flores1 out of the ,recipients4 ,that ,water 7when digested with gentle heat for a sufficient time7 is coagulated into a ,medicinal ,red ,salt4 ,the ,flores must be dried and fixed with fresh fulminating ,matter1 and as before sublimed4 ,then again will ascend ,water and ,flores4 ,all the other ,flores remain fixed in the ,crucibles1 which 7reduced by force of ,fire and diligent ,fusion7 produce an hard ,tin1 which may be cupellated by the help of ,saturn1 but vulgar ,tin cannot bear this ,examen4 ,this leaves somewhat behind it in the ,crucible2 yet not so much ,gold as covetous ,men desire2 but so much as renders the ,medicinal ,red ,salt acquirable without charge4 ,ancient ,poets1 fabulizing touching this ,work1 have writ1 that ,jupiter and ,mercury sought entertainment of ,philemon and his ,wife ,baucis1 as ,persons contented with little1 that from them they might receive ,meat and ,drink liberally4 ,let him1 who desires a more ample ,information of these things1 peruse such ,philosophers1 that he may see how highly this ,work was esteemed by them4 ,for1 as we now said1 ,jupiter and ,mercury turn not into rich and proud ,men1 7who regard not ,art1 but thirst after heaps of ,gold1 by which they may long continue their ,pride of life7 but to the ,lovers of ,frugality onely1 and into their ,house bring their own ,blessing with them4 ,,chap4 ,,xxiv4 ,the way of extracting an ,universal ,medicine from common and well-known ,lead4 ,by ,calcining reduce four pound of ,common ,lead to ,ashes4 ,with which four pound of ,calx of ,lead1 mix four pound of those ,stones or ,sand1 in which is contained the first ,ens of ,gold4 ,melt this ,mixture in a strong ,crucible into ,glass3 which reduced to ,powder1 mix with a fourth part of ,salt of ,tartar1 and in an ,iron ,crucible reduce it1 so you will recover almost all your ,lead4 ,this ,lead again reduce to ,ashes1 and mix with it a fourth part of choice ,sand and ,flints1 and melt the ,mixture into ,glass4 ,which again reduce by help of ,salt of ,tartar and ,iron3 again ,calcine it1 with ,flints turn it into ,glass1 and reduce it as before2 the oftner the better4 ,for in every ,operation the ,lead extracts something of the first ,ens of ,gold from the ,sand or ,flints1 and at length becomes very rich with it4 ,that afterward must1 by the help of a certain ,magnet1 be extracted from the ,lead1 and converted to ,medicinal use2 as every ,man1 according to his capacity1 is best able to use the same4 ,i judge it not convenient to make a farther discovery touching this matter4 ,indeed the external face of this ,process is simple2 because in so short a time1 with so little charge1 and from so vile subjects1 an ,universal ,medicine may be extracted4 ,although ,saturn is covered with a deformed ,ash-coloured ,coat2 yet within in his interior penetrals is reconded a golden ,crown1 which is not perceived before that grey ,habit is taken off from him4 ,as oft as any one hopes for1 or thinks to obtain such a thing1 let him read what ,basilius1 ,paracelsus1 and other ,philosophers have writ touching ,lead4 ,blessed is that ,man1 who knows how to adhibit to this ,operation the ,secret ,lead of ,philosophers instead of ,common ,lead3 for then undoubtedly he will find a most excellent ,medicine2 according as ,ancient ,philosophers1 by the following ,words have expressed3 ,arctus est ,hominis1 qui constat ,,vi4 ,elementis1 ,cui ,p4 si addideris1 ,s4 in ,m4 mutare ben scis1 ,hoc erit s nostrum1 constans ,lapis ,philosophorum4 ,that ,arctus is ,,lumbus1 before which word1 if you set the ,letter ,p1 and change the last ,letter ,s1 into ,m1 it will be ,,plumbum4 ,therefore if by the help of ,common ,lead1 7which notwithstanding is very impure1 and as it were ,leprous7 the possibility of ,transmutation may be demonstrated and verified1 as is manifest by my ,new ,chymical ,light1 what may not the ,secret ,lead of ,philosophers effect1 which is per se pure1 and more excellent than ,gold8 ,cosmopolita speaks thus3 ,although unto him1 to whom ,,god hath shewed the possibility of that1 the ,gain be not so great as the ,loss1 yet unto him is opened an ,entrance to the knowledge and finding of all other high things4 ,more of these at this time ,i forbear to speak4 ,whosoever is so gross and stupid1 as he knows not how to enter through this ,gate set wide open1 how shall he be able to enter through a narrower passage8 ,him1 to whom this clear ,light cannot shew the way1 neither the ,light of ,sun or ,moon will profit any thing4 ,yet ,i doubt not1 but that even ,mechanick ,artificers1 so soon as that my ,light begins to shine1 will search out the ,truth1 unto every of whom ,i wish the help of ,,god4 ,,chap4 ,,xxv4 ,how ,gold may be rendred ,volatile1 so as to be sublimed into a salutary ,medicine4 ,dissolve as much ,common ,salt in ,aq4 ,fortis as you can1 in this ,aq4 ,regia dissolve ,sol1 which precipitate with ,spirit of ,urine4 ,in ,sand abstract all the ,phlegm to a dry ,salt2 if afterward you augment the ,fire1 the ,coagulated ,spirit of ,urine will carry up with it self part of the purest ,sol in the form of a ,red ,salt4 ,this ,salt will yield very profitable ,fruit in ,medicine4 ,the ,dose is from three1 six1 eight1 to twelve ,grains2 endued with power of expelling ,sweat and ,urine1 and famously conducent against the ,stone and ,gout4 ,also since this ,salt is void of any loathsome ,taste1 it may securely and commodiously be administred as a ,cathartick to ,infants1 and ,women with ,child4 ,,chap4 ,,xxvi4 ,the ,way of preparing yet another famous ,medicine ,universal of ,gold4 ,dissolve one part of ,nitre1 in four parts of ,spirit of ,salt1 diligently rectified4 ,in this ,water dissolve as much ,gold as you will4 ,upon this ,solution leisurely at times1 and drop after drop1 pour on of ,oil of ,tartar so long1 as untill both those contrary ,natures of the ,aq4 ,regia1 and ,oil of ,tartar1 shall be united and quiet4 ,then1 if you abstract all the ,phlegm1 with the ,sol will remain a ,salt4 ,this ,salt1 with the ,gold1 put into a little coated glass ,body2 yet first mix with them of burnt ,bone as much in weight1 as the ,salt and ,sol did weigh4 ,the ,bones are onely added1 that the ,gold may not be separated from the ,salt1 or be precipitated into a ,mass and flow4 ,place the ,glass1 with this mixture1 in ,sand1 augmenting the ,fire gradually1 untill the ,glass in the ,sand be obscurely ,red2 in which degree of ,fire1 if you detain it the space of six hours1 the fusible ,salt will penetrate the hard ,gold1 and from it extract its best strength1 and thence wax ,red4 ,which1 when all is cold1 take out of the ,glass1 and by the help of ,spirit of ,wine extract from that ,red ,salt all its ,tincture2 which you may administer in grievous ,diseases1 according as your ,judgment shall inform4 ,if you reduce the extracted ,gold by the help of ,borax1 you will find your ,gold pale4 ,the ,way of ,extracting a yellow ,tincture from white ,nitre4 ,by ,retort distill a strong ,spirit from pure salt ,nitre1 mixt with burned ,earth4 ,which ,spirit1 lest it should not be strong enough1 dephlegmate4 ,this ,spirit in ,distillation ascends ,red1 but when cold appeareth ,white2 yet in it is absconded a ,redness1 which will be revealed the following way4 ,we see that if any thing fall from those1 who labour about ,aqua ,fortis1 into it 7whether that fallen in be a piece of ,skin1 ,hair1 or any part of the ,nails of the ,fingers7 the same is tinged thereby with a golden ,colour4 ,the reason of this ,colouring is this3 ,all superfluities of ,nature 7as the ,skin1 ,nails of the ,hands and ,feet1 all ,hairs and ,hoofs of ,animals1 and ,feathers of ,birds2 which being old1 fall off1 and new succeed in their place7 are endued with power of cleansing the ,humane ,body1 whensoever they are prepared for ,medicinal use2 and that by reason of the abundance of ,volatile ,salt contained in them1 and other such like ,entities4 ,for ,volatile ,salt is of such a ,nature1 as ,salt of ,urine1 by which all corrosive ,spirits are mortified and edulcorated4 ,hence it is1 that when one drop of a ,nitrous ,spirit falls upon the ,skin1 or a ,nail of the ,finger1 it is mortified and discovered by such a ,volatile ,salt as lay hid in it2 which otherwise happens not in all other ,subjects1 which are void of such a ,volatile ,salt4 ,now follows the ,process4 ,recipe of the ,hairs either of a sound ,man1 or of any ,animal1 very well washed and cleansed from all filth1 four ounces4 ,upon these pour of most strong and well rectified ,spirit of ,nitre1 one pound1 and the ,spirit will totally dissolve the ,hairs4 ,upon that ,solution pour by degrees so much ,oil of ,tartar1 as untill all the ,spirits of ,nitre be mortified and totally deprived of their ,corrosive power4 ,but you should not cease to pour on ,oil of ,tartar1 untill the ,spirit hath well acquired a ,golden ,colour4 ,this being seen1 filter the ,solution through brown ,paper1 in which the ,fces will remain1 which notwithstanding will scarcely weigh half a dram2 because the ,spirit of ,nitre hath almost dissolved all4 ,if from this ,liquor in a ,glass-body set in ,balneo1 you abstract all the unprofitable ,phlegm1 in the bottom will remain a ,red ,salt2 on which1 if you pour good ,spirit of ,wine1 some ,fces will again be left in the bottom1 which you may cast away as unprofitable4 ,moreover1 if one half of that ,spirit of ,wine be abstracted from the ,tincture1 a yellow ,oil is acquired2 which if you rub upon good ,silver1 that will look as yellow as if it were good ,gold4 ,if you shall take of this ,tincture1 although it is so ,volatile1 from three1 six1 nine1 to twelve drops1 it strongly expells ,sweat and ,urine1 cures the ,jaundies1 yields relief in the ,dropsie2 in ,feavers it provokes ,sweat1 and in the ,pestilence or other ,diseases1 where ,sweating is needfull4 ,i attempted to fix this ,tincture2 but it was an ,operation of no small time2 therefore ,i was weary of proceeding1 and absolving the ,work begun4 ,if any one be so patient as to fix this ,tincture1 he1 after his ,work is ended1 will have whereof to rejoyce4 ,touching this ,operation1 ,philosophers feigned the venomous ,dragon to be a watchfull ,keeper of the ,golden ,fleece2 and that the same could not be taken away before the ,dragon was brought to sleep by a ,soporiferous ,medicine1 by which he should be rendred insensible and fixed4 ,but undoubtedly some opinionative ,men will say1 that this yellow ,tincture is acquired from the ,hairs1 ,wool1 or ,feathers1 rather than from the ,nitre4 ,the ,opinion of such ,men ,i thus refell4 ,if any one dissolve ,hairs1 ,wool1 or ,feathers1 by the help of ,spirits of ,salt1 ,sulphur or ,vitriol1 he will acquire a white ,solution3 and if he mortifies the ,spirit of ,salt or ,vitriol with ,oil of ,tartar1 yet shall no yellowness appear1 but all remain white4 ,and such white ,salt1 which comes from the ,spirits of ,salt and ,vitriol1 hath also its use in ,medicine4 ,the reason of that is especially1 because ,hairs in themselves contain a very ,medicinal ,salt1 which cannot possibly any other way be obtained1 than by dissolving with the help of ,aqua ,fortis1 or of their re-mortification and reduction into ,salt by the benefit of ,alcali's4 ,after this manner from many ,animals1 by the help of ,spirit of ,nitre1 may be extracted yellow ,tinctures or ,salts1 which are very efficacious in ,medicine4 ,such ,cast-skins of ,serpents1 as are commonly found in ,fields1 and among heaps of ,stones1 are famously ,medicinal against ,poysons1 the ,pestilence1 and all other venomous ,diseases4 ,the ,teeth of ,serpents1 and ,teeth of ,mad ,dogs and ,wolves1 have a ,medicinal ,efficacy against all venomous ,bitings of ,animals4 ,also they help the ,stomach against all ,feavers4 ,scorpions1 ,may-,worms1 ,cantharides1 and such like venomous ,insects1 do all minister yellow ,tinctures1 or such ,salts as may most profitably be administred in all grievous and venomous ,diseases4 ,,chap4 ,,xxvii4 ,what is to be judged of the ,tincture of ,corals4 ,when ,paracelsus writ of the admirable ,virtues of ,tincture of ,corals1 which it manifests in the ,expulsion of all grievous ,diseases1 he said1 that very many famous ,men endeavoured to perfect that ,tincture2 but an happy event or prosperous success of the same happened to few4 ,even so hath it hapned unto me1 who have been a searcher of that ,tincture above forty years4 ,as to the external face1 ,i could indeed variously extract a ,tincture of ,corals1 but in ,medicine it proved not as it seemed4 ,hence ,i conjectured that was not the true ,tincture of ,corals1 but that ,tincture came from the ,menstruum4 ,yet at length ,,god shewed me some particular ,feathers of ,birds1 which might be adapted to fixed ,tinctures latent in ,stones and stony ,subjects1 and by help of them the same be extracted from their gross ,bodies1 and exposed to publick view2 yet among them all1 three sorts of ,feathers onely hold the ,principal place4 ,i4 ,the black ,feathers of ,crows1 which are endued with power to elevate such ,tinctures as love to ascend4 ,,ii4 ,the white ,feathers of ,pidgeons1 which1 in a sort1 contain in themselves the purest1 and before 7by their natural virtue7 lightly volatile ,tinctures1 invade and carry them upwards with them4 ,,iii4 ,eagles ,feathers1 which rowse even the most fixed and heaviest ,bodies1 and thence extract the inmost or noblest part of them1 and carry it upwards with themselves4 ,yet these ,eagle-,feathers are most commodiously used for extracting of fixed ,tinctures from fixed ,metals and ,stones4 ,for if they be applied to other very ,volatile ,subjects1 they will carry up with themselves the whole mortified ,body together with the ,tincture4 ,therefore1 whosoever would by the benefit of the ,salt of these ,feathers1 or of the ,salts of other ,volatiles1 perform some excellent ,work1 let him exactly learn the difference between one and the other4 ,but since here ,i onely intend the ,extraction of the ,tincture from ,red ,corals1 there is no need of any other ,feathers for that purpose1 but of ,pidgeons ,feathers onely1 because they will be sufficient for this ,operation4 ,the ,feathers or ,wings are thus found and acquired4 ,dissolve one pound of pure ,silver in ,aqua ,fortis4 ,if to this ,solution you pour good ,spirit of ,salt1 in which ,common ,salt is dissolved1 all the ,luna will be precipitated from the ,aq4 ,fortis in the form of a white ,calx4 ,in which ,precipitation the ,silver acquires the aforesaid white ,pidgeons ,feathers from the ,salt-water1 and submergeth them1 together with it self1 in the bottom of the ,vessel4 ,in this ,precipitation also the ,aqua ,fortis perisheth not1 but passeth into good ,aqua ,regia4 ,this white ,calx of ,lune1 which ,i have otherwise called ,mercury of ,lune1 if it be diligently edulcorated and dried2 then are the ,feathers prepared1 by help of which ,i here teach how the ,tincture of ,corals is to be extracted4 ,recipe one pound of ,red ,corals1 grind them upon a ,stone to a most subtile ,powder2 to which add as much of this white ,silver ,calx also pulverized4 ,put these together into a ,glass-,retort1 administring ,fire by degrees1 untill the ,retort be red1 whence 7before it is red-hot7 will ascend a reddish ,water pleasantly sweet2 out of one pound of ,corals1 about four or five ounces4 ,let this ,water be dephlegmated in a small ,glass-body1 by gentle heat of ,balneo1 and the unprofitable ,water separated from the ,tincture2 which every ,man may safely use in ,medicine according to his capacity and skill2 because by virtue of it the ,bloud is egregiously purged4 ,almost after the same manner1 by help of these ,feathers1 a most efficacious ,water of ,pearls may be distilled from fragments of ,pearls1 or in defect of them from ,mother of ,pearls4 ,likewise1 by their help1 from a certain peculiar kind of white ,talk1 may be extracted a famous ,cosmetick for whitening the black ,skin4 ,also otherwise by the help of these1 from ,vegetable and ,animal1 as well as from ,mineral ,subjects1 many famous ,medicaments may be extracted2 all the ,preparations of which1 if any ,man should take upon him to describe1 he would above measure encrease the ,volume of his ,book3 which is not my purpose now to do4 ,therefore with these already commemorated every well-meaning ,man will hold himself content4 ,hereafter 7if ,,god please7 we may discover more4 ,that which remains in the ,retort take out1 mix it with an equal weight of burned ,tartar1 and then by strong fire melt the ,mixture4 ,then the ,lune will precipitate it self into a ,regulus1 and the ,corals1 ,pearls1 or whatsoever you distilled by the help of that1 will pass into ,scorias4 ,if you rightly know how to operate this1 you will lose none of the ,silver4 ,but if you granulate the same1 dissolve it in ,aquafortis1 and again precipitate it with ,spirit of ,salt1 edulcorate and dry the ,calx1 you will have new ,feathers1 by the benefit of which you may sublime subtile ,tinctures from ,bodies4 ,the reason why these ,tinctures ascend so sweet1 is1 because the sharp ,spirits of ,salt1 which the ,lune detains with it self1 adhere to the ,corals and ,pearls1 and mortifie themselves with them1 and upwards onely drive a sweet ,essence4 ,since ,i have said something of ,white ,pidgeons ,feathers1 and also made mention1 that many other such ,feathers may be had1 by which heavy ,subjects may in like manner be elevated1 and carried upward with them2 among which the ,dark-coloured ,feathers of the ,eagle do easily obtain the priority2 ,i thought it would be worth while to shew the way of ,acquiring them here also2 which thus take4 ,,chap4 ,,xxviii4 ,how a ,medicine may be prepared of ,sol and ,luna together4 ,recipe of ,gold one ounce1 and of ,silver two ounces4 ,dissolve the ,sol in ,aqua ,regia1 and the ,lune in ,aqua ,fortis4 ,if you mix both ,solutions together1 one ,metal will precipitate the other1 and both settle to the bottom in the form of a ,dark or ,ash-coloured ,calx4 ,this ,precipitate edulcorate and dry1 and mix with the same half its own weight of our ,eagles ,feathers4 ,distil these in a ,glass ,retort with strong ,fire3 then will the ,eagles ,feathers take up with it self a white ,water2 in which1 notwithstanding1 is latent a red ,tincture2 but of an unpleasing ,taste1 and therefore not to be administred in medicinal ,practice4 ,yet1 if this fierce and horrible ,water be mortified by the help of a ,lixivium of ,tartar1 and afterward some white ,glass broke small be melted in a ,crucible with some such ,salt1 the ,glass will be tinged by the ,salt1 with an eminent yellowness answerable to the ,colour of ,gold4 ,that yellow ,tincture may be extracted from the ,glass1 and used in ,medicine2 because it ariseth both from ,sol and ,luna1 and therefore necessarily must be medicinal4 ,note3 ,that during the ,distillation1 the ,glass vessel contracts divers ,colours1 partly red1 and partly yellow2 viz4 as long as it stands in the ,fire and is hot2 but the ,neck remaining out in the ,air1 continues white4 ,here is cause indeed of admiration1 that by that mixture of divers ,colours many and various ,figures are represented1 as ,mountains and ,valleys1 adorned with ,rocks and ,trees1 so artificially1 as they seem to be the ,work of a ,painter4 ,some such ,glasses painted1 both by ,art and ,nature1 ,i gave to some of my curious and ingenious ,friends2 who ,i believe have them yet to show4 ,these ,glasses are tinged well and throughly2 sometimes through their whole ,body1 and that so firmly1 as even the strongest ,aqua ,fortis or ,aqua ,regia1 or any ,corrosives cannot take off those ,colours4 ,which indeed is a most strange and admirable thing1 that even vulgar and corporeal fixed ,sol and ,luna should be rendred so volatile1 as to be able to enter into the compact ,glass1 and tinge the same4 ,spirits have great power1 are void of ponderosity1 and when they tinge1 the vertue of them is discerned far3 even as the ,spirits of men and other ,animals are void of all heaviness or weight2 which we clearly discern by this1 viz4 that a man living1 is much lighter than when he is dead4 ,moreover1 ,spirits cannot onely render fixed ,luna volatile1 and reduce it into red ,bodies as ,sol and ,venus1 which without any hurt of their form1 and without increase or diminution of their weight1 they can totally tinge with whiteness2 but also ,spirits can render the most fixt and most compact ,gold volatile1 and induce it into compact ,lune1 whereby that shall be tinged with yellowness1 which is a thing very wonderfull4 ,but that ,spirits can induce ,tincture into ,glass1 without hurt or augmentation of its weight1 deserves greater admiration2 especially because it is the common ,opinion of putatitious ,philosophers1 that in ,glass are no pores1 yet the contrary of their supposition is true4 ,for if it were so1 as they perswade themselves1 which way ,i pray could ,tinctures be introduced into them8 ,note3 ,that ,spirits do not onely induce ,metallick subtile ,tinctures into compact ,metals and ,glasses2 insomuch1 as by the help of white ,spirits1 yellow ,sol1 without destruction of its form or species may totally be tinged with whiteness2 and white ,lune by the mediation of red ,spirits1 be totally tinged with yellowness1 and white ,glass with various ,colours resembling the ,beauty of ,jems3 but they also extract fixed ,bodies from other fixed ,metallick ,bodies4 ,as we see1 as often as we cast any mixture of ,sol1 ,luna and ,venus1 7melted into a ,mass7 into those ,spirits2 the same ,spirits extract the ,luna and ,venus from the ,sol1 without corruption or destruction of its form1 so as the ,sol1 although this separation is made1 doth notwithstanding remain compact and massy4 ,we have such ,spirits as these in our ,possession1 and can render the same fit for our purpose4 ,as for all other ,spirits1 which are various2 viz4 #a4 ,are ,clestial and ,divine4 #b4 ,terrestrial and ,diabolick4 #c4 ,the ,spirits of the four ,elements2 these excel the former in power3 for they cannot onely pass through ,doors that are shut1 but also through the hardest ,stones and ,rocks1 and there at pleasure sport and perpetrate wonderous things4 ,as you may learn from those that labour in ,mines of ,metals1 where such ,spirits inhabit1 and stoutly defend their ,treasures of ,gold and ,silver1 from such as come to spoil them of the same2 wherefore they invade the ,miners1 strike them1 pault them with ,stones or ,dirt1 blast them with venomous ,vapours1 and oftentimes kill many of them at once4 ,what wonderfull things they in these subterranean ,mansions are able to effect1 is more than sufficiently known4 ,in the ,mansfieldick ,mountains of ,venus or ,copper1 the ,spirits paint all kind of ,figures1 especially of ,fishes2 some of which ,i my self have seen4 ,about #ajj years since there was dug up a certain ,image of ,venus upon a black ,fissile ,stone1 wherein ,luther and the ,electour of ,saxony were so evidently expressed1 as either of them might be seen kneeling before the ,image of ,christ crucified4 ,also another such ,fissile ,stone was thence dug up1 in which was exactly figured ,john ,baptist baptizing ,christ in ,jordan4 ,but if our ,spirits of ,salt can induce ,tinctures into the compact ,bodies of ,metals2 and ,elementary ,spirits in their subterranean ,habitations1 can impress many and various ,figures on ,stones2 what is that good ,clestial ,spirits shall not be able to effect8 ,did not these preserve the three ,children in the ,babylonian ,fiery ,furnace8 ,did not they bring ,peter out of ,prison2 and the ,prophet ,habacuck to ,daniel into the ,lyon's ,den8 ,are not they able to bring in1 and lead out8 ,cannot they render fixed palpable ,bodies volatile1 spiritual and invisible1 and on the contrary render invisible ,bodies visible and tangible8 ,many things might here be spoken touching the ,nature1 ,property and ,difference of ,spirits1 but that they are not pertinent to our present purpose4 ,if ,,god permit1 according as ,i have purposed1 ,i shall ere long set forth a peculiar ,treatise of ,spirits4 ,here we have heard how ,spirits can bring through shut ,doors hard ,bodies1 and there render them corporeal and visible4 ,which may serve for ,information to every ,searcher into the ,light of ,nature4 ,,chap4 ,,xxix4 ,yet one other ,specimen of ,probation by the help of ,eagles ,feathers4 ,that ,artificer ,lazarus ,ercker1 most famous for finding out the ,veins of ,metals1 in his ,book of ,probations 7or of finding out ,veins7 relates1 that the ,venetians hired certain men for wages1 and sent them into ,germany to gather of the glassy dark coloured ,grains of ,sand of the ,rivers running by the ,mountains1 and to transport it to ,venice4 ,the same is done at this very day4 ,and although this ,exportation is prohibited by ,law1 yet they desist not1 but clandestinely proceed4 ,the common ,people of those parts perswade themselves1 that ,grains of ,gold are contained in those ,sands1 and therefore by ,edict every man is forbid1 either to remove it thence1 or to convert the same to his own use4 ,indeed ,lazarus ,ercker added1 that he had subjected such ,grains of ,sand to various ,trials1 but never found ,gold in them2 yet that he also understood1 that the ,venetian ,artificers prepared of that ,sand such beautifull ,colours1 as with them were in more esteem1 than ,gold it self4 ,but ,i affirm1 that ,erckerus did not rightly know those ,grains of ,sand4 ,for indeed there is little corporal ,gold in them1 but much spiritual ,gold4 ,if to those ,sands the ,eagles ,feathers be added1 they will carry upwards with themselves much spiritual ,gold1 which will be very conducent in ,medicine4 ,such ,grains are found in all the ,sands of ,rivers in all ,regions of the ,world1 and in the ,gravel on the ,shores of common ,navigable ,rivers3 whence much good may be gained4 ,now these may suffice to be spoken touching the ,eagles ,feathers1 for it is not convenient to divulge more4 ,,chap4 ,,xxx4 ,yet one ,royal ,medicine of ,vulgar ,gold4 ,make one ,ounce of ,gold more or less1 irreducible by the benefit of ,salts4 ,then to such irreducible or unmeltable ,gold1 add as much by weight of the fixed ,salt of the ,eagles ,feathers burnt4 ,put these into a firmly coated ,glass1 and place the ,glass in an ,earthen ,pan full of ,sand2 which ,pan set in the ,fire that it may be red hot4 ,but after it hath stood in such a ,degree of heat1 for four or five hours1 let it cool4 ,then take your fixed ,sol out of the ,glass1 and it will be like white ,chalk4 ,this white ,sol taken out of the ,glass put into a good ,crucible1 upon which lute another1 and then set it in a ,wind ,furnace1 where having stood four or five hours1 without any extream heat1 let it cool4 ,then your ,gold will be transmuted into a ,tincture intensly red4 ,grind this red ,salt to a most subtil ,powder1 and pour on ,spirit of ,wine to extract his ,tincture4 ,the tinged ,spirit pour off1 and pour on other1 that it may also extract4 ,abstract the ,spirit of ,wine from the ,tincture1 and in the bottom a red ,saline ,liquor will remain1 which is to be accounted a true ,aurum ,potabile3 because it is not possible by any way whatsoever to extract any ,gold from thence4 ,this ,operation begun1 ,i once absolved without ,errour2 but many times afterward trying my ,work1 did not succeed so prosperously as at the first time4 ,yet ,i rather ascribe the ,errour to my self1 than to ,art1 plainly judging1 that no other way more swift1 more easie or more preparable1 can be obtained a most readily profitable ,tincture for diseased1 humane and metallick ,bodies4 ,yet ,i add this4 ,if thou sufferest the common and now ductile ,sol to be and remain ,gold2 and sparing labour and charge for making it irreducible1 do onely make choice of such ,stones for your ,operation1 such as without ,charges you may get1 and by nature partake of irreducible ,gold4 ,then indeed you may much more easily find what you intend4 ,for whatsoever ,tinctures of a golden ,disposition are incited in those ,stones1 they notwithstanding in this operation lose it1 altogether wax white1 and at length totally red again4 ,which being beheld by me1 ,i never saw in all my ,life a more wonderfull ,sight4 ,hence ,philosophers have always said3 ,whosoever can so destroy vulgar ,sol1 as it can never be again reduced into ,sol1 he hath attained to a very great ,mystery4 ,also they further say3 ,whosoever knows not how to make our ,sol 7which is vulgar ,sol rendred irreducible1 or such as hath not yet felt the force of ,fire1 and in ,stones is by ,nature irreducible7 white1 he also cannot make it red4 ,but now that is done this way4 ,therefore you need not doubt that besides medicinal ,remedies1 some other ,eminent ,works may thence be made4 ,which ,i leave more deeply to be searched into by those1 who are yet strong and able to endure labour4 ,as for my own part1 ,i esteem the ,pleasures and ,riches of this ,world to be worse than nothing2 and seek onely ,incorruptibles1 which can neither be stolen by ,thieves1 nor gnawn by ,moths and other ,vermine1 nor be destroyed by any force of the ,elements4 ,an ,admonition4 ,in this little ,book1 candid ,reader1 ,i have treated of many rare ,arcanums1 or ,secrets not vulgar2 and that very briefly4 ,all ,i here write1 ,i write from certain ,experience1 as to ,medicine3 far be it1 that ,i should profess my self a ,master in the ,melioration of ,metals1 ,i had rather say with ,socrates1 ,this one thing ,i know1 viz4 that ,i know nothing4 ,indeed had ,i been a younger ,man1 ,i should scarcely have forborn to exercise my self in such an ,operation2 but my great ,age having rendred me unfit for all ,labours1 and unable to do any thing1 ,i may easily be excused1 for ,i am as it were compelled to abstain from so great a ,work4 ,here in this ,book ,i have treated of divers secret ,fires1 yet not of all to me known1 but of many of them3 touching the best of them all 7if ,,god permit7 the seventh ,part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa shall treat4 ,the wonderfull ,vertues of which secret ,fires is so far beyond belief1 as they exceed all the ,fires in this ,enchyridion commemorated4 ,quantum ,lenta solent inter ,viburna ,cupressi4 ,i am amazed1 as often as ,i call to mind1 how immensly vertuous such fiery truly ,stygian ,spirits are1 which are endued with a faculty of mortifying all ,metals 7although they be ,bodies of greatest strength7 and of carrying with them their immortal ,souls1 wheresoever they can4 ,for they are endued with so great power1 as nothing is able to defend it self from them4 ,yet besides these there are also other horrid ,spirits made by ,art1 which do not onely after ,mortification take from metallick ,bodies their ,soul2 but also are endued with so great power1 as they take away the ,body with the ,soul4 ,spirits of this kind are not usefull for our necessities1 but those ,spirits which do onely mortifie the ,body1 and draw forth from it its ,soul1 leaving the gross ,body4 ,if these ,bodies were as conducive to us as ,spirits1 there would be no need to extract from them their most pure ,spirits or ,souls1 to prepare our ,medicine of them4 ,wherefore we1 not without good reason1 by the help of ,artificial ,distillation7 extract the most clean ,souls of ,metals from their rude ,bodies4 ,for1 by the benefit of ,distillation1 all ,bodies of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 are purified and subtilized4 ,which clean and subtil ,spirits 7when they are again reduced into fixed ,bodies7 must needs be better ,bodies than all other vulgar ,bodies1 which never yet were ,spirits4 ,therefore1 the more fixed those ,bodies are rendred1 and the more those ,spirits are subtilized1 the more pure and further powerfull ,tinctures will be obtained from them4 ,the like we understand by ,elementary ,spirits4 ,these ,spirits1 by their proper ,virtue1 can so far extend themselves1 as to become wholly invisible1 and 7if ,i may so speak7 altogether pervisible3 on the contrary1 they can again concentrate themselves1 and constringe themselves into a very narrow compass1 and in such-wise assume visible ,bodies1 palpable and hard1 as they please themselves4 ,although such ,objects1 in the ,judgment of the ,eyes1 are accounted ,bodies1 yet in very deed they are not true ,bodies1 but are onely concentrated ,spirits1 which enjoy a perpetual power of extending themselves again into latitude1 and of leaving their corporeal ,form and ,shape1 and re-assuming their ,spiritual ,figure4 ,but it is impossible that these extended ,spirits should possess so great power1 as they had before ,extension4 ,for ,spirits extended are no other than ,air and ,wind4 ,on the contrary1 concentrated ,spirits have incredible ,fortitude1 penetrate more swiftly1 and are ,bodies of very great potency4 ,a common ,body cannot penetrate into another1 without hurt to it self2 nor in that extend it self1 because of its gross and hard ,mass4 ,yet such a ,body1 as is made of a certain ,spirit1 can penetrate other ,bodies1 and amend the same1 without destruction of their ,form and ,species4 ,as for ,example3 ,if any one turns a fixed ,metal into a subtile ,spirit1 and this ,spirit again reduceth into a fixed ,body2 this ,body will not be a common1 compact1 gross or mortified ,body1 like all other ,metallick ,bodies2 but is a ,body spiritual1 living1 penetrating and vivifying mortified ,bodies2 or is 7as ,i may call it7 a ,corporeal ,spirit1 which can extend it self in ,amplitude1 and shew its potency an hundred or a thousand ways2 according as all true ,philosophers ascribe to their ,universal ,medicine or ,tincture1 that it1 in a very small quantity1 is able to tinge or meliorate a great quantity of the more vile ,bodies into ,bodies most noble4 ,which admirable ,correction is not as yet known to me2 yet ,i certainly believe and judge1 that such a ,transmutation1 or famous ,emendation of ,metals may be made1 by the benefit of concentrated and fixed noble ,metallick ,spirits4 ,whosoever hath ,time and ,place convenient to set about this ,work1 may try what is possible to be performed by the help of ,art4 ,convert fixed ,bodies into subtile ,spirits1 and reduce volatile ,spirits into fixed ,bodies1 then shall you obtain whatsoever you can desire or wish for4 ,indeed ,i have ,reasons enough to restrain my ,quill from a farther promulgation of such high ,matters2 yet since ,i have proceeded farther in this discovery1 than any ,man before me ever did2 what hinders but that ,i may to the ,horse-man1 to whom ,i have given a ,nisan or excellent ,horse1 give the ,bridle also8 ,therefore it pleaseth me to reveal yet one kind of ,spirits1 which very lovingly receive the ,souls of ,metals 7after their ,bodies are mortified7 and carry them up into the ,philosophick ,heaven1 that is1 into the ,alembick4 ,which good ,spirits are not horrible and cruel as the former1 but sweet and amicable4 ,indeed1 such good ,spirits do all willingly associate themselves with the ,souls of all ,metals promiscuously1 but onely with such most pure ,souls1 as are in ,sol and ,luna4 ,but if they be compelled to be concerned in the ,mortification of ftid gross ,metals1 as ,mars and ,venus1 or of venomous1 and as yet immature and volatile ,metals1 as ,jupiter1 ,saturn and ,mercury1 and to receive the out-passing ,souls of them2 they refuse not this office1 yet from such ftid ,souls they contract a stink to themselves1 and therefore can scarcely afterward be ,medicinal4 ,wherefore1 it is better not to use these good and pure ,spirits1 unless for receiving the ,souls of clean ,metals2 for then they remain good1 and cannot be administred in ,medicine without admiration3 and1 on the contrary1 the ,souls of venomous ,metals may be so much the more happily used for the ,emendation of ,metals4 ,now1 as touching these good ,spirits1 know1 they are nothing else but a pure ,spirit of ,wine1 when it is associated with ,sol and ,luna1 at that very time1 wherein their fixed ,bodies are invaded and mortified by their ,enemies1 and their pure ,souls set at liberty2 then they are received and carried upwards by these pure ,spirits2 and a ,royal ,medicine is obtained1 which every ,man may administer according to his understanding4 ,there are also many other ,spirits which attend ,metals destroyed and mortified1 that they may take to themselves their pure ,souls and carry them away4 ,but of these enough at this time4 ,ere long 7,,god willing7 ,i shall speak more at large of these in the ,seventh ,part of my ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa4 99 99 99 99 99 ,o most ,high ,,god1 the ,one onely ,beginning and ,end of all things1 ,i making supplication from the bottom of my heart desire1 that 7when that general ,destroyer of ,humane ,bodies shall come and destroy my lean and dried ,earthen ,mass1 according to thy divine ,will1 and set my ,soul at liberty from the ,bonds of the ,body7 thou wilt be pleased in that very hour to take compassion on me1 and send thy ,ministring ,spirits the ,holy ,angels 7by reason of thy ,grace and ,fatherly ,mercy7 to me at the hour of ,death1 that receiving my departing ,soul1 may humbly prostrate it at the feet of thy most ,holy ,majesty4 ,amen4 ,the ,end of the ,sixth ,part4 ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,in which is farther treated1 how of ,man's ,urine may be prepared the ,secret ,sal-,armoniack of ,philosophers1 and what incredible ,works may be performed by the benefit of it1 both in ,medicine and in ,alchymy3 ,with an ,instruction annexed how an ,universal ,medicine and true ,tincture for ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies may be acquired2 and that no way more easie1 more expeditious and less chargeable1 than by the help of good ,spirit of ,wine1 or instead of that a burning ,spirit extracted from ,corn1 or other ,vegetables4 ,the ,,preface to the ,,reader4 ,well-meaning ,reader1 ,the principal ,reason which moveth me here in this small ,treatise 7without any respect or regard of ,persons worthy or unworthy7 so evidently to reveal and publish to the ungratefull ,world the ,secret ,sal-,armoniack of ,philosophers1 is this3 namely1 because1 by reason of my old ,age1 ,i have now one foot in the ,grave1 and am ready to depart this ,world1 and do patiently expect a far more excellent ,mansion prepared by ,god4 ,i1 who now discover this ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 do also here intimate those vast benefits1 which 7by the help of that7 may accrew to ,mankind1 accounting great ,works of ,mercy may be done by it2 because it is that1 by the benefit of which1 all things necessary for ,life may be acquired by all ,men1 whether young or old1 poor or rich1 as in the following ,praxis shall largely be demonstrated4 ,that ,men 7if they themselves will7 may gain much1 yea as much as they please1 by the benefit of this my free and ample ,revelation of such an inestimable ,salt1 ,i am easily able to prove3 especially1 so soon as ,i1 in the following ,praxis1 shall exhibit a ,specimen of those ,subjects1 the abundance of which is in all parts of the ,world1 every-where offered1 no less to the ,poor1 than to the ,rich1 without any expence of ,money1 or other ,charges2 but it is known by very few1 privily hated by that proud ,step-,dame the ,world1 trod under foot1 and for its exterior vileness cast out upon the ,dunghill1 and thrown away in the corners of ,streets4 ,but1 some ,one may ask1 how those needy ,people can from ,urine onely1 acquire things necessary for ,life1 although they should know1 that in it is contained a ,treasure8 ,to such an ,one ,i thus answer3 ,it may very well be effected1 because in this little ,book ,i have explained1 not onely that in it is an abstruse ,treasure1 but also how it may easily be extracted4 ,insomuch as ,i doubt not1 but that some of the ,lovers of the ,poor will do their endeavour to extract that ,treasure from the same4 ,which being done1 if the ,world 7which will believe nothing but what it sees7 take notice of it1 and finds the verity of our ,assertion proved in ,fact1 then many more will use a like endeavour to get their living from such a ,subject1 every-where to be had1 and preparable for little or no charge4 ,if such ,operators shall need more ,urine1 than they themselves make1 they must necessarily buy it of poor ,families1 abundance of which you will every-where find1 readily desiring to gather the same for their daily ,bread1 and to bring it to the ,artist3 that way one hand cherisheth and helpeth another4 ,for by this means every ,re-publick might be brought to a flourishing state1 so as no ,man 7unless he will himself7 needs to want ,bread in what part of the ,world soever he lives4 ,i indeed have not buried in the ,earth my five ,talents gratiously granted to me by ,god1 but have put them into the publick ,bank4 ,what if the mad and blind ,world will neither see nor hear1 it may for all me follow its own desperate humour4 ,it is sufficient for me that ,i have divulged such ,mysteries for the safety and well-being of ,mankind1 as no other ,philosopher before me hath ever discovered the like4 ,for since the ,subject is so very vile1 vulgar and obnoxious to vast contempt and hatred among proud ,fools1 many of them did involve its genuine ,name in the secret ,cabinet of ,silence4 ,but1 that ,i may speak my mind freely1 ,i openly confess and aver1 that in ,urine is contained a ,mercury1 by the help of which very much may be effected in ,chymistry and in ,medicine2 and which is especially very conducent to deduce ,metals to their first ,matter2 and thence may be reaped a notable ,fruit of ,utility1 as well universally as particularly4 ,for whatsoever ,i have now writ1 ,i composed the same in the extremity of my discomposure and sickness1 that this admirable ,secret might not be buried with me in the ,earth1 where even all the highest ,arts of the most excellent ,artists seem to putrefie together with them1 not being by them 7before their ,death7 communicated to ,mankind remaining2 that so ,i may say with the ,vulgar 7not rightly understanding7 ,all ,habits of ,understanding are not so much hospited in the mortal ,body1 as retained in the immortal ,mind4 ,if all things here answer not the desire of the diligent ,searcher of ,art1 or be not clearly and plainly enough discovered1 let him look into the following ,treatise1 which is intituled1 ,a ,treatise of the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 where perhaps he will find so many desirable things1 as will compleatly satisfie the hunger of his ,mind covetous of learning4 ,but for the sake of the benevolent ,reader1 ,i cannot chuse but communicate to him this ,information1 viz4 that the very ,inscription of this ,treatise discovers a ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 and in divers places of the ,sixth ,part of my ,spagyrick ,pharmacopca1 mention is also made of a ,secret ,sal-,armoniack2 wherefore ,i would have you to understand1 that the ,sal-,armoniack mentioned in my former ,book1 is of a property variously different from this1 of which ,i purpose here to write4 ,for this is prepared of ,urine1 but in the preparation of that1 no ,urine is to be used2 because that is no other than pure ,silver dissolved in ,aquafortis1 and precipitated by the help of a sharp ,salt-water4 ,where it is to be observed1 that the ,silver1 in such a ,precipitation1 attracts to it self so many ,spirits of the ,salt1 as by reason of them it is no more fusible1 like other ,luna into a ,metallick ,form1 but becomes penetrable as ,oil into a ,skin4 ,that1 in my ,writings1 is called the ,mercury of ,luna4 ,note4 ,of ,saturn also1 after this manner such a ,mercury may be prepared1 which is almost of the same efficacy as the ,mercury of ,luna2 but in some ,chymical ,labours it may not so safely be used as the ,mercury of ,luna4 ,this must be necessarily minded by those who are unwilling to err in their ,labours4 ,moreover1 touching this ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 ,i think it needfull farther to advise1 that either ,sal-,armoniack 7although both are diversly prepared7 being added to ,metals or ,minerals1 takes to it self and carries upward the purest part of that ,metal or ,mineral4 ,yet it is to be understood1 that this is effected thus1 viz4 that the ,metal is corroded by the sharp ,spirits existant in the ,sal-,armoniack1 and so is carried upward by distillation2 or volatilized1 no otherwise than as if you should add ,sublimate ,mercury to any ,metal or ,mineral for extracting ,butter thence4 ,also it is to be minded1 that whatsoever shall be prepared by the help of either ,sal-,armoniack 7made with ,luna1 or with ,urine7 all that riseth much more pure than any sublimate ,mercury or common ,sal-,armoniack can cause to ascend4 ,these few things ,i thought necessary to be premised1 touching the difference of either ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 that no ,man may err through mistake4 ,although much more should be spoken here1 touching our ,sal-,armoniack1 which is made of ,urine2 yet ,time1 and my present ,condition1 prohibit my insisting more at large thereabout4 ,but that every unskilfull ,man may be rendred more skilfull in the ,knowledge of this ,definition1 it is good for him to learn1 that ,urine is no other than the volatile ,salt of those ,meats and ,drinks1 which we receive for the nourishment and sustentation of the ,body2 and which are so digested and separated by the ,stomach1 viz4 that the ,sulphur1 as a superfluity1 is by ,nature discharged by the ,bowels2 but the ,urine1 as a volatile ,mercurial ,salt1 seeks and finds for it self an ,exit through the ,bladder4 ,now1 it is more than sufficiently manifest1 that the greatest part of ,men live of ,vegetables1 as of ,bread1 ,beer and ,wine2 also for ,nutriments they use ,flesh1 ,fish1 ,butter and ,cheese3 which kinds of ,meat and ,drink1 so soon as put down into the ,stomach by a certain natural ,coction and ,fermentation are so inverted1 as some natural ,mercury is thence progenited4 ,whence1 it is clearly enough apparent1 that the before mentioned ,mercury 7which we with the assistance of ,art know how to extract out of ,urine7 must necessarily have been an invisible ,mercury in ,vegetables1 before it passed into ,urine1 and when it was not inverted in our ,body4 ,which is a thing most surely true1 and is confirmed to us by experience1 viz4 that in all ,vegetables 7no one of them excluded1 whether ,wine or ,grain1 ,honey or ,sugar1 or other fat ,fruits1 in which our vegetable ,mercury is most copiously abundant2 also by what name soever those ,fruits or ,vegetables are called7 the same ,mercury is hospited2 yea1 it may be extracted from all ,fruits1 ,trees1 ,herbs1 or any common ,grass of the ,fields or ,meadows1 and from all ,boughs and ,leaves of wild and manured ,trees1 if after you have cut them small1 you pour on them hot water1 and then ferment the same4 ,indeed lean ,herbs1 according to quantity1 give not forth so much burning ,spirit1 as ,corn1 ,wine1 or ,sugar3 ,but note2 ,grass is prepared with much less cost than ,corn1 ,wine1 or the ,fces of ,wine or ,beer4 ,also a good burning ,spirit may be made of ,grape-,stones1 or the pressings of ,grapes2 yet as for the sweetness of that1 you need not to take any care2 because in operating it is so amended1 as it is rendred full as good as the best ,spirit of ,wine that is most rich4 ,this ,arcanum of preparing a true ,universal ,medicine of all ,vegetables1 for those three known ,kingdoms of ours1 ,i take to be as great a ,secret as was ever known to ,philosophers1 or for the future can be known4 ,for it is that1 of which many have notably writ1 yet in such a ,style1 as they have obscured1 involved and hid the whole ,work in so many ,parabolical1 ,allegorical and ,enigmatical phrases1 as it is almost plainly impossible for any one profitably to learn any thing out of their ,writings1 unless his ,eyes be singularly illustrated by ,god4 ,but among others1 ,albertus ,magnus1 ,thomas ,aquinas1 ,arnold1 ,lully1 ,bracescus1 and especially ,basilius1 have writ of it evidently enough to such as can see2 but all they writ in obscure words3 ,and as ,paracelsus knew the same1 so it seems that was also known to ,helmont3 yet they were afraid to write of it for their own sakes4 ,but ,i now freely and openly divulging all things1 do that chiefly for this ,reason1 viz4 because the most wise ,god 7to whom ,i give ,immortal ,thanks7 revealed this ,secret to me not many weeks since2 and ,i1 according to the weakness of my ,age1 could labour but little therein1 and that very difficultly2 therefore keeping my ,bed1 by reason of my ,illness1 ,i caused some ,proofs to be made of the same3 whence ,i so found the verity of the matter1 as ,i am now able safely to confirm the same to others1 and can aver1 that the true ,mercury of ,philosophers is reconded in them4 ,although that hath hitherto been unknown to most ,men1 yet by me 7because in ,philosophy1 ,medicine and ,chymistry1 never any thing more magnificent than it1 easier to be elaborated1 or preparable with less cost1 at any time before came into my hands7 it is so published1 as ,i doubt not1 but that many well-disposed ,persons will confidently1 readily and happily set their hands to the ,work4 ,for it is easie to acquire burning or distilled ,wine in abundance1 without any great charge3 also an ,instrument made of ,copper1 fit for separating the ,mercury from the ,sulphur1 will not cost much3 ,and lastly1 the ,fixation of the ,mercury will cost little or nothing1 because it may easily be absolved1 in a very short time1 by ,one well skilled in the method of fixing4 ,the ,burning ,spirit may be prepared1 and the separation of its ,mercury from the ,sulphur be compleated in the space of one day3 but yet it is to be understood1 that this is spoken onely to those who desire but a small quantity to experience the possibility of ,art4 ,if any one would have a larger quantity of ,tincture1 he indeed will have need of a longer time to prepare it in1 as every one may easily conjecture4 ,whilst ,i lay diseased in my ,bed1 and afflicted with a grievous ,disease 7after ,i had by a long and serious speculation day and night fundamentally searched the power of ,art7 in the space of one ,week1 by the hands onely of my little ,sons 7for ,i could not trust such a ,work with the unworthy ,sons of this ,world7 ,i made three small trials or proofs onely in a very small quantity1 because1 by my ,bed side1 there was no place for doing any great ,work4 ,nevertheless1 ,i am satisfied that ,i could do much more in eight or ten ,days1 and a far greater quantity1 if ,god will be pleased to grant me strength for so many ,days4 ,indeed to an ignorant ,hearer1 what ,wise men have asserted will seem incredible to be believed2 namely1 that in every ,herb and ,grass1 the true ,stone of ,philosophers lyes hid4 ,for the ignorant of ,nature wonder at this4 ,but ,spagyrick ,philosophers have1 now for many years past1 published their ,books touching the same1 and affirmed1 that of all things1 from which the ,elements may be separated1 the ,stone of ,philosophers may be extracted and made2 of the same ,i also1 if need were1 could alledge many ,testimonies4 ,may we not by ,distillation and ,rectification much more easily separate the ,elements from ,vegetables1 than from rude and hard ,metals8 ,and may we not most purely and most subtilly cleanse their ,element of ,fire from them8 ,that indeed is impossible to be extracted from ,metals4 ,but if we can1 by the help of ,art1 turn the most pure ,fire again into ,earth1 may not of this new ,earth 7when it is by the benefit of ,art fixed1 and rendred constant in ,fire7 be made a ,matter purer1 than all things in ,nature8 ,every ,man knows1 that in ,spirit of ,wine is contained a great virtue comforting the ,heart1 but by reason of the burning heat1 which it manifests in those that immoderately use it1 the same is avoided not without ,reason4 ,now1 if you shall separate the ,burning ,sulphur from the ,mercury1 in the bottom will remain onely a temperate1 and to all ,constitutions 7which are vulgarly called ,complexions7 gratefull pure ,mercury1 in the form of a clear sweet ,water1 which ,philosophers call their ,water of ,life1 and that not imprudently4 ,for the ,alimonies of ,life are included in it1 and this ,mercurial ,water1 or true ,aqua-vit1 may be safely adhibited in all ,diseases2 always1 provided that this ,spirit be prepared of ,wine1 ,corn1 or of ,herbs not stinking and venomous4 ,but for ,metallick ,transmutation1 every distilled ,wine is conducent1 of whatsoever matter it shall be prepared4 ,yet that1 in the form of ,water1 is able to exercise no power over ,metals1 but must first be reduced into a ,red fixed ,powder1 called by ,philosophers ,gold of ,philosophers1 ,horizontal ,gold1 ,tinging ,gold1 and ,living ,gold4 ,and1 in a word1 ,i say you cannot find any thing pertinent to ,medicine and ,chymistry1 more excellent than our ,red fixed ,mercury of ,wine3 for it is the true ,phnix or ,bird of ,titan1 feeding its ,young with its own ,blood2 also a true ,salamander1 which dyes not1 but is nourished and augmented in ,fire3 and more briefly1 ,it is all in all things4 ,moreover1 ,philosophers confess that all things lye absconded in all1 and in good ,aqua-vit all ,metals are spiritually found2 which ,i my self have in very deed experienced1 being otherwise unable to verifie the same4 ,o noble ,hermetick ,art1 and ,queen of all ,sciences6 how basely and unworthily art thou cast down1 trod under foot by stinking ,swine1 and contemned by ignorant proud ,fools6 ,nevertheless1 ,i doubt not but that this little ,book of mine will open the ,eyes of many blinded with ,ignorance1 and direct many ,readers unto the path of ,verity2 as my ,treatise lately published1 intituled1 ,of the ,salt of ,philosophers1 hath already been the ,authour of much good to many4 ,for more than one of many1 who have slighted ,chymistry1 having perused that ,enchiridion1 according to my ,information1 have again fallen in love with ,chymistry1 set about the ,work 7renewing their omitted labour7 and prepared the ,salt of ,philosophers1 gave good proofs thereof1 and having wrought in it for certain ,days1 at length gloried of their successes in ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,which ,stone notwithstanding is not to be compared with that which is made of ,wine or ,corn2 but in comparison of that is to be reputed as a ,clod of ,earth to a most beautifull ,pearl4 ,wherefore as ,i before said1 and always shall say1 ,i believe that a ,medicine and ,tincture more sublime than the fixed and red ,mercury of ,wine1 hath never been known by ,philosophers4 ,in the mean while1 let every other ,man believe as he listeth1 it sufficeth me that ,i have written the ,truth1 and refused to carry hence with me into the ,kingdom of ,darkness the greatest ,secret of the whole ,world4 ,but the ,reasons why ,i here over-hastily break off the ,thread of my discourse begun1 and in no-wise discover the ,method by which the ,burning ,spirit may be prepared1 and the ,mercury latent therein be separated from the same1 and reduced into a fixed ,tincture1 are weighty and considerable4 ,for the whole ,work1 from the beginning to the end1 is so very vile and easie to be performed1 as every ,corydon or rude ,shepherd 7ignorant of all ,chymical ,arts7 would understand and imitate that ,method of preparing the same4 ,wherefore it is best to desist from any further explanation4 ,because1 to whomsoever ,god will give it1 he will so easily find it out1 as there will be no necessity of speaking one word more than ,i have already spoke4 ,besides1 for such inconsiderateness1 ,i should be able to give no just ,account before ,god1 the ,judge of the ,living and of the ,dead1 if this most secret ,secret of ,secrets should as a ,grain of ,salt be sowed among the ungratefull and unworthy ,people4 ,but the ,world is too well known to me already3 yet ,i will openly say this1 viz4 that the poorest ,man1 as well as him that is wealthy1 may attain to this supreme ,work2 because1 for preparation of that incomparable ,medicine1 no chargeable ,materials1 nor any long time are required4 ,truly1 unto me are known divers famous particulars1 by the help of which1 not onely ,silver1 but also all other ,metals are converted into ,gold and ,silver with great profit1 yet are more difficult to be elaborated than that great ,universal ,work4 ,wherefore this also1 among all other fruitfull ,chymical ,secrets deservedly doth1 and undoubted always will obtain the ,priority4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now1 ,son of ,art1 candidly accept this my ,fatherly ,instruction1 and ,friendly ,admonition1 and do not at all commit any thing to ,faithless ,men1 of which thou maist have occasion to repent afterward4 ,accordingly1 to all the ,disciples of ,hermetick ,philosophy and ,medicine1 ,i wish the ample ,blessing of ,god1 here ,temporal1 and in the life to come ,eternal2 heartily praying1 that the most clear unextinguishable ,light of ,god1 may perfectly enlighten them1 as it did me at the first4 ,amen4 ,of the ,secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,touching this our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 ,i have made mention in divers of my written ,books2 but the way of ,preparing it ,i have left to be divulged in this place4 ,for after ,i was assured1 that many had laboured much to find out its ,preparation and ,fruitfull use in ,medicine and ,chymistry2 ,i resolved no longer to conceal the ,preparation and profitable use in ,chymistry1 of our ,salmiack1 from the ,lovers of our ,profession2 but chiefly for the sake of the ,sick 7to whom it may be very great comfort and solace7 ,i chose rather openly to divulge it1 without any privy concealment1 in these my ,writings2 hoping that by the publication of this1 ,i shall do good to many thousands of ,men1 and for a sign of triumphal ,joy crown the ,head 7as with ,laurel7 of the victorious ,queen of the ,spagyrick ,art4 ,first of all1 it is to be observed1 that this ,name is imposed upon this ,subject1 because it in many things agrees with common ,sal-,armoniack4 ,it pleased us to add the ,epithet of ,secret1 because this ,salt is known to very few in the whole ,world2 and they who acquired it to themselves1 neither published it1 nor exposed the same to common use1 but kept it to themselves as a great ,secret2 and as often as they made mention of that ,salt in their ,writings1 they named it their ,salmiack2 for proof of which1 if need were1 ,i could produce many ,examples4 ,cosmopolita1 being about to speak of this our ,salmiack1 cryes out thus3 ,o our ,sea6 ,o our ,sal-,armoniack6 ,his ,sea was ,oil of ,vitriol1 and his ,salmiack the ,volatile ,spirit of ,urine4 ,when these two are joyned together1 they give forth from themselves our ,secret ,salmiack2 by the help of which1 so many wonderfull ,works are performed in ,medicine and ,chymistry1 as you shall here following hear4 ,paracelsus and ,helmont called this ,salt1 ,alcahest2 being that1 of which the former writ little1 but the latter very many things2 and yet both kept the same secret to themselves onely1 insomuch as ,helmont discovered it not1 even to his own ,son2 and other ,men1 his intimates1 requiring it of him1 he put off1 saying1 ,it is an ,ens very difficult to be acquired3 and thus he freed himself from the importunate ,intreaties of many4 ,and how little others could get out of him1 is manifest by the following ,saying1 which is thought to be his4 ,the ,liquor ,alcahest is made of ,blood and ,urine4 ,it is credible that he might make such an ,alcahest of those ,subjects4 ,but the reason why that kind of ,alcahest may be prepared of ,blood and ,urine1 as well as of ,oil of ,vitriol and ,spirit of ,urine1 is this3 ,there is a great affinity and similitude between the ,macrocosm and ,microcosm1 viz4 ,man2 insomuch as whatsoever may be had in the ,macrocosm1 may also be found in the lesser ,world ,man4 ,for as in the great ,world an ,universal ,acidity1 viz4 ,vitriol1 commonly is generated in ,subterranean ,fibres1 ,beds or ,veins1 and is there kept in perpetual ,digestion by the ,central ,fire of the ,earth1 and at length ripened into ,mineral and ,metallick ,bodies2 so also1 in the ,body of every ,man1 the ,blood of the ,veins 7as an ,universal ,microcosmick ,acidity7 is generated1 and by long ,digestion of the central ,fire of the ,heart augmented1 meliorated1 and at length transmuted into ,flesh1 ,skin1 and ,bones4 ,therefore1 in the ,blood of ,men or ,animals you may find an ,acidity1 like to that which is found in the great ,world3 ,hence it may be said1 that our ,secret ,salmiack may as well be prepared of the ,blood and ,urine of ,animals1 as of ,oil of ,vitriol and ,spirit of ,urine4 ,nevertheless1 ,i say there is a vast difference between these two2 for ,oil of ,vitriol may be amended and rendred more subtile by ,rectification1 which ,subtiliation cannot be effected with the ,vitriolate ,acidity of the ,blood of ,animals4 ,therefore we deservedly give the ,priority to this rectified ,oil of ,vitriol1 as being that1 which in every ,chymical ,labour is found far more efficacious than that of ,blood4 ,for this cause leaving that ,blood1 let us set about the ,preparation of our ,secret ,salmiack1 with cleansed ,oil of ,vitriol and ,spirit of ,urine subtily rectified4 ,the way of making our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,recipe of ,oil of ,vitriol excellently well deflegmated and rectified1 one pound2 upon which ,oil of ,vitriol1 leisurely pour on so much highly rectified ,spirit of ,urine1 as untill there is no more action each upon other1 but they be mortified and still4 ,in that ,conjunction1 from two ,contraries1 ariseth a middle ,salt4 ,this ,operation being rightly performed1 you will find a sharp penetrating ,liquor1 in which is a power of carrying upwards with it self the purest ,essences from ,animals1 ,vegetables1 and ,metals3 which is what no other ,entity in ,nature is able to perform the like1 as we purpose to shew4 ,therefore if any one1 desirous to make of this ,salt ,liquor a dry ,salmiack1 do in gentle heat of ,balneo abstract the unsavoury ,water thence1 in the bottom will remain a fair white ,salt1 which is our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack2 by the benefit of which wonderous ,works1 may be performed in ,medicine and ,chymistry1 as hereafter you shall hear4 ,now follows ,the ,use of our ,salmiack1 by the help of which1 from ,vegetables may be extracted very efficacious1 and indeed incomparable ,essences4 ,how or which way the ,ancient and ,modern ,spagyrists prepared their ,essences of ,vegetables1 is now long since well known throughout the ,world1 viz4 by ,spirit of ,wine4 ,which way of ,extracting is indeed of it self a ,work very chargeable2 yet ,spirit of ,wine readily extracts the ,essences of ,vegetables and ,animals1 leaving the unprofitable ,fces behind4 ,also1 it is not unknown to us1 that ,spirit of ,wine in extraction so notably changeth the ,virtues of things extracted by it1 as the ,extract is of less force than the ,simple whence it was made1 and that most manifestly in ,catharticks or ,purging ,simples1 insomuch as commonly the ,dose of the ,extract must be greater than of the ,simple it self4 ,the reason is1 because all ,purgers acquire the greatest part of their ,cathartick faculty from that crude and immature ,substance1 with which they oppose the ,stomach1 and therefore are not entertained by it1 but presently expelled1 during which ,expulsion the ,excrements also are cast out4 ,therefore the stronger ,crudity is predominant in ,purging things1 the more impetuously do they move the ,stomach2 and the more strongly the ,stomach casts out and expells that1 so much the more vehemently also are the noxious ,humours of the ,body cast up4 ,if a ,cathartick be too crude1 rough and immature1 the ,stomach rejects it much more strongly1 because the whole of ,nature is thereby disturbed1 and with all its might endeavours wholly to expell such a rude guest4 ,in which violent expulsion1 the ,radical ,humours are expelled out of the ,body1 together with the ,excrements1 that the ,body may be totally freed and disburthened of the pernicious filth of them4 ,the ,stomach so abhors some ,vegetables1 and is so impatient of giving them any time to abide there1 that they may by little and little be expelled downward by ,seidge1 as it 7enraged with so great nauseating and loathing7 violently casts them up4 ,in which ,excretion a tenacious viscous ,choler1 always hurtfull to the ,stomach1 is expelled1 which would difficultly otherwise be cast out by gentle ,purgations1 as is seen in ,asarabacca and ,hellebore4 ,for as often as they are taken by a sick ,man1 without any previous ,preparation1 they continually excite ,vomiting2 but if extracted with ,spirit of ,wine1 they vomit not1 but onely work downward4 ,by all which it appears1 that ,spirit of ,wine1 in extracting the ,essences of ,vegetables 7by its natural power7 so notably changeth the ,virtues of ,herbs1 as it is not fit to be used for all kinds of ,extractions2 and that by reason of its ,nature varying or altering the property of things4 ,nor can you1 in some ,diseases1 safely use those ,extracts which are made by ,spirit of ,wine1 because ,extracts are heightned in their ,heat by the ,spirit of ,wine1 and therefore should be avoided in acute or burning ,diseases4 ,on the contrary1 our ,menstruum1 viz4 our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 in ,extraction1 alters not the ,virtues of ,species for which it is used1 but extracts from them onely what is most pure1 and carries over with it by ,alembeck1 a certain most sweet ,essence1 which ,spirit of ,wine can in no wise perform4 ,therefore we deservedly give ,priority to our ,liquor ,alcahest in extracting the ,essences of ,vegetables and ,animals4 ,yet we would by no means labour to bring ,spirit of ,wine into contempt1 since it1 in some subjects1 so excellently exerciseth its power1 as it gives place to no other thing4 ,but the ,water of our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack perfects its ,extraction in a far differing manner2 because1 by the help of ,art1 that conjunct of two sharp penetrating ,entities 7viz4 ,acid ,oil of ,vitriol1 and ,alcalisate ,spirit of ,urine7 is reduced into one temperate middle ,salt1 which ,salt is almost of the same disposition as common ,salmiack1 except that in all its ,operations it is found to be more sharp1 more penetrating and more efficacious than it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now let us come to the matter it self1 that we may see of how great use our ,alcalisate ,vitriol1 or ,vitriolate ,alcali1 is for preparing some famous ,medicine4 ,i suppose it will be worth my while1 if ,i first of all begin with that ,medicine which ,paracelsus taught to be made of ,aloes1 ,myrrh1 and ,saffron1 and is by venerable ,antiquity1 and by all ,authours of long life highly commended1 and named ,elixir ,proprietatis4 ,and since ,paracelsus in describing so noble a ,medicine1 used few words1 but enlarged them much in extolling his ,elixir ,proprietatis1 it will not be amiss for us1 in this place1 to transcribe his own ,words following1 thus3 8,so also ,nature sheweth us an ,elixir1 is that which of ,natural things may be made compleatly perfect in its proper ,essence4 ,such is the ,elixir of ,myrrh1 ,saffron1 and yellow ,epatick-,aloes4 ,but whence they have this power1 we have shewed in the generation of them4 ,but we come now to the ,process1 7omitting their beginning1 of which we spake before7 which runs thus4 8,recipe of ,myrrh1 ,epatick1 ,alloes1 and ,saffron1 of each one ,part1 which digest together in a ,pellican placed in ,sand1 for two ,months with gentle heat4 ,then by ,alembeck separate the ,oil from the ,fces without ,adustion4 ,this ,oil digest together with an equal ,weight of the ,circulate for one ,month1 afterward keep it4 8,in this are all the natural ,vertues of a ,balsam1 and a greater conservative ,vertue for those that are aged1 than is lawfull for a man to utter3 because from it proceeds not one ,age onely1 but #d1 #g or #aj1 c4 ,it is scarcely possible to express the ,vertues and ,natures of it3 ,but as we judge1 enough is discovered by us already1 which we think needs no further ,interpretation40 ,here ,paracelsus describes his ,elixir in words so obscure1 and likely to cause ,errour1 as no man untill this day could ever prepare any thing that was excellent1 according to the tenour of his ,words3 ,helmont among others complaining1 that he concealed the use of the ,alcahest in describing the manner of that ,preparation4 ,for whosoever useth that1 in such a ,preparation1 he obtains a ,medicine of so great vertue1 as it is able to do whatsoever ,paracelsus ascribes to his ,elixir ,proprietatis4 ,but if any man be not satisfied in what is here published by me1 let him consult ,helmont discoursing thereof more at large4 ,now behold here presented to thee my ,process for preparing a ,medicine of these three ,species reduced to ,powder1 viz4 of ,myrrh1 ,alloes and ,saffron4 ,i took of that mixture #h ,lotones1 #d ,ounces1 which ,i put into a ,phial1 and upon the same poured one ,pound and half of our good ,alcahestick ,liquor1 these ,i set into a warm ,bath to be digested for two or three ,days4 ,during this digestion our sharp ,liquor dissolved these ,species1 and very well united it self to them4 ,this being done1 ,i poured the whole mixture out of the ,phial into a low ,cucurbit of ,glass1 and well luted the ,head to the ,receiver1 and by gentle heat of ,balneo caused whatsoever would ascend1 to be gathered apart in several ,recipients4 #a4 ,a white penetrating ,aromatick ,spirit1 of a most fragrant ,odour according to ,helmont's words4 #b4 ,a yellow and red ,spirit1 and both indeed very efficacious4 ,yet each of these should be received apart4 #c4 ,lastly toward the end 7after all the moisture is ascended1 and the ,fire is a little somewhat encreased7 a strong scented red cleaginous alkalisate ,liquor2 which is such as serves instead of a ,balsam1 most excellent1 presently helping or very salutary in all green ,wounds and fistulous ,ulcers4 ,the subtile ,spirit should be administred inwardly1 for comforting or suppling the ,body with all its internal ,members1 and for preserving the same magistrally from all vitious affects4 ,such a most present ,remedy is earnestly desired1 by the aged and weak4 ,the ,ingredients are of a ,balsamick ,disposition1 and the preparation of them is artificial and subtil1 so as a famous ,medicine cannot choose but be made of them4 ,for our ,salmiack is of such a ,nature1 as by it all ,vertues of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals are exalted1 amplified and meliorated1 and that by reason of the ,exaltation by it inferred on the ,subjects in elaborating2 as may more exactly be learned1 when any one goes about to prepare the same1 and shall as it were with his hand1 palpably touch the vertue1 and discern the verity thereof4 ,therefore here is instituted a ,process of preparing ,saffron1 ,aloes and ,myrrh1 by which you may know how to work with other ,vegetable and ,animal ,subjects1 so as we have no necessity of prescribing a peculiar ,process for every ,medicine4 ,here onely it is to be noted1 that an accurate ,regard is to be had of weight and measure in mixing the ,subjects with the ,liquor ,alcahest4 ,for if less of the ,armoniack ,liquor than is fit be added to a dry matter1 all the ,liquor so includes it self in the dry matter1 as little of the ,spirit can ascend in distilling4 ,but if more of the ,liquor be poured on than is fit1 the ascending spirit will not be efficacious enough1 because the vertue of that ,subject diffuseth it self too largely into that aboundance of ,spirit4 ,wherefore in all things measure and weight are to be observed4 ,dry ,species1 such are ,herbs1 ,roots1 ,seeds and ,flowers1 drink up much ,water2 but ,woods not so much1 ,stones and their like1 much less than they4 ,therefore1 if any one1 in labours of this kind would do something to purpose1 he had need to be wary1 that he do neither too much1 nor too little1 but in all things observe a mean3 so doing1 he shall suffer no loss1 nor ever labour in vain4 ,for it is almost impossible to describe all ,arcanums so evidently1 as every ,clown may comprehend the same without any search4 ,i have here laid ,foundations with reason sufficient1 every one may build1 or not build upon them as he pleaseth4 ,also he may read ,helmont1 who did indeed of this matter write largely enough1 yet he is not always to be understood according to the ,letter2 for in most places of his ,books1 he concealed his manual ,operations1 especially in his ,book of the ,tree of ,life1 where he treats of the ,cedar ,wood4 ,the preparation of the same requires no tedious long space of time1 but it may be performed in a few hours4 ,indeed it would be the part of good ,physicians to introduce this ,preparation of more noble ,medicines into their ,apothecaries shops1 and thence to exclude some part of their corrupted ,remedies4 ,for this being done1 so many men would not be basely neglected1 nor untimely hurried out of this ,life1 by the use of unprofitable ,medicaments1 as too often now are4 ,it is not enough for you to have a ,name from ,galen1 and in the mean while not at all tread the ,footsteps of ,galen's vertues4 ,galen was an honest ,heathen1 and whatsoever he had gathered with much and long study1 he left to us accurately written before his ,death4 ,how experienced a man in ,medicine ,hippocrates was1 his ,writings do clearly shew4 ,also that ,avicen was an industrious ,physician1 by his remaining ,litterary ,monuments1 is very manifest1 and especially by that ,epistle1 which he writ to his ,son ,aboali2 for in that he commands him first to furnish himself with sixty ,pound of most pure ,mercurial ,water 7whence he should make the universal ,medicine7 before he presumed to proceed to ,coagulation of the ,stone4 ,these indeed were men adorned with high ,experience and a good ,conscience1 who gloried not in the bare ,name of ,chief ,physicians1 but proved themselves such indeed1 shewing1 that they were not idle ,adorers of the ,goddess ,vacua1 but men most laborious1 as becomes every conscientious ,physician to be4 ,touching that ,mercurial ,water1 which ,avicen commended so much to his ,son1 for making 7of it7 the ,universal ,medicine1 we shall here following 7,jehovah assisting7 somewhat more largely speak1 viz4 how it1 by our ,salmiack may be extracted from ,metals1 and then be coagulated into an ,universal ,medicine4 ,indeed1 particular ,medicaments are not to be contemned but to be esteemed as good things1 to them that make a good use of them4 ,but ,universals are sought by ,physicians1 being such1 as by which they can get more ,honour and ,riches1 than by ,particulars1 because they are known even to every old ,woman4 ,universals are not to be used after the manner of ,particulars1 particularly to serve for this or that ,member of the ,body1 or to resist and heal this or that ,disease onely3 but they seek out every ,chachexy 7which lies privily dispersed through all parts of the ,body1 impairing ,health7 and having sought it out1 cast it forth of the ,body1 as well visibly as invisibly through all ,emunctories1 as shall seem good to ,nature1 and will be most conducent to health4 ,universals consume occult ,diseases hidden in the ,body of man1 as ,fire consumes ,wood4 ,also ,universals tinge every vitious ,habit of the ,body 7which otherwise can be expelled by no particular ,medicine7 and transmute it into a better ,state1 so as the ,evil of the ,distemper is inverted and converted into good1 in the place where it is hospited1 no further expulsion being required4 ,of like ,universals1 we will afterwards 7,god giving leave7 speak more at large4 ,now the time admonisheth us to return to our ,sal ,armoniack1 to contemplate what farther fruit of ,utility it is able to effect in ,medicine4 ,helmont1 in his ,treatise of the ,stone makes mention of a certain ,medicine1 which by his ,alcahest he prepared of ,paracelsus his ,ludus1 which would resolve the ,stone in the ,bladder1 and expel it in fourteen ,days4 ,paracelsus ascribes to his ,ludus wonderfull ,vertues1 which it exerciseth in breaking and expelling the ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder4 ,in which ,helmont posits his ,foundation1 shewing where such a ,ludus may be found1 and how by his ,alcahest it may be prepared into a ,medicine so admirable1 as it becomes the supream ,remedy against the ,stone4 ,as touching the ,ludus it self1 ,helmont saith of it1 that it may be copiously found in the ,scald shores at ,antwerp1 and that it for the most part consists of a certain volatile ,macrocosmick ,urinous ,salt3 and ,i making search into the same1 have found it just as he described4 ,likewise1 ,i also1 according to his prescribed ,rule1 endeavoured to make such an excellent ,medicine1 and then found the ,liquor of the ,ludus to be such as he affirms he himself made by his ,acahest1 viz4 this way4 ,i took one ,pound of that ,ludus beaten to ,powder1 and mixed it with one ,pound of our ,secret ,salmiack1 and thence drew off the volatile ,humidity with gentle ,fire in a coated ,retort2 and then augmenting the ,fire until the ,retort was very hot all over4 ,when all was cold1 ,i found the ,ludus with the more fixed part of our ,salmiack melted together into a yellowish dark coloured ,stone1 which 7according to his ,doctrine7 ,i laid in a moist ,cellar to be dissolved1 and that ,stone in #bd hours was resolved into a greenish ,liquor1 and it had a burning ,taste upon the ,tongue1 yet it is not loathsome to be taken into the ,body1 with ,wine1 ,beer1 or other suitable ,vehicles of ,water4 ,i my self also have given this ,liquor to some troubled with the ,stone1 who by taking it were greatly eased4 ,but that the whole ,stone should by help of that be resolved and cast out1 in so short a space of time1 ,i have not yet found4 ,hence here it seems to me1 that ,helmont 7as did ,paracelsus in the ,preparation of his ,elixir ,proprietatis1 and the incredible ,vertue thereof7 hath extolled his ,remedies with a too much elated ,style4 ,they are assuredly admirable ,medicaments1 but that they are able to effect so much 7in all men without distinction7 as are ascribed to them1 ,i cannot assentingly witness1 although ,i was at great expences1 and nor a little turmoiled about them1 yet in the mean while ,i found out many excellent things1 the ,declaration of all which would be too tedious to be here inserted4 ,but ,i must needs1 in this place1 insert some few of those many things ,i then found out4 ,if any one apply to the ,seeds or ,roots of those ,herbs1 which are commonly wont to be administred1 for expelling ,urine and the ,stone1 7the ,seeds or ,roots being first reduced to ,powder7 a little of our ,salmiacal ,water1 and digest it in gentle heat of ,balneo for #bd hours1 and afterward distil it1 a most efficacious ,spirit will ascend2 which ,spirit ,i have found to be more excellent in expelling the ,stone1 than the ,ludus4 ,in like manner those insects1 which strongly provoke ,urine and the ,stone1 ,i have also digested and distilled with our ,liquor of ,sal ,armoniack1 and got a ,spirit more strongly expelling ,urine1 than any ,spirit prepared of ,herbs4 ,wherefore this is to be warily used1 and such forcibly expelling things well observed1 among which more forcible than all other are the fat evilly smelling black ,worms of ,may1 and ,cantharides4 ,after the same manner1 as we have taught to be here done1 may also be instituted an ,operation for extracting 7by distillation7 from all ,vegetable and ,animal ,subjects their most potent ,vertues and purest ,essences1 by our ,vitriolate ,alcalick ,water2 viz4 from ,aromaticks1 egregious ,cordials2 from ,woods and ,roots of ,sudorifick ,herbs1 famous ,diaphoreticks2 from soporiferous ,simples1 admirable ,anodines2 from purging things most excellent ,catharticks1 c4 ,but there is no reason ,i should longer insist on these things of less value1 since every skilfull man can prepare himself such medicinal ,spirits as he hath need of4 ,here he cannot easily commit error1 since for all ,herbs1 ,seeds1 ,roots1 ,flowers1 and ,woods1 there is but one onely way of preparing them into most efficacious ,essences1 by our vitriolate ,alcaly4 ,but a better way than any other1 yet to be discovered1 how by our ,urinous ,liquor1 yet more efficacious ,essences may be extracted from ,vegetables and ,animals1 is this3 ,we are not ignorant1 that ,spirit of ,wine1 which is for the most part generally used for ,extraction of ,vegetables1 doth not sufficiently extract them1 nor carry upwards with it self what is extracted2 but per se onely ascends1 and leaves the ,extract in the ,bottom of the ,vessel4 ,on the contrary1 our vitriolate ,spirit of ,urine 7much more sharp than ,spirit of ,wine7 doth not onely powerfully invade ,vegetables1 and attract to it self their ,essences1 but also in distillation carries them up with it self1 which is impossible for ,spirit of ,wine to do4 ,for although the ,spirit of ,urine 7according to the external ,face7 doth as it were mortifie the corrosive ,oil of ,vitriol1 and change it into a volatile ,salt1 and the ,oil of ,vitriol coagulates the subtile ,spirit of ,urine into a volatile ,salt1 insomuch as of two unlike ,entities is made a middle ,salt2 yet both those unlike parts are not wholly changed in their former ,nature4 ,for the ,acidity of ,vitriol remains yet acid1 and the ,urinousness of the ,urine urinous2 and both also by the help of ,art may again be separated each from other1 so as either of them may perfectly recover its own pristine qualities1 and nothing of them be found to be lost4 ,as for example1 suppose ,it be required1 that ,i should recover my ,spirit of ,urine1 as pure and subtile as it when poured on the ,oil of ,vitriol3 ,then ,i add to our ,salmiack 7according to just measure and weight7 onely so much ,lixivium as of the ,acidity is mortified1 and the ,spirit of ,urine ascends subtilly pure again1 and full as good as it was before its conjunction with the ,oil of ,vitriol4 ,but the ,oil of ,vitriol is altered1 and by the ,salt of ,tartar reduced into a middle ,salt1 which also wants not its ,fruit of ,utility in ,medicine and ,chymistry4 ,if you would from this mixture recover our ,acidity with the ,spirit of ,urine1 add to our ,salmiack a ,subject easily dissolvable2 mix and give a gentle ,fire1 for then the ,acidity sets upon that ,subject easie to be dissolved1 and dissolves the same1 and makes abundance of its concomitant ,spirit of ,urine to ascend1 which in its ascent takes up with it self the purest ,essence of the ,subject added1 loosed by the ,acidity in ,solution1 and thenceforth may be used for ,medicine and ,chymistry1 according as the ,subject was4 ,for ,example1 ,if ,i add red ,corals beaten to ,powder to my ,alcahestick ,liquor1 the ,acidity corrodes those ,corals without any delay1 and lets go the ,spirit of ,urine1 which brings over the helm with it self the ,essence of ,corals4 ,but the ,acidity1 when you please may by distillation be separated from the ,corals4 ,if to our ,liquor be added ,pearls1 the ,spirit carries the vertue of them upward with it self4 ,and if you add ,stones1 ,minerals and ,metals1 the ,spirit of ,urine doth likewise carry up with it self the ,essences of them4 ,but the ,acidity remains in the bottom with the ,stone or ,metal1 and may afterward diversly be again separated from the ,stone or ,metal1 and applied to this or another use4 ,having already heard how the most pure ,essences of ,vegetables and ,animals1 by our secret ,sal ,armoniack are to be distilled by ascent1 let us now also see1 how ,metals and ,minerals may be highly purged by the same1 and reduced to their first matter3 which first matter is no other than a most subtil ,mercurial ,water1 in which the purest part of the ,metal is latent in the form of running ,mercury1 which ,mercury is fit for preparing whatsoever ,work you will of it1 either ,sol or ,luna particularly1 or a true ,universal ,tincture1 vastly tinging4 ,nature1 in the ,bowels of the ,earth did primordially generate all ,metals of such a volatile ,mercury4 ,for when the ,astrums1 through the ,air1 seminate their metallick ,seed1 that ,seed is from the ,air introduced into the ,earth1 where that1 as matter clean or unclean offers it self1 produceth ,metals either pure or impure4 ,wherefore ,philosophers rightly determine the ,root of ,metals to be sited in the ,air1 but their stem and branches in the ,earth4 ,daily experience teacheth us to give credit to this1 as often as in digging we come to the deepest scituation of ,metals1 great ,experiments of this matter discover themselves to us1 but because touching this enough hath been said already1 we forbear to proceed further in such a ,discourse4 ,here enough is said1 namely1 that we know the ,original and beginning of all ,metals to be no other1 than an ,airy subtile ,spirit1 in which are reconded the ,sulphur and ,mercury of ,metals4 ,therefore1 since here purpose is to give so great ,information to every most unskilfull man1 and as it were to put that in his hands1 which may be done by the help of our secret ,salmiack1 ,i think not amiss openly to discover certain ,examples of ,processes1 evincing the power of the same4 ,wherefore ,i here offer a ,possible ,way of preparing a subtile ,mercurial ,water 7from which a running ,mercury1 called by ,ancient ,philosophers1 the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 may by the help of ,art be ripened into a most potent ,tincture7 out of all ,metals by the benefit of our secret ,sal ,armoniack4 ,let the ,searcher of ,art know1 that the ,preparation of the ,mercury of ,metals and ,minerals1 is of a diverse kind4 ,but generally1 a ,mercurial ,water may be prepared of all ,metals1 yet of one more easily1 than of another4 ,recipe the filings or raspings of a ,metal1 as ,mars1 ,jupiter or ,venus1 one ,pound1 with which mix half a pound of our dry ,salmiack4 ,if these be well mixed and by ,retort distilled1 the metal will be corroded by the ,acidity1 and the ,mercury thereof be freed from its bonds1 or separated by ,distillation1 because the ,spirit of ,urine carries that up with it self invisibly2 but when the ,spirit is extracted from it1 it becomes visible1 as afterward shall be taught4 ,if you pulverise the ,remanency or ,residue of the ,metal1 and boil it with ,water1 you will have the ,vitriol of that ,metal you used1 viz4 of ,mars green1 of ,venus blew1 of ,jupiter1 ,saturn and ,luna1 white1 of ,sol yellow4 ,the cause of such ,vitriol is this3 since the ,acidity of our ,salmiack adheres to the ,metal1 it in some sort dissolves that1 and in such wise prepares it1 as by the help of common ,water1 the same may easily be dissolved4 ,note3 ,if the ,metal 7which shall remain in the bottom of the ,vessel1 after the ,vitriol is extracted from the same by the help of ,water7 be mixed with fresh ,salmiack1 that will again be conducible1 but not yield you so much ,mercury as you got the first time4 ,and if you make the same trial a third time1 a little ,mercury will ascend1 but not so much as did the second time4 ,which cropping of golden ,branches from the shaded ,tree ,virgil excellently discovered when he said3 ,one being pulled off1 another succeeds1 if the ,fates call thee1 otherwise by no strength1 nor any ,iron1 canst thou pull off that ,branch4 ,of which cropped or pulled off ,branches1 the first is greatest1 and most rich with ,gold2 the second is less and more poor2 the third much less and most poor4 ,therefore it will be no profit to you to pluck off more than one ,branch1 but it is better in proceeding further1 always to take new matter4 ,out of that ,vitriol in another certain manner1 ,mercury may again be extracted1 which ,mercury will be far more noble than the first1 as shall be shewed more at large here following4 ,in the mean while1 to the ,lovers of this most noble ,art1 ,i cannot choose but demonstrate a wonderfull thing1 which is this3 ,whensoever you shall pour ,spirit of ,jupiter 7prepared in the above commemorated manner1 and most subtily rectified7 upon the ,spirit of ,mars1 the ,mercurys both of the ,mars and ,jupiter will suddenly embrace each other1 and be connexed in such a bond of ,love1 as leaving the ,water1 they will conjunctively settle to the bottom in the form of very small golden ,atoms2 which ,atoms of ,gold1 in that moment in which they are formed of both the ,mercurys1 you shall see converted into constant and fixed ,gold4 ,which ,i take to be one of the greatest ,wonders1 whichever came to my hand in all my ,chymical ,labours4 ,if ,i had tried this ,experiment but once1 ,i might my self have doubted the truth of the same4 ,indeed ,i have found out the cause of this swift fixation of ,mercury2 but ,i should do very inconsiderately to divulge the same4 ,paracelsus writes in his ,heaven of ,philosophers1 that no melioration of ,metals is to be expected1 unless they be first spiritually mixed4 ,other ,philosophers likewise say1 ,metals are first to be reduced to their first matter1 that is1 into a subtile ,spirit1 before they can be nobilitated and bettered3 which ,i know to be consentaneous to verity1 according to the ,testimony of the following ,example2 which is another wonderfull ,experiment1 to be performed 7by the ,spirit of ,jupiter7 thus4 ,dissolve a little ,gold in common ,aqua ,regia1 into which ,solution pour a little of our mercurial ,water1 mix it by stirring or shaking the ,vessel well3 then the ,mercury of ,jupiter in a magnetick way1 continually attracts the ,gold to it self from the ,aqua ,regis1 and tingeth the ,water with a ,blood ,red ,colour1 at length the ,gold1 with the ,mercury of ,jupiter conjunctively will be precipitated to the bottom of the ,vessel1 in the form of a purple ,powder3 which being edulcorated and reduced with ,borax1 the greatest part of the ,mercury vanisheth1 but a little of it will remain with the fixed ,gold1 and render that snow like and friable4 ,by which we may see in how great ,love ,gold answers to ,tin4 ,yet this is not the true way of preparing any thing eminent1 and to purpose of both4 ,therefore1 if any one expects a noble product from both1 he must with gentle ,fire fix this purple ,gold1 that the ,mercury of ,jupiter may not fume away1 but remain with the ,gold4 ,in both these recited ,experiments to our sight is exposed so swift a ,fixation of ,mercury1 as every man1 although but of weak ,apprehension1 may easily see1 that the ,transmutation of ,metals is truly true1 and that the same 7by the help of the fixed ,mercury of ,metals7 may be done by projection in a moment4 ,for ,mercury fixeth ,mercury1 being joyned in a just proportion4 ,therefore if volatile ,mercury can do that1 how much more will the same1 when fixed perform1 being that1 which bears about it self its own ,sulphur4 ,although ,i could as well discover other ways of preparing a good ,mercurial ,water of a ,metal1 by our secret ,sal ,armoniack1 yet ,i consider1 such a ,liberty of publickly imparting things1 would rather be injurious1 than profitable2 because ,pearls would be without distinction1 cast before every sordid ,swine4 ,but more than enough being already published1 ,time admonisheth us to desist1 especially because there is an intire ,treatise of the ,mercurys of ,metals written and published4 ,yet ,i must confess1 that this ,mercury1 prepared by the help of our ,salmiack1 is of another nature and property than the other prepared in another manner4 ,there is little else now remaining1 unless1 to shew the way of extracting ,mercury from ,minerals1 by help of our secret ,sal ,armoniack2 which ,mercury is able to effect as much in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 as the other extracted out of ,metals4 ,here follows ,the ,process4 ,recipe of ,antimony pulverised one ,pound1 of our ,salmiack1 a ,pound1 these well mixed1 distil by ,retort1 and our ,salmiack will all come off1 and by the ,alembick carries with it self the most pure ,mercury and ,sulphur of the ,antimony1 of a ,black ,ash ,colour1 which ,sublimate is named the ,head of the ,crow4 ,for if you cast a little of it into pure ,water1 the ,salmiack will melt1 and the ,mercury and ,sulphur will remain in the ,vessel like a gray ,powder1 which if you dry1 and then touch it1 you will find it like to thin light ,feathers1 whence it acquires to it self the ,name of the ,crows ,head4 ,therefore1 when you shall make it hot in a ,crucible1 it melts into a red ,stone1 which indeed is nothing conducent to our purpose4 ,yet if you would thence make somewhat that is excellent1 you must observe such a ,process as this1 here following4 ,put your gray sublimate or ,crows ,head1 which did ascend 7being first reduced to ,powder7 into a ,glass ,body1 and upon it pour so much of my ,tartar1 as shall be needfull for mortifying the ,oil of ,vitriol1 then lute an ,head thereon1 fitting a ,receiver thereto1 and subminister ,fire in ,sand1 untill all the ,humidity shall ascend4 ,this being done the ,acidity remains with the ,salt of ,tartar1 and the ,spirit of ,urine ascends alone1 carrying upwards with it self the most pure invisible ,mercury of ,antimony1 which afterward by the help of ,sol or ,luna 7as above we taught of ,mercury7 becomes fixed and visible4 ,but a very small quantity of ,mercury ascends1 which doth much displease the unsatiable ,slaves of ,avarice2 because they rather take delight in immense ,masses of ,gold1 equal in magnitude to the ,head of an ,ox4 ,yet no good man desires that1 but is content with that little1 which ,god is pleased to give him4 ,nevertheless1 if any one would have a great quantity of that1 he may obtain the same4 ,for the ,subjects1 whence it is extracted are preparable for no great charge1 being such1 as enough of them may always be had4 ,from one ,pound of this mercurial ,water1 scarcely three or four ,grains of corporal ,mercury will ascend4 ,for the greatest part of it remains in the bottom with the ,sulphur and ,salt1 which are fixed apart1 as hereafter shall be taught4 ,but in that so little ,mercury lies hid in the mercurial ,water1 other ,philosophers also knew1 unanimously teaching1 that ,avicen is to be followed1 admonishing 7in a certain ,epistle to his ,son ,aboali7 all that he had need of #fj ,pound of most pure mercurial ,water4 ,for if the whole ,water were ,mercury1 there would not need have been so much4 ,philosophers call this not ,aqua ,vitis1 but ,aqua ,vit2 because the ,mercury in it is most spaciously dissipated1 as afterward 7,god willing7 shall be discoursed more at large4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now returning to our ,crows-head1 let us see whether it may be made white1 by a lotion of a sharp ,lixivium4 ,if you take the ,glass out of the ,sand1 after you have once abstracted thence the ,mercurial ,water1 you will find your black ,crow turned into a white ,swan3 for in the ,glass you will find a ,snow-like ,salt1 which if you take out1 and put into another round ,glass1 or ,philosophick ,egg1 and set that into a ,fixatory ,furnace to be fixed1 the white ,colour in twenty fours hours waxeth yellow1 and a little after puts on a ,blood-like ,colour4 ,yet it is not then so well fixed1 as that it may be taken out1 but must be suffered to stand for some time in burning ,coals2 yet with this ,caution always1 that the ,fire be no stronger1 than by which the ,red ,stone may be liquified1 and remain liquid in1 like ,oil4 ,for it will melt as easily as ,wax1 and neither the ,mercury1 nor the ,sulphur1 nor the ,salt evaporate2 which is that which affects the mind with admiration4 ,i have made trial of this in a ,glass with a long neck standing out of the heat1 where ,i could see not so much as one ,grain to ascend2 whence ,i conclude the same ,operation may be done1 and such ,fixation made in an open ,fire in a covered ,crucible made of good and fit ,earth well burnt4 ,for the ,salt of ,tartar united with the ,acidity of ,vitriol1 doth so embrace the whole ,mercury and ,sulphur1 and as it were hold it concluded in it self1 that the same is compelled to abide in the ,fire1 and permit it self to be ripened4 ,thus this volatile ,salt to our ,mercury is the ,luting of ,sapience1 and ,seal of ,hermes1 with which it is so bound1 as it is constrained to abide in ,fire untill 'tis fixed4 ,after it shall be fixed1 it may be used with admirable profit in ,medicine and ,chymistry4 ,but you must rightly make trial1 whether it be well fixed or no1 thus3 ,put an ,iron ,wyar into the liquified ,mass1 and with that take up a small quantity for proof4 ,wash away the ,salt from it1 and cast the ,red ,powder upon a ,silver ,plate heat red hot3 if it fume not1 but enters and tingeth the ,silver1 not with a black1 but with a yellow ,colour1 then the ,mercury1 with its ,sulphur1 is fixed4 ,whosoever hath but once fixed this ,stone1 hath done a very great and profitable ,work1 although he hath spent many ,weeks in preparing the same4 ,for so soon as the ,mercurial ,sulphur of ,antimony shall be fixed1 some of it may presently be applied to necessary use1 and instead of that as much volatile and immature ,mercury added2 then the fixed ,mercury willingly admits into it self its ,brother not fixed1 that together with it self it may also become fixed4 ,therefore as many ,months as the first ,fixation required for its perfection1 in so many ,weeks may the second be absolved4 ,also the second ,fixation being compleated1 another part of the ,medicine may again be taken out1 and other not fixed ,mercury again be put in1 and so forwards to infinity1 or as long as the ,artist shall think fit4 ,although this fixed ,tincture of ,antimony be an ,universal ,medicine1 healing all curable ,diseases2 yet for ,metals it is onely a particular ,tincture1 by help of which you may indeed convert ,silver1 by graduating1 and at times1 into ,gold2 but yet at one time you cannot tinge the whole ,body4 ,for ,god hath not endowed it with so great power1 yet he hath liberally bestowed that on it which is worth while2 insomuch as we owe as great praises to ,god most high for the same1 as they are obliged to render to him1 who are partakers of the great ,stone of ,philosophers4 ,as we have hitherto taught the way of ,preparing a particular ,tincture for ,metals1 and an ,universal ,medicine for humane ,bodies of despicable ,antimony2 so also may a ,tincture be made of ,auripigment1 immature ,mineral ,electrum1 ,cinnabarine ,sulphur1 and all other such like1 by the help of our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,wherefore1 by this one onely ,process is sufficiently explained1 how from other like ,subjects 7where ,sulphur and ,mercury are conjoyned7 such a ,medicine may also be prepared4 ,whosoever well understands this way of fixing ,mercuries prescribed by me1 will find more ,secrets than he can ever think of1 imagine or feign to himself4 ,for since such a ,fixation may be performed in open ,earthen ,vessels1 you have not onely this conveniency1 that as often as you please you may take out some of it1 and make trial untill you come to a perfect ,fixation2 but also you have this prerogative1 that your ,mercury1 with its ,sulphur1 is fixed with a flaming ,fire1 which always immediately toucheth our ,sulphur and ,mercury1 and exalts the same in its own congenited ,tincture1 which is what a close ,fire cannot do4 ,every ,fire1 by its own nature and property1 infers a ,tincture in ,mineral ,subjects1 especially when the ,flame can immediately touch the ,subject neither closed nor open1 as above you heard1 where we treat of ,rubefying the fixed white ,sulphur4 ,we discern the same in ,crucibles made of white ,earth1 and set one within another1 that the outmost1 which is exposed to the touch of the ,flame becomes ,red2 but those which stood with in it 7being free from the contact of the same7 remain white4 ,also we are not ignorant1 that those who make ,tobacco-,pipes1 7that they may have them purely white7 do burn them in a large ,pot1 that they may not be touched by the ,flame1 and so be tinged with ,redness4 ,whence it is sufficiently understood1 that even in ,fire is a ,tincture1 by which white ,bodies are tinged with ,redness4 ,hence ,i1 not without reason1 say3 ,he is not ill advised who ripens his ,tinctures under a certain ,covering in open ,vessels1 because they that way are not onely sooner fixed1 but also exalted in their ,colour2 yet with this ,rule always observed1 viz4 ,that the ,tinctures be always sealed with ,hermes ,seal1 or ,philosophically surrounded or luted with the ,luting of ,sapience4 ,where note1 that the ,luting of ,sapience1 of which ,i here treat1 is not to be used for fixing all ,subjects1 and preserving them from flight1 but it is an emolument and help to those ,subjects onely1 which are as well ,sulphureous as ,mercurial1 and delight in the ,communion of constringing themselves by these ,salts1 and without departure constantly remain with them in ,fire1 and preserve them also from flying away4 ,that by such a way1 viz4 by the benefit of ,hermes ,seal1 ,mineral ,sulphurs may be fixed into ,tinctures1 ancient ,philosophers closely concealed as a principal ,arcanum1 and scarcely any of them hath ever made mention of an ,artificial ,fire1 except that very ancient ,philosopher ,artephius1 who most excellently speaks much after this manner3 ,our ,fire dissolves all things1 penetrates all things1 destroys all things1 participates of ,sulphur1 is equal1 continual2 yields no smoak1 unless it be excited1 for ,matter it is taken from elsewhere1 c4 ,now accurately mind1 whether here is not notified such a ,fire as ,i speak of4 ,pontanus in his ,epistle saith1 he travelled almost all the ,world over1 that he might find some true ,philosopher1 of whom by ,converse he might be taught somewhat of the ,secret of ,secrets3 and that he met with some ,philosophers1 but they were onely erroneous ,vagabonds and great ,impostors2 also that at length 7after he had erred an hundred times1 although he wrought in and with a true ,matter7 he perused ,artephius1 and out of that ,book learned the ,secret ,fire2 which if he had not done1 he had remained perpetually ignorant4 ,from all which it is sufficiently clear1 how much it concerns an ,artist to have knowledge of the ,secret ,fire1 ,luting of ,sapience1 or ,hermes ,seal4 ,our ,fire is indeed insignized with three ,names1 yet it is no other than one ,being1 viz4 ,oil of ,vitriol1 by the fixed ,sulphur of ,tartar1 coagulated into the form of a ,stone4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but why ,i here so clearly describe an ,arcanum of so great ,magnificence1 and also publish the same1 ,i have several weighty ,reasons4 ,yet1 in the mean while1 ,i am not at all solicitous or carefull thereabout1 for fear it should become too common1 because of an hundred ,readers that read and peruse the same1 scarce one of them hating labour will give credit to the ,prescripts thereof2 and some others 7who loving labour would credit what is here written7 yet perhaps will want the acuteness of a ,philosophick ,ingeny1 by the dexterity of which to institute and absolve such a fixation4 ,wherefore ,i rejoycing in that1 do confidently and securely acquiesce1 that the ,art will not so easily be rendred familiar to every ,son of the ,earth promiscuously without distinction2 but ,art will still be and remain ,art4 ,some years ago ,i did demonstrate to the sight of some of my intimate ,friends the way pf ,preparing the ,mercury of ,antimony1 and commended to them the ,fixation of the same by our ,secret ,fire2 but they unto this very day have never set their hand to the ,work to elaborate it2 and that perhaps because it seemed to them to be too vile a thing1 and not such as was likely of that it could be prepared1 a ,medicine of so great ,excellency4 ,here in this ,treatise ,i have taught the way of ,preparing1 by the help of ,oil of ,vitriol1 a particular and famous ,salmiack1 by the benefit of which1 from ,metals and ,minerals may be prepared1 not onely an ,universal ,medicine healing all the ,diseases of ,mortals1 but also a particular ,tincture for meliorating imperfect ,metals4 ,i have indeed spoken many things1 but not all as yet2 because ,i there had no other intention1 but onely to discover our ,secret ,salmiack4 ,if ,i would proceed farther1 ,i could certainly say1 that in the most despicable ,urine of ,men a most pretious ,treasure lyes hid1 although the greatest part of the ,possessors of it know nothing of the same2 because ,god1 by reason of their ,sins1 will not impart this ,secret to them4 ,in the ,urine of every ,man is latent a certain living ,metallick ,mercury1 which may thence most easily be extracted by the help of a certain pure ,metallick ,body1 or by the ,assistance of ,art be prepared into a ,tincture1 or ,universal ,medicine2 according as we above taught1 where we treated of ,mercury4 ,wherefore writing1 ,i write and will write1 that no ,man in very deed can call himself poor1 because ,god hath conferred on every ,man from his first ,nativity so great a ,gift1 as being brought forth into the ,light of this ,world1 he may have sufficient wherewith to live1 provided he understands1 and is able to perform what are to be performed4 ,philosophers affirm1 that ,adam and ,eve brought their ,stone with them out of ,paradise4 ,but to us it is sufficiently manifest1 that they were cast out naked1 without all help and comfort4 ,therefore you infer they bore such a ,treasure in their ,bodies1 as is seen by that of ,morienus1 who being asked by ,king ,calid1 ,in what ,subject that famous ,stone of ,philosophers lay hid8 ,answered2 ,in thee1 ,o ,king1 it is hidden4 ,and farther1 so soon as he had prepared the ,medicine1 he writ about the ,vessel in which it was2 ,he that carries all things with him1 needs not the help of another3 ,signifying1 that he needed not the help of any ,king1 because he had all things in himself4 ,having done this1 he returned to his ,hermitage1 and there blessedly passed the residue of his ,life in the study of ,temperance1 ,prayer and ,fasting1 always glorifying the ,name of ,god4 ,for if ,morienus had not known that he had about him an inestimable ,treasure1 without doubt he would not have left the ,king so secretly1 but perhaps have waited in hope of some ,magnificent ,entertainment3 yet he thirsted not after this1 but going away acquiesced in that onely1 which contained in himself1 ,god had long before conferred on him when he entred this ,world4 ,it is sufficient for me that ,i have not buried my five ,talents 7lent me by ,god7 in the ,earth1 but have restored them to my ,lord1 and have also so improved the same1 as ,i have gained other five ,talents4 99 99 99 99 99 ,before ,i conclude1 ,i am willing to say this3 ,i have indeed received of ,god other five ,talents also1 but as yet have not gained five other ,talents by the ,usury of them2 and that not because ,i fear the severity of my ,masters ,law against his idle ,servants2 but ,i fearing ,evil from ,men1 durst not make any ,improvement thereof1 because ,i suspect that thence a great and incurable abuse would be spread far and nigh among the great number of wicked ,men4 ,nevertheless1 ,i now purpose to proceed in them1 and that for certain ,causes2 and 7with the assistance of ,god7 as soon as ,i can to publish the ,magnalia of the ,almighty4 ,accordingly ,i hope this will prove a great comfort and present help to the whole ,christian ,common-wealth against the ,turk1 the hereditary ,enemy of the ,christian ,name1 vid4 ,prosper4 ,germ4 p4 #e4 ,but the summe of things to be communicated1 chiefly consists in that1 which certain artificial ,inventions discover to me1 by help of which many wonderfull things may be performed2 and 7if ,god so please7 all the ,nests of those ,tyrannical ,hagarens be laid waste1 and so the ,christian ,people be fully and plainly freed from their intollerable servitude4 ,for if it shall be pleasing and gratefull to the most wise ,god1 that such noble ,inventions1 hitherto unknown1 may be divulged and put in practice2 he alone hath power of procuring occasions and means for making them publick3 but if it displease his glorious ,wisedom1 in his ,name the ,art shall be buried with me1 or rather be returned to ,him1 as to the ,fountain of ,fountains1 from whence it flowed to me4 ,in the mean while1 ,i could not chuse but leave to ,posterity1 for a ,remembrance of my ,benevolence1 something worth the minding1 touching such unheard-of1 heroick1 efficacious ,inventions4 ,but these are written as in a ,parenthesis1 and by the way4 ,proceeding1 let us discourse a little farther of despicable ,urine4 ,all ,men and ,beasts live of the ,dungs of ,animals2 also no ,corn1 ,wine1 ,apples1 c4 would be produced1 if not dunged with the ,dungs of ,animals4 ,but some one may object and say1 ,wild ,herbs1 ,trees1 ,shrubs and ,reeds are not dunged with the ,dungs of ,animals1 as ,vineyards and ,corn-fields4 ,i answer4 ,those ,plants enjoy and have another ,dunging1 viz4 ,celestial or ,rain water1 by the benefit of which in ,autumn and ,winter1 ,branches and ,leaves falling off from the ,trees1 do putrefie1 and become ,dung2 which kind of ,dunging1 in the ,spring time betakes it self to the ,roots of ,trees1 that a penetrative ,dunging and procuration of increase may there be made1 since the ,leaves are to be esteemed the ,excrements of ,trees1 with which they are refreshed and renewed4 ,why then may not the ,excrements of ,man serve for the ,renovation of ,man also8 ,no ,man can deny1 but that the ,dungs of many ,animals have been used in the ,galenical ,shops of ,apothecaries1 for the ,composition of various ,remedies1 and are used at this very day4 ,that in ,urine is incited a singular comforting ,virtue1 they best of all can witness1 who ,shipwrackt in the ,sea1 have lived for certain days without ,meat or ,drink1 and in the mean while have sustained their life with the use of ,urine onely4 ,also1 that ,urine is an egregious ,preservative against the ,pestilence1 the ,masters of ,hospitals can witness this by all ,men labouring with the ,pest4 ,now if gross ,urine1 with which so much impurity is mixt1 be of so great efficacy1 what may not its ,spirit purified1 and its volatile ,salt effect1 especially1 if before ,distillation1 the famous ,essences of ,vegetables be artificially added1 because such ,virtues of ,herbs1 ,flowers and ,seeds1 ,woods1 c4 by the help of the volatile ,salt of ,urine1 are excited through their whole ,body1 to exercise there their ,virtues efficaciously4 ,whosoever knows how rightly to prepare1 and duely to use ,spirit of ,urine1 may easily thence get ample ,riches1 and reap no less profit in ,medicine than in the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,wherefore ,i here openly confess1 that in this little ,treatise ,i have posited certain ,processes1 which 7as to their external face7 seem to be of small moment1 yet to ,men skilled in the ,theory and ,practice of them1 they will find so gainfull a ,work1 as no ,handicrafts man whatsoever can gain so much by his ,craft4 ,so much gain may be hoped for from ,urine onely1 if rightly and knowingly handled according to the ,spagyrick ,art4 ,because every one ,man may gain not one1 but several ,imperials by that ,art3 the ,processes of which are diverse1 and that by the onely help of despicable ,urine4 ,hence are those frequent complaints of ,ancient ,philosophers1 that their ,matter of the ,stone is cast away by ,fools among ,dung trod under foot and contemned1 which notwithstanding ought to be honoured by every ,man4 ,i say1 by ,every ,man1 because from it the ,philosopher extracts his ,universal ,medicine1 and the ,physician his particular ,remedies4 ,for the ,chymist transmutes vile ,metals into better1 and so consequently every ,mechanick ,operator may expect some ,fruit from the same4 ,wherefore ,urine is not to be despised1 but to be taken into use2 insomuch1 as every drop of it that is spilt should be bewailed4 ,yet ,i protest ,i would not discover this1 but for the sake of those that have ,ears to hear2 because other ,men naturally deaf to such things1 can reap no profit by this my ,doctrine1 because ,hippocrates forbids to give ,medicine to those that are past hope4 ,whatsoever are here related touching ,urine1 may be said of the black shining ,soot of ,chimnies1 of the ,hairs and ,horns of ,animals1 of ,egg-shells1 and the like1 and especially of the ,fces of ,wine1 which are cast away after the ,spirit is extracted4 ,but perhaps some ,man may here say1 ,our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack is too costly to be used for the prescribed ,operation4 ,to him ,i answer4 ,no ,man can gain something for nothing4 ,but whosoever is desirous to reap some ,eminent ,benefit1 he must first sow some pretious thing4 ,indeed ,i confess1 one pound of our ,salmiack 7if a ,man onely follow the literal ,sense1 or bare letter of the ,description7 will cost several ,imperials1 because for one pound of ,oil of ,vitriol prepared1 four or six pound of ,spirit of ,urine are required for coagulating the ,oil with the same1 which notwithstanding1 in respect of those famous things which are acquired by the benefit of it1 it is not to be judged costly4 ,if a ,man cannot prepare his ,spirit of ,urine1 and ,oil of ,vitriol himself1 but must buy them of another1 he then indeed may complain of ,dearness4 ,but to one perfectly well skilled1 the ,sal-,armoniack will cost him little more than his manual ,labour1 insomuch as no ,man hath any just cause to complain of charges4 ,if the divine ,grace shall be pleased to prorogue my ,life a little longer1 ,i purpose to publish greater ,arcanums4 ,therefore let ,god do as he pleaseth1 his ,will is always best1 and better than the best ,wills of all ,men4 ,amen4 ,a ,corollary4 ,well-meaning ,reader1 ,in this small ,treatise ,i have in few words revealed great ,secrets1 such as were known to no ,man before me1 except ,paracelsus1 who very briefly speaks of the chief of them4 ,and ,helmont1 touching the great ,virtues of that1 hath writ many things4 ,and since my ,sal-,armoniack performs the same in all ,operations1 which ,helmont ascribes to his ,alcahest1 ,i am able to ascribe somewhat more to my ,sal-,armoniack1 than he ascribed to his ,alcahest1 yea1 many things1 which may profitably be performed by the benefit thereof1 among which the chief is this1 viz4 that by help of it all ,metals and ,minerals may be reduced to their first ,matter1 that is1 into a ,spiritual ,mercury1 which is the highest ,magistery in ,chymistry4 ,i1 in this little ,book1 have onely prescribed a few ways of preparing ,medicaments1 and that in a ,laconick-,style1 became ,i writ these things in my ,sick-bed4 ,indeed ,i could willingly and gladly forbear ,writing1 both now and heretofore2 for by all that ever ,i writ1 ,i never gained one half-peny4 ,but ,christian ,charity inflamed me to consecrate this great ,arcanum1 and the fruitfull use thereof1 7before ,i dye1 knowing in the ,grave nothing can be done7 and to publish the same for the good of ,mankind remaining in the ,earth2 being full of great ,hope1 there will not want some ,religious ,spagyrists conscious of ,piety1 that will prove themselves faithfull disposers of this bequeathed ,gift1 and heal the ,diseases of the ,poor gratis4 ,but if the great troop of ,malignant ,spirits presume to abuse the ,practicers of this most noble ,art1 they may find ,nemesis ready swiftly to punish them4 ,every one1 as he pleaseth1 may prepare most present ,medicaments4 ,for all ,herbs1 the way is almost one4 ,also in respect of ,animals1 ,minerals1 ,metals and ,stones1 you will find but little difference4 ,every ,man may himself more profoundly search into the ,art4 ,for my own part1 ,i am at present so weak1 as ,strength faileth me to proceed farther in this discourse4 ,therefore1 by every good ,man1 ,i shall be readily excused1 because ,i have given sufficient occasion of searching into other high ,secrets4 ,if this my benevolent ,communication suffice not any ,man1 he may himself search farther elsewhere4 ,for it is easier to add to things already found out1 than to become the first ,authour of new ,inventions4 ,i had purposed in this little ,book to signifie the most fruitfull use of my ,secret ,alcalisate ,spirit of ,wine2 which is so great a ,secret1 as no ,man before me did ever discover to the ,world2 but my ,sickness hath prevented and hindred the doing of that4 ,if ,god prolong my ,life1 that may be done in another small peculiar ,book4 ,truly1 ,i highly prize my secret ,sal-,armoniack1 yet ,i more esteem the use of my ,spirit of ,wine ,alkalizate2 that being a ,spirit of so great potency1 as from all ,minerals1 ,metals and ,stones1 it extracts a most pure ,tincture1 and by ,alembeck brings the same over the ,helm with it self4 ,what shall ,i say8 ,even fixed ,gold it self cannot resist it1 but suffers it self without a ,corrosive 7like sweet ,water coloured yellow with ,saffron7 to be drawn upwards4 ,in a word1 this ,alkalizate ,spirit of ,wine is an admirable ,instrument for a ,physician1 of it to prepare efficacious 7yea incomparable7 ,medicaments2 and he may easily acquire abundance of it1 and that for no more charges1 than after the common manner any other common ,spirit is prepared4 ,he that seeks shall find4 ,wherefore rise from your soft ,pillows1 and with smutted ,hands touch black ,coals1 and accurately give heed to the institutions of ,art4 ,for with ,idleness1 ,eating1 ,drinking1 and playing on ,musick1 you shall never approach to great ,mysteries4 ,i would have you always think of this that is now once spoken4 ,it is indeed impossible for a most unskilfull ,man to believe or comprehend1 how great things may be prepared by help of this burning ,spirit4 ,about the end of the ,preface of this ,treatise1 ,i mentioned some few things touching the same2 viz4 that of good burning ,spirit1 with little labour and no great cost1 in a very easie way a true universal ,medicine for humane and metallick ,bodies might be made4 ,this ,i would have no ,man to doubt of1 but to account of as most true4 ,for ,i now ready to be laid in my ,grave1 have great need to be very carefull how ,i divulge any thing1 unless such pure verity as experience hath taught me4 ,if the most wise ,god will prolong my ,life untill the next ,summer1 and enable me to write out of ,bed1 my purpose is to publish some other new wonderfull ,works2 but if in the mean while ,i be taken away from the number of the living1 then 7candid ,reader7 kindly accept of these few things here written4 ,this being thus imparted to all diligent ,chymical ,operators 7whom ,i here salute and bid farewell7 ,i wish a ,divine ,benediction in this ,life1 and ,eternal ,glorification hereafter4 ,amen4 ,glory to ,,god onely4 ,the ,end of the ,seventh ,part4 ,,the ,,first ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,in which is contained1 how many1 yet greater1 ,secrets may be prepared by the ,alcahest1 or ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 than those which are mentioned in the ,seventh ,part of the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 viz4 how ,vulgar ,mercury may be firmly fixed1 and rendred totally constant in ,fire1 within the space of three ,days4 ,also an ,explanation1 how by the benefit of it may easily be acquired the ,mercury of ,wine1 as the highest ,medicine of the ,world4 ,likewise1 that the ,secret ,fire of the ,wise1 otherwise called the ,fire of ,artephius is the supreme ,secret of ,secrets3 ,together with a ,revelation of other admirable ,secrets1 of which the ,authour hitherto hath made no mention to any ,man4 ,to the ,well-meaning ,,reader4 ,i could not forbear to signifie to the ,lover of divine and admirable ,works1 the ,reason of my former omission or silence2 namely1 why in a little ,treatise of mine lately published 7which is intituled ,the ,seventh ,part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa7 in which ,i treat of my ,secret ,sal-,armoniack or ,liquor ,alcahest1 ,i so suddenly broke off the ,thread of my ,writing begun1 before ,i had any thing largely discoursed of the eminently excellent ,vertues thereof1 which it manifests not onely in ,medicine1 but also in ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,therefore1 the ,reason of my abrupt ,cessation was as follows4 ,before ,i had compleatly finished the afore-mentioned small ,treatise1 ,i was assaulted with a grievous ,disease1 which incredibly prevailed more and more daily1 insomuch as ,i totally despaired of recovering my ,health1 and therefore thought it necessary1 that whatsoever was then written 7how imperfectly soever7 should for the sake of the ,poor and ,diseased be committed to the ,press4 ,but so soon as by the mercy of ,god1 ,i was in some small measure recovered1 ,i perused that little ,book1 and presently discerned1 that the most powerfull faculties and virtues which that laudable ,liquor is able to exercise and manifest both in ,medicine and ,chymistry1 were scarcely in any-wise treated of1 but almost wholly omitted in the same ,book4 ,hence many conceited ,men perswade themselves1 that my ,secret ,sal-,armoniack cannot be of so great ,energy or ,virtue1 as ,helmont ascribes to his ,liquor ,alcahest2 especially because ,he1 in the ,coagulation of ,mercury1 saith1 that the same 7when his ,liquor ,alcahest hath been but once abstracted from it7 is so fixed1 as a pound of it being tried by ,cupell1 leaves behind1 after ,trial1 fourteen ,lotones of good ,silver2 which indeed is not to be esteemed a vile ,experiment1 viz4 that by so very little ,labour 7as is one onely abstraction of the ,alcahest1 which may be done in a few hours7 such a volatile1 and that the sole ,deluder of all ,alchymists should be transmuted and nobilitated into a fixed ,metal1 tractable and perseveringly sustaining every ,examen of ,fire2 and that by mediation of such a substance1 as the ,liquor ,alcahest1 which per se is no other than a volatile ,salt4 ,nevertheless1 it is found1 that the same may be done1 and that not onely common ,mercury1 by our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack 7which otherwise rendreth all fixed ,metals volatile1 and separates the most pure ,souls or ,tinctures of them from their gross ,bodies1 and carries the same over the ,helm with it self7 is transmuted into ,silver2 but also the same is endued with a ,faculty of transmuting other imperfect ,metals into good and constant ,gold4 ,the ,truth of which ,assertion ,i have not gathered out of the ,writings of other ,authours1 but have learned the same by the continual ,industry and ,experience of my proper ,inquisition2 and therefore am able so much the more confidently to assert somewhat my self1 touching the same1 to every ingenious ,man4 ,but that you may know the ,reason why ,volatile ,mercury1 by my ,secret ,sal-,armoniack also volatile1 is rendred fixed and constant in ,fire2 you are to understand1 that this onely is effected by the cleansing power and virtue of our ,salmiack3 for in ,vulgar ,mercury is somewhat ingenited by ,nature1 which makes the whole ,body of it volatile4 ,now if any one doth well understand how to separate that therefrom by an ,artificial cleansing1 the flying ,mercury no longer remains volatile1 but assumes to it self an hard fixed1 tractable and ,metallick ,body2 in which kind of ,purification to be made1 our ,salmiack performs the office of a ,master4 ,whence happens such a speedy fixation of ,mercury2 touching which we1 in the following ,praxis1 shall more amply treat and demonstrate the same1 viz4 that so swift a ,coagulation of volatile ,mercury into ,gold and ,silver constant and abiding in ,fire1 is not to be accounted a vile work of small value1 but to be esteemed as one of the principal ,arcanums of ,nature4 ,this needs no proof1 because by the sentence of all experienced ,men it is long since notoriously known1 that this noxious ,deluder ,mercury1 by its volatility1 hath deprived some thousands of unwary ,alchymists1 not onely of their ,gold and ,silver1 but also of their ,houses1 ,lands1 ,towns1 ,vineyards1 ,fields1 ,meadows1 ,gardens1 and all their other ,goods1 carrying the same with it self up the ,chimney1 and leaving them nothing but an heap of broken ,pots1 ,cucurbits1 ,glasses1 ,soot1 ,dust and ,ashes1 instead of the wealthy ,spoils and rich ,reward they thirsted after with vain hope4 ,but as he hath evilly intreated the unskilfull and unwary ,slaves and ,drudges of ,chymistry1 so he hath dealt well with experienced and wary ,philosophers1 who 7after they had observed his ,inconstancy1 and learned to amend the same7 were such as he was constrained to obey1 insomuch as they could subdue1 bind and fix him4 ,this is no ,fiction or fabulous ,tale1 but a ,truth which may be proved by many hundred true ,histories1 declaring1 that in various parts of the ,world have lived those who were able to fix ,mercury into a constant permanency4 ,of the more ample ,use of our ,salmiack4 ,having in the precedent ,treatise omitted the best and most worthy use of our ,salmiack1 7viz4 that by the benefit of it ,mercury might be so purified1 as to be very easily fixed into a ,red ,body fixt and constant in ,fire7 ,i was incited and moved thereby to commit this ,appendix to the ,press2 especially because in doing the same1 ,i could also upon every opportune occasion notifie several other profitable ,secrets1 which may be perfected by help of that2 as here following you shall perceive1 they being inserted one after another4 ,therefore incline your ,ear to hear what admirable ,effects our ,salmiack is able to manifest both in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,first1 ,our ,secret ,salmiack not onely purifies ,metals1 and separates the pure part from the unprofitable gross ,bodies of them1 but the ,volatile parts it carries upward with it self2 and afterward suffers it self to be again fixed with them into fixed ,tinctures1 as already in the precedent ,seventh ,part of our ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 we have very sufficiently proved1 as well as in our ,treatise of the ,three ,principles of ,metals2 but also it is endued with a power of carrying over the ,helm the most fixed ,gold1 without any ,corrosive1 like to a yellow sweet ,spirit1 and of converting the same into true ,aurum ,potabile3 for such ,aurum ,potabile1 without a ,corrosive adhering is found to be1 not onely an efficacious1 sweet and famous ,medicine for humane ,bodies1 but also a true ,tincture for transmuting imperfect ,metals into better4 ,it is indeed a very great ,question how such ,gold can be a ,tincture for other more vile ,metals1 since common ,gold 7according to the ,opinion of many ,philosophers1 and the experienced truth of the matter7 per se contains in it self no more ,tincture than is sufficient for it self1 and without prejudice to its own virtue or nobility is able to communicate no good to other ,metals4 ,nevertheless1 ,philosophers more acute1 narrowly sifting the matter1 have found that vulgar ,gold1 by the assistance of ,art1 may be destroyed1 and its inside turned outward1 but its outside inward3 for such destruction ,philosophers have called ,exaltation1 intimating1 that the ,exaltation or ,melioration of ,gold must be made in the ,sign ,aries2 to which assertion ,i could never assent1 but always believed and urged the contrary1 inveighing earnestly against ,toletanus1 who writ ,animadversions upon that good ,philosopher of ancient ,repute ,bracescus1 as if he had been a dull and obstinate ,man1 teaching in his ,treatise of the ,tree of ,life1 that the ,universal ,medicine might be prepared of vulgar ,mars2 for it not a little troubled me 7after by a previous and continued study of reading and perusing the best ,authours1 ,i at length by the ,grace of ,god1 in my search found and learned the way of making such a ,tincture and ,medicine7 that the said ,toletanus did so unhandsomely heighten his ,style against the laudable ,bracescus1 and contemned the famous ,industry of that man1 insomuch as ,i have1 in some of my ,writings 7although with a certain ,zeal1 which ,i ingeniously confess was unseasonable7 chastized this ,zoilus1 because he with an impertinent ,presumption did so rashly and arrogantly attempt to oppose and contradict that1 which he himself had not sufficient ,experience of4 ,but it happened1 that afterward such an ,exaltation of ,gold fell into my hand unexpectedly4 ,whence1 seeing such an ,exaltation of ,gold to be true1 ,i repented my own folly4 ,wherefore now ,i openly confess1 that by the help of our secret ,salmiack ,i have very often elaborated such an ,exaltation of ,gold in the mineral ,aries2 although in a very small ,quantity1 finding that to be sufficiently imbibed with the ,colour of ,gold1 whensoever onely two or three ,grains of such exalted ,gold were mixed with a whole ,pound of common ,water4 ,but in metallick ,transmutation1 during these days of my indisposedness1 ,i could never yet try any thing further4 ,if the most wise ,god1 shall be pleased to restore and raise me out of my sick ,bed 7as ,i hope this next ,summer he will7 ,i will not omit to try what the aforesaid exalted ,gold is able to effect in the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,in the mean while ,i am perswaded1 that it will prove an amply potent ,tincture for ,mercury and ,luna1 and thence ,i divine because two or three ,grains of such exalted ,gold do tinge a whole ,pound of ,water with a golden ,colour that the same must be done with ,mercury and ,luna4 ,therefore no man hath cause further to doubt1 that common ,gold1 by the help of our ,salmiack in ,aries1 may be reduced into some one true and fixed ,tincture2 as here following 7,god willing7 shall be shewed more at large4 ,of the more largely fruitfull use of our ,sal ,armoniack in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,my ,preface to the seventh ,book of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 mentioneth how the ,mercury of ,wine may be separated from any pure burning ,spirit1 and perform the ,office of an universal ,medicine healing men and metals4 ,but since in such a manner of preparing the ,medicine as ,i there prescribed1 very little ,mercury of ,wine will be gotten1 not enough to satisfie those1 that desire more abundance1 because from one ,pound of ,spirit of ,wine1 scarcely three1 four or five ,grains of most pure ,clestial ,salt are extracted2 which nevertheless is not to be esteemed so exceeding small a quantity1 if any one shall with a more accurate search of his mind well weigh the incredible medicinal ,vertues thereof1 which it manifests and exerciseth against humane and metallick ,diseases2 insomuch as 7in either ,faculty7 in the whole nature of things you shall find no ,medicament like unto it4 ,certainly it is a true ,clestial ,medicine1 in the form of a certain white sweet ,salt1 for if one onely ,grain of it be taken into the ,body of a ,man diseased1 he will thereby be notably comforted in all his ,members1 and amend and find himself better in a moment4 ,i must needs confess1 that ,i have not long since found out the ,preparation of the same 7during the long continuance of my ,disease7 by various ,speculations2 and when by reason of my ,sickness ,i could not rise out of my ,bed to prepare this noble ,medicine my self1 ,i committed the same to the hands of my faithfull and trusty ,friends to be by them prepared1 but in a very small quantity3 ,for ,i caused not above two or three ,pound of ,spirit of ,wine to be burned1 and thence could not acquire much ,mercury2 nevertheless ,i found so much therein1 as sufficiently to content and satisfie my mind as well in ,medicine as in ,alchymy2 believing1 as ,i have above mentioned1 that no ,medicine more excellent than this can be found in the whole nature of things4 ,moreover1 every one may consider with himself1 how great ,salubrity such a ,clestial ,medicine may bestow and confer on the sick ,bodies of ,men1 as often as he accurately weighs with himself the ,subject 7viz4 ,wine7 of which this ,medicine is prepared4 ,for it is known through all parts of the ,world far and nigh1 that under the ,sun is not given a more excellent ,cordial ,subject1 than good and pure ,wine2 although that abound with many inefficacious ,humidities1 and other ,tartarous ,feculencies1 whereas on the contrary the ,mercury thereof is most pure1 or a sweet ,clestial ,salt is extracted from good ,spirit of ,wine deduced to the highest purity4 ,but some one may say1 what ,spirit of ,wine8 ,if in that such a noble ,mercury be latent1 and the same as it is in it self be given for comforting the ,sick1 what need is there1 that it being kindled should be burnt2 and why may not 7without that labour and charge7 its volatile ,salt be received in a ,refrigeratory8 ,in answer hereunto let him know1 that ,spirit of ,wine is almost all a mere ,sulphur1 and therefore is easily inflamed and devoured with the ,flame1 as is common to every ,sulphur1 viz4 that so soon as it is set on ,fire1 it consumes it self1 and leaves behind it no other than ,ashes and a fixed ,salt2 but the ,mercury which adhered to the ,sulphur1 is dissipated in the ,air with the ,flame1 unless it be taken in a ,cold ,receptory1 in which it may cool and condense it self4 ,indeed we for certain know1 that no one of all the three ,principles of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals is totally pure1 but it always invisibly bears about it self some small part of the other two ,principles1 as may best of all be seen in combustible ,entities1 such are ,wood and other ,vegetables2 for they being kindled and set on fire1 the ,sulphur is onely burnt1 but the other two parts1 viz4 the fixed ,salt1 and the volatile ,mercury remain free from ,combustion4 ,as for ,example1 if you burn ,wood1 an ,herb1 or any other kind of ,vegetable1 the ,sulphur onely perisheth1 but the ,mercury adheres to the sides and walls of the ,chimny4 ,if you thence separate the ,ashes and other ,filths1 which fly together upwards1 you will obtain a white volatile ,salt1 altogether like the ,animal volatile ,salt of ,urine1 except in this onely1 that this volatile ,salt savours of ,adustion4 ,the fixed ,salt is extracted out of the ,ashes by ,elixiviation of common ,water4 ,moreover ,animal ,entities being burnt1 viz4 the ,bones of any ,animals2 the ,sulphur is onely burnt1 but the volatile ,salt flies away1 and almost no fixed ,salt remains in the ,ashes4 ,lastly1 common mineral ,sulphur being burnt1 almost all the ,sulphur vanisheth into ,air like a ,flame1 and together with the ,flame an unburnable ,mercury ascends1 in form of an heavy ,corrosive ,oil1 which by ,chymists is vulgarly called ,oil of ,sulphur1 and is received in ,glass ,campanes2 nevertheless that ,oil is by ,philosophers named the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 because such ,oil is easily transmuted into a sweet ,fusile ,stone1 of which my lately published ,treatise of the ,salt of ,philosophers makes some mention4 ,from all which you may clearly gather1 that there is no ,sulphur found so pure1 but that it is impregnated with some small part of ,salt and ,mercury2 also you can find no ,mercury1 in which is not incited some part of ,salt and ,sulphur2 and in like manner no ,salt1 to which a little ,sulphur and ,mercury adheres not4 ,which being thus1 why may there not latently be in ,spirit of ,wine an incombustible ,salt and ,mercury8 ,and as ,spirit of ,wine duely rectified according to the ,precepts of ,art1 is found to be the purest of all other ,sulphurs1 and endued with no ,feculencies2 so also necessarily1 when that ,sulphur is kindled and burnt1 with the ,flame must needs ascend as it were an unburnable ,substance1 which may be received in a ,refrigeratory for amending humane and metallick ,bodies4 ,whosoever cannot comprehend and believe these1 he truely and condignly may be called a ,blockhead1 although by his ,flatterers 7men very indiscrete7 he be accounted even the ,eighth of the ,wise men1 or a second ,paracelsus4 ,i purposed in my mind to communicate this supream ,medicine to some candid ,friends1 that some present ,medicine may thence be made1 by the salutary help of which1 ,i also in this my declining ,age1 and in the ,diuturnity of my ,disease1 may be made partaker of some ,relief1 since ,i my self now sick in ,bed1 am able to prepare nothing4 ,indeed ,i did formerly reveal this so very great ,mystery to some of my old ,friends1 and that to the end that they being sound and in health might labour therein1 and after their ,work was ended 7which might be compleated in ,eight days7 communicate to me1 as an ,offering of thanks1 some small part of that ,medicine1 that my old infirm ,body might be comforted2 but their intent was far otherwise3 ,for these rude men would not suffer me to participate of one ,grain of the ,medicine revealed1 nor ever came within my ,doors so much as once1 after they were fully and plainly instructed in the ,art by me taught2 but passed by as if ,i had been a man wholly unknown and never seen by them4 ,but this was to me a very just and truely deserved ,recompence1 because ,i being too credulous1 did so vilely cast into the ,mire the most noble ,pearl of all ,medicine1 not considering the faithfull admonition of the supream ,master3 ,beware of ,men4 ,i must needs confess that it is not a ,work for covetous men2 because such thirst after nothing else1 but a great ,mass of ,gold1 and think this most noble ,art to be no other than a rotten ,thread4 ,in like manner ,i do also confess1 that common ,spirit of ,wine gives forth from it self but a very small quantity of such ,clestial ,salt2 yet a great quantity of the same no man hath need of1 because the power and efficacy thereof shews it self far and nigh4 ,if any one be desirous to acquire to himself a greater quantity of this our ,clestial ,mercury1 he may obtain his desire1 if he make use of a good medicinal ,restorative ,subject1 as ,sulphur or ,antimony fixed to a ,redness1 also ,gold1 ,pearls1 red ,corals1 cast ,skins of ,serpents1 ,boletus or ,fungus ,cervinus4 ,if these and the like restoring or renovating things be extracted with ,spirit of ,wine and the same ,wine burnt3 because in doing that1 with the ,flame will ascend a most pure mercurial ,salt1 which must be received in a cold ,recipient4 ,in like manner all ,metals1 when they are duely extracted with ,spirit of ,wine1 do in burning give forth from themselves a volatile mercurial ,salt1 which may profitably be administred1 as well in ,medicine as in ,chymistry4 ,for the ,salt of ,saturn is a most present ,pestilential ,remedy2 the ,salt of ,venus an efficacious ,venereal ,medicament1 the ,salt of ,luna1 a most excellent ,cephalick1 the ,salt of ,gold a famous ,cordial1 and the ,salt of ,mars an admirable ,stomach ,remedy1 and a true ,tincture1 by the help of which vulgar ,mercury and ,luna may be tinged into ,gold4 ,but it cannot profitably be adhibited in metallick ,labours1 unless it be first reduced to a red ,fixedness by the benefit of common ,gold1 being such1 as after the first ,preparation may be very easily fixed and rubified2 although it all ascends in a white ,flame1 and the ,preparation be from a red ,subject4 ,for it is fixed and waxeth red1 if any one do from it but once abstract the ,water of ,saltaberis1 as ,paracelsus calls it4 ,but if you ask what ,paracelsus his ,water of ,saltaberis is1 it is not my purpose at this time to publish and divulge that kind of ,water4 ,helmont vastly erred1 when he thought it to be the ,water of ,whites of ,eggs1 which it is not1 but it is a ,water preparable for a very small ,price1 as much as is sufficient4 ,in the mean while1 no unskilfull ,man is able to believe1 with how great a property of purging1 elevating and fixing the ,flame of good ,spirit of ,wine is endued4 ,therefore1 whosoever is desirous of knowing this1 by putting his hand to the ,work let him make ,trial4 ,the ,flame of this burning ,spirit renders all corrosive and bitter metallick ,subjects sweet and pleasant2 therefore ,lully rightly said3 ,the immature ,bitterness is to be dulcified1 that the whole ,magistery may be obtained4 ,briefly ,i say1 by the benefit thereof1 so great good may be performed as is difficult to be believed1 unless any one before he sets about the ,work hath beheld the ,event4 ,in which at present we acquiesce1 yet out of an abundance shewing this1 viz4 that1 whensoever any man hath a mind to subtilize metallick ,subjects by a burning ,spirit 7distilling or subliming them into sweet ,salts or ,tinctures7 he is obliged by no necessity at all1 to use no other than ,spirit of ,wine onely2 because a burning ,spirit of ,corn1 or extracted out of other ,vegetables1 will do the same4 ,but whosoever would without ,metals acquire a ,sweet medicinal ,mercury per se1 he must prepare that of the ,spirit of sweet ,wine2 because other ,vegetables afford not so much mercurial ,salt as may be had from ,wine2 which is to be kept in mind as a thing worthy of ,observation4 ,thus have ,i here clearly revealed as high a ,medicine as ever was or can be found in the ,nature of things2 which no one of the ,philosophers before me did ever presume to do4 ,indeed ,albertus ,magnus1 and his ,disciple ,thomas ,aquinas have written of it somewhat more clearly than others1 yet so1 as few ,readers can follow the mind of them4 ,for they do indeed make mention of ,spirit of ,wine1 yet the ,instrument under which it is to be burned1 they did not in any wise express1 or hint at4 ,basilius taught that the ,instrument was to be made of ,copper2 yet this kind of ,instrument is not every way conducible1 but there is some defect in it4 ,as for my self1 ,i long sought with earnestness1 before ,i could find a fit ,instrument1 in which ,i might receive this ,clestial ,salt and ,mercury4 ,let others after me also make the like search1 till they find4 ,it is not my business at all times1 to cast all things at the ,feet of the unworthy4 ,for ,i am forbid by the ,fates1 having already divulged more than enough4 ,but whosoever is desirous of learning more touching this kind of labour1 let him peruse ,bracescus in his ,treatise of the ,tree of ,life1 touching our mercurial ,water1 where he may find things enough worthy of note to yield him content4 ,avicen indeed writes also excellently1 but very briefly4 ,cosmopolita and ,neusementius have writ somewhat more clearly in their ,books1 yet with so ,philosophick a ,character1 as scarcely one among a thousand ,readers shall there find what he seeks4 ,more at this time touching this it is not lawfull for me to discourse2 but of other things here to be treated of1 let every one comment and meditate what he thinks good4 ,of the further use of our ,salmiack4 ,in my lately published ,treatise of the three ,principles of ,metals1 ,i shewed how by the help of ,proserpina the ,wife of ,pluto1 a tinging ,oil of a sanguineous ,colour might be distilled from the ,vitriol of ,mars1 and thence be coagulated into a sweet ,fusile ,stone1 by the benefit of which great things may be effected in the ,transmutation of ,metals and ,gems4 ,but what is understood by ,proserpina ,i considerately concealed from the ,reader1 as well as the ,coagulation of the red and white corrosive ,oil of ,vitriol into a sweet ,stone1 because at that time ,i purposed not to publish any thing more thereabout4 ,after that ,publication1 certain ,rivals of our ,art came to me very earnestly intreating1 that ,i would also reveal to them ,proserpina and my ,coagulation of ,vitriol3 ,these men by their perswasive ,intreaties so softned my mind1 as ,i was freely willing to gratifie them1 but with this ,condition1 viz4 that so soon as they had elaborated the whole ,work1 they should impart to me some small ,portion of that ,medicine1 yet this promise of a thankfull acknowledgment hath not untill this day been fulfilled1 wherefore ,i on the other hand fearing that so great a ,secret 7viz4 how by the help of ,proserpina the tinging ,oil of ,vitriol of a sanguineous ,colour1 tinging ,luna into ,gold1 might afterward be coagulated into a ,fusile ,stone7 should be exposed to publick view by those1 that were so ungratefull to me1 was resolved ,i would my self be the ,publisher of so great an ,arcanum1 knowing always1 that the ,master is better able to discourse of his own ,work1 than the ,disciple2 not in the least doubting1 but that by this ,revelation or way of discovery1 many ,alchymists1 reduced almost to the extream necessity of ,irus1 and ready to perish1 will be able to recover themselves1 and obtain their pristine repute among men4 ,therefore touching the ,discovery of this ,arcanum thus take it4 ,by ,proserpina in the afore mentioned ,treatise is understood the corrosive ,oil of ,antimony1 or in defect of that ,butter of ,antimony1 which 7when added to ,vitriol of ,mars in like ,proportion1 and distilled by ,retort7 carries over with it self the ,gold of ,philosophers or ,tincture of ,mars1 in form of a thick ,oil of a sanguine ,redness2 which red ,oil1 when coagulated into a sweet ,fusile ,stone1 will be very available in the ,emendation of ,metals1 especially in tinging ,luna into good ,gold1 as a little after you shall hear4 ,these are briefly spoken touching the ,antimonial ,proserpina3 ,here following it shall be shewed by us1 how our ,secret ,sal ,armoniack may profitably be used instead of the ,antimonial ,proserpina1 after we have premised the way of coagulating the red ,oil of ,vitriol into a ,stone not corrosive1 by help of which ,metals may be amended variously4 ,as to the ,coagulation of the red and white ,oil of ,vitriol1 and also of other corrosive ,liquors1 that indeed is very easie to accomplish1 but hard to find out4 ,for all ,philosophers have very obscurely writ of this kind of operating1 in such a ,laconick manner3 ,dissolve and ,coagulate4 ,the ,solution of ,mars into ,vitriol is made by the help of common ,oil of ,vitriol1 or else by ,spirit of ,salt4 ,but the ,coagulation into a tinging ,stone not corrosive is made by the help of old1 cold and dry ,saturn1 because he it is1 that understands how with his own most intent ,coldness and ,dryness to extinguish all humid coldish ,fires1 and to change them into hard ,stones4 ,no one of the ,philosophers hath writ more clearly touching the ,coagulation of mineral ,spirits1 than ,paracelsus1 in that ,treatise which is intituled the ,heaven of ,philosophers1 being that in which he treats of the ,nature and ,properties of the seven ,metals1 and in the ,fifth ,chapter of ,saturn1 he thus speaks4 ,canon the ,fifth1 touching the ,nature and ,properties of ,saturn4 ,saturn of his own proper ,nature thus speaketh4 ,the six other ,metals have cast me out for their ,examinator1 and have thrust me from themselves out of the ,spiritual ,place3 ,they have given into my ,mansion a corruptible ,body1 that ,i might be what they neither are nor desire to have4 ,my six ,brethren are spiritual1 thence it is1 that they penetrate my ,body as often as ,i am burned in the ,fire2 and together with me they perish in ,fire4 ,sol and ,luna onely excepted1 which are cleansed with my ,water and wax proud4 ,my ,spirit is a ,water softning the rigid and congealed ,bodies of my ,brethren4 ,yet my ,body tends to the ,earth2 whatsoever is received into me1 becomes also conformable to us1 and by us is converted into one ,body4 ,it would not be profitable for the ,world1 if it should know or could believe what are latent in me1 and what ,i am able to effect4 ,it would be more profitable for the ,world if it understood that1 with me1 which ,i am able to do3 ,then leaving all ,arts of ,alchymists1 it would use this onely1 which in me is1 and by me can be done4 ,the ,coldness of a ,stone is in me2 this is the ,water1 by which ,i cause the ,spirits of the six ,metals to be congealed into one corporeal ,being of the seventh1 that is1 to augment ,sol with ,luna4 ,these ,i have transcribed word for word out of ,paracelsus1 that by them it might be sufficiently manifest1 that he knew how to perform the ,coagulation of sharp mineral ,spirits by cold and dry ,saturn1 because touching that he so evidently writes1 as he that writes most plainly cannot describe the same more clearly1 although there have been very few men1 who did rightly understand this ,prince of ,philosophers1 and could by his words learn the ,coagulation of sharp mineral ,spirits there touched1 although in a particular ,transmutation of ,metals no method more easie can be given than by our ,salt of ,philosophers1 which from red ,oil of ,vitriol is coagulated by cold ,saturn4 ,i will not pass over in silence1 what ,fruit may otherwise be reaped by the ,benefit of this in the ,emendation of ignoble and very pretious ,stones2 because by that kind of labour more profit may be gained by ten ,fold1 than in the ,graduation of ,metals into ,sol and ,luna2 for our red ,stone exalts all ,gems in their ,colours1 and tingeth white ,crystals into all kind of ,colours2 in which ,work1 there is not any of the ,off springs of the ,earth able to do the like4 ,wherefore the ,ancient ,philosophers more esteemed this ,coloration of ,stones1 than the ,art of tinging ,silver into ,gold2 ,for such a ,stone not onely amends ,metals1 but also graduates small ,stones noble and ignoble1 and tingeth them into better shapes and colours4 ,for more excellency and good lies hid in despicable ,lead1 than any unskilfull man is able to imagine or can perswade himself to believe2 because the ,inside of it is no other than mere ,gold1 insomuch as ,philosophers have called it ,leprous ,gold4 ,so soon as this impure ,gold shall be impregnated with the ,antimonial ,oil of ,vitriol1 and both conjunctively coagulated together into a red ,stone1 thence must necessarily be made a ,tincture for ,metals1 as well as for ,stones4 ,much more should here be spoken touching our coagulated red ,oil of ,vitriol3 ,but to what purpose is it to bring a sample of beautifull ,colours before the ,eyes of a blind man1 being such as he cannot see1 nor is able to judge any thing of4 ,see this ,process plain in ,proserpina4 ,in the seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 mention is made of a like ,coagulation of sharp ,spirits1 wherefore ,i would refer every studious ,lover of curious ,arts to the perusal of that part4 ,for what are here briefly treated of1 are there more copiously handled1 as every ,reader may find1 and apply to his proper ,benefit4 ,time now admits not a more ample ,discourse in this place1 touching such sharp ,spirits of ,salt4 ,a ,furthur ,use of our ,salmiack4 ,first1 vulgar ,mercury1 by the help of our ,secret ,salmiack1 may be so purified in the space of one ,day1 as the day following by one onely abstraction of the ,water of ,saltaberis1 it may be coagulated into a red fixed ,medicine4 ,which swift ,mortification1 ,coagulation or ,fixation1 was highly esteemed by ,paracelsus and ,helmont4 ,this ,mercury1 ,paracelsus insignized with the ,title of ,coralline ,mercury1 and celebrated the fame with this illustrious ,praise1 viz4 that in the whole ,nature of things1 there was not any ,remedy more excellent for yielding relief in the ,gout and ,french ,disease2 adding1 that it recreates the mind of the ,artist1 because it hath entrance into ,gold1 and with the same is converted into ,gold1 and so not a few impoverished ,alchymists may again be stored with ,riches4 ,but since the ,death of this ,philosopher1 you shall not find that there hath been one or other of the ,professours of ,chymistry unto this day1 who could prepare such a red fixed ,mercury2 the ,reason hereof is1 because none of the ,sons of ,art could comprehend the ,water of ,saltaberis1 by which ,mercury is to be brought to a fixed ,redness1 none ,i say1 untill ,helmont1 that most learned ,philosopher of our ,age discovered himself1 witnessing that he also could prepare such ,mercury1 which he insignized with the ,name of ,horizontal ,gold1 affirming it would sufficiently supply whatsoever the ,physician and ,chyrurgeon should need4 ,in like manner1 that most expert ,philosopher ,nuysementius did write of such a ,mercury1 testifying1 that two or three ,grains of it onely being taken in some ,consortative1 would purge out all ,impurities from the humane ,body4 ,indeed ,helmont expresseth this in other words1 yet by them intimates1 that it purgeth out all ,filths from the ,veins4 ,behold three famous men1 serving instead of the ,marpesian ,columns of all ,hermetick ,philosophy and ,medicine2 for they have excellently writ of this ,mercury2 yet to the ,inventions of these1 none of their ,successours have added any thing1 but have been still and quiet1 shunning the labour of preparing an ,universal ,medicine4 ,during the eight ,months ,i was detained in my sick ,bed1 by reason of my ,infirmity1 occasion was offered me of a more serious ,meditation of such abstruse things1 insomuch as ,i at length found the ,water of ,saltaberis1 by the help of which ,i totally fixed ,mercury1 not indeed as ,helmont saith into constant good ,silver1 but into very good ,gold4 ,whosoever is seized with a desire of succouring the misery of the sick1 he will do better for publick good1 in using such a fixed ,mercury rather for expelling the ,cruelty of a ,tyrannical ,gout1 and the ,french ,disease1 than for ,gold making1 unless so far as he hath need to use the same for necessary ,aliments4 ,whosoever desires to know more of this ,coralline ,mercury1 or 7according to ,helmont7 ,horizontal ,gold2 let him peruse our little ,treatise intituled the ,seventh ,part of the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa1 where he may find not onely many ,mercurys1 which are not inferiour to this1 but in many things excel it4 ,also there you are taught how a burning ,spirit may be distilled from all ,vegetables1 and with such a ,spirit1 by kindling and burning it1 the ,mercury of ,wine be separated from the ,sulphur in flame1 and that as a pure ,clestial ,salt be gathered in a fit ,recipient1 and administred against all ,diseases1 as a supream ,universal ,medicine4 ,also there is taught the way of purifying ,mercury1 and depriving the same of every loathsome ,taste and ,odour1 in such wise1 as it is rendred sweet and pleasant1 like to ,fire consuming ,diseases1 and for correcting every ,cachexy of the whole ,body4 ,in like manner the same teacheth the way of preparing ,mercury so1 as it offers it self to be ripened by the ,secret ,fire of ,atrephius into the highest ,medicine1 and that in a short time with little labour and charge4 ,hitherto ,i have variously treated of the manifold ,use of our ,alcahest2 but since this kind of ,doctrine may profit ,junior ,physicians1 ,apothecaries1 ,chymists1 and other learned men more than ,mechanick ,artificers2 ,i purpose here to subjoin some other ,secrets also1 which may be of use to the ,people1 that so our ,alcahest may become ,onesimus the common ,servant of many1 and in this manner be verified what in the superior or precedent ,treatise is mentioned1 viz4 that of despicable ,urine all men of all ,orders1 when they will may reap profit1 and sufficient ,aliments4 ,but1 although ,spirit of ,urine alone1 without the help of ,oil of ,vitriol1 or some other ,acid ,spirit1 cannot effect all that is to be performed1 yet the labour of making ,oil of ,vitriol is not to be eschewed1 since it is that which may be prepared in abundance with little charge1 and almost no trouble4 ,if any one be but a little more skilfull1 than a common ,chymist1 then indeed he may prepare at least four pound for the charge of one ,imperial4 ,if you cannot perform this work1 ,oil of ,sulphur offers it self1 which is more conducive for preparation of the ,liquor ,alcahest1 than ,oil of ,vitriol1 and in a peculiar ,furnace1 of an hundred pounds of ,sulphur1 without any great trouble1 you may easily prepare ten or twelve pounds of ,oil1 and that for a small charge4 ,wherefore1 whosoever would by the benefit of the ,alcahest elaborate any thing to profit1 he must first be provided of1 and furnished with ,spirit of ,urine1 and that some quantity1 and also not a little ,oil of ,vitriol or ,sulphur1 ready for future use1 that without any delay or hindrance he may happily proceed in his work begun1 which without these he cannot absolve4 ,if ,spirit of ,urine and ,oil of ,vitriol be to be bought by any one1 his ,alcahest will be too dear1 of it to prepare much to profit1 as by the following shall appear4 ,what is that which ,pontanus saith to this8 ,the whole body of ,mercury1 without any previous ,separation of the pure from the impure1 may by the help of the ,secret ,fire of ,artephius be totally ripened into a fixed ,medicine or ,tincture1 without any diminution of its weight4 ,touching which wonderfull fixation1 ,i in my ,sick-bed made a small trial1 insomuch as now ,i am obliged to believe what ,pontanus affirmed touching such a ,secret ,fire2 openly confessing1 that the same ,secret ,fire is more to be esteemed in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 than all other great ,secrets1 which have ever been observed by ,philosophers4 ,wherefore now1 nothing grieves me so much1 as that by reason of my great indisposedness1 being always constrained to keep my ,bed1 ,i am able to make no further trial of the same4 ,this ,fire converts all venomous ,subjects into salutiferous ,medicaments2 fixeth all things that are volatile2 renders all sharp and bitter things sweet and pleasant4 ,in a word1 this ,secret ,fire cannot more properly be compared to any thing1 than to ,titan or the ,sun1 whence all things draw their ,life and ,increase4 ,for that ,fire1 first of ,earth1 ,water and ,air1 produceth gross1 bitter and harsh ,fruits1 then ripens them being unripe1 and changeth them into sweet and pleasant ,fruits1 imitating the ,sun producing sower ,grapes1 which it sweetens after its various ,operations upon them4 ,the same may be spoken of the maturation of vulgar ,mercury1 being such as per se 7whilst it is as yet volatile7 is to be esteemed an immature and bitter ,fruit3 but as soon as by our ,secret ,fire its ,bitterness and noxious ,venome shall be taken away1 and it becomes fixed and able to abide the ,examen of ,fire1 it is no longer a bitter ,venome1 but passeth into a salutiferous ,medicament4 ,hence the worthy ,lully cried out2 ,if you dulcifie the bitter1 you will have the whole ,magistery4 ,which ,dulcification our ,secret ,fire is able to compleat as perfectly as the ,sun of all acid and harsh products of ,trees1 makes sweet1 pleasant and salubrious ,fruits4 ,pontanus witnesseth1 that he had laboured in the true matter of the ,stone1 yet that he erred more than an hundred times1 and that he should never have returned into the ,royal way of ,infallible ,operation1 if he had not read ,artephius1 and of him learned the ,fire of the ,wise4 ,this indeed is a thing to be admired1 that almost no ,chymist imploys his ,care1 ,study1 ,meditation and ,counsel to seek out and find our ,secret ,fire1 although to it there is scarcely given another like and second in all the things of ,nature4 ,artephius did so clearly describe that ,fire1 as you would wonder that so few ,searchers have ever comprehended his ,mind4 ,all other ,philosophers1 who were partakers of such a ,fire1 do with ,artephius expresly write1 that it burns continually in their ,glass1 and not so extrinsecally1 in one degree4 ,whence indeed it is sufficiently manifest1 that the same is not common ,fire made of ,wood and ,coals4 ,therefore ,i do positively say1 that our ,secret ,fire1 in a short time1 is able to transmute the whole of ,mercury into a red1 sweet and pleasant ,tincture1 and also to change both humane and metallick ,bodies4 ,yet further1 ,touching the most fruitfull ,use of our ,alcahest1 bringing great ,gain in ,metallick ,labours4 ,as we have heard that volatile common ,mercury is fixed and rendred constant in ,fire1 by the help of our ,alcahest2 so it also in such wise fixeth other ,minerals1 and volatile ,metals1 as the same in ,cupellating1 leave behind both ,sol and ,lune1 not without notable utility4 ,but thence especially may you reap vast profit1 if volatile ,sol and ,luna1 extracted by ,aqua ,fortis out of ,sand and ,earth1 be again totally fixed by help of that1 in such a manner1 as they in ,fire fly not2 but yielding1 permit themselves to be melted as any other ,sol and ,lune4 ,metals1 whensoever wrought upon by the help of ,aqua ,fortis1 although they were fixt before1 degenerate into another ,nature1 and are volatilized1 so as with a strong ,fire of ,fusion they fly away to the ,owners great loss4 ,as for ,example3 ,if you dissolve ,lune in ,aqua ,regia1 and upon the same ,solution pour common ,salt-water1 the ,lune will be precipitated from the ,water in the form of a white ,powder1 which if with other ,water you well edulcorate and dry1 you will have a ,calx of ,lune much more ponderous than the ,lune was before4 ,which kind of increase ariseth onely from the sharp ,spirits of the ,salt1 which the ,silver hath drawn into it self so firmly1 as by the benefit of ,water they could not be totally separated1 but remain in it1 not onely whilst it is heated red-hot1 but also in a strong ,fire of ,fusion1 insomuch as the ,lune shews it self not tractable in ,fire1 as any other ,silver1 but remains like a ,stone in that vehement ,fire1 so as whilst it is flowing1 those ,spirits of the ,salt carry away much of the ,silver with them in fume2 and part of it also penetrates into the ,crucible4 ,wherefore such ,lune precipitated with ,salt1 cannot be melted again and made ductile ,silver without great loss and detriment1 but appears intractable like a transparent ,horn1 whence also it is by ,chymists called the ,horn of the ,moon2 but ,i in my ,writings name this ,silver 7as being that which is altogether volatile and fusible7 the ,mercury of ,luna4 ,in the same manner also ,saturn may be converted into a ,liquable and volatile ,mercury1 touching the admirable and profitable use of which1 ,i have writ1 but not published1 a whole ,treatise1 which is intituled1 ,the ,work of ,saturn3 but of this no more here4 ,the ,evening of the ,day now approaching1 admonisheth us to return to speak of our volatile ,lune1 and to shew the way of reducing that into fixed and soft or tractable ,silver2 which indeed by unskilfull ,men is supposed to be a difficult ,art1 but by skilfull ,men it is known to be easily effected with the great ,utility of the ,operator4 ,but some one may say1 what need we about that imploy our principal ,cares and ,meditations1 to render such precipitated volatile ,lune into fixed and good ,silver1 since there are other ways of precipitating ,silver from ,aqua ,fortis1 viz4 by the help of thin plates of ,venus8 ,to such a ,man1 ,i thus answer3 ,they who commonly separate ,sol from ,luna1 are in a great measure abused by that way of precipitation with ,venus ,plates2 but they would never use that chargeable ,precipitation1 if they enjoyed the knowledge of any other more profitable4 ,chargeable1 ,i say1 is such a ,precipitation to those that use it1 because much ,water must be poured into the ,solution1 for washing away or weakening the force of the ,aqua ,fortis1 that the ,lune may the more readily be precipitated by the ,venus1 and the ,aqua ,fortis also not dissolve too much of the ,venus4 ,by this separation the ,aqua ,fortis is lost1 because it becomes ,coppery1 and unfit for a new use of separating4 ,for one ,mark of ,silver costs in ,aqua ,fortis onely 7not reckoning ,labour and ,workmanship7 almost half an ,imperial3 wherefore our ,belgian ,refiners think it worth their while1 if for separation of every ,mark of ,guilt ,silver1 they spend but two ,holland ,florens1 or of one ,imperial1 for otherwise they cannot gain much3 ,yet some of them will not precipitate their ,lune with the help of ,venus ,plates1 and so lost their ,aqua ,fortis1 but by distillation abstract the ,aqua ,fortis1 and afterward use it again4 ,but this abstraction is difficultly performed1 and is not void of danger4 ,for the ,glass breaking1 the ,silver is spilt amongst the ,sand1 so as the whole cannot be recovered again without some damage1 and sometimes there is great loss4 ,wherefore such a way of separating1 although you can save part of the ,aqua ,fortis1 yet it is chargeable and also dangerous 7when ,aqua ,fortis is to be prepared in a great quantity1 as is wont to be done in metallick ,mines of ,gold and ,silver1 and also in ,goldsmiths ,shops7 because it requires a filthy toil1 sordid labour1 great expence1 and a continual tiresome and perillous trouble4 ,i add perillous1 and that deservedly2 because those ,operators1 who frequently separate with ,aqua ,fortis1 do very often become ,peripneumonick1 and diseased in their ,lungs1 by attracting with their breath the ,acrimony of those ,spirits into their ,lungs1 with which sharp ,spirits the ,lungs being touched1 are hurt1 and rendred obnoxious to ,putrefaction1 insomuch as among those ,separators you shall very rarely ever find an old ,gray-hair'd ,master4 ,for such ,companions1 even in their flourishing ,age1 are untimely hurried out of this life4 ,but what are these feeble wretches able to doe1 in withstanding the great ,power of ,destiny8 ,of ,golden-,silver1 ,moniers know not how to make ,money before they have separated the ,gold from it1 how great cost soever they be at for separating the same4 ,about two years since ,i writ touching a certain ,artificial method of separating ,gold from ,silver in abundance2 but because ,i was taken sick a little after1 and have continued discomposed almost ever since1 ,i could not bring that laudable and most profitable ,work of ,separation to effect4 ,but afterward this my ,infirmity continuing long1 and ,i necessitated to keep my ,bed1 although troubled with no considerable sense of pain1 could do nothing1 but onely bend and incline my serious thoughts and meditations upon ,nature and ,art2 then ,god and ,fortune shewed me the way1 by which every common ,mercury may be fixed and rendred constant in ,fire4 ,which sudden fixation of volatile ,mercury1 the ,deluder of all ,alchymists1 gave me farther occasion of fixing other volatile ,subjects also4 ,but among others1 ,i ordered trial and proof to be made of a volatile ,calx of ,lune precipitated with salt ,water1 that ,i might experimentally see1 whether such volatile ,silver might not be so bound up1 as to suffer it self1 like any other ,lune to be melted without detriment or loss2 the effect of which ,trial or ,proof succeeded according to my expectation4 ,that indeed is a great ,reward of a great ,invention1 insomuch as it supplies me with sufficient matter of asserting with ,archimedes1 ,it is an ,invention worth the ,milk of an hundred ,kine4 ,for this ,fixation of volatile ,silver will afford a famous ,fruit of ,utility in ,alchymy1 and especially in the ,separation of ,gold from ,silver2 because such a way the ,separation of ,gold from ,silver may easily be made2 viz4 there being no need of the ,solution of ,silver by ,aqua ,fortis1 but it is sufficient if the ,silver be onely granulated1 and the ,sol which is in it extracted by ,aqua ,regia2 because that being done1 you will see all the ,silver residing in the bottom4 ,and although there should be half an ,ounce of ,gold in every ,mark of ,silver1 yet you will need no more ,aqua ,regia1 than onely so much as is required for the ,solution of such a quantity of ,gold2 so as a diligent ,man1 in the space of one day1 may very well separate an hundred ,marks of ,golden-,silver1 for the charge of three ,duckets4 ,and this artificial method of ,separating may not onely be used by the ,separators of ,gold from ,lune1 but you may thence also reap greater profit1 whensoever you are desirous by the help of ,aqua ,fortis to extract ,silver from ,stones1 ,sand and ,clay1 and to precipitate the same with ,salt3 for this way all the ,aqua ,regis will be saved1 that ,aqua ,fortis by the addition of ,salt being turned into ,aqua ,regis1 which will be most powerfully conducent for extracting ,gold out of ,sand and ,stones1 and for precipitating by a ,mercurial ,precipitation of the ,gold from the ,aqua ,regia1 and afterward that ,aqua ,regia may again be used with notable profit for extracting like ,gold4 ,touching which gainfull ,extraction1 the ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of our ,country largely treateth4 ,here my intent was onely to publish an ,artificial1 and not chargeable way of separating ,gold from ,silver2 which is such a method1 as ,i believe the ,world never knew before4 99 99 99 99 99 ,thus this new-invented ,work of ,separation is a most profitable ,compendium1 by the benefit of which every skilfull ,man hereafter may with a good courage labour1 and increase his ,goods and ,fortunes honestly3 for ,i believe there cannot be invented any new ,work more compendious than this we have here alledged1 for the separation of ,gold from ,silver3 wherefore we acquiesce in that4 ,but if any one would be more prolixly instructed in this ,artificial ,separation1 let him peruse the above-recited ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where he may satisfie the hunger of his desires4 ,here you have the ,first ,appendix on the ,seventh ,part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa3 but in the following ,second ,appendix 7,god willing7 ,i will discover yet greater ,secrets1 which may be perfected by our ,alcahest1 but were never yet manifested to the ,world4 ,but at this time1 courteous ,reader1 take in good part these few things here premised1 and whatsoever excellent thing shall hereafter offer it self1 the same shall be presented to thy ,consideration4 ,therefore1 since 7as is above declared and shewed7 our ,secret ,alcahest is able to enrich ,mortals with many kinds of gainfull ,emolument1 he is in no wise to be reprehended1 that aspires to the knowledge of elaborating so excellent a ,work1 viz4 how he should prepare for himself ,oil of ,vitriol or ,sulphur1 and that in abundance for a very small charge3 for nothing hinders1 but that four or five pounds thereof may be prepared for the charge of one ,imperial4 ,i need not mention how ,spirit of ,urine may easily be had and prepared in abundance1 viz4 so soon as one shall cause ,urine mixt with ,quicklime to ascend in a large distillatory ,vesica4 ,for if any one shall so prepare his ,alcahest1 eight or ten pounds thereof1 after his work is done1 will scarcely cost him one ,imperial3 wherefore he must needs gain much more1 than if he should buy the same of others that sell it1 for a great ,price4 ,in the mean while ,i doubt not1 but that such a most easie ,coagulation or ,fixation of ,mercury1 as is made by help of this ,alcahest1 will excite not a few of the more unskilfull ,readers1 to the love of ,learning from expert ,artists1 the ,art of preparing the ,alcahest in abundance4 ,a ,recapitulation1 ,,or ,more ample ,declaration of the precedent ,secrets revealed4 ,well meaning ,reader1 ,here in this ,appendix ,i do indeed treat of very few ,secrets1 but those are very great1 7which may be acquired by our ,alcahest17 the like of which no other ,man before me did ever impart to the ,world4 ,now contemplate1 and well consider with thy self this swift and not chargeable ,fixation of ,mercury1 which so many famous and industrious ,searchers have laboriously sought for many hundreds of ,years now passed1 as is known to the whole ,world4 ,but the greatest part of them have sought in vain1 and with a fruitless and unlucky endeavour miserably lost all their ,patrimony and ,fortunes1 and become the ,laughing-stock of other more happy ,persons1 being themselves ,vagabonds1 which cast an aspersion of ,ignominy on the noble ,art of ,chymistry1 and have rendred the same so odious every-where among the common sort1 as no good ,man 7although he hath by most diligent search obtained some famous ,medicine7 dares to profess himself the ,possessor of any ,eminent ,arcanum in ,chymistry1 lest he should give any occasion to ,aristarchical ,censurers of defaming him1 and calling him a ,gold making ,animal4 ,assuredly it is very manifest1 that in all ,regions of ,europe1 and in every ,age1 have lived such ,men most experienced1 as have not onely transmuted ,mercury1 but other vile ,metals also into good ,gold1 sustaining every ,examen of ,fire4 ,but this was done very secretly1 lest the ,artists themselves should fall into the hands of ,tyrants4 ,paracelsus1 that most famous ,monarch of all ,philosophers1 ,physicians and ,chymists1 did indeed openly write of the ,fixation of ,mercury1 but in a ,character so abstruse1 as in all my life ,i never saw one ,man who could fix his ,coralline ,mercury1 or present it to the sight of sufficient and certain ,witnesses1 except ,helmont writing1 that he could prepare such ,mercury1 as in ,medicine would perform all whatsoever the ,physician should have need of4 ,but that the same ,mercury 7as ,paracelsus testifies of it from his own ,experience7 enters into ,gold and augments that1 and exhilerates many impoverished ,alchymists1 restoring them to a more fortunate state2 touching these ,effects of the same1 the worthy ,helmont made no mention2 yet he writ1 that he did himself fix ,mercury1 by one onely abstraction of his ,alcahest1 in such wise1 as of one pound he had left in the ,cupella seven ounces of good ,silver1 which indeed is a famous ,work in ,chymistry and worth while2 but ,gold is better4 ,truly ,i must needs confess1 that ,i have often tediously laboured to no purpose in this ,work1 and never could with any profit extract good ,lune thence1 onely ,i always had a little good ,silver4 ,nevertheless afterward1 when ,i lay ,bed-rid1 and by reason of my four years sickness1 had consumed all my ,goods gotten by ,medicine1 it pleased the most wise ,god to confer on me so great a ,light1 at by the ,splendor of that ,i found the ,royal way of operating rightly2 and now ,i am able in a very few days to fix any common ,mercury into a fixed red ,powder1 which fixed ,mercury will undoubtedly perform ,wonders in ,medicine4 ,for ,paracelsus writes1 that the dolorous ,gout may be radically expelled by the benefit of the same4 ,helmont subscribes1 that the same will perform all a ,physician can desire and wish for4 ,wherefore1 if the same be of so great efficacy 7for ,i doubt not the truth of his ,assertion7 no ,physician hath need of any other thing than this2 because in what part soever of the ,world he resides1 it will supply him with ,aliments sufficient1 and he will have no need to expose himself to the ignoble servitude and arbitrement of another1 as the greatest part of other ,mercenary ,physicians are wont to prostitute themselves for hire4 ,for by this ,mercury onely he may acquire to himself ,honour and ,wealth enough1 although he otherwise perform no great matter in ,chymistry4 ,in all ,nations are found ,men afflicted with grievous ,diseases3 of which no doubt is to be made1 as a little after we shall hear4 ,wherefore it should be the onely care1 study and endeavour of an honest and candid ,physician to obtain such a fixed ,mercury1 in the mean while omitting all needless and vain ,operations1 together with all fruitless ,disputes1 without any ,foundation1 touching other unprofitable ,remedies4 ,whensoever this is1 there will be no need of ,galenical ,medicines1 nor of the vain ,pomp of so many withered1 unprofitable and inefficacious ,herbs1 or so many painted ,boxes1 ,pots and ,glasses1 with other frivolous ,expences orderly placed in ,apothecaries ,shops4 ,now let us hear what admirable ,effects our fixed ,mercury is able to manifest in ,metallicks4 ,paracelsus writes1 that it exhilerates every ,alchymist reduced to a poor ,estate1 and hath ingress into ,gold1 and augments the same4 ,my own ,experience of this ,i am willing to impart to the ,candid ,reader1 as far as ,i have proceeded hitherto4 ,therefore let the well meaning ,reader know1 that ,i found out this ,art of ,fixing ,mercury no longer since than in ,march last of this ,year #affg1 and began to make proof thereof in the following ,month of ,april2 and so soon as ,i had found the ,truth of it1 ,i thought good to publish so great an ,invention to the whole ,world4 ,yet in so short a space of ,time1 ,i could not search out all that was to be found1 because by reason of my diuturnal ,illness ,i was constrained to keep in my ,bed2 therefore ,i hastned the publication of so excellent an ,invention1 because ,i feared it would happen that the insalubrious ,air of ,march or ,april should be my ,death1 and so all hope of divulging such a ,secret be totally frustrated4 ,whatsoever ,i found in the same within that small space of time1 ,i have here communicated4 ,i three several times perfected the ,fixation of ,mercury in a small quantity1 and always found it every time higher and higher1 and more and more beautifull4 ,this fixed ,mercury ,i cupellated with ,saturn1 but my ,mercury remained fixed1 without any ,ingress made into the ,lead1 insomuch as from it self could give no ,gold4 ,afterward ,i made another ,trial1 and then to my fixed ,mercury ,i added a little common ,gold1 melting them into one ,mass1 ,i found that this ,gold from the ,mercury had increased it self more than half2 the remainder of my ,mercury had made no ,ingress1 but remained lying like a ,red fixed ,calx4 ,which kind of proof fully satisfied my mind1 because the residue of my ,mercury1 which had not entred into the ,gold1 was not lost1 but converted into an excellent ,medicine4 ,if it please the most wise ,god to restore me to my pristine health1 as ,i hope he will in the next ,summers heat1 ,i shall not acquiesce in this proof onely1 but further try whether ,i can of this ,mercury yet make some further improvement4 ,in the mean while ,i sing ,praises to the ,immortal ,god for so noble a ,medicine against the dolorous ,gout4 ,thus1 ,reader1 you have my ,experience touching the ,fixed ,coralline ,mercury4 ,if ,i find any other more excellent ,experiment of this 7as ,i doubt not but ,i shall7 ,i will ere it be long make thee partaker thereof in a following ,second ,appendix4 ,whatsoever ,i have above prescribed touching the ,mercury of ,wine1 as being an excellent ,salt1 and ,supreme ,medicine1 ,i did sufficiently explain1 except the ,instrument to be made for burning the ,spirit of ,wine1 which is not yet sufficiently expressed4 ,but here it is to be observed1 that a burning ,spirit extracted from ,corn or other ,vegetables1 in no-wise yields so much ,mercury1 as ,spirit of ,wine doth1 and especially if distilled from rich ,rhenish ,wine4 ,in like manner also so much ,mercury cannot be had from any sweet ,french or ,spanish ,wine1 as from ,rhenish ,wine4 ,so soon as by search ,i found the reason of this difference1 ,i could from any burning ,spirit made of ,corn1 extract as much ,mercury1 as from ,rhenish ,wine1 insomuch as ,i now 7praise and thanks be given to ,god7 can easily be without ,rhenish ,wine and any other4 ,the supreme ,giver of all good ,gifts1 from his inexhausted ,fountain of ,grace1 hath abundantly refreshed me with good things2 let him yet instill more into me1 that ,i may again distill the same into other of his needy and officious ,servants1 who with me endeavour to publish the ,magnalia of ,god4 ,amen4 ,but proceeding yet further1 we will briefly speak of the ,secret ,fire of ancient ,philosophers1 being that by which they ripened their ,tinctures4 ,therefore1 for a ,conclusion1 let the ,lover of divine and natural ,wisedom know1 that such a ,fire is not made of ,wood or ,coals1 but is a ,firey-water1 such as gives forth from it self neither smoak nor flame4 ,the same is not hindred or excited by external ,fire1 but in the ,glass1 7about the ,subject you intend to fix and dulcifie7 it always burns in an equal degree1 and converts the immature and harsh into sweet and pleasant1 fixed and mature2 and also converts bitter ,venome into salutary ,medicine and ,treacle4 ,therefore1 whomsoever ,god illuminates with so great ,light1 as to know such a ,secret ,fire1 he will no more need to seek or desire any thing in ,philosophy and ,hermetick ,medicine1 but will offer up incessant ,praises to ,god1 as to the ,fountain of all ,good1 because he will continually be mindfull of helping the ,distresses of the ,poor1 and largely bestow on those ,indigent ,persons1 out of the abundance to him accruing by the benefit of that most noble ,gift granted to himself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,to the ,supreme ,,god alone be ,praise and ,glory for ever4 ,the ,end of the ,first ,appendix4 ,,the ,,second ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,wherein is treated of the further use of our secret ,sal-,armoniack1 for the meliorating of the meaner ,metals1 and more particularly of the profitable extracting or separating ,sol and ,lune from ,jupiter4 ,with a subjoyned information how by means of the ,mercurial ,water of ,jupiter1 ,tinctures may be extracted in quantity not onely from ,sol1 but also from ,mars and ,venus1 and all precious1 as well as common ,stones2 and that 7as it were7 in a moment1 without ,fire or any considerable charge4 ,faithfully ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,kind ,,reader1 ,in my foregoing first ,appendix of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 ,i promised a second concerning the further use of our secret ,sal-,armoniack1 that the ignorant as well as doubtfull might be fully satisfied of the truth4 ,the reason why ,i rather choose to add two ,appendixes to the said seventh ,part1 than to publish the secrets therein contained1 under the title of the eighth ,part1 is because ,i have resolved not to go beyond the number #g 7in which something extraordinary lies hid7 in any of my ,writings4 ,and forasmuch as ,i have already published six ,parts of the welfare of my own ,countrey2 ,i intend shortly to add the seventh ,part1 which shall contain clear and full instructions1 without concealing the least circumstance or manual operation how every one who is but a little skill'd in ,fire1 may with great profit extract from ,sand and ,stones1 ,sol and ,lune1 and thereby get a plentifull livelyhood in any part of the ,world4 ,i have also at present in hand1 the two last ,parts of my ,treatise of ,furnaces1 five of them being already in ,print1 that ,i may in that ,piece also compleat the number seven3 which two last ,furnaces are extraordinary usefull2 for in treating of the sixth ,furnace ,i describe that ,artificial ,refrigeratory ,instrument or ,alembick1 whereby the ,mercury or ,clestial ,niter of all ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals is caught by kindling ,spirit of ,wine upon them1 by which means the said ,mercury is separated from its gross ,body1 and unprofitable part1 and becomes highly exalted and purified4 ,which instrument the ,philosophers have always carefully concealed4 ,the seventh part of my ,furnaces shall contain the description of a little ,furnace in which with a very inconsiderable quantity of ,coals and in a few hours1 distillation may be performed by ,retort1 being such a ,compendium as has never yet been published to the ,world4 ,in which ,furnace also the ,tinctures of ,metals may with the secret ,fire of ,artephius1 or by the proper ,agent of the matter of the ,stone1 in a short time be fixed and maturated4 ,and if it shall please ,god to continue my ,life a while longer1 ,i intend to carry on these my following ,works1 viz4 ,the ,mineral ,work1 the wonder of the ,world1 my ,centuries1 with other of my ,writings1 to the seventh number2 but before ,i publish these ,i intend to ,print some other ,treatises1 viz4 ,of the second ,terrestrial1 and third ,clestial ,purgatory1 and another concerning ,god and good and evil ,spirits4 ,now as to the second ,appendix1 ,i intend therein briefly1 but fundamentally to declare the true gainfull particular as well as universal transmutation of ,metals2 yet not so1 as that every lazy proud ,lubber may become ,master of these secrets1 and thereby strengthen himself in his ,pride and ,debauchery1 by no means3 but they shall be so laid down1 that those who have attained to some skill of managing ,fire1 may easily comprehend the same2 yea the whole ,world will1 ,i hope1 have cause to rejoyce for this my faithfull ,communication4 ,and in case there be any that might not find clear and full satisfaction in this my ,appendix they may read my other ,writings1 particularly those yet to be published1 wherein they will meet with a further ,elucidation of these secrets4 ,and as for those my good old ,friends who never basely complied with the ,enemies of ,art and ,truth1 to them ,i am 7as ,i always was7 ready to communicate a shorter and nearer way than it is fitting here to expose to every ,man4 ,of the further profitable use of our secret ,sal-,armoniack for the ,melioration of ,metals4 ,in the seventh part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 ,i have at large declared how our secret ,sal-,armoniack is to be made together with the use of it in the preparation of many excellent ,medicines1 hitherto unknown4 ,and because therein ,i did not discover all1 ,i added to it an ,appendix1 treating concerning the use of the said ,sal-,armoniack and other profitable secrets4 ,but forasmuch as the virtues of the said ,sal-,armoniack are great and unfathomable1 ,i have thought good to add the second ,appendix1 which speaks of its use in meliorating the meaner metals4 ,i intend therefore in this writing to discover great things1 neither shall the ,worlds ingratitude deter me from so doing4 ,i shall begin with ,saturn and ,jupiter1 and afterwards treat of the melioration of other meaner metals1 viz4 ,mars and ,venus1 how by ,art their corruptible and combustible ,sulphur may be separated from them1 and their purer part1 7viz4 ,sol and ,lune which are hid in them7 extracted and made visible4 ,lead and ,tin1 to outward aspect do much resemble one another1 save onely that ,jupiter is whiter1 for which reason the ,philosophers have called it white ,lead1 ,antimony black ,lead1 and ,bismuth gray ,lead2 because all of them like ,lead1 easily melt in the ,fire4 ,concerning ,saturn and ,jupiter 7being the highest ,planets in the ,firmament7 the ,heathen ,philosophers have writ much in their ,fables3 as amongst other things1 that ,jupiter drove his ,father ,saturn from his ,kingdom1 and made himself ,master of it and other like ,stories2 in all which they obscurely hinted to us the transmutation of ,metals4 ,for these ,poetical ,fables though they seem trifling and foolish to those who have not attained to any considerable experience in ,fire1 so that of one thousand ,readers scarce one reaches the true ground of them1 7though 'tis known they were writ by men of great learning and experience7 yet they whose understanding ,god enlightens find in them an hidden ,treasure4 ,now to the end ,i may not bury the ,talent ,god has been pleased to bestow upon me1 but improve it for the good of the ,world1 ,i shall here discover the melioration of ,jupiter and ,saturn to the glory of ,god the ,author of all good1 and for the use of all mankind1 without respect of ,persons1 whether they be ,friends or ,enemies3 the good and virtuous will without doubt thankfully accept this my communication1 and to the ungratefull and unworthy1 this my well-meaning discovery of such profitable secrets will but heap ,coals on their ,heads4 ,wherefore it shall not repent me though it should come to the hands of my worst ,enemies1 as being sufficiently contented in this that ,i am any way instrumental in making known the wonders of ,god and nature to the ,world4 ,thus in the name of ,god without envy or repining ,i proceed according to his command1 to do good to ,friends and ,enemies1 good and bad3 if the wicked abuse any of these secrets1 ,god in his due time will meet with them1 and pay them in their own ,coin4 ,follows now the nature and property of ,jupiter and ,saturn1 according as they have been discovered to me by ,fire4 ,of the nature and property of ,lead4 ,saturn is an immature ,metal1 made up of much gross ,mercury and little ,sulphur which is impure4 ,its ,salt much resembles ,salt-peter1 which is the cause of its coldness and easie fusibility4 ,when its ,mercury is purged from the impure ,sulphur1 it becomes like ,gold in weight1 and may by ,art be reduced to the colour and fixedness of ,gold4 ,when its superfluous combustible ,sulphur and nitrous ,salt from whence proceed its ready fluxibility1 and piercing and devouring nature are separated from it1 all true ,philosophers witness that there the ,mercury of ,lead may be turned to ,gold1 for they call ,lead their leprous ,gold4 ,now as the ,leprosie in ,man proceeds from a cold moist and over ,salt ,constitution of ,blood1 which corroding the ,skin and ,flesh produces such an abominable ,scab upon the ,body1 especially in those parts where moisture most abounds1 viz4 about the ,nose1 ,ears1 ,eyes1 c4 but where the whole mass of the ,blood is become corrosive1 there it spreads over all the ,body sparing no part1 but filling it with ,sores and ,ulcers2 so as at length where no potent ,remedies are used to mortifie this malign corrosive humour1 it destroys the ,body and ,death follows4 ,to cure which formidable ,malady1 the ,ancients made choise of fixed ,gold1 as not being subject to any corruption1 which wise intention of theirs is very preposterously imitated by our ,galenists1 who when they find that their helpless and unprofitable ,medicaments want the desired success about their ,patients1 and that small hope of saving them is left1 betake themselves to ,gold1 ,silver and ,precious ,stones1 for to help at this dead lift4 ,but let such as these remember that they will find it hard to answer these their proceedings one day1 by which they onely post their patients out of the ,world3 for what can the stomach of any man1 but especially of the weak and sick do with the filings or leaves of ,gold and ,silver1 or the ,powder of ,precious ,stones8 can we suppose that the ,stomach can draw any virtue from those things1 that the most corrosive ,waters will scarce touch8 ,but this hath been so often inculcated by others1 that it is matter of wonder1 that such foolish and fruitless ingredients have not been long since exploded and laid side1 being indeed nothing else but the shame and reproach of ,physicians2 and all that can be said for them is1 that they must be well paid for1 and so help to make the ,pot boil2 without doubt when the promised ,elias ,artista shall come1 he will put an end to all this unprofitable stuff1 and instead therefore restore true powerfull ,medicaments2 to which good end ,i hope my ,purgatory of the ,philosophers1 with the ,sixth and ,seventh ,part of my ,furnaces will not a little contribute4 ,thus it seems ,truth must yet for a while be despis'd and oppress'd1 till ,god1 the truth it self1 be pleased to raise up a mighty ,hero to deliver it from ,contempt1 and ,crown it with glory and honour4 ,it cannot be denied1 but some experienc'd ,philosophers1 as ,paracelsus and others have declar'd1 that with ,gold and precious ,stones wonders may be done in ,physick1 when first they be reduced to potability2 but have always condemn'd the use of their compact and fixt ,bodies1 which are insuperable by ,fire it self1 and therefore much more by the gentle heat of the ,stomach4 ,and indeed if those ,physicians1 who ignorantly make use of such gross and compact ,bodies1 did know the living ,gold1 ,silver and precious ,stones of the ,philosophers1 and the due application of them to the sick1 they would by this means get more honour1 and not be so injurious to their ,neighbour1 as they are1 by exhibiting such unprofitable and hurtfull things for ,remedies4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i cannot but on this occasion speak a word of the ,leprosie and its cure2 which being confessedly a ,saturnine disease1 may easily be cured by ,saturnine ,medicaments1 such as are ,black ,lead1 the ,antimony of ,wise men1 or ,magnesia of ,saturn1 being duely prepared4 ,but to return to our ,lead or ,leprous ,gold1 and enquire how we may best rid him of his ,melancholy ,leprosie1 and instead thereof restore to him a healthy sanguine complexion1 which can no way better be done than by evacuating his sharp corrosive blood1 or dulcifying of it4 ,for1 as has been said1 ,lead contains a sharp sal-nitrous ,spirit1 which corrodes and devours all hard things1 which the ,ancients have intimated by their portraying him with a sharp ,sythe in one hand1 and in the other holding a young ,child1 which he devours2 wherefore also he is called a devourer of ,infants1 and a ravenous ,wolf4 ,which ravenous property he expresses to the life1 when on the ,cupel he devours whatsoever is added to him1 and therefore is called an unmercifull ,father to his ,children1 because he devours and destroys them4 ,according to all ,philosophers and ,astronomers he is the highest and first of all the ,planets in the ,firmament1 upon which account the other ,planets and ,metals1 viz4 ,sol1 ,luna1 ,jupiter1 ,mars1 ,venus and ,mercury are call'd his ,children1 though improperly1 for they are his ,brethren1 which he devours1 swallows and destroys on the fiery ,cupel1 except ,sol and ,luna1 which though he swallows as well as his other ,brethren1 yet can he not concoct or digest them1 but is fain to vomit them up again1 and they are so far from receiving any hurt in the ,stomach of that ravenous ,wolf1 that they come forth much purer than before1 leaving all their filth behind them4 ,so that this devouring ,glutton1 notwithstanding the corrosive acidity of his ,stomach cannot consume ,gold or ,silver1 but robs them onely of their superfluous ,sulphur1 which is the corrupter of the ,mercury in ,metals1 of which ,paracelsus excellently writes in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 which ,i have quoted in my first ,appendix concerning the use of the ,alcahest4 ,now that there is a great acidity in ,lead1 appears from this instance2 because when it is melted1 it pierces the ,crucible1 and runs through2 and therefore ,cupels have been invented1 made of ,bone-ashes1 which he cannot eat through1 but sinks like water into them4 ,yet there are also ,crucibles made of ,coal-dust and good ,earth proportionably temper'd together1 which can hold ,saturn in ,flux for a year together1 without ever piercing them3 of which more may be seen in my other ,writings4 ,this then is the ,nature and ,property of ,saturn1 he contains much1 but impure ,mercury1 and a sharp corrosive ,salt-peter ,spirit2 when he is rid of these1 he affords good ,gold and ,silver1 yet not alone and of himself1 but with help of his ,brother ,jupiter1 whose superfluous ,sulphur kindles the ,nitrous ,spirit in ,lead1 and consumes it2 so that by this enkindling1 not onely the hurtfull ,salt-peter in ,lead1 but also the superfluous ,sulphur in ,tin are both consumed and destroyed4 ,this being done1 if the ,tin thus mixed with ,lead be driven off on the ,cupel1 they will yield ,gold and ,silver enough for a competent livelihood4 ,if thou would'st be further assured that ,lead contains a sharp ,salt-peter ,spirit1 which by no other way can be taken from him1 than by his enemy ,sulphur1 by whose means it is kindled and consumed1 the following ,experiment will give thee full satisfaction4 ,onely by the way note1 that this consuming of the ,nitre in ,lead1 does very much alter its ,nature1 making it hard1 and of difficult fusion like ,iron1 so that great ,guns may be made of it4 ,now the ,experiment is this3 ,take of the filings of ,lead three parts1 of ,brimstone in ,powder one part1 put them into a ,crucible1 surrounded with ,charcoal1 so as it may heat leisurely and by degrees2 by this means the ,brimstone will penetrate the ,lead1 and mortifie its ,nitrous ,spirit1 which is the cause of its easie fluxibility1 and at the same time the ,sulphur becomes mortified also1 which before was more fluxible than the ,lead1 but now by its union with the ,lead1 is very hard to be fluxed4 ,this mortification or induration of ,lead1 with common ,brimstone1 affords no ,melioration1 and is onely here instanced1 to demonstrate there is a ,salt-peter in ,lead1 and that ,salt-peter and ,lead1 which both are so very fluxible1 do harden and mortifie one another4 ,but now when the ,salt-peter that is in ,lead is kindled and consumed by the ,sulphur that is in ,tin1 then one ,metal meliorates the other1 and the hurtfull superfluity of both is destroyed1 viz4 the ,nitre that is in ,lead1 and the ,combustible ,sulphur in ,tin1 from whence necessarily a melioration must ensue4 ,that ,sulphur kills the ,nitre in ,lead1 and makes it hard1 thou mayst yet be satisfied another way1 viz4 ,take some ounces of ,lead1 melt them in a ,crucible1 and ever and anon cast in a little piece of ,brimstone into it2 continue this till thy ,lead be become hard and influxible1 by which means thou wilt be assured that there is ,nitre in ,lead4 ,and that there is ,sulphur in ,tin1 appears in that when it is joined with ,lead1 they kindle and consume one another4 ,if thou desirest yet further to be confirmed1 that there is ,nitre in ,lead1 which makes it melt so readily1 and fret through every thing2 then do thus3 ,take ,lead and melt him red-hot in a ,crucible1 and immediately he will pierce the ,crucible and run out2 take another ,crucible and put ,lead into it also1 casting1 as soon as it is melted1 small bits of ,brimstone upon it1 which will so mortifie the fretting ,nitrous ,spirit in ,lead1 that he will be no more able to pierce the ,crucible1 but will for a long time continue red-hot in the same4 ,if this demonstration neither will satisfie thee1 that the fretting nature of ,lead proceeds from a sharp ,mineral ,salt-peter ,spirit1 thou mayst further prove it thus3 ,abstract from two ounces of filings of ,lead an ounce and an half of ,oil of ,vitriol or ,spirit of ,salt in a small ,retort1 in which operation the dry ,lead will draw to it the sharp ,saline ,spirit1 and that which comes over will be meer insipid ,phlegm1 retaining nothing of its former corrosiveness4 ,the distillation performed1 take thy ,lead out of the ,retort1 and try whether it be become more sharp by the addition of the said ,corrosive ,spirit1 but thou wilt find that the ,lead has taken in the sharp ,saline ,spirit1 coagulated it1 and changed it into a sweet ,stone1 in which no manner of corrosiveness can be tasted or perceived4 ,now if this be true1 that ,lead can turn such a strong corrosive ,oil into a sweet ,stone1 we need not wonder that he has a power to coagulate1 hide1 and make invisible his own in-born ,saline ,spirit4 ,concerning which matter thou mayst read more in a small ,treatise of mine of the ,principles of ,metals1 wherein speaking of the ,coagulation of ,saline ,spirits1 ,i observe that ,lead has the nature and property of ,coagulating all sharp and corrosive ,saline ,spirits4 ,if this instance have not sufficiently instructed thee1 thou mayst make another proof thus3 ,take the fore-mentioned ,lead1 acuated with ,saline ,spirits1 and melt it in a tripple ,crucible with a fire of ,fusion1 let it be red-hot in ,flux1 and thou wilt find that in a moment it will run through thy three ,crucibles1 which common ,lead would never do1 from whence it is clear as the ,sun that the piercing1 fretting quality which is in ,lead1 proceeds from the ,saline ,spirits coagulated in or with it4 ,consider well of how great use such a ,lead1 whose natural devouring ,faculty or ,sythe is so highly acuated by ,art1 might be in the work of ,transmutation1 if we knew to make good use of it4 ,the ,philosophers writing of ,saturn's sharp ,sythe1 express themselves in these words1 ,falx ejus mordax est1 ,his ,sythe is sharp or biting3 which how it may be made much sharper by ,saline ,spirits1 has now been said4 ,a further enlargement might here be made concerning ,saturn's ,sythe2 but it shall suffice at present to have demonstrated1 that his easie fluxibility1 and fretting devouring nature1 proceeds onely from a sharp ,nitrous ,spirit2 which when ,sulphur has consumed and burnt away1 much ,gold and ,silver may be separated from him4 ,of the ,nature and ,property of ,jupiter1 what he wants1 and what he hath too much of1 and how his noxious superfluities may be removed1 so as on the ,cupel he may yield his hidden ,gold and ,silver4 ,tin by the ,heathen ,philosophers has been appropriated to the ,heathen ,god 7or rather ,planet7 ,jupiter1 who has the next place in the ,firmament to ,saturn2 is by the ,miners called ,white ,lead1 and like it melts with a small heat1 and easily unites with his ,brother ,saturn1 continuing together in a moderate heat2 but they no sooner become redhot1 but their ,brotherly love is changed to enmity1 not being able to endure one another in a strong fire1 but each striving to get loose from the other1 which yet cannot be without the loss of one or both of their lives2 so that this their combat may well be compared to the fighting of the ,peasants in ,lapland1 whose custome is when two of them are highly incensed against each other1 to suffer themselves to be tied fast together1 so as they cannot fly back or run away1 and then fall to cutting and slashing one another so long with their knives1 till the ,death of one or both of them follows4 ,but to return from whence we have digressed4 ,that ,saturn and ,jupiter are ,brothers1 the ,heathen ,history informs us1 relating that the four ,brothers1 ,saturn1 ,jupiter1 ,neptune and ,pluto1 their chief ,gods1 fell into discord amongst themselves which of them should be the greatest2 which contest of theirs was at last by the mediation of the other ,gods composed1 they agreeing to divide the ,empire of the ,world between them4 ,and though ,saturn were older than his ,brother ,jupiter1 yet was he fain to content himself with the command of the ,earth1 whilst ,jupiter took upon him that of ,heaven1 ,neptune that of the ,sea1 and ,pluto the ,dominion of ,hell4 ,which ,division will not at all seem strange to those that understand ,nature1 who find that each ,brothers lot was very correspondent and comporting with their nature4 ,the ,nature of ,saturn much resembles the ,earth1 and he makes all things that he takes to him like the ,earth2 as appears from the fore-mentioned contest with his ,brother ,jupiter4 ,but ,jupiter1 because inwardly he is very sulphureous and fiery1 therefore is the ,government of the fiery ,heaven properly deputed to him1 leaving ,saturn to dig and moil in the ,earth3 ,wherefore also the ,ancients have represented him with a ,spade in his hand1 thereby intimating his ,property of digging through or piercing all things3 whereas they figured ,jupiter with ,thunder bolts1 and fiery ,lightning-flashes in his hand1 whence came that ,proverb1 ,procul ,jove1 procul ,fulmine2 ,far from ,jupiter1 far from his ,thunder-bolts4 ,now that ,tin contains much ,sulphur1 may be thus experimented3 ,take the filings of ,tin and powder'd ,nitre1 mix and put them into a ,crucible over the fire1 and they will kindle and consume one another1 so as nothing will be left in the ,crucible4 ,or it may be tried thus3 ,melt some ,tin in a ,cruce1 and when 'tis red-hot1 cast in some ,nitre upon it1 which kindles the ,tin1 the flame carrying part of it away1 and the rest is burnt to dross or fces4 ,but not to insist on this1 it being very notorious that the greatest part of ,tin is nothing else but combustible ,sulphur1 the remaining part being a solar pure ,mercury3 so that when this ,sulphur is by art wholly separated from its pure ,mercury1 the same is easily ripened to ,gold1 by being joined with cold ,saturn1 which the following ,praxis will abundantly make out4 ',tis worth our noting here1 that this ,sulphur of ,tin doth not burn away1 when the ,tin without any addition is put to the fire1 but doth then in the heat seize and lay hold of its own ,mercury1 burning and reducing the same to ,ashes1 which are very hardly to be reduced to a ,metal without some addition3 neither will ,lead join with these ,ashes1 but thrusts them out from him1 turning them to a white ,glass2 which is the reason why so few are found1 who with profit can separate the ,gold and ,silver which is in it4 ,paracelsus in his ,clum ,philosophorum saith expresly that much ,gold and ,silver lies hid in ,tin4 ,we read also of others that have had the ,art of it1 and have thence extracted great treasures of ,gold and ,silver2 amongst others ,bruschius in his ,description of ,fichtelberg1 gives us the ,history of a ,citizen of ,eger1 on the ,borders of ,bohemia1 some few miles distant from the ,city ,nurnberg1 who had the skill of separating the ,sol and ,lune which is in ,tin to great advantage1 having been enabled thereby not onely to build an ,hospital and ,church in the said place1 but also richly to endow the same for the maintenance of twelve old ,men and three ,priests in the said ,hospital4 ,this ,person1 whose name was ,sigismund ,wan1 suffer'd this ,art to die with him1 but withall left a ,prophesie behind him that the said ,art #bjj years after should rise again1 and be made known to the ,world4 ,which ,prophesie though ,bruschius in his foresaid description make no mention of1 yet is undoubtedly true3 and there is a ,book in ,manuscript1 which is very common amongst the ,miners and other ,artificers belonging to the said ,fichtelberg1 which ,i have seen1 and read in it the said ,prophesie1 though at that time being young and unexperienc'd in the nature of ,tin1 ,i little minded it4 ,but since ,god has been pleased in this my far advanced old ,age1 without any thing of my seeking1 out of his meer grace and mercy to reveal the said ,art unto me1 it hath given me occasion to call to mind what formerly ,i had read1 and put me upon reading the said ,book over again1 where ,i found that his ,prophesie was exactly fulfilled1 for this ,sigismund ,wan died in the year #adfg1 from whence to this present year #affg1 are just #bjj years4 ,this ,prophesie being thus precisely accomplished1 ,i thought fit to set down some part1 of the said ,bruschius his ,relation1 from whence it appears that ,god doth often impart such skill and knowledge to good and honest ,people1 whereby they are enabled not onely to supply themselves1 but also to make liberal ,provision for the ,poor4 ,the words of ,bruschius are these1 ,wohnsiedel has no extraordinary ,buildings1 besides a stately and richly endowed ,hospital1 which was built in the year #adfg1 by a ,citizen of the place named ,sigismund ,wan1 though at the time of his building the said ,hospital1 he was a ,citizen of ,eger4 ,he had to ,wife a ,venetian ,woman called ,barbara1 who had great skill in ,alchymy1 and in particular the ,art of separating ,gold and ,silver from ,tin1 by which means he became very rich1 and having no ,children1 built the said ,hospital1 constituting the ,magistrates of ,eger ,guardians of the same1 left them a great ,summ of ,money1 with the ,interest of which they maintain twelve old ,men1 and three ,priests4 ,near the said ,hospital1 is a very fair ,church built by the said ,sigismund1 where to this day a ,picture is to be seen1 containing the ,pourctratures of the ,founder and ,foundress of the ,church and ,hospital1 with the time and hour of their ,deaths4 ,this ,sigismund lived at ,eger the latter part of his life2 and wrought his gainfull ,work in the same ,house1 wherein at present dwells ,andrew ,griffen4 ,thus far ,bruschius1 from whose ,relation it appears that there have been those who from the meaner ,metals1 and particularly ,tin1 have been able to separate ,gold and ,silver with great gain1 so as to procure great riches thereby4 ,we find also that in those times charity was more exercised than at present1 when men instead of building ,hospitals1 are rather ready to convert them1 with their ,revenues to their own use4 ,for which wickedness of this ,age1 ,god seems to withdraw his blessing from the ,earth1 so that ,mines do not so much abound1 nor are so rich by far as formerly4 ,how many places in ,germany have we known blest with ,gold and ,silver ,mines1 as also with ,lead and ,tin ,mines1 containing much ,gold and ,silver1 of which nothing is to be found now8 ,and this same ,tin ,mine from whence ,sigismund ,evan extracted so much ,gold and ,silver1 has now for near #bjj years yielded no ,oar at all4 ,about the same time also there was a very rich ,gold ,mine1 in an adjacent little ,city called ,gold ,granach2 which is in like manner wholly exhausted and lost4 ,in the same ,gold ,mine1 ,antimony1 also which is the ,root of ,gold1 was found in that quantity1 as from thence it was transported to all parts of ,europe1 but now very little of it is to be found there1 and that which is found1 contains no ,gold at all1 whereas that which was digged there before did abound with it4 ,in like manner the ,hungarian and ,transylvanian ,mines of ,antimony so rich in ,gold1 which flourished about #bjj years since1 are now quite spent so as no more ,antimony is to be found there4 ,since which time the rich ,silver ,mines in ,jochems that have been discoverd1 which yielded an incredible quantity of ,silver1 but did not continue long so1 ,god1 for the ingratitude and wickedness of men suffering it to sink away2 of which many more instances might be given but these shall suffice4 ,but to return to our interrupted discourse4 ',tis well known that all unripe ,metals1 when by the violence of ,fire they are melted and separated from their ,oar1 do send forth a poisonous ,arsenical ,exhalation2 yea even after they are wholly separated from their ,oar1 they cease not to exhale poisonous fumes1 though not comparable with those they send forth when they are first melted from their ,oar3 as appears particularly in ,tin1 for if ,wine be over night put into a new ,tin ,pot1 it will give a ,vomit the next morning4 ,copper also does the like2 but ,lead not so much1 or rather nothing at all3 whereas ,iron gently purges downward1 is wholsome and opens obstructions2 for ,iron is onely endowed with a fix ,sulphur1 and contains no ,arsenick1 as ,tin doth4 ,gold and ,silver contain neither ,sulphur nor ,arsenick1 and therefore the ,wine that is put into them is not at all changed4 ,seeing then that ,tin has some ,arsenick joyn'd with it1 which causeth the foresaid alteration in the ,wine1 whereas in ,gold and ,silver it is not changed at all1 because they are free from all ftid cumbustible ,sulphur and ,arsenick2 if we desire to rid ,tin of its poisonous quality1 and make it like ,gold and ,silver by removing its superfluities1 we must do it by ,art4 ,we see that ,mercury of it self is no ,poyson1 but becomes so when sublimb'd with ,salts or otherwise joyn'd with them1 by which means it becomes poisonous and volatile4 ,this is notorious1 and all ,chymists believe and acknowledge it1 and we have as much reason to believe1 that the same is the case of ,arsenick and ,cobalt1 viz4 that ,arsenick would be no ,poyson of it self1 but by reason of some saline ,spirit joyn'd with it in the ,earth4 ,we find also that ,arsenick when it comes first out of the ,earth of a grayish colour is nothing near so poisonous1 as it becomes afterwards by being sublimed with ,salts1 for to make it white and transparent4 ,for though ,salts in themselves be not poisonous1 yet when ,minerals are in certain ways prepared with them they turn them to ,poisons1 for every volatile ,mineral that is joyn'd with saline ,spirits is poisonous1 but when the same ,minerals are fixed1 they lose their poisonous quality and become good ,medicines1 as may be seen in ,arsenick1 ,cobalt1 ,orpiment and other poisonous volatile ,minerals1 which being fixed1 by running them down with ,salt-peter1 may safely be exhibited against several ,diseases4 ,which being so it will be easie to infer1 that if we can fix the volatile ,sulphur and ,arsenick which is in ,tin1 we shall not onely take away its ,poyson and make it medicinal1 but also make it like ,gold and ,silver4 ,let this then be laid as a sure foundation1 that corrosive saline ,spirits are the causes of all ,poyson1 making fix matters to become volatile and poisonous1 and consequently that volatile immature metals1 as ,lead and ,tin1 when their corrosive ,spirits are mortified or driven away1 become fixed4 ,it is well known that the combustible noxious ,sulphur of ,metals1 is the sole cause of their imperfection1 and that this combustible ,sulphur has no greater enemy than ,salt-peter1 by which it is kill'd and destroyed1 and yet no better ,friend neither1 which though at first sight it may seem contradictorioy1 yet is very true2 for when the ,niter does consume the cumbustible ,sulphur1 it is indeed its enemy1 but when by this ,consumption of the naughty ,sulphur1 the incombustible solar ,sulphur of ,tin becomes purged from its heterogeneous mixtures1 we shall find that indeed ,niter is the friend of ,tin1 as setting the solar ,sulphur of ,tin free from the captivity of its noxious ,sulphur1 so as now it can unite with ,gold and ,silver1 and become such it self1 which before was impossible4 ,thus we see that the consuming and mortifying of the superfluous ,sulphur1 is the life and deliverance of the incombustible ,sulphur1 and the corruption of the one1 the regeneration of the other4 ,to which purpose ,paracelsus speaks excellently1 saying that ,corruption makes things perfectly good1 for by means of it the evil that hides and absconds the good1 being taken away1 the good manifests it self2 ,which is very true of ,tin whose solar ,sulphur being hid and held by its noxious ,sulphur1 the same must be taken away1 before ,gold and ,silver can be extracted from it4 ,which separation of the combustible from the incombustible ,sulphur1 must not be done with common ,niter1 which is too vehement for the nature of ,tin1 and would destroy the good with the bad1 but a more mild and proper ,salt-peter must be taken1 viz4 that which is hid in ,lead1 which is powerfull enough to kindle and consume the superfluous ,sulphur of ,tin1 and set its solar ,sulphur free1 as will appear from the following ,process4 ,when therefore thou art minded to set upon this gainfull particular1 and together universal ,work1 ,i would not have thee to be too covetous nor to begin with too great a quantity of ,tin in hopes thereby to become rich of a sudden2 but advise thee to begin with onely two or three pound of ,tin1 and try whether the ,art be true or no1 and if true what gain may thence be expected4 ,and if thou find'st it to answer thy expectations1 thou mayst then work in as great quantities as thou pleasest1 but if thou find'st that thou canst not bring it to the desired end1 thou must be content to go to ,school a little longer1 and learn to be more a master of ,fire2 or else leave it off altogether concluding thou art not predestinated to this ,work4 ,it is not enough to think thou canst do it1 thou must have the ,art of it1 else thy thinking will little avail thee4 ,what ,i write here1 is no other than the truth1 of which the ,reader may assure himself4 ,a ,process for to separate ,gold and ,silver with great profit from ,tin4 ,set on a ,cupel under a ,muffel one1 two1 three pound more or less of ,lead1 let it be red hot1 then cast into it half an ounce1 one ounce or an ounce and half of ,tin1 and you'l see the ,tin mount above the ,lead1 and the ,sulphur of the ,jupiter will kindle the ,salt-peter of the ,lead1 and turn to yellow ,ashes1 which still must be taken away with an ,iron ,instrument for that purpose1 as long as any of the said ,ashes1 mount or appear on the surface of the ,lead4 ,when no more ,ashes appear1 then cast in a fresh quantity of ,tin as before1 turning the same to ,ashes till no more rise4 ,continue so long with the incineration of fresh ,tin1 untill all the ,lead and ,tin be turned to ,ashes4 ,then mix these ,ashes with half as much of our secret ,sal-,armoniack1 and by ,retort distill the ,sal-,armoniack from it1 which may serve again for the same ,work4 ,in this ,distillation the ,sal-,armoniack1 draws to it the ,sulphur of the ,tin1 and turns it to ,fces1 and the pure part of the ,lead and ,tin are left in a ,regulus at the bottom1 which after ,distillation may be beat from the ,scori3 and because the ,regulus of ,lead in this operation proves somewhat flat and platy1 we may lay it cross on an ,anvil1 and strike it crooked with an ,hammer1 and so the ,scoria will fall from it1 which are carefully to be kept1 as being of good use1 which will appear hereafter4 ,if we desire to make a better separation of the ,scori from the said ,regulus of ,lead1 we may put the said ,regulus with its ,fces into a ,crucible1 and having given it a ,fire of ,fusion1 pour out the ,regulus into a ,cone1 and the ,scori will abide in the ,cruce1 as being of more difficult fusion than the ,regulus4 ,this ,regulus of ,lead1 must again be set upon the ,cupel1 and when red hot1 we must put ,tin to it as before1 incinerate the same and gather the ,ashes1 then mix them with ,sal-,armoniack1 distill and separate the ,scori from the ,regulus as before4 ,this labour must be so oft repeated till all the ,lead and ,tin be turn'd to ,ashes1 which will be in three or four times1 after which onely a small ,regulus will be left1 which we must refine on the ,cupel like other ,lead1 and thus the ,gold and ,silver which was in the ,tin1 will be left on the ,cupel1 which must be granulated1 and the ,gold and ,silver separated from each other with ,aqua ,fortis4 ,the ,scori proceeding from this ,work must not be despised1 being more worth than the ,gold and ,silver which are left on the ,cupel4 ,this work being well performed1 every pound of ,tin will yield some ,crowns in ,gold and ,silver1 which richly pays both cost and pains4 ,and he that has the skill to prepare the said ,sal-,armoniack by a compendious way1 may expect the greater profit from this ,work4 ,the ,sal-,armoniack which comes over by ,distillation1 will serve for the same purpose again1 nothing of it being diminished1 but what abides with the ,scori1 which by making a ,lye of the ,scori may also be saved1 by which means a wonderfull ,salt is obtained1 which abounds with many and great virtues2 concerning which we intend 7,god willing7 to treat at large in our third ,appendix4 ,i had intended indeed to speak of it here1 but ,i find this ,appendix is grown too big under my hands2 and therefore shall refer the superlative great virtues of the said wonderfull ,salt to my ,third ,book4 ,yet to the end1 that the ,lover of ,art in the mean time1 till my ,third ,appendix be published1 may not altogether be ignorant of what great things may be performed by it1 ,i have thought good to inform him1 that ,i have often in my other ,writings made mention of this ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 yet concealing its preparation1 viz4 in my ,book of ,dialogues1 speaking of the ,preparation of the ,lion's ,blood4 ,in my ,treatise of ,elias ,artista ,i have called this ,salt1 ,salt of ,art1 as also the ,bishop and ,high ,priest of ,metals1 and there at large informed the ,curious1 how by means thereof they may inseparably conjoin ,gold and ,silver4 ,in other of my ,writings ,i have given it other names4 ,this wonderfull ,salt of which ,i have treated in my ,book of the ,three ,principles1 shewing it to be that wherewith ,jupiter changed him self into a golden shower1 and got entrance through the ,tiles into the strong ,tower where ,danae was shut up1 thus beguiling her1 and begetting on her ,perseus the ,destroyer of the ,sea-,monster1 and ,deliverer of the ,beautifull ,andromeda1 whom he took to ,wife2 and afterward vanquished the ,gorgones1 keepers of the ,golden ,apple bearing ,orchard1 c4 ,this our ,salt of ,art is the ,secret ,chalybs of ,sendviogius1 wherewith he extracts the ,tincture of ,gold1 and of it prepares the tinging ,stone of the ,philosophers4 ,this our ,salt of ,art is also that ,juno1 to whom 7as ,virgil relates7 the ,golden ,bough broke off by ,proserpina from the ,dark tree is consecrated3 of which ,i have elsewhere treated more at large4 ,this ,salt also is our ,proserpina the ,goddess of ,hell and ,wife of ,pluto1 and is much more ready and handy in breaking off the said ,golden ,bough1 than that ,proserpina which by ,distillation 7with great toil and labour7 breaks off her ,golden ,branches3 for this our ,proserpina performs it without fire1 or any trouble to speak of1 and offers it up to the ,goddess ,juno4 ,which ingenious and profitable ,work ,i intend 7,god willing7 to set down in my ,third ,appendix2 wherein ,i shall communicate to the ,world a perpetual ,minera of ,gold and ,silver1 which every one without any great pains may in stillness work in his own house3 ,for there is no easier way to extract the hidden ,gold from all ,metals in quantity and without fire1 than by means of this our ,goddess ,juno1 or ,jovial ,proserpina4 ,let the ,reader who desires to know further of these ,poetical ,fables1 read the ingenious ,ovid1 and others who make it their business to treat of them3 and in reading he will observe1 that ,jupiter is by them represented to be the ,god of ,fire and ,lightning1 and ,juno his ,wife and ,sister the ,goddess of the ,air2 whence we may gather1 that by the word ,juno is to be understood a spiritual volatile moisture and watry ,jupiter4 ,now the ,artist who has ,juno for his ,friend and ,advocate1 may easily obtain from ,phbus great ,treasures1 as well for the health of the ,body1 as of outward ,riches2 and this is so easie to be done1 and with so little charges1 that ,i dare not be so bold to write more of it1 lest the wicked and unworthy should smell out the rest4 ,now forasmuch as this ,appendix is swoln to a bigger bulk than ,i had intended1 ,i shall refer the melioration of ,iron and ,copper1 by means of our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack to our ,third ,appendix4 ,and shall onely say thus much at present1 that these two despised ,metals1 do afford more profit1 and with less charge and trouble than ,lead and ,tin2 which ,process ,i intend to communicate in my next ,appendix4 ,if any find the trouble and charges of ,preparing our ,sal-,armoniack too great1 he may attempt the ,work with common ,sal-,armoniack sublimed2 and if that do not fully answer his desire1 he may afterward prepare ours1 or get it of those that make it in quantity4 ,if it please ,god that ,i live over next ,summer1 ,i intend my self to work this profitable ,process of extracting ,sol from ,tin2 as also to extract the ,tinctures of ,copper and ,iron with our ,alcahest1 in great quantity1 and to give the over-plus of ,profit to the ,poor for a ,memorial to the ,world4 ,in the mean time ,i have here at large declared how the superfluities of ,lead and ,tin are to be removed1 in order to the separating of the ,gold and ,silver contained in them2 and this without concealing any of the ,manual ,operations thereto belonging3 though ,i question not but many who may attempt the same1 will by mistaking some ,point or other fail of their end4 ,above all1 great care must be had that the ,tin be not mixed with ,copper or ,regulus of ,antimony1 which will make the ,ashes hard and irreducible2 the ,sal-,armoniack also must be well prepared1 sharp and penetrative1 that it may work upon the ,tin-ashes1 and make them fluxible and reducible to ,metal4 ,neither must the ,tin-ashes be suffer'd to lye too long on the ,lead1 but continually be taken away1 for otherwise they will become hard and influxible4 ,in a word1 'tis practise onely and experience can make a man ,master of this ,work1 it being impossible to set down all particulars so clear and distinct1 as that the unexperienced may not easily mistake4 ,in case therefore this my ,appendix should seem too dark to any one1 let him have patience till my ,third ,appendix be published1 in which ,i intend to communicate a much more easie ,process for extracting ,gold and ,silver out of ,lead1 ,tin1 ,iron and ,copper4 ,there is also a way of turning fine ,tin alone by it self into ,ashes1 by stirring it continually in an ,iron ,pot over the fire1 which ,ashes must be reduced with our ,sal-,armoniack1 and then turn'd to ,ashes again and reduced1 which must be repeated till the greater part of the ,tin be turned to ,scori1 and the ,gold and ,silver melt down to a ,regulus1 which being tested1 leaves behind the ,gold and ,silver which was in the ,tin1 and the remaining ,scori1 or ,dross1 are of greater value than the ,gold and ,silver it self4 ,for he who knows to make use of these ,fces as a ,magnet to attract the ,gold from metalline ,solutions1 will get great profit thereby2 the said ,fces being a main cause of my publishing this ,treatise1 because of their great and profitable use both in ,physick and ,alchymy2 forasmuch as with their help not onely ,gold and ,silver1 but also true ,universal ,tinctures may be extracted from ,stones and ,metals3 ,so that he who knows the use of these ,jovial ,fces may not onely richly maintain themselves1 but also liberally communicate to the ,poor4 ,if ,god continue my life1 ,i intend to undertake this profitable ,work my self1 and thence make some provision for the ,poor2 for ,i have already taken my leave of this wicked ,world1 expecting with patience an heavenly ,guide to conduct me to life eternal1 which ,i earnestly pant after4 ,a ,corollary1 or ,supplement to the foregoing ,appendix4 ,we have seen in the foregoing ,treatise1 how with the help of ,lead1 the ,gold and ,silver which is hid in ,tin may be extracted with our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack2 which after it has separated the said ,gold and ,silver1 doth still retain great virtues1 as being become a true natural ,magnet1 able without much trouble or fire1 to extract not onely from ,gold1 but also from the gross bodies of ,iron and ,copper their purest ,tinctures1 which in them are better1 and in greater quantity than in ,gold it self4 ,which ,solar ,magnet few ,philosophers have known1 or the use of it4 ,our ,cosmopolita writes most clearly of the same in the following words3 ,there is a ,steel which can extract from the ,rays of the ,sun1 that which many have sought and not found4 ,and again1 ,if our ,steel copulate eleven times with ,gold1 the ,gold thereby becomes weakned almost to death1 and the ,steel will conceive and bring forth a ,son more famous than his ,father4 ,nuysement also speaks of this ,magnet1 but sparingly and darkly1 and ,paracelsus yet more obscurely4 ,others who had the knowledge of it1 make no mention thereof at all2 fearing1 'tis like1 lest the ,art might grow too common1 and be prostituted thereby3 but without cause2 for though a ,man be able to extract the ,tinctures of ,metals1 yet hath he not therefore the whole ,art3 for though the said ,tinctures be of great use for the cure of all diseases1 yet can they not display their virtues upon ,metals1 till they be fixed with ,gold1 and have obtained metallick ingress3 but in ,physick1 as was now said1 they are very usefull1 before their fixation1 and especially those which by our ,magnet are extracted from ,mars and ,venus1 for they purge all that is hurtfull out of the ,body1 not weakning as common ,purges do1 but strengthening it4 ,they also purge by ,sweat and ,urine1 and still all inward and outward ,pains procure sweet rest1 by reason of the ,anodynous quality hid in ,mars and ,venus4 ,so that these ,tinctures of ,mars and ,venus before fixation may be used against all diseases with assurance of good success2 and when fixed1 they turn ,silver into ,gold4 ,for our ,magnet robs the ,dragon 7viz4 ,aqua ,fortis1 wherein ,mars and ,venus are dissolved7 of the ,golden ,fleece he is keeper of1 and1 like another ,jason1 brings home the same1 and with it restores his aged ,father to youth again1 and procures to himself vast and unmeasurable ,riches4 ,for these ,tinctures do great wonders in both faculties4 ,it is not long ago since ,i took some grains 7which ,i had left of a former preparation7 of one of these ,tinctures1 to see if thereby ,i might be somewhat refreshed1 which indeed did perform all that could be expected from it1 but having no more of it could not perfect my cure4 ,since which time ,i have had a great longing with the first occasion to prepare some more of it1 because ,i found that upon taking that small quantity1 my bald head began to be cover'd with black curl'd hairs1 from whence ,i am verily perswaded1 that had ,i had more of the like ,tincture1 it would have wholly renewed me2 and therefore shall not be wanting to make use of the first opportunity to prepare more of it1 both for my own health and that of others1 and publish the wonderfull works of ,god throughout the whole ,world4 ,and forasmuch as ,god of his free ,grace has been pleas'd to bless me with the knowledge of this best and most powerfull of ,medicines1 though by reason of my weakness ,i am forc'd to keep my bed1 and must patiently wait1 till it shall please ,god to put me into a condition of preparing the same2 yea though ,death should prevent me from ever doing it1 yet shall this be my satisfaction1 that ,i have here informed the ,lovers of ,art1 what wonder-working ,tinctures lye hid in these despised ,metals of ,copper and ,iron1 and which may so easily with our ,jovial ,magnet be extracted4 ,but let him that undertakes to work with our secret ,magnet1 take heed that he do not make it too strong1 lest instead of a ,tincture1 he draw the gross ,bodies2 for it often happens when the ,magnet is too strong1 that1 together with the ,tincture1 it draws the gross ,body1 and especially of the ,homogeneal ,metals1 in which the ,tincture is so closely united with the ,body1 that it is very hard to separate them4 ,a common ,magnet draws ,iron1 together with its ,tincture1 but without separating the one from the other2 but our secret ,magnet draws from ,iron 7its ,body being first opened7 the ,tincture onely1 leaving the gross ,body behind1 because ,iron and ,copper are ,heterogeneous ,metals1 in which the ,tincture is easily separable from its ,body1 whereas ,gold1 which is ,homogeneal1 doth not readily part with his ,tincture1 the ,body following its ,soul or ,tincture4 ,yea a common ,magnet draws the whole ,body of ,iron1 without separating the ,tincture1 even then when by ,nature it is made ,homogeneal and fixed like ,gold3 as we see in ,granat-stones1 which are rich in ,iron 7as those are which are brought to us from ,america1 and especially from ,new-,france1 some in great pieces and others small like ,sand7 that they are greedily attracted by the common ,magnet3 and yet no ,iron can be melted from them1 forasmuch as neither ,fire will flux1 nor corrosive ,spirits dissolve them2 but their ,tincture may easily be drawn from them according to the way ,i have set down in my ,book of the ,three ,principles4 ,in ,america are found great ,mountains of such small ,granats1 which being ,homogeneal1 will not yield to ,fire or ,stygian-waters4 ,and now lately ,i have seen some ,mineral ,earths and ,stones brought from ,new-found-land1 of which there are whole ,mountains there1 which never any ,man that ,i know could make any profit of1 though it be certain that every pound weight of them contains half a ,crowns worth of ,gold and ,silver4 ,but we need not trouble our selves to seek for ,treasures in other ,countries4 ,god having furnished all parts of the ,world 7none excepted7 with ,subjects that afford good and abundant ,tincture1 onely the ,art of drawing them forth is wanting4 ,we do not stand in need of ,gold for to extract its ,tincture1 because we may have one as good from ,mars or ,venus1 and with much more ease4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but if any ,man has a mind to draw the ,gold from such ,waters1 wherein it is imperceptibly scatter'd and dispers'd1 let him put a small quantity of our secret ,magnet into the said ,water1 and he will see all the said ,gold presently gathered to it1 and reduc'd to ,visibility and ,corporality1 with great profit to the ,artist4 ,and because many such ,waters abounding with ,gold and ,tincture1 are found prepared by ,nature to our hands1 without charges or trouble1 this short information here may to the skilfull open a door to great ,treasures4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but to proceed and shew that there are such ,magnets wherewith ,tinctures may be extracted2 and here first of all ,i will instance in my ,jovial ,sal-,armoniack here described1 whereby the ,tin turn'd to ,ashes is reduced2 for when the same ,sal-,armoniack1 impregnated with ,tin1 is dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 it becomes such a ,solar ,magnet1 which can and does extract the ,tinctures from the ,solution of ,metals4 ,for when a little of this ,sal-,armoniack ,water is poured upon the ,solution of any ,metal1 shaken together1 and set aside1 the ,magnet1 as in a moment1 attracts all that's good in the said ,solution1 whether it be ,gold or ,tincture1 to the bottom of the ,glass of a purple or blood-red ,colour1 and the ,solution becomes white4 ,and yet there are many ,magnets which are better than this of ,sal-,armoniack impregnated with ,tin1 extracting the ,tinctures from ,metals with more ease1 and better than that4 ,the reason why ,i onely make mention of this1 is1 because it is the product of the ,work here described1 viz4 the extracting ,gold and ,silver from ,tin4 ,and to the end ,i may evidence to all1 that the said ,magnet is of greater value than the ,gold and ,silver1 which is got from the ,tin2 ,i shall say thus much1 that it is impossible for the ignorant to believe of what great advantage this ,magnet is to those that understand the use of it3 for not onely may ,universal ,tinctures be extracted therewith for curing the ,bodies of ,men and ,metals1 out of ,metals and ,stones1 and that easily and without charge2 but it can also extract much ,gold from those ,metals and ,stones1 in which much volatile and spiritual ,gold is hid1 viz4 ,iron1 ,copper1 ,east-,indian ,zink1 c4 and amongst ,stones the red and yellow ,pebbles1 which are almost every-where to be found4 ,concerning which extraction of ,sol from ,sand and ,stones1 ,i have treated at large in my ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,now that our ,magnet draws to it all ,colours and ,tinctures1 not onely from ,stones and ,metals1 but from ,vegetables and ,animals1 and doth highly exalt the same1 may thus be proved3 ,dissolve one ounce of ,gold in ,aqua ,regis1 pour the yellow ,solution into a pound of common ,water1 and this yellow ,colour will no more be perceived1 then pour also some of our ,magnet into the said ,water1 and all the ,water will become blood-red1 and being set aside1 the ,gold1 which the ,magnet hath attracted1 falls to the bottom1 highly exalted in ,colour1 and the ,water remains white1 having lost all its ,gold1 and may be used again for the like extraction of ,gold or ,tincture out of ,stones and ,metals in infinitum1 without any impairing of its strength2 so that ,i may well say1 that never hath a more profitable invention been communicated to mankind4 ,dost thou desire to experience what our ,magnet can doe in extracting the ,colours of ,vegetables and ,animals8 then proceed thus3 ,boil ,brasile wood1 ,turmerick1 or any like ,vegetables in ,water till it be coloured1 filter it1 and pour a little of our ,magnet into the colour'd ,water2 shake it together1 and the ,magnet will draw all the colour from the ,water to it self1 which falls to the bottom in form of a very subtil ,powder2 the ,water being decanted1 and the ,powder dried1 affords an excellent colour for ,painters2 ,brasile wood a brown red1 ,farnabock a light red1 ,dragons-blood a bright ruby colour1 ,turmerick a yellow1 and ,indigo a curious ,sky-blew4 ,animals1 as ,cochenille1 c4 may be proceeded with in like manner1 and will afford far better ,colours than they can of themselves1 because our ,magnet 7as hath been said7 exalts all ,colours whatsoever4 ,to try this thy self1 thou may'st according to my foregoing instruction prepare it1 and so find by experience the wonders it will perform in extracting the ,tinctures of ,metals1 ,stones1 ,vegetables and ,animals2 which if thou dost1 thou wilt find more than ,i have here set down4 ,and if thou hast no time to prepare the ,magnet thy self1 thou mayst have it of those who prepare it in great quantities3 ,for because this wonder-working ,magnet can do such great things1 ,i have communicated the preparation of it to a very honest friend1 to the end he might make it in quantity1 and vend it for the good of the ,world1 at a ,rix-dollar per ,pound4 ,with this ,magnet ,wool1 ,linnen1 ,silk1 ,bones1 ,feathers1 c4 may be dyed or painted far more fair and lasting than any other way now known3 ,chymical ,physicians1 with the help of it1 may prepare the true ,quintessence of ,metals and ,stones for the cure of all diseases3 and it will assist the ,philosophers to extract ,universal ,tinctures from all coloured ,stones and ,metals1 with which they may throughly and lastingly tinge white metals to ,gold1 and ,crystal to ,rubies1 ,saphires1 ,jacinths1 ,emeralds1 c4 according to their pleasure4 ,in a word1 he who has this ,magnet and knows the use of it1 needs not to read any ,chymical ,books for all in all is comprehended in it1 as in a short time will be manifested4 ,this ,magnet is so great a ,treasure that the vastest ,volumes cannot contain all its virtues1 it is serviceable to all men2 yea no subject can be found in nature1 that can produce such wonderfull and usefull effects as this our secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,great ,books have been written concerning the common ,magnet which onely draws ,iron1 though indeed its nature and properties be also very wonderfull2 for without it there could be no sailing by ,sea in the ,night time1 whereas now it is all one to ,marriners whether they ,sail by ,day or by ,night3 but how much more highly is our magnet to be esteemed1 which not onely points out to ,philosophers1 ,physicians and ,chymists1 the right way through the vast and wild ,sea of ,chymical ,operations1 to their desired ,port1 richly laden with the best of ,commodities ,gold and ,tinctures1 but also directs ,mechanicks to new ways and inventions of obtaining wealth1 never before known4 ,indeed as there is a great difference between ,mars and ,jupiter1 so also between these ,magnets which partake of their natures4 ,the common martial ,magnet guided ,christophorus ,columbus to ,america1 that new ,world abounding with ,gold and ,silver1 besides many other profitable ,commodites1 but all this in a way hazardous and full of danger1 many thousands having lost their lives as well by ,sea as by ,land in endeavouring to obtain these riches4 ,for ,mars with his ,magnet onely loads and perswades to ,war and ,blood-shed1 whereas the friendly and peace-loving ,jupiter1 with his benign ,magnet stirs up none to evil but onely to good1 and directs us to a ,land much more abounding with ,gold than ,america1 whence we may fetch the same in peace and quiet without fear of ,war or ,blood-shed1 and to the glory of ,god make known his ,works of wonder to the ignorant4 ,and thus much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the extracting or separating of ,gold and ,silver from ,tin1 and the easie extraction of ,tinctures from ,stones and ,metals1 by means of our secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,now for a ,surplus1 and to pleasure the ,sons of ,art1 ,i'll take one turn more in the ,philosophick ,garden and gather some fair ,flowers1 to make a ,garland in honour of the ,adepts1 that they may wear it in remembrance of me4 ,the first of these ,flowers is the white ,lilly1 the second the blew ,violet1 and the third the deep ,purple ,amaranthus1 being the chief that grow in our ,garden1 of which ,i intend to twist my ,garland4 ,the first1 viz4 the white ,lilly appears in the beginning of our ,work2 the blew ,violet in the midst1 and the deep red ,amaranthus in the end of it4 ,that ,i compare the beginning of our ,work to a ,lilly1 is not without reason1 forasmuch as our mercurial ,water is whiter than white1 being called of ,philosophers a white1 whiter than white1 because though it be a white colour1 yet it excells all other whites1 with its glistring brightness so far1 that other white colours compared with it look very dim and dark4 ,and because ,god hath bestowed upon the ,lilly such afair glistring white1 as no ,flower can compare with it1 therefore we compare our mercurial ,water 7the beginning of our ,work7 for its unparallel'd whiteness to the ,lilly of the ,field3 of which our ,saviour himself saith1 ,that ,salomon in all his glory1 was not arrayed like one of them4 ,for this cause also the ,philosophers always termed the beginning of their ,work a white ,flower1 as appears 7among other instances7 from an inscription engraven on two ,candlesticks1 belonging to a ,cloister in ,westphalia1 made by a ,monk and dedicated to the use of the ,altar there in these words1 ,non ex ,auro1 nec ,argento sed ex primo ,artis flore sum factum4 ,i am not made of ,gold nor ,silver1 but of the first ,flower of ,art4 ,these ,candlesticks are white as ,silver1 but heavy as ,gold2 which may pass for a profit that the white in our work is termed a ,lilly or ,flower4 ,and that this our bright white ,lilly doth far surpass all other white ,flowers whatsoever1 the ,philosophers in ,turba witness when they say1 our ,salt exalts the whiteness in ,silver and the red in ,gold2 which indeed is the very truth1 though it be not believed by the unexperienced1 because at first sight it seems against nature1 that one colour should die both red and white3 yet that it is so1 ,i here witness unto with my ,pen1 and hope shortly to make an ocular demonstration of it to all that are lovers of the wonderfull ,works of ,god4 ,in the mean time we may prove it thus1 dissolve in ,aqua ,fortis some fine cupell'd ,silver1 and in another ,vessel in ,aqua ,regis some fine ,gold1 pour a little of our mercurial ,water into each of the ,solutions1 and the ,silver will fall to the bottom white as ,snow2 yea rather will be whiter than that or any other thing in the ,world3 and the ,gold will be precipitated red like blood1 and the ,stygian ,waters are rob'd of all the ,gold and ,silver that was in them1 by the addition of our secret ,sal-,armoniack ,water1 so as not the least grain remains with them4 ,thus ,perseus1 viz4 the exalted ,gold1 has deliver'd ,andromeda1 viz4 the white exalted ,silver1 from the ,sea-,monster1 viz4 the ,aqua ,fortis1 and taken the same to his ,wife1 that is1 radically united with it4 ,and that our jovial ,sal-,armoniack will do this1 ,i hope e're long to demonstrate to the lovers of ,art4 ,the ,blind ,world may learn from hence1 it was not without reason the ,philosophers affirm that their secret ,salt1 exalts the red in ,gold and the white in ,silver4 ,and that their ,salt is a ,sal-,armoniack1 appears from their crying1 ,o our ,sal-,armoniack6 ,o our ,sea6 for had it been the common1 how could they have call'd it theirs8 ,turba saith1 ,if the ,almighty had not created this ,salt1 it were impossible to compleat our ,elixir3 ,which words are alledged by ,arnoldus de ,villa ,nova1 who saith that ,almizadir 7a name the ,philosophers give their secret ,salt7 is a ,sal-,armoniack1 as appears from his own words taken out of his ,breviary of ,alchymical ,books1 being a ,letter of his to a ,pope of ,rome4 8,to the most holy ,father1 e're ,i acquaint thee that first of all the bodies must be reduced to their first matter4 ,to understand which1 thou must know1 that the matter of all ,metals1 and their ,sperm is a white fume decocted and thickned in the ,bowels of the ,earth1 by a sulphurous heat2 and according to the varieties of this ,sulphur1 and its quantity in the earth1 divers ,metals are produced2 the matter of them all being the same essentially1 and differs onely accidently4 ,above all things it is certain1 that the ,workman can do nothing here without ,salt1 no more than an ,archer can shoot without a string to his ,bow4 ,morienus expresses this more clearly1 when he saith1 ,take the ,phlegmatick and ,cholerick1 and grind the ,sanguine with it1 untill it become a tinging ,heaven1 c4 ,the ,phlegmatick is cold and moist1 viz4 ,mercury1 the ,cholerick is hot and dry1 viz4 ,sal-,armoniack1 and the sanguine is hot and moist1 viz4 ,gold4 ,observe that ,sal-,armoniack doth not give ,colour1 but ,ingress1 and prepares the matter and purgeth it1 and then the ,spirit being united with the ,body1 it hath ingress1 and having conjoin'd these1 it goes off4 ,for this ,salt is an unctuous fatness coagulated by the dryness of the fire1 of a hot and subtil dry nature1 which penetrating through all parts1 dissolves ,bodies1 and is the conjoiner of opposites1 and of all ,spirits with their ,bodies4 ,for this ,salt is a volatile ,spirit1 a generating ,stone1 and a helper towards the production of the ,elixir2 because if this ,salt were not1 the ,elixir could never be dissolved1 nor have ingress1 neither would one thing be join'd to another1 or have ingress into another4 ,it is volatile1 and yet join'd with ,bodies1 it is a ,body which is hid in it4 ,and therefore ,avicenna saith1 ,if you put it1 viz4 this ,salt1 instead of ,fire1 ,air1 or ,sulphur1 you will not err in your work1 because it inclines it self to every nature and ,almizadir2 that is1 ,sal-,armoniack will alone do thy business4 ,and in the ,book of ,aloms and ,salts 'tis said1 that if ,god had not created this ,salt1 the ,elixir could never be perfected1 and the study of ,alchymy would be in vain4 ,he therefore that works without ,salt 7as the ,allegory of the ,wise ,men hath it7 does not attenuate the dead ,bodies in their ,graves1 and therefore can never expect a resurrection1 c40 ,from this ,letter of ,arnoldus it appears fully1 that their secret ,salt is a ,sal-,armoniack1 though not the common4 ,concerning which ,salt the ,philosophers express themselves very differently4 ,our ,cosmopolita cries out1 ,o our ,sal-,armoniack6 ,o our ,sea6 and teaches also the preparation of it1 though very darkly1 where he speaks of the little fish ,remora1 of which we are told1 that it is able to stop a great ,ship under ,sail in her course2 and we know our secret ,sal-,armoniack has the force to stop the ,ships richly laden with ,gold and ,silver1 sailing in the ,sea of ,stygian ,waters1 and to lead them whither it lists2 from whence it appears that our ,jovial ,sal-,armoniack is the true ,remora of the ,philosophers4 ,i proceed now to the second ,flower1 viz4 the blew ,violet1 which is likewise found in our ,garden4 ,we have heard how by means of our ,jovial ,sal-,armoniack1 the colour of ,gold and ,silver is exalted1 after it hath attracted them out of the salt ,sea1 wherein they were dissolved4 ,but if the ,solutions of both ,gold and ,silver be pour'd together in one ,glass1 and some of our ,magnet be put to them for to attract the same1 then the ,gold which before was ,blood-red1 and the ,silver which was so white1 do together constitute a ,violet colour1 which is the second ,flower growing in our ,garden4 ,the third and most beautifull ,flower of all that grow in our ,garden1 is the fair ,flower ,amaranthus1 which of all other doth longest keep its colour2 the white ,lillies shed their ,leaves as soon as they are ripe1 and ,violets in a short time wither and lose their colour2 but the ,amaranthus keeps her colour ,winter and ,summer4 ,and the same may be said of our metalline ,flowers1 the ,silver attracted by our ,magnet is the white ,lilly1 which when joyn'd with our blood-red ,gold1 produces our blew ,violet1 and out of this ,violet1 by means of the ,fire1 is afterwards produced the fix and permanent ,amaranthus4 ,when a ,philosopher knows where to find1 and how to pluck these three ,flowers1 he may well wear them as a ,garland of ,honour4 ,thus much ,i have added to point out these ,flowers to the ,sons of ,art1 and to stir up a desire in them to pluck them for themselves4 ,at the present1 time doth not permit to add any more1 wherefore ,i hope the ,courteous ,reader will accept of what he finds here1 intending in my third ,appendix1 ,god willing1 to speak more fully of other like ,flowers1 which with the help of our secret ,sal-,armoniack1 may with more ease and in greater abundance be gathered than those now mentioned4 ,i intend also therein to treat of a far more profitable use of our secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,for although our secret ,sal-,armoniack1 which by manual labour is prepared of two ,contraries1 viz4 ,oil of ,vitriol1 ,spirit of ,salt or other corrosive acid ,spirits1 and urinous ,spirits1 be of great use for the meliorating of ,metals1 and the preparing of many good ,medicines1 yet is all this but ,children's play1 if compared with what may be done with our most secret ,sal-,armoniack1 which is not prepared by ,art1 but created of ,god1 and may be had every where in abundance without money4 ,yea1 the ,philosophers say that all men have it1 that ,adam brought it with him out of ,paradise1 and after death took it with him to his ,grave2 which is the constant assertion not onely of ,heathen1 but also of ,christian ,philosophers1 who have asserted the same with many arguments1 amongst whom are ,albertus ,magnus and his ,disciple ,thomas ,aquinas1 who were holy and religious men1 and therefore very far from obtruding lies upon the ,world4 ,there are also many ,writings of unknown ,philosophers1 who assert1 that all both rich and poor1 always carry the matter of the ,stone about with them1 yea1 that they bring it with them1 from their ,mothers ,womb3 which though it may sound strange to the ignorant1 because ,man doth not appear in a mineral form1 but in ,flesh and ,blood1 yet sure it is that the mineral virtue is hid in him1 for if it were not so ,albertus could never have found ,gold between the ,teeth of dead ,mens ,skulls4 ,and for a conclusion1 ,i ,glauber do here protest1 that this most universal ,sal-,armoniack is able to change common ,mercury in two or three days time1 that it shall be no longer ,quicksilver1 nor whiten ,sol ,lune or ,copper1 but rather exalt them in their colours1 and change them into true ,tinctures4 ,this ,sal-,armoniack also has the power to fix 7though it be unfixt it self7 all volatile ,minerals1 viz4 common ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 ,antimony1 ,auripigment1 ,zink1 ,bismuth1 ,arsenick1 ,cobalt1 ,galmey1 and other such like in twenty four hours1 so as afterwards they will suffer themselves to be melted1 without sending forth any smoak1 and may be taken inwardly for the cure of many ,diseases1 concerning which ,i intend suddenly to give a fuller and further account4 ,and therewith conclude this small ,treatise of the wonderfull ,powers and ,virtues of our secret ,artificial1 and most secret natural ,sal-,armoniack4 ,the godly and upright will easily apprehend what is here written1 but the ungodly never4 ,in our third ,appendix we intend to enlarge on these and the like high ,secrets1 and declare the further profitable use of our ,mercury of ,tin1 as being the onely means1 without troublesome or chargeable labour to obtain to an universal ,medicine4 ,the ,end of the ,second ,appendix4 ,,the ,,third ,,appendix ,,to ,,the ,,seventh ,,part ,,of ,,the ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,wherein is ,treated of the ,further ,use of our ,wonder-working ,alcahest or most secret ,sal-,armoniack4 ,and more particularly1 of the way to ,extract the ,tinctures of ,gold1 ,iron and ,copper2 as well as of all precious and common ,stones2 and to introduce the said ,tinctures again into other white ,metals and ,stones1 so as permanently to colour and meliorate the same4 ,faithfully ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch ,original4 ,courteous ,,reader1 ,in the fore-going ,second ,appendix to my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 ,i promis'd the publishing of a ,third ,appendix1 wherein ,i intended to communicate to the ,lovers of ,art1 the remaining ,vertues of our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack2 but finding that my ,candid publication of so many great and useful ,secrets are so coldly and carelesly received by an ungratefull ,world1 ,i have thought good to cover the same in silence4 ,however that ,i may not be wanting to contribute what ,i can in this my ,third ,appendix1 for the satisfaction of the ingenious ,seekers and ,lovers of ,art1 ,i design to conclude my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa with the ,discovery of a ,wonder-working new-found-,alcahest1 which by its surpassing ,virtues does far excell all those before-mentioned4 ,which new ,discovery will without doubt be more acceptable to the ,lovers of these ,secrets1 than to ,treat further concerning the already ,communicated ,sal-,armoniack2 which whosoever shall take the pains to prepare1 will find much more than ,i have set down concerning it2 and therefore think it not needfull to enlarge any further on that ,subject1 in the mean time neglecting things of greater and better concern4 ,i say better things1 because the discovering of this ,new-found ,alcahest will afford more light by far to ,seekers1 than the former could3 ,for which reason ,i have thought good to set all other things aside1 for to ,treat of the ,alcahest which has not its like in the ,universe1 as ,i hope by ,god's assistance in this ,discourse to make out and demonstrate4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now because ,i here write of an ,alcahest or ,wonder-working ,sal-,armoniack1 ,i think it not improper to explain the word ,alcahest1 and to make known the meaning and importance thereof1 which may help us to discover the true ,use and ,vertues of the same4 ,some tell us that the word ,alcahest1 is a ,corruption of the ,german word ,algeist1 that is to say1 ,all-,spirit1 from its very spiritual nature1 and because it reduces gross ,bodies to ,spirit4 ,others by transposing of its ,letters1 make a ,dutch word of it1 importing hasty or swift running1 flying1 c4 ,now we know that among all ,salts that are in the ,world1 there is none to be found1 which in ,distillation or ,sublimation doth sooner volatilize the most subtil part of ,minerals1 ,vegetables1 and ,animals1 and carry them over the helm1 than a good ,sal-,armoniack3 ,wherefore the said ,name may well be given to it1 by reason of its volatilizing all things1 and carrying them swiftly over the helm4 ,and forasmuch as ,i have already spoken concerning several of these volatilizing ,salts1 calling the first ,common ,sal-,armoniack1 the second secret ,sal-,armoniack1 and the third most secret ,sal-,armoniack1 ,i find my self destitute of a ,name by which ,i might call this my ,new found ,sal-,armoniack1 except ,i should give it the name of ,eagles ,wings1 which ,i am the rather inclined to do1 because in some of my former ,writings1 ,i have by way of ,allusion expressed the said ,volatilizing ,salts by the ,name of ,wings1 comparing the first and weakest of them to the wings of a ,dove1 the second to those of a ,raven1 and the strongest of all to ,eagles wings4 ,and seeing the ,sal-,armoniack of which ,i am now to ,treat1 is far more powerful than any of them all1 ,i may well give it that name1 and the rather1 because ,antient as well as ,modern ,philosophers have given the name of ,eagles wings to common ,sal-,armoniack2 some of them1 'tis like1 not knowing of any better4 ,thus ,paracelsus sets down the way of volatilizing his unripe ,mineral ,electrum by means of the ,spread ,eagles wings2 and in many other places of his ,writings1 he calls ,sal-,armoniack an ,eagle1 because this ,salt1 of all ,salts1 as the ,eagle of all ,birds1 takes the highest flight1 and therefore also is called the ,king of ,salts4 ,the ,heathens attributed a ,flying ,eagle to their cheifest ,god ,jupiter2 and the ,holy ,apostle and ,evengelist ,st4 ,john1 because in his ,gospel he takes a higher flight than any of the other ,evangelists1 is represented with an ,eagle standing by him1 as being his proper ,embleme4 ,we also find in the ,writings of ,philosophers1 the word ,eagle is made use of by them to signifie any thing which by ,art is exalted to the highest degree it is capable of2 and therefore this ,sal-,armoniack which in its flight excells all those before spoke of1 exalting things to the highest top of ,perfection1 may well be styled the ,eagles ,wing4 ,pliny makes mention of a great and monstrous ,bird called a ,griffon1 found in the ,eastern parts of the ,world1 and of that strength1 as to be able to carry away an ,armed ,man on ,horseback1 ,horse and all1 to his ,nest3 which strong ,bird is a good ,embleme of the surpassing force of this our ,eagles wing1 which like the ,griffon is also provided with strong ,talons1 with which it lays hold on heavy things1 and carries them away with it1 as we shall hear by and by4 ,for every good ,sal-,armoniack hath these two ,vertues1 of being sharp and piercing as well as volatile3 the sharpness are its ,talons1 whereby it seizeth and lays hold of things2 and its volatility1 are the ,wings with which it carries them away4 ,now the stronger these talons1 and the larger these wings of ,sal-,armoniack are1 the more will thereby be effected3 ,the ,common ,sal-,armoniack is the weakest of all1 our ,secret ,sal-,armoniack is as strong again1 and our most ,secret ,sal-,armoniack far excells them both2 but this we treat of here1 is by much the strongest and most active of them all1 and therefore may well be compared to the ,king of ,birds4 ,this same ,sal-,armoniack may also with great reason be called ,lucifer1 as afording a bright-shining ,light to ,chymists1 whereby they may discover great ,secrets3 ,for as the bright ,morning ,star in the ,firmament1 does go before the ,sun1 and gives notice of his rising1 and therefore is called ,lucifer1 that is the ,harbinger or ,bringer of ,light4 ,and as the said ,star doth not only ,usher in the ,day1 but also shut the same1 and bring on the ,night1 being therefore also called ,vesperus2 we shall find a fit resemblance of all this in our ,philosophick ,lucifer1 forasmuch as the same makes known and discovers to us1 the rising as well as setting of our ,spiritual ,sun1 and is a double ,key which shuts as well as opens4 ,but to shew more particularly that my ,new found ,alcahest or ,spiritual ,sal-,armoniack1 hath this resemblance with the ,morning-,star1 ,lucifer2 ,i say1 that1 as the said ,star ushers in the ,suns rising2 so likewise our ,sophick ,lucifer goes before our ,spiritual ,sun1 and ushers the same over the ,helm4 ,and as the ,firmamental ,sun1 when it riseth above the ,horizon1 doth by its ,light1 and ,vital heat quicken1 vigorate and refresh every thing2 in like manner our ,philosophical ,sun1 or ,spiritual ,gold1 when by means of our ,lucifer1 it is brought from under its earth or dark ,chaos1 quickens and rejoices whatsoever is contain'd within the compass of our ,sophick ,heaven4 ,and as in the ,heavens the ,sun's rising follows soon after the appearing of the ,morning-,star1 following the same1 as it were1 at the heels2 so likewise our ,lucifer1 when by the ,artists1 ,she is joyned with the dark ,chaos1 in which the ,sophick ,gold lies hid1 and begins to feel the ,fire1 swiftly comes over 7for such is the nature of an ,alcahest7 and brings tidings of the ,philosophick ,suns rising1 which indeed follows it at the heels4 ,again1 ,as the ,sun of the ,firmament1 leisurely follows the ,morning ,star1 not leaping forth all at once2 so our ,sophick ,lucifer brings over ,gold1 not all at once1 but gently and by degrees1 at first appearing very little1 and afterwards discovering it self more and more1 till at last it shine forth in its full ,meridian ,glory4 ,neither ought it to be thought strange1 that ,i compare our ,alcahest to ,lucifer1 our ,gold to the ,sun1 and our ,alembeck or ,vessel to ,heaven2 seeing that others have done the same before me1 and particularly ,hermes ,trismegistus the ,father of all ,philosophers1 has made use of this ,allegorical way of expressing himself in the description of his ,universal ,tincture1 as may be seen in his ,smaragdine ,table at the latter end of ,mirac4 ,mundi4 ,thus the ,reader may see how the ,philosophers of old took pleasure to represent their high ,secrets in ,parabolical expressions2 which may further be traced in ,morienus his ,description of the ,universal ,tincture1 in ,paracelsus his ,book entitled ,clum ,philosophorum1 which contains great ,secrets concerning the ,transmutation of ,metals1 but much in ,symbolical1 and ,allegorical expressions4 ,but to return to our ,alcahest1 whose name imports a strong ,spirit which lays hold of ,heavy and fix things carrying them upwards with it self1 that is ,volatilizing them4 ,the ,eagle1 as a ,king of ,birds1 seizeth ,hens1 ,gees1 ,hares1 c4 with his ,talons1 and carries them up to his ,nest2 but as for what ,pliny writes of the ,griffon1 seems rather an ,allegory than a true ,history1 because ,pliny among other things relates of this ,bird1 that with her strong ,talons she digs up ,gold from out of the high ,mountains and ,rocks1 and makes her ,nest with it3 ,now how improper this is for a ,bird to make her ,nest with ,gold1 and not rather with ,feathers and other soft materials1 is apparent enough at first sight4 ,wherefore we may safely conclude1 that the ,ancients by this great and strong ,bird1 have denoted to us a violent and high volatil ,alcahest1 such as ours is1 which lays hold not only of the ,spiritual1 but also of the ,corporal ,gold which is in ,metals1 ,stones and ,rocks1 and plucks up the same with its sharp ,talons1 and with its strong ,wings carries up the same to the tops of ,mountains1 there to make her ,nest4 ,thus we see how this ,story may be verified3 ,for indeed the ,talons of our ,alcahest are much sharper1 and her ,wings much stronger1 than those of the ,eagle or ,griffon2 for when we pour the same upon any colour'd ,metals or ,stones in a ,glass placed in a heat of ,sand1 it presently lays hold of them1 and digs up not only the fix ,gold that is in them1 but also all their fix and volatile ,tincture1 and carries it to the top of an high ,mountain1 that is the head of the ,alembeck4 ,nor doth it only exert its power upon imperfect ,metals1 or upon ,sand and ,flints1 which are of a ,dissimilar and ,heterogeneous nature1 and therefore more easily separable1 but shews forth also its surpassing strength1 upon six ,gold and hard precious ,stones1 which are ,homogeneous and of very difficult ,separation1 penetrating their compact and shut-up ,bodies1 drawing from them their fixed ,tinctures or ,souls1 and carrying them up to the tops of ,olympus4 ,neither doth it only extract ,tinctures from dissolved ,metals and powdred ,stones1 but also from those that are whole and entire1 robbing them of their ,tinctures without destroying the frame and figure of their ,bodies1 which indeed is wonderful4 ,and as it thus extracts these ,tinctures1 so it can wonderfully introduce the same again into other hard and compact ,bodies3 ,all which it performs by reason of its surpassing subtile and piercing nature2 as being neither ,earth1 ,water1 nor ,air1 but a meer ,fire1 penetrating all things1 and which nothing can withstand or resist4 ,take this instance of it2 ,fill a ,glass-body with ,earth1 ,water1 or ,air1 and you'll find that none of them will be able to penetrate the ,glass1 but put ,fire into it1 and it will pierce the same without the least resistance4 ,wherefore the ,philosophers speaking of our ,secret ,fire1 say3 ,our ,fire is stronger than the ,common1 because it turns ,gold that is most fix into a meer ,spirit1 which common ,fire can no way perform4 ,all men know that ,gold cannot be destroyed by any common ,fire1 whereas our secret ,fire carries over ,gold in form of a ,spirit1 as if it were a volatile ,mercury3 ,judge then whether this be not a wonderful ,fire1 which as it were in a moment1 makes fix ,gold spiritual and potable4 ,we read in the ,scriptures1 that the ,israelites forced ,aaron1 in ,moses's absence1 to make them a ,golden ,calf for to ,worship2 and that when ,moses was come down from the ,mount1 and saw the ,children of ,israel dancing about the ,golden ,calf1 his anger was kindled against them1 and burning the ,calf with fire1 he ground it to powder and strewed it upon the water1 and made the ,children of ,israel to drink of it1 ,exod4 #cb4 #ai1 #bj4 ,now whether it was by ,art1 or by the immediate power of ,god that ,moses so burnt the ,golden ,calf1 that the ,israelites could drink it down1 we will not now dispute2 thus much we know1 that it could never be done with common wood or ,coal fire4 ,besides1 we know that ,moses was not defective in any thing of ,art or ,knowledge1 as having been educated and instructed in the ,royal ,school of ,pharaoh1 in which true ,philosophy1 ,astronomy1 ,magick1 ,alchimy1 and ,physick at that time greatly flourished4 ,we read of the ,holy ,apostle and ,evangelist ,st4 ,john1 a thing no less surprizng and wonderful1 viz4 that he turn'd ,rods to ,gold1 and common ,stones into ,gems1 which he distributed to the ,poor2 as is exprest in the ,latin ,hymn the ,roman ,church sings in honour of that ,evangelist1 on the ,festival-day appropriate to him1 ,i am not ignorant that some are of opinion that ,st4 ,john could never do this by art1 because he did not make use of the proper matter for ,transmutation1 but by the immediate power of ,god1 which ,i will not now determine2 only this ,i can say1 and if need were1 make an ,ocular demonstration of it1 that out of ,wood1 and other ,vegetable and ,animal subjects1 none excepted1 good ,gold1 abiding all proofs may be made1 though with more ease out of one ,subject than another4 ,for indeed the ,principles of ,metals are as well to be found in ,vegetables and ,animals as in ,minerals1 though somewhat more remote and invisible1 than in these4 ,that ,wood contains a ,sulphur like to that which is found in ,metals1 none can deny1 and ,i have demonstrated in many places of my ,books2 neither is it destitute of ,mercury and ,salt4 ,wherefore ,i here openly profess1 by an impulse from ,god and ,truth1 that it is no hard thing for me1 out of all ,vegetable and ,mineral ,subjects to make good ,gold1 by means of our fiery maturating ,spirit1 to which in this ,treatise ,i have given the names of ,alcahest1 ,eagles wings1 ,griffons talons1 and ,lucifer4 ,the ,ancient ,philosopher ,artephius1 has not specified the time1 in which his ,secret fire can maturate the true subject of the ,stone1 and bring it to perfection4 ,pontanus saith it may be done in a short time1 and with small charges4 ',tis probable that ,moses scarce spent one day in burning the ,golden ,calf with the ,sophick fire2 neither is it likely that ,st4 ,john made any long work1 of changing ,wood into ,gold1 and common into precious ,stones4 ,if ,miriam1 ,aaron's ,sister1 could in three days time compleat the ,philosophers ,stone from beginning to end1 7according to the ,testimony of ,philosophers7 why may not there such enlightned ,persons be found at this day among good ,christians that can do the same8 ,the same ,god who gave this knowledge to ,moses and ,miriam1 as also to the ,evangelist ,st4 ,john1 he lives still1 and ceaseth not by his ,holy ,spirit1 to enlighten his ,elect1 without any ,verbal ,disputes1 reading of ,books1 ,labour1 ,weariness1 or ,charges1 in all ,divine and ,eternal1 as well as ,temporal and ,natural things1 and to lead and conduct them to their desired end4 ,wherefore all ought in the first place to beg of ,god his ,light1 ,understanding1 and ,wisdom1 as ,salomon did1 and not to seek after vain and perishable ,riches1 by which means they would obtain much more than they ever can by their own willing and running4 ,i ,john ,glauber affirm it boldly1 that with our secret fire1 ,i can in the space of three hours1 make pure natural fix ,gold to be as volatile as any ,spirit of ,wine can be2 and again in twenty four hours-time1 turn the said spiritualized and exalted ,gold1 into a fix transparent1 spiritual1 sweet1 tinging ,carbuncle3 and this in the way of ,nature1 to the wonder and astonishment of the ignorant ,covetous ,children of this world1 that walk in darkness2 and yet 7as ,christ saith7 are wiser in their ,generation than the ,children of ,light4 ,let this suffice what we have here spoken concerning the power and great vertue of our ,alcahest1 in preparing of ,medicines and ,universal ,tinctures1 viz4 that whatever ,metals1 common or precious ,stones1 are put into it1 it immediately does volatilize the same1 and brings them over the helm1 carrying them upwards1 to what height we please2 for sure it is that the higher ,metals mount in distillation or sublimation the purer they are4 ,when now such pure and therial ,spirits1 are again fixed1 then they are no more gross ,metallick ,bodies as before1 but ,spiritual ,bodies1 and ,bodily ,spirits2 to the ,eye ,clarified ,bodies1 but indeed and in truth ,concentred ,spirits1 which penetrate all hard things whatsoever1 pass through lock'd ,gates1 and take away what pleaseth them2 and as they can without opening the door take out any thing1 so can they in like manner bring in the same again4 ,as for instance1 ,i draw the ,colour from ,gold1 and introduce the said ,tincture into ,silver1 being a fix pure and white ,body1 in which this ,metalline ,spirit takes up its abode2 and the pure body of ,silver greedily attracts the ,tincture1 because she stands in need of it2 neither indeed can the porous body of ,silver1 resist or keep out this piercing ,spirit1 but passeth through warming and tincturing her throughout1 and filling her pores with ,solar ,tincture1 communicates to her not only the colour and weight1 but also the nature and property of ,gold4 ,take another ,example3 ,extract with our ,alcahest by ,distillation the fix ,tincture out of ,granates 7not pulverized1 but whole as they come to hand1 and that for reasons hereafter mentioned7 which extraction may be performed in half an hours-time1 because our ,lucifer can pass through shut gates4 ,when now thou hast caught this ,tincture in our ,hellish ,spirit1 then thou hast it at command1 and it must obey thee4 ,if then our fiery ,magnet be able to extract the ,tincture from hard ,stones1 without breaking1 or destroying their bodies1 it can as easily introduce the same again into any hard1 white stony body1 and colour the same1 light or deep1 as pleaseth thee best4 ,for instance thou drawest the colour from ,granates1 which indeed do superabound with tincture1 which renders them opacous1 and therefore less esteemed2 for we find that a ,ruby being of a lighter colour1 that is less abounding with ,tincture than a ,granate1 is much more valued1 whose ,bodies nevertheless do in all things exactly resemble one another1 differing only by reason of more or less ,tincture4 ,indeed where the bodies differ in hardness and clearness1 there the case is alter'd2 but when the body is fixe1 and can endure the fire1 onely 'tis darkened by too much ,tincture1 this may easily be mended by art1 onely by extracting or taking away some part of its ,tincture1 which will render it of a brighter colour4 ,which extraction of ,tinctures1 and the introducing of them again into pale or white bodies1 may be practis'd upon all precious ,stones1 and to very great profit4 ,for example1 ,i draw1 by means of our secret fire1 the ,tincture out of ,gold or ,granates1 and ,introduce the same into another white ,stone1 which must be fix1 that is1 such an one1 which when made red hot1 doth not become soft or fall to shivers1 but retains its former hardness1 as all those do which are called precious1 because the fire can neither consume nor separate their parts1 such as ,diamonds1 ,rubies1 ,granates1 ,saphires1 ,hyacinths1 ,emralds1 ,topases1 ,chrysolites1 ,amethists1 c4 ,all which are coagulated of one and the same water1 and tinctured with the same colour2 for though their colours differ1 that proceeds only from the greater or lesser quantity or purity of their ,tinctures1 their colours1 as well as their bodies proceeding from one principle4 ,and the same must be understood of all ,metals2 for ,gold has no better original than ,iron or ,copper1 save only that by long distillation in the ,earth1 it is better purified and ripened4 ,observe only that in this operation you do not take ,cristals1 ,beryls1 or any other ,stones which grow soft and crumble to pieces when they are made red hot4 ,some ,jewellers know with the help of ,fire1 to mend some precious ,stones whose colours are not bright and clear enough3 thus they burn away the colour that is in ,saphires and ,amethists1 making them white like ,diamonds1 their colours being volatile1 and therefore may be taken away by ,fire1 but they can not introduce other colours instead of those they have rob'd them of4 ,neither are they able to burn yellow ,diamonds to a whiteness1 notwithstanding that ,art has been much sought after3 ,but our ,alcahest can easily perform this ,master-piece1 for as much as it1 like a subtil piercing fire1 can pass and repass through shut doors without impediment1 whereas all gross1 corporal things are fain to stand without4 ,for which reason ,i have given our secret ,fiery ,spirit1 the name of ,lucifer1 of which ,artephius speaks thus3 ,our ,fire is moist and dry1 it pierces all things1 dissolves1 volatiliseth1 and also fixeth them2 it is natural1 unnatural1 and supernatural3 ,for though ,nature make ,gold and ,precious ,stones in the ,earth1 yet doth it not afford us such a supernatural ,fiery ,spirit or ,stone with which we at our pleasure can make ,gold and ,precious stones of ,earth4 ,therefore it is ,art that brings things higher and further than ,nature can1 and yet the ,artist cannot go beyond ,nature1 except he have first learnt to know ,nature and taken his ,principles from her4 ,now we know that ,spirits1 whether they be hot or cold1 light or dark1 good or evil1 are of more power and efficacy than gross ,bodies1 for which reason ,god1 who is ,light and ,life1 and his ,adversary ,satan1 who is ,death and ,darkness1 have so great power3 ,though indeed the ,darkness hath no more power than the ,light allows or permits it to have3 ,for the ,light rules over the ,darkness1 so as the ,darkness can do nothing against the ,light1 of which matter ,i intend1 ,god willing1 to ,treat further in my second and third ,purgatory4 ,in the mean time we have here shewed1 how by ,art such powerful ,spirits may be prepared1 as can effect things supernatural2 for which reason1 amongst others1 ,i have given our ,alcahest the name of ,lucifer3 for ,lucifer was in the beginning with ,god1 an ,angel of ,light1 whereas now he is cast into utter ,darkness2 so likewise our ,incomparable ,wonder-working ,alcahest in its first preparation1 is a bright ,fiery ,spirit of ,light1 but after its coagulation1 it becomes a spirit of ,cold and ,darkness1 binding all volatile ,spirits1 whereas before it made all fix things volatile and spiritual4 ,which that ,i may more fully evidence to the ,ignorant and ,incredulous1 ,i shall give an ,instance thereof first in ,gold1 and then in ,precious ,stones4 ,a ,,process1 ,to draw the fix ,tincture from ,gold1 and to make it ,spiritual and ,potable1 fit for the ,physicians use1 and that easily1 in a short time1 without any considerable ,charges2 and how the same exalted ,spiritual ,gold may be changed into a clarified1 transparent1 tinging1 fix ,carbuncle4 ,take of the filings of ,gold1 or beaten ,gold an ounce and half1 or an ounce and quarter1 put it into a little1 but strong ,glass body1 pour upon it two or three ounces of our best ,alcahest1 fit a head to it1 closing it well with a paper dipt in ,oyl1 apply a great ,recipient1 and lute it very carefully1 for when the ,spirit comes over1 it passeth with great violence1 and searches every where for vent1 being the most subtil of ,spirits1 and very fiery withall3 ,wherefore take great care that your ,lute be good1 or else you will never be able to retain this ,corrosive fiery spirit4 ,the ,vessel must stand in ,sand1 and a very gentle ,fire administred at first1 that our secret spirit may by degrees grow warm in the ,glass1 and not be too suddenly heated1 for in that case it would be apt to fly away without its prey3 ,but if you proceed1 as is directed1 then our moist fire will lay hold of the ,gold1 and carry it over in form of a ,spirit1 but leisurely and by degrees1 at first only of a yellow colour1 which afterwards comes higher and higher4 ,towards the latter end the fire must be encreased1 till the bottom of the ,glass be red hot1 at which time the heavy spirits will come over1 bringing the heavy ,corporal ,gold over with them1 a red fix salt staying behind1 which is of great use in ,physick and ,alchimy1 as we shall see hereafter4 ,the yellow spirit1 as well as the red salt1 may1 without any further preparation be used outwardly and inwardly 7the strength of them being qualified with ,water1 or other ,liquors7 and by reason of their astringent property1 corroborate the ,stomach of such as are old and cold1 procure ,appetite1 consume tough ,phlegm and slimy ,matter in the stomach1 help ,concoction and strengthen the ,heart1 ,brain1 and all outward and inward parts of the ,body2 open all ,obstructions1 by reason of the fiery subtil saline spirit joyn'd with them1 penetrating and cleansing the whole ,body1 and perform all that can be expected from a true ,potable ,gold4 ,but in order to our ,metallick ,transmutation1 this ,solar spirit must be reduced to a fix1 sweet1 transparent1 and all penetrating ,stone2 the way and manner of doing which1 we shall declare hereafter4 ,now in case we would have this our ,golden spirit1 to produce more wonderful effects in ,physick1 as well as in the ,transmutation of ,metals1 then proceed thus3 ,take of ,gold one part1 of the ,martial ,regulus of ,antimony two parts1 melt them together1 pour them forth1 and the ,gold will be white and brittle2 pulverize the ,mass1 and put it into a small ,glass body1 and pour upon it three times as much of our fiery ,alcahest1 and by degrees abstract the same1 and you'll have a higher and better ,tincture than from the ,gold alone4 ,for ,antimony is the ,aries of the ,chymists1 wherein ,sol hath its exaltation4 ,this red ,oyl of ,gold and ,antimony1 may easily be changed into an ,universal ,medicine or ,tincture1 by means of our ,catholick ,coagulator4 ,and as we have here taught1 how ,gold1 either alone1 or with ,antimony1 may be brought over1 the same may be said of the ,tinctures of ,iron and ,copper1 which have surpassing ,vertues in ,physick as well as ,alchimy4 ,we proceed now to shew how with our ,alcahest1 the ,tinctures of ,common and ,precious ,stones may be extracted to great advantage4 ,it may be of good profit also from hard fix ,stones1 such as ,granates1 which have too much ,tincture1 to extract part of the same1 by which means of ,granates1 ,rubies may be made1 one ounce of which is more worth than #ajj l4 of dark ,granates3 which extracted ,tincture of ,granates may afterwards be made use of to exalt the colour of ,pale ,hyacinths1 and other white ,precious stones4 ,in a word1 this art of extracting the colour from ,granats1 and introducing the same into other stones1 is an excellent1 profitable 7,i had almost said ,royal7 art1 which notwithstanding is so little practis'd1 by reason of the ,general negligence and slothfulness of men1 undervaluing this excellent art of ,fire1 tho' more may be gain'd by it than by ,merchandize or any handicraft whatsoever4 ,let him who is a lover of art1 set upon the work1 and try what ,god will send him4 ,it is impossible to set down all particular circumstances of the work so exactly1 but that the unexperienced may after all mistake4 ,it sufficeth me that ,i have faithfully pointed out the right way towards the ,land of ,promise1 leaving the rest to the desirous and active ,traveller4 ,thus ,i have in short words acquainted the ,reader1 with the way of extracting ,tinctures out of ,metals and ,stones1 by means of my ,new-found ,infernal ,fire1 and that to very great and good purposes1 both in ,physick and ,alchimy2 and will now in favour of ,chymical ,physitians communicate an easy way of bringing the purest ,souls and ,tinctures of imperfect ,metals1 over the helm1 with our fiery saline ,spirit1 for the effecting of wonders in both faculties4 ,but before ,i proceed to the ,practise of those secrets1 ,i suppose it will not be amiss if ,i endeavour to place our ,sal-,armoniack in a greater ,light2 for seeing by it1 all must be performed1 which is here spoken of2 it will be needful to know what properly this word imports4 ,of the ,nature and ,property of our ,new-found ,griffons-,claws1 and ,eagles-,wings1 and what incredible things may thereby be performed in ,physick1 ,alchimy1 and other ,arts4 ,a good ,sal-,armoniack must have these following properties1 viz4 to dissolve1 extract1 and to carry that which it hath extracted in distillation or sublimation over with it2 and the better it performs these1 the better is it to be esteemed4 ,now whereas common ,sal-,armoniack1 does only lay hold of1 and carry over with it1 the most volatile ,sulphur of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals2 our secret ,sal-,armoniack does not only seize the light ,sulphur1 but also the ponderous ,mercury1 and therefore is far more to be esteemed than the common4 ,but my most secret natural ,sal-,armoniack1 extracts and carries over from all ,metals and ,stones their pure parts to admiration3 and yet our ,griffons ,talons and ,eagles wings are much more powerful1 as not only seizing their prey with greater strength1 but also carrying it away with them more swiftly1 and even such pondrous things1 which the foresaid cannot elevate1 or take away with them4 ,moreover this ,new-found ,sal-,armoniack carries over the said ,tinctures not coagulated in the form of ,sal-,armoniack1 but all ,spirit1 as being it self no coagulate1 but a spiritual ,sal-,armoniack1 and meer fiery ,spirit1 wherefore also it is able to perform such great things4 ,we will now proceed to the ,practick part1 and see whether there be such a wonderful ,sal-,armoniack in ,nature which can perform all these stupendous effects4 ,a ,,process1 ,to prepare the highest ,medicine1 or ,universal ,tincture for ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies1 by means of our fiery ,alcahest4 ,recipe1 one or two pound more or less of clean ,filings of ,steel1 such as may be had of the ,needlemakers1 put them into a glass body1 so as they may but take up a twelfth part of it2 then pour upon them a well rectified ,spirit of ,wine1 viz4 to every pound of ,filings four or six pound of ,spirit of ,wine4 ,care must be taken that the glass body be capacious enough1 else1 when the ,spirit of ,wine begins to work on the ,steel ,filings1 it will run over4 ,the ,body then being placed in ,sand1 and the ,recipient ready at hand1 add for each pound of ,spirit of ,wine in the ,glass1 one ounce of our ,alcahest1 which will acuate the spirit of ,wine so1 as to dissolve the ,steel1 in which solution1 the ,sulphur of the ,philosophers1 or purest ,tincture of ,mars is set loose1 and immediately received by the spirit of ,wine1 and with it carried up to the ,philosophick ,heaven4 ,but because this ,soul of ,mars has not yet obtained to that height of purity which the ,philosopher desires1 therefore it must enter his ,purgatory1 there to put off all ,impurities it has brought over with it3 that is1 the spirit of ,wine must under a large refrigeratory head be burnt away1 in which flame the ,anima1 ,mars1 or soul of ,iron1 becomes purified to the highest degree1 the flame carrying the ,tinging ,medicine over in form of a pellucid clear ,water1 which is the true ,water of life of the ,philosophers1 healing all ,curable ,diseases1 if daily taken in a small quantity4 ,for this ,medicine renews the ,body of ,man1 and makes old ,age young and blooming again2 neither do ,i believe that a better ,medicine can be found in the ,world than this is3 and that because the fix ,mars with the help of our ,alcahest1 is brought to the highest degree of subtilty1 and is afterwards by the purest of ,fires1 yet further purged and exalted4 ,wherefore also like ,lightning it pierceth all parts of the ,body1 opens all ,obstructions1 which are the cause of ,death3 ,and besides all this1 tinges ,lune1 and coagulates ,common ,mercury into fix ,sol1 as ,i have often tried and experimented my self2 for ,i should be very loath now ,i am on my ,death-,bed1 and as it were dying1 to expose any thing to the ,world1 besides what ,experience has verified to me4 ,n4,b4 ,when first ,i made this ,experiment1 and was doubtfull as yet whether it would succeed or no1 ,i prepared some pounds of ,martial ,spirit of ,wine2 and though ,i knew that from such a spirit of ,wine impregnated with ,mars1 little good could be expected1 before the spirit of ,wine were separated from the ,tincture2 and that this separation could not be made by any distillation or rectification1 for that the spirit of ,wine always carried the ,tincture over with it1 as ,experience the ,mistress of ,fools taught me3 ,therefore ,i cast in my mind to burn away the spirit of ,wine1 which when ,i had done1 ,i found all my spirit of ,wine burnt away1 and nothing remaining in the ,porringer1 only ,i perceived1 that as far as the spirit of ,wine had reached1 it was tinged of a golden colour1 higher than that of ,ducat ,gold4 ,with which ,experiment not being fully satisfied 7though ,i saw that this way it was possible to make a true ,tincture for ,metals7 ,i went further in my search1 that ,i might at last be ,master of so great and profitable a ,work4 ,i disposed therefore a great glass head so1 as that conveniently ,i could under the same burn away a little dish or cupfull of spirit of ,wine1 but the ,glass head soon broke with the flame of the spirit of ,wine1 which still put me upon a further trial1 ,i took a large1 broad and deep ,pewter dish1 placed it with the brim on three stones of an equall height1 so that ,i could conveniently set under it a little cup with spirit of ,wine3 ,i filled my ,pewter dish with ,water1 and then kindled my spirit of ,wine1 to see whether any thing incumbustible would come over with the flame1 and by that time ,i had burnt away about two or three ounces of ,martial spirit of ,wine1 ,i found that the bottom of my dish began to drop down a clear liquor1 the ,tincture of ,mars and the incumbustible ,mercury and ,salt1 together with the ,phlegm remaining in the spirit of ,wine1 being all condensed in the form of ,common ,water4 ,after ,i had removed the ,dish1 and poured out the ,water1 ,i found the bottom of the ,dish1 the ,cup in which the spirit of ,wine was1 and the ,silver spoon ,i had set under the ,dish1 to catch the ,water dropping down from it1 were all thick gilt4 ,having perceiv'd all this1 it was easie for me to infer1 that for as much as ,silver and ,tin had been gilded thereby1 that ,i was in the ready way of obtaining a true ,universal ,tincture for ,men and ,metals2 wherefore ,i ceased not to contrive night and day1 some convenient ,instrument1 for catching of the ,tincture1 ascending in the flame of the spirit of ,wine4 ,and so at last after long search1 ,i had my desire1 being now confirm'd by ,experience1 that many pounds of spirit of ,wine impregnate with ,tincture1 may in one days time be easily burnt away1 under a ,coppertin'd ,head1 by which means the ,souls1 or incombustible ,tinctures of ,metals and ,stones are obtained2 which ,head1 or ,refrigeratory ,instrument1 ,i intend 7,god willing7 to communicate in the ,sixth part of my ,furnaces4 ,i can allure the ,lovers of ,art1 that no easier or less chargable way can be found than this is1 for to attain an ,universal ,medicine or ,tincture1 for that according to this ,process1 an ,universal ,medicament may be had in three days time1 and with very inconsiderable charges4 ,i shall add one or two ,processes more1 to shew how by means of our fiery ,sal-,armoniack1 high and noble ,tinctures may be extracted1 out of other ,metals and ,stones1 and shall begin with ,venus4 ,copper inwardly is very like ,iron1 and like it1 is dignified with a very glorious ,tincture1 and by the help of our fiery ,alcahest 7proceeding as was said before of ,mars7 in three days time a true ,tincture may be prepared from it for ,men and ,metals1 thus3 ,recipe of the finest filings of ,venus1 one1 two or three pounds1 put them into a ,glass-body1 and for every pound of ,filings pour on three or four pound of ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine1 lute the ,helm and ,recipient1 distill in ,sand1 and the ,alcolised ,spirit of ,wine will dissolve the ,venus1 vivifie her tinging ,spirit1 and carry it over the helm1 yet not visibly2 but as soon as the ,spirit of ,wine is kindled and burnt away under the refrigeratory1 then the ,tincture of ,venus appears in the form of a deep red ,salt3 which ,tincture performs whatsoever ,i have before attributed to the ,tincture of ,mars4 ,and in the same way a fix ,tincture may be had from common ,combustible ,sulphur in three days time1 as here follows4 ,to fix the ,common1 ,combustible1 ,yellow ,sulphur in three days time into a red and fix tinging ,stone4 ,the whole ,art of this ,royal ,work consists only in uniting the said ,sulphur with ,spirit of ,wine1 and then burning it away under a helm1 to catch the incombustible ,heavenly ,salt1 or ,water of ,life permanent1 which with ,gold becomes coagulated and fixed to a ,tinging ,stone4 ,which heavenly ,salt as soon as by the flame it is separated from the ,sulphur1 is a true ,universal ,medicine against all the ,diseases of ,mankind3 but when joined with ,gold1 it obtains ingress and tingeth ,lune1 and coagulates ,mercury into ,sol4 ,now to unite ,sulphur with ,spirit of ,wine 7wherein the whole ,art and ,mastery consists7 without any ,corrosive or ,alcali1 is an easie thing1 and which ,i have declared in my late publish'd ,writings1 and therefore do not think it needful to repeat the same here4 ,i do not deny1 but since that time ,i have found nearer ways to the ,bush1 but do not think my self obliged to prostitute those ,discoveries to all promiscuously1 it being well if ,i have not said too much already1 and told ,tales out of the ,school4 ,as to the foregoing ,operation1 it is obvious to conceive that ,common ,sulphur joined with a dephlegmate spirit of ,wine1 burns much stronger1 and consequently with its flame will have a greater force to fix than a ,common spirit of ,wine can4 ,we know that ,god in the beginning made the whole ,world of ,fire and ,water1 from whence also all other things have their ,original3 ,for when ,fire and ,water1 as contraries1 work on one another1 they always generate a third thing4 ,the ,fire1 as the ,agent1 works upon its ,patient ,water1 which action cannot be performed without the ,air1 nor can the ,water without ,earth have any ,consistence or stability to abide the ,fires action4 ,for which reason it is that we find no ,metalline ,oare1 but only in the ,earth1 and especially in such ,clefts and passages of the ,rocks and ,earth1 where a constant moisture trickles down1 and whither the ,central ,fire can have free access1 to work upon its proper ,patient3 ,from which union of ,male and ,female ,seeds1 a third thing must necessarily be produced4 ,now if the ,sulphur which is the ,male1 and the ,water which is the ,female-,seed1 be pure1 a pure birth proceeds from them1 and by the rule of contraries if impure1 the production must be so likewise4 ,thus it appears that the moist ,caverns1 ,holes1 and ,clefts of the ,earth1 are the fittest ,wombs for ,minerals and ,metals4 ,i am not ignorant that ,metals may also be generated in ,sand or fat ,earth1 especially where the same lye moist2 for when the ,demogorgon1 or ,central ,fire1 ,spirit ascends from the ,center1 and meets with a moist ,sand or ,clay1 he joins with it1 whence it is that oftentimes in ,sand and ,clay ,metals are found1 but not in great pieces as in the ,clefts of the ,earth1 but only in less and greater ,grains1 according as the disposition of the place permits1 it being notorious that ,grains of ,metal are oft found in ,sand1 and wash'd from it4 ,that the ,subliming ,sulphurous ,vapor1 when it meets with a slimy ,matter in the ,earth1 doth unite with1 and turns to a ,metal1 no ,man needs doubt of3 ,for ,i have seen many things in the ,earth changed into ,metalline ,sulphurous ,flint-stones4 ,thus we see that this ,sulphurous ,vapour readily cleaves to ,snails in the ,earth1 turning them to ,flint1 of which ,i have seen many1 and have some with me at present4 ,amongst other things ,i have seen a ,leather ,purse turn'd to ,flint1 as also the ,privy ,member of a ,man1 the reason of which will be obvious to him that considers of it4 ,we know also that sometimes though rarely ,metals are produc'd in the ,air1 and from thence fall down to the ,earth1 especially ,iron in form of small drops1 because the ,air is not the proper place for the generation of ,metals1 for as much as they find no resting place there4 ,stones also are at times generated in the ,air1 and from thence are cast down upon the ,earth4 ,thus in the ,summer time1 when the attracted ,sulphur is kindled by the scorching beams of the ,sun1 and works on the moist ,cloud1 in a moment ,stones are generated1 which with ,lightning are cast down thence3 ,these are sometimes of strange ,figures1 but commonly are shaped like ,wedges4 ,i have seen one of them that was three-corner'd1 and which way soever it was turn'd represented the figure of a ,mans ,heart1 and had1 amongst other1 this ,virtue1 that it preserves all those that are in the ,house where it is1 from being any whit terrified with ,thunder or ,lightning4 ,but of these matters ,i have treated elsewhere1 being only mention'd here to demonstrate that ,fire and ,water are the ,principles of all things2 which being granted me1 it will not be found strange1 that by burning away ,spirit of ,wine1 a ,stone of the greatest ,virtue and ,power1 viz4 that of the ,philosophers1 should be generated3 which ,i have not only experimented my self1 but recommended it to others1 who have likewise performed the same4 ,now if so weak a ,fire1 as that of ,common spirit of ,wine is1 has the ,power1 by working upon its ,patient1 as it were1 in a moment to generate an ,heavenly ,salt or ,stone2 why may not we then suppose1 that when spirit of ,wine by the union of a pure ,sulphur1 is made to burn much stronger2 that this duplicate spirit of ,wine1 will produce a ,duplicate ,mercury or ,clestial ,salt8 ,yea1 surely it cannot be doubted but that such a spirit of ,wine acuated with the pure spirit of ,sulphur1 will not only in burning away afford a better ,mercury1 but also in greater quantity than any spirit of ,wine alone can1 because the incombustible ,mercury and ,salt in ,sulphur1 becomes meliorated by the flame of the spirit of ,wine1 and highly exalted in ,vertue4 ,when ,sulphur is kindled under a ,bell1 or other convenient ,instrument1 the incombustible salt of the ,sulphur1 mounts with the flame1 in the form of a ,corrosive ,oyl1 and is caught and used to several purposes4 ,but this sowr ,oyl1 may well be compared to unripe ,grapes1 which being eaten1 are hurtfull to the ,stomach but if these sowr unripe ,grapes be suffered to hang on the ,vine till the heat of the ,sun hath ripened them to a perfect ,sweetness1 then they will cause no gripings or flatuosities1 as unripe ,grapes do1 but afford good nourishment to the ,body3 and when the juice of them is by fermentation turn'd to pleasant ,wine1 it not only strengthens a weak ,stomach1 but revives the ,spirits1 comforts the ,heart1 strengthens the ,brain and all other parts of the ,body1 makes ,men chearfull and courageous1 and drives away ,sorrow and ,melancholly1 and in a word1 is a cause of much good to the sick as well as sound4 ,now if ,common ,wine can do all this1 what wonders1 think we1 may then be expected from the fix soul of its purest ,spirit1 when by its own proper ,agents flames1 it is in the highest degree purified1 and besides this1 united with the sweet soul of ,sulphur1 and thereby strengthened in all its powers4 ,that ,sulphur in its innermost is as good as ,gold1 none that are knowing in ,nature will deny1 but this doth not appear till by the flames of spirit of ,wine it be reduc'd to a sweet1 pleasant1 fix1 red tinging ,salt1 and then you are ,master of as powerfull a ,medicine1 as any is in the ,world4 ,lully1 tells us plainly1 ,make that which is bitter1 sweet1 and you will have the whole ,art4 ,basil ,valentine saith1 ,that he who in the ,chymical ,art1 can with spirit of ,wine dulcifie a sowre spirit of ,salt1 deserves to be ,knighted for it1 as having done a most ,heroical action2 and adds1 ,that with this dulcified spirit of ,salt1 the ,tincture of ,sol may be extracted1 which is the very ,truth4 ,hermes concludes his ,smaragdine ,table with these words3 ,here ends what ,i had to say concerning the ,solar ,work2 and so say ,i too4 ,i have spoke plain enough1 and now catch who catch can3 ,for ,i don't think my self obliged not only to catch the ,bird for others1 but also to pluck1 roast1 chew and thrust it into their mouths4 ,in like manner1 as has been here said of ,sulphur1 we may proceed with ,antimony and ,orpiment1 for to obtain their ,quintessences1 as also with all ,vegetables and ,animals2 with which pure ,essences great wonders may be performed in ,physick4 ,time will not suffer me to enlarge on the subject1 but ,i intend 7,god willing7 shortly to publish a small ,treatise of the ,divine ,character1 or ,seal of the ,deity1 by which the ,world and all that is in it was at first created1 and yet daily the ,stone of the ,philosophers and many other wonderful things are made1 and brought forth a-new from the conjunction of ,fire and ,water1 that is1 ,sulphur and ,mercury2 in which ,writing1 the true ground of many ,new ,generations1 which far surpass ,nature1 and are produced by a due combination of these two contraries1 will be declar'd and laid open4 ,after the same ,method1 as before mention'd1 the ,tinctures of other red ,metals1 ,minerals and ,stones may be extracted4 ,only we are to take notice1 that when we work upon ,stones1 'tis best only to make use of our ,alcahest1 without the addition of spirit of ,wine1 for the obtaining of their ,tinctures1 because stones are not of so easie solution as ,mars and ,venus4 ,we may also with our fiery ,alcahest extract red ,tinctures from ,white ,sand-stones and ,flints1 though not in such quantity as from those that are colour'd1 which may easily be guess'd4 ,many1 'tis like1 will wonder to hear that a red colour may be extracted from white stones2 but this difficulty will be removed if they consider1 that all ,sand-stones and ,flints are nothing else1 but an ,earthly gross ,sulphur without any ,mercury4 ,now we know that ,sulphur is a ,father of all ,metals1 and that when ,mercury and ,salt in a due proportion is join'd with him1 then he makes a ,metal4 ,we also know that all ,sulphur inwardly is red1 though it do not appear so outwardly till it be joined with ,salts4 ,we have an instance of this in ,lead1 in which no redness appears at all1 but when the same is calcined with ,salt1 its blackness is turn'd to a lively red1 as may be seen in ,red ,lead4 ,for ,fire and ,salt have the power to exalt all ,sulphurs4 ,forasmuch then as the ,white ,flint or ,crystal has ,sulphur in it1 as appears from their giving forth sparks of ,fire1 when they are struck hard together1 in like manner as when they are struck with ,steel1 which is nothing else but a fix ,sulphur1 that by its proper ,agent1 which is naturally in it1 viz4 a ,vitriolate ,salt1 with the aid only of outward ,fire1 may be ripened into a ,true ,tincture4 ,and here ,i refer my ,reader to what ,artephius and ,pontanus writes concerning their secret ,fire1 for further satisfaction4 ,i have prepared a particular ,tincture from a white ,sulphur1 whereof one part tinged three or four parts of red ,venus into ,lune2 but when ,i commit this white ,sulphur for some time to the ,fire1 its whiteness becomes by degrees changed to redness1 which then being projected on ,copper1 gives it the colour of ,gold4 ,and if the ,tincture be wholly fix1 it turns the ,venus throughout to fix ,sol1 but if it be not yet fix1 it can never make fix ,sol1 though it have attained a red colour in the ,fire4 ,forasmuch then as white ,flints are nothing else but ,sulphur1 why may not our ,hellish ,fire ,spirit be supposed able to make the same ,red1 as well as the ,white ,metalline ,sulphur4 ,i declare it therefore as a certain truth1 that all white ,sulphurs by means of ,salt may be made fix and red2 and he who is so far advanced in the knowledge of ,nature and ,art1 as to know how to apply to every ,agent its proper ,patient1 will easily obtain his desires without any extraordinary charge or trouble1 and in a short time1 for without the joining ,actives with ,passives understandingly in weight and measure1 no good can be done4 ,a ,,process4 ,to ,extract a ,red ,tincture out of all ,white ,flints1 and bring it over the ,helm by means of our ,fire ,spirit1 and afterwards to fix the same4 ,recipe one1 two1 or three pounds of finely powdred ,white ,flints1 and pour upon them half as much of our ,hellish-fire-spirit1 abstract the same in ,sand by retort1 and it will carry the purest ,sulphur of the ,flints over with it1 which may afterwards be fixed with our ,catholick ,coagulator4 ,and if instead of ,flints you take a ,gold ,spar1 which besides some fix ,gold1 contains much that is ,volatile1 your pains will be better bestowed4 ,and in case you cannot get any of these1 then take the ,terra ,sigillata1 or sealed ,earth of ,silesia1 in which much volatile ,gold is hid2 but if you can get the ,red ,turkish ,terra ,sigillata of ,lemnos1 you will have a much richer ,tincture1 as abounding with a greater quantity of ,spiritual ,gold1 than any of the forementioned4 ,but take heed you be not deceived1 for much of that which is sold for ,terra ,sigillata of ,lemnos1 is nothing else but ,bolus ,armenus4 ,ovid and others have in their ,fables made mention of this ,earth1 which is so rich in ,gold under the name of ,vulcan1 whom his ,mother after she had brought him forth in ,heaven1 finding him to be deformed1 flung down to the ,island ,lemnos1 where some ,apes1 that is ,philosophers1 who imitate ,nature1 took and washed him1 that is1 by their fiery ,water1 took away his ugly and deformed outside1 separating the pure ,tincture from the gross ,body1 as ,i have here taught4 ,the ,curious who desire to know more of these matters1 let them read the experienced and ingenious ,bracescus his ,book of the ,tree of ,life1 who will give them full satisfaction4 ,but if none of all these forementioned can be had1 we may make use of ,blood-stone1 ,ruddle1 or any other ,red ,earth that abounds with volatile ,gold1 of which there is great plenty in most parts of ,germany4 ,the ,red ,jasper-stone1 ,granates1 and ,yellow ,jacinths do also much abound with ,tincture4 ,but these and other such-like1 ,i leave to others to find out1 for it is impossible for me to mention all4 ,i conclude this little ,treatise with this ,solemn ,affirmation1 that it is a very easie thing in a short time1 and without any charges1 to speak of1 to prepare fix ,tinctures1 from common ,metals and ,stones4 ,believe and set upon the ,work1 and thou wilt find it so indeed4 ,the ,end of the ,seventh ,part4 ,,libellus ,,ignium1 ,,or1 ,book of ,,fires4 ,in which is ,treated of strange and hitherto unknown ,,fires1 to what end they serve1 and what great ,profit may by them accrue to ,mankind4 ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,beloved ,,reader1 ,that which hath moved me to write this small ,treatise of ,secret ,fires1 with their great ,operations1 hath been only this1 viz4 ,because ,god ,almighty hath commanded us not to hide our ,talent in the ,earth1 7like the ,unprofitable ,servant7 but to improve it to the glory of ,god1 and the good of our ,neighbour4 ,to improve and augment it1 as we may see in the #af4 ,chap4 of ,st4 ,luke4 ,seeing therefore that the most merciful ,god1 hath revealed those high ,secrets to me1 in this my great ,age1 makes me judge that such great gifts of ,god1 have not been discovered for my sake only1 who by reason of my great ,age have1 as it were one foot already in the ,grave2 but that ,i might make known such wonderfull ,works to the ,world4 ,of the first ,fire1 and its ,profitable use4 ,how to make a ,lamp1 which being closed up in a ,glass1 may be made to burn continually by its own vertue1 and give light without any other help4 ,of the benefit of this ,lamp4 ,such a ,lamp may serve all those who love to see light1 as the ,image of ,god2 and may also be very available to those who by reason of continual ,weakness are forced to lie much upon their ,beds2 which they may keep continually burning in their ,bed-,chamber1 not only because of its clear shining light1 which doth neither smoak nor scent1 like all other ,combustible ,lights1 which scent is very prejudicial not only to the ,sick1 but also to the ,healthy1 because such smoaks offend the ,heart and ,brain4 ,on the contrary1 this ,royal ,fire is pleasant1 strengthening1 and refreshing to the ,heart and ,brain1 and its ,cotton or ,wick is made of incombustible matter1 and casts a sweet flavour all over the ,room4 ,this secret ,fire might also serve the ,hermetick ,physicians to prepare a ,universal ,medicine2 especially if the sweet refreshing ,odour1 which proceeds from it in ,burning1 be received in a ,philosophick ,receiver1 and administred to their ,patients1 as a great ,cordial1 renovating1 and restorative ,medicine4 ,although this secret ,fire1 be of far greater advantage than what hath been mentioned1 yet for certain reasons its further use must be concealed4 ,this ,fire is appropriated to the ,elemental ,air1 seeing it hath its own ,air in it self1 by reason of which it burneth in a ,glass well closed1 and if touched by the least ,air1 it extinguisheth and goeth out1 of which you may see more in the ,fifth ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,there is another unknown ,fire1 which is appropriated to the ,earth1 because it resembleth a black ,earth1 and being shut up in a close ,vessel of ,glass1 will keep its ,fire perhaps to the end of the ,world1 provided there cometh no ,air into the ,vessel2 but if one would have it a visible ,fire1 the ,glass must be broken that the ,air may come to it1 so the matter will presently enkindle it self by the ,air1 and in a short time burneth to a coal1 yet without flame or smoak1 and at length is consumed1 and leaves heavy ,ashes behind4 ,of the ,use of this ,earthy ,fire4 ,although it may seem to many1 that this ,fire is not fit for any thing1 yet ,i affirm it to be fit for great and weighty matters1 which are not fit to mention1 much less to make known1 by reason of the abuse which may be made of it2 this ,fire being ten times more forcible than ,gun-powder4 ,moreover1 it also plays its part in the ,melioration of ,metals1 for when this black ,earth-fire is fluxed in a ,crucible1 then poured out1 and exposed to the ,air1 it begins to move1 and grow as it were living1 so that one may see how forcibly it attracteth the ,air1 fills it self with puffing ,bladders like an incensed ,toad1 continuing such a motion for the space of three or four days1 then the matter falleth asunder1 and there floweth out of it a red firey juice1 the remainder is dead and unprofitable4 ,with this red juice1 wonderfull things are to be done in ,alchymy1 not necessary to be mentioned in this place1 because it is my desire onely to make known the ,wonders of ,god4 ,but he that will know more of it1 let him read the ,fifth ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 treating of the ,stone of the ,wise1 where he will find how the blood of this ,toad doth in few hours draw the ,colour of ,gold1 so that the ,body remains white1 therefore it may be supposed to be the ,chalybs of ,sendivogius4 ,this ,fire is also made of ,steel1 for when it is touched with a wet finger1 sparks fly from it1 as from a red-hot ,iron which a ,smith is forging upon an ,anvil4 ,but enough at this time of this wonderfull ,earth-fire till another opportunity4 ,ripley seems to have known this ,fire1 and of it to have prepared his ,universal ,tincture3 his ,dream sounds thus1 ,i have seen a red ,toad drink so much and so long of the juice of the ,grape1 till his inwards did burst asunder1 c4 ,the third ,secret ,fire is appropriated to the ,elementary water1 because it softeneth and dissolveth all hard ,subjects2 it also radically joyneth the different nature of ,metals1 into wonderfull tinging ,stones4 ,seeing that this ,water-fire is of great vertue to the ,metals1 both particularly and universally1 ,i am resolved 7for brevity sake7 to make known its vertue in a few cases1 the rest will be known by the diligent4 ,first1 this wet ,fire hath such great vertue1 that it can dissolve radically the most fixed ,gold1 within the space of twelve hours1 as also to unite it with ,lune1 to volatilise and render it irreducible4 ,which volatile ,sol and ,lune is no more like unto ,sol and ,lune1 but in colour1 easie flux1 form and weight1 appeareth like unto black ,saturn2 therefore the ancient ,philosophers1 because of its form and similitude1 have called it the black ,lead of the ,wise1 and because of its volatility the ,mercury of ,philosophers2 which ,mercury or black ,lead of the ,wise may be also per se1 brought into a true ,tincture4 ,therefore they have all erred1 who have taken ,antimony for the true black ,lead of the ,wise4 ,he that will know my failings in this matter1 let him read the ,third ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 where he will find ,wonders1 especially how ,i have cleansed it to the highest degree1 and concentrated it into a white ,mercurial fusible ,stone1 which doth shew such vertues in ,medicine as are to be admired4 ,this white ,stone hath such vertue1 that it cureth all diseases1 if it be held every morning onely a while in the mouth2 of which ,i have treated more clearly in the ,fifth ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,this true black ,lead1 which by this humid ,fire1 is made of ,common ,sol and ,lune1 hath no equality with ,antimony nor other common ,lead4 99 99 99 99 99 ,what else is to be done in the particular ,melioration of ,metals1 doth not belong to this place1 but shall1 by the help of ,god1 be declared elsewhere4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this moist ,fire hath power to extract all ,sol and ,venus out of ,lune1 in few hours1 if the ,lune be first granulated1 and then put into it1 without dissolving the ,lune1 so that the ,lune remaineth almost as fine as from the ,test4 ,the extracted ,sol and ,venus may easily be separated from the ,water1 each by it self1 by precipitation1 insomuch that the ,water retains its vertue1 and there is no loss either of the ,sol1 ,lune1 or ,venus4 ,in like manner the allay of ,sol and ,lune1 by ,venus1 may be extracted with ease1 in great plenty1 and for little charge4 ,which ,secret would be of great use to ,refiners1 or such as have much ,gold and ,silver to be parted1 as in ,mines1 c4 ,it is sufficiently known what great labour and charge is required by the common way of parting ,gold1 and ,silver1 and ,copper1 c4 therefore needeth not to be repeated4 ,here followeth a shorter and easier way4 ,first1 if my impure ,gold be in great lumps1 ,i grannulate it2 but if it be ,jewels1 ,rings1 or ,chains1 ,i onely neal them1 and therewith fill a parting glass to the third part1 then ,i pour thereon of my cheap and new-invented ,menstruum1 so much as may swim above it a fingers breadth1 put a ,limbick upon it and set it in a ,sand furnace1 give fire by degrees till the ,liquor boil1 and be all gone over the ,helm1 to a dry ,salt4 ,so hath the ,aqua ,fortis in the time of digesting drawn to it self all the allay of ,lune1 ,venus1 or other impurity1 out of the ,gold1 in form of a green ,powder1 which remains with the ,gold in the ,glass4 ,when it is cold1 ,i take it out of the ,sand1 and put in warm ,salt water1 to dissolve the extracted ,lune and ,venus1 that it may be poured out of the ,glass3 which done1 ,i boil it in a ,copper ,kettle1 so the ,salt-water extracts the ,lune and ,venus from the ,sol1 and maketh it fine4 ,i decant the green and thick water from the ,sol1 and put to it in the ,kettle fresh ,salt-water1 and boil it to extract the rest of the ,lune and ,venus from the ,sol4 ,but if this second ,water should yet be green and thick1 that is a sign that there yet remains more ,lune and ,venus with the ,sol2 therefore more fresh ,salt-water is to be added to the ,sol1 as before4 ,after boiling1 put all the green ,waters together1 and at last pour upon the ,gold onely common sweet water1 with which boil the ,gold to extract the remaining saltness from it1 which will leave it fine and shining in the ,kettle1 as fine ,gold useth to be1 which is to be set upon a small fire to dry1 then to be kept as fine ,gold4 ,the green ,water is to be filtred1 so the ,lune will remain behind in the filter1 which is to be dried1 and mixed with the common fluxing ,powder of ,sulphur and ,nitre1 and being melted will be reduced to the finest ,lune4 ,boil the green filtred ,water in an ,iron ,pot1 so all the ,venus will settle to the ,pot bottom1 which is to be edulcorated with ,water1 and being mixed with the above-named fluxing ,powder1 and reduced becometh the finest ,venus that can be seen with eyes4 ,by this means ,i doe not onely find all my ,sol1 ,lune1 and ,venus1 but also an increase of the ,sol1 the reason of which increase proceeds from my ,aqua ,fortis1 which is a graduating ,water1 and of a meliorating nature and property3 which encrease indeed is not over-great1 yet it pays for all the charge of ,coals and ,labour4 ,this work may be performed in the space of twelve hours without any loss of ,sol or ,lune2 which differs greatly from the tedious vulgar way of separation1 which is very laborious and costly1 besides the great loss of the ,sol and ,lune4 ,so that ten ,marks may be easier separated by my way1 than one ,mark by the common way4 ,one great ,secret more1 above others1 which for brevity sake cannot be all inserted here1 is this4 ,it is well known to all ,chymists1 that all ,vegetables1 as also ,animals1 by addition of common ,water1 may be brought to fermentation1 and according to every subject1 a ,spiritus ,ardens1 of great use in ,physick1 may be distilled4 ,but how to make such a subtile ,spirit out of ,metals1 ,i never read in any ,authour1 nor heard of4 ,but ,i have found out a way by which great matters may be done1 which cannot be mentioned here1 let others search after it as ,i have done1 it is not good to cast ,pearls before ,swine4 ,yet that the desirous may know somewhat of an ,artificial ,metallick ,fermentation2 ,i say that out of certain ,salts a ,water may be prepared1 which when it is put upon a compact ,metal1 that the same by a certain property in the ,water1 begins to swell up and ferment1 like to the fermentation of ,wine1 ,beer1 or other vegetable ,drinks2 and after fermentation1 by distilling in ,balneo yields an exceeding subtile penetrating ,spirit1 strong1 sweet1 and volatile1 according to the nature and property of the ,metal2 which may also by rectification be concentrated and subtilized1 like that which is drawn from ,wine or other ,vegetables1 without any ,corrosion2 so that such a ,spirit may be put into the eye without the least hurt1 or sence of sharpness4 ,see the ,sixth ,part of the ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,therefore it may easily be concluded1 that such a ,metallick ,spirit may effectually be used in the most difficult diseases4 ,but those ,spirits are not onely highly profitable in ,medicine1 but cannot also fail to shew their effects upon ,metals2 for ,i have already experienced thus much1 that the ,spirit of ,sol doth in few days graduate ,common ,mercury into ,sol1 in like manner doth the ,spirit of ,lune and ,jupiter graduate ,mercury into ,lune2 other ,spirits of ,metals ,i have not yet tried4 ,and although many may think to force such a ,spirit out of ,metals as is drawn out of ,vitriol1 yet they err1 because every ,vitriol distilled per se besides the ,phlegm1 acid ,spirit1 and heavy ,oil1 yields also a volatile ,spirit1 which may be very much subtilized by rectification1 but it hath no comparison at all1 nor likeness with my new-invented volatile humid ,spirit of ,metals2 because the above mentioned volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol1 consisteth onely of a subtile salt ,spirit and spiritual ,sulphur1 which may sufficiently be demonstrated4 ,for when such a subtile salt ,spirit of ,vitriol stands a while in a ,glass close stopped1 the volatile ,sulphur of the ,vitriol sublimeth it self to the top of the ,glass1 and congeals it self in the form of common yellow ,sulphur1 and the humidity remains in the ,glass like an insipid ,water1 without smell or tast4 ,therefore the volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol now-a-days prepared1 is to be esteemed for nothing else but a volatile ,spirit of ,sulphur4 ,in opposition to which my ,metallick ,spirits1 especially those of ,sol or ,lune have no combustible matter in them4 ,also the ,spirit of ,vitriol is yet corrosive1 which the ,metallick ,spirits are not4 ,therefore let no man think that my invented ,spirits of ,metals are of the same nature with the sulphureous ,spirit of ,vitriol1 ,allom1 or common ,salt1 or the like1 but let it be esteemed as a new-invented high ,secret1 the like of which was never yet known to the ,world4 ,he to whom ,god shall please to reveal how these ,spirits of ,metals may again be brought into fixed bodies1 such a one may well esteem himself happy4 ,seeing that such a ,spirit being yet fugitive1 can mortifie running ,mercury1 and transmute it into ,sol4 ,also know1 that our secret ,salt-water hath power to bring other ,subjects into fermentation3 ,as for example2 if ,i was willing to bring ,tartar again into fermentation1 to try what ,spirit it would yield1 ,i dissolve it onely in fair water1 and put to it a little of our ,universal ferment1 so will the ,tartar presently begin to ferment and work1 and yields a wonderfull volatile ,spirit1 which is not to be had by any other way4 ,here ,i will add onely one thing by way of history2 namely1 what happened unto me once1 when ,i joined a little of this ferment with some ,urine3 that the same did presently begin to ferment1 and yielded a most dreadfull scent1 so that ,i was necessitated to carry the ,urine out of the room1 the smell was so offensive1 that it enfeebled my ,heart and ,brain2 and in the distilling1 yielded a scent far worse than the putrefying of any dead carcasses of beasts1 at last ,i forced over all the unpleasant ,phlegm1 took the ,caput mort4 out of the ,glass1 and distilled out of it a strong ,corrosive ,spirit1 with which ,i did dissolve ,sol and ,lune4 ,but what is further to be expected from it1 time will shew me4 ,there came also with the strong salt ,spirit1 a red ,oil of ,urine1 not strong4 99 99 99 99 99 ,to enlighten the former discourse1 there remains yet something to be said1 namely this3 ,that the before mentioned ,spirit of ,metals may be handled in all respects like the burning ,spirit of ,vegetables1 which is distilled from ,vegetables fermented2 in rectifying1 the most subtile ,spirit cometh over first1 and the unprofitable ,phlegm remains behind2 and the oftener this rectification is performed1 it is the more pure1 subtile1 strong and pleasant1 so that the vertues of all other ,vegetables1 some of this ,spirit being poured upon them and digested1 may be extracted1 and separated from their gross feces1 by separating the ,spirit of ,wine in ,balneo1 so the vertue of the ,herb1 ,root1 or ,flower1 will remain in the ,glass2 of which one onely drop hath more vertue in ,medicine1 than a whole handfull of the herb from which it was extracted2 yet the ,spirit remains good1 and is always proper for the like occasions4 ,but if one desireth no ,extract1 but onely a ,spirit of ,vegetables1 strong and forcible in its operation1 then must the ,spirit be put upon fresh well-scented cordial ,herbs1 ,roots1 ,flowers or ,fruits1 digesting them together1 then abstracting the ,spirit again1 so will it be much stronger1 subtiller1 and of a more refreshing smell than before4 ,thus in like manner can we doe with our ,spirit of ,metals1 and make it as strong as we will1 by putting the same upon fresh ,metals1 and letting them ferment together1 then abstracting1 and so fermenting and abstracting1 whereby it always grows stronger and stronger1 so that afterwards greater things may be done with it both in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,if then the simple ,spirit of ,metals doth wonders in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 what will not this doe1 that hath three or four times its strength8 ,consider of it1 enough to the wise4 ,the ,spirit of ,metals thus made we esteem for the true ,aqua vit or ,vinum salutis of the ,ancients1 and no other made of ,vegetables4 ,take notice also by the way1 that our ,ferment doth not lose its vertue in distilling1 but serveth always for the like ,works1 to wit1 the ,fermentation of ,metals4 ,seeing that our ,ferment is a volatile ,salt1 after ,fermentation the subtile ,spirit is abstracted1 and the ,phlegm received by it self1 so at last riseth our ,ferment with a stronger ,fire1 and leaves the mortified ,metal as unprofitable feces4 ,so that the ,ferment being once had1 it may be often used1 yet it is somewhat diminished every time by sticking to the glasses1 yet not being costly1 the loss may be easily born1 so that there needs never be no want of it4 ,this is indeed a wonderfull subtile metallick ,wine1 of which ,i had once a ,vision about thirty years ago 7with these words3 ,ex fece1 de fece1 debes carpere vinum tuum17 yet ,i knew not the signification to this time4 ,i have had much thoughtfulness about it1 yet all in vain1 untill ,god was lately pleased to shew me the way of preparing such ,wine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,if ,i should write all things which may be done with my new-invented ,fermentation out of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,metals1 ,i should have work enough for a great ,volume1 and as it were bring forth a new ,world3 but let this suffice at this time4 ,next followeth the fourth ,secret ,fire of the ,wise1 to perfect an ,universal ,medicine both for ,men and ,metals4 ,that the ancient ,philosophers did make their ,universal ,medicine1 not out of one ,subject onely1 is clearly to be seen out of their ,writings4 ,and as their ,subject was divers1 so have they also used several ,fires to decoct their ,subject2 for some ,subjects1 as fixed ,sol and ,lune1 they have made volatile by their humid ,fire1 and again made the volatile fixed by means of the known fire of ,wood and ,coals4 ,therefore have they so positively affirmed1 that without common ,gold and ,silver1 no true ,medicine for the ,metals can be made4 ,and this1 by reason that other ,subjects were yet unknown to them2 and they knowing no better1 thought theirs to be the onely way by which the ,universal ,medicine could be made4 ,but others have wholly rejected ,sol and ,lune1 saying they are dead1 and that one should beware of them2 but that their ,sol and ,lune were living1 and that no commonly known fire could ripen them1 that a far other fire is required for that purpose2 these and the like contrary ,writings 7although they are both true7 have confounded the ,searchers1 so that one esteemeth one ,writer1 and another1 another1 and yet are always doubtfull after which ,authour they should work4 ,pontanus confesseth that he erred two hundred times1 although he wrought in the true matter1 and should never have understood if he had not read the old ,philosopher ,artephius1 and of him learnt the ,secret ,fire4 ,he describes also the ,secret ,fire in the same manner1 which ,artephius doth1 to wit1 thus3 ,our ,fire is no ,common ,fire1 it is ,artificial to find out1 it dissolves1 destroys and penetrates all things2 it is equal1 continual1 and constant1 burning with our ,glass1 and not without1 c4 ,our ,subject is also no common ,sol or ,lune1 but as yet an unripe ,mineral1 on which ,nature hath but begun to operate4 ,all they who have wrought in such unripe ,sol and ,lune have also of necessity known this ,secret ,fire1 or else they have failed1 and could accomplish nothing4 ,some have known the volatile ,gold1 as also the ,fire belonging to it1 and yet could not come to work with it2 the reason was1 because they as yet wanted the instrument belonging to it1 because if a volatile matter be to be ripened in an open ,glass with a flaming fire1 it is impossible but that the volatile ,mercury should fly away2 and if a ,receiver were applied to receive the volatile ,spirit1 then by that means the ,fire would be stifled and go out4 ,here is good counsel at a dear rate1 but the discovery of the secret ,vessel maketh all cheap again2 for without the knowledge of this ,vessel1 little is to be done4 ,is it to be an ,universal ,work1 so must it also agree with the ,universal ,work of this world8 ,we see daily how that the warm ,sun causing its beams to descend downwards upon the ,globe of the ,earth1 causeth all ,vegitables1 to grow and multiply1 and not onely ,vegetables1 but also ,animals and ,minerals1 as ,plato witnesseth in these words3 ,the ,sun and ,man generate ,man4 ,so that the oftener the beams of the ,sun doth draw up the moisture of the ,earth1 and let it fall down again in ,rain1 by so much the more it maketh the dry ,earth fruitfull1 by which means the ,fruits of the ,earth sprout forth faster1 ripen1 and multiply2 because the moisture when drawn up in the daytime by the ,sun-beams1 always leaveth behind it its fruitfull ,salt1 which it had attracted from the ,air1 in the bowels of the ,earth1 and is still again impregnated with the influences of the ,heavens2 for without the ,air1 nothing can live1 encrease1 or multiply1 the which ,hermes ,trismegistus hath very well given to understand1 when he saith all which is above1 is also below1 by which wonderfull things are brought forth2 the ,sun is its ,father1 the ,moon its ,mother1 the ,wind carrieth it in its belly1 the ,earth hath conceived it and brought it forth1 and is its nurse1 by continual ascending and descending it hath obtained its force1 and its vertue is compleat1 when it is transchanged into ,earth1 c4 ,here ,hermes gives sufficiently to understand1 that the volatile matter of the ,stone is elevated from the bottom of the ,vessel to the middle region of the ,air1 and must again descend to the ,earth1 that by its continual ascending and descending it may be made to live and encrease1 as it is in the great ,world4 ,but how to make this ascention and descention as it is and ought to be done in the ,philosophick work1 is not permitted to be divulged3 but it is more than enough to discover and assure that in such a secret ,furnace and hidden ,fire1 the volatile ,gold of the ,wise may be ripened into a living ,medicine4 ,amen4 ,here should come in a small ,treatise1 entitled1 ,the ,explication of ,solomon's ,words3 ,viz4 ,in ,words1 ,herbs and ,stones1 there is great vertue4 ,but who this ,solomon was1 is altogether uncertain2 and the ,treatise it self consisting of nothing but fabulous ,stories of divers ,events1 which followed upon the speaking of certain words at divers times1 and upon divers occasions1 and containing nothing 7as ,i conceive7 that will be useful either for a ,christian1 or an ,artist1 ,i think fit to leave it out2 and more especially1 because this ,treatise is wholly foreign to the ,authour's knowledge and experience1 but taken upon trust 7as to matter of fact7 at random1 and from others1 which is disagreeable from all the other ,writings of the ,authour4 ,all that ,i think worth the ,translating is somewhat relating to the ,colouring of ,glass2 which take as follows4 99 99 99 99 99 ,with one pound of pure ,glass1 mix about a dram of the ,ashes of ,copper1 or ,crocus ,veneris and melt them together in a strong ,fire1 and you'll find a green ,glass1 resembling the ,onyx-stone4 ,in like manner also a whole pound of ,glass is made like to the fairest ,saphire1 if a dram of ,cobolt or ,bismuth1 melted1 be added to the ,scori or ,dross4 ,likewise one dram of the ,rust of ,iron changeth a whole pound of ,glass into a yellow ,stone1 emulating an ,hyacinth4 ,if one shall melt a dram of the ,tincture of ,gold1 or of the ,philosophers ,mercury1 extracted from ,gold and ,silver1 with a pound of ,glass1 that ,glass becometh very red1 like a ,ruby in colour1 as ,i my self have found4 ,but if any shall be so fortunate as to make this ,glass hard1 as well as of a beautifull colour1 he will need to take but little pains for his living4 99 99 99 99 99 ,there is a short ,discourse adjoyned to this1 called1 ,the ,quintessence of ,metals2 but whatsoever is mentioned in that1 is contained in the ,fifth ,part of the ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 ,book of ,fires1 ,book of ,dialogues1 c4 ,the ,end of the ,second ,part4 ,,the ,,third ,,part ,,of ,glauber's ,,works4 ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,the ,three ,principles of ,metals1 ,,viz4 ,the ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 and ,salt of ,philosophers1 ,,how ,they may profitably be used in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and other ,arts4 ,of ,,sulphur4 ,that ,sulphur is one of the ,principal ,columns of ,medicine1 and also a ,primary ,part of the ,three ,principles of ,metals1 is more than sufficiently manifest2 also1 that in it is reconded much good1 several ,books left unto us 7published by ,ancient and ,modern ,authors7 do clearly witness4 ,but those ,books1 for the most part1 all of them are obscurely written1 and every notable and most remarkable thing is by them both concealed and manifested4 ,hence it was most usual1 of it to prepare certain ,vulgar ,medicaments2 as1 ,yellow ,flowers1 a ,white ,magistery1 a ,red ,balsom1 and an ,acid ,oyl per ,campan4 c4 ,but among all other1 ,paracelsus in ,writing hath most clearly unveiled the same2 yet so warily1 as few could perform the like1 although many diligently searched4 ,therefore1 since the ,writings of this most highly illuminated ,man are able to give a good ,testimony of ,truth to this my ,work1 ,i thought it very convenient1 to insert a part of the best of his ,writings in this small ,treatise of mine2 whence it will appear1 how our ,art is carried on and ,augmented ,yearly4 ,the ,words of ,paracelsus are these which follow4 ,of ,,sulphur4 ,,god hath created ,bitumen1 endued with many rare and admirable ,virtues1 not only conducent for the necessary use of a ,physician1 willing and ready to heal the ,sick1 but also for the vast ,phantasy and ,operation of ,chymistry4 ,besides1 in it are many other ,virtues1 which wonderfully discover themselves by ,sulphur1 because it is the true ,bitumen4 ,wherefore ,i thought it worth my while1 not only to describe the ,medicinal ,virtues of ,sulphur1 but also the ,chymical1 and many other associated ,virtues of the same1 in every other ,profession and ,business4 ,it is to be owned1 that many things have been writ of ,sulphur2 but the true ,foundation of the true ,virtues thereof1 hath scarcely yet by any ,man been exactly enough touched or proposed4 ,but those ,writers are to be blamed1 who would describe all things1 of which they have no understanding1 because1 in so doing1 they did indeed compose and prescribe somewhat2 but nothing fundamentally1 or according to its genuine ,disposition and ,property1 as in ,writing and ,describing is requisite4 ,for in truth1 they themselves understood not1 yet 7through their ambitious ,haughtiness7 they would compose ,books1 consisting of ,letters only1 without ,soul or ,spirit4 ,but ,i1 as ,one experienced1 present you my ,experience of ,sulphur in all things1 viz4 ,what ,sulphur is with respect to ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and all other associated ,artifices4 ,therefore know ye1 that in ,sulphur 7but it is in ,,god only to hinder7 are wonderful1 and those so admirably famous1 ,things1 as thence the natural ,light of ,man may derive ,cause enough for ,wonder3 ,or else1 7if ,,god prohibit not7 the ,fault is in the ,artist's handling it2 which is a thing very probable4 ,for1 when every babling ,sophister thinks himself a ,physician1 and every ,finical ,fellow will be accounted a ,chymist2 then it comes to pass1 that ,arts can never be rightly exposed to publick view4 ,but howsoever the ,matter is1 the ,foundation lyes here3 ,in ,sulphur 7for either ,faculty7 are insited so great ,arcanums and ,powers1 as almost no ,man can throughly exhaust them2 and also so great ,virtues1 as will cause admiration so every ,man4 ,for in very deed1 according to the ,experience of all ,men1 7in either ,faculty7 there are so many things worthy of ,note2 because in ,sulphur is such an ,efficacy1 as few like unto it are given1 nor in ,chymistry and ,medicine can its second be found4 ,yet ,aristotle defames that1 saying1 ,transmutation of ,species cannot be4 ,but ,sulphur suffers ,transmutation3 ,which is sufficient to prove1 that ,aristotle 7if he were now living7 might be convinced of his ,folly1 even by ,women4 ,no ,physician or ,chymist should convert ,sulphur to his ,uses1 according as it is found in it self2 but separated into its ,arcanum1 and purely freed and cleansed from all ,impurities1 until it is so purely clean1 as its ,virtue exceeds the whiteness of ,snow4 ,hyssopus1 that is1 the ,art of ,separating1 doth this2 it was anciently called ,hyssopaica1 in ,alchymy and every ,separation4 ,yet ,sulphur is of admirable use for its vulgar ,businesses1 or common ,artifices4 ,now1 that ,i may more accurately explain to your ,comprehension1 ,i will first distinguish it according to its ,nature4 ,for it is not produced from one ,matrix1 but from many4 ,wherefore also1 it acquires divers ,operations1 that is1 hath in it self various affections1 not one disposition only1 but peculiar peculiarly4 ,and that the ,physician may not err1 ,i will here present to him the ,nature of that ,sulphur1 which is best for his use in ,medicine2 also to the ,chymist1 ,i will exhibit the disposition of that1 which is profitable in ,alchymy2 and lastly1 ,i will shew1 how far it is conducent for every common ,business4 ,therefore the ,instruction being first premised1 its use shall be superadded1 not only in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 but also in other common ,vocations2 that every ,man in his own ,operation may know1 how to use and apply the same1 without mistake or ,error4 ,touching the ,embryonate ,sulphur of ,metals1 viz4 what is invisibly contained in it1 thus take it3 ,that in ,diseases doth so admirably conserve and restore its own ,member1 as it manifests the ,members to stand in need of a ,mineral ,medicament only1 and no other4 ,hence the of is conducent for the ,heart1 of for the ,brain1 of for the ,reins1 of for the ,spleen1 of for the ,gall1 of for the ,liver1 and for the ,lungs4 ,also there is found a kind of ,embryonate ,sulphur in ,wood3 ,but that is ,fire only1 which no ,man can preserve in its ,life and ,essence otherwise than in the ,wood1 with which it passeth away1 and dyes4 ,such is the of all things which are ,woody1 or whatsoever it be1 that is plainly reduced by ,fire into ,ashes4 ,this is ,vegetable1 but not fixed2 nor is it conducible for any thing at all1 except those things1 which are to be prepared by ,fire4 ,now be it known to you all1 that that indicates the ,virtues of other ,sulphurs1 this way3 ,as ,fire devoureth all things1 so every is an invisible ,fire1 which doth invisibly absume ,diseases so1 as ,fire visibly consumes ,wood4 ,wherefore the ,element of ,fire is a singular ,arcanum in all ,diseases4 ,he that wants this ,element of ,fire among his ,secret ,medicines1 ought not in any wise ascribe to himself the ,name of a ,physician2 nor can he shew himself an ,expert ,physician1 but is rather an ,erroneous ,operator1 and a ,robber of the ,sick4 ,further ,i say1 is the ,element of ,fire1 and if any one would have it exercise the facilities of a ,medicine1 let him take care to volatilize it so1 as it may vanish like a ,flame2 that is1 let it be so subtilized1 as it may recede from its own ,body1 and the ,body be separated from it3 ,for the ,body is not the ,element of ,fire4 ,sulphur1 rendred thus ,subtile and ,volatile1 is the ,consumer of what is to be consumed1 that is1 what is not fixed in ,nature1 so ,diseases are not fixed1 but the ,body is fixed against the ,element4 ,and the ,element of ,fire is only adverse to that1 which is not fixed against it1 that is1 adverse to ,diseases4 ,now would ,pseudophysicians so order the matter1 as our ,philosophy might find place1 and receive ,encrease in the ,schools of ,physicians1 the ,trifles and ,impertinencies of ,humorists 7who grope in ,medicine as a ,blind ,man1 that knows not which way he goes7 being totally rejected1 many ,homicides1 daily perpetrated by their ,rashness1 would be prevented4 ,in the mean while1 since they are ,men of no ,conscience1 what can you do1 but leave them to their own perverseness8 ,he that is desirous to act as a true ,physician1 let him seek the ,virtues of ,elements in ,natural things2 there he will both find the ,truth1 and a ,remedy against the ,diseases of the ,sick4 ,there is a twofold kind of ,embryonate 2 one fixed1 but notwithstanding made ,volatile2 the other1 pure ,fire2 that is1 one is ,living ,fire1 the other ,insensible ,fire2 yet both the ,sensible and ,insensible are exercised in like ,consummation2 viz4 one in ,wood1 the other in ,diseases4 ,every ,man1 affecting the ,health of others1 might by these few words be sufficiently instructed1 if ,,god withstand not his ,endeavours2 but ,i judge every ,man shall not be made ,wealthy1 because ,,god well knows1 why he hath given the ,goat so short a ,tayl4 ,for since ,riches do very often seduce ,poor ,men1 cause them to put off the ,habit of ,humility and ,modesty1 and transform them into proud and insolent ,animals1 therefore it is more safe to keep silence1 and leave every one to his own poor estate4 ,now know ye1 touching ,sulphur and its ,species2 what the ,nature1 ,property and ,essence1 of the same is4 ,whosoever shall attempt to describe ,sulphur in a most accurate manner1 7as is fit1 though not expedient7 will have need of abundance of ,paper4 ,but for handling 1 a judicious ,chymical ,operator and ,experienced ,artist is required2 such a one should be very expert and solidly grounded in his ,art1 no ,airy ,talkative ,person1 whose ,art consists in ,lip-labour only2 but one1 that proves himself an ,artist by the ,labour of his hands3 ,for such a ,man will be able to extract from more wonderful ,arcanums1 than any ,man can describe with his ,pen4 ,but1 he that knows nothing of ,sulphur1 knows nothing at all1 nor is it convenient1 he should say any thing1 either in ,medicine1 or in ,philosophy1 touching any of the ,secrets of ,nature4 ,of the ,use of this ,element of ,fire1 which ,paracelsus hath so earnestly commended to all ,physicians4 ,first1 this ,tincture of may be exhibited in all ,diseases1 for comforting the ,brain1 ,heart1 and all the ,internal ,members of the ,body1 because it is famously subtil1 savoury1 and sweet2 and is a ,medicine most excellent1 especially in ,affects of the ,lungs4 ,also1 it is the most penetrating of salutiferous ,balsoms1 for curing every ,body internally hurt1 and for restoring all vitiated ,members to their pristine ,sanity2 in so much1 as1 in this respect1 you can scarcely find any other ,remedy1 second to this in ,virtue4 ,therefore it may very well serve instead of ,aurum potabile2 but in firey ,diseases1 it must be warily administred4 ,this ,essence of strengthens weak ,stomachs1 and gets a good ,digestion4 ,in a word1 in all ,distempers whatsoever1 except ,burning ,feavers1 it may be safely used4 ,note3 ,if any one shall extract a red ,tincture from fixed rubifyed1 he will enjoy a most present ,remedy1 not only for ,men1 but also for some ,metals2 namely1 for tinging and into 4 ,this is that1 which ,paracelsus commended to all the ,rivals or ,sons of ,art so highly1 that ,i thought ,i should do very well here to subjoyn his own ,words1 as they are written4 ,mortification of ,sulphur is made1 when its combustible and fetid ,humidity is taken away from it1 and the reduced to a fixed ,substance1 which is done thus4 4 ,common yellow 1 which reduce to a fine ,powder1 and from it three times abstract a most strong ,aqua ,fortis2 then the remaining in the bottom1 will be of a black ,colour4 ,this edulcorate with sweet ,water1 and so oft distil the ,water thence1 as until the ,water come off wholly sweet1 and smells not at all of ,sulphur4 ,then take that ,sulphur1 and reverberate it in a close ,reverberatory1 like ,antimony4 ,in ,reverberating1 it will shew it self1 ,first1 ,white2 ,secondly1 ,yellow2 and ,thirdly1 ,red2 as ,cinnabar4 ,having brought it to this pass1 thou mayst rejoyce2 for that is the beginning of thy ,riches4 ,for this ,reverberated ,sulphur in ,tinging1 renders every ,silver into the best ,gold1 and the ,humane ,body into perfect ,health1 more excellently than can be described4 ,of so great ,virtue is this reverberated and fixed ,sulphur1 c4 ,elsewhere1 ,paracelsus writes of the ,transmutation of ,metals and ,gems1 thus3 ,as you now have seen a very brief way of some peculiar ,transmutations of ,metals2 so here further know ye1 touching the ,transmutations of ,gems1 that is1 of small ,stones1 that of such ,transmutations also there are various ways1 some of which notwithstanding seem in no wise adverse to others4 ,for you see how potent a ,transmutation of ,gems lyes in the ,oyl of ,sulphur4 ,every ,crystal1 that is left in that ,oyl for some time1 is tinged and transmuted1 and may by graduation with distinct ,colours be so exalted1 as to exceed a ,natural ,jacynth1 ,granate1 or ,ruby1 c4 ,paracelsus here teacheth the fixation of 1 if a most sharp ,aqua ,fortis be several times abstracted from the same1 reduced to a fine ,powder4 ,but that way of proceeding will profit nothing1 because the ,aqua ,fortis is not capable of any ,ingress into the 1 because that is first to be procured by ,salts1 as we above taught4 ,for then the ,artist's ,endeavour will succeed well1 and the in ,abstraction of the ,aqua ,fortis be fixed1 and also wax white3 ,but ,redness is afterward given to it in an open ,fire1 or ,fire of ,reverberation4 ,and it will never wax red in a close ,vessel1 how long soever it stands in the ,fire4 ,and when it is thus ,red1 every common ,spirit of ,wine extracts not its ,tincture1 because it hath not ingress into it4 ,but the fixed red must first be melted with fixed ,salt of ,tartar in a very strong ,fire4 ,that way is given to it such an ,ingress1 as any ,spirit of ,wine can extract from it its ,tincture4 ,for otherwise you shall labour in vain4 ,paracelsus intended rather to keep this ,experiment to himself only1 than to expose it to the use of the ungrateful ,vulgar ,sort4 ,but no ,man hath cause to wonder1 why ,i now am desirous to discover the same openly1 since ,i have peculiar ,reasons of this ,publication1 an account of which ,i am not bound to render to any ,man4 ,it is sufficient to any grateful-minded ,man1 that ,i am willing publickly to discover that ,secret4 ,this fixed ,tincture of is in ,medicine much more efficacious1 than the ,element of ,fire1 described by ,paracelsus4 ,for ,that is only extracted from a ,volatile ,sulphur2 but ,this is fixed2 and is also of power sufficient to cure the fixed ,diseases of ,men1 as well as ,metals4 ,the ,volatile ,tincture1 or ,element of ,fire1 as it is called by ,paracelsus1 is otherwise also famously conducent for ,external ,uses4 ,all affects of the ,skin1 as ,scabs1 and the like1 are cured by the help of that4 ,also to every ,wine it is a present ,medicine4 ,for if any one put a little of it into a ,cask of ,wine1 the ,wine acquires a grateful ,tast and ,odour1 and will be so comforted1 as not easily to admit of changing or perishing1 as otherwise is wont to happen to common ,rhenish ,wine4 ,i did indeed1 for tryal sake1 pour same of this into divers ,wines1 and found it so in very deed4 ,for ,i put one or two drops of our ,element of ,fire into several open ,cups filled with ,wine2 and ,i daily observed them1 until ,i found1 that that ,wine1 in which none of the ,element of ,fire was put1 did in two or three days contract a slimyness2 but those1 in which a little of the ,element of ,fire had been mixed1 stood almost three ,weeks1 before they began to contract the like4 ,which business of ,wine1 if any ,man well consider1 he may find out the way1 how1 by the benefit of this ,art only1 far more easily to acquire sufficient ,gain for daily ,sustenance1 than otherwise by the perillous ways of ,merchandise4 ,wherefore1 whosoever is desirous of enjoying ,profit in ,wines1 let him always take care continually to have ready prepared by him a good ,sal mirabile1 and reduce ,sulphur into a red firey ,stone2 otherwise he will lose his ,labour and ,cost1 which1 by way of ,admonition1 ,i was not willing to pass over in silence4 ,therefore ,i must say1 with ,paracelsus1 that all those ,physicians and ,chymists are not of the best ,fame1 who have the ,gift of ,glorious ,eloquence2 but those only1 who have learned their ,understanding by long use of ,fire2 and whilst elaborating ,subjects1 to be prepared1 do well know1 what should be added and substracted1 according as the ,operation of every thing requires4 ,since we now know1 what ,paracelsus taught touching the fixation of 1 and also the profitable use thereof in ,medicine and ,alchymy2 it will in no wise be impertinent in this place to insert1 what ,basilius hath written touching the same2 that by his ,words every ,man may the better discern1 that my fixation of 1 which ,i have described to be made by the help of ,salt ,nitre1 differs not from the ,writings of other ,philosophers1 speaking of ,salt ,nitre4 ,the aforesaid ,basilius1 7who1 in many places of his ,writings1 mentioned the fixation of by help of ,salt ,nitre1 but obscurely enough7 among other things1 thus writes4 ,here ,salt ,nitre is introduced1 speaking of himself and to himself only4 ,sulphur indeed is my most mortal ,enemy1 and he is also my best ,friend3 ,for when we both are joyned together in ,wedlock1 and our ,marriage celebrated in ,hell1 so1 as we both sweat well together2 then we shall so put off all ,impurities from us1 as in our dead ,bodies may be found the greatest ,treasures1 and of us be progenited wealthy ,children1 c4 ,by which words1 ,basilius intimates1 that ,salt ,nitre1 by the ,contact of 1 is inflamed1 and1 as by an ,enemy1 wholly burnt up and reduced to nothing2 and therefore is accounted its greatest ,enemy4 ,but if ,salt ,nitre1 in form of an ,aqua ,fortis1 be associated to 1 and render it fixed and constant in ,fire2 they then become the greatest ,friends1 and from them both are procreated ,rich ,children4 ,therefore whosoever is desirous to obtain such ,children1 let him bend all his thoughts to the matter it self1 and diligently search2 for he may find1 if ,,god be pleased to indulge him and permit the same4 ,whatsoever ,paracelsus hath here writ of 1 he hath undoubtedly writ plain enough1 so as ,credit may safely be given to his ,writings4 ,for that what he saith is not from the purpose1 ,every ,man may be informed by these few words1 c4 ,certainly he1 had he not dreaded the impiety of the ,world1 would much more evidently have explained this1 and by that means he would have helped the ,necessity of many2 but the notorious ,ingratitude of the ,world deterred the ,man4 ,also ,paracelsus admirably discourseth of the ,element of ,fire1 how excellent a ,medicine it is1 as ,i my self have experienced1 and shall further in time to come 7if ,,god permit74 ,in like manner1 the same ,man makes mention of the noble ,hyssopaick ,art1 by the help of which1 ancient ,philosophers did1 with their own hands1 make black white as ,snow1 fix it1 and by the benefit thereof1 do great ,miracles in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,this ,art1 7with ,grief be it spoken7 by the negligence and injury of former times1 was gradually lost2 which notwithstanding1 from the ,caves of ,silence1 and1 as it were1 lying in ,darkness1 this my ,small ,treatise will again bring to ,light4 ,the prophet ,david seems to have some knowledge of this ,royal ,art2 for when he saw his ,sins before ,,god1 had 7as it were7 contracted the blackness of a ,coal1 he thus implores the ,divine ,mercy3 ,sprinkle me1 ,o ,,lord1 with ,hyssop1 that ,i may be white3 for1 by thy well-washing of me1 ,i shall become whiter than ,snow4 ,whence it is sufficiently manifest1 that ,david craved not the well known ,kitchin-,herb1 ,hyssop1 to be washed with1 because that could not help him2 but he spake ,metaphorically1 and requested that his ,sins 7by the great blackness of which1 he believed his ,soul to be infected before ,,god7 might be pardoned1 and he received into ,divine ,favour1 and never be driven from the face of ,,god to ,eternity4 ,likewise1 there is no ,community between the black1 gross1 and combustible of ,wood1 and the pure1 fixed and incombustible of ,gold3 ,for as long as black keeps its combustible disposition1 it is refused by the other1 as abhorring the familiar ,society of so stinking and sordid a ,guest4 ,but as soon as that ,ethiopian1 by assistance of the most noble ,hyssopaick ,art1 shall be washed white as ,snow1 and rendred constant in ,fire1 then it is readily received into ,communion by the 1 and of both is made one ,tincture1 by help of which1 other ,metals are reduced to the ,perfection of ,gold2 as a little after shall be shewed more at large4 ,yet ,i will first briefly note the difference of 1 according to my ,experience2 which is indeed not very necessary1 because ,paracelsus hath done it4 ,nevertheless1 ,i am very willing to subjoyn these few things4 ,ancient ,philosophers1 as often as they in their ,writings treated of the ,original and ,beginning of ,metals1 placed the ,foundation of their ,assertion in ,demogorgon2 viz4 ,that he was the ,grand-father of all ,metals and ,minerals1 who1 dwelling in the ,center of the ,earth1 was cloathed with a bright-red ,cloak4 ,but properly1 ,demogorgon is the ,central ,fire continually burning1 and a ,subtile ,spirit of 1 distilling it self through the passages of the ,earth4 ,if this firey ,spirit in its ascent finds a ,commodious ,cavern1 or ,humid ,place1 in which it may abide2 it is immediately there coagulated into a ,mercurial ,water1 and by the ,central ,fire's continual ,coction1 in length of time1 ripened into ,metals and ,minerals4 ,but the ascending ,spirit of 1 which finds no ,seat for its ,abode1 ascends higher and higher1 until it comes to the ,superficies of the ,earth2 into which1 when moystened with ,rain1 it thrusts it self2 and from the ,ground grows upward into the ,air1 in the form of vast ,bushes and ,trees2 in which ,plants and green ,trees1 is found such a as is in ,minerals1 7yet this is not found so fixed1 as that in ,metals17 because all things in the ,bowels of the ,earth are generated according to the ,influence of the ,stars1 and there coagulated according to the nature of the place into these or those ,metals4 ,let him1 who is desirous to be taught more at large touching these1 consult those ,philosophers1 by whom the same are plainly enough described4 ,if the pleasure of ,operating induce any one to set about this ,work1 he may make choice of the he judgeth most sutable to his ,intention4 ,now behold the ,method1 in which1 by the benefit of the most ancient ,hyssopaick ,art1 black is by a dexterous washing turned into white1 rendred fixed and constant in ,fire1 and by ,reverberation transmuted into ,redness1 and thenceforth used as a ,medicine of ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies wanting melioration1 and that with notable profit4 ,here is presented1 first1 the ,method of ,washing ,black ,sulphur so1 as it becomes very ,white4 ,the worthy ,paracelsus doth briefly indeed describe the method of whitening and rubifying 1 but what was most conducent thereunto1 he concealed2 viz4 that way of ,preparation1 without which no ,aqua ,fortis can have ingress for ,washing and ,fixing4 ,my purpose is in this place1 for the sake of the ,searchers of ,art1 to publish this ,secret in plain ,words4 ,this may be done many ways1 as will appear by the following1 4 ,one part of the ,terrestrial ,sulphur of ,pit-coals1 or of the ,vegetable ,sulphur of ,wood-coals2 with which1 reduced to ,powder1 mix two or three parts of our ,sal ,mirabile1 prepared of ,oyl of ,vitriol and ,common ,salt4 ,which mixture put into a ,crucible1 and set the ,crucible covered in a ,wind-,furnace for melting4 ,there the ,sal ,mirabile1 by its ,acrimony1 preys upon the 1 and dissolves it2 and thence makes a ,red ,stone1 which1 by pouring ,water on1 you may dissolve1 ,filtre1 and again ,coagulate1 into a ,red ,salt or ,stone4 ,and thus the 1 by help of the ,sal ,mirabile1 through one only abstraction of a sharp ,aqua ,fortis1 will be so habile1 as it may easily be made white with washing1 and also be fixed so1 as to sustain the force of ,fire1 according to this following4 ,process4 4 ,of this ,red ,sulphureous ,salt1 j4 and upon it1 in a strong ,body of ,glass1 pour iij4 of most sharp ,aqua ,fortis3 ,yet not all at once1 but leisurely1 and at times2 because the ,sal ,mirabile with the loseth its ,acidity1 and becomes ,alcalisate1 and therefore so inimical to the ,aqua ,fortis1 as it impetuously resists the same4 ,therefore let him1 that is ignorant of this1 be very wary1 lest all that is contained in the ,vessel fly away1 or the ,glass1 through too much heat1 burst in sunder4 ,for this cause1 proceed leisurely1 and operate according to the ,rules of ,art1 that your ,endeavour may be fortunate4 ,for1 in a way contrary to this1 you can find nothing1 but ,damage and ,trouble4 ,as often as you put in any ,aqua ,fortis1 presently put on the ,head1 because it will suddenly and hastily fume1 and so cause damage2 to prevent which1 after ,i had sustained several ,losses1 ,i at length1 against such ,exhalations1 found this ,remedy4 ,sidenote3 99 ,half ,ounces4 ,in the ,top of the ,alembick ,i caused a small hole to be made1 through which ,i put a little ,tunnel of ,glass1 and luted it on4 ,so soon as ,i had put the prepared into the ,body1 and luted the ,head and ,receiver to it aptly1 ,i through that little ,tunnel poured at one time two or three ,lo tones of ,aqua ,fortis1 and presently stopped the ,pipe with ,paper2 then immediately after great ,ebullition1 7by its own ,virtue1 without any external ,fire7 the subtil ,soul of ascended in a red form4 ,soon after1 ,i poured on more ,aqua ,fortis1 and left it to its own operation4 ,this ,i did so long1 and so often1 as until ,i had put in iij4 of ,aqua ,fortis1 upon j4 of the prepared 4 ,when you have thus done1 you may administer ,fire externally to your ,matter in the ,glass ,body placed in ,sand1 for so the ,aqua ,fortis will the more virtually act upon the 1 and will all ascend red in ,colour2 but the will remain with the ,sal ,mirabile in the bottom of the ,vessel fixed1 white1 and able to sustain the force of ,fire so1 as it seems almost incredible1 that such a ,substance1 easie to be enflamed and burnt1 should in a few hours space be exalted to so great ,fixation and ,constancy4 ,the ,distillation ended1 and ,glasses cooled1 take up the ,body out of the ,sand1 and thence take out the ,salt with the fixed 2 and to dissolve the ,sal ,mirabile from it1 pour on as much ,common ,water as shall be sufficient4 ,after extraction of the ,salt1 the fixed white must be dryed1 and kept sufficiently hot in a ,crucible in an open ,fire1 until the remains fixed1 totally white1 and able to abide the ,examen of ,fire4 ,then is it fit to be reserved for such ,uses1 as you shall learn by the following4 ,note3 ,if the ,sal ,mirabile1 together with the ,aqua ,fortis1 shall be purified1 then the fixed 1 after ,edulcoration1 will be white as ,snow4 ,but on the contrary1 if you do not well filtre the with the ,sal ,mirabile1 and also cleanse not the ,aqua ,fortis1 the will not come forth of a ,snow-like ,colour1 as you may easily conjecture4 ,wherefore1 whosoever would have a ,snow-white 1 he must warily proceed1 and purely operate1 in all parts of his ,work4 ,in ,medicine1 and the ,transmutation of ,metals1 destitute of whiteness1 will serve well enough2 but if you would apply it to such ,uses1 as necessarily require a ,snow-white ,colour1 you had need to proceed warily1 according to the ,prescripts of ,art4 ,for it is of great ,concern in every ,work1 to know1 whether the fixed should have a ,white or an ,ash ,colour2 as in the following shall be shewed more at large4 ,moreover1 it is highly necessary to be known1 that that ,aqua ,fortis1 which was poured upon the prepared 1 and separated from it by ,distillation1 is no more to be reputed ,common ,aqua ,fortis4 ,for although it ascends ,red1 yet that ,redness disappears in a day or two1 and the ,aqua ,fortis shews it self limpid and clear again2 in so much1 as it can scarcely be thought by any ,man1 that any eminent ,virtue is latent in that red ,aqua ,fortis changing again into whiteness4 ,which kind of ,ignorance did notably hurt me1 whilst ,i persuaded my self1 that such an ,aqua ,fortis could not be effectual for any other use1 or for the same1 again4 ,but afterward1 when ,i was seized with a desire of searching1 whence that ,redness should proceed1 and why it again disappeared2 ,i rectified a pound of such ,aqua ,fortis1 in a clean ,glass ,body1 to know1 whether that ,redness would remain behind1 and no other than the ,aqua ,fortis simple ascend2 and1 by tryal1 ,i found1 that no ,redness would ascend1 but in that ,rectification it separated it self from the ,aqua ,fortis1 and resided in the bottom in the form of ,powder1 white as ,snow4 ,having done this1 ,i tryed1 whether the same ,white ,powder were fixed1 and ,i found it to be as fixed1 as ,gold it self3 yet had no ingress into ,metals1 but remained like a white ,earth constant in ,fire4 ,hence ,i was seized with the delight of thinking1 what eminent ,virtue might be latent in this ,snow-like ,powder4 ,wherefore ,i again and again made like ,tryals1 and still found the same4 ,whence a great ,light discovered it self to me1 by which ,i perceived1 that in the vehement ,action of the ,aqua ,fortis1 in dissolving the prepared 1 the most clean ,soul of the ascended with the ,aqua ,fortis1 yet in a very small quantity3 ,for out of j4 of such 1 ,i had not above eight or ten ,grains of this ,soul of left behind4 ,which thing1 at first1 did not please me very well1 because the smalness of its weight seemed of no value with me4 ,but having made a more exact ,tryal1 ,i found this ,snow-like ,powder to be a most excellent ,medicine in several ,curable ,diseases of the ,humane ,body1 and a true ,tincture for ,correcting ,metals2 and therefore afterward ,i esteemed it far more than before2 and this so noble white ,tincture1 ,i1 by the help of ,art1 united with ,gold1 7which is a thing not difficult to be done by a skilful man7 and so found1 that this laudable ,tincture1 although so very white1 might1 with 1 in a small ,fire1 be exalted unto ,redness1 and be of more value than all the remaining2 although that is an hundred-fold more ponderous1 than this that ascended4 ,yet the ,use and ,fruit of ,both1 we will a little after shew more at large4 ,these may suffice to be offered here1 touching the way of ,whitening1 ,exalting and ,fixing1 common1 black1 filthy1 fugitive1 and combustible ,sulphur1 till it is able to sustain the torture of ,fire4 ,but before we proceed to the ,use of this whitened and fixed 1 we will here shew certain other ways of whitening and fixing every combustible ,sulphur4 ,another way of ,fixing ,sulphur4 4 ,one1 two1 or three 4 of common yellow reduced to ,powder2 upon this1 in a glazed ,earthen ,pot1 pour four1 six1 or nine 4 of a strong ,lixivium1 made of ,lime or ,wood-,ashes1 in which1 you must so long boyl the with continual stirring of it1 as until the ,lixivium hath dissolved as much of the 1 as is possible4 ,then decant it off1 and pour on fresh ,lixivium1 that the same may also dissolve as much as it can2 repeating the same ,labour till all the shall be dissolved4 ,which ,solutions1 if you filtre and coagulate into a ,red ,stone or ,salt1 the ,sulphur will be so habile1 as it may1 by the help of ,aqua ,fortis1 be washed and fixed4 ,another way of ,fixing ,sulphur4 ,dissolve in a ,lixivium1 and put that ,solution in a ,glass ,body1 upon which set an ,alembick1 with an hole on the ,top to put a ,tunnel through1 as before said1 and adjoyn and lute a ,receiver thereto4 ,then through the ,funnel pour in leisurely and by degrees so much ,oyl of ,vitriol1 as until the mortification of both is perceived1 no more ebullition is caused1 but all action each upon other ceaseth4 ,this being done1 administer ,fire by degrees1 and a subtile ,spirit of ,vitriol will ascend1 which performs wonders in ,medicine and ,alchymy2 because it contains ,spiritual in it self1 and may be very much subtilized by ,rectification4 ,in ,taste1 it differs little from the ,taste of ,spirit of ,urine2 only that it is more grateful to the ,palate1 and for every ,use more efficacious than ,spirit of ,sal ,armoniack or ,urine3 ,also from it the ,tincture may be separated1 as we will shew here following4 ,the ,salt1 remaining in the bottom of the ,glass1 must be taken out1 and by fusion in a ,crucible turned into a ,red ,stone1 which suffers it self1 per se1 to be fixed in the ,crucible in a short time4 ,by the benefit of this ,sulphur1 all ,metals may particularly be amended with great profit4 ,if any one purposeth to use the same ,universally1 let him pulverize this fixed ,red 1 and from it extract a blood-red ,tincture with ,spirit of ,wine3 ,for this ,tincture is easily extracted1 and by ,paracelsus is called1 ,the ,element of ,fire1 and was by him highly esteemed4 ,undoubtedly the chief ,reason why this ,philosopher called it ,the ,element of ,fire1 was1 because in the ,operation he visibly discerned four ,elements4 ,for1 the ,extraction ended1 7which may be absolved in #bd ,hours7 on the top is a beautiful ,red ,ruby-like ,tincture1 under which is a white ,liquor1 and in the bottom an ,ash-like ,earth4 ,the little ,skin separating the ,tincture from the white ,water1 is taken for the ,air4 ,therefore this way alternately1 the four ,elements present themselves to sight in the ,glass without confusion2 so as although you shake them together an hundred times in an hour1 yet they will never be mixed1 but after that agitation1 every of them recovers its pristine ,station4 ,the fruitful ,use of this ,element of ,fire1 shall be further spoken of afterward4 ,note3 ,as we have here now taught the way of washing and fixing common ,yellow 1 and the black of ,pit-coals and ,wood2 even so may the of ,antimony1 ,vitriol1 ,auripigment1 and other ,minerals1 be whitened and fixed4 ,but the method1 by which is extracted from ,metals and ,stones1 shall 7,,god willing7 be shewed in a peculiar ,chapter4 ,in the mean while1 here is declared1 ,the ,use of our ,fixed ,sulphur1 and1 first1 in ,medicine4 ,first1 this whitened by ,lotions and fixed1 is a most excellent ,bezoardick1 and much more safe in its ,use1 than the ,oriental ,bezoar1 which is sold indeed for a greater price1 yet never discovers any visible and sensible ,effect4 ,on the contrary1 our ,bezoar deservedly is preferred before it1 especially in the ,pestilence1 and all other ,diseases1 where ,sweating is needful4 ,also1 in all ,affects of the ,lungs1 it yields more ,comfort and ,relief1 than all other ,medicaments1 which are prepared of not cocted nor fixed1 but only crude4 ,likewise1 to ,men or every ,age1 whose weak ,stomachs are prostrated by an heap of aqueous and viscous ,humors1 it is a present ,remedy2 because by its dryness it totally absumes all ,phlegmatick superfluous ,humidities1 and perfectly restores the ,stomach4 ,what shall ,i say8 ,it may in a special manner be commended1 as a ,cordial and excellent ,confortative against the imbecillity of ,age4 ,and outwardly1 it may serve for a most excellent ,cosmetick2 and1 in like manner1 by the ,spagyrick ,art1 be reduced into an admirable sweet ,oyl1 by the benefit of which1 the yellow and blackish ,skin of ,women may be tinged with a beautiful white ,colour3 ,not like any other vulgar ,cosmetick1 which doth indeed whiten the ,skin1 but that may again be washed off with ,water2 not so1 ,i say1 but in such a manner1 as the ,skin1 thus elegantly tinged1 can in no wise be washed off again4 ,yet in length of time1 that whiteness of the ,tincture will wear away1 and the ,skin recover its native blackish ,yellowness3 ,wherefore it must be tinged again1 as often as shall be needful4 ,whence it is manifest1 that such a ,tincture is admirably useful in beautifying rich ,virgins1 and curious ,matrons4 ,moreover1 this ,oyl of ,talk is efficaciously prevalent in curing such ,affects of the ,skin1 as are called1 ,impetigo's1 ,serpigo's1 and ,lichene's2 also ,scrophulous ,tumors rising about the ,nose1 or in any part of the ,face1 and proceeding from an ,inflammation of the ,liver4 ,this ,oyl takes away all such cutaneous ,vices1 and beautifies and heals the deformed ,skin1 restoring it to its native ,colour4 ,the ,use of the same in ,chymistry4 ,fixed 1 as well in the humid1 as in the dry way1 transmutes imperfect ,metals into and 4 ,most readily and 1 in the humid way2 and most easily and 1 in the dry way4 ,from every it separates by fermentation4 ,if it be added to prepared ,metals1 the same ,metals distilled by ,retort give forth from themselves living ,mercury1 which permits it self to be fixed with into a tinging ,stone4 ,whensoever old ,demogorgon1 or the ,grandfather of ,metals1 through his extream ,age1 decays in strength1 and waxeth bald1 he devours his youngest ,son1 whereby he is so greatly comforted1 as he is able to give to all his ,sons and ,servants golden ,crowns4 99 99 99 99 99 ,note3 ,you are to understand the devouring of the ,son to be1 when old fixed swallows and devours crude and not fixed 1 and thereby acquires to it self ,flux and ,ingress1 by the help of a certain ,minister1 who most diligently watcheth his ,sepulchre so long1 as until ,father and ,son 7or the fixed and fusible7 be mortified1 and rise together renovated4 ,sidenote3 99 ,amill4 ,also from our ,hoary headed ,demogorgon1 of exact ,age1 by the addition of other ,matters1 is made a most white 99,amausum1 in the acquisition of which1 ,goldsmiths do greatly delight2 because they can adorn their ,artifices therewith4 ,behold ,i present you the way of ,opening and ,constituting a perpetual ,metallurgy of and 4 ,we above taught1 that 7after it is washed into a ,snowy whiteness1 and also so fixed1 as it is able to sustain the ,examen of ,fire7 was endued with power of amending all ,metals4 ,for the whitened 1 by ,gradation1 turns them into 1 and the ,rubifyed into 4 ,but here a great ,obstacle is wont to intervene1 so as this ,work of so great profit1 cannot easily obtain its ,effect1 answerable to the ,wish of every operating ,chymist2 viz4 because by ,fixation the is so totally deprived of its ,fatness1 penetrating ,power1 and easy ,flux1 as it degenerates 7as it were7 into a dead ,earth1 which1 per se1 alone loves not to enter into any ,metal1 but chooseth first to have ,ingress duly prepared for it by the help of other ,fusibles1 such are vulgar1 immature1 and combustible ,sulphur1 or ,antimony2 which do indeed penetrate the dead 1 and render it so fusible1 as it is capable of ,ingress into ,metals4 ,but since such combustible or 1 is so very noxious to ,metals1 as it makes them black1 volatile1 and brittle1 and so commonly doth as much hurt as good2 therefore we1 not approving of such an ,ingress1 endeavoured to find out a better4 ,indeed1 although every may another way be so fixed1 and rubifyed1 without the help of ,aqua ,fortis1 as to retain its own ,ingress2 yet such a fixation 7though easily done1 and requires little ,charge7 cannot be compleated without a very long time4 ,i intend to describe this way of ,fixing2 but first shall be shewed the method of procuring a safe ,ingress to this fixed by a whitening ,aqua ,fortis4 ,first1 we taught1 the was to be reduced by our ,sal ,mirabile1 then that a most sharp ,aqua ,fortis was to be abstracted from it1 and after ,abstraction the ,sal ,mirabile to be separated from the white fixed by common ,water1 that the might be dulcifyed and rendred fit for ,medicinal ,uses4 ,now ,i teach1 that the fixed by ,aqua ,fortis is not to be edulcorated1 but the ,sal ,mirabile to be left with it2 being that1 which prepares ,flux and ,ingress for its penetration into ,metals1 insomuch as ,necessity now urgeth us to seek a better ,ingress1 viz4 this way2 ,the way of adding to ,fixed a ,ferment1 by the benefit of which1 is acquired ,ingress into ,metals1 penetrative1 and amending the same4 ,above1 where we treated of the way of fixing ,sulphur1 we taught1 that after it was reduced by ,sal ,mirabile1 a most sharp ,aqua ,fortis was to be poured upon it1 and thence to be abstracted1 and that in the time of ,abstraction1 a little ,volatile would also ascend with the ,aqua ,fortis1 whence the ,aqua ,fortis waxed ,red1 and that such a ,redness might be separated from the ,aqua ,fortis1 in form of a fixed ,powder white as ,snow1 which might be used in ,medicine and ,alchymy with great profit4 ,yea1 such a fixed white as ,snow1 doth not only serve for an admirable ,cosmetick2 but also this small ,quantity of deserves to be highly commended by ,physicians1 as a most excellent ,diaphoretick1 the like of which you can no where find4 ,for indeed1 ,oriental ,bezoar is not comparable to this of ours4 ,our ,bezoar is the true ,unicorn's ,horn of the ancient ,philosophers4 ,this our ,philosophick ,unicorn1 is that most potent1 hoary1 and aged1 ,king of the ,world1 who1 as soon as he hath devoured his young ,son1 encreaseth in strength so admirably1 as he transforms his ,gray ,hairs into ,red1 and triumphs in his being able to give to all his ,servants golden ,crowns1 and also to make them ,kings4 ,for he is no more such as he was1 viz4 ,venom1 or ,black blacker than ,black1 or a wild and horrible ,beast in the ,wood1 but is changed into our ,oriental ,bezoar1 ,white whiter than ,white1 ,universal ,treacle1 c4 ,so great a power doth he possess1 after he hath been prepared according to the ,method above prescribed4 ,if any one be desirous to exalt the ,faculties of this 1 he will not lose his ,labour1 if before fixation he dissolve in ,aqua ,regis1 and pour this ,solution of upon the 1 instead of another ,aqua ,fortis2 and abstract it from thence again4 ,for so doing1 not only the remains fixed with the 1 and gives ,ingress unto it2 but also the ,aqua ,regis1 or ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 with the ,snow-like ,soul of 1 will carry with themselves over the ,helm the clean ,soul of 1 and so produce a far more excellent ,medicine1 than if only the ,soul of did ascend alone2 as every ,man may easily conjecture4 ,but if any one is desirous to operate better1 he may1 if he will1 dissolve the ,gold also in a ,crucible1 together with the ,sulphureous ,sal ,mirabile2 and presently after abstract from it a most sharp ,aqua ,fortis2 which way the is so much the better united with the 4 ,although ,i could discover much more touching this way of ,operating1 yet since 7because ,i have published already as much as is fit7 no ,necessity obligeth me to such a publication1 ,i will forbear to speak further hereabout4 ,the way of bringing this fixed ,snow-like to ,redness1 the ,laudable ,paracelsus here teacheth2 viz4 that it must be made ,red by a flaming ,fire4 ,yet it must not be covered 7as he mentions7 but open3 ,for this way it will wax ,red1 otherwise it would remain ,white4 ,now that to which you add 1 needs no ,reverberation2 because by the it is turned into a purple ,colour1 and the it self1 by help of the fixed 1 becomes irreducible1 and passeth into ,tincture1 and so needs no further ,exaltation4 ,therefore to whomsoever ,,god shall be so propitious1 as to give him this ,salt of ,metals1 together with the knowledge of conjoyning it with the ,red ,soul of and which ascends1 he will shew himself both in ,medicine and ,chymistry a principal ,master3 ,but whosoever is so blind1 ignorant1 and witless1 as he cannot discern what ,i have here so largely treated of1 such a ,man assuredly labours with an uncurable ,blindness1 so as you cannot recover his ,health1 although you should put double ,spectacles on his ,nose4 ,now to describe the method of fixing so1 as it may retain its ,ingress1 wherewith to penetrate into ,metals1 ,i purpose not in this place2 but it shall 7,,god willing7 be described1 where we treat of our ,secret ,sal ,armoniack4 ,here follows1 ,the way of ,preparing a perpetual ,metallurgy of and 1 by the help of ,fixed ,sulphur4 ,let the ,benevolent ,reader know1 ,i do not affirm1 that all whatsoever ,i shall here write touching the perpetual ,metallurgy1 ,i my self have tryed1 or took care to see elaborated4 ,for the fixation of hath not been known to me above two or three ,years1 during which time1 ,i have been for the most part distempered in my ,body so far1 as ,i had scarcely strength enough to prosecute my more secret ,arcanum's1 which are far more dear to me1 than any fixed can be4 ,yet1 in the mean while1 ,i could not choose but employ my ,thoughts upon such a ,method1 which being found1 any one might1 by the help of fixed 1 reap a gainful ,crop of ,fruit from the transmutation of ,metals4 ,to accomplish this1 ,i could find no way more easy1 than for a ,man1 of ,elixiviat ,ashes 7not of ,bones1 but7 of ,wood1 well sifted1 to make large ,cineritiums or ,tests1 in ,iron ,molds fit for the purpose1 and with that ,wood-,ash1 mix a small part of the fixed 2 and then take care to cupellate ,silver mixt with ,copper1 7with the due addition of ,lead7 according to the common method of ,art1 upon such ,tests4 ,for thus1 the will be purifyed1 and the and pass into the ,test1 as is otherwise wont to happen in all other purifyings of ,silver4 ,these ,tests1 7which you may keep by you1 until you have a sufficient ,quantity7 in the usual manner put into a melting ,fornace1 that in a strong ,fire the and 1 which passed into the ,test1 may co-unite with the fixed 1 and so attract it to themselves1 as they may come forth impregnated with and 4 ,now if this ,coppery be cupellated on such a ,test prepared with 1 the and will remain upon the ,test1 and the and 1 as happened before1 will pass into the ,test4 ,and if you again proceed with them as before1 infallibly 7by such a way of ,cupellating7 you will1 with the help of fixed 1 from and acquire gradually a ,quantity of and not to be contemned4 ,by this way of ,operating1 in all those ,regions1 where ,coals are cheap1 a ,man may get a competent ,livelyhood4 ,for although in ,cupellating there is some loss of the and 1 they turning into ,scoria's2 yet this small loss1 in these poor ,metals1 is nothing1 in comparison of the great ,gain1 which may be expected from the more ,rich4 ,i reckon1 this ,operation of ,cupellating costs no more than the price of the ,coals2 for the damage made in and is richly recompensed by the and acquired4 ,i was willing to communicate this to the ,lovers of ,art4 ,therefore1 if there be any ,curious ,refiners1 to whom this ,process is pleasing1 let them put it to the ,tryal2 if they will not1 'tis all one to me3 ,for ,i will make no ,tryal in such ,works1 as require a ,man strong and patient to labour in the ,fire4 ,in the mean while1 ,i doubt not1 but there will be some1 who will amply encrease their ,fortunes thereby2 upon whose ,endeavours1 ,i pray for the ,divine ,blessing1 and offer to their ,consideration this ancient ,proverb1 ,by ,saturn and ,mars1 by ,fire and ,art1 a ,treasure is found4 ,mars is fixed ,sulphur3 ,much might be said for ,saturn also2 but that is not so conducent as fixed 1 which is much purer than rude ,iron1 as ,experience teacheth4 ,touching the further use of fixed in the ,emendation of ,metals1 and that in an humid way1 by fixing and graduating ,aqua ,fortis's1 the ,acrimony or ,corrosive ,power of which1 is first so broken by the help of fixed 1 as they do not dissolve1 but only penetrate them1 and deduce them to an higher degree1 and1 according to the nature of the 1 tinge the same into whiteness or redness4 ,it is known to us1 that nothing tingeth but only2 and that1 according to its ,nature1 into redness or whiteness1 both in the humid and dry way4 ,in the dry way1 the must of necessity be so fixed and fusible1 as being cast upon the ,metal in flux1 it may penetrate into it1 as ,oyl into a dry ,skin4 ,you have already heard1 that in fixation by ,aqua ,fortis1 from the is so taken away its ,ingress1 easy ,fusion and ,metallick ,fatness1 as it rather seemeth like a dry ,earth1 than a ,metallick ,substance2 in so much1 as unto it cannot be procured a ready ,ingress into ,metals1 unless by some singular ,art and ,industry4 ,such an ,ingress cannot be given to fixed in a better way1 than by ,mercurial mundifyed ,metals1 viz4 by and 1 and indeed unto ,redness1 but unto ,whiteness4 ,it you would proceed more dexterously1 you must legitimately unite fixed with the ,salt of ,metals2 then will be acquired ,ingress into all ,metals1 as hereafter in the ,description of the ,salt of ,philosophers shall be seen4 ,but if ,fortune shall so favour any ,man1 as he can find out such a ,water1 as is endued with the power of dissolving fixed 1 he will enjoy so potent a ,gradatory ,water1 as will convert black ,leprous into most white pure 3 ,and not only 1 but also 1 1 and 2 yet most readily4 ,touching such a ,gradatory ,water1 7as far as ,i have learned by ,experience7 thus take it3 ,every whitened and fixed by washing amends ,metals2 but how it should have and acquire ,ingress into them1 is not known4 ,therefore1 as it is the part of ,art and ,industry to procure to fixed a dry ,ingress2 so also it is no less the ,work of ,art and ,industry to convert fixed into a ,water1 by which1 vile ,metals may be exalted to a more excellent degree of ,gold and ,silver4 ,therefore1 let him1 who intends to convert fixed into ,water1 observe1 that this ,water must not be so strong as to dissolve ,metals1 but savour only of so much ,acrimony as will be sufficient to penetrate them1 and deduce into an humid form1 viz4 such as it is tinged with1 either white or red1 according as the ,gradatory ,water shall be made1 either of red or white 4 ,whosoever well understands how to change fixed into ,water1 unto him will be opened a ,compendious way of ,graduating vile ,metals into and 4 ,which ,operation is1 of all1 the most commodious for 1 because ,aqua ,fortis more readily preys upon1 and dissolves1 other ,metals than 4 ,for it is prejudicial to dissolve any1 because in ,graduation ,metals are not to be dissolved1 but only to be penetrated1 with conservation of their forms1 as they were when put in1 and1 without any diminution1 to be transmuted into better ,metals2 which in is most easy to be done4 ,yet any ,aqua ,fortis1 although you add to it thrice so much common ,water1 will prey upon and dissolve 1 1 1 and 1 which is a thing to be studiously avoided4 ,into the aforesaid ,gradatory ,water1 in which the fixed is1 cast a little common ,salt1 then the ,aqua ,fortis becomes ,enemy to the ,lead1 and assaults it1 but indeed only to penetrate1 7not to dissolve the same7 and to introduce the fixed 4 ,after the ,lead hath lain in such ,water about #ad ,days1 it will swell and wax white1 leaving one half of it self upon the ,cupel4 ,but the longer it shall lye in the ,gradatory ,water1 so much the more amended will it be4 ,if fixed could as easily be turned into ,gradatory ,waters1 the same may easily be fixed2 assuredly in the whole ,world there would be no one particular more desirable than this1 by the help of which1 great ,riches might be acquired4 ,for this same humid ,graduation requires almost no trouble or labour1 more than putting filed or rasped ,lead for some time into the ,gradatory ,water1 and after ,gradation1 to take it out and cupellate it2 being such a kind of ,work1 as by ,chymists is accounted a ,childish ,labour4 ,but to know and be able to convert fixed into a ,gradatory ,water1 is the principal ,artifice2 and to participate of that1 all diligence must be used by him1 whosoever he be1 that is desirous to reap pleasant and profitable ,fruits from ,chymistry4 ,what do you desire8 ,all things needful to be spoken1 cannot clearly be explained with a ,pen2 yet if any one shall acquire the ,salt of ,metals1 he may easily so far introduce fixed into ,metals by that1 as they shall be amended thereby4 ,hitherto ,i have plainly enough described the ,fixation of 1 and prolixly demonstrated1 how ingress may be procured to it1 as well by the ,humid1 as by the ,dry way4 ,wherefore1 whosoever shall think himself concerned herein1 let him follow these ,prescripts1 until he find so much ,good1 as the favour of ,,god will grant to him4 ,for the ,all of our hope depends on the blessing of ,,god4 ,in the mean while1 ,i am not willing to conceal from the ,searcher of ,art1 this one only ,artificial ,manual ,compendium1 of converting easily into a ,gradatory ,water4 ,we above said1 ,aqua ,fortis could find no ingress for it self to the fixing of 1 before it was procured to it by the help of ,sal ,mirabile4 ,therefore1 since the way of preparing ,sal ,mirabile is various1 and one ,salt is always more constant than another2 great ,caution must be used1 that the ,sulphur be so handled and accommodated1 as it may be suddenly dissolved by the sharp ,aqua ,fortis1 and so not be precipitated into a white ,powder4 ,for if this be not done1 it will indeed be fixed by the ,aqua ,fortis1 but become very difficult to be dissolved4 ,if it be well dissolved the first time1 after ,fixation it will be easily dissolved4 ,which is a thing worthy and profitable to be observed3 ,for the whole hinge of ,art consists here4 ,therefore1 if any one be well ,skilled in ,spagyrick ,labours of ,fire1 he will easily bring this ,prescript to a good ,effect2 but if he be not such1 he will ,labour in vain1 and lose his ,charges2 and that not without the good ,pleasure of ,,god1 who ,wills not1 that every ,man should be made ,rich4 ,nevertheless1 if any one1 with an indefatigable study and patience of ,search1 shall hit the ,mark1 he will give thanks to ,,god and to me3 ,if not1 let him impute the ,error to his own unhappiness1 since ,i have writ so openly and clearly1 as no ,man before me ever did4 ,my purpose is in this place to discover one most excellent ,secret2 by the benefit of which1 fixed may easily be changed into a ,gradatory ,water1 and that the following way4 ,choose such 1 as unto which ,nature hath given greater ,efficacy1 than to the common 2 such1 ,i say1 as is in a sort ,mercurial1 and in which such beginnings of the ,operation of ,nature discover themselves1 as thence may be made a ,metal of a ,golden ,disposition4 ,such a ,mercurial you shall scarcely find in all the ,metallurgy of ,gold2 and that naturally ,red1 both internally and externally2 and is otherwise called by ,paracelsus ,embryonate ,sulphur1 or ,cinnabarine ,sulphur1 or immature mineral ,electrum2 but by ,miners vulgarly called the ,flower of ,gold3 ,also you may perceive it to have a great ,communion and similitude with ,auripigment and ,antimony4 ,this ,sulphur is ,mercurial1 and toucheth ,metals with a more near ,affinity1 than vulgar simple 1 because after ,fixation it is easie to be dissolved1 and before ,fixation better to be wrought upon than common 1 which partakes of no ,mercury4 ,and this in the abstraction of ,aqua ,fortis gives forth more of a beautiful ,tincture than any other common 4 ,also this pure ,soul may much better be used in ,medicine and in ,alchymy1 because it is both ,mercurial and of greater ,efficacy1 than the ,soul of any common 4 ,note3 ,common is not so easily prepared for ,solution1 as this2 because it is ,mercurial1 and therefore1 hath more ,communion with ,aqua ,fortis1 to be dissolved by help of it4 ,and after it is dissolved1 in the ,distillation it gives forth more ,soul1 and the fixed 1 which remains in the bottom1 is of greater ,virtue in ,medicine1 than the other of common 4 ,for by how much the more pernicious ,venome it was before ,fixation so much the more ,efficacious ,medicine doth it become1 after the ,venome is inverted by ,fixation1 and converted or prepared into an ,antidote or ,treacle4 ,such may also another way1 more commodious1 than by ,sal ,mirabile1 be prepared for easie ,solution3 ,which indeed is a thing of great moment1 and worthy to be observed4 ,this short1 but necessary1 ,admonition ,i thought good to subjoyn for the sake of the ,searchers of ,art2 to the end it might be known1 that one is better than another for preparing the aforesaid ,gradatory ,water4 ,nevertheless1 the known common ,sulphur1 as well as that of ,wood1 is sufficiently conducible to be washed and fixed4 ,more at this time ,i have not to advise4 ,in the mean while1 if any one be desirous to ,labour1 he may ingeniously search out all things fit for his ,invention1 and earnestly strive for ,riches4 ,for ,i1 without ,envy1 or close ,concealment1 have so openly spoke my mind1 as the least blame cannot justly be imputed to me4 ,but to prevent the ,infelicity of thy ,error1 my ,reader1 ,i could not do better1 than ,i have here done by ,writing4 ,let it not be tedious to ,thee to tread in our ,footsteps1 and in the ,footsteps of others1 so long1 as until you can attain to a fortunate and desirable ,end2 which will ,crown your ,work3 ,which ,work1 by ,idleness and sloath1 together with ,supine ,ignorance1 can never be accomplished4 ,having communicated these ,gratis1 every ,man may hence satisfie his ,desires so1 as not to trouble me further with his ,inquiries4 ,a ,,corollary4 ,we1 in this small ,treatise1 have plainly shewed the ,way or ,method1 by which1 every black ,volatile and ,combustible may in the space of one day be converted1 by washing1 into a ,snow-like ,candor1 fixed and rendred constant in ,fire4 ,also how1 in ,fixation1 the ,aqua ,fortis1 being abstracted from the ,sulphur1 carries with it self the most pure ,soul of the ,sulphur1 renders it fixed and durably permanent in ,fire2 and besides1 that it is not only a present ,remedy for expelling ,diseases most grievous in the humane ,body2 but also1 that it is endued with the ,power of transmuting imperfect ,metals into and 1 yet particularly only1 being destitute of such 1 as can sufficiently extend it self in ,efficacy4 ,likewise we have taught1 how to the more gross part of the 1 which remains in the bottom1 ingress may be procured for the amending of ,metals with ,profit1 both in the humid and the dry way4 ,lastly1 we shewed1 how much one excels another1 and such was to be accounted more excellent which contained in it self pure 2 and that especially to be the most excellent1 which before ,fixation was judged most venemous2 and that for this ,reason1 viz4 because every ,supream ,venome1 after ,preparation1 will become the highest ,medicament2 and that the ,melioration of such ,sulphur is much more ,efficacious1 than common ,sulphur4 ,wherefore in this place1 ,i am willing1 again and again1 earnestly to commend to the ,lovers of ,art ,antimony1 ,red ,arsenick1 ,yellow ,auripigment1 ,ash-coloured ,cobaltum1 ,cakimia and ,zinck1 with ,bismuth2 because all these are more excellent than common ,sulphur4 ,but he1 that elaborates such ,subjects1 so venemous1 must studiously beware of the evil ,fumes arising from them4 ,for as such a ,subject before ,preparation is mere ,venome1 so1 in preparing1 its venomous ,disposition is more and more increased2 but after ,preparation1 that which was deadly1 now becomes a most ,salubrious ,antidote or ,treacle1 and present ,remedy against all kinds of ,poisons4 ,note3 ,whosoever is desirous to be securely freed from all ,peril1 him ,i would advise1 to learn the way of fixing some common 1 before he rashly attempts to invade the ,fort of such noxious ,venoms4 ,therefore1 whatsoever we have hitherto taught are not vulgar ,matters1 or ,arts well known before1 but merely great ,arcanum's1 and those very lately invented4 ,for1 who could believe1 that common 1 a ,substance easily inflameable and burnable1 should in one day be so fixed1 as to be able to remain unhurt against all the force of ,vulcan8 ,who could have persuaded himself1 that the most venemous ,venoms1 as ,cobalt1 ,arsenick and the like1 may in one day be ,artificially inverted1 and their mortal ,venoms converted into ,salubrious ,antidotes8 ,lastly1 who could ever have thought1 that of the most ,volatile ,mineral ,subjects1 as 1 ,antimony1 ,arsenick1 ,auripigment and others of that kind1 in the space of one day may be prepared a ,tincture 7constant in ,fire7 for humane and ,metallick ,bodies8 ,no ,man1 if we had not in this small ,treatise so evidently demonstrated that1 as it may be plainly understood4 ,wherefore1 as ,i have formerly said1 so ,i am now ready to affirm1 that ,i1 in this small ,treatise1 have revealed so great and admirable ,arcanum's1 as no ,man 7as far as the ,memory of ,man can tell7 hath publish'd any thing more clearly than ,i1 touching such ,secrets4 ,if any one is desirous to ,learn1 whence so swift a ,fixation of combustible ,sulphur1 or so sudden ,metamorphosis of most deadly ,venoms1 ariseth2 to him1 ,i will now discover the ,cause4 ,it is sufficiently manifest1 that ,spirit of ,nitre1 as well as ,aqua ,fortis distilled from ,vitriol and ,salt ,nitre1 possess such a fiery ,disposition1 by which all combustible and ,volatile ,minerals are ripened4 ,and being ripened1 they are also fixed2 as if fixed things must of necessity be ,mature1 and consequently no more noxious or deadly to ,mortals4 ,for whatsoever is rough1 crude and immature1 the ,stomach of ,man cannot digest1 but rejects and casts out that1 7by which it may be injured7 as ,venome3 ,according as is easily discerned in all ,catharticks1 either ,vegetable1 ,animal or ,mineral1 which1 by reason of their ,crudity1 are so great an offence to the ,stomach of ,man1 as it frees it self from them1 either by ,vomit or ,seidge4 ,and the more crude and immature ,purgers be1 the more strongly do they ,operate4 ,hence usually 7by the ,prescript of ,physicians7 ,purgers that are too violent1 before they be taken into the ,body1 are amended by ,fire4 ,as for ,example4 ,squills and ,diagridium1 which too vehemently ,purge1 are covered over with ,dough and baked in an ,oven1 for correcting the excessive ,purging property in them1 that they may cause ,evacuations more moderate and more safe4 ,antimony immoderately ,purging1 is excocted1 or melted in an open ,fire with common ,nitre and ,tartar1 by which it is so far corrected1 as it ,purgeth without vehemency4 ,the same also is so corrected by spirit of ,nitre1 as it loseth its purging ,property1 and instead of its ,cathartick ,virtue1 acquires to it self a ,diaphoretick and ,diuretick ,property4 ,common ,tartar1 taken into the ,body1 performs the ,office of a ,cathartick3 ,but the same1 when the ripening ,heat of the ,sun1 in the more hot ,regions of the ,world1 hath took from it1 its ,acidity1 and it1 in the ,fermentation of ,wine1 becomes a fiery ,spirit1 it no more exerciseth a purging ,property1 but rather hinders ,purgers1 and so amends them1 as they cannot ,purge with so great vehemence1 as they were wont to manifest1 before ,correction2 as is already demonstrated by ,us1 where we treat of the ,extraction of purging ,vegetables4 ,therefore if the common ,fire of ,coals1 and ,spirit of ,wine1 correct ,vegetables and ,animals immoderately purging2 why should not the most strong ,fire of ,salt1 such as ,aqua ,fortis is1 correct the most venomous ,mineral ,subjects1 and be able to transmute the same 7deposing their noxious ,qualities7 into an ,antidote or ,treacle8 ,from all which1 it is sufficiently manifest1 that in correcting even the most venomous ,subjects1 ,mineral ,spirits of ,salt are sufficient2 being such1 as can deprive them of all their pernicious ,venome1 and change them into salutary ,medicaments4 ,wherefore1 ,i doubt not1 but that the ingenious ,reader1 by these few things demonstrated1 will sufficiently understand the cause of this sudden ,correction or ,fixation of all ,volatile and venomous ,mineral ,subjects4 ,when ,ancient ,philosophers1 by ,poetical ,parables1 described the laborious ,navigation of ,jason to the ,island ,colchos1 where resided an huge ,dragon vomiting ,fire1 which1 with ,eyes never closed1 diligently watched the ,golden ,fleece2 they added this1 viz3 that ,jason was taught by his ,wife ,medea1 to cast to this waking ,dragon an edible ,medicine to be swallowed1 whereby he should be killed and burst2 and that ,jason should presently take the ,dragon 7thus slain7 and totally submerge him in the ,stygian ,lake4 ,jason1 in this ingenious ,fable1 ,hieroglyphically represents the ,philosophers2 ,medea1 accurate ,meditations2 the laborious and perillous ,navigation1 signifies manifold ,chymical ,labours2 the watching ,dragon vomiting ,fire1 denotes ,salt ,nitre and ,sulphur2 and the ,golden ,fleece is the ,tincture or ,soul of ,sulphur1 by the help of which1 ,jason restored ,health to his ,aged ,father1 and acquired to himself immense ,riches4 ,by the ,pills of ,medea is understood the ,preparation of ,sulphur and ,sal ,mirabile4 ,by the total submersion of the ,dragon in the ,stygian ,lake1 is intimated the ,fixation of ,sulphur by ,stygian ,water1 that is1 ,aqua ,fortis4 ,whence1 it is sufficiently clear1 how obscurely the ,ancient ,philosophers did describe their ,fixation of by ,nitre1 and how secretly they hid it from the ,eyes of the unworthy4 ,but1 since ,i1 in this ,treatise1 do as clearly as is possible discover all things1 know1 that ,i do it not without ,reason4 ,it will be enough for any one1 if he rightly understand the ,method of performing such a ,fixation4 ,after any combustible hath been fixed by ,aqua ,fortis1 or ,aqua ,regis1 and and added to it in ,fixation1 then will that no more be vulgar or 1 being such as cannot again be dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 or ,aqua ,regis1 nor upon a ,cupel have ,ingress into 1 but passeth as it were into a dry ,earth1 which can neither be reduced by ,borax1 nor any other common fluxing ,powders into a ductile ,body4 ,if any one be desirous to know this by ,experience1 let him dissolve of in ,aqua ,regis1 and pour this ,solution upon a ,pound of ,aqua ,regis1 and also put this ,aqua ,regis upon iiij of ,butter of ,antimony1 and abstract the ,aqua ,regis thence1 ,then he will find1 that ,gold1 which was in the ,aqua ,regis1 to have mixed it self ,radically with the ,sulphur and ,mercury of ,antimony2 so as not only the ,butter of ,antimony becomes fixed and irreducible1 but it also renders the ,gold so irreducible1 as thenceforth it can no more be separated from the ,antimony1 but remains adhering to it in every ,examen3 ,and can only be subduced by our ,secret ,salt of ,metals1 volatilized1 or rendred fusile1 and so be introduced into other ,metals for their ,amendment4 ,therefore1 if such a destruction of can be made by ,antimony1 less than the half of which is 1 but the greatest part 2 how should the same not be better performed by common 1 which is void of all ,mercury8 ,i1 in all those places where ,i have taught the ,fixation of ,sulphur1 did always advise1 that ,aqua ,regis to be carefully kept1 which was abstracted from the ,sulphur2 but especially what contained ,gold2 because together with the ,aqua ,fortis1 the most pure ,soul of ,gold and ,sulphur ascends1 and is as much fixed1 7,i might say1 more7 as that which remains in the bottom4 ,wherefore1 if what ,i have here imparted be observed by any ,reader1 or by none1 it shall not trouble me1 but ,i shall remain well contented1 that ,i have done my ,part1 and performed so much1 as no ,man before me ever did2 because ,i have openly taught the ,method of extracting in a few hours 7by the help of ,distillation7 from and 1 or from and ,antimony1 a fixed ,tincture4 ,and these ,i do willingly communicate to the ,searchers of ,art4 ,some write1 that ,miriam the ,prophetess1 and ,sister of ,moses1 knew the ,art of elaborating the ,tincture in three days1 which seems incredible to many ,skilful ,writers4 ,but what will envious ,persons judge1 when they shall hear1 that ,,glauber1 by a publick ,writing1 without any manner of ,concealment1 hath taught the ,method of extracting a fixed ,tincture out of and ,antimony1 fit to expel all desperate ,diseases out of the humane ,body2 and this work to be compleated in one day8 ,undoubtedly they will exclaim and say3 ,all are ,lyes1 and such things are impossible to be done4 ,the ignorance and wickedness of these ,men were much more tolerable1 if1 to their ,calumnies1 they should also add1 ,our ignorant ,brains persuade amiss4 ,for did they rightly know themselves they never would so basely condemn and reprove the ,experience of ,others4 ,but what shall ,i write against such8 ,nothing1 but the ,old ,proverb1 ,effeminate ,men1 ,effeminate ,words2 according to the ,verse1 ,each ,bird so sings1 as formed is his ,bill2 ,and such as is the ,man1 so speak he will4 ,indeed ,i would willingly have published more ,examples1 of the ,method of swiftly fixing ,sulphur1 but ,i am kept back by very weighty ,reasons4 ,yet ,i cannot chuse1 but ,commemorate these few things thereabout2 viz4 that every 1 without the help of external ,fire1 by a ,secret invisible ,fire only1 which is added to the combustible 1 and left with it for a small space of ,time1 in a cold place1 becomes as white and fixed1 sustaining all force of ,fire1 as well as that ,fixation1 which is made by ,aqua ,fortis1 or his abstraction from the 4 ,wherefore this cold ,fixation of ,sulphur1 by our ,secret cold1 and humid ,fire 7because it needs no common ,fire1 no ,body1 and ,head1 no ,retort with its ,receiver1 and the like7 is to be preferred before the other ,fixation by ,aqua ,fortis4 ,therefore for this1 we give ,immortal ,praises and ,thanks to the most wise ,,god4 ,if any ,reader thinks1 ,i have been too brief1 or too obscure in this ,treatise1 he may more amply satisfie his ,desires from the two following ,tracts1 where we treat of the ,mercury and ,salt of ,philosophers2 whereunto we refer every one1 that is a studious ,inquisitor of ,art4 ,,of ,,the ,,mercury of ,philosophers4 ,mercury may easily be extracted not only from all ,metals and ,minerals1 but also from ,animals1 and ,vegetable ,subjects1 and of the same 7by the help of ,gold7 be prepared a true ,tincture for all the three ,kingdoms4 ,we1 from the ,consent of all true ,philosophers1 do certainly know1 that is the most pure part of the three ,principles of ,metals1 and therefore doth spontaneously adhere to most pure ,metals1 and always embraceth them with greater affection1 than the impure ,metals4 ,as for ,example1 ,mercury most willingly adheres to its own like 2 next to 2 then to 2 afterwards to 1 and 2 and lastly to 2 but to most unwillingly1 only because it chooseth rather to mix it self with its like1 than with its unlike4 ,for it is wholly ,homogeneal1 void of all ,heterogeneal parts2 such also are and 4 ,the greatest part of all other ,metals is ,heterogeneal1 although there is found no imperfect ,metal1 which hath not in it self some part ,homogeneal2 yet so1 as the ,metal participates more of the one1 than of the other2 according to the ,writings of ,philosophers4 ,wherefore1 a true ,philosopher will scarcely affirm1 that1 by the benefit of the ,tincture1 the whole ,body of imperfect ,metals can be transmuted into or 1 since so great ,virtue is not insited1 even in the ,philosophers ,stone it self4 ,for the immature1 foul1 stinking1 combustible and superfluous of 1 or 1 cannot1 in so short time1 as ,projection is wont to be made in1 be converted into 1 although you cast in more than enough of the ,tincture3 ,but as much as the ,metal hath of ,homogeneity1 that is1 of ,mercury1 in it self1 so much only is tinged and fixed into ,gold1 the ,residue not so4 ,because the ,stone separates the ,heterogeneal parts1 that is1 the superfluous burning it self 7in the form of ,scoria7 from the ,mercury1 which it only tingeth into ,gold2 because it hath no ,communion with those ,heterogeneities2 as ,i have daily found1 and in the following ,part1 where we treat of the ,salt of ,philosophers1 ,i purpose to demonstrate more at large4 ,now let us see the ,method1 by which ,metallick may with little ,labour be extracted1 not only from ,sidenote3 ,,vitriolum4 ,metals and ,minerals1 but also from all ,animals and ,vegetables4 ,i said1 ,with little ,labour1 in respect of experienced ,men4 ,for in respect of the ,unskilful1 it is not a ,work of small ,labour2 but in the ,memory of all ,ages it hath been accounted 7by all the most experienced ,lovers of our ,art7 the ,secret of ,secrets1 and the nearest way to come to the ,attainment of the true ,universal ,medicine4 ,nor will it ever be of less ,esteem1 since in the whole ,nature of things1 a more pure matter cannot be found1 7whereof to make the ,stone of ,philosophers7 than this only ,mercury of ,metals4 ,in the mean while1 it is easie to judge1 that the ,mercuries of ,metals differ in themselves notably1 and that one of them is better1 and more conducible than another1 for preparing thence a ,tincture for ,humane and ,metalline ,bodies4 ,for one is always better in ,colour and ,tincture than another4 ,indeed1 by the external ,face1 almost no ,man is able certainly to know1 from what ,metal or ,mineral the best ,mercury may be had3 ,yet according to the general ,opinion of ,philosophers1 the most excellent is wont to be prepared of the ,vitriol of and 2 because these two ,metals do most abound with ,tinctures4 ,i1 being taught by ,experience1 am assured1 that out of black ,ash-coloured may be acquired a 1 as excellently tinged1 as from both those ,red ,metals1 and 4 ,yet in the mean while ,i do not deny1 that the of and 1 is impregnated with 1 tinging in the highest degree2 as ,ancient ,philosophers1 in these few words1 have compendiously expressed4 ,visitaris ,interiora ,terr1 ,rectificando ,invenies ,occultum ,lapidem1 ,veram ,medicinam4 ,by which ,words1 ,,vitriolum or ,vitriol is expressed2 which process is no other1 than a ,solution of ,mars and ,venus prepared by the ,labour of ,nature4 ,but ,vitriol prepared thus by ,nature1 is never found so pure and clean1 as that which is prepared of good ,steel1 and pure 1 by the help of ,oyl of ,sulphur1 or instead of that1 ,oyl of ,vitriol3 ,because the ,native contains more ,earthiness1 than that which is made by ,art4 ,now let us return to our ,mercury4 ,i think good here1 to advise all the ,lovers of our ,art1 not to bend their thoughts so much upon vulgar and 1 as to endeavour out of them to extract their and 4 ,because common and are altogether ,homogeneal1 and have nothing of ,heterogeneity in them2 and therefore difficult to be wrought on4 ,and although they were as easie to be wrought on as and 2 yet it would be no ,profit to use them2 because of their greater ,price1 and also because there is much more ,tincture contained in vile and contemptible 1 than in it self4 ,it is true1 this ,tincture is not yet fixed1 but is volatile1 and may easily be fixed4 ,wherefore ,i advise every one to seek in 1 and in 4 ,upon 1 in times past1 through my ,ignorance1 ,i consumed much without any ,profit1 and laboured ,fruitlesly1 until ,i had consumed some ,pounds of it1 to find out for others a more safe ,way2 which if any one had shewed me1 ,i would never have laboured in vain4 ,but ,i was hard to believe1 that they1 who were unwilling to use common and 1 could prepare an apt ,tincture1 for tinging imperfect ,metals into ,gold4 ,yet since vulgar and 1 do not only give easie ,ingress to those ,tinctures1 which draw their ,original from the and of ,philosophers2 but do also further the ,fixation of volatile ,mercury2 therefore we cannot well be without them1 in the ,composition of the ,stone of ,philosophers4 ,let the ,lovers of ,art take ,cognizance of these few things for their ,information4 ,now it is necessary to be known1 by what ,method the of ,philosophers may most commodiously be extracted from ,metals and ,minerals1 and by the help of 1 be duly fixed by ,art1 into a ,tincture for humane and metallick ,bodies4 ,first1 we are not ignorant1 that the purest part of ,metals1 viz43 ,homogeneal ,mercury1 is tyrannically held ,captive in a certain obscure ,prison1 by his most inveterate ,enemy1 superfluous burning ,sulphur4 ,therefore1 if any one would unbolt his ,chains1 and set him free1 he hath necessity to mortifie and annihilate his ,enemies1 by which he is so fast bound and imprisoned1 before he breaks down the ,prison ,walls1 and delivers ,mercury from ,captivity3 ,which will also bring forth with him his natural ,brother1 viz4 tinging 4 ,these being at ,liberty1 nothing will be wanting to fix them into a ,tincture1 but the help of vulgar 4 ,but if any one be not satisfied with this short ,paraphrase1 let him read either ,sandivogius1 who hath writ an intire ,treatise of such a freeing of ,captives2 or ,paracelsus1 who1 no less eminently than plainly1 hath discovered his mind touching the same4 ,now follows my own ,experience1 ,way and ,method1 ,by which ,i have several times freed the forementioned ,captive1 and set him at ,liberty4 ,although ,i have my self extracted the ,mercury of ,philosophers from ,metals1 by such divers ,methods1 as ,i mean here to discover2 yet ,i always found some better than other some4 ,therefore out of such ,processes1 some of which we here subjoyn1 every ,man may1 as best pleaseth him1 take which he thinks most conducible1 and proceed in ,operating according to that1 until he finds1 what ,,god shall be pleased to bestow on him4 ,mercury is never to be extracted from hard ,metals1 before they be dissolved and unlocked4 ,unlocked more commodiously they cannot be1 than by the ,corrosive ,spirits of ,salt4 ,yet since all ,corrosives are most inimical to 1 they have no ,power of making either ,living or ,running ,mercury4 ,therefore1 after ,solution1 the ,corrosives must be mortified by contrary ,salts2 such are1 ,salt of ,tartar1 ,spirit of ,urine1 ,sal ,armoniack1 c4 ,this being done1 the ,corrosives changing their ,nature wax gentle1 and in ,distillation permit the to ascend3 ,which otherwise1 without ,mortification of the ,corrosive1 would not happen1 as you will learn by the following ,processes4 ,therefore1 since it is most certain1 that ,metals are to be dissolved1 before 7by the help of ,resusoitating ,salts7 can be distilled thence2 we will first exhibit the ,method1 by which may be extracted from such ,metals1 as ,nature presents to us already dissolved2 viz4 ,vitriol1 which is no other than ,mars or ,venus1 or and together1 dissolved by the ,universal ,acidity4 ,hence1 whosoever will use 7in his intended ,work7 such ,vitriol1 in which both those ,metals are found highly tinged and dissolved by ,nature2 he will not need by tedious ,labours to seek out a new ,method of dissolving ,metals1 but may spare both his ,time and ,charges4 ,therefore1 now it will be expedient to teach1 how ,mercury may be prepared of any common ,vitriol4 ,the ,process follows4 ,distil from common ,vitriol1 in the usual manner1 an ,acid ,spirit1 and fiery ,oyl1 with strong fire1 according to ,art4 ,for in the ,spirit is latent the of and 1 which by ,mortifying the ,corrosive1 may be brought to light1 and made ,visible1 as follows4 4 ,of ,tartar1 calcined unto ,whiteness i1 or ij1 which reduced to ,powder1 put into a ,glass ,body1 on which set an ,head with its ,hole and ,tunnel in it1 well luted2 then apply a ,receiver1 and lute the ,junctures exactly4 ,when the ,body and ,head is placed in warm ,sand1 through the ,tunnel1 at one time pour on about one or two ,lotones of the sharp ,spirit of ,vitriol1 upon the ,tartar calcined2 whence will be caused so great ,ebullition1 as by its own proper ,power the ,spirit will ascend from it4 ,this ,duel or ,fermentation being ended1 again pour in some ,ounces of that ,spirit2 which also leave1 till all the ,ebullition ceaseth4 ,afterward reiterate the like injection1 until that ,acidity contends no more with the ,tartar3 ,which will be an ,argument1 that the ,salt of ,tartar is sufficiently mortified4 ,when you see this1 administer ,fire1 and by ,degrees draw forth all ,humidities1 untill the ,vessel and ,matter is ,red hot4 ,the ,water that ascended 7which in ,taste will be almost like ,spirit of ,urine7 must be rectified2 in which ,rectification the of the ,vitriol ascending1 is rendred more subtile and more pure4 ,this pure ,mercurial ,water bears in it self invisibly contained1 a living ,metallick ,mercury1 which is made conspicuous thus1 ,the ,conjunction of ,philosophick ,mercury with ,gold4 ,dissolve common in a sharp ,aqua ,regis1 and separate the dissolved from the undissolved4 ,then leisurely1 and at times1 drop after drop1 pour of your subtile ,mercurial ,water upon the ,solution of 1 so long1 as until the ,spirit of the ,mercury hath no more ,action upon the ,solution of ,gold1 but ceaseth1 and all the shall be precipitated from the ,water4 ,in which ,precipitation1 the attracts to its self the ,mercury of the ,vitriol1 from the ,mercurial ,water1 in such a manner1 as it settles to the bottom of the ,vessel1 in the form of ,slime1 or a yellow ,powder4 ,let the ,precipitate be filtred through brown ,paper1 that the ,saline ,water may pass through2 and the precipitate remain in the ,filter mixt with the ,gold2 which must be very well washed with sweet ,water1 and1 being edulcorated1 dryed4 ,this being done1 you will have the of ,vitriol united with the 3 ,both which will suffer themselves to be fixed into a true ,tincture1 for ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies1 as follows4 ,the ,fixation of ,mercury with ,gold4 ,note3 ,before the ,mercury is put in to be fixed with the ,gold1 it must be proved1 whether it be duly prepared1 or not4 ,for if the ,mercurial ,water was rightly prepared1 it will contribute ,mercury enough to the ,gold2 by which the precipitated ,gold is so augmented1 as tis no more common 4 ,but if the ,mercurial ,water was not legitimately prepared1 and consequently could not contribute much to the 1 the ,gold will remain poor1 and1 as soon as it is sensible of any heat1 will fulminate1 like any other fulminating ,gold1 and so be altogether unfit for ,fixation1 being destitute of a tinging 1 which should have converted the whole ,body of into ,tincture4 ,wherefore1 after ,precipitation of the and 1 you must make a small part of the ,precipitate hot1 in a very small ,crucible1 for ,tryal1 whether it be fit to be fixed4 ,for if it fulminates1 like fulminating 1 it is a sign your ,mercurial ,water was not perfect1 and could not give unto the ,gold enough4 ,but if after it shall be ,red hot in the ,fire1 it comes forth with a delicate purple ,colour2 it is to be supposed1 the hath imbibed enough1 and they both be fixed together into one ,tincture4 ,note3 ,beware of too strong a ,fire4 ,for this way the ,mercury will leave the ,gold untouched1 and fly away2 so as1 thence you can have no certain ,tryal4 ,therefore1 in all parts of the ,work proceed ,warily and ,prudently4 ,the ,fixation of with is thus made3 ,the ,fixation of the ,mercury of and 1 into one ,tincture4 4 ,so much as you have ready prepared of this our ,mercury impregnated with ,gold1 although there be no more of it1 than half a ,loton3 ,for here no great quantity is desired4 ,put it into a small ,glass ,phial1 which place in hot ,sand2 yet take heed1 you give no stronger ,fire1 than your ,volatile ,bird can bear4 ,this ,fire you must continue in a moderate degree for some ,weeks3 ,for by that means1 your ,mercury will by little and little1 be able to brook the ,fire1 adhere to the ,gold1 and convert the same into ,tincture4 ,but if any one1 contrary to the serious ,interdiction of all ,philosophers1 make too much haste1 and persuade himself1 he may in a shorter space of time acquire the ,tincture2 his ,mercury will fly away1 and leave the ,gold pale behind it2 because the in its flight substracts the ,colour of the 1 and carries it away with it self4 ,therefore1 in ,fixing there is need of ,patience4 ,hence all ,philosophers advise1 not to be hasty4 ,for ,festination proceeds from the ,devil4 ,wherefore1 let every one so far study his own ,good1 as to be obedient to this ,admonition4 ,note3 ,there are also other ways1 or ,methods1 of fixing with 2 but he doth very foolishly1 who1 when no necessity urgeth1 will prostrate all things together and at once1 at the feet of ,swine4 ,whomsoever ,,god will be pleased to assist1 he may triumph in the highest help2 but whom ,,god doth not assist1 even the most plainly prescribed ,method cannot help him4 ,for all our help depends on the divine ,blessing4 ,how to prove1 whether ,mercury be ,legitimately prepared1 and whether it can give forth the ,tincture of ,metals4 4 ,of the ,mercurial ,water above described1 and mortifie it by a contrary ,acidity1 as ,oyl of ,vitriol1 or ,spirit of ,salt4 ,then the ,mercury will precipitate it self1 in the form of an ,ash-coloured ,powder1 which if you edulcorate1 and grind with ,oyl of ,tartar1 you will vivifie4 ,if any one be minded1 he may also distil the same by ,retort1 and so examine it4 ,a ,tryal1 or ,proof1 whether the ,mercury of ,metals be so well prepared1 as of it with may be made a ,tincture4 4 ,a little of that1 viz4 the quantity of a ,pea1 and put it upon a ,silver ,plate1 then over the ,fire permit the ,mercury to be evaporated4 ,if it tinge the ,silver well with a purple ,colour1 it is fit for the ,work1 otherwise it will be of no ,value4 ,also1 this may be digested with the filings of 1 in a due measure or proportion mixed1 and so fixed4 ,but this ,fixation1 as well as the former1 require along time1 and so much ,patience1 as all ,festination must be laid aside4 ,whosoever is so covetous1 as he cannot wait till the ,fruits are ,ripe2 he would be better advised1 if he abstained from so great a ,work1 than to set about it to his own ,damage4 ,i have often prepared this ,mercury1 and put it to be fixed2 but because ,i could not look to it my self with my own ,eyes1 ,i was constrained to commit the ,governance of the ,fire1 to the ,industry of another1 and then it succeeded unhappily4 ,and when by reason of my ,age1 and imbecillity of ,body1 ,i was wholly uncapable to take in hand a ,work of so great moment1 ,i communicated the ,method to some of my intimate ,friends1 with this ,condition1 viz4 that they should elaborate it themselves4 ,but because in that ,operation1 they could not acquire so much as they desired1 they desisted1 and would not proceed to the ,compleatment of the ,work4 ,hence ,i was moved rather1 by ,printing1 to divulge so ,royal a ,work1 than to let it be buried with me3 ,although ,i was difficultly brought to an hearty ,assent1 to yeild to the ,revelation of ,arcanum's1 of so great moment1 to this ,malignant and unfaithful ,world4 ,the way of ,preparing a tinging ,mercury out of ,antimony4 4 ,of ,antimony1 ,saltpeter1 and ,tartar1 of each j4 ,which1 first pulverized and mixed1 put into a ,crucible1 and kindle the ,mixture with a ,coal2 when the ,fulmination ceaseth1 melt it1 and pour it out into a ,cone4 ,after it is cooled1 separate the ,regulus from the ,scoria's2 which reduce to ,powder1 and dissolve by boyling in ,water4 ,so doing1 you will have a ,red ,lixivium2 upon which if you add 7about half its own weight of7 ,salarmoniack pulverized1 and put the ,mixture into a ,glass ,body1 7which must not be above half full1 because it riseth easily7 with it's ,head and ,receiver well luted1 and then subminister ,fire for ,distillation2 a certain most subtile volatile ,spirit will ascend1 in which the of ,antimony is latent3 ,which1 in a ,solution of may be precipitated1 edulcorated1 dryed1 and then proved and fixed1 as above we taught of the ,mercury of ,vitriol4 ,antimony yeilds much more 1 than ,vitriol2 and it is also made more easily than it2 and therefore to be preferred far before it2 but especially1 because the ,ancient ,philosophers did for the most part use this of ,antimony1 for preparing their ,tincture4 ,note3 ,if any one desire a more excellent of ,vitriol1 than ,that above described by ,us2 he1 instead of the ,lixivium of ,antimony1 may use a ,lixivium of ,salt of ,tartar1 and thence extract ,mercury by the help of ,oyl of ,vitriol2 so he will have some thing more excellent1 than can be made of a ,common ,lixivium4 ,the way of ,preparing out of and a tinging ,mercury1 by the help of ,resuscitative ,salts only1 without any ,corrosives4 ,among all ,resuscitative ,salts1 ,tartar obtains the principal place2 the next to which is ,salt of ,urine1 which is no other1 than such a ,volatile ,tartar as passeth into this kind of ,salt1 from ,wine1 ,beer1 ,bread and other ,foods taken into the humane ,body4 ,almost of the same kind1 is the ,soot of ,chimneys1 being the ,volatile ,salt of ,wood4 ,also a like ,volatile ,salt you shall find in ,blood1 ,hairs1 ,horns and ,hoofs of ,animals4 ,even so1 almost a like ,salarmoniack is prepared of ,blood1 ,urine and ,soot4 ,in like manner1 in ,eggshels is insited an efficacious ,resuscitative ,salt4 ,these and the like ,salts are endued with a ,virtue converting ,metals into ,mercury1 after they are dissolved4 ,for volatile ,salts are not so efficacious1 as to dissolve ,metals3 ,yet ,tartar is endued with so great ,power1 as it can dissolve some ,metals easie to be dissolved1 as 1 and 1 and thence may the ,mercury be extracted by ,distillation2 especially if a little ,kitchin ,salt be added1 or 7which is more conducent7 ,salarmoniack1 to comfort it4 ,also instead of and 1 common ,vitriol only may be used2 and thence ,mercury distilled by the help of volatile ,salts4 ,now follows the ,process4 4 vj4 ,of ,vitriol1 to which1 dissolved in ,urine1 add of ,salarmoniack j4 ,crude ,tartar ij4 ,salt of ,tartar iiij4 ,distil from these1 in a strong ,glass ,body1 a subtile ,mercurial ,water2 which1 according to the ,method prescribed1 may be made ,corporeal1 and with ,gold be fixed into a ,tincture4 ,this way of proceeding is very easie1 and of little ,charge2 so as it will fully satisfie the desire of those1 who are contented with so much only1 as may be acquired by the benefit of ,glass ,bodies4 ,but those1 whose greedy desire cannot be satisfied with little1 may distill this ,mixture in a ,brass or ,copper ,vesica1 untill they have quantity enough to suffice them3 ,yet with this ,caution1 that they use no ,alembick1 or ,refrigeratory made of ,copper1 but of ,lead1 or 7which is better7 of ,tin2 and that because our ,mercurial ,water easily corrodes the ,copper1 and thence contracts to it self a ,greenness3 ,but in or doth not so4 ,but if any one refuseth to be at the ,charge of a ,tin ,refrigeratory1 he may use his ,copper ,vessels4 ,for although the ,spirit corrodes the ,copper1 and contracts a blewish ,colour1 yet this ,colour in ,rectifying abides in the bottom1 and the is nothing the worse4 ,indeed1 this way a greater quantity is acquired1 than needs2 unless the ,operator be more greedy than a ,wolf4 ,but it is not the part of a good ,philosopher1 to covet more than is needful4 ,if any one be desirous to prepare an abundance of ,mercurial ,water1 either by some such way as this1 or by another certain ,mixture of ,salts1 him we have now1 as it were1 led by the hand1 through ,processes more difficult1 to proceed in these4 ,for ,tartar alone will be sufficient for such an ,use4 ,what seek you8 ,the ,feces of ,wine burnt will do the same2 so as the ,lover of ,art1 with almost no other ,trouble and ,charge1 may extract the ,mercury of ,metals by ,resuscitative ,salts4 ,the way of ,preparing ,mercury out of ,metals and ,minerals1 by the benefit of ,tartar only1 without any other ,salts4 4 ,filings of ,steel j4 ,tartar ij4 ,common ,water xx4 ,if by strong boyling by ,alembick in ,sand1 you distil thence all the ,water2 the ,tartar in that boyling dissolves the 1 and so will ,volatilize the ,mercury set at ,liberty1 in such wise1 as it will ascend with the ,water1 like a subtile ,spirit2 which1 7concentrated and made fit by ,rectification7 either by a ,solution of 1 or by some other contrary ,acidity1 is rendred ,corporeal1 according to the ,method above shewed4 ,if any one1 to as much ,tartar as he hath1 take half so much ,salarmoniack1 the ,tartar so much the more readily preys upon the 1 also much more ,mercury issueth thence1 than by ,tartar only4 ,note3 ,but since this way1 in one ,distillation1 but little ,mercury ascends1 such an ,operation may be performed in a large ,vesica2 yet with this ,caution1 viz4 that the ,alembeck and ,refrigeratory be not made of ,copper1 but of ,tin or ,lead4 ,this way of ,operating by a ,vesica will be of great use1 especially for such covetous ,men1 as cannot be content with few things2 but always labour with the perpetual ,poverty of an unsatiable ,spirit2 although1 they more than sufficiently abound with the fulness of all desireable things4 ,for he is only ,rich1 who is always content with his present ,fortune4 ,the way of ,preparing ,mercury of ,saturn1 by ,tartar only4 4 ,one or two 4 of the ,raspings or ,filings of ,saturn1 upon which pour fifteen1 or twenty 4 of strong ,vinegar of ,wine1 and mix therewith a little pulverized ,tartar4 ,but the ,vinegar per se should be impregnated with no small quantity of ,tartar4 ,which ,tartar1 if you distil with the ,mixture1 the ,phlegm in ,distillation carries over with it self a subtile ,mercurial ,spirit2 which must be separated from the ,phlegm1 in manner as we above taught4 ,the ,solution of will remain in the bottom4 ,thence also1 by the help of ,salt of ,tartar1 may be extracted by ,retort2 yet it is not so good as the other1 which ascended in the form of a subtile ,spirit4 ,the way of ,preparing ,mercury of ,antimony1 by the help of ,tartar only4 4 ,some ,pounds of strong ,antimonial ,red ,lixivium1 7made of ,antimony duly1 decrepitate and melted with ,tartar and ,nitre7 which put into a ,glass ,body set in ,sand1 as we above taught1 in treating of the ,fixation of 3 ,afterward1 through the ,tunnel1 leisurely and at times1 pour upon the ,lixivium most strong ,wine ,vinegar1 until both 7viz4 the ,lixivium and ,vinegar7 cease to ,act upon each other4 ,this being done1 if by ,distillation you separate all the ,humidity1 the ,sulphureous ,spirit of ,antimony1 will ascend in the form of a subtil ,spirit1 smelling like ,sulphur3 ,which after ,rectification1 either with a ,solution of or 1 becomes ,corporeal1 and so habile1 as it may be converted into a fixed ,tincture4 ,the ,method of ,distilling a tinging ,mercurial ,spirit from ,metals another way4 ,we above shewed1 that from ,metals most firmly compact1 a tinging and could not be extracted1 unless the ,metals be first dissolved1 or mortified2 and that in such ,mortification1 there is a ,spirit so apt to be associated1 as1 in the very hour of ,mortification1 it lays hold of1 and carries up with it self1 the ascending ,spirit1 or ,soul of ,metals4 ,yet among all1 pure ,spirit of ,wine well dephlegmated1 ,i judge best2 because in abstraction it carries over with it self the most pure and of ,metals1 and leaves the ,gross dead ,body behind in the bottom2 so as1 such ,mercury1 as you shall draw forth in distilling by ,spirit of ,wine1 will be much purer1 and more ,virtuous in ,tinging1 than the other1 which you distil off by common ,water only2 and that for this especially1 viz4 because this ,spirit1 which is extracted by ,spirit of ,wine1 from more pure is rendred most pure by ,rectification4 ,which is a thing impossible to be effected1 where the ,sulphureous of ,metals shall ascend by the help of common ,water2 because then the ,water only1 in ,rectification1 is distilled off1 but the remains in the bottom1 in form of a ,red ,powder3 ,and the other1 which is sublimed by ,spirit of ,wine1 and afterward by ,rectification subtilized to an higher degree1 and meliorated in its tinging ,virtue1 is not only in ,medicine1 but also in the ,melioration of ,metals1 ,gems1 and the more ignoble pretious ,stones1 an hundred fold more efficaciously conducent to tinge them to a ,constancy1 than the former1 which1 in distilling1 ascends by ,water only2 and by ,rectification cannot be exalted1 or multiplyed in its ,virtue1 so well as the other1 made by ,spirit of ,wine4 ,that ,sulphureous 1 which ascends by help of ,spirit of ,wine1 is endued with so subtil and penetrative ,power1 as to it in the ,vessel is given such ,ingress1 by which ,metals and ,gems are tinged with a more constant and durable ,red1 or ,yellow ,colour1 than can be annihilated or impaired by any ,corrosive ,waters1 or by the violence of ,fire2 especially if it be distilled from apt tinging ,subjects1 as the ,vitriol of and 1 or from ,antimony4 ,of which ,i suppose enough is now spoken4 ,therefore1 if any one be desirous of knowing more touching this ,matter1 him 7for his further and more clear ,information of the same7 ,i refer to the ,seventh ,part of our ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa2 where he will find1 we have prolixly taught1 touching the extraction of ,tinctures1 from ,red ,corals1 and other tinging ,subjects4 ,the way of making good ,mercury of ,saturn and ,luna4 4 ,of 1 or 1 j4 which1 dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 precipitate with ,salt-water1 edulcorate the ,calx with ,sweet-water1 and dry it4 ,when dryed1 mix with it a fourth part of our fixed unto ,whiteness4 ,distil from the ,mixture in a coated ,retort its with strong ,fire2 which notwithstanding will not be living 1 but1 in the form of a ,sublimate1 will adhere to the ,neck of the ,retort1 in weight heavy1 and to the ,taste of the ,tongue very sharp4 ,indeed there will not be so great a quantity of it1 as some may desire1 yet it is worthy of the highest ,estimation4 ,for in a ,cold ,cellar it is easily dissolved1 and becomes a strong ,mercurial ,water1 which dissolves all ,metals4 ,this ,water prepared of joyns it self 7with an incredible ,love7 with the ,soul of 2 and suffers it self to be fixed with it into ,tincture2 ,this ,water prepared of readily dissolves ,gold1 and with it passeth into ,tincture4 ,the ,reason1 why1 ,i in ,distillation1 mix fixed with the or 1 is this3 ,since both these ,subjects1 precipitated1 as we above mention1 with ,salt-water1 are very fusile and penetrating1 easily melt together into one1 and in ,distillation yeild no 4 ,nor can ,sand or ,earth prevent this ,fluxion4 ,wherefore1 ,i could find nothing more conducible1 than our white fixed ,sulphur4 ,the way of ,preparing ,mercury of ,jupiter4 ,jupiter gives forth from it self1 a most excellent ,mercury1 in form of a subtil ,spirit2 which1 above all other ,mercuries1 is most earnestly beloved and attracted by ,gold4 ,for if but a very small quantity of it be put into any ,solution of ,gold1 it in a moment draws to it self all the ,gold from the sharp ,aqua ,regis1 and together with it settles to the bottom1 like a purple ,powder4 ,this is the best ,precipitation of 1 when you shall extract it with ,aqua ,regis from ,sand and ,stones3 ,because1 by this ,precipitation1 the ,aqua ,regis may be used again for extracting from ,sand and ,stones1 as you may more amply read in our ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where we have plainly writ touching this kind of ,extraction4 ,but in another manner1 may be prepared as powerful a ,mercurial ,water from all ,metals1 by the help of my ,secret ,sal ,armoniack1 which1 by ,paracelsus and ,helmont1 is called the ,liquor ,alcahests touching which1 ,i have largely treated in the ,seventh ,part of my ,spagyrick ,pharmacopa1 where he who loves so great ,gifts of ,,god1 may satisfie his ,appetite to the full4 ,behold1 ,i present thee another way1 by which1 without any ,charge or ,expense of ,money1 you may easily prepare as much of the ,philosophick 1 as you will4 ,i would not have you to suppose1 ,i here insert this so stinking a ,process1 to the end you should follow this1 rather than the before-mentioned2 but ,i add this1 that the common sort of ,men1 simple and poor1 may see1 that they may1 by such a ,method as this1 suppress their ,poverty1 and attain to the ,acquisition of so noble an universal ,medicine1 as well as any other of the great and mighty ,men of the ,world1 by their ample ,fortunes4 ,whosoever is but a little ,skilled in ,chymistry1 well knows1 that every and arise from one only ,original2 and that the ,sulphur in ,herbs1 and also that in ,animals1 is of no less ,virtue1 than the other in ,metals1 ,fixation only excepted4 ,for as this in ,metals is found more fixed than that in ,minerals1 so the ,mineral is more fixed than the ,animal1 and ,vegetable4 ,the same is to be judged of ,mercury4 ,but that we may wander no further1 but return again to our ,purpose1 and clearly prescribe the ,method of ,preparing an universal ,medicine1 of ,humane ,urine and ,dung1 ,i will very briefly discover the ,process in these following ,words4 4 ,a good quantity of humane ,dung and ,urine1 collected in some capacious ,vessel1 and 7after they have stood together about a ,month1 and when the ,salt shall be exactly united with the ,sulphur1 and ,mercury by ,fermentation7 from thence1 by an ,alembick in ,balneo1 distil the ,mercurial ,sulphureous ,spirit2 which indeed will be very subtil1 but smell strong4 ,yet after ,rectification1 as we have taught1 it may be conjoyned with a ,solution of ,gold1 and1 by moderate heat1 be gradually fixed into an universal ,medicine1 for ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies4 ,note3 ,the aforesaid ,stink vanisheth so soon as the ,aqua ,regis hath ,access4 ,wherefore1 those ,philosophers who have laboured in ,matters of evil and strong ,smells1 did always speak of suffocating their venemous ,dragon in ,stygian ,waters4 ,but among all ,philosophers1 that ever ,i read1 ,i find no ,man more excellently to have writ1 touching this matter1 than the ,philosopher ,neusementius1 in a certain small ,treatise of his1 intituled1 ,of the ,salt and ,spirit of the ,world2 where he so explains the ,table of ,hermes1 as he renders it most worthy to be ,read2 because he hath so very prolixly1 and largely1 with exquisit study and diligence1 explained all things whatsoever1 the laudable ,hermes1 in very few ,words1 left to ,posterity in his ,smaragdine ,table4 ,a ,,corollary4 ,although ,i have1 in this small ,tract1 so largely and clearly treated of ,preparing the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 as it seems altogether needless to trouble the ,reader1 with a further ,paraphrase2 since from him1 ,i have not concealed any ,methods of manual ,operation1 but have so revealed all things necessary to be known1 as he 7who1 only seeking the bare ,letter of the prescribed ,method1 knows not how to elaborate his own intended ,work7 may rather be accounted a ,man of a dull ,capacity1 than a ,chymical ,operator3 ,yet since unto all insatiable ,sons of ,avarice1 according to this my ,description1 there seems to be too small a part of ,mercury extracted1 ,i 7for the sake of those also7 will demonstrate yet another ,method1 by which they may obtain a larger quantity of good tinging 1 than from ,metals can be gained4 ,but first it is required1 that every one1 who will exercise himself in this kind of ,labour1 should shew himself a diligent ,operator1 shunning no ,pains3 ,know1 that ,vulgar ,mercury may easily be so prepared by ,art1 as to be as much conducent for ,tinging1 as the ,mercury of ,metals4 ,yet they must first procure ,tincture to it1 by tinging ,metals1 as by 1 and ,antimony4 ,for1 of its own proper ,nature1 it hath no ,tincture at all in it self2 but it must necessarily receive the same from other ,metals1 7in which ,,god and ,nature cooperating have insited it7 before it can exercise the ,power and ,faculty of ,tinging4 ,but which way such a ,tincture may commodiously be taken1 and acquired from certain ,stones tinged by ,nature1 or from certain ,metallick1 and ,mineral ,subjects1 hath been by me1 in various places of my ,writings1 so frequently mentioned1 as ,i judge it not necessary to ,discourse further thereabout in this place4 ,but here1 ,i will freely expose to publick view the way of ,preparing vulgar so1 as it may be able to extract ,tinctures from ,metals1 ,minerals and ,stones4 4 ,common ,mercury j4 ,which as soon as you have dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 mortifie the ,aqua ,fortis by pouring on ,spirit of ,urine1 and when you shall by ,retort1 in hot ,sand1 have abstracted thence all the unprofitable ,water1 and administred a stronger ,fire1 the ,mercury will sublime it self in the ,neck of the ,retort1 white in ,colour1 but discovering no singular ,acrimony upon the ,tongue4 ,such a sublimate as this1 is easily dissolved by help of common ,water4 ,this ,mercurial ,water is endued with a power of extracting ,tinctures from ,metals1 ,gems1 and other more ignoble ,stones4 ,in which very ,work1 even ,proserpina1 the ,wife of ,pluto1 will scarce elaborate any thing more excellent3 ,therefore1 when this hath drawn so much ,blood from the ,red ,lyon1 as it no longer remains ,white1 but becomes totally ,red2 then indeed it hath acquired the ,melioration of one higher degree2 but as yet1 it is able to work no ,miracles in ,tinging4 ,now1 that it may be exalted to so great ,perfection1 as to be admirably efficacious in ,transmutation2 this ,red ,mercury must again be vivified1 and again 7as we taught above7 mortified2 and if this ,labour be repeated seven1 nine1 or twelve times1 it will be sufficiently impregnated with ,tincture4 ,this being done1 you have nothing else to do1 but to fix this tinging ,mercury into a fusile ,red ,stone1 which will thenceforth perform the same 7yea perhaps more7 in the ,transmutation of ,metals1 than the ,mercury of ,metals it ,self4 ,although1 ,i have here revealed the ,melioration of common ,mercury2 yet1 ,i am fully persuaded1 no ,man will readily set himself about its ,preparation1 nor adventure1 by ,tryal1 to experience the truth of this4 ,for commonly1 every good thing is disesteemed1 if it want external ,splendor4 ,some years ago1 ,i did earnestly1 and highly commend to some of my most loving ,friends1 the ,exaltation of common ,mercury2 yet no one of them took so much notice thereof1 as ever to set his hand to the ,work4 ,wherefore no ,man needs to fear1 that ,art will be made too common1 although ,i had published the same1 described even with a ,solar ,ray4 ,indeed1 ,i intended to have divulged more1 touching such sublimate ,mercury1 as may be dissolved with common ,water1 viz4 how many other famous ,works may be performed with it1 besides the ,transmutation of ,metals2 but for brevity sake1 ,i here desist at present3 ,yet after a little while1 7if ,,god permit7 ,i will elsewhere treat of the same4 ,in the mean time1 let the loving ,reader kindly accept of these3 ,for hence he may be assured of the possibility of exalting common so far1 as to be equal in ,virtue to the ,mercury of ,metals3 ,in which ,assertion every studious ,artist may safely confide1 and persuade himself1 that ,i here give no other ,testimony1 than ,i have learned by my own ,experience oftentimes4 ,,of ,,the ,salt of ,,philosophers4 ,how1 and whence1 ,that is ,prepared1 and of what use ,it is in ,medicine and ,chymistry4 ,those our venerable ,ancestors1 the ancient ,philosophers1 have indeed copiously written many things1 touching this ,third ,part of the ,principle of ,metals1 viz4 ,salt3 ,yet so very obscurely1 as it is almost impossible for a ,man to learn thence1 ,fundamentally1 any thing of moment3 ,yea1 ,i might say1 it hath happened to very few1 to know how1 to prepare the ,salt of ,philosophers1 but on the contrary1 six hundred have ruined themselves1 and lost all their ,fortunes in labouring thereabout4 ,after1 ,i also had1 for some years together1 expended great ,labour and ,cost1 besides what ,i spent in acquiring both the other ,principles1 viz4 ,sulphur and ,mercury1 7which were understood by me1 about two years since7 it pleased the most wise ,,god at length1 also to reveal to me this most famous ,salt4 ,wherefore1 ,i could not refrain from communicating some thing of it to ,posterity1 for the ,glory of my ,,god1 and for divulging his wonderous ,works1 not doubting1 but that this my ,revelation may be of great ,concern1 to open the ,eyes of this blind ,world4 ,because1 they may be helped by such a ,salt1 of which1 so incredible ,works may be prepared1 as ,i am now about to write1 and are already sufficiently known to me4 ,i can unto every ,man safely1 surely and truly affirm1 that whatsoever ,i here write1 are not the idle ,dreams of a vain ,man1 nor patched together out of other ,books1 but true and solid ,experiments1 which ,i my self1 with the help of these my hands1 have found out4 ,indeed1 ,i do not here say1 that ,i could give no credit at all to him1 who no long time before discovered something to me1 touching such ,arcanum's2 but ,i thought his ,words intimated ,paradoxes and ,impossibilities2 although ,i had read ,philosophers1 who writ3 ,he that hath the ,salt of ,metals1 hath the ,stone of ,philosophers4 ,i also well know1 that the ,salts of ,metals1 according as they been hitherto every where fraudulently presented by ,pseudo-,chymists1 having no solid ,foundation1 do not indeed deserve the name of ,salts2 being no other1 than such ,vitriols1 as by the sharp ,spirits of ,salts1 are prepared of ,metals2 and are not at all efficacious to meliorate any of the more vile ,metals4 ,on the contrary1 we certainly know1 that our more true ,salts do so amend all imperfect ,metals1 as great and gainful ,fruit may be reaped thence1 as by the following shall be clearly made appear4 ,but before we write any thing of the ,use1 of this ,royal ,salt1 it will be worth while to premise something briefly1 and truly1 touching the ,preparation of the same4 ,of the ,preparation of the ,salt of ,philosophers4 ,now1 that ,i may1 without any wandring ,ambages1 describe the ,method of ,preparing this ,salt1 which is incomparable and ,royal1 know in very deed1 that this ,salt is no other1 than common 7but rightly prepared7 ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ,coagulated by white fusible ,sulphur into a sweet ,salt1 which impresseth not on the ,tongue1 the least ,saline savour2 but rather seems to be a ,stone than ,salt1 although fusible1 like any other liquid ,salt4 ,but how that ,oyl of ,vitriol1 or ,universal ,acidity1 may be changed into such a wonderful ,stone1 not ,corrosive1 ,i purpose not to divulge4 ,it is enough for me positively to affirm1 it may be done4 ,whosoever desires to know more of it1 let him implore the help of ,,god1 and peruse the ,writings of ,philosophers1 that if he be worthy of this divine ,gift1 he may be helped2 if he be not worthy1 ,i cannot help him4 ,for as ,i acquired that1 not without praying and seeking2 so also1 must every other ,man resolve to do3 ,because1 no ,man shall ever get more out of me1 than what ,i here have willingly discovered for publick ,good4 ,now follows ,the incredible ,virtue and ,efficacy1 which this wonderful ,salt manifests in ,preparation of ,tinctures1 for exalting all ,metals and ,minerals to the perfection of ,gold4 ,although it is before said1 that ,salt1 or the ,stone of ,philosophers1 is only prepared of ,acid ,vitriol2 yet ,i thought it necessary also1 here to publish1 that ,oyl of ,vitriol may be prepared divers ways1 so as one or another may prepare it this way or that way1 as he pleaseth4 ,for the common and vulgarly known ,oyl of ,vitriol1 suffers it self 7by the help of ,sulphur7 to be easily transmuted into a ,sweet ,stone3 ,because ,sulphur alone is endued with ,power of edulcorating all ,corrosives1 and of ,coagulating them into such a ,stone1 or ,salt1 by the benefit of which1 ,wonders may be done1 both in ,medicine and ,alchymy4 ,philosophers do indeed persuade us1 that1 out of ,vitriol1 an ,oyl of a ,blood-,red-,colour may be extracted by ,art1 with which1 ,white ,metals may be tinged into ,red3 ,but the way of ,preparing this1 they described not4 ,this is that1 which is most studiously sought by the ,adorers of the ,chymical ,art1 but hath hitherto been found by very few2 and therefore is generally thought1 by almost all ,inquisitors1 to be impossible1 whatsoever ,philosophers have writ thereabout1 and how clearly1 and plainly soever described it4 ,basil ,valentine doth1 with ,paracelsus1 call this our ,oyl of ,vitriol tinged with a ,red ,colour1 the ,blood of the ,green ,lyon2 but ,bracesus1 the ,wood1 or ,tree of ,life2 ,virgil1 a ,bough1 or ,branch1 plucked by ,proserpina's help from the concealed ,tree3 ,also1 ,ovid useth divers other ,expressions1 in the ,description of this ,tincture4 ,this ,red ,oyl suffers it self to be ,coagulated into a ,stone1 not ,corrosive1 as well as the ,common ,oyl3 ,but this ,coagulate is totally ,red1 and the other is ,white only4 ,therefore1 there is a necessity1 that the difference of both be known4 ,for of both these1 what the ,white is able to do1 the ,red cannot do2 and what the ,red can effect1 is impossible to be performed by the ,white4 ,that ,red ,oyl tingeth white ,metallick ,bodies into ,gold1 and so tingeth white ,chrystals into ,gems of all kind of ,colours1 7according to the ,operators ,pleasure7 as1 in ,elegancy1 they become altogether like to the ,native4 ,but the ,white tingeth not1 because it self wanteth ,tincture1 which notwithstanding may be procured to it3 ,yet it extracts the ,tinctures from all precious1 and more ignoble ,stones1 and by them is so tinged1 as it is1 thenceforth able to tinge white ,metals into ,gold1 and white ,chrystal into beautiful ,stones of every ,colour1 and that with as excellent ,splendor1 as their ,brother1 the ,ruby1 enjoys4 ,in a ,word1 our ,salt of ,metals1 or ,stone of ,philosophers alone1 and per se1 is so great a particular ,ruler throughout the whole ,kingdom of ,chymistry1 as by amending1 it transmutes all imperfect ,metals into ,gold1 and common ,stones into precious3 ,yet unto it1 is denied ,ingress into ,vulgar 4 ,but the fixed of ,metals will abundantly perform that2 as is before abovementioned4 ,now1 as touching this ,mercury1 which those imperfect ,metals1 viz4 and 1 contain in themselves1 our ,sulphur is so very fit for tinging that1 as1 for that purpose1 there is no need of other help4 ,therefore it is most certain1 that the ,salt of ,metals obtains ,priority in the ,chymical ,laboratory4 ,one thing ,i am freely willing to discover1 viz4 this3 ,if any one would take away the fixed ,tincture1 or tinging ,soul from precious ,stones1 as ,granates1 ,rubies1 ,saphires1 ,lazure ,stones1 and other common ,stones1 and add to them also1 a small part of pure ,silver1 our ,magnetick ,salt will extract the ,tincture from the ,stone1 and at the same moment1 in which it extracts the same1 incorporate the added ,silver1 with the ,tincture1 and tinge the same into ,gold3 ,so1 as it will affect a ,man with admiration to see1 that in one and the same ,subject1 should be both an attractive1 and expulsive ,virtue4 ,perhaps hence1 that most ancient ,philosopher ,pythagoras drew his ,opinion1 for he believed such a ,transmigration1 and taught1 that the ,soul1 as soon as it passed out of the mortal ,body of ,man1 it entred into some other near adjoyning ,subject1 and there inhabit'd4 ,indeed they1 that labour in ,metals and ,stones1 do find such a ,process2 but with the ,soul breathing out of the ,body of ,man1 the matter is far otherwise4 ,for here ,bodies are not required1 but ,spirits1 which at the hour of ,death receive the ,souls of dying ,men1 and convey them to ,places by ,,god appointed4 ,according as the ,man hath lived1 either ,well or ,ill1 so those ,spirits will act at the end of ,life1 each according to their ,office2 so as1 the ,souls of pious ,men shall be received by ,spirits of ,light2 but impious ,souls1 by the ,spirits of infernal darkness4 ,in the ,mortification of ,metals and ,minerals1 ,philosophers also want not their peculiar ,spirits1 which receive and transport the flying ,souls of ,metals and ,minerals4 ,touching which ,transportation of ,souls1 we made some mention above1 where we treated of the ,fixation of ,metals4 ,also #bthis ,transduction was highly esteemed by ancient ,philosophers1 especially by ,neusementius1 who said3 ,by this ,power1 viz4 ,by the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 we deliver the ,souls of the ,dead from the ,prison of ,hell4 ,therefore1 whosoever shall be well ,skilled in this kind of operating1 he will be able to do wonders in this ,chymical ,kingdom of ,metals4 ,for if you add the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world to any ,metal dissolved1 and by ,retort distil the ,mixture1 they will carry over with themselves1 the most pure part of the ,metal1 viz4 its tinging ,soul1 and leave nothing behind in ,hell with ,pluto1 but the gross and unprofitable ,body4 ,wherefore1 whosoever can rightly separate that transduced tinging ,spirit of ,metals1 from the ,spirit of the ,world1 he will absolutely be possessed of a fixed ,tincture3 ,because1 that strong transporting ,spirit doth also fix the volatile ,soul of ,metals1 and render it constant in ,fire4 ,and1 although that ,subject was most volatile1 from which the ,tincture was distilled by the ,salt of the ,world1 as by one only ,distillation from common ,sulphur1 ,auripigment1 ,cinnabarine ,sulphur1 and the like2 yet you will acquire a ,tincture1 constant in all ,fire1 not only for ,humane and ,metallick ,bodies1 but also for ,gems4 ,so very potent ,virtue is latent1 in these abject ,subjects1 and in the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 rejected by the great ,troop of proud ,men4 ,but the ,method of using such ,pearls legitimately1 for the ,transduction of ,metals1 had need to be ,sealed up with the ,seal of the laudable ,philosopher ,harpocrates1 lest so great a ,treasure be cast under the ,feet of sordid ,swine4 ,touching a like ,compendium of fixing ,volatile ,metals1 and ,minerals1 we 7,,god willing7 purpose hereafter to teach more at large4 #b ,transduction4 ,now1 we having generally understood1 what our ,salt of ,philosophers is able to perform in the ,transmutation of ,metals1 ,i judge it not amiss1 to discover2 how great1 profitable and powerful ,faculties1 it is also endued with1 even besides the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,but here1 by the way it is to be understood1 that our ,salt of ,philosophers is insignized with many other ,names1 which ancient ,philosophers imposed on it1 not without pregnant ,reasons4 ,for1 according as they beheld the various ,wonders they were able to perform by the help of that2 so they also gave ,names unto it2 sometimes1 they called it the ,soap of the ,wise2 another time1 ,hercules or the ,herculean ,key2 sometimes1 the ,key of the ,philosophers2 c4 and all this by reason of its exceeding great ,potency and ,virtue1 whereby it always rendred it self worthy of one or other of these ,names4 ,why did they call it1 the ,soap of the ,wise8 ,because it renders those ,metallick ,bodies1 which are washed with it1 most purely white4 ,indeed ,washer women have their ,soap made of ,oyl and ,lixivium1 with which they wash filthy ,garments unto whiteness4 ,leather-,dressers use a kind of ,soap to cleanse their ,skins from all ,impurities4 ,also1 ,fullers have their cleansing ,earth1 with which they well know1 how to purifie their sullied ,cloaths4 ,nor do ,apothecaries use their ,herbs for ,medicaments1 before they have washed them in clean ,water4 ,so also1 common ,chymists so long wash impure ,metals1 by dulcified ,corrosives1 till they pass into and 4 ,but most experienced ,philosophers wash ,gold1 until it becomes ,tincture4 ,hence is that kind of ,soap1 which they use for washing1 called the ,soap of the ,wise4 ,but some may object1 saying3 ,i contradict my self2 because a little before1 ,i said1 ,gold and ,silver were ,homogeneal1 and did not at all participate of ,heterogeniety4 ,to whom ,i answer4 ,i confess1 ,i did say so1 yet ,i would be understood1 to speak so with reference to those common and known ,waters1 with which1 otherwise ,chymists do generally work upon their ,metals1 dissolve them1 separate them one from another1 and wash them4 ,because on ,gold and ,silver no change falls1 but they always remain in one and the same ,essence1 according as they are progenited by ,nature1 therefore1 ,i said so4 ,and the ,reason1 why it is thus1 is1 because ,aqua ,regis1 ,aqua ,fortis1 ,spirit of ,vitriol1 or other ,corrosive ,waters1 are not true ,keys1 endued with the ,virtue of penetrating into the heart of ,gold1 or of opening the most firm ,closure of the ,king4 ,for although they do very much corrode ,metals1 and dissolve them1 yet every ,metal remains in its ,essence1 without any ,separation of parts4 ,but on the contrary1 our ,menstruum is a sweet ,key1 far more conducible1 and better than ,corrosive ,spirits1 and therefore1 by ,philosophers is not undeservedly called1 the ,key of ,philosophers4 ,for there is nothing so closed1 but this can open it4 ,our ,royal or ,capital ,key is a ,corporeal ,spirit1 or a ,spiritual ,body1 which1 without any injury to it self1 passeth not only through ,metals1 but also through the hardest ,gems1 and extracts the fixed ,tincture of them1 leaving their ,bodies white2 which exceeded my comprehension1 the first time ,i beheld it with my ,eyes4 ,therefore1 as this ,spirit is endued with ,power of extracting ,tincture1 even from any of the hardest ,adamantine ,stones2 so1 it is also able to introduce ,tinctures into the most hard ,stones2 and that by reason of its penetrative ,power4 ,our principal ,key is that ,hercules1 which cut off the seven ,heads of the immense ,hydra4 ,by such an ,herculean fortitude1 ,perseus1 the ,son of beautiful ,danae1 suffocated the strong unsatiable ,whale or ,sea ,beast1 and freed fair ,andromeda1 whom he took to ,wife4 ,whosoever desires to know more of these1 let him peruse ,ovid1 in whose ,metamorphosis he may find our ,key of ,philosophers accurately described4 ,yet his ,words can be understood only by those1 to whom the ,art is already known3 ,otherwise1 it will be impossible1 from ,fables1 to extract the sufficient knowledge thereof4 ,it is ,,god only1 that gives light to understand abstruse things2 namely1 to those1 who fear1 love and adore him3 ,more of which1 you may find among pious ,heathens1 than among the ,slanderous ,malignant1 false1 ,christians of this time4 ,sidenote ,a3 ,gold-bearing4 ,this ,fable of ,ovid1 ,i explained before some of my intimate ,friends2 and besides1 before them shewed the ,impregnation of ,danae1 by ,jupiters ,golden ,shower3 ,yet they gave no credit to this ,demonstration1 because the thing seemed so vile4 ,would you hear it8 ,i set a narrow-mouthed ,glass ,body1 with a flat bottom1 upon a ,table1 and from above through the small mouth2 ,i poured ,danae1 ,king ,acrisius his beautiful ,daughter1 into the ,glass or ,tower2 then1 by the ,counsel and help of ,jove1 ,i formed a ,golden shower1 which 7through the ,roof1 that is1 through the small mouth of the ,glass7 ,i instilled down1 into the ,bosom of the aforesaid ,danae1 which she spontaneously received1 and was thereby impregnated1 and quickly brought forth her ,son ,perseus2 who afterward1 carried upon the winged ,horse ,pegasus1 suddenly helped the fair ,andromeda and1 freeing her from the ,jaws of the ,sea ,monster1 took her to ,wife4 ,afterward1 he slew the strong and unconquered ,gorgons1 and got the ,a,golden ,gardens4 ,if any one looks upon this ,fable1 with the right ,eye of his understanding1 he will find1 that ,ovid hath so clearly and perspicuously described our ,hercules1 or ,philosophers ,key of ,keys2 that every one1 having knowledge of our ,work1 in reading this must necessarily be amazed1 to see the whole ,art so evidently detected1 and as it were exposed to sight4 ,but its being discerned and understood by so few1 must be ascribed to the defect of their internal ,sight1 and the darkness of their ,sins1 in which they have involved themselves1 and are still resolved to abide in4 ,therefore ,,god1 according to his ,justice1 deservedly permits such ,slaves of ,avarice and ,pride to stick in perpetual ,blindness1 to grope for1 and in vain seek1 the way of escaping those ,evils4 ,for here1 the hard is ,softned1 the soft is ,hardned1 the fixed ,volatilized1 the ,volatile fixed1 the ,bitter ,corrosive dulcified1 but the sweet ,converted into a ,key1 opening all compact ,enclosures4 ,more touching so great a ,mystery1 ,i shall not at this time relate4 ,but1 to whomsoever ,,god shall grant this principal ,universal ,key1 he may1 according to his ,hearts desire1 go whither he will1 nothing can be able to resist him3 ,for which so great ,benefit we owe thanks and ,praise to the most wise ,,god1 for ever1 ,amen4 ,also ,virgil1 in a few ,heroick ,words1 evidently enough describes the way of preparing our ,red ,oyl of ,vitriol4 ,therefore ,i thought it worth while to insert his ,words also1 that he1 to whom ,,god shall give the ,blessing1 may the better understand the occult meaning of the ,poet4 ,consider first1 what here is to be done4 ,a ,golden ,branch1 with ,leaves of ,gold thereon1 ,upon a ,tree concealed groweth4 ,this ,to the infernal ,juno sacred is3 ,but the whole ,grove1 with dismal shades of ,night1 ,obscure and keep the same from ,humane sight4 ,and till some one shall take down from the ,tree ,this ,golden ,branch1 there can no ,entrance be ,into ,earths ,caverns4 ,beauteous ,proserpine ,ordained hath1 that this rare ,gift divine ,shall brought be unto her4 ,no sooner is ,the first ,branch cropt1 but in the place of this ,a second ,sprouts1 and that most pure and fine1 ,as did the first1 with ,golden leaves will shine4 ,therefore first view it well2 when rightly known ,this ,branch is unto ,thee1 then with thy own ,hand crop the same3 ,for it will follow ,thee1 ,if ,thou by ,fates for this ,work chosen be4 ,if otherwise1 no ,humane violence1 ,nor strength of ,iron1 force it can from thence4 ,virgil here calls ,vitriol1 a concealed1 that is1 a shadowed ,tree2 adding1 that by the help of ,proserpina1 ,pluto's ,wife1 but one ,branch can be cropped by him1 whom ,fortune shall favour2 and that it is willing to be plucked off by any ,skilful ,man desirous of the same4 ,such a ,branch is consecrated to ,juno1 c4 ,we know ,juno1 according to ,poetical ,fictions was the ,wife and ,sister of ,jupiter1 but ,proserpina the ,daughter of ,jupiter and ,ceres1 or 7as some say7 of ,isis1 whom ,pluto the ,god of ,hell stole away from her ,parents and married her4 ,from all which it clearly appeareth1 that this ,golden ,branch sprouting in the green ,tree of ,vitriol1 could not be cropped1 or obtained without ,proserpina's help4 ,therefore if any one would crop such ,golden ,boughs from like shadowed ,trees1 he must learn to know ,proserpina1 and consult with her2 because she only can profit him1 and prevail with her ,husband1 to wax the more hot in his infernal ,sweating stove1 that thence into another place may ascend a ,spirit or ,oyl of a ,blood-,red-,colour4 ,but this is to be considered accurately1 lest this ,work1 like many other of our ,undertakings1 be frustrated4 ,therefore ,,god is to be prayed to for his ,blessing3 for if the ,benediction of ,,god be not present1 all endeavour will be vain2 as ,i have more than once experienced4 ,although ,i did demonstrate our helper ,proserpina1 to some of my loving ,friends1 and taught them how to obtain and rightly use her2 yet they were all destitute of so good ,fortune1 as to elaborate it as it should be elaborated3 ,yet at length more accurately hitting the ,mark1 their work succeeded happily twice or thrice1 but never afterward4 ,from which1 being so evident1 it is plain enough1 that such ,arcanum's are so preserved by the ,all-seeing ,eye of the ,divine ,providence1 as it is never permitted to all ,operators promiscuously1 that every of them should attain to the highest ,science1 and thenceforth the ,good given be perniciously abused4 ,wherefore1 although one ,man communicate any famous ,secret to another2 yet1 if ,,god be not favourable1 he can never prepare the same1 but shall lose his ,labour and ,charges1 spend his time unprofitably1 and instead of a ,golden ,harvest1 reap nothing but ,trouble and ,grief4 ,hence they drew their ,original1 who writ of the ,secret ripening ,fire4 ,our ,fire1 before ,coagulation1 always burns in our ,glass1 but externally not4 ,it is sufficiently manifest1 that ,philosophers1 by their ,secret ,fire1 understood ,oyl of ,vitriol2 and that their ,fire1 is only ,fire before ,coagulation2 after that1 no more so1 but a sweet ,ripening ,stone4 ,therefore they add1 that before ,coagulation it is ,fire1 but after ,coagulation not so4 ,aptly with this agrees that ,writing of ancient ,philosophers4 ,visitabis ,interiora ,terr1 ,rectificando ,invenies ,occultum ,lapidem ,veram ,medicinam4 ,to which ,monument of ancient ,philosophers1 we may fitly subjoyn this sutable ,poesie1 making for our present ,purpose1 and expressing the same in few ,words4 ,dissolve the ,fixt1 and make the ,fixed fly1 ,the ,flying fix1 and then live happily4 ,in these few ,words are compendiously contained1 all whatsoever ,i have largely written in this ,treatise4 ,moreover1 our ,salt of ,philosophers1 besides its being a ,medicine1 and fit for ,transmutation of ,metals1 is also endued with other famous ,virtues1 of which at this time ,i cannot forbear to write4 ,philosophers have written1 that their ,key of ,keys doth indifferently open all closed ,bodies1 and that it is endued with a ,virtue1 breaking most hard and ,adamantine ,stones1 and taking from them their inclosed ,treasure2 for acquiring which1 there is nothing at all in the whole ,nature of things given1 except this our ,key1 by help of which the most firmly locked ,inclosure may be unlocked4 ,as for ,example4 ,a ,granate is a ,stone of so great hardness1 as although it may easily be reduced to ,powder1 yet it can never be corroded even by the sharpest ,aqua ,fortis1 nor dissolved1 nor can it be ,anatomized4 ,wherefore1 although these ,corrosives1 vulgarly known1 prevail not against this excellent ,stone1 7which visibly in it self contains a noble ,tincture of ,gold1 and also is not a little impregnated with invisible ,corporeal ,gold1 as plainly appears by its weight3 ,for it is much more ponderous than all other precious ,stones1 or the more vile small ,stones7 but are judged as unprofitable for this kind of ,labour2 yet our ,sweet ,salt possesseth so potent a ,faculty1 as it can easily open the same and take from it all its ,treasure2 in so much1 as if there were but this only use of it1 7and no other like1 better or more excellent were known7 it would abundantly satisfie every honest ,man1 to live amply therewith1 and to maintain his ,family with great ,tranquillity4 ,behold ,i present to you1 yet another ,royal ,experiment1 which ,i have not long since effected1 by the help of our ,red ,stone1 in the following manner4 ,one day ,i cast our ,red ,stone upon ,gold1 in ,flux1 only for a ,tryal1 whether by the help of that1 the ,gold would be tinged with an higher ,colour2 because ,i found1 that ,silver had took a yellow ,colour from the same4 ,but after ,i had poured out the ,mixture1 ,i found what was contrary to my ,hope4 ,for it was so far from exalting my ,gold in ,colour1 as on the contrary1 it took from the same almost all its ,colour1 so as it was white like ,silver4 ,at first1 ,i was not a little troubled1 that1 contrary to my ,expectation1 ,i should work so unhappily4 ,but returning to my self1 ,i begun to think1 whether this my ,red ,stone 7being1 perhaps made of ,steel7 was not that ,chalybs1 or ,steel which ,sandivogius so highly extolled in his ,writings1 and said1 it could extract from ,gold its ,tincture4 ,but since1 by reason of other ,business intervening1 ,i had no leisure to proced further in the ,work begun1 ,i was constrained to leave the whole for some higher ,experience to another time4 ,yet ,i cannot but wonder1 that our ,key of ,keys should so readily unlock every ,closure of ,gold1 and be able to spoil it of its ,royal ,soul3 ,whereas otherwise1 ,gold according to the ,sayings of all ,philosophers1 7as in very deed it is true7 and according to the common ,opinion of all other ,men1 experienced in ,chymical ,labours1 is accounted to consist of such ,homogeneal parts1 as are difficultly separable4 ,if the most wise ,,god prolong my ,life2 and also grant ,time and ,opportunity of making further ,tryal1 ,i will spare no ,labour or ,cost to find out that ,arcanum1 until by the gracious help of ,,god',s assistance1 ,i shall become the ,master of that ,art of ,arts4 ,for now unto me the ,gate of the ,royal ,closet is opened 7,i would not be envied for what ,i now say7 by our ,herculean ,key in such a manner1 as1 ,i doubt not1 but in a short time 7unless the supream ,deity1 which ,i have no cause to fear1 notably resist me7 to obtain the ,kings ,crown made of a ,carbuncle1 and be able to distribute the same among the needy1 to relieve their necessity4 ,to which my hope1 let the most wise ,,god give a ,blessing1 so1 as the ,event may answer my ,desires1 ,amen4 ,moreover1 ,philosophers say1 that whosoever obtains their ,stone1 can so qualifie ,glass1 as1 if it fall1 it shall not break1 but be found lying unbroke1 like ,metal4 ,which indeed ,i have often read1 but could never believe1 it was so to be understood according to the ,letter4 ,yet after ,,god1 by his ,grace1 had conferred on ,me our ,wonderful ,salt1 for ,curiosity sake1 ,i could not forbear to make an ,experiment1 to know1 whether what was written thereof was consentaneous to ,truth4 ,therefore1 ,i took a little broken ,glass1 melted it in a ,crucible1 and then cast upon it only a very little of our ,salt1 which it continually took in1 and thence received a white ,colour4 ,i poured out the ,mixture1 and trying1 whether it had passed into another than its first ,nature1 ,i found my ,glass had received a new ,disposition1 and became flexible like hardned ,steel ,wyer1 and after flexion came to its first form3 ,but after many bendings1 to and again1 it at length broke4 ,whence ,i learned1 that it was no ,fable1 but plainly possible by ,art to prepare ,glass so1 as it may be no less flexible1 like ,metal1 than it is transparent4 ,but since ,i have not had ,opportunity to make further ,tryal1 and cannot yet absolutely profess my self an ,artist in that kind of ,work2 yet1 ,i can say1 that what others have affirmed thereof1 is not estranged from ,verity4 ,therefore ,i must wait1 till ,time 7with the favour of ,,god7 give me further ,experience thereof4 ,also1 touching the ,stone it self1 ,philosophers write1 that it qualifies its ,possessor so1 with ,lightness and ,cheerfulness1 that he can1 like a ,bird1 fly up on high from the ground2 which is a thing so much repugnant to ,nature1 as no ,credit can be given to it1 unless it be interpreted ,hieroglyphically1 ,allegorically1 or ,enigmatically4 ,but that it greatly exhilarates him1 who by the benefit thereof can effect the aforesaid ,wonders1 is very easie to be believed4 ,for in my self ,i have found the like ,exhilaration1 when ,i have1 with these my ,eyes1 made certain very great ,proofs and ,experiments by the help of that4 ,when ,i lay1 for four years1 continually sick1 and during that time1 exercised my mind with various ,speculations1 making some ,proofs1 ,i at length found the ,truth1 and understood that this wonderful ,salt1 being tryed upon ,metals and ,stones1 did most exactly agree with the ,philosophers ,description of it3 ,then1 ,i say1 my whole ,nature1 because of that1 was astonished1 and daily so notably reduced to a better ,constitution1 as ,i can never sufficiently admire the ,grace of ,,god1 and return due ,praises to him for so great ,gifts4 ,for ,i1 who by reason of my ,sickness1 could never rise out of ,bed before ,noon1 could afterward rise betimes in the ,morning1 and go into my ,laboratory4 ,also for a long time before1 ,i could digest neither ,flesh nor ,fish1 but was constrained to live with ,bread and ,wine only2 yet now1 7thanks be to ,,god7 ,i am able to eat some small ,portion of ,flesh and ,fish1 together with other ,meats4 ,likewise for above a whole ,year1 through weakness of ,body1 ,i could scarcely write a ,line or two1 so as in two ,years space ,i committed nothing to the ,press3 ,but now1 ,,god1 the ,giver of all good ,gift1 hath made my hands so ready for ,motion1 as ,i sing to him incessant ,praises4 ,without that new refreshing of ,strength1 this present ,treatise could never have been published4 ,and this so great ,good befel me from no other ,cause1 than from ,,god1 and this precious ,stone4 ,therefore1 whosoever is desirous to partake of this great ,blessing of ,,god1 let him not come to ,me1 unto whom is given no leave to ,communicate2 but let him come to the ,love of ,,god1 and draw that laudable ,good from him1 as from the most limpid and living ,fountain3 ,because1 it is to found with him only1 not with ,men4 ,if a ,man humble in ,heart1 and void of ,hypocrisie1 hearing this1 will follow my ,counsel1 he may perhaps find a prosperous ,event according to his wish3 ,if otherwise1 adverse and contrary4 ,for ,,god is not wont graciously to regard the words of the deceitful1 but the ,hearts of candid ,men4 ,many other such things might be produced1 touching our ,tinging tone3 ,but no necessity persuades to expend time thereabout4 ,enough is spoken4 ,for whose ,eyes soever ,,god shall open1 he will on every side see so many things sufficient for him1 as not to need any further ,information4 ,all things are clear to the clear-sighted1 which appear dark to the blind4 ,,god only is the ,light1 and all who are near to ,,god1 are by him so illuminated1 as they can see4 ,but the more remote any ,man is from ,,god1 the nearer will he be to the contrary of ,light1 which is ,darkness4 ,therefore1 whosoever desires to be illuminated with the brightness of ,divine ,light1 must fly from ,darkness1 which is to be shunned4 ,for ,darkness and ,light are inconsistent in one and the same ,subject2 which is a thing accurately to be observed by every ,reader4 ,a ,,corollary4 ,we have1 in this little ,treatise taught1 that the ,salt of ,metals is prepared of ,vitriol1 and that there is a difference to be observed1 ,viz4 this4 ,common ,oyl of ,vitriol doth indeed suffer it self to be ,coagulated into a sweet ,salt or ,stone1 wherewith 7particularly7 vulgar ,metals are amended1 and ,tinctures extracted from ,gems1 although it wants a tinging ,virtue3 ,but ,metals may also be tinged by the ,coagulated ,red ,oyl4 ,we likewise shewed1 that you cannot get this ,red ,oyl1 without the help of that ,goddess ,proserpina4 ,yet by the way1 it is to be noted1 that the aforesaid ,proserpina is no other1 than a white ,sulphureous ,salt1 which added to the ,vitriol causeth the ,tincture of ,vitriol to ascend in ,distillation4 ,that1 after it shall be duly ,coagulated into a ,stone not ,corrosive1 manifests such ,effects1 as we have ascribed to it4 ,i also thought good to advise1 that our ,oyl of ,vitriol in its ,preparation requires great ,care and ,industry1 that the ,tincture may be made ,rich enough3 ,for otherwise1 it discovers but little ,virtue in ,transmutation4 ,also you shall never get so great a quantity of that ,red ,oyl1 as will satisfie the ,common sort of covetous ,men3 ,because that comes not till at last1 after all the ,white is ascended4 ,but he1 that can get a large quantity of the ,white1 will not trouble himself to get the ,red3 ,because the ,white also1 by the help of ,proserpina1 may be converted into ,red4 ,which if it were not so1 the ,saying of ,virgil could scarcely be found true1 viz4 that with the hand is readily to be cut off1 not one ,branch only1 but many other1 if ,fortune shall so far favour any ,artist4 ,therefore1 ,i forbear to write more at this time4 ,let him1 who cannot content himself with these here written1 search the ,monuments of ,philosophers1 writing1 that there is such an ,art1 by the benefit of which1 with one only ,pound of ,coals1 a whole ,pound of ,oyl of ,vitriol may be distilled4 ,yet such an ,artifice must not so soon be spread among the ,people4 ,to whom soever ,,god reveals the same1 he may prepare it1 according to his own desire2 if it be otherwise1 let him comfort himself with this ,meditation of ,patience1 viz4 that he was not worthy of so great ,gifts4 ,with these1 ,reader1 ,i bid you ,farewel1 and commend to you the ,protection of ,,god4 ,,the ,,end4 ,a ,short ,,book ,,of ,,dialogues1 ,,or1 7,certain7 ,colloquies of some ,studious ,searchers after the ,hermetick ,medicine and ,universal ,tincture4 ,written for the ,sake of the ,lovers of ,hermetick ,philosophy4 ,,the ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,well-minded ,,reader4 ,i was formerly minded never to have published these ,three ,dialogues1 but only to have made some of my good ,friends1 and such as had well deserved at my hands1 here and there1 partakers of the same4 ,and upon this ,account ,i permitted some of them to ,copy them out1 but they abusing that ,curtesie of mine whereby they received them1 did make others of their own ,friends too1 enjoyers of the same1 contrary to my ,will and ,intention2 and so it happened1 that they became ,common1 and being on this wise often ,coppied out1 there crept in amongst them 7as indeed usually falls out in such ,cases7 abundance of ,faults or ,errors1 and the sense and true meaning of my ,words were construed in the worser ,part4 ,which thing when ,i perceived1 that it would more disadvantage than profit me 7especially seeing1 that such a work thus ,copied amiss did nevertheless pass under my ,name1 and was adjudged by others1 as really mine7 ,i deemed it1 expedient1 of two ,evils to chuse the least1 and to have regard to mine own good repute1 and to publish it in mine own ,name4 ,but yet1 not with an intent of getting my self some eminent ,fame1 as if ,i were wiser than others1 and to have it thought1 that ,i had more knowledge and experience than many others have2 but rather1 that the incredible ,works of the omnipotent ,god1 and his great ,wonders1 might be laid open and made known1 to the infinite ,glory of his ,name4 ,in the setting down of which1 ,i do produce only such things1 as my self have wrought with mine own hands1 and can even yet demonstrate by a certain and undoubted ,operation1 7by ,gods help7 at any time4 ,but yet1 ,i would not have any one thus to understand me1 as if ,i had already wholly and compleatly finished the whole ,operation1 and had advanced it to a due1 and throughly perfect1 end1 ,no6 ,i cannot arrogate to my self by any means1 any such matter4 ,thus much ,i only affirm1 that if any one shall 7in his ,operation7 follow the bare literal ,description of these ,labours1 he will without any ,error arrive1 so far as ,i my self am already come1 but yet with this ,proviso1 that he knows the true ,salt of the ,philosophers1 and the use thereof2 ,and as for what remains1 unfinisht ,i commit unto ,god to bestow a prosperous ,success3 ,and this one thing ,i entreat1 that every ,body accept of the things ,i have here written1 with the same mind ,i wrote them1 and that he take in good part my sincere ,endeavours of deserving well at his hands4 ,illustration3 in de ,dialogus4 ,the ,explication of the annexed ,figure belonging to this ,treatise1 noted with these ,words3 ,inde ,dialogus4 ,in the four principal ,points of the ,circle 7supposing two transverse lines were drawn1 through the ,center1 to the outward ,circumference7 are placed the ,characters of ,sol1 ,sulphur1 ,lune1 ,salt4 ,round the outmost ,circle1 are placed these ,words3 ,conjoyn in one1 ,sol1 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 ,lune4 ,about the next ,circle3 ,and thou hast as great a ,treasure1 as ,heaven can give thee4 ,within the ,third ,circle3 ,the ,philosophers ,function1 is of ,contraries1 the ,conjunction4 ,about the next ,circle3 ,the ,concentration of ,homogeneals1 is the ,separation of ,heterogeneals4 ,within the inmost ,circle3 ,sol1 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 ,lune4 ,the ,first ,dialogue1 or ,conference1 betwixt two ,lovers of ,hermetick ,medicine1 deciphered by the ,letters1 ,a4 and ,b4 the last of which hath had a prosperous ,success on his ,labours1 the other not1 and therefore craves of this last 7viz4 ,b47 a ,manuduction to the ,work1 whereby he is rendred ,master of his desire4 ,b4 ,a ,good health to you1 my ,friend6 ,what's the matter with you now1 that you are so sad1 and even loaden with ,cogitations1 and mumble to your self about ,i know not what8 ,a4 ,oh1 my ,friend6 ,i wish you the like very heartily2 and am glad that you come so very seasonably1 and at such a time1 as ,i was just thinking on you1 and most earnestly wishing your approach2 ,witness your own ,writings1 which ,i do here turn over with my hands and my mind1 but yet they are so very obscure1 that ,i cannot worm my self as ,i may say out of them1 or understand them though ,i apply the utmost of my ,endeavours to understand them4 ,i have likewise read over and over again1 the ,writings of other eminent and belief-deserving ,philosophers2 still hoping1 that ,i should yet at length attain to the knowledge of the ,truth3 ,but alas1 7the more's my grief7 all that ,i find is only this1 viz4 that ,i hold in my hands the slippery ,tail of a slippery smooth ,serpent1 or ,ele which ever now and then slips out of my hands1 and doth more and more defile me4 ,i have therefore resolutely determined with my self1 that1 unless ,god doth shortly send me some good ,friend1 who may lead poor me out of such a notable ,labyrinth1 ,i will throw all my ,books1 all my ,instruments1 and all such matters which ,i have bestowed so much time about1 in vain1 and lost so much by1 into the ,fire1 and ,sacrifice them unto ,vulcan1 that so ,i may be rid of the tediousness of my fruitless ,labours1 and unprofitable ,cookery4 ,but yet if you would be but so pleased1 ,i no ways doubt1 that you might by a few words and ,directions reduce me out of the snares of so many ,erroneous paths1 hedged up ways1 into the right path3 ,for ,i well know1 that you have bestowed your whole ,age1 your whole ,study1 and all your ,labours and ,endeavours1 about such great ,secrets1 and have by the ,divine assistence obtained the very ,truth it self4 ,and therefore ,i do most humbly beg at your hands1 you would not leave me destitute of your help1 but that1 according to your inbred ,goodness and ,courtesie1 you would succour me1 your ,friend1 with some brotherly instruction1 and ,manuduction4 ,which if you either will not or cannot do1 ,i must even conclude1 not only upon throughly doubting of the ,truth and possibility of this ,art1 but withal1 on a firm persuading my self1 that those ,writings1 which are so stuft with the ,promises of golden ,mountains1 are nothing else but mere ,old ,wives ,tales1 and frothy ,speculations of idle ,men1 and vain ,dreams1 though proceeding from ,men of so great ,esteem4 ,b4 ,whats this1 ,i hear thee utter8 ,i could never have believed you1 to have been of such a broken and dejected mind4 ,what8 ,would you contemn the ,writings of the ,philosophers1 and slight them1 because they are above your ,capacity1 and too hard for your understanding8 ,tis a wicked thing1 to entertain such a thought1 much more to utter it4 ,i would have you1 rather to persuade your self1 that you are not as yet worthy of the ,secrets and ,gifts of so great worth3 ,for though a ,man should torment himself with abundance of hard ,labours in this ,world1 and should aflict his ,body with uncessant ,sweating pains1 yet would he not effect ought without the ,blessing of ,god4 ,do you not know that saying of ,paul2 ,tis not of him that ,wills1 nor of him that ,runs1 but of ,god alone that shews mercy4 ,you should therefore reckon your self amongst the number of those1 that have run in vain1 nor hath ,god injured you at all4 ,what6 does not ,christ say1 ,not all that say unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the ,kingdom of heaven1 but they only who do the ,will of my ,father4 ,examine now your self1 and see how the ,case stands 'twixt ,god and you4 ,the bestowing of such great things must proceed from ,god1 and not from the ,philosophers4 ,the ,philosopher may indeed write down the ,truth1 but yet it is not in his ,power1 to bestow upon thee the ,divine ,blessing1 which is the very hinge on which all good things depend4 ,secrets of such great moment are not the ,gifts of ,men1 but of ,god1 who bestows them on whomsoever he pleaseth4 ,a4 ,in good time6 ,is this the ,comfort and ,instruction1 which ,i begged at your hands8 ,i did not request1 you to be my ,father ,confessor1 to hear my ,confession of my ,deeds1 but rather that you would help me1 being ignorant and unskilful1 by some good and profitable ,manuduction and ,instruction3 ,for ,i well enough knew1 that wicked ,men are never ,masters of such great ,secrets1 nor will ,i rank my self amongst them4 ,be pleased but to regard my suit1 and only shew me an entrance1 whereby ,i may enter into the right and ,kingly way3 ,and as for praying to ,god1 and ,labouring without ceasing1 leave the ,care of that to me3 ,i hope1 that ,god will not deny his ,blessing upon my ,prayers and ,labours4 ,b4 ,well6 since ,i perceive you to be so throughly bent1 with your utmost study and unwearied pressing on1 after such an eminent thing as this is1 ,i cannot but shew you that way1 which ,i my self have walked in1 and that too1 home to the very place which my self am come unto4 ,verily1 ,i see the promised ,land afore my ,eyes1 and do daily view its ,coasts1 nor do ,i doubt1 but that ,i shall shortly enter thereinto1 and have the ,fruition of its most pleasant ,fruits1 if no impediment debar me of so great an happiness4 ,and as concerning your self1 seeing that you are nimbler of your ,feet than ,i am1 there's no doubt but that you will arrive thereunto1 even assoon as ,i my self4 ,but yet1 pray first declare unto me1 about what things it is1 that you have spent your ,monies1 your ,labours1 and your ,precious time1 and all to no purpose2 that so ,i may 7as much as in me lies7 the more conveniently reclaim you from your ,wandrings and ,errors into the right way4 ,tis in vain for him that is sick1 to expect help and succour from the ,physician1 if he does not shew the place of his ,dolour and ,grief4 ,confession is a ,medicine to him that goes astray4 ,confess therefore the ,truth1 that ,i may hear1 by what things thou hast been mis-led into so many ,errors4 ,a4 ,alas1 ,sir1 ,i could not reckon up all1 in ,order1 though ,i should have time enough of so doing4 ,but your own time1 which is far more precious1 does not permit1 that it should be spent in hearing my foolish ,labours4 ,besides too1 the remembrance of so many ,labours in vain1 and of the loss of not only so much ,time but ,expences too1 causeth a loathing in me1 the very remembrance of which ,i abhor1 much more to make a long rehearsal of the same4 ,you may therefore easily guess1 that by my insisting upon the bare ,letter only of the ,philosophers writings1 and not understanding the sense and meaning1 ,i have erred from the right way1 and have headlong hurried my self into so many ,intricacies and ,errors4 ,i have searched into ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 because the ,philosophers write1 that their ,stone is ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral2 but ,i see1 that ,i have not had under my hands the true ,matter4 ,for if there does appear in any of these ,matters the ,crows head1 yet the other ,colours which the ,philosophers make a description of 7as the ,dragons ,blood1 the ,peacocks ,tail1 ,virgins ,milk1 ,coagulum1 or ,curdling1 and principally that ,red and ,fire-abiding ,salamander7 did never appear to my view4 ,or1 if these ,signs of ,sanguis ,draconis1 or ,lac virginis appear to sight1 in some other ,matter1 yet notwithstanding the other ,colours1 and other ,signs1 which the ,philosophers make mention of1 did never discover themselves to my view4 ,what ,labours soever ,i have used1 and whatsoever matters ,i have dealt in1 ,i have even ,laboured in vain1 and lost both my pains and ,expence1 and never have received any good from my laborious ,operations4 ,hereupon ,i did at last even almost throughly persuade my self1 that it was an impossible thing1 that1 out of one ,matter1 and by one and the same ,labour1 one ,colour should orderly succeed another1 and become visible to the sight1 by the bare help of an external ,fire1 as for example1 first if all1 in the putrefaction1 the ,crows head1 then the ,peacocks ,tail1 then the ,dragons ,blood1 ,lac virginis1 ,coagulum or ,cheeslike ,curdling1 and at last the fixt ,salamander4 ,but forasmuch as it appears to me1 by the reading of your ,writings1 that you have orderly met with the sight of all those ,colours in your ,labours1 in such manner as the ,philosophers have described the same1 ,i do firmly believe1 and give ,credit unto your ,sayings1 as unto a ,man that makes ,conscience of his ways1 supposing1 that you would not write such things unless you had wrought them with your own hands1 and could even yet perform them at any time4 ,i only beg your help in shewing me the true matter1 and the ,key thereof1 that ,i may so order the ,business1 as to cause the ,visibly appearing of one ,colour after another1 in one ,glass1 and by the bare help of one only ,fire2 if you do but thus much for me1 you may be confident that ,i shall be the most contented ,man alive4 ,nor do ,i doubt1 but that as touching the remainder1 as ,multiplication1 ,projection1 and such like1 ,i shall find out those ,operations well enough afterwards1 by mine own studious ,search1 if ,i can but once hit on the entrance of the right1 true and ,kingly way4 ,b4 ,hold a little1 and do not assume so much unto your self1 and think that the things which are so easily said1 are with as much ,facility done4 ,have you not ,read in ,bernhard ,trevisan1 that a certain ,friend of his had that great ,secret as well as himself1 only he knew not how to multiply it1 nor would ,bernhard reveal the same unto him1 as having the self same ,books1 out of which the said ,bernhard got the knowledge of ,multiplication1 himself4 ,but be it as you desire1 and seeing you request no more from my hands at this time1 but only the matter and some ,key1 ,i will satisfie your request1 as far forth1 as the time and occasion will at present permit4 ,attend therefore with diligence to those things which ,i shall say unto you and such things they shall be too1 as unto which you may boldly give ,credence4 ,i will not 7according to the ,custom of many7 seduce you1 nor will ,i reveal unto you ought else1 but what ,i have experienced by the ,labours of mine own hands3 ,and if you follow the guidance of the bare ,letter it self1 you will not err1 unless ,god will not permit you to proceed1 but throw some peculiar impediment and lett in your way4 ,as touching the matter1 which the ,philosophers have made that ,universal ,medicament of1 ,i find that it is not merely ,one1 but ,divers1 and this is clearly evident from the ,writings of the ,philosophers1 who openly hint unto us1 that one of them used this way and matter2 another1 that1 and yet at length became ,masters of their desire notwithstanding4 ,from whence it necessarily follows1 that the different matters1 of which is made one and the same thing1 are not unlike in their more inward parts1 but alike1 though they do not appear so to be1 as to their external hue4 ,for it is a thing possible for two1 three1 or more things to differ much1 from each other as to the outward form and shape1 whereas notwithstanding in their inward parts1 they are so agreeable to each other1 as that the self same thing may be produced from the one as from the other4 ,take1 for an example of this thing1 the ,seeds and ,roots of some ,herb1 the which1 as to the outside form1 have no likeness to each other1 and yet for all that1 do they produce one and the same ,herb1 if they are implanted apart in the ,earth4 ,just thus is it with the ,metallick ,buds and ,stocks which are wont to sprout forth1 as well from the ,metallick ,roots1 as from the ,metallick ,seeds1 in so much1 that a ,tree grows up of the same ,nature and ,form from the ,metallick ,root1 as ,springs from the very ,seed it self4 ,now 'tis evident1 that in the ,metallick ,kingdom1 or ,lead supplies the place of the ,root2 or ,iron1 of the ,trunck or ,stock3 ,jupiter or ,tin1 of the ,bark1 or argent vive1 of the juice betwixt the ,trunck and the ,bark2 or ,copper1 of the green ,leaves2 ,lune or ,silver1 of the white ,flowers2 and or ,gold of the ripe ,fruit and ,seeds4 ,if therefore the ,metallick plant is to be multiplyed1 that ,multiplication cannot be more commodiously effected then by and 1 that is1 by the ,seed1 or by the ,roof of the said ,tree4 ,whosoever therefore desires to perform ought in this kind1 he will not find any convenienter matters1 then or 1 that is1 ,gold or ,lead4 ,but yet ,i do not mean those vulgar ,metals1 but such1 in which the ,gold lyes as yet immature and invisible1 and which is to be made visible1 fixt1 mature and constant by the help of ,art4 ,so then1 the self same thing which may be discerned1 above1 in ,sol1 and appears visible to the sight1 is in like manner found beneath in ,saturn1 in an invisible manner4 ,and thus experience it self shews1 that1 out of two things unlike1 as to the outward shape1 one and the same thing like them may be made1 because their internal parts are of one and the same ,nature1 and this outside difference or unlikeness proceeds only from the impurity1 and defect of ,maturation4 ,out of ,saturn therefore1 as out of an unripe and impure ,gold1 some good may be produced3 ,but it must of necessity be well washt1 and out of it being well washed1 may the first ,ens of ,gold be extracted1 and be fixed4 ,but now1 if out of mature ,gold1 you would yet educe something1 it must then again first putrefie and be reduced into nothing1 afore any more noble thing can proceed there out of4 ,for it is like to the ,seed of the ,vegetables1 which do's not admit of any ,multiplication of it self1 unless they are first put in the ,earth and consumed by ,putrefaction3 ,and this is proved1 and asserted by the ,testimony of our ,lord ,christ himself1 who says1 that except a grain of ,wheat rot in the ,earth1 it cannot bring forth any ,fruit4 ,certain it is therefore1 and firmly true1 that ,gold cannot be translated into a better degree1 unless it be again destroyed1 and reduced into such a ,body1 as out of which it cannot be reduced into its former ,golden ,body or ,form4 ,a4 ,what is it that you say1 can it ever be possible1 that a ,metal so constant in the fire should be on such wise destroyed1 as not to be reducible unto its former ,body8 ,verily ,i have but small reason to boast of any great matters done by me3 ,for ,i have for some years past tormented my self hitherto1 about decocting and cooking of ,gold3 ,i have dissolved it in sundry sharp and ,corrosive ,waters1 and have beheld its ascending with its yellow ,colour1 by a ,retort and through an ,alembick1 but yet ,i never got ought else in the ,precipitation of the same1 but common ,gold1 and which was not in the least bettered thereby4 ,and therefore ,i did at last conclude with my self1 as many others have done1 that the common ,gold could not be the matter of the ,philosophick ,stone1 and it holds hidden within its ,body1 no more ,tincture than it stands in need of1 it self2 and that therefore it has not the ,faculty of tinging other white ,metallick ,bodies4 ,b4 ,i do not at all wonder at your falling into this ,opinion4 ,there are many others besides you1 that are of the same mind2 ,nay1 ,i my self doubted much about this very thing1 viz4 whether or no1 ,gold hides within its inward parts any more of ,colour1 than it shews unto us in its outside shape4 ,but then on the other hand1 it could not seem at all likely1 that such eminent ,men should publish such great ,fallacies and so many ,lyes1 merely to seduce ,men1 by4 ,and whilst ,i was thus wavering in this kind of doubting1 the ,truth did at last 7after sundry and many inquisitions7 by a mere chance present it self unto me2 in so much1 that ,i am now clearly convinced of my ,error1 and am even constrained to believe1 that a true ,tincture1 tinging the imperfect ,metals1 may be extracted out of ,gold4 ,for well may that be believed1 which the ,eyes see1 and the hands feel4 ,a4 ,i rejoyce exceedingly to hear you say1 that you have seen the ,truth1 and ,i hope that in time you will refresh me with a sight thereof too4 ,b4 ,whatsoever lyes in my ,power to serve you by1 ,i will not in any ,case deny unto you3 ,but thus much ,i would you should know1 that the ,splendor or brightness of the ,truth it self hath shone upon me1 but ,i have never as yet brought the work it self unto an end1 by reason of the want of time3 ,but yet however1 ,i am confident and firmly persuaded1 that if no impediment chance to happen1 ,i shall bring it to its wished end4 ,and now seeing you are by some years younger than my self and that you have store of time and all other ,conveniencies1 ,i dare be confident1 that you would finish that ,operation much sooner1 should ,i but reveal unto you those things1 which ,i am already arrived to the knowledge of1 by the ,labours of mine own hands4 ,a4 ,proceed on1 ,i pray1 in this your ,liberality1 and make me1 as being a ,man following after ,honesty1 partaker of your ,happiness1 and ,i shall be everlastingly obliged to you and yours4 ,and whatsoever ,labour or ,task is to be undergone for you2 ,i will with a ready and willing mind undertake it1 and in all things respectfully regard your wholsome ,instructions4 ,b4 ,well6 ,i trust you1 and believe1 that you will perform your ,promises1 by which you bind your ,credit2 but however you shall give me your hand1 and ,promise me1 that you will conceal the ,art in most profound silence4 ,a4 ,i will1 here's my right hand1 and ,credit upon it4 ,b4 ,hearken then1 with your utmost diligence1 and with an accurate intention1 receive the things which ,i shall speak unto you4 ,a4 ,i do1 and listen attentively4 ,b4 ,in the first place then1 you are to know1 that1 if you would make any good thing out of the common ,gold1 you must perfectly cast out of your mind that ,opinion1 which hath hurried not a few into no small difficulties1 imagining1 that 7by the help of some ,menstruum or other7 the ,colour of the ,gold is to be extracted out of it1 and that ,silver is to be tinged1 with that same ,golden ,tincture thus extracted1 and that1 to the remaining white ,gold1 its ,colour may be again restored by the other lesser ,metals1 as or ,antimony1 ,copper1 or ,iron3 ,such thoughts as these you must clearly remove out of your mind1 as being those which rob a many of their precious ,time and ,estates4 ,there are several ways1 by which ,i know how to extract the ,colour from ,gold1 but tis needless to reckon them up here by a tedious repeating of them1 seeing they are not any ways profitable1 but rather cause loss of ,time and ,goods4 ,the main thing you are to mind is this1 viz4 to meditate and enquire by an accurate and uncessant studious ,search1 by what means you may destroy ,gold1 kill it1 and so compel it by ,putrefaction to produce to view its internal and invisible ,colour1 and 7on the contrary7 to introvert 7and hide7 its external and visible ,yellowness4 ,for ,gold it self is no other thing save a mere ,tincture1 to the acquiring of which1 there needs not any other thing save the true ,key1 which unlocks ,gold1 introverts it1 and renders the invisible ,colour1 visible4 ,besides1 neither are those to be hearkned unto1 who boast of reducing ,gold into its three ,principles1 viz4 ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury2 and of freeing those three from all their impurities1 and then1 of conjoyning them again1 being thus ,purged1 and of ,fixing them into an ,universal ,tincture2 and such like most impertinent trifling ,processes1 as these4 ,for they are mere idle ,dreams1 and can never be accomplished1 but come to just nothing1 and clearly delude the ,covetous ,thirsters after ,gain1 by their vain dependence thereupon4 ,nor are there in ,gold any of those ,feces1 which they prate of its being defiled with1 neither doth it admit of being severed and dissolved into those three ,principles4 ,but put ,case it were possible so to be1 what profit1 ,i pray1 could we hope should accrue to the said ,gold by such a fruitless ,labour1 whereas we see1 that it is not in the least measure bettered by such a ,separation4 ,it remains therefore for an undoubted ,truth1 that ,gold neither contains any ,feces1 nor admits it of a resolution into ,three ,principles1 but that it rather requires to be ,radically dissolved by a due ,putrefaction1 and to be so opened or unlockt4 ,and farther1 the ,labour of such ,men is likewise vain1 who ,endeavour by the help of ,saline1 ,cementations to extract from ,gold1 its ,soul3 ,for though such ,cementations may sometimes succeed so well1 as that the ,gold when taken out is plainly white1 yet nevertheless such a white ,gold doth as yet contain in it its own peculiar ,colour1 the which1 a little ,saltpeter cast in upon it in ,flux1 doth easily restore unto it3 ,for then that whiteness vanisheth1 and the ,truth appears1 and shews you1 that it neither lost its yellow ,colour1 nor its weight1 but retained them both1 in the ,cementation4 ,nay1 we have been many times deceived our selves by these kind of ,operations1 and have persuaded our selves1 that we had dispoiled the ,gold of his ,colour or ,tincture by the ,salts1 whereas it had but only attracted a certain ,sulphur out of the ,salts1 by which it was made ,white4 ,you may give ,credit unto me1 for ,i speak experimentally1 and do not tell you dreaming ,stories4 ,i will instance it unto you1 by an ,example4 ,dissolve a little ,gold in some ,aqua ,regis1 and pour the ,solution upon powdered ,tartar1 that so being poured upon the said ,tartar-powder1 it may be hid and covered over3 ,put this ,tartar thus moistened with the ,solution of the ,gold1 in a strong ,crucible1 the which you must cover well with a ,cover1 and lute it3 ,or rather1 put it in a ,cementary ,pot or ,vessel1 which will be better4 ,the ,vessel being placed in the ,cementary ,fire1 the ,gold will extract a peculiar ,sulphur1 and become ,white and ,brittle1 after its ,separation from the ,salts1 by being melted4 ,and now who is it1 but would believe1 that the ,salts had extracted the ,colour of the ,gold from it1 whereas it is no such matter4 ,for a little ,saltpeter1 or else the ,cineritium1 or ,cupel can drive away all this white ,colour1 and restore it to its former ,yellowness again2 and this is1 what my self have several times done and experienced with mine own hands4 ,a4 ,now again1 here's a new ,story ,i never heard of afore1 who would ever have believed1 but1 that when they had taken their ,gold 7tinged with a whiter ,colour than ,silver7 out of the ,cementary ,vessel1 it had been clearly dispoiled of its ,tincture8 ,but now seeing it is not so1 there must of necessity lye hidden under such an ,action as this1 some other ,secret and ,wonder4 ,verily it is no trifling ,matter thus to make ,gold white1 without the help of the white ,metals2 and it is the more wonderful too1 because it is not known1 from whence that white ,colour receiveth its ,rise3 ,it could not get it from the ,aqua ,regis1 nor could it have it from the ,tartar1 and this makes me still wonder the more4 ,and therefore1 pray1 rid me of this doubt1 and unriddle the business unto me1 for 'tis not without cause1 that ,i suppose some great ,secret may lye thereunder hidden4 ,b4 ,attend diligently to what ,i say1 therefore1 for its impossible for you to apprehend all things at one very dash as ,i may say1 and at first4 ,we will first of all treat about the ,gold only1 and of other ,secrets afterwards in due time4 ,but yet by the by ,i would have you observe in this place1 this one thing2 that as touching that ,sulphur1 which made the ,gold white and brittle1 there must needs be a notable ,friendliness betwixt them1 because it was so easily extracted out of the ,tartar by the ,gold4 ,and upon this ,account there may be ground to suppose1 that if the ,gold were left lying longer in that close ,cementation1 that ,sulphur which rendered the ,gold so white1 might haply be rendred ,red1 and fix in the ,gold4 ,for every ,sulphur is a ,tincture1 when it is made fixed1 and gets an ,ingress1 from the other ,metals4 ,do not undervalue this ,secret1 but fish out the ,property of this thing1 by a more accurate ,meditation1 for you will draw from thence much ,good4 ,a4 ,verily1 ,i can methinks conjecture1 that this very knack hath more in it than it shews for2 ,i will search thereinto more accurately2 perhaps this very way is a nearer one1 than that which requires the inversion of the ,gold4 ,i remember that ,i have read amongst the ,sayings of the ,philosophers1 this ,expression2 ,that their ,gold does not tinge1 unless it be first tinged1 nor receiveth it a ,red ,colour1 unless it be made first ,white4 ,i perceive1 that ,nature is more abundantly stored with infinite ,riches1 and that it cannot be so easily ,searcht out to the bottom1 and the longer a ,man seeks1 the more he finds and meets with2 insomuch that at last1 there is such plenty of good things offering themselves to such ,seekers1 that it makes them puzzeld which to choose1 seeing they so commend each others ,benefit and ,profit4 ,besides1 your words are very hard to be understood1 and hard to be born4 ,for it seems a thing exceeding all belief1 that the most constant ,fire-during-,metal1 ,gold should be so changed1 as to be no more ,gold1 and very hardly1 yea1 not at all reducible by the help of ,art into its former ,body4 ,i do often meet with that ,opinion and ,decree of the ,philosophers in my frequent reading of their ,books1 viz4 that ,gold must be putrefied1 if any better and nobler thing is to be generated thereout of3 ,but whereas it seemed unto me a thing beyond the ,power of ,nature1 and altogether impossible1 for such a constant ,matter to undergo any ,putrefaction1 ,i supposed that the ,philosophers pointed at some other thing by that ,putrefaction of theirs4 ,mean while1 ,i earnestly expect from you a ,demonstration of the possibility and ,truth of this thing4 ,b4 ,come then1 on ,god's ,name1 a little nearer me1 and heed well the things which shall be shewn unto you4 ,we will here take half an ,ounce of common ,gold1 and put it into this ,aqua ,fortis1 made of ,vitriol and ,saltpeter1 whereto we will add the same weight as the ,gold is of1 or a little more1 of our ,saltarmoniack1 without which1 the ,aqua ,fortis alone1 and by it self1 is not able to dissolve the ,gold4 ,a4 ,pray1 ,sir1 why do you say1 ,our ,salarmoniack8 ,are there several and different kinds of it8 ,for my part1 when ,i dissolve ,gold1 ,i put into the ,aqua ,fortis1 that common ,salarmoniack1 which is every where to be had in the ,merchants ,warehouses1 and is very fit to dissolve ,gold into a ,yellow water4 ,b4 ,you speak very well after your own way2 ,and ,i confess1 that every ,salarmoniack mixt with ,aqua ,fortis is very good to dissolve ,gold2 nor is this any new way1 for 'tis in very much use amongst all the ,chymists1 who are wont on this wise to dissolve their ,gold1 but yet that which is thus dissolved1 still remains ,gold1 and doth easily admit of being again precipitated out of the ,aqua ,fortis1 and of being reduced by ,fusion into the former ,body1 it had afore its ,solution4 ,but if so be1 that the ,solution shall be made by the help of our ,sal ,armoniack1 then is the ,case vastly altered1 and your attempting its ,reduction again will be in vain4 ,for if ,gold be but dissolved barely once with our ,saltarmoniack1 it admits not any more of melting1 nor doth it of it self return again into a malleable ,metallick ,body1 but gets a ,reddish ,scarlet kind of ,colour in the ,tryal or ,crucible and remains an unfusil ,powder4 ,and if you add some ,borax thereunto1 and set it in the ,fire then to melt1 it will pass into a ,red ,glass1 which is a sign of its being plainly destroyed1 and of its being transmuted into another ,body4 ,and therefore ,i dare aver1 that there is seated in our ,salt ,armoniack a power of inverting1 and transmuting ,gold1 and of making it fit for the ,philosophical putrefaction1 which thing is impossible to be done by any other ,salts whatever they be1 and what ,name soeever called by4 ,a4 ,certainly1 this is a ,divine miraculous thing1 to subject ,gold1 so mightily constant in the ,fire1 unto ,putrefaction1 and to reduce it by ,putrefaction1 into a nothing3 ,for ,i have read too and again1 amongst the ,philosophers ,writings1 that it is an easier thing to make ,gold by ,art1 than to destroy ,gold made by ,nature4 ,and therefore this ,salt must needs be a very wonderful one1 which is able to effect these and other1 the like almost incredible things4 ,b4 ,well may you term it a wonderful ,salt1 for so it is1 the like of which1 no ,man will find in the whole ,world2 though to such as know it1 it is so vile and mean a thing2 insomuch that scarce any one would think it likely1 that such things could be done thereby1 as are wont to be1 should it be but named by its own proper ,title4 ,does not1 ,i pray1 that ,philosopher1 ,cosmopolita or ,sandivow confess1 that he hath oftentimes declared the ,art1 and ,secret of the whole ,philosophick work1 word for word1 sometimes to one1 sometimes to another1 and yet they would not at all believe him1 by reason of the meanness1 or vileness of the ,work8 ,and does not he make frequent mention of his own1 and not the common ,sal ,armoniack8 ,but that you may yet give more belief and credit to our ,salt1 ,i would have you read the ,turba of the ,philosophers1 wherein you will find all those things which they have published concerning their ,salt3 ,and amongst others1 hearken to those few words1 which the ,rosary mentions3 ,our ,salt dissolves ,gold into a red ,colour1 and ,silver into a white ,colour1 and transmutes them out of their ,corporeity into a ,spirituality1 and with our ,salt1 are their ,bodies calcined4 ,and for this reason1 ,lumen ,luminum1 also says1 ,that if the ,omnipotent ,god had not created this ,salt1 the ,elixir could not have been perfected1 and the ,study of ,chymistry would have been in vain4 ,avicen saith1 ,if thou hast a desire of getting ,riches1 prepare ,salts1 that they may be changed into a clear ,water1 for by the ,fire are ,salts changed into ,spirits3 ,salts are the ,roots of thy work4 ,hermes saith3 ,all ,salts are ,enemies to our ,work1 and to our ,art1 save the ,salt of our ,lune3 ,arnoldus saith1 ,every ,salt that is well and rightly prepared1 is of the ,nature of ,salt ,armoniack1 and the whole ,mystery of our ,art consists in the ,preparation of common ,salt3 ,he therefore that knows ,salt1 and its ,solution1 to him is the ,mystery of the ancient wise ,men known4 ,and therefore bend the utmost ,meditations of thy ,wit upon the ,nature of that ,salt only1 in which the ,wisdom of the ancient wise ,men1 and every ,mystery1 is found hidden and concealed4 ,the ,writings of the ,philosophers are full of those and such like ,sayings1 and they do every where mightily insist upon ,salt4 ,and now1 what think you of these ,testimonies2 what6 do the things ,i have spoken1 yet find any belief in your ,breast8 ,a4 ,yes ,verily1 and now ,i am on your side2 but yet ,i do as yet desire1 and heartily wish for this one thing1 that you would for once let me see your ,labour1 whereby ,i may convince other incredulous ,persons1 and make them believe too4 ,b4 ,well1 ,i am content2 and come let us go to work1 and let us put the ,gold in its requisite ,menstruum1 and place it in warm ,sand1 thereby to hasten forward the ,solution of the same2 though there is strength sufficient in our ,menstruum1 to dissolve the ,gold in the ,cold without ,fire4 ,we shall in a short time see it of a yellow ,colour3 ,and behold that very ,colour1 and the ,gold it self is so changed1 as it is never more reducible into its former golden ,body4 ,thus have you now the entrance and beginning1 which as yet is vastly distant from the wisht for end3 ,and when you now see the beginning1 know1 that is the first day of our ,philosophick ,labour4 ,next1 let us proceed to the ,putrefaction of the dissolved ,gold1 without which1 no ,colours present themselves to our view4 ,behold in this very moment1 ,sol begins to wax black1 and in a little while after it will conceive such a thorough blackness1 that it will be like to ,ink1 and may serve to write withal on ,paper4 ,this blackness1 the ,philosophers call the ,head of the ,crow1 by that ,name pointing out unto us their ,putrefaction2 by which1 the second day bf our ,philosophical ,labour is finished4 ,our ,ground or ,earth therefore1 being sufficiently enough moistned1 we must beseech ,god to bestow upon us the hot shine of the ,sun2 for without the ,suns heat which stirs up the ,life in all things1 there cannot possibly be any increase and growth4 ,lend me therefore your best attention4 ,assoon as the putrefied ,body of our ,sol shall feel the warming heat of the ,sun1 its blackness1 which was the true ,sign of its ,putrefaction1 will vanish away by little and little1 and give place to the access and approach of many most delicate ,colours1 the which1 the ,philosophers have named the ,peacocks ,tail1 and this finisheth the third day of our ,philosophical ,labour4 ,and now1 when the ,fruit-producing ,sun shall have thus illustrated our ,field1 or ,ground with its warmer ,rays1 but for one day as yet1 we may easily see1 what is farther likely to come to pass hereafter4 ,a4 ,huy da6 what a wonderful thing is this1 that ,i see here8 in how short a time1 and how speedily hath the ,peacocks ,tail charged it self into a thick ,blood8 ,who could ever believe it1 unless he had seen and beheld it with his own ,eyes8 ,b4 ,i confess it is such a thing as may well cause in any one most exceeding admiration1 seeing that there proceed from ,art and ,nature1 ,operations of such great moments3 ,god hath made all things very well1 and should he not permit such an admirable changing of ,colour1 to appear in the ,operation1 verily the ,philosopher would be in doubt1 whether or no he might hope for an happy ,success of all his ,labour3 ,and now upon the occasion of this ,blood-like ,colour1 is arisen the ,name of ,dragons ,blood amongst the ,philosophers1 who say1 that when this ,colour appears in view1 the fourth day of the ,philosophical work or ,labour is finished4 ,a4 ,good ,god6 how great1 and how wonderful are thy wonderous ,works1 who can find them out by his own ,search and ,industry8 ,there do daily happen greater and greater encreasings of our ,faith1 seeing that ,i behold with mine own ,eyes1 such things as heretofore exceeded all my belief4 ,and ,i entreat you to tell me this one thing1 whether or no1 there lies in this ,blood1 as 'tis now prepared1 a most excellent ,power of healing ,diseases or no1 and if it may safely be made use of1 for the healing of ,sicknesses without any farther ,preparation8 ,b4 ,yes verily1 there does lye therein hidden1 an incredible healing ,faculty1 and this1 its very ,signature doth openly witness4 ,for ,god doth not sign or mark all the ,herbs1 all ,animals1 all ,stones in vain1 by the external ,signature of all which1 it is an easie matter to know1 what use they are of for ,mankind4 ,forasmuch therefore1 as our ,gold is turned into a thick ,blood1 it is a most certain ,testimony1 that it is ,serviceable for the curing and amending of ,man's ,blood4 ,for1 if the most ancient ,physicians have made use of ,gold1 reduced either by filing into a most subtile ,powder1 or by beating into most thin ,leaves1 in the ,cure of the most desperate ,diseases1 yea1 and of the ,leprosie it self too1 and this not without ,fruit1 and ,success2 how much greater commerce then will this ,gold of ours thus changed into a ,red ,blood1 have with the ,blood of ,mankind4 ,would it not think you abound with a greater ,power of freeing it from all false and superfluous ,aqueity1 and other evil ,humours and ,impurities1 and of reducing it into its former ,state of ,good health8 ,for the occult ,virtues of the ,gold are no more shut up now1 like as when the ,corporal filed1 or leafe ,gold held them lock'd up1 that they are unloosed1 and released from their ,fetters1 and so perform their work by most free and unclogg'd ,operations4 ,and seeing that ,gold is1 by ,ancient and ,modern ,physicians1 attributed to the ,heart1 and to the whole ,blood of ,man's ,body1 and seeing that experience it self hath demonstrated1 that it takes away the preter-natural affects of the ,heart1 and heals the corrupted ,blood2 why should not this our ,blood of ,gold effect the same with greater ,efficacy1 and a more happy ,success4 ,with this very ,blood1 have ,i already performed wonderful things in the most grievous ,diseases in the ,bodies of ,men1 after they have been first purged with some ,panacea4 ,i have therewithal healed the ,leaprous in a short space of time1 and such as have to no purpose made use of the assistence of the most eminent ,physicians for ten or twelve years continually1 to their great ,costs and ,charges1 and this ,i can evidence by most clear ,testimonies1 which ,i keep by me4 ,nay farther1 even at this very day in very many places1 into which ,i have sent of this ,blood1 the detestable ,leprosie1 the ,french ,pox1 and other most grievous ,diseases of the ,heart and ,blood 7to the ,cure whereof1 ,gold is in an especial manner ordained by ,god7 are taken away by an admirable way of healing3 ,for seeing1 that 7as we said afore7 it strengthens the ,heart1 and mundifies the defilement of corrupt and polluted ,blood1 and purgeth them away1 it must of necessity likewise expel1 as well the open or visible1 as the occult and hidden ,diseases of the ,body of ,man4 ,for if ,nature be but corroborated1 it doth easily subdue and expel ,diseases1 by the help of other very small ,medicaments2 the which thing ,i have by my manifold experiences found to be most true1 when ,i have adjoyned this ,aureous ,blood to other sutable ,medicaments4 ,for it cannot be exprest1 what1 and how much ,i have done1 both in young and old1 with this very ,blood so exhibited1 in the ,stone1 ,gout1 ,dropsie1 ,leprosie1 ,epilepsie1 and other ,chronical ,diseases1 which have taken deep ,rooting in the ,body4 ,therefore if ,god shall please to lengthen out my days1 ,i will very suddenly publish the use thereof1 that so it may be brought into common ,use in all ,diseases4 ,for this ,golden ,blood may probably be the potable ,gold of the ,ancients1 which never more suffers it self to be reduced into its former malleable ,body4 ,i have sundry ways attempted to reduce it1 but never could effect the same4 ,but yet this one ,case ,i except1 viz4 a little of this dry ,blood1 being put upon molten ,gold1 hath ingress into the same1 and the residue swims at the top thereof like an ,earth3 but yet that little which adjoyned it self to the ,gold1 is of so great a ,power as to make all that whole ,body of ,gold which it entred into1 brittle1 yea so brittle1 as that it suffers it self to be beaten in a ,morter into most fine ,powder4 ,a4 ,i ,marry1 ,sir6 these are ,miracles indeed1 which ,i see and hear2 who will make any farther doubt1 but that the ,universal ,tincture which heals the ,sicknesses1 or ,distempers both of ,men and ,metals1 may he prepared1 out of this ,golden ,blood8 ,for all the ,philosophers do with one ,consent confess1 that their ,tincture1 when quite perfected and cast in upon molten ,gold1 doth render the same brittle4 ,and now seeing this ,golden ,blood of ours1 being as yet immature1 and not prepared1 doth effect the same1 would it not1 ,i pray1 perform the same much better1 if it had but ,ingress given unto it1 by inceration1 whereby it might slow the easier1 and enter the more readily4 ,i do not now at all doubt1 but that this aureous ,blood both can and in time will become an universal ,tincture full if ,medicinal ,virtues4 ,b4 ,although ,i am not minded publickly to disclose an ,arcanum of such great moment1 and so great a ,mystery1 and to throw such a precious ,pearl afore ,swine2 yet ,i am of the mind to prepare some quantity thereof1 and to part with so much unto the ,sick that need it1 and that shall desire the same from me1 as is requisite for their ,use4 ,and not only to the ,sick1 but to others too1 that are willing to apply it to other ,uses and ,experiments2 but especially unto those who would fain try1 whether or no1 even this very ,blood will turn it self 7according to my ,description7 into a white ,milk1 and then into a ,red ,stone1 and1 by a new ,reiteration of the work1 pass through all ,colours4 ,this desireousness1 or inquiry after the ,truth cannot at all prove any ways disadvantageous to me1 or mine4 ,for the ,art it self will always remain an ,art1 unless it chance to happen1 that some one or other ,searcher1 which is of a more subtile ,ingenuity1 should1 by his diligent and serious inquiry1 search out the very ,foundation of the ,art it self4 ,which if it should so come to pass1 he must then think1 that ,god hath vouchsafed this ,gift unto him1 and that he now considers1 and well knows1 what esteem he ought to set upon it1 and by what means he ought to hide it4 ,however1 this is most certain1 and indubitably true1 that this ,doctrine1 and instruction of mine own prescribed in my ,writings1 will be a spurring encouragement to abundance of ,men 7that have hitherto exceedingly doubted of the ,truth of this so great a ,mystery1 and shall now come to know it1 laid open by me with such evident ,demonstrations17 and cause them to search with a greater and more serious study1 and to cast off all other unprofitable ,coctions whatsoever4 ,for to what purpose is it to use many things1 about that which may be done by fewer and more easie4 ,all things have their time1 and so has this ,arcanum too its own proper time4 ,but we shall speak more of these things in the following ,description of the second universal ,medicine4 ,all these things which thou hast hitherto seen1 are indeed very good2 but we are as yet far off from the end4 ,have you not likewise read in the ,philosophers ,writings1 that the white ,swan doth also shew it self in the ,work8 ,now1 if by but as yet ,one days shining1 the ,sun shall have illuminated by its brightness the ,dragons ,blood1 you shall see it turned into a white ,milk1 which ,milk the ,philosophers have written off1 and which at length goes into a ,coagulum1 or ,cheeslike ,curdling4 ,look therefore now upon that ,milk1 which you see to admit of ,coagulation and ,condensation1 by little and little3 ,and thus with this golden ,cheese do we finish the ,philosophical ,labour of the ,fifth day4 ,a4 ,god be thanked1 that this days ,labour hath also succeeded1 as we could wish4 ,but forasmuch as those things which you mentioned1 but now come in my mind1 viz4 that we are far off from the end of the work as yet1 and yet too morrow is the ,sixth and last day of this our ,philosophical week2 and farther1 seeing you said presently after the beginning of this our ,conference1 that the whole ,work1 would be finished in six ,days space1 and that on the seventh ,day we may cease from all our ,work and ,labours1 and sanctifie it1 or keep it holy1 and give ,god due thanks for all these his ,benefits bestowed on us3 ,seeing 7,i say7 that all these things come now in my mind1 'tis no wonder1 if they likewise create in me a great deal of ,care and ,puzzling1 to think1 how this can be1 that all these things that remain yet behind may be perfected1 and brought to a full end in one day4 ,b4 ,cease your ,care my ,friend6 nor do you ought else this ,sixth ,day1 but hourly encrease the ,fire by ,decrees1 and stir it up more and more1 that so you may see1 by what means our white ,coagulated ,milk will by little and little pass into a yellow ,colour1 and will at length be thoroughly ,red1 and abide most constant in the ,fire4 ,this fixed ,redness1 the ,philosophers call their ,salamander3 ,the ,poets tells us a ,tale1 of a certain ,worm that lives in the ,fire1 which cannot be burnt or consumed thereby4 ,therefore1 after the ,philosophers have brought their work through all the ,colours1 and have at length attained so far1 as that there appears no other1 but a mere fixed ,redness1 they named it their ,salamander1 with which 7if you except only ,inceration and ,multiplication7 they ended their work1 and so do we also finish these our present ,labours4 ,a4 ,praise and ,glory be to ,god1 by whose ,divine help1 we have 7by so happy and desired a ,success7 promoted our work to its most desired end4 ,b4 ,amen4 ,and thus will we now put an end to our work1 that so we may sanctifie to morrow1 which is the seventh ,day1 to the ,honour and ,glory of the ,divine ,bounty4 ,a4 ,ah1 my dearest ,friend2 let me intreat you not to involve me by your immature departure1 in greater troubles and difficulties4 ,there are divers scruples and doubts1 and these weighty ones too1 that perplex my mind1 which unless you remove afore1 your going away 7but ,i hope you'l stay7 ,i shall of a certain ,truth be tormented all this ensuing ,night with the most bitter ,pill of ,disquiet and ,anxiety1 and then you may well guess with what mind ,i am likely to celebrate the to morrow ,sabbath4 ,for ,i am yet as plainly ignorant1 what use to put that ,salamander to4 ,as concerning those things1 which you have faithfully disclosed unto me hitherto1 ,i trust1 ,i shall not err in their ,operation1 but as touching ,inceration and ,multiplication1 in which1 as in two ,cardinal main ,points1 the very ,pillar or hinge of the whole ,operation lyes1 as you said1 ,i must needs confess my self more ,blind1 as to them1 than ,tiresias was3 ,i must needs say1 that ,i behold the promised ,land situate afore mine ,eyes1 but the way that leadeth thereunto is hedged in with such ,thickets1 and so many ,brambles1 that ,i do not see which way ,i shall extricate my self out of them4 ,unless the mercy of ,god1 and your help come in to my assistance1 ,i see that all my ,labours will be in vain4 ,b4 ',tis no small trouble you bring me1 by your importunity1 don't you see the approaching ,evening4 ,you ,act just according to the ,custom of importunate ,men1 who having once gotten ones out-held ,finger1 do snatch in the whole hand4 ,at first1 you only entreated me to discover unto you the ,matter and ,key of the ,art1 and said1 that you would easily find out the rest your self4 ,why then do you not seek thereafter1 and let me go8 ,a4 ,good ,sir1 be not displeased with this my importunity1 proceeding from the too earnest desire1 ,i have1 of knowing so great a ,secret3 ,and ,christ himself saith1 if ye shall knock1 the ,gate shall be opened unto you4 ,b4 ,well1 since ,i see1 that ,i must expect no quiet from you1 till you do likewise learn something from me1 concerning ,inceration and ,multiplication1 ,i will in a few words set afore your ,eyes1 things of great moment4 ,look to it1 that you listen very ,attentively4 ,a4 ,i do4 ,b4 ,have you not read in the ,philosophers1 when they speak of ,inceration1 that the out-driven ,soul is to be restored to the dead ,king1 that the dead ,body may be recalled back to ,life1 and that it1 arising with a more glorious ,body1 and a more excellent ,crown1 may prove an helper to its meaner ,brethren4 ,the ,philosophers words are1 as follows4 ,here the ,soul lets it self down1 and refresheth the dead ,body4 ,for it is not sufficient1 that the ,king be deprived of ,life and so left dead3 ,no1 no1 for necessity requires1 that its ,soul be restored unto it1 which may restore its ,motion1 and lost ,life1 to the dead ,body4 ,now1 by how much the oftner1 the ,soul and ,life is taken away from the ,king1 and that which is taken away be again restored thereunto1 which so much the stronger and more active ,body1 and so much the ,magnificenter a ,crown will he arise withal4 ,by these few words have ,i laid open unto you1 ,inceration and ,multiplication4 ,but yet there are other ways of increasing our fixt ,salamander1 and rendring it fusible1 viz4 by the addition of ,mercurial things1 which1 by their speedy ,flux and penetrating ,property1 do pierce into this our destroyed ,gold1 dissolve it1 and so bring to pass1 that there is made of them both 7viz4 of the destroyed ,gold1 and which admits not of any reduction1 and of the ,volatile ,mercury7 a certain fusile midling ,body1 which said ,body1 thus conjoyned of the two1 is to be maturated by the bare ,regiment of the ,fire4 ,and by this ,maturation1 is this universal ,medicament rendred so fusible1 as to have ,ingress into all the ,metals1 and to penetrate them4 ,a4 ,but pray ,sir1 ,is not this way of giving a more easie ,ingress and ,flux to our destroyed1 and irreducible1 ,gold1 by the ,mercury of ,metals1 more facile1 and a nearer one than that abovesaid way1 which requires a great many ,operations1 by the reiterating of ,inceration and ,multiplication8 ,b4 ,yes ,verily1 it is a shorter and easier way1 as being void of many tedious ,labours1 for it needs nothing else1 but that the ,mercury of some ,metals be put into some good strong ,glass with the inverted ,gold1 and be so brought unto ,fixation4 ,but yet this ,medicament1 that is on this wise wrought up with the to a constancy in the ,fire1 cannot extend its ,colour so largely1 as that1 which is rendred fusible by so many reiterated ,operations1 because1 in every reiteration1 the ,tincture is exalted and multiplied4 ,and now1 have you any other demands8 if so1 be brief1 for the ,evening approacheth4 ,a4 ,yes1 ,sir1 there are many things1 that ,i would ask about1 but seeing that my importunity is troublesome1 ,i will at present rest content with those things1 ,i have heard4 ,only1 this one thing more would ,i gladly know1 viz4 where ,i ought to seek for the ,soul of the ,king4 ,b4 ,you must look1 whither you have driven it1 and there must you seek it1 and1 having found it1 you must restore it to the dead ,king1 and so you will again begin your ,work1 and you shall again bring it through all the ,variety of ,colours1 like as you did at the first time4 ,for when the ,soul is restored to the ,body1 there is made a new ,solution1 which is to be again putrefied1 that it may turn back2 and then proceeding farther on according to the same way1 as was done in the first ,operation1 there will appear all the ,colours1 and they too far more delicate than in the foregoing ,labour4 ,the ,crows head will be ,blacker1 the ,dragons ,blood ,redder3 ,the ,lac virginis ,whiter1 and the ,salamander more fusile1 than it was in the first ,operation4 ,for by how much the oftner you shall repeat this ,mortification and ,vivification of the ,king1 so much the more ,magnificent1 more precious1 and more efficacious a ,tincture1 will you obtain4 ,believe it1 and give ,god the thanks1 and be mindful of the ,poor1 assoon as ever you are ,master of your ,desires4 ,come to me again upon ,munday1 that ,i may also teach you 7according to my ,promise7 the way of making another ,philosophical work out of the ,poisonous1 ,volatile1 and black ,saturnine ,magnesia3 ,and so farewel4 ,a4 ,in going away spake thus with himself1 ,praise and ,glory be unto ,god1 who hath thus1 by the help of one ,man1 bestowed on me so great a ,grace4 ,i now go home with a cheerful mind1 and there will ,i most desirously wait for ,mundays approach1 that so ,i may likewise get1 from my ,friend sent me by ,god1 that other work1 made out of the ,volatile and ,philosophical ,gold4 ,but this ,operation1 done with fixed ,gold1 doth please me wondrously well1 especially for this reason1 because1 in every ,reiteration1 there do always appear the same ,colours1 which presented themselves to view in the first ,operation4 ,who would ever have believed1 that so many1 and such excellent ,colours lay hid in common ,gold8 ,and now1 if this can be demonstrated in the common ,gold1 what may be expected from the secret ,gold of the ,philosophers1 in which 7they say7 many more ,colours lye hid than do in common ,gold4 ',tis a common ,proverb1 ,i confess that he who seeks from another comes to know many things1 but usually renders himself ungrateful3 ,but yet however1 ,i cannot chuse but propose unto the ,man one ,question more1 perhaps some sweet refreshing ,solar ,ray will shine upon me4 ,my ,friend6 ,i am come again unto you4 ,b4 ,well1 tell me1 what more you have to say unto me8 ,a4 ,as touching those things which ,i have seen1 ,i desire no farther ,information concerning them4 ,but1 it will most thoroughly serve my turn1 if you will be but pleased to answer but unto one ,question1 which ,i shall propose unto you3 ,and that is this1 ,forasmuch as almost all the ,philosophers1 in the description of their ,stone1 do tell us1 ,that the ,king is to be conjoyned1 and ,radically mixed1 with the ,queen in a peculiar ,mercurial ,bath1 that so from them an ,off-spring more noble than the ,father may arise3 ,and seeing likewise1 that the same ,philosophers do at large celebrate the ,coition of ,mars and ,venus3 ,my desire is very great1 to understand your ,opinion concerning this business4 ,for if there could happen1 or proceed1 any good effect from this ,conjunction of ,gold with ,silver1 or ,mars with ,venus1 what need would there be of so many repeated ,coctions of the ,gold8 ,b4 ,this way1 which you make mention of1 is not unprofitable2 and1 to tell you the ,truth1 there are yet nearer ways1 the which whosoever enters into1 will equally become a ,master of great ,arcana's4 ,i was willing to shew unto you the work upon bare ,gold only1 for this reason1 viz4 that you may see with your ,eyes1 and as it were feel with your hands1 that those most eminent ,colours do lye hid even in bare ,gold too2 which is a thing1 that scarce one of a thousand would have believed4 ,and now being certainly assured1 about the lying hid of so great a ,tincture in ,gold1 you may with the greater confidence set about your ,operations4 ,a4 ,still more and more doth a brighter light shine upon me1 ,nor can ,i enough admire1 when ,i look upon the ,rosey ,colour of the ,lyon1 that out of so small a ,lyon1 there should proceed so great a quantity of ,blood1 coloured with so excellent and delicate a ,colour1 when as notwithstanding1 out of other much greater ,animals1 there is scarce extractible so much ,blood1 as to answer to the hundreth part of this ,blood4 ,b4 ,what8 do not you understand1 by what means1 such an incredible quantity of ,blood can flow forth out of so small a ,lyon8 ,what1 do you not know1 that the whole ,body of the ,lyon1 which is the ,king of all ,beasts1 is nothing else but the mere concentrated ,blood of the heart1 one half ,ounce of which1 being boiled in many hundred ,ounces of water1 doth turn all that water into ,blood1 as you your self have now seen with your own ,eyes4 ,a4 ,i confess1 that there have now been shewn to the view of mine own ,eyes1 such and so great things1 the like of which ,i never heard so much as one word of1 from any others4 ,no ,body would believe me1 and 7which is worse7 mine ,enemies1 who are most vile ,compilers of infamous ,libels1 would set upon me with store of reproaches and lyes1 and call me ,sophister and ,cheater1 and would say1 that ,i boyl some ,brasile wood1 or other ,red colouring ,stuff in water1 and so sell it for the ,rosey ,blood of the ,lyon4 ,and therefore1 ,i have no reason to make shew of any knowledge of this so great a ,secret4 ,b4 ,how8 what will you be afraid to be a reporter of the ,truth2 and to manifest these great wonders of ,god and ,nature4 ,that very way by which ,i shewed unto you1 that that most high ,colour ariseth out of ,gold1 by the self same way may you be able to shut the defiled mouths of your ,enemies4 ,and if they will not believe1 that there lyes hidden such a ,colour in ,gold1 they will be convinced by the said ,lyons ,blood1 which1 being made bright hot in a strong ,fire1 and afterwards boiled again in other water1 will convert the same1 as it did the former1 into ,blood1 and this you may even do1 as often as you please4 ,by this it is manifestly evident1 that the ,blood of our ,lyon is incombustible4 ,and in our being busied about those ,labours of ours1 there present themselves to our view1 three most delicate ,flowers3 ,the first is1 a ,violet1 dyed with a mixt red and ,sky ,colour3 ,then1 the ,white ,lilly2 and at last1 the immortal ,amaranthus shining with a ,scarlet dye4 ,but why1 immortal8 ,for this reason1 because neither the strongest ,fire1 nor the strongest ,corrosive waters can at all hurt it1 or change its ,colours4 ,the ,amaranthus is tinged with the highest and most constant ,colour1 beyond all other ,herbs and ,flowers1 the which does not so soon vanish after the manner of other ,colours1 which other ,flowers have1 but abides constant for many years1 insomuch1 that such an ,herb is kept both ,winter and ,summer1 to make ,garland and ,posies1 or such like1 withal4 ,a4 ,if now any one could be so happy at last1 as to enjoy that ,amaranthus1 he might present many pious ,virgins1 with ,posies and ,garlands made thereof4 ,b4 ,if you are desirous of using the ,lyons ,blood in your ,operations1 then follow ,paracelsus his ,doctrine1 in his ,tincture of the ,philosophers1 where he teacheth1 that the ,rosey ,blood is to be conjoyned and fixt with the white ,glew of the ,eagle2 which way seems the nearest for the obtaining of the universal ,tincture4 ,a4 ,i am delighted with hearing of this3 ,the ,rosey ,blood of the ,lyon ,i have1 but yet ,i want the white ,glew of the ,eagle2 which if ,i could but get into my power1 ,i would conjoyn them both together without any more delay1 and bring them to ,fixation4 ,but ,i cannot sufficiently enough admire at this1 viz4 that ,paracelsus hath made no mention1 of conjoyning the ,virgins ,milk of ,diana with the ,kings ,blood4 ,b4 ,paracelsus has not therefore injured any1 in his not manifesting all things so clearly and openly1 seeing it is the ,custom with other ,philosophers to do the like3 ,if you are desirous to use ,gold and ,silver conjoyned together1 in your working1 then deal with the ,silver1 just as ,i taught you to do with the ,gold1 and make thereof an incombustible ,lac ,virginis1 and such as admits not of any ,reduction2 the which is to be conjoyned with the incombustible ,blood of the ,lyon1 and to be put into a ,vessel1 that so these two ,bodies1 being conjoyned1 may be most constantly or firmly united1 and may never be separated from each other by any kind of disjoyning4 ,but1 that you may yet better understand the whole business1 ,i will subjoyn a few words more4 ,our white ,eagle being put in common ,water1 makes the same1 wherein it is dissolved1 so tenacious and glutinous1 as that1 it can glew ,paper or other things together2 and1 therefore it is not without cause1 that this our secret ,salt is termed by ,philosophers1 the ,glew of the ,eagle4 ,for those things1 which this ,glew joyns together can never more be separated from each other1 and this is one mutual ,bond1 by which the ,husband and the ,wife are so linked together1 that they cannot separate from one another4 ,it doth not much differ from the tye of ,marriage1 by which1 the ,husband and the ,wife1 or the young ,man and ,maid1 are by ,gods ,command so knit and bound to each other by the ordinary ,minister of ,god1 that nothing but ,death can separate them4 ,if now a ,man and ,woman joyn themselves together without the legitimate and publick ,bond of ,matrimony1 they beget illegitimate ,children1 and can 7when they please7 break that ,conjunction of theirs1 and depart the one from the other1 because they are not coupled with that ,marriage1 that proceeds from the ,command and ,will of ,god2 which said coupling or ,matrimony is in repute1 and is generally observed for a common ,custom1 and as being the ,will and ,command of ,god1 not only amongst us ,christians1 but likewise amongst ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,heathens1 throughout the whole ,world4 ,and for this reason1 the ,philosophers were pleased to introduce the like coupling or ,marriage in their work1 and that not only of ,sol with ,lune1 but likewise of ,mars with ,venus3 ,which ,copulation1 if wanting in these two last viz4 and 3 their conjoyning cannot have any good and happy ,success1 as daily experience witnesseth4 ,but now if ,mars and ,venus be coupled by a ,priest in the lawful ,bond of ,matrimony1 they likewise bring forth legitimate ,children1 and such as may be promoted unto ,kingly ,dignities4 ,i could yet kindle more light unto you here1 concerning this our ,philosophical ,copulation1 viz4 by what means the most inconstant1 and most highly ,volatile1 things may 7by the ,operation of the same7 be so conjoyned1 as that they can never afterwards be loosened from their inseparable knitting together4 ,but at the present you are not capable of bearing any more4 ,whatsoever hath been now omitted1 by reason of the shortness of time1 shall be made up at our next meeting and ,conference4 ,but1 one thing more comes in mind1 which ,i would have you to know2 and 'tis this4 ,when you would make any good thing of ,mars and ,venus1 you must in an especial manner beware of their gross ,bodies1 which are ,leprous and unfit for our work4 ',tis their ,blood you must seek after1 the ,blood1 ,i say1 of their inmost ,heart1 and the true ,soul that lyes hidden in that ,blood1 which is so very near akin to the ,royal ,blood4 ,and now1 that you may enjoy such a most noble ,blood1 you must not imitate the ,country fellows1 who1 thrusting a knife into the ,hogs necks1 do save that ,blood that flows out from thence1 to make ,puddings withal1 and take both good and bad ,blood together4 ,no6 ,you must therefore in the first place1 know for a certain ,truth1 that you must separate out of that grosser ,blood of and 1 that most subtil ,arterial ,blood of the ,heart1 without which ,separation1 you may not expect any good succeeding ,event4 ,which said ,separation1 seeing1 ,i know1 that you are ignorant of1 ,i have thought good to set it afore your ,eyes1 which more clear and more perspicuous ,expressions4 ,know then that that most pure ,blood is never gotten by any other means1 but by the ,corruption and ,destruction of the ,venereal and ,martial ,body3 ,by which helps1 these1 so gross and hard ,bodies are in such wise opened1 that the inmost and most subtil ,blood may be drawn out of them4 ,but yet1 ther's no need of destroying their ,bodies by ,aqua ,fortis1 seeing that ,nature her self exhibits unto us their ,bodies already opened1 in ,vitriol1 and hath left no more for us to do1 but the ,labour of extracting the most pure part thereout of4 ,for even in the common ,vitriol1 ,mars and ,venus are found conjoyned by ,nature4 ,and now1 when we would draw thereout of the most pure ,blood1 such a ,vitriol is to be chosen1 which never hath been as yet in the ,fire2 this1 ,vitriol is to be dissolved in water1 and to be filtered and separated from all its ,feces4 ,this green ,vitriol contains hidden in its self1 the ,blood of that green ,lyon1 out of which1 the said ,blood is to be extracted by the help of a certain ,magnet1 that so the unprofitable and gross ,body may remain behind4 ,for 'tis the ,spirit that vivifies1 the ,body is unprofitable4 ,but now1 in your extracting this ,blood thus pure1 you must not be too greedy1 but have a ,care1 that you extract no more than a little of the best ,blood3 ,which if you do not heedfully mind1 you will also extract together with the pure ,blood1 the more gross and more impure1 and so your work will be spoil'd4 ,for you need only the best and most subtil white ,blood of ,mars and ,venus4 ,for1 like as the subtilest and noblest ,blood of all the ,animals is not ,red1 but ,white1 viz4 the ,sperm3 ,even so1 the ,blood of ,mars and ,venus1 which comprehends the ,virtues of the whole ,body1 and the true propagating ,seed1 is tincted with a white ,colour1 in the search of which1 'tis expedient we bestow our ,labour4 ,therefore1 after that we have extracted1 by the help of our ,magnet1 some two or three half ,ounces of white ,blood1 out of twenty ,pounds of ,vitriol dissolved in water1 we then take it out1 lest it should also extract the most gross ,blood too1 when it can find no more of the white ,blood unextracted4 ,you had therefore need be cautelous in the extraction of that ,tincture1 and be circumspect in the ,accomplishment of the same4 ,for we are taught by ,nature and ,experience1 that1 in the ,coition of ,male and ,female1 there doth naturally concur a white ,blood to the ,propagation of their ,off-spring1 and in defect of that1 ,nature is constrained to send forth a vile and red ,blood4 ,therefore1 we must here endeavour1 with our utmost ,care and ,industry1 to purchase by our extraction the most pure ,whiteness1 and not the most gross ,redness4 ,for in that white ,virgins ,milk lye hidden all ,colours1 and the highest ,redness4 ,this white ,virgins ,milk1 you may promote to a ,fixity and ,constancy1 in a pure clean ,glass1 without the ,addition of any other thing1 the which1 after its being dryed1 will become black1 and will be translated out of the black ,colour1 into several others1 and at length shines with the highest ,redness1 which puts an end to the ,operation4 ,but as concerning our ,magnet1 seeing you know it already1 you will not need any farther instruction about it4 ,you have thus heard my ,opinion about ,mars and ,venus1 and have understood1 by what means some good thing may be thence had4 ,neither must you persuade your self1 that there is any other way of having any benefit out of them2 how great is the number of those1 who by their vain ,labours have mightily endamaged themselves1 following the ,writings of ,basilius1 in which he teacheth to make a ,red ,oyl out of ,vitriol1 which he calls ,gold ,philosophical4 ,the bare literal ,sense is not always1 and every where in his ,writings to be taken4 ,there is no doubt1 but that no small benefits are to be had out of ,vitriol4 ,for the ,philosophers themselves do hint forth unto us1 the benefit therein hidden1 in these words3 ,visitabis1 ,interiora1 ,terra1 ,rectificando1 ,invenies1 ,occultum1 ,lapidem1 ,veram1 ,medicinam2 ,you shall ,visit the inward parts of the ,earth1 by ,rectification you shall find an hidden ,stone1 a true ,medicine4 ,and now at last1 to close up this our ,conference with some profitable ,admonition1 know1 that ,i would have thee forbear from the troublesome ,coction of the imperfect ,metals1 by reason of the too many impurities1 which create many ,molestations in the ,separation of them1 and cause much loss of time4 ',tis better1 that you take in hand ,sol and to perfect the ,work withal1 which ,metals do most abundantly contain in them1 the ,red and ,white ,tincture1 and are already freed by ,nature from most of their impurities4 ,and although1 ,i have not as yet made the universal ,tincture out of and 1 yet there hath appeared unto me so much1 from so many1 and such various ,operations1 that ,i do not in the least doubt1 but that the immortal ,amaranthus may be made out of them2 whereunto you may boldly give ,credence1 without doubting at all4 ,the ,,corollary1 ,or1 ,present over and above4 ,sidenote3 ,cons4 #e4 ,part ,sp4 ,ph4 p4#adi4 ,in this ,dialogue1 the ,dragons ,blood is so described1 as if it needed full six whole days ,operations1 to be perfected and brought to its full end1 nor did ,i then know any nearer way4 ,but afterwards1 there became known unto me a nearer and more compendious ,process1 whereby ,i can now 7,praise and ,glory be to ,god for the same7 in a few hours time introvert and transmute the dissolved ,gold1 and reduce it into a ,red ,blood1 and that by the help of one only certain ,white ,urinous sublimate1 concerning which1 ,i have treated more at large in the fifth ,part of my ,pharmacopea ,spagyrica4 ,and upon the same ,account have ,i likewise written1 that the said of ,blood of ,gold must needs at length get an easie ,fluxibility and ,ingress by the frequent ,iteration1 or ,abstraction of the moist ,spirits from the dry ,gold4 ,but forasmuch as the ,multiplicity of such ,abstractions is not only full of laborious ,operations1 but also chargeable and requires much time2 and that the studious ,searcher after so great a ,secret1 may not by being affected with the ,tediousness of so many toylsome ,operations1 be quite weary1 and at last throw off all hopes3 ,i do therefore commend unto every one1 that other and nearer way of getting it a ,fusibility and ,ingress1 viz4 the incerating it by ,mercury1 by the benefit whereof1 he will far sooner and easier arrive unto his purpose and final ,scope4 ,and although ,i have hitherto been hindred through want of time1 besides 7many other impediments7 from having compleatly finished the ,operation of the said ,tincture4 ,yet notwithstanding1 ,i do with an assured and undoubted confidence affirm unto every one1 that there is given a most certain occasion or ,capability of the making and finishing it1 and that by the hitherto described way4 ,i bequeath to such of our ,posterity1 as are of a ,good1 ,sincere1 and faithful mind1 those things which ,i have wrought with mine own hands1 and withal to what issue ,i have brought all my ,operations4 ,it is free for every one 7as time and occasion serves7 to make ,tryal about attaining unto the wisht for end4 ,for my part1 ,i do heartily thank ,god1 that he hath vouchsafed unto me the ,ability of plentifully and abundantly preparing the ,lyons ,blood1 and of performing no small matters therewith in a ,physical way3 ,and therefore ,i shall be well content1 though ,i never arrive unto the desired end of finishing the ,operation of the universal ,tincture4 ,the ,second ,dialogue1 or ,conference1 ,or a ,continuation of the precedent ,colloquy or ,dialogue1 treating of the ,preparation of an universal ,medicament out of the black venemous and ,volatile1 ,saturnine ,magnesia4 ,a4 ,blessed be the name of the ,lord1 who hath caused another ,day to shine upon me4 ,i will presently haste to my faithful ,master1 and will beg from him the ,doctrine of the second universal ,medicament1 that he promised unto me4 ,all hayl t' yee1 my dearest of ,friends6 ,god ,grant that this ,day may prove happy and lucky to me and you3 ,i am come hither to hear from you1 if it stand with your ,conveniency1 to make good your ,courteous ,promises at this present1 and to teach me the making and ,preparation of your second universal ,medicament3 ,for ,i have an exceeding ardent desire1 to know the manner of ,preparing it1 out of that ,volatile and poysonous ,mineral4 ,b4 ,i thank you for your good ,wishes1 and wish unto you the same you wisht me4 ,look here1 here's a piece of our venemous ,saturnine ,magnesia1 which is the true ,matter1 that the ,philosophers ,stone is prepared out of4 ,a4 ,i pray1 is this black stone the true ,matter1 out of which is wont to be made the universal ,tincture1 and ,stone of the wise ,men8 ,verily ,i much wonder1 that this should be the ,gold of the ,philosophers1 ,i am extraordinarily desirous of seeing1 by what means so excellent a ,medicament1 and so noble a ,tincture can arise out of so base and venemous a ,body4 ,i should rather adhere to that old and common ,proverb1 and say1 ,who can wash the ,blackmoore white1 which ,nature hath generated ,black8 ,this now seems unto me more estranged from the ,truth1 than that which you propounded last week of the common ,gold4 ,for how could it seem at all likely to any ones bare reason1 that such a ,body could be brought into a nothing1 and again reduced unto a certain ,body3 ,but time will instruct1 whether this be possible or not4 ,i will therefore very patiently wait for the ,event of those things1 which you shall shew unto me4 ,b4 ,what8 ,still more incredulity1 and do you anew produce and ,practise the ,faith of unbelieving ,thomas viz4 to see and feel afore you believe8 ,what do you think1 ,i would go about to persuade you1 that you have a wooden ,nose sticking on to your ,face8 ,alas1 ,sir6 my time is a little more precious than so1 to spend it in an unprofitable ,tattling4 ,and that time which ,i now bestow upon this our ,conference1 is spent to this end1 to free you from your unbelief1 and to bring you unto a true and evident ,credency2 to the performance of which1 ,i am stirred up by the ,authority of the ,sacred ,writ1 which ,commands1 that we reclaim such as err1 into the right way1 and that we shall receive from ,god this reward for our ,labour1 viz4 our ,star shall shine in ,heaven brighter than others4 ,besides ,christian love requires the same at our hands1 that we do good to others4 ,and forasmuch as ,i have well known your ,christian like ,conversation1 and ,godly way of living these many years past1 why should ,i deny you the things you demand1 or wind you into the ,intricacies of a greater ,labyrinth1 seeing you have but too long stuck in them already8 ,the things which you cannot at first understand or believe1 the end will at last constrain you thereunto4 ,your part is to listen very attentively to all the words1 ,i am about to speak4 ,for ,i can easily take away from you all incredulity1 and remove out of your mind every ,scruple of doubting4 ,how sourely you look upon this black ,mineral1 well1 but you shall presently find1 that all the most delicate ,colours of the whole ,world are most abundantly found therein2 and by the help of an ,art described by the ,philosophers1 they will appear one after the other in ,operation1 even from the ,black head of the ,crow1 to the ,red ,salamander4 ,a4 ,bless me1 what an ardent desire have ,i to see these things8 ,b4 ,have you not read in the ,philosophers1 that the pure is to be separated from the impure1 and the purer part is to be ripened8 ,separate1 say they1 the pure from the impure1 and bring it to ,maturity4 ,and they call ,separation1 the washing away of the ,blackness1 which being washt off1 the ,whiteness presents it self to view8 ,the ,fire 7say they7 and ,azoth wash ,laton2 ,laton signifies our black ,mineral3 ,azoth signifies their strong ,acetum1 which wetteth not the hands4 ,this ,acetum1 as well as our ,salarmoniack afore mentioned hath its ,rise from common ,salt4 ,both of them1 as to the external shape1 and taste too1 and ,efficacy and ,virtue are in a manner just alike4 ,with such an ,acetum is our black ,matter dissolved into a ,snowy-white1 pellucid and very clear1 water1 as you may here see4 ,this water have the ,philosophers called their ,mercury2 ,in it1 are hidden all the ,colours that are in the whole ,world1 but yet not visibly evident afore that this water1 or this ,mercury be put upon the water1 ,i believe he means1 upon the ,fire and be cherished by little and little1 like ,hens ,eggs1 which cherishing drys up the water by little and little1 into ,earth1 and renders the ,colours visible one after another1 as you shall presently see4 ,a4 ,good lack1 who would ever have believed1 the things which ,i at present ,see8 ,our ,mercurial water hath been scarce three ,days in digestion1 yet begins to change it self into a ,white ,milk4 ,and now it is but the eighth day1 and this said ,milk goes into a ,coagulum or ,curd1 and within in the ,glass about the ,edges of the ,matter there shines a delicate ,redness1 but yet ,i believe it is not fixt or ,constant4 ,b4 ,pray1 how can it be constant1 seeing it does but represent the ,dragons ,blood and will presently be gone4 ,but1 proceed you but on with this first ,degree of ,fire only1 and that little and little1 until the whole water be turned into an ashy ,colour'd earth3 ,when this is done1 we will encrease the ,fire by little and little1 one ,degree more1 which will leisurely turn the ashy ,colour into a ,black one4 ,a4 ,i will use my utmost diligence and observancy4 ,b4 ,do you see now that sleeke and shining ,blackness like the ,head of the ,crow1 covered over with abundance of black and very small ,feathers3 ,and upon this ,account1 the ,philosophers have called this thus appearing ,colour1 the ,crows head4 ,to this black ,crows head1 administer the third ,degree of ,fire1 which will transmute this black head into various1 most delicate ,colours1 shining like and 3 ,then continue on this degree of ,fire1 that all the said unstable ,colours may vanish1 and may present to view the white ,colour4 ,after ,whiteness1 follows ,yellowness1 which at last will be covered over with the constant and permanent ,redness3 ,which appearing1 the fourth ,degree of ,fire is to be administred1 that that ,redness may be more and more exalted1 and waxing ,redder may attain unto its due ,fixity and ,constancy2 the which1 by way of similitude1 the ,philosophers call1 a ,salamander1 and is the end of our whole ,work4 ,a4 ,i should never have so much as dreamt1 that so black a ,body could in so short a space of time have been transmuted into a most pure ,whiteness1 and that this same ,whiteness could1 by an admirable passing through all ,colours1 pass into a most delicate ,redness1 but ,i pray1 when this ,matter hath obtained this ,redness1 is it to be accompted of1 as an ,universal ,medicine8 ,b4 ,yes1 ,verily1 because the curable ,diseases of ,men1 may 7by that same ,matter7 be restored to former ,health2 and that safer1 better and perfectlier than can be done with any ,herbs1 or any other known ,medicaments4 ,i except that ,medicament1 which is extracted out of this1 and concentrated into a much nobler ,nature4 ,but1 as concerning the ,transmutation of ,metals1 it yields not any ,profit1 afore it be made fixt and constant in the ,fire2 to the effecting of which there is required a sufficiently great space of time4 ,a4 ,as far as ,i can understand1 there may be a yet better and profitabler ,medicament prepared1 than this is4 ,b4 ,yes1 ,verily1 that there may1 a much better and more useful1 because1 that with this1 there are as yet admixt many unprofitable ,feces1 which ought to be separated therefrom3 ,and the ,case is far otherwise in the perfecting of this ,work out of this ,mineral1 then in that which is done with ,gold1 for this is all over defiled with many impurities3 ,for every one must needs think1 that there are abundance of ,feces that are to be separated from that ,mineral1 and by how much the more impurities are separated1 so much the more efficacious must the ,medicament it self of necessity be4 ,now in this present ,degree and ,state it is brought unto by us1 it would be sufficient for all kind of ,diseases2 which if we would yet have to be far more efficacious and stronger1 it would be expedient1 that we separate yet the more unprofitable and useless ,feces1 and concentrate the more pure ,essence into a more narrow ,room and lesser ,body4 ,for 'tis the ,soul only or ,quintessence of things1 that heals ,diseases4 ,the shells or husks bring no ,profit at all1 and this the ,husbandmen well know2 for they separate the husks and chaff from the ,corn1 afore they bake ,bread4 ,the ,medicinal ,virtues of ,herbs and ,minerals are but of a small weight1 afore they are freed from the ,bonds and ,fetters of their ,bodies3 ,but now1 after that they are separated from their ,bodies1 they can perform incredible effects even in a most small quantity1 and such as the great weight of that ,body1 whence they are extracted1 will never effect4 ,look but on a living ,man that is in good ,health1 with how ready and nimble a ,motion can he stir his ,limbs1 and what strength he can put forth3 ,but as soon as ever the ,soul shall have separated it self from the ,body1 how insensible and immoveable the ,body lies1 and not serviceable for any ,use8 ,it is therefore a certain and undoubted ,truth1 that the ,life of all things wanteth weight1 and this shall be more clearly1 and more evidently demonstrated by the ,concentration of this universal ,medicament4 ,for that which one ,ounce1 now1 does1 of this thus prepared ,medicament2 half an ,ounce1 when concentrated1 will perform the same3 ,and that which half an ,ounce of this ,medicament once concentred will effect2 one quarter part of an ,ounce1 or a ,dram of the same twice concentrated1 will effect the same4 ,and according to this compute1 may you proceed on farther4 ,for by how much the oftner the prepared ,medicament is concentrated1 so much the more ,feces are separated therefrom3 ,and by how much narrowlier the ,virtues are contracted1 so much the greater effects do they produce4 ,and thus there needs not in a manner any weight in ,medicinal use4 ,that which ten ,grains of an unconcentrated ,medicament is wont to accomplish1 you will effect the same with one ,grain of the ,medicine1 when concentred1 to be put either in ,ale or ,wine for some hours1 if need be1 or else held in the ,mouth4 ,for soe it will no less display its occult ,virtues and ,powers1 than if the ,powder of the not concentrated ,medicament had been otherwise drunk down4 ,besides too1 such a ,medicament may be a long time used without losing of its ,virtues1 and that not only inwardly1 but outwardly also in all ,wounds1 ,ulcers1 and such like external affects4 ,for all new ,wounds1 as also old ,ulcers whatsoever they be1 are happily cured by the laying on of those ,medicaments1 if the same ,medicines be likewise used inwardly4 ,nor needs there here many ,emplasters1 ,cataplasmes1 and ,ointments3 ,concerning which thing1 see more in the ,fifth ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 where the use of this ,medicament is treated of4 ,read also those things1 which that most excellent ,philosopher ,van ,helmont declares of another certain ,philosopher1 ,butler by ,name1 viz4 that he had a certain ,stone1 at ,london in ,england1 which being sweld a very little in ,oyl ,olive1 rendred the same exceedingly ,virtuous1 that some few drops thereof taken into the ,body1 would drive away the most grievous ,diseases1 and being outwardly applyed to ,wounds or ,sores would speedily heal them4 ,these things ,helmont testifies to be true1 as being an ,eye witness of the same4 ,but ,i do not attribute such incredible ,virtues unto my ,medicament1 for as much as ,i my self doubted of this ,story of ,butler1 and could not believe1 that any ,medicament could be promoted to this so high a ,degree of powerful ,efficacy3 ,but now1 seeing ,i perceive that it is possible to ,art1 for the ,virtues of things to be contracted into a narrow ,room1 and be concentrated2 ,i do upon good ground cast this doubting off from my mind1 and adhere to those things which ,i see with mine ,eyes1 and touch with my ,hands4 ,certain1 and firmly undoubted it therefore is1 that not only the ,medicinal ,virtues and ,powers of this our ,matter may be contracted into such a narrow ,compass1 as to effect an hundred fold more in ,medicine1 than that more gross ,body could do3 ,but also this may be acquired or effected too1 viz4 that hidden ,colour or ,tincture in our black ,magnesia may likewise be concentrated1 together with that ,multiplication of ,virtues2 insomuch1 that in the several ,concentrations1 the ,colour of the concentrated ,body may be exalted1 the which1 most high ,colour1 or exalted ,tincture can never at any time be gotten1 without our secret ,concentration3 ,for otherwise1 if there were no need of that ,concentration1 it would necessarily follow1 that that ,magnesia of ours would be no other than a most pure ,body1 not at all needing any ablution of its gross1 and unprofitable1 and black impurity3 ,but this is not so1 as we said afore about the ,gold1 which is pure in its own ,nature1 and of it self void of all ,defilements1 and being a ripe ,body and mere ,tincture1 needs no other thing1 than this1 that its inward ,parts be turned outwards1 and its outward ,parts inward1 by that ,philosophical introversion1 and that so its external ,yellowness may betake it self inwards1 and the internal ,redness may come forth outwards1 or 7to speak the more clearly7 that the manifest ,yellowness may be hidden1 and the hidden ,redness may be manifested4 ,but now1 the ,case is not thus with this our black ,earth1 and impure ,saturnine ,mineral2 in the which1 both good and evil1 pure and impure1 ,poison and ,medicine lye mixt together3 ,insomuch1 that it is altogether necessary to separate the black and gross impurity1 from that noble and tender ,medicinal ,pearl1 and to reduce it unto ,fixity4 ,a4 ,with gaping ,mouth1 and open ,eyes1 do ,i even swallow down your ,discourse1 and yet ,i cannot pierce into the ,foundation of the whole business1 nor understand it4 ,you speak of such an artificial ,concentration1 and which is beyond all my apprehensions1 for ,i never in all my whole ,life time heard any thing of it1 as far as ,i remember1 much less read ought concerning it4 ,b4 ,i will set before you then a ,similitude1 that so you may the readilier understand the knack4 ,examine well1 and consider1 ,wine1 ,ale1 or the ,lees of ,wine2 and by your searching you shall find1 that there is in them but very little of the ,corroborating ,spirit1 or ,soul1 the remainder is nothing else but mere impurities1 destitute of all ,virtues4 ,now if some ,physician or other should administer to his ,patient a large ,cupful of ,lees1 to cheer and comfort his heart withal1 would you not accuse him of ignorance1 and ,folly8 ,for though there is somthing of comforting ,virtues in the troubled ,lees1 yet it is impeded1 or clogged1 by the great quantity of the dreggy ,lees1 from rightly performing its proper ,office4 ,but put ,case1 that it could display its own ,virtues1 yet nevertheless1 even the admixt impurity would also exercise its own accustomed ,evil1 and so the ,good would be confounded with the ,evil1 or rather be quite over powred by the same4 ,for this reason1 there is nothing more necessary1 than that the good be separated from the evil1 before any thing be used about making ,medicine4 ,therefore even as there are ,workmen to be found1 who1 by the vulgar ,distillation and ,rectification1 do separate the ,heart-refreshing ,spirit out of the sordid ,lees of ,wine and ,ale1 and bring it unto use1 give the remaining filthy dreggs and useless ,feces to the ,hogs to eat3 ,even so do we 7the ,lovers of the ,spagyrick ,art7 separate the pure ,virtues and ,powers of things from the gross1 sordid1 and noxious impurities1 afore we administer them to our ,patients4 ,a4 ,as concerning these ,sayings of yours1 ,i am clearly of your ,opinion1 and withal do stick close to that common ,proverb1 which saith1 ,speak that which is ,truth1 eat that which is baked1 and drink that which is clear1 if you be desirous of a long ,life4 ,for my part1 ,i delight to have the ,kernels1 and purged or cleansed ,fruits1 and willingly leave the husks and shells to the ,swine1 that are delighted with ,bran and ,chaff1 and their own ,dung4 ,b4 ,i am extreamly satisfied1 that ,i have already 7thanks be to ,god7 seen the whole ,work1 and have a sufficient thorough understanding of the whole ,basis of the same1 viz4 that the purer and subtiler part is to be separated from the more impure and grosser part1 and1 by an often repeated ,separation1 and artificial ,concentration1 to be advanced into a most subtile1 most pure1 and most noble ,quintessence1 if any one has a mind to produce effects of some great moment1 or to do more than common things4 ,and now1 as you have learned1 from the words of our precedent ,conference1 the way of making an universal ,medicine out of common ,gold3 ,so have you likewise again received1 from this our present discoursing together1 the ,confection of the universal ,medicament1 out of our ,saturnine ,magnesia1 which is the ,root of the vulgar ,gold4 ,but1 although both of these ,medicaments are1 as per se and singly alone1 very excellent and effectual enough1 yet notwithstanding it plainly1 and clearly appears unto our ken1 that the power and ,virtues of both the universal ,medicines admit of being promoted unto a far higher ,degree2 the which thing we see is possible to be done by the means of ,conjunction1 and is to be thus understood4 ,when a ,seed is implanted into its own growing ,root1 it attracts out of such a ,root1 which is of its own kind1 or ,nature a far better1 and more nourishing ,alimentary juice1 than out of the gross ,earth4 ,for example1 ,the ,seed of a ,rape ,root being put in the ,earth1 produceth ,rapes of the same bigness that the ,rapes were of1 from whence the ,seed came3 ,and as often as you shall commit that ,seed 7by sowing7 to the ,earth1 you shall1 notwithstanding1 never have greater and better ,rapes than those1 from whence the ,seed was taken4 ,but now1 if the ,seed of some ,rape be sown into some other ,rape which is in the ,earth1 and which hath grown unto the half of its bigness already2 that ,seed will sprout forth1 and grow up like as the other ,seeds planted in the ,earth will do1 but yet sooner1 because it finds a better ,nutriment in its own ,mother1 than that does1 which is planted in the bare ,earth3 ,and hereupon1 it must necessarily produce a greater ,rape ,root1 and from the greater ,root will proceed a greater ,seed4 ,and this is the reason1 that there are such great grown ,rapes1 which make every ,body wonder at them3 ,some such ,i have seen1 that weighed ten1 twelve1 yea and twenty ,pound weight4 ,if you have a mind to try1 sow a few ,rape ,seeds1 throwing them into the ,earth1 which when they shall have grown to the bigness of an ,egg1 take a wooden sharp stick1 and make therewith a small hole1 even into the middle of the said ,rape1 and then put thereinto your ,rape ,seed1 and stop up the hole with soft clammy ,potters clay1 that so the ,rain may not get in and rot the ,root4 ,thus now1 that ,seed will also 7as being in its own ,root7 grow up out of this ,rape1 existing and growing in the ,earth1 and will dilate that its ,root1 and advance it to a greater bigness4 ,the ,reason's this1 because it can attract unto it self a better and more convenient ,nourishment from a ,root of its own kind1 than out of the bare ,earth4 ,and if you shall practise thus with other ,seeds likewise1 you will effect the same1 as with this4 ,n4,b4 ,from the ,seeds of small ,radishes1 implanted into great ,rape ,roots1 there grow huge ,radishes4 ,this kind of ,propagation may not unfitly be likened to a ,mothers suckling her ,infant1 which attracteth and draws its ,nourishment from the ,mothers ,breasts3 ,but the ,mother it self receives her ,nourishment from the ,fruits of the ,earth1 and that1 being changed into a sweet ,milk1 supplies the ,infant1 whereby it is sustained and nourish'd4 ,but that ,i may lay the whole business afore your ,eyes1 by a more full ,declaration1 ,i will yet farther add one ,similitude more4 ,take you some wild and not yet ripe ,stock of a ,pear1 ,apple1 ,cherry1 or some other ,fruit-bearing ,trees1 such1 ,i say1 as is not yet full grown1 but is as yet constituted in its first tender ,age1 take off from it all its ,boughs1 which bear but a wild and sower ,fruit1 and ,cut it all off even unto the bottom1 and to the ,stock standing out of the ,earth plant a ,cion1 pluckt off from another ,tree that does not bear wild fruit1 into this ,stock1 betwixt the ,bark and the ,wood of the same1 where 'tis cut off with the ,saw1 and fence it well with ,wax1 or tenacious ,clay1 c4 against the ,rain3 ,if now you shall thus do1 and do your work ,gardner-like1 that fruitful ,cion will draw unto it self the wild ,juice1 out of that wild ,tree or ,stock1 and make it better1 so that it will no more bear any wild ,fruit1 but such as that ,tree did bear1 from which the ,cion was pluckt4 ,if now1 so small a ,cion of some cultivated and fruitful ,tree can so change the wild ,juice of a wild ,stock1 that it becomes far better1 and more noble3 ,why1 should not ,gold do the same in our ,metallick ,tree1 when ingrafted in ,lead as in its proper ,root8 ,verily in my ,opinion1 there is not a better ,earth 7from which that golden ,seed may attract unto it self an ,alimentary ,nourishment1 and so multiply it self even to infinity7 to be had1 than its own proper ,root4 ,but yet1 with this ,proviso1 that all the gross and degenerate ,boughs be first cut off from that same gross ,root1 for so1 it will the easilier and readilier change its wild and degenerate ,juice1 7when joyned to the golden ,seed or ,cion17 and so will be changed into a far nobler1 and produce ,fruits a thousand fold4 ,you see1 my ,friend6 what good ,will ,i bear to you1 in that ,i have so faithfully opened unto you all those things which ,i thought necessary to be known1 for the perfecting of so great a ,work4 ,ponder well in your mind1 upon the ,similitudes of the ,rape and ,cion1 and believe1 that what ,i have here spoken is not casually and at ,random4 ,for they have more hidden under them1 than they seem to shew for1 and than you would imagine4 ,length of time will open your ,eyes1 which are as yet blinded1 as to abundance of things1 7if ,god permit47 ,a4 ,surely1 ,sir1 ,i cannot chuse but wonder anew1 when ,i accurately consider the things you have declared unto me1 of changing the wild ,nature1 of the wild ,vegetative ,fruits into a tame1 mild1 ,property3 ,and that such a ,transmutation of the ignobler ,nature1 into a more noble ,one1 takes place also in ,metallick ,affairs4 ,they are verily such things1 as are of weighty ,concernment1 and most worthy a most accurate ,consideration4 ,but1 indeed1 who can sufficiently enough consider of all the ,divine ,miracles8 ,blessed be his most holy ,name for evermore4 ,b4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,i give unto you1 for your courteous instruction1 most hearty thanks1 and remain obliged unto you all my whole ,life4 ,and thus with what hath been said1 ,i commit both you and my self to ,gods protection4 ,b4 ,my dearest ,friend1 ,i have now performed the ,promise ,i made unto you1 and am not meanly delighted1 in that you have understood the meaning of those things1 which ,i have said unto you3 ,but yet ,i cannot but admire1 that you are not ,covetously desirous of knowing yet more1 and that you do not ,crave an yet more prolix unfolding of more matters4 ,for you well know1 that you cannot every day have the ,enjoyment of my ,company4 ,a4 ,for those things1 which ,i at present received from you1 do ,i return you most hearty thanks1 another time ,god will vouchsafe more3 ,the greatest desire ,i have at present1 is to set about so great a ,work1 and to have the ,fruition of the hoped for ,fruit4 ,if you are so minded1 and bent upon doing ,friendly ,favours1 ,i do request you1 that you would oblige my ,brother by your good turns1 if he shall hap to come unto you1 and ,petition for ought at your hands1 for you may assist him in some small1 yet good1 ,arcanum3 ,for he hath been stupid1 or unapprehensive enough hitherto1 and much needs some accurate instruction4 ,but what shall ,i say8 ,the sick looks after the ,physician1 he that is thorough ,well has no need of him4 ,such things as are hard to be understood1 exceed his ,capacity3 ,the more easie things are more commodious4 ,and so again1 ,farewel4 ,the ,,corollary4 ,i have taught in this ,dialogue1 ,that the ,white ,lac virginis 7after its being extracted1 by ,distillation1 out of the ,black ,magnesia1 and after its ,exaltation1 in ,virtue and ,efficacy1 by ,rectification and ,concentration17 is to be freed from its superfluous ,humidity1 and yet the dry ,matter is to be made permanent in the ,fire1 by the gradual ,operation of the ,fire4 ,now for the more accurate ,declaration sake2 these things which follow shall be yet farther subjoyned4 ,that ,fixation1 if it be to be perfected by the bare help of the common ,fire1 requires a long and tedious time1 so that there's no reason for a ,man to persuade himself1 that he can finish the same in one years space4 ,i speak by my own experience1 for ,i my self have tryed1 and find that it cannot be1 that one year should suffice for the finishing of this ,fixation1 for indeed it requires a much longer time4 ,for after that1 ,i had so far advanced the ,matter1 that it had passed through all the ,colours1 as to flow when put upon a ,red hot ,plate1 and to insinuate it self thereinto1 like ,oyls penetrating into a dry ,hide1 yet was it not fixt enough nor constant1 nor served it for the tinging of the ,metals1 but when a vehement ,fire was applyed thereunto1 away it went in fume2 but yet not without an evident ,demonstration of the possibility of the same4 ,for as much therefore1 as it does not yield that satisfactory ,fruit1 and ,success and seeing that such great ,labours are not undertaken1 without the expectation of some ,profit1 and that the hoped for ,fruits cannot however be gathered1 afore that the said matter is promoted to a perfect ,maturity1 and consequently dreads not any the most vehement ,storms of the ,fire any more2 any one may easily conjecture1 that there needs 7as ,i said afore7 a more tedious space of time for this ,fixation1 if it be to be done and perfected by the common ,fire of ,coals4 ,but now1 he that has the knowledge of the secret ,fire1 of the ,ancient ,philosophers1 such an one will much easier1 and speedier arrive unto the wished end of the ,operation4 ,the ,nature of the vulgar and fugacious ,minerals doth very difficultly and slowly admit of that ,fixation1 which is made with the ,fire of ,coals3 ,and this ,i was unwilling to conceal from the diligent ,searcher after the ,secrets of ,nature2 yet farther adjoyning this ,admonition1 viz4 that a very profitable ,medicament may nevertheless be prepared in a shorter space of time1 and an appearance made of the admirable1 and highly delightful ,variation of abundance of most delicate ,colours4 ,for the first ,colour that appears is like the black head of a ,crow1 presenting it self to view like the ,colour of black ,glass4 ,this blackness going off by little and little1 gives place to the ,white1 and pondrous ,mass2 which is called by the ,philosophers1 the ,white ,swan1 and not without reason1 because that self same white ,matter is not so compact and ,stone-like1 as that black ,crows ,head1 but is porous1 and not much unlike unto a kind of heap made of abundance of small and white ,feathers4 ,when this ,whiteness is turned into a ,yellow1 those ,feathers vanish1 and the ,mass returns to its former ,compactness1 and resembles the form of a yellow ,stone3 ,of which if you put a little piece upon some ,red hot ,silver1 or ,copper-plate1 it will at first stand like a ,red blood1 and afterwards penetrate the ,copper-plate1 and tinge it both within and without with a white ,colour2 but yet1 somewhat brittle as yet1 and yields in the ,cineritium1 or ,cupel1 some ,silver1 and operates in ,medicine somewhat effectually1 like the white ,stone1 but yet weaker4 ,it likewise pierceth into a ,silver-plate1 like as ,oyl into a ,skin1 and tingeth it with a yellow ,colour1 which being separated by the ,cupel1 and dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 leaves excellent ,gold in the bottom4 ,i have not as yet made any farther ,progress on the ,operation1 being quite tired1 and weary of spending any longer1 and more tedious time thereabouts1 which however was necessarily requisite to the perfecting of this ,tincture with the ,fire of ,coals4 ,but yet ,i have by me all the ,colours as they follow on after each other1 which ,i can shew unto any one2 whereby they may see with their ,eyes the most evident possibility of ,nature3 ,to which end also ,i am minded to preserve those ,tinctures by me1 that they may be an everlasting ,memorial of so great a thing81 unto my ,posterity3 ,but for my part1 ,i will commend to every one that shorter way of bringing the work to the wished end1 by the ,mediation of the secret ,fire of the ,philosophers3 ,concerning which1 the following ,dialogue1 and the little ,book of ,fires1 treats4 ,for the immature ,first ,ens of ,gold1 cannot be excocted or digested into the desired ,tincture by any thing more easily1 than in its own proper secret ,fire2 and not by a ,coal ,fire4 ,and that it may clearly appear1 that ,i have written the ,truth1 ,i will send unto some of my ,friends 7,god willing7 some of those white and yellow ,stones1 to be used not only in ,medicine1 but in ,alchymy too2 that so they may make tryal and experimentally find1 that ,tinctures have a ,power of bettering1 and amending ,metals1 afore they have arrived unto the half part of their ,fixation4 ,the ,third ,dialogue1 or ,conference1 betwixt ,b4 and ,c4 treating of the true ,universal and particular ,medicine of the ancient ,philosophers1 7extracted7 out of such ,gold as is yet fugacious1 or ,volatile1 and immature2 7and is7 to be ripened by their secret ,fire2 which ,operation is by them styled1 the work of ,women1 and play of ,children4 ,c4 ,good morrow heartily1 my ,friend6 ,i wish you a good and prosperous ,day4 ,b4 ,i wish you the same1 whence come you to us so early8 ,c4 ,i have very earnestly for these several days waited for this hour1 that ,i might see you1 and have the ,fruition of the most sweet ,fruits of your ,courteous instructions4 ,my ,brother ,a4 sent me hither1 and told me1 that you had given him leave to send me unto you this day4 ,i do therefore ,friendly request you1 that you would put a good ,construction upon this my ,boldness4 ,b4 ,my ,friend6 ,i do not in the least take it ill1 your ,brother told me1 that you were as yet ignorant and unskilled1 in the more subtil ,arcanaes and ,secrets2 and that you therefore needed not ought else1 but some pretty easie ,secret1 which might be easily understood1 and performed with small ,expences1 and yet be profitable and beneficial unto you4 ,c4 ,indeed1 ,sir1 to tell you the plain ,truth1 such ,arcanums as are profound ones1 and to be penetrated into by a subtil ,meditation1 and which are of great moment1 do far outreach my duller apprehension3 ,and therefore ,i do not at this time desire any thing1 more than this1 viz4 that ,i may obtain something that is not costly1 and yet may effect so much in ,medicine and ,alchimy1 as may serve me to live a little more commodiously and plentifully1 as to ,food and ,raiment4 ,and that you would be pleased1 to render me a ,master of this my desire1 is my humble request unto you1 again and again4 ,b4 ,you do very prudently measure out your requests1 according to your own ,capacity4 ,and indeed1 sometimes1 those things which are not ,costly1 nor are difficult in their ,operation1 are more profitable to a ,man1 than those things are1 which they would fain get by the expence of a great deal of ,charge1 of a long time1 and hard ,labours3 ,i will grant you your ,request1 and therefore hearken4 ,c4 ,sir1 ,i thank you1 and do listen4 ,b4 ,have you never read1 or else heard from others1 that those most ancient ,philosophers1 tell us that their universal ,work1 is not only most easie to be done1 but withal no ways ,chargeable4 ,for they do openly ,confess1 that to the perfecting of their ,work1 a ,man needs be at no more ,expences1 than two ,florins1 and that the ,labour it self1 even from the beginning to the end1 is nothing else but mere ,womens work1 and ,boys play4 ,c4 ,you are pleased to offer me delicate ,dainties1 easie to be prepared1 for ,i have not so much ,money as is to be laid out upon those kind of chargeable and costly ,labours3 ,neither will my ,family ,affairs admit thereof1 viz4 to spend my days in such sumptuous and chargeable ,cookeries1 and which are so full of most great ,labours1 and whose event too is oftentimes very uncertain4 ,for ,i have heard some say1 that the smallest ,errour may destroy the whole ,work1 and quite spoil it1 and so grievously affect such as operate about such great ,secrets1 with a very great loss of long time1 and great ,expences4 ,and therefore such a ,work1 as ,i can attend upon without letting my taking ,care of my ,family1 and which will need the disbursment of but a few ,expences1 will please me better than those other ,costly ones would4 ,b4 ,i readily believe1 that this very thing you desire1 will not only be exceedingly pleasing unto your self1 but also unto many others besides4 ,the ,expences are but very small1 and the ,labours thereupon but little1 so that each days ,fire1 which the ,matter is to be set upon1 may be taken ,care for1 in half an hours space4 ,but now1 though the ,philosophers have made mention of very small ,expences1 and have comprised them in the compass of a couple of ,florins1 yet is that saying to be otherwise understood4 ,those ,ancients made use of the greatest ,florins1 viz4 the ,rhenish ones1 and also the ,hungarian ,crowns1 each of which is of the value of five of our ,florins4 ,and if you thus understand it after this compute1 ,i can easily shew unto you the ,truth of their ,assertion4 ,c4 ,i do even think as you say3 ,sure we must not expect any such things for nothing2 ,i am content1 and therefore1 pray let us proceed4 ,b4 ,if our ,work be called the labour of ,women1 and ,boys play1 it is expedient1 that it be like unto ,womens work1 and ,boys play3 ,for else the ,philosophers would have used an unfit similitude4 ,you well know1 what ,labours your ,wife is chiefly busied about1 and what her daily ,labour is she imploys her self in4 ,c4 ,yes1 verily ,i daily see1 that she doth boyl ,food necessary for the ,use of the whole ,family1 and being boyl'd sets it upon the ,table to be eaten4 ,this ,labour she performs1 at least twice every day1 when ,dinner and ,supper is ended1 she doth wash the ,dishes1 ,pots1 ,goblets1 and other ,vessels1 and cleans them1 and makes them fit to put other new ,food in1 and to be served out to the ,table4 ,besides too1 this is her ,office and ,care1 if haply a ,pot be broken1 or crackt1 whereby it is made unfit to hold moisture any more1 to substitute 7in defect of ,iron ,pots7 a new ,pot made of ,potters ,clay1 in the stead thereof3 ,such and the like ,labours1 as these1 are in our ,country called the ,womens work4 ,b4 ,well1 be it so3 ,i will likewise shew unto thee1 such a ,labour in ,chymical ,operations1 as resembles this4 ,therefore1 like as the ,female ,sex do first wash the ,flesh1 ,fish1 ,rapes1 ,pot-herbs1 ,roots1 ,apples1 ,pears1 or other things with pure ,water1 which they mean to boyl1 and then put them into the ,pot1 and pour thereunto as much ,water as is requisite1 and place it over the ,fire1 and boyl it so long1 till all the crudity1 or rawness being vanisht1 the ,meats become grateful to the ,palat1 and pleasant1 and easily digestible by the ,stomach4 ,so do we ,they do likewise sometimes pour ,wine upon ,flesh and ,fish1 instead of ,water1 and add as much ,salt as is convenient1 together with some ,spices1 or odoriferous ,herbs1 by which they give the ,fish and ,flesh a most excellent ,taste4 ,but yet we must not forget ,salt1 above all the other ,spices1 or ,seasonings1 and odoriferous ,herbs1 for it ,corrects and maturates the ,flesh1 ,fish1 and other hard ,meats1 more than other ,spices4 ,for we can well enough want these if they are not at hand1 but as for ,salt1 there is always need of that1 about the boyling of ,flesh1 ,fish1 and other ,food4 ,if therefore ,flesh1 or ,fish are to be boyld well1 then ,salt water is requisite2 and as for all the other ,additions of ,herbs1 and odoriferous ,spices1 they only serve to give it a good pleasant ,taste1 and make it acceptable to the ,palat1 and to the ,smelling4 ,for the ,flesh and ,fish when boyl'd or stewed1 do by their ,magnetick ,virtue attract so much ,salt and grateful ,savour1 and ,virtue1 as they need3 ,and that which remains1 stays in the ,water4 ,now the curious ,dames do shut the tops of their ,pots very well with their ,covers1 lest the efficacious ,vapours should be forced away in fume by the ,boyling1 and not stay with the ,flesh or other ,meats4 ,but the careless ,housewifes do not much regard the covering of their ,pots1 from whence it comes to pass1 that they lose these good and sweet ,spirits1 and then they fil up their ,pots with new ,water1 by which doings1 the ,flesh1 or ,fish1 do not get so sweet a ,savour1 as they would have1 if that efficacious ,water had been kept in and conserved4 ,some ,women that are yet more curious1 and diligent about their ,cookery1 do put upon their ,pots1 wherein they boyl their ,meats1 such a ,cover as hath a fold in it1 by which the ,collected sweet and odoriferous ,vapours may distil down into an under-put ,vessel1 which being thus gotten1 they keep by them1 to refresh and cherish with them1 such as are weak and sick1 when need requires4 ,others1 to free themselves from this kind of ,labour1 do add as much ,water as need is1 together with ,salt and ,spices1 to their ,flesh1 and so boyl it by little and little1 shutting in the ,vapours with a ,cover1 which else would go away1 and the ,meat taste of burning2 ,and by doing thus1 they are not necessitated to pour on any new ,water1 though this slow boyling takes up more time than that1 which is done by a strong and uncessant ,ebullition3 ,i would have you well to observe these things1 for 'tis not without cause that ,i utter them4 ,and now let us examine the other similitude1 and see what those ,boys ,plays are1 that so we may afterwards accommodate even them too1 to our ,philosophical work4 ,what therefore do you see concerning the ,boys ,plays1 with what things1 and after what manner do they ,play8 ,c4 ,how can ,i tell8 ,they play as their ,parents please to let them1 or as they can get opportunity of ,playing3 ,as for my self1 ,i do not grant my ,children so much ,liberty1 to play when1 and how they list themselves4 ,i send them to the ,school and to the ,church1 and sometimes ,i allow them one hours ,play for ,recreations sake1 nor do ,i allow them any other ,play but at ,bowls1 or ,knickers by which they moderately stir their ,bodies1 and exercise themselves1 and ,concoct their ,meat1 and this is far more profitable for them1 than if they were constrained to sit always at home1 without any exercise at all3 ,other play than this1 ,i allow them not4 ,cards and ,dice are unfit ,plays for ,boys1 they are many times very hurtful to those of riper years1 especially when by the too much abuse of them1 they do so unprofitably waste their precious time1 and cannot tell how to use a mean4 ,i have indeed otherwise seen ,boys1 that meeting with some ,sand get thereout of bright ,stones1 and play with them1 but yet this is not usual4 ,however1 there is no play more frequent amongst ,children1 than that of ,bowls1 or ,knickers which play they daily use1 whatsoever time they can steal1 to that purpose4 ,yea both at their going to ,school1 and returning from ,school1 you may see them presently busied about their ,rubbers1 or ,knickers-play4 ,they are very hardly restrained therefrom4 ,if they want ,money to buy the ,bowls1 or ,knickers1 they get a little piece of ,potters ,clay and moisten it with ,water1 and make up their little ,bowls1 or ,pellets in their hands1 and harden them in the ,fire2 which ,i remember1 when ,i was a ,boy1 ,i often did4 ,and besides this ,boys play1 no other is known unto me4 ,b4 ,very good1 you have hit the nail on the head3 ,and now let us see1 whether or no the ancient ,philosophers have 7after the manner of ,boys7 played with small ,bowls1 or ,knickers8 and whether1 or no1 they have boyl'd their work in ,pots1 with as easie a ,labour1 as ,women do4 ,for of necessity they must have hit on doing after this wise1 else could they not have compared their work to the ,labour of ,women1 and play of ,children4 ,so then1 if we are to imitate ,women and ,boys in our ,operation1 what ,matters are we to make use of1 for our boyling1 in the stead of ,flesh1 ,fish1 and other ,meats2 and what ,water is it1 that is to be poured thereupon4 ,for if we are minded to do any good effect1 'tis expedient1 that we likewise know1 what those ,matters are1 which admit of being boyled unto a ,maturity in our fiery ,water1 and these verily must be such1 7seeing they are to be maturated by boyling7 as have a great ,affinity with the said ,water3 ,forasmuch therefore1 as our ,water is of a ,metallick ,nature1 and yet all the ,metals do in a manner arise1 or proceed 7in the ,earth7 therefrom1 and are even at this very day advanced1 by the very same 7by the help of the ,terrestrial and ,central fire7 by little and little unto perfection3 ,all that we have to do is1 to imitate the simplicity of ,nature1 which will never seduce us1 for so without question1 those most ancient ,philosophers did do1 who having borrowed their wonderful ,work from ,nature her self1 do advise us to do no more1 but to follow ,nature1 and to begin there1 where ,nature left off1 and to ascend higher and to make that perfect1 which is as yet imperfect3 ,god hath prefixed unto ,nature her bounds1 which she cannot transgress or go beyond3 ,but ,art1 doth much excel ,nature1 and performs those things which ,nature cannot accomplish3 ,yea more1 that which she can hardly do in the ,earth in a thousand years time1 ,art effects in one year1 and this is easily confirmed by many ,testimonies4 ,now as to the ,generation and ,maturation of the ,metals1 ,nature useth a most simple or plain way1 a very slow one1 but yet safe4 ,from thence ariseth the ,errour of many a ,man1 who do not follow ,nature1 but the guidance of their own phantastick ,brains1 never effecting ought of good1 but remain always ,novellists in the same1 what ,labours soever they undertake1 and what ,expences soever they are at3 ,although the ancient ,philosophers do by their many ,admonitions set afore us1 that most simple ,course of ,nature for us to imitate2 and they have especially hinted to us1 that their ,work is so simple1 that should they but openly and clearly have treated of the same1 even the ,women would deride it and say1 that the ,male kind had learned their ,art from them4 ,yea1 it is so very vile a ,work1 that no ,body would be able to believe it1 and upon this ,account1 the ,philosophers have done their utmost1 to hide and obscure the ,art the most they could1 least they should be contemned by the proud deriders1 7who ,soaring aloft seek after things too high for them17 and be accounted for ,cheats and false ,writers4 ,and this is the main and chiefest ,reason1 why this ,art being so wrapt up in darkness of a most profound ,silence1 lyes hitherto hid from the whole ,troop of ,sophisters1 and such deriding ,fellows4 ,sendivow 7as we have already several times hinted7 doth expresly say1 that he had oftentimes declared the whole ,art1 to not a few word for word1 unto whom1 that ,art did nevertheless seem so very vile and mean1 that they could not at all believe any likelihood of ,truth in his most true words1 and so left the ,work unattempted4 ,the same ,sendivow doth also say1 ,that had the most skilful ,hermes1 the most quick witted ,geber1 and most illuminated ,lully been again alive1 and beheld our ,laboratories stored with so many1 and such various ,instruments of ,glass1 ,earth1 ,iron1 and other ,matters1 and such several ,fornaces1 they would be ravished into a most high ,admiration1 like so many ,boys1 and would be but as it were our ,scholars1 as concerning those ,vessels and ,fornaces1 all which however1 we have learned from their ,writings1 but yet we are destitute of that most excellent ,work which was wrought by them in so simple a ,way1 and it hitherto flies our subtile and acute ,wits4 ,and1 my dear ,friend1 he also tells us1 that we should fly aloft into the lofty ,air with our ,wings1 for the ,work is simple1 vile and abject1 the which1 you may sooner comprehend or feel with your hands1 than apprehend by the subtilty of your ,wit or ,cogitations4 ,c4 ,all these things may very sufficiently serve to rid us out of so great a ,labyrinth1 but ,i pray1 ,sir1 how comes it about1 that we do sottishly persuade our selves1 that those things are so very difficult1 which notwithstanding are so very simple1 vile1 and abject4 ,b4 ,it is indeed1 to him that has knowledge of the same1 an easie1 vile1 and simple thing3 ,but very difficult and intricate to him1 that laying aside the way of ,nature1 thinks himself able to learn so great an ,art out of ,books1 which 7by their leave7 though1 seems a thing almost impossible to be done4 ,for the ,philosophers have so prolixly1 intricately1 and obscurely described the whole ,mystery1 that their so prolix and dark ,writings would sooner lead a ,man from the true and right way1 so far off are they from reducing him thereinto4 ,c4 ,i my self find1 that this is most certainly true1 for ,i never heard as yet of any ,man1 or read of any1 that learned the ,art out of ,books3 ,but that almost all of them who were skilled in the same1 do ,confess1 that they became ,masters of the same1 either by ,divine ,inspiration or ,revelation1 or by the help of some ,friend4 ,there's no ,body can contradict those things which you have here induced1 for the ,confirmation of your ,opinion4 ,and now1 ,sir1 let us set upon the ,work it self1 and diligently pray unto ,god and wait for his ,blessing4 ,b4 ,content1 hearken therefore attentively4 ,c4 ,so ,i do4 ,b4 ,did you never find in the reading of the ,philosophers1 that all the imperfect ,metals may in a ,particular way be promoted to the perfect ,maturity of ,gold or ,silver1 by their dry ,water which wetteth not the hands3 ,but being not content with this effect1 they have promoted the first ,ens of ,metals 7by the help of their occult1 fiery1 and ripening ,water7 to a more than perfect ,constancy1 and ,fixity in the ,fire1 and have concentrated it to the form of ,gold4 ,c4 ,i remember1 that ,i have read of such things as these1 though by reason of my unskilfulness and ignorance1 ,i could not understand the least ,particle of their meaning3 ,for ,i am altogether ignorant of that kind of wonderful1 and yet1 to every ,body well known ,water3 ,and so shall still remain until it be shewn 7and pointed at7 with the ,fingers4 ,b4 ,look here1 here's a piece of admirable ,water which is every where in all places easie to be found1 yea1 in the poorest ,country-mens ,houses1 nor doth it deny any ,man1 the ,possession and having it4 ,c4 ,who would ever have believed1 or thought1 that there was any good hidden in so vile and abject a ,body8 ,b4 ,i wonder wherefore it is that no ,body can think of this ,matter1 seeing it is evident1 that in our ,water the first ,entities of all the ,metals are abundantly hidden1 as in their own proper ,seed1 out of which they are generated in the ,earth1 and ripened unto perfection4 ,those first ,entities are but extracted out of this our ,water1 by peculiar ,magnets4 ,and now1 like as every ,metal hath its own ,magnet1 even so every one of them hath its proper ,magnet1 by which it is concentrated into a narrow ,room4 ,i will declare unto you the ,truth of this business1 by an example taken from the ,metals4 ,if you have a ,water fully impregnated with ,copper1 and you desire to have ,copper out of the said ,water1 you will easily bring this to pass1 if you shall but put in to that ,water1 which holds in it the ,copper1 a piece of clean ,iron1 the which ,iron1 7as being the true ,magnet of the ,copper17 will attract unto it self1 all the invisible ,copper out of the ,water1 and gather it into a visible and palpable ,metal4 ,if ,silver be dissolv'd in any ,water and made invisible1 and you would again have it1 put into the ,solution a ,plate of pure or clean ,copper1 which 7after a ,magnetick manner7 will gather together or draw out all the ,silver in his own ,silvery ,body1 and make it visible and palpable4 ,now when ,gold is dissolved in some ,water1 and largely dispersed1 as ,i may say and you would again have it in the form of ,gold2 then put in some or ,ar4 vive in that ,water1 and boyl it a little therewithal1 7as was done above1 with the ,copper and ,silver7 and you shall presently see all the ,gold to be attracted1 and gathered together by the ,mercury1 insomuch that there will not remain ought of the ,gold in the ,water1 because it follows the ,attraction of its own ,magnet1 ,mercury4 ,these ,metallick and ,magnetick ,operations1 are a sufficiently manifest ,information unto us1 and do point out unto us 7as with a ,finger7 the way1 of the extracting1 not only good ,metals in a ,particular manner1 but also far better things than ,metals1 7viz4 the ,tincture1 or form of ,gold7 out of our stinking ,water1 in an ,universal way1 by such ,magnets1 as are fit and apt in ,nature for this ,extraction4 ,another similitude we have from the ,earth1 and ,rain water1 with which the ,fruits of the ,earth are moistned3 ,put you in such an ,earth moistned with that ,water1 as many ,seeds as you please2 each of them1 will 7by its ,magnetick ,virtue7 attract unto its self1 its own like1 for its ,multiplication1 and will leave to the other ,seeds1 to attract each of them its like also4 ,if now1 by this similitude1 the ,scope or end ,i aim at1 may be made manifest unto you1 there is yet hopes you may be holpen3 ,if not1 ,i do not see1 by what means you can be succoured1 forasmuch as it would be too tedious here to use many other ,circumstances4 ,for when we are certainly assured1 that the first ,ens1 or the very ,form of ,gold is plentifully hidden in our ,water1 we do by very good right seek after that best part1 viz4 the form of ,gold1 and leave the other first ,entities of the rest of the ,metals1 in the ,water4 ,and now ,ile shew thee another similitude3 ,dissolve in one and the same ,water1 1 1 1 1 1 that so you may have all these ,metals commixt together in the same3 ,if now you desire to extract the best of them1 viz4 the ,gold there out of1 what hurt will the other bring you1 if they remain in the ,water4 ,such therefore as the ,magnet is1 which you put into that same ,water1 such is the ,metal too1 that you shall extract4 ,if therefore we particularly seek and in our ,water1 it will be expedient1 that we put unto this spiritual and their proper ,magnet1 unto which ,magnets1 they 7being precipitated7 do stick on1 and are by little and little fixed on thereunto4 ,and now if we seek after something better than and 1 viz4 the form and ,tincture of ,gold1 it will be necessity1 that we also apply such a suitable ,magnet1 which may draw out nothing else but the ,tincture or ,form of ,gold1 which being precipitated thereout of may be fixed4 ,and thus have ,i here told you all those things that are necessary to be known4 ,if you are minded to extract in a ,particular way1 ,sol and ,lune out of the ,universal ,mineral water1 you must then put unto them their ,magnet1 viz4 an ,amalgama of ,copper1 and ,argent vive3 ,for the ,copper draws to it self the spiritual ,silver1 and the the spiritual ,gold1 out of the said ,water1 and brings it unto a ,fixation or ,corporeity with it self1 or1 as it self is4 ,but if you are minded1 or desirous1 of getting some better thing1 than the ,gold it self1 or ,silver1 is1 viz4 a ,tincture1 you must then needs adjoyn thereto its own peculiar ,magnet1 for1 without it1 you cannot effect any thing at all3 ,but that you may know1 what the true ,magnet of the ,tincture is1 ,i say unto you1 ,that is the ,compeere1 or ,companion of our ,water1 and not of the ,metals3 ,for like seeks its like1 as the ,philosophers say1 ,nature rejoyceth with ,nature1 ,nature overcomes ,nature1 ,nature retains ,nature3 ,more than these things ,i have told you1 it is not needful for you to know3 ,consider therefore very accurately what ,i have said1 and beg of ,god by your ,prayers a blessing1 which if you do1 you shall not err1 but yet you will not be all of a sudden ,master of what you desire4 ,all these things have their determinate times1 like as a ,grain of ,wheat ,sown in the ,earth1 the which requires a time to ripen in1 nor doth it wax ripe afore the time appointed for ,maturation be come about4 ,follow you the ,advice left by ,geber1 and do not hasten on your ,work1 by any the least hasty speed3 ,for he tells us expresly1 that all hastning in our ,work is of the ,devil4 ,and as concerning what is to be known1 and what a one the ,student of so noble an ,art ought to be1 you will find described in the ,fifth ,part of my ,spagyrical ,pharmacopa4 ,and what think you now8 ,can you thoroughly understand me8 ,c4 ,yes1 ,verily1 ,i do well enough understand those things which ,i have hitherto heard from you1 ,but yet this ,womens work1 which you began a ,declaration of1 is not sufficiently clear unto me1 nor is that ,boys-play1 which is done with small ,bowls or ,knickers1 ,i do not thoroughly understand that neither1 viz4 how it may be compared with the work of the ,philosophers4 ,were but these things made clear and evident unto me1 ,i would ,ranck my self amongst the number of the ,masters of the ,art4 ,b4 ,well then1 come let us go on and see1 by what means the ,philosophers are wont to make their little ,bowls4 ,note6 ,like as the ,boys make use of ,earth and ,water1 for the making of their ,pellets or ,knickers3 ,so likewise will we use our ,earth1 and our ,water to the making of our small ,bowls or ,pellets3 ,ours1 ,i say1 not the vulgar and common ,earth and ,water1 for they are unprofitable as to our ,work4 ,but tis indifferent1 and all one1 whether we take ,yellow1 ,red1 or white ,earth1 because all of them are of one and the same ,nature4 ,according to the ,colour of the ,earth which we use1 will the ,colour of the small ,balls we make1 be3 ,we have here at hand a threefold ,earth1 a yellow ,earth of ,gold1 a white of ,silver and a ,red of ,copper4 ,this threefold ,earth will we moisten with our ,water or ,mercury1 and so make up a ,paste or ,mass of the two1 which the ,chymists call an ,amalgama4 ,this ,paste will we wash with pure ,water1 grinding it so long 'twixt our ,fingers1 till there be to appearance of any father impurity1 and that it admits of being easily washt1 or broken with the ,fingers4 ,being thus well washt1 we will put it in a ,skin1 or ,cotton1 and tye it firmly in2 out of which1 we will squeez forth all the with our hands1 and separate it from the said ,earth1 just in such a manner as ,argent vive is separated in ,amalgamations1 or ,metalick ,masses4 ,the ,mercury being separated1 we will take out our thick ,amalgama1 and make small ,bowls1 or ,knickers thereof1 and of almost the same bigness1 that the ,boys ,knickers are of4 ,these ,bowls we will expose to the ,air1 for about some twenty four hours1 and by this time they will be grown so hard1 as to resemble ,stones1 in hardness4 ,and now1 being thus made ready for boyling1 we will put them into our ,water to seeth3 ,but yet in the seething1 there must be an accurate regard had to some skilful handling the ,matter1 if you would have it perform its ,operation without ,errour4 ,this ,art will ,i faithfully open unto thee1 lest you err1 and so bring damage upon your self3 ,these ,pellets1 or little ,bowls thus made of our ,mass1 are not to be thrown into the ,pot filled with ,water1 afore the said ,water boyls3 ,which boyling1 you must throw them in one after another1 and they will presently harden themselves1 and cover themselves over with an hard ,crustiness or ,skin by which they will be prevented from sticking to one another1 and from coming altogether into one ,mass4 ,for if you first of all put your little ,balls into the ,pot1 and then afterwards pour cold ,water upon them1 and so set them on the ,fire1 that they may be boyled unto their ,maturity1 you will spoil your whole work4 ,for before the ,water in the ,pot be hot1 all the ,pellets being dissolved1 would run together in one ,mass1 and so would not admit the ,humefying1 or moistning of their inside ,parts1 and so you would turn all your ,pellets by your seething into a mere ,pouse or ,pottage1 whereas they should remain whole in all their ,parts1 as well internal1 as external1 for fear of drawing the ,water in4 ,but that you may have an accurate ,account of all these things which ,i have said unto you1 ,i hope you will set about the ,work1 or thus1 ,i hope you will do your best1 heedfully to regard all these things which ,i have said unto you and ,i suppose1 that you have sufficiently understood the things which ,i have already spoken3 ,but if so be1 you do not yet apprehend the meaning of these things1 ,i will ,counsel you1 by what means you may learn this ,operation at home from your ,wife4 ,when you are come home1 bid your ,wife to make you some little ,balls1 or ,dumplins with ,flower and ,veal4 ,and heedfully observe1 what ,course she takes1 about making such ,balls1 that so you may by the same way learn to deal with your ,metallick ,pellets4 ,first of all1 you shall see1 that she puts some pure ,flower into a deep ,dish or ,platter1 and having put it in1 she works it into a ,paste1 or ,mass with ,cream1 or the purest ,milk4 ,then she admixeth some green ,herbs smally minced1 and some ,spice medled among1 and sprinkling some ,salt thereupon1 she mixeth them with the ,paste made as aforesaid1 to give it the sweeter ,smell1 and ,taste4 ,of this ,paste1 she will afterwards make little ,balls1 of what bigness she pleaseth1 which ,balls she does not put in the ,water afore it boyls4 ,when therefore the ,water seeths1 she throws in1 one ,ball after another1 each of which1 as soon as ever it feels the fervent heat of the boyling ,water1 will presently cover it self over with a ,skin1 whereby they will be kept from sticking one to another1 and running into one ,mass1 and returning into such a ,paste as they were in1 before their being made up into ,pellets3 ,whereas1 now each of them may be kept in its own ,form1 and be encompassed all round with the ,water1 and be advanced unto a ,maturity1 or readiness1 by a due seething3 ,and now1 when you have seen this ,operation of your ,wives ,cookery1 ,i do not question1 but that you will be well enough skilled in this ,cooking ,art4 ,c4 ,my dearest ,friend1 ,i do friendly request you not to take it amiss1 in that ,i cannot abstain any longer from down right laughing1 when ,i hear that our work hath such a corresponding likeness1 with the ,art of ,cookery3 ,your so faithful ,instructions have already abundantly satisfied me3 ,i have very often seen my ,wife busied about the ,cooking of such ,balls1 and my self have also delightfully fed upon these kind of ,dumplins1 made both of ,veal1 ,eggs1 and ,spices1 and also of ,flower1 ,milk1 and green ,herbs4 ,but ,i fear me1 that when my ,wife shall see me making these ,balls or ,pellets1 and boyling them in a little ,pot1 she will laugh at me1 and say1 that ,i learned my ,skil from her4 ,b4 ',tis no ,matter1 you have no reason to regard either the tatling of your ,wife1 or of all ,men whatever3 ,for they know not what they do1 it is enough for you1 that your self know what end it is1 you do any thing for3 ,think you1 that if other ,wiselings and ,know-littles should see you working with such little ,balls1 they would not deride and mock you4 ,but don't you at all mind their unprofitable ,prating1 leave the shril-sounding ,geese to their own loud ,chatling1 and follow you my ,doctrine1 and wrap up this our ,cookery ,art in the darkness of ,silence3 ,which if you do1 you need not fear of being mockt1 or laught at by either ,women1 or ,womanish ,men4 ,c4 ,i have now 7praised be ,god7 learned enough3 ,but yet1 there is one thing ,i am ignorant of1 and that is this1 by what sign ,i may come to know1 when my ,pellets are well enough boyled1 and what ,fire they are to be boyled in4 ,the ,fire of ,wood and ,coals1 ,i know is used by the feminine ,sex for to boyl withal1 but whether or no1 the same be necessary and conducive to our ,operation1 ,i request you to inform me4 ,b4 ,have you never seen1 what proof ,women have to know1 when their ,dumplings are well boyled8 ,they are wont to take one out1 and cut it in twain1 that they may see1 whether or no the inside1 as well as the outside of the same be so well seethed1 as that the ,flower is not any more tenacious or ,clammy3 ,do you even the same1 and sometimes put a piece of one of your ,pellets you take out1 in the ,cineritium or ,cupel1 and that will shew unto you1 how much increase of ,sol and ,lune hath particularly added its self to your ,balls1 in that time of the boyling1 and how long they are1 as yet1 to be boyled4 ,now you know1 that all these things are to be searcht into1 by your own ,meditation and ,tryal1 because it can not possibly be1 that all things can be so very clearly set afore ones ,eyes1 as to need no farther meditating thereupon1 and inquisition thereinto4 ,after this manner may you boyl in one ,pot1 with one and the same ,water1 two1 three1 or more little ,bowls1 of different kinds1 as1 some made of ,flower1 green ,herbs1 ,spices1 ,flesh1 ,eggs1 ,fish1 and other things1 and so1 after the seething of them1 you make take forth one kind after another1 and ,particularly apply them to your ,use4 ,for these things are to be understood concerning ,particulars4 ,but if you have a mind desirous after the ,universal ,medicine1 then must you enter upon a certain way of almost an whole entire year1 which is necessarily requisite to the finishing of its ,operation4 ,for our ,magnet1 whose ,task it is to extract the ,form of the ,gold out of our ,waters1 doth as yet groan under its immaturity1 and therefore needs no small space of time1 for the extracting the ,tincture out of our fugacious and combustible ,waters1 and fixing it with it self4 ,c4 ,these ,words of yours1 by which you mention so long a time1 do not a little affrighten me4 ,our ,wives can boyl their ,dumplins enough in one hours space2 what will such a continued boyling cost8 ,i would be glad to redeem it1 or1 to be excused for the price of two ,golden pieces of ,money or ,duckets4 ,b4 ,i should tell you1 that you are of the ,off-spring of unbelieving ,thomas1 for you heap upon your self1 by your needless incredulity1 such heaps and ,loads of ,cares4 ,don't you remember1 that ,i told you at first1 that the ,charges of the whole work1 from the beginning to the very end1 do not exceed two ,golden pieces of ,money1 which they call ,duckets4 ,and that ,i do not at all tell you an untruth1 ,i will expound it unto you by an evident ,demonstration4 ,when you shall heat your well covered ,pot1 that so your ,water may not vanish away in fume1 with the small fire of a ,lamp1 how much ,i pray will such a ,labour cost you8 ,put ,case1 that some ,pounds of water cost you some ,asses or ,stivers1 and the ,magnet doth also cost you some ,stivers1 ten ,asses are a ,roman ,peny1 which is ,seven pence half ,peny of our ,money and now how many ,pounds of ,oyl will there need to nourish that so little a ,fire8 ,and though you should spend forty1 fifty1 or more ,pounds of ,oyl1 may not you well say1 that you shall finish the whole work1 for the ,charge of two ,golden ,duckets4 ,well6 what say you8 ,are you yet ,content8 ,c4 ,you do now again somewhat encourage my mind1 which had almost fainted1 by telling me1 that the ,matters necessary for our ,work are sold at so mean a ,price4 ,but there's one thing still that doth not a little trouble me1 and that is1 that so much time is required to the ,fixation4 ,all the other things are as well as ,i could wish3 ,but1 ,i would fain have had that shorter work of three hours1 or seven days4 ,b4 ,o thou ,dreamer1 what have ,i to do with thee8 ,what8 doth that space of time1 wherein such excellent and most profitable ,fruits are to be hoped for by thee1 seem too long8 ,what dost thou think to get without length of time8 ,good things are not wont to offer themselves without ,process of time1 as the common ,proverb tells us4 ,mean while you may follow your ,vocation1 nor needs there any other ,labour1 than that you look to your ,lamp ,morning and ,evening1 and see how the ,fire is4 ,and ,i pray1 are not the ,country men constrained to wait their time1 wherein to reap1 and again to receive the ,fruits which they committed to the ,earth8 ,and though they have sown their ,seeds afore the approach of the ,winter1 yet they cannot reap them again from the ,earth1 sooner than the next following ,august1 which then rewards and recompenseth all their hard ,labours4 ,but now1 the waiting so long a time does not tire them2 for they patiently expect the time of ,harvest4 ,thus likewise are you to do1 but if you are greedily desirous of sooner making ready your ,pellets1 or ,balls1 by the boyling1 you may ,i ,confess1 have a sooner ending of your expectation1 and that on this wise1 viz4 by a stronger ,fire1 which may make your ,water boyl without any ceasing1 but yet in this same way of ,operating there doth again happen this trouble1 from that strong and uncessant seething1 viz4 that your ,water being without any intermission resolved into ,fume and ,vapour1 is always lessened1 and you must of necessity be always pouring in more new4 ,use which of these two ways you please1 for you are e'en importunate and troublesome enough unto me4 ,i will not1 for the time to come1 take on me to instruct any more such ,disciples as you are4 ,what do you think1 that if that short work of three days1 or of seven hours were known unto me1 ,i would presently reveal it unto you8 ,no6 ,but yet ,i am not gotten to so high a ,degree of knowledge1 as to profess my self a ,master of so great an ,art4 ,i do believe though1 that such things are possible to be done1 but ,i deny1 that ,i my self am able to do such notable things4 ,and now1 go home1 in ,god's ,name1 and diligently and seriously meditate upon all these things3 ,you have heard enough1 and my time will no longer permit me to confer with you4 ,if perhaps1 one or two ,errours should put a stop to your proceedings1 you may again come unto me1 and ask me thereabouts4 ,mean while ,i commend you unto ,god1 and pray him to bestow his ,blessing upon your self1 and your ,labours4 ,c4 ,now am ,i contented1 not know what farther ,i should ask3 ,i am sorry1 that ,i have so much troubled you by my dull ,brains1 and beetle ,head1 and been so importunate3 ,nor know ,i1 how to requite your deserts1 ,god will reward you with ,life eternal1 ,i shall go home full of joy1 and bear a glad ,message1 and ,tidings unto my ,family4 ,and ,i pray ,god to be at all times present with us1 to our ,help and ,succour4 ,b4 ,amen4 ,the ,,corollary4 ,i have1 in this ,third ,dialogue1 made mention of a certain secret fiery ,water1 which can ripen the ,volatile and immature ,minerals1 and ,metals3 ,and herein ,i have principally regarded a ,particular ,transmutation4 ,but forasmuch as a ,particular ,melioration of the ,metals requires as much time1 and no fewer ,expences1 than the ,universal it self does1 ,i would here commend to the ,sons of ,art the ,universal work1 which is to be preferred before a ,particular one4 ,such things as we have perhaps omitted in this ,dialogue1 the ,description of my fourth ,secret ,fire will sufficiently supply the defect2 to which1 ,i refer the friendly ,reader4 ,he will there see and understand1 that the greatest part of the whole ,work1 and the very hinge of the said ,operation1 consists chiefly in the true ,vessel1 in which our ,matter is to be ripened2 and without the knowledge of which1 there can never be any thing done to purpose4 ,which ,vessel1 seeing that all the ,philosophers have covered over1 and hidden with so great a ,care and ,diligence1 and have involved it with such obscure ,clouds of darkness1 ,i should do amiss1 yea1 most extreamly amiss1 should ,i lay it open1 and bring it from out of those dark inwrapments1 into the ,light4 ,thus much only ,i say1 that it ought to be such a ,fornace1 and the ,vessel it self such a one too1 as in which1 all the ,chymical ,operations1 viz4 ,solution1 ,putrefaction1 ,distillation1 ,sublimation1 ,cohobation1 ,ascension1 ,descension1 ,circulation1 ,inceration1 and ,fixation may be perfectly shewn unto an ,hermetick ,disciple1 or ,learner1 in one hours time1 in one little ,fornace1 in one ,glass1 and in one ,fire1 all which must not cost more than the value of one quarter part of a ,doller1 and is all done without any changing of the ,glasses1 or putting to1 of the hands of the ,operator4 ,these are indeed such things as exceed all the belief of the whole ,world1 but yet they do not exceed ,glauber's faith1 nor sufficeth it him only to believe1 but he can also effect the same1 that so other incredulous people may believe likewise4 99 99 99 99 99 ,n4 ,b4 ,on a certain time1 as ,i was familiarly discoursing with a learned ,man1 concerning such great and incredible things1 he presented me with these following ,verses1 aptly agreeing to this ,matter in hand4 ,thy #c,sirname 7,glauber67 given was1 as1 unto ,faith1 relating ,yet by good right it should have squar'd unto thy ,operating4 ,faith's ,objects are invisible1 but yet1 such things1 do you1 ,as would at first be scarce believ'd1 produce by ,art to view4 #c ,john4 ,a ,short ,exposition upon the ,hellish ,goddess ,proserpina1 the ,wife of ,pluto1 viz4 what the ,heathenish ,philosophick ,poets1 as ,ovid and ,virgil understood by it4 ,and how1 by the help of this ,proserpina1 the ,anim1 or ,souls1 of the ,mortified ,metallick ,bodies are carried out of the ,chymical ,hell into the ,philosophick ,heaven4 ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,reader1 that we may see1 if and how the inferiour ,metals1 by true ,art1 may be transmuted into good and constant ,gold and ,silver3 ,i find1 that it is first necessary to declare whence1 and by what means the ,melioration of the imperfect ,metals must proceed by ,art1 and by what means only by ,nature1 without the hand of the ,artist1 the clean and fixed ,gold and ,silver hath arrived to such a ,purity1 and ,perfection4 ,it being then1 that this knowledge is the only ,foundation1 upon which ,alchymy is built1 ,i find it necessary to discover it to those1 who are ignorant of it1 and to shew a sure way1 in which they may go without hinderance1 and happily arrive to the desired ,end4 ,the ,reason1 why ,nature generates all ,metals in the ,mountains1 and brings some of them to ,perfection1 and leaves others imperfect1 several ,philosophers of our ,ancestors have very plainly described1 and therefore needs not here to be repeated4 ,he that knows it not may enquire after it1 in the ,writings of these ,philosophers1 where he may learn their ,grounds1 or ,reasons1 only this little ,i think necessary here to shew1 viz4 that all ,metals and ,minerals have but one ,original1 or beginning1 to wit1 the four ,elements1 ,fire1 ,air1 ,earth and ,water4 ,but that one ,metal in the ,earth1 in which is its ,matrix1 becomes to be more noble than another1 this is but accidental1 according as one ,metal by the ,central ,fire is more1 or less cocted1 and chiefly from thence1 according as the ,universal ,spirit of the ,world1 or first ,matter of ,metals1 lights of a ,matrix in the ,earth1 more clean or unclean4 ,but passing this by1 because the ,books of ,philosophers are filled with them1 although observed by a very small number of ,men4 ,for almost all who read ,chymical ,books1 read only to the end1 that they may see those ,processes1 which teach how to make ,gold and ,silver out of the inferiour ,metals1 but do not at all mind the ,original1 and difference of ,metals1 although that ought to be the first1 for where the ,philosophers write of the ,generation and difference of ,metals1 there they publish the whole ,ground of ,alchymy3 ,but where they write their ,receipts1 and ,processes1 their they obscure the ,art1 and lead the easie ,believers into ,errour4 ,among all the ,philosophers1 ,i have found none which hath dealt more plainly and openly in this ,matter1 than ,paracelsus in his ,heaven of ,philosophers1 who writes1 that every ,metal is an hider or concealer of the other ,six1 or that every visible ,metal contains in it self invisibly and spiritually the other six ,metals1 and that to bring forth and make visible1 the invisible1 and more noble ,metal1 and on the contrary1 to transplant the visible and ignobler ,metal in the same place1 where the more noble and invisible was1 is very possible1 which is indeed the very ,truth4 ,for ,i my self have perform'd this ,transplantation1 not only once1 but some hundred times4 ,if any hath a mind to perform any notable thing in ,alchymy1 he can find no ,book1 which will teach him more than the ,book above cited4 ,but yet ,i will not despise the ,books of other good ,writers4 ,and if this were not true1 that every visible ,metal hides in it self the others1 invisibly1 how could it be possible to transmute any inferiour ,metal1 either universally or particularly1 into good and constant ,gold8 ,but that it is possible1 daily ocular inspection proves to be true1 in several places of the ,world4 ,now if this be so1 as no man needs to doubt it1 it will not be difficult to teach any understanding ,man1 if he will but learn a little how to handle the ,fire1 how to bring forth fixed and corporeal ,gold1 out of those gross and visible ,metals1 in which lyes hidden a great deal of pure and spiritual ,gold4 ,but yet you must know1 that one clean ,metal hath more invisible and spiritual ,gold in it1 than another4 ,jupiter hath in it much spiritual ,gold1 but ,venus more1 and ,mars the most3 ,yet ,antimony doth not give place to ,mars1 for the quantity of spiritual ,gold4 ,now whosoever is minded to undertake this sort of ,labour with ,profit1 let him take care what ,metal he handles1 and how he handles it1 that instead of ,profit1 he may not reap discouragement and damage1 but may have reason to thank ,god1 ,nature and ,art2 in which1 this following ,process will sufficiently help him1 in which1 the true and most certain way is openly shewn4 ,yet with this ,proviso1 that he so lives1 that ,god may be pleased with his ,conversation1 and not have it in ,abomination4 ,for ,gods blessing is all in all4 ,there must be together earnest ,prayers1 diligent ,consideration1 and unwearied ,labour1 or else one may easily fail1 although the ,art be plainly and clearly set before his ,eyes1 without any reserve1 which a good ,christian ought certainly to believe4 ,yet ,i have often heard the contrary1 from impious ,men1 such are the adherents and ,consorts of ,farnner1 as if ,god had nothing to do with such ,arts1 and that ,art alone was ,master in these ,cases1 which certainly is very impious1 seeing that such ,blasphemies1 take away from ,god his ,omnipotency1 his ,goodness and ,mercy1 and give them only to ,nature1 seeing that ,god hath not his beginning from ,nature1 but ,nature from ,god4 ,have not the wise ,heathens believed1 that ,god could give his blessing to ,mens endeavours1 and take it away again at his ,pleasure8 ,what saith ,virgil1 that famous ,philosopher8 when he teacheth hew to pluck the ,golden branch from the ,opake ,tree3 ,tene manu1 facileque sequetur1 uno avulso1 ,non deficit alter1 si te fata vocant1 aliter nullis viribus ,nec duro ferro avellere potes4 ,one ,branch being pluck'd and born away1 ,another follows2 unless the ,fates say nay nay3 ,without whose ,smile1 no force of hardest ,steel ,to crop the smallest ,twig1 can ought prevail4 ,it is said1 ,ora ,labora1 ,pray and ,labour1 according to which1 let every ,man live4 ,now you shall hear how the imperfect ,metals1 in a particular way1 may be transmuted with great ,profit1 into perfect1 and that very plainly without any reserve1 for ,i have obtain'd it at length by much ,consideration4 ,and because my great ,age1 and several long ,sicknesses keep me continually in ,bed1 and both ,feet are as in the ,grave1 where ,i stand certainly expecting nothing else1 but a happy departure out of this transitory ,life1 into a better1 which passeth not away4 ,so that ,i would by no means intermit to sing with the ,swan before my end1 a pleasant ,song2 which may rejoyce all the ,lovers of ,alchymy1 if they will make themselves sharers of this ,melody4 ,for those who read what ,i here write1 and yet give no ,credit to it1 nor put their hand to the ,work1 and finish it with diligence1 they will reap no ,profit by this my instruction4 ,but those who understand my ,writing1 and work plainly after the ,letter1 provided they have but a little understanding in the ,fire1 will reap great ,profit2 yea1 even great ,riches by it4 ,for ,i am plain without any reserve1 so that if any should fail1 the fault will not be mine1 but must be imputed to the ,workmans want of ,skil2 for ,i never in my ,life sought to gain any thing by my ,writing1 neither will ,i now do it1 but it sufficeth me if ,i do good to my ,neighbour1 out of ,love1 with that ,talent which ,god hath given me4 ,whosoever is on ,glauber's side1 and will participate of my good intention1 he may1 or let it alone1 'tis all one to me1 for they are not all good ,cooks that wear long ,knives2 the ,art consisteth in ,experience1 and he that is but any thing skilled in ,chymical ,operations will do well enough1 for all is laid plainly down before his ,eyes4 ,but on the contrary1 the ,covetous1 ,proud1 and ,lazy1 who seek to be rich without labour and pains1 will find every thing dark1 and never attain to any thing profitable4 ,for ,god will have it so1 that not every ,body shall be ,rich1 as ,paracelsus very well expresseth it in his ,book of ,sulphur1 when he saith1 ,many might be helped with a few ,words1 if it was not against the ,will of ,god1 for ,god will not have the ,goats-tail equal the ,cows in length1 for else out of ,pride he might with it beat out his own ,eyes1 and therefore it is better to be silent1 that they may remain ,poor4 ,thus ,paracelsus4 ,but ,i ,glauber say1 that it is better to lay down the ,art in truth1 without difference before all ,men1 for ,god keeps still his hand over it1 and to whom he ,wills it1 he will give it1 and to whom he will not give it1 he knoweth how to cast a ,mist before his ,eyes1 that he may not see the good1 nor have power to apprehend it1 but may wander about in darkness1 with his proud and dull ,head1 till at length he fall into the ,pit of the impious1 and there perish without help4 ,but that ,i may no longer detain the ,lover of ,art with my ,discourses1 but come at length to the ,practice1 ,i will in the ,name of ,god here set down the whole ,process as it is in it self1 without any ,reservation1 and the whole business is thus4 ,now followeth the true1 and often practised ,process1 how to transmute ,silver 7as being yet not a perfectly mature ,metal7 by degrees1 without any loss1 totally into the highest perfection1 that is to say1 into good ,gold abiding all ,tryals4 ,after the revealing of this ,process1 we shall also hear1 how all the imperfect ,metals1 viz4 1 1 1 and may after the same manner 7but yet not totally1 but only so far as they contain an incombustible ,mercury17 be transmuted into good ,gold and ,silver4 ,and after this ,revelation1 we will not omit to shew also1 which way the most immature of all the ,metals1 may be transmuted1 not only ,particularly1 but also ,universally1 into the highest ,medicine1 and the best ,gold4 ,but the later must thus be understood1 that we may not cast ,pearl before ,swine1 but that they may remain only among honest hearts1 and not come into the hands of double-minded ,men4 ,but now1 to come to the ,melioration of ,silver1 the ingenious must know1 that ,silver is naturally fixed in the ,earth1 and endures the fire1 and therefore needs no ,art to fix it2 for it bears the ,tryal of the ,test1 as well as ,gold1 wanting only ,colour and ,weight1 which ,nature hath not bestowed upon it1 but may be procured by ,art4 ,as for the ,colour1 the secret ,fire of the ,wise can only make it perfect1 for all ,colours are absconded in the common ,fire of ,wood1 and the ,sun1 as we daily see1 that the ,universally ripening ,sun1 brings all the ,fruits of the ,earth1 from a ,green and ,white1 by its constant ,beams1 to ,redness and ,maturity4 ,and we also see1 that the common ,fire1 of ,wood and ,coals1 makes ,earths and ,minerals which are ,white1 become ,red1 as we see ,crocus ,martis1 ,minium1 and other ,colours which are produced out of ,black1 ,gray1 and ,white ,metals and ,minerals2 as the highly illuminated ,paracelsus hath sufficiently taught us1 viz4 that the common fire of ,coals1 by its own power and innate ,nature1 without any addition of other things1 is perfectly able to graduate the white ,metals1 into ,red1 or yellow ,gold1 as you may see in his ,book of ,cements4 ,if the common ,wood-fire of it self doth this1 what cannot the ,fire of the wise effect1 which was always kept in the greatest ,secrecy8 ,especially1 if one know how to add a graduating ,metallick ,species1 as ,mars1 ,venus1 and ,antimony1 and the like1 after a spiritual manner1 to the secret ,fire2 which is the way to give to white ,silver1 a constant ,redness4 ,as for the weight of ,silver1 it may1 in like manner as the ,colour be given to ,silver by ,art1 so that it shall be equal with ,gold in weight3 ,which introduction of ,colour and weight into 1 the ,philosophers have called closing of its ,pores4 ,for this is certain1 that if any light ,metals are melted together1 that one filleth up the ,pores of the other1 and both come out of the ,fire more compact and heavy1 than they were before4 ,for example3 ,take half an ,ounce of ,red ,copper1 and as much of good ,tin1 melt these together1 and pour them out into a ,bullet-mould1 and you will see1 that they will not be much more in ,magnitude than one of them was before2 for one ,bullet of and one of may almost be put into the same ,mould3 ,from whence it appears1 that one ,metal hath an ingress into the other1 and mends1 and augments it in its weight and ,colour2 but what those ,metals are which give weight and colour to ,silver1 you may easily guess4 ,nothing can tinge1 but what is naturally ,coloured1 and nothing can better give weight1 than what is naturally heavy3 ,in which1 and have the ,preheminency1 but in introducing ,colour1 ,mars1 ,venus1 and ,antimony excel4 ,but which way this introduction of colour and weight1 into light and white ,silver1 is to be done1 the following ,process will teach4 ,but this the ,ingenious ought to know1 that it is no ,art at all1 that if the ,iron made ,red1 and and made ,white1 be mixed with 1 yet they will not render it durable1 red and heavy3 ,but the ,corroding will quite take away the ,redness and ,whiteness upon the ,cupel3 ,for what is not purged from all combustible ,sulphur1 cannot ,sustain the ,cupel1 but will vanish with ,saturn1 and turn into ,scori3 ,and seeing that we know1 that and contain abundance of superfluous combustible ,sulphur1 and also that their incombustible ,sulphur is not yet fixed enough1 to refill the ,corroding upon the ,cupel1 and therefore with him must vanish and come to nothing1 for all that is able to abide the ,cupel must be separated from all combustible ,sulphur4 ,now we know1 that and are not so1 and therefore cannot abide the ,cupel4 ,for if he be made ,red1 and cast upon ,silver1 he doth not remain ,red with it1 but so much as enters the ,silver1 again becomes black ,iron1 and therefore can give no ,colour to the ,silver2 and also flies away1 and so leaves no weight to the ,silver3 ,which ,paracelsus hath sufficiently described in his ,clum ,philosophorum4 ,so that if one melt unfixed ,metals with ,gold and ,silver1 and keep them together never so long in the ,fire1 yet notwithstanding the unfixed ,metals1 cannot be made fixed by the ,gold and ,silver1 but every of them would again be found in the ,examen1 as they were before4 ,but if one ,metal should make the other better1 they ought to be spiritually conjoyned1 and so the ,spirit of one ,metal will improve the other4 ,for all ,philosophers testifie1 that the ,metals must first be reduced to their first ,matter1 that is1 they must be brought into a spiritual being1 before they can be transmuted into more ,noble1 by ,art4 ,but which way all ,metals are to be spiritualized1 and brought to their first ,matter1 is taught in my ,treatise of the ,three ,principles of ,metals1 lately published1 as also in the ,seventh part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 and its ,appendix4 ,now if one would ,meliorate1 or improve1 the imperfect ,metals1 the imperfect combustible ,sulphur must first be ,separated from them1 that only the purest and incombustible part1 viz4 the incombustible ,sulphur may remain2 which may be done by several ways2 as by ,distillation1 and ,rectification1 and also by ,adustion1 and ,combustion1 in which nothing perisheth1 but the combustible and unprofitable part3 ,but the incombustible ,oyl still remains1 and doth not perish by the ,fire2 and also by ,solutions1 ,distillations and ,rectifications1 all the unprofitable ,feces of the ,metals are separated1 and there remains only the clean ,quintessence of the ,metals1 which are separated and advanced into a concentrated ,medicine4 ,this ,separation of the unprofitable and combustible ,sulphur1 from the incombustible1 as ,old ,philosopher hath notably expressed in these ,verses4 ,est impossibile1 ,sulphur sine ,flamma delere1 ,calcis adustibile1 quod prstat fossa ,miner4 ,sulphur impure1 we can't blot out1 ,till ,circling ,flames play round about ,our ,oars and ,calces2 for then they ,this subtil ,fire forthwith obey4 ,here the ,philosopher tells us1 that every combustible ,sulphur1 may be burnt1 and reduced into nothing1 but no otherwise1 than by a kindled and combustible ,fire1 by whose ,flame nothing that is good1 but only the superfluous and noxious ,sulphur by which all the inferiour ,metals are destroyed1 is taken away4 ,and therefore justly reputed imperfect1 as long1 and as often1 until this unprofitable ,sulphur is taken away from them1 either ,particularly1 by ,dissolving and ,coagulating1 ,distilling and ,rectifying1 or else by an ,universal fixed ,mercury by projection1 by which means the hurtful combustible ,sulphur is fixed1 and1 without ,combustion1 transmuted into a nobler ,metal4 ,for this is very possible1 that any combustible ,sulphur1 by an easie way and small ,charge1 and in a short time1 viz4 in one day1 ,particularly1 may be so fixed1 and made constant in the ,fire1 that1 without being burnt1 it may be able to endure the strongest ,fire1 the which is handled more at large1 in my ,three ,principles of ,metals4 ,from hence it follows1 that no imperfect ,metal can be transmuted1 with ,profit1 into a ,perfect1 before it be free'd from its combustible ,sulphur1 which may be done several ways4 ,now1 he who hath a mind to get any good out of the imperfect ,metals1 must learn how to separate their unprofitable ,sulphur1 either by one means or other1 as ,i have sufficiently taught4 ,for in this1 viz4 in the ,separation of the combustible ,sulphur1 from the incombustible1 consists the whole ,art2 which every one ought to attend without other thoughts4 ,now after we have understood out of this ,theory1 in what the ,melioration of the ,metals consists1 or how it must be effected1 it is necessary to know the exact ,practice1 or ,process1 as the ,operations succeed one another3 ,for to this work belongs1 not only ,distillation and ,rectification1 to separate the pure from the impure1 but also the most subtil and clean parts1 after they are separated from their ,feces1 must be made fixed1 subtiler1 and constant1 viz41 so constant1 that the ,corroding 1 may not overcome them1 but against his ,will1 leave them constant upon the ,cupel4 ,this is one of the greatest ,secrets in ,alchymy1 yet taken notice of but by few1 and therefore few there are who reap any ,profit4 ,for the greatest part of ,operators are persuaded1 that if they had but ,red ,metallick ,tinctures1 that they could immediately tinge with them1 but in the end they have understood1 that more than unfixed ,tinctures are required4 ,it is an easie ,matter1 to make ,red ,tinctures out of ,stones and ,metals3 ,but these are not permanent on the ,cupel1 without true ,fixation1 which the ,philosophers call ,perpetuation in the ,fire4 ,nothing in the ,world can tinge1 so that the tinged ,metal can endure the ,cupel1 as long as the ,tincture is still ,metallick4 ,for whatsoever is made out of ,metals1 and by a strong ,fire may again be reduced into a ,metal1 cannot be called a true ,tincture1 for whatsoever yet contains a combustible ,sulphur1 perisheth upon the ,cupel with ,saturn1 and nothing abides1 but what is totally deprived of that4 ,for even the ,saturn contains much combustible ,sulphur1 therefore he so readily acts upon ,sulphureous ,metals1 and draws them with himself in to the ,cupel1 which he cannot do to ,gold and ,silver4 ,but because we also know this1 that when by the help of common fixed ,gold1 a combustible and fugacious ,sulphur is well united and fixed1 that the combustible ,sulphur adheres so closely to the fixed ,gold1 that it also remains fixed with it1 and can never be separated from it4 ,now1 if the weight and proportion be well adjusted1 then the fixed ,sulphur enters with the ,gold into ,lune1 and ,tingeth it into constant ,gold4 ,but if the conjunction of the ,sulphur and ,gold1 be not well made1 or too much of the ,sulphur be put to the ,gold1 it takes away the ,ingress of the ,gold1 so that it remains with the ,saturn1 and cannot enter the ,silver4 ,it is also to be observed1 that if the ,sulphur of 1 or be legitimately united with 1 and yet be not kept long enough together1 it will produce no good2 and therefore the ,transmutation of ,metals is not so easie a thing1 as many imagine2 it is not enough to make a ,tincture2 to fix it1 is more2 and to give an ,ingress1 is hardest of all4 ,and these three things ought to be well known1 if one would effect any good in the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,now that we may farther hear1 which way ,tinctures may be drawn out of the ,red ,metals1 fixed1 and made constant in the ,fire1 and how to give them an ,ingress1 ,i have undertaken to ,reveal to the ,lovers of ,art4 ,and none needs to doubt1 but what ,i here ,write are my own ,inventions1 which ,i have not only once or twice1 but many times experimented1 and always found good1 although in small quantities1 provided no accident hath hindered me4 ,if a ,glass break in the labour1 or a ,crucible runs out1 by which one suffers loss1 that is not to be accounted a loss1 because it comes by accident and not from the ,art1 and therefore not to be imputed to the ,art4 ,if an ,art be never so well described1 and an ,unskilful ,workman intermeddle with it1 the ,work may be easily spoiled1 and therefore the fault cannot justly be charged upon the ,art1 as it is too often done4 ,i shall here acquit my self of this unjust charge1 if out of a good ,intention ,i here discover the ,art1 as ,i have often done1 without concealing any ,manual ,operation1 and hereafter shall not care what ,ill ,men say or judge of it1 if any one1 through his want of ,skill1 should lose his labour4 ,i here ,write nothing1 but what ,i have often done my self1 and found good2 for what should move me to publish any false thing1 that might seduce others to labour in vain1 even when ,i am ready to dye8 ,i never sought any ,profit by any of my ,writings1 no1 not when ,i was young1 and might have occasion for it4 ,and now1 when both my ,feet are in a manner in the ,grave1 and ,i am certain not to live much longer1 although ,i am heart-whole1 nor find ,i any dolour about me1 yet my ,limbs being weak1 ,i am forced to keep in my ,bed1 where ,i ,write this4 ,i say1 ,why should ,i1 so near my end1 write any thing hurtful to my ,soul8 ,i write this for my farewel1 to do good to the ,world1 even as the ,swan1 when she is near her death1 sings a pleasant ,song1 and such ,i would that every one should take these my last ,writings to be4 ,but if it shall please ,god1 ,i hope this will not be the last2 which is only a small ,work1 to shew the probability and verity of the ,transmutation of ,metals1 and to help ,skilful ,chymists to great ,riches4 ,but if ,god shall yet spare my ,life1 ,i shall write of higher matters1 and shew such a light to the blind ,world1 as hath not yet been revealed by any ,man4 ,in the mean time1 ,i desire the ,ingenious very well to consider this particular1 and to try his ,fortune1 every thing is easie to be done1 and needs no beating of the ,brain1 for all the labour is clearly laid down1 without any reserve1 therefore ,i would have none be so arrogant1 as to impute the fault to me1 if he miss his ,intention1 but rather to himself1 through his own unskilfulness or negligence4 ,yet this is also to be considered1 ,that sometimes a true skilful and diligent ,operator cannot imitate an easie thing1 being hindered by the ,almighty1 who for certain ,reasons keeps his ,hand over it1 and will not let every ,man grow ,rich4 ,now follows the ,fundamental ,process1 how to make good ,gold out if ,silver1 with profit1 and how to separate1 after a particular manner1 good ,gold and ,silver1 out of ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin and ,lead4 4 ,a pound of ,steel ,wier1 more or less1 according as you will begin your ,work in a greater or lesser quantity1 dissolve it in ,spirit of ,salt1 filter the ,dissolution1 and abstract the ,phlegm from the ,solution1 in ,sand1 for in the ,abstraction there will come over no acidity1 7because the ,mars holds it after a ,magnetick manner7 but yet this is not without virtue1 for it carries over with it self a very subtle ,martial ,spirit1 of which a little put into ones ,mouth1 penetrates the ,tongue1 so that the taste thereof remains long after4 ,and this penetrating taste and smell1 is nothing else but the most subtle ,narcotick ,sulphur of ,mars1 which is set at liberty in the ,solution1 and carried over with the sweet ,water1 in the deflegming4 ,it doth wonders in ,internal ,obstructions2 and ,externally it easeth all ,pains1 because it is ,narcotick and ,stupefactive2 ,it serveth for ,physicians and ,chyrurgeons in many cases1 but because ,i have already written of this1 ,i need not here repeat it4 ,and this you ought to note1 that you draw not off the ,phlegm to dryness1 but the ,solution of must remain in form of an ,oyl4 ,this sweet ,oyl of is the ,opake ,tree of ,virgil1 from which he hath taught us to pluck its ,golden ,branches1 and how this is to be done1 he hath also obscurely hinted1 but ,i here publish it plainly4 ,virgil saith1 that those ,golden ,branches are the gift of ,proserpina1 but what was to be understood by this ,proserpina1 which the ,heathens have said to be the ,wife of ,pluto1 is not here expressed1 but only this1 that this ,golden ,branch was ,consecrated to the ,goddess ,juno4 ,he that will have the foundation of those ,heathenish ,gods1 cannot better accomplish his ,desire1 than by ,reading the last ,edition of the ,dictionary of ,eight ,languages1 written by ,ambrosius ,callepine1 for there he will find many curious secrets of the ,ancient ,poets illustrated4 ,now concerning ,proserpina1 many ,philosophers and ,chymists understand the ,corrosive ,oyl or ,butter of ,antimony1 of which ,i have already made mention1 although obscurely1 in my ,treatise ,de ,sale ,philosophorum1 but shall here give it you more plainly4 ,now1 it according to a due weight1 you put some of this ,proserpina to the ,solution of ,mars1 and unite them well together1 and then distil this mixture by a ,glass ,retort well ,coated1 there first comes over a certain unprofitable ,humidity1 then a white ,oyl of ,antimony1 which is to be kept by it self1 and when you see yellow drops begin to fall1 you must then change your ,receiver1 then give a stronger ,fire1 and the ,proserpina brings over with it self the ,tincture of ,mars1 as red as ,blood4 ,this ,blood-red ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony is the ,golden ,branch1 plucked from the obscure ,tree1 which may easily be fixed into a particular ,tincture1 as we shall hear anon4 ,now when you have pulled one ,golden ,branch1 you may also pluck a second and third1 for they will easily follow4 ,as for the manner of plucking more such ,golden ,branches1 it is thus3 ,you must dissolve the remaining with ,spirit of ,salt1 and there will remain many ,feces1 but the ,solution will be clearer and better than the first1 although less in quantity3 ,now1 after 7as ,i told you before7 you have put to it the due quantity of ,butter of ,antimony1 for which purpose that which came over in the first ,distillation will well serve1 and when you have driven this over by a ,retort as before1 the ,proserpina again brings over more of the ,tincture in a ,blood-red ,oyl1 which may as the first1 be fixed into a ,tincture4 ,after this manner you may pluck many ,branches1 one after another1 but it is not convenient1 because the ,solution of ,mars is diminished by every ,distillation1 and at length your ,branches would be very small1 therefore it is better when you have plucked the first ,branch1 so go to another ,tree1 and thereto pluck a ,golden ,branch1 for the ,tree is not so precious1 and you may collect the ,trees from which you have pulled the ,branches1 and dissolve them in ,spirit of ,salt1 and then pluck from them more ,branches4 ,proserpina hath learned this spoiling and bearing away1 of her ,husband ,pluto1 for he stole ,proserpina from her ,parents1 and carried her with him into ,hell1 and made her his ,wife4 ,n4 ,b4 ,pluto carried ,proserpina into ,hell1 but ,proserpina doth the contrary1 carrying the dead ,bodies and ,souls out of ,hell4 ,for she hath her ,original only from the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 which ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world have power to carry the ,souls of the dead ,bodies out of ,hell1 as you may see in the ,books of ,philosophers which say4 ,sal ,spiritus ,mundi1 ducunt ,anima ,mortuorum ex ,orco4 ,the ,salt and ,spirit of the ,world1 bring the ,souls of the ,dead out of ,hell4 ,let this suffice concerning the bringing over the ,metallick ,souls or ,tinctures1 which is done by ,proserpina4 ,but there is yet other ways to draw out the ,tinctures of ,metals out of ,red ,bodies1 and they are chiefly to be had by means of our secret ,sal ,armoniack in a far greater quantity1 than by the help of ,proserpina1 which is somewhat troublesome1 but yet these are more easily and perfectly acquired by our ,alcahest4 ,now1 after we have heard how to draw ,tinctures out of ,metals and ,minerals by the help of ,proserpina1 it is further necessary to know how to fix those ,volatile ,tinctures1 so that they may not only endure the strongest ,fire1 to which they may easily be brought1 but that is not enough1 they must be made so fixed1 that the ,corroding ,saturn may not have power to injure them upon the ,cupel2 if that be not done1 these ,tinctures can profit nothing to ,metals4 ,i have seen very many who very well know1 how to ,extract ,tinctures out of ,mars1 ,venus1 ,vitriol and ,antimony1 but they wanted the ,fixation1 the perpetuation upon the ,cupel1 and also ,ingress1 and therefore they could do nothing with them4 ,these following ancient ,verses are read by many1 but understood by few1 viz4 ,fixum si solves1 faciesque volare solutum volucrem figes1 faciet te vivere tutum4 ,if thou dissolve that which is fixed1 and render it ,volatile1 ,and again fix the ,volatile1 thou shalt not want4 ,we have proceeded according to this ,verse1 in making the fixed ,iron ,volatile1 although we have not yet again rendered the ,volatile fixed and constant upon the ,cupel4 ,the ,fixation requires but little ,art1 so that it may abide the ,fire1 but to make it abide the ,cupel is a great ,art1 and cannot be done by idle talking1 but by a fundamental knowledge1 without which all is in vain4 ,now concerning the ,fixation of those ,volatile ,tinctures1 so as to abide the ,cupel1 ,i have 7thanks to ,god7 often experimented1 and have already communicated to some who are ,curious1 out of kindness1 whose success ,i do not yet know4 ,this ,fixation cannot be effected without ,common ,gold1 for when ,gold in a liquid form according to a due proportion1 is mixed and radically conjoyned with the ,tincture1 and cast into ,hell to ,pluto1 and ,pluto finds his dear ,consort deeply in love with the ,anima of ,mars1 or this ,beautiful ,hermaphroditical ,youth1 he burns with ,jealousie1 so that he bends them so close together1 as they can never afterwards be parted by ,saturn4 ,but wheresoever one of these three goeth1 draweth the other two with it4 ,and because they are also constantly together1 as if it were one ,spirit and ,tincture united to the fixed ,body of ,gold1 therefore they have an easie admittance into the ,chamber of the ,queen ,diana2 for ,diana doth by no means shut out her dearest ,king ,apollo1 but willingly admits him1 and therefore she is recompensed with all the ,treasures which he hath received from his true and ,warlike ,servant1 ,mars3 ,and of this1 by ,neptunes help1 she hath made her self a glorious and constant ,red ,garment1 which neither ,water nor ,fire1 nor the old and envious ,saturn can spoil her of4 ,here ,i have ,fundamentally described the ,fixation of the ,martial and ,antimonial ,tincture1 clearly without any reservation1 yet somewhat enigmatically1 according to the manner of the ,poets4 ,he that doth but a little consider1 cannot fail1 but must comprehend it1 if he hath but a moderate ,capacity1 except ,god shall prohibite him4 ,now let us further see1 what may be further done with our ,red ,oyl of 1 and 1 in ,physick and ,alchymy4 ,when we powr upon this ,oyl our ,alcahest1 and again draw off the ,liquor by a ,retort with a gentle heat1 and at length give a stronger ,fire1 the most subtle and cleanest part of the ,tincture will come over1 and the grossest part will remain behind1 which is an ,universal ,purge4 ,the subtle part1 may yet be made purer and nobler by ,rectification1 and this you may afterwards dulcify from its ,salt1 and dry the ,anima ,martis and ,antimonij1 then put it into a ,glass1 and with an easie ,sand-,fire melt it into a ,red ,stone1 for this ,stone melts as easily as ,wax1 and hath as easie ,ingress into all ,metals1 as ,oyl hath into dry ,leather4 ,this ,stone hath not its equal1 for it is better than the ,fire-,stone of ,basilius1 it is better than ,butlers ,stone1 to which ,helmont hath ascribed such ,wonders4 ,of this ,stone and its incredible ,virtues1 which it shews in ,physick1 ,i shall treat at large in the following ,treatise4 ,this ,treatise shall ,discourse of three unknown ,fires1 and ,stones3 ,first of the secret ,fire of the ancient ,philosophers1 which is called the ,fire of ,artephius1 by ,virtue of which secret fire1 is generated the vegetable1 ,animal and ,mineral stone of ,philosophers1 and also particularly out of all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 their ,quintessence1 or highest ,power1 without the help of any common ,fire1 without ,furnace1 ,glasses1 or any other known ,chymical ,instruments1 is to be obtained in a few hours1 without any ,labour or ,cost3 ,and also things incredible and unheard of are by it brought to pass2 of which great ,secret1 no ,philosopher hath hitherto made the least mention2 as the before cited ,treatise will sufficiently testifie4 ,the second ,fire is like to it1 viz4 the same with which the ,israelites in old time did set fire to their ,sacrifices1 which their ,priests1 when they were to go into the ,babylonish ,captivity1 did hide in a dry hole in the ,earth2 and many years after1 when they were released from their ,captivity1 and returned1 they found not a ,fire1 but instead of it a ,viscous water1 which they poured upon their ,sacrifice1 and it kindled it1 as well as if it had been done by the secret heavenly fire1 of which you may read more in the ,maccabeus4 ,this secret fire of the ,ancient ,caldeans is also comparable to the thereal fire1 of which ,meteors1 ,thunder and ,lightning are generated1 and also the ,thunderbolts themselves1 which are cast down upon the ,earth1 to the great astonishment of ,mankind4 ,hermes hath very well said1 that what is above is also below1 which is proved by the secret ,fire of the ,caldeans4 ,for by a light1 plain and cheap ,art1 one may easily produce the same ,lightning fire1 together with the ,thunder1 here upon ,earth2 of which the following ,book shall treat more fully4 ,and therefore to that ,i refer the ,reader4 ,i could not but here touch a little at these three ,principal ,fires1 by which are generated the three chief ,jewels of the ,world1 that the ,enquirer after the ,wisdom of ,god may know1 what great ,mysteries of ,god are to be imparted hereafter to the ungrateful ,world1 before ,i publish this ,book of ,fires and ,stones4 ,now to return to our particular1 and see by what means our ,red ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony may be ,coagulated1 after a nearer way1 into a tinging ,stone1 with which ,silver particularly1 with all other inferiour ,metals1 may be ,meliorated1 that out of them may be had good ,gold and ,silver with profit4 ,and also1 how by it the ,tinctures of ,stones1 both noble and ignoble1 may be drawn out of them1 and after the ,tincture is drawn out1 to incorporate it with ,silver1 and ,colour it4 ,and also1 all precious ,stones exalted in their natural ,colour1 and if their ,colour be too high1 it may be diminished1 and the ,stone rendred more precious1 and how this is to be done1 the following ,practice will reveal4 ,the second and easier way1 how to bring our tinging ,red ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony into an hard1 sweet1 and not ,corrosive ,stone1 is this4 ,in the foregoing ,appendix1 ,i have said somewhat of the ,coagulation of the sharp ,spirits1 of ,metals and ,minerals1 and have proved1 that such ,coagulation is to be made by the help of ,old1 cold and dry ,saturn1 but because ,i did not there declare1 how it is to be effected1 ,i think fit to do it here1 and it is thus4 ,all ,liquors or moist things1 if they are to be dryed1 then the moisture must be drawn off from the thicker part by an easie heat1 and then the thicker part remains by it self1 and is used according to its ,appropriation1 as we know1 that ,aloes1 ,myrrh1 ,opium1 and all other ,gums and ,juices were thin at the first1 and were inspissated into concrete ,juices1 by the ,sun or ,fire4 ,it is true1 such an ,inspissation of vegetable ,juices is easily done in this manner2 but ,mineral distilled ,spirits1 and ,corrosive ,oyls1 cannot be thus dryed1 for they will endure heat1 but if you give too great a heat1 they will fly away and not be thickned1 as you may see in ,oyl of ,vitriol1 which by it self can never be dryed1 although it be never so long kept in heat4 ,but if you will have it dry1 you must add something to it which is more than dry1 and hath also power to exsiccate moisture4 ,we see in the baking of ,bread1 when we put water to the ,flour1 and mix them together to make ,dough1 and of that bake ,bread1 that the ,flour1 although it be dry1 yet it cannot retain with it self the ,water1 in a hot ,oven1 for that perfectly flies away from the ,meal by the heat1 and if the ,fire be encreased1 all the moisture would be gone1 and only the ,meal remain in form of a dry ,earth1 having quite lost the form of ,bread1 because the ,meal was not radically united with the water1 and therefore they could not endure the heat together4 ,if one take a dry ,earth1 ,sand or ,powder of a ,stone1 and put water to it1 the dry ,earth will imbibe the water1 and to the ,eye reduce it into ,earth1 but this is not constant4 ,for if you distil this ,earth by a ,retort1 all the added water will again come over1 and leave the ,earth alone1 but this is to be understood of common water4 ,but suppose1 one should add a heavy ,mineral water as ol4 ,vitrioli to a dry ,earth1 and should commit this mixture to the ,fire1 in hopes1 that the dry ,earth should retain with it self the ,corrosive ,oyl of ,vitriol1 and also reduce it into a dry ,earth1 it would prove a mistake1 for the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 in a sufficient heat1 would wholly forsake the ,earth1 because the ,earth is dead1 and hath no ,sympathetick1 or ,magnetick power1 to conjoyn it self radically with the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 so as to remain together constant in the ,fire2 but such an ,earth1 which by an innate ,love draws the ,oyl of ,vitriol to it self1 and endures with it in heat1 or cold without ,separation1 must proceed from the same ,original with it1 for every thing loves its like1 and hateth what is unlike to it4 ,now1 because the ,oyl of ,vitriol proceeds from a ,mineral kind1 therefore it loves the ,metals1 but no common ,earth or ,stones1 for it hath no affinity with them4 ,now if the ,oyl of ,vitriol be to be converted into an hard ,mineral stone1 it must be done by its like1 to wit1 by ,metals1 and by such ,metals as are most nearly related to it1 viz4 the ,metals that are yet imperfect1 for all ,metals and ,minerals proceed from the same ,root1 and therefore they all love one another1 yet one ,metal loves ,oyl of ,vitriol more than another1 and the immature ,metals1 better than the ripe ones4 ,for although ,gold and ,silver also love ,oyl of ,vitriol1 yet they do it by ,compulsion1 and not out of true ,love1 for they are very difficultly dissolv'd by it1 because they have put off their vitriolick ,nature in their ,fixation3 ,on the contrary1 ,mars and ,venus have not yet so done1 and therefore they easily assume the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 and are dissolved by it1 because it was driven out of their ,body by the force of ,fire1 therefore one might say1 that ,mars and ,venus were the true ,metals1 and easiest to ,coagulate the ,oyl of ,vitriol and ,antimony1 and to fix them into a ,stone1 yet this is not so1 for ,mars and ,venus are of a gross ,nature1 and have too much unprofitable ,earth1 which may easily be seen by their difficult melting in the ,fire4 ,then what is to be done8 ,shall ,saturn or ,jupiter do it1 both which are of an easie ,fusion8 ,or shall ,mercury do it1 which is always ,liquid8 ,i answer1 that ,mercury cannot ,coagulate1 nor make fixed1 because he himself is not fixed1 nor ,coagulated4 ,neither can ,jupiter do it1 for although he is fluxible and dry1 yet he is easily transmutable by a small ,fire1 into an influxible ,earth1 which cannot again be reduced into a fluxible ,metallick ,body3 ,what then1 shall despised ,saturn do it1 7may one ask7 who is unfixed himself8 and which way is it then possible for him to fix a ,body1 which is more fluid than himself8 ,to this ,i answer1 that the ,fixity is not the only cause of the ,coagulation of the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 for then this ,coagulation might be easiest performed1 by ,gold and ,silver1 which1 yet is not done1 and therefore this ,coagulation of ,corrosive ,spirits must be done by dry ,metallick ,subjects4 ,now we know very well1 that among all the ,metals ,saturn is the driest1 of which ,paracelsus writes very well in his ,book of ,vexations1 which ,i have already alledged1 and confirmed in the foregoing ,appendix1 viz4 ,pharmacopa ,spagyr4 ,pars #g4 ,it is also true1 that a better ,coagulator1 of all ,corrosive ,mineral ,spirits cannot be found1 than old1 cold1 and dry ,saturn2 for by his great dryness he ,coagulateth the moist ,mineral ,spirits2 by his great innate sweetness1 he dulcifies all ,corrosives2 and by his fluxible ,sulphur1 he renders all influxible ,metallick ,subjects1 fluxible4 ,now we need nothing more to our ,red ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ,mars and ,antimony1 but that it be ,coagulated into a hard1 sweet and fusile ,stone1 which ,coagulation can only be done by ,saturn1 and by no other ,metal or ,mineral1 which ,i have sufficiently proved in the before mention'd ,appendix1 and also in my ,book of the ,three ,principles of ,metals4 ,now we have sufficiently understood1 that the ,coagulation and ,dulcification of our ,red ,corrosive ,oyl of and into a fusile ,red ,stone1 can only be done by the help of the ,old1 ,cold1 and1 of all ,fools1 despised ,saturn4 ,concerning the ,nature and ,property of ,saturn1 it would not be here amiss1 to say somewhat of it3 ,but because ,paracelsus hath already sufficiently done it1 in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 and ,i have already confirmed it in the forementioned ,appendix1 ,i think it here unnecessary to add any more4 ,yet ,i cannot forbear to say this1 that ,saturn naturally contains yet a good quantity of the ,corrosive ,oyl of ,vitriol1 which doth not vanish in melting1 nor cannot be easier perceived1 than when other ,metals are added to him upon the ,cupel1 how soon he swallows them1 and draws them with himself into the ,cupel1 except ,gold and ,silver1 which he cannot touch1 because they have no radical ,communion with him1 but are cleansed by ,nature from their superfluous ,sulphur1 for this devouring ,wolf ,saturn1 can consume nothing1 but the combustible ,sulphur of ,metals1 but the incombustible fixed ,sulphur and ,mercury1 he cannot touch1 as appears in ,gold and ,silver4 ,the ancient ,philosophers painted ,saturn1 as an ,old ,man1 with one foot on a ,wooden stilt1 having in one hand a ,sythe or ,sickle1 and in his other hand a ,child1 which he puts to his mouth to devour it4 ,by this they would intimate the devouring ,nature of ,saturn1 which they have also expressed in these ,words1 ,falx ejus ,mordax est1 he hath a sharp ,sickle1 beware of him1 for he hath no mercy1 which ,i have found to be true1 not only by the ,cupel1 that he ,corrodes and eats through them1 for he ,corrodes ,sand and ,stones1 and reduceth them into a transparent ,glass2 if he doth this by his own ,nature1 what will he not do1 when his ,sythe is whetted by the ,corrosive ,oyl of ,vitriol8 ,certainly he can do ten times more3 ,i have experimented it1 he that will know it1 may also do the same3 ,by him we wash and cleanse common ,gold and ,silver on the ,cupel1 but that ,gold and ,silver1 which is still hid in the imperfect ,metals1 as ,mars1 ,venus1 and ,jupiter1 as also in the vile ,minerals and ,stones1 which is still closely tyed to the combustible ,sulphur1 here the common ,saturn is too weak and can make no ,separation4 ,on the contrary1 ours can effect it very well1 and therefore ,i commend him1 for after his ,sythe is whetted by the ,corrosive ,oyl of ,vitriol1 if then one handle any ,metal1 or ,mineral with him in a ,crucible1 he will in a moment eat a hole through it1 and run out2 ,nay1 if one should put two or three ,crucibles one into another1 he would do the same1 but if one cast somewhat before him1 to satiate his ,wolf-like ,appetite1 then he leaves the ,crucibles whole1 but doth what the ,artist would have him1 and is used as a tame ,wolf1 devours the ,sheep no more1 but keeps them from other devouring ,wolves4 ,before ,i could bring him to that pass1 to prevent his biting1 ,i tryed many sorts of ,vessels to hold him1 nay ,i have put him upon a ,test made of bone ,ashes4 ',tis true1 he did not eat in1 but remained fixt upon the ,cupel like ,silver1 and would not ,coppel1 by which ,i perceived1 that any common ,lead1 by help of the ,red ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony1 may in a very short time1 not only be reduced into ,gold and ,silver1 but also be fixed into a true ,tincture1 which ,i have sufficiently shewn in the foregoing ,appendix1 that some of the ancient ,philosophers have made their tinging ,stone out of ,saturn4 ,but setting this aside1 because ,i yet never went so far1 but ,i should not think it at all difficult1 to make an universal ,tincture1 to transmute all the ,metals into perfect ,gold and ,silver out of ,saturn1 with the ,red ,oyl of and 1 if my weakness of ,body would permit4 ,but ,i concern not my self about that1 but leave it to those that are younger1 for ,i can easier come to an universal ,tincture1 by the help of the secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 than by ,saturn2 but in the particular ,transmutation of ,metals1 ,i have performed many things with the ,stone of 1 as the following ,practice sheweth4 ,now followeth the easie ,coagulation of our ,red ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony1 into a ,red1 ,sweet1 and fluxible ,stone4 4 ,some ,pounds of common ,lead1 melt it1 and pour it out into a long ,ingot1 and rasp as much thereof as need shall require2 take of this a ,pound of more1 and put it into a ,glass ,retort well coated1 pour to it half the quantity of the ,red ,oyl of and 1 set it in a ,sand ,cupel1 and give ,fire gently by degrees1 and there will come over no ,red ,oyl1 but only a clear and insipid ,water1 and all the sharpness1 with the ,red ,tincture1 will remain with the 4 ,if you break the ,retort1 you will find no ,saturn1 but this ,red1 ,tinging1 and easie melting ,stone1 of such ,virtues as ,i have told you before4 ,now if you will make use of this ,stone for the particular ,meliorating of the inferiour ,metals1 as also for noble and ignoble ,stones1 you must powder it1 and mix it with the ,metallick ,ashes1 and melt them1 and you will find the good ,metal to be separated from the rest1 the unprofitable part1 and superfluous ,sulphur1 will turn into dross1 and the purer part will settle into a ,regulus1 which you must blow off upon a ,cupple1 and you will find the ,silver and ,gold1 which our ,stone hath separated out of that ,metal2 for our ,stone hath this ,nature1 to separate in the ,fire the good from the bad1 to turn the ,good into a ,metalline ,regulus1 and the inferiour into ,dross4 ,for ,example1 ,i have a mixture of ,metals containing ,gold1 ,silver1 ,venus1 ,mars and ,jupiter together1 ,i granulate this mixture1 and mix them with our ,stone1 melt them together in a ,crucible1 our ,stone only spoils the inferiour ,metals1 as 1 and 1 which it consumes into a ,dross1 but the purer as and it separates from this ,dross1 and precipitates them into a ,regulus4 ,but if this ,regulus should not be fine enough at the first melting1 you must ,cupel it with ,lead1 neither doth all the and come out of this mixture at one melting1 but some remains with the ,dross1 therefore you must again put this into a ,crucible1 and put to it some filings of ,iron1 and so melt them together1 then the wild ,sulphur will be destroy'd by the 1 and so let the ,gold and ,silver fall by ,cupellation4 ,the ,dross you must reserve1 till you have enough to melt in a small ,wind ,furnace1 and it will be again reduced into ,lead1 which you may again use for the same ,labour2 for the ,reduction of this1 ,i have invented a peculiar small ,furnace1 which may be carried from place to place1 and also you may pour out the ,dross after it is melted1 without breaking any thing of the ,furnace1 so that you may use it very often1 before the ,hearth will need mending4 ,what is here said of the ,separating of ,metallick mixtures1 the same may also be understood of those ,mixtures1 which are yet in the ,oar1 for the ,oars are as easily separated by our ,stone1 as the ,metals4 ,this is the use of our ,stone1 before its ,tincture is yet fixed1 and therefore not able to transmute into 4 ,presently you shall also hear1 how it may be rendred capable to transmute any ,silver1 by ,degrees1 into good ,gold4 ,i think it fit1 first to say somewhat1 how by the help of our ,stone one may attain great ,profit from ,gems4 ,for the ,gems have in them fixed ,tinctures1 which our ,neptune can spoil them off and so incorporate them with the naked ,diana1 to make her a ,golden ,vest1 which is done thus3 ,the fragments of coloured ,gems1 viz4 of ,granates1 ,rubies1 ,saphirs1 ,hyacinths1 ,jaspis1 c4 put a little of these into a good ,crucible1 and put to it three times as much of our ,stone1 cover it well1 and melt it upon those ,stones1 and our ,stone draws out the ,colour of the ,gems1 and ,colours it self yet deeper4 ,with this ,red ,stone1 if any filed be mixed with it1 and melted1 it draws the fixed ,tincture to it and becomes ,golden1 so that in the ,separation it yeilds much ,gold1 ,n4 ,b4 ,the fittest ,silver for this work is1 that which is precipitated by out of ,aqua ,fortis1 yet you may also use that1 which is precipitated by ,salt water4 ,if the work be well done1 the ,gems will be white1 which you may use instead of small ,diamonds1 for the ,fire doth not take away their hardness1 ,n4 ,b4 ,if a ,man hath ,skill enough to take away the ,colour from the great ,gems1 as ,granates1 and ,hyacinths1 he may acquire ,riches in a short time2 for afterwards you may tinge other white ,stones into ,rubies1 by the help of this ,colour1 but this ,labour requires an experienced ,artist1 but no ,pratler3 ,and this is sufficient for this time1 he that delighteth in these ,arts may ,practise them1 and try how ,god will prosper him in it4 ,if he can but obtain the ,extracting of the ,gems1 he needs no more1 for one ,gem1 of a ,drain1 is worth more than several ,ounces of ,gold4 ,after we have briefly understood1 how to make good ,profit with our ,red coagulated ,oyl of ,antimony and ,mars1 before it is yet fixed1 with the imperfect ,metals and ,gems3 ,you shall also hear what it will do1 when fixed4 ,and this you must know1 that if a ,tincture very well prepared1 can endure melting in the ,fire1 yet for all that1 it may not be accounted fixed2 for inasmuch as they are made out of unfixed ,metals1 they cannot themselves be fixed2 if one should object1 and say1 that the ,tincture was drawn out of fixed ,iron1 and therefore it must also be fixed1 although the ,antimony was not fixed3 ,i answer1 that ,iron cannot be called fixed1 although it doth not fly in the fire1 for ,saturn can still devour it1 but this only is to be reputed fixed1 which endures the ,cupel1 which neither nor doth4 ,therefore the ,tinctures which are extracted out of them1 cannot endure the ,cupel before they are made fixed4 ,for which reason the highly experienced ,philosopher ,paracelsus tells us1 that we must not take common ,iron to draw our ,tincture1 but such as cannot be again reduced into ,iron1 which we must seek in the green and blue ,scori1 out of which ,iron hath been melted by the strength of ,fire1 and are cast away4 ,because the ,iron1 and also every imperfect ,metal1 containeth two sorts of ,sulphur1 viz4 a combustible1 and incombustible2 the combustible is melted by a strong ,fire1 into a dead ,glass1 but the incombustible remains unhurt1 hidden in the said ,glass1 and may be drawn out of it by ,art1 and brought into a ,tincture1 that will endure the ,cupel4 ,i could cite ,paracelsus for several other things1 because he writes very honestly1 but it is not here convenient4 ,it would be very well1 if some one would reprint this ,treatise1 for it is out of ,print1 that the way to the ,truth might be shewn to them that err4 ,and if none will do it1 ,i shall do it my self1 for it is commendable to preserve a lighted ,candle1 and not suffer it to go out4 ,this is enough of the ,fixation of ,paracelsus1 which is done by the great strength of common fire4 ,now we will also hear1 how this ,fixation may be effected by an artificial moist fire1 much easier than by the former4 ,in my ,treatise lately published of the ,three ,principles of ,metals1 ,i have taught how any combustible ,sulphur may be fixed in a very few hours1 so that no ,fire can any more hurt it4 ,now if such a quick ,fixation of combustible ,sulphur1 can be done with a moist ,fire1 as ,i have shewn it may in the said ,treatise1 what may not be done1 by the same ,fire in the more fixed ,metals1 such as ,iron8 ,i have also shewn in the same place1 that 1 as well as common 1 may be made fixed in few hours1 ,i have also said that and common 1 so fixed have no ingress into ,metals4 ,after that1 ,i have also taught1 how to procure this ingress by common ,gold1 if the ,gold and the ,sulphur be united1 and then a fixing ,aqua ,fortis drawn from them1 that then it can never be separated from the ,gold1 but that the ,gold so preserves it upon the ,cupel1 that ,saturn cannot enter it3 ,now if this may be done with common ,sulphur and ,antimony1 why not also with ,mars1 which in its ,nature approacheth ,fixity8 ,therefore it behoveth1 that we should fix our ,tincture of and 1 after the same manner being united with 1 by the ,humid fire1 that both may be permanent upon the ,cupel4 ,for without this ,fixation nothing of moment can be done4 ,for if these ,tinctures be added to ,silver1 and are not constant in the ,fire1 they with the ,silver1 become ,metals again1 vanish upon the ,cupel with 1 and leave the nothing bettered4 ,therefore nothing else is to be observed1 but to bring into ,perpetuation the prepared ,tinctures of and 1 by the addition of ,gold1 and the due ,abstraction of the fixing ,waters2 and then the ,tinctures remain with the ,silver unseparable1 and the devouring ,saturn cannot hurt them upon the ,cupel4 ,let this suffice concerning the particular ,fixation of our ,red ,oyl of and ,antimony4 ,now followeth1 how to make an universal ,coagulation and ,fixation of this ,oyl4 ,the ,,process4 4 ,three or four ,ounces of our ,coagulated ,oyl of ,mars and ,antimony1 into a ,red ,stone by the help of 1 grinde it into an impalpable ,powder1 and draw from it ten or twelve ,ounces of strong ,aqua ,fortis1 which hath been first abstracted from decrepitated ,salt1 and in which is dissolved half an ,ounce of ,gold3 ,secondly1 and ,thirdly1 abstract from it again fresh ,aqua ,regia1 but without ,gold2 then the ,gold will radically unite it self with the ,tincture of ,mars and ,antimony1 and they will be constantly fixed together1 by means of ,aqua ,regia4 ,when this is done1 pour upon it a good quantity of common ,water1 let it boyl for some hours1 and it will draw out the sharp ,spirits1 which remained with the ,tincture1 this may be once or twice repeated1 then dry it1 and it is fit to tinge ,silver into ,gold4 ,this ,tincture melts as easily as ,wax2 the ,saturn which is mixed with it1 doth not hinder it1 it is true1 he goes into the ,silver with the ,tincture1 but is easily separated by the ,cupel4 ,i could set down many more ,dexterities1 in the ,preparation of this ,tincture1 but it would swell too much1 it being already greater than ,i expected1 for ,i only thought to have annexed this to the ,appendix1 as a ,corollary1 but it is grown bigger than the ,appendix it self4 ,here should have been added1 how this ,tincture of ,antimony and ,mars1 by the help of our ,alcahest1 might be made into a constant ,tincture1 easily and in great quantity1 without ,cost2 so compendiously1 that in three or four days time1 a good quantity of ,tincture may be made fit to graduate a great part of ,silver into ,gold3 ,but the time will not allow me here to insist any farther on it1 but must defer it the second ,appendix1 where the ,reader will find greater ,contentment4 ,for this work is so easily done with the ,alcahest without great ,cost1 that the most ordinary ,mechanick may imitate it1 and profit by it4 ,there will come another ,world1 when ,art will flourish1 and ,pratlers perish4 ,take notice of this1 for the time is at hand1 ,elias the ,artist will soon appear1 of this ,read ,paracelsus in his ,book of ,vitriol4 ,at such a time there will be great changes in ,europe1 and chiefly in the ,german ,empire1 ,france and ,swedland4 ,for ,elias the ,artist1 it may be1 when he comes1 will bring with him some ,military inventions1 and by his great ,power establish the ,fifth ,monarchy4 ,that in these times great ,changes will be in ,europe1 is not to be doubted1 for the ,heavens do foretel it4 ,god send us what is good1 there being now nothing of good left1 how then is it possible1 it should remain longer in ,peace8 ,,of ,,elias the ,,artist3 ,,or1 ,what we are to understand by ,elias the ,artist1 and what he is to reform in the ,world at his coming4 ,,viz4 ,the true ,spagyrical ,medicin of the ,ancient ,egyptian ,philosophers1 which has been lost for above #ajjj ,years1 and will be restored by him1 and illustrated with many new ,inventions1 by rejecting much unprofitable ,smut-work1 and pointing out a nearer and better way to obtain good ,medicines1 with little ,trouble or ,charges2 which true ,medicine he will bring along with him1 and declare the same to the present deceived ,world4 ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,towards the end of my last published ,treatise concerning the ,infernal ,goddess ,proserpina1 ,i took occasion to mention1 that probably soon after my ,death1 the long-since fore-told ,elias ,artista would appear1 and bring along with him a great ,light1 to enlighten the dark ,world1 enabling them to reject the ,evil1 and embrace that which is good3 ,as likewise1 that many great changes will happen in divers ,kingdoms1 and especially in the ,roman ,empire1 where one ,potentate will overcome the other1 and make himself ,master of his ,dominions4 ,i there also shewed what1 ,paracelsus hath declared concerning ,elias ,artista1 and fundamentally confuted the groundless ,opinion of some ,persons concerning the same in my ,fourth ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 shewing that that ,prophecy is not to be understood according to the ,letter1 and to be meant of some great ,man in the ,world1 but ,magically2 for the word ,elias by transposition of ,letters1 makes out ,salia1 and so likewise doth the word ,elisha1 as ,i have formerly explained these words in my ,treatise of the ,nature of ,salts4 ,elias ,artista therefore according to the style of ,philosophers1 signifies extraordinary and unknown ,salts1 by which great and incredible things may be performed1 and accordingly when manifested1 will be the cause of great changes in the ,world4 ,these ,salts were known to the ,philosophers of old1 who yet did not think fit any further to open themselves concerning them1 than in declaring1 that the ,philosophers ,stone must be prepared by them4 ,turba ,philosophorum speaking concerning this matter1 saith1 ,this our ,salt encreases the ,redness in 1 and whiteness in 1 and further1 if ,god had not created this ,salt it were impossible to make the ,elixir4 ,it is probable1 that the ,philosophers who wrote concerning this wonderful ,salt1 had no knowledge of any other1 supposing that this ,salt only was proper to extract and prepare ,tinctures4 ,i must acknowledge there is no ,salt in the ,world1 that hath such virtue to encrease and exalt the ,tincture in common as well as ,philosophical and 1 and that as it were in a moment1 as soon as the ,monarch of ,salts is added to them4 ,neither doth our ,salt only exalt1 but it also joyns the ,king of ,metals so indissolubly with his ,queen1 that no ,art can separate them4 ,a thing worth our wonder1 that a ,volatile white ,salt should have the power to meliorate and 1 and to exalt the same permanently4 ,for to give some further light to the matter1 ,i declare1 that this ,salt of which the ,turba speaks1 doth sublime white1 and being dissolved in ,water1 gives a white ,solution3 ,it is white1 and continues white both in and out of the ,fire1 and is altogether ,volatile1 for which reason ,i have called it my ,secret ,salt ,armoniack2 but as soon as it is join'd with or it becomes fix1 and makes the and fixer than they were before1 affording them a kind of plusquam perfection1 and inseparable ,conjunction4 ,let none think that this ,salt of which ,i here speak1 is like1 or the same with that1 which is made of ,oyl of ,vitriol and ,spirit of ,urine1 of which ,i have treated in the ,seventh ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica2 for this our ,sovereign ,salt has no affinity with that1 for as much as that ,salt makes all things ,volatile1 and separates their purer part by ,sublimation from the gross fces1 but this our white ,salt1 though it be unfixt it self1 yet has the power to fix unfixt ,metals1 so as to endure the ,test1 provided always that the virtue of this unfixt ,salt1 be first fixed by its conjunction with and 4 ,for the whole substance of this ,salt 7which the ,philosophers have called a ,bishop or ,high ,priest7 when and as ,king and ,queen are inseparably join'd by it1 doth not abide with the and 1 but only by its hidden ,tincture and ,virtue1 whereby it exalts all colours1 the unprofitable body of the ,salt separating from them1 as soon as the ,conjunction is made1 even as a ,priest1 when he has join'd two ,persons in ,wedlock goes his way1 having performed his ,office4 ,and indeed this inseparable ,conjunction of and 1 may well be compared with the ,conjunction in ,marriage performed by a ,priest2 for as when the ,priest has join'd two ,parties together in ,wedlock1 they must inseparably continue so till death2 so likewise when the ,metallic ,copulation of and is performed by means of our ,metallick ,high ,priest1 consecrated by ,jupiter1 then are their ,bodies thence forward inseperable2 the ,water finds no ingress into them1 the ,air cannot pierce them1 and ,earth much less1 yea1 the strongest of all ,elements1 the ,fire hath no power over them1 but1 like a ,married ,couple1 abide together in all contrariety and adversity1 and according to their ,kind do multiply in infinitum1 being supported with due ,food and ,nourishment2 for we know1 that except we be refreshed and strengthened with ,meat and ,drink1 we can neither live nor multiply2 the multiplying virtue in many and all ,creatures proceeding from the ,nourishment they take in4 ,and the same we are to understand also concerning the ,metallick ,multiplication1 for when and are permanently conjoined1 by means of the ,metallick ,high ,priest1 this alone is not sufficient in order to their multiplication1 but they moreover must be supported with convenient ,meat and ,drink4 ,and as ,man at his first coming into the ,world is nourish'd with his ,mothers ,milk1 in like manner the ,philosophers do feed their and with their ,mothers ,milk1 that is1 with their first ,essence1 from whence they deriv'd their ,original4 ,now we know that in contemptible ,antimony1 the first ,ens of 1 is copiously to be found1 and may with ease be drawn thence1 in the appearance of ,milk1 with which and are to be nourished in order to their ,multiplication and ,increase4 ,the ,nourishment then wherewith our conjoined and are to be refreshed1 and disposed to a ,multiplication in infinitum1 is our ,lac ,virginis1 ,virgin ,milk and ,mercurial ,water1 which strengthens and increaseth the ,procreative ,seed in and both in quantity and quality4 ,wherefore also this feeding or inceration has always been recommended by the ,philosophers1 as a most necessary thing1 whereby1 as it were1 a new life1 and multiplying virtue is communicated to the inseparably united and 4 ,furthermore we are to know1 that after common and by means of the ,salt of ,art1 are inseparably conjoined and exalted in their colours2 yet nothing can be performed with them1 because they want an ingress into other ,metals1 which they have lost by their ,conjunction1 which therefore must be restored to them by means of our mercurial ,water1 which not only communicates ,ingress1 but also easie ,fluxibility and ,multiplication to the destroyed ,bodies of and 4 ,for when our ,water is fixed in ,conjunction with the fixt and 1 then it is no longer a ,volatile 1 but is changed by the exalted and to a fixt ,tincture4 ,this done1 if we would multiply this ,tincture1 we must add to it some of our ,mercurial ,water1 and fix them together as before1 which ,multiplication we may repeat as oft as we please4 ,for when once and are made irreducible and more than perfect1 by means of our ,salt of ,art1 we need never after to begin our ,work a-new1 but only mingle the fixt with the volatile in order to their ,fixation2 seeing that our ,mercurial ,water is in its inside better than 1 for which reason also it turns the and when fixed with them into mere ,tincture4 ,let no ,man wonder why in this ,operation we join and together1 and not rather make use of alone1 forasmuch as this hath no colour at all outwardly1 though in its inside it be higher of colour than it self1 both which ,metals nevertheless1 except their colours be exalted by the ,salt of ,art1 and ,inceration1 without our ,mercurial ,water can never be changed into a true ,tincture1 because and have no mere ,tinctures than is sufficient for themselves1 but being exalted by the tinging ,salt of ,art1 they are capable of colouring white ,metals1 but not before4 ,indeed alone without the addition of may be exalted by our ,salt of ,art1 and ,mercurial ,water into a ,red ,tincture4 ,in like manner also may alone be exalted in its whiteness by our ,salt of ,art1 and 1 one part of which exalted tingeth many parts of into good and fixt 1 for our wherewith we incerate and multiply1 may be fixed into a ,red or ,white ,tincture1 according to the ferment we join with it1 with it makes a red1 and with a white ,tincture4 ,however the best way is to put and together in due weight and proportion1 exalting them with the ,salt of ,art1 by which means the whiteness in when join'd with 1 becomes changed into ,redness1 of which mine ,eyes are ,witness4 ,of this ,exaltation of into a high purple colour1 and of into the highest whiteness1 ,i gave an ,ocular ,demonstration to some of my ,friends1 before my ,sickness1 but none of them have since undertaken the ,work1 and my self by ,sickness have been hindered hitherto4 ,ovid excellently describes the preparation of this ,tincture1 where he tells us1 that ,jupiter1 having chang'd himself into a ,golden ,rain1 fell through the ,tiles into the ,lap of ,dana1 7shut up by her ,father ,acrisius ,king of the ,argives in a strong ,tower7 and got her with ,child1 of whom afterwards ,perseus was born1 who in process of time being mounted on the ,winged ,horse ,pegasus1 killed the ,sea-,monster1 delivering the fair ,andromeda1 whom he took to ,wife2 and afterwards vanquished the ,gorgons1 and made himself ,master of the ,golden-fruit-bearing-,orchard4 ,in which ,fable the whole ,work is clearly and punctually described1 but the reason why it is so little understood1 is1 because so few makes it their business to consider thereof1 or put their hands to the ,work4 ,for attentively considering the matter1 we find that the ,king of the ,argives1 in the sense of the ,philosophers1 is our ,black ,lead1 whence we prepare our ,snow-white ,virgin ,milk or ,mercurial ,water1 which is the ,beautiful ,dana1 that becomes inpregnate by ,jupiter's ,golden ,rain4 ,archivum signifies a ,treasury of secret and important ,records1 and no ,subjects contains more secrets1 than doth our ,black ,magnesia4 ,what is more lovely to behold than ,jupiter's ,golden ,rain1 whereby the fair ,dana becomes impregnate8 ,and from whence does this ,rain proceed1 but from our ,salt of ,art1 without which it were impossible for to change the into such a desirable ,rain8 ,what is the ,beautiful ,andromeda else1 but ,diana the ,consort of ,apollo1 who is exposed to the ,sea-,monster to be devoured1 and is delivered by ,perseus4 ,and1 in a word1 the whole ,work of preparing a ,tincture from the foresaid ,subjects is so clearly set down by ,ovid1 as it could not well be set down more clearly2 and yet how little is it understood1 by reason of the general ,stupidity and inadvertency of the ,readers4 ,i have here discovered all the ingredients belonging to this ,tincture1 so as nothing remains1 except putting hand to the ,work1 and begging ,god's ,blessing upon it3 ,for no good thing was ever the effect of idleness3 ,but ,praying1 ,seeking1 and unwearied ,labour1 are the ,well-,springs of all useful ,arts4 ,and herewith ,i shall conclude the use of the ,salt of ,art1 in preparing the universal ,tincture upon all ,metals1 transmuting the same into and 4 ,i suppose it hath been sufficiently made out1 that the foretold ,elias ,artista is nothing else1 but this our ,salt of ,art1 whereby the ,redness in 1 and ,whiteness in are exalted into ,tincture4 ,wherefore also this ,salt1 by those who know its use1 has been called the ,monarch of ,salts3 ,for every ,species of things hath its ,monarch1 excelling all the rest of the same kind2 upon which account1 ,paracelsus1 who in his ,life-time had not his ,peer1 obtain'd the ,title of ,philosophers1 ,physicians and ,monarch of ,chymists4 ,forasmuch therefore1 as our ,salt of ,art hath not its like in the ,world1 for working ,wonders in ,alchimy1 it may well be call'd the ,king of ,salts3 ,tho' indeed there be one only ,salt which excels him1 as far as ,elias excell'd his ,servant ,elisha3 ,for as ,elias went up to ,heaven in a fiery ,chariot1 leaving his ,mantle to ,elisha1 so this ,salt may more properly be compared to ,elisha than ,elias1 because ,elisha staid here beneath1 and did not ascend to ,heaven1 as ,elias did4 ,now the ,chymists generally prefer that1 which ascends by the force of the ,fire1 before that which stays behind1 tho' this ,rule be not without ,exceptions2 for that which remains is not always to be rejected1 because sometimes much good lies hid in it3 ,as we may perceive in ,elias his ,ascension to ,heaven1 who left his ,mantle behind1 which was not without ,virtue1 as appeared when ,elisha with it divided the ,river ,jordan1 going over dry-shod4 ,the ,chymists commonly call that which remains after ,distillation1 or ,sublimation1 ,caput ,mortuum1 but without good ground1 because in that which stays behind1 often a great vivifying ,virtue lies hid4 ,this we may gather from the ,virtue 7as has been said7 remaining in the ,mantle of ,elias1 and in the dead bones of ,elisha1 which as soon as it touch'd the dead ,body1 raised it again to ,life3 ,if ,elias his ,mantle had been a dead thing1 ,elisha could never have divided ,jordan therewith1 nor could ,elisha's bones have raised the dead to ,life1 if they had been dead and without ,power4 ,consider well what ,i have said1 and you will find more in it1 than ,i dare more plainly declare2 remembring always1 that ,jordan is nothing else1 but our ,water4 ,concerning the ,salt of ,art4 ,having already heard1 how by means of the fixative ,salt of ,art1 common and may be prepared into a ,tincture1 for the cure of ,men and ,metals2 it now remains to be declared1 how1 by means of the ,volatilizing ,salt of ,art1 most excellent ,medicines may with ease1 and small ,charges1 in a very short time be prepared1 out of all ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals4 ,we are here to take ,notice1 as has been already hinted1 that the ,property of our ,salt of ,art1 is1 to make the volatile ,metallick ,subjects fixt2 of which fixative ,property1 notwithstanding it may in a few hours1 easily and without ,charges be devested1 and a ,power of ,volatilizing all things introduced into it1 instead thereof1 by which1 incredible things may then be performed1 both in ,physick and ,alchimy4 ,of which ,wonder-working ,salt1 the present ,world knows nothing at all1 and probably nothing will be known of it1 till ,god shall permit it to be revealed by ,elias the ,artist4 ,what ,i know of it1 ,i am willing to communicate for common ,good1 not doubting1 but that ,god in his due time by means of ,good men will reveal the rest4 ,to volatize this fixative ,salt of ,art1 is an easie thing to the ,wise1 but to the ,ignorant altogether incredible2 though it be no difficult thing to me1 to make it credible and apparent1 which if thou wouldest do likewise1 proceed thus3 ,pour upon our ,salt of ,art1 in due proportion good ,spirit of ,wine1 which draw off by ,distillation1 and you will have a wonderful ,spirit1 of great ,virtue2 but you will find your ,salt of ,art so weakened1 as it cannot be used again3 ,but the ,spirit of ,wine1 impregnated with the ,virtue of the ,salt1 performs ,wonders1 that were never yet made known to the ,world1 of which we shall hear more hereafter4 ,for the ,spirit of ,wine in this abstraction hath its ,virtue multiplied ten fold1 so as it not only extracts the ,essence of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 both easily and suddenly1 carrying them over the ,helm2 but also extracts the ,tinctures from and 1 and all precious and common ,stones1 and brings them over4 ,of which ,extraction and ,separation of the tinging ,soul from fixt and unfixt ,bodies1 no ,philosopher hitherto hath divulged any thing4 ,let us now take a view of the great ,secrets1 which may be obtained by means of our ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine4 ,paracelsus had an ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine1 which he called ,alcohol vini1 with which he did great things2 but it is not likely1 that his ,alcohol vini was of the same ,virtue1 as mine here described2 for if so1 it could not have been so long concealed4 ,however it be1 we cannot deny ,paracelsus the ,title of ,monarch of ,physicians and ,alchymists1 though he may have been ignorant of our ,salt of ,art1 with which our ,alcohol vini is prepared2 for no ,body knows all things2 and ,god bestows his ,gifts1 as best pleaseth him4 ,but to our return to our ,alcohol vini1 and the manner of using it4 ,first we are to take ,notice1 that as for ,vegetables and ,animals1 they are to be reduced to ,powder1 if they be dry1 but if fresh1 they need only to be a little bruised or chopt1 and then pour upon them our ,alcohol vini2 if the ,subjects be dry1 we may digest a while before abstraction1 but in ,case they be moist1 we may distil the ,spirit immediately1 which carries over with it all the ,virtue of the said ,vegetables and ,animals1 together with the ,taste and ,smell1 and poured upon ,flowers1 and distill'd1 sometimes brings over their ,colours also1 which hitherto hath been looked upon as very difficult1 if not impossible4 ,but before we make use of it upon ,minerals1 we must prepare them1 for our ,alcohol vini is not strong enough to lay hold on hard ,minerals1 and compact ,metals1 so as to extract their ,essences1 and therefore they must be first opened with ,waters1 that are not ,corrosive1 and afterwards be digested with our ,alcohol vini and then distilled2 which being performed in this ,order1 the ,alcohol will carry their ,essences with it over the ,helm4 ,this is the true ,preparation of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 in order to the extracting of your ,essences1 by means of our ,alcohol vini4 ,but here we must observe1 that this ,preparation of fixt ,metals1 by opening of their ,bodies1 must be done with fixt ,liquors1 and not ,volatile2 for if the dissolvent were ,volatile1 it would come over in ,distillation with the ,spirit of ,wine1 and spoil all2 because after ,distillation1 the ,spirit of ,wine must be separated from the ,essence it hath brought over with it2 now if the dissolvent1 by being ,volatile1 should come over the ,helm1 it would remain with the ,medicine1 and consequently spoil it4 ,we are therefore to remember1 that this dissolvent must be ,firey1 not ,corrosive1 without any ,smell or bad ,taste3 ,the dissolvent being as necessary to our ,work1 as is the ,spirit of ,wine it self3 ,wherefore he who intends to plant good ,fruit1 in this ,gold-bearing ,orchard1 must be provided with both these ,keys1 viz4 with a ,menstruum1 not ,corrosive1 to dissolve ,metals and ,minerals1 and with a well prepared ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine1 without which1 he cannot obtain the ,tincture of ,metals4 ,having thus spoken of the foregoing ,preparation of ,vegetable1 ,animals and ,minerals1 in general3 ,i shall now proceed to shew in particular1 how out of them most surpassing1 and excellent ,medicines may be prepared4 ,and first to begin with ,vegetables2 their ,essences are to be distilled in ,balneo1 with a moderate heat1 changing the ,recipient when it is needful3 ,for that which comes over1 first is of another ,nature1 than that which distils next1 and that again differs from that which comes last4 ,there are some ,vegetables1 that first give their best part1 and the worst last1 whereas in others1 the worst comes first1 and the best stays till the last4 ,for the rest1 it is easily apprehended1 that the ,virtue of ,flowers and ,herbs2 especially when green and tender1 doth more easily yield to ,distillation1 and come over sooner than the ,essence of hard ,wood1 which is more closely shut up in its ,body4 ,he that proceeds aright in this ,work1 will meet with great delight and ,satisfaction1 and bless ,god for the ,communication of this ,light4 ,for our ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine brings over ,vegetable ,essences1 of a most fragrant ,odour1 which common ,spirit of ,wine can never do3 ,we may indeed extract ,vegetables1 and ,minerals with common ,spirit of ,wine1 but cannot carry the said extracted ,essences over the ,helm3 ,which extracts made with common ,spirit of ,wine1 are not to be compared with those1 which our ,alcohol vini brings over with it1 differing as much as the shell from the kernel4 ,for our ,essences1 as soon as they are taken into the ,body1 penetrate it throughout1 passing every where to find out their ,enemies1 and when found ,attack1 and put them to flight1 which gross ,medicines cannot perform4 ,the like ,virtue is also in those ,salts1 ,tinctures or ,souls of ,metals1 that come over in the flame of the distilled ,spirit of ,wine1 which also penetrate the ,body throughout1 chasing their ,enemies before them2 and the ,tinctures of ,stones in the same manner prepared do the like4 ,which we must not so understand1 as if the ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine were to be taken into the ,body1 together with the ,tincture1 for indeed it must be separated from it4 ,as for instance1 when ,i have brought over the ,quintessence of ,flints or ,crystals1 with our ,alcohol vini1 and have a mind to make use of it against the ,stone in the ,bladder or ,kidneys1 or ,stones that are grown in the joynts1 ,i must not exhibit this ,essence1 as it is mixed with the ,spirit of ,wine1 for if so1 the good effect1 that might be looked for from the ,essence1 would be spoiled by the great heat of the ,spirit of ,wine1 which is the reason the same must be separated from the ,essence1 before it can be given inwardly4 ,now this ,separation cannot be done by ,distillation1 because both would come over together4 ,neither can the ,tincture1 or ,essence of the ,stone1 be separated from the ,spirit of ,wine1 by ,precipitation4 ,what is to be done therefore in this ,case8 ,the only way to attain our desire is1 to kindle the burning ,spirit1 and let it flame away under a large and capacious ,helm or ,head1 made for that purpose2 by which means the ,spirit of ,wine is consumed in the flame1 and the incombustible ,essence of ,crystal remains in form of a sweet and pleasant ,oyl4 ,we are also to note1 that in this burning away of the ,spirit of ,wine1 the ,sulphur of ,wine only is consumed1 and the incombustible of ,wine1 being condensed in the ,head1 falls into the ,receiver1 in the appearance of a sweet ,water4 see more of this instrument in the ,sixth ,part of ,phar4 ,spagyr4 ,n4 ,b4 ,we are to observe1 that the most highly rectified ,spirit of ,wine1 is much about half water1 which water ascends with the flame1 and is caught in the ,recipient4 ,yet is not this any common 1 but indeed a powerful of ,life1 especially when the ,spirit of ,wine hath been rectified from ,aromatical1 or ,medicinal ,subjects1 but even without this1 it is of very good use1 because the incombustible of ,wine lies hid in it1 and may be separated from it1 by abstracting the said in a very gentle vaporous ,bath1 which done1 the of ,wine stays behind1 in the form of a white lovely ,salt1 full of heavenly ,powers and ,virtues3 ,for which cause this ,salt or of ,wine1 hath been always termed by the ,philosophers1 ,heavenly ,salt4 ,it is likewise to be noted1 that after the is abstracted from the ,spirit of ,wine1 the said is not devoid of all ,virtue1 as invisibly containing some part of the foresaid ,heavenly ,salt1 especially if the ,spirit of ,wine in its ,rectification1 hath been impregnated with ,spices1 or other good ,subjects3 ,for according to the different impregnation of the ,spirit of ,wine1 the ,heavenly ,salt1 or of ,wine1 will be more or less powerful4 ,thus we have seen in what manner the ,essences of ,flints and ,chrystals are to be prepared1 with the help of our ,alcohol vini4 ,when this ,spirit of ,wine ,crystallized is kindled and burnt away under a large ,head1 the greatest part of the ,essence of ,crystals remains behind1 in the form of a pleasant clear ,liquor1 which is the most ,sovereign ,medicine against all ,diseases proceeding from ,tartar1 viz4 ,stone in the ,bladder1 ,kidneys and other parts of the ,body1 which it dissolves1 and carries off4 ,but the most pure part of the ,crystals mounts with the flame into the ,helm1 in form of a clear ,water1 which when abstracted in a vaporous ,bath the of ,crystals stays behind1 in form of a lovely white ,salt1 which is of far greater power in the ,stone1 ,gout1 and like ,diseases1 than the fixt ,oyl or ,liquor1 which remains in the ,vessel after the ,spirit of ,wine is burnt away4 ,in like manner1 we may proceed with other ,stones4 ,yet we are to understand1 that all ,stones have not the same ,nature or ,property3 ,thus we find ,several sorts of ,crystal1 viz4 some ,white1 ,transparent and clear1 others ,white1 but ,opake and dark1 also ,green1 ,blew1 ,yellow1 ,red1 and ,black ,crystals1 all which by the help of ,salts1 are melted into ,glass of several ,colours4 ,amongst these ,crystals are also reckoned4 ,flints1 ,pebbles1 ,gravel and ,sand1 which likewise suffer themselves with ,salts to be melted into ,glass4 ,all these forementioned ,stones1 may with ,alkalick ,salts be melted1 and afterwards by ,deliquium be resolved into a ,liquor1 concerning which ,liquors1 ,i have treated at large in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,these ,stones that suffer themselves to be melted1 with the ,addition of ,alkalies1 may also1 with ,lead-ashes1 be reduced to transparent ,glass4 ,whereas precious ,stones1 viz4 ,diamonds1 ,rubies1 ,saphirs1 ,jacinths1 ,granates1 c4 are of a quite different ,nature1 which neither by ,alkalies1 nor ,lead1 can be run down into ,glass3 ,wherefore also none have been found hitherto1 that have been able from them to prepare any good ,medicine1 as not yielding to the most ,corrosive ,waters whatsoever4 ,n4 ,b4 ,and though indeed1 ,i know a way to dissolve them without any ,corrosive1 yet do not ,i think it proper1 to ,communicate the same in this publick manner4 ,there is another sort of ,stones1 which are commonly found in ,rich and fat ,earth1 and sometimes also in ,rivers or ,brooks1 such as ,lapis ,judaicus1 ,lyncis and others1 which being not very hard1 may be dissolved in good ,spirit of ,salt1 which ,solutions are by some of our common ,chymists used against the ,stone1 but without any good ,success1 forasmuch as the ,body of the ,stone is not at all meliorated by being dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 but rather made worse2 because by this means1 there is no ,separation of the pure from the impure4 ,but if any ,man will take the pains to reduce these ,stones into ,essences1 in the way before specified1 he will find them much more available in all sorts of ,tartarous ,distempers4 ,there are also several kinds of ,lime-stone1 which cannot be melted with ,addition of ,alkalies1 or the ,ashes of ,lead1 but by a strong ,fire are burnt into ,lime4 ,amongst which ,lime-,stones1 we may reckon the ,ludus of ,van ,helmont1 which like other ,limestones1 may be sublimed with our strong 1 and afterwards reduced into a ,liquor1 of which ,i have treated elsewhere1 and particularly in the ,seventh ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica4 ,out of these ,stones1 after they have been first burnt into ,lime1 a most excellent ,medicine may be prepared against all kinds of the ,gout3 ,basil ,valentine assuring us1 that he with ,essence of quick ,lime1 cured the ,chancellor of the ,emperour of ,germany of the ,gout3 ,which we may the rather believe1 because ,basil ,valentine knew the way of separating the from the ,spirit of ,wine1 by enkindling it2 and hath also described an instrument of ,copper1 for performing that ,operation3 ,and knowing all this1 he could not be unacquainted1 that the ,essence of ,quick-lime1 being united with ,spirit of ,wine1 and afterwards meliorated1 and putrified by burning it away1 was separable from it1 which he having reduced to ,practice1 obtained this excellent ,medicine for curing of the ,gout4 ,we are further to know1 that there be other1 and better ,stones1 to prepare an universal ,medicine against the ,gout and ,stone1 by means of our ,alcohol vini1 after they have been first burnt into ,lime1 viz4 ,oyster shells1 which1 being burnt afford a ,lime that is very ,caustick2 and of a like ,nature are all ,sea-productions1 viz4 the ,stones that are found in ,spunges1 all sorts of ,coral1 ,pearl1 and ,mother of ,pearl1 all which may be reduced by ,fire1 into a ,lime of great and excellent use4 ,but above all other ,stones1 ,i esteem those that are found in ,beasts1 ,birds1 ,fishes or ,man1 which being reduced into a ,calx1 and their ,essences extracted with our ,alcohol ,vini1 may then be brought into a pleasant ,liquor of great ,use4 ,amongst ,fishes1 the best ,stones are found in ,haddocks and ,whitings1 ,crabs ,eyes also are very good1 but must be calcined before they can be of any good use in ,physick2 for without that1 they are more proper to generate the ,stone1 than to expel it4 ,having thus declared1 how1 from some ,stones1 good ,medicaments may be prepared against the ,gout and ,stone both of the ,bladder and ,kidney2 we will next shew1 what kind of ,stones are proper to be extracted with our ,alcohol ,vini1 in order to the obtaining of true ,tinctures for ,men and ,metals4 ,for all ,stones that have good fixt colours1 are not therefore fit to have their ,tinctures extracted2 because some of the ,precious ,stones are too costly1 though we should only make use of their ,fragments4 ,some will not submit to any ,operation1 viz4 ,granates1 ,saphires1 ,rubies1 ,jacinths1 ,emralds1 ,turkoises1 c4 though they abound with much fixt ,tincture2 whereas all those ,stones which are high of colour1 and suffer themselves to be dissolved1 are proper for this work1 because without preceding ,solution1 it is impossible to extract the ,tincture from hard and compact ,bodies3 ,wherefore we must make choice of ,stones that are soluble1 and abound with fixt ,tincture1 viz4 ,green and ,red ,jasper ,stones1 ,lapis ,lazuli1 and the ,black ,magnesia which contain abundance of ,solar ,tincture4 ,all ,stones likewise that are high coloured1 and break smooth like ,glass1 whether found on ,mountains or in ,brooks1 are good for this purpose4 ,it was because of this ,solar ,tincture abounding in the ,jasper ,stone1 that the ,ancients preferr'd it before 1 as containing a most high and excellent ,tincture4 ,a very rich ,tincture may also be extracted from the ,lapis ,lazuli2 and from the ,black ,magnesia1 7which is not costly7 a richer4 ,let us therefore take this despised ,stone in hand1 and see how easily its ,tincture1 by means of our ,alcohol ,vini may be extracted1 and what uses it serves for1 as well in ,physick as ,alchimy4 ,the ,,process4 4 ,one pound or two of black and ponderous ,magnesia1 pulverize the same1 and dissolve it in our ,universal ,stone-,water1 wherewith all hard ,stones may be dissolved1 and thou wilt have a ,solution of a ,grass-green-colour1 filter it1 and in case thou hast proceeded aright1 the undissolved fces will be of small quantity4 ,now is thy ,solution ready to have our ,alcohol ,vini pour'd upon it1 in order to the extracting of its ,tincture1 and carrying it over the ,helm4 ,n4 ,b4 ,that notwithstanding the ,solution be at first of a green colour1 yet the ,spirit of ,wine in ,distillation comes over yellow as ,sol4 ,and when the ,spirit of ,wine is kindled under a large head1 the pure ,mercury of the ,magnesia ascends with the flame1 which is of great use in ,physick2 and a ,blood-red ,liquor stays behind1 being not only a ,tincture for the ,bodies of ,men and ,metals1 but also by means of the same may ,crystals be tinged with several fair colours1 so as to resemble ,precious ,stones in all things1 except hardness4 ,i dare not set down here the manner of applying this ,tincture to white ,metals1 he to whom ,god vouchsafes this ,tincture1 will easily find out the use of it4 ,as to the ,physical use1 this ,tincture opens ,obstructions of the ,liver1 ,spleen and ,lungs3 ,the white ,mercury come over with the ,flame is an excellent ,medicine1 strengthening the ,heart1 ,stomach1 ,head and ,reins1 and a great ,remedy against the ,gout4 ,in a word1 he that is ,master of this ,tincture will find much more in it than ,i have here hinted4 ,in like manner1 as hath been said of the ,magnesia1 we may proceed with other ,stones1 to extract their ,tinctures1 all which have different properties1 according to the nature of the ,stones from whence they are prepared4 ,we proceed now to shew1 how by means of our ,alcohol ,vini the ,tinctures or ,essences of ,minerals and ,metals1 without any preceding ,solution1 or other preparation1 may be easily brought over4 ,the way is thus3 4 ,what quantity you please of any ,sulphurous ,marcasite1 whether of 1 1 1 1 or 1 make them red-hot in a ,crucible in a ,wind ,furnace1 and then put them red-hot as they are1 into my second ,distilling ,furnace1 fitting a large ,recipient thereto1 and pour upon them to the quantity of about an ,ounce of our ,alcohol ,vini1 closing the ,furnace again immediately2 by this means the ,spirit of ,wine will enter into the ,stones1 yet because of the great heat will not long continue there1 but ascend and carry over the ,metalline ,spirit with it2 which done1 pour upon them another spoonful of ,spirit1 which when come over1 pour on another1 repeating this as oft as shall be needful4 ,after that the ,marcasites or ,metalline ,stones are grown cold1 they must be made red-hot again1 and proceeded with as before1 till a sufficient quantity of the ,metallick ,spirit be obtained4 ,then burn away the ,spirit of ,wine1 and there will remain a glorious ,essence of ,metals1 which thou mayest make use of1 according to thy best knowledge4 ,one thing ,i can assure thee1 that this is the easiest way to obtain ,metallick ,spirits in quantity4 ,and though the ,process appears plain and simple1 yet more may be discovered and attained thereby than many would imagine4 ,i know what ,i write1 though it may be every ,man will scarcely understand me2 which is very fitting1 to the end these great ,arcana may not be prostituted to the ,unworthy4 ,he1 who cannot make ,metallick ,spirits according to this way1 may dissolve the ,metals themselves in proper ,dissolvents1 pour ,spirit of ,wine upon them1 and distil their ,essences1 which he may then make use of1 as his understanding shall guide him4 ,i have already declared1 that ,metallick ,spirits1 when pour'd together1 do ,meliorate one another4 ,i shall add no more at present1 having already declared too much to the ,unworthy1 and for those that fear ,god1 they will be further assisted from above1 and led to the desired end4 ,in like manner may the ,essences of all common ,stones1 ,pebbles1 ,metalline ,stones1 colour'd ,earths1 c4 be extracted without any foregoing preparation2 for which ,god be praised for evermore4 ,amen4 ,in the same way we can obtain the ,essences of many other ,mineral ,subjects1 without any preceding preparation1 especially of such as are ,volatile1 viz4 ,kobolt1 ,arsenick1 ,orpiment1 ,bismuth1 ,zink1 ,lapis ,calaminaris1 and the like ,realgars1 from which we may distil very poisonous1 but withal admirable1 ,spirits1 in order to the ,melioration of ,metals4 ,we may also take the same course with compact ,metals themselves1 and distil their ,spirits without any foregoing ,solution1 viz4 we must file them small1 make them red-hot1 and put them into the ,distillatory1 and then proceed as before hath been said with the ,marcasites1 and the ,metalline ,spirit will come over with its natural smell1 taste and colour1 in which ,spirits great wonders lie hid1 but are of greatest use in ,meliorating of ,metals4 ,read what ,paracelsus writes to this purpose in his ,book called ,vexatio ,alchymistarum1 where you'l meet with what will satisfie you in this matter4 ,consider well of what ,i have said1 and thou wilt find more than ,i dare set down2 for it is no small or common thing to obtain the pure ,souls of ,compact ,metals1 without any foregoing ,solution of their ,bodies4 ,n4 ,b4 ,those ,metals which are molten with ,minerals1 being filed1 and proceeding with them as aforesaid1 afford a ,spirit higher in colour1 and of a stronger smell than simple ,metals4 ,take an instance from ,brass1 of which if you lay a piece upon a red-hot ,coal1 it will send forth a bad stench1 or put ,coals into a ,brass ,chafing-,dish1 and you'l perceive the same2 which bad smell proceeds from the ,lapis ,calaminaris which is joyned with the ,copper1 the said ,lapis ,calaminaris being a volatile and stinking ,mineral4 ,so likewise when is made white by the addition of ,arsenick1 it stinks much worse than when it is join'd with ,lapis ,calaminaris1 as being much more poisonful4 ,this stinking fume which proceeds from ,brass1 though it be a ,spirit1 yet is not without a ,body1 and may be called a spiritual ,body1 or ,bodily ,spirit4 ,these fumes are hurtful to the ,brain and ,heart2 and therefore a wise ,man endeavours to catch this ,volatile ,spirit1 and to turn it to a true fixt ,tincture1 fixing white ,metals into a permanent ,yellow2 as the stinking fume of ,white 1 made so by ,arsenick1 may be reduced to a ,tincture1 which will tinge ,red into ,white4 ,i have said enough here1 he that hath ears to hear1 let him hear4 ,he1 who desires to know more concerning those ,metallick ,odours1 may read ,braceseus2 where he will find1 that from them the ,philosophers ,stone1 or highest ,medicine against all ,diseases of ,men1 and ,metals may be prepared3 ,of which1 elsewhere ,i may have occasion to treat further4 ,it remains now to discover1 in what manner the ,medicinal tinging ,spirits1 or ,souls of ,stones1 are to be extracted1 wherewith great ,honour and ,riches may be obtained in the ,practice of ,physick4 ,the ,process is the very same1 as with the ,marcasites2 for when white ,pebbles and ,chrystals1 or colour'd ,stones1 as ,jasper ,stones1 ,lapis ,lazuli and the like1 being first made red hot1 have our ,alcohol ,vini poured upon them in a convenient ,distillatory1 the ,spirit of ,wine carries over their several ,colours1 which ,tinctures are of great use in ,physick4 ,in this way1 we may get a ,spirit from ,lime stones1 which is most subtil1 and strong of any other whatsoever4 ,as for ,corals and ,pearls1 they are not to be made red hot 7because their ,virtue is destroyed by strong ,fire7 but only heated1 and pour ,spirit of ,wine upon them1 by which means the ,spirit of ,wine will bring over the ,essence of ,corals of a curious red ,colour1 and that of ,pearls white as ,milk4 ,the ,stones that are found in ,fishes1 ,crabs eyes1 so called1 need only to be pulverized1 without heating them1 and in abstracting the ,spirit of ,wine from them1 we obtain all their ,virtues1 which ,spirit of ,wine being afterwards separated there from1 as ,i have taught1 or according to my new invention burnt away1 we shall get the true ,magistery of these ,stones1 being a pleasant ,salt1 full of ,virtues1 and without any thing of ,corrosiveness4 ,this ,salt is the true ,magistery of these ,fish-stones4 ,the like true ,magisteries may1 without the assistance of any ,corrosive1 be prepared of ,coral1 ,pearls1 ,mother of ,pearl1 ,cockleshells1 and the ,egg-shells of some particular ,birds1 as also of soft ,stones1 such as ,lapis ,lyncis1 ,judaicus1 c4 ,let no ,body think strange1 that ,i make mention here of ,egg-shells1 amongst the rest2 seeing it is certain1 that they have their ,original from ,stones1 as ,experience teacheth us1 for when ,hens are coop'd up in the ,winter time1 in places where they cannot meet with ,sand1 or small ,stones1 they lay ,eggs without shells4 ,wherefore ,egg-shells are not to be contemned1 for when according to my ,instructions they are reduc'd to ,magisteries1 they are of great use in curing the ,stone and ,gout3 ,and are used with extraordinary ,success1 to hasten the ,birth in ,women1 strengthning both ,mother and ,child1 and helping to expel the ,after-,birth4 ,swallows ,egg-shells may easily be had1 forasmuch as after they have hatch'd their young1 they cast them out of their ,nests1 and afford an excellent ,medicine against the ,falling ,sickness4 ,the ,egg-shells of the ,wag-tail would be yet more effectual to this purpose1 if they could be got1 for no ,bird is subject to the ,falling ,sickness1 but it3 ,for being caught1 and running about with other ,birds in the ,winter1 it's oft seiz'd with the ,falling ,sickness1 his ,feet stagger1 his ,head and ,tail tremble1 and at last falls on his ,back1 but continues not so long1 for rising again1 he plucks out some of his ,feathers1 and thereupon immediately recovers1 and runs about1 eats and drinks as before3 ,of whose ,feathers1 since their ,egg-shells are not to be got1 a ,magistery may be prepared against that ,distemper4 ,they who know1 that great ,virtues are contained even in natural superfluities1 will not wonder at my treating here of ,egg-shells and ,feathers4 ,some great ,philosophers have set down the way of making the ,philosophers ,stone of them2 amongst the rest1 a certain ,author1 writing concerning ,mans hair and ,egg-shells1 concludes thus3 ,though these matters may seem to be very strange and absurd1 yet who is there that knows all things1 c8 ,many other ,subjects might be hinted1 from whence ,magisteries may be prepared1 but ,i think it needless1 he who sets upon the work will easily find many more1 than ,i have mentioned4 ,i shall only1 by the way1 take notice1 that the common ,magisteries of the ,apothecaries ,shops1 are no ,magisteries1 but mere dead1 unprofitable ,powders4 ,we now proceed to the ,preparation of ,vegetables and ,animals1 which being of different ,natures1 must also differently be prepared4 ,as for ,instance1 ,opium 7which is a tough ,juice1 and cannot be pulverized7 must be cut in thin slices1 and laid on a ,tin ,plate before the ,fire1 or any other convenient way1 to be dried1 and then powdred2 which done1 we must pour upon it some of our ,alcohol of ,wine1 and after a short digestion distil it1 by which means we shall get it's most subtil ,essence2 and1 if afterwards we burn away the ,spirit of ,wine1 part of this ,essence will ascend with the ,mercurial ,water1 and other part stay behind4 ,the former of these1 viz4 the ,volatile ,mercury of ,opium is so powerful1 that when only smelt to1 it is of better effect than the common ,laudanum ,opiatum taken in substance4 ,the ,red ,liquor1 which remains behind in the ,cup or ,dish after the ,spirit of ,wine is burnt away1 may be taken inwardly4 ,that which remains in the ,glass ,body after ,distillation is of no great use1 and may be cast away2 yet if any one will take the pains to dissolve it in common 1 filter1 and after reduce it to the consistence of ,pills1 perhaps he will not find it much inferior to the common ,laudanum ,opiatum4 ,the ,oyl which remains in the ,cup is of very excellent ,virtue1 as having past the ,purgatory ,fire of the ,spirit of ,wine1 whereby it is much corrected3 ,wherefore also we find1 that this ,oyl is wholly devested of that loathsome ,smell that is in ,opium4 ,but yet the ,mercurial ,virtue1 which ascends together with the ,flame1 is far better than that which stays behind1 not only in ,virtue1 but because being in the form of a clear without ,taste or ,smell1 it may with the more ease be taken by the ,sick4 ,the said ,oyl may also with ,saffron1 and the ,narcotick of the ,vitriol of be thickned and reduced to the ,consistence of ,pills4 ,this ,medicine is of great use1 for such as are in pain1 and want their due ,rest1 removing the one1 and procuring the other3 ,and no ,body can be ignorant1 how necessary ,sleep and ,abstinence are1 to preserve ,health1 as well as to remove ,diseases4 ,according to this way1 we may extract the ,virtues of all vegetable ,subjects1 and greatly exalt1 as well as correct them1 where need is4 ,n4 ,b4 ,henbane and ,tobacco1 this way prepared1 afford ,narcoticks not inferior to ,opium4 ,aloes1 ,myrrh1 and ,saffron handled in this manner1 make an ,elixir ,proprietatis1 ten times better than that described by ,paracelsus1 or ,helmont3 ,for our ,alcohol ,vini brings over only their purest ,essence1 which is afterwards yet further exalted through the ,flames of the ,spirit of ,wine4 ,according to this method1 a ,man may prepare from ,vegetables excellent ,cordials1 ,cephalicks1 strengtheners of the ,stomach1 ,nephriticks c4 which in their effects will far exceed the ,common4 ,only we are to observe2 that when we have a mind to prepare an universal ,medicine1 we need not to meddle with ,vegetables or ,animals1 which are ,grandfather ,demogorgons green ,cloak1 forasmuch as a little piece of his ,heart1 is far more valuable than his whole ,cloak2 wherefore he that would prepare an universal ,medicine1 of greater ,virtues than all ,vegetables and ,animals contain1 let him take to ,task a part of this ,demogorgons ,heart4 ,concerning which1 if the ,reader desire further to be satisfied1 let him peruse a ,treatise of the incomparable ,philosopher ,joannes ,bracescus1 of the ,tree of ,life2 where he may be informed1 who this ,demogorgon is1 what his clothes1 and what the inmost ,blood of his ,heart are4 ,now by the way1 to speak a little of this ,demogorgon1 we are to understand1 that the ,ancients always described their universal ,work1 not plainly so1 as to be apprehended by every one1 but wrapt up in ,riddles and ,allegories2 all of them pointing to this ,demogorgon1 who has his ,seat in the ,center of the ,earth1 having a rusty ,colour'd1 and green ,cloak cast about him2 which in plain terms1 is nothing else but the ,central ,fire1 which ,god1 when he created the ,world1 placed there as an everlasting vivifying ,fire2 by means of which quickening ,fire1 not only ,metals and ,minerals are produced1 but also all ,herbs1 ,plants and ,trees3 ,upon which ,account1 the ancient ,philosophers have described this ,demogorgon1 to be the ,grandfather of all the ,heathen ,gods1 that is ,metallick ,subjects1 and an ,upholder of1 and ,provider for all things that are within1 as well as without the ,earth2 for all things proceed from one ,original1 viz41 this ,demogorgon4 ,concerning which1 ,see the ,twelfth ,treatise of ,sendivogius4 ,metals and ,minerals1 are as it were the ,shirt1 or inmost covering of ,demogorgon1 whereas ,vegetables and ,animals1 are but his ,cloak1 or upper ,garment4 ,the ,ancients have writ much concerning this ,demogorgon1 attributing to him1 not only the ,generation and growth of ,stones and ,metals1 but declaring him to be the ,father of those living ,spirits1 which are often found in the ,mountains1 where ,mines are1 especially of or 1 about which1 if the ,reader desire to be further satisfied1 let him read ,george ,agricola his ,treatise concerning ,subterraneous living ,creatures4 ,to return then to our ,demogorgon1 ,i say1 there are found some contemptible ,minerals1 in which all the ,virtues of ,vegetables and ,animals lye concentred1 which ,minerals take their ,original from the purest ,heart-blood of ,demogorgon3 ,such ,minerals as these we are to take in hand1 if we would prepare an universal ,medicine against all ,diseases1 as well as a ,tincture1 to meliorate all white ,metals with great ,gain and ,profit4 ,we are also to observe1 that such an universal ,medicine1 may easily1 with little ,charges1 and in few days1 be prepared3 ,for the ,minerals themselves cost little or nothing1 the ,dissolvent is very cheap1 and the burning ,spirit is not ,chargeable1 so that an ,universal ,medicine1 to meliorate ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 may be made with the ,charge of an ,angel1 which1 certainly1 is a strange and wonderful ,compendium4 ,all this may be done with the help of our ,spirit of ,wine ,alcolisatus1 without which1 the ,essence of these ,minerals cannot be brought over1 nor be made perfectly sweet and fine1 without enduring the ,purgatory of its refining ,flames3 ,wherefore1 also our ,elias ,artista1 or ,salt of ,art1 wherewith we acuate our burning ,spirit1 and make such a wonderful ,menstruum of it1 may well be called the ,monarch of ,salts4 ,and to demonstrate1 that such a ,medicine prepared of ,metals or ,animals1 with the help of our ,salt of ,art joyned with ,spirit of ,wine1 is not only able to cure all the ,diseases of ,men and ,metals1 but also of ,vegetables1 appears first from hence1 that an universal ,medicine can scarcely1 or at all be prepared without the ,concurrence of ,vegetables and ,animals3 ,for which reason the ,philosophers say1 that their ,stone is ,vegetable1 ,animal and ,mineral2 if then the universal ,medicine be made up of these three1 we must conclude also1 that it is ,master and ,commander over them4 ,the use of this ,medicine in the several three ,kingdoms1 is as follows4 ,when by means of our ,tartarized ,spirit of ,wine1 thou hast brought over the pure ,essence of a ,metal or ,mineral1 and separated the ,spirit of ,wine from the ,metallick ,essence1 by burning it away1 then the said ,essence stays behind in the ,cup or ,dish1 wherein the ,spirit of ,wine was burnt away1 and may without any other ,preparation be made use of1 for the ,cure of all curable ,diseases4 ,but when we have a mind to make use of this ,essence1 for the meliorating of ,metals1 we must first ferment it with common or 1 for without this1 the ,soul or ,quintessence of ,metals can have no ingress into ,metals1 so as to unite with them in a ,fire of ,fusion4 ,we are also to note1 that when this ,metallick ,essence is fermented with ,sol1 it becomes a ,solar ,tincture1 but when with 1 it only affords a white ,tincture4 ,it is also to be observed1 that when we take two parts of 1 and one of for our ferment1 we shall have a ,red ,tincture1 and so on the contrary1 if we make use of two or three parts of 1 to one of 1 it will only be a white ,tincture1 because the predominant ,metal determines the ,tincture4 ,but he who hath once obtained a well prepared ,quintessence of ,metals1 will easily know the ferment and way of applying it1 for a due application is of great moment in this matter4 ,i have known some1 who had extracted good ,tinctures from and 1 but understood not the way of fermenting them1 that is of joyning their ferment without their ,tinctures2 neither did they understand the ,inceration1 that is1 the way to give to your ,tinctures easie ,fluxibility and ,ingress1 so could not arrive at their desired ,end4 ,were the ,world worthy of it1 ,i could set down an easie1 cheap and short way1 to extract much out of 1 by which means every one that is somewhat skilled in ,distilling1 ,melting and ,cupelling1 might have a ,rich and inexhausted ,mine in his own ,house1 but it is much better to be silent1 than to strengthen ,men in their ,pride and wickedness4 ,but to return to the ,medicinal use of our ,tinctures1 we are to take ,notice1 that the ,red ,oyl1 which remains after the burning away of the ,spirit of ,wine in the ,cup1 is fittest to make a ,metallick ,tincture of3 ,but the or ,celestial ,vitriol1 which mounts with the ,flame of the ,spirit of ,wine1 is the most proper ,medicine for human ,bodies3 ,for this pure ,mercurial is the true and best of ,life1 wherewith1 not alone ,men1 but also other ,animals1 yea and ,vegetables too1 may be cured of all ,diseases1 and ,evils incident to them4 ,and forasmuch1 as the highest ,medicine of ,vegetables is the ,nourishment they draw from the ,earth1 the warmth of the ,sun1 and fruitful ,rain1 and that on the contrary a dry and barren ,soil1 and want of the cherishing heat of the ,sun and ,rain1 are the ,death of all ,vegetables1 it is apparent that there can be no better ,remedy to keep off the ,death of ,vegetables1 than this our sweet cherishing1 and vivifying of ,life1 or ,celestial ,salt3 ,for when any ,seeds of ,vegetables are steeped therein1 and set only in ,sand1 they immediately shoot up and grow3 ,and having this effect upon ,vegetables1 we have the less reason to doubt of its cherishing1 and vivifying ,virtue on human ,bodies1 as indeed there cannot be a better ,medicine to rid the ,body of ,man1 of all manner of ,diseases than this ,universal ,blessed of ,life1 or heavenly ,rain 4 ,when we attentively consider ,nature1 we find1 that the ,life and growth of all ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 is ,originally from the ,air1 or an ,airy volatile ,spirit4 ,thus we can make all hard ,stones and ,metals grow as it were in a moment1 by means of such a volatile ,spirit1 concerning which1 ,i have spoken in the ,second ,part of my ,furnaces4 ,this sudden growth of ,stones and ,metals1 ,i have many years since shewed to some of my ,friends1 who greatly admired the same1 but could not comprehend that reason thereof4 ,now therefore1 to satisfie the ,searchers after truth1 ,i declare1 that all growth1 whether in the ,microcosme1 or ,macrocosme proceeds from a ,spirit1 or ,volatile ,salt1 arising from two contraries1 viz4 an ,acid and an ,alkali2 for when an ,alkali1 and an ,acid ,spirit meet1 they cause an ,effervescence1 during which1 there proceeds from them both a very subtil ,spirit1 which has the ,nature and ,property to make all things grow4 ,if a ,man takes this ,spirit inwardly2 it procures and preserves health2 if it be joyn'd to an ,herb1 it makes it to grow and shoot up suddenly4 ,with this ,spirit we can make an ,herb grow from its ,seed in the midst of ,winter1 7but it must be in a warm ,room17 so as it may be seen to grow2 which my self have performed more than once4 ,and to make it appear1 that this swift growth only proceeds from a volatile ,spirit1 produc'd by the strife of two contraries1 ,i'le give this instance2 pour one ,pound of ,oyl of ,vitriol1 upon one or two ,pound of calcined ,tartar1 not at once1 but by degrees1 and at several times1 and it will cause a great strife and ,effervescence1 cover the ,cucurbit with its ,head1 and give ,fire in a ,sand ,furnace1 by which means a very subtil volatile ,spirit comes into the ,receiver4 ,if before this ,work be undertaken1 a ,stone hath been dissolved by the calcined ,tartar1 and a ,metal in the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 then the ,spirit1 which proceeds from them1 will be much more powerful2 because the ,virtue both of the ,stone and ,metal comes over with the ,spirit4 ,in this manner may a volatile ,spirit be had from all ,acids and ,alkalis4 ,to demonstrate this further1 that the growth of all things proceeds from the strife of two contraries1 take this instance3 ,dissolve some ,iron or ,copper in ,spirit of ,salt1 or ,oyl of ,vitriol1 draw off the ,flegm1 in which ,distillation none of the ,acid ,spirit will come over2 because it is joyn'd and concentred with the ,metal1 animating and disposing it to shoot up and to grow swiftly1 so as the eye may perceive it grow1 like a ,tree with a ,body1 ,boughs1 ,branches1 and ,twigs4 ,take this ,spirit of ,salt or ,vitriol1 concentred by the 1 as soon as you have taken it out of the ,furnace1 whilst it is yet warm1 and break it into little ,bitts1 about the bigness of large ,pease 7if you should suffer it to grow cold1 it would by attracting the ,air1 suddenly run into an ,oyl per deliquium47 ,these pieces of animated must be joyned with its contrary1 for which you can choose nothing better than a ,liquor of ,flints prepared in the same manner1 which ,i have taught in the second part of my ,furnaces4 ,the ,glass1 wherein you put this ,liquor of ,flints1 must be of the same wideness at the top1 as at the bottom1 and about an handbreadth high1 and fill'd with the said ,alkalious ,liquor1 to which1 put your ,acid concentred by the 1 laying the pieces orderly a thumbs breadth from one another1 and place the ,glass1 where it may not be shaken or jogg'd4 ,as soon as these contraries are thus joyned1 they begin to act upon one another2 but forasmuch1 as the one of these contraries is concentred by the 1 and become hard1 it cannot mingle it self with its adversary1 or destroy it1 so they only vex and anguish one another1 in doing which1 a warmth ariseth between them1 and the one contrary pusheth the other to shoot and grow2 the hard and dry part1 viz4 the animated drawing so much moisture from its contrary1 the ,liquor of ,flints1 as makes it heave and begin to grow in form of a ,plant1 with ,root1 ,stock1 ,branches1 and ,twigs1 very pleasant to behold1 the growth being very swift1 so as within an hour and an half1 or two hours at the most1 the whole ,glass is fill'd with little iron ,trees1 which grow harder and harder1 and when they are hard enough1 7which will be in the space of twenty four hours7 then the ,liquor of ,flints must be let out from it through a hole1 left on purpose in the bottom of the ,glass1 and the ,plant1 or little ,tree1 remains4 ,if we desire to make a more pleasant sight of it1 we may take several ,metals1 and make them grow up like a ,tree2 affords a dark brown1 ,venus a green1 and a ,white and ,grey1 a ,blew1 and a ,yellow ,colour4 ,minerals also give different ,colours from ,metals2 ,lapis ,calaminaris grows not into ,trees1 but into the resemblance of ,mountains and ,rocks of a ,white and ,greyish ,colour4 ,if we have a mind to make ,stones to grow1 we proceed thus1 first we melt the ,stone1 whether ,white or ,coloured1 into a transparent ,glass1 and pour it forth into a ,copper ,bason1 where it will flow broad and thin1 and will be the fitter to be broke into as small pieces as we desire4 ,which peices we place as before in a flat bottom'd ,glass before described1 which must be full of an ,acid ,spirit mixed with water1 so as it may neither be too sharp1 nor too weak2 for if it be weakned with too much water1 it will not retain strength enough to make it grow2 and if the ,acid be too sharp1 it will dissolve the ,alkalized ,stone1 wherefore great care must be taken1 as to this particular4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,magnesia gives a ,blood-red ,tree1 and much more beautiful than any of the ,metals3 ,only observe1 that ,metals may be made to grow with less trouble than ,stones4 ,from what hath been said1 it appears beyond dispute1 that the growth of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals 7,stones not excepted7 proceeds from two contraries4 ,i could easily make this out more amply and fully1 but having treated of the same in other parts of my ,writings1 ,i shall let it rest here4 ,an ,appendix or ,,corollary4 ,i have in the foregoing ,treatise declared the use of the ,salt of ,art1 both in ,physick and ,alchimy1 and have set down nothing1 but what my self have experienced4 ,what ,i have writ concerning our ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine1 is also the very truth3 ,and tho' what ,i have here set down might seem to suffice2 yet ,i cannot1 before ,i conclude this small ,book1 but mention a much greater ,gift of ,god1 than that of which ,i have spoken here1 viz4 that ,god hath vouchsafed ,mankind1 for preserving their ,health1 a ,subject1 wherein the ,powers and ,virtues of all ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 are summ'd up and united together2 which ,subject may be had in all places for nothing1 and however contemptible it may seem to the ignorant1 yet it is the matter of the highest ,medicine in the ,world4 ,every ,man can have enough of it from himself1 needs therefore not to go to another for it4 ,adam and ,eve our first ,parents brought this matter with them out of ,paradise2 yea1 every one brings it along with him from his ,mothers womb4 ,let no ,man imagin1 that ,i speak here of ,urine1 or ,mans ,dung1 it is something else1 and more despised than either of them1 so that a proud ,man will scarcely light upon it4 ,i say1 if a ,man know this ,subject1 and how to make use of it in ,physick1 he may well account himself happy1 as needing nothing of all that is in the ,world besides1 in ,case he hath only strength1 place1 and convenience to prepare the same4 ,the ,subject costs nothing1 and the ,preparation requires neither ,glasses1 ,coals nor ,furnace4 ,i commend this ,subject to ,physicians above any other in the ,world1 the ,preparation being easie1 and without ,charges1 and may be finished in few days3 ,so that the knowledge of this ,subject1 and its easie ,preparation1 ought not to be look'd upon1 as an invention of ,man1 but as a wonderful1 and undeserved ,gift of ,god1 reserved only for those1 who despise the ,world with all its ,vanities1 renounce the ,devil and all his ,works1 and avoid the ,company of wicked ,men1 his adherents4 ,of the ,three most noble ,,stones generated by ,three ,secret ,,fires4 ,,and ,first1 ,of the ,stone of ,philosophers1 which is prepared by the ,secret ,fire of the ,wise4 ,secondly1 of the upper and lower ,thunder-stone1 how they are generated above1 by the ,meteorological ,fire2 and below1 by the secret ,artificial ,fire4 ,and1 ,thirdly1 ,how the ,lapis ,ignis1 or ,fire-stone of ,basilius1 is to be prepared out of ,antimony by ,art4 ,and how these ,three most noble ,stones of the ,world1 are to be used in ,physick and ,alchymy4 ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,reader1 ,in the end of the ,appendix to the ,seventh ,part of my ,pharmacopa ,spagyrica1 ,i have made mention of ,three ,fires1 which are not ,common1 but unknown to the ,world4 ,by which are generated three wonderful ,stones1 which ,i did intend to publish4 ,first1 of the secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 commonly called the ,fire of ,artephius1 because ,artephius a very ancient ,philosopher did first write of it1 who was also envious like others1 and would write nothing of it1 till he came to be nine hundred ,years old which way the ,philosophers ,stone was to be made by this ,fire4 ,these ,writings have been long tossed up and down the ,world1 before any could be certain1 whether or no this miraculous ,fire could be found in ,nature4 ,at length some ,philosophers attain'd its knowledge1 and published it for the good of the ,world4 ,but because1 those ,philosophers were very obscure in their ,writings1 the ,art could not be made common1 but remaineth secret to this hour3 ,so that one of a ,thousand among the now reputed ,philosophers1 7who have fill'd the whole ,world with their unexperienced ,writings7 scarcely one is to be found1 who know any thing of it4 ,and because this secret ,fire was called by the true ,philosophers1 ,ignis ,philosophorum1 it would have becomed them1 to know somewhat of it4 ,helmont the most experienced and learned ,philosopher of his time1 although he had studied long in the ,universities1 yet he doth not ,glory in any ,arts he there learned3 ,but on the contrary1 he saith1 that ,physick1 as it is taught in the ,schools1 is of no value4 ,and1 that not the ,universities1 but the ,fire1 made him a ,philosopher4 ,and therefore1 he calls himself a ,philosopher by the ,fire4 ,and without doubt1 our secret ,fire was known to him1 as appears by his excellent ,writings4 ,for his ,elementum ,ignis ,veneris1 to which he attributes so many ,virtues1 could not well be made1 without this secret ,fire4 ,a ,quintessence may be drawn out of ,venus1 but that will not effect1 what the ,red ,element of the incombustible ,sulphur can4 ,paracelsus1 in his ,book of ,sulphur1 writes1 that an excellent ,elementum ,ignis may be made out of common ,sulphur1 which he so highly commends1 that he dares to say1 that except a ,physician hath this ,element of ,fire1 7that is the fixed ,quintessence of ,sulphur1 among his ,arcanums1 he cannot rightly be reputed a ,physician1 but a ,money ,catcher1 and ,robber of the ,sick4 ,in my lately published ,treatise of ,sulphur1 ,i have also described an ,elementum ,ignis1 which is certainly a very excellent ,medicine against all ,cold ,distempers1 but this is not yet fixed1 but combustible1 but the ,element of ,fire ought to be incombustible4 ,for as long as a ,medicine made out of ,sulphur is still combustible1 and subject to blacken ,silver when touched with it1 it cannot be reputed the true ,elementum ,ignis ,sulphuris4 ,for the true ,element of ,fire of ,sulphur doth not make ,silver black1 but tingeth it with a constant ,golden ,colour1 which cannot be washed off4 ,as also1 the ,element of ,fire ought to be of this ,nature1 to enter a ,red hot ,plate of ,silver without fume1 as ,oyl sinks into dry ,leather2 and to tinge it ,yellow4 ,also1 it ought to tinge common into ,gold1 when added to it in a due heat4 ,this ,quintessence of ,sulphur1 also must not be burnt by the ,fire as other ,oyl1 but remain incombustible4 ,therefore1 the ,philosophers have called it an incombustible ,oyl1 a permanent ,water1 ,aurum potabile1 c4 ,when it hath those ,virtues1 then it can perform what ,paracelsus attributes to it1 viz4 ,wonders both in ,physick and ,alchymy2 and by this1 ,aristotle and his followers 7who assert1 that the ,species of ,metals cannot be transmuted7 are quite out of ,doors4 ,it is true1 ,aristotle also saith1 that the ,metals cannot be transmuted1 if they be not first reduced to their first matter1 of which ,i have sufficiently treated4 ,this our fixed ,oyl of ,sulphur transmutes the ,metals without any precedent reduction of them to their first matter4 ,for our secret ,fire hath taken away whatsoever was pernicious or combustible2 so that only the purest and incombustible part remains1 by which such great things in ,medicine and ,alchymy are performed1 that it refuteth all those who speak against it2 although many ,impostors by their cheats1 from place to place1 have given occasion to speak evil of the ,noblest of ,arts2 which hath had an ill effect heretofore upon my self4 ,an ,history of the ,poisonous ,tayl of ,common ,alchymy4 ,here follows a large ,historical ,digression of some great ,abuses which the ,author some time underwent1 but pertaining nothing to the scope of this ,treatise1 ,i will not trouble the ,reader with it4 ,now concerning our secret ,fire1 it is not made of ,coals or ,wood1 or other combustible ,matter1 but compounded of certain ,fiery ,waters1 which burn1 but not like other ,fires without the ,glass1 but always within the ,glass2 wherefore ,artephius1 as the first ,author of the secret ,fire1 useth these words4 ,our ,fire is ,mineral1 ,equal1 ,continual1 it ,vapours not unless it be too much stirred up1 it partakes of ,sulphur1 and is taken elsewhere than from the matter2 it pulleth down all things1 dissolveth1 congealeth1 and calcineth1 it is artificial to find2 it is a short way without cost1 at the least with small cost2 it is moist1 vaprous1 digestive1 altering1 piercing1 subtile1 ,airy1 not violent1 not burning1 compassing or environning1 containing but one1 and it is the fountain of living ,water which goeth about and containeth the place1 when the ,king and ,queen hath themselves4 ,this is ,artephius's ,description of the ,fire of ,philosophers4 ,pontanus hath also wrote of this ,fire1 to whose ,epistle ,i refer the ,reader for the more easie introduction to it4 ,artephius hath here plainly enough described the ,matter1 and the ,mercurial ,water1 and ,pontanus hath confirmed it4 ,he to whom ,god will give it1 will easily comprehend it2 but ,artephius and ,pontanus teach nothing1 but how to ripen the ,stone of ,philosophers compounded of ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,antimony1 by this secret ,fire4 ,but because several others as well universal as particular are to be easily prepared by this our ,fire1 ,i think fit to say somewhat of it4 ,our ,fire1 maturates whatsoever is put to it1 whether ,vegetables1 ,animals1 or ,minerals1 and therefore our ,fire1 as also the ,matter of the ,philosophers ,stone it self1 is called ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral2 as also a natural1 non-natural1 and supernatural ,fire4 ,he who is not satisfied with this may read ,artephius himself1 where he will find more of this our secret ,fire4 ,now having understood what ,artephius and ,pontanus have written of our secret ,fire1 ,i could not but describe it somewhat more openly1 to shew the ,artist a nearer and easier way to obtain it4 ,i ,glauber can truly affirm this1 ,that in my young days ,i have travelled many ,countries1 and diligently searched for an ,experienced ,philosopher1 that might teach me some good4 ,but ,i no where found my desire1 but ,i often found some diligent ,physician1 who following ,crollius1 ,hartman1 ,beguinus1 and other ,experienced ,physicians1 prepared their own ,medicines1 by which they gained ,honour and ,wealth1 and were therewith content4 ,some of them had indeed read ,artephius and ,pontanus1 but had not light enough to understand them4 ,i have also endeavoured to frequent the elaboraories of ,princes1 to learn something there4 ,indeed ,i found ,processes enough there1 which were sent from great ,men4 ,by following of which1 and working in ,arsenick1 ,orpiment1 ,cobalt1 ,cinabar1 ,mercury and the like ,minerals1 ,i drew a great deal of ,poison into my ,body1 till at length ,i grew weary of it1 and therefore set my mind upon ,spagyrick ,medicines1 by which ,i have found many curious ,secrets1 and gain'd a sufficient ,livelyhood4 ,but yet at the same time1 ,i attentively read the ,writings of the ,philosophers1 and out of them learned many good things1 chiefly ,basilius1 ,braceseus1 ,neusementius and the like good ,authors2 but the secret ,fire of ,artephius1 or the proper ,agent1 ,i could not ,learn1 ,i have often ,discoursed of it with ,learned men1 but always found1 that they understood less of it than my self4 ,for they had not read the ,ancient ,philosophers1 but had spent their time in getting of ,money1 and sending their ,receipts to the ,apothecareis ,shops4 ,but after a light was enkindled in me from above1 and ,i began to know this secret ,fire1 ,i began to have an aversion to the tedious1 and troublesome work with ,glasses1 therefore ,i set it all aside1 and now find my self more at ease1 by this ,capital work1 for ,i make no further use of ,furnaces1 ,glasses1 or ,coals1 but can now do more and greater things in half a ,nutshell or ,eggshell1 than ,i could before1 with all my ,furnaces1 ,glasses and ,coals1 for which ,i give incessant thanks to ,god1 who is the giver of all ,good4 ,this ,i was willing to add1 viz4 that our ,fire is hard to be found1 but easie to be made1 when known4 ,concerning the ,matter1 it is not always the same1 but may be taken after several ways1 yet according to the true proportion of the ,fire1 for this is all in all1 the proper ,agent must be only excited by our ,fire1 and carried on to the promoting of the ,maturation of our ,matter2 for the proper ,agent is here as much concerned1 as the fire it self1 for that alone could not work sufficiently to prepare an unripe ,mineral by it self1 without the help of the proper ,agent1 in so short a time1 into a ,tincture constant in the ,fire1 or universal ,medicine4 ,now whoever hath a mind to do any thing with our secret ,fire1 must have constancy of mind1 tarry at home1 and beg assistance of ,god1 whose ,blessing he must wait for with ,patience4 ,now concerning the farther use of our secret ,fire1 it is thus1 that all ,vegetables1 as ,herbs1 ,roots1 ,seeds1 ,woods1 c4 and all ,animals1 none excepted1 together with all ,minerals and ,metals1 may without ,cost1 be easily brought into excellent ,medicaments1 particularly4 ,for our ,fire ,maturates the purest ,anima1 or ,quintessence of all things4 ,poysonous ,subjects are converted into ,medicine1 sowr and bitter into pleasant and sweet4 ,the immature is ripened2 and our ,fire can be better compared with nothing1 than with the ,sun1 which gives ,life to all ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 and makes the imperfect1 perfect1 nothing excepted4 ,in fine1 ,our ,fire is the greatest and most noble in the ,world1 the ,sun excepted3 ,but ,god is above all1 the ,lord of the ,creation4 ,but what need ,i say much of the ,melioration of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 by our secret ,fire1 ,i have said enough1 if ,i should say more1 it would render it too ,common4 ,but thus much it will be necessary to add1 viz4 what the ,subjects are1 which are the most easily wrought upon by our ,fire4 ,among ,vegetables1 ,wine1 and what pertains to it is the best2 ,among ,minerals1 ,antimony and ,mercury1 which is our living ,gold2 ,among ,animals1 ,man1 and what appertains to him4 ,you have your own choice to chuse1 which you will1 you have sufficient ,advice1 and want nothing more1 but the ,blessing of ,god1 without which all is in vain4 ,here followeth the ,composition1 or ,preparation of our secret ,fire4 ,three ,heathenish ,deities command this our secret ,fire1 viz4 ,apollo1 ,diana and ,pluto4 ,apollo affords the warm ,sun-shine4 ,diana gives the cooling and refreshing ,night4 ,and ,pluto gives his ,fiery ,hellish ,rain4 ,that you may better understand it1 ,apollo gives ,wine three times1 ,diana ,milk twice1 and ,pluto his ,hellish ,fire once4 ,out of these three ,gifts1 our ,fire is prepared4 ,this is the true ,preparation of our wonderful ,fire4 ,to speak of this more amply1 is not convenient2 we must not cast ,pearls before ,swine1 which way this ,fire is to be used to any ,subject1 is sufficiently discovered to a ,man thereunto elected by ,god4 ,but there are many1 who having no dependency upon ,god's ,blessing proceed after an evil and cheating manner1 so that those ,alchymists1 or ,gold-makers1 are become a scorn to the ,country1 and no ,man cares to dwell by them1 lest their great and continual ,fires should bring damage to his ,neighbours1 and this not without reason4 ,for in making ,oyl of ,vitriol after the common way1 a ,fire is kept ordinarily for forty or fifty hours1 which is a very tedious ,work2 but the ,adepts can force over a ,pound of ,oyl of ,vitriol in an hours time1 with very few ,coals1 which thing ,i have already touched in my ,writings1 and shall say more of it in my ,second ,appendix4 ,i have recommended this compendious way of making ,oyl of ,vitriol and ,sulphur1 to some ,men2 but they adhered so close to their old lingring way1 that they were regardless of a better1 notwithstanding that the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 and the ,acidum of ,sulphur1 are the ,basis or ,foundation of all the common ,hermetick ,medicine1 for all other ,mineral ,spirits are by them acquired easily and plentifully4 ,that ,mineral ,acid which is plentifully found in ,vitriol and ,sulphur1 is the only ,agent whereby ,nature ,maturates the yet volatile and unripe ,minerals in the ,earth4 ,and also all ,tinctures1 which are fixed and constant in the ,fire1 are by the hand of the ,artist prepared by this1 yet with the ,addition of its ,compeer1 the external ,fire4 ,this universal ,acidum is our ,horse-dung1 and the ,stygian water1 in which ,jason drowned his ,dragon and made him fixed3 ,but when ,i here mention ,jason's ,dragon1 it comes into my mind what happened to me1 when ,i once attempted to make such a ,dragon1 which vomited out ,fire1 and a black poysonous ,smoke1 out of ,sulphur and ,saltpeter3 ,and because this ,history1 may serve as a warning to many1 who may incur much danger oftentimes by the common ,alchymy1 ,i will here insert it4 ,a little before ,i became ,bed-ridden1 ,i had undertaken to steal from the ever watchful ,dragon1 that ,golden ,fleece which he hath in his keeping1 and because this fierce ,dragon will part with nothing before he be half slain1 or at least1 laid to sleep1 therefore ,i was busied in this work1 and had made a mixture of ,sulphur1 ,niter and ,tartar1 and also another of ,salter-peter1 ,antimony and ,tartar1 each apart in an ,earthen ,pot1 in order to ,fire them for ,detonation4 ,and although ,i had ordered1 that one ,pot should first be detonated1 and then the other1 that the ,smoke might not be too great1 yet this was not done1 but they were fired both together1 which caused such a great1 black and stinking ,smoke to ascend the ,chimney1 that when the ,neighbours saw it1 they thought the ,house had been on fire1 and cryed out1 ,fire1 knocked at my ,door1 to come in to quench it1 when there was none1 notwithstanding this was not done in my dwelling ,house1 but in a ,house remote from all others1 so that it could have done no hurt to any else1 if it had been burnt down1 but they not being satisfied got ,ladders and looked down the ,chimney1 and seeing no ,fire there1 they then said1 it was ,witchcraft4 ,out of this ,history1 one may see what a dangerous ,toyl the common ,alchymy hath4 ,this work to kill the ,dragon1 and to spoyl him of his ,golden ,fleece1 is one of the pleasantest that ever ,i did in ,alchymy1 except the secret ,fire4 ,for when the ,sulphur1 ,salt-peter1 ,antimony and ,tartar1 are denotated together1 and sublimed with ,sal ,armoniack1 the ,golden ,fleece riseth in a curious ,golden ,colour1 and tingeth the ,head1 and ,receiver with all sorts of ,colours1 like unto the ,rain-bow1 or a ,peacocks ,tail1 and also one sees the ,foot-steps of the scaly ,dragon most gloriously in the ,head2 which ,neusementius hath excellently described1 in a few ,french ,verses1 and hath omitted almost nothing which belongs to this ,work3 ,and because ,i here write of this sort of ,work1 it will not be amiss1 to add those ,verses4 ,concerning this1 ,medea thus exhorts ,jason in ,ovid4 ,pervigil ecce ,draco1 squamis crepitantibus horrens1 ,sibilat torto pectore verrit humum4 ,which ,neusementius hath thus rendred into ,french4 ,voy le ,dragon veillant de fureur forcen ,qui d'escaille bruyante a le corps entourn ,dont le gosier sifflant fume feu deserre ,et qui par replis tors va baliant la terre ,de sa large poitrine en la poudre imprimant ,les sinueux sillons1 qu'il trace incessament4 ,and may thus again be put into ,latine4 ,adspice squamosum tumidumq2 furore ,draconem ,semper in excubias aures frontemque minacem ,vibrantem1 nullo claudentem lumina somno ,qui crista linguisq1 tribus prsignis1 uncis ,dentibus horrendis1 patulo de gutture ,flammas ,sibilat1 fumis atratis inficit auras1 ,adspice multiplices ,gyros quos ponder ,caud ,insinuat ,terr1 cum longa volumina ducit ,perque superficiem reptat1 cum pectore lato ,verrit humum1 relegens eadem vestigia semper4 ,and in ,english may sound thus1 ,behold this scaly ,dragon swel'd with ,ire1 ,his ,crest doth brandish1 with a dreadful ,brow2 ,nere closeth ,eyes1 nor ,ears1 nor yet retires ,from dismal noise1 and horid ,teeth to shew3 ,from his broad ,throat flames issue out ,black fumes infect the ,air about4 ,behold the ,rings1 which his encircled ,tail ,casts on the ,earth1 whilst he doth form his ,coil2 ,with his broad ,breast he creeps upon its ,face ,sweeping the ground1 always in the same ,trace4 ,here in few words the ,philosopher describes the whole ,work1 how to spoyl the ,dragon of his ,golden ,fleece4 ,but only to those1 who easily understand these ,verses1 whose eyes ,god hath opened1 and are already pretty well skilled in this ,art4 ,but to the unexpert all remains dark4 ,reading only will not do it1 but you must put your hand to the ,work1 if you will attain to any thing4 ,i have1 for several years together1 read1 sought1 and laboured in vain1 before ,i found the right way of obtaining this ,golden ,fleece4 ,and when at length ,i became ,master of this ,art1 ,i could not but admire that it was so easie a thing1 and yet so difficult to be learned out of ,books4 ,paracelsus and ,neusementius write the plainest of this1 of which two expert ,men1 ,i first learned this ,art1 but afterwards ,i found a more ,compendious way1 so that ,i can now perform the whole ,work1 with the ,charge of one ,ducat or ten ,shillings in a very short time4 ,but ,i must leave it to others to do1 being yet detained in my ,bed by my sickness3 ,so that ,i can do no more1 than to shew to others by my ,writings and ,instructions1 the ready way to the ,land of ,promise4 ,of the ,second ,fire1 and its marvelous ,fire-stone1 which is generated by it4 ,we know1 that ,fire generates ,stones1 every one according to its ,nature4 ,the secret ,fire of the ,philosophers1 engenders the ,philosophers ,stone1 which is a universal ,medicine for ,men and ,metals1 as we have already heard4 ,that the ,meteorical fire1 from whence proceeds ,lightening and ,thunder1 generates also ,stones1 is known to all1 for the ,air procreates the same things1 which are found upon the ,earth4 ,therefore ,hermes in his ,smaragdine ,table hath very well said1 ,that whatsoever is beneath is also above1 and what is above1 is also beneath1 by which1 marvellous things are done4 ,we know1 that ,frogs and ,grashoppers and the like1 which are procreated in the ,air1 have fallen down with the ,rain4 ,i have read in a certain ,historian1 that once a ,calf fell down with the ,rain4 ,anaxagoras1 a famous ,philosopher1 prognosticated in his ,life-time1 that after he was dead1 a great ,stone should fall down from the ,air1 to the ,earth1 which also came to pass4 ,we also know1 that sometimes great pieces of ,iron have fallen down1 not compact1 but sticking one part to another like drops4 ,and also1 every ,body knows1 that ,stones are cast down by ,thunder and ,lightening1 which ,stones are formed and concentrated by the ,lightening1 and so have assumed the ,nature of a ,stone2 for in the ,lightening is hid a very miraculous ,property seeing that ,lightening is a ,fire of quite another ,nature1 than our common ,fire1 which breaks in pieces all hard things which resist1 but toucheth not what maketh no resistance4 ,it hath very often happened1 that the ,lightening hath broken a ,mans ,bones1 without hurting his flesh4 ,we have also known1 that it hath melted the ,sword in the ,scabbard1 and left the ,scabbard whole4 ,this ,stone generated by ,lightening1 hath quite another ,nature than common ,stones1 for it is not transparent like a ,pebble or ,sand-stone1 which melt in the fire4 ,neither hath it the ,nature of transparent and hard ,gems1 which do not melt in the fire1 and yet keep their ,lustre1 neither can the fire reduce it into ,lime1 as it doth a ,chalk-stone4 ,in a word1 it can be compared with no ,stone in the ,world4 ,its shape is also wonderful1 for it is generally sharp at both ends1 but yet they are not all of one ,figure or shape1 they are generally smooth on the outside1 and of a milky ,colour1 and reddish within4 ,i have one which is ,triangular like a ,star1 and if you turn it1 'tis like a ,heart1 of which ,i never saw the like4 ,i have also one which is ,cole-black1 which is rough both within and without1 it is a wonder to me1 that this ,stone will not strike fire with ,steel1 notwithstanding it is generated by fire4 ,we may also by ,art make ,lightening out of ,iron or ,steel1 in which also is generated a strange ,stone4 ,the ,thunderbolts love all things which are combustible1 especially ,gun-powder1 for the ,lightening it self proceeds from ,saltpeter and ,sulphur1 and that is the reason1 why it so often strikes into ,towers1 where ,gun-powder is kept1 and also it useth to strike ,old ,oak ,trees1 which contain ,sulphur and ,saltpeter1 also upon ,church ,steeples1 but seldomer in the open ,fields4 ,i once saw in ,germany1 where the ,thunder had stroke a ,tower of ,gun-powder1 and although it was four square1 yet it run so about it1 and took out a piece of ,stone-work all round1 as if it had been cut out with ,tools1 because it could no where find entrance4 ,strange things are done by ,lightning1 it sometimes killing the ,horse1 and not hurting his ,rider1 and again killing the ,rider1 and not hurting the ,horse1 because it is no common ,fire1 but a concentrated ,meteorical fire3 ,it hath no resemblance of the fire of the ,sun1 much less of our common ,fire1 but our secret ,fire of the ,chaldeans hath some ,agreement with it1 because it is made of ,iron or ,steel1 and ,saltpeter3 ,therefore it cannot be much unlike the fire of ,lightening1 for that is also generated out of ,saltpeter concentrated1 and ,sulphur4 ,steel is concentrated ,sulphur1 that hath also ,power to concentrate ,saltpeter1 and so to generate this marvellous ,fire4 ,the ,meteorical ,thunder-fire is a terrible one1 but our ,steel-fire is more wonderful in its ,essence and ,operation1 as we shall heer by and by1 for incredible things are wrought by it1 so that even the ,stone of ,philosophers1 never so well prepared1 is not to be compared with it4 ,query1 whether this ,thunderbolt which is cast down by the ,lightening be of any ,virtue1 or whether it be a dead and unprofitable ,stone8 ,i answer3 ,it hath been always reputed1 that if a ,thunderbolt be kept in any house or place1 the ,thunder and ,lightening will never strike into it4 ,whether this be true1 ,i cannot tell1 yet this ,i know1 that those who keep them esteem them highly1 ,i my self have one1 which ,i much esteem for its marvellous ,figure1 for turn it which way you will1 it always represents a ,star or a ,heart4 ,many strange things are performed by this ,thunderbolt4 ,i have seen several ,foresters break it into pieces of the bigness of a ,pea1 which they put into a ,bullet-mold1 fill'd up the ,mold with melted ,lead1 and did believe1 that they could not miss any wild ,beast at which they should shoot it4 ,i have also seen some ,souldiers make such ,bullets1 and formerly believed1 that they could pierce any thing with them1 that otherwise they could not shoot through4 ,i have also seen others1 who have put pieces of this ,stone into the pummels of their ,swords1 and believed1 that this took away their ,adversaries ,courage when they should encounter them1 and so they might easily ,conquer them4 ,these and the like things1 ,i have seen done with it4 ,but whether this be so or no1 it is probable that there should be some ocult ,virtues in those ,stones4 ,for seeing that all ,stones are good for somewhat1 why should this marvellous ,thunderbolt only be good for nothing8 ,some cause ,women in ,labour to hold these ,stones in their hands1 to facilitate their ,labour2 they also say1 that it encreaseth ,womens milk1 if it be put into their drink4 ,others put them into the hand to stop ,blood4 ,if one could do any good with it1 one might easily1 by the help of a certain ,magnet1 attract a great many of them from the ,air1 as you shall hear anon4 ,now again1 to return so our ,fire and ,fire-stone1 ,i affirm for truth1 that our secret ,fire and ,fire-stone1 in its ,essence and ,efficacy1 is more wonderful than the ,meteorick ,lightning and ,thunderbolt4 ,for our ,fire doth not burn or flame1 but when we will have it1 otherwise it is like a dead ,black-stone1 if you only keep the ,air from it1 it will remain a ,stone as long as you please4 ,if you put it into a ,glass and stop it very close1 and keep it under water never so many years1 it will still remain ,fire1 and not be hurt4 ,for our ,chaldaick ,fire1 when once prepared1 will not burn1 but remain good for ever1 if you keep it from ,air and ,water4 ,it is sufficiently known1 that the ancient ,heathens put burning ,lamps into their ,vaults1 of which ,lamps ,i have seen many1 that were digged out of ,mines in ,colen4 ,some of these ,lamps were found in some burying ,vaults burning1 when they were first opened1 but as soon as the ,air touched them went out4 ,but our ,chaldaick ,fire remains dead1 when kept close1 and is kindled by the ,air4 ,i call it dead1 but it is rather a dormant ,fire4 ,this our secret ,fire hath so strange a ,property1 that it is able at all times to attract ,fire out of the ,air1 not only in the hot ,summer1 but also in the cold ,winter ,nights1 when the ,sun is farthest off4 ,by the help of this ,fire1 ,i believe1 ,i could at certain times light a ,candle1 either under or above the ,earth4 ,the ,maccabees set their ,sacrifice on ,fire by this1 and not with common ,wood1 or ,coal1 fire1 as the ,vestal ,virgins in ,rome were forced to feed it with ,wood continually that it might not go out2 if by chance or neglect it went out1 those ,virgins were buried alive2 in so great esteem1 had the ,jews and the ,heathens1 their ,fires4 ,now as for the use of our secret ,fire1 no ,man may be so bold as to discover the ,power thereof to the ,world1 for things incredible are to be done by it1 which are better to be concealed1 than made publick3 ,yet ,i will a little touch at it4 ,the secret ,fire of it self is of no use in ,physick1 but great ,secrets may be prepared by it1 both in ,medicine and ,alchimy4 ,first1 out of our fiery ,mass may be driven a living ,mercury of ,mars1 which is the most noble ,subject to prepare an extensive ,tincture1 both for ,men and ,metals1 for of all ,mercuries of ,metals1 this is the best4 ,when our ,fire is melted into a thick water1 and this fiery water poured upon a subtil ,calx of ,gold1 and digested with it1 it will attract the yellow ,colour from the ,gold1 and leave it white1 yet the ,tincture is not yellow1 but as green as ,grass1 out of which an excellent ,medicine may be made2 it is also profitable in ,alchimy4 ,for it is also of this ,nature1 that if you put a ,solution of ,gold and ,silver into it1 they will be joyned together without ,precipitation1 which is not usual to be done4 ,one may also squirt this fiery water1 by peculiar ,springs1 to a great distance1 and thereby fire any ,combustible matter4 ,if you will1 you may also shoot this our ,fire in a dry form1 out of great and small ,guns1 to fire any thing with it4 ,i believe1 that by the help of this1 one might fire a great ,canon under water1 by which you may fright ,fish up to the ,surface of the water in deep ,ponds1 so that you may catch them with small ,nets4 ,one may also drive away all hurtful wild ,beasts1 as ,bears1 ,wolves1 ,foxes1 nay even ,lyons1 ,tygers and ,dragons1 out of the ,wilderness4 ,one may also drive away ,high-way-,men1 ,murtherers out of their ,ambuscades1 and catch them4 ,in a word1 many strange things may be done with it1 which for certain ,reasons ,i dare not mention4 ,the greatest and the best thing that may be done by this secret ,fire1 is the preparing of the ,mercury of ,mars1 as also after a ,magnetical manner to draw the ,lightning which way one please4 ,i have had this ,fire now for above twenty years1 and durst not own that ,i had ,such a thing1 now ,i am near my end1 ,i was willing to let it be known1 that there is such a ,fire in ,nature4 ,if ,i did not fear1 that malicious ,men would abuse this secret ,wonder-fire1 ,i would have been plainer1 but the time is not yet come for the doing those great things1 but when ,elias the ,artist shall come1 he will not fear to make great ,alterations in the ,world1 by the help of this ,fire4 ,he will establish much good1 and abolish all that is evil1 but ,i have said enough of this at this time4 ,i have indeed told you here that it will be done1 ,i do not desire1 neither shall ,i live till it shall come to pass1 for such great ,changes will not be made with ease1 but with great ,zeal4 ,god preserve the ,pious1 and shew them a way over the ,mountains1 where they may live secure from this ,sodomitish ,fire1 ,amen4 ,of the ,third secret ,fire1 and the wonderful ,stone that is engendered by it4 ,that pious ,philosopher ,basil ,valentine1 in his ,triumphant ,chariot of ,antimony1 teacheth1 how to prepare a stone by ,distillation and ,rectification out of the purest part of ,antimony1 and calls it the ,stone of ,fire because this ,stone is prepared by ,fire out of fiery ,subjects3 ,and also because it expelleth all ,diseases from the ,body of ,man1 and consumeth them as common ,fire doth ,wood4 ,he also saith1 that this ,fire-stone can transmute ,silver into ,gold1 although in a small quantity4 ,the highly experienced ,philosopher ,helmont1 makes mention of almost such a ,stone1 which he saith1 he saw in ,england with one ,butler1 and tells of wonderful things that the said ,butler did with it4 ,now by reason of my diligent search into ,nature and the ,blessing of ,god1 such a ,stone hath fallen into my hands1 with which ,i can do the same things in ,physick and ,alchimy1 which ,basil ,valentine ascribes to his ,fire-stone1 and ,helmont to ,butlers ,stone3 ,i could not but leave to posterity1 that it is possible to prepare this ,stone out of ,antimony4 ,the ,art consists in this1 that you first bring the ,antimony by ,sublimation1 ,distillation and ,rectification to the greatest ,subtilty1 and afterwards again concentrate this subtil ,spirit into a hard ,stone1 which ,stone when it is not fixed 7being then useful in ,medicine7 is of a reddish ,colour1 and easily melted1 and penetrates all ,bodies4 ,but if by it you would graduate ,silver into ,gold1 you must first fix it1 to abide the ,cupel1 but being once fixed1 it will not then perform in ,medicine what it would before4 ,it is worth much more1 when unfixed to be used in ,physick1 than when it is fixed for the tinging of ,silver4 ,for the health of ,men is more precious than ,gold or ,silver4 ,and with an universal ,medicine1 that will ,cure all internal and external ,diseases1 you may get ,gold and ,silver enough4 ,i have at this present time1 but a very little of this ,stone left1 but am resolved in a little time to make a good quantity of it1 that ,i may therewith serve my sick ,neighbours4 ,for it works strange things as you shall hereafter hear4 ,this our ,stone is so powerful in its working1 that we dare not give it in substance1 for one ,grain of it serves for twenty ,doses or more1 and each of them hath power to expel from the ,body whatsoever is hurtful4 ,this ,medicine opens all ,obstructions1 and you shall hardly find any other comparable to it4 ,the best way to use it is to keep it whole1 and not to powder it1 and then it is fit to be used both inwardly and outwardly4 ,if you will use it inwardly1 then put a few bits of it into a ,glass1 and pour ,spirit of ,wine upon it1 in which a little ,sugar is dissolved1 and so let it stand till you have occasion for it4 ,if you will purge any ,body with it1 you must put a few drops of it into a spoonful of ,wine or ,beer1 or any other ,liquor1 and give it to the ,patient1 and order him to be kept warm1 then the ,medicine will work in his ,body1 like fire upon ,wood1 and consume whatever impeded his health1 and drive it out by all the ,emunctories1 viz4 by ,vomit1 ,stool1 ,sweat1 ,urine and ,spitting1 and leaves no impurity in the ,body1 and so it expels all ,fevers and ,agues1 however distinguished4 ,it also cures the ,plague1 ,leprosie1 ,gout1 the falling ,sickness in young and old4 ,it takes away all obstructions of the ,body1 viz4 of the ,liver1 ,spleen1 and ,lungs1 it expels all ill ,humours1 contained in the ,cavity of the ,thorax and all other parts of the ,body4 ,this our ,stone also opens the ,obstructions of the ,mesentery1 carries off all ,slime1 and ,salt watry ,humidities4 ,it cleanseth the ,stomach and ,guts from all pituitous and bilious ,slime4 ,it also draws all hurtful ,humours out of the ,brain1 takes away noise in the ,ears1 ,comforts the hearing and sight1 takes away every ,toothach in a moment1 fastens loose ,teeth1 and hinders their fouling4 ,it takes away all the ,vices of the ,throat1 ,mouth and ,tongue1 and suffers no uncleanness or foulness to abide thee4 ,it is a pitty to see that no ,physician hath a ,remedy for the ,toothach1 but either pulling them out1 or stopping them when hollow with ,narcoticks or hot ,oyls1 which are indeed no cure3 ,now forasmuch as this ,disease troubled ,people of all ,ages1 and few know any ,remedy for it1 ,i think it necessary to set down a never failing ,cure4 ',tis true1 most ,toothachs may be put off by ,purging1 and need not so painful a ,cure1 as drawing4 ,out of ,pity to those1 who are troubled with the ,toothach from their infancy1 ,i here declare the ,remedy4 4 ,of our ,fire-stone1 as much as a ,pea1 and put it into your ,mouth1 with half a ,spoonful of ,wine1 keep it in your ,mouth as long as you can1 or so long till the ,stone hath drawn your ,mouth full of ,rheume1 then spit it out1 and again put the ,stone into your ,mouth1 with as much ,wine as before1 and keep it there till your ,mouth is again fill'd with ,rhume1 then again spit it out1 and continue doing this so long1 till you have spit out half a ,pint of ,rhuemy ,spittle1 not reckoning the ,wine4 ,the next day again draw out the same quantity2 do this every ,morning fasting so long1 till no slimy matter1 but only a clear insipid water comes out1 which is a certain sign that your ,head and ,brain is freed from all superfluous ,moisture4 ,when this is done1 for a great while you will be free from all noxious ,rhumes1 or ,salt defluxions1 which fall from the ,head to the ,teeth1 and there cause pain4 ,this our ,fire-stone doth not only draw all noxious ,humours from the ,head1 but also out of the ,stomack1 ,lungs1 ,liver and ,spleen1 and carries them out of the ,body1 by the ,mouth1 as well or better than any common ,purge4 ,but if the ,body should be too full of ill ,humours1 so that our ,fire-stone1 should not be able to draw them all out that way1 then you must take some of it inwardly extracted as before mentioned4 ,but because this our ,stone is yet unfixed1 and therefore sometime causeth ,vomits1 and some are not able to bear ,vomiting1 therefore you may prevent it1 by putting distilled ,vinegar with ,sugar upon the ,stone1 instead of ,brandy1 and so extract it1 and this ,extract will cause no ,vomits1 but only work by ,stool3 ,this is enough to be said for the ,cure of the ,toothach4 ,but if ,parents were sufficiently knowing1 and careful of their ,children1 they might in their ,childhood prevent the greatest part of this ,mischief1 by causing them daily to wash their ,mouths1 and behind their ,ears1 with cold water4 ,but in those who are come to ,maturity1 our ,fire-stone is the best of ,remedies and never fails4 ,it also cures the ,scurvy in the ,mouth1 when little hot ,pimples appear1 and the decay or washing of the ,gums4 ,this ,stone being held in the ,mouth with ,wine1 also preserves ,old ,men from ,apoplexies1 ,catarrhs1 and the like4 ,let this suffice to be spoken concerning the ,virtues of our ,fire-stone1 in the curing of internal ,diseases4 ,but because the ,variety of ,distempers is great1 ,i will there set down the true way of using it1 that none may err in its ,application4 ,of the true use of this ,medicine in ,diseases4 ,in all ,fevers or ,agues1 let them be ,quotidians1 ,tertans or ,quartians1 you must always give our ,medicine two hours before the fit1 and keep the ,patient from the cold ,air4 ,in the ,plague1 ,pleurisie and other hot ,fevers1 you must not delay the using of this ,medicine1 but as soon the ,patient is taken1 give him a ,dose of our ,medicine1 let it work with him in a warm ,room4 ,and if the ,disease abate not1 give him the next day another ,dose more or less1 according to the condition of the ,disease and the ,patient4 ,and you must beware of ,bleeding1 if the ,patient be strong enough to endure a ,purge1 but if the ,patient should not have sufficient strength1 and yet the heat encrease1 then you may abate the heat by taking away a little ,blood1 but not too much1 that the strength may not be exhausted with the ,blood1 and the evil yet remain in his ,body1 for by ,purging1 only that which is hurtful is expelled1 and the good remains4 ,in the ,epilepsie1 you must use this ,medicine only every other1 or every ,third day1 as long as there shall be occasion4 ,in the ,stone of the ,kidneys and ,bladder1 once in a ,fortnight4 ,in the ,dropsie1 once a ,week4 ,in the ,cholick1 once after you have used a ,clyster4 ,in the ,leprosie1 once a ,week4 ,in the ,gout of all sorts1 once in three or four ,days1 until the pain is gone4 ,in ,obstructions of the ,lungs1 ,liver1 ,spleen and ,mesentery1 once or twice one after another4 ,in the ,venereal ,disease1 you must use it every ,third day1 and ,sweat between whiles1 till the ,disease is gone4 ,in the ,hypocondriack ,melancholy1 ,scurvy and the like ,distempers1 which proceed from ,salt and ,cholerick ,blood1 you must take a ,dose every ,third day1 till the ,disease is gone4 ,in all sorts of ,scabs and impurity of the ,skin1 which proceed from watery ,blood1 you must take it once or twice1 and apply outwardly a fixed white ,sulphur4 ,in the ,dysentery or ,bloody ,flux1 use it but once and it stays the ,flux4 ,of the outward ,use of our ,fire-,stone4 ,if our ,antimonial ,fire-stone be boyled for some hours in ,sallad-oyl1 it draws out of it many ,virtues1 so that being only outwardly applyed1 it doth much good in ,physick4 ,the ,oyl becomes red in the boyling1 and if it doth not so1 it is a sign1 that it hath not been well boyled1 but if it be well done1 it will do what ,i here say4 ,first1 this ,oyl is good to heal all fresh ,wounds1 and old ,sores1 if you dip ,pledgets in it1 and lay them thereon1 and so keep it from the ,air with a ,plaister of ,wax4 ,it also cures all ,bruises1 being anointed with it1 or a ,cloth dipt in it1 and laid over the ,bruise4 ,a little ,cotton being dipt in it1 and applyed to the ,navel with a ,nutshel1 purgeth those1 who are easily moved1 as well1 as if they had taken it inwardly3 ,and if being so applyed1 it should not work with ,men1 that are not easily moved1 you may inject a ,dram of it ,clysterwise by a ,syringe1 and then it will open the ,body1 and carry all slime and filth from the ,guts1 and is certainly the best ,remedy in the ,world against the ,cholick4 ,for it doth not only draw what is bad out of the thick ,guts1 as ,clysters do1 but also out of the small ,guts1 yea even out of the ,stomach1 to the ease and admiration of the ,patient4 ,this ,oyl also applied to the ,navel and ,clysterwise1 immediately helps ,women1 who are troubled with the ,suffocation of the ,matrix1 for which ,disease the ,world cannot afford a better ,remedy4 ,and without doubt this ,oyl hath many more ,virtues than ,i yet know1 but time will discover them2 for ,i have not had it long1 but am resolved to have a good quantity of it made to serve the ,sick3 ,and no doubt1 but in a short time this high ,medicine of the ,stone and ,oyl1 will be known to all ,europe4 ,for it will far outdoe the whole ,galenick ,apparatus of ,medicine4 ,certainly those ,physicians1 who serve in ,armies1 should not be without this incomparable ,medicine1 which is of so small ,carriage1 and doth so great things4 ,for one ,ounce of this will make at the least a ,thousand ,doses1 and so by consequence many may be cured by it4 ,if every ,chyrurgian in an ,army1 should have but half an ,ounce of this ,stone1 for inward use1 and some ,ounces of the ,red ,balsome1 for outward use1 the ,lives of many ,souldiers would be saved1 which for want of it must dye4 ,the threatning of ,armies is already over our ,heads4 ,god send us what is good for our ,souls1 and preserve the ,pious from evil4 ,and so we end this ,book of the ,firestones4 ,if it please ,god1 the ,seventh part of the ,prosperity of ,germany shall shortly follow4 ,de ,purgatorio ,philosophorum3 ,,or1 ,a ,,treatise concerning the ,purifying ,fire of the ,wise ,men4 ,with which1 the ,philosophers cleanse their ,mineral1 ,animal1 and ,vegetable ,subjects1 and exalt them to the highest degree of ,purity1 in order to prepare ,universal ,medicaments from them1 for the ,bodies of ,men and ,metals4 ,which ,purgatory ,fire is ,called ,ysopaica1 by the ancient ,philosophers1 that is1 to say1 the ,art of washing with ,fire4 ,together1 with a subjoyned instruction1 how1 by means of the ,salt of the ,world1 out of all ,metals and ,minerals1 a living ,mercury may in quantity be prepared4 ,from the ,high-,dutch faithfully ,translated into ,english4 ,reader1 ,if any wonder at the ,title of this little ,book1 let them know1 it agrees very well with the ,matter it treats of1 forasmuch as all things that are cleansed with ,fire1 may truly be said to be purified by means of a ,purgatory4 ,there are indeed besides this1 many other ways of cleansing as by ,water1 ,lye1 ,soap1 and other moist things2 but that way cannot properly be called a ,purgatory1 nor any other1 but what is done by ,fire4 ,i intend in this ,book to treat of three sorts of ,purgatories1 viz4 ,first1 of the secret flaming ,purgatory1 or cleansing ,fire of the ,philosophers1 made of ,alcolized ,spirit of ,wine1 wherewith they purifie the ,souls of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 dignifying them thereby to enter their ,heaven4 ,the other ,purgatory ,god makes use of1 to purifie his dear ,children here in this ,vale of ,misery1 to make them abhor sin1 and fit them1 after many afflictions1 and torments endured1 for a ,translation with all ,saints1 into his heavenly ,kingdom1 there to behold his ,face to all ,eternity4 ,the ,third ,purgatory is1 that of which the ,christians of old have ,writ1 and is to this day still believed by the ,church of ,rome1 viz4 that the ,souls of the deceased1 when by the guilt of deadly sins1 they are not immediately sunk down into the eternal ,hellish ,pains1 are in this ,purgatory cleansed of the pardonable sins they have committed in this ,life1 and are made worthy to enter into eternal ,joy and ,salvation4 ,now what this ,purgatory is1 which no ,person living is able to give an experimental and true grounded ,account of1 we will1 if it please ,god1 a little enquire into1 after that we have first exposed to view1 and unanswerably asserted the truth of the two foregoing ,purgatories1 which our eyes have seen1 and our hands have handled4 ,concerning the ,first ,purgatory4 ,the ,first ,purgatory1 or cleansing ,fire of the ,philosophers1 with which they prepare their ,universal and particular ,medicines for ,cure of all ,subjects of the three ,kingdoms of the ,world1 hath been most carefully concealed by them4 ,i have indeed formerly1 of ,friendship and ,goodwill1 revealed this ,fire1 with its most profitable ,use1 to some ,persons1 by which means others unworthy have began to perceive something of it1 and used their utmost endeavours to attain the full knowledge of this high ,secret1 and have so far succeeded1 as to understand it in part1 viz4 the ,use of common ,spirit of ,wine1 which is a considerable ingredient of the said ,philosophick ,purgatory ,fire4 ,but after all their serching1 they never attained the knowledge of the ,salt of ,art1 by which the ,spirit of ,wine is ,alcolized1 which is the best and chief ingredient of this ,fire4 ,forasmuch then1 as the ,spirit of ,wine is thus known1 and will probably yet further be divulged2 ,i have thought good to publish it my self1 and to communicate the ,secret to all4 ,but as for the secret ,salt of ,art1 whereby the ,spirit of ,wine is actuated and fortified1 and is the proper ,agent for ,meliorating of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 and whereby they are brought to the highest degree of ,purity1 none hitherto have been able to entice it from me1 and ,i trust that for time to come ,i shall be more cautious of communicating ought to false and wicked ,men4 ,let no ,man therefore imagine ,spirit of ,wine to be the secret ,fire of ,artephius1 whereby some ,minerals and ,metals1 without any foregoing separation of the pure from the impure1 may without any diminution of their weight be changed into a mere pure ,tincture4 ,no in no wise1 for no ,spirit of ,wine hath any such power4 ,but as for what simple ,spirit of ,wine is able to perform1 that we will here declare1 and no more at this time4 ,i doubt not but many will persuade themselves1 that in having the ,spirit of ,wine1 they are ,masters of the whole ,secret2 but that's a great mistake1 he that questions it1 let him read ,artephius1 ,pontanus1 and some few others who write of it1 and he will find that a simple ,spirit of ,wine hath no resemblance with the ,fire of ,artephius4 ,for the ,philosophers who write of it tell us1 that their ,fire acts as a proper ,agent on its ,patient1 with an invisible ,flame1 continually1 equally in one and the same degree1 and at last changes it into pure ,tincture4 ,which things cannot be said of ,spirit of ,wine1 which doth not burn continually1 equally1 or invisibly1 from whence it is apparent1 that ,spirit of ,wine is not the ,fire of ,artephius1 nor can be compared with it4 ,now what this ,fire of ,artephius is1 has been sufficiently declared by me1 in my ,treatise of the ,threefold ,fire1 and therefore unnecessary to write more of it here4 ,it remains only for me to declare1 how ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals with the help of any burning ,spirit1 not only that of ,wine1 but of ,corn1 ,honey1 ,fruits1 ,leaves or ,grass may be most highly purified1 and reduc'd to the ,highest ,medicines4 ,in my little ,treatise of ,elias the ,artist1 ,i have taught at large how to bring the ,essences of ,metals1 ,stones1 ,vegetables and ,animals over the ,helm1 by means of an ,alcolised ,spirit of ,wine1 and to prepare universal ,medicaments from them1 to which therefore ,i refer the ,lover of ,art4 ,and will now proceed to declare1 to how good purpose ,spirit of ,wine may be made use of in ,physick4 ,we all know that in general there are but two ways of cleansing impure things1 viz4 ,water and ,fire4 ,now ,water can only take away those defilements that are outward and superficial1 not being able to pierce to the ,center2 whereas ,fire does not only purge the outside1 but even that which is in-most1 separating the impure for the pure1 as hath already been mention'd4 ,we know also1 that the ,flame of ,fire can consume nothing but its like1 viz4 the ,combustible ,sulphur1 but cannot consume the incombustible ,mercury1 nor destroy1 burn1 or annihilate it1 the ,flames serving only to meliorate and exalt it4 ,for the ,mercury of all things can no way better be purged than by ,fire1 by which though it be driven away1 yet may always be found again1 as being incombustible4 ,for ,mercury is the best and purest of the three ,principles1 forasmuch as it cannot be hurt by any ,elements1 not by the most violent ,fire1 much less destroyed1 because it is throughout ,homogeneal4 ,there are three things in the ,world which be incorruptible1 the first of which is the ,mercury of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 which1 when by its ,enemy the ,fire1 it is tormented1 and driven from its ,body1 loseth none of its ,virtues1 but is only purified thereby4 ,this incombustible ,soul of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 is one of those three things in the ,world1 which are fixed1 constant1 and unperishable in all trials and conflicts whatsoever4 ,the second thing which is constant1 permanent1 incorruptible and invincible is ,truth1 which cannot be suppress'd by any ,lies or opposition whatsoever2 ,oppressed she may be1 but not totally suppressed2 for ,god himself is the ,truth1 and as ,god cannot be overcome1 so neither can ,truth4 ,the third and last incorruptible subject in the ,world1 is the ,immortal ,soul of ,man2 for whatsoever ,afflictions or ,persecutions a good ,man suffers from wicked ,men1 can not in the least hurt his ,soul1 but serve only to purifie1 exalt1 and enoble it4 ,the more ,gold suffers in the ,fire1 the better and purer it becomes1 and as true it is1 that the ,soul by the adversities of time1 becomes refined and graduated to the height of ,purity1 being by this ,earthly ,purgatory dignified and prepared for ,eternal ,glory4 ,but to return to our purpose1 which is to shew that the cleansing of ,vegetables1 ,animals and ,minerals1 must be performed by their own ,purgatory1 viz4 a common burning ,spirit4 ,we will begin with ,wine1 as being a very noble ,creature1 and see what good thing may be had from it1 by means of its own ,purgatory or ,cleansing ,fire1 which without it could never have been brought to ,light4 ,now to speak fundamentally of this matter1 we must first of all know1 that several different ,spirits lie hid in ,wine1 which also may separately be distill'd from it4 ,as in the first place the known burning ,spirit2 next that ,spirit which is distill'd from ,crude ,tartar1 which is of a quite different nature from that which is distill'd from ,wine1 or its ,lees1 which being kindled burns away in ,flame1 consuming all the ,sulphur1 leaving nothing but the incombustible ,mercury or ,essential ,salt behind1 and that in a very small quantity1 but of great ,virtue2 whereas the ,spirit of ,tartar which is distill'd by ,retort1 though it be much more subtil and penetrative than the burning ,spirit1 yet will not suffer it self to be kindled or burnt away1 being otherwise of great use in all ,tartareous ,diseases1 and obstructions of the ,body4 ,there is also an ,antinephritical ,spirit distill'd from the fixed ,salt of ,tartar with distill'd ,vinegar1 which afterwards suffers it self to be sublimed1 and being distilled yield a very strong ,spirit1 of which time doth not permit to treat at present4 ,we will only1 point out to you1 by what means the most glorious ,mercury and ,essential ,salt of ,wine1 may most easily be obtained1 and what great things may be perform'd by it in ,physick4 99 99 99 99 99 4 ,of white ,tartar well pulverised #a l4 ,spirit of ,salt #a l4 and half1 mix these well together1 and fill therewith the fourth part of a ,glass ,body1 and pour on #c l4 of ,spirit of ,wine1 lute the head on immediately1 for when these two ,antagonists1 the ,acid ,crude ,tartar1 and ,urinous ,salt of ,tartar meet1 they furiously attack each other1 and in their ,conflict send forth a very subtil ,spirit1 and a glorious ,essential ,salt1 which ,mercury the ,spirit of ,wine when distilled carries over with it4 ,when now this ,spirit of ,wine being kindled burns away1 the ,mercury or most pure ,essential ,salt is thereby loosened1 and with the ,flame goes over into the ,receiver1 where it is caught of the ,phlegm1 from which being separated by distillation in a ,vaporous ,bath 'tis fit for use4 ,this ,clestial ,salt of ,wine is of wonderful ,virtue1 concerning which ,i have given a full account in some of my last published ,writings4 ,its ,virtues are chiefly these2 ,it has the ,preminence of all ,medicaments whatsoever1 in curing the ,stone1 ,gout1 and the like ,tartarous ,diseases4 ,moreover this ,heavenly ,salt penetrates the whole ,body1 opens all ,obstructions1 strengthens the ,heart1 ,brain1 and all ,vital ,parts2 is a powerful ,diaphoretick and ,diuretick4 ,indeed any one may easily imagine1 that a ,quintessence of ,wine1 when purified by its own ,purgatory1 must needs exert wonderful effects1 and be of great uses1 in the hands of a skilful ,physician2 of which more hereafter4 ,furthermore from ,wine1 by means of its own burning ,spirit1 may be separated an excellent ,volatile ,salt1 after this manner4 ,dissolve the ,oyl of ,wine1 which by distillation is got out of the ,lees in a strong ,spirit of ,wine1 so as the ,oyl may be well united with the ,spirit4 ,this done1 kindle the ,spirit of ,wine1 and let it burn away under our great cooling ,helm or ,head1 by which means the ,mercury or ,salt of ,wine goes over with the ,phlegm1 and is caught by it4 ,in like manner out of that stinking ,oil which is driven from ,tartar by a ,retort1 and is of great virtue1 7though for its loathsom scent it cannot be used7 a very powerful ,volatile ,salt may be obtained1 by burning away the said ,oyl with a burning ,spirit1 which ,volatile ,salt by those ,purging ,flames loseth its loathsom smell1 and may be made use of in ,physick1 as that before mentioned prepared from ,wine4 ,according to this method of obtaining the ,mercury of ,wine1 we may proceed with all other ,vegetables1 and separate their pure incombustible ,mercury1 by burning away their ,oyls1 with their own or any ether burning ,spirit1 by which means the ,volatile ,mercury is caught4 ,it is to be observ'd1 that all ,oyls distill'd from ,herbs1 whose flowers resemble ,stars1 do yield more ,volatile ,salt1 than the distill'd ,oyl of other ,herbs4 ,when these ,herbs cannot be had fresh and green1 we may take their ,seeds1 which yield more ,oyl and ,volatile ,salt than the ,herbs themselves4 ,in like manner all ,oyls1 distill'd from ,seeds1 afford more ,volatile ,salt than those which are forc'd from ,roots1 ,stalks1 ,leaves or ,wood2 the ,seed always abounding with more ,volatile ,salt than any other part of the ,vegetable2 and that because ,god hath placed the growing and multiplying virtue of all things in their ,seeds1 from whence also the same is most easily separable for the use and service of ,man4 ,in particular1 the ,seeds of ,annis1 ,fennel1 ,dill1 ,carway1 ,cumin1 ,cresses1 ,scurvy grass and ,mustard afford much ,volatile ,salt4 ,so likewise all ,excremental and ,superfluous ,egestions of ,nature1 such as are the ,hair of ,men and ,beasts1 the ,horns and ,claws of ,beasts1 the ,excrements of ,beasts and ,birds1 as also their ,feathers1 do abound with ,volatile ,salt4 ,amongst these we may also reckon ,amber1 ,soot1 and ,smith's ,coals2 when the stinking ,oyl of any of these is burnt away1 the remaining ,essential ,salt will procure the ,physicians praise and honour1 and the ,patient's help and ease4 ,the ,seeds of ,henbane and ,tobacco do yield a very powerful ,salt2 so likewise do the distill'd ,oyls of ,spices1 as well as those made by ,expression afford a most excellent ,volatile ,salt being burnt away1 by means of a burning ,spirit1 united with them4 ,yet would not ,i counsel any to burn away such precious ,oyls1 forasmuch as we have other ,subjects1 which cost us nothing1 and yet yield a better ,salt than any ,spices whatsoever2 for ,minerals and ,metals1 when without a ,corrosive they are brought into a strong ,spirit of ,wine1 yield a much better ,mercury1 wherein all the virtues of ,vegetables are concentred2 and consequently are far more efficacious than any ,vegetable ,salt against all ,diseases whether of ,men or ,metals4 ,in this way we may easily1 and in a manner without labour or any considerable charges1 procure a running ,mercury from all ,minerals and ,metals2 which ,mercury of ,metals suffers it self afterwards to be fixed into a true ,tincture for ,men and ,metals1 by means of its proper ,agent and ,secret ever-burning ,fire1 and this easily without any loss of weight1 which cannot be expected from a common ,mercury1 and therefore we must be provided of a ,metallick ,mercury if we would do this feat4 ,mars1 ,venus1 and ,mercury are the best amongst the meaner ,metals for this purpose1 as yielding the best ,mercury1 but the ,mercuries of ,sol and ,luna are the best of all4 ,and it is a thing that deserves our wonder1 that from such ,compact ,bodies1 as those ,homogeneal ,metals are1 which are accounted indivisible1 a ,volatile ,mercury should be separated4 ,indeed had ,i not done it my self1 ,i should hardly have been persuaded of its possibility4 ,resuscitative ,salts are the only means to effect this ,wonder1 and whosoever knows in due manner to apply them to ,metals1 to him it is an easie thing1 yea1 ,childrens play1 in one days time1 without toil or labour1 to separate a running ,mercury from all ,metals and ,minerals4 ,there is one only ,salt in the ,world1 which has a power above others to revivifie ,metals1 costs nothing1 and is every where to be had in abundance3 ,this contemptible ,salt the ,philosophers have always concealed1 saying1 that it is cast out upon ,dunghils1 and as much beloved of the ,wise1 as it is hated and despised by ,fools4 ,in this ,salt greater secrets lie hid1 than in the ,salt of ,art before mentioned1 which cannot be had without toil and labour2 but this our more secret ,resuscitative ,salt of ,art doth far excell that1 for it not only exalts and multiplies the colours of ,sol and ,luna as well as that1 but also radically opens all ,metalline ,subjects whatsoever1 separating their purest ,mercury from the gross fces1 and brings it over with it self1 which no other ,salt in the ,world can do4 ,there are indeed some other ,salts to be found1 which in some degree do resuscitate ,metals1 and separate a running ,mercury1 as ,salt of ,tartar1 ,urine1 and the like1 but are not comparable with our resuscitative ,salt of ,art1 which1 for all them1 continues the undoubted ,monarch over all ,salts4 ,there are very few to be found1 who are able with so much ease and little charge to separate a running ,mercury in quantity from ,metals1 and fix the same into a true ,tincture4 ,wherefore we should make it our business to enquire into the nature of ,salts1 and learn to know their several uses2 because in ,salts great good lies hid1 which few believe or apprehend4 ,plato indeed was of opinion1 that something ,divine was contain'd in our common ,salt2 and other ,philosophers have not stuck to say1 that in the ,sun and ,salt is ,all4 ,he that doth not know what ,fire and ,salt are1 knows nothing1 and deserves not the name of a ,philosopher4 ,and thus much shall suffice concerning ,fire and ,salt1 and the great things that may be performed by them4 ,he therefore who desires to approve himself a good ,physician or ,chymist1 let him study the nature of ,fire and ,salt1 and learn to distinguish them1 for without this he'l never do any thing to purpose in either faculty4 ,to return now to our ,spagirical ,purgatory1 and shew that the ,philosophers by means thereof performed their greatest ,arcana4 ,paracelsus alone1 the ,monarch of ,physicians1 gives us a sufficient ,testimony hereof1 when1 treating of the ,element of ,fire1 in his ,book of ,sulphur1 he saith1 ,that if a ,physician have not amongst his ,secrets the ,element of ,fire from ,sulphur1 he is not a ,physician1 but a-------- ,o my dear ,paracelsus1 thou art not to be blamed for thy zealous inveighing against those ,lazy ,lubbards1 and if thy words be ,authentick1 'tis to be feared that scarce one good ,physician will be found in all ,germany1 forasmuch as the ,element of ,fire of ,sulphur is utterly unknown4 ,but this cannot be said1 for that besides this ,element of ,fire1 there be several other good ,medicaments a ,physician may prepare4 ,yet forasmuch as ,i have writ somewhat of it here1 ,i hope it may stir up some to search after it1 and so learn to prepare their ,medicines by ,fire2 because whatsoever can without hurt or loss abide the ,fire1 the same must needs be very pure and good4 ,david to this purpose gives us a similitude of ,luna1 which must sometimes pass the ,fire1 before it attain its utmost purity4 ,this art of cleansing things with ,fire1 was by the ,philosophers of old termed ,ysopaica1 of which see ,paracelsus4 ,it is to admired1 that how black or smutty soever any thing be1 after it is wash'd by ,fire1 it becomes snow white2 which the ,mercury driven by ,fire from black ,sulphur and ,mars1 is alone a sufficient proof of1 in which whiteness the fairest ,red lies hid4 ,that ,ysopaica1 or the ,art of ,washing with ,fire1 and thereby changing ,black to ,white1 was in use amongst the ,ancients1 seems probable from ,david's words1 when he cries to ,god2 ,purge me with ,hysop1 and ,i shall be clean1 wash me1 and ,i shall be whiter then snow3 ,david here desires nothing else1 than to have his ,soul1 which was cole black by ,sin1 washed and purged by the ,fire of the ,holy ,ghost1 and therefore by way of ,comparison he mentions ,ysopaica1 or the ,art of ,washing black things white by ,fire4 ,in a word1 this ,art of ,washing things snow-white by a ,philosophical ,purgatory ,flame1 appears to be the head skill of ,philosophy1 ,physick and ,alchimy4 ,and forasmuch as ,i have here made mention of ,ysopaica1 ,i hope ,i shall not be thought tedious1 if ,i set down some more instances of cleansing black and impure things by ,fire4 ,for seeing this excellent and incomparable ,art has for some hundred years been in a manner wholly lost1 ,paracelsus being the first that hath renewed the knowledge of it1 ,i have thought good at present to restore this ,royal ,art to its former lustre and glory1 wherewith it shone forth in the ,schools of the ,kings of ,egypt1 where those of the ,blood ,royal were taught and instructed in the same4 ,in which ,schools ,moses also 7as being the ,adopted ,son of ,pharaoh's ,daughter7 had his ,education1 being there instructed in all the ,wisdom and ,skill of the ,egyptians4 ,in those times this ,ysopaica1 or ,art of ,washing with ,fire was in great esteem and flourished1 which was the cause of the great ,riches and ,puissance of the ,egyptians1 which continued till the ,monarchy was made subject to the ,romans2 and yet even then1 being ,possessors of ,ysopaica and ,chrysopeia1 they soon put themselves into a condition again of disputing their ,liberty with the ,romans1 and rebelled against them2 and though by the prevailing ,power of the ,romans they were still overcome1 yet did they often reiterate their ,revolt2 until at last the ,emperor ,diocletian being informed that their ,art of ,chymistry was their inexhaustible ,treasure1 which still encouraged them to rebell1 sent a great ,army amongst them1 with ,orders to ,ransack all ,places for ,books treating of that ,art1 and commit them to the ,flames2 which done1 they quietly afterwards endured the ,roman ,yoak1 which before1 on every occasion1 they were ready to shake off4 ,by the same means also the said ,art has been as it were totally lost1 which ,i am not without hopes to restore again1 and if ,death should chance to prevent me1 yet will it assuredly be done after my ,death by ,elias the ,artist4 ,i have indeed already in some of my last ,treatises so plainly writ of this ,art1 that any one1 who is any thing skilful in the ,fire1 may become ,master of the ,art4 ,to return then to ,ysopaica1 ,i say1 ,i have already communicated the use of a ,burning ,spirit1 by means whereof all stinking1 impure1 ,vegetable1 ,animal1 and easily inflamable ,mineral ,subjects1 may be washed to the highest degree of ,purity1 with which great things may be performed1 especially in ,physick1 and such as are impossible to be done by any known way4 ,indeed by this alone most profitable discovery1 ,i have discovered a new ,world of ,art1 which for so many hundred years has been unknown2 and ,i doubt not1 but this way of washing with ,fire will serve for a shining ,light to lead ,physicians to the true ,spagyrical ,physick4 ,thus much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the moist fiery washing by means of a ,burning ,spirit2 it remains now to declare in what manner the ,compactest ,metals1 and ,precious as well as ,common ,stones1 may by a dry cleansing ,fire be meliorated4 ,for a ,spirit of ,wine is much too weak to pierce the ,bodies of ,compact ,metals1 and to wash them to a perfect cleanness2 wherefore we are to look out for a stronger ,wash-,fire1 which may be able to ,master the fixt as well as unfixt ,metals4 ,now ,art hands to us a certain dry ,wash-,fire1 wherewith the ,ancients meliorated all ,metals and ,stones2 but this dry ,fire has never been published1 neither know ,i any ,author that hath writ plainly of it1 save only ,paracelsus in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 where speaking of ,mercury1 he describes this flaming ,wash-,fire1 viz4 4 ,of ,tartar part j4 ,sulphur p4 ij4 ,nitre p4 iij4 being well mixed together1 use them4 ,paracelsus calls this ,composition a good fluxing ,powder2 but hints at other things1 as appears by those words he places before the ,description of the said ,fulminating ,powder1 viz4 ,pulvis adole ,verbenas1 which words conceal a great ,mystery1 as will presently appear4 ,the ,composition of ,paracelsus may be meliorated by taking only one part of ,sulphur1 ,tartar ij4 and ,nitre iij4 and is a very good ,wash-,fire4 ,there be also many more and better ,wash-,fires for to ,purifie and exalt ,metals1 of which we shall hear anon4 ,follows now the use of the foresaid ,wash-,fire4 ,and first it is to be observed1 that to the end this ,fire may have the better effect1 the ,ingredients must be pure1 dry1 and very well poudred1 for by how much purer the ,ingredients be1 the stronger is the ,fire4 ,when therefore we have a mind to wash any ,metal therewith1 suppose impure ,sol or ,luna1 we must file the same very small1 and then mixing three or four parts of the said ,powder with it in a ,crucible1 kindle the mixture with a red-hot ,coal1 and the ,flame thence arising will consume all the impurities of the ,metal1 or separate them as dross1 the pure ,metals sinking as a ,regulus to the bottom4 ,and if the ,operation be duly performed1 the ,regulus will be as fine as if it had pass'd the ,cupel4 ,if we desire yet further to increase the strength of this ,fulmen or ,wash-,fire1 we may take instead of ,tartar half the quantity of the ,saw-dust of dry ,lime-tree1 which affords a much stronger ,flame than ,tartar1 and consequently better purges impure ,metals4 ,with this strong ,fire we may in a moment purifie a small quantity of ,sol or ,luna if we please1 in a ,nutshel2 which ,i don't mention here as a thing of ,profit1 but only of ,curiosity1 and to shew the force of this ,fire4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if we desire to make use of this ,wash-,fire to ,profit1 we must not take a ,common ,nitre of ,sulphur1 but such a ,sulphur as burns faster than the ,common1 and the ,nitre must be purified1 whereof more hereafter4 ,a ,good ,fulmen or powerful cleansing ,fire for to purifie the ,common ,mercury1 so as afterwards it may be easily fixed4 ,we are to know1 that the ,common ,mercury contains in it self an extraordinary fiery ,spirit1 which hinders it from being a ,compact ,metal1 and keeps it in continual ,flux like a ,molten ,metal1 and makes it so difficult a work to fix it3 ,now if we can but extinguish this ,fire in him1 he'l be easily reducible to a ,compact ,metallick ,body4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is notorious1 that always a greater ,flame overcomes and swallows up the lesser2 to extinguish therefore this ,fire in ,mercury1 we cannot do better1 than make use of a strong ,fulmen1 which ,paracelsus hints with those words1 ,pulvis ,adole ,verbenas1 as if he had said1 ,go ,fulmen and burn the ,wings of that ,volatil ,bird1 that he may flie no more4 ,but the ,fulmen he there describes will not do it1 a stronger must be made use of in that case4 ,to this purpose ,i have made many trials in my ,youth1 but have found none better than the ,fulmen of ,jupiter1 which takes as follows4 99 99 99 99 99 4 ,of ,crude ,mercury and fine ,jupiter each j l4 melt the ,jupiter in a ,crucible1 and when it begins to cool1 pour the ,mercury upon it1 and the heated ,jupiter will take to it self the ,mercury1 and become an ,amalgama1 which ,amalgama must with dry and purified ,nitre be ground upon a ,stone4 ,this done 4 of the strong ,fluxing ,powder abovesaid1 the same quantity as the ,amalgama and ,nitre1 and grind them well together1 and then the ,mixture is ready for kindling4 ,but the ,operation must be performed in the open ,air1 where the ,wind may carry away the poisonous ,fumes4 ,the ,mixture may be put into a strong ,earthen ,pot1 and after ,detonation1 there will remain a ,mass difficult to ,flux1 which being ,cupell'd1 and separated by ,aq4 ,fort4 affords a considerable quantity of ,sol and ,luna1 abundantly recompensing the cost and labour of the ,operation4 ,after that the ,mixture is kindled1 the ,matter must be often stirred with a red-hot ,iron1 to the end that no part may remain unkindled1 but that the whole ,mass may be red-hot throughout4 ,another ,fulmen to graduate ,venus into ,luna4 4 ,of the foresaid ,fluxing ,powder of ,sulphur1 ,tartar and ,nitre1 and grind with it iv ,ounces of ,mercury of ,luna1 and lay the same weight of thin ,plates of ,venus ,,sss4 with your foresaid ,composition1 kindle the ,mass1 and the proceeding ,flames will graduate some part of the ,venus into good and fix ,luna with considerable profit1 the ,operation being rightly performed4 ,with the same ,fulmen1 may be graduated into 1 and forasmuch as it doth not melt1 it's better than ,venus for this way of working2 ,needles are best for this purpose4 ,another ,rapid ,fulmen changing ,iron and ,steel into ,good ,gold4 4 ,of the abovesaid ,fluxing ,powder1 iv or v 1 mix with it j or half an ,ounce of ,aurum ,fulminans precipitated from the ,aqua ,regia1 not with ,salt of ,tartar1 but with ,salt of ,urine2 with this ,fulmen and ,steel ,needles make ,,sss4 in a ,crucible4 ,let not the ,needles be above j weight1 else the ,fulmen will not be able to graduate them wholly into ,sol4 ,this ,process well managed affords a good increase of ,sol4 ,it is also no contemptible ,curiosity to see ,needles chang'd to ,sol1 their pristine form remaining4 ,i took once #bj or #cj ,needles1 which ,i put with their points up to the midst in the said ,fulmen1 their upper halves remaining untouch'd by it1 and after ,fulmination took out the ,needles1 the lower part of which was pure ,sol1 the upper continuing ,iron1 which ,i distributed amongst my ,friends and ,lovers of ,art for a remembrance4 ,the same may be performed with ,nails4 ,now though in this ,gradation of there be no very great ,profit1 yet neither is there any loss2 and besides the ,curiosity of it1 is a convincing demonstration that without deposing any ,terrestreity1 may have it's whole ,body changed into ,sol4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the remaining ,fulmen may with a little ,nitre be melted down to a ,regulus1 by which means the ,sol is recover'd1 and so we have our graduated ,needles for nothing4 ,n4 ,b4 ,when we have a mind to make use of the ,fulmen of 1 we had best place the ,crucible1 in which the ,fulmen and ,mars is1 in a large glased ,earthen ,vessel1 and as soon as it is kindled cover the ,crucible1 that the ,fulmen may not fly abroad1 or if any does1 it may stick to the sides of the ,pot1 which being wiped off with a ,feather1 may be reduced with the remaining ,fulmen in the ,crucible1 that there may be no loss4 ,n4 ,b4 ,it happens sometimes1 when too great a quantity of is taken to be graduated to 1 and the ,flame too strong1 that the ,needles melt into one1 especially if they be laid too close together4 ,n4 ,b4 ,in ,case1 the ,needles should not in the first ,fulmination be wholly changed to 1 the ,work may be repeated with fresh fluxing ,powder4 ,and if any one desires more ,profit from this ,operation1 let him mix some of the ,amalgama of and with the ,golden ,fulmen1 and ,fulminate with the same ,needles1 or thin ,iron ,wier1 by which means the will better diffuse the graduating 1 or ,spirit throughout the 1 and so more of it becomes changed into 4 ,n4 ,b4 ,he that would draw considerable ,profit from this ,operation1 had best perform it in a close earthen ,vessel1 with a large ,recipient fitted to it1 for to catch the 1 which may be used again1 by which means that gain will be more4 ,n4 ,b4 ,for to make this ,work yet more gainful1 we may instead of the mix with the ,fulmen of and 1 some fine powdred ,red1 ,brown1 or black ,pebbles1 which are found in running ,water1 and break as smooth as ,glass1 and contain much ,volatile 1 grinding them well together4 ,this ,fulmen when kindled1 drives the ,volatile out of the ,pebbles1 and being received by and is fixed by them1 by which means much and may be had out of 1 and 4 ,out of these ,pebbles with ,aqua ,regis much may be extracted1 and tho' the in them be ,volatile1 yet partly by means of the ,aqua ,regis1 and partly by being precipitated with the ,mercurial out of 1 and by ,reduction it is fixed3 ,concerning which ,i have largely treated in the ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,n4 ,b4 ,to work on these ,pebbles with more ,profit1 we may when reduced to fine ,powder1 extract them with in which common ,salt has been dissolved1 to which ,extraction 7which will be of a very high ,colour7 we must add some of the ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world1 every where to be found1 and then abstract the ,solvent from the ,extract1 by which means the ,resuscitative ,salt will make more ,volatile1 and separating it from the fixer ,part1 bring it over the ,helm1 in form of a yellow ,liquor1 which when mortified by a ,lixivium1 and reduced to a dry 1 if then it be driven through a ,retort1 you will find a running ,sol in the ,recipient1 in small quantity indeed1 but of great ,virtue2 which by the ,fire of ,artephius may easily be fixed into an ,universal ,tincture for ,men and ,metals4 ,a ,lixivium may afterwards be poured on the remaining ,extract1 for to mortifie the ,corrosive ,spirits1 and then distilled by ,retort1 it will yield some more ,mercurial 4 ,as for the fixt which was in the ,pebbles1 the same may be easily reduced1 and will be good 1 tho' somewhat pale ,coloured1 the ,salt of the ,world having carried some part of the ,colour over with the 4 ,n4 ,b4 ,our ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world is a very wonderful ,salt1 for when joyned with the dissolved 1 it not only brings over a running 1 but part of the ,colour of with it1 wherefore also the said ,mercurial affords a most glorious ,medicine1 when duely fixed4 ,in the same manner you may get a tinging from 1 but much better1 and easier from a 1 which lies ,volatile in its own ,matrix1 and has never touched the ,fire4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but this ,mercurial doth not tinge into 1 but only into 4 ,in the same way a may be driven from all ,metals1 and in considerable quantity4 ,the of and are the best2 those of 1 and are good also1 but not so high colour'd1 as that of which is the best4 ,now to make of 1 we need not dissolve common 1 and thence with ,salt of the ,world drive a 2 but it is better to take ,iron-stones1 which have never touch'd the ,fire1 and having extracted them1 add to them some of the ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world1 which then distill'd will yield more than common 4 ,in like manner much more may be had from 1 and ,oar than from the ,metals themselves4 ,i remember1 that1 in my youthful years1 ,i laboured two years continually with a ,person of high quality1 to obtain a of 1 we tryed all manner of ways but got nothing4 ,whether it was for want of ,experience1 or that the ,process given us was not true1 or because ,god did not see it fit for us1 ,i know not3 ,but this ,i know1 that we had no knowledge of the universal ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world1 making use only of common ,s4 ,armon1 and its ,volatile ,spirit4 ,i have1 in the ,seventh ,part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagyrica1 taught a way to draw a running from ,metals1 but in small quantity1 whereas by means of this ,salt of the ,world1 much more is obtained4 ,i say therefore1 that if from my last published ,writings1 ,men cannot discover the way of making the ,mercuries of ,metals in good quantity1 it will be a sign to me1 that ,god will not permit it1 having plainly set down every thing1 except the ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world4 ,and ,i now say again1 that the said ,salt is no where to be sold1 since enough may be had for nothing4 ,god must reveal it1 for ,men will hardly do it4 ,it is a mere ,gift of ,god to know this ,salt and its ,use4 ,turba saith concerning it3 ,if ,god had not created this ,salt1 it were impossible to perfect our ,elixir4 ,from whence we may see1 it is no ,salt prepared by ,art1 nor made with hands1 but created of ,god of nothing4 ,consider well what is here said1 and you'll find ,wonders4 ,cosmopolita speaks after this manner of this ,salt1 viz4 ,nature affords us a ,chalybs1 which can from the ,rays of the ,sun extract that1 which many have sought and not found4 ,other ,philosophers speak of this ,salt in these ,words3 ,the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 bring the ,souls of the dead out of ,hell4 ,what is this ,hell1 but a ,stygian ,water1 wherein we dissolve ,metals1 and after draw forth their ,souls with the ,salt of the ,world4 ,of which ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world1 ,nuisement hath writ a curious ,treatise4 ,i say therefore1 that he who understands the due way of applying this ,salt1 for drawing the of ,metals1 has obtained the greatest ,secret in the ,world1 the said being easily fixable into a true ,tincture4 ,i have known several1 who could fix the of and prepared by others into ,tinctures1 but could not prepare the ,mercuries themselves3 ,and to this day1 ,i do not know one ,man that can bring a running from ,metals1 tho' ,i have communicated the way of making the said to many1 as it is set down in the ,seventh ,part of my ,pharmacopia ,spagirica3 ,but seeing so small a quantity prepared that way1 they let it drop4 ,it had been well1 they could have been satisfied with that3 ,but ,men generally are of such a ,humour2 that if they cannot have all without ,toyl or ,labour1 they presently despond and give over2 but they that persevere to the end shall obtain the ,crown of ,honour4 ,thus much shall suffice1 by way of ,parenthesis1 concerning preparing the ,mercuries of ,metals in great quantity1 by means of our ,resuscitative ,salt of the ,world4 ,let us now return to our dry wash-,fire1 and see1 what further may be done with it4 ,we know1 that with a ,rapid and violent ,flame1 the ,volatile part of ,metals is driven away1 the fixt and grosser staying behind3 ,as for ,example4 ,if ,i dissolve a ,metal1 or ,mineral in ,aqua ,fortis1 and afterwards add to the ,solution some good ,niter1 by this means the ,metal abides with the ,nitre and shoots with it into ,crystals1 which from are ,red1 from ,green1 from and ,white1 from ,yellow4 ,when now this ,nitre is kindled1 the ,volatile part of the ,metal sublimes from the grosser1 and is better for ,medicinal use1 than the gross ,body of the ,metal4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if to this ,niter impregnated with a ,metal1 we joyn some ,salt of the ,world2 and then detonate it1 the said ,salt through the ,flames carries the immortal ,soul of ,metals out from ,hell1 that is the of them1 which afterwards may be fixed into ,tincture4 ,the said ,nitre impregnate with ,metal1 and the ,salt of the ,world1 doth also1 by means of a swift ,flame draw the ,colours from precious and common ,stones1 and introduceth others1 and better into them again2 which is a thing of great ,profit to him that hath ,skill of it4 ,this is the speediest way of meliorating ,metals1 when by means of a ,rapid ,fulmen1 as it were in a moment1 we ,separate the pure ,soul1 or incombustible from the gross ,metal3 ,for in this quick ,flame the superfluous of the ,metals is consumed1 which ties the pure to the ,metal1 and makes the same difficultly separable from its gross ,body4 ,in this manner a pure may in quantity be drawn from all ,metals1 and as much as is got this way1 so much ,tincture1 for every of ,metals is fixable into ,tincture1 which cannot be said of the common4 ,and yet amongst these ,metallick ,mercuries1 one yields a better ,tincture than another1 the of as hath been said being the best1 tho' that of be good also4 ,he who is come so far as to be able to make the of any one ,metal1 with the help of the ,salt of the ,world1 may easily do the same with all the rest1 and then try which is the best4 ,i have tryed several1 but found none better than that of 4 ,for which ,reason also sometime before my falling ,sick1 ,i bought up a great quantity of ,steel ,needles unfit for common use1 with intention to make a great quantity of of 1 but being seized with ,sickness not long after1 and continuing ,bed-rid till now2 my design was hindred4 ,now whether ,god will be pleased to raise me1 that ,i may prepare a good quantity of the said 1 for those that come after1 ,i know not2 for at present by reason of my ,weakness1 ,i have no hope to do any thing4 ,and therefore have determined with my self1 to manifest these and the like great ,secrets to the ,world1 as far as my ,weakness will permit2 that they who are ,lovers of ,art may know1 and work them1 or let them alone as they please3 ,for it shall suffice me1 to have discovered the wonderful ,works of ,god to mankind1 not at all concerning my self with the rest4 ',tis here to be noted1 that the which by means of the ,salt of the ,world1 in the moist way is drawn forth from ,aqua ,fortis1 or other like corrosive ,liquors1 is purer than that which1 in the dry way is forced over with a strong ,fire1 yet both are good1 and fixable into ,tincture4 ,it is also less trouble to bring over the of ,metals in the moist way1 than by a strong ,flame4 ,for when a ,metal is dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 and ,salt of the ,world added to the ,solution1 then if by ,alembick1 you separate the ,menstruum1 part of the will come over with it1 which1 as before-mentioned1 is to be separated from it3 ,afterwards drive what remains in the ,alembick through a ,retort1 and the ,salt of the ,world will carry more of the over1 by which means a good quantity of will be obtained4 ,for which ,god be praised1 who hath shewed us his poor necessitous ,children so near and strait a way to the ,land of ,promise4 ,for ,i still say 7as ,i always did7 that nothing more excellent can be found1 either in ,physick or ,alchimy1 than the of ,metals1 all other ,works being mere trifles in ,comparison of it3 ,because such a well fixed1 is not only the highest ,medicine1 but besides ,tinges and into 4 ,i have clearly and fully described the manner of it1 ,preparation1 save only1 that ,i have not named the ,salt of the ,world1 because it is such a vile and contemptible thing1 and cast out upon ,dunghils3 ,and yet nothing in the ,world lives without it4 ,no living ,creature in or upon the ,earth1 ,bird in the ,air1 nor ,fish in the ,water is sustained without this ,universal ,salt of the ,world4 ,concerning this ,salt of the ,world1 or true matter of the ,universal great ,stone of the ,philosophers1 an unknown ,author in the ,thirty fifth ,chapter of his ,book writes thus1 ,that the first ,work of the ,elixir1 is every where to be found4 ,concerning the true making of the ,elixir1 as to its first ,work1 the ,philosophers say1 that the true ,matter is every where to be found2 because it is in every ,man1 and found with every ,man4 ,adam brought it with him out of ,paradise1 and when he died took it along with him to his ,grave4 ,and therefore an ,allegory of the ,wise men saith1 that the said ,matter is subtilized 1 that is advanced to the highest pitch of mineral ,virtue4 ,concerning this it is said3 ,with our ,gum and little 1 we can buy much4 ,and1 ,albertus in his ,book of ,minerals saith1 and proves it1 that is every where to be found3 ,because there is nothing made of the four ,elements1 in which1 after its highest refining1 is not to be found1 and therefore they say it is every where to be found4 ,the same ,albertus also asserts1 that a great ,mineral ,virtue is in every ,man1 especially in his ,head between his ,teeth3 ,for that in his time1 in old ,graves was found in little longish ,grains1 between the ,teeth of dead ,men ,skuls1 which could not be1 except the said mineral ,virtue were in ,man1 which mineral ,virtue is in the ,matter of our ,elixir4 ,and therefore it is said1 that the ,stone is in every ,man1 and that ,adam brought it with him out of ,paradise1 c4 ,the ,philosopher tells us here1 proving it by several ,authors1 that the true ,matter of the ,elixir1 as to the firstl ,work1 is to be found with every one3 ,concerning which ,matter1 much might be said1 but it is better be silent for fear of the abuse of wicked ,men4 ,yet ,i cannot but hint here1 how it may be made out1 that can grow in the ,skuls of dead ,men1 as before-mentioned4 ,it seems probable then1 that these were the ,skuls of such ,men1 who in their ,life-time much used 1 either taking it inwardly1 or much handling it in their ,trades4 ,now it being the ,property of 1 to mount upwards to the ,head1 and settle between the ,teeth1 we may suppose1 that by length of time the ,microcosmical did ,coagulate it into 4 ,let no ,man think this impossible1 for the of ,mans ,dung hath a very great affinity with the ,mineral 1 which no ,body can better witness1 than he to whom ,god hath revealed it1 and who hath found it true by ,experience4 ,the ,reader by this time hath sufficiently perceived1 how the ,mercuries of all ,metals may with ease be brought over1 by means of the ,salt of the ,world2 as also1 how the same may be had with the help of a ,fulmen1 or strong ,flame of ,fire4 ,now he that is ,master of these ,mercuries1 will not be far to seek1 for the way of fixing them2 for which there is no nearer way1 than to maturate them to a ,tincture1 by means of ,artephius his ,fire1 for all other ways are very tedious1 concerning which fixation by the said secret ,fire1 the ,reader will find more in other ,parts of my ,writings4 ,herewith1 then ,i conclude this ,first ,part of my ,purgatory1 or cleansing ,fire1 with which all unclean black ,subjects may be washed to the highest degree of ,purity and ,whiteness4 ,if by chance1 ,i should here have omitted one or other ,circumstantial of the ,work1 7as ,i hope not7 ,i shall1 as it comes to mind1 set it down in my following ,writings4 ,in the mean time ,farewel1 and remember the ,salt of the ,world1 learn to know it1 and its ,use1 for so thou wilt be able to make the ,mercuries of all ,metals1 which in value exceed all and precious ,stones4 ,an ,advertisement to the ,courteous ,,reader4 ,forasmuch as in this little ,treatise1 ,i have revealed many ,secrets1 and particularly1 the easie ,preparation of a running from all ,metals1 and that a true ,tincture cannot more readily be obtained1 than from such a 1 which with becomes fixed to a ,red1 and with to a white ,tincture1 and that this ,fixation is most easily performed by the secret ,fire of ,artephius4 ,and have also taught1 how from all ,vegetables and ,animals1 a most excellent of great ,virtue may be prepared1 by means of a burning ,spirit2 in all which ,i have writ nothing1 but what ,i have wrought with my own hands4 ,i know there will not be wanting some envious and ignorant ,men1 who will pretend it impossible to get a running from ,metals3 ,but it is no wonder1 that this is counted impossible by those1 that have not attained to great ,skill and ,experience in the ,fire1 who may well be compared to little ,children1 who when they hear any ,body talk of the ,great ,world1 can form no other ,notion of it1 than of the place1 or ,house where they have been educated2 neither can such ignorant conceited ,persons believe any thing1 but what they have seen themselves4 ,it is enough for me1 that ,i know it to be true4 ,now forasmuch as ,i have before declared1 that this of ,metals is the nearest way to attain an universal ,tincture1 for ,men and ,metals1 and that out of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and all other things1 that admit a ,separation of ,elements1 a may be had1 as well as from ,minerals and ,metals1 and from that a ,tincture3 ,i intend here for further ,confirmation1 to add the ,testimony of an old ,book1 which with many words confirms what ,i have writ1 concerning the of ,minerals1 ,animals and ,vegetables1 and therefore have thought fit1 to subjoyn the ,conclusion of the said ,book1 as an ,appendix to this ,treatise1 by which1 those1 who understand1 will perceive that ,i have writ the ,truth1 concerning the of ,vegetables and ,animals4 ,the ,author is unknown to me1 but that he was an experienced ,philosopher appears from his ,writings1 which contain great ,truths3 ,these as they were gladly received by us1 so we highly recommend them to all ,learners1 and ,lovers of ,art3 ,here follow the two last ,chapters of the said ,philosopher4 ,a ,recapitulation3 ,or1 ,summary ,repetition4 ,we have sufficiently explained to thee the thing1 if thou hast rightly understood our words4 ,and observe1 ,son1 that the ,operations we deliver in this ,book1 concerning the ,composition of the ,great stone1 are more subtil than those1 that ,geber has delivered in his ,summ3 ,for he saith1 that in different intervals of time1 it is first sublimed1 next fixed1 afterwards calcined and then dissolved1 and so of the rest4 ,but as to this our ,book1 know1 that the ,distillation by ,alembick we call ,sublimation1 and the ,solution of ,bodies1 we likewise call ,sublimation1 because by this means the ,earthly ,body is lifted up into the ,air1 which is ,heaven4 ,wherefore know1 that when we dissolve1 we at the same time do ,sublime1 ,calcine1 ,purifie1 ,wash1 conjoyn and separate4 ,to this purpose1 ,haly in his ,secret of ,secrets tells us1 that between the ,solution and ,conjunction1 or the ,matrimony and ,union of ,body and ,spirit2 there is no distance of time2 because when the ,body is dissolved1 it is by that ,solution joyn'd with the ,spirit1 and therefore he saith1 that ,solution and ,conjunction are at the same time4 ,this therefore is the ,order of our ,operation1 which is done at once in one hour3 ,when our ,body is put to dissolve in ,water1 then presently it is solved and sublimed1 and by being dissolv'd and sublim'd1 the ,body becomes united to the ,spirit2 and if any thing of an extraneous ,nature be mix'd with the ,body1 the same will not be dissolved1 but will remain in the bottom of the ,vessel for to dissolve1 and thus the ,body becomes cleansed of the extraneous ,matter1 if any be in it2 yet is it in some sort sullied1 nor is it so clean and clear as it ought4 ,wherefore our ,operations in making the ,great stone1 are more subtil than those contained in ,geber's ,summ1 because what he says is done at several times1 is here done at once1 and of a subtiler ,matter2 and after a subtiler manner4 ,and when thou shalt see our work1 dearest ,son1 then wilt thou know1 that we have spoken the ,truth1 tho' not before3 ,and indeed1 except thou shalt give good heed to it1 and sharply consider of it1 thou wilt scarcely perceive it to be so1 because of the quick1 subtil and short ,operation4 ,but be sure to avoid the fumes in this1 as well as other ways of making the ,stone1 as far as is possible1 which if thou shouldst take in1 would greatly hurt thee1 either at the very instant1 or not long after1 except thou hast ,remedies at hand to oppose their ,malignity1 which thou oughtest always to be provided with1 that as soon as any such thing is perceived1 a proper ,antidote may be taken4 ,,chap4 ,,lvi4 ,from all that hath been said from the beginning hitherto1 may be gathered by a piercing eye1 that in our ,operation our ,bodies do not abide in the top of the ,alembick1 as the ,bodies of ,fools do3 ,of which ,aros saith3 ,the ,bodies of the unwise1 do only stick to the ,cover or ,head of the ,vessel1 and therefore they cannot effect any thing that is true4 ,hence also may be gathered1 that ,sulphurs are retain'd by 1 ,bodies by ,bodies1 and ,spirits by ,spirits2 and every imperfect thing is perfected by one thing1 that is by alone1 that is1 by a substance1 which is produced by our foresaid famous1 excellent and glorious ,magistery4 ,wherefore for a final ,conclusion we say1 that the ,blessed stone is one1 the ,medicine one1 to which nothing extraneous is added1 nor taken from it1 only its superfluities removed4 ,understand this1 as ,hortulanus saith3 ,that1 ,that is not extraneous1 into which it must be changed1 that is fixed1 viz4 and 4 ,therefore this stone is ,mineral1 because it is produced from all ,mineral things4 ,but because ,hortulanus saith1 that ,hermes the ,father of all ,alchimists1 was ,possessor of the three parts of ,philosophy1 of the whole ,world1 viz4 ,mineral1 ,vegetable and ,animal3 ,the true knowledge of which three ,kingdoms1 the said ,hermes had joyntly1 or severally in the work of the ,sun2 which parts are contained in one only ,stone1 viz4 in 1 that is under the name of 1 because every thing of which the ,stone is made1 whether it be ,animal1 ,vegetable or ,mineral1 is called by the name of 4 ,we have also before shewed1 how this ,philosophy1 or ,science is compleated in the work of the ,sun1 by means of a ,mineral 4 ,now to the end that this ,science1 or most excellent ,point of ,philosophy1 may be perfect in every ,point1 we must see how this ,stone may be had1 by means of a ,vegetable 1 from ,vegetables1 and by an ,animal 1 prepared from ,animals4 ,and first1 we will shew how the ,stone may be made1 with a ,vegetable 3 ,for except the ,great stone might be made from many other things1 besides those mentioned in the former part of my ,discourse1 that saying of ,alphidius would not be true3 ,that there be many other ,subjects1 which solve and congeal4 ,and ,hortulanus saith1 the ,philosophers have called every thing1 the ,stone1 from whence the ,four ,elements may be separated1 by our ,chymical ,artifice3 ,now this may be done1 from every ,vegetable and ,animal2 wherefore from every ,vegetable or ,animal1 may the ,great stone of the ,philosophers be prepared4 ,the two last ,chapters of this ,anonymous ,philosopher1 contain a short ,repetition of the ,matters handled in his whole ,book1 wherein he asserts1 that the ,preparation of the great ,elixir1 he sets down1 is far more subtil1 excellent and ,skilful1 than that of ,geber3 ,because the ,operations which ,geber doth successively1 one after another1 he shews1 how they may be done all at once2 for that when he dissolves1 he at the same time1 in the same ,vessel1 with the same degree of ,fire1 and in the same ,furnace1 doth also ,sublime1 ,calcine1 ,cleanse1 ,wash1 separate and conjoyn3 ,because1 when the hard ,body is put into the dissolvent1 to be dissolved1 it presently turns ,black1 and is throughly dissolved1 calcined1 sublimed and joyned with the ,spirit4 ,and ,i leave it to every judicious ,person to judge1 whether this way must not be very ingenious and ,artificial1 which at once1 so easily and suddenly finisheth all these ,operations1 belonging to the work of the ,stone4 ,neither was it without ,reason1 that the ,author affirms1 that the possibility of this ,accurtation cannot well be believed1 or apprehended by any1 but those who have seen it4 ,n4 ,b4 ,now that all these ,operations may be done at once1 my self can witness1 as having before my ,sickness performed the same with mine own hands4 ,and however this may sound very strange to those1 whose ,experience never reached so far1 yet is it an undoubted ,truth with all those1 whom ,god hath been pleased to illuminate1 giving them the understanding and performance of this great 7,i had almost said1 ,holy7 work4 ,our ,author in his last ,chapter concludes1 that of all things from whence the ,elements can be separated1 the ,stone of the ,philosophers may be made2 to the ,truth of which1 also ,i can set my ,seal4 ,for when about half a year since1 ,i had recommended to an old ,friend of mine1 the manner of preparing the of ,wine1 and that the said ,friend by reason of his business could not come to me1 to overlook the ,work himself1 because he lived in another ,city1 and ,i by reason of my ,sickness kept my ,bed3 ,it was concluded by us1 that a third ,friend should come to my ,house1 and carry on the ,work1 from the beginning to the end1 which accordingly was done in three or four ,days4 ,but forasmuch1 as in so short a time1 we could not prepare any great quantity of the ,spirit of ,wine1 we had but little to burn away1 and consequently could not get much 1 or ,clestial 4 ,now it happened1 when we were separating the 1 we had caught1 from the ,phlegme1 that the ,fire1 by mistake was too strong1 so that after the ,phlegme was come over1 we found the remaining ,heavenly ,salt1 or of ,wine in the bottom of the ,glass molten to a ,red stone1 which could not be dissolved with common ,water4 ,whereupon ,i ordered some ,aqua ,regis to be poured into the ,glass1 to dissolve the 1 which presently succeeded1 the ,solution being ,blood-red4 ,but the being by this means spoyled1 as to any ,medicinal use1 ,i resolved to try what it would do on ,metals1 and accordingly put a little piece of fine into the ,red ,solution1 left it there two days1 and then taking it out1 found it changed into as far as could be judged by the ,eye1 or ,touchstone4 ,but because ,i could hardly believe1 that could be so easily turned to 1 ,i put it into a strong ,aqua ,regis1 to see whether it would be dissolved in the same1 as other common 1 and put a piece of common with it1 to try which of both would be first dissolved3 ,whereupon ,i found1 that the ,aqua ,regis rather laid hold on the common 1 than my transmuted 1 the half of which was only dissolved1 and ,i have the other ,part still to shew4 ,which tryal made me so desirous of proceeding to another1 that ,i got a new instrument prepared1 for to make the of ,vegetables and ,animals1 but have as yet been unable to undertake the ,work1 by reason of ,bodily weakness1 and for want of some faithful assistant4 ,yet am not without hopes1 but that with the first ,i may make some further ,tryals1 all things being in a readiness for the ,work1 to which ,god be pleased to afford his ,blessing1 ,amen4 ,from this ,relation it is evident1 that a ,vegetable is able to meliorate ,metals3 ,that it excels for ,physick cannot be doubted1 and therefore the said may be called a ,master in both ,faculties4 ,now if a ,vegetable will do this1 what may be expected from a ,metallick drawn from pure ,metals1 and brought over by the ,spirit of ,wine8 ,without doubt1 much more than the of ,wine alone1 without any ,metalline addition4 ,if it please ,god1 ,i intend to second this ,treatise with another larger1 concerning the of ,metals4 ,in the mean time1 ,i here make an ,end4 ,,of ,,the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers4 ,by which1 ,they not only brought to ,maturity their ,universal ,medicine1 but also fixed particularly all the inferior ,metals1 into good ,gold and ,silver1 with great ,profit4 ,written for the ,sakes of all the ,lovers of ,divine and ,natural ,wisdom4 ,faithfully ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,reader1 ,seeing that in several of my ,writings1 ,i have made mention of the secret ,fire of ,artephius1 which ,pontanus very well called ,proprium ,agens1 for no better name can be given it4 ,i thought it convenient to publish this small ,explication of it1 that it may be known to those1 who have not yet heard of it1 not doubting1 but by this discovery a great ,light will be opened to all the ,lovers of ,metallick improvements3 ,for almost all ,philosophers1 in their ,writings1 are dark concerning this2 and yet without this1 no great ,matter is to be effected in ,chymistry3 ,which daily ,experience sufficiently testifies4 ,therefore ,i am resolved briefly to explain1 yet fundamentally and plainly1 by ,gods help1 this thing which hath been so long hid from the ,world4 ,of the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 by which they have maturated their ,tinctures4 ,first you must know1 that no ,philosopher hath made any mention of it1 but hath passed it over in silence1 only that ancient ,philosopher ,artephius hath taken some notice of it1 but so obscurely1 that very few of his ,readers1 have been able to learn any thing from him4 ,he saith1 that himself1 like others1 had been covetous and envious1 so as to write nothing of it2 but after he was nine hundred years old1 he first began to write of it4 ,n4 ,b4 ,it is not credible1 that he should have lived to that ,age1 but perhaps some ,body hath added a ,cipher to it4 ',tis like he was ninety years of ,age1 for the ,ancients have often mistaken an hundred for ten4 ,but be it as it will1 he was the first1 that said any thing of this ,fire4 ,pontanus writes in his ,epistle1 that although he knew the true ,matter1 yet he erred two hundred times1 and should never have obtained it1 if he had not learned the secret from his ,writings4 ,the reason of hiding this ,secret so long1 hath been only the wickedness of ,men1 who seek not after these great things1 that they might honour ,god1 and succour the ,poor1 but rather1 that by great ,riches they might be able to enslave their ,neighbours4 ,but when such ,men1 who have forsaken the ,vanities of the ,world1 seek after them1 ,god puts it into their hands1 so that striving nor running in this helps nothing1 but only ,gods blessing4 ,observe this well1 and thou wilt not err4 ,if our eyes and hearts were not blinded by the ,pride of the ,devil1 we should easily see and know1 what ,fire nature useth in the ,earth1 to bring ,metals to ,maturity3 ,by which we might easily learn1 what ,agent the ,artist wants to maturate and bring to perfection all imperfect ,metals into ,gold and ,silver1 as good as if ,nature had done it in the ,earth4 ,now when we open our eyes and look about us1 we find nothing else1 but an ,acidum or ,universal ,agent1 that is1 the ,sulphurous ,salt of ,vitriol1 by which all ,metals in the ,earth are generated1 so that some1 by a long time are fixed1 and some by a less time1 partly remain unfixed1 according as the ,oars contain more or less of this ,agent4 ,and if by a strong ,fire1 one should melt this ,metal out of the ,oar1 the greatest part of the ,acidum1 together with the ,rocky part would come into a ,cinder or ,slate1 but in the ,metal1 although it be melted and hammered1 there yet remains some of the ,agent1 which the ,fire1 in the first melting1 could not separate from it1 especially when the ,metals are yet crude2 as if the ,agent should say1 ,i will not be separated from my ,patient1 for he cannot yet subsist without me1 and also saith the ,patient1 ,i cannot yet suffer my ,husband1 or ,agent to be separated from me1 for we have not been long enough together4 ,but when the melting ,fire comes to it again1 then no excuse will serve1 but the stronger overcomes the weaker1 and the ,agent and ,patient must part by force4 ,now what in this violent ,separation1 the one can carry away with it of the other1 it leaves not behind1 as we see when the ,oar of ,iron is melted1 that the violent ,fire1 forceth away the ,agent from the ,patient1 and converts it into ,cinders1 but yet these are not purely ,cinders1 for they have attracted a great quantity of the ,mercurial ,patient1 viz4 ,iron1 which is not turned into ,cinders1 for if they be melted again1 you will have a good quantity of ,iron out of the ,cinders1 and this may be done for several times4 ,if the ,agent and ,patient had not a great ,agreement1 they would certainly have been more nearly parted in the first melting1 and there would be no need of a ,second or ,third ,fire1 and if the ,agent should be separated from its ,patient1 by the force of ,fire against its ,will1 yet it cannot be exactly and wholly separated1 but the ,patient as the ,female ,mercury1 doth its endeavour to retain as much as it can of its ,agent1 or dear ,sulphurous ,husband with it self1 as we have sufficiently seen1 that no melted ,iron is found without its ,agent or ,acidum4 ,which appears1 if upon a ,plate of ,iron1 you pour a little ,water1 it presently ,rusts1 which could not be1 if there were no ,acidum in the ,iron2 for the ,acid adhering so close to the ,patient1 the melting could not force it away4 ,now when ,rain water falls upon it1 the ,acidum out of ,love attracts it to it self1 and works to its utmost ,power1 upon the ,patient1 so that it becomes ,rusty4 ,which doth not so happen to such ,metals1 as are already brought to sufficient ,maturity1 and therefore have no more need of the ,agent1 as ,gold and ,silver1 for after they are melted1 they do not ,rust by ,wet1 for their ,proprium ,agens1 or ,vitriolick ,salt1 has done its ,office1 bringing its ,patient to ,maturity1 and therefore is easily separated from its ,patient in melting4 ,copper also1 in melting1 still retains somewhat of its ,agent1 and therefore easily ,rusts1 yet not so easily as the ,iron1 because it retains not so much of the ,acid in melting1 as ,iron doth4 ,lead and ,tin retain less of it1 than ,copper and ,iron1 and therefore do not so easily attract the moist ,air and ,rain1 but only lose their ,splendour by it4 ,gold and ,silver retain but a very little of it1 and therefore they cannot easily ,rust1 but being moistened with strong ,corrosives1 lose their glorious ,luster3 ,mercury retaineth all its ,proprium ,agens1 having lost nothing of it4 ,it is also to be observed1 that although ,sulphur 7which contains in it self a pure vitriolated ,acid ,salt7 be an ,universal ,agent1 by which ,nature in the ,earth generates and maturates all the ,metals1 yet notwithstanding every ,metal hath besides ,sulphur1 a particular ,proprium ,agens1 which assists the ,universal ,agent in its ,action4 ,gold hath1 besides the ,universal ,agent1 somewhat of common ,salt4 ,silver and ,saturn have besides the ,sulphur1 and ,vitriolick ,salt1 somewhat of ,saltpetre4 ,mercury hath properly for its ,agent1 a subtil1 fiery and concentrated ,spirit of ,saltpetre1 which keeps him always fluid and current4 ,and this is the reason1 that ,salts or ,spirit of ,salts1 7as ,spirit of ,vitriol1 common ,salt1 ,saltpetre1 c47 do more easily dissolve such ,metals as participate of their own ,salts2 for example1 ,silver1 ,saturn and ,mercury participate 7besides ,vitriol7 of a nitrous ,salt1 and therefore ,spirit of ,nitre doth easily work upon those three ,metals1 and dissolve them3 ,for because these three ,metals have a nitrous ,salt in them1 therefore the ,spirit of ,nitre hath a good ,friend in them1 which opens the ,gates to it1 and lets it in1 for the ,friend within corresponds with him which is without1 as for ,example3 ,if an ,enemy set down before a ,town to take it1 and hath good ,friends within1 that open him the ,gates1 he may easily enter1 but if his ,enemies that are within defend themselves1 and resist him1 he can do nothing1 but must march off without it4 ,seeing that an ,aqua ,fortis made of ,vitriol and ,saltpetre1 doth readily touch and dissolve only ,silver1 ,saturn and ,mercury1 it comes to pass from their near ,relation2 but the reason why they touch not ,gold1 is1 because it hath no affinity with them1 for ,gold hath no ,spirit of ,nitre1 but of common ,salt in it1 but if you put a little common ,salt to the ,spirit of ,nitre1 it then easily dissolves ,gold1 becomes to be of another ,nature1 and then will not dissolve ,silver1 but ,copper1 ,iron and ,tin1 because these ,metals contain much spiritual ,gold1 and therefore are easily dissolved by this ,spirit of ,salt4 ,now because ,i have here shewn the reason1 why an ,aqua ,fortis made of ,vitriol and ,saltpetre dissolves only ,silver1 ,lead1 and ,mercury1 and not ,gold1 and when common ,salt is added to it1 that it dissolves ,gold and not ,silver1 it is for the same reason1 that ,salts dissolved in ,water1 and impregnated with the ,universal ,acid or ,oyl of ,vitriol1 will as well dissolve the ,metals1 which are boyld in them1 as their ,spirits will4 ,for ,example3 ,suppose ,i had no ,aqua ,fortis1 and yet would dissolve ,silver2 ,i could do it as well by dissolving ,saltpetre in common ,water1 acuated with the true ,oyl of ,vitriol1 but yet not so easily as ,aqua ,fortis1 and if you should add a little common ,salt to it1 it would not touch ,silver1 but dissolve ,gold4 ,and suppose1 ,i had no ,oyl of ,vitriol1 and yet would dissolve ,gold1 ,i might do it by dissolving ,saltpetre and common ,salt with ,allom in ,water2 yet not so well as by ,aqua ,regis4 ,this is not said to that end1 that ,i would advise you to dissolve ,metals by ,salts and ,oyl of ,vitriol1 7for the distilled ,waters are better than the undistilled ,corporeal ,salts7 but that you may the better understand and comprehend with what ,salt each ,metal hath an ,agreement to unite easily1 that you may the better learn to know the ,proprium ,agens of each ,metal1 for if you will do any excellent thing1 in the ,metals by their ,proprium ,agens1 you must first know them well1 by which you will know1 what every ,metal ,loves1 and how it will be treated3 ,now we cannot learn this better1 than when we consider1 what ,spirit1 or ,natural ,agent was driven from the ,metal by the melting ,fire1 which if it had remained longer in it1 in the ,earth1 the ,metal would have been maturated by it4 ,we find1 that in all ,oars of ,silver1 ,lead and ,mercury1 is found a nitrous ,salt1 which is driven from it by the strong ,fire1 now if such a ,metal being immature1 and not only taken too soon out of its ,matrix1 but also by the melting ,fire deprived of its ,fecundative ,spirit1 is to be made grow again to be meliorated1 you must of necessity restore that to it1 which the ,fire hath taken away4 ,now because from ,lead there is taken away a nitrous ,spirit1 besides common ,sulphur1 you must restore a nitrous ,salt for its ,agent4 ,and because from ,mars and ,venus1 a ,vitriolick ,sulphur was taken away1 that must be restored to them again4 ,and because from ,jupiter1 in melting1 an ,arsenical ,sulphur and ,spirit was taken away1 you must restore it again to the dead ,body1 to revive it1 and to make it grow4 ,if from ,gold its ,sulphureous ,salt be taken away by melting1 which the ,gold easily lets go for the reason already alledged1 and yet you would maturate this ,gold farther1 and make it yet better than ,nature hath done1 you must put it into its ,matrix again1 uniting it with the ,sulphureous ,spirit of ,salt1 and so let it generate or grow afresh1 and you will receive more than ,nature hath given3 ,for ,nature can give no more1 but a perfect ,body1 which if you will have yet more perfect1 you must put it again into its ,matrix1 with its natural ,agent1 and by the help of external ,fire1 awaken or excite the inward natural ,fire1 that its ,body may be maturated into a more than perfect ,tincture4 ,for ,nature can give no more than perfect ,bodies1 viz4 ,silver and ,gold3 ,but if ,art begins again where ,nature left1 it can make the perfect ,bodies more than perfect1 with this more than perfect ,tincture1 you may in a moment bring to perfection the imperfect ,metals1 if you put it to them in melting3 ,to which perfection1 a great many years would have been required1 before their ,proprium ,agens could have brought them4 ,for if you would maturate the imperfect ,metals into ,gold and ,silver1 by their proper ,agents1 it would require a long time1 but yet it might be done with very great profit1 for no other costs are required1 but outward ,fire1 to keep the inward ,secret ,fire in continual ,action2 and this work of maturating the inferior ,metals may be done in as great a quantity as you please1 which makes the profit so much the greater1 and this fixation requires no great ,cost1 for ,mars1 ,venus1 ,jupiter and ,saturn cost but little1 and the ,agent may also easily be had1 so that all the ,expence is only the ,fire1 which yet will not be very chargeable neither1 so that this ,fixation may every year bring in great profit to him that well understands it4 ,if ,i was younger ,i should not forbear to go about this particular ,melioration of ,metals in the whole1 to do good with it to many thousand poor ,people1 but my time is now past4 ,god hath been pleased not to shew me this light till within this three years1 in which ,i have lien in ,bed1 and so ,i can expect no great benefit by it1 as having no ,children who are fit to carry it on4 ,but because ,i can do nothing more my self1 ,i commit it to others1 to whom ,i have already given a good insight2 but to discover it more clearly and indiscriminately to the good and bad1 being restrain'd by several ,reasons ,i dare not do it4 ,now it yet remains to give a hint1 how the perfect ,metals1 as ,gold and ,silver1 must be ripened into a more than perfect ,tincture1 to make the imperfect ,metals perfect by ,projection4 ,now here followeth a ,fundamental ,process1 without any ,legerdemain1 how to bring ,gold and ,silver into a ,tincture4 4 ,of ,gold j 1 of ,silver iij 1 dissolve the ,gold in ,aqua ,regia1 and the ,silver in ,aqua ,fortis1 pour these two ,solutions together1 and the ,silver will attract the ,gold1 and they will both precipitate into a gray ,powder1 but if for want of ,salt they should not easily precipitate1 pour into them some ,salt ,water1 for the ,silver will not fall except there be ,salt enough4 ,when nothing more will precipitate1 it is a sign that these two ,bodies1 like ,husband and ,wife1 have embraced each other1 and are united2 then set the ,glass in which they are in ,sand1 that the ,liquor may boil1 and those two ,bodies will be the better united2 stir it often1 and let it stand so warm for #bd hours1 then let it cool1 and these two ,bodies will grow up together like ,herbs or ,flowers1 filter the ,liquor from the ,calx1 and sweeten the ,calx with ,common ,water1 dry it and powder it well1 then it is ready to be fixed into a ,tincture with the ,proprium ,agens or ,secret ,fire4 ,now concerning the proper ,agent of ,gold and ,silver1 ,i say that it is a ,mercurial ,antimonial ,water1 which also ,artephius ,confesseth2 ,to obtain which1 proceed thus3 first put the ,conjunction of ,gold and ,silver into a clean ,crucible1 which put into a ,coal ,fire1 so that the ,gold and ,silver may become warm in the ,crucible1 and yet not be red-hot nor melt1 and the sharp ,spirits which remained after ,edulcoration will pass away in ,smoak2 when it ,smoaks no longer1 take it out of the ,fire and let it cool1 and weigh the ,gold and ,silver1 and so you will perceive how much heavier they are than they were before1 for so much have they taken from the ,spirits of the ,salts1 which dried ,salt ,spirits must prepare the ,antimony1 our ,secret ,fire1 or ,proprium ,agens to fix the ,gold and ,silver into a ,tincture4 ,for ,example3 ,we have dissolved and precipitated j of ,gold1 and iij of ,silver1 and after the exsiccation of the ,calx1 it weighs vi 1 and so ij of the ,spirits of the ,salts are ,coagulated with them1 and make the increase4 ,for this you must know1 that ,silver hath this ,nature and property1 if it be dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis1 and precipitated with ,salt it attracts much ,spirit from the ,aqua ,fortis and ,salt1 which ,water cannot wash from it2 but ,gold attracts not so much as ,silver1 for the ,gold attracts ,nitre1 and the ,silver ,common ,salt4 ,i could easily shew the reason of this1 but that it would be too tedious4 ,saturn attracts more ,common ,salt than ,silver1 and these ,spirits of ,salts are also a ,proprium ,agens to ,mars and ,saturn1 as they are to ,silver and ,gold1 and work upon ,saturn and ,mars1 altogether in the same manner as on ,gold and ,silver1 the only difference is1 that the ,tincture of ,saturn and ,mars is not of that extent as that of ,gold and ,silver1 although both of them in this work have one and the same ,agent3 ,now this ,agent which is ,spirits of ,salts ,coagulated1 as well in ,gold and ,silver1 as in ,saturn and ,mars1 must first be brought into a ,mercurial ,water1 before they can rightly act upon ,metallick ,bodies1 by penetrating1 maturating and meliorating them2 to bring them to which1 you must proceed thus3 ,if the four ,ounces of ,gold and ,silver have ,coagulated two ,ounces of ,spirits of ,salts1 you must add to it two ,ounces of very clean and well pulverised ,regulus of ,antimony1 grind them very well together1 put this ,mixture into a ,coated ,retort1 and distil the ,mercurial1 ,antimonial ,water1 which will also carry over with it the ,anim of the ,gold and ,silver1 in form of ,butter of ,antimony1 yet of a high colour1 for the ,anima of ,gold is highly exalted by the ,antimony1 or ,mineral ,aries4 ,this red ,solar ,butter is the ,secret ,fire of ,artephius1 or the ,proprium ,agens of ,pontanus1 to bring the ,gold and ,silver into a ,fixed ,tincture1 which ,artephius hath used for ,gold and ,silver1 but ,pontanus 7as appears by his ,epistle7 did not make his ,tincture out of ,gold1 but out of ,mars2 for he calls ,god to ,witness1 that the matter of his ,stone1 out of which he prepared his ,tincture1 contained many ,terrestreities and ,superfluities1 which he did not separate from it1 and yet the ,proprium ,agens1 together with what was good in it1 viz4 ,iron1 came to be a ,tincture4 ,out of this sufficiently appears1 that he did prepare an impure ,metal1 as ,mars1 into a ,tincture4 ,and this is very credible1 for such a fiery ,agent which ,i have taught here to prepare1 is as well a true ,tincture it self1 as the ,anim of ,sol and ,lune1 and that so high that it is sufficiently powerful to penetrate1 meliorate1 and transmute hard1 gross1 and impure ,metals and ,bodies1 by its tender1 clean1 ,golden1 ,mercurial ,power1 and to reduce them into ,tinctures4 ,n4 ,b4 ,i would have none to doubt1 but that such a clean1 fiery1 and ,golden ,agent1 when it is used for the exalting and meliorating of clean ,gold and ,silver1 will give a much higher ,tincture than with gross and unclean ,metals2 for if ,gold is inwardly so exalted and meliorated by this ,antimonial ,mercurial ,water1 it must needs give a far more extensive ,tincture4 ,now how this our ,mercurial1 ,antimonial1 ,saturnine ,water1 is to be applied to fine ,gold and ,silver1 to exalt their ,colours1 and transmute them into ,tincture1 ,i shall here shew to the best of my knowledge1 and it is thus4 ,the two ,ounces of ,spirit of ,salts1 which were coagulated by the four ,ounces of ,gold and ,silver1 and by the addition of two ,ounces of ,regulus of ,antimony1 did again leave the ,gold and ,silver1 by working upon and dissolving the ,antimony1 and did in the distillation carry over the most pure and tender ,mercury of ,antimony1 together with the ,tincture of ,gold1 in form of a ,red ,butter1 for ,antimony is of this nature1 that it draws the colour out of ,gold1 and carries it up with it self in ,distillation1 which the ,ancients called carrying the ,souls of the ,dead out of ,hell4 ,this ,red ,butter impregnated with the ,anima of ,gold1 ,artephius called his ,secret ,fire1 and is the ,proprium ,agens of ,pontanus1 which doth not only maturate ,gold and ,silver into perfect ,tinctures1 but also ,mars and ,saturn1 in their whole substance1 without separating the pure from the impure4 ,from the remaining ,gold and ,silver you must wash your ,regulus of ,antimony by the help of ,salt ,petre1 then separate your ,gold and ,silver by ,aqua ,fortis1 and you will have no loss but only of the ,tincture of ,gold1 which the ,oyl of ,antimony hath carried over with it4 ,neusementius calls this his ,solar ,red ,oyl or ,butter of ,antimony1 but ,i call it my ,mercurial ,antimonial ,aurifick ,water1 which name doth properly belong to it1 which ,i thus prove4 ,take of this distilled ,golden ,mercurial ,water1 of ,leaves of ,gold and ,silver1 each equal parts1 put them together in a fixing ,glass1 and set it in a ,sand ,cuppel1 which is heated equally by a dull ,harry1 and kept in the same degree of ,fire1 and the ,mercurial ,water will dissolve the ,gold and ,silver1 and they will turn together into a ,stone4 ,the ,spirits of ,salts after they have dissolved the ,gold and ,silver1 together with the ,mercury of ,antimony1 will separate themselves by degrees from the ,mercury1 because they are not of the same matter1 therefore they cannot become a ,tincture with the ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,mercury1 which ,pontanus very well hints4 ,this separation of the ,salt ,spirit from the ,tincture requires its time1 and will not be hastened4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if you know how to separate the superfluity of the ,spirit of ,salt from the ,golden ,butter1 by a subtile ,art1 and then dissolve your ,gold and ,silver in it1 you will gain a great deal of time in your fixation1 for the superfluous moisture very much hinders1 which the ,ancients have hinted under a ,fable1 as the ,learned ,bracesous sufficiently admonisheth in his ,treatise de ,ligno ,vit4 ,this ,salt ,water is called by the ,poets ,minerva1 concerning this you may read the ,philosophers1 and chiefly ,bracesous1 what he saith ,minerva was1 and you will find which way it must be separated from the ,tincture4 ,n4 ,b4 ,be not in doubt1 because ,bracesous teacheth how to prepare his ,tincture1 not of ,gold and ,silver1 but of ,mars1 for it may as well be made of ,mars1 only that is not so extensive as the ,tincture made of ,gold1 otherwise the labour is the same1 and differs not at all4 ,i repeat this once more1 that if you will shorten your labour1 you must send away ,minerva in peace1 because she hinders the fixation4 ,some perhaps may wonder1 what the ,silver can contribute to this ,tincture1 because it is white1 and hath no colour3 ,i answer1 that the inward parts of ,silver are not white but red1 and therefore may become a ,tincture4 ,after the same manner ,saturn is not red outwardly1 and yet with ,mars becomes a red ,tincture1 as ,silver doth with ,gold4 ,this ,i thought fit to say here concerning the ,secret ,fire of ,artephius3 ,if you will know more of it read ,artephius1 ,pontanus1 ,paracelsus1 ,bracescus1 ,neusementius1 ,cosmopolita1 and others1 who have made mention of it1 and you will there find larger ,instructions4 ,now as it is possible to transmute not only ,gold and ,silver1 but also the other inferior ,metals into ,tinctures1 by the ,proprium ,agens of ,metals1 so you may also fix into ,gold and ,silver1 the inferior ,metals particularly1 with an incredible profit1 for the inferior ,metals may be put in in great quantity1 with a cheap ,agent1 and so be maturated into ,gold and ,silver1 which hitherto hath been known to very few in the ,world1 but ,i do not doubt but hereafter it will be better known1 by which many honest ,men will be delivered from ,slavery4 ,for as you have already heard1 the ,proprium ,agens of the inferior ,metals is cheap1 so that the imperfect ,metals may be with small costs1 by the addition of their ,natural ,proprium ,agens1 which was driven away in their melting1 by the help of ,external ,fire1 maturated into the perfection of ,gold and ,silver4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you can have ,metals yet in their ,oar1 that have not been in the ,fire1 and add to each of them their ,proprium ,agens1 and put them in close ,vessels into a fixing ,furnace1 and maturate them with a requisite heat1 then the fixation will the sooner be done1 than with those ,metals which have been already melted2 yet those ,oars must be well washed and separated from their ,mine-,earth1 before you put them with their ,proprium ,agens to be fixed4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this fixation of the unripe ,metals into ,silver and ,gold1 as also of ,gold and ,silver into a ,tincture1 by their ,proprium ,agens1 may also be done by the humid way1 if you dissolve your ,metals in their proper ,menstruums1 and then digest them for a sufficient time4 ,n4 ,b4 ,for such a moist digestion or fixation ,vegetables are more fit than ,minerals1 and ,animals fitter than both1 yet all of them be made use of to fix both the common1 and ,metallick ,mercuries1 as well universally into ,tinctures1 as particularly into ,gold and ,silver4 ,but for the course ,metals and their ,oars1 the universal ,agent1 viz4 ,sulphur1 ,arsnick1 with their ,compeers1 as ,cobolt and ,orpiment are the fittest4 ,gold and ,silver have also their peculiar ,agents1 by which they are maturated into ,tinctures1 of which the ,animal ,agent is found to be the best1 for it is of this nature1 that it turns the inward hidden colours of ,gold and ,silver outwards1 and renders them visible1 which no other universal subject can do like it4 ,for if you cannot bring outwards the inward colour of ,gold and ,silver1 it is impossible to make ,tinctures of them4 ,for ,gold and ,silver1 as nature hath produced them in the ,earth1 have no abounding colour to tinge other ,metals withall1 but no more than is required for their own perfection2 but when they are exalted in their ,colours by ,art1 they are able plentifully to communicate their ,colours to other ,metals1 but else not4 ,now what kind of ,animal ,agent this is1 by which the ,exaltation of ,colours may be made1 ,i dare not make common2 he that will know more of it1 must enquire of ,adam1 who brought such an ,essence with him out of ,paradise4 ,you may also read my fifth ,century together with the ,explication1 where this ,subject is treated of4 ,now as the ,proprium ,agens of the ,metals1 which is their ,spirits1 viz4 ,sulphur1 ,arsnick1 ,cobolt1 ,orpiment1 and the like ,metallick ,spirits1 are fixed with the ,metalline ,bodies1 and with them become fixed ,metals1 because they are half ,metals already1 so on the contrary1 ,salts which also are good ,agents to ,maturate ,metals1 yet become not ,metals themselves1 as ,sulphur1 ,arsnick1 ,antimony1 ,orpiment1 ,cobolt1 ,zinck1 ,bismuth1 ,lapis ,calaminaris1 and other ,realgars or ,metallick ,spirits2 for ,salts do not participate of a ,metallick ,nature1 therefore they cannot become ,metals2 but when they touch1 dissolve1 volatilise1 and again fix ,metals1 it is only done by their ,acidity1 which is a kind of that ,acidity which is naturally in ,metals1 and this is to be understood of ,common ,mineral ,salts1 as ,common ,salt1 ,salt ,gem1 ,salnitre1 ,allome1 ,vitriol1 and the like1 which naturally grow in the ,earth1 in ,stones1 in ,rivers1 and also out of the ,earth1 which are dug out by ,men and purified1 and so imploy'd for several uses4 ,these ,salts have a great affinity with the ,metals1 but cannot become ,metals4 ,but the ,vegetable and ,animal ,salts are of another nature and property1 they associate themselves with ,metals1 because they somewhat participate1 though but little1 of the ,metallick nature4 ,the ,animal ,salts are principally ,volatile1 and make a good ,sal ,armoniack1 which hath a great affinity with the ,metals1 as ,i have in my ,writings sufficiently shewn4 ,the ,salts of ,vegetables are altered in the ,fire1 and become fixt ,alcalies1 which are also of good use to ,metals1 as you may see in my ,writings4 ,but the ,volatile ,salt of ,animals far exceeds all other ,salts1 in its virtue2 for it makes not only all ,metals1 how fixed soever they are1 wholly volatile1 and separates the cleanest ,tincture of ,metals1 ,minerals1 ,precious and ignoble ,stones1 that is1 it separates their immortal ,anima from their gross and unprofitable ,bodies1 with which you may perform incredible things1 both in ,physick and ,alchymy2 ,but this wonderful ,salt also makes the most subtile1 as well good as bad ,spirits1 incredible quick1 surmounting ,human ,understanding1 visible1 tangible1 ,corporeal and fixt1 which concentrated and fixed ,spirits1 have ingress and egress through ,doors lockt up1 by which strange and incredible things may be done4 ,so great a power hath the ,almighty bestowed upon the ,animal 7chiefly the ,microcosmical ,salt7 above all other ,salts1 which is known to few4 ,for the ,microcosmical ,salt1 and for want of that1 the ,volatile ,salt of other ,animals1 ,birds1 ,fishes1 as also of ,herbs and ,woods have power to volatilise all fixed things1 and again to fix the volatile4 ,in which volatilising1 the purer parts are separated from the grosser1 the which being fixt again1 you have a ,tincture1 and there is no nearer1 easier1 or cheaper way in the ,world to attain to true ,metallick ,tinctures1 than by the means of ,volatilising ,salts4 ,take a similitude from the ,spirit of ,corn or ,wine1 so long as it is yet in the fces of the ,corn or ,wine1 it is little esteemed1 but when it is driven out by ,distillation1 and cleansed by ,rectification1 and so exalted in its ,virtue1 then it is ,esteemed1 because much good may be done with it4 ,so and no otherwise you must esteem of ,metals1 in which such rare ,tinctures are hidden1 which then are not esteemed1 because few know what great things may be effected by them4 ,the like great treasures are also hidden in great quantities1 which by the ,ignorant are not esteemed or sought after1 notwithstanding that the ,ancient ,philosophers have highly recommended to us the ,extractions1 ,distillations and ,separations of the noblest ,tinctures to be drawn out of gross despised ,metals and ,stones1 yet their profitable ,doctrines and ,admonitions have taken with very few4 ,basil ,valentine confesseth in his ,manuals1 that the ,work of the ,philosophers can be compared to nothing better than to the known labour of making ,spirit of ,wine1 which preparation is known even to ,rusticks4 ,the distillation and separation of the ,tincture of ,philosophers is as easie as to make ,brandy1 and yet it is done but by very few4 ,paracelsus in his ,clum ,philosophorum1 speaking of the ,spirits of ,metals1 saith plainly1 that it is so easie to make ,gold and ,silver1 that it is not worth while to write of it4 ,virgil also sheweth1 how easie a thing it is to pluck the ,golden branches from the ,opake ,tree of ,vitriol1 and how easily they will follow one another1 if you but hold forth your ,hand1 and when you have cropt one1 be bids you also take a second4 ,what could be said plainer8 ,but yet ,i tell you1 that these ,golden ,branches are much more easily1 and in greater quantity to be obtained out of the ,red ,earth or ,stones1 than out of ,metals2 but he that will not believe it1 may remain in the dark4 ,it is enough for me1 that ,i have plainly declar'd the truth to the ungrateful ,world1 without any reservation4 ,but our ,sal ,armoniack 7,i do not mean the ,common7 is a good ,proserpina1 which easily carries over the ,tincture of ,stones and ,minerals4 ,and he that will pluck these ,golden ,apple bearing ,branches with profit1 must very well consider after what manner to prepare his ,proserpina1 that she may touch and carry over only the cleanest ,tinctures1 and leave the gross ,bodies behind4 ,the ,artist must also be sufficiently experienced1 how to separate ,proserpina or ,minerva from the ,extracted ,tincture1 for ,minerva is a hinderance to the fixation of the ,tincture4 ,and this is the principal secret in this ,mystery4 ,for all ,tinctures of ,metals and ,stones1 after they are separated from their gross ,bodies1 by our ,proserpina1 they are volatile1 and so remain till they are separated from our ,proserpina4 ,although ,proserpina is a two-fold ,key1 which both opens and shuts1 makes volatile and fixed1 yet this is to be observed1 that there are but very few who know how to use this ,volatilising and fixing ,salt2 and therefore ,i advise to separate it from your ,tincture1 and then fix your ,tincture4 ,but if ,god shall so favour you1 as to shew you how to fix this ,proserpina1 or1 to speak plainer1 our secret ,sal ,armoniack1 with this ,tincture which it hath drawn out of ,metals and ,stones1 both together without any separation into a fusile1 red1 penetrating1 and tinging ,stone1 then you may for that bless ,god all your life1 for you may have always plenty1 without any want1 for there is no richer particular1 nor universal ,tincture in the ,world4 ,for what can be a greater ,art than by the help of our ,sal ,armoniack1 in a few hours1 to draw a pure ,tincture out of gross ,metals and ,stones1 to bring it over by ,distillation1 to purifie it to the highest by ,rectifications1 and then again to render those ,volatile ,tinctures in a few hours1 fixt and constant in the ,fire1 so that by them you may immediately tinge the inferior ,metals1 particularly into good ,gold8 ,i ,glauber truly say this1 that this highly profitable ,labour1 to draw the ,tinctures out of ,metals and ,stones1 by the help of our ,sal ,armoniack1 to exalt them1 and again to fix them1 requires hardly twenty four hours time from the beginning to the end4 ,which to the unskilful will seem incredible1 but whether it be believ'd or no1 is all one to me4 ,it is the ,will of ,god1 that his great ,gifts shall not come among the impious1 but only remain among those1 whom he esteems worthy of those high ,secrets1 and them who also will make good use of them4 ,virgil at first gave but a hint of it in few ,words4 ,afterwards ,cosmopolita did explain this great ,work at length4 ,then ,neusementius published it yet plainer1 but the ,work is most clearly and largely described in all its ,circumstances1 by the pious ,brasescus1 in his ,dialogue de ,ligno ,vit1 but it is received by very few1 because the proud ,toletanus despised this cheap ,martial ,labour1 as if ,mars contained no good at all1 but that it was only to be found in ,gold and ,silver4 ,i ingeniously confess1 that ,i am acquainted with several good ,secrets1 by which one may reap ,profit out of ,metals1 yet none of them is cheaper and easier1 than the ,work of ,virgil upon ,vitriol1 or the ,opake ,tree1 to break off the ,golden ,branches one after another1 by the help of his ,proserpina1 or ,eagles ,wings1 or ,griffins ,claws4 ,but if one would reap good ,profit by this ,labour1 he must be furnished with a good quantity of ,griffins ,claws and ,eagles ,wings1 which also is easie to be had in great quantity1 for ,i have sufficiently taught how to prepare them4 ,further1 it is needful to know1 after we have drawn the ,tinctures1 out of ,red ,metals and ,stones1 by our ,alcahest1 how to perfect them1 because they are yet ,volatile1 no ,metal can be meliorated by them1 therefore they must be fixed before they can be used4 ,this ,fixation may be made in the space of six hours1 so that these ,tinctures retain their ingress and fusibility1 so that if they are put upon a red hot ,plate1 they melt in a moment1 enter and tinge as readily1 as ,oyl doth dry ,leather2 which all ,tinctures do not1 but must be brought to it by ,art1 but our ,tincture only which is made by ,volatile ,spirits1 doth it3 ,the reason is this1 all gross and fixed ,bodies are naturally influxile1 on the contrary1 all ,volatile ,spirits again ,coagulated into fixed ,bodies1 must of necessity be fluxible and penetrating4 ,observe this well1 for it is plainly enough spoken4 ,concerning this1 see the ,epistle of ,arnoldus to the ,pope1 and there you will find this ,observation4 ,without this ,secret ,sal ,armoniack1 no good can be done in ,alchymy4 ,thus ,i end my ,explication of the ,secret ,fire1 by which all ,metals particularly and ,universally1 are maturated1 with incredible ,profit1 to the perfection of ,gold and ,silver4 ,now it remains to give some hint1 how these ,secret ,fires or ,agents1 separately by each ,proprium ,agens1 may be after a peculiar manner1 maturated into ,tinctures4 ,you have heard that common ,sulphur is the ,proprium ,agens of ,saturn1 which becomes fixed with the ,lead1 and in this ,fixation it also fixeth and tingeth its ,patient the ,lead1 into and 4 ,you have also heard1 that ,arsenick or ,cobolt is the ,proprium ,agens of ,tin1 and that ,arsenick the ,agent is easily fixed by its ,patient1 ,tin1 and with the ,tin becomes and 4 ,and also1 that the common is fixed into good ,silver1 with ,lead4 ,and all ,volatile ,realgars1 as ,orpiment and its ,compeers1 may be fixed into good ,gold with and 1 which is the naked ,truth1 of which ,i would have none to doubt1 for ,i my self have several times performed these cheap ,fixations1 and because ,i am sufficiently satisfied in it1 ,i dare satisfie others4 ,i have thought it unnecessary to describe1 at large1 all the ,manuals which belong to this cheap ,fixation of the inferior ,metals1 and also to the ,coagulation of the ,volatile mineral ,spirits1 into constant ,gold and ,silver4 ,i have therefore published it as short 7yet comprehensive enough7 as ,i could1 that you may speculate into it your selves1 and then you cannot fail1 except ,god prohibit you1 which often happens to evil ,men1 which see easie things done before their ,eyes1 which yet they cannot imitate4 ,now to put an end to this business1 and to prove that the ,universal ,agent1 the common ,sulphur1 which is the ,grandfather or ,demogorgon of all ,minerals and ,metals1 hath also its ,proprium ,agens1 by which it may be maturated into a ,universal ,medicine or ,tincture1 ,i have thought fit to acquaint the ,world with this easie and cheap ,fixation of ,sulphur2 chiefly1 because ,i have already1 some years since1 treated of this easie ,fixation of ,sulphur1 but ,i have not there discovered every thing so plainly1 that every one may prepare it4 ,but now ,i intend1 ,god willing1 to publish it so clear and comprehensive1 that even any ,mechanick may not only understand1 but easily imitate it4 ,i pray ,god to assist me in it1 ,amen4 ,some years ago ,i taught1 how1 by the help of my ,sal ,mirabile1 to fix any common ,sulphur1 but chiefly1 such as is yet bound up in ,wood or ,sea-,coals1 and doth not so easily fly in the ,fire1 but is easier to be handled with a red hot heat1 than the open ,fluxile common ,sulphur4 ,this curious ,work ,i have shewed to some ,friends with my own hands1 and highly recommended it to them1 to take it in hand1 and bring it to a good end1 because ,i was certain1 that it must become a rich1 and far extending ,tincture4 ,but seeing the ,sulphur would not presently be fixed1 they left the ,work3 ,whereupon ,i farther divulged this ,work by writing1 and made it common4 ,notwithstanding which1 as yet very little hath been attempted about it1 because every one is in haste1 and hath not ,patience to wait for a good end1 not considering that every thing must have its time1 and that haste makes waste4 ,must not the ,plowman1 when he sows his ,corn into the ,earth1 to have an hundred fold encrease1 wait the due time before he can have this ,multiplication8 ,why should not then also a ,chymist wait his time1 for this profitable ,fixation1 that will recompense him a thousand fold8 ,now to return again to our business1 to shew that any common ,combustible ,sulphur1 which otherwise is an universal ,agent for all ,metals1 to maturate them into ,gold and ,silver1 hath also its own ,proprium ,agens1 by which it is not only maturated into and 1 but also into a true universal ,tincture2 and this is done only by certain ,salts1 that have ,power to fix the ,sulphur1 and make it constant in the ,fire4 ,cosmopolita minds us of this very well1 when he saith1 that ,salt1 in the conflict with ,sulphur1 gave him a deadly ,wound1 which is very true1 and besides ,salt or strong ,spirit of ,salt hath ,power to fix it1 if they be several times drawn off from it4 ,how this is to be done1 ,i have taught in my ,three ,principles of ,metals4 ,but such a ,sulphur as is fixed by ,aqua ,fortis1 is also quite killed1 and its ingress into ,metals is taken away1 but may be restored to it again1 so that it easily enters ,metals1 and tingeth them throughly4 ,paracelsus saith1 you must reverberate the fixed 1 till it comes to be ,red1 and then draw out the ,tincture1 with ,spirit of ,wine1 and then fix or with it into ,gold4 ,neusementius teacheth to drown the ,dragon in the ,stygian ,waters1 that is to fix him1 and when he is come to the highest degree of fixity1 that then you must revive1 or ,volatize him again1 and then fix him the second time1 and then he hath a better ingress into ,metals to tinge them4 ,bracescus teacheth also1 to extract his fixed ,sulphur1 out of the fixed ,scales of ,iron1 and to fix them into a ,fluxile and penetrating ,tincture4 ,cosmopolita teacheth it after this manner1 viz4 how to deliver ,sulphur out of his ,prison1 and that he will give to his ,redeemer a ,crown of ,three ,kingdoms for a ,recompence4 ,out of these1 the true ,fixation of ,sulphur is sufficiently to be learned1 and needs no farther instruction1 but yet ,i cannot forbear here to set down my way1 how to fix it1 that the ,artist may so much the easier attain his ,end4 ,and this ,fixation of ,sulphur may be done after several manners4 ,and ,first in this3 ,i have taught1 how ,sulphur may be fixed into a ,red ,carbuncle1 persisting in the ,fire1 where ,i have treated of my ,sal ,mirabilis3 ,it is true1 this way of fixing is done without any cost1 yet it requires a certain1 tho no very long1 time1 which is the reason1 that hitherto few have tryed any thing in it1 and yet it is very difficult to come easier and cheaper to the ,fixation of ,sulphur2 and besides1 there is this advantage in fixing the ,sulphur with the ,sal ,mirabile1 that it retains its easie ,flux and ,ingress into ,metals1 which that fixed by ,aqua ,fortis doth not1 but into an unmeltable ,earth1 which hath no ingress into ,metals except it be procured by ,art1 which every one cannot do4 ,yet ,neusementius hath clearly described it in these ,words3 ,when thou hast brought thy ,subject to its highest ,fixation1 to wit1 by the ,abstraction of ,aqua ,fortis1 7which ,fixation he also clearly teacheth1 when he saith1 that you must drown the ,dragon in the ,stygian ,waters1 and so make him fixed7 and after the ,fixation make him ,volatile again1 that then he acquires his ingress1 and is fit to tinge1 which is so plainly exprest1 that it is impossible to express it plainer1 yet these excellent ,writings1 are written only supervacaneously1 and understood and imitated but by few4 ,i still add even to superfluity1 one way more how to fix any ,sulphur whatsoever1 to do wonders in ,physick4 4 ,sea-,coals1 or in defect of them1 ,wood ,coals powdered1 good ,saltpeter1 ,common ,salt1 and ,oyl of ,vitriol1 of each a like quantity1 put these four things into a ,glass ,retort well coated1 fix a ,receiver to it1 and in an open ,fire distil off all the ,humidity1 urge it at length with the strongest ,fire1 and a ,green ,liquor of ,sulphur will come over1 which the ,ancients called the ,green ,lyon1 which dissolves 1 and when they are digested a good while1 or the ,green ,liquor is often abstracted from the 1 then they are fixed together1 and the ,liquor of ,sulphur1 together with the 1 turns into a ,red tinging ,stone4 ,n4 ,b4 ,if you will that the ,sulphur shall not come over1 but remain fixed behind1 you may instead of the common ,salt1 which makes the ,sulphur ,volatile1 put ,saltpetre1 which is of this ,nature1 as well as ,oyl of ,vitriol1 to make any ,sulphur fixed1 but common ,salt makes it ,volatile4 ,jason killed or fixed the always watching ,dragon with a strong ,water of ,saltpetre4 ,bracescus1 ,basilius1 ,paracelsus1 ,neusementius and others have done the like1 he that will truly follow them2 cannot err1 but it is impossible to explain to the ignorant any thing1 so that he may presently imitate it4 ,you must yourself take the thing in hand1 and proceed diligently1 else nothing can be done3 ,let this suffice to be said concerning common ,sulphur1 which is an ,universal ,agent1 to maturate all ,metals1 and it self is fixed with ,metals1 into and 2 and also by ,saltpetre and ,vitriol is fixed into a true ,tincture1 as is here demonstrated4 ,here ,i put an end to the ,explanation of the ,agent1 and ,patient of ,metals1 how to fix them particularly into ,gold and ,silver1 and ,universally into ,tinctures4 ,it yet remains to give a small ,explication of the ,fixation of ,sulphur4 ,a ,,recapitulation ,reader1 ,i have taught in this ,book1 what the ,proprium ,agens of ,metals is1 by which they are naturally maturated in the ,earth1 viz4 ,that the ,demogorgon or ,sulphur1 is not only the ,father of all ,metals1 but also their ,universal ,agent1 or ,maturating ,fire1 by which all the ,metals naturally in the ,earth1 and by ,art out of the ,earth are brought to perfection1 and that also besides ,sulphur1 as the ,universal ,agent1 the ,metals have their particular1 or proper ,agents1 which help to bring the ,metals to perfection1 as well as the ,universal ,agent4 ,i have also taught1 that the ,volatile ,spirits of ,metals1 or their proper ,agents1 do not only maturate their ,metals1 but also become good ,bodies themselves with the ,metals4 ,i have also taught1 how ,sulphur1 as a ,universal ,agent chiefly by ,salts1 may be maturated into a ,tincture1 which ,fixation by ,salts1 must have its due time1 before you can make it constantly fixed in the ,fire1 which length of time hath made many ,artists forsake the ,work1 altho' he knew1 that of necessity it must come to a good ,tincture4 ,impatience causeth this1 that they cannot wait the true time of the ,harvest4 ,wherefore impatient ,men should not meddle with ,alchymy1 but rather think a ,bottle of ,wine1 which is sooner done than a ,combustible ,fugitive ,sulphur can be fixed4 ,the learned ,ancients have taught us1 that ,patience is the ,root of all ,sciences and ,arts1 wherefore then are ,fools so hasty in their ,undertakings8 ,when all ,philosophers ,unanimously testifie1 that all ,festination proceeds from the ,devil4 ,paracelsus hath taught how to fix ,sulphur1 by the help of a strong ,aqua ,fortis1 by abstracting it from it four or five times4 ,but ,i have taught1 how to fix it by the abstracting of a strong ,aqua ,fortis1 but once1 in my ,book of the ,three ,principles3 ',tis true1 by this way it loseth its ,fluxibility and ,ingress1 but this may be restored to it again1 which for certain ,reasons1 ,i did not think fit to make known4 ,now being we know1 that nothing fixeth but ,sulphur1 and that a ,combustible ,sulphur spoils the ,metals1 and makes them ,black1 and a fixed one hath no ,ingress1 but when that is given to it1 it is fit to tinge the ,metals1 for whatever tingeth the ,metals constantly1 must it self be fixed1 or else it would not endure the ,cupel4 ',tis true1 out of ,mars and ,venus1 you may easily extract a ,tincture1 which yet doth not tinge constantly1 except they be first truly fixed4 ,very many have thought1 that if they could but incorporate a ,crocus ,martis with ,silver1 that of necessity it must become ,gold1 but they found themselves to be mistaken1 for if ,crocus ,martis should be put upon ,silver1 it doth not tinge it at all1 but again becomes ,iron1 and makes the ,silver brittle4 ,n4 ,b4 ,but if you know how to prepare a ,red ,sulphur of ,iron1 constant upon the ,cupel1 without returning to ,iron again1 and then draw out of this ,red fixed ,sulphur1 its purest ,anima or ,tincture1 you have a ,colour to tinge all the ,metals in the ,world4 ,this is the ,reason1 that the ,old ,philosophers have so often inculcated1 to destroy the ,gold3 ,so that it cannot be reduced into ,gold again1 and that then you would have the greatest of ,secrets4 ,but ,i could do nothing more with such a destroyed ,gold1 till ,i learned to give it ingress1 for when it is destroyed it enters no ,metal1 but if you give it ingress1 then it tingeth1 so also neither ,mars1 nor common ,sulphur can tinge1 if they have no ingress which you may easily believe4 ,therefore the whole ,art to make ,tinctures consists1 first in making of the red ,metals as ,gold1 ,iron1 and ,copper1 irreducible1 then to extract their ,tincture1 and to give an ,ingress4 ,this labour is a very easie thing to the knowing1 but incredible to the unskilful2 for ,i have some years since1 shewn to some ,friends out of kindness the destruction and fixation of such ,metals1 together with the ,extraction and ,ingress1 very plainly1 and highly recommended to them this universal work2 they have performed the fixation1 but the ,extraction and ,inceration they have not done1 although it is so easie that a ,child of ,ten years old may easily perform it4 ,my hopes were1 that when they had perfected it1 they should give me some of the ,tincture1 but in stead of a recompence1 they told me they could not do it1 which was because ,god kept his hand over it4 ,after the way that is here shewn1 ,tinctures may be easiest prepared out of red ,sulphureous ,metals and ,stones1 and ,i have a small quantity of it by me1 which will tinge red1 ,i made it before my ,sickness1 and keep it as a memorial to my ,posterity4 ,some perhaps may ask1 whether there be not a nearer way to prepare ,tinctures for ,metals1 than by ,extractions and ,fixations1 which require much time and ,costs4 ,i answer1 'tis certain there are nearer ways to fix ,sulphurs in their whole substance without loss of weight1 without any addition of ,salts or ,spirits of ,salts1 very easie and cheap1 viz4 by the ,universal ,coagulator into a ,tincture1 and by their particular ,coagulators into ,gold and ,silver4 ,concerning the ,coagulators ,i have already made them known1 viz4 that ,lead is the ,coagulator of ,common ,sulphur1 and ,vulgar ,mercury1 ,tin is the ,coagulator of ,arsnick1 and ,cobalt1 ,iron and ,copper are the ,coagulators of ,orpiment1 ,sandarach1 and all other ,realgars1 and that ,gold and ,silver are the ,coagulators of the ,mercury of ,antimony into a ,tincture4 ,now concerning the ,universal ,coagulator1 'tis not a ,malleable or fusible ,metal1 but only an immature ,volatile ,mineral1 not much unlike to ,lead ,oar1 and therefore the ,philosophers have called it the ,saturnine ,magnesia1 and this is not all one and the same1 for it is found in different colours and figures1 so that he who will use them must well understand their difference1 that he may not take the wrong for his work1 and so lose his labour4 ,the ,ancients have not revealed this ,volatile ,mineral1 but kept it as a ,universal ,coagulator in the greatest secrecy1 and that not without reason1 because they maturated their ,volatile ,metallick ,spirits and ,tinctures by it4 ,yet the ,volatile ,tinctures may also be fixed1 without this ,universal ,coagulator1 but that requires much time2 therefore they have used this ,coagulator for an help1 and so they could maturate the most ,volatile ,metallick ,spirits into fixed ,tinctures1 in a short time1 and this ,compendium is the chiefest thing in the ,chymical ,art1 see the ,treatise of the ,three ,principles of ,metals4 ,now to return again to ,sulphur1 and to demonstrate2 that it may be easily made fixed in the ,fire1 which is thus3 ,take one part of ,common ,sulphur1 mix it with three or four parts of ,lead ,ashes1 put this mixture into a strong ,earthen ,cementing ,box1 lute it well with a good strong ,lute that will not crack1 when the ,lute is dry1 put it into a ,cementing ,furnace1 or into such a ,fire1 that in the beginning will only melt the ,sulphur1 so that it may penetrate the ,lead ,ashes1 and hide it self in them1 and so be initiated to the ,fire1 then by degrees increase your ,fire from day to day1 till at length the ,crucible become to be of a dark brown1 then increase your ,fire still more1 and continue this so long till the ,sulphur becomes quite fixed with the ,lead ,ashes1 and constant in the ,fire2 and this will require eight or ten months time1 during which time the ,sulphur becometh fixed1 and hath tinged and fixed its ,body1 the ,lead as much as it could1 for it is not possible for it to fix all the ,lead after this manner into ,gold and ,silver1 but only part of it1 yet so that an hundred-fold profit is made of it1 if you proceed rightly in the matter4 ,the reason of the melioration of the ,lead is this3 ,if ,saturn hath power to make a ,combustible ,sulphur1 incombustible and fixed in the ,fire1 so that it neither fumes nor burns1 then it is certainly as good and fit for tinging as another ,sulphur1 which is made fixed by much labour of abstracting ,aqua ,fortis from it4 ,in this ,fixation the ,sulphur retains its ,ingress1 and therefore needs not to be given to it afterwards1 for it had an ,ingress when it was not fixed1 and when it is made fixed it still retains it4 ,this makes good that common saying of the ,philosophers3 ,if ,sulphur shall first penetrate ,saturn1 and ,saturn attracts it willingly by reason of its great dryness1 and unites it self with it1 then it is said that ,nature rejoyceth in ,nature4 ,when it can be made red-hot with the ,lead1 then it is said1 ,nature overcometh ,nature1 but when the fixed ,sulphur remains constant with the ,lead upon the ,cupel1 then it is said1 ,nature retains ,nature4 ,this which ,i here declare so plainly1 all ,philosophers before me have kept very secret1 but that ,i here reveal such great secrets1 ,i have a reason for it1 which is not necessary for every one to know4 ,now as we have here taught the fixation of ,sulphur by ,lead1 after the same manner the fixation of ,arsnick is to be done by ,tin1 which becomes fixed with it in the ,fire1 to the great profit of the ,artist1 it recompenseth him with ,gold and ,silver upon the ,cupel2 and this ,work the ,philosophers always kept very secret4 ,cosmopolita writes1 that there is a small ,fish in the ,sea named ,remora1 which hath such power1 that if it fits upon the ,stern of the ,ship1 it causeth it to stand still1 so that although the ,wind fills the ,sails1 yet it cannot move4 ,in another place1 he calls this ,fish ,echineis1 which if you read backwards1 sounds ,tin ,ashes4 ,other ,philosophers also write of this work of ,fixing1 that there are always two sorts of ,birds in the ,nest1 or two sorts of ,dragons in the ,den1 that one of them would willingly stay1 which is the ,body1 but the other which hath ,wings1 would always fly away1 yet at length it is by degrees so overcome by that which hath no ,wings1 that at last it endeavours no longer to fly4 ,the same happens here to our ,volatile ,arsnick1 that is1 with the fixed ,tin ,ashes1 the ,volatile part ,arsnick is always striving to fly away1 but the ,tin ,ashes binds and keeps it1 that it is forced to stay against its will1 and also become fixed with its ,companion4 ,now as we have here proceeded with ,arsnick and ,tin1 and with ,sulphur and ,lead1 after the same manner must be done with ,orpiment1 and ,mars or ,venus1 but with ,sulphur and the ,mercury of ,antimony1 together with ,gold and ,silver1 the fixation is performed after a peculiar manner1 which fixation ,i have already declared1 and therefore need not repeat it4 ,this ,i would have noted concerning the ,agents and ,patients of ,metals1 but ,i am very well assured1 although this fixation is very mean and easie in it self1 that yet it will not easily be imitated1 and that because ,i have made known so great a ,secret in so simple and mean a ,style4 ,the ,world is full of ,pride1 and cannot give credit to such mean things1 but rather looketh after high1 tedious1 and sophisticate things1 which are worth nothing1 if they are but set off with fine words2 ,god will have it so1 that these great ,secrets may not fall into the hands of the ,impious4 ,here1 in the fixation of the ,common ,sulphur with ,lead1 and ,arsnick with ,jupiter1 ,orpiment with ,mars and ,venus1 ,i have spoken openly1 and hid nothing1 yet ,i am certain it will not be taken in hand1 partly because of the length of time required in the fixation1 which will deter many from this work1 many who shall read it will not be able to believe1 that so easie a fixation hath been done1 because none hath hitherto written of the like cheap way of ,meliorating ,metals1 nor spoke so plainly as ,i have done4 ,many will take ,exceptions at my ,person1 and say1 if it was true what ,glauber writes of the easie fixation of the inferior ,metals1 to transmute them into ,gold and ,silver1 he would do it himself1 and thereby make himself rich1 and not publish things of so great a concern4 ,to this ,i answer1 that my great ,age1 and many weaknesses will not permit me to take such things in hand1 by which nothing but ,worldly ,riches are acquired1 which sometimes do ,men more harm than good1 which ,i never did nor ever will seek after4 ,if others will do it1 they may4 ,i trouble not my self about the ,mammon1 but prepare my self for a happy passage into a more peaceable ,life1 where there is no strife nor misery1 but everlasting ,peace1 and everlasting ,light reigns perpetually4 ,but in that ,i have discovered these great ,secrets1 by which those who seek after them1 may become very rich1 ,i have done it out of a good meaning1 viz4 that if many by this shall attain good means1 that some of them at least may assist the poor out of their abundance4 ,to this end only have ,i discovered these ,lucriferous ,secrets1 and not at all to please the ,proud and ,covetous4 ,but yet although ,i have described all plainly without any reserve of the ,manuals thereunto belonging1 ,i am very well satisfied1 that ,god will keep his hand over it1 and will not indifferently give his ,blessing to all in it1 but will so dispose it1 that his gifts may not be misused4 ,and therefore ,i am very well satisfied1 that ,art will remain ,art1 although it be never so clearly laid down before the ,eyes of all ,men4 ,to whom ,god will give it1 him ,i envy not1 but wish him ,gods ,blessing with it1 and earnestly exhort him1 that when ,god hath blessed him1 that he by no means forget the ,poor4 ,amen4 ,a ,,treatise ,,concerning ,the ,animal-,stone3 ,,or1 ,of that ,animal ,matter or ,subject which ,god ingrafted into ,adam and ,eve1 as a ,divine ,portion or ,patrimony in ,paradise1 and which he still retained after his ,fall and ,banishment out of ,paradise1 brought it with him thence1 and after ,death took it along with him to his ,grave1 or to the ,earth from whence he was taken and made2 ,what kind of ,matter properly it is1 and in what manner a true ,universal ,medicin may be made of it4 ,faithfully ,translated out of the ,high-,dutch4 ,the ,,preface4 ,curteous ,,reader1 ,having in some of my last ,published ,writings1 and especially in my ,fifth ,century1 treated of a certain ,matter1 called by the ,ancient and ,modern ,philosophers1 ,the ,philosophers ,stone1 which ,matter they say1 ,god implanted in the first ,man ,adam1 and which after his ,fall and ,banishment1 he brought with him out of ,paradise1 and after his ,death1 took it along with him to his ,grave1 without revealing this ,divine ,patrimony and ,portion to any of his ,posterity2 so that this great ,treasure continued for some time hidden from the wicked ,world1 until at length it pleased ,god to open the ,eyes of some honest ,men to know and discern this great ,gift of ,god1 which they also made known to others1 though this communication of theirs was of little use to proud ,worldlings1 whose ,eyes are only fixed upon outward ,visibles1 not minding the inward ,invisibles4 ,wherefore none of them could believe1 that so great a ,treasure was hid in ,sinful ,man1 as accounting nothing worthy their esteem1 but ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,precious ,stones1 and casting out upon the ,dunghill as loathsom and contemptible what is far better than ,gold or ,silver4 ,and because some of my ,enemies have slandered some of my ,writings1 as if they contained absurd and impossible things2 to the end that none by their ,lies and ,slanders may be led aside from the way of truth1 ,i am resolved to set the ,truths ,i have written in a greater ,light1 and palpably to evidence before the whole ,world1 that what ,i have taught1 viz4 that a ,mineral ,aurifying ,virtue lies hid in ,vegetables and ,animals as well as in ,metals1 is no absurdity1 but a great truth1 to the shame and confusion of my envious ,adversaries4 ,o thou ,eternal ,light1 without the least mixture of darkness1 ,creator and ,governor of ,heaven and ,earth1 send down upon me thy holy ,spirit1 beam into my ,soul a ,ray of thy ,heavenly ,light1 that it may enlighten my ,heart1 ,brain1 and ,understanding1 that ,i may write nothing but what may serve to thy ,glory1 the salvation of my ,soul1 and the enlightning of many thousands that wander in the darkness of ,error4 ,amen4 ,,of ,,the ,,animal-,,stone4 ,in the ,name of the most ,holy ,trinity1 ,i undertake to communicate and declare to the dark wicked ,world1 the great ,wonder-works of ,god1 and ,mysteries of ,nature1 and that with so much clearness and evidence as never hitherto hath been done by any2 so as not only the good1 and such as are taught of ,god1 but also the perverse ,worldly ,learned1 or the most ignorant ,rustick may comprehend1 understand1 and even handle with their ,hands1 that ,i have fundamentally declared and manifested the ,mysteries of ,god and ,nature1 to the glory of ,god1 and good of ,mankind4 ,in order to perform the great ,work ,i have undertaken1 it is needful that we know first1 what the thing is1 we are to seek1 and next1 where we are to seek for it4 ,the thing we seek for1 is the ,philosophers ,stone1 which affords the ,possessor thereof health of ,body1 and an honest plentiful ,maintenance4 ,now forasmuch as most of the ,ancient and ,modern ,philosophers1 a few only excepted1 point us to ,metals1 and especially to fixt ,sol and ,luna1 thence to procure for our selves this great ,treasure1 though they handle this matter with so much obscurity1 that amongst an hundred thousand ,seekers1 scarcely one is found that attains to his desired ,end1 most of them besides spending their ,goods and ,estates in the fruitless pursuit of this hid ,treasure2 whereof those in a great measure are guilty who persuade ,men that ,sol is the ,subject of the ,philosophers1 and that all other matters are improper and unfit for their ,work2 ,but others again inform us1 that this great ,treasure may be obtained a nearer1 easier1 and cheaper way1 without ,sol or any other costly ,subjects2 ,concerning which cheap1 and every where to be found1 ,subjects1 ,i have made mention in some of my late published ,writings1 and particularly in my ,fifth ,century1 yet not so plainly as wholly to expose these ,pearls to swine1 for them to tread them under their ,feet4 ,and forasmuch as several ignorant and envious ,persons have taken occasion to appear and contradict these my ,writings1 as if it were impossible to find ,mineral ,virtues in ,vegetables or ,animals1 ,i am moved to stop the ,mouths of these envious and ignorant ,back biters1 and to expose them to the ,publick shame of the ,world4 ,i confess ,i do not think these ,slanderers worthy that ,i should take any pains to confute or convince them of their ,error1 because ,i am not to mind what such as they1 but what honest ,men1 and what truth it self1 speaks4 ,but because this demonstration may be of use to undeceive and inform many ,seekers after this ,treasure1 ,i suppose ,i shall do a good work1 in giving this evident testimony to ,truth1 whereby not only the ,mouths of ,slanderers may be stopp'd1 but the ,eyes of the ,deceived may be opened to discern the ,truth4 ,we proceed then to hear the ,verdict of ,truth in this ,matter1 whether indeed such a ,mineral ,virtue be hid in ,vegetables and ,animals1 as that the ,philosophers ,stone may be prepared of them4 ,and first we will speak of ,man1 as being the ,noblest of all ,gods ,creatures1 and then proceed to the four-footed ,beasts of the ,earth1 the ,fowls of the ,air1 ,fishes in the ,sea1 and all ,creeping ,things1 and last of all to ,trees1 ,plants and ,herbs1 to see what the ,almighty ,power of ,god hath laid up and hid in these for the use and welfare of ,mankind4 ,as to ,man1 the most ,excellent part of ,gods ,creation1 whom ,god made a ,ruler and ,governor over all his ,creatures in ,paradise1 we know that he was made very good1 without the want of any thing that might conduce to his happiness or perfection1 which goodness continued in him after his ,fall1 though much clouded and veiled4 ,forasmuch then as ,god hath been pleased to lay up in ,man this great ,treasure1 to the end he might make use of it for his good and perfection1 we must conclude1 that the ,divine ,wisdom hath placed it so1 that ,man may always have recourse to it1 and take thereof1 7without any hurt to his ,body7 to the glory of ,god1 and his own good4 ,for had ,god placed this ,treasure in the ,flesh or ,blood of ,man1 he would have been obliged to hurt and weaken his ,body by cutting a piece of his own ,flesh1 or letting out his ,blood1 in order to prepare this great ,medicin1 which by this means would prove too dear1 so that most ,seekers would rather want the ,medicin1 than attain it this way4 ,but ,god1 who is the ,eternal ,wisdom it self1 hath not been guilty of any such oversight in his ,works1 which are all perfect1 and no fault to be found with them2 and if ,nature in any of her productions prove defective1 that is not to be attributed to ,god1 but to ,satan1 who whilst ,man slept sowed the ,tares amongst the good ,seed1 which the ,master of the ,houshold had sowed in his ,field4 ,if it be so then1 that ,god hath not laid up this great ,treasure in the ,flesh or ,blood of ,man1 we may further enquire1 where then we are to look for it8 ,certain it is1 that ,god1 our ,heavenly and ,wise ,father1 hath laid up this great ,treasure in ,man1 where at all times1 without any let1 pains or trouble1 he may come at it1 and have it for nothing1 viz4 in the ,superfluities of ,nature1 as ,urine1 ,dung1 ,hair1 ,sweat1 and ,spittle4 ,i say that in these despicable ,excrements and ,superfluities of ,nature1 ,god hath laid up a great ,portion for ,man1 which he by reason of his ,pride1 blindness and hardness of ,heart1 cannot see or perceive4 ,another ,question that may be here demanded1 is1 ,in which of these ,excrements this ,treasure is most copiously to be found8 ,to which ,i answer1 that it may be had from any of them1 but in the one more plentifully than in the other1 but which is the most fit and proper for this ,work1 ,i dare not plainly set down at present1 for fear of exposing and prostituting this ,pearl to the ,wicked and ,unworthy1 which all honest ,philosophers have so highly forbidden4 ,but this ,i will do1 viz4 most clearly demonstrate1 by many instances1 that out of all the ,natural ,excrements and ,superfluities1 whether of four-footed ,beasts1 ,fishes1 ,creeping ,things and all ,vegetables1 a ,mineral ,aurifying ,virtue1 that is the ,matter of the ,philosophers ,stone1 may be had1 and that without cost and charges in all parts of the ,world1 so that no body1 how mean so ever he be1 but may have enough of the matter for nothing1 and needs not by his ,poverty be deterred from undertaking this great ,work1 that affords ,health and ,riches to him that can bring it to an happy end4 ,i proceed now to those ,proofs and ,experiments that evidently make out1 that in all things 7besides ,metals7 a ,mineral ,virtue and ,power is found1 whereby the ,philosophers ,stone may be prepared4 ,i shall begin first with four-footed ,beasts1 because ,i do think it fitting for several weighty ,reasons1 at this time to pass by the ,mysteries that lie hid in ,man1 that they may not be exposed to the ,wicked and ,unworthy4 ,now these ,excrements and ,superfluities of four-footed ,beasts as well as of ,man are different1 according to their diverse ,passages and ,places of ,production1 as ,urine which makes its passage through the ,bladder1 ,dung through the ,guts1 ,sweat through the ,pores of the ,skin1 ,spittle through the ,mouth1 and the ,hair or ,wooll of ,beasts1 also through their ,skin or ,hide1 and accordingly are of different ,virtues and ,powers4 ,upon this account we must conclude1 that in the ,sweat of ,men or ,beasts1 there is not so great virtue as there is in ,urine1 the former being a suddain and almost instantaneous ,generation1 whereas the later requires some hours time before it can pass through its several ,chanels1 and be made fit for ,natures separation4 ,so likewise is ,mans ,dung a long while a passing through the ,guts1 which in ,man and ,beasts are much longer than in ,birds or ,fishes1 to the end that the ,dung might be the better putrified and digested2 ,thus we find by ,experience1 that the ,dung of a ,stork which passeth only through one short ,gut1 when it falls upon the ,grass doth presently burn and scorch it1 whereas the ,dung of ,men and ,beasts laid to the ,roots of ,vegetables1 or any way conveyed to the same1 do strengthen and invigorate them1 and are indeed the highest ,medicin of ,vegetables2 as ,country ,farmers well know1 who with the help of the ,dung of ,men and other ,animals are used to cure their sick1 barren1 and overwrought ,fields1 ,vineyards and ,orchards1 restoring them to their former strength and fertility4 ,but though simple ,rusticks be very well acquainted with the great virtue and use of ,dung1 yet our great ,learned ,men cannot believe1 that in such a despicable ,subject should be lodged such an ,excellent ,universal ,medicin1 capable to cure the ,diseases of ,men and ,metals2 and the reason is1 because they love ,pride and ,idleness too well1 will not put their hands to the work1 contenting themselves with what they know already1 without searching into endless ,secrets of ,nature4 ,for this cause it is1 that true ,medicin and ,alchimy are advanced to no higher degree of ,perfection4 ,helmont complains of this negligence in ,physicians1 who leave the preparation of their ,medicins to ,apothecaries1 declaring1 that every ,physician who desires to have good and rightly prepared ,medicine must be both ,master and ,servant1 that is1 he must trust the ,preparing of his ,remedies to none but himself4 ,the present ,subject ,i am upon1 viz4 the ,excrements of ,men and ,animals puts me in mind of a ,story relating to ,paracelsus1 which take as follows4 ,a ,relation of what happened at ,vienna between ,paracelsus and some of the ,imperial-,court ,physicians4 ,paracelsus being on a time sent for by the ,emperor to ,vienna1 to cure some ,persons of high ,quality1 whom the ,imperial ,physicians could not help1 having successfully performed the ,cures he was sent for1 went to take his ,leave of the ,physicians1 who earnestly intreated him to leave some of his noble ,medicaments with them for a remembrance2 whereupon ,paracelsus answer'd1 that he would fetch something for them2 ,the ,physicians1 supposing he intended to bestow some part of his prepared ,medicins upon them1 with impatience expected his return1 who soon after came to them1 and set down on the ,table before them a ,silver ,dish cover'd with another ,dish4 ,the ,physicians were very desirous to see what ,paracelsus had brought for them2 at last one of them taking off the ,cover1 found a great ,turd in the ,dish1 at which being exceedingly enraged1 taking for granted that ,paracelsus had done this to affront them1 they all departed1 and when some call'd them back1 ,paracelsus said1 ,let the ,asses go1 they do not deserve this great ,secret1 which ,i intended to communicate to them2 ,and then added1 ,he who doth not know what ,mans ,dung is1 knows nothing1 and ,heaven and ,earth are equally hid from him4 ,with which words he sufficiently intimated1 that a great virtue is hid in ,mans ,dung4 ,thus much shall suffice1 by way of ,parenthesis1 to have spoken concerning ,paracelsus his ,opinion concerning the ,superfluities of ,nature1 and particularly the ,excrements of ,man1 we proceed now to speak of the ,excrements of other ,animals1 and in particular of ,sheeps ,wooll4 ,an ,experimental ,demonstration1 that a ,mineral ,virtue is hid in the ,hair of ,beasts4 4 ,of clean ,sheeps ,wooll iv ,ounces1 and pour upon it a like quantity of strong ,aqua ,fortis1 abstract this ,aqua ,fortis wholly in ,balneo1 and the ,aqua ,fortis will dissolve the ,wooll1 and when abstracted1 will leave behind a stinking ,stone of a dark brown colour2 afterwards dissolve in another ,glass ,body of ,mercury j ,ounce1 and of the finest ,sol iij ,ounces1 pour these ,solutions of ,sol and ,mercury into the ,glass wherein the dissolved ,wool is1 then abstract the ,menstruum from the ,metals1 till nothing remain but a dry ,stone in the bottom of the ,glass1 take this ,stone and put it into a ,glass ,retort1 and distill the ,mercury from the ,sol in a strong heat4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,mercury will not come over quick1 but in the form of a ,butter of ,mercury1 of great use for the healing of incurable ,venereal ,ulcers4 ,if you pour some ,water upon the said ,butter1 it will precipitate the ,mercury in form of a white ,powder1 which being edulcorated and dried1 is a good ,purge in ,venereal ,distempers4 ,but if you rectifie this ,butter1 and then pour it upon a pure ,calx of ,sol1 the ,butter will dissolve the ,sol1 and being afterwards digested for some time1 the ,mercury by means of the ,saline ,spirits of the ,wool will be fixed with the ,sol into a ,stone1 with it make a trial upon ,metals1 to see what it can do1 and thou wilt find thy ,labour richly rewarded2 but if thou canst not hit it1 then think1 that it is not the will of ,god thou shouldst have it1 and do not blame me1 who have set down nothing but what ,i have performed my self4 ,now let us see what course we must take to recover our ,sol2 break the ,retort1 and take what was left at the bottom of it1 which thou wilt find black as a ,coal1 in which black matter thou must look for thy iij ,ounces of ,sol1 forasmuch as the ,butter has carried but very little of the ,sol over with it1 which thou may'st separate from the black matter1 as follows4 ,melt good ,nitre in a strong ,crucible1 and when it is in ,flux1 cast into it one piece of your black ,matter after another1 and the ,nitre will burn away the ,sulphur contained in the said ,coals or black ,matter1 and the ,sol melts down into a ,body1 pour forth the ,nitre together with the ,golden ,regulus out of the ,crucible into a ,cone1 and the ,sol will settle at the bottom in form of a ,regulus1 which1 when separated from the fces1 appears snow-white and brittle1 much resembling a ,regulus of ,antimony2 the fces are of a red colour1 and contain much good4 ,this white ,sol being expos'd upon the ,cupel with ,saturn to a fiery trial1 a third part only of the ,sol will be found remaining of the colour of good ,sol1 two parts being vapour'd away4 ,the ,question is now1 ,what that white colour was1 which evaporated on the ,test8 ,if thou say'st1 that the ,coals of the ,wool1 with the help of the ,nitre1 have rob'd the ,sol of its colour1 thou art not altogether out of the way1 nor wholly in the right4 ,if thou say'st1 that there is no ,mineral ,virtue in the ,wool1 but that the ,sol became white by the addition of ,mercury1 thou art not wholly out of the way neither2 but this is not to be understood of the ,common ,mercury added to the ,sol1 but of the ,mercury contained in the ,wool1 which has joined it self with the ,sol2 for ,common ,mercury cannot abide with ,sol in a strong melting ,fire1 but flies away1 leaving the ,sol alone1 as is well known to ,chymists4 ,if thou say'st1 that there is a ,mercurial ,virtue in the ,wool1 which within a few hours so changeth the ,common ,mercury1 that it is able to abide a melting ,fire with ,sol1 then it will follow1 that by means of the ,salt which is in ,wool any ,common ,mercury may in a short time be made capable of enduring not only a melting ,fire1 but the ,cupel also4 ,this ,i suppose is a plain and evident demonstration1 that there is a ,mineral ,virtue in ,animals1 and especially in the ,superfluities of ,nature1 which we will now proceed to demonstrate with another ,experiment4 ,now if the ,superfluities of ,animals are able to do this1 have we not reason to conclude1 that the right ,superfluity of the ,microcosme will do the same much better8 ,another ,experiment to demonstrate1 that a ,mineral ,mercury and ,sulphur is contained in the ,superfluities of ,animals4 4 ,of filed or rasped ,horns of ,sheep1 ,oxen1 ,goats and ,deer1 but ,harts and ,goats ,horns are the best1 and the ,horns of ,wild ,goats1 and the ,tusks of ,wild ,swine yet better2 and the ,horns of ,fishes1 which are commonly called ,unicorns ,horns1 and the ,elephants ,teeth are the best of all for this purpose2 but where these cannot be had1 the ,experiment may be performed with ,goats or ,harts-,horn4 ,dissolve ij ,ounces or iij of either of these in a good ,aqua ,fortis which has been abstracted from decrepitated ,salt1 into this ,solution put j ,ounce of ,sol1 abstract in a ,glass ,body the ,aqua ,fortis from the ,horn1 in which abstraction the ,sol becomes dissolved1 and a brown ,stone is left behind1 which must be melted down in a cover'd and well luted ,crucible with a blast1 by which means the ,horn will be turned into black fces1 and the ,sol will fall white to the bottom1 brittle as a ,regulus of ,antimony2 from whence it follows1 since this brittleness and whiteness of the ,sol could not be caused by the ,aqua ,fortis1 that the same must be attributed to the white ,mercury and ,sulphur drawn from the ,horns4 ,whereby it clearly appears1 that a ,mineral force and virtue is hid in the ,horns of ,animals4 ,what ,i have said concerning the covering of the ,crucible with another1 and well luting them together1 is not without reason1 for if the ,crucible should be set open in the ,fire1 and continue there for some time1 the ,sulphur of the ,horns would be kindled and consumed1 and the ,mercury would be revivified and fly away1 and the ,sol would remain unalter'd4 ,for it is to be noted1 that the ,mineral ,mercury and the ,sulphur of the ,horns are very tender and volatile1 and are soon lost when the operation is not performed1 as before hinted1 in a close luted ,crucible4 ,this ,experiment may be done in like manner1 with the ,superfluities of ,fishes1 viz4 their ,skales1 ,teeth1 and the ,stones or ,bones that are found in several of them1 and the effect will be found the same as before mentioned4 ,the same may also be performed1 with the ,feathers and ,egg-shells of tame and wild ,fowl4 ,n4 ,b4 ,egg-shells are dissolved with more ease than ,feathers4 4 ,the ,egg-shells of ,hens1 ,geese1 or other ,fowl1 wash them clean1 taking out the inward skin or film1 then dry them1 and abstract from them a ,solution of 1 and melt the remainder in a close covered ,crucible1 and you will find the same effect1 as before4 ,if you have a mind to make the same ,tryal with ,vegetables1 then take ,tartar which is fitter for this purpose1 than either the ,wine it self1 or the ,wood of the ,vine1 instead of ,tartar of ,wine1 you may take the ,tartar that cleaves to the ,vessels1 wherein the juice of ,crabs hath been keep1 or the juices of any other sowr ,fruit1 or instead of ,tartar we may take the ,grounds of ,wine1 first dried4 4 ,any one of these1 and abstract from it a ,solution of 1 melt the remainder as before in a close luted ,crucible1 and the will be found white and brittle1 like to a ,regulus of at the bottom4 ,from these ,experiments it appears1 as clear as the day1 that a ,mineral ,virtue is hid in all things3 ,yet for more abundant ,confirmation of this ,truth ,i shall add some further ,instances4 ,the same proof may be done with dry or moist ,herbs1 or ,wood1 proceeding in the same manner as before hath been taught1 with ,wool1 and we shall find the same effect4 ,in particular1 all sort of ,corn1 ,rye1 ,wheat c4 afford a very good ,tinture1 they must be dissolved1 and proceeded with as before mentioned1 concerning the superfluities of ,animals4 ,if therefore ,mineral ,powers may be found in all ,vegetables and ,animals1 on which ,man feeds1 and hath his growth and ,sustenance1 how can it be denied1 but that the same ,power must needs be in ,man also8 ,wherefore it is beyond all doubt1 that every ,man carries the matter of the ,philosophers-,stone 7tho' raw and unprepared7 about with him4 ,to make this ,truth to appear1 with fuller and clearer ,evidence1 ,i am minded to give the ignorant a sensible ,demonstration1 that 7without mentioning the right ,subject of the ,philosophers-stone7 an universal ,medicine for ,men and ,metals1 may be had alone from the despicable and abominable ,subject of ,mans-dung4 4 ,six1 eight or ten of some healthy ,mans-dung1 7it must be gathered without any mixture of ,urin7 and put it into a ,glass-body1 and pour upon it about the same quantity of rectified ,spirit of ,wine1 stir them with a stick together1 set the ,glass1 with a head fitted to it in ,balneo1 and abstract the ,spirit of ,wine1 which has extracted the ,mineral and that was in the ,dung1 and brings it over the ,helm3 ,which stincking ,spirit of ,wine must be burnt away under a large ,refrigeratory ,helm1 by which means the stincking of the ,dung is consumed in the ,flames of the ,spirit of ,wine1 and the incombustible ,mercurial ,salt mounts up in the ,flames to the top of the ,helm1 where it is caught1 and is a great ,jewel in ,physick and ,alchimy4 ,if we have a mind rather to have our ,celestial ,salt in a dry ,form1 then we must abstract the ,phlegm from it3 ,tho' if we intend it for a ,medicinal1 it is better not to abstract the ,phlegm 7which is not wholly without some ,virtue7 but use them together4 ,but if our intent be to make use of this incombustible ,mercurial ,salt1 in order to ,metallick ,transmutation1 then we must separate its ,moisture1 and mix the said ,microcosmical ,salt with 1 and maturate the same to a ,metalline ,tincture4 ,in a ,liquid ,form1 the said ,celestial ,salt is an excellent ,medicine for sick and weak ,people1 as having great ,sympathy with the ,vital ,spirit of ,man1 wonderfully strengthening the same1 and in all ,diseases performs whatsoever can be expected from an ,universal ,medicine2 and is not in the least loathsome1 being purged from all ,stinck and ill ,taste1 by the ,flames of the ,spirit of ,wine4 ,this ,aqua ,vit of the ,philosophers performs also very wonderful things in the ,vegetable ,kingdom1 for if the ,seeds of any ,herb be steeped for an hour in the same1 and then laid upon a ,trencher1 or any board at some distance from one another1 and covered over a ,fingers breadth with ,earth or ,sand1 being then exposed to the warm ,sun1 the ,seeds immediately will begin to shoot and grow1 even visibly to the ,eye1 which is very pleasant and curious4 ,but those ,seeds which are soft1 are more proper for their speedy growth1 than those that are hard3 ,the ,seeds of ,parsley1 ,cresses1 ,fennel and ,annis1 which abound with much ,volatile ,salt1 are the best for this ,purpose4 ,so that we see1 that this ,medicine prepared of ,mans-dung is truly ,universal1 as curing the ,diseases of all the three ,kingdoms1 viz4 of ,animals1 ,vegetables and ,minerals4 ,wherefore if any one can find in his heart1 to work upon this loathsome ,subject1 he will need no other1 for that all lies hid in it1 which gave one of the ,ancients occasion to say1 ,laudat ,prsentem qulibet ,herba ,deum4 ,each ,herb from ,earth its head doth raise1 ,its present glorious ,god to praise4 ,i cannot1 but repeat this great ,truth once more1 that the highest ,medicine in the ,world is most commonly to be found in the most despicable ,subjects1 ,god having ordered it so1 for to make known his ,almighty ,power2 and that he regards the ,welfare of the ,poor1 as well as of the ,rich1 willing that all should be helped and relieved1 who do not by their own ,pride1 ,laziness and ,wickedness withstand so great ,love and ,mercy4 ,had ,gods ,will been to communicate this ,treasure only to the ,proud1 ,rich and ,covetous1 he would have laid up the same in and precious ,stones1 which the ,poor cannot go to the ,price of1 but behold we find to the contrary1 that ,god hath been pleased to hide this ,treasure in such despicable and loathsome ,subjects1 as the ,rich do scorn to meddle with1 by which means a ,door is opened to the ,poor1 to obtain that which1 they reject and despise4 ,but to return to our ,subject1 and yet further to ,evidence1 that a ,metallick ,virtue is hid in ,mans-dung1 7tho' it be not the true ,subject1 which the ,philosophers point at in ,man7 and that much good may be done with it1 as containing a very glorious and 1 ,i will add this ,experiment1 lay a ,piece of ,silver into a ,chamber-,pot1 wherein is ,dung and ,urine1 let it lye there for some time1 and the will attract the or ,animal ,gold1 that is in the ,dung and ,urine1 and become colour'd like 1 which is a sufficient ,demonstration1 that the matter of the ,stone is hid in those ,subjects4 ,and forasmuch as it is notorious1 that is the ,agent and the ,patient3 ,and that the alone tingeth1 and that is only tinged3 ,wherefore it behoves us to fix the 1 whereby it is fitted to tinge the 1 bind and fix it3 ,which to bring about1 much searching has been in the ,world1 and still is1 tho' for the most part all in vain1 very few ,seekers going the right way1 and therefore mist of their ,end1 tho' in their ,search they have found many ,arts1 some good and others as bad4 ,so we read1 that one ,bartholdus ,schwartz a ,benedictin ,fryar having found in an old ,book1 that 1 the ,father of ,tincture1 may be fixed with ,saltpetre1 was resolved to make a ,tryal of it1 but to no purpose1 for the and ,nitre being kindled by the ,fire1 broke his ,vessels1 ,furnace and all to pieces1 whence he took occasion to consider further of the ,matter1 and invented that mischievous thing called ,gun-powder1 tho' he fail'd of his fixing of 3 ,the ,ancient ,philosophers1 many ,ages ago1 were not ignorant of that ,composition1 but would not ,communicate the same for ,fear of the abuse thereof3 ,and called it a ,basilisk1 because it kills all things it looks upon4 ,others have set forth ,nitre and under the ,notion of a watchful1 never sleeping1 and ,fire-spitting ,dragon1 that guarded the ,golden ,fleece1 which ,jason by ,medeas direction and ,counsel cast into a deep ,sleep1 and so took away the ,golden ,fleece4 ,medea signifies diligent ,study and ,meditation1 ,jason the ,artist1 or ,laborator1 the ,soporiferous ,medicine given to the ,dragon1 the due ,fixation of the ,matter4 ,another ,benedictin ,fryar1 ,basil ,valentine1 had better ,success in fixing with the help of ,nitre2 which ,fixation he hath recorded in his ,writings1 where he makes ,saltpetre to speak thus3 is my best ,friend1 and withal my greatest ,enemy1 but when we are duely conjoyned1 and made our ,marriage ,bed in ,hell1 after we have well sweat together1 we cast off all our ,impurities1 for to beget ,children of ,wealth and ,riches2 and in our dead ,bodies is found the greatest ,treasure1 which we bequeath by our last ,will4 ,these are the ,words of ,basil ,valentine1 wherein he exactly and plainly describes the true ,fixation of 1 save only that he hath not named the ,medicine wherewith the watchful ,dragon is to be cast into a dead ,sleep1 and that for good ,reason1 because the whole ,art and ,master piece of fixing with ,nitre consists therein4 ,and ,paracelsus writing concerning saith3 ,here with few words many may be helped1 were it not against ,god1 for ,god wills not that all should be ,rich1 and therefore doth not give the ,goat as long a ,tail1 as to a ,cow1 for fear he should out of ,pride beat out his own ,eyes therewith3 ,for when a poor ,man grows ,rich1 it commonly makes him ,proud1 and as sharp as a ,razor to others4 ,these are the ,words of ,paracelsus1 wherein he declares a great ,truth1 for ,god will not have all ,men to be ,rich1 because of the great abuse of ,riches1 which is too common in the ,world4 ,but to those1 who are dead to the ,world1 and look upon ,riches1 ,money and ,goods1 as ,dust and ,smoak1 and are ,enemies to all sin and wickedness1 to these ,god gives more than themselves desire or wish for1 because he knows they will not abuse his ,gifts4 ,and so much shall suffice at this time1 for my design is not at present to treat of the ,fixation of 1 which ,i have elsewhere done at large1 but only to prove and make out1 that the ,matter of the ,philosophers-stone is to be found in all things in the ,world1 which ,i think ,i have done already4 ,will any make a ,tryal1 and undertake the ,work1 'tis free for him so to do1 ,i have in this ,discourse pointed out the right way1 tho' ,i have not revealed the right ,matter3 ,but if what ,i have here set down be well considered of1 by the ingenious ,seeker1 it cannot be long hid from him3 ,farewel4 ,a ,corollary3 ,or1 ,appendix to the foregoing ,discourse4 ,i have in this short ,treatise abundantly shewed and verified1 that in all ,vegetables and ,animals1 a mineral ,virtue lies hid1 which is able to ,coagulate in ,conjunction with 1 into a ,metal3 ,and that ,i may be further helpful to the ,lovers of ,art1 ,i intend here to deliver the whole manner1 and ,process of fixing 1 by ,excrements and natural ,superfluities1 to the end that every one1 who reads and considers of it1 may with ease attain to a true ,tincture4 ,in order to which1 ,i am first to put the ,reader in mind1 what ,i have already hinted1 that as these ,superfluities of ,nature1 are different and various1 so some of them are better for the fixing of than others3 ,the best of all being1 that which ,adam brought out of ,paradise1 as a ,childs ,portion ,god had bestowed upon him1 which ,i dare not name openly1 but shall only set down here1 how this ,fixation of may be performed by means of the ,superfluities of ,animals4 ,i have1 in the foregoing ,discourse1 declared the manner of ,coagulating with the ,wool1 or ,hair of ,animals1 so as to suffer himself to be fluxed with in a strong ,fire1 without evaporating1 only to shew the possibility of it4 ,but now shall set down1 how the said ,fixation may with ,profit be performed1 by means of an ,animal ,salt ,armoniack4 ,for certain it is1 that in ,man and all ,animals1 such a ,secret ,sal ,armoniack is to be found1 especially in ,urine1 ,hair1 ,claws1 ,horns1 ,skins1 c4 as also in the ,blood1 sweat and spittle of ,man1 which is of force to coagulate and fix ,mercury4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the fasting ,spittle of ,man ,coagulates running 1 being stirred about with a ,pestle in a ,glass1 or ,stone ,mortar1 and so is made fit with ,hogs-grease to be made into a ,salve4 ,now after that common is thus ,coagulated with fasting ,spittle1 if we mix it with ,oyl or ,butter1 to make a ,salve of it1 we shall find that the will not unite with the same1 but runs together and becomes quick as before1 and only suffers it self to be joyned with melted ,hogs-grease1 but with the fat of no other ,animal whatsoever2 the ,reason without doubt is1 because ,swine have a great affinity with ,man and ,metals4 ,thus we find1 that ,mans and ,swines ,blood have this ,property1 that if the ,calx of be for some time boyled in either of them1 the becomes white and hard like 2 the ,reason of which the ,reader may be pleased further to enquire into4 ,mans ,urine also has this ,nature and ,property1 that at one only ,sublimation it so ,coagulates 1 that when is rubbed over with it1 it looks as well as if it were ,silvered over4 ,and the sweat of ,man is partaker of the same ,property1 of ,coagulating and ,metallizing 1 so likewise the ,excrements of ,man and ,beasts1 c4 ,but nothing does it more readily than ,mans fasting ,spittle1 wherefore also ,albertus ,magnus saith1 that the highest ,mineral ,power hath its ,seat in the ,head of ,man1 and especially between his ,teeth1 he himself having found1 oblong ,grains of 1 between the ,teeth of a dead ,mans ,skull2 'tis very probable1 that the ,person1 to whom the same belonged1 had taken inwardly1 which naturally tending to the ,mouth and ,teeth1 had been fixed there by the ,mineral ,virtue of the ,microcosm into good 4 ,now if we see this happen thus in the ,body of ,man1 what reason have we to doubt1 but that the same ,mineral ,virtue may1 without the ,body of ,man1 not only fix into good 1 but also reduce it to a true and perfect ,tincture4 ,forasmuch then1 as this is not only possible1 but certain and unquestionable1 ,i having wrought it with mine own hands1 and knowing many other easie ways1 by means of the natural ,superfluities of ,animals1 to ,coagulate and fix 1 ,i am the rather inclined to ,communicate the same to the ,world4 ,i will therefore in the name of ,god1 for the good of ,mankind1 ,communicate the way and ,process1 ,i my self at first made use of to ,coagulate 1 and that entirely from the ,beginning to the ,end1 and very plainly1 not concealing any the least manual ,operations4 ,if any one from this ,process here set down1 chances1 to find out a nearer and better way1 ,i shall be glad of it1 we know it is much easier1 to correct and meliorate a thing already invented1 than to invent it4 ,what ,i here set down my own hands have wrought1 what ,i have never done or tryed ,i cannot write1 but leave it to those1 who are further advanced herein than my self4 ,a ,,process4 ,to fix 1 by means of natural ,superfluities into a true ,tincture4 4 ,eight ,ounces of ,wool1 ,goats hair1 filed ,goats or ,harts-horn1 c4 dissolve any of these in a strong ,aqua ,fortis1 at the same time dissolve1 in an ,aqua ,fortis1 that has been abstracted from decrepitated ,salt1 an ,ounce of fine 1 and two ,ounces of in common ,aqua ,fortis1 pour all these three ,solutions together into a ,glass ,body1 and abstract all the ,aqua ,fortis from the and 2 this abstracted stincking ,water pour again upon that1 which remains in the ,glass1 and distil it off1 repeat this ,cohobation six or seven times1 and the by this means will become united1 and joyned to the 4 ,this ,conjunction put into a ,glass ,retort1 and with a strong ,fire drive the from the 1 which will come over in the form of a thick red ,butter1 for the being so far fixed with the 1 will not without great force be separated from it1 especially when the ,operator hath made use of a strong fixing ,water1 or ,menstruum3 ,however1 by the violence of the ,fire1 he is at length forced to quit the 1 in which ,separation he carries the ,soul of over with him1 which makes the ,mercurial ,butter to be of a red ,colour2 which ,mercurial ,butter1 or ,water being rectified doth dissolve 1 and with it may be fixed into a true ,tincture4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,solar ,butter may be another way without be fixed into a ,tincture1 not necessary to be set down here4 ,he that hath a ,list to the work may begin with the ,fixation1 that is performed with the help of 4 ,the and that remains in the ,retort1 may be recovered1 as follows hereafter2 for certain it is1 that much of the in this ,operation continues with the 1 the ,violence of the ,fire having been unable to separate it1 tho' it may indeed be done another way1 whereby we are experimentally assured1 that ,animals have power so to bind the winged ,youngster1 as to fix him with into perfect ,tincture1 which ,fixation would be easie1 if the ,horns and ,hair of ,animals did not for the most part turn to ,coals which do much hinder ,fixation3 ,for when the ,solar ,butter is by the force of ,fire driven from the 1 the ,coals of the ,hair stay behind with the ,fire of and 3 ,which ,coals may either1 like other ,coals1 by means of our wonderful ,salt be fixed into ,tincture1 for the and half fixed do not hinder1 but rather further and help ,fixation3 ,or else1 we may joyn to these ,coals1 a due ,proportion of good ,nitre1 and so make of them the always watchful1 and ,fire-spitting ,dragon1 and with the help of the ,narcotick of and cast him in to a dead ,sleep1 kill and fix him into ,tincture4 ,for we must know1 that this ,animal is incomparably better1 than any ,mineral or ,vegetable of ,stone1 or ,wood-,coal4 ,or else with the help of a fulminating ,powder1 we may separate the half fixt 1 from the half disanimated 1 by which means the ,nitre kindles the ,animal and consumes it1 and then the being freed from the ,bands of must come over1 carrying over with it the yet remaining ,soul or ,tincture of 1 which the in the ,preparation of the ,solar ,butter did not bring over3 ,thus the becomes more disanimated1 and the 7which comes over of a fair ,purple ,colour7 becomes the more richly animated1 which ,purple coloured impregnate with the ,soul of 1 may either by it self1 be fixed into ,tincture1 or we may extract the ,tincture with the ,spirit of ,wine1 and make use of it as an inestimable ,treasure in ,physick4 ,but the best way is1 with our wonderful ,salt1 to fix these ,animal ,coals impregnate with and like other ,wood-,coals into a tinging ,carbuncle4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this wonderful ,salt must be prepared of ,oyl of ,vitriol and ,nitre4 ,this is the way ,i have followed to ,coagulate with 1 by means of ,animal ,superfluities4 ,i must own that it is a troublesome ,work1 especially because of the ,stincks1 one is obliged to take in4 ,some ,philosophers indeed make mention of a nearer and easier way to obtain an ,universal ,medicine from ,animals3 ,wherefore he that doth not like the ,process1 may seek for a better1 which if he chanceth to light on1 he has reason to bless ,god therefore1 whose ,gift alone it is4 ,a ,,process1 ,to ,sublime the ,coals of ,sol1 ,mercury and ,animal ,sulphur into ,purple coloured ,flowers1 with the help of a fulminating ,powder4 ,set a well luted ,glass1 or earthen ,body1 in a subliming ,furnace till it be red hot1 then cast in so much ,nitre as you think will be sufficient to kindle thy ,coals with1 and consume them1 to which purpose1 thou mayst put three times as much ,nitre1 as the quantity of thy ,coals is4 ,when thou seest that the ,nitre is red hot and in ,flux1 then cast in upon the ,nitre a piece of thy ,coals as big as a ,haslel ,nut1 and the ,nitre will immediately kindle the and consume it1 and by this means set the free2 for in the burning away of the 1 the is forced to leave the 1 as not being able to endure so strong a ,fulmination3 ,and having by means of the ,animal 1 so intimately united with the 1 as to be very hardly separable1 but yet by the force of the ,fulmen being fain to leave it1 he in his flight takes the ,heart of along with him1 and brings it over in the form of a purple ,sublimate1 which with the ,oyl of ,vitriol 7but much better by means of the universal ,coagulator7 may easily be fixed into a ,tincture4 ,this throwing of the ,animal ,coals upon the ,nitre1 thou must continue till all thy ,coals be consumed1 and so thou wilt obtain a impregnated and tinged with the ,soul of 1 and the remains of a white ,colour1 being disanimated by the ,nitre4 ,n4 ,b4 ,as oft as you cast a piece of your ,coals into the ,vessel where the ,nitre in ,flux is1 you must immediately clap on the ,head again1 that the may not fly away1 but be caught therein4 ,for the said is a great ,treasure1 and may easily be fixed into a fusible ,tincture4 ,thus you have the whole ,process1 how by means of ,animal superfluities ,i have handled with 1 and what hath been the ,success of it3 ,he who shall venture to set upon this ,work and finish it1 will find much more than ,i durst set down here4 ,the nearest and easiest way to fix these ,solar1 ,mercurial ,animal ,coals into a ,tincture1 according to my ,judgment is1 ,first to fix the said ,coals1 by means of a ,fixative ,sal ,mirabile3 ,or else1 to mix them with a ,volatilizing ,sal ,mirabile1 and by ,retort distil from them a good graduating ,water2 we may also add to these ,animal ,coals such a ,fixative water1 as is employed to kill and fix the watchful ,dragon or ,basilisk4 ,every one may choose of these several ways1 what pleaseth best3 ,and if any thing by reason of the shortness of time hath been omitted here1 the same will be discovered to the ,laborator in his ,work1 if ,god does not hinder it1 whose ,blessing is all in all4 ,thomas ,aquinas had the ,art in twenty four hours time1 to prepare an universal ,medicine from natural ,superfluities alone1 without any ,addition of or 1 without ,charges1 ,labour or ,trouble1 without breaking of ,glasses1 and without taking in any loathsome ,smells4 ,so likewise ,avicenna1 ,albertus ,magnus1 ,rhasis1 ,petrus ,bonus1 ,joannes ,lancinius ,rupescissa1 had a much nearer and shorter way1 than here we have described1 as appears abundantly by their ,writings4 ,these ,authors took their ,subject and putrified it in ,horse-dung1 and then with the ,element of ,fire1 they fixed the with the into a ,tincture1 in which ,labour they were much troubled with the loathsome smell of the ,matter4 ,morienus tells us1 that the ,matter when in ,putrefaction1 sends forth a stinck like to that which proceeds from ,graves1 for indeed there is nothing in ,man1 which doth not stink extreamly1 when brought to ,solution or ,putrefaction4 ,when we dissolve these ,animal ,matters with ,oyl of ,vitriol1 this stink is not so great1 as when they are dissolved with ,aqua ,fortis1 the same also may be said of ,spirit of ,salt1 when 1 and ,wool are dissolved in the same1 and besides doth more ,volatilize the in order to ,sublimation1 or ,fulmination than ,aqua ,fortis doth4 ,if instead of the ,common we take a of for this ,work1 it will in ,fulmination carry more of the ,tincture of over1 and the purple ,flowers proceeding thence1 are much more readily fixed by the universal ,coagulator1 than those that are made with the ,common 4 ,what this universal ,coagulator is1 ,i have elsewhere declared1 the great use of it is very evident1 in that volatile ,tinctures can hardly be fixed without it3 ,for this ,coagulator makes all volatile ,corrosive ,metalline ,spirits fix so as to be able to endure the ,fire1 which without it require a long time4 ,and therefore1 he who doth not know it1 or the use of it1 must needs find the fixing of volatile ,spirits very tedious and troublesome1 whereas those that know the use of it1 may perform more as to the fixing of ,tinctures in three days time1 than others without it can do in a whole ,year4 ,for there is nothing in ,nature so ,volatile1 which this ,coagulator doth not fix1 as ,turba testifies1 saying that if ,god had not created our ,sal ,armoniack1 all ,chymical ,labour would be in vain4 ,which indeed is the very ,truth3 ,for without a good ,sal ,armoniack it is impossible to extract the ,tinctures from ,metals and ,stones1 or to purifie and subtilize them to the highest ,degree2 and without preceeding ,subtilizing1 there can be no ingress into compact ,bodies3 ,for the more that any ,tincture is ,subtiliz'd and ,volatiliz'd1 the more readily1 after ,fixation1 doth it enter all hard and compact ,bodies4 ,wherefore if ,god had not created this ,coagulator1 these volatile ,tinctures1 how high soever they might be in ,colour1 would be of no use for the ,transmutation of ,metals4 ,thus we find1 that in ,alchimy these two principal ,keys are extremely necessary3 ,the first opens1 makes ,volatile1 and ,purifies and gives ,ingress2 the other binds and fixeth the ,volatile1 so as to make it endure the ,fire1 without which ,fixation all ,volatilization is in vain4 ,o the ,pains that ,i have formerly taken for to fix 1 1 and other such like ,volatile ,metalline ,spirits1 whereas now it is most easie for me to do all this1 and much more1 with the help of my universal ,coagulator1 the knowledge and discovery of which must be fetched from the ,principal ,agent1 or secret ,fire of the ,wise ,men4 ,i cannot upon this occasion pass by discovering another ,property that is found in our ,animal ,subject1 viz4 that it can in one distillation resolve all ,metals1 none excepted1 into a running ,mercury1 which is a thing very wonderful1 that fixt ,gold and ,silver should be so easily reducible to ,volatile ,mercury1 seeing their ,bodies are by nature kept in such strong bands4 ,of which ,reduction of ,metals to quick ,mercury1 no ,person hath writ more clearly than ,basil ,valentine4 ,the ,ancient ,philosophers have indeed writ much concerning the volatilizing of fixt ,metals1 but did never declare1 that1 by this ,volatilization1 they understood a reduction of them to running ,mercury1 for which reason this ,art also hath been so little known4 ,the ,ancient ,philosophers have recommended this volatilizing and fixing of ,metals to us in these following ,verses4 ,fixum si solvas1 faciasque volare solutum1 ,et volucrem figas1 faciet te vivere tutum4 ,dissolve the fixt1 and make it then to fly1 ,and fix the ,fledge1 and thou shalt dwell on high4 ,with these few words the ,philosophers have declared their whole ,work1 but without any further explaining of them2 so that the manner of compendiously volatilizing and fixing of ,metals has been left in the dark4 ,but because the end of this wicked ,world draws nigh1 ,god is pleased to reveal these ,secrets to some of his ,chosen1 which ,talent mercifully bestowed upon me1 that ,i might not be guilty of concealing1 ,i have in the ,seventh ,part of my ,prosperity of ,germany at large set down the way to ,meliorate the meaner ,metals1 with the help of ,animal ,salt ,spirits1 and that so plainly1 that every one may understand it1 and the ,poor 7if they will put their hands to the ,work7 may have abundantly wherewith to maintain themselves4 ,moreover these ,superfluities of ,nature are endued with this power and property1 that in one days time they can destroy fixt ,gold1 that resists all the ,elements1 so as to be no more ,sol1 but will suffer it self to be melted into a green fusible ,stone1 which is of wonderful force and virtue in all ,metallick ,operations1 of which it is not needful to speak more at present4 ,if ,god thinks fit to bestow this ,green ,stone upon thee1 he will not suffer thee to be ignorant what use may be made of it4 ,i cannot1 upon this occasion1 but communicate something that is very wonderful4 ,as ,i was on a time melting some of this ,green ,stone in a ,crucible1 it happened to run through the ,crucible into the ,furnace1 where some ,silver was run out a little before1 with which the ,green ,lion joyn'd himself2 and when ,i came by fusion to separate my ,luna from the ,green ,sol ,stone1 or my destroyed ,sol1 ,i found that my ,green ,stone had never been throughly united with my ,luna1 the ,stone continuing still green without any the least alteration1 but my ,luna was become black and brittle like ,antimony1 and went away upon the ,cupel4 ,now1 what more wonderful change can be imagin'd than to see white fixt ,luna changed into black volatile ,lead8 ,upon occasion of this wonderful ,transmutation one of the ,philosophers cries out1 as struck with admiration2 ,nunquid ,natura ,retrograda8 ,what is ,nature then turn'd ,retrograde8 ,mind well this point1 consider of it1 and you will discover wonders2 for when ,sol is so far destroyed as to be no longer ,sol1 then the greatest wonders may be accomplish'd by it4 ,yet know1 that it is no easie matter so to destroy ,sol1 that it shall be ,sol no more2 the ,ancient ,philosophers unanimously declaring1 than it is easier to make ,gold1 than to destroy it4 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,green ,gold-,stone being kept for some time in the ,fire1 becomes changed to a red colour1 which is also of great use1 he who desires to know more of it1 may seek for it1 as my self and others have been fain to do4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,salt of the greater ,world 7,i mean ,common ,salt7 changeth the ,metals that lie in it for a long time1 into a hard ,stone1 as appears from this instance2 ,some ,fishermen here in ,holland1 lately took up from the bottom of the ,sea some ,blocks of ,english ,tin1 whose outside was turn'd to perfect ,stone1 the inmost part of them still remaining ,tin2 ,who knows1 how many hundred years this ,tin had lain at the bottom of the ,sea1 before this change was made2 but if the ,sea ,salt of the greater ,world can perform this in a long time1 the ,sea ,salt of the lesser ,world can destroy ,metals in a very short time1 for our ,animal ,salt can do more in a few hours time1 than the ,sea ,salt of the ,macrocosme can do in an #ajj years4 ,wherefore ,i recommend to the ,lovers of this ,art to study the nature of ,salts and their use1 if they intend to perform any thing ,extraordinary either in ,physick or ,alchimy4 ,n4 ,b4 ,the ,salt of the ,microcosme hath also this property1 that when it is put into ,aqua ,fortis it not only dissolves ,sol but ,luna also1 and is an excellent way to extract the ,gold and ,silver that is in ,sand and ,stones1 concerning which ,extraction ,i treat at large in the ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,n4 ,b4 ,another virtue of this ,microcosmical ,salt is1 that it extracts the ,tincture of ,gold1 and leaves the ,body thereof white4 ,and if we afterwards take this impregnate ,salt1 and extract the ,tincture of ,gold from it with ,spirit of ,wine1 and burn away the said ,spirit under a ,refrigeratory ,helm or ,head1 then the ,celestial ,salt1 or the ,water of ,life of the ,philosophers1 will be conveyed into the ,glass ,receivers1 and is very sweet and pleasant1 but withal so subtil and volatile1 that the ,air attracts and snatcheth it away1 if it be not immediately pour'd out of the recipients1 and carefully kept in a close stopt ,glass4 ,n4 ,b4 ,at the bottom of the ,cup or ,dish wherein the ,spirit of ,wine1 impregnate with the ,tincture of ,gold1 hath been kindled and burnt away1 you will find the ,tincture of ,gold in the form of a ,blood-red1 pleasant1 fragrant1 ,aromatical ,oil1 which is true living ,sol1 and never stands still1 but is in continual motion1 perpetually changing from one form to another4 ,in a word1 it is the true living ,sol of the ,philosophers1 which by ,art is made of ,common ,gold1 that is dead1 which ,living ,philosophick ,gold1 fragrant ,dragons ,blood1 ,incombustible ,oil1 and true ,potable ,gold is without doubt the highest ,medicin that is in the ,world4 ,n4 ,b4 ,in the foresaid manner we may also extract the ,tinctures from ,mars and ,venus1 as also from ,antimony and ,sulphur1 and with the assistance of the flame of ,spirit of ,wine maturate them into most lovely1 fragrant1 incombustible ,tinctures4 ,for by means of our ,microcosmical ,salt all ,metals and ,minerals may be reduc'd to ,potability1 without the help of any ,corrosive1 in which state they are the most powerful ,medicaments imaginable1 to which the very best ,remedies of the ,galenists are not in the least to be compared4 ,but no ,man ever attained these ,secrets that was afraid to smut his ,hands with ,coals1 or that was not earnest in his ,prayers to ,god for the discovery of these wonders2 their ,silk ,clothes1 ,velvet ,coats1 ,artificial ,cant1 and vain ,aristotelical ,philosophy1 cannot produce any shell effects1 but the ,fire alone which is the effecter and displayer of ,wonders4 ,wherefore no ,man can come to be a true ,philosopher save only by ,fire1 which alone hath the power to remove that which is evil1 and to manifest and bring to light the inward concealed ,good1 which is true in an ,earthly as well as ,heavenly sense4 ,i repeat it once more1 that he1 who doth not know ,fire1 and its hidden ,divine ,virtue and ,operation1 is a pitiful ,philosopher1 and doth not at all deserve that ,title1 for the ,light is hid from him1 and consequently all ,nature appears vail'd and dark to him2 which matter ,i have treated of at large in my ,celestial and ,terrestrial ,purgatory4 ,besides all that hath been said already1 many other great1 yea incredible1 things may be performed with the help of ,animal ,excrements and ,superfluities1 and in particular the extraction of ,silver and ,gold out of ,sand1 ,stone and ,poor ,oar1 that is not worth the melting1 as shall be at large declared in the ,seventh ,part of my ,prosperity of ,germany4 ,it may be said with truth1 that never yet did any ,man find out all the ,virtues that are contained in thefts ,superfluities of ,nature1 they being indeed greater than can be believed1 which is the reason1 why the ,philosophers would never call these contemptible and loathsom ,subjects by their own names1 but have covered and concealed them under ,metaphors and ,allegories1 that the great secrets contained in them might not be prostituted to the ,proud unworthy ,world4 ,i do intend1 ,god willing1 with the first occasion to treat more at large concerning the nature and use of these ,animal ,superfluities in the ,seventh ,part of the ,prosperity of ,germany1 where ,i shall1 amongst other things1 demonstrate1 that these ,superfluities of ,nature are not only able to exalt ,sol and ,luna in their colours1 but also to augment them to infinity in quantity and quality2 ,i shall also plainly discover the way1 how from ,sand and ,stone and the meanest of ,metals1 ,gold and ,silver may be extracted1 so that every one1 that is but little acquainted with the managing of ,fire1 may1 with little charges in his own ,house1 entertain and keep going a profitable and rich ,mine of ,gold and ,silver1 for the comfortable support of himself and family1 to which ,god be pleased to grant his ,grace and ,blessing4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,index4 ,in which ,p1 with the ,addition of #a1 #b1 or #c1 signifies the first1 second1 or third ,part2 a the first ,column of the ,page1 b the ,second ,column2 and where neither a nor b occurs to the number of the page1 the matter is obvious in that page by the ,contents1 or otherwise by the matter being treated of in all1 or the greatest part of the page4 ,a ,acetum of ,philosophers1 like to their ,sal-,armoniak1 both having their rise from ,common ,salt1 ,part #c4 page #cc4 b4 ,adam brought the first matter of the ,philosopher's ,stone out of ,paradise1 and again carried it to his ,grave1 ,p4 #b4 #gb4 b4 ,divers particular ,transmutations of ,metals1 by the help of this ,microcosmical subject1 #gd4 b4 ,air hindereth the fixation of any subject by the fire1 ,p4 #a4 #bjj4 a4 ,alchymy what1 its ,agents are ,fire and ,salt1 ,p4 #b4 ,p4 #a4 #daj4 ,alcahest corrects all poysonous ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 ,p4 #a4 #ajh4 ,its ,vertues in ,metallicks1 #aaj4 ,its ,preparation1 #aec4 ,its ,use1 #aec4 #afc4 ,it dissolves all ,stones1 and even the very ,glasses in which ,solutions are made1 ,p4 #b4 #ajb4 b4 ,allom its moist fire to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 b4 ,amber to purifie by distillation1 and again to congeal it into a transparent hard lump1 ,p4 #b4 #fd4 a4 ,p4 #a4 #gc4 a4 ,anim of ,vegetables commended to ,physicians1 ,p4 #a4 #aia4 a4 being conjoyned with the ,anim of ,minerals1 are an excellent ,medicine1 ibid4 ,they are the ,rays of the ,sun coagulated1 ibid4 ,anima of ,antimony and ,gold1 rubefie ,lune1 and make it a ,tincture1 ,p4 #b4 #fi4 a4 ,anima of ,gold to extract1 ,p4 #a4 #bjd4 b4 ,animals poysonous to prepare into good ,medicines by the ,universal ,menstruum1 ,p4 #b4 #ig4 #aja4 ,antidote against ,poyson1 ,p4 #b4 #bc4 ,antimony well prepared is never given in vain1 ,p4 #a4 #db4 a4 ,how to prepare it to purge onely downward1 ibid4 ,its superfluous ,sulphur to separate1 #gh4 ,antimony by long digestion1 much of it becometh ,gold1 #dc4 b4 ,antimonial ,wine or ,beer to prepare of excellent ,vertues1 ,p4 #a4 #db4 b4 #dc4 a4 ,antimonial ,cup1 its ,preparation and ,use1 #ib1 #ic4 ,antimonial ,flowers1 ,emetick and ,diaphoretick to prepare1 #h4 a4 #aje4 ,a ,universal ,medicine prepared of them1 #ajf4 ,its ,vertues1 ,use and ,dose1 #ajg4 ,antimonial ,flowers how reduced into ,regulus with its ,uses1 #aaj1 #aaa4 ,antimonial ,clyssus to prepare1 #bif4 ,regulus of ,antimony to prepare1 #gh4 a4 ,antimony reduced into a red ,oyl or ,panaca without distillation1 #dd4 a4 ,antimony or ,sulphur so to ripen that they may acquire ,odours like ,vegitables1 #ea4 ,antimony contains much spiritual ,gold1 ,p4 #c4 #dc4 b4 ,antimonial ,sulphur to separate from its ,mercury1 and to make its ,mercury into a ,panaca for the curing of all diseases1 ,p4 #b4 #bh4 ,antimonial ,purge in all grievous diseases1 to prepare1 #ei4 ,antimonial ,panaca1 its ,preparation and ,use1 #ajg4 a4 ,history of a wonderfull ,cure wrought by it upon a ,child1 #aji4 b4 ,it is a true ,remedy against the ,scurvy both by ,sea and ,land1 #aaj4 b4 ,a ,chyrurgeon on ,ship-board or in a ,camp may cure and preserve more ,men with one single ,ounce of this ,panaca than with a large ,chest of ,common ,medicines1 ibid4 ,golden ,panaca of ,antimony how prepared1 #acc4 b4 ,of ,antimony and ,silver1 a good ,medicine to prepare1 ibid4 ,antimony1 ,arsnick1 and ,orpiment1 as also the ,sulphur of ,vegitables to fix by ,lutum ,sapienti1 #afg4 ,antimonial ,emeticks1 to make work downwards onely1 ,p4 #c4 #fe4 b4 ,apoplexy cured by the volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol1 ,p4 #a4 #ag4 b4 ,aqua ,fortis to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bi4 a4 ,it differs little or nothing from ,spirit of ,niter1 #bi4 b4 ,aqua ,regia to prepare1 #bc4 b4 ,aqua ,fortis and ,aqua ,regis to prepare in plenty for the dissolving of ,metals1 ,p4 #b4 #ac1 #ad4 #ff4 a4 ,p4 #a4 #dbe1 #dbf4 ,aqua ,fortis at one distillation transmutes half its weight of ,common ,salt into ,salt-peter1 ,p4 #a4 #dae4 b4 ,a ,golden ,aqua ,vit to prepare1 the like never described by any1 ,p4 #b4 #aej4 ,aqua ,saltaberis of ,paracelsus fixeth and rubefieth all white ,mercuries1 #aij4 b4 ,helmont erred in taking it to be the water of ,whites of ,eggs1 ibid4 ,arcanums to discover is very injurious1 #adh1 #aij4 ,arsnick and ,orpiment to fix1 #afb4 ,when fixed they tinge ,copper white like ,silver1 ibid4 ,arsnick its nitrous ,spirit to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #cj4 ,it graduateth ,copper white as ,silver1 and malleable1 ibid4 ,arsenical quality taken away from ,mineral ,oyls by ,spirit of ,salt1 ,p4 #b4 #aeb4 a4 ,arms and ,armour to preserve from ,rust1 ,p4 #a4 #ahb4 ,of ,arsnick1 #cai1 #cbj4 ,artificers1 as ,engravers1 ,painters1 ,dyers1 ,statuaries1 and many others1 may be benefited by the ,authour's ,labours1 #afe4 a4 ,the ,astral ,beams penetrate to the ,center of the ,earth1 and what they operate1 #aag4 ,how they beget the ,central ,fire of the ,earth1 #aai4 b4 ,astrums of the ,metals1 what1 #cfg4 b4 ,aurum ,diaphoreticum to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #che4 ,its ,use and ,vertues1 #chf4 a4 ,aurum ,fulminans to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bc4 b4 ,being fired upon a ,plate of ,metal1 tingeth it so that it will abide the ,touch-stone1 #ge4 b4 ,how to take away its fulminating quality1 #daf4 b4 ,p4 #b4 #ci4 ,aurum ,mosaicum or ,musicum to prepare for ,limners1 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 ,aurum ,potabile1 its ,preparation1 ,vertues1 and ,use1 ,p4 #a4 #ig1 #ih1 #ii4 ,the ,authour's white ,aurum ,potabile exceeds the former1 ,p4 #b4 #acc4 a4 ,how prepared1 ibid4 b4 ,p4 #a4 #bai4 ,his ,defence of his true ,aurum ,potabile1 ,p4 #a4 #bdc1 #bdd4 ,its ,nature1 ,form1 ,properties1 and admirable ,vertues1 #bjh4 ,experiment of its power in promoting the growth of ,vegitables1 #bji4 ,description of its outward form1 #baa4 b4 ,it transmutes ,common ,mercury1 and other ,metals1 into ,gold both by the dry and wet way1 #baa1 #bab4 ,it tingeth ,sand into ,gold1 #baf4 b4 ,its ,vertues and ,use in ,medicine1 #bac1 #bah4 b4 ,it ,gildeth ,silver by the help of ,argentuive1 #bde4 a4 ,it changeth ,mercury sublimate into a ,red ,powder1 gently purgative and ,diaphoretick1 #bdc4 b4 ,how with ,aurum ,potabile to make a ,ruby or ,hyacinth1 ,p4 #a4 #bag4 b4 ,how to change the ,colour of this ,aurum ,potabile from white to red1 #bbj4 ,another ,aurum ,potabile to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 #afg4 ,the ,authour was so renovated in his old ,age1 as to have new black curl'd ,hair1 by the taking a small quantity of a certain ,tincture1 ,p4 #b4 #bjd4 a4 ,he complains that his ,writings and ,secrets brought him many troubles1 ,p4 #a4 #agj4 b4 #agb4 b4 ,he never gained one half-peny by his ,writings1 ,p4 #b4 #ahf4 a4 ,he hath borrowed nothing from other ,writers1 but hath attained all his ,secrets by his own ,labours1 #ga4 a4 ,he wasted some pounds of ,gold unprofitably in his younger years1 in seeking for a ,tincture1 and finding a safer way for others1 ,p4 #c4 #ab4 a4 ,he was wronged by his ,servants and ,courtiers1 ,p4 #b4 #adh4 b4 ,the ,authour's opinion that the ,stone of ,philosophers may be made of ,common ,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #bfi4 a4 ,he sowed ,grain in bare ,sand1 and had it sooner ripe1 than the same sowed in good ,earth1 #chh4 a4 ,he had a ,patent from the ,states of ,holland for the improving of barren ,land1 ibid4 ,he laments his being too liberal in the communicating of ,secrets1 #bbc4 a4 ,his being ,calumniated1 hath been the occasion of his more open publishing of his ,secrets1 #baj4 b4 ,the ,authour's account in what order he published many of his ,works1 #bdh4 a4 ,of ,azoth and ,laton1 or the ,agent and ,patient of ,philosophers1 ,p4 #a4 #cif4 ,the ,authour attaining to the knowledge of this ,agent or ,secret ,fire of the ,wise1 laid aside ,furnaces1 ,glasses1 and ,coals1 ,p4 #c4 #fa4 a4 #fb4 ,b ,bakers or ,brewers1 how they may supply the want of ,yest or ,barm1 ,p4 #a4 #ahb4 ,a ,mineral ,balsam of ,sulphur of exceeding great ,vertues1 ,p4 #b4 #abf4 b4 ,balsam of ,roses1 and other ,vegitables1 consisting of their three ,principles purified and again conjoyned1 ,p4 #a4 #fj1 #fa4 a4 ,barrenness in ,men or ,women to cure1 ,p4 #a4 #bff4 a4 #bfg4 b4 ,baths of ,common water1 #fc4 ,of ,sulphur1 #fe4 ,of the ,dry ,bath or ,sweating ,chair1 ibid4 ,whence the heat of natural hot ,baths ariseth1 ,p4 #b4 #aad4 b4 ,an efficacious ,bath for the curing of many diseases1 ,p4 #a4 #ahi4 b4 ,of the ,beetle or ,scarabus1 the horned and ,bull-like1 also the round or ,globular1 their ,signature1 ,properties1 and ,medicinal ,vertues1 #id4 ,hens feeding on the gray ,beetles lay faster than those which are fed with ,corn1 ,p4 #b4 #ie4 b4 ,bezoardicum ,minerale to prepare1 with its ,vertues1 ,p4 #a4 #h4 b4 ,beer1 ,ale1 ,wine1 or ,metheglin1 to strengthen1 #aei4 ,being sowr to recover them1 and render them drinkable1 #aei1 #ahb4 ,to preserve them in ,summer from the fret1 #bhf4 a4 ,beer to make with ,honey1 which will keep ten or twenty years1 #bhf4 a4 ,beer or ,ale may be made in the hottest ,climates1 or ,weather1 of ,concentrated ,corn1 where ,water and ,hops are at hand1 ,p4 #a4 #cje4 a4 ,the ,excellency of ,beer so brewed1 beyond the ,common1 ibid4 b4 ,birds so to intoxicate that they may be taken with ones hand1 ,p4 #b4 #aed4 a4 ,birdlime so to prepare1 as not to be altered by heat or cold1 ,p4 #a4 #ahb4 ,bleeding immoderate of any kind1 to stop1 ,p4 #b4 #adi4 a4 ,blood-letting not available in curing of rooted and stubborn diseases1 ,p4 #a4 #bde4 a4 ,borax1 its ,water turns ,lead into ,quick-silver1 ,p4 #a4 #bcf4 a4 ,a ,delicate ,bread to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 #eh4 b4 ,butter to make by the help of ,spirit of ,salt1 which will keep long good1 ,p4 #a4 #chj4 a4 ,brandy to distill from the ,lees of ,wine1 #bib4 b4 ,to make ,brandy of all sorts of ,corn1 and to give it a relish like that made of the ,lees of ,wine1 #aeh1 #aei1 #aff4 b4 ,c ,cabinet-makers may make ,pear-tree or ,cherry-tree to be like ,ebony1 ,p4 #a4 #ahj4 ,excellent ,cheese like ,parmasan to make by the help of the ,spirit of ,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #cfd4 b4 #cgi4 b4 ,to kill ,worms1 and prevent holes in ,cheese1 #chj4 a4 ,childrens being gauled with their ,urine1 to help1 #ac4 a4 ,chrystal to tinge with various ,colours like pretious ,stones1 ,p4 #b4 #fe4 a4 ,p4 #c4 #ef4 a4 ,chrystals to dissolve in a certain ,menstruum1 with their ,vertues1 ,p4 #a4 #bdh4 a4 ,p4 #c4 #ee4 b4 ,chrystals or ,cream of ,tartar to prepare1 #ch4 b4 ,an ,elegant ,cinaber graduating ,lune into ,sol1 ,p4 #a4 #cgd4 b4 ,n4,b4 ,collick to ease1 #dj4 b4 #ed4 ,to ,colour ,hair1 ,bones1 ,feathers1 c4 brown or black1 #dj4 a4 ,colours for ,painters1 as ,ultramarine1 blue ,smalt1 ,scarlet ,lacca1 ,venice ,ceruss1 c4 to prepare1 #agi4 ,smalt to make1 as beautifull as ,ultramarine1 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 a4 ,coals afford a sweet ,mineral ,oyl1 ,p4 #b4 #abe4 b4 #abf4 a4 ,how it is to be distilled and rectified1 ibid4 ,it is equal to the ,oyl of ,peter1 ibid4 ,the four ,complexions described1 ,p4 #a4 #chh4 a4 ,confection of ,alchermes ,mineral1 to prepare1 #chd4 ,copper to extract and render ,corporeal1 from such poor ,oars as will not defray the charge of melting1 ,p4 #a4 #cbf1 #cbg4 ,p4 #b4 #ah4 ,p4 #a4 #bic1 #dbj1 #dbe4 ,copper to transmute into ,verdigrease1 ,p4 #b4 #ah4 ,into other ,colours for ,painting1 #af1 #gg4 a4 ,gold and ,silver to separate from those ,colours1 #ag4 ,copper dissolved in ,aqua ,fortis mixt with ,silver1 ,iron1 or ,lapis ,calaminaris1 to reduce and render malleable1 #db4 ,copper to make white as ,silver1 and graduate into ,silver1 yielding ,gold1 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 b4 ,p4 #a4 #dai4 ,to graduate into ,gold by a ,cement1 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 ,p4 #c4 #ga4 ,a ,cordial to prepare1 to be used in great and continual diseases1 #aae4 ,corn of all sorts1 how to be prepared1 before its ,spirit be distilled1 ,p4 #a4 #eg4 ,corn to concentrate for the making both ,bread and ,drink on ,ship-board in cases of necessity1 #bgg1 #bgh1 #bif1 #cjc4 ,corns of the feet to take away1 ,p4 #a4 #aha1 #bhh4 a4 ,corrosives1 as ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ,aqua ,fortis1 c4 to dulcifie1 #dje4 b4 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 ,crocus ,martis to prepare1 with its use1 #cbh4 a4 ,crucibles to make1 which will long endure the fire1 with ,lead1 #fi4 a4 #aii4 b4 ,p4 #a4 #ij4 ,d ,day and ,night1 ,light and ,darkness1 what1 ,p4 #b4 #hf4 b4 #hg4 a4 ,death1 what it is1 #hf4 b4 ,decoctions of ,herbs of no value in ,physick1 #aac4 a4 ,their ,decoctions in the ,alcahest1 or firey water1 much to be esteemed1 ibid4 b4 ,demogorgon perfects all ,metals1 both within and without the ,earth1 and is the secret ,fire or proper ,agent of ,philosophers1 #fi4 b4 ,it makes ,saturn hard1 and white as ,lune1 as it becomes crude out of the ,earth1 ibid4 ,it makes ,copper white1 and hard as ,steel1 ibid4 ,it makes ,lune through black1 and ,sol exceeding hard1 ibid4 ,it makes excellent ,looking-glasses1 ibid4 ,demogorgon described1 ,p4 #c4 #eh4 a4 ,how ,dyers may give such a ground to their ,cloth1 that the ,colours shall not be corrupted by ,air1 ,sun1 ,vinegar1 ,urine1 c41 ,p4 #a4 #ahj4 ,dioclesian could not overcome the ,egyptians till he had caused all their ,books to be burnt1 #ahe4 b4 ,to ,distill ,spices1 ,seeds1 ,roots1 ,herbs1 ,flowers1 c4 by the third ,furnace1 #ei4 ,distilling ,instrument described for the plentifull making of acid ,spirits1 and the easie extraction of ,metals from their ,oars1 #dbi1 #dcj1 #dca4 ,a ,diuretick and ,nephretick extract1 of excellent ,vertues1 ,p4 #aa4 #aab4 ,drink very like to ,wine1 to make of ,grain and ,fruits1 ,p4 #a4 #afg4 a4 ,dropsie cured by the irreducible ,blood of ,gold1 ,p4 #c4 #bh4 ,a ,dream may bring a man knowledge1 ,p4 #b4 #ade4 a4 ,men made ,drunk with a very small quantity of the ,spirit of ,tobacco or ,henbane1 #aed4 a4 ,drunkenness to prevent1 and its ,evils to cure1 ,p4 #a4 #bhi4 b4 ,dungs of various use in ,physick1 ,p4 #a4 #bdh4 b4 ,dung fattens the ,earth onely by its nitrous ,salt1 #afi4 a4 ,humane ,dung makes ,flowers grow1 but gives them an ill smell1 ,p4 #b4 #abe4 b4 ,humane ,dung to render sweet and ,medicinal1 #aei4 b4 ,e ,earthen ,vessels to ,glaze1 ,p4 #a4 pag4 #ib4 ,electuary compounded with ,spirit of ,salt1 its manifold vertues1 #bhg4 a4 ,separation of the ,elements from the ,chaos described1 #bee4 a4 ,elias the ,artist1 what1 ,p4 #a4 #bbb4 a4 #cej4 a4 ,p4 #c4 #eb4 a4 ,elixir ,proprietatis to prepare1 with the volatile ,spirit of ,mars1 ,p4 #b4 #aeb4 b4 ,its use and manifold vertues1 #aec4 ,it preserves both quick and dead1 ibid4 ,elixir ,proprietatis to prepare with ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 #agi4 b4 ,elixir ,proprietatis far transcending that of ,paracelsus or ,helmont1 ,p4 #c4 #eg4 b4 ,embroiderers1 how they may put durable ,colours upon their ,silk1 ,p4 #a4 #agi4 ,enamels or ,colours for ,glass1 to prepare1 ibid4 ,enemies to repell or take ,captive without shedding of blood1 #dca4 b4 #dcg4 b4 #dci4 ,engravers and ,statuaries ,tools to harden1 ibid4 ,epilepsie or ,falling-sickness1 to cure1 #af4 b4 #ag4 b4 #ba4 a4 #ej4 b4 #ec4 a4 #fc4 a4 #bfe4 b4 ,the cause of the ,epilepsie not known1 #bch4 b4 ,epistle to the ,authour complaining of his writing too openly1 ,p4 #a4 #dba4 ,eyes inflamed1 the cure1 ,p4 #a4 #ac4 a4 #ci4 b4 #bcg4 a4 ,erysipelas1 the cure1 #ej4 a4 #bhh4 a4 ,essences of ,vegitables to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 #hd4 ,essence of ,ash-keys1 an excellent ,medicine to dissolve the ,stone1 #hh4 b4 ,essence of ,st4 ,john's ,wort1 cures ,wounds1 ,bruises1 ,obstructions of ,liver and ,spleen1 ibid4 ,essences of ,tobacco and ,henbane1 heal diseases of the ,womb1 ibid4 ,essence of ,roses and ,cinamon1 a great refresher of a languishing nature1 ibid4 ,essence of ,wine1 #ia4 a4 ,essence of ,pearls1 ,corals1 and ,stones1 ,p4 #c4 #eg4 a4 ,extraction of ,pearls1 ,corals1 ,crabs-eyes1 c41 ,p4 #a4 #dd4 ,extract ,vomitive1 #fa4 ,purging1 #fb4 ,diaphoretick1 ibid4 ,diuretick1 ibid4 ,somniferous1 ibid4 ,cordial1 #fc4 ,odoriferous1 ibid4 ,an ,extract of ,corn of light ,carriage1 which may at any time be made into ,beer1 or used instead of ,bread1 #ahd4 ,f ,farner's ,obligations to the ,authour1 for the keeping of ,secrets communicated1 ,p4 #a4 #adi4 ,fevers not to be cured by cooling ,remedies1 #afg4 a4 ,feathers to dye of any ,colour1 constant and durable1 #ahj4 ,p4 #b4 #adi4 a4 ,the ,feathers of ,eagles and ,doves to prepare1 for volatilizing ,menstruums1 ,p4 #b4 #agj4 ,fermentation of the ,authours new1 ,p4 #b4 #bai4 a4 ,of his ,secret ,ferment1 ibid4 ,fire common1 its ,excellency1 #aae4 a4 ,its knowledge the first step to the understanding of many ,arcanums1 ibid4 ,fire to extract out of any ,wood or ,herb whatsoever1 and render it palpable and visible1 ,p4 #b4 #g4 ,fire to kindle into a flame from two clear ,liquors1 #b4 ,fire of the ,vine to extract1 #h4 ,fire to extract and concentrate out of ,animals1 ibid4 ,fires of ,salts concentrated effect wonders1 #ai4 ,their particular ,medicinal uses1 #bc1 #bd4 ,they can doe more mischief in ,war than ,gun-powder1 #bag4 ,p4 #a4 #dca4 b4 #dcg4 b4 ,secret ,fire or ,agent-ripening ,metals1 #djj4 ,p4 #c4 #gg4 ,fires various and unheard-of1 with their ,uses1 ,p4 #b4 #baf1 #bag1 #bah4 ,p4 #c4 #fd4 ,the ,secret ,fire of the ,chaldeans1 of what prepared1 ,p4 #b4 #fi4 a4 ,fire of the ,maccabees1 what1 #aad4 b4 ,it joyns ,gold and ,silver1 ,p4 #c4 #fd4 #h4 ,the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 ,p4 #b4 #add4 b4 #bai4 ,it is called by three ,names1 but is either ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ,p4 #c4 #bj4 a4 or ,oyl of ,vitriol coagulated1 ,p4 #b4 #ahd4 b4 ,it totally fixeth ,mercury into a ,red sweet ,tincture without any diminution of its weight1 #aic4 a4 ,the ,fire of ,artephius draweth out the highest power or ,quintessence of ,animals1 ,vegitables1 and ,minerals1 without common ,fire1 ,furnaces1 or ,glasses1 and without ,labour and ,cost1 ,p4 #c4 #dh4 a4 ,its ,preparation1 #fb4 ,a ,purgatory ,fire which sweetens and purifies all ,vegitable1 ,animal1 and ,mineral ,subjects1 ,p4 #b4 #aei4 ,the three ,principal ,fires enable a ,physician to prepare variety of ,excellent ,medicines against all diseases1 #afj4 b4 ,mineral ,fires to extinguish by the ,vegitable1 and their corrosiveness converted into sweetness1 #aeh4 ,g ,galenists err in their administring ,gold and pretious ,stones1 ,p4 #b4 #aih4 b4 #aii4 a4 ,gangrene cured by ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 ,p4 #a4 #ej4 a4 ,gardens1 or ,orchards to keep out ,deer1 ,swine or wild ,beasts1 #aib4 a4 ,to rid them of ,worms and other ,insects1 #aha4 ,to prevent ,spiders and other ,insects from creeping up ,fruit-trees1 #i4 b4 #aib4 a4 ,gems or pretious ,stones to amend their ,colours1 ,p4 #c4 #ej4 a4 ,gems or ,artificial ,stones to make of various ,colours1 ,p4 #a4 #hb1 #hc4 #dab1 #dac4 a4 ,a ,ruby or ,emerald1 #bdh4 b4 or ,hyacinth1 #bag4 b4 ,granats to change into ,rubies and pale ,hyacinths1 and other white ,stones to exalt in their ,colour1 ,p4 #b4 #bab4 b4 ,glassy ,colour to prepare like the ,indian ,porcellan1 ,p4 #a4 #ahj4 ,glass of ,copper red1 fit for the tinging or painting of ,glass1 #ace4 ,glass of ,antimony to prepare easily1 #ad4 a4 ,glass of ,lead for the fluxing of ,tin ,ashes1 to prepare1 #ci4 #aab4 ,glass is the ,philosophers ,lutum ,sapienti1 ,p4 #b4 #afg4 a4 ,glasses to gild durably with the ,colour of ,silver1 ,p4 #a4 #cia4 b4 ,glasses to hold volatile and subtile ,spirits1 #hg4 ,the way of grinding ,glass-stoppers1 ibid4 ,gold living1 how it differs from the dead1 ,p4 #b4 #aca4 ,of its preparation and dissolution into tender ,atoms1 fit for ,vivification and ,medicinal use1 ibid4 #aci1 #adj4 ,how those ,atoms are to be further opened and made volatile like a ,vegitable1 #aca4 ,how the ,stomach may be assisted so that it may dissolve ,gold1 #acb4 ,gold when exanimated1 flies the fire like ,arsnick1 #gb4 a4 ,the ,medicinal ,carbuncle of ,gold to prepare1 #ea4 ,the ,tincture of it swiftly promotes the growth of ,vegitable ,seeds1 #eb4 ,gold to be exalted in the ,mineral ,aries by the ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 #ahi4 a4 ,gold not to be reduced into three ,principles1 ,p4 #c4 #bf4 a4 nor to have its ,colour extracted by ,salts1 for the ,tinging of ,lune2 but to be resolved by putrefaction1 and made irreducible1 ibid4 ,how this is to be done1 #bg4 a4 after a ,total blackness1 #bg4 a4 ariseth the ,peacock's tail1 and ,dragon's blood1 #bh4 a4 ,gold its ,tincture1 with its ,use1 ,p4 #a4 #bf4 a4 ,another ,tincture of ,gold1 or ,aurum ,potabile1 with its ,vertues1 #bfe4 ,it turns a ,needle or pure ,iron ,wire into fine ,gold1 by digesting in it1 #bfg4 b4 ,gold with ,silver to prepare into a fusile purple ,stone1 #chd4 ,to sublime into a ,red ,medicinal ,salt1 ,p4 #b1 #afh4 ,gold may be gotten out of every ,herb1 ,p4 #a4 #cgd4 b4 ,demonstrated by the ,authour in the preface of many learned ,men1 ,p4 #daj4 a4 #dab4 b4 ,gold dissolved in a ,corrosive1 and the ,corrosive dulcify'd1 becomes a ,liquor1 which may serve for an ,aurum ,potabile1 and gilds ,quicksilver1 and other ,metals1 with a ,golden ,colour1 #chf4 b4 ,gold to generate in ,saturn1 #cig4 b4 ,to conjoyn with its ,capital enemy ,sulphur1 and with ,lune1 #cih1 #cii4 ,gold volatile in some ,oars and coloured ,flints1 may be distilled into a gradatory ,water1 transmuting ,mercury into ,gold1 ,p4 #a4 #dbf4 ,gold and ,silver to purifie1 and separate from each other1 ,p4 #a4 #adg4 a4 #cca4 b4 by ,melting onely1 #age4 ,gold to separate from the imperfect ,metals and ,minerals onely by melting in a ,crucible1 #agg4 ,gold to separate from the imperfect ,metals1 #ade1 #adf4 a4 ,gold and ,silver to get out of old ,tin or ,pewter ,vessels1 the ,tin or ,pewter being preserved and amended1 #agf4 ,gold impure to separate and purge by ,antimony1 #ajd4 ,gold to extract with profit from ,flints1 ,sand1 ,clay1 c41 ,p4 #a4 #aja4 #cga1 #dbf4 ,p4 #b4 #gf4 ,an infallible way of proving whether they hold much or little ,gold1 ibid4 ,as also out of ,granats1 ,agaths1 ,saphires1 ,rubies1 ,red ,talk1 c4 which will not yield either to ,lead1 or sharp ,waters1 and to reduce it to a body1 ,p4 #a4 #dbb1 #dbc1 #dbf4 ,p4 #b4 #ab1 #ae4 ,gold to extract out of any ,copper1 #ag1 #ah4 ,out of natural ,vitriol1 ibid4 #fe4 b4 ,out of ,sea-salt1 #ah4 ,out of poor ,lead ,oar1 ibid4 ,out of all rude and stubborn ,metallick ,earths1 #ai4 #fg4 ,gold and ,silver ,marchasites1 how to get more ,metal from them1 than by the common way of ,melting1 ,p4 #a4 #agb4 ,how to fix them in three hours space1 so that they shall yield a double quantity of ,metal to what they would have done before1 #age4 ,gold to make out of ,silver with profit1 and ,gold and ,silver to separate after a peculiar manner from ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin and ,lead1 ,p4 #c4 #df4 ,gold to separate from ,iron or ,copper by the ,glass of ,lead1 ,p4 #b4 #dj4 ,from ,regulus of ,antimony without loosing the ,regulus1 ibid4 ,from ,copper1 #dc4 ,from ,arsnick1 ,p4 #a4 #cba4 ,gold1 ,silver1 and ,copper to extract from poor ,oars1 by ,aqua ,fortis or ,spirit of ,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #cfj1 #dae1 #dbe1 #dbf1 #dbg4 ,the same may be done with the ,water of ,salt1 or ,salt-peter1 acuated with the ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ibid4 ,how to precipitate1 and reduce the extracted ,metals1 #daf4 ,gold to augment by the imperfect ,metals1 ,p4 #a4 #agh1 #cfa1 #cfb4 ,gold and ,silver to separate from each other1 by a cheaper way than the common1 ,p4 #b4 #aid4 and both from ,copper1 #bag4 ,gout ,pains1 suddenly to ease1 ,p4 #a4 #cg4 a4 #bhh4 a4 ,its ,knots to dissolve1 #ej4 ,gout to cure1 #bfe4 b4 ,p4 #b4 #bd4 b4 #eh1 #ei4 ,p4 #c4 #bh4 b4 ,many ,gouty persons cured in a few years by the ,golden ,panaca of ,antimony1 #aaj4 b4 ,gonorrha to cure1 ,p4 #b4 #adi4 a4 ,gravel to expell1 ,p4 #a4 #cg4 a4 ,grapes to have ripe sooner than ordinary1 #ahc4 ,grapes dried1 or ,raisons how to recover their sweetness1 as when pluckt fresh from the ,vine1 #bhd4 b4 ,griffin ,phylosophick generated of the ,lion and ,eagle1 #cef4 a4 #djf4 b4 #djg4 a4 ,gunpowder found out by a ,monk1 ,anno #achj1 #dcc4 a4 ,the ,authour thinketh the ,monk did ill to divulge it1 ibid4 b4 ,he speaks of another way to captivate ,enemies without killing them1 ibid4 ,h ,hair to ,dye1 as also ,skins1 ,wool1 ,bones1 with a purple or red ,colour1 constant and durable1 ,p4 #b4 #adi4 a4 ,hens delight in ,salt1 which makes them lay the more ,eggs1 ,p4 #a4 #afi4 a4 ,they devour ,sand and small ,pebbles for the matter of ,egg-shells1 #bhd4 a4 ,quick ,hedges to cause to grow up in half the usual time1 #aia4 b4 ,herbs to make grow up in a few hours space1 ,p4 #a4 #bjj4 b4 ,p4 #c4 #ei4 a4 ,to communicate to them the nature of any ,metal1 #baj4 a4 ,herbs various and unknown1 to produce without ,seed1 #beg4 b4 #bhi4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #di4 ,the great errour of ,galenists1 in attributing the same vertues to ,herbs in those ,northern ,climates1 as were ascribed to them in the ,southern1 #bag4 a4 ,the ,herbs of cold ,countries may be rendred equal in vertue to those of hot1 by the ,terrestrial ,sun and ,art1 #bag4 b4 ,herbs to discover by an experiment1 whether they are profitable or unprofitable in ,medicine1 ,p4 #b4 #bc4 ,history of ,gold made out of ,sea-,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #dab4 a4 ,history of an ,infant preserved from ,corruption many years1 in a certain ,water1 and at length turn'd into a ,stone1 #bfj4 a4 ,history of a ,mountebank at ,paris1 kill'd by the ,odour of a spirituous or volatile ,poyson1 ,p4 #b4 #he4 a4 ,history of a ,country-man to whom a ,doctor had prescribed ,album ,grcum1 #aei4 a4 ,history of ,sigismund ,wan1 who built a ,church and ,hospital by ,wealth obtained from separating the ,gold and ,silver from ,tin1 #bja a4 ,p4 #a4 #cga4 b4 ,hony to ,ferment before the distillation of its burning ,spirit1 ,p4 #a4 #eh4 ,to take away its ungratefull ,tast1 and purge it from its hidden ,impurities1 so that an excellent ,drink may be made of it1 for small charge1 serving instead of ,wine1 #bhf4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #ef4 ,or a ,metheglin with ,spices1 #eg4 a4 ,hops to produce in plenty1 ,p4 #a4 #aia4 b4 ,to preserve the ,hop-poles in the ,earth1 long from rotting1 ibid4 ,horns to soften1 so that any ,image may be printed upon them1 #ahb4 ,hovels of ,grain1 to keep ,rats and ,mice from running up the ,posts1 #aib4 a4 ,i ,iron to graduate into ,gold by a ,fulmen1 ,p4 #c4 #ga4 ,n4 ,b4 ,by ,sal-mirabils1 ,p4 #b4 #di4 ,to exalt it into ,copper by the same1 #ej4 ,all ,iron contains ,gold1 both fixt and volatile1 ,p4 #a4 #cge4 ,an eighth part of ,iron changed into ,gold1 ,p4 #a4 #bcj4 a4 ,iron to change into ,gold1 ,silver1 or ,copper1 by a ,fulmen1 #bcj4 b4 ,iron to change into ,copper according to ,paracelsus1 #bdj4 a4 #bic4 b4 ,iron ,tools changed into ,copper1 by length of time1 in ,mines of ,vitriol1 #bbi4 a4 #bcd4 b4 ,iron to separate from ,copper1 #cbf4 b4 ,iron made as fusile and malleable as ,copper1 ,p4 #a4 #cge4 a4 ,itch1 or ,scab1 to cure1 #cfd4 b4 ,j ,jupiter and ,venus beget ,apollo and ,diana1 #dja4 b4 ,l ,land1 poor and barren1 to enrich without ,dung1 ,p4 #a4 #ahg1 #ahi1 #aia1 #aic4 b4 #bjj4 b4 #dje4 a4 #dag4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #cc4 ,this ,manure holds good twenty years1 ibid4 ,the manner of preparing this ,manure of ,common ,salt and ,lime1 ,p4 #a4 #daf4 ,lead ,oar1 ,course and not meltable1 how to extract the ,lead from it1 ,p4 #b4 #ah4 ,lead1 or any ,lead ,oar1 to reduce into ,ashes1 and thence to extract ,gold and ,silver1 ,p4 #a4 #cii4 a4 #dad4 ,p4 #b4 #cf4 ,lead easily separated from its ,oar1 by adding ,iron in the melting1 ,p4 #a4 #gd4 a4 ,lead to amend by the graduating ,extractions of coloured ,flints1 ,p4 #b4 #cg4 ,how to reduce the ,calx of ,gold precipitated from the ,lead1 and washed1 without any loss1 #ch1 #ci4 ,of the nature and property of ,lead1 #aih4 ,it contains a sharp ,sal-nitrous ,spirit1 #aii4 ,lead to make hard like ,iron1 so that great ,guns may be made of it1 #aii4 b4 ,the inward juice of ,lead is sweeter than any ,sugar1 ,p4 #a4 #cha4 b4 ,a white precipitate of ,lead to prepare1 #chb4 a4 ,n4 ,b4 ,lead hath the power of dulcifying ,corrosives1 and thence grows so penetrant1 that it will presentt run through three ,crucibles one in another1 ,p4 #b4 #bjj4 a4 ,to make it hard and white like ,silver1 ,p4 #c4 #hi4 b4 ,a red ,stone of ,saturn and ,mars to prepare1 with its manifold ,vertues in ,physick and ,chyrurgery1 ,p4 #a4 #chb4 b4 ,it is the true ,lapis ,hmatitis of the ancient ,physicians1 #chc4 a4 ,the red ,sublimate ascending in this operation1 is able by ,sympathy1 to cure at a distance1 any ,flux of blood whatsoever1 ibid4 ,a white ,stone to prepare of ,saturn and ,lune1 #chc4 ,black ,lead of ,philosophers1 what1 ,p4 #b4 #bag4 b4 ,leprosie1 to cure1 ,p4 #a4 #bfe4 b4 ,leather to make black1 #ahj4 #cfd4 b4 ,linnen ,threads to make so soft1 as to emulate ,silk1 #ahj4 ,looking ,glasses and ,burning-,glasses1 to make1 ,p4 #a4 #gi4 ,the ,metallick mixture for the same1 #hj4 ,the manner of smoothing and polishing them1 #ha4 ,the ,ludus of ,paracelsus prepared by the ,authour1 with his ,alcahest or secret ,sal-,armoniack1 for the ,stone1 p4 #b4 #ahj4 b4 ,lune to graduate into ,sol by a singular ,spirit1 #fh4 b4 ,lutes for the building of ,furnaces1 joyning of ,receivers1 and for broken ,glasses1 p4 #a4 #hf4 ,of the ,lion or ,lions blood1 how to be prepared1 and used in ,medicine and other ,arts1 p4 #b4 #adi4 ,it cures the ,leprosie and ,pox1 ,ibid4 ,m ,madness and ,melancholy hypocondriack1 the cure1 ,p4 #a4 #agf4 ,magistery of ,pearl1 ,coral1 c4 to prepare1 #ah4 b4 ,the abuse used in those ,preparations1 ibid4 ,of ,egg-shells1 with its vertues1 ,p4 #c4 #eg4 a4 ,magnesia is rich in a ,metallick ,tincture1 ,p4 #a4 #cec4 ,how to prepare its ,tincture with ,alcohol of ,wine1 ,p4 #c4 #ef4 ,an ,universal ,medicine of it to prepare1 with its use1 ,p4 #b4 #aej4 ,p4 #c4 #cc4 ,with the ,secret ,fire of ,philosophers1 #ci4 b4 ,magnetism1 its admirable ,power in attracting its like1 ,p4 #b4 #bi4 ,magnetism of ,metals1 ,salts1 and ,stones1 ,p4 #a4 #cdb4 ,p4 #c4 #dj4 a4 ,magnet to attract a ,universal ,medicine or ,mercury from the ,air1 ,p4 #b4 #acg4 #afd1 #afe4 a4 ,another ,magnet to attract the ,astral1 and vivifying ,rays of the ,sun1 and to render them corporeal1 palpable1 and constant in the ,fire1 ,p4 #a4 #cij4 ,magnet attracting ,water1 its manifold uses1 ,p4 #b4 #fd4 ,magnet to attract from ,gold1 its ,tincture1 #afe4 ,malting1 the differences1 ,p4 #a4 #eg4 ,malt1 its ,fermentation1 in order to distill from it a burning ,spirit1 #eh4 ,mars or ,iron to purifie by ,saturn and ,salts1 #acc4 a4 ,mars and ,venus to conjoyn inseparably1 and their ,tinging blood to prepare1 ,p4 #c4 #ca4 b4 ,a ,medicine to remove all ,obstructions of the ,bowels and ,vessels1 and strengthen the ,stomach1 to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 #aeb4 b4 ,an ,universal ,medicine may be prepared in a few days for ,ten shillings charge1 ,p4 #c4 #eh4 a4 ,megrim1 cured by ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 ,p4 #a4 #ej4 a4 ,medicines ,universal1 their excellency above particular1 ,p4 #b4 #ahj4 b4 ,menstruum to extract the fixt ,sulphur or tinging ,anima of ,metals1 #ba4 ,menstruum dissolving ,copper mixt with ,gold1 and precipitating the ,gold1 #dc4 ,mercurius ,vit1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #h4 ,mercury not cold1 as the vulgar think1 but hot and fiery1 #acg4 b4 #adb4 ,mercury precipitate red1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bh4 a4 ,yellow precipitate of ,mercury1 kills ,lice1 #bi4 a4 ,mercury abused in ,physick1 #bh4 b4 ,mercury to ,coagulate into a hard body1 #adb4 a4 ,mercury to fix with the moist fires of ,salts1 so as constantly to abide the fire1 ,p4 #b4 #bf1 #bg4 ,to prepare into a ,red ,powder strongly purging1 #bh4 ,mercury ,coagulated into a fixt white ,body1 #afa4 a4 ,to purifie by a ,fulmen1 so as after it may be easily fixt1 ,p4 #c4 #ga4 ,common ,mercury purified and fixt into a ,red ,powder in two or three days1 #aib4 a4 ,it enters ,gold and augments it1 #aif4 a4 ,common ,mercury hath in it self no ,tincture1 ,p4 #c4 #af4 ,how it may acquire ,tincture1 and by preparation become the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 ibid4 ,how to fix it by ,animal superfluities1 ,p4 #c4 #hi4 b4 ,mercury of ,antimony to prepare1 either ,purgative or phoretick1 with its excellent use in ,physick1 ,p4 #b4 #afa1 #ahc4 ,mercury of ,saturn1 and of ,lune1 to prepare1 #abg4 a4 ,p4 #c4 #ae4 ,they fix ,common ,mercury1 ibid4 ,mercury of ,saturn may be distilled into a sweet ,milk1 and then coagulated into a ,stone1 which ,coagulates ,argent vive1 ,p4 #b4 #aaf4 ,mercury of ,saturn fixed into ,gold1 #acg4 ,the ,mercury of ,metals is the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 ,p4 #c4 #ab4 a4 #fi4 b4 ,divers ways of extracting it1 #ab1 #ac4 ,p4 #b4 #fg4 per se #aeh4 ,advise to seek ,mercury in ,saturn1 and ,sulphur in ,mars1 rather than in ,gold and ,silver1 ,p4 #c4 #ab4 a4 ,a ,tinging ,mercury to prepare out of ,antimony1 #ad4 ,antimony yields more ,mercury than ,vitriol1 ibid4 ,a ,tinging ,mercury to prepare out of ,mars and ,venus1 ibid4 ,p4 #c4 #gb4 a4 ,out of ,jupiter1 #ae4 ,mercury to prepare out of ,metals and ,minerals1 by the help of ,tartar onely1 #ad1 #ae4 ,the ,mercury of ,metals to prepare by the ,salt of the ,world1 ,p4 #c4 #gc4 a4 ,the ,mercury of ,philosophers to prepare by the help of ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 ,p4 #b4 #ahb4 ,the ,mercuries of ,jupiter and ,mars1 being conjoyned1 are together instantly converted into fixed ,gold1 ibid4 ,a ,philosophick ,mercury to prepare in great quantity1 without charge1 ,p4 #c4 #af4 ,the ,mercury of ,philosophers being set at liberty1 carries with it self its own ,tinging ,sulphur1 #ab4 b4 ,how to prove whether the ,mercury of ,metals be well prepared or not to give a ,tincture1 #ac4 ,the conjunction and fixation of the ,philosophick ,mercury with ,gold1 ibid4 ,of the ,mercury of ,wine1 ,p4 #c4 #ee4 a4 ,its ,preparation1 ,p4 #b4 #fg4 ,its admirable ,vertues1 #ahi4 ,p4 #c4 #fh4 b4 ,experiment of turning it into a red ,stone1 which tinged ,silver into ,gold1 #ge4 b4 ,metals1 how generated1 ,p4 #a4 #aae4 b4 ,metallick ,mines discovered by various accidents1 #abj4 ,how to find them by ,art1 ibid4 ,the ,hazle rod fallacious1 ibid4 ,metals and ,minerals have their birth from one ,common ,seed1 #aba4 a4 ,metalline ,seed as capable of ,multiplication1 as the ,vegetable and ,animal1 #cfc4 a4 ,metals1 how to separate1 ,p4 #a4 #gj4 ,from each other by precipitation1 #cbe4 b4 ,n4 ,b4 #ccd4 a4 ,to separate the courser ,metals from each other1 #gb4 ,metalline ,oars1 how to prove what ,metal they hold1 #agb4 ,metals may be purified in two or three hours time1 #ceg4 a4 ,metals to amend1 and concentrate by ,nitre1 #bja4 ,metals imperfect1 changed into more perfect1 by the help of ,salts1 ,p4 #a4 #agg1 #agh4 ,p4 #b4 #aa4 ,how to be slain by their ,enemies1 and transmuted into better1 ibid4 ,metals fugacious and of no worth1 to ripen by ,common ,salt and ,fire1 so as to yield ,gold and ,silver with profit1 #ce4 ,metals1 how purified1 ,p4 #b4 #aag4 a4 ,their ,reduction into ,calxes1 as ,crocus ,martis1 ,minium1 ,red ,precipitate1 c4 no true purification1 ibid4 ,how to make ,metals grow up like ,vegetables1 before the ,eye1 to the length of a finger or more in the space of two or three hours1 ,p4 #a4 #agh4 ,p4 #b4 #ei4 a4 ,metallick ,tree1 with its parts1 ,p4 #b4 #aje4 b4 ,magnesia grows up into a blood-red ,tree1 ,p4 #c4 #ei4 a4 ,metals not to be spiritualized with ,corrosive ,waters1 by distillation1 #acb4 a4 ,metals1 notwithstanding1 may be depurated1 and made volatile by distillation1 ,p4 #b4 #abg4 b4 ,metalline ,spirits coagulate and fix ,mercury1 #aec4 b4 ,metals are so destroyed by the ,fulmen of ,jove1 that they cannot be again reduced into ,metallick ,bodies by melting1 but pass into ,glass of divers ,colours1 which ,glass being again reduced by ,art1 yields much better ,metals than before1 ,p4 #a4 #bja4 b4 ,metals not to be amended but by ,sulphur1 ,p4 #a4 #cge4 a4 ,metals to distinguish1 by the colour of their ,fumes1 and figure of their ,motion1 in the fire1 ,p4 #a4 #bgb4 b4 #bgc4 a4 ,the ,metals have divers names imposed upon them by the ,poets1 #dja4 a4 ,metallick ,tincture to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bjd4 a4 ,a ,metallick ,medicament to prepare1 profitable in all distempers of the ,brain1 ,p4 #b4 #aaf4 ,what is to be held concerning the perfection of ,metals1 ,p4 #a4 #gb4 ,minerals1 of their kinds and difference1 ,p4 #a4 #cah4 ,how to be tried1 ,p4 #a4 #fi4 #cbb4 ,p4 #b4 #bb4 a4 ,whether they may be transmuted into ,metals1 and into what1 ,p4 #a4 #gg4 ,minerals poysonous1 how to be corrected by the moist fire of ,salt1 and to be converted into good ,medicine1 ,p4 #b4 #bf4 ,minerals after they have been extracted with ,aqua ,regia will still afford ,salt-peter with profit1 ,p4 #b4 #ab4 ,mines and ,stones1 that are poor in ,silver and ,copper to extract by a moist way1 ,p4 #b4 #ad1 #ae4 ,minerals stubborn and glassy1 are subdued in the fire with fixed ,salts1 ,p4 #a4 #ccb4 b4 ,mice delight in ,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #afi4 a4 ,money1 how to improve it without putting it to ,usury by a ,metallick work1 #aid4 ,gold more profitable to be used in this work than ,silver1 #aig4 b4 ,mountains burning1 not ,hell1 as some think1 ,p4 #a4 #aah1 #aai4 ,n ,niter or ,salt-peter1 its generation1 ,p4 #a4 #cji1 #cef4 ,of its use and benefit1 #bjj1 #cei1 #dji4 a4 ,it is a meer fire1 whether it be in the form of a fixed ,salt1 or of a volatile ,spirit1 ,p4 #b4 #aad4 a4 ,how to make its fire appear visibly in a flame1 ibid4 ,its cold and moist fire to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 b4 ,niter agrees with all the marks of the ,philosopher's ,mercury1 ,p4 #a4 #afg4 b4 ,the ,river ,nile aboundeth with ,niter1 by which it enricheth the adjacent ,country without ,dung1 #ahe4 b4 ,the plenty of ,niter in ,egypt was the cause of their transmutation of ,metals1 ibid4 ,the ,niter or ,salt-peter of the ,ancients was extracted out of ,rocks and ,stones1 as the word ,salt-peter signifieth1 ,p4 #a4 #cdb4 b4 ,that ,art is now wholly lost in ,europe1 ibid4 ,niter yet extracted out of ,rocks in the ,east-,indies1 ibid4 ,niter wonderfully promoteth the growth and encrease of ,corn1 ,p4 #a4 #bbd4 b4 #cei4 b4 ,fixt ,niter hath no equal1 in promoting the growth of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 #aii4 b4 ,it giveth a better ,odour to ,fruits1 than ,dung1 ,p4 #b4 #cc4 ,niter is capable of affording all things both for health and wealth1 #djg4 a4 ,niter brought in speaking of it self1 #cfc4 b4 ,its use in preparing of ,medicines of ,vegetables and ,animals1 ,p4 #b4 #ii4 ,niter acting in three forms1 viz4 the ,lion1 ,eagle1 or ,griffin1 dissolves all things in the ,world1 ,p4 #a4 #djf4 b4 ,niterous ,fountains in ,franconia proceeding from a ,mountain of ,stones containing ,niter1 cure many diseases1 #cdc4 b4 ,niter the onely ,medium of making the ,metals ,astral1 #ceg4 a4 ,niter to prepare by ,art of an extraordinary strength1 #ceg4 b4 ,the ,anima or ,tincture of ,niter ,enigmatically described1 ,p4 #b4 #abj4 a4 ,one drop of it is able to tinge a whole ,glass of ,water with a golden ,colour1 ibid4 ,p4 #a4 #cae4 b4 ,n4,b4 #caf4 a4 ,its ,preparation is more openly taught1 ,p4 #b4 #afi4 ,its ,vertues1 ,p4 #a4 #chh4 b4 ,p4 #b4 #ca4 ,how to exalt it to the highest power and purity1 #ca4 #dj4 a4 ,niter to prepare of ,dung of divers sorts1 of ,leaves of ,trees1 c4 ,p4 #a4 #cch4 ,out of ,lime and ,wood1 #cci4 ,out of rotten ,wood1 #dji4 a4 ,out of ,rocks and ,stones1 #cdj1 #cgd4 a4 ,experiment to try what ,stones contain most ,niter1 ibid4 b4 ,difference of ,stones containing ,niter1 and how they are to be known1 ,p4 #a4 #cda1 #cdd4 b4 ,niter to prepare in plenty out of ,common ,salt and ,lime1 #cdd4 b4 #daf4 ,niter or ,salt-peter to make with little or no cost by its own ,seed1 ,p4 #a4 #cag1 #cce1 #cgj1 #dag4 b4 #dah4 ,by its own ,root1 #daj4 b4 #dac4 ,p4 #b4 #dj1 #da4 ,niter how to extract and boil up1 #cde4 ,the way of augmenting the crude ,lixivium before boiling1 #ceg4 b4 ,niter1 when purified1 shoots into long smooth ,crystals of a sexangular ,figure1 and how it is to be brought to that purity1 #bgd4 b4 #bge4 a4 ,niter to fix1 and thence to prepare a fiery ,liquor or ,menstruum1 ,p4 #b4 #ih4 ,ten pounds of ,niter may be extracted out of a hundred weight of ,bones of ,beasts1 ,birds1 and ,fishes1 ,p4 #a4 #caj4 a4 ,niter may be made in great quantities out of the ,flesh and ,bones of ,whales1 ,entrails of ,stock-fish1 c4 which are cast away1 #cac4 a4 ,experiment of making ,niter out of ,bullock's ,blood1 ibid4 ,necessary admonitions about the making of ,niter or ,salt-peter1 ibid4 #cad4 ,n4,b4 #cae4 ,o ,oyls of ,vegetables to obtain in greater quantity than by a ,common ,still1 ,p4 #a4 #e4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #abb4 a4 ,one general ,process for the ,oyls of ,vegetables1 shewn by distilling the ,oyl of ,turpentine1 #abc4 b4 ,essential ,oyls to exalt to a great subtilty1 #aai4 b4 ,oyls ftid1 to make sweet and clear1 ,p4 #a4 #f4 a4 ,oyls warm1 fetch ,pitch and ,rosin out of ,cloth1 #cgf4 ,oyls1 how to be ,coagulated into ,balsams1 #fj4 ,oyl of ,amber to prepare1 with its ,vertues1 ,p4 #a4 #eb4 ,oyl of ,arsnick and ,orpiment1 #i4 #ce4 ,oyl of ,ashkeys1 a sure ,remedy against the ,stone1 ,p4 #b4 #abb4 a4 ,oyl or ,butter of ,antimony1 #ce1 #cf4 ,its external use1 #h4 b4 ,oyl of ,harts-horn1 #ea4 ,oyl of ,lapis ,calaminaris1 with its uses1 ,p4 #a4 #i4 ,oyl of ,wine made by its help1 ibid4 ,oyl or ,liquor of ,gold ,corrosive1 #g4 a4 ,oyl of ,lune1 #ea4 ,oyl of ,mars1 ibid4 ,oyl of ,regulus ,martis1 #cd4 ,its manifold vertues and uses1 #cd1 #ce4 ,oyl of ,mastick1 ,frankincense and other ,gums1 #e4 b4 ,oyl of ,mercury1 #g4 ,oyl of ,metals and ,minerals1 red and sweet1 #f4 b4 ,oyl-olive to distill1 commonly called the ,philosopher's ,oyl of ,bricks1 ,p4 #a4 #ec4 ,its ,vertues and ,use1 ibid4 #ed4 ,oyl of ,saturn1 and of ,jupiter1 #g4 #cf4 ,oyl of ,soot1 #eb4 ,oyl of ,sulphur1 styled the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 because it may easily be transmuted into a sweet fusile ,stone1 ,p4 #b4 #aia4 ,oyl of ,talk1 with ,niter1 ,p4 #a4 #cc4 ,oyl of ,tartar1 #cf4 ,oyl of ,tin1 it exalts ,colours1 #cc4 ,oyl of ,venus1 #g4 ,oyl of ,vitriol1 sweet1 to prepare1 #ba4 ,its ,use and ,dose1 #bb4 ,blood-red1 with ,spirit of ,urine1 #ej4 ,oyl of ,vitriol corrosive1 to prepare1 #ag4 ,oyl of ,vitriol white1 and red1 to ,coagulate into a sweet fusile ,stone1 having power in the transmutation of ,metals1 and ,gems1 ,p4 #b4 #aia4 ,oyl of ,vitriol or ,sulphur is the ,agent of ,philosophers1 ,p4 #c4 #fb4 b4 ,oyl of ,zink1 ,p4 #a4 #cf4 ,opium may be so prepared1 that its very ,odour will lay the outward senses asleep1 ,p4 #b4 #aec4 b4 ,opium1 ,henbane and ,tobacco to prepare into excellent ,medicines1 ,p4 #c4 #eg4 b4 ,p ,panaca of ,antimony1 its preparation and general use1 ,p4 #a4 #afc4 ,paracelsus caused humane ,dung to be set before the ,emperour's ,physicians1 who required of him some ,medicinal ,experiment1 ,p4 #b4 #aei4 b4 ,paracelsus's ,abbreviation of the ,process of the ,ancients in preparing the ,tincture of ,naturalists1 ,p4 #a4 #bcc4 ,projection of the said ,tincture upon ,metals1 #bcd4 ,paracelsus with it cured the worst of diseases1 #bce4 a4 ,his ,prophecy1 #cea4 ,his ,epitaph1 #ceb4 ,his ,lion of the ,north is ,niter1 #cej4 a4 ,partnership pernicious in the ,philosophick work1 ,p4 #b4 #adg4 ,and trusty ,servants very rare to get1 ibid4 ,paracelsus had thirteen ,servants came under the ,hangman's ,lash1 and but one that he thought was honest1 #adh4 a4 ,pearls to prepare into a ,magistery1 or white shining ,powder1 and to make the same of ,mother of ,pearl1 or other ,shells1 ,p4 #a4 #ah4 b4 ,pearl ,philosophick1 to take with the ,net of ,saturn1 #bfe4 b4 ,to draw it forth of ,common ,salt1 ,p4 #b4 #e4 ,the ,philosopher's ,stone not to be attained by the most acute ,powers of humane reason1 without the assistance of divine inspiration1 ,p4 #a4 #ahe4 b4 ,such ,philosophers rare to be found1 as will instruct others in their work1 ,p4 #b4 #adf4 ,the ,philosophers have prepared their ,tincture of several ,subjects1 and by divers ,methods1 #add1 #ade4 a4 ,the ,authour's opinion which way is the best1 #adf4 b4 #adg4 a4 ,how a man ought to be qualified that will undertake the ,philosophick work1 #ade4 b4 ,pride hinders a man from knowledge1 ibid4 ,poyson consists in the excess of ,cold1 ,p4 #b4 #aje4 a4 ,poysonous ,animals and ,vegetables reside and grow in cold and shady places1 ibid4 ,press described for extracting the juice or sap of ,wood1 for the making of ,salt-peter1 or the enriching of barren ,land1 ,p4 #a4 #ahh4 ,how to convert the sowr juice of ,wood into ,salt-peter1 ibid4 ,printer's ,ink1 to render very fair and good1 #agi4 ,proserpine1 what1 ,p4 #b4 #aia4 a4 ,purges work onely by their crudity and aversion to the stomach1 ,p4 #b4 #ag4 a4 b4 ,purges of ,vegetables not so safe as those of ,metals1 ,p4 #a4 #che4 a4 ,purging ,vegetables much corrected by ,spirit of ,wine1 ,p4 #b4 #agi4 a4 ,purge for strong people of ,copper1 ,p4 #a4 #da4 a4 ,of ,iron1 for weaker1 ibid4 ,a purge prepared of ,saturn1 with its use and dose1 #che4 ,a purge of ,lune or ,silver1 ibid4 ,a purging ,gold1 ibid4 ,putrefactions are made much sooner by ,art than ,nature1 ,p4 #a4 #bbe4 a4 ,putrefaction of ,vegetables is presently made in the stomachs of ,men1 #bbd4 b4 ,pythagoras's errour concerning the ,transmigration of humane ,souls1 is true of the ,metallick1 #ceh4 a4 ,q ,quintessence of ,vegetables1 to prepare1 p4 #a4 #f4 b4 ,quintessence of all ,metals and ,minerals1 ibid4 ,p4 #c4 #eh4 b4 ,how to fix them into ,tinctures with ,sol and ,lune1 ibid4 ,their ,medicinal use1 ibid4 ,a wonderfull ,quintessence of ,wine1 which dissolveth all things and bringeth their vertues over the helm1 ,p4 #b4 #fc1 #fd4 ,r ,rapes1 ,radishes1 and other things to make grow far larger and fairer than usual by planting their ,seeds in their ,roots1 ,p4 #c4 #ce4 b4 ,ripley's ,toad1 mentioned in his ,dream1 what1 ,p4 #b4 #bag4 a4 ,rivers afford ,stones rich in ,gold and ,silver1 #ha4 a4 ,s ,the ,salt of the ,ocean 7as a ,universal ,agent7 gives nourishment to all things which grow on the ,earth1 ,p4 #a4 #bdh1 #bdi1 #bee1 #bef4 ,p4 #c4 #cc4 ,the ,sea-water abates of its saltness the nearer it is to the ,north1 ibid4 ,of the ,precipitation of the ,salt from ,sea-water1 and rendring it drinkable1 #bhd4 b4 #bhe4 a4 ,common ,salt containeth spiritual ,gold1 which may be rendred visible by ,art1 #bhc4 a4 ,it preserveth both the living and the dead from ,corruption1 ibid4 ,it conduceth much to the fatning of ,hogs1 and other ,beasts1 ibid4 ,common ,salt kills ,vegetables1 as it is1 but turn'd into a ,lixivial ,salt1 promotes ,vegetation1 ,p4 #a4 #hi4 ,common ,salt1 when throughly purified1 always hath the shape of a ,cube or ,square1 ,p4 #a4 #bgd4 a4 ,how it is to be so purified1 ibid4 b4 ,salt advanceth and conducteth the ,vertues or ,vices of what it is conjoyned with1 whether good or evil1 #bfb4 b4 ,examples proving the same in ,mercury and ,orpiment1 ibid4 ,salt feigned to declare its own ,vertues1 #bed4 a4 #bgd4 a4 ,common ,salt may be transmuted into a burning ,spirit1 into true ,salt-peter1 ,p4 #a4 #aic4 b4 #dje4 a4 ,it may in a few hours obtain the ,nature of ,pot-,ashes1 and serve for all uses to which they are put1 as for ,soap-boylers1 ,glass-makers1 c4 #djf4 a4 ,salt is able to draw out the ,anima of ,gold1 and leave its ,body of the colour of ,lead1 and brittle and fugacious like ,antimony1 #beh4 a4 ,salt is the ,symbol of ,eternity1 #bed4 b4 ,it corroborateth the ,heart more than ,wine1 #bef4 b4 ,the fruitfull nature of ,salt appears from the ,multiplication of ,fishes1 beyond ,birds and ,animals1 ,p4 #a4 #beg4 b4 ,salt and ,fire transmute the vile ,metals1 into more ,noble4 ,an evident demonstration1 #dcd4 ,the ,salt of the ,microcosmick ,sea1 far more potent in the ripening of ,metals1 than the ,salt of the ,ocean1 #cif4 a4 ,the ,spirit and ,salt of the ,world being added to any dissolved ,metal1 and distilled1 carries over the ,tinging ,anima of the ,metal1 ,p4 #c4 #ah4 b4 ,salts simple and compound1 their excellency in ,alchymy1 #dcd4 b4 ,n4,b4 ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 its description1 preparation1 and use1 ,p4 #b4 #agh4 ,its use in the amending of ,metals1 #aih4 ,it performs more than ,helmont hath attributed to his ,alcahest1 #ahf4 a4 ,divers ,medicines for the ,stone to prepare with it1 ibid4 ,volatile ,salt of ,wine or ,tartar1 to prepare1 ,p4 #c4 #fi4 a4 ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 of various preparations1 ,p4 #b4 #bji4 a4 ,a wonderfull ,sal-,armoniack to be prepared from the fces of ,tin1 #bjb4 b4 ,it inseparably conjoyneth ,gold and ,silver1 #bjc4 a4 ,n4,b4 ,it is a ,magnet to draw ,tinctures1 #bjd4 b4 ,being dissolved in ,spirit of ,salt1 it attracts ,gold or ,tinctures from ,metallick ,solutions1 and precipitates them in form of a purple or blood-red ,powder1 #bje4 a4 ,it extracts and exalts the ,colours of ,vegetables and ,animals1 ibid4 ,he that hath it1 and knows its use1 needs no ,books1 ibid4 ,a ,spiritual ,sal-,armoniack or ,alcahest described1 which can extract the ,tinctures of all red ,bodies1 and again introduce them into white ,bodies1 without altering the figure of either1 #bji1 #baj4 a4 ,it maketh ,gold as volatile as ,spirit of ,wine1 in three hours space1 #baj4 b4 ,and again changeth it into a transparent1 fixt1 tinging ,carbuncle1 #bab4 ,sal-,mirabilis1 its ,original1 ,p4 #a4 #bbc4 ,of its ,name and ,vertues1 #bbd4 ,its ,preparation1 #bbe1 #bfa4 ,of its outward ,figure and ,tast1 #bfa4 ,enigmatical description of its ,use1 #bed4 ,its use in ,physick1 ,alchymy1 and ,mechanick ,arts1 #bbf1 #bbg1 #bbh1 #bfb4 ,of its wonderfull power in the kingdom of ,vegetables1 #bbd4 ,how it is to be prepared for that use1 ,p4 #b4 #dg4 ,it restores ,trees and ,insects1 half dead1 to life1 ,p4 #a4 #daj4 b41 ,p4 #b4 #dg4 ,the use of ,sal-,mirabilis in dissolving of ,metals1 and preparing of ,medicines1 ,p4 #a4 #bfd4 ,p4 #b4 #dh4 ,its ,universal use in the emendation of ,metals1 ,p4 #b4 #ej4 ,how by it the imperfect ,metals may be made perfect1 ibid4 ,the ,author by its help hath often tinged one end of an ,iron ,wyer1 into ,copper1 and the other into ,gold1 ,p4 #a4 #bbi4 b4 ,sal-,mirabilis to strengthen by its own ,spirit1 ,p4 #a4 #daa4 a4 ,a graduating ,spirit of ,sal-,mirabilis1 ,p4 #b4 #fh4 b4 ,how to know if the ,sal-,mirabilis be well prepared1 #ec4 ,how by it any ,grain or ,seed may be encreased a ,thousand fold1 #ed4 ,how it is profitable for ,vineyards1 #ed1 #ee4 ,divers profitable uses of it about ,wines and ,brandy1 #ee1 #ef4 ,sal-,mirabilis turns ,water1 ,wine1 ,ale1 and other ,liquors into hard pieces1 like ,ice1 in a few hours space1 ,p4 #b4 #dd4 ,it ,coagulates all acid corrosive ,spirits in like manner1 ibid4 ,it stops the head of a ,fountain1 ibid4 ,separates the phlegm from subtile ,spirits1 ibid4 ,congealeth the breath of ,men into ,ice1 with other ,operations1 ibid4 ,it betters all ,wines as it were in a moment1 #de4 ,how it may benefit those who travel in ,winter1 or sail on the ,seas1 ,p4 #b4 #df4 ,how it mends ,brandy made of ,corn1 so as to become equal to that made of the ,lees of ,wine1 ibid4 ,the same by ,vinegar1 ibid4 ,it amends ,oyls1 #dg4 ,it takes away ,must or ,stink from all ,vessels1 ibid4 ,it preserves all kind of ,fruits1 ,eggs1 ,onions1 c4 a long time from corrupting1 ibid4 ,it turneth ,wood into a ,stone1 ibid4 ,how it dissolveth all hard ,subjects1 ibid4 ,sal-mirabilis reduceth a ,charcoal into its first matter in the space of half an hour1 #dh4 ,how it renders the ,vegetable ,sulphur visible1 ibid4 ,yields a ,medicine but little inferiour to ,aurum ,potabile1 ibid4 ,salt of humane ,dung among all ,salts1 onely generates putrefaction1 ,p4 #b4 #aei4 b4 ,salt-peter1 see ,niter4 ,salt graduating ,silver1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #cd4 a4 ,salt of ,tartar to purifie by ,flints1 #aec4 b4 ,salt-water takes the ,salt out of saltish ,flesh1 or ,fish1 #cg4 b4 ,of the ,salt of ,philosophers1 its preparation1 use1 and efficacy in ,physick and ,chymistry1 ,p4 #c4 #ag4 ,it transmutes all imperfect ,metals into ,gold1 and common ,stones into precious ones2 but hath no ingress into common ,mercury1 #ah4 a4 ,it draws the ,tinctures from red ,subjects1 and leaves the body white1 #ai4 a4 ,experiment of the red ,salt or ,stone of ,philosophers drawing the ,tincture from ,gold1 ,p4 #c4 #bj4 ,it gave to ,glass such a toughness1 as it might be bowed like ,steel-wyer1 without breaking1 ,ibid4 ,the ,author restored by it from two years continual ,sickness1 to ,health1 ibid4 ,the ,secret ,salt of ,philosophers1 7or their white ,eagle7 being dissolved in ,common ,water1 renders the same able to glew ,paper together1 and makes inseparable ,conjunctions1 #ca4 b4 #eb4 ,the ,salt of ,art exalts both ,sol and ,lune into ,tinctures1 ,p4 #c4 #ec4 a4 ,it both maketh fixt and volatile1 ibid4 ,sanguis ,draconis and ,salamander of the ,philosophers1 how produced1 #bh1 #bi4 ,its ,inceration and ,multiplication1 #bi4 b4 ,sanguis ,draconis to unite and fix1 with ,lac ,virginis1 ,p4 #c4 #ca4 a4 ,satur washed to the highest ,whiteness1 with ,common ,salt1 is then a ,bath for ,metals1 ,p4 #a4 #djb4 a4 ,the manner of preparing and using that ,bath1 #djc1 #djd4 ,seeds of ,vegetables consist in a ,lixivial ,salt and ,sulphur1 ,p4 #a4 #hi4 b4 ,silver to extract from poor ,oars1 by the moist way1 ,p4 #a4 #dbe4 ,silver ,calxes to reduce into a body without loss1 ibid4 ,p4 #b4 #ad1 #db4 ,silver to separate from ,bismuth1 and the ,bismuth preserved1 ,p4 #a4 #agf4 ,from old ,copper1 and the ,copper preserved1 ibid4 ,silver to exalt into ,gold1 in a few hours1 #agg4 ,p4 #b4 #di4 ,silver to ,transmute into ,gold1 ,p4 #c4 #dd4 b4 ,silver is inwardly full of ,tincture1 ,p4 #b4 #add4 a4 ,silver1 its ,crystals to prepare1 with their use1 ,p4 #a4 #bf4 ,its ,tincture1 ibid4 ,its green ,oyl1 with its use in ,physick1 ,alchymy1 and ,mechanicks1 #bg1 #cia4 b4 ,the ,silver ,tree1 #ccd4 b4 ,smiths ,files1 and other ,tools1 to make as hard as the best ,steel1 ,p4 #a4 #ahj4 ,spots or ,stains to take out of ,cloaths1 ibid4 ,spiders under a year old1 not poysonous1 ,p4 #b4 #if4 b4 ,they will live three months without sustenance1 ibid4 ,spirits ,terrestrial and ,elementary1 their great ,power1 ,p4 #b4 #aga4 ,spirits1 what they are1 and by what means they operate good or evil1 ,p4 #b4 #bc4 ,spirit of ,salt to distill without ,retorts1 with its use1 ,p4 #a4 #c4 #dah4 #bhc4 b4 ,spirit of ,salt1 ,salt-peter1 or ,aqua ,regia to acquire easily1 so that one pound of it may be made with two or three pound of ,coals1 and needs no rectification1 #bbe1 #cgd4 a4 ,spirit of ,salt serves for ,kitchen uses better than ,vinegar1 #e1 #aj1 #cgh1 #cgi4 ,its great ,vertues in ,physick1 #bhg4 ,spirit of ,salt ,tartarized1 to prepare1 #cib4 a4 ,it allays ,thirst byond all other remedies1 and is of many good uses in ,physick1 ibid4 ,spirit of ,salt1 and ,allom1 volatile to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bb4 ,the use of ,spirit of ,salt in ,ships against ,thirst1 and the ,scurvy1 #bhd4 ,the ,spirit of ,salt in ,apothecaries ,shops1 of little worth1 #bhc4 a4 ,spirit of ,antimony1 ,tartarized1 ,p4 #a4 #cj4 a4 #da4 ,spirit of ,corals and ,sugar1 red1 to prepare1 #ec4 ,spirit of ,salt of ,tartar1 and other fixed ,salts1 #aa4 ,spirit of ,salt of ,tartar1 with crude ,tartar to distill1 #dd4 ,spirit of ,salt-peter1 white and acid1 and red and volatile1 to prepare1 with their use1 ,p4 #a4 #bc4 ,spirit of ,niter ,sulphurated1 #bi4 a4 ,tartarized1 #cj4 a4 ,acid ,spirit1 or ,vinegar to distill from all ,vegetables1 ,p4 #a4 #aj4 b4 ,from ,wood1 in great quantity1 #ahh1 #ahi4 ,spirit of ,stone-,coals1 ,p4 #a4 #cj4 b4 ,it cures ,scald ,heads and all running ,ulcers1 ibid4 ,spirit of ,grape-stones1 a ,specifick for the ,stone and ,gout1 #ed4 a4 ,spirit of ,gun-powder1 #cb4 ,spirit of ,hair1 and ,horns1 #aa4 ,of ,man's ,hair1 #eb4 ,it dissolveth ,sulphur into a ,milk1 and may be fixt into a ,ruby1 ibid4 ,of ,harts-horn1 with its ,vertues1 #ea1 #eb4 ,spirit of ,honey1 to prepare1 #aa1 #eb4 ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 or ,urine1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #di4 ,its ,vertues and ,use1 #ej4 ,spirits and ,salts of ,minerals1 ,p4 #a4 #ab4 ,spirits of ,metals and ,minerals volatile1 ,p4 #a4 #bb4 ,p4 #b4 #ga4 b4 #afb1 #bah4 a4 ,spirit of ,zinck1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #bc4 ,of the ,dross of ,regulus ,martis1 ibid4 ,spirit of ,saturn1 #cf4 ,it is a meer poyson1 but of great power in ,alchymy1 ,p4 #b4 #afd4 a4 ,spirit of ,jupiter1 ,p4 #a4 #cc4 ,spirit of ,mars1 with its ,vertues1 ,p4 #c4 #df4 b4 ,spirit of ,gold1 and ,silver1 ,tartarized1 ,p4 #a4 #da4 ,spirit of ,mercury ,tartarized1 ibid4 ,spirit of ,must1 or new ,wine1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #ec4 ,spirit of ,paper1 and ,linnen ,cloth1 #aa4 ,spirit of ,silk1 ibid4 ,spirit of ,sugar1 with its ,oyl1 #ec4 ,spirit of ,tartar1 #cf4 ,its ,use1 #cg4 ,spirit and ,oyl of ,tartar joyned with ,metals and ,minerals1 #ch4 ,spirit of ,vinegar1 ,honey1 and ,sugar1 #aa4 ,spirit of ,sulphur1 #ed4 ,spirit of ,vitriol volatile1 with its vertues and use1 ,p4 #a4 #ag4 ,p4 #b4 #bcg1 #bch4 a4 ,sulphur of ,vitriol ,narcotick1 use and dose1 ibid4 ,a ,spirit to be drawn from ,wine 7by the help of a secret ,ferment7 by which other ,wines may be amended1 ,p4 #b4 #aec4 b4 ,from ,tartar1 by the same ,ferment1 #bah4 b4 ,spirit of ,wine1 to prepare1 that will draw out the ,tincture of ,gold1 #aci4 ,spirit of ,wine1 by its flame1 dulcifies all sowr and bitter things1 #aij4 b4 ,spirit of ,wine ,alcolizate extracts the ,tinctures of all things1 and carries them over the ,helm1 is of admirable use for ,physicians1 and may be acquired as cheap as other good ,spirit of ,wine1 #ahf4 b4 ,spirit of ,wine ,alcolized with the ,salt of ,art1 carries over the ,helm the ,essences of ,vegetables1 ,animals1 and ,minerals1 ,p4 #c4 #ed1 #ef4 a4 ,springs1 whether salt or sweet1 their ,original1 ,p4 #a4 #bdh4 b4 #bdi4 ,the reason why some ,springs are fresh and others salt1 and why some are more salt than others1 ,p4 #a4 #bef4 ,steel or ,iron to ,solder without ,fire or ,brass1 onely by a ,liquor1 ,p4 #a4 #ahj4 ,stone of the ,reins and ,bladder1 the cure1 ,p4 #b4 #bd4 b4 #eh1 #hh4 b4 #ie4 a4 #ajb4 b4 #abb4 b4 ,p4 #c4 #ee4 ,stone of ,fire of ,basil ,valentine1 ,p4 #c4 #fe4 ,its great power and vertues1 ibid4 ,stones prepared by the ,author1 ,tinging ,metals1 ,p4 #c4 #cg4 ,sulphur1 burning1 is the symbol of ,death1 ,p4 #a4 #bed4 b4 ,sulphurs kill all ,corrosives1 and reduce them to a sweetness1 #chf4 b4 ,vegetable ,sulphurs perform it in one hours space1 either in the dry or moist way1 ibid4 ,sulphur is the ,original of all ,metals1 ,p4 #b4 #f4 b4 ,every ,sulphur is brought to a ,metallick state1 by its own ,agent1 or ,vitriolate ,salt1 ibid4 ,sulphur1 its cold and moist ,fire1 to prepare1 ibid4 ,sulphur to fix1 by the most ,fires of ,salts1 #bg4 ,common ,sulphur to purifie by an acid ,spirit1 #abd4 b4 ,lac ,sulphuris to prepare1 #ajb4 a4 ,sulphur of ,antimony1 ,emetick1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #cj4 b4 ,common ,sulphur to fix1 in three days time1 into a red tinging ,stone1 ,p4 #b4 #bad4 ,the power of ,sulphur in ,coagulating and ,tinging1 #afa4 a4 ,sulphur of ,tartar1 of admirable vertue1 ibid4 ,it makes ,gold white and brittle1 ,p4 #c4 #bf4 b4 ,the ,excellency of ,sulphur1 when truly prepared1 in ,physick1 ,alchymy1 and other ,arts1 ,p4 #c4 #b4 b4 ,sulphur to wash and purge to a snow-like whiteness1 and fix1 to abide the fire1 #d1 #e1 #f4 ,its use1 #g4 ,sulphur fixed1 is the ,unicorn's ,horn1 or true ,bezoar of ,philosophers1 #g4 b4 ,nothing tingeth but ,sulphur1 #h4 a4 ,it hath ingress into ,metals1 and amends them1 by the help of the ,salt of ,metals1 #i4 a4 ,of the ,element of ,fire of ,sulphur1 and its use1 #c1 #f4 a4 ,its qualifications1 #fa4 a4 ,sulphur to convert into a gradatory ,water1 ,p4 #c4 #i4 ,the danger of operating upon some ,sulphurs to fix them1 with the ,authour's advice to the ,operatour1 #aj4 a4 ,sulphurs in fixing1 joyned with ,gold and ,silver1 make them irreducible1 but have both flux and ingress restored by the ,salt of ,metals1 #aj1 #aa4 ,sulphur may be fixt without the help of any external ,fire1 by the invisible ,fire of ,niter1 #aa4 b4 ,the ,sulphur of ,philosophers held ,captive in an obscure ,coal1 ,p4 #a4 #aij4 b4 ,the ,sun 7by the ,medium of the ,air7 is the principal ,instrument of life1 ,p4 #a4 #chi4 a4 ,experiments to prove the same1 ibid4 ,sun ,celestial and ,terrestrial1 their harmony with ,wine and ,man1 ,p4 #b4 #acj4 ,t ,tobacco rightly prepared and administered1 effecteth great ,cures1 ,p4 #a4 #bha4 a4 ,tapestry1 its faded ,colours to restore1 #aha4 ,tartar to extract from the ,lees of ,wine1 #bib4 a4 ,tartar afforded by other ,vegetables besides ,wine1 #ec4 b4 ,it causeth not the ,gout or ,stone1 ibid4 ,tartar to purifie after divers manners1 ,p4 #b4 #fi4 b4 ,tartar truly purified1 and conjoyned with ,common ,water1 and pure ,spirit of ,wine1 make good ,wine1 like the natural1 #adj4 a4 ,thrush and other sore ,mouths in ,children1 to cure1 ,p4 #a4 #bhg4 b4 ,tin to purge from its superfluous ,sulphur divers ways1 ,p4 #a4 #acj4 a4 ,to make ,tin hard and white1 like ,silver1 #ahj4 ,tin may serve for the writing of ,letters1 in case of secrecy1 #bgc4 a4 ,tin1 its nature and property1 how it may be washed1 so as to yield ,gold and ,silver on the ,cupel1 ,p4 #b4 #bjj4 ,tin yields its ,gold and ,silver to ,copper1 or ,regulus of ,antimony1 #fi4 a4 ,a ,process to separate ,gold and ,silver from ,tin with gain1 #bjb4 ,the feces which are separated1 are of more worth than the ,gold and ,silver1 #bjc4 b4 ,tin is fixed by ,aqua ,fortis1 ,p4 #a4 #cbc4 b4 ,tincture of ,antimony1 ,p4 #a4 #ea4 ,tincture or ,anima of ,antimony1 to purifie1 ,p4 #b4 #aeh4 ,tincture of ,arsnick and ,lune1 #fi4 a4 ,tincture of ,corals1 to prepare1 #agj4 ,tinctures to extract from ,gems1 and with them to tinge ,silver into ,gold1 ,p4 #c4 #ej4 a4 ,tinctures introduced into ,glass1 ,p4 #b4 #aga4 a4 ,tincture of ,flints1 to bring it over the helm and fix it1 ,p4 #b4 #bae4 ,tincture of ,gold to prepare divers ways1 #afe1 #aff1 #afi4 ,tincture of ,gold and ,antimony1 ,p4 #a4 #gh4 ,of ,gold per se1 #gi4 ,tincture of ,gold1 to prepare1 with the ,oyl of ,salt1 its use and dose1 #bhh4 b4 ,with the ,liquor of ,flints or ,pebbles1 #dg4 ,tincture of ,gun-powder1 its preparation and use1 ,p4 #a4 #cb1 #cc4 ,tincture of ,lapis ,calaminaris1 it is permanent in the fire1 #cd4 a4 ,tincture of ,pebble-stones1 to prepare1 #de4 ,its use in ,physick1 ibid4 b4 ,it abides the strongest fire1 #df4 a4 ,tincture of ,metals1 to prepare1 ,p4 #b4 #fg4 ,tincture of ,mars found1 #fi4 a4 ,tinctures of ,metals to bring over the helm with ,proserpina1 ,p4 #c4 #df1 #dg4 ,and to ,coagulate them into a sweet fusile ,stone1 #di4 ,to fix those ,tinctures1 #ea4 a4 ,a ,tincture or ,universal ,medicine to prepare for humane and metallick ,bodies by the help of a fiery ,alcahest1 ,p4 #b4 #bac4 ,tincture or ,anima of ,common ,sulphur1 diaphoretick1 to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #ea4 ,p4 #b4 #aeh4 ,no ,tincture without ,sulphur1 nor no ,sulphur fixt1 without ,salt1 both those are found in ,vitriol1 ,p4 #a4 #cge4 a4 ,a true ,tincture may be made by ,salt and ,fire1 for the ,melioration of ,metals1 #dce4 ,n4,b4 ,tincture of crude ,tartar1 ,p4 #a4 #ej4 ,tinctures of ,vegetables1 to prepare1 ibid4 ,of ,sulphur1 ,p4 #c4 #ha4 b4 ,n4,b4 ,toad1 ,serpent1 and some other poysonous ,animals1 are stript of their poyson1 by a bare decoction1 so that their flesh may safely be eaten1 ,p4 #b4 #ic4 ,tooth-ach1 eased by ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 ,p4 #a4 #ej4 ,an infallible remedy for the ,tooth-ach1 ,p4 #c4 #fe4 b4 ,travellers and others who are much in the ,weather1 may be kept dry by ,cloth dipt in a certain ,varnish1 ,p4 #a4 #aha4 ,travellers to keep warm in cold weather1 in ,coaches or ,waggons1 by the help of an ,artificial ,fire1 which may be kindled or put out at pleasure1 ,p4 #b4 #aad4 ,trees made to grow up speedily out of ,metals1 by the ,liquor of ,sand1 ,p4 #a4 #dh1 #agh4 ,v ,vegetable ,seeds contain much ,volatile ,salt1 ,p4 #c4 #fi4 a4 ,n4,b4 ,vegetables venomous1 to correct1 and convert into good ,medicines1 by the moist ,fires of ,salts1 ,p4 #b4 #be4 ,by ,spirit of ,niter1 #aja4 ,vegetable ,essences to prepare1 #hd4 ,their great ,vertues1 #he1 #ajc1 #ajd4 ,essence of ,spices1 #hg4 ,a ,vegetable may be converted into a ,metal1 ,p4 #a4 #bdh4 a4 ,vegetables afford a common yellow ,sulphur1 in all things like to the ,mineral1 ibid4 ,vegetables1 their ,concentration1 #cjf4 ,of the different ,salts of ,vegetables1 #cjh4 b4 ,vermin to discover by an ,experiment1 which are of most use in ,medicine1 ,p4 #b4 #bc4 ,vertues of things to discover by their ,signature and ,characters1 ,p4 #a4 #bgj1 #bga4 ,impotency of ,venus1 to help1 ,p4 #a4 #bff4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #ee4 b4 ,vessel of ,wood serving for ,boyling1 ,distilling1 c4 as well as ,copper1 ,iron1 or ,tin ,vessels1 ,p4 #a4 #eg4 ,vessel of ,wood for ,bathing and ,sweating1 which may be kept hot at pleasure1 ibid4 ,their uses1 in ,boyling1 ,distilling1 ,bathing1 ,sweating1 c4 ibid4 ,the ,vine draweth an odour and savour from the ,earth1 beyond all other ,plants1 so that any savour may be communicated to it at pleasure by the skilfull1 ,p4 #b4 #abe4 b4 ,an ,oyl of a sweet and strong odour1 being put to the ,roots of ,vines1 will cause them to bring forth ,muscadel ,grapes for ten years1 #abf4 a4 ,to cause ,vines to grow in hard ,rocks without ,earth or ,dung1 ,p4 #a4 #aib4 a4 ,vines1 and other ,fruit-trees1 to cause to bear much ,fruit1 #ahi4 a4 ,vinegar1 the manner of making it1 ,p4 #a4 #bia4 b4 ,vinegar to make of ,grain1 #aff4 b4 ,of ,honey1 #cad4 a4 ,vinegar of ,wood1 #ahh4 ,it breaks ,rocks and ,stones1 #aib4 b4 ,vinegar of ,wine and ,beer1 how to distinguish them from each other1 although they be of equal strength1 #aei4 b4 ,vinegar to make of ,wine1 ,beer1 ,metheglin1 c4 by the help of ,sal-mirabilis1 without the heat of the ,sun1 ,p4 #a4 #djf4 a4 ,vinegar and ,brandy to distill without fire1 ibid4 ,vitriol1 its great ,vertues1 when duly prepared1 both in ,medicine and ,alchymy1 ,p4 #a4 #bce1 #bcf4 ,of the ,species of ,vitriol1 and how to prove its goodness1 both for ,alchymy and ,physick1 ibid4 ,the use of the ,colcothar1 and ,oyl of ,vitriol in ,chyrurgery1 #bef4 b4 ,errours and ,abuses in preparing of ,vitriol1 #bcg4 ,of the red ,oyl of ,vitriol1 #bc4 a4 ,it cures the ,scab1 ,scald-heads1 ,tetters1 ,ringworms1 ,ulcers1 c4 #bci4 a4 ,of the white and green ,oyl of ,vitriol1 ibid4 ,vitriol and ,allom may be made out of ,common ,salt1 ,p4 #a4 #djf4 a4 ,vitriol of ,copper to prepare with ,spirit of ,sal-,armoniack1 #ej4 ,vitriol of ,gold1 to prepare1 with its use1 ,p4 #b4 #acd4 ,vitriol of ,lune1 ,p4 #a4 #ah1 #ea4 ,vitriol of ,lune is the ,vitriol of ,philosophers1 which ,basilius appoints to be taken for his work1 ,p4 #b4 #abh4 a4 ,vitriol of ,mars and ,venus to prepare1 ,p4 #a4 #ah4 ,vitriol is the ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes1 ,p4 #a4 #daa4 b4 ,vitriol affordeth the ,stone of the ,wise1 ,p4 #b4 #b4 ,the preparation of its ,fire1 ibid4 ,divers ways of proving its goodness1 ibid4 ,its use in ,medicine1 ,alchymy1 and other ,arts1 #c4 ,volatile ,spirit of ,vitriol1 to prepare1 for the extracting and correcting ,opium1 #aaa4 b4 ,history of the great power of the ,sulphur of ,vitriol1 ibid4 ,ulcers1 the cure1 ,p4 #a4 #ba4 a4 #dj4 b4 #ej4 b4 #chb1 #chc4 ,of the ,mouth and ,throat1 #bfe4 a4 ,urine may afford great profit1 ,p4 #b4 #ahe4 b4 ,its fire or fiery ,spirit to prepare1 #h4 ,spirit of ,urine to prepare in abundance by the help of ,calx-vive1 #aid4 b4 ,four1 five1 or six ,pound of ,spirit of ,urine required to ,coagulate one ,pound of prepared ,oyl of ,vitriol for the ,secret ,sal-,armoniack1 #ahf4 a4 ,w ,warts to take away1 ,p4 #a4 #bhh4 a4 ,washballs1 or fine ,soap to make1 far exceeding that of ,venice1 #aha4 ,waters ,chalybeat to make at home of the same nature and vertues as ,tunbridge or the ,spaw-water1 #bhf4 b4 ,water to concentrate1 to quench thirst1 and resist diseases1 #bhb4 b4 ,water to preserve from stink and corruption on ,shipboard1 #bhd4 a4 ,water corrupted1 and muddy1 made sweet and clear1 #bhe4 a4 ,wax1 yellow1 to make white1 ,p4 #a4 #agi4 ,wine1 its vertues and vices1 ,p4 #a4 #bih4 b4 ,it is prejudicial to be drank by ,youth1 ibid4 ,it hath a great familiarity with ,man1 and ,gold1 ,p4 #b4 #aci4 ,new ,wines being fermented with ,sal-mirabilis1 become fine in a months time1 and have the tast and smell of ,old ,wines1 ,n4,b4 ,p4 #a4 #dje4 b4 ,wine to make of an incredible strength by ,fermentation1 #djf4 a4 ,the ,spirit in ,wine1 ,beer1 or other ,liquors1 is their preserver1 #aei4 a4 ,wines to preserve from fretting in ,summer1 #bhf4 a4 ,wines grown brown or red by keeping1 again made clear1 #bhe4 a4 ,wines poor and eager1 to amend1 #aeg1 #aeh4 ,to amend and strengthen small ,wines in such years as the ,grapes are not sufficiently ripe for want of ,sun1 #bii4 a4 ,p4 #b4 #aec4 b4 #bah4 b4 ,the vertue of the ,quintessence of ,wine in bettering of all ,wines1 ,p4 #a4 #cjj4 b4 ,wine1 ,tenacious1 or roapy and corrupt1 how brought to its former state and purity1 ,p4 #b4 #bg4 ,wines to preserve and amend by the ,element of ,fire of ,sulphur1 ,p4 #b4 #c4 b4 ,to give to ,french ,wines the ,smell1 ,tast1 and ,colour of ,rhenish1 and make it keep many years good1 ,p4 #a4 #bhf4 a4 ,rhenish ,wine to change into ,muscadel by a certain ,herb1 ,p4 #b4 #abe4 a4 ,the difference of ,wines1 ,p4 #a4 #bii4 a4 ,spanish ,wines contain no ,tartar1 ibid4 but afford a double quantity of ,spirit1 to what ,rhenish ,wine doth1 ibid4 ,wine to concentrate1 or bring into a narrow compass1 so that it may be carried from place to place with small charge1 #bii4 b4 #cjj4 ,wines may be made of the juice of ,apples or ,pears1 having the relish of the natural1 and but little inferiour to it in strength and durability1 ,p4 #a4 #aff4 b4 #aha1 #ahc4 ,of ,wine-,lees to make ,brandy1 ,vinegar1 ,tartar1 and ,pot-ashes1 #bib1 #bic4 ,wood to preserve long from rotting1 ,p4 #a4 #ahi4 ,wood1 its ,sap or ,juice to press out1 for the making of ,saltpeter1 and other uses1 #ahh1 #ahi4 ,wood to prepare by ,sal-mirabilis1 that it may long resist the ,fire and ,water1 ,p4 #b4 #eb1 #ec4 ,womens ,skins to make of a beautifull whiteness1 ,p4 #a4 #aha4 ,womb1 an excellent ,medicine to prepare for it1 ,p4 #b4 #aag4 ,an ,instrument to convey ,medicines into the ,womb1 with its use1 #aah4 a4 ,worms1 the cure1 ,p4 #a4 #ba4 a4 #da4 a4 #ej4 b4 #cfd4 b4 ,a certain ,remedy against ,worms1 and the ,fevers thence proceeding1 ,p4 #b4 #acd4 b4 ,another of no charge1 #acf4 a4 ,an ,history of a ,child that had ,worms1 #acf4 ,how to make ,worms creep out of the ,earth of their own accord1 #ajd4 a4 ,worms to convert into good ,medicine1 by the ,universal ,dissolvent1 #ig4 ,may-worms prepared by the ,alcahest or ,liquour of fixt ,niter1 are a ,remedy against the ,gout and ,stone1 also against the ,impotency of ,venus1 #ajd4 b4 ,z ,of ,zink1 ,p4 #a4 #cai4 ,advertisement of ,,books ,published by the ,authour4 ,i4 ,de ,succo ,pancreatico3 or1 ,a ,physical and ,anatomical ,discourse of the ,juice of the ,pancreatick ,juice2 shewing its generation in the ,body1 what ,diseases arise from its ,vitiation2 from whence in particular1 by plain and familiar ,examples1 is accurately demonstrated the ,causes and ,cures of ,agues or intermitting ,feavers hitherto so difficult and uncertain4 ,sold by ,john ,lawrence at the ,angel in the ,poultrey4 ,price bound #b s4 #f d4 ,,ii4 ,praxis ,catholica3 or1 the ,country-man's ,universal ,remedy3 wherein is briefly and plainly laid down the ,nature1 ,matter1 ,manner1 ,place1 and ,cure of most ,diseases incident to the ,body of ,man2 not hitherto discovered4 ,whereby any one of an ordinary capacity1 may apprehend the true ,cause of his distempers1 wherein his ,cure consists1 and the means to effect it2 together with ,rules how to order ,children in that most violent disease of ,vomiting and ,looseness1 c4 ,usefull likewise for ,seamen and ,travellers4 ,also an account of an incomparable ,powder for ,wounds1 or ,bruises1 which cures any ordinary ones at once dressing4 ,sold also by ,john ,lawrence at the ,angel in the ,poultrey4 ,price bound #a s4 #f d4 ,,iii4 ,chymical ,aphorisms3 briefly containing whatsoever belongs to the ,chymical ,science4 ,sold by ,w4 ,cooper at the ,pelican in ,little ,britain1 and ,d4 ,newman at the ,king's ,arms in the ,poultrey4 ,price bound #f d4 ,,finis4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 - ,text enclosed by underscores is in italics 7italics74 - ,text enclosed by equals is upright 7emphasized7 text within italics paragraphs 7equals74 - ,a table of contents has been added4 - ,errata have been applied4 - ,obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected4 ,it is clear that there are many typesetter errors1 but corrections were only made where typos were obvious or to clarify meaning1 never just to modernize spelling or even to make it consistent4