The Third Part: OF THE Prosperity of Germany

The Third Part: OF THE Prosperity of Germany

In which is Delivered,

The way of most easily and plentifully extracting Salt-petre out of Various Subjects every where Obvious and at Hand.

TOGETHER

With a succinct Explication of Paracelsus his Prophecy; that is to say, in what manner it is to be understood the _Northern Lion_ will Institute or Plant his political or civil Monarchy; and that Paracelsus himself will not abide in his Grave; and that a vast quantity of Riches will offer it self.

LIKEWISE

What an one that Artist Elias is, of whose coming in the last Days, and his disclosing abundance of Secrets, Paracelsus and others have predicted.

To the READER.

Friendly Reader,

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 Print, (because of the inconveniencies and hurt done me by the perfidious =Farnner=, against whom no body hath hitherto opposed himself; but all have connived and wink’d thereat; and consequently have every one left such a perfidious Treachery unpunish’d) and incourage me to leave =Germany=, a most ungrateful =Germany= as it is. Yet notwithstanding, the Love to my Neighbours (amongst whom there are many honest and good Men to be found, who lead a troublesome kind of Life to get their daily food) hath compelled me. To such therefore as these are, 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 withal; but yet after such wise, as that they set their Hands to the Work, for the Gods sell not ought to those that Labour not, but all good things are sought, and found out by daily Labour and diligent search.

Now albeit, that all those things which are throughly handled in this book are true, and so confirmed by experience as that any one may easily understand and imitate them, yet notwithstanding, I am certain that there will be a very many who by reason of their ignorance, cannot understand them, and apply them to use; because the greatest part of mankind are too much addicted to laziness, and do for the most part refuse to apply their Limbs to work, but would rather walk abroad, and discourse of Arts when they are in their cups.

I say that these secrets of mine will no ways profit such kind of Men, for such must first learn in what manner the [necessary] Instruments are to be handled, and how the Operations are to be rightly instituted and managed in seemly Order.

There are abundance of Men who (if they hap to read some Chymical Writings, or hear others talk of the profitableness of them, (they) are presently inflamed with such a love, that they will even wholly devote themselves to Chymistry on the hopes of growing rich. And now when they have proposed any thing to themselves, and attempt to do it, if they hap to have a sparkle of Fire light on their hands, or that by reason of some other obstacle, all things do not immediately fadge to their minds, they throw away the Tongs, and the Crucibles upon the Ground, and detest (or curse) the Author, because he hath not Written clear enough, and that they do not presently extract great store of Gold.

Let not such as these at all perswade themselves that they can receive any instruction from these my Writings; for my Writings require Men that are diligent, whose minds are never wearied with labour, and who are not sloathful, and impatient of Labour. Now to the studious (searchers) and especially to such Children (or Disciples) adopted or chosen by God, all these things will be unto them clear, manifestly evident, and easie to be imitated.

For as much therefore as I have spoken many things in the First and Second Part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, concerning the making and use of Nitre, I do now go on in God’s Name, and do teach in this third part, by what easie ways Nitre may be variously made, and be fruitfully and profitably used both by Noble Men and common Men; so that there is not a man in the whole World, but may (if he please) get great benefit thereby.

The Omnipotent God, the Author and giver of every good thing, bestow upon us to be able to enjoy and make use of his Gifts, that all things may tend to the Honour of his most Holy Name, and to the Safety and Preservation of us all. Amen

Of the Preparation of SALT-PETRE.

I shewed in the First Part of the Prosperity of Germany, the way whereby Wood may be concentrated and turned into excellent Nitre, and which otherwise is every where for the most part consumed by lying rotting in the Woods, and yields no benefit at all unto any Man.

This Operation is to be done with the help of a certain Press artificially contrived for that particular business, the due (or right) description of which, we gave you in the Continuation of Miraculum Mundi. But the circulatory Vessels by which the Lixivium of the wood (or the distilled Liquor out of the wood) is to be excited and heated by the Air, have not as yet been described; and therefore we have determined to do it in this Third Part. This Figure therefore represents them, and its use; and is as follows.

There must be two Boxes (as ’twere) made of Boards, each of them of like bigness and capacity, as the Figure (or Letter) A shews. These Boxes are to be so placed, that a Vessel may be set under one end of each Box, to receive in it (if need be) the Lixivium poured into them: Let one of the Boxes or Vessels be filled top full of Horse-dung, Hens, or Pigeons-dung; or else with the Leaves of the Trees, amongst which Fir-tree Leaves are best; then pour thereupon so much of this Lixivium which we shall make a description of by and by, so much as may suffice to moisten the Dung or Leaves contained in the Box or Vessel, and a little to over-top it. The next day (after you have so done) when you judge that all the matter is throughly wetted, let the Lixivium run out by a Tap, the which said Lixivium you must pour into the other Box filled with the like matters, and which stands just against it. Let these things stand thus wetted for some days; In the mean time, the matter contained in the first Box, grows hot, and the useless moisture being most plentifully resolved into Vapours out of the Lixivium, the said matter doth daily get more and more efficacy. As long as you observe the heat of this Box to continue, and the evaporation of moisture to last, so long must it be left in the same positure whereby the Lixivium, thus poured on, may by its notable power consume and dissolve the Dung, or the other matters contained in the Box, and turn them into Water. And here you are to observe this direction. You must always put in new matter instead of that which is turned into Liquor, and so one Box may be always at all times kept full of the matters. But now when your materials being put in the first Box, begin to cool, the Lixivium which now lies in the second Box or Vessel, must be poured upon the matters yet warm, in the first Box, that so it may again contract a heat thence-from by little and little, and so may dissolve those matters. And now whilst these things are thus detained in the first Box or Vessel, the materials that are in like manner put in the second Box do heat each other, and the unprofitable Phlegm evaporateth: Now as long as this second Box vaporateth, the Lixivium must not be drawn out of the first Box and be poured thereinto, but all the matters are to be left to heat or burn (as it were) themselves. And when you perceive that the materials cool, then the Lixivium must be drawn off from the matters in the first Box, and be poured upon them in the second Box; and hereby the matters contained in the first Box will again wax hot, be burnt, and be turned into Liquor. By how much the oftner and longer this repeated pouring on of Lixivium is done, so much the more, and sooner are the materials consumed; from which matters thus consumed, a most excellent Salt-petre may afterwards be made, for the heat makes the matters rot. Now then to make trial (if it be well enough done) take some of this Lixivium boil it away to a sufficient height for Chrystallization, set it in a cold place to shoot, dry the salt you find, being dry, put it on a live Coal, which if you find it burn up, it is a sign that it is full time to draw off, and take all your Lixivium to the intent that Salt-petre may be thereof made by due evaporation and coagulation. But if you chance to find it otherwise, and that the salt does not flame up, the Lixivium must lie longer in the Boxes to be heated and animated by the Air which is magnetically attracted by means of the heat: This labour being rightly ordered, there may be made excellent Salt-petre out of the said matters by the help of a convenient Lixivium, in ten or twelve Months space without any costs, save some small trifle about the Lixivium; neither is the Work so grievous or troublesome, for there is nothing more required but that the Lixivium be several times poured out of one Box into the other.

NB. There are yet, besides the other aforenamed several sorts of matters that offer themselves, out of which, Salt-petre may be made by the help of the Boxes, & a due Lixivium far speedilier & plentifullier; but I judge it not needful to divulge every thing: Likewise there may be made a convenient Lixivium to prepare Salt petre sooner, by and after another manner, to wit, in a dry form, without such putrifying as is done in the Boxes or Circulatories; but even this Artifice too, will I reserve yet a little longer for my Friends.

Nay yet more, there may be (by a yet secreter and shorter method) excellent Salt-petre extracted by the means of such a Lixivium in three hours space, and that with most great profit: And this way of preparing Salt-petre, I do preferr before all the others, and have found it the most excellent (Petre) of them all.

The =Lixivium= is on this wise made.

Make you a strong Lixivium of Wood-ashes, and when you burn the unprofitable Wood in the Woods into ashes, make by the same labour of your Fire some good Lime of stones fit for such a purpose; Then quench this Calx or Lime with Water, that so it may fall into powder, then pour thereon as much of the Lee of the Wood-ashes now spoken off, as is sufficient, mixt it with a wooden Spatula, and repeat this mixing and stirring it very often, some days following, that so the Lee may be made the stronger by reason of the Lime, and be like Fire, the which has an excellent virtue to putrefy the vegetables and animals, and to turn them into burning Salt-petre. (See the foregoing Figure belonging to this Operation noted at the top page, 1.)

Here the Cock fits that hatches the Basilisk, by the top of the Chest.

A Are the two Chests.

B The appearance of the Chests within.

C The Horse-dung, or Leaves of Trees, wherewith the Chests are filled.

D The Cistern or Vessel to receive the Lixivium.

E The Pump.

F The Man that pumps the Lixivium out of the Cistern, upon the matter in the Chests.

G The Bottom of the Chests full of holes.

H _The second or lowermost Bottom where the Lixivium is kept without running out._

_Another way of making Excellent Salt-petre in great Quantity out of Lime and the Lee of Wood._

Take the aforesaid Lime and Wood-ashes, of each as much as you will; and twice as much Horse-dung or Cows-dung, mix these matters exactly in a wooden Vessel or Tub, with Mans Urine or beasts Piss, and make it of the thickness as the thicker sort of Mortar that the Masons use, is wont to be of. You must have good store of this Paste made. Then make a certain arch of boards, which said arch must be some three, four, six or more feet broad, and deep or high, and the length of it must be double to that (or twice as much, as broad, and deep, or high) according to the conveniency of the place, and the quantity of Salt-petre you would make. The arch thus made, must be all over dawbed with the aforesaid mixture, the thickness of an hands breadth, just as we see Vaults, or Arches built up, of Stones and Lime upon wooden arches. Now when all is duly ordered, there must be put some Fire in under the vault of the arch, at first it must be very gentle, least the arch (of wood) as being the very foundation and supporter of the (other) arch should presently kindle and be burnt, which must not be, but be kept whole rather, untill the arch or covering thereon which is made of Lime, Ashes, and Dung, be perfectly dried. This done, there must be dawbed on, upon the said arch formerly made, more of the aforesaid prepared Calx, of about an hands-breadth thickness, and you will find that the humidity of this latter mass or second arching will be in a short time attracted by the first arch, and that this second pargetting will soon be dried: When this is done, there must be again the third time made another dawbing on, after the afore-prescribed manner. And this Operation is to be so long and so often repeated untill the arch be a foot or two in thickness, which when so, it is strong enough, nor needs it any more its wooden prop, and therefore now the Fire may be put thereto, and it may be burnt. And thus have you a vault or arch prepared, which is a most commodious instrument to make a quantity of Salt-petre by: And now if occasion require, and the condition of the place will permit, there may be built or made three or four arches after the same manner; though it be better to have them placed one by another, and to be of less magnitude or capaciousness; for so they are more convenient for Operation, as any one that practiseth hereabouts will easily apprehend and find.

Likewise it is better to build this arched Vault which we have called an Arch, long and narrow, than short and broad, because the Fire being put under one part of such a long Chimney-like Vault, will very well diffuse its heat to every place thereof, and so keep the arch continually hot.

When this Chimney like vault is wholly dry, it must be again moistned with Mans or Beasts Piss, that it may thence contract more new humidity, which we observe will easily be, seeing we know that it is made up of Horse or Cows-dung, and not barely of Lime, for then it would not so readily and easily receive the humidity, as when Dung is mixt with it; the wetted Chimney-arch must be dried by the force of Fire put thereunder, the which may also be a little augmented proportionable to the bigness and thickness of the vault or arch.

NB. You must take good heed, that the fire you put under be not too much augmented, and so hurt your arches, but let it always be such as may suffice to dry your arch by little and little, or else the Dung will be burnt up, and the already generated Salt-petre will be spoiled, for the Fire can easily endamage the Petre.

But now when we shall have often thus moistned the said arches with Piss, and shall take notice that they (viz. the arches) do attract no more thereof (viz. of the Piss) as being already filled with the Salt of the Urine, the which may be done in some four or six Weeks time, there must be little bits broken off with an Iron Instrument in several places of the arch, and these bits must be powdered and be dissolved in Water so to make a Lixivium of it, be filtred, and after a due evaporation made, must be Chrystallized and dried; the dried Salt matter must be put upon the Fire to see if it will flame or not: If we shall find it thus to be and to burn like Salt-petre, we must break down all the arch, and by the help of a certain Mill, reduce it into powder very fine, and pour hot Water thereupon, to extract the Lixivium with, then evaporate it as much as is convenient, and set it by in a cool place to Chrystallize; this artifice of Boiling and Chrystallising shall be declared in proper Figures or Cuts in the end of this Work. But now if so be we perceive that the Salt extracted out of those little bits of the arch do not as yet flame up, ’tis a sign that it is not as yet sufficiently animated by the air: For the air gives life, which the Fire strongly attracteth, so that by the help of the Fire the air and life are attracted, whereby the Salt is animated and made inflammable. The Fire therefore here, is to be again administred (or put under) and the arched matter to be continually moistned with Rain water; and that Rain water is best, which (if it may be had) falls down when the Wind is in the North; though when there is no Rain water to be had, other water may be substituted in its stead. This pouring on of water is to be so long continued (always, permitting the Furnace or Arch to be rightly dried afore it be sprinkled with new water) untill the Salt, sticking in the arch, be found to be sufficiently animated by the benefit of the fire and air, and be inflammable when you make trial thereof by the aforesaid method.

This is a compendious way of making good Salt-petre in quantity enough, by only Lime, Wood-ashes, and Mans or Beasts Piss. If you proceed rightly on, you may get you a great quantity of Salt-petre in a most short space of time, and that for small costs, & in a manner no labour at all. The Lime and Ashes from whence the Petre is extracted, may be mixed again with new lime and new ashes, and other arched vaults be made thereof, upon which Urine must be continually poured in like manner as we taught afore, that so they may be animated by the help of fire and air into Salt-petre. But if you have always at hand new Calx, or Lime and ashes, it is better to make new arches, thereof in the place of those you have pulled down, and to imploy the residue of that, out of which the Salt-petre hath been already extracted about dunging some barren Soil, especially the moister sort of Ground, because it is impossible so thoroughly to separate all the Salt that nothing abides behind in the reliques.

This way I communicate to all, but I reserve for my Friends only the way by which, with the help of other Waters that cost nothing, and may be had in every place, a far greater quantity of Salt-petre may in a yet shorter time be prepared by the said arches, than is done by the help of Mans or Beasts Urine. Nay more, there are some waters which in eight days time, we have observed to have been coagulated into burning Salt-petre, which secret verily may be practically improved with most notable benefit in all parts of the World that Men live in.

Besides the subjects already mentioned, here offer themselves to our Hands many others which are obvious to all, of which such arches may be made, and which will yield more Salt-petre than the afore recited matters will; but let what has already been delivered, suffice. I cannot here forbear, but must tell you that there are some subjects to be found which (without the making the aforesaid arches, though there lie notwithstanding abundance of secrets therein) will bring a most notable benefit, and that belong not to this place, and which may be changed in three hours space into excellent Petre; which labour (or operation) I keep for my Friends, and should it be divulged, it would bring nothing but hurt, and therefore it is better to be silent: There shall more secrets be delivered in the following discourse, where we speak of the Northern Monarche.

_Here follows another way of plentifully extracting =Salt-petre= out of Rocks and Stones without Vegetables or Animals._

To the intent therefore that it may be sufficiently evidenced, and that I may prove it to be true, that Salt-petre is an universal Salt or Subject, and is consequently contained in all the things the World possesseth, I judge it a thing worth while to set down here some proofs or trials thereto accommodated.

It hath been sufficiently enough already shown in the first part of the Prosperity of Germany, that good Salt-petre may by Art be extracted out of all the subjects of the World: But the way of so doing was not at all disclosed. For as much therefore as all Men do so greedily desire it, I determined with my self to describe first of all, the Presses requisite to the extraction of Salt-petre out of Wood, to the end that so it may evidently appear unto all Men, that it is a thing agreeable to nature, and that it is most easily accomplishable, to press a juice out of any Wood, which may be turned by the air into good Salt-petre. But as for the circulatory Vessels, I was not willing (then) to communicate them, but rather kept them a little longer for my Friends, which said Vessels I have notwithstanding set down in this Third Part.

Likewise it seemed not expedient unto me to reveal unto such as are enemies, the transformation (or changing) of Animals, much less of Minerals into Salt-petre. Yet however I have done so much by my Manuduction, as for any wise Men easily to understand the same by what hath been exhibited, and I have in some sort opened it, that such things are possible to be done. But I have not so clearly shown the way of effecting the same, least I should take away the occasion of other Mens exercising their ingenuity in bethinking themselves how it is to be done: Otherwise, it is not prohibited any one to seek a fuller information, from those that have knowledge in these affairs.

Therefore forasmuch as the way of extracting Salt-petre out of Stones, is look’d on as a most impossible thing by such as are not skill’d in this Art, I have determined to describe the same, for the sake and benefit of such as succeed us; The knack of this Artifice consisteth more in the knowing of the Stones, than in the extracting of the Salt-petre out of them, for the extraction is not any other way to be done, than as the making of their Lee out of the common Nitrous Earth is wont to be, concerning which thing, Lazarus Ercker hath written at large. The knowledge therefore of the Stones, and the preparation of them whereby they may communicate (or let go) their Nitre unto Water, is the principal thing, and without that, there cannot be any thing done in this Operation.

First of all therefore ’tis necessary that the lover of Chymistry knows, that there are various Stones to be found that yield Salt-petre, viz. all such Stones of which (being commonly calcined by the force of the fire) they make Lime for to build houses withal. For there lies hidden in these kind of Stones, abundance of Salt-petre, which cannot be gotten out thence by the help of common Water by any kind of way or method: But when they are burnt with a violent Fire, they yield an hot Salt, extractable by the benefit of common water; which Salt indeed is not Salt-petre, but yet may most easily be turned by the air into Petre, like as it was formerly Salt-petre afore the Stone was burnt, and now first got another nature by the burning.

The truth of this thing, viz. That there resides natural Salt-petre in all Stones, which may be burnt into Lime, may be proved on this wise following:

Take of these Stones which Lime may be made of, ℥ ss. or ℥ j. powder it very fine, pour thereupon as much of the best Aqua-fortis: Place the Glass in which this matter is contained, in a warm place upon ashes or sand, that the stone may be dissolved in the Aqua-fortis: After it hath thus stood for about one quarter of an hour, take out your Glass out of the ashes or sand, though the stone be not wholly dissolved as yet, and pour thereon drop by drop, some Lixivium of wood, untill the ebullition of the Lee or Lixivium poured upon the dissolved stone ceaseth, and (the noise ceasing) you shall perceive some kind of Salt produced from them thus commixt, viz. from the dissolved stone and the Lixivium. Pour some common Water upon this Salt, so much as may serve to dissolve the Salt in a warm place, the solution being made let the Liquor be filtred, or be strained through some thin Linen cloth, that so the part of the stone undissolved, and the fæces may abide behind in the Filter or Linen cloth: The filtred Liquor must be coagulated into Salt by evaporating it away in a brass Vessel, then you are to weigh it: And now that we may exactly know, how much Salt-petre was in that ℥ ss. of the stone, you must proceed on farther thus:

Take the same quantity of Aqua-fortis as you used but now, about the solution of the Lime-stone, and pour thereon likewise the same quantity of Lixivium, that you used about the precipitation of the dissolved stone, and let there be made a precipitation, let the precipitated matter be coagulated into the substance of a salt, and then also weigh how much this quantity of salt is: and now, as much less weight, as you observe to be in this salt than in the first Salt in which the Lime-stone is, so much Salt-petre was there in that half ounce of Lime-stone. This is a most certain trial, and by this means may we most easily find how many pounds of Salt-petre, are contained in an hundred weight of stones.

NB. To the end that the proof you make, may be most certain, we must use the lesser Centenary, or hundred weight, as being more usual, and more accommodate for the trying of Metals.

And albeit, that the using of Aqua-fortis to this Operation, is altogether without profit, where you would extract that salt in great plenty out of the stones, yet notwithstanding, it is not so slight or trivial a thing to know a certain way of trying what stones do most abound with Salt-petre, that so if we have a mind to extract Salt-petre out of them, we may take those, in which it lies in a plentiful manner.

Besides, those stones which do commonly yield a Calx or Lime by Calcination, and which the Bricklayers use; there are found other stones, out of which there cannot be made any Lime by Calcination, and yet nevertheless, abundance of Salt-petre may be thence extracted without any previous Calcination. He that delights himself in this work, must exactly know aforehand such kind of stones: Forasmuch as no body would easily perswade himself that Salt-petre is contained in them. Nor do I think that ever afore this time the way of extracting Salt-petre out of these kinds of stones was used; but whether there was no body that knew that there was Such a Salt contained in them, or judged it a thing not to be regarded, this I know not. But this I know well enough that that way of extracting Salt-petre out of them was never observed and used in Germany, though there lies a most notable quantity of Petre in them, and easily extractable thence, did we but know the way.

Therefore, forasmuch as there is plenty enough of such stones in all places, and that Salt-petre may easilier be made of them, than of wood, I could not forbear, but must needs open and disclose this artifice for the good of the Country, and clearly explain it in this place.

Therefore, as concerning those stones which are here mentioned, there is such a plentiful store of them in most places, that they even make whole Mountains; they are in substance like a soft and tender stone, whitish in colour, [or of a shining colour] ashy colour’d or reddish, and are easily broken, and may be fashioned into all kind of shapes, or figures; and therefore they are frequently used about building Houses, for the making various Ornaments about the House, as for the corners of the Houses, the Doors, Windows, Steps or Stairs, or other External Ornaments. As long as they are yet in the Mountain, and not exposed to the air, they are of a considerable hardness enough, and do always hold it. When being used about Buildings, they are put in such places, where they may abide at all times dry, or else always moist.

But if so be they are one while dry, and another while moist, and are always obvious to the air [or weather] they easily become soft, and there scales off from them yearly, a little portion of the back of a Knifes thickness, like Meal, so that they are yearly lessen’d, and are not at all fit to build stable, or durable Houses with. The Stone-Cutters can easily distinguish these kind of stones from others, nor do they willingly use them where there is plenty of others to be had. And now, if you should go about to make your trial with these stones, like as you did with those that they make Lime of, according to the afore delivered Probation, so to know what quantity of Salt-petre is contained in them, it will not succeed so, because the Salt-petre becomes Volatile in the Calcination of it, and doth for the most part fly away into the air: and much less can you with [bare] water extract ought out of the Crude, and not Calcined stones; for such do not yield any Salt-petre at all, unless they have been placed in a moist air for about half a years space, whereby they may of themselves fall in pieces; for being so ordered, they easily yield forth their saltness to the water that is poured on them, and consequently yield plenty of Salt-petre. Of which thing, this is a most certain Testimony, if (viz.) such stones are laid in some dry place, whereto the Rain cannot come, and we do most frequently sprinkle them with common water, and they do thereby turn into a powder. And if it fall out otherwise, ’tis a sign that there is very little Salt-petre to be found in them, and that the labour you shall bestow about them will be in vain. But such stones as grow soft, and fall in pieces, in six or eight Months time, do promise notable Rewards for your Labour, viz. a great quantity of the wisht for salt; an hundred weight of these kind of stones thus fallen in pieces, will easily yield you ten pound of Salt-petre, more or less according to the Condition of the stone. The extracting of the Lee, or salt, is done with common water, in the same manner as the Lixivium is otherwise extracted out of that Earth which is digg’d up in the Stables where Beasts stand; which way of extracting Salt-petre, of coagulating and perfecting it, is clearly and perfectly enough described by Lazarus Ercker, heretofore the Emperours chief Overseer of the Metallick Affairs, in his most experienced Book of his Art of the proving of Metals; insomuch, that I esteem him to have rendred the hardest, or most difficult part, very clear, and therefore I will referr the well minded Reader thither.

But for as much as every one cannot buy himself a Book of such great bulk, only to get thereby the knowledge of the way of extracting and evaporating Salt-petre, I have judged it worth while to set down here for the sake of the Chymical Students, such directions as the aforesaid Lazarus Ercker hath delivered us hereabouts. For I was never of the mind to cast off such things as have been well delivered by other men; I only add unto them, those things that are mine: Let others do the like, that are the Authors of any new thing, that so there may arise some benefit thereby unto our Neighbours, for whose sake, that we may (viz.) serve them, the most great and blessed God hath bestowed on us such various knowledge.

But that we may get a certain knowledge of distinguishing the said stones, I think it altogether necessary to treat of them more at large.

Therefore although this kind of stones are plentifully enough, to be found every where in the World, yet they are not known, or regarded, because we cannot perswade our selves, that there is any the least portion of Salt-petre contained in them; for albeit, that an hundred pounds of such stone should contain in it ten pound of Salt-petre, and we should reduce the same into a most subtile powder, and should labour to extract from thence a Lixivium or Lee, with either cold or hot water, yet should we not hereby get so much as one Ounce of Salt-petre. The reason is this, because there is not to be found in such a stone as soon as ever it is digged out of the earth, any Corporal Salt-petre, which may be extracted by means of water, but there lies hidden only a certain Soul or Magnet of Salt-petre, by the virtue of which, that which gives a Corporeity thereunto is to be first attracted out of the air, to the end that Salt-petre may arise thencefrom. And this is hereby evident, for were it otherwise, and were there in that stone any Corporeal Petre at the first digging, it must necessarily be extracted thencefrom by the help of water; but we find it impossible to make any such extraction, unless that stone be before laid for some certain time in the air, and doth, together with its softness, acquire (or make) Salt-petre in a Magnetical manner.

But for all this, we know that this our reason so exceedingly well founded, will not yet satisfie the unskilful, unless we make it yet more clear unto them with other Expressions, and various Examples; but I pray how is it possible to declare all such Circumstances to one that is utterly ignorant. ’Tis too much labour to boil Meat for another, and to thrust it into his Mouth too. It is surely sufficient enough to have shown the truth, and discovered the way by which the operation is to be contrived, though all things be not founded on such palpable Reasons.

But forasmuch, as the work, which I treat at present of, is an altogether new thing, and unknown to any men, the necessity of the thing requires, that we do a little more openly and clearly exhibit (and set down) the whole knack.

We presuppose, that it is a thing well known already, even to all, that each thing hath in it its peculiar magnet, by the benefit of which, it attracteth unto it self from the air, or earth, whatsoever is profitable for it; and especially, because we have largely treated thereof in our Works; insomuch, that we deem it altogether needless to repeat the same here. However ’tis requisite that I add thus much, viz. That the Minerals do abound with a certain Magnetick Virtue, more than other things do; and that they do attract their Life, Figure, or Shape, and Essence, out of the air, like as the Animals do, that so they may be nourished, and encrease; but being destitute, or deprived thereof, they are observed to be as it were dead, and bound, or wholly void of vigor.

As for Example. Let the Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, or Alum, be digg’d out of the Earth, that the Vitriol, or Alum in this Minera, be already duly digested and ripened, the salt may even presently be extracted thereout of, with common water. But if they have not as yet attained their full maturity, there is no salt extracted thence, unless the Minera be first torrified, or calcined. Nay more, a Minera, or Ore, that is yet less ripe, will not yield any Salt, neither by the force of the fire, nor without it; but must be yet farther exposed to the air for some time, that so it may first attract that out of the air, that is requisite to make Vitriol or Alum of, and thus (these things being first done) the Alum, or Vitriol, is most easily gotten thereout of, by a convenient Extraction and Evaporation.

We made mention in the second part of the Philosophical Furnaces, of a certain Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, which is plentifully found at [Herckeroda in Hassia] sticking in that Earth, which in that place they make their Crucibles or Pots, in great quantity with; and we shewed a way of making a red and sweet Oil of Vitriol thereof, yet with this Caution, viz. That we shall not have from the said Minera, not the least portion at all of this Oil, if we do not expose it, broken in bits, to the cold air, for half a year, that so it may fall into powder. Such as have heeded this going to work, have made thereof amost sweet Oil; but such as have neglected the doing this, which I published out of a sincere heart, and have reduced the said Mineral into fine powder, and laboured to extract a salt thencefrom, by boiling it in simple water, bestowed their labour in vain, because of their refusing to expose that Minera for a while to the air, and they received not so much as one Grane of Vitriol; and thereupon they took occasion to slander me, and to accuse me of Lying.

But now, when they have observed that this Mineral that they cast away, being exposed to the air, had attracted therefrom a salt by its Magnetick Virtue, when it had lain so long as to mould into powder of its own accord, and that thereout of a Vitriol doth proceed, they were enforced to believe that there lay hidden some Vitriol in those stones; which notwithstanding, could not be extracted by means of water, and so they have afterward publickly confessed, that what they afore gainsay’d, or oppos’d, was agreeable to the truth.

Thus likewise, there are various sorts of Copper (Ores) endued with an attractive power, and upon that account, there cannot be separated any Metal, by fusion, when it is first taken out of the Earth, unless we have first exposed it for some Months unto the Air.

Every Nitrous Earth, out of which Salt-petre hath already been extracted, doth (when it is again exposed to the air) attract Salt-petre anew, and this we observe to happen in all Wood-ashes, but especially in Lime-stones Calcined; for, it attracteth more salt out of the air, than its weight was afore its being Calcined. For, at the first time, you will scarce get ij. or iij. ℔. of salt out of a centenary, or hundred weight; now by how much the longer it lies exposed to the air afterwards, so much the more plenty of salt doth it yield, as is sufficiently well known already. He that is ignorant of that we speak, or else cannot understand it, let him make trial, and he shall find that what we say is a truth. Such as are Ideots do extreamly need these kind of Admonitions, that so, the business being the better understood, we may take from them all occasion of ignorantly detracting from my Writings.

I say again, that if the stones which we here treat of, are but well known, though they do not at the first yield any salt, by endeavouring to extract it with simple water, yet is there no difficulty at all therein, nor should we at all mind that, but let them only be left in the air for some due time, and by this means they will plentifully enough attract, and yield us, by a convenient extraction, good Salt-petre. The Ancients did extract Salt-petre, chiefly out of stones, which way of Extraction is now wholly lost, or out of use. All the Europeans do now extract their Salt-petre out of the Earth of the Stables where Beasts stand; albeit, that the very Name it self of Salt-petre, doth declare, what matter it was first produced out of, viz. out of Rocks and stones: For ’tis as much as to say, salt educed out of Rocks.

Nay, even to this day there is Salt-petre extracted out of Rocks in the East-Indies, the which they transport thence in Ships into our Lands: Our Commonwealth of Amsterdam only doth yearly receive some thousands of hundreds of that Salt, which is extracted out of the bare Rocks without the addition of any other thing; I wonder what the reason is, that, that way of extracting is unknown to us Germans; surely I impute it meerly to the want of skill to manage this business.

Thus therefore do we think we have sufficiently declared that Nitre may in very deed be extracted out of stones; and that so clearly that I cannot see what reason any have to misbelieve my words.

But now that the certainty of the thing may be the more apparent, and that no body may think it a fable, that Salt-petre may be extracted out of stones, we will shew some places in which Salt-Petre lies in the stones in a most plenteous manner: And although that there are sundry such places that offer themselves unto us, where the stones contain Salt-petre in them, we will demonstrate the verity of this in those places we have lived in, for ’tis impossible for us expresly to pronounce such or such a Mountain in this or that Country full of Salt-Petre, which places we never saw. ’Tis not given us to search all places of the Earth, but such places as we have seen and come to, we have left but few things in them untoucht, whose nature we have not throughly examined.

Therefore for Examples sake, we will take some part out of our own Country, and exhibit or shew unto all Men, those stones which are therein found to participate of Salt-petre, any one that is studious in these affairs may do the same in other places, and make a diligent inquiry into them, and he will find that almost all Mountains are filled therewith, and yet is known to none or at least-wise to but a very few. In Francia, (or Franconia) and indeed at Kitzing where I dwelt before I came to Holland, I often went into the Field in clear weather, with an intent to search out Minerals, and although that sundry Men ignorant of (such) businesses, do report that there are not any Minerals at all to be found in Franconia, and that never any Veins of Gold or any other Metal have been found there, because all the Inhabitants do live contentedly with the plentiful provenue of Wine and Corn; nor do they labour about finding out any other Treasures (for there is not any Country in all Germany in which is gathered more abundance of Wine, and of a better sort, than in Franconia aforesaid; which gathering of Wine is to be accompted to the Franks or Franconians instead of Mine-pits, and yield them imployment enough) yet nevertheless forasmuch as my mind was ever bent that way, and I was naturally inclined to search very inwardly into those things which offer themselves unto us, amongst the wonderful works of the most great and glorious God, I could not omit the visiting such places, which seemed to all Men as unfit for bringing forth Minerals, and which were judged to be clearly void of the same, as being willing to try whether or no some things that others knew not of might not offer themselves unto me. Nor was my hopes in vain, for I found far more than my expectation was, and if necessity required I could shew those very places.

But forasmuch as I have proposed to my self, here to shew such places only in which Salt-petre may be plentifully made, I will at this time pass by the other Minerals in silence: Yet so, as not wholly to leave such things, as offer themselves in the way, untoucht. I will therefore take in hand some part of the Rhine, which is between Kitzing and Aschaffenberg, and will very briefly (for my purpose is not to write a Chronicle) shew what treasures the most Great and Blessed GOD hath vouchsafed unto those places, besides Wine and Corn so plentifully abounding there.

Kitzing is an Eminent I own and well built, belongs to the Bishoprick of Wurtsburg, and is founded upon Lime-stone, and therefore the soil is very fruitful; and yields Wine and Corn in abundance. But as soon as ever we are past over the Bridge of the Mhene, the Earth begins to be sandy, and has abundance of Flints in it, which contain in them some Gold as well as Iron. The manner of extracting it is described in the second Part of the Prosperity of Germany, and is confirmed in this third Part.

About a mile distance opposite to the said City is situated an high Mountain, very full of huge Trees, in this Mountain are various Castles (or Houses) the chief of which is the Cossel Castle, which is the House belonging by succession to the Lords of the County de Cossel: At the bottom of the Mountain there is a Village of the same name, belonging to the said Castle (or Palace.) In this Village there are abundance of Springs, the Waters of most of them I have often times tasted, and have perceived them to be mightily impregnated with Salt-petre, insomuch that the Beasts do altogether shun the drinking of them, much less can Men use them about the boiling of their Victuals: Yet some of them yield sweet water very fit for domestick affairs. These Nitrous Fountains are of no use, nor do they effect ought, save that they drive some Mills, and run through the Village a particular way afore they fall into the Mhene.

And forasmuch as the aforesaid Earls have known that the chief part (or most part) of the said Fountains are wholesome by reason of the plenty of Salt-petre in them; they have therefore taken care to have a great House built, 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 bodies; and there are abundance known to come, that are ill, in the Summer time, from places far remote; several of them too by a due using this Bath are restored to their former health.

They know not any other use of these nitrous Fountains than what is aforesaid; whereas if they did but know how to add some Virtues to the said waters by the benefit of the Juice of the wood, of which there is great store in that place, they would find by the use of them then, many wonderful effects in the curing of Diseases.

Being therefore earnestly intent upon the search hereof, viz. from whence these nitrous Waters should chiefly proceed, I found that the Mountain nigh that place, extending it self for some miles, was every where full of Salt-petre, and that it stuck in the Rocks themselves, out of which whatsoever is on the Mountain grew. I did therefore diligently search out, what condition those Stones were of, which the workmen dig’d out in these places, and I knew that there was a great quantity of Salt petre contained in them, insomuch, that as many Mountains as here (abouts) seem to be replenished with the same: Nay more, if you shall break one or two of those Stones with which the Houses of the Village of Cossel are built, you shall find every where in them abundance of Salt-petre. I went to visit the place it self where those Stones are digged out, but found not any Salt-petre among the digging, because the Air had not as yet displaied its Virtues thereupon: But I observed that in those stones exposed a while to the Air, there was plenty of Salt-petre. He that would see it with his own Eyes, let him go into any House of the Cossel Village, whose Walls are of ancient standing, and he shall find that there is abundance of Salt-petre in those stones, and withal, that the Pillars belonging to the Bath-house do yearly wax less, for as much as scalings of the thickness of the back of a Knife do still fall off, by the power of the separated Salt-petre, as I have often very accurately and curiously observed. If the Earls or Counts did but know the true use of this excellent and o cult Treasure, they would get far greater riches out of that bare Mountain only than by all the County. I doubt not but that seeing I have in this place detected this Treasure, there will some be found that will labour for their own profits sake to find it out.

Not far off from the said Mountain the whole Earth abounds with Iron, not in the form of Veins but of Reins, insomuch that the Metal of Iron offers it self in various particles or pieces of diverse magnitudes; for in some places it is found as big as an Hazle-nut, or an Acorn; in other places as big as an Egg, or ones Fist, yea and as big sometimes as ones Head, which by the force of the Fire is made facile and yields abundance of Iron; nor did I ever yet meet with any Metal of that sort more excellent than that is, but no body knows it, though it may be commodiously prepared or fitted for the use of Man, because there is in this place plenty enough of Wood and Water to be had [for such a purpose.]

This Mountain stretcheth out it self some miles, reaching as far as Iphovia, and the jurisdiction of the City of Wurtzburg; so that the chiefest and greatest part thereof is seated in the Bishoprick of Wurtzburg: And therefore might immense and vast Treasures be gotten, were there but such as were lovers of Art and would make themselves skill’d in the Operation.

Besides, this Mountain yields abundance of white and red Gypsum, which may be reduced to an exceeding whiteness by the force of the Fire.

Besides this too, we have known Marble and Alabaster digg’d out hence, and yet it has not been very durable, for it becomes nitrous after it hath lain exposed a while to the Air, and falls to powder, and yields plenty of Salt-petre, were it but rightly managed, for there’s no want of Wood here.

There is yet moreover found in the said Mountain another Castle which is called Swansburg, and belongs to the Bishoprick of Wurtzburg, where the Soldiers did heretofore use the Metallick Rods, to search after, and to see if they could find (by the using them) some Treasures; and they tried whether or no (the Castle being burnt by the occasion of the War) any such Treasures lay any where hidden. What they found I do not yet know: But this I know, that the said Rods did shew good Metal to be every where (thereabouts) The which thing gave occasion of explaining or unfolding the said matter in its proper places. Besides this, they digged up nothing else but such nitrous stones for some fathoms depth. I once viewed this place, and found that the stones extracted some years afore out of this Mountain were altogether brittle, and is a manifest token that the whole Mountain is fill’d with Salt-petre.

There is besides this Mountain, another nitrous one that I know of, of the like condition in the mid-way ’twixt Kitzing and Wernfeld (and is about a miles distance from Carlstadt) but that which is here had, differs from the former in this, viz. that the stones which it exhibits are of a red colour, nor are they so much impregnated with Salt-petre, as those of Kitzing aforesaid, for they are richer in Petre, and are of a more ashy colour.

There are likewise such kind of stones also that they cut or dig forth at the Mhene near the City Rotenfeldt, but they have not in them so much Salt-petre as those have that are found in the Cossel and Swansburg Mountain.

There’s abundance of such stones in several places in France, but my purpose is not to mention them all, for I was minded to mention such only as my self have seen, and that are near bordering upon the Mhene.

They that have a mind to deal with them may make their search, and they will find in all Countrys of the Earth fit stones for their purpose, the which we may hereby know, if being kept a while in the Air, they wax soft, and scale off in most thin leaves, and there sticks to your Fingers in rubbing them off, a reddish Meal.

Besides this too, you may have a most certain sign of such Petry places by those Spiders that have a small body and round, and long feet, for they stick to those stones in abundant measure: For such Spiders do not feed upon hearbs, grass, flies or other insects, but on old Walls, and they seat themselves chiefest of all on those aforesaid stones. They are not all venemous as the common house Spiders are, and therefore the Children do gather them, and are much delighted with them. Now they sticking on to the softer sandish stones do most certainly demonstrate that Salt-petre is contained in them; for tis that which they are nourished with, and conserve their life by, and this I was willing to signify unto you. But put case that no such nitrous stones were to be found, yet however there is not the opportunity denied us of making Salt-petre of the common Lime-making stones, and of them there is every where plenty enough, if they are calcined by the benefit of Wood, and made nitrous with the juice of wood.

What shall I say of the Calcined fæces of Tartar which are yearly gathered up and thrown away in vast quantities, in all that tract which lies on the River Mhene, between Bamberg and Franckfort, whereas notwithstanding some hundreds of hundreds weight of Salt-petre might be extracted thence-from, did they but mind it. For whatsoever Tartar is therein contained, is all of it Salt-petre when ’tis duly boiled with a Lixivium of Lime, and being hence strained, and a sufficient evaporation made, it be set by to Chrystallize. For it attracts the soul after a magnetick manner, which Operation if rightly instituted, there may be prepared thence from a most inflammable nitre in three days space, the which is likewise of far greater profit than the getting out the Tartar by the help of a Press, and with a great deal of labour; or else than the making Potashes, as we see usually done.

Besides too, there are found other stones that being burnt do yield abundance of Salt-petre, such as are the Tophi (or soft sandy stones) which may be abundantly gathered near Triefelstein, which is a Monastery situate on the Mhene, in other places of Germany they make even whole Mountains: So that it is evident that there is no where any want of convenient matter to gather Salt-petre from, if Men would but set their hands to the work. These stones are obvious unto all; and who knows what Treasures the Woods (which we do not at all search into) abound withal? Would time permit me I could shew that various kinds of Metals are conserved in the Mountains situate between Kitzing and Franckfort, and especially in the Speshardensine (Mountain,) the disclosing of which, some other more commodious place will admit of.

Now follows what we mentioned of the aforesaid LAZARUS ERCKER.

Of the manner of Boiling =Salt-petre=. AND FIRST By what means a Lixivium is to be made out of a Nitrous Earth.

If you are minded to make a Lixivium of such an Earth, dig it as deep as you shall find by proving it to be either good or naught, especially if you intend to make it in great quantity, and keep it in a dry place. Then take care to have some great wooden Tubs, or Vessels made, so large, that each of them may hold about some ten Wheel-barrows full of the Earth, and whereby you may be able to prepare Lixivium enough, answerable to the work you have proposed to your self to do, and to the bigness of your Copper. Now there are commonly required for such a work, to one Copper Pan that weighs two hundred weight, eight Wooden Vessels which are to be placed in such order, that on each side there may stand four in a row, opposite to each other. These same Tubs are to be so far distant from the next Collateral Vessels, as is requisite for the Wheel-Barrow wherein the Earth is brought to come between: Yea, and it is necessary that there be half an Ell’s space betwixt the said Tubs and the Earth, or Ground, it self, whereon they are placed. Likewise, each of the Vessels, or Tubs, must have a hole in the fore-part, and towards the bottom thereof, fit to put in a Plug (or Tap) at: Then finally, there must be put under those Plugs, a long Vessel like a Channel-pipe, which may receive in it the Lixivium running out of the Tubs, and may guide it along into a peculiar Wooden Vessel, as into a common Store-house set in the Earth hollowed for that purpose, to receive the said Lee in.

All your Tubs being thus rightly ordered, put in upon every Tubs bottom another (false) wooden bottom, perforated with many Holes, and let it lie two Fingers breadth distant from the true bottom: Upon this (false) bottom lay yet another made of Bull-rushes, or your small sort of Reeds which grow plentifully in Ditches about the thickness of a quarter of an Ell: In want of these Reeds throw in upon the aforementioned perforated bottom, the quantity of a Span (thick) of Chopt Hay, or Straw, laying some very thin boards thereon, that so it may not be scattered (or float) abroad. And your Vessels are made compleatly ready.

Now then, put of the Earth you have already tried and gathered, as much into each of your Tubs, as they can hold, yet with this Caution, That the top part of your Vessel be empty a Spans heighth. And observe this, that if you can get some old ashes of the Curriers, or Soap-boilers, as much of it as two or three Wheel-barrows will carry, it must be put in upon the topmost (made) bottom of the Tub, afore the Earth, but now spoken of, be put in. At the top of the earth, lay a Cover made of Twigs, (or Withes) and fasten it with a wooden stick at the top of the earth. This done, pour common water upon the earth contained in the Vessel, an Hands breadth in heighth, so as that it may rather touch (or be poured) on the Twigs, than the Earth it self, least the said earth become unequal thereby, and hollowed in several places. Let it stand thus for eight hours, which time being overpast, draw your Plug out, and let the water you poured on, run out at the hole beneath, which as long as it is muddy, you must always pour in again into the Vessel, repeating this so often, till it comes out clear, then keep it, and this water is called a weak Lee or Lixivium.

This done, pour common water again upon the earth from which the Lee hath been already, once separated, that so it may extract the residue of the Lixivium out of the earth; and this Lee is of no use, save that it may be poured on upon new earth, instead of simple water; for it oftentimes doth even yet contain a great deal of Nitre, insomuch, that you may sometimes extract out of an hundred weight thereof, three or four pound of Nitre.

This Extraction being finished, take out the unprofitable earth out of the Vessel, and put in new; and continue the Operation, after the aforesaid manner, reiterating it so long, and so often, until you have gotten store enough of the Lixivium, that the work of boiling be not intermitted for want of Lixivium.

Besides, there must be some Wooden Vessel placed at the upper part of the Copper which this Lixivium is boiled in, out of which may run so much Lixivium into the Copper as is wasted away by boiling, that so there may be still kept the same order of boiling, and the same quantity of Lixivium in the Copper. This boiling is to be on this wise continued, until a Centenary, or hundred weight of Lixivium in the Copper, yields according to the less assay (or weight) twenty five pounds of Nitre; and this may be done in two Days, and one Night.

This being thus done, you must have ready yet two Tubs, or Vessels (more) of Wood, made after the afore prescribed manner, and furnished with a (false) perforated wooden bottom, besides its own bottom, and likewise with such a bottom as is made of Reeds (or Bull rushes); only you are to observe this here; That there must be put yet another perforated wooden bottom upon this topmost bottom of Reeds, upon which there must be first cast in some chop’d Straw, then some Ashes of Firr, Beach, or any other Tree, so much in quantity as may overtop the Straw an Ell or Cubit, [Ulna] high; or rather (if it may be had for a very mean price) as much as may fill the Tubs, or Vessels. But yet, these Ashes are not to be just simply thrown in (as they are) upon the Straw, but afore this is done, they must be first well mixt together, then moistened with some of the best hot Lixivium, that there may be made a Mass. Then when the Ashes are on this wise prepared, and put in the Vessel, the Lixivium boil’d to its heighth, and which yields in the proof twenty five pound, must be poured thereon, as hot as possibly it may, and is to be often drawn off by the lower hole, until (if troubled or muddy) it becomes clear.

After that all the Lee hath thus passed through the Ashes of both Tubs (the which is done upon this account, That all its fatness may pass into (or be left with) the Ashes, which Ashes are hereby rendred stronger to wash withal) keep it in a peculiar Vessel.

Then pour the common Lee or Lixivium upon the Ashes remaining in the Tubs, which when it hath passed through the Ashes, is called the second stronger Lixivium: Then again pour on yet a third time, hot Lixivium, and when ’tis drawn off, it is called the second weaker Lixivium: Lastly, the common Lee, or Lixivium, may be poured on cold upon the Ashes, that so all the virtue of the same may be wholly extracted.

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The Figure before going (Numb. 1.) will shew you the way of placing the Tubs, of preparing the Lixivium, and ordering the boiling.

A Are the eight Wooden Tubs, wherein the earth is put.

B Channels, or Conveyances, by which the water runs into the said Tubs.

C Channels, or Gutters, by which the Lixivium is conveyed into a Vessel set thereunder.

D The Vessel in which the Lixivium is gathered, or received.

E The little Vessel out of which the Lixivium runs into the Copper.

F The Furnace.

G The Copper.

H The door of the Furnace whereby Wood is put in under the Copper.

I The Lower Wind-draught (or Ash-hole) of the Furnace.

K The inward shape of the Furnace.

L An Iron Grate, which the Wood is put upon.

_The manner of preparing the Liquor, out of which =Salt-petre= may be made by Boiling._

First of all, pour your second weaker Lixivium into your Copper, and set it a boiling, then let your second stronger Lixivium run thereinto by little and little; and then lastly, the first Lixivium it self, and which is the chiefest of all, until the Copper be almost filled, and the Lixivium be boil’d enough to shoot.

And now when you perceive that your Liquor is made strong enough by boiling, put in a Brass Ladle perforated (or full of holes) several times, even to the bottom of the Copper, and if the Lixivium lets fall out of it any Salt, you will find it at the bottom, the which you may take up with your Ladle.

Note also, That the Scum which at the end of this Boiling is plentifully gathered, must be carefully taken away: Now then try the readiness of your Lixiviums Crystallization, on this wise: Put either two or three drops on a cold Iron, or on a Polish’d Plate of Iron, and if it stands, or grows hard; that is, if when you turn the Iron up and down, it does not run (or flow) down, these are signs of the fitness of your Liquors Crystallization. Or else, you may put some of the Lixivium in a Brass Vessel, and set it in cold water, and so you shall see whether the Liquor be fitted enough to Crystallize; for assoon as ever the Lixivium shall be cold, there will be plenty of Salt-petre generated: Nay, even the very Brass Spoon it self denotes the goodness of the Liquor, it being put into the Liquor, and again taken out, it will show it sticking on it, as if it were Oil.

Out of a Centenary, or hundred weight of Liquor thus perfectly prepared, there will proceed more than seventy pound of Salt-petre.

The way of rightly using the Liquor for the Generating of a more Crude Salt-petre.

Pour your Liquor prepared after the afore-shown manner, out of the Copper into a narrow Tub, or Vessel, made of Firr, or Pine-tree wood; wherein let it remain quiet, till it be a little refrigerated, and the muddiness, or slimyness [Limus] appear, and you find that the salt sticks on in Granes to the sides of the Vessel; now when you perceive your Lixivium so cooled, as that you can put your finger thereinto without burning, pull out the Plug, wherewith an hole made in this long Vessel, about a span’s heighth from the bottom, was shut, or stopt, and so let the Liquor run forth, into very great Wooden Vessels, and deep, purposely made for such a business; or else into Copper Pans, buried almost (up to their Necks) in the earth, (for the cooler the place is, which they stand in, so much the better, and the more plenty of Salt-petre is gathered, and Crystallizeth) and you will find that your crude Salt-petre will shoot therein, the thickness of almost two fingers breadth, partly of a whitish colour, partly yellow, and partly blackish.

After that this boil’d Liquor hath stood for two days, and so many nights in the Vessel, the Lixivium of the Salt-petre which swims at top, must be taken away, which you may mix with the strong Lixivium, and pour a second time upon Ashes, for else the Lixivium will contract too much fatness, and there will be no Salt generated.

Sometimes it happens, that when the Ashes are not good, there’s no salt at all gathered in the Liquor, in which case there is no presenter Remedy, than to mix such a Lixivium stronger than is fit, with another, and so pour it again upon new, and good Ashes, and then let the boiling be again perfected after the afore-prescribed manner.

Likewise, when in the boiling you find the Lixivium very muddy, whereby the Collection of the Salt is oft-times hindred, it must be taken away, and let the Washer-Women, or Lawndresses have it, and other must be substituted in its room, and be farther purified by the help of Ashes.

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The Figure signed (Numb. 2.) shews the manner of preparing the Liquor by boiling, and of extracting and gathering the Salt thereout of.

A Long narrow Tubs, or Vessels, in which the decocted Liquor of the Lixivium is cooled.

B The Furnace wherein the Copper stands.

C The Man that manageth the boiling, and extracts, or draws out the salt with a Ladle, the which he lays in a Withy Basket placed on the Copper, that so the Lixivium (in it) may again run down into the Copper.

D The little Basket.

E The little Tub out of which the strong Lixivium runs (by little and little) into the Copper.

F Coolers, or Vessels, in which the Crude =Salt-petre= shoots.

G Four Brass Pans put in the Earth, hollowed for the purpose, in which likewise the =Salt-petre= is generated (or shoots.)

H A strong Vessel whereinto the Lixivium remaining after the generating (or shooting) of the =Salt-petre=, is put.

The way to purifie the Crude =Salt-petre=.

When all these things are thus done, and the Lixivium that swims at the top of the Salt-petre is taken away, lift up those Vessels, or Brass Pans, containing that salt, and turn them up and down in some convenient place, that so the residue of the Lixivium, that lies as yet in them may flow, or run clearly out, into another Vessel set thereunder.

This done, take the Salt-petre out of the Coolers, or out of the Coppers (or Brass Pans) with an Iron Spatula, or rather with such an Instrument as your Plasterers use (=eine telle=, a Truel) and put it in a Tub that has a hole in the bottom thereof, that so the Lixivium may be perfectly separated therefrom. They that sell that crude Salt-petre, and not at all purified, for the Salt-petre Boilers, do pour thereon pure (or clear) Well-water, by the means of which, it is made more white, that which is thencefrom separated they do again mix with other stronger Lixivium and so boil it up for the following use.

But if you have a mind to purifie this crude Nitre from its salt, and all its Impurities, that it may be rendred fair, and white, you are to proceed this following way:

Take almost as much Well-water as is sufficient for the dissolution of the Salt-petre, put it in the purifying Copper Vessel, first cleaned with water, and dried with a cloth, and put the fire under it, and make it most exceeding hot, then throw in your Salt-petre by little and little, and in pieces, continually stirring the Salt-petre that sticks at the bottom with a spoon, that it may be the easier, and sooner dissolved; this only is to be observed, that there is required a more gentle fire, while the Salt-petre is cast into the Copper, so as the water may be kept always hot. When all the Salt-petre is almost dissolved in the water, promote the boiling thereof, by augmenting the fire, then try if there be any salt in a (biggish) gross form, residing in the bottom of the Copper Vessel, which if you find to be, (for indeed, the Salt-petre it self is not so very easily dissolved, nor doth its being admixt in a more copious manner, at all benefit the Lixivium) take it forth with a Spoon, (or Ladle.)

This done, separate the Scum swimming at top of the boiling water, then have ready a Brass Vessel that will hold about ℥j.ss. of Liquor, fill it half full with the Lixivium, set the Vessel in cold water to cool, and you shall find your Nitre presently to Crystallize, or shoot therein.

Hereby may you try whether your Purgative water be strong enough, or not; for if it be stronger than is fit, you will find a little skin spread it self over the matter contained in the Vessel, and when it comes to be so, add thereunto more hot water, keeping the fire in that degree of heat, as may suffice to keep the water contained in the Copper, gently boiling.

Now when you have kept it thus boiling for some season, try the goodness of your water again, after the aforesaid manner; and if you shall find a Crystallization therein, and no Concretion, or heaping-together, leaving a gaping, or chap in the midst, the business is well done; but if it be otherwise (than thus well done) so that it be wholly shut in (or gathers a skin all over) at top, pour on hot water, until your Matters come to succeed after the manner aforesaid.

Then after all this, take of the best Wine Vinegar, about one pound thereof, and pour it into the said water, and you will presently see a blackish spume, or filth arise in plenty at the top thereof, and when you have left it so a while, it may be easily taken off, because of the thickness it contracts.

The boiling being yet a while longer continued, pour in the same quantity of Vinegar again, and diligently separate the Scum as afore: This pouring on of Vinegar, and separating of the Scum, may be repeated yet a third time, and oftner, whereby the purgatory water may be made altogether pure, and that there appears not any more spume.

When all this is done, cast in upon this water two or three Ounces of Burnt-Alum, most finely powdered, stir all well with a Spatula, whereby the Salt-petre may shoot into longer Crystals.

Then after this, pour out the purgatory water into the aforementioned deep Vessels, and cover them over with Linen Cloths, that the Liquor cool not. Let it stand thus one hour or two at most, and a yellow slime will settle to the bottom: Then let the water while it is yet warm flow out hence, into other Vessels made of wood, and especially of Elm, and which are large enough; or else, you may let it run into Copper Pans set deep in the Earth, for the better coolings sake, which cover over very neatly with Cloths, that so the Crystallization may begin from the bottom, and not at the upper part, as we see it wont to happen, where it is not kept by Coverings from the External cold: And we also observe therein too, that the Crystals shoot not into that length, as when the Crystallization begins from the bottom.

Let them stand thus for two or three days, until you see no more Crystals generated, which you may on this wise try.

Put some of the Lixivium in your (little) probatory Vessel, wherein, if you find that there are no more Crystals generated, you may take out the rest of the Lixivium: Then take out the Petre with an Iron Spatula (or Truel) and put it into a Vessel that is full of holes in the bottom, that so all the Lixivium may be the better separated therefrom. And you shall have your Salt-petre pure and white, and freed from its Salt.

Forasmuch as the Lixivium here separated hath as yet some saltness in it, it may be mixed with other strong Lixivium to be (agen) boil’d up, for the production of the Crude Salt-petre is usually holpen forward there-withal.

Some there are that for the better purifying the Petre, do put Calx vive in together (with it) whereby the water becomes most white like Milk, and the Salt-petre gets a greater fairness.

You must withal observe that during the time that the purifying water is contained in the Copper, your fire must be most gentle, least by overmuch boiling you get some damage, for a little fire is able easily to cause (a too vehement) ebullition, and when it has got strength (or the start of you) it is hardly allayed again. The scum which you take off from it you may pour upon ashes as if it were a Lixivium, that so nothing (from whence any profit can be hoped for) may be lost.

There is sometimes seen to stick to the bottom of the Copper (especially when it is used about many boilings) a certain stony and hard substance like Tartar, which unless it be taken away, your Copper will easily suffer damage under that same matter and be burnt.

The earth and ashes left, after the weak Lixivium (hath past through them) are to be laid up in some convenient place, and there kept for four years or more, that so they may be again apt to yield a-new more Lixivium by extraction; which, that it may be the better and easier done, there must be made in them (many weeks afore they are wrought upon) by digging some Pits or Gutters, that so they may be freed by the heat of the Sun from that moisture wherewith they as yet abound. 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 shed, and that it will be far sooner reduced unto a fitting goodness, than to lie open to the weather, for much of the Salt-petre is corrupted (or spoiled) with an abundance of moisture, especially with the Rain it self: For it needs only a little wetting whereby it may be generated, and extreamly shuns, or is injured by too much moisture.

Besides these ways, there are many that mix with this earth that is yet contained in the Tub the Saw-dust of Firr, or some other Wood (the height of) a Fingers length (on it): And they perswade that Salt-petre is also generated and multiplied from that fatness which is mixed with the Saw-dust, and that the earth prepared on this wise can be so changed in a years space (so it be kept in a dry place) that it may be again made use of as afore. Yea and they suppose too that they can do much here, if they pour upon such a barren (or lean) earth, thus lying in a dry place, the reliques or remains of the dyes, which the Dyers are otherwise wont to throw away, and evident it is that they are aluminous, but yet not so frequently.

Besides such waters of the Dyers they are wont also to mix soot with their earth, (yea and the ashes too of which Lawndresses do commonly make their Lee;) that so it may be made the more fruitful and may be the sooner brought to use.

This only is to be noted, that there are sometimes found earths that give a thick black Lee, which being used by it self is too fat, to which is to be added a leaner and dryer earth, that so the Salt-petre may be the better and more plentifully generated.

The way therefore how, and the instruments by which crude Salt-petre is purifyed, is shown by the 6 and 8 Figure (in Lazarus Ercker’s Book I think he means.)

_The manner of purifying the gross and blackish =Salt= that comes out of the =Salt petre=._

That black or rather ashy colour Salt, which is found in the Copper while the nitre is prepared by boiling, and likewise in the narrow Tub or Vessel, may be reduced into very good Salt, and very convenient for daily use, and no ways at all hurtful to Man, if it be but duly purified; which said purification is to be thus ordered.

The Copper being well cleaned fill it with most clear Well-water, put fire under it and make it boil, throw in the said Salt by times (not all at once) into the boiling water, that so it may be dissolved; which, that it may be the sooner and better done, stir it continually with a Spatula, when you think that it is all dissolved pour out the Lixivium into some Vessel or Tub, & you shall see the grosser part will settle to the bottom, and the Lixivium will clear up: When you perceive this, pour this clear Lixivium again into the cleansed Copper, and boil it so long till the Salt settles to the bottom, which take out of the said Copper with a perforated Ladle, and put it in a Basket that is placed over the Copper, that so all the superfluous Lee or moisture may again run down into the Copper, and yields (or leaves) the Salt perfect and dry.

Some there are who afore they use this Salt about domestick affairs, do decrepitate it first, and perswade themselves that it becomes thereby the more virtuous (or strong.)

What remains behind of the Lixivium in the Copper, you may boil it up like as you would any other Lixivium appointed to be Crystallized, then pour it out into the Vessels destinated to that purpose, and you shall see Salt-petre to be generated in them; for seeing the said Salt proceedeth out of the Salt-petre, this Lixivium cannot be wholly void of Salt-petre, and therefore may it be separated from that Salt by the aforesaid way, and be purified.

But you are to note here, that where there is too great a quantity of Salt-petre permixt with the said Salt, or that the Salt it self is too black and impure, that Salt cannot get its due lustre and whiteness by barely one such a purifying Operation, and therefore there is requisite a reiteration of this Operation, so that it be again dissolved in new water, and be purifyed, whereby it may become altogether white.

However, such a black and impure Salt, may be purified even by this way (following.) Pour the solution it self, while ’tis yet hot, (the water I mean in which the Salt is dissolved) upon the ashes which a Lixivium hath been already poured on before, and you shall see the Salt Lixivium to be wholly purified: But yet all the Salt which is extracted thence, is not sufficiently white, but that which is gathered last of all is yellowish, and therefore must be yet once again purified. Note also here, that when such a Lixivium of Salt is poured on the ashes, they must be well edulcorated (after the operation is finished) least the Salt sticking in the Reedy or Bull-rush-bottom should give an unfitting saltness to the Lixivium that is next poured thereupon.

And thus have you the common method of boiling and preparing Salt-petre, in which you meet with what may be well disallowed or rejected, viz. it is extreamly tedious, nor is it at all gainful, for out of a centenary of Lixivium, we have no more than three or four pound of Petre; to get which too, all the rest of the water must be done off by evaporation, which is a long time doing, and requires no small costs. Yet I will shew in what follows, by what means this inconvenience may be prevented, which I have proved by mine own experience.

The way of augmenting the Crude Lixivium afore its boiling.

The Salt-petre boilers have hitherto variously sought after the way of augmenting (or fortifying) the Lixivium of Salt-petre, that is, of causing a more plentiful provenue of Salt-petre, in the Water remaining of the extraction of Salt-petre, but in vain, because they were ignorant of the lesser proof which all things here are tried by. Its augmentation is done on this wise.

Take of a Lixivium, a Centenary of which contains iiij. ℔. of Nitre, pour so much of it as a Tub or Vessel will hold, upon new earth, let it stand for twelve hours; then draw off the Lixivium, and as much as you find wanting of what you poured on (which may easily be known by the emptiness of the measure which it was in, afore you poured it on, and in which it is now gathered or received again) pour so much simple water on the Earth, which draw off in like manner, and mix it with the Lixivium, and you will then have the same quantity that you had in your Vessel afore. This done try the Lixivium by the lesser experiment or proof and you will find it to contain vj. ℔. of Nitre. Pour this Lixivium that contains in it vj. ℔. of Nitre upon other new earth, and proceed on the manner aforesaid, and you shall have your Lixivium to contain ix. ℔. of Nitre. You may pour this a third time upon other new earth & proceed on with it after the aforesaid manner, and you shall yet have more Nitre out of a Centenary of Lixivium. But you must be always wary in this Operation, that you draw off, neither more nor less Lixivium from the earth than you had before in the Vessel. These things it pleased me to add, concerning the second pouring on of water, meerly for the experiments or proofs sake, whereby we may be made certain of the augmentation thereof (forasmuch as the Lixivium doth by this means hold in it more Nitre) and that we may be forced to acknowledge its augmentation even in that way. Then after this is done, you may use the weaker Lixivium instead of water, to fill up the first measure, and so the Lixivium will be the easier, and more augmented; and we may in a short time have sufficient quantity hereof for to boil. And although this augmentation of the Lixivium requires a great deal of labour, yet are all the (pains, &c.) recompensed, because we hereby get in one Weeks space, and with less expence of Wood, far more Nitre than by the other common ways: But yet there are requisite more Vessels for this kind of working, wherein the separated Lixivium may be kept.

I will also give the Reader a manuduction here, by what way the boiling of the Lixivium is to be ordered, or contrived: First of all, this is well to be regarded, that forasmuch as a great boiling requires a great quantity of earth, and yet there does not at all times, earth of a like goodness offer it self (especially seeing a Man cannot make proof of it all) upon which the costs and labours (necessary about it) may be well (or at the best hand) bestowed: It seems wholly expedient, not to make such a great Coction (or boiling-trade) but to do it with only three or four Tubs, that so we may choose only the best convenient earth, which we may dig in the Cities (or Towns) out of Houses of long standing, and out of Stables, but yet not too deep: Such a Lixivium as contains in an hundred weight of it eight pounds of Nitre, may be increased to eighteen or twenty pounds, if we proceed according to the aforesaid method. And therefore such Nitre boilers as inhabit those regions where there is scarcity of Wood may give hereunto good heed.

Now the Lixivium augmented on this wise, doth not attract all the nitre out of the earth it self, but there doth yet some always remain behind: And therefore you need not presently throw it away, but pour thereupon some simple Waters, which after it hath stood thereon for some hours, draw off again, and you shall have a weak Lixivium, which you may try by the proof, and proceed on therewith in the method of augmenting it, and so you will have a continual labour.

This likewise is to be observed in an especial manner, let the Work-house in which this boiling up of your Salt-petre is done, be very low, and covered with thatch, that so the heat may be the better kept about the Tubs, and this Operation may be done as well in the Winter as in the Summer, and that the weak Lixivium may not at all congeal.

And now, even as Salt-petre is made by boiling, out of the Lixivium which is made of Earth, even so is it of that Lixivium which is gotten out of Stones or the Lime (and Dung) Arches (afore-spoken of;) only there is this difference, That this last way of my contrivance (with stones &c.) is easier, and yields more Nitre. Such as are pleased with this kind of work may set about it, nor will they bestow their Labours in vain; there may be abundance of things, and those wonderful ones too, effected with Salt-petre, as I have abundantly demonstrated in my foregoing Writings, and shall in my following ones too, more clearly demonstrate if God vouchsafe strength and abilities.

But before I come to the practice it self, and to describe the benefits of Salt-petre in specie (or in particular) it is wholly necessary to shew how wonderful, yea how incomparable a subject, that Salt-petre is. And this thing I have already handled at large in the Second Part of the Philosophical Furnaces, in the Second Part of the Pharmacopœia Spagyrica, but especially in my Miraculum Mundi, and in the Explication, and Continuation, and Defence of the same.

* * * * *

Here the Author runs out into a large digression in his own vindication, upon the occasion of certain Letters sent him by one =I. H. S.= who Stiled himself the Son of =Sendivogius=; in which Letters he highly extols the Hermetick learning of the Author, but blames him for Writing so plainly of great secrets, and exhorts him to be more sparing and obscure for the future. Withal offering his service (and begging the Authors leave) to defend his Person and Writings against =Farnner= and others. The Author not taking his advice nor yet accepting of his service (suspecting him to be a self designer) this =I. H. S.= afterwards published a Book entituled =Lucerna Salis Philosophorum=. In which he offers to teach the making of the =Philosophers-stone= at a price or reward; and reproacheth =Glauber= whom he before had so highly magnified in several Letters, advising People to avoid his writings as Sophistical. In this Treatise he mentions a Prediction or, Prophecy of three Monarchs that were to appear in the World: The first of =Paracelsus=, concerning =Elias= the Artist. Secondly, That of =Cosmopolita= of the coming of the =Northern Monarch=. Thirdly, That of =Jacob Behmen=, That a Lily shall bring forth Flowers from the North. He intimates that himself is the =Elias= of Arts. Secondly, That some =Northern Monarch= shall do mighty things in the World: And Thirdly, that the Writings of =Jacob Behmen= should be again Printed a new. After the Author hath shewed the ill dealing of this =I. H. S.= with him, and vindicated himself, then he proceeds briefly to Comment upon these three Predictions or Prophecies.

* * * * *

By what hath been said, may the Candid and well-minded Reader judge what judgment is to be had of this Monarch of Arts I. H. S. Every one that reads them will find whether or no such a Monarchy is to be expected from such a ones Writings. But now that I my self may likewise here produce my opinion, concerning Paracelsus his meaning where he writeth, I say that the most eminent Secrets will not be known afore =Elias= the Artist shall come and teach them: (But I pray) what hath the holy Man Elias to do with Arts? verily no thing at all. Paracelsus minded or pointed at some other thing, he well knew, that no body comes unto such knowledge, unless by Revelation from God, by godly Prayers, and by searching: This is the true Elias which Paracelsus speaketh of, if (viz.) the word Elias be read backwards, and E changed into A: For then ’tis the same with Salia (that is, Salts) such as these (viz. salts) are known unto, to them is Elias a master or teacher. And where the said Paracelsus speaketh of Salts he adds Alchimy finds it (to be) in Nitre: Hereby shewing and pointing at Salia, Salts, which word being read backward is Elias? And this is my opinion as touching the coming of Elias the Artist, and I do yet (again) say, that to him to whom Salts are known, hath Elias appeared. And let this be sufficient to have spoken of the first Monarchy of I. H. S. and what is to be judged thereof.

Now follows the Second =Monarchy=.

As for the second Monarchy, he alledgeth the Prophecy of Paracelsus, which runs thus: A Lion shall come from the North, and become the Monarch of the World: Which Prediction is not at all to be understood according to the Letter. What has Paracelsus to do with the Northern Lion? What business has he with the Monarch of the World. Some there are that endeavour to attribute that Prophecy to one or other of the Northern Kings, but yet that was not in the least Paracelsus’s meaning, he drove at a far other-guess business, and by that Lion he meant Salt-nitre, which is wont to be brought unto us by the Northern Winds, Rain and Snow, and that several times yearly as is well known unto all; hereupon many amongst the Philosophers, and some of them the latter Philosophers, have filled great Vessels with the Rain and Snow that comes out of the North, and aimed at the preparation of a Tincture thereout of, but they found nothing else but Salt-petre, which to get, I have shown a much shorter way.

Paracelsus, Basilius, and others have Written many things of the green and red Lion, all which are to be understood of Salt-nitre, which may most easily be transmuted into the green or red Lion, concerning which thing I my self have made mention in many places.

But some or other may reply, How can it be said that the Lion shall be expected out of the North, if Paracelsus did by it understand or mean Salt-petre, for that cannot be said to be expected (or waited for) which hath always been? Surely the approach of this Northern Lion is not to be supposed or thought to be as to the outside aspect and known use, but only according to the internal virtue, & the Treasure therein hidden; concerning which, the Philosophers have written many things enigmatically, and kept up all things most secretly. Verily he to whom the inside of Salt-petre is known will be able to report wonderful things, for ’tis that only that is the true Monarch, and is able to institute a good governance for those that possess and know it. This Monarch will not be to any one a stirrer up to kill others, and to take from others their Goods and Kingdoms, and to disquiet the whole World, as we see other Monarchs do, but he will bring Peace and Concord, and will perswade the Soldiers to stay at home and to get their food by the labour of their hands, and not to shed the blood of the innocent; he will injoin the greedy Usurers to be beneficial to the poor & to put an end to their immoderate usury; he will shew to the Divines, that all their contentions are vain, and that they cause nothing but inquietude, dissention and discord amongst Men, and will require at their hands to Preach concerning friendship to, and love of ones Neighbour, which under this unprofitable contending is wholly lost, and to banish away all hatred; and contrary-wise to strive after patience and Christian humility. These kind of Doctrines and governance the inward or inside knowledge of the Northern Lion will bring with him, and not any War or shedding of Blood. But afore the said Lion is tamed and made gentle, he is very ravenous, and the venomous Basilisk, and devouring Dragon, preying both upon Men and Beasts, demolishing Cities and Castles, and destroying Goods and Men together. Thus have I in brief expounded my opinion of the coming of the Lion from the North, let everyone believe it as he listeth. And thus much shall suffice for the Second Monarchy, and how it is to be understood.

Now follows the third Monarchical =Prophecy=.

As for what concerns the third Prophecy which I.H.S. doth also make mention of, (& will have it) to concern a certain Writer, whose name is Jacob Behmen, who exercised the Shooe-makers Craft, and published many Theological and also Chymical things, which John Beth doth again Print: As far as I know by his writings, he was an honest Man, but I do not know what he understood in Alchimy; but however this is evident, that he never exercised or practised Chymical Operations, and that his Chymical writings are most difficult to be understood, but his Theological writings are read by many. My opinion concerning the business is this, that this same I. H. S. was minded to quarrel with me, that so there being a brawling bred between us he might make his Books the more saleable. I have therefore thus plainly answered him, but if he proceed on in contrarying and opposing me, I shall be constrained Nolens Volens to meet with him another kind of way, for I am even wearied and glutted with contention. If he will needs brawl and scold let him do it with those that have no work to do, such as he himself & his associates are, who have no Family to rule and look after, I can for my own part bestow my time better than in those contentions, which bring no profit, but only to the Bookseller, whose Books before they are known sell well.

But to conclude, I will in a few words open the ill affected mind of J. H. S. to the Candid Reader. When I had lookt into his Treatise, and perceived that he had ranked me amongst the Sophisters, I showed to some of my faithful Friends, the Letters which he had written unto me, that so I might hear their Judgment concerning them; verily, there was not one amongst them all, but wondered at the wicked mind and falseness of this Man: Yea, one of them did afterwards inform him by his Letters, what way I had purposed to take, viz. again to wipe off that undeserved Title he had put upon me, and to defend my self against such Monstrous Impiety; To which he received from the said J. H. S. an Answer, which he likewise shewed me, wherein (’mongst other things) he pretends, that the cause of his hatred [against me] was, because I had in some places written so very clearly of the Universal Medicine: Yea, and he farther adds, that it is no such great despising one, or Contempt to call one a Sophister; for Geber was accounted for a Sophister, and yet was he a King. And that if I wrote against him, he would do the same against me, and endamage not only me, but my Children too; which Epistle is yet kept safe. Now let any Honest Man consider whether this be a Human, or Diabolical action.

Some, when they heard this, perswaded me to pass over all in silence, and that there would come of it such another brawling business as was with Farnner, whose Exhortation I yielded to, that I would not so much as once answer him, how great Lies soever he told, but rather purposed by referring all till the next Spring, to get me Friends by the benefit of my very eminent Inventions (God willing) which should not only intercede, or stand up for me, but also for my Children too, after my Decease: I doubt not, but that there maybe some principal persons found, which are capable of overturning such Inhuman Perverseness.

These few things was I constrained to add (in a Parenthesis) for the defence of my Writings, thereby to paint out the deceitfulness of Men, and to discover what is to be opinionated concerning such turn-coated Foxes: The which I entreat the Reader not to take in evil part, but to accept of the Secrets laid open in this Treatise, as a Reward for his pains in reading this Apology.

Now follows the Most Potent Lion, and Monarch of the North; to whom none in the World may be compared, nor did ever any excel him in Glory and Power, or shall be like unto him.

But before I begin to write any thing of that Omnipotent Monarch, I have thought it profitable to add here in this place, for the better knowledge of the same, Paracelsus his Prophesie, as I met with it, whereby any one that is skill’d in nature, may sufficiently see, that Paracelsus did not mean a King, but the great Philosophical Mistery, and would point that out unto us: His Words therefore are as follows.

The Prophesie of Dr. Philip Theophrastus Paracelsus of the Northern Lion.

They will not leave me in my Sepulchre, but will hale me out thence, and lay me down towards the East: And I do foretell unto you, that there are three great Treasures hidden.

1. The First is at =Weyda=, at the =Alps= of =Julia=.

2. The Second is between =Suevia=, and =Bavaria=: The place I do not poine at, because of avoiding the being the original of many evils, and because of the shedding of Bloud.

3. The Third is between =Spain= and =France=.

He now that shall find these, will be carried in Triumph, and be admired by all: Likewise between =Suevia= (or =Scawben=) and =Bavaria=, there are Books which contain no mean and common Artifices, that will offer themselves together with precious Stones and a Carbuncle.

I will here likewise declare the Age of such as shall find them.

The First will be 31 years old.

The Second 50 years old.

The Third 28 years old.

And these shall be found not long after the exit (or ruine) of the =Austrian= Empire, and it shall happen, that in this very same time, a Yellow Lion shall come out of the =North=, which shall be Persecutor of the Eagle, and at length its Conquerour: He shall subject under this Empire all =Europe=, and a part of =Asia= and =Affrica=, and shall profess the good and =Christian Religion=, and shall have many Followers thereof. It shall first of all be a most troublesom work for him to chase away the Claws of the Eagle out of the Empire; but afore this comes to pass, there will arise extreamly great Dissentions, and various Grudges amongst all Men in all Countries; the Inferior will rise against the Superior, so that there will be a great tumult, but yet notwithstanding the Members shall suffer the punishments of their wickedness, and the head abide safe.

Nor shall here be an end, but there shall be kindled a great fire, which shall turn all into ashes, but the Omnipotent God will be at hand to help his own people, for there shall yet remain a small sparkle of Piety, which will take rooting, and encrease by little and little, and strike a terrour into the plundering Robbers, and make that alive, which seems to be dead. The Enemies and Persecutors of Christ, will call themselves powerful, and every where bring in great Devastations, insomuch that there will seem to be an end of our Actions.

Now whilst the Enemy is placed in the very topmost pitch of fortune, the most Just God, will (by the help of a small company) destroy, and utterly root out the Northern Lion, accompanying him, together with all his Clerks; yet abundance shall be Converted, and believe on his Omnipotence, and in the most Holy Name of God.

When therefore this Lion hath gotten the Eagles Scepter, every body will reverence, and run after his Majesty: He shall be powerful in Deeds and Counsels, and the Subjects that now refuse him, shall receive him with the greatest joy, and acknowledg him their Superior.

Then must the aforesaid Treasure ’twixt =Suevia= and =Bavaria= be found, which is equivalent to the Riches of twelve Kingdoms, where also lies hid, a Carbuncle, as big as an Egg, richer than any price.

The other Treasure that lies between =Spain= and =France=, is indeed great and potent, but yet it gives place to the former, it shall be manifested at the entrance of the Lion that comes from the North, and, which shall take the Eagle, and then at length shall men consider well what I =Theophrastus= have been.

Now when the praised Northern Lion hath finished his Course, and hath broken the edge of the Eagles Claws, then shall Peace and Concord every where speedily and vehemently fly thereunto, but yet he will send afore, some signs and tokens by which it shall appear unto us, that the Messengers sent forth shall declare the coming of the Lord. There is yet one only thing that I =Theophrastus= do beg at your hands, that ye do not any of you impute unto me the things which I now lay open; forasmuch as I cannot be against the Will of God, which I must put in execution in the Nature of things.

These are those Secrets of Secrets that I was willing to open unto you. This Treasure far exceeds other Treasures; my Arts are hidden in that place betwixt =Suevia= and =Bavaria=, and they are these, =viz.= =The true Transmutation of Metals of a short way: The Universal, more than perfect: The= so much talk’d of =Aurum Potabile=, and =Philosophers stone=: But he that by the guidance of God has an entrance opened to the finding of them, shall there find (besides other stones) a precious Carbuncle, which lies hidden in a little Box cunningly made by Men, and covered over with Gems; the Key of the little Box is in a Golden Coffin, the Golden is put in a Silver one; the Silver one in a Tin one; and it lies in such a place as God hath chosen, or appointed.

The Omnipotent God will bestow upon him that finds them his Divine Benediction in all his Affairs, and will give him power to oppress all evil, and to draw out good; whereby things necessary may likewise be obtained from God who is able again to reduce the world he made of nothing, into a nothing: Let the Son and Holy Spirit be also with us, the Blessed Trinity, for ever and ever. Amen.

* * * * *

First of all, Paracelsus saith in this his Prophesie, that Men shall draw him out of his Grave, and place him towards the East; who is so simple as to think that this is to be understood according to the Letter? What Profit and Honour would thence arise to Paracelsus, if his Bones were digg’d forth, and translated into another place? Whereas if he were even now living, he could not desire a better and more excellent Tomb, than that he lies in. Whilst he was living, he was not so proud; he very well knew that the Honours of this World are fading and vain. Nor did he ever require, that any Epitaph should be erected to his Honour: Although (when his Friends had taken care to lay him in a decent place.) The Magistrate commanded a very notable Epitaph to be engraven on his Tomb-stone for a Testimonial of his Deeds, the which Epitaph will bring him Praise enough while the World lasts. The said Epitaph runs thus.

The Epitaph of =Theophrastus Paracelsus=; which is to be seen Engraved on a Stone at =Saltzburg=, in the Hospital of =St. Sebastian=, erected against the Wall of the Church.

Here lies Buried Philippus Theophrastus, an Eminent Doctor of Physick: Who by a Wonderful Art, took away those Dire Maladies, the Leprosie, Gout, Dropsie, and other the Incurable Diseases of the Body; and Honourably Distributed, and gave his Goods unto the Poor. He Died the 24th. Day of September, Anno 1541.

How could he be possibly more praised after his Death, than I see to be done by this Epitaph. But yet I would not have you think that I desire you to account of my Opinion as if it were Gospel. It pleased me here to put it for this end, to shew, what my thoughts are, as concerning this thing, every one may believe as listeth him, but as for my part I will in no case believe, that the Prediction is to be explained according to the Words or Letter: But whereas it is said, that he shall be taken out of his Sepulchre, and put in another towards the East, I do thus interpret it: That if any shall understand his Writings, they shall thencefrom perceive what, and how great a one he was, and so will make his Cause their own, and will defend his Writings against Inimicitious Zoilists (or Carpers) and Ignorants, who as well since his Death, as whilst he was alive, entreated him very inhumanly, and as it were, oppressed him with Lies, and Infamous Libels, and so do they take him as it were out of his obscure Tomb, and place him towards the East, by which it may appear to every one what an incomparable Man he was; to the performance of which, I will not refuse to lend my poor help, though small, (God permitting.)

He doth afterwards add, that there are three great Treasures hidden, which whoever shall find, shall triumph very nobly; the places which Paracelsus points at, and where those Treasures are hidden, are, where the Metals are digged; and indeed such places they are, as in which there lies hidden the highest Tincture, and which otherwise is not to be found neither in Gold, nor Silver, nor in all the other Metals, or Minerals.

I do think that Paracelsus knew these Minerals, and made a Tincture of them, and thereupon was willing thus obscurely to describe such Treasures.

He that shall find, that is dig it forth, and shall know the way of preparing a Tincture thencefrom shall doubtlesly be magnified, especially if he will disclose them unto others.

Now I believe that if these Treasures should be digged out by some godly, honest, and wise Man, (for the finding them is denied unto reprobates) would not hunt after or affect vain Glory, but be contented in that he knows it: But it is not convenient to open or disclose what this Minera is, wherein God hath put such a singular Tincture, and which he hath hidden from the proud and covetous. But seeing that all things reside in the hands of God, who can give unto his own People that which he denies unto others, I do not at all fear any one’s exhausting so easily a Treasure lying so profoundly hidden, although I should make known this subject.

Thus much I have experienced, that there lies in them a much more excellent Tincture than in the other Metals or Minerals, but I do not boast that I have thence drawn the universal Tincture and made it fix, for time and occasion would not as yet permit it. But I have often times in a particular way instituted a graduation of Luna, by the help thereof, insomuch that it hath left some fix’d Sol: Whereby I have observed, that many excellent and profitable things may be effected, when that volatile Tincture is by the rule of Art made fix’d and fluid. However I will make trial, if God shall vouchsafe me life and strength, and see what I shall thence obtain.

As concerning the name of the subject, it is called Magnesia Saturnina: which is found between France and Spain in the Piedmont Mountains; ’tis commonly called the Piedmont-magnesia, but ’tis very much unlike (to one another) for some of it is of a yellow colour, and this the Venetian Glass-men use, when they make Glass, that it may become pellucid and transparent. The Glass doth at first become of a purple or Amethist colour, but this colour abides not one hours space in the subject, but it evaporates, because it is not fix’d enough as yet, and then the Glass becomes wholly transparent and bright, but if they would have the Glass hold the purple colour, they presently work it up as soon as ever the Magnesia is therein molten. Many years agoe, when I attempted operations about things of less moment, and changed Crystals into variously colour’d Glasses, I found that this purple colour was not fix’d in the Fire; and that the Magnesia had in it many impurities, whereby my Glasses were obscured: But yet I attempted to extract from thence the pure Tincture by Art, and to free it from its unclean fæces, and to this end used various Menstruums, but yet effected nothing; until at length I saw that by mixing that magnesia with fix’d nitre, it was by boiling them in a strong Crucible, opened by the Nitre, from whence proceeded a delicate purple colour. I poured out the Mass and powdered it, and extracted it with hot Water, and passed the Liquor through a Filter, and then had I a most dainty purple fiery liquor, which did almost every hour (standing but only in the cold) change colour, so that it became one while green, then sky colour, another while of a blood colour of its own accord, then again presently it received other most elegant colours. Out of which liquor I did a-new separate the more pure part, and I used this red powder to tinge my Glasses, the which thing I indeed obtained, but because the Tincture was more fusile than the green stone it self which it was extracted from I was constrained to leave it off. However this I experienced, that there lies a mighty Tincture hidden in the said Magnesia, and thenceforward I pondered upon the business more deeply, and adjoined the Magnesia thus fusile unto Luna, and then I found some Sol: but I could not bring the work to any fuller perfection because of the want of time, & store of business. I am of that opinion that (by Gods permission) a Tincture may thence be extracted for Metals and Animals. These are my conceptions, but I well know, that the ignorant Momus, or Carper, will hence take occasion of mocking at me, but this I cannot at all hinder.

This Saturnine Magnesia in the Alps of Julia is much purer and excellenter than that Piedmont Magnesia, is and there is in it more Tincture, the which we may extract most easily by the help of Nitre, and albeit the Minera be of a yellow colour, yet is there extracted thencefrom by the benefit of Salt-petre, a most elegant Tincture, of a greenish colour, and is likewise one while purple; then sky colour, then again red, and by and by again it assumes a green colour, the which also is so fusile, it fixeth every Luna, and doth in some sort make it golden. These two Minerals I have often times handled, and have thencefrom gotten the green Lion, but have not proceeded any farther.

The third Treasure ’twixt Suevia and Bavaria, is not much unlike unto these two, and without doubt such kind of Treasures will offer themselves even in many other places where such Mountains & Mine-pits are found out, were but the right way of digging out and ripenning them, but known unto us; which knowledge is only granted unto the Sons of GOD.

These things was I willing to mention, that so it may be known what my opinion is as touching those Treasures. For I am firmly perswaded that the universal Medicine may be thence prepared, especially out of that which very much abounds shining in Metal resembling a vein of Lead, and yet yields not any Metal by fusion, because of its exceeding volatility, and of wholly flying away in the form of a vapour: Yet nevertheless, that Northern Lion is able to master it and to fatten its young ones thereby. And if GOD shall vouchsafe any one such a Treasure, he will verily find more Art-containing Books than is indeed needful. And whereas Paracelsus adds that the Lion out of the North will (after he hath found the aforesaid Treasures) become a Potent Monarch, this is easie to be believed, for he is enriched with the digged-out Treasures, and is able to manage his affairs as listeth him. He will be able to give whole Kingdoms unto others, and yet his power will not be diminished, he will in like manner be able to institute good precepts and government, and there will be a notable affluence of all things, insomuch that there will be nothing wanting. There are many Men would lead an honest Life, were they not constrained by poverty and need to do evilly.

The Northern Lion is able (when he hath found the Treasure) to abolish all these vices, and contrarywise recover a good political Governance, Peace and Quietude. For Wealth and Riches are able to transmute Strife into Peace, and these the Northern Lion can abundantly exhibit, insomuch that he may deservedly be Stiled a most Potent Monarch. But if so be that evil companion, viz. Sulphur be joined unto him, which may provoke him, he becomes more venomous than the Basilisk, and is able to kill in a moment of time, both Men and Beasts, yea to ruin Castles, Mountains, and Fortifications, and to annihilate them. But on the contrary when he hath found the Treasure, he becomes tame and liberal, and lays off his anger, and bestows on all Men sundry most acceptable gifts.

Furthermore, Paracelsus saith that a yellow Lion shall come out of the North, which shall dull the Eagles Claws; all which verily is to be only understood concerning Salt-petre’s transmuting virtue much conducing to a perfecter augmentation of the Metals, from whence ☉ and ☽ together with the Carbuncle may be atchieved; and not at all of a certain Northern King and the Roman Eagle. For the yellow and fiery Lion which is here treated of, is fixt Nitre, and if it be joined to the volatile Eagle, that is, to the volatile Corrosive Salt; this (Eagle) is overcome by that (fixt Salt) and is tamed, because the Corrosive virtue which it abounded withal, is taken away: So that he that is skill’d in Chymistry may well enough understand what Paracelsus drives at, and that he does not at all mean those Monarchs and Rulers, as may be gathered out of his Manual, where he Writes, that the Blood of the red Lion is to be commixt with the liquor of the white Eagle, and that from them by a due Coction is the universal Tincture to be extracted.

Therefore they do evilly that interpret the Writings, and these predictions of Paracelsus otherwise, they earnestly expect external Monarchs, but experience hath taught that those Lions do bring with them nothing but an hungry Stomach, which can hardly be well filled (or satisfied) with the Sheep and Lambs of all Countries. And I pray God, turn them from us and continue unto us Peace and Concord, which is most of all to be wished for.

Moreover Paracelsus further saith, that he was constrained to detect this Treasure and hidden secrets, to shew the nearest way to the description of the Philosophers-stone, which (Stone) whoever finds and knows how to open the Gate, he shall find a Carbuncle as big as an Egg, together with other Gems, which are conserved in a Chest made of Gold and Gems, and this Chest in a Golden Sepulchre, the Golden one in a Silver one, the Silver one in a Tin one, on which the Key is placed.

And now will there be any one so foolish as to interpret this according to the alleaged Words: No certainly unless he be deprived off the light of Nature. It was never heard off, that ever there was any Carbuncle found of the bigness of an Egg: neither the Roman, nor Grecian, nor Persian Monarchs are reported to have had such an one, and from whence then should Paracelsus only have the same? All Men therefore see that this Prophecy is not at all to be understood barely according to the Letter. Now in that he calls the universal Medicine a Carbuncle, he does not therein offend, because even other Philosophers have imposed upon their Tincture this very name, and this meerly because of the form it has, for if there is to be a certain Tincture that should tinge the white Metals into yellow Sol, it must of necessity be red; and therefore some of the Philosophers have likewise called their Tincture Hæmatitis, for likeness sake.

Nay more, forasmuch as it is mentioned of the Carbuncle that it shines in the night like a burning live-Coal, and yet such a stone was never any where seen or found, it necessarily follows that those things which are delivered thereof are not to be understood according to the Letter. The chiefest Lapidaries do Witness that they never saw it; the Oriental Rubies are the chiefest red Gems that we know of, of which there is scarce one found that is bigger than ones nail, which notwithstanding, if it be pure and shining, is sold for many Thousands of Duckets. In like manner, Granates are red, and of a meaner price, and shine no more in the Night than Rubies do. But that a shining in the Night like a live-Coal, should be attributed to a Carbuncle, is not done without cause; verily, the Authors of that thing are not at all to be supposed to be such Merchants, continually handling Gems, (as if they had ever seen such a stone): No, but they were the Philosophers themselves, whose words which they wrote of the prepared Tincture, the after Writers did falsly construe their meaning and understood it literally, perswading themselves that there was such a Carbuncle in the nature of things. 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 night, but let us rather perswade our selves as being thereto constrained by the Verity of the thing, that they did not in the least mean a natural stone, but a stone prepared by Art, and their Tincture. And this, the very Name it self seems to point out; for Carbo signifies a greater Coal; and Carbunculus signifies a little, or lesser Coal.

Now if so be that any one would endeavour to prove with Oaths to this blind, proud, and wicked World, that such a red stone shining by night, may be made of a Wood, or stone Coal, certainly every body would mock at him, and would say, That he propoundeth meer Lyes; and therefore no body ever dared (though he were never so certain of the Truth of the thing) to write ought of the same.

But some or other will say, Whence come you to know these things, and by what Notes or Testimonies do you prove that you are to be credited, as touching this Business, seeing no body ever writ that these things were so? To such an one I answer, That I leave every one at his liberty; for whether he believes my Sayings, or believes them not, ’tis all a case to me. However I say, that I can change by melting, a meer black Coal by the help of a Salt (but not common Salt) into a most red stone in one hours space. For Coals are nothing else but a fixt and volatile Sulphur, which if we will fix it, will be fixt; if we will volatilize it, it will be so. A wood Char-coal (though there’s much difference amongst them) should it lie shut up firmly & most tight in an Iron Vessel even for an hundred Years so as that no air get in, and should be (all that while) kept in a most vehement fire, yet would it not shew the least sign of being consumed or changed, but let but the air come unto it, and it will be reduced into ashes in a moment. If now you have understanding and sense, consider with your self more largely as touching this thing, and you will find many profitable and good things if GOD shall open unto you the Eyes of your mind: This red stone having the form of Glass, being poured out of the Crucible, shines in the dark like a burning Coal, according as is the Coal you prepare it of. And albeit that this Glass can perform many good things in Medicine and Alchimy, yet it is not at all the Stone of the Philosophers, which they call a Carbuncle, for that must be fixt, and resist the Fire, both which are denied to this Glass to be, for it is volatile, and can easily be changed by the Fires force.

I have several times made this stone of Salt and a Coal, but never had time as yet to bring it to a perfect fixation, and therefore I cannot determine certainly, what may be farther hereof made. However I would not have the lover of the wonders of GOD to be unacquainted with this, that (viz.) my said Stone of a Coal, or my red Carbuncle, if it be dissolved in the air, it yields a green fiery Liquor, which if smeared upon any Silver it gilds it as Sulphur does. If the Divine Clemency shall supply me with life and strength and that my enemies, and opportunity shall permit, I will some time or other set about the work of fixation, that so it may appear what is thence to be hoped for.

And now friendly Reader who art not addicted to either party tell me, whether or no there does not redound unto thee more light from this most brief treating of the Carbuncle, than from the obscure Lucerna or Candle of I. H. S. in whose Book there are indeed the names of a many Authors cited, but none of their Writings are explained, and therefore it is rather a bringing others into a Labyrinth, than a showing of the true way.

Paracelsus adds, that this Carbuncle is hid in a little Chest made of Gold and Gems, this Chest in a Golden Coffin (or Tomb), this in a Silver one, and finally this Silvery one in a Tin one; which sayings verily are to be taken or understood in a far other sence than they are uttered, as well as the words foregoing: For to what end should there be such a multitude and variety of Coffins? My opinion hereabouts is this: Forasmuch as there lies in Tin (as Paracelsus testifies in his Book of Vexations, when he saith, that Jupiter has much Gold in it, and not a little Silver) a spiritual Gold and Silver hidden, and that ☽ contains ☉, and ☉ contains Tincture, we are to understand these things of them, they being as so many Coffins.

But some may say, to what use serve the Tin and Silver, if they are to be removed afore we can come to the Golden Coffin, and get to that which contains the Carbuncle, may we not presently even at first dash seek such a stone in ☉, and leave Tin and ☽ untoucht? I could most easily satisfie such an objection, and give a sufficient reason of Paracelsus his Writing such things, but that I judge it inconvenient to communicate such things of so great a consideration (or moment) to wicked Zoilists or Carpers.

However I cannot here let this slip, viz. that there lies hid in ♃ an excellent Mercurial Liquor, which is thence extractable by the benefit of that Key which lies upon the Sepulchre or Tomb, viz. by the benefit of Salt-petre. This mercurial Liquor, loosens the bonds of ☽, and makes it fit, so as to be extracted (or made into the best ☉, out of which the Carbuncle is to be afterwards made, for every (kind of) ☉ doth not at all resemble the nature of a seed, but supplies the place only of an House or covering, which containeth seed in it, and which (covering) must of necessity be removed by him who desires the seed it self.

I have in other places shown how properly the metalline stock or nature may be compared to a Vegetable Apple: Saturn is the root of the Tree; Mars the Trunk or Body; Jupiter the Bark of the Trunk; Mercury the Juice contained betwixt the Bark and the Trunk; Venus the green Leaves; Luna the white Flower or Blossom; Sol the Fruit or Apple of the Tree containing the seed of the Vegetable.

Now then, even as it is a thing evident to all, that the Apple it self is not the seed of the Tree, but the Nut or Kernel is hidden in its inward part, so that the Apple doth only keep or hold in it the seed; even so in like manner ☉ is not at all to be accompted as the seed of Metal, but only as a preserver (and coverer over) of the seed. He now that lights on the true Key, which Paracelsus hath put upon the Golden Coffin, (viz.) the inside of Salt-nitre, he will be able to open, not only the Tin Coffin, but the Silver and Gold Coffin too, and to take that Coffin thereout of, which contains the Carbuncle and other Gems.

These are the things I was willing to publish according to my opinion, concerning that great Carbuncle lying so deeply hidden in those Coffins: I permit others to expound them otherwise, 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 have, it being an hard matter to tame an old dog; but I present them to such only as are the younger students of the true Hermetick Physick or Medicine, and who are not already drawn into various errors by the reading of many Authors. And he that refuseth to believe that even the greatest Arcana may be handled or treated of in a meer simple or plain Stile, and that they need not at all any prolixity, shall never attain his wish’d for end, though he were able to recite by heart even all the Philosophers Books. And thus much may suffice in this place.

Lastly, Paracelsus adds at the end of the Prophecy, that the most Great and Blessed GOD will grant to the finder out of these Treasures notable Power and Fortitude, whereby he may oppress all evils, detect good things, and get every profitable thing, certainly whoever he be that shall find such an universal Treasure, he will labour to suppress every noxious thing, and to disclose (on the other hand) whatsoever is any ways profitable for man-kind, and necessary, and this to the very utmost of his power. For the Philosophers say, Our Art doth either find a Man honest and godly, or it even makes him such an one; that is, it is altogether impossible for such an one that lights on such Treasures to be an ungodly Man, so, as for those highly precious gifts of God not to stir him up to godliness and Mercy.

I could render this Prophecy of Paracelsus more clear, but that I study to be brief, and could manifestly prove, that it is not to be understood according to the bare Letter, but that Paracelsus had regard to this great universal of the Philosophers, which is clearly enough hinted in these words which are mentioned at the end of the said Prophecy, viz. That all evils may be kept under, (or abolished) and that all good things may be drawn forth or advanced, and withal, all necessary and useful things may be gotten. These words do openly enough point at the universal Treasure of the Philosophers, by which all evil is kept under, and all good educed, and all necessary and profitable things acquired. On this wise are my Conceptions of them, let another interpret them according as seems him good. For when the Lion shall have found the said mineral Treasure, he will be incited or stirred up to such a great passionate wrath and power, that is able easily to dull the edge of the Eagles Claws, that is, his adversaries. ’Tis impossible for the Eagle to get such a Treasure, but a thing most easie to the Lion; For there is not a subject in all nature that can make the Lion so fiery and powerful as the magnesia Saturnina can, and therefore it easily tames all Corrosives, and cuts off their Claws. Experience confirms the things I here mention, and therefore I will say no more: Yet however I think it expedient to add this one thing more of the nature and properties of the Lion and Eagle.

It is sufficiently manifest, that the Eagle is called the King of all Birds, and the Lion the King of all four-footed Beasts. Not, as if the Eagle were the greatest amongst the Birds, and the Lion the strongest and greatest Animal amongst the Beasts: No, no, There are bigger Birds and Beasts than the Eagle or the Lion; Geese, Swans, and our Country Storks are bigger than an Eagle, (I omit to speak of the other huge Birds in Asia, Africa, &c. Amongst which the Ostrich is reckoned for one, which is as big almost as a Horse, and runs swifter than a Horse.) Then, for Beasts, there are some of the (like proportionable stature) as the Rhinoceros and Elephant, which fear the Lion no more than the Ostrich and other (great) Birds do the Eagle; yet nevertheless do they acknowledge the Lion and Eagle for King, and that deservedly too, because of the Velocity, strength, valour, and other virtues that those Creatures have.

But yet Historians rank the Griffin and Dragon amongst the Birds and the greatest Animals. They paint (or describe) the Griffin, a winged Animal, one half part resembling a Lion, the other half part an Eagle; the Claws, Wings and Head like an Eagles, the other part of the body like a Lions. But this is a Philosophical and Poetical Fable, by which they would disclose and lay open other Mysteries and Arcana’s. For there is never to be found in all this whole compass (of the World) such a Dragon as flies in the Air or spits out Fire; but all these sayings, point at Salt-petre. 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-back; these and greater things than these can Salt-petre do; for ’tis able to blow up whole Castles and Fortresses with many myriades of Men into the air; and would to God this were not so well known. The Philosophers have only shadowed out their Dragon amongst other Birds. Our Dragon never dies but by the help of his Brother and Sister, that is of the fixt Lion, and corrosive fluid Eagle, the which thing may be likewise said of the Griffins. For of the fixt burning Lion, and fluxil or fluid corrosive Eagle, there is created no other thing but a Griffin, part Eagle and part Lion, which lifts (or blows) up Mountains of most vast weight; when they fight each with the other they kill one another and are raised up again out of the dead Carkass. And thus there are regenerated (or again born) other Lions and other Eagles out of the Griffin, and (if you are so minded) both the Lion and also the Eagle may be fed and fatted with the common Flesh of other Wild Beasts, so as thence forward they may generate innumerable Griffins, which you may use not only in time of War against the Enemies, but also in the Mountains, to dig out Treasures thence, and being digged to carry them into the Nest.

NB. It is reported of the Griffin that he gathers much Gold which he carries with him into his Nest; But all these things are to be understood of the strength and virtues of Salt-petre; 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 men.

And now let us enter with the Philosopher Virgil, into the dark Cave or Den of the Sybill, and let us see whether or no we can find the Book there (that is Salt-petre) wherein are found all the secrets of nature: Or rather, let us enter into the Stable with the three wise Men or Kings that came from the East, and let us there seek the Son that was born of a Virgin, who is the King of the World & the King of all Kings, and let us apparel or adorn him with due gifts or presents, that his age & strength may grow up and be augmented, & he may at length drive away the Diseases of his three brethren, viz. of the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral. This Infant needs not Gold, Myrrh, and Franckincense for his sustentation, but we will bestow upon him instead of Gold, Myrrh, and Franckincense, three other things for multiplications sake; common Sulphur shall supply the room of Gold; common Salt, of Myrrh; the external green boughs of Firr or Elder, of Franckincense; thereof will we make his Bed, and these shall be his coverings.

The Salt which is animated by the Sulphur and converted into Milk shall be his food, so long until he becomes great and strong enough, yea a Potent Monarch, and then will he gainfully reward his Tutor (or Guardian) Joseph, for his laborious Wardship.

The Magi and Philosophers observed the Star of our Infant, which shineth so brightly as that it dazles the sight of the beholder; nor can any one look long upon it without hurting his sight, and thereupon it is worthily called the Son of the ☉: For there is not any clear or bright light without the Sun, the Country fellows therefore do not perceive such a light, but the Chymists can (whensoever pleaseth them) make and see such a light.

The things which I here declare concerning the nativity of Salt-petre, are most easie to be understood. It is generated or born in the Stables, The ☉ is its Father, the ☽ is its Mother, the Wind conveys the Paternal seed in a spiritual manner, into the moist Earth of the Stable, by which, the Virgin Earth being impregnated doth after due time produce its young to light.

NB. That Earth which produceth and conserves Herbs, Grass, and Metals is called the Mother; and that Earth which doth not produce (as in Stables, &c.) is as yet to be accompted as a Virgin, which doth afterwards yield so noble an offspring. No Earth out of which, Herbs, Trees, and Minerals are born doth ever conceive again, or ever intermits the production of such things, and for that reason is it called the Mother of all things. But now that Earth that is found in Stables, which conceives neither the Solar nor Lunar beams, nor is moistned with either Rain or Dew, cannot produce any thing, unless the beams are conveyed thereinto from the Sun by the Air, then the impregnated Virgin in the Stables, brings forth an offspring, which is by the Philosophers presented for its sustentation, with a threefold kind of gifts; to wit, Sulphur instead of Gold, and that being in like manner fixt and most pure; with Salt instead of Myrrh, which is pure and preservative, and with the Juice or Resin of the Firr-tree, or Elder, instead of sweet smelling Franckincense. These three things are the Aliment or food of the new Infant; The Green Boughs of the Firr or Elder, do furnish him with a Bed for his Cradle; The Sulphur and Salt yield him sweet milk to nourish him; so that there needs not any thing else but a good overseer, Joseph, that may keep off the Rain and the cold Air from this Infants Bed.

By such a means as this may we nourish our most tender Infant and advance him to his Kingly Monarchy; when he shall arrive thither he can make all his Brethren sound and rich: For the Vegetables do only desire profitable and convenient food, or some fat earth, whereby they (being well and sound) may attain to their perfection and encrease themselves; which thing Salt-petre does better than any other.

Nor do the Minerals desire ought else but that the impurity and superfluous Sulphur be taken away from them, that so they may (after a perfect Purification) cast forth their seed, that is Gold; and this, Salt-petre does most perfectly. Then Lastly, the Animals seek not after other food than what the Earth supplies them withal, which to effect, Salt-petre must of necessity be at hand.

Salt-petre therefore is the only preserver of all Vegetables Minerals and Animals, but the soul of Man doth not at all belong thereunto, for it is the propriety of Jesus Christ; but as for the bodies, Salt-petre is the most profitable medicament. Whatsoever I have here produced in this place, I have already Written the same in other places of my Treatises, in another kind of manner and expression, and therefore I suppose it to be plainly needless to make any farther addition: He that will not be able to light his dark Candle at this shining light, will be blind all his life time, and consequently incurable.

As concerning the preparation of Sulphur with Salt, how it is to be made a Lac Virginis I have already mentioned it abundantly in many places. And as for the making of the Cradle or Bed, and what form ’tis of I shewed about the beginning of this Work: So that now there remains nothing behind but the applying the hands to the work, if we desire to get honour and goods from (this) principal Monarch.

Salt-petre is the only Artificer to reduce Metals unto their first matter, or of making them Astral. For the Stars are nothing else but pure fire. They exercise fiery Operations, and produce fiery things; like as the Vegetables do putrefy by the Salt-petre in the Dung, and are reduced unto perfection and multiplication, without which putrefying there can never be made any multiplication of the Vegetables, as Christ himself witnesseth; if the Wheat does (not) putrefy in the Earth it can produce no fruits. The like is in the Animals too, yet especially in the Eggs of Birds, which said Eggs must stink and rot afore the hatching of the Chicken comes. Therefore in vain have many tried so to defile (or putrefy) Metals and reduce them to their first matter. Now though the Philosophers tell us that Metals are to be first putrefied afore they can be multiplied, yet they meant not such a putrefaction, but the putrefaction of Metals must be done by the help of fire, and withal must be so effected by Artificers, here below, as the Metals are wrought by the Stars in the Heaven, for we must imitate Nature. And forasmuch as nature generates all Metals by a Celestial Fire, therefore the Artist must go no other way, but must imitate nature if he would do any good on’t.

As for Vegetables and Animals, we willingly allow them a moist putrefaction, but for the Metals, a dry and fiery putrefaction suits with them, and which may be perfected in two or three hours space, as may be seen in my Continuation of Miraculum Mundi, and in (my) Testimony of the Truth, [or Explication of Miraculum Mundi:] And this is the only cause (or rock) against which many have fallen, and so have not gotten any good thing, (or profitable.) Now, afore putrefaction it cannot be enceased; and every thing which induceth a putrefaction into other things must of necessity consist of two contraries in its nature: Water poured upon Water remains Water, and there is no change wrought; but from Fire and Water do many wonderful things proceed. If we pour the corrosive Spirit of Nitre, of Salt or Vitriol upon another corrosive Spirit, they easily embrace each other and are commixt without noise, and there is not thence generated any new thing, but it always remains an acid corrosive Spirit. If we put one strong Lixivium to another like Lixivium, there is no noise (or hissing) stirred up, nor any change made; but now if we mix that same Lixivium with a corrosive Spirit the one operates upon the other, being both contraries, and there is generated of them both somewhat of a middle nature, which has not the likeness of either. This now is clearly evident in strong fixt Nitre, or any other Lixivium of Wood, when it is poured into Aqua-fortis, and they act one upon the other; then of them both, there proceeded a certain middle thing, viz. burning Salt-petre, which brings all things to putrefaction, and promotes or advanceth their multiplication, the which thing is after a sort known in the Vegetables, and Animals; but as for the Metals, the Philosophers have accompted it as a secret even to this very day; and therefore hence comes it to pass that there hath been so much erring in putrefaction (which is the very key of the Art) and nothing hath hitherto been brought unto the wish’d for end.

Forasmuch therefore as Metals ought to be putrefied by the Fire, we do not find any thing more commodious than Salt-petre, which in one hours space, putrefieth all the Metals prepared aforehand, and multiplies them, viz. when a commodious and moist Matrix is put into the Fire, wherein (a man) may put his (metalline) seed to be therein multiplied; for seed is not multiplied without a Matrix, and this is daily observable in the Vegetables and Animals.

Now, as a Vegetable seed needeth for its multiplication a fat and moist Earth, and an Animal Matrix; so likewise the seed of Metals needs a metalline Matrix, without which it cannot be multiplied: And by how much the more apt and commodious the Matrix is, so much the more noble is the Fruit, and so on the contrary.

So then, by this time all men know that by how much the stronger and better the contraries be, so much the better are the fruits, as hath been already said. The stronger the Aqua-fortis is, and the more fixt the Salt or Lee is, that are mixt together, the better and the more plenty of Salt-petre is there generated. But especially if we concentrate corrosive Spirits by Metals & do make them (thereby) yet more corrosive, as also if we concentrate fixt Salts by Flints, and so make them yet more fiery, they do then perform many wonderful Operations. For whereas the bare contraries do yield but only Salts; being concentrated, they do yield forth fruits that break out as if it were Trees: Concerning which you may see in the second part of the Furnaces, about the Liquor of Flints. This is that which we see and believe, viz. that by how much the more the contraries are contrary to each other, so much the greater product is there of Fruits. But because Fire and Water are naturally exceeding contrary to each other, therefore do they also produce the greater fruits, viz. Metals, which are greater than either the Vegetables or Animals are.

NB. If the Artist can think upon a yet hotter Fire than the common Fire is, and a colder Water (than usual) and know where to find them, such will of necessity likewise produce Metals that are more excellent than the Vulgar.

But seeing that amongst all the fires there is not given a hotter than Salt-petre, a cold wife is to be associated unto him, and the wedding is to be celebrated in Hell, then will both of them leave (behind them) Sons of Riches and Health.

’Tis an usual custom throughout all Germany, haply other Kingdoms have the like, that when two contract Matrimony, the Bridgroom and the Bride, are led into the bathes two or three days afore the Wedding is Celebrated, and they are there wash’d, to the end that they may be the more acceptable to each other: And although they put on their best apparel and do adorn themselves with most clean dressings, yet do they at last put off all their fine Ornaments when they desire to conjoin themselves and multiply.

The same is here to be understood of the new metallick multiplication: If each party be but only sound & of a good constitution (though the outward raiment be vile) yet are they able to beget as fair Children, as Royal Persons, (who are loaden with Gold, Silver, precious Stones, and Pearls,) can. Hence it is apparent, that the Garments contribute nothing to the business, but that the multiplication doth solely depend upon the soundness and good constitution of the bodies; and this Pythagoras well knew, and willingly left it to posterity, 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 death, again into the next: Hence it was, that he fell into a great errour, when he concluded, that the same was also true as to the transmigration of the soul of man, and the order therein the same; to wit, that the soul of one man did not presently pass into another man, but as well into Sheep, Birds, Fishes, &c. And for that reason, his successours, (a great part of whom inhabit Africk) will not to this day kill so much as a little Worm, fearing least that they should kill such an Animal, as contains in it the soul of their Father or Mother. Besides too, he signified that the soul of a man was better and more pleasant in Frogs than in the most Potent King. Without doubt this errour arose from hence, viz. his seeing the souls of Metals that are forced out of their bodies, to occupy or possess the nearest and more commodious subjects. By how much the purer the Subject is that the soul of Metals finds or lights on in its departure (or going off from the Metals) the willinglier doth it possess it. We Christians have a more perfect knowledge of the soul given us than was given Pythagoras, but if we speak of Metals, then this saying of Pythagoras hath good foundation, which thing, no experienced Philosopher will ever be able to gain-say or confute with truth. This we know most certainly, that God doth esteem the soul of a beggar as much as of a King; the bodies do indeed make the difference for some bodies are better adorned than other some. Likewise, the noble and not adulterated Alchimy teacheth us that the soul of ♂ or ♀ is as good as the soul of ☉ is; herein is the difference between them, that their bodies are bigger and stronger, and so their noble soul is contemned and rejected by the ignorant, because of the rude grossness of their bodies. Hereupon, the curious searchers of nature have laboured to destroy those gross bodies, and to draw out their pure soul, that they might translate it into better and purer bodies, (the which thing also succeeded according to their desire) and by the extracted souls they transmuted the imperfect and impure bodies of the Metals into most pure Gold: Nor were they ignorant of the Artifice of particularly purifying the gross and impure bodies of the Metals, like as the sick bodies of men being purified by the virtue and help of medicaments are restored to their former health and vigour. For when an impure Patient meets with an expert Physician whom he (viz. the Physician) undertakes to cure, he doth first of all (if his Patient haps to have the Itch, Scabs, the Scurvy, Lues Venerea, Pustules and other stinking sores) prescribe him a purge whereby all the impurities may be first expelled. Then he permits the sick person to use a sweating-house, or stove, in which he may sweat so much as to be very much debilitated by the heat. Lastly, he brings him into a Parlour or Chamber that has a pure air in it, to refresh him, and therein he manageth the cure of him, until he hath recovered his former health and purity; and if the sick be not made clean or pure by the first purgation and sweating, he reiterates the same remedies as often as need shall require, and till the sick be perfectly freed from impurities.

Just so, doth the skilful Chymist proceed in the purification of the imperfect Metals, for he expels all the excrements which they are in an especial manner endued (or soil’d) withal, viz. the impure and stinking Sulphur by the help of the fire, and by the help of little appropriated stoves (or pots) even until they get their due purity; Art therefore imitates Art. But if so be that all Physicians were skill’d in Alchimy and Astronomy we should not need such plenty of Coffins, for in them (viz. Alchimy and Astronomy) one true Art doth continually produce out of it self another.

The Astronomer when he would give a man his judgment as to the manner and term of his life, doth first of all look to the hour of the nativity, and fisheth out what condition that aspect is of, that doth at that time bear chief rule in the Firmament, which when he hath found out he doth by the means of calculation, predict what good or what evil things will befal the Child (or party) whilest he lives.

Although these prognostications are not at all Infallible, yet are they not therefore by any means to be totally rejected. For we oftentimes find many things true by experience which otherwise we would not credit: Nor is it so much without reason that we so esteem them, but this ought not to be done compulsively (or, as if they forced us) for ’tis the usual Proverb, The Stars incline, but do not necessitate. For like as a man that is born under an evil aspect may by doctrine and information be made good, so that here the aspects may be of no moment; so on the other hand, we often find that such an one as is born under a most excellent aspect is corrupted and depraved by his conversation with evil men. And these very things doth even Alchimy demonstrate the truth of: For even as soon as ever the Infant is born & begins to suck in the air, he doth even then attract such influences (according to the opinion of Astronomers) as the Stars do that very hour emit from themselves upon the inferiour bodies (or things here below,) and so consequently he imitates the nature of these: Even so the new born Metallick Infant, doth in the moment of his birth attract a metallick Astrum or Constellation, like to that which did at that time bear the chief sway, and so consequently receiveth qualities like the qualities of this Star or Astrum. And although that the metallick Infant were made a partaker of a good Star (or aspect) the first time of its nativity, yet notwithstanding it may be accidentally infected afterwards, so as thence to become an evil Metal: And on the other hand, that which was bad at the first may be reduced to that pass by Art and a convenient discipline of the fire, as that the best Metal may thencefrom proceed, and this, experience witnesseth every day, nor can it be denied by any but such from whom the light of nature lies hidden.

If now the superior Stars can exercise such great virtues, what hinders but that the inferiour ones may exercise the same if not greater, provided we but rightly govern and tame them. The superiour Stars are not at all subject unto our power, they are submitted or put under God’s guidance only. But the inferiour ones may be handled by us according to our pleasure. The Physician may apply them to Medicine, the Chymist may apply them to Alchimy. He then to whom the knowledge of using the inferiour Astrums aright, is granted, may use them with most great honour, and eminent benefit, whether he be a Physician or a Chymist, which (said Astrums) others are constrained to leave untouch’d to their great disgrace and loss. But men now adays are too much given to laziness and sloath, so that there are but few to be found that will search after nature’s Secrets. A many there are that challenge to themselves the title of learned Philosophers and yet are altogether ignorant of the foundations of true Philosophy. There is not in this age scarce any esteem at all, of true Philosophers, though notwithstanding they deal with us so sincerely and do clearly set afore our Eyes, the interiours of nature, and leave us excellent Writings. So Pythagoras whom we mentioned afore did upon this accompt suppose, that, (because he saw the souls of Metals to be carried out of one body into another, and to Operate as well in this body as in the other former, and consequently to animate this, and make it more perfect,) the case was the very same with the human soul, and by this means he directed as it were his successours to the universal and particular work of Metals.

And even just after the same manner hath Virgil done, when he would that his Carcass should be cut into pieces, and be reduced unto a Life by a continual instillation (or dropping in) of burning Oil. Perhaps the occasion of his falling into those cogitations was this, either because he observed that the dead metallick bodies were by the operation of the Fire, and addition again animated, and so he perswaded himself that the like might possibly be done in man; or that well knowing the impossibility of doing this thing he would give an occasion to such as came after, more curiously to search, and so was willing to point out with his Fingers as it were at the multiplication and propogation of the metallick bodies (as Pythagoras, of the souls.)

Most certain it is, that it will not be any difficulty to him that knows Nitre aright, and can so order it as to operate in metalline bodies in the form of fire, to multiply Sol (in an universal way) and to make the viler Metals more perfect (in a particular way.) And this I was willing here to add. ’Tis well for him that useth the gifts granted him by God, to his glory and the benefit his neighbour.

And thus much may suffice to have been spoken in this place concerning the nativity and multiplication of Salt-petre, and the Potent Monarchy; more shall be spoken upon some other occasion if God please.

Now follows the use and benefit of =Salt-petre=.

Having thus shown the Generation of Salt-petre out of every Kingdom, viz. of the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Kingdom; it now remains yet, briefly to shew what wonderful things the same doth effect in Medicine and Alchimy, which thing we do not find that ever any one of the Philosophers did perform, but kept all to themselves for secrets.

Forasmuch therefore as I have made a beginning of the thing already in the second part of this Book, where I spake of a certain moist separation; that is, I there delivered that it is possible to extract Gold and Silver out of all (yea even the most vile) Metals, by the benefit of a nitrous Water, so as that any one that will but set his hand to the work may thence get his sustenance most plentifully; it seems a thing necessary to finish what hath been already well begun.

Now forasmuch as I did in that place let pass the describing the manner it self of Extraction, a many Friends have much desired an illustration of the things there spoken, but I could not hitherto by any means satisfie their petition, because that the abundance of my imployments denied me the time of Writing.

Now therefore I have determined both to gratifie these and others by opening this most noble artifice, but yet so, as that I will reserve some things unto my self, that so all things may not be made so common to my Enemies. And if so be that any of my Friends desire a more plain explication, and desire an addion of the things I have omitted here, it will be an easie matter unto me to satisfie their requests.

This Art therefore doth not only conduce to this, viz. to extract fixt Gold and Silver out of all sand, earth, stones, yea and out of the more vile Metals (or Ores of Gold and Silver; (but also to extract the volatile and immature Gold, and Silver, and to make it fix, and that in such a compendious manner as that it will be a matter of (in a manner) no costs or labour: Nay more, if so be there cannot be had any poor Metals, Stones, or such like subjects that contain in them Gold and Silver (though even these are plentifully enough to be had in every part of the World): Yet nevertheless may that Art be exercised with profit, about even the imperfect Metals such as ♂, ♀, ♃, ♄, ☿, Calmei, Zink, Bismuth, Cadmia, Arsenick, Auripigment, Granates, Talk, Smiris, Hematitis, and such kind of Fossiles, are; and which contain ☉ & ☽, partly fixt, and partly volatile, and may be commodiously extracted by the help of a nitrous Water.

Besides too, most excellent Gold may be in like manner profitably separated out of all such things as are made by Art of Silver, whether they be gilded with Gold, or not, insomuch, that if there be but a most few grains contained in a large portion of Silver, they may be separated with gain. And if so be any be so minded to impregnate the separated ☽ again with Gold, that so it may again yield Gold by a following separation, he may most easily do so; yea, this operation may be so often repeated after this wise until all the ☽ pass (by Graduation) into Sol, which thing may be compared to a perpetual durable Mine-pit of Gold, and is perfected by the benefit of Salt-petre only; and therefore it both may and ought to be called and that deservedly a Store-house and comfort for mankind. For when we prepare that Salt-petre of medicinal Subjects, all the Salt-petre doth not put on the form of christals, but much of it abides permixt with the water, which water doth abound with a most notable nitrous virtue of thoroughly promoting Christallization, insomuch that the seeds of Rye, Wheat, Millet, Oates, Beech-wheat, and such like, when they are macerated or steeped therein some due time, afore they are sown in the Earth, do multiply themselves extraordinarily, so that we see 3, 4, 6, yea and sometimes 20 plants spring forth out of one single Grain.

With the same nitrous Liquor too, (so it be prepared of true medicinal things, may be made a most excellent Medicine (which may be in a manner compared with potable Gold, and by the help of which, great diseases and as it were incurable, are happily healed) and that in a few hours space.

Forasmuch therefore, as such a Kingly medicament (of which I have made some mention in the Second Part of my Pharmacopœia Spagyrica, where I treated of nitre) & such a most excellent & incomparable dunging of the Ground, may, together with the Salt-petre, be prepared & instituted; so most easily & almost without cost, (on which depends the health of the body, and fertility of the Ground, whether you respect Corn, or Wine, or Hops, or any other things, that man useth instead of Meat and Drink for the sustaining of Life; or else the extraction of ☉ and ☽ out of all the most abject Subjects every where found) may we not justly pronounce thus much of Salt-petre, that it is altogether profitable and commodious to all men; and therefore well worth the searching after, and the application to the use of Man.

Therefore like as by the help of Salt-petre, we see we are able to get all such things as an honest man seems to need, such as are Food, Drink, Health, yea and ☉ and ☽ too, and all this most plentifully and perfectly: so on the contrary, the use of this Salt-petre is very hurtful when it is used for evil, and this is sufficiently seen in the time of War. Yet nevertheless we should not esteem less of it than it really is, because of its being abused, but rather the benefits attending it (which are very many) should stir up our minds to make a diligent enquiry into it. The end of the World is at hand, and sundry things are detected, which the ancients reserved amongst the highest Secrets, but they are but little esteemed; some of them, I will here exhibit and show unto you.

Now follows the Process, Operation, or Manner of extracting =Sol= and =Luna= out of all the Metals with Profit.

That you may gainfully extract ☽ out of the Metal (or Mineral) of Silver, Litharge, stones, and the like fossiles, which have ☽ in them, First of all you must commit them to the fire, that they may be made red hot (but yet this needs not be done with sand) then powder them, and put them in a Glass Cucurbite, pour thereupon as much Aqua-fortis as is sufficient, put this Cucurbite in a pan full of sand, and then heat the sand by little and little by putting Fire thereunder; that so the Aqua-fortis may by the help thereof attract the ☽ out of the powder; then pour off the Aqua-fortis from this powder, and pour it upon the other like conditioned powder, that it may also extract the ☽ out of that too, and this decanting and pouring on, must be repeated so often until there be no more dissolved.

The Aqua-fortis is always diminished or wasted because some of it adheres to the Metal, and therefore must there always be other Aqua-fortis put in the room of that which is wasted; The Aqua-fortis which adheres to the Metal is to be thence separated by the benefit of boiling, on this wise; Pour common Rain-water upon the Metal contained in the Cucurbite, and mix it well by strong shaking of the Glass, then heat the sand so as to make it boil, and so that hot water will draw to it self the Aqua-fortis out of the Metal, which said water contains ☽ in it. Then when this water is abstracted by inclination or pouring off, put on some Rain-water a second time upon the powdered Metal remaining in the Cucurbite, and this will extract that which the former water left of the Aqua-fortis partaking of ☽ (unwash’d off:) and so let nothing of the ☽ remain in that metallick powder; when it’s thus done the matter is to be thrown away as altogether unprofitable, unless there lies hid therein any Gold; which if it be so, we must pour some Aqua-Regia thereupon, and order the operation according to the foregoing method; then mix both the strong waters together, both that which extracted the ☽ and that which extracted the ☉, mix them diligently, and there will thence arise a certain white Water, and the solution will be like Milk; For the ☽ cannot abide the Aqua-Regia, but there will precipitate a white powder which snatcheth (or precipitateth) down with it self out of the Waters the Gold too. We may make use of the decanted Water to extract ☉ out of the other Metals; for the pouring on of the Aqua-fortis with the ☽ in it, to the Aqua-Regia, doth not at all take away ought of the virtues.

Upon the precipitated powder of ☉ and ☽ hot Rain-water is to be several times poured, that so all the sharpness of the Aqua-fortis may be extracted. The powder of the ☽ is to be put upon some Cap-paper and dried. And as for the way of separating the ☽ from the ☉ we will presently teach in what follows.

The edulcorating waters as well of ☉ as of ☽, are to be all of them mixt together, and then the ☽ will settle to the bottom, and attracts the ☉ which was in the other water (or washings): so that there remains not any either ☉ or ☽ in the edulcorating Water (or washings): nor are these waters of any farther profit as to the work of separating as afore, yet notwithstanding there may be made excellent Salt-petre of them, as we shall mention in what follows.

When you have rightly edulcorated and dried the precipitates of ☉ and ☽, they are to be put into a strong Crucible, this Crucible is to be placed in a Gentle fire, until the matter therein contained doth flow, which is easily done, for it is very fluxile; as soon as ever you perceive it flow, turn it out, for fear least any of it should penetrate the Crucible, and so bring damage or loss to the Operator. When the ☽ is poured forth, you will find the ☉ sticking to the sides and bottom of the Crucible like pale Gold, altogether Crude and not at all fluxile. The ☽ turn’d out is brittle, fusile, and volatile, and is by the Chymists call’d Horny-Luna, but I call it the ☿ of ☽, it being of excellent use in Alchimy, as shall be shown in what follows.

The Crucible in which that ☉ remained may be kept to melt such like precipitates of ☉ & ☽ in again; when this hath been done pretty often (in the same pot) melt down this ☉ by adding a little borax, and you shall receive a palish Gold, because in this first melting, some of the ☽ doth adhere thereunto.

This now is the common way of separating these precipitates of ☉ and ☽ from each other, there shall follow a better way in what ensues.

NB. That if so be, both the Metals are boiled in a strong Lixivium after their edulcoration; or if some fixt Salt made of a Lixivium, be powdered and permixt with it afore melting, then the ☉ and ☽ are reduced together, and may be afterwards separated by the help of Aqua-fortis: There is yet a more accurate way; (and it is this) when we mix the edulcorated Calxes of Luna and Sol with ( A. ) and being mixt put them in a coated Retort, and put fire thereunder by degrees (as is wont to be done in destilling) and keep it for 6 or 8 hours in a continual Cementation; and so the volatile ☿ of ☽ is made fixt by the help of ( A. ) and corporeal: Yea and tingeth some part of the added ( A. ) so that by the benefit of this Cementation, the ☽ is made more Golden. This Cement is to be most finely powdered and to be reduced by the following melting: and you will find your ☉ and ☽ augmented. The melting is thus; Take of the best Salt-petre, and ( A. ) each alike: mix them, and separate the Spirit of Nitre by a Retort, which (Spirit) is much fitter for separation than simple Aqua-fortis: The Caput Mortuum remaining behind in the Retort, is to be powdered, the fixt Nitre is to be extracted with Rain-water out of the powder. This Lixivium or extracting Liquor will be of a green colour which is to be coagulated into a Salt by a due boiling; which Salt is able to reduce the ☿ of ☽; and to make aureous or Golden, yea, and to reduce the Cemented ☿ (of ☽) too.

NB. It is better to mix the fixt Salt-petre, or the Green Lyon simply with the horny ☽, to cement it in a Retort, than (to take it) out of the Retort, (and) reduce it with a stronger fire; and so we shall have an excellent augmentation of ☉.

NB. The Mercury of Luna cemented with ( A ) may be likewise reduced by this means, (viz. with this flux) that we take one part of Flints that will melt in the fire, and of the fixt salt of ashes four or five parts, and so mix them together, and melt them into a white glass; ’tis able to reduce the best Cements. And this is the best way of all of reduction.

Besides, all those ways of reducing a Cement, there may even this way too be instituted, and that not unprofitably. Take of the fusile Glass of Lead four parts, of the cementing Powder one part; melt them in an iron Crucible in a strong Fire, and some of the Lead will be reduced out of the Glass of Lead, and will be near (or partake of) ☽: This Lead is to be blown off on the Test, and you shall find an aureous ☽: But for as much as the Lead separated from the Glass of Lead in the iron Crucible, contracts a blackish colour from the Iron; it is profitable to add to the matter in the filling or melting, some Salt of Ashes, as being that by which the Lead becomes depurated, and so is easily separated on the Test.

But if so be, that (for this work) the Metals (of Minerals) of ☉ & ☽ cannot be had to precipitate the Mercury of ☽ out of them, (then) the artificially-made (vessels or plate) whether simply Silver, or else guilt with ☉, may be made use of; let these be dissolved with the Aq. For. left after the precipitation, & precipitated with Salt water or Aqua Regia, and be edulcorated and mixt with ( A ) and be fixt in a Retort. Now this Operation is to be done in a Retort, that so the precipitated ☽ that is altogether volatile, may not be wasted, which in a Crucible evaporates away, a good part of it, which cannot be so done in a Retort; for in a Retort, that which flies up, sticks in the Neck, and may be separated thencefrom, and be mixt with other Cements: And besides too, the Cement is easilyer separated from the Glass, than from an uneven Crucible; for some part always sticks thereon, and cannot be gotten off.

When you are minded to purifie this Cement sooner (or more speedily) it may be molten with an equal weight of Antimony, and there will arise from your golden ☽ a Regulus, which must be purified with Salt-petre. Concerning which work of Reduction, and which is far easier than that which is done by the help of the Glass of Lead, I have most clearly and fully handled it, in my Testimony of the Truth, or the Explication of my Miraculum Mundi. By this means every ☿ of ☽ may be rendred aureous, and that as oft as one will, yea, even until all the ☽ be changed into Gold by Cementation and Gradation. Now if you would otherwise separate ought of the aureous or golden ☽, or extract the Metals (where nevertheless you would reduce the separated ☉ and ☽) it may be effected by this means most commodiously and most gainfully of all, because the Calx of ☽ is made aureous by Cementation. This labour yields a continual augmentation of ☉, by which we may live very well and plentifully.

Another Augment or Encrease of =Sol=.

Dissolve ☽ or ♄ in Aqua Fortis, also ♃ in Aqua Regia: (NB. Let there be always thrice as much Silver as Tin;) mix the solutions very accurately, and when you see that all the matter is fallen down (or precipitated) to the bottom; pour off the water, which said water will very commodiously serve instead of Aqua Regia, to dissolve other ♃ in. NB. If your Aqua Regia be not strong enough, it will not at all dissolve the Tin, therefore in such a Case, you may pour on the Tin, Aqua Fortis mixt with simple water, which after they have a while acted upon each other, there must be some salt-water poured thereupon, that so the ☽ or ♄ may be precipitated to the bottom of the Vessel, in which (Vessel) the white ashes of the Tin ly. This matter lying in the bottom, is to be edulcorated, dryed, and reduced by a strong fire, by which operation you have not only an augmentation of your Luna, but it is likewise made golden.

NB. This business may also be thus managed, First, dissolve ♄ or ☽ in Aqua Fortis; to the solution add an equal quantity of Rain-water, pour this mixture upon ♃, and let the solution be made in a pretty warm place with sand; separate that which is dissolved, the matter that is yet somewhat harder, by decanting or pouring it off; then make the precipitation with salt-water, edulcorate it, dry it, and melt it, and you shall have Encrease.

But if this Mass will not so easily melt, then powder it, and mix it either with Antimony, Glass of Lead, or with a fluxing matter made of salt of ashes and flints, that thereby it may be made fluxile or meltable: That which is made fusile by the help of the Glass of Flints, is presently pure; so is not that which is done by the help of the Glass of Lead, for that must be hence separated, and be (by the benefit of ♁ and ♂) reduced into Reguluses, and be purified and washed by Salt-petre. Therefore it is the better way to promote the melting, with the Glass of Flints than with Antimony, because the ☽ may be afterwards separated without Loss, which is not so easie a thing for every one to do (otherwise.)

The Reduction which is made by the help of the Glass of Lead, is indeed (otherwise) a most easy way, but by that way which is done with Antimony, we get more ☉ than by any other way.

Another way of Augmenting =Sol=.

Take the golden Talck, Granates, Smiris, Hematitis, the aureous Scoria’s of Copper, the greenish, reddish, golden Flint, Sand, or Clay; extract their volatile Gold with a strong Aqua Regia; pour into the solution, a solution of Lead made by Aqua Fortis; mix it well; when the matter is settled, separate the Aqua Fortis by inclination; edulcorate the said Calx of ♄ with water, and dry it, and so have we gotten the volatile Gold extracted out of the Aqua Regia by the ♄: This volatile Gold is made fixt on this wise. Take the most subtle Powder of ☉, or its most thin Leaves, add thereto thrice as much of this ☿ of ♄; or four times as much, or six times, according to the quantity of it, by which we formerly got (or fish’d out) the volatile Gold: Set it in such a place where it may have a gentler heat, so as that the ♀ of ♄ may just flow, and not fume; the matter is to be thus kept in this heat for some hours, or rather days, that so the filings of ☉ or its thin Leaves may by little and little attract the volatile Gold out of the ☿ of ♄, and consequently be therewithal augmented.

NB. But seeing it is a most difficult thing to keep such a very temperate heat as that nothing at all of the ☿ shall fly away, and the ☉ shall not melt in the Crucible: It is better to put the ☉ mixt with the ☿ of ♄ in a coated Retort, and set it at a strong Fire for a season for so nothing of the ☿ of ♄ flies away, or penetrates the Crucible. That which ascends up to the Neck of the Retort may be separated, and be kept for common ☿ of ♄, out of which may be prepared a most excellent Medicine.

Another Augmentation of =Sol=.

Take of red Arsenick, Auripigment, Hungarian Antimony or Cinnabar one part, of ☿ of ♄ three parts, and some thin Plates of Gold; let them stand in a Glass Retort in a pretty hot place, and so the ☉ will attract the volatile Gold out of the added Minerals, and will thereby augment it self. And if so be that there be any thing sublimed up to the neck of the Retort it may be taken thencefrom, and be reduced to a kind of Tincture. And so we may here have a particular augmentation of ☉, and a matter whereout of a Tincture may be prepared.

NB. The vessel that is most fit for the fixation of the Tincture, is such an one as is made of fixt ♄.

NB. The ☿ of ♄ or ☽ may be reduced by a secret fusion (or fusile matter) whereby it presently yields an aureous ☽ or ♄: but especially this ☿ of ☽ or ♄, by the help of which, there hath bin a fixt or volatile Gold extracted out of the earth, stones, sand, and such like Minerals, is to be on this wise reduced, whereby we may receive (and get) as well the volatile Gold as the fixt.

Likewise too, the ☿ of ☽ or ♄ may be artificially distilled, purified, and prepared for a singular Medicament; But yet let no body perswade himself that such a distillation is to be perfected after the common way with retorts or cucurbites, for it is a meerly vain thing to hope for the separation of the pure from the impure that kind of way, for because the fire forceth up the good and bad alike, the which thing is not at all so done by my more secret Philosophical distillation; for by it, the most pure soul only of the Metal is driven up; as for the terrestreity that remains, it is separated of it self by that more impure (thing) to which it is conjoined, and makes a dirtyish slime. The purer part will be found (by the help of the Cementatory Copple) to contain both ☉ and ☽; as well the purer part of that which is prepared by it self of this (bare) ☿ of ☽ and ♄: as that which is prepared of such (a ☿,) as by whose help fixt and volatile Gold hath been educed (or gotten) out of the nitrous Water; which way also is a most compendious one, of reducing the (extracted) volatile and fixt Gold. For when we reduce this ☿ of ☽ or ♄ by the help of fusing things, some part of the ☉ may easily perish and evaporate: But now here, nothing at all perisheth: For that which does not remain (behind) in the said artificial distillation, and so separate it self from impurities, goes out (or passeth over) and yields a most excellent Medicament more excellent than ☉ it self, which you are well to observe.

Besides too, it is a thing most easie to be done to fix the soul of ☽ or ♄ (that is carried [or forced] up, together with the volatile Spirit,) in the said instrument with ☉; which to effect, there (otherwise) needs a longer time. Therefore even by this one only process is both made a most excellent Medicament, and withal, ☉ is gotten too. These things we have here exposed in very few and plain Words most agreeable to the truth, and do most exactly answer to experience; nor is there any reason of blaming me because of my speaking somewhat obscurely, seeing it is evident that not one of my Predecessors did ever exhibit (or publish) any of those things. Well, what shall I say? Excellent Gold may be extracted out of all the kinds of Metals, by the help of Salt-petre; yea with so much facility; that it would seem an incredible thing to most Men, though I should clearly set down all the circumstances, word for word: But yet this (extraction is) not (to be done) without the benefit (or help) of ☉ and ☽: For when we have a purpose of augmenting any thing, there must in the first place of necessity be the seed of the thing that is to be augmented, and according to the quality of the seed there must be a fit matrix in which it may take its growth or increase. For example, When we seek for the increasing of any vegetable seed, we prepare a convenient Earth for the same, to which Earth we commit that seed, and so the like sort of Herb buds forth, which doth again produce thousands of seeds; which seeds are again put into the Earth, and so are multiplied even to infinity. This multiplication of Vegetables is sufficiently enough known, and a most easie work it is to multiply a Vegetable, if we have but its seed, and that it be well conserved least it die. So likewise out of one Fire may be made many yea infinite other Fires, for one is always kindled by another. But when all the seed is dead, ’tis an impossible thing to produce a new seed.

Therefore the most Great and Blessed GOD, hath most excellently ordered it, so that the seed of Vegetables may be kept the year about; for if it should not be so, we might well fear the destruction of the chief Herbs in the Winter season, which now (by the benefit of their seeds sowed in the Earth) we are able to produce a new.

Now the progress or order of the seed of Animals is widely different from these, although that even they are committed to such like Animal bodies, as being their fruitful soil, for multiplication sake: But yet this sowing is done by a vastly different way from that of Vegetables; For we can keep the seed of the Vegetables, and carry it from place to place and so plant or sow it in any part of the Earth we please; which cannot be done with the seed of Animals for we cannot so conserve that, or transport it out of one place into another, or sow it as listeth us our selves. But it must be committed unto the matrix, in that very moment of time that it passeth out, for it cannot be fruitful and entire if it be but a moment of time out of the body. The sowing therefore and conception are performed both together by both bodies, viz. by the Male and Female. The cause of this thing is thus, because the seed of the Animals abounds with a volatile, invisible, and living Spirit; which once lost the work of multiplication is wholly taken away. Therefore like as one [Animal] multiplication is perfected so is the other, nor may we by any means transgress the course of nature.

In like manner are the Minerals also multiplied, and by the same manner that it is once perfected by, is it to be always after perfected by.

The Multiplication of the Vegetables and Animals is well enough known to every one, and is every where done, nor (by reason of its being so very common) doth it at all cause in any one an admiration; But the multiplication of the Minerals is not so publick a thing, for there are but a very few that understand it, though it be as easie as the multiplication of Vegetables and Animals, insomuch that I also believe, that there is not any one to be found, that is so stupidly foolish, that would not be able presently to apprehend and do the same, were the way but shown unto him. Now that there are so many that erre, and who walk in an unlawful or contrary path, this is not to be imputed to the art it self, but to those that meddle therewithal so inconsiderately, and do not imitate nature, who always keeps her course allotted her by God.

The Multiplication therefore of the Metals doth solely consist in the knowledge of the seed; for as the condition or quality of the seed sown is, like fruits will follow, such nature as the seed you sow is of, such fruits will you reap, and no other. For Example, I seek after ☉: Therefore I must first of all, of necessity have the seed of ☉, at hand, afore I can sow it or multiply it. Now to have this seed, we must not set about it with words or imagination, but by (getting) the knowledge of nature; for she shews us the safest way, if we did not withdraw our selves from hearing her teach us. Now like as she commits ☉ and ☽ to the Earth, even so, and no otherwise must we also do, if we hope for any good success.

And as we said above, that there lies hidden in every Vegetable and Animal seed, a certain vital or procreating Spirit, without which it is wholly unfit for ought; even so, there resides a certain Spirit in the Minerals, which vivifies and effecteth all, which being absent, death it self follows. This spirit is of no weight or form, and there is nothing to be seen by us but only the habitation or house wherein it dwells; so that scarce the thousandth part of the seed is life and spirit, all the rest is dead. The truth of this thing doth (among other things) appear even from hence, viz. if some Vegetable seed be kept beyond its due and naturally appointed time, whereby the Vegetative virtue and spirit vanisheth, it doth not yield any fruit at all, nor can it multiply it self, though it hath its former shape, bigness, and former weight. And therefore, there is not any thing in the three-fold Kingdom of either Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals, but is procreated and multiplied meerly and solely by the benefit of this spirit and implanted Life.

Therefore, even as all the Metals were first wrought after a spiritual manner by the Stars in the Earth (in a convenient Matrix) by the Stars, and made fix; so according as the Matrix it self is pure or impure, so pure or impure Metals are generated; now the Matrix of all things is water or moist earth, in which the Stars are congregated (or united together) are made corporeal, grow up, and are multiplied. Here therefore, if Art would imitate nature, there are required Male-like Astrums and Feminine Matrixes, in which the Astrums may exercise their operations. Therefore by how much purer the metallick Astrum or seed is, and the Matrix purer, so much the nobler effect is produced; and so on the contrary.

But seeing that there is not any Star nobler than ☉, nor Matrix nobler than ☽, there is no more required, but that we make common ☉ Astral by Art; and that we prepare ☽ on such wise, as that it may be instead of a Matrix, wherein the Astrums of ☉ may exercise his operations; and so without doubt, there will thence come such Children as will be like their Parents. Nor is there any ground for any one to think that there is any other way allotted to augment ☉ and ☽, besides that afore mentioned which is to be instituted in a spiritual manner: After this manner the World it self was Created, where the Spirit of God moved upon the Water and impregnated it; and even as we daily see that the Stars do impart to the inferiour things their virtues, and they are thereby multiplied; even so may we do the same by art in these inferiour things; for such as are above, are also beneath. Those above are beyond our reach; but the inferiour ones, not so: For art can do the same with or upon the inferiour things, as the Stars upon the superiour ones. As Hermes doth clearly demonstrate in the Smaragdine Table. He that understands these my sayings, will also understand those things, which Paracelsus delivers in his Book of the Vexation of Alchymists, in the 5ᵗʰ. Rule especially of ☽; and Basil (Valentine) where he treats of Sulphur.

It is a thing most easie to be done, but most difficult to be found out, to multiply even the most vile Metals, by the help of the Astrums, and by this secret way. He that well knows Salt-petre and can rightly handle the same, will by the help thereof perform a many profitable things; for as it is altogether impossible to get ☉ out of the viler Metals, without it: So on the contrary it is most easie so to do by its help. Briefly, He that knows how to handle Salt-petre aright, he will excellently well understand the Writings of the Philosophers, and let him know, that he has a light given him, to arrive unto great Secrets.

For we may extract ☉ and ☽, out of all the common meaner or viler Metals, so that an expert Chymist needs not seek after peregrine, or strange Materials. An excellent purification, fixation, and augmentation may perfectly be done by the help of Salt-petre, which being a thing that but few know of, so seems it impossible, and yet the things I propound are most true. It makes bodies volatile and spiritual, and by and by again makes them fixt and compact: So that unto it alone is that saying of the Philosophers due, (Make the fixt volatile, and the volatile fixt) and to no other Subjects: Now if Metals be not spiritualized, there’s no hopes of their augmentation. Of something must a nothing be made, and again out of the nothing must something proceed: So saith Paracelsus, which likewise is very true, though there are but a few that believe the same.

The melting together of variously mixt corporeal things, yields forth neither ☉ nor ☽: But contrarywise a spiritual Union which is done with a most strong heat, is a notable author (or promoter) of Multiplication; for the Spirits do most notably penetrate, and by variously acting upon each other, do induce alterations and meliorations, which is denied to dead bodies to perform. The Spirit doth diversly bestow a life, and vivifieth, but the body is of no other use, but to yield an house or habitation to the Spirit; the which is well to be regarded.

Those metalline Spirits (when the work is finished) do insinuate themselves anew into other bodies, which bodies they make far better than the former were, and all this by the help of Salt-petre.

Basil brings in Salt-petre speaking of it self on this wise. He that intends my death needs be a prudent Man, that so he may expel (or force out) my soul from me; when this is done, I adventure upon all the things I am able to do, but I can do nothing that has in it firmness (or substantially) in the bottom, (or radically): Venus is my chearful Woman, whom (in this place) I take to Wife, but the wedding is celebrated in the very inward parts (or center) where the sweat flows out of us both in a most plentiful manner. So the subtile (part) in us, expelleth all defilements, whence it is, that we leave behind us most rich Children, and do reserve (or keep in store) most eminent Treasures for the dead bodies, which we give them by our Will and Testament. Who would speak more clearly, and would not understand these words of themselves, (or as they are) without any interpretation.

The ancient Philosophers wrote, that at the rising of the Sun is a Bird found in those hotter Countries; which builds his nest with Gold; and when he is grown old, and can live no longer, he gathers together exceeding dry Wood, which being kindled by the heat of the ☉, consumes both the Nest and the Bird too, from the allies moistned with rain Water, they say there arise Worms which will be again changed into other Phœnixes.

These sayings are indeed Fabulous, yet nevertheless there is a most high secret disclosed by them: for if we rightly consider all circumstances, we shall find that Salt-petre is hereby meant, which gathers the Gold into his Nest, that is, extracts the Gold out of Metals, Stones, and Minerals, and doth afterwards increase his Family by the burning them. This to a wise man is enough.

Now that this Arcanum may be the more manifest, I will add over and above, another way of extracting the fixt and volatile Gold out of Stones and all kinds of Minerals, by the help of Salt-petre, and of making them corporeal.

We may very well compare this work to a fishing Trade, concerning which the Philosophers have written many things, but very obscure; Sandivog, hath more clearly treated of that thing, but Isaac Holland clearest of all. Verily this Philosopher was an excellent fisher of Pearls and an excellent presser of Cheese, and for this very reason he assumed to himself such a name. For Isacus by transposition of Letters is the same with Casius, (or Cheese) So that it may be said to be Holland Cheese; not that Hollandus was in very deed a maker of the usual Cheese with milk, but that he bears some kind of resemblance (in his work) with such Men: For he bestowed abundance of labour about working on that Universal, that hath some Cheese-like fashion in it.

Even as the Hollanders gather the greatest quantity of Milk more than all Nations besides, out of which they press their Cheeses, and so sustain them and theirs; so the more skilful Chymists do frame or make Cheeses after a Philosophical manner, and that out of Metals, Salts, and Herbs: and this very much agreeable to that method, according to which we see the Hollanders proceed in making their Sheep-milk Cheese, where they boil in the Milk some green Herbs, and so do thence extract a colour afore they set about the coagulating Or curdling of it. That is, they dissolve ♄ or ☽ in Aqua-fortis, and a Golden matter, though it be but ♀ or ♃ (if they have not at hand any better) in Aqua Regia: They mix together both solutions having both of them the form of Virgin-milk, and they add as much salt as is sufficient. (NB. ’Tis better to add Salt-water, or Spirit of Salt,) and you shall presently see that milk to be coagulated, like as (when we pour on some Salt-water or Spirit of Salt upon Cow or Sheep milk) we observe daily to happen: where the Water is partly separated by decantation, and partly by expression from the coagulated or cheesy substance wrapt up in a Linen cloth, that so a Cheese may thence be made.

Just so do we proceed in the making of our metallick Cheese; for when we pour Salt-water or Spirit of Salt upon the solution of ☽ or ♄ mixt with that (solution) which is of a goldnish Nature, viz. of ♀ or ♃: we presently see a precipitation made; which done we abstract the clear water swimming at top of the precipitated matter, by inclination or pouring off; the which we may keep for farther uses, principally for the solution of other Metals and golden Subjects. We put the Cheese or white Coagulum abiding in the bottom of the Vessel, into a Linen cloth, and by strong squeezing it free it wholly from the wateriness, which said water is to be kept as well as the former, for being used about making new Cheeses, it makes them of the better savour, and more aureous and vendible.

This Whey, or that water which is plentifully gathered in the making the Cow-milk Cheeses, though it affords varieties of Profit to mankind, whether they give it their Hogs to fatten them, or use it themselves for their daily drink, especially in Summer time, or apply it to other uses as we see daily done, yet do not I see any better benefit than that which it yields to the Curriers. For they put in it some old Iron, and when the solution is made, they moisten with that water the hide already perfect (or ready dressed) and when ’tis dry they moisten it therewithal again, and this they do three or four times, until it hath gotten a fixt colour, blacker than a Coal. They do also sometimes administer some of it unto Children (with good success) to kill and expel the Worms: Nay more, they are likewise wont to make a Bath thereof very profitable for those that are troubled with the Scabs or Itch, because it hath gotten a drying force from the ♂, and thereupon it makes the skin smooth and hard: and seeing that the Country Fellows, and Labourers can do so much with it, what hinders but that we may institute such a curing more perfect, and that on this wise.

Take sweet Cow-milk, or (which is better) Goats-milk, two measures, boil it over the Fire, put thereinto while it is yet warm ʒ j. or ʒ ij. of Spirit of Salt, mix it well, and you shall see the coagulum or curd presently separate from the whey; out of which, Cheeses may be made by expression, which are far better than others, by reason of the addition of the Spirit of Salt, whereto if you add some Cummine, Carraway, or some spices, they are yet better and more to be preferred. The Whey here separated is of a grateful savour, and by reason of the admixtion of the Spirit of Salt, is somewhat acidish, and a most certain and most safe loosner or absterger, being administred to Infants that are troubled with the Worms, or even to Elder ones that are feeble. How many Infants have we observed to die unexpectedly after they have been for some while and often afflicted with a burning Fever, the Convulsion fits, and other such like effects, and meerly because we will not perswade our selves that they have the worms, & so forbear the using any remedies to purge them out? Now in such a case this whey is exceedingly excellent, being used after this manner.

Take of the most subtile filings of steel as much as will lie upon a knife’s point, mix it with as much honey as is sufficient, and give it the Children: and for their ordinary drink, let them use the said Whey, and so by this means, that filings being dissolved by the Whey kills the Worms, in the ventricle or stomach and drives them out, and verily is a most excellent Medicament; especially if taken two or three days; nor have I hitherto met with a nobler, than this is. And so there will redound some profit to Children and Infants too, by this our way of making Cheese, for which we owe immortal thanks to the Great and Glorious God.

Besides this, I have likewise observed the excellent use of this Whey, in the administration of my Panacea of Antimony, if there be taken a draught or two thereof, at the end of the Purgation; for it gently carries off the reliques that stick to the intestines.

He likewise that is so minded, may before his dropping in the Spirit of Salt, add some Anise-seed or Fennel-seed to the milk as it boils, thereby to correct its Flatulency or Windiness.

And I do most curteously intreat the well-minded Reader to take it in good part, that I have been so prolix in declaring the virtues of our Whey; necessity it self, and the love of my neighbour forbad my concealing of them: For very many Infants are killed with the Fever, and Epilepsy, or Convulsion-fits, and so suddenly die, for no other cause but our not meeting with the Worms, which their bodies are full of, being ignorant of convenient remedies.

Now then to return again to our Cheese, and to demonstrate the most eminent benefit, both of it, and of our water which is thence separated; we are first of all to know, that even it is also able to tinge (some) subjects with a certain colour, not with such a black colour, indeed, as the Whey of Milk, prepared as aforesaid, dyes the Curriers Hides with, but with a yellow colour, and more durable than that which is given to the hide, for that we therewith extract a Tincture out of ♀ and other aureous Subjects, and with the Tincture, do sometimes anoint (or tinge) Luna. If now the water abound with such virtues; what virtues will not the Cheese it self abound withal? And like as our Cheeses are diversly impregnated with spices, so are they of different savour, and price, and more or less wholsome. But now if that virtue which is in ♃ is also added to our Cheeses, there will proceed from thence admirable Cheeses; and this, that Philosopher was minded to point at, who writes that by the help of the Saturnine net, he is able even in a clear night to extract the little Fish Eschineis out of the Sea.

The Ultimate (or extream) letters of this word Eschineis i. and s. if conjoined together, so as that the letter z. be thereof made, and then the word read backward, it will sound in the German tongue the same with Zienesch, (viz.) the ashes of Tin; but yet let not any one perswade himself that those ashes of Tin are such as are made by means of the (bare) fire, but are prepared by the benefit of the spirit of Nitre.

Saturn does not only claim (or merit) the praises of being a husbandman, but also of being a good fisher, and hunter, as (among other writers) Basil Valentine doth egregiously shew.

When ☉, ☽, ♃, and ♂ pursue (or hunt) the wild beasts, ♄ is bound to carry the net: NB. the hunting dogs here are Salts, the hare that is caught, is much like the colour of the hares skin, being stript of the same, he will yield excellent flesh, which the Princes can as little want as the Subjects can. See the foregoing Figure of the Hares and Hounds, with a Flaming Heart, and the word VENUS.

Common Vitriol, but that especially which is found in those places where Gold is, is the green Sea containing excellent fishes.

Neither was Isaac Holland an excellent maker of Cheese only, as we said but now, but withal, he was a singular fisher of Pearls; for with the net of ♄ (the night being clear) we may catch most excellent Pearls, but yet ’tis a very hard thing to take them out of the net, nor can they be separated but with a great deal of prudence and art, from the threds of the nets, to which they do stick so firmly.

But yet this separation is best of all done in a clear Light, the Sun shining upon the Earth with his beams, and wholly dissipating the Vapours, least it should be hindred by their being present. For the parts being exposed to the Air in a (perhaps he means unseasonable) seasonable weather are corrupted, nor does any thing remain behind but the shells. And even these shells do in their inside shew forth such diversity of delicate colours, as that the most ingenious Painter cannot imitate them with his pencil, and such they are as with which the other shells of mother of Pearl or the commoner sort cannot at all compare: For in one place they represent pure ☉, in another pure ☽, in another they are of a Green colour, Sky colour, Red, Yellow, and variously coloured, so that they much exceed in beauty, the Peacocks Tail. If then the shells are so fair as that we cannot sufficiently enough admire them; what I pray will the beauty of the Pearls themselves be? Nor let any one perswade himself that I do here cast Pearls before swine by too much divulging secresies; (no) for there are yet many necessary things hereto requisite to make the Pearls come in sight; and if so be that any one should know the way of dexterously extracting them out of the net it self; yet the fixing of them doth require abundance of labour still, whereby they may be able to defend their fairness and excellency, against all the Elements; however, in the mean time the lover of Chymistry, may delight his mind with those shells, and admire at the most admirable variety of the colours in them.

Some haply there will be, that when they have taken the said Pearl, by the help of ♄ and ☽, will think it a most easie thing to separate it from the net, by the benefit of destillation; but let those good men know, that this is a thing impossible to be done; for I my self bestowed abundance of labour in vain on this operation, and this hath to my knowledge so happened to others too; for in the common destillation, that Pearl being commixt with the net, even the Mother together with the Daughter do jointly ascend and get out; and thus to do is not at all agreeable or helpful for the great work; though nevertheless an excellent particular Medicament may thencefrom be made. Concerning which, I have spoken in the second and third Part of my Pharmacopœia Spagyrica; nor may we expect (by such a destillation) the thing we wish for. But if so be you desire to see the Mother, wrap the net together with the Infant in pure linen, first mundifyed, and washt in the fire; or put them in a glazed Stove, and put fire thereunder by degrees, and make the Net and Pearl to sweat largely, which being kept apart, yields a singular Medicament, for to quench all the Internal heat of the Body, and always to cool the burning Mercury.

The provocation of the sweat being finisht, break the sweating glasses, and look for your Pearl, and you shall find that it is gone out of the shells, by the force of the heat, and is roasted (as it were) together with the Net, and cannot possibly be (as yet) seen; yet nevertheless it is brought to a farther maturity, and doth yield some profit in an especial (or particular) way. But the Sudatory it self, contracts incomparable Colours from the sweat of the Pearl.

Now then, live contented with the most beautiful mother, and delight thy mind by barely beholding it, until it shall please God to give unto thee, the infant also. When it was my hap at first to behold that beauteous mother, my mind, that was wearied with the long labour of searching thereinto, was so refreshed, that I can scarce declare it with words; yea I was so delighted, that I placed that delectable mother in such a place, where it might lie always open to my sight, and that so long till she shewed me her infant likewise, which Infant verily was not unlike to Cupid. Do you also seek, and you will find what you wish for: Implore God, and he will give unto you; Knock at his doors, and they will be opened unto thee, if so be that GOD shall find thee worthy; for he bestows his Grace and Mercy upon none, but such as are of an humble and thankful mind. Take for an example of this some Tinder, or Touchwood, which being handled with dirty fingers, refuseth to take fire, though it be never so copiously smitten out of the Steel with the Stone (or Flint.)

All things depend on the mercy of GOD, nor can we effect any thing by our labour. Him only should we seek, and he will manifest himself by the works of nature, even as the nature of a man is known by Chiromancy, and Physiognomy.

Two contraries do always produce a third thing, and are the cause of every generation, and change of things; if fire be added to fire, there ariseth no new thing from thence; neither if you put water to water; but water and fire being conjoined, there are produced new Generations; for the fire acts upon the water, and impregnates it according to the nature and properties of (both) the water and fire; from whence there proceed things pure or impure, according to the purity or impurity of the water and fire.

The thing (or operation) it self, must be accurately known and handled, if you would have any good to redound from thence unto you. The Sun is in himself always good, yet doth he operate as well evil as good. If this same Sun bestows his Rays or Beams upon the Rain as it falls down, the Rain doth thence contract (or get) a honeyish dew, which falling upon the blossoming of Trees, makes them corrupt. Now we cannot rightly impute this evil to the Sun or to the honey it self; but we see that it proceedeth from hence, (viz.) because that honeyed dew is not duely and speedily enough washt away with the rain, but is evaporated by the heat of the ☉; whence it comes to pass, that the blossoms wither, and worms are generated in them, and so the whole blossom is corrupted.

We will set down here yet, one more similitude for the sake of such as love the truth. Put case thus then; a diligent Gardiner walks abroad in his Orchard for his recreation, and if he happens to find a large, great and curious principal Apple lying on the ground, he presently takes it up, and does not only well view and consider of it, but tasts it too; which if he finds to be of an acceptable flavour, he seeks out the Tree it self, with an intention to pluck off more such like conditioned Apples; having found out the Tree, he much sets by it, or esteems it, because the fruits thereof do exceed all the rest in the Orchard, both in tast and fairness, and he takes care about that more than the rest, dungs the roots well, prunes off the withered branches with a sharp crooked knife, and artificially cuts off those that are unprofitable, and usually called suckers, that draw away the juice from the fruit-bearing boughs.

Even just after this manner doth a diligent Chymist act; if therefore, (as he walks in his Laboratory,) searching out the secrets of nature, he happens upon a Golden Apple, he seeks after the tree, that bears such fruit, and having found it, he very charily keeps it, and ministers unto it all such things as are necessary to its conservation, that so he may thence receive more such like-conditioned Apples; and therefore gardiner-like he puts dung to the root, that is, Nitre; he prunes off the dry barren wood, and also the hurtful superfluous boughs, that is, the superfluous Sulphur, with a sharp red hot iron, whereby that same tree may, for the future, yield egregious or select fruits, without any impediment, which thing he also finds to come to pass.

NB. Paracelsus doth very openly set before us this labour in his Cœlum Philosophorum, in the sixth Rule of Mercury, where he saith, Sacrifice the fat Vervains (or superfluous suckers); and yet, these words of his, are only superficially lookt on, most people not understanding what Paracelsus means by those words, though he hath clearly and perspicuously enough signed his writings.

It is a necessary thing here for the Chymist to know, how the case stands, as concerning the metalline tree, and what is to be accompted its Root, Trunck, Blossoms, and Fruits; ♄ is the Root; ♂ the Trunck or Body, ♃ the Bark about the Trunck; ☿ the nutritive Juice between the Bark and the Trunck; ♀ the green Boughs and Leaves; ☽ the pleasant Flower, or Blossom; and ☉ the ripe Apple containing in it self the seed of the Tree.

That Apple which yet sticks on the tree, doth, when it hath arrived to its full maturity, fall down upon the earth, of its own accord, if it be not gathered by the Gardiner; and then afterwards the leaves themselves, when the weather is somewhat colder, fall off, which do as it were bury the apple, which lying hidden under the leaves, is consumed by rottenness, by little and little; but the seed assuming to it self a natural humidity from the putrefying tree (or fruit rather) instead of nutriment, begins to take root in the spring time; out of which there grow up, in process of time, Apple-trees, which are to be in their fit season transplanted: this transplanting being finished, the Gardiner joins to such a wild tree, generated from the seed, the Scions of such fruit as he has a mind to, and that by either ingrafting, or inoculation. And so an industrious gardiner may get from the fruit of one tree, an innumerable company of great trees, and those of such a nature and kind, and grateful a savour as he likes best.

Even on this wise doth the Chymist do, joining fruitful Scions to wild truncks or stocks, by inocculation, so that he never wants good fruits.

He that cannot learn ought from these things, I cannot help him any other way, for I do not see how I can set down those things clearer than I have done.

But for the undertaking of this labour, there is required an Artist, no less diligent than ingenious. And of how much the better quality the dung is, that is laid to the root of the tree, and (by how much) the knife which the boughs are cut off withal, is the sharper that so it may not hurt the green (or growing) bark of the tree, and so the nutritive juice flow forth, so much the better are the fruits generated. As it is easie for a wise man to reap hence some things; so it’s difficult for an imprudent man.

I doubt not but that there will be some, that being judicious men, will know that there is an opportunity given them by my writings, published out of a sincere mind, of making farther inquiry after a true transmutation, and consequently of esteeming it, more than we find to be usually done (because that most things are oft-times proposed craftily and cautiously).

But that such a noble art may be freed from any farther contempt, I have purposed, the next following Spring, to frame a convenient laboratory, and to demonstrate the truth thereof to my friends. And although my endeavours shall be to prohibit any entrance by any means to the faithless brethren of Farnnerus, yet notwithstanding, I know I cannot so prevent and foresee, but that one or other may adjoin himself to the number of the true lovers of Chymistry, and feigning friendship, lay snares for me.

But put case that such a thing should not happen, it cannot be but that the Arcana’s will be divulged; for such things as this or that man sees, and writes down, may reasonably be thought, will come to other mens hands after they are dead; especially if the preparation of Salt-petre be afore instituted, or set up in divers places; for nothing can be done in Alchimy, saith Paracelsus without Nitre; Alchimy is found to reside in Nitre say I. Salt-petre shewed us Alchimy, or, Alchimy was found out by Nitre.

He therefore that has abundance of Salt-petre, can perform egregious things in Alchimy. Had not the Ægyptians been possessors of great plenty of Salt-petre, verily they would never have been so skilful in Alchimy; nor could they have had those riches, by which they were able to avert (or decline) the yoke of the Roman Monarchy.

As long as they knew the use of Sulphur (Salt-petre I believe he means) they enjoyed Monarchy (without servitude to others) (and this was even to the time of Dioclesian the Emperour, who knowing their power, commanded all the Books they used, to be burnt) and then their Monarchy and their Art it self perished together.

The Poets have feigned many stories of Jupiter’s Golden shower; certainly did we but know the manner of duely managing Salt-petre and ♃ together, we should be likewise able to produce the golden shower.

Jupiter, when stirred up with anger, doth with his Thunder and Lightning, strike a terrour into all the Gods, and into whatsoever is upon the Earth; and yet the rain that falls then, at such a time, is of an excellent Quality, and makes the Earth more fruitful than the rain that commonly falls is wont to do; because there is a certain tinging and penetrating spirit sticking in the Thunder, that tingeth the air and the rain, and animates it; if therefore we can (by the virtue of Nitre, and this same ♃) produce such Thunders, & can give to the Thunder fire & air, by which it might operate; verily there would nothing hinder, but that we might (Jupiter-like) make a Golden shower too. The purer the ♃ shall be, and the more clear the Air, so much the purer will the Rain be, and the Air is more impregnated and filled with the common Vital Spirit.

He now that knows how to separate the life out of the water and air, rightly animated, gets a true aurum potabile, or the Soul of the world: besides this too, there offer themselves apparently such things to be done, as are able to exhibit his daily food. And thus much let suffice for this time.

He verily that perceives (or understands) not these things so clearly proposed, surely he will not, though all the Gods themselves should relate them, understand ought of those things that are taught. In the mean time, I hope that my friends will see with their Eyes, and feel with their Hands, the most certain truth of these, and the like operations, and consequently of my writings, in a laboratory, which God willing, I will in a short time erect, and will then defend me against all envious, and carping men.

This one thing I will yet add over and above, that the astrum of Gold doth tinge his own proper Mercury, or (the ☿) of the first ens, (therefore) chiefest of all: The Astrum of ♄ (tingeth) ☽; the Astrum of ♃, common ♀; the Astrum of ♂, ♀; for those three superiours do always operate upon these three inferiour (Planets;) so that they are, as it were, upper men, and lower women: ☉ he is left in the midst, which whosoever adds unto the others for the compleating of the operations, will perform excellent things.

But he that knows how to make that Astrum of ☉ corporeal and fixt, he may translate the Astrum of ☉ on this wise prepared, out of one place into another, and conserve it like a Vegetable seed, to be implanted into all the Metals, in time and place convenient; which blessing, we rightly attribute to the blessed great GOD, the giver of every good thing, in the first place, and then to Salt-petre as being the Northern Monarch.

It now remains, that we briefly shew, by what means that Nitrous water, out of which that most noble Pearl, ☉ and Gems are taken with the Net, may be prepared for farther uses, so that such a fishing may need but very small costs, and may nevertheless (besides the daily food which it most plentifully provides us) bestow on us a most excellent medicament.

We have taught in the foregoing directions, how we may by the help of Aqua-fortis or Aqua-regia most easily extract both the fixt and volatile ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals, Flints, Sand, Clay, and such subjects as are every where obvious, and precipitate, coagulate, dry, and reduce it into a fixt metallick body.

Now in doing these things, part of the separatory water here used, is as yet good enough, and may be kept for farther uses; but part thereof (viz.) that which is extracted out of the Metals by the help of common water, is, by reason of the mixing sweet or fair water therewith, rendred too weak for operating withal, and therefore must it be corrected and amended by some certain singular way, so as it may be again used about doing the same work.

Were it not for costs and labours we might separate that fair water from the Aqua-fortis and Aqua-regia, by the benefit of a glass Cucurbite, but forasmuch as there is given us a more compendious way, we will make choice of that.

For he that intends to get himself riches by the benefit of this separatory work delivered by me, or by the extraction of ☉ and ☽, will need a great deal of Aqua-fortis and Aqua-Regia, for what profit is it if you would extract them out of (but) a few Metals or Minerals? Seeing that scarce the one half of those strong Waters can be separated by pouring off from those subjects upon which they are poured, but the chiefest (or biggest) part of them sticks to the said metalline Matters, and contains in it as much ☉ and ☽, as that which we have abstracted by decanting it, and requisite it is that we thence abstract the same by the benefit of fair Water by due boiling, from whence it comes to pass that there will be also gathered a great deal of (insipid or useless) Water, (over and above.)

Those Aqua-fortis’s that are poured off, and hold in them ☉ and ☽, when they are mixt together, the ☽ and ☉ precipitates to the bottom of the Glass like powder, so that there remains nothing of the Metal in either water, nor is that water arising from the mixing of the Aqua-fortis wherein the ☽ was dissolved, and of the Aqua-regia wherein the ☉ was dissolved, at all the weaker, but it retains the virtues of extracting ☉ but not of ☽, because that the Aqua-regia being added to the Aqua-fortis converts it all of it into Aqua-regia.

This precipitation being made, and the clear water separated from the precipitation by decanting it, you may extract that acid Water, which yet adheres to the precipitate, with fair Water; but for as much as the virtues thereof are thereby much weakned, ’tis better to proceed after another kind of way, and we preferr this way (as best.)

Take the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ as they lie at the bottom of the Aqua-regia (or the acid mixt Spirits) and put them in a Linen cloth placed in a Funnel or over a Glass with a wide mouth, and the greatest part of the Aqua-regia will strain through into the Glass set thereunder; when no more water drops out, which we find is wont to be within half an hours space, tie up your cloth with a strong thred, that so nothing of the calx therein contained may get out; put it under some weight or heavy matter, that so all the Aqua-regia may be squeezed out, and the calx only may remain behind like Curd or new Cheese.

But for as much as the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ are not edulcorated, hence it comes to pass that the Cheese thence prepared, after the manner now spoken of, is as yet corrosive, nor is it easily dried. Both of them (☉ and ☽) we may easily correct, if we only admix therewith (as ’tis laid in a dish) a fourth part of fixt Salt, for by the virtue thereof even the corrosive Spirits sticking as yet therein are mortified, and the exsiccation, cementation, fixation, & reduction thereof is promoted. The Reduction being made of ☉ and ☽ which we are now made partakers of, that goldenish silvery Masse is to be granulated, and to be dissolved in new Aqua-fortis, and be precipitated with that Aqua-regia by the help of which, ☉ hath been extracted out of the Metals; the Cheese is to be freed from the water by squeezing it, and is to be sprinkled over with a fixt Salt, and to be melted. And all these Operations are to be so often repeated as necessity shall require, and there shall be at hand any Metal whereout-of Gold may be extracted, and so there may thence arise a continual Labour, which is beneficial, because that Aqua-fortis may (when the Labour or Operation is finished) be used about other such like extractions, and that which is the weaker sort may be prepared into Salt-petre: out of which may be made anew, excellent Aqua-fortis by the addition of Vitriol or Copperas, and so destilling them. The Vessels wherein the precipitation of Metals is performed, yea and the presses too by whose help the water is squeezed out of the Cheese, must be framed of strong Glass or of glazing Earth well glazed.

But for as much as the Vessels of Glass are very subject to be broken, and earthen Vessels, unless they have the solidity of Glass, waste abundance of water, and so moulder away; it would seem more convenient in my judgment to make the expression of the water out of the Cheese, between two Plates of Silver, for the water of the Cheese doth not at all corrode the ☽: Yea and if the Tunnels requisite to this work were made of ☽, it would not be amiss, nor would there be any fear of their breaking.

NB. The Extraction also of ☉ made with Aqua-regia may likewise be put into a Silver Cucurbite, whereby the work may be facilitated, and all loss and damage which otherwise may be lookt for (feared) from the using of Glasses, may be prevented. And suppose a Cucurbite, a Press and two Tunnels did cost one hundred imperials; yet notwithstanding the certainty and celerity of the Work will repay those costs very easily, seeing that all things are hereby done much safer, and much more speedily: Besides too, there’s nothing lost but the price of the fashioning your Vessels, for the Silver is always of the same value, and may again be sold at your pleasure. But he that wants suchlike Silver Vessels or cannot buy them, he may make use of Glass ones so long till he can get Silver ones; but it is necessary that the Silver of which these Vessels are made be very pure, and have no Copper in it; least the Aqua-regia extract the Copper thereout of, and so the Vessels (especially the Cucurbites) do in process of time get an undue softness.

The manner of extracting Metals by the help of this Cheese-water, is already disclosed in the foregoing (writings); however this I am constrained to advise here, that it is much more expedient, to use presently at the beginning for the extraction of ☉, rectified Spirit of Salt actuated with Aqua-fortis, than Aqua-regia, because that by thus doing there will be more plenty of ☉ gotten in the reduction than when the operation is accomplisht by Aqua-regia. It would be too long to reckon up the cause of this thing in this place: ’tis sufficient that I have shown which is good, which ill. Nay more, Spirit of Salt is cheaper than Aqua-regia, if prepared according to my description: Nor is there any reason to give credit to that slanderous fellow, Farnnerus, as if such a Spirit made by Vitriol, according to the manner mentioned in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces, were not of any use, or at least-wise could not be prepared in great quantity by the aforesaid way: For when all circumstances fall not out as is wisht, the blame is not to be imputed to my description, but to the ignorance and unaptness of the Chymist himself.

If now those good men cannot accomplish such operations which are word for word faithfully described unto them: how would they be able then to arrive by speculations and various trials to the knowledge of any thing, as I my self have done? I do therefore attest here too, that we are able most easily to prepare not barely 10 or 20, but even 30, 40, 50 pounds and more every day with one only Furnace.

Nay more, if men did more accurately ruminate upon this business, they would find, that out of one pound of Salt may be made in a Glass cucurbite in sand, one pound of the best, most grateful Spirit of Salt needing no rectification, and that in one hours space: And by the benefit of a Furnace scarce a span wide, and with a very few Char-coal, scarce exceeding three pound weight. Verily if there be any artificial destillation this is it: And now let the Find-faults look about them and see if they can understand these things we have spoken; we can at all times demonstrate the truth hereof. It is altogether inconvenient to shew such an artificial destillation unto swinish Men, it is only due to the Lovers of the truth, of which sort there are to be found but a very few in this present age.

And that this is true, viz. that a most grateful Spirit of Salt may most easily be prepared in vast quantity, doth even hencefrom most evidently appear, in that there are some in these places who having followed my information, do, because of their making it in great plenty and without any great Labour, sell a pound thereof for an imperial. For my own particular affairs do not permit me to take on me that Labour, yet notwithstanding, I have bestowed the artifice on such Men as now know it as well as I my self do, and who likewise do make that Spirit in such quantity as may supply all Europe. But forasmuch as I did not heretofore find out so far, as to see it excel Aqua-regia in the extraction of Gold out of such Stones, Sand, and Clay as contain Gold in them, and which are every where obvious. I could not omit the commending of it in this place, most highly unto all Men; for that Spirit hath an especial delight in ☉, not only in that which is fixt, but also with that which is volatile, whereby it extracts it and renders it fixt. There are some Minerals, Stones, Sand, Earths, which have in them abundance of volatile Gold, which is not in the least durable (or fixt,) but is carried up (or forced away) in the form of a vapour and vanisheth into the air, and so consequently not at all to be accounted for true ☉, seeing it cannot brook the force of the melting Fire. Besides this, there do oft-times occur moil precious Treasures of no profit to any man, which may be brought to most eminent uses (or benefit) by the Extraction, Precipitation, Cheese-making, and Liquefaction delivered by me. For such Metals as the Spirit of Salt do not tie and make fixt in the extractions, ☽ or ♄ makes them such, with which we have taken or fisht the Sol out of the Aqua-regia or Spirit of Salt; to the obtaining of which this is also of much conducement. If the Cheese now made be altogether fixt by the help of an artificial Cement, and the gradatory fluxing matter be especially reduced in such a Vessel, out of which not so much as the least volatile part can evaporate: by which it comes to pass, that not only the volatile Gold you have caught is made fixt, but even a part of the net of ☽ or ♄ is by graduation made aureous: For every volatile Gold doth exercise its operations in the Fire upon other Metals, and makes them aureous, so that the Sol ariseth thence to be of a greater quantity, than that was which by the help of the silvery or leaden Dart was taken out of the extract. Heed these things and proceed on in a legitimate course, and you shall find such things as you cannot as yet conceive of. The Fishing is clearly enough described in this place, and so is the Cementation and Reduction of the Cheese clearly proposed, and may be most easily perfected.

But God (if thou becomest acceptable unto him) can yet shew unto thee a much more compendious way of perfecting this work with less labour, and of obtaining greater things.

Be content for this time with what hath been at present taught, give God the thanks and forget not the Poor, and He will then shew unto thee more and more compendious ways, of cheerfully managing the work (here) described, to his Honour, and the Comfort of the Poor, and without any wronging thine own Conscience, or hurting of thy Neighbour.

You need not be much sollicitous about such kind of Earths, Stones or Sand, from which you may extract the Gold, for every land is every where stored with such, nor need we spend much time in searching after them. Likewise it will be a most easie thing for thee by my writings to make Salt-petre, of Salt-petre to make Aqua-fortis and Aqua-regia: One bare pound of Aqua-fortis may be sufficient for thee to begin the operation withal, for there is not much of it lost in the work it self; and what of it is wasted may easily be repaired by an addition of common Salt: And as for the extracting both the fixt and volatile Gold and Luna out of the Earth, and of perfecting it, thou hast no reason to hope of finding a more compendious way than that is which I have here exhibited unto thee.

You may leave such Metals (or Ores) as have in them plenty of Sol and Luna, unto others; and take only the scoria as ’twere, and thencefrom extract your part, and none will forbid you that. But if so be thou canst be but a partaker of an aureous Earth (or Ore) then will all things fadge the better.

NB. The ☉ and ☽ that is in the Extractions may be precipitated by the help of ☿, but much more chargeably and more difficultly than by ☽ or ♄, because the ☿ used in this operation cannot be used a second time.

NB. The ☉ and ☽ may be also extracted from the water without precipitation; by abstracting the Aqua-regia from the ☉ and the Aqua-fortis from the ☽: but besides this kind of proceeding being full of Labour, we should receive but little fixt Metal, and scarce the one half of what is gotten by the aforementioned way: For the ☽ and ☉ do retain with them some part of the Aqua-fortis and Aqua-regia, and thereby become sharp or sour which is a thing contrary (or an Enemy) to all Fluxes, and which also does not only cause an evaporation of such Volatile Gold and Silver as is therein, (but withal some part of that which is fixt too,) in the melting. But now in this Fishing trade that I have described, being caught it is either edulcorated, or the corrosive power is extinguisht by the addition of a fixt Salt; so that hereby the ☽ or ♄ holds with it self as well the volatile as fixt Gold and ☽.

NB. He that shall institute this operation aright, will find that the volatile Gold will (in the secret Reduction) yet farther transmute part of the ☽ and ♄ into ☉ by Graduation, and so will reap a double (portion of) ☉ for which God is deserved to be thanked.

I have herein been more prolix than I intended, which I entreat others to accept in good part: It could hardly be that the things I have delivered, could be couched in fewer words. Wise Men indeed need not many words, but where are such? Better is it therefore to set down things at large.

_Now it follows that we shew by what means we may have benefit out of the edulcoratory Water, and not be forced to throw it away._

We have taught in the precedent discourse, how those waters which ☉ is extracted and precipitated with, may be used for a farther extraction of ☉: For when the Aqua-fortis in which ☽ or ♄ is dissolved is mixt with the Aqua-regia wherein ☉ is dissolved, there ariseth not any mutation or changing, but that ☽ or ♄ only which was in the Aqua-fortis settles to the bottom, so that this water wherein such a precipitation is made, may afterwards serve instead of Aqua-regia, and so consequently with it may ☉ be extracted out of the Metals.

But seeing that the precipitated ☽ or ♄ must be excellently well edulcorated by often pourings on of water, afore it be dried, hence it comes to pass that there is gathered a vast deal of such edulcoratory Waters. Now that even this may not be thrown away as useless, and that nothing may be lost in so noble a work, I have here determined briefly to declare, by what means we may likewise catch some benefit even out of that too.

To do this, ’tis necessary that the useless water be separated from the Aqua-fortis; now such a separation cannot be effected in metallick Vessels because of the sharpness of the Aqua-fortis; least in length of time they should be dissolved: But to perform the same in Vessels of Glass would take up much time and fire; there is therefore of necessity another way here required to perform the same; and a better than this, which I will here deliver, I think can hardly be contrived. Make you therefore an Arch of Lime, Ashes, and Horse-dung, according to the afore prescribed manner, where we treated of making Salt-petre (about the beginning of the book) dry it by putting fire thereunder, &c. The Arch being dryed, pour on, by little and little, so much edulcorating water, as the Arch is capable of attracting, and until you shall find it to be made thoroughly moist; the Arch being on this wise moistned, dry it again: and being dryed moisten it again as afore. And so repeat this work of moistning and drying so long till the Arch will receive into it self no more water. This done, there remains no more, but to do thus, viz. Let the said Arch be broken to pieces, and be ground with a Mill into fine powder; upon the powder let be thrown fair water, and so let there be made a Lixivium, out of which by due boiling may be made most excellent and delicate Saltpetre.

But here must be very good heed taken, that you use about the building of the Arch, Wood-Ashes, and Lime made of Stone (or Chalk); whereby the sharpness of the edulcoratory water may be extinguisht (or mortified) by the fixt Salt inherent in the ashes and lime, and the corrosivity be taken away, and most excellent Nitre may arise thencefrom; for if Aqua-fortis be permixt with the fixt Salt of wood-ashes, both of them lose their Nature, and Nitre is made thereof.

But that the operation may more luckily succeed, and we may be the more certain of the event, it will be the best way, to put in, by little and little, some Lee of wood-ashes first of all, (afore the edulcorating water be thrown upon the Arch) and this putting on, to be so long continued till all ebullition and noise cease, whereby all the sharpness of that water may be taken away; this done, that water is to be poured upon the Arch, and you are to proceed on according to the afore-prescribed method; and so shall you have excellent Salt-petre, whether your Arch be made of Lime and Ashes, or of Mud and Ashes.

NB. If this taking away of the sharpness of the edulcoratory water by the benefit of a wood-ashes Lee, be not finished, and done before it be poured upon the Arch, it is clearly requisite that it be done in the Arch it self, by the goodness of the Lime and the said ashes, by which that sharpness may be extinguished.

It is, I confess, all a case whither that sharpness be extinguisht with a Lixivium afore; or else be done in the Arch it self. Yet nevertheless, seeing that Operation is the safer which hath a foregoing taking away of the sharpness afore it be poured on the Furnace, therefore it is better so to institute it; specially, seeing it then matters not at all any thing, what condition the matter is of which the Arch is made with; because then such a water needs no more but an unfolding (or evaporation) and coagulation, and this may as well be done by the help of an Arch made of mud, as by one made of Lime: Otherwise if the sharpness of the edulcoratory water be not taken away by the Lixivium, an Arch made of mud is of no use, for by this means you would not get any Salt-petre at all, but rather all the water would be consumed by evaporation, which need not be at all feared, if we use an Arch made of Lime and Ashes, seeing that that water is by this means mortifyed.

And so, by this means, that edulcoratory water may be most commodiously prepared for farther uses, and the Salt-petre which is extracted thence, is exceeding good to make Aqua-fortis with; and we may gather as much in quantity thereof as the extraction of ☽ and ☉ out of the Metals, Stones, Clay, and Minerals requires.

NB. If any one be desirous of more excellent benefits, let him dissolve, in that edulcoratory water, (B.) or (C.) and in the Lixivium (let him dissolve) (D.) then mix both Solutions: When the fermentation is over, he will have double the quantity of Nitre, than what he would otherwise have from the bare mixtion of the contraries together, and pouring them on the Arch; the reason of which thing is this; because (E.) is nothing else inwardly but Nitre, but it cannot come forth to light before the body be broken, and till that salt which sticks (or lies hid) within, be wholly freed (of its bonds) whereby it may be turned, together with the Corrosive Spirit into Nitre.

The like is to be understood of (F.) because even that also is broken (as I may say) to pieces by the Lee of the wood-ashes, and so the Salt that lies hid within, and which is nothing else but Nitre, shews it self to sight, and passeth with the other Salt of the Lixivium into Nitre.

Certainly this labour, viz. the mortification of the edulcorating water by a Lee of wood-ashes, and the concentration of Nitre, upon the Arches made of lime or mud, is an egregious invention; nor do I think that this business can be better managed any kind of way, than by what hath been here shewn, especially if the Species, here notified, be also thereto adhibited (or made use of) (I know not I say, any way) by which greater plenty of Nitre may be gathered; for the coagulation cannot be done in a Copper or Iron pan, because not only the Pan would be corroded and wasted, but the Nitre would be rendred impure. But if now the operation be instituted aright, we shall get more Niter than indeed is requisite for the extracting ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals; so that we may get us ☉ and ☽ without any costs: which invention verily is a most noble one even in all parts of the World, and a most high gift of God: for which, we have good reason above all things to render Him deserved thanks, and next Him, to those who open such a Noble and Unheard-of Invention, and which is so profitable to all Men.

But this Invention will be especially profitable in those places of the World, where Aqua-fortis is much used, and is presently after the first using thereof, thrown away as unprofitable, as it usually happens in the Mint houses, where abundance of ☽ and ☉ is separated in great quantity, and consequently abundance of Aqua-fortis consumed, so that by the benefit of this invention of mine, we might get much every year; but most of all in those places where are found such Stones and Sand which are endued with Gold, but yet will not yield any by the help of the usual melting.

Besides too, this invention is exceeding profitable for such kind of Metals of ☉ and ☽, that have not as yet gotten their due ripeness or fixity, and so fly away in the melting, and yield either none at all, or at best but very little of Gold. For the common melting fire forceth away the Volatile Gold, and ☽ that resides in the Metals (or Ores) which is not at all so here, for all (of it) is made fixt by the Aqua-fortis, and preserved.

I do believe that there is not a place to be found, where such kind of Stones, Sand, or Clay may not be gathered, as hold in them Gold and ☽, either fixt or Volatile, and which may be extracted thencefrom most easily, and with exceeding profit according to the way aforespoken of.

But, for as much as there are many, who pretend that such like Stones, Sand, Clay, and Minerals as have Gold in them, are no where to be found, and that consequently this invention of mine is altogether in vain: To such as these I thus apply, viz. That such like Subjects are therefore unknown, because few there are that seek after them, or are willing to experience ought, but remain contented with such things only as the Ancients have taught, and perswaded themselves that ☉ and ☽ cannot be separated out of the Metals, but only by the force of fire, where as notwithstanding the operation may be far easilier, and more profitably instituted, according to the method by me prescribed, but especially in those Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽, which either require too much expence for their melting, or are as yet unripe and volatile, and so fly away in the melting; for a great quantity of ☉ and ☽ may be extracted with a little quantity of Aqua-fortis; yea the extraction being duly made, and to the best profit, there may be thereof made Salt-petre; so that such an extraction of ☉ and ☽ requires but very little costs.

If any one desires an easier way of extracting ☉ let him use Spirit of Salt prepared after the manner by me delivered, which said Spirit he may fortify by adding a fourth part of Salt-petre, which very same (when the Extraction is finisht) may be reduced into Salt-petre, like as we have said of Aqua-fortis that hath been already used.

NB. An easier operation yet then all these, is this, which may be performed the dry way.

Take the Metal, Stones, or Mineral, reduce them into powder, mix them with the Salt (G) and make them with clay into Balls about the bigness of a little Head. Make these balls red hot, and by this means the Salt will dissolve the Sol in the Fire, and attract it out of the Metals. This done, grind the Balls or Pellets, and extract thencefrom in a large Pot or Vessel a Lixivium with boiling hot water, for the Salt which hath attracted the ☉ in the Cementation, mixeth it self with the Water: Out of this Salt-water mayest thou afterwards catch the ☉ by the help of a Solution of ♄, added for the precipitation; now out of the Salt it self mayest thou make excellent Salt-petre. So that you may most easily extract out of the Earth both fixt and volatile ☉ and ☽ without any melting it. Nay not only ☽ and ☉ but even Copper too, whether we proceed the dry way or the moist way: For we may extract good Sol out of the scoria of Sol and Luna and Venus which are cast away, yea and out of Mars it self too, and by the afore-shown way.

NB. The reason is this, because the Iron being purged in a strong Fire is heapt up as it were into goldenish Scoria which but few know of, and will believe, though it be most true. For when a Metal is so burnt with such a vehement Fire as to referable glassy Scoria, it hath gotten to it self a more noble nature, and thenceforth is able to exhibit or yield good Sol: Yea though they be the Scoria of ♀ or ♂, which thing that excellent Metallurgist Isaac Hollandus did also know, when he said, If any one makes ☽, ♁ or ♂ into Glass, and reduceth it, it will not be ☽, ♀, or ♂, but ☉: And if any one full turn ☉ into Glass, and then reduce it, it will not be ☉, but Tincture.

Nor was this knack unknown to Bracescus, who taught the making of the Philosophers stone out of the scoria of Iron, but he is laught at, by another Philosopher, though undeservedly. Though I do not know the way of extracting the Tincture out of Iron, yet this I know; that there have been many who have extracted good Sol by Aqua-regia out of the very green Scoria of Iron, when notwithstanding, the ♂ it self out of which the Scoria came was destitute of Gold; the cause whereof we showed but now.

Now if they had but known my invention of most easie preparing a convenient Menstruum for the extracting of the Tincture, and then the manner of afterwards separating the Sol again, without losing the Water, certainly they would have been able to perfect that Extraction with a great deal of benefit, whereas (not having this) they only beheld the possibility of the thing without profit.

For if this Labour be instituted according to my invention afore-written, we may extract the Venus (which commonly is in the poorer Minerals) out of them, and that with much profit and in great quantity, and the extraction being made, (whether it be done the moist way or the dry) we may by the benefit of the solution of ☽ or ♄, get out the ☉ thence whilest it is yet mixt with the water, yea and afterwards by the benefit of ♂ the Copper it self. He now that well understands the reason of this Fishing and reduction needs not to search after the Metals (or Ores) of Sol and Luna, for whatsoever Metals (or Ores) of Venus contain but even a very little portion of them, will be able to furnish a man with necessaries sufficiently enough.

But that the Reader may not think that these sayings of mine, viz. that there are subjects to be in all places found that are endued with Gold, are fictions, and are not founded upon any experiments, (for I doubt not but that abundance will not only account these sayings for falsities, but deride them too) I thought it not much from the purpose, if I shewed some little place only, where you may find such Metals (or Ores) as are endued with Gold, which notwithstanding were never brought into use, that so it may hence appear that such Golden subjects must be likewise found in many places.

Let us therefore cast an eye to a part of the Mhene, and let us get out those Treasures that are there hidden, and at present are not profitable to any, which nevertheless may be of mighty conducement and benefit to the whole Inhabitants of those parts.

The Mhene is a River most abounding with Boats and Fish; it hath its rise out of a very high pine-bearing Mountain, it is in some sort conjoined with three bordering well known Rivers, Sata, Adrana, and Nava; which again spread themselves unto the ¾ quarters of Heaven, as East, South, and North. (This piniferous Mountain is not barely one Mountain, but consists of many which are exceeding full of =Pine-trees=, =Beech=, =Oakes=, =Birch=, and other Trees set very thick together, and so yields an Harbour for both wild and tame Beasts.)

This Pine-bearing Mountain, and which is the highest in all Germany (and of which Gaspar Bruschius wrote a particular Treatise, which is exceeding profitable for such as study metallick affairs to read,) is stored with many notable Metals (or Ores.) For there was not only Gold digged out plentifully in various parts of that Mountain, many years since, (and thereupon there’s a City called Goltgangh by the Germans, as if you should say a Vein of Gold:) But withal the other more common Metals that lie here hidden do for the most part all of them contain Gold, with notwithstanding is not at this day by reason of the ignorance and unskilfulness of Men separated from them. Nor are the bare Metals only of that place all of them endued with Gold, but almost all the Earths, Sand, and Stones have Sol in them. Yea even in this time even Antimony the first Ens of Gold is digged out in that place. Therefore it may most easily be proved, that this Mountain out of which the Mhene flows forth is stuffed with Sol both in the outside and inside parts, with which proof I must at present in this place rest, least I should be too tedious. All such as are skill’d in metallick Affairs do well know, that all the metalline Ore, that they get in and about this Mountain, is endued with Gold.

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 Gold.

The afore-praised Gaspar Bruschius in the description of this Mountain, mentioneth amongst other things, that in a little Town called =Einsiedel=, situate near the said Mountain, was a Tin mine heretofore found, by the Treasures of which the aforesaid little Town was built. There did a certain Metal-man called Sigismund =Wans= learn from an Italian Woman, whom he married after the death of her former Husband, how Sol was to be separated from Jupiter: From whence he got him so much riches, that even afore he died, he caused an egregious Hospital to be built, and withal contributed thereto many thousands of Crowns, with which twelve ancient Men, and three Priests should be always nourished; to the performance of which there is verily a great deal of Gold required yearly.

This now is not to be at all accompted as a meer fable, but the very pure truth: For in that edifice, the Effigies of the Founder Sigismund =Wans=, and the Foundress Barbary, are yet to be seen even at this very day. Of which likewise Matthew Merianus in his Description of Franconia, maketh mention. But it is sufficiently enough evident (besides these Testimonies) that this Mountain is repleat with Metals (or Ores) and especially with Golden ones, both within and without, and hence arose that Proverb of the ancients, viz. That the Country-man doth in this Pine-bearing Mountain oftentimes throw a stone at an Ox (or Cow,) that is more worth than the Ox it self. Strangers give credit hereunto, as Italians and others, and do yearly visit this Mountain, and dig the Gold out of those places where they know there lies much hidden, and take it up at their backs, and carry it away with them: And many such there have been with me, who have afforded their help to strangers in digging out Gold: Who forasmuch as they knew not the manner of extracting it (and that they understood by others that I also dealt in Metals,) brought me various kinds of Earths, Stones, Sands, Clays, that I might try what was in them: and they did all of them abound with Gold.

The Country-men that live about that Pine-bearing Mountain do daily for Gaine’s sake carry such earths and stones, endued with Gold, unto Norimberge; which one or other likewise buys, extracting thence by melting excellent Gold.

But now if so be these men did but know the extraction of ☉ by the help of Aqua-fortis only (without melting) out of the earths and stones (as is here taught): the needy Country-men might live like the richest Citizens, the Citizens like the Nobles, and the Nobles like Princes; which seeing it hath not so pleased God (to have it) all (these) things have remained hidden. Every one may easily believe the things I here utter, Seeing it is already taken for granted that this Mountain doth abound with egregious Metals (or Ores,) and especially with Golden ones. 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 (or Ores) thence for the time to come; and though he hath thereby done something to it, yet he cannot wholly hinder it, forasmuch as that Mountain is too vast and large.

But now when I pass down from this pine-bearing Mountain along the Mhene downwards, to such places as are more plain (or even ground) where Wine and Corn grows, there’s no body seeks after Sol and Luna there, but each man professeth himself well enough content with the Wine and the Corn, nor hath there been any Metal digged thence or there sought for many years: Because they thought that no plains can produce Metals, which thing I judge to be false, and do gain-say it; and contrary-wise affirm that there are some parts in plains, that as to the production of Metals may be compared with the most high Pine-bearing Mountain. Now, elsewhere there ly high Mountains of each side of all the Mhene, out of which there comes a mighty quantity of Wine, but the Metals ly hid to all.

Besides these, I my self tried, 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 Rheine, but yet as far as I know, there is not any Metal anywhere digged but Iron only; and therefore neither can I positively shew and direct to such or such Mine-pits, out of which you may apparently get Gold and Silver, but as is said, there are every where found some footings (as ’twere) that contain Gold and Silver, and that such Stones in the Mhene are rarely without Metal: But no body proves or tries them, or puts them to use.

At Bamberg (which is an Episcopal Metropolis) men are become more diligent, insomuch that they have found out several places wherein is to be had the Metal (or Ore) of Sol: Such as this Metal (or Ore) of Sol, hath been very oft-times brought me by the Inhabitants of that City, but all of it in a manner did contain a fluxile and immature Gold, which cannot be extracted by the common way of melting, but vanisheth away into the Air, and so I did not at that time much esteem it, but left it as an unprofitable Ore. But now I have found that such fluxile Metals (or Ores) of Sol may be brought in use, not by the help of a vehement melting, but only by a nitrous Water, in which this kind of fluxile Metal (or Ore) of Sol is fixed in the extracting it, and then stays in the melting, and yields perfect Sol.

Concerning such a fixation of fluxile Sol in stones, by a nitrous Water, I did not at that time know it, otherwise this knowledge of mine would have been extraordinarily profitable to the Inhabitants of those places. 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 him, so that I would then gladly have bestowed my utmost power in lieu of his favours, but nothing could be effected by the way of melting, because of the volatility of such a Metal. But now there may be gathered very considerable Treasures by the benefit of nitrous Water. For not far from Bamberg, there is found a Stone of great bigness that is exceeding full of Granates, which are about the bigness of Millet or Hemp-seed: Besides too, all the Mountains of that place do most plentifully abound with Metal (or Ore) of Sol.

There is such a Vein of unripe Gold, not far from Bamberg, that lies thwart the Mhene, which much hinders the Vessels, and especially those Boats which are wont to bring vast quantities of Boards, Beams, &c. yearly; insomuch that they cannot always get over it, but at such time only when the waters are increased. Now in the Summer time, when Rain hath not fallen awhile, this Vein is seen bare, when the water is fallen away some Ells height; and hereupon the Mariners have smote against it with force, and Tools thereby to remove it, if possible, but all in vain.

But for as much as I never was minded to run thither, nor yet am so conditioned, as that envious Dog, who having hay under his possession, could neither eat it himself, nor would suffer the Ox to eat the same; therefore I was willing to lay open these things: I cannot at present say any more of this fluxile Ore of ☉; yet if any one desires more, let him repair to an Inhabitant and Citizen of Bamberg, by name N. N. a Farrier, who many times delivered to me that kind of ore during my aboad at Kitzing. This man will satisfy every ones request, and will shew where it is to be found.

There have verily been others that have brought unto me various kinds of Ores; but I have long since forgotten their names. If you only seek, you will find in that place, abundance of such Golden Metal (or Ores) but all of them in a manner, fluxile (or crude,) and possessing but little fixt Gold, and although they should not have in them any fixt ☉, and that not any thing could thence be extracted by the way of melting, yet notwithstanding it is now known to D. G. by what means (by the liquid way of Nitrous water) all the fluxile (or crude) ☉ may be abundantly extracted out of the stones, be fixed, and be turned into good ☉ with abundance of profit.

The Mhene near Bamberg is occupied with Vessels or Ships, and I my self have sailed along the Mhene, and on both sides of the Mhene from Bamberg even to Wirtzberg, did light upon various kinds of Metals (or Ores) which were not void of ☉ and ☽, out of which much ☉ and ☽ may be extracted by the help of this invention of mine, by the moist way by Nitre water, if men would but only apply themselves to the work.

But indeed the Corn and the Wine which God hath so abundantly vouchsafed to those Countries, is the cause that no body minds any thing else, for they have enough to suffice them, and therefore leave the Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽ untoucht.

Without doubt, the whole Wood that reacheth from Wirtzberg or Kitzing, even almost to Bamberg, is full of Metals (or Ores) and yet (as far as I know) there is not digged any of the Metal (or Ore) of Sol or Luna therein.

It is reported that there was Sol and Luna digged up heretofore at Cassel; at the other side of the Mhene, towards the Town which the Germans call =Koningshoefen=, in the Mountain they call =Hasbergh=, there was heretofore, Copper digged, which now is left of, because the Copper is not fusile enough, nor hath it any sulphureous flint joined with it, by the help of which it is made fluxile (but is) inclosed in a Sandish Stone. Now out of 100 weight of this, there can hardly be extracted, by the help of a strong melting fire iiij. ℔. for the Sandy Stone being destitute of a sulphureous flintiness, doth in the melting turn the Copper it self together into Scoria; yet notwithstanding we are able by the help of Vinegar to extract above xij. or xvj. ℔. of Copper, and this I have tryed more than once. But whether or no that Metal (or Ore) of Copper, contains in it any Volatile Gold, I never tryed, but that there is some ☽ therein, is true; yea, and the Copper is very malleable, and we can thence extract by the help of Vinegar, that which is most fair, and this I humbly declared to the most noble Moguntine Elector, he being at this time Bishop of Wirtzberg; but by the Tryers (or Refiners) of that place, it is haply accounted of as unprofitable because it yields but little by the help of Fusion.

I must needs confess that but little can be gotten out by melting, but such Copper may be profitably extracted by the Acetum of the Wood, which Grows in the places all about in abundance, and may be had for nothing.

The Mhene doth every where yield such kind of Flints as are endued with Gold. Near Carlstadt there offers it self in a Wood a certain white and fat Earth, and after some sort silverish, otherwise firm (or strong,) and is fit for making of Crucibles, and other Instruments (or Vessels) to be used about the Fire.

You may likewise find such conditioned Earth at Klingenberg upon the Mhene, where most excellent Wine grows, which the Glass-makers of Spechart use to make the Crucibles or Pots in which they melt their Glass.

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 gathered; yet nevertheless I have proved several Earths, which I found about Breiberg, which is the inexpugnable Castle of the Lord Charles Ferdinand the Count of Wertheimen, in which I found there was contained much Gold.

Besides these, I found opposite to Wertheimen where there are Vineyards, an Iron stone (white like snow, covered over with other stones,) which is endued with ☽ and ☉: as to the external shape it resembles a white Flint, very weighty, so as that it scarce yields to the weight of a piece of Iron of like bigness: But it is nothing regarded, and is accompted of as a common stone.

The County of Erbach doth indeed yield plenty of Iron, but there is nothing at all found of other nobler Metals; yet my opinion is, that even in this Iron are contained both ☉ and ☽: because that there is sand found in several places thereof which yields good Gold, as I have observed more than once; the extraction of which may be excellently well performed by the benefit of Salt-petre.

Likewise Talk of sundry kinds is found in the said places, which is endued with ☉ and ☽: and it would easily yield them forth, were it but rightly handled, and dealt with according to the way by me prescribed: which hitherto we never heard to have been done by any.

The County of Erbach and likewise of Wertheimen do abound with Iron Metal (or Ore) and all kinds of Minerals, which contain in them, ☉ and ☽.

Nor are the Metals (or Ores) of less goodness that are in the Specharten Wood, and the bordering Countries; and yet notwithstanding ’tis evident that it yields nothing at all save this, viz. That there is excellent Salt made there and Glass, in great plenty. It is a thing well enough known to all men that here are various Metals (or Ores) found, but never hath any so procured as to have them wrought upon, and thereby to enjoy them.

We find in Several places, an Earth impregnated with white, black, and yellow Talk, especially (in that part) which is near to Aschiburg, and which contains both ☽ and ☉: which notwithstanding by reason of the smalness of the quantity thereof have never hitherto been thencefrom separated.

Not far from a Village which the Germans call Schiltkrop there offers it self a stony Talk, Somewhat ruddish, which besides Copper contains also volatile ☉, and of no use at all because there’s but little ♀ therein contained, and that the ☉ is volatile and cannot be obtained by the means of melting. Perhaps this Talk was known even of old time, for the place where it is found in plenty is by the Inhabitants of that place called the Gold-pit even to this day: for it is not incredible but that there was Gold found there.

However there is not at this time any extracted out of that Talk. I have very often extracted thence most beauteous Verde-grease by the help of destilled Vinegar. For seeing that there is plenty of Wood to be had in that place, and consequently requires no costs, we may get us vast quantities of Acetum gratis, (or for nothing): and by the help thereof extract the Copper out of the said Talk: Verily many noble Nen would have (thencefrom) whereon to live honourably.

NB. But if we make a Spirit of Salt, and with it being fortified with a fourth part of Nitre, extract the Copper and the ☉ out of the said Talk, and then first catch the ☉ by ♄, and then precipitate the ♀ by ♂, we shall not only have very malleable Copper, but shall likewise receive even pure ☉; and this I testify upon my own knowledge.

He that hath determined the experimenting of these things, and yet sees that he does not rightly perceive the things we have here mentioned, I advise him to come unto me in a friendly way, and I will not be wanting unto him to serve him and the Country by any farther information.

Verily there lie hidden incredible Treasures in those places, which none know of, and which yield nothing at all by the help of Liquefaction, and which we are constrained if we would have them fixt and metalline to make them so by the benefit of a sharp Water, and this I was willing to open and notifie for the Countries sake.

O thou Zoilist or Carper that understandest not this knack, pass not thou thy judgment hereupon, but rather examine thy Wines, and tell us which is best:, either the Heubachen, Klingenbergick, or Wertheimen sort: Verily neither of these Liquors though they are strong, are convenient for the extracting of Venus and Sol out of that Talk: There is a far stronger required, to wit, some nitrous Spirit of Salt, or Spirit of Nitre acuated with common Salt. When the extraction is ended there may be gathered plenty of Nitre out of the remaining Menstruum. Insomuch that there is nothing else required but labour, for the costs expended on the work are not at all considerable: And thus in a little space of time, we may get a great quantity of Copper and Sol.

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 Stones, and to make it fixt, so we can also extract the same out of several other Minerals, that are plentifully enough lying on both sides of the Mhene. So that now, no body hath any ground to say that the Ores cannot be found in this or that Country, or such convenient Minerals, as out of which we may extract the volatile and also the ripe Gold acording to Glauber’s prescription.

If now such may be found in those places that are adjacent to the Mhene, which we always judged to be void of such treasures, what shall we not find in those places, which have already yielded us various kinds of Metals for some hundreds of years successively, and do yet daily exhibit them; such as are Hassia, the Dukedom of Brunswick, Saxony, Thuringia, Moravia, Bohemia, Hungary, and that such like parts of the Earth abound with Metals. Therefore, Friendly Reader, 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 Earth.

I have likewise found various Metals in our Holland, and yet never, did any one ever hear that there was the least particle of them therein found, especially in that place that they call Velauw; yet notwithstanding it yields Veins of Iron, and a Yellow Sand which hath in it ☽ & ☉.

Neither doth that, place afford only such Sand Stones, & Earth, out of which volatile ☉ & ☽ may be extracted, but withal there offer themselves at the Sea-shore in those Sand-hills, which the Hollanders call Duynen, which the stony Sea heaps up, Stones of a Sky colour, which contain ♀. They are called by the Hollanders, Ultramarine.

In this place, is likewise gathered plenty of Ostiocolla it is about the length and thickness of ones Finger; yea and sometimes is as big as ones Arm; and as in a clear Season it is easily noted, (or met with) so in a Rainy Season it is not to be seen: It is in some sort hollowed in the inside; it is of a white colour, like stone-lime, and thereupon the Chyrurgions use it to consolidate the broken bones of their Patients.

Some (as they have related to me) have extracted ☽ thereout-of. There is not therefore, any place that does not contain some Metal, and especially ☉ and ☽.

Thus Friendly Reader, you see that there are in all parts of the Earth, such Subjects, as do contain, if not fixt, yet at least wise volatile Gold; insomuch that no body may on good ground, complain that nature hath denyed him ☉ and ☽, so he but knows how, and be willing to extract it.

Did Germany but know those Treasures which the Earth contains, and did use them aright; certainly they need not give place to the power of any Monarch. But it seems as if God had cast a blindness upon men, or at least keeps them blind, even until the due time approacheth of helping those that are his.

I have here shewn the way for the Country to get riches and power by; but as concerning the way by which we may extract both the volatile and fixt Gold out of Stones, Sand, and Clay, without any considerable labour & costs, according to this invention of mine; I will shew it in my Laboratory, which by Gods permission, I have begun to erect for the sake of Friends.

But whereas I have omitted some words in the description of this invention; you are to know that it was done upon this account; least otherwise such a noble Artifice should fall into the hands of my enemies; I will never be wanting to illustrate (or explain) such things as are somewhat more obscure, unto my friends. The main things are delivered clear enough, to such as are in any measure skill’d in Chymistry, but the unskilful may not hope for any thing else (thereby) but labour in vain. The thing in it self is easie, and without rubs, so as that any one who hath but once seen the way, may understand it, and manage it.

I could have exhibited the things I have delivered, in a briefer stile, but upon consideration of the common good I would not; he that cannot from these things perceive and learn ought, let him think that God is not willing to vouchsafe him the Grace of understanding them.

And now, if I had been minded to have exalted this work with mighty praises, I should not have done unseemly at all, for as much as this labour shines even in the dark, and makes many doubtful things firm and clear.

For by the means of this labour, we may get us, not only abundance of ☉ and ☽ very easily, but likewise most excellent medicaments, and which are not to be accompted common; nay, even the off-drawn Salt-petre it self, is a most excellent medicine for all Vegetables, because it is capable of multiplying them abundantly, in so much that he who is skilful in this kind of work and does not forbear from setting about it, will never want any thing.

What greater things can a man desire from God, than a sound Body, daily Bread, and as much ☉ & ☽ as necessity requires? now these gifts of God do abundantly flow in upon us by this labour; if it were not for the wicked Farnnerianists who are not worthy of any good thing, and do contemn every thing that they understand not, and (so consequently) restrain me from treating of these things, with any longer and clearer discourse. The whole world would be amazed to see the so exceedingly easie method of bettering of the Metals, and of making them perfect, and which method but few there are that know. But whatsoever we have omited here, shall, God willing, be shortly delivered in my work of ♄, where we will demonstrate by what means ☉ and ☽ may be extracted with exceeding profit out of vile (or common Lead, so that we need not any other Subject, but Lead and the Salt of the Earth or a Mineral fire (by whose help, nature bringeth (or advanceth) all Metals to maturity) for the performing this work; and hence the word Alchymy (which signifies nothing else but the melting of Salt) seems to have taken its original.

He therefore that knows how by the help of Salt, to make Metals volatile, and again fixt (which is not to be done but by solution and coagulation) such an one knows the true and unsophistcate Alchimy, and follows the universal exhortion of the Philosophers, where they say, Make the fixt Volatile & the Volatile fixt, Dissolve & Coagulate, &c.

He that hath in any measure meddled with Salt-petre, easily perceives what my meaning here is, and what I drive at. He whom Nitre obeys, him do all things else obey. I have determined (by God’s permission) to erect a Tryumphant Chariot for Nitre, & to set it thereupon, as the greatest Monarch of the Word & to exhibit it to the ignorant.

Whereas now I had written down this most noble way of compendiously extracting volatile and fixt Gold out of Stones, Sands, and Earths, and of farther augmenting other ☉ and ☽ thereby, I found nothing pretermitted of what may any waies help to the profitably accomplishing the Work, save this, viz. Whence such aureous Subjects are to be taken, out of which we may extract volatile and fixed Sol; or by what means they (viz. ☉ and ☽) may be prepared by such like labour in great quantity.

To satisfie such as these I neither will, nor can deferr it. So then, as touching the Golden Materials, there hath been enough shewn already to prove that they are every where to be found, and put case there were none to be found, is there not a Golden Silver every where to be found, and that Silver may be separated from the Gold, be Cemented, and again made aureous, as often as one shall please. Yea, and Gold may be profitably extracted out of a certain (sort of) Tin, especially the Geyersbergick and so likewise out of some Iron too.

Now that such, (viz. Gold) may be made in great quantity we may dissolve the ☉ that sticks in Stones, with Spirit of Salt, acuated with a little quantity of Nitre; for such a spirit will not be so costly as Nitrous water is. and besides this too, it will (after it hath been used in the said separation) yield excellent Salt-petre, of full as much price and value as the Spirit of Salt it self was of. So that by this means we may extract the ☉ without those costs (too): And this moist extraction may be excellently well performed in a Vaporous Balneo.

But if we seek after the dry way (of doing it) then the Stones are to be mixt with Salt and a fourth part of Nitre, and being mixt are to be made up into little balls by the help of some fat Earth, so as to stick together: Then are they to be dried in a peculiar Furnace, or else even in the open field, with a Fire of Wood, the which may be done in one hours time. The Cementation being made, they are to be powdered, and out of the powder is a Lixivium to be extracted by the means of Water, and you shall have the ☉ permixt with the Lixivium, which is to be thence extracted by the help of the solution of ♄, out of the Lixivium may Nitre be afterwards made. And now by this means may a most easie and no ways costly operation at all, be instituted with some hundreds weight.

[Sidenote: * Mentioned in the Second =Century=.]

But as concerning the melting and reduction of the ♄ which contains in it the ☉ which it caught, it may easily be done, but ’tis by the benefit of a peculiar[*] Tigil or Pot, the making of which is known only unto my self; which said Tigil or Crucible lasts a long time, and doth not at all let any thing of what is thereunto put, run out, because it has its cover made of the Lute of Wisdom.

But now again here may arise another doubt, and it may be demanded, how we may have so much Spirit of Salt for the moist way, or so much Salt and Nitre for the dry way, as is requisite to make this extraction of the Metals. Salt-petre is chargeable, and the Spirit of Salt will be difficultly gotten in such plenty; and haply they will stand us in more than the Gold thereby extracted would be worth? To such I answer, It is not so precisely necessary to buy Salt-petre for this work, seeing that the said dissolvent when it hath done what you would have it, both in the dry and moist preparation, may be again turned by the help of common Salt and other mean Subjects, into excellent Nitre: so as we may thence have more Nitre, than it was afore. And farther, as concerning the Spirit of Salt it may be made in great plenty, insomuch that (by the benefit of one Furnace) there may be daily made 50, 60, 70, yea 100 pounds thereof, 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 Coals: So that, that Spirit will in a manner cost nothing at all save Salt and Coals, which doth again after it hath been put to its appointed use, yield more Nitre than the Salt and Coals cost. This operation therefore may be done without any costs as it were. The things I here mention are true, although I well know that scarce one of a hundred will believe what I say; however I matter it not, but it is sufficient to me that I know these things, and can exhibit (or demonstrate) them to any Friends.

Albeit that this be a most easie Labour and of no expences to extract volatile and fixt Gold out of Ores, Sand, Clay, according to the prescribed rule; yet I question not but that many men that are given to slothfulness will desire here, a yet easier way, whereby they may heap up a great deal of Gold without any trouble at all. To such as these, I verily could shew an easier way of extracting ☉ out of the Minerals without melting, did I not count it wholly an unbeseeming thing, to detect all these secrets both to Friends and Enemies alike without any distinction. I will not be at all wanting to communicate my more secret way to those who deserve well, & thankfully acknowledge towards me and mine, the benefit they have received.

But yet, that the knack may be in some sort manifested, and it may be somewhat known by what means ☉ and ☽ may be gotten even out of the Ores and Minerals themselves, I will a little stretch out the thred of my discourse, and will in some sort delineate the very work it self.

You are therefore to know, that all those Minerals which contain fluxile (or unripe) or volatile Gold, whether they be stony or not, do for the most part contain in them some Iron: Now then, when a man would thence extract the ☉ by the Spirit of Salt, it cannot be but that together therewith the Iron would be dissolved too, to the doing of which there is much spirit required: And albeit you may make the said spirit most easily according to the way by me delivered, yea and may besides, by the addition of some even the most mean matter again make excellent Nitre, so as that the Nitre thence extracted shall be of more value, than the costs expended about the operation; yet notwithstanding, this business is not void of all kind of labour and trouble, and it requires diligent men (not drones) of which sort there’s more scarcity than plenty. But now this which we treat of at present, may a beardless Country Boy of about some 10 or 12 years old perform: It requires but little Fire, and all the (Metals) may be extracted in great plenty. Which to do, you must know that where the Metals (or Ores) are sulphureous, that Sulphur must be taken away by the force of the fire, for else the Spirit of Salt leaves all untoucht.

NB. However it is your best way not to force away by the fires violence the Sulphur out of the goldenish Flints, because that so, there goes off part of the Spiritual ☉: but rather extract every such aureous Sulphur with a strong Lixivium made of fixt Nitre, and precipitate it with ☿ dissolved, and so the aureous Sulphur goes to the bottom, and is to be edulcorated, and ♄, ♀, or ☽ is to be thereto added, and so they will seize upon the volatile (Gold) and the ☉ is by the means of the Lixivium made in some sort fixt, and is to be separated by destilling of the ☿: The edulcorating waters do again yield Nitre. So that the extraction requires no costs at all, at leastwise but very little.

NB. When we have extracted the aureous Sulphur (by the help of fixt Nitre, or some other very strong Lee of Wood-ashes,) out of the Flints, and have precipitated it with the solution of the ☿, and edulcorated it, and sublimed it by a Retort, there is thence made an elegant (or delicate) Cinnabar, which by the addition of the filings of Silver may be changed (by Cementation) into fixt ☽ which ☽ is aureous, by reason of the volatile ☉, which was permixt with the Sulphur. Whereas otherwise, other Cinnabar is by this way (of proceeding) wont to yield only ☽: For the filings of the ☽ thereto added, become volatile, and vanish away into the Air, for the Cinnabar hath extracted the soul thereout-of, and hath by it made it self fixt; so that there redounds no profit at all thence-from, save only that the possibility of nature is laid open. But now when the Cinnabar of this place (or mentioned in this place) is mixed with fusile ☽, edulcorated and precipitated with Salt, or with the Calx of ♄, either alone or else both mixt together (viz. the ☽ and ♄) they do greedily betake themselves into each other, and there ariseth thencefrom a black stone, which being kept in an apt (or suitable) Fire by degrees, and that for a due time, doth daily more and more acquire a fixity: Yet do I believe that it needs a long time, to make it wholly fixt: which thing seeing I have not as yet any experience of, I will not here mention ought of certainty concerning it, perhaps some particular Tincture may thence be extracted, because that the subjects which constitute it are excellent ones, for as Sulphur is said to be the Father of all the Metals, so is ☿ called the Mother. What may not a burning Sulphur not unlike the common Mineral Sulphur that is in all Metals, be extracted by Art out of any Vegetable? which (said Sulphur) I have implanted in mercurial subjects more than once, and have fixed it in them; yea and by the help thereof have so extracted natural Gold thence-from.

Verily it is to be wondred at, that this science or skill hath been hitherto unknown to the Inhabitants of the world, and that no body hath commited the same to writing.

But indeed all men may cease to admire, when they shall consider that the Great and Blessed God bestows his gifts, and the knowledge of Nature to such only as it Pleaseth him, viz. to such as bear an humble, and pious Mind; and contrariwise denyeth them to such as are impious and proud.

And here falls in a thing highly needfull to be known; by him especially, who would effect ought in Chimistry with profit (and that is this, viz.) That there can be no bettering of the Metals at all (be it either in the universal or in a particular way) but by the benefit of Sulphur (which is the father of all the Metals) & this both in the moist and in the dry way. (NB. The Spirits of Salt, of Nitre, Vitriol and Sulphur, serve instead of a sulphur though a moist one, and perform their office in the moist way.)

If therefore all the Metals were at first a Sulphur (for no Metal is there wherein it may not be found, and besides too, it is known to be in all the Vegetables) by what means possibly can it be, but that being by the help of a Sulphur, Salt, and apt Fire, reduced to fixity, it (viz. any Metal) should yield good ☉ seeing that it (viz. Gold) is nothing else but a fixt pure Sulphur. But for as much as Sulphur (as being of the Masculine kind) cannot produce any Metal alone, but that there must necessarily be ☿ thereto adjoined, (as being of the Feminine kind); every one is bound to seek after an apt or suitable ☿ (as being the Female) for his Sulphur (as being the Male) and to join that ☿ to this Sulphur, and let these two celebrate their Nuptials in Hell, where Vulcan is President.

Now then, when the Agent hath acted on the Patient, and perfected the operation, whether by the moist or by the dry way, it shews it self to be a pure product, and so much the purer too, by how much the Agent and Patient were more or less pure.

When we sow fruitful Seed in a fat Soil, good Fruits do thence-from proceed. Now then let Sulphur be the seed there, and ☿ the field it self, yet so as that your Sulphur (or seed) be pure, and that the ☿ (or ground) have no Tares in it; but let it be duely endued (or dungd) with Salt, and so let it have the fruition of the solar beams, and patiently wait for the thence proceeding fruits. Now if you meet with such a subject as hath both Sulphur and ☿ already joined together by nature; you are there only to begin the operation where nature left off, and so by the help of Fire and Salt, bring it unto its due perfection, which nature was constrained nolens volens to leave imperfect, by reason of the defect of Salt and fire.

I could here present the Student of Hermetick medicine, with such a foundation, as out of which abundance of commodious conveniencies might be expected; but the ingratitude of the men of this Age, prohibits the divulging such things.

Therefore do I herein follow Paracelsus, who saith, We could verily lay open most mighty Arcana in a very few words, if it seemed good unto God to grant unto all men the same =(equity of)= Riches.

Turn over and over his Writings, Reader; and thou wilt easily attain the foundation of the truth; but especially, view well such writings as he hath left us concerning Sulphur and Vitriol, which we will here rehearse in this place (because of the affinity of the matter) for thy sake and benefit, which writings of his if any one can make nothing of, verily neither will he understand those things which we shall add.

And now are all things (requisite) sufficiently laid open to such, to whom God vouchsafes his blessing; and contrariwise, the same will always remain hidden and unknown to the impious.

Thus much I add (viz.) That neither can any Tincture be obtained without Sulphur, nor any Sulphur fixt without Salt; both these now are found conjoined in Vitriol, from which the noxious superfluity is to be separated, and the pure is to be made fixt.

Now follow =Paracelsus= his words, concerning =SULPHUR= and =VITRIOL=.

I will present unto you, as one well skill’d, my experience in all respects concerning Sulphur, =viz.= what is contained in Sulphur, both as to Medicine and Alchimy, and to other things, and unless God be against it and hinder, the operations of =Sulphur= are so stupendious and admirable, that the natural Light in man cannot enough admire them. Now if God himself doth not hinder, then the defect is in the workmen, that so handles the =Sulphur= as that the operation answers not to the implanted Virtue.

Now seeing that every babling fellow is a =Physician=, and every prater an =Alchymist=, this is the cause why (in plain Terms) the Sciences (of =Physick= and =Chimistry=) cannot be brought to light.

This now is the Foundation or Basis, =viz.= That in =Sulphur= are contained such great Arcana and Virtues relating to both Faculties (viz. =Medicine= and =Alchimy=) that no body can ever search them out sufficiently: I say, that there lies such excellent Virtues hidden therein, as may very deservedly cause in all Men great admiration. For after long experience gained in both Faculties, such are the Virtues of =Sulphur= found and known to be, that there are not many other things that are either its superiour, or which may therewithal compare in =Medicine= and =Alchimy=.

=Sulphur= reproves =Aristotle=, when as he saith that the species of things cannot be changed: For =Sulphur= is transmuted; did =Aristotle= live now adays he would wholly be ashamed and blush.

Thus far he, as for the many more additions that he makes every one may read them in his Works.

As concerning my self, I say thus, That nothing at all can be done in Alchimy without Sulphur or sulphureous Salts; like as without seed, neither Vegetable nor Animal can; as is clearly evident, be possibly generated. Sulphur is instead of Seed, and Mercury instead of a Matrix: But you must not think that I do here speak of common Sulphur only, and common Mercury: [No!] I do comprise under them such as are far more excellent, and this you are well to heed. If now a metal be not sulphureous, it must be brought to a due softness by the force of Fire, which is done thus, viz. Making it red hot and quenching it some times in water. But if so be it is already soft enough, then bare powdering it is sufficient, without so much as ever heating it red hot and quenching the same. Put this powder in Pans of cast Iron, and that there may be the less waste of Fire, let it be encompassed with a wall or mured in a Furnace; fill them half full, and pour thereupon (whether it be Metal or Ore, or Sand, Stone, or Clay, or golden Mineral,) so much of the water which we shall by and by describe, as the Iron Vessel can contain, yet so that the said Vessels want of being top full the breadth of 3 or 4 fingers, least as you stirr it about some of it spil over. This done, put to an hundred pound weight of the Metal or Ore, about one pound of an aureous, silvery, Magnet. Then put Fire under the Pans or Cauldrons, and make the water boil, continually stirring the matter contained in the Iron Pans, with an Iron Spatula.

Now forasmuch as this water is of such a quality as that it can neither dissolve ☉ nor ☽, it leaves both the ☉ and ☽, and by reason of the admixtion of the Magnet, it attracts only the Iron or the Copper. When the water hath attracted as much ♂ or ♀ as it can, it is to be drawn away, and more new put on in the room thereof, and you must proceed on to boiling as afore-mentioned, and thus are you to reiterate this work, until all the ♂ or ♀ shall be extracted out of the Metal, and nothing remain behind save a dead Sand, which may most easily be separated from the Magnet, by the pouring on of common Water, for the sand mixeth in self with it, and the Magnet remains pure in the bottom of the Vessel, which hath received into it self the ☉ and ☽: This ☉ now and ☽ is again easily separated from the Magnet, which said Magnet may be again used for such another work.

Thus now, one only person can by this means daily separate a great quantity of Metal from the ☉ and ☽ it has in it; all the artifice consisteth in the preparation of such a water as extracteth ♂ and ♀ out of the Metals or Ores: And therefore must it be of such a nature, as to dissolve neither ☉ nor ☽, & be nevertheless strong enough to dissolve ♂ & ♀ and to separate them from the ☉: For that the Magnet cannot extract the ☉ out of the ♂ and ♀ unless they be afore dissolved. But as touching the quality (or composition) of this water; ’tis no ways expedient to divulge it, forasmuch as the whole business dependeth thereupon, nor can any thing at all be effected without the knowledge thereof. When now Venus and Mars, or else Venus alone, or Mars alone, are extracted out of the stone (or ore) by the benefit of the said water, the precipitation of them may be made by the addition of some contrary thing, whereby it comes to pass, that not only its sharpness is taken away but also excellent Nitre may be thence prepared afterwards, which is to be separated from the Mars or Venus: The precipitated Mars may be reduced with a strong fire, and so it will be made fluxile, and which easily melts in a Crucible like Venus, and becomes malleable; yea, and of more worth than the best Venus, because it performs very many profitable things in Alchimy, which we forbear to speak of here, for some certain reason.

He therefore that knows such a menstruum or dissolvent, and which requires no costs to make it, and yet notwithstanding doth very well dissolve Mars and Venus (and leave the Sol and Luna): Such an one verily may in all places find plenty of Mars and Jupiter (Venus I believe he means) which contains plenty of both fixt and volatile Sol and Luna: neither need he be much sollicitous about Golden Metals or Ores.

Forasmuch then as the whole Artifice consisteth in the knowledge only of the water, and in the manuals (or contriving) of the placing of the Magnet, and in the separating all the unprofitable matters from the ☉ and ☽; he that does not know such a Magnet and how to prepare such a dissolvent, by whose help ☉ and ☽ may be concentrated, and ♀ and ♂ be separated from them, let him search hereafter even as I, my self have done: But if so be he cannot find out or invent either of them, let him get from me what he desires to know, and I will not omit to satisfy his request, provided it may be done without my detriment and disquiet. But now you must not think that therefore I will give answers to all such as trouble me with their tedious Letters, for my time permits not the doing of such matters.

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 wise. Let it be reduced with the strong blast of bellows, and you shall find either a greater or lesser Regulus in the bottom (according to the muchness or lessness of the ♂ that the stone contains) which Regulus compriseth in it self the ☉ and ☽ which was in the Mineral or Ore, if such an Iron be malleable, Plates may be made of those Regulusses, with are to be dissolved (in the Cauldrons made of cast Iron) with that secret water, out of which solution, the ☉ may be extracted by the benefit of the Magnet, according to the afore-prescribed manner. But if the said Regulus be brittle, and not malleable, then may it be granulated: Nay, it would not be much amiss to make large Cauldrons and such like Pots thereof by melting, that may be of 2, 3, or 4 Fingers thickness. Nor must we suppose that what the said water dissolves of the Cauldron and takes from it, besides that which it receives from the Plates or Granulated Iron put therein to dissolve, is meerly lost: No, for even it doth in like manner exhibit its Sol too; so that by this means a most rich Mine-pit may be made.

But some will say, whence shall we have such Minerals that yield ☉, and that bring such great profit? We have said before, that such Minerals or Ores containing such Iron, are every where to be found: Nor can you light on any common ♂ which has not ☉ therein, which may easily be extracted from thence, and that with most great profit. This now is known unto most (Refiners) that there is plenty of corporeal ☉ to be found in the Iron that we commonly use which (said corporeal ☉) is far surmounted (as to quantity) by the volatile ☉; but if a man would separate it thence by the help of fusion and the addition of ♄, it requires too much costs, and therefore men never attempted any other way of extracting it.

All Germany affords this sort of Iron (that is thus endued with Gold) in a most plentiful manner, & I could shew very many places in which it may be found, if some pregnant (or notable) causes did not prohibit me from so doing.

But that all men may know, that I tell the very truth, and do not like a vain man tell you of great Treasures, and that they are every where to be found in Germany, and yet notwithstanding by reason of their not being known are not of any use; I will show some of them with my very Fingers as it were, which haply in respect of othersome that I know not of as yet, will be but a very few, and these very vile or poor, too.

First of all then, all the Iron that is in the Pine-bearing Mountain and about it, doth contain both fixt and volatile ☉; and this I have often experienced some years since, when I lived at Kitzing in Franconia, and extracted thence from by the help of a melting Fire excellent ☉: For as then, the manner of extracting ☉ from thence by waters only, without any melting fire, was to me unknown: For at that time those most eminent Men Mr. Christopher Herbst, the chief Physician of the Prince of Arsparch, and Mr. Adam Renningen the said Prince’s Lieutenant, and chief of his House, (or Governour) in the Castle of Blassenburg near Culmbach, presented me various kinds of minerals, to try what was in them contained: And amongst these Iron ones I find all of them to be endued with Gold, which might be exceeding profitably extracted thence by the afore-disclosed moist way. There were likewise given me such like conditioned stones and metals (or ores) which were found near Bamberg, of which we have said somewhat afore. The truth of this thing is the more confirmed by the Lord Fleishman, Governour of the Province of Bamberg my singular Friend, who wrote unto me some few months since, that an excellent Gold-mine is found in the Province of Bamberg, but yet that the Gold thereof cannot at all be separated from the Iron by the force of Fire; which volatility of Sol I signified to him in my answer might most easily be amended.

Now like as all the Minerals and the Iron it self which are found near the Pine-bearing Mountain, are very much endued with Gold, so those which are found in Misnia, Saxony, Thuringia, and Bohemia, do abound with ☽: both of which may be extracted thence by the way by me delivered, with very great profit. 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 ignorance.

Certain I am, that the Metals (or Ores) throughout all Carinthia and Styria do possess much volatile and fixt Gold; especially the Iron Metal (or Ore): For I have many a time made experiments of that thing.

Moreover, the Hircinian Wood, Brunswick, and Hassia yield such kind of Minerals. Nor is Suevia destitute of such Iron as is impregnate with ☉; and amongst other things I think good to declare, that some few months since, a certain Basilian Ruler sent me a potion of such kind of Iron; withal relating, that the lesser experiment did there yield ten Crowns of Gold, and that an hundred weight was of this Iron sold for nine Florins price. Which Iron when I had tried by the help of a fusing or melting Fire I got a sufficiently great quantity of ☉, but in proceeding by my moist way, I got twice or thrice as much.

Such kinds of stones as these are found in plenty throughout all Germany, to which may be reckoned the red and black Talk, the Irony Talk, black and red Granates, Smiris, Hæmatites, and the like, which always are endued with ☉, if not with fixt, yet with volatile Gold. So that now it is manifestly apparent, that in those places where ☉ is digged, all the stones are repleat with volatile Gold at least, if not with fixt ☉ too: like as all the Iron that is digged in Spain doth of a certainty besides volatile Gold contain also corporeal Gold. Nay more, there are not only found such stones that have Gold in them in those hotter places, but also in most cold places too, witness Norway; where you may meet with whole Mountains consisting of Iron, Talk, and Granates; out of which there has not hitherto been any ☉ gotten by the help of a melting fire with any profit; though I my self have found ☉, in the lesser experiments.

Last year Mr. J. W. brought me various Ores out of the County of Eysfeldein, that I might try what they contained. Amongst others, there were some little grains of Iron round like a Pease, though somewhat lesser, thus generated in the Earth naturally: This Earth as I was informed, is altogether black, one handful of which contains 10, 15, 20 Grains: wherefore it is not improbable that all the Earth of that place is repleat with Iron; these little Grains are so very tractable, as that they may be made into Plates with an Hammer, and contain much Gold.

Such a kind as this of black Iron grains (yet not so round or tractable as those but now spoken of) were brought me from Saxony, which are endued with plenty of Gold, but volatile; they are easily pulverisable, and (as was related to me) are to be found near the Mountain which the Germans call Geyersberg, where also is gathered a Tin stone, which doth also contain Gold, such as Misnia yields more plentifully. Out of 100 weight of this Tin, I found that 10 or 12 Crowns of Gold might indeed be extracted; but this work requires such costs as far exceed the price of that which is extracted: and therefore they sell off the Tin, just as ’tis digged out, to avoid the expence of extracting the ☉.

That which is gathered in the said Mountain, I have often tried, nor did I ever find it destitute of ☉, the which may be very well extracted by my moist separation.

The Stabelein Abbot presented me with such like Iron stones and several others that had Gold in them, together with diverse Minerals, some 18 months ago, some of which were gathered in Westphalia, some in the Province Luttinge, in that part that is under the Government of the Elector of Cologne, P. M. The Prince himself having a mind to see by what means I would extract the volatile Gold out of them, came unto me, but he died in his Journey homewards; since that I have not received any more of such like aureous Metals (or Ores.)

Amongst other (Ores) I knew an Iron Metal (or Ore) found in Westphalia, the half whereof was very aureous, but of no use, because the Metal-men were ignorant of the way of separating those Metals from one another; whereas notwithstanding both the pure Copper, and the ☉ it self may be most easily separated from the Iron according to the way by me delivered.

There were also a while ago several Iron stones brought me by the Cologne Merchants, and especially Mr. Peter Sevet (P. M.) which are found in plenty in the Mountains, and do abound with much ☉: Besides this too, all the Mountains of Germany, do yield a yellow Earth, endued with Iron and ☽: of which kind a certain Physician of Erfurt sent me some, which (as he related to me) at Eysfeldt near Erfurt towards the Province of Moguntia is plenty thereof.

Such an Earth containing silver, I my self found here in the bordering places ’twixt Arnheim and Embrick, but not of such worth as that of Eysfeldt is.

Who knows but that that same place which we call Velaw hides in it vast Treasures. For I have found near Amheim a white Clay and Earth out of which I extracted some ☽: Yea and I found there too, true Veins of Iron, which whether or no they contain ☉ and ☽ I cannot tell: For I never proved them, but the first opportunity I have I intend (God willing) to make an Essay.

Thus ’tis evident that there is not at all wanting unto us the matter of effecting some good and profitable thing by, but the love of idleness is the reason why we neglect abundance of sufficiently obvious Treasures.

The Earth nourisheth men of diverse natures; for some of them are altogether slothful, sluggish, and extraordinarily backward to labour, and yet nevertheless get fat bodies enough: On the other hand, there are some who are very diligent, & do too much consume themselves, and concerning whom (being like unto a burning Candle) they may say thus of themselves, by serving others, am I consumed. And as much benefit as the Candle gets by affording a light unto others and by consuming it self; so much doth there redound, especially from ungrateful men, to a diligent man who by serving others wasts and consumes himself.

These and such like most abject Subjects are plentifully enough to be found in all parts of the World where Mountains are, and out of them may you extract ☽ and ☉ by the help of my nitrous Water, were but the way of doing it known, which way hath been hitherto reserved amongst Arcana by reason of mens extream ingratitude. And I pray is it not altogether useful and expedient that we should gather such Treasures, and make use of them to Gods Honour, and to the defence of Kingdoms and Mankind? Is there not sufficient store of idle fellows, whom it would be very expedient either to invite to labour or (if they shun work) to banish them the Kingdom?

I believe that this blindness will hardly leave men afore they are reduced to straits, but beware least you hap to begin to grow wise too late.

This work, like as is every other perfection of Metals is done by Sympathy and Antipathy: For that, dissolvent which drives off ☉ and ☽ from it self, by Antipathy, all this doth a mercurial Magnet greedily attract by Sympathy, seeing it thus, that viz. as like loves like, and draws it to it self; so one contrary hates another contrary, and drives it away.

Two contraries do always produce a third thing. Where the Agent acts upon the patient, and that this patient is even enforced to suffer against its will, and cannot by any means shun the force of the Agent, there must of necessity arise some better product from them.

When water is added to water, neither of them suffer, because they are both of them of the same nature: But when fire and water are joined together, the weaker is the sufferer, and from them doth a third thing proceed.

The stinking and volatile Sulphur is the enemy of ☉, and common Salt, of ☽; and by how much these have more stench the one, and sharpness the other, so much the greater is the hostility they shew. The greatest matters are performed by love and hatred; such things as are friendly beget a chearfulness, joy, and vivacity: Whereas, on the other hand, the things that we abhor beget a teadious wearisomeness, grief and death: therefore the more acceptable a thing is, the more it brings of life; the less acceptable the more of dolour doth it bring. All the perfection therefore of the baser metals consisteth only in Antipathy and Sympathy: And if once we do but rightly know the nature of metals, all things are easily accomplished.

It is storied of a certain Philosopher in Italy, That he had committed some evil deed, for the which he was accused, apprehended, and cast into prison, being here shut up, he could not be brought, neither by entreaties, nor by threats; no, nor by any means to confess his fact; but at last they put into his company a man of no sobriety or modesty at all, who did so grieviously exasperate him with his words, that the said Philosopher could not brook it, and so rather chose death; for he affirmed, that the mind of man was far more noble, than to be plagued by such a tag-rag, with reproachful contumelies.

Even just so is it with Metals, by how much the nobler and purer they are, so much the less will they commix themselves with impure things.

Gold the purest of the Metals cannot be knit with stinking impure and common Sulphur; for there is an antipathy betwixt them. Salt alone is endued with those virtues as to be able to reduce contrary natures into agreement, and to commix them; and being commixt, the fixt ☉ is able to make the unfixt Sulphur, like unto it self in respect of fixity, whereas otherwise they always persecute each other with hatred. Sol cannot suffer any thing until it has gotten the nature of a Salt, and then may it be tormented (as it were) by the impure Sulphur, and be changed into better.

When the Soul of the imperfect Metals (which is a spiritual ☉) is to be forcibly pluckt, and severed from its body, it cannot possibly be done without the dolour or pain of the Patient; for where the pure and spirituous goldenish substance that dwelleth in the corruptible bodies, is to be made Corporeal, and consequently assume a more noble form, the first form must necessarily be annihilated, that so the hidden tender body may come forth to light and be seen.

And this verily is done by another kind of way than the common and already known; by which (said common way) the Metals are separated by Aqua-fortis from one another, and are afterwards Molten. For if any one should make one Metalline Mass of ♂, ♀, ♃, ☉, and ☽, by melting, and then would again separate them, by the help of common Aqua-fortis, he would effect nothing; for the Aqua-fortis would dissolve only ☽ and ♀ and part of ♃ and ♂, and leave the remainder with the ☉ undissolved; or if he should pour on Aqua-regia, there would be only ☉ and ♀, together with some part of ♃ and ♂ dissolved, and that which remains of the ♃ and ♂ (undissolved) would be left behind with the ☽, and so there would not be made any good separation.

But if so be that any one has a mind to attempt this thing on this wise, and should say, I will dissolve ♂, ♀, or ♃, by the help of Aqua-fortis, or as much of it as possibly I can, for so the ☽ that is in the mixture must needs be dissolved. Now then when its dissolved I will precipitate it (viz. the ☽ out of the solution, by salt water (if it be so yet); the ☉ therefore remains, which could not be dissolved by the Aqua-fortis; or, if I should dissolve the Metal (or mixture,) by Aquaregia, then the ☉ is dissolved, (but not the ☽), and so I can precipitate the ☉ out of the solution, by a Lixivium, and edulcorate it, and melt it, and so by this means may I get it. Well (let me tell you) that neither will this way fadge, for these Metals, and especially ♂ and ♃ are too terrestrial, and admit not of such a separation, though there should be in the aforesaid Metals, abundance of Corporeal ☉ and ☽, whereas notwithstanding the greatest part is fluxile, and must be again made fixt and corporeal by solution; for in this work the already pure and fixt ☉ and ☽ may be altered, so as that a Mercurial magnet cannot be able to assume them. As for example, Take you a Metal, as ♂, ♃, or ♀, which (as is well known) there is Corporeal ☉. Dissolve this in Aqua-regia, and precipitate the ☉ by a Lixivium of fixt Salt; boil this precipitate with ☿, and see if that precipitated ☉ will pass into the ☿; you’ll find not, for this ☉ hath gotten a Crust (as it were) in its precipitation by the Lixivium; that is, it is environed with a saline Terrestreity, in so much that the ☿ cannot attract the ☉.

Neither likewise can ☿ attract or assume such a silvery Calx as is precipitated out of the solution with salt water, and that by reason of the terrestreity alone, which adheres thereunto by means of the precipitation, by which it is altered and deprived of a pure Metallick form.

The truth hereof may you easily experiment, on this wise. Dissolve a particle of pure ☽ in Aqua-fortis, and dissolve the same quantity of pure ☉ in Aqua-regia, precipitate the ☽ with salt water, and the ☉ with a Lixivium, so as that the ☽ be precipitated into a white, and the ☉ into a yellow Calx; edulcorate both Calxes apart after the best way that possibly you can, with hot water many times, so long till the edulcorating water be wholly sweet, then weigh these dryed Calxes, and you shall see that the ☽ and ☉ you took, are one fourth part heavier than before the solution of them; and this is to be ascribed to the Salts only, that have adjoined themselves to the Metal in the precipitation, and cannot be thence seperated by edulcoration; and therefore such a silvery Calx yields not (when molten,) a pure Lunar body, but a certain Ashy coloured Mass, fluxile and volatile, by reason of the Salts; and this Calx is not changed (or swallowed up) into the ☿ neithar before nor after its being molten, nor (after its melting,) can it ever be dissolved by Aqua-fortis or Aqua-regia, which alteration proceeds meerly from the Salts that have adjoined themselves thereto in the precipitation.

Even just so is it with such a golden Calx, which being separated by precipitation out of the Aqua-regia with a Lixivium, will not have ingress into ☿, by reason of the impurities that accompany it; and therefore this golden Calx (when it is made hot) kindles, and vehemently operateth upon it self, and this is meerly from the Salts.

From hence it is clearly evident that the Calx of ☽ precipitated by Salt, and the Calx of ☉ by a Lixivium, have not any communion with ☿, how then can such a Calx, which is (now) at first forced out from many terrestrial parts, and imperfect Metals, and separated from them, have a greater communion therewithal, have ingress thereinto, and conjoin it self therewith by digesting. Other wayes therefore must be taken, by which you may extract the volatile and fixt Gold, that lies hidden in ♂, ♃, ♄, or ♀: Now many there be who do in vain search into those things which they know not the nature of, and so walk in darkness like one that hath already fallen into a Pit.

But if you come to know such a menstruum or dissolvent, which is an enemy to ☉ or ☽, and yet nevertheless doth plainly dissolve ♂, ♃, ♀, and ♄, then the spiritual ☉ that lies hidden, will manifestly appear corporeally and visibly, and will pass into the Mercurial Magnet.

Besides, this dissolvent must likewise be of such a nature, as that (when in the solution or digestion of the imperfect metals, it makes the spiritual and volatile Gold corporeal, and casts it off from it (as I may say) by antipathy in the form of a powder) this powder may not be environed with any crustiness as abovesaid, but that both the Calx of ☽ and of ☉ may have their natural metallick splendor, whereto the ☿ may adhere, and may attract unto it self whatsoever the dissolvent separates by the continual digestion.

Farther, this Dissolvent must be of such a nature as not to be so sharp as to dissolve the ☿ for then the work would not succeed; indeed it is scarcely necessary to make use of the ☿, to receive into it the spiritual and fixt Gold which is separated in the digestion fixation and separation of the Volatile ☉ of the Metals; for when it is once evacuated it will never again occupy (or seize upon) its impure body; yet notwithstanding this chiefly is done for this reason, viz. that the spiritual ☉ & ☽ in the imperfect metals may be the more willingly made Corporeal, when it finds a fitting subject wherein it may lie hidden and rest. Besides too, this spirituall ☉ and ☽ of the Metals, is indued with such virtues, as that it tingeth some part of the ☿ into ☉ and ☽, when it hath thereinto entred, whereby it yields the more profit.

Thus much likewise are ye to know, that this labour does not only proceed in the moist way, but also in the dry; but yet far easier in the moist than in the dry way; yet in the (dry way) a greater profit is gotten in a shorter time. For like as to one measure of Milk are required 1, 2, 3 or 4 spoonfuls of Salt, that so the Cheese (or Curd) may be separated from the water (or whey), but there needs not the quantity of one spoonful of the Spirit, which is much stronger than the bare Salt: Even so stands the case with Metalline operations; for by how much the greater and more powerful the Agent or Contrary is, so much the sooner and stronger doth it perfect its operations. Hence it is, that where the Agent must be yet more strongly active (as in the dry way, it must of necessity be where the strong fire adds virtue and vigour to the Agent) it being consequently more contrary (or powerful) the separation is sooner perfected. For example, Let us see how it is with Milk, where 10 or 20 drops of Spirit of Salt separate some cold Milk, there will need but half the quantity only when the Milk is boil’d or otherwise heated; even so is it with our Agent, whereby we make the Volatile Gold in the more vile or meaner Metals, corporeal and visible; it operates far more strongly in the dry way, than in the moist way; for in the dry way, the external fire aideth our fire, and hereupon finisheth its operation so much the sooner; but in the dry way must another Magnet be made use of.

Thus much let suffice touching the particular washing or external purgation of the viler Metals; as concerning the internal, central, universal washing, by which the interiour Soul of ☉ and ☽ is extracted for the Tincture, I do not as yet (certain) know any thing thereof, nor desire I to know such abstruse and hidden things: content I am with such things as God of his meer grace hath bestowed upon unworthy me, and if God shall so please, so far to profit mankind either by mine or any others help, he will also present an occasion of laying hold thereon (viz. on the Tincture) for all good things come from God.

Now in this action (or operation) is required an ocular inspection, such great things cannot be understood by Books or Writings, and he that desires to excel in these (operations) let him take it in good part, that (I say) he ought frequently to here me as a master, and to see me labouring about these things, which otherwise he will never learn, for the common Alchymists are plainly ignorant of this work; yea the Ancient Philosophers did hide it as a secret, the most they could, that so it might not be trodden under foot by Swine.

But whereas I do so clearly set down these things, otherwise than ever any before hath done, the consideration of the time (or age) requires it, and best of all known it is to God, why he now delivers these things to be divulged. Forasmuch as mention hath been made in the aforegoing treatise of Spiritual ☉, which might be extracted, together with the corporeal, and some or other would perhaps very willingly know what is to be understood by the name of spiritual ☉; I think it not much amiss a little more largely to explain these things for the sake of the Ignorant.

Every Spiritual thing is invisible, and void of a palpable body; but now if a body be given thereunto, in which that spirit may be made corporeal and visible, then the spirit is not any more a spirit, but is changed into a body; if therefore the Spirits are good, they do likewise make good Bodies, and so on the contrary. For all the Philosophers tell us, that the Spirit or Soul in Iron and Copper is more noble than in ☉ it self, because the body which it dwells in is gross, terrestrial, and impure.

The case then standing thus, it is no wonder that if these spirits are separated by art and force, and expelled from such grose bodies, and joined to other purer subjects, they then produce some good thing. Would not the other Beasts reverence the Ass clad in a Lions skin, as if he were their King, and this mearly by reason of his skin; though inwardly he were an Ass? If so be any man be but cloathed in silken rayment, and go gawdily; do not every body put off their hats to him, and honour him, though inwardly he haply is a thief or a knave; and so on the contrary, if a most honest and most learned man go in tattered apparel, or at least in mean rayment, is he not rejected, and despised by all. From hence it sufficiently appears how sinisterly the common people judge of all things, and neglect the inside, and only look to the outside shew. ’Tis the external Shape, according as tis good or bad, that makes a man esteemed by the vulgar either good or bad, contemptible or honourable, though his nature (or education) possesseth other properties.

The like is to be understood, concerning the contemptible Metals, Mars and Venus, which according to the report of all the Philosophers have more Tincture in them than Sol it self hath; but yet by reason of the grossness of their bodies are they rejected: now therefore, by how much better the means or way is by which this noble Spirit is extracted, and added to the pure bodies, so much the better is the product.

When therefore the gross bodies of ♂ and ♀ are artificially broken, and the spirit dissolved, and thence forced out, it seeks it self another body wherein it may dwell and be at rest. Therefore when we do by art disturb (as I may say) the gross bodies of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, or Saturn, and dissolve the pure Soul, and expel it by antipathy, out of its impure houses, and contemptible garments, and set before it a pure ☿, it possesseth it, and so assumeth another nobler body than it had before, and which then is ☉ and ☽, according as ’tis managed. This is my opinion, and after the same manner is the thing to be understood concerning Spiritual Gold.

But what business have we here with the Spiritual ☉ of Metals? Let us be content with the Corporeal, and leave the Spiritual to the Philosophers, to make the Tincture with. But forasmuch as upon the occasion of my teaching the means of extracting Corporeal ☉, I could not leave the speaking of the Spiritual wholly untoucht, I made also some kind of mention of the same; and it will be beneficial to some or other, who till they do understand my meaning, may be content with the Corporeal ☉. But such as have open and attentive Ears to consider what my drift is in this discourse, my doctrine will be more profitable unto them, than either Sol or Luna.

There is yet one thing more to be added. In some places they are wont to reduce the Sol and Luna into a powder with ☿, that so the Corporeal ☉ and ☽ may be separated and extracted from the Stone (or Ore); and this is no new or unheard of thing.

But this is more rare (or seldomer used): a Metal which hath not as yet arrived to his due maturity but is as yet conjoined with his first ens, and consequently it flies away in the melting, and neither yields ☉ nor ☽, when it (viz. such a Metal) is commixt with ☿ salt and vinegar, and let lie to act upon each other for some days, it comes to pass that the Mercury attracts the immature, Spiritual ☉ and ☽, and makes it corporeal and fixt, so as it may thenceforward be molten. If then the Spiritual ☉ and ☽ doth so easily enter into the ☿, and make it Corporeal, it is yet much more facile to be done by my way, which is effected by the help of more strong (or powerful) instruments, than by bare ☿ only, and Salt and vinegar, with which they mix the Metal with the ☿, nor can they possibly do so much as my secret menstruum which penetrateth all things.

When now the Matter, together with the Salt and Vinegar is duly separated from the ☿ by the help of fair water, they pass the Mercury through a skin of Leather, which is again serviceable for the same uses; but that of it which adheres to the ☽, is thence separated in an Iron Retort, then is tried the weight of that which is separated, and as much as there wanteth of the weight of the ☿, so much of ☽ do they receive in its stead, which is a thing well worthy thenoting, and deserves a farther inquiry, and is not here set down in vain.

Let not any one despise these few things which I have here adjoined, for they comprise in them most great mysteries; yea and greater than most will believe.

Neither let any one imagine that I will presently communicate this most noble Secret (which clearly shines in the dark) to every stranger; no, no such matter; I will (God permitting) shew these things to my honest friends, that so it may not perish together with me; but however I will well think on that much used Proverb, Fide, sed cui vide; Trust, but see whom you trust.

The Farnnerianists have given me this document; many there have been who have come unto me and declared the miserable state they were in, that what by the Wars, and by other misfortunes, they have lost their Goods, and have begged me for the love of God, to succour them, by communicating to them some operation, whereby they might sustain their lives, promising that they would requite this kindness by their earnest prayers unto God in my behalf.

These and such like words have sometimes moved me that I have given some secret to one or other, and have bestowed on them an overplus too; yet I obliged some of them, that they should convert it solely to their own use, and not communicate it to others without my privity, which thing they promised largely enough. But as soon as they have been gone from me, they have presently sold those secrets of mine to others, and which is more, to my Enemies. Now when by reason of their ignorance, they did not know how to institute the operation aright, they falsely affirmed, that they bought this Art of me at a price, and that they have been cheated; whereas they well know, that it was pure affection induced me to bestow these things upon them without any reward.

These and such other like ἀντίδωρα (or Gift-hinderers) have deterred me from communicating any thing to others for the future; and this I would have every one to consider, and not trouble me with either Letters or Visits.

Yet nevertheless I will communicate store of my secrets unto my Friends, that so they may not clearly perish with me, nor be thrown to my Enemies, and swinish men.

I have done as much as in me lay, nor will I omit to do more where I shall see a grateful mind; in the next place I will (for the service of my Friends) treat about and shew in the fourth part of the Prosperity of Germany, the Secrets of Saturn, by what means any one that is but a little versed in managing the fire, may seek (or make) some Country fellows, his tributaries, who may pay him an appointed tribute every week, after the Example of Kings and Princes, who bestow upon their faithful servants (that deserve well of the Country by their valour against the Enemies) Kingly gifts as whole Cityes, Towns, Villages, and many Subjects as an inheritance, of whom they may afterwards receive Tribute and live very abundantly or plentifully.

Now by how much the more Country-men there are that be Subject to a noble man, so much the richer is he supposed to be, for they pay the more tribute. And the more Ploughs the Country-man hath a going, the greater is the tribute he pays his Lord, which thing the governance of States or Common-weals induceth, as being a just thing.

Now after the same manner as these things are in use in political governments, are they also in Alchimy, for it doth likewise when we have for some time faithfully served under her, bestow on us tributary Country men (as ’twere) by way of recompence, from whence we may have Food and Rayment.

The more Fields and Ploughs that we give to these country-folks, the more Tribute do they pay. Neither do these forsake their Masters, for they are shut up in a stall, and when their bellies are filled with Coals, and that they are safe from the Rain (or Weather) they are contented, and do perform the businesses that are imposed upon them.

By how many more the Ploughs are which we give unto them (though one Country-man can hardly manage above two or three, so much the more do they give.

Such Country-men as these doth the true Alchimy distribute amongst her Servants, whereby they may thenceforward lead a quiet Life.

If God shall vouchsaft me life and leisure yet a while longer, I have purposed with my self to bring most mighty benefits unto my Country.

In the mean while, let these things be accepted in good part, Those same tributary Country-men may be shewn my Friends, together with sundry other profitable Inventions, in my laboratory.

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