The Third Part: OF THE Mineral Work (part 1 of 2)

The Third Part: OF THE Mineral Work (part 1 of 2)

Wherein under the Title of a Commentary on a little Book of =Paracelsus=, called, =The Heaven of Philosophers, or a Book of Vexations=, the Transmutation of Metals are Taught in general; with an Appendix demonstrating their particular Process, Melting, Exploration, Separation, and other necessary Operations.

A Preface to the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

I will not conceal from thee the reason why I have taken upon me in this Third Part to explain a Book of =Paracelsus=, called =The heaven of Philosophers=, lest thou should’st believe I wanted matter to write, did I not encrease my Book by the Writings of other men. That Good which I have here decreed to write, I could have done even without the admixtion of =Paracelsus=’s Books, but this properly is the cause, because =Paracelsus= in our precedent Age, published very many most elegant Books for the Publick Good, but obscure enough, and for this reason are by the unskilful accounted false, and are contemned; but yet because they are stored with =Arcana=’s or Secrets, they are most highly to be esteemed. Now, after that I had perceived the said Books to be true, I did very impatiently bear such sinister reports of this man, as blazed him abroad for one Ignorant of all things, and a Vagabond; who in very deed had but a few Equals in true Genuine =Philosophy=, =Medicine=, and =Alchymy=.

He did many good turns to all, especially to the Poor, of which many Testimonies are extant; and amongst others, that Epitaph is to be seen, which is in the Hospital of St. =Sebastian= at =Saltsburg=, where he was buried, and to which he bequeathed his Goods, and is graven in Capital Letters in a Marble, and erected in the Wall, the Tenour whereof I my self have read, and is thus: =Here lies buried= Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus, =a famous Doctor of Medicine, who by a wonderful Art cured those direful Diseases, the Leprosy, Gout, Dropsy, and other incurable Contagions of the Body, and to his honour gave and bequeathed his Goods unto the Poor. He died in the year of our Lord, 1541. the 24th. of= September.

And what hast thou now to say? Had he not been such a one as is mentioned in the Epitaph, the Magistrate would not have honoured him with so eminent an Encomium. Moreover, all prudent Lovers of Truth do to this day believe, that he never had his equal: And although through the Envy of some unlearned men he is despised, yet it derogates nothing from him, for he will still remain =Paracelsus=.

And now, seeing that our =Paracelsus= hath hitherto undergone such bitter things, and that none have dared to open their mouths against those slanderers, I will attempt the explication and illustration of his chiefest Books, and prove that he was not either a Lyer or Impostor, but most experienced in the light of Nature; and to this end will I begin with his =Heaven of Philosophers=: I will not avow, that he could make heaps of Gold and Silver, (himself mentioning not any such thing, but he only discovers the possibility of the thing, which even I also will endeavour to declare, although I am ignorant of doing it in great quantities, which thing I am not greedy after) yet ’tis my contentation to be capable of discovering truth from falshood, and convince such as are incredulous, having some hopes, that by this my faithful writing, an occasion will be administred unto others of searching after and obtaining their desired end. Amen.

The Heaven of the Philosophers: OR, A Book of Vexations.

By Philippus Theophrastus Paracelsus.

The Art and Nature of =Alchymy=, and what is to be thought concerning it; being comprehended in Seven undoubted Rules, respecting the Seven vulgar Metals.

The PREFACE. Theophrastus Paracelsus to all Alchymists and Readers of this little Book.

Beloved and Expert of the Art of =Alchymy=, and all ye who promise to your selves much Riches and Gains of much Gold and Silver, which thing =Alchymy= doth plentifully teach, and ye (who being occupied about these things) would be vexed, and cannot cease until you have experienced what it gives, and what promises it performs; verily, daily Experience teacheth, that there is not one of a thousand that becomes Master of his Desire; which I will not call the fault of the Art or Nature, but the unskilfulness of the Artificer.

Wherefore I will not stuff this little Book of =Alchymy= with difficult Art and tedious Labours, as the common Alchymists are wont to do.

(℞ ♁ melt it with Nitre and Tartar, of this take one Lot, of Gold one Lot, of Tin three drams, of Schlich one dram, of Sulphur two Lots, of Vitriol two lots; let them flow with ☽ in a Crucible with Arsenick.) Because also all the signs of Heaven, and the characters of the Stars and Planets, together with their changed and inverted terms and names, as also the Receptacles of the matter, and the Instruments of Artificers are usually very well known; It will not be needful to treat of these things anew in this Book, although herein are used these signs, names, and characters, when it seems convenient and profitable.

Now here is delivered another Reason of =Alchymy=, in seven Rules, accommodated to the seven Metals, after an infallible manner, although in Expressions not adorned, but undressed and simple: Yet, as to the sence, the expressions are abstruse and profound as can be; which may deservedly be called the Mistriss and Summ of all =Alchymy=; from which even the mysteries of other things may be produced, divined, and known, with many new Speculations, from whence new Cogitations and wonderous Operations, do (by examining and trying) come forth to the Light, that in many places they are even, in the Examen or tryal it self, found to contradict the Pleasures of the Philosophers.

Likewise in this Art nothing is more certain, than that which is least apprehended and believed; and this is the only fault and cause of all various Operations in =Alchymy=; whence ’tis that many suffer loss by their own unskilfulness, and so labour in vain, either because there’s more of the matter, or less, or equal weight, whence the thing is more corrupted in operation and destroyed; or if the thing is truly lighted on, it is become more exalted, and tends unto Perfection.

For the way is most easie, but is found by but very few. It’s also expedient, that an ingenious man consider the Art and certain Rule of =Alchymy=, whether he would make something or nothing: he ought to make a nothing, that he may bring something unto nothing, and that something may be again generated out of nothing; which Saying is incredible, but yet most true; =Corruption makes a good thing perfect=: Yea, good cannot appear, because of his covering and hider; good also is begun whilst ’tis hidden; the hider ought to be removed and destroyed, then the good being freed, will manifestly appear in his lustre, the =Gloss=: the hider or covering is the Mountain, Sand, Earth, or Stone wherein the Metal was generated. Now every visible metal is the obscurer or hider of the other six metals.

Because therefore that by the Element of fire Imperfect things are corrupted, burnt up, and sublimed such as the five metals, ♂, ♃, ☿, ♀, & ♄ are; but the Perfect not at all, =viz.= the two most Noble, the ☉ and the ☽, therefore they ought to abide even in the fire, and to assume their body out of the other Imperfect metals, in which they are destroyed, and to appear visibly; which thing, how it may be done, and what helps are thereto necessary, shall be taught in the seven Rules, =viz.= What the nature and property of every metal is; what operation he hath, being mixt with others; and what he can do.

’Tis also to be observed, that these seven Rules cannot forthwith be understood by one that is somewhat dull, at the first reading and view, a weak understanding cannot compass hard things. Hence every of these Rules wants much search and travel. Some are pufft up and proud, supposing themselves well to understand; and these things are childish, which are here delivered, and they know far better, and do plainly contemn these things of mine.

=Glaub.=] This Preface is of it self perspicuous, and needs not any singular Interpretation or Explication, but indeed the Process which he mentions requires a more accurate Observation.

Take Antimony, melt it with Tartar and Nitre, of this take one lot; of Gold one Lot; of Tin three drams; of Schlich one dram; of Sulphur two lots; of Vitriol two lots: let them flow with Silver in a Crucible with Arsenick.

This is the Process of making Gold and Silver, which Paracelsus will not have to be accounted like unto other Processes, of much labour and long time, but is confident, that by the help hereof he can get Gold and Silver with little labour, time, and costs.

’Tis not to be doubted, but that this hath been tryed by thousands, and frustrated the hope of such as laboured thereabouts; and that not without cause, they imagining that these are foolish ingredients to be taken for such work; my self have heard many of those that have made trial, to be very much displeased: By what means can gold and silver be made by volatile and preying ravenous things, such as ♁, Vitriol, Sulphur, & Arsenick are, which do not only yield from themselves no Gold or Silver, but even corrupt them, and bring them to fume, or at the least turn them to Scoria; my self trying this when I had blown them altogether, I found that these metalline species, as Schlich, Vitriol, Sulphur, and Arsenick did, corrupt the Sun and Moon, spoiling of its metalline form, and transmuted it into Scoria or dross. But now this is the thing which Paracelsus requires and aims at, and therefore should not by any means hinder or deterr us; he presently, for the better explication of his meaning, adds, Something ought to be made a Nothing; and again, the Nothing to be made Something; which thing the unskilful doth not heed or believe, that Metals being corrupted and made Scoria, when by the benefit of Art they are reduced, are by this means meliorated; which albeit it be most true, yet are they but a very few (as he saith) who believe it to be true: and he confirms the whole process throughout the Chapter, even to the Chapter of ☿, and explains it, saying, Corruption makes a good thing perfect.

The Good cannot appear by reason of its covering. The hider or veil must be taken away, that the Good may be freed and become conspicuous; that also the first covering, under which metals are hidden, and wherein they are generated, is a Mountain, Sand, Stone, or Earth, all which are to be separated by fusion, that the metals may become pure.

Here the Metallurgist desists, and is clearly ignorant of any other covering. But Paracelsus addeth, That each metal is a hider of the other metals, which thing the Seven Rules do largely demonstrate, and adviseth the Chymist not to rest satisfied, when he hath gotten from the Mines a vendible metal, as ♂, ♀, ♃, ♄, melted from the dross, but to consult further with natural Philosophy, and to examin whether or no these are pure enough, without any adhering and deteriorating veil.

How great the difference is betwixt a rude and a vile Mineral (where the metal is largely dispers’d and commixt with much stony matter and other impurities) and a tractable metal faithfully separated, is well known. So much, and more, is the difference betwixt a vulgar and imperfect metal, and the Gold and Silver which it contains shut up in its bowels. But because the melting of metals out of their mines is, by reason of its long use, grown vile, and not esteemed an Art, but a Trade, and every where exercised, without any ones admiration; yet in its beginning, before it became so commonly known, it was worthily accompted a deep Secret, although now disrespected. We may not doubt, but that even yet another veil adheres to metals, and may with as much facility be removed; and its inward, pure, and fixt center, Gold and Silver be melted out and separated, if the way were but known. But because men do not bestow any further Labour and Industry in searching, and the use of vulgar metals is highly necessary, we rest contented, in that metals once melted from their mines become malleable, and fitted for the use of man: Nor is this unadvisedly done, for the life of man can as little want Iron, ♃, ♀, and Lead, as it can gold and silver.

Paracelsus teacheth, That imperfect metals are corrupted and brought into a nothing, by the force of fire; which they cannot sustain or bear; but their good parts, Gold and Silver, cannot be destroyed, but in the great strait and force of fire do come together out of the imperfect metals, and mutually defend each other, the impure portion being burnt up and removed.

Now then, that the species and ingredients of this process may be understood, something must be mentioned by us thereabouts.

Thus then ’tis written; ℞. ♁ melt it with Nitre and Tartar, of this take one lot; ’tis to be noted that you are not to take the lot of the whole molten mass, but of one of the two, either the upper part being the Scoria, or inferiour or lower being the Regulus, which this flowing mixture sends downward.

But which it is, it cannot be perceived by the words; yet because Paracelsus’s intention here is to destroy gold and silver by the admixtion of the aforesaid ingredients, and to bring them to nothing, out of which nothing the destroyed augmentation of the sun may be afterwards by some additament, obtained, in reducing it, it seems probable to think that the Scoria of the mixture is not to be taken, but the Regulus, which hath Ingress into Tin, Arsenick, and Schlich, and unites them with gold and silver, for it is the Property of the Regulus, to unite & conjoin contrary Metals and Minerals.

Tin is joined with malleable metals, and melted and suffers the fire with them, brings them into Scoria, the which thing Sulphur, Vitriol, and Schlich, also perform, and are here used by Paracelsus for no other end than to corrupt the sun and moon, and bring them into Scoria. But what schlich (=Schlich=) this is, because no proper name of Gold, ☽, ♂, ♀, ♄, or ♃, is added, no body can easily tell, for this is called schlecht by Chymists and Metallurgists when they take a Mineral excellently well ground, and washed with water, thereby separating the mineral or the rubish and stone, the heavyer, and more noble part of the metal remaining in the bottom of the vessel, which examining they thereby Conjecture the value of the metal or mineral: this labour they call a bringing into Schlich, or also Secher, and because all metals may be reduced into schlichs or calx, this word Schlich or Calx may suit with all metals, or else it may be that most small dust or powder in polishing mills, (=Schleiff-muhleu=) where various Iron Instruments, Swords, Brest-plates, and other Arms are Polished, and which is wont to be under the grinding stone in deep guttars destinated to that purpose, or gathered in wooden vessels, and sold to such as dy black cloaths, and is called calx or Schlich. But now whether or no, he means this or the calx of any other metal, it is uncertain, nor doth it much concern; for the Sun and ☽ may be reduced into a nothing without any of these Calces, and may be again augmented, and brought into something, as you shall see in the following Chapters of the Transmutation of metals.

Vain was their expectation who thought to turn all these speices, thus blown together, into Gold and Silver, but yet could not get any other thing than a yellow, or spadiceous Scoria contrary to their hopes but the Corruscation (=Blief=) is most blessed and gladsome, if any one can get by reduction from a destroyed metal brought into Scoria, a most noble one and better than heretofore it was. But this destruction and reduction is not uniform, but is perfected many several ways as the following Chapters teach.

The First Rule.

Of the Nature and Property of =Mercury=.

All things are absconded and hidden in all things, but of all things there is one which is a coverer or hider of the rest, and is a Corporeal Body, External, Visible, Moveable: all fluxes are manifest in this vessel, for this vessel is a Corporeal Spirit, and therefore all Coagulations, and Consistences are captivated and shut up therein being overcome by its flux compassed about and strengthened thereby, what this flux is, its cause and name what it is called, cannot be found, because there is no heat which may be therewith compared. The burning of the =Gehennal= Fire may be likened thereunto, on which account this Flux hath nothing at all of Community or Affinity with other fluxes, which are melted by the heat of common fire, and become hard and coagulated by natural cold. These fluxings or meltings cannot thus operate with ☿, they are too weak, he values them not; hence ’tis to be observed, that the mortal Virtues of the four Elements have no ingressive Operations upon the Cœlestial Virtues, which Virtues we also call Quintessence, because Elements cannot either give unto, or take any thing from this Quintessence; the Cœlestial or Infernal Virtue cares not for the four Elements.

Hence note, That none of the Elements, nor any Elementary thing, be it dry or moist, hot or cold, none of these can do any thing against that Quintessential Virtue, but each hath its operation and efficacy for it self apart.

=Glaub.=] In this Chapter or first Rule of ☿, Paracelsus useth succinct but yet perspicuous words, saying, that the fluidity of Mercury ariseth not from the four corruptible Elements, but from the Quintessence, and therefore hath not any affinity with these Elementary fluxings and meltings. Now, what this Quintessence properly is, which Paracelsus here mentions, much might be spoken, but ’tis not so convenient at this time, my self and other Philosophers have largely treated thereof, and therefore speak not of it now.

This only I add over and above, That Paracelsus will have the Quintessence to be a thing not subject to the four Elements, but permanent and incorruptible, whereby he gives to understand, That seeing ’tis so, that the fluidity of Mercury hath its originality from the Quintessence, and not elementary Fire, so its coagulation is in like manner to be made by the Quintessence and not by the elementary Fires, be they hot or cold.

But now, what that Quintessence is, that coagulates Mercury, and transmutes him into Gold or Silver, it may be easily conjectured, that it is not to be sought for out of Vegetables and Animals, but to be extracted out of Metals, and ought to be much more pure, fixt, and meltable than they are.

Many are the things which Paracelsus hath written of this Quintessence, attributing great Virtues thereunto; he that desires it, may read thereof in his Writings. Likewise many Philosophers affirm it to be a thing reduced by the benefit of Art into the purest and highest substance. Which name of Quintessence, some there are that attribute unto that Tincture, wherewith perfections are wont to be made. By which it is evident, That by the name of Quintessence is alwaies understood the most pure, the best, and the most powerful part of a thing. But be it what it will be, ’tis clear, That Mercury is a wonderful subject, nor is to be coagulated and fixed so easily, as many have falsly believed, and tryed the contrary to their great loss.

Many are the Coals which have been vainly consumed about his fixation, and are consumed, although alwaies in vain; my self have also, though not often, handled him with a great deal of tediousness, which although not permanently fixt, yet observing therein many singular things, of which I count it expedient to relate something. In him is a most great power and virtue, most friendly to Metals; he is easily mixed with the purest Metals, and most difficultly with the impure; which denotes him to be of a most pure nature: And now, if he come to be fixed, I could demonstrate, if need were, by indubitable reasons, that a thing more pure than Gold would flow therefrom. It alwaies produceth something as often as it is added to Metals, and constrained to undergo some fire, helping them evidently, even whilst it is in its Volatility; what then would it do, if being therewith fixed, it were along while melted with them in the Fire?

This I add for the better Lights sake.

When I was in my youthful days, and saw many attempting to fix Mercury with Gold and Silver, by Amalgamation, Sublimation, Coagulation, Precipitation, and other Labours of that kind, to transmute it into Gold and Silver; my self also attempted somewhat about him, by the advice of Paracelsus’s Sayings, That in Saturn its Coagulation is to be found. On this account I melted in a little Crucible 6 or 7 parts of Lead, and added one part of Mercury; this I put into another Crucible where Nitre did flow, that it might be covered over thereby; in the mean while I melted the glass of ♄, (being made of 4 parts of Minium, and one part of Flints) in a greater Crucible, whereto I put the two former Crucibles heated to be covered by the glass. These three I again sunk into a new Crucible flowing with the glass of ♄, thinking that I should this way keep in the volatile Guest, having now shut up Mercury in so many walls, I put him to the fire, intending to fix him, and then indeed he sustained it, not being able to break through; but increasing my fire, and the Glass melting with Nitre, away he goes leaving an empty nest, and left ♄’s weight whole and perfect, which having examined, it yielded a grain of Silver heavier than the common ☽ which I believed to be Mercury fixt and coagulated, but reiterating that labour, I found it to be otherways, viz. that the Mercury was not it self fixed, but flown away, but yet by his occult power penetrated and meliorated the lead, that it afforded a little silver; also the whole mass of lead was hereby made black, and hardened like tin, whereby I perceived, that Mercury being a pure, meer fiery spirit, is most impatient of the Fire, and cannot be fixed without a Quintessence.

But thus much indeed it can do, if being joined with other metals, it can be so long held, as to endure the Fire; although it presently vanisheth away, it doth in a manner change them, not by bettering them, but stirring them up by its penetration, that they may mutually act each upon the other, and receive a meliorating faculty, although without any great profit, as far as I know, but I only intend to discover its possibility, its miraculous and almost unsearchable power, for it may deservedly be esteemed a Miracle of Nature. It is a meer invisible Fire; albeit such as are ignorant account it cold, and by Art it may be made far more fiery and volatile; which I sometimes have tryed, where being often injected into a vehement fire, again and again, and received in Glasses, it hath elevated it self without any fire, and gone away into its own Chaos. In a word, many men have accomplished prodigious things with Mercury, but all of them without any fruit; of which more shall be spoken in its place.

The Second Rule.

Of =Jupiter= and his Nature.

Whatsoever thing is manifest, (as the Body of =Jupiter= for example) the six other Corporeal Metals are therein hidden spiritually, and one more profound and remote than another. =Jupiter= partakes not of the quintessence, but of the nature of the four Elements, therefore his fluidity is manifested by a little heat of the Fire, and his coagulation in like sort perfected by a little cold, and hath communion with the rest of the metalline Fluxes.

Wherefore by how much one thing is in nature like to another, by so much the readier is it united thereunto, if they mutually touch one another; that also which is nigh, is more efficacious and sensible; for that which is afar off, doth not enforce, nor is that which is remote, how great soever it be, much feared. Hence ’tis that heaven is not desired, because ’tis far distant, nor seen by any one; neither is hell feared, because it is far off, whose form none hath known and seen, nor felt the Torment, and therefore ’tis valued as nothing. Those things then that are absent, are little regarded, or plainly rejected, being constituted in a thick place, for by the property of the place every thing is deteriorated or meliorated; which thing may be proved by many Examples.

By how much therefore =Jupiter= is farther off from ♂ and ♀, and nigher to the Sun and Moon, by so much the more Golden or Silver-like is he in his own body, and seems more great, potent, pellucid, sensible, more fair, pleasant, notable, palpable, more true and more certain than elongated, or at a distance. On the contrary, by how much the more he is elongated, by so much the more vile and abject he is in the matters aforesaid: for things present are alwaies more notable than those which are absent: by how much any thing visible is nearer, by so much a thing invisible is more remote. Therefore it behoves the Alchymist to study how he may place =Jupiter= in a spiritual =Arcanum= and remote place, in which are =Sol= and =Luna=; and that he may take =Sol= and =Luna= from far, and bring them near, into a place where =Jupiter= existeth corporally, so that the =Sol= and =Luna= may also be corporal and truly present before his eyes in the =Examen=. For there are various labours and modes of transmuting metals from their imperfection, into a perfect state.

To mix one with another, and again to separate the one from the other pure and sincere, is nothing else but a genuine permutation made by the labour of Alchymy. Note, that =Jupiter= hath much Gold, and not a little Silver. Put to him =Saturn= and =Luna=, and the =Luna= will be augmented by the rest.

=Glaub.=] Although I do not certainly know the reason why Paracelsus beginning with Mercury, passeth next to Jupiter; nevertheless it is very probable that he would thereby point at some singular Mystery. Here he repeateth the former sentence, saying, Every visible metal hideth in it self the rest invisibly, from which if we would reap any good, their invisible and spiritual Gold is to be taken and brought near, or to be visible; and on the contrary, the visible to be removed afar off and made invisible. But how this ought to be done he doth not teach, but leaves the Reader to search it out in his seven Canons or Rules, which are very difficult to be understood not only by a rude Tyro, but even by one well exercised: And seeing that not one in a thousand understands them, it is no wonder that his Writings have been had in Contempt.

Without doubt he aimed at our good, supposing he had written very clearly, and directed his speech in such a manner, as if he had to do with one that is skilful in the metalline nature, without having any respect to the common blindness and ignorance, whereby he received great thanks, and was highly esteemed of by all.

But what shall we say or do? ’Tis bad meeting with wicked proud men, as thou most clearly writest; yet because the unexercised, if they have even once erred, they wrack and abuse the Writer with meer slanders: Hence it comes to pass, that many desire rather to be silent, and leave unto fools their own toys and vanities: But the Case being with more accurate examination considered, it seemeth evil to be revenged on the Innocent as well as the Guilty.

As for Tin, if thou searchest into its nature and property, it is a pure (compared with the other metals) unripe metal, abounding with very much combustible Sulphur, whereby it obtains its liquifaction and corruption in the fire: which being removed (and it may be done with a gentle fire) it loseth its metalline fluidity, and very much resembles unmelted ashes, whereto if you add another sulphur, whereby that ashes may turn into a metal; and again convertest it into ashes, repeating this labour until all its combustible sulphur being burnt up, it refuseth to go into ashes, by Calcination, and then melt it, ’twill easily give forth its gold and silver in the trial (=im abtreiben=.) Now, in the being mixt with Lead, it causeth a strife in a strong Fire, and getting uppermost, turns into ashes, that is to be imputed to the combustible sulphur, whereby it so being melted with Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron, it makes them brittle like to Glass, but being dispelled of that Sulphur, by roasting or calcining by Incineration or Cementation, or any other way, it doth not any more make them brittle (which thing to do is full of difficulty) but is melted with them, and most easily separated with, Venus (=last sich sehgern=) she knowing how by her kind and flattering words to perswade the two old men ♄ and ♃, mutually to abide each other in the fire; Gold and Silver will also do the same thing; but because they are precious and easily flow out of the Crucible, and the Work may perish, it is sufficient to use ♀, which also will give from it self its own hidden Gold and Silver, and not to take these metals which are purified with great labour, and drown them afresh in impure metals, and destroy them.

There are also other waies of purging ♃, from his superfluous sulphur, viz. a Nitrous fire. If filed ♃, being mixt with Nitre, Sulphur, & Sawdust, be kindled, part of the tin is elevated up into flores, and a part remains reducible in a strong fire, which is to be so often handled the aforesaid way, till all the substance be reduced, into flores and ashes, the metallick form and nature being most plainly destroyed; after this, let the flores be gathered out of the Receivers, and the ashes elixiviated or washed, and by the help of a good Flux be reduced into a metal, which is to be again filed, sublimed, and burnt, as before, until all the Tin remains like Scoria, and will not sublime; which being melted with Lead and separated, (=mit Blen amstieden und abtreiben=) thou shalt find gold and silver shut up in its bowels.

Likewise pour fixed Nitre (the liquor of it) on the filings of Tin, digest it its time, supply the evaporating moisture with new Liquor, that it may be alwaies moist, but yet let it not be too wet, but like thick water. This Liquor dissolves and takes away the combustible sulphur of the Tin, and fixeth that which is incombustible, and makes it capable of enduring the fire; so that being melted with Lead, and purged (=aensieden und abtreiben=) it yields its gold and silver.

Another separation is thus instituted; Reduce Tin with common ♄ or Regulus, ♁ j. into Glass or Amausa, which keep a good while in Flux in a strong fire, (forget not the inceration of Nitre or salt of Tartar) by which labour the purer parts of the ♃ being gathered together, do give a Regulus, the impurer parts separating themselves with the Lead and Salt into Scoria, the Regulus being purged (=abgetieben=) thou shalt have the fixed gold and silver in the Cupel.

But ’tis to be known, that these Operations may be done without Copper, but yet will yield more ☉ and ☽ if Copper be added; not only for that the ♀ it self gives forth its ☉ and ☽, but because Tin of it self, without the admixtion of ♀, doth not willingly let go its own ☉ and ☽. But in seeking of shelter amongst its own ♀, and withdrawing it self to the Scoria, is there hidden (the Labour being finished) the Scoria can no more attract it into it self.

♀ therefore is as it were a Receptacle, wherein the Sun and Moon collected and separated out of the mass, can defend and hide it self, and is by Chymists called a Bath or Balneum.

In the 4th. Chapter, which treats of ♀, a more large account is given of this labour of metalline Glass. Moreover gold and silver may be separated out of tin in this wise.

Melt common Lead in a Test (=treib scherben=) under a Muffle (=een muffel=) and being throughly hot, cast in a little ♃, and it will incontinently have Ingress, but will forthwith ascend and kindle like burning sparks and go into ashes; which must be taken off with a crooked Instrument, and more new Tin put in; which being burnt, let it be taken out. Repeat this labour so long, till all the Lead be devoured as it were by the Tin.

Put these ashes on a Test, under a Muffle, and let them be yet well heated by the fire for an hour; so that if any grains of ♄ remain, they may be made ashes, and the calcined ashes of the tin may be the better fixed. Reduce these ashes, and ’twill become a metal, which let be again made ashes upon a Test; repeat this labour, until in reduction it refuseth to go into a metal, but remains a Scoria and a metal destroyed; which put into an excellent Crucible, and by a Flux made of Tartar and Nitre, let it melt its due time, and the fixed Tin, together with part of the Lead, will go to the bottom into a Regulus; which being washed (=abgetrieben=) makes manifest the gold and silver hid in the Tin on the Test. This Labour is neat, easie, and but of small charge, especially where wood and coals are cheap, the Scoria, from which the Regulus is separated, is not to be thrown away, but kept for other uses, of which we shall presently speak.

Now he that promiseth Gain unto himself from this small work on a Test, is deceived, because hereby is only found how much ☉ and ☽ is contained in an hundred weight of ♃, and what costs are expended in its melting, whereby may be computed what gains may be expected every day, nor indeed is this work (thus done under a muffle) so profitably accomplished, as ’tis in greater Furnaces, where being a greater heat of fire, a more plentiful gain is promised. And although because of many various Imployments my self never tryed, yet I will briefly delineate and describe how a large Return may be made, according to Calculation, computed by a smaller quantity.

An hundred of Tin requires 10 or 12 C. of ♄; (the work being wisely handled) the price of the Lead, ♃, Coals and Labour, being summed up, and being substracted from the ☉, there seems to remain but a very little to defray the charges. But if you look thereinto a little more narrowly, you will find a recompence and benefit arising thence, not to be despised, especially if you use Lead impregnated with ☽, which by reason of not considering the benefit and gain, remains unseparated therefrom. Likewise you may use a golden ♃, such being often found as contains as much ☉ as the ♃ costs; and you may also meet with ♄, which contains as much ☽ as the Lead is worth, but not separated by the Refiners, because they are ignorant of this separation, which by the usual way cannot be separated with profit: and that your Labour may be the more beneficial, you may add to your ♃ some golden or silver stones and minerals, as Marcasites, ♁, Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and various Pyrites or Kisij (which because of the small quantity of their included ☉, are never wont to be melted) & let them be scorified, which yielding also their gold and silver, do bring in a greater profit; but especially if these Minerals having been first melted with Copper, are by the benefit of Iron (or melted with Iron) brought into Regulus, and their Gold reduced to a narrow compass, which Regulus being thrown into the Lead, together with the Tin, let be made into Scoria, and then their ☉ is gotten without much charge, and is depurated by the Tin. But now, if you would have this separation profitable, it is not to be done in Crucibles, but in well compact Furnaces or Hearths, whereon the bright flames running, let your metals be throughly heated or calcined, and your Calcination, Incineration, or Annihilation being accomplished, let Reduction be made in an acute Furnace, (=im Stichofen=,) of which thing my time permits me not to give any larger account; its sufficient to have experienced the truth thereof in a lesser quantity; any one may try his fortune in Metallick Operations.

Now, although there are more waies of separating ☉ and ☽ from ♃, yet what I have already declared seems sufficient for this time; the following Chapters, wherein the nature of the other metals is treated of, will manifestly open what I have decreed to discover concerning them.

The Third Rule.

Of =Mars= and his Property.

The six hid Metals have thrust out, or expelled the seventh from them, and made him Corporeal, leaving unto him lowest Dignity, and imposing on him the most thick hardness and labour. In this body have they manifested their whole strength, and hardness of Coagulation to be, shutting up, or keeping inward, their Colours and Nobility, with their Fluidity. ’Tis hard and full of Labour, to make a Prince or King of a Peasant, or common Fellow: But ♂ by his Vertue, obtains Honour, and gets up into the high Throne of the King: But ’tis expedient, that care be used, least hastily posting forward, he be taken. It is to be considered by what Art ♂ may be promoted to the Throne; but the ☉ and ☽ put in the place of ♂ with ♄.

=Glaub.=] We are come now to Mars in order, it being the 3d. according to the Compute also of the Astronomers, descending from above. Now Paracelsus doth not attribute the first place to ♄, as the Astronomers do, but to ☿; and haply, not without great Cause, hinting hereby some singular thing. He goes on, and says Mars is rude, sharp, and thick, because the other Metals have cast out their most ignoble, and basest part upon him, which thing experience testifies: He is composed of hard knotty Timber, and hath in him but little good; he is sharp and churlish, and not at all to be compared to gentle, tender, and noble ♃; but if he be once freed from his knottiness, which is hard to do, and render’d tractable, he shews his Virtue, and discovers himself also to be a partaker of the Royal Blood. Paracelsus adds, that ♄ can take away his knots, and elevate him to an higher degree, although the Astronomers are very much displeas’d with the Conjunction of these two, as being the Author of all evil, and have therefore inserted peace-making, and benign Jupiter in the middle. Now that Lame Saturn may polish and make crabbed ♂ smooth, Paracelsus tells you that there’s need of Caution, lest by over hastiness, he bring loss upon himself. He stoutly resists, nor doth he easily yield, but rather busily contrives how to captivate and destroy others; yet Paracelsus mentions its possibility; whose Reasons, Way, or Manner, we will briefly illustrate. ♄ indeed is by Birth, fitted to wash the other imperfect Metals, and to purge them from their superfluous Sulphur, if any good doth accidentally adhere unto them, but knows not how to remove their radical, and innate Impurity; and that it is not alone sufficient for this thing, the trial of the Test witnesseth; for although you add Iron to ♄, to be separated upon the Cupel; (=Abgehen Lassen=) yet hath it no sincere ingress into ♄; but if it be so far brought by great labour, it doth not remain, but speedily separates to the Superficies, like Scoria, and leaves nothing with the Lead, but what was accidentally in it, himself withdrawing with his whole power, and native goodness; Tin also doth the same; but Copper albeit it swims not upon the Lead, nor goes away, yet it is not therewith radically joined, but being reduced with the Lead, into Liquable Scoria, descends into the porous Ashes, of which we have accurately treated in the Fourth Part of our Furnaces, and in the Appendix.

Lead is not therefore the true washing of Metals, but that it may so become, ’tis clear that it must be aptly prepared; and if you do more exactly contemplate on the thing, you’ll find it very rational; for by what means can ♄ the most liquable of all the Metals, freely copulate with ♂, which is the hardest: Indeed ’tis true, that they enter each into the other by mutual fusion; but ’tis forcedly and superficially, not radically; as if one boils Water, mixt with Meal, into a Pulse; the Water thickens, the Flour moistens; yet neither entring into the other, radically; but the Water getting into the Pores of the Meal, or Flour, makes it Pap: In the same manner is it with ♄ and ♂, they are indeed mixt; but cannot equally sustain the violence of the Fire. ♂ doth not alter his breeding or wit; but in the melting together, remain an hard, and not easily melted Metal; nor is the humidity and liquability of the Lead hereby corrected; for although they are become one Mass, yet each keeps his old Condition: but if they are so order’d, that both of them may undergoe the same Fire; then the Iron will yield, and deliver his Gold unto the Lead, and his warm Volatile Sulphur maturates the Silver, lying hid in the Lead; exalts it, and makes it corporeal, that each bestows on the other, his Goodness and Virtue; each supplies the others defects, and both are perfected; for although hard crabbed ♂ be made flow with liquid and combustible Sulphur, or a Sulphureous Mineral, as ♁, Arsenick, or Auripigment; yet is not any transmutation made, each remaining in his own Nature, without alteration; like as ☿ being reduced into Amalgama, with ☉ or ☽, makes no solution, only adheres unto the Gold, and easily separates therefrom, leaving the Gold to himself: But if any one know how to conjoin, ☉ and ☽ with Mercury radically, they would not forsake one the other; but would perfect themselves mutually in a strong Fire; so would the other Metals too, were they but radically commixt. Some one may ask, what is this radical or spiritual Commixtion of the Metals, and what I understand thereby? for Answer, They are to be so united with an implanted Love, that they freely join together, and so remain equally, enduring prosperity and adversity; and neither of them discernible from the other, that they penetrate the shut Gates, and thick Walls, without any obstacle; that the Volatile exhales not in the Fire: that which is liquable, separates not from what is illiquable; thereby penetrating the Vessel, leaving behind it, the more fixt, or rougher part, in the form of Scoria: But thou mayst demand by what means I spiritualize the Metals, and radically conjoin them; what, must they first be dissolved in Aqua fortis, or other corrosive Spirits, and be distilled by an Alembick, that they may become Volatile? No, I mean not any of this; this kind of spiritualization is a meer deceitful, and cheating Labour, hindering many thousands, which otherwise would be nigher to the Truth: All the Philosophers disswade you therefrom, that you do not torment the Metals with sharp spirits, whereby instead of being perfected, they are corrupted and mortifyed radically. ’Tis madness to pour more Water into any one that is suffocated with Water, thereby to restore him to Life; this is to put the Bridle on the Horse’s Tail. Now ’tis evident, that the superfluity in imperfect Metals, is their combustible and corrosive Sulphur; and by how much, the more imperfect and base they are, so much the more of a combustible Sulphur do they possess: an evident Testimony, of which we have in Iron, or ♂: ’Tis only his acid Sulphur that deprives him of every degree of dignity, which gross, acid, and vitriolated Sulphur, did he not so much abound withal, he would not contract Rust so easily; and by the attractive Moisture be so soon corrupted: and were he not so quickly rusty, he would be put to better uses, than now he is. But you may object, that you cannot conceive, how he can have such a corrosive Sulphur, whence should it happen to him, for the Mineral, and Stones, whence he is extracted, do not appear to be impregnated with such a Sulphur; whence comes it therefore to be in him? Besides, if the Mineral did partake of such a Sulphur, surely it would never abide a Fire so violent, but it would be driven away.

My Friend, thou dost not at all understand the Nature of Metals, and for what end it was, that Nature left such a Sulphur in Iron, and the other imperfect Metals; for it is a Nutriment unto their better Parts, being like an Embryo, and as it were, a Covering or a Matrix, in which a noble Child is maturated, and is (after the ripeness of the pure Metal) thence excluded. For Natures intention was not, that Iron should be but Iron, but rather Gold; but the digger not willing to wait so long, and knowing the manifold uses of Iron, allows not time for it to become Gold, just like the Fisher-man (who catching a very small Fish, and the Fish desiring to return into the Water, until being grown bigger, he might the better fill the Platter) said, nay, but I will hold thee, as thou art, for ’tis uncertain, whether or no, being grown bigger, thou mayst then be found. Just thus doth the Miner do, he waits not the Irons becoming Gold, but puts it to its present use.

’Tis commonly known, that there is abundance of corrosive Salt therein, which is not combustible in melting Fire, neither needs it any further demonstration; it having been also treated of in the Annotations of my Appendix: and that thou mayst see that a Metal can preserve, and keep its volatile combustible Sulphur in a melting Furnace, I will expound it somewhat clearer: Gold having already obtained its perfection (it being a mature product) Nature hath separated this combustible Sulphur, or acid volatile Salt therefrom; because it needs it not for any further nutriment: neither would it hold it, if it should be put unto it, but thrusts it from it in the Fire, and hath no affinity therewith, as the other imperfect Metals have.

Now Luna although it be not so compleatly perfect as Sol; yet, ’tis more perfect than the others, and hath notwithstanding, a Commerce with this sulphureous Salt; yea, so as to hold common Sulphur a very long while in a great heat, which we shall declare anon in the separation of Metals; and if ☽ (which is almost a ripe Metal) doth thus, questionless the other more imperfect ones will do it more willingly; which thing, that you may be the more assured of, incorporate a sulphureous Salt with any Metal, and continue it in a great heat; and after a few hours you shall see that your Metal will hold that Sulphur, and defend it against the force of Fire; but if a Metal be in some sort freed from this sulphureous Salt by a melting Fire, it doth again receive and hold it; Will it not therefore hold its own, wherein it was born and from whence it came forth. ♂ excells them all as to this, being not only a friend to sulphureous and corrosive Salts, but also to Vrinous which (when it cannot have acid salts) it doth by a magnetick power attract and defend these in the fire. For example; mix the filings of ♂ with Nitre and salt of Tartar, and these salts, in a melting Fire, will be fixed with ♂, and resists the Fire. Which thing is most worthy observation, and by no means to be neglected.

But to return to my former purpose of demonstrating, that Imperfect Metals are not only, not bettered by corrosive salts and spirits, but are rather corrupted: Daily experience doth prove it before the eyes, that all such as have used corrosive spirits in their bettering of metals, have done no good at all therewith, but have, to their hurt, lost both their time and labour: whereas those that have used other menstruums that are not corrosive, have profited more therefrom, and have seen more than they have sought; such as those are in a way tending to dissolve metals without corrosives; to make them spiritual, and radically to unite them, that they may mutually act in, and sustain or undergo the Fire alike, and may co-operate to purity and perfection, and may ennoble themselves. Of which Spiritualization more shall be spoken in the Sixth Chapter, where Paracelsus also treats thereof. This therefore do I affirm of ♂, that he must be handled with such menstruums as are not only not corrosive, but contrary to Corrosives, and such as mollify and separate those Corrosives which the Metals hold in fusion, that so for the time to come they may attract no more any moisture, and thereby contract Rust, and be corrupted; but may be rather able to preserve and defend themselves against Corrosives and combustible Sulphur. But let none think, that ♂ being by this Antidote freed from its thick, earthy, and combustible, and corrosive sulphur, will be wholly turned into ☉, for ’tis the smallest part of ♂ that is good: by how much the ☉ is more noble than common ♂, by so much is the ♂, from whence the Sol is separated more vild than other Iron, and the remainder is nothing else but a most vild Earth or Scoria, void of all metallick fusion. The milk of a Cow or another Animal, if unmixt with water, is good milk; but yet ’tis far inferiour in goodness to pure, good, well-wrought Butter; and by how much milk is more vild than butter, by so much is the whey and acid milk from whence the Cream is separated, more vild than that which is sweet and abounds with Cream. If generous wine be spoiled of its spirit most sweet and most excellent, by the benefit of Destillation, one part of that is better than 12 parts of wine out of which it was extracted; the remainder cannot be wine any more, but is much inferiour to good wine, as wine is to the spirit.

The like is it with Metals, which being deprived of their soul, whereby they obtained a metallick form, they can no more be malleable Metals. Therefore ’tis good to consider whether or no in the separation of ☉ out of the Imperfect metals, it will be answerable (in value) to the metal, and other Expences necessary about extracting it; but now, if you know how to apply the residue of the Metal to other uses, you may with the more confidence attempt the separation. But to return to the words of Paracelsus, I will shew how ♂ may, through ♄’s help, arrive to a Kingly dignity. I have before said, that there is no familiarity between the most fusile and most hard metal, but the one will be gone away in fume before the other will melt, and that we cannot want ♄ in the separation of ♂; but how it is to be handled, I will briefly explain.

Saturn of himself is liquable and volatile, but yet can be made illiquable and fixt without detriment of the Radical Moisture or Metallick Nature; so as to undergo the same Fire with ♂, and being brought to this pass, it is then fit for the separation of ♂. ’Tis many waies made illiquable (=Hartflussig=) but the best way is by fixed Salts, of a contrary nature to the superfluous Sulphur in ♂, and excellently well separated from the Reguli made of ♂; for Nitre and Salt of Tartar do not only harden ♄, but unite other metals with him, making them spiritual, and most like to transparent, soluble Glass, the which having sustained the Fire their proper time, the Agent being taken away, and the Patient sufficiently purged, the purest part of the Metals, thus spiritually mixt together, doth by the force of ♄ separate from the other unprofitable part. The Regulus is purged easily, so that there’s no need of separating the whole Mass by precipitation and reducing it into Reguli; but ♄, by his innate force, doth in its due time finish the separation or precipitation of the pure from the impure, of metals thus spiritually commixt and united. This is enough spoken concerning the way of separating gold out of ♂, by ♄, viz. ♄ being first fixed by salts, and made hard to melt, so as to endure the same force of Fire with ♂, or otherwise ’twill be impossible to have any thing from ♂ by the usual way of the Refiners, by the help of scorifying with ♄ (=mit ansieden=) and separation (=abtreiben=) which even as ♃ also doth not stay with common Lead in a strong fire, but separate themselves and go into Scoria; the which we have also hinted in the First Part of this little Book, whereto we referr the Reader. This separation of ☉ out of ♂, may be done with Regulus of ♁ and Nitre, and in some manner better than with common Lead, but that I do not deliver the whole Process from top to bottom, let no body wonder thereat, for then the Book would grow to too great a bulk, and I should not receive any reward the more from the Unthankful: Let it suffice, that I have declared the manner and the Species wherewith ’tis to be done; for ’tis for the sake of such Chymists as are most expert in the Fire and Metalline Works that I write, and not for the common Destillers of Waters. And as touching what may tend to illustrate what is said, it shall be supplyed with some Processes at the end of the seven Rules.

Whereas I have attributed to ♂ in the First Part of this Treatise and elsewhere, that he doth not only unwillingly deliver his own gold, but also if any be either accidentally, or of set purpose, added thereto, he swallows it up and hides it, and will not restore it without detriment and loss. Some body may admire how it’s possible for to be done so easily by ♄ and Salts; let him know that this Extraction of ☉ out of ♂ is not any the common Examen or Trial, (=abtreiben=,) but a true and Philosophical separation (=Seigerungh=) wherewith ♂ being well dissolved, is most throughly separated from his thick and hard body, concerning which, I never met with any full pregnant Processes any where. And albeit that I am not ignorant that many, yea most that read, will not have any higher thought or consideration, yet I say that there is something else hereunder; and do believe, that it is to be esteemed far more excellent than Sol it self; which that thou maist not over-much trouble thy head about, I will not be shy in communicating it also unto thee. viz. Out of Iron is prepared a Salt without any corrosive, which is able to extract the soul from Gold, that it will remain half dead. But ♂ will be impregnated as it were divinely, so as to be able to give forth a golden Child: the debilitated Gold will recover its lost Colour and Virtue by ♀ and ♁. Other Philosophers have likewise made mention hereof, viz. that ♂ will not spare even the King, out of whose bowels he will steal Treasures, and will not blush to adorn himself with the same. Concerning which Secret the most famous Sandivow wrote on this wise. “The Chymists know how to change Iron into Copper or ♀, without the Sun: They likewise know how to make ☿ out of ♃: Others there are that can make ☽ out of ♄; but if they knew how to administer the Solar Nature to these mutations, questionless they would find a thing more precious than any Treasure. On which account I say, that we must not be ignorant of what metals are to be conjoined one with the other, and whose nature of them corresponds to Nature. There is therefore given one metal, which hath a power to consume the other metals, for it is as it were almost their water and their mother; one thing there is that only resists it, and is bettered thereby, viz. the humidum Radicale of the Sun and Moon; but that I may discover it, ’tis called Chalybs.”

Thus you see, that from ♂ also some good is to be gotten, although all speak ill of him; and indeed he is wicked if he gets possession: Nor will he spare the highest Powers, from whom he will forcibly wrest their hidden Treasures, but yet by Commerce with ♀ he will again repay it in time to be distributed amongst the subjects; although the king being robb’d of his goods, looks pale upon it, yet he lays not down his Life, and he remaining alive, there is no cause of complaining, for as long as the Riches are not exported, but remain in the Kingdom, distributed amongst the subjects, he is able to receive his former majesty and splendor from his Revenues, and to gather new Riches, and preserve his kingly dignity whole and sound.

Here I foresee that our common Know-littles, in the light of Nature, will traduce me, as if I enterpret Sandivow’s Chalybs to be common ♂, and say that ’tis not to be understood according to the Letter, but the Author would hint somewhat else thereby; but ’tis no matter, what I have written, I have written, and that not without cause. I am not ignorant, that he means not common Iron no more than I, but his inmost Magnetick force and power, or essence, prepared without corrosive, and known to few, which doth most greedily extract and transmute the soul of Gold above all other things. And herewith we will rest and cease.

The Fourth Rule.

Of the Nature of ♀.

The other Six Metals have in ♀ framed all their colours, and the =medium= of their Flux (with inconstancy) into an External body. It would be therefore profitable to hint to the understanding by some examples, by what means the visible may by the benefit of Fire be made invisible, and this again made visible and material. All combustible things may naturally be changed in the Fire, out of one form into another, as into a Coal, Soot, Ashes, Glass, Colours, Stones, Earth, but the Earth is reduced into sundry metallick bodies; and if a metal combust or corrupted with old age, is thereby become unmalleable, sharp, and brittle, let it well flow, and ’twill again become malleable.

=Glaub.=] Although that ♀ being malleable more than all the metals, in and out of the Fire, is fit for all Operations, yet even this is not void of a combustible sulphur, but is radically polluted therewith, so that it will most easily, of it self, without addition of any other sulphur, be reduced into Scoria, and be corrupted, which corruption is occasioned by the muchness of its combustible sulphur; Gold and Silver being void of that Sulphur, are not subject to destruction. So that, although they undergo the Fire a most long season, yet go they not into Scoria like the other imperfect bodies; and for the reducing of them into ashes, combustible sulphur must be added; whereas the imperfect metals too much abounding with the same, are changed by a most light heat into Ashes, Powder, or Scoria, which Scoria’s are melted into either transparent or darkish tincted Glass, according to the nature of the metal; which Glasses may be melted into malleable Metal, and again into Ashes and Glass, as you please, but alwaies with some loss, by reason of some combust parts irreducible into metal, the metal also remaining, as it was at first, without being any thing bettered.

He who knows how to melt Metals into pellucid Glass, by the addition not of metallick things, but of such things as have affinity with the metals, as Salts, Sand, or Stones, shall in reducing them, alwaies find his metal better than it was in the beginning: And that the Reader, for whose sake I have written these things, may the more throughly understand my mind, I will explain it somewhat more clearly. Paracelsus hath above affirmed, That every visible metal is an hider of the other metals lying hid invisibly therein, and that the hider is to be removed, if you would that those visible metals become visible and corporeal, which being most truly spoken, I know not what light it may be illustrated withal. The words also are succinct and easie to be understood, yet no body believes them; There’s scarce one amongst an hundred that conceives what they tend unto. Metals cannot be changed without putting off their metalline form; for if you keep them a long time in Flux, by themselves, or joined with others, if they remain in their Corporality, they cannot help each the other, but being destroyed either by themselves, or joined with other Metals, and nourished in the fire their due time, it cannot otherwise be, but that they should be bettered, for so long as it retains its metalline form, it cannot be holpen. ’Tis necessary that a hard body be broken and annihilated, before there can be made a separation of the pure from the impure.

But this is to be done by a genuine Chymical manner, and they are to be dissolved and throughly opened, with things of affinity with them, whereby the purer parts may be united, and the more gross may be separated. If a metal be forced with a most vehement Fire, its parts do firmly hold together; for if it be fixt, then the parts abide in the Fire; but if volatile, then the parts thereof fly away together, their natural bond holds them together, defending them against the Fires power, but dissolve their bond, and then they are compelled to submit to Vulcan’s Force and Empire, and will let you make of them what you please. It may well shame the Chymists to work so disagreeably with Nature, and may well learn by the Husbandman’s labours to send for Nature’s help. The Husbandman therefore, when he sows his seed, to have a good Crop therefrom, he casts not his grain upon any sort of earth, without consideration, but chuseth such earth for each proper seed, as being well dung’d, may suit best therewith, and in a convenient season sows his grain, that it, being putrefied and annihilated, may be multiplied, he leaves it to the warmth of the Sun, and to the vivifying Rain to concoct and maturate it; well knowing, that without precedent putrefaction and loss of its form, it cannot be multiplied. He likewise knows, that when it hath arrived to its maturity it must not be left in the Field, but must be reaped, and then the better and more heavy part is to be fanned and separated from the lighter and worser part, viz. the Chaff; the which operation is, by Experience and long Use, known to be good and needful. This Process must a Chymist observe, for one Metal may be made the field of another, wherein putrefying, it may get it self a new body, which being done, he must likewise know how to separate the new body from the fæces, from which ’tis gathered and made; and how to fan Vulcan like the best and most ponderous, from the lightest, for both of them will be made better by the foregoing preparation, and the annihilation of the bodies. When a Country-woman intends to separate the better part of the Milk from the more gross and cheesy part, she puts it in a quiet warm place, that the best part may rise up, and the worst part go down; the which being as yet not sufficiently purified, she adds her art, and puts it into a Churn, and doth so long stir or agitate it until another separation be made of the pure from the impure, which we call Butter; which notwithstanding, had it lain never so long by it self, had never come to have been Butter, without the Hand and Art of the Country-woman. Who would believe that in Milk there lies Butter, if he did not daily see it? This separation of the Butter from the waterishness, proceeds from the quick shaking and agitation, whereby the Milk heats; and if it doth not fadge, then do they put thereto some warm moisture, which uniting it self with the moisture of the Milk promotes a separation, for heat alone is the meer cause of hastening the separation. This now may seem a gross Example to the Ignorant, but let none imagine that this separation of the Butter from the Milk is alledged in vain, but rather to show the way how out of imperfect Minerals the golden and silver milk or part, is to be separated by the access or addition of a warm Mineral water, and by the Fires agitation: Even as warm Water helps the moisture of the Milk, that so it doth the easier separate its own heterogeneous Butter (and yet the way of separating the Butter from the Milk, without agitation, by the affusion of a warm thing and coction, is not unknown;) so also the Metals are separated, if they are along time boiled with their own Water.

Now, because of themselves they are compact bodies, if you keep them in Flux a long season, they remain compact, and are not able by their own power to shew forth their Good or Evil, nor make it appear, whether or no they contain Gold or Silver: They are to be a long time boil’d with Water, that being dispersed, they may be translated out of their metalline nature, and the pure (by the agitation of the Fire) may be separated from the impure; which purer part of the metal doth not swim at the top, like Butter, but settles to the bottom like a Regulus, after the metallick manner, and all being cool, it must be separated from the Scoria, and in a Cupel be washed to the utmost purity (=abgetrieben=).

But now ’tis worth the while to know what Water this is which is fit for this Work, and makes a separation of metals; for seeing that it must have power to dissolve metals, it’s expedient that it be a friend unto them, and of the same kin, or (that I may speak clearer) ’tis fit that it be their dissolver and examinator; and this old Saturn hath power to do, out of which it may with small costs and labour be prepared; but the common Saturn, although it be called the Water of Metals by all the Philosophers (but in the usual washing in the Cupels ’tis not found so to be) yet as long as it remains in a compact metalline form, ’tis unfit for this thing; let him first be made Water himself before he reduceth the metals into water; which work is easie, of small cost, and of a few hours labour, and it goes into Water, and the Metals are thereby washt. Of which more shall be said in the following Chapter of ♄, and elsewhere. This also is to be noted, That if Copper being dissolved with the Water of Lead, be digested its proper time, the moisture dries, and the metal is hardened, and returns into a metallick body; therefore the Solution is to be kept alwaies liquid by the affusion or pouring on of new water, lest the mutual action be hindered, which the Philosophers call Incineration: Which being neglected, all the Work doth not presently perish, but there remains most elegant Amausa, and tinged Glass, which shines among the Copper, giving out from it self a Blood-red Colour, wherewith not only wooden Vessels may be adorned, but also Glass-Painters may use it; of which red Glass there hath been some found in old Churches; but ’twas believed that the Art was throughly lost; but this came not by chance without doubt, but was purposely concealed by those whose practising hereabouts did perceive a better thing to lie under it; for the red Amausum or Glass, being burnt its proper time with a strong fire, gives a Regulus yielding in the Leaden washing (=im abtreiben=) good Silver. But if you seek for ☽ out of ♀, it’s better not to make the red Amausum or Glass at all, but to keep on with Inceration, that it may not come to be red, but may remain a pellucid and green Glass, even until ♀ be well washt.

Moreover this is to be noted, That ♀ and the other metals are not only reducible into soluble and insoluble Glass, by this Saturnine Water, but the same is to be done by the addition of clean Flints and Salts, by which they are made much fairer than those done with ♄; but in the separation (=Seigerungh=) they are vilder, because the Dissolvent is not so metalline, and after purgation, they do not so easily give their Regulus as those that are done with the Water of ♄. There’s also another way, by which the superfluous burning sulphur of ♀ may be washed, and she cleansed without the water of ♄ or of the Flints, viz. with Salt-Petre. If ♀ or any other imperfect metal be often mixt therewith and burnt, the purer parts come together, and the combustible parts come together, and the combustible sulphur separates in the form of Scoria. To conclude, This separation and washing may be done by the help of other fixed Salts, but none so good as the Water of ♄. Now let the Reader know, that those things spoken in a rude stile, concerning ♀, want not their weight, even as the following Chapters will openly declare.

The Fifth Rule.

Of the Nature and Virtue of =Saturn=.

Thus speaks =Saturn= of himself: The other Six Planets have excluded and thrust me out, who am their Examinator, from the spiritual City, assigning me an habitation with a corruptible body; for what they neither are, nor will be, I am constrained to be: My six Brethren are Spiritual, wherefore as often as I am in the fire, they pass through my body, and both I and they perish together in the Fire, the two best excepted, ☉ and ☽, who are most neatly and purely washt in my waters, and wax proud. My Spirit is Water, softning the hard bodies of my Brethren; but my body is addicted to the Earth, whatsoever I lay hold on, is also made like the Earth; and is converted into one body. It would not be good that the World should know what is in me, or what I could do; it would be better did they but know how to get that thing which is mine, and is in my faculty, they would lay aside all other Arts of =Alchymy=, and handle this thing only, which I am able to perfect. The Stone of Coldness is in me; this is the Water by which I cause the Spirits of the six other Metals to congeal into the Corporeity of the Seventh, that is to promote ☉ with ☽. =Antimony= is twofold, the one sort is the common black ♁, wherewith ☉ being mixt and melted, is purged; this is of nearest kin to Lead; the other is white =Magnesia=, =Bismuth=, and nearest to Tin; being mixt with the other ♁, it encreaseth ☽.

=Glaub.=] Here we have mention made of Saturn, from whence the Bath (spoken of afore) for ♀ and the other metals is prepared, and that twofold, the common and ♁, both which I have mentioned in my former Tracts, as profitable for this washing; but one is fitter for some metals than the other. Venus willingly enters into ♄, and may most rightly be washed and separated (=geseigert=) with the common Saturnine water, ♂ and ♃ will not; but ♁ receives them most greedily, holds and washeth them, which is impossible for the common ♄ to do. Yet notwithstanding Paracelsus seems to hint at some other thing here, speaking of the transmutation of ♄ with other metals, aiming (as I conjecture) as well at an universal as a particular transmutation of Metals by Saturn. Now Saturn also, as he is the water and washing of other metals, so may he himself be washed with Salts, which, as I shall anon declare, are his water.

But let no body wonder that I speak no larger of the nature and virtue of Saturn, whom I set so high an esteem upon; for it hath been most frequently mentioned, and after this will be; so ’tis not fit so often to repeat the same thing, one Chapter illustrates another. See such other small Tracts as I have written of Saturn, and compare them well together, and without doubt you will perceive my meaning. That which Paracelsus adds concerning the difference of ♁ is plain enough, and wants no illustration; for common Lead and ♁ (although much differing in the diversity of Sulphurs) was by the Philosophers called Black Lead. Bismuth, ashy Lead, and Tin, among the ancient Metallurgists, is white Lead; which appellations we shall leave to the ancients, and say no more thereof.

The Sixth Rule.

Of the =Moon=, and her Nature and Property.

If anyone goes about to reduce ☽ into ♄ or ♂, it will be as difficult as to make ☽ (with great profit) out of ☿, ♃, ♂, ♀, or ♄. But ’tis not expedient to make vile things out of good, but to make precious things out of base and abject things.

’Tis also fit to know of what matter the Moon is, and whence ’tis risen; he that is ignorant of this, will find it impossible to make =Luna=.

Quest. What therefore is Luna?

Answ. It is the seventh external, corporeal, material, of the Six metals therein hidden; for alwaies (as it hath been very often said) the Seventh hath the other Six spiritually hidden within it self; neither also can these six be without an external, material metal; nor can any corporeal Metal be without the six spiritual ones and their Essence. If you melt the seven Corporeal Metals, it doth nothing as to making ☉: after mixtion, each as its nature is, remains fixt in the fire, or volatile. For example, mix as well as you can ☿, ♃, ♄, ♂, ♀, ☉ and ☽, it will not therefore follow, that the ☉ and ☽ will transmute the other five, that they become ☉ and ☽: Although they are blown together into one mass, yet each remains in its own state, =viz.= if you take of the corporeal mixtion; for transmutation consists in the spiritual mixtion and union of Metals, because Spirits admit of no separation and mortification.

Although you kill the Body an hundred times, yet will they alwaies have another Body more noble than the former. And this is the promotion of Metals from one mortification into another; that is, from a more ignoble degree to a higher, that is =Luna=, and from a better to the best, that is =Sol=; a most illustrious and royal Metal; ’tis also true, and alwaies will be, which hath been often spoken of before, that alwaies the six metals generate the seventh, and deliver it from themselves into a palpable and visible substance.

Quest. Now, then if it be so, that the =Luna=, or any other metal, is alwaies caused and produced from the other six, What therefore is its Property and Nature? =I answer=, Out of ☿, ♃, ♂, ♀, ♄, and ☉, no other metal can be made, but ☽; the reason is, because as to the other six metals, each are indued with two good virtues, which in all make Twelve: these virtues are the Silverish or Lunar Spirit, which in brief understand thus; Silver is compounded into a corporeal Metal, out of the six Spiritual Metals, and their Properties, in number twelve, and is likened to the seven Planets, and the twelve Cœlestial Signs; for the ☽ hath from ☿ the Planet, and ♒, and ♓, a bright white flux and splendor, ☿, ♒, ♓; also ☽ hath from ♃, ♂, and ♉ a white colour, a great constancy against the fire and fixation, ♃, ♂, ♉; from ♂, ♋, and ♈, it hath hardness, a good clangour or sound, ♂, ♋, ♈; from ♀, ♊, ♎, it hath the means of Coagulation and Malleability, ♀, ♊, ♎; from ♄, ♑, ♏, it hath a fixt body with heaviness and gravity, ♄, ♑, ♏; from ☉, ♌, ♍, it hath a sincere purity, and a great constancy, against the violency of the fire, ☉, ♌, ♍.

Thus is briefly explained what is the exaltation and cause of the spirit and body of Silver, with its own compound Nature and Essence.

It must also be known what matter the metallick spirits do take in their first Nativity, when they are carried down into the Earth from the Cœlestial Influences, =viz.= a vile Dirt or Stone, which the Mine-digger by breaking the body of the metal, destroys and burns in the fire, in which mortification the metalline spirit assumes another body, not fryable, but pure and malleable. Then the Alchymist coming, destroys this metalline body, kills and prepares it by Art, but that metallick corporeal Spirit makes apparently conspicuous, another more noble and much more perfect body, whether it be the Sun or Moon; then both the metallick Spirit and Body being perfectly united, are free and safe from Corruption by the Element of Fire.

=Glaub.=] Paracelsus in this Sixth Chapter repeats the words which have been oftentimes afore mentioned, viz. That every visible metal is an hider of the other metals which lie spiritually hid within it; withal teaching, that it is impossible for corporeal metals, although melted together never so long, to be meliorated, unless they are first made spiritual; which I have oftentimes demonstrated and shewed to be the very Truth, and the right way to Transmutation.

But he doth not in express words teach the way by which they may be made and rendered Spiritual; nor is it convenient to chew a Morsel, and thrust it into the mouths of the Ignorant.

Now I say, that as touching the spiritualizing of Metals, Paracelsus doth not advise that Metals be dissolved in corrosive Spirits, & digested & destilled over the Helm with it, by often Cohobations. The Spiritualization which he mentions here, is not to be done with Corrosives, for they are rather corrupted by them than perfected, neither in Glasses, but in Crucibles, and that in a few hours, without Corrosives, whereby they are so depurated, and as it were poudered, that they are transparent in and out of the fire, and dissolvable in any water. This is a true spiritualization of metals, and gainful if it hath the said Properties: ’Tis otherwise called by the Philosophers, the first matter of Metals, and at this time known but to few.

Our Laborators now adays know not any metallick spirits, but such, as by the help of peregrine and noxious things, they drive over by an Alembick or Retort; but Experience testifies, that these are wholly useless and unprofitable for Melioration. And although the ancient Philosophers write, Make the fixt volatile, and the volatile fixt, yet they mean not that the metals should be destilled. Which sublimation or destillation they did not meddle with, but all their metallick labours, as Solution, Putrefaction, Destillation Sublimation, Calcination, Inceration, Cohobation, and Fixation, were done in one earthen vessel, without Corrosives; nor did they weary themselves with those ridiculous labours that are done by the means of Glasses. But of this more in another place.

Now read diligently over and over again what Paracelsus writes at the end of the Chapter, and it will appear, that he speaks of fusion, and not destillation in Glasses; where he shews, that a metallick spirit at its first descending from the stars into the earth, hath a most vile form, like a stone, or dirt, which the digger of it melts with a strong fire, whereby it gets a better form, and becomes a malleable metal. And here he is at a stand, and cannot proceed any farther. Now, saith Paracelsus, the Alchymist comes and takes this metal, and by his Art destroies the metallick body, killing and preparing it; and by his labour it assumes a more noble and fixt body, called (because of its maturity) Gold or Silver. The ☽, although it be more pure and excellent than ♀, ♂, ♃, and ♄ yet having not arrived to maturity, it is (in comparison of the ☉) like a flower, which is more excellent than the herb, but inferiour to the seed, which is the most perfect part of the same. And, as in Vegetables the flowers are indued with a more elegant colour than either the seed or fruit: So also is the ☽ more abounding with Tincture than the ☉; which I have very often tried, and could demonstrate by many Examples; contrariwise, altho’ the flower be, as to the form, colour and odour, above the seed, yet in goodness and durability it is much inferiour; for the flower at an approaching cold falls away;, but the seed endures, and if it be helped, it produceth a new herb, flowers, and seed, by which its species are conserved and propagated. And as in Vegetables the herb is the greatest part, the flowers less, and the seeds least, so in Minerals is the like order most fitly observed: for should Nature produce only Flowers and Seeds with the Herb, whence would there be Grass for Beasts, whereby they might fill their Bellies, and so yield dung for the Country-man to dung his ground withal, that it might produce a new Crop of Herbs. Without doubt there’s more Tincture hidden in ☽ than in ☉, the inmost part of which is a meer redness; but the centre of ☉ is a most fixt and splendid Sky-colour, which is to be well observed. As for the other Properties of ☽, which are most frequently known, ’tis needless to mention them; as to purity and fixation, ’tis nearest to ☉, and therefore in metallick things ’tis to be likened to a Flower: ’Tis plainly void of combustible and preying Sulphur; but being not as yet arrived and concocted to perfection, it is a most suitable Vehicle to extract ☉ out of volatile and unripe Marcasites, and other auriferous Minerals, and to make it corporeal. Concerning which I have formerly written, and will write more hereafter.

The Seventh Rule.

Of the =Sun=, its Nature and Property.

Corporeal ☉ is the seventh Metal of the six spiritual ones; in it self it is a meer Fire; but the Reason of its being outwardly of an elegant, yellow, visible, sensible, ponderous, cold and malleable body, is, because it hath in it the coagulation of the other six metals, whereby ’tis compell’d into a visible body. And as to its being melted with Elemental fire, ’tis from hence, because it hath a fluidity of Mercury, ♓, and ♒, spiritually hidden in it self; the which is also outwardly evident, because it is most easily mixt with the ☉, and detained by him.

And whereas after melting, it grows hard by the Cold, =viz.= is coagulated, and grows stiff, that comes from the other five metals, ♃, ♄, ♂, ♀, and ☽; in these five metals the Cold dwells and bears sway, and therefore ☉ cannot be fluid out of the fire, because of Cold. Nor can ☿ with his heat, nature, and fluidity help him against the five cold metals, for its heat sufficeth not to keep the ☉ in perpetual flux, so that it is enforced to obey the other metals rather than one only, ☿, who (as to coagulation of metals) hath nothing to do, its Property being to make liquid, and not hard: It is the work of heat and life to make liquid, but cold is the cause of hardness, stiffness, and unmovable, being therefore likened to Death.

For Example. If you would reduce the six cold metals to fluidity, whether it be ♃, ♀, ♄, ♂, ☽, ☉, it is to be done by the heat of the fire, for metals are not melted with cold Snow or Ice, but are hardened thereby. Now, as soon as they are melted by the fire, and that the heat ceaseth, the cold rusheth in, whereby the metal stands still, grows stiff, dies, and remains immovable. And because that ☿ is alwaies fluid and living, tell me, I pray, whether or no such a thing proceeds from heat or cold? Some or other may say, it is because of its cold and moist nature, and that it is living because of Cold; but whoever saith thus, and believes thus, is ignorant of Nature, and deceived and seduced with the vulgar, whose belief of any thing is out of the right way, & amiss, & are therefore to be avoided and shun’d by him that would truly know; for ☿ is not living, by reason of cold, but because of its heat and fiery nature, as all things else live because of heat, for heat is the cause of life, and cold the cause of death.

But that ☉ is in it self a meer Fire, not alive indeed, but hard, shewing its fiery heat only outwardly, as yellow mixt with red, and the other five metals, are cold, =viz.= ♃, ♂, ♄, ♀, and ☽, giving their virtues to the ☉, =viz.= according to their frigidity a body, by their fire colours, by their siccity hardness, by their moisture weight or heaviness, by their resplendancy sound; and that it is not combustible, and to be destroyed by the Element of Terrestrial Fire, that is by reason of its fixedness. Fire doth not burn Fire, nor destroy it, but Fire joined to Fire becomes the greater and more powerful in strength. The Cœlestial fire descending from the ☉ upon Terrestrials, is not such a fire as is in Heaven, nor such as our fire is on Earth; but with us the Cœlestial fire is cold, a rigid and congealed fire; and this is the body of Gold, and therefore we cannot tame or master ☉ with our fire, we can only divide it and melt it, as the sun dissolves and melts snow, congealed ice and water. Wherefore it is not permitted for one fire to destroy another, because ☉ it self is fire, and in Heaven it is resolved, but with us it is coagulated.

Gold is in a threefold state with its Essence.

1. The Cœlestial } { Resolved. 2. The Elemental } is { Liquid. 3. The Metallick } { Corporeal.

The End of the Seven Rules.

=Glaub.= We are now come to ☉, a kingly and most excellent Metal, the which Paracelsus compares to a meer absolute Fire, and so ’tis found to be, if it be separated into parts; ’tis likewise endued with a seed-like nature, more hot than the Herb it self or the Flower. But to what end should we write of bettering it, when as it needs it not, being already constituted in the highest degree of perfection, and Nature not being able to promote it to an higher degree: Now then if it be to be made better, ’tis behoveful to make it Medicine, for never was a more excellent metal than it seen. An Herb planted in a fruitful soil, and brought to its perfection by the heat of the Sun, the seed being ripe, it remains not in the same form, but withers, and the seed falls away; but if it be seasonably gathered, it lasts a long while, and may, at your pleasure, be put into the Earth, for the production of new Herbs of its kind; or else it may be used for the health of Mankind, having no other notable Use besides. In like manner, Gold having arrived to its perfection, if it be to be farther advanced, it must be made Medicine, or be put upon the Metallick Earth, as Seed is on the Common Earth; where putrefying or augmenting, or growing, it may exhibit and produce a metalline Off-spring. Every body knows that a good Medicine may be thence made, and that various waies, but few know the manner how; but that ’tis able (like the Vegetable seed) to make Encrease out of the imperfect metals (being its own Earth) Paracelsus teacheth in this place, and many Philosophers witness the same, which is not only true in a particular melioration, where by attracting its like out of the imperfect metals, it is encreased; but ’tis also to be believed as true, that from it may be separated, by the industry of a skilful metallick Philosopher, its inmost Vegetative power and purest portion (all its husks, or outside, wherewith ’tis cloathed, being laid aside) and may thereby be exalted to a more than perfect estate, although ’tis incredible to many, yet ’tis not in the least to be doubted of, except we would make all the Philosophers to be Lyers.

As for my self, although I never set my hand to so hard a Task, yet I believe and affirm it to be in the nature of things, as having evidently observed by my other metallick Labours, that this Medicine is in the possibility of Art; the which I will also in due time set upon, if God give Life and Leisure. What the other properties of ☉ are, and by what means good Medicines may be prepared therefrom, I have spoken thereof in many places of my writings, and in its proper place more also shall be spoken. And here we rest and conclude this little Book of the Rules of the Seven Metals.

GOD and Nature make nothing in vain.

The Eternal City of all things (there’s an Eternal place in all things) without time, without beginning, and without end, is every where essentially. It operates in that wherein is no hopes, and that which is accounted impossible, unexpected, incredible, and plainly deplorable, will be true even to admiration.

=Glaub.=] Paracelsus having finished his Seven Rules of the Properties of Metals, begins after a sort, to repeat and illustrate his sentiment or opinion, comforting the Operator, lest happily he should be discouraged, if his affairs do not presently meet with good success; but let him ingeniously proceed, because Nature makes nothing in vain; that which is least of all believed, comes most of all to pass; his words are clear enough of themselves.

Item. Note now some things on Argent Vive.

Whatsoever whitens is of the Nature of Life, and of the Property and Virtue of Light, which causeth and makes Life. The Fire with its heat gives birth to this motion. And whatsoever blackens, is of the Nature of Death, of the Property and Virtue of Darkness, (having the efficacy and force thereof) which causeth Death; to the which hardening or induration the Earth with its Cold is the coagulation and fixation. The House is alwaies dead, but the Inhabitant is a living Fire: If thou hast found out the true Use of Examples, thou hast overcome.

=Glaub.=] Paracelsus speaking here of Mercury, mentions Fire, which by its heat is the cause of Light and Life, but that which blackens, is the cause of Death; where making as it were a pause or stand, he adds these pregnant words.

Sacrifice the fat Vervein (=or Sulphur=). ℞ eight lots of Salt Nitre, four lots of Sulphur, two lots of Tartar, mix them, and let them flow.

=Glaub.=] Here begin the Complaints of the Alchymists, because Paracelsus writing of so good a matter, doth so suddenly break off, adding such a Receipt, as in their judgment hath no affinity with Mercury, but is to him as a thorn in a man’s eye. This powder indeed is a good fusile powder, for the reduction of such metals as are otherwise hard to melt; but in this place ’tis meerly vain and needless, because ☿ by his innate fiery power and heat, doth alwaies flow; wherefore we want not this Flux for him. Had he written in this place, how he (viz. ☿) is to be coagulated and fixed, we would most willingly have heard him, and as willingly have been content that he had kept his fluxing powder to himself.

Such as these ought to blame themselves and not Paracelsus, that wish’d well unto them. The words which went just before, may excuse him; for he said, that GOD and Nature made nothing in vain; whereby he intimates, that this powder is not so strangely to be look’d on, as if it did not pertain to ☿, who is more than enough fusile already, and wants it not. Nor was this mentioned to vex the Alchymist; no, Paracelsus knew this nimble fusile powder, and its operations upon the metals, better than he that complains thereof, (’tis of incredible benefit in the metals, did any one know how to use it) and he placed it here, that we might perfectly learn its highest force and efficacy upon the metals; the which thing his foregoing words do also admonish us of: It operates beyond hope, that which is judged impossible is unexpected, incredible, and desperate, will prove true to admiration. Wherefore, think you, would he have added this fire had it not been needful in this place? doubtless he knew how to burn the wings of ☿, and thereby to stay his flight. And although I know not how to fix ☿ herewith, yet have I experienced wonderous things as well in the metals as ☿, for if the metals, especially ☿, be Philosophically joined herewith, sublimed and destilled, they afford wonderful Menstruums.

It’s also here said, Sacrifice the fat Vervein (or Sulphur). ’Tis full well known, that the superfluous Sulphur in metals that are imperfect, is the cause of their baseness, and this fire is able to burn it up, but ’tis impossible that all should know it; there’s need of use and diligence, if you desire Icarus, flying with his Father Dædalus, and approaching too nigh the Sun (whereby his wings being burnt, he tumbled down into the Sea) should be drowned in the waters. The which let suffice, for there’s enough spoken unto a wise man; let us therefore proceed.

What is to be determined concerning the Coagulation of ☿.

’Tis not at all expedient to kill ☿, to coagulate him, and then reduce him into ☽, and to weary him with many sublimations and other things, for this is but the destruction of the Sun and Moon that is in him. There’s another more compendious way, whereby ☿ is made ☽, of small cost and charge, without any labour of coagulation: Every man reads in the Writings of the Alchymists, such Arts as are mean and vile, and easily preparable, whereby in a short time he might make abundance of ☉ and ☽, and are tired and vexed with the Writings of such as do not teach them clearly and plainly, and would willingly hear this, =viz.= Do so and so, and thou shalt have good ☽ and ☉ to inrich thee.

But good Sir stay a while, and wait till the Secret be plainly opened to thee in positive words without any labour; so as to enable thee (in as ’twere a moment of time) to take ♄, ☿, and ♃, and make Sol and Luna thereof. The Art will never be so easily known, how short and facile soever it be in it self.

=Glaub.=] Paracelsus goes on, and saith, That ’tis not needful to coagulate ☿, that ☉ and ☽ may be thence made, and that it is to be done with a most easie labour, and therefore few words are best. And here Paracelsus is to be compared to that Rich man, who having heard that many perished with famine, ’tis said that he should answer, That before he would be tormented with hunger, he would rather feed on rusty Bacon and Pease, believing that all abounded with this fare; the which they despising by reason of their daintiness, deservedly perished. In like manner the good Paracelsus believed, that all Chymists were his equals, as to the knowledge of Metals, not dreaming of the many poor Colliers that torment ☿ by their solutions, precipitations, sublimations, resuscitations, fixations, and other labours; when as they are ignorant of what it is, what abounds or is wanting therein, and so for want of knowledge, toil and labour to no purpose: ☿ is a subject of wonder, and is frequently wont to deceive the Alchymists, whom (viz. ☿) if you would on the other side deceive, when you pursue him, give him a little breathing (because by force he’s not to be compell’d) that he may a little wander about, but trust him not too much, lest flying away, he leaves behind him an empty Nest. For which Work the first Furnace, with its many Glasses, very well fitted and united, will serve excellently well. But in few words, ’Tis a subject of an inexhaustible wonder, the which I alwaies found the most stubborn of all the metals, that I have bestowed grievous pains about; but yet do believe, that he that knows rightly to deal with him, will reap a benefit from him not to be contemned. But who is there that discovers the Way? Wonders must alwaies remain unknown unto us, and albeit we know not all things, yet let us acknowledge the great Mercy of GOD, and give Thanks to Him for that which we do know.

The Receipts of =Alchymy=.

What shall we say of the many Receipts and the various Vessels, such as are the Furnaces, Glasses, Tests, Waters, Oils, Salts, Sulphurs, Antimonia, Magnesia, Salt Nitre, Alume, Vitriol, Tartar, Borax, Atramentum or Copperas, Orpiment, Spume of Glass, Arsenick, =Calaminaris=, =Bole-Armoniack=, Vermilion, Calx, Pitch, Wax, Lute of Wisdom, Powder’d Glass, Verdigrease, =Salt Armoniack=, Soot, Rosin of the Pitch-tree, Chalk, Mans-fat, Hairs, Egg-shells, =Lac Virginis=, =Ceruse=, =Minium=, =Cinnabar=, =Vinegar=, =Aqua-fortis=, =Crocus Martis=, =Elixir=, =Lazure=, =(ultro-Marine)= Soap, Tutia, =Havergold=, Crystals. What likewise shall we say to their preparations, putrefactions, digestions, probations, sublimations, calcinations, solutions, cementations, fixations, reverberations, coagulations, graduations, rectifications, amalgamations, and purgations. Most Books are fully stufft with these Alchymical things, as also what things are to be done by the benefit of Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Woods, Stones, Animals, Worms, Bone-Ashes, Cockle-shells, Muscles, =&c.=

All these things are the Labyrinths of =Alchymy=, and are great and but vain Labours. Moreover, although ☉ and ☽ might be made by the means of these things, yet by reason of the multitudes of them, the Work is rather hindred than advanced; and therefore it cannot be truly learned from the aforesaid things, how to make ☉ and ☽. But all such things are to be omitted, as operate not with the five imperfect Metals, for the production of ☉ and ☽.

What therefore is the true Way, and the short Path void of all difficulties, that leads to the speedy making of good =Sol= and =Luna=? How long will it be ere thou revealest it? I believe that thou understandest nothing of this matter, may somebody say, but dost only mock us with these Riddles. =For answer=: It hath been already spoken of, and is evidently enough discovered in the Seven Rules; He that understands not, let him blame himself. Besides, let no body be so mad, as to perswade himself, that the Art is most easie to be understood, and to be perfectly known by the vulgar; that is neither so, nor must it so be; but it will be better understood in an occult and hidden Sence.

This is the Art, =viz.= If you make the Heaven or Sphere of ♄ to flow with life in the Earth, put in all the Planets, or which you please of them, but let there be of =Luna= least of all; let it flow so long, until the Heaven of ♄ doth wholly disappear, and the Planets remain alone dead with their own corruptible Bodies, and have assumed a new, perfect, uncorruptible body, that body is the Spirit of Heaven, by which the Planets become again corporeal and alive; as afore, Take out that new Body from the Life, and out of the Earth, and keep it, for it is =Sol= and =Luna=. And thus hast thou the Art plainly uncovered and intire; if thou dost not yet understand and apprehend it, ’tis well, for so it must be; nor must it be publickly divulged.

=Glaub.=] In this Chapter Paracelsus teacheth, That there’s no need of so many ridiculous species, for the transmutation of Metals, but that there’s virtue enough in the metals to operate upon, and to better one another, if they are rightly conjoined amongst themselves; yet in some Labours we cannot be without Salts and Minerals, because they are useful to mollifie hard Metals, and to dispose them to assume a melioration. But ’tis to be observed, that Corrosives are to be omitted, and such Salts only to be used as are friendly to Metals. Likewise other Minerals and Fossiles may be fruitfully used in fusion, (=Seigerungh=) separation, and other metalline Operations, as additaments (=als Susans=). The which thing Paracelsus denies not, but only rejects, and that deservedly, those ridiculous Compositions of the unskilful Alchymists, which they making in their use Sol. He dehorts the studious Artist, and endeavours to bring him into the right way.

Furthermore, he teacheth but in an occult sence, how good Sol and Luna, such as will endure all trials, is to be extracted out of imperfect Metals; but ’tis so obscurely done, that no body can thereby understand the thing; and such only as aforehand know somewhat, and have had the like Labours under their hands, are able to understand his meaning.

Doubtless this Process hath found many an one work enough, who have at last attained to nothing; but yet some have by chance lighted thereon, and so perceived the Truth of his Words, most of which Inventions do casually happen; and whilst that one thing is sought after, and by accident lost, something is oftentimes found more excellent than that which was intended.

In like manner, most things unsought after have happened to me; and also my Labours have manifested to me the greatest part of Paracelsus’s Arts, and not his Writings. And who will certainly and plainly teach what lies under that Covering? Many Archers there are, but few hit the mark. Neither seems it so necessary to take nothing else but the aforesaid Metals; the which thing Paracelsus also in his forementioned Process doth hint at, saying, When thou makest the Heaven, or Sphere of ♄, to flow with Life in the Earth, sow in all the Planets, or such as you please of them; but let not the Moons part be biggest, but let it be the least of all. By which words ’tis easily conjectured, that the greatest part must be of Saturn, whereby the other metals are to be washed and purified, and the least part of the Moon. But some body may ask, What reason is there for the Moon being here, she being already pure, for the washing of whom there’s no need? Why this hath been already elsewhere answered thus, viz. That she may attract, defend, and make corporeal, the washed, purified, and tender Sun, which would otherwise remain in the Scoria: Notwithstanding this separation may be made without the Luna, but then ’tis not so gainful. Neither also is it necessary to conjoin the Metals, and so make but one work in washing them with Saturn; each of them may be taken apart, and so cleansed, unless a man knew how to contrive the composition, then indeed the Work would be facilitated, and more Sol gotten; the which is to be well observed, if either none, or very little Luna be taken. But if you take not ☽, then ♀ is to be added, as being of nearest affinity to ☉ and ☽, in its malleability, and so that will attract the volatile and immature ☉ out of the imperfect Metals, and defend it in the fire, but much weaker than ☽. Tin and Iron being most impure and sharp metals, may be washed with Lead, but with much difficulty, and may be deprived of their spiritual and occult ☉, but with far greater charges and cost, than if you took in ☽, or at least wise ♀. Now knowing this, Why do we not give to every one its proper additament, for the expedition and enriching of the Operation? ’Tis worth the while to be able to make a good mixtion of Metals, and with profit to wash them with ♄, in which mixture none believes how much there’s placed, nor my self neither, had I not with Loss learned the same. For, when in former years I sought after somewhat in this kind of operation, as washing and separation, and had sometimes found out a good Proba; I have gone to repeat the same labour again, and have egregiously erred. And although I have for many years wrought hard in this kind of labour, and spent much (which I repent not of) yet I dare not boast of catching the best prey, but am content with a piece of Bread, but yet I do not dispair, Good things come slowly on, and the thorny prickly Budds spring forth before the Roses come. Now, if thou learnest the weights the Work will be safe, and thou needest not to doubt of doing the same in a great quantity. Paracelsus goes on, and bids you to let the Planets which you have put in, to flow so long with the Heaven of ♄, until the Heaven of ♄ vanish, the Planets will remain, having received a new body, which is to be taken out of the Life and the Earth, which will be ☉ and ☽. And these words are variously interpreted by sundry men, especially what the Heaven of ♄ is, and are perswaded, that if that were known, the residue of the Process they could state well enough. Many understand hereby the common separation made by a peculiar ♄, taking the Regulus Stellate of ♁, which is stampt with a Cœlestial Star, the which they blow on and melt with the Life, (which they interpret to be the fire) in the Earth (a Cupel or Test =treibscherben=) the bodies being left upon the Test, like mortified Metals, the which reducing by a fusing addition, and melting with Lead, (=angesotten=) and promising themselves Gold and Silver, they find themselves to be in an errour, and accuse Paracelsus of Sophistry and Deceit, because they can’t make good quantities of ☉ and ☽, by means of his Writings.

And now, what this Sphere of Saturn is, may be variously explained: It may not unfitly be taken for common ♄, because being fused, it shines, and is turned round: or it may be taken for its Glass, which being melted in the fire, shines like the Sun: or it may be the Stellar Regulus of ♁, because its Stria represents Stars when ’tis broken. But what benefit is it to know the Heaven of ♄ and to be ignorant of the true requisite Life, and the reduction of the dead and reducible bodies. Common Fire is not the Life that Paracelsus mentions, but it may be stirred up thereby; and so he saith; The fire with its heat, is the Nativity to this motion: If by the Elemental Fire he should mean the Life, and by the separation of ♄, or blowing of the Regulus of ♁, (the flowing which Paracelsus mentions) then it must necessarily follow, that the destroyed bodies which remain, should be made more perfect, and the Spirit of Heaven should yet remain with them; for thus he writes, viz. The Planets by it do become corporeal and living, as they were before; but in these kind of separation, scorification, or blowing off, it is not found so to be; but in these Operations their Bodies remain like Scoria, in which is neither spirit or life, much less ☉ and ☽ to be found, though never so diligently sought after. Paracelsus saith expressly, viz. That Body (viz., of the slain or kill’d bodies) is the Spirit of Heaven, by which the Planets do again become corporeal and alive as before; from whence ’tis to be understood, that those bodies are spiritual, & not only corporeal and resuscitated, but such as may give life even to slain or destroyed bodies, the which can’t be said of them, for a spirit must be penetrative and vivifying, and they are not such. For if (according to Paracelsus’s mind) the dead bodies ought to be reduced to Corporality and Life, ’tis necessary that they have some hidden power; (which every one knows not) whereby they may demonstrate most speedily their embodying and vivification in a spiritual manner, without the addition of any peregrine Flux, or else they are deservedly to be rejected. But if any one should now imagine, that metals being by the red fire deprived of life, made spiritual and again corporeal and living, should forthwith be all ☉ and ☽; he promiseth more to himself than is right, and is deceived (for Paracelsus saith, that That new body is to be taken out of the Life and Earth and kept, for ’tis ☉ and ☽) for ’tis impossible even for the Philosophers Stone, to convert the whole bodies of Metals into ☉ and ☽, for out of nothing, nothing can be made, as the Philosophers say; and Experience testifies, none but God only made any thing out of nothing; but that thing which is, may by Art be reduced into nothing, and that again reduced into something. Seeing therefore that the greatest part of metal is an unprofitable, combustible noxious Sulphur, which never was a metal, but adhering only outwardly unto them, and being combust, reduceth their humidium Radicale into Scoria; which Humidum Radicale only (after its destruction) and not the whole mass of Metal or superfluous Sulphur, is reduced by the spirit of the Saturnine Heaven, out of nothing unto something, viz. a Body and Life; the Sulphur which before the corruption was nothing, remains still a Nothing; and if thou throughly observe the thing, the Case stands clearly thus; viz. If in this operation there must be a separation of the imperfect metals, and a gathering together of the more pure, and a dispersing of the more impure parts; these separated parts must therefore necessarily be much unlike one another; and by how much ☉ and ☽ is more pure, if compared with imperfect metals, from which ’tis separated: And these separated parts are not of the same Goodness and Nature; as if ten duckets were divided into two parts, each part would have 5 of the same goodness and weight. Now, if from one of these halfs you take two or three parts, and put them to the other half, it only makes the one bigger, and the other less: And if there be nine parts on the one side, and but one left on the other side, yet cannot the major part boast of its excelling the other in quality, but only in quantity: As to Goodness, they are both equal. But now, if you take a Mineral or Metal commixt with stones, and by measure divide it into two equal parts, and then pound them, and by pouring water thereon, separate the lighter parts after the accustomed manner, and the heavy Metal will settle to the bottom: Now the dross and metal will fill the former measure, but will very much differ in their goodness.

Or if any one take two measures of Wine, and by the heat of Fire, separate the more excellent Spirit by destilling in a Glass Alembick, and leave the other measure in the Cucurbit: These two parts, though equal in quantity, yet they do much differ in goodness; the one part will be more noble than Wine, and the other worser; and as the other residence is no more Wine, being deprived of Spirit, Life, Soul, and Strength, and is thereby unable to defend it self from death, but tends to putrefaction; so on the other hand, the Spirit is not subject to putrefaction, but preserves other things therefrom.

The like is to be understood of this metalline separation, for the remainder, from which ☉ is separated, can no more be made Tin, Copper, or Iron, but is a gross earthy Sulphur, by the reason of the ☉ taken thence; whereas before it was ♃, ♀, ♂, or ♄. And by how much the Spirit of Wine is more excellent than common Wine, and ☉ than an imperfect Metal, by so much also will the Spirit of Wine and ☉ excel, if they are again separated, and new fæces segregated therefrom. But this is not so necessary in this place; ’tis sufficient to have declared the way and reason of this metalline separation, about which we have even now treated, viz. That the whole metal, nor the ½ or ¼ part thereof, will become Sol, and the rest remain a metal; but the separation of the pure is very small in quantity, in comparison of the much impurity whence ’tis separated. Nor let any one think he hath not attained the Art, and so will not rest here, if all things become not ☉; ’tis sufficient if there be some gotten, and that all the Labour is not bestowed in vain.

_By what means Crystals are to be Conjured, and all things to be seen in them._

To Conjure is no other thing, than well to observe a thing, to know and understand what it is: Crystal is a Figure of the Air, in which is to be seen whatsoever is moveable in the air or unmoveable. The like appears in a Looking-glass, in Crystal, and in the Waters, for the Air, Water, and Crystals, are all one to Sight; like a Glass wherein an Object is to be seen, as it were, reverted.

=Glaub.=] I do not fully know what Paracelsus intends by this Conjuration of Crystals, because it appertains not to the metalline Arts; but yet it seems not to be here added without good reason, somewhat he would intimate hereby. We read of the Ancient Pagan Philosophers, that they conjured Crystals, and beheld in them many wonderful things; the which, whether it be true or no, I leave as I find it, because in my Judgment, such an Art seems not natural, but belongs to Diabolical Magick, which I have nothing to do with.

Paracelsus also hath elsewhere written of wondrous Looking-glasses of the same, and hath taught how to compose them of Metals, melted together in a certain Time and Constellation; the which many have attempted to do, but not one (as far as I know) hath attained the Mystery. It seems very probable, that he intends by this Conjuration of Crystals, that the Metals are to be made like to pellucid Crystals, Air, or Water, wherein the soul of the Metal may shine, if you would spiritualize them, and make them yield their ☉ and ☽. And in this Sence it agrees with the aforesaid Chapters.

It likewise seems, that the mentioning of this thing is necessary for the sake of those, who practising on a separation with ♄, have experienced, the Metals are to be first reduced into Transparent Crystals, before they part with their occult Sol: Which I have elsewhere spoken more largely of, about Amausa, and therefore will here end.

Of the Heat of =Mercury=.

They that believe that =Mercury= is of a moist and cold nature, must lay down the Bucklers, for ’tis not so, but it abounds with a great heat and moisture, which being naturally planted therein, keeps it alwaies fluid: For, were it of a cold and moist Nature, it would alwaies remain rigid and hard, like to congealed Water, and were to be melted like other metals, by the heat of the fire, which it (=viz.= ☿) hath no need of, because it hath already a fluidity from heat, whereby it flows, and is alwaies constrained to live, and not to die, grow stiff, congeal, or be fixed. But this is singularly to be noted, that the Spirits of the seven Metals, or of as many of them as are conjoyned in the Fire, are wonderfully provoked and stirred up, and =Mercury= chiefly, and they emit, and send out their forces amongst each other, for a mutual Victory and Transmutation; the one takes away the Virtue, Life, and Form from the other, communicating a new Nature and Form; so the Spirits or Vapours of Metals are stirred up by heat and mutual action and passion, and are transmuted from one Virtue to another, and at last to Perfection and Purity. But what else is to be done with ☿, that so his heat and moisture being taken away, he may catch a great Cold, and be congealed, stand still, and die; do as you hear in the following Figment.

℞ a most pure Silver Vessel, in which shut up =Mercury=, then fill a Pot with molten Lead, in the midst of which put in the Vessel with the =Mercury=; let it flow a whole day, and the hidden heat will be taken away from =Mercury=, and the external heat will communicate to it the internal cold of the Lead and ☽, being both of a cold nature, by which =Mercury= will grow stiff, rigid, and become hard.

=Note=, The Cold which =Mercury= hath need of for its hardening and death, is not outwardly perceptible, like Snow or Ice, but is rather hot. Nor is the heat by which =Mercury= flows, felt by the hands, but ’tis rather cold. Hence Sophisters (that is men speaking without knowledge) pronounce him cold and moist, and study how to coagulate him with hot things, and thereby rather liquifie than harden him. Which thing Experience it self testifieth. True =Alchymy=, which by one only Art teacheth to make ☉ and ☽ out of the Five Imperfect Metals, useth no other Receipts, than only from Metals, out of Metals, by Metals, and with Metals, are Perfect Metals made; for with other things it is =Luna=; for in Metals it is =Sol=.

=Glaub.=] Here Paracelsus demonstrates their Judgment to be false, who say that Mercury (in it self a meer Fire) is by nature Cold, and returns to speaking of Spiritual Metals, the which being stirred up by great heat of Fire, do operate upon one another, meliorate, change, and advance to perfection, as hath been taught in the foregoing Chapters. Then he adds a Fable or Story, how to coagulate or fix Mercury; but it must not be taken in the literal sence, but of the spiritual ☽, whereby Mercury is to be promoted to Coagulation, in a moist way, and not in a dry, as the other Metals are, which Process I never yet attempted. Then he finisheth with an universal Rule of Transmutation, saying, Perfect metals are made from metals, out of metals by metals, and with metals, and that out of some ☽, out of others ☉ is made. He adviseth to take no strange thing, and only metalline subjects are to be taken for this Work out of some Luna only; out of others Sol only, or ☉ and ☽, both are to be extracted, which I have often tried; as in ♄, which of it self gives only ☽, Tin, ♀, and ♂, by themselves give only Luna, and pure Sol; but commixt with other Metals in a due proportion, they give only ☉, and very little or no ☽: Which maturation is to be ascribed only to the labour and mixtion, which is deservedly to be admired.

What Matter and Instruments are needful in =Alchymy=.

There is no special need of any thing, excepting a Fire-place, Coals, Bellows, Tongs, Hammer, Crucibles, Test, =(treib scherben)= and Cupels made of good Beech-ashes. Then put in ♄, ♃, ♂, ☉, Copper, ☿, and =Luna=. Proceed to the end of ♄. ’Tis very difficult and uncertain to find out Metals and Minerals in the Earth and Stones; yet because all Metals are to be first sought after and digged out of the Earth, this Labour is not to be contemned, but is Praise-worthy. Nor will this lust and desire in digging in Mines sooner cease, than the love of young Men to Maids will fail; and as the Bees are greedy of extracting Honey and Wax out of the Rose, so prone and forward should a Man be, to find out the Minerals in the bowels of the Earth, but without Covetousness; he that is overmuch greedy, receives least, for God doth not fill all men with gold and silver, but with want, dung, dirt, misery, and scarcity. Some men also God bestows a peculiar Intellect upon, and a piercing knowledge of Minerals and Metals; so that they know a far more compendious way of making =Sol= and =Luna= without digging in the Mine-pits, and without the Examen or Trying, and Fusion of Minerals. So that ’tis not so altogether necessary to dig in the Earth for native =Sol= and =Luna=, but by a certain knowledge it might be made of five Species, (but of Minerals become Metals, which are Imperfect Metals, and are so called) =viz.= ☿, ♃, ♄, =Mars=, and =Copper=: Of some more easily, of othersome more difficultly is =Sol= and =Luna= to be had.

=Note also=, That out of =Argent Vive=, Lead, ♃, Gold and Silver is easily made; out of ♂ and ☿ difficultly. Nevertheless ’tis possible, but in the beginning and access of =Sol= and =Luna=.

Out of =Magnesia= and Lead comes =Luna=.

Out of ☿ and =Cinnabar= ariseth pure =Sol=.

Likewise an Ingenious man (as I well remember) is able by due attention and preparation so to handle a Metal, as to be able by his ingenuity to do more in the Transmutation of Metals to perfection, and to guide the same better than all the Signs and Planets of Heaven can do. ’Tis also needless to observe the Twelve Signs, and to calculate the motions and Regiment of the Planets, and to observe a time, a day, the hour of this or that luckey or unluckey Planet; such things neither promote nor hinder any thing; they neither hurt nor profit ought in the natural Art of =Alchymy=: But if thou rightly understandest the art and possibility thereof, then go to work and labour when thou seest it most convenient; but if thou want’st the knowledge and practice thereof, then all the Planets, Stars, and Signs will wholly fail thee. It also comes to pass, that metals lying long in the Earth, are not only changed into Rust, but by a longer staying in the Earth, they return into their Native Stone, of which sort are many found, albeit they are not observed, for there are found stony pieces of Money, of the =Gentiles=, which were Metal heretofore, and by Corruption were transformed into Stone.

=Glaub.=] Here we are, in the first place, taught, that for the making of ☉ and ☽ there needs not many Instruments nor Species, but the metals are only to be conjoined, but not by the common separation or washing: For if you should wash all the metals with Lead, yet would there remain no more ☉ and ☽ than was taken at the beginning; the rest will descend with the Lead into the Cupel, and will lie at the top thereof like Scoria; therefore he doth again direct to a spiritual Commixtion and Philosophical Separation. Also he adds, That ’tis an honest, good, and necessary thing to dig up Metals, but that the other is the more excellent, and that deservedly, for it separates Gold and Silver by Art from the more vile metals; for all such as apply their minds to metals, do well know with what dangers, costs, labours, and Cares, they are to be gotten out; but yet ’tis not therefore to be abstained from, especially since we labour by this Rule, of having a fore-known and certain end of our pains and work; the which cannot indeed be done in metallick Mineings, for we are frequently drawn by vain hopes to bestow all our Estates on the Mines; and having spent all in vain labour, we are at last compelled to desist from the Work; but yet if it succeeds well, they yield the more plentiful Returns; and many Chronicles of Metals do testifie, That many Poor men have, by the Benefit of a rich Mine-pit, grown most Rich and Wealthy in a few years space. The finding out of Mines therefore doth wholly consist in Chance and Casualty, where Profit and Loss are equally and alike to be expected: The Work is likewise very chargeable, and can’t be set upon by every body, and therefore ’tis not for ordinary People, who have but little to lose, but for rich Men, who, though they lose much, are notwithstanding able to live, unless happily a Poor man lights upon some Earth or Sand that is very rich in ☉ and ☽, and other Metals, by the washing whereof he may get a livelihood; or else finding a rich Mine, and so betakes himself to a Rich man for his Copartner, such a one as is able to bear the Charges of digging it forth; and this is often done. But yet be it as it will, the thing is full of uncertainty. Whereas this Metallurgy, or Work on Metals, which Paracelsus makes mention of, is to be preferred far before the other, if any one (by the Grace of GOD) attaineth the Art, whereby he may with profit extract the ☉ or ☽ out of the already-digged-up Imperfect metals, which are every where to be sold.

But to return to the business in hand, viz. To illustrate the Writings of Paracelsus, who deserved much of his Country. He names some metals, out of which Gold and Silver may easily be extracted, and others, out of which ’tis difficult to get it, but in both Sol and Luna, is to be added; for ’tis profitable, yea, necessary (the which I have frequently exhorted to) in the extraction of Gold and Silver out of imperfect metals, and is volatile, and may the more commodiously make it corporeal and fixt. Then he adds, That Metals, by a longer stay in the Earth, do die, and return into stones and earth, from whence they had their original. The like happens to Man, and all Creatures; nor is there any thing in the World, how glorious soever it be, but is vain, empty, and perishing, but the Knowledge, Love, and Fear of GOD alone.

What thing =Alchymy= is.

=Alchymy= is an intention, imagination, and studying, or considering how or whereby the Species of Metals are transmuted from one degree and nature into another. Let therefore every ingenious and understanding man throughly consider the good Art of =Alchymy=, for he that speculates and well studies, will the sooner attain the Art and find out the Truth.

=Note=, That very much is to be attributed to the Stars and Stones, for the Stars are the framers of all Stones. And all the Cœlestial Constellations, the Sun and Moon, are in themselves nothing but stones, from which the Terrestrial do arise, being as it were their burnt part, Coal, Ashes, Outcast, Excrement, Expurgation, from which the Cœlestial Stones separating themselves, become clear and transparent by their proper brightness: And the whole Globe of the Earth is nothing else but a dejected, slidden down, commixt, broken, recocted Rubbish, and blown as ’twere into one Mass, having obtained Rest and Constancy in the middle Circle of the Firmament. ’Tis also to be noted, that =Gemms= (the names whereof I shall presently mention) together with the other Stones, came down into the Earth from the Celestial Stones or Stars, to which they are nearest in all perfection of Purity, Fairness, Brightness, Virtue, and Constancy, or Fixity, and Incorruptibility in the fire, and are in a manner like to the Celestial stones and constellations, being parts of them, and of the Nature derived from them, and are found by men in an impure gross vessel, and are supposed by the vulgar (who judge rashly of all things) to have been there born or generated; such as are found are polished, and are carried throughout the World to be sold, and are accounted as great Riches, because of their form, colour, and other Virtues, of which I am now going to Treat.

Of =Gemms=.

The =Emerald= is a green Transparent stone; it helps the Eyes, succours the Memory, defends Chastity; the which being violated, it self, =viz.= the stone, is hurt.

The =Adamant= or =Diamond= is a black Crystal; ’tis called =Evax=, because it produceth Joy: ’Tis obscure, and of an Iron colour, most hard, is dissolved with Goats blood, and exceeds not the bigness of a Filberd Nut.

The =Magnet= is a stone of Iron, because it attracts Iron.

The =Margarite= is a Pearl, and not a Stone; ’tis generated in shells, and is white; for whatsoever is generated in Animals, in a Man or Fish, is not properly a Stone, but only in the opinion of the vulgar: It is properly a depraved (or a transmuted) Nature on a Perfect Work.

The =Jacynth= is a yellow pellucid stone; ’tis also a Flower, the which the Poets fain to have been a Man.

The =Sapphire= is a Skie-colour stone, of a Celestial nature.

The =Ruby= is a stone deeply red.

The =Carbuncle= is a stone of the Sun, emits light and splendour, like to the Sun in his own nature.

=Coral= also is like to a stone, all red, it grows in the sea, on wood or a shrub, of the nature of the Water and Air; ’tis presently changed by the Air, and turns to a stone, grows red, is incombustible in the Fire, and therefore may be esteemed a Stone.

The =Chalcedony= is a stone with bright and obscure colours, with mixt and cloudy fluidities and colours, ruddy, like to a Liver, the vilest of all the =Gemms=, shining with every colour.

The =Topas= is a stone, shining also in the night; ’tis found in either rocks or stones.

The =Amethist= is a stone of a red and yellow; it shines.

The =Crysopassus= is a stone fiery in the Night, and in the day it appears Golden coloured.

The =Crystal= is a white transparent stone, like to Water congealed by the Air, and cold, (or of the Air and Cold) it is sublimated, extracted, or (as they say) washed out of other Rocks.

And now, for a Conclusion, I will give you this most true farewel. If any one will use a right reason, sence, and cogitation towards Metals, what they are, and whence they come, let him know, that our metals are nothing else but the best portion of common stones; they are the Spirit of the stones, that is, the Marrow, Oyl, Pitch, and Fat of the stones; but it is not sincere, pure, and perfect, as long as ’tis mixt and hid in the stones; this therefore is to be sought for and found in stones, and to be known in them and extracted from them; and then it is no more a stone, but a well-wrought and perfect Metal, assimilated to the Cœlestial Stars, the which also are peculiar stones, distinct from these stones. Whoever therefore is willing to find out metals, let him firmly believe this, and thus account, That he must not be only intent on the common Metals, nor have his hope placed in the bowels of the Earth, that so he might get good Minerals from thence, for often times there is above or without the Earth in sight, which is not in the profundity and depth thereof, and oftentimes is better, and more rich.

Therefore all such stones as you meet with, whether great or small, as great whole stones or flints are to be most accurately search’d or look’d into, and to be considered of what Nature and Property they are; for oftentimes a most vile Flint is found to be more excellent than any Cow. For the Matrix or Rock, =Abbruch=, whence they are gotten, from whence such a stone did arise, is not alwaies to be earnestly sought after, that you may have more from thence, for these stones have no Rock, the Heaven is their Rock; oftentimes also the Abject Earth, Powder, and Sand, hath much gold and silver Dust, =(Schlich)= which observe.

=Glaub.=] Here Paracelsus declares what Alchymy is, whose words being perspicuous enough, need no illustration: Then he leads us to the birth of metals, the which are generated in the Earth, out of the Stars above: He attributes to Gemms the nearest place of Perfection, but does not intend that we should earnestly seek after them, to have gold and silver from thence, but that the metals should be made like them, as to their outward Aspect, and then afterwards the ☉ and ☽ is to be extracted, to which all the scope of the foregoing Chapters tend, which is to be observed and enquired into, what his meaning is: Nor are the bare Letters alwaies to be trusted to, here is nothing mentioned by him in vain. What affinity have Gems with the metals? None at all: And although sometimes the hidden ☉ and ☽ may be extracted, yet he doth not at all intend here that we should make that, but repeating the former Doctrine, he hints unto us, That the metals out of which the ☉ and ☽ is to be extracted with profit, are to be first reduced into soluble or insoluble Glass, most like to Gemms; a good Company of them he here reckons up, and adds to what use they serve; not that we might learn their Nature, Colour, and Properties, (as I suppose) but to teach us, that as they are found different in Colours and Virtues, even so may the metals be prepared into Colours like unto them. He that neither understands nor will believe, let him seek better things, and get help and assistance elsewhere.

Then at length, by way of addition, he concludes what Metals are, and that they are not alwaies to be gotten out of the profundity of the Earth, but are sometimes to be found most plentiful in most vile powder, sand, and stones; neither is it necessary to be earnest in seeking their rock or original, whereby more may be gotten, because the Heaven by its operation generates them every where: he reproves men for their blindness, because they alwaies gape after great Mines, lying deep, dangerous to be found, and chargeable to dig out. That which is laid before their feet, as it were, they disdain to acknowledge, peevishly affecting the dark, and stubbornly contemning the light exhibited to them by honest men, and by an innate malice they study to extinguish it. And thus is this Book ended, the which Paracelsus, a most experienced man, hath left behind him, written of Metallick things, and is most full of abstruse wisdom, although few believe it, to the Elucidation and explaining whereof, I have heretofore uttered my mind, nothing doubting, but that hereafter it will be in better esteem with All.

Indeed I could have written more openly, and explained his words more largely, and more exactly have discovered his occult sence, but time and want of leisure permits it not at present. But if I seem to any body to have written more obscurely, let him consult with my other Writings, for they illustrate one another.

Now follows the Praxis of the aforesaid Theory.

The afore-written Explanation of the Book (of Vexations) of Paracelsus, hath taught a most certain and undoubted Transmutation of Metals, and hath sufficiently advised by what means they are to be handled. But because this action requires a great experience in metallick affairs, I am willing to add some special waies of Proceeding, and that in perspicuous words; but ’tis impossible to write so plainly that none may erre; it would be too prolix, tedious, and unfit, and as if many Elements of the Physicks, and other subtile things, were read to a Child that is not capable of understanding them; the labour thus bestowed, would be wholly in vain: Nor do I undertake to instruct the Tyroes or Novices in Alchymy, but such as are skill’d in the metallick labour of fusion, washing, separation, and the like, of a subtile Intellect and experienced Judgment.

I would verily have written more clearly, did I not fear that the Art would become a Trade; some will think that I have written too openly, and will be angry that such Secrets are made known to the World: Who can satisfie all People? But be it as it will, ’twill be alwaies good to have done a profitable Work for my Neighbour.

This is the =ART=.

When thou hast put in the Heaven of ♄, and hast made it to flow with its Life in the Earth, then add the Imperfect Metals in a due Weight, viz. ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, and a little ☽; let them flow so long with the Heaven, until with it they disappear, and having lost their nature and metalline form, are reduced into earth. This metallick earth being yet joined to the heaven of ♄, and compassed wholly round therewith, raise up by the spirit of Heaven, and make it corporeal, and it will receive its former metalline form; but although it be bettered, yet let it be killed three, or four, or five times, and raised up, that the melioration may be greater, and produce in the separation more =Sol= and =Luna=. There needs no Tyle, (=Muffel=) Cupel, Test, (=treibs-scherben=) Cucurbit, =Aqua-fortis=, and such like Vessels and Instruments necessary in other Metalline Labours, but ’tis perfectly finished in one only Crucible, in one Furnace, with one only Fire, and in the space of a few hours, from the beginning to the end. And to speak more plainly in this Process, the Sphere of ♄ is the Regulus of ♁, the Life is a whitening Salt, having its operation and motion from the Fire; the Earth is the Crucible. And thus hast thou the whole Process of the Work laid open, the which I have tried above an hundred times in a small quantity; but let the studious Artist, above all things, observe the Fire, of what original, nature, and virtue it is, and the other things will be the more easily understood; for the Wood, the Coals, and such-like burning things, are not the Fire properly, but only its habitation, in which the Fire being occultly dispersed in the Air, is made manifest, visible, and perceptible. Even as the Man is not the Life or Soul, but only the receptacle wherein the Life or Soul, being infused from above, doth lodge: Nor is the man any more a man, but a meer carcass when the soul expires. In like manner Gold ceaseth to be Gold when deprived of its soul, but is volatile, and a Mineral without colour. Whence ’tis evident, that the Goodness of metals consists not in their bodies, but in their souls: On this account ☽ is added to the Imperfect Metals, that it may receive that invisible soul which lies largely diffused throughout their bodies, that it may collect it, make it visible, perceptible, and corporeal, whereby the mixtion of both (viz. of the Luna and the Soul of the Imperfect Metals) being made, it gets the name of ☉. Some body may ask, Whether or no Gold will be produced, if no ☽ be added to the metalline mixture? For answer, There will be ☉ produced, but less in quantity than if Luna were added, because the most tender (and as it were incorporeal) golden soul of the imperfect bodies is not able to quit it self and get out by its own proper force, from so many impurities as ’tis invironed with, without some other help, nor make a new body; ’tis needful and good to administer and lend to it a body wherein it may be contracted, and thereto betake it self, for which the Luna is most fit; the which being by a vivifying Fire radically united with the unclean metals, and well subdued or exercised in the mutual ascension and descension, the purer particles of the Imperfect bodies do come together in this Circulation of the Luna, adhere thereto, are mixed, and become corporeal, the impure corruptible body being left, and a separation made of the good from the bad.

So then, I have now taught perspicuously the Art of extracting Sol and Luna out of all the Imperfect Metals, either apart, or conjoined with or without the addition of the Luna. If therefore thou attainest to the Art, I am glad; if not, thou hast no cause to complain of me, for I have candidly imparted unto thee the meer and naked Truth.

_Another Separation of =Sol= and =Luna= out of the Imperfect Metals, by ♄._

First of all, melt ♄ well in a melting Vessel, (=Scherben=) add ♃, ♂, and ♀, mixt in due weight, melt them together, and forthwith the ♃ and ♂ will corrupt the Lead, being reduced into Scoria like to yellow Earth, and being reduced, they will in part restore their own Lead and Copper, but the ♃ and ♂ remain like black Scoria, which are to be kept: Let the Coppery Lead flow well again, and again add ♃ and ♂, and there will be again made Scoria, which are presently to be reduced. Let this Labour of Scorification and Reduction be repeated, until there remain scarce one or two pound of Lead out of an hundred to be washed, and you shall find ☉ and ☽ in part, which the Metals give out from themselves in this operation: But the Scoria which can’t be reduced, let lie well heated red hot, in a peculiar Furnace, for some daies, and be fixed, and they will give in the reduction a golden and silvery ♄ or Lead to be washed, that so the remaining ☉ and ☽ which the Scoria drank up, being extracted, may be of use unto us. This labour (which I never tried in great quantity, will doubtlessly (in my opinion) succeed in quantities; any one may try the thing, and exactly compute how much profit may be thence had every year.

Also the most Imperfect Metals may (by the benefit of Salts not corrosive) be truly and infallibly fixt and wash’d by a particular way, that they may give much ☉ and ☽, concerning which none need to doubt; the which I having oftentimes mentioned in my Writings, will not repeat it again.

Metals also being first reduced into a Calx, may be purged and wash’d by the glass of Lead, made by the addition of Flints, so as to yield much Sol, concerning which I have written heretofore: But there’s required much ♄, whereby the metals may be largely diffused, otherwise it will not let fall the fæces; nor can its more pure parts be gathered together into a body, and concentrated; I take in the Flints, that they may receive into themselves the fæces of the unclean Metals, and so make a separation of the pure from the impure. And like as we are wont to mix the whites of Eggs to Honey, Sugar, and other Vegetable Juices, in the purification of them by Water, that thereby the viscousness of the Juices may be attracted, and so be clarified. In like manner, the Flints do in this operation occupy the place of the whites of Eggs, and ♄ of the Water wherein ♂, ♀, or ♃ is to be dissolved; the Labour is most pleasant and speedy, exceeding gainful, if the Crucibles (perforated by the Litharge) would but hold the mixture, and not let it pass through so soon.

But whosoever shall be so happy as to find Vessels which can keep in the Glass of Lead for ten or twelve hours, he need not be solicitous or careful of other Arts to inrich himself by. For my own part, I could never be so happy hitherto, albeit I have carefully sought it for so many years. One only pound of Iron, ♀, or ♃, doth sometimes yield half, yea a whole lot of Sol, if the Work be rightly managed. And if you add a fix’d Salt, as of Tartar or bare Pot-ashes, it will then yield more, but the Crucibles will be the sooner perforated to our grief. I do believe that one or other will be a curious Searcher after this, and may in due time find how to make this Work succeed very well, both in Crucibles and in great Fires, or melting places; and will be thankful to GOD the Giver, and to me the Writer hereof. Heretofore I did set by this Labour very highly; and although I would not then communicate it to any body for a great price, yet now (being not permitted to make any further Progress therein) I freely bestow it, that others also may try their fortune.

Also imperfect metals are purged from their combustible and noxious sulphur, by the suddain fire of Nitre, of which we have formerly spoken about Mercury, the which is to be lookt on as the most speedy, and as it were a momentary Melioration of metals N. B. especially if they are reduced into a soluble salt without a Corrosive, for which thing ♂ and ♀ are most fit, exhibiting a Philosophical Vitriol, the which may be most commodiously purifyed to perfection. There’s a great secret lies here under, and haply greater than a particular work may require; let the Poetical fable of Venus and her son Cupid be considered of; what is there meant by Cupid, whether or no it be not ☉. Verily I could discover more good ways of producing ☉ and ☽ out of the more vile metals, but because there’s enough already spoken in the explication of the seven Canons or Rules, it seems good to me to forbear. He that doth not understand that nor can apprehend its drift or scope, will not be profited by the addition of more things. If the fundamentals are laid open, any one will conveniently administer his intent and labours: But yet I will add over and above, a most pleasant work, Parabolically, being the foundation and Basis of the whole Alchymical Art, under which is comprehended the radical solution of metals, Conjunction, Destillation, Sublimation, Ascention, Descension, Cohobation, Cementation, Calcination, Inceration, and Fixation, and so I will end the work of Transmutation.

There was a man (♄) who had two sons, (Bismuth or Tinglass, and ♃) the younger (♃) said to his Father (♄), give me my portion, (Note well, Bismuth and ♃ were always accounted Lead, as well by the Philosophers, as by the ancient workers on metals, the one viz. Bismuth, they called an ashy colour’d Lead, the other (♃) a white Lead, and this a black Lead,) and behaved himself stubbornly and unmannerly, that is, ascending or getting up; his Father gives it him, and he goes a wandring therewith, (Note well, when ♃ and Bismuth together with ♄ do feel the fire, the ♃ is separated from the ♄ and Bismuth, and ascending, takes some-what from ♄ with it, and becomes a Contumacious Scoria, and this is to go a wandring) and he enters into an Inn, where ♂ the Host, and ♀ the Hostess, had the sign of the World (♁) in a hanging Table, who having entertained him, dispoiled him of all his Fathers goods, (Solution) Then there grew such a great scarcity of Corn (with drought) that all men were even deformed by reason of the Famine (corruption), to prevent which he is enforced to keep hogs, (that is to dwell with fætid Nitre) and to feed on huskes, (that is Tartar) (inceration, imbibition) by which being humbled (Digestion, Circulation, Edulcoration, Putrefaction) he returns to his Father, (Incorporation) as a lost Son, (some thing is made nothing, and nothing is made something again) he brings forth a new Garment, (Argenteous) he puts a Gold Ring on his finger, (☽ impregnated with ☉) after which he remains constant with his Father, and becomes a good and thrifty Householder, that is, a fixt metal. And now that I thus compare this Transmutation of imperfect bodies, especially of ♃ to the parable of the lost Son let no body be therewith displeased, for I did it for the easier knowledge thereof. There lies under it a great secret, I never observed the like-changes in my whole Labours; for first of all, in the Solution appears a blackness, which haveing remained his time, there follows the tail of the Peacock, greenness and then whiteness; but whether or no a redness would follow, if it be detained longer in digestion, I am not certain, for I never arrived beyond the whiteness. It is a most pleasant Labour, greatly exhilerating the Artificers mind, of small charges and little difficulty; if they, find the weight and good vessels, it shews the way and opens the Door to higher Secrets, happy is he who attains the things, he’ll never be satisfyed with the sight thereof, nor admiration, how rich, generous, fair and glorious Nature is in her retirements. Note well, that every Metal may be washt apart with ♄ and Salts, so that being exalted, it may yield ☉ and ☽ in separation, and pass through all colours, but it will not be so profitable, as if they were all joined together, for then one operates spiritually upon the other, changeth and perfects him. And now having abundantly discovered, how ☉ and ☽ is to be extracted out of the imperfect metals, and because in that labour ☉ and ☽ is most an end jointly together, ’tis very necessary to know, by what Art they may be separated each from the other, that so each may be had by it self, which is to be done thus; If this mixture hath more ☉ than ☽, ’tis most profitably to be melted by Antimony and precipitated into a Regulus with Iron washed with Nitre and purifyed. This work you may find described in my former Books. N. B. If the Nitre in the separation of purification of the Reguli, prey upon some of the ☉ and ☽ and attract it to it self, let none grieve thereat and account his labour lost, but let him remember the saying of Paracelsus, Destruction or Corruption makes the good perfect; The Nitrous Scoria, in which the cleansed Reguli are, let be carefully kept and fixt, then by a strong flux let them be reduc’d and you shall receive the lost Son, much more elegant than he was before it’s being lost, so that hereby you lose not, but rather become a gainer. Here would be a fit place to speak of a certain profitable work if the drift of the thing would permit. Enough is spoken to a wise man, Fools will not profit by any thing: But if it contain more ☽ than ☉, let the mixture be at first of all granulated, and burnt with Sulphur, let it be precipitated, either with ♁ alone or without it, with lead and Salts; thus separating the ☉ from the ☽ into Reguli; then wash it with Nitre or with Lead, and let it be purifyed, the work being to be done in like manner. You are to note that if the precipitation be done with ♄, then the Caput mortuum (=Halb Kopff=) is to be added, whereby the work will be apparently hastned and bettered. N. B. If the Reguli of the maturated or fixt Metals be coppery or pale, they need not be washt, but ’twill suffice if being granulated, they are precipitated with Salts, and the Caput Mortuum (=Halb Kopff=,) all the ☉ and ☽ will come forth in peculiar Reguli, the Copper and the Lead will be scorifyed, and may in acute Furnaces (=Stich ofen=) be reduced, and be aplyed to other uses according to the rule of Art. I judge it inexpedient to heap up more things concerning Extraction (=Seigeren=) washing, and the separation of metals, being every where mentioned in my other writings. Also it will be needless to explain, by what manner metals may be more commodiously melted so as to yield more and better metals, as also how the poor and rough Minerals that abound with a preying and devouring Sulphur, whereby the metal in its fusion, is turned into Scoria, and affords so little profit, that being not able to quit cost, they remain unmanaged, the which Sulphur especially in the Minerals of Copper and Lead, may by a singular Cement or Gradatory fire, be inverted and changed, so that afterwards in their fusion, It’s so far from swallowing up the metal, and turning of it into Scoria, that it rather exalts it so as to give ☉ in the separation, the which could never have been done without this burning or roasting. No body doth throughly search after any help for this or that metal, either before the melting or in the melting of it, if the gross fire is not able to melt it down, but most frequently the best part remains in the Scoria without profit or use. ’Tis possible for an experienced Chymist, profitably to extract that ☉ and ☽ which the Scoria have swallowed up, what by fusion and by adhibiting suitable Menstruums. A work of this nature hath been hinted in my discourse of the Extraction of Flints, and more shall be likewise mentioned when I come to write of the felicity and hidden Treasures of Germany, which time let the Reader with patience expect. A nother benefit would arise to such as work on metals, if they had the perfect way of separating ☽ and separating the ☉ by precipitation, that lies therein, (=Neider Schlagh=) that it may not be so unworthily wasted with the ☽ by the Artificers.

And thus I conclude this Appendix or addition to the Mineral work, the which I have brought forth to light with a good will for my Neighbours sake, that so, being accepted with a serene mind, the Glory of God may be thereby advanced; for which end I wish with all my heart a divine benediction on the Labours of every honest and active searcher into the metalline affairs. Amen.

The APOLOGY of John Rudolph Glauber, Against the Lying Calumnies of CHRISTOPHER FARNNER.

’Tis an ancient Proverb, He that toucheth Dung is defiled, and will alwaies savour of a Dunghill. Experience makes it evident.

I ever hated Quarreling, as more agreeable to the Pevishness of Women, than the more Generous Temper of Christian Men; and have, as much as I might, alwaies declin’d it, being rather desirous to suffer injuries, to bear losses, by silence to forgo those things I might lawfully lay claim to, to undergo any thing, so that I might enjoy my beloved Peace (with which GOD has blest me hitherto). Neither have I ever, so long as I have liv’d in the World, (and I am pretty ancient) been taken, by the worst of men, for a contentious Person: But perfidious Farnner, unprovoked, urges me to this vindication of my self, by going about not only to hurt my Person, but also by a Pride no less than his Envy, to explode and defame all my Writings, and by infamous Letters dispersed abroad, to render me odious to all good men. Which wicked Enterprize, though I heard of it by many, I durst not believe, till a printed Epistle of his came to my hands, which having perused, I thought I could not enough admire his detestable Impiety, and the many scandalous names he had for me.

Art thou not ashamed Farnner, to expose my Works to the contempt of others, when thou neither dost, or ever canst understand ’em, and before now hast prais’d ’em, as may be proved from your own hand? I’m sure I never merited that you should cavil at me where-e’er you come, and proclaim my Writings unprofitable. You ought rather all your Life, in consideration of the many benefits you have receiv’d at my hands, to have behaved your self as a Man grateful to me; but instead of that, notwithstanding the Obligation that lies upon you to the contrary, you have despightfully recompensed all my kindness with the basest Ingratitude, which is directly opposite to goodness.

To what end do you deny that you had your greatest knowledge from me, and in the mean time expose it as your own, and upbraid me from whom you had it?

I never before believ’d you unfaithful, but alwaies thought you candid, and have communicated so great things to no man as to your self. I believe you will not deny your coming twice from Lochgovia to me at Kitzinga, and entreating me to communicate some Secret to you, whereby you might get a livelihood. Have you not been forced twice, being repulsed, to return home with this Excuse, That I wanted time to instruct you? And when you came the third time, I suffered my self to be perswaded, and did communicate some Secrets to you gratis, on this consideration, That you should impart those things wherewith I trusted you, to no man without my leave; which you promised by an Obligation, (viz. That you wou’d keep all things secret) under the penalty of Disgrace, and the forfeiture of all your Goods. Why hast thou falsified thy Word, and contrary to thy Promises, so wickedly ridicul’d me among all men, when with thy whole Family thou didst promise to be faithful to me? Not only Obligations, but also thine own Letters are Witnesses: Neither do I question, that if I had lost or wanted them to convince thee, thou wouldst have denied, and that with an Oath, that thou wast ever beholden to me for any thing, as thou hast already begun, and as thou in thy spightful Writings despisest all my Secrets, and proclaimest thine (which yet are mine) with praise. You doubt whether or no the reading this will make me repent that I ever trusted you with so many things, which I had never done, had not you obliged your self to labour diligently with me in my Laboratory, to produce those things for the profit of us both. But what can I do with them? They are perished and gone which yet might sufficiently have sustain’d both you and me, had not you made ’em publick.

I pray, What gain can you hope for from them, now they are every where known? Wherefore when I see those things taken from me, and by you imparted to all men, in spight of me, for your own advantage, I think fit (for I cannot hope for any farther profit from them privately) to make ’em known to the World; and by the Grace of GOD, I may live without them: But if I also should buy all thy goods which thou unjustly possessest and sellest to every man, of thee, and distribute them about the world, thou wilt see thou canst not easily recover them, or others in their room. I indeed will give you nothing for the future, neither can my unfaithful Servant, whom you have made as good as your self, give you any thing, for whatever he hath learn’d of me these two years, he has given you, which you also have laid up among your own wares and exposed to sale. Who will hereafter trust you, you have so wickedly deceiv’d me? Every man will abominate you, and shun your Partnership and Company, neither undeservedly, for the Laws of your own Obligation make this your Fate: So the merit of the Crime shall return upon the Author, and you can be more sure of nothing, than that Divine Vengeance will pursue you. I confess indeed some others, as well as you, have injur’d me, but none by so wicked an act; whom nevertheless GOD (to whom I refer’d my Cause) hath so severely punished, that each of them, by one cause or other, has brought upon himself his deserved Reward of Punishment. But I had yet farther tolerated you to exercise your Trade at your pleasure; neither had I followed you to Lochgovia, to urge your Obligation to you, but had committed Vengeance to GOD; only for that you were not content to sell those things publickly for your filthy lucre, which you had of me, and which you obliged your self to keep secret, and to take that profit to your self which was due to me, but also you have rendered me, and the things you had from me, odious; which has been so much to my disadvantage, that I can no longer bear, but am now resolved to the utmost to refute those impious and lying Calumnies, which you by your Letters have sent into the world concerning me, and to defend my self and my Works, against which you have so wickedly inveighed, that all the world may see how great your perfidiousness has been towards me, and that your Heart acted by Hellish wickedness, has raged against me with horrid Lyes, Taunts and Reproaches, contrary to all manner of Equity: You must needs know, that nothing can be more troublesome to me, than to spend that time in reproving your Lyes, which I could otherways employ to greater profit; wherefore I shall answer your trifling stories as briefly as is possible. Every wise man will easily see how frivolous your Excuse is. Do you think that any honest man will believe you, if you say you don’t owe the greatest of your Knowledge to me? No surely, for no man is ignorant of it: About two years since, you did not know how to bring a Crucible to the Fire, much less to make a trial of Brass; which you did not learn of me, but my unfaithful Servant taught it you, whom you for that cause esteem; yet seeing you know so much, how lawfully may I complain of him, what a Rascal he has been to me, and that you for that very reason have taken him to your self, that you may fish from him whatever he had learned in those two years he served me; although he did not shun you, because he was unwilling to communicate those things he had learn’d of me to any man else.

And so you make your self Master of my Secrets, and Covenant with him to undo me and mine: Is this the part of a good man? You do not only expose those things you had of me, but those also which my perfidious Servant has since given you, to be sold at a price, when you have no right to sell another mans goods, to which you have no title. We’ll come to the point and expose all your wickedness, as well your impious speeches, as perfidious actions, to the view of the world: But first of all, I will lay before you the obligations you gave me, as most sure pledges of your truth, that by the review of them, you may judge your self how honest you have been, and how faithfully you have kept your promises; and every man shall thence see, (especially those among whom you have so wickedly ridicul’d me) with what base ingratitude you have recompensed all my Favours.

The first Obligation which =FARNNER= gave me, runs thus;

Forasmuch as the most excellent and learned Mr. =John Rudolph Glauber=, moved by a singular affection towards me, has communicated, shewen and demonstrated to me undernamed, some of those secrets whereof he is Master, and hath enjoined me to silence; I therefore bind my self, and promise upon my Credit and Reputation, and call God and my christian profession to witness, that I will divulge none of those things to any man living: but if it be so (which God forbid) that I do at any time communicate any of those things to any man, then I shall most willingly renounce all my right in those Goods, movables or immovables, which I shall possess, and give him absolute power to take them to himself, and convert them to his own use and advantage: and not that only, but I give him farther power to proclaim me perfidious and wicked, to defame me and make me abominable to all men, for which reason, the laws of Silence shall be observed by me most strictly. Nay farther, in consideration of the many benefits he has bestowed on me, I give up my self, my beloved wife, and my children to serve him in all things lawful and honest, to go when and where he pleases, and to ease his labours; and if he dye first, (which God avert) to be alike serviceable to his whole Family, which care he also has promis’d to me and mine: I promise then, (if my Fates grant me life) that I will be to my utmost, serviceable to him so long as he lives: In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal. Given at =Kitzinga=, the =15th= day of =June, 1652=.

Testis, Spirensis Canonicatus Quæstor, Lochgoviæ & Horrhemi. Christopherus Farnnerus.

The second Obligation.

=I Christopher Farnner=, for the time being Canonicate Quæstor of =Spire, Lochgovia and Horrheme=, in the Dukedom of =Wirtemberg=, to all by whom these presents shall be read, make known, that the most excellent and learned Mr. =John Rudolph Glauber= for little or no reward, has communicated some of his secrets to me, and with me made a covenant after this manner, That I must oblige my self for what he hath already done, or hereafter shall do for me, to be all my life thankful, not only to him, but to his Children also. But for as much as ’tis most certain, this life will have an end, but we know not the time when, the first Obligation is not full and clear enough, and for that cause I bind my self and promise, (so help me God) and swear by the King of Heaven who always bears witness to the Truth; and farther, upon my Credit and Reputation, for the preservation whereof every Christian man should be induc’d to keep his promise, if (which that God would in mercy avert, I shall not cease to put up my daily Prayers) the above named Mr. =Glauber= and his beloved wife shall die, and leave their Children unmarried, I do oblige my self by this most solemn Oath, to observe faithfully, and as a Christian man ought, these following things: =viz.= I will forthwith take his Children to an inheritance with mine, and to my utmost skill, instruct them in the secrets of their dead Father, and shew them all things requisite and necessary, as fully as to my own Children; and that after this manner, That what ever of their Parents heritage belongs to them, they shall wholly possess, and they shall lawfully demand it as their proper due; and if any thing goes from him, I will redeem it, so that my Children shall lay no claim to it: on the contrary, (for those secrets communicated to me, which hereafter may redound to my profit) I make the aforesaid Mr. =Glauber’s= Children Heirs with mine, that they may be admitted equally to my Estate, and alike enjoy the Goods of me living: But if I =Farnner=, contrary to my expectation, shall depart this World before Mr. =Glauber=, he is bound to instruct my Children in his Art, according as they are qualifyed, only so far, as that thereby they may get their living, and that they may not be burdensome to him. He may at his pleasure instruct him that he shall esteem most fit in some secret, with which he shall afterwards teach his Brethren to get themselves maintenance. And for the same cause, I call my little Son =Alexander=, and surrender him to Mr. =Glauber= and his service, so that he may keep him as long as he shall be willing, and it shall not be in my power to take him from him according to the agreement we have both made with him: all which things are restrain’d to this on either side, That if the Parents of either part die before their Children are provided for, which God forbid, and our Children shall be free by the early death of their Parents, then each shall to his utmost, provide for his own Children.

That all these things may be observed the more firmly, I affix my Seal and name, and by my own hand writing, oblige my self so, that if at any time I falsify my word, my Children may be call’d to witness my perjury. Given at =Kitzinga= the =10th= of =September=, in the year =1652=. Christopher Farnner.

NB. I did not require this obligation of Farnner, neither wou’d I have taken it, but admonish’d him to be true to the first, with which I was content; for he gave me this for no other reason, but to get more out of me: But, because I had found out his cheats, and he wou’d not be advis’d for his own profit, he at last makes mention of this new obligation, in a certain epistle of his, thinking thereby I was oblig’d to a farther communication of my Art to him, tho I have often told him, that I valu’d not this last obligation but wou’d give it him again: But when he refus’d to take it, I cancell’d it, and kept it by me, for this reason, that it might be seen how he had bound himself by this new Obligation, which certainly he wou’d never have done, without very good cause.

_Expressions gathered out of certain of =Farnner=’s Epistles sent to me; from which is evident how greatly he is beholden to me._

Therefore I faithfully assure you, that I will shortly leave my House, and take a Journey farther off, to provide for my Family; my Wife too is very willing to go with me, and to be interested in our agreements, but I can’t see what shou’d oblige her to it, when it can’t be effected very commodiously: Yet I resolve, if nothing extraordinary hinder me, after eight daies, that is, on the =¹⁴⁄₄th.= day of =April=, to depart hence, and then answer your most friendly Letters, together with my beloved Wife, and all my Family, to take part with you in all your Labours, and help you with the greatest diligence. But because I intend to be so suddenly with you, I shall write no more at this time. March 26th. 1653.

Out of another Epistle, July 17th. 1653.

I hope you will excuse me, that I did not come to you, because hindered by my Wife’s faultiness, who telling me she wou’d come with me, privily laid Obstacles in my way; this offence wou’d not destroy a Knave: Wherefore I again intreat you not to cast me off, but continue your wonted favour to me; and I shall endeavour in my place to give you ample satisfaction; neither shall any thing hinder my speedy performance of what I have promised.

Out of another Epistle, July 29th. 1653.

Forasmuch therefore as I have by the wicked deceit of my Wife, broken the many Promises I made of coming to you, unless I wou’d have taken her wicked =Amasius= or galant, as Companion in the Journey; it has at length pleased God to take her away, and so put me in a capacity, =Worthy Sir=, of serving you without the least impediment, wherefore I give my self wholly to your Commands: And altho’ I have been perswaded by Persons of principal Authority to marry again, I will not, but commit my self to be manag’d by your Counsel, as you were my Father. Therefore, since we are parted, if my Fates grant me Life and Prosperity, I will come to you, and commit my self to your guidance and protection, Worthy Patron; for which reason I shall forbear to write any thing at this time of your Laboratory, more than what I see in your Letters, that all things may proceed the more regularly. Wherefore, though I have been solicited by many, yet shall reject all as much as I may commodiously, in hopes of this, that when I have first gotten your consent, I may communicate my labour to some, whereby I may get a good Sum of Money: But these things shall be deferred till our happy meeting.

In another Epistle he saith;

That he was confident he could find out all my Art by my Writings, except that the Vessels do not alwaies abide the Fire, and that the Apothecaries refused to buy his Medicines, unless he would teach them the way to prepare ’em: Again, he would give me Fifty R. Dollers for each month, for my part, as may be shewn from himself; these are his words: And if he was not oblig’d to me, why would he give me Fifty R. Dollers each Month?

From all which (and much more I might add, which for brevities sake I omit) it evidently appears, that Farnner was obliged to me, which he would never have been, had not he receiv’d some benefit from me, which render’d him bound to me: But if he is oblig’d to me, why was he so wicked, as in his lying Epistles so malapertly to despise, and disparage me and my Secrets, which he had from me? Hence then every man may perceive what they ought to judge of him, that he has both behav’d himself most perfidiously wicked toward me, and also, that he has sufficiently declar’d himself the most ungrateful in the World.

But that no man may suspect that I wrest any word of Farnner’s, in his obligations given to me, to his disadvantage, or my own ends, I have taken care to have his own hand-writing view’d by Notaries and Witnesses, who will attest, that what I have printed is word for word the same with what I have in writing under his own hand.

A Specification of those =Chymical Secrets= which =Farnner= learn’d of =Glauber=, and in the trial found true, and of those which yet are found and brought to trial; where it must be known, that those, of which there is no mention made here, if =Glauber= should relate them, they would not answer his expectation in Practice, according to his information: Also the Charge which he must be at who will make trial of those Secrets after a right manner, is here added.

1. Glauber’s Panacea, for 30 R. Dollers.

About which these things are to be considered: It is made chiefly of =Antimony=; to which, according to his common way, Sulphur is added; which done, another Separation is made, in which, from a whole pound of Sulphur and Antimony, no man shall receive more than three ounces of the purest Sulphur. There are indeed two other Subjects, which produce a golden Sulphur better than Antimony; but I have found a way to extract a thick and pure Sulphur from all sorts of Metals (except =Luna= and =Sol=) and Minerals, and after =Glauber=’s manner to make Tinctures. All these Secrets annexed will be taught for the price named.

2. To reduce Minerals and Metals into Dross, after =Glauber=’s way, to reduce them to nothing, and then without Charge to bring them to their own Species again, or to turn them into fluid Oil, or Powder, or Tinctures; which things bear an affinity to those above: For Twenty R. Dollers.

3. =Glauber=’s =Alkahest=, and a way to prepare it, perhaps unknown to =Glauber=, and built upon a more firm foundation; Fifty R. Dollers.

4. The Trial of all sorts of Brass, but not of every sort at once, for every one must have a particular Practice.

5. To make store of Flowers of Coral for a little Cost; ten R. Dollers.

6. To make melted Tin hard, that it shall shine and sound like [Silver]; Ten R. Dollers.

7. To make white Vitrifications upon Vessels; for Ten R. Dollers.

8. Plenty of Spirit of Salt.

This is not prepar’d after =Glauber=’s way, and though =Glauber= was so great a Lyer as to affirm, that in a clear Fire fifty pound of this Spirit might be prepared in one day, yet he cannot produce above one or two pound: Wherefore my invention is much better, and my Spirit is pure, but =Glauber=’s has =Vitriol= mix’d in it.

And though I gave =Glauber= a great Sum of Money to communicate these Secrets to me, yet I have not found any of them true, according to his Information, but was fain, with great industry to seek other waies of working those abovenamed.

And for those that follow, though they may seem to be derived to me from =Glauber=, yet they have not succeeded by his Information, but I was forced to go another way to work, which will hardly be found by =Glauber=.

9. To prepare good store of the =Spirits of Vitriol=, =Nitre=, =Salt=, =Aqua fortis=, =Aqua Regis=, also =Sulphur=, after a manner not yet known, and which will scarce be known to =Glauber=; forty R. Dollers.

10. To produce plenty of volatile Mineral Spirits, which Spirits ascend the Still before the Phlegm; but the abovenamed after the Phlegm.

NB. These Spirits have the same taste that Spirit of Wine hath, and evaporate like it, and are void of corroding: neither do I doubt, but I can produce such Spirits from Metals also, though in metallicks I have made no trial yet.

11. Flowers of Minerals and Metals, almost without diminution, compendiously under a refrigeratory cover, which =Glauber= never saw; Ten R. Dollers.

12. The Quintessence of all Vegetables: Although =Glauber=, in his Tract, promised to bring that also to light, yet he never performed it from all Vegetables, but only from hot, which give Oil, which is of no moment; but that from cold, to wit, Herbs, is artificial. Thirty R. Dollers.

13. To give new strength to dead and eager Wines, and make them as good as ever, or better; Two Hundred R. Dollers.

NB. =Note here=, That I very much run against =Glauber=’s Tract of =Vinary Secrets=; and if my own Industry had not taught me more than that, I might indeed, according to his instruction, encrease the strength of Wine, but with an ingrateful relish, so as I could never hope to try eager Wines according to Art. But now I cannot only bring to maturity all sorts of Liquors from both sweet and sowre Grapes, and other sorts of Fruits; and give them new strength in the Hogshead, but also render them pallatable to all men. Whoever hath tasted =Glauber=’s Wines, and shall afterwards taste mine, will easily discern a difference.

14. To give any Wines what relish I please.

15. To prepare a burning Spirit of all sorts of Bread-Corn in abundance, with great ease and profit, very much like that which is made of the Dreggs of Wine, and sustaining all Trials: There are already eight pounds of it in trial, whether they will bear a Voyage by Sea, or not; they are sent beyond Sea, which if they will undergo; Two hundred R. Dollers.

NB. Further, I knew how to reduce all burning Spirits into one form; as, the Spirit of =Juniper=, or Bread-Corn, like to Brandy, or to make spirit of Wine like spirit of Bread-Corn or =Juniper=, so that it shall not be discerned of what subject ’tis made.

Neither do I doubt, but that I know also how it comes to pass, that some Liquors carry’d beyond Sea, are corrupted: Which therefore, if by the benefit of this trial, the Certainty is made known to me, a good reason, and after what manner it may be help’d, may be learn’d of me for a trifle.

16. To encrease the strength of all sorts of Beer, that they shall have equal Virtue with =Rhenish=-Wine, and yet the Beer lose nothing of its relish, but be both more pleasant and durable; for when thus order’d, it will not so soon sowre; but if it be decay’d, which will happen to Wine in time, the Vinegar which will arise from it, will be as good as Wine Vinegar: fifty R. Dollers.

17. To give sowre Beer its natural sweetness, and in fourteen days to make it sell for fresh; and so, though turn’d three or four times, to make it sweet in fourteen daies time without fail.

18. To produce Vinegar of Bread-Corn, and such other things, very like Wine-Vinegar in all things without fail; fifty R. Dollers.

19. To prepare Vinegar of green woods, an Hundred measures daily, together with Oil of Wood, without Charge; but if any man will have this like other Vinegar, it requires rectifying, which will ask some time and cost: Ten R. Dollers.

20. Although =Glauber= delivered in a little Tract, a way to make Tartar of the burnt Lees of Wine, yet I have alwaies committed many Errours, by following his very Oral instructions, till bethinking my self, I at last made it with fruit, and plainly reduced it to Crystals.

NB. Whoever will follow the Directions of that Tract, may.

21. To separate every Oar of Copper with profit, and from thence to produce Gain.

22. Of that sort of Copper Oar, if by chance they have any ☽ from thence, to separate it with fruit, without loss of the Copper and Lead.

23. To separate Lead from Tests and Cupels, for small Cost, and as little Labour.

24. To separate Gold and Silver by melting.

25. To build a Furnace, in which one may both torrifie, melt, and try Metals in the Probations of =Cineritium=; containing the small Trials of an hundred Crucibles, or more, only heat with Wood.

26. Further, a Furnace, in which, without Bellows, one may try a good quantity by the Probations of =Cineritium=.

=And Lastly=, Forasmuch as the lesser Trials have deceived me, if I went to work on a greater quantity, I will teach wherein my chief skill consists.

1. In the lesser trial I have found, that with the Spirit of Wine, as ’tis generally prepar’d, I can make an Anatomy of all Vegetable, Animal, Mineral, and Metallick Subjects, separate their three Principles, make the volatile fix’d, and the fix’d volatile, and force ’em through a Limbeck.

2. To force the Anima and Salt of Gold through the Limbeck, and to reduce it, well mix’d with its Spirit and volatile Salt, into a potable body like Vegetable Essences.

But because Gold may be reduced into such a sort of Essence, it will not be very hard to render the imperfect Metals and Minerals, with their Three Principles, potable: and these Principles are inseparable in their volatility; wherefore I doubt not but they may be fix’d.

3. Furthermore, I have found by small trials the way of taking all Corrosion from all Corrosive Spirits, by this general Spirit, and of reducing them (by the help of Divine Providence) into sweet Oils or =Menstruums=; which if it answer the desire in large quantities, (and I don’t doubt it) =Glauber= with his =Alkahest=, which indeed is not wholly to be despis’d, must be forc’d to hide: for I have hopes, that by the assistance of Divine Providence, whatsoever subject I shall propose to my self, I can separate and purge its three Principles; lastly, join them, and so produce a better subject and more pure: But ’tis true, seeing I was so often deceived in the lesser trial, I did not interpret it as Truth, but Speculation. However, I can effect very well whatever I have here said, as well in the great as lesser.

4. But forasmuch as so many excellent, as well as new, Secrets, offer themselves, that I can’t chuse but clearly know them, and therefore ’tis impossible that I should make all those Secrets abovenamed profitable to my self: And although I am now about many things, that hereafter a great quantity of them may be expos’d by me to be sold in pounds and hundreds; yet I shall not be so envious to refuse a Communication of them to any man for the named Reward; nor keep from him any knowledge I can give him.

Yet he must know, that it is very troublesome to instruct any man that is altogether ignorant and void of skill in Chymistry; Therefore whoever will learn any of these things of me, let him either come to me, or signifie his wind by his Letters, thus: To =Christopher Farnner=, Canonicate Quæstor of =Spire=, &c.

* * * * *

These are the words of the perfidious Farnner, which he hath used in his most false and wicked Writing.

A Specification of those Chymical things.

This, good Reader, is the Beginning or Preface of that Lying Writing, in which he hath exposed to Sale those Secrets he had of me, and found good: Besides, he adds, That those Secrets which he had of me, which do not succeed according to his desire, are not added; but those only whose Truth he has found in the trial.

Now we’ll open this Pedler’s-Stall, and look through all its parts, to see what is in it.

These words follow:

1. Glauber’s Panacea;

About which these things come to be considered.

Here Farnner saies my Panacea, for the greatest part, is prepared of Antimony; besides, there are yet two other subjects, from which a purer Sulphur may be extracted, than that which is drawn from Antimony: Which vain fancies he may vend, or what else he will, I can’t hinder him, seeing I have taught him to extract nothing but a pure Medicinal Sulphur from Antimony, by the benefit of a singular Liquor, which I call Alkahest. He adds also, That he can extract the same Sulphur from all sorts of Metals and Minerals (except ☉ and ☽) and after Glauber’s way convert them into Tinctures.

I declare against this his first Position: Farnner here saith, That Panacea may be prepared from Antimony for the most part, and promises to communicate it to any man that desires it, for a certain price, to wit, thirty R. Dollers. But thou hast seen, gentle Reader, how strongly he bound himself, by his Obligation given to me, to keep secret those things I had taught him, and communicate them to no man, under the Penalty of Disgrace, and the forfeiture of all his Goods. I confess indeed, being cajol’d by his frequent solicitations, I taught him the way of preparing the Panacea, but from no subject but Antimony. This Panacea of Antimony Farnner exposes to sale, for thirty R. Dollers; and moreover has taught that Preparation to many, from whence great profit hath redounded to him; when yet this was not lawful for him to do: But he shall be forced e’re long to give his Reasons for so doing, and I will one day see if I can have a remedy for this evil. I will now only shew how wicked he has been to me: Wherefore I am compelled to expose those secrets he had of me and every where makes common, to the view of the whole World, that no man shall need to give Money to Farnner for ’em, or any other reward, but may come to the knowledge of them for nothing: for if that knowledge is divulg’d by Farnner, who unjustly, by the publication of it, endeavours to heap up to himself Fame and Riches, I may well communicate them to all men faithfully, that every man may save his money: But because this Panacea is prepared by the benefit of a hot and Saline Liquor, which I call Alkahest, therefore ’tis necessary that he who desires this Panacea should first know the Preparation of the Liquor it self, without which he can effect nothing. Indeed it grieves me, and I am very hardly brought to discover and divulge to the World so excellent a Menstruum, by which so many rare Medicaments may be prepared; and I had never done it, had not this perfidious Farnner chang’d and adulterated it and its use in the Preparation of the abovenamed Panacea of Antimony and others, from Minerals, Animals, and Vegetables, and by prostituting and communicating it to all men. I think him, indeed, a Boar out of the Forest, broke into my Garden of Flowers, that has with his snout routed up all the many Fruits, which with much sweat and labour I have planted; but the deed will once be rewarded.

Now follows a very short Description of the Preparation and use of that Liquor, needfully requisite in Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Medicaments: And though I might teach another and far better way of preparing it, yet there’s no necessity for throwing all my Pearls before Swine: It is sufficient, to my sorrow, that I cannot recal those which this unfaithful Farnner has sent abroad, and am forc’d to behold their destruction with the greatest trouble.

Of the Preparation and Use of a certain secret Universal =Menstruum=, with which one may institute an Anatomy of all Vegetables, Animals, and Metals; correct them, and from thence prepare good Medicaments.

Of this Menstruum the Modern Philosopher Helmont makes mention in some places of his Writings, and attributes wonderful Effects to it, which he exhibits in the Preparation of Medicaments, and gives it the name Alkahest; which name Paracelsus also remembers; but in few words, it is the same as if we should say Alkali est; for when the Letters l and i are joyn’d with a dash, it produces the word Alkahest. But what moved Helmont to call it Alkahest, we shall not here dispute: I indeed believe he did it, thereby to demonstrate its Nature and Essence; for in German Alkahest is as =Al gar heis=, or =Al zu hees=; but in the Brabantick Idiotism, which was the Mother Tongue of the Author, it sounds =Althohees=, that is, very hot, and so the name answers to the Essence; for this Liquor is nothing but a meer fiery Water, by whose immense and Secret heat Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, if they are put into it a certain time, are forthwith purged, ripened, and made better, so that they become excellent and wholesome Medicaments, which without this fiery water cou’d not be done. This Menstruum then, is nothing but an igneous Liquor, prepared of urinous Salts, which is endowed with those Virtues which are attributed to it in my Treatise of Flints.

An Admonition.

Here it is to be noted, that this Menstruum may be prepar’d of more than one Subject; for Nature is Copious, and sets before our eyes many various Ingredients, from which, by the help of Art, divers things may be effected; as may be evidenc’d in this admirable Liquor, which may be made not only of the common Sal terræ, or Salt Peter, but also of the fix’d Salt of all Vegetables, and especially of Tartar; ’tis no matter of what Subject it is prepared, for it has still the Same Virtues that are ascribed to it, forasmuch as, if a right Preparation be made, the common Sal terræ and the fix’d Salt of Vegetables are of one and the same Nature and Essence: For the genuine Sal terræ, or Salt-Petre, may be made of Salt of Tartar; and of Sal terræ, or Nitre, a fixed Salt, like Salt of Tartar; of Spirit of Wine, Salt of Tartar; and of Salt of Tartar spirit of Wine: of Wine-Vinegar, Nitre; and of Nitre, corrosive Vinegar. So those Salts partake of either nature, and will be manag’d at pleasure; neither are they undeservedly by the ancient Philosophers, called Hermaphroditick Salts. Wherefore it is not for any one to be offended at its base original, and accordingly undervalue it; ’tis no matter wherein the good consists, ’tis sufficient to say it is good, and may be converted to good uses: Good things ought to be so much the more esteem’d, by how much the more mean and base their original may have been, for Nature and true Art use both base and abject things in their Works, and nevertheless, their desires are accomplished: But on the contrary, the vain reason of Man in his labour aims at nothing but Sublimity and specious Notions, and therefore brings nothing to a good end, but destitute of a happy success, finishes his fruitless labours with great damage.

To conclude then, take this advice; Be not offended at this wonderful Liquor, because of its mean original, but let the Work praise the Work-man.

Now follows the Preparation.

If any man will prepare this Menstruum of Salt-Petre, he must extract and coagulate that Salt from the earth with common water, and adding coals or some other vegetable Sulphur, fix or calcine it so long, till it be resolv’d in the Air into a fiery liquor, then the preparation is finished. But because that sort of earth, from which this salt is extracted, cannot be found every where, in its stead, you may take Nitre well cleans’d, which must be melted in a Crucible, upon which you must cast a small quantity of coals and that so long, till the coals upon the flowing Nitre will take fire no more, but remain dead upon it, for then your Nitre is fix’d and prepar’d, so as from it, this so admirable water may be made, which is made after this manner; While the fix’d Nitre flows yet in the Crucibele, pour it into a brass mortar that in that it may cool, then beat it to powder, and spread it on a Glass table plac’d in the Cellar, or some other moist place, that there it may flow; so you have that fiery water which is endowed with so many wonderful virtues in the preparation of medicaments of vegetables, Animals and Minerals, of which I made mention before. But if you wou’d make such a liquor of Tartar, which will be best for preparation of Medicaments of vegetables and Animals, then you must bring common Tartar made pure by Calcination, Filtration, Solution and Coagulation, and by flints purg’d from all impurity, into a fair and bright Salt, mixing six or eight parts of the purest Tartar with one part of flints well pulverated, which mixture you must melt in a cover’d Crucible, and pour it into a brass Mortar to cool: This bright and white fiery mass you must reduce into powder and put it into a Glass body, and pouring rain water thereon, boil it upon hot Ashes, for then the rain water will dissolve the Tartar only, and leave the Flints at the bottom, like a Mucilaginous matter which draws to it self all the impurity of the Tartar, which before, by the common solution and filtration cou’d not be taken away, and so keeps it, that the Salt of Tartar, is by this means freed and purg’d from all impurity: then you must filtrate this solution, and draw the water from it by a limbeck, that so that Chrystalline fiery liquor may remain in the Glass: And this is that preparation by which vegetables and animals are reduced into the best medicaments; but to prepare metallick Medicaments, and especially for the making them better, liquor of Tartar is not to be added, but only liquor of the Salt of fix’d Nitre, which is not prepared by coals, but by the Regulus of Antimony, and that after this manner;

Put three parts of clean and pulverated Nitre to one part of Regulus Martis, put this mixture into a Glass wash’d clean, and by a prudent increase of fire, make it boil a little in a Fixatory Furnace, and in this degree of fire, leave it five or six hours, then take it out that it may cool, then very finely pulverize it, and pour upon it rain water, and the Nitre, which by the Regulus of Antimony comes out fix’d, wash out; and lastly abstract the water, so you will produce a fiery liquor fit for use in metallick operations.

NB. This fixation may be as well made in cover’d Crucibles, as in Glasses, and is good enough, only the management of the fire must be observed, neither let the heat from the begining be too intense, least your Nitre evaporate before it be brought to a fixation, but keep a gentle fire, and it will effect the fixation in conjunction with the Antimony.

_The Praxis. How by the mediation of this liquor Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals may be converted into good Medicaments._

Take an herb, root, or seed, beat it very small in a stone Mortar, then put it into a glass, and pour upon it so much of this fiery Menstruum, as that the herb may be sufficiently imbrued in it, afterwards set it upon sand some days, or boil it, that of the herb and Menstruum may be made a thick liquor, which done put to it as much spirit of Wine, well dephlegmated, as there was of Alkahestick Liquor, and well mix them, in a small heat, lest the spirit of Wine evaporate; so long digest it, till the separation shall be made, and your Alkahest, with the fæces, will go to the bottom, but the spirit of Wine, with the Essence and Virtue of the Herb, will stay at the top, which afterward, though never so much stirr’d, will not mix, but each remains still in his own place: pour all that whole matter into a wide-mouth’d Glass, and there let it settle; then separate the Medicine which the spirit of Wine has extracted from the Herb, with a gentle inclination from the Alkahestick Liquor, which retains with it self the fæces of the Herb, so you will have the Virtue and Essence well corrected and perfectly ripen’d in the spirit of Wine, which abstract from the Essence of the herb in a Bath, and the Medicine which remains like a red juice, and endowed with great Virtues, keep and use it as it is ordain’d by God and Nature. But the Alkahestick Liquor, mixed with the fæces of the Herb, Calcine in an earthen Vessel, that all the relish and scent of the Herb, which remains in it, may be exhal’d from it, and afterwards dissolve it in Water, and filtrate it, and draw it to a fiery Liquor, so it will be as good as it was before, and you may put it to the same uses as often as you please.

Animals are to be bruised after the same manner in a Stone Mortar, and with the Alkahestick Liquor digested, and by spirit of Wine separated, and in Vegetables the labour is the same.

But Metals in their proper Corrosive Menstruums must be dissolv’d precipitated, wash’d, edulcorat’d, exsiccated, and then lastly with the Alkahestick liquor poured on, digested, dissolved, and with spirit of wine separated and reduc’d into a potability.

But Minerals which may be pulveriz’d need not be dissolv’d and brought to a calx, but ’tis sufficient, that after pulverisation with the Alkahestick liquor poured on, they be digested, and by spirit of wine separated.

Nevertheless, you may also at your pleasure render metals brittle and frangible, viz. By the help of the Regulus of Antimony, so that they may be pulveriz’d, then pouring your Menstruum upon them, dissolve, digest and convert them into Medicine: Which method is certainly good; You may also proceed another way with metals prepar’d by Antimony, viz. Mix them with three parts of pure Nitre, and in a Glass or earthen vessel, by the dry way dissolve, digest, fix, and by spirit of wine prepare into Medicine, which also will be good, for it is more profitable to operate by the dry than by the moist way, as it is customary to be done in vegetables and Animals.

And this is the shortest method of reducing Animals, Vegetables and Minerals by the Alkahestick liquor to the best Medicaments.

But how imperfect metals or Minerals, which otherwise in a Cupel or Cineritium trial, leave no gold or silver behind them, are to be brought to maturity and fix’d, that afterwards in the Cineritious trial, they may give a perfect gold and silver is done another way, whose process is this:

Mingle and melt so much (Regulus) of Antimony with the imperfect metals or minerals as may render them friable, that they may be pulveriz’d, with these mix three parts of the purest Nitre, and this mixture close stopt up, put upon a fire in glass or earthen vessels to fix for some hours, afterwards take it off, and as they are melted pour them out, that they may give the regulus which is to be taken away, and with lead put into a Cupel and reduc’d to dross, then that gold and silver which the imperfect metal or Mineral got in the fixation, stays in the Cupel which may be examined by the lesser weights of probation, whence it will appear how great a fixation so little time will produce.

This is the plenary and fundamental instruction of the use of Tartar purg’d by flints, to extract the essence of vegetables and animals and of Nitre fix’d by coals and Regulus of Antimony, which begets a penetrating, correcting, bettering or ripening and purifying fiery, but not corrosive, virtue, which goes beyond all things, penetrates and corrects as above written, I have attributed to it. But least the ignorant of natural things should esteem and proclaim this a corrosive liquor, we will prevent them, and shall endeavour to demonstrate, that this liquor is no way a corrosive, but an enemy to and destroyer of all corrosives.

Like loves its like, with it is mingl’d, and immutably stays with it, as may be seen in spirit of Salt, Vitriol, Alum, Nitre, Vinegar and other corrosive spirits when they are mixed. But unlike things if they are join’d, are contrary to themselves, and fight against each other, and forcibly withstand one another so long, till the strong o’er comes the weak and kills and destroys it or produceth another substance from it: that may be seen if this fiery liquor of Tartar or Nitre be mix’d with a corrosive Spirit, for it can not consist with it, because contrary to it, then which of these is the stronger, destroys the weaker and takes its nature to it self.

And this difference arises from the unlikeness of the nature of either liquor, for one corrosive does not destroy another, as also one fix’d urinous liquor does not destroy another urinous liquor; because one contrary fights against another contrary, but not against his like, so ’tis true, as hence may be fully demonstrated, that this fix’d liquor of Tartar or Nitre is not corrosive, but only a fiery water and a perpetual enemy to all corrosives, and both kills and takes away their corrosive faculty from them. But some will say that the corrosive Spirits of Salt, Alum, Nitre, Vitriol and such like are fiery waters: I confess it, but yet with this distinction, those Spirits are indeed hot waters, but not vivifying, but rather cold and killing fiery waters, which no way ripen, purge or correct Vegetables, Animals and Metals, but destroy and kill all things they are mix’d with. But the fix’d liquor of Nitre or Tartar is contrary, and ripens, purifies and brings to perfection all it is mix’d with, which is impossible to all corrosives, whence it is as clear as the Sun, that it is no destroying corrosive, but a correcting fire.

Now follows another Clause of Farnner’s Epistle.

2. All Mineral’s and Metals.

I much wonder that Farnner was not afraid to offer this process to others at a price, which is plainly and clearly described in many places of my Books: and is done only by Nitre, by which sulphurous metals (but not all metals and minerals, as he vainly boasteth) are reduc’d to dross, from which by spirit of wine, a metallick tincture may be extracted, as we have shewn above in the tract of the Alkahest: that dross is truly fiery, and therefore easily attracts air, and is turn’d into oil, of which I have largely treated in the second and fourth parts of (Furn.) and in the mineral work especially in the explication of the wonder of the world, as also in my Hermetic Colloquies.

3. Glauber_’s Alkahest_.

In this Paragraph Farnner openly betrays his vanity, bragging, and hellish calumny, in reprehending the industry and labour of good men, and boasteth of a more firm foundation than perhaps I know of; whence it will appear to any man of Understanding, what this most ungrateful of men would be at, namely, which is the only thing he can do, he would do what he could to bring those Secrets I intrusted him with into contempt with all men, and introduce his own foolish trifles.

First, he saies, Glauber’s Alkahest, and presently subjoins another and better foundation or way of preparing it: which if he points at any thing but my Alkahest, why then does not he forbear mentioning and contemning my Alkahest? for he does contemn it, and endeavours to prove, that that way or fundamental is unknown to me. Now he exposes it to sale at fifty R. Dollers.

4. The Trial of all sorts of Coins.

’Tis true, Farnner did not mention this as a vendible, for it is not worth purchasing with Money of him: for the common way of trying money has been shewn not only by many provers of Metals, as Lazarus Ercher, George Agricola, and many others, but I my self also in many places of my Writings, and especially in my explication of the Wonder of the World, have fully and exactly taught it, which Farnner can never be able to mend nor imitate.

5. Flowers of Coral.

You must know what belongs to this Process that Farnner did not learn this Preparation of me, but of another man, which pleases him extreamly, though ’tis of no moment. But he most unworthily calls them Coral Flowers, which he exposes to sale at ten R. Dollers, seeing they are not Flowers, but rather to be called a Cremor; for when in a very hot fire they are reduced into a white Calx, from this Calx, by the help of Water, is drawn a Cream after this manner: The calcin’d Corals are put into common Water, and left in the Water a whole night, then in the top will appear a little skin, as is usual in Calx viva, which must be taken off to dry. Lastly, while that is doing, another little skin appears, which is also to be taken off, and that so often, till the Water will give no more.

I know also, that this Powder is held up by some Apothecaries as a certain singular Secret, (but that indeed exceedeth it) which is prepar’d of Calx viva, which I have also shewn to some that have attributed great things to this Powder, who, the Experiment being made, seeing me produce true things, What need is there, said they, to burn precious Corals, when common Chalk (or Calx viva) will give the same thing as Corals, and they prepar’d no more Powder of Corals, but of Calx viva.

Therefore this does not deserve to be called a Secret.

NB. That Corals, Pearls, Pearl-shells, and Tortoise-shells, as well those that are in the Sea, as those that are in Running Rivers, if they are burnt together, are brought into a true and natural Lime, like that which is made of burnt Stones, needs no probation. He that will not believe me, let him go to Holland, and other Sea-Ports, and he shall see that the men of those Countries do not use Lime made of Stones, which are wanting in those places to build Walls, but that which is made of burnt Shells, which the Sea in great abundance casts upon the shore; which yet, is not so good as that which is made of Stones, which some Lovers of Curiosity have also brought them from Germany.

6. To make melted Tin hard.

And this Paragraph, by right, ought to have been omitted, for it is not worth Ten R. Dollers, requiring no Art in the making it; and I my self taught it many years since, as well in the First part of the Mineral Work, as in the Fourth part of my Furnaces; and it is made by Regulus of Antimony, of which one part is mix’d with 12 parts of melted Tin, and no more, for otherwise the Tin would be made brittle, and rendered unuseful; rather if one part of Regulus is mingled with twenty parts of melted Tin, it will come out hard enough. And farther, it may as well and rightly be made of Zink, as by Regulus of Antimony, and needing no great matter of Labour, melts sooner than Regulus of Antimony.

7. White Vitrifications.

These Vitrifications also, which he exposes to sale at Ten R. Dollers, are of no moment, for they are prepar’d of Glass of Lead, Tin-Ashes, and Flints, and Wood-ashes.

In Holland this Preparation is very common: whether Farnner is excellent at it or no, I much doubt; How then shall he teach others? And if he does excel, who will be the better for it? For no man studies these Curiosities, or so much as looks after them, or covets them.

But although =Glauber=, &c.

Here Farnner again vomits at me a mighty heap of his infernal Lyes, which are as noisome as any dead Carcass, as if he intended to infect me with their venom; but these stories do not at all agree with his other; for here he saies, Although he had with a great Sum of Money purchased certain Secrets of =Glauber=, yet he had made no Examen of them, but he was forc’d to convert them to other uses. In the beginning of his Calumnious Paper, he thus writes: =A Specification of those Chemical Secrets which the under-written= Farnner =learn’d of= Glauber, =and in the Trial found True=.

Here any impartial man may see what to judge of this double:Tongu’d Monster. Here he denies what before he confess’d; he both calls them Glauber’s Secrets, and here affirms, that they never succeeded to his purpose: which if true, Why does he prefix my Name to them, if he never made trial of them? But if they have succeeded, and in the trial he has found ’em true, as he above confesses, Why does he here deny it? Can the same thing be True in one place, and False in another? Certainly I can refute such horrid Lyes no way better than by his own words. For if I should say, See here, there, or in that place thou lyest, he would not care, but answer, He did not lye at all, but spake the truth; and I might represent a Contest between two scolding Women, one whereof calling the other Whore, and the other throwing back upon her the same things; but this will do nothing; wherefore I shall take another method.

In the first Obligation he gave me, he expresly saies, That I had communicated, demonstrated, and shewn him some Secrets: But if they were not for his use, why did he give me a valid Obligation, to keep those secrets from the publick? Not bent to these things, Why did he in all his Letters (which he sent me, and which are kept safe to confirm what I say) confess, and profess, that he, his Wife and Children, were bound to me, and that he wou’d come to me, that with his he might serve me all my Life.

If none of my secrets have succeeded to him, Why did he give me long since a new Obligation to be grateful to me? as I have demonstrated from his obligations and extracts out of his Epistles.

NB. What! Cou’d he not make trial of those things he had of me, in eighteen Months time? But if the trial has prov’d the truth of those things, and he has bound himself to me by a new Obligation; Why then does he dare to say, That none of those things which I communicated to him, prov’d successful? Why two years after? Now he is alienated from me, and having broken his Promises of coming to me, and working with me in my Laboratory, (being married again) is an Excuse for his absenting himself, yet he asks me to communicate to him more secrets, and then he’ll come. NB. But if the first secrets have not stood the Test, why does he desire more of me?

For he might know over and over in two years time, whether my Writings wou’d conduce to him or not.

In one Epistle, in which he boasts of killing a man, he writes thus: Wherefore I again and again intreat you not to cast me off, but do to me according to your wonted Favour. I will on all occasions, as I have promised, in my place, satisfie you; neither will I cause that any thing should therein be desir’d; for which reason also I will effect it both better and sooner.

From these and the like words, which in two Epistles he us’d to me, I could collect nothing of Fraud, and perhaps at that time he meant none. But when he had kill’d that Man, and married another Wife, all his Promises and Obligations were to no purpose. And from that very time, all his endeavours have tended only to do me what hurt he could, and he daily hates me more and more; which at last appears more publick in these his lying Calumnies.

Indeed, I am apt to think the Devil and that Murder had possessed his Heart. NB. For his Epistle to me witnesseth, that for fourteen daies together he had sought occasion how he might catch that man with his Wife, and bloodily revenge himself upon him; I suppose, by the instigation of Satan, whereby both the Man was kill’d in his Sins, and the Woman with many wounds compell’d to a lewd kind of Life; of both which Crimes Farnner is yet guilty in his own Conscience, and (unless a speedy Repentance follow on his part) he will never be freed from them. But if in a sudden passion he had done it by chance, he might merit some excuse.

But to endeavour it fourteen daies together, is nothing but a Devilish Revenge and Cruelty, which can by no means be excus’d in a Christian, though he do it never so secretly.

But besides, he uses evil Arts; for he drew my Servant to him by Flattery, and receiv’d him into his intimate friendship, notwithstanding he knew I turn’d him away for his infidelity. What he writes, that he bought his Secrets of me at a great price, is a pure falsity. Indeed he forc’d a small Reward upon me, half of which I gave him back again, and what I kept he got over and over by communicating my Secrets to other men, so that he has fully receiv’d what he gave me; and by this his communicating to others, (which was done unknown to me) he broke his Promise; which nevertheless for Peace sake I passed by. Wherefore, if he will confess the Truth, I am sure he can never say that he bought all those Secrets I intrusted him with, at so great a price.

Hitherto we may believe how much Money has come to him; for since he has sent abroad his institory Letters five months ago, (nay, as I am told, two years ago) before I could know it: he could not chuse but get money by it, when forthwith he with my perfidious Servant proceeded to that insolence, as in a knit Society with some of Frankford, he caused his Calumnies to be every where spread, and sent abroad, not only throughout upper Germany and Belgia, but also into France, and other Foreign Countries, to get Money. Yet, according to my hopes, this institory Ware-house (by the Grace of GOD) will soon fall.

8. Plenty of Spirit of Salt.

In this Paragraph also he goes on after his manner to disgrace me, accusing me of Lyes, as if it was false, and impossible to prepare fifty pound of Spirit of Salt in one Furnace, and in one day; and adds, that this Spirit is not so good as his, for Every man for himself: but this is done by adding Vitriol.

Which Vitriol does not hurt the Spirit of Salt, as is demonstrated in many places of the First Part of my Furnaces; and he denies that fifty pound or above may be prepar’d in one day in my Furnaces, when yet it may be done commodiously enough, and needs no farther proof.

From all which a wise man may easily judge how good a Christian Farnner is, whose mouth uttereth nothing but wickedness, contempt, and contention, and except my inward faculties fail me, the envy of his heart, his hatred, lyes, and infernal calumnies, shall be display’d.

What is his spirit of Salt to me, or mine to him? Let him prepare it after his way, and I will do it my way, when need requires: Wherefore does he endeavour to defile my things with his, since they cannot be deservedly reprehended by any man, much less by him.

9. Spirits of Vitriol, Nitre, Salt, Aqua fortis, Aqua Regia, in plenty; also Sulphur; at Forty R. Dollers.

In this place may be seen the inhumane and devilish nature of this wicked fellow; for he scarce utters three words but he proceeds to my disparagement.

But what hath Glauber to do with his spirits, for he does not use them? and if he does need them, he can make them without him.

What does he care, if you can prepare them after a better way than he, which yet never can be?

Whatever Glauber has writ of these things is worth the reading; and he can defend both himself and it, neither can you or yours spot his fame, which is so well known to the World.

10. Mineral Spirits: for twenty R. Dollers.

Here Farnner ventures to promise a way of preparing volatile spirits, which is eight years since fully described by Glauber, in the second part of his Furnaces, whither I referr the Reader.

11. Flowers of Minerals and Metals; for Twenty R. Dollers.

But if any man will explore another man’s nature, let him permit him to speak, and he shall easily know what temper he’s of; but especially that, of all things, may easily be discern’d in a drunken or angry man, who can very hardly conceal his internal blemishes. In like manner we may see by Farnner that he endeavours to hide his lying Proceedings in my name. What if I had seen his way of preparing metallick flowers, what profit or loss should I sustain by it? He glories of those things which merit no praise. He promises to make metallick Flowers under a frixatory Cover, when yet Flowers can’t be made under it, for they are not Flowers when the metals are burnt under a frixatory Cover, into a Calx, or reduc’d to ashes, there is, and so remains a heavy Calx: but the Flowers of metals shou’d be brought to a very light sort of Flowers by Sublimation; as is describ’d at large in the First Part of my Furnaces.

Farnner indeed, with his Shop, leaving his filthy knife, should rather have gone to the Chymical School a little, than (being ignorant of Chymical terms) sold his heavy Calxes or Metals to other men for light Flowers, and despised Glauber’s way of preparing Flowers, which yet has been reprehended by no man. These his Flowers, with his Coral Flowers, are course Meal, which don’t deserve the name of Flowers, but Cream. Indeed, if Farnner had not so vehemently inveighed against me, I had not display’d him thus, nor deign’d his vain Proceedings one word of answer.

Yet ’tis no matter, though good men are sometimes in this life bark’d at, and provok’d by mad Dogs, since it often happens that by this means excellent things are made publick, which otherwise would lie secret.

12. The Quintessence.

Here you may see, candid Reader, that wicked Farnner’s endeavours tend to disturb the quiet of all good men, and destroy my well-grounded and yet irrefutable Writings by his foolish Opinions, which he shall never be able to do, no more than a little Whelp is able to attack an armed man, whom by his barking he cannot hurt.

My Tract which I writ of the Essence of Vegetables, and printed at Norimberg, under the Title of The First Part of the Spagyrick Pharmacopæa; neither Farnner, nor any man else, could reject or contemn; but that little Tract will defend it self.

I have made publick many and excellent inventions, but no man can shew one place wherein I reprehended and brought into contempt other mens Works, as this Farnner does. If he would act as a good man ought, and had any thing against me, he should speak it to my face, and not abuse me so wickedly behind my back.

13. All acid Wines.

It troubles me Indeed, that I communicated this excellent secret of encreasing the Virtue of acid Wines, and making them better, to Farnner. What he writes, that he found out those things, is a pure Lye, which he had of me; when nevertheless he is not afraid to tell so impudent a Lye, as that he had found out a better foundation of that Secret, which is most notoriously false; for neither he nor any other man, nor I my self, can find any thing better than the pure Essence of Wine, conducing to that Work; which Essence of Wine, by the strength of its innate fiery Nature and Property, all sorts of immature Wines may be ripen’d in fermentation, and turn’d to a brisk Staple, and good Wine, in which lies all the Art.

For he that knows this, may also correct acid Wines, yet let him have a care that he does not take foul Brandy-wine, as Farnner has done, wherewith he has done it, as he saies.

This excellent Art, and heretofore unknown, to him that knows how to handle Wines, may serve instead of many; and this unfaithful Farnner might have receiv’d much profit from it, if he had not made it publick; but since he has every where publish’d it, there shall henceforth no profit accrue to him nor me, if I should be destitute of better things, for he has defamed this excellent Secret every where by his lying Epistles sent abroad.

As for me, though he has taken from me the great profit which redounded to me from it, by his prating and lyes, I do not this from such a trouble of mind as will happen to him, if he shall be forced indeed to want all its fruit.

If this perfidious Farnner had hid this Secret, he would have needed no other Arts, neither need he have sold it for an hundred Duckets, but he might from it have procur’d to himself sufficient whereon to live. A greater damage has happen’d to me by his publication than I can declare; and I very hardly endure that so excellent and profitable a Secret should be despised; neither will any good man approve it, especially they that sustain loss by it, and for that cause will alwaies abhorr him. He might have gotten enough by it, in secret, and without detriment to his Neighbour, but that he was minded rather to marr the profit and propagate the damage of not only himself, but me, and many others that have knowledge of it; which no man can deny to be a wicked act.

That Reward which Farnner gave me for communicating to him my Secrets, in all amounted to but sixty or seventy Ungarici (an Ungaricus is Nine Shillings of our Money,) which yet, from the communication of those Secrets I trusted him with, he receiv’d again, so that all those things which he had of me, cost him little or nothing. Nevertheless, he does not stick to say, That he gave me a great sum of Money for my Secrets, which yet I refused to take; and though he twice made a Journey of Fifteen miles to me, that he might get something out of me, yet I deny’d him, and communicated nothing to him, till he came the third time, and learn’d some of my Secrets, and afterwards, when he had oblig’d himself to work with me in my Laboratory, I communicated more to him. Neither had I shew’d him the least of those many Secrets for his Present, which will never compensate the damage I have sustain’d by him, had not he oblig’d himself under the loss of all his Goods, as also his Credit and Reputation, that he, his Wife and Children, should serve me so long as I should live, as plainly appears from his Obligations given to me.

But if he had given me a Thousand Ungarici, or Duckets, and I had known he would have expos’d this Secret to sale, I would rather have given him all of it back again, than suffer’d it to be made common. Neither can his vain Excuse, That he exposes his own inventions, and not mine, to sale, profit him any thing; when ’tis evident enough, that nothing in the nature of things can be found, which may render small Wines better than the Anima or Quintessence extracted from other Wines; for the Anima of Wine only, and nothing else, can encrease the strength of Wine. Neither is the comparison of this melioration of Wines incongruous with two torn Garments, neither of which can be worn; but if either of this is cut, and that which yet is whole and good, is sewed to the other, and so of two torn, one whole Garment is made; then that Garment may be worn, when yet, before, neither of them was useful.

The same also is to be understood of small wines that are neither durable nor vendible, but after one Hogshead is strengthen’d by another, it becomes not only durable, as good Wine, but vendible, and will yield as good a price as two small Hogsheads. And this Secret is both very noble and profitable in those places, where the wines are seldom brought to maturity, and for that cause are not durable nor saleable. For there is a lamentable Complaint among Vintners, that immature wines are not vendible, and they can get no money for them. Thus they say, Have we labour’d in vain with our wines a whole year? Look there the wines lie, and no man buys them: in the mean while we suffer want and can’t make our selves merry with our wines, for they neither profit us nor others; unless we have presently some other better wine, wherewith to mingle this, and so render it vendible, it will strait be corrupted, and turn’d to water. These and the like Complaints I have often heard from Vintners; but if they had the wit of Taylors, that can make one new Garment of two old ones, their affairs would be in a better condition, for after this manner they might preserve their acid wines, and there would be no need of mixing better wine with them. For which excellent Invention, all men that deal in wines, ought to thank GOD and me.

I pray, who would not have communicated these things to a man that had given himself for a pledge? But if he must not stand to these Obligations, I can’t see whom we may trust. I curse the unhappy hour wherein this unprofitable subject and that perverse man (if he may be call’d a man) came first in my sight: which troubles and molestations he brings upon me in my old Age, which might spend its time much better, than by refuting his detestable Calumnies. Neither does his wickedness to me hurt me only, but my Children also.

In his last Obligation he promises, That if by premature death I should be taken out of the world, that he, for the kindnesses I had done him, would adopt my Children for his own, and make them his Heirs: but here, in his most false writing, endeavours all he can to deprive my (yet young) Children of their own, and convert their Goods to himself, as indeed he has done.

Further, He in his last Obligation also saies, he humbly pray’d GOD to prolong my Life and Health, but in this place he endeavours by his Cavils and Calumnies to kill me, and if he could do it with his own hand, (which God forbid) I believe he would not stick at it: It is a small thing with him to spill Man’s blood, for he has experienc’d his ability that way.

I indeed esteem it the Goodness of God to me, that it is His will, perhaps, that this should rather turn to my profit than disadvantage; for hereby I am taught to be wiser another time, and to shun humane Frauds.

14. All Wines.

Here any wise man may judge whether or no this thing deserves to be sent into Foreign Countries, and there to be sold at a price; when there is no Country-man that does not know that Wine assumes the relish of the Herbs, Flowers, &c. which are steeped in it.

15. Brandy-Wine of all sorts of Corn.

That Farnner brags of this knowledge, he owes it to GOD and me, from whom he had it: For when at first he complain’d to me, that he could not keep the Corn from burning in the Still, and so make the Brandy-wine stink, I upon his intreaty communicated this Secret to him. But because Farnner so much glories of this knowledge, he shall not enjoy it long. I must confess, indeed, that this Secret is not of less value than that whereby wines are meliorated; neither does he get less by it: but forasmuch as I resolve to buy all his Wares every where of him, I will neither leave him this, that he should be free from the trouble of informing others in this thing, and that otherwise would be forced to make long Journeys to buy them of him, may leave off those Journeys, and take this way of preparing it: Take as much Corn as you will, whether Barley, Rye, Oats, or Wheat, steep it in sweet water for some days, then place it that it may sprout after the same manner as Corn is Malted for the making of Beer; turn it well for a certain time, lest it be corrupted by too much heat: then when it is well sprouted, spread it abroad, that it may presently cool, and it will never sowre.

But if you would use it presently, then take as much of it as your Destillation will require, and in a Kettle full of water, boil it so long, till the grains are broken, then pour it into a wooden Vessel, and when it is luke-warm, add to it the fresh dreggs or grounds of Beer, and let it ferment; when it has fermented enough, which is usually at the end of two or three daies, then Brandy-wine is made in a common Still, by destillation from that Corn; what remains in the Still will serve to feed Oxen, Cows, Hoggs, or other Cattel.

But the Brandy-wine which proceeds from thence, must be rectified, as the way is, and by this means it is render’d more sweet and grateful to the relish, than any other Brandy made of Corn: the reason is this, That all Bread-Corn, of which Brandy-wine ought to be prepared, if it be put to ferment presently after softening, it is necessarily in the still, by boiling, reduced into a pap, and so being corrupted by a dustion, produces a stinking Brandy-wine.

But this protuberating and burst Corn cannot be burnt, and therefore makes good Brandy.

Also the Corn may be broken on a Mill-stone, water poured upon it, and distilled out of a Still, placed within another, or in a Kettle full of water, so also it cannot be burnt; yet this way it will yield but little.

NB. But if any man will give this Brandy a relish, like that made of the Lees of Wine, then he must rectifie it upon the Lees of Wine, for this way by the Oil of Wine, which is plentiful among the Lees, he acquires his ends, and in all things he may use this instead of that.

NB. Also, he that will, may, without this previous coction and fermentation, pour the budding Corn hot into a vessel of luke-warm water, for by this means the Corn begins to ferment of it self, and needs no other Lees to its fermentation; yet it does not produce so sweet a Brandy, as if it had first been boiled: for by coction the ill taste is taken from the Corn, which the Brandy otherwise retains. Further, also it produces much more Brandy, if the Corn is so boil’d, that it may be broken. And this, good Reader, is a most excellent and profitable Secret, and will bring you in much wealth, if you use it rightly, and you may make great quantities of it.

Farnner did no man wrong, by taking (according to his own estimation) a Hundred Duckets for it, for it is worth much more, especially if the residue of the Corn pays the charge. Yet no man hereafter will give him so much for it now ’tis made publick.

Indeed it is injurious to me to divulge it, but because it is now in the foul hands of Farnner, ’tis better that others also enjoy it, than that he only should reap the benefit of it. But though by my communication Farnner should put on a Lyons skin for his defence, yet he can’t hide his Asses ears under it; as appears from this Paragraph, where he writes, that he had sent four measures cross the Seas, to try if they wou’d bear the Sea-water; for then he thinketh he hath made his Port. Good God! how resplendant is the Wisdom and Philosophy of this Farnner! Certainly, if he shall make one or two Experiments of this kind, that his Brandy-wine will bear the water, he’ll duly merit to be created the chief Professor in the Academy of Idiots, for that will befit him, seeing that the reason is not hid to him, as he writes; wherefore Drinks are alter’d by the Sea-waters.

But he will make his first Experiment in these four measures, and if it proves well, then he promises to teach this Art at a price.

O the blindness of this perverse World swelling with Pride! Who ever heard that a good burning spirit, whether made of Wine or Corn, will be corrupted by the sea-water? I grant it may be corrupted, if it be invalid before: But a good and firm burning spirit will never be corrupted by sea, for all wines bear the water, those only excepted which labour with a defect of spirit, but strong wines very seldom, for the more spirits there is in any Liquor, whether Wine, Beer, or Metheglin, it is in the less danger of being corrupted.

But if the spirit which is in wine, be its preserver, and defender from Corruption, How comes it to pass that Brandy-wine, which if well prepar’d, is nothing but spirit, should be corrupted? If the Spirit in wine be the Preserver and Defence of the wine, which yet is weaken’d by a great quantity of water, so as the wine remains good, and is safe from the corruption of water: Why then should not it defend it self, since it is so strong and free from water? Who doubts that a concentrated Life is able to perform greater things than a diffuse and weak life?

Hence you may see how great knowledge Farnner has drawn from the light of Nature, that he should boast so.

16. To strengthen all sorts of Beers.

In this place Farnner again shews his Asses ears, when he writes, That he can strengthen Beers, that they shall not be inferiour to Rhenish wine. Here every wise man may discern how great and stupendious this man’s folly is.

Behold, he attributeth the goodness of Rhenish Wine to its strength, which indeed is a great errour; for the goodness of Rhenish-wines consists not in their strength, but sweetness. French Wines are far more fragrant than Rhenish, yet in sweetness and soundness it comes not near it. So likewise Hungarian, Greek, Italian, and Spanish Wines, &c. are much stronger, but for sweetness, as well as goodness and wholsomeness, Rhenish wine, far better, although the other excell it in strength. And so this is a great absurdity: Indeed Beer may be strengthen’d, by adding a burning spirit to it in fermentation, whereby it may endure the longer; which thing I can’t deny, and it ought to be done: but that a Vinegar may be drawn from them like Wine-Vinegar, is a pure story; for though it may happen that Beer may give a strong Vinegar, yet it never yields Wine-Vinegar, for a great difference may be discern’d between Wine and Beer-Vinegar, though they have both the same strength, if you make trial of both: Whence it appears, that Farnner is ignorant what Vinegar is, because he knows not the difference of it.

Strong and right Wine-Vinegar is known by these Trials. First, if it be shaked in a Glass, it by and by receives its clearness, and leaves no scum, dreggs, or bubbles, on the top, as Beer-Vinegar does: for let it be never so strong, it retains its own nature, and causes a scum, if it be shook just as the Beer it is made of: but Wine-Vinegar leaves no scum. Secondly, the longer Wine-Vinegar is boiled, the stronger it is; the reason is this, There is naturally in it an innate sharpness, which is not volatile; but the sharpness of Beer-Vinegar consists in its volatility, which in boiling is abated; so that the longer it boils, the weaker it is. And these are the two chief and most certain trials of Vinegars, which Farnner’s Vinegar will never bear, and therefore will still be Beer-Vinegar, and does not deserve that it’s Preparation should yield Fifty R. Dollers.

Acid or Sower Beers.

What belongs to this, requires nothing of Art, neither is it worthy to be taught at a price when every Country man can do it, by projecting and well stirring in a vessel of acid beer, two or three handfuls of beech ashes well sifted, made wet with a little beer, and leting them lie in it about eight days, for then the ashes by reason of the Salt which is in ’em takes away the sowreness of the beer, and make it drinkable.

NB. If the beer be not too sowre, a handful of sifted ashes may be sewed up in a linen bagg, and put into the Beer through the bung, and there left for this way the Beer may be preserv’d from sowreing and need not be stirred nor troubled. Also some handfuls of wheat put into the beer, draws its sowerness from it, the same also is done by egg shells, Crabs eyes, Tortoise shells, Sea shells, calx viva, and such like things which attract the sharpness, and turn it into sweetness.

But whence is it that Farnner now so abounds in the knowledge of wines and beers, when yet but two years since, when he prepar’d and sold brandy wine and beer, that he complain’d to me, that he had sustained much damage in handling them, so that he shou’d perish unless he learn’d how to take away and remedy the burning of Corn in the Still, the ill smell of his brandy wine and the sowreness of Beer. Why cou’d not he then help himself, and beware of those Losses? he will object that at that time a certain light shone upon him, by whose benefit he knew Nature. However true his objection be, it will never induce me to believe that this light cou’d in so great a measure so suddenly help him, which is a great absurdity: for so much knowledge is given to no man in a nights sleep, it is a false story. But that my faithful instruction, with which I instructed him, has enlighten’d him, and like a guiding star led him in the right way, is most true, tho he is unworthy of those precious Pearls which like a wild boar he treads in the dirt under his feet.

18. Vinegar of Corn.

What belongs to this Paragraph, is demonstrated in the sixteenth paragraph, that tis impossible to make a vinegar of Corn, like that of wine: wherefore this cannot (as he thinks) deserve fifty R. Dollers.

19. Vinegar of green Woods.

Indeed I wonder that Farnner is not ashamed of these things which I have many years since so clearly describ’d or to bring them to light anew, that he might get money by teaching those things to others, which are already published in the first part of Furnaces, And so he adorns himself with other mens Feathers.

But he will object, I have in the trial found these things true, and therefore describe them, but he does it to this end, and to no other than that he may cheat them of their mony who did not know that I had so long since writ of them. He that desires any of these things, may find ’em in the first part of my Furnaces, and he shall not need to give Farnner, ten R. Dollers for his instruction herein.

20. Altho =Glauber=, &c.

Here he contemns my way of extracting Tartar from the lees of wine, when yet it was a year since clearly and perspicuously describ’d and published at Norimberg, which Farnner cou’d never correct. But he bragg’d that he had found by a certain position another compendium, which indeed might be, since it is easier to add something to an Art once found, than to find the Art it self, but it does not become him to disswade men from this Art which is already described, and which may be had gratis, and to despise it and bragge among all men of his own inventing a better. What good men will think of these bold malignities may be easily judg’d: but if I had writ nothing of these things, who would have taught him that there was Tartar in the lees of wine? But I not only found and writ what was in them, but also largely taught how they might be usefully extracted.

Yet this trifler dares as impudently, as falsly say, that he had corrected it, and added to it, and therefore wou’d not let it go without his price.

After the same manner he deals with my other secrets (which, tho he had them of me, he braggs that they are his own) with which he proceeds, as with the lees of wine, namely with my Alkahest, Panacæa, Melioration of wine, compendious distillation of Corn, preparation of vinegar, correction of beer and others in many places.

Whence cou’d he have known what was meant by my Alkahest and Panacæa, or how small wines and and beers should be meliorated, how Corn without adustion shou’d give plenty of burning spirit, and whether there was Tartar in the lees of wine or not, and how it might be extracted thence, except he had seen and learn’d all these things of me? of which also I had many years since publickly made mention in my writings, which is so well known that he cannot deny it, how much soever he opposes the truth.

21. All Copper Ores.

In this place Farnner teaches that Copper Ores are to be separated, when, yet they are not separated but melted, that thence the Copper may come forth, which Copper if it contains silver being mix’d with a due weight of lead, it is separated: but Mines of copper are never separated, which he does not understand, and so he betrays his ignorance in these terms. This way of separating is sufficiently known, and every where where copper mines are found, is wrought in abundance and cannot be hid. He that possesseth Copper mines, will easily find men that will thence elicite the copper, and afterwards separate it, neither will any man need to go to Farnner on that account. Indeed I wonder at his extream impudence, that he was not afraid to promise that he wou’d teach others so many Sciences, of which if he knew the half part, his village wou’d not hold all the furnaces he wou’d need for the demonstration of them.

Further, for these and the following Sciences, which yet; are the most difficult and laborious of all, he requires no money, but for a certain reward promises to demonstrate them all.

22. From Tests and Cupels.

He has drawn this separation also from my writings, that therewith he might fill his calumnious letters: neither do I believe he cou’d do it before he had seen me do it. It is done by the powder of coals, as I have plainly described in my Chymical Colloquie.

23. Gold and Silver.

This Art Lazarus =Eicher= has described, but because his way is too hard, I have shewn an easier in the explication of the wonder of the world, and there the following melting Furnaces are also described, and therefore I need not say any thing of them here.

All these inventions which Farnner braggs off as his own, are mine; for my unfaithful Servant taught Farnner those Furnaces which he learn’d of me.

And at length,

I have nothing to say to these four last paragraphs, because they don’t concern me as the former doe, and Farnner himself exposes them as speculations and not as experiments, as I also believe that they are only fancies and foolish imaginations: yet there is one thing which I must answer, which he mentions in his third paragraph, that the time will come when Glauber’s Alkahest must be forc’d to hide, altho it is not wholly to be rejected. But if it be so unprofitable that it must hide, why does he expose this to sale at fifty R. Dollers, and the Panacæa which is prepar’d with it, at thirty? and he has already got sufficiently by it: if it be so improffitable, why then does he offer to Sell it to others knowingly and willingly at a price? If Farnner has rightly term’d my Alkahest unuseful and must be forc’d to hide, he has surely deceiv’d many. But I confidently assert, that my Alkahest will never hide, but defend it self in all places: Perfidious calumniators, thieves and their accomplices shall hide, but not my Alkahest. If he has found out better things than I, let him publish them as I have done, that every man may judge whether they be true or false: Why this boasting and wicked vanity in despising others? For truth needs few words and less braging. In his writing in which he sets down the value of every Secret contain’d in the last paragraphs, namely, from the twenty first to the twenty eighth, he promises to teach other men for no certain price, but on courtesy, those secrets which yet are the best, if he cou’d know them. But if he can effect those things and teach ’em to others, he wou’d not certainly teach them gratis, for ’tis impossible for him to build those Furnaces requisite to the making of those things in half a years time.

From which it sufficiently appears how ignorant he is of what he writes: Certainly if his wares which he had of me gratis, should find Chapmen, no doubt but in one year he would get some thousands of ducats.

I thought fit to answer you these things now, that I might shut your foul mouth which was so wide open to lyes, but if after this you don’t cease your lyes and calumnies, you will compel me to use other means to bridle your malice. In the mean while I doubt not, but all good men in this short Apology (in which I have not refuted thy lying calumnies with indecent or contentions words, but from thy own obligations and hand writing) will plainly see how wickedly and perfidiously thou hast behaved thy self towards me. This damage which thou hast done me, neither you nor all yours both present and future faculties, nor all thy servants can ever repair: It remains therefore, that I say with Job, God gave, and God has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. But I don’t believe you will escape divine punishment, to which I commit my cause at this time. It is certain that every thing has its time, which I also patiently expecting your downfal (when God shall take upon him the patronage of a just cause,) perhaps with these my eyes shall sooner see than hope. Indeed I wanted not matter to dispute these things more largely, but that for a reason known to my self, I was hinder’d in doing it at this time. But as soon as I can, God assisting me, I shall not be wanting to propose to all impartial men in the world, questions to be resolv’d, from which every ingenious and good man may see, animadvert and give judgment, how ungrateful, perfidious, unjust and inhumane thou hast been to me.

Miraculum Mundi;

Or, A Plain and Perfect Description of the admirable Nature and Property of that most powerful Subject, called by the Antients,

The Universal Menstruum, OR, The MERCURY of PHILOSOPHERS.

By which Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals may easily be Transmuted into most Salubrious Medicines, and the Imperfect Metals into Perfect and Permanent.

A Preface to the Reader.

To whomsoever this little Book (treating of the Propriety, Nature, and Essence of that incomparable Subject, by the ancient Philosophers called, =The Universal Menstruum= or =Solvent=, shall occurr, and is offended in reading of those great virtues by me ascribed to it; and because he understandeth not the thing, judgeth it not to be credited; I would have him know, that whatsoever power I have attributed to it, that that is in no wise a Figment, Dream, or vain Opinion, but to be taken for a Truth, found out by a diligent and manifold Practice. But which will be most profitable, for me to prostitute all my inventions to the World, or conceal them? For which cause I will (at least for the present) only point at many wonderful things which may be performed by this universal Menstruum, but not treat of them, leaving it free for every man to believe my sayings as far as he pleaseth; but if they shall be credited by no man, it shall not disturb me, it being sufficient for me to have shewed where and by what reason, the truth or secrets of nature are to be found.

As for the Subject whose nature and operations I have determined to touch upon, it is like to that of which I have made mention in my =Mineral work=, by the signal name of =Alkahest=, which appellation I have there demonstrated, not to be imposed upon it without reason. But seeing that long since the chief Menstruums of some Philosophers, were called by the same name, and that I know not whether theirs were like to mine or mine to theirs in nature and virtues, shall not much trouble me; for it matters little for diverse Menstruums to be called by the same name, although they do not answer one another in all things. For even as wine is wine, although it come from =Germany=, =Italy=, =France= or =Spain=, nevertheless each is wine, although the one exceed the other in strength and rellish, as long as the same nature and virtues are found in it, which ought to be in wine: The same is to be judged concerning my =Alkahest=: To wit, that if the virtues be agreeably to the name, from whatsoever =Subject= it be extracted, it rightly meriteth the same name, which that it may the better be understood, I mean by the name of =Alkahest=, a very hot, fiery, dry, and also humid water void of all corrosive power, by which =Vegetables=, =Animals=, and =Minerals=, are dissolved without noise, yet not all in the same manner, and elaborated into Salutiferous medicines, as I have shewed in the =first part of my Mineral work=. And because I have written such things of it, many have endeavoured to prepare such a Menstruum, every one from his own Subject; Impostors also have offered to others, a water plainly corrosive instead of it, fasly pretending that they had obtained the secret from me, and that it is the same which I have described in my =Mineral work=; then one sells that putatious =Universal solvent= to a another at a dear rate, whose nativity and preparation lies hid with the seller, that so the blind leading the blind both may fall into the ditch; which thing, when I knew it, I was constrained whether I would or no, to lay open to the Reader, what is properly the nature of my =Alkahest=, and what are its virtues and powers, so that those who erre, may have a rule by which they maybe able to judge of any other pretended =Alkahest=, whether it be mine or not.

Therefore this incomparable subject is called an universal solvent, because by its benefit, many incredible things are performed in the preparation of good Medicines, and also in the preparation of metals, yet let no man believe that it dissolveth metals swiftly and violently, like =aqua= =fortis=, =aqua regia=, or other corrosive waters, not in the least, but worketh altogether after another manner, =viz.= =Vegetables= and =Animals= are dissolved in digestion, by the moist way, in which solution, the pure parts are separated from the impure.

And Minerals and Metals also being dissolved in the moist way by its benefit, may be washed, purged and maturated, and reduced either into good medicines, or into better metals, but not with the same advantage and celerity as in the dry way, by which very many incredible mutations are presently performed, to be admired by the inexpert, too tedious here to be treated off. Besides those two ways of dissolving, which (that I might demonstrate the possibility of the matter) I have shewed to some; there yet occurrs another far different from those, by which metals and other Subjects are swiftly, meliorated to the eye, and are maturated, depurated, and transmuted into the best of medicines, and into purer bodies: the reasons of which, solution there is no need to expose to every one, chiefly, because that labour requireth a skilful Chymist and there are few who heartily search into the secrets of nature, but most Chymists vexing themselves with vain processes, understand nothing solid in Medicine or in Chymistry, which imaginary Artists, when they happen upon true writings, cannot reach their sence with their dull brains; they speak evil of the Author, disdaining his industry and unwearied labour, in communicating his talent; whence it comes to pass that he which brings forth any thing of good, finding nothing but ingratitude, chuseth rather to carry his talent with him to the grave, than to publish it to his own damage. And this is the only cause, why I have not plainly prosecuted the use of this Menstruum in the preparing of medicines, and meliorating of metals, but have only pointed at what may be effected by the help of it, that it may be made manifest, what is to be judged concerning it, and whether that which is sold for such by others, be like to that described in my =Mineral work= or not: I doubt not but many will quickly despond, thinking that their =Alkahest= will in no wise perform those things which I here ascribe to my Menstruum, and will also believe the matter not to be so easy, as before they thought it to be, but although it arise from a vile subject, that nevertheless its invention and use is very difficult. For whosoever hath such a menstruum, by which these following things may be effected, he may indeed rejoice in the possession of the =universal solvent= or =Mercury= of =Philosophers=, having a door opened to true medicine and Alchymy. Therefore for the sake of Searchers, I will begin to shew somewhat of its virtues and powers, as far as I may, that the =Magnalia= of =God= may thence be made manifest, and that I may give occasion to every man, to render praise, and thanks to his Creatour, who is the giver of all good.

_Of the Transcendent Virtue, Power, Nature, and Property of this Wonderful_ Universal Menstruum.

It is worth our noting, that three Operations especially may be performed by the benefit of this Menstruum.

I. It maturateth all Vegetables and Animals, being dissolved into a Liquor, and taking away their Venom, converteth them into salutary Medicines.

II. It dissolveth Minerals and Metals, as well by the moist as by the dry way, correcteth their venoms, ripeneth and fixeth their crudity, so that they may be made good Medicines; and after fixation, yield good and genuine Gold and Silver.

III. Those Metals, Minerals, Stones, and other compact Subjects, not dissolvable by the aforesaid waies, it dissolveth, maturateth, purifieth, and in an hours space exalts Metals, more than the two former Solutions can do in a whole day, whose change into better may be observed in every hour: It dissolveth Metals and Minerals into a penetrating spirituality, so that the Metal is not separated from the Menstruum, but a solution is made of both, either by the dry or moist way, from which the more pure part of the Metal, or that which is Gold or Silver, after the premised fixation, is precipitated by Art, especially if many were jointly dissolved. Whence it is sufficiently manifest, that in all the Imperfect Metals Gold and Silver is notably absconded, not discoverable by the vulgar Examen of Cupels: which Operation being performed by a Menstruum, prepared in so gross a manner, it is credible, that if this volatile Hermaphrodite and spiritual Mercury were again fixed, and rendered Corporeal, that it would be by many degrees more subtile, penetrant, and efficacious, for the dissolving, altering, and perfecting of Bodies, than it was before.

This is its Use in general; but specially it abundantly exerts its manifold Virtue; before whose description, it seems not amiss to point out the common Name of this subject, and what the common People think of it. Which, that I may expedite in few words, know, that it is nothing else but the naked salt of the Earth, of which Salt-Peter is made. But that every salt of the Earth, or common Salt-Peter, hath those Virtues which I here assign to my subject, I shall in no wise say, seeing that it ought to be diversly prepared for divers uses, according to which, thou maist expect divers Virtues.

This subject is necessary to be known by all the Inhabitants of the whole Earth, to all orders and degrees of men, because not to man only, but also to every Creature, it is profitable or noxious, according to its various application.

This subject serveth for Physicians, Chirurgions, and Apothecaries, of which they may prepare excellent Medicines against the natural Diseases of Men. Whence the truth of that common saying of Philosophers is undoubtedly asserted, viz. That of the greatest Venom the greatest Medicine against Diseases is to be prepared. And that Nitre is the word of Venoms, I have evinc’d in the second part of my Furnaces, where I preferr it to the Basilisk himself; and that from the same Nitre, and its mediation, is to be prepared a most excellent Medicine. In the First Part of my Mineral Work, for the sake of Physicians, Chirurgions, and others, applying themselves to Physick, I have shewed how by the help of my Alkahest, Medicines are to be prepared from Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, far exceeding the ordinary waies of Preparation.

But it is not my mind at present to discourse much of Medicines, it may suffice to have shewed what Virtues this Universal subject hath, and to what uses it may be appointed. I say, that it may be profitable to all orders of men, as well to the superiour, as to the inferiour, to spiritual and secular, noble and ignoble, rich and poor: of which orders the Physician is not to be deemed the lowest.

That I may perform my promise, what unheard of things may be done, by the benefit of this subject, in natural diseases incident to man, who is obnoxious to all kind of miseries, I will in the next place reveal somewhat for his health and comfort.

But this my Medicine, which I deliver, is not of great price, but of great Virtue, and of which the poor as well as rich, may be partakers, and (by the blessing of God) may be freed from every curable disease.

The Preparation.

Take two or three pounds of this =Menstruum=, whose corrosive nature transmute by force of fire into a nature not corrosive; and you have the =Menstruum= prepared, with which you shall elaborate this Medicine, in this manner: Dissolve in this =Menstruum= as much of the first Ens of Gold (which is to be found in all places of the World, but especially in golden Mines more copiously) as it will attract in the heat; so that a red Solution may be made, which digest for some daies, with its own weight of the dissolving Wine; make separation of the pure parts from the impure, by removing the fæces which sever themselves from the Medicine, by falling to the bottom, this being concentrated by an easie heat, will be a red pellucid stone; very like to a soluble salt, which is to be carefully preserved. This Medicine will be second to none, except the stone of Philosophers, and will be of the same goodness, after a Hundred Years, that it was the first day it was made, performing all things which I shew with amazement, for which no mortal man can ever render sufficient Thanks to God.

The Use of this Medicine in general.

This Universal Medicine will cure every natural disease both in young and old, strong and weak, in a very small dose, without any danger, not nauseating the stomach, as the usual Potions do; and is to be taken in any Liquor, according to the Condition of the Sick, as warm Broth or Gruel, Wine, Beer or Ale, Water, Milk, &c. from one grain to eight grains, which is the highest dose. It operateth after a diverse manner, according as the strength of the sick, or the nature of the disease requires: if you continue in the Use of the prescribed Doses, the operation will be insensible; it strengtheneth and mundifieth the radical moisture, and in a wonderful manner expelleth every Evil out of the Body being taken daily, every other or every third day: It preserveth from accidental Diseases, correcteth Venom, and resisteth infectious Airs. But if the Dose were greater, the Operation will be more evident, by Sweat, Urine, Spitting, and sometimes by Stool, according as you please, by encreasing or lessening the Dose; and if the disposition of the Disease comply, it is cured by a small quantity of this Medicine, without ocular observation; but being radicated, requireth a manifest operation, if it refuse to yield to a small Dose acting invisibly; because both in preparing and using this Medicine, regard is to be had, that you neither err in excess or defect, but by observing a Medium, you shall obtain both Profit and Honour.

Those of ripe years may take from one to six grains every day, if they have leisure to attend the Cure, but if not, three grains every fourth day, until there remain no foot-steps of the Disease: taking nothing besides this Medicine, and keeping that day from the cold Air, and abstaining three or four hours from Food. In the Leprosie and foul Scab, there is no Remedy safer than this Medicine, extirpating the Roots of the Evil without trouble. Nor will you ever be frustrated in the desired effect, if the Sick have strength sufficient to undergo the Cure. [See its Preparation and Use more particularly described, in Part 2. Phar. Spagyr.]

After the Description and Use of this Medicine, by which the health of Man may be preserved, and being lost, may be restored, which is far to be preferred to all the Treasures of the whole World. There now follow other Secrets, shewing how by the help of this subject a man may acquire an honest Living; and, as I have said in the Preface, this subject may be provable to all orders of men in the World, whether superiour or inferiour, Ecclesiastical or Political, noble or ignoble, rich or poor, by conferring or admonishing somewhat of good to every one in his Profession. Therefore I will now begin to teach some signal uses of it, that it may be manifest to all men, that this is an Universal subject, which I have alwaies judged such, and that others with me may find it so.

In the first place, all Fossiles or Minerals digged out of the Earth, may be perfectly examined by the mediation of this subject, what metals they contain, how many, and how much of each: It is an infallible Guide to the diggers and melters of Ores, saving them both loss of time and matter. An excellent Artifice, by which the value of all Minerals may be discovered without much labour and charge, being highly necessary for Metallurgists, of Germany especially, being quite undone by a continual War, who may in a short time lay up great Stocks or Treasures, to be imployed against the Enemies of their Country in time of necessity: by whose benefit also rich Mines of gold and silver (which otherwise would for ever lie neglected) may be discovered, when they are swiftly and accurately examined.

The Marcasites of Gold and silver being melted by the mediation of this, by a singular compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford more metal than by the common way.

The volatile and immature Marcasites of gold and silver, are fixed in the space of three hours, so that they yield more metal than they could have done without fixation.

Those three things are very necessary and profitable to every Magistrate having Mines in his jurisdiction, by which he may obtain much wealth.

All Gold and Silver which is not purely melted from its Marcasite, is swiftly purged from all additament, the Silver is separated from the Gold, by fusion only, with small labour and cost, but in great weight. Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of old Tin vessels, the tin being preserved almost in the same weight, and being made better than it was before, may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put.

From Bismuth much silver is separated, the Bismuth being preserved, this secret being agreeable to those places which abound with that Mineral.

From old Copper much Silver may be separated, the Copper remaining unhurt, by which Artifice Countries abounding with this metal, may not a little profit themselves.

Every common silver, may in the space of a few hours be exalted into the nature of Gold, the which if it be done four or five times, which may be in a short space of time, it giveth so much gold, as affordeth a sufficient livelihood, over and above the costs.

Gold may be separated by fusion, from every addition of Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick or the like, and be purifyed without Cupels, each being kept apart; profitable for Metallurgists and the like, from the shortness of the time, smallness of the charge and labour, and much gain.

Every imperfect metal without the mixture of other metals, may be ripened by this secret alone in the fire, in the space of an hour, so that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without gain.

There is another very gainful augmentation or increase of the perfect metals, by the imperfect, answering to the Germination or growth of vegetables; for even as every seed being cast into the earth, groweth therein arising to be an herb or a tree, and taketh also its encrease from the same by its inbred attractive power; so is it here also, for Sol or Luna groweth and encreaseth in Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, or Mars, as in their native soil, and are nourished after the manner of herbs, and encrease from day to day. An Art not to be despised by Philosophers.

By the mediation of this, from all imperfect metals and minerals, yielding nothing by the usual examen of Cupels, Gold and silver is produced in a manifold manner, being an argument that the imperfect metals have somewhat of the perfect reconded in them, when they are inverted and shew themselves to our sight, a work not ingrateful to those who work in Metals.

These are the chief things which I have found may be done in metallick works, by the help of this Subject; yet I make no doubt but there are many more unknown to me, to be revealed to others after me who shall make a good beginning from my writings, the which I also wish from my heart, that the hidden mysteries of the natural wonders of God, may at length be brought to light, for the use of mankind.

Among the enumerated Arcanums, some perhaps may seem of little worth to the Reader; but there are some from which may be had a commodious livelihood, so that an Artist need not be at the will of another, without he please. O how great a thing is Liberty, which no man can worthily esteem, who hath not been a Servant himself. A piece of Bread is sweeter to a quiet, prudent man than many dainties, with care, danger, and noise. It is happy for him who can say with Paracelsus, Alterius non sit, qui suus esse potest; Let him not be anothers, who may be his own. But it is good for him that would use well the Gifts of God, not to be unmindful of his Neighbour, lest temporary Liberty cast him head-long into the Dungeon of eternal Slavery. After shewing this subject to be conducible to all the Inhabitants of the earth, I have described its use in Metallicks, which is not to be indifferently undertaken by every man, but by those only who are concerned in digging of Mines, and melting and separating of Metals, whether they be noble or ignoble, learned (as well spiritual as secular, exempted from publick offices) or rude, which maintain themselves from Merchandice, or live upon their Estates, all which may receive Fruit from these Secrets, but not Husbandmen, Labourers, Ditchers, &c. but that to these also somewhat of profit may proceed from my inventions, I will shew in order; although the principal will redound to ingenious Artificers, Engravers, Painters, Statuaries, those who adorn Glass or Clothes with Silk, Gold, or Silver, and they who make Wax-work.

They who etch upon Copper, may prepare from this subject a good corrosive water, by which (the Copper-plates being first smeared over with a covering fit to defend them, and what Images and lines they please, being drawn upon them with a stile or stift) by a very easie and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten into.

Painters, by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most excellent Colours, as Ultra-Marine, Smalt, fine red or scarlet Lacca, Venice-Ceruse, and others necessary for their Uses, which otherwise they must have from far, as Italy, Holland, France, &c. and at a dear rate.

Engravers and Statuaries may so harden their Tools that they may hold their points long, if they be to cut stones.

Embroiderers may put any durable Colour they please upon the silk with which they work.

They who paint Glass, by an easie work, may thence prepare all Colours or Enamels for Glass, so that there will be no need to have them from Venice.

They who work in Wax, by the benefit of this, may whiten it exceedingly, and colour it as they please.

Printers may add this subject to their Ink, which will cause it to adhere most firmly to the Paper, and render the Letters very fair.

It is convenient for Clockmakers or Watchmakers, if a Water be destilled from it, which soldereth Iron or Steel without Fire, if a drop of that Aqua fortis be dropped upon it, whence the Iron growing hot, it presently waxeth soft, as if it had been soldered in the fire by the help of Copper.

All Smiths may by it harden their Files, and other Iron Tools, as hard as if they had been made of the hardest Steel.

Tin-workers or Pewterers, may harden their Tin or Pewter, and give to it an elegant whiteness, so that it will resemble Silver both in colour and sound; neither will it easily tarnish, and by reason of its hardness will endure longer than common Tin or Pewter.

Cabinet-makers may strike an excellent Black upon Pear-tree, Cherry-tree, Box, Walnut-tree, and other hard Woods, which may be used for curious Works instead of Ebony.

Skinners or Furriers may dye their Ermins, Fox-skins, Wolf-skins, and the like Furrs, with a Scarlet, Crimson, or deep Black colour, far exceeding the natural.

In like manner, Feather-dyers may swiftly give any lasting colour to their Plumes.

Taylors may take out spots or stains out of Woollen, Linen, or Silk Garments, and restore their beauty.

If Shoomakers put old Iron to this subject, they may therewith adorn their Leather with an excellent Black.

Weavers may render their Linen threads so fine and soft, that they shall emulate Silk.

Dyers, by this, may give so firm and unchangeable a ground to their Cloth, that the superinduced Colours shall not be corrupted or spoiled by any Wine, Vinegar, Urine, Pickles, Air, or Sun.

Potters may thence prepare a Glassy colour, not unlike to the Indian Porcellane, of which Vessels may be made, having the Aspect of Gold, Silver, or Copper, a singular Ornament for Noblemens Tables, hitherto unknown to the World.

Souldiers, Merchants, Travellers, Carriers, and others who are much in the open Air, may of this prepare a Varnish, in which they may dip a Linen Cloth, which will not permit either Air or Water to pass through it, with which they may defend their Boots or Clothes, so that they may travel dry in the Rain.

They who make Tapestry, may restore their faint or faded colours, so that they shall be strong and beautiful.

Mistrisses of Families may prepare of it fine Soap or Washballs, far exceeding that of Venice.

Houshold-Maids may with it scowre or cleanse their metallick vessels, so as to render them neat and beautiful.

Women may change the yellow, pale, or brown colour of their face and hands into a beautiful whiteness.

Old Women may by an easie way take away the wrinkles of their face and hands; as also, the Corns of their feet, and boil their Linen to such a softness, that it shall come but little short of Silk.

Gardeners by this subject may destroy all Insects, by mixing it with Water, and pouring it into those places where they breed, for they will either die in their holes, or run out to die, because they are not able to abide that fire. It also ripeneth Fruits, if a little of this Menstruum be applied to the roots, at the entrance of the Spring; and if a large quantity of Apples be covered well over with it, they may thence prepare a lasting Wine, Vinegar, or burning Spirit.

Bakers may use it instead of Ferment or Yeast, if they dissolve a few Hops therein.

Brewers may have very strong Ale or Beer by its help, if they extract their Hops with it.

Mead or Metheglin, as also Beer and Canary, which are upon the turn, and growing sowre, may by this be rendered drinkable.

Comb-makers, and other Horn-workers, may by this soften their Horns, so that they may imprint upon them what Images they please.

Keepers of Armories may preserve their polished Arms or Harness safe from Rust, by anointing it over with this subject.

Bird-Catchers may by help of this prepare such a Birdlime as will not be hurt either by Cold or Heat.

Souldiers by means of this may prepare from Gold a fulminating Powder, of which the magnitude of a Pease being put upon a red-hot Iron plate will give a greater clap, than half a pound, yea, a whole pound of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold, only by the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur; as it is described in the second Part of our Furnaces.

Engineers and Makers of Fire-works, may perform many wonderful things by help of this subject.

There may also many new Works, belonging to Weaving and the Smith’s Art, be thence made, which may be communicated to neighbouring Countries, whereby Money may be brought in lieu thereof to a Countrey impoverish’d by War.

If Vine-dressers, or Keepers of Vineyards, pour a little of this subject to the Roots of their Vines, they will have ripe Grapes, and Must, or new Wine sooner than their Neighbours; of which they may make a good advantage.

Nevertheless, Must and Wine also may be ripened after another manner, in the Hogshead, without this Art; so that they who understand the way, may have alwaies good Wine, when others have it sowre. A Secret very profitable to cold Climates, which for the most part produce sowre or tart Wines. It is also agreeable to Countries abounding with Wine, when through a want of the heat of the Sun the Grapes do not ripen well; which may be helped by this Art, so that it may be readily sold.

But because the greater part of men, especially of the meaner sort, cannot be perswaded to things which they have never seen nor heard of, I well know, that if I should in plain words describe the reason and manner of meliorating Wines, scarce one man in a Hundred would believe me, but would rather say, Our fore-Fathers were wise men, and got great Estates by Wine, without the knowledge of this Art, nor did they desire it. If Nature will not ripen our Wines, let them be sowre; yet notwithstanding, if sometimes they will not serve the Master, they may be drank by the Servants.

Men of this sort are incurable, neither are they (being old) easily tamed; and young men take little care how prudently they manage their Affairs. Hence it comes to pass, that Antiquity obtains upon all men. But that the Vine-dresser may see that the present Age is more skilful than the former, I will set before him only one demonstrative Example, by which he may plainly see how much they differ.

Our fore-Fathers knew not how to make any thing of the fæces or dreggs of Wine, but a burning Spirit or Brandy, which being extracted, the remainder they threw away, or sometimes mixed it with the Fodder of Cattel, very rarely dried them in the Sun, and burnt them into Pot-ashes; but by my invention, there may be thence drawn a far greater quantity of burning Spirit, then also a large quantity of Tartar, and at last the Pot-ashes, which is a threefold profit. Which if you manage the matter well, from a Pipe of Lees, you will have at the least seven or eight Urns (which will be about a Fifth part, an Urn being four Gallons) of good Wine, from the residue, you will have the burning Spirit, and Tartar, at the last the clavellated Ashes, the profit being four times as much as heretofore, which thing was altogether unknown to our Ancestors. How many Thousand weight of Tartar is every year thrown away in Franconia, Suevia, Alsatia, the Palatinate, upon the Rhine, Mosell, and Danube, which would be very profitable to those Countries, if the men were Artists.

But what doth it signifie to teach, if there be none to hear or learn: for it is more adviseable to sit still and do nothing, than to be largely imployed to no purpose. But I am perswaded, that after my death, there will be some who will understand my good will to the World, and search out the truth out of my Writings, to their own great profit. There is an opportunity or season for every thing; Trees first bring forth Budds, then follow Blossoms and Leaves, and last of all, Fruit.

There remains yet another thing very profitable to Country-men; the juice of Apples or Pears being pressed out, by the help of this subject, such an Effervescency (or working) is promoted, as Wines may be thence made, having the relish of the natural, and but little inferiour in durability and strength: and although the beating of the Apples be somewhat tedious, (which is now done much quicker by Mills) that labour is recompensed with a good profit, by the Wine arising from the juice; a Secret very necessary for cold Countries, which cannot ripen Wines, and yet abound much in Apples, but by this way may save much in the price of Wines, for which they usually pay dear.

I have indeed many Arts relating to Wines, but they belong not to this place, my purpose here being to treat of those only, which are administred by my Universal Menstruum: Arts (as I think) hitherto known to none, or at least not divulged, that it may be manifest to the Reader what proficiency the World hath made in good things. Whether the matter be credited, or not, signifies little to me, I my self also might have doubted, if I had not learned by experience; but Judgment ought not to be given rashly; we are to know, that God doth wonderfully dispense his benefits to those who are his Servants, and whom he hath appointed to be his Instruments, to bring his wonders to light.

If Husbandmen moisten their seed with this Menstruum, it will sooner be ripe, and have larger, fatter grains than ordinary: Which being done, I will shew by what means they may make great profit of their grain. The grain being whole, not ground, pour to it warm water, impregnated with this Menstruum, in a Hogshead well stopped, let it stand and ferment or work for a time, the water will extract all the strength of the grain, the remaining husks serving to feed Hogs: If you ferment Hops with this Liquor, or extract, it will be good Beer: If you will not do this, you may thence draw a very good spirit, the residue, in a short time, will be Vinegar; and if you be wise, you may put this burning Spirit or Wine to many uses, by which you shall have more profit than by selling it; a Secret not to be despised where grain is cheap. I have yet one thing to add among my Wine-Arts, concerning grain, and the Fruits of Trees and Shrubs, which is to be received with thankfulness, as a great Gift of God to Mankind. Viz. It is found by industry and manifold experience, that from Rye, Wheat, Oats, Rice, Millet, also from Apples, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Plumbs, Sloes, Damascens, Quinces, Figgs; as also from Goose-berries, Mulberries, Barberries, Black-berries, Elder-berries, and other-like Fruits of Trees and Shrubs; from all these, I say, may be prepared, with little labour and cost, a Drink very like to Wine, both in taste, smell, and strength, being grateful, wholesome, and durable. For which large bounty, the Inhabitants of cold Climates (which never see Grapes) cannot render to God sufficient Thanks.

There yet remains a manifold use of this subject in Medicine, which if it were rightly described, would make a great Volume, which belongs not to this place, but shall be done more commodiously at another time in a peculiar Treatise. It were to be wished, that this subject were better known, and more used by ingenious Chymists and Apothecaries, that so many dead Herbs and unprofitable Waters might not be set to sale. What, I pray, would it avail, if the whole Mass of Blood being inflamed with an intolerable heat (as happeneth in the Plague and other contagious Fevers) you should wrap the head with a moistened Rose-Cake, comfort the Temples, Pulses, Hands and Feet with Water? think you by this to drive away the Disease? Not at all, but rather render it worse, as Experience hath often witnessed. But it seems to me as if a vaporary Bath or Cauldron were too hot, and one should go and cover the Furnace all over with cold linen, to temper the heat, a thing to be laughed at; but the wood which causeth the flame being taken out, the Furnace cools of its own accord. By a like reason, the malignant Fire of hot Diseases is in the space of a few hours, drawn out from the most inward Penetrals of the Heart, by four grains (at the most) of a good Medicine, where no place is left for external Coolers, or corroborating Epithems. Which thing I have observed not only in one, but in many Experiments; That the Venom being excluded from the Heart, the Body hath returned to its due temper, and by degrees to health and strength.

To what purpose are so many Ointments, Oils, Emplasters, &c. when a small quantity of a good Medicine is able to effect more than them all? A whole year is often spent in the curing a small Ulcer or Wound, and then left worse than at the beginning, the Bridle (according to the Proverb) being applied to the Horses Tail, and not to the original of the Disease. The Fountains of external Ulcers are to be dried within, and not imprudently to be stopped up with outward Plasters, which otherwise, without any outward Remedy, by a small quantity of a good Medicine, may be radically cured in the space of a few weeks. Therefore such a Medicine is to be sought, and all other trifles to be laid aside: But what dost thou, seeing the World will be deceived, and desireth no other? For if any Physician have a good Medicine, which is much easier for the sick to take, than many ingrateful Potions; this is neither esteemed nor rewarded, for if he require a Fee or Reward, he is answered, That he gave only a few grains of powder, two or three times, which cannot be so dear: Hence chusing a certain thing for an uncertain, he requireth his reward according to his visits, and prescribeth Bottles full of Physick, which may be long in taking, and he have the fitter opportunity to encrease their number.

The same thing hath also obtained in Chirurgery, for if an honest Chirurgeon quickly cureth an outward Evil by the help of a good Medicine, he shall not have a due reward, but shall be told, That he hath only applied two or three Plasters, which can be worth but little. Therefore instead of being paid for a quick Cure, he reaps nothing but ingratitude; so that being better taught, it behoveth him to do like others, by employing a month or more about that Cure, which he could perform in three daies.

For this, and the like causes, very few are treated with good Medicines, but Physicians study delaies, after the old manner, if not in respect of the sick, yet at least for their own profit; for if the sick readily pays his Fees, he, either out of ignorance or voluntary neglect, neglecteth the matter, for which he will have an heavy account to give.

The present World doth only this, he that standeth, let him stand, and he that falleth, let him lie, none regardeth it; every one taketh care of his own matters; nor will he put his hand to the quenching of the fire. That famous Patron of Art, Alexander the Great, who bestowed upon his Philosopher Aristotle more than a Hundred Thousand Crowns a year, for his Inquiries into Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, now ceaseth to be. The most wise Ernestus Duke of Bavaria, and Elector of Cologne, What Expence hath he not been at in collecting the Writings of that incomparable German Physician and Philosopher, Paracelsus, and other such Cherishers and Advancers of Arts, our Germany hath lately brought forth? but Mars (the Sword) asserting his Empire, hath banished Jupiter and Mercury (Justice and Arts) so that they play least in sight; but sure it is, that if they be not quickly restored and advanced to their dignity, it will be to the unspeakable detriment of the Country, and to the great advantage of Strangers; Which God of His Mercy prevent.

And now the benevolent Reader hath seen, what wonderful and incredible things may be performed by the benefit of this subject; yet I will not deny, but that it may also serve for many more things which I know not, being profitable for all orders of men, superiour and inferiour, learned and illiterate, great and small, according to their several Vocations and States. But some men may say, I do indeed believe that many great things may be done by its means; but because thou dost not together and at once shew the way of preparing the Universal Medicine or Tincture by its help; there is therefore reason to doubt whether it be the Universal Secret Menstruum of the ancient Philosophers, to wit, the Hermaphrodite Mercury, so much spoken of by them, every where to be found, a thing contemptible and vile, to be found in every Dunghil, by nature cold and hot, a great Poison, quickly killing and quickly healing, a matter to be found with all men, which the rich and poor equally possess, which Adam brought with him out of Paradise, and many more Epithets of the Ancients, which are all agreeable to that thing. To this I answer, That in my judgment the Ancients had no other Universal Mercury, to which all their marks do perfectly agree, and may be applied. Do not all men know it, seeing and beholding their own Urine, of which it is generated? Is it not a very vile matter, which we keep not in the House, but throw out of doors, according to the Precept of the Philosophers, to be sought in Dung? Is it not a great Poyson when made into Gun-powder or Aqua fortis? and, Have not I shewn that a Universal Medicine may be made of it? Is it not a meer Fire, and also being pure, cold as Ice? and if you will, hath it not equally masculine and feminine gifts? Doth it not so impregnate the imperfect Bodies in the space of a quarter of an hour, that they generate Gold? Is not it self impregnated by the heat of the Fire, that it bringeth forth those Fruits? Is it not highly volatile, and presently firmly fixed? Is it not a Water both moist and dry? a great Corrosive, and yet being rightly prepared, an Enemy to Corrosives? Is it not most heavy and most light? To what thing, except Nitre, doth this Enigma of the Philosophers agree? For, What is blacker than a Crow, whiter than a Swan, more hurtful than a Serpent destroying many, lighter than the Wind, heavier than Gold? Is not this the true devourer of his own Children (the Metals) the Azoth of Philosophers, the Soap of the Wise, the Urine of Boys, Sulphur vive, the Salt of Strangers, the Secret Fire of Philosophers?

Are not all these things in Nitre? But by what method they may be there found, is not my business to shew in this place, let it be sufficient to have pointed out the subject in which they are to be sought and found, which no man before me hath been so kind to do. For further demonstration, to wit, that from Nitre a true Universal Solvent (I would not have you imagine it to be Aqua fortis) may be prepared, there needeth not. But thou maist contradict it if thou canst, or name another subject in which are all those things. Which I know thou canst not do, if thou could’st at once take a view of the whole World.

That I have not written any thing concerning a Tincture to be prepared of it for the Imperfect Metals, (which defect the ancient Philosophers have supplied) thou maist think that I have not proceeded so far, and that I have wanted time and opportunity to make a farther Progress, nor did I ever aspire to so great things, but have contented my self with those of a meaner Rank. But how far I have penetrated by searching into Nitre, may be seen in the Second Part of my Furnaces, where I have prescribed some notable Processes from a gross subject, of which this is not the least, where I shew, that some years before, I would have melted a Calx of Gold, and because it would not melt, I added by intervals a Fluxing Powder, prepared of Salts, till all flowed well, then the Crucible being taken out of the Fire, and the matter poured out, when I expected Gold, instead of that I found Lead, but the Fluxing Powder was very red, (although made of the whitest Salts) being tinged with the Anima of Gold, the Gold being divested of all its dignity. Which thing, when I had considered, believing some Secret to lie in the matter, I several times repeated the labour, but alwaies in vain: the cause of which errour was not the subject, but my self, who had not observed the weights and degree of Fire; or God, who would not that I should make any farther discovery. Truly, if that Labour had succeeded, I should long since have possessed the Stone of Philosophers, who am now forced to sustain my Family by meaner things with labour. But passing by this, see, I pray you, what the most accurate Philippus Paracelsus ascribeth to rude Nitre, when he saith, Chymistry hath discovered the matter to lie in Nitre. Let Basil Valentine, Sendivogius, and the ancient Philosophers, be considered, and you shall see that all their Sayings are accomodated to the operation of this subject, and that I have not attributed too much to it, but rather less than is due. I could, had I a mind so to do, compose all the terms of Philosophers with this subject, but to what purpose so great a prolixity? He that shall once come so far as I am, the Secrets of the Philosophers will be sufficiently manifest to him, and will freely confess, that this is the only true Universal Solvent, and that there is no other. Many have alwaies believed this thing to be prepared of Nitre, but because they were not fully confirmed in their minds, they tried nothing with it, and therefore found nothing. Many men in my time have endeavour’d to fix Nitre into a Tincture, but because they took it crude without a due Preparation and fit Associate, such as it was when they committed it to the Fire, such it remained; but if they had known how to have joined an amicable subject with it, perhaps it might have been more profitable. Basilius commandeth to associate it with a brisk and lively female, from whose embraces the Queen might bring forth issue: All the Philosophers say, that to Mercury is to be added its own weight of Gold and Silver, (but not the common) and that of both is to be made one indissolvable thing; for while the Gold is dissolved by the Mercury, in the same moment the Mercury is coagulated by the Gold, the solution of the Body, and the coagulation of the Mercury, are done both by the same Work. Certain it is, that there is one thing among Minerals, which is conjoined and fixed with our Nitre, and during the fixation, passeth all colours; but I know not the end of the thing, having never performed that labour, and by reason of my great age, think not to repeat it; nor will I be the adviser of any man, that he should search after an uncertain labour with a certain Loss: but if any man in doing this shall miss his hope, let him not blame me for giving him the occasion by this Writing, who have wrote this only for this end, that I might make it manifest, that the name of Universal is not undeservedly assign’d to it: Neither also is there any need, that a thing of so great moment should be made known to an ungrateful World. Any of those things which I have shewn may be done by it, are sufficient for a man to sustain his Family.

Some man may except, and ask, Who hath revealed to thee, that this is the Mercury of Philosophers? I answer, That I know it to be such from the properties, form, and nature assigned to it by the Philosophers, which thou also, if thou hadst Philosophick eyes, wouldst acknowledge to be such, which is wont to hide it self from the proud, and to reveal it self to whom it pleaseth God. If a skilful Gardener should happen into a Garden, where he should see that wonderful Vegetable, Noli me tangere, (which at the first was brought from the East Indies, therefore planted and cherished with great care and admiration in great mens Gardens) of which he had read so many portentous things, viz. That refusing every touch, it would fall to the ground. And although he had never before seen this Herb with his Eyes, would he not certainly apprehend this to be that very Herb? for the Vertues attributed to it argue that it cannot be any other. So he whose eyes it hath pleased God to open, so that he can apprehend all the Properties to be in a subject, which the Philosophers affirm to be in their Universal Mercury, Will he not, acquiescing in that, desist from seeking out another?

Lastly, Sal Nitre is the only growth, generation, and encrease of all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, as also their Destruction, and Regeneration, by a perpetual Circulation of the Elements, by which things being dissolved, do again return into the same from which they arose: For the Nitre of Vegetables in the bodies of Animals, by the intervening digestions and separations, is generated into a Mineral Salt, which none will deny: and Nitre or Salt of the Earth, is Vegetable, Mineral, and Animal, which cannot be said of any other subject, but the Universal Matter. And even as it is the chief Conserver of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, so it is also their Destroyer and Death; therefore by them it is both loved and hated. Vegetables love it, when growing in the Earth, they thence draw their nourishment; for when the Earth is dead, or void of Salt, it affordeth neither nourishment or encrease to feed, Christ himself being witness, when he saith, Ye are the Salt of the Earth: but if the Earth be destitute of Salt (or the Salt hath lost his saltness) it is altogether dead, and can bring forth no Fruit. An ignorant man saith, that Dung maketh the Earth fruitful, but undeservedly, for not the Dung, but the Salt which lies hid in the Dung, doth this, which is generated of Vegetables after their putrefaction, and again transmuted into their seeds and roots which are in the Earth; the same Animals again receive in their food, whereby their bodies are strengthned and preserved from Corruption. For no man is so rude, but he hath learned by experience, that Salt is the Preserver of things both living and dead. But an ignorant man may object, that other things also have a preservative Power, as myrrh, aloes, and other Balsamick Liquors, which preserve Flesh and Fish from putrefaction. To this I answer, That it is not myrrh or aloes, but their salt, which effecteth this. Honey also and sugar preserve things, which are not salts. I answer, That thou understandest not the nature of Salts; those are sweet salts, the other are bitter salts, which by putrefaction are changed into sowre and acid. Also every burning spirit of Wine, and other Vegetables, preserveth other bodies, although they are not in form of salt, nevertheless it is nothing else but the most pure volatile salt of the Wine; mixed with its sulphur, which doth this; for none of the Principles is sincere, and wholly free from the mixture of the rest. Vinegar doth the same thing, and is a meer salt, which if time would permit, I could easily demonstrate. What man’s senses are so dull, that he cannot understand one thing to pass into another, by the mediation of putrefaction, to him even great Volumes would profit nothing. From the sweetest Must (or new Wine) Sugar, Honey, by the help of putrefaction and Fermentation alone, is made an acid Tartar, a strong Vinegar, and a volatile burning Spirit; all these will presently return into a nitrous salt, which few understand, those especially who are believed to know much. Not only Man is delighted with salt, without which he cannot be sound and in health, but also all Animals. Mice, above all, are very greedy of Salt, the which if they find not, they lick the saline efflorescences of Walls, and make a very nitrous Urine. Pigeons also frequent old Walls, which abound with salt. Hens pick out the grains of Oats from Horse-dung, which are full of salt, preferring them to fresh Oats, and thence become more fruitful, in laying more Eggs, the salt concocting the small stones which they swallow, in their Ventricles, is the first matter of Eggshells; but if, being shut up in Pens or Coops, they have not that salt earth, with the small sand or stones, which they usually devour, or their stomachs being weak, doth not digest them, the Eggs they lay afterwards, will be such as we call windy Eggs, having no shells, or such as are very imperfect. Minerals growing in the bowels of the earth (Experience being witness) rejoice in salt, from which they associate to themselves bodies, and make an encrease: In like manner, they love it out of the earth, and by it are ripened and meliorated; amongst which Salts, Nitre, as I have said, is endowed with a singular sympathy towards Metals. On the contrary, Minerals as well as Animals and Vegetables, abhor salt, if they be unduly associated with it, for so they are corrupted and destroyed; for salt being adhibited in a due manner, is the only preserver, augmenter, and perfecter of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, which all the Philosophers confess; amongst whom, Plato ascribeth to salt something divine, to whom succeeding Ages have assented, seeking many things in salt, yea, even the stone of Philosophers it self; but being ignorant what a true salt was, and of the manner of applying and preparing it, they could not make any further progress. Hence any man may easily see why the Ancients called those Secrets by the name of Alchymy, viz. as a certain handling and melting of salt, for which reason also they familiarly used these words; In Fire and Salt consisteth the Magistery: Implying, that by the benefit of fire and salt, a true Medicine was to be prepared, as well for the health of men, as for the perfection of Metals.

If God prolong my Life, and grant me opportunity, I will hereafter, for the good of Mankind, openly declare what Salt and Fire are, that the incredible Vertues of those two bodies, as yet unknown to the World, may be made manifest to all Men. One thing I will add, that the Philosophers pointing out the Universal matter, speak obscurely, when they say, that it is everywhere to be found, that the Poor hath it as well as the Rich, and that no man can live without it, whence many have sought for Air, Rain, Snow in March, May-dew dreaming the universal matter to be in those, and when their labour hath happily ceased, they have obtained somewhat of a nitrous salt. It is certain, that the Stars do impregnate the Air and Clouds with their Catholick seed, which presently falling in form of Rain, Snow, and Dew, render the Earth fruitful and fit for germination, and that they are again drawn upwards by the warmth of the Air, leaving their Nitre in the earth, to be again impregnated by the stars, and again to descend to conciliate the fertility of the earth, lest the earth at any time should labour under a want of this universal seed, but continually applieth it self to the vegetation of things, and preserveth a perpetual Circulation of the Elements. Hence Hermes hath written, that That which is above is as that which is below. Yet nevertheless, we need not seek it among the stars, seeing that it may sufficiently be had, by a far shorter way, at hand, and before our feet. For so much the words of Hermes intimate.

The Words of the Secrets of HERMES.

True it is, and remote from every cloak of a Lye, that whatsoever is below, is like to that which is above; by this the wonderful things of the work, of one thing, are acquired and perfected, even as also things are made of one, by the consideration of one, so all things are made of this one by conjunction. Its Father is the Sun, its Mother the Moon, the Wind carrieth it in its belly, the Earth is its Nurse, the Mother of all perfection. Its power is perfect, if it be changed into Earth; the subtile and thin being separated by the fire from the gross and thick, and indeed prudently with moderation and wisdom; this ascendeth from the Earth unto Heaven, and again descendeth from Heaven to the Earth, and receiveth the power and efficacy of the superiours and inferiours. In this manner thou shalt acquire the glory of the whole World; thou shalt drive away all darkness and blindness, for this is a Fortitude excelling all other power and strength, for it is able to penetrate and subdue all things, as well those which are thick and hard, as those which are subtile. In this manner the World was made, and hence its admirable conjunctions and wonderful effects, seeing that this is the way by which those wonderful things are effected, and for this reason I am called by the name of Hermes Trismegistus, seeing that I have three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole World. So I conclude my Speech which I have made concerning the Solar Work.

These are the words of the most ancient Philosopher Hermes, who for his perfect knowledge of Nature, is deservedly stiled The Father of Philosophers; in which words he hath sufficiently hinted, That his little Bird without wings (which flying day and night is not wearied) is the Spirit and Life of the superiour and inferiour Elements, the Conserver of the superiour and greater, and of the inferiour and lesser World, and that it lies hid in Nitre: For the better understanding of which, let a man throughly consider the Air, in which the Universal Spirit, the first Ens or Being of all things, dwelleth, without which no Animal can live a quarter of an hour, nor any Vegetable or Mineral be produced; neither can the Sun shine, nor the Fire burn. Even as the Excrements of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, by a continual Circulation, are transmuted into Elements, the Elements into Excrements, and those again return into Aliments, by an uncessant renovation and transmutation, which Man only doth not attain.

The Husbandman knoweth that the Leafs, which every year fall from the Trees, afford a new vigour and nourishment, that the Excrements of Cattel produce very good Grass, that the Fæces or Recrements of Minerals, from which a Metal hath been once separated, is in a short time impregnated by the Stars, that being melted, they again yield the same Metal which they had done a little before: and the Scoria of metals are every where returned to their Mines, where in a years time being recruited by the attractive power of the Universal Spirit, they are again impregnated, so that they again by melting afford metal. Doth not the Earth, from which Salt-Petre hath been extracted, being exposed to the Air in the interval of some months, yield other Salt-Petre, and this as often as you will, as if nothing had been extracted from it? Doth not all things which are calcined, viz. Lime made of Stones, Shells, Woods, Herbs, from which the Fire hath forced the Universal Spirit, by a very strong Appetite or Magnetism, draw the Universal Spirit again afresh, and return into a Corporeal Nitre? Is not the heat and vertue of the sun, the excrement or superfluity of the sun, by which it is nourished and sustained? If heat were nothing to the sun, the Air, by its Nitrous Essence, could never render it weighty, nor cause it to distill in fruitful Rains; nor could the Earth bring forth Fruit, and afford fresh nutriment and food to the sun, its conserver: Whence it followeth, that an Excrement is alwaies the conservation and nourishment of that thing which makes or separates it. But here Plato commandeth to rest; at another time (God willing) more shall be spoken. We have heard, that in salt especially in Nitre, although slighted by the unskilful, there are found most potent and profitable vertues, as well for true Medicine, as for Alchymy. Nor is it reasonable that any man should be offended with its cheapness or low esteem; but he may rather think, that that which is despisable before the World, and imaginary Philosophers, is most precious with God, and those who know the mysteries of Nature. Therefore it remains, that in the nature of things there is not a better subject, by which more and greater wonders may be performed, than Sal-Nitre. Therefore, I also constantly affirm, That of it may be prepared the true Mercury of Philosophers: but I will not say, that I know the Preparation of the Stone of Philosophers from it, because I never went so far: But those things which I have delivered concerning it in the correction of metals, and other good Arts, Experience alone hath taught me; in which I acquiesce, and all those things, if the matter should require, and it should conduce to a good end; I should not blush to demonstrate singly through their parts, that it may be laid open to all men, that all these things may be performed, but not by every man; seeing that I have not written for that end, that they should be prostituted to all men, for then I should have wrote more fully, but that they might remain in the power and custody of Friends. It can hardly be believed, what great troubles my Writings have created me, while one accosts me from this place with long Letters, willing me to unfold this or that. Others address me with a great Catalogue of Questions, of which, if I should answer the tenth part, I should scarcely have Bread to eat.

If the LORD see good, he will afford me time and occasion of doing yet better things, but if not, let the Reader accept the will for the deed: Truly, there are many Sciences of great moment in my Possession, by which I could point out a safe path to Posterity, for the attaining of higher things, but because I have alwaies studied to maintain my Family, with my own honest labour, without detriment to my Neighbour, I am (contrary to my genius) prohibited to publish more, being constrained to apply my hands to ancient labours. Some may inferr; If thou hast found out more, act by others, thy hands being suspended from the Work, let it suffice thee to have disposed of thy labours. But he that shall thus say, confesseth himself, not to know the World to be perfidious: If I could have been made partaker of faithful Operators, I should long since have had a free prospect of my affairs.

But it is not at that pass as many believe, men are now perfidious, keeping no promises, every one seeketh his own, right or wrong; Benefits are rewarded with evil, which hath happened to me more than once; when I have adopted one for a faithful fellow-labourer, the contrary hath happened: For as soon as he hath learned any Secret, believing himself to be more learned than me, hath feigned divers excuses to get away, which if he could not effect openly, and with Consent, he hath attempted it privately; or hath carried himself so petulantly, that I should thank GOD to be freed from him. Whence it came to pass, that I alwaies lost my purpose, perceiving the Proverb to be true, He that will have his business well done, must be both master and servant.

But I trust, that in a short time after my death, those who shall, distribute my Laboratory among them, where I have made a stand, will further search out the secrets of Nature, and being lighted by my Torch, will come to the desired end: but it will be much more grateful to me, if my Secrets, which I have found out with great Costs, Labour, and Care, should be known to many, than that they should be intombed with me, without Usury. To which end I will alwaies, according to my power, be a most ready helper and Counsellor, for the sake of Posterity.

THE EXPLICATION OF Miraculum Mundi.

Set forth In Testimony of the truth of that Matter, and for the Advantage of the Lovers and Followers of ARTS.

Reader,

In the first place, before I prove and verifie the powers and vertues of the aforesaid Universal subject, which I have attributed to it, in every point, it will be necessary to make known after what manner the mentioned Salt of the Earth performeth its Operations, that the benevolent Reader may not be confounded, nor imagine that it exerciseth all its Operations in one only manner and way, to wit, crude, as it is of it self; for it doth not so, but it exerteth its power in three manners, forms, or figures, =For Example sake=; Its first Use is in many Businesses and Arts, as it is simply drawn from the Earth, being purified, and is known to all men. It is applied to another use, being first calcined by fire, and changed and exalted into a more fixed substance. Again, for another use, it is first destilled into a volatile Spirit, and =Aqua-fortis=. And so that subject performeth its Operations in Figures, simple, as it is in its self, in form of a Sun; =secondly=, as a fixed fiery Liquor; =thirdly=, in the figure of a volatile spirit, or corrosive =Aqua-fortis=; as shall be demonstrated below, from point to point, in order.

Point I.

In the first place all Fossiles, by the mediation of this Subject, may be perfectly examined, what Metals they properly contain, how many, and how much of each.

For the verifying and demonstrating this first point, I will begin to shew, that Minerals may be most commodiously proved by the Mediation of the Salt of the Earth, and in what manner this is to be done. First, The Mineral is to be finely powdered, whether it be Gold, Silver, Copper, or Lead. To a hundred weight of this, add three or four hundred weight of Calcined or fixed Nitre, [Note, That the small Say weight is here meant] mix all very well together, put the mixture into a very strong Pot, which is to be shut with its Cover, set it upon a small foot in such a melting Furnace, as is described in the fourth part of my Furnaces, kindle the fire by degrees, and let the minera, or Ore flow well with its liquor in the Pot, like water, then pour it out into a Vessel fit for this purpose, suffer it to cool, then take out the Regulus; if it be ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, weigh it in a Probatory Balance, and you shall find how much ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, there is in that Ore. NB. That Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner, for ♂ is not fusible in such a fire, and ♃ is reduced into Scoria by Combustion, by reason of the Salt. NB. That if the Regulus of ☉ or ☽ come not pure, or contain any ♀ or ♄, suffer it to run upon a Test or Cupel, with a little ♄, till it sparkle and shine, and you shall have the Metal fine, which is a proof that may securely be trusted, and according to that a Computation may be made, without any fear of fraud or Sophistication; the Regulus of Copper or Lead, need no other trial, but are judged good. NB. That if the Ore be stubborn, and yields no Regulus in the first melting, let the Pot be again set into the Furnace, (if it be yet whole, putting to the Ore, giving no Regulus, a piece or two of Iron) being covered, least the Coals fall into it, suffer it to flow, then the iron entereth into that untameable Sulphur, existing in the Ore, and hindering it from passing into Regulus, and suffereth the Gold, Silver, Copper, or Lead, contained in that Mineral, to fall down, which is to be poured out into a fit vessel, and the Regulus will settle to the bottom, which being cold is to be separated from the Scoria; but if you will prove whether or no the Gold containeth any Silver, or the Silver any Gold or Copper, or the Lead any Silver or Gold, then suffer the Regulus to flow upon a Cupel, till it sparkle with a Splendour, and afterwards make separation by Aqua fortis, and you shall find how much of every Metal is permixed with the other. There is no need to describe this separation at large, because it is every where known, and now very perspicuously taught by Lazarus Erker, so that it needs no repetition: I have here shewed, and proved, that by the Mediation of Nitre, Minerals may easily and speedily be examined. Therefore, this first Point being now proved and verified, I give thanks to God, who I trust, will further assist me.

Point II.

_The Marchasites of Gold and Silver, being melted by the Mediation of this, by a singular Compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford more Metal than by the common way._

That which is contained in this second point is not the least amongst my Lucriferous Secrets, but one of the best, which I have always reserved most secret within my own Breast. Many Men have often allured me with fair Speeches, to demonstrate it, but hitherto I have not been prevailed with to do it, not out of envy, or that my self alone should have that art at command, but because Faith is hardly any where to be found, it is now reputed an honour to promise many things, and perform few, but a disparagement to keep Promises; for I have often learned to my loss, that when through fair Words, and Promises oftentimes more than I required, I have been perswaded to Communicate this, or that Secret; as soon as it hath been out of my hands, I have found the quite contrary, for instead of a Reward, they have either derided me, or began to quarrel and contend, and in this manner, the Benefits which I have confer’d upon them, have been recompensed with great Impiety.

The Process followeth.

Let there be a Furnace built of good Stone, which is able to endure the Fire, small or great, as you please, or according to the necessity and commodity of your Labour, in the following manner. First build an Arch about a Cubit high from the ground, the which cover and make level above with Iron Plates, or Stone that will hold the Fire, which shall be the foot of the Furnace, the length of which ought to exceed the breadth four times, that is, it ought to be four times as long as broad; by this Arch or foot of the Furnace there is yet another Furnace to be erected, whose bigness within must behalf the breadth of the long Furnace, and about two Cubits high from the wind holes, into which the Wood is to be put, and in that Furnace, on that side which adjoineth to the melting Furnace, is to be a hole, through which the flame of the lighted Wood may strike upon the Hearths of the Furnace; and heat them; above, let there be an Iron Cover, to that end that when the wood is put in, the Furnace may be covered with it, and the flame may be forced to enter by the side into the Melting Furnace, and let the Melting Furnace, the Hearth being now perfect, be divided according to its length, into three Chambers or parts, so that every Chamber be square, that is, as long as broad, and between every Chamber let there be a Wall, with a hole in the lower part, that the flame may pass freely into the second and third Chamber, between which two let there be also the like Partition or Wall, with its hole at bottom, and let the third or last Chamber be close, saving its little door, let it have one only hole, by which the flame may pass out, also on one side of the Furnace, there is to be a hole in every Chamber, by which the Hearths may be discerned, and the Minerals and Metals taken out and put in, but the Chambers are not to exceed a Foot, or a Foot and a half, in heighth; in the upper part of which, let there be a Cover or Cap of good Earth, well luted and accommodated to it in such manner, as whensoever need shall require it may be removed with a pair of Tongues, and put on again. All these things being thus rightly prepared, let a Hearth be made in the first Chamber of good Earth, which can sustain the fire, let the Earth not be too fat, or too lean, but of a middle condition; in the second let there be a Test made of Argill, or Wood Ashes, but in the third Chamber, let there be a Hearth of good Earth, and in the Name of the Lord, let the fire be kindled in the side Furnace, that the Furnace with its Hearths may be throughly dried. Which being done, let the Ore of ☉ or ☽ being rightly prepared, be put into the last Chamber, that it may be made hot by degrees, and burn, but not melt, which may be hindered by the help of the little door, and the fire may be governed at a beck, according as it shall be necessary, and the Mineral requireth, or shall be able to suffer; the Minerals are sometimes to be stirred and turned well about in all parts, with an Iron Hook or Ladle, that they may be well Calcined. In the first Chamber let there be put so much Lead as the Hearth will hold, and when it moveth well, put upon it, spoonful after spoonful, of the Calcined Mineral in the last Chamber, stirring it with the Lead, and turning it with an Iron Ladle, and let it be so long upon it, till the Lead shall have attracted all the Metal, then the Scoriæ are to be taken out with an Iron Ladle fit for this work, and to be kept by themselves; then again, more of the Calcined Mineral is to be put upon the Lead, and so the melting, turning, and taking out of the Scoriæ, is to be continued as long as there is any of the Mineral at hand, or as much as is sufficient for the Hearth; and if during this labour, the Lead should be impregnated with a sufficient quantity of Gold or Silver, by the Mineral, (which may be perceived by taking a little out in a Spoon, and examining it upon a Cupel) then let Nitre be burned upon it, and let it be repeated two or three times, for so the Lead will be purifyed, grow white, and be rendred ductile, and passeth freely in the Test, without waste, which yet would not be if it had not been first depurated by Nitre; the Lead into which the Gold and Silver hath passed, is to be taken from the Hearth with a Ladle, and the Hearth made of Ashes, in the middle Chamber is to be filled with it, and the Bellows to be planted against it, to blow the Coals to the other side, and according to the common manner, the Lead is to be deduced into Salt, and the Cake of Gold or Silver is to be taken out, and afterwards to be throughly depurated in good Tests: And so in that Furnace may be performed three Labours, and more of the Gold and Silver is retained then by any other way, for blowing with Bellows wastes and destroys much of a Metal, and reduceth it by burning into Scoriæ, which the sweet flame of wood doth not do; the Scoriæ being taken out, suffer them to pass through a high Furnace, that if there be yet any Lead among them, it may be saved, to be used again in the former Labours, (to wit for attracting Gold and Silver, in the first Chamber, from the Minerals Calcined in the last) in this manner nothing will be lost, and not only more Gold and Silver obtained, but also without so great a charge of Coals as is used in the ordinary way. You should have always two of those Furnaces, or more (if you have a great quantity of the Mineral) in your Elaboratory, that whilst you work in one, the other may be repaired, and when there is need, furnished with new Hearths.

This is the best and most profitable manner of melting the Ores of Gold, Silver, and Lead, containing in themselves Lune, and this without Coals, and strong blowing, but by the flame of wood only. A. the Foot of the Furnace, B. C. D. the three Chambers, E. F. G. the three little doors of the Chambers, by which the Minerals and Metals are put in and taken out, H. the Cover or Cap of the Furnace, I. the Wind holes, or Registers by which the flame is governed, K. three holes in the Walls, or Partitions of the Chambers, through which the flame passeth, for the heating of the Chambers and Hearths, L. the Furnace on the side, into which is put dry wood, M. the Ash hole, N. its Cover or Stopper, O. the hole in the side, by which the flame is conveyed into the Chambers, P. the Iron Rods, with which the Minerals are turned, whilst they are in torrefying and the Scoriæ are taken away from the Lead, Q. a Spoon or Ladle, by which the torrefied Mineral is put upon the flowing Lead, and the Lead which is impregnated with Gold and Silver, is removed from the first Melting Hearth to the other, R. the Tongs with which the Cakes of Gold and Silver, are taken from the second Hearth, S. the Furnace in which the Cakes of Gold and Silver are perfectly depurated, T. the Tests, V. the Cineritia. NB. That the Works coming from the first Hearth, may also be perfectly finished in the second Chamber, but it is better to do it on Tests fit for this purpose. [The figure of this Furnace is not printed in the Latin Copy, nor to be found among the other Originals.] NB. That what concerns this Point, is of greater moment than many will believe, because in our Country, there are found in many places rich Mines, abounding with Gold and Silver, which nevertheless are not rightly depurated by the common way of Melting, so that they afford so little, that it will not pay the charge of the Coals; and therefore it is yet unknown how much good Metal they contain, but it lies hid in obscurity, which nevertheless might be very well perfected in this manner, with great profit. I know Mines of this sort in various places, which I have found very poor, according to the common way of proving, but according to my Method very rich. What Treasures doth Hungary, Bohemia, Carinthia, Stiria, and Saltsburg posses in their Regions, unknown to them, and yet after an easie manner to be obtained? What Treasures hath Misnia, Thuringia, Brunswick, and Fichtelburgh, hid in them, and do no good? There is no Man of a sound mind, but may easily by labour and observation discern what a great difference there is between the common way of Melting, and mine, if he seriously consider the matter. A Mine of Lead doth not want an exquisite Art of melting, because it is of small price, nor will the loss be great, if some of it be burnt in melting, or remain in the Earth. In like manner the vulgar way of melting Copper, by high Furnaces, and strong blowing, is sufficient. But the Mines of Gold and Silver, are not to be treated so grosly, but after a more subtile and profitable manner, that nothing of them may be lost, but may be of greater use and profit, than hitherto hath been done. For the Mineral of Gold, although it is not in some great Rocky Mountains, yet for the most part, it is found in Flints, and Stones containing Iron, or in any crude Mineral in which ofttimes Antimony, red Sulphur, and Arsenick, is mixed together with the Minera of Gold. As may be seen in Carinthia and its Confines. But how should such a Mine, if melted with Coals after the common manner, yield its fruit without loss; for whether it be torrefied, or not, if it be cast upon Coals, and agitated with the strong blast of Bellows, that which is immature flieth away, carrying with it self that which is good; that which remaineth passeth into Scoria. For although it should be mixed with Lead, the Minera of Lead, or Salt of Lead, yet they would not remain conjoin’d, but the Lead is easily melted, floweth, and leaveth the Ore, which by strong blowing is reduced into Scoria, retaining much gold, which so is lost, as well as the other which flew away in smoak, and at the best but a very little saved, which hath entred the Lead.

NB. But, in my way, it is necessary that the Ore should be broken and subdued, and thereby forced to yield its Gold, if it be well incorporated with the lead, and the volatile is preserved with the fixt; add, that the flame lightly striking or playing upon the matter, destroyeth nothing, and by this way, there is no metal lost. That the thing is so, I will prove by a certain similitude or comparison; make proof in what manner you please, of gold or silver Ore, and observe how much good metal that contains, afterwards prove the same in a great quantity upon Coals, and you shall find much less in that, than in your small proof; when nevertheless the contrary ought to be, because a great fire hath a greater force of acting upon the Ore, than a small one; and this is the only cause, because a great quantity requireth a more violent fire than a small one; which is averse to all crude and volatile Minerals. But by my way, there is found as much, if not more, in a large quantity, as in a small proof. Therefore I will here shew yet by another manner of probation, that by the common and usual way of melting Minerals, all the metal cannot be obtained, and sometimes scarcely half or a third part. To an hundred pounds of the Mineral, reduced into a small powder, add 8, 12, 16, or 18 pound of granulated Lead, or as much as the Mineral shall need, mix the Mineral and the powder of Lead, which with a little Spoon are to be committed to a fiery hot Cupel, placed under a Cineritium or Muffle, give a strong heat, and the Lead will attract all the metal from the Ore, and cast out the Scoria or dross, which will rest upon the moving Lead; which being done, you must have at hand a hot Iron Rod, with which you may move and stir the Scoria every way well, up and down upon the Lead, to the end, that if any good metal should as yet remain in them, the Lead by that moving may lay hold on it, and catch it to it self; afterwards suffer the Scoria for a little while to heat and burn upon the Lead, that it may flow well; then let the heat of the fire somewhat abate, and the Scoria will become thicker and fit to be drawn out with an Iron rod, which is to be broad at the point, round, and sharp, that the Scoria may be every where clean and wholly drawn away from the Cupel, which are diligently to be kept, that nothing be lost, and lest the future essay should be false. This being done, drive the Lead remaining in the Cupel with an indifferent heat, then there will remain the gold or silver, which that hundred pounds of Ore did contain; that grain or portion is to be taken out and reserved. NB. That whilst you are proving the Mineral, you may also impose another Cupel, of the same magnitude and weight, and as much Lead upon it as was mixed with the mineral, without it, suffer it to flow alone by it self. The grain or portion which comes to be obtained from the mineral upon the other Cupel, will be what that mineral did contain. Afterwards the two Cupels are to be weighed apart, and as much as this, in which the Ore was wrought, shall be heavier than that in which only the Lead flowed, so much of Lead or Copper that hundred weight of Ore did contain; and so much gold or silver as the grain or portion remaining in the Cupel weigheth, and so much Scoria or dross as was removed and drawn out with the Iron Rod.

NB. Some man may object, That the Scoria cannot be so accurately and purely removed from the Cupel, but somewhat will be left behind. I answer, That although the removing of the Scoria should not be exactly done, which notwithstanding may be done, if diligence be used, because the Scoria to be removed are not pure Scoria, but as yet contain somewhat of the Lead, which may be easily as heavy, yea, heavier than the Scoria remaining in the Cupel, and which cannot be removed, nevertheless the proof will be just and good. But if by a melting made in a great quantity, you shall find as much ☽ or ☉, ♀ or ♃, (NB. that Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner) as the small proof demonstrated, [I think it should be, if you shall not find &c. and the character ♃ should be ♄.] believe that you have not rightly proceeded, and that that which is lost is gone in fume, or by combustion, into Scoria. Seeing therefore that this proof is of a great weight, and accordingly is to be made by a great melting Work, I will declare that labour more copiously. For example sake, I take two Cupels, accomodated to one and the same form, I weigh them singly, if one be heavier than the other, then with a knife I pare or scrape it a little above or below, so that they may be of equal weight, afterwards I put them side by side conjunctly, or one before, and the other behind, under a Cineritium; when they are duly hot, I put upon one the Mineral, mixed with the granulated Lead, and upon the other, the granulated Lead only; then I suffer them to flow together, seasonably abstracting the Scoria from that where the Mineral is; then I cause both to cease. Now supposing that I have added to the Hundred weight of Ore, 1200 pounds of Lead, and also wrought 1200 pounds of Lead in the other Cupel alone, and each Cupel to have weighed three Lothones, according to the weight of the City, and that I find in that Cupel in which the Mineral was wrought, a portion of Gold or Silver, weighing (according to the probatory weight) nine Lothones, and in the other Cupel, a portion of Silver weighing three Lothones, which the 1200 pounds of Lead yielded: But in regard that I also added to the Mineral 1200 pounds of Lead, which also have yielded three Lothones, which I substract from the nine Lothones, and there remaineth six Lothones of Gold and Silver, which the Hundred weight of Ore hath yielded. NB. If you would know whether the Mineral also containeth Lead and Copper, and how much, then I weigh both the Cupels apart, observing how much that in which the Mineral was wrought is heavier than that in which the Lead was wrought alone, and so much Lead or Copper I may affirm to have been, together with the Gold and Silver, in that Mineral; suppose the Cupel in which the Mineral was wrought to weigh 30 pounds, according to the probatory weight, more than that in which the Lead was agitated alone, then I am sure that there was so much Lead or Copper in that Mineral, together with the gold and silver (for iron and tin do not enter the Cupel, but pass into Scoria, but the ☉ and ☽ remain on the Cupel) and the remaining weight, to wit, seventy pounds, I find all in Scoria, for a little flieth away in fume: in this manner it may be observed what quantity a hundred pounds of the Ore of Lead or Copper containeth of good Metal, and whether it have any gold or silver or not; according to which a computation may be made, whether it will pay the Charge in a great quantity, or not, and what gain may be had from it. This is a most desirable proof, invented for the use of gold and silver, which are necessarily by this way yielded in great quantity; if it happen otherwise, the errour is to be ascribed to the working; for the Mines of copper and lead, this proof doth not succeed in great quantity, although by it may be certainly known how much of either of them is contained in an hundred weight of Ore, for both these metals are easily burnt by the fire, and reduced into Scoria, which happeneth not to gold and silver, if they be rightly handled; only here it is made appear what quantity of Saturn or Venus is contained in an hundred pound- of Ore of Saturn or Venus, which is impossible to extort in great quantity, by the common and known way: for soft and sulphureous metals of this sort lose much, because part is driven away by strong blowing; another part is reduced into Scoria: but by my way nothing is lost thus, and but very little remaineth behind. I know yet another way, and that better too, of perfecting the Minerals of gold, silver, copper, and lead, with a certain compendious profit; but seeing that in my Miraculum Mundi I have made no mention of a Work of this sort, I shall here say nothing of it. I also know a way of extracting from very poor Copper Mines, all the Copper contained in them, without great labour and cost; which Mines are every where in great quantity to be found, but are not sufficient to pay the Charge of melting in the common way; but this my secret way will yield great profit, for scarcely one pound of Copper will remain behind, and be lost in an hundred pounds of Scoria.

Point III.

The volatile and immature Marcasites of =Sol= and =Luna= are fixed in the space of three hours, so that they render a double quantity of Metal, to what they could have done before fixation, =&c.=

This fixation is a singular secret, in perfecting Antimonial and Arsenical Minerals, which are wholly crude, which commonly yield a little Gold: For when Minerals contain much Antimony, Arsenick, or Orpiment, and are torrefied in the common way, then the Arsenick or Orpiment destroyeth much of the Gold, carrying it away in fume; but if they be melted without a foregoing torrefaction, then the blowing forceth away more; if from a Mineral of this sort, the yellow or red Sulphur, Arsenick, or other rapacious substances, be diminished or consumed, by closing it in Earthen Vessels, as many do, then by this means the Mineral is burnt, loseth its flux and ingress into Lead, so that much of the gold is destroyed, and reduced into Scoria; to prevent which, this following way is the best: With one part of the mineral mix half a part of Nitre, let it be kindled with a Coal, and fixed, then the Nitre burneth away the greatest part of the rapacious sulphur, and fixeth the rest, so that there is but little of the Gold lost, and it keepeth its flux and ingress into Lead; if it be put into the foregoing Furnace, and there wrought, it yieldeth all the gold and silver which it containeth, and nothing is lost. Here some may object, and say, That although in this manner, more gold may be obtained; yet the Nitre maketh the work dear, which I indeed confess to be true, if the Nitre be bought at a dear rate, but if by an artificial Culture, it may alwaies be had at hand, it will cost little, and this torrefaction and fixation, may be perfected with great profit.

Point IV.

All Gold and Silver not purely melted from its Marcasite, may be swiftly purged from every Additament, the silver separated from the Gold, by fusion only, with a small labour and cost, but in great weight.

This way of purifying ☉ and ☽ from all addition quickly, and in an easie manner, is a thing most profitable, and an Art highly necessary to be known by those who handle metals; for it is sooner done, than by the way of cupellating or blowing off with Lead, but is dearer, by reason of the Nitre; nevertheless, the labour is easie and pleasant, and it is done in this manner: Let a Crucible of impure gold or silver be placed in such a Furnace as is described and depicted in the Fourth Part of our Furnaces, let it be melted, then cast in some Regulus of Antimony, more or less, according to the greater or lesser impurity of the Gold, and according as it hath more or less need of cleansing for its purification. When all shall flow and be clear in the Crucible, cast into the Crucible upon the metal, at several times, about so much Nitre, as there is of addition to the Gold; let it flow, then the Nitre attracteth the Regulus of Antimony, together with the impurity contained in the Gold, which passeth into Scoria. And this Process doth not serve only for impure Sol and Luna, but also for such Sol and Luna which contain Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin, Chalcitis, Aurichalcum, and other metallick and mineral matters, Tin especially, which is difficult to be separated from Sol and Luna by Lead, without loss. But in this manner it may be quickly and easily done. But that my meaning may be the more rightly understood and the less errour be committed in working, I will here institute the Process clearly, and in express words. Suppose to ℔ j. of gold or silver, there be two lothones of Copper, and three lothones of Tin (a lothone is half an ounce) which I would separate, and if it be done by the known way of blowing off with Lead, there will need at the least thirty or forty lothones of Lead, and nevertheless one part of the Sol or Luna will be lost; but by my way to two lothones of Copper, and three lothones of Tin, adjoin five lothones of Regulus of Antimony, then abstract the Regulus, together with the addition of Copper and Tin, by the mediation of Nitre, which may be done in the Crucible in the space of one hour, which by torrefaction and agitation in the common way, could scarcely have been done in 10 or 12 hours; besides nothing of the Additaments is lost, all remaineth in the Scoria, from which, afterwards, as well the ♃ as the ♀ and Regulus of Antimony may be recovered, to wit, if the Scoria, in which the ♃, ♀, and Regulus of Antimony is, be put into a Crucible, a live Coal cast in, and then the Crucible covered with a tyle, let them flow a quarter of an hour, pour all out, and you shall find in the bottom of the Cone a little Regulus, in which will be the remaining Sol or Luna, which the Scoria did prey upon; let them be depurated on a Cupel, if they be not already pure enough: The Scoria being again melted, cast in a live Coal, suffer all to flow well together, again there will fall another Regulus from the Copper, the ♃ & ♂ remaineth, and neither by Coals nor any other art, can be brought into Regulus; but if these Scoria be driven through a probatory Furnace, then they also yield the Tin again, and that better than it was before. This Process is not only pleasant, artificial, swift and easie, by which gold and silver is quickly and purely separated from all addition, but there is also hidden in it a great mystery: But because I have only proposed to prove those things to be true and natural, of which I have made mention in my Miraculum Mundi, let what I have now said suffice, and what is here desir’d may be found perspicuously and satisfactorily declared in the following Processes.

Point V.

Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of Old Tin or Pewter Vessels, the Tin being preserved almost in the same weight, and being made better than it was before, may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put.

This Process also is very well performed by the mediation of Nitre, viz. in this manner. Let the Tin, in which is ☉ or ☽, be reduced into Ashes, even as Lead is wont to be prepared, for the working of Minerals; and let there be mixed with it as much powder of Nitre, let the mixture be put in a strong Pot which will endure the fire, upon which put subliming Pots, let the mixture be kindled in the lower Pot (which is under the Subliming Pots, and must have a little hole in the side for that purpose) with an Iron Rod, red hot, then the Mass beginneth to burn, and sendeth many Flowers into the Subliming Pots, the Tin and Salt-peter remaining in the Pot, take out, and melt in a Crucible, if there be much Lead, then that falleth together with the ☉ and ☽, to the bottom of the Crucible, but the Tin with the Nitre passeth into Scoria, which if the melted Mass be poured out into a Cone, they are Separated from the Regulus of Lead, and after cooling maybe taken out, which Regulus of Lead, by the addition of other Lead, may again be wrought, and in a strong Crucible be reduced into Scoria with Nitre; then there will remain a little Regulus of Lead, which containeth the ☉ and ☽, which was in the ♃. The first and last Scoria may be reduced by a strong blast in a Probatory Furnace, then the Tin will be again obtained, better, harder, and whiter than it was before; the reason is, because the Nitre hath consumed part of the combustible Sulphur, and also separated the Lead. Although this Process is not done with any great profit, yet nevertheless it shews the possibility; but he that knoweth how to handle the matter, will suffer no loss, for those sublimed Flowers are of greater worth than Salt-peter and Tin, because they may be prepared into a good Medicine; they are also very available in those curious red Colours for Cloth [Scarlet, or Bowdy] exalting them in a wonderful manner, and firmly abiding in the Cloth, shining, and giving it a fiery ground.

Point VI.

_Much Silver may be separated from Bismuth, the Bismuth preserved, a Secret agreeing to those places which abound with that Mineral._

This Secret is not of so little weight as perhaps it will seem to some; for no Man even to this day hath proved this in the matter it self and with effect, yet seeing that it may easily be done, viz. in this manner, melt Chalcitis in a Crucible, and cast upon it successively so much Nitre, until all the Chalcitis shall pass into Scoria, or green Glass, pour out the Mass into a Cone, then the Silver will settle to the bottom in form of a Regulus, which was contained in the Chalcitis, then put the Scoria of the Chalcitis into a Crucible and melt them well for the space of an hour, so all the Chalcites will be revived, rendred Corporeal, and a little will be lost. He therefore that can make the Salt-peter himself, and needs not to buy it at a dear rate, will hence reap great profit, otherwise not; however it proveth that the Salt of the Earth can perform what is here attributed to it.

Point VII.

From old Copper much Silver is separated, the Copper preserved unhurt, by which Artifice Regions abounding with this Metal, may reap no small profit.

That this extraction of Silver from Copper by means of the Salt of the Earth, may be verified, you are to proceed in this manner: Mix with the Copper its own weight of Regulus of Antimony, then melt both together, upon which cast so much Salt-Nitre successively or at times, until it turn the Copper together with the Regulus of Antimony into green Scoria, then make the fire stronger, and cause these Scoria to flow like water, and luit a Regulus, which although it be not sufficiently pure, it may be depurated upon a Cupel with a little Lead, and it yieldeth the Silver which the Copper contained. NB. This process is most true, and will never deceive any Man, but I do not say that he shall obtain Riches by this means, but only prove to be true, what I have ascribed to it in my Miraculum Mundi. NB. But he that knoweth how to fix the Scoria, that is the Copper and Regulus of Antimony with Salt, and to melt them into Artificial Stones, or Enamel, so that nothing be lost, he shall be sure not to undergo the Labour in vain; otherwise he may cast in a live Coal upon the Scoria, from which the Silver is separated, when they are in Flux, and let them flow half an hour, then it leaveth the Regulus of Antimony together with the Copper, which the Nitre hath reduced into Scoria, and afterwards another Regulus, to be applied to use, which if all things be well handled, from both, viz. from the Regulus of Antimony and Copper, (after their Edulcoration) a green colour for Painting may be extracted, and so the Labours will be compensated, and the gain will be so much the greater.

Point VIII.

_Every common Silver may in the space of a few hours be exalted into the nature of Gold._

This Gradation of Silver is performed by the help of a certain Mineral Sulphur, to wit, of ♂ and Antimony, in this manner. Adjoin to ☽ as much Regulus Martis, and again let it be separated from it by Nitre, which labour is performed in the space of an hour, to the remaining Silver adjoin again as much Regulus, which is again to be abstracted; and let this labour be reiterated five, six, eight, or ten times, which may be done in one day, afterwards let the ☽ be dissolved in Aqua-fortis, then the Gold, which the Nitre by the help of the ☽ hath obtained from the Regulus, will remain in the bottom, which is to be edulcorated, and corporify’d with Borax, the Gold will be good in an excellent degree, but the value thereof is scarce enough to pay for the Regulus, and Nitre. But he that knoweth how to make his own Nitre, or can obtain it without price, may reap a considerable profit: Especially if he know how to transferr the detracted Scoria into further use, which is not here sought, but is only proved that ☽ may be exalted into ☉ by the help of Regulus Antimonij Martialis.

Point IX.

_Gold may be separated by fusion from every addition of Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick, or the like, without Cupels, each being kept apart._

This manner of separating of Metals, from one another, and of depurating ☉ without Cupels, is a most pleasing, fair, and profitable secret, by which in the separation of Metals, much time and expence is saved, and no detriment to be feared, which no man, even to this day could effect, my self excepted: You are to proceed in this manner. First, the mixt Metal, whether it consist of few or many, is to be granulated, the grains are to be conjoined with a fourth part of powdered Sulphur, somewhat moistened, and to be set on fire in a Crucible luted according to art, which being done, the cover of the Crucible is to be taken off, and the enkindled Metal to be covered with the fourth part of its weight of Antimony. NB. That if there be much ♂pper], or ♃ in the mixture, then the more Antimony is to be adjoined, that it may draw to it self the imperfect Metals. Therefore when the Mass flows with the Antimony, inject a little well purified Nitre, dried and pulverized, and when it flows well, the Mass is to be poured out into a Cone, and the Regulus, if there be any, to be shaken out, which will contain the greatest part of the ☉ which was in that Mass. NB. If there shall be no Regulus, that is a sign that there was not Nitre enough to suffice the crudity, which is to be remedied thus: Return the Mass into the Crucible, and permit it to flow, which being done, throw in as much filings of Iron, as you judge there is Gold in the Mass, and mix it with the Mass with a red hot Iron, cover the Crucible, and give a melting fire for a quarter of an hour, pour it into a Cone, when it is cold separate the Regulus from the Scoria, which will be about the same weight with the filings of Iron, which you used in the precipitation, purifie the Regulus in a small new Crucible, by the injection of Nitre, if it yieldeth Gold without Silver, then it is a sign there is Gold yet in the Mass, therefore it is necessary to flux the Mass again, and precipitate with Iron, if the Regulus be yet golden, then it is to be depurated apart by Nitre, and to be kept; but if it hath more ☽ than ☉, it is a sign that all the Gold is precipitated, afterwards suffer the Mass to flow again, and inject as much filings of Iron, stirring them well with the Mass, with a red hot iron, permit them to flow well together, then it rendereth as much Regulus of Silver, as there was Iron put in, afterwards also the ♀ will be precipitated, and last of all, the Scoria are again to be fluxed well being mixed with Nitre, that it may appear whether there be yet any Metal in them. The Regulus of ☽ is also depurated in the same manner as the Regulus of ☉: Venus, ♃, and other Additaments, are melted by Bellows, so that nothing is lost. This separation of ☉ and ☽ from the viler Metals, by melting, hath been long sought by many, but found by few. Lazarus Erker, in his Writings hath taught by what means ☉ may be separated from ☽ by fusion, but that separation is unlike to this which I have mentioned, because here it is not only shewed how ☉ may be separated from ☽, but also from other Metals.

Point X.

_Every imperfect Metal, without the mixture of other Metals, may be ripened by this Secret alone in the fire, in an hours space, so that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without profit; an indication that the viler Metals, may by Art be promoted into the Nature of the perfect, to the great profit of Metallurgists._

This is done only by the power and virtue of Salt Nitre, whereby the Metal is penetrated, depurated, and fixed into a more perfect, or exalted in maturity, but cannot be performed with much profit in a great quantity, but it proveth that Nitre hath a virtue of transmuting every imperfect Metal into perfect, which is done in this manner. Let the Metal be laminated into very thin Plates, whether it be ♀, ♄, or ♃, ♂ is indeed corrected by this way, but melteth not in any Crucible, and ☿ also is transmuted into other forms, but not into ☉ or ☽. Make in a Crucible stratum super stratum with Saw-dust, Sulphur, and Nitre, as also with the laminated Metal, of which mention is made in the second part of Furnaces; kindle the mixture at the top, then a great and suddain flaming fire will arise, by which the laminated metal is penetrated, partly fixed, and amended, so that if it be wrought on a Cupel with Lead, it leaveth some ☽ or ☉, which nevertheless before, would have yielded neither, whence it is manifest, that the flame excited by the Nitre hath corrected the Metal. NB. That ☿ is first to be coagulated, and Chalcitis to be pulverized, before they be commixed with the sudden fire of Nitre, and enkindled. In these Labours, although they may be esteemed of small moment, a great Mistery is hidden, which nevertheless will be valued by no man, although it should be discovered in plain and open words, because the process is mean, costeth little, and may be performed in the space of a quarter of an hour.

Point XI.

Metals also grow up in this subject, in the form of Vegetables, before the eye, in the space of two or three hours, to the length of a Finger, or hands breadth, into many branches and twiggs, without Fruit indeed, but is a demonstration that even Metals themselves do germinate in it like Vegetables.

This Point is mentioned only for this end, to shew that Nitre hath a power of making Metals to grow after the manner of Vegetables. Which thing the Liquor of Flints also performeth, of which mention is made in the Second Part of our Furnaces; but the Liquor of fixed Nitre is better; which is prepared by fixing it with powder of Coals and Flints, which is also taught in the Second Part of our Furnaces, so that there is no need here to repeat it. If therefore the metals being prepared in little bits, be put into this liquor, they will grow and encrease after the manner of Herbs, and so quickly, that in a few hours space they will grow to the height of a hands breadth, which is very delightful to the eye, and worthy of a singular meditation, whence so sudden an encrease should proceed. Certainly many things might be written concerning this matter, but because in this place I have promised no more, but to verifie what I have attributed to the salt of the earth in my Miraculum Mundi; let what is said suffice.

Point XII.

There is another augmentation or encrease of the Perfect Metals, very gainful, by the Imperfect, answering to the germination or growth of Vegetables, =&c.=

As for this augmentation, it is done by a way far distant from the foregoing, viz. in this Sol and Luna are joined with Lead, Tin, and Venus, or with Tin alone, where it is to be left for a convenient time, then the Sol attracteth from the Lead or other imperfect metals, a golden Essence, is encreased and made heavier. The Process is this: Take one lothone (or half an ounce) of Gold, eight or ten lothones (which is four or five ounces) of Lead, let them be melted together; if you please, you may add Tin or Copper; put the Crucible, together with the Lead or other imperfect metals, into a strong Crucible, give a temperate and constant Fire, that the Lead with the Gold may only flow, but not be white hot; cast into the Crucible upon it half an ounce of the best Nitre, cover the Crucible well, that no Coals fall in, and keep it in a constant easie fire, then in such a time the Lead, together with the other metals, which were mixed with it, will be turned into Glass, but the Gold being pure, is separated from the Glass by it self, and will adhere to the bottom of the Crucible, which when the Crucible is broken, take out and weigh, and you shall find your Gold encreased, and that it hath taken weight from the other metals. Although this labour affords no profit, yet it sheweth how the nature of metals are to be known. There is yet another way of trying this thing, thus, viz. Take half an ounce of Gold, join with it 5 or 6 ounces of Lead, and drive away the Lead again upon a good Test, till the Gold sparkle and shine, and you shall find your Gold to be made much heavier than it was before, which weight it hath drawn from the Lead only.

Point XIII.

By the mediation of this from all Imperfect Metals and Minerals, yielding nothing in the usual Examen of Cupels, Gold and Silver is produced in a manifold manner, being an Argument that the Imperfect Metals have somewhat of the Perfect reconded in them, when they are inverted, and shew themselves to our sight.

If we would obtain Gold and Silver from the Imperfect Metals, by the help of Nitre, an equal weight of Regulus of Antimony is to be added to them, that they may be rendred frangible, and fit to be pulverized, so that they may be commixed and fixed with Nitre in this manner: Take an ounce, or an ounce and a half of Copper, Lead, Tin, or Chalcitis, melt it with as much Regulus of Antimony; pulverize the mixture, and mix with it its equal weight of the best Nitre, put the mixture into a crucible, kindle it with a live coal, then the mixture will be reduced by the Nitre into Scoria, which must be melted by a very strong fire, in a Wind Furnace, then the Metal will pass into a Regulus, but the Regulus will remain in the Scoria, which by the casting in of a live coal may be precipitated and brought to Regulus again: but weigh the metallick Regulus according to the Hundred weight, and drive it (if it be Lead) upon a Test, then you shall find it to contain gold and silver, which the metal had not before. If the metal be Copper or Chalcitis, a due proportion of Lead is to be added to it, that it may be wrought upon a cupel, then it leaveth gold and silver, which without this Operation it would not have done. This Work may also be effected by another way, viz. Mix ♄ or ♀ with its own weight of Regulus of Antimony, suffer it to flow well with the metal in a melting Furnace, inject successively by a little at a time, so much Nitre as both the Metal and the Regulus did weigh, then let the Regulus and the Metal be fired by the Nitre, that some of the superfluous sulphur may be burnt and the mixture reduced to Scoria, afterwards give a strong fire, that the Scoria may be well melted, then the Metal will be separated from the Regulus, which may be tested, and the correction of the metal, made by the benefit of the Nitre, will be manifest.

As for these 13 Metallick Labours, they are in themselves very good, and profitable to be known by every one handling Metals, some of which, if they be accurately manag’d, and by a skilful Artist, will afford great Gain, and they are all done by the help of the Salt of the Earth. But I will not deny, but that those Labours may also be performed by another way, which needeth no Nitre. But I do not now intend to say any thing of that, but only to prove that all those Secrets and Transmutations may be effectually performed by the contemptible salt of the Earth.

In Mechanicks.

Point I.

_They who Engrave or Etch upon Copper, may of this subject prepare a good corrosive Water, by which (the Copper Plates being first smeared over with a Covering fit to defend them, and what Images or Lines they please, drawn upon them, with a stile or stift) by an easie and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten, which otherwise would require a long time to be engraven._

That a corrosive and graduating Aqua-fortis may be prepared of Nitre by destillation, needs no proof, the way of making it being every where known, as a thing common, only here it is proved, that this shortening of the Engraver’s Work may be performed by the Salt of the Earth.

Point II.

Painters by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most excellent Colours, as =Ultra-Marine=, blue Smalt, fine red or Scarlet =Lacca=, =Venice= Ceruse, and others necessary for their Uses, which otherwise they must have from far, as =Italy=, =Holland=, =France=, &c. and at a dear rate.

That excellent colours for Painting, may be made by the salt of the Earth, I will thus prove: Blue Smalt is otherwise prepared of flowing Sand, Chalcitis, and Potters-ashes: But if instead of those ashes, you take the fixed salt of the Earth, the smalt will not be only rendred more open, loose, and fine, but also purer, by reason the salt of the earth is purer than those ashes. Lacca for the most part is made of Flocks shorn from crimson or scarlet cloth in the dressing, and by a singular lixivium (instead of which Nitre may be taken) the colour is extracted, which is to be precipitated, edulcorated, and dryed upon clean Boards in the sun, or by a stove. Verdigrease and Ceruse are commonly prepared by the help of Vinegar, in Iron Vessels put in Horse-dung; but if the Copper or Lead be dissolved in spirit of Nitre, and the Copper precipitated by a lixivium of salt of Tartar, but the Lead by salt water, then edulcorated and dried, the Copper will exhibit a green colour, which may be used in all Paintings, and will not corrode and destroy other colours, as the common Verdigrease is wont to do: And the Ceruse is rendered more delicate white, and pure than that which is prepared by Vinegar, with which oftentimes much Chalk is mixed to augment it, and is not so conducible to Painting, nor to the shops, as that which is made per se, without any mixture.

Point III.

Engravers and Statuaries may so harden their Tools, that they may hold their points long, if they be to cut stones.

That Iron may be hardened by Cementation with Salts, so that it may serve instead of Steel, is now openly known; but the iron or steel is to be kept in cementation as long as need shall be, not with common salt alone, but mixed with the powder of coals and salt of ashes; then the Iron grows as hard as steel, but steel is rendered harder than it was before.

Point IV.

Embroiderers may put any durable Colour they please upon the Silk with which they work.

It may be known, that Nitre, as being a depurated salt, will easily induce colours, and constantly preserve them, yea, exalt them, which many know, they especially who dye cloth with rich grain colours, as Scarlet, Crimson, &c. when they add the spirit of Nitre in the boiling, to aluminate it, (as the Dyers call it) the colour is wonderfully exalted, and made much more fiery, so that it may be sold dearer than common Crimson or Scarlet. This spirit of Nitre also tingeth Ashes, Nails, or Hoofs, Quills, or Feathers, with a golden colour, but if the Nitre be fixed by calcination, then it also equally exalteth, but not into a red, but a Purple; Dyers use Potters ashes for these Works, but fixed Niter is much purer, and rendereth the Work more beautiful than those impure ashes.

Point V.

_They who Paint Glass, by an easie Work, may thence prepare all Colours or Enamels for Glass, so that there will be no need to have them from =Venice=._

The Painters of Glass sometimes complain, that their fusory Glass or Enamel will not readily flow, and that the Glass which they are to colour is melted first; the Salt of the Earth being fixed, remedieth this, if the colouring Glass be mixed with it in a due proportion, and again melted, for by this means they will be rendered fluxible at pleasure.

Point VI.

They who work in Wax, by the benefit of this, may whiten it exceedingly; and colour it as they please.

That Salts with Water do whiten yellow Wax, being melted thin, and exposed to the Air, and often sprinkled with the Salt Water, is sufficiently known, and wants no proof but not better than salt-Nitre it self.

Point VII.

_Printers also may add this subject to their Ink, which will cause it to adhere very firmly to the Paper, and render the Letters very fair._

That fixed Salts will readily conjoin Ink with Water, is not unknown, and none better than fixed Nitre, which also excelleth all sharp lixiviums, having a power of cleansing Lead, Tin, Copper, or other Vessels.

Point VIII.

_It is convenient for Clock-makers, or Watch-makers, if a Water be destilled from it, which soldereth Iron or Steel, without fire, if a drop of that =Aqua-fortis= be dropped upon it, whence the Iron growing hot, it presently waxeth soft, as if it had been soldered in the fire by the help of Copper._

If an Aqua-fortis be destilled from Niter and calcined Vitriol (NB. that there must be no Water or Phlegm in the Spirit) and two little pieces of Iron be melted with it, (between which there must be little Filings of Iron) then the Iron groweth hot by the Aqua-fortis, which acteth upon it, and the one will be joined to the other by melting, as if it had been done by the fire. But he that will use that water, must know how to prepare it himself, because such is no where to be found to sell.

Point IX.

All Smiths may by it harden their Files, and other Iron Tools, as durable, as if they had been made of the hardest Steel.

Fixed Salts being mixed with ashes and powder of coals or sand, after that they have remained 24 hours in a close Fire, do harden iron like steel; as is proved before in the third point.

Point X.

Pewterers may harden their Tin or Pewter, and give to it an elegant whiteness, so that it will resemble Silver both in colour and sound; neither will it easily tarnish, and by reason of its hardness, will last longer than common Pewter.

If Tin be often melted, and extinguished in a lixivium of fixt Nitre, it is made harder than it was before; but if it be put to Nitre in Flux, and suffered to melt in it; then also it will be more hard. NB. But if the Tin be reduced into Scoria by Nitre, and the Scoria again reduced, it will be rendered harder and fairer, than by the two former ways.

Point XI, XII, XIII.

Cabinet-makers may strike an excellent Black upon Pear-tree, Cherry-tree, Box, Walnut-tree, and other hard Woods, which may be used for curious Works instead of Ebony. Skinners or Furriers may dye their Ermins, Fox-skins, Wolf-skins, and the like Furs, with a scarlet, crimson, or deep black colour, far exceeding the natural. In like manner Feather-dyers may swiftly give any lasting colour to their Plumes.

If an Aqua-fortis be destilled from Nitre and Vitriol, and a little silver dissolved in it, and Rain water poured thereon (for the weakening of the Aqua-fortis) then not only all hard Woods, are blacked by it, so that they represent Ebony, but also skins and feathers are made black as a coal, a ground being first laid upon the feathers, skins, or woods, that the Colours may remain and endure firm. Therefore the 11, 12, and 13 points are thus verified together.

Point XIV.

_Taylors may take out Spots or Stains, out of Woolen, Linen, or silk Garments, and restore their Beauty._

Of fixed Nitre is made a Soap, so subtile and pure, that by it all Spots may be taken out of Garments.

Point XV.

_If Shoemakers put old Iron to this subject, they may therewith adorn their Leather with an excellent Black._

If Nitre be dissolv’d in Vinegar, and old Iron lie some time in it, it will make an Ink with which Hides may be blacked with an excellent Black. But there is no need of Nitre for this use, for if Iron be put to Aqua Calcis, it effecteth the same thing; only mention is made of this in Miraculum Mundi, that it might be manifest, that this Universal Subject may be of use, to all and singular Artificers.

Point XVI.

Weavers may render their Linen Threds so fine and soft, that they will emulate silk.

All Men know that the boiling of Thread in a strong Lixivium renders it soft and delicate, but seeing that fixed Nitre is better than a strong Lixivium, it will also perform this work better than any common Lixivium.

Point XVII.

Dyers by this may give so firm and unchangeable a ground, to their Cloth, that the superinduced Colours shall not be corrupted, or spoiled by any Wine, Vinegar, Urine, Pickles, Air, or Sun.

If the Spirit of Nitre be put into the first boiling with the Alum and Tartar, for the aluminating the Cloths, it will give a permanent ground, as is already proved in the fourth point.

Point XVIII.

Potters may thence prepare a Glassy Colour, not unlike to the =Indian Porcellane=, of which Vessels may be made having the aspect of Gold, Silver, or Copper, a singular Ornament for Noblemens Tables, hitherto unknown to the World.

The Glasing of Earthen Vessels, that they may appear like a natural Metal, is an egregious art, but it doth not always succeed, for the Colours are easily burnt and destroyed by too much heat, so that no Metallick Vitrification can be discerned. Vessels therefore, ought to be glased not in a common Potters Furnace, but in a peculiar Furnace, that the fire may be oftner observed. If the Vitrification be to represent Gold, or Silver, or Copper, then Gold, and Silver, and Copper is also to be taken in this manner: Take one part of Gold and Silver, or Copper, Regulus of Antimony two or four parts, melt the Regulus and the Metal, pulverise them in an Iron Mortar, and mix them with an equal portion of Nitre, suffer the mixture to be fixed in a Crucible, with which mixture the earthen vessel is to be rubbed over or gilded, afterwards to be committed to a Furnace fit for this purpose; if you proceed right, you will obtain a very beautiful Vitrification, as if the Vessel was gilt with Gold, Silver, or Copper, which will not vanish or decay, and will far exceed in beauty and splendour the Vessels which are gilt with those Metals, for those in process of time lose their splendour, but these do not as long as the least bit remains.

Point XIX, and XX.

_Souldiers, Merchants, Travellers, Carriers, Fishermen, and others, who are much in the open Air, may of this prepare a Varnish in which they may dip linen Cloth, which will not permit either Air or Water to pass through it, with which they may defend their Boots or Cloths, so that they may travel dry in the rain. They who make Tapestry, may restore their faint and faded Colours, so that they shall be strong and beautiful._

Here mention is made of a certain mixture in which if Linen Cloth be dipped and dryed will not permit water to pass through, and it is done in this manner. There is nothing wanting in Linseed Oyl, but that the humidity be taken from it, which always hindereth its dying; now to effect that, there is no better way, than to boil the Linseed Oyl gently and gradually with the Flowers of Lapis Calaminaris or Saturn, (which are sublimed by Nitre) so long till the Oyl be tenacious, and groweth hard enough for this use. NB. That a Linen Cloth immersed in this mixture, and shining Talk being finely laid upon it, may be coloured of any colour, which will very strongly adhere to it, and may serve for the making of Tapestry. Therefore in this manner the nineteenth and twentieth Points are confirmed.

Point XXI, and XXII.

Mistresses of Families, may of it prepare fine Soap or Wash:balls, far exceeding the =Venetian=. Houshold Maids, may with it scour their Metalline Vessels, so as to render them neat and beautiful.

That fixed Nitre will wash and purifie Linen cloth beyond all Soap, no Man will deny, who comprehendeth the matter, concerning which thing, the Ancients have written much, and not in vain, calling Nitre the Soap of the wise, but not for the washing of Womens Linen, but for the intrinsecal purifying of the imperfect Metals: Their External Purgation may also be performed by help thereof, so that the twenty second Point is also verified.

Point XXIII.

Women may change the Yellow, Pale, or Brown Colour of their Face, and hands, into a beautiful whiteness.

That an Egregious Cosmetick may be made of Nitre, calcined with white Talk (by which ill coloured skins may be whitened) is not to be doubted. For if Nitre fixed by the Regulus of Antimony alone, performeth that, why should it not yet do it better, if it be conjoined with some white Mineral Talk in the Calcination?

Point XXIV.

Old Women may by an easie way, take away the Wrinkles of their Face and Hands, as also the Corns of their Feet, and boil their Linen to such a softness, that it shall come but little short of Silk.

It is easie to verifie this, to wit if Nitre be fixed with Regulus of Antimony, and set in a moist Cellar to run into an Oyl, which Liquor will be so fiery, that if any hard Skin, or Corn, be often anointed with it, it will so soften it, that it may be cut away with a Pen knife, and afterwards other smooth and soft Skin will grow in its room.

Point XXV.

_Gardeners by this subject may destroy all Insects, by mixing it with water, and pouring it into those places where they breed, for they will either die in their holes, or run out to die, because they are not able to abide that fire. It also ripeneth Fruits, if a little of this Menstruum be applied to their Roots, at the entrance of the Spring; and if a large quantity of Apples be well covered over with it, they may thence prepare a lasting Wine, Vinegar, or burning Spirit._

It is not to be doubted, but that fixed Nitre will kill all Worms in the Earth; I have often tried it with good advantage, and found it true, in this manner: Many years ago, I had a Garden, in which was a Bed of Asparagus, which I covered all over in the Winter with Horse-dung, to defend it from the Frost, which occasioned the breeding of many small Worms like Threads, sticking to the Roots of the Asparagus, so that they could by no means grow or increase, only by reason of the great quantity of Worms, which took away the nutriment of the Vegetable for themselves. And once by chance throwing some fixed Nitre exposed to the Air, and turned into a Liquor, out at a Window into the Garden, it fell upon that place where these Worms were, the fixed Nitre was dissolved by the following Rain, and penetrated the earth; which done, the Worms in great numbers crept out of the earth, because they could not abide that fiery Liquor, the Asparagus grew up in the same place more plentifully and perfectly than before, which moved me also to apply this Liquor in other places; by this means the whole Garden was in a very short time freed from Worms.

Point XXVI.

Bakers may use it in stead of Ferment or Yeast, if they dissolve a few hops therein.

If pure Nitre with flower be throughly moistened with warm water and set in a warm place, then, by its own proper power and virtue, it beginneth to ferment, especially if some fresh Hops be put to the water, by which also other things are promoted to fermentation.

Point XXVII.

_Brewers by its help may have very strong Beer, if they extract their Hops therewith._

In the like manner also warm Beer may be excited to fermentation.

Point XXVIII.

Mead, and Metheglin, as also Beer, and Canary wine, which are upon the turn, and growing sowre, may by this be rendred drinkable.

Any kind of Drink, whether it be Canary, Metheglin, or Beer, which easily sowre in Summer, if you would amend them, to a Tun of the Liquor put about two or three Ounces of fixed Nitre put up in a Linen Rag into the Bung-hole at the top of the Cask, and let it hang down into the Liquor, then in a short time the sowre Liquor will be rendered drinkable.

Point XXIX.

Comb-makers, and others who work in Horn, may by this so soften their Horns, that they may imprint upon them what Images they please.

That every Horn, or Bone may be softened, if it be sufficiently boiled in a Lixivium of Nitre, may easily be apprehended; which thing another strong Lixivium, not so fiery as that of Nitre, will also perform.

Point XXX.

Keepers of Armories may preserve their polished Arms, or Harness free from rust, by anointing them over with this Subject.

It is credible, that fixed Nitre will preserve Iron from Rust, seeing that it is equally contrary to Corrosives, with a simple Aqua-Calcis which performeth the same.

Point XXXI.

Bird-catchers, may by the help of this prepare such a Birdlime, as will not be altered by Cold or Heat.

If a Spirit be distill’d from Nitre, and Lapis Calaminaris dissolved in it, and the Spirit again drawn off, there will remain a thick and heavy Oyl, with which the Glue for Wood being throughly humected and dissolved, it becometh tenacious and viscous, which will not be dried by the heat of the Sun, but keepeth its unctuosity in all Seasons. N.B. That Spirit of Salt, or Vitriol, also performeth the same thing, if any Glue be dissolved therein.

Point XXXII.

Souldiers may by help of this prepare a fulminating powder from Gold, of which the magnitude of a Pea, put upon a red hot Iron Plate, will give a greater Clap, than half a pound, yea a whole pound of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold, by the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur, as it is described in the second part of Furnaces.

As for this point, it needeth no proof; for it is sufficiently known, that of ☉ dissolved in Spirit of Nitre (in which also was dissolved Sal Armoniack) and precipitated with Salt of Tartar (or Spirit of Urine, which is better) then edulcorated and dryed, such a powder will be made, which being put upon an Iron, Copper, or Silver Plate, and enkindled by a light heat, fulminateth more strongly than half a pound of common Gun-powder, concerning which, I have treated at large in other of my Writings.

Point XXXIII.

Engineers, and makers of Fire-works, may perform many wonderful things, by the help of this Subject.

That common Nitre is used in the making of Gun-powder, and other Fire-works, wants no Testimony, being a thing every where known.

Point XXXIV.

Many new Works belonging to the Weavers, and Smiths Art, may be made thence, which may be Communicated to Neighbouring Countries, in lieu of which, money may be brought into a Country impoverished by War.

As for this point, it is most certain, that by the mentioned Subject, various Manufactures may be perfected, which thing let no Man doubt; but there is no need here to particularize; let it suffice that I have verified (by the assistance of God) those things which I have named, and proposed to explain in that place.

Point XXXV.

_If Keepers of Vineyards, pour a little of this Subject to the Roots of their Vines, they will have ripe Grapes, and new Wine sooner than the rest of their Neighbours, of which they may make a good advantage._

Plebeians, Country-men, Gardeners, Vine-dressers, and the like, who are conversant about the propagation of Vegetables; do say, and believe, that Dung causeth Fertility, and the increase of things: But a Philosopher, penetrating farther into Nature, and who is a most diligent Searcher of her Works, attributeth that to the Salt which is hidden in the Dung, and the matter it self is no otherwise, for by digestion in the Stomachs of Men and Bruits, the essential Salt, as well of Animals, as of Vegetables, is transmuted into a Nitrous Salt, which together with the Excrements passeth out by the Belly, and is used by Men for the propogating of Vegetables of all kinds, but another Salt which doth not participate with that, is separated by another way, to wit, by Urine, the greatest part of which Salt is acid, and contrary to the growth of all Vegetables, (although it carrieth along with it some volatile Salt) it destroyeth, mortifieth, and taketh away from them the power of growing, yea, Life it self, if they be often moistened with it; but the Nitrous Salt reconded in Excrements, on the contrary, vivifieth all Vegetables, and maketh them to encrease, grow strong, and bear Fruit, which all men know. Therefore if it be probable that it is not the Dung, but the Salt which is hidden in the Dung, that causeth fertility and encrease, it will be possible, that an encrease by such a Salt may be procured in all Vegetables equally as with Dung it self, and indeed better, for there is Urine also conjoined with the Dung; which if it be not for some time exposed to the Air and the Rain, for the washing away that sharp Salt, the Dung would avail nothing to the fattening of the Earth, which Country-men know, and therefore they do not presently use their fresh Dung, but lay it in the Fields before Winter; Vine-dressers in their Vineyards; and leave it there all the Winter, to that end, that the Rain may wash out that sharp and hurtful Salt; and this being done, then at length they mix it with their Earth; and the event teacheth them that this fattens more than Dung carried fresh out of Stables, and full of Urine. Therefore if I know how to make a Nitrous Salt, which is reconded not only in the Excrements of Men and Brutes, but also in Rainwater and common Earth, I may use this instead of Dung, (being first purged from its contrary acid) one pound of which will perform more than an hundred weight of Dung; yet in the mean time it conduceth to that purpose, if a little Sheeps-dung be dissolved together with the purified Nitre, in Water, with which the Roots of the Trees are to be moistened or Seeds throughly wetted with the same. And this I have proved more than once, and found, that by the help of Nitre well depurated, an encrease is most powerfully and swiftly promoted, yea, more than can be believed. NB. That I would have none understand me, as if common Nitre were to be taken, which is not at all profitable in these matters.

Point XXXVI.

Nevertheless Must and Wine may be ripened after another manner in the Hogshead, without this Art, so that they who understand the way may have alwaies good Wine, when others have it sowre, =&c.=

This is a very fair and profitable Secret in those places, where Wines, by reason of cold, cannot come to maturity, but are forced to remain crude and impotent, which by this Remedy may be brought to maturity in the Hogshead; so that Wine which is eager and sowre, may be made delicate, friendly, generous, and durable. And although I here write nothing but the truth, and what I have often effectually proved, yet I very well know, that but a very few will apprehend or believe it, which matters little to me; I am satisfied, that I have verified what I have written in this point.

Point XXXVII.

There remains yet another thing very profitable to Countrymen. The juice of Apples or Pears being pressed out, by the help of this subject, such an effervescency or working is promoted, as Wine may be thence made, having the relish of the natural, and but little inferiour in durability and strength, =&c.=

In this point mention is made how the juice of Apples, and Pears, may be corrected, that it may be like to Wine, keeping many years uncorrupted: which certainly is a Secret of great moment and profit. Apples, when ripe, of their own accord fall from the Trees, every thing hath its period; what advantage may be made by this Art in those places, where a great quantity of Fruit groweth; whether is it not better to make this use of them, than to leave them to rot and be lost? I will do what lies in me, and not bury my Talent, that I may be rendered excusable before GOD and the World, although that which I teach may not be received, as becometh it to be used. At length, after my Decease, it will be observed, what is hidden in my Writings, but the Phrygians were wise too late. Therefore I again affirm, that all things contained in this point, are purely true, and may be perfectly effected. [See Apology against Farnner.]

Point XXXVIII.

If Husband-men moisten their Seed with this =Menstruum=, it will sooner be ripe, and have larger and fatter Grains than ordinary: which being done, I will shew by what means they may make great profit of their Grain, =&c.=

The 35 Point confirms the truth of this, That Grain will grow the more plenteously, if it shall be humected with the Nitrous Water above-mentioned, before it be sown, but common Nitre is not here to be understood. The other is also consentaneous to Truth, which is written about the most profitable use of Grain, which none need doubt; for as yet more may be done in that than I have here spoken of, for without much labour and cost, by that water, every good and kernelly substance, as I may so speak, of Grain, is extracted, which Extract may be kept for many years, as a Treasure of great moment, of which afterwards, at any time or place, (by the addition of Water of Hops) good Beer may be made, and Vinegar, and burning Spirit; it is also of such a very Nutritive substance, that in case of necessity it may be used instead of Bread, one pound of which will afford more nourishment than two or three pound of Bread made after the common manner. It may also be kept in Garrisons with great commodity: Also it may be used at Sea, by those who sail to the Indies, and trade about in Ships, when they want Bread; of which by the addition of warm water of Hops, may be made very good Beer, at any time of the year, for it is easily and wholly dissolved in warm water. For this reason also it may be most commodiously carried from place to place by Armies in time of War, which in the Field, at any time, Winter or Summer, with the water of Hops, it may be boiled into Beer, and there is no need to carry the water far, because it is to be found in all places; neither are Hops of any great burden; therefore in one only Tun there may be carried of this Extract as much as sufficeth for the brewing of six or eight Tun of Beer; and which is more, by this means, wholesome Beer may be made in the Dog-daies, as well in Camps, as in Cities and Ships, without any fear of impediment or future sowrness; at which time good Beer is not otherwise made, because then it is wont presently to grow sowre; and many other Commodities are procured by this means, all which to declare, would be superfluous. Let what hath been said suffice.

Point XXXIX.

_I have yet one thing to add among my Wine-Arts, concerning Grain, and the Fruits of Trees and Shrubs, which is to be received with Thankfulness, as a great Gift of God to Mankind, =viz.= It is found by industry and manifold experience, that from Rie, Wheat, Oats, Rice, Millet; also from Apples, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Plumbs, Sloes, Damscens, Quinces, Figgs; as also from Goose-berries, Mulberries, Barberries, Black-berries, Elder-berries, and other like Fruits of Trees and Shrubs; from all these, I say, may be prepared with little labour and cost, a Drink very like to Wine, both in taste, smell, and strength, being grateful, wholesome, and durable, =&c.=_

In this point mention is made, That of the Fruit of Trees and other Bushes and Shrubs, a clear Drink may be made, which is also grateful and durable, being like to Wine in taste, colour, and virtue; which thing, although it may seem strange to those who are ignorant of the matter, nevertheless it is most true; so that those things which are contained in this point, may be boldly credited. For what should it profit me to write those things which I am not able to prove, it would only turn to my disgrace and detriment. For this reason I have determined to have such a Laboratory prepared, in which not only the owners of Metallick Mines (if they desire it of me) may learn the manner by me newly invented, for the compendious melting of Minerals, so that they shall yield more Metal, than by the known and common manner; but will also shew other Secrets, that the Magnalia and wonders of God may be made manifest, and We stirred up to give Thanks to the Giver of all Good: Which Elaboratory shall continue open for one whole year, which being past, it shall again be shut up and cease; for I purpose not to render the whole course of my Life obnoxious to those great Labours, but at length to enjoy a quiet tranquility; which thing I am willing that all men should know, that they may spare me with their Letters, which it is impossible for me to answer, much less that I should see the Persons, seeing that the burden of journying is to me altogether insupportable; but whatsoever I may perform at home, I will not refuse. [See for this point Apology against Farnner.]

Here thou hast, benevolent Reader, a fundamental Explication of my Miraculum Mundi, (as for those last points, to wit, 36, 37, 38, and 39, they might indeed have been very commodiously explained here, but because this is done at large, in a peculiar Treatise, entituled, The Prosperity of Germany; there is no need to explain them in this place; therefore what the benevolent Reader finds wanting here, there he shall find it at large, to which I remit him) whereby it will appear to all men, unless to those who are wilfully blind, that I have not ascribed too much to the Salt of the Earth, as a universal subject, but that I have proved to the whole World, that every thing which I have attributed to it, is possible, and plainly agreeable to Truth. But that these Secrets which I have proved, may be performed by the benefit of the Salt of the Earth, may not be done by other waies, and perhaps nearer, I go not about to deny, but do necessarily affirm, that the mentioned Metallicks, as well as the Mechanicks, may be performed after other manners. Only here it is verified, That the Salt of the Earth is deservedly esteemed a universal subject, which no man will deny, nor will be able to refute by Arguments, supported by truth, how wise soever he may seem to himself. Therefore let its vileness offend no man, for the best of things is oftentimes hidden in things of small price. Wherefore all men erre, who attribute good to outward splendor, in which yet it is not, but is only to be sought, found, and obtained in things vile, and of low esteem. =Note this, believe this, otherwise thou wilt never attain to any Good.=

But here some Man may object in this manner: If Nitre be a Universal Menstruum according to my praises of it, it will thence necessarily follow, that the stone of Philosophers should be made by it, of which nevertheless I have here made no mention. To obviate this Objection, I do indeed readily confess, that I have not proceeded in this subject, any further than those things which I have now proved; but without doubt it containeth in it self greater things, than are manifested to me and others. I have made a beginning, I have strowed the way, let others follow me, and prosecute the thing further, if God shall grant it to them; as for me I am content with small things, and do not anxiously, or sollicitously aspire after the highest. Yet in the mean time, this I freely confess, if I were not so old as I am, I should not leave this Matter unessay’d. It is not to be doubted, but many men have sought the Universal stone in Nitre, but what they have found, that themselves know; and of this I am the more assured, because there Matter in the end of the Work taking fire, hath vanished like a Clap of Thunder; hence the ancient Philosophers have performed their work in Winter, lest they should be hurt by Corruscations; it is most true, and void of all errour, that a most noble essence of this sort, obtaining a power of expelling all the Natural Diseases of Mortals, and of transmuting all the imperfect Metals into Gold cannot be prepared from an impure Metal, or Mineral, nor also of Gold it self. Much less of viler and more unlikely things in which Fools are miserably Occupied, prodigally, and unprofitably wasting their Goods; but in my judgment, it should be no other thing than a Concentrated Astral fire, exalted by Art, into the form of a stone, without any other Adventitious matter. For in the nature of things, no purer Essence can be found, than fire, exercising a very great power in all things, especially in Metals: For if we had not fire (I pray consider it) all Arts, and Mechanicks would grow cold, and be involved in the dark silence of Cessation. Arts were invented, and draw their Original from the fire, otherwise how should Metals be got out of their Minerals, and prepared for use? truly they would be of no use at all. Therefore the fire containeth more than can be believed. He that doth not know fire to be a most powerful Element, knoweth nothing, nor without this, can he find out any thing, neither by any just right can he assume the Name of a Philosopher. The fire alone, without the addition of other things, is sufficient to make Metals of stones, and particularly, the best Metals out of the vilest stones, provided we know how to use it; but universally, being concentrated into a stony matter; which last although I have not experienced, nevertheless I have observed, if (by the favour of the Almighty) a man could exalt the fire into a Corporeal fixed substance, he would certainly have a Tincture for men, and the imperfect Metals. But some man may object, by what way is this Crown to be obtained? Truly by no other than by Divine Revelation. For the Secrets of God of this sort, are not so easily to be found out, nor will they be manifested to Impious men, although the whole World is infected with a foolish madness, who doatingly think by force to extort Gold from things in which it is not, and one that hath understanding of the fire and Metals, cannot sufficiently admire those foolish and doltish Labours, which they who are Captivated by the hunger of Gold, undertake for the making the stone of Philosophers; many being willing to ascend the Ladder, are presently sollicitous about the uppermost Round, when notwithstanding they are as yet far from the lowermost step: But this is a matter of a higher and more diligent search. In the fire, I say, are contained Secrets of great moment, yea, insomuch that some Philosophers (among whom Plato is the chief) write that God is most clearly discerned and apprehended in Fire and Salt. Fire, and the Immortal God alone can make light of darkness, which is granted to no Mortal to do; without fire is darkness and death: Without fire nothing can live, nothing groweth or encreaseth.

In sum, Fire is the most Noble, and most Potent Work of God in the whole Universe, he that knoweth how to use it rightly, will have need of no Art. Let the Benevolent Reader also take with him my small judgment concerning the great stone of the wise; let every man believe what he will, and is able to comprehend. Such a work is purely the gift of God, and cannot be learned by the most acute powers of an humane mind, if it be not assisted by the benign help of a Divine Inspiration. And of this I assure my self, that in those last times, God will raise up some, to whom he will open the Cabinet of Natures Secrets, that they shall be able to do wonderful things in the World, to his glory, the which I indeed heartily wish to Posterity, that they may enjoy, and use to the Praise and Honour of God, Amen.

The EPILOGUE.

I doubt not but many Men considering the great good that may be effected by the benefit of Nitre, will be desirous of knowing how they may attain it in great quantity, that so they may not be forced to buy it at a dear rate; which certainly would be a great help not to a few who labour in the fire, and I could wish from my Soul, that all honest and pious Chymists might be able to recover some compensation for the Coals they have consumed without fruit. But seeing that I have made mention of the production or preparation of Nitre, in a peculiar Treatise entituled, The Prosperity of Germany; it is needless here to repeat it. But this I will say by way of prediction, that Nitre, being thoroughly known by my Writings, true Alchymy, or the Transmutation of the imperfect Metals into better, will in a short time be as common, as it was in Egypt long since in the time of the Emperour Dioclesian, who could not overcome or subdue the Egyptians, until he had by many Cruelties extorted their Books from them, which he burnt, and so brought them under the yoke of servitude. NB. That it is no wonder that the Transmutation of Metals should have been so common with the Egyptians only, seeing that Nitre is found in all places of the Land of Egypt, and the famous River Nile is impregnated with Nitre, which only by its overflowing (which it doth twice in a year) so fateneth the whole Country, that it is made very rich and fruitful in all things without dung; for the Nile aboundeth with Nitre, as the Sea doth with common Salt. For at certain times of the overflowing, viz. in the beginning, the inhabitants are wont to dig deep Pits, that they may remain full of the water, which being afterwards dried up by the Sun, Nitre is very Copiously prepared, as common Salt is made in Spain, and other hot Regions. This therefore I was willing to discover for the information of the Reader; if he be wise, and God be propitious to him, he will believe that I have said enough; but if not, an Explication ten times clearer will not help him. Therefore let it suffice, that what is here desired, shall be had in those Treatises which are entituled, The Prosperity of Germany, whereby a man filled with the Love of God, will be greatly delighted.

THE CONTINUATION OF Miraculum Mundi.

In which Nature is clearly laid open to the Eyes of the whole World; demonstrating, that the chief Medicine of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, may be prepared of Salt-petre, and that Salt-petre truly merits the Name of an Universal Menstruum.

The PREFACE, to the READER.

This Treatise, to which I have given the Title of the =Continuation of Miraculum Mundi=, containeth four excellent =Arcanums=, which I doubt not, but will prove very profitable to the publick. The first of these I offer to Country-men, as Husbandmen, Vine-dressers, Gardiners, and all such who are occupied in Tilling and manuring the Earth, that they may learn a new Method of fattening and enriching their Fields and Gardens, without the usual and customary way of dunging, and thence yearly acquire a greater profit.

The Second, I give to all Citizens, Merchants and others who have time and leasure, and abounding in riches, know not by what means to augment or improve their Gold and Silver. Which way I will shew them, and how to effect it after a much better and honester manner than putting it to Usury, or incommoding or oppressing their Neighbours.

The Third, I present to all Conscientious Physicians that they may learn to prepare Salutiferous and Efficacious Medicines with small charge, little labour, and in a short time; that (as becomes Christians) they may help and succour the Miseries of the sick, and acquire to themselves an honest livelihood.

The Fourth, I dedicate to all persons of great Name and Authority, by the benefit of which, they may preserve their Health entire, and recover it when lost.

The Omnipotent God give us his Divine Grace, that we may make such use of his fatherly bounty, as may tend to the promoting of his Honour, and the Love of our Neighbour. =Amen.=

Arcanum I.

Being a Gift given to Husbandmen, keepers of Vineyards, Gardeners, =&c.=

Although I had determined with my self to reserve the Press, mentioned in the first part of The Prosperity of Germany, (by which the juice might be pressed out of great Trees, the searching after which hath wearied many Mens Brains) for the third part of the same work; nevertheless, it seems good to me to describe it in this Treatise for the good of the publick. And that chiefly for this reason, because the Omnipotent God hath now revealed to me other manners of extracting Salt-petre, in plenty, out of all Wood, and that without a Press; and not only from Wood, but also from all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, so that by an easie business, and in a short time, without a Press and putrefaction, Wood, and Salt may be converted into Salt-petre: Yea, in the space of three or four hours, every Vegetable, or Animal, as also Salts of every kind, may be so transmuted, as that they pass into a Fatt, fervid and sulphureous Salt, which afterwards by the benefit of the Air is animated, and converted into Salt-petre. Such a Salt, although it doth not presently conceive flame, and burn like Salt-petre, yet it is now brought to that pass, that in the manuring or dunging of poor and barren ground, it doth the same thing as the dung of any Cattel is wont to effect. Hence by the same Salt every pure Sand destitute of all fatness, is quickly so fatted, that it is rendered fit for the sowing and bringing forth Corn. Few will believe what Salt can perform, when spoiled of its Corrosive force. Therefore Christ saith not in vain to his Disciples, Ye are the Salt of the Earth. That Earth which wanteth Salt is dead; nor can it bring forth Fruit: For this inverted Salt serveth not only for sandy and plainly barren Fields, but also for those which are fruitful, that they may be sowed every year, and bring forth Fruit. Truly it is a great Gift of GOD, of which this ungrateful World is not worthy. It often happens, that a Husbandman, through want of Dung, is forced to let his Fields lie unsown, till he can have an opportunity to sow them; but what a loss is this to those who in the mean time must pay the Magistrates, Taxes, or Duties, for them, and yet make no benefit of them. Were it not better for such to possess only the Third or Fourth part of what they have of such Land as would yield him every year an encrease. Certainly by this means, that Land which otherwise is scarce able to maintain one Country-man, would be sufficient for the keeping of ten, if it were fatened after this manner by an inverted wood or salt. In like manner also Vineyards [and Hopyards] might be so fattened, that the Labour bestowed upon them might not be in vain, but they might abound in Fruits.

So also Fruit-trees, and Meadows, and Pastures, which bear but little Grass, may by the same Salt be so amended, as to bring forth better Fruit and richer Crops of Grass. But let this suffice, concerning those things in this place, more shall follow (God willing) in the Third Part of The Prosperity of Germany. In the mean time the Plenty of Corn and Wine will be in part consumed. But I doubt not but that this excellent Gift of God will be sought into by good Masters of Families, be had in esteem, and even from this time to the World’s end, be put to use for the promoting of the Divine Honour, and the well being of many Thousands of men.

[Sidenote: Vid. Prosp. Germ. p. 3.]

But the manner of expressing of Wood by its proper Fire, and again of coagulating this acid juice, by the benefit of the fixed Salt remaining in the burnt Coals or Ashes, into a Salt fattening of barren ground, or of reducing it into Salt-Petre by the benefit of the Air, is indeed an excellent and singular Artifice, which rendereth all unprofitable Wood highly profitable and beneficial; yea, these are Inventions so profitable, as the like hath been yet published by no man. And this Invention is much better than that of reducing Wood into Pot-ashes, in which all the acid juice passing away in smoak, wholly perisheth, and is lost, and from a great quantity of Wood a very few ashes remain, and out of them there is found but a little Salt (scarcely the Tenth Part) fit for the fattening of ground, or to be turned into Salt-Petre. For it is not the ashes, but the salt contained in them, that serves to both those purposes. Therefore this my method of extracting the juice of wood, and converting it into a good salt, is far to be preferred to the making of Pot-ashes of Wood. Nor doth this press serve only for the pressing out the juice of Wood, where Wood is plenty, but it may be also used with great profit in Moorish places where Wood is wanting, and which abound with Turf, which may be used instead of Wood. For the juice of Turf is equally fit with the juice of Wood for enriching of Land; so that no Country hath cause to complain that the Creator of all things hath not plentifully provided it with some part of that mundane Treasure. Countries that lie high abound with Wood, and the low afford abundance of Turf. Therefore, as in Regions of an higher scituation, an unspeakable quantity of Wood perisheth by putrefaction, and growing, and again rotting, serveth for no use or benefit; so also it is in places lower scituated, with Turf, in which very often vast Tracts yield not the least profit to any man, although in their inward Penetrals are hidden great Treasures. Seeing that it is so in Moorish and Marshy places, if they are overgrown with Grass, and Beasts should be sent to feed upon that Grass, what profit will thence accrue to men? But if they shall be invironed with too much wet or plashiness, (too boggy) so that they are impassible by men, they are of no utility at all.

There are Marshy tracts which are covered over (or swerded only with Moss) which neither afford Turf, or nourishment for Cattel, inasmuch as the growth of Grass, and Turf fit for burning, is hindred, either by too much Sand, or large Moss. And yet those very tracts being pressed by Fire, yield a fertile juice, by which the neighbouring Fields (especially the Sandy) may be rendered fruitful. For those Moors or Marshes contain nothing but that fatness which the Rain-water hath collected from the neighbouring, high, and sandy grounds, and washed down with it self into the Valleys, where it concreteth into Moss; whence of right it should be restored to those barren sandy grounds, to fatten them. And by this means it may be brought to pass, that great fruitfulness may be conferred on much desert and waste Land, which brings no profit at all to Mankind. What I say, is agreeable to the Truth it self, and perhaps in Process of time, will be found most true, and come into use in very many places. But at this time, these things seem to Country-men, meer Dreams, and far exceed the Capacity of their maulted Brains. But as every fat Marsh is able to fatten the adjacent, barren, high, sandy grounds; so the Ocean is the Universal Medicine, and nutriment of all high and barren Regions, through which it passeth, and by the salt contained in it, bestows upon them fruitfulness. [Vid. Nat. Salium.] Whence the incredible Providence of the Divine Goodness manifestly appeareth, for which uncessant Thanks are to be given to the Almighty by all men, for His Fatherly Care, and great benefits never to be forgotten. But how the Sea-salt fatteneth, and maketh fruitful sandy-ground, which is destitute of all fatness, shall afterwards be exactly demonstrated. Here, by the way, in the Description of my Press, for the pressing of wood, I was willing to mention this thing. How much better therefore is this my Art and Invention of preserving the juice, and almost the whole pondus or weight of the wood (the unprofitable Phlegm only excepted) in that transmutation, than the invention of reducing it to Pot-ashes? For any man of Understanding may easily see, That in that open burning of the wood the noble Sulphur is consumed by the Fire, and can be of no benefit. But if the business may be so ordered, that the wood shall burn, and not consume it self in burning, but be converted into a sulphureous Salt, it will be a thing of great moment. He that knoweth how to perform this, hath indeed attained the scope, and arrived to the desired end. Although a Coal be deprived of its juice, nevertheless it retains almost the same quantity that the wood had, whereof it was made. One pound of such Coals being burnt, scarce yields an ounce and an half of ashes, which ashes afford but a third or fourth part of Salt, fit to be changed into Salt-Petre, or to fatten the Earth. Therefore it is no small Art to preserve the Sulphur of the Coals (whose Virtues are great) and to convert it into so noble a Salt.

For the acid juice of wood being pressed out, and reduced to sweetness, will effect far more in the manuring and fattening of Fields, than any one can easily believe. Hereafter, if I shall see it necessary, I shall publish yet more and greater things; but I shall yet for some time suspend the publication of the Third Part of The Prosperity of Germany, till I see how things will prove; being assured that my Writings for time to come will be more grateful, than to this present Age. I will now enter upon the description and use of the Press so often mentioned, for the expressing and again coagulating the juice of Wood.

_Of the Figure, Use, and Utility of the Press, by whose help the Juice is plentifully pressed out of Wood, without great labour, fit for the making of =Salt-Petre=._

The Form or Figure.

First, Let a round Furnace be built with Bricks of the same form with that in the first Figure, noted with the Letter A. It must be like a Glassmaker’s Furnace, large at the bottom, and rising round by degrees to a small point at the top; in the top must be a round hole, opening about a foot broad, by which the Wood may be put into the Furnace. To the hole is to be fitted a Cover or Stopper, made of the same matter, with the Bricks, and burnt as they are, to shut up the hole. On one side of the lower part of the Furnace, is to be a door, by which the Coals may be taken out. On the other side is to be a little hole, to which an earthen Channel or Pipe of about three or four cubits long, is to be fitted, in which the smoak or fume of the wood, forced out by the fire, may be condensed into an acid juice, and may destil into a wooden Vessel or Barrel, which is to be fitted to the Pipe, to receive the destilling acid juice. See the first Figure noted with pag. 13. at the beginning of this Treatise.

A is the Furnace or Oven wherein the Wood is char’d.

B, The Cover of the Furnace.

C, The Door at which the Coals are taken out.

D, The Canes or Pipes wherein the sap or juice of the Wood is condensed, and from thence runs into the Receiver.

E is the Vessel or Receiver into which the Vinegar of Wood runs.

All things being prepared in the manner aforesaid, let the Furnace be filled with wood up to the top, and if the wood be not dry enough, intermix with it, in the putting in from the bottom to the top, some dry Shrubs or Bushes, or small Faggot-sticks, by whose help the wood may be the more easily kindled. After the wood is kindled, and burns well, the hole in the top of the Furnace is to be close shut with its Stopper, that there may be no exit for the smoak, but that it may be forced to descend and seek its passage through the lower hole, by the Channel or Pipe. Therefore when the wood begins to burn, and yet can emit no flame, the heat presseth out all the juice, and forceth it into the pipe, in which, from the smoak, it is changed into an acid Juice or Liquor, which destilleth by the Pipe into the appointed receiving Barrel. All the wood being turned into Coals, and emitting no more fume, the whole Furnace, wheresoever it may admit the air; and also the hole to which the Pipe is fitted, is to be smeared over with wet ashes, that the Coals in the Furnace being suffocated or choaked, may remain entire. The Coals being taken out, may be put to necessary uses, being equal in goodness to other Charcoal which Colliers make in Woods. NB. I would have this understood, of such wood as is of a pretty good thickness, and suffers its self to be reduced into Coals; for if you cast into the Furnace Bushes or small Brushy wood, to press out the juice, you will obtain only a Powder of Coals, which after the juice is pressed out, is to be left in the Furnace open (not smeared over, as we taught above) till it pass into ashes, which is required for the coagulating the expressed juice; as shall appear by and by, when we come to speak of its coagulation. NB. When you have no occasion for Coals, or cannot sell them, it is necessary, that letting the Furnace be open, you suffer them to burn to ashes. If this operation be instituted in a place where there are stones fit to make Lime of, it would be worth the while to fill the Furnace with a layer of Wood, and another of Stones, from the bottom to the top, which Chymists call Stratum super Stratum, and after the juice is pressed out to open the Furnace, that the wood may be turned into ashes, by doing of which at the same time the stones will be calcined, and changed into Lime, which being exposed to the air, (yet so that the Rain cannot come to it) will fall to pieces into a fine powder. To this Powder, being mixed with wood ashes, the acid juice is to be poured, which was pressed out of the wood, that those two contrary natures may mutually work upon each other, and well unite: in which operation the sharp spirit of the wood loseth its Acrimony, and the fixed Salt of the wood and stones is altered, so that from both there proceedeth a contrary middle nature, and a sweeter salt; which being long exposed to the air, draweth from thence a Life, and is transmuted into the best Salt-Petre. NB. This mixture is so to be exposed to the air, that lying under a Covering or Roof, and being open on the sides, it may be defended from the Rain, and nevertheless attract the air. If it shall be dried by the air, it must be moistened again with the Urine of Men or Beasts, that it may never be throughly dry. If these things be rightly performed, you shall have plenty of the best Salt-petre, from this matter, in the space of a year and an half, or two years at the most; which being extracted, purified, and boiled up, shooteth into very pure Crystals. The rest of the matter being again laid in its former place, under the covering or shed, and being ordered in the same manner, as before, will in the space of two years produce new Salt-Petre, which may be extracted and boiled up as before; for that mixture still remaineth good, provided it be moistened with Urine when dry, as was said. NB. He that desireth to acquire Salt-petre sooner, after the conjunction of the acid spirit with the ashes, and the precipitation and mortification of both, from that conjoined matter, by the pouring on of water, he may extract and boil up the Salt, and then dissolve the Salt in Urine, and digest it by Circulatory Vessels; by which means he may obtain the best Salt-petre in the space of one year. This labour of pressing the juice out of Wood, and at the same time of making Stones into Lime, may be used in all those Cities and Places where wood and stones are plenty. But if this operation were to be instituted in a Wood, there would be no need of a Furnace built with stone, seeing that the Pile of Wood might be covered all over with green Turfs, after the same manner which Colliers use in making their Charcoal, only with this difference, that here must be a hole in the side, to which the duct or pipe is to be adjoined. The juice being pressed out, the pile or stack is to be every where well closed, that the Air may have no passage, if you would preserve the Coals. All being cooled, the Coals may be taken out and sold, or put to necessary uses, so that the expressed juice, which being received in no Vessel, would have vanished in smoke, plainly costs nothing; but if you do not desire Coals, let them be burnt into ashes, that they may serve for the coagulating the spirit into salt, and afterwards by the help of the air, in a certain space of time transmute it into good Salt-Petre.

NB. It is here also to be noted, that the expressed juice carries along with it a sharp hot Oyl of a dark reddish colour, which is not to be cast away, but is to be poured upon the Ashes together with the acid Spirit, that putrefying with the Salts, it may with the rest put on the nature of Salt-petre. But he that will may apply the same to other uses; forasmuch as it is profitable for other things. Any Wood exposed to the Rain, or standing in the Water, easily rotting, being anointed with this Oyl, will be preserved, so that it will not so easily rot, seeing that the water cannot adhere to the Wood, but is forced to slide off, or is hindered from penetrating the Wood. Carters, or Waggoners may use the same instead of Grease to their Wheels and Axle-trees, especially when it is a little thickened with Suet or Rosin. But the best use of it that I yet know (if you except Salt-petre) is to dissolve and boil it with a sharp Lixivium made of Lime and Ashes, by which it becometh a very hot and penetrant Soap, procuring fertility; if a poor sandy ground be sprinkled with the same and moistened: For it rendereth it very fruitful; which thing it doth not only in Fields, but also in Trees and Vines, insomuch, that one Tun of it avails more in the fatening of Fields, than ten Cart Loads of Horse-dung or Cow-dung: And a Hogshead, or Tun of this Soap may be carried into Fields and Vineyards, far remote, more easily than ten Loads of Dung, which is carried to Vineyards situate in Rocky places with great labour, and no small charge.

NB. If this Soap be used for the fattening of Vines, too much of it is not to be used at a time, least the Vines grow too fat and luxuriant; therefore its moderate use is required, which needs not that exactness in the dunging of Arable Land: Although in that an excess brings damage, and indeed it is the excess of good things that doth harm. A Tree, or Vine being made too fat by dunging, grows luxuriant, and putteth forth more fruit than it can bear and bring to Maturity. The Wood it self becomes too fat and soft, so that in the Winter it is easily injured by the cold. Whence in all things a Mediocrity ought to be observed. This Black Soap made of the Oyl of Wood, is truly a very great gift of God, in those places where Sand renders the ground barren. Hence the admirable Wisdom of our Creator appeareth, as it were thus speaking to us: Ye rude, and unskilful men, wherefore do you leave this place uncultivated? Because you cannot sow it with any kind of Grain, I will that it shall produce wood, and afford you a matter, with which, if you will, you may render it fat. For it is sufficiently known, that Animals, and Vegetables rotting, dung the earth, and render it fat; which thing even the Rusticks have now learned, that they do the same without putrefying or rotting, when they cut down, and burn the Trees and Bushes, which had grown up in the Fields, during the long time of the War, and spread the Ashes on the ground, by which it is fatned. But that they know not how to save, invert, and use with the Ashes for dunging, the acid Spirit, and hot Oyl, which vanish in the burning, ought to seem strange to none, seeing that no man hath hitherto declared it to them. Nevertheless, I perswade my self that this way of dunging of Land, will come into use, in process of time, but I believe not quickly [here in Germany] by reason of that great quantity of grain which every place affordeth in this time of Peace. But if hereafter, a new War should happen (which God avert) and the Fields should lie many years untilled, through the want of Men, Horses, and other necessaries, then I believe, and not before, this necessary Art will be sought after.

But what other things the said juice of Wood is able to effect, we cannot here declare, by reason of our intended brevity: Yet this I will add, that if this acid Spirit be rectified, it may be used in the preparation of good Medicines, in Mechanick Arts, in the making of many fair Colours, from the extraction of Metals, Minerals, and Stones, and for all things for which common Vinegar is used; yea, far more commodiously, because it much exceedeth the common Wine, and Beer Vinegar in sharpness. And even it self alone is a Medicine which cureth many incurable Diseases; being mixed with warm water, and used in a Bath for washing the Body, is far more efficacious than those Baths which issue out of the Earth; especially in all Scabs, in Members relaxed by the French Palsie, Paralysis Gallica [I suppose he means the Venereal Lues] in Fistulous and stinking Ulcers in the Legs and other parts of the Body. Also in the Gout, Stone, Cramp, Sciatica, Palsie, Diseases of the Womb, and all sorts of sickness otherwise to be cured by the help of Baths, which this Vinegar pressed out of Wood, far exceedeth in Salubrious Vertues.

The same also doth the hot Oyl which is expelled by expression with the Spirit, which exerteth wonderful Virtues in curing those Ulcers and external affects. For which certainly, as a great gift, and to be easily found in all places, none of those who are burdened with grievous Diseases, can render sufficient thanks to the Almighty: But especially the Poor, who have not Money to buy Physick.

NB. Here also it ought to be observed, that those who use the Bath tempered with the juice of Wood, should before they enter into it drink some spoonfuls of this Vinegar. For this Vinegar by penetrating the whole Body, casteth out all things superfluous and noxious to nature by sweat, and openeth all Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Lungs: And especially when the Vinegar is elicited from a Wood, or Herb, which is endowed with peculiar Virtues for the eradicating of those Diseases. As for Example: The acid Spirit of the Vine, Beech, Birch, and the like, taketh away the Obstructions of the Internal Bowels. That of the Oak, and other hard Woods, cureth the Corruption of the Blood, and all Diseases proceeding thence, as the Pox, Leprosie, external Ulcers of all sorts, Scabs, Fistula, and all open Sores. Also all Contractures or Cramps, Falling-sickness, Apoplexy, and Palsie. So the Vinegar of Ash, Cherry-tree, Plumb-tree, Sloe, or Bullace-tree, Medlar-tree, Arbute-tree, and the like Trees, which bear Fruits having Stones or Kernels, cure the Gout, and the Stone of the Reins and Bladder. That of Balsamick Herbs, as St. John’s Wort, Sage, Paul’s Betony, or Fleuellin, Sanicle, Betony, Lung-wort, Liver-wort, Saxifrage, and other like, taketh away the internal Hurts of the Liver and Lungs, and all inward affects arising from Blows, Falls, &c. So efficacious a Medicine is this juice of Wood, that the most costly Galenical Compositions are forced to give it place. In making the Bath one Pound of the acid Spirit is to be added to ten pints of water, and this quantity to be augmented, or diminished, according to the condition of the Patient and the Disease.

Before the use of the Bath, some drops of the Oyl may be adjoined to the spoonfulls of Spirit, which so fortifieth the Spirit, that it more readily penetrateth the body, more forcibly accosteth the Disease, and the sooner expelleth it. In Gouty Pains, and in the stone of the Kidneys, the same Oyl being rubbed upon the part with the Spirit, gives a relief not to be contemned. In brief, this juice of Woods and Herbs, if it be duly prepared and used, is able to shame and confound all the Apothecaries Shops of Galenical Medicines, notwithstanding their proud Furniture of Painted and Gilded Glasses and Boxes.

And I do not doubt but in process of time, that Physicians out of a good Conscience, will explode those unprofitable Coctions, and in their room institute better preparations, that God may have his due praise, and the miseries of the sick receive succour.

For although this acid water doth not contain the Virtues of the whole Herb, nevertheless it is to be reputed and used as an efficacious water of Herbs, in Medicine, seeing that that which is used in the Shops hath very little virtue, as daily experience witnesseth: It being nothing but the pure Phlegm of the Herb, the chief Virtues and Essence of the Herb remaining in the supposed fœces, although the water hath carried along with it something of the Smell and Taste. Look upon any dry Herb, which the heat of the Sun or Air hath deprived of all its Phlegm and Humidity, and see whether it be also deprived of its Smell, Taste, and Efficacy. And although in length of time it will lose all its Taste and Smell, nevertheless its chief Virtues yet lie hid in it. Yea, although its acetum be drawn from it by distillation, that an unskilful man would think that there remained no virtue at all in the remaining black Coals of Wood or Herbs, yet the most efficacious Virtues yet lie hid in the best Sulphur and Salt. And that great Virtue doth yet remain in the Coals, is not unknown to Rusticks, who in the Winter burn them to warm themselves, and boil their food, which thing they could never do by the Phlegm separated by distillation. Those black and contemptible Coals are of so great vertue, that they emulate the powers and properties of the most Noble Creature the Sun, for which cause they merit the name of Terrestrial Suns. For whatsoever the Astral and Sydereal Sun effecteth in the superiour Firmament, the same doth the Terrestrial Suns, viz. Coals, which are its Vicars, also effect. The superiour rendereth all things partakers of Life and Growth, the same doth also the inferiour Suns. In the Winter time when the Sun is far distant from us, all the Vegetables of the Earth are as it were dead: In the Spring upon his return, all things revive, grow, move, increase, and are nourished.

Insects themselves which have hid themselves in Holes and Caverns of the Earth to fly from Cold, and have lain as dead, do again come forth into the light. All which effects are produced by the superiour Sun. The same things also the inferiour Sun can effect. For when Flies, Spiders, and other like Insects in any Parlour or Chamber, to shun the cold, betake themselves to Holes and Chinks, and there lie as it were dead; the first heat they perceive by the making of a fire in that room, recover their former life, and again creep out of their hiding places, as upon the Suns approaching us in the Spring. Yea, if in such a Room made hot, there had been before reposited great Insects, as Frogs, Snakes, Lizards, and the like, as also Herbs killed by the cold, they would revive, recover strength and grow equally as if they had been illustrated by the Rays of the great Elementary Sun. Therefore if this Contemptible Coal, which in the judgment of the unskilful is deprived of all its Juice and Virtue, can perform these things; what a Medicine think you may be prepared by the help of Art of such a Coal?

But some Putatious Physician may here ask; who can prepare any Medicine from so dry and insipid a Coal? It can neither be dissolved by the strongest Corrosive Liquor, nor by the most intense fire, if no air come to it: of which, if the least Portion shall touch it, it presently conceiveth flame, and is consumed, so that nothing of it remains but a few ashes mixt with a little Salt. And those Virtues which refresh all things living, and revive the dead, all perish by Combustion, and vanish in smoak, which could they be taken and preserved, might doubtless afford a Medicine of great moment. To this I answer: wherefore cannot so great an efficacy be preserved, and used for the making of a good Medicine, before that it vanisheth by burning, and flieth into the air? Whatsoever Philosopher is ignorant of the manner of effecting this, truly he is a weak Philosopher, who ought to blush in that he setteth himself before others, and contemneth them who exceed himself in Learning and Science. He that knoweth not how to use any palpable and coagulated matter, before it be consumed by burning, and vanisheth away, by what means will he elicit the same out of its Chaos, and concentrate it? But that the way of freeing this Noble Sulphur from its Bonds and Keepers, is not known to everyone, is no wonder. For it will not come at every call. Of all the Philosophers, there is none who more clearly and openly teacheth by what means it may be delivered from its Bonds, than Sandivogius, who expresly saith, That this Sulphur lies hid and is held Captive in an obscure or dark prison, and kept by very strong keepers. But that Salt only in the conflict or fight, gave him a deadly wound. No Man hath spoken more clearly than this worthy Author. Therefore he that knoweth not how to extricate that Vital virtue from its bonds, and how to use it in Medicine, let him read the above cited Sandivogius, who will clearly instruct him. If he cannot learn of him, there is no reason why any one should labour to help him.

I will propose the matter by a similitude; a Man is compounded of three things, viz. Body, Soul, and Spirit; The Body is visible, immoveable, gross, earthy, and corruptible: The Spirit is invisible, movable, living, and nevertheless mortal; But the Soul of Man, which is his most noble part, is immortal.

In like manner, there is also a certain Anima or Vital Principle in Vegetables and Minerals, although there are few who know how to extract it. Therefore as in Man the Soul is the most noble part; to which the Spirit is inferiour, and the Body the lowest or vilest; so it is also with Vegetables and Minerals. To acquire the Anima or Vital Principle of any Vegetable or Mineral, that fixed and constant Anima is to be separated by the help of Art, from the gross, unprofitable, and dead body. For as long as the gross body adhereth to this noble Principle, so long it cannot move it self in a due manner, nor demonstrate its nobility, but is held Captive by its gross body, till it be set at liberty, by some body who knows how to dissolve its bonds. Being freed from its bonds, and the gross body laid aside, it can presently exert its power. Therefore let this be the principal care of Physicians, that instead of a body dead, and destitute of Virtue, they labour to attain the fixed and living Anima of Vegetables, that using that in the cure of diseases they may perform far greater things than now they do.

I have here inserted this discourse, only for this cause, that I might shew that a whole or intire body is of very little moment, and that that thing whereby any Good is to be effected in Medicine, is to be found only in the most noble part, to wit, the Anima.

And even, as in Minerals, besides a fixed and incombustible Sulphur, there is also found another, combustible and fugacious: so also there is found a twofold Sulphur in Vegetables, in the destilling of which, by a Retort, an Oil is expelled, together with the acid Spirit and Phlegm, which indeed hath its virtues, but can in no wise perform those things which that part remaining in the black Coals is wont to effect. For by how much a Medicine shall be more fixed and constant, by so much the more do they enter and encounter long and fixed diseases; so on the contrary, fugacious medicines are found less efficacious in eradicating the same.

What I have said concerning Vegetables, viz. That there is in them a volatile and fugacious spirit, and a constant fixed Anima; the same is also to be understood of Minerals, which besides a combustible Sulphur, possess also a fixed and constant Anima.

But whosoever knoweth how to conjoin the Anima of Vegetables with the Anima of Minerals, hath obtained a Medicine which is able, after a wonderful manner, to corroborate the Vital Spirit in Man. For the Animæ of Vegetables and Minerals, are the Rays of the Sun coagulated, which necessarily contain a vivifying or enlivening power, seeing that the sun maketh all things partakers of Life.

And a man, if he only beholds the sun, or its Vicar the fire, the earthly sun, although he be in some very deep and cold place under ground, where he cannot feel its warming and enlivening power; yet he shall perceive his Heart to be recreated and strengthened by the bare aspect of it: But how much greater a recreation and corroboration would he perceive, if he should take the Anima of Wine, or of some other Herb conjoined with the Anima of Gold, for the curing of his body, with both which it hath a great familiarity; for like rejoiceth in like, and desireth to be joined to it: And therefore it ought to seem strange to no man, that I assert, the humidum radicale of the humane body may be augmented by the Animæ of Vegetables and of Gold: For the Anima of Vegetables is nothing else but an essential universal salt, which is found in all things.

Seeing therefore that Philosophers confess, that the redness of gold and whiteness of silver may be encreased by its own universal salt, it is reasonable for us to acquiess in the same opinion, and to maintain it against those that erre. A visible and palpable demonstration is to be credited. Nevertheless I easily perswade my self, that this discourse of mine will not be credited by many, which I cannot help. It contenteth me, that I have written the Truth, and lighted a Candle to my Neighbour.

After one and the same manner, of Wood of little or no worth, I have shewed the making of Salt-petre, for Souldiers, Gardeners, Vintners, and Husband-men, fit for the dunging of Orchards, Vineyards, Fields, and Meadows; of commodious Baths, for the Sick; of a good Vinegar for Chymists and Apothecaries, necessary for many extractions. It now remains, that I also offer a Gift to the Owners of Metallick Mines. If they shall humect or moisten the Calx viva, or Lime made of stones, in the Press, as we have taught, with the Acetum or Vinegar of Wood, they shall obtain a cheap Flux, by which those hard and untractable stones digged out of metallick Veins, may easily be melted; for the acid spirit of Wood is fixed by the Lime, and converted into a salt, causing an easie Flux. Nevertheless, this salt will be of greater profit to Husband-men, for the dunging and fattening their Fields (for whose sake I also describe it) than in the melting of Mineral bodies. Physicians may use the noble and efficacious juice of Wood, for the happy cure of many incurable diseases, and to their own honour and profit. This Vinegar of Wood being exposed in Hogsheads to the cold in Winter, that it may be frozen to Ice, the Phlegm only freezeth, but the sharp spirit, with the Oil, is not turned into Ice, but remaineth in the middle of the Hogshead so sharp, that it corrodeth metals like Aqua-fortis. If Princes and Great men would be pleased to take care that the Wood in their Dominions (otherwise rotting in the Woods) might be turned into Salt-Petre, they would do well, and it would not repent them of their labour, seeing there is a time at hand, in which Salt-Petre will be much wanted.

There is yet another secret, which for the sake of Country-men I ought to discover, which will yield them no small profit; which is this: If Hop-poles be burnt at the ends which are to go into the Earth, and those burnt ends dipt in the Oil of Wood, that they may imbibe or suck in that fatness, and afterwards set into the earth, they admit no humidity or moisture, which otherwise they are wont to do, being every year diminished in that part which standeth in the earth. It also cometh to pass, that they communicate their fatness to the vines and stalks of the Hops to which they are joined, and render them more fat and fruitful, by this means affording a twofold profit, first in preserving the Hop-poles from rotting a longer time than they are wont to last. The other is, That the Roots of the Vines and Hops, drawing fatness and nourishment from the bottoms of the poles grow the faster, and are more fruitful. Moreover, those ends of the poles, in length of time growing rotten, yet there is no loss of the Oil, but still the same profit remaineth, seeing that those rotten ends of the poles being taken up and planted again in the earth with the Roots of Hops, they will afford them nourishment for some years, better than if they had been dunged with dung. In like manner, by the help of this Oil of Wood, strong and durable quick-hedges may be made for the fencing in of Vineyards, Orchards, Gardens, and Hop-yards, by which Beasts and Thieves may be kept out. For this purpose the sharp end of the stakes fit for the Hedges, are to be put into the Fire till they grow black, and then whilst they are hot, be dipped into the Oil, that they may well imbibe the same.

With these, being drove into the ground after the usual manner, an Hedge may be made by planting a young shoot or set of Thorn, Crab-tree, &c. all along between the Stakes. Those sets or sprigs, which otherwise, growing but slowly, are many years before they come to a requisite height and thickness, their roots now obtaining fatness and nourishment from this Oil, arrive to maturity in less than half the usual time, and become a thick and strong Quick-hedge before the Stakes are rotten. Moreover, there is no danger of wild Beasts coming into those places where the Hedge stakes are imbrewed with this Oil, seeing that wild Beasts shun all strong odours, and dare not approach them. If you shall imbibe Hempen-Cords, or such as are made of the Bark of Trees twisted together with Grass, with the said Oil, and then bind them about Fruit-trees, it will hinder the creeping up of Spiders, Ants, or Pismires, Palmer or Canker-Worms, and other the like Insects, which are wont to damnifie Fruit; inasmuch as those Insects plainly abhor such hot Oils. By this means also may Rats and Mice be hindered from creeping up Hovel-posts, and devouring the Grain.

There is yet another manner of promoting the dunging of Fields, and the happy growth of Seeds, and not only those Fields which are lean and sandy, to which Cow-dung may be used, but also those which are hard and craggy, in which neither sand nor any dust of Earth is found.

But in making manifest this Artifice to the whole World, my intention is not that the World should thereby be inriched with great profit, as I have endeavoured by describing the manner of Dunging poor Sandy Land, by the acid juice of Wood. My Scope or end is only this, That every man may see and consider how many wonderful things may be effected with wood and shrubs, which are every where found in great quantity, and nevertheless are of no use or profit.

Who would credit any man, affirming, that it might be effected, that not only Grain, but all sorts of Trees, and excellent Vines should grow in any hard and naked Rock, without the addition of any Earth or Dung? Truly, I believe that there is no man in the World, to whom this will seem likely. This will more amaze Farnner, with his whole Crew, than my Miraculum Mundi did. Yet because the thing may be done, I cannot forbear to divulge the Artifice, only to this end, that I may subject the Divine Wonders to the eyes of the blinded World. But yet it cannot be, but that it will be profitable in many places, in those especially which lie near Rivers, and afford Wine; such are those which lie upon the Mœne, Mosell, Necker, Rhine, Danube, and other the like Rivers, where great and craggy Mountains frequently occurr; in which having the heat of the Sun all the day, Vines might be commodiously planted, if Earth and Dung could be carried thither. Certainly Vines grow no where better than in Rocks and Craggs, into whose clefts and cracks they insinuate their roots, that they may thence attract to themselves nourishment, which few other Plants are wont to do: And because for the most part much Wood grows about such Rocks, it would be worth while to press out its juice, by which the hard Rocks might be reduced into a soft Dust, fit for the Reception of Vines, which might be performed by this operation; which nevertheless would not be necessary to undertake, but for the manifesting of the wonders of God to the unskilful, and shewing that such things may be done. If any desireth to plant in a place of this sort, in which Vines or Trees growing freely in rocky and stony places, as Cherry-trees, Plumb-trees, Service-trees, and others, bearing Fruits which have Stones; at the beginning, a little hole is to be cut in the Rock by the help of Masons Tools, which is to be filled with the Vinegar of Wood; which being done, the hole is to be covered to keep off the Rain. After some daies, let him see whether the Vinegar hath insinuated it self into the Rock, and again fill up the hole with fresh Vinegar, and cover it with a Stone, as before. And this Labour is to be repeated in the Summer time so often, till the Rock hath drunk up much Vinegar, and be thereby so softned for the space of an Ell in length, breadth, and depth, that it may be easily dug up with a sharp Instrument, and become a great hole; the matter digged out is again to be cast into the hole, and to be again filled with the Vinegar of Wood, and covered with stones, and so left till all the matter grows so soft, that it may be crumbled to pieces with the fingers. And in the Autumn, when Trees have lost their Leaves, or in the Spring, before the Leaves come forth, viz. in the Month of March, Vines or Trees are to be planted in the matter contained in the hole, and the matter to be trampled close down about their Roots, then all to be wetted by the pouring on of Water, and the event to be committed to God. So the Vines or Trees grow as well as if they had been planted in other manured ground. The reason is this; Because the Rocks consisting not of Sand, but of stones, fit for the making of Lime, do contain much Salt-Petre, as also the acid juice of Wood, partaketh of the same nature, this, by corroding the Rock, dissolveth the Salt-Petre in the stone, and setteth it free, and at the same time loseth its own corrosive Acrimony, so that it cannot hurt the Roots of Vegetables, but is like to Cow-dung or rather better, for it fatteneth and nourisheth the Roots better. Therefore a Tree or Vine planted after this manner in a Rock, if it shall once put forth, afterwards dieth not, but the Roots insinuating themselves into the Clefts of the Rock, seek their own nourishment. Nevertheless every Winter when the Leaves are fallen off, some of that acid juice is to be poured to the Trunk of the Tree or Vine, that during the Winter, it may again soften some Portion of the stone, which will afford new matter of nourishment to the Roots. And by thus affusing of fresh juice every year, there will be no need of Earth or Dung, seeing that the Stone is changed into earth and dung by the juice of the wood.

Although this Arcanum will seem a thing impossible to many, yet it is most true, of which, if any will make trial, he may easily do it in this manner: Let him get a stone which doth not consist of sand, but of such of which Lime is made, which being exposed to the Sun, let him pour upon it the acid Liquor of Wood; which when the stone shall have well imbibed or drank in, let him pour on more, and repeat this labour so often, till the stone be rendered so soft, as it may be rubbed to powder between the fingers. In this matter, rubbed or ground small, let him sow any Seed, which will sprout forth thence, as if it had been sowed in any good earth: The reason we have already declared, viz. because the stone is converted into earth, having its own Salt-Petre, or proper Dung in it self, and moreover, changing the juice of wood into Salt-Petre. He who rightly understandeth and followeth my Doctrine, and shall set about the Work with diligence, will without doubt attain his end. But if he tries with a Sandy stone, he will effect nothing. For stones of this sort want a nourishing Salt, and they wholly refuse solution by the Liquor of Wood, so far are they from imbibing, coagulating, and changing it into a Dungy Salt. But after the following manner any one may prove, that natural Salt-Petre may be made of the stones of which Lime is made, and the juice of Wood. Let him take some pieces of this sort of Lime-stone, not yet burnt (for when burnt, it is much more facile, as I have taught) and immerge or dip them all over in the Vinegar of Wood, and dry them in the heat of the Sun, or some other warm place, and let him repeat this labour so often until they be so soft that they may be rubbed or ground to pieces like Earth. From this ground matter extract the Salt with Rain-water, which will be plainly like to Salt-Petre. So of the Stone is made Earth; of the Salt of that Stone, and the Vinegar of Wood, Salt-Petre; or a salt equally Serving with the Dung of Cows or Sheep, for the dunging of all Vegetables.

Nevertheless we have not written these things to that end, as if it were necessary to plant Rocks with Vines, by the help of the Vinegar of Wood. Our purpose is only to set forth how the great efficacy of the juice of Wood may be known, and how by its help, fertility may be procured even to the hardest Rocks, which being hitherto unknown and unheard of, my diligent search and enquiry hath now brought to light. Let it not seem absurd to any, that I ascribe so great power to the Vinegar of Wood; for common Vinegar doth the same thing in softening of hard Rocks: Why then should not this acid juice of Wood do it, which far exceeds the common in strength and sharpness? It is said, that Hannibal made a passage through the Alps, for himself and his Army, softening the Rocks by the benefit of Vinegar; what Vinegar that was, Histories do not mention. Perhaps it was the Vinegar of Wine; but if he had had the Vinegar of Wood, he might sooner have attained his desire.

This Arcanum, without doubt, will give occasion of finding out many other profitable things, by the help of this Vinegar. I have opened the way, let another come, who by searching further may enlarge it, that thereby some perfection may the sooner be acquired. There are many things lie hidden in Nature, which through our sloth and negligence not being sought after, yield no profit to Mankind. But I doubt not but time will produce sedulous men, who will make a further progress in this Vinegar, so that much profit may redound from it.

There is found another kind of stones, which for the most part is used for the building of Houses, which being soft, is easily cut, so that steps or stairs, and Window-frames are made of it. It is to be reduced by the help of Fire into a Calx of a white, ashy, and reddish colour; it also refuseth to be melted; nor is it like to Sandy stones, but is Partaker of both natures, and contains much Salt-Petre. But neither by its reduction into a Calx, nor by the pouring on of water, can it be extorted from them, except it be first prepared after a singular manner, for then it yields to water; concerning which thing I have written a peculiar Treatise, which God willing shall shortly come forth. There are whole Mountains of this sort of stone, containing a great Treasure of Salt-Petre, which hath hitherto been known to none.

These few things I was willing to offer to Country-men, concerning the pressing of wood, and the utility thereof. The Circulatory Vessels in which the juice of the wood, and all the salts of the Air are animated by an uncessant motion, and converted into Salt-Petre, I will not divulge at this time, but reserve them for my self and my Friends. [These are described in the Third Part of =The Prosperity of= Germany.]

In the mean time this excellent Art will not sleep, but will be exercised in many places. Now whosoever shall need the same, he will know what is to be done. For I have determined to bestow the same for the good of my Neighbour, lest it should be buried with me in oblivion.

I have also an Artificial Invention (which is taught in The Prosperity of Germany) of turning common salt in the space of a few hours, so that it shall be plainly like Salt-Petre, for the enriching of poor, lean fields; and yet an hundred weight of it will scarce cost a Doller (which is about 4 s. 6 d.) Which is indeed a singular Gift of God in these last times, which will be highly profitable both to the Rich and Poor, in all places of the World. For if the Culture of Wine and Corn shall every where become better, and more profitable, by the help of this Art, it cannot be, but that all men will receive profit, and obtain a more commodious way of living.

For by this Art, not only all Fields, whether they have lately brought forth Fruit, or whether they have lain fallow, and for some time brought forth nothing, are brought to that condition, that they may bear Fruit every year: but also barren places, which would never bring forth any Fruit, are rendered fertile, and fit to bear Fruit; so that no place can be found in the world, how barren soever it be, which by this medium may not be rendered fertile. Moreover, this Art is to be greatly esteemed, because by it ground may be fattened in those places where no Cattel are found, and therefore afford no dung; seeing that hitherto no other than the ordinary way of dunging hath been known.

So also in places far remote from the Dwellings of men, to which Dung cannot be carried, this Art may be exercised with great profit; especially when Dung is difficult to be procured, or costs dear, and is not carried to those remote places without great charge, for which reason they cannot be tilled, but are forced to lie uncultivated.

Seeing that one Hogshead of my fattening Salt can effect more than some Cart-loads of common Dung. Nevertheless this is to be noted, That when any Field dunged with the said salt, is to be sowed with Corn, the seed is first to be macerated or steeped for one night in water, in which that salt is dissolved. For being so prepared, it will grow faster than if it had been committed to the Earth, without any foregoing maceration.

Consider, when the Souldiers have taken away the Horses and Carts, carried away the Oxen, devoured the Cows and Sheep, and wasted the whole Country, by what means shall the wasted Fields be dunged and restored to the Husband-man, that returning to their former fruitfulness, he may reap from them the expected Fruit.

Indeed, in time of Peace, when Horses and Oxen abound both for the ploughing of the ground, and making of Dung, Dung is alwaies of worth, there never being too much of it, and therefore this my Invention may bring not a little profit. Whence it may be of a far greater advantage in those places, where (by the Divine permission) those Locusts have eaten up all things. Ought we not then to receive so excellent a Gift of God with all Thankfulness?

The Omnipotent GOD give to us all His Grace, that we may shun all temporal and carnal Security, as the deceitful snare of the Devil, and seek after that which is eternal, constant, and perpetual. Amen.

Arcanum II.

Being a Gift presented to rich Merchants, =&c.= that they may improve their Money and Estates without Usury.

Although I had determined to treat of this Arcanum, with other excellent uses of Salt-Petre in the emendation of Metals, in the Third Part of The Prosperity of Germany; yet for certain reasons I have deferred the publishing of that Book for some time; but considering my profitable Inventions of making Salt-Petre, and not doubting but that there will be found men who will put Salt-Petre to better uses than that of making Gun-powder, I could not forbear here to describe one good and profitable use of the said salt in the emendation of Metals, which is free for any boldly to experience, seeing that I have written the very Truth. He that shall follow the sence of my words, and hath some skill in metallick Labours, will not lose his pains, but will thence reap no contemptible profit. But if any man would perswade himself that such a work is to be done without labour and trouble, and great Masses of Gold to be obtained with idleness, he will be greatly deceived, not considering that this requires his putting his hand to the plough, and using great diligence.

I have described the following Operation openly and clearly; affirming, that it will succeed to the Operator, according to my description. If any shall erre in the performance, let him blame himself and his own ignorance, and not me. For in this process all things are plain, and to be understood according to the Letter, and may also be performed by an easie imitation.

The manner of the Operation.

R. of Copper one part, of Gold or Silver two parts, and of Regulus Martis three parts, all which melt together in a good and well-covered Crucible, taking great heed that no Coals fall into the Crucible and corrupt the Work. All being melted, and the cover taken off, yet warily that no Coals fall into the Crucible, cast in as much Salt-Petre, well dried and powdered, as there is of Copper and Regulus in the Crucible, to the melted matter, and again cover the Crucible, with the same caution about the Coals, which so put about the Crucible, that they may not lie upon its Cover, but it may be at liberty, to be commodiously lifted up with the Tongs for the inspecting the Mass in the Crucible. For if the Fire should be too great, the Salt-Petre would boil over the Crucible, and inferr loss. And this may easily happen, seeing that the Salt-Petre entring and working upon the Regulus and Copper, swelleth and riseth up. Wherefore it is necessary, that this Work should be done in such a Furnace, as I have described in the Fourth Part of my Furnaces, having its doors, by which the Fire may be governed, and rendered stronger or weaker.

After that the Salt-Petre hath imbibed the Regulus and Copper, and turned them into a reddish Scoria, which is wont to be done in the space of a quarter or half an hour, the lower door being opened, the upper one must be shut, that the Fire becoming stronger, may melt the Scoria, till they flow like water; which when you see, by lifting up the Cover a little, remove the Coals about the upper part of the Crucible, and take off the Cover, and having taken good hold of the Crucible with your Tongs, lift it out of the Furnace, and pour out the melted matter into a melting Cup or Cone, [Such a one is described by its Figure in the Fourth Part of Furnaces.] being first heat, and well smeared within with Wax; in the bottom of which, when cold, there will be a Regulus of pure Gold, which being freed from the Scoria, will be so much encreased in weight, as it hath attracted from the Copper and Regulus Martis, which will be the fiftieth part of the weight of the Gold.

The red Scoria, which have a fiery taste upon the Tongue, contain the Salt-Petre, Copper, and Regulus reduced into a Scoria; which if you would separate from the Salt-petre, as soon as you have parted it from the Regulus, put it again into the Crucible in the Furnace, put a Coal to it in the Crucible, which being well covered, let it again flow well for a quarter of an hour. In this Operation, the Coal or Coals put to the Metals, viz. the Copper and Regulus of Antimony, will separate them by precipitation from the Salt-Petre, so that they will become a Regulus together, and the fixed Salt-Petre will be separated, and rest upon the Regulus, from which being cooled, it may be removed by knocking it off. If the operation be rightly performed, you will recover almost all the Regulus and Copper: but little also of the Salt-Petre is lost, which hath now put on another nature, becomes fixt, and answereth in virtue to the salt of Tartar. NB. Because those Scoria cannot be so perfectly removed from the Salt-Petre by the Coals, but it still retaineth somewhat of the Copper and Regulus, which the Coals could not precipitate; they may be kept in some warm place, lest they be dissolved by the air, till you have a quantity of them; which being reduced by burning Coals, may yield their Metal. Of which more shall be said anon.

* * * * *

This Labour, although it squares not with the capacity of the rude and unskilful, nevertheless it is easie to be done by those who have any knowledge in the melting of Metals. But all the manners of operating cannot be so accurately delivered, that every unskilful man should presently be rendered capable of understanding them; I write the Truth openly, and he that well understandeth me, may rejoice with profit. I write not to unskilful Tyro’s, but only to those who know how to handle Metals in the Fire. It may be here asked, Whether this augmentation of the Gold, ariseth from the Copper, or from the Regulus of Antimony? I answer, from both, but more from the Copper than from the Regulus. For there is no Copper or Antimony found, from which Gold is not elicited after the aforesaid manner, seeing that there is in both an invisible and spiritual Gold, nevertheless one containeth more than another; and being melted with Gold, give it forth to the same, which also attracteth it. Therefore as often as Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, and Salt-petre shall be melted together with Gold, so often will the Gold receive an encrease; so that this Labour being repeated eight or ten times every day, there will be an augmentation of the Gold not to be contemned, for besides all the Cost, it will afford the daily Gain of one Floren out of an hundred. (A Floren is 2 s. in =Germany=, about two and twenty pence value in our Money.) This is certainly a profit to those who will put their Money to Usury, much more honourable and safe than their trusting it in the hands of others.

But seeing that this Labour is to be performed in Crucibles, (and that too in large ones, if the gain aforesaid be expected) it doth not want its trouble and difficulties; for if a man will use great Crucibles, he can hardly perform the Operation above three or four times in a day; and if he use small ones, although it be ten or eleven times repeated in a day, yet the profit will be very small. I will therefore here appoint a way to do it without Crucibles, upon Hearths instead of Crucibles, which neither let out the melted matter by running over, or by their cracking or breaking, as Crucibles are wont to do, but alwaies remaining in the Oven or Furnace, save the trouble of putting in and taking out of the Fire. For Crucibles, how good soever they be, being exposed to the cold Air, by taking out, and thence being suddenly again put into a great heat, are very easily broken. From whence it is manifest, that great danger of losing some of the Gold attends the use of great Crucibles, so that their use is to be abstained from, altho’ the Work it self be of great profit. But good strong Hearths may be used for this Labour, without all danger; for as long as they are left in the Furnace, so long they are good, and the melted Mass doth not flow out. If I had not found out this way of working with Hearths, I should not have divulged this operation, which is as followeth.

The manner of preparing the Hearths or Tests.

An Iron Ring or Hoop is to be made, either square or round, of the thickness of one finger, and four fingers high (or deep) one side being a little narrower or lesser in compass than the other; being well smoothed or polished on its inside, having two ears or handles, whose magnitude and space will be known by the quantity of the matter which is to be daily handled. To prepare the Focus or Hearth, place your Ring or Hoop upon some smooth stone, and then put into it, so standing, your Earth, being first rightly prepared, (for this purpose our =Stafford-shire Clay= is excellent, as also for making of Crucibles to abide the Fire) so that it may a little exceed the upper superficies of your Hoop, force it down strongly with a broad Iron Hammer, by beating or knocking it in, and what riseth above the top of the Hoop, cut off with a Knife, that it may be even with the Ring; then remove it with the Ring, and strew upon the stone some fine sand, or rather the fine powder of broken Crucibles, upon which set the Ring, with the bottom upwards, that the other side, which before lay upon the stone, may be wrought in with the Hammer, as the first, so that the Ring or Mould may be exactly filled with the Earth. The Focus or Hearth being prepared in this manner, the larger side thereof is to be so excavated or hollowed away by a bowed or crooked Knife, having two handles, so that the rotundity declining from the Superfices of the Ring, even to its middle, where inclining it self, it may keep the thickness almost of a finger at the top or superficities of the Ring, and so it will become like a Vessel or Pan, having a round or spherical Cavity, such Hearths or Tests are wont to be prepared of Ashes, for the bringing of Gold and Silver to a purity in Metallick Mines, Mints, &c. at length that hollowed roundness is every where to be smoothed with a smooth and round Hammer or Mallet, and after the smoothing, the whole Test being inverted with the Hoop, is to be set upon a Board, without stirring it; if the inside of the Hoop or Ring were before besmeared well with Oil, it will the easier come off of the Test, which being exposed to the Air, and dried a little, is then to be set in the heat of the Sun or warm Furnace, that all the humidity being taken away, it may obtain its requisite dryness, before it be put into the Furnace to endure the Fire; for except it be very well dried, it will crack or chap in the Furnace, and be wholly unprofitable for this Work.

The Test being taken out of the Ring, and set by, the inside of the Ring is again to be anointed with Oil or Grease, for the making of another Test, of which so many are to be made as need requires, or the quantity of the prepared Earth will allow. The earth that was left in the hollowing of the first being mixed with the rest, whilst it is yet moist, serveth again, so that there is no waste or loss of the Earth. The same earth also serves for the making of the Covers or arched Roofs with which the Tests are to be covered, to keep the Coals from falling into the melted matter. NB. There is no need of having two Hammers, seeing that one sufficeth, having one end of a hands breadth, and smooth, and the other end round.

The way of making the Covers of the Tests, which are called =Muffles=.

First, a Type or Mold is to be made of Wood, answering to the bigness of the Test, but not with one Handle, as those are made for the purifying of silver, but with two oblong Necks, and without Chaps or Chinks, which otherwise are wont to happen, that so the Cover may remain entire. Then to this wooden Mould the Earth is to be applied, and the Cover to be wrought in the usual manner.

Of the Figure of the Furnace.

The Furnace is so to be built, that it may have within-side the space of an hands breadth all round the Test from its Walls, for Coals, the Test standing in the middle; so that the magnitude of the Furnace is to be proportionable to that of the Test, and may be either round or square, provided it be built with good Bricks, or fit Stones, and Lute, or Earth rightly prepared. There ought to be at least a span between the bottom and the grate, which also ought not to be fastened to the Furnace, but standing upon four Feet, that it may be taken in and out by the foreside of the Furnace (when need requires) being alwaies open. Let the Furnace rise above the Grate the heighth of a span, being every way close, having no door. Upon this heighth of a span a hole is to be left of an hands breadth and heighth, by which the Test may be inspected, and the mixed Metals put in and taken out, and the Fire may have its passage. NB. But if the Test should be above a span over, which would also cause the Furnace to be the greater; then that hole being too little, would not allow a sufficient passage for the Fire; therefore the hole is to bear a due proportion to them. From this hole, nourishing the Fire by its ventilation, the Furnace is yet to be carried up the heighth of two spans, to its upper hole or top, where the Coals are to be put in. Moreover, an Iron Cover is to be made with hollow Superficies, with Iron Buttons, or little Knobs infixed, by which the Lute being put on, may stick fast; the Convex or upper part of the Cover must have a Handle, by which it may be lifted up when the Coals are to be put in, and afterwards put down again to shut the Furnace. See the Figure of this Furnace, in all its parts, at the beginning of this =Continuation of Miraculum Mundi=, noted at the top with Pag. 62.

A, The Furnace, as it is working.

B, The lower part of the Furnace open.

C, The upper part of the same.

D, The Grate.

E, The Hearth or Test.

F, The Muffle that belongs to the Hearth.

G, _The Cover of the Furnace, with which it is to be covered when the Coals are in and at work_.

H, The Vent for the Smoak.

When you will work with the Furnace, first put in the Grate, and upon it the foot or prop made of firm Lute, and upon it the prepared Test, and upon the Test its Cover or Muffle, the foremost neck of which ought to come close to the hole on the foreside of the Furnace, and the hindmost neck to touch the back of the same. The foot also which supports the Test, ought to touch the fore-part of the Furnace, that the space between the Test and the Wall of the Furnace, may be well stopt or closed. Also, if the neck of the Cover or Muffle doth not fit close enough to the foremost Wall, the joints are to be well closed with Lute mixed with Hair, that the Fire may have no passage by them, but may pass through the hindmost neck of the said Cover, and under the Cover it self into the Test, and thence out of the foremost neck. If the Fire shall have any other passage by the foremost neck, the heat will not be Sufficient to melt the Metal. Therefore the chief Artifice concerning this thing, is the building of the Furnace in due form and proportion. An Iron door is to be fitted to the Furnace under the Grate, for the governing the Fire, by which it may be encreased or diminished, as need shall require. And the other hole in the superiour and fore-part of the Furnace, by which the Metals are put in and taken out of the Test, is also to have a door, that necessity requiring, the fire may be governed, and if too great, it may be restrained. To this also a little Chimney or Funnel is to be fitted, which may receive and carry away the noxious fumes of the Metals and Coals, that they may not hurt the Operator. All these things being rightly prepared, the Furnace being well dried, is to be filled with Coals, and to be covered with its Cover, a lighted Coal or two being put next the Grate, the doors are to be shut, that the Fire may kindle by degrees, by which the danger of breaking the Test, and its Cover, the Muffle, by a sudden heat, may be avoided. The Furnace, Test, and Muffle, being all red hot, the Metals (viz. the Gold which is to be augmented, and the Copper and Regulus of Antimony, from which the augmentation is expected) are to be put upon the Test with an Iron Ladle, the great door below, and the little one above, are to be opened, that the Fire growing more powerful, may forthwith melt the Metals on the Test, which being rightly melted, a little dry Salt-petre in powder is to be cast in upon them with an Iron Ladle, which will presently change a portion of the melted matter into a Scoria: When it flows no longer, but ceaseth from operating on the Metals, lying upon them like Dross, a little more Salt-petre is to be cast upon the melted Metals, which will again change part of them into Scoria. This Injection of Salt-Petre is to be continued so long, until the Scoria shall be no longer hard, but remain liquid like Water, which is a sign that the Salt-petre hath abstracted the Copper and Regulus of Antimony from the Gold, and its operation to be finished. And so much Regulus of Antimony and Copper is not to be put upon the Test, [I believe the word not is an errour of the Printer, in the Copy, and ought to be left out] that it, when a due portion of Salt-Petre shall be added, may be full to the brim, and the Coals not be burnt out in vain, in the empty Test, which is well to be noted. The fluid Scoria of the Salt-Petre, Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, are so long to be kept in Flux upon the Gold, as you think the Test can suffer it; for by how much the longer the Gold shall remain in its Flux, under these Scoria, so much the more of spiritual Gold it will attract from them, and render it corporeal; and the Gain will be so much the greater. Nevertheless, for the greater certainty sake, after the Scoria have lain ten or twelve hours in Flux upon the Gold, they may be taken out of the Test, to see whether the Test be yet strong enough to sustain them longer in flux, because in a continual flux they are wont to attenuate and perforate the Test with holes, especially if they were not prepared of good Earth, which is able to endure the Fire. Therefore, if you find the test yet strong and thick, and not perforated with holes, you may again add the Scoria to the Gold lying in the test, and keep them so long in flux, as you think the test will hold good. When the Scoria condense themselves, and flow with difficulty, a little fresh Salt-petre is to be added, by which being reduced to a thinner flux, they may give nourishment and encrease to the Gold, which in this operation hath the place of a seed, as the Copper and Regulus of Antimony supply the place of the earth, by affording aliment and augmentation to the Gold; the Salt-petre is in the stead of Rain, which moisteneth the Earth, and rendereth it fruitful; therefore by how much the longer the Gold lieth and groweth in this Earth, so much the more encrease it obtaineth. After the test is no longer fit to bear the fire, or you would leave working, open the lower door of the Furnace, and take off the Cover from the top, that the heat of the fire may be diverted from the test, and the Scoria grow thick, and the Gold under them hard, draw out the Scoria by degrees with an Iron Hook, from the Gold, that it may remain in the test intire, and in one compact Mass, and not be mixed with the Scoria, like Grains, and occasion loss. All the Scoria being taken out, the Gold is to be freed from the test with a thin sharp-pointed Iron, then taken out with the tongs, and weighed, to see what encrease it hath got.

NB. That as long as the Test keeps firm and good, it were better not to take out the mass, but to be left upon the Gold in continual flux. This is a Labour not to be despised, seeing that the first Coals being burnt out, more are to be added only; so that this operation may be continued for some daies, without intermission, provided the Tests be well made, which also ought to be done if you expect any profit; of which you need in no wise doubt, if the operation be rightly instituted; especially if the Antimony and Iron, of which the Regulus is made, be good: For the more Gold the Antimony, Iron, and Copper shall contain, the more volatile Gold the fixed Gold which is melted under them, will attract to it self. But if you want such Metals as are rich in Gold, and are forced to be content with the common, the Gold will nevertheless get an encrease in the Operation. NB. When Metals containing Gold are to be had, there is no need to keep the first Scoria in so long a flux upon the Gold, seeing that presently after the Copper and Regulus of Antimony shall be turned into Scoria by the Salt-petre, they may be removed from the Gold with an Iron Hook, and new Metals forthwith added, and again reduced into Scoria by the Salt-petre. This labour of removing the Scoria, and adding fresh Metals, being long continued, will add the greater encrease to the Gold, because Copper, Iron, and Antimony contain much corporeal Gold, which in their reduction into Scoria, associateth it self with the Gold. Therefore when those Scoria are withdrawn, and new Metals added, it cannot be, but the encrease of the Gold must be greater than proceedeth from the first Scoria, in which only the spiritual Gold is rendered corporeal. The addition of fresh Metals, and the abstraction of the Scoria repeated 10, 15, yea 20 times a day, must necessarily give a great encrease to the Gold, if the Metals contain both corporeal and spiritual Gold. The abstracted Scoria may be reduced in a Test of the same Furnace (of which Tests there ought to be many in readiness) and the Copper and Regulus precipitated from them, and put to other uses, of which my other Writings every where make mention. And they are precipitated by the Powder of Coals, or Antimony. The way of precipitation is this; the Salt-petre hath absorbed the Sulphureous Metals, viz. the Copper and Regulus Martis, and changed them into Scoria. Now, if to these Scoria some other Sulphur be injected, which the Salt-petre coveteth more than the Copper and Regulus of Antimony, it layeth hold on that, by which those Metals which it had first absorbed, are dismissed, and fall to the bottom. But the Regulus and Copper cannot be so separated by precipitation, but that somewhat of them will yet adhere to the Salt-petre. These may be fixed together, that they may render Gold again in fusion, or the fixt Nitre may be extracted from the Scoria, with Rain-water, to be used for other Labours; as shall be taught hereafter. The residue of the Scoria will be yet of use to Potters, to glaze their Earthen Vessels. But if the Scoria and Salt-petre be not separated, but left together, they may be used with greater profit for the making of Salt-petre, or for the dunging of Land (of which we shall presently speak) than if they be separated. The manner of doing these things shall be described in their order. But first it seems good to me to exhibit a proof, by which every one may know the certainty of this matter, viz. that this work doth not only afford a profit to the Operator, not to be contemned, but also that the Gold doth obtain a true and certain encrease from the Copper and Regulus of Antimony, whereby the Work may be undertaken with the greater boldness and confidence; which I thus demonstrate. Take a small piece of silver, freed from its gold by Aqua fortis, that you may be sure there is no Gold in it: to which, in fusion, adjoin so much Copper and Antimonial Regulus, as being reduced into Scoria by Salt-petre, and again separated from the silver, may leave it malleable and ductile. This being dissolved in Aqua fortis, will leave at the bottom undissolved a reddish powder of gold, which it hath attracted to it self from the Copper and Regulus of Antimony. Now, so much as there shall be of this Gold, so much and no more corporeal Gold did the Copper and Regulus contain, which the Silver hath absorbed. The Scoria possess no more corporeal Gold, but yet abound with spiritual, which you may find by the following Experiment. Cover those Scoria put into a new Crucible with Powder of Coals, and set the Crucible into a small Wind-Furnace, that they may melt. In this melting, the Nitre will rather enter the Sulphur of the Coals, than that of the Metals; and associating it self to that, dismisseth the Copper and Regulus. Which being done, pour out the melted Mass into a Cone, and when it is cold, separate the Regulus separated to the bottom, which will be the same Copper and Regulus of Antimony which the silver hath deprived of their corporeal gold; which is demonstrated as followeth: Take a bit of Silver, cleared from its Gold, which join with the said Regulus by melting, and reduce the melted mass by Salt-petre into Scoria, as before, pour the mass into a Cone, and being cold, separate the Silver. This being dissolved in Aqua fortis, leaves at the bottom no reddish powder, as the first silver did. By which it clearly appears, that the Copper and Regulus of Antimony had yielded all their corporeal Gold to the Silver in fusion, which nevertheless can afford no gain, except the Labour be many times repeated with fresh Copper and Regulus. But because this repetition is wont to require no small quantity of Copper, Regulus of Antimony, and Salt-petre, to bring the silver to a golden nature; and moreover, every one knoweth not how to make profit of the Copper and Regulus, deprived of their Gold, or to put them to other uses, and that Salt-petre is not seldom sold at a great price, no great profit can accrue by this Labour to such. Nevertheless, they will obtain no small gain, who after the extraction of the gold, know how to use the Copper, Antimonial Regulus, and Salt-petre, which I have shewed in many places of my Writings. But those Metals being melted with Gold, and turned into Scoria by salt-petre, bring far greater profit than when wrought with silver. For somewhat of the silver is consumed, as well as somewhat acquired by it; but nothing of the gold is lost, if the Crucible be firm, that nothing run out. NB. If any gain be expected from silver, such Iron, Antimony, and Copper are to be used, as are pregnant with Gold, and to be often abstracted from the silver, and the metals themselves afterwards to be put to other uses, bringing profit, to say nothing of the Salt-petre, which may be made at a far cheaper rate (that it can be bought) by those who seek profit from Silver. I have instanced these Experiments, to demonstrate that every Copper, and every Regulus Martis contain somewhat of corporeal Gold, and being reduced into Scoria, do yield it to the adjoined Gold or Silver; and that nothing more can be extorted from them, except being reduced into Scoria by Nitre, they be for some time kept in Flux upon the silver, or Gold which is better, that their spiritual Gold may insinuate it self into the corporeal, and augment it, which the following Experiment sheweth.

Take of Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, deprived of all corporeal gold, by the addition of other gold, what quantity you will, melt them with gold, and convert the Copper and Regulus into Scoria, after the usual manner, with Salt-Petre, which keep in Flux upon the Gold for 6, 8, or 10 hours, and then pour all out into a Cone; the gold being separated from the scoria, and weighed, will shew what it hath gained in this operation. This encrease from the twofold matter added, viz. the Copper and Regulus Martis, is profit; which notwithstanding proceeds more from the one than the other, as this Experiment will prove. Take one part of silver, which holds no gold, and one part of Regulus Martis, being melted in a Crucible, reduce them, as hath been often said, by salt-petre, into scoria, and being well melted, pour them out into a small Ingot; which when cold, separate the scoria from the silver with a Hammer; the silver will be pure white, and of very easie fusion, but will contain nothing of gold. NB. If to the silver and Regulus of Antimony, you shall also add Copper, and then turn all into scoria by the help of salt-petre, and when well melted, pour them into an Ingot, so that the scoria flow upon the silver. This silver being separated from the scoria with a Hammer, or by lying a while in water, you shall find that part which was covered by the melted scoria, to be all over so gilt, that you can scarce rub it off with your fingers, which Gold hath adjoined it self to the Silver, chiefly from the Copper. For if more Gold had proceeded from the Regulus, the melted Silver would also necessarily have been gilded by that, which yet without the addition of Copper is not wont to be. Nevertheless, let no man perswade himself that the Regulus of Antimony being omitted, the same augmentation would happen, because the greatest part of the Gold proceeds from the Copper. For without the Regulus, the Copper would not suffer it self to be reduced into Scoria by the Salt-petre; so that necessity requireth, that all those matters should be conjoined in the said manner, to acquire any profit.

Here thou hast, benevolent Reader, Specimens sufficient for the trying the truth and certainty of this thing: It’s free for every man to enter upon the prescribed way with greater and longer Operations, that he may attain the desired profit.

What I have many times said, I say again, That this Operation is true, and brings great profit, provided it be instituted in a due manner. The Salt-Petre is the chief thing required in this Operation, which he that knows how to prepare with small cost, and understands what I have written, may boldly undertake the Work; but he that must buy it at a dear rate, I will not advise to meddle with it. He that cannot understand what I write, ’tis better for him to spare his labour and charge, and employ himself in those things which do not exceed his capacity.

It behoveth me now to shew the use and benefit which the scoria which are left in this Operation are of, that there may be no waste or loss. But the quantity of scoria in this Operation will be more or less, according as it shall be exercised. If good Antimony, Copper, and Iron, which contain corporeal Gold, may be had in plenty, and Salt-petre also cheap, the loss will not be great, if the scoria should not be altogether put to the best advantage. For if there be enough of the Copper, Regulus-Martis, and Salt-petre to be had, they are to be reduced into scoria, flowing upon the Gold, that with it they may leave the Gold contained in them. But here no regard is had to the spiritual or fugacious Gold which they contain, which is laid aside with the scoria, and new Copper and Regulus is put to the Gold, and the scoria again laid aside for other uses, so that in one and the same day, this labour of adding new matter, and as oft separating the scoria, may be repeated ten or twelve times. Whence it comes to pass, that the Gold is every time inriched, and attracteth more corporeal Gold from those matters in one day, than it could do in fourteen daies, if they contained only spiritual Gold. But on the contrary, a great quantity of Copper, Regulus, and Salt-petre are required for this labour, which if they cannot be had cheap, the charge will be the greater, seeing that those Metals which are pregnant with corporeal Gold, will abundantly compensate the charge, especially if benefit be made of the scoria, which we will presently shew. But if a quantity of the said matters be wanting, and vulgar Antimony and Copper be used for the extracting the spiritual Gold only, there will not be made so many Scoria; but it sufficeth, that the first scoria be left so long in flux upon the gold or silver, until they have yielded some augmentation to the same. And in the mean time, the addition of no other thing is required, but Salt-petre, of which a little is to be injected to the hardened scoria, to render them more fusile, and to cover the Gold the better with their flux. This way will not cost so much, besides a good quantity of Coals: Nor will the Work it self be so troublesome, seeing that it need be inspected only once in two or three hours, and any Boy may govern the fire. Or if the Furnace be so built, that (like a dull Henry) the Coals constantly sliding down, the fire may feed it self, the Operation may be continued night and day without any looking after. In the working the other way with Metals containing corporeal Gold, there is more labour and care, seeing that every hour the scoria ought to be removed, and new metals to be added. Therefore every man may chuse that which is most convenient for him.

Moreover, where neither Antimony, Copper, or Iron abounding with corporeal Gold, are to be had, the Operation may be instituted in another manner, and applied to the making of salt-petre in abundance, and with small costs. For after the Regulus and Copper, in flux upon the gold, are reduced to scoria, they are not to be removed, as otherwise they are wont, but the Copper with the Regulus must be precipitated from the Nitre, by the Powder of Coals, in which precipitation the gold taketh to it self the metal reduced into scoria, so that the fixt Nitre only is to be removed, which is afterwards to be put to other uses: And the Copper and Regulus, by the addition of new salt-petre, are again to be reduced to scoria, and to be precipitated from the Nitre by the Powder of Coals, and the Nitre again removed. So the Copper and Regulus will alwaies remain in flux upon the gold in the Test, and nothing but the added Nitre will be every time separated.

NB. This Labour doth not indeed draw forth so much gold as that which hath new metals added every time to the gold; but yet it excelleth that in which the Metals are kept in a continual flux upon the gold, without the addition of new; for as often as the Copper, with the Regulus, are burnt by the Nitre, so often the Nitre burneth and consumeth somewhat of their superfluous sulphur, and by how much the more the combustible sulphur is burnt and consumed, by so much the more the spiritual gold in it is dissolved, and adjoineth it self to the corporeal gold, to get it self a body.

And this is the difference of those Operations, of which a man may chuse which he pleaseth, or rather that which fits the matters, he hath at hand. Whichsoever he shall undertake, it will afford a profit not to be slighted, especially if he pay not too dear for his Nitre, or can make it himself at a cheap rate.

How Profit may be made of the =Scoria= which remain after this Operation.

It behoveth the studious of Art to know, that there is a difference in the scoria removed from the gold by the forementioned Operations. Those which are removed from the gold only remaining in the test, and in which the Nitre, Antimony, and Copper remain mixt, are metallick, from which the Copper and Regulus may be precipitated and separated, by the casting in of crude Antimony or Powder of Coals. The scoria from which the Metals are already precipitated in the test, are nothing but fixt Nitre. The scoria also differ, in which the Metals are precipitated by Antimony, from those which are precipitated by Coals; those partake more of sulphur, these less; for the sulphur of coals differs in its nature from the sulphur of antimony, and requireth that a difference be observed, and that either scoria being put to its due use, it may bring the desired profit. And this is the difference: When the Copper, with the Regulus-Martis, is precipitated by coals, that the Copper, with the Regulus of Antimony, is precipitated, but the Iron which was in the Regulus admitteth not of precipitation, but remaineth in the scoria; whence it comes to pass, that the Regulus, after precipitation, is found to be lighter than when it was put into the Crucible. Therefore what the precipitated Regulus hath lost, necessarily remaineth in the scoria; for which cause those scoria are of more hard and difficult fusion than those which remain after the precipitation with Antimony: For when the metals are precipitated by the casting in of Antimony, to one pound of scoria, an ounce, and sometimes more, of Antimony, is cast in, which precipitateth all the Copper and the Regulus attracted by the Nitre, and giveth a more ready fusion to the scoria. But nothing more plainly sheweth the difference, than the pouring of water upon the scoria, to make a lixivium. The scoria upon which the coals were cast, yield a clearer and sharper lixivium than those on which Antimony was cast. On the contrary, the Antimonial Scoria, by reason of the Antimonial combustible sulphur, are of a drier nature and property.

The best thing in both the scoria, is the fixt Nitre, which is to be drawn out of them by Water, and may be put to various uses, with no small profit.

In the first place, from those scoria a good Medicinal Tincture may be drawn by the affusion of spirit of Wine, of which mention is made in divers places of my Writings. Those scoria far excel all Dung, and also common salt-petre it self, in promoting of vegetation. Nevertheless, they are first to be made more temperate, because they are too fiery to be used alone. They also effectually promote the augmentation of Gold, and also the health of the humane body, by their most pure Essence extracted by the spirit of Wine.

They may without injury be called The Philosophick Dung, because they augment the growing power in Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, neither in Operations of this kind is there any Equal in the world.

Their smell is like that of humane Excrements; nor are they unlike to them in Aspect, but most efficacious in their use. There are many things of great moment yet lie hid in them, all which it is not for me to describe. Those things which I have hitherto written, I have often done with my own hands, and proved by many Experiments. What I deliver is not from hear-say, or the reading of others Books, being resolved to publish those things only, which an infallible Experience hath taught me, so that every man may boldly, and without any doubting, give credit to them.

Moreover, this fixed Nitre is endowed with the same virtue with other strong lixiviums: Nevertheless, it is more efficacious than that of any common Wood, inasmuch as Nitre exceedeth the fixed salt of Wood in its maturity. The residue of the scoria from which the lixivium is extracted, serveth for the glazing of earthen Vessels.

He that desireth to know more of fixed Nitre, may find it in my Furnaces, as also in my Pharmac. Spagyric. and especially in The Explication of Miraculum Mundi; where he will meet with many things worthy of admiration. For the Philosophick Dung, see the 35 Article of The Explication of Miraculum Mundi, my Apology against Farnner, and the Description of my Press for Wood, in this Treatise; in which places he may find those things which will abundantly satisfie him. Concerning this Universal (tho’ contemptible) subject Nitre, we will treat more, God willing, in the following second part of Miraculum Mundi.

Here we have shewed the well-minded Reader, how by this one only Operation, he may encrease or augment his Gold, inrich his Fields with a fruitful soil, and preserve his health; so that there will be none who may not receive profit from it.

I cannot but here commemorate what some time happened to me in this Operation. When the Copper and Regulus-Martis were mixed by melting together, and reduced into scoria by Nitre, the matter thence proceeding was wonderful, appearing in variety of fair Colours, emulating a Peacocks Tail. Therefore when I saw such various colours, I presently thought with my self, whether that matter might not be fit for making a Tincture, which might change the imperfect Metals into Gold; seeing that I had read in some Philosophers, that there is more Tincture in Iron and Copper than in Gold, which gave me an occasion of considering whether this conjunction of Mars and Venus, might not be the Adultery spoken of by the Poets, or rather the Vitriol of the Philosophers; for this matter retaineth a very fair greeness, not only in the fire, but also out of it, as well wet as dry. Whence I began to perswade my self, that Iron was the Gold of Philosophers, Copper their Luna, and Antimony their Argent-vive, and Nitre to perform the Office of a Solvent or Bath, in which they are dissolved and digested. Being moved with all these things, that I might make a trial, according to my simplicity, I put all the said matters into a Glass, and committed it to Vulcan, (or the Fire) which being administred by degrees, all the matter passed together into a black colour; to which a very fair greenness, with variegated colours resembling the Tail of a Peacock, succeeded, which continued in the fire for some weeks. But seeing that it would not at all be changed, I being wearied with the tediousness, took the fair matter out of the glass, and put it into a Crucible, which I set in a Glass-makers Furnace, that I might perform this Operation with the less Labour: And after three daies I again took it out, and I found all the matter changed into a glass of a bloody colour, but not transparent. The Crucible being broken, I found in the bottom a little Regulus of an Iron-like colour, which being tested with Lead, yielded white Silver, which being dissolved in Aqua-fortis, left no Gold at the bottom. Being strook with admiration, I began to think whence that Silver should proceed, seeing that I did not expect Silver, but Gold; at length being satisfied in that, I was of opinion, that from this subject by one and the same labour, might be made both a red and a white Tincture; but I have not hitherto had time and opportunity to try the truth of the matter experimentally. Whatsoever I have here written, is only that I might afford matter to others who are desirous of seeking, by whose diligent searches some good may be obtained. This Admonition I also think necessary, That they who endeavour to bring any subject to a constancy in the Fire, by fixing, as the Chymists call it, that they lute and close well their Vessels, lest the Air (which is a great impediment to the Operation) should hinder the Work.

For Example. A Wood-coal, for the greatest part, consisteth of a fugacious and immature Sulphur, mixt with a few fæces, being put into an open Crucible, and set in a small Fire, it is presently burnt, and being all consumed, leaveth nothing in the Crucible, but a few Salt-ashes; but being put into a Crucible well closed and defended from the Air, and committed to a great Fire, and therein kept for many years, yet would lose nothing of its weight, colour and body, but would remain a black Coal, without any alteration. But on the contrary, if any Mercurial salt be added to the Coal in a due weight, and be enclosed with it in a crucible but one day, and kept in the fire, the coal will be changed into a red, fiery, heavy stone, more Metallick than Vegetable, whose admirable Virtues the Tongue cannot declare. Seeing therefore that from any fugacious and volatile Vegetable in so short a time a constant fixed thing may be made by Art, Why should not the same be made much better of some Mineral or Metal, which is much nearer to Fixity? And although these coals black the hand, nevertheless they contain much good, which he that knows how to come at, will by the same easily make his hands white again, and draw that from it which is more conducive to the health of Man’s Body, than from all the costly and fading things in the whole World. A Word is enough to the Wise. Although I have here shewed, that sulphurated Nitre is a true Medicine for Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, yet I would not be understood as if I affirmed there was no other, which is not my intention, seeing that if this Medicine were to be generally used for Vegetables, it would be too costly, [and there are other things described in this Book for that purpose, which are far cheaper] and I have shewed it only to the end that the wonderful Works of GOD might be manifest to those who are willing to try. For if any one will macerate the seed of any Vegetable in the Tincture drawn from sulphurated Nitre, by the Spirit of Wine, in a warm Bath, he may from that macerated seed produce a growing Herb, in a few hours space.

A Tincture of this sort will effect more in curing of Diseases, than a whole Apothecary’s Shop. But he that knoweth how to join some spiritual Gold with this Tincture, that the Gold may thence attract to it self nourishment and encrease, as a Vegetable doth from the Earth, will easily obtain a Universal Medicine. But if any think that I mean such a Medicine as changeth the imperfect Metals into Gold, in flux, he is mistaken, for that is to be attributed to the Stone of Philosophers only. But I call it Universal, as it is the chief Medicine of Animals, Vegetables, and Metals, which I intend alwaies to keep by me, ready prepared, that I may render others partakers thereof. I intend also this Winter to prepare a great quantity of the Universal Medicine for Vegetables, by the benefit whereof Grain may be made to grow in meer Sand, that so this Invention may become profitable to many men, provided they will but undertake the work: Not that I intend to prepare this of Nitre, which is too costly for the Dunging of Fields. For common Salt, which is abundantly cheaper, in a few hours, may be so changed, that losing its corrosive Nature and Property, it becomes plainly like Nitre in taste, figure, and virtue, but not inflamable, and excelleth the Dung of Cattel for dunging of Land. Neither let any man fear that this Preparation of common Salt requireth much labour or trouble, or is difficult to be done; for he that shall see the Operation but once, will easily be able to understand and imitate the same.

Hence, seeing that in all places there are many barren Fields to be found, it cannot be, but that great profit may be acquired by it.

Arcanum III.

A Gift offered to all diligent Physicians.

The profitable use of =Salt-Petre=, in the Concentration of =Metals=, and Preparation of Excellent =Medicines=.

Although in the First Part of Miraculum Mundi I have described divers concentrations and emendations of Metals; nevertheless in those there is nothing common with that Arcanum, which I intend here to describe. For those Arcana concern only the emendation of the imperfect Metals; but this also treateth of the Preparation of many excellent Medicines.

The manner of concentrating and amending of Metals by =Nitre=.

First, a Man is to be made of Iron, having two noses on his head, and on his crown a mouth, which may be opened, and again close shut. This, if it be to be used for the concentration of Metals, is to be so inserted into another man, made of Iron or Stone, that the inward head only may come forth of the outward man, but the rest of his body or belly may remain hidden in the belly of the exteriour man. And to each nose of the head, glass receivers are to be applied, to receive the vapours ascending from the hot stomach. When you use this man, you must render him bloody with fire, to make him hungry and greedy of Food. When he grows extreamly hungry, he is to be fed with a white Swan: When that Food shall be given to this Iron man, an admirable Water will ascend from his fiery stomach into his head, and thence by his two noses flow into the appointed Receivers; a Water, I say, which will be a true and efficacious Aqua-vitæ; for the Iron man consumeth the whole swan by digesting it, and changeth it into a most excellent and profitable Food for the King and Queen, by which they are corroborated, augmented, and grow. But before the Swan yieldeth up her spirit, she singeth her Swan-like song, which being ended, her breath expireth with a strong wind, and leaveth her roasted body for meat for the King, but her anima or spirit she consecrateth to the gods, that thence may be made a Salamander, a wholsome Medicament for men and metals.

This manner of operating, by which metals are wont to be concentrated, I was willing to describe in this Enigma, that it may be known to be no Fable, but that the same manner hath been described by other Philosophers before me. This appears from the sixth Key of Basil, where he delivers the like manner. Basilius writeth concerning Salt-Petre speaking of it self; When my End is threatned, &c. From which words it is manifest, that he used the same way for the particular and universal emendation of Metals, as also for the preparing of excellent Medicines. But because this Enigma is a little too obscure for the unskilful, I think good to interpret it word by word.

The Iron man is the destilling Vessel, which I have described in the Second Part of my Furnaces. This is put into another Iron or Stone Furnace, and the fire under it. To the noses or pipes of the upper part, some Receivers are to be so applied, that at least three Glass-Receivers may be applied to one nose, the first of which is to be firmly luted to the nose; the second must enter the perforated belly of the first Glass, by a Pipe; and in like manner the third must be inserted into the belly of the second; the Pipe of the second Glass, which entereth the belly of the first, is to be well luted; the third is not to be luted to the belly of the second, but to remain open, that the expiring gass may go out of the second into the third. To the other nose also three or four Receivers are to be applied after the same manner, but so that the last may reremain unluted. The white Swan is the Amalgama of Tin and Argent-vive, to which Nitre is added; and it is done as presently you shall hear. [See the Figure of this Furnace, before the beginning of this Treatise, noted with =pag. 96=.]

A is the Furnace.

B, The Vessel in the Furnace.

C, _The Hole with an hollow Verge, through which the Swan is conveyed into the Vessel_.

D, The Tongs holding the Cover with which the Vessel is to be covered as soon as the Swan is put in.

E, An Iron Ladle, wherewith the Swan is put into the Vessel.

F, The Receiver.

G, The Bench that supports the Receiver.

H, The Laborator.

R. one part of Tin, melt it in a Crucible, when it is melted, take the Crucible out of the Fire, and pour out the melted Tin into another earthen Vessel, and mix therewith one part of Argent-vive, which will presently be absorbed by the Tin, but the Tin will become so brittle and friable, that it may be ground upon a stone to fine powder. With this fine powder mix two parts of good and pure Salt-Petre, by grinding them well together, till the Amalgama cannot be known from the Salt-Petre, but one white powder be made of both. This powder is The Swan of Basilius, of which he prepareth Meat for the King; but I call it The Fulmen of Jove, by which all Metals are destroyed and reduced into nothing. And from this nothing, Metals much better and more noble are generated de novo. Concerning this destruction and regeneration of Metals, consult Paracelsus’s Book of The Vexation of Alchymists, and the Third Part of my Mineral Work, and you shall find, that Paracelsus hath involved this Operation in obscure words, as also Basilius, who delivereth the same in his sixth Key, with the same obscurity, which here, without any covering, I have openly and clearly made manifest.

NB. I would have the studious of this Noble Science know, that Jupiter alone, or Tin mixt with Glass only, in this artificial destillation by the fiery man, yields that medicinal spirit, without the addition of Argent-vive, and leaveth the meat or augment of ☉ and ☽ in the bottom. But that our Ancestors have adjoined Mercury or Argent-vive, I also by experience have found it profitable. But it is chiefly done for this end, that the Tin being rendered friable and fit for grinding, may the better be mixed with the Nitre; for it would be laborious and troublesome to file the Tin to mix and destil with the Nitre, as Baptista Porta teacheth in his Natural Magick. This reduction into Powder by Mercury, is performed in a very short time, and wonderfully promoteth the Labour, whilst the Mercury acting upon the porous Jupiter, penetrateth him, and rendereth him compact. On the contrary, The Fulmen of Jove burneth the wings of Mercury, and maketh him remain stable, so Jupiter is an help to Mercury, and Mercury to Jupiter, and both become more noble by the power and efficacy of Salt-petre; for Jupiter possesseth much combustible sulphur, which nevertheless burneth not per se, without some help; in the effecting of which Salt-Petre is a Master, having neither superiour nor equal. Well doth Basil say, that sulphur only is Nitre’s best Friend, and also its worst Enemy, which we have found to be most true, in this operation.

When the Tin and Nitre grow hot together, they take Flame like Gunpowder; the purer part, like some subtile spirit, vanisheth into the Air, and the more fixed, stable, and better remaineth at the bottom; for the noxious and superfluous Sulphur of the Tin is burnt by the Salt-Petre, which being separated, the rest of the Tin acquireth a more compact and better body. The Mercury also adjoined in this operation, yieldeth whatsoever good he hath, offering his Spirit for Medicine, and his Body for the encrease of Gold or Silver; so that more profit accrues by the addition of Mercury, than if Jupiter were fulminated by Nitre alone. Very few will believe how noble a Sulphur there is hid in Jupiter, which can be made manifest by Nitre only. Truly Mercury can by no way be better deceived and overcome, than by the Fulmen of Jove, which casts a terrour upon all the gods. Therefore they are very wary, lest they be touched with that Thunder, and slain with sudden death. If Jupiter were destitute of his most efficacious Thunder, neither his father ♄, nor ☉, nor ☽, with the rest of the gods, would be subject to him. Mars, Venus, and Mercury would only sport themselves with him. Mars would shew him his Sword, ♀ would intangle him with her amorous Net, and ☿, the deluder of all dreaming Alchymists, would fly away, and laugh at him. Volens nolens they all fear Jupiter, and must allow him the Empire; the conversation of Iove is perilous to all the Metals, even as it often brings subjects into no small danger, to converse with their Prince. Hence the vulgar Proverb, Procul a jove, procul a fulmine; He that keeps from the fire, is not in danger of being burnt.

But leaving those things, we will now address our selves to the operation it self, and plainly shew how it is to be performed. And first, let the studious know that this Work requires a diligent and skilful Operator; but he who knows not how with skill to handle the Fire, I advise him to abstain from this Work. The Art is true and excellent, so that he that understands but a little, may see the whole Work to stand upon a firm foundation drawn from Nature. He that knows the nature of Metals and Minerals, knows that the goodness and perfection of Gold and Silver, the best of Metals, consists in a stable, fixed, and incombustible matter, and on the contrary, that the imperfection of the imperfect Metals, proceedeth from a combustible and stinking Sulphur only; which superfluous Sulphur, if it shall be any way separated from them, that which remaineth, ought necessarily to be purer, more fusible, and constant in the fire. There are many waies by which that superfluous and combustible Sulphur is separated from Metals; of which mention is made in the Mineral Work, and the fourth part of Furnaces. In this operation, the manner of separating it by combustion, is performed by Nitre. In this Treatise also other waies are indicated, yet Nitre is to be used in them all.

But the studious of Art ought to know that in this Operation, not only the superfluous Sulphur of Jupiter and ☿ may be separated and consumed by burning and each Metal concentrated and amended, but also to both, or to ♃ alone other Metals may be added, and by the help of Salt-petre may be fulminated and concentred; for the Fulmen of Iove doth not only concenter and amend his own proper body, but also other Metals adjoined to him. Nor do I know a nearer way of destroying Gold and Silver quickly, than the Fulmen of Jove, which so destroyeth all the Metals, that afterwards without the addition of other things, they cannot by any force of fire be reduced to their former fusile bodies, inasmuch as in melting per se, they alwaies pass into Glass, every one being tinged with that colour which is proper to the metal. Gold is changed into a very elegant glass, like to a Ruby; the glass of Silver hath the colour of a Chrysolyte; the glass of Copper hath a green and red colour like a Jasper; the glass of Mars differs not much from it; the glasses of Tin and Lead remain white. These Glasses being (by an artificial reduction) reduced into their bodies, are much better and nobler than they were before. This sudden fire also clippeth the wings of Mercury, so that part of him is constrained with the ♃ to abide the fire. That swift fluxing powder which is compounded of Nitre, Tartar, and Sulphur, mentioned in the second part of my Furnaces, is also not to be contemned, for when that mass is mixed with ☿, and kindled by a live Coal, the ☿ is altered, as when it is to suffer the fire, it maketh a cracking noise, till it breaks through the fire, but being apprehended by the Fulmen of Jove, it hath no time allowed it to cry out; for when it beginneth to feel the heat, it singeth a Swan-like song, but before it can break out from the Fulmen it is killed. Basilius calleth this The Song of the Swan, alluding to what the Ancients have delivered concerning that Bird, viz. That when she is old, and ready to die, she sings a song, which being ended, she presently dieth. This Saying the vulgar believe of that Bird, which yet is false, seeing that I never yet heard any man say that he had heard the Song of a dying Swan. The ancient Philosophers hereby meant our Metallick Swan. But let any one enquire, whether the Amalgama of ♃ and ☿ may be compared with a Swan; because it may every way be broken, within and without, it is like to the Feathers of the said Bird, and therefore the Philosophers have not unfitly called it a Swan. As for its singing, it is thus; When the Amalgama is mixt with Salt-Petre, and wrapt up in Papers, and one after another of them cast into the Iron man, the ☿ with the ♃ beginneth to sing a Song like the fine Note of some Bird, which endureth no longer than the crowing of a Cock, seeing that the flame presently followeth, which maketh the separation.

But that any one may be more certain of this matter, I will openly and clearly expound the Operation word by word.

R. of Tin and ☿ each ℔ j. make an Amalgama, as I have taught above; grind this with ℔ ij. of pure Salt-Petre, freed from all its fæces, reducing the whole mass into a minute powder, till the Amalgama can be no more felt by the fingers. This fine powder distribute into sixty equal parts, more or less, and put each part into a Paper, so that every Paper may contain about two lothones, or an ounce, wrap them up: This quantity is not to be exceeded, especially if the Iron man and the Receivers be not large; for the lesser Vessels require the less of the matter: For the matter being cast into the red-hot Vessel in Papers, when it taketh flame, giveth a crack or puff like Gun-powder, which is kindled with a Coal. The Labour is easie, which may be called The Work of Women, or Play of Boys. For as soon as one Paper is enkindled, the vapours ascending with smoak and wind, pass into the Receivers, which being quietly settled, another Paper is presently to be cast in that it may sing its Swan-like Song, and pass into the Receivers in a fume. This casting in of the Papers is so long to be continued till they are all spent. You can scarcely put in above ten Papers, or fifteen at the most, in an hour; for if one Paper be cast in too soon after another, the ascending Spirits of the ♃ and ☿ would not all settle, but some would fly out at the hole of the last Receiver, and be lost. By this means the Iron man is nourished by degrees with his food, viz. the white Swan, even as Infants are successively fed by their Mothers.

After all the Papers are in, the fire is to be let go out of its own accord; and when all the Spirits are condensed in the Receivers, the Receivers are to be removed one after another, in which is the Anima of Tin and Mercury, and of that metal which was added, of a white or ashy colour, if Tin and Mercury only were used. But if Gold was added, it will be of a purple colour; if Silver, of a yellow; if Copper, the colour will be reddish. And this is not only to be understood of the matter which passeth into the Receiver, but also of that which remains in the bottom of the Iron man. The Anima hideth it self in the corporeal flowers which ascend into the Receivers, by which it is the more easily acquired, and which otherwise, perhaps, by reason of its great subtilty, would be very difficult to obtain. If you can put your hand into the Receivers, you may take out the flowers with a bent spoon, which hide the Anima; but if not, with an Iron Wier fitted for the scraping them off, or by washing them out with Water, which are to be handled further, as you shall presently hear.

The mass remaining in the stomach of the Iron man, being taken out when it is cold, hath a fiery nature and a white colour, if it were only of Tin and Nitre, but if any other metal was added, the colour will be varied, as above. This mass cannot be reduced to its former body by Fire alone, how vehement soever it be, seeing that when it is melted, it runneth into glass, and that too very difficultly. Nevertheless, by the following operation it may be reduced to its pristine Body: Put it into a very strong Crucible, which cover, and set in a Wind-Furnace that will give a very strong Fire (such as is my Fourth Furnace) the Fire being raised by degrees, let it be made white-hot, and when it is so, the Cover being a little removed, throw into the fiery mass a little Sulphur, Antimony, or Coals in fine powder, put on the Cover again, and lastly, cover the Crucible over with Coals, that all the matter may flow well. In this operation the combustible Sulphur will enter the fixt Nitre, and separate it from the fixed Metal, and with the same, whatsoever of Sulphur, Antimony, or Coals was added, will be turned into black Scoria. The Tin, with the Mercury, and the Metal, if any were added, separateth it self from the Scoria, and returneth into a metallick body, which after it is poured out and cold, is to be Separated from the Scoria. Jupiter hath the aspect of his former body, but is amended, as the proof will shew him that pleaseth to make it; the remaining Scoria are to be kept, because an excellent universal Medicine may be made of them. The Regulus being melted again, is again to be amalgamated with its own weight of Mercury, which Amalgama is to be mixed with its equal weight of Nitre, and put up into Papers, and again cast into the Iron man, as we have shewed before, that the Flowers and Anima may be collected and added to the former. The remaining mass is to be precipitated with sulphur, as before, and the Scoria being separated from the Regulus, to be added to the former, and the Regulus to be again brought with Mercury to an Amalgama, that with Nitre the Flowers and Anima may be again elicited. This Labour is to be so often repeated, until half the Regulus be converted into scoria: That part which remains being examined by the Cupel, will shew how much gold and silver is generated by this Labour. Which profit will serve to buy other Coals and Metals to carry on the Work. The Anima which passed into the Receivers yieldeth a most excellent medicine; so do also the scoria which were reserved at divers times, afford one little inferiour to that; and how they are to be handled, we will teach in order. Therefore by this only operation a universal medicine for humane and metallick bodies is acquired particularly, and from the remaining part, an amended metal paying the necessary costs which are required for the continuing the great Work.

How therefore particularly of Tin and Copper often fulminated, one may get a profit not to be contemned, I will clearly shew; forasmuch as I have not performed that labour only once, but many times; in like manner I will deliver the way and mode whereby an excellent medicine may be prepared for the curing of all curable Diseases, which also I have often done. But how a Universal medicine may be prepared of the Anima of metals, for humane and metallick bodies, I cannot teach; for I have not hitherto had time and opportunity of perfecting so great a Work. Nevertheless, I do not at all doubt, but that the Philosophick stone may be made of this Anima: But by what means I think this may be effected, (saving to every man his own judgment) I will not conceal from the studious of the Divine Wonders. What I have done with my hands, I can render others the more certain of; those things which I have not done, I leave as they are. The beginning of the Labour I have clearly enough proposed; from which, if any man cannot learn more, ’tis best for him to abstain from this kind of Labour.

All the Philosophers cry out with one voice, Fix the volatile, and volatilize the fixt, and you shall have the true universal medicine. From which scope he will not erre, who shall take good subjects for his work. Therefore, because in this our operation, Gold (besides the rest of the metals) being endowed with a most pure body, is rendered volatile and fugacious, and stript of its Anima, verily it will be credible, that of the Anima of Gold, if the Anima of Mercury shall be joined with it and digested to fixation, may be made the Salamander constant in the Fire. The purple Anima of Gold and Mercury which hath passed into the Receivers, I free from the Flowers of Tin, by washing it out with the sweet universal Water, known to every one, filtring it through Paper, coagulate it, and then fix it into a tinging stone. And I doubt not, but some good thing will thence proceed.

From the scoria remaining after the reduction, you may easily extract a medicine. Nevertheless, those scoria are divers, and have a diverse nature; for those which remain after the operation with Tin and Argent-vive, are of another nature and property than those which proceed from the working with other Metals adjoined to those two, as Gold, Silver, Copper, or Iron. Every Metal hath its own proper powers and virtues, which in the extraction of the Scoria go forth together, and render that Extract more noble, or else diminish its virtues. Gold and Silver have a different nature and properties from Copper and Iron. Nevertheless Copper and Iron are not malignant or hurtful in the Scoria, but also possess great virtues. Nevertheless the greatest virtues which are elicited from the Scoria, are to be taken for a Tincture of Sulphur; for the Metals being destroyed by fulmination, and again reduced into a body, leave but a very small part in the Scoria, seeing that their greatest part returneth into a metallick body. Therefore the Scoria principally consist of fixt Nitre, and that Sulphur by which the destroyed Metals are again reduced into a metallick body from the Nitre. The Scoria of the Metals destroyed and precipitated by Coals, or common Sulphur, have one and the same nature, virtues, and properties. The Scoria of that reduction made by Antimony, partake of another nature, to wit, of a grosser and stronger than those which are made by common Sulphur or Coals, for they sometimes cause vomiting, which the other do not.

And this I would note, that because Antimony as yet containeth many Arsenical qualities, common Sulphur containeth but few, and Coals none at all; that therefore also the Scoria made by these, are safer than the other; nevertheless, I confess that those are somewhat cruder, and more immature than those made with Antimony; but being extracted with Spirit of Wine, yield an excellent Tincture, which is a kind of a Universal Medicine; for it is sufficiently known, that no subjects (Gold and Silver excepted) are found fitter for Medicine, than Antimony and common Sulphur. And because Wood-Coals exactly answer to this common Sulphur in their nature, properties, powers, and virtue, therefore I commend the Scoria’s made by them, and prefer them to those prepared by Mineral Sulphur and Antimony; not that there is a greater efficacy in Coals than in Antimony and common Sulphur, but because those of Coals dissolved by fixt Nitre, are rendered more apt and easie to render their virtues to spirit of Wine, are of a more easie extraction, and are somewhat more familiar to the animal nature, than common Sulphur and Antimony. But the Medicine prepared of either of those scoria, is efficacious, and differeth but little in its external species and colour. All the difference in those Tinctures, is, That that which is extracted from the Antimonial scoria, if it be taken in a little the larger dose, before fixation, causeth vomiting, and operateth more forcibly than the other two. All three after the manner of sulphurs, gild silver, help the growth of Vegetables, by dunging, and nourish and augment Gold being made spiritual, and closed up in the moist way.

And although I do not yet know what it can perform in the transmutation of Metals, yet I am perswaded, that if it were fixed and rendered constant in the Fire, and made to have ingress into metals, that it would effect something in transmutation. It sufficeth me at this time to have indicated the way by which a universal Remedy against all curable Diseases, is to be prepared of the remaining scoria. He that desires to know more, let him set to his hand, and search farther; the way is opened to him: But if he desires somewhat better, let him set upon the Spirit of Mercury and Gold, which is forced into the Receivers, and search for it in that. As for the remaining parts, viz. the metallick flowers, and the running Argent-vive, which passed together into the Receivers, the running Argent-vive may be separated from the Flowers, and used again for the like labour, by amalgamating it with Jupiter. The Flowers are again to be reduced with the fulminated metals, that nothing of the Gold and Silver may be lost; so this labour being continued, will give a perpetual encrease of Gold and Silver, besides the tinging Anima, and the Expences will be only for the Salt-Petre, which will be little to those who know how to make Salt-Petre themselves, for the making of which, I have shewed the way; so that without any great labour, trouble, and cost, not only an honest livelihood may be gotten, but also a good medicine, for the relief and comfort of the forsaken Sick.

But before I conclude this my concentration of metals by Salt-petre, I think fit here to adjoin some admonitions for the benefit of the studious of these Labours. When in the reduction of the metals destroyed by the Fulmen of Jove, the scoria are left too long upon the gold, and not poured off in due time, they (after a certain magnetick manner) attract the remaining Anima which the Fulmen hath left in the Gold, and leave the whole pale. If Argent-vive be amalgamated afresh with this pale Gold, and this Labour sometimes repeated, the Gold will be wholly spoil’d of its Anima, being partly driven into the Receivers, and that which is left attracted by the scoria, then the gold loseth all its colour, and the scoria put on a bloody colour. From this red scoria the Tincture is to be extracted, by a certain singular Artifice, and to be used in the known manner. The pale Gold recovereth its yellow colour by Iron, Copper or Antimony.

Moreover, this is also to be observed, When by the Fulmen of Jove the anima of ☉ and ☿ is propelled into the Receivers, the Receivers being taken off, the Flowers which hide the Anima, are to be taken out, and kept in Glasses close stopt. For the said Anima of ☉ and ☿ is so spiritual, volatile, and fugacious, that like a Bird it presently flies away, and leaves an empty Nest; the truth of which thing I have experienced. He that will not believe what I say, let him try, and he will find it to be true.

But that I may shew the studious of the Hermetick Medicine how he may experience this matter, I will declare by what chance I my self came to know it.

At a certain time, when I had taken the anima of Gold and Mercury, made by the Fulmen of Jove, out of the Receivers, not clearing one Receiver so well, but that somewhat of the anima remained therein; I put in some ounces of Water, that I might thereby the better wash out the remaining Flowers: In the mean time, some more urgent business called me away, I set the Receiver with the Water in it, upon a Table in my Laboratory, before or near a Window, and forgetting it, left it there for some daies; the Cold being then very sharp, in that time had frozen all into Ice; I coming into my Laboratory, to see if some Glasses, in which were Water, were not broken by the Ice, as is usual, I found some wholly filled with Ice, and seeing this Receiver to lie there, I presently believed that Receiver to be broken by the Frost; but taking it up in my hand, I found that the Water in it was not frozen, but remained clear, therefore I rejoiced that the Glass remained unhurt, and wondered much whence it should proceed; but I could impute it to no other thing, but to the hot spirit of Gold and Mercury, of which notwithstanding there could not above three or four grains remain in the Glass, which although so very little, preserved some ounces of Water from freezing. From that time weighing the matter more diligently, I found an incredible heat in that Anima. Let others enquire and search what may be performed by such a heat; this I know, that hereafter there will be sedulous Artists, who will thank me for this my faithful Institution.

For it is very likely, that this subtile and fiery Spirit of Gold and Mercury, such as it yet is before fixation, may be presently used with great profit, in the taking away many occult Diseases of the Body. Moreover, it is to be observed, That if Metals, whether Gold, Silver, or Copper be to be conjoined by amalgamation with Tin and Argent-vive, they ought first to be reduced into pure and shining Calces, that they may be the more readily received by the Mercury: But only a fourth or sixth part of the Calx is to be added in the Amalgamation, lest the Tin (by too great a quantity of the Calx) be hindered in fulminating, for the whole operation consisteth in a right fulmination. But lest any should erre in working, he may first make trial, whether all things be well mixed and prepared, by putting half a dram of the mixture into a small Crucible, and upon that a live Coal, and beholding the Fulmen with an intent eye, that he may see what colour it gives: If it riseth so white and clear, that it dazleth the eyes, as the looking upon the Sun is wont to do, all things are rightly and orderly mixt; the smoak is tinged with the colour of the adjoined Metal, as Purple from Gold, Blue from Silver, Green from Copper, but Tin and Argent-vive only give White. Also from the Mass remaining in the Crucible, it may be seen whether the Fulmen be rightly performed, viz. if the Caput Mort. or residing Mass be porous, and fiery upon the Tongue, being touched therewith. The Colours also of that Mass are various, according to the added Metal; Tin and Argent-vive alone leave a fiery white matter.

Neither is this to be passed by, being of no small moment, viz. If you seek not a Medicine, but only the emendation of Metals, it is not necessary to add Mercury with the Metals, but the Gold, Silver, or Copper may be melted with Tin, for so they become a brittle Mass, which may be powdered in a Mortar, and mixed with an equal weight, or a little more, of Salt-petre, and put into a strong Crucible, and covered, then put into a circular fire, so that the fire may approach it by degrees, till the Crucible and Matter be hot, and at length taking flame, may be enkindled and dispersed. In which operation many Flowers flie away, and a fiery Mass remaineth in the bottom, which is again to be reduced into a metallick body in a strong Crucible, in a Wind-Furnace, by the addition of some combustible sulphur, and after the reduction, to be reduced again into powder, and mixed with fresh Nitre, and again treated in the same manner, by sometimes repeating the former Labour. At length that Mass being reduced in a Crucible, the Gold, Silver, or Copper will be found augmented by the Tin.

NB. Because in this operation, not a little of the Metals flies away in fume, the Crucible may be set in some Wall, and on the Wall over it some Vessels or subliming Pots capacious enough may be fastened over it, that the Metals being kindled by the Fulmen, the elevated Flowers may be preserved and advanced to a purer Metal than they were before. This Labour doth not differ much from the Operation of Basilius, in which Salt-petre saith, My Lover is a cheerful or pleasant Woman, &c.

There are only two feminine Metals, viz. Luna and Venus, either of which serveth to this Labour, yet this is more profitable than that, yea, and the same Labour giveth an augment to Sol, Mars, and Saturn, which are not feminine. When Tin is melted with ♀ or ☽, these pleasant females are elevated with joy, they sing, dance, and suffer themselves to be handled in what manner soever it shall please one to treat them, therefore they are called brisk or pleasant Women. This is an Operation not to be contemned, forasmuch as it well compensateth the Labour, and requireth but small costs besides the Salt-Petre, and also may be wrought in a great quantity, but our former with Mercury is better. There is yet more lies hid in this operation, but I think it not necessary here to recount all things. Let the Reader kindly accept of this, and shortly (God willing) more and better shall follow.

Whatsoever I have here written, is the very truth, and confirmed by many Experiments, in which every one may safely confide, and if he operates aright, will find the truth; for all things here delivered, are to be understood according to the Letter, and so to be observed in all the Labours.

A TREATISE Of an Universal Medicine; OR, A True Aurum Potabile.

Being an accurate Description of a True Universal Medicine, and of its admirable Virtue and Efficacy which it sheweth upon the Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals. A Gift presented unto all such Noblemen as are desirous to preserve their Health, and to attain to a Long Life; it being an Universal Medicine, or _A True Aurum Potabile_.

After that I had by GOD’S assistance described three excellent Processes in the Continuation of the =Miraculum Mundi=, and had bestowed the same on men of several orders, that thereby they might the easilier, and with a safer Conscience, provide themselves with Food and Raiment: =I= was also desirous of tendering some small Present to Noblemen too, and such who are of eminent power and authority, and whom =I= had not forgotten to present with some Gift, which may serve for the preservation of their good health for a long time, and for the restauration of it when lost.

For it is a thing of the greatest Concernment for the Nobles, and such men as are placed in the degree of Power and Authority, to have the fruition of bodily health, whereby they may wisely rule over the subjects committed unto them by God, and may use a sound mind about the defence of the Good, and the punishment of the Ungodly. Now a sound mind inhabiting in a sound body, doth proceed (next after the Divine Grace) out of a sound Heart and Brain. And it cannot be, that a publick Government can be rightly and well administred without a good Health; and this is as clear and evident as the noonday light is. Forasmuch therefore as the safety and preservation of all Kingdoms and Republicks is placed in the Wisdom of their Rulers and Magistrates, and that imprudence and ignorance of the Rulers is wont to ruin their Subjects, it is a thing of the highest consequence to save the Head of the whole Kingdom or Country sound, whole, cheerful, prudent and ingenious, and that he be not made unfit or uncapable for the Government, by diseases, sadness, slothfulness, and stupidity. Therefore the love of my Neighbour constrains me to publish this Universal Medicine for the sake of the Great ones of the World, seeing it is so much conducive to the perpetual felicity and happiness of a sound and good Government; for no man can be said to be a sound man, if he be not of a sound constitution of Body. What benefit, =I= pray, can a sick man bring to himself, or to other men? Verily none at all, but is rather an hindrance and detriment both to himself, and unto others likewise: For when the Head is ill, there are a great many Members must serve it; but if the Head be sound and well, it exerciseth the governance of the whole Body very happily.

What profit has a man that is tormented with Sicknesses and Dolours, of all his vast Wealth and Riches, since he can neither use them nor enjoy them, looking upon them with a kind of nauseate, and at last leaving them with grief behind. Certainly a sound body is to be preferred far before all the Treasures of this World, and no body will gain-say this. He is to be judged the Happiest man, that possesseth those two the greatest Gifts of God, =viz.= good Health and Riches. Sickness and Poverty are to be esteemed worse than even Death it self.

We sometimes see, that pious Magistrates and Governours are snatcht away, and killed with small Diseases, which otherwise might have yet Ruled very many years over their subjects, had they had but good Medicaments, by help whereof they might have been succoured.

As for the way of Conserving good Health, and recovering it when lost, this little Book doth most exactly shew the same, which =I= commend unto all those who are desirous of its preservation.

Of a Universal Medicine, OR, AURUM POTABILE.

The Medicine that is honoured with the Title of Universal must be of this property, viz. to operate universally upon the three Kingdoms, viz. the Vegetable, Animal, and the Mineral, and to be able to succour each of them, as a most high Medicine should do. Whatsoever now does not abound with such an excellent property, the Title of Universal is falsly attributed unto it; nor is it worthy such a Noble Name.

Therefore it doth, in the first place, behove me really, and in very deed, to demonstrate in this Book which treats of such a Universal medicine, that this same medicine which is so intituled, doth also possess those very same virtues and properties which a Universal medicine ought to have. And farther, Such a Universal medicine ought not only to be a most friendly Auxiliary and Helper, universally, to those three Kingdoms, viz. the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, but it is likewise necessary that it be also preparable out of all those three Kingdoms, Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and that too out of each apart, without the addition of any peregrine thing, and without any great labour, for the benefit and profit as well of the Poor as of the Rich.

They therefore do extreamly erre who are of such a foolish opinion, as to Dream that the matter of the universal medicine is only produced in such or such a place, and is to be fetch’d out of this or that Country with a great deal of Labour and Charges.

This opinion is Diametrically opposite to the common Vogue and Saying of all true Philosophers, who do unanimously confess, that their matter is every where to be found, and every one has it, and it is in the possession both of the Poor and of the Rich: And this verily is so open and evident a Saying, that nothing can be spoken more apparently.

For my part, I do affirm, that this Art is Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and that there is not a man to be found in the whole World, that has not the knowledge of this universal matter, and that does not use the same. Yea more, I do also affirm, that even a new-born Infant cannot live without it.

I have already accurately demonstrated in many places of the Writings I have hitherto published, that Nitre is found in all the things of the whole World; and so not only in all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, but also in the very Elements themselves, viz. in the Earth, in the Water, in the Air, in the Fire: And for this reason it both may, and deservedly ought to be called a Universal matter; for without the Elements can no man live. And now, whether any one believes this which I here mention, or does not credit it, ’tis all a case to me, what I have said I have said, nor need I say more. And thus much let suffice concerning the universal matter.

The Preparation I have openly enough treated of in many places of my Writings, but especially in my Miraculum Mundi, and in the other Writings thereunto appertaining; and therefore I forbear to make any more prolix declaration, and to multiply any more words about it.

But yet notwithstanding, I do here adjoin thus much, and confess, that although I have several times prepared that universal medicine, yet the Preparation thereof has not at all times answered my desires; nor hath it as yet been ever brought by me unto the utmost perfection and fixation, because I have wanted both time and opportunity of accomplishing it, and many other Impediments have hindered me from compassing the same according to my mind. But as concerning what Progress I have therein made, and that I can as yet perform or finish the same in three daies time; this, I say, I will consecrate to eternal memory, and in no case hold my peace, but speak on, for the instructions sake of Posterity.

And this I do to this end, that the omnipotence and bounty of God may be the more manifest, and that His Divine Name may be honoured the more, and that many Thousands of Sick people may be succoured with a most present and speedy Remedy.

This is the only cause that stirred me up to make this Discourse of the universal medicine; for I neither would, nor indeed ought I to burthen my Conscience by the concealment thereof, nor to hide and bury with me in my Grave, such a noble Gift of God, and the Talent which of His Gracious Benignity He hath been pleased to bestow upon me.

But yet I would not that any one should perswade himself that he shall (by his soothing words and large promises of golden mountains) squeeze out from me the Preparation of the same, whereby he may make use thereof to lead his Life in Pleasures, Pride, and Impiety, and so hurt poor mankind. No, let such an one be assured, that I will never do so, for it is not in my power to reveal to every one such a great Gift, and which is of God, and not of Man, but ’tis in the power of God alone so to do: And as for my self, I would much rather die, than to reveal and prostitute it to a wicked man. Besides, I would not have any one to suppose, that whereas I call this medicine of mine Universal, it is therefore able to transmute the Imperfect metals into Gold, so as to furnish one with such vast Treasures as the Philosophers attribute unto their universal medicine: No, for I am as yet ignorant of such a transmutation, nor indeed do I covet it, or gape thereafter, but give unto God only most great Thanks for that medicine, by which (being vouchsafed me of His meer bounty) I am able to succour the miserable, sick, tormented, and diseased ones, and celebrate the glory and benignity of the Lord. I do withal readily confess, that I have not as hitherto received any benefit at all therefrom about the bettering of the Metals thereby; nor do I at all seek after any benefits in that kind of way, being contented with that Medicine, advanced to such a pass, as whereby it may be able to suffice me to get Food and Raiment by God’s help. I covet not after abundance of Riches, and do only beg of God, that He would neither afflict me with Poverty and Want, nor bestow on me too much Satiety and Fulness, lest I should be lifted up with Pride, and say, Who is the Lord? Nay verily, if I could with this Medicine get my self great benefit, as to the metallick affairs, yet would I not do it, nor would I lay out such a great Gift of God, upon temporary things, thereby to rob the poor, miserable, sick people of the same, for whose sake God was pleased to bestow it.

Perhaps it may so come to pass, that this my Medicine may, by the labour of diligent searchers, be brought to such a pass, as to be capable of exercising its power upon the lesser and imperfect metals, and that by a fruitful or profitable amending and correcting them: But this is a thing that God reserves to Himself, as posited in His alone good pleasure, whose Grace and Favour we must with a patient expectation wait for: Mean while we may lawfully enjoy this most excellent medicine, which being a most certain Argument of the verity and power, arising from such a notable Art, doth abundantly serve to stop the shameless mouths, and break the mischievous Teeth of all Farnnerian Asses. But yet notwithstanding some or other of them may haply spue out some poisonous stuff out of his shameless mouth, and say, With what right can I impose the name of Universal Medicine upon this Medicine of mine, seeing that I do not in the least deny, that it is not available to bring me any benefit out of the metals, but can only heal the Diseases of the Sick: Whereas the Philosophers do on the contrary attest, that their Universal medicine hath such virtues as are wont to transmute the lesser or meaner metals into Gold, and that with most exceeding profit.

For answer to such as these, I say, that although this medicine of mine which is here treated of, hath not hitherto brought me any profit by the melioration of the metals, yet it demonstrates it self to be universal, and to be worthy that same Title; for I have been hindered through want of time and other letts (as I said afore) from hitherto bringing it unto perfection and fixation. And I pray who can tell what God will be pleased to vouchsafe in process of time. A new-born Infant cannot well be upbraided (if wanting wit and judgment it does not attempt and effect some great matters) and be on this wise twitted. Ho! it is not a man, ’tis beardless, it understands nothing, it lies along and cannot help it self, it has nothing but what they reach out unto it. Well, well, let the Infant but arrive unto its due age, and let its due meat and drink be administred unto it, and then in length of time it will attain to a requisite stature and strength, and will propagate and multiply its own kind. For if there be but once the humane form, there will not proceed ought else thencefrom, but a perfect man. Just so stands the case with my medicine, which is exceeding like to a new-born Infant, whereto regard being had, according to a Philosophical manner, there will be no doubt, but that it will arrive unto a due perfection.

And now, the things which it doth even already perform, do all of them sufficiently argue and testifie, that process of time both can & indeed must produce thereout of some better thing; even as a good Parent wisheth for nothing more, than that (whilst himself is living) his Children may grow up to man’s estate, and be happily married, and by a new Offspring preserve his Name and Stock, and yield their help towards the multiplication of mankind, and he himself is wondrously joyed in his Grandchildren: But yet in the meanwhile he cannot be at all certain that his Life shall be so long prorogued, as to have a fruition of so much happiness, and therefore must commit the whole affair to God’s pleasure, and patiently wait upon him, and See what that Omnipotent Creator (who indeed shewed unto Moses the Promised Land, but granted him not so long Life as to enter thereinto) will do with him and his; even so hath the Lord shewed unto me the Promised Land, but whether or no I am worthy to arrive so far as to enjoy the pleasant Fruits thereof, GOD only knows; His merciful bounty hath bestowed upon me in my old Age a Philosophical Infant, which doth exceedingly rejoice me: But yet verily am I utterly ignorant whether or no He will vouchsafe unto me so long a Life, as to see the virile or man-like age thereof.

Therefore, like as a Father, unto whom in his old Age the Divine Bounty hath vouchsafed an Heir, tho’ (haply) he well knows that the said Heir cannot possibly arrive unto man’s estate, during his (viz. the Father’s) life, yet nevertheless he is exceedingly joyed, in that he hath an Heir to keep up his Name, and which will in time trace his Father’s footsteps (viz. have more Children): Even just so doth my new-born Philosophical Infant exceedingly rejoice me, though haply I know that my Life will not last so long, as to be a Possessor of the same, in the state of its being advanced unto perfection. However, I doubt not but that God will stir up other nursing Fathers to this tender Infant, that being educated and nourished by them, it may arrive unto a Man-like strength, and unto virile powers and virtues, and may become serviceable to the advancement of the Honour of God, and to the succouring of many Thousands of sick People. The way of attaining this, I have, according to my simple judgment, too and agen, and peicemeal as it were, opened and revealed in divers places of my Work, viz. how it may be most commodiously effected, and therefore I judge it needless to treat thereof any farther in this place.

Of the Nature, Form, Properties, and admirable Virtue and Efficacy of my True =Aurum Potabile=.

As touching the form of this same new-born Infant, I would have the well-minded Reader know, that it is like unto a poor, naked, tender Babe, of no splendour, of a simple aspect, but yet carries within it self all the colours of the whole World, which by how much the older it grows, so much the fairer colours doth it yield. The Fire affords it nutriment, and clothes it with Garments of various colours, and makes it strong, fair, noble, and potent, insomuch that it may not undeservedly be termed its Father. Being born out of the Earth its Mother, it loves it, and useth it for its nutriment, until that arriving unto full years, it becomes like its Father the Fire, and leaves its Mother the Earth, and like a Lord of full age, bears rule over its Hereditary Possessions. But during its Minority and Infancy, all its actions are look’d on as childish, but yet so that presently (or even now) appears what kind of notable man he will be, making good that Proverb; Urit mature quod vult urtica manere.

_That which will a Nettle be, Stings betimes, trust you me._

For seeing that a new-born Infant doth abound with so much virtue, as to be able to do so much good, What would not he be capable of effecting, should he attain to a ripeness of years? It will be therefore worth while to hear and see what virtues it is able to exercise upon Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; and first, we will treat about the Vegetables.

By what way a Trial is to be made, whether or no this =Aurum Potabile=, or =Aqua-vitæ of the Philosophers=, be a most high Medicine for the Vegetables.

Every body knows, that the Vegetables which are to grow up, and be multiplied, must be also nourished. This nourishment now is nothing else but a sulphureous Salt, whether it hath its Rise from the Vegetables, or from the Animals, or from the Minerals; for ’tis all a case to the Vegetables, from whatsoever it proceeds, so that they have but their nutriment, by which they may grow, be encreased, and be multiplied. The Husband-man useth the Dung of any Cattel or Sheep, to dung his Lands withal, that the Seed sown in the dunged Earth, may thence extract the Salt, and convert it into its own nutriment, and so grow up, and be encreased; and besides this kind of Dunging he knows none.

But the true Naturalist makes use of the Excrements of other Animals, yea, and the Minerals themselves too, for the dunging of the Ground; concerning which thing, I have written at large in my other Writings, and especially in my Miraculum Mundi; and therefore there’s no need at all of making any farther repetition of the same here. Forasmuch therefore as my Aurum Potabile is also a sulphureous Salt, but yet far stronger, and more efficacious than that which lies in the common Dung of Beasts and Cattel, and so consequently promotes the accretion or growth, and multiplication of all the Vegetables in a wonderful maner. I have judged it a thing worth while to set down in this place the use thereof in the melioration of the Vegetables, that so it may be evidently demonstrated, that this my Potable Gold is the most excellent Medicine for all the Vegetables, and that their Particular Medicine which doth first proceed from the Dung of Sheep and Cattel, doth afterwards display its virtues by an Universal operation. For if the Dung of Horses, Cows, and Sheep (as ’tis barely Dung) could but succour Men and Metals, like as it brings a medical or helping succour unto the Vegetables, then might it by the same reason be likewise called Universal.

But whereas it is an helper to the Vegetables only, and hath no conjoining familiarity with the Minerals and Animals, therefore is it rightly and deservedly to be referred to the order of particular Medicines, which are helpful to the Vegetables only. But yet notwithstanding, the Salt being extracted out of those sorts of Dung, and converted into Saltpetre, (which is a thing easily done) doth then admit of being transmuted into a Universal Medicine: But now, afore such a Transmutation be made, it does not exceed the order or bounds of Particular Medicaments. But this Aurum Potabile of mine merits the name of a true Universal Medicine, as being not only a most high Medicine for the Vegetables, but also for the Animals and Minerals too, and this shall be perfectly demonstrated as follows.

You must get some Vessels made of the best Earth, and strong, and such as being well burnt in the Fire, become like a Stone. And amongst such Earths, the Colen, Siburg, Waldenberg, and other such-like natured Earths, are the fittest for this Work; let them be made very thick, and such as will not imbibe any Water. If you want such as these, cause then your Vessels to be made of Glass; for every porous kind of Earth, though it be glazed over with Lead-glass, yet it is not so fit for this kind of operation; therefore you must of necessity provide your self with fit and convenient Vessels, and have a most especial regard to this admonition. Let such a Vessel be a span long, or high, or deep, and let it have the same breadth or largeness, and let its bottom be perforated with some small holes, like as those Pots which are made for the keeping of Flowers in are wont to be: The Pots being thus prepared and filled up top-full, with clear and lean Sand, you may put or plant therein three or four Seeds of such Herbs that you have a mind to plant, that so if haply one of them comes not to good, the second, third, or fourth may. When the seeds are on this wise put in the said Sand, and shall have been moistened with our Universal Water, the Pots must then be set abroad to the Sun and Air, that so the Seeds may spring up and grow; which seeds, if good, and not too old, will in a few daies time, grow up out of the Sand, as if they had been in any other fat Earth. Now, when they shall have sprouted up so high as a fingers length, you must leave in your said Pots two of the biggest and strongest stalks or sprouts, and pluck up the others, lest they should impede each others growth; and you must let them have room enough in the Pot to grow.

This Vessel thus filled with Sand, and planted with seeds, is to be set upon another strong Dish or Platter, and which is made of the like sort of Stone-like Earth, that so if that medicinal water should happen to penetrate and destil through the sand, it may not be lost, but being saved, may be again poured into the pot-full of sand. Moreover, you must diligently take heed that no Rain-water fall therein and wash away that medicinal water, and so take from the Herbs their nutriment. The sand must not be too much wetted, but lie alwaies somewhat moist, lest by being quite dry, or too wet, the whole Work be corrupted by either the excess or defect of the due, temperament: All things here prescribed being duly observed, the Herb springs up in a short time, and bears Flowers and Fruits sooner and better, than if it had grown in other dunged Earth. The Colours become fairer, the Odours will be stronger, the Virtues also will be greater, and these Herbs do likewise longer keep their virtues, and are not so corruptible as others are. After that all the humidity which you poured first on, shall have been consumed by the Sun and the Air, so as that it is plainly vanisht, there must some other Rain-water (wherein a little of that potable Gold shall have been dissolved) be again poured on upon the Sand, that so the Herb may have its due supply of nourishment, so long as it shall be a-growing, for the whole World knows, that there does not grow ought at all out of sand, which is only wetted with bare Rain-water.

Likewise by the help of this Universal Medicine all kinds of Herbs and Plants may be made apt to germinate and grow even in mid-Winter, and may be at any time amended, if so be that dissolved Liquor be but poured on upon the Roots. So will they be sooner ripe, and yield their Flowers and Fruits much speedier than those that are dunged after the common way; yea, and more too. I say, that as to their virtues and efficacy, they are to be preferred far before the common ones. The bare simple Universal Medicine is wont to shew so much efficacy, as is here mentioned: But now some metallick Ferment being added thereunto, makes it far more efficacious; for by means thereof, the Herbs acquire greater and better virtues.

If there be adjoined thereunto an aureous ferment, the Herbs will not only get the virtues of the Gold, but will also appear spotted here and there, in their Leaves and Flowers, with golden spots like little Stars, and will wonderfully please the sight by their delicate aspect.

If a Silver Ferment be thereto added, the Herbs will be impregnated with Silvery virtues, and be painted with silver spots as they grow. The Herbs being by this means bettered with a golden Ferment for the Heart, and with a Silver Ferment for the Brain, do with a more admirable efficacy succour those Members. And if the great ones of the World did for their Health’s sake take care for the nourishing such Herbs as these in their Gardens, there’s no doubt at all to be made, but that they would thencefrom obtain most great benefits. For, besides their wonderfully delighting the sight with their beauty and delicateness, and besides their admirable virtues, in which they far excel the common Herbs, they do likewise bring this exceeding great profit, viz. they may be made use of instead of my Aurum Potabile, which perhaps some great men may be averse from taking, through the perswasions of their ignorant Physicians, who most-an-end do, by reason of their sottish stupidity and ignorance, snarle and bite at such kind of eminent Medicines, and divert their Lords and Masters from the using of them, as if they were so many Poisons.

If therefore (to free themselves from that needless care) they did but make use of these Herbs instead of my Potable Gold, they would however, by the help of such Vegetables, enjoy so much of the efficacy of my Potable Gold, as to keep themselves in good Health, or to recover it, being lost.

Besides too, the said Potable Gold may be most commodiously and fitly applied to the use of Mankind, not only by the help of the Vegetables, but also of the Animals too, and that on this wise.

Hens (or Pullets, &c.) are to be a while nourished with Oats, Barley, Wheat, or other kind of Grain, macerated with the Liquor of that Universal Medicine; and being nourished therewithal, they will by concoction or digestion transmute those Medicinal Virtues into their Flesh, and so be far more efficacious and nobler than the flesh of other Hens or Poultry. The Dung likewise of such Fowls may be Saved, and mixt with Sand, and Herbs be therein planted, which by this means will be rendered better than the common Herbs, because they assume to themselves the Reliques of that Liquor which the Fowls did not consume, and by digestion transmute into their Flesh, and so do convert it into their proper juice, so that there is not any thing at all of that Liquor lost, but the whole of it passeth into most notable profit.

Verily this is an excellent and admirable Transplantation of an Universal Medicine, into the Vegetables and Animals, the which the tender great ones of the World may make use of with the greatest security.

Such now as these (viz. the great ones) seeing that this Universal Medicine of mine doth not at all hurt the tender seeds of Herbs, or the young Pullen, but rather bestows on them a greater efficacy and strength, will doubtlesly be induced to believe and understand thus much, viz. that this same Medicine will in no case prove hurtful unto Men, who as to tenderness, cannot be like the seeds of Herbs, or like tender Pullen.

If this Medicine be of so great an efficacy as to be capable of transmuting some venenate Mineral, such as Mercury is, into true Gold, and that in a few hours space, as we shall see and hear by and by, it must necessarily follow, that it is not infected with any malignity or venom, for the malignity of one thing does not amend or correct the malignity of another thing, but rather makes it worser.

From hence it is apparently manifest, that that Potable Gold does not at all partake of any malignity, but is a most wholsome Medicine for both Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals: Which thing, if any one will not give credit unto, or shall not be capable to understand the same, I know not what other help to afford him; for minding my own affairs, I have propounded and set down all things out of a good and sincere mind; if so be that any one hath ought that is better, let him produce it out-right, and not despise those things which he does not understand, lest haply he hazardeth his good name, as that convicted Lyar Farnner hath done, and be derided, and made a laughing-stock to the common People.

But Farnner’s setting upon me with his calumnies and slanders, hath ministred unto me an occasion of answering, and of defending my self: Upon this occasion of my replying, there have sprung up, and come forth to the Light most excellent Secrets and Arcana’s of Nature. Surely I should never have so openly published my knowledge in natural things, but should have lain hidden in quiet, had not that Blood-sucker and secret Murtherer thrown me out of my tranquility by his venomous biting.

But that it may not seem a thing strange and absurd, that I write, that this Aurum Potabile of mine doth induce into the growing Herbs a golden Nature, it seems a thing expedient unto me, to confirm the business by some true Histories.

In the Hungarian and Transylvanian Chronicles, it is mentioned, That in those Countries, in which the soil or ground hath every where about in the Mountains, an aureous or golden nature, and from whence, for this Thousand years, even to this very day, much Gold hath been, and yearly is digged out by the GoldMiners, and been molten, and coined into Moneys, there have been oft times found such Vines, as have not only had their Leaves, but also the Grapes too gilded over, as it were, with Gold, just as if they had been artificially gilt. Nor is this an old Wife’s Fable, but a thing most certainly true, and which many have affirmed unto me for a most undoubted Truth, some of which Persons have had their Habitations in those places, and othersome of them do even live there at this day. About some six years since, when I lived in Franconia, it chanced, that a Vine to whose Roots I laid Gold opened, and reduced into its first Ens, produced Bunches of Grapes, whose Stones were gilded: Which Story I have mentioned more at large in the Consolation of Navigators. And but very lately a certain Nobleman of Hungary, told me for a most certain Truth, that not far from Cremnitz, being one of the Mountain Cities of Hungaria, a certain Husbandman found in his Vineyard a piece of corporeal Gold, above an Ell long, grown out of a Stone, and twined round about the said Stone, a little piece of which was given me by the said Nobleman, because of the Novelty and Wonders sake.

But put case that this were not true, which notwithstanding is very true and indubitable, as being a thing known to the whole World, that such gilded Grapes are often found in Hungaria and Transylvania; yet however, those things that I have mentioned, and attributed unto my Potable Gold, are most assuredly true.

Nor can I alleadge any other cause for these gilded Grapes and Leaves in Hungaria, but this, that the Earth there is impregnated with golden vapours, or with the not yet hardened and coagulated first Ens of Gold, and that aureous water being mixt with the Rain-water, insinuates it self into the Roots and from thence ascends up into the Boughs and Grapes, and in them manifests it self, and becomes visible.

Even thus also is it with my Aurum Potabile, (which is like to a spiritual Gold) if it be dissolved with common Rain-water, and be therewithal commixt, and the sand (in which the seeds of the Vegetables were sown) be moistened with that Liquor, the nutriment is attracted out of the sand by the Vegetable Herbs, and being attracted, renders them partakers of an aureous nature: And this experience testifies to be a thing most true; nor can it be otherwise.

By these few things here spoken, every body (as I suppose) will sufficiently enough perceive, that my Aurum Potabile is a most high Medicine for the Vegetables. Now we will likewise prove by some few but yet clear and convincing Arguments, that it is a most high Medicine for the Minerals too.

Of the Use of my =Aurum Potabile= in the melioration of the =Minerals=.

As concerning the bettering of the Minerals by my Potable Gold, thus stands the case: It is capable of exhibiting to those that are inquisitive after the transmutation of the Metals, and would make trial of the same, some most exact proofs of the possibility thereof, both in the moist and in the dry way.

In the first place, it is behoveful for every one to know, that the said Aurum Potabile, when brought to its due perfection, and such as my self know, hath the resemblance of a bright and clear water, is of a burning, hot, and fiery taste upon the tongue, and gives out a sulphureous, but yet pleasant odour.

But some may say, What can any such virtues be in a clear Water? What reason have you to call it Potable Gold, for that ought to be yellow or red? To such an one I answer, That in the whiteness is a redness hidden, which is not discernable in its tender Infancy; but when by the help of the fire it arrives to a greater age, then it discovers it self, and shews forth its comeliness and excellency together with most eminent strength and efficacy: For thus say the Philosophers, Unless you make our Gold white, you cannot make it red. And in another place, If any one knows how to destroy Gold, so as it shall be Gold no more, he hath arrived to a most great Secret. And again, in another place, Our Gold is not common Gold, but Gold potential, not formal (or Gold in power, not in shape). Such Sayings and Sentences the whole Troop of the Philosophers is full of; by which it is exactly demonstrated, that the true Aurum Potabile ought not to be presently red, as to the outward view, but that it merits this Title, if there be but only that golden and red virtue and efficacy lying hidden in its internal principle. For if this whiteness did not cover over an hidden redness, it could never possibly become red. Now my Aurum Potabile being coagulated by the means of fire, and reduced to a stability in the fire, is turned into a stone of a blood-red colour, and yields not in the melting any corporeal Gold, unless a metallick body be adjoined unto it, into which the Spiritual and Philosophical Gold, betakes it self, that so cloathing it self with a body, it may become Corporeal.

This potable Gold of mine is, Lac Virginis, or the Virgins Milk, which is coagulated with a small heat. This Coagulum Passeth into (or becomes) the Dragons-blood, which being coagulated, must necessarily yield the constant or durable Salamander. I confess, that hitherto I have not prepared it; nor had I any opportunity to prepare it, but remain contented with my Lac Virginis, as with a most excellent Universal Medicine, patiently expecting what the Divine Grace will in time to come bestow upon me.

But that I may proceed on to shew that my Aurum Potabile doth likewise heal the Minerals, amend them, and make them golden, I will here set down some waies of doing the same both in the dry, and in the moist way.

The manner of trying (by the moist way) whether or no my =Aurum Potabile= be a true Philosophical Volatile Gold.

Take of my potable Gold ℥ j. and ℈ j. or ʒ ss. of Common Quick-silver, put them into a strong Glass, and so small, as that it may be half full with this matter. (NB. The glass must have a round bottom, whether it be a piece of some small Bolthead, or of some small Phial, that so the Mercury may gather it self into one Ball in the bottom) and place your glass, with the potable Gold and Quick-silver, in Sand, to the heighth of the Liquor, then heat it, and leave it for about one hour in a sufficient heat, that the Phlegm being exhaled, the potable gold may stay behind in the form of a white Salt: This done, pour agen upon that Salt so much Rain-water as it evaporated in the boiling, or fill the glass so full with Rain-water, as it was before full of the Aurum Potabile, that so lying a while upon the said Salt, it may dissolve it, which is hereby again turned into the same potable Gold, having the same colour, the same taste, and the same virtues as it had before. The Mercury being freed from the said potable Gold, which is to be poured off, is found to be hard, and fix in the bottom like the best gold, and of the same bigness or quantity, as when it was put into the glass. NB. If by some errour committed the Argent-vive be not enough tinged and brought to a due degree, but hath gotten some blackness, it is to be taken out of the glass, and put into some little Crucible, and to be heated red-hot with live Coals, that so it may receive the due golden colour; which said colour it will get, and will be like the best Duckat Gold, and will abide good and firm in all trials. But that Aurum Potabile which was used about the coagulation of the Quick-silver, may be often made use of about the same labour; but yet you are to note, that you alwaies take each time less and less Quick-silver to this operation, because the potable Gold doth in each of those successive labours lose by little and little its virtues.

This way of coagulating of Mercury may be likewise used about the coagulation of other Minerals and Metals, provided that the said metals be reduced into thin Plates or Leaves, and so put in; for being put in too thick, they cannot be totally digested in so short a time by the Aurum Potabile, into the due degree of Perfection, but remain (as their inside part) crude, and therefore an accurate regard is hereunto to be had. If this Labour be rightly done, the Metals will be throughly transmuted into pure and good Gold, and that of the same magnitude, figure, and form they were of when you put them in; but yet one metal is sooner transmuted, and more commodiously than another, according as it shall be of a nearer affinity unto gold. NB. If the Metal be not in a due manner proceeded withal, but be as yet black when it is taken out of the potable Gold, it is then to be well heated red-hot, that so it may get its golden colour. And if there be even yet any doubt left, let him put it in ♃, and purge it by the Cineritium, or the Cupel, that so he may be assured of having true gold, and may be freed from all kind of scruple and doubt; for neither ♃ nor ♁ will take away ought therefrom; which thing the proof it self will most clearly demonstrate.

The manner of making a Trial, by the dry way, concerning the Transmutation of the Imperfect Metals, by my =Potable Gold=.

Take of my potable gold, or Lac Virginis, ℥ j. and put it in a glass dish; which done, and the dish placed in sand, evaporate all the humidity, until there remain about almost half an ounce of white Salt; put this Salt in a Crucible, with ℈ j. or ʒ ss. of the Plates of Silver, or Copper, or Iron, for Tin & Lead need not be laminated: Place your Crucible, together with the Salt and the Metal, amongst Wood-Coals, and the Salt will presently melt like Wax, and penetrate all the whole Metal, and transmute it into gold; and this operation is done in one quarter of an hour, or half an hour at the utmost. The molten Salt being poured forth out of the Crucible, you will find in the Same Crucible the Plate of the Metal, of the same quantity and shape it was of when put in, and throughly transmuted into pure good gold. The Tin and the Lead will be molten into Granes, as being of easie fusion, which Granes will have the nature of pure good gold. If the Crucible should be too much heated with too intense a Fire, it may also happen, that even the ☽, Copper, and Iron too may melt into granes. And this I thought good to inform the Studious of.

These (O thou Lover of Arts) are the too Examens and Proofs of my potable gold, and of trying it both by the dry and the moist way, which if thou shalt rightly perform, thou shalt not erre from the mark. But now I must needs confess, that this Transmutation is not gainful, and I have already said before, that my divulging of all these things is only to this end, viz. visibly to shew the possibility of the Art. For although that the gold gotten by these proofs be true, and purely good, and passing all the usual Trials, yet nevertheless it brings no profit, because this Aurum Potabile requires so much expences, (afore it arrives unto this degree of power) as that the gold gotten by the benefit thereof, cannot countervail the same. Nay, if it should be somewhat profitable in this way, yet would that man do much amiss, that should waste away and imploy so kingly a Medicine for the getting of a little Gold, seeing there are other waies to get Gold by. And verily, it would be a great sin and shame for a man to consume such a most excellent and eminent Medicine for little mony’s sake. Neither is it for this end, that I have thus mentioned what I have here said, viz. to use it about the making of Gold; for my aim is only this, that all the world may see that there are men to be found, even at this very day, upon whom the Divine Grace hath bestowed the Art of preparing and making most excellent Medicaments. I do not envy, that other men should learn something out of my Writings, and take the opportunity of advancing this Work to a farther perfection: But I would not have the impious ones at all to perswade themselves that they shall obtain this Instrument to do evilly, and to exercise their wickedness by God, who knows what He has to do, will not do those things which are (perhaps) liking and pleasing to our fancies. I can every hour demonstrate the truth of what I have written, with which demonstration I rest satisfied.

I can easily conjecture that various men will pass various censures upon my Writings, but this is what I am not able to prevent; nor indeed do I much care, but I do herein comfort my self, in that I have written an undoubted Truth, and can defend it even before the whole World. I can withal readily guess, that some or other may object against me, and say as followeth, viz. That my Potable Gold is a bare solution of common Gold, which being adjoined unto the other Metals, is by them precipitated, and so reduced into its former body; and this cannot be said to be a true transmutation of the Gold. To refel this objection therefore, I demand, Whether or no the common corporeal Gold can be dissolved without some corrosive Liquor? For this Aurum Potabile of mine is void of all corrosion, and is a fiery water, most extreamly contrary unto all corrosives: Seeing it is nothing else but fixed Nitre, or a sulphureous Salt, betwixt which Salts verily, and common Gold, there is no familiarity at all; nor are there any such virtues therein, as to dissolve the Gold: But put Case it could so be, that the body of common Gold should be dissolved with those fixed Salts, and that by such a Solution it should dissolve (or make) my Aurum Potabile, verily it would necessarily follow, that such a solution of Gold would be of a yellow or red colour. But now ’tis not so with mine, for my Aurum Potabile is so clear and bright, as that it far exceeds the bright transparency of even Fountain-water it self: Besides too, the solution of corporeal Gold tingeth the hair, hands, and nails with a black colour; but on the contrary, my Potable Gold does not so at all, and therefore justly and deservedly, it both may and ought to bear the Title of Philosophical Gold; for all the Philosophers that have been true Possessors of an Universal Medicine, do confess in express words, That their Gold, or the solution thereof, doth not at all colour the hands, by which Character and Sign they distinguish betwixt the vulgar and philosophical Gold.

From hence it necessarily follows, that my Aurum Potabile is prepared of the true Philosophical Gold, seeing it does not tinge the hands with any colour.

But put case that a Solution of common Gold should be made by the help of some menstruum that is not corrosive, (but such is not my solution) yet notwithstanding, it would not throughly tinge the Imperfect Metals and common Quick-silver in digestion with them, and transmute them, but would cover over (as it were,) their Superficies only with the colour of the precipitated Gold, like as is wont to be with all other solutions of Gold, and such a powder performing the same effect, may be prepared of common gold; the way of the Preparation thereof I have delivered in my Writings. Silver being therewithal laid over, is as well gilt, as if it had been done with Gold and Quick-silver: The superficies therefore is only gilded over, but the body of the Silver it self is not at all transmuted, but abides in its former state. So Gold dissolved in spirit of Salt, doth, by the help of the Vitriol of Venus, gild over the Superficies of any Iron, but the Iron retains its Irony property and nature: If to such a solution plenty of Water be poured, and Argent-vive, Tin, Lead, Iron, or Bismuth, be put thereinto, the gold is wont to precipitate out of the corrosive water, in the form of a porous Sponge, and to adhere to the metal thereinto put. Now, as soon as ever the water is shook about, the precipitated gold disperseth it self abroad in the water, like a troubled muddiness, and the Metal is the same as it was before putting in, without any transmutation at all.

Moreover, if any Solution of common gold could tinge the whole body of the imperfect metals (but yet this can never be) it would necessarily gild over the external superficies of the Metals, and especially the external superficies of pure Luna, when rubbed or smeared over with the same; and even this now my Aurum Potabile does not do; but if it be smeared upon Silver, it colours and paints it with all kinds of colours, and as infinite as appear in the Peacock’s Tail, and in such wise too, as that they cannot be easily rubbed out; and these Colours are an undoubted Argument, that this my Aurum Potabile is not the vulgar Gold, but the Secret Gold of the Philosophers.

All these, and other the like Objections, I could most easily prevent by due and fitting Answers, if they should be objected against me; but I think no body will be so audacious, as (without producing any better things) to oppose himself against those things which in the judgment of the whole World are accounted for good.

Of the Use of my true =Aurum Potabile= in =Medicine=.

To what purpose should I make many words of the most great Efficacy and Virtues of my Potable Gold in Medicine? I do not deem it a thing necessary to write a large Book concerning them, for such kind of Writings do many times more hurt than good: For there is such an odd custom of Writing so prevalent, as that some men blush not oft-times to ascribe such great virtues to some coloured Brandy-wine, as can hardly be attributed even to Aurum Potabile it self. I confess, that many times there lies more Virtue in some very vile mean thing, than in precious and sumptuous Pearls.

But seeing that every one cannot discern the true from the false, and is constrained (on the contrary) to give credit unto those things which he draws in by his Ears, it cannot possibly be, but that he erre from the Truth, and often chuse the evil instead of the good; which defect is easily helped by making trial, and proving them, for this way is wont to try the Truth of things.

Should I but describe in an accurate manner the Virtues of my Potable Gold, it would fill a large Volume: And this is not my intent in this place, but (God permitting) it shall shortly be effected in a little Book, wherein shall be comprized many other of my best Medicaments, and shall shortly come abroad under the Title of Glauber’s Pharmacopœia: And in this place I will in few words hint out the Use of my Aurum Potabile.

Therefore, forasmuch as my Potable Gold is (as I have already frequently repeated) a concentrated Fire, and reduced into a liquid form, and all its whole Essence may be said to resemble nothing else but some tender penetrating Fire, yet void of flame, every one may readily conjecture what it is helpful for, and what use it is of in Medicine.

Amongst all the Elements, the purest, subtilest, most penetrative, and most efficacious, is Fire, and this is granted by every body; for the force of the Fire, viz. its heat penetrates even the most compact bodies, as Metals, and Glass; nor is there any thing that can stop its way; the Water, Earth, and Air are easily shut out. The Omnipotent God Himself is compared with Fire, from whom all things receive Spirit and Life, and without whom nothing can live or move it self, for without him, all things are dead, hard, and cold; as appears in the bodies of men and other Animals, which being alive, are alwaies hot, but being dead, become more cold than any Ice.

Therefore, as long as that small spark of Life in Man, and other Animals, is fed and nourished with its due Food and Drink, so long also doth it attract its nutriment, and continues in its vigorousness.

But as soon as it is destitute of its nutrition, and that it be taken thencefrom, the Life doth presently begin to be debilitated, and to fade, like as a kindled Lamp, if Oil be not poured thereunto, doth at last go out, and extinguisheth.

Seeing now that the Life of a Man is a meer fire, and is fed and sustained by a suitable Food and Drink only, like to a Lamp, which (without the pouring on of Oil, and without Air, without which no fire can burn, nor any Life live) cannot conserve its light. Some or other may demand, What the reason is, that such men are so easily seized on by Diseases, who have no want of the best Food and Drink, and which too is most fit for the sustaining of Life? Hereto I answer, That in such kind of men, the gross, crude, tenacious, and cold humours do shut up the passage to the point and spark of Life, whereby it is deprived of the nutriment, being hereby kept back. For an Example of which, Take a kindled Lamp, in which the Wick or Cotton is furred and clogg’d up with the Dreggs of impure Oil, whereby the Oil can have no farther access to the burning Flame; and hence it comes to pass, that it goes out, and vanisheth, and dies, though there be store enough of Oil. So likewise is it with an old Tree, though there be store of Dung thereto applied, yet the vegetation is not alwaies, and for ever, but all things die at last. Now, the crude, gross, and clammy humours insinuating themselves into the Roots, do hasten on this death, and the Roots being stopt or clogged, the due nutriment is withdrawn or with-held from the Tree, like as is wont to happen in Men, and in burning Lamps, as we said but now.

All things have their natural Causes, the which thing God Himself hath doubtlesly so ordained and implanted in Nature, that all things in their order hastening on to their destruction, nothing may be found wholly constant and stable in natural things, but be all subject to decay and death, and that Eternity alone, and Divine stability, (or the durability of celestial things only) might be laid open.

Bright clear Water, having its course through Channels and Wooden Pipes, doth, after many years time, at length fill them with Dirt, stops them up, and bars up its own way and current. This is the Operation of the clear and cold Water of Fountains; the hot Baths do it far sooner, as appears in the Aquisgrane Baths, and others, in which the Aqueducts and conveyances for the Water are to be frequently opened and cleansed, whereby the Water may have the freer passage. Bur those Waters, which being hot, do (when cool) presently let fall their fæces in the Vessels, and stop or furr them up, do most speedily of all shew this same operation. The same is also done in open Vessels, if, viz. the clear and transparent Water of Fountains be several times heated in a Copper, and be agen so often cooled, there doth then at length stick on to the inside of the Copper a tenacious sliminess, which at last is turned into an hard Stone.

If now the pure and bright Water of a Fountain effecteth such an operation, What, think you, would that Water do, which in its own nature is troubled or muddy, thick, saltish, and slimy. Hence it is that not only new-prest Wines, or that thickish, muddyish Must, do let fall their fæces to the bottom, and fasten their Tartar to the sides of the Barrel, but even the old Wines do likewise do the same, but not so much as the new ones do.

Now then, seeing that such kind of troubled drinks are used by men for nutriment, it is clearly necessary, that (the internal Bowels of the body being stopt by their dregginess) their nourishing property of the Life must with-draw, like as the feculent Oil withdraws from the light of the Lamp: For all those things which a man feeds upon, and daily drinks, do in process of time stop up the passages of the internal bowels and conveyances in the body of man, and so despoil the vital Fire of its nutriment. Therefore by how much the more this nutriment of the Life is withdrawn, so much the sooner is the light or vital Fire extinguished, and the cold and darksome death approacheth the nearer, and becomes superiour. From hence arose that old Proverb, Eat such things as are well cook’d or baked; Drink such drinks as are clear; Speak such things as are true, that so you may be long-lived.

But now some may say, I will therefore shun troubled drinks, and feed upon well-drest and well-prepared Meats, that so by shunning the way for Death’s entrance, I may enjoy a long-life. I confess, ’tis well said, for sobriety in meat and drink, and the shunning of gross and crude meats, and troubled drinks, do much help to conserve health: But yet it does not follow, that he shall not be at length subject to Diseases, nor die; for there is no meat that is so well cook’d, and no drink that is so clear, but it carries with it its hidden fæces, with which the internal Vessels may in a longer process of time, be stopt up, and Diseases introduced, even as we shewed but now, by an example drawn from Fountain-water, which in process of time stops up its own passages: And by the same reason too must those Trees that are in the highest tops of the Mountains at length die, when (though they are nourished with most clear Rain-water) their nutrition is with-held from them by the stopping up the pores of the Roots.

But yet I do not say that an Oak, or some other wild Tree, in wild places, which is nourished only with the Rain-water, and the Leaves which yearly fall off, dures no longer than some Fruit-bearing Tree does, which is dunged and nourished in the Gardens with singular care and labour: No, for it is known, that an Oak doth many times endure and live a Thousand years; whereas on the contrary, such a tilled or tenderly-kept Tree scarce attains to the Hundredth year, and this is to be imputed to the diversity of nutriments. The Stag in the Woods, and the Crow in the Air, live above an Hundred years, but being caught and finely fed, they scarce live Fifty years. A man that lives barely upon Bread and Water, will doubtless prolong his Life to far more years than if he used delicate food and drink; and this is a most manifest thing, and yet men lay it not to heart, but by enjoying too great a plenty of delicacies, they burthen Nature with too great a load, from whence obstructions of the bowels do arise, and a way laid for Diseases to enter in. A Tree that is dunged with too much Dung, gets to it self, together and at once, too much fatness, and this choaks up the Roots and hinders nutrition, whereby the body and boughs thereof cannot be supplied, and so consequently Death must enter in, and put out the Life of that Tree. What Counsel now? You will haply say, If that obstructions be the principal causes of Diseases and Death, are there no Remedies, by whose help such like obstructions may be prevented; or (if they already are made) be wholly removed and taken away? Yes, I say, that both may be done, viz. a timely prevention, and also a thorough abolition of them, when they have gotten head; and this to be done by such kind of Medicaments which are friendly to Nature, and contrary unto the things from which those obstructions and constipations have their rise; for cold, tenacious, impure, and watery humours must necessarily be attenuated, mollified, cut, and opened by heating, attenuating, inciding, or cutting, penetrating, and fiery Medicaments; for daily Experience teacheth, that it is a thing clearly impossible for obstructions to be taken away, what kind soever they be of, without the help of warming and penetrative Medicaments. And amongst all those Medicines, these are found to be the most certain and most efficacious, viz. the volatile Spirit of common Salt, or of Vitriol, void of corrosiveness; the volatile spirit of crude Tartar; the spirit of Urine, and of Salt-Armoniack, and other the like fiery Spirits, which do exercise their Virtues with most excellent success in the taking away of those kind of obstructions. But forasmuch as those volatile spirits do for the most part set upon and resolve such obstructions as are but beginning, and not as yet confirmed, but do not seize upon the more fixt and inveterate ones, as having not so much strength as to subdue and cast out them, for they are to be cast forth by their like, that is, by the more fixt Medicaments; which thing no skilful Physician will gain-say. The whole drift therefore of the business lies in this, viz. by what means such kind of Medicaments may be gotten, as by whose help not only the newly-risen obstructions, but also the inveterate and confirmed ones too, may be driven out of the body of man. Now, this cannot be effected by Herbs, and such-like natured things, as is sufficiently witnessed by this present Age, for no body that is subject to those kind of obstructions, is cured by the help of the Herbs, and such-like things. For after that the sick Patient hath a long time used the palliative Cure in vain, Death at length comes forcing in, and snatcheth him away after his licking in many Pots full of such stuff, which notwithstanding, by some good Medicine might have been easily prevented: For, I pray, how can it possibly be, that a cold, gross, crude, and not well-prepared Medicine should draw forth cold and gross humours, which should be heated, cut, and mollified? ’Tis just as if a man would melt one piece of Ice with another piece of Ice, and so reduce it into Water; but yet it will never be done without fire or heat. And therefore a penetrating, fiery, living, and good Medicament, is to be applied unto those cold and tenacious obstructions, to heat, extenuate, and scowre them out; and the Syrups, Conserves, and the cold, dead, and mucous or slimy Juleps should be removed.

Verily, I cannot sufficiently enough wonder, when I think upon the small regard that is had to the Life of Man, and how rashly and wantonly it is neglected, out of meer pure ignorance.

The present World is so blind and perverse, as that it neither will nor can believe this, though it be shown it even with ones fingers: But yet this stubborn perverseness does not hurt any so much as it does the Innocent, who understand not these things, and are even constrained to credit those things only which they hear of; all other things they commit to Chance and Time, together with the rest of those errours, unto which, as likewise unto other abuses, this endeavour of mine, will (if God so please) some time hereafter administer some Redress.

We do therefore conclude and determine, that the principal and chiefest occasion and cause of Diseases and Death, are these slimy, gross, tenacious humours, which by little and little seize on and stop up the internal bowels of the body, and withdraw (or withhold) from the radical humidity its nutriment, and so debilitates the vital fire more and more, and at length quite extinguish it.

Now, to remove and throw off these Furrings, there is no other Remedy, but that the passages of the internal bowels be kept open and clean, or that they be opened and unlocked, as ’twere, if already stopt up.

Now this thing my Aurum Potabile can perfectly effect; a better Medicine than which, and one more apt and fit to open all the obstructions of the body of man, ’twill not be so easie a matter to find; for it is in its nature a subtile, fiery, penetrating essence, warming all cold affects, attenuating the gross, inciding or cutting the tenacious, and consuming, and drying up all humours and Waterishness; insomuch that (being made use of) it doth inhibit and impede the generation (or growth) of all kind of obstructions, and by mollifying and inciding them when they are already generated, doth wholly take them away: Upon this accompt, by its corroborating the radical moisture and vital spirit, and preserving it safe and sound, it gets the preheminence over all other such Medicaments as perform the same effect: Most worthy is it therefore to be called and esteemed the concentrated center of all Medicaments. For all those virtues which are found simple and divers or distinct in any of the Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, and which do, by a Particular Efficacy, set upon Diseases; are concentrated in my Aurum Potabile, and being collected into one, do display all the virtues of those particulars universally, and therefore do these virtues discover it to be well worthy the name of an Universal Medicine: For this Medicament does not only exceed all other Medicaments in the most speedy operation of its virtues in the curing of the bodies of men, but also it plainly abounds with the same admirable virtues in the bettering of the Vegetables and Minerals; and therefore it is to be preferred beyond all others, and to be extolled with the highest Praises.

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