Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

_A. Ist der Ofen._

_B. Das distillier gefäs in dem Ofen._

_C. Das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swänge eingetragen wird._

_D. Die Zange mit deckel darmit das gefäs nach dem eintragen
geschlossē wirdt._

_E. Ein Eisen löffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt._

_F. Die recipienten._

_G. Die banck darauf die recipienten ligen._

_H. der Laborant._]

_A. Ist der Ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet._

_B. Ist der Vnterste theil des Ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder
wand anzusehen._

_C. Ist das obertheil des Ofens._

_D. Der rost in dem Ofen._

_E. der Herd._

_F. der Müffel so auff den herd gehöret._

_G. der Deckel darmit der Ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen
darin sein vnd in voller arbeit stehet._

_H. das rauch fänglein an dem Ofen._]

THE
WORKS
OF THE
Highly Experienced and Famous CHYMIST,
John Rudolph Glauber:
CONTAINING,
Great Variety of Choice Secrets
IN
=Medicine and Alchymy=
In the Working of METALLICK MINES, and the
Separation of METALS:

ALSO,

Various Cheap and Easie Ways of making =Salt-petre=, and Improving of
=Barren-Land=, and the =Fruits= of the Earth.

_Together with many other things very profitable for all the Lovers of
Art and Industry._

Translated into _English_, and Published for Publick Good by the
_Labour_, _Care_, and _Charge_, of CHRISTOPHER PACKE,
_Philo-chymico-Medicus_.

_LONDON_,
Printed by _Thomas Milbourn_, for the Author, and are to be sold at his
House next Door to the _Gun_ in _Little-Moorfields_; by _D. Newman_ at
the _King’s-Arms_ in the _Poultry_, and _W. Cooper_ at the
_Pellican_ in _Little Britain_. MDCLXXXIX.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE PREFACE TO THE READER
A CATALOGUE OF THE Subscribers NAMES

THE FIRST PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS

THE FIRST PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 1
THE SECOND PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 15
THE THIRD PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 55
THE FOURTH PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 67
THE FIFTH PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 85
AN APPENDIX 94
Of the Tincture of Gold 96
THE FIRST PART OF THE Mineral Work 100
THE SECOND PART OF THE Mineral Work 114
THE THIRD PART OF THE Mineral Work 125
The APOLOGY of John Rudolph Glauber 147
Miraculum Mundi 161
THE EXPLICATION OF Miraculum Mundi 171
THE CONTINUATION OF Miraculum Mundi 186
A TREATISE Of an Universal Medicine 206
THE SECOND PART OF Miraculum Mundi 221
THE BOOK OF Philip Theophrastus Bombast 231
ANNOTATIONS UPON THE CONTINUATION OF Miraculum Mundi 243
A TREATISE OF THE Nature of Salts 247
A TREATISE Of the Signature of Salts, Metals, and Planets 269
THE CONSOLATION OF NAVIGATORS 278
A True and Perfect DESCRIPTION OF Extracting good TARTAR FROM THE
Lees of Wine 290
THE FIRST PART OF THE Prosperity of Germany 294
THE SECOND PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 318
THE THIRD PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 337
THE FOURTH PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 377
THE FIFTH PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 408
THE SIXTH and Last PART OF THE Prosperity of GERMANY 428

THE SECOND PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS

The First CENTURY, OR Wealthy Store-House of Treasures 1
The Second Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures 35
The Third Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures 61
THE FIRST PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 82
THE SECOND PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 93
THE THIRD PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 121
THE FOURTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 129
THE FIFTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 141
THE SIXTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Pharmacopœa 155
THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Pharmacopœa 174
THE FIRST APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 187
THE SECOND APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 197
THE THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 208
LIBELLUS IGNIUM, OR, Book of FIRES 216

THE THIRD PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS

A TREATISE OF THE Three Principles of Metals 1
OF ELIAS the ARTIST 51
De Purgatorio Philosophorum 67
Secret Fire of Philosophers 76
A TREATISE CONCERNING The Animal-Stone 84
THE INDEX

Opera Johannis Rudolphi Glauberi

Imprimantur,

_Tho. Witherly_ Præses Coll. Med. _Lond._

_Joannes Betts_ }
_Edvardus Browne_ }
_Guilielmus Briggs_ } Censores.
_Gulielmus Dawkins_ }

TO THE
Honoured, and Truly Learned,
Edmond Dickenson, M. D.
Physician to the KING’S Person and Family.

The Art of Chymistry, (_Honoured Sir_) although in its Speculations most Noble and Delectable to a Philosophick Mind, and in its Practice highly Inservient, and Beneficial to Mankind; yet hath it not escaped the Obloquies, and false Imputations of Detractors, and Calumniators, who either through Ignorance, Idleness, or Envy (or all of them conjoin’d) have made a false Representation of this most Noble Art to the World, and endeavoured to set Mankind at the greatest distance from that which is its highest interest to court. For which cause, such Writings as Promulge, and offer at the advancing of the _Chymical Art_, stand in need of such a Patron as is able to defend them against all the Cavils of Pride, Envy, and Ignorance.

And if the Exquisite Parts, and Profound Learning in the more Abstruse Philosophy, together with a Long, and Indefatigable Scrutiny and Labour in the Chymical Art, accompanied with a happy Practice in the Honourable Faculty of Physick, be fit Accomplishments to Entitle one a =Mecænas= of this Art; then are those Excellencies all met and Concentred in your self, as is evident to the whole World by your Curious and Learned Epistle to =Mundanus=, and his Answer to it, which answer will be a Lasting Testimony of your great Worth and Merit.

For certainly, Sir, it is no small evidence of your Worth and Abilities in the _Pyrotechnick Art_, that a Philosopher who had been more than forty years an _Adept_, in all that time should not find three Persons, besides your self, whom he thought worthy to make certain of the truth of what they sought, and aspired after; and yet gave you an Ocular Satisfaction and Certitude of that which Thousands have desired to see, but could not: And further seriously professing, that if he had had the same liberty from his Master, that some _Adepts_ enjoy, that he would have revealed to you the whole Secret.

These things have induced me humbly to offer this Book to your Patronage, not doubting but under your Name and Protection, it will be able to overcome many Difficulties, and obtain a free passage in this our _English_ World, to the benefit and advantage of many well-disposed persons, who seek after Honest, Profitable, and Commendable Arts, which I am fully perswaded was the chief end of the Author in Writing; and I am sure is mine in Translating his Works. You are throughly acquainted with _Glauber’s Writings_, you know his Menstruums, and his Medicines, and are able to attest the truth of what others may account false and impossible. As for such of them as concern the higher Classes of Chymistry, I shall say nothing (being yet but _ad Corinthum vergens_) but commit them to your Mature Judgment, and Protection, humbly craving your pardon for this my presumption, and for what Errors or Oversights I may have committed in this Work; and desiring your Favourable Acceptance of these my poor Endeavours. I take leave to conclude with a passage of the abovementioned Excellent =Mundanus=. _I am fully perswaded, that by the Blessing of God upon your Sagacious Labours, you will at length obtain that which will abundantly Compensate your Pains and Cost._ To which I adjoin my own hearty Wishes; and that after you have been as happy in this World, as true Philosophy can make a Man, you may be Eternally Happy in that which is to come.

I am
_SIR_,
_An Honourer of_
_Your Name and Learning_,
CHRISTOPHER PACKE.

THE
PREFACE
TO THE
READER.

_That the Art of =Chymistry= is very useful and highly serviceable in Physick, Chyrurgery, Husbandry, and Mechanick Arts, is long since evinced by the Excellent Mr. =Boyl= (the Honour both of our Age and Country) in his Experimental Philosophy, or Philosophick Essays; who in =Essay I. and II.= shews that the Examination of the Juices of Human Bodies, by the Art of =Chymistry=, may illustrate their Use and Nature. And that by it may be Explicated the Nature of our several Digestions, and their Aberrations. And afterwards =Cap. VIII. pag 194.= speaking of the advantages that =Chymistry= affords to the =Therapeutick= or =Curative= part of Physick, (which is the chief and principal), and to which all the other parts are subservient) is pleased to express himself thus_: I cannot but think that if _Chymistry_ did no more than assist us, by the resolution of Bodies, to extricate their more active parts, and partly by such Resolutions, and partly by associating Bodies together, to alter the former Texture of Natures productions, or present us with new Concretes of new Textures; by this very means, if Men want not Curiosity and Industry, to vary and prosecute Experiments, there must necessarily arise such a store of new and active Medicines, that in all probability, many of them will be found endow’d with such vertue as have not been (at least in that degree) met with, in the usual Medicines, whether Simple or Compound, to be bought in Apothecarys Shops; and consequently, even without any notable discovery, or improvement of Principles, Chymists (even as Matters now stand with them) may considerably add to the Pharmaceutical part of Physick. But if the Operations of _Chymistry_ were seriously enquired into, and throughly understood, I make little doubt, but by a skilful Application of them, and especially by a series of them, in a Rational and Orderly way succeeding one another, there may be found out a great many preparations of Remedies, both very different from the common Ones, and far more Noble than they. _And presently after he adds._ That if we had but a few Potent Menstruums to dissolve and unlock Bodies with, I scarce know what might not be done in _Chymistry_. _Then further in that =Essay= where he treats of the usefulness of =Chymistry= to the Empire of Man over the Inferiour Works of Nature; he proceeds to shew that =Chymistry= is very serviceable to Husbandry in all its parts, and to other professions that serve to provide Men with Food or Raiment, or do otherwise minister to the Necessities or Accomodations of Life, as =Bakers=, =Brewers=, =Dyers=, &c._

_Thus far this Learned =Philosopher=: To which I shall only add this, That if when he wrote those Essays, =Chymists= were able to contribute so much to the Necessities and Conveniences of Mankind, when =Chymistry= was but young in =England=, and but few Chymists who were accurate in their Operations, and perhaps, fewer who had any competency of Learning, or so much as lightly Tincted with the =Hermetick Philosophy=; if, I say, that it discovered so great a light when it had but newly ascended our Horizon, and was, as I may say, but in its Infancy, what assistance may now be had from it, when (notwithstanding all the Obstacles, and unkind usage it hath met withal) it is grown to a more virile Age and Vigour: But although =Chymistry= be much enlarged, and advanced in =England=, in respect of the Numbers, and Qualifications of the Lovers, and professors of it; yet are not Chymists free from pressing Disadvantages, not having the freedom of administring their own Medicines, how powerful and salutiferous soever, and otherwise adapted to the Necessities of the Sick, than the common =Apparatus= of Physick. So, that as the Case now stands, the help and Succour which the Sick and Diseased receive from Chymical Physick, is but very small to what they might have, if knowing Chymists had the freedom of exercising that Art in all its parts, which with much Industry, Labour, and Costs, they have been sollicitous to attain. But when this disincouragement of ingenuity and Obstacle of the publick good, shall become more apparent to those in whose power it is to redress it, I do not doubt but it will meet with a Remedy._

_But now, to give some account of my present undertaking. I have at length (by God’s help, and the assistance of my Subscribers) finished my Translation of =Glauber=’s =Works=, and here present it to the Reader, in the =English= Tongue. How well I have performed it, I must submit to the judgments of others: I could have been very glad to have seen it done by some abler hand; but when I have heretofore proposed the doing but of some parts of it to those whom I knew might easily have accommodated =English= Artists therein; telling them that I wondered so Excellent an Author, should be so long extant, and that none should unveil him of his =Latin= and =German= Coverings, and put him into an =English= Dress. I have had for answer, That this Age was not worthy of it; so that it seems to me, that the Providence of God had reserved it for fitter times, although to be done by one of the meanest of the Sons of =Pyrotechny=. But this I can say, that I have acquitted my self in this matter, as well as the slenderness of my Parts, weakness of Body, and the necessary Affairs of my Laboratory would permit me; but_

----Ubi desint Vires, acceptanda est Voluntas.

_I desire the Lovers of =Chymistry= to accept my Labours, with the same good will that I have undergone them, having no other end but to serve my Country. And I hereby return thanks to all those generous spirited Gentlemen and others, who have Subscribed to, and promoted this Work, without whose assistance (the Charge being very great, as well as the labour (to me) almost insupportable) it must yet have remained hid and unserviceable to the =English= Reader. But I am in an especial manner obliged to that publick spirited Gentleman (whom I ought to name, were it lawful to do it without his leave) who freely offered me and put into my hands a not inconsiderable part of the Materials for this Work, which part also had been more considerable than it was, had not the Spirit of some, (who unjustly hinder’d it) been as Mean and Sordid, as his was Generous. But that Loss was, in part, made up to me, by a well-minded Artist, to whom I also return Thanks._

_I have Printed this Book upon far better and larger Paper than I proposed to do it in; for at the time of setting forth my first Proposals, I had not the =German= Pieces, but when they came to my hands, upon a more accurate computation of the matter, I found that if I should go on to do the Work upon the Paper I had proposed, the Book would swell to too great a thickness for its breadth and length, and not be only ill shaped, but inconvenient to be read. By this means my Subscribers have a much better Book than I promised them, although the Charge hath also been Considerably greater to me, than I at first expected._

_The Reader hath all here in one Volumn which =Glauber= ever Printed, as far as I can find upon diligent Enquiry at =Amsterdam=, where all his Writings were Printed, and where I purchased the Original Copper Plates belonging to them. But whereas, as ’tis said in the =Explication of Miraculum Mundi=, page 177. That the Cut there described was not Printed in the Latin Copies, nor to be found among the Original Plates; yet notwithstanding, I was unwilling that the Work should go without the Figure of so useful a Furnace as that is, for the Torrefying, or Calcining of Ores, and separating, and depurating their Metals, for which reason I have caused it to be Delineated and Printed with others before the =Continuation of Miraculum Mundi=, after page 188. I have also procured from the hand of another Friend, who is a Lover of Art, the Draught of the Refrigeratory, Furnace, or Instrument, which serves for the making the =Mercury of Wine=, purifying, and fixing of =Argent-vive=, =Antimony=, =Sulphur=, &c. and many other uses which an Ingenious Artist will find out. This Furnace the Author always endeavoured to conceal, but describes it in some part in the beginning of the sixth part of the =Spagyrical Dispensatory=, to which Description I have added the Figure. The Figures of the several Vessels and Instruments belonging to the Fifth Part of the Furnaces, are referr’d to at the beginning of the Fourth Part, but since, for the better orders sake I have placed them before the said Fifth Part._

_These Twelve following Treatises were never Printed in =Latin=, but in the =German= Tongue only, =viz.= The =Third=, =Fourth=, and =Fifth Centuries=; the =Second= and =Third Appendixes= to the Seventh Part of the =Spagyrical Dispensatory=. The =Book of Fires.= =Proserpine.= =Elias the Artist.= =The three Fire-stones.= =The Purgatory of Philosophers.= =De Lapide Animali.= =The Secret Fire of Philosophers.= All which I have caused to be Translated (my self being ignorant of the =German= Tongue) by a person well skill’d both in the =High Dutch=, and also in =Chymistry=, whereby I hope this Book will not be altogether unserviceable nor unacceptable even to the Learned; besides, all the Works of this Author that are in Latin are very difficultly (if at all) to be met with at any Book-sellers Shop in =London=, and those that are, at a dear rate: For when I had entered upon this Translation, I was forced to send to =Amsterdam= to have all the =Latin= pieces compleat._

_The Author in many places refers to his =Opus Saturni=, =Opus Vegetabile=, and the =Concentration of Heaven and Earth=, which Treatises, I am assured, were never printed (at least under those Titles) which also seems to be manifest from his Epistle to the =First Century=, or General Appendix, wherein he inculcates, that for want of time, he had inserted the sum of them all in that Treatise. He also mentions a Seventh part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, in the Preface to the Second Part of =Pharmacopœia Spagyrica=, which was never Printed under that Title, but I am induced to believe it is the =Novum Lumen Chymicum=, as partly appears by comparing it with the foresaid Preface. And it is evident that in some parts of his Writings he hath mentioned a Treatise by one Name, and afterwards Printed it by another, as, =The Testimonium Veritatis=, which was afterwards Printed by the Name of =Explicatio Miraculi Mundi=. As for the =Opus Saturni=, I have heard that there are some Manuscript Copies of it, and had hopes of obtaining it from two several hands, but both failed me. I have been also informed, that there are =Five Centuries= in Manuscript more than I have Printed, but could never understand in what hands they were, except one of them, =viz.= the sixth, the proprietor of which would not be so kind as to let me have it to print._

_I have (by the advice of an Honourable Person) left out the Author’s Religious and Moral Digressions, where I could do it without prejudice to the matter; as also his Apologetical Writings, except his Apology against =Farnner=, which I have printed, for as much as it is intermixt with many profitable Secrets, which perhaps, he would not have published, at least not at that time if they had not been, as it were, extorted from him by the ill Treatment of that Ungrateful Man._

_I could not place the several Treatises in that order which the Author published them, without breaking the order of the several parts, as of the =Miraculum Mundi=, =Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=, and =Prosperity of Germany=; for being many years in publishing, they were done promiscuously, but how they succeeded one another so far as the =Nature of Salts=, the Reader may satisfie himself in the Preface to that Treatise. And as his Writings were published by piecemeal, so are the principal Secrets he teacheth, scattered up and down in divers parts of them, in one place he treateth of a thing obscurely, or but in part; in another place of the same thing openly in that part which he had veiled in the other. Sometimes he declares a Process very openly, omitting only some small Circumstances, or Manual Operation, which would seem to many either impertinent, or not necessary to be done, when notwithstanding, the business will not succeed without it. An instance of this may be given in his =Sal Mirabilis=, whose preparation he teacheth obscurely in the =Nature of Salts=, but more openly in the Second Part of =Miraculum Mundi=. In the =Nature of Salts=, and in the Sixth Part of the =Pharmacopœia Spagyrica=, he teacheth how to Dissolve Gold therewith, and thence to make a kind of =Aurum Potabile=, but wholly omits the adding of a certain Vegetable Sulphur, without which, the work will not answer the Description; this Defect he supplys in the =Second Century=, after a twofold manner, the one not obvious to every Man’s Apprehension, I mean the intent of the Author, =viz.= in those Processes where he shews the making of a Vegetable Sulphur; but the other sheweth the necessary Manual Operation in plain and open words. And this he hath done with all his Secrets on set purpose, that they should be found out by none but the Industrious._

_And this hath given occasion to many, who have not taken pains to read him with diligence, or not being experienced in Operating, to reproach him for an obscure, yea, even for a false Writer, because they have made two or three Superficial, or Unskilful Trials of his Processes, which have not succeeded according to their Expectations; when indeed, the fault was in themselves, either in not perceiving the Author’s intention, or their own want of skill in rightly managing the Operation: And I know some Persons that sometime since said =Glauber= had been too dark in his Writings, who now think he hath wrote too plain._

_But having mentioned this, I will here (for the sake of those Country Gentlemen, who have subscribed to this Work) a little Elucidate the Author’s Process about the inversion of Common Salt, with Lime, for the enriching of Poor and Barren Land. He indeed speaks of several Saline Preparations, which greatly promote the fertility of the Earth, but this with Common Salt, and Lime, is the cheapest of all, and also is most easie to be done, for any Plowman, or Labourer, having but once seen it done, may be presently able to manage it. The sum of it is, that Common Salt be turn’d from its sharpness, into an Alcalizate Nature (which is hot and fat) which then by its Magnetick force will attract from the Air a Vivyfying, Fructifying, Salt-nitrous power, and long retain it in the Earth, which is the cause of all Growth and Vegetation, as the Author sheweth in the Continuation of =Miraculum Mundi=, and many other places; but gives the Process of the preparation in plain and open words in the Appendix to the Fifth Part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, page 416._

_Neither is the practice of preparing either the Land, or the Seed, in order to the better Crop, altogether Novel, as may partly be seen in =Virgil, Georgic Lib. 1.= where he saith,_

Semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes,
Et Nitro prius, & nigra perfundere amurca;
Grandior ut fœtus siliquis fallacibus esset, _&c._

Which in _English_ may sound thus:

_Some have I seen their Seeds to sow prepare,
With Nitre and Oyl-Lees, for they by care
Will grow far greater, and be sooner ripe,_ &c.

_The Lime must be spread upon the ground, where no Rain can come to it, till it slake it self by the Air, and fall into a Powder; of this Powder you are to take four hundred weight to one hundred weight of any common foul Salt, which is too impure for the use of the Kitchen, where such may be had, otherwise clean Salt, (for that will be cheaper than Dung) the Salt and Lime are to be well mixed, and then moistened with such a quantity of Water, (or rather Urine where it may be had) as will bring the Lime and Salt mixed, to the Consistency of a stiff Mortar. Of this Mass Balls are to be made about the bigness of ones Fist, and laid under a Shead, or Hovel to dry; being dried, they are to be burnt in a Kiln as Lime is, so that the Balls may be red hot for an hour at least; or where no Lime-Kiln is near, they may be burnt by building a Pile in the Field, first with a Lay of Wood, then a Lay of Balls, then Wood again, and so till all the Balls are placed fit for burning. When the Balls are burnt, they are to be again placed upon a Floor under a Shead, or Hovel, where they may be exposed to the Air, but kept free from the Rain, and if you break them with a Clod-beater presently, the Air will the sooner act upon them, and cause them again to fall into a Powder; which Powder may then be carried out and spread, or rather sowed out of a Seedlet, thicker or thinner as the Land shall require. Provided this be done in the beginning of Summer about the time of Fallow, for that being many Months before the Seed is to be sowed, the fieryness of this rich Compost will be Contemperated by the Air and the Earth, and changed into a Nitrous fatness, which joining it self with the Earth, is again Magnetically attracted by the Seed when it is sown, whose growth it thereby swiftly promoted, and its Multiplication much augmented. But if any should cast this Matter upon his Land soon after it is burnt, and presently after that should sow his Seed, instead of having a greater Crop than he used to have, he would have a less, or perhaps none, that Year, but the next Year, and soon for many Years, the same Land would bring forth plentifully. Therefore it is necessary, that this Matter should lie six or seven Months spread upon a Floor, and now and then turn’d with a Shovel, as you turn Malt, that it may be Contempered, and Animated by the Air; or be cast upon the Land so long before the Seed be sown. The reason is the very same as with Dung, for none takes fresh Dung and spreads it upon his Land when he is about to sow his Seed, for if he should, his Seed would be burnt up; but the Husbandman lets his Dung lie some time to rot, as he calls it, after which he lays it on his Land, and lets it lie spread some time before he Plows it in, and all this is but to Contemper the heat of the Animal Salt contain’d in the Dung, and turn it into a Nitrous Nature. Thus much I thought good to say about this Matter in the plainest words, least any, not throughly understanding the Author’s Intention, should erre in the first Experiment, and so unjustly blame the Author, and forbear themseldes and deterr others from prosecuting that easie Practice, which I am confident, if rightly managed, will bring much profit to many persons in this Nation. This must also of necessity be a profitable Work to those who will undertake it upon the account of making of =Salt-petre=; especially to such as understand the Nature and Generation of that Excellent salt, which is of such incomparable use in the Preparation of Medicines, separating of Metals, and in many Mechanick Arts._

_Now for as much as in this Work =Sal Mirabilis=, =Spirit of Nitre=, and =Spirit of Salt=, are recommended to very many uses, and every one that hath a mind to make Experiments with them, may not have the knowledge, or the conveniency of preparing them, I hereby signifie, that I intend (God willing) to prepare and keep by me the Author’s =Sal Mirabilis= of both sorts, that peculiar =Spirit of Salt=, which he commends against the Scurvy and other Diseases, and also to keep Beer from sowring in the Summer, in the =Consolation of Navigators=. His =Panacea of Antimony=, and =Golden Panacea=, spoken of in the Second Part of the =Pharmacopœia Spagyr.= the =Explication of Miraculum Mundi=, and divers other places. His =Aurum Diaphoreticum=, also the =Tincture of Gold=, or =Aurum Potabile=, are described to be made of the =Irreducible Blood of the Lyon=, in the Sixth part of the =Spagyrical Pharmacopœia=, Chap. 22. These I purpose constantly to keep by me for the accommodating of Physicians, and others, who shall have occasion to buy them. Those are Excellent Medicines, and such as a Physician may have some confidence in; and indeed, this Book contains a great variety of such Medicines as will get a Physician Honour, which (I hope) will be tryed by all those who delight to do good, and be brought into use for the general Help and Comfort of the sick. For I freely confess, that if I have any thing in Medicine, beyond what is commonly known, I have had the Foundations of it from this Author; and if God shall please to grant me life to a fit time, I doubt not but I shall from those Foundations be able to raise such a Superstructure as shall testifie the truth of his Writings, and powerfully evince the Worth and Excellency of Chymical Medicines, and that demonstratively in matter of Fact, =viz.= by the Curing of both Acute and Chronick Diseases._

_And now by way of Conclusion, I have only one thing more to add; and that is a Request to all the Ingenious Lovers of Chymistry, that they would not occasion this Work which I have undergone with so much labour, and loss of time from my private Concerns, meerly for the good of others, to redound to my own hurt; my meaning is, That I might not be put to the charge and trouble of Letters about Curious Enquiries, wherein I am to have not the least profit: This I mention, because I have had divers such Letters come to my hands since I have been about it, and that sometimes two or three very long ones with many Queries, in one Week. Now should this continue, and I endeavour to satisfie all the Doubts, and gratifie all the Curiosities of all such non-considering persons, truly I should have no time besides what this would take up, to provide for my self and Family. But notwithstanding what I have said, if any Ingenious Person shall stand in need of my Assistance, in preparing of any thing for him, or otherwise, wherein I may have a reasonable recompence for my Time and Trouble, I will be ready to give him the best assistance I can. For I am now but just ready to receive a Writ of Ease from three Years daily labour and care about this Work, and I would be willing to enjoy it some time, that I might again with diligence apply my self to my Laboratory, the effects of which, if God shall see good, may at one time, or other, shew themselves to the World. In the mean time, I wish all Honest and Ingenious Lovers of the Spagyrick Art, good success in their Studies and Labours, that thence the Penuries and Miseries of Mankind, especially of the sick, may be effectually remedied; that they may Cooperate as Instruments with the great ends and providences of the Almighty, to bring about that time, in which God shall be Glorified all the World over, and Men live in a more serene and tranquil condition than yet they have done, which shall always be the Desire and Prayers of him that is a Lover of =Pyrotechny=, and Honourer of all true Artists._

From my House next Door to the Sign of the _Gun_ in _Little
Moor-Fields_, the 1688.

Chr. Packe.

A
CATALOGUE
OF THE
Subscribers NAMES.

_Tho. Archer_, Med. _Hertford_.
_John Allen_, Med. _Lurgarshal_.
_William Adams_, Chyrurg. _Cambr._
_John Agar_, Chyrurg. _Kingston_.
_John Ashby_, Gent.
Mr. _John Acton_.

B

The Right Honourable _John_ Earl of _Bridgwater_.
Sir _James Butler_, Kt. Judge of the _Marshalsea_ Court.
Sir _John Bowyer_, Knight. _Warwick_.
Sir _Robert Barcham_, Kt. _Warwick_.
The Honourable _Ro. Boyl_, Esq;
_Tho. Berenger_, Esq; _Iver_.
_Tho. Bradshaw_, Esq; _Warwick_.
_John Banson_, Gent.
_Thomas Browne_, Gent.
_John Bourne_, M. B.
_Rich. Boreman_, Med. _Kent_.
_Jonath. Blewet_, Chyr. _Huntingdon_.
_John Burr_, Chyrurg.
_Nich. Bennet_, Chyrurg. _Bucks._
_John Bishop_, Chym.
Mr. _William Boys_.
_Edward Babb_, Gent.
_William Bromfield_, Chyr. _Hitchin_.
Mr. _John Bell_.
Mr. _Tho. Badmanaring_.
_Richard Blome_, Gent.
Mr. _John Bulfinch_.
Mr. _John Bennet_.
Mr. _John Bush_.

C

_Daniel Cox_, M. D.
_Samuel Codrington_, Esq; _Somerset_.
_Isaac Chancey_, M. D.
_Christopher Crelle_, M. D.
_Thomas Cox_, A. M. _Battlesden_.
_Billidge Clayton_, A. M.
Mr. _William Cooper_, Bookseller.
Mr. _Awnsham Churchill_, Bookseller.
Mr. _Henry Clare_.
Mr. _David Congnard_, Junior.
Mr. _David Cunningham_, Turvey.
_Rob. Cooper_, Apoth. _Wolverhampton_.
Mr. _Thomas Carden_, Newberry.
Capt. ---- _Conoway_.

D

Sir _Matthew Dudley_, Baronet.
_Edmond Dickenson_, M. D. Physician to His Majesty.
_William Dawes_, M. D.
_George Dean_, Med. _Westminster_.
_John Dimsdell_, Med. _Hertford_.
_William Dyn_, Gent.
_Thomas Dibben_, Gent. _Somerset_.

E

_Luke Eales_, M. D. _Wellin_.
_Thomas Enden_, Gent. _Lancaster_.
_Tho. Edes_, Apothecary. _Warwick_.

F

_Simon Folkes_, Esq; _Bury St. Edmond_.
_Isaac Foxcroft_, Esq; _Westminster_.
_Charles Ferris_, Phylo-Chym.
Mr. _George Fewtrell_
Mr. _Nicholas Finckley_

G

_Henry Guy_, Esq;
_Thomas Gardiner_, Chyrurg.
_Richard Gee_, Gent.
_Stephen Giles_, Chyrurg.
_Stephen Godfrey_, Gent.
Mr. _William Gibbon_.
Mr. _Andrew Gland_, Apothecary.

H

Sir _James Hayes_, Kt.
_John Hayes_, Esq;
_Rich. Harrison_, Esq; _Hertford_.
The Honourable _Charles Howard_, Esq;
_John Huxley_, Esq; _Stanly_.
Capt. _Elisha Hutchinson_.
_James Harding_, Gent.
_John Hollyman_, Gent. _Wrexham_.
_John Harborough_, M. D.
_Rob. Hopkin_, Gent. _Ashton Underline_.
_Rich. Hope_, Med.
_Gabr. Hubbard_, Med.
Capt. _Hen. Hatley_.
_John Holliard_, Chyrurg.
Mr. _John Hall_.
Mr. ---- _Hooker_.
_John Harvy_, Med. _Saffron Walden_.
Mr. _Luke Halfhide_.
Mr. _Noah Hodgson_. York.
Mr. ---- _Harding_.
Mr. _Edward Heslop_.
Mr. _Jasper Harman_.

I

_William Johnson_, M. D. _Warwick_.
Mr. _Joseph Jewell_
_Robert Johnson_, Med.
Mr. _William Johnson_
_Rich. Ingersal_, Bookseller

L

_William Lloyd_, Esq;
_Josiah Lane_, M. D. _Banbury_
_Henry Lewis_, A. M. _Norfolk_
Mr. _John Long_
Mr. _Jer. Lammas_
Mr. _Robert Lydall_
Mr. ---- _Littleton_
Mr. _Job Lord_
_Matthew Lambert_, Chyrurg.

M

_Thomas Marriot_, Esq; _Warwick_
_Arthur Moor_, Gent.
_John Mouse_, Med. _Wellingborough_
Mr. _Mord. Mouse_. Bucks
Mr. _John Mathews_
Mr. _Ven. Mandey_
Mr. _William Milward_
Mr. ---- _Matson_

N

_Walter Needham_, M. D.
_Francis Nicholson_, Esq;
Mr. _James Newton_
Mr. _John Newman_
Mr. _D. Newman_, Bookseller.

O

Mr. _Dan. Oley_

P

Sir _Henry Puckering_, Kt. _Warwick_
_William Penn_, Esq;
_Tho. Powell_, Esq;
_Richard Palmer_, Esq;
Capt. _Tho. Powell_
_Charles Panton_, Med. _Somerset_
Mr. _Francis Porter_
Mr. _Edward Powell_
_Edward Patteson_, Chym.
_John Peck_, Chyrurg.
Mr. _John Peacock_
Mr. _Edward Page_
Mr. _Samuel Philips_

R

_Luke Rugely_, M. D.
_Samuel Reynolds_, Med. _Ipswich_
_William Russel_, M. D.
_John Rallet_, Med. _Braintry_
_Joseph Rawson_, Cyrurg. _Ailsbury_
_John Rudd_, Med.
Mr. _Tho. Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Robert Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Edmond Read_
Mr. _Simon Romny_
Mr. _Michael Rose_
Mr. _James Rance_
Mr. _William Robardson_
Mr. _Robert Ross_

S

The Right Honourable Sir _John Shorter_, Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of
_London_
_Nicholas Salter_, Esq; _Bucks_
_Nathaniel Staughton_, Esq;
Col. _John Stawell_, Somerset
_Nath. Slade_, M. D. _Wrexham_
Dr. ---- _Symcotts_
_William Smith_, Gent. _Bath_
Mr. _Thomas Samborne_, Somerset
Mr. _John Spire_
Mr. _Thomas Stone_
Mr. _William Savage_
Mr. _Richard Salick_
_Tho. Saffold_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Philip Seddal_
Mr. _John Sloakham_, Colebrook
Mr. _Francis Smartfoot_
_Mat. Sarfati_, Chym.

T

_Robert Toope_, M. D. _Bath_.
_John Tanner_, Med. _Amersham_
_John Tomkys_, A. M. _Warwick_
_Josiah Thorald_, M. D.
Mr. _John Till_
_John Trotter_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Henry Tash_
Mr. _Isaac Taylear_
Mr. _John Tunstall_

W

Sir _Tho. Witherly_, Kt. Physician to His Majesty, and President of
the Colledge of Physicians
_Richard Wharton_, Esq;
Mr. _Robert Wolley_
Mr. _Edward West_
Mr. _Richard Wyn_, Apoth.
Mr. _Thomas Wigg_
Mr. _Israel Wormal_
_John Walraven_, Chyrurgion
_James Wass_, Chyrurgion
_Charles Wells_, Gent. _Huntingdon_
Mr. _Joseph Wells_
Mr. _William Wheeler_
Mr. _John Webb_
_William Williams_, Med.
Mr. _David Withers_, Berks
Mr. _Edward Wilson_
Mr. _Keeblewhite_
Mr. _Philip Washburn_
Mr. _Richard Weekes_
Mr. _Randal Watson_
Mr. _John Withers_.

THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.

Containing a new Art of making _Spirits_, _Oyls_, _Flowers_, and
other Medicaments, by the help of the first of those Furnaces,
after a very easie and peculiar manner out of Vegetables, Animals
and Minerals: With their Chymical and Medicinal use.

A _Preface_ to the Courteous Reader.

_I have hitherto reserved to my self as Secrets, some peculiar Furnaces and compendious Ways of Distilling, which with diligent study and speculation I found out some few years since, by which many excellent Works, impossible to be done by the vulgar Art, may be performed; but now at last I have, considering with my self how advantageous it may be to the World, determined to conceal this Art no longer, but for the good of my Neighbour to publish it, by giving to =Chymists= a perfect and fundamental information of this new-invented Art, that they may no longer for the future spend their Time and Money in long tedious Operations, but may after a more easie way, by the help of my Furnaces, be able to effect many excellent things. Now this Book shall be divided into Five Parts, the first whereof shall teach how to build a Furnace, in which incombustible things are distilled and sublimed, and indeed such things which cannot be done by Retort or any other Vessels, and how the Spirits, Flowers, and Oyls of Minerals, and Metals may by the help thereof be prepared, as also what their Use and Vertues are._

_In the Second Part shall be shewed another Furnace, in which combustible things, as Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals are distilled and most perfectly subtilized: by help whereof many most excellent Medicaments for the cure of most grievous and otherwise incurable diseases may be prepared._

_In the Third shall be taught a certain new invention hitherto unknown, of distilling Burning Spirits, as of Wine, Corn, Fruits, Flowers, Herbs and Roots; as also the Waters of Vegetables and Animals, and that in a great quantity, in a short time, and without much costs; as also of boyling Beer, Mead, Wine, and other things, which otherwise are made in Copper or Iron Vessels; and all this by the help of Wooden Vessels, and benefit of a certain small Copper, or Iron instrument of two or three pound weight, and that after a certain easie manner without Furnaces. This newly-invented Art doth also teach divers Chymical Operations, as Putrefactions, Digestions, Circulations, Extractions, Abstractions, Cohobations, Fixations, =&c.= And this invention is very necessary and profitable for young beginners in this Art, for they need not in the making of burning Spirits, Waters of Vegetables, Extracts, and other Medicaments so many Furnaces, and so many Copper, Iron, Tin, Earthen and Glass Vessels, for it is here taught how all the aforesaid Operations may be done onely by the help of a certain small Copper or Iron Instrument in Wooden Vessels as well as by Alembicks and other great Copper Vessels, by which means a great deal of Costs is saved._

_In the Fourth Part shall be taught another certain, and hitherto unknown Furnace, in which all Chymical Operations may most easily be done: being most profitable for the trying of the Natures of Minerals and Metals; as also for the proving, examining, melting, cupelling, and separating of Metals, that nothing may be lost of them, and that after a compendious and easie way, and also to great advantage._

_In the Fifth shall be taught how to make and prepare Iron, Earthen, Glass, and other kind of Instruments necessary for the aforesaid four Furnaces, as also other necessary, and most profitable Manuals._

_And in the First Part, the Fabrick of the first Furnace being delineated, I shall also shew how by the help thereof may be made Spirits, Oyls, Flowers, and other most profitable Medicaments, also their Vertues and Use, and that as faithfully as I may, and without fraud. And truly I do not doubt but those of understanding will approve of this Work, but ignorant =Zoilus’s= will contemn it: For it is said according to the Proverb, =He that builds by the highway, will hear many things from them that find fault=, and especially from the vulgar, =&c.= But it would be well if those =Thrasoes= would put forth something more excellent, before they find fault with and carp at other Mens pains and labours._

_Wherefore let no one rashly judge of this Work, untill he be throughly informed concerning the same, and then I do not doubt but the Authour shall be by him commended._

_And if haply all things shall not presently succeed well, to his mind, with him that shall build this Furnace, and operate therewith, let him think with himself that perhaps he hath erred in some part, (for it is a new and unknown work, in which any one may easily err) and not presently therefore murmur against the Authour, blaming him, because he hath not wrote clear enough, but let him ascribe it to his own ignorance, and let him study to understand the Authour’s meaning, and still be practising upon it, and then I do not doubt, but he will have better success, which I pray every one may have._ Amen.

The EXPLICATION of the Figures of the first Furnace in all its parts.

=FIG. I.= E. _The first Subliming-Pot, which is set into the upper
hole of the Furnace._ D. _The upper hole of the Furnace._ F. _The
second Pot._ G. _The third._ H. _The fourth._

=FIG. II.= A. _The Ash-hole, with the wideness of the Furnace._ B.
_The middle hole, by which the Coals and Matter to be distilled,
are cast in._ C. _A Stopper of Stone, which is to stop the said
hole after casting in the matter._ D. _The upper hole with a
certain false bottom, which is to be filled with Sand._ E. _The
Cover of the upper hole, which is put on after the putting in
the Coals and Materials._ F. _A Pipe going out of the Receiver,
and joyned to the first Pot._ G. _The first Receiver._ H. _The
second._ I. _The third._ K. _A Stool on which the first Receiver
stands, having a hole in the middle, through which the Neck of
the first Pot, to which a Dish is annexed, passeth._ L. _The
Dish through the Pipe whereof the refrigerated Spirits distill._
M. _A Receiver into which the Spirits collected in the Dish do
flow._ N. _A Screw to be raised higher at pleasure for the better
joyning the Receiver to the Pipe, and it goeth through a Stool._
O. _The place of the Pipe for the Distilling of Spirit of Vitriol
and Allom._ P. _A Grate consisting of two strong cross Iron
Barrs, fastned in the Furnace, and four or five more less, that
are moveable, for the better cleansing of the Furnace._

=FIG. III.= G. _The first crooked Pipe fitted to the Pipe of the
Furnace._ F. _The Pipe of the Furnace._ H. _A Receiver fitted
to that Pipe, and set in a Tub of water, for accellerating the
Operations: which Receiver hath a Cover with two holes, through
the first whereof goeth a single crooked Pipe, and through the
other two crooked Pipes, whereof one goeth into the Receiver,
as did the single, and the other out of the Receiver H, into
H. H._ I. _The Tub of Water._ M. _A third Pipe. By this way
Flowers are sublimed, and Spirits distilled speedily, and in
great quantity._

THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.

_Of the Structure of the First Furnace._

As for the first Furnace, it may be built greater or lesser as you please, a regard being had of the quantity of the Matter to be distilled, and also either round or square; either of Bricks, or by a Potter with Potters Clay. Now when the Diameter is of one span, _viz._ withinside, the height must be of four, _viz._ one from the bottom to the grate, another from the grate to the hole made for putting in of Coals, and two from thence to the top of the Pipe, which must at least go forth out of the Furnace one span, lest the receivers should by the neerness of the Furnace be heated. The Pipe also must have on the fore part a Diameter, answering the third part of the intrinsecal Diameter of the Furnace; also a little larger on the hinder part than the forepart. Let the grate be such an one, as may be taken out at your pleasure and made clean, being stopt by the Matter that is cast in and distilled: for it is easily stopt in distilling of Salts melted with the coals, whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire, and the distillation by consequence hindred: Or let there be put into the Furnace cross-wise two strong iron bars, upon which lay four or five lesser, distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger, going a little out of the Furnace, by which when they are stopt, you may take them out with a pair of Tongs, and cleanse them from the burnt Matter, and then again put them into their own places: wherefore also the Furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate, that you may the better order the grate.

Also the grate must have above, a covering of Iron or Stone, with a hole in the middle thereof with a certain distinction, which is to be filled with sand, that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the hole, and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will, being forced, go forth thorow the Pipe into the receivers, after you have cast in the matter which is to be distilled.

_Of the Receivers._

Let the Receivers be made of glass, or of strong earth, which may retain the spirits, and such is the Waldburgick, Hassiack, Frechheimensian, Siburgic earth, _&c._ They are better that are made of glass, if they are to be had, and those especially which are made of strong and firm glass, which may be smoothed about the joints with a Smiris stone, and so fitted that they may the better be joyned together, and then they need not luteing (but how they shall be smoothed with the Smiris stone, and be fitted, shall be taught in the Fifth part, which treats of Manuals) because by this means they are joyned so close, that no spirits can go through the joynts: otherwise you must close the joynts with the best Lute, such as will not let the spirits exhale, which shall be taught in the Book treating of Manuals. The form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof. As for the quantity thereof, know that by how much the greater they are, so much the better they are, for then you need the fewer, but the more, by how much the lesser they are. Let the superiour orifice be larger than the inferiour, so that alwaies another receiver may with its inferiour orifice be joyned to it, and let the inferiour orifice have a Diameter of three fingers breadth, or thereabouts; I mean in case the Diameter of the Furnace be of one span. For a greater Furnace requires greater holes, as also orifices of the receivers, by which means a sufficient and due proportion of air may be given to the fire: or if the Diameter of the Furnace be more than a span, it must also have two or three pipes (which being considered together, should have a wideness answering the wideness of the third part of the Furnace, for so great a wideness, and so much air is required, if the fire burn freely and do its office) to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be applyed, that the fire be not choaked.

Now, the Figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the Receivers, as also their application to the Furnace. And, in the first place, the Receiver stands in a three-foot stool bored thorow in the middle, that the neck of the first Receiver may pass thorow, to which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping Spirits: To the first there is joyned a Second, and to that a third, and so consequently (_viz._ near unto a wall or ladder) so many as you please. Let the upper Receiver, and indeed all the rest, be left open: To the lower as hath been said, is joyned a dish with a pipe, by which the distilled Spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added thereunto, which being filled, is taken away, and another is set in the place of it, because that is set under it without luting, and therefore may easily be changed. And if you please to distil any thing else, you may take away that dish with a pipe, and make it clean, and then joyn it close again (that no spirit may breath forth) to the neck of the lower receiver. And if that dish cannot be so closely joyned, that nothing exhale, pour in a spoonful of Water, for that doth astringe, neither doth it hurt the spirits, because in the rectifying it is separated.

_Of the subliming Vessels._

These you need not make of glass, or of such earth as may retain the spirits, as hath been above mentioned; it is sufficient, if so be they be made of good common Potters earth, and be well glazed within, _viz._ of such a form and figure, as appears by the annexed delineation.

Yet you must chuse good earth that will endure the fire, for the lower pots are so heated by the fire, that they would be broken if they should not be made of good earth.

Now I will shew you in general the manner it self of distilling; as also, the manual necessaries in every distillation.

_The manner of Distilling._

In the first place, let there be some burning Coals put in, which afterwards must be covered with more until the Furnace be full almost to the pipe, which being done, let not the uppermost cover be laid over its hole (that the heat and smoak may pass that way, and not thorow the pipe, and receivers, which will thereby be red hot; and this will be a hindrance to the distillation) until the fire be sufficiently kindled, and the Furnace be throughly hot; then cast in, with an Iron ladle, of the matter prepared for distillation as much as will cover the Coals, which being done, stop the Furnace very close, by pressing down strongly the upper cover upon its hole or sand, which is put in the lower part of the hole, being a place made for that purpose. Now let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole, presently stop it with a stopple of stone, and that very close, for by this means all those things which were cast in, will be forced, after the manner of a thick Cloud, to break forth through the pipe into the receivers, and there to condense themselves into an acid spirit or oyl, and thence to distil into the dish set under, through the pipe whereof they do yet distil down further into another glass receiver. The Coals being burnt out, and all the spirits being come forth, you must cast in more Coals, and more materials, until you have got a sufficient quantity of Spirits. In this way of distilling, you may at your pleasure cease, and begin again without any danger.

When you will make clean the Furnace, you need do nothing else, then draw out the Iron bars that lye on the cross bar, that the _Caput Mortuum_ may fall down, which afterwards may be taken away with a Fire-shovel, which being done, you must put in the bars again, and lay them on the cross-bars as before, upon which you must cast burning Coals, and upon them others, until there be enough, then on them all, being well kindled, cast your materials.

When you go to make clean the receivers, and to begin to distil another thing, you need not remove them, but only pour pure Water into them, _viz._ by their upper receiver, by the descending whereof the other are purified.

And by this way, not only out of Vegetables, and volatile Minerals (incombustible) but also out of fixed Metals and Stones, spirits, oyls, and flowers, are drawn forth wonderfully, easily, and in good quantity, which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art of distilling.

Now, in this Furnace are distilled only such materials, which being distilled, yield an incombustible humidity, as common Salt, Vitriol, Allom, and other Minerals and Metals, each of which doth yet require their peculiar manuals, if operated upon.