Chapter LXXXIV: Part I: To the well minded Reader (12)

_Note_: Whensoever the Glass with the remaining Water, in which the red Powder is, shall by motion be disturbed, the Water will seem to be blew, which blew colour ariseth onely from the Tincture, which by that agitation is dissipated into most small Atoms. For when the Tincture red as Blood is again setled in the bottom, the Water stands above it white as before. Touching this flaming Sulphur _Cosmopolita_ thus speaks: _When Philosophers have freed their Sulphur from his tenebrous Prison, and see him swimming in his own Sea, they adore him, that is, are delighted with his Beauty_. But whosoever would operate any thing to purpose, it will be expedient for him to provide in readiness a good quantity of this Water, because from ten pound of this Water, there is no more than one Scruple of our Sulphur to be expected. Which _Avicen_, in his advice to his Son observed, saying, he had need to procure to himself sixty pounds of that Water before he began his Work. Touching which also _Bracescus_ hath excellently discoursed, although he was [seemingly] refuted by _Tauladanus_, who (by reason of the great subtilty of his Wit) could not conceive, that any good could lie hid in despicable gross Iron. But that good Man _Tauladanus_ no more understood the meaning of _Bracescus_ than he knew the nature of Iron. If any one be seised with the desire of operating in this Subject, let him reade _Bracescus_, by whom he will be sufficiently informed. But many by his Writings have erred, through their mistake of what he mentions in the latter end of his Book, _viz._ that he spake not of vulgar Iron, which by strong Fire might be again reduced into Iron; but that such Iron was to be chosen, as by the force of strong Fire, could turn it self into a green or blewish Glass. Where the simple Readers following the bare letter, sought their Tincture in common Scales of Iron, but to no purpose. Here I speak of a blew or green _Scoria_, which can no more be reduced into Iron. For whensoever any one shall melt our fixed Sulphur mixt with _Borax_, although with most vehement Fire, yet he shall never reduce it into Iron, but into a greenish Glass. This _Crocus Martis_ cannot do, nor any other destroyed Iron; but in Reduction it will always yield some small Grains of Iron, wherefore thence no Tincture can be made. For whatsoever is endewed with a tinging Vertue must not be Metal, according to the Universal Consent of all Philosophers. If any one would find out some excellent thing, let him learn the Art of concentrating that, by which Concentration it will be multiplied in vertue.

These few things I was willing at this time to communicate touching the volatile Spirit, and fixed Sulphur of _Mars_, for publick good. The whole work is neither difficult nor chargeable, because we may use one and the same _Menstruum_ always again and again, nor is there need of new Expences, which are now easily acquirable. These are things accurately to be noted, according as that most ingenious Poet _Virgil_ hath perspicuously hinted in these Verses.

_Consider first, what here is to be done:
A =Golden Branch=, with Leaves of Gold thereon,
Upon a Tree concealed groweth: =This=
To the Infernal =Juno= sacred is.
But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,
Obscure and keep this =Tree= from humane Sight;
And till some one shall take down from the Tree
This =Golden Branch=, there can no Entrance be
Into Earths Caverns. Beauteous =Proserpine=
Ordained hath that this rare Gift divine
Shall brought be unto her. No sooner is
The first =Branch= cropt, but in the place of this
A second sprouts; and that most pure and fine,
As did the first, with golden Leaves will shine.
Therefore distinguish Right; when rightly known
This =Branch= is unto thee, then with thy own
Hands crop the same: for it will follow Thee,
If thou, by =Fates=, for this Work chosen be;
If otherwise, no humane Violence,
Nor strength of Iron force it can from thence._

By these it evidently appears, that when one golden Bough is cropped off that Tree, another follows; and not onely one and another, but as often as you will crop one, another follows: Provided the Heavens favour our Enterprize; otherwise all endeavour will be vain. Yea, it will be impossible with hard Iron, or from hard Iron (as the Gold-bearing Tree) to acquire or crop one Branch. Consider these things in your Mind. For here are words plain and clear enough to every man, whose Ears and Eyes GOD shall open.

CHAP. XIV.

_Of the Preparation of the volatile and subtil Spirits of other
Metals, and of their Use._

_Note_: This labour of preparing subtil Spirits of fixed Metals, and of reducing volatile Spirits, into fixed Bodies, so fully explains the Table of _Hermes_, as even Children may understand it. Also it proves the verity of that Aphorism unanimously used by all Philosophers: The fixed make volatile, and the volatile fixed. He, whom GOD favours, will easily understand this; but to all others it will remain most firmly locked, although it be described to them with great clearness. I doubt not, but that this Work (when these my Writings in time to come shall fall into the hands of most diligent Searchers) will be more throughly sought into, and a nearer way found, than this here described by me, by the benefit of which, the Sulphur of Philosophers may be released out of that dark Prison, in which he is kept bound with most strong Iron Chains. It would amaze a man to think, that from such a tenebrous and shadowed black Tree, such fair golden Branches should be cropped. Although they (who are not Philosophers, but would be accounted such, whilst they walk magnificently adorned with splendid cloathing) by reason of their blind Pride cannot see what I have here clearly written; yet those Artificers, who wearing Linnen Frocks, labour in their simplicity, will see; because to their Endeavours GOD gives his Benediction.

As I have here taught the way of extracting penetrating volatile Spirits from contemptible old Iron, and of reducing those Spirits into fixed tinging Bodies; so also from other Metals the same may be prepared. Indeed one Metal is more apt for such an Operation than another, and one gives forth its spirits more readily than another: yet such Spirits may be extracted from all Metals, but with the help of divers Solutions. For that Water which dissolves Gold, leaves Silver undissolved, and what will dissolve Silver, dissolves not Gold. Common Salt, and Salt Niter, with the Water and Oil of Vitriol, (but rather of Sulphur) dissolve _Sol_, _Mars_, _Venus_ and _Jupiter_. Niter the Water and Oil of Sulphur dissolve _Lune_ and _Venus_. Most sharp Wine Vinegar dissolveth _Saturn_. The Spirit of Gold coagulates _Mercury_ into _Sol_, the Spirit of Silver coagulates it into _Lune_. Both these Spirits are Medicinal. The Spirits of _Venus_ and _Jupiter_ are of a loathsome Taste and Odour, and therefore unfit for Medicine. Spirit of _Saturn_ is a mere penetrating Venome, or a Water, which by its Odour suffocates the vital Spirit, wherefore every man should studiously avoid it, since its use cannot be without Peril; otherwise that Spirit in metallick Works excels all. Nor do I believe we can easily prepare a Tincture, whereby to coagulate _Mercury_, unless by the help of Saturn cold and killing all living things, yet it must be warily handled.

With these I close up my discourse of these Spirits; because, although of them much more might be spoken, yet it will not be the part of a considerate man to cast Pearls before Swine. Besides, I judge I have already divulged more than is fit. But it is worthy of all observation, that GOD is a faithfull Defender and Governour of all most subtil Arts and Things.

CHAP. XV.

_How by the Benefit of a Magnet from the Air may be extracted an
Universal Medicine._

It is sufficiently known, that the Life of all things is reconded in the Air, without which Spirit, or Soul of the World, nothing in this Universality of things can live or grow. But the Ancient Philosophers sought out various ways, by which that Spirit might be brought from a far off nigh unto us, be received and exhibited palpable, and at length they found the way, and by the benefit of it performed great things both in Medicine and in Alchymy, and that more or less, according as one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it. For the whole Art consists in this Concentration. Therefore, since by the Grace of GOD, unto me also is something known touching a like Concentration of the Universal Macrocosmick Spirit of Life, I was not willing (like some envious or covetous man) to keep so great a Gift of GOD to my self onely, and suffer the same to be buried with me; but chose rather (for the health of mankind, for the profit of my Neighbour, and for the Honour and Glory of GOD) to impart something thereabout; yet no more than is fit or convenient.

If any one desireth to extract some good thing from the Air, he must first well understand what will be a good Magnet, and how to make choice of an oportune place and time. For in a moist Season, you shall extract nothing but an unprofitable Water from the Air. Wherefore no man should undertake this labour of extracting, unless in the height or midst of Summer, when the Air is very serene, void of Clouds, and hot with the Solar Rays. Because, at such a time, the Magnet, which you shall hang up in the Sun, immediately (from the hot Rays of the Sun) extracts a medicinal Water, which every one may use according to his Capacity. Also, I would have you to know, that various Magnets are found, by help of which Water may be extracted from the hot Air, but all such Waters make not for our Universal Medicine. Yet I am willing here to subjoin some of those vulgar Magnets.

_The First Magnet._

With 3, 4, or 6 Pound of _Mercury_, or more or less fill small Stone Jugs, or strong Glasses, which Glasses firmly closed let down into a deep cold Well, where the _Mercury_ in it self will concentrate the Cold. Now, if you would extract Water from the Air, hang up such a cold Glass or Jug full of _Mercury_ in the Air, where it will presently draw Water to it self. Therefore under the Glass or Jug must be set a Glass Tunnel with a long Pipe; by which the distilling Water may be received, and conveighed through the Pipe, from the hot Sun into a cold Cellar. If this be not done, the Sun will again draw to it self the distilled Spirit. You may leave the Magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and Water distils from it: But assoon as no more water will distil, you must immerge it again in a Cold Well, that it may recover its Coldness. In the mean while, instead of it hang up another; and repeat the labour so often as until you have gathered water enough.

_Another Magnet._

Hang up in the hot Sun Jugs or Glasses full of such water; which of their own accord will their contract so great Coldness, as you can scarcely endure to touch them with your hand. To them, as is abovesaid, water will adhere, and distil into the Tunnels set under them.

A Cold water is thus prepared. In common water, or Spirit of Vitriol, dissolve of _Sal. Armoniack_ and Salt-peter equal parts, as much as can be dissolved. With this water fill your Glasses, and with them, as is above shewed, extract water from the Air; and that will be equal in vertue to the former. If you be desirous to extract something more excellent from the Air, you must also expose to it more excellent Magnets. For as is the Magnet so it extracts.

CHAP. XVI.

_Proceed in your Work thus._

Prepare 3 or 4 Pound of Oil of Sulphur _per_ Campane, which rectifie, that it may become very fiery: Then provide a large Trough like a Chest or Box, which you may cover with linnen Cloath so, as through it no Dust, but the Air onely may penetrate. In this Chest set your rectified Oil of Sulphur, poured into divers small Pans or Dishes so as they be not above half full. Leave these there three or four Days, or so long Day and Night expose them to the Air, as until the Oil of Sulphur hath drawn to it self so much Water as it self was, and filled the Dishes. This being done, empty out all the Dishes into one Glass Body, and in _Balneo_ with gentle heat abstract thence all the humidity. The Oil remaining in the Bottome again expose to the Air in those Dishes, as before, so long as until they be filled. That water again abstract thence, and proceed in extracting so long, as until you have got water enough. This water passeth through all Tinctures; but I have not as yet compleated this Work.

_Note_: All the best of that, which this Magnet draws from the Air, remains with the Magnet it self or Oil of Sulphur, as its true _Matrix_, in which it is nourished and ripened; as the most Ancient _Hermes_, or the Father of all Philosophers, in his Smaragdine Table, hath described in these words. Here the Soul of the World speaks. My Father is _Sol_; my Mother is _Luna_; the Wind or Air secretly bears me in its Belly: the Earth conceived and brought me forth, and is my Nurse, _&c._ The Spirit of the World can bring forth no Fruits, unless it be first seminated in a fit _Matrix_; because nothing in the World can be progenited without a Womb. This our Magnet is of all Magnets most gratefull to the Soul of the World, and a most natural Friend to the Spirit of the World.

Much might be spoken touching this, but it is not necessary to thrust pulse ready chewed into a sluggish Crows mouth, let him fly out and seek for himself. Here, in this Work are verified those sayings of Philosophers: Nature rejoyceth in Nature, Nature overcomes Nature, Nature retains Nature. Here it is proper also to observe, what _Hermes_, at the end of his Table saith; _viz._ My power is not intire, or perfect, before I am turned into Earth. But how this is to be done, I leave to the consideration of every Man. For the unworthiness of the present wicked World forbids me to discourse more amply thereof. To all men, whom GOD shall favour, these will be clear enough. Yet elsewhere touching this matter (if GOD will) ere long shall be taught.

CHAP. XVII.

_How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by help of a Magnet._

_Recipe_ of most pure Gold an ounce and a half, and of the _Stellate Regulus_ of Antimony made with Steel, one ounce, both which melt together in a covered Crucible; and whilst in flux cast at times a little Salt-peter, until the Niter shall have extracted all the _Regulus_ of Antimony from the Gold, and turned it into _Scoria’s_. Permit the whole to flow well for some time, that the Gold may well settle to the bottom from the _Scoria_, which will flow like water. Then pour all out into a Cone, where the Gold becomes a _Regulus_, which must be separated from the _Scorias_. This _Regulus_ of _Sol_ comes forth much paler than it was before. If this pallid _Sol_ be again melted with the aforesaid Martial _Regulus_, and the _Regulus_ thence abstracted by the help of salt Niter, the Gold will come forth a little paler than it did the first time. If you repeat this Operation 8, 10, or 12 times, you will find your Gold at length almost totally white, and that its Tincture is extracted from it by the help of that _Regulus_. The Tincture of _Sol_ is absconded in the _Scorias_; this, by the benefit of a certain Antipathetick Salt, will be precipitated from the Fæces liquified, like a _Regulus_ highly tinged.

_Note_: Yet in these Cases, the Precipitation must be warily handled, lest you also precipitate the _Regulus_ [of Antimony] together with it, and so vitiate the Tincture. For this Extraction no vulgar _Regulus_ is conducent, but such onely, as is made of good Steel, and hath such a property, as when a Flint is strook upon it, it yields fiery Sparks, no otherwise, than as from hardned Steel. Which vertue, if it hath not, it cannot rightly draw to it self the Tincture of Gold, but all endeavour will be in vain. This Extraction, _Cosmopolita_, in his new Chymical Light, hath very well described and discovered in these words. Such _Chalibs_ must be taken, as is endewed with power of extracting that from the Rays of the Sun, which many have sought, but few found. But further he saith: There is found yet another _Chalibs_, which from Gold extracts its Seed (if it be united or copulate with it 12 times) and thence is impregnated; but the Gold is infirmed even to death. But the _Chalybs_ or Magnet brings forth a Son, which will be more excellent than his Father, _viz._ Gold, whence he proceeded, whosoever knows this Magnet (of which _Cosmopolita_ makes mention, and an hint of the preparation whereof I have here shewed) and understands how to use the same, in two or three Days he will behold and find so great things, as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied. For, if any one hath Philosophick Eyes, he will see what is most pleasing, if not, he will be no more delighted than a Swine, who among the Sweepings of Vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable Pearl or Jewel, but knows not the difference between a Pearl and that Dung.

CHAP. XVIII.

_How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by another Method, or
by the benefit of a certain other =Chalybs=._

First, prepare the Green Lyon of Ancient Philosophers (by help of my mineral Salt) of sulphureous Subjects. To this Green Lyon cast _Sol_, that is, pure Gold; which he, through his greedy desire of devouring always, will swallow, and thereby acquire to himself notable Strength, Power and Beauty. For his whole Body will be thence renewed. His head, with the fore part of his Body will shine with a Grayish Hair, very like a Crows Head; but his Tail with the hinder part of his Body will acquire many various and beautifull Colours, resembling the genuine form of the Rain-Bow, or the Tail of a Peacock. And as soon as the Green Lion hath sufficiently concocted and digested the yellow Lion or _Sol_ in his Stomach, he by Seidge expells the Residue, which will be void of Colour or Bloud. Then the Lion, proud and adorned with various and beautifull Colours, walks to the Waters, in which he immergeth himself, and washeth away all his Colours, and becomes totally white like a Swan, which white Swan the Cook roasteth at the Fire: where that white Swan first waxeth yellow, then more and more Red, untill he is able at length to bear the Fire, and, like a Salamander, live in it without any peril or hurt. This Red Salamander is one of the most noble Medicaments that can be prepared by Art. This Operation I performed but once; and then unto me appeared all those Colours one after another, untill I obtained a Red Salamander, which is a most present Remedy against all Diseases. But what it is able to effect in Chymistry, as yet I have not known, being onely content with a Medicine for Health.

CHAP. XIX.

_Yet another way of extracting the Tincture from Gold._

_Recipe_ of our dried Red Bloud of _Sol_, in the form of Powder irreducible one ounce, or an ounce an half of our Sulphureous fixed _Sal-mirabile_ five, six or seven ounces. Both which mixt together put into a strong Crucible; which covered, set into a Wind-Furnace, giving Fire so, as they may flow together like Water for the space of half an hour afterward pour them out into some Iron Vessel, or Cone, when the _Sal-mirabile_ hath drawn from the Tincture of Gold a Bloudy Colour. The Mixture cooled, separate the Red _Scorias_ from the _Regulus_, which will be white as _Lune_. Pulverise the Red _Scoria_, or tinged _Sal-mirabile_, upon which pour common Water; this Water dissolves the _Sal-mirabile_, not indeed tinged with a Red, but greenish Colour. Filter the Solution, and evaporate the unprofitable Water in a Glass-dish. Then in the bottom will remain a Red Salt, which fortified with the Seal of _Hermes_ or Luting of _Sapience_, keep for a sufficient time in a continual Fire of Coals: for then the Sulphur, as yet immature, will fix it self with the _Sol_, and become constant in Fire. From that Lute of _Sapience_, you may afterward (by the help of a proper Magnet) abstract a fixed Tincture, and convert the same to Medicinal use.

_Note_: That green Saline Water, in which the Redness is latent, coagulates _Mercury_ into _Sol_, not indeed for wealthy profit, but onely by the benefit of that to know the possibility of such a Work. The Red slime, whence the Salt is extracted by the benefit of common Water, must be taken out of the Filter, mixed with new _Sal-mirabile_, and in a strong Crucible be made to flow well for half an hour. Then also more Tincture will be extracted, and a white _Regulus_ of _Sol_ again settle to the bottom. If this labour be a third time repeated, the Tincture will be good, and a white _Regulus_ will again settle, yet not so much, as was the first and second time.

CHAP. XX.

_How by the benefit of a certain Metallick Salt, from =Venus= her
Son =Cupid=, or rather the true =Mercury=_ _of Philosophers, may
be prepared in the space of One Day, so, as to sustain the Trial
of a Cupel: and indeed, it is neither =Sol= nor =Lune=, but a
Tincture most ample for certain white Subjects._

As for the Method of Proceeding, I have willingly offered to the Sons of Art occasion of understanding That: but the thing it self is of so easie Operation, as even the Forgers of infamous Libels, and all the Brethren of Ignorance, would understand and perform the same, if any One in describing it should give them but a very little Light. It would be an unadvised thing to cast so noble a Pearl before Swine. Wherefore I must forbear to write fundamentally of it. Nevertheless, that the World may know such a Tincture is in the Nature of things, and may be prepared of Things of small value; I confess I thought it worth while to discover something thereof.

_Recipe_ of irreducible fixed _Arsenick_, and of _Mercury_ of _Luna_, of each eight ounces. Both which Species being diligently mixed, you will have a famous Cementing Powder, by help of which you may perfect this _Arcanum_, thus:

_Recipe_ of Plates of _Venus_ beat thin and cut small four ounces, which, with the Cementing Powder above mentioned, (making Lay upon Lay, as the manner is) into a Cementing Box glazed within, the Cover of which you must lute very well, and place that in a Cementatory Furnace; or (if you have not such a Furnace) upon a Chimney Hearth, putting so many Coals round about, as the Box may be covered well. Kindle the Fire above, and heat the Box leisurely, and keep it there red-hot among the Coals ten or twelve hours. Then let your Fire go out, and the Box cool: out of which, if you take your Cement, you will find, that the Volatile Spirits of _Luna_, taking the fixed _Arsenick_ to themselves, have introduced the same into the Copper Plates, and procured to it the whiteness of Silver. This Cement, together with the Copper Plates mixed with salt Alcali or burnt Tartar, melt in a strong Crucible in a Wind-Furnace, and pour out the Mixture into a Cone. When cold, separate the _Scorias_ from the _Regulus_, which will be white as _Lune_. Cupellate this white _Venus_ with _Saturn_; then that, which is not _Lune_, will enter with _Saturn_ into the Cupel, but the fixed _Mercury_ remain above upon the Cupel. Granulate that, and dissolve it by the help of _Aqua-fortis_; then indeed the _Luna_ will dissolve, but the Philosophick _Sol_, or rather _Mercury_ of Philosophers, will remain in the bottom undissolved, like an Ash-coloured Calx. This edulcorated and reduced, passeth into an heavy Metallick Body; in Face, Colour, and Hardness very like common and known Lead, which by _Spagyrists_ is called the _Black Lead of Philosophers_. This Black Lead hath sustained the Examen of the Cupel, yet it is neither _Sol_ nor _Lune_. For if it had been _Lune_, the _Aquafortis_ would have dissolved it; and if it had been vulgar _Sol_, it would have been infected with no Lead colour. Nor can it be Copper or Arsenick; because if it had been so, it could not have sustained the Trial of the Cupel. Therefore, according to the Fables of Poets, it must be _Cupid_, or the Son of _Venm_. When the Gods saw that _Vulcan_, or the Son of _Jupiter_ and _Juno_, was born so very black and deformed, they took care to have him carried into the Isle of _Lemnos_, that there being washed by Apes (that is, by Men or Philosophers imitating Nature) he might obtain a better Form, be nourished and brought up to Man’s estate. Who afterward married _Venus_, of whom he begat _Apollo_. Whosoever desires farther Information touching this matter, let him read that Ingenious Treatise of _John Bracescus_, of the Tree of Life; where many great _Arcanums_ are revealed, and the obscure Writings of Poets and Ancient Philosophers explained.

Here I have in few words divulged one of the greatest of _Arcanums_. I have not my self, as yet, by trial adhibited this _Mercury_ of Philosophers, for the Transmutation of Metals. Nevertheless, as I have written, it is a very far extended Tincture for white Bodies, and this I have several times experienced; yet onely in white Glass: where one part of the Tincture tingeth one thousand parts with the redness of a Ruby, but the Glass keeps its own hardness. Now, if it could obtain the hardness of a Ruby, as well as its fair Colour, such a Tincture would be full as good, as if it could tinge _Lune_ it self, or _Mercury_ into _Sol_. For a good Ruby weighing but one ounce, is more esteemed than sixteen ounces or a pound of Gold. But this Glass, with how great Beauty soever it is tinged, still remains Glass, and cannot otherwise be used than to adorn certain Pictures and Images.

_Note_: If any one knows how to extract the Tincture from this coloured Glass, they will obtain a most excellent Universal Medicine. For, although this _Mercury_ of Philosophers hath once passed the Trial of the Cupel, yet this happened onely by help of the Silver, which defended it from devouring _Saturn_; otherwise it had been consumed by it. But now it is separated by help of _Aquafortis_ from the _Luna_, it is destitute of a Defender, and is constrained to enter again into its Mothers Womb, that it may there be ripened, and afterward new born. For all Sand or Flint, of which Glass is made, is the Matrix or Mother of all Metals. Glass is the Philosophers Lute of _Sapience_, or Seal of _Hermes_, with which all Volatile Mineral Subjects are so bound and fixed, as they can abide fixed, sustaining the force of Fire.

CHAP. XXI.

_How, by the benefit of the Common Lute of =Sapience=, =Sulphur=,
=Antimony=, =Arsenick=, =Auripigment=, and the =Sulphur= of
Vegetables, may in a short time be fixed into fixed Medicaments._

_Recipe_ any one of those Subjects, which you will; which if you dissolve either by the dry or humid way, in a sharp _Lixivium_, the _Lixivium_ so far constringeth the Volatile Subject, as it will not, when heat red-hot continually evaporate. Such a _Lixivium_ coagulate into Salt: If of this Salt you mix four or five parts, with one part of a liquable Flint or Sand, and put the Mixture into a Cementing Box well luted; set that into a Furnace of Cementation or Fixation to be fixed, the _Sal-Alcali_ preys upon the Flint, and with it is converted into Glass. But the Volatile Mineral hides it self in this Glass, and is not driven thence by the violence of Fire, but suffers it self to be fixed into a fixed Tincture. After that, which was put in, shall be fixed, take your Box out of the Furnace or Fixation, and make the Glass flow well in a Wind-Furnace. This Glass, when poured out, will be Red in Colour. If you reduce this Glass to Powder, and by the help of Spirit of Wine extract the fixed Tincture, from this fixed Subject, you will have a most efficacious Medicine against all grievous Diseases, especially, if the Tincture hath been extracted from Antimony, or Common Mineral (not Vegetable) Sulphur. The Tinctures of Arsenick and Auripigment, are not so safe to be used in Medicine, but in Chymistry they are more profitable. For such Subjects cannot be fixed by any more easie Method, than is here discovered by me. And _Paracelsus_, _Basilius_ and other Philosophers judge, that a Tincture drawn from fixed Sulphur or Antimony, will be admirably efficacious in Medicine and Chymistry.

But that I so abruptly break off this discourse, it is not without Reason, for I am confident I have writ plain enough to him whom GOD favours.

_Note_: If to your _Hermes Seal_, you add such Sand or Flints, as _per se_ abound with the first Ens of Gold, you will acquire the more noble Tinctures.

CHAP. XXII.

_How to prepare a famous Universal Medicine of Gold._

_Recipe_ three or four Ounces of the coagulated and irreducible Bloud of the Lion; of which the little Book of Dialogues treats. Dissolve them, in the dry way, by the help of _Sal-mirabile_, into a Red Stone; from which reduced to Powder, extract its Tincture, by the help of Alcolizate Spirit of Wine. This Tincture is a famous _Aurum Potabile_ against many Diseases. Also it coagulates living _Mercury_ into _Sol_. I purposed to have prepared no small quantity of this _Aurum Potabile_, that I might therewith help and succour the Distress of the Diseased. But I was hindred for two years, so as I could not attend this Operation. Now I have found an easier Method of preparing it, and by help of that, do hope hereafter I shall do more than I could doe before. Touching its salutary use in Medicine, and its Coagulation of _Mercury_, shall (if GOD will) be treated of hereafter, before it be long. Here the Description of that would be too tedious.

CHAP. XXIII.

_How a Medicinal Water may be Distilled from =Jupiter= and
=Mercury=, by the benefit of Fulmination, or a sudden Flaming
Fire._

Make an _Amalgama_ of Tin and Mercury in equal weights: Mix this _Amalgama_ with Sulphur, Tartar and Nitre mixt in equal parts, and Grind them exactly upon a Stone, and then your Matter, with its Fulmen, is fit for Distillation. Therefore, when you purpose to distill a Medicinal Water from _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_, begin your Operation thus.

Against some Wall, set up five or six Glass Cucurbits, [or Subliming-Pots of Earth glazed within] one above another, so as they may exactly shut in one into another, and let the Junctures be firmly closed with Paper and Starch, as I taught to be done in preparing Spirit of Salt. The lowest Glass must have an Orifice in the side, into which the neck of the Distillatory Vessel may be inserted. Which Vessel must be made in form of a Box or Cabinet round, a span broad and high; in the upper part thereof, which is to be filled with Sand, the Cover may be included in such wise, as I taught in the Second Part of my Philosophical Furnaces; yet below it must not be round, but plain; so as standing out from some Bench it may be fitted to the Receivers. When all Junctures of the Receivers shall be closed exactly, your Furnace is compleat. Then, at one time put in no more of the Mixture into a Crucible set in that Furnace, than one Ounce. From this (when you have kindled it with a live Coal, and nimbly put on the Cover again) will be excited a Fulmination, and flame suddenly penetrating, and with great noise separating the Mercury from the Tin; in which separation, part of the _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ ascends in the form of a sowerish Water, but another part in the Species of a subtile yellow Powder. When this Fulmination ceaseth to fume, take out that Crucible, and put another in his place: set fire of the Mixture in that, and let it burn as before; and continue the same labour, taking out and putting in, as long as any of the Mixture is left. Then take the Water distilled, together with the Flores, out of the Recipients. That Water (when digested with gentle heat for a sufficient time) is coagulated into a Medicinal Red Salt. The Flores must be dried and fixed with fresh fulminating Matter, and as before sublimed. Then again will ascend Water and Flores. All the other Flores remain fixed in the Crucibles, which (reduced by force of Fire and diligent Fusion) produce an hard Tin, which may be cupellated by the help of _Saturn_, but vulgar Tin cannot bear this Examen. This leaves somewhat behind it in the Crucible; yet not so much Gold as covetous Men desire; but so much as renders the Medicinal Red Salt acquirable without charge.

Ancient Poets, fabulizing touching this Work, have writ, that _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ sought entertainment of _Philemon_ and his Wife _Baucis_, as Persons contented with little, that from them they might receive Meat and Drink liberally. Let him, who desires a more ample Information of these things, peruse such Philosophers, that he may see how highly this Work was esteemed by them. For, as we now said, _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ turn not into rich and proud Men, (who regard not Art, but thirst after heaps of Gold, by which they may long continue their Pride of life) but to the Lovers of Frugality onely, and into their House bring their own Blessing with them.

CHAP. XXIV.

_The way of extracting an Universal Medicine from common and
well-known Lead._

By Calcining reduce four pound of Common Lead to Ashes. With which four pound of Calx of Lead, mix four pound of those Stones or Sand, in which is contained the first Ens of Gold. Melt this Mixture in a strong Crucible into Glass: which reduced to Powder, mix with a fourth part of Salt of Tartar, and in an Iron Crucible reduce it, so you will recover almost all your Lead. This Lead again reduce to Ashes, and mix with it a fourth part of choice Sand and Flints, and melt the Mixture into Glass. Which again reduce by help of Salt of Tartar and Iron: again Calcine it, with Flints turn it into Glass, and reduce it as before; the oftner the better. For in every Operation the Lead extracts something of the first Ens of Gold from the Sand or Flints, and at length becomes very rich with it. That afterward must, by the help of a certain Magnet, be extracted from the Lead, and converted to Medicinal use; as every Man, according to his capacity, is best able to use the same. I judge it not convenient to make a farther discovery touching this matter. Indeed the external face of this Process is simple; because in so short a time, with so little charge, and from so vile subjects, an Universal Medicine may be extracted. Although _Saturn_ is covered with a deformed Ash-coloured Coat; yet within in his interior penetrals is reconded a golden Crown, which is not perceived before that grey Habit is taken off from him. As oft as any one hopes for, or thinks to obtain such a thing, let him read what _Basilius_, _Paracelsus_, and other Philosophers have writ touching Lead. Blessed is that Man, who knows how to adhibit to this Operation the Secret Lead of Philosophers instead of Common Lead: for then undoubtedly he will find a most excellent Medicine; according as Ancient Philosophers, by the following Words have expressed:

_Arctus est Hominis, qui constat VI. Elementis,
Cui =P.= si addideris, =S.= in =M.= mutare benè scis,
Hoc erit Æs nostrum, constans Lapis Philosophorum._

That _Arctus_ is _LUMBUS_, before which word, if you set the Letter P, and change the last Letter S, into M, it will be _PLUMBUM_. Therefore if by the help of Common Lead, (which notwithstanding is very impure, and as it were Leprous) the possibility of Transmutation may be demonstrated and verified, as is manifest by my New Chymical Light, what may not the Secret Lead of Philosophers effect, which is _per se_ pure, and more excellent than Gold? _Cosmopolita_ speaks thus: Although unto him, to whom GOD hath shewed the possibility of that, the Gain be not so great as the Loss, yet unto him is opened an Entrance to the knowledge and finding of all other high things. More of these at this time I forbear to speak. Whosoever is so gross and stupid, as he knows not how to enter through this Gate set wide open, how shall he be able to enter through a narrower passage? Him, to whom this clear Light cannot shew the way, neither the Light of _Sun_ or _Moon_ will profit any thing. Yet I doubt not, but that even Mechanick Artificers, so soon as that my Light begins to shine, will search out the Truth, unto every of whom I wish the help of GOD.

CHAP. XXV.

_How Gold may be rendred Volatile, so as to be sublimed into a
salutary Medicine._

Dissolve as much Common Salt in _Aq. Fortis_ as you can, in this _Aq. Regia_ dissolve Sol, which precipitate with Spirit of Urine. In Sand abstract all the Phlegm to a dry Salt; if afterward you augment the Fire, the Coagulated Spirit of Urine will carry up with it self part of the purest _Sol_ in the form of a Red Salt. This Salt will yield very profitable Fruit in Medicine. The Dose is from three, six, eight, to twelve Grains; endued with power of expelling Sweat and Urine, and famously conducent against the Stone and Gout. Also since this Salt is void of any loathsome Taste, it may securely and commodiously be administred as a Cathartick to Infants, and Women with Child.

CHAP. XXVI.

_The Way of preparing yet another famous Medicine Universal of
Gold._

Dissolve one part of Nitre, in four parts of Spirit of Salt, diligently rectified. In this Water dissolve as much Gold as you will. Upon this Solution leisurely at times, and drop after drop, pour on of Oil of Tartar so long, as untill both those contrary Natures of the _Aq. Regia_, and Oil of Tartar, shall be united and quiet. Then, if you abstract all the Phlegm, with the _Sol_ will remain a Salt. This Salt, with the Gold, put into a little coated glass Body; yet first mix with them of burnt Bone as much in weight, as the Salt and _Sol_ did weigh. The Bones are onely added, that the Gold may not be separated from the Salt, or be precipitated into a Mass and flow. Place the Glass, with this mixture, in Sand, augmenting the Fire gradually, untill the Glass in the Sand be obscurely Red; in which degree of Fire, if you detain it the space of six hours, the fusible Salt will penetrate the hard Gold, and from it extract its best strength, and thence wax Red. Which, when all is cold, take out of the Glass, and by the help of Spirit of Wine extract from that Red Salt all its Tincture; which you may administer in grievous Diseases, according as your Judgment shall inform. If you reduce the extracted Gold by the help of Borax, you will find your Gold pale.

_The Way of Extracting a yellow Tincture from white Nitre._

By Retort distill a strong Spirit from pure salt Nitre, mixt with burned Earth. Which Spirit, lest it should not be strong enough, dephlegmate. This Spirit in Distillation ascends Red, but when cold appeareth White; yet in it is absconded a Redness, which will be revealed the following way. We see that if any thing fall from those, who labour about _Aqua Fortis_, into it (whether that fallen in be a piece of Skin, Hair, or any part of the Nails of the Fingers) the same is tinged thereby with a golden Colour. The reason of this Colouring is this: All superfluities of Nature (as the Skin, Nails of the Hands and Feet, all Hairs and Hoofs of Animals, and Feathers of Birds; which being old, fall off, and new succeed in their place) are endued with power of cleansing the Humane Body, whensoever they are prepared for Medicinal use; and that by reason of the abundance of Volatile Salt contained in them, and other such like Entities. For Volatile Salt is of such a Nature, as Salt of Urine, by which all corrosive Spirits are mortified and edulcorated. Hence it is, that when one drop of a Nitrous Spirit falls upon the Skin, or a Nail of the Finger, it is mortified and discovered by such a Volatile Salt as lay hid in it; which otherwise happens not in all other Subjects, which are void of such a Volatile Salt.

_Now follows the Process._

_Recipe_ of the Hairs either of a sound Man, or of any Animal, very well washed and cleansed from all filth, four ounces. Upon these pour of most strong and well rectified Spirit of Nitre, one pound, and the Spirit will totally dissolve the Hairs. Upon that Solution pour by degrees so much Oil of Tartar, as untill all the Spirits of Nitre be mortified and totally deprived of their Corrosive power. But you should not cease to pour on Oil of Tartar, untill the Spirit hath well acquired a Golden Colour. This being seen, filter the Solution through brown Paper, in which the Fæces will remain, which notwithstanding will scarcely weigh half a dram; because the Spirit of Nitre hath almost dissolved all. If from this Liquor in a Glass-body set in _Balneo_, you abstract all the unprofitable Phlegm, in the bottom will remain a Red Salt; on which, if you pour good Spirit of Wine, some Fæces will again be left in the bottom, which you may cast away as unprofitable. Moreover, if one half of that Spirit of Wine be abstracted from the Tincture, a yellow Oil is acquired; which if you rub upon good Silver, that will look as yellow as if it were good Gold. If you shall take of this Tincture, although it is so Volatile, from three, six, nine, to twelve drops, it strongly expells Sweat and Urine, cures the Jaundies, yields relief in the Dropsie; in Feavers it provokes Sweat, and in the Pestilence or other Diseases, where Sweating is needfull. I attempted to fix this Tincture; but it was an Operation of no small time; therefore I was weary of proceeding, and absolving the Work begun. If any one be so patient as to fix this Tincture, he, after his Work is ended, will have whereof to rejoyce. Touching this Operation, Philosophers feigned the venomous Dragon to be a watchfull Keeper of the Golden Fleece; and that the same could not be taken away before the Dragon was brought to sleep by a Soporiferous Medicine, by which he should be rendred insensible and fixed. But undoubtedly some opinionative Men will say, that this yellow Tincture is acquired from the Hairs, Wool, or Feathers, rather than from the Nitre. The Opinion of such Men I thus refell. If any one dissolve Hairs, Wool, or Feathers, by the help of Spirits of Salt, Sulphur or Vitriol, he will acquire a white Solution: and if he mortifies the Spirit of Salt or Vitriol with Oil of Tartar, yet shall no yellowness appear, but all remain white. And such white Salt, which comes from the Spirits of Salt and Vitriol, hath also its use in Medicine. The reason of that is especially, because Hairs in themselves contain a very Medicinal Salt, which cannot possibly any other way be obtained, than by dissolving with the help of _Aqua Fortis_, or of their re-mortification and reduction into Salt by the benefit of _Alcali’s_.

After this manner from many Animals, by the help of Spirit of Nitre, may be extracted yellow Tinctures or Salts, which are very efficacious in Medicine.

Such Cast-skins of Serpents, as are commonly found in Fields, and among heaps of Stones, are famously Medicinal against Poysons, the Pestilence, and all other venomous Diseases.

The Teeth of Serpents, and Teeth of Mad Dogs and Wolves, have a Medicinal Efficacy against all venomous Bitings of Animals. Also they help the Stomach against all Feavers.

_Scorpions_, _May-Worms_, _Cantharides_, and such like venomous Insects, do all minister yellow Tinctures, or such Salts as may most profitably be administred in all grievous and venomous Diseases.

CHAP. XXVII.

_What is to be judged of the Tincture of Corals._

When _Paracelsus_ writ of the admirable Virtues of _Tincture of Corals_, which it manifests in the Expulsion of all grievous Diseases, he said, that very many famous Men endeavoured to perfect that Tincture; but an happy event or prosperous success of the same happened to few. Even so hath it hapned unto me, who have been a searcher of that Tincture above forty years. As to the external face, I could indeed variously extract a Tincture of Corals, but in Medicine it proved not as it seemed. Hence I conjectured that was not the true Tincture of Corals, but that Tincture came from the _Menstruum_. Yet at length GOD shewed me some particular Feathers of Birds, which might be adapted to fixed Tinctures latent in Stones and stony Subjects, and by help of them the same be extracted from their gross Bodies, and exposed to publick view; yet among them all, three sorts of Feathers onely hold the Principal place.

I.
_The black Feathers of Crows_,
which are endued with power to elevate such Tinctures as love to ascend.

II. _The white Feathers of Pidgeons_, which, in a sort, contain in themselves the purest, and before (by their natural virtue) lightly volatile Tinctures, invade and carry them upwards with them.

III. _Eagles Feathers_, which rowse even the most fixed and heaviest Bodies, and thence extract the inmost or noblest part of them, and carry it upwards with themselves.

Yet these Eagle-Feathers are most commodiously used for extracting of fixed Tinctures from fixed Metals and Stones. For if they be applied to other very Volatile Subjects, they will carry up with themselves the whole mortified Body together with the Tincture. Therefore, whosoever would by the benefit of the Salt of these Feathers, or of the Salts of other Volatiles, perform some excellent Work, let him exactly learn the difference between one and the other. But since here I onely intend the Extraction of the Tincture from Red Corals, there is no need of any other Feathers for that purpose, but of Pidgeons Feathers onely, because they will be sufficient for this Operation.

_The Feathers or Wings are thus found and acquired._

Dissolve one pound of pure Silver in _Aqua Fortis_. If to this Solution you pour good Spirit of Salt, in which Common Salt is dissolved, all the _Luna_ will be precipitated from the _Aq. Fortis_ in the form of a white Calx. In which Precipitation the Silver acquires the aforesaid white Pidgeons Feathers from the Salt-water, and submergeth them, together with it self, in the bottom of the Vessel. In this Precipitation also the _Aqua Fortis_ perisheth not, but passeth into good _Aqua Regia_. This white Calx of _Lune_, which I have otherwise called _Mercury_ of _Lune_, if it be diligently edulcorated and dried; then are the Feathers prepared, by help of which I here teach how the Tincture of Corals is to be extracted.

_Recipe_ one pound of Red Corals, grind them upon a Stone to a most subtile Powder; to which add as much of this white Silver Calx also pulverized. Put these together into a Glass-Retort, administring Fire by degrees, untill the Retort be red, whence (before it is red-hot) will ascend a reddish Water pleasantly sweet; out of one pound of Corals, about four or five ounces. Let this Water be dephlegmated in a small Glass-body, by gentle heat of _Balneo_, and the unprofitable Water separated from the Tincture; which every Man may safely use in Medicine according to his capacity and skill; because by virtue of it the Bloud is egregiously purged. Almost after the same manner, by help of these Feathers, a most efficacious Water of Pearls may be distilled from fragments of Pearls, or in defect of them from Mother of Pearls.

Likewise, by their help, from a certain peculiar kind of white Talk, may be extracted a famous Cosmetick for whitening the black Skin.

Also otherwise by the help of these, from Vegetable and Animal, as well as from Mineral Subjects, many famous Medicaments may be extracted; all the Preparations of which, if any Man should take upon him to describe, he would above measure encrease the Volume of his Book: which is not my purpose now to do. Therefore with these already commemorated every well-meaning Man will hold himself content. Hereafter (if GOD please) we may discover more.

That which remains in the Retort take out, mix it with an equal weight of burned Tartar, and then by strong fire melt the Mixture. Then the _Lune_ will precipitate it self into a _Regulus_, and the Corals, Pearls, or whatsoever you distilled by the help of that, will pass into _Scorias_. If you rightly know how to operate this, you will lose none of the Silver. But if you granulate the same, dissolve it in _Aquafortis_, and again precipitate it with Spirit of Salt, edulcorate and dry the Calx, you will have new Feathers, by the benefit of which you may sublime subtile Tinctures from Bodies. The reason why these Tinctures ascend so sweet, is, because the sharp Spirits of Salt, which the _Lune_ detains with it self, adhere to the Corals and Pearls, and mortifie themselves with them, and upwards onely drive a sweet Essence.

Since I have said something of White Pidgeons Feathers, and also made mention, that many other such Feathers may be had, by which heavy Subjects may in like manner be elevated, and carried upward with them; among which the Dark-coloured Feathers of the Eagle do easily obtain the priority; I thought it would be worth while to shew the way of Acquiring them here also; which thus take.

CHAP. XXVIII.

_How a Medicine may be prepared of =Sol= and =Luna= together._

_Recipe_ of Gold one ounce, and of Silver two ounces. Dissolve the _Sol_ in _Aqua Regia_, and the _Lune_ in _Aqua Fortis_. If you mix both Solutions together, one Metal will precipitate the other, and both settle to the bottom in the form of a Dark or Ash-coloured Calx. This Precipitate edulcorate and dry, and mix with the same half its own weight of our Eagles Feathers. Distil these in a Glass Retort with strong Fire: then will the Eagles Feathers take up with it self a white Water; in which, notwithstanding, is latent a red Tincture; but of an unpleasing Taste, and therefore not to be administred in medicinal Practice. Yet, if this fierce and horrible Water be mortified by the help of a _Lixivium_ of Tartar, and afterward some white Glass broke small be melted in a Crucible with some such Salt, the Glass will be tinged by the Salt, with an eminent yellowness answerable to the Colour of Gold. That yellow Tincture may be extracted from the Glass, and used in Medicine; because it ariseth both from _Sol_ and _Luna_, and therefore necessarily must be medicinal.