Chapter LXXXVII: Part I: To the well minded Reader (15)

_Before I had compleatly finished the afore-mentioned small Treatise, I was assaulted with a grievous Disease, which incredibly prevailed more and more daily, insomuch as I totally despaired of recovering my Health, and therefore thought it necessary, that whatsoever was then written (how imperfectly soever) should for the sake of the Poor and Diseased be committed to the Press. But so soon as by the mercy of God, I was in some small measure recovered, I perused that little Book, and presently discerned, that the most powerfull faculties and virtues which that laudable Liquor is able to exercise and manifest both in Medicine and Chymistry, were scarcely in any-wise treated of, but almost wholly omitted in the same Book. Hence many conceited Men perswade themselves, that my =Secret Sal-Armoniack= cannot be of so great Energy or Virtue, as =Helmont= ascribes to his Liquor =Alcahest=; especially because He, in the Coagulation of =Mercury=, saith, that the same (when his Liquor =Alcahest= hath been but once abstracted from it) is so fixed, as a pound of it being tried by Cupell, leaves behind, after Trial, fourteen Lotones of good Silver; which indeed is not to be esteemed a vile Experiment, =viz.= that by so very little Labour (as is one onely abstraction of the =Alcahest=, which may be done in a few hours) such a volatile, and that the sole Deluder of all =Alchymists= should be transmuted and nobilitated into a fixed Metal, tractable and perseveringly sustaining every Examen of Fire; and that by mediation of such a substance, as the Liquor =Alcahest=, which per se is no other than a volatile Salt. Nevertheless, it is found, that the same may be done, and that not onely common Mercury, by our Secret =Sal-Armoniack= (which otherwise rendreth all fixed Metals volatile, and separates the most pure Souls or Tinctures of them from their gross Bodies, and carries the same over the Helm with it self) is transmuted into Silver; but also the same is endued with a Faculty of transmuting other imperfect Metals into good and constant Gold. The Truth of which Assertion I have not gathered out of the Writings of other Authours, but have learned the same by the continual Industry and Experience of my proper Inquisition; and therefore am able so much the more confidently to assert somewhat my self, touching the same, to every ingenious Man._

_But that you may know the Reason why Volatile Mercury, by my Secret =Sal-Armoniack= also volatile, is rendred fixed and constant in Fire; you are to understand, that this onely is effected by the cleansing power and virtue of our =Salmiack=: for in Vulgar Mercury is somewhat ingenited by Nature, which makes the whole Body of it volatile. Now if any one doth well understand how to separate that therefrom by an Artificial cleansing, the flying Mercury no longer remains volatile, but assumes to it self an hard fixed, tractable and Metallick Body; in which kind of Purification to be made, our =Salmiack= performs the office of a Master. Whence happens such a speedy fixation of Mercury; touching which we, in the following Praxis, shall more amply treat and demonstrate the same, =viz.= that so swift a Coagulation of volatile Mercury into Gold and Silver constant and abiding in Fire, is not to be accounted a vile work of small value, but to be esteemed as one of the principal =Arcanums= of Nature. This needs no proof, because by the sentence of all experienced Men it is long since notoriously known, that this noxious Deluder =Mercury=, by its volatility, hath deprived some thousands of unwary =Alchymists=, not onely of their Gold and Silver, but also of their Houses, Lands, Towns, Vineyards, Fields, Meadows, Gardens, and all their other Goods, carrying the same with it self up the Chimney, and leaving them nothing but an heap of broken Pots, Cucurbits, Glasses, Soot, Dust and Ashes, instead of the wealthy Spoils and rich Reward they thirsted after with vain hope. But as he hath evilly intreated the unskilfull and unwary Slaves and Drudges of Chymistry, so he hath dealt well with experienced and wary Philosophers, who (after they had observed his Inconstancy, and learned to amend the same) were such as he was constrained to obey, insomuch as they could subdue, bind and fix him. This is no Fiction or fabulous Tale, but a Truth which may be proved by many hundred true Histories, declaring, that in various parts of the World have lived those who were able to fix Mercury into a constant permanency._

_Of the more ample Use of our_ Salmiack.

Having in the precedent Treatise omitted the best and most worthy use of our _Salmiack_, (_viz._ that by the benefit of it _Mercury_ might be so purified, as to be very easily fixed into a Red Body fixt and constant in Fire) I was incited and moved thereby to commit this _Appendix_ to the Press; especially because in doing the same, I could also upon every opportune occasion notifie several other profitable Secrets, which may be perfected by help of that; as here following you shall perceive, they being inserted one after another.

Therefore incline your Ear to hear what admirable Effects our _Salmiack_ is able to manifest both in Medicine and Alchymy.

First, Our Secret _Salmiack_ not onely purifies Metals, and separates the pure part from the unprofitable gross Bodies of them, but the Volatile parts it carries upward with it self; and afterward suffers it self to be again fixed [with them] into fixed Tinctures, as already in the precedent Seventh Part of our _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, we have very sufficiently proved, as well as in our Treatise of the _Three Principles of Metals_; but also it is endued with a power of carrying over the Helm the most fixed Gold, without any Corrosive, like to a yellow sweet Spirit, and of converting the same into true _Aurum Potabile_: for such _Aurum Potabile_, without a Corrosive adhering is found to be, not onely an efficacious, sweet and famous Medicine for humane Bodies, but also a true Tincture for transmuting imperfect Metals into better.

It is indeed a very great Question how such Gold can be a Tincture for other more vile Metals, since common Gold (according to the Opinion of many Philosophers, and the experienced truth of the matter) _per se_ contains in it self no more Tincture than is sufficient for it self, and without prejudice to its own virtue or nobility is able to communicate no good to other Metals. Nevertheless, Philosophers more acute, narrowly sifting the matter, have found that vulgar Gold, by the assistance of Art, may be destroyed, and its inside turned outward, but its outside inward: for such destruction Philosophers have called _Exaltation_, intimating, that the Exaltation or Melioration of Gold must be made in the Sign _Aries_; to which assertion I could never assent, but always believed and urged the contrary, inveighing earnestly against _Toletanus_, who writ _Animadversions_ upon that good Philosopher of ancient Repute _Bracescus_, as if he had been a dull and obstinate Man, teaching in his Treatise of the _Tree of Life_, that the Universal Medicine might be prepared of vulgar _Mars_; for it not a little troubled me (after by a previous and continued study of reading and perusing the best Authours, I at length by the Grace of God, in my search found and learned the way of making such a Tincture and Medicine) that the said _Toletanus_ did so unhandsomely heighten his Style against the laudable _Bracescus_, and contemned the famous Industry of that man, insomuch as I have, in some of my Writings (although with a certain Zeal, which I ingeniously confess was unseasonable) chastized this _Zoilus_, because he with an impertinent Presumption did so rashly and arrogantly attempt to oppose and contradict that, which he himself had not sufficient Experience of. But it happened, that afterward such an Exaltation of Gold fell into my hand unexpectedly. Whence, seeing such an Exaltation of Gold to be true, I repented my own folly. Wherefore now I openly confess, that by the help of our secret _Salmiack_ I have very often elaborated such an Exaltation of Gold in the mineral Aries; although in a very small Quantity, finding that to be sufficiently imbibed with the Colour of Gold, whensoever onely two or three Grains of such exalted Gold were mixed with a whole Pound of common Water. But in metallick Transmutation, during these days of my indisposedness, I could never yet try any thing further. If the most wise God, shall be pleased to restore and raise me out of my sick Bed (as I hope this next Summer he will) I will not omit to try what the aforesaid exalted Gold is able to effect in the Transmutation of Metals. In the mean while I am perswaded, that it will prove an amply potent Tincture for _Mercury_ and _Luna_, and thence I divine because two or three Grains of such exalted Gold do tinge a whole Pound of Water with a golden Colour that the same must be done with _Mercury_ and _Luna_. Therefore no man hath cause further to doubt, that common Gold, by the help of our _Salmiack_ in Aries, may be reduced into some one true and fixed Tincture; as here following (God willing) shall be shewed more at large.

_Of the more largely fruitfull use of our =Sal Armoniack= in
Medicine and Alchymy._

My Preface to the seventh Book of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, mentioneth how the _Mercury_ of Wine may be separated from any pure burning Spirit, and perform the Office of an universal Medicine healing men and metals. But since in such a manner of preparing the Medicine as I there prescribed, very little _Mercury_ of Wine will be gotten, not enough to satisfie those, that desire more abundance, because from one Pound of Spirit of Wine, scarcely three, four or five Grains of most pure Cœlestial Salt are extracted; which nevertheless is not to be esteemed so exceeding small a quantity, if any one shall with a more accurate search of his mind well weigh the incredible medicinal Vertues thereof, which it manifests and exerciseth against humane and metallick Diseases; insomuch as (in either Faculty) in the whole nature of things you shall find no Medicament like unto it. Certainly it is a true Cœlestial Medicine, in the form of a certain white sweet Salt, for if one onely Grain of it be taken into the Body of a Man diseased, he will thereby be notably comforted in all his Members, and amend and find himself better in a moment. I must needs confess, that I have not long since found out the Preparation of the same (during the long continuance of my Disease) by various Speculations; and when by reason of my Sickness I could not rise out of my Bed to prepare this noble Medicine my self, I committed the same to the hands of my faithfull and trusty Friends to be by them prepared, but in a very small quantity: For I caused not above two or three Pound of Spirit of Wine to be burned, and thence could not acquire much _Mercury_; nevertheless I found so much therein, as sufficiently to content and satisfie my mind as well in Medicine as in Alchymy; believing, as I have above mentioned, that no Medicine more excellent than this can be found in the whole nature of things. Moreover, every one may consider with himself, how great Salubrity such a Cœlestial Medicine may bestow and confer on the sick Bodies of Men, as often as he accurately weighs with himself the Subject (_viz._ Wine) of which this Medicine is prepared. For it is known through all parts of the World far and nigh, that under the Sun is not given a more excellent Cordial Subject, than good and pure Wine; although that abound with many inefficacious Humidities, and other Tartarous Feculencies, whereas on the contrary the _Mercury_ thereof is most pure, or a sweet Cœlestial Salt is extracted from good Spirit of Wine deduced to the highest purity. But some one may say, what Spirit of Wine? If in that such a noble _Mercury_ be latent, and the same as it is in it self be given for comforting the Sick, what need is there, that it being kindled should be burnt; and why may not (without that labour and charge) its volatile Salt be received in a Refrigeratory? In answer hereunto let him know, that Spirit of Wine is almost all a mere Sulphur, and therefore is easily inflamed and devoured with the Flame, as is common to every Sulphur, _viz._ that so soon as it is set on Fire, it consumes it self, and leaves behind it no other than Ashes and a fixed Salt; but the _Mercury_ which adhered to the Sulphur, is dissipated in the Air with the Flame, unless it be taken in a Cold Receptory, in which it may cool and condense it self. Indeed we for certain know, that no one of all the three Principles of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals is totally pure, but it always invisibly bears about it self some small part of the other two Principles, as may best of all be seen in combustible Entities, such are Wood and other Vegetables; for they being kindled and set on fire, the Sulphur is onely burnt, but the other two parts, _viz._ the fixed Salt, and the volatile _Mercury_ remain free from Combustion. As for Example, if you burn Wood, an Herb, or any other kind of Vegetable, the Sulphur onely perisheth, but the _Mercury_ adheres to the sides and walls of the Chimny. If you thence separate the Ashes and other Filths, which fly together upwards, you will obtain a white volatile Salt, altogether like the Animal volatile Salt of Urine, except in this onely, that this volatile Salt savours of Adustion. The fixed Salt is extracted out of the Ashes by Elixiviation of common Water. Moreover Animal Entities being burnt, _viz._ the Bones of any Animals; the Sulphur is onely burnt, but the volatile Salt flies away, and almost no fixed Salt remains in the Ashes. Lastly, common mineral Sulphur being burnt, almost all the Sulphur vanisheth into Air like a Flame, and together with the Flame an unburnable _Mercury_ ascends, in form of an heavy Corrosive Oil, which by Chymists is vulgarly called Oil of Sulphur, and is received in Glass Campanes; nevertheless that Oil is by Philosophers named the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, because such Oil is easily transmuted into a sweet Fusile Stone, of which my lately published Treatise of the Salt of Philosophers makes some mention. From all which you may clearly gather, that there is no Sulphur found so pure, but that it is impregnated with some small part of Salt and _Mercury_; also you can find no _Mercury_, in which is not incited some part of Salt and Sulphur; and in like manner no Salt, to which a little Sulphur and _Mercury_ adheres not. Which being thus, why may there not latently be in Spirit of Wine an incombustible Salt and _Mercury_? And as Spirit of Wine duely rectified according to the Precepts of Art, is found to be the purest of all other Sulphurs, and endued with no Feculencies; so also necessarily, when that Sulphur is kindled and burnt, with the Flame must needs ascend as it were an unburnable Substance, which may be received in a Refrigeratory for amending humane and metallick Bodies. Whosoever cannot comprehend and believe these, he truely and condignly may be called a Blockhead, although by his Flatterers (men very indiscrete) he be accounted even the Eighth of the Wise men, or a second _Paracelsus_.

I purposed in my mind to communicate this supream Medicine to some candid Friends, that some present Medicine may thence be made, by the salutary help of which, I also in this my declining Age, and in the Diuturnity of my Disease, may be made partaker of some Relief, since I my self now sick in Bed, am able to prepare nothing.

Indeed I did formerly reveal this so very great Mystery to some of my old Friends, and that to the end that they being sound and in health might labour therein, and after their Work was ended (which might be compleated in Eight days) communicate to me, as an Offering of thanks, some small part of that Medicine, that my old infirm Body might be comforted; but their intent was far otherwise: For these rude men would not suffer me to participate of one Grain of the Medicine revealed, nor ever came within my Doors so much as once, after they were fully and plainly instructed in the Art by me taught; but passed by as if I had been a man wholly unknown and never seen by them. But this was to me a very just and truely deserved Recompence, because I being too credulous, did so vilely cast into the Mire the most noble Pearl of all Medicine, not considering the faithfull admonition of the supream Master: Beware of Men.

I must needs confess that it is not a Work for covetous men; because such thirst after nothing else, but a great Mass of Gold, and think this most noble Art to be no other than a rotten Thread. In like manner I do also confess, that common Spirit of Wine gives forth from it self but a very small quantity of such Cœlestial Salt; yet a great quantity of the same no man hath need of, because the power and efficacy thereof shews it self far and nigh. If any one be desirous to acquire to himself a greater quantity of this our Cœlestial _Mercury_, he may obtain his desire, if he make use of a good medicinal Restorative Subject, as Sulphur or Antimony fixed to a Redness, also Gold, Pearls, red Corals, cast Skins of Serpents, _Boletus_ or _Fungus Cervinus_. If these and the like restoring or renovating things be extracted with Spirit of Wine and the same Wine burnt: because in doing that, with the Flame will ascend a most pure mercurial Salt, which must be received in a cold Recipient.

In like manner all Metals, when they are duely extracted with Spirit of Wine, do in burning give forth from themselves a volatile mercurial Salt, which may profitably be administred, as well in Medicine as in Chymistry. For the Salt of _Saturn_ is a most present Pestilential Remedy; the Salt of _Venus_ an efficacious Venereal Medicament, the Salt of _Luna_, a most excellent Cephalick, the Salt of Gold a famous Cordial, and the Salt of _Mars_ an admirable Stomach Remedy, and a true Tincture, by the help of which vulgar _Mercury_ and _Luna_ may be tinged into Gold. But it cannot profitably be adhibited in metallick Labours, unless it be first reduced to a red Fixedness by the benefit of common Gold, being such, as after the first Preparation may be very easily fixed and rubified; although it all ascends in a white Flame, and the Preparation be from a red Subject. For it is fixed and waxeth red, if any one do from it but once abstract the Water of _Saltaberis_, as _Paracelsus_ calls it. But if you ask what _Paracelsus_ his Water of _Saltaberis_ is, it is not my purpose at this time to publish and divulge that kind of Water. _Helmont_ vastly erred, when he thought it to be the Water of Whites of Eggs, which it is not, but it is a Water preparable for a very small Price, as much as is sufficient.

In the mean while, no unskilfull Man is able to believe, with how great a property of purging, elevating and fixing the Flame of good Spirit of Wine is endued. Therefore, whosoever is desirous of knowing this, by putting his hand to the Work let him make Trial. The Flame of this burning Spirit renders all corrosive and bitter metallick Subjects sweet and pleasant; therefore _Lully_ rightly said: _The immature Bitterness is to be dulcified, that the whole Magistery may be obtained_. Briefly I say, by the benefit thereof, so great good may be performed as is difficult to be believed, unless any one before he sets about the Work hath beheld the Event. In which at present we acquiesce, yet out of an abundance shewing this, _viz._ that, whensoever any man hath a mind to subtilize metallick Subjects by a burning Spirit (distilling or subliming them into sweet Salts or Tinctures) he is obliged by no necessity at all, to use no other than Spirit of Wine onely; because a burning Spirit of Corn, or extracted out of other Vegetables, will do the same. But whosoever would without Metals acquire a Sweet medicinal _Mercury_ _per se_, he must prepare that of the Spirit of sweet Wine; because other Vegetables afford not so much mercurial Salt as may be had from Wine; which is to be kept in mind as a thing worthy of Observation.

Thus have I here clearly revealed as high a Medicine as ever was or can be found in the Nature of things; which no one of the Philosophers before me did ever presume to do. Indeed _Albertus Magnus_, and his Disciple _Thomas Aquinas_ have written of it somewhat more clearly than others, yet so, as few Readers can follow the mind of them. For they do indeed make mention of Spirit of Wine, yet the Instrument under which it is to be burned, they did not in any wise express, or hint at. _Basilius_ taught that the Instrument was to be made of Copper; yet this kind of Instrument is not every way conducible, but there is some defect in it. As for my self, I long sought with earnestness, before I could find a fit Instrument, in which I might receive this Cœlestial Salt and _Mercury_. Let others after me also make the like search, till they find. It is not my business at all times, to cast all things at the Feet of the unworthy. For I am forbid by the Fates, having already divulged more than enough. But whosoever is desirous of learning more touching this kind of labour, let him peruse _Bracescus_ in his Treatise of the Tree of Life, touching our mercurial Water, where he may find things enough worthy of note to yield him content. _Avicen_ indeed writes also excellently, but very briefly. _Cosmopolita_ and _Neusementius_ have writ somewhat more clearly in their Books, yet with so Philosophick a Character, as scarcely one among a thousand Readers shall there find what he seeks. More at this time touching this it is not lawfull for me to discourse; but of other things here to be treated of, let every one comment and meditate what he thinks good.

_Of the further use of our_ Salmiack.

In my lately published Treatise of the three Principles of Metals, I shewed how by the help of _Proserpina_ the Wife of _Pluto_, a tinging Oil of a sanguineous Colour might be distilled from the Vitriol of _Mars_, and thence be coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, by the benefit of which great things may be effected in the Transmutation of Metals and Gems. But what is understood by _Proserpina_ I considerately concealed from the Reader, as well as the Coagulation of the red and white corrosive Oil of Vitriol into a sweet Stone, because at that time I purposed not to publish any thing more thereabout. After that Publication, certain Rivals of our Art came to me very earnestly intreating, that I would also reveal to them _Proserpina_ and my Coagulation of Vitriol: These men by their perswasive Intreaties so softned my mind, as I was freely willing to gratifie them, but with this Condition, _viz._ that so soon as they had elaborated the whole Work, they should impart to me some small Portion of that Medicine, yet this promise of a thankfull acknowledgment hath not untill this day been fulfilled, wherefore I on the other hand fearing that so great a Secret (_viz._ how by the help of _Proserpina_ the tinging Oil of Vitriol of a sanguineous Colour, tinging _Luna_ into Gold, might afterward be coagulated into a Fusile Stone) should be exposed to publick view by those, that were so ungratefull to me, was resolved I would my self be the Publisher of so great an _Arcanum_, knowing always, that the Master is better able to discourse of his own Work, than the Disciple; not in the least doubting, but that by this Revelation or way of discovery, many Alchymists, reduced almost to the extream necessity of _Irus_, and ready to perish, will be able to recover themselves, and obtain their pristine repute among men. Therefore touching the Discovery of this _Arcanum_ thus take it.

By _Proserpina_ in the afore mentioned Treatise is understood the corrosive Oil of Antimony, or in defect of that Butter of Antimony, which (when added to Vitriol of _Mars_ in like Proportion, and distilled by Retort) carries over with it self the Gold of Philosophers or Tincture of _Mars_, in form of a thick Oil of a sanguine Redness; which red Oil, when coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, will be very available in the Emendation of Metals, especially in tinging _Luna_ into good Gold, as a little after you shall hear. These are briefly spoken touching the Antimonial _Proserpina_: Here following it shall be shewed by us, how our Secret Sal Armoniack may profitably be used instead of the Antimonial _Proserpina_, after we have premised the way of coagulating the red Oil of Vitriol into a Stone not corrosive, by help of which Metals may be amended variously. As to the Coagulation of the red and white Oil of Vitriol, and also of other corrosive Liquors, that indeed is very easie to accomplish, but hard to find out. For all Philosophers have very obscurely writ of this kind of operating, in such a Laconick manner: Dissolve and Coagulate. The Solution of _Mars_ into Vitriol is made by the help of common Oil of Vitriol, or else by Spirit of Salt. But the Coagulation into a tinging Stone not corrosive is made by the help of old, cold and dry _Saturn_, because he it is, that understands how with his own most intent Coldness and Dryness to extinguish all humid coldish Fires, and to change them into hard Stones.

No one of the Philosophers hath writ more clearly touching the Coagulation of mineral Spirits, than _Paracelsus_, in that Treatise which is intituled the Heaven of Philosophers, being that in which he treats of the Nature and Properties of the seven Metals, and in the Fifth Chapter of _Saturn_, he thus speaks.

_Canon the Fifth, touching the Nature and Properties of_ Saturn.

_Saturn_ of his own proper Nature thus speaketh.

_The six other Metals have cast me out for their Examinator, and have thrust me from themselves out of the Spiritual Place: They have given into my Mansion a corruptible Body, that I might be what they neither are nor desire to have. My six Brethren are spiritual, thence it is, that they penetrate my Body as often as I am burned in the Fire; and together with me they perish in Fire. =Sol= and =Luna= onely excepted, which are cleansed with my Water and wax proud. My Spirit is a Water softning the rigid and congealed Bodies of my Brethren. Yet my Body tends to the Earth; whatsoever is received into me, becomes also conformable to us, and by us is converted into one Body. It would not be profitable for the World, if it should know or could believe what are latent in me, and what I am able to effect. It would be more profitable for the World if it understood that, with me, which I am able to do: Then leaving all Arts of Alchymists, it would use this onely, which in me is, and by me can be done. The Coldness of a Stone is in me; this is the Water, by which I cause the Spirits of the six Metals to be congealed into one corporeal Being of the seventh, that is, to augment =Sol= with =Luna=._

These I have transcribed word for word out of _Paracelsus_, that by them it might be sufficiently manifest, that he knew how to perform the Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits by cold and dry _Saturn_, because touching that he so evidently writes, as he that writes most plainly cannot describe the same more clearly, although there have been very few men, who did rightly understand this Prince of Philosophers, and could by his words learn the Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits there touched, although in a particular Transmutation of Metals no method more easie can be given than by our Salt of Philosophers, which from red Oil of Vitriol is coagulated by cold _Saturn_. I will not pass over in silence, what Fruit may otherwise be reaped by the Benefit of this in the Emendation of ignoble and very pretious Stones; because by that kind of labour more profit may be gained by ten Fold, than in the Graduation of Metals into _Sol_ and _Luna_; for our red Stone exalts all Gems in their Colours, and tingeth white Crystals into all kind of Colours; in which Work, there is not any of the Off springs of the Earth able to do the like. Wherefore the Ancient Philosophers more esteemed this Coloration of Stones, than the Art of tinging Silver into Gold; For such a Stone not onely amends Metals, but also graduates small Stones noble and ignoble, and tingeth them into better shapes and colours. For more excellency and good lies hid in despicable Lead, than any unskilfull man is able to imagine or can perswade himself to believe; because the Inside of it is no other than mere Gold, insomuch as Philosophers have called it Leprous Gold.

So soon as this impure Gold shall be impregnated with the Antimonial Oil of Vitriol, and both conjunctively coagulated together into a red Stone, thence must necessarily be made a Tincture for Metals, as well as for Stones. Much more should here be spoken touching our coagulated red Oil of Vitriol: But to what purpose is it to bring a sample of beautifull Colours before the Eyes of a blind man, being such as he cannot see, nor is able to judge any thing of. [See this Process plain in _Proserpina_.]

In the seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, mention is made of a like Coagulation of sharp Spirits, wherefore I would refer every studious Lover of curious Arts to the perusal of that part. For what are here briefly treated of, are there more copiously handled, as every Reader may find, and apply to his proper Benefit. Time now admits not a more ample Discourse in this place, touching such sharp Spirits of Salt.

_A Furthur Use of our_ Salmiack.

First, vulgar _Mercury_, by the help of our Secret _Salmiack_, may be so purified in the space of one Day, as the day following by one onely abstraction of the Water of _Saltaberis_, it may be coagulated into a red fixed Medicine. Which swift Mortification, Coagulation or Fixation, was highly esteemed by _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_. This _Mercury_, _Paracelsus_ insignized with the Title of _Coralline Mercury_, and celebrated the fame with this illustrious Praise, _viz._ that in the whole Nature of things, there was not any Remedy more excellent for yielding relief in the Gout and French Disease; adding, that it recreates the mind of the Artist, because it hath entrance into Gold, and with the same is converted into Gold, and so not a few impoverished Alchymists may again be stored with Riches. But since the Death of this Philosopher, you shall not find that there hath been one or other of the Professours of Chymistry unto this day, who could prepare such a red fixed _Mercury_; the Reason hereof is, because none of the Sons of Art could comprehend the Water of _Saltaberis_, by which _Mercury_ is to be brought to a fixed Redness, none I say, untill _Helmont_, that most learned Philosopher of our Age discovered himself, witnessing that he also could prepare such _Mercury_, which he insignized with the Name of Horizontal Gold, affirming it would sufficiently supply whatsoever the Physician and Chyrurgeon should need.

In like manner, that most expert Philosopher _Nuysementius_ did write of such a _Mercury_, testifying, that two or three Grains of it onely being taken in some Consortative, would purge out all Impurities from the humane Body. Indeed _Helmont_ expresseth this in other words, yet by them intimates, that it purgeth out all Filths from the Veins. Behold three famous men, serving instead of the _Marpesian_ Columns of all Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine; for they have excellently writ of this _Mercury_; yet to the Inventions of these, none of their Successours have added any thing, but have been still and quiet, shunning the labour of preparing an Universal Medicine. During the eight Months I was detained in my sick Bed, by reason of my Infirmity, occasion was offered me of a more serious Meditation of such abstruse things, insomuch as I at length found the Water of _Saltaberis_, by the help of which I totally fixed _Mercury_, not indeed as _Helmont_ saith into constant good Silver, but into very good Gold. Whosoever is seized with a desire of succouring the misery of the sick, he will do better for publick good, in using such a fixed _Mercury_ rather for expelling the Cruelty of a Tyrannical Gout, and the French Disease, than for Gold making, unless so far as he hath need to use the same for necessary Aliments.

Whosoever desires to know more of this Coralline _Mercury_, or (according to _Helmont_) Horizontal Gold; let him peruse our little Treatise intituled the Seventh Part of the Spagyrical Pharmacopœa, where he may find not onely many _Mercurys_, which are not inferiour to this, but in many things excel it. Also there you are taught how a burning Spirit may be distilled from all Vegetables, and with such a Spirit, by kindling and burning it, the _Mercury_ of Wine be separated from the Sulphur in flame, and that as a pure Cœlestial Salt be gathered in a fit Recipient, and administred against all Diseases, as a supream Universal Medicine. Also there is taught the way of purifying _Mercury_, and depriving the same of every loathsome Taste and Odour, in such wise, as it is rendred sweet and pleasant, like to Fire consuming Diseases, and for correcting every Cachexy of the whole Body. In like manner the same teacheth the way of preparing _Mercury_ so, as it offers it self to be ripened by the Secret Fire of _Atrephius_ into the highest Medicine, and that in a short time with little labour and charge.

Hitherto I have variously treated of the manifold Use of our Alcahest; but since this kind of Doctrine may profit Junior Physicians, Apothecaries, Chymists, and other learned men more than Mechanick Artificers; I purpose here to subjoin some other Secrets also, which may be of use to the People, that so our _Alcahest_ may become _Onesimus_ the common Servant of many, and in this manner be verified what in the superior or precedent Treatise is mentioned, _viz._ that of despicable Urine all men of all Orders, when they will may reap profit, and sufficient Aliments. But, although Spirit of Urine alone, without the help of Oil of Vitriol, or some other Acid Spirit, cannot effect all that is to be performed, yet the labour of making Oil of Vitriol is not to be eschewed, since it is that which may be prepared in abundance with little charge, and almost no trouble. If any one be but a little more skilfull, than a common Chymist, then indeed he may prepare at least four pound for the charge of one Imperial. If you cannot perform this work, Oil of Sulphur offers it self, which is more conducive for preparation of the Liquor _Alcahest_, than Oil of Vitriol, and in a peculiar Furnace, of an hundred pounds of Sulphur, without any great trouble, you may easily prepare ten or twelve pounds of Oil, and that for a small charge.

Wherefore, whosoever would by the benefit of the _Alcahest_ elaborate any thing to profit, he must first be provided of, and furnished with Spirit of Urine, and that some quantity, and also not a little Oil of Vitriol or Sulphur, ready for future use, that without any delay or hindrance he may happily proceed in his work begun, which without these he cannot absolve. If Spirit of Urine and Oil of Vitriol be to be bought by any one, his _Alcahest_ will be too dear, of it to prepare much to profit, as by the following shall appear.

What is that which _Pontanus_ saith to this? The whole body of Mercury, without any previous Separation of the pure from the impure, may by the help of the Secret Fire of _Artephius_ be totally ripened into a fixed Medicine or Tincture, without any diminution of its weight. Touching which wonderfull fixation, I in my Sick-bed made a small trial, insomuch as now I am obliged to believe what _Pontanus_ affirmed touching such a Secret Fire; openly confessing, that the same Secret Fire is more to be esteemed in Medicine and Alchymy, than all other great Secrets, which have ever been observed by Philosophers. Wherefore now, nothing grieves me so much, as that by reason of my great indisposedness, being always constrained to keep my Bed, I am able to make no further trial of the same.

This Fire converts all venomous Subjects into salutiferous Medicaments; fixeth all things that are volatile; renders all sharp and bitter things sweet and pleasant. In a word, this Secret Fire cannot more properly be compared to any thing, than to _Titan_ or the _Sun_, whence all things draw their Life and Increase. For that Fire, first of Earth, Water and Air, produceth gross, bitter and harsh Fruits, then ripens them being unripe, and changeth them into sweet and pleasant Fruits, imitating the _Sun_ producing sower Grapes, which it sweetens after its various Operations upon them. The same may be spoken of the maturation of vulgar _Mercury_, being such as _per se_ (whilst it is as yet volatile) is to be esteemed an immature and bitter Fruit: but as soon as by our Secret Fire its Bitterness and noxious Venome shall be taken away, and it becomes fixed and able to abide the Examen of Fire, it is no longer a bitter Venome, but passeth into a salutiferous Medicament. Hence the worthy _Lully_ cried out; _If you dulcifie the bitter, you will have the whole Magistery_. Which Dulcification our Secret Fire is able to compleat as perfectly as the _Sun_ of all acid and harsh products of Trees, makes sweet, pleasant and salubrious Fruits. _Pontanus_ witnesseth, that he had laboured in the true matter of the Stone, yet that he erred more than an hundred times, and that he should never have returned into the Royal way of Infallible Operation, if he had not read _Artephius_, and of him learned the Fire of the Wise. This indeed is a thing to be admired, that almost no Chymist imploys his Care, Study, Meditation and Counsel to seek out and find our Secret Fire, although to it there is scarcely given another like and second in all the things of Nature. _Artephius_ did so clearly describe that Fire, as you would wonder that so few Searchers have ever comprehended his Mind. All other Philosophers, who were partakers of such a Fire, do with _Artephius_ expresly write, that it burns continually in their Glass, and not so extrinsecally, in one degree. Whence indeed it is sufficiently manifest, that the same is not common Fire made of Wood and Coals. Therefore I do positively say, that our Secret Fire, in a short time, is able to transmute the whole of _Mercury_ into a red, sweet and pleasant Tincture, and also to change both humane and metallick Bodies.

_Yet further, Touching the most fruitfull Use of our =Alcahest=,
bringing great Gain in Metallick Labours._

As we have heard that volatile common _Mercury_ is fixed and rendred constant in Fire, by the help of our _Alcahest_; so it also in such wise fixeth other Minerals, and volatile Metals, as the same in Cupellating, leave behind both _Sol_ and _Lune_, not without notable utility. But thence especially may you reap vast profit, if volatile _Sol_ and _Luna_, extracted by _Aqua Fortis_ out of Sand and Earth, be again totally fixed by help of that, in such a manner, as they in Fire fly not; but yielding, permit themselves to be melted as any other _Sol_ and _Lune_. Metals, whensoever wrought upon by the help of _Aqua Fortis_, although they were fixt before, degenerate into another Nature, and are volatilized, so as with a strong Fire of Fusion they fly away to the Owners great loss. As for Example: If you dissolve _Lune_ in _Aqua Regia_, and upon the same Solution pour common Salt-water, the _Lune_ will be precipitated from the Water in the form of a white Powder, which if with other Water you well edulcorate and dry, you will have a Calx of _Lune_ much more ponderous than the _Lune_ was before. Which kind of increase ariseth onely from the sharp Spirits of the Salt, which the Silver hath drawn into it self so firmly, as by the benefit of Water they could not be totally separated, but remain in it, not onely whilst it is heated red-hot, but also in a strong Fire of Fusion, insomuch as the _Lune_ shews it self not tractable in Fire, as any other Silver, but remains like a Stone in that vehement Fire, so as whilst it is flowing, those Spirits of the Salt carry away much of the Silver with them in fume; and part of it also penetrates into the Crucible. Wherefore such _Lune_ precipitated with Salt, cannot be melted again and made ductile Silver without great loss and detriment, but appears intractable like a transparent Horn, whence also it is by Chymists called the _Horn of the Moon_; but I in my Writings name this Silver (as being that which is altogether volatile and fusible) the _Mercury_ of _Luna_.

In the same manner also _Saturn_ may be converted into a Liquable and volatile _Mercury_, touching the admirable and profitable use of which, I have writ, but not published, a whole Treatise, which is intituled, _The Work of Saturn_: but of this no more here. The Evening of the Day now approaching, admonisheth us to return to speak of our volatile _Lune_, and to shew the way of reducing that into fixed and soft or tractable Silver; which indeed by unskilfull Men is supposed to be a difficult Art, but by skilfull Men it is known to be easily effected with the great Utility of the Operator.

But some one may say, what need we about that imploy our principal Cares and Meditations, to render such precipitated volatile _Lune_ into fixed and good Silver, since there are other ways of precipitating Silver from _Aqua Fortis_, viz. by the help of thin plates of _Venus_? To such a Man, I thus answer: They who commonly separate _Sol_ from _Luna_, are in a great measure abused by that way of precipitation with _Venus_ Plates; but they would never use that chargeable Precipitation, if they enjoyed the knowledge of any other more profitable. Chargeable, I say, is such a Precipitation to those that use it, because much Water must be poured into the Solution, for washing away or weakening the force of the _Aqua Fortis_, that the _Lune_ may the more readily be precipitated by the _Venus_, and the _Aqua Fortis_ also not dissolve too much of the _Venus_. By this separation the _Aqua Fortis_ is lost, because it becomes Coppery, and unfit for a new use of separating. For one Mark of Silver costs in _Aqua Fortis_ onely (not reckoning Labour and Workmanship) almost half an Imperial: wherefore our _Belgian_ Refiners think it worth their while, if for separation of every Mark of Guilt Silver, they spend but two _Holland_ Florens, or ⅘ of one Imperial, for otherwise they cannot gain much: Yet some of them will not precipitate their _Lune_ with the help of _Venus_ Plates, and so lost their _Aqua Fortis_, but by distillation abstract the _Aqua Fortis_, and afterward use it again. But this abstraction is difficultly performed, and is not void of danger. For the Glass breaking, the Silver is spilt amongst the Sand, so as the whole cannot be recovered again without some damage, and sometimes there is great loss. Wherefore such a way of separating, although you can save part of the _Aqua Fortis_, yet it is chargeable and also dangerous (when _Aqua Fortis_ is to be prepared in a great quantity, as is wont to be done in metallick Mines of Gold and Silver, and also in Goldsmiths Shops) because it requires a filthy toil, sordid labour, great expence, and a continual tiresome and perillous trouble. I add perillous, and that deservedly; because those Operators, who frequently separate with _Aqua Fortis_, do very often become _Peripneumonick_, and diseased in their Lungs, by attracting with their breath the Acrimony of those Spirits into their Lungs, with which sharp Spirits the Lungs being touched, are hurt, and rendred obnoxious to Putrefaction, insomuch as among those Separators you shall very rarely ever find an old Gray-hair’d Master. For such Companions, even in their flourishing Age, are untimely hurried out of this life. But what are these feeble wretches able to doe, in withstanding the great Power of Destiny? Of Golden-Silver, Moniers know not how to make Money before they have separated the Gold from it, how great cost soever they be at for separating the same. About two years since I writ touching a certain Artificial method of separating Gold from Silver in abundance; but because I was taken sick a little after, and have continued discomposed almost ever since, I could not bring that laudable and most profitable Work of Separation to effect.

But afterward this my Infirmity continuing long, and I necessitated to keep my Bed, although troubled with no considerable sense of pain, could do nothing, but onely bend and incline my serious thoughts and meditations upon Nature and Art; then God and Fortune shewed me the way, by which every common _Mercury_ may be fixed and rendred constant in Fire. Which sudden fixation of volatile _Mercury_, the Deluder of all Alchymists, gave me farther occasion of fixing other volatile Subjects also. But among others, I ordered trial and proof to be made of a volatile _Calx_ of _Lune_ precipitated with salt Water, that I might experimentally see, whether such volatile Silver might not be so bound up, as to suffer it self, like any other _Lune_ to be melted without detriment or loss; the effect of which Trial or Proof succeeded according to my expectation. That indeed is a great Reward of a great Invention, insomuch as it supplies me with sufficient matter of asserting with _Archimedes_, It is an Invention worth the Milk of an hundred Kine. For this Fixation of volatile Silver will afford a famous Fruit of Utility in Alchymy, and especially in the Separation of Gold from Silver; because such a way the Separation of Gold from Silver may easily be made; _viz._ there being no need of the Solution of Silver by _Aqua Fortis_, but it is sufficient if the Silver be onely granulated, and the _Sol_ which is in it extracted by _Aqua Regia_; because that being done, you will see all the Silver residing in the bottom. And although there should be half an Ounce of Gold in every Mark of Silver, yet you will need no more _Aqua Regia_, than onely so much as is required for the Solution of such a quantity of Gold; so as a diligent Man, in the space of one day, may very well separate an hundred Marks of Golden-Silver, for the charge of three Duckets. And this artificial method of Separating may not onely be used by the Separators of Gold from _Lune_, but you may thence also reap greater profit, whensoever you are desirous by the help of _Aqua Fortis_ to extract Silver from Stones, Sand and Clay, and to precipitate the same with Salt: for this way all the _Aqua Regis_ will be saved, that _Aqua Fortis_ by the addition of Salt being turned into _Aqua Regis_, which will be most powerfully conducent for extracting Gold out of Sand and Stones, and for precipitating by a Mercurial Precipitation of the Gold from the _Aqua Regia_, and afterward that _Aqua Regia_ may again be used with notable profit for extracting like Gold. Touching which gainfull Extraction, the Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of our Country_ largely treateth. Here my intent was onely to publish an Artificial, and not chargeable way of separating Gold from Silver; which is such a method, as I believe the World never knew before.

* * * * *

Thus this new-invented Work of Separation is a most profitable Compendium, by the benefit of which every skilfull Man hereafter may with a good courage labour, and increase his Goods and Fortunes honestly: for I believe there cannot be invented any new Work more compendious than this we have here alledged, for the separation of Gold from Silver: wherefore we acquiesce in that. But if any one would be more prolixly instructed in this Artificial Separation, let him peruse the above-recited Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, where he may satisfie the hunger of his desires. Here you have the _First Appendix on the Seventh Part of my Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_: but in the following _Second Appendix_ (God willing) I will discover yet greater Secrets, which may be perfected by our _Alcahest_, but were never yet manifested to the World. But at this time, courteous Reader, take in good part these few things here premised, and whatsoever excellent thing shall hereafter offer it self, the same shall be presented to thy Consideration.

Therefore, since (as is above declared and shewed) our Secret _Alcahest_ is able to enrich Mortals with many kinds of gainfull Emolument, he is in no wise to be reprehended, that aspires to the knowledge of elaborating so excellent a Work, _viz._ how he should prepare for himself Oil of Vitriol or Sulphur, and that in abundance for a very small charge: for nothing hinders, but that four or five pounds thereof may be prepared for the charge of one Imperial. I need not mention how Spirit of Urine may easily be had and prepared in abundance, _viz._ so soon as one shall cause Urine mixt with Quicklime to ascend in a large distillatory _Vesica_. For if any one shall so prepare his _Alcahest_, eight or ten pounds thereof, after his work is done, will scarcely cost him one Imperial: wherefore he must needs gain much more, than if he should buy the same of others that sell it, for a great Price. In the mean while I doubt not, but that such a most easie Coagulation or Fixation of _Mercury_, as is made by help of this _Alcahest_, will excite not a few of the more unskilfull Readers, to the love of Learning from expert Artists, the Art of preparing the _Alcahest_ in abundance.

A Recapitulation,
OR
More ample Declaration of the precedent Secrets revealed.

Well meaning Reader,