Chapter XCI: Part I: To the well minded Reader (19)

That the ancient Philosophers did make their Universal Medicine, not out of one Subject onely, is clearly to be seen out of their Writings. And as their Subject was divers, so have they also used several Fires to decoct their Subject; for some Subjects, as fixed _Sol_ and _Lune_, they have made volatile by their humid Fire, and again made the volatile fixed by means of the known fire of Wood and Coals. Therefore have they so positively affirmed, that without common Gold and Silver, no true Medicine for the Metals can be made. And this, by reason that other Subjects were yet unknown to them; and they knowing no better, thought theirs to be the onely way by which the Universal Medicine could be made. But others have wholly rejected _Sol_ and _Lune_, saying they are dead, and that one should beware of them; but that their _Sol_ and _Lune_ were living, and that no commonly known fire could ripen them, that a far other fire is required for that purpose; these and the like contrary Writings (although they are both true) have confounded the Searchers, so that one esteemeth one Writer, and another, another, and yet are always doubtfull after which Authour they should work. _Pontanus_ confesseth that he erred two hundred times, although he wrought in the true matter, and should never have understood if he had not read the old Philosopher _Artephius_, and of him learnt the Secret Fire. He describes also the Secret Fire in the same manner, which _Artephius_ doth, to wit, thus: _Our Fire is no Common Fire, it is Artificial to find out, it dissolves, destroys and penetrates all things; it is equal, continual, and constant, burning with our Glass, and not without_, &c. Our Subject is also no common _Sol_ or _Lune_, but as yet an unripe Mineral, on which Nature hath but begun to operate. All they who have wrought in such unripe _Sol_ and _Lune_ have also of necessity known this Secret Fire, or else they have failed, and could accomplish nothing. Some have known the volatile Gold, as also the Fire belonging to it, and yet could not come to work with it; the reason was, because they as yet wanted the instrument belonging to it, because if a volatile matter be to be ripened in an open Glass with a flaming fire, it is impossible but that the volatile _Mercury_ should fly away; and if a Receiver were applied to receive the volatile Spirit, then by that means the Fire would be stifled and go out. Here is good counsel at a dear rate, but the discovery of the secret Vessel maketh all cheap again; for without the knowledge of this Vessel, little is to be done. Is it to be an Universal Work, so must it also agree with the Universal Work of this world? We see daily how that the warm Sun causing its beams to descend downwards upon the Globe of the Earth, causeth all Vegitables, to grow and multiply, and not onely Vegetables, but also Animals and Minerals, as _Plato_ witnesseth in these words: _The Sun and Man generate Man_. So that the oftener the beams of the Sun doth draw up the moisture of the Earth, and let it fall down again in Rain, by so much the more it maketh the dry Earth fruitfull, by which means the Fruits of the Earth sprout forth faster, ripen, and multiply; because the moisture when drawn up in the daytime by the Sun-beams, always leaveth behind it its fruitfull Salt, which it had attracted from the Air, in the bowels of the Earth, and is still again impregnated with the influences of the Heavens; for without the Air, nothing can live, encrease, or multiply, the which _Hermes Trismegistus_ hath very well given to understand, when he saith all which is above, is also below, by which wonderfull things are brought forth; the Sun is its Father, the Moon its Mother, the Wind carrieth it in its belly, the Earth hath conceived it and brought it forth, and is its nurse, by continual ascending and descending it hath obtained its force, and its vertue is compleat, when it is transchanged into Earth, _&c._ Here _Hermes_ gives sufficiently to understand, that the volatile matter of the Stone is elevated from the bottom of the Vessel to the middle region of the Air, and must again descend to the Earth, that by its continual ascending and descending it may be made to live and encrease, as it is in the great World. But how to make this ascention and descention as it is and ought to be done in the Philosophick work, is not permitted to be divulged: but it is more than enough to discover and assure that in such a secret Furnace and hidden Fire, the volatile Gold of the Wise may be ripened into a living Medicine. _Amen._

[Here should come in a small Treatise, entitled, _The Explication
of =Solomon=’s Words_: Viz.

In Words, Herbs and Stones, there is great vertue. _But who this =Solomon= was, is altogether uncertain; and the Treatise it self consisting of nothing but fabulous Stories of divers Events, which followed upon the speaking of certain words at divers times, and upon divers occasions, and containing nothing (as I conceive) that will be useful either for a Christian, or an Artist, I think fit to leave it out; and more especially, because this Treatise is wholly foreign to the Authour’s knowledge and experience, but taken upon trust (as to matter of fact) at random, and from others, which is disagreeable from all the other Writings of the Authour. All that I think worth the Translating is somewhat relating to the Colouring of Glass; which take as follows._

* * * * *

With one pound of pure Glass, mix about a dram of the Ashes of Copper, [or _Crocus Veneris_] and melt them together in a strong Fire, and you’ll find a green Glass, resembling the _Onyx-stone_. In like manner also a whole pound of Glass is made like to the fairest _Saphire_, if a dram of _Cobolt_ or _Bismuth_, melted, be added to the _Scoriæ_ or Dross. Likewise one dram of the Rust of Iron changeth a whole pound of Glass into a yellow Stone, emulating an _Hyacinth_. If one shall melt a dram of the Tincture of Gold, or of the Philosophers Mercury, extracted from Gold and Silver, with a pound of Glass, that Glass becometh very red, like a _Ruby_ in colour, as I my self have found. But if any shall be so fortunate as to make this Glass hard, as well as of a beautifull colour, he will need to take but little pains for his living.

* * * * *

_There is a short Discourse adjoyned to this, called, =The Quintessence of Metals=; but whatsoever is mentioned in that, is contained in the Fifth Part of the =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, =Book of Fires=, =Book of Dialogues=, &c._]

_The End of the Second Part._

THE THIRD PART
OF
Glauber’s WORKS.

A
TREATISE
OF THE
Three Principles of Metals,
_VIZ._
The Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt of Philosophers,
HOW
They may profitably be used in _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and other Arts.

Of SULPHUR.

_That =Sulphur= is one of the Principal Columns of Medicine, and
also a Primary Part of the Three Principles of Metals, is more
than sufficiently manifest; also, that in it is reconded much
good, several Books left unto us (published by Ancient and Modern
Authors) do clearly witness. But those Books, for the most part,
all of them are obscurely written, and every notable and most
remarkable thing is by them both concealed and manifested. Hence
it was most usual, of it to prepare certain Vulgar Medicaments;
as, =Yellow Flowers=, a =White Magistery=, a =Red Balsom=, and an
=Acid Oyl per Campan.= =&c.= But among all other, =Paracelsus= in
Writing hath most clearly unveiled the same; yet so warily, as
few could perform the like, although many diligently searched._

_Therefore, since the Writings of this most highly illuminated Man
are able to give a good Testimony of Truth to this my Work, I
thought it very convenient, to insert a part of the best of his
Writings in this small Treatise of mine; whence it will appear,
how our Art is carried on and Augmented Yearly. The Words of
=Paracelsus= are these which follow._

_Of SULPHUR._

GOD hath created _Bitumen_, endued with many rare and admirable Virtues, not only conducent for the necessary use of a _Physician_, willing and ready to heal the _Sick_, but also for the vast Phantasy and Operation of Chymistry. Besides, in it are many other Virtues, which wonderfully discover themselves by _Sulphur_, because it is the true _Bitumen_. Wherefore I thought it worth my while, not only to describe the Medicinal Virtues of _Sulphur_, but also the Chymical, and many other associated Virtues of the same, in every other Profession and Business.

It is to be owned, that many things have been writ of _Sulphur_; but the true Foundation of the true Virtues thereof, hath scarcely yet by any Man been exactly enough touched or proposed. But those Writers are to be blamed, who would describe all things, of which they have no understanding, because, in so doing, they did indeed compose and prescribe somewhat; but nothing fundamentally, or according to its genuine Disposition and Property, as in Writing and Describing is requisite. For in truth, they themselves understood not, yet (through their ambitious Haughtiness) they would compose Books, consisting of Letters only, without Soul or Spirit. But I, as One experienced, present you my Experience of _Sulphur_ in all things, _viz._ What _Sulphur_ is with respect to _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and all other associated Artifices. Therefore know ye, that in _Sulphur_ (but it is in GOD only to hinder) are wonderful, and those so admirably famous, Things, as thence the natural Light of Man may derive Cause enough for Wonder: Or else, (if GOD prohibit not) the Fault is in the Artist’s handling it; which is a thing very probable. For, when every babling Sophister thinks himself a Physician, and every Finical Fellow will be accounted a Chymist; then it comes to pass, that Arts can never be rightly exposed to publick view. But howsoever the Matter is, the Foundation lyes here: In _Sulphur_ (for either Faculty) are insited so great _Arcanums_ and Powers, as almost no Man can throughly exhaust them; and also so great Virtues, as will cause admiration so every Man. For in very deed, according to the Experience of all Men, (in either Faculty) there are so many things worthy of Note; because in _Sulphur_ is such an Efficacy, as few like unto it are given, nor in _Chymistry_ and _Medicine_ can its second be found. Yet _Aristotle_ defames that, saying, _Transmutation of Species cannot be_. But _Sulphur_ suffers Transmutation: Which is sufficient to prove, that _Aristotle_ (if he were now living) might be convinced of his Folly, even by Women.

No Physician or Chymist should convert Sulphur to his Uses, according as it is found in it self; but separated into its _Arcanum_, and purely freed and cleansed from all Impurities, until it is so purely clean, as its Virtue exceeds the whiteness of Snow. _Hyssopus_, that is, the _Art of Separating_, doth this; it was anciently called _Hyssopaica_, in Alchymy and every Separation. Yet Sulphur is of admirable use for its vulgar Businesses, or common Artifices. Now, that I may more accurately explain 🜍 to your Comprehension, I will first distinguish it according to its Nature. For it is not produced from one _Matrix_, but from many. Wherefore also, it acquires divers Operations, that is, hath in it self various affections, not one disposition only, but peculiar peculiarly. And that the Physician may not err, I will here present to him the Nature of that Sulphur, which is best for his use in Medicine; also to the Chymist, I will exhibit the disposition of that, which is profitable in Alchymy; and lastly, I will shew, how far it is conducent for every common Business. Therefore the Instruction being first premised, its use shall be superadded, not only in Medicine and Alchymy, but also in other common Vocations; that every Man in his own Operation may know, how to use and apply the same, without mistake or Error.

Touching the _Embryonate Sulphur_ of Metals, _viz._ what is invisibly contained in it, thus take it: That 🜍 in Diseases doth so admirably conserve and restore its own Member, as it manifests the Members to stand in need of a Mineral Medicament only, and no other. Hence the 🜍 of ☉ is conducent for the _Heart_, of ☽ for the _Brain_, of ♀ for the _Reins_, of ♄ for the _Spleen_, of ♂ for the _Gall_, of ♃ for the _Liver_, and ☿ for the _Lungs_.

Also there is found a kind of _Embryonate Sulphur_ in Wood: But that 🜍 is Fire only, which no Man can preserve in its Life and Essence otherwise than in the Wood, with which it passeth away, and dyes. Such is the 🜍 of all things which are Woody, or whatsoever it be, that is plainly reduced by Fire into Ashes. This 🜍 is Vegetable, but not fixed; nor is it conducible for any thing at all, except those things, which are to be prepared by Fire. Now be it known to you all, that that 🜍 indicates the Virtues of other Sulphurs, this way: As Fire devoureth all things, so every 🜍 is an invisible Fire, which doth invisibly absume Diseases so, as Fire visibly consumes Wood. Wherefore the _Element_ of _Fire_ is a singular _Arcanum_ in all Diseases. He that wants this Element of Fire among his Secret Medicines, ought not in any wise ascribe to himself the Name of a _Physician_; nor can he shew himself an Expert Physician, but is rather an Erroneous Operator, and a Robber of the Sick. Further I say, 🜍 is the _Element_ of _Fire_, and if any one would have it exercise the facilities of a Medicine, let him take care to volatilize it so, as it may vanish like a Flame; that is, let it be so subtilized, as it may recede from its own Body, and the Body be separated from it: For the Body is not the _Element_ of _Fire_. _Sulphur_, rendred thus Subtile and Volatile, is the Consumer of what is to be consumed, that is, what is not fixed in Nature, so Diseases are not fixed, but the Body is fixed against the Element. And the Element of Fire is only adverse to that, which is not fixed against it, that is, adverse to _Diseases_. Now would _Pseudophysicians_ so order the matter, as our Philosophy might find place, and receive Encrease in the _Schools_ of _Physicians_, the Trifles and Impertinencies of Humorists (who grope in Medicine as a Blind Man, that knows not which way he goes) being totally rejected, many Homicides, daily perpetrated by their Rashness, would be prevented. In the mean while, since they are Men of no Conscience, what can you do, but leave them to their own perverseness? He that is desirous to act as a true Physician, let him seek the Virtues of Elements in Natural things; there he will both find the Truth, and a Remedy against the Diseases of the Sick.

There is a twofold kind of Embryonate 🜍; one fixed, but notwithstanding made Volatile; the other, pure Fire; that is, one is Living Fire, the other Insensible Fire; yet both the Sensible and Insensible are exercised in like Consummation; _viz._ one in Wood, the other in Diseases. Every Man, affecting the Health of others, might by these few words be sufficiently instructed, if GOD withstand not his Endeavours; but I judge every Man shall not be made Wealthy, because GOD well knows, why he hath given the Goat so short a Tayl. For since Riches do very often seduce Poor Men, cause them to put off the Habit of Humility and Modesty, and transform them into proud and insolent Animals, therefore it is more safe to keep silence, and leave every one to his own poor estate.

Now know ye, touching _Sulphur_ and its Species; what the Nature, Property and Essence, of the same is. Whosoever shall attempt to describe _Sulphur_ in a most accurate manner, (as is fit, though not expedient) will have need of abundance of Paper. But for handling 🜍, a judicious Chymical Operator and Experienced Artist is required; such a one should be very expert and solidly grounded in his Art, no Airy Talkative Person, whose Art consists in Lip-labour only; but one, that proves himself an Artist by the Labour of his hands: For such a Man will be able to extract from 🜍 more wonderful _Arcanums_, than any Man can describe with his Pen. But, he that knows nothing of _Sulphur_, knows nothing at all, nor is it convenient, he should say any thing, either in Medicine, or in Philosophy, touching any of the Secrets of Nature.

_Of the Use of this =Element= of =Fire=, which =Paracelsus= hath so
earnestly commended to all Physicians._

First, this Tincture of 🜍 may be exhibited in all Diseases, for comforting the Brain, Heart, and all the Internal Members of the Body, because it is famously subtil, savoury, and sweet; and is a Medicine most excellent, especially in Affects of the Lungs. Also, it is the most penetrating of salutiferous Balsoms, for curing every Body internally hurt, and for restoring all vitiated Members to their pristine Sanity; in so much, as, in this respect, you can scarcely find any other _Remedy_, second to this in Virtue. Therefore it may very well serve instead of _Aurum potabile_; but in firey Diseases, it must be warily administred. This Essence of 🜍 strengthens weak Stomachs, and gets a good Digestion. In a word, in all Distempers whatsoever, except Burning Feavers, it may be safely used.

_Note_: If any one shall extract a red Tincture from fixed 🜍 rubifyed, he will enjoy a most present Remedy, not only for Men, but also for some Metals; namely, for tinging ☽ and ☿ into ☉. This is that, which _Paracelsus_ commended to all the Rivals or Sons of Art so highly, that I thought I should do very well here to subjoyn his own Words, as they are written.

_Mortification_ of _Sulphur_ is made, when its combustible and fetid Humidity is taken away from it, and the 🜍 reduced to a fixed Substance, which is done thus.

℞. Common yellow 🜍, which reduce to a fine Powder, and from it three times abstract a most strong _Aqua Fortis_; then the 🜍 remaining in the bottom, will be of a black Colour. This edulcorate with sweet Water, and so oft distil the Water thence, as until the Water come off wholly sweet, and smells not at all of Sulphur. Then take that Sulphur, and reverberate it in a close Reverberatory, like _Antimony_. In Reverberating, it will shew it self, First, White; Secondly, Yellow; and Thirdly, Red; as _Cinnabar_. Having brought it to this pass, thou mayst rejoyce; for that is the beginning of thy Riches. For this Reverberated Sulphur in Tinging, renders every Silver into the best Gold, and the Humane Body into perfect Health, more excellently than can be described. Of so great Virtue is this reverberated and fixed Sulphur, _&c._

Elsewhere, _Paracelsus_ writes of the Transmutation of Metals and Gems, thus: As you now have seen a very brief way of some peculiar Transmutations of Metals; so here further know ye, touching the Transmutations of Gems, that is, of small Stones, that of such Transmutations also there are various ways, some of which notwithstanding seem in no wise adverse to others. For you see how potent a Transmutation of Gems lyes in the Oyl of Sulphur. Every Crystal, that is left in that Oyl for some time, is tinged and transmuted, and may by graduation with distinct Colours be so exalted, as to exceed a Natural _Jacynth_, _Granate_, or _Ruby_, _&c._

_Paracelsus_ here teacheth the fixation of 🜍, if a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ be several times abstracted from the same, reduced to a fine Powder. But that way of proceeding will profit nothing, because the _Aqua Fortis_ is not capable of any Ingress into the 🜍, because that is first to be procured by Salts, as we above taught. For then the Artist’s Endeavour will succeed well, and the 🜍 in Abstraction of the _Aqua Fortis_ be fixed, and also wax white: But Redness is afterward given to it in an open Fire, or Fire of Reverberation. And it will never wax red in a close Vessel, how long soever it stands in the Fire. And when it is thus Red, every common Spirit of Wine extracts not its Tincture, because it hath not ingress into it. But the fixed red 🜍 must first be melted with fixed Salt of _Tartar_ in a very strong Fire. That way is given to it such an Ingress, as any Spirit of Wine can extract from it its Tincture. For otherwise you shall labour in vain. _Paracelsus_ intended rather to keep this Experiment to himself only, than to expose it to the use of the ungrateful Vulgar Sort. But no Man hath cause to wonder, why I now am desirous to discover the same openly, since I have peculiar Reasons of this Publication, an account of which I am not bound to render to any Man. It is sufficient to any grateful-minded Man, that I am willing publickly to discover that Secret.

This fixed Tincture of 🜍 is in Medicine much more efficacious, than the Element of Fire, described by _Paracelsus_. For That is only extracted from a Volatile Sulphur; but This is fixed; and is also of power sufficient to cure the fixed Diseases of Men, as well as Metals. The Volatile Tincture, or Element of Fire, as it is called by _Paracelsus_, is otherwise also famously conducent for External Uses. All affects of the Skin, as Scabs, and the like, are cured by the help of that. Also to every Wine it is a present Medicine. For if any one put a little of it into a Cask of Wine, the Wine acquires a grateful Tast and Odour, and will be so comforted, as not easily to admit of changing or perishing, as otherwise is wont to happen to common Rhenish Wine. I did indeed, for tryal sake, pour same of this into divers Wines, and found it so in very deed. For I put one or two drops of our Element of Fire into several open Cups filled with Wine; and I daily observed them, until I found, that that Wine, in which none of the Element of Fire was put, did in two or three days contract a slimyness; but those, in which a little of the Element of Fire had been mixed, stood almost three Weeks, before they began to contract the like. Which business of Wine, if any Man well consider, he may find out the way, how, by the benefit of this Art only, far more easily to acquire sufficient Gain for daily Sustenance, than otherwise by the perillous ways of Merchandise. Wherefore, whosoever is desirous of enjoying Profit in Wines, let him always take care continually to have ready prepared by him a good _Sal mirabile_, and reduce Sulphur into a red firey Stone; otherwise he will lose his Labour and Cost, which, by way of Admonition, I was not willing to pass over in silence. Therefore I must say, with _Paracelsus_, that all those Physicians and Chymists are not of the best Fame, who have the Gift of Glorious Eloquence; but those only, who have learned their Understanding by long use of Fire; and whilst elaborating Subjects, to be prepared, do well know, what should be added and substracted, according as the Operation of every thing requires.

Since we now know, what _Paracelsus_ taught touching the fixation of 🜍, and also the profitable use thereof in Medicine and Alchymy; it will in no wise be impertinent in this place to insert, what _Basilius_ hath written touching the same; that by his Words every Man may the better discern, that my fixation of 🜍, which I have described to be made by the help of _Salt Nitre_, differs not from the Writings of other Philosophers, speaking of _Salt Nitre_. The aforesaid _Basilius_, (who, in many places of his Writings, mentioned the fixation of 🜍 by help of _Salt Nitre_, but obscurely enough) among other things, thus writes.

[_Here =Salt Nitre= is introduced, speaking of himself and to
himself only._]

_Sulphur_ indeed is my most mortal Enemy, and he is also my best Friend: For when we both are joyned together in Wedlock, and our Marriage celebrated in Hell, so, as we both sweat well together; then we shall so put off all Impurities from us, as in our dead Bodies may be found the greatest Treasures, and of us be progenited wealthy Children, _&c._ By which words, _Basilius_ intimates, that _Salt Nitre_, by the Contact of 🜍, is inflamed, and, as by an Enemy, wholly burnt up and reduced to nothing; and therefore is accounted its greatest Enemy. But if _Salt Nitre_, in form of an _Aqua Fortis_, be associated to 🜍, and render it fixed and constant in Fire; they then become the greatest Friends, and from them both are procreated Rich Children. Therefore whosoever is desirous to obtain such Children, let him bend all his thoughts to the matter it self, and diligently search; for he may find, if GOD be pleased to indulge him and permit the same.

Whatsoever _Paracelsus_ hath here writ of 🜍, he hath undoubtedly writ plain enough, so as Credit may safely be given to his Writings. For that what he saith is not from the purpose, _Every Man may be informed by these few words_, _&c._ Certainly he, had he not dreaded the impiety of the World, would much more evidently have explained this, and by that means he would have helped the Necessity of many; but the notorious Ingratitude of the World deterred the Man.

Also _Paracelsus_ admirably discourseth of the _Element_ of _Fire_, how excellent a Medicine it is, as I my self have experienced, and shall further in time to come (if GOD permit). In like manner, the same Man makes mention of the noble _Hyssopaick Art_, by the help of which, ancient Philosophers did, with their own hands, make black 🜍 white as Snow, fix it, and by the benefit thereof, do great Miracles in Medicine and Alchymy. This Art, (with Grief be it spoken) by the negligence and injury of former times, was gradually lost; which notwithstanding, from the Caves of Silence, and, as it were, lying in Darkness, this my Small Treatise will again bring to Light.

The prophet _David_ seems to have some knowledge of this Royal Art; for when he saw his Sins before GOD, had (as it were) contracted the blackness of a Coal, he thus implores the Divine Mercy: _Sprinkle me, O LORD, with Hyssop, that I may be white: for, by thy well-washing of me, I shall become whiter than Snow_. Whence it is sufficiently manifest, that _David_ craved not the well known Kitchin-Herb, _Hyssop_, to be washed with, because that could not help him; but he spake Metaphorically, and requested that his Sins (by the great blackness of which, he believed his Soul to be infected before GOD) might be pardoned, and he received into Divine Favour, and never be driven from the face of GOD to Eternity.

Likewise, there is no Community between the black, gross, and combustible 🜍 of Wood, and the pure, fixed and incombustible 🜍 of Gold: For as long as black 🜍 keeps its combustible disposition, it is refused by the other, as abhorring the familiar Society of so stinking and sordid a Guest. But as soon as that _Ethiopian_, by assistance of the most noble _Hyssopaick Art_, shall be washed white as Snow, and rendred constant in Fire, then it is readily received into Communion by the ☉, and of both is made one Tincture, by help of which, other Metals are reduced to the Perfection of Gold; as a little after shall be shewed more at large. Yet I will first briefly note the difference of 🜍, according to my Experience; which is indeed not very necessary, because _Paracelsus_ hath done it. Nevertheless, I am very willing to subjoyn these few things.

Ancient Philosophers, as often as they in their Writings treated of the Original and Beginning of Metals, placed the Foundation of their Assertion in _Demogorgon_; _viz._ That he was the Grand-father of all Metals and Minerals, who, dwelling in the Center of the Earth, was cloathed with a bright-red Cloak. But properly, _Demogorgon_ is the Central Fire continually burning, and a Subtile Spirit of 🜍, distilling it self through the passages of the Earth. If this firey Spirit in its ascent finds a Commodious Cavern, or Humid Place, in which it may abide; it is immediately there coagulated into a Mercurial Water, and by the Central Fire’s continual Coction, in length of time, ripened into Metals and Minerals. But the ascending Spirit of 🜍, which finds no Seat for its Abode, ascends higher and higher, until it comes to the Superficies of the Earth; into which, when moystened with Rain, it thrusts it self; and from the Ground grows upward into the Air, in the form of vast Bushes and Trees; in which Plants and green Trees, is found such a 🜍 as is in Minerals, (yet this is not found so fixed, as that in Metals,) because all things in the Bowels of the Earth are generated according to the Influence of the Stars, and there coagulated according to the nature of the place into these or those Metals. Let him, who is desirous to be taught more at large touching these, consult those Philosophers, by whom the same are plainly enough described. If the pleasure of Operating induce any one to set about this Work, he may make choice of the 🜍 he judgeth most sutable to his Intention.

Now behold the Method, in which, by the benefit of the most ancient _Hyssopaick Art_, black 🜍 is by a dexterous washing turned into white, rendred fixed and constant in Fire, and by Reverberation transmuted into Redness, and thenceforth used as a Medicine of Humane and Metallick Bodies wanting melioration, and that with notable profit.

_Here is presented, first, the Method of Washing Black =Sulphur=
so, as it becomes very White._

The worthy _Paracelsus_ doth briefly indeed describe the method of whitening and rubifying 🜍, but what was most conducent thereunto, he concealed; _viz._ that way of Preparation, without which no _Aqua Fortis_ can have ingress for Washing and Fixing. My purpose is in this place, for the sake of the Searchers of Art, to publish this Secret in plain Words. This may be done many ways, as will appear by the following,

℞. One part of the Terrestrial Sulphur of Pit-coals, or of the Vegetable Sulphur of Wood-coals; with which, reduced to Powder, mix two or three parts of our _Sal Mirabile_, prepared of Oyl of Vitriol and Common Salt. Which mixture put into a Crucible, and set the Crucible covered in a Wind-Furnace for melting. There the _Sal Mirabile_, by its Acrimony, preys upon the 🜍, and dissolves it; and thence makes a _Red Stone_, which, by pouring Water on, you may dissolve, Filtre, and again Coagulate, into a Red Salt or Stone. And thus the 🜍, by help of the _Sal Mirabile_, through one only abstraction of a sharp _Aqua Fortis_, will be so habile, as it may easily be made white with washing, and also be fixed so, as to sustain the force of Fire, according to this following.

_Process._

℞. Of this Red Sulphureous Salt, ℔ j. and upon it, in a strong Body of Glass, pour ℔ iij. of most sharp _Aqua Fortis_: Yet not all at once, but leisurely, and at times; because the _Sal Mirabile_ with the 🜍 loseth its Acidity, and becomes Alcalisate, and therefore so inimical to the _Aqua Fortis_, as it impetuously resists the same. Therefore let him, that is ignorant of this, be very wary, lest all that is contained in the Vessel fly away, or the Glass, through too much heat, burst in sunder. For this cause, proceed leisurely, and operate according to the Rules of Art, that your Endeavour may be fortunate. For, in a way contrary to this, you can find nothing, but Damage and Trouble. As often as you put in any _Aqua Fortis_, presently put on the Head, because it will suddenly and hastily fume, and so cause damage; to prevent which, after I had sustained several Losses, I at length, against such Exhalations, found this Remedy.

[Sidenote: * _Half Ounces._]

In the Top of the Alembick I caused a small hole to be made, through which I put a little Tunnel of Glass, and luted it on. So soon as I had put the prepared 🜍 into the Body, and luted the Head and Receiver to it aptly, I through that little Tunnel poured at one time two or three Lo tones of _Aqua Fortis_, and presently stopped the Pipe with Paper; then immediately after great Ebullition, (by its own Virtue, without any external Fire) the subtil Soul of 🜍 ascended in a red form. Soon after, I poured on more _Aqua Fortis_, and left it to its own operation. This I did so long, and so often, as until I had put in ℔ iij. of _Aqua Fortis_, upon ℔ j. of the prepared 🜍. When you have thus done, you may administer Fire externally to your Matter in the Glass Body placed in Sand, for so the _Aqua Fortis_ will the more virtually act upon the 🜍, and will all ascend red in Colour; but the 🜍 will remain with the _Sal Mirabile_ in the bottom of the Vessel fixed, white, and able to sustain the force of Fire so, as it seems almost incredible, that such a Substance, easie to be enflamed and burnt, should in a few hours space be exalted to so great Fixation and Constancy. The Distillation ended, and Glasses cooled, take up the Body out of the Sand, and thence take out the Salt with the fixed 🜍; and to dissolve the _Sal Mirabile_ from it, pour on as much Common Water as shall be sufficient. After extraction of the Salt, the fixed white 🜍 must be dryed, and kept sufficiently hot in a Crucible in an open Fire, until the 🜍 remains fixed, totally white, and able to abide the Examen of Fire. Then is it fit to be reserved for such Uses, as you shall learn by the following.

_Note_: If the _Sal Mirabile_, together with the _Aqua Fortis_, shall be purified, then the fixed 🜍, after Edulcoration, will be white as Snow. But on the contrary, if you do not well filtre the 🜍 with the _Sal Mirabile_, and also cleanse not the _Aqua Fortis_, the 🜍 will not come forth of a Snow-like Colour, as you may easily conjecture. Wherefore, whosoever would have a Snow-white 🜍, he must warily proceed, and purely operate, in all parts of his Work. In Medicine, and the Transmutation of Metals, 🜍 destitute of whiteness, will serve well enough; but if you would apply it to such Uses, as necessarily require a Snow-white Colour, you had need to proceed warily, according to the Prescripts of Art. For it is of great Concern in every Work, to know, whether the fixed 🜍 should have a White or an Ash Colour; as in the following shall be shewed more at large.

Moreover, it is highly necessary to be known, that that _Aqua Fortis_, which was poured upon the prepared 🜍, and separated from it by Distillation, is no more to be reputed Common _Aqua Fortis_. For although it ascends Red, yet that Redness disappears in a day or two, and the _Aqua Fortis_ shews it self limpid and clear again; in so much, as it can scarcely be thought by any Man, that any eminent Virtue is latent in that red _Aqua Fortis_ changing again into whiteness. Which kind of Ignorance did notably hurt me, whilst I persuaded my self, that such an _Aqua Fortis_ could not be effectual for any other use, or for the same, again. But afterward, when I was seized with a desire of searching, whence that Redness should proceed, and why it again disappeared; I rectified a pound of such _Aqua Fortis_, in a clean Glass Body, to know, whether that Redness would remain behind, and no other than the _Aqua Fortis_ simple ascend; and, by tryal, I found, that no Redness would ascend, but in that Rectification it separated it self from the _Aqua Fortis_, and resided in the bottom in the form of Powder, white as Snow. Having done this, I tryed, whether the same White Powder were fixed, and I found it to be as fixed, as Gold it self: yet had no ingress into Metals, but remained like a white Earth constant in Fire. Hence I was seized with the delight of thinking, what eminent Virtue might be latent in this Snow-like Powder. Wherefore I again and again made like Tryals, and still found the same. Whence a great Light discovered it self to me, by which I perceived, that in the vehement Action of the _Aqua Fortis_, in dissolving the prepared 🜍, the most clean Soul of the 🜍 ascended with the _Aqua Fortis_, yet in a very small quantity: For out of ℔ j. of such 🜍, I had not above eight or ten Grains of this Soul of 🜍 left behind. Which thing, at first, did not please me very well, because the smalness of its weight seemed of no value with me. But having made a more exact Tryal, I found this Snow-like Powder to be a most excellent Medicine in several Curable Diseases of the Humane Body, and a true Tincture for Correcting Metals; and therefore afterward I esteemed it far more than before; and this so noble white Tincture, I, by the help of Art, united with Gold, (which is a thing not difficult to be done by a skilful man) and so found, that this laudable Tincture, although so very white, might, with ☉, in a small Fire, be exalted unto Redness, and be of more value than all the 🜍 remaining; although that is an hundred-fold more ponderous, than this that ascended. Yet the Use and Fruit of Both, we will a little after shew more at large.

These may suffice to be offered here, touching the way of Whitening, Exalting and Fixing, common, black, filthy, fugitive, and combustible Sulphur, till it is able to sustain the torture of Fire. But before we proceed to the Use of this whitened and fixed 🜍, we will here shew certain other ways of whitening and fixing every combustible Sulphur.

_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._

℞. One, two, or three ℔. of common yellow 🜍 reduced to Powder; upon this, in a glazed Earthen Pot, pour four, six, or nine ℔. of a strong _Lixivium_, made of Lime or Wood-Ashes, in which, you must so long boyl the 🜍 with continual stirring of it, as until the _Lixivium_ hath dissolved as much of the 🜍, as is possible. Then decant it off, and pour on fresh _Lixivium_, that the same may also dissolve as much as it can; repeating the same Labour till all the 🜍 shall be dissolved. Which Solutions, if you filtre and coagulate into a Red Stone or Salt, the Sulphur will be so habile, as it may, by the help of _Aqua Fortis_, be washed and fixed.

_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._

Dissolve 🜍 in a _Lixivium_, and put that Solution in a Glass Body, upon which set an Alembick, with an hole on the Top to put a Tunnel through, as before said, and adjoyn and lute a Receiver thereto. Then through the Funnel pour in leisurely and by degrees so much Oyl of Vitriol, as until the mortification of both is perceived, no more ebullition is caused, but all action each upon other ceaseth. This being done, administer Fire by degrees, and a subtile Spirit of Vitriol will ascend, which performs wonders in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_; because it contains Spiritual ☉ in it self, and may be very much subtilized by Rectification. In Taste, it differs little from the Taste of Spirit of Urine; only that it is more grateful to the Palate, and for every Use more efficacious than Spirit of _Sal Armoniack_ or _Urine_: Also from it the Tincture may be separated, as we will shew here following.

The Salt, remaining in the bottom of the Glass, must be taken out, and by fusion in a Crucible turned into a Red Stone, which suffers it self, _per se_, to be fixed in the Crucible in a short time. By the benefit of this Sulphur, all Metals may particularly be amended with great profit. If any one purposeth to use the same Universally, let him pulverize this fixed Red 🜍, and from it extract a blood-red Tincture with Spirit of Wine: For this Tincture is easily extracted, and by _Paracelsus_ is called, _The Element of Fire_, and was by him highly esteemed. Undoubtedly the chief Reason why this Philosopher called it _The Element of Fire_, was, because in the Operation he visibly discerned four Elements. For, the Extraction ended, (which may be absolved in 24 Hours) on the top is a beautiful Red Ruby-like Tincture, under which is a white Liquor, and in the bottom an Ash-like Earth. The little Skin separating the Tincture from the white Water, is taken for the Air. Therefore this way alternately, the four Elements present themselves to sight in the Glass without confusion; so as although you shake them together an hundred times in an hour, yet they will never be mixed, but after that agitation, every of them recovers its pristine Station. The fruitful Use of this _Element of Fire_, shall be further spoken of afterward.

_Note_: As we have here now taught the way of washing and fixing common Yellow 🜍, and the black 🜍 of Pit-coals and Wood; even so may the 🜍 of _Antimony_, _Vitriol_, _Auripigment_, and other Minerals, be whitened and fixed.

But the method, by which 🜍 is extracted from Metals and Stones, shall (GOD willing) be shewed in a peculiar Chapter. In the mean while, here is declared,

_The Use of our Fixed =Sulphur=, and, first, in Medicine._

First, this 🜍 whitened by Lotions and fixed, is a most excellent _Bezoardick_, and much more safe in its Use, than the Oriental _Bezoar_, which is sold indeed for a greater price, yet never discovers any visible and sensible Effect. On the contrary, our _Bezoar_ deservedly is preferred before it, especially in the Pestilence, and all other Diseases, where Sweating is needful.

Also, in all Affects of the Lungs, it yields more Comfort and Relief, than all other Medicaments, which are prepared of 🜍 not cocted nor fixed, but only crude. Likewise, to Men or every Age, whose weak Stomachs are prostrated by an heap of aqueous and viscous Humors, it is a present Remedy; because by its dryness it totally absumes all Phlegmatick superfluous Humidities, and perfectly restores the Stomach. What shall I say? It may in a special manner be commended, as a Cordial and excellent Confortative against the imbecillity of Age. And outwardly, it may serve for a most excellent Cosmetick; and, in like manner, by the Spagyrick Art, be reduced into an admirable sweet Oyl, by the benefit of which, the yellow and blackish Skin of Women may be tinged with a beautiful white Colour: Not like any other vulgar Cosmetick, which doth indeed whiten the Skin, but that may again be washed off with Water; not so, I say, but in such a manner, as the Skin, thus elegantly tinged, can in no wise be washed off again. Yet in length of time, that whiteness of the Tincture will wear away, and the Skin recover its native blackish Yellowness: Wherefore it must be tinged again, as often as shall be needful. Whence it is manifest, that such a Tincture is admirably useful in beautifying rich Virgins, and curious Matrons.

Moreover, this Oyl of Talk is efficaciously prevalent in curing such Affects of the Skin, as are called, _Impetigo’s_, _Serpigo’s_, and _Lichene’s_; also Scrophulous Tumors rising about the Nose, or in any part of the Face, and proceeding from an Inflammation of the Liver. This Oyl takes away all such cutaneous Vices, and beautifies and heals the deformed Skin, restoring it to its native Colour.

_The Use of the same in Chymistry._

Fixed 🜍, as well in the humid, as in the dry way, transmutes imperfect Metals into ☉ and ☽. Most readily ♄ and ♀, in the humid way; and most easily ♂ and ♃, in the dry way. From every ☽ it separates ☉ by fermentation. If it be added to prepared Metals, the same Metals distilled by Retort give forth from themselves living Mercury, which permits it self to be fixed with ☉ into a tinging Stone. Whensoever old _Demogorgon_, or the Grandfather of Metals, through his extream Age, decays in strength, and waxeth bald, he devours his youngest Son, whereby he is so greatly comforted, as he is able to give to all his Sons and Servants golden Crowns.

* * * * *

_Note_: You are to understand the devouring of the Son to be, when old fixed 🜍 swallows and devours crude and not fixed 🜍, and thereby acquires to it self Flux and Ingress, by the help of a certain Minister, who most diligently watcheth his Sepulchre so long, as until Father and Son (or the fixed and fusible) be mortified, and rise together renovated.

[Sidenote: * Amill.]

Also from our Hoary headed _Demogorgon_, of exact Age, by the addition of other Matters, is made a most white *_Amausum_, in the acquisition of which, _Goldsmiths_ do greatly delight; because they can adorn their Artifices therewith.

_Behold I present you the way of Opening and Constituting a
perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽._

We above taught, that 🜍 (after it is washed into a Snowy whiteness, and also so fixed, as it is able to sustain the Examen of Fire) was endued with power of amending all Metals. For the whitened 🜍, by Gradation, turns them into ☽, and the Rubifyed into ☉. But here a great Obstacle is wont to intervene, so as this Work of so great profit, cannot easily obtain its Effect, answerable to the Wish of every operating Chymist; _viz._ because by Fixation the 🜍 is so totally deprived of its Fatness, penetrating Power, and easy Flux, as it degenerates (as it were) into a dead Earth, which, _per se_, alone loves not to enter into any Metal, but chooseth first to have Ingress duly prepared for it by the help of other Fusibles, such are vulgar, immature, and combustible Sulphur, or Antimony; which do indeed penetrate the dead 🜍, and render it so fusible, as it is capable of Ingress into Metals.

But since such combustible 🜍 or ♁, is so very noxious to Metals, as it makes them black, volatile, and brittle, and so commonly doth as much hurt as good; therefore we, not approving of such an Ingress, endeavoured to find out a better. Indeed, although every 🜍 may another way be so fixed, and rubifyed, without the help of _Aqua Fortis_, as to retain its own Ingress; yet such a fixation (though easily done, and requires little Charge) cannot be compleated without a very long time. I intend to describe this way of Fixing; but first shall be shewed the method of procuring a safe Ingress to this fixed 🜍 by a whitening _Aqua Fortis_.

First, we taught, the 🜍 was to be reduced by our _Sal Mirabile_, then that a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was to be abstracted from it, and after Abstraction the _Sal Mirabile_ to be separated from the white fixed 🜍 by common Water, that the 🜍 might be dulcifyed and rendred fit for Medicinal Uses. Now I teach, that the 🜍 fixed by _Aqua Fortis_ is not to be edulcorated, but the _Sal Mirabile_ to be left with it; being that, which prepares Flux and Ingress for its penetration into Metals, insomuch as Necessity now urgeth us to seek a better Ingress, _viz._ this way;

_The way of adding to Fixed 🜍 a Ferment, by the benefit of which,
is acquired Ingress into Metals, penetrative, and amending the
same._

Above, where we treated of the way of fixing Sulphur, we taught, that after it was reduced by _Sal Mirabile_, a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was to be poured upon it, and thence to be abstracted, and that in the time of Abstraction, a little Volatile 🜍 would also ascend with the _Aqua Fortis_, whence the _Aqua Fortis_ waxed Red, and that such a Redness might be separated from the _Aqua Fortis_, in form of a fixed Powder white as Snow, which might be used in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_ with great profit. Yea, such a fixed 🜍 white as Snow, doth not only serve for an admirable Cosmetick; but also this small Quantity of 🜍 deserves to be highly commended by Physicians, as a most excellent _Diaphoretick_, the like of which you can no where find. For indeed, Oriental _Bezoar_ is not comparable to this of ours. Our _Bezoar_ is the true Unicorn’s Horn of the ancient Philosophers. This our Philosophick Unicorn, is that most potent, hoary, and aged, King of the World, who, as soon as he hath devoured his young Son, encreaseth in strength so admirably, as he transforms his Gray Hairs into Red, and triumphs in his being able to give to all his Servants golden Crowns, and also to make them Kings. For he is no more such as he was, _viz._ _Venom_, or _Black_ blacker than _Black_, or a wild and horrible _Beast_ in the _Wood_, but is changed into our Oriental _Bezoar_, _White_ whiter than _White_, Universal _Treacle_, _&c._ So great a power doth he possess, after he hath been prepared according to the Method above prescribed.

If any one be desirous to exalt the Faculties of this 🜍, he will not lose his Labour, if before fixation he dissolve ☉ in _Aqua Regis_, and pour this Solution of ☉ upon the 🜍, instead of another _Aqua Fortis_; and abstract it from thence again. For so doing, not only the ☉ remains fixed with the 🜍, and gives Ingress unto it; but also the _Aqua Regis_, or Spirit and Salt of the World, with the Snow-like Soul of 🜍, will carry with themselves over the Helm the clean Soul of ☉, and so produce a far more excellent Medicine, than if only the Soul of 🜍 did ascend alone; as every Man may easily conjecture. But if any one is desirous to operate better, he may, if he will, dissolve the Gold also in a Crucible, together with the Sulphureous _Sal Mirabile_; and presently after abstract from it a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_; which way the ☉ is so much the better united with the 🜍. Although I could discover much more touching this way of Operating, yet since (because I have published already as much as is fit) no Necessity obligeth me to such a publication, I will forbear to speak further hereabout.

The way of bringing this fixed Snow-like 🜍 to Redness, the Laudable _Paracelsus_ here teacheth; _viz._ that it must be made Red by a flaming Fire. Yet it must not be covered (as he mentions) but open: For this way it will wax Red, otherwise it would remain White. Now that 🜍 to which you add ☉, needs no Reverberation; because by the ☉ it is turned into a purple Colour, and the ☉ it self, by help of the fixed 🜍, becomes irreducible, and passeth into Tincture, and so needs no further Exaltation. Therefore to whomsoever GOD shall be so propitious, as to give him this Salt of Metals, together with the knowledge of conjoyning it with the Red Soul of 🜍 and ☉ which ascends, he will shew himself both in _Medicine_ and _Chymistry_ a principal Master: But whosoever is so blind, ignorant, and witless, as he cannot discern what I have here so largely treated of, such a Man assuredly labours with an uncurable Blindness, so as you cannot recover his Health, although you should put double Spectacles on his Nose. Now to describe the method of fixing 🜍 so, as it may retain its Ingress, wherewith to penetrate into Metals, I purpose not in this place; but it shall (GOD willing) be described, where we treat of our Secret _Sal Armoniack_. Here follows,

_The way of Preparing a perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽, by the
help of Fixed Sulphur._