Chapter XCIII: Part I: To the well minded Reader (21)

We above shewed, that from Metals most firmly compact, a tinging 🜍 and ☿ could not be extracted, unless the Metals be first dissolved, or mortified; and that in such Mortification, there is a Spirit so apt to be associated, as, in the very hour of Mortification, it lays hold of, and carries up with it self, the ascending Spirit, or Soul of Metals. Yet among all, pure Spirit of Wine well dephlegmated, I judge best; because in abstraction it carries over with it self the most pure 🜍 and ☿ of Metals, and leaves the Gross dead Body behind in the bottom; so as, such _Mercury_, as you shall draw forth in distilling by Spirit of Wine, will be much purer, and more Virtuous in Tinging, than the other, which you distil off by common Water only; and that for this especially, _viz._ because this Spirit, which is extracted by Spirit of Wine, from more pure is rendred most pure by Rectification. Which is a thing impossible to be effected, where the Sulphureous ☿ of Metals shall ascend by the help of common Water; because then the Water only, in Rectification, is distilled off, but the 🜍 remains in the bottom, in form of a Red Powder: And the other, which is sublimed by Spirit of Wine, and afterward by Rectification subtilized to an higher degree, and meliorated in its tinging Virtue, is not only in _Medicine_, but also in the Melioration of Metals, Gems, and the more ignoble pretious Stones, an hundred fold more efficaciously conducent to tinge them to a Constancy, than the former, which, in distilling, ascends by Water only; and by Rectification cannot be exalted, or multiplyed in its Virtue, so well as the other, made by Spirit of Wine. That Sulphureous ☿, which ascends by help of Spirit of Wine, is endued with so subtil and penetrative Power, as to it in the Vessel is given such Ingress, by which Metals and Gems are tinged with a more constant and durable Red, or Yellow Colour, than can be annihilated or impaired by any Corrosive Waters, or by the violence of Fire; especially if it be distilled from apt tinging Subjects, as the _Vitriol_ of ♂ and ♀, or from _Antimony_. Of which I suppose enough is now spoken.

Therefore, if any one be desirous of knowing more touching this Matter, him (for his further and more clear Information of the same) I refer to the Seventh Part of our _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_; where he will find, we have prolixly taught, touching the extraction of Tinctures, from Red Corals, and other tinging Subjects.

_The way of making good Mercury of =Saturn= and =Luna=._

℞. Of ♄, or ☽, ℔ j. which, dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, precipitate with Salt-water, edulcorate the Calx with Sweet-water, and dry it. When dryed, mix with it a fourth part of our 🜍 fixed unto Whiteness. Distil from the Mixture in a coated Retort its ☿ with strong Fire; which notwithstanding will not be living ☿, but, in the form of a Sublimate, will adhere to the Neck of the Retort, in weight heavy, and to the Taste of the Tongue very sharp. Indeed there will not be so great a quantity of it, as some may desire, yet it is worthy of the highest Estimation. For in a Cold Cellar it is easily dissolved, and becomes a strong Mercurial Water, which dissolves all Metals. This Water prepared of ♄ joyns it self (with an incredible Love) with the Soul of ♂; and suffers it self to be fixed with it into Tincture; This Water prepared of ☽ readily dissolves Gold, and with it passeth into Tincture. The Reason, why, I in Distillation, mix fixed 🜍 with the ♄ or ☽, is this: Since both these Subjects, precipitated, as we above mention, with Salt-water, are very fusile and penetrating, easily melt together into one, and in Distillation yeild no ☿. Nor can Sand or Earth prevent this Fluxion. Wherefore, I could find nothing more conducible, than our white fixed _Sulphur_.

_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Jupiter=._

_Jupiter_ gives forth from it self, a most excellent _Mercury_, in form of a subtil Spirit; which, above all other _Mercuries_, is most earnestly beloved and attracted by Gold. For if but a very small quantity of it be put into any Solution of Gold, it in a moment draws to it self all the Gold from the sharp _Aqua Regis_, and together with it settles to the bottom, like a purple Powder. This is the best Precipitation of ☉, when you shall extract it with _Aqua Regis_ from Sand and Stones: Because, by this Precipitation, the _Aqua Regis_ may be used again for extracting ☉ from Sand and Stones, as you may more amply read in our Seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, where we have plainly writ touching this kind of Extraction. But in another manner, may be prepared as powerful a Mercurial Water from all Metals, by the help of my Secret _Sal Armoniack_, which, by _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_, is called the Liquor _Alcahests_ touching which, I have largely treated in the Seventh Part of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopæa_, where he who loves so great Gifts of GOD, may satisfie his Appetite to the full.

_Behold, I present thee another way, by which, without any Charge
or Expense of Money, you may easily prepare as much of the
Philosophick ☿, as you will._

I would not have you to suppose, I here insert this so stinking a Process, to the end you should follow this, rather than the before-mentioned; but I add this, that the common sort of Men, simple and poor, may see, that they may, by such a Method as this, suppress their Poverty, and attain to the Acquisition of so noble an universal _Medicine_, as well as any other of the great and mighty Men of the World, by their ample Fortunes.

Whosoever is but a little Skilled in _Chymistry_, well knows, that every 🜍 and ☿ arise from one only Original; and that the _Sulphur_ in Herbs, and also that in Animals, is of no less Virtue, than the other in Metals, Fixation only excepted. For as this in Metals is found more fixed than that in Minerals, so the Mineral 🜍 is more fixed than the Animal, and Vegetable. The same is to be judged of _Mercury_. But that we may wander no further, but return again to our Purpose, and clearly prescribe the Method of _Preparing an universal Medicine, of Humane Urine and Dung_, I will very briefly discover the Process in these following Words.

℞. A good quantity of humane Dung and Urine, collected in some capacious Vessel, and (after they have stood together about a Month, and when the _Salt_ shall be exactly united with the _Sulphur_, and _Mercury_ by Fermentation) from thence, by an _Alembick_ in _Balneo_, distil the Mercurial Sulphureous Spirit; which indeed will be very subtil, but smell strong. Yet after Rectification, as we have taught, it may be conjoyned with a Solution of Gold, and, by moderate heat, be gradually fixed into an universal _Medicine_, for Humane and Metallick Bodies.

_Note_: The aforesaid Stink vanisheth so soon as the _Aqua Regis_ hath Access. Wherefore, those Philosophers who have laboured in Matters of evil and strong Smells, did always speak of suffocating their venemous Dragon in _Stygian_ Waters. But among all Philosophers, that ever I read, I find no Man more excellently to have writ, touching this matter, than the _Philosopher Neusementius_, in a certain small Treatise of his, intituled, _Of the Salt and Spirit of the World_; where he so explains the Table of _Hermes_, as he renders it most worthy to be Read; because he hath so very prolixly, and largely, with exquisit study and diligence, explained all things whatsoever, the laudable _Hermes_, in very few Words, left to Posterity in his _Smaragdine_ Table.

_A COROLLARY._

Although I have, in this small Tract, so largely and clearly treated of Preparing the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, as it seems altogether needless to trouble the Reader, with a further Paraphrase; since from him, I have not concealed any Methods of manual Operation, but have so revealed all things necessary to be known, as he (who, only seeking the bare Letter of the prescribed Method, knows not how to elaborate his own intended Work) may rather be accounted a Man of a dull Capacity, than a Chymical Operator: Yet since unto all insatiable Sons of Avarice, according to this my Description, there seems to be too small a part of _Mercury_ extracted, I (for the sake of those also) will demonstrate yet another Method, by which they may obtain a larger quantity of good tinging ☿, than from Metals can be gained. But first it is required, that every one, who will exercise himself in this kind of Labour, should shew himself a diligent Operator, shunning no Pains: Know, that Vulgar _Mercury_ may easily be so prepared by Art, as to be as much conducent for Tinging, as the _Mercury_ of Metals. Yet they must first procure Tincture to it, by tinging Metals, as by ♂, ♀ and _Antimony_. For, of its own proper Nature, it hath no Tincture at all in it self; but it must necessarily receive the same from other Metals, (in which GOD and Nature cooperating have insited it) before it can exercise the Power and Faculty of Tinging. But which way such a Tincture may commodiously be taken, and acquired from certain Stones tinged by Nature, or from certain Metallick, and Mineral Subjects, hath been by me, in various places of my Writings, so frequently mentioned, as I judge it not necessary to Discourse further thereabout in this place. But here, I will freely expose to publick view the way of Preparing vulgar ☿ so, as it may be able to extract Tinctures from Metals, Minerals and Stones.

℞. Common _Mercury_ ℔ j. Which as soon as you have dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, mortifie the _Aqua Fortis_ by pouring on Spirit of _Urine_, and when you shall by Retort, in hot Sand, have abstracted thence all the unprofitable Water, and administred a stronger Fire, the _Mercury_ will sublime it self in the Neck of the Retort, white in Colour, but discovering no singular _Acrimony_ upon the Tongue. Such a sublimate as this, is easily dissolved by help of common Water. This _Mercurial Water_ is endued with a power of extracting Tinctures from Metals, Gems, and other more ignoble Stones. In which very Work, even _Proserpina_, the Wife of _Pluto_, will scarce elaborate any thing more excellent: Therefore, when this ☿ hath drawn so much Blood from the _Red Lyon_, as it no longer remains White, but becomes totally Red; then indeed it hath acquired the Melioration of one higher degree; but as yet, it is able to work no Miracles in Tinging. Now, that it may be exalted to so great Perfection, as to be admirably efficacious in Transmutation; this Red _Mercury_ must again be vivified, and again (as we taught above) mortified; and if this Labour be repeated seven, nine, or twelve times, it will be sufficiently impregnated with Tincture. This being done, you have nothing else to do, but to fix this tinging _Mercury_ into a fusile Red Stone, which will thenceforth perform the same (yea perhaps more) in the Transmutation of Metals, than the _Mercury_ of Metals it Self.

Although, I have here revealed the Melioration of common _Mercury_; yet, I am fully persuaded, no Man will readily set himself about its Preparation, nor adventure, by Tryal, to experience the truth of this. For commonly, every good thing is disesteemed, if it want external Splendor. Some years ago, I did earnestly, and highly commend to some of my most loving Friends, the Exaltation of common _Mercury_; yet no one of them took so much notice thereof, as ever to set his hand to the Work. Wherefore no Man needs to fear, that Art will be made too common, although I had published the same, described even with a _Solar Ray_. Indeed, I intended to have divulged more, touching such sublimate _Mercury_, as may be dissolved with common Water, _viz._ how many other famous Works may be performed with it, besides the Transmutation of Metals; but for brevity sake, I here desist at present: Yet after a little while, (if GOD permit) I will elsewhere treat of the same. In the mean time, let the loving Reader kindly accept of these: For hence he may be assured of the possibility of exalting common ☿ so far, as to be equal in Virtue to the _Mercury_ of Metals: In which Assertion every studious Artist may safely confide, and persuade himself, that I here give no other Testimony, than I have learned by my own Experience oftentimes.

OF THE
Salt of PHILOSOPHERS.

_How, and whence, That is Prepared, and of what use It is in
=Medicine= and =Chymistry=._

Those our venerable Ancestors, the ancient Philosophers, have indeed copiously written many things, touching this Third Part of the Principle of Metals, _viz._ _Salt_: Yet so very obscurely, as it is almost impossible for a Man to learn thence, Fundamentally, any thing of moment: Yea, I might say, it hath happened to very few, to know how, to prepare the _Salt of Philosophers_, but on the contrary, six hundred have ruined themselves, and lost all their Fortunes in labouring thereabout. After, I also had, for some years together, expended great Labour and Cost, besides what I spent in acquiring both the other Principles, _viz._ _Sulphur_ and _Mercury_, (which were understood by me, about two years since) it pleased the most wise GOD at length, also to reveal to me this most famous _Salt_. Wherefore, I could not refrain from communicating some thing of it to Posterity, for the Glory of my GOD, and for divulging his wonderous Works, not doubting, but that this my Revelation may be of great Concern, to open the Eyes of this blind World. Because, they may be helped by such a Salt, of which, so incredible Works may be prepared, as I am now about to write, and are already sufficiently known to me.

I can unto every Man safely, surely and truly affirm, that whatsoever I here write, are not the idle Dreams of a vain Man, nor patched together out of other Books, but true and solid Experiments, which I my self, with the help of these my hands, have found out. Indeed, I do not here say, that I could give no credit at all to him, who no long time before discovered something to me, touching such _Arcanum’s_; but I thought his Words intimated Paradoxes and Impossibilities; although I had read Philosophers, who writ: _He that hath the Salt of Metals, hath the Stone of Philosophers_. I also well know, that the _Salts_ of _Metals_, according as they been hitherto every where fraudulently presented by _Pseudo-Chymists_, having no solid Foundation, do not indeed deserve the name of Salts; being no other, than such _Vitriols_, as by the sharp Spirits of _Salts_, are prepared of Metals; and are not at all efficacious to meliorate any of the more vile Metals. On the contrary, we certainly know, that our more true Salts do so amend all imperfect Metals, as great and gainful Fruit may be reaped thence, as by the following shall be clearly made appear. But before we write any thing of the Use, of this _Royal Salt_, it will be worth while to premise something briefly, and truly, touching the Preparation of the same.

_Of the Preparation of the =Salt= of =Philosophers=._

Now, that I may, without any wandring Ambages, describe the Method of Preparing this Salt, which is incomparable and Royal, know in very deed, that this Salt is no other, than common (but rightly prepared) Oyl of _Vitriol_, Coagulated by white fusible _Sulphur_ into a sweet Salt, which impresseth not on the Tongue, the least Saline savour; but rather seems to be a Stone than Salt, although fusible, like any other liquid Salt. But how that Oyl of _Vitriol_, or Universal Acidity, may be changed into such a wonderful Stone, not Corrosive, I purpose not to divulge. It is enough for me positively to affirm, it may be done.

Whosoever desires to know more of it, let him implore the help of GOD, and peruse the Writings of Philosophers, that if he be worthy of this divine Gift, he may be helped; if he be not worthy, I cannot help him. For as I acquired that, not without praying and seeking; so also, must every other Man resolve to do: Because, no Man shall ever get more out of me, than what I here have willingly discovered for publick Good. Now follows

_The incredible Virtue and Efficacy, which this wonderful Salt
manifests in Preparation of Tinctures, for exalting all Metals
and Minerals to the perfection of Gold._

Although it is before said, that Salt, or the Stone of Philosophers, is only prepared of Acid _Vitriol_; yet I thought it necessary also, here to publish, that Oyl of _Vitriol_ may be prepared divers ways, so as one or another may prepare it this way or that way, as he pleaseth. For the common and vulgarly known Oyl of _Vitriol_, suffers it self (by the help of _Sulphur_) to be easily transmuted into a Sweet Stone: Because _Sulphur_ alone is endued with Power of edulcorating all Corrosives, and of Coagulating them into such a Stone, or Salt, by the benefit of which, Wonders may be done, both in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_. Philosophers do indeed persuade us, that, out of _Vitriol_, an Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour may be extracted by Art, with which, White Metals may be tinged into Red: But the way of Preparing this, they described not. This is that, which is most studiously sought by the Adorers of the Chymical Art, but hath hitherto been found by very few; and therefore is generally thought, by almost all Inquisitors, to be impossible, whatsoever Philosophers have writ thereabout, and how clearly, and plainly soever described it. _Basil Valentine_ doth, with _Paracelsus_, call this our Oyl of _Vitriol_ tinged with a Red Colour, the Blood of the _Green Lyon_; but _Bracesus_, the Wood, or Tree of Life; _Virgil_, a Bough, or Branch, plucked by _Proserpina_’s help from the concealed Tree: Also, _Ovid_ useth divers other Expressions, in the Description of this Tincture.

This Red Oyl suffers it self to be Coagulated into a Stone, not Corrosive, as well as the Common Oyl: But this Coagulate is totally Red, and the other is White only. Therefore, there is a necessity, that the difference of both be known. For of both these, what the White is able to do, the Red cannot do; and what the Red can effect, is impossible to be performed by the White. That Red Oyl tingeth white Metallick Bodies into Gold, and so tingeth white Chrystals into Gems of all kind of Colours, (according to the Operators Pleasure) as, in Elegancy, they become altogether like to the Native. But the White tingeth not, because it self wanteth Tincture, which notwithstanding may be procured to it: Yet it extracts the Tinctures from all precious, and more ignoble Stones, and by them is so tinged, as it is, thenceforth able to tinge white Metals into Gold, and white Chrystal into beautiful Stones of every Colour, and that with as excellent Splendor, as their Brother, the Ruby, enjoys. In a Word, our Salt of Metals, or Stone of Philosophers alone, and _per se_, is so great a particular Ruler throughout the whole Kingdom of _Chymistry_, as by amending, it transmutes all imperfect Metals into Gold, and common Stones into precious: Yet unto it, is denied Ingress into Vulgar ☿. But the fixed ☿ of Metals will abundantly perform that; as is before abovementioned. Now, as touching this _Mercury_, which those imperfect Metals, _viz._ ♄ ♃ ♂ and ♀, contain in themselves, our _Sulphur_ is so very fit for tinging that, as, for that purpose, there is no need of other help. Therefore it is most certain, that the Salt of Metals obtains Priority in the Chymical _Laboratory_. One thing I am freely willing to discover, _viz._ this: If any one would take away the fixed Tincture, or tinging Soul from precious Stones, as _Granates_, _Rubies_, _Saphires_, _Lazure_ Stones, and other common Stones, and add to them also, a small part of pure Silver, our Magnetick Salt will extract the Tincture from the Stone, and at the same moment, in which it extracts the same, incorporate the added Silver, with the Tincture, and tinge the same into Gold: So, as it will affect a Man with admiration to see, that in one and the same Subject, should be both an attractive, and expulsive Virtue. Perhaps hence, that most ancient Philosopher _Pythagoras_ drew his Opinion, for he believed such a Transmigration, and taught, that the Soul, as soon as it passed out of the mortal Body of Man, it entred into some other near adjoyning Subject, and there inhabit’d. Indeed they, that labour in Metals and Stones, do find such a Process; but with the Soul breathing out of the Body of Man, the matter is far otherwise. For here Bodies are not required, but Spirits, which at the hour of Death receive the Souls of dying Men, and convey them to Places by GOD appointed. According as the Man hath lived, either Well or Ill, so those Spirits will act at the end of Life, each according to their Office; so as, the Souls of pious Men shall be received by Spirits of Light; but impious Souls, by the Spirits of infernal darkness. In the Mortification of Metals and Minerals, Philosophers also want not their peculiar Spirits, which receive and transport the flying Souls of Metals and Minerals. Touching which Transportation of Souls, we made some mention above, where we treated of the Fixation of Metals. Also [2]this Transduction was highly esteemed by ancient Philosophers, especially by _Neusementius_, who said: By this Power, _viz._ _By the Spirit and Salt of the World, we deliver the Souls of the Dead from the Prison of Hell_. Therefore, whosoever shall be well Skilled in this kind of operating, he will be able to do wonders in this Chymical Kingdom of Metals. For if you add the Spirit and Salt of the World to any Metal dissolved, and by Retort distil the Mixture, they will carry over with themselves, the most pure part of the Metal, _viz._ its tinging Soul, and leave nothing behind in Hell with _Pluto_, but the gross and unprofitable Body. Wherefore, whosoever can rightly separate that transduced tinging Spirit of Metals, from the Spirit of the World, he will absolutely be possessed of a fixed Tincture: Because, that strong transporting Spirit doth also fix the volatile Soul of Metals, and render it constant in Fire. And, although that Subject was most volatile, from which the Tincture was distilled by the Salt of the World, as by one only Distillation from common _Sulphur_, _Auripigment_, _Cinnabarine Sulphur_, and the like; yet you will acquire a Tincture, constant in all Fire, not only for Humane and Metallick Bodies, but also for Gems. So very potent Virtue is latent, in these abject Subjects, and in the Spirit and Salt of the World, rejected by the great Troop of proud Men. But the Method of using such Pearls legitimately, for the Transduction of Metals, had need to be Sealed up with the Seal of the laudable Philosopher _Harpocrates_, lest so great a Treasure be cast under the Feet of sordid Swine. Touching a like _Compendium_ of fixing Volatile Metals, and Minerals, we (GOD willing) purpose hereafter to teach more at large.

[2] _Transduction._

Now, we having generally understood, what our Salt of Philosophers is able to perform in the Transmutation of Metals, I judge it not amiss, to discover; how great, profitable and powerful Faculties, it is also endued with, even besides the Transmutation of Metals. But here, by the way it is to be understood, that our Salt of Philosophers is insignized with many other Names, which ancient Philosophers imposed on it, not without pregnant Reasons. For, according as they beheld the various Wonders they were able to perform by the help of that; so they also gave Names unto it; sometimes, they called it the _Soap of the Wise_; another time, _Hercules_ or the _Herculean Key_; sometimes, the _Key of the Philosophers_; &c. and all this by reason of its exceeding great Potency and Virtue, whereby it always rendred it self worthy of one or other of these Names. _Why did they call it, the Soap of the Wise?_ Because it renders those Metallick Bodies, which are washed with it, most purely white. Indeed Washer women have their Soap made of Oyl and _Lixivium_, with which they wash filthy Garments unto whiteness. _Leather-Dressers_ use a kind of Soap to cleanse their Skins from all Impurities. Also, _Fullers_ have their cleansing Earth, with which they well know, how to purifie their sullied Cloaths. Nor do _Apothecaries_ use their Herbs for Medicaments, before they have washed them in clean Water. So also, common Chymists so long wash impure Metals, by dulcified Corrosives, till they pass into ☉ and ☽. But most experienced Philosophers wash Gold, until it becomes Tincture. Hence is that kind of Soap, which they use for washing, called the _Soap of the Wise_.

But some may object, saying: I contradict my self; because a little before, I said, Gold and Silver were Homogeneal, and did not at all participate of Heterogeniety. To whom I answer. I confess, I did say so, yet I would be understood, to speak so with reference to those common and known Waters, with which, otherwise Chymists do generally work upon their Metals, dissolve them, separate them one from another, and wash them. Because on Gold and Silver no change falls, but they always remain in one and the same Essence, according as they are progenited by Nature, therefore, I said so. And the Reason, why it is thus, is, because _Aqua Regis_, _Aqua Fortis_, Spirit of _Vitriol_, or other Corrosive Waters, are not true Keys, endued with the Virtue of penetrating into the heart of Gold, or of opening the most firm Closure of the King. For although they do very much corrode Metals, and dissolve them, yet every Metal remains in its Essence, without any Separation of parts. But on the contrary, our _Menstruum_ is a sweet Key, far more conducible, and better than Corrosive Spirits, and therefore, by Philosophers is not undeservedly called, _the Key of Philosophers_. For there is nothing so closed, but this can open it. _Our Royal or Capital Key is a Corporeal Spirit, or a Spiritual Body_, which, without any injury to it self, passeth not only through Metals, but also through the hardest Gems, and extracts the fixed Tincture of them, leaving their Bodies white; which exceeded my comprehension, the first time I beheld it with my Eyes.

Therefore, as this Spirit is endued with Power of extracting Tincture, even from any of the hardest _Adamantine_ Stones; so, it is also able to introduce Tinctures into the most hard Stones; and that by reason of its penetrative Power. Our principal Key is that _Hercules_, which cut off the seven Heads of the immense _Hydra_. By such an _Herculean_ fortitude, _Perseus_, the Son of beautiful _Danae_, suffocated the strong unsatiable Whale or Sea Beast, and freed fair _Andromeda_, whom he took to Wife. Whosoever desires to know more of these, let him peruse _Ovid_, in whose _Metamorphosis_ he may find our Key of Philosophers accurately described. Yet his Words can be understood only by those, to whom the Art is already known: Otherwise, it will be impossible, from Fables, to extract the sufficient knowledge thereof. It is GOD only, that gives light to understand abstruse things; namely, to those, who fear, love and adore him: More of which, you may find among pious Heathens, than among the Slanderous Malignant, false, Christians of this time.

[Sidenote A: _Gold-bearing._]

This Fable of _Ovid_, I explained before some of my intimate Friends; and besides, before them shewed the Impregnation of _Danae_, _by Jupiters Golden Shower_: Yet they gave no credit to this Demonstration, because the thing seemed so vile. Would you hear it? I set a narrow-mouthed Glass Body, with a flat bottom, upon a Table, and from above through the small mouth; I poured _Danae_, King _Acrisius_ his beautiful Daughter, into the Glass or Tower; then, by the Counsel and help of _Jove_, I formed a Golden shower, which (through the Roof, that is, through the small mouth of the Glass) I instilled down, into the Bosom of the aforesaid _Danae_, which she spontaneously received, and was thereby impregnated, and quickly brought forth her Son _Perseus_; who afterward, carried upon the winged Horse _Pegasus_, suddenly helped the fair _Andromeda_ and, freeing her from the Jaws of the Sea Monster, took her to Wife. Afterward, he slew the strong and unconquered _Gorgons_, and got the [A]Golden Gardens. If any one looks upon this Fable, with the right Eye of his understanding, he will find, that _Ovid_ hath so clearly and perspicuously described our _Hercules_, or Philosophers _Key_ of _Keys_; that every one, having knowledge of our Work, in reading this must necessarily be amazed, to see the whole Art so evidently detected, and as it were exposed to sight. But its being discerned and understood by so few, must be ascribed to the defect of their internal Sight, and the darkness of their Sins, in which they have involved themselves, and are still resolved to abide in. Therefore GOD, according to his Justice, deservedly permits such Slaves of Avarice and Pride to stick in perpetual Blindness, to grope for, and in vain seek, the way of escaping those Evils. For here, the hard is Softned, the soft is Hardned, the fixed Volatilized, the Volatile fixed, the Bitter Corrosive dulcified, but the sweet Converted into a Key, opening all compact Enclosures. More touching so great a Mystery, I shall not at this time relate. But, to whomsoever GOD shall grant this principal Universal Key, he may, according to his Hearts desire, go whither he will, nothing can be able to resist him: For which so great Benefit we owe thanks and Praise to the most wise GOD, for ever, _Amen_.

Also _Virgil_, in a few _Heroick Words_, evidently enough describes the way of preparing our Red Oyl of _Vitriol_. Therefore I thought it worth while to insert his Words also, that he, to whom GOD shall give the Blessing, may the better understand the occult meaning of the Poet.

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

_Virgil_ here calls _Vitriol_, a concealed, that is, a shadowed Tree; adding, that by the help of _Proserpina_, _Pluto_’s Wife, but one Branch can be cropped by him, whom Fortune shall favour; and that it is willing to be plucked off by any Skilful Man desirous of the same. Such a Branch is consecrated to _Juno_, &c. We know _Juno_, according to Poetical Fictions was the Wife and Sister of _Jupiter_, but _Proserpina_ the Daughter of _Jupiter_ and _Ceres_, or (as some say) of _Isis_, whom _Pluto_ the God of Hell stole away from her Parents and married her. From all which it clearly appeareth, that this Golden Branch sprouting in the green Tree of _Vitriol_, could not be cropped, or obtained without _Proserpina_’s help. Therefore if any one would crop such Golden Boughs from like shadowed Trees, he must learn to know _Proserpina_, and consult with her; because she only can profit him, and prevail with her Husband, to wax the more hot in his infernal Sweating stove, that thence into another place may ascend a Spirit or Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour.

But this is to be considered accurately, lest this Work, like many other of our Undertakings, be frustrated. Therefore GOD is to be prayed to for his Blessing: for if the Benediction of GOD be not present, all endeavour will be vain; as I have more than once experienced. Although I did demonstrate our helper _Proserpina_, to some of my loving Friends, and taught them how to obtain and rightly use her; yet they were all destitute of so good Fortune, as to elaborate it as it should be elaborated: Yet at length more accurately hitting the Mark, their work succeeded happily twice or thrice, but never afterward.

From which, being so evident, it is plain enough, that such _Arcanum’s_ are so preserved by the All-seeing Eye of the Divine Providence, as it is never permitted to all Operators promiscuously, that every of them should attain to the highest Science, and thenceforth the Good given be perniciously abused. Wherefore, although one Man communicate any famous Secret to another; yet, if GOD be not favourable, he can never prepare the same, but shall lose his Labour and Charges, spend his time unprofitably, and instead of a Golden Harvest, reap nothing but Trouble and Grief.

Hence they drew their Original, who writ of the Secret ripening Fire. _Our Fire, before Coagulation, always burns in our Glass, but externally not._ It is sufficiently manifest, that Philosophers, by their _Secret Fire_, understood Oyl of _Vitriol_; and that their Fire, is only Fire before Coagulation; after that, no more so, but a sweet Ripening Stone. Therefore they add, that before Coagulation it is Fire, but after Coagulation not so. Aptly with this agrees that Writing of ancient Philosophers. _Visitabis Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam._ To which Monument of ancient Philosophers, we may fitly subjoyn this sutable Poesie, making for our present Purpose, and expressing the same in few Words.

_Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,
The Flying fix, and then live happily._

In these few Words are compendiously contained, all whatsoever I have largely written in this Treatise.

Moreover, our Salt of Philosophers, besides its being a _Medicine_, and fit for Transmutation of Metals, is also endued with other famous Virtues, of which at this time I cannot forbear to write. Philosophers have written, that their Key of Keys doth indifferently open all closed Bodies, and that it is endued with a Virtue, breaking most hard and Adamantine Stones, and taking from them their inclosed Treasure; for acquiring which, there is nothing at all in the whole Nature of things given, except this our Key, by help of which the most firmly locked Inclosure may be unlocked. As for Example. A _Granate_ is a Stone of so great hardness, as although it may easily be reduced to Powder, yet it can never be corroded even by the sharpest _Aqua Fortis_, nor dissolved, nor can it be Anatomized. Wherefore, although these Corrosives, vulgarly known, prevail not against this excellent Stone, (which visibly in it self contains a noble Tincture of Gold, and also is not a little impregnated with invisible Corporeal Gold, as plainly appears by its weight: For it is much more ponderous than all other precious Stones, or the more vile small Stones) but are judged as unprofitable for this kind of Labour; yet our _Sweet Salt_ possesseth so potent a Faculty, as it can easily open the same and take from it all its Treasure; in so much, as if there were but this only use of it, (and no other like, better or more excellent were known) it would abundantly satisfie every honest Man, to live amply therewith, and to maintain his Family with great Tranquillity.

_Behold I present to you, yet another Royal Experiment, which I
have not long since effected, by the help of our Red Stone, in
the following manner._

One day I cast our Red Stone upon Gold, in Flux, only for a Tryal, whether by the help of that, the Gold would be tinged with an higher Colour; because I found, that Silver had took a yellow Colour from the same. But after I had poured out the Mixture, I found what was contrary to my Hope. For it was so far from exalting my Gold in Colour, as on the contrary, it took from the same almost all its Colour, so as it was white like Silver. At first, I was not a little troubled, that, contrary to my Expectation, I should work so unhappily. But returning to my self, I begun to think, whether this my Red Stone (being, perhaps made of Steel) was not that _Chalybs_, [or Steel] which _Sandivogius_ so highly extolled in his Writings, and said, it could extract from Gold its Tincture. But since, by reason of other Business intervening, I had no leisure to proced further in the Work begun, I was constrained to leave the whole for some higher Experience to another time. Yet I cannot but wonder, that our Key of Keys should so readily unlock every Closure of Gold, and be able to spoil it of its Royal Soul: Whereas otherwise, Gold according to the Sayings of all Philosophers, (as in very deed it is true) and according to the common Opinion of all other Men, experienced in Chymical Labours, is accounted to consist of such Homogeneal parts, as are difficultly separable. If the most wise GOD prolong my Life; and also grant Time and Opportunity of making further Tryal, I will spare no Labour or Cost to find out that _Arcanum_, until by the gracious help of GOD’S assistance, I shall become the Master of that Art of Arts. For now unto me the Gate of the Royal Closet is opened (I would not be envied for what I now say) by our _Herculean_ Key in such a manner, as, I doubt not, but in a short time (unless the supream Deity, which I have no cause to fear, notably resist me) to obtain the Kings Crown made of a Carbuncle, and be able to distribute the same among the needy, to relieve their necessity. To which my hope, let the most wise GOD give a Blessing, so, as the Event may answer my Desires, _Amen_.

Moreover, Philosophers say, that whosoever obtains their Stone, can so qualifie Glass, as, if it fall, it shall not break, but be found lying unbroke, like Metal. Which indeed I have often read, but could never believe, it was so to be understood according to the Letter. Yet after GOD, by his Grace, had conferred on Me our Wonderful Salt, for Curiosity sake, I could not forbear to make an Experiment, to know, whether what was written thereof was consentaneous to Truth. Therefore, I took a little broken Glass, melted it in a Crucible, and then cast upon it only a very little of our Salt, which it continually took in, and thence received a white Colour. I poured out the Mixture, and trying, whether it had passed into another than its first Nature, I found my Glass had received a new Disposition, and became flexible like hardned Steel Wyer, and after flexion came to its first form: But after many bendings, to and again, it at length broke. Whence I learned, that it was no Fable, but plainly possible by Art to prepare Glass so, as it may be no less flexible, like Metal, than it is transparent. But since I have not had Opportunity to make further Tryal, and cannot yet absolutely profess my self an Artist in that kind of Work; yet, I can say, that what others have affirmed thereof, is not estranged from Verity. Therefore I must wait, till Time (with the favour of GOD) give me further Experience thereof.

Also, touching the Stone it self, Philosophers write, that it qualifies its Possessor so, with Lightness and Cheerfulness, that he can, like a Bird, fly up on high from the ground; which is a thing so much repugnant to Nature, as no Credit can be given to it, unless it be interpreted Hieroglyphically, Allegorically, or Enigmatically. But that it greatly exhilarates him, who by the benefit thereof can effect the aforesaid Wonders, is very easie to be believed. For in my self I have found the like Exhilaration, when I have, with these my Eyes, made certain very great Proofs and Experiments by the help of that. When I lay, for four years, continually sick, and during that time, exercised my mind with various Speculations, making some Proofs, I at length found the Truth, and understood that this wonderful Salt, being tryed upon Metals and Stones, did most exactly agree with the Philosophers Description of it: Then, I say, my whole Nature, because of that, was astonished, and daily so notably reduced to a better Constitution, as I can never sufficiently admire the Grace of GOD, and return due Praises to him for so great Gifts. For I, who by reason of my Sickness, could never rise out of Bed before Noon, could afterward rise betimes in the Morning, and go into my Laboratory. Also for a long time before, I could digest neither Flesh nor Fish, but was constrained to live with Bread and Wine only; yet now, (thanks be to GOD) I am able to eat some small Portion of Flesh and Fish, together with other Meats. Likewise for above a whole Year, through weakness of Body, I could scarcely write a Line or two, so as in two Years space I committed nothing to the Press: But now, GOD, the Giver of all good Gift, hath made my hands so ready for Motion, as I sing to him incessant Praises. Without that new refreshing of Strength, this present Treatise could never have been published. And this so great Good befel me from no other Cause, than from GOD, and this precious Stone.

Therefore, whosoever is desirous to partake of this great Blessing of GOD, let him not come to Me, unto whom is given no leave to Communicate; but let him come to the Love of GOD, and draw that laudable Good from him, as from the most limpid and living Fountain: Because, it is to found with him only, not with Men. If a Man humble in Heart, and void of Hypocrisie, hearing this, will follow my Counsel, he may perhaps find a prosperous Event according to his wish: If otherwise, adverse and contrary. For GOD is not wont graciously to regard the words of the deceitful, but the Hearts of candid Men.

Many other such things might be produced, touching our Tinging tone: But no necessity persuades to expend time thereabout. Enough is spoken. For whose Eyes soever GOD shall open, he will on every side see so many things sufficient for him, as not to need any further Information. All things are clear to the clear-sighted, which appear dark to the blind. GOD only is the Light, and all who are near to GOD, are by him so illuminated, as they can see. But the more remote any Man is from GOD, the nearer will he be to the contrary of Light, which is Darkness. Therefore, whosoever desires to be illuminated with the brightness of Divine Light, must fly from Darkness, which is to be shunned. For Darkness and Light are inconsistent in one and the same Subject; which is a thing accurately to be observed by every Reader.

_A COROLLARY._

We have, in this little Treatise taught, that the Salt of Metals is prepared of _Vitriol_, and that there is a difference to be observed, _Viz._ this.

Common Oyl of _Vitriol_ doth indeed suffer it self to be Coagulated into a sweet Salt or Stone, wherewith (particularly) vulgar Metals are amended, and Tinctures extracted from Gems, although it wants a tinging Virtue: But Metals may also be tinged by the Coagulated Red Oyl.

We likewise shewed, that you cannot get this Red Oyl, without the help of that Goddess _Proserpina_. Yet by the way, it is to be noted, that the aforesaid _Proserpina_ is no other, than a white Sulphureous Salt, which added to the _Vitriol_ causeth the Tincture of _Vitriol_ to ascend in Distillation. That, after it shall be duly Coagulated into a Stone not Corrosive, manifests such Effects, as we have ascribed to it. I also thought good to advise, that our Oyl of _Vitriol_ in its Preparation requires great Care and Industry, that the Tincture may be made Rich enough: For otherwise, it discovers but little Virtue in Transmutation. Also you shall never get so great a quantity of that Red Oyl, as will satisfie the Common sort of covetous Men: Because that comes not till at last, after all the White is ascended. But he, that can get a large quantity of the White, will not trouble himself to get the Red: Because the White also, by the help of _Proserpina_, may be converted into Red. Which if it were not so, the Saying of _Virgil_ could scarcely be found true, _viz._ that with the hand is readily to be cut off, not one Branch only, but many other, if Fortune shall so far favour any Artist. Therefore, I forbear to write more at this time. Let him, who cannot content himself with these here written, search the Monuments of Philosophers, writing, that there is such an Art, by the benefit of which, with one only Pound of Coals, a whole Pound of Oyl of _Vitriol_ may be distilled. Yet such an Artifice must not so soon be spread among the People. To whom soever GOD reveals the same, he may prepare it, according to his own desire; if it be otherwise, let him comfort himself with this Meditation of Patience, _viz._ that he was not worthy of so great Gifts. With these, Reader, I bid you Farewel, and commend to you the Protection of GOD.

_THE END._

A
Short BOOK
OF
DIALOGUES,
OR,

(Certain) Colloquies of some Studious Searchers after the
Hermetick Medicine and Universal Tincture.

_Written for the Sake of the Lovers of Hermetick Philosophy._

THE
PREFACE
TO THE
Well-minded READER.

_I was formerly minded never to have published these Three Dialogues, but only to have made some of my good Friends, and such as had well deserved at my hands, here and there, partakers of the same. And upon this Account I permitted some [of them] to Copy them out, but they abusing that Curtesie [of mine] whereby they received them, did make others of their own Friends too, enjoyers of the same, contrary to my Will and Intention; and so it happened, that they became Common, and being on this wise often Coppied out, there crept in amongst them (as indeed usually falls out in such Cases) abundance of Faults or Errors, and the sense [and true meaning] of my Words were construed in the worser Part. Which thing when I perceived, that it would more disadvantage than profit me (especially seeing, that such a work [thus Copied amiss] did nevertheless pass under my Name, and was adjudged by others, as really mine) I deemed it, expedient, of two Evils to chuse the least, and to have regard to mine own good repute, and to publish it in mine own Name. But yet, not with an intent of getting my self some eminent Fame, as if I were wiser than others, and to have it thought, that I had more knowledge and experience than many others have; but rather, that the incredible Works of the omnipotent God, and his great Wonders, might be laid open and made known, to the infinite Glory of his Name. In the setting down of which, I do produce only such things, as my self have wrought with mine own hands, and can even yet demonstrate by a certain and undoubted Operation, (by Gods help) at any time._

_But yet, I would not have any one thus to understand me, as if I had already wholly and compleatly finished the whole Operation, and had advanced it to a due, and throughly perfect, end, No! I cannot arrogate to my self by any means, any such matter. Thus much I only affirm, that if any one shall (in his Operation) follow the bare literal Description of these Labours, he will without any Error arrive, so far as I my self am already come, but yet with this Proviso, that he knows the true Salt of the Philosophers, and the use thereof; And as for what remains, [unfinisht] I commit unto God to bestow a prosperous Success: And this one thing I entreat, that every Body accept of the things I have here written, with the same mind I wrote them, and that he take in good part my sincere Endeavours of deserving well at his hands._

The Explication of the annexed Figure belonging to this Treatise, noted with these Words: _Inde Dialogus_.

_In the four principal Points of the Circle (supposing two
transverse lines were drawn, through the Center, to the outward
Circumference) are placed the Characters of =Sol=, =Sulphur=,
=Lune=, =Salt=._

_Round the outmost Circle, are placed these Words_: Conjoyn in one,
Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.

_About the next Circle_: And thou hast as great a Treasure, as
Heaven can give thee.

_Within the Third Circle_: The Philosophers Function, is of
Contraries, the Conjunction.

_About the next Circle_: The Concentration of Homogeneals, is the
Separation of Heterogeneals.

_Within the inmost Circle_: Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.

_The First Dialogue, or Conference, betwixt two Lovers of Hermetick
Medicine, deciphered by the Letters, A. and B. the last of which
hath had a prosperous Success on his Labours, the other not, and
therefore craves of this last (=viz.= B.) a Manuduction to the
Work, whereby he is rendred Master of his desire._

_B._ A Good health to you, my Friend! What’s the matter with you now, that you are so sad, and even loaden with Cogitations, and mumble to your self about I know not what?

A. _Oh, my Friend! I wish you the like very heartily; and am glad that you come so very seasonably, and at such a time, as I was just thinking on you, and most earnestly wishing your approach; Witness your own Writings, which I do here turn over with my hands and my mind, but yet they are so very obscure, that I cannot worm my self [as I may say] out of them, [or understand them] though I apply the utmost of my Endeavours to understand them. I have likewise read over and over again, the Writings of other eminent and belief-deserving Philosophers; still hoping, that I should yet at length attain to the knowledge of the Truth: But alas, (the more’s my grief) all that I find is only this, =viz.= that I hold in my hands the slippery Tail of a slippery smooth Serpent, [or Ele] which ever now and then slips out of my hands, and doth more and more defile me. I have therefore resolutely determined with my self, that, unless God doth shortly send me some good Friend, who may lead poor me out of such a notable Labyrinth, I will throw all my Books, all my Instruments, and all such matters which I have bestowed so much time about, in vain, and lost so much by, into the Fire, and Sacrifice them unto =Vulcan=, that so I may be rid of the tediousness of my fruitless Labours, and unprofitable Cookery. But yet if you would be but so pleased, I no ways doubt, that you might by a few words [and Directions] reduce me out of the snares of so many Erroneous paths, hedged up ways, into the right path: For I well know, that you have bestowed your whole Age, your whole Study, and all your Labours and Endeavours, about such great Secrets, and have by the Divine assistence obtained the very Truth it self. And therefore I do most humbly beg at your hands, you would not leave me destitute of your help, but that, according to your inbred Goodness and Courtesie, you would succour me, your Friend, with some brotherly instruction, and Manuduction. Which if you either will not or cannot do, I must even conclude, not only upon throughly doubting of the Truth and possibility of this Art, but withal, on a firm persuading my self, that those Writings, which are so stuft with the Promises of golden Mountains, are nothing else but mere Old Wives Tales, and frothy Speculations of idle Men, and vain Dreams, though proceeding from Men of so great Esteem._