THE FOURTH PART OF THE Prosperity of GERMANY. (continued 2)

This interchangeable Solution and Coagulation must be repeated some hundreds of times, and every Solution and Coagulation is to be accounted for a Philosophical day.

If now in the Summer-season the heat of the Sun be not strong enough in our Countries for the effecting of this operation, the said heat may be concentred by Glasses, or metallick Instruments, and be made more efficacious, that the Coagulation may be ripened [or hastned.] But in defect of such Instruments, and want of the heat of the Sun, which is frequently over-cast with store of Clouds, you may easily forward the Coagulation with our Common Fire, and that too with a more unfailable and speedier operation than that is, wherein the drying up by the Solar heat is always to be waited for. And although this operation, which is performed in the Sun, is to be accounted of as far the better, yet notwithstanding the Sun doth operate together with our Common Fire after an invisible manner, when we cannot make use of the Sun it self. For wheresoever the Air is, there also is to be found the invisible Sun, and the occult virtue and power of life. He that can have the opportunity of using the Sun in this operation, needs not any other Fire. But the using of our Common Fire requireth a peculiar Iron Furnace, whereon the Dishes or Basons are to be placed to dry. But yet the heat must not be underneath, and strike at the bottom of the said Basons, but it must be such as may strike the heat downwards at top of the matter onely, and may gently and by little and little consume the humidity: For else there would be hazard of the Liquors boiling over, and of being lost, if the heat should be placed under the bottom of the Dishes. The Iron Furnace may be made of Iron Plates, resembling Arched work, [or Oven like] and be placed within a Stone Furnace, and have a Door fitted thereunto, that so neither Dust nor Ashes may fly thereinto, and by this way will the Salts be dried in two or three hours time. And now, that you may not need to wait till the night approacheth, you may have a wooden Box or Chest made, and covered over at the top, but pierced full of holes all round about the sides, which (with the Basons placed therein) may in the Winter-season be set abroad to the cold Air, and in the Summer-time may be placed in some moist Cellar, that so the Salts may attract from the Air the food of Life. For in all places of the World doth the Air contain in it (though in one place more plentifully, and better, than in another) that occult faculty and virtue of Life, without which, neither Men nor Animals are able to live. But by how much purer the Air shall be, so much the purer and more excellent is the acquired Medicine. As for the Transmutation of Metals, it matters not much what Air it is that you get, for every sort of Air is fit for this operation. We doe in this place manifest onely the way of fixing it: Now every one knows that a pure and clean Air is better than a gross and an impure one, and that the heat of the Sun is better than the heat of Coles, or of a Lamp.

Thomas Aquinas writes, that God with his Angels cannot want our fire, and therefore is he reproved by Paracelsus, because he saith that God cannot want the Elementary fire. Alas, Good man, he did not so accurately weigh this matter, for this proposition tends onely to this end, namely, to set afore our eyes the purity of the Fire necessary for the Coction of our Medicine. From whence it is sufficiently manifest, that a Medicament will be so much the better, by how much the purer the Fire shall be. For a gross Air begets a gross Blood. But in this operation, the Air is the Meat and Drink of our Golden Salt, but the Water or Phlegm is to be driven away by heat, it being a superfluous Excrement adhering on to that Air. Now in those manifold Solutions and Coagulations, the Magnet doth always retain some good thing, and encreaseth both in weight and virtue, and attaineth a constancy: like as Men and other Animals are encreased with Meat and Drink, and doe grow in stature, and multiply themselves. The whole work therefore of making this kingly Medicament by the help of the secret Solar fire, doth consist in a good, pure, and golden Magnet, and afterwards in a true Solution and Coagulation: Which if it be too speedy and strong, the over-much heat will burn up and consume the attracted food of Life. If therefore a Medium be not used, it so happens, as ’tis wont to be in any Earth that is too moist, and therefore not [capable of] bearing fruit. So that nothing is more necessary than to have a due regard of mediocrity, not onely in the Solution, but in the Coagulation likewise.

And this is that way by which the Solution done in the Air, and the Coagulation made in the Sun, doe reduce the Mercurial water, and the Minerals prepared with Salt into fusile and tinging Stones; which thing the Common fire will never perform in a glass closed up, and without the Air.

Note this, and believe it, and doe it, and thou wilt find what thou hast believed, come to pass.

Supper being ended, and the Drinking-bout over, ’tis time for the Guests to go to Bed, unto whom the custom of some is to present a closing Cup, made of good and profitable Herbs, ’mongst which, such as are more bitter, are for the most part in greatest esteem, because they close up the mouth of the Stomach, and beget a quiet Sleep.

Now to parallel this Custom, I will here set one down, for those that are desirous of such like bitter Potions, and such an one as they may prepare according to their pleasure, and apply to use.

Take of common Aqua Fortis, which you must rectifie by a Cucurbit, or by a Retort, that it may be bright and clear. Dissolve therein, by boiling in hot Sand, as much cupellated Silver as it will dissolve; but you are to note here, that there must not be any Copper at all in the Silver, for it would spoil the Medicament. Into the Solution pour strong and well rectified Spirit of Sal-Armoniack, so long till the Aqua Fortis makes no more Ebullition. When all the tissing and noise is over, there will be about the half part of the Silver precipitated, and settled to the bottom, and will be of an ashy colour. Place the Glass in Sand, put Fire thereunder, and boil the precipitated Silver with the Menstruum, in which boiling there will separate yet more Silver out of the Menstruum, and the residue will remain dissolved up in the Menstruum, which is to be filtered through Cap paper, and then to be evaporated by little and little in Sand, that all the humidity may be abstracted.

N. B. The Aqua Fortis and Spirit of Sal-Armoniack, turn into a liquid and volatile Salt, and have lost their corroding property, which Salt hath introverted the Silver, and drawn its bitterness forth, insomuch that both Salts are converted into one bitter and green Salt. This Salt must be dissolved, filtered, and purified by pouring Water thereon, and again drawing it off; and being hereby rendred more pure, it resolves it self in the cold Air into a green and bitter Liquor, one drop of which is able to make a whole Cupfull of Wine bitter. And this Wine being drunk is profitable to the Stomach, causeth quiet Sleep, dissipates Windiness, and keeps the Belly Soluble.

N. B. This Salt guilds over Glasses, and other glazed Vessels with Silver, nor does it vanish away but remains constant. It likewise performs other considerable effects in Alchymy, as may be seen in my other Writings, but especially in the second part of my Furnaces, of the last Edition. And thus do I leave the Guests to their rest, that they may Sleep even till broad Day-light.

The Sun being up, and some of the Guests being very droughty or thirsty with their Yesternight Surfeiting, and being tormented with overmuch Heat; they endeavour to extinguish this Inflammation of the Liver, with cold Fountain Water, or with small Beer, or with hungry and sharpning Wine. Others send to the Apothecaries for some Syrup of Roses, or Violets, and mix that with Fountain Water, and so drink it off. But the burning hot Liver is presently smitten with a sudden horrour, the Stomach is refrigerated, and beset with clammy Humours, and most an end the Limbs are debilitated, the Skin becomes Scabby and cold Feavers possess the Stomach. Instead therefore of such like drink, I will here substitute a far better cooling Potion, which shall not hinder the health, as those do, but be profitable to the same.

Take one pound of Spirit of Salt, not of that yellow, unrectified Spirit that is sold in the Shops, but of our well rectified Spirit; wherein dissolve as much Tartar as it will associate unto it self in a gentle boiling; filter the Solution through Cap-paper, that so all the Fœces which were in the Tartar, may abide in the Paper, and the Spirit of Salt itself together with the [dissolved] Tartar may pass through, bright and clear; if the Solution stands long in a cold place, part of the Tartar will shoot into Crystals, and part thereof will remain mixt with the Spirit of Salt, and give it a gratefull vinous Acidity. If you use white Tartar then the said Spirit will remain white, red Tartar tingeth the same with the colour of a Ruby. N. B. The Spirit of Salt is of such a nature, as that it makes all colours more fair. You may therefore use red Tartar to make this Potion withall, because of the loveliness of the colour, wherewith it tingeth the Spirit of Salt, for as to the virtues and efficacy of them, there is no difference to be found between them.

This Tartarized Spirit of Salt is very sweet, and tasts like an acid Wine, some drops of which, being drunk in cold Fountain Water, will not at all hurt the Liver: nor will it onely allay the droughtiness and thirst, but also stir up in the Stomach an Appetite to meat and drink. And therefore I do commend this Tartarized Spirit of Salt, beyond all other thirst-allaying Remedies, and it may be taken safely and pleasantly, both Summer and Winter, because the unripe and acid Wines being drunk with Fountain Water and Sugar, do refrigerate the Stomach, and load it with tenacious humours, and weaken the Appetite, and hinder digestion.

Most profitable therefore is this our Spirit unto those, who daily drinking much Ale, may always mix a little of the same with their Ale. For it makes the Ale to tast like an acidish Wine, it allays thirst, so that there will not need such a guzling in of so great a quantity of thick Ale, it discusseth Wind, expells Urine, hinders the generation of the Stone in the Bladder and Reins, and if it be already generated it dissolves and consumes the same, and by little and little drives out the same with the Urine. Being administred to such as are troubled with the Feaver, Gout, Stone, and Scurvy, and that in all their drink, it is a pleasant and profitable Remedy. Concerning the use of which, you may find more spoken in my Treatise, intituled, The Consolation of Sailors.

Now besides all this, there is yet one thing more that I shall here admonish you of; namely, that by the Spirit of Salts help may a Remedy be administred to many more hurtfull disorders, but especially in the stead of those sharpish Waters, unto which, Men are wont to come from far and undertake long Journeys, losing their most pretious time and Money, neglecting their Calling, their Houshold Affairs, their Wife and Children, upon the bare hope of recovering their former Health: Whereas notwithstanding, the Spirit of Salt well prepared with Tartar, and having a little Steel Powder put thereinto, will perform the very same effect as the Calibeat Waters are wont to do, and so they may avoid the loss of so much expences, and of their pretious time; and thus every one may discharge and follow his own Calling and Domestick Affairs, and yet for all that, be cured by the help of the Tartarized and Chalibeat Spirit of Salt which openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen.

But what shall I say much for? Some haply there are that go the more willingly to those Waters every year for other reasons. Such as have old chiding Wives at Home, that take it very ill if their Husbands do but stir out of Doors, and are continually a plaguing them with Scoldings and ill Words, have not these think you great reason to seek some Diversion?

Young Women also love to visit these Waters and Baths, who meeting not with so much heat in their feeble and aged Husbands, as to beget them with Child, betake themselves to those Waters and Baths, where at all times they meet with active strong Companions, full of strength and Metal, who without doubt do frequent the said places, for this very end, namely, to apply warm suppositories to those cold Women, and uterine emplasters to make them Fruitfull, and to take away Sterility. Such kind of Dames being restored to their former health, and returned Home, their Husbands find (after some few Months) how effectual the use of those Waters have been upon their Wives.

Besides, it most an end happens that the Master and Mistress being absent, the Houshold Affairs are very awkwardly administred and managed by the Children, the Men-servants, and Maid servants; and that common German Proverb doth usually take place; The Cat being out of the way, The Mice upon the Shelves do play. The truth of this is sufficiently testified by frequent Examples. And therefore it is much better to drink these acid Waters at Home, whereby both Money and Time is spared, and many evils prevented. And thus much may suffice to have been said concerning a refrigerating Drink.

And now, seeing we have at hand good Cheese and Butter, good Sawces or Cates, and delicate Drink, can we not be here with content? Verily in my Judgment here’s enough disht out for one Banquet. But some may say, in very good time! Glauber [indeed] does not onely teach us the preparation of good Meats, but likewise of Cheese, Butter, Sawces, [or Junkets,] and pretious Wine, but yet tells us not from whence the Milk to make the Cheese and Butter withall is to be had, nor whence the Sugar and Spices for the Cates, and the Grapes needfull to make the Wine with, are to be gotten? What benefit have we by knowing how to make Cheese and Butter, and yet want Cows to yield us Milk? To satisfie these, we will demonstrate unto them, that even both the Milk it self, and the precious Spices, and most excellent Grapes are all attainable by the help of Salt.

In my Treatise called Miraculum Mundi, as likewise in that called The continuation of the same, and in that Book, of the nature of Salts, I have clearly enough shown, that all the faculty of the Growth and Nourishment of all growing and movable Creatures doth take its rise and original out of Salt alone, and that the correction or melioration, not onely of Vegetables and Animals, but even of the Minerals too, is to be sought for from the same.

But forasmuch as this bettering of the Metals meets with but little credit and is very hardly believed and understood, (nay ’tis plainly thought a thing impossible to be effected,) I could not choose but manifest and demonstrate the truth of the same unto the whole World; namely, that like as the Metals are in long process of time maturated by Salt in the Bowels of the Earth: Even so may the same be likewise maturated, mundified, and amended out of the Earth, by Salt, by the help and benefit of Art; not onely by the moist way, but also by the dry, and that with one Fire, in one Furnace, and with one Servant, whom I will in this place call The Countryman paying his yearly Rent. When his belly is continually fill’d with Coles, his Plows never cease going, so that weekly, monthly and yearly he is able to pay his master the due hire, namely Gold and Silver, wherewith all things necessary for houshold expences may be gotten.

And although this Countryman, which I will here describe, be not that [great] Country-Farmer, which I have mentioned in the Third Part of the Prosperity of Germany: yet notwithstanding he is a little one, and one that will discover so much unto the ignorant as to cause them to believe that the things which I speak of are possible to be done, and that there is a yet richer and better Countryman. But this here is to be accounted as a small Cow, and which will however supply you with Milk, Butter and Cheese, for necessary uses, if not with Sugar, Spices, and Wine too, to be set out upon the Table. If this Country fellow be too little and small for any one, he may even provide himself of a better, and learn by the consideration of this, by what means such Countrymen are to be nourished, that so the Rent may be gotten from him in its due time.

A. The little Country Tenant with one Plow. B. The Countryman with three Plows. C. The Countryman’s Cap. D. His three Plows. E. The Registers to govern the Fire by. F. The Glass set in with his Alembick and Receiver. G. The Door to shut the Crate. H. The Ash-hole. I. A Basket of Coals. [See the Fig. before the 3d. p. of the Prosperity of Germ. noted with pag. 76.]

In the first place you must prepare you some pounds of good Spirit of Salt, after the way which I prescribed with Vitriol, without which it will effect nothing, for out of this [Vitriol] it doth in the preparation carry over with it the spiritual Gold, or tinging Spirit, which said [spiritual Gold] is, in the performing of the operation, fixed, together with that spiritual Gold, which lyes hidden in the inferior Metals, and so becomes manifest.

Then (in the next place) you must build you a Furnace, which is called by the Chymists the slow Henry, or dull Harry, but I call it The little Country Farmer or yearly Renter: you may build it, I say, of what bigness you please; or for Example sake, the Tower which holds the Coles may be about Man-heighth, and about one Cubit broad in the inside, but so, that the top part and bottom part be narrower, and the middle part wider. To this Tower you must adjoyn two or three Furnaces, which are here called the Countryman’s Plows, and in which the Vessels are to be placed, which hold the Metals that are to be maturated by the Spirit of Salt, and which have a continual heat, whereby the never-ceasing coction is holpen from the Tower that contains the Coles. Now see that you make all things cleverly and well proportioned, whereby that the Fire may be well and commodiously governed, and may be conserved for twenty four hours at least, without any looking too or medling with, as may be seen by the now described Figure.

The Vessel, in which the Spirit of Salt, with the Metal, is to be exercised (or laboured) with a daily Coction, must be made of such matter as doth not flie with the heat of the fire, nor is not eaten with the sharpness of the Spirit, (but) such as may be seen in my Laboratory, and will for the most part dure and hold the Spirit of Salt a whole year without breaking.

All things being ready and fitted, the Countrymans Belly is to be filled with Coals up to the Neck, and his Head covered with a Cap, that the Fire may not find any out-let, save by the lower holes, through which, the heat may find an entrance into the adjoined Furnaces; and as for the Vessels, they are to be filled with the Spirit of Salt, and with Metals fitted for this Operation, and to be covered with their Alembicks, that the Spirits which ascend in the boiling may be received and conserved. When all the Spirits of the Salt are come over, they are to be again returned back upon the dried matter in the Cucurbit, and are to be agen drawn off by distillation. This operation and cohobation being often repeated, doth ripen and fix the spiritual Silver and Gold, whereby it becomes Corporeal: But yet the Spirit of Salt alone is not able to give Gold, but ripens Silver onely, but by the addition of other Salts, it will give Gold too. And even for the fixation of Silver, common Salt may be also added to the Spirit of Salt, that so the Spirit of the Salt may be made strong in the digestion; yea and in time so very strong, as to fume even in the cold Air, and therefore a little water may be also added besides the Salt.

Hence it comes to pass, that in one days digestion six pounds of Spirit of Salt will give seven pounds of the same; unto which, if you again add one pound of Water, and one pound of Salt, you shall have eight pound of Spirit of Salt: which by the addition of another pound of Salt, and one pound of Water more, it may be farther augmented; insomuch that the Spirit of Salt, by a continually-repeated addition of Water and Salt, gets a perpetual encrease, and the Metal is so far from being at all hindred in its maturation, as that it is daily ripened more and more. For the Agent and Patient are continually encreased, and become bettered both in quantity and quality, which verily is a most excellent work, and never so manifestly described by any body as by my self.

But that I may be yet better understood by every one, I will here adjoyn a way which every one may imitate, and which teacheth how, by the Spirit of Salt alone affording not Gold but Silver, the said operation may be instituted with Copper.

You must take care to have a Vessel made either bigger or lesser, of such matter as the Spirit of Salt cannot spoil or prey upon; And pour thereinto as many pounds of the Spirit of Salt as it will well hold, and as many pounds as there be [of Spirit,] so many ounces of Copper-plate must you put in, and to them add twice as many ounces of Salt, so that to one ounce of Copper there may be two ounces of Salt. The Spirit of Salt being drawn off even till the Copper and Salt be dry, it will be stronger and more in quantity, because, from the adjoyned Salt, it hath acquired to it self an encrease and greater Virtues. Pour this Spirit agen upon the Copper, which in the first distillation was wholly dissolved up; and boil the Spirit of Salt over the fire, that the Copper, together with the Salt, which was not carried over by the Spirit in the first distillation, may be again dissolved.

The Furnace being cool’d, Take the glass out of the Sand, and pass the Spirit of Salt with the dissolved Copper through Cap-paper, and wash the white Calx that remains in the Paper with water, dry it, and melt it with a fix Lixivial Salt, and you shall find as much pure Silver, nay, even somewhat more than the Copper had in it by its own nature. Put the green filtred Solution agen into the Cucurbit, being first well wash’t; of which, if there be six pounds, add thereunto one pound of Salt, and half a pound of Water, that so there may be seven pounds and an half, provided the Cucurbit will contain so many pounds, if not, then put the less matter therein. Then being placed in Sand, draw off the Spirit of Salt from the added Salt, even to dryness, and as much increase as you find it have above six pounds, lay it by, and add as much water to these remaining six pounds, which you must again put upon the dry matter in the Cucurbit, and then agen distill it off till the said matter be dry, and repeat the same Operation again by pouring on and distilling off. If the Spirit of Salt be augmented in quantity one pound, then put more Salt into the Cucurbit, and agen augment the six pounds of Spirit of Salt by the addition of Water, and repeat the pourings on, and drawings off after the aforesaid manner, always removing at each Distillation, the increase that is over and above six pound: and renewing the apposition of more Salt, after that the former is drawn off, untill you shall have gotten in the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, or tenth Distillation as much Spirit as you at first took, to begin your Distillation, [which was six pound.] Now all the operation consisteth in this knack, namely, that you so operate, as that nothing flies away in fume, for all the encrease ariseth from the Salt and Water which you added thereunto. When you have gained thus much, you may (without adding any more new Salt) pour on the Spirit of Salt several times upon the Salt which is left remaining in the Cucurbit, and agen draw it off so often thencefrom, untill it hath brought over with it self almost all that Salt. Which [Salt] being almost wholly changed by the Spirit of Salt that was poured into the Cucurbit, Dissolve up the remaining Mass of the Copper and Salt, and the Sand being cold, take out your Cucurbit, Filter the Spirit through Cap-paper, and wash the white Powder left in the Paper, and dry it, and melt it as afore with a Lixivial Salt, and you shall have as much pure Silver as the Spirit of Salt was able to fix, of the Copper, in such a time. Then put this green Spirit of Salt into the Cucurbit together with more new Salt, and repeat the said labours ten or twelve times, and the Spirit of Salt will be always encreased and rendred more strong, and the Copper will agen yield forth Silver.

This Labour, you may at your pleasure, continue as long as you list, for you will always get some Silver, and have an encrease of Spirit. For both the Agent, viz. the Spirit of Salt, and the Patient, viz. the Copper doe encrease both as to quantity and quality.

But it may be demanded, Whenee that Silver comes? That which gave forth it self the first time we impute not unto the Spirit of Salt, as if by it made, no! but we say that it was in the Copper before, and was melted out of the Oar, together with the Copper, for this may well be. For there’s no Copper to be found which does not hold some Silver hidden in its belly: and though the Refiners have as accurately separated it as they could, yet nevertheless we doe conclude that that first Silver separated in the first Operation, was what was left of the Oar in the Copper, and remained unseparated by the Melters [or Refiners] therefrom, and was not made by the Spirit of Salt, but onely separated. And the Spirit of Salt being in its nature an enemy to Silver, does not dissolve it. But whence then did that come, which offered it self unto us the second, third, and fourth time; whereas in the first Solution, all the Silver was clearly taken out, and none at all left therein, but was all of it separated by filtration? What shall we here say, or indeed how shall we dare say otherwise, but that we believe and confess, that the Spirit of Salt did by its operation make the same of the Copper. Nor is there any reason why this should seem so very strange unto us, forasmuch as yearly, in the Earth, all Copper is naturally turned by Salt into Silver, and not onely Copper, but all the other Metals were at first, Salts: not such indeed as we use about our Cookery in the Kitchins, but such as are impregnated by the Sulphureous Stars [or Constellations.]

But forasmuch as we doe at present treat onely of Copper, we doe not therefore meddle with the rest of the Metals: for very rarely is Copper digged out of the Earth but it hath Vitriol therein, or, in defect of Vitriol, a Sulphur salted with a vitriolate salt. For any sort of Sulphur being burnt, and its fatness flaming, the sharp Salt is released, and passeth away in fume, resembling the tast, of the fiery Oil of Vitriol, and is captivated [or caught] in the great Alembick under which the Sulphur is burnt. This sharp Oil supplies the place of an Agent as to the Minera’s or Oars, in the Veins of the Earth; and doth more and more ripen the Minerals and Metals, but exceeding slowly: for Nature doth scarce attain to that limit in a thousand Years, which Art doth in a few Months time. For there are no impediments to obstruct the operativeness of our Agent, such as are the Stones, Flints, Sands, and various Earths which frequently occur, and are much abounding in the bowels of the [Metallick] Veins: insomuch that it can discharge its Operations freely, and without any Impediment at all: and besides too, we use our external fire by which we help this our Agent, and strengthen its virtues, and keep it in a continual action.

By all this discourse may every one see, that when we speak of ripening Silver out of Copper by the Operations of the Spirit of Salt, it is not contrary to nature, but altogether agreeable with the same. But now we doe not say that any one will suddenly become rich by this Labour, done with the Spirit of Salt and Copper, but we have described this Operation in this place, for this end, namely, that hereby the possibility of the thing may be learned, and that there may be good ground to believe, that even this too is most true, viz. when we write that by such or such an Agent, corroborated or fortified with such or such Subjects, and placed in such-like Digestions, Gold may be extracted as well as Silver out of the meaner Metals, which how little soever there be of, may notwithstanding prove profitable. For having once made onely some pounds of Spirit of Salt, you will not need to make any more anew, for in the digestion and maturation of the Metals, it will daily encrease, and that in a plentifull manner, and that too without any considerable costs, seeing that the Salt it self, which is to be added, is likewise cheap enough. If you make your Cucurbit of pure Silver, (for the Spirit of Salt will not work upon that) and digest your matters therein, you need not then stand in fear of the breaking of Glasses: Besides too, you may always let such a made Vessel lie in the Furnace, and as soon as ever the Spirit is drawn off, you may presently put it on agen, nor is there any need of your waiting so long, and ceasing from the work till the Vessel cool. If therefore a Tower to put the Coals in (as afore) be added to that Furnace, or Furnaces, then is it a true Countrey Farmer, or Tenant, for the sustaining of whom, there will need no other charge but that of Coals, and yet notwithstanding he gives you a perpetual gain without labour, cost, and trouble. Nay more, if we do but rightly weigh the business, we shall find that the daily encrease of the Spirit of Salt in these labours, is easily sold for more Money than the Coals will cost, so that all that Gold and Silver which is gotten out of the Metals, doth offer it self unto us for nothing. Besides, such kind of Metals may be taken for this Operation as are wont to yield more Silver and Gold than Copper, and the plentifulness thereof will be yet more, if several such kinds of Metals are joyned together and so dissolved, and digested, in which operation they better one another by a mutual action; for one supplies what another wants, and likewise from another, are those superfluities which it has in it, taken therefrom: so that (as we said afore) the mutual melioration of those Metals may be set on foot and promoted, as it were without any cost, and by a very little labour.

Whosoever he be therefore that has the knowledge and experience of the nature and property of the Metals, which they are, that have a correspondency with each other, and that love to better each the other; and is not ignorant what Agent is agreeable to Gold; such a one I say as this is, will commit unto his Countrey Tenant the care of Weekly and Monthly paying the due Rent, and will be able by this means to serve God his Creator without wicked Usury; to do good unto his Neighbour, to extricate himself out of that Diabolical Fellowship, of the impious and the great crew of evil Men; and to lead his Life in Tranquillity and Quietude; which verily is a great and singular gift of God, unto any one that can arrive unto such a knowledge.

But yet no Man hath any reason to perswade himself, should he be a Master of this Art and Science [here shewn,] that he shall be able daily to separate great heaps of Gold out of the more imperfect Metals, whereby he may be enabled to lead a vicious Life. No, for my endeavour shall (in the first place) be, not to make any wicked Man partaker of this Art.

And secondly, the whole business consisteth in the blessing of God, as we find it Written, Paul hath planted, and Apollo Watered, but God hath given his Blessing: For without this Blessing, all our Labour is but in vain: And this the Prophet David doth likewise testifie, saying, In vain do ye rise up early, and being loaden with many cares, go to Bed late, and eat your Bread with troubles: For unto them whom God is favourable doth he bestow his gifts even while they are Asleep. Moreover St. Paul saith, It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that sheweth mercy. And therefore a wicked Man, though he should possess so great a thing, yet would he not do any good upon it, if he wanteth Gods Blessing. Besides, I do not here bring forth my little Countryman upon the Stage, as if he could help any one unto huge Treasures; no, but onely as one that can bestow so much as may suffice, honestly to live. Unless haply a Man should light upon rich Veins and metalline Oars, which should abound with much corporeal Gold, and so by this means should yield great Treasures. Now so much cannot be lookt for, from such Metals as have in them but a spiritual Gold onely, unless the true weight be found, and that there be gotten the knowledge of those Metals which have a great affinity with each other, and which being joined together yield forth Gold. Otherwise you must not expect ought else from this Operation save an honest and moderate profit.

But now, as touching what Metals they are that have such affinity, and what the true proportion of the weight is, no body hath any reason to enquire of me, for I do not as yet profess my self an expert and absolute Artist in this matter, for sometimes I have a very gainfull success of my trials that I make, and sometimes agen I get less.

I was willing therefore to shew the way here, of ripening the meaner Metals by the help of Salt, and that too in a manner without any costs: which way of so doing being by me laid open, may suffice for this time, nor did ever any reveal it before me (I speak it without boasting) or produce it unto publick view in so open a manifestation as I have done.

And now if this separation should be used about the fixed Gold onely which lies hidden in the Oars and Metals, yet mought great profit be thereby gotten in all places; for there is no place in the World in which there are not to be found such Earth, Sand, and Stones as contain in them corporeal Gold, which may be extracted by the afore prescribed way without any costs at all. But here is to be observed that those things which I have written, and clearly demonstrated concerning such separatory Operations in the third part of the Prosperity of Germany, are to be agen read over, and well lookt into.

Moreover, this is also to be known, that this maturation if instituted by the dry way, brings more profit than if done by the moist way; for in the dry way the Agent is more holpen than in the moist way, in which there is always plenty of moisture. But however, both ways namely the dry way, and the moist may be done with one and the same Fire, nor will the cost be any more than if the moist way were made use of alone by it self.

For that Tower wherein the Coals are, and which is to keep the Spirit of Salt in perpetual digestion, and to heat the adjoined Furnaces, is always bright hot at the Grate, upon which [grate] if a cementing Vessel filled with Salt and Metals be placed, there will then be even thence as much profit as by an adjoined Furnace, and so by the Fire of one Furnace, and by the self same labour and cost is a double Operation performed, and a continual rent may be expected from the double Countryman.

You must likewise note, that there is a great difference of Salts, and that one Salt is more fit for this labour, and another for that; but by how much greater the Acrimony is, that the Salt abounds withall, so much the more potent an Agent it is: insomuch that it is of great concernment for a Man to know how to concentrate the moist Fire or Agent, concerning which Concentration there is no need of mentioning any thing in this place; forasmuch as I suppose that these things which are at present spoken are sufficient enough.

Moreover I would have the Son of Art know, that the Salt of the Macrocosm or of the Ocean, which we have taught the making the Spirit of, is nothing at all so efficacious as that which is gotten out of the Microcosm: For whatsoever things are found to be in the Microcosm or greater World, the same are likewise in the Macrocosm or lesser World, namely, Man. But it is not my purpose to discourse farther of this thing in this place, but will (God so permitting) treat more at large of the same, if I come to write somewhat of the nature and signature of the greater World. For hereby great mysteries may be learned, which omitting to speak more of, I keep close to Salt and say, that that Salt which comes out of the Ocean or Sea of Man, or of some other Animal, that is, which is voided out of the Bladder, is far more fit for the Transmutation of Metals, than that which is gotten out of the Sea, as being the Bladder of the great Animal.

The Ancients have called the World the great Animal, and very rightly, for in its Center it hath a fiery heart by which (as being the great Animal) it moves it self, and conserves its life, as shall be Spoken of in another place if God shall permit, for according to the common Proverb, Man proposeth and God disposeth.

Morien was not ignorant that Arcana’s of great moment lie hidden in Urine, but hath manifestly signified it. For when he had prepared the Tincture for King Calid, he wrote upon the Vessel in which it was, these words, He that carries all things with him, needs not any others help. And having so done, he silently betook himself unto his Cell. But he had said before unto the King, In thee O King! the Medicine is, by which words, he meant Urine. For out of Man’s Urine may a fix Stone be made, which shall be manifested in other places.

Furthermore this likewise is to be here known, that it is a most notable and a true experiment and artifice in Alchymy, that is, in the true melting of Salt, when the Agent of Salt, and the Patient, or Metal, are so thoroughly conjoined and mixed, as that the Agent is disperst throughout the Patient, that so the Patient may suffer the more, and consequently that that Patient Metal may be the sooner ripened and fixed. When a Flock of Sheep being in the Fold, see the Woolf coming, they are indeed all terribly affrighted, but are not all bitten and torn, and so a part of them feel the hurt and the other part remain free. But if the Woolf seizeth upon the Sheep in the open Field, and that the Sheep are scattered far and wide so that they cannot possibly flock together, they will certainly suffer more grievously.

For Example sake, when I would meliorate Lead by means of Salt, whether by the moist way by Spirit of Salt or by the dry way by dry Salts, if now I cannot radically conjoin the said Salts and Lead together, I do but little to purpose, because Lead and Silver, unless prepared by singular Ingeny and Skill, are not touched upon by Salt and its Spirit, and so suffering but superficially onely they are able to resist a long time. But being radically united unto Salt by the benefit of Art, so as that they cannot be distinguisht from each other, then they suffer in all their parts and die, which death is their melioration and life. He that desires to arrive at this Goal, must rise betimes, and use a most notable diligence, for sloathfulness hedgeth up the way of coming thereunto: Even I my self am no perfect Artificer, but wait upon the Omnipotent God, expecting what he will please to bestow upon me for time to come, and I live content with my present enjoyments. Thus likewise let another do.

But if now Saturn is to be used after another way and to serve instead of Earth to receive and multiply the metallick Seed, there’s no need of dissolving it in Salts, but it will be better to have it onely swell or puft up in them, and keep in such a positure as Earth is, conserving the Seed sown therein, in a moderate humidity and in the temperate heat of the Sun, which way is also a good one and commodious for the production of good metallick Fruits, and that by the help of Salt, as the following Process shews, under this title, namely,

The Fire and Azoth wash Laton.

Some of the Philosophers have called their Patient Laton, and their Agent Azoth. But what subject that is which they meant by the name of Laton there are many Opinions of Authours concerning it, in whose Writings may be seen, that the greatest part of them do intend thereby Saturn, but yet not the vulgar: and even so is it too concerning their Azoth, or Vinegar, that being likewise diversly accepted. But be it as it will, yet this is certain, that even in the common Saturn do many abstruse secrets lie hidden, (to say nothing of the more mysterious Saturn, did we but know how to get it out.)

All Philosophers do suppose, that the Heart in Saturn is better than that in Gold it self, and for that reason do they call Lead a Leaprous Gold, and say, that if it could be mundified by a true washing, some great matter would proceed thereout of. Many Men have very much busied themselves about this washing, but yet have not attained unto ought else, save that they have brought the Saturn into a white, fugacious, and liquid Body, concerning which labour I have made mention in this Treatise of metallick Cates and Sawces, and also in the third Part of the Prosperity of Germany.

In my judgment, the common Saturn is a commodious Earth, for the reception of a metallick Seed, and for bringing the same unto multiplication Witness Paracelsus himself who tells us, that Saturn may be compared to the Earth, for all such things as it seizeth on it makes like it self, and turns them into Earth, viz. in the common Fire, for Paracelsus here intends that.

But now, if some metallick Seed be sown in Saturn, as being a commodious metallick Earth, and that such an Earth and such a Seed be moistned with a due metallick Water, and be exposed to the fruit producing and vivifying Sun, the earth together with the Seed, doth by reason of the moistning caused by the pouring on, or affusion of the mineral Water, swell up, and become porous, and receives and conserves the Water, so that the ripening Sun cannot dry up the Earth, and consequently burn up the Seed. And by how much the oftner the Earth is moistned with the mineral Water, and the Sun expelleth the said humidity, so much the speedier doth the Seed ripen, and attain to his maturity.

For like as the Husband-man when he is about to sow this Corn, chooseth such a ground, as contains a fat and tenacious mould, which may not be washt away with the Rain, nor suffer the due nourishment to be withdrawn from the Seed; for if the Seed be sown in Sand, a little Rain can easily wash away the Sand and Seed, and impede the faculty of growth, which in a fat and tenacious Soil is not wont to happen. For the Water or Rain should but onely moisten the Earth, that it may not be too closely comprest, but become porous and admit of the Rains penetrating unto the Seed: which when so, then is there hopes of the Seeds sprouting, in such a fat Earth which swells up by means of the Water, and of bringing forth its Fruit.

Even just after the same manner are the metallick Seeds to be sown, and ripened; and for Example sake, let us take the vulgar and common Saturn, (well mundified) for that Earth, into which we will sow such a Seed as having a great affinity with Saturn, loves to be augmented therein, whereby it may bring forth fruit. And like as the Seed of any Animal requires an Animal Matrix, as a Field or Earth to be multiplied in, and hath not any affinity with the common Earth: Even so likewise doth a metallick Seed require a metallick Earth, Matrix, or Ground, wherein it may germinate and be multiplied.

Now this multiplication is on such wise made, as is done in the Animals, by the conjunction of Male and Female, one performing the office of the Agent, and the other of the Patient. So then, we will make some trial in this Process which is here annexed, not for the intent of getting great Treasures thereby, but for the sake of searching into, and getting the knowledge of Nature; we will take the Male in the room of the Seed, and the Female instead of the Ground or Field, and we will try whether or no the Seed will admit of multiplication.

Let us therefore take the common Saturn for the Feminine Matrix, and Antimony of the Male-like-seed, which we will sow into its own Matrix, as Husbandmen are wont to do. I do not gain-say but that there are other Seeds, and probably better to be found to be implanted in Saturn, than Antimony is: But yet here I content my self with this of Antimony, as having an intention of onely shewing at this present, by what way it may appear that a metallick Seed may be brought to a faculty or possibility of growth in the Saturnine Earth. And upon this account for Demonstrations sake of this Labour, was I willing to use Antimony, it being a masculine Seed of a Saturnine kind. For common Saturn is usually accounted for the true first Ens of Lune, and Antimony for the true first Ens of Sol, and they are in very deed found so to be. For you shall not find any Lead without Silver, nor any Antimony without Gold; so that I strongly perswade my self that from those two, there cannot arise ought else but what is good and profitable, did we but know how legitimately to compound and handle them. And although I do not profess my self to know many things, yet will I simply tell you my opinion, concerning the way which I suppose such a Commixtion and Maturation may be effected by.

A Philosopher saith thus,

The first Entities of both these are Lead and Antimony, the latter of which, (viz. Antimony,) is not to be admitted in that impure state that we find it in, unto the former, as unto its Bride or Spouse, but must first be washed in a hot and sharp Lixivial Bath, that it may thereby attain to a delicate silvery whiteness, and shine like a Star in the Firmament; which Antimony thus purged, is called by Paracelsus, the signed Star.

But yet I would not have any one to think, that I do here mean the common stellate Regulus of Mars, which would be dissolved in Spirit of Salt, and would separate it self from the Lead, which ought not to be: But that signed Star must be so prepared, as not to admit of being dissolved in Spirit of Salt, for else it will not serve for this Work. It must be so concreted as if it were so many thin Shells (one within another,) and so very hard as to be able to cut Glass, and to strike Fire out of a Flint. This signed Star being so washt, is to be sown into its own Matrix, and by the solar Heat and fruitfull Rain, to be promoted and enforced unto growth.

Take of the thus prepared masculine Seed, or signed Star, [A] parts, and of the feminine kind, [B] parts, melt the signed Star in a pure Crucible, unto which being molten cast the Woman in, which being cast in, there is presently made a sweet Conjunction and Commixtion of them both in that infernal Heat, in which they familiarly couple together.

The Mass being commixt, is to be poured out of the Crucible through wet Brooms into cold water, and is to be reduced into Grains, and so the masculine Seed or Husband will be legitimately and duely mixt with its Earth or Ground, or Wife: which Earth together with the Seed which it contains is to be put into a firm Vessel, which fears not the violent corrosion of the Spirit of Salt, but in such a quantity as that scarcely a tenth part of the Vessel may be filled therewithall: Then must there be put thereon as much mineral Water, namely pure Spirit of Salt, as the Cucurbit can bear, and Fire is to be put thereunder, whereby the Spirit of Salt is to be again drawn off, by which Operation, the Earth together with the included Seed will day by day be refreshed, be moistned and swell up, by reason of the Spirit of Salt, no otherwise than as if you should moisten some dry and as it were parched Earth, with Water. For the Saturn is not dissolved by the Spirit of Salt, but onely swells up, and becomes foliated, and yet remains whole or entire, nor is it much unlike unto lovely lookt Talk, which shines with a delicate whiteness: and therefore the Philosophers say, sow your Gold in white foliated Earth. Without doubt they meant not common Gold, for then they would not have said, our Gold, but would have simply said onely Gold, had they not intended a peculiar Gold, or first Ens of Gold.

N. B. I cannot by any means omit to give you thus much notice, namely, He that cannot hit upon the manner of preparing the said signed Star, may endeavour the making of common Saturn aureous, particularly after this manner, as follows. Extract with Spirit of Salt out of the Oars or Veins and metallick fugacious Earths, the spiritual Gold that lies hidden therein, and extract or draw off this Spirit thus impregnated with Gold from Saturn, which Spirit may by this means be all agen had, and be used about new extractions. And as for the Gold which the Spirit extracted, that the Saturn hath imbibed, and indues it self thereby with a golden nature; which if you imbue or moisten with many such extractions, that goldenness will, as I may so term it, grow up or increase in each cohobation, and the Spirit of Salt it self will become augmented.

If now the Saturn be imbued with a sufficient Portion of spiritual Gold, it must be reduced by X, or Alkalies, that so the spiritual Gold may be made corporeal, which will exhibit it self pure unto you, after that the Saturn shall be driven away on the Test. But yet there is no need of doing this, seeing it will be better to granulate the Saturn, and by those repeated cohobations to draw off the Spirit of Salt agen, being each time impregnated with that spiritual Gold, and so by this means will you enrich your Saturn with the greater plenty of Gold. And being so enriched it must be reduced by a fixing X, in my secret Crucible, which neither suffers any thing to go away in fume, nor to run out; in which reduction the spiritual Gold and the fugacious Saturn it self are fixed, so that both Gold and Silver are found on the Test with great profit, this labour requiring no other costs save those of the Fire.

This Operation which separates fugacious and fix Gold out of the Oars and Stones, is far better than that which is made by the Solutions of Lune and Saturn, described at large in the third part of the Prosperity of Germany. For here, we do not need either Aq. Fortis or Vinegar for the Solution of Saturn or Lune, neither need we the same to get the extracted Gold out of the Spirit of Salt, but being free from that labour and costs, we [onely] draw off from Saturn, that Spirit which hath extracted the Gold, which [Saturn] attracts and holds the volatile and fix Gold that was in the extraction, insomuch that there is not requisite to this labour of drawing off the extractions from Saturn, any thing else save onely Coals and Fire. Add hereunto also, the gainfull encrease which daily comes in by the addition of Salt and Water, by which the Spirit of Salt is day by day augmented without any costs.

N. B. When the Spirit of Salt becomes too strong by reason of the Salt put thereto, that Water wherewith the Oar is washt, after the first extraction of the Spirit of Salt, [or after it hath first been extracted with Spirit of Salt] may be made use of [and put thereto] instead of common Water. For it is somewhat sourish, and hath likewise a golden nature.

N. B. Praise God, and forget not the Poor, seeing thou art sufficiently informed and taught by what means thou maist get great Treasures.

The things I here write, are not for this end, namely, to teach others how to make great heaps of Gold, but onely to shew them a way of attaining to a good Medicament, and withall, of knowing and perceiving by the same labour, that the melioration of the Metals is altogether possible and certain.

Whoever he be that could attain so far as to bring Antimony and Lead, as being the first Ens of Gold and Silver, into a certain Dissolvent, so as that the one would not precipitate the other; then at length would he have entrance upon the right way, which leadeth unto great things, like as also Gold and Silver being dissolved in one and the same Menstruum gives beginning to things of great moment. I dare affirm therefore, that he that can reduce Gold and Silver, or Antimony and Lead, with Salt, into an agreement, hath opened a most strong Gate which leads unto a great Treasure; for then the Patient must suffer even unto death, and must die, out of whose dead Body, new and living Bodies do afterwards come forth.

Although I have often told you in my Writings that Gold has no greater enemy than combustible Sulphur, and that nothing is more inimicitious to Silver than Salt, and nothing more displeasing to Mercury than a strong Lixivium, and that amongst these contraries there is a perpetual Antipathy so long, untill they are constrained by Art and Skill to become friends and mutually to embrace each other: yet notwithstanding; this will not be so easily fesible by every prating Boaster, and that makes a great noise by his lofty vapouring speeches; no, but for the sake of these very Men, are such great Arcana’s justly and deservedly wrapt up in darkness, and indeed ’tis fit they should so be.

Moreover if there be required a great suffering, ’tis necessary that both the Gold and Silver, as being Male and Female, should suffer together and not barely the one or the other apart: for hereby this Regeneration will be made so much the nobler and the more magnificent. For Example, make a Circle, and cut or divide it with Diameters crosswise [or at right Angles through the Center] so that the extreams of the Diameters which divide themselves in the middle or central point of the cross may touch the Circle, and that of those four extreams [or Semi-diameters] one may touch above, and the other beneath, and the other twain may reach, one to the right side, and t’other to the left. Place the Gold in the uppermost extream marked with the letter A, and his enemy, namely Sulphur, in the lower extream, which the letter C, demonstrates. In like manner place Silver on the left side of the Gold, at the letter B, and its enemy, viz. Salt on the right side marked D, and you will see how aversly these enemies behold each the other. The Sol looking about him espies his capital enemy, Sulphur, directly opposite unto him, and hath Lune at his left side, and Salt at his right; and very willingly would he enter into friendship with Lune, and Salt which are joyned at his side, if they but would, or indeed could. But he honours not his capital enemy Sulphur, with so much as a look. The Lune placed by the side of the Sun, does not permit the Salt to joyn it self with the Gold. For when the Salt is with the Sol, it clearly hinders the Lune from associating it self with the same. Nor can it possibly be that Salt, Lune and Gold should enter into a thorough familiarity. Thus too is it with Lune, who hath her capital enemy diametrically opposite unto her, and very willingly would she enter into friendship with both her neighbours, viz. Sol and Sulphur, if they were not such great enemies (to each other,) and refused this familiarity. For if Lune associates unto her self the Sun, then Sulphur denies to come into the society. If she admits the Sulphur as her companion then, then Sol is excluded, as abominating the friendship with his enemy Sulphur. Much less therefore can Lune be the companion of them both together. See the Fig. in the Book of Dialog.

But now if the Gods please, that these four capital enemies, should unite in one sociable amity, and that wonderfull regenerations should arise from this new familiarity, (then) do they command Vulcan to heat in the Fire this Circle comprizing those four capital enemies, thus constituted in the four aforesaid extreams, and casting such hatefull looks upon each other, and yet not knowing how to escape out of the Circle, and to press them together more and more with his Hammer by little and little, untill all four being driven into one mass, do come together into one body, which body doth then obtain a power of reconciling all enemies, and of effecting great matters.

By this here spoken may any one easily conjecture, what great suffering there is in this Conjunction, and what great streights do afflict these enemies, when each of them must thus against their will enter into friendship with his capital enemy. Verily we find them to be such sufferings as have not their like again, and therefore do they produce to light, such great and such wonderfull regenerations. Now whatsoever it be that is exercised in but a small suffering, the same doth admit of but small emendation.

The greater the suffering, the greater the melioration, so that that affliction which brings with it even death it self, brings with it also so much the more noble and magnificent Regeneration and Resurrection. He that suffers not in this World, shall not have the Crown put upon him after his Resurrection. By how much the greater and more innocent the suffering and affliction of this life is, so much the greater, and fairer a Crown may be expected in the other World.

The Grape is prest so long, till it be rid of all its juice, this juice doth indeed bring a sweet and pleasant delightsomness unto mortal man, but the Grape it self which the juice is prest out of, ceaseth to be a Grape, and perisheth through defect of juice, and passeth into nothing. But unto the noble Vine, hath God given this benefit, that it yearly bears not barely one but many Grapes together: All which being pluckt off, it doth nevertheless produce the following year no fewer, but rather more Grapes; and still remains a blessed and fruitfull Vine, because it is furnisht with roots and fertile Boughs. On the contrary, they that have devoured the good and sweet juice themselves, remain always hungry and thirsty, and that for this reason, because they guzle down the juice too new and fresh, whereby their Bellies swell, and they receive no nutriment therefrom.

This is a thing certain and undoubted, that the bodies of the Metals become by suffering and dying far more excellent and more noble. He therefore that knows that the patient is to be subjected unto its own agent, and doth also understand by what way they are to be conjoined, will never labour in vain, but will reap the wished reward of his pains.

When the agent doth touch onely the superficies of the patient, and penetrates not into its heart or root, there will verily be but a very little good done, save onely this, viz. That the Agent being afore rendred aureous, is able to give unto its patient also a golden nature, and to bring the same to an aureous degree, and to bestow upon it the perfection of Gold: but that melioration which is done onely by it self proceeds on very slowly.

As concerning the manner of enduing the Spirit of Salt with an aureous nature, that so it may the sooner render its patient a partaker of golden virtues, we have spoken of that already, and demonstrated it clearly enough; he that does not understand, we cannot help him any other way.

N. B. When the Eagle, the Servant of Jupiter, hath with his beak and talons pluckt out the coagulated beams of the Sun out of the Cliffs and Rocks, and brings them unto Jupiter, he is so very bountifull, that he sends down the same unto us by the Rain, which is of so much efficacy, as that all the Herbs upon which it falls are bettered, and the martial, venereal, saturnine, Lunar and mercurial Herbs do put on the golden nature of the Sun; so efficacious is the golden Rain of Jupiter, if the Eagle hath first brought unto him the coagulated rays of the Sun.

And that I may be the better understood, and that it may be known, that the Melioration of Metals may be accomplished by a dry Agent, full as well, yea and better, and more profitably than by a moist Agent; I have judged it a thing worth while to adjoyn the following Process under the Title of the Great Country Farmer.

And let the studious Artist know, that the amending of the Metals by the dry way, by the operation of dry Salt, is far more easie, and may likewise be dispatcht in a greater quantity, than is wont to be done by the moist way: and that there is nothing required to this operation save Salt and Coals, be the Metals that are to be fixed, even what they will.

For Example, if a man be desirous to fix Saturn, or to procure unto it a Silvery nature, there needs not pure Lead be taken for this work, seeing he may have the Oar or Vein thereof for much less price; and indeed there is some that is a wild and sulphureous Oar, which yields not, in the melting, any good Lead, and may be had in great plenty in some places of Germany that I know of, for a very small price, or rather for none at all. Such a wild Oar of Lead as this is, which yields neither good Lead, nor is fit for the Potters to glaze their Pots withall, by reason of its hard fusion, doe I chuse for my operation, not onely because it costs less than other such Oars of Lead doe, but for this reason too, because it hath store of Sulphur, and fit enough for fixation.

This Vein or Oar doe I bring into small Powder, and mix as much Salt thereto as need requires, then cast it in upon the Coals, in such a Furnace as I have described to make store of Spirit of Salt in: The Salt and the Sulphur exercising their vehement or powerfull virtues upon the Lead, causeth it to be afflicted with terrible dolours, insomuch that part thereof ascendeth on high [or sublimeth] with part of the Salt, and betakes it self into Receivers fitted on for that purpose. In which sublimation, the Salt and the Lead ascend in a spiritual manner, and contrary to their will, suffer spiritually, and so are constrained to enter into friendship, finding a place of quietude in those cold Receivers, and there setling together. The residue of the Oar, and part of the Salt being burnt up, and emitting no more flores, but falling down through the Grate like Ashes, more new or fresh Coals must be put into the Furnace, and new matter must be thrown thereupon, as afore; and this Labour is to be continued so long, as it shall please any one to follow it. Now by this, the Saturn is far more vehemently afflicted, than in the moist way by the Spirit of Salt; And if unto the Oven [or Receiver] receiving the fume, and in which the flowers of the Salt and Lead settle, there shall be applied yet several Receivers, there will then be therein caught store of Spirit of Salt, which being rectified, may be agen made use of in the moist way. The flowers being taken out of the Oven or Receiver into which the fume goes, are to be agen thrown in upon the live Coals in the Furnace, that they may suffer anew and be sublimed. After that they are all sublimed again on this wise, they are to be agen taken out of the Oven, and be cast in upon the live Coals; and must be afflicted with these Labours so often repeated, untill they become fix and ascend no more, but fall down into the Ashes. Which being washt, will yield a Salt profitable for many things, and will quit all the costs which have been laid out upon Lead, Salt, and Coals; so that the Spirit of Salt which is gotten, and that which is amended in the Lead Oar by the Salt, cost nothing. The Ashes being washt are to be reduced, in a Furnace, by blast, and be so often tormented, till a good portion of Silver be gotten by this operation, which the elaborated matter, being purged by a due separation upon the Tests, will give. And so shall you have Gold and Silver by the benefit of this operation, by which [operation] we have manifested unto you the Great Country Farmer paying his yearly Rent.

Now like as Saturn is dealt withall in this operation, even so are the other Metals wont to be handled too; but yet you must observe the Regiment of the fire, which, according to the diversity of the Metals, must also be diversly administred. And even the Commixtion it self requires good heeding, as being a business of no small moment.

Moreover, in this operation you must also note, That one Salt is more fit for this operation than another is; for by how the sharper nature they have, so much the more commodious and profitable doe they shew themselves to be. So Common Salt sublimed, as is done in this Labour, will operate far stronger than Common Salt it self unsublimed. Besides, there are Salts to be found which work yet far more powerfully, yea so strongly, as that they need not the help of an external fire, but doe produce their effects even in the cold. The operation of which, in the moist way, if any be desirous to promote and strengthen by an external fire, he may so doe, in a Lamp-Furnace, and free himself of the charge of Coals, and be exempt from that frequent Labour by which the Fire is to be maintained.

Some moist Fires are of such great virtues, as that they need not any Lamp-fire, but a small golden thread or wire in burning Spirit of Wine is capable of administring heat sufficient.

And the burning Spirit, if made of Leaves, Grass, rotten Fruit, or Corn, and Grape-stones or husks will be but of small costs, or in a manner none at all. Now a pound of such Spirit being placed with a Golden wiek in a convenient Lamp will suffice for three or four days, and give heat enough. But yet nevertheless, that moist fire doth ripen its Metal without the help of any external fire at all, and yields its profit, but then it requires a longer space of time.

Put case therefore, that I make my moist fire so strong as to be able to perform its office in the cold, and that it needs not any external fire: And if I were to make a fire, it would needs require one Ducket’s charge: If now, standing any-where, it yields me two Golden Duckets out of the maturated Metal, it wou’d doe well enough, and abundantly recompence the labour and costs expended. For there’s nothing wanting of the Metal [you took to ripen] save that which is changed into Gold and Silver.

And forasmuch as I can set by many such Vessels, and those great ones too, there’s no doubt to be made, but that my gain will be the greater, and that with very little labour. For now, at first, the labour of preparing the moist fire, is in a manner no labour at all, for in three or four days may be so much made as is sufficient for the maturating of a great deal of Metal. For this fire may be compared to a Seed, which being sown in the Earth afore Winter, doth in the Summer-season produce store of Fruit, and fit to be reaped.

And though this maturation proceeds on exceeding slowly, and excludes all hast, yet it brings with it this benefit, namely, that it requireth no other labour in the Winter-time, but to be onely once laid by, and the perfecting thereof must be committed to God and Time.

There are various and divers such cold Fires, that promote the maturation of the Metals, and may be gotten out of divers Subjects, namely, out of Tartar, Urine, Hairs of Animals, Horns, Calx-vive, Soot, the Blood of Animals, the Feathers of Birds, the Bones of Horses, Oxen, and other Beasts, cut of which such a fire is very difficultly prepared, one of them, here reckoned up, excepted, out of which the said fire may by an easie labour and business be made, and without costs. It is therefore a great gift of God, and an especial grace from our Creator, if he maketh us possessors of such a Country Farmer, which being sustained without any costs, doth notwithstanding very largely pay his yearly Rent. To God therefore are uncessant thanks to be returned for so great a benefit.

But we have said enough of these moist and dry Metal-ripening Fires; what way soever any one is minded to chuse, that way may he follow, for it lyes in his own free choice. If he chance to err, let him not lay the blame upon me, who out of a good mind have undertaken these labours of writing, but cannot thrust the chewed meat into any ones mouth. I will by God’s permission show the wonders of God to some friends this next Summer, that so such as come after us may likewise have occasion of praising God, and of giving him thanks.

But even as the common Earth, when it is moistned with often showers, and now and then freed of them by the heat of the Sun, retains in it self a fruitfull Salt, and doth necessarily acquire a fertility: So likewise our Earth doth not onely daily encrease in goodness, but in weight too, and becomes more ponderous: but you must not think that this heaviness or weight proceeds from the Spirit of Salt’s insinuating it self into the porous Earth, no: For if the said Mass should be but onely eight days time in the digestion, and the Spirit of Salt be [then] washt off, yet would it be encreased a quarter part; which ponderosity comes indeed from the Spirit of Salt, out of which the Saturn draws something unto it self for nutritious sake, as the Common Earth does out of the showres of Rain, and becomes more weighty.

For if there were no occult and nitrous virtue in the Rain, it would conduce but little to fertility; and if there were no spiritual and astral Gold, or spiritual and astral Sun in Salt, the immature Metals could not be ripened by the same. By how much the oftner therefore, a good Spirit of Salt is drawn off from the Saturnine Earth, and Saturnine Seed, so much the sooner also doth that Seed arrive unto its full ripeness. For at every turn [of drawing off] something of the good part of the Spirit of Salt remains behind, attracted by the Earth and Seed, from which the melioration and augmentation doe arise: as may be seen in the Vegetable Seeds which sprout forth out of the Earth, and are encreased by the help of Rain.

The possibility of these things I have seen, but have not hitherto brought the said matters to a full maturity, or to speak more rightly, I have not finished the whole operation. He that is minded to make a thorough trial, may so doe: and if he misseth the effect of his endeavours, let him not blame me, for I doe not aim at drilling on any one by my perswasions, to bestow his charges on an uncertain thing. But I mention these things that so the nature of Metals as also of Salts may be known, and that (by the help of this knowledge) the Writings of the Philosophers may be the better understood. For the labour here proposed avoucheth the truth of those Operations which the Philosophers call their Calcination, Dealbation, Incineration, Ascention, Descention, Cohobation, Inceration, Distillation, Sublimation, Volatilization, Maturation, Fixation, and say that all these and the like Chymical Operations may be made in one Vessel, with one Fire, in one Furnace, without any change of the Labours, Vessels, or Fire.

For the Philosophers have described their greatest secrets and Arcana’s parabolically, and in Riddles, but especially the Poets, as Ovid, Virgil, and many others, who are very hard to be understood by those that have not the knowledge of the nature of Metals, which being once known and understood, renders the meaning of the Poets easie. For the Poets were wont to impose one while such a name upon such a Metal, another time another name upon another Metal, which custom of theirs, he that does not heedfully mark will easily fall into an errour, and miss the apprehension of their meaning.

For Example, in one place they call Copper Venus, in another, the Wife of Mars, in another, the Sister and Wife of Jupiter. And so deal they with Silver too, one while they call it Lune, by and by Diana or Jana, another time Vesta. Apollo is by them stiled one while Sol, then Phœbus, then Latons, so that it is exceeding necessary, for those that are desirous to learn ought out of their Writings, to be well acquainted with those different names and Appellations. And although the Poets do account all the Metals for the Sons of Saturn, yet do they sub-distinguish them and stile them, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, &c.

The common Lead is Saturn, and so is Antimony, Saturn, Bismute, Tutia, Lapis Calaminaris, the Ashy Colour, Yellow, White, and red Magnesia are termed by the name of Saturn: The white Marcasite and Zink are deemed to be of the Family or Pedegree of Jupiter: Orichalcum or white and red Copper, are stiled by the name of Venus. But according as Venus is impregnated, and according as the Copper is white or red, so hath it its name. The red Copper is as yet a Virgin. Forasmuch therefore as the Poets have committed unto Writing the Transmutation of the Metals under the Cover, and vail of Fables, and have made mention of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Venus; it can never possibly be, that he who knows not this different distinction can understand their meaning. And for an Example hereof, consider but the Fable of Diana and Apollo, brought forth at one Birth by Latona, who was gotten with Child by lying with Jupiter, and was driven into exile by jealous Juno, and having a long time suffered Persecution by the biting Serpent Python, and being driven to flye through all the Countries of the World, did at last after many grievous labours and troubles pass over the tempestuous Sea into the Island Ortygia, and betook her self to her Sister Asteria, by whom she was received, and begat these Twins, viz. Diana and Apollo.

Who will be able to apprehend the meaning of this Fable, save he that well understands the nature of the Metals? Verily no body will so much as dream of or smell out ought of those Mysteries, unless he shall meet with such like Histories in his metalline labours, and then at length will he understand what the meaning of the Philosophers is. But for Example sake, let us take two Metals which have an affinity with each other, namely Jupiter and Venus, these I joyn together, that so the Woman may be impregnated with the masculine Seed. Latona therefore being great with Child, I cast her forth into exile, that she may be continually persecuted by the biting Serpent Python, untill she flies through the Salt and stormy Sea, into the Island Ortygia, to her Sister Asteria, dwelling in the Island Ortygia, and there bring forth the fair Diana and Apollo. Now these things are easily understood, were but the genuine Appellations substituted in the room of such strange terms, of which thing I have onely some knowledge, but do not profess my self a perfect Interpreter. Yet methinks I cannot choose but say somewhat. The venemous Serpent Python is a sirname of Appollo, for he is produced by the efficacy of the Sun, and is that corrosive Salt which doth so long afflict and torment the impregnated Latona all over the dry part of the World, untill she betakes her self by the Sea, that is, by that strong Salt Water, unto her Sister, that is, unto pure Venus, and precipitates her self, and brings forth the fruits of Jupiter, namely, Diana and Apollo together. The Poet doth here mind both the moist and the dry way together, when the Metal is wrought with a due Cement, and made fix it is [then] dissolved with the Salt Water of the Sea, and pure Plates of Venus are put into it thus dissolved, that so the pure Metal may draw unto it self her impregnated Sister, who brings together with her Gold and Silver, which having been so long hidden in its body doth now manifest it self.

It is indeed the better to fix the Metals by Cements, and so to render their fugacious Gold and Silver compact, which may be as well done in the moist way by sharp Waters and moist Fires. But if the Metals, legitimately impregnated, do first pass through a dry and burning hot Fire, and are afterwards yet once more transmitted through the moist and cold Fires, then Pluto sends the mundified Soul out of Purgatory unto Neptune, by whom it is carried into Paradise, where it doth afterwards remain safe and free from all danger of the Serpent.

Upon occasion of the aforesaid Fable, and particular Transmutation of the inferiour Metals, this is to be yet more observed, that every Jupiter is not fit to impregnate Latona, but that onely which is yet living, efficacious, young, and full of Seed is able to impregnate Latona. For Latona carried with her no more but the Seed onely of Jupiter into the Island Ortygia, and left behind her all the body of Jupiter.

Moreover this is to be considered, that Latona did bring forth Diana first, in the Bosom or Lap of Venus, that is, of the Midwife, but Diana, presently after she was Born, performed the office of a Midwife in receiving her Brother Apollo in her Lap, which thing is sufficiently manifest unto those who have laboured (though but little) in the Metals. For should the Nativity of Apollo have preceeded, Venus could not have received him, for which reason Diana ought to come forth first, that so she might the more commodiously receive Apollo from Latona. I know not how by any means it may be proposed more clearly.

Every one that does but know the nature of the Metals doth well understand, that when Gold and Silver are spiritually dissolved in one Water, and that plates [of Mars probably] are put in to the Solution of the Gold and Silver, neither of those Metals will adhere to the Plates. But if the Plates of Copper are put into that Bath, he shall presently see that all the Silver that was in the Water will adjoyn it self thereunto. And now, after that the Silver is thus precipitated and sticks on to the Copper, the Gold will likewise fall down out of the Solution, and apply it self to the Silver; which labour I have more at large handled in the third part of the Prosperity of Germany. It could not therefore otherwise be, but that Latona must first bring forth Diana, and Apollo afterwards, seeing that Venus the Sister of Latona could be helpfull onely in the bringing forth of Diana. It was therefore necessary that Diana her self should be an assistant in the Birth of her Brother Apollo, for otherwise he could not have been Born.

My time admits not of producing any more such similitudes in this place. We will defer them till some other time, namely, for the Edition of the Work of Saturn, wherein shall be taught how the most vile, and most abject Metals are to be maturated by the benefit of Salts, whereby they may in a particular way yield forth Gold and Silver.

But forasmuch as I cannot divine, what impediments may put a stop to the edition of the work of Saturn, and that in this very Treatise here is often mention made of Saturn. It cannot I think be any ways hurtfull, if some good thing be yet farther adjoyned. And such things as are here manifested of Saturn, it will not be needfull agen to mention them in other places, seeing there doth yet still remain matter enough for to fill a whole Book of the Secrets of Saturn. And there lie such wonderfull Secrets under the vile and dirty Garment of Saturn, as being manifested, would exceed all the belief of unskilfull Men. For he is not onely an expert Fisher in Fishing Pearls out of the Salt Sea, but is withall an expert Hunter, in driving the Wild Beast out of his green Grove or Cops, and of catching him in his Nets, as we have told you in the foregoing third part of the Prosperity of Germany.

Nay, he is a bathing Gentleman of singular skill, who by his bathing and washing his Children, adorneth them with the comeliness of Diana and Apollo. When he is alone, he serves onely for Apollo and Diana to wash off their accidental impurities and defilements, that so they may recover their natural fairness. The other Metals can’t brook his so over sharp and rigid bathing, but are rather suffocated and killed therein, than become more fair and more pure. But if Saturn shall have first washt himself even unto the highest whiteness, in a Bath of common Salt, he is not then so austere and severe, but prepares for his Children a far more tolerable Bath, which being agreeable [or proportionable] to their Weakness and Sickness, renders them all fairer and more pure. His greatest virtue consists in his Water which doth both particularly and universally free the Metals of all their defilements. I have often had a particular experience [hereof,] and yet daily can (God be praised) shew and teach the same unto others. But I cannot do any such thing in an universal way, and inform others as to that; nor do I vainly brag of so great a matter, though I have my thoughts as touching the manner how this thing may be effected. Nay the more I conceived about that matter, the lesser would I boast of the same.

Verily it is a great shame to boast of that thing, of which thou hast not even the smallest knowledge, or at least dost not know any thing else, but what thou hast drawn in, by the reading of other Writers. ’Tis a common proverb, That those Cows which Bellow, or Low overmuch, are said to yield the least Milk, and that this is a thing true, yea most true, experience it self doth testifie.

The Chymical Art is become at present so common, that almost every body, after he hath but viewed over one or two Chymical Books, (though he never moved his hands to the Work, nor understands so much as the Chymical Terms themselves) is nevertheless wont impudently and lyingly to boast of the knowledge of the universal Medicine. Nay thou shalt see some to proceed on to that heighth of boldness, as even to write Books of so great a Secret, and to dare promise the Revelation of the same unto others, and yet for all this know nothing at all, and have not so much as any the meanest foundation, but rely solely upon that knowledge, which (being as we said afore, drawn out of other Writers) causeth in them a most uncertain hope, of a thing most extreamly obscure.

He that is not a stranger unto, nor ignorant of metallick affairs, can easily discern the Lyers from the true Writers, and can judge who are true, and who false. Such as do know somewhat are not wont to make a bragging noise of their skill. On the contrary, those Brethren of Ignorance do offer unto every one that most secret miracle of Art and Nature, namely, the universal Medicine, which thing a true Philosopher neither ever did, nor ever will do. But as for the revealing of the particular washings, purgations, and meliorations of the Metals, whereby Gold and Silver are to be extracted, if any one doth know these things and discloseth them, and desires not to bury his Talent in the Earth, he does well.

Neither would any one be endammaged by such a discovery though those particular Arcana’s should be known even unto all Men, and that every body could effect such Operations; for nothing could redound from them but great gain throughout all the World.

But these things here mentioned may sufficiently serve for an evident and manifest admonition for every one to beware of the Books of such Writers, (but why do I say Writers? they are rather Collectors and Describers, who after the manner of Botchers do patch up new Books our of old cast Garments) and to give no credit at all unto them as containing nothing of truth in them, and to think that those kind of Men betake themselves to this Book-patching Trade, meerly to get their Bread by.

Some such Men have I known, that provide not either for their Food or Rayment any other way, than by the sale of such false Philosophical Books, which they have from the Printers to sell to others, receiving a certain price for their labour, which they bestow in profering them to Sale. O miserable Philosopher! Who doth not know so much as to get his Food at Home in his own House, but is constrained to shift after it by the bare selling of such kind of Books. Let this here spoken be as a warning. If need required, and occasion were, I would not fear to divulge their names too; who having not any the least knowledge of nature, do nevertheless dare to offer the Revelation and Confection of the great universal unto others, and cast such a great blemish of reproach upon the most noble Chymical Art, as makes it much contemned, whereas a more noble and more excellent Art cannot be found. I’le not censure any, but yet it would become the magistrate to examine those great Philosophers, whether or no they were actually and in very deed skill’d in that great universal, (which they boast so wonderfully of, and write Books of such great moment, and promise to teach others too, as if they excelled even Hermes himself in the knowledge of the Art) and if in the proof or tryal they gave good satisfaction, and confirmed the truth of their Writings by a real and true melioration of the Metals, then to honour, defend, and protect them, as rare and singular Philosophers. But if they know nothing nor could perform ought of their pretended Art, the magistrates would not do unjustly if they punished such men, and made them exemplary, seeing too that they endeavour to asperse and backbite other honest men, who are endued with the skill and knowledge of such great things, with lying reproaches. A good Gardener being wont to gather good Honey out of the Bee hive which he has in his Garden, if he finds a Nest of Wasps or Hornets any where near, built in some hollow Tree, and that they steal away the Honey from his Bees, he right worthily destroys such a Nest, and roots out of his Garden those Thieves and Robbers of his Honey, that so for the future they may not detriment them any more.

Were but one or two of those Fellows handled in such a manner the rest would be deterred and would not so easily promise others by their deceitfull Writings, the making of the Philosophers Stone, which they are so extreamly ignorant of. Certain it is therefore, that no true Philosopher, were he a partaker of the great universal, will indifferently offer the same unto all Men, and calumniate (without any cause given) those that are so innocent (and who have forgotten more than others have learned) and publickly bespatter them with most false Lyes before the whole World, to the great detriment of the Persons so abused.

But to return to my purpose, and to shew in this place yet another very considerable Arcanum of Saturn, you must know, that I have already published divers great secrets in this fourth and third preceeding part, but cursorily onely, because I have not as yet attained to the one half part of their most great utility, and I was willing onely to shew what things mought be done.

But forasmuch as I have fortified their use with good and sharp Weapons, and that one or other sometime lighting thereupon by chance, and reaping great profit therefrom, may possibly judge that he is no ways at all bound or beholding unto me for the same; I was willing for the better information, and instruction sake, to adjoyn these few things, which are very weighty and considerable.

In divers places of the foregoing third part, and of this fourth part too, I have the preparation of the Mercury of Saturn and Lune, that is, I have shewn how Saturn and Lune may be reduced out of their Solutions, by the help of Salt, into a Snow like, fusile, fugacious, pure and dry Water; which Waters are by me called the Mercuries of Saturn and Lune, by reason of their fusile and volatile nature: They are metallick Waters not wetting the hands, and yet by reason of their form do they bear the name of Water, because being put into a Crucible, and molten with a small Fire, they are pellucid and transparent like unto Fountain Water, insomuch that they may be seen through even to the very bottom: But yet the Water of Saturn is of a more transparent clarity than the Water of Lune is.