The Third Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.

Wherein many Profitable Chymical Secrets are discovered.

Faithfully translated out of the High-Dutch of the Authour.

Courteous Reader,

Having some Years since begun to communicate to the World my manifold profitable Inventions in Centuries, but of late been hindred by sickness and other impediments from continuing the same: yet now being sollicited thereto by many Lovers of Art, I could do no less than to endeavour to give them some satisfaction by the publishing of these; and withall assuring them, that, in case God be pleased to continue my Life (notwithstanding that because of great Age and Sickness I am fain to keep my bed) I intend to compleat the rest of my promised Centuries, desiring the kind Reader in the mean time to accept of these three, and to pardon the confused manner of writing them, having for want of leisure, set them down as I found them in my Notes, being chiefly the occasional discoveries and inventions during my Chymical Labours. Neither would I have the Reader offended that in some places I break off so abruptly, especially where I am speaking of the matter which Adam brought with him out of Paradise, for whatever may be wanting in this fifth Century shall God willing be supplied in the sixth: I also desire the Reader not to be moved by the Calumnies of any Envious ignorant Persons, to think that the things here set down (being most of them new and unheard of inventions) are mere Fables and invented matters, and no real experimented Truths, but rather remit the verification of them to time and his own Experience, which will not fail to satisfie him of the Truth of the Particulars herein contained. Farewel.

THE THIRD CENTURY.

1. To wash common Tartar Snow white in a few hours time, and reduce it to a pleasant Salt which dissolves in cold Water, and wherewith of Sugar, Honey, or any sweet Fruits at all times, yea all hours of the day, and in all places Liquors may be prepared like to Wine in Tast, smell, colour, strength and virtue, and of which afterwards good Brandy and Vinegar may be made with great profit.

2. To purifie common Salt in great quantity, in one days time, so as to become very white, pure and transparent and of a pleasant Tast, shooting into cubical Crystals fit for the Tables of great Persons, its tast being very agreeable, and the meat season’d with it much more wholsome than that which is drest with the common Salt. See the Treatise of the nature of Salts.

3. A secret to preserve all sorts of Wine, and make them durable, whether of Grapes, Sugar, Honey, Apples, Pears, Quinces, Figs, Plums, Cheries, Malt, Wheat, &c. and is of great use to a House-keeper.

4. Any of the forementioned Wines may with ease be turned into very good Vinegar, not inferiour to that which is made of French or Rhenish Wine. See my Vegetable Work.

5. To make good Sal Armoniack of several contemptible matters which are trod under foot and cast out on the Dunghill very easily and in great quantities, so as one Man every day may prepare one hundred pound weight of it with ten shillings charges. See my Treatise of the Mineral Squill in order to long life.

6. A secret water wherewith in an hours time the yellow colour in Diamonds may be drawn from them, which makes them ten times more worth than they were before. See my Treatise of the Divine Character.

7. In like manner may the dark red colour of Granates be extracted, leaving them onely so much colour as makes them like Rubies. For Granates and Rubies resemble each other in their bodies and colour, the onely difference between them being, that the Granates abound with too much colour, which makes them less valued, when therefore some part of their colour is extracted from them, they do in virtue, hardness and beauty, equal Rubies, one Karat of which is more worth than ten pound of Granates, so as this extraction must be very gainfull to him that is Master of it. See my third Appendix to the seventh part of my Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.

8. In like manner also may be extracted the colours of blue Saphyrs, yellow Jacinths, Topaces, and Purple Amethysts, by which means they become white as Diamonds, and when brought to the same degree of hardness are every whit as valuable as they. See my third Appendix as before.

9. In a moments time to rob Sol of its colour and make it white as Silver. See my Treatise of the Seal of God.

10. To separate from Mars and Venus when dissolved in Water as well as from any other Vitriol, by means of an artificial Precipitation, their hidden spiritual Sol or Tincture, and that in a moment; a thing of great use in Physick, as well as in the transmutation of Metals. See the second Appendix.

11. To extract Sol out of Sand and Stones with great ease and little charges, which by precipitation is afterwards separated from the dissolvent, retaining its former strength, and may be made use of again for the like extraction. See the prosperity of Germany the seventh part, or Novum Lumen Chymicum.

12. To extract Sol from Luna with a small quantity of dissolvent, which, after precipitation of the Sol, remains in its full strength, and may be used as before to the great gain of the Artist. See Glauber’s Laboratory, and prosperity of Germany, 7th. part.

13. In one days time to prepare a particular, whereof one part will tinge three parts of Venus into Lune. N. B. This Tincture is a white Stone which being placed in a fit Furnace, and a due fire administred, within few days the whiteness will be changed to a yellow colour, and that into a fix’d red, whereof one part being cast upon four parts of Lune in Flux, exalts it so far that in the separation it gives a fourth part of Sol. Which sudden fixation is performed by the proper Agent of the matter which is white of it self, and yet affords a red Tincture, when handled, as is here set down. See my Treatise of the secret fire of Artephius.

14. In a short time to prepare a particular Tincture of a red subject, which exalts Silver to that degree, as to yield much Sol in the separation. See my explication upon Pontanus his Letter.

15. A good graduating water which being digested with Lune, makes it yield much Sol in separation. See the Treatise concerning the most secret natural Sal Armoniack every where to be found.

16. Another graduating water in which Mercury being digested, becomes coagulated into Sol and Luna. See the fiery Alkahest.

17. Another fixing water, which being once or twice abstracted from Mercury makes it lose its property of making Sol and Venus white, and on the contrary gilds Luna when rub’d upon it. I have as yet carried this experiment no further, but am of opinion that if Mercury were long enough digested in the same, it would turn the Mercury into Tincture, coagulating and fixing each common Mercury into Sol. See Hastecal.

18. A volatilizing Water which being abstracted from Sol highly exalts its natural colour, and carries it over the Helm, which done it is no more common Sol, but may in a short time be fixed into a transparent red Carbuncle. See my third Appendix, &c. concerning the Griffins Claws, and Eagles Wings.

19. A water of like nature that volatilizeth all fixt matters, wherewith in one single Distillation, the Tincture or Soul may be extracted from Mars, Venus, and all coloured Stones, and carried over the Helm; which Tinctures afterwards with one rectification are highly purified, and have their Medicinal and tinging virtue doubled, which exalted and multiplied Tinctures, notwithstanding their great volatility may within twenty four hours time be concentrated, by means of a secret Magnet, and fixed into a Stone, penetrating all compact Bodies, with which incredible things may be done in Alchymy and Physick. See my third Appendix, &c.

20. To prepare a Salt in an hours time, and without extraordinary charges, which makes all fixt matters volatile, and is of such virtue that when a little of it is joyned with Spirit of Wine it makes it so strong and fiery, that it dissolves all Metals, Minerals, Animals and Vegetables, carrying their Q. Essence over the Helm, and is the effecter of wonders in Physick and Alchymy: so that he who knows how to prepare and make use of this wonderfull Salt, needs never want either bodily health, or a competent supply of maintenance. See my Treatise of Elias Artista in Quarto.

21. A wonderfull, to all Men known, but withall contemptible matter, which every where may be had for nothing, which whosoever knows, together with the use of it, needs never want, because thereby he may effect whatsoever is necessary for Soul or Body. See my first, second and third Appendix of Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.

22. The manner of preparing a running Mercury out of all Minerals and Metals, and that in one days time, which joyn’d with Sol becomes fixed into Sol. See my third Appendix.

23. How such a Mercury may be prepared in an hours time of the martial Regulus of Antimony, without any charges to speak of, which is a true Tincture, fixing the imperfect Metals into Sol. See my Treatise concerning the secret Fire of the Magi.

24. A water made of a particular sort of Chalk which changeth a yellow or brown skin into white, and which cannot be wash’d off with water, of valuable use for Ladies and Gentlewomen. See my 4th Century in Folio.

25. A water prepar’d of Sol, which turns white hairs into a yellow gold colour. See my Laboratory.

26. Another water made of Silver, which tinges hair cole-black, good for such as are gray hair’d, and endeavour to conceal their Age. See Glaub. Concentrate.

27. A water made of Sol, which colours the hair and skin of Man, as also the bones and horns of Beast, and feathers of Birds, of a fair lasting Purple. See Glauber’s Laboratory in Quarto.

28. A water into which when any Metal is put, it begins to grow within twenty four hours time in the form of Plants and Trees, each Metal according to its inmost colour and property, which Metalline Vegetations are called Philosophical Trees, both pleasant to the Eye and of good use. Vide my fourth Century.

29. A water made of Sand and Flints, having the property of changing Wood that is laid in it, in a short time into hard Stone of several colours according to the pleasure of the Artist.

30. A dry water, or rather Stone, upon which if any volatile saline Spirit be poured and set in the Sun, it presently sucks in the volatile mineral Spirit and in one days time makes it so fixt that it may be made red hot in the Fire, without any evaporation. See my universal Coagulator.

31. By this means also may the combustible stinking Sulphur, the greatest enemy of Metals be fixed, which afterwards being cast upon the imperfect Metals in Flux, doth meliorate them, and make them afford Sol and Luna on the Cupel with profit. See my second Appendix.

32. In like manner may Antimony without any loss of weight be fixed, so as no more to cause vomiting, but casts all evil out of the Body insensibly by sweat, restoring health, and renewing youth. See my proper Agent.

33. In the same manner may Orpiment be fixed, so as no longer to be a Poison, but a Meliorator of imperfect Metals.

34. Likewise also may Arsenick be fixed within two or three days time, so as it may safely be taken inwardly, being an excellent Diaphoretick for the cure of Diseases, and good to exalt Metals, so that in separation they afford Gold and Lune. See my proper Agent.

35. Much after the same manner may Mercury, without any considerable loss of weight (though with longer time and more patience) be fixed, so as to suffer himself to be melted and hammer’d like any other Metal, and on the Cupel leaves Sol and Luna. See my Treatise of the universal Coagulator.

36. In like manner may the martial Regulus of Antimony be fixed into a tinging Stone, that meliorates all imperfect metals.

37. A wonderfull Magnet which being put into any watry Liquors or Oils, draws the water to it self leaving the Oils more pure, subtile and penetrating. See Elias Artista.

38. By means of this Magnet, we can separate from the highest rectified Spirit of Wine, one half of insipid water, which Spirit of Wine after this separation is an effecter of wonders.

39. This Spirit of Wine when poured on pulverised Coral and thence abstracted, brings their red Tincture over the Helm, being a wonderfull Cordial and purifier of the Blood.

40. By means of this Spirit of Wine, may the Cordial Virtue of Pearls be brought over the Helm, being of great efficacy for the recovery of sick and weak Persons.

41. This Q. Essence of Wine being poured upon clean washed Egg-shells, dissolves them, and distilled from them, brings over with it their Stone-breaking and dissolving virtue, and is a singular remedy in the Gout, and the Stone of Kidney or Bladder.

42. The same also dissolves the Lapis Lyncis and Judaicus, as also Crabs Eyes so called, and other Stones found in Fishes, carrying their virtues with it over the Helm. See my fifth Century.

43. The same Spirit of Wine dissolves, extracts and brings over the Helm, the inmost virtues of all Animals and Vegetables carrying them over the Helm, whence incomparable medicaments may be prepared.

44. Black Snails such as are found in May on the Grass dissolved in the same, and brought over the Helm, and duely exhibited to those that have the Gout or Stone, carries off all tartareous slimy matter from the Kidneys, Bladder, and other parts of the Body by Seige and Urine.

45. Aloes, Saffron and Myrrh dissolved in the same, and their Tinctures carried over the Helm, affords an excellent Elixir Proprietatis, very conducive to long Life. See Paracelsus concerning Elixirs.

46. Cantharides dissolved therewith, and brought over, are a powerfull Diaphoretick, above all others, cleansing the Kidneys and Bladder, but ought to be heedfully used, because it is a vehement Medicine, which being overdos’d will hurt the Kidneys, Bladder and Ureters.

47. The Leaves of Helleboraster, extracted and brought over with the same, affords an Excellent Aqua Vitæ, conducing to long Life. See Paracelsus.

48. Sea Squills being dissolved in this Spirit of Wine, and spiritualized by being brought over the helm, is of great use for removing of Diseases, and maintaining of health.

49. Nux Vomica, being first grated and then dissolved therein, and their restorating Vertue being brought over the Helm, doth wonders in restoring the decayed strength and health of man, but must be used with understanding.

50. Common Mercury dissolved and brought over with the same, is the highest Medicine against the French Pox and all venereal Diseases.

51. Mercury of Antimony prepared after the same manner, affords a Medicine against all Diseases of mankind.

52. Fixed Antimony thus extracted and brought over is a Diaphoretick curing all Diseases, and restoring the highest degree of health.

53. In like manner may many excellent Remedies be prepared, out of all Vegetables and Minerals, for restoring and preserving of health.

54. A further use of our Water attracting Magnet is this. Abstract the Oil of Tartar, Hartshorn, Amber, Soot, or that which is distill’d from Smiths Coals, and the Magnet will attract all the Water and bad Smell to it self, which remains with the Magnet, and the pure clear and subtil Oil, onely comes over, which Magnet being made red hot, loseth its water and stink and may be made use of as before.

55. In like manner may the Oil of Wax and Bricks, commonly called the Oil of Philosophers, be deprived of their bad Scents, and made exceeding penetrative and pleasant.

56. So also may all Vegetable and Animal Oils distill’d by retort, be purified and made pleasant.

57. Likewise all the Oils of Herbs, Seeds, Woods and Spices, which with the addition of Water are distill’d by a common Still, may by distilling them from our Magnet be made much more subtil, and their sweet Smells much more strong and piercing; so that a little of these Oils set in an open Vessel, perfumes not onely the Room in which it is but also the whole house, they being so volatile that without any Fire they vanish in the Air.

58. And as by means of this volatalizing fiery Spirit, the pleasant and well scented Oils of Spices may be greatly meliorated and exalted; so likewise may all stinking and poisonous Vegetables, Animals or Minerals, thereby be made much more stinking and venemous, so as their Smell alone will be sufficient to kill men, doing it with far greater expedition than any Corporal poisons whatsoever. See Elias Artista.

59. All well scented Oils, may by means of our volatile saline Spirit, be purified to the highest Degree, and afterwards be reduced to a hard Body: which Body then is no common gross Body (as being a coagulated Spirit) but a clear, transparent spiritual pure Body.

60. This Labour may with profit be practis’d on Amber, whose Oil being by rectification made clear and transparent, and then digested with our fiery salt Spirit, becomes hard again as it was before distillation; by which means we may make pieces of Amber as big as we please, and may mix with it some small Threds of Sol, and so shall have the old highly esteemed Stone called Chrysophoros; or else we may put into it, whilst yet it is soft, little Worms, Flies, Spiders, Pismires, or whatever else we please, which is a notable Curiosity and shews as if they were grown there, to those that are ignorant of this Art.

61. In the same manner may the Oil of Turpentine be reduced to a hard Gum, to very good use and purpose.

62. All distilled Oils of Seeds, Woods and Spices, when by long standing, they turn yellow, red or thick, may by means of this fiery salt Spirit be again made clear, thin and transparent, when some of the said Spirit is poured on the said Oils and so distilled, some part of the Oil comes over clear and transparent, the other part remaining in the Glass, in the form of an hard Gum, in which small Insects may be inclosed as before said of the Amber.

63. Amongst all Oils these following are apt to grow thick and ropy, viz. the Oils of Lignum Rhodii, Oranges, Limmons, Juniper-berries; those of Cloves and Cinamon are apt to grow red. The Oils of Fennel-seed, Anniss, Coriander, Caroway and Cumin-seed, and all other Oils distill’d from Herbs and Seeds, that have hollow Stalks, and are umbelliferous, forasmuch as they abound with much volatile Salt, are apt to turn thick: If any of these be rectified with an acid saline Spirit, it immediately destroys the volatile Salt, and the Oil becomes clear and transparent, and the remaining part of the Oil becomes hard as a Gum, and is a special inward and outward Medicine.

64. And forasmuch as a fiery saline Spirit can make old and red Oils clear, thin and transparent, we may conclude, that such a Spirit is able also to volatilize and bring over by distillation those Oils which by length of time are become hard and dry in Seeds, Herbs and Woods, and cannot by maceration in water be brought over, but must by this more powerfull means be made thin and volatile, that they may afford their Oils as easily in distillation, as green Seeds and Woods are used to do.

65. Now as thick and ropy distill’d Oils may be made thin, by means of saline Spirits; so there are some salt Spirits wherewith we can coagulate all thin and subtil Oils, in the form of a volatile pleasant strong scented Salt, of great use in Physick.

66. In this manner, viz. by pouring a strong saline Spirit upon them, we can distill subtil and powerfull Oils from all rosins, gums and thick juices, and afterwards reduce them again to the hardness of Amber.

Thus Mastick, Frankincense, Benzoin, Storax, Camphir, &c. afford very pure clear and transparent Oils, which when hardned to the consistence of Amber, draw straws and other light matters to them like it.

67. In like manner also can all sulphureous Minerals be purified to the highest degree, when distill’d with such a Spirit, and then may be reduced again to hard transparent clarified Bodies: and amongst the rest Antimony and Orpiment do afford in this way most powerfull and superlatively penetrating medicinal Stones.

68. And as these fiery saline Spirits do bring over by distillation all unfixt sulphureous Subjects, and purifie them; so they do the same in fixt Sulphureous Metals, e.g. Mars and Venus, which Metals being thus purified may be fixed into tinging medicinal Stones.

69. They who know the art of the metallick purification and fixation, are possessours of an incomparable Treasure, forasmuch as by this means in three days time with the charge of one Crown, a true universal Medicine may be prepared, for the Bodies of men and metals, not in great quantity indeed but sufficient to assure the Possibility of it, and may afterwards be tryed in greater quantity.

70. By means of such a fiery salt Spirit fixt Chrystals, Flints, and other hard Stones may be made volatile and spiritual, and then may tinge them with what colours we please, and coagulate them again into hard transparent colour’d Stones, and that of what form and fashion we please. This is a very gainfull Art, because fair transparent colour’d Stones are always preferrable to Sol.

71. And as we have understood that by means of volatilizing waters, nor onely Vegetables and Animals, but also minerals and fixt metals may be made volatile, and their purest parts brought over the Helm, and by this means do wonders as well in Physick as Alchymy. Now though this separation of the pure part from the impure, by means of Distillation be high’y to be valued, yet there is a better, easier and less chargeable way to separate the purer parts from all Metals, Minerals, Stones, Sand, and coloured Earths containing Sol and Tincture, by means of a Magnet, which being laid in the Solutions of Metals, and extractions of Stones, within a few hours time draws to it all the spiritual as well as fixt Sol and Tincture contain’d in the said Solutions; so that after abstraction of the dissolvent by Distillation, we find the dis-animated dead Body, which being put aside, we separate the attracted Sol or Tincture from the Magnet, and thus obtain whatsoever good was hid in the foresaid gross Bodies. N. B. Though indeed this extraction of Sol and Tinctures be very easie, as hath been said, yet I shall here, for further information of the Reader, set down what ought to be observed in the extracting of Sol from each Metal, Mineral, Stone, or Earth. And first of fixt Sol.

72. When there is fixt Sol in Sand or Stones, we need onely to pulverize them, and pour upon them Aq. Regis wherein common Salt hath been dissolved, and let them boil together a quarter of an hour, by which means the Aq. Regis draws the Sol out of the Sand and Stones, in which extraction if we then put the Sol attracting Magnet, it will draw the Sol to it self, which being separated from the Magnet, is melted down with fluxing Powder, the Aq. Regis continuing good to be employed on the like occasion.

73. But when in the Sand or Stones there is no fixt but onely a volatile unripe Sol, then we must put the Sand or pulverized Stones into a Glass Retort, and pour upon them of our volatilizing fiery Alkaliest, and abstract the same from the Sand or Stone, by which means it carries the Sol over with it, which hath been attracted by the golden Magnet, which being reduced will be found good and fix’d Sol. The dissolvent may again be used to the same purpose.

74. But if the Stones besides the Sol, do also contain Lune, then an Aq. Fortis must first be poured upon them to extract the Lune, and afterwards precipitate it by casting some common Salt into the Solution, by which addition of Salt the Aq. Fortis is turned into an Aq. Regis, and being poured upon the Stones, it extracts the Sol also.

75. For if at first we should pour an Aq. Regis upon these Stones, it would indeed extract the Sol, but withall so alter the Lune, that it would be impossible afterwards to extract it with Aq. Fortis, and therefore we are to proceed in the manner abovesaid.

76. In like manner also we are to proceed with white, yellow and red Earths, for to extract the Lune and Sol that is in them. And if it be a fat Earth and contains fix’d Sol, it must first be made red hot to rob it of its fatness, because else it would devour too much Aq. Fortis.

77. But when the Earth contains onely volatile Sol, as the yellow Earth of Silesia and the red Terra Lemnia Sigillata, it must not be made red hot, but pour some Alkahest upon it, and so bring the Sol over the Helm.

78. Yellow and red Earths do commonly contain Sol or Lune or both, and therefore we may boldly make trial of them; for oftentimes a great treasure is shut up in very contemptible Earth, such as might serve to maintain many thousands.

79. In the same manner we may extract the fixt as well as immature Sol out of Ruddie, red Jasper, and red Blood-stones, which in some parts are found in great quantities.

80. With our Sol attracting Magnet, we can extract much Sol out of any common Vitriol, and after the Sol is extracted, reduce the Solution to Vitriol again, which is as good for the Dyers use as it was before.

81. With the same Magnet, good Sol may be extracted out of those yellowish, reddish, and greenish waters which flow from some Mountains, which waters being to be had for nothing, must make this work very gainfull.

82. And in case we should not be able to meet with this sort of running waters, then we may take the Copperas Stones which are often found in Sand, but for the most part grow in fat Earth, which when they are expos’d to the Air, fall in pieces, and having water poured upon them afford a good Vitriol, which easily yields the spiritual Sol it contains to our Magnet. So that an Artist can scarcely be to seek for subjects, from whence unripe volatile or fixt Sol may be had with profit.

83. N. B. But when we have a mind to bring the volatile Sol which is in red Sand, Stones and Clay, with volatilizing waters by Distillation over the Helm, it is good to add to our Eagles Wings, or volatilizing water, some of our most secret Sal Armoniack, by which the same is extreamly strengthned and animated, so that like a Griffin for strength, it carries the Man on Horseback away in the Air to his Nest.

84. N. B. This Griffin is the Artist, that prepares this fiery water, wherewith he seizeth as with his Talons the Man armed Cap a Pe; that is, red Stones, Sand and Earth, abounding with a martial Tincture, extracts and carries them to the young ones in his Nest, that is, provides a good maintenance for his Family thereby.

85. But because to these operations of extracting Sol volatile and fixt, and Tinctures from the subjects just now mentioned, when we work them in quantities, much Aq. Regis, or other like waters are required, which every one hath not an oportunity to prepare for himself, and therefore must buy them, which encreaseth the charges of the operation; wherefore I am willing to teach a near way to prepare these corrosive waters.

86. Forasmuch then as we know that Vitriol is an universal acid, and the chief of all Salts, and the Spirit it yields by Distillation, much more fiery than that which is forc’d from other Salts, therefore we may make use of the Oil of Vitriol, for a Basis with the help of others Salts, to prepare several sorts of saline Spirits, with small labour and charges, in manner as follows.

87. Recipe two parts of Niter dissolved in water and one part of Oil of Vitriol, distill them in an Allembick, and you will obtain a good Aq. Fortis to dissolve Lune, Saturn, and Mercury. This operation spends little Fire and comes over easily.

88. And if we dissolve one pound of Salt, and as much Niter in three pound of Water, adding thereto one pound of Oil of Vitriol, and distill it in Sand, by Alembick or Retort we shall get six pound of good and strong Aq. Regis to dissolve Sol, Venus, Mars and Jupiter.

89. But when we take two pound of Salt, and dissolve it in three pound of Water adding one pound of Oil of Vitriol, we get five pound of good Spirit of Salt. The Salt that stays behind is called Sal Mirabilis or wonderfull Salt, because wonders may be done with it, as appears from several parts of my Writings, these Salts being of divers vertues according to the nature of those Salts that are added to the Oil of Vitriol in Distillation.

90. These Salts are commonly added to metals, and melted down with them in Crucibles, by which means they become dissolved in the dry way, which is much easier and readier than the wet way of dissolving.

91. In particular by this way we can dissolve Sulphur, which resists all corrosive saline Spirits, and remains undissolved by them.

92. Now to obtain Oil of Vitriol with ease and in great quantity, we may proceed several ways, and especially thus, by dissolving Vitriol in water, adding a contrary to it, which separates all its impurities, by which means the purified Vitriol may with a small Fire be reduced to Oil, so as one pound of Oil of Vitriol will not require above ten pound of Coals.

93. And because Oil of Sulphur is of the same nature with Oil of Vitriol, yea is more proper for some operations than it, therefore we may make use of the same Oil of Sulphur, to prepare strong saline Spirits, especially because the same may be prepared in quantity and very compendiously, according to a particular way described by the Ancient Philosophers.

94. They have taught us the preparation of Oil of Sulphur in their wittily devised Fables, giving to this Oil the name of Venus, whom Vulcan when come to Man’s estate took to Wife: by the word Vulcan, we are to understand every combustible Sulphur, and by the word Venus, its incombustible corrosive Oil, which for this reason probably they called Venus, because when a drop of it falls on burning Coals, it gives forth a red smoak like to Venus, or because this acid Oil like a wicked Woman, has sharp Teeth, and a keen deceitfull Tongue, wherewith they lay hold of Men, and lead them astray in the same manner as this Oil cleaves to, and enters a League with every metal to which it is joyned, forasmuch as all metals proceed from Sulphur, and have great affinity with it, as the Woman hath with Man.

Here follows an Explication of the Poetical Table, teaching us to make the Oil of Sulphur in quantity.

95. We reade that Vulcan, that is, a combustible Sulphur, took Venus to Wife, by which is meant the incombustible Oil of Sulphur; now whilst Vulcan was busie at his work in the Caves of the Earth, for he was a Miner and a Black-smith, Venus betakes her self to Mars, who lies with her; now when Vulcan found his Wife in the embraces of another Man, he calls all the Gods to his help, who appearing, cast an Iron Net over Mars and Venus that they might not escape, but with great shame be exposed to the derision of the Gods.

96. When Vulcan is kindled in a Furnace made for that purpose, that is, labours in metals, the flame carries Venus, i. e. the Oil of Sulphur into Mars his lodging, that is, into the Recipient, which must be fill’d with Steel Wire, where she commits Adultery with Mars, that is, begins to dissolve the same, and produceth a Vitriol, which when exposed to the moist Air, becomes resolved into a clear sweet water, which from the Steel Wire runs into the Vessel appointed to recieve it, which sweet water is nothing else but Arostrus the Son of Mars and Venus, or the martial Oil of Sulphur, or to speak more plainly, the Vitriol of Mars.

97. This Vitriol of Mars is called by the Philosophers the juice or water of the Birch Tree, and of which they say the Philosophers Stone may be prepared, for many of them have writ concerning it, and pointed to this sweet Iron Juice, which they have termed Birch Tree Waters, because of the likeness it has therewith, for when in the Spring-time we make a hole with a Piercer, reaching to the Pith of the Tree, and thrust into it a Quill or Faucet, much sweet water proceeds from it, which some make use of to brew Beer, because the same is accounted very good against the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder.

98. This Vitriol also is Virgil’s Arbor Opaca, or dark Tree, whose Branches he declares to be easily flexible; now what is more flexible than Iron, or Copper Wire, which are therefore compared to the Birch, which is a very juicy Tree, and hath very flexible branches.

99. That this shady Tree is the fittest, according to Virgil’s Doctrine, to break off one golden Twig after another is also certain, for I have tried it divers ways and found it to be true, that it affords its golden Twigs very freely to him that knows how to handle Proserpina.

100. But if the Artist be acquainted with the use of our Sol attracting Magnet, he may then with ease and more profit, without Distillation or Fire, break off the said Twigs, than he could do with the help of Proserpina.

And thus I conclude this third Century, the fourth and fifth follows, which will be found of better use than this.

THE FOURTH CENTURY.

To extract the Sol that is in Granates.

1. If Granates be melted with Glass, that contains Lune, the Lune containing Glass will unite it self with the Sol that is in the Granates, which with an Aq. Regia may be afterwards separated.

To make a good Mercury of Wine.

2. Recipe Crude Tartar and pour upon it a Lye of Salt of Tartar, distill in an Alembick, and you’ll have a strong Mercury of Wine, which is a much stronger and more fiery Spirit, than Spirit of Urine, especially if some Sal Armoniack be added to it.

To make a Mercury of Metals.

3. And if before we dissolve a Metal or Mineral in the foresaid lye of Salt of Tartar, or in the Crude Tartar, before that both these contraries be put together, then the volatile Spirit of Tartar will bring over the Tincture or Mercury of the said metal or mineral in the form of a subtile Spirit. In this manner we may drive the Mercury of all minerals and metals over the Helm.

What the Soul of the greater and lesser World is.

4. Plato call’d common Salt the Soul of the great World, and if so, then Salt of Tartar may very well be accounted the Soul of the lesser World: for whatsoever is in the Macrocosm, the same is also in the Microcosm.

All superfluities of Nature afford a volatile Salt.

5. For the Salt of Hartshorn of Hair, Soot, Blood, and of the Seeds of Mustard, Cresses and Scurvygrass, &c. are much of the same Nature as Salt of Tartar.

A Good Bath.

6. Common water sprinkled upon red hot Flints or Pebbles that are found in running Streams, affords an hot Vapour, which by reason of the subtil Sulphur of the Stones it carries up with it, is very penetrating, so that in this manner without any other Fire we may prepare an hot dry Bath, very available to cure many Diseases by sweating, the great vertue of it chiefly proceeding from the sulphureous Spirit of the Stones.

To separate Sol from Luna by fluxing in a Crucible.

7. When we have a mind to separate Sol from Luna by means of Sulphur we need not make use of granulated or filed Saturn for precipitation, but instead thereof we may make use of Antimony, because the granulated or filed Saturn is made hard and influxible by the Sulphur: neither shall we make use of common Venus for precipitation, as Erker teaches, but such a Venus as hath been made friable with Arsenick or Orpiment, by which means we shall get more Sol than without Arsenick, because Arsenick and Orpiment contain much volatile Sol, which in this Operation becomes fixed with the Luna.

To recover the Sol and Luna which is got into the Pores of the Crucible.

8. The Crucible must be beaten into fine Powder, and put into a reverberatory fire, stirring it continually by which means the Antimony and Sulphur vapour away, and the Sol and Luna remains with the Earth, which, with strong Waters may be separated.

Another way to perform the same.

9. Or we may add filings of Saturn to the powder of the Crucibles, and give them a strong heat, by which means the Saturn will take in the Sol and Luna. N. B. But the Separation with strong Waters is the more easie way of the two.

To extract the Colour from Sol.

10. Venus, Jupiter and Regulus Martis melted into a mass with Sol, and Venus, the Jupiter and Regulus Martis afterwards separated from the Sol by Niter, then melt other metals as before with the Sol, and separate them as before with Niter, which must be continued till the Sol have lost his Colour.

11. The dross being afterwards melted in a Crucible, and a small quantity of Coles made of Blood cast upon it, the extracted Tincture of Sol will separate it self from the dross, falling to the bottom like a Regulus. N. B. The metals Venus, Jupiter and the martial Regulus may be separated from the dross onely with common wood Coal.

12. Niter fixed by the Regulus of Antimony, and distill’d with Sal Armoniack, gives an excellent Mercury of metals, which hath a scent like musk.

To extract Sol out of Stones.

13. If we take Sand or Stones that contain Sol, and melt them with Lead ashes into Glass, and reduce them again with fixed Salt, then by cupelling this Lead ashes, and the reduced Sand or Stones severaltimes, we shall have the Sol that was in the Stones.

To extract Sol from Stones.

14. The black or brown Pebbles found in Brooks, and which break smooth like Glass, being mixed with the best Eagles wings and distilled by retort, yield much Sol.

A Tincture from Metals.

15. Jupiter is the highest Regent over the upper Constellations. Sol gives to all Stars their Light, Mars rules upon Earth, and Saturn in the Earth, and of these four an universal Tincture may be prepared.

16. Mars and Saturn in particular yields great riches, when being reduced to Glass they are several times driven through a Reverberatory, according to that of the Ancient Philosophers; by Saturn and Mars, fire and art, great wealth may be found.

That there is a renovating vertue hid in Spiders.

17. Spiders renew themselves every month by casting their skins, wherefore a medicine prepared of them by the Flame of Spirit of Wine renews man.

18. It is also to be observed that all Birds, especially those that feed upon Flies and Worms, when they are sick, cure themselves by eating Spiders.

Secrets of Serpents.

19. All sorts of Serpents renovate themselves once a year by casting their skins, wherefore if we extract them with Spirit of Wine, and correct them by burning away the Spirit of Wine, they yield an assured medicine against all Poyson, and renews man.

20. Regulus of Antimony being duely fixed with Sol, tingeth as well in the wet as dry way.

Sol and Sulphur yield a Tincture.

21. Common combustible Sulphur cannot join with the incombustible Sulphur of Sol, without such a medium as partakes of both their Natures, viz. Antimony: when by this means the combustible Sulphur is fixed by the incombustible Sulphur of Sol, the Sol gives it ingress into imperfect metals to tinge them.

To make Sol red.

22. If the Blood of the Lion be digested with Tartar and Aqua Fortis, this purple Colour will be changed into a red, and separate it self from the Salt, falling in form of red powder to the bottom, and is a most excellent Colour for Painters.

To make Purpurissa, or a Paint to make the Face look ruddy.

23. Dissolve Sol and Jupiter in Aqua Regis, digest and edulcorate with Water, yields an excellent paint for Women. N. B. But a little Oil of Talk ought to be added to it.

An Experiment upon Purpurissa or the Blood of the Lyon.

24. When we digest or boil the Blood of the Lion so long till the red Colour becomes as white as milk, and then pour upon it as much Water, as has been evaporated during the boiling, this milk will be chang’d again to Blood.

25. Of the blue Paint called Smalt, by means of Salt of Tartar may a most excellent Paint be made for Limners, not inferiour to Ultramarine.

26. Of Mercury, Jupiter, Sulphur and Sal. Armoniack is made the Paint called Aurum Musicum.

A Cementation that graduates Venus into Sol.

27. Recipe Vitriol calcined to Redness, mix it with Salt and Coal dust, lay this with thin Copper Plates stratum super stratum, put them into a Fire that may keep the Plates of Venus red hot for six hours without melting them, by which means the Sol in the Venus will be encreased; if we repeat this Cementation several times till the Venus be of a golden colour, the gain will be much greater. N. B. The cause of this melioration is, because the Coal Dust hinders the corrosive Spirits of the Vitriol and Salt from corroding the Venus, and therefore onely penetrates and graduates the same.

To make all Corrosives sweet.

28. Vitriol distilled with Salt yields a Corrosive Spirit, but if Coal Dust be mixed with them, they give a sweet Spirit, which graduates Lune into Sol when digested therein.

29. Recipe, Calx of Jupiter mixed with Mercury of Lune, and therewith Cement plates of Venus, by which means the saline Spirits introduce the white Sulphur of Jupiter into the Venus, and change it into Lune containing much Sol.

A sweet graduating Spirit, usefull to the Melioration of Metals.

30. Recipe, Coal Dust, mix them with Sal Mirabilis, and distill by retort, and you will get a sweet graduating Spirit, exalting some Metals to Sol.

The Philosophical Work.

31. The Father of all things is the warm Son, their Mother is the moist Moon, the Earth is the Womb, the Wind carries the Seed through the Suns driving into the Womb the Earth, which foments, and at last brings forth the Child.

Sulphur is the Father of all Metals.

32. The Central Fire in the Earth mounts upward continually into the hollow places of the Earth, and meeting with water or moisture, cleaves to it and makes Stones, as also all Metals and Minerals of different natures and properties, according as the water is pure or impure.

Sulphur is the universal Coagulator.

33. A sulphureous vapour is that which coagulates Mercury, as well in Vegetables and Animals as Minerals.

Demogorgon the Grand-father of all things.

34. The Central Fire in the great World keeps it in continual motion, and causeth the growth of all things as well upon, as under the Earth, being the Governour of the great World.

The Vital Spirit, or radical moisture, is the Life and Growth of all Men.

35. As the great World is governed and maintained by the Demogorgon or Central Fire, so Man the little World is governed, and maintained in continual motion and growth, by the Vital Spirit seated in his heart.

36. Fire is the Father of all things, Water the Mother, the Earth is the Womb, the Wind or Air drives the Fire, being the universal Agent, into the Water, being the universal Patient, in order to bring forth Fruit. See my Treatise of the divine Character.

37. Man, Beasts, Fish and Fowl, and all that lives and grows, draw their life from the Air, onely the Salamander draws his life, and has his Body from the Fire, wherefore also in power and strength he excells all living Creatures.

38. The secret Fire of the Chaldeans, which at all times draws Fire out of the Air, wherewith the Jewish Priests kindled their Sacrifice, as may be seen in the Maccabees, is made of Steel, Niter and Sulphur.

39. When we abstract an Aqua Regia wherein Sol is dissolved from the Butter of Antimony, the Soul of Sol and Antimony comes Bloud-red over the helm, which poured upon a Solution of Lune, the Lune falls to the bottom, and draws the Tincture of Sol and Antimony to its self out of the Water, and the Lune by this means becomes red, and is a Tincture and Universal medicine for humane and metallick Bodies. N. B. The remainder of the Sol and Antimony that did not come over is wholly fixt, and a good Diaphoretick, thus the Souls of the dead, i. e. of Sol and Lune are brought up from Hell. See Nuisement de spiritu & sale Mundi.

40. When in the manner now said with the Butter of Antimony, we bring over the Soul of Mars we get a much higher Tincture than from that of Sol, and in coming over becomes wholly fixt. See my Treatise de 3 principiis Metallorum.

41. In like manner may from the Butter of Arsenick and Lune a white Tincture be brought over the helm, tinging Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn into Lune. N. B. These Tinctures in coming over are fixed by Plato’s Stygian Water, so as to need no further fixation.

42. But if we precipitate these Tinctures of Mars and Antimony with the Solution of Sol, and then edulcorate and dry the same, we by this means do obtain a dry graduating Water, which being molten with any white or red metals makes them yield good Gold, and Lune on the Cupel to the great profit of the Artist.

43. Oil of Vitriol mixed with Sal Armoniack, is also of good use to bring over Tinctures, but not in that quantity as Butter of Antimony.

44. Our dry, sweet universal tinging water dissolves white Pebbles and Crystals, and changeth the same into precious Stones of several colours, excepting onely their hardness, which it cannot communicate.

45. The easiest way to get the Sol or Lune that is in Jupiter, is by casting it upon molten Venus, which draws the Sol and Lune to it self out of the Jupiter.

46. In like manner doth the Regulus of Antimony when in flux readily draw to it the Sol and Luna in Jupiter, and then washing the Regulus with Niter we get the Sol and Luna contained in Jupiter.

47. But this operation ought not to be done in Crucibles made of common Earth, which easily break and spill the metal, but in those that are made of a fat crucible Clay, mix’d with coal dust, as is taught in the fifth part of my Furnaces.

48. As the Sulphur in Tartar coagulates a thin water into a hard Hepar, or Liver so called, so likewise doth a fixt Sulphur coagulate Mercury into Sol and Luna.

49. The often calcining of Salts and dissolving them in Water, doth purifie them, and makes them easily fluxible, and in particular Vitriol may by this means be so purified, as to yield its Oil with a very small heat.

50. The Solution of Saturn and Lune poured into a volatile Spirit of Mars or Venus, draws the tinging volatile Sulphur out of the Water to it self, and makes the same Corporal and fixed.

51. Tartar contains a coagulating and tinging Sulphur, for it coagulates Water into a Hepar, and tinges red metals to a white Stone, which may be pulverized; this Sulphur is the cause why Tartar will not dissolve in cold Water as other Salts.

52. When therefore the Tartar is freed of this Sulphur that coagulates all Water, then much good may be done therewith as well in Physick as Alchimy, and many other Arts besides.

53. Tartar by being boiled in a strong Lye, lets go its coagulating Sulphur, and a neutral Salt proceeds from them both; but if we have a mind to separate the Lye from the purified Tartar we must do it with an acid, that may mortifie the Lye, by which means the purified Tartar will be left snow white.

54. If the Lye be kill’d with a Spirit of Niter or Aqua Fortis, then from both these contraries proceeds a good Niter.

55. But if we make use of a Spirit of Salt, then there is made up of both a tartarized Spirit of Salt.

56. If we take distill’d Vinegar to mortifie the Lye, then from the joyning of those both proceeds a neutral volatile Salt which is a good Diuretick in the Gout and Stone.

57. This is the best way of purifying Tartar, which after this Operation is of far greater use in Physick and Alchimy than the common Tartar.

58. Tartar as hath been said, contains a coagulating and tinging Sulphur, coagulating all Water into a thick Hepar, and exalting the Colours of metals. Thus we see that by boiling Golden or Silver Vessels with Tartar, their several Colours are exalted.

59. And whosoever has the Art of separating this Sulphur from Tartar, may by means thereof effect great and wonderfull things.

60. A like wonder working Sulphur is likewise found in Animals, and more especially in man, who brings it with him into the World.

61. Whence some Philosophers tell us, that Adam brought the Philosophers Stone with him out of Paradise, and after his death carried it with him into his grave.

62. Minerals also afford the same coagulating fixing and tinging Sulphur, for which reason the Philosophers Stone is said to be Animal, Vegetable and Mineral, because of each of these three Kingdoms an Universal medicine may be made for men and metals.

63. But the easiest way is, when we extract the best part of all these three Kingdoms, and conjoyn them according to Art for an Universal medicine.

64. Wine is the chief of Vegetables, Man of Animals, and Gold of Metals.

65. Spirit of Wine purges and purifies all things, with its purifying Flame; as may be seen in my Purgatory of the Philosophers.

66. The volatile Salt of Animals, and especially of Man purifies all things by its volatilizing Virtue, as appears in our most secret Sal Armoniack.

67. The incombustible Sulphur of metals tingeth the Bodies of men and metals, to the highest pitch of Health, as may be seen in the third Appendix to the seventh part of my Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.

68. Demogorgon with his Russet mantle and green Coat, is the Grandfather of all the Heathen Gods i. e. of all metals.

69. And like as in the Earth he doth generate and bring to perfection all metals, so also out of the same, if the Artist knows how to manage him, he perfects all unripe and imperfect metals, in a short time, with the help of Fire, to that degree that they shall endure the Test as well as Sol or Luna.

70. This wonderfull virtue of fixing all volatile minerals, the Philosophers call their secret Fire or proper Agent, wherewith not onely the imperfect metals, as Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, but also volatile Mercury, combustible common Sulphur, Antimony, Orpiment, and Arsenick may be fixed, so as on the Cupel to leave Sol and Lune.

71. And as this Demogorgon, or invisible secret Fire of the wise Men, doth fix the unripe minerals and metals into Lune and Sol; so likewise can it fix the said minerals and metals, and exalt them to an higher degree than that of Sol, even to the plusquam perfection of true Tinctures, whereby all imperfect metals may be changed into Sol.

72. This our Demogorgon hath the virtue even as it comes raw and unprepared out of the Earth to change and meliorate all metals as follows.

73. It makes Saturn as hard and white as Lune, when tinged with it, of which all manner of Vessels and Dishes may be made, it onely wants the sound of Lune and enduring of the Test.

74. If a little of this Tincture be cast upon fluxed Venus it presently becomes white and hard as Steel, continues as fusible as before, and yet is so hard that it cannot be filed, so that several Vessels may be made of it, not subject to bending or breaking.

75. When cast upon melted Jupiter, it makes it hard as Lune, and sounding like it, is of great use to make all sorts of Vessels of.

76. And amongst other things that may be made of it with great profit, this is one, viz. that Looking-Glasses may be made thereof, which being polished continue a long time clear and fair, without being obscured in moist Weather, as other metalline Glasses are, and all this by reason of the extraordinary hardness of the metal. See my Treatise of Looking-glasses.

77. This Tincture cast upon Lune, makes the same Coal-black throughout, so that it is no more like Lune, of which Bells and Clocks may be made of a far better and clearer sound than those that are made of Venus and Jupiter.

78. By this means also in times of War, or other danger Lune may so be disguised as not to be known for such, and so may be a good way to preserve it from being taken by the Enemy.

79. In like manner it makes Sol so hard that it can no way be bent or destroyed, and therefore might be of good use in many of the following cases.

80. It would be very proper for some great Emperour or King to make his Statue of, it being indestructible, and not to be diminished or injur’d by any way whatsoever.

81. Money coin’d of this Sol would be of good use if a King or Prince had a mind that his Coin should not be transported elsewhere, because differing so much from common Sol it would not be passible in other Countries.

82. This golden Coin also would not be subject to be clipt or fil’d.

83. Medals also might be made of this Sol, and would be a great curiosity besides the indefectibleness of them.

84. It would be excellent also to make Rings of, especially such as are designed for the remembrance of Friends, as lasting for ever.

85. It would be very proper to cast Seals of, or the divine Character or other secret Sigils. See my Treatise of the Divine Character and Seal of God.

86. Or the said Divine Character being exprest upon my Lapis Ignis (which being but for a little while carried in ones mouth, cures many grievous Diseases without any other Medicine) might be set in this hard Sol, and so without wasting be carried constantly about one. See my Treatise of the Mineral Squilla in order to a long life.

87. Great Princes also might have Armour and Arms made of this hardned Sol, which would be much better than any of Iron or Steel, which easily take rust, to which Sol is not Subject.

88. Of this Sol might also very conveniently be made Candlesticks and Lamps, with other Vessels for the use of the Church and Altar.

89. To many more uses this Sol might be put, especially for that by reason of its hardness, it suffers it self to be polished to that degree, as to cast a great lustre from it, like the Sun.

90. As to the further use hereof, See my Treatise de tribus Lapidibus ignium secretorum.

91. With the hardned Lune, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, many profitable and curious things may be done, which for brevitiy sake are here omitted.

92. The Sulphur of the Philosophers when set free from his dark Prison, wherein he is detain’d by his Brethren, by our Key that opens all Locks, gives his Deliverer for reward, the possession of the three Kingdoms in the World, viz. enabling him to make all Vegetables grow swiftly, and very fruitfull, to cure the Diseases of all Animals, and to meliorate and exalt all Metals.

93. And when the Philosophers, saith Sendivogius, see this Sulphur restor’d to liberty, swimming in their Sea, they worship it, and draw it out with a Silver Line, though others do it with their Sol attracting Magnet, and fix it into an universal Medicine, wherewith they afterwards effect wonders: As may be seen in my Elias Artista, and Purgatory of Philosophers.

94. The Philosophers say, except first you make our Sol (that is, the redeemed Sulphur) and Mercury white, you’l never be able to make them red.

95. They say also, our Sol tingeth not except it be first tinged it self, that is exalted in its colour.

96. All things in the World have their rise from Fire and Water, and derive their Purity or Impurity, from the Purity or Impurity of their Parents.

97. The common Fire brings forth its Fruits very slowly, whether they be Stones, Minerals, Animals, or Vegetables.

98. And so do likewise the warm and dry Sun, and moist Earth: but when we assist Nature with Art, then she works much more swiftly, and brings her Fruits to maturity in much shorter time.

99. The Meteors in the Firmament which are made of Fire and Water, especially Thunder and Lightning, produce sometimes Stones, and cast them to the Earth.

100. A common fulminating Powder made of Sulphur, Niter and Tartar gives a stinking offensive smoak, corrupting some things, and meliorating others: whereas a Fulmen prepared of Niter, Jupiter and Mercury, yields a particular tinging mercurial Water. The Fulmen of Venus tinges Mars into Copper, that of Lune graduates Venus into Lune; and the Fulmen of Sol graduates and tinges Mars into Sol.

The universal Fulmen of the great Tincture graduates all Metals into Sol, which God of his mercy grant unto us, Amen.

THE FIFTH CENTURY.

The best particular and cheapest Universal.

1. When with the help of Sendivogius his Chalybs, or Glauber’s Magnet, we have extracted the colour from Sol, and again restored it through Venus and Antimony, we may by oft repeating the said extraction and restoration get great profit, this being one of the best particulars that can be. This multiplication of Sol may very well be compared with the generation of Man, for as a Man in generating, doth with meat and drink restore the loss of his Seed, by which means he continues the said multiplication for a long time, by turning the meat he eats into Prolifick Seed; so likewise the Chymist changeth Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Lune into Sol, by feeding the dis-spirited Sol that has lost its colour with them, restoring it to its former strength and vigour.

2. The Sperm of Man is not the Seed of Man, but onely the Shell and receptacle thereof, as may be seen in Old Men, whose Sperm is unfit for generation by reason of the weakness of their vital Spirit.

3. So likewise the Seeds of Vegetables, are not all pure Seed, but the House and Vehicle thereof, that is, of the growing and multiplying virtue, which appears in that when the Seeds have been kept so long till this vital virtue is exhaled from them, they never bring forth any thing.

4. No more can Sol be said to be the Seed of metals, but onely the receptacle thereof, for the Seed is not the whole Body, but onely the lively colour of the Body, and the vegetative and multiplicative virtue that is hid in it.

5. Now as the Seed of Vegetables is more perfect and noble than the Vegetables, so likewise is mature fixt Sol, more perfect than Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, though in the imperfect metals also a Seed be hid, but not so fixt and good as that in Gold.

6. The imperfect metals may be compared to an Herb, whose Seed is not yet ripe, which being put into the ground cannot grow or multiply, but rots in the Earth.

7. The virtue of Corals lies not in their whole Bodies, but in their colour; and therefore Paracelsus bids us not to make use of Corals in substance, but extract their Tincture, and use that for Physick, wherefore also he rejects white Corals, as being an unripe Fruit, from any use in Physick.

8. For this reason also the immature gray Pearls, which are frequently found in Cockle Shells in fresh running waters, are looked upon as useless in Physick.

9. And this not without reason, for as unripe Grapes are the cause of griping of the Guts, and hurt the Body; so ripe Grapes nourish and strengthen the same, especially when by fermentation they have quitted their Fæces.

10. All imperfect metals subvert and trouble the Stomach, and cause vomiting and purging, and that by reason of their unripeness.

11. Whereas on the contrary Sol taken into the Body causeth not the least alteration, but powerfully strengthens the same when reduc’d to Potability.

12. Thus Sol may be compared to ripe Grapes, which when eaten raw, do indeed no hurt to the Body, but rather affords some nourishment, yet cannot strengthen the Heart, Brain, and whole Body, and make a chearfull mind; but when by fermentation they are delivered from their skins and other impurities, they readily and as it were in a moment perform all this.

13. In like manner when Sol by fermentation hath laid aside his gross Body and become Spiritual, if then made use of, it not onely nourisheth as ripe Grapes, but exerts its virtue like a Spirit or Q. Essence of Wine, penetrating the whole, and making it lively, strong and vigorous throughout.

14. Neither do the other metals display their hidden virtue, untill by fermentation and distillation, they be subtilized and their gross Bodies laid aside.

15. Thus when Lune by fermentation and distillation is subtilized, then it draws away all Diseases of the Brain, and corroborates the same exceedingly even as Sol doth the Heart.

16. Venus so purified strengthens the Reins and procreative faculty.

17. The volatile sweet Spirit of Mars, removes all obstructions whatsoever, provokes the terms in Women, and opens the Hæmorroides in Men.

18. The sweet Spirit of Saturn cures all inward and outward hot Distempers.

19. The sweet Spirit of Jupiter cures all Distempers of the Lungs.

20. The volatile Spirit of Mercury cures the venereal Distemper.

21. N. B. These volatile spirits of metals must be cautiously used, as being of very great force.

22. The manner of preparing them, may be seen in my Book of Fires, but most plainly set down in my description of the most secret Sal Armoniack.

23. All Spirits act according to their nature and property either good or ill, as the Bodies are good or evil from whence they are taken.

24. The Spirit quickens, the Body or Flesh profits nothing, saith Christ, John 6.

25. These words are ill interpreted, when understood by some, as if Spirits onely were of use, and Bodies not at all, which is a great mistake, as it is applied by some.

26. Indeed in Metals, Vegetables and all Animals without the use of reason, who grow, move, and live, by the driving of their in-born Spirit, it does hold true, for when their Spirits are by Art separated from their Bodies, the said Bodies are thenceforward of no use, as being upon the separation of their Spirit, dead and without all virtue.

27. But the case is different with Man, who being created in the Image of God, and endowed besides his Animal Spirit, with an immortal Soul, which latter onely and immediately derives from God, and not from nature, as the mortal Spirits of Animals do.

28. Wherefore Pythagoras was much mistaken, in believing that the immortal Souls of Men, when departed from their Bodies did immediately enter into those of Beasts.

29. Which mistake of his seems to have been occasioned hence, because he knew how by Art to take away the Soul, i. e. Tincture from Sol, and transfer the same to an imperfect metal, thereby making the same in all things like to true natural Sol.

30. Certain it is that this may be done by art, for the fixt Body of Sol may be destroyed, its Soul extracted, and by being joyn’d to another metal make it good Sol.

31. When this disanimation of Sol is duely performed, the Body is left wholly dead, and is in all things like a volatile unmalleable mineral, and cannot endure the test, but fumes away like Arsenick with a little Fire.

32. But in case this disanimating of Sol be not rightly done, so that the Body continues as white as Lune, and malleable (which is a sign that some life is still left in it) then his Colour may be restored again by means of imperfect minerals, as well as his former fixedness in the Fire.

33. But when the Body of Sol will no longer endure the fire, but goes away in smoak, then we can say it is truly dead and no more Sol.

34. He that finds difficulty to believe this, let him reade Paracelsus, Sendivogius and other Philosophers.

35. Sendivogius saith, Our Steel, that is, our Magnet, can draw from the Rayes of the Sun, what many have sought for and not found; if this our Magnet copulate eleven times with Sol, the Sol becomes weakned almost to death, and the Steel or Magnet shall conceive and bring forth a Son more illustrious than his Father.

36. From which words it appears that Sendivogius had the Art to disanimate Sol, else could never have writ so plainly concerning it.

37. It is certain also that there are some, that at this time can do as much within a few hours, I having lately been an Eye-witness of the same, with three other persons in company.

38. It is not necessary to say any more how this cheap and speedy way of disanimating Sol is to be performed; forasmuch as all the Philosophers writings are full of it.

39. However to pleasure the unskilfull I will add thus much, that this may be done four several ways.

40. But the easiest and cheapest way is by means of Spirit of Wine, and a microcosmical saline Spirit; yea this extraction may be performed by a Spirit of Wine alone, without any animal Spirit, or by an animal saline Spirit without the Spirit of Wine.

41. If this were not so, we might have reason to accuse both ancient and modern Philosophers of falshood, who tells us that Adam brought the Philosophers Stone with him out of Paradise, and after his death took it with him into his Grave.

42. Which words may seem strange to some, forasmuch as he was driven bare and naked out of Paradise.

43. Yet the Authority of those who assert this being so great and incontestable, it cannot well be called in question.

44. What therefore the Philosophers meant by this Stone which Adam brought with him out of Paradise, is well worthy our Enquiry.

45. The Philosophers commonly say our stone is a stone and nostone, &c. which implies thus much, that to outward view it is a stone, but in deed and in vertue, a Concentrate form of Sol.

46. Wherefore Petrus Bonus saith, We do not seek Sol, but the form of Sol.

47. What is then properly this form of Sol?

48. Answ. It is a substance which to outward view looks like a contemptible stone, and yet is of such superlative Vertue, that when joyned with imperfect metals on the Fire, it transmutes them into the highest perfection of Sol.

49. It may further be demanded, whether Adam brought such a matter with him out of Paradise, whereby this transmutation of metals into Sol may be performed?

50. Ans. Yes he did bring such a matter with him out of Paradise, and after death took it with him to his Grave, wherewith all Diseases of mankind may be cured, and all metals changed into the finest Sol.

51. If this be so, might some say, Adam must either have been very blind, in not discerning the Treasure he was possessed of; or very envious in not communicating the same to his Posterity.

52. I cannot believe that Adam, out of envy withheld this secret from his Children, but rather suppose that the blindness into which his fall had cast him, was the cause of his not percieving the great Jewel he had about him.

53. But how could he be blind, who was made by God himself, and after his own Image?

54. Adam was certainly blind, and his blindness proceeded from his Pride, because he aspired to be like to God; he was not blind as to his outward Eyes, but his heart was blinded, which is by far the worst blindness of the two: For all sin and wickedness blinds the hearts of men, that they cannot percieve the folly of their doings.

55. Thus Adam also by means of his disobedience to God, became so blind, as not to percieve, or be sensible of the Love that God had for him before his Fall, and how richly he had endowed him.

56. Whence also his Children were so wicked and blind, that the one Brother slew the other; which wickedness hath still encreased in their Posterity, as appears by the deluge, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

57. And thus the World from day to day still grows worse and worse, notwithstanding the Examples of God’s Vengeance against Sinners.

58. And all this proceeds because men are so generally blinded by the Devil in sin and wickedness.

59. But to leave this, it may be further question’d; that seeing all mankind is become so blinded through Adam’s fall, as not to discern the Jewel they carry about them; who then was the Person that first discovered, that man was the Possessour of so great a Treasure?

60. Ans. Who was the first discoverer of this Treasure I cannot tell, but thus much is certain, that it was an honest man and fearing God; because God doth not reveal his secrets to the wicked; wherefore Tho. Aquinas saith, Our Holy Art, either finds a man holy, or makes him so.

61. But some will say, don’t we reade of Heathens that have been Possessours of the Philosophers stone; and how can we imagine that those who have no knowledge of God, and are blinded with sin, should ever be able to find out So great a Mystery?

62. Ans. Those Heathens that have been Possessours of this great secret, were not without the knowledge of God; for they lived according to the Law of Nature, honouring God and loving their Neighbour; wherefore also God accepted of them. They learnt to know God from his Works of Wonder, and according to their knowledge, loved, honoured and feared him; and so were made Partakers of his grace, light, and the knowledge of his secrets.

63. We are also to know that the Ancient Philosophers know more than one way to attain the Philosophers Stone; though indeed the most of them sought it in minerals and metals, which is the longest way.

64. And that because it is impossible to change the metallick species, without bringing metals back into their first matter. See my Treatise of the principles of metals, and the seventh part of my Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.

65. But others have taken a nearer way to attain this secret; and to some Christians God hath been pleased to discover the shortest way of all, by revealing unto them that he made Adam every way perfect, giving him all that was necessary, either for his Soul or Body.

66. Now that Adam could not discern how richly God had endowed him, was his own fault, because he was disobedient to God, following the deceitfull Serpents advice.

67. And after this manner doth the Devil yet daily deceive Men, by perswading them to do against the commands of God, and that their disobedience shall not bring any such mischief upon them as God’s threatnings seem to import.

68. This then is the reason why Men do not understand the secrets of God, because they give too much way to Sin, whereby they become blinded, that they can neither see nor hear the good that comes from above.

69. Now the reason why most of the Alchymists have sought for this great gift of God in minerals and metals, and especially in Sol, is this, because their intention was to multiply Sol, which they supposed could no way better be done than by sowing it like other Seeds in the Earth, but could not imagine that besides common Sol, there were other subjects, wherein the Sol-making virtue did reside.

70. Which opinion of theirs was probably grounded upon that saying of the Philosophers. What you sow, that you will reap.

71. This seems at first sight very rational, that from filth or excrements no good, and so no Sol can come; but let us hear the other side also, and we shall be otherwise informed.

72. For the Philosophers say that their Medicine is Vegetable, Animal and Mineral; so that Vegetables and Animals are not excepted.

73. Albertus Magnus, writes that the greatest mineral aurifying virtue is in Man, and especially in his Head between the Teeth, and proves it; because in dead Men’s Skuls he had found grains of Sol sticking between the Teeth.

74. The same is also confirmed by Thomas Aquinas, Rhasis, Janus Lacinius, and others.

75. There is also an old Book, whose Authour is unknown, which treats at large of that subject which Adam brought with him out of Paradise, wherein the Operator is warned to have a great care of the fumes of the matter as he would avoid the Plague, or the most deadly Poyson. From this Authour I have alledged some passages in my other Writings, and shewed that the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of any subject whose Elements may be separated.

76. Now certain it is that from all Animals and Vegetables, the Elements may be separated, and consequently follows, that from all Vegetable and Animal Subjects, the Philosophers Stone, or universal Medicine for the Bodies of Men, and Metals may be prepared.

77. Morienus Romanus, who prepared this Medicine for King Calid, declares that he took the subject matter of it from Man.

78. For when the King asked Morienus, in what kind of subject the Philosophers Stone was to be lookt for; he answered, the Medicine is in thy self O King; wherefore also after that he had finished the Work, he wrote round about the Glass, in which the Medicine was, these words: He who carries all about him, needs not the help of another.

79. Thereby intimating, that he always carried about with him, whatsoever was necessary for the preparing of the Medicine, and therefore did not stand in need of the King’s assistance.

80. This same honest Morienus, writes plainly concerning the preparation of this Medicine, and doth as it were with his finger point us to the matter, in these words of his, quoted by Arnoldus de villa nova; Grind the Phlegmatick and Cholerick with the Sanguin, untill it become a tinging Heaven, &c.

81. Arnoldus explains these words of Morienus thus: The Phlegmatick is cold, as Mercury, the Sanguin is warm and moist, as the Sol or Gold, the Cholerick is hot and dry, as Sal Armoniack: intimating that of these three, Mercury, Sol, and Sal Armoniac, the Philosophers Stone is to be prepared.

82. But that he meant not this concerning common Mercury, Sol, and Sal Armoniack is apparent from this, that Morienus, as soon as he had prepared the Medicine for the King, went away privately, without expecting any reward from the King; it also appears from the answer before mentioned, which he made to the King, that he spoke of such a Mercury, Sol, and Sal Armoniack which every Man carries about with him.

83. This is abundantly confirmed by all the Philosophers that went his way, forasmuch as they declare that no charges are required to the preparation of it, that their subject is a contemptible matter cast out upon Dunghills, and trod under feet, and that the Poor have it as well as the Rich.

84. Morienus yet more clearly intimates this, in telling us that the matter whilst it is preparing, exhales a smell like to that which comes from the Graves of the Dead, which is a very offensive smell.

85. Now like as Vegetables whilst they are putrifying give forth an ill scent, and Animals a worse, as appears in the stink of rotten Eggs, and the putrefaction of Man’s Blood, especially when the same are putrified in a close Glass in warm Horse Dung.

86. For without putrefaction, there can be no separation of the Elements by Distilation, and if no separation be made, neither can any melioration or exaltation be expected.

87. We know that every Chaos, as it is a product of the four Elements, contains many impurities, and in particular much dead Earth, and Water void of all virtue; and that the Element of Fire alone is proper to heal and meliorate Men and Metals.

88. Wherefore seeing that no separation of the Elements can be without a foregoing putrefaction we must conclude putrefaction to be the beginning of our Work, without which no good end can be expected.

89. Now he that knows our Horse Dung, and how to putrifie the well known and every where to be found most universal natural subject by means of the same, he will easily afterwards by Distillation separate the most pure and all things penetrating and meliorating Element of Fire, from the gross Chaos to his great satisfaction, and make use of the same to the astonishment and wonder of the ignorant.

90. But in this state it is onely good for the health of Man; and therefore in order to its meliorating of Metals, the pure Element of Fire must be first fix’d with Sol, by which means it obtains ingress into imperfect Metals, reducing them to the perfection of Sol.

91. Now when the pure Element of Fire is separated from the Chaos, and reduced to the highest degree of purity, then it stinks no more, neither is poisonous as it was before purification, but is an Antidote against all poisons whatsoever, wherefore also the Philosophers have called their Medicine Theriaca.

92. But all this is to be understood onely of that subject which every man carries about with him, and brings with him out of his Mothers Womb.

93. If any one following the Letter of Morienus, should take for his subject common Mercury, Sol and Sal Armoniack, neither will he be mistaken, but if he rightly proceeds will have a good Work, though it be not at all necessary to make use of common Sol and Mercury, because our natural subject contains both a living Sol and Mercury.

94. It is no prejudice to our Animal Subject, if we join Minerals with it, because our Sol joins it self with all subjects, and unites it self readily with them. But if we be ignorant of the due proportion and composition of Sol, Mercury, Sulphur, or any other metal or mineral, then it is better to prepare our Medicine out of this one subject onely, because so there is less danger of erring, as I can witness by experience.

95. I have also found by experience that this Microcosmical Subject is alone sufficient, without the addition of any minerals or metals, to meliorate all imperfect metals.

96. As to a particular this of all others hath pleas’d me best, viz. Recipe common Sol, and with the help of our Magnet disanimate it so, that it may be no longer Sol, as not enduring the Test, and smoaking away with a small Fire like Arsenick.

97. Then take this Sol and conjoyn it with our Microcosmical Subject, with which digest a solution of Lune, by which means the Lune will be meliorated, and on the Cupel leave Sol to good profit.

98. But if we joyn common Mercury and common Sol with it, and cast this mixture into a solution of Mars, and digest it for some days then the pure Sol and easily flowing Mercury graduates a good part of the gross and difficultly flowing Mars into good Sol, to the great satisfaction of the Artist.

99. And if we unite Lune and Jupiter therewith, and cast this mixture into a solution of Venus, and digest it the moist way, then by means of our secret Salt these two white united metals change the red Venus with little loss of weight into good Lune that will abide the Test. And it is indeed matter of wonder, that our universal Salt, should be of so great virtue, when fermented with white or red metals, to change other imperfect metals into good Sol and Lune on the Test.

100. Wherefore this shall be my conclusion, that in Man is hid the greatest virtue of changing all metals, as well as the Bodies of Men, both universally, and particularly; which if intended for the melioration of metals, the adding of fixt Sol and Lune for a ferment will facilitate the ingress into other metals, and further diffuse its tinging virtue.

N. B. I shall not be satisfied till I have given a fuller and plainer description of this Royal Labour, which I intend to do in the sixth Century, if God permit.