Chapter III: Part 3

The Greekes attribute it to _Phoroneus_, and put it, that it was neare to _Argos_. That fire being fallen from heaven there-about, it was afterward there kept within the Temple of _Apollo_; which if by chance it came to extinguish, they lighted it againe anew by the Sunnebeames; as also they did at _Rome_ that of the Vestals. And in _Persia_ their sacred fire which they carried ordinarily where the King marcht in person singularly reverencing it, for their respect to the Sunne, which they adored above all other Deities; for they esteemed it here below, their Image. They caryed it (I say) in great pompe and solemnity on a magnificent Chariot drawne by four great Couriers, and followed by 365 young Ministers, for as much as there are so many dayes in the yeare, which describe the Sunne by its course, clad with yellow guilded, the colour conformable to the Sunne, and fire, singing hymnes to their praise. And there was amongst them, no crime more capitall and irremissible, then to cast any dead carkasse or other uncleannesse therein, or to blow it with your breath, for feare to infect it, but they did it to give it aire, for in all this they hazzarded no lesse then life; as to quench it otherwise in water: So that if any one had perpetrated any grievous forfeit, to obtaine grace and pardon therein; the best expedient then was, as _Plutarch_ puts in his first Treatise of the first cold, to put himselfe in running water with fire in the hand, threatning to quench it in the water if they did not grant his request; but after hee had obtained it hee was not left unpunished for his offence, but for the impiety that hee had forethought to commit. And from thence it became a common proverbe mentioned in _Suidas_: I am a _Persian_, borne of _Persian_ parents; what a strange _Persian_? yea Sir, for us to pollute fire, it is sharper then cruel death. But all this which may bee said of fire, and by the meanes thereof, hath not yet been revealed, nor knowne by men: Is there any thing more admirable then Gunpowder, so easy to make, and consisting of so few ingredients; and so common Sulphur, Saltpeter and coale? which seeme to have been mystically designed by the Ægyptians, by the three Celestial powers, whence they alledge Thunder, Lightning, Tempests, to be conducted and governed, _Jupiter_, _Vesta_, and _Vulcan_. By _Vulcan_, Sulphur; by _Jupiter_, Saltpeter, full of aire and winde, as _Raymund Lullius_ puts it, who well knew it, and its nature, and its effects if he would have discovered them; and by _Vesta_ Coale; as well for the Terrestreity that is in it, as for that it is incorruptible, being able to keepe it many thousands of yeares within the ground, without alteration or spoiling, which was the cause that they made a place and stage for it, in the foundation of the Temple of _Diana_ at _Ephesus_: Saltpeter is appropriated to the Aire; because it is as of a meane disposition of nature, betwixt Sea water, and the Fire, or Sulphur, whereof it participates, for that it is so inflamable, and saltish, on the other side, resolving it selfe into moisture, and water, as the Salts do; from whence it hath bitternesse and acuity; and as the inclosed and retained aire, within the clouds, doth breake and lighten by the impetuosity of Thunder, the same doth Saltpeter: But this will come to better purpose hereafter in Salts. Moreover hee that can make powder composed of certaine proportions of Sulphur and Saltpeter, and in stead of Coale, with the Terrestrial scurf of Antimony, which must be separated by frequent and reiterated ablutions of lukewarme water; may come to an artificiall fire, not to bee disdained; of a powder, that will give a small report; ’tis true that it is not so impetuous and full of force, as the common. In regard of the invention of Gunpowder, the relations of _China_ do cary, that by their ancient Chronicles it is found out, that they have had the use of it more then 1500 yeares; as also of printing. _Roger Bacon_, the famous English Philosopher, who writ above 300 yeares agoe, in his booke of the admirable power of Nature and Art, sets downe, that with a certaine composition imitating lightning and thunder, _Gideon_ was wont to feare his Enemies with. And yet that it is not formally as it is written in the 7 of _Judges_, yet it is said neverthelesse more then sixscore yeares before the divulgation of Gun-powder; see his word: furthermore there may bee made perpetuall lights and bathes, burning without end, for we have knowne many things that are not burned, but purified; but besides these, there are other stupendious things of Nature and Art; for sounds may be made in the aire, like thunders, and of greater horror then such as are made by nature. And a little matter adapted to the quantity of a thumb, makes a horrible sound, and shewes a vehement coruscation; and this may bee done many wayes, by which every City and Army may bee destroyed; after the manner of _Gideons_ Artifice, who with broken pitchers and lamps, fire breaking out with ineffable fragor, destroyed the _Midianitish_ Army, with only 300 men. These may be Granadoes and fire pots. And to be short, nothing could better agree on all points to Gun-powder; but these good men foreseeing the ruine that such things might bring, made too great conscience to reveale it. To the purpose of perpetuall fires, by meanes of most long durance; _Hermolaus Barbarus_ in his notes upon _Pliny_, relates that in his time there was an old Sepulchre opened in the Territory of _Padoua_, and therein found a little Coffer, where there was a Lampe yet burning, although that according to the inscription it must have beene more then 500 yeares since it was lighted. So that by this reckoning, it should not bee altogether impossible to make fires, that will not be put out; for wee see the same in many sorts of that which men call Grec; whereof _Aristotle_ as it is reported heretofore composed a Treatise, which could not bee quenched with water, chiefly Sea water, by reason of the fatty and unctuous Salt mingled therewith, but they grow worser, and waxe more fiery. But what hurt were there to stay thereon a little, since likewise it is a question of Fire: Of Acornes steeped in wine, afterward dryed and put in a mill so long till the liquor come forth, which afterwards accompanied with other oyles besmeared upon quicke chalc, Pumice stone, spectacle glasse, and Alum calcined together with Soap, and other the like things, that hold their adustible impurities in the bottome of a vessel, whilest that the oile by distillation mounts cleare, neat, and purified, and lesse inflamable; but this requireth a sufficient good fire; for the matches corresponding thereto, make them of cotten yearne besmeared within the Lee: then bath them in the oile, or liquor of Tartar, Saltpetring them over _Alum plumed_, intermingled with _pitch_, _rozin finely bruised and beaten_, or of _Colophon_. These fires of so long duration would seeme to us a thing fabulous, if wee were not ascertained by authentique Authors of that so famous a Lampe hung in a certaine Temple of _Venus_, where there burned without ceasing the Stone called _Asbestus_, which being once set on fire, never goes out. But some will say that that is also a fable; I will leave others to decide it, and I will tell you what befell mee, seeking nothing lesse then that, to meet with a substance, conducted thereunto, by graduall artifices of fire: which being bound fast within a Viall of glasse and sealed with _Hermes_ his Seale, that no aire could any way enter in, might be kept 1000 yeares (after the manner of speech) in the bottome of the Sea: and opening it at the termination of so long a season, or when you shall please, you shall therein finde a suddaine fire, (which when it sents the aire) will light matches. We reade in the second booke of the _Maccabees_, chap. 1. vers. 20. that at the transmigration of _Babylon_, the _Levites_ having hid their sacred fire in the bottome of a well or pit, 70 yeares, after they found there a thicke water and whitish, who assoone as ever the Sunbeames gave thereon, tooke fire.

These two Deities aforesaid, _Pallas_ and _Vesta_, one and the other, chaste Virgins, as is also Fire; represent unto us the two fires of the Sensible world; that is to say, _Pallas_, the Celestiall; and _Vesta_, the Elementary here below, the which notwithstanding it bee more grosse and materiall, then that above, tends neverthelesse alwayes upward, as if it endeavoured to unmingle it selfe from a corruptible substance, where it remaineth fixed; to returne free and exempt from all these hinderances to its first Original from whence it came, as an imprisoned soule,

_There is in them fiery vigor and celestiall Origin,
In seeds as much as our harmelesse bodies stay them,
And our terrene joints dull them, and our dying members_.

The other on the contrary, though more subtill and essential rusheth out here below toward the earth, as if these two aspired incessantly to encounter each other, and to face each other, in the fashion of two Pyramides; whereof that above should have its basis planted in the _Zodiack_, where the Sunne perfects his annuall course through the 12 Signs: from the point of which _Pyramis_, comes to cast here below all that which is here procreated, and hath being, according to the Astrologers of Ægypt; that there is nothing produced in the earth, and in the water, which was not first sowed in heaven, which is there, as a labourer to cultivate it, and by his heate, impregned here below, with the efficacy of his influences, conducts the whole to its compleat perfection and maturity, which _Aristotle_ also confirmes in his bookes of Beginning and Ending. But the fire here below on the contrary at the basis of his _Pyramis_, fastned to the earth, making one of six faces of the Cube, whereof the _Pythagoreans_ give him the forme and figure, because of its forme, and invariable stability; and from the point of this _Pyramis_ the subtill vapours mount upwards, which serve as nourishment to the Sun, and to all the rest of the Celestiall bodies, according as _Phurnutus_ writeth after others. Men attribute (saith hee) inextinguished fire unto _Vesta_, peradventure for that the power of fire that is in the world, takes it nourishment from thence, and that from thence the Sunne is maintained and consisteth. This is that also, that _Hermes_ would inferre in his Table of _Emeraudes_: That which is below, is as that which is above, and contrarywise, to perpetrate miracles of one thing. And _Rabbi Joseph_ the sonne of _Carnitol_ in his ports of Justice, the foundation of all the inferior ædifices is placed above, and their heap or top here below as a Tree inverted. So that a man is but as a spirituall tree planted in the Paradise of delights, which is the earth of the living, by the roots of his haires; following that which is written in the _Canticles 7. The haire of thy head like purple, the King is bound in the Galleries._

These two fires then, the high and the low, who do know themselves, and so one another, have beene no lesse unknowne to the Poets, for _Homer_ in the 18 of his Iliads, having placed _Vulcans_ forge in the eighth starry heaven, where he is accompanied with his Artisans endowed with singular prudence, and who know two sorts of workes, which were taught them by the immortall Gods, wherein they labour in his presence; _Virgill_ in his 8 of the Æneads hath suffered him to set his shop here below in the earth, in an Island called _Vulcanian_.

_Vulcans house, and by name, Vulcans earth._

To shew that there is fire in the one, and the other Region, the Celestial, and Elementary; but diversly: Men make moreover four sorts of fire; that of the intelligible world, which is all light; the Celestiall participates of heate and light; the Elementary of light, heate, and ardour; And the infernall opposite to the intelligible, with ardor and burning without light; we see Lanthornes upon Mountaines that burne on the inside, and other like called _Vulcans_. And it is a thing very admirable, as one of the _Rabbins_ quoteth, that Sulphur & Pitch that are so ready and easy to take fire, and continue so little in their combustion being exposed to the aire, restrained neverthelesse within the Earths intrails, it seemes they there renew themselves, and multiply by their owne consumption, although their heat and burning bee there much more violent without comparison, then here above. According as wee may see in Mountaines that burn for so many continued ages, and hot Bathes. This seemes to emancipate from the common order of Nature by a secret disposition of Divine providence, who will have them continue so; till the scurf and impurity of this inferiour world be exterminate, with this infected stinking and corruptible odor; and to banish it from hence and send it backe to hell for the punishment and torment of the damned; whereof it is written in _Psal. 11. 6. Upon the wicked hee shall raine snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest, this shall bee the portion of their Cup._ This fire there, which is blacke, obscure, thicke, and dark, the more devouring and burning it is, resembles that of some great coales of stone, which conceive a most strong ignition, whereof it is spoken in the 20 of _Job_ 26. _A fire shall devour them which is not kindled._ And more particularly in the 4 of _Baruch_ 26. _Fire shall come upon them from the everlasting to continue many dayes, and Devils shall a long time dwell there._

[Sidenote: P. 72. Lamp.]

There where the Celestial fire is all clear and shining as a lamp, whose flame should bee nourished with water of Life, mingled with a certaine composition of _Camphire_, _Salnitre_, and other inflamative matters. So that these combustible substances, whereof there are infinite varieties, may endure very long, but it is true that it will bee but a gentle and weak flame. And of the like, but more subtill without comparison, the Celestiall bodies are nourished and fed, that need but little nourishment, as approaching from spirituality. I can tell you, being at any other time brought, to make the fashion of a shining Sunne, in the darke, (it was a fire of a Lampe) so glittering, that a whole great Hall might bee therewith rather dazled, then lightened; _for this did more effect then two or three dozen of great Torches, and yet in 24 houres used no more oile then I gave it, with matches corresponding thereunto, which held no more then a nut shell, for this was a Lampe of Glasse, plunged or dipped within a Globe of Crystall as great as a head filled with vinegar, distilled three or foure times; for there is nothing more transparent, nor more splendent. Sea water is also good thereto, and much better then fresh water, how pure soever it may bee; It it the Salt mingled among that gives it this luminous brightnesse._

[Sidenote: ἰχὼρ]

[Sidenote: P. 75.]

[Sidenote: Tuffe p. 76. a kind of white Sand, or soft and brittle Stone.]

But to returne to our discourse, some have thought that sith the Starres receive nourishment, they should also vanish in certaine periods of time, and others come in their stead; which were no other thing then a separation of their clearnesse and light, with their Globe of substance more grosse and materiall, by which they come to dissipate themselves, and to vanish within the heaven; as vitall spirits within the aire: whilest they are absented from some animated body, and leave it void of life. So that by this meanes, their Globe from this time forward would remaine darke as a Lampe, whereby light, which before gave it light, should bee quenched for lacke of nourishment, or other accident. This light or luminous fire is in the Starres, as the bloud is in animals, or juice in vegetables, whereto _Homer_ seemes willing to grant in the 5. of his Iliads, where he puts, that for as much as the Gods do not live by bread and wine, as mortalls, but by _Ambrosia_ and _Nectar_, so they have no bloud, but in lieu thereof, a substance which they call ἰχὼρ which is as it were a subtill saltish waterishnesse: hindering corruption in animals, and all other composed Elements; but wee must here a little better cleare this, for the great affinity that the Sunne and Fire have together: Wee must then understand, that the Sunne arising by its attraction elevates the spirits of the earth, which are of two natures, (a moist vapour including, and a dry vapour included) are together exalted, (saith the Philosopher in the 5. of his Meteors) the one hot and moist, as is the Aire and Water, potentially; this which is properly called Vapour; the other hot and dry, of the nature and power of fire, called Exhalation. The first resolves into water, as raines, snowes, hailes, mists, fogges, and other such moist impressions as are formed of this vapour, in the middle Region of the Aire, for being grosse and heavy, they cannot mount higher, but afterwards being thickned, and congealed by the cold that resides there, they fall backe here below, more materiall then those which were not mounted from thence, and at last, all do resolve into water. The second, called Exhalation, is subdivided into three kindes; the first, more viscous, grosse, and heavy, is that whereof your fires are formed, which are called _Castor_ and _Pollux_, otherwise _Saint Herme_; the _foole fires_, and the like, which cannot mount higher then the low Region of the Aire: the second is a little lighter, more subtill, and depured, penetrating even to the middle Region, where thunders and lightnings are formed, the wandring starres, _barres_ of fire, _cheurons_, and other such inflamations. The third, is yet more dry and light, and more free from unctuosity, almost of the nature of that Quintessence, which we observe in _Aqua vitæ_ soveraignly depured: therefore it may mount not onely to the highest Region of the Aire, and that of Fire contiguous; but escape yet whole and safe higher then the Heaven, with which, for its greatest subtilty and depuration which it hath gotten in this long way, it hath a great conformity: For being come to the Globe of the Sun, it is there perfected to concoct and to digest into a pure and cleare light; for the nourishment, as well of it selfe, as of other starres; the same that _Pliny_ toucheth in the 8 and 9 chapters of his second booke: So that the Starres receive all their light and nourishment from the Sunne, after that it hath been there concocted and fitted, and not by the forme of reflexion, as from its raies, which would lessen themselves either in water, or in a looking Glasse; for all that which participates of fire, hath need of nourishment. This is done as in the Animall, where the most pure bloud, comes from the Liver to empty it selfe through the Arteries into the heart which conducts it to its last perfection for the nourishment of Spirits. But this must be understood, if these Exhalations and vapours finde issue atwhart the pores and spongiosities of the Earth, to evaporate upwards. But if peradventure it meet with Tuffe, or Sand, or the like lets, and hindrances, which do contradict them, or let them, they stay there and wax thicke, for procreation of minerals: that is to say, a hot and a dry exhalation, in the nature of Brimstone, and a moist vapour in the nature of Quicksilver; not vulgar, but a substance yet spirituall and full of fume, from the assembling of which two, in a subtill vapour, they come to procreate in themselves afterwards by a long continuance of time, metals, and meane minerals, according to the purity or impurity of their coagulated substances; and the temperature, defect, or excesse of the heat that recocts them in the entrails of the earth. Without going from my intention of the foresaid exhalations, I thought fit to touch a little upon an experiment whereunto I arrived by my industry, which I thinke will not be disagreeable. Take good old Wine, and put therein a certaine quantity of Salnitre, and Camphire, in a Platter upon a fire pan, within a Closet well firmed, that aire cannot enter, and make it evaporate therein, and that there be no more covering then the thicknesse of the backe of a knife, to give it so much aire as it must have, to make it burne. This being done, shut well your little window, that nothing may vapour out after you have withdrawne the dish, or platter, from thence to 10. 20. or 30. yeares; provided that the aire do not enter, and that the winde blow not in; bringing in thither a lighted waxe candle, you shall see infinite little fires capring as lightnings in the great heats of Summer, which are not accompanied with thunders and lightnings, nor with stormes, windes, and raines, having nothing but an inflamation of Aire, by reason of Saltpeter, and Sulphur, which are elevated from the Earth.

Before wee passe from our intention of vapours and exhalations, that no man doubts but do proceed from heat introduced within the earth by the continuall motion of the heaven round about, and of the Celestial bodies, whence light is accompanied with some heat that it darts thereinto: Let us come to the experiments next approaching to our sensible knowledge; wee see, that the fire leaves two sorts of excrements, the one grosser, namely, Ashes; remaining in the bottome of its adustion, that containeth Salt and Glasse; and the two fixed and solid Elements, Fire and Earth: The other more light, and subtill, which the fume carries upwards; that is, the Soote, wherein are contained the two volatill and liquid Elements, called by the _Chymists_, Mercury and Sulphur, and by the _Naturalists_, Vapour, and Exhalation. By _Mercury_, is designed Water, or Vapour, and by _Sulphur_, Oile, and Exhalation; Of Salt and of Earths therein, there are found a very small quantity, yet sufficient, thereby to perceive how the four Elements are found out in the resolution of all the composed Elementaries: Take then the Soote of Chimney, but of that which shall mount highest in a very long Chimney pipe, and in the very top, where it must bee most subtill, thereof fill a great Cornue, or an Alembic two parts of three, then apply thereunto a great recipient, which you wrap about with linnen wet with fresh water. Give fire by small quantities, the water and the oil will distill together, although the water ought in order to issue out first. After that, all these two liquors shall passe through the Recipient, and when nothing else shall arise, increase your fire with faggot stickes well dryed, or other like, continuing it for 8 or 10 houres, so long that the earths which shall rest in the bottome bee well calcined: but for that they are in small quantity put to more Soote, and continue it as aforesaid, untill you have earth enough which you shall take out of the Alembic, which you shall put into a little earthen pot, of _Parris_, not smoothed, or in a little hollow pot. The water and oile, which you shall have distilled may be easily separated by a glasse fonnell, where the water will swimme above the oile: This done you shall rectify your water by _Balneum Mariæ_, by redistilling of it two or three times; for oile doth not mount by this degree of fire but by Sand; keepe them asunder upon the earths, that shall be calcined within the said pot or cruset, put their water thereon a little warme stirring it with a spit, so long till the Salt which shall therein bee revealed by the fires action, do totally dissolve it selfe into this Water; withdraw it by distillation, and the Salt shall bee left you in the bottome, of the nature of _Salarmoniac_, so that by pressing it, it will elevate it selfe. But of this more plainely hereafter in its owne place, when we shall speake of Salt. Of Earthes wee need not take much care, for wee must seeke for the best in the Ashes, as also fixed Salt. So by the meanes of Water, extracted out of ashes (we will here a little passe from Soote, a little better to declare the subject of Earthes.)

In this Element the more grosse and materiall of all, which wee call Earth, we must consider three substances; the Hebrewes also have better distinguished them then we, by giving them 3 names, _Erehs_, _Adamah_, and _Jabassah_. _Erehs_ is properly durt or mud, _Jabassah_ sand, and _Adamah_ clay, wash of the common earth with water, and powre it suddainly into another vessell, with the slime that it hath gathered; reiterate it so long, that there remaine no more in the bottome but Sand, in the Scripture called _Arida_: _And his hands laid the foundation of the earth, Psal. 94._ where he properly useth the word of laying a foundation, because that Sand is the subsistence and retention of the earth, where it is mingled with slime by a certaine providence of nature to strengthen it against the moisture of water, as wee see in Morter, where wee adjoine sand with chalke, for feare lest it melt, and dissolve into moisture. It serves also, to give it counterpoise, for that Sand is very heavy, _A stone is heavy, and sand burdensome, or weighty, Prov. 27._ But the slime is lighter, wherein minerals, vegetables, animals, are procreated, as wee see by experience, by putting pure slime to the _Erthree_; for in lesse then three weekes, you will finde therein small stones, herbs, wormes, and snailes, and other little beasts, producted therefrom. Of the nourishment remaining that these individuals shall bee, as that of Sand, deprived of all humidity; according to what wee see in Earths, which having beene too much cultivated, and sowed, without bettering of them, are reduced from being fertill, as formerly they were, and become sandy and sterill; for Sand produceth nothing, as wee see in Deserts and Sea coasts: whence comes this proverbe, (_You plough the Sands_) for a vaine and unprofitable labour: for of the two qualities, whereof each Element participates, there is one that is more proper to it, and the other appropriated: Drynesse, is the proper quality of the Earth, for that cold is more proper to Water: wherefore is it that the Earth, as aforesaid, is called in Hebrew _Jabassah_, and in Greeke ξηρός dry land; _and God called the earth dry land_. Slime is more waterish; for of the grosseness of the water, earth was made, saith _Hermes_; as wee may see in snow, in hail, in raine, or with water so condensed, there is much slime mingled, of which (as aforesaid) every thing here in the earth below is produced. Man himselfe according to his body, was formed of this slime; and from thence it followeth that all the fertility of the earth comes from Water. _God created all the buddes of the earth before they grew, and all the herbes of the field before they brought forth seed; for the Lord God had not yet made it to raine upon the earth, but a mist went up therefrom, that watered the whole face thereof._ Or as the _Chaldaick_ Paraphrast turneth it, _Onkelos_, in stead of source and fountaine, vapour and clouds, which are engendred from the vapours that the Sunne elevates here below to the height in the middle Region of the Aire, from thence to water the earth. But neither the slime, nor the sand, nor the clay on the other side, are not each by it selfe, nor reduced together, are this virgin and pure earth, that is shut up in the Center of all the composed Elements, that is to say, in the bottome of them, for that produceth nothing, because it is incorruptible: and that which cannot corrupt, cannot produce any thing that should be subject to corruption; as we see in Fire, Salt, and Sand, which are of the nature of Glasse, all substances not onely incorruptible for their respect, but which preserves from corruption, that wherewith they are mingled; witnesse herbs, fruits, flesh, fish, and other the like, which being salted or buried in Sand are thereby kept the longer. And in _Mummies_, of those that remaine choked and buried in the Sands passing the Deserts, which are preserved whole many suits of yeares, even as well, nay better then if they had been enbalmed. So that this earth is formed of two incorruptible substances, Salt, and Sand, by meanes of the water which is thereupon congealed; as wee see in this faire Crystalline Glasse, made of Salt, of glasse wort, amongst which they mingle sand to retaine it; otherwise, in the great sharpnesse of fire that it must indure, to worke therewith, it would all vanish into smoake; wee depure and refine it afterwards in cleare Crystalline, joining thereunto _perigort_, or _sinople_ made of Lead.

Their are some that carry their Sand with them, as _Foulgere_, _Charme_, or _Fouteau_, firebrakes, charme, or beech, and some others.

But this comes better to our discourse, of Gold and Glasse, and some others upon the 28. of _Iob_, where speaking of Sapience, hee saith, that nothing can compare with it, nor Gold it self, nor Glasse. This Earth then, so excellent, and incorruptible, is not this vile and grosse Element, that we trample on, and cultivate to draw there hence our nurtriture and sustentation, but that whereof it is spoken in the 21. of the _Revel._ clear and transparent: _I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth, and the holy City was of pure Gold, like unto pure Glasse, and the streets thereof were of shining and resplendent Gold_: See how hee doth liken more then once Gold and Glasse, which is produced by the depurations of Fire: for that is the last action thereof, having therein no power but to refine and depure, as he doth Gold. Which the Sun produceth in long millions of years: To the imitation of that, the speculative understandings are forced by means of fire, to extract out of the corruption of these inferior elements, and their compounds and incorruptible substance, which was to them a modell and pattern of that, whereto the whole universe should at last bee reduced: from hence we here draw from Soot a representation and image of the works of nature, upon vapours and exhalations, whence Meteors are formed, and impressions from the middle Region of the Air, Water holding place of the waterish, and oil of the fiery, and inflamable, which oil is altogether impure, to bee adustible and unprofitable to the procreation of this Virgin Earth: called by some the Philosophers Stone, which so many ignorant avaricious men have sought for, but could not find because they sought it with blind eyes, darkened with a sordid desire of unlawfull gain: to make themselves on a sodain richer then another _Midas_, who at last got nought, but the ears of an Asse, and did not cherish it to praise and admire God in his admirable workes following that which is said in the 37. of _Job_, consider the wondrous works of God, for we cannot doe a greater pleasure to a workman, then to mark attentively, to admire and magnifie his works; nor a greater reproch then to scorn and slight them: And of such the Apostle in the 4. to the _Ephes._ speaketh thus, _They have their thoughts obscured with darknesse, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, in respect of blindnesse of their heart_: Take then this Oil so extracted from Soot, and repasse it three or four times upon Sand; for it is one of those, that lasteth very long. And after the extraction of the Water and Oil, and the Calcination of the earths, that shall remain in the bottome of the vessell, cast your water thereon, and put the matter to putrifie ten or twelve dayes in dung: then draw back the water by distillation calcining at the end thereof the Earths seven or eight houres by the fires flame. Put again the water upon the Earths, putrified, distilled, and calcined, reiterating as abovesaid. For by means of water and fire, the Earths will be calcined, untill they have drunk up and retained all their water: or the greatest part: which will be done at the six or seventh reiteration. This done, give it the fire of sublimation, and it will elevate it self a pure earth, clear and Crystalline fastened in the Center. The water hath great proprieties and vertues, but this Earth hath yet more, whereof I will endeavour to speak more at large. There may be also Salt extracted by the dissolutions of its water and glasse, of the Earths that shall remain after the elevation of the said Virgin Earth. For every private thing by its proper humidity doth perform nothing but vitrificatory fusion, saith _Geber_. And there are here three: two volatiles, water, and oil, and the third fix’d and permanent; which is congealed, namely Salt: which beyond all other moistures expects the conflict of fire, saith the said _Geber_. For there is nothing more moist, and more unctuous then Salt, nor that better endures fire: Also all metals are nought else but fusible salts; whereunto they are easily resolved: common Salt melteth also, after it hath been recalcined, and dissolved, three or foure times, whereof wee will speake more plainly in its place.

[Sidenote: _Coupelles._ pag. 86. The little ashen pot, wherein goldsmiths melt and fine their metals.]

I have here a little extended my self upon Soot, as upon a Subject, where rare secrets appear remarkable; & the same upon charcole, made of stone, and of that vitrification of sky colour, that remains of Iron whereof wee see great heaps in furnaces and forges, and being so dry, yet there may be water, and oil drawn therefrom: wee will yet say the same concerning Soot: Fire burning wood, or other adustible matter, chaseth away the waterish humidity, therein contained, and feeds it selfe with oil, or aereall substance. The terrestriall part, which are the ashes, remaining in the bottom calcined, where the Salt resides, which thereby being separated by the washings, and dissolutions of the water, the remainder is nought but slime, which is drawn away by frequent ablutions, and the Sand remains at the last proper to be vitrified; observe in respect of one of the excrements of fire, which is not contented therewith, but by its impetuosity, and heat tending naturally upwards, carries on high with violence a part of the subtiliated substances. Let us adapt this to the _Coupelles_.

Wee see that part of the lead, from thence goes away in smoak as in the fire, whence Soot is procreated, a part thereof is burned, namely its sulphurous part, and part grows tough within the _coupelles_ almost in the manner of Glasse or varnish. Of the two first volatils, there is no account to be made thereof, for they goe and disperse themselves. But bray the _Coupelles_ where this vitrification is as it were baked, wash them well with warm water, to depure them from their grosnesse and uncleannesse, then put them into a descensory with a strong expression of a bellows fire with the Salt of _Tartar_ and _Salnitre_, and there will fall down through a _Metalline_: which being _recoupled_ with new lead you will find more fine, without comparison then at first, and ever from that time forward, more and more, by reiteration as abovesaid. So that hee, that would take the patience to boil the lead on a regulated and continuall fire, that should not exceed its fusion, that is to say, that the lead should therein remain alwayes melted and no more, putting thereto a small portion of quicksilver or sublimate to keepe it from Calcination, and to reduce it to powder: at the end of a certain time, you shall find that _Lamwell_ hath not spoken frivolously to say that the six grain is contained in power with lead, (that is to say) gold and silver, would multiply and increase themselves as the fruit upon a tree doth.

[Sidenote: _Coups a ruer._ pag. 87.]

But to return to these oils of long durance, whereof he might make a large volume that would run through not all but a part: Let him draw from the Tartar of wine, of which the best comes from _Mompellier_, even that which adheres unto the Tun. One which is very important, Tartar is one of the subjects, where those who practise in the fire, do find so _many blows to cast_. Take of this Tartar beaten into small powder and put it in a leaded earthen pot with clear fountain water, upon a Trevet or furnace, making it boil easily and scum the villainies and filthinesse off with a feather: the silver _Crusts_ that shall afterwards arise, gather them with a head of Glasse, where these grosse _moules destang_, of _mudd_, so long till they rise no more, renewing the water by measure when it comes to diminish. Turn it by Inclination, and put a part, that which rests in the bottom in the shape of Sand. Put again the Crusts in new water, make them boil gently as before, and gather together the Crusts that shall rise up more clear and lucent then the first, separating their dregs and impurities, if there be any presented, and reiterate this six or seven times, till your Crusts be clear and shining as silver or pearls. Dry them in the Sun, or before the fire upon a linnen, and put them in a cornue with an open breech, and a graduate fire reinforcing it by smalls: and through the beak of the Cornue, there will issue as a smal rivolet of milk, that will resolve into oil with the Recipient. Passe it once again, or twice upon Sand, or salt of Tartar: which is done by calcining of Tartar, within a pot of Earth of _Paris_, not leaded in a fire of reverberation, or in Charcoles: afterwards dissolve it, with hot water and filter, and congeal it, and there will remain white Salt which will resolve it self into a liquor called the oil of Tartar; _or after it is well calcined let it resolve_ to it self in moisture. _This Liquor is of great efficacy to quench and root out all sorts of wildfires. But of the sands that remain in the bottom, without being unwilling to rise in Crusts: there will be extracted another more exquisite oil and lesse adustible._

Tartar may be governed after another fashion. Wee insist therein in this respect, because it shews to have I know not what agreement with Soot: for as Soot is an excrement of fire, so are Tartar and lees, the same of wine, that have great affinity with fire. Take then of Tartar in Powder within a leaded earthen vessell, and cast hot water there on stirring it strongly with a stick; and letting it rest a little, put out the water; with that which it hath gotten from the Tartar: which is after the form of slime within another dish: and put new luke warm water upon the Tartar: reiterating as aforesaid so many times that the water may come forth neat & clear; which will be perfected at the fifth or sixth time. And in the bottom there will remain the foresaid sand, which being dryed disolves it self within the distilled vinegar, and not into common water. _Aqua vitæ_ likewise dissolves in a little space, when the one and the other would take no more. Wash that which remaines, with common water, then dry it slowly, and having put it into a Cornue with a sufficient good expression of fire graduating it by small pieces, there will be extracted an odoriferous oil, as of _aspic._ one of _Raimond Lullius_ his secrets: which is one of his principall keyes, and entries into Metallick dissolutions. Take the foresaid evacuations, and elevate the Crusts as aforesaid. There are too many things to speak of Tartar, and that which wee have now set down is not vulgar, but the rarest of our experiments; Of vinegar, after that the clear shall bee distilled, and that the white fumes shall begin to appear, which is his adustible oilynesse, put the dregs that shall remain (for you must have a great quantity) in a cellar or other fresh place, and in five or six dayes there will be procreated small Crystalline little stones; separate them from their residences, by ablutions of common water, and dry them; and you shall draw thereout an oil of no small importance, so great certainly and admirable are the substances, which the art of Fire extracts from Wine.

[Sidenote: _Lignum vitæ._]

The most part of the oils that wee have touched on, heretofore, being adustible, are by consequent of a strong and troublesome odour, as smelling the burnt, when they burn, you must therefore set them in the Sun certain dayes, that is to say, to dry them in the Sun, and in the Air, to take away from them this fiery smell: for recompence we will here treat of some rare ones and of good agreeable odour. And in the first that of Been, which prefumers use, hath neither colour, odour, nor savour: and therefore it is susceptible of all those which you shall apply thereunto. Being repassed upon Sand to take away the fatnesse, it would bee of long durance, and without an ill sent, but it is too dear. As for oils of Olive, rapes or long turneps, _chenevy_, sesamum, but is rare in these quarters: and other the like which are drawn by the press, by means of the heat of fire: what repasses soever there may bee, yet they never desist to be of a good odour, but so much lesse, according as they shall bee depured and by the same means of longer durance: Oils of Sage, Thyme, Pepper and other the like, drawn by an instrument proper thereunto, such artifices, are so divulged even unto Chamber maids, that I should bee ashamed to speak of: That of Benzoine is more rare, and lesse known, and more laborious to make. Take Benzoin thoroughly beaten to grosse powder, and put it into a Cornue with fine _Aqua vitæ_, which swimmeth thereover three or four fingers, and leave them so for two or three daies upon a moderate fire of ashes, that the _Aqua vitæ_ may not distill, removing them every houre; this done, accommodate the _Cornue_ upon the furnace with an earthen vessell full of Sand. Distill the _Aqua vitæ_, with a gentle fire, afterwards increasing it by degrees, there will appear infinite little _aiguilles_ and filaments, such as in the dissolutions of lead and quicksilver. The which sheweth sufficiently that Benzoin participates thereof: It whitens Copper, quickens Gold, and put in decoction of _gayac_, doth admirable effects, as also Tartar, which containeth much quick-silver. When then these veins or little _aiguilles_ shall shew themselves, continue this degree of fire, and let them play within the Cornue a certain space, so long that all vanish away. In the interim have in a readinesse a little stick which may enter within the neck of the _Cornue_ for these _aiguilles_ will come thither to bring again as in an _mouelle_, and if you take them not away speedily the vessell will break when this Gumme or Mouelle shall bee all past, with a certain form of butter, which will cast it self afterwards within the Recipient, the oil will begin to distill fair and clear, of an hyacinth colour, and fragrant odour: after which reinforcing the fire, there will issue out another more thick and dark, which you must receive apart. This Gumme or white marrow, which you shall have drawn out of the neck of the Cornue, wash it with the _Aqua vitæ_ which you distilled therefrom, in the beginning, which shall extract therefrom a tincture or Citrine colour, as Saffron, and shall leave the Gumme very white, and of a most agreeable smell, fit to make _Pater Nosters_ of sents, of such a colour as you will please to give it: withdraw your _Aqua vitæ_ by a bath, and in the bottome there will remain a yellow Tincture of a good sent likewise, which hath great proprieties and vertues. The black oil is, a soveraign balm against all hurts: and of the remaining earths a Salt of great efficacy. Thus you have of Benzoin five or six substances, a white Gomme, with its yellow Tincture, the two oils and Salt.

_Aqua vitæ_ which is its principall manifestation, and without which nothing would bee done therein, there is also Storax, Calamint, Ladanum, Myrrh, and the like Gums, out of which oil is extracted by the means of the carriage of _Aqua vitæ_, and therein you must proceed as in Benzoin: But there are not so many things to mingle together: Out of Myrrh there is likewise extracted a liquor, very proper to take away all spots and marks remaining of scabs, or pox and other like accidents. Take hard Egs, and cleave them in the middle, take away the yellow, then fill the hollows with grains of Myrrh, and cover them again with the other half: Leave them three or four dayes in the clear and in the air, where the Sun comes not: and they will resolve themselves into a liquor like unto hony, or thick dew, frankincense likewise doth the same.

Out of Sulphure also there may bee drawn an adustible oil by opening it, with _Aqua vitæ_, and also by other wayes. For Sulphur hath in it two substances, the one inflammative, the other not, but aluminous and vitriolique: whence proceeds this liquor which is called oil of Sulphur: which hath yet greater properties and vertues then the oil of vitriol, which is more caustick and burning: as well against evill inward affections, as in Cankers and ulcers of the mouth, tooth ach, cankers, and other the like, where it works more moderately.

Take then first a match of Cotten yarn of the bignesse of your little finger and two els long, which you shall besmear with molten wax and with Turpentine, as to make waxe Lights.

Take on the other side a pot of _Paris_ earth leaded, wherein you shall put a bed of sulphur enough grossely beaten, and thereupon lay a round of your foresaid matches, untill the pot be full, on the top whereof, you shall leave a little end of your Match to light it: (fine musket match is very good also). Put your pot under a chimney and hang thereupon an Alembic Cap, whose mouth should relate to that of the pot. But you must first besmear and crust over the clay to the thicknesse of a thumb: you must not join it just to the pot, but that there may be an inch opening betwixt them. Light the Match, and make the Sulphur burn, which will cast from it a small white fume, which will adhere within the Cap and from thence it will resolve into a liquor of peach color, that will fall into the Recipient, when you have to such an end, applyed it to the beak of the Cap: But this will do better in soft weather with south winds and _d’aval_, and not in dry weather.

Wee have long insisted on these oils, as well for that they are produced for the most part out of the action of fire, of which there is here a question as for that nothing is nearer of kin to fire, then fatty oils, unctuosities, pitch rozin, and black Turpentines, Gums, and other like Inflammative substances, that are the true food, and nourishment thereof: And for that we are so far embarked therein, there will be no hurt, here in one train to prosecute something of the Artifices which are commonly called Grecian fires, whereof there are many sorts, that cannot bee quenched with water.

The foundation of them are Sulphur and Bitumen, black pitch, and rosin, Turpentine, Colophone, Sarcocoll, oils of Lin, petroll, and Laurell, Salt-Peter, Camphere, Tallow, Grease and other unctuosities facil to conceive flame: Of these Greek fires _Plutarch_ speaketh in his Treatise of not lending upon usury: & more lately by _Zonaras_, in his 3. Tome in the life of _Constantine_ the _Pogonate_ where it is said that in the year of our Lord 678. the _Saracens_ being come to besiege _Constantinople_, an Ingenier by name _Callinicus_ brought an Artifice of certain fire, by means whereof the _Saracens_ Fleet was defeated: But Gunpowder, and the artifices that may bee made thereby, hath slubbered them all; whence consisteth the most part of our artificiall fires, pots, and fire pikes, circles, granadoes, sauciges, petards, fuses, and infinite other the like, which we pretend not here to specifie in particular.

Take then a pound of Salt-Peter, 8. ounces of Sulphur, 6. ounces of Gunpowder, incorporate them together for Granadoes, and fire-pots, which make great noise in the breaking. But to tye fire to wood, and other inflammative matters, mingle a pound of pitch, rosin, a quartern of black pitch, 3. ounces of Colophon, and 5. of Sulphur, bruise the Gums, and cast into the melted Sulphurs, when it is cold beat them again, and moisten them with oil of Bayes, or linnen. There is another composition much more violent, but more dangerous.

Melt a pound of Sulphur within a leaded earthen pot, and put therein by little and little, but discreetly, a quartern of powder grosse grained, with as much salt Peter, stirring them often with a rod of Iron. Take them off the fire and let them dry. This mingled with the aforesaid Artifices wil work wondrous effects. Some mingle also a little beaten glasse, which coming to be warmed, rewarms consequently the matter, when it comes to flame: whose heat makes it stronger, and of longer durance. Camphere serves to make it burn in the water, as likewise all other greases do, and above all oil of brimstone, drawn by a bath, then which there is nothing more subtible or inflameable. But it would bee too tedious to penetrate into the ruins of mankind, of which there would bee no end, if a man should runne through them all.

Therefore let us return to our left purpose, of two fires. That above, designed by _Pallas_ and _Minerva_, and that below by _Vesta_. Which although they be so far distant, yet fail not to have such an affinity together, that they easily transmute one into the other: for the Sun beams are illightned by fire, by reason of a viall filled with water, as _Plutarch_ relate in the life of _Numa_. Where from a burning looking glasse, of which I remember that I saw one so puissant, in the States of _Orleans_, that in lesse then nothing, and yet in the moneth of _Ianuary_, it set a fire the staffe of a torch, and the fire contrariwise by many conveyances and contrivings from the top to the bottom, and through the sides in many circular revolutions, as in those of a Labyrinth, and in furnaces which they call a Tower, its heat comes to be so moderated, that it passeth into a naturall heat, vivifying, and nourishing in stead of burning, baking or consuming: And with such a fire I can say that there were hatched at _Rome_, at one time more then 100. or 120. Chickens, the Egs being therein couved and setled as under a Hen.

[Sidenote: Coals kept in Juniper for the space of a year.]