Chapter XI: Front Matter (11)

Now do not suppose that this is transmutation, which is only separation; wherefore thou must consider with thy self how that may be performed otherwise. But take heed that thou do not kindle this mixture from beneath, being put upon the coals, but from above, by reason of the danger of flashing: Also metals are easily fusible by the following mixture. Take one part of the saw-dust of the wood of the teil-tree being well dryed, two parts of sulphur, eight or nine parts of pure Nitre. Make _stratum super stratum_ in a crusible, and take to 11, or 12. parts of this mixture; one part of the metal subtilly ground, and kindle them, and the mine being melted will yield grains of pure Gold and Silver, if the mine were not too impure, the impurity thereof be consumed by that most vehement fire. And if this tryal be not for thy profit, yet it is rational, and may be for thine instruction.

_Of the melting of mines and metals._

The melting of these in a great quantity is not for this place, because they cannot be done by this furnace, but it is treated of plainly enough by others in their writings of minerals.

_Of the separation of metals._

This is a most ancient and profitable Art, whereby one metal may be separated from another: And it is for the most part done 4. ways, _viz._ by _Aqua Fortis_, by cement, by flux with sulphur, and lead, and lastly by Antimony; which ways that most witty _Lazarus Ercker_, hath clearly, and distinctly described, whose description is not to be found fault with, although some necessary things may be added thereunto, which being but few, I thought it superfluous to add them in this place.

And that separation consists in three chief metals, Gold, Silver, and Copper; he made no mention of other metals, and two of the aforesaid four ways are in use, as very easie, for they are done with _Aqua Fortis_ and Cement, the two others most commonly neglected, which are done by benefit of melting with Sulphur and Lead; and also by Antimony: that which is admirable, because metals are easier separated by benefit of these two ways, than by _Aqua fortis_ and Cements, suspected of wast, whereas not Sulphur and Antimony, but the ignorant worker, not knowing the nature of Sulphur and Antimony, is rather to be blamed, because he knows not how to order them, and withall leaves the nearer way of separation: and I must needs confess it that without this furnace I would not separate with them, because with that common way of furnaces and bellows, the stink of Sulphur and Antimony hurtful to the Liver, Lungs, Brain, and Heart, is received by the Nostrils to the hazard of health: for which cause I do not wonder that those two wayes requiring greater diligence than those two former by _Aqua fortis_ and Cements are rejected. But this Furnace being known, with which without danger one may melt, I doubt not of excelling the two former ways hereafter as more profitable than them. For he who knows Antimony, may not only easily with small cost separate Gold from the addition without any loss of it, and speedily refine it, but also easier separate gilt silver, than by Sulphur, Lead, _&c._ in great store without any loss of Gold or Silver.

And this is the easiest way of the separation of Gold and Silver which is done by the benefit of melting, requiring no more charge than the coals; for there is Antimony which hath Gold in it as much as it is worth, which will be the separators gain: I would have you know this, how Antimony may again be separated from Gold and Silver, not by the common way, which is done by bellows, but by the special way of separation wherewith the Antimony is preserved, so that it may be used again for the same purpose; which I will treat of in another place. Besides the four ways spoken of, there is also another way, best of all, by the nitrous spirit of salt, namely after this manner: ℞ the spirit of salt (prepared by our first and second Furnace) acuated with Nitre disolved in it, to which add grain Gold mixed with Silver and Copper; put it in a glass vial in hot sand to dissolve, and the Gold together with the Copper will be dissolved in it, and the Silver left in the bottom of the vial: decant off the solution, to which add something, precipitating Gold, and make them boyl together, and the pure fine gold will be separated and precipitated like the finest meal, serving Writers and Painters; the Copper being left in the water; which thou mayst if thou wilt precipitate from the water, but it is better to take away the water, which will serve again for the same use. If the precipitated Gold be washed and dryed it gives in the melting (by which nothing is lost) the best and purest Gold. For finer gold can neither be made by _Aqua fortis_ nor by Antimony.

Therefore this is the best way of all, not only for the small cost, but also for the easiness yielding the best Gold of all others.

Then take the calcin’d Silver left in the gourd, sweeten and dry it, which done make a little salt of Tartar to melt in a crucible, to which by course put a little of the refined silver with a spoon, and it will be presently made a body without any loss. You may also boyl that Calx as yet moist newly taken out of the gourd with a Lixivium of Salt of Tartar, even to the evaporation of all moisture: and melt the dry remnant, where also nothing is lost. Without this medium the calx of Silver (drawn from _Aqua Regia_) is not fusible of it self, turning into a brittle matter, like horn that is white, or of a middle colour between white and yellow, called therefore of Chymists the _Horn of the Moon_; in reducing which many have tried much, which reduction we have already taught. For want of spirit of salt take _Aqua Regia_ made of _Aqua Fortis_ and salt Armoniack, which doth the same, but with greater charges. This also is to be preferred before other ways, which makes to the separation of any Gold of any degree, if so be it exceed Silver in weight; which is necessarily required in the solution made with _Aqua Fortis_.

But that you may see the prerogative of this separation, mark a little, when you separate by the _Quarto_ and by _Aqua fortis_ you must put just two or three parts of refined Silver to one of course Gold, where first the cost and labour of refining the Silver to be melted and grained with Gold are required: then a good quantity of _Aqua fortis_ to dissolve, precipitate, edulcorate, dry and melt a great deal of silver. Consider then I pray, the labours and charges of my separation and the vulgar. When thou separatest with Cements there is need of boxes, and continual fire of one degree, which labour is tedious for times sake, and costly for coals, which labour you must twice or thrice take in regard of the mixt dross. Now again consider the labour and charges of both separations. When thou separatest by Sulphur and Antimony, which is the best way, without great charges, if thou knowest to separate Gold from Antimony without blowing, but this is tedious because thrice greater labour than our way, tedious indeed by reason of the difficulty of a perfect separation of Gold and Silver from the Antimonial dross. Think therefore what way of separation you will use to refine Gold speedily, surely you will chuse mine.

This way of separation hath also this prerogative, that it hath no need of refined silver which is done by the benefit of burning, but only its granulation, solution or separation by the use of _Aqua Fortis_, where though copper mixt with silver makes wast, yet by the help of this salt it is soon precipitated. By this means gilt silver is soon separated, the gold being dissolved by the nitrous spirit, and precipitated with the aforesaid matter precipitating. As for the separation of gilt silver which is to be done by help of fusion, and none is easier done than with Sulphur and Antimony, where when the necessary manual (ingredients) are known; a great deal is separated in a short time, but if thou knowest not how to handle Antimony and Sulphur (for which our Furnace very well befits) leave them, and use the common way; therefore lay not thy fault afterward on me, writing for thy good.

_Of separating the courser metals._

The manner of separating Tin from Lead, and Copper from Iron, without loss of both metals, by preserving both, hath hitherto been unknown, which seems impossible to me by reason of the combustibility of both metals; and superfluous for the small profit, and saving charges. But how Gold and Silver may be separated from Tin with which commonly this abounds, without any wast, hath been long since sought to no purpose: but a possibility will appear to a serious considerer; and though I never tryed in great quantity, being content with a precipitation made with a little; I am yet perswaded this business will succeed in a great quantity and with much profit; namely by the help of a Furnace made on purpose where gold and silver precipitated with lead and _Halb Kopf_ by extream heat of fire; that tin is extracted to the remanence of the tenth part, which remainder you must peculiarly take and keep. Which done you must precipitate new tin in the foresaid Furnace, and so extract to the remainder of the _Regulus_, which being extracted from, is to be added to the first and reserved; which labor is to be reiterated, till thou hast a sufficient quantity of _Regulus_ filling the Furnace; which again thou must precipitate; for by this means gold and silver are brought together, so that they may easily afterward be separated from the superfluous tin. By this means I count the separation profitable, where but little substance is lost, which is turned into ashes and smoak. Nor doth adding lead and _Halb Kopf_ hinder, because sometime lead is mixt with tin, and the _Halb Kopf_ is separated again. It is good therefore to separate pots and old dishes, by reason of the mixture of lead, and to precipitate the gold and silver from them, by the adjection of _Halb Kopf_ only, where the residue is no way altered by the _Halb Kopf_, therefore thou mayst sell it, or refine it again: which in my judgment will be to great advantage.

_What is to be held concerning the perfection of Metals._

This knot is scarce soluble, for so many and divers opinions of so many ages, so that most men slighting the testimonies of true Philosophers, will not believe the truth, especially, because scarce one of an hundred can be found who is not impoverisht with this art: the incredulous therefore is not to be blamed for his doubting, no signs of truth appearing, yet experience testifies a possibility by art and nature, though examples are rare. I pray with how great absurdity should one deny Heaven and Hell never seen? But thou saist we must believe this as revealed by God, his Prophets and Apostles; but so is not this, but the Philosophick tradition of Heathens. I answer, though most Philosophers were heathen (yet some have been Christians) yet their works are not to be despised, because not handling our salvation: to whom if CHRIST had Preached, surely they had believed him. For it appears by their books, that they were pious and honest Men; who though not Professors of CHRIST, yet they did His Will indeed, which we, though not in words, in action deny; who if they had been wicked, why took they so much pains in making books for the good and profit of their Neighbour about Vertue and Piety? Why spent they not rather their life time in leisure and pleasure, as is the custom now adaies with them who are appointed to instruct us? Why should they gull posterity with trifles and lyes, expecting from thence no profit? For most of them were not poor, but very rich Kings and Princes. Besides these, there have been many Christians seriously confirming the truth of the Art: Men indeed of special note, namely, Bishops, Doctors, _&c._ Such were _Thomas Aquinas_, _Albertus Magnus_, _Lullius_, _Arnoldus_, _Roger Bacon_, _Basil_, &c. Why should very pious men deceive posterity with their Works, and lead them into Errors? Although there should not remain the Works of Famous Worthies, yet there would be a plain confirming the truth of this Art. For I am perswaded there are some to be found having this knowledge, and privately possessing it. For who is so mad to reveal himself to the world, to receive nought but envy for his reward? Let no man therefore doubt of this secret Art’s truth. But say you: Why stand you so much for the Art? Did you ever see or perform any thing in it? I reply, though I never made projections to perfect metals, nor saw transmutations; yet I am sure of this, I have often from metals with metals, leaving no gold and silver in the cupel, extracted gold and silver by the help of fire: But I will not have you think that one imperfect metal will perfect another, or turn it into gold or silver, impure and drossy without, in comparison of gold and silver; for how can such metals perfect another imperfect? Which thus understand. For as in the vegetable Kingdom, water cleanseth water, or juice with seething as is wont to be done in purifying honey and sugar, or any other vegetable juice, with common water, and white of eggs: so also you must understand of mineral juices or metal, of which if we know the water and white, surely we might refine the impurity, in which gold and silver lie hid, as in black shales, and powerfully extract gold and silver, which is not a transmutation of metals, but an eduction of gold and silver from the dunghil; Dost thou ask how Gold and Silver can be educed from copper, iron, tin, and lead, to wit, by the help of lotion, out of which none is drawn with that best proof (as ’tis thought) of Cupels? To which we answered before of the proof of Cupels not to be sufficient for all the several metals. I need therefore say no more, but I refer the studious Reader to _Paracelsus_ his Book, the _Vexation of Chymists_, where thou shalt find another lotion and purification of metals, which heretofore was unknown to Miners and Dealers in Minerals. As for example: A Miner finding the oar of copper, useth his skill delivered by the ancients to his utmost endeavour, whereby he may cleanse it and reduce it to metal: where first he breaks it into pieces, and boyls it, for to take away the superfluous sulphur, then by vertue of melting, he brings it into a stone (so called) which afterward again he commits to fire, and freeth it by the addition of lead, of its gold and silver; which done, he blacks and redens it, turning it into copper, which is his last labour, whereby the copper is made malleable and vendible: which done, the Chymist coming, tries another separation, by whose help gold and silver is extracted, as yet tryed of very few, of which mention is here made. _Paracelsus_ also saith in the same place, that God hath given some an easier way of separating gold and silver from courser metals, and indeed without refining the oar, which is a special and curious Art, which he teacheth not in plain tearms, but only saith it is sufficiently taught in seven rules of that book, where he treats of the nature and propriety of metals; in which you may seek it. And this purification of courser metals I count most easie, which I have often tryed in small quantities: and I doubt not but God hath shewn other Artists also other purifications by which imperfect metals are perfected; for example, if one would purge the fruit of the earth by distillation, so that the dregs and impurities being taken away, it would grow up with a new clear clarified body: as if one distil black and impure Amber by a retort, the separation would be made by Fire, of the water savouring of an _Empyreum_, of the oyl and volatile salt, and the _Caput mortuum_ be left in the bottom of the retort; by which means, in a very short time without great labour, is made a great alteration and emendation of Amber, though the oyl be black, impure, and stinking: but if it be again distilled by a retort with some mundifying water, as with the spirit of salt (namely through a fresh clean glass retort) there will be made a new separation by that spirit of salt, and a far clearer oyl will be extracted; the dregs with the stink left in the bottom of the retort, which afterward may be twice or thrice rectifyed again with fresh spirit of salt, until it get the clearness of water, and sweetness of sent resembling Amber and musk.

And this transmutation makes of a hard thing, a soft; unlike the former in shape, which though never so soft and liquid, oyly, may again be coagulated, so that it becomes as it was at first, after this manner following. Take the said oyl very well clarifyed, add to it fresh spirit of salt, set it in digestion, and the oyl will attract from the spirit of salt, salt enough for its own recoagulation, and again it acquires the hardness of Amber, of an excellent clear and admirable colour; of which half an ounce is worth more than some pounds of black Amber; of which scarce the eight or tenth part remains in purifying, all the foul superfluities cast away.

By this means I think one may cleanse and mend black metals, if so be the manner of their cleaning were known by distillation, sublimation and recoagulation. But thou say’st that metals cannot like vegetables be purified by force of distillation, to which I present our first furnace not given to peasants, but Chymists, purifying metals; so also the possibility of their perfection is shewn by help of fermentation. For as fresh leaven can ferment the vegetables juices, which are perfected by fermentation, the dregs being cast away as one may see in wine, ale, and other liquors, whose lasting and perfection proceeds from no other thing but fermentation purifying the vegetable juices, without which they could not otherwise withstand the Elements, subject to corruption in a very short time, which fermented last some years: so also if we knew the proper ferment of metals, surely we might refine and perfect them, so that they not being any more subject to rust, would be able to prevail against fire and water, and be nourished and fed by them. For so the world heretofore perished with water, and shall at last perish with fire, and our bodies must rot and be purified by fire before we come to the sight of God. And thus far of the fermentation of metals, wherewith they are amended and perfected. Metals also are purify’d and amended like milk set on the fire; whose cream the better part (the substance of butter) in the top is separation from the whey and cheese, and the hotter the place is, the sooner the separation is made even, so it is with the separation of metals; where metals put into a Fitted hot place by themselves without any addition of another thing (the metals being before reduced to a milky substance or curd) are separated in time, by parting the nobler parts from the ignobler, opening a great treasure: and as in winter time milk is hardly separated with a weak heat; just so metals if not helped with Fire, as one may see in iron, which in a long time under the earth is turned into gold without Art. For often iron oar is found with golden veins very goodly to behold, severed from the course, earthy and crude sulphur, by force of the central heat. And commonly in such oar no vitriol is found, being separated and bettered by its contrary. But a long time is required for that subterraneous separation, which Art very speedily performs; as is wont to be done with milk in winter when we presently make butter of it, when we put it to the Fire to part the cream speedily; which separation is helped by the precipitation made with acid things, mortifying the urinous salt of the milk, by which means all principles are separated by themselves, as butter, cheese, whey: so in a quarter of an hour separation is made by boiling, which else without acid things could not be done in some weeks. If then it be possible in vegetables and animals, why not in minerals? For what but gold and silver is found in lead, iron, tin and copper, though it doth not appear? Why is all goodness denyed to the courser metals granted to vegetables and animals not equal to them for lasting? Whence is the natural perfection of lead, tin, iron, and copper to be proved? Nature ever seeks the perfection of her fruits; but course metals are imperfect; Why then is not nature helped with Art in perfecting them? But the bond of metallick parts is worth observation, which being broken, the parts are separated. Urinous salt (as I may say) is the bond of the parts making milk, as of butter, whey, and cheese, which is to be mortifyed by its contrary acid for separation. But in iron the parts are bound with a vitriolate salt, as with a bond, which is to be mortified with its contrary, urinous or nitrous salt for separation. He therefore who knoweth to take away the superfluous salt of iron, either by moist or dry means, doubtless shall have iron not soon subject to rust.

Fire also hath incredible force of it self in changing metals. Is not steel made iron by force of Fire, and iron of steel by different proceeding? Experience dayly teacheth us also divers kinds of changes and refinings by Fire; why is it not possible in metals by an expert Chymist having skill in them? Who would believe that a live bird lurks in an egg, and an hearb having leaves, flowers, and odour, in the seed? Why may not then abortive metals, getting not yet perfection, be perfected by Art, with help of Fire? Is not an unripe apple or pear ripened by the heat of the Sun? Which some curious and industrious men observing, have imitated nature in their works; and have found some metals not destroyed with the heat of Fire, but enriched with a secret gainful heat; so that melted (digestion being made) they have yielded double weight of gold and silver. Yea I my self have seen the common oar of lead digested after the aforesaid manner, which was not only inriched with silver thereby, but also partaked of gold which it wanted before in ordinary tryal. Besides one might work this in great quantity, as with an hundred pounds; which work of minerals will without doubt bring great profit to the skilful triers of lead: But know this, that not every tryal of lead will be furnished with gold, but the oar to be ever enriched with silver, experience being witness.

Many such things are found in Nature incredible to the ignorant, and those that are unexercised. But if we mortals were more diligent in reading the book written with the hand of God in the pages of the four Elements, surely we should Find more secrets and wonders in them, but skill and wealth is got with sweat of face and not by sloth; therefore _labour_ and _pray_. Metals are also meliorated by the help of gradation like to germination.

For it is well known, that the shoot or grass of some fruitful garden-tree implanted in a wood, makes that tree afterwards to bear not wild fruits, but very good and sweet like them of the implanted shoot, as one may see in iron dissolved in an acid spirit, fermented with Venus and turned into Copper: by which means doubtless copper is turned into silver, and silver into gold, if the true manner of fermentation were known.

Now this transmutation is like digestion, making beef or horse flesh of grass in the stomach of oxe and horse, and mans flesh of beef, in the stomach of man.

The better parts also are separated from the worser by the attractive strength of the like, as is to be seen in a metal abounding with sulphur, to which if iron be added in fusion, the sulphur deserts its native metal, (by which means it is more purifyed) and joins its self to the iron, with which it hath more affinity and familiarity, than with its own metal; for example, if iron be added to lead oar full of sulphur in the melting, this melted metal is made malleable, which else would be black and brittle. And if something else to be put to the melted malleable metal were known to us, to take away in the melting, the redundant, crude, combustible sulphur, questionless it would yet be made purer; which thing being unknown, metals remain in their impurity. And indeed God hath done well in this as in all other his works, that he hath concealed his knowledge from us: for if it were known to the covetous, they would buy up all lead, tin, copper and iron, to turn into gold, so that rurall and poor Labourers could hardly buy metallick instruments for their use, for the scarcity; but God will not have all metals turned into Gold.

A Similitude of taking away the superfluous sulphur of some metals in fusion, being given to keep the purer parts; so likewise is there another manner of separating, the purer parts from the impure, namely, by the attractive power of the like, where the purer parts are drawn together by their like, the impurer and heterogeneous part is rejected: and that may be shown as well by the moist as dry way; an example of the moist way followeth.

If quick Mercury be added to impure gold or silver dissolved in its proper _menstruum_, the mercury draws to it self the invisible gold and silver from the _Menstruum_ and mixt impurity and associates what is purest to it self, which separation swiftly succeeds. Mercury performs the same likewise in the dry way: namely, when some earth having some gold and silver, is moistned with acid water, and they are so long bruised together, till the Mercury draws the better part; which done you must wash the dead earth left, with common water, and separate the Mercury being dryed from the attracted gold and silver, by trajecting them through a skin, but the Mercury draws but one metal from the earth, and indeed the best at one time; which being separated, it draws another metal; for example, if in some one earth, gold, silver, copper and iron ly hid, the first time the mercury draws the gold, the second the silver, but copper and iron hardly by reason of their dross, but tin and lead easily, but easiest of all gold by reason of its purity like to mercury.

_Another Demonstration by the dry way._

Put under a tile a cuple with lead, to which add a grain of very pure gold, most exactly weighed (for memories sake) make the gold in the cuple to fulmimate, and the lead will enter the cuple, the gold being left pale in the cuple: of which pale colour there is no other cause than the mixture of silver, drawn from the lead by the gold. But thou wilt say, that thou knowest this, that gold fulminated with lead, is made paler and weightier, by reason of the silver in the lead, left with the gold in the trial, augmenting the weight, and thence making it pale: to which I reply, though lead leave some silver in trying in the cuple, mixt with the gold added to it, augmenting its weight, and changing the colour; yet it is proved by the weight, that lead leaves more being mixt with gold in the cuple, than when tryed without gold. Hence it is proved, that gold in the fire draws its like from other metals, augmenting its weight: and this also gold doth in the moist way: for if it be dissolved in its own _menstruum_, together with copper, and put in digestion, and then separated, it attracts gold from the copper; which labour, though not done with profit, yet witnesseth a possibility. But if the _menstruum_ of gold augmenting the attracting power of gold or multiplying the same were known, but diminishing the retentive power of copper, doubtless some gain were to be expected; and indeed more, if gold and copper, together be melted in fire with the dry mineral _menstruum_; by which means the weight of gold would be increased according to _Paracelsus_ saying Metals mixt together in a strong fire, continued a pretty while, the imperfection vanisheth and leaves perfection in its place.

Which surely well done, is a work not wanting gain. For I freely confess, that I would sometime incorporate silver with iron, when as gold from iron gave me a good increase of pure gold, instead of fixt silver sought after. And by this means often some not thought on thing happens to Artists, as to my self with fixt silver, not rightly considering the business. Therefore medling with metals, be sure when you find some encrease, to weigh well what it was at first. For many think long trying silver with iron, by the Blood-stone, Load-stone, Emraud, _lapis calaminaris_, Red-talck, Granats, Antimony, Arsenick, Sulphur, Flints, _&c._ having mature and immature, volatil and fixt gold in them, finding in the trying good gold; that this gold is made of the silver by the help and use of the foresaid minerals, which is false, For the silver drew that gold out of those minerals, in which before it lurked volatile. Yet I deny not the possibility of changing silver, as being inwardly very like gold, but not by help of cementation with the said minerals, because that gold proceeds not from the silver, but those minerals, attracted by the silver. This labour is compared to seed cast into good ground, where dying, by its own power it draws its like to it self, whence it is multiplyed an hundred fold.

And it behoveth in this work now and then to wet the metallick earth, with proper metallick waters, being dryed up with heat (which operation is called of the Philosophers inceration) else the earth will be barren, and it behoveth that this water be neer in kind to the earth, so that when they are united they yield a certain fatness. For as it appears from sandy dry earth, moistened with rain water, not bringing forth fruit agreeable to its seed, for the small heat also of the Sun consuming the moisture, and burning the seed in the earth, which mixt with cows dung or other, keeps the water so as that it cannot be so soon consumed. By the same reason it is necessary that thy earth and water be mixt, lest thy seed be burnt up. Which work if well handled, it will not be in vain, requiring the exceeding diligence of nourishing the earth with warmth and moisture, when the earth is drown’d with too much moisture, or hath too little, it cannot increase, and this is one of the best labours, with which I draw forth good gold and silver of baser metals, requiring the best vessels, retaining the seed together with its earth, and water in its proper heat. I doubt not but this work also in a greater quantity, may be performed, firmly beleiving that the courser metals, especially lead, the fittest of all not only to be perfected into gold and silver, but also into good medicine: which without question is a Philosophick labour granted from God, as a great comfort to the Chymist, but warily to be used. For that all and singular Gods gifts he will not have common: as indeed I have found, when I had invented a very excellent work, that I shewing it to a friend, neither could I afterwards teach it to him, nor do it again for my self. Therefore indeed justly men are doubtful in writing such matters: for many seek with idleness to get the inventions of others, performed with great costs and labour. Therefore it is safer to be silent and give leave to seek, than to publish secrets, that they may undergo the pains and charges to be born in inventing high matters; nor any more hereafter may the ingrateful so impudently gape after others Labours. Therefore I would entreat all men both of high and low degree, that they would not molest and tire me hereafter with their Petitions and Epistles, and that they would not turn my good will of benefiting others to the ruin of my self, but be contented with my writings published for the profit of my neighbour. Nor do you think that I possess and promise golden mountains. For what I have written, I have writ to discover nature, in these discourses of the perfection of course metals in small quantity; For I never made trial in a great quantity, trying truth and possibility in a lesser only, in small crucibles: therefore those things which I have writ are written to that end that the possibility of the Art, may appear, of perfect metals to be wrought out of Imperfect, therefore he who hath occasion may make trial in a greater quantity: but as for my part wanting opportunity, I expect Gods blessing, whereby upon occasion I may make tryal in a greater quantity, and so receive the fruit of my labour and great charges.

Also metallick bodies are transmuted by another means, namely by the benefit of a tinging metallick spirit, as one may see in _aurum fulminans_, sometimes kindled upon a smooth clean metallick plate, fixing a very deep golden tincture upon the plate, so that it may bear the Touch-stone. The same also happens in the moist way, where plated metals put into a gradatory spirit made of Nitre, and certain minerals, being pierc’t by the spirit, obtain another kind agreeing to the spirit. But if one doubt of the metallick gradation, made with _aurum fulminans_; he may try the certainty from the often fireing of fresh _aurum fulminans_, upon the same plate; for he shall see that it is not the colour of the metal, and outwardly gilded, but deeply tinged. Likewise one may try the certainty by a humid spirit, if the transformed metals are tryed, whence the mutual action and passion of subtilized spirits plainly appears, for the power of spirits is very great, and incredible to one not exercised; and this gradation of inferiour metals, Philosophers both ancient and modern, doe not only confirm, but also diggers of minerals taught by experience, that mineral vapours by penetration change courser into purer metals, _Lazarus Ercker_ being witness, that iron is changed into a good natural copper in green salt waters, & that he saw a pit, in which iron nailes and other things cast in, by the penetration of a cupreous spirit were turned into a good copper. I do not deny that metallick dissolutions of some metals do stick precipitated to the plates, and to make them of a golden, silver, or cupreous colour; for it is well known, that iron cast into a vitriol water not to be turned into copper, but to draw copper out of the water, of which thing we treat not here, confirming the possibility of metallick transmutations by a tinging and piercing spirit; therefore I again maintain that great power is in metallick spirits; look only upon course and opake earth, and besides that clear and limpid water with which the clearer and more powerful air proceeding from the water cometh from the earth. Are not whole Countries drownded with water, sometimes Towns and Cities taken away? Cannot the air destroy the strongest Houses; especially shut up in the Earth, shake the Land for some miles, and afterward demolish whole Cities and Mountains with the death of Men? all which things are done naturally. Wind artificially raised by Nitre threatens a far greater danger, which no man can deny. Although that corporeal Elements exercise so great power, yet they cannot pierce metals without hurt, nor stones and glass, and things soon penetrated by fire. Therefore not by an occult but a manifest power of Sun and Fire, which it hath over metals, stones and glass, which are easily pierc’t by them without any impediment: and why should not metals compact of a certain metallick subtile and piercing spirit be penetrated by help of fire, and changed into another species? As is already spoken of _Aurum fulminans_ and _aqua gradatoria_. Therefore there is no doubt of the possibility of the metallick tingent spirit changing courser metals into finer, both by the dry and moist way; For Metals may be purified the same way as Tartar and Vitriol, and other salts, namely by the benefit of much water. For it is manifest that vitriol is purged with iron and copper mixt with it, namely dissolved and coagulated in much water, so that it waxes as white as allom; which purification is but a separation of the metal from the salt, made by the benefit of much water debilitating the salt, so that it cannot longer retain the mixt metal, which is precipitated like some slime, not unprofitable, because the chiefest part of the vitriol, from which is the greenness, _viz._ Copper, Iron, and Sulphur. And as by help of separation metals are drawn from vitriol, more perfect than salts; so also it is with metals when the perfecter and better part is separated by help of precipitation: as for Tartar, it is purified by the addition of water, but its better part is not precipitated as in vitriol, but the courser part which is its blackness and fæculency. As for example; Common Tartar by the often solution (made with a sufficient quantity of water) and coagulation is made very pure and white, because in every solution made with fresh clear water, it always becomes purer; and not only by this means white Tartar, but also red and feculent, is reduced into transparent crystals, and indeed very speedily by vertue of a certain precipitation; whose limosity is the cause of the obscurity of the crystalline salt of tartar, and is nothing else but an unsavory thing, dead and useless, mixt with the tartar in its coagulation in Hogs-heads of Wine, and separated again by power of solution.

And these examples of the two salts of Vitriol and Tartar, are not in vain set down, because they shew the difference in precipitation: For in some Metals, by force of precipitation, the courser part is separated; but in other, the better and choicer, according to the prevalency of this or that part.

In Vitriol, the better part (Copper and Iron) is the least, which is precipitated and separated from the courser and greater part, _viz._ Salt; But, in Tartar, the courser and less part is precipitated and separated from the greater and better part clarify’d: The like is in Metals. Therefore, let every one be wary in separating; and consider before, whether the better or courser part of the Metal is to be precipitated; without which Knowledge, no Man can meddle with this Business. Let also the Workman be ware, who expects any profit from his labour, of Corrosive Waters; as _Aqua fortis_, _Aqua Regia_, Spirit of Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Vinegar, _&c._ in the Solution from which no Good proceeds, as utterly destroying and corrupting all and each of them; proving the same in these words, _From Metals, by Metals, and with Metals, Metals are made perfect_. Metals are also purified, maturated and separated from their Vices, by Nitre burning up the superfluous Sulphur.

And all the aforesaid perfections of metals are but particular. For every particular medicine, as well humane, as metallick, purgeth, separateth and perfecteth or amendeth by the taking away the superfluity. For a universal medicine worketh its perfections and emendations, by strengthening and multiplying the radical moisture as well of animals as metals, expelling its enemy by its own natural vertue. But thou sayst excellent examples indeed are delivered by me, but not the manner of doing them. _R._ I have delivered more then you think, although you don’t perceive it: for I am sure after my death that my books will be in greater esteem, from which it will appear that I have not sought vain glory, but the profit of my neighbour to the utmost of my power. But do not, seeing my freeness of writing, think that you may wrest many things from me. For assure your self, that although I have written many things for the publick good, yet I intend not by this means to trouble my self. For I cannot satisfy the desires of all men, nor answer their Epistles, nor inrich all men, who neither am rich my self, nor have sought riches. For although I have gotten the knowledge of these things by Gods blessing, and have tryed the truth of it in small quantity, yet have I never made experience in great store for wealth sake, being contented with Gods blessing.

And let this suffice concerning the several purifications of metals according to my experience; as for that universal medicine so famous, I cannot judge of it, being a thing unknown to me; but the possibility thereof I am forc’t to affirm, being moved with the several transmutations of metals; which being unknown, it behoves us to be contented with that favour which God hath bestowed on us. For oftentimes questionless it is better to know little, for Eternal Salvations sake; for most commonly wealth and learning puff up. And pride brings to the Devil the Author of it, from whence God of his mercy preserve us.

_Of the Philosophers Stone._

I have undergon much charge and labour for many years, to extract the tincture or anima of gold, for a medicine to be made therewith, which at length I have obtained, where I have observed the remainder of the gold, the soul or better part being extracted to be no more gold, nor longer to endure fire. Whence I conjectured, that such an extraction being fixt again, can perfect courser metals and turn them to gold: But I could not hitherto try the truth of my conceived opinion living at this time in a forraign place; therefore against my will, although greedy of novelty, I have been forc’t to abstain from the work. In the mean time considering the opinions of the Philosophers concerning their gold, not the vulgar, asserting the universal medicine to be prepared therewith. I have again affused a certain Philosophical Vinegar to Copper for to extract the tincture, where almost all the Copper like whitish earth is separated from the tincture in digestion, which earth by no Art I could again reduce into a metallick body.

Which experiment again confirmed me of a possibility of this Medicine. Which labour though I never followed, yet I doubt not but an humane medicine, though not also a metallick is attainable thence by a diligent workman. The soul therefore with all the metallick attributes, consisting in so small a quantity, which is scarce the hundredth part of the weight, which being extracted and separated, the remaining body is no more a metal, but a useless and dead earth; but it is not to be doubted but being fixt again, it may reassume and perfect another metallick body. Therefore I am confidently perswaded by the aforesaid Reasons, that such a medicine is to be made of mineral and metallick things, _viz._ in the flowing, changing baser metals into better. But do not think that I writing these things make gold or copper the matter of this medicine, which I do not hold, well knowing that there are other subjects easily to be handled, abounding with tinctures.

So thou hast heard now my opinion of the Universal Medicine, which my experience in Gold, Copper, and other Minerals and Metals hath caused: which I will not preach for _Gospel_, because it is human to erre.

Therefore no certainty is to be had, before its final and compleat perfection, and indeed once or twice tryed for certainties sake. For an excellent way once found out, cannot alwaies be often repeated, which happens doubtless as well to others as to me. Therefore we must not triumph before the Victory; for unthought on impediments may frustrate Hope: but God is rather to be implored in our labours, that he would be pleased to bless our endeavours, that we may use well his gifts in this life as good stewards, and afterward bestow the free reward of our labours, watchings, and cares on us sinners, namely, everlasting Rest and Salvation out of his meer Mercy.

_Whether Minerals, as Antimony, Arsenic, Orpin, Cobolt, Zinc,
Sulphur, =&c.= may be transmuted into metals, and into what?_

It is long since debated among Chymists, whether the aforesaid Minerals proceed from the same principles with Metals, and whether to be counted Metals; in which Controversy they have not agreed to this day, when as one approves that which another denies, so that a student of Chymistry knows not to what side he had best assent.

But this knowledge not a little helping, concerning the purifying of metals, I would put my opinion also grounded upon experience, for the satisfying the doubtful, the simplicity of them is strange who hold not one and the same beginning to be of minerals and metals, saying, if metals might be made by nature, of minerals surely it had long since been done; but it never was, experience witnessing; for remaining minerals, they are never transplanted into metals. I Answer, metals grow one way, also vegetables another, soon budding, and again soon dying; but it is not so with metals; for all lasting things have long time of digestion, according to the saying, _That which is soon made, doth soon fade_; this is to be understood not only of vegetables and minerals, but also of animals, as appears from the budding of some vegetables, coming in six Months space to their perfection, and then again perishing: when as things requiring longer time of digestion and perfection are much more lasting. A Mushroom in the space of one or two nights grows out of rotten wood, again soon vanishing: not so the Oke. Oxen, and Horses in the space of two or three year come to perfection, scarce living the twentyeth, or twenty-fourth year: but a Man requiring twenty four years to his perfection, lives sixty, eighty, or an hundred years. So also we must conceive of lasting metals requiring many ages, and also very long time of digestion and perfection; metals therefore requiring a very long time of digestion to their perfection, it is granted to no man ever to see the beginning, and end of them; the transplantation of minerals into metals by nature cannot be denyed; especially, because that in the oars of metals, especially of course ones, minerals are also found; wherefore diggers of minerals, when they find them, conceive good hopes of finding metals, of which they are termed the _Coverlids_, for seldom metals are found without minerals, or minerals without metals; nor also are ever minerals found wanting gold or silver; therefore minerals are properly termed the _Embryo_ of _Metals_; because by art and fire a good part of gold and silver is drawn out of them by fusion; which if they do not proceed from the metallick roots, whence proceeds that gold and silver? For an Ox is not born of an Infant, nor a man of a Calf; for alwaies like is produced of its like.

Therefore minerals are counted but unripe fruits in respect of metals, not yet obtaining their ripeness and perfection, nor separated from the superfluous earth; for how should a bird be hatcht of an egg by an heat, not predestined for the generation of a bird? For so we must understand of minerals, which if they be deprived of their metallick nature, how should by fire metals be produced from thence? But thou saist that thou never sawest the production of perfect metals out of courser; therefore that it is neither likely, nor credible to thee, to whom many things as yet lye hid, as from most men, perversly and foolishly denying things unknown; for daily experience witnesseth, that the viler minerals and metals by taking away the superfluous sulphur (however it be done) obtain a greater degree of perfection, therefore should not thy heart believe, and thy tongue speak what thou seest with thine eyes? For experience shews that good gold and silver might be drawn out by art almost out of all course minerals and metals, yet more out of some than of others, and speedier; for there is not that dark night, that is altogether depriv’d of light, which may not be manifested by a hollow glass; nor is there an element (though never so pure) not mixt with other elements, nor any malignity depriv’d of all good, or on the contrary. And as it is possible to gather the hidden beams of the Sun in the aire, so also hidden perfect metals dispersed in imperfect metals, and minerals by fire, and an expert Artist: if once they are placed in fire with their proper solvents, where the homogeneous parts are gathered, and the heterogeneous separated; so that there is no need to go into the _Indies_ to seek gold and silver in those new Islands, which is possible to find plentifully here in _Germany_, if so be the merciful God would please to turn away those present cruel Plagues, and bring them out of old metals, _viz._ Lead, Iron, Tin, and Copper, there left by the Dealers in minerals; indeed without the culture of minerals. Let no man therefore judge himself to be poor, because he is only poor and in want (although otherwise very rich and abounding in wealth, which yet in a moment he is forc’t to forsake) that being ungrateful, neither knoweth nor acknowledgeth God in his Works.

What I pray is in less esteem in the world, than old Iron and Lead, which are acceptable to the wise to use in the Lotion of Copper and Tin with the mineral White? But how they are to be washed, is a difficulty to the unexercised in the fire, and shall be delivered by similitudes: You see Antimony fresh digged out of the earth, very black and impure; which by fusion separated from its superfluity (which, though nature gave to it not in vain, but as an help to its purification, according to that: _GOD and Nature do nothing in vain_) is made more pure, and endowed with a body nearer to metals than its mineral, which if afterwards melted with salt of Tartar, the crude and combustible sulphur is mortified thereby, and is turned into dross, and separated from the pure mercurial part, so that hereby is made a new and fresh separation of the parts, of which one portion being white and brittle, sinks to the bottom, the other lighter, to wit, the combustible sulphur is on the top with the salt of Tartar; which poured out into a Cone, when they are cold, may be separated with the hammer; the inferior part of which is called by the Chymists _Regulus_, which is purer than Antimony cast the first time out of its mineral; and this is the usual purging of Antimony used by Chymists; to which (_Regulus_) if afterward any thing should be added, for a third purification, without doubt it would not only be made purer but more fixt and malleable. For if white Regulus be preparable out of black Antimony, why not as well malleable metal out of the _Regulus_.

_Another way of separating the superfluous Antimonial Sulphur_,