Chapter XVI: Front Matter (16)

And these are the vertues of that wonderful liquor _Alkahest_, which is made use of in the preparation of medicines: And, because it is said before that it shews its vertues on metallicks also, I could not conceal them from the studious. But all its vertues shall not here be related, for it is endued with so many, that no mortal is able to number them. As for me, although by divine favour and the instruction of that excellent man _Paracelsus_ (excellently in a certain place, but observed but by few; describing it, speaking of it briefly, but very plainly and clearly naming it) I did obtain the knowledge thereof, which afterward daily I did more and more encrease, so that I could hardly believe that any ever had spent so much money and pains in the searching of its vertues, for the trying of metals: yet I must needs confess, although happily I have made more tryal therein than any other; that many of its vertues are as yet unknown to me. Seeing then that its vertues and strength cannot all be tryed by any man, by reason of his short life, although searching an hundred years; and that by our merciful Father only to a few, and but part of the knowledge of its wonderful and incredible force, is granted, to the glory of His Divine Name, in favour of the poor sick, which none, how learned soever, with his ambitious learning and craft could ever obtain. Therefore some excellent gifts being given from the Father of lights, the Omnipotent GOD, to some of His Children, _gratis_, and out of meer mercy, _viz._ for some causes, I easily believe, that it is not His Will that it shall long be kept close, but be revealed to the world, to the glory of His Name, and the benefit of our poor neighbour. Wherefore I could not longer hold my peace, hiding my talent which I received _gratis_, though small, but communicate it _gratis_ to my neighbour; but so that the Divine mystery may not be gotten by those ungodly abusers, but only by the worthy through divine favour. I affirm therefore expresly, that in whole nature such a thing may not be found; for not only by its help all animals, vegetables and minerals may be reduced into very excellent and safe medicines, but also be brought into the first matter; minerals and metals may be purified, washed and fixed, and so changed into better bodies. That which is worthy admiration, that in so vile and mean a subject should lye hid so great vertues, by which alone without any other art, may be acquired riches and honours, and lost health. Than which thing, what doth mortal man more need in his misery, besides the Divine Word, the comfort of the soul, than for necessary sustentation of life, soundness of body, and honest report before God and men? All these things may be had with this subject, so that one need not to involve himself into any other troublesome art or vanity of this world, having this secret, whereby all necessaries may in abundance be procured: of which gift that this unclean world is unworthy, I do affirm sincerely, because it swells with ambition and avarice; for which we are not able to give God the Donor sufficient thanks in our whole life, wherefore I would have all what state or order soever earnestly admonished, that they do not use this gift from Heaven to the destruction of their souls, but in thankfulness to Him that gave it, and every way to the good of their Christian Neighbour.

_Now follow the Vertues which it manifesteth in Metallicks._

First, it (_viz._) the Philosophical Menstrue, doth radically dissolve all minerals and metals without noise, and reduces them into very safe and wholsome medicines. Out of gold it makes potable gold; out of silver potable silver, and so consequently of other potable metals; so that it may well be called _The Universal Mercury_.

Secondly, This secret Menstrue purgeth, washeth, and transmuteth minerals and metals to a more noble species; wherefore it may well be called _Sapo Sapientum_, by which the saying of the Philosophers is confirmed; _Ignis & Azoth abluunt Latonem_.

Thirdly, By it all minerals and metals are matured and fixed, so as that afterward the immature gold or silver incorporated with them, may by cupellation be drawn out with gain; wherefore ’tis deservedly compared to _Hermes_ seal.

Fourthly, It makes metals volatile, and radically conjoyns them that they abide together, and one act on the other in the fire; it destroys and revives, kills and renews; wherefore it is compared to the Phenix.

Fifthly, It separates metals without any loss, and that speedily; but after another manner than corrosives, so that each of them may be had by themselves. For Example: Being about to separate gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead mixt; one, or two, three, or four of them mixt, that they may appear each by themselves, without the loss of any, you need not cupellate the mixture with lead, which way only gold and silver are gotten out, with the loss of all the rest: but by this way they are all preserved, where by turns, one after another, they are extracted wonderfully and swiftly, in half an hours time, by this sharp _Vinegar of the Philosophers_, &c.

Sixthly, By it metals may suddenly be mortified and reduced into transparent glass, irreducible, and like _Amausa_, but reserving the propriety and nature of every metal: which in the reduction of Gold do give perfect silver; whereby is confirmed that saying of the Philosophers, _The corruption of one thing is the generation of another_; and that of _Paracelsus_, _Ex aliquo fiat nihilum, & ex nihilo aliquid_. But this incombustible water, or permanent water, shews the truth of the Philosophers writings, generally mentioning it. In it the solution, putrefaction, distillation, sublimation, circulation, ascension, descension, cohobation, inceration, calcination, coagulation, fixation and fermentation, _&c._ in their work to be done at one time and one way: In which only operation all the colours appear of which the Philosophers make mention; as the head of the crow, virgins milk, dragons blood, peacocks tayls, green and red lyon, _&c._ There is also by it demonstrated the truth (by the liquor _Alkahest_) of that Hermetical saying, _That which is above, is as that which is beneath_, &c. and many other things are performed by its help, as making that secret Sandivogian _Chalybs_; also that long sought-for oyl of Talc.

So far (courteous Reader) hath come my Experience; neither doubt I, but by it to obtain that universal _Salamander_ which lives in the fire.

These things which I write are true, and no fallacies. And though this secret be incredible to the ignorant, for the wonderful vertues it sheweth in the preparation of medicines, I would willingly publish it to the World for publick good, but on consideration I held it not meet to communicate it for certain causes. But only lest the knowledge of it should perish, and that the true (and almost extinct) medicine for the curing of diseases vulgarly incurable, might flourish, I have revealed this secret _menstruum_ to two friends, _viz._ its preparation and use. [See the preparation in _Mirac. Mundi_, and _Apology against Farner_.]

But do thou not think, because I write of these high things, that I do intend to make common the Secret to all in general; not so, but I endeavour to confirm him that seeketh, and give him occasion to Search this secret deeper; which being found, he shall not only find the truth of my words, but he shall daily by exercise obtain far greater things than these.

And because I have never aspired after vain riches and honours, nor never desire them; I might well be perswaded to leave to others, as yet not hating the wicked World, my troublesome labours, because in this my painful age such tedious labours are very burdensome; besides Philosophy hath pointed me another way, so that what I am able I have determined to abstain from these vanities, and to seek a perpetual good, the life of rest; but my counsel shall not be wanting to those that seek it: for besides moved with the former reasons, also seeing innumerable many vain philosophers, as well learned as unlearned, uncessantly working, and losing their time and labour, and at last despairing, are perswaded that there is no truth in the Philosophers writings, but to be all filled with lyes and deceits; whence royal Chymistry is disgraced.

But this _menstruum_ sufficeth to defend the writings of the Philosophers, without the metallick transmutations; so that I verily believe the time to be near, when the Omnipotent GOD, before He judge the World by fire, will shew His omnipotency to the Nations, by the revelation of the wonderful and incredible things of nature; of which, transmutation of metals is not the least, which in the third part of this Mineral Work I shall deliver to the last age, (being acceptable to God) to the profit of my neighbor, and for demonstration sake. Wherefore I now pass over such things, with a firm hope, that this faithful Admonition shall be received as an undoubted and infallible truth.

_How the aforesaid =Regulus= of the flowers and dross of Antimony,
is to be used in the bettering of course Metals, shall be shewn,
that ART may not be abused._

The Antimonial _Regulus_, a radical metallick humour, may help to perform wonderful things, for being reduced to a water without a corrosive, it resolveth all metals, cleanseth, washeth, and purifieth them, and turns them into a better species, so that particularly not a small gain may be from thence received. But how it may be reduced into water, and how by its help metals may be resolved, volatilized, and again fixed, hath been demonstrated by _Artephius_, _Basilius_ and _Paracelsus_; wherefore we need not here repeat their writings, but refer the Reader to their works.

But not only the _Regulus_, but also all Antimony may many waies be used in the separation of metals, _viz._ For the extraction of hidden Gold, which not be done without Antimony; as shall appear by the following example. When you find a marcasit or other ironish fossile, that will not yield to the tryal by lead, add to it three parts of Antimony, and being well mixt, melt them in a covered crucible, and being melted, pour it into a cone; and when all is cold, separate the _Regulus_, which purge again by fire as before, and thou shalt find gold contained in the aforesaid fossile: And if it be indued with more plenty of gold, for it is not all drawn out at one time, _viz._ with the first _Regulus_, another _Regulus_ is to be melted, by adding more iron and salt-petre, which is also of a nature near to _Sol_. And if these marcasit fossiles are not ferreous, you must in the first fusion, add iron and nitre to them, or else they yield no _Regulus_. By the adding more scales of iron, more _Regulus_ is made, and for the same use as that is, of which above in the fusion and separation of extracted gold; weights also may be made out of the dross. And thus are _lapis calaminaris_, marcasit, kobolt, zink, talc, and other fossiles separated, _viz._ containing gold.

But all gold containing iron (as that of Stiria, Carinthia, the Granacia, and of Transylvania _&c._) may this way be easily separated with profit, by the help of iron. And if the iron have no gold, yet if the Antimony have it, it may thence be separated by fusion with iron, _viz._ if it be brought to a _Regulus_. The rest of the Antimony may again be fused with new iron and new glass of more weight than it, but less than this, and be reduced into a _Regulus_ fit for the following uses. Out of the dross let weights (that nothing may be lost) be made, that thou maist have the more gain; as may appear from the following example.

When you have the Antimony, a hundred of which contains two duckats, if you will separate the gold; take a hundred [weight] divided into three or four parts, fuse it according to art, adding a little iron and salt of ashes, and reduce them into small _Regulus_’s, weighing a pound or two. Then melt the dross with half the weights of the iron in a large and strong crucible, and thou shalt have more _Regulus_’s about fifty pound or more, dross 40 _lib._ which make weights of, or else guns, _&c._ the rest, about eight or nine pounds, will vanish into smoak. And so thou hast reduced the gold contained in a hundred weight, into one or two pounds, which thou maist sublime by fire into flowers (leaving the gold in the fire) for its uses, but those 50 or 60 pounds of the _Regulus_’s prepared by adding much iron, they having little or no gold, you may mingle with tin for its beauty, hardness and sounding, to make divers sorts of houshold-stuff, as platters, dishes, _&c._ for tin mixt with the _Regulus_ looks like silver for whiteness and hardness, and sounds like it, nor is it so easily dulled as unmixt.

Now let us weigh what gain may come from the separation of the meanest Antimony. Put case that a hundred weight of Antimony be sold for three Royals (for so for the most part the Polonian is sold, than which, although that of _Hungaria_ and _Transilvania_ be dearer, yet this hath more gold) to which add 60 pound of iron, which is sold for half a royal, and the charge of coals and crucibles requisite be half a royal more: the total of the expences is four royals, for which take two duckats in gold, sixty pound of _Regulus_, eighty pound of dross, and one or two pound of flowers. Those 60 _lib._ of _Regulus_ may be sold at the price of tin, whereof a pound is sold for a quarter of a royal, and then their whole price is fifteen royals. Then the eighty pound of refuse made into weights, may be sold at forty shillings, or at least twenty four shillings, or half a royal; and all things being considered and reckoned, as they ought, there may remain the value of sixteen royals.

And though the Antimony should yield but one duckat, and a pound of _Regulus_ should be sold at the eighth part of a royal, yet the remainder would be above six royals: And in a day there may easily be two hundred weight separated by two men. And then suppose it should contain no gold (as some Antimony doth not) yet may four or five royals be gotten daily.

But when you have Antimony, one hundred whereof contains three, four, or five duckats, and iron requisite to the separation containing one or two ducats, then there is so much more gained. Then let him that undertakes this business seek for the best Antimony and iron, and he may well gain in a day twenty, thirty, and sometimes sixty royals.

_N. B._ And if you should have so much _Regulus_ that you could not mix all of it with tin, for want thereof, then it may be sold in parcels, so that one ℔ may go at a fourth part of a royal; by which means the daily gain may not be diminished, but may be rather encreased; as may be seen by what follows. The _Regulus_ of Antimony is the masculine species of Lead; whose first being is gold impure and immature: but the first being of common Lead is impure and immature Silver; as experience witnesses; for Antimony being purged and fixt, yields gold, but the common lead only silver. And because Antimony, which is better than common Lead, is called the _Philosophers lead_, or their _secret lead_; of many so named, but known of few; not that the thing is unknown, or of an unknown original, but by reason of its hidden proprieties; therefore I say that its vertues are not all to be known by any mortal, though he should have a hundred years to search into wonderful nature, for it is unsearchable, and the creator of all wonders, let him injoyn himself silence, neither let him glory in the knowledge of it, who hath not made tryal of it; for in it, through it, and by it, Nature and Art do strive for perfection. Of which more elsewhere.

_Now follows the Use._

Having mentioned _Antimonial Regulus_, which is Lead and better than the common. It must also purify impure metals, wash them, separate the occult Gold and Silver in them; that which the common Lead can do, to which, if those be added, it attracteth the more impure part in the Cupel, which it converteth into dross, and draweth down with it into the porous ashes, leaving the purer Gold and Silver in the Cupel: but from some Tin and Copper not yielding to the Lead, nor willing to be washed by it, it cannot extract their Gold and Silver; neither hath any one written the way of separation by it. _Lazarus Erker_ indeed hath described (and others also) the way of separating Silver from Tin and Iron, which is not to be disesteemed if it be accidentally mixed with Silver, which is separable that way, but not so, being generated in, and radically mixt with them, requiring other Lead, willingly embracing Tin and Iron, which nothing but _Regulus_ can perform.

But seeing Tin and Iron do for the most part, contain much Gold (but chiefly Tin) _viz._ inseparable by the common way, it will be worth our pains to seek another Lead and way of separation; as it is apparent to Refiners, proving Tin and Iron by the common way on a test; whilst Tin and Iron melted in the Lead, do forthwith shew their stubbornness by innate proprieties and forsake it, _viz._ as a contrary rising to the top like dross or ashes, without any separation, Gold and Silver being excepted, if accidentally mixt together, which are left with the Lead; but not so being hid in their middle or center. But that the truth hereof may appear, I will demonstrate it by example: Place on a test under a tyle 16. parts of Lead, and one of Tin, after the manner of proofs, give a fusing fire for to separate the dross; and all the Tin almost flying away, will at the bottom be burnt, and separated like ashes, being sublimated on the top of the Lead; not deprived of its Gold and Silver incorporated together, which afterward I shall demonstrate, when all the Tin is sublimated from the Lead, and calcined, and the test taken from under the tyle, and the rest of the Lead poured off, and you shall find after cupellation no more Silver than the sixteen parts of Lead did contain before, if they had been cupelled without Tin; sometimes less, Some part being taken away by the Tin in the examination: the same is done with Iron, altho’ thou shouldst add Copper with glass of Lead, to retain the Tin and Iron, thereby to separate their Gold and Silver, you would effect nothing: for although some more Silver may hereby be extracted, yet that would not come from the Tin or Iron, but from the Copper: it may therefore be extracted another way, of which, hereafter.

In the mean while I will prove clearly, that the separation of tin and iron by common lead, thereby to get their gold and silver, is of no value, which being left in them, are turned into ashes and dross.

Take any tin, and reduce it into ashes by lead, or agitation, on a smooth earthen vessel (tryed before, by the common way, for distinction sake, which calcine well, that the corporeal tin powdered, may be calcined, or being melted, may be separated from the ashes). Then take of these ashes one part, and of the following flux, or of that a little after six parts or more; being mixt, fuse them in a strong crucible with a strong fire, until the Flux have Consumed or drunk up all the calx of the Tin, and of them both shall be made one, _viz._ yellow or red Glass, which may be tryed with a crooked wier put in: which if it seem not clear, the crucible must be covered again, and a greater Fire be given, until the Fire be perfect; which labour in one half hour is finished: which done, pour it into a brass mortar, afterward to be covered, until it be a cold, that it leap not out and be lost.

Afterward powder it, which with calx of Tin, mix the equal weight of filings of Iron; being mixt, put them into a strong Crucible (because the Flux is very penetrative) covered, and give a strong fire for fusion half an hour: which done, pour it out, for the Tin hath made separation, and reduced some part of the Lead out of the Flux, sinking to the bottom to be separated when it is cold, to be reduced into dross on a test, and then to be cupelled, and you shall find grain Gold drawn from Tin without Silver. And if before you weigh the calx of Tin by the lesser Hundred weight, and after that the grains of Gold, you may easily conjecture how much Gold is contained in the whole hundred weight of Tin ashes, _viz._ at the least 3, 4, 5, or 6. _Lotones_, or _half Ounces_, if thou work aright.

See then the Fault is not to be imputed to the metals, but us, being ignorant of the separation of the Gold and Silver.

You should not perswade your self by this means to get much wealth out of Tin; for I have not written this for that end, but only to demonstrate the possibility. And if thou think that Gold will come out of Iron by the fluxing powder, mingle then filings of Iron with the Flux, before thou put in the calx of Tin, and thou shalt find in so doing, that Gold doth come neither from the Flux or Iron, but out of Tin; then being hereby assured, that ’tis the Tin which contains Gold, thou mayst consider, how most conveniently that may be extracted, _viz._ with other Lead, and another way, as shall be hereafter taught. Neither think that Tin contains no more Gold than you have heard; for more there is if you can wisely extract it: neither do I deny, that more Gold may be extracted out of the Tin, but more care than this is to be given, if you desire more plenty. But Gold may thence be extracted, not only by Flux, but diverse other wayes, in diverse weights; for what is written, is only for demonstration of the possibility, that the Gold contained in the imperfect metals, may be extracted by a secret separation.

_The Fluxing Powder requisite to this Work._

℞ one part of very pure and white Sand, or Flints, having no Gold fusible; to which, add three parts of Litharge of Lead; being mixt, fuse in a very strong Fire, that thereof a transparent Glass may be made of it, which pour out, that it may be cold, and reduce it to powder; which use in the aforesaid manner. But you may ask, why Sand and Flints are mingled, seeing they are not of a metallick nature: to which I say, the calx of Tin, cannot, as also other Fossiles be Examined by Lead alone, for the following Reasons, _viz._ because in the Calcination of Tin, its metallick nature is hidden, but the impure and earthy parts are manifest, wherefore it hath no longer affinity with Lead and other metals; unless the hidden parts of the lead be manifest, and also other metals and the manifest be hidden, for then they easily embrace one the other, and are again mingled well, and not altered.

What belongs to the alteration of other metals doth not belong hither; for to this place only pertain Lead and Tin, the alteration of which is demonstrated by this tryal; whereby it appears to be thus.

Lead reduced into ashes, by it self, or into Litharge, and deprived of its metallick form, cannot so in this work be used without the flints or sand, for the following reason. The lead and glass thereof made by it self is very fusible and volatile; but the calx of tin is very difficultly fused: which two calxes, although they should be mingled to fuse in a crucible, yet would not be mingled, nor being fused, embrace one the other, by reason of the difference of their fusibility; because the calx of lead alone being fused by a small fire, will perforate and penetrate the crucible, the calx of Tin being left in the crucible: wherefore you must add sand or flints to the lead, _viz._ to hinder its fusibility, that it may endure the same degree of heat with those that are difficultly fused, and further their flux. For like things do mutually affect and embrace each other; as water doth water, oyl oyl, and glass glass; and metals other metals; but water is not mingled with oyl; neither are glasses mingled with metals, but metals with metals, and glass with glass, whether it be made of metals or out of sand. Wherefore they greatly err who mingle the calx of metals difficultly miscible, or other hard things with lead to prove or examin, not considering that corporeal lead hath no affinity with them: who remaining in their errour, and not weighing the thing further, consequently can find nothing of any moment.

But when the calx of metals united with lead by a _medium_, as flints or sand, are brought together into transparent glass; then the lead being precipitated and separated from the mixture, it cannot be, but that the gold and silver contained in them must be carried away with it. This is a true and philosophical tryal, and not to be contemned, for many things may be by it performed.

_N. B._ But this is not to be passed by, that in the mutual mixture and fusion of the glass of lead and the calx of tin, and other hard metals, one may easily err, _viz._ in the precipitation (which is done with the mixture of iron) of the gold with the lead into _Regulus_, by either the excess or defect, so that nothing may be gotten, which is committed in precipitation. For if the mixture stand long in the fire not fused, it is burnt, so that it cannot well be separated, and if it stand too long fused in the fire, the gold is attracted by the dross, by reason of the mixture of the iron, having great affinity with the gold, so that by this means nothing can be gotten: wherefore the Work is to be done warily, and with wisdom and industry. You must have a care you burn not the _Regulus_ of lead with too much fire, when you reduce it into dross; for fear of attracting the gold from the iron, and turning it into dross. And although this may by Art be prevented, yet we must not presently create every one _Master of Arts_, it requiring diligence and daily exercise, besides the reading of Books. But this Secret shall other where be communicated.

This admonition then I give, that thou do not impute thy errour (if thou dost err) to me, but to thy self, for what I have written is true: and do not thence infer an impossibility of attracting gold by iron, out of lead, and of turning it into dross, which is no wonder to me, though it may so seem to thee. Which he who hath the knowledge of metals will himself easily perceive. But that thou maist be certain, try the certainty after the following manner: Take two hundred _lib._ of lead, of the lesser weight of the Refiners, put it on a test under a tyle; add eight or ten _lotons_ of pure gold, of tin two or three _l._ six or eight of iron, _viz._ of the lesser weight: make them flow together an hour to make dross; as Examiners use to do; then pour it out, and separate the lead from the dross, _viz._ to cupel that which is separated, then weigh the grains of gold left, and thou shalt find half of it consumed by the dross. If this happen to corporeal gold and fixt, How will it be with that which is newly extracted out of an imperfect metal? Therefore you must diligently search out the natures of metals, and then such cases will not seem incredible.

From hence then, and other Examples mentioned it appears, that that separation which is done by tests and cupels, is not true and legitimate; and consequently, that another profitable separation of metals is to be sought; because by this the greater part of gold and silver burns into dross, witness Experience, for which cause the former example was alleadged; whither belongs the proof, _viz._ how much gold the dross hath attracted, which is done as followeth: ℞ the remaining black dross, to which add a double weight of salt of tartar, put it in a crucible filled but to the half (for fear of boyling out) and covered, that nothing fall in, under a tile or among live coals, one or two hours space to digest; and a new _Regulus_ of lead shall be precipitated, which separated from the dross, you may cupel, and you shall find new grains of gold attracted by the iron in the dross, and now separated by the salt of tartar, overcoming the force of the iron. And so you have heard from two examples, how in the coction of the separation gold may be drawn out of the lead by tin and iron, and that therefore there is need, that gold be separated by the _Antimonial Regulus_ out of the aforesaid metals, and not by lead, if you would extract the true substance with gain.

N. B. Gold may likewise be separated out of the glass of lead (being first dissolved with the ashes of tin) with coal dust, adding it in the flux and stirring it with an iron wier; and also with common sulphur, by burning it on it: but the aforesaid way with iron, is to be preferred before those two which spoyl the gold, _&c._ wherefore the remaining dross is to be gathered, which by some abstracting furnace by other means may be tryed, for to recover the spoyled or lost gold and silver.

And all these are alleadged to demonstrate that the gold in tin and iron is to be separated by the _Antimonial Regulus_, and not by Lead. But how this separation may be perfected, you shall hear in the third part, where we will treat of lead, explained by _Paracelsus_, in his book called _Cœlum Philosophorum_, and other artificial Chymical labours: wherefore here we omit it, being superfluous to handle one thing in divers places. In the mean while exercise thy self in lesser things, that thou maist be more fit for greater when they shall be set forth. But wonder not at my liberality in publishing so great secrets, for I have reasons for it. Such a burden is too much for me alone, neither doth it profit the Covetous to sell his goods to them which keep not their words, nor pay the money, after they have obtained their art, which hath hapned to me. Wherefore I have determined to communicate some secrets to all the world indifferently, that the poor may receive some profit by them; knowing that though I write plainly, yet that all will not at the first view obtain their desires. For some are so dull, that they cannot imitate a work though often seen. For some have often visited me, to see my new manner of distilling, which though it was sufficiently demonstrated to the eye, yet they could not imitate it, till with often perusals at length they have found the right path. Others have left it as too hard a work, when it would not presently succeed, which if it hapned to those who had an ocular demonstration, how much more difficult will it be and hard to them who have nothing but what they have heard or read. Wherefore I am certain, that though I should publish every one of my secrets, yet could they not be performed by all men, my coals and materials being left sufficing for my necessity. Wherefore I fear not to publish, the next opportunity offered, divers profitable and excellent secrets, _viz._ in favour of all and every one.

As for that spirit of salt necessary to this work, you may find it in the first part of my Philosophical Furnaces corrected and amended; but the way of separation in the fourth part.

And so I finish this work, being published in favour of those who by war (though honest men) are reduced to poverty. But what things are deficient in this little tract shall (God willing) be delivered in the next (which shall follow in a short time) largely and clearly without fraud.

_FINIS._

THE
SECOND PART
OF THE
Mineral Work.

_Of the Birth and Original of Metals and Minerals, =viz.= How they
are produced by the Starrs, and take to themselves a body out of
the Water and Earth, and are found in a sundry shape. Written
and brought to light for the sake of the Diligent Searchers of
Nature._

A Preface to the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

_Whereas in a former little Book, lately by me published, I mentioned this little Tract of the Generation of Metals, and through want of time, could not hitherto make it publick, although earnestly desired by men of the meanest and highest condition: I have now determined to spare so much time from my other Imployments, as to do this Work for the publick good, no ways doubting, but that (although this my opinion of the Generation of Metals, doth not agree with all the =Philosophers=) yet will it get credit from, and the assent of not a few quick-sighted men._

_That which I here declare, I do not exhibit it with flattering words, or many circumstances, or the testimonies of other Writings, but with a naked and genuin simplicity; for which very cause I would not make this little Tract too prolix, but have unfolded my mind with the most Compendious stile that I could. But let none think that I endeavour to weaken and nullifie the Opinions of other men concerning the Generations of Metals, and obtrude mine in the World, no, not in the least: I leave to every man his free will, and the Liberty of viewing others, who have written Monuments of this thing, and of comparing of them with my writings, that he may evidently perceive which of the two Corresponds most with Nature and Truth: I aim not at any Honour hereby, as if I were wiser than the common sort: Nor do I reap any benefit by making this little Book, but ’tis done only for this end and purpose, That (because I have formerly written of Metalline things, and have also made mention of this little Tract of the Birth and Nativity of them) I may give light unto my Writings, and render them more easie to be understood; for I should most bitterly suffer, if but one only should be lead into errour by my Writings, but I trust that the light is springing up unto many, by the guidance whereof they will more cautiously handle than hitherto they have done. Let the Benign and Merciful God, our Father of all things, of whose Wonders the Heaven and Earth are full, give unto His poor needy Children that which may tend to the Glory of His most holy Name, and to our health._

OF THE
Birth and Nativity
OF
METALS.

There have alwaies been many, and various Opinions concerning the Original of Metals and Minerals, _to wit_, of what matter they are first of all generated in the Bowels of the Earth; and how come to such a fixity, insomuch, that a young Beginner in this hard Science, hath been in suspence; which of them he should assent unto, and by what Phylosophy he should direct his course.

And whereas, throughout the whole Universe in so many Nations, there are so many men, both of high and low degree, as well Learned as unlearned, who busily seek at this day, to get their Felicity from the Metals; and whereas, without the true Knowledge of them, nothing at all of profit can be had (for by what means I pray can any one convert any imperfect Metal into a better, if he be ignorant of what Parts it is composed; into what Parts it is to be resolved before that it can obtain a more Noble Form) and that the Knowledge of their Generation is worthily necessary for their Melioration; we will in a few words clearly evidence, What is to be considered as to their Nativity. Although the whole Company of Phylosophers do almost unanimously testify, (but yet in succinct, obscure, and ænigmatical Terms) That Metals receive their Generation from above, by the force of the Stars, and are produced in the bowels of the Earth; yet some there are, who contend very ignorantly, and affirm, that Metals have not any seed at all, as other Animal, and Vegetable things have; and that (upon this account they have no propogating faculty, but were produced such in the belly of the Earth, by GOD in the first Creation of things). But this Deceit is too gross, and palpable, and may be met withal most easily, by daily experience, declaring the contrary. For when being found in the Earth, they are by the Miners brought to light, we abundantly, and ocularly perceive, that even now they daily grow, and will not cease from this motion, unless rob’d of their Vegetable Vertue and Life, by external Accidents, which very thing convinceth the Opinion of Errour. Some there are, who teach that God, when he made the World, did instil into the Matrix of the Earth, not the Metals themselves, but their Seed only for its own propagation; which, if so, then long ago, would this Seed have afforded a new harvest of it self (of which, no footsteps are any where extant) by its own absolute Vegetation. Know therefore, that the manner of the Metallick Seed is far different from that of the vegetable and animal Seeds, which are perceptible to the sence of sight and feeling.

For the Metals are not all together created in the beginning of things, but begotten in length of time, out of the bosome of the Elements; and on them, being created by the Omnipotent GOD, is this Command injoyned, and this Power implanted, that they should give growth to all things, by their Vertue and Efficacy; for accomplishing of which thing, the one cannot in the least want the Company of the other.

For the Stars or Elements of Fire, delivers out the metalline Seed out of its own bowels; which the air carries down into the Water, that it may adapt to it self, a palpable form or body, which the Earth (embraceing it) doth cherish, nourish, and augment from form to form, until it comes to be a perfect Metal, which it (at length) brings forth into the light, as a Mother doth her mature young one; which Conception and Generation of the Metals, taking its Original at the very beginning of the World, will alwaies continue even unto its Dissolution.

For by the efficacy of the Elements, new things are from thence generated, and contrarily, old things are destroyed; which thing is not only done in Metals, but most apparently in Vegetables and Animals: for none can deny, but that various Hearbs, and little Animals are produced upon this Stage, by the alone vertue of the Elements, without planting of the Herbs; and without the Seed of the Animals, which to pursue, I could lay down many Documents, were it needful, but ’tis altogether needless, to say any thing of that, of which none are ignorant. And now, who will not believe, but that the same may be done in Metallicks. God Omnipotent hath implanted in the Starrs, or Element of Fire, the vivifying prolifick and seminal vertue of all things, which power it doth not keep shut up within it self, but sends and lets it down by Divine appointment into the earths center, by mediation of the air and the water; which fiery beams cease not, by reason of their implanted impulse and vertue, to go forward, until they do at last meet with a place, beyond which it is impossible for them to go, nor can they stay there any longer, but leaping back from the center unto the circumference, are dispersed throughout the whole earth, cherishing and impregnating it: which thing, unless it were done, and those sidereal vertues should remain in the center of the earth, and never flow upwards, nothing at all would grow upon the Earth. But because heat, and whatsoever is of the fire, is endowed with this nature, to go forward as far as it can, and where it can go no farther, ’tis struck back, and leaps from the center to the Superfices; which thing is evident in a burning-glass, whereinto when the Solar beams fall, and cannot penetrate the compact and polisht metal, they are dispersedly forced backwards, and in those fiery beams, whilst (every where) they leap back, do in the porosity of the earth snatch up, as it were, a fat humidity, adheres thereto, and by mutual mixtion are coagulated into a certain palpable Essence, out of which, according to the purity or impurity of the place, a pure, or an impure metal is with length of time produced; because a metal doth not presently become ripe in the same moment of time, but the Seed of the Metal is by little and little nourished and increased in the matrix of the earth, with the heat of the central fire, until it attains its perfection.

Like as in the generation of Vegetables and Animals, it comes in use, whose Seed being received into the suitable matrix, takes encrease from thence by little and little, until (if no obstacles prevent) it obtains a predestinated and appointed form, whence ’tis, that according to the purity of the place the metals are also varied: For it is but one only seed out of which Metals and Minerals do proceed: but the place and other accidents are the cause of their Unlikeness, as we shall prove in the subsequent writing.

But to some men it will seem monstrous, that I say there’s a place in the middle of the Earth, the which nothing can pass through or penetrate, but is stopt; that which is heavy remains there, but the more light is carried backwards: which opinion it will be worth while briefly to explain.

In the Creation of the World, the Elements being as yet not separated each from the other, but being a _Chaos_, God instituted their separation, and ordained a place where the more ponderous part of the mass should be separated, (which is the Earth) which thing is even continually done, because every heavy thing or earth knits it self to its assigned point, as a Bee doth to his hive, from whence at length this Globe is made or born, upon which we inhabit: Presently after, that which was next in weight, the water, made its separation from the other Elements, and encompass’d the Superfices of the earth, having the same center with the earth, insomuch that if the earth were not, the water it self would have chiefly or primarily encompassed the stable and founded point of Gravity or the Magnet; but because the earth exceeding the water in ponderosity, doth intercede, it worthily assumes its appointed place, and takes the waters upon its back.

Now, as the other two Elements, the lightest of them, the Fire, God likewise sent to its proper aboad, a place most remotely distant from the inferiour Globe of the heavy Elements; the other light Element, the Air, being the _medium_ between the fire and the water, God hath set it between them two, that constantly touching each the other, they might mutually circulate, cherish, and uphold each the other, until being at length dissolved, they are reduced into their own nothing, from whence they were produced.

For the Fire cannot burn without the Air, nor the Air be conserved without the Water, nor the Water be nourished without the Earth, nor the Earth (being as it were dead) bring anything to light, except the Element of Fire doth first spiritually instill thereinto its own seed, whence it is afterwards made corporeally and sensibility, such as is necessary for all growing things.

And now, lest what I have spoken (_viz._ that the Earth hath its own center unpassable by any thing, whereinto the sidereal rays striking, are contracted into a streight room, and (driven back) from thence are sublimed and distilled throughout the whole Orb, from which all kind of Metals and Minerals (by the help of the Earth and Water corporifying them are produced) may seem a fable.

Know, that this Philosophy is demonstrable by many uncontroulable reasons; which Philosophy I do not my self only embrace, but also many more have done, ’mongst whom the most famous _Sandivow_ is not the least, who writ, That in the Earths center is a vacuity, in which nothing can rest, the which thing even the reason or order of Nature seems to evidence, in whose middle point a void place is necessarily requisit, into which all the vertues of the Stars may pour out themselves, may mutually operate upon each other, and excite a marvellous heat, permitting neither delay or quietude for any thing in that place: but from thence, even the unbroken vertues of the Stars are by little and little enforced to go back unto the circumference, where joyning themselves to the most pure earth, they exclude a metallick child; so that you need not wonder, because of that most intense heat that sways there, when as all the Asterisms, the Sun, the Moon, the other Planets, with Starrs innumerable, do into that place inject their powers with all their might. If you consider but the solar magnitude only, being by Astronomical Calculation 64 times the bigness of the earthly globe (omitting to speak of the other innumerable huge bodies, that jointly cast their influences into the belly of the earth) what an unspeakable furious heat thinkest thou that all these will give, which in the center of the earth muster up their vertues, and make them manifest and efficacious: Consider a little how much one pugil of the Sun-beams can do, being taken in a concave glass, or a metalline ring well polished, or any other instrument, and straightened into the center for a concave-glass rightly made, having but the Diameter of a span, doth easily burn wood, or any combustible body; but if the Diameter be two spans, it melts with the Sun, Lead, Tin, Bismuthum, and other metals easily fluxible; if 4 or 5 spans, then it melteth Copper and Silver, and so mollifies Iron, that it may be wrought upon the Anvil. If now experience evinceth this thing, that a little handful of the beams collected and strengthened into a point, be of so great force as to melt even metals, and to fume away ☿, ♁, and Arsnick, Auripigment, Koboltum, and other volatile and immature metals of like kind; what thinkest thou would be, if the beams were congregated the compass of 10 or 20 fathoms, doubtless they would burn up all other metals, except Gold, like a flame, and elevate them into fume? And what are 10 or 20 fathoms, if compared to so many thousands of thousands which are attributed to the Sun, whose heat (passing by to speak of the other great Starrs) if it were congregated into one place, (which is so done in the earths center) what an incomprehensible burning heat, thinkst thou, would be there? verily nothing would be fixt enough to resist the burning; and indeed there is nothing in reality that doth resist it, whence necessarily that point is vacuous wherein nought can rest or remain.

Thou wilt object, that I speak of many things, but prove a very few; for who was ever there, and beheld such a Cavity? I Answer thus, that albeit, there be no ocular Testimony of this thing, yet naturally Phylosophy affords Testimony sufficient, whereby ’tis in very deed demonstrated, that such a place there is: now none denies, that the Sun and Stars by their motion do inviron the terrestrial Globe, and imprint their beams thereon, which being granted (for no sober man will contradict this) it also follows, that those hot and invisible beams do by an innate force and vigor go forwards, until they are somewhere stop’d, and a further progress prohibited them; which thing is done in the middle most point of the Earth, or all the Phylosophers are altogether Lyers, who unanimously believe, that the heat is carryed directly forwards, and not backwards: but behold an apparent Example of this thing: Put a Coal upon some thick brass, or iron plate, and thou shalt see that the side under the Coal will first wax hot by the penetrating heat; take off the Coal and try with thy hand, and thou shalt find it hurtful by the overmuch heat; try also the under side of the Plate, and thou shalt find it to be but gentle warm, and after a little delay, try yet once again, and thou shalt find that the heat is gone directly forward, and that the underside of the Plate is hotter than the upper part, whereupon the Coal lay.

Hence thou maist clearly perceive, that the heat never goes backwards, but is carried directly forwards; which being so, thou shalt be enforced to confess _nolens volens_, that in like manner the Astral heat sticks not in the Superfices of the earth, but pierceth even to the very bottom center.

Well, but thou wilt again object, If the Sunbeams descends through the earths thickness, even to the very center, Whence is it, that the whole earth grows not hot thereby, or at least so warm as it is on the surface? for ’tis found by experience, that the digg’d-up earth is not warm, but cold, and no heating beams are therein perceptible. Take this for an answer, That the dispersed beams of the Sun do not display their efficacy, but only in those places where they are collected and become sensible; a hint of which you may observe in the earths surface it self; where a speedier passage being not permitted, but through the hardness of the stones, and its own density, there being a stop and obstruction, the heat becomes duplicated, and manifestly augmented, insomuch, that in all very hard rocks and clifts there is sometimes created so great a heat by the continual Conflux and Condensation of the Sunbeams, that if accidentally, wood or fuel be laid thereto, it burns and flames up, which never happens in a thin and porous Aire (how near soever to the Sun) it being uncapable of stoping those beams; for by how much the higher you ascend into the Aire, by so much the more intense shall you find the Cold to be; insomuch that the most Touring Mountains, altho’ posited in warm Countries, are alwaies covered with Frost, Ice, and Snow, when as in the bottom of those Hills, the Ground is very warm, and brings forth varieties of Fruit, although it be more remote from the Sun: The cause of which Cold in the Tops, and of Heat in the Bottom, only consists in the reflection of the solar Beams, which are stayed and multiplied below; which thing cannot at any rate be done in the Fire that is above.

These beams having first passed the superfices of the Earth, where they were a while joined and multiplyed, are by little and little debilitated, and return to their simplicity; whence it comes to pass, that that part of the Terrene Globe, which is furthest distant from the Centre, hath as little heat, as the Aire on high: but if it were possible to ascend higher, and nearer to the Sun, the heat would by little and little be encreased, and be found greatest at the Sun it self: In like manner may a Comparison be made about the Earths heat, which near the Surface is very faint, but nearer the Centre, more and more encreasing; (there being its Seat and Collection) so that the middle Earth, between the Sun (from whom the heat flow) and the Centre, where the whole being gathered together, is repercussed, may deservedly be esteemed the coldest part; of which truth, a certain demonstration is readily produceable.