Chapter XXXV: Front Matter (35)

These are the words of that incomparable Physician and Philosopher, concerning his _Sal Enixum_, but what this name signifies I know not, but I call it _Sal Mirabile_. He attributeth this to it, that it is able to preserve all things safe and sound for an incredible space of time: Nor doth he erre from the Truth, for he that can prepare such a salt, may not only perform that, but also much more.

The manner of preparing it is well known to me, because I have often made it, and found in it things incredible: Whether my preparation agrees with the preparation of _Paracelsus_ or not, nevertheless all things which _Paracelsus_ ascribeth to his _Sal Enixum_, and far more, I do in no wise doubt to attribute to my _Sal Mirabile_; neither is it any matter to me or others, whether I use or not use the same preparation that _Paracelsus_ did, provided my salt performeth the same things which I affirm it can perform. Also I would not give the same name to my salt, which _Paracelsus_ did to his, lest Calumniators and Cavillers should, out of envy and hatred, take occasion thence of calumniating me, and saying, That my Salt is not the _Sal Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_, which hath already happened to me, when I gave the name _Alkahest_ to my Universal _Menstruum_: For the proud Sophisters and ignorant haters of me, in their debauched Cups, have taken occasion to cry out against me with loud vociferations, saying, _The Alkahest of =Glauber= is not the Liquor Alkahest of =Paracelsus= and =Helmont=_; when nevertheless mine exceedeth the Liquor of _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_ by many degrees. For mine is at hand, and to be seen, by help of which I prepare my _Aurum Potabile_, tinging Mercury into pure Gold. That _Liquor_ of _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_ is plainly invisible, and can be prepared or procured by none: _A small Bird in the hand, is better than many thousands of great birds that flie in the Air, & can neither be seen nor taken_. And this is the reason why I would not call my Salt by the same name, because I would not afford my haters, the wonderful Brethren of Ignorance, new matter of flouting, scoffing, and defaming me; although I well know, that my _Sal Mirabile_ doth not in the least come behind the _Sal Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_ in Virtue, and perhaps also much to exceed it; which in the following Narration I have determined to make manifest.

As _Paracelsus_ delivereth, that his _Sal Enixum_ defendeth all things which are put into it from Corruption, for an incredible space of time, and at length, by an admirable Metamorphosis, transmuteth them into stone; my _Sal Mirabile_ doth not only perform that, but effecteth ten times more.

But before I enter upon the description of the Virtues lying hid in my _Sal Mirabile_, I think it necessary to indicate, That Salts of this sort do every where occur in the Earth, and being dissolved by Water, are carried to the superficies, and such Fountains are enumerated by _Gerogius Agricola_, shewing in what places they may be found, and that all things put into them are in a short time converted into a stony matter; which other Writers also testifie, and especially _Celsus_ in his Book _De rebus metallicis_. Nor is there any reason why any man should doubt it, seeing that Fountains of this sort offer themselves in our _Germany_, although few judge them to be of any moment. There is such a one in a certain place of _Helvetia_, which in a certain space of time converteth all Wood cast into it wholly into Stone. And the Inhabitants of that place do very often make trial of the thing by Experiments, by cutting some Wood, and reducing it to the figure of a Whetstone, and putting it into the water of the said Fountain, in which, being converted into a stone, they afterwards use for the whetting of Sythes, and other the like Instruments. I my self have seen whetstones of this sort, and had them in my hands, from the figure of which it sufficiently appeareth, that they were first wood, and have been converted into stone by so wonderful a Metamorphosis. The matter is out of all doubt, and there are many Fountains obvious in other places, of the same Nature. I have not seen that in _Helvetia_, but I have seen the Infant of _Basil_ with Dr. _Exius_, who is yet living. To this Infant, in a very large Glass, standing upon a low settle, the Signior _Exius_ had poured a certain peculiar Liquor, which had preserved it plainly uncorrupted and unhurt, to that time that it was shewed to me. And they told me, that the Infant was by the Liquor changed into stone; but I, seeing I did not touch or handle it, cannot affirm that for certain; but I saw it sitting with a full body, as if it had been but new born, since which time it is now above Twenty years, and then it had been Ten or Fifteen years in that Water, in which also it yet remains, as I have lately heard. But no man knoweth what water that was which the Signior _Exius_ had put to that Infant, whether he took it from a Fountain turning wood into stone, or whether he made it by Art. There is a Fountain of the like nature and property in _Austria_ at _Neapolis Viennensis_, a fenced City about eight miles distant from _Vienna_; I being a young man, long time since travelling towards _Vienna_, fell into a burning Feaver, known by the name of _The Hungarian Disease_, which seldom any stranger escapes, and having somewhat recovered my former health, came to the said _Neapolis_, and suffering a Relapse, was constrained to stay there. And the Disease had so debilitated the Appetite of my stomach, that it neither desir’d nor digested any Food. The Inhabitants advised me to go to a Well of almost an hours Journey from the City, situated near a certain Vineyard, and to drink of the Water to recover my lost Appetite. Following their Counsel, I took a great piece of Bread with me to the Well, nevertheless I gave but little credit to their words, who told me, that I would eat all that piece. Coming to the Well, I eat the crumb of the Bread sopped in the water, and it relished to me very pleasantly, who before at home loathed the greatest Dainties. I took up the same water with my hollow crust of Bread, and drank it, which so excited my Appetite to eat, that at length I also eat up my Cup, which I had made of my Bread; returning home much better and stronger, I declared to the Inhabitants the event, succeeding according to my wish, who affirmed to me, that if I would continue the use of that water, the faculties of my stomach would be throughly confirmed. I asked them what kind of water that was? They answered that it was water of Salt-petre, which I believed, being then unskilful in such things, but afterwards I found the contrary: For it could not be the water of Salt-petre, seeing that in no wise conduceth to the stomach, but rather occasioneth nauseousness and loathing. It might be, that the water of the said Fountain being evaporated to a Cuticle, might shoot into Crystals like to Salt-petre, but notwithstanding was not true Salt-petre, as wanting all burning, and not taking flame, which they might easily have found, if putting a little of that salt upon a burning Coal, they had tried it after the accustomed manner of trying Salt-petre: For now it is certainly evident to me, that that Fountain contained that Salt which _Paracelsus_ called _Sal Enixum_, and I _Sal Mirabile_; and also that it is the nature of that to shoot into long Crystals, and yet not to conceive flame. That _Well_ is enclosed with wood, in which many water-Mice have their Habitation, which presently will seize and swallow any crumbs of Bread cast into the water. I asked why a _Well_ of so great moment was enclosed and fenced with wood, and not with stone? They answered, That could not be done without damage, for the wood being taken away, which had now passed into a stony nature, it would come to pass, that the sand falling into the well, would choak it up. The wood which did not touch the water was now rotten, as I then very accurately observed, being a young man of 21 years of age.

Staying in the same City the following winter, I found, that the Moors or Marshes about the same, which rendered it so strong, were never frozen into Ice by the cold of the winter; which is an Argument that a certain peculiar salt is latent in that water; which is the reason that the Planks or Piles fixed into the Marshy ground, upon which many, yea, the greatest part of the Houses of that City, do stand, or are set, in a long progress of time, are changed into meer stones, and afford a firm Foundation to the Houses built upon them.

From all those indications I have hitherto conjectured, that all the Springs about that City abound with that sort of salt which _Paracelsus_ calleth _Enixum_, seeing that in the said Marshes I have seen the Grass green all winter, which is a certain indication of this kind of salt there existing. The watery Animals which are in the Fountain and Marshes near to the City, confirm the conjecture, among which the number of the water-Mice is not small, which cannot live in all waters; and the shell-Fish, or Tortoises, which are every where in an incredible quantity, in the water flowing about the City, and watering the Marshes and Gardens, although wont to be esteemed by great men among Delicacies, are here of no account at all; and for that reason both the Citizens and Countrymen put two or three of those shell-fishes into the vessel in which they save the washings of their Dishes, to give to their swine, saying, that this sort of Animals abiding in their wash, conduceth much to the fattening them. And from these things it appeareth, that water-Mice and Shell-Fish of this sort, do delight in sweet waters, tempered with a certain salt. Any man that hath a mind to take the said Shell-Fish, or Tortoise, goeth into the Meadows or Pastures in a morning, which are watered with this kind of water, where they wander about in the wet Grass, seeking their Food; and also in the evening after sun set, when they return again to feed. If they perceive any body in their way, they presently betake themselves to the water, and in their entrance into the water, they retract their four feet, which with their head and tail (like to the heads and tails of Serpents) they hide and secure in their shell, which is so hard, that it can scarcely be broken with a strong and heavy Hammer. The Inhabitants, when they will boil them, prick them with some sharp Instrument, at the feeling of which, they again put their head and tail out of the shell, which they presently cut off with a knife. The body being boiled in water, the shell openeth of its own accord, out of which the Fish being taken, is purged, and prepared with Butter, Wine, and Spice, and is not much differing from Veal, nor of an ingrateful taste, and therefore reckoned amongst delicate Foods, by those who are given to feed daintily. Truly, I am perswaded, that Animals of this sort are not to be used as Food, but are rather profitable to the health of Mankind, because they abide in pure waters.

These few things my Experience hath administred to me concerning these Waters, by which Wood is changed into Stone, yea, not Wood only, but also the skin and bones of Animals. I have also seen half a Loaf of Bread turned into a Stone; whence any man may conjecture, how great a fixing power is latent in the said salt, concerning which there is yet more to be said.

This Transmutation of Wood into Stone will put all the Brethren of Ignorance to the blush, who with their ridiculous Mockeries laugh at and deny the wonders of Nature of this kind, that by the operation of Art emulating Nature, a Body should be spoiled of its fugacity, and be transmuted into a constant and incombustible body. All Wood being burnt by the fire, is consumed, leaving nothing behind it except a few salt ashes, which nevertheless being transmuted into a stone by a fixing water of this kind, retaineth its pristine body, and cannot be consumed by any fire. This is an infallible Argument, most clearly refelling those Ass-like Deriders of Art. Can these Belweathers be more clearly refuted by any other Argument or Testimony? I speak these things, to the end that they may be brought to a more easie belief, and not to be amazed with so great admiration, when they shall in the following Treatise hear me affirm, That any subtile Spirit of Wine, by the help of this kind of Water, may be changed into a fixed Salt, constant in the Fire.

Seeing therefore it may come to pass, that by such a Transmutation any fugacious Spirit of Wine may pass into a fixed and constant Salt, Who will deny, but that the same constancy may be afforded to fugacious Metals, by a water of this kind? But by what means such an operation, which seems impossible to every man, may be effected, may be worth the while to indicate in few words, seeing that it happened to me casually, not seeking it, and which I my self at that time should not have believed, although any one had seriously affirmed it to me.

The _Sal Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_, or my fixed Salt, which dissolveth all things, is endowed with that virtue and efficacy, that it dissolveth all things by Fire; at a certain time I had dissolved Gold with it by the dry way, and would make trial whether Spirit of Wine would take a Tincture from it or not: The dissolution being made, I would have poured upon it a burning Spirit of Wine, but by chance I poured upon it in the Glass Spirit of Juniper; afterwards perceiving my errour, I set the Glass aside, and half a year after, I found the Spirit tinged with a bloody colour, which I filtred through a brown Paper, and put the clear Tincture into a Glass, to separate the Spirit from it by the Fire. But seeing that I obtained not a Spirit, but an insipid Phlegm by evaporation, I found that that Red Salt, in a long process of time, had rendered the Spirit fixed, and by a wonderful change had coagulated it into a fixed Salt. The same Salt afforded me another Experiment, and indeed yet worthy of greater admiration: A certain Friend gave me a glass of Oil of Citrons, prepared from mouldy or decaying Oranges and Citrons, by destillation, which Oil smelt mustily, to take away which ill smell, I would have poured upon it Spirit of Salt, but by chance put to it my _Sal Enixum_ dissolved, and destilled it by fire, which indeed rendered me a clear Oil, but in small quantity, and scarce the one half; Therefore continuing a stronger fire, when nothing more would destil, I let the fire out, the Glass being cold, and taken out of the sand, I found all the residue of the matter turned into a black Coal, and when I had taken it out of the Glass, I put it upon a burning Coal, to see whether or no any Oil yet remained; but the matter being consumed by the fire, left many Ashes, and discovered the fixing nature of my Salt. And searching more accurately into the operation, I found many wonderful things, which afterwards gave me occasion to call that Salt by the Name of _Sal Mirabile_. Let others search into the matter, by more exact Meditations, that they may be able to penetrate into it with a deeper sight. He that cannot see the virtues of this Salt, is destitute of Eagles eyes, beholding the Rays of the Sun with an unmoved aspect, and hath the eyes of an Owl, which can see somewhat in the dark, but is blind at Noon-day. Truly, it is a thing to be admired, that an Oil so combustible, in the space of a few hours, should be reduced to that state, that it should glow and burn in the fire like a Coal. Therefore let it not seem strange to any man, that any Wood abounding with much combustible Oil, should in a long progress of time, by the help of this Salt, be transmuted into a Stone. The knowledge of these things happened to me by chance; But who doubteth, but that the studious of Art may, by a sedulous and accurate search, find out many more? These are enough to the wise.

Now followeth the Praxis, demonstrating the Theory, by what means this Salt is to be prepared, and to what uses it is to be adhibited, and what wonderful and incredible things may be performed by _its_ help, as well in Alchymy as in Medicine.

I. _Of the Preparation of =Sal Mirabilis=._

This my _Sal Mirabile_ is prepared and separated from all vulgar Salts, by the help of Art, nevertheless more easily from one than from another: For it may be elicited not only from the Salt of the Kitchin, but also from other salts, as Salt-petre, Vitriol, and Alum: Alum and Vitriol abound with many sulphureous and mineral qualities, and therefore occasion much difficulty and labour in their separation; and Salt-petre possesseth a fugacious and burning nature. Therefore setting those Salts aside, we prepare our _Sal Mirabile_ of that common salt which is used in Kitchins, separating from it, by the help of fire and Water, whatsoever is earthy and terrene; and the same being prepared, as much as in us lies, we use it to the Honour of God, and the profit of our Neighbor.

_Of the external Figure, Colour, Taste, and Smell of =Sal
Mirabilis=._

This _Sal Mirabilis_ being rightly prepared, looketh like Water congealed or frozen into Ice; it appeareth like the Crystals of Salt-petre, which shoot into a long Figure; also it is clear and transparent, and being put to the Tongue, melts like Ice. It tasteth neither sharp, nor very salt, but leaveth a little astringency upon the Tongue. Being put upon burning Coals, it doth not leap and crackle after the manner of common salt, neither conceiveth flame like Salt-petre, nor being red hot, sends forth any smell; which gifts or endowments no other salt possesseth.

II. _Of the External and Internal Use of my =Sal Mirabilis=._

In the first place it is to be known, that my _Sal Mirabilis_ containeth many great and hidden Virtues, inasmuch as it is not so sharp and acute as other salts, and therefore its internal as well as external use, is easily admitted in Medicine. Externally adhibited, it cleanseth all fresh wounds, and open Ulcers, and healeth them; neither doth it corrode or excite pain, as other salts are wont to do. Within the body it exerciseth admirable Virtues, especially being associated with such things whole Virtues it encreaseth, and which it conduced to those places to which it is necessary they should arrive: For Salt is the Conducter and Rector both of good and evil Powers or Virtues, and carrieth them along with it self, according as they shall be joined with it. As the nourishment of Vegetables and Minerals consisteth only in Salt, so also the nourishment of Animals dependeth upon the same. For if the Herbs, Bread, Flesh, and all other things which we eat, should be destitute of salt, they could in no wise sustain, nourish, and encrease the Bodies of Animals, for by such it would forthwith come to pass, that they should consume and die: Therefore Food also nourisheth, as it is well and in due manner seasoned with salt, for a thing that hath no relish, is unfit for nourishment, according to the common Proverb, _Quod sapit, nutrit_; _And that which hath no taste, doth also not nourish_. Therefore the Omnipotent GOD hath given salt to all His Creatures, by which they are nourished and sustained; so that there would have been no need of salting of Foods with salt, appointed for the use of Man, had not Sin and the Curse debilitated and corrupted all things, seeing that they were endowed with their own Salt by Nature: Therefore for the succouring of Nature, those things which contain little salt, are to be salted with common and vulgar Salt, which is appointed by God for this end, that it might afford nourishment to the humane Body, corroborate and strengthen it, as we see that Bread, Flesh, and all Herbs or Sallets, may be indeed eaten without salt, but not to afford so much nourishment: For it is commonly known, that Flesh, Fish, and Sallets being salted, do far better satisfie and nourish, than if those Foods should be received into the stomach wholly destitute of Salt. For this reason men that undergo hard labours eat Flesh, Fish, Herbs, and other Foods, plentifully seasoned with salt, whereby their Bodies are preserved in their due strength; but those who are not exercised with Such labours, feed upon Foods not so salt, but of a more easie digestion. Salt therefore is the only nutriment not only of Vegetables and Animals, but also of Minerals; yea, it universally nourisheth and encreaseth whatsoever existed in the World.

Seeing therefore that without salt nothing can exist or live, and that the life of all things consisteth in salt alone, as is witnessed by daily experience; Wherefore do Fools think Salt to be a thing of so small moment? I answer, That this happens because very few know what Salt is, what Powers and Virtues it exerteth, and what is reconded in its inward Penetrals: As is said a little before, I compare salt to a Carrier, because he carrieth or conveyeth all those things which are put to him, whether good or evil, thither to where they are to be conveyed, without any labour or trouble, but committing the care to him, who taketh all the burden.

In like manner, Salt being mixed with good things, which administer a good nourishment, assisteth the nutritive faculty, and is the conveyer, helper, and strengthener of the adjoined nutriment: Being mixed with venomous and hurtful things, it encreaseth and confirmeth the Venom with great detriment to the Body, insinuating it into the Passages and Members, into which, without salt, the Venom could not have penetrated; therefore with the good it is good, and with the evil it is evil, and being addicted to neither part, is subservient to both, according to the will of the Artist, making good the vulgar Proverb, _Salt and Wine quicken the wit_: That is, when mixed with good things, they be moderately used. So also the contrary is true, if it be said, that _Salt and Wine deprave the Wit_; which I could demonstrate by many Examples, which for brevity sake are here omitted. Nevertheless, that I may be the better understood, I will instance in two things: As I said but now, if Salt be mixed with good subjects, containing a good nourishment, such are Bread, Flesh, and Herbs, the same are rendered fitter for nourishment, if daily experience may be credited, which no man will deny. Why therefore should not the contrary be likely, that it should render an evil thing yet worse, and corrupt it more, if it be associated with it. As for example, Common _Argent-vive_ is esteemed Poison, and indeed truly, and is rendered obnoxious to a greater or lesser poisonous quality, according as it shall undergo this or that Preparation. If one swallow half an ounce of it, it operateth nothing in the Body, and passeth away without hurt; but being sublimed with salts, and exalted in its venomous quality, being exhibited in the weight but of two, three, or four grains, is sufficient to kill a man.

In the same manner Orpiment, as digged out of the Mountains, performeth nothing of good in an humane Body, exciting frequent and intolerable vomitings and stools, if given in too great quantity; nevertheless one, two, three, or four grains of the same may be taken without any danger, causing easie vomits and stools; but being exalted by sublimation with common salt, becometh so hurtful a Poison, that being drank, it forthwith killeth Men and Beasts. So also it is with white Arsenick, which being sublimed with Salt, obtaineth such a poisonous nature, as is commonly known, although the cause of that evil be known to few, as the said Examples do sufficiently declare. I will yet add one thing over and above, for the sake of the Ignorant: They who have been versed in the Labours of the Fire, know those things, and want not my teaching, although their number be very small, but of the Ignorant and Unskilful it is large enough. Arsenick and Cobolt are indeed most vehement Poisons, but nevertheless are not hurtful to the Body, if they be taken in their corporal form; but being exasperated by sublimation with Salts, and reduced into a more fugacious nature, arrive to that vehemence, that they are able to kill a man only by their odour. Those who have mixed Arsenick with Vitriol and Salt-petre, for the preparing of graduating Waters, as they call them, have experienced the Truth of this. Such Waters are so vehemently poisonous, that they smite the Heart with a trembling of any one that taketh in their odour by the Nose, and also extreamly debilitate the Brain. That vulgar Proverb, which saith, That _Salt corroborateth the Heart and quickeneth the Wit_, is true, when wholesom and healthful things are associated with it; but if things unwholesom and poisonous be adjoined with it, it doth the quite contrary, suffocating the Heart, and weakening the Brain, both which I my self have found.

Long ago, when I was young, being occupied with Arsenical Waters of this kind, it often happened to me, that those strong saline Spirits had almost put out my Candle. Again, on the contrary, I have found, when I have mixed corroborating subjects with Salt, that it hath encreased their strengthening Virtues, and exalted them in a wonderful manner. Therefore it is not without reason that _Paracelsus_ teacheth, That Gold exerciseth no power or virtue in the humane Body, but by the Spirit of Salts, which insinuate the virtues of Gold into the Members, and augmenteth them. Here some may say, Seeing that other Metals exert their powers in humane Bodies without Salt, Why should not Gold also do the same, if it hath any virtues? I answer, That this is the reason of the difference, because the other Metals being reduced into small Particles, by filing, do act in the humane Body, by reason of their own Vitriolate Salt, which they retain in melting, more easily admitting solution in the Stomach, and performing their Operations, by reason of that natural acidity, which Operations would be exasperated by the addition of Salt. But that the imperfect Metals effect nothing of good in the body of Man, is witnessed by Tin and Copper, in a Vessel of which, Wine standing all night, and then drank, causeth Vomitings and Cholical pains, as also Palpitations of the Heart; in exciting of which, Copper exceedeth Tin, which doth not so frequently excite Accidents of this kind, especially that which is not adulterated with Bismuth or Tinglass, but is pure and unmixt. Lead being swallowed, drieth, and cooleth too vehemently: But the filings of Iron are used medicinally, not without great profit, because they kill and expel the Worms in Children; and its _Crocus_ is also wont to be mixed with astringent Medicines with Fruit. Silver being filed and taken, is of no use in the humane Body, because it hath in it self no salt, with which Iron and Copper are endowed. Nevertheless, being prepared with Salt, it obtains an entrance into the Members of the Body, and expelleth all hurtful Humours, and strengtheneth the Brain. But being bitterer than Gall, it is so ingrateful to the Palate, that it is more difficult to be taken than Vitriol it self. Gold, the most eminent among all the Metals, in purity and nobility in its own nature, possesseth no Salt, and therefore hath no Operation at all in the Body, whether it be taken in filings, or reduced to a subtile powder; for the _acidum_ of the Stomach is not of so great power, that it can enter and dissolve Gold as it dissolved Copper and Iron, but dischargeth it with the Excrements in the same form in which it was taken. Hence the Unskilful have been so bold, as to exclude Gold from a medicinal use, as a thing destitute of all Virtue, and altogether of no use; an errour truly not Philosophick, but foolish, proceeding from meer unskilfulness and ignorance, seeing that Experience doth altogether testifie the contrary. He that believeth no Virtues to be in Gold, may by an easie experiment find the contrary, if he shall dissolve it in Spirit of Salt well cleansed and rectified, and shall drink a little of this Solution mixed with Wine or Beer, or any warm Broth or Gruel, for he shall perceive a very swift and healthful Operation, calling out all Superfluous fæces, according as they shall offend, either by Vomit, Stool, or Sweat, or Urine, without any weakening of the Body, but evidently confirming its strength, as I have shewed in my Book entituled, _The Consolation of Navigators_, in few words, by reason of the shortness of time, which did not allow me to treat of this matter more at large. Nevertheless I here assert, that a solution of Gold of this sort by Spirit of Salt, is able to perform very much in Medicine, although by reason of its ingrateful relish, it is not much to be esteemed: For seeing the spirit of Salt, with which the Gold is to be dissolved, ought to be very strong from this corrosive Liquor, without which the Gold cannot be dissolved; first, this incommodity ariseth, that its use is unpleasant, it blacketh the Lips and edgeth the Teeth; to which may be added, that a great quantity of Liquor is required for this solution, and the acidity by degrees bringeth loathing to the sick, and sometimes the sick cannot bear the sharpness. Moreover, if this solution be taken in Broth, it hindereth its operation, and wanteth the desired success, of which it is not destitute when drank in Wine or Beer. For this reason this Medicament, which in itself is very noble, and of great moment, is difficultly admitted into use. But because we have said that Gold without Salts is able to operate nothing at all, its whole solution consists in such a _menstruum_ which is neither corrosive, nor of an unpleasant relish, nevertheless openeth the Gold, and rendereth it apt to become a very wholsom Medicine; which endowments I have found in no other thing but my _Sal Mirabile_, which being void of all corrosion and unpleasantness, is it self an excellent Medicament, and conciliateth a pleasant sweetness to all things which it dissolveth: For when it dissolveth Gold, it doth not stain the lips and hands with any colour, like other solutions, which are made by _Aqua Regia_, or spirit of salt; neither also doth it astringe like other solutions, but is of pleasant use, and exerteth its gift by a noble Operation. I have tried many admirable things with this Salt, and at length obtained a solution, or rather an extraction of Gold, green as Grass, and is a very wholesom and most noble Medicament: For he who hath brought Gold to a greeness, hath performed much, in praise of which, many ancient Philosophers call it _The Blessed Viridity_. But what this greeness may effect in Medicine, belongs not to this place, seeing that I intend here to treat of nothing but Salt, and to prove it to be the Beginning and End of all things, and that it encreaseth and exalteth the powers and virtues of all things.

And seeing that this is agreeable to Truth it self, and cannot be disproved by any man, it must necessarily be granted, that a Salt brought to the highest degree of Purity, (as mine is) must be far better, and more noble than any gross and impure Salt. Also because it amplifieth and exalteth the virtues of all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, and that Gold exceedeth in nobleness all other Creatures which are found under the Sun, it is easie to conjecture, that if the purest and most noble part of Salt shall be associated with Gold, that also a most noble Medicine must thence arise: For Salt and Gold, being the Off-spring of the Sun, are (as it were) immortal and incorruptible, and therefore afford help to all mortal and corruptible things, and defend them from putrefaction and corruption.

Nevertheless, I would not have any man perswade himself, that in these words I go about to assert any Immortality, my purpose tendeth not thither, seeing that I am not ignorant that there is no Medicine against Death. I would only signifie this, that from the association of Salt and Gold, there must necessarily proceed an excellent Medicament. If Salt carrieth and promoteth the Virtues of other things, wherefore also should it not promote and convey the Virtues of Gold? Truly there is found no Herb so abject, no Stone so vile, nor no Bone so contemptible, that doth not possess its own Virtues: Who then can deny that Gold, as the most Noble Creature of God (after the Sun and Salt, of which it is generated) should possess Gifts and Endowments, to be preferred to those of the more vile Creatures? That nothing of evil can proceed from two excellent subjects, to wit, Gold and Salt, every unskilful Rustick can understand; Wherefore then cannot those proud and idle Scoffers perceive it? I think it to be, because they would not be numbred among rude and ignorant Asses, if subscribing to my words, they should confess such a Medicine to be _in rerum natura_, and notwithstanding to be ignorant of its Preparation. But it were better for them not to envy those who have received such Gifts, nor to assault the Innocent with so many filthy Calumnies and Slanders, but to leave those things to them which exceed their own Capacities.

I now make mention of my Green-Lyon, whose wonderful Virtues are to be declared and manifested to the whole World; although I well know, that this Green-Lyon will not find fewer enemies than my white or red _Aurum Potabile_ hath done: For the Devil can in no wise suffer, that any thing which is profitable to Mankind should be made manifest, therefore he useth all his power and arts to hinder the knowledge of the Truth, by casting stumbling-blocks in its way. What various Arts have been excogitated, to bring my _Aurum Potabile_ into Contempt, and indeed by such a sort of men, who might easily think that I should not grant one drop of it to such haters of the Truth, although they should petition me for it.

And seeing those Pot-Companions could not ask it of me, they have endeavoured to extort it from me, under pretence of the sick, not that they would serve the sick, but only get an occasion of contemning it, and of bringing it into an Odium with the Sick, lest by it they should recover their former Health. Have they not taken counsel together in their Meetings, one offering this, another thing, so that by every way possible they might oppugn my _Aurum Potabile_? But, this Hatred and Envy, carried on against me with great study, I leave to the Divine Vengeance; and although many watery and obscure Clouds may endeavour to hide the Sun, and to overspread his warm and vivisick Beams with darkness, nevertheless they shall effect nothing; for at length being dispersed into vapours, and vanishing in Clouds, they will give place to the Solar Rays. There is nothing able to extinguish the Truth, which may indeed be prest, but never overcome, and is therefore like the Light, never wholly extinguished. The Air is never filled with so many dark Clouds, but at length they being dissipated, the Sun again appears to sight. By a like reason also the Truth at length freeth it self from the snares of lyes, and cometh forth into the Light: Therefore I may without fear propose the Truth, although there be many that can but ill bear my liberty of speech; for GOD is to be obeyed rather than Men and the benefits due to Good men are not to be omitted for the sake of those which are Evil.

Therefore (in the Name of God) I will go on in declaring the Virtues of my _Sal Mirabile_; because I have said in the precedent discourse, that Salt is the Rector or Disposer of all things, carrying their virtues conjoined with it self, to their due place; therefore it is not fit that evil and venomous things should be adjoined to it, but such as are good only, if any thing of good be expected from it.

But there is no Creature under the Sun more noble, excellent, and pure than Gold, nor which more resisteth the destruction of all the Elements, which without a true solution, as we have said, cannot render the Body of Man partaker of its Virtues, and all corroding solutions are found to be unfit to dissolve it; therefore such a solution is required, as may be performed by the help of a _Salt_ which is not corrosive; therefore taking such a one in hand, we will see what good is to be expected from it.

_Of the Use of my =Sal Mirabilis=, as well in the Solution of
Metals, as in the Preparation of Medicines._

First, it is to be noted, That not only Metals, but also all Stones, and Bones themselves, refusing the solution of all corrosive Salts, may be radically dissolved by my _Sal Mirabile_, and most things so dissolved, whether they be Metallick, Vegetable, or Mineral, put on a green colour, of some of which the greeness remaineth, but of others, in process of time, is changed into a yellow or red colour.

Concerning this wonderful mutation and solution, I could write a great Volume, if I had not designed this Labour for another place, intending here only to describe the solution of Gold, because another better cannot be found. I have found the solution of the rest of the Metals which are adhibited, to be unfit either for the preservation or recovery of Health, as I have admonished a little before; but I have found Salt and Gold to be most noble subjects, of which an excellent Medicine must necessarily be prepared: For Salt exalteth the Powers and Virtues of all things to a high degree of perfection, and insinuateth them into the humane body: This seems to me not unlike the volatile and fugacious Spirit of Vegetables, as of Wine and Beer, _&c._ which coming into the Body of Man, addeth strength to the Animal Spirit, that it moveth it self more readily, and with greater alacrity. Indeed every other Meat and Drink, whether it be Bread or Water, communicateth some strength to the Body, but not so powerfully and efficaciously as any generous Wine, whose Spirit is very pure, efficacious, and subtile; so that its too plentiful use awakeneth all things that lie hid in a Man, and brings them to light. In the same manner Salt encreaseth and confirmeth all things, & being united with them, maketh manifest all their hiden Virtues, which without Salt would remain in darkness. Who could have manifested to us that great Poison which lies hid in Arsenick, if Salts had not revealed it? If any melancholly Person (who otherwise in his own nature is prone to stilness, like one dead) shall drink any spirituous Wine, or strong Drink, his Spirits, that were before dull, and as it were buried in a Dream, will presently be awakened, and his Tongue set at liberty. The same doth Salt perform, which addeth an encrease to the powers of all things, especially of the Metals, which it rendereth manifest and known. And indeed without Salt Poisons could not have been known, as I have said a little above, concerning Arsenick and _Argent-vive_: If Salt worketh those things in evil subjects, by dilating and encreasing their malignity, Why should it not effect the same in good subjects, by augmenting their goodness? Therefore, because among Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral subjects, there are none more noble and eminent than Gold and Salt, which have their original from the Sun, it would be ill done to pass them by, and to seek viler subjects, for the making of an excellent Medicine, seeing that if we take Wine, Salt, and Gold, there are no other things which afford us so excellent Virtues. Therefore acquiescing in these, we will endeavour of them to make a most noble Medicament.

_The PROCESS._

Take three or four parts of _Sal Mirabile_, and one part of Gold (rightly fitted or prepared for this Operation) mix them, and put the mixture into a strong Glass Retort, well luted, which place in an open fire, encreasing the fire by degrees, until the Glass be red hot, urge the fire, and continue it stronger, for an hour, then cease, and let all cool, take out the Retort, and free it from the Lute, that it may not be mixed with the matter contained in the Glass, but that may remain pure, which is to be accurately separated from the Glass, and together with what is sublimed into the neck of the Retort, to be put into a clean glass; which matter will look of a greenish colour: To this matter pour some Rain-water, that it may be dissolved in an easie heat, and the Salt, with part of the Gold, may be mixed with the Water. Filter this grass-green Solution through Paper, and draw off some part of the water by destillation, that the green Liquor may remain, not corroding nor tasting sharp, nor yet too urinous, but fit to be drank in all Vehicles. The Gold which the _Sal Enixum_ hath not dissolved, you will find after the solution, which you may again use for the like Work; but the green Liquor you may presently use, as well in Medicine as in Alchymy, which will afford you many profitable things. He that will draw off all the Phlegm to a green Salt, and then extract that salt with an alkalized Spirit of Wine, will obtain a Medicine yet more efficacious: For the Spirit of Wine will not be tinged with a green, but a red colour, and will be very sweet, rendering the Golden Virtues of the Salt more efficacious, and more commodiously and readily insinuateth them into the Members of the Humane Body.

NB. This is to be noted, That the _Sal Enixum_ doth not imbibe the whole mass of Gold in dissolving, but only its purer part. Now, if you repeat this Operation upon the same pure mass, as yet once more, you will extract the greatest purity, and without all doubt obtain a most noble Medicament, which no man can refute, although he be a capital Enemy to the Truth. This is the Operation, no less compendious than true, of preparing a great Medicine of Gold, Salt, and Wine, meriting the name of an _Aurum Potabile_, whose great Powers and Virtues are now to be manifested to the necessitous Sick.

_Of the Powers and Virtues of my =Green-Lyon=, =Vitriol of Sol=,
or Wonderful =Golden Salt=._

This green golden Liquor may be safely and pleasantly used by all, whether young or old, sick or in health, without any difference of Persons, because it containeth nothing which is evil or prejudicial: For a cleansed Salt and Gold, never inferr any ill, but are alwaies profitable, exercising their wholesom Operations, as well in Vegetables, as Animals and Minerals, as in the following Treatise shall be clearly demonstrated.

First, This green liquor, only by its external aspect, cheereth the Heart, Brain, and all the vital Spirits, seeing that of all colours there is none superiour to the Green in pleasantness, of which all men are witness, who have overcome the intense cold of a sharp Winter, behold the renewing greenness of the Trees half dead, and Herbs extinct, in the Spring time, with great delight and pleasure, and feel all the Blood in their Body to be renewed and revived.

Secondly, This Golden Liquor being drank, strengtheneth and confirmeth the whole _humidum radicale_, Stomach, Brain, and all the inward parts of the body, beyond all other Medicines which I have hitherto known. Also it expelleth Melancholly, and all anxieties of Mind, taketh away Palpitations of the Heart, openeth Obstructions of the internal Vessels; it healeth the hurts of the inward parts, as Liver, Lungs, _&c._ and cureth all inward Exulcerations; it cureth Gravel and Stone, whether in the Reins or Bladder; it keepeth the Body soluble; expelleth Wind, with the pains of the Cholick; preserveth the Blood from Corruption; cureth the Leprosie, Scabs, and Fevers of all sorts; in process of time it taketh away the Gout; to the insulting Apoplexy and Epilepsie it affordeth present Cure; it cleanseth the Blood infected by the Scurvy, Plague, and other contagious Diseases; it preserveth and freeth from all internal Ulcers; defendeth the Lungs, Liver, and other parts, and removeth Exulcerations already arisen, and takes them away radically. It so tingeth all the inward parts of a Man with its Balsamick Virtue, that not being easily obnoxious to Diseases, they enjoy a sound and long Life. Outwardly used, it healeth all fresh wounds, no less than old and open Ulcers, without any Ointments or Plasters; for in curing Ulcers of this sort, there is nothing in Animals, Vegetables, or Minerals, which answereth to this in Virtue; as also inwardly it cureth Ruptures.

This is the nature and property of Gold, that it most potently taketh away all filths, and also astringeth; which two things are necessarily required in the Cure of all Ulcers. This Salt, by its own help, commodiously doth the same, and also wonderfully promotes the Virtues of the Gold: The said Liquor very quickly taketh away the Ulcers of the Mouth and Throat, with all their scorbutick Infection, which are wont to give way but very slowly to other Medicines: And this it doth, although the Tongue, Uvula, and all the Palate should be full of Pustules. In short, for the taking away all internal and external Ulcers, I think no Medicine preferrable to this Liquor; but all other defects of the Body which it cureth, for brevity’s sake, I will pass over.

Moreover, this green and golden Liquor hath this nature and property, that beyond all other Medicaments, it conciliateth a wonderful fertility to all things, as its signature, the wit, the green colour, and my diverse infallible Experiments, do truly testifie. Hence the seeds of all Vegetables being macerated in the same Liquor, and set in meer naked Sand, they put forth golden Sprouts and Plants, having a smell much stronger and pleasanter, a fairer colour, and greater length than those which grow out of a fat Earth. Therefore this green Liquor holdeth the chief place in rendering Vegetables green and fruitful, and augmenting their growing faculty; so also among all the Medicines, I know it hath no equal in conciliating and preserving fertility in the humane body: For in all the Diseases of Mankind it bringeth great help and comfort, and effecteth more in assisting the fruitfulness both of Male and Female, than can be believed, and is so great an exciter of Venus, that it bringeth great solace not only to Old men, who being baulked by their younger Wives, are forced to lie still, but also to such Women who are barren in their flourishing age, and therefore destitute of Heirs.

I write not dreaming, but am taught by Experience, having seen some men so strengthened by this Medicine, that they have seemed to themselves never to have been weak, the which also some Women have experienced. Nevertheless such Medicaments are not to be administred too frequently to this Sex, seeing that without this sort of help they are wont to be sometimes exagitated by a more salacious Itch than is convenient: Its use is more safe to Old men, inasmuch as it cannot do them the least damage. Nor ought those things which I here deliver, to seem a wonder to any, for they have their certain and undoubted causes of Operation.

Let those two Subjects, of which the Green-Lyon is composed, to wit, salt & gold be inspected; they are the best of things, & necessarily required to the generation of all things; for, what herb can be brought forth without seed and salt? not indeed the least: for if the earth or sand wanteth salt, the seed of the Herb can neither have nutriment nor production: Yea, if the seed it self be also sowed in a fat Earth, and yet be destitute of the Rays of the Sun, it can in no wise grow out of the Earth, but will be suffocated and perish; the which thing is not hid to Rusticks, who after they have sowed their seed, do ardently expect the warm Sunshine. Therefore, for a desirable coming up of Vegetables out of the Earth, and their encrease, there is required a fat and salt Earth, as also the warm and fruitful heat of the Sun, with necessary Rain; which also is to be understood of the generation and multiplication of Animals.

NB. In _Aurum Potabile_ salt supplies the room of fatness, Gold is the Sun, and the Spirit of Wine performeth the Office of the warm and fruitful Rain; so also no Minerals are procreated, but by the help of the sun, and labour of salt. They exercising their operations upon the Water, generate Minerals, as the Writings of the ancient Philosophers teach.

Some ignorant man may here object and ask, How it can be, that the Sun, by operating in the depth of the Earth, should generate Minerals and Metals of salt? Let him know, that the Sun, by his hot Rays, doth excite the central fire in the profundity of the Earth; which central fire is not unknown to those who are occupied in digging Metals out of the Earth, who sometimes feel so strong a heat, that laying aside their Clothes, they are constrained to labour very leisurely, yea, sometimes wholly to intermit it; as I have taught in _The First Part of my Mineral Work_. Therefore no man of a sound mind will dare to oppose these things, seeing that it is wholly agreeable to Truth, that generation and encrease in all Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, do arise from the sun and salt, to which water is wont to be an help.