Chapter LXXXV: Part I: To the well minded Reader (13)

_Note_: That during the Distillation, the Glass vessel contracts divers Colours, partly red, and partly yellow; _viz._ as long as it stands in the Fire and is hot; but the Neck remaining out in the Air, continues white. Here is cause indeed of admiration, that by that mixture of divers Colours many and various Figures are represented, as Mountains and Valleys, adorned with Rocks and Trees, so artificially, as they seem to be the Work of a Painter. Some such Glasses painted, both by Art and Nature, I gave to some of my curious and ingenious Friends; who I believe have them yet to show. These Glasses are tinged well and throughly; sometimes through their whole Body, and that so firmly, as even the strongest _Aqua Fortis_ or _Aqua Regia_, or any Corrosives cannot take off those Colours. Which indeed is a most strange and admirable thing, that even vulgar and corporeal fixed _Sol_ and _Luna_ should be rendred so volatile, as to be able to enter into the compact Glass, and tinge the same. Spirits have great power, are void of ponderosity, and when they tinge, the vertue of them is discerned far: even as the Spirits of men and other Animals are void of all heaviness or weight; which we clearly discern by this, _viz._ that a man living, is much lighter than when he is dead.

Moreover, Spirits cannot onely render fixed _Luna_ volatile, and reduce it into red Bodies as _Sol_ and _Venus_, which without any hurt of their form, and without increase or diminution of their weight, they can totally tinge with whiteness; but also Spirits can render the most fixt and most compact Gold volatile, and induce it into compact _Lune_, whereby that shall be tinged with yellowness, which is a thing very wonderfull. But that Spirits can induce Tincture into Glass, without hurt or augmentation of its weight, deserves greater admiration; especially because it is the common Opinion of putatitious Philosophers, that in Glass are no pores, yet the contrary of their supposition is true. For if it were so, as they perswade themselves, which way I pray could Tinctures be introduced into them?

_Note_: That Spirits do not onely induce Metallick subtile Tinctures into compact Metals and Glasses; insomuch, as by the help of white Spirits, yellow _Sol_, without destruction of its form or species may totally be tinged with whiteness; and white _Lune_ by the mediation of red Spirits, be totally tinged with yellowness, and white Glass with various Colours resembling the Beauty of Jems: but they also extract fixed Bodies from other fixed Metallick Bodies. As we see, as often as we cast any mixture of _Sol_, _Luna_ and _Venus_, (melted into a Mass) into those Spirits; the same Spirits extract the _Luna_ and _Venus_ from the _Sol_, without corruption or destruction of its form, so as the _Sol_, although this separation is made, doth notwithstanding remain compact and massy. We have such Spirits as these in our Possession, and can render the same fit for our purpose.

As for all other Spirits, which are various; _viz._ 1. Are Cœlestial and Divine. 2. Terrestrial and Diabolick. 3. The Spirits of the four Elements; these excel the former in power: for they cannot onely pass through Doors that are shut, but also through the hardest Stones and Rocks, and there at pleasure sport and perpetrate wonderous things. As you may learn from those that labour in Mines of Metals, where such Spirits inhabit, and stoutly defend their Treasures of Gold and Silver, from such as come to spoil them of the same; wherefore they invade the Miners, strike them, pault them with Stones or Dirt, blast them with venomous Vapours, and oftentimes kill many of them at once. What wonderfull things they in these subterranean Mansions are able to effect, is more than sufficiently known. In the Mansfieldick Mountains of _Venus_ or Copper, the Spirits paint all kind of Figures, especially of Fishes; some of which I my self have seen. About 100 years since there was dug up a certain Image of _Venus_ upon a black Fissile Stone, wherein _Luther_ and the Electour of _Saxony_ were so evidently expressed, as either of them might be seen kneeling before the Image of Christ crucified. Also another such Fissile Stone was thence dug up, in which was exactly figured _John Baptist_ baptizing Christ in _Jordan_. But if our Spirits of Salt can induce Tinctures into the compact Bodies of Metals; and Elementary Spirits in their subterranean Habitations, can impress many and various Figures on Stones; what is that good Cœlestial Spirits shall not be able to effect? Did not these preserve the three Children in the _Babylonian_ Fiery Furnace? Did not they bring _Peter_ out of Prison; and the Prophet _Habacuck_ to _Daniel_ into the Lyon’s Den? Are not they able to bring in, and lead out? Cannot they render fixed palpable Bodies volatile, spiritual and invisible, and on the contrary render invisible Bodies visible and tangible?

Many things might here be spoken touching the Nature, Property and Difference of Spirits, but that they are not pertinent to our present purpose. If GOD permit, according as I have purposed, I shall ere long set forth a peculiar Treatise of Spirits. Here we have heard how Spirits can bring through shut Doors hard Bodies, and there render them corporeal and visible. Which may serve for Information to every Searcher into the Light of Nature.

CHAP. XXIX.

_Yet one other =Specimen= of Probation by the help of Eagles
Feathers._

That Artificer _Lazarus Ercker_, most famous for finding out the Veins of Metals, in his Book of Probations (or of finding out Veins) relates, that the _Venetians_ hired certain men for wages, and sent them into _Germany_ to gather of the glassy dark coloured Grains of Sand of the Rivers running by the Mountains, and to transport it to _Venice_. The same is done at this very day. And although this Exportation is prohibited by Law, yet they desist not, but clandestinely proceed. The common People of those parts perswade themselves, that Grains of Gold are contained in those Sands, and therefore by Edict every man is forbid, either to remove it thence, or to convert the same to his own use.

Indeed _Lazarus Ercker_ added, that he had subjected such Grains of Sand to various Trials, but never found Gold in them; yet that he also understood, that the _Venetian_ Artificers prepared of that Sand such beautifull Colours, as with them were in more esteem, than Gold it self. But I affirm, that _Erckerus_ did not rightly know those Grains of Sand. For indeed there is little corporal Gold in them, but much spiritual Gold. If to those Sands the Eagles Feathers be added, they will carry upwards with themselves much spiritual Gold, which will be very conducent in Medicine. Such Grains are found in all the Sands of Rivers in all Regions of the World, and in the Gravel on the Shores of common Navigable Rivers: whence much good may be gained. Now these may suffice to be spoken touching the Eagles Feathers, for it is not convenient to divulge more.

CHAP. XXX.

_Yet one Royal Medicine of Vulgar Gold._

Make one Ounce of Gold more or less, irreducible by the benefit of Salts. Then to such irreducible or unmeltable Gold, add as much by weight of the fixed Salt of the Eagles Feathers burnt. Put these into a firmly coated Glass, and place the Glass in an Earthen Pan full of Sand; which Pan set in the Fire that it may be red hot. But after it hath stood in such a Degree of heat, for four or five hours, let it cool. Then take your fixed _Sol_ out of the Glass, and it will be like white Chalk. This white _Sol_ taken out of the Glass put into a good Crucible, upon which lute another, and then set it in a Wind Furnace, where having stood four or five hours, without any extream heat, let it cool. Then your Gold will be transmuted into a Tincture intensly red. Grind this red Salt to a most subtil Powder, and pour on Spirit of Wine to extract his Tincture. The tinged Spirit pour off, and pour on other, that it may also extract. Abstract the Spirit of Wine from the Tincture, and in the bottom a red Saline Liquor will remain, which is to be accounted a true _Aurum Potabile_: because it is not possible by any way whatsoever to extract any Gold from thence. This Operation begun, I once absolved without Errour; but many times afterward trying my Work, did not succeed so prosperously as at the first time. Yet I rather ascribe the Errour to my self, than to Art, plainly judging, that no other way more swift, more easie or more preparable, can be obtained a most readily profitable Tincture for diseased, humane and metallick Bodies. Yet I add this. If thou sufferest the common and now ductile _Sol_ to be and remain Gold; and sparing labour and charge for making it irreducible, do onely make choice of such Stones for your Operation, such as without Charges you may get, and by nature partake of irreducible Gold. Then indeed you may much more easily find what you intend. For whatsoever Tinctures of a golden Disposition are incited in those Stones, they notwithstanding in this operation lose it, altogether wax white, and at length totally red again. Which being beheld by me, I never saw in all my Life a more wonderfull Sight. Hence Philosophers have always said: Whosoever can so destroy vulgar _Sol_, as it can never be again reduced into _Sol_, he hath attained to a very great Mystery. Also they further say: Whosoever knows not how to make our _Sol_ (which is vulgar _Sol_ rendred irreducible, or such as hath not yet felt the force of Fire, and in Stones is by Nature irreducible) white, he also cannot make it red. But now that is done this way. Therefore you need not doubt that besides medicinal Remedies, some other Eminent Works may thence be made. Which I leave more deeply to be searched into by those, who are yet strong and able to endure labour. As for my own part, I esteem the Pleasures and Riches of this World to be worse than nothing; and seek onely Incorruptibles, which can neither be stolen by Thieves, nor gnawn by Moths and other Vermine, nor be destroyed by any force of the Elements.

_An Admonition._

In this little Book, candid Reader, I have treated of many rare _Arcanums_, or Secrets not vulgar; and that very briefly. All I here write, I write from certain Experience, as to Medicine: far be it, that I should profess my self a Master in the Melioration of Metals, I had rather say with _Socrates_, _This one thing I know_, viz. _that I know nothing_. Indeed had I been a younger Man, I should scarcely have forborn to exercise my self in such an Operation; but my great Age having rendred me unfit for all Labours, and unable to do any thing, I may easily be excused, for I am as it were compelled to abstain from so great a Work.

Here in this Book I have treated of divers secret Fires, yet not of all to me known, but of many of them: touching the best of them all (if GOD permit) the seventh Part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_ shall treat. The wonderfull Vertues of which secret Fires is so far beyond belief, as they exceed all the Fires in this Enchyridion commemorated.

_Quantum Lenta solent inter Viburna Cupressi._

I am amazed, as often as I call to mind, how immensly vertuous such fiery truly Stygian Spirits are, which are endued with a faculty of mortifying all Metals (although they be Bodies of greatest strength) and of carrying with them their immortal Souls, wheresoever they can. For they are endued with so great power, as nothing is able to defend it self from them. Yet besides these there are also other horrid Spirits made by Art, which do not onely after Mortification take from metallick Bodies their Soul; but also are endued with so great power, as they take away the Body with the Soul. Spirits of this kind are not usefull for our necessities, but those Spirits which do onely mortifie the Body, and draw forth from it its Soul, leaving the gross Body. If these Bodies were as conducive to us as Spirits, there would be no need to extract from them their most pure Spirits or Souls, to prepare our Medicine of them. Wherefore we, not without good reason, by the help of Artificial Distillation) extract the most clean Souls of Metals from their rude Bodies. For, by the benefit of Distillation, all Bodies of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are purified and subtilized. Which clean and subtil Spirits (when they are again reduced into fixed Bodies) must needs be better Bodies than all other vulgar Bodies, which never yet were Spirits. Therefore, the more fixed those Bodies are rendred, and the more those Spirits are subtilized, the more pure and further powerfull Tinctures will be obtained from them. The like we understand by Elementary Spirits. These Spirits, by their proper Virtue, can so far extend themselves, as to become wholly invisible, and (if I may so speak) altogether pervisible: on the contrary, they can again concentrate themselves, and constringe themselves into a very narrow compass, and in such-wise assume visible Bodies, palpable and hard, as they please themselves. Although such Objects, in the Judgment of the Eyes, are accounted Bodies, yet in very deed they are not true Bodies, but are onely concentrated Spirits, which enjoy a perpetual power of extending themselves again into latitude, and of leaving their corporeal Form and Shape, and re-assuming their Spiritual Figure. But it is impossible that these extended Spirits should possess so great power, as they had before Extension. For Spirits extended are no other than Air and Wind. On the contrary, concentrated Spirits have incredible Fortitude, penetrate more swiftly, and are Bodies of very great potency. A common Body cannot penetrate into another, without hurt to it self; nor in that extend it self, because of its gross and hard Mass. Yet such a Body, as is made of a certain Spirit, can penetrate other Bodies, and amend the same, without destruction of their Form and Species. As for Example: If any one turns a fixed Metal into a subtile Spirit, and this Spirit again reduceth into a fixed Body; this Body will not be a common, compact, gross or mortified Body, like all other Metallick Bodies; but is a Body spiritual, living, penetrating and vivifying mortified Bodies; or is (as I may call it) a Corporeal Spirit, which can extend it self in Amplitude, and shew its potency an hundred or a thousand ways; according as all true Philosophers ascribe to their Universal Medicine or Tincture, that it, in a very small quantity, is able to tinge or meliorate a great quantity of the more vile Bodies into Bodies most noble. Which admirable Correction is not as yet known to me; yet I certainly believe and judge, that such a Transmutation, or famous Emendation of Metals may be made, by the benefit of concentrated and fixed noble Metallick Spirits. Whosoever hath Time and Place convenient to set about this Work, may try what is possible to be performed by the help of Art. Convert fixed Bodies into subtile Spirits, and reduce volatile Spirits into fixed Bodies, then shall you obtain whatsoever you can desire or wish for.

Indeed I have Reasons enough to restrain my Quill from a farther promulgation of such high Matters; yet since I have proceeded farther in this discovery, than any Man before me ever did; what hinders but that I may to the Horse-man, to whom I have given a _Nisæan_ [or excellent] Horse, give the Bridle also? Therefore it pleaseth me to reveal yet one kind of Spirits, which very lovingly receive the Souls of Metals (after their Bodies are mortified) and carry them up into the Philosophick Heaven, that is, into the _Alembick_. Which good Spirits are not horrible and cruel as the former, but sweet and amicable. Indeed, such good Spirits do all willingly associate themselves with the Souls of all Metals promiscuously, but onely with such most pure Souls, as are in _Sol_ and _Luna_. But if they be compelled to be concerned in the Mortification of fœtid gross Metals, as _Mars_ and _Venus_, or of venomous, and as yet immature and volatile Metals, as _Jupiter_, _Saturn_ and _Mercury_, and to receive the out-passing Souls of them; they refuse not this office, yet from such fœtid Souls they contract a stink to themselves, and therefore can scarcely afterward be Medicinal. Wherefore, it is better not to use these good and pure Spirits, unless for receiving the Souls of clean Metals; for then they remain good, and cannot be administred in Medicine without admiration: and, on the contrary, the Souls of venomous Metals may be so much the more happily used for the Emendation of Metals.

Now, as touching these good Spirits, know, they are nothing else but a pure Spirit of Wine, when it is associated with _Sol_ and _Luna_, at that very time, wherein their fixed Bodies are invaded and mortified by their Enemies, and their pure Souls set at liberty; then they are received and carried upwards by these pure Spirits; and a Royal Medicine is obtained, which every Man may administer according to his understanding. There are also many other Spirits which attend Metals destroyed and mortified, that they may take to themselves their pure Souls and carry them away. But of these enough at this time. Ere long (GOD willing) I shall speak more at large of these in the Seventh Part of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_.

* * * * *

_O most High GOD, the One onely Beginning and End of all things, I making supplication from the bottom of my heart desire, that (when that general Destroyer of Humane Bodies shall come and destroy my lean and dried Earthen Mass, according to thy divine Will, and set my Soul at liberty from the Bonds of the Body) thou wilt be pleased in that very hour to take compassion on me, and send thy Ministring Spirits the =Holy Angels= (by reason of thy Grace and Fatherly Mercy) to me at the hour of Death, that receiving my departing Soul, may humbly prostrate it at the feet of thy most Holy Majesty._ Amen.

_The End of the Sixth Part._

THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.

In which is farther treated, how of Man’s Urine may be prepared
the Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ of Philosophers, and what incredible
Works may be performed by the benefit of it, both in Medicine
and in Alchymy: With an Instruction annexed how an Universal
Medicine and true Tincture for Humane and Metallick Bodies may be
acquired; and that no way more easie, more expeditious and less
chargeable, than by the help of good Spirit of Wine, or instead
of that a burning Spirit extracted from Corn, or other Vegetables.

The PREFACE to the READER.

Well-meaning Reader,

_The principal Reason which moveth me here in this small Treatise (without any respect or regard of Persons worthy or unworthy) so evidently to reveal and publish to the ungratefull World the Secret =Sal-Armoniack= of Philosophers, is this: namely, because, by reason of my old Age, I have now one foot in the Grave, and am ready to depart this World, and do patiently expect a far more excellent Mansion prepared by God. I, who now discover this Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, do also here intimate those vast benefits, which (by the help of that) may accrew to Mankind, accounting great Works of Mercy may be done by it; because it is that, by the benefit of which, all things necessary for Life may be acquired by all Men, whether young or old, poor or rich, as in the following Praxis shall largely be demonstrated._

_That Men (if they themselves will) may gain much, yea as much as they please, by the benefit of this my free and ample Revelation of such an inestimable =Salt=, I am easily able to prove: especially, so soon as I, in the following Praxis, shall exhibit a =Specimen= of those Subjects, the abundance of which is in all parts of the World, every-where offered, no less to the Poor, than to the Rich, without any expence of Money, or other Charges; but it is known by very few, privily hated by that proud Step-Dame the World, trod under foot, and for its exterior vileness cast out upon the Dunghill, and thrown away in the corners of Streets._

_But, some One may ask, how those needy People can from Urine onely, acquire things necessary for Life, although they should know, that in it is contained a Treasure? To such an One I thus answer: It may very well be effected, because in this little Book I have explained, not onely that in it is an abstruse Treasure, but also how it may easily be extracted. Insomuch as I doubt not, but that some of the Lovers of the Poor will do their endeavour to extract that Treasure from the same. Which being done, if the World (which will believe nothing but what it sees) take notice of it, and finds the verity of our Assertion proved in Fact, then many more will use a like endeavour to get their living from such a Subject, every-where to be had, and preparable for little or no charge. If such Operators shall need more Urine, than they themselves make, they must necessarily buy it of poor Families, abundance of which you will every-where find, readily desiring to gather the same for their daily Bread, and to bring it to the Artist: that way one hand cherisheth and helpeth another. For by this means every Re-publick might be brought to a flourishing state, so as no Man (unless he will himself) needs to want Bread in what part of the World soever he lives. I indeed have not buried in the Earth my five Talents gratiously granted to me by God, but have put them into the publick Bank. What if the mad and blind World will neither see nor hear, it may for all me follow its own desperate humour. It is sufficient for me that I have divulged such Mysteries for the safety and well-being of Mankind, as no other Philosopher before me hath ever discovered the like. For since the Subject is so very vile, vulgar and obnoxious to vast contempt and hatred among proud Fools, many of them did involve its genuine Name in the secret Cabinet of Silence. But, that I may speak my mind freely, I openly confess and aver, that in Urine is contained a =Mercury=, by the help of which very much may be effected in Chymistry and in Medicine; and which is especially very conducent to deduce Metals to their first Matter; and thence may be reaped a notable Fruit of Utility, as well universally as particularly. For whatsoever I have now writ, I composed the same in the extremity of my discomposure and sickness, that this admirable Secret might not be buried with me in the Earth, where even all the highest Arts of the most excellent Artists seem to putrefie together with them, not being by them (before their Death) communicated to Mankind remaining; that so I may say with the Vulgar (not rightly understanding) =All Habits of Understanding are not so much hospited in the mortal Body, as retained in the immortal Mind=._

_If all things here answer not the desire of the diligent Searcher of Art, or be not clearly and plainly enough discovered, let him look into the following Treatise, which is intituled, =A Treatise of the Mercury of Philosophers=, where perhaps he will find so many desirable things, as will compleatly satisfie the hunger of his Mind covetous of learning. But for the sake of the benevolent Reader, I cannot chuse but communicate to him this Information, =viz=. that the very Inscription of this Treatise discovers a Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, and in divers places of the Sixth Part of my =Spagyrick Pharmacopcœa=, mention is also made of a Secret =Sal-Armoniack=; wherefore I would have you to understand, that the =Sal-Armoniack= mentioned in my former Book, is of a property variously different from this, of which I purpose here to write. For this is prepared of Urine, but in the preparation of that, no Urine is to be used; because that is no other than pure Silver dissolved in =Aquafortis=, and precipitated by the help of a sharp Salt-water. Where it is to be observed, that the Silver, in such a Precipitation, attracts to it self so many Spirits of the Salt, as by reason of them it is no more fusible, like other =Luna= into a Metallick Form, but becomes penetrable as Oil into a Skin. That, in my Writings, is called the =Mercury of Luna=._

Note. _Of =Saturn= also, after this manner such a =Mercury= may be prepared, which is almost of the same efficacy as the =Mercury= of =Luna=; but in some Chymical Labours it may not so safely be used as the =Mercury= of =Luna=. This must be necessarily minded by those who are unwilling to err in their Labours. Moreover, touching this Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, I think it needfull farther to advise, that either =Sal-Armoniack= (although both are diversly prepared) being added to Metals or Minerals, takes to it self and carries upward the purest part of that Metal or Mineral. Yet it is to be understood, that this is effected thus, =viz.= that the Metal is corroded by the sharp Spirits existant in the =Sal-Armoniack=, and so is carried upward by distillation; or volatilized, no otherwise than as if you should add Sublimate =Mercury= to any Metal or Mineral for extracting Butter thence. Also it is to be minded, that whatsoever shall be prepared by the help of either =Sal-Armoniack= (made with =Luna=, or with Urine) all that riseth much more pure than any sublimate =Mercury= or common =Sal-Armoniack= can cause to ascend. These few things I thought necessary to be premised, touching the difference of either Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, that no Man may err through mistake._

_Although much more should be spoken here, touching our =Sal-Armoniack=, which is made of Urine; yet Time, and my present Condition, prohibit my insisting more at large thereabout._

_But that every unskilfull Man may be rendred more skilfull in the Knowledge of this Definition, it is good for him to learn, that Urine is no other than the volatile Salt of those Meats and Drinks, which we receive for the nourishment and sustentation of the Body; and which are so digested and separated by the Stomach, =viz.= that the Sulphur, as a superfluity, is by Nature discharged by the Bowels; but the Urine, as a volatile Mercurial Salt, seeks and finds for it self an Exit through the Bladder. Now, it is more than sufficiently manifest, that the greatest part of Men live of Vegetables, as of Bread, Beer and Wine; also for Nutriments they use Flesh, Fish, Butter and Cheese: which kinds of Meat and Drink, so soon as put down into the Stomach by a certain natural Coction and Fermentation are so inverted, as some natural Mercury is thence progenited. Whence, it is clearly enough apparent, that the before mentioned Mercury (which we with the assistance of Art know how to extract out of Urine) must necessarily have been an invisible Mercury in Vegetables, before it passed into Urine, and when it was not inverted in our Body. Which is a thing most surely true, and is confirmed to us by experience, =viz.= that in all Vegetables (no one of them excluded, whether Wine or Grain, Honey or Sugar, or other fat Fruits, in which our vegetable =Mercury= is most copiously abundant; also by what name soever those Fruits or Vegetables are called) the same =Mercury= is hospited; yea, it may be extracted from all Fruits, Trees, Herbs, or any common Grass of the Fields or Meadows, and from all Boughs and Leaves of wild and manured Trees, if after you have cut them small, you pour on them hot water, and then ferment the same._

_Indeed lean Herbs, according to quantity, give not forth so much burning Spirit, as Corn, Wine, or Sugar: But note; Grass is prepared with much less cost than Corn, Wine, or the Fæces of Wine or Beer. Also a good burning Spirit may be made of Grape-Stones, or the pressings of Grapes; yet as for the sweetness of that, you need not to take any care; because in operating it is so amended, as it is rendred full as good as the best Spirit of Wine that is most rich._

_This =Arcanum= of preparing a true Universal Medicine of all Vegetables, for those three known Kingdoms of ours, I take to be as great a Secret as was ever known to Philosophers, or for the future can be known. For it is that, of which many have notably writ, yet in such a Style, as they have obscured, involved and hid the whole Work in so many Parabolical, Allegorical and Enigmatical phrases, as it is almost plainly impossible for any one profitably to learn any thing out of their Writings, unless his Eyes be singularly illustrated by God. But among others, =Albertus Magnus=, =Thomas Aquinas=, =Arnold=, =Lully=, =Bracescus=, and especially =Basilius=, have writ of it evidently enough to such as can see; but all they writ in obscure words: And as =Paracelsus= knew the same, so it seems that was also known to =Helmont=: yet they were afraid to write of it for their own sakes. But I now freely and openly divulging all things, do that chiefly for this Reason, =viz.= because the most wise God (to whom I give Immortal Thanks) revealed this Secret to me not many weeks since; and I, according to the weakness of my Age, could labour but little therein, and that very difficultly; therefore keeping my Bed, by reason of my Illness, I caused some Proofs to be made of the same: whence I so found the verity of the matter, as I am now able safely to confirm the same to others, and can aver, that the true =Mercury= of =Philosophers= is reconded in them. Although that hath hitherto been unknown to most Men, yet by me (because in Philosophy, Medicine and Chymistry, never any thing more magnificent than it, easier to be elaborated, or preparable with less cost, at any time before came into my hands) it is so published, as I doubt not, but that many well-disposed Persons will confidently, readily and happily set their hands to the Work. For it is easie to acquire burning or distilled Wine in abundance, without any great charge: also an Instrument made of Copper, fit for separating the =Mercury= from the =Sulphur=, will not cost much: And lastly, the Fixation of the =Mercury= will cost little or nothing, because it may easily be absolved, in a very short time, by One well skilled in the method of fixing. The Burning Spirit may be prepared, and the separation of its =Mercury= from the =Sulphur= be compleated in the space of one day: but yet it is to be understood, that this is spoken onely to those who desire but a small quantity to experience the possibility of Art. If any one would have a larger quantity of Tincture, he indeed will have need of a longer time to prepare it in, as every one may easily conjecture._

_Whilst I lay diseased in my Bed, and afflicted with a grievous Disease (after I had by a long and serious speculation day and night fundamentally searched the power of Art) in the space of one Week, by the hands onely of my little Sons (for I could not trust such a Work with the unworthy Sons of this World) I made three small trials or proofs onely in a very small quantity, because, by my Bed side, there was no place for doing any great Work. Nevertheless, I am satisfied that I could do much more in eight or ten Days, and a far greater quantity, if God will be pleased to grant me strength for so many Days._

_Indeed to an ignorant Hearer, what Wise men have asserted will seem incredible to be believed; namely, that in every Herb and Grass, the true Stone of Philosophers lyes hid. For the ignorant of Nature wonder at this. But =Spagyrick Philosophers= have, now for many years past, published their Books touching the same, and affirmed, that of all things, from which the Elements may be separated, the =Stone= of =Philosophers= may be extracted and made; of the same I also, if need were, could alledge many Testimonies. May we not by Distillation and Rectification much more easily separate the Elements from Vegetables, than from rude and hard Metals? And may we not most purely and most subtilly cleanse their Element of Fire from them? That indeed is impossible to be extracted from Metals. But if we can, by the help of Art, turn the most pure Fire again into Earth, may not of this new Earth (when it is by the benefit of Art fixed, and rendred constant in Fire) be made a Matter purer, than all things in Nature? Every Man knows, that in Spirit of Wine is contained a great virtue comforting the Heart, but by reason of the burning heat, which it manifests in those that immoderately use it, the same is avoided not without Reason._

_Now, if you shall separate the Burning =Sulphur= from the =Mercury=, in the bottom will remain onely a temperate, and to all Constitutions (which are vulgarly called Complexions) gratefull pure =Mercury=, in the form of a clear sweet Water, which =Philosophers= call their =Water of Life=, and that not imprudently. For the =Alimonies of Life= are included in it, and this =Mercurial Water=, or true =Aqua-vitæ=, may be safely adhibited in all Diseases; always, provided that this Spirit be prepared of Wine, Corn, or of Herbs not stinking and venomous. But for Metallick Transmutation, every distilled Wine is conducent, of whatsoever matter it shall be prepared. Yet that, in the form of Water, is able to exercise no power over Metals, but must first be reduced into a Red fixed Powder, called by Philosophers =Gold of Philosophers=, =Horizontal Gold=, =Tinging Gold=, and =Living Gold=. And, in a word, I say you cannot find any thing pertinent to Medicine and Chymistry, more excellent than our Red fixed =Mercury= of =Wine=: for it is the true =Phœnix= or =Bird= of =Titan=, feeding its Young with its own Blood; also a true =Salamander=, which dyes not, but is nourished and augmented in Fire: and more briefly, =It is all in all things=. Moreover, Philosophers confess that all things lye absconded in all, and in good =Aqua-vitæ= all Metals are spiritually found; which I my self have in very deed experienced, being otherwise unable to verifie the same. O noble Hermetick Art, and Queen of all Sciences! how basely and unworthily art thou cast down, trod under foot by stinking Swine, and contemned by ignorant proud Fools! Nevertheless, I doubt not but that this little Book of mine will open the Eyes of many blinded with Ignorance, and direct many Readers unto the path of =Verity=; as my Treatise lately published, intituled, =Of the Salt of Philosophers=, hath already been the Authour of much good to many. For more than one of many, who have slighted Chymistry, having perused that =Enchiridion=, according to my Information, have again fallen in love with Chymistry, set about the Work (renewing their omitted labour) and prepared the =Salt= of =Philosophers=, gave good proofs thereof, and having wrought in it for certain Days, at length gloried of their successes in Transmutation of Metals. Which Stone notwithstanding is not to be compared with that which is made of Wine or Corn; but in comparison of that is to be reputed as a Clod of Earth to a most beautifull Pearl._

_Wherefore as I before said, and always shall say, I believe that a Medicine and Tincture more sublime than the fixed and red Mercury of Wine, hath never been known by Philosophers. In the mean while, let every other Man believe as he listeth, it sufficeth me that I have written the Truth, and refused to carry hence with me into the Kingdom of Darkness the greatest Secret of the whole World. But the Reasons why I here over-hastily break off the Thread of my discourse begun, and in no-wise discover the Method by which the Burning Spirit may be prepared, and the =Mercury= latent therein be separated from the same, and reduced into a fixed Tincture, are weighty and considerable. For the whole Work, from the beginning to the end, is so very vile and easie to be performed, as every Corydon or rude Shepherd (ignorant of all Chymical Arts) would understand and imitate that Method of preparing the same. Wherefore it is best to desist from any further explanation. Because, to whomsoever God will give it, he will so easily find it out, as there will be no necessity of speaking one word more than I have already spoke. Besides, for such inconsiderateness, I should be able to give no just Account before God, the Judge of the Living and of the Dead, if this most secret Secret of Secrets should as a Grain of Salt be sowed among the ungratefull and unworthy People. But the World is too well known to me already: yet I will openly say this, =viz.= that the poorest Man, as well as him that is wealthy, may attain to this supreme Work; because, for preparation of that incomparable Medicine, no chargeable Materials, nor any long time are required._

_Truly, unto me are known divers famous particulars, by the help of which, not onely Silver, but also all other Metals are converted into Gold and Silver with great profit, yet are more difficult to be elaborated than that great Universal Work. Wherefore this also, among all other fruitfull Chymical Secrets deservedly doth, and undoubted always will obtain the Priority._

* * * * *

_Now, Son of Art, candidly accept this my Fatherly Instruction, and Friendly Admonition, and do not at all commit any thing to Faithless Men, of which thou maist have occasion to repent afterward. Accordingly, to all the Disciples of Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine, I wish the ample Blessing of God, here Temporal, and in the life to come Eternal; heartily praying, that the most clear unextinguishable Light of God, may perfectly enlighten them, as it did me at the first._ Amen.

_Of the Secret =Sal-Armoniack=._

Touching this our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, I have made mention in divers of my written Books; but the way of Preparing it I have left to be divulged in this place. For after I was assured, that many had laboured much to find out its Preparation and Fruitfull use in Medicine and Chymistry; I resolved no longer to conceal the Preparation and profitable use in Chymistry, of our _Salmiack_, from the Lovers of our Profession; but chiefly for the sake of the Sick (to whom it may be very great comfort and solace) I chose rather openly to divulge it, without any privy concealment, in these my Writings; hoping that by the publication of this, I shall do good to many thousands of Men, and for a sign of triumphal Joy crown the Head (as with Laurel) of the victorious Queen of the Spagyrick Art.

First of all, it is to be observed, that this Name is imposed upon this Subject, because it in many things agrees with common _Sal-Armoniack_. It pleased us to add the Epithet of _Secret_, because this Salt is known to very few in the whole World; and they who acquired it to themselves, neither published it, nor exposed the same to common use, but kept it to themselves as a great Secret; and as often as they made mention of that Salt in their Writings, they named it their _Salmiack_; for proof of which, if need were, I could produce many Examples.

_Cosmopolita_, being about to speak of this our _Salmiack_, cryes out thus: _O our Sea! O our Sal-Armoniack!_ His _Sea_ was Oil of Vitriol, and his _Salmiack_ the Volatile Spirit of Urine. When these two are joyned together, they give forth from themselves our Secret _Salmiack_; by the help of which, so many wonderfull Works are performed in Medicine and Chymistry, as you shall here following hear.

_Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_ called this Salt, _Alcahest_; being that, of which the former writ little, but the latter very many things; and yet both kept the same secret to themselves onely, insomuch as _Helmont_ discovered it not, even to his own Son; and other Men, his intimates, requiring it of him, he put off, saying, _It is an Ens very difficult to be acquired_: and thus he freed himself from the importunate Intreaties of many. And how little others could get out of him, is manifest by the following Saying, which is thought to be his. _The Liquor_ Alcahest _is made of Blood and Urine_. It is credible that he might make such an _Alcahest_ of those Subjects. But the reason why that kind of _Alcahest_ may be prepared of Blood and Urine, as well as of Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine, is this: There is a great affinity and similitude between the Macrocosm and Microcosm, _viz._ Man; insomuch as whatsoever may be had in the Macrocosm, may also be found in the lesser World Man. For as in the great World an Universal Acidity, _viz._ Vitriol, commonly is generated in Subterranean Fibres, Beds or Veins, and is there kept in perpetual Digestion by the Central Fire of the Earth, and at length ripened into Mineral and Metallick Bodies; so also, in the Body of every Man, the Blood of the Veins (as an Universal Microcosmick Acidity) is generated, and by long Digestion of the central Fire of the Heart augmented, meliorated, and at length transmuted into Flesh, Skin, and Bones. Therefore, in the Blood of Men or Animals you may find an Acidity, like to that which is found in the great World: Hence it may be said, that our Secret _Salmiack_ may as well be prepared of the Blood and Urine of Animals, as of Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine. Nevertheless, I say there is a vast difference between these two; for Oil of Vitriol may be amended and rendred more subtile by Rectification, which Subtiliation cannot be effected with the Vitriolate Acidity of the Blood of Animals. Therefore we deservedly give the Priority to this rectified Oil of Vitriol, as being that, which in every Chymical Labour is found far more efficacious than that of Blood. For this cause leaving that Blood, let us set about the Preparation of our Secret _Salmiack_, with cleansed Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine subtily rectified.

_The way of making our Secret =Sal-Armoniack=._

_Recipe_ of Oil of Vitriol excellently well deflegmated and rectified, one pound; upon which Oil of Vitriol, leisurely pour on so much highly rectified Spirit of Urine, as untill there is no more action each upon other, but they be mortified and still. In that Conjunction, from two Contraries, ariseth a middle Salt. This Operation being rightly performed, you will find a sharp penetrating Liquor, in which is a power of carrying upwards with it self the purest Essences from Animals, Vegetables, and Metals: which is what no other Entity in Nature is able to perform the like, as we purpose to shew. Therefore if any one, desirous to make of this Salt Liquor a dry _Salmiack_, do in gentle heat of _Balneo_ abstract the unsavoury Water thence, in the bottom will remain a fair white Salt, which is our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_; by the benefit of which wonderous Works, may be performed in Medicine and Chymistry, as hereafter you shall hear. Now follows

_The Use of our =Salmiack=, by the help of which, from =Vegetables=
may be extracted very efficacious, and indeed incomparable
Essences._

How or which way the Ancient and Modern _Spagyrists_ prepared their Essences of Vegetables, is now long since well known throughout the World, _viz._ by Spirit of Wine. Which way of Extracting is indeed of it self a Work very chargeable; yet Spirit of Wine readily extracts the Essences of Vegetables and Animals, leaving the unprofitable Fæces behind. Also, it is not unknown to us, that Spirit of Wine in extraction so notably changeth the Virtues of things extracted by it, as the Extract is of less force than the Simple whence it was made, and that most manifestly in _Catharticks_ or Purging Simples, insomuch as commonly the Dose of the _Extract_ must be greater than of the _Simple_ it self. The reason is, because all Purgers acquire the greatest part of their Cathartick faculty from that crude and immature Substance, with which they oppose the Stomach, and therefore are not entertained by it, but presently expelled, during which Expulsion the Excrements also are cast out. Therefore the stronger Crudity is predominant in Purging things, the more impetuously do they move the Stomach; and the more strongly the Stomach casts out and expells that, so much the more vehemently also are the noxious Humours of the Body cast up. If a Cathartick be too crude, rough and immature, the Stomach rejects it much more strongly, because the whole of Nature is thereby disturbed, and with all its might endeavours wholly to expell such a rude guest. In which violent expulsion, the Radical Humours are expelled out of the Body, together with the Excrements, that the Body may be totally freed and disburthened of the pernicious filth of them.

The Stomach so abhors some Vegetables, and is so impatient of giving them any time to abide there, that they may by little and little be expelled downward by Seidge, as it (enraged with so great nauseating and loathing) violently casts them up. In which Excretion a tenacious viscous Choler, always hurtfull to the Stomach, is expelled, which would difficultly otherwise be cast out by gentle Purgations, as is seen in _Asarabacca_ and _Hellebore_. For as often as they are taken by a sick Man, without any previous Preparation, they continually excite Vomiting; but if extracted with Spirit of Wine, they vomit not, but onely work downward.

By all which it appears, that Spirit of Wine, in extracting the Essences of Vegetables (by its natural power) so notably changeth the Virtues of Herbs, as it is not fit to be used for all kinds of Extractions; and that by reason of its Nature varying or altering the property of things. Nor can you, in some Diseases, safely use those Extracts which are made by Spirit of Wine, because Extracts are heightned in their Heat by the Spirit of Wine, and therefore should be avoided in acute or burning Diseases. On the contrary, our _Menstruum_, viz. our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, in Extraction, alters not the Virtues of Species for which it is used, but extracts from them onely what is most pure, and carries over with it by Alembeck, a certain most sweet Essence, which Spirit of Wine can in no wise perform. Therefore we deservedly give Priority to our Liquor _Alcahest_ in extracting the Essences of Vegetables and Animals. Yet we would by no means labour to bring Spirit of Wine into contempt, since it, in some subjects, so excellently exerciseth its power, as it gives place to no other thing. But the Water of our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ perfects its Extraction in a far differing manner; because, by the help of Art, that conjunct of two sharp penetrating Entities (viz. _Acid Oil of Vitriol_, and _Alcalisate Spirit of Urine_) is reduced into one temperate middle Salt, which Salt is almost of the same disposition as common _Salmiack_, except that in all its Operations it is found to be more sharp, more penetrating and more efficacious than it.

* * * * *

Now let us come to the matter it self, that we may see of how great use our _Alcalisate Vitriol_, or _Vitriolate Alcali_, is for preparing some famous Medicine. I suppose it will be worth my while, if I first of all begin with that Medicine which _Paracelsus_ taught to be made of _Aloes_, _Myrrh_, and _Saffron_, and is by venerable Antiquity, and by all Authours of long life highly commended, and named _Elixir Proprietatis_. And since _Paracelsus_ in describing so noble a Medicine, used few words, but enlarged them much in extolling his _Elixir Proprietatis_, it will not be amiss for us, in this place, to transcribe his own Words following, thus:

“So also Nature sheweth us an _Elixir_, is that which of Natural things may be made compleatly perfect in its proper Essence. Such is the _Elixir of Myrrh_, _Saffron_, and yellow _Epatick-Aloes_. But whence they have this power, we have shewed in the generation of them. But we come now to the Process, (omitting their beginning, of which we spake before) which runs thus.

“_Recipe_ of Myrrh, Epatick, Alloes, and Saffron, of each one Part, which digest together in a Pellican placed in Sand, for two Months with gentle heat. Then by Alembeck separate the Oil from the Fæces without Adustion. This Oil digest together with an equal Weight of the Circulate for one Month, afterward keep it.

“In this are all the natural Vertues of a Balsam, and a greater conservative Vertue for those that are aged, than is lawfull for a man to utter: because from it proceeds not one Age onely, but 4, 7 or 10, _&c._ It is scarcely possible to express the Vertues and Natures of it: But as we judge, enough is discovered by us already, which we think needs no further Interpretation.”

Here _Paracelsus_ describes his _Elixir_ in words so obscure, and likely to cause Errour, as no man untill this day could ever prepare any thing that was excellent, according to the tenour of his Words: _Helmont_ among others complaining, that he concealed the use of the Alcahest in describing the manner of that Preparation. For whosoever useth that, in such a Preparation, he obtains a Medicine of so great vertue, as it is able to do whatsoever _Paracelsus_ ascribes to his _Elixir Proprietatis_.

But if any man be not satisfied in what is here published by me, let him consult _Helmont_ discoursing thereof more at large.

Now behold here presented to thee my Process for preparing a Medicine of these three _Species_ reduced to Powder, _viz._ of Myrrh, Alloes and Saffron. I took of that mixture 8 Lotones, 4 Ounces, which I put into a Phial, and upon the same poured one Pound and half of our good Alcahestick Liquor, these I set into a warm Bath to be digested for two or three Days. During this digestion our sharp Liquor dissolved these _Species_, and very well united it self to them. This being done, I poured the whole mixture out of the Phial into a low Cucurbit of Glass, and well luted the Head to the Receiver, and by gentle heat of _Balneo_ caused whatsoever would ascend, to be gathered apart in several Recipients.

1. A white penetrating Aromatick Spirit, of a most fragrant Odour according to _Helmont_’s words.

2. A yellow and red Spirit, and both indeed very efficacious. Yet each of these should be received apart.