Chapter LXXXVIII: Part I: To the well minded Reader (16)

_Here in this Appendix I do indeed treat of very few Secrets, but those are very great, (which may be acquired by our =Alcahest=,) the like of which no other Man before me did ever impart to the World. Now contemplate, and well consider with thy self this swift and not chargeable Fixation of =Mercury=, which so many famous and industrious Searchers have laboriously sought for many hundreds of Years now passed, as is known to the whole World. But the greatest part of them have sought in vain, and with a fruitless and unlucky endeavour miserably lost all their Patrimony and Fortunes, and become the Laughing-stock of other more happy Persons, being themselves Vagabonds, which cast an aspersion of Ignominy on the noble Art of Chymistry, and have rendred the same so odious every-where among the common sort, as no good Man (although he hath by most diligent search obtained some famous Medicine) dares to profess himself the Possessor of any Eminent =Arcanum= in Chymistry, lest he should give any occasion to =Aristarchical= Censurers of defaming him, and calling him a =Gold making Animal=. Assuredly it is very manifest, that in all Regions of =Europe=, and in every Age, have lived such Men most experienced, as have not onely transmuted =Mercury=, but other vile Metals also into good Gold, sustaining every Examen of Fire. But this was done very secretly, lest the Artists themselves should fall into the hands of Tyrants. =Paracelsus=, that most famous Monarch of all Philosophers, Physicians and Chymists, did indeed openly write of the Fixation of =Mercury=, but in a Character so abstruse, as in all my life I never saw one Man who could fix his =Coralline Mercury=, or present it to the sight of sufficient and certain Witnesses, except =Helmont= writing, that he could prepare such =Mercury=, as in Medicine would perform all whatsoever the Physician should have need of. But that the same =Mercury= (as =Paracelsus= testifies of it from his own Experience) enters into Gold and augments that, and exhilerates many impoverished =Alchymists=, restoring them to a more fortunate state; touching these Effects of the same, the worthy =Helmont= made no mention; yet he writ, that he did himself fix =Mercury=, by one onely abstraction of his =Alcahest=, in such wise, as of one pound he had left in the =Cupella= seven ounces of good Silver, which indeed is a famous Work in Chymistry and worth while; but Gold is better. Truly I must needs confess, that I have often tediously laboured to no purpose in this Work, and never could with any profit extract good =Lune= thence, onely I always had a little good Silver. Nevertheless afterward, when I lay Bed-rid, and by reason of my four years sickness, had consumed all my Goods gotten by Medicine, it pleased the most wise God to confer on me so great a Light, at by the Splendor of that I found the Royal way of operating rightly; and now I am able in a very few days to fix any common =Mercury= into a fixed red Powder, which fixed =Mercury= will undoubtedly perform Wonders in Medicine. For =Paracelsus= writes, that the dolorous Gout may be radically expelled by the benefit of the same. =Helmont= subscribes, that the same will perform all a Physician can desire and wish for. Wherefore, if the same be of so great efficacy (for I doubt not the truth of his Assertion) no Physician hath need of any other thing than this; because in what part soever of the World he resides, it will supply him with Aliments sufficient, and he will have no need to expose himself to the ignoble servitude and arbitrement of another, as the greatest part of other Mercenary Physicians are wont to prostitute themselves for hire. For by this =Mercury= onely he may acquire to himself Honour and Wealth enough, although he otherwise perform no great matter in Chymistry. In all Nations are found Men afflicted with grievous Diseases: of which no doubt is to be made, as a little after we shall hear. Wherefore it should be the onely care, study and endeavour of an honest and candid Physician to obtain such a fixed =Mercury=, in the mean while omitting all needless and vain Operations, together with all fruitless Disputes, without any Foundation, touching other unprofitable Remedies. Whensoever this is, there will be no need of =Galenical Medicines=, nor of the vain Pomp of so many withered, unprofitable and inefficacious Herbs, or so many painted Boxes, Pots and Glasses, with other frivolous Expences orderly placed in Apothecaries Shops._

_Now let us hear what admirable Effects our fixed =Mercury= is able to manifest in Metallicks. =Paracelsus= writes, that it exhilerates every =Alchymist= reduced to a poor Estate, and hath ingress into Gold, and augments the same. My own Experience of this I am willing to impart to the Candid Reader, as far as I have proceeded hitherto. Therefore let the well meaning Reader know, that I found out this Art of Fixing =Mercury= no longer since than in =March= last of this Year 1667, and began to make proof thereof in the following Month of =April=; and so soon as I had found the Truth of it, I thought good to publish so great an Invention to the whole World. Yet in so short a space of Time, I could not search out all that was to be found, because by reason of my diuturnal Illness I was constrained to keep in my Bed; therefore I hastned the publication of so excellent an Invention, because I feared it would happen that the insalubrious Air of =March= or =April= should be my Death, and so all hope of divulging such a Secret be totally frustrated. Whatsoever I found in the same within that small space of time, I have here communicated._

_I three several times perfected the Fixation of =Mercury= in a small quantity, and always found it every time higher and higher, and more and more beautifull. This fixed =Mercury= I cupellated with =Saturn=, but my =Mercury= remained fixed, without any Ingress made into the Lead, insomuch as from it self could give no Gold. Afterward I made another Trial, and then to my fixed =Mercury= I added a little common Gold, melting them into one Mass, I found that this Gold from the =Mercury= had increased it self more than half; the remainder of my =Mercury= had made no Ingress, but remained lying like a Red fixed Calx. Which kind of proof fully satisfied my mind, because the residue of my =Mercury=, which had not entred into the Gold, was not lost, but converted into an excellent Medicine. If it please the most wise God to restore me to my pristine health, as I hope he will in the next Summers heat, I shall not acquiesce in this proof onely, but further try whether I can of this =Mercury= yet make some further improvement. In the mean while I sing Praises to the Immortal God for so noble a Medicine against the dolorous =Gout=._

_Thus, Reader, you have my Experience touching the =Fixed Coralline Mercury=. If I find any other more excellent Experiment of this (as I doubt not but I shall) I will ere it be long make thee partaker thereof in a following =Second Appendix=._

_Whatsoever I have above prescribed touching the =Mercury= of Wine, as being an excellent Salt, and Supreme Medicine, I did sufficiently explain, except the Instrument to be made for burning the Spirit of Wine, which is not yet sufficiently expressed._

_But here it is to be observed, that a burning Spirit extracted from Corn or other Vegetables, in no-wise yields so much =Mercury=, as Spirit of Wine doth, and especially if distilled from rich Rhenish Wine. In like manner also so much =Mercury= cannot be had from any sweet =French= or =Spanish= Wine, as from Rhenish Wine. So soon as by search I found the reason of this difference, I could from any burning Spirit made of Corn, extract as much =Mercury=, as from Rhenish Wine, insomuch as I now (praise and thanks be given to God) can easily be without Rhenish Wine and any other. The supreme Giver of all good Gifts, from his inexhausted Fountain of Grace, hath abundantly refreshed me with good things; let him yet instill more into me, that I may again distill the same into other of his needy and officious Servants, who with me endeavour to publish the Magnalia of God. =Amen=._

_But proceeding yet further, we will briefly speak of the =Secret Fire= of ancient Philosophers, being that by which they ripened their Tinctures. Therefore, for a Conclusion, let the Lover of divine and natural Wisedom know, that such a Fire is not made of Wood or Coals, but is a Firey-water, such as gives forth from it self neither smoak nor flame. The same is not hindred or excited by external Fire, but in the Glass, (about the Subject you intend to fix and dulcifie) it always burns in an equal degree, and converts the immature and harsh into sweet and pleasant, fixed and mature; and also converts bitter Venome into salutary Medicine and Treacle._

_Therefore, whomsoever God illuminates with so great Light, as to know such a =Secret Fire=, he will no more need to seek or desire any thing in Philosophy and Hermetick Medicine, but will offer up incessant Praises to God, as to the Fountain of all Good, because he will continually be mindfull of helping the Distresses of the Poor, and largely bestow on those Indigent Persons, out of the abundance to him accruing by the benefit of that most noble Gift granted to himself._

* * * * *

To the Supreme GOD alone be Praise and Glory for ever.

_The End of the First Appendix._

THE
SECOND APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.

Wherein is treated of the further use of our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_, for the meliorating of the meaner Metals, and
more particularly of the profitable extracting or separating
_Sol_ and _Lune_ from _Jupiter_. With a subjoyned information how
by means of the Mercurial Water of _Jupiter_, Tinctures may be
extracted in quantity not onely from _Sol_, but also from _Mars_
and _Venus_, and all precious, as well as common Stones; and that
(as it were) in a moment, without Fire or any considerable charge.

_Faithfully Translated out of the High-Dutch._

Kind READER,

_In my foregoing first Appendix of my =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, I promised a second concerning the further use of our secret =Sal-Armoniack=, that the ignorant as well as doubtfull might be fully satisfied of the truth. The reason why I rather choose to add two Appendixes to the said seventh Part, than to publish the secrets therein contained, under the title of the eighth Part, is because I have resolved not to go beyond the number 7 (in which something extraordinary lies hid) in any of my Writings. And forasmuch as I have already published six Parts =of the welfare of my own Countrey=; I intend shortly to add the seventh Part, which shall contain clear and full instructions, without concealing the least circumstance or manual operation how every one who is but a little skill’d in Fire, may with great profit extract from Sand and Stones, =Sol= and =Lune=, and thereby get a plentifull livelyhood in any part of the World. I have also at present in hand, the two last Parts of my Treatise of =Furnaces=, five of them being already in Print, that I may in that Piece also compleat the number seven: which two last Furnaces are extraordinary usefull; for in treating of the sixth Furnace I describe that Artificial Refrigeratory Instrument or Alembick, whereby the =Mercury= or Cælestial =Niter= of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals is caught by kindling Spirit of Wine upon them, by which means the said =Mercury= is separated from its gross Body, and unprofitable part, and becomes highly exalted and purified. Which instrument the Philosophers have always carefully concealed. The seventh part of my Furnaces shall contain the description of a little Furnace in which with a very inconsiderable quantity of Coals and in a few hours, distillation may be performed by Retort, being such a =Compendium= as has never yet been published to the World. In which Furnace also the Tinctures of Metals may with the secret Fire of =Artephius=, or by the proper Agent of the matter of the Stone, in a short time be fixed and maturated. And if it shall please God to continue my Life a while longer, I intend to carry on these my following Works, =viz.= =The Mineral Work=, =the wonder of the World=, my =Centuries=, with other of my Writings, to the seventh number; but before I publish these I intend to Print some other Treatises, =viz.= =Of the second Terrestrial, and third Cælestial Purgatory=, and another =concerning God and good and evil Spirits=._

_Now as to the second Appendix, I intend therein briefly, but fundamentally to declare the true gainfull particular as well as universal transmutation of Metals; yet not so, as that every lazy proud Lubber may become Master of these secrets, and thereby strengthen himself in his Pride and Debauchery, by no means: but they shall be so laid down, that those who have attained to some skill of managing Fire, may easily comprehend the same; yea the whole World will, I hope, have cause to rejoyce for this my faithfull Communication. And in case there be any that might not find clear and full satisfaction in this my Appendix they may read my other Writings, particularly those yet to be published, wherein they will meet with a further Elucidation of these secrets._

_And as for those my good old Friends who never basely complied with the Enemies of Art and Truth, to them I am (as I always was) ready to communicate a shorter and nearer way than it is fitting here to expose to every Man._

_Of the further profitable use of our secret =Sal-Armoniack= for
the Melioration of Metals._

In the seventh part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, I have at large declared how our secret _Sal-Armoniack_ is to be made together with the use of it in the preparation of many excellent Medicines, hitherto unknown. And because therein I did not discover all, I added to it an Appendix, treating concerning the use of the said _Sal-Armoniack_ and other profitable secrets. But forasmuch as the virtues of the said _Sal-Armoniack_ are great and unfathomable, I have thought good to add the second Appendix, which speaks of its use in meliorating the meaner metals. I intend therefore in this writing to discover great things, neither shall the Worlds ingratitude deter me from so doing. I shall begin with _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_, and afterwards treat of the melioration of other meaner metals, _viz._ _Mars_ and _Venus_, how by Art their corruptible and combustible _Sulphur_ may be separated from them, and their purer part, (_viz._ _Sol_ and _Lune_ which are hid in them) extracted and made visible.

Lead and Tin, to outward aspect do much resemble one another, save onely that _Jupiter_ is whiter, for which reason the Philosophers have called it white Lead, _Antimony_ black Lead, and _Bismuth_ gray Lead; because all of them like Lead, easily melt in the Fire.

Concerning _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_ (being the highest Planets in the Firmament) the Heathen Philosophers have writ much in their Fables: as amongst other things, that _Jupiter_ drove his Father _Saturn_ from his Kingdom, and made himself Master of it and other like Stories; in all which they obscurely hinted to us the transmutation of Metals. For these Poetical Fables though they seem trifling and foolish to those who have not attained to any considerable experience in Fire, so that of one thousand Readers scarce one reaches the true ground of them, (though ’tis known they were writ by men of great learning and experience) yet they whose understanding God enlightens find in them an hidden Treasure.

Now to the end I may not bury the Talent God has been pleased to bestow upon me, but improve it for the good of the World, I shall here discover the melioration of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_ to the glory of God the Author of all good, and for the use of all mankind, without respect of Persons, whether they be Friends or Enemies: the good and virtuous will without doubt thankfully accept this my communication, and to the ungratefull and unworthy, this my well-meaning discovery of such profitable secrets will but heap Coals on their Heads. Wherefore it shall not repent me though it should come to the hands of my worst Enemies, as being sufficiently contented in this that I am any way instrumental in making known the wonders of God and nature to the World.

Thus in the name of God without envy or repining I proceed according to his command, to do good to Friends and Enemies, good and bad: if the wicked abuse any of these secrets, God in his due time will meet with them, and pay them in their own Coin. Follows now the nature and property of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_, according as they have been discovered to me by Fire.

_Of the nature and property of Lead._

_Saturn_ is an immature Metal, made up of much gross _Mercury_ and little _Sulphur_ which is impure. Its Salt much resembles Salt-peter, which is the cause of its coldness and easie fusibility. When its _Mercury_ is purged from the impure _Sulphur_, it becomes like Gold in weight, and may by Art be reduced to the colour and fixedness of Gold. When its superfluous combustible _Sulphur_ and nitrous Salt from whence proceed its ready fluxibility, and piercing and devouring nature are separated from it, all true Philosophers witness that there the _Mercury_ of Lead may be turned to Gold, for they call Lead their leprous Gold. Now as the Leprosie in Man proceeds from a cold moist and over Salt Constitution of Blood, which corroding the Skin and Flesh produces such an abominable Scab upon the Body, especially in those parts where moisture most abounds, _viz._ about the Nose, Ears, Eyes, _&c._ but where the whole mass of the Blood is become corrosive, there it spreads over all the Body sparing no part, but filling it with Sores and Ulcers; so as at length where no potent Remedies are used to mortifie this malign corrosive humour, it destroys the Body and Death follows. To cure which formidable Malady, the Ancients made choise of fixed Gold, as not being subject to any corruption, which wise intention of theirs is very preposterously imitated by our _Galenists_, who when they find that their helpless and unprofitable Medicaments want the desired success about their Patients, and that small hope of saving them is left, betake themselves to Gold, Silver and Precious Stones, for to help at this dead lift. But let such as these remember that they will find it hard to answer these their proceedings one day, by which they onely post their patients out of the World: for what can the stomach of any man, but especially of the weak and sick do with the filings or leaves of Gold and Silver, or the Powder of Precious Stones? can we suppose that the Stomach can draw any virtue from those things, that the most corrosive Waters will scarce touch? But this hath been so often inculcated by others, that it is matter of wonder, that such foolish and fruitless ingredients have not been long since exploded and laid side, being indeed nothing else but the shame and reproach of Physicians; and all that can be said for them is, that they must be well paid for, and so help to make the Pot boil; without doubt when the promised _Elias Artista_ shall come, he will put an end to all this unprofitable stuff, and instead therefore restore true powerfull Medicaments; to which good end I hope my _Purgatory of the Philosophers_, with _the Sixth and Seventh Part of my Furnaces_ will not a little contribute. Thus it seems Truth must yet for a while be despis’d and oppress’d, till God, the truth it self, be pleased to raise up a mighty Hero to deliver it from Contempt, and Crown it with glory and honour.

It cannot be denied, but some experienc’d Philosophers, as _Paracelsus_ and others have declar’d, that with Gold and precious Stones wonders may be done in Physick, when first they be reduced to potability; but have always condemn’d the use of their compact and fixt Bodies, which are insuperable by Fire it self, and therefore much more by the gentle heat of the Stomach. And indeed if those Physicians, who ignorantly make use of such gross and compact Bodies, did know the living Gold, Silver and precious Stones of the Philosophers, and the due application of them to the sick, they would by this means get more honour, and not be so injurious to their Neighbour, as they are, by exhibiting such unprofitable and hurtfull things for Remedies.

* * * * *

I cannot but on this occasion speak a word of the Leprosie and its cure; which being confessedly a Saturnine disease, may easily be cured by Saturnine Medicaments, such as are Black Lead, the _Antimony_ of Wise men, or _Magnesia_ of _Saturn_, being duely prepared. But to return to our Lead or Leprous Gold, and enquire how we may best rid him of his Melancholy Leprosie, and instead thereof restore to him a healthy sanguine complexion, which can no way better be done than by evacuating his sharp corrosive blood, or dulcifying of it. For, as has been said, Lead contains a sharp sal-nitrous Spirit, which corrodes and devours all hard things, which the Ancients have intimated by their portraying him with a sharp Sythe in one hand, and in the other holding a young Child, which he devours; wherefore also he is called a devourer of Infants, and a ravenous Wolf. Which ravenous property he expresses to the life, when on the Cupel he devours whatsoever is added to him, and therefore is called an unmercifull Father to his Children, because he devours and destroys them. According to all Philosophers and Astronomers he is the highest and first of all the Planets in the Firmament, upon which account the other Planets and Metals, _viz._ _Sol_, _Luna_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Venus_ and _Mercury_ are call’d his Children, though improperly, for they are his Brethren, which he devours, swallows and destroys on the fiery Cupel, except _Sol_ and _Luna_, which though he swallows as well as his other Brethren, yet can he not concoct or digest them, but is fain to vomit them up again, and they are so far from receiving any hurt in the Stomach of that ravenous Wolf, that they come forth much purer than before, leaving all their filth behind them. So that this devouring Glutton, notwithstanding the corrosive acidity of his Stomach cannot consume Gold or Silver, but robs them onely of their superfluous Sulphur, which is the corrupter of the _Mercury_ in Metals, of which _Paracelsus_ excellently writes in his _Cælum Philosophorum_, which I have quoted in my first Appendix concerning the use of the _Alcahest_.

Now that there is a great acidity in Lead, appears from this instance; because when it is melted, it pierces the Crucible, and runs through; and therefore Cupels have been invented, made of Bone-ashes, which he cannot eat through, but sinks like water into them. Yet there are also Crucibles made of Coal-dust and good Earth proportionably temper’d together, which can hold _Saturn_ in Flux for a year together, without ever piercing them: of which more may be seen in my other Writings.

This then is the Nature and Property of _Saturn_, he contains much, but impure _Mercury_, and a sharp corrosive Salt-peter Spirit; when he is rid of these, he affords good Gold and Silver, yet not alone and of himself, but with help of his Brother _Jupiter_, whose superfluous Sulphur kindles the Nitrous Spirit in Lead, and consumes it; so that by this enkindling, not onely the hurtfull Salt-peter in Lead, but also the superfluous Sulphur in Tin are both consumed and destroyed. This being done, if the Tin thus mixed with Lead be driven off on the Cupel, they will yield Gold and Silver enough for a competent livelihood.

If thou would’st be further assured that Lead contains a sharp Salt-peter Spirit, which by no other way can be taken from him, than by his enemy Sulphur, by whose means it is kindled and consumed, the following Experiment will give thee full satisfaction. Onely by the way note, that this consuming of the Nitre in Lead, does very much alter its Nature, making it hard, and of difficult fusion like Iron, so that great Guns may be made of it. Now the Experiment is this: Take of the filings of Lead three parts, of Brimstone in Powder one part, put them into a Crucible, surrounded with Charcoal, so as it may heat leisurely and by degrees; by this means the Brimstone will penetrate the Lead, and mortifie its Nitrous Spirit, which is the cause of its easie fluxibility, and at the same time the Sulphur becomes mortified also, which before was more fluxible than the Lead, but now by its union with the Lead, is very hard to be fluxed. This mortification or induration of Lead, with common Brimstone, affords no Melioration, and is onely here instanced, to demonstrate there is a Salt-peter in Lead, and that Salt-peter and Lead, which both are so very fluxible, do harden and mortifie one another. But now when the Salt-peter that is in Lead is kindled and consumed by the Sulphur that is in Tin, then one Metal meliorates the other, and the hurtfull superfluity of both is destroyed, _viz._ the Nitre that is in Lead, and the Combustible Sulphur in Tin, from whence necessarily a melioration must ensue.

That Sulphur kills the Nitre in Lead, and makes it hard, thou mayst yet be satisfied another way, _viz._ Take some ounces of Lead, melt them in a Crucible, and ever and anon cast in a little piece of Brimstone into it; continue this till thy Lead be become hard and influxible, by which means thou wilt be assured that there is Nitre in Lead. And that there is Sulphur in Tin, appears in that when it is joined with Lead, they kindle and consume one another.

If thou desirest yet further to be confirmed, that there is Nitre in Lead, which makes it melt so readily, and fret through every thing; then do thus: Take Lead and melt him red-hot in a Crucible, and immediately he will pierce the Crucible and run out; take another Crucible and put Lead into it also, casting, as soon as it is melted, small bits of Brimstone upon it, which will so mortifie the fretting Nitrous Spirit in Lead, that he will be no more able to pierce the Crucible, but will for a long time continue red-hot in the same.

If this demonstration neither will satisfie thee, that the fretting nature of Lead proceeds from a sharp Mineral Salt-peter Spirit, thou mayst further prove it thus: Abstract from two ounces of filings of Lead an ounce and an half of Oil of Vitriol or Spirit of Salt in a small Retort, in which operation the dry Lead will draw to it the sharp Saline Spirit, and that which comes over will be meer insipid Phlegm, retaining nothing of its former corrosiveness. The distillation performed, take thy Lead out of the Retort, and try whether it be become more sharp by the addition of the said Corrosive Spirit, but thou wilt find that the Lead has taken in the sharp Saline Spirit, coagulated it, and changed it into a sweet Stone, in which no manner of corrosiveness can be tasted or perceived. Now if this be true, that Lead can turn such a strong corrosive Oil into a sweet Stone, we need not wonder that he has a power to coagulate, hide, and make invisible his own in-born Saline Spirit. Concerning which matter thou mayst read more in a small Treatise of mine of the Principles of Metals, wherein speaking of the Coagulation of Saline Spirits, I observe that Lead has the nature and property of Coagulating all sharp and corrosive Saline Spirits. If this instance have not sufficiently instructed thee, thou mayst make another proof thus: Take the fore-mentioned Lead, acuated with Saline Spirits, and melt it in a tripple Crucible with a fire of Fusion, let it be red-hot in Flux, and thou wilt find that in a moment it will run through thy three Crucibles, which common Lead would never do, from whence it is clear as the Sun that the piercing, fretting quality which is in Lead, proceeds from the Saline Spirits coagulated in or with it. Consider well of how great use such a Lead, whose natural devouring Faculty or Sythe is so highly acuated by Art, might be in the work of Transmutation, if we knew to make good use of it. The Philosophers writing of _Saturn_’s sharp Sythe, express themselves in these words, _Falx ejus mordax est_, _His Sythe is sharp or biting_: which how it may be made much sharper by Saline Spirits, has now been said. A further enlargement might here be made concerning _Saturn_’s Sythe; but it shall suffice at present to have demonstrated, that his easie fluxibility, and fretting devouring nature, proceeds onely from a sharp Nitrous Spirit; which when Sulphur has consumed and burnt away, much Gold and Silver may be separated from him.

_Of the Nature and Property of =Jupiter=, what he wants, and what
he hath too much of, and how his noxious superfluities may be
removed, so as on the Cupel he may yield his hidden Gold and
Silver._

Tin by the Heathen Philosophers has been appropriated to the Heathen God (or rather Planet) _Jupiter_, who has the next place in the Firmament to _Saturn_; is by the Miners called White Lead, and like it melts with a small heat, and easily unites with his Brother _Saturn_, continuing together in a moderate heat; but they no sooner become redhot, but their Brotherly love is changed to enmity, not being able to endure one another in a strong fire, but each striving to get loose from the other, which yet cannot be without the loss of one or both of their lives; so that this their combat may well be compared to the fighting of the Peasants in _Lapland_, whose custome is when two of them are highly incensed against each other, to suffer themselves to be tied fast together, so as they cannot fly back or run away, and then fall to cutting and slashing one another so long with their knives, till the Death of one or both of them follows.

But to return from whence we have digressed. That _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_ are Brothers, the Heathen History informs us, relating that the four Brothers, _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Neptune_ and _Pluto_, their chief Gods, fell into discord amongst themselves which of them should be the greatest; which contest of theirs was at last by the mediation of the other Gods composed, they agreeing to divide the Empire of the World between them. And though _Saturn_ were older than his Brother _Jupiter_, yet was he fain to content himself with the command of the Earth, whilst _Jupiter_ took upon him that of Heaven, _Neptune_ that of the Sea, and _Pluto_ the Dominion of Hell. Which Division will not at all seem strange to those that understand Nature, who find that each Brothers lot was very correspondent and comporting with their nature. The Nature of _Saturn_ much resembles the Earth, and he makes all things that he takes to him like the Earth; as appears from the fore-mentioned contest with his Brother _Jupiter_. But _Jupiter_, because inwardly he is very sulphureous and fiery, therefore is the Government of the fiery Heaven properly deputed to him, leaving _Saturn_ to dig and moil in the Earth: Wherefore also the Ancients have represented him with a Spade in his hand, thereby intimating his Property of digging through or piercing all things: whereas they figured _Jupiter_ with Thunder bolts, and fiery Lightning-flashes in his hand, whence came that Proverb, _Procul à Jove, procul à Fulmine_; _Far from =Jupiter=, far from his Thunder-bolts_.

Now that Tin contains much Sulphur, may be thus experimented: Take the filings of Tin and powder’d Nitre, mix and put them into a Crucible over the fire, and they will kindle and consume one another, so as nothing will be left in the Crucible. Or it may be tried thus: Melt some Tin in a Cruce, and when ’tis red-hot, cast in some Nitre upon it, which kindles the Tin, the flame carrying part of it away, and the rest is burnt to dross or fæces. But not to insist on this, it being very notorious that the greatest part of Tin is nothing else but combustible Sulphur, the remaining part being a solar pure Mercury: so that when this Sulphur is by art wholly separated from its pure Mercury, the same is easily ripened to Gold, by being joined with cold _Saturn_, which the following Praxis will abundantly make out.

’Tis worth our noting here, that this Sulphur of Tin doth not burn away, when the Tin without any addition is put to the fire, but doth then in the heat seize and lay hold of its own Mercury, burning and reducing the same to Ashes, which are very hardly to be reduced to a Metal without some addition: neither will Lead join with these Ashes, but thrusts them out from him, turning them to a white Glass; which is the reason why so few are found, who with profit can separate the Gold and Silver which is in it. _Paracelsus_ in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_ saith expresly that much Gold and Silver lies hid in Tin. We read also of others that have had the Art of it, and have thence extracted great treasures of Gold and Silver; amongst others _Bruschius_ in his Description of _Fichtelberg_, gives us the History of a Citizen of _Eger_, on the Borders of _Bohemia_, some few miles distant from the City _Nurnberg_, who had the skill of separating the _Sol_ and _Lune_ which is in Tin to great advantage, having been enabled thereby not onely to build an Hospital and Church in the said place, but also richly to endow the same for the maintenance of twelve old Men and three Priests in the said Hospital. This Person, whose name was _Sigismund Wan_, suffer’d this Art to die with him, but withall left a Prophesie behind him that the said Art 200 years after should rise again, and be made known to the World. Which Prophesie though _Bruschius_ in his foresaid description make no mention of, yet is undoubtedly true: and there is a Book in Manuscript, which is very common amongst the Miners and other Artificers belonging to the said _Fichtelberg_, which I have seen, and read in it the said Prophesie, though at that time being young and unexperienc’d in the nature of Tin, I little minded it. But since God has been pleased in this my far advanced old Age, without any thing of my seeking, out of his meer grace and mercy to reveal the said Art unto me, it hath given me occasion to call to mind what formerly I had read, and put me upon reading the said Book over again, where I found that his Prophesie was exactly fulfilled, for this _Sigismund Wan_ died in the year 1467, from whence to this present year 1667, are just 200 years. This Prophesie being thus precisely accomplished, I thought fit to set down some part, of the said _Bruschius_ his Relation, from whence it appears that God doth often impart such skill and knowledge to good and honest People, whereby they are enabled not onely to supply themselves, but also to make liberal Provision for the Poor. The words of _Bruschius_ are these, _Wohnsiedel_ has no extraordinary Buildings, besides a stately and richly endowed Hospital, which was built in the year 1467, by a Citizen of the place named _Sigismund Wan_, though at the time of his building the said Hospital, he was a Citizen of _Eger_. He had to Wife a _Venetian_ Woman called _Barbara_, who had great skill in Alchymy, and in particular the Art of separating Gold and Silver from Tin, by which means he became very rich, and having no Children, built the said Hospital, constituting the Magistrates of _Eger_ Guardians of the same, left them a great Summ of Money, with the Interest of which they maintain twelve old Men, and three Priests. Near the said Hospital, is a very fair Church built by the said _Sigismund_, where to this day a Picture is to be seen, containing the Pourctratures of the Founder and Foundress of the Church and Hospital, with the time and hour of their Deaths. This _Sigismund_ lived at _Eger_ the latter part of his life; and wrought his gainfull Work in the same House, wherein at present dwells _Andrew Griffen_.

Thus far _Bruschius_, from whose Relation it appears that there have been those who from the meaner Metals, and particularly Tin, have been able to separate Gold and Silver with great gain, so as to procure great riches thereby. We find also that in those times charity was more exercised than at present, when men instead of building Hospitals, are rather ready to convert them, with their Revenues to their own use. For which wickedness of this Age, God seems to withdraw his blessing from the Earth, so that Mines do not so much abound, nor are so rich by far as formerly. How many places in _Germany_ have we known blest with Gold and Silver Mines, as also with Lead and Tin Mines, containing much Gold and Silver, of which nothing is to be found now? And this same Tin Mine from whence _Sigismund Evan_ extracted so much Gold and Silver, has now for near 200 years yielded no Oar at all. About the same time also there was a very rich Gold Mine, in an adjacent little City called Gold _Granach_; which is in like manner wholly exhausted and lost. In the same Gold Mine, Antimony, also which is the Root of Gold, was found in that quantity, as from thence it was transported to all parts of _Europe_, but now very little of it is to be found there, and that which is found, contains no Gold at all, whereas that which was digged there before did abound with it. In like manner the _Hungarian_ and _Transylvanian_ Mines of Antimony so rich in Gold, which flourished about 200 years since, are now quite spent so as no more Antimony is to be found there. Since which time the rich Silver Mines in _Jochems_ that have been discoverd, which yielded an incredible quantity of Silver, but did not continue long so, God, for the ingratitude and wickedness of men suffering it to sink away; of which many more instances might be given but these shall suffice.

But to return to our interrupted discourse. ’Tis well known that all unripe Metals, when by the violence of Fire they are melted and separated from their Oar, do send forth a poisonous Arsenical Exhalation; yea even after they are wholly separated from their Oar, they cease not to exhale poisonous fumes, though not comparable with those they send forth when they are first melted from their Oar: as appears particularly in Tin, for if Wine be over night put into a new Tin Pot, it will give a Vomit the next morning. Copper also does the like; but Lead not so much, or rather nothing at all: whereas Iron gently purges downward, is wholsome and opens obstructions; for Iron is onely endowed with a fix Sulphur, and contains no Arsenick, as Tin doth. Gold and Silver contain neither Sulphur nor Arsenick, and therefore the Wine that is put into them is not at all changed.

Seeing then that Tin has some Arsenick joyn’d with it, which causeth the foresaid alteration in the Wine, whereas in Gold and Silver it is not changed at all, because they are free from all fœtid cumbustible Sulphur and Arsenick; if we desire to rid Tin of its poisonous quality, and make it like Gold and Silver by removing its superfluities, we must do it by Art. We see that _Mercury_ of it self is no Poyson, but becomes so when sublimb’d with Salts or otherwise joyn’d with them, by which means it becomes poisonous and volatile. This is notorious, and all Chymists believe and acknowledge it, and we have as much reason to believe, that the same is the case of Arsenick and Cobalt, _viz._ that Arsenick would be no Poyson of it self, but by reason of some saline Spirit joyn’d with it in the Earth. We find also that Arsenick when it comes first out of the Earth of a grayish colour is nothing near so poisonous, as it becomes afterwards by being sublimed with Salts, for to make it white and transparent. For though Salts in themselves be not poisonous, yet when Minerals are in certain ways prepared with them they turn them to Poisons, for every volatile Mineral that is joyn’d with saline Spirits is poisonous, but when the same Minerals are fixed, they lose their poisonous quality and become good Medicines, as may be seen in Arsenick, Cobalt, Orpiment and other poisonous volatile Minerals, which being fixed, by running them down with Salt-peter, may safely be exhibited against several Diseases. Which being so it will be easie to infer, that if we can fix the volatile Sulphur and Arsenick which is in Tin, we shall not onely take away its Poyson and make it medicinal, but also make it like Gold and Silver.

Let this then be laid as a sure foundation, that corrosive saline Spirits are the causes of all Poyson, making fix matters to become volatile and poisonous, and consequently that volatile immature metals, as Lead and Tin, when their corrosive Spirits are mortified or driven away, become fixed. It is well known that the combustible noxious Sulphur of Metals, is the sole cause of their imperfection, and that this combustible Sulphur has no greater enemy than Salt-peter, by which it is kill’d and destroyed, and yet no better Friend neither, which though at first sight it may seem contradictorioy, yet is very true; for when the Niter does consume the cumbustible Sulphur, it is indeed its enemy, but when by this Consumption of the naughty Sulphur, the incombustible solar Sulphur of Tin becomes purged from its heterogeneous mixtures, we shall find that indeed Niter is the friend of Tin, as setting the solar Sulphur of Tin free from the captivity of its noxious Sulphur, so as now it can unite with Gold and Silver, and become such it self, which before was impossible. Thus we see that the consuming and mortifying of the superfluous Sulphur, is the life and deliverance of the incombustible Sulphur, and the corruption of the one, the regeneration of the other. To which purpose _Paracelsus_ speaks excellently, saying that _Corruption makes things perfectly good, for by means of it the evil that hides and absconds the good, being taken away, the good manifests it self_; Which is very true of Tin whose solar Sulphur being hid and held by its noxious Sulphur, the same must be taken away, before Gold and Silver can be extracted from it. Which separation of the combustible from the incombustible Sulphur, must not be done with common Niter, which is too vehement for the nature of Tin, and would destroy the good with the bad, but a more mild and proper Salt-peter must be taken, _viz._ that which is hid in Lead, which is powerfull enough to kindle and consume the superfluous Sulphur of Tin, and set its solar Sulphur free, as will appear from the following Process.

When therefore thou art minded to set upon this gainfull particular, and together universal Work, I would not have thee to be too covetous nor to begin with too great a quantity of Tin in hopes thereby to become rich of a sudden; but advise thee to begin with onely two or three pound of Tin, and try whether the Art be true or no, and if true what gain may thence be expected. And if thou find’st it to answer thy expectations, thou mayst then work in as great quantities as thou pleasest, but if thou find’st that thou canst not bring it to the desired end, thou must be content to go to School a little longer, and learn to be more a master of Fire; or else leave it off altogether concluding thou art not predestinated to this Work. It is not enough to think thou canst do it, thou must have the Art of it, else thy thinking will little avail thee. What I write here, is no other than the truth, of which the Reader may assure himself.

_A Process for to separate Gold and Silver with great profit from
Tin._

Set on a Cupel under a Muffel one, two, three pound more or less of Lead, let it be red hot, then cast into it half an ounce, one ounce or an ounce and half of Tin, and you’l see the Tin mount above the Lead, and the Sulphur of the _Jupiter_ will kindle the Salt-peter of the Lead, and turn to yellow Ashes, which still must be taken away with an Iron Instrument for that purpose, as long as any of the said Ashes, mount or appear on the surface of the Lead. When no more Ashes appear, then cast in a fresh quantity of Tin as before, turning the same to Ashes till no more rise. Continue so long with the incineration of fresh Tin, untill all the Lead and Tin be turned to Ashes. Then mix these Ashes with half as much of our secret _Sal-Armoniack_, and by Retort distill the _Sal-Armoniack_ from it, which may serve again for the same Work. In this Distillation the _Sal-Armoniack_, draws to it the Sulphur of the Tin, and turns it to Fæces, and the pure part of the Lead and Tin are left in a _Regulus_ at the bottom, which after Distillation may be beat from the _Scoriæ_: and because the _Regulus_ of Lead in this operation proves somewhat flat and platy, we may lay it cross on an Anvil, and strike it crooked with an Hammer, and so the _Scoria_ will fall from it, which are carefully to be kept, as being of good use, which will appear hereafter. If we desire to make a better separation of the _Scoriæ_ from the said _Regulus_ of Lead, we may put the said _Regulus_ with its Fæces into a Crucible, and having given it a Fire of Fusion, pour out the _Regulus_ into a Cone, and the _Scoriæ_ will abide in the Cruce, as being of more difficult fusion than the _Regulus_. This _Regulus_ of Lead, must again be set upon the Cupel, and when red hot, we must put Tin to it as before, incinerate the same and gather the Ashes, then mix them with _Sal-Armoniack_, distill and separate the _Scoriæ_ from the _Regulus_ as before. This labour must be so oft repeated till all the Lead and Tin be turn’d to Ashes, which will be in three or four times, after which onely a small _Regulus_ will be left, which we must refine on the Cupel like other Lead, and thus the Gold and Silver which was in the Tin, will be left on the Cupel, which must be granulated, and the Gold and Silver separated from each other with _Aqua Fortis_.

The _Scoriæ_ proceeding from this Work must not be despised, being more worth than the Gold and Silver which are left on the Cupel. This work being well performed, every pound of Tin will yield some Crowns in Gold and Silver, which richly pays both cost and pains. And he that has the skill to prepare the said _Sal-Armoniack_ by a compendious way, may expect the greater profit from this Work. The _Sal-Armoniack_ which comes over by Distillation, will serve for the same purpose again, nothing of it being diminished, but what abides with the Scoriæ, which by making a Lye of the _Scoriæ_ may also be saved, by which means a wonderfull Salt is obtained, which abounds with many and great virtues; concerning which we intend (God willing) to treat at large in our third Appendix. I had intended indeed to speak of it here, but I find this Appendix is grown too big under my hands; and therefore shall refer the superlative great virtues of the said wonderfull Salt to my Third Book. Yet to the end, that the Lover of Art in the mean time, till my Third Appendix be published, may not altogether be ignorant of what great things may be performed by it, I have thought good to inform him, that I have often in my other Writings made mention of this Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, yet concealing its preparation, _viz._ in my Book of _Dialogues_, speaking of the Preparation of the Lion’s Blood. In my Treatise of _Elias Artista_ I have called this Salt, Salt of Art, as also the Bishop and High Priest of Metals, and there at large informed the Curious, how by means thereof they may inseparably conjoin Gold and Silver. In other of my Writings I have given it other names. This wonderfull Salt of which I have treated in my Book of the Three Principles, shewing it to be that wherewith _Jupiter_ changed him self into a golden shower, and got entrance through the Tiles into the strong Tower where _Danae_ was shut up, thus beguiling her, and begetting on her _Perseus_ the Destroyer of the Sea-Monster, and Deliverer of the Beautifull _Andromeda_, whom he took to Wife; and afterward vanquished the _Gorgones_, keepers of the Golden Apple bearing Orchard, _&c._

This our Salt of Art is the Secret Chalybs of _Sendviogius_, wherewith he extracts the Tincture of Gold, and of it prepares the tinging Stone of the Philosophers. This our Salt of Art is also that _Juno_, to whom (as _Virgil_ relates) the Golden Bough broke off by _Proserpina_ from the Dark tree is consecrated: of which I have elsewhere treated more at large. This Salt also is our _Proserpina_ the Goddess of Hell and Wife of _Pluto_, and is much more ready and handy in breaking off the said Golden Bough, than that _Proserpina_ which by Distillation (with great toil and labour) breaks off her Golden Branches: for this our _Proserpina_ performs it without fire, or any trouble to speak of, and offers it up to the Goddess _Juno_. Which ingenious and profitable Work I intend (God willing) to set down in my Third Appendix; wherein I shall communicate to the World a perpetual Minera of Gold and Silver, which every one without any great pains may in stillness work in his own house: For there is no easier way to extract the hidden Gold from all Metals in quantity and without fire, than by means of this our Goddess _Juno_, or Jovial _Proserpina_.

Let the Reader who desires to know further of these Poetical Fables, read the ingenious _Ovid_, and others who make it their business to treat of them: and in reading he will observe, that _Jupiter_ is by them represented to be the God of Fire and Lightning, and _Juno_ his Wife and Sister the Goddess of the Air; whence we may gather, that by the word _Juno_ is to be understood a spiritual volatile moisture and watry _Jupiter_. Now the Artist who has _Juno_ for his Friend and Advocate, may easily obtain from _Phœbus_ great Treasures, as well for the health of the Body, as of outward Riches; and this is so easie to be done, and with so little charges, that I dare not be so bold to write more of it, lest the wicked and unworthy should smell out the rest.

Now forasmuch as this Appendix is swoln to a bigger bulk than I had intended, I shall refer the melioration of Iron and Copper, by means of our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ to our Third Appendix. And shall onely say thus much at present, that these two despised Metals, do afford more profit, and with less charge and trouble than Lead and Tin; which Process I intend to communicate in my next Appendix.