Chapter XCVIII: Part I: To the well minded Reader (26)

These Salts were known to the Philosophers of old, who yet did not think fit any further to open themselves concerning them, than in declaring, that the Philosophers Stone must be prepared by them. _Turba Philosophorum_ speaking concerning this matter, saith, _This our Salt encreases the Redness in ☉, and whiteness in ☽, =and further=, if God had not created this =Salt= it were impossible to make the Elixir._ It is probable, that the Philosophers who wrote concerning this wonderful _Salt_, had no knowledge of any other, supposing that this _Salt_ only was proper to extract and prepare Tinctures. I must acknowledge there is no _Salt_ in the World, that hath such virtue to encrease and exalt the Tincture in common as well as Philosophical ☉ and ☽, and that as it were in a moment, as soon as the Monarch of _Salts_ is added to them. Neither doth our _Salt_ only exalt, but it also joyns the King of Metals so indissolubly with his Queen, that no Art can separate them. A thing worth our wonder, that a Volatile white _Salt_ should have the power to meliorate ☉ and ☽, and to exalt the same permanently. For to give some further light to the matter, I declare, that this _Salt_ of which the _Turba_ speaks, doth sublime white, and being dissolved in Water, gives a white Solution: It is white, and continues white both in and out of the Fire, and is altogether Volatile, for which reason I have called it my _Secret Salt Armoniack_; but as soon as it is join’d with ☉ or ☽ it becomes fix, and makes the ☉ and ☽ fixer than they were before, affording them a kind of _plusquam_ perfection, and inseparable Conjunction. Let none think that this _Salt_ of which I here speak, is like, or the same with that, which is made of Oyl of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine, of which I have treated in the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopæa Spagyrica_; for this our Sovereign _Salt_ has no affinity with that, for as much as that _Salt_ makes all things Volatile, and separates their purer part by Sublimation from the gross _fæces_, but this our white _Salt_, though it be unfixt it self, yet has the power to fix unfixt Metals, so as to endure the Test, provided always that the virtue of this unfixt _Salt_, be first fixed by its conjunction with ☉ and ☽. For the whole substance of this _Salt_ (which the Philosophers have called a Bishop or High Priest) when ☉ and ☽ as King and Queen are inseparably join’d by it, doth not abide with the ☉ and ☽, but only by its hidden Tincture and Virtue, whereby it exalts all colours, the unprofitable body of the _Salt_ separating from them, as soon as the Conjunction is made, even as a Priest, when he has join’d two Persons in Wedlock goes his way, having performed his Office. And indeed this inseparable Conjunction of ☉ and ☽, may well be compared with the Conjunction in Marriage performed by a Priest; for as when the Priest has join’d two Parties together in Wedlock, they must inseparably continue so till death; so likewise when the Metallic Copulation of ☉ and ☽ is performed by means of our Metallick High Priest, consecrated by _Jupiter_, then are their Bodies thence forward inseperable; the Water finds no ingress into them, the Air cannot pierce them, and Earth much less, yea, the strongest of all Elements, the Fire hath no power over them, but, like a Married Couple, abide together in all contrariety and adversity, and according to their Kind do multiply _in infinitum_, being supported with due Food and Nourishment; for we know, that except we be refreshed and strengthened with Meat and Drink, we can neither live nor multiply; the multiplying virtue in many and all Creatures proceeding from the Nourishment they take in. And the same we are to understand also concerning the Metallick Multiplication, for when ☉ and ☽ are permanently conjoined, by means of the Metallick High Priest, this alone is not sufficient in order to their multiplication, but they moreover must be supported with convenient Meat and Drink. And as Man at his first coming into the World is nourish’d with his Mothers Milk, in like manner the Philosophers do feed their ☉ and ☽ with their Mothers Milk, that is, with their first Essence, from whence they deriv’d their Original. Now we know that in contemptible _Antimony_, the first _Ens_ of ☉, is copiously to be found, and may with ease be drawn thence, in the appearance of Milk, with which ☉ and ☽ are to be nourished in order to their Multiplication and Increase. The Nourishment then wherewith our conjoined ☉ and ☽ are to be refreshed, and disposed to a Multiplication _in infinitum_, is our _Lac Virginis_, Virgin Milk and Mercurial Water, which strengthens and increaseth the Procreative Seed in ☉ and ☽ both in quantity and quality. Wherefore also this feeding or inceration has always been recommended by the Philosophers, as a most necessary thing, whereby, as it were, a new life, and multiplying virtue is communicated to the inseparably united ☉ and ☽.

Furthermore we are to know, that after common ☉ and ☽ by means of the _Salt_ of Art, are inseparably conjoined and exalted in their colours; yet nothing can be performed with them, because they want an ingress into other Metals, which they have lost by their Conjunction, which therefore must be restored to them by means of our mercurial Water, which not only communicates Ingress, but also easie Fluxibility and Multiplication to the destroyed Bodies of ☉ and ☽. For when our ☿ Water is fixed in Conjunction with the fixt ☉ and ☽, then it is no longer a Volatile ☿, but is changed by the exalted ☉ and ☽ to a fixt Tincture. This done, if we would multiply this Tincture, we must add to it some of our _Mercurial_ Water, and fix them together as before, which Multiplication we may repeat as oft as we please. For when once ☉ and ☽ are made irreducible and more than perfect, by means of our _Salt_ of Art, we need never after to begin our Work a-new, but only mingle the fixt with the volatile in order to their Fixation; seeing that our _Mercurial_ Water is in its inside better than ☉, for which reason also it turns the ☉ and ☽ when fixed with them into mere Tincture. Let no Man wonder why in this Operation we join ☉ and ☽ together, and not rather make use of ☉ alone, forasmuch as this ☽ hath no colour at all outwardly, though in its inside it be higher of colour than ☉ it self, both which Metals nevertheless, except their colours be exalted by the _Salt_ of Art, and Inceration, without our _Mercurial_ Water can never be changed into a true Tincture, because ☉ and ☽ have no mere Tinctures than is sufficient for themselves, but being exalted by the tinging _Salt_ of Art, they are capable of colouring white Metals, but not before. Indeed ☉ alone without the addition of ☽ may be exalted by our _Salt_ of Art, and _Mercurial_ Water into a Red Tincture. In like manner also may ☽ alone be exalted in its whiteness by our _Salt_ of Art, and ☿, one part of which exalted ☽ tingeth many parts of ♀ into good and fixt ☽♀, for our ☿ wherewith we incerate and multiply, may be fixed into a Red or White Tincture, according to the ferment we join with it, with ☉ it makes a red, and with ☽ a white Tincture. However the best way is to put ☉ and ☽♀ together in due weight and proportion, exalting them with the _Salt_ of Art, by which means the whiteness in ☽♀ when join’d with ☉, becomes changed into Redness, of which mine Eyes are Witness. Of this Exaltation of ☉ into a high purple colour, and of ☽♀ into the highest whiteness, I gave an Ocular Demonstration to some of my Friends, before my Sickness, but none of them have since undertaken the Work, and my self by Sickness have been hindered hitherto.

_Ovid_ excellently describes the preparation of this Tincture, where he tells us, that _Jupiter_, having chang’d himself into a Golden Rain, fell through the Tiles into the Lap of _Danaë_, (shut up by her Father _Acrisius_ King of the _Argives_ in a strong Tower) and got her with Child, of whom afterwards _Perseus_ was born, who in process of time being mounted on the Winged Horse _Pegasus_, killed the Sea-Monster, delivering the fair _Andromeda_, whom he took to Wife; and afterwards vanquished the _Gorgons_, and made himself Master of the Golden-fruit-bearing-Orchard. In which Fable the whole Work is clearly and punctually described, but the reason why it is so little understood, is, because so few makes it their business to consider thereof, or put their hands to the Work. For attentively considering the matter, we find that the King of the _Argives_, in the sense of the Philosophers, is our Black Lead, whence we prepare our Snow-white _Virgin Milk_ or Mercurial Water, which is the Beautiful _Danaë_, that becomes inpregnate by _Jupiter_’s Golden Rain. _Archivum_ signifies a Treasury of secret and important Records, and no Subjects contains more secrets, than doth our Black _Magnesia_. What is more lovely to behold than _Jupiter_’s Golden Rain, whereby the fair _Danaë_ becomes impregnate? And from whence does this Rain proceed, but from our _Salt_ of Art, without which it were impossible for ♃ to change the ☉ into such a desirable Rain? What is the Beautiful _Andromeda_ else, but _Diana_ the Consort of _Apollo_, who is exposed to the Sea-Monster to be devoured, and is delivered by _Perseus_. And, in a word, the whole Work of preparing a Tincture from the foresaid Subjects is so clearly set down by _Ovid_, as it could not well be set down more clearly; and yet how little is it understood, by reason of the general Stupidity and inadvertency of the Readers. I have here discovered all the ingredients belonging to this Tincture, so as nothing remains, except putting hand to the Work, and begging God’s Blessing upon it: For no good thing was ever the effect of idleness: But Praying, Seeking, and unwearied Labour, are the Well-Springs of all useful Arts.

And herewith I shall conclude the use of the _Salt_ of Art, in preparing the universal Tincture upon all Metals, transmuting the same into ☉ and ☽♀. I suppose it hath been sufficiently made out, that the foretold _Elias Artista_ is nothing else, but this our _Salt_ of Art, whereby the Redness in ☉, and Whiteness in ☽♀ are exalted into Tincture. Wherefore also this Salt, by those who know its use, has been called the Monarch of Salts: For every Species of things hath its Monarch, excelling all the rest of the same kind; upon which account, _Paracelsus_, who in his Life-time had not his Peer, obtain’d the Title of Philosophers, Physicians and Monarch of Chymists. Forasmuch therefore, as our Salt of Art hath not its like in the World, for working Wonders in _Alchimy_, it may well be call’d the King of Salts: Tho’ indeed there be one only Salt which excels him, as far as _Elias_ excell’d his Servant _Elisha_: For as _Elias_ went up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot, leaving his Mantle to _Elisha_, so this Salt may more properly be compared to _Elisha_ than _Elias_, because _Elisha_ staid here beneath, and did not ascend to Heaven, as _Elias_ did. Now the Chymists generally prefer that, which ascends by the force of the Fire, before that which stays behind, tho’ this Rule be not without Exceptions; for that which remains is not always to be rejected, because sometimes much good lies hid in it: As we may perceive in _Elias_ his Ascension to Heaven, who left his Mantle behind, which was not without Virtue, as appeared when _Elisha_ with it divided the River _Jordan_, going over dry-shod. The Chymists commonly call that which remains after Distillation, or Sublimation, _Caput Mortuum_, but without good ground, because in that which stays behind, often a great vivifying Virtue lies hid. This we may gather from the Virtue (as has been said) remaining in the Mantle of _Elias_, and in the dead bones of _Elisha_, which as soon as it touch’d the dead Body, raised it again to Life: If _Elias_ his Mantle had been a dead thing, _Elisha_ could never have divided _Jordan_ therewith, nor could _Elisha_’s bones have raised the dead to Life, if they had been dead and without Power. Consider well what I have said, and you will find more in it, than I dare more plainly declare; remembring always, that _Jordan_ is nothing else, but our ☿ Water.

_Concerning the =Salt= of Art._

Having already heard, how by means of the fixative _Salt_ of Art, common ☉ and ☽♀ may be prepared into a Tincture, for the cure of Men and Metals; it now remains to be declared, how, by means of the Volatilizing _Salt_ of Art, most excellent Medicines may with ease, and small Charges, in a very short time be prepared, out of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals. We are here to take Notice, as has been already hinted, that the Property of our _Salt_ of Art, is, to make the volatile _Metallick_ Subjects fixt; of which fixative Property, notwithstanding it may in a few hours, easily and without Charges be devested, and a Power of Volatilizing all things introduced into it, instead thereof, by which, incredible things may then be performed, both in Physick and Alchimy. Of which Wonder-working _Salt_, the present World knows nothing at all, and probably nothing will be known of it, till God shall permit it to be revealed by _Elias_ the _Artist_. What I know of it, I am willing to communicate for common Good, not doubting, but that God in his due time by means of Good men will reveal the rest. To volatize this fixative _Salt_ of Art, is an easie thing to the Wise, but to the Ignorant altogether incredible; though it be no difficult thing to me, to make it credible and apparent, which if thou wouldest do likewise, proceed thus: Pour upon our _Salt_ of Art, in due proportion good Spirit of Wine, which draw off by Distillation, and you will have a wonderful Spirit, of great Virtue; but you will find your _Salt_ of Art so weakened, as it cannot be used again: But the Spirit of Wine, impregnated with the Virtue of the _Salt_, performs Wonders, that were never yet made known to the World, of which we shall hear more hereafter. For the Spirit of Wine in this abstraction hath its Virtue multiplied ten fold, so as it not only extracts the Essence of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, both easily and suddenly, carrying them over the Helm; but also extracts the Tinctures from ☉ and ☽, and all precious and common Stones, and brings them over. Of which Extraction and Separation of the tinging Soul from fixt and unfixt Bodies, no Philosopher hitherto hath divulged any thing. Let us now take a view of the great Secrets, which may be obtained by means of our Alcolized Spirit of Wine. _Paracelsus_ had an Alcolized Spirit of Wine, which he called _Alcohol vini_, with which he did great things; but it is not likely, that his _Alcohol vini_ was of the same Virtue, as mine here described; for if so, it could not have been so long concealed. However it be, we cannot deny _Paracelsus_ the Title of Monarch of Physicians and Alchymists, though he may have been ignorant of our _Salt_ of Art, with which our _Alcohol vini_ is prepared; for no Body knows all things; and God bestows his Gifts, as best pleaseth him.

But to our return to our _Alcohol vini_, and the manner of using it. First we are to take Notice, that as for Vegetables and Animals, they are to be reduced to Powder, if they be dry, but if fresh, they need only to be a little bruised or chopt, and then pour upon them our _Alcohol vini_; if the Subjects be dry, we may digest a while before abstraction, but in Case they be moist, we may distil the Spirit immediately, which carries over with it all the Virtue of the said Vegetables and Animals, together with the Taste and Smell, and poured upon Flowers, and distill’d, sometimes brings over their Colours also, which hitherto hath been looked upon as very difficult, if not impossible. But before we make use of it upon Minerals, we must prepare them, for our _Alcohol vini_ is not strong enough to lay hold on hard Minerals, and compact Metals, so as to extract their Essences, and therefore they must be first opened with Waters, that are not Corrosive, and afterwards be digested with our _Alcohol vini_ and then distilled; which being performed in this Order, the _Alcohol_ will carry their Essences with it over the Helm. This is the true Preparation of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, in order to the extracting of your Essences, by means of our _Alcohol vini_. But here we must observe, that this Preparation of fixt Metals, by opening of their Bodies, must be done with fixt Liquors, and not Volatile; for if the dissolvent were Volatile, it would come over in Distillation with the Spirit of Wine, and spoil all; because after Distillation, the Spirit of Wine must be separated from the Essence it hath brought over with it; now if the dissolvent, by being Volatile, should come over the Helm, it would remain with the Medicine, and consequently spoil it. We are therefore to remember, that this dissolvent must be Firey, not Corrosive, without any Smell or bad Taste: The dissolvent being as necessary to our Work, as is the Spirit of Wine it self: Wherefore he who intends to plant good Fruit, in this Gold-bearing Orchard, must be provided with both these Keys, _viz._ with a _Menstruum_, not Corrosive, to dissolve Metals and Minerals, and with a well prepared Alcolized Spirit of Wine, without which, he cannot obtain the Tincture of Metals.

Having thus spoken of the foregoing Preparation of Vegetable, Animals and Minerals, in general: I shall now proceed to shew in particular, how out of them most surpassing, and excellent Medicines may be prepared.

And first to begin with Vegetables; their Essences are to be distilled in _Balneo_, with a moderate heat, changing the Recipient when it is needful: For that which comes over, first is of another Nature, than that which distils next, and that again differs from that which comes last. There are some Vegetables, that first give their best part, and the worst last, whereas in others, the worst comes first, and the best stays till the last. For the rest, it is easily apprehended, that the Virtue of Flowers and Herbs; especially when green and tender, doth more easily yield to Distillation, and come over sooner than the Essence of hard Wood, which is more closely shut up in its Body. He that proceeds aright in this Work, will meet with great delight and Satisfaction, and bless God for the Communication of this Light. For our Alcolized Spirit of Wine brings over Vegetable Essences, of a most fragrant Odour, which common Spirit of Wine can never do: We may indeed extract Vegetables, and Minerals with common Spirit of Wine, but cannot carry the said extracted Essences over the Helm: Which extracts made with common Spirit of Wine, are not to be compared with those, which our _Alcohol vini_ brings over with it, differing as much as the shell from the kernel. For our Essences, as soon as they are taken into the Body, penetrate it throughout, passing every where to find out their Enemies, and when found Attack, and put them to flight, which gross Medicines cannot perform. The like Virtue is also in those ☿ _Salts_, Tinctures or Souls of Metals, that come over in the flame of the distilled Spirit of Wine, which also penetrate the Body throughout, chasing their Enemies before them; and the Tinctures of Stones in the same manner prepared do the like. Which we must not so understand, as if the Alcolized Spirit of Wine were to be taken into the Body, together with the Tincture, for indeed it must be separated from it. As for instance, when I have brought over the Quintessence of Flints or Crystals, with our _Alcohol vini_, and have a mind to make use of it against the Stone in the Bladder or Kidneys, or Stones that are grown in the joynts, I must not exhibit this Essence, as it is mixed with the Spirit of Wine, for if so, the good effect, that might be looked for from the Essence, would be spoiled by the great heat of the Spirit of Wine, which is the reason the same must be separated from the Essence, before it can be given inwardly. Now this Separation cannot be done by Distillation, because both would come over together. Neither can the Tincture, or Essence of the Stone, be separated from the Spirit of Wine, by Precipitation. What is to be done therefore in this Case? The only way to attain our desire is, to kindle the burning Spirit, and let it flame away under a large and capacious Helm or Head, made for that purpose; by which means the Spirit of Wine is consumed in the flame, and the incombustible Essence of Crystal remains in form of a sweet and pleasant Oyl. We are also to note, that in this burning away of the Spirit of Wine, the _Sulphur_ of Wine only is consumed, and the incombustible ☿ of Wine, being condensed in the Head, falls into the Receiver, in the appearance of a sweet Water. [_see more of this instrument in the Sixth Part of Phar. Spagyr._]

_N. B._ We are to observe, that the most highly rectified Spirit of Wine, is much about half water, which water ascends with the flame, and is caught in the Recipient. Yet is not this ⛛ any common ⛛, but indeed a powerful ⛛ of Life, especially when the Spirit of Wine hath been rectified from Aromatical, or Medicinal Subjects, but even without this, it is of very good use, because the incombustible ☿ of Wine lies hid in it, and may be separated from it, by abstracting the said ⛛ in a very gentle vaporous Bath, which done, the ☿ of Wine stays behind, in the form of a white lovely _Salt_, full of heavenly Powers and Virtues: For which cause this _Salt_ or ☿ of Wine, hath been always termed by the Philosophers, Heavenly _Salt_.

It is likewise to be noted, that after the ⛛ is abstracted from the Spirit of Wine, the said ⛛ is not devoid of all Virtue, as invisibly containing some part of the foresaid Heavenly _Salt_, especially if the Spirit of Wine in its Rectification, hath been impregnated with Spices, or other good Subjects: For according to the different impregnation of the Spirit of Wine, the Heavenly _Salt_, or ☿ of Wine, will be more or less powerful. Thus we have seen in what manner the Essences of Flints and Chrystals are to be prepared, with the help of our _Alcohol vini_.

When this Spirit of Wine Crystallized is kindled and burnt away under a large Head, the greatest part of the Essence of Crystals remains behind, in the form of a pleasant clear Liquor, which is the most Sovereign Medicine against all Diseases proceeding from _Tartar_, _viz._ Stone in the Bladder, Kidneys and other parts of the Body, which it dissolves, and carries off. But the most pure part of the Crystals mounts with the flame into the Helm, in form of a clear Water, which when abstracted in a vaporous Bath the ☿ of Crystals stays behind, in form of a lovely white _Salt_, which is of far greater power in the Stone, Gout, and like Diseases, than the fixt Oyl or Liquor, which remains in the Vessel after the Spirit of Wine is burnt away. In like manner, we may proceed with other Stones. Yet we are to understand, that all Stones have not the same Nature or Property: Thus we find Several sorts of Crystal, _viz._ some White, Transparent and clear, others White, but _Opake_ and dark, also Green, Blew, Yellow, Red, and Black Crystals, all which by the help of _Salts_, are melted into Glass of several Colours. Amongst these Crystals are also reckoned. Flints, Pebbles, Gravel and Sand, which likewise suffer themselves with _Salts_ to be melted into Glass. All these forementioned Stones, may with _Alkalick Salts_ be melted, and afterwards by _Deliquium_ be resolved into a Liquor, concerning which Liquors, I have treated at large in the Second Part of my Furnaces.

These Stones that suffer themselves to be melted, with the Addition of _Alkalies_, may also, with Lead-ashes, be reduced to transparent Glass. Whereas precious Stones, _viz._ Diamonds, Rubies, Saphirs, Jacinths, Granates, _&c._ are of a quite different Nature, which neither by _Alkalies_, nor Lead, can be run down into Glass: Wherefore also none have been found hitherto, that have been able from them to prepare any good Medicine, as not yielding to the most Corrosive Waters whatsoever.

_N. B._ And though indeed, I know a way to dissolve them without any Corrosive, yet do not I think it proper, to Communicate the same in this publick manner.

There is another sort of Stones, which are commonly found in Rich and fat Earth, and sometimes also in Rivers or Brooks, such as _Lapis Judaicus_, _Lyncis_ and others, which being not very hard, may be dissolved in good Spirit of Salt, which Solutions are by some of our common _Chymists_ used against the Stone, but without any good Success, forasmuch as the Body of the Stone is not at all meliorated by being dissolved in Spirit of Salt, but rather made worse; because by this means, there is no Separation of the pure from the impure. But if any Man will take the pains to reduce these Stones into Essences, in the way before specified, he will find them much more available in all sorts of _Tartarous_ Distempers.

There are also several kinds of Lime-stone, which cannot be melted with Addition of _Alkalies_, or the Ashes of Lead, but by a strong Fire are burnt into Lime. Amongst which Lime-Stones, we may reckon the _Ludus_ of _Van Helmont_, which like other Limestones, may be sublimed with our strong ♓, and afterwards reduced into a Liquor, of which I have treated elsewhere, and particularly in the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_. Out of these Stones, after they have been first burnt into Lime, a most excellent Medicine may be prepared against all kinds of the Gout: _Basil Valentine_ assuring us, that he with Essence of quick Lime, cured the Chancellor of the Emperour of _Germany_ of the Gout: Which we may the rather believe, because _Basil Valentine_ knew the way of separating the ☿ from the Spirit of Wine, by enkindling it; and hath also described an instrument of Copper, for performing that Operation: And knowing all this, he could not be unacquainted, that the Essence of Quick-lime, being united with Spirit of Wine, and afterwards meliorated, and putrified by burning it away, was separable from it, which he having reduced to Practice, obtained this excellent Medicine for curing of the Gout.

We are further to know, that there be other, and better Stones, to prepare an universal Medicine against the Gout and Stone, by means of our _Alcohol vini_, after they have been first burnt into Lime, _viz._ Oyster shells, which, being burnt afford a Lime that is very Caustick; and of a like Nature are all Sea-productions, _viz._ the Stones that are found in Spunges, all sorts of Coral, Pearl, and Mother of Pearl, all which may be reduced by Fire, into a Lime of great and excellent use.

But above all other Stones, I esteem those that are found in Beasts, Birds, Fishes or Man, which being reduced into a Calx, and their Essences extracted with our _Alcohol Vini_, may then be brought into a pleasant Liquor of great Use.

Amongst Fishes, the best Stones are found in Haddocks and Whitings, Crabs Eyes also are very good, but must be calcined before they can be of any good use in Physick; for without that, they are more proper to generate the Stone, than to expel it.

Having thus declared, how, from some Stones, good Medicaments may be prepared against the Gout and Stone both of the Bladder and Kidney; we will next shew, what kind of Stones are proper to be extracted with our _Alcohol Vini_, in order to the obtaining of true Tinctures for Men and Metals. For all Stones that have good fixt colours, are not therefore fit to have their Tinctures extracted; because some of the Precious Stones are too costly, though we should only make use of their Fragments. Some will not submit to any Operation, _viz._ Granates, Saphires, Rubies, Jacinths, Emralds, Turkoises, _&c._ though they abound with much fixt Tincture; whereas all those Stones which are high of colour, and suffer themselves to be dissolved, are proper for this work, because without preceding Solution, it is impossible to extract the Tincture from hard and compact Bodies: Wherefore we must make choice of Stones that are soluble, and abound with fixt Tincture, _viz._ Green and Red Jasper Stones, _Lapis Lazuli_, and the Black _Magnesia_ which contain abundance of Solar Tincture. All Stones likewise that are high coloured, and break smooth like Glass, whether found on Mountains or in Brooks, are good for this purpose.

It was because of this Solar Tincture abounding in the Jasper Stone, that the Ancients preferr’d it before ☉, as containing a most high and excellent Tincture. A very rich Tincture may also be extracted from the _Lapis Lazuli_; and from the Black _Magnesia_, (which is not costly) a richer. Let us therefore take this despised Stone in hand, and see how easily its Tincture, by means of our _Alcohol Vini_ may be extracted, and what uses it serves for, as well in Physick as Alchimy.

_The PROCESS._

℞. One pound or two of black and ponderous _Magnesia_, pulverize the same, and dissolve it in our Universal Stone-Water, wherewith all hard Stones may be dissolved, and thou wilt have a Solution of a Grass-green-colour, filter it, and in case thou hast proceeded aright, the undissolved _fæces_ will be of small quantity.

Now is thy Solution ready to have our _Alcohol Vini_ pour’d upon it, in order to the extracting of its Tincture, and carrying it over the Helm.

_N. B._ That notwithstanding the Solution be at first of a green colour, yet the Spirit of Wine in Distillation comes over yellow as _Sol_. And when the Spirit of Wine is kindled under a large head, the pure _Mercury_ of the _Magnesia_ ascends with the flame, which is of great use in Physick; and a Blood-red Liquor stays behind, being not only a Tincture for the Bodies of Men and Metals, but also by means of the same may Crystals be tinged with several fair colours, so as to resemble Precious Stones in all things, except hardness. I dare not set down here the manner of applying this Tincture to white Metals, he to whom God vouchsafes this Tincture, will easily find out the use of it.

As to the Physical use, this Tincture opens Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and Lungs: The white _Mercury_ come over with the Flame is an excellent Medicine, strengthening the Heart, Stomach, Head and Reins, and a great Remedy against the Gout. In a word, he that is Master of this Tincture will find much more in it than I have here hinted.

In like manner, as hath been said of the _Magnesia_, we may proceed with other Stones, to extract their Tinctures, all which have different properties, according to the nature of the Stones from whence they are prepared.

We proceed now to shew, how by means of our _Alcohol Vini_ the Tinctures or Essences of Minerals and Metals, without any preceding Solution, or other preparation, may be easily brought over. The way is thus:

℞. What quantity you please of any Sulphurous Marcasite, whether of ♂, ♀, ♃, ♄, ☽ or ☉, make them red-hot in a Crucible in a Wind Furnace, and then put them red-hot as they are, into my second Distilling Furnace, fitting a large Recipient thereto, and pour upon them to the quantity of about an Ounce of our _Alcohol Vini_, closing the Furnace again immediately; by this means the Spirit of Wine will enter into the Stones, yet because of the great heat will not long continue there, but ascend and carry over the Metalline Spirit with it; which done, pour upon them another spoonful of Spirit, which when come over, pour on another, repeating this as oft as shall be needful. After that the Marcasites or Metalline Stones are grown cold, they must be made red-hot again, and proceeded with as before, till a sufficient quantity of the Metallick Spirit be obtained. Then burn away the Spirit of Wine, and there will remain a glorious Essence of Metals, which thou mayest make use of, according to thy best knowledge. One thing I can assure thee, that this is the easiest way to obtain Metallick Spirits in quantity. And though the Process appears plain and simple, yet more may be discovered and attained thereby than many would imagine. I know what I write, though it may be every Man will scarcely understand me; which is very fitting, to the end these great _Arcana_ may not be prostituted to the Unworthy. He, who cannot make Metallick Spirits according to this way, may dissolve the Metals themselves in proper Dissolvents, pour Spirit of Wine upon them, and distil their Essences, which he may then make use of, as his understanding shall guide him.

I have already declared, that Metallick Spirits, when pour’d together, do Meliorate one another. I shall add no more at present, having already declared too much to the Unworthy, and for those that fear God, they will be further assisted from above, and led to the desired end.

In like manner may the Essences of all common Stones, Pebbles, Metalline Stones, colour’d Earths, _&c._ be extracted without any foregoing preparation; for which God be praised for evermore. _Amen._

In the same way we can obtain the Essences of many other Mineral Subjects, without any preceding preparation, especially of such as are Volatile, _viz._ Kobolt, Arsenick, Orpiment, Bismuth, Zink, _Lapis Calaminaris_, and the like Realgars, from which we may distil very poisonous, but withal admirable, Spirits, in order to the Melioration of Metals. We may also take the same course with compact Metals themselves, and distil their Spirits without any foregoing Solution, _viz._ we must file them small, make them red-hot, and put them into the Distillatory, and then proceed as before hath been said with the Marcasites, and the Metalline Spirit will come over with its natural smell, taste and colour, in which Spirits great wonders lie hid, but are of greatest use in Meliorating of Metals. Read what _Paracelsus_ writes to this purpose in his Book called _Vexatio Alchymistarum_, where you’l meet with what will satisfie you in this matter. Consider well of what I have said, and thou wilt find more than I dare set down; for it is no small or common thing to obtain the pure Souls of Compact Metals, without any foregoing Solution of their Bodies.

_N. B._ Those Metals which are molten with Minerals, being filed, and proceeding with them as aforesaid, afford a Spirit higher in colour, and of a stronger smell than simple Metals. Take an instance from Brass, of which if you lay a piece upon a red-hot Coal, it will send forth a bad stench, or put Coals into a Brass Chafing-Dish, and you’l perceive the same; which bad smell proceeds from the _Lapis Calaminaris_ which is joyned with the Copper, the said _Lapis Calaminaris_ being a volatile and stinking Mineral. So likewise when ♀ is made white by the addition of Arsenick, it stinks much worse than when it is join’d with _Lapis Calaminaris_, as being much more poisonful. This stinking fume which proceeds from Brass, though it be a Spirit, yet is not without a Body, and may be called a spiritual Body, or Bodily Spirit. These fumes are hurtful to the Brain and Heart; and therefore a wise Man endeavours to catch this Volatile Spirit, and to turn it to a true fixt Tincture, fixing white Metals into a permanent Yellow; as the stinking fume of White ♀, made so by _Arsenick_, may be reduced to a Tincture, which will tinge Red ♀ into White.

I have said enough here, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. He, who desires to know more concerning those _Metallick_ Odours, may read _Braceseus_; where he will find, that from them the Philosophers Stone, or highest Medicine against all Diseases of Men, and Metals may be prepared: Of which, elsewhere I may have occasion to treat further.

It remains now to discover, in what manner the Medicinal tinging Spirits, or Souls of Stones, are to be extracted, wherewith great Honour and Riches may be obtained in the Practice of Physick. The Process is the very same, as with the _Marcasites_; for when white Pebbles and Chrystals, or colour’d Stones, as _Jasper_ Stones, _Lapis Lazuli_ and the like, being first made red hot, have our _Alcohol Vini_ poured upon them in a convenient Distillatory, the Spirit of Wine carries over their several Colours, which Tinctures are of great use in Physick. In this way, we may get a Spirit from Lime stones, which is most subtil, and strong of any other whatsoever.

As for Corals and Pearls, they are not to be made red hot (because their Virtue is destroyed by strong Fire) but only heated, and pour Spirit of Wine upon them, by which means the Spirit of Wine will bring over the Essence of Corals of a curious red Colour, and that of Pearls white as Milk.

The Stones that are found in Fishes, Crabs eyes, so called, need only to be pulverized, without heating them, and in abstracting the Spirit of Wine from them, we obtain all their Virtues, which Spirit of Wine being afterwards separated there from, as I have taught, or according to my new invention burnt away, we shall get the true Magistery of these Stones, being a pleasant _Salt_, full of Virtues, and without any thing of Corrosiveness. This _Salt_ is the true Magistery of these Fish-stones. The like true Magisteries may, without the assistance of any Corrosive, be prepared of Coral, Pearls, Mother of Pearl, Cockleshells, and the Egg-shells of some particular Birds, as also of soft Stones, such as _Lapis Lyncis_, _Judaicus_, _&c._ Let no Body think strange, that I make mention here of Egg-shells, amongst the rest; seeing it is certain, that they have their Original from Stones, as Experience teacheth us, for when Hens are coop’d up in the Winter time, in places where they cannot meet with Sand, or small Stones, they lay Eggs without shells. Wherefore Egg-shells are not to be contemned, for when according to my Instructions they are reduc’d to Magisteries, they are of great use in curing the Stone and Gout: And are used with extraordinary Success, to hasten the Birth in Women, strengthning both Mother and Child, and helping to expel the After-Birth.

Swallows Egg-shells may easily be had, forasmuch as after they have hatch’d their young, they cast them out of their Nests, and afford an excellent Medicine against the Falling Sickness. The Egg-shells of the Wag-tail would be yet more effectual to this purpose, if they could be got, for no Bird is subject to the Falling Sickness, but it: For being caught, and running about with other Birds in the Winter, it’s oft seiz’d with the Falling Sickness, his Feet stagger, his Head and Tail tremble, and at last falls on his Back, but continues not so long, for rising again, he plucks out some of his Feathers, and thereupon immediately recovers, and runs about, eats and drinks as before: Of whose Feathers, since their Egg-shells are not to be got, a Magistery may be prepared against that Distemper.

They who know, that great Virtues are contained even in natural superfluities, will not wonder at my treating here of Egg-shells and Feathers. Some great Philosophers have set down the way of making the Philosophers Stone of them; amongst the rest, a certain Author, writing concerning Mans hair and Egg-shells, concludes thus: _Though these matters may seem to be very strange and absurd, yet who is there that knows all things_, &c?

Many other Subjects might be hinted, from whence Magisteries may be prepared, but I think it needless, he who sets upon the work will easily find many more, than I have mentioned. I shall only, by the way, take notice, that the common Magisteries of the _Apothecaries_ Shops, are no Magisteries, but mere dead, unprofitable Powders.

We now proceed to the Preparation of Vegetables and Animals, which being of different Natures, must also differently be prepared. As for Instance, _Opium_ (which is a tough Juice, and cannot be pulverized) must be cut in thin slices, and laid on a Tin Plate before the Fire, or any other convenient way, to be dried, and then powdred; which done, we must pour upon it some of our _Alcohol_ of Wine, and after a short digestion distil it, by which means we shall get it’s most subtil Essence; and, if afterwards we burn away the Spirit of Wine, part of this Essence will ascend with the _Mercurial_ Water, and other part stay behind. The former of these, _viz._ the Volatile _Mercury_ of _Opium_ is so powerful, that when only smelt to, it is of better effect than the common _Laudanum Opiatum_ taken in substance. The Red Liquor, which remains behind in the Cup or Dish after the Spirit of Wine is burnt away, may be taken inwardly. That which remains in the Glass Body after Distillation is of no great use, and may be cast away; yet if any one will take the pains to dissolve it in common ⛛, filter, and after reduce it to the consistence of Pills, perhaps he will not find it much inferior to the common _Laudanum Opiatum_. The Oyl which remains in the Cup is of very excellent Virtue, as having past the Purgatory Fire of the Spirit of Wine, whereby it is much corrected: Wherefore also we find, that this Oyl is wholly devested of that loathsome Smell that is in _Opium_. But yet the _Mercurial_ Virtue, which ascends together with the Flame, is far better than that which stays behind, not only in Virtue, but because being in the form of a clear ⛛ without Taste or Smell, it may with the more ease be taken by the Sick. The said Oyl may also with Saffron, and the Narcotick 🜍 of the _Vitriol_ of ♀ be thickned and reduced to the Consistence of Pills.

This Medicine is of great use, for such as are in pain, and want their due Rest, removing the one, and procuring the other: And no Body can be ignorant, how necessary Sleep and Abstinence are, to preserve Health, as well as to remove Diseases.

According to this way, we may extract the Virtues of all vegetable Subjects, and greatly exalt, as well as correct them, where need is.

_N. B._ _Henbane_ and _Tobacco_, this way prepared, afford _Narcoticks_ not inferior to _Opium_. _Aloes_, _Myrrh_, and _Saffron_ handled in this manner, make an Elixir _Proprietatis_, ten times better than that described by _Paracelsus_, or _Helmont_: For our _Alcohol Vini_ brings over only their purest Essence, which is afterwards yet further exalted through the Flames of the Spirit of Wine. According to this method, a Man may prepare from Vegetables excellent Cordials, _Cephalicks_, strengtheners of the Stomach, _Nephriticks_ _&c._ which in their effects will far exceed the Common. Only we are to observe; that when we have a mind to prepare an universal Medicine, we need not to meddle with Vegetables or Animals, which are Grandfather _Demogorgons_ green Cloak, forasmuch as a little piece of his Heart, is far more valuable than his whole Cloak; wherefore he that would prepare an universal Medicine, of greater Virtues than all Vegetables and Animals contain, let him take to Task a part of this _Demogorgons_ Heart. Concerning which, if the Reader desire further to be satisfied, let him peruse a Treatise of the incomparable Philosopher _Joannes Bracescus_, _of the Tree of Life_; where he may be informed, who this _Demogorgon_ is, what his clothes, and what the inmost Blood of his Heart are.

Now by the way, to speak a little of this _Demogorgon_, we are to understand, that the Ancients always described their universal Work, not plainly so, as to be apprehended by every one, but wrapt up in Riddles and Allegories; all of them pointing to this _Demogorgon_, who has his Seat in the Center of the Earth, having a rusty Colour’d, and green Cloak cast about him; which in plain terms, is nothing else but the Central Fire, which God, when he created the World, placed there as an everlasting vivifying Fire; by means of which quickening Fire, not only Metals and Minerals are produced, but also all Herbs, Plants and Trees: Upon which Account, the ancient Philosophers have described this _Demogorgon_, to be the Grandfather of all the Heathen Gods, that is _Metallick_ Subjects, and an Upholder of, and Provider for all things that are within, as well as without the Earth; for all things proceed from one Original, _viz._, this _Demogorgon_. Concerning which, _See the Twelfth Treatise of_ Sendivogius.

Metals and Minerals, are as it were the Shirt, or inmost covering of _Demogorgon_, whereas Vegetables and Animals, are but his Cloak, or upper Garment. The Ancients have writ much concerning this _Demogorgon_, attributing to him, not only the Generation and growth of Stones and Metals, but declaring him to be the Father of those living Spirits, which are often found in the Mountains, where Mines are, especially of ☉ or ☽, about which, if the Reader desire to be further satisfied, let him read George Agricola _his Treatise concerning Subterraneous living Creatures_.

To return then to our _Demogorgon_, I say, there are found some contemptible Minerals, in which all the Virtues of Vegetables and Animals lye concentred, which Minerals take their Original from the purest Heart-blood of _Demogorgon_: Such Minerals as these we are to take in hand, if we would prepare an universal Medicine against all Diseases, as well as a Tincture, to meliorate all white Metals with great Gain and Profit. We are also to observe, that such an universal Medicine, may easily, with little Charges, and in few days, be prepared: For the Minerals themselves cost little or nothing, the Dissolvent is very cheap, and the burning Spirit is not Chargeable, so that an Universal Medicine, to meliorate Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, may be made with the Charge of an Angel, which, certainly, is a strange and wonderful _Compendium_. All this may be done with the help of our Spirit of Wine _Alcolisatus_, without which, the Essence of these Minerals cannot be brought over, nor be made perfectly sweet and fine, without enduring the Purgatory of its refining Flames: Wherefore, also our _Elias Artista_, or _Salt_ of Art, wherewith we acuate our burning Spirit, and make such a wonderful _Menstruum_ of it, may well be called the Monarch of _Salts_. And to demonstrate, that such a Medicine prepared of Metals or Animals, with the help of our _Salt_ of Art joyned with Spirit of Wine, is not only able to cure all the Diseases of Men and Metals, but also of Vegetables, appears first from hence, that an universal Medicine can scarcely, or at all be prepared without the Concurrence of Vegetables and Animals: For which reason the Philosophers say, that their Stone is Vegetable, Animal and Mineral; if then the universal Medicine be made up of these three, we must conclude also, that it is Master and Commander over them. The use of this Medicine in the several three Kingdoms, is as follows. When by means of our _Tartarized_ Spirit of Wine, thou hast brought over the pure Essence of a Metal or Mineral, and separated the Spirit of Wine from the _Metallick_ Essence, by burning it away, then the said Essence stays behind in the Cup or Dish, wherein the Spirit of Wine was burnt away, and may without any other Preparation be made use of, for the Cure of all curable Diseases. But when we have a mind to make use of this Essence, for the meliorating of Metals, we must first ferment it with common ☉ or ☽, for without this, the Soul or Quintessence of Metals can have no ingress into Metals, so as to unite with them in a Fire of Fusion. We are also to note, that when this _Metallick_ Essence is fermented with _Sol_, it becomes a _Solar_ Tincture, but when with ☽, it only affords a white Tincture. It is also to be observed, that when we take two parts of ☉, and one of ☽ for our ferment, we shall have a Red Tincture, and so on the contrary, if we make use of two or three parts of ☽, to one of ☉, it will only be a white Tincture, because the predominant Metal determines the Tincture. But he who hath once obtained a well prepared Quintessence of Metals, will easily know the ferment and way of applying it, for a due application is of great moment in this matter. I have known some, who had extracted good Tinctures from ♂ and ♁, but understood not the way of fermenting them, that is of joyning their ferment without their Tinctures; neither did they understand the Inceration, that is, the way to give to your Tinctures easie Fluxibility and Ingress, so could not arrive at their desired End. Were the World worthy of it, I could set down an easie, cheap and short way, to extract much ☉ out of ♀, by which means every one that is somewhat skilled in Distilling, Melting and Cupelling, might have a Rich and inexhausted Mine in his own House, but it is much better to be silent, than to strengthen Men in their Pride and wickedness.

But to return to the Medicinal use of our Tinctures, we are to take Notice, that the Red Oyl, which remains after the burning away of the Spirit of Wine in the Cup, is fittest to make a _Metallick_ Tincture of: But the ☿ or Celestial _Vitriol_, which mounts with the Flame of the Spirit of Wine, is the most proper Medicine for human Bodies: For this pure _Mercurial_ ⛛ is the true and best ⛛ of Life, wherewith, not alone Men, but also other Animals, yea and Vegetables too, may be cured of all Diseases, and Evils incident to them. And forasmuch, as the highest Medicine of Vegetables is the Nourishment they draw from the Earth, the warmth of the Sun, and fruitful Rain, and that on the contrary a dry and barren Soil, and want of the cherishing heat of the Sun and Rain, are the Death of all Vegetables, it is apparent that there can be no better Remedy to keep off the Death of Vegetables, than this our sweet cherishing, and vivifying ⛛ of Life, or Celestial _Salt_: For when any Seeds of Vegetables are steeped therein, and set only in Sand, they immediately shoot up and grow: And having this effect upon Vegetables, we have the less reason to doubt of its cherishing, and vivifying Virtue on human Bodies, as indeed there cannot be a better Medicine to rid the Body of Man, of all manner of Diseases than this Universal Blessed ⛛ of Life, or heavenly Rain ⛛. When we attentively consider Nature, we find, that the Life and growth of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, is Originally from the Air, or an Airy volatile Spirit. Thus we can make all hard Stones and Metals grow as it were in a moment, by means of such a volatile Spirit, concerning which, I have spoken in the Second Part of my Furnaces.