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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14641 ***
+
+THE GOLDEN CALF,
+
+Which the
+
+WORLD
+
+ADORES, and DESIRES:
+
+In which is handled
+The most rare and Incomparable
+Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting
+METALS;
+
+VIZ.
+
+How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one
+Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon,
+with an exceeding small particle of the true
+Philosophick Stone.
+
+At the Hague. In the Year 1666.
+
+Written in Latin by John Frederick Helvetius,
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at
+the Hague,  and faithfully Englished.
+
+London, Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre
+in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr, 1670.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+To the most Excellent
+D. THEODORUS KETJES,
+by his many Peregrinations, a
+most famous Phisician, and an
+happy Practitioner of Medicine
+at Amsterdam,
+One of my Intimate Friends.
+
+ALSO,
+To the most Noble, most Excellent,
+and most Experienc'd, and
+Accurate Searchers into the
+Vulcanian Anatomy,
+D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS,
+Counsellor, and Chief Physician
+of the most Serene Elector Palatine
+of HEIDELBERG.
+
+AND
+D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS,
+Principal Physician in the Court
+of the most Serene Elector of
+BRANDENBURG:
+My Reverend Patrons, and intire
+Friends.
+
+
+
+
+The Epistle
+
+DEDICATORY:
+
+
+Most Noble, most Excellent, most
+Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors
+of the  Vulcanian Anatomy,
+and my most real
+FRIENDS.
+
+
+      Although I neither was willing,
+      nor able to be wanting to my
+      honoured Friends, yet would not
+      divulge and bring to light the Verity
+      of the Spagirick Art, but by this most
+      precious, and Miraculous Arcanum,
+      which I not only saw with these Eyes,
+      but taking a little of the transmutatory
+      powder, I myself also transmuted
+      an Impure Mass of Lead volatile
+      in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly
+      sustaining every Examen of Fire:
+      in such wise, as henceforth it can no
+      more be suspected by any Man, no not
+      by those, who unto this day have
+      perswaded themselves and others, that
+      this Arcanum is given to no man:
+      but contrarily we were fully and indubitately
+      perswaded, that, in things
+      of Nature, The Mercury of Philosophers
+      is Primo-material, and is like
+      a Fountain overflowing with wonderfull
+      Effects, and those escaping every
+      acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible
+      Reason, as shall be evidenced
+      in this my little work: which I was
+      willing to dedicate and consecrate to
+      you, my Primary Patrons, as to most
+      prudent Masters, and Defenders.
+      Yet in the mean while, I pray consider,
+      that I have not writ to the end
+      I would teach any one, that Art,
+      which I my self know not, but only
+      that I might recite the true Process
+      of this Arcanum. For, what can more
+      confirm, and Patronize Verity, than
+      the true Light of Truth it self? It
+      is the property of Brute Animals to
+      pass their life in Silence, and especially
+      not to heed those things in them,
+      which do most of all look to, and are
+      required for the propagation of the
+      Glory of the most Wise, and most powerful
+      GOD our creator. Wherefore,
+      since it is a thing unworthy,
+      and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful,
+      for Man, who should be a Consort
+      of the Divine Nature, to wax brutish
+      with Brutes, I present to you, my
+      most faithful Friends, and Patrons
+      of this Science, this most rare History:
+      having as time, and my Ability would
+      permit, recollected all things, and
+      have faithfully commemorated them.
+      Therefore, omitting all paints, and
+      flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions,
+      I will forthwith betake my self to the
+      discovery of all, whatsoever I both
+      saw, and heard from Elias the Artist
+      touching this. For truly, I was not so
+      intimately familiar with him, as that
+      he should instruct me in the way of preparing
+      the Universal Medicine,
+      after the Method of Physico-artificial
+      Chimistry: yet he supplyed me
+      with such Reasons in the Method of
+      Healing, as I shall never be able to
+      commend his worth with condigne
+      Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
+      and true Lovers of the Chimical Art,
+      accept of this little work,
+      as a mean Gift, or if you had rather,
+      peruse if only for recreation of the
+      mind; for in it I shall relate all things
+      whatsoever, that were discoursed of
+      between him and me, at several times:
+      humbly requesting, that with the same
+      benevolence you have received other
+      of my small Treatises, you would also
+      accept of this Novel, which I freely
+      dedicate, and officiously give to you,
+      for a motion, and increase of Admiration.
+      Farewel, avete, favete.
+
+Your most humble
+
+John Fredrick Helvetius.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.I.
+
+
+Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs.
+Before I enter upon the Description
+of the Philosophick PIGMY, (in
+this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming
+and subduing GIANTS, I pray permit me here to use
+the words of Vanhelmont, taken out of
+his Book De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630.
+and here Transcribed.
+
+I compelled to believe, that
+there is an Aurifick, and Argentick Stone.
+But (Friend of the
+Spagyrick Art) I am not ignorant,
+that many have been found among
+the most wise, yea among the exquisite
+Chimists, who have not only
+consumed their own Goods, but
+the Goods of others also, in this
+Great Vulanick Secret, as Experience
+even at this very day sufficiently
+proves. For we have seen,
+the more is the pity! how unwary
+Chimists, yea such as are more
+worthy, than those who are called
+Alchimists; how, I say, they,
+labouring simply, are daily deluded
+with Guile of this kind, by Diabolick,
+Aurifick, and Argentick Suckgoods.
+Also I know, that many
+Stupid Men will rise up, and contradict
+the truth of my true Experience,
+touching the Philosophick
+Stone. One will have it to be a
+work of the Devil; another affirms
+there is no such thing; a
+third faith it is the Soul of Gold
+only, and that with an Ounce of that
+Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more
+may be again tinged: but this is
+repugnant to the Attestation of
+Kifflerus, as I shall briefly commemorate;
+a fourth believes the
+Verity and Possibility thereof, but
+faith it is so chargeable, as it will
+never quit Cost; with many other
+like Allegations. Yet I wonder
+not at this, for according to this
+Saying,
+
+
+      Quorum rationem non intelligimus,
+      miramur,
+      Que vero pernoscere volupe est,
+      rimamur.
+
+      What we cannot attain to, we admire,
+      But what to know is pleasing, do
+      desire.
+
+
+How can a Man, fallen from the
+Fountain of Light, into the Abyss
+of Darkness, effect any thing to
+purpose, in Natural things, especially
+when his Wisdome in this
+natural Philosophick Study is barren
+and sophisticate? It is, for the
+most part, proper to these Fools and
+unapt men, presently to contemn
+a thing, not knowing, that more
+are yet to be sought by them, than
+they have the possession of. Therefore,
+rightly saith Seneca, in lib. de
+Moribus: Thou art not yet happy,
+if the Rout deride thee not. But I
+matter not, whether they believe,
+or contradict what I write, touching
+the Transmutation of Metals.
+I rest satisfied in this one thing,
+which with my eyes I have seen,
+and what with my hands I have
+done. For what Philosophers say
+of themselves, I also have with my
+hands handled this Spark of the
+Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine
+Catholick Magnesia of Philosophers,
+a Fire of potency sufficient
+to penetrate Stones, yea, a
+Treasure of so great value, as 20
+Tun of Gold cannot exceed the
+price thereof. What seek you?
+I believe what I have seen with the
+eyes of Thomas, and handled as he,
+(but in the nature of things only)
+as well as the Adept Philosophers;
+although in this our decrepit age
+of the world, That be accounted a
+most Secret Hyperphysico-magical
+Saturn, and not known, unless
+to some Cabalistick Christian only.
+We judge him the most happy of
+all Physicians, who hath the
+knowledge of this pleasant Medicinal
+potion of our Mercury, or of
+the Medicine of the Son of our Esculapius
+resisting the force of death,
+against which there is no Panacea
+otherwise produced in Gardens.
+Moreover, the most wise GOD doth
+not reveal his Gifts of Solomon
+promiscuously to all Mortals. They
+indeed seem strange to them, when
+they behold a Creature, from the
+occult Magnetick potency incited
+in it self, deduced into art by its own
+like; as for Example: In Iron is
+a Magnetick, ingenited, potential
+virtue from the Magnet: a Magnetick
+virtue in Gold from Mercury:
+a Magnetick virtue in Silver
+from Venus, or Copper: and
+so consequently in all Metals, Minerals,
+and Stones, Herbs, and
+Plants, &c.
+
+Moreover, I may properly quæry,
+which of the wisest Philosophers
+is so Sage, as to be able to
+comprehend with the acuteness of
+his own most dextrous ingeny,
+with what Obumbracle the Imaginative
+Tinging, Venemons,
+or Monstrous Faculty of any pregnant
+Woman, compleats its work in
+one Moment, if it be deduced
+into art by some External Object?
+
+I do assuredly believe, that very
+many will foolishly say, that this is
+a Mortomagical Work of the Devil;
+but the Doltish and Ignorant
+are affraid to be out-shined by the
+true resplendent Light of Verity,
+with which their Owl-like Sight
+is troubled, and afflicted.
+
+Also the Stars are a cause of
+what we treat of, and this cause is
+not to be contemned, although I,
+nor you, know not how to comprehend
+the Celestial Influences of
+them in our mind. Nor are the
+Plants, which the Earth supplies
+us with, to be rejected, although
+I; or you, from the External Signature
+of them, know not how to
+judge aright of the Effect of Virtues
+ingenited in them, which they
+notoriously exercise, according
+to their power, in healing and
+conserving Humane bodies. Therefore,
+since all others are also offended
+at the Internal Light, being
+ignorant of all abstruse things, of
+which you, or I, want the Science,
+how can the same Virtues be deduced
+into art, according to the
+end for which they were created?
+A thousand other like things
+might be instanced. Although
+you know not the Splendour in
+Angels, the Candour in the Heavens,
+the Perspicuity in the Air,
+Limpitude in Waters, the variety
+of Colours in Flowers, hardness
+of Metals and Stones, Proportion
+in Animals, the Image of GOD
+in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers,
+and Reason in the Soul;
+yet in them there is such a beauty,
+as hath been throughly beheld,
+and fully known by very few Mortals.
+
+Although in the Stone of Philosophers
+there be so potent a virtue,
+and the same hath been seen
+by me, yet I would not therefore
+have any man to think, that my
+primary Scope, and intention, is
+to perswade the worthy, or unworthy
+Sons of this Age, to labour
+in this work, no, not at all:
+but I shall rather dehort all, and
+every of the curious Indagators of
+this Art, that they seriously abstain
+from this most perilous Arcanum,
+as from a certain Sanctum
+Sanctorum; yea, and I would admonish
+the Studious of this Arcanum,
+accurately to take heed to
+himself, and beware of the Lectures,
+and Association of false
+Philosophers. But I hope I shall
+satisfie the curious Naturalists,
+or investigators of Physical Arcanums,
+by communicating and publishing
+in this present Discourse, all
+which passed between Elias the Artist,
+and Me, touching the Nature
+of the Stone of Philosophers.
+For that is an Ens more Effulgent
+than the Morning, or a Carbuncle:
+more splendid, than the Sun, or
+Gold: more fair, than the Moon,
+or Silver: so very Recreable,
+and Amiable, was the sight of this
+Light, and most pleasing Object
+to me, as out of my inward Mind,
+it cannot be obliterated, or extinguished
+by any Oblivion; although
+the same be credited by none of the
+fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant
+Asses, and such as glory only
+in the praise of ambitious Eloquence.
+For in this malignant
+ulcerated age of the world,
+nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies,
+but it is taken in a wrong
+Sense, and perverted unworthily
+by the Idiotick Ignorance of
+mad-brain'd CacoZelots.
+So very farr do
+all these dark-sighted men deviate
+from the true rule of Verity,
+as in success of time, they, intangled
+with their own Errors, will
+miserably wast away and expire;
+but our Assertion, built on the
+Eternal Foundation of Triumphing
+Verity, shall continue and remain,
+unto the Consummation of
+all ages, without diminution, although
+this art be not yet known
+to all Mortals. For the Adept Philosophers,
+according to the antient
+Faith of their experience, have
+affirmed, that this Natural Mystery
+(which many anxious men
+have sinistrously sought, and required)
+is only to be found with
+Jehovah, Saturninely placed in the
+Centre of the World. In the
+mean while, we proclaim those
+happy, who take care, by the help
+of art, how they may wash this
+Philosophick Queen, or how they
+ought to circulate the Virgin-Catholick-Earth,
+in Physico-Magical
+Crystalline Artifice, as Khunradus.
+did; they only, and none others
+besides them, shall see the Crowned,
+and internally fiery King of
+Philosophers, coming forth from
+his Glassy Sepulchre, in an external
+fiery Body glorified, more then
+perfect with all the Colours in the
+world, as a shining Carbuncle, or
+perspicuous, compact and ponderous
+Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out
+Waters, and by the benefit
+thereof in the Fire washing Leprous
+Metals, as I my self have seen.
+What? How shall they see the
+Abyss of the Spagyrick Art? when
+as this Royal Art hath so long lain
+hid, and been absconded in the
+Mineral Kingdom, as in the Safest
+of all Secret places, for so very many
+years? Assuredly the Genuine
+Sons of this Laudable Art, shall
+not only behold a like Flood of
+Numicius, in which Æneas heretofore,
+by the command of Venus,
+washed and absolved from his Immortality,
+was immediately transformed
+into an immortal God; but
+also the Lydian River of Pactolus
+all transmuted into Gold, and how
+Midas Mygdonius washed himself
+in the same. Likewise those candid
+Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious
+order behold the Bathing-place of
+naked Diana, the Fountain of Narcissus
+and Scylla walking in the Sea,
+without garments, by reason of the
+most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly
+also the Blood of Pyramus and
+Thisbe, of it self collected, by the
+help of which, white Mulberries
+are tinged into Red; partly also
+the Blood of Adonis, by the descending
+Goddess Venus transformed
+into a Rose of Anemona; partly
+likewise the Blood of Ajax, from
+which arose that most beautiful
+flower the Violet; partly also the
+Blood of the Giants slain by Jupiters
+thunder-bolt; partly also the
+Shed Tears of Althea, when she put
+off her Golden Vestments; and
+partly the Drops, which fell from
+the decocted Water of Medea, by
+which green things immediatly
+sprang out of the Earth; partly
+also the cocted Potion of Medea,
+made of various Herbs, gathered
+always three dayes before full
+Moon, for the cure of Jasons aged
+Father; partly also those Leaves,
+by the tast of which, the nature of
+Gaucus was changed into Neptune;
+partly also the Exprest Juice of
+Jason, by the benefit of which, he,
+in the Land of Cholcons, received
+the Golden Fleece, afterward by
+reason of that, compleatly armed, he
+fought in the Feild of Mars, not
+without the hazard of Life; partly
+also the Garden of the Hesperides,
+where Golden Apples may be gathered
+from the Trees; partly also
+Hippomenes running for the Mastery
+with Atalanta, and staying her
+Course, and so overcoming her
+with three Golden Apples, the Gifts
+of Venus; partly also the Aurora of
+Cephalus, partly also Romulus transformed
+by Jupiter into a God;
+partly also the Soul of Julius Cæsar, by
+the Goddess Venus, transfigured into
+a Comet, and placed among the
+Stars; partly also Python, Juno's
+Serpent, arising out of the putrid
+Earth (after Deucalions Flood)
+made hot by the Rayes of the Sun;
+partly also the Fire, with which
+Medea kindled seven Lights;
+partly also the Moon, inflamed by the
+burning of Phæton; partly also the
+Withered Olive Branch, a new;
+flourishing and bearing Fruit;
+yea, becoming a new and tender
+Olive Tree; partly also Arcadia,
+where Jupiter was wont to walk;
+partly also the Habitation of Pluto,
+at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed
+Cerberus; & also partly that
+Mountain, where Hercules burned
+all his Members, received from the
+Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts
+of the Father remained Fixed, and
+incombustible in Fire, and nothing
+of his Life was destroyed, but he,
+at length, was transmuted into a God.
+Likewise we will not forget
+those Germans, the Sons of true
+Philosophers, who entred into a
+Country-house, at length transformed
+into a Temple, whose Covering
+was made of pure Gold. Certainly,
+I cannot choose, but must yet once
+more with acclamation, say with
+the Adept: O happy, and thrice
+happy is that Artificer, who by the
+most merciful benediction of the
+highest, Jehovah pursues the Art of
+Confecting, and preparing that
+(as it were, Divine) Salt, by the
+Efficacious Operation of which, a
+Metallick, or Mineral body, is
+corrupted, destroyed, and dyes;
+yet the Soul thereof is in the mean
+while revived, to a glorious Resurrection
+of a Philosophick Body. Yea,
+I say, most happy is the Son
+of that man, who, by his Prayers,
+obtains this Art of Arts, unto the
+glory of GOD. For it is most
+certain, that this Mystery can be
+known no other way, unless it
+be drawn and imbibed from GOD,
+the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore,
+let every serious Lover of
+this inestimable Art judge, that the
+whole work of him required, is,
+that he constantly, with the prayer
+of true faith, in all his labour,
+implore and solicite the Divine
+Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the
+solemn manner of GOD alone is,
+candidly and liberally, either mediately
+or immediately, to communicate
+his gifts and benefits, to
+none, unless to candid and liberal
+Ingenies only. In this holy way
+of practical Piety, all Inquisitors
+of profound Arts, find what they
+seek, when they, in their work,
+exercise themselves Theosophically
+by solitary Colloquies with
+Jehovah, with a pure Heart and
+Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly
+Sophia, indeed, willingly embraces
+our friendship, presenting,
+and offering to us, her inexhaustible
+Rivolets, most full of gracious
+goodness and benevolence. But,
+happy is he, to whom the Royal
+way, in which he is to walk, shall
+be shown by some One expert in
+this Arcanum.
+
+I seem to presage to my self, that
+I have not equally satisfied all Readers
+in this Preface; but it is, as
+if I did presume to teach them an
+Art, unknown to my self; yet I
+hope better of the greatest part of
+them. For my intention was, only
+to relate to you a certain History.
+Therefore, Drink, my Friends, of
+the following Dialogue, or Springing
+Colloquy, presented by me,
+wishing you well, that thence
+you may satisfie, and allay all the
+Thirst of your Thirsting Minds:
+for I doubt not in the least, but
+that this Study of Divine Wisdome,
+will be more sweet to you,
+than Nectar and Ambrosia. No
+other will I communicate, no other
+have I common, then that of Jul.
+Cæs. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen,
+is the Communication of Wisdome:
+according to that of Gregory
+Nyßen: He who is Good, in Nature,
+the same very willingly communicates
+his Goods to others. For it is the
+part of good Men, to be profitable
+to others.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+Divers Ilustrious men have
+written touching the Verity
+of this Arcanum, among these,
+take the Sayings of some of them,
+as follows.
+
+PARACELSUS
+In his Book Of the Signature of Natural
+ things.
+
+
+      The Tincture of Naturalists, is
+      a, true sign, that by the transmutative
+      virtue thereof, all imperfect
+      Metals are changed, viz. the
+      White into Silver, and the Red
+      into the best Gold, if an exceeding small
+      part of this Medicine well
+      prepared, be injected upon the
+      Metal, while in flux in a Crucible,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For the invincible Astrum of
+      Metals overcomes all things, and
+      changeth into a Nature like it self,
+      &c. This Gold and Silver is more noble,
+      and better, than those,
+      which are dug out of Metallick
+      Mines; for Medicinal Arcanums
+      to be prepared therefrom.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      Therefore, I say every Alchimist,
+      which hath the Astrum of
+      Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals
+      into Gold, &c.
+
+The same.
+
+
+      Our Tincture of Gold hath
+      Astrums in it self, is a Substance
+      most fixed, and in multiplication
+      immutable. It is a Powder, haveing
+      a colour most red, almost like
+      Saffron, yet its whole Corporal
+      Substance, is liquid as Rosin, perspicuous
+      as Crystal, brittle as
+      Glass, of the colour of a Rubie,
+      and exceeding poaderous, &c.
+
+
+Also read Paracelsus his Heaven
+of Philosophers.
+
+Likewise, Paracelsus his Seventh
+Book, Of the Transmutation of Natural
+things.
+
+
+      Transmutation is a great natural
+      Mystery, Metallick, and not
+      contrary to the Course of Nature,
+      nor repugnant to the Order of
+      GOD, as many men of it do falsly
+      judge. For imperfect Metals, are
+      changed neither into Gold, nor into
+      Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.
+
+
+
+Paracelsus, in his Manual of the
+Medicinal Stone of philosophers.
+
+
+      Our Stone is a Celestial, and
+      more than perfect Medicine, because
+      it cleanseth all the impurities
+      of Metals, &c.
+
+
+HENRY KHUNRADUS
+
+In his Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience.
+
+      I travelled long, invited others,
+      who knew somewhat by experience,
+      and could with very firm
+      judgement conjecture; and this not
+      alwayes in vain. Among which,
+      I call God to witness, by his wonderful
+      ordination, I, from one,
+      received the Green Catholick
+      Lyon, and the Blood of the Lyon,
+      viz. Gold, not the Vulgar, but of
+      Philosophers, with my Eyes I saw
+      the same, with my hands, I handled
+      it, and with my Nostrils, smelt
+      the odour thereof. O how wonderful
+      is God in his Works! They,
+      I say, gave those Gifts prepared,
+      which I in most desperate Cases,
+      used with admirable success to the
+      benefit of my needy Neighbour.
+      And (by Instinct of Jehovah's
+      mercy) they sincerely revealed to
+      me, the wayes of preparing, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      This wonderful Method, the
+      wonderful God gave me. In this
+      way, in which I walked, God
+      alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
+      yet subdelegately,  Nature,
+      Fire, and Art, of my Master,
+      as well living as mute, corporally,
+      and spiritually good, sleeping
+      and waking, gave the same to
+      me, &c,
+
+
+
+The same.
+
+      I write not Fables; with your
+      hands you shall handle, and with,
+      your eyes you shall see Azoth,
+      viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
+      Mercury of Philosophers; which
+      alone, with the Internal and External
+      Fire, yet with Sympathetick
+      Harmony, with Olympick
+      Fire (by reason of inevitable necessity)
+      Physico-magically united,
+      will suffice thee for obtaining our
+      Stone, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      You shall see, the Stone of Philosophers;
+      our King, and Lord of those
+      that bare rule, coming from his
+      Bridal Throne of the Glassy Sepulchre,
+      into this Mundane Scene,
+      in his glorified body, viz, regenerate,
+      and more then perfect:
+      namely, a shining Carbuncle, a
+      most temperate Splendour; and
+      of which, tire most Subtile, and
+      Depurated parts, are by the concordant
+      peace of Mixtion, inseparably
+      united into One, and perfectly
+      equallized, clear as Crystal,
+      compact, and most ponderous, as
+      fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before
+      the flight of Mercury, as Wax
+      flowing, yet without fume, entring
+      and penetrating, solid and
+      close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable
+      in every Liquor, melting,
+      and commiscible therewith; brittle
+      as Glass, in Powder, of the
+      colour of Saffron, but in the intire
+      Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
+      (which Redness is a sign of perfect
+      Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
+      permanently Colouring, or Tinging;
+      in all Examens whatsoever,
+      even of Sulphur adurtive, and
+      in Tryals of corroding Waters,
+      and in the most vehement persecution
+      of Fire, fixed, alwayes during,
+      and unburnable; permanent as the
+      Salamander, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      The Stone of Philosophers in
+      the greater World, is in the parts
+      thereof, fermented; by reason of
+      the Ferment, it transforms it self
+      into whatsoever it will &c.
+      Hence you may learn the reason,
+      why Philosophers on their Azoth imposed
+      the name of Mercury which
+      adheres to bodies, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      It is fermented with Metals, viz,
+      the White existant in the highest
+      Whiteness, with pure Silver for
+      the White; but the Sanguineous
+      Stone, with Gold Obrizon for
+      the Red. And this is the Work
+      of three dayes, &c.
+
+
+HELMONT, Of Eternal Life
+
+
+      For I have oftentimes seen it,
+      and with, my hands handled the
+      same, &c. See in the same place
+      further. Then I projected this
+      quarter of one Grane, wrapt up in
+      Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive,
+      hot in a Crucible, and immediately
+      the whole Hydrargyry,
+      with some little noise ceased to
+      flow, and remained congealed like
+      yellow Wax: after fusion thereof,
+      by blowing the bellows, there
+      were found eight Ounces of Gold,
+      wanting eleven Grane. Therefore,
+      one Grane of this Powder,
+      transmutes 19186 equal parts of
+      Argentvive, into the best Gold.
+
+      Within the Earth, the aforesaid
+      Powder is found, or what is in a
+      sort like thereunto, which transmutes
+      almost an infinite Mass of
+      impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
+      uniting the same to it self, it defends
+      from Rust, and Ærugo, from
+      Cankring, and Death, and maketh
+      the same, as it were, immortal,
+      against all torture of Fire, and Art,
+      and transfers it into the Virgin-purity
+      of Gold; it requires only
+      heat.
+
+The same Helmont, Of the Tree
+of Life.
+
+      I am compelled to believe the
+      Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone;
+      because at several distinct: times,
+      with my own hand, made projection
+      of one Grane of this Powder,
+      upon some thousands of Granes of
+      Argentvive hot in a Crucible; and
+      in the presence of our principal
+      friends, the business, with a pleasing
+      admiration, succeeded well in the Fire:
+      as our books promise Thee,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      He, who first gave me the Powder,
+      had at least, so much thereof,
+      as would be sufficient for transmuting
+      two hundred thousand
+      pound weight of Metal, into
+      Gold, &c..
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For he gave to me not so much
+      as half a grane of that Powder,
+      and with that were transmuted nine
+      ounces, and three quarters of an ounce
+      of Argetitvive. That was
+      given me one Evening by a strange
+      Friend, &c
+
+
+The same
+
+      So also it is written, that sixty
+      years since, Alexander Scotus, made
+      projection of that kinde, in the
+      trust: famous City of Colonia and
+      Hanovia, &c..
+
+
+I cannot in this place over-pass,
+some Examples worthy of note,
+touching the possibility of
+Transmutation.
+
+Read the following true Extract
+out of an Epistle written by Doctor
+Kufflerus.
+
+
+      Kufflerus: Artist, I found-in my
+      own Laboratory, an Aqua-fortis.
+      Secondly, I again found another
+      in the Laboratory, Caroli de Roy;
+      this Aqua-Fortis I poured upon the
+      Calx of Sol, prepared of Gold, in
+      the Vulgar manner, and after the
+      third Cohobation, it sublimed the
+      Tincture of Gold with it self in the
+      Neck of the Retort; this Tincture
+      I mixed with Silver, precipited in
+      the vulgar manner, and I saw that
+      one ounce of the sublimed Tincture
+      of Gold, with ordinary Flux in a
+      Crucible, had transmuted one
+      ounce, and halfe of the two ounces
+      of precipitate Silver, into the best
+      Gold: but a third part of the Silver
+      yet remaining, was a white and
+      fixed Gold: the other two parts
+      thereof were perfect Silver, fixed
+      in every examen of Fire. This is
+      my experience, after this time, we
+      could never find the like Aqua-fortis.
+      I Helvetius saw this Gold
+      white, and without Tincture.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      There is yet one other Example
+      very rare; of what was done at
+      the Hague by a Silver-Smith, whose
+      name was Grill: how he in the year
+      1664. by Spirit of Salt, not
+      prepared in the Vulgar manner,
+      transmuted Lead so, as from one
+      pound, he received three parts of
+      the best Silver, and two ounces of
+      most fixed Gold.
+
+      At the Hague, a certain Silver-Smith,
+      and a much exercised Disciple
+      of Alchimy, but according to
+      the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
+      man; did sometime since require
+      Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared,
+      of a loving Friend of Mine, a
+      Cloath-Dyer, by name, John Casparus
+      Knottnerus. My Friend giving
+      the same to him; demanded,
+      whether he would use that Spirit
+      of Salt, he now had, for Metals,
+      or not? Grill made answer; for
+      Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
+      powred this Spirit of Salt
+      upon Lead, which he had put into
+      a Glass Dish, usual for Conditures
+      and Confections. The space of two
+      Weeks being elapsed, supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a
+      most splendid Silver-Starre, so exceeding
+      curious, as if it had been
+      made With an Instrument by a most
+      ingenious Artist. At the sight of
+      which, the said Grill, filled with
+      Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that
+      he had seen the Signate Star of
+      Philosophers, touching which he
+      had read in Basilius, as he thought.
+      I, and many other honest Men,
+      did behold this Star supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, the lead in
+      the mean while remaining in the
+      bottom of an ash colour, and swollen like
+      a Sponge. But in the space
+      of seven or nine dayes, that humidity
+      of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed
+      by the exceeding heat of the
+      Aire, in July, did vanish; but the
+      Star settled down, and still stood
+      above that Earthly Spongeous Lead.
+      That was a thing worthy of admiration,
+      and beheld by not a few
+      Spectators. At length Grill himself
+      having taken part of Cinereous,
+      or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
+      adhering, cupellated in a Test,
+      and found from one ounce of this
+      Lead, twelve ounces of Cupellate
+      Silver, and from these twelve ounces,
+      he also had two ounces of the
+      best Gold. And I Helvetius am able
+      to shew some of this Spongeous
+      Lead with part of the Star yet adhering,
+      & besides the pieces of the Star
+      the Silver and Gold made thereof.
+      Which when this Subtile (and
+      Likewise Foolish) Grill understood,
+      he would not be known to Knottterus,
+      whether he had used the
+      Spirit of Salt, or not; but thenceforth
+      attempted to learn of him
+      the Art how to make it; yet some
+      time being Elapsed, the worthy
+      Knottnerus had for got what Spirit
+      of salt (for he was expert in
+      various kinds thereof) he had given
+      him; not being able to call
+      the same to mind so suddenly: in
+      the mean while, he and his Family
+      were visited with the Pestilence
+      and dyed: the other falling into
+      the Water was drowned. After
+      the death of these two, none
+      could find out the way of either of
+      their Operations.
+
+      Certainly here is cause of Admiration,
+      that the Internal Nature
+      of Lead, by the simple maturation
+      of Spirit of Salt, should appear
+      in an external form so noble.
+      No less admirable and wonderful
+      to the mind is this, viz. that the
+      mirifick Stone of Philosophers can
+      so exceeding swiftly transmute
+      Metals; having virtue potentially
+      insited in it self, so as it is deduced
+      into Art, as in Iron by contact
+      of the Magnet. But touching
+      These enough for the Sons of Art.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+Since promises are so much the better
+esteemed, by how much the sooner
+they are fulfilled, I, without any
+dilation, immediately come to my
+promised Declaration of the following
+History, which thus take.
+
+
+At the Hague, on the sixth Calend
+of January or the 27th.
+of December, in the year 1666, a
+certain man came to my House in
+the Afternoon, to me indeed planely
+unknown, but endued with an
+honest gravity, and serious authority
+of Countenance, cloathed in
+a Plebick Habit, like to some
+Memnonite of a middle Stature,
+his Visage somewhat long, with
+some Pock-holes here and there dispersed:
+his Hairs were indeed very
+black, yet not curled, little or no
+no hair on his Chin, and about
+three or four and fourty years of
+Age: his Countrey (as far as I
+am able to conjecture) is the Septentrional
+Batavia, vulgarly called Nord Hollund.
+
+After salutations ended, his new
+Guest, with great Reverence, asked,
+whether he might have freedom to
+come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick
+Art sake, he could not, nor
+was he willing to pass by the Door
+of my house; adding, that he had
+not only thought to have made use
+of some Friend to come to me,
+but had also read some of my little
+Treaties, especially that, which I
+published against D. Digbies Sympathetick
+Powder, in which I discovered
+my doubt of the true Philosophick
+Mystery. Therefore, this
+occasion being taken, he asked me,
+whether I could believe, that place
+was given to such a Mystery in the
+things of Nature, by the benefit of
+which a Physician might be able to
+cure all Diseases universally, unless
+the Sick already had a defect either
+of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any
+like noble Member? To which I
+answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding
+necessary for a Physician,
+but no man knows, what and how
+great are the Secrets yet hidden in
+Nature, nor did I ever, in all my
+Life see such an Adept Man, although
+I have read and perused
+many things, touching the verity
+of this thing, or Art, in the Writings
+of Philosophers. I also enquired
+of him, whether he (speaking
+of the Universal Medicine) were
+not a Physician? But he answering
+by denyal, professed, that he
+was no other than a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and that in the Flower of
+his years, he had known many
+things, from his Friend, rare to
+the Sight, and especially the way
+of Extracting Medicinal Arcanums
+by the force of Fire, and that for
+this very cause, he was a Lover of
+this so noble Science of Medicine.
+Moreover, long after other discourses,
+touching Experiments in Metals,
+made by the violence of Fire,
+Elias the Artist spake to me thus;
+Do not you know the Highest Secret,
+when it is offered to your sight,
+viz. the Stone of Phylosophers,
+you having read in the Writings
+of many Chymists most excellent,
+touching the Substance, Colour,
+and strange effect of the same?
+I answered, not at all; except what
+I have read in Paracelsus, Helmont,
+Basilius, Sandivogius, and like Books
+of Adept Phylosophers extant. Nevertheless,
+I think, I am not able
+to know the Phylosophick Matter,
+whether it be true, or not, although
+I should see it present before me.
+
+Whilst I was speaking thus, he
+pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory
+Box, in which he had three ponderous
+Fragments, in magnitude
+scarcely equalizing a small Walnut;
+these were Glass-like, of the colour
+of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior
+Scales of that Crucible did adhere,
+in which this most noble
+Substance was liquified, for I
+suppose the Value of it might
+equalize twenty Tun of Gold. But
+after I had plighted my Faith, I
+held that [Greek: cheimhêlion], [or pretious
+Treasure] of this Stone, within these
+my hands for almost a quarter of an
+hour, and from the Philosophick
+Mouth of the Owner, I heard many
+things worthy of note, touching
+the Wonderful Effect of the same,
+for humane and Metallick bodies.
+Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly
+afflicted Mind, restored this Treasure
+of Treasures to him, the Lord
+and Possessor, who gave the same
+into my hand for a very short
+space of time; and yet I did that (after
+the manner of Men overcoming
+themselves) not without the
+greatest action of thanks, as was
+fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked
+him, how it came to pass, (since
+I had otherwise read, that the
+Stones of Philosophers, were endowed
+with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour)
+that this his Philosophick
+Stone was tinged with a Sulphureous
+Colour? He answered me
+thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the
+purpose: for the Matter is Sufficiently
+mature. Moreover, when
+I entreated him, that he would
+give to me, for a perpetual remembrance,
+one small part of the Medicine
+included in his Box, although
+no more in bulk than a
+Coriander-Seed; he denied, answering:
+O no! For this is not
+lawful for me to do, although you
+would give me this whole Roome
+full of Gold in Duckets; and that not
+by reason of the price of the Matter,
+but by reason of another certain
+Consequence; Yea, surely,
+if it were possible, that Fire could
+be burned with Fire, I would sooner
+cast this whole Substance into
+the devouring Flames of Vulcan,
+before your Eyes. A little after
+this, he also asked me, whether
+I had not another Room, the
+Windows of which were not to
+the Street-side; I presently brought
+this Phænix, or Bird most rare to
+be seen in this Land, into my best
+furnished Chamber; yet he, at his
+Entrance (as the manner of Hollanders
+is, in their Countryes)
+did not shake off his Shooes, which
+were dropping wet with Snow.
+I indeed, at that very time, thus
+thought: perhaps he will provide,
+or hath in readiness some Treasure
+for me; but he dash'd my
+hope all to pieces. For he immediatey
+asked of me a piece of the
+best Gold-mony; and in the mean
+while layed off his Cloak, and
+Country Coat; also he opened
+his Bosom, and under his Shirt
+he wore in green Silk, five great
+Golden Pendants, round, filling up
+the magnitude of the Interior Space
+of an Orb of Tin. Where, in
+comparing these, in respect of
+Colour and Flexibility, the difference
+between his Gold, and
+mine, was exceeding great. On
+these Pendants he had inscribed
+with an Iron Instrument, the following
+Words, which, at my
+request, he gave leave I should coppy out.
+
+The form of the Pendants, and
+words engraven thereon, are as
+follows.
+
+
+
+
+      I.
+      AMEN
+      Holy, Holy, Holy
+      is the Lord our
+      GOD, for all
+      things are full of
+      his Power.
+      Leo: Libra.
+
+      II.
+      The wonderfull
+      wonder-working
+      wisdome of JEHOVAH
+      in the Catholick
+      Book of
+      Nature. Made the
+      26. day Aug. 1666.
+
+      [Alchemical symbols: Gold, Mercury, Silver]
+      The wonderfull
+      GOD, Nature
+      and he Spagyrick
+      Art, make
+      nothing in vain.
+
+      Sacred, Holy Spirit
+      Hallelujha
+      Hallelujha
+      Away Devil,
+      Speak not of
+      GOD without
+      Light, Amen.
+
+      The Eternal Invisible,
+      only wise,
+      Best of all and omnipotent
+      GOD of
+      Gods; Holy, Holy,
+      Holy, Governour &
+      Conserver deservedly
+      ought to be praysed.
+
+
+Moreover, when I, affected with
+admiration said to him; My
+Master, I pray tell me, where had
+you this greatest Science of the
+whole World? He answered, I
+received such Magnalia from the
+Communication of a certain Extraneous
+Friend, who for certain
+dayes lodged in my House, professing,
+that, he was a Lover of
+Art, and came to teach me various
+Arts; viz. how, besides the
+aforesaid, of Stones and Crystal,
+most beautiful precious Stones are
+made much more fair than Rubies,
+Chrysolites, Saphires, and
+others of that kind. Also how to
+prepare a Crocus Martis in a quarter
+of an hour of which one only
+Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery
+Likewise a Metallic
+Liquor, by the help of which, every
+species of the Dropsy may be
+cured certainly in four dayes space
+Also a certain Limpid Water, more
+sweet, than Hony, by the help of
+which, I can extract the Tincture
+of Granates, Corals, and of all
+Glasses blown by Artificers, in the
+space of two hours in hot sand only.
+Many other things like to these
+he told me, which I neither well
+observed, nor committed to
+memory; because my intention was:
+carryed further, viz. to learn the
+Art of pressing that so noble
+juice out of Metals for Metals;
+but the Shadow in Waters deceived
+the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
+which was substantial. Moreover,
+this Artist told me that his Master,
+who taught him this Art, bad him
+bring Glass full of Rain water,
+with which he mixed a very small:
+quantity of a most white pouder;
+commanding me, (here the Disciple
+of that Master proceeds in
+his Discourse) to go to the Silver-Smith,
+for one ounce of Cupellate
+Silver, laminate, [or beat
+very thin,] which Silver was dissolved
+in a quarter of an hour, as
+Ice in hot water. Then he presently
+gave to me one half of this
+potion, by himself so speedily
+made, to drink; which in my
+mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I
+thence became very cheerful.
+
+He having related these things,
+I ceased not to enquire of him, to
+what end he had instanced this?
+Whether the Potion was Philosophick?
+To this, he answered, You
+must not be so curious.
+
+
+Afterward, he told me, how he,
+by the command of that Laudable
+Artist his Master, took a piece of
+the Leaden gutter of his house,
+and when the Lead was melted in
+a now Crucible, the said Artist
+drew out off his pocket a Gasket
+full of Sulphureous Powder, of
+which, he took a very small part
+upon the point of a knife, once,
+and again, and injected the same;
+upon the Lead in Flux; presently.
+giving order, that the fire should
+be blown with two pair of Bellows
+strongly, for exciting the heat
+more vehemently; a little after
+he powred out of the crucible,
+most pure Gold, upon the Red
+stones, which were in the Kitchen.
+I (said this most pleasing discourser
+to me) did commodiously
+behold this verity of the Transmutation
+of Metals, but was so astonished
+with fear and admiration,
+that I was Scarcely able to speak
+one word; But my Master heartning
+me, said; Cheer, up and be
+contented: take for your self a
+sixteenth part of this Mass, which
+keep For a Memorandum; but the
+other fifteen parts distribute to the
+poor: and I did as he said.
+For, (if my memory deceive
+me not) he bestowed this exceeding
+great Alms, on the Sparrendamen
+Church; but whether, he
+gave it at distinct times Or not, or
+whether he told it down in the
+Substance of Gold, or of Silver, I
+asked him not.
+
+And at length (saith he speaking
+of his Master) he directly
+taught me this great divine Art.
+
+Therefore, the; Narration of all
+these things being ended, I most
+humbly entreated him, that he
+would shew me the effect of Transmutation
+upon impure Metals, that
+I thence might have the better assurance
+of those things by him related
+to me, and my Faith being
+confirmed, securely give credit to
+the real Truth of the matter. But
+he very discreetly gave me the repulse;
+yet taking his leave of me,
+he promised to return again
+after three Weeks, and then shew
+to me certain curious Arts, by Fire,
+as also the way of projecting; making
+this Provisoe, if it should
+then be lawful for him. The three
+Weeks being elapsed, according
+to his word, he Came to my House,
+and invited me to walk abroad
+with him for one hour, or two,
+as we both did, having in that
+Time Certain, Discourses of the
+Secrets of Nature in the fire, but
+in the mean while, this well spoken
+Companion in the way, was
+not lavish, but rather too sparing
+of his words, touching the great
+Secret; affirming, that this singular
+Mystery tended not, but to
+the alone magnifying of the most
+illustrious Fame of the most glorious
+God; and that very few men
+considered, how they might; condignly
+Sacrifice; themselves by
+their Works to so great a God
+uttering these Expressions no otherwise,
+then as if he had been
+a Pastor of the Church. But I, in
+the mean time, fayled not to solicit
+him, to demonstrate to me the
+Transmutation of Metals. Moreover,
+I beseeched and intreated
+him, to vouchsafe to eat with me,
+and to lodge in my house, urging
+him with such Earnestness, as no
+Rival, or Lover, could ever use
+more perswasive Words, for winning
+his beloved to a willingness
+of gratifying him above all others:
+but he, agitated by a Spirit of so
+great constancy, made void of all I
+endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could
+not choose but speak to him thus:
+Sir, You see I have a very convenient
+Laboratory, in which you
+may shew me the Metallick
+Transmutation. For whosoever
+assents to him, that asketh,
+obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered
+he) bit I made a promise
+to you of imparting some things
+with this Exception, if at my, Return,
+I be not interdicted, but have
+leave to do the same.
+
+All, and every of these, my requests
+being in vain, I instantly, and earnestly
+besought him, that (if he
+would not, or by reason of the
+Heavenly Interdiction could not
+demonstrate what I asked) he
+would only give me so much of his
+Treasure, as would be sufficient
+for transmuting four grains of Lead
+into Gold. At this my request, he,
+after a little while, pouring forth
+a Flood of Philosophick Mercy,
+gave a small particle, as big as a
+Rape-Seed, saying: Take of the
+greatest Treasure of the World, which
+very few great Kings, or
+Princes could ever see. But I, saying
+my Master, this is so small particle
+perhaps will not be sufficient
+for tinging four granes of Lead.
+He answered; Give it me. I,
+accordingly gave it him, conceiving,
+good hope of receiving somewhat
+a greater particle instead thereof;
+but he breaking off the one half almost
+of it with his thumb-nayl,
+threw it into the fire, and wrapping
+the other up in blew paper,
+he gave to me, faying, It is yet
+sufficient for thee. To which, I with,
+a sad Countenance and perplexed
+Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What
+mean you by this? Before I doubted,
+and now I cannot believe,
+that so small a quantity of this Medicine
+will suffice for transmuting
+four grains of Lead; O, said he,
+if you cannot rightly handle your
+Lead in the Crucible, by reason
+of the so very small quantity thereof
+then take two drams, or
+half an ounce, or a little more of the
+lead, for more must not be
+tinged, then well may. To him
+I again said: I cannot, easily believe
+this, viz. that so little of the
+Tincture will transmute so great a
+quantity of Lead into Gold. But he,
+answered; what I say is true. In,
+mean, while, I, giving him
+great; thanks, inclosed my diminished
+and in the Superlative degree
+concentrated Treasure, in my
+own Casket, saying: To morrow
+I will make this Tryal; and give no
+notice to any Man thereof, as long as
+I live. Not so, not so, answered;
+he, but all things, which tend to
+the Glory of God Omnipotent,
+ought by us, singularly to be declared
+to the Sons of Art that we
+may live Theosophically, and not
+at all dye Sophistically.
+
+Then, I confessed to him; that
+when held the Mass of his Medicine, in that
+short space of time, I attempted
+to raze something there-from with
+my Finger Nayl, But I got no
+more, than a certain invisible
+Atome; and, when I had cleansed
+my nayl, and had injected the
+collected matter, wrapt in paper,
+upon Lead in Flux, I could see no
+Transmutation of it into Gold; but
+almost the whole Mass of Lead
+vanished into Aire, and the
+remaining Substance was transmuted into
+a Glassy Earth. At the
+hearing of this, he smiling, say'd
+You could more dexterously play
+the Thief, than apply the Tincture.
+I wonder, that you, so expert
+in the Fire, do no better understand
+the fuming Nature of Lead.
+For if you had wrapped
+your Theft in yellow Wax, that it
+might have been conserved from
+the Fume of Lead, then it would so
+have penetrated into the Lead,
+as to have transmuted the same
+into Gold. But now a Sympathetick
+Operation was performed in
+Fume, and so the Medicine permixed
+with the Fume, flew away:
+For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury,
+and like Metals, are corrupted
+by Lead Vapours, and
+likewise converted to a brittle
+Glass. While he was thus speaking,
+I shewed him my Crucible,
+who, viewing the remaining Substance,
+perceived a most beautiful
+Saffron-coloured Tincture,
+adhering to the sides of the Crucible,
+and say'd, To-morrow at nine of
+the Clock, I will return, and
+shew you; how your Medicine
+must be used to transmute Lead
+into Gold. In which promise of
+him, I rested secure. Yet, in the
+mean while, I again and again
+requested information of him,
+whether this Philosophick Work,
+required great Charges in the preparing,
+and a very long Time.
+O my Friend, answered he, you very
+accurately affect to know all
+things, yet I will open this to
+you; The Charge is not great, nor
+is the Time long. But, as touching
+the matter of which our Arcanum
+is made, I would have you to
+know; there are only two Metals
+and Minerals, of which it is prepared.
+And because the Sulphur
+of Philosophers is more abundant
+in these Minerals, therefore it is
+made of them.
+
+Then I again asked him: What
+the Menstruum was, and whether
+the Operations were made in Glasses,
+or in Crucibles. He answered;
+The Menstruum is a Celestial Salt,
+or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by
+the benefit of which, Philosophers
+only dissolve the Terrene Metallick
+Body, and in dissolving, the
+noble Elixir of Philosophers is
+produced. But the Operation is,
+performed in a Crucible, from
+the beginning to the end, in an
+open Fire. And the Whole Work
+may be begun, and plainly ended
+in no longer time, then four dayes:
+Also in this whole Work, no greater
+Cost is required, then the value
+of three Florens. Lastly he added;
+Neither the Mineral, from Which,
+nor the Salt by Which, is of any
+great Price. I again said to him:
+My Master; This is strange, for
+it is repugnant to the sayings of
+various Philosophers, Who have
+writ, that at least seven, or nine
+Moneths are imployed in this
+Work. He answered: The true
+writings of Philosophers are only;
+understood by the truly Adept.
+Therefore, touching the Time,
+they would write nothing certain;
+yea; I say, no Lover of this Art,
+can find the Art of preparing this
+Mystery in his whole Life without
+the Communication of some
+true Adept Man. In this respect
+and for this Cause, I advise you,
+my Friend, because you have seen
+the true Matter of the true Work,
+not to forget your self, and thirsting
+after the perfection of this Art,
+to cast away your own Goods;
+for you can never find it out. Then
+I say'd: My Master, although I
+am so unknown to you, as you are
+unknown to me; nevertheless, since
+he was unknown to you who shewed
+you the way of finding out
+the Operation of this Arcanum,
+perhaps you may also, if you be
+willing, notifie to me somewhat,
+touching this Secret, that the
+most difficult Rudiments being overcome,
+I may (as the saying is)
+happily add somewhat to things already
+found out; for by the occasion
+of one thing found, another
+is not difficultly invented. But
+the Artist answered: In this Work
+the matter is not so, For unless
+you know the thing, from the beginning
+of the Work to the end,
+you know nothing thereof. Indeed
+I have told you enough, yet you
+are ignorant how the Stone of Philosophers
+is made, and again, how
+the Glassy Seal of Hermes is broaken,
+in which Sol gives forth Splendor
+from his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully
+coloured, and in which
+Speculum, the Eyes of Narcißus
+behold Metals transmutable, and
+from which Rayes the Adept gather
+their fire, by the help of
+which, Volatile Metals are fixed
+into most fixed Gold, or Silver.
+But enough for this time, because
+(God willing) on the Morrow,
+we shall have occasion of meeting
+yet once more, that we may talk together
+touching this Philosophick
+matter; and according as I said, at
+nine a Clock, I will come to your
+House, and shew you the way of
+Projecting. But with that happy
+Valediction for one night, that
+Elias the Artist hath left me most
+sad in expectation unto this very
+day. Yea, the Mercury of Philosophers
+did with him vanish into
+Aire; because from him I did no
+more again hear so much as one
+word. Yet he, (because he promised
+that he would come again
+to me betimes the next morning)
+half an hour before ten,
+sent to me another unknown man,
+signifying, that, that friend, who
+yesternight promised to revisit me
+this morning, by reason of other
+urgent business, could not come,
+nevertheless, at three of the Clock
+in the afternoon, he would again
+see me. But after I had, with a
+most vehement desire expected
+him, till almost eight a Clock, I
+began to doubt in the truth of the
+matter. Besides, my Wife also,
+a very curious Searcher in the Art
+of that Laudable man, came to
+me, troubling me, by reason of
+the Philosophick Art, cited in that
+aforesaid Severe, and Honest man;
+saying, Go to, let us try, I pray
+thee, the Verity of the work, ac
+cording to what that man said.
+For otherwise, I certainly shall
+not sleep all this night. But I answered;
+I pray let us deferr it till
+to morrow; perhaps the man will
+come then. Nevertheless, when
+I had ordered my Son to kindle the
+fire; these thoughts arose in me;
+That man indeed, otherwise in his
+discourses so Divine, is now found
+the first time guilty of a Lye. A
+second time, when I would make
+Experiment of my Stollen Matter
+hid under my Nayl, but to no purpose,
+because the Lead was not
+transmuted into Gold. Lastly
+a third time, he gave me so very
+little of the Matter, for tinging
+so great a Mass of Lead; that he
+almost drove me to Desperation.
+Notwithstanding these thoughts,
+I commanded yellow Wax to be
+brought, wherein to wrap the
+Matter, and finding Lead, I cut
+off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes.
+My Wife wrapped the Matter of
+the Stone in the Wax, and when
+the Lead was in Flux, she cast
+in that little Mass, which, with
+Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed
+its Operation in the Crucible
+well closed; as in one quarter of
+an hour, the whole Mass of Lead
+was transmuted into the best
+Gold. Certainly, had I lived in
+the Age of Ovid, I could not have
+believed, any Metamorphosis more
+rare, than this of the Chimical
+Art; but if I could behold things
+with the hundred Eyes of Argus,
+I should scarcely see any work of
+Nature more admirable, for this
+Lead, mixt with the Stone of the
+Wise, and in the Fire melted,
+demonstrated to us a most beautiful
+colour, yea, I say, it was most green;
+but when I poured it out into a
+[Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received
+a colour like Blood, and
+when it waxed cold, shined with
+the colour of the best Gold: I, and
+all who were present with me, being
+amazed, made what haste we,
+could with the Aurificate Lead
+(even before it was through cold)
+to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious
+Examen, judged it to be
+Gold most excellent, and that in
+the whole world, better could not
+be found; withall, adding, that for
+every Ounce of such Gold, he
+would give 50 Florens.
+
+The next day, the rumour of
+this wonderful Metallick Transmutation
+was spread all over our
+Hague; whence many illustrious
+men, and lovers of Art, made hast
+to me, among which, by name,
+the General Examiner of the Moneys
+of this Province of Holland,
+D^n Porelius, came to me, with certain
+other most illustrious men,
+earnestly desiring, that I would
+communicate to them some small
+particle of my Artificial Gold, to
+prove it by legitimate Examens:
+these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly
+gratified; and we went together
+to the house of a certain
+very curious Silver-Smith, by
+name Brechtelius, in whose Workhouse,
+the Excellency of my Gold
+was evidenced, by that form of
+Probation, which Skilful Artists
+call. Quarta, viz. when they in a
+Crucible melt three or four parts
+or Silver, with one part of Gold,
+and then by hammering, reduce
+that mixture into thin Plates, on
+which they pour a sufficient quantity
+of Aquafortis, by which the
+Silver is dissolved, but the Gold
+settles to the bottome, like a black
+powder. Afterward, the Aquafortis
+is poured off, and the golden
+powder, is again put into a Crucible,
+and by strong fire reduced to
+Gold.
+
+But when this work was ended,
+we supposed, that one half of the
+Gold was vanished, yet in very
+deed it was not so: for we found
+that the Gold, besides its own
+weight, had transmuted some part
+of the Silver into Gold, viz. two
+drams of the Gold, transmuted
+two scruples of the Silver (through
+the abundance of its Tincture)
+into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.
+
+After this, we, suspecting that
+the Silver was not well separated
+from the Gold did presently make
+a mixture: with seven times as much
+Antimony. And after this Examen,
+we lost eight grains of Gold;
+but when I had again evaporated
+the Antimony, I found nine grains
+of Gold, yet in colour somewhat
+pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of
+fire, we lost nothing of this Gold,
+And this infallible kind of Probation,
+I thrice performed in presence
+of those most noble and illustricsus
+Men, and found, that
+every Dram of Gold acquired from
+the Silver for an augmentation to
+it self, one Scruple, of Gold: and
+the Silver, is pure good, and very
+flexible. So according to this, the
+five drams of Gold, attracted to it
+self from the Silver, five Scruples;
+and (that I may together, and at
+once, comprise all that remains to
+be said) the whole weight that
+that Laudable Powder, in quantity
+so exceeding small, did transmute,
+was six drams, and two
+Scruples, of a more vile Metal,
+into Gold, in such wise fixed, as it
+was able perseveringly to sustain
+the most intense Torture of Fire.
+
+Behold! thus have I exactly,
+from first to last, commemorated
+this History. The Gold I indeed
+have, but where, or in what Land
+or Countrey. Elias the Artist is at
+this day hospited, I am wholly
+ignorant for he told me, his purpose
+was to abide in his own Country
+no longer then this Summer;
+that after he would travil into Asia,
+and visit the Holy Land. Let the
+most wise King of Heaven (under
+the Shadow of whose divine
+Wings he hath hitherto layn hid)
+by his Administratory Angels accompany
+him in his intended
+Journey, and prosper it so as he
+living to a great Age, may with
+his inestimable Talent greatly
+succour the whole Republick of
+Christians, and after this Life gloriously
+behold, and take of the
+prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal.
+Amen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+Therefore, now to compleat my
+promise, I will forthwith betake
+my self to the Dialogue or,
+Colloque between Elias the Artist,
+and me the Physician.
+
+Elias the Artist.
+
+
+God save you, Master Helvetius!
+If I may not be too troublesome, I
+desire to have the freedom of Discoursing
+with you for a little time,
+because I have heard, that you are
+a curious Indagator of natural
+things. For I have perused
+your Books, and among them,
+especially that whole Treatise,
+which you write against the effect
+of Sir Kenelm Digbies Sympathetick
+ Powder, where it is gloried,
+that the same, can at distance cure
+all Wounds. Assuredly I am incredibly
+delighted in those things,
+which are beheld in this Speculum,
+whether Sympathetick, or
+Antipathetick, naturally implanted
+in Creatures. For the inexhausted
+Treasures of the Divine
+Light and Deity, no less abundantly,
+than liberally granted to us,
+may best of all be known from all
+the Creatures, which are produced
+either under the Ætherial Heaven,
+or in the belly of the Earth,
+or in the Womb of the Sea, to the
+end, that by their potentially insited
+virtues, they should restore
+health to the Mortal Body of
+Men.
+
+Helvetius the Physician
+
+O Sir! The presence of such a
+new Guest shall never be troublesome
+to me, but rather I receive
+you as one of my best Friends. For
+Philosophick Discourse, touching
+the Secrets cf Nature, is the only
+recreation of my Mind, also it is
+such convenient Salutiferous Nutriment,
+as no man can be worthy
+to taste of, before he shall be
+rightly disposed for that Banquet.
+Enter, I pray, Friend, into the House.
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed Sir! Here, as it seems to
+to me, you have a compleat Vulcanian
+Shop, and perhaps all
+these things Spagyrically and exactly
+drawn from, the Mineral
+Kingdom; but I pray, to what end so
+many Medicaments? I believe,
+that God in the things of Nature,
+naturally gives such Medicines,
+with a very few of which, we
+may much sooner, and more safely
+re-integrate the decayed, and languishing
+Health of Man, unless
+the Disease be Mortal, from a
+deficiency of Nature, or from the
+putrefaction of some noble internal
+part hurt, or by reason of a total
+absumption of the radical humidity
+in which desperate Cases,
+no Galenick Cure, or Paracelsick
+Tincture can yeild releif. But in
+ordinary Diseases it is not so; and
+yet here, very many Men, before
+the fatal term of Life be expired
+(abfit Nemesis dicto) are enforced
+to pass out of this fair Kingdom of
+pleasing Light, into the Shadowed
+Land of the Dead, whilst, either
+they neglect the health of their
+own Body, or commit the same to
+the Faith of Physicians, unskilful
+of the Remedy they have in their
+hand.
+
+Physician.
+
+As far as I can gather from your
+discourse, if my Judgement deceive
+me not, you are either a Physician,
+or a man expert in Chimistry.
+Certainly, according as you say,
+so I believe, that in the things of
+Nature are given other more excellent
+Medicaments, as also very
+many other Philosophers affirm,
+that there is a certain (although
+to few known) Universal Medicament,
+by the benefit which,
+we may prolong Life unto the appointed
+End, cure all Diseases
+otherwise uncurable, and many
+other such things. But, where is
+any among all the Wisest men of
+this world, that can shew us the
+way, how to find out so noble a
+Fountain, whence such a wonderful
+Medicamentous juice, nobilitating
+the Physician, is drawn?
+Perhaps no one man.
+
+Artist.
+
+Indeed, I am not a Physician,
+but only a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and almost from my Child-hood,
+have exercised my Ingeny in Pyrotechny,
+and so have sought out
+the internal Nature of Metals
+And although I now cease from
+my usual diligence in elaborating
+some accurate work, by the Art of
+Vulcan, yet my mind still takes delight
+in labours of that kind, and
+in the lovers of this most curious
+Spagyrick Art; and I do verily.
+believe and judge, that the most
+Wise God, will in this our age
+communicate gratis, or for nothing,
+the Metallick Mysteries of
+Nature to his Spagyrick Sons,
+Praying, and Physico-chimically
+Labouring.
+
+
+Physician.
+
+
+My Friend, I must needs grant
+this, that God, for nothing, communicates
+to his Sons, this laudable
+Good, as well as all other gifts;
+yet you shall very rarely hear, that
+he for nothing gives or vends this
+Medicamentous Wine or Nectar to
+his Sons. For we certainly know,
+how great a number of Chymists
+lived in former ages who,  (according
+to the Proverb ) strove to draw
+water in a Sieve, whilest
+they presumed to prepare this
+Universal Stone of Philosophers.
+Besides, out of the books of them,
+who triumph in the glory of
+Adept, no one man can learn the
+way of preparing, nor know their
+First Matter, so as any one, searching
+to the lowest roots of Mountains,
+can never ascend to those
+their Heights, where Ambrosia, and
+Nectar of Macrosophists, is
+drank.
+
+In the mean time, it is the part
+of a good Physician, since he
+wants such an Universal Elixir,
+(not without the daily study of
+conserving his Conscience pure
+and sound) to adhibit to the Diseases
+of the Sick, commended to
+his Cure, such Curations; or Remedies
+as for restoring Sanity as in
+which he (from the effect) certainly
+knows, that a virtue of healing
+is incited.
+
+Wherefore, in all desperate Diseases,
+I, with many other Practitioners,
+do alwayes use such most simple
+Medicaments, that thence
+the Diseased may soon be restored
+to their Pristine state of Health,
+or to a better than the Pristine.
+
+For indeed, various and diverse
+kinds of Salts, are generated in
+the Glandules and Lymphatick
+Vessels, after the putrefaction of
+this, or that nutriment taken,
+which afterward wax florid in various
+Humours, for diverse Diseases,
+either Internal, or External. Experience
+teacheth, that as many
+as are the Constitutions, or Complexions
+of humane bodies, to so
+many diversities of Diseases the
+same are obnoxious; although in
+one manner, and the same Disease,
+as our daily conversation evidenceth
+to us in those who drink
+Wine, whence divers Operations
+manifestly discover themselves.
+
+Because Peter drinks Wine, he
+labours with an angry, I will not
+say, furious mind.
+
+On the contrary, Paul drinking
+Wine, seems to imbibe his mind
+with an Agnine Timorousness.
+
+But Matthias sings, and Luke
+weeps.
+
+Also,
+
+Touching the Scorbutick Contagious
+Venome, viz. of Peter,
+his radical juice in the Lymphatick
+Vessels, and Glandules, is
+converted into an Acidity, stopping
+the passages, and all Organs of the
+whole body, whence, under the
+Skin, arise Spots on the Arms and
+Legs of a blewish colour, but in
+times of Pestilence, they swell like
+Pepper Corns.
+
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Pauls parts is changed
+into an Aperitive Bitterness;
+whence, under the Skin of the
+Arms and Legs, arise red Spots,
+pricking like the bitings of Fleas;
+but in a Pestilential time, they
+are Blanes.
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Matthias his
+parts, is converted into a sweetness
+easily putrifying; whence,
+under the Skin of Arms and leg,
+arise watery Tumours, almost
+such as are conspicuous in Dropsical
+Persons; but in time of the
+Pest, they are Pestilential Tumours.
+
+Also,
+
+The juice of the parts of Luke,
+is changed into a Saline, and drying
+sharpness; whence, under the
+Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise
+Precipitations of the ordinary Ferment
+of the Flesh, and Exficcations,
+as usually happens in this
+Atrophia, yea most frequently in
+the true Atrophia. But in the Pest,
+they become most ardent Buboes,
+with madness, even until death.
+
+Behold, my Friend, no Physician,
+by one only Universal Medicament,
+can heal the Evil of
+this Scorbutick, or Pestilential, or
+Febrile Venome, but indeed, by
+the Mediation of some particular
+Vegetable, or Mineral Remedy,
+given to us from God in Nature, he
+may exterminate the same. For,
+as I cannot heal, or help all Scorbutick
+Persons, with one only Scorbutick
+Herb, as Scurvy-grass, or
+Sorrel, or Fumitory, or Brooklime;
+so, much less of a certain
+remedy made of these diverse Species
+congested into one; because,
+between the Herbs Scurvy-grass and
+Sorrel, there is an Antipathy, as
+between Fire and Water; and so
+there is the same Antipathy
+between the Herbs Fumitory and
+Brook-lime.
+
+Therefore, the Correctory of
+Peters Scorbutick Saline acid
+tinging Venome, is made with the
+Volatile bitter Salt of Scurvy-grass.
+
+But the Correctory of Pauls
+Scorbutick Saline bitter tinging
+Venome, is made with the acid
+fixed Salt of the Herb Sorrel.
+
+The Correctory of Matthias his
+Scorbutick sweetish, and moistning
+tinging Venome is made by the help
+of the fixed bitter drying Sulphur
+of the Herb Fumitory.
+
+And the Correctory of Lukes
+Scorbutick tinging Saline and
+drying Venome, is made with the
+help of the sweet moistning Mercury
+of the Herb Brook-lime, or
+red Colewort, as from the External
+Signature of these Herbs, it is
+easie to judge of the Internal Specifick
+Remedy against there diverse
+Scorbutick Disease. Certainly,
+my Friend, if this be observed
+by a prudent Physician, he
+must needs doubt of the Universal
+Medicine,
+
+Artist.
+
+All you have discoursed of, I
+can easily grant; yet very few
+Physicians use this Method of
+healing. Yet, in the meanwhile,
+it is not impossible, that an Universal
+Medicine should be given in
+the highest Mineral Kingdome,
+by the benefit of which we may
+perform and administer all things,
+which are by you related to me,
+touching the lowest Kingdom of
+Vegitables; but the most wise God,
+for several weighty reasons, hath
+not on all Philosophers promiscuously
+conferred this most magnificent
+Charisma of Supereminent
+Science, but hath revealed it only;
+to a very few. According as all
+the Adept, with one mouth, confess,
+and say: The Science is true,
+And, the verity thereof not to be
+doubted.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, besides the above commemorated,
+there are also other Observations;
+strenuously refuting the
+Operation on an Universal Medicine,
+partly in respect of the Age
+and strength of Man, partly by
+reason of the Sex, and other Circumstances,
+whilst a difference is
+to be made between the tender,
+and the Robust, whether from
+Nature, or from Education; or
+between the Male and Female, or
+between a Young Man and a Virgin,
+or between the Beginning,
+Middle, or End of Diseases; or
+it is to be understood whether a
+Disease, be inveterate, or the Sick
+be lately invaded; or lastly, whether
+the Ferment be promoted in
+this Disease, or be precipited in
+in another. Effervescency is made
+either in the Stomach or in the Intestines.
+Assuredly there are many
+contradictions of the Wonderful
+effect, of the Universal Medicine.
+For the greatest part of rational
+Physicians want the Perspicil
+of Thomas Didymus in their
+Fingers.
+
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed, Sir; you have philosophised
+rightly, and well, yea, Arthodoxly,
+against the universal Medicament,
+according to that notorious,
+and far spred proverb. As
+many Heads, so many Senses. For
+as Sweet sounding Musick delights
+not the Ears of every Midas; nor
+doth the Same History related
+please all Historians; nor of Bread
+and Wine, of the same Taste, is
+there a like relish in all Palats. So
+also the judgements of Skilful Men
+do strangely differ, touching the
+wonderful Effect of this Universal
+Medicine, on Humane and
+Metallick Bodies. For this Universal
+Medicine, in its way of
+Operating, vastly differs, from a
+particular Medicine, which may
+in some sense be called Universal,
+as the Herb Scurvy-grass, curing
+every Scorbutick marked with blew
+Spots; or Sorrel, healing every Scurvy,
+noted with red Spots; or Brook-lime,
+healing an Atrophia of that
+Kind, or Fumitory remedying
+Tumors of that Kind: and that
+especially with such Physicians,
+with whom the Observation
+you before recited, is of any esteem.
+Moreover, there is an exceeding
+great difference between the Universal
+Medicine of Philosophers,
+refreshing the vital Spirits, and
+between a Particular Medicament
+of Proletary-Curation, with which is
+corrected the venom of Humors;
+viz. such as boyles up against Nature,
+in this Man, Acid; in that
+Man, the Bitter is predominant;
+in one, what is Saline, in another,
+what is sharp, grow potent. But,
+if these Corrupt humors be not
+without all delay presently expelled
+out of the Body, by the ordinary
+Emunctories of Nature either
+by the Belly, or by Urine of the
+Bladder, or by the Sweat through
+the Pores, or by the Spittle of the
+Mouth, or by the Nostrils,
+assuredly the corruption of one,
+becomes the Generation of another,
+viz. of a Disease. For, from
+every spark, if we do not timely
+extinguish it, an exceding great
+burning will arise. Also, if there be
+a defect, of the Vital Spirits, it is
+impossible to effect this. Therefore
+the only care of a Conscientious
+Physician should be, how to
+deduce the motion of the Vital
+Spirits to a digestible natural Heat,
+and that is best of all, and most securely
+performed by the Operation
+of our Universal Medicament, by
+which they are found to be notably
+recreated. For as soon as this
+more than perfect Medicine hath driven
+the Morbifick Evil from
+the Seat it occupies, then immediately
+it infuseth the lost Sanity,
+and that only from the Harmony,
+or Sympathy it self, which the
+Vital Spirits, and this Medicine,
+have mutually in themselves.
+Wherefore, it, by the Adept, is called
+the Mystery of Nature, and the
+Defensive of old Age, against all
+Diseases. Which, I fay, even in
+a most pestilent Season, most full
+of contagious Diseases every where
+raging, makes of man a Salamander,
+bearing such Epidemical
+Plagues of Heaven displeased,
+until the utmost term of his Life
+be expired.
+
+Physician
+
+
+As far as I, beloved Friend, can
+understand, this Medicine makes
+not for the Emendation of depraved
+Humours, but is chiefly conducent
+for the recreation of the Vital Spirits.
+Besides, among practical Chimists,
+this Secret is taught, viz.
+that by the Spayrick Art, it may be
+commonstrated, how the pure
+should be separated from the impure,
+and by the same, how the Immature
+are rendred mature, and
+how the Bitter are corrected into
+sourish, and the sourish into Sweet,
+and the Sharp into Gentle, and
+the Gentle into Sharp; and the
+Acid into Sweet, and the Sweet
+into Acid. Also this Laudable
+Medicine of Philosophers, according
+to my understanding, cannot
+prolong Life, beyond the term
+prefixed from above, but only
+preserve from the Effect of all
+Venimous, or otherwise mortiferous
+Diseases: and so it is certainly
+true, as is commonly believed,
+that the prolongation of Humane
+Life depends, on the Will of the
+Omnipotent God only. But, omitting
+these, I would here ask this
+one Question. Whether by the
+use of this Universal Medicine,
+the pristine Nature of Man may be
+converted into New, so as a Slothful
+Man may degenerate into a
+Diligent, or stirring Man, and a
+Man, who before was by Nature
+Melancholy and Sad, afterward
+became Jovial, Chearful, and full
+of Joy, or like alterations, reformations,
+permutations, or vicissitudes
+happen in the Nature of
+Man?
+
+Artist.
+
+Not at all Sir. For so great power
+was never conferred on any Medicament,
+that it could change the
+Nature of Man. Wine inebriating,
+taken by diverse individual Men,
+in him, who is drunk, changeth
+not his Nature but only provokes,
+and deduceth into act, what is naturally,
+and potentially in him,
+but before was as it were, dead.
+Even so is the Operation of the
+Universal Medicine, which by
+recreation of the Vital Spirits, excites
+Sanity, for a time only suppressed,
+because it was naturally
+in him before; even as the heat of
+the Sun changeth not Herbs, or
+Flowers, but only provokes the same,
+and from the proper potential nature
+of them, deduceth them into
+act only. For a Man of a Melancholy
+temper, is again raised up
+to exercise his own Melancholy
+matters; and the jovial Man, who
+was pleasant, is recreated in all
+his chearful actions, and so consequently,
+in all desperate Diseases
+it is a present, or most excellent
+Preservative. Hence a Man, presaging
+that some evil will befal
+him, will rather prevent than be
+prevented. But if any prolongation
+of Life, by some Philosophick
+Medicament, could have
+been induced, against the predestination
+of the Omnipotent God, undoubtedly
+neither Hermes Trismegistus,
+nor Paracelsus, nor Raymundlully,
+nor the Count Bernhard, and
+many more like illustrious Possessors
+of this great Mystery, would
+not have yeilded to the common
+death of all Mortals, but perhaps
+have protracted their Life
+until this very Day, Therefore, it
+would be the part of a fanatick, and
+foolish Man to affirm this, yea of
+a most foolish Man, to believe,
+and assent to the same, touching
+any one Medicament in the things
+of Nature.
+
+Physician.
+
+My Friend, whatsoever you have
+spoken no less regularly, than fundamentally,
+touching the Operation
+of the Universal Medicine, I
+indeed cherefully, and willingly
+grant, but as long as I am ignorant
+of preparing the same rightly, I
+do no other than attempt to carry
+my Boat from a very small Lake,
+into the Vast Ocean, because it
+will certainly be driven back to the
+Shore, without any Fruit. For although
+many of those illustrious
+Men have written somewhat
+touching that laudable preparation,
+yet they involved that in such a
+Wrapper of shadowed Caution, as
+the Footsteps of them latently demonstrated,
+can be known by few
+or none of the most diligent Readers,
+who should follow them so
+far, as until they come where they
+would be. Also, who is so wealthy,
+and well informed, as to be able,
+and to know where to buy all
+those Books, in which, here, and
+there an Hypothesis of this kind is
+handled: betides, you may consume
+the greatest part of your life, before
+you can gather thence any sufficient
+knowledge, or the direct
+manual Operation. Therefore it
+is best for us to abide patiently in
+our Laboratory, praying to the
+blessed God, according to that Saying:
+
+
+      Ora, ac Labora; & Deus dat omni hora.
+
+      Labour, and Pray; God gives alway.
+
+
+Artist
+
+You argue rightly enough Sir.
+For, from the writings of Philosophers,
+this Art of Arts is most rarely
+learned; but the Sense them
+is very well, and clearely understood
+by the Manuduction of some
+Adept Philosopher. But let us hence
+pass to the Transmutative Effect of
+this most noble Tincture, touching
+which, the possessors, or many of
+the Adept, have written many
+Books, and the most of their Genuine
+Disciples, labouring much
+in the Fire, did at length compleatly
+attain to the wished End of their
+Arcanum,
+
+Physician
+
+I perceive your Mastership takes
+pleasure in passing from the use of
+the Medicine, to the infinite Transmutation
+of Metals. Although I
+could easily believe the possibility
+of Art, viz. that a Chymical Experiment
+of that kind was in the
+Adept, as I have also made mention
+above, touching that Experiment
+of Dr. Kifflerus who, with
+the Tincture of one ounce of Gold
+transmuted 1 ounce & half of Silver
+into the best Gold, not to mention
+the Experiment of Helmont; nor of
+Scotus, which he made in the most
+famous Cities of Colonia, and Hanovia;
+nor much to insist on that
+illustrious, and well known Example,
+manifested at Prague, before
+Cæsar Ferdinando the third, himself;
+where with one only grain of
+the Tincture, three pounds Mercury
+were transmuted into most noble
+Gold; insomuch that I am
+brought no less into a neccessity, than
+into a Will of believing, that the
+Art may be true; yet I cannot to
+this hour sufficiently receive it
+without some doubt, because with
+these my Eyes, I never in all my
+Life saw the Man, who was the
+true possessor thereof.
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Sir, you say true? yet Art will be
+Art, whether you can believe it or
+no. Even as is seen in the Magnet.
+How it by its own insited Sulphureous
+Virtue, of Iron, by Contact
+presently makes a Magnet. Although
+you will not believe, that
+such wonderful Operations are latent
+in it, yet they are, and will remain
+true. So also you should
+Judge of the Stone of Philosophers,
+in which is all that the Wise seek.
+And because the clouded Writings
+of them, can be understood, and
+explained but by very few, it is to
+be desired earnestly by all, and
+with the hands it must be endavoured,
+that some one General Epitomen
+of the whole Art, may so be
+made, as in a very short space of
+time, and without much labour, all
+things necessary may be gathered,
+by the help of which, a most easy
+Transition to real Authors, might
+be effected. Now since you have
+presented some few Examples, by
+which you endeavour to assert the
+confirmed possibility of the Matter;
+I my self will here shew to you
+the True Matter of Secret Philosophers.
+Behold it! Look well,
+upon it.
+
+Physician.
+
+So my Master, Is this Sulphureous,
+and Yellow Glassy Substance
+the very Philosophick Matter?
+And are you your self the
+Possessor of this Science? I am
+ready to believe you do but jest
+with me. I pray Sir, tell me the
+Truth, whether it be really so,
+or not?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Yes, Matter Doctor, You now
+have within your hand, the most
+pretious Treasure in the World.
+For this is the true Stone of Philosophers,
+than which, no Man
+ever had a better, nor shall have
+any other. And I my self did elaborate
+the Composition, from beginning
+to end. If you have another
+convenient Chamber, I will
+Shew you Metal transmuted into
+Gold, by such a Stone as this
+(When I had brought him into
+another Chamber.) Behold (said
+he) these five Pendants, were,
+by the benefit of this Philosophick
+Tincture, prepared of Saturn, or
+Lead; which I wear for a perpetual
+Remembrance of my Master.
+But I suppose, you, having perused
+many Writings of the Adept,
+seeing the Substance, and Nature
+of this Stone, will very sufficiently
+know the true Matter, or rightly
+understand the same.
+
+Physician.
+
+I understand by your self, that
+you had a Master, from whom you
+rather learned your Art, than acquired
+the same, by your proper
+Labour and Invention. And although
+I now have seen that Substance,
+which you affirm to be the
+true Tincture of Philosophers, as
+also those five Pendants, nevertheless
+I am still left ignorant, and in
+doubt, whether it be true or no.
+Therefore, I earnestly again and
+again request of you, to confer on
+me only so small a part of that
+matter, as will suffice to transmute
+only four grains of Lead into Gold,
+that you may this way remove
+from me all Scruple or Doubt,
+and render me so much the more
+certain of the verity of the Matter.
+Give me but the magnitude of one
+grain only, or of a Coriander-seed,
+that thence a Specimen, or
+Probation, may be exhibited, either
+in some desperate Disease, or in
+a Metallick Transmutation.
+
+Artist.
+
+I do confess, that a certain Man
+of good Condition, to me wholly
+unknown, by demonstrating taught
+me; First, the possibility of transmutation;
+secondly the way of
+preparing also. And this is that
+Infallible Art, touching which
+you have no reason to doubt. But
+whereas, you request that I should
+give you one small part of my Treasure;
+that is no wise lawful for me
+to do, although, you would give
+as a Recompense, so many Ducats,
+as this whole Room, from
+the bottom to the top, would contein;
+and that not by reason of
+the estimation of the Matter, because
+it is of small Price, but for
+another weighty Reason, in respect
+of which, if it were possible,
+that Fire could be consumed by
+Fire, I would at this time, rather
+cast this whole Mass into the devouring
+Flames, before your Eyes.
+Wherefore, in the meanwhile, I admonish
+you, not to be so eager in
+coveting this so great Science. For
+you have this day seen more in my
+possession, than many Kings, and
+Princes could ever behold,
+although they eagerly desired to see
+the same. Besides, I think of comming
+to you again, after 3 Weeks,
+then I will shew to you certain excellent
+Arts, and Manuductions in
+the Chymical Science. Also, if
+it shall then be lawful for me, to
+shew you the way of Transmutation,
+I will truely satisfie your Curiosity
+therein. In the mean while,
+I bid you farewel, withal, admonishing,
+that you take heed to your
+self, and meddle not with such a
+great, and profound Labour, least:
+you miserably loose both your
+Fame, and substance in the Ashes
+like some other covetous inquisitors,
+of the same most noble Art.
+
+Physician.
+
+Now, what shall I do, my Master?
+If it happen, that, by reason
+of your Philosophick Oath, confirmed
+by that small draught of
+Silver, dissolved in Rain-water,
+it shall not be lawful for you to
+give me that requested exceeding
+small part of the Tincture so wonderful.
+You cannot be ignorant,
+that I (according to your suspicion)
+am in mind anxious, and
+earnestlie desirous of tasting of this
+so noble Science. Yea, I do verilie
+think, if Adam himself, the first
+Patriark of the World (who was
+once driven out of Paradice, for
+eating the Apple of either Wisedom)
+were yet living in this our
+Age, he would not forbear again
+the Taste of this Golden Apple, from
+the Garden of Atlantis.
+
+Your Mastership said: Manie
+Princes could not see this which I
+have seen. I, indeed have seen the
+Matter, of which you give so rare a
+Testimony; but in the mean while I
+have not beheld the transmutative
+Effect; only I give credit to your
+Words. And, since you have told
+me, that you will go hence, and
+after three Weeks return to me again,
+to teach me some excellent
+Chymical Arts, as also the way
+of projection, if it shall then be
+lawful for you. In the fruition of
+this good hope, I at this time rest
+satisfied; in the mean time, giving
+you hearty thanks, for your exceeding
+great Friendship shewed to me
+alreadie, and, for your singular
+Care, and faithful admonition,
+that I should not in Chymical Labours,
+consume both my Goods
+and Reputation. I assuredly have
+never yet made tryal of so great,
+and high things, nor ever will I
+attempt the me, unless your self
+will first gratis, and from the
+pure benevolence of Friendship,
+demonstrate to me, the way and
+manner of preparing. Yet I shall
+admire the Verity of Art, and
+please my self with the Remembrance
+of the Friendship you have
+shewed me; because you, who
+have revealed this to me, are an
+Adept Philosopher.
+
+But if any King, or Prince, or
+any Great Man, or Men, should
+know, that you are the Possessor
+of this Art, and therefore (which
+God forbid) should lay hold of
+you, and attempt by Tortures to
+bring you to a discovery, would
+you reveal this Art to them?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+I have not shewed the Stone of
+Philosophers to any man, except
+to one aged man, and to your
+self; to both of you, I have revealed
+that I am the Possessor;
+but, henceforth, no man must
+ever see or hear such a thing.
+And although any King, or Prince,
+should (which God I hope will
+not permit) cast, me into Prison,
+I would not, after the manner of
+Circumforanean Physicians [or
+Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors
+or of poor Alchimists,
+directly, or indirectly, discover
+the Art to them, but would rather
+suffer my self to be most cruelly
+wracked, tortured, or tormented
+with burning Fire, untill
+my life expire.
+
+
+Physician
+
+Good Friend, are there not
+Authors, which, touching the
+verity of this Art, write more
+plainly, then all the number of
+them, which, concerning it, utter
+words so obscure, as perhaps
+they themselves did not understand,
+unless they adhibited the.
+Commentaries, and Annotations
+of evident Paraphrasists. I suppose you
+have in times past read
+them, and therefore are best
+able to inform me, who were
+Adept.
+
+Artist.
+
+Master Doctor, I indeed read
+not, nor have I read many Books,
+yet among those I have read, I
+find no Authors more curious,
+than Sandivogius, especially in
+that Book, which is Entituled
+Cosmopolita, in Dutch, Borger Der
+Werelt.  Also Brother Basilius in
+in his twelve Keys. As to Sandivogius,
+this Author you may peruse,
+untill I return, as I said: for
+in his obscure words the truth is
+latent, even as our Tincture of
+Philosophers is both included, and
+retruded, in External Minerals,
+and Metallick Bodies.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, I give you thanks, for this
+so great friendship. I shall do according
+to your advice, and as to
+what you say, touching the Objects
+of the Tincture, I easily assent
+to, and grant; for I believe
+that the wonderful, and efficacious
+Essences of Metals, are hid
+under the external Rinds and
+Shells of Bodies, although I find
+very few so well exercised, and
+experienced in the Fire, who
+know how to uncase the Kernel,
+according to the Rule of Art.
+Every External, and Robust Substance,
+of any Animal, Vegetable,
+or Mineral, is the Body,
+like unto that Terrestrial Province,
+into which (as Isaac Holland
+hath prescribed) excellent
+Essences spiritually enter. Wherefore,
+it is needful, that the Sons
+of Art should know, how by
+some Saline suitable Ferment,
+grateful to the Metallick Nature,
+they may subdue, dissolve, separate
+and concentrate, not only
+the Magnetick Metallick virtue
+of Tinging, but also, how they
+may multiply the same in its own
+Philosophick Homogeneal Golden,
+or Silvery-manner. For we
+see, that the bodies of all Creatures,
+are not only easily destroyed,
+but thenceforth also the Internals
+cease to live, and hasten to
+the dark Shadowings, in which
+they were, before they, by the
+Creation of God the Creator, were
+brought to Light. But what Man
+will discover to us this Art in the
+Metallick Kingdom?
+
+Artist
+
+You say well, and have rightly
+judged of the Natural Destruction
+of things, and if it shall be pleasing
+to the most merciful God, to
+deal graciously with you as He
+hath done with me; He, according
+to your good hope, will direct
+some one of the Adept to demonstrate,
+to you the way of destroying
+Metals, and of collecting the
+Internal Souls of them. But, in
+the mean while, do you invoke
+the most Wise God, to whose
+Vigilant Eyes I commend you,
+which are always open upon
+his Sons, regenerated to him
+by Christ. Again Farewel, and
+rest assured, I will be your Friend.
+I must at this time go hence,
+but I hope to see you again in
+good health, ere it be long.
+
+Thus my new Friend took
+his Leave, and went away; it leaving
+me, his Friend, most sad
+for the space of three Weeks,
+which being expired, according
+to his Word, he returned, and
+gave me the Tincture, as you may
+learn by the above-recited History.
+After this, that Philosophick
+Man of God went from me, and
+I never more saw him, from
+that time, unto to this very day,
+nor could I hear of him by any
+of the Carriers, or Posts, or by
+any of my Intimate Acquaintance.
+
+Nevertheless, he left with me
+(as a Spurre) the acute Memory
+of, him, reposted in my
+minde, as also the Opinion of
+Paracelsus affirming, that by Metals,
+of Metals, and with Metals,
+cleansed, Spiritual, and first depurated
+from their feculency, are
+made Metals, and the Living
+Gold and Silver of Philosophers,
+as well for Humane, as for Metallick
+Bodies. Wherefore if
+that Guest, my Friend of but
+little acquaintance, had exactly
+shewed to me, the way of preparing
+preparing this Celestial Spiritual Salt,
+by which, and with which,
+from Corporeal, and Earthly Substances,
+I might, as it were, in the
+Matrix of them, collect the Spiritual
+Rayes of Sol or Luna:
+assuredly, He from his own Light,
+would have enkindled in me so
+great a Light, as I should have
+seen, and understood how I ought
+in other Corporeal Metals, by
+Sympathy to transmute the Eternal
+Soul of them so, as by the
+help thereof they had clarified,
+or transformed their own like body,
+either into Gold, or into
+Silver, according to the disposition
+of the Red seed, into a Red
+Body, or according to the Nature
+of the White Seed, into a White
+Body. For Elias the Artist affirmed
+to me, that the Chalybs
+Of Sandivogius is that true Mercurial
+Metallick Humidity, by
+the help of which, without any
+Corrosive, the Artist might, in an
+open Fire, and Crucible, separate
+the fixed Rayes of Sol
+or Luna from their own Body, and
+thenceforth make them Volatile
+and Mercurial, for the Dry Philosophick
+Tincture, as he demonstrated
+to me; and communicated
+somewhat relating to the
+transmutation of Metals. Indeed all
+men well skilled in the Chymical
+Science, have a necessity of assenting
+to me in this, viz. that Pyrotechny
+is the Mother, and Nurse
+of various noble Sciences and Arts.
+For they can easily judge from
+the Colours of the Chaos of Metals
+in the Fire, what Metallic
+body is therein. Even so dayly
+in the bowels of the Earth are
+procreated Metals, and Perspicuous
+Stones, from a proper noble
+vaporous Seed, from a Spiritual
+tinging Sulphureous Seed,
+in their diverse Saline Matrixes.
+For the common Sulphur, whether
+of an impure, or pure Metal
+whilst conjoyned with its own
+body, mixt with Salt Peter only in
+the burning heat of Fire is easily
+changed into a most hard
+and most fixed Earth, but this
+Earth is thenceforth by the Aire
+easily changed into a most limpid
+Water: and this Water afterward,
+by a more strong Fire,
+according to the Nature of the
+Metallick pure or impure Sulphur
+mixt is converted into Glass,
+admirably Well tinged with various
+Colours. Almost in the very
+same manner, from the White of
+an Egge is generated a Chick by
+natural heat. So also from the
+Seminal bond of Life of any one
+Metal, is made a new, and more
+noble Metal, by an heat of Fire
+convenient to the Saline Nature;
+although very few Chimists rightly
+and perfectly know, how the
+Internal, and alwayes moving
+Magnetick virtues, are distinguished
+according to the Harmony,
+or Disconsonancy of them.
+Whence we see, this Metal hath
+a Sympathy or Antipathy with
+another, so very singular, as is
+found in the Magnet with Iron, in
+Mercury with Gold, in Silver with
+Copper, a very remarkable Sympathy,
+but on the contrary, there
+is a notable Antipathy in Lead
+against Tin, in Iron against Gold,
+in Antimony against Silver, in
+Lead against Mercury. Infinite
+other like Sympathetic, and Antipathetick
+Annotations occurr in
+the Animal & Vegetable Kingdom;
+as you may read and find in various
+Authors, who have written of
+such Curiosities, from the accurate,
+and absolute Knowledge of
+which, the true Philosophers,
+and Masters of Nature had their
+beginning, and Esteem.
+
+Thus have I described, what I
+my self have seen and done; and
+have caused the same to be printed
+for you, Candid Readers, out of
+mere Liberality, gratis communicating
+it, according to that of Seneca:
+I desire in this to know
+somewhat, that I may teach others.
+Si cum hac Exceptione detur Sapientia,
+ut illlam inclusam tencam, abjiciam,
+&c. But if any man doubt
+of the real truth of this matter, let
+him only with a lively faith believe
+in his Crucified Jesus, that
+in Him, he (by the strict way of
+Regeneration) may become a
+New Creature; in the same let
+him fix the whole Anchor, of his
+Faith, and likewise shew his [Greek: philanthropia],
+or Love of Mankind, unto
+all his Neighbours, and especially
+exercise the works of Mercy, and
+Brotherly Love towards the needy
+Members of the Christian Religion,
+that at length, when the whole
+Course of his Life is justly, and
+holily finished, in that Fatal and
+Mortal hour, he may hence,
+through the Watery Ocean of this
+Tempestuous and Rocky World,
+arrive in safety at the most blessed
+Port of Eternal Rest, and sing the
+New Song with the Triumphing
+Philosophers of the Heavenly
+Jerusalem, of which he hopes to
+take, who is,
+
+Your most faithful and
+assured Friend
+
+John Frederick Helvetius,
+
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the Hague.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Transcriber's note: Repeated word "perused" deleted.
+
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14641 ***</div>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and
+Desires, by John Frederick Helvetius</h1>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE</h2>
+
+<h1>GOLDEN CALF,</h1>
+
+<p class="center">Which the</p>
+
+<h1>WORLD</h1>
+
+<h2>ADORES, and DESIRES:</h2>
+
+<p class="center">In which is handled<br>
+The most Rare and Incomparable<br>
+Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting<br>
+METALS;</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>VIZ</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center">How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one <br>
+Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon, <br>
+with an exceeding small particle of the true <br>
+Philosophick Stone.</p>
+
+<p class="center">At the <em>Hague</em>. In the Year 1666.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Written in Latin by</em> John Frederick Helvetius,<br>
+<em>Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at</em> <br>
+<em>the</em> Hague, <em> and faithfully Englished.</em></p>
+<hr width="80%">
+<br>
+
+<h6>London, Printed for John Starkey at the
+Mitre<br>
+in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr</h6>
+
+<h4>1670</h4>
+<br>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<p class="center">To the most Excellent<br>
+D. THEODORUS KETJES,<br>
+by his many Peregrinations, a <br>
+most famous Phisician, and an <br>
+happy Practitioner of Medicine<br>
+at <em>Amsterdam</em>, <br>
+One of my Intimate Friends.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>ALSO</em>,<br>
+To the most Noble, most Excellent,<br>
+and most Experienc'd, and<br>
+Accurate Searchers into the<br>
+Vulcanian Anatomy,<br>
+<em>D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS</em>,<br>
+Counsellor, and Chief Physician<br>
+of the most Serene Elector Palatine<br>
+of <em>HEIDELBERG</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>AND</em><br>
+<em>D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS</em>,<br>
+Principal Physician in the Court<br>
+of the most Serene Elector of<br>
+<em>BRANDENBURG</em>:</p>
+
+<p class="center">My Reverend Patrons, and intire<br>
+Friends.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">The Epistle <br>
+DEDICATORY:</h2>
+
+<p>Most Noble, most Excellent, most<br>
+Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors<br>
+of the <em> Vulcanian Anatomy</em>,<br>
+and my most real<br>
+FRIENDS.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Although I neither was willing, nor able to be wanting to my honoured
+  Friends, yet would not divulge and bring to light the Verity of the
+  <em>Spagirick Art,</em> but by this most precious, and Miraculous
+  <em>Arcanum, </em>which I not only saw with these Eyes, but taking a little
+  of the transmutatory powder, I myself also transmuted an Impure Mass of
+  Lead volatile in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly sustaining every
+  Examen of Fire: in such wise, as henceforth it can no more be suspected by
+  any Man, no not by those, who unto this day have perswaded themselves and
+  others, that this <em>Arcanum</em> is given to no man: but contrarily we
+  were fully and indubitately perswaded, that, in things of Nature, The
+  <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers is <em>Primo-material</em>, and is like a
+  Fountain overflowing with wonderfull Effects, and those escaping every
+  acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible Reason, as shall be evidenced
+  in this my little work: which I was willing to dedicate and consecrate to
+  you, my Primary Patrons, as to most prudent Masters, and Defenders. Yet in
+  the mean while, I pray consider, that I have not writ to the end I would
+  teach any one, that Art, which I my self know not, but only that I might
+  recite the true Process of this <em>Arcanum.</em> For, what can more
+  confirm, and Patronize Verity, than the true Light of Truth it self? It is
+  the property of Brute Animals to pass their life in Silence, and especially
+  not to heed those things in them, which do most of all look to, and are
+  required for the propagation of the Glory of the most Wise, and most
+  powerful <em>GOD</em> our creator. Wherefore, since it is a thing unworthy,
+  and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful, for Man, who should be a Consort of
+  the Divine Nature, to wax brutish with Brutes, I present to you, my most
+  faithful Friends, and Patrons of this Science, this most rare History:
+  having as time, and my Ability would permit, recollected all things, and
+  have faithfully commemorated them. Therefore, omitting all paints, and
+  flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions, I will forthwith betake my self to
+  the discovery of all, whatsoever I both saw, and heard from <em>Elias  the
+  Artist </em>touching this. For truly, I was not so intimately familiar with
+  him, as that he should instruct me in the way of preparing the Universal
+  Medicine, after the Method of Physico-artificial Chimistry: yet he supplyed
+  me with such Reasons in the Method of Healing, as I shall never be able to
+  commend his worth with condigne Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
+  and true Lovers of the Chimical Art, accept of this little work, as a mean
+  Gift, or if you had rather, peruse if only for recreation of the mind; for
+  in it I shall relate all things whatsoever, that were discoursed of between
+  him and me, at several times: humbly requesting, that with the same
+  benevolence you have received other of my small Treatises, you would also
+  accept of this Novel, which I freely dedicate, and officiously give to you,
+  for a motion, and increase of Admiration. Farewel, <em>avete,
+  favete.</em></p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Your most humble</em></p>
+
+<p class="center">John Fredrick Helvetius.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. I.</h2>
+
+<p>Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs. <em><br>
+Before I enter upon the Description of the Philosophick </em>PIGMY<em>,(in
+this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming and subduing </em>GIANTS,<em> I
+pray permit me here to use the words of </em>Vanhelmont,<em> taken out of his
+Book </em>De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630. <em>and here Transcribed.</em></p>
+
+<p><em>I compelled to believe, that there is an Aurifick, and Argentick
+Stone.</em> But (Friend of the <em>Spagyrick Art</em>) I am not ignorant,
+that many have been found among the most wise, yea among the exquisite
+<em>Chimists</em>, who have not only consumed their own Goods, but the Goods
+of others also, in this <em>Great Vulanick</em> Secret, as Experience even at
+this very day sufficiently proves. For we have seen, the more is the pity!
+how unwary <em>Chimists</em>, yea such as are more worthy, than those who are
+called <em>Alchimists</em>; how, I say, they, labouring simply, are daily
+deluded with Guile of this kind, by <em>Diabolick, Aurifick,</em> and
+<em>Argentick</em> Suckgoods. Also I know, that many Stupid Men will rise up,
+and contradict the truth of my true Experience, touching the Philosophick
+Stone. One will have it to be a work of the Devil; another affirms there is
+no such thing; a third faith it is the Soul of Gold only, and that with an
+Ounce of that Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more may be again tinged: but
+this is repugnant to the Attestation of <em>Kifflerus</em>, as I shall
+briefly commemorate; a fourth believes the Verity and Possibility thereof,
+but faith it is so chargeable, as it will never quit Cost; with many other
+like Allegations. Yet I wonder not at this, for according to this Saying,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>Quorum rationem non intelligimus, miramur,<br>
+  Que vero pernoscere volupe est, rimamur.</em></p>
+
+  <p>What we cannot attain to, we admire,<br>
+  But what to know is pleasing, do desire.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>How can a Man, fallen from the Fountain of Light, into the Abyss of
+Darkness, effect any thing to purpose, in Natural things, especially when his
+Wisdome in this natural Philosophick Study is barren and sophisticate? It is,
+for the most part, proper to these Fools and unapt men, presently to contemn
+a thing, not knowing, that more are yet to be sought by them, than they have
+the possession of. Therefore, rightly saith <em>Seneca</em>, in lib. de
+Moribus: <em>Thou art not yet happy, if the Rout deride thee not</em>. But I
+matter not, whether they believe, or contradict what I write, touching the
+Transmutation of Metals. I rest satisfied in this one thing, which with my
+eyes I have seen, and what with my hands I have done. For what Philosophers
+say of themselves, I also have with my hands handled this Spark of the
+Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine Catholick <em>Magnesia</em> of
+Philosophers, a Fire of potency sufficient to penetrate Stones, yea, a
+Treasure of so great value, as 20 Tun of Gold cannot exceed the price
+thereof. What seek you? I believe what I have seen with the eyes of
+<em>Thomas</em>, and handled as he, (but in the nature of things only) as
+well as the Adept Philosophers; although in this our decrepit age of the
+world, That be accounted a most Secret Hyperphysico-magical <em>Saturn</em>,
+and not known, unless to some Cabalistick Christian only. We judge him the
+most happy of all Physicians, who hath the knowledge of this pleasant
+Medicinal potion of our <em>Mercury</em>, or of the Medicine of the Son of
+our <em>Esculapius </em>resisting the force of death, against which there is
+no <em>Panacea </em>otherwise produced in Gardens. Moreover, the most wise
+<em>GOD</em> doth not reveal his Gifts of <em>Solomon </em>promiscuously to
+all Mortals. They indeed seem strange to them, when they behold a Creature,
+from the occult Magnetick potency incited in it self, deduced into art by its
+own like; as for Example: In Iron is a Magnetick, ingenited, potential virtue
+from the Magnet: a Magnetick virtue in Gold from <em>Mercury</em>: a
+Magnetick virtue in Silver from <em>Venus</em>, or Copper: and so
+consequently in all Metals, Minerals, and Stones, Herbs, and Plants,
+&amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, I may properly quæry, which of the wisest Philosophers is so
+Sage, as to be able to comprehend with the acuteness of his own most dextrous
+ingeny, with what Obumbracle the Imaginative Tinging, Venemons, or Monstrous
+Faculty of any pregnant Woman, compleats its work in one Moment, if it be
+deduced into art by some External Object?</p>
+
+<p>I do assuredly believe, that very many will foolishly say, that this is a
+Mortomagical Work of the Devil; but the Doltish and Ignorant are affraid to
+be out-shined by the true resplendent Light of Verity, with which their
+Owl-like Sight is troubled, and afflicted.</p>
+
+<p>Also the Stars are a cause of what we treat of, and this cause is not to
+be contemned, although I, nor you, know not how to comprehend the Celestial
+Influences of them in our mind. Nor are the Plants, which the Earth supplies
+us with, to be rejected, although I; or you, from the External Signature of
+them, know not how to judge aright of the Effect of Virtues ingenited in
+them, which they notoriously exercise, according to their power, in healing
+and conserving Humane bodies. Therefore, since all others are also offended
+at the Internal Light, being ignorant of all abstruse things, of which you,
+or I, want the Science, how can the same Virtues be deduced into art,
+according to the end for which they were created? A thousand other like
+things might be instanced. Although you know not the Splendour in Angels, the
+Candour in the Heavens, the Perspicuity in the Air, Limpitude in Waters, the
+variety of Colours in Flowers, hardness of Metals and Stones, Proportion in
+Animals, the Image of <em>GOD </em>in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers, and
+Reason in the Soul; yet in them there is such a beauty, as hath been
+throughly beheld, and fully known by very few Mortals.</p>
+
+<p>Although in the Stone of Philosophers there be so potent a virtue, and the
+same hath been seen by me, yet I would not therefore have any man to think,
+that my primary Scope, and intention, is to perswade the worthy, or unworthy
+Sons of this Age, to labour in this work, no, not at all: but I shall rather
+dehort all, and every of the curious Indagators of this Art, that they
+seriously abstain from this most perilous <em>Arcanum</em>, as from a certain
+<em>Sanctum Sanctorum</em>; yea, and I would admonish the Studious of this
+<em>Arcanum</em>, accurately to take heed to himself, and beware of the
+Lectures, and Association of false Philosophers. But I hope I shall satisfie
+the curious Naturalists, or investigators of Physical <em>Arcanums,</em> by
+communicating and publishing in this present Discourse, all which passed
+between <em>Elias the Artist</em>, and Me, touching the Nature of the Stone
+of Philosophers. For that is an <em>Ens</em> more Effulgent than the Morning,
+or a Carbuncle: more splendid, than the Sun, or Gold: more fair, than the
+Moon, or Silver: so very Recreable, and Amiable, was the sight of this Light,
+and most pleasing Object to me, as out of my inward Mind, it cannot be
+obliterated, or extinguished by any Oblivion; although the same be credited
+by none of the fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant Asses, and such as
+glory only in the praise of ambitious Eloquence. For in this malignant
+ulcerated age of the world, nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies, but
+it is taken in a wrong Sense, and perverted unworthily by the Idiotick
+Ignorance of mad-brain'd <em>CacoZelots</em>. So very farr do all these
+dark-sighted men deviate from the true rule of Verity, as in success of time,
+they, intangled with their own Errors, will miserably wast away and expire;
+but our Assertion, built on the Eternal Foundation of Triumphing Verity,
+shall continue and remain, unto the Consummation of all ages, without
+diminution, although this art be not yet known to all Mortals. For the
+<em>Adept Philosophers</em>, according to the antient Faith of their
+experience, have affirmed, that this Natural Mystery (which many anxious men
+have sinistrously sought, and required) is only to be found with
+<em>Jehovah</em>, Saturninely placed in the Centre of the World. In the mean
+while, we proclaim those happy, who take care, by the help of art, how they
+may wash this Philosophick Queen, or how they ought to circulate the
+Virgin-Catholick-Earth, in Physico-Magical Crystalline Artifice, as
+<em>Khunradus</em>. did; they only, and none others besides them, shall see
+the Crowned, and internally fiery King of Philosophers, coming forth from his
+Glassy Sepulchre, in an external fiery Body glorified, more then perfect with
+all the Colours in the world, as a shining Carbuncle, or perspicuous, compact
+and ponderous Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out Waters, and by the benefit
+thereof in the Fire washing Leprous Metals, as I my self have seen. What? How
+shall they see the <em>Abyss</em> of the Spagyrick Art? when as this Royal
+Art hath so long lain hid, and been absconded in the Mineral Kingdom, as in
+the Safest of all Secret places, for so very many years? Assuredly the
+Genuine Sons of this Laudable Art, shall not only behold a like Flood of
+<em>Numicius</em>, in which <em>Æneas</em> heretofore, by the command of
+Venus, washed and absolved from his Immortality, was immediately transformed
+into an immortal God; but also the <em>Lydian</em> River of <em>Pactolus</em>
+all transmuted into Gold, and how <em>Midas Mygdonius</em> washed himself in
+the same. Likewise those candid Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious order
+behold the Bathing-place of naked <em>Diana</em>, the Fountain of
+<em>Narcissus, </em>and <em>Scylla</em> walking in the Sea, without garments,
+by reason of the most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly also the Blood of
+<em>Pyramus</em> and <em>Thisbe</em>, of it self collected, by the help of
+which, white Mulberries are tinged into Red; partly also the Blood of
+<em>Adonis</em>, by the descending Goddess <em>Venus</em> transformed into a
+Rose of <em>Anemona</em>; partly likewise the Blood of <em>Ajax</em>, from
+which arose that most beautiful flower the Violet; partly also the Blood of
+the <em>Giants</em> slain by <em>Jupiters </em>thunder-bolt; partly also the
+Shed Tears of <em>Althea</em>, when she put off her Golden Vestments; and
+partly the Drops, which fell from the decocted Water of <em>Medea</em>, by
+which green things immediatly sprang out of the Earth; partly also the cocted
+Potion of <em>Medea</em>, made of various Herbs, gathered always three dayes
+before full Moon, for the cure of <em>Jasons</em> aged Father; partly also
+those Leaves, by the tast of which, the nature of <em>Gaucus</em> was changed
+into <em>Neptune</em>; partly also the Exprest Juice of <em>Jason</em>, by
+the benefit of which, he, in the Land of <em>Cholcons</em>, received the
+Golden Fleece, afterward by reason of that, compleatly armed, he fought in
+the Feild of <em>Mars</em>, not without the hazard of Life; partly also the
+Garden of the <em>Hesperides</em>, where Golden Apples may be gathered from
+the Trees; partly also <em>Hippomenes</em> running for the Mastery with
+<em>Atalanta</em>, and staying her Course, and so overcoming her with three
+Golden Apples, the Gifts of <em>Venus</em>; partly also the <em>Aurora</em>
+of <em>Cephalus</em>, partly also <em>Romulus</em> transformed by
+<em>Jupiter</em> into a <em>God</em>; partly also the Soul of <em>Julius
+Cæsar</em>, by the Goddess <em>Venus</em>, transfigured into a Comet, and
+placed among the Stars; partly also <em>Python, Juno's </em>Serpent, arising
+out of the putrid Earth (after <em>Deucalions</em> Flood) made hot by the
+Rayes of the Sun; partly also the Fire, with which <em>Medea</em> kindled
+seven Lights; partly also the Moon, inflamed by the burning of
+<em>Phæton</em>; partly also the Withered Olive Branch, a new; flourishing
+and bearing Fruit; yea, becoming a new and tender Olive Tree; partly also
+<em>Arcadia</em>, where <em>Jupiter</em> was wont to walk; partly also the
+Habitation of <em>Pluto</em>, at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed
+<em>Cerberus</em>; &amp; also partly that Mountain, where <em>Hercules</em>
+burned all his Members, received from the Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts of
+the Father remained Fixed, and incombustible in Fire, and nothing of his Life
+was destroyed, but he, at length, was transmuted into a God. Likewise we will
+not forget those <em>Germans</em>, the Sons of true Philosophers, who entred
+into a Country-house, at length transformed into a Temple, whose Covering was
+made of pure Gold. Certainly, I cannot choose, but must yet once more with
+acclamation, say with the <em>Adept</em>: O happy, and thrice happy is that
+Artificer, who by the most merciful benediction of the highest,
+<em>Jehovah</em> pursues the Art of Confecting, and preparing that (as it
+were, Divine) Salt, by the Efficacious Operation of which, a Metallick, or
+Mineral body, is corrupted, destroyed, and dyes; yet the Soul thereof is in
+the mean while revived, to a glorious Resurrection of a Philosophick Body.
+Yea, I say, most happy is the Son of that man, who, by his Prayers, obtains
+this Art of Arts, unto the glory of <em>GOD</em>. For it is most certain,
+that this Mystery can be known no other way, unless it be drawn and imbibed
+from <em>GOD</em>, the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore, let every serious
+Lover of this inestimable Art judge, that the whole work of him required, is,
+that he constantly, with the prayer of true faith, in all his labour, implore
+and solicite the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the solemn manner of
+<em>GOD</em> alone is, candidly and liberally, either mediately or
+immediately, to communicate his gifts and benefits, to none, unless to candid
+and liberal Ingenies only. In this holy way of practical Piety, all
+Inquisitors of profound Arts, find what they seek, when they, in their work,
+exercise themselves Theosophically by solitary Colloquies with
+<em>Jehovah</em>, with a pure Heart and Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly
+<em>Sophia</em>, indeed, willingly embraces our friendship, presenting, and
+offering to us, her inexhaustible Rivolets, most full of gracious goodness
+and benevolence. But, happy is he, to whom the Royal way, in which he is to
+walk, shall be shown by some One expert in this <em>Arcanum</em>.</p>
+
+<p>I seem to presage to my self, that I have not equally satisfied all
+Readers in this Preface; but it is, as if I did presume to teach them an Art,
+unknown to my self; yet I hope better of the greatest part of them. For my
+intention was, only to relate to you a certain History. Therefore, Drink, my
+Friends, of the following Dialogue, or Springing Colloquy, presented by me,
+wishing you well, that thence you may satisfie, and allay all the Thirst of
+your Thirsting Minds: for I doubt not in the least, but that this Study of
+Divine Wisdome, will be more sweet to you, than <em>Nectar</em> and
+<em>Ambrosia</em>. No other will I communicate, no other have I common, then
+that of <em>Jul. Cæs. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen, is the Communication of
+Wisdome:</em> according to that of <em>Gregory Nyßen: He who is Good, in
+Nature, the same very willingly communicates his Goods to others.</em> For it
+is the part of good Men, to be profitable to others.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. II.</h2>
+
+<p>Divers Ilustrious men have written touching the Verity of this
+<em>Arcanum</em>, among these, take the Sayings of some of them, as
+follows.</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>PARACELSUS</em></p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center">In his Book <em>Of the Signature of Natural
+things.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Tincture of Naturalists, is a, true sign, that by the transmutative
+  virtue thereof, all imperfect Metals are changed, <em>viz.</em> the White
+  into Silver, and the Red into the best Gold, if an exceeding small part of
+  this Medicine well prepared, be injected upon the Metal, while in flux in a
+  Crucible, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For the invincible <em>Astrum</em> of Metals overcomes all things, and
+  changeth into a Nature like it self, &amp;c. This Gold and Silver is more
+  noble, and better, than those, which are dug out of Metallick Mines; for
+  Medicinal <em>Arcanums </em>to be prepared therefrom.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Therefore, I say every Alchimist, which hath the <em>Astrum</em> of
+  Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals into Gold, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Our Tincture of Gold hath <em>Astrums</em> in it self, is a Substance
+  most fixed, and in multiplication immutable. It is a Powder, haveing a
+  colour most red, almost like Saffron, yet its whole Corporal Substance, is
+  liquid as Rosin, perspicuous as Crystal, brittle as Glass, of the colour of
+  a Rubie, and exceeding poaderous, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Also read <em>Paracelsus</em> his <em>Heaven of Philosophers.</em></p>
+
+<p>Likewise, <em>Paracelsus</em> his Seventh Book, <em>Of the Transmutation
+of Natural things.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Transmutation is a great natural Mystery, Metallick, and not contrary to
+  the Course of Nature, nor repugnant to the Order of <em>GOD</em>, as many
+  men of it do falsly judge. For imperfect Metals, are changed neither into
+  Gold, nor into Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><em>Paracelsus</em>, in his <em>Manual of the Medicinal Stone of
+philosophers.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Our Stone is a Celestial, and more than perfect Medicine, because it
+  cleanseth all the impurities of Metals, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>HENRY KHUNRADUS</em></p>
+
+<p>In his <em>Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I travelled long, invited others, who knew somewhat by experience, and
+  could with very firm judgement conjecture; and this not alwayes in vain.
+  Among which, I call <em>God</em> to witness, by his wonderful ordination,
+  I, from one, received the Green Catholick <em>Lyon</em>, and the
+  <em>Blood</em> of the <em>Lyon</em>, viz. <em>Gold</em>, not the Vulgar,
+  but of <em>Philosophers</em>, with my Eyes I saw the same, with my hands, I
+  handled it, and with my Nostrils, smelt the odour thereof. O how wonderful
+  is <em>God</em> in his Works! They, I say, gave those Gifts prepared, which
+  I in most desperate Cases, used with admirable success to the benefit of my
+  needy Neighbour. And (by Instinct of <em>Jehovah's </em>mercy) they
+  sincerely revealed to me, the wayes of preparing, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>This wonderful Method, the wonderful <em>God</em> gave me. In this way,
+  in which I walked, <em>God </em>alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
+  yet subdelegately,  Nature, Fire, and Art, of my Master, as well living as
+  mute, corporally, and spiritually good, sleeping and waking, gave the same
+  to me, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I write not Fables; with your hands you shall handle, and with, your
+  eyes you shall see <em>Azoth</em>, viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
+  <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers; which alone, with the Internal and
+  External Fire, yet with Sympathetick Harmony, with Olympick Fire (by reason
+  of inevitable necessity) Physico-magically united, will suffice thee for
+  obtaining our Stone, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You shall see, the Stone of <em>Philosophers</em>; our <em>King</em>,
+  and <em>Lord</em> of those that bare rule, coming from his Bridal Throne of
+  the Glassy Sepulchre, into this Mundane Scene, in his glorified body,
+  <em>viz</em>, regenerate, and more then perfect: namely, a shining
+  Carbuncle, a most temperate Splendour; and of which, tire most Subtile, and
+  Depurated parts, are by the concordant peace of Mixtion, inseparably united
+  into One, and perfectly equallized, clear as Crystal, compact, and most
+  ponderous, as fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before the flight of
+  <em>Mercury</em>, as Wax flowing, yet without fume, entring and
+  penetrating, solid and close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable in every
+  Liquor, melting, and commiscible therewith; brittle as Glass, in Powder, of
+  the colour of Saffron, but in the intire Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
+  (which Redness is a sign of perfect Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
+  permanently Colouring, or Tinging; in all Examens whatsoever, even of
+  Sulphur adurtive, and in Tryals of corroding Waters, and in the most
+  vehement persecution of Fire, fixed, alwayes during, and unburnable;
+  permanent as the Salamander, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Stone of Philosophers in the greater World, is in the parts thereof,
+  fermented; by reason of the Ferment, it transforms it self into whatsoever
+  it will &amp;c. Hence you may learn the reason, why Philosophers on their
+  <em>Azoth</em> imposed the name of <em>Mercury</em> which adheres to
+  bodies, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>It is fermented with Metals, <em>viz</em>, the White existant in the
+  highest Whiteness, with pure Silver for the White; but the Sanguineous
+  <em>Stone</em>, with Gold Obrizon for the Red. And this is the Work of
+  three dayes, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>HELMONT, Of Eternal Life</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For I have oftentimes seen it, and with, my hands handled the same,
+  &amp;c. See in the same place further. Then I projected this quarter of one
+  Grane, wrapt up in Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive, hot in a
+  Crucible, and immediately the whole Hydrargyry, with some little noise
+  ceased to flow, and remained congealed like yellow Wax: after fusion
+  thereof, by blowing the bellows, there were found eight Ounces of Gold,
+  wanting eleven Grane. Therefore, one Grane of this Powder, transmutes 19186
+  equal parts of Argentvive, into the best Gold. Within the Earth, the
+  aforesaid Powder is found, or what is in a sort like thereunto, which
+  transmutes almost an infinite Mass of impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
+  uniting the same to it self, it defends from Rust, and Ærugo, from
+  Cankring, and Death, and maketh the same, as it were, immortal, against all
+  torture of Fire, and Art, and transfers it into the Virgin-purity of Gold;
+  it requires only heat.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same </em>Helmont,<em> Of the Tree of
+Life.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I am compelled to believe the Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone; because
+  at several distinct: times, with my own hand, made projection of one Grane
+  of this Powder, upon some thousands of Granes of Argentvive hot in a
+  Crucible; and in the presence of our principal friends, the business, with
+  a pleasing admiration, succeeded well in the Fire: as our books promise
+  Thee, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>He, who first gave me the Powder, had at least, so much thereof, as
+  would be sufficient for transmuting two hundred thousand pound weight of
+  Metal, into Gold, &amp;c..</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For he gave to me not so much as half a grane of that Powder, and with
+  that were transmuted nine ounces, and three quarters of an ounce of
+  Argetitvive. That was given me one Evening by a strange Friend, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>So also it is written, that sixty years since, Alexander Scotus, made
+  projection of that kinde, in the trust: famous City of <em>Colonia</em> and
+  <em>Hanovia</em>, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>I cannot in this place over-pass, some Examples worthy of note, touching
+the possibility of Transmutation.</p>
+
+<p>Read the following true Extract out of an Epistle written by Doctor
+<em>Kufflerus</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>Kufflerus</em>: Artist, I found-in my own Laboratory, an
+  <em>Aqua-fortis</em>. Secondly, I again found another in the Laboratory,
+  <em>Caroli de Roy</em>; this <em>Aqua-Fortis</em> I poured upon the Calx of
+  <em>Sol</em>, prepared of Gold, in the Vulgar manner, and after the third
+  Cohobation, it sublimed the Tincture of Gold with it self in the Neck of
+  the Retort; this Tincture I mixed with Silver, precipited in the vulgar
+  manner, and I saw that one ounce of the sublimed Tincture of Gold, with
+  ordinary Flux in a Crucible, had transmuted one ounce, and halfe of the two
+  ounces of precipitate Silver, into the best Gold: but a third part of the
+  Silver yet remaining, was a white and fixed Gold: the other two parts
+  thereof were perfect Silver, fixed in every examen of Fire. This is my
+  experience, after this time, we could never find the like
+  <em>Aqua-fortis</em>. I, <em>Helvetius</em> saw this Gold white, and
+  without Tincture.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>There is yet one other Example very rare; of what was done at the Hague
+  by a Silver-Smith, whose name was <em>Grill</em>: how he in the year 1664.
+  by Spirit of Salt, not prepared in the Vulgar manner, transmuted Lead so,
+  as from one pound, he received three parts of the best Silver, and two
+  ounces of most fixed Gold.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>At the <em>Hague</em>, a certain Silver-Smith, and a much exercised
+  Disciple of Alchimy, but according to the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
+  man; did sometime since require Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared, of a
+  loving Friend of Mine, a Cloath-Dyer, by name, <em>John Casparus
+  </em><em>Knottnerus</em>. My Friend giving the same to him; demanded,
+  whether he would use that Spirit of Salt, he now had, for Metals, or not?
+  <em>Grill</em> made answer; for Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
+  powred this Spirit of Salt upon Lead, which he had put into a Glass Dish,
+  usual for Conditures and Confections. The space of two Weeks being elapsed,
+  supernatant on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a most splendid Silver-Starre,
+  so exceeding curious, as if it had been made With an Instrument by a most
+  ingenious Artist. At the sight of which, the said Grill, filled with
+  Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that he had seen the Signate Star of
+  Philosophers, touching which he had read in <em>Basilius</em>, as he
+  thought. I, and many other honest Men, did behold this Star supernatant on
+  the Spirit of Salt, the lead in the mean while remaining in the bottom of
+  an ash colour, and swollen like a Sponge. But in the space of seven or nine
+  dayes, that humidity of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed by the exceeding
+  heat of the Aire, in <em>July</em>, did vanish; but the Star settled down,
+  and still stood above that Earthly Spongeous Lead. That was a thing worthy
+  of admiration, and beheld by not a few Spectators. At length <em>Grill</em>
+  himself having taken part of Cinereous, or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
+  adhering, cupellated in a Test, and found from one ounce of this Lead,
+  twelve ounces of Cupellate Silver, and from these twelve ounces, he also
+  had two ounces of the best Gold. And I <em>Helvetius</em> am able to shew
+  some of this Spongeous Lead with part of the Star yet adhering, &amp;
+  besides the pieces of the Star the Silver and Gold made thereof. Which when
+  this Subtile (and Likewise Foolish) <em>Grill</em> understood, he would not
+  be known to <em>Knottterus</em>, whether he had used the Spirit of Salt, or
+  not; but thenceforth attempted to learn of him the Art how to make it; yet
+  some time being Elapsed, the worthy <em>Knottnerus</em> had for got what
+  Spirit of salt (for he was expert in various kinds thereof) he had given
+  him; not being able to call the same to mind so suddenly: in the mean
+  while, he and his Family were visited with the Pestilence and dyed: the
+  other falling into the Water was drowned. After the death of these two,
+  none could find out the way of either of their Operations.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Certainly here is cause of Admiration, that the Internal Nature of Lead,
+  by the simple maturation of Spirit of Salt, should appear in an external
+  form so noble. No less admirable and wonderful to the mind is this,
+  <em>viz</em>. that the mirifick Stone of <em>Philosophers</em> can so
+  exceeding swiftly transmute Metals; having virtue potentially insited in it
+  self, so as it is deduced into Art, as in Iron by contact of the Magnet.
+  But touching These enough for the Sons of Art.</p>
+</blockquote>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. III.</h2>
+
+<p><em>Since promises are so much the better esteemed, by how much the sooner
+they are fulfilled, I, without any dilation, immediately come to my promised
+Declaration of the following History, which thus take</em>.</p>
+
+<p>At the <em>Hague</em>, on the sixth Calend of <em>January</em> or the
+27th. of <em>December</em>, in the year 1666, a certain man came to my House
+in the Afternoon, to me indeed planely unknown, but endued with an honest
+gravity, and serious authority of Countenance, cloathed in a <em>Plebick</em>
+Habit, like to some <em>Memnonite</em> of a middle Stature, his Visage
+somewhat long, with some Pock-holes here and there dispersed: his Hairs were
+indeed very black, yet not curled, little or no no hair on his Chin, and
+about three or four and fourty years of Age: his Countrey (as far as I am
+able to conjecture) is the <em>Septentrional Batavia</em>, vulgarly called
+<em>Nord Hollund</em>.</p>
+
+<p>After salutations ended, his new Guest, with great Reverence, asked,
+whether he might have freedom to come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick Art
+sake, he could not, nor was he willing to pass by the Door of my house;
+adding, that he had not only thought to have made use of some Friend to come
+to me, but had also read some of my little Treaties, especially that, which I
+published against <em>D. Digbies</em> Sympathetick Powder, in which I
+discovered my doubt of the true Philosophick Mystery. Therefore, this
+occasion being taken, he asked me, whether I could believe, that place was
+given to such a Mystery in the things of Nature, by the benefit of which a
+Physician might be able to cure all Diseases universally, unless the Sick
+already had a defect either of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any like noble
+Member? To which I answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding necessary for a
+Physician, but no man knows, what and how great are the Secrets yet hidden in
+Nature, nor did I ever, in all my Life see such an Adept Man, although I have
+read and perused many things, touching the verity of this thing, or Art, in
+the Writings of Philosophers. I also enquired of him, whether he (speaking of
+the Universal Medicine) were not a Physician? But he answering by denyal,
+professed, that he was no other than a Melter of <em>Orichalcum</em>, and
+that in the Flower of his years, he had known many things, from his Friend,
+rare to the Sight, and especially the way of Extracting Medicinal
+<em>Arcanums </em>by the force of Fire, and that for this very cause, he was
+a Lover of this so noble Science of Medicine. Moreover, long after other
+discourses, touching Experiments in Metals, made by the violence of Fire,
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> spake to me thus; Do not you know the
+Highest Secret, when it is offered to your sight, <em>viz</em>. the Stone of
+Phylosophers, you having read in the Writings of many Chymists most
+excellent, touching the Substance, Colour, and strange effect of the same? I
+answered, not at all; except what I have read in <em>Paracelsus, Helmont,
+Basilius, Sandivogius</em>, and like Books of Adept Phylosophers extant.
+Nevertheless, I think, I am not able to know the Phylosophick Matter, whether
+it be true, or not, although I should see it present before me. Whilst I was
+speaking thus, he pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory Box, in which he had
+three ponderous Fragments, in magnitude scarcely equalizing a small Walnut;
+these were Glass-like, of the colour of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior
+Scales of that Crucible did adhere, in which this most noble Substance was
+liquified, for I suppose the Value of it might equalize twenty Tun of Gold.
+But after I had plighted my Faith, I held that [Greek: cheimhêlion], [or
+pretious Treasure] of this <em>Stone</em>, within these my hands for almost a
+quarter of an hour, and from the Philosophick Mouth of the Owner, I heard
+many things worthy of note, touching the Wonderful Effect of the same, for
+humane and Metallick bodies. Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly afflicted
+Mind, restored this Treasure of Treasures to him, the Lord and Possessor, who
+gave the same into my hand for a very short space of time; and yet I did that
+(after the manner of Men overcoming themselves) not without the greatest
+action of thanks, as was fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked him, how it
+came to pass, (since I had otherwise read, that the <em>Stones</em> of
+<em>Philosophers</em>, were endowed with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour) that
+this his <em>Philosophick Stone</em> was tinged with a Sulphureous Colour? He
+answered me thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the purpose: for the Matter is
+Sufficiently mature. Moreover, when I entreated him, that he would give to
+me, for a perpetual remembrance, one small part of the Medicine included in
+his Box, although no more in bulk than a Coriander-Seed; he denied,
+answering: O no! For this is not lawful for me to do, although you would give
+me this whole Roome full of Gold in Duckets; and that not by reason of the
+price of the Matter, but by reason of another certain Consequence; Yea,
+surely, if it were possible, that Fire could be burned with Fire, I would
+sooner cast this whole Substance into the devouring Flames of
+<em>Vulcan</em>, before your Eyes. A little after this, he also asked me,
+whether I had not another Room, the Windows of which were not to the
+Street-side; I presently brought this Phænix, or Bird most rare to be seen in
+this Land, into my best furnished Chamber; yet he, at his Entrance (as the
+manner of Hollanders is, in their Countryes) did not shake off his Shooes,
+which were dropping wet with Snow. I indeed, at that very time, thus thought:
+perhaps he will provide, or hath in readiness some Treasure for me; but he
+dash'd my hope all to pieces. For he immediatey asked of me a piece of the
+best Gold-mony; and in the mean while layed off his Cloak, and Country Coat;
+also he opened his Bosom, and under his Shirt he wore in green Silk, five
+great Golden Pendants, round, filling up the magnitude of the Interior Space
+of an Orb of Tin. Where, in comparing these, in respect of Colour and
+Flexibility, the difference between his Gold, and mine, was exceeding great.
+On these Pendants he had inscribed with an Iron Instrument, the following
+Words, which, at my request, he gave leave I should coppy out.</p>
+
+<p><em>The form of the Pendants, and<br>
+words engraven thereon, are as<br>
+follows.</em></p>
+
+<center>
+
+<table summary="Insciptions on the five pendants of Elias the Artist.">
+  <tbody>
+    <tr>
+      <td align="center">I.<br>
+        AMEN<br>
+        Holy, Holy, Holy<br>
+        is the Lord our<br>
+        GOD, for all<br>
+        things are full of<br>
+        his Power.<br>
+        Leo: Libra.</td>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center">II.<br>
+        The wonderfull<br>
+        wonder-working<br>
+        wisdome of JEHOVAH<br>
+        in the Catholick<br>
+        Book of<br>
+        Nature. Made the<br>
+        26. day <em>Aug. 1666</em>.</td>
+    </tr>
+    <tr>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center"><img
+        alt="[Alchemical symbols: Gold, Mercury, Silver]"
+        src="images/alchemical_symbols.png" height="31"
+        width="75"><br>
+        The wonderfull<br>
+        <em>GOD</em>, Nature<br>
+        and the Spagyrick<br>
+        Art, make<br>
+        nothing in vain.</td>
+      <td></td>
+    </tr>
+    <tr>
+      <td align="center">Sacred, Holy Spirit<br>
+        Hallelujha<br>
+        Hallelujha<br>
+        Away Devil,<br>
+        Speak not of<br>
+        <em>GOD</em> without<br>
+        Light, Amen.</td>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center">The Eternal Invisible,<br>
+        only wise,<br>
+        Best of all and omnipotent<br>
+        <em>GOD</em> of<br>
+        Gods; Holy, Holy,<br>
+        Holy, Governour &amp;<br>
+        Conserver deservedly<br>
+        ought to be praysed.</td>
+    </tr>
+  </tbody>
+</table>
+</center>
+
+<p>Moreover, when I, affected with admiration said to him; My Master, I pray
+tell me, where had you this greatest Science of the whole World? He answered,
+I received such Magnalia from the Communication of a certain Extraneous
+Friend, who for certain dayes lodged in my House, professing, that, he was a
+Lover of Art, and came to teach me various Arts; <em>viz</em>. how, besides
+the aforesaid, of Stones and Crystal, most beautiful precious Stones are made
+much more fair than Rubies, Chrysolites, Saphires, and others of that kind.
+Also how to prepare a <em>Crocus Martis</em> in a quarter of an hour of which
+one only Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery Likewise a Metallic
+Liquor, by the help of which, every species of the Dropsy may be cured
+certainly in four dayes space Also a certain Limpid Water, more sweet, than
+Hony, by the help of which, I can extract the Tincture of Granates, Corals,
+and of all Glasses blown by Artificers, in the space of two hours in hot sand
+only. Many other things like to these he told me, which I neither well
+observed, nor committed to memory; because my intention was: carryed further,
+<em>viz</em>. to learn the Art of pressing that so noble juice out of Metals
+for Metals; but the Shadow in Waters deceived the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
+which was substantial. Moreover, this <em>Artist</em> told me that his
+Master, who taught him this Art, bad him bring Glass full of Rain water, with
+which he mixed a very small: quantity of a most white pouder; commanding me,
+(here the Disciple of that Master proceeds in his Discourse) to go to the
+Silver-Smith, for one ounce of Cupellate Silver, laminate, [or beat very
+thin,] which Silver was dissolved in a quarter of an hour, as Ice in hot
+water. Then he presently gave to me one half of this potion, by himself so
+speedily made, to drink; which in my mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I thence
+became very cheerful.</p>
+
+<p>He having related these things, I ceased not to enquire of him, to what
+end he had instanced this? Whether the Potion was Philosophick? To this, he
+answered, <em>You must not be so curious.</em></p>
+
+<p>Afterward, he told me, how he, by the command of that Laudable Artist his
+Master, took a piece of the Leaden gutter of his house, and when the Lead was
+melted in a new Crucible, the said Artist drew out off his pocket a Gasket
+full of Sulphureous Powder, of which, he took a very small part upon the
+point of a knife, once, and again, and injected the same; upon the Lead in
+Flux; presently. giving order, that the fire should be blown with two pair of
+Bellows strongly, for exciting the heat more vehemently; a little after he
+powred out of the crucible, most pure Gold, upon the Red stones, which were
+in the Kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>I (said this most pleasing discourser to me) did commodiously behold this
+verity of the Transmutation of Metals, but was so astonished with fear and
+admiration, that I was Scarcely able to speak one word; But my Master
+heartning me, said; Cheer, up and be contented: take for your self a
+sixteenth part of this Mass, which keep For a <em>Memorandum</em>; but the
+other fifteen parts distribute to the poor: and I did as he said.</p>
+
+<p>For, (if my memory deceive me not) he bestowed this exceeding great Alms,
+on the <em>Sparrendamen Church</em>; but whether, he gave it at distinct
+times Or not, or whether he told it down in the Substance of Gold, or of
+Silver, I asked him not.</p>
+
+<p>And at length (saith he speaking of his Master) he directly taught me this
+great divine Art.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, the; Narration of all these things being ended, I most humbly
+entreated him, that he would shew me the effect of Transmutation upon impure
+Metals, that I thence might have the better assurance of those things by him
+related to me, and my Faith being confirmed, securely give credit to the real
+Truth of the matter. But he very discreetly gave me the repulse; yet taking
+his leave of me, he promised to return again after three Weeks, and then shew
+to me certain curious Arts, by Fire, as also the way of projecting; making
+this Provisoe, if it should then be lawful for him. The three Weeks being
+elapsed, according to his word, he Came to my House, and invited me to walk
+abroad with him for one hour, or two, as we both did, having in that Time
+Certain, Discourses of the Secrets of Nature in the fire, but in the mean
+while, this well spoken Companion in the way, was not lavish, but rather too
+sparing of his words, touching the great Secret; affirming, that this
+singular Mystery tended not, but to the alone magnifying of the most
+illustrious Fame of the most glorious <em>God</em>; and that very few men
+considered, how they might; condignly Sacrifice; themselves by their Works to
+so great a <em>God </em>uttering these Expressions no otherwise, then as if
+he had been a Pastor of the Church. But I, in the mean time, fayled not to
+solicit him, to demonstrate to me the Transmutation of Metals. Moreover, I
+beseeched and intreated him, to vouchsafe to eat with me, and to lodge in my
+house, urging him with such Earnestness, as no Rival, or Lover, could ever
+use more perswasive Words, for winning his beloved to a willingness of
+gratifying him above all others: but he, agitated by a Spirit of so great
+constancy, made void of all I endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could not choose
+but speak to him thus: Sir, You see I have a very convenient Laboratory, in
+which you may shew me the Metallick Transmutation. For whosoever assents to
+him, that asketh, obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered he) bit I
+made a promise to you of imparting some things with this Exception, if at my,
+Return, I be not interdicted, but have leave to do the same.</p>
+
+<p>All, and every of these, my requests being in vain, I instantly, and
+earnestly besought him, that (if he would not, or by reason of the Heavenly
+Interdiction could not demonstrate what I asked) he would only give me so
+much of his Treasure, as would be sufficient for transmuting four grains of
+Lead into Gold. At this my request, he, after a little while, pouring forth a
+Flood of Philosophick Mercy, gave a small particle, as big as a Rape-Seed,
+saying: Take of the greatest Treasure of the World, which very few great
+Kings, or Princes could ever see. But I, saying my Master, this is so small
+particle perhaps will not be sufficient for tinging four granes of Lead. He
+answered; Give it me. I, accordingly gave it him, conceiving, good hope of
+receiving somewhat a greater particle instead thereof; but he breaking off
+the one half almost of it with his thumb-nayl, threw it into the fire, and
+wrapping the other up in blew paper, he gave to me, faying, <em>It is yet
+sufficient for thee</em>.To which, I with, a sad Countenance and perplexed
+Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What mean you by this? Before I doubted, and now I
+cannot believe, that so small a quantity of this Medicine will suffice for
+transmuting four grains of Lead; O, said he, if you cannot rightly handle
+your Lead in the Crucible, by reason of the so very small quantity thereof
+then take two drams, or half an ounce, or a little more of the lead, for more
+must not be tinged, then well may. To him I again said: I cannot, easily
+believe this, <em>viz.</em> that so little of the Tincture will transmute so
+great a quantity of Lead into Gold. But he, answered; what I say is true. In,
+mean, while, I, giving him great; thanks, inclosed my diminished and in the
+Superlative degree concentrated Treasure, in my own Casket, saying: <em>To
+morrow I will make this Tryal; and give no notice to any Man thereof, as long
+as I live</em>.Not so, not so, answered; he, but all things, which tend to
+the Glory of <em>God</em> Omnipotent, ought by us, singularly to be declared
+to the Sons of Art that we may live Theosophically, and not at all dye
+Sophistically.</p>
+
+<p>Then, I confessed to him; that when held the Mass of his Medicine, in that
+short space of time, I attempted to raze something there-from with my Finger
+Nayl, But I got no more, than a certain invisible Atome; and, when I had
+cleansed my nayl, and had injected the collected matter, wrapt in paper, upon
+Lead in Flux, I could see no Transmutation of it into Gold; but almost the
+whole Mass of Lead vanished into Aire, and the remaining Substance was
+transmuted into a Glassy Earth. At the hearing of this, he smiling, say'd You
+could more dexterously play the Thief, than apply the Tincture. I wonder,
+that you, so expert in the Fire, do no better understand the fuming Nature of
+Lead. For if you had wrapped your Theft in yellow Wax, that it might have
+been conserved from the Fume of Lead, then it would so have penetrated into
+the Lead, as to have transmuted the same into Gold. But now a Sympathetick
+Operation was performed in Fume, and so the Medicine permixed with the Fume,
+flew away: For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury, and like Metals, are corrupted
+by Lead Vapours, and likewise converted to a brittle Glass. While he was thus
+speaking, I shewed him my Crucible, who, viewing the remaining Substance,
+perceived a most beautiful Saffron-coloured Tincture, adhering to the sides
+of the Crucible, and say'd, To-morrow at nine of the Clock, I will return,
+and shew you; how your Medicine must be used to transmute Lead into Gold. In
+which promise of him, I rested secure. Yet, in the mean while, I again and
+again requested information of him, whether this Philosophick Work, required
+great Charges in the preparing, and a very long Time. O my Friend, answered
+he, you very accurately affect to know all things, yet I will open this to
+you; The Charge is not great, nor is the Time long. But, as touching the
+matter of which our Arcanum is made, I would have you to know; there are
+<em>only two Metals and Minerals</em>, of which it is prepared. And because
+the Sulphur of Philosophers is more abundant in these Minerals, therefore it
+is made of them.</p>
+
+<p>Then I again asked him: What the Menstruum was, and whether the Operations
+were made in Glasses, or in Crucibles. He answered; The Menstruum is a
+Celestial Salt, or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by the benefit of which,
+Philosophers only dissolve the Terrene Metallick Body, and in dissolving, the
+noble Elixir of Philosophers is produced. But the Operation is, performed in
+a Crucible, from the beginning to the end, in an open Fire. And the Whole
+Work may be begun, and plainly ended in no longer time, then four dayes: Also
+in this whole Work, no greater Cost is required, then the value of three
+Florens. Lastly he added; Neither the Mineral, from Which, nor the Salt by
+Which, is of any great Price. I again said to him: My Master; This is
+strange, for it is repugnant to the sayings of various Philosophers, Who have
+writ, that at least seven, or nine Moneths are imployed in this Work. He
+answered: The true writings of Philosophers are only; understood by the truly
+Adept. Therefore, touching the Time, they would write nothing certain; yea; I
+say, no Lover of this Art, can find the Art of preparing this Mystery in his
+whole Life without the Communication of some true Adept Man. In this respect
+and for this Cause, I advise you, my Friend, because you have seen the true
+Matter of the true Work, not to forget your self, and thirsting after the
+perfection of this Art, to cast away your own Goods; for you can never find
+it out. Then I say'd: My Master, although I am so unknown to you, as you are
+unknown to me; nevertheless, since he was unknown to you who shewed you the
+way of finding out the Operation of this <em>Arcanum</em>, perhaps you may
+also, if you be willing, notifie to me somewhat, touching this
+<em>Secret</em>, that the most difficult Rudiments being overcome, I may (as
+the saying is) <em>happily add somewhat to things already found out</em>; for
+by the occasion of one thing found, another is not difficultly invented. But
+the <em>Artist</em> answered: In this Work the matter is not so, For unless
+you know the thing, from the beginning of the Work to the end, you know
+nothing thereof. Indeed I have told you enough, yet you are ignorant how the
+Stone of Philosophers is made, and again, how the Glassy Seal of
+<em>Hermes</em> is broaken, in which <em>Sol</em> gives forth Splendor from
+his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully coloured, and in which <em>Speculum</em>,
+the Eyes of <em>Narcißus</em> behold Metals transmutable, and from which
+Rayes the Adept gather their fire, by the help of which, Volatile Metals are
+fixed into most fixed Gold, or Silver. But enough for this time, because
+(<em>God</em> willing) on the Morrow, we shall have occasion of meeting yet
+once more, that we may talk together touching this Philosophick matter; and
+according as I said, at nine a Clock, I will come to your House, and shew you
+the way of Projecting. But with that happy Valediction for one night, that
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> hath left me most sad in expectation unto
+this very day. Yea, the <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers did with him vanish
+into Aire; because from him I did no more again hear so much as one word. Yet
+he, (because he promised that he would come again to me betimes the next
+morning) half an hour before ten, sent to me another unknown man, signifying,
+that, that friend, who yesternight promised to revisit me this morning, by
+reason of other urgent business, could not come, nevertheless, at three of
+the Clock in the afternoon, he would again see me. But after I had, with a
+most vehement desire expected him, till almost eight a Clock, I began to
+doubt in the truth of the matter. Besides, my Wife also, a very curious
+Searcher in the Art of that Laudable man, came to me, troubling me, by reason
+of the Philosophick Art, cited in that aforesaid Severe, and Honest man;
+saying, Go to, let us try, I pray thee, the Verity of the work, ac cording to
+what that man said. For otherwise, I certainly shall not sleep all this
+night. But I answered; I pray let us deferr it till to morrow; perhaps the
+man will come then. Nevertheless, when I had ordered my Son to kindle the
+fire; these thoughts arose in me; That man indeed, otherwise in his
+discourses so Divine, is now found the first time guilty of a Lye. A second
+time, when I would make Experiment of my Stollen Matter hid under my Nayl,
+but to no purpose, because the Lead was not transmuted into Gold. Lastly a
+third time, he gave me so very little of the Matter, for tinging so great a
+Mass of Lead; that he almost drove me to Desperation. Notwithstanding these
+thoughts, I commanded yellow Wax to be brought, wherein to wrap the Matter,
+and finding Lead, I cut off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes. My Wife wrapped
+the Matter of the Stone in the Wax, and when the Lead was in Flux, she cast
+in that little Mass, which, with Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed its
+Operation in the Crucible well closed; as in one quarter of an hour, the
+whole Mass of Lead was transmuted into the best Gold. Certainly, had I lived
+in the Age of <em>Ovid</em>, I could not have believed, any
+<em>Metamorphosis</em> more rare, than this of the Chimical Art; but if I
+could behold things with the hundred Eyes of <em>Argus</em>, I should
+scarcely see any work of Nature more admirable, for this Lead, mixt with the
+Stone of the Wise, and in the Fire melted, demonstrated to us a most
+beautiful colour, yea, I say, it was most green; but when I poured it out
+into a [Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received a colour like Blood, and when it
+waxed cold, shined with the colour of the best Gold: I, and all who were
+present with me, being amazed, made what haste we, could with the Aurificate
+Lead (even before it was through cold) to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious
+Examen, judged it to be Gold most excellent, and that in the whole world,
+better could not be found; withall, adding, that for every Ounce of such
+Gold, he would give 50 Florens.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, the rumour of this wonderful Metallick Transmutation was
+spread all over our <em>Hague</em>; whence many illustrious men, and lovers
+of Art, made hast to me, among which, by name, the General Examiner of the
+Moneys of this Province of Holland, D<sup>n.</sup> <em>Porelius</em>, came to
+me, with certain other most illustrious men, earnestly desiring, that I would
+communicate to them some small particle of my Artificial Gold, to prove it by
+legitimate Examens: these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly gratified;
+and we went together to the house of a certain very curious Silver-Smith, by
+name <em>Brechtelius</em>, in whose Workhouse, the Excellency of my Gold was
+evidenced, by that form of Probation, which Skilful Artists call.
+<em>Quarta</em>, <em>viz.</em> when they in a Crucible melt three or four
+parts or Silver, with one part of Gold, and then by hammering, reduce that
+mixture into thin Plates, on which they pour a sufficient quantity of
+Aquafortis, by which the Silver is dissolved, but the Gold settles to the
+bottome, like a black powder. Afterward, the Aquafortis is poured off, and
+the golden powder, is again put into a Crucible, and by strong fire reduced
+to Gold.</p>
+
+<p>But when this work was ended, we supposed, that one half of the Gold was
+vanished, yet in very deed it was not so: for we found that the Gold, besides
+its own weight, had transmuted some part of the Silver into Gold, viz. two
+drams of the Gold, transmuted two scruples of the Silver (through the
+abundance of its Tincture) into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.</p>
+
+<p>After this, we, suspecting that the Silver was not well separated from the
+Gold did presently make a mixture: with seven times as much Antimony. And
+after this Examen, we lost eight grains of Gold; but when I had again
+evaporated the Antimony, I found nine grains of Gold, yet in colour somewhat
+pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of fire, we lost nothing of this Gold, And this
+infallible kind of Probation, I thrice performed in presence of those most
+noble and illustricsus Men, and found, that every Dram of Gold acquired from
+the Silver for an augmentation to it self, one Scruple, of Gold: and the
+Silver, is pure good, and very flexible. So according to this, the five drams
+of Gold, attracted to it self from the Silver, five Scruples; and (that I may
+together, and at once, comprise all that remains to be said) the whole weight
+that that Laudable Powder, in quantity so exceeding small, did transmute, was
+six drams, and two Scruples, of a more vile Metal, into Gold, in such wise
+fixed, as it was able perseveringly to sustain the most intense Torture of
+Fire.</p>
+
+<p>Behold! thus have I exactly, from first to last, commemorated this
+History. The Gold I indeed have, but where, or in what Land or Countrey.
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> is at this day hospited, I am wholly
+ignorant for he told me, his purpose was to abide in his own Country no
+longer then this Summer; that after he would travil into <em>Asia</em>, and
+visit the <em>Holy Land</em>. Let the most wise King of Heaven (under the
+Shadow of whose divine Wings he hath hitherto layn hid) by his Administratory
+Angels accompany him in his intended Journey, and prosper it so as he living
+to a great Age, may with his inestimable Talent greatly succour the whole
+Republick of Christians, and after this Life gloriously behold, and take of
+the prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal. <em>Amen.</em></p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 class="center">CHAP. IV.</h2>
+
+<p>Therefore, now to compleat my promise, I will forthwith betake my self to
+the Dialogue or, Colloque between <em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em>, and me
+the <em>Physician</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>God</em> save you, Master <em>Helvetius</em>! If I may not be too
+  troublesome, I desire to have the freedom of Discoursing with you for a
+  little time, because I have heard, that you are a curious Indagator of
+  natural things. For I have perused your Books, and among them, especially
+  that whole Treatise, which you write against the effect of Sir <em>Kenelm
+  Digbies</em> Sympathetick Powder, where it is gloried, that the same, can
+  at distance cure all Wounds. Assuredly I am incredibly delighted in those
+  things, which are beheld in this Speculum, whether Sympathetick, or
+  Antipathetick, naturally implanted in Creatures. For the inexhausted
+  Treasures of the Divine Light and Deity, no less abundantly, than liberally
+  granted to us, may best of all be known from all the Creatures, which are
+  produced either under the Ætherial Heaven, or in the belly of the Earth, or
+  in the Womb of the Sea, to the end, that by their potentially insited
+  virtues, they should restore health to the Mortal Body of Men.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Helvetius</em> the <em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>O Sir! The presence of such a new Guest shall never be troublesome to
+  me, but rather I receive you as one of my best Friends. For Philosophick
+  Discourse, touching the Secrets cf Nature, is the only recreation of my
+  Mind, also it is such convenient Salutiferous Nutriment, as no man can be
+  worthy to taste of, before he shall be rightly disposed for that Banquet.
+  Enter, I pray, Friend, into the House.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed Sir! Here, as it seems to to me, you have a compleat Vulcanian
+  Shop, and perhaps all these things Spagyrically and exactly drawn from, the
+  Mineral Kingdom; but I pray, to what end so many Medicaments? I believe,
+  that <em>God</em> in the things of Nature, naturally gives such Medicines,
+  with a very few of which, we may much sooner, and more safely re-integrate
+  the decayed, and languishing Health of Man, unless the Disease be Mortal,
+  from a deficiency of Nature, or from the putrefaction of some noble
+  internal part hurt, or by reason of a total absumption of the radical
+  humidity in which desperate Cases, no Galenick Cure, or Paracelsick
+  Tincture can yeild releif. But in ordinary Diseases it is not so; and yet
+  here, very many Men, before the fatal term of Life be expired (<em>abfit
+  Nemesis dicto</em>) are enforced to pass out of this fair Kingdom of
+  pleasing Light, into the Shadowed Land of the Dead, whilst, either they
+  neglect the health of their own Body, or commit the same to the Faith of
+  Physicians, unskilful of the Remedy they have in their hand.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>As far as I can gather from your discourse, if my Judgement deceive me
+  not, you are either a Physician, or a man expert in Chimistry. Certainly,
+  according as you say, so I believe, that in the things of Nature are given
+  other more excellent Medicaments, as also very many other Philosophers
+  affirm, that there is a certain (although to few known) Universal
+  Medicament, by the benefit which, we may prolong Life unto the appointed
+  End, cure all Diseases otherwise uncurable, and many other such things.
+  But, where is any among all the Wisest men of this world, that can shew us
+  the way, how to find out so noble a Fountain, whence such a wonderful
+  Medicamentous juice, nobilitating the Physician, is drawn? Perhaps no one
+  man.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed, I am not a Physician, but only a Melter of Orichalcum, and
+  almost from my Child-hood, have exercised my Ingeny in Pyrotechny, and so
+  have sought out the internal Nature of Metals And although I now cease from
+  my usual diligence in elaborating some accurate work, by the Art of
+  <em>Vulcan</em>, yet my mind still takes delight in labours of that kind,
+  and in the lovers of this most curious Spagyrick Art; and I do verily.
+  believe and judge, that the most Wise <em>God</em>, will in this our age
+  communicate <em>gratis</em>, or for nothing, the Metallick Mysteries of
+  Nature to his Spagyrick Sons, <em>Praying</em>, and Physico-chimically
+  <em>Labouring</em>.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>My Friend, I must needs grant this, that <em>God</em>, for nothing,
+  communicates to his Sons, this laudable <em>Good</em>, as well as all other
+  gifts; yet you shall very rarely hear, that he for nothing gives or vends
+  this Medicamentous Wine or <em>Nectar</em> to his Sons. For we certainly
+  know, how great a number of Chymists lived in former ages who,  (according
+  to the Proverb ) strove to draw water in a Sieve, whilest they presumed to
+  prepare this Universal <em>Stone</em> of Philosophers. Besides, out of the
+  books of them, who triumph in the glory of Adept, no one man can learn the
+  way of preparing, nor know their First Matter, so as any one, searching to
+  the lowest roots of Mountains, can never ascend to those their Heights,
+  where <em>Ambrosia</em>, and <em>Nectar</em> of <em>Macrosophists</em>, is
+  drank.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>In the mean time, it is the part of a good Physician, since he wants
+  such an Universal <em>Elixir</em>, (not without the daily study of
+  conserving his Conscience pure and sound) to adhibit to the Diseases of the
+  Sick, commended to his Cure, such Curations; or Remedies as for restoring
+  Sanity as in which he (from the effect) certainly knows, that a virtue of
+  healing is incited.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Wherefore, in all desperate Diseases, I, with many other Practitioners,
+  do alwayes use such most simple Medicaments, that thence the Diseased may
+  soon be restored to their Pristine state of Health, or to a better than the
+  Pristine.</p>
+
+  <p>For indeed, various and diverse kinds of Salts, are generated in the
+  Glandules and Lymphatick Vessels, after the putrefaction of this, or that
+  nutriment taken, which afterward wax florid in various Humours, for diverse
+  Diseases, either Internal, or External. Experience teacheth, that as many
+  as are the Constitutions, or Complexions of humane bodies, to so many
+  diversities of Diseases the same are obnoxious; although in one manner, and
+  the same Disease, as our daily conversation evidenceth to us in those who
+  drink Wine, whence divers Operations manifestly discover themselves.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Because <em>Peter</em> drinks Wine, he labours with an angry, I will not
+  say, furious mind.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>On the contrary, <em>Paul</em> drinking Wine, seems to imbibe his mind
+  with an Agnine Timorousness.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But <em>Matthias</em> sings, and <em>Luke </em>weeps.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em>,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Touching the Scorbutick Contagious Venome, <em>viz</em>. of
+  <em>Peter</em>, his radical juice in the Lymphatick Vessels, and Glandules,
+  is converted into an Acidity, stopping the passages, and all Organs of the
+  whole body, whence, under the Skin, arise Spots on the Arms and Legs of a
+  blewish colour, but in times of Pestilence, they swell like Pepper
+  Corns.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of <em>Pauls</em> parts is changed into an Aperitive
+  Bitterness; whence, under the Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise red Spots,
+  pricking like the bitings of Fleas; but in a Pestilential time, they are
+  Blanes.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of <em>Matthias</em> his parts, is converted into a sweetness
+  easily putrifying; whence, under the Skin of Arms and leg, arise watery
+  Tumours, almost such as are conspicuous in Dropsical Persons; but in time
+  of the Pest, they are Pestilential Tumours.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em>,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of the parts of <em>Luke</em>, is changed into a Saline, and
+  drying sharpness; whence, under the Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise
+  Precipitations of the ordinary Ferment of the Flesh, and Exficcations, as
+  usually happens in this Atrophia, yea most frequently in the true Atrophia.
+  But in the Pest, they become most ardent Buboes, with madness, even until
+  death.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Behold, my Friend, no Physician, by one only Universal Medicament, can
+  heal the Evil of this Scorbutick, or Pestilential, or Febrile Venome, but
+  indeed, by the Mediation of some particular Vegetable, or Mineral Remedy,
+  given to us from <em>God</em> in Nature, he may exterminate the same. For,
+  as I cannot heal, or help all Scorbutick Persons, with one only Scorbutick
+  Herb, as Scurvy-grass, or Sorrel, or Fumitory, or Brooklime; so, much less
+  of a certain remedy made of these diverse Species congested into one;
+  because, between the Herbs Scurvy-grass and Sorrel, there is an Antipathy,
+  as between Fire and Water; and so there is the same Antipathy between the
+  Herbs Fumitory and Brook-lime.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Therefore, the Correctory of <em>Peters</em> Scorbutick Saline acid
+  tinging Venome, is made with the Volatile bitter Salt of Scurvy-grass.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But the Correctory of <em>Pauls </em>Scorbutick Saline bitter tinging
+  Venome, is made with the acid fixed Salt of the Herb Sorrel.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Correctory of <em>Matthias</em> his Scorbutick sweetish, and
+  moistning tinging Venome is made by the help of the fixed bitter drying
+  Sulphur of the Herb Fumitory.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>And the Correctory of <em>Lukes </em>Scorbutick tinging Saline and
+  drying Venome, is made with the help of the sweet moistning <em>Mercury
+  </em>of the Herb Brook-lime, or red Colewort, as from the External
+  Signature of these Herbs, it is easie to judge of the Internal Specifick
+  Remedy against there diverse Scorbutick Disease. Certainly, my Friend, if
+  this be observed by a prudent Physician, he must needs doubt of the
+  Universal Medicine.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>All you have discoursed of, I can easily grant; yet very few Physicians
+  use this Method of healing. Yet, in the meanwhile, it is not impossible,
+  that an Universal Medicine should be given in the highest Mineral Kingdome,
+  by the benefit of which we may perform and administer all things, which are
+  by you related to me, touching the lowest Kingdom of Vegitables; but the
+  most wise <em>God</em>, for several weighty reasons, hath not on all
+  Philosophers promiscuously conferred this most magnificent
+  <em>Charisma</em> of Supereminent Science, but hath revealed it only; to a
+  very few. According as all the Adept, with one mouth, confess, and say:
+  <em>The Science is true, And, the verity thereof not to be doubted.</em></p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, besides the above commemorated, there are also other Observations;
+  strenuously refuting the Operation on an Universal Medicine, partly in
+  respect of the Age and strength of Man, partly by reason of the Sex, and
+  other Circumstances, whilst a difference is to be made between the tender,
+  and the Robust, whether from Nature, or from Education; or between the Male
+  and Female, or between a Young Man and a Virgin, or between the Beginning,
+  Middle, or End of Diseases; or it is to be understood whether a Disease, be
+  inveterate, or the Sick be lately invaded; or lastly, whether the Ferment
+  be promoted in this Disease, or be precipited in in another. Effervescency
+  is made either in the Stomach or in the Intestines. Assuredly there are
+  many contradictions of the Wonderful effect, of the Universal Medicine. For
+  the greatest part of rational Physicians want the Perspicil of <em>Thomas
+  Didymus</em> in their Fingers.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed, Sir; you have philosophised rightly, and well, yea, Arthodoxly,
+  against the universal Medicament, according to that notorious, and far
+  spred proverb. <em>As many Heads, so many Senses.</em> For as Sweet
+  sounding Musick delights not the Ears of every <em>Midas</em>; nor doth the
+  Same History related please all Historians; nor of Bread and Wine, of the
+  same Taste, is there a like relish in all Palats. So also the judgements of
+  Skilful Men do strangely differ, touching the wonderful Effect of this
+  Universal Medicine, on Humane and Metallick Bodies. For this Universal
+  Medicine, in its way of Operating, vastly differs, from a particular
+  Medicine, which may in some sense be called Universal, as the Herb
+  <em>Scurvy-grass</em>, curing every Scorbutick marked with blew Spots; or
+  <em>Sorrel</em>, healing every Scurvy, noted with red Spots; or
+  <em>Brook-lime</em>, healing an Atrophia of that Kind, or <em>Fumitory</em>
+  remedying Tumors of that Kind: and that especially with such Physicians,
+  with whom the Observation you before recited, is of any esteem. Moreover,
+  there is an exceeding great difference between the Universal Medicine of
+  Philosophers, refreshing the vital Spirits, and between a Particular
+  Medicament of Proletary-Curation, with which is corrected the venom of
+  Humors; <em>viz.</em> such as boyles up against Nature, in this Man, Acid;
+  in that Man, the Bitter is predominant; in one, what is Saline, in another,
+  what is sharp, grow potent. But, if these Corrupt humors be not without all
+  delay presently expelled out of the Body, by the ordinary Emunctories of
+  Nature either by the Belly, or by Urine of the Bladder, or by the Sweat
+  through the Pores, or by the Spittle of the Mouth, or by the Nostrils,
+  assuredly the corruption of one, becomes the Generation of another,
+  <em>viz.</em> of a Disease. For, from every spark, if we do not timely
+  extinguish it, an exceding great burning will arise. Also, if there be a
+  defect, of the Vital Spirits, it is impossible to effect this. Therefore
+  the only care of a Conscientious Physician should be, how to deduce the
+  motion of the Vital Spirits to a digestible natural Heat, and that is best
+  of all, and most securely performed by the Operation of our Universal
+  Medicament, by which they are found to be notably recreated. For as soon as
+  this more than perfect Medicine hath driven the Morbifick Evil from the
+  Seat it occupies, then immediately it infuseth the lost Sanity, and that
+  only from the Harmony, or Sympathy it self, which the Vital Spirits, and
+  this Medicine, have mutually in themselves. Wherefore, it, by the Adept, is
+  called the Mystery of Nature, and the Defensive of old Age, against all
+  Diseases. Which, I say, even in a most pestilent Season, most full of
+  contagious Diseases every where raging, makes of man a Salamander, bearing
+  such Epidemical Plagues of Heaven displeased, until the utmost term of his
+  Life be expired.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>As far as I, beloved Friend, can understand, this Medicine makes not for
+  the Emendation of depraved Humours, but is chiefly conducent for the
+  recreation of the Vital Spirits. Besides, among practical Chimists, this
+  Secret is taught, <em>viz. </em>that by the Spayrick Art, it may be
+  commonstrated, how the pure should be separated from the impure, and by the
+  same, how the Immature are rendred mature, and how the Bitter are corrected
+  into sourish, and the sourish into Sweet, and the Sharp into Gentle, and
+  the Gentle into Sharp; and the Acid into Sweet, and the Sweet into Acid.
+  Also this Laudable Medicine of Philosophers, according to my understanding,
+  cannot prolong Life, beyond the term prefixed from above, but only preserve
+  from the Effect of all Venimous, or otherwise mortiferous Diseases: and so
+  it is certainly true, as is commonly believed, that the prolongation of
+  Humane Life depends, on the Will of the Omnipotent <em>God</em> only. But,
+  omitting these, I would here ask this one Question. Whether by the use of
+  this Universal Medicine, the pristine Nature of Man may be converted into
+  New, so as a Slothful Man may degenerate into a Diligent, or stirring Man,
+  and a Man, who before was by Nature Melancholy and Sad, afterward became
+  Jovial, Chearful, and full of Joy, or like alterations, reformations,
+  permutations, or vicissitudes happen in the Nature of Man?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Not at all Sir. For so great power was never conferred on any
+  Medicament, that it could change the Nature of Man. Wine inebriating, taken
+  by diverse individual Men, in him, who is drunk, changeth not his Nature
+  but only provokes, and deduceth into act, what is naturally, and
+  potentially in him, but before was as it were, dead. Even so is the
+  Operation of the Universal Medicine, which by recreation of the Vital
+  Spirits, excites Sanity, for a time only suppressed, because it was
+  naturally in him before; even as the heat of the Sun changeth not Herbs, or
+  Flowers, but only provokes the same, and from the proper potential nature
+  of them, deduceth them into act only. For a Man of a Melancholy temper, is
+  again raised up to exercise his own Melancholy matters; and the jovial Man,
+  who was pleasant, is recreated in all his chearful actions, and so
+  consequently, in all desperate Diseases it is a present, or most excellent
+  Preservative. Hence a Man, presaging that some evil will befal him, will
+  rather prevent than be prevented. But if any prolongation of Life, by some
+  Philosophick Medicament, could have been induced, against the
+  predestination of the Omnipotent <em>God</em>, undoubtedly neither
+  <em>Hermes Trismegistus</em>, nor <em>Paracelsus</em>, nor
+  <em>Raymundlully</em>, nor the Count <em>Bernhard</em>, and many more like
+  illustrious Possessors of this great <em>Mystery</em>, would not have
+  yeilded to the common death of all Mortals, but perhaps have protracted
+  their Life until this very Day, Therefore, it would be the part of a
+  fanatick, and foolish Man to affirm this, yea of a most foolish Man, to
+  believe, and assent to the same, touching any one Medicament in the things
+  of Nature.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>My Friend, whatsoever you have spoken no less regularly, than
+  fundamentally, touching the Operation of the Universal Medicine, I indeed
+  cherefully, and willingly grant, but as long as I am ignorant of preparing
+  the same rightly, I do no other than attempt to carry my Boat from a very
+  small Lake, into the Vast Ocean, because it will certainly be driven back
+  to the Shore, without any Fruit. For although many of those illustrious Men
+  have written somewhat touching that laudable preparation, yet they involved
+  that in such a Wrapper of shadowed Caution, as the Footsteps of them
+  latently demonstrated, can be known by few or none of the most diligent
+  Readers, who should follow them so far, as until they come where they would
+  be. Also, who is so wealthy, and well informed, as to be able, and to know
+  where to buy all those Books, in which, here, and there an Hypothesis of
+  this kind is handled: betides, you may consume the greatest part of your
+  life, before you can gather thence any sufficient knowledge, or the direct
+  manual Operation. Therefore it is best for us to abide patiently in our
+  Laboratory, praying to the blessed <em>God</em>, according to that
+  Saying:</p>
+
+  <blockquote>
+    <p><em>Ora, ac Labora; &amp; Deus dat omni hora.</em></p>
+
+    <p>Labour, and Pray; God gives alway.</p>
+  </blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You argue rightly enough Sir. For, from the writings of Philosophers,
+  this Art of Arts is most rarely learned; but the Sense them is very well,
+  and clearely understood by the Manuduction of some Adept Philosopher. But
+  let us hence pass to the Transmutative Effect of this most noble Tincture,
+  touching which, the possessors, or many of the Adept, have written many
+  Books, and the most of their Genuine Disciples, labouring much in the Fire,
+  did at length compleatly attain to the wished End of their
+  <em>Arcanum</em>,</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I perceive your Mastership takes pleasure in passing from the use of the
+  Medicine, to the infinite Transmutation of Metals. Although I could easily
+  believe the possibility of Art, <em>viz.</em> that a Chymical Experiment of
+  that kind was in the Adept, as I have also made mention above, touching
+  that Experiment of Dr. <em>Kifflerus</em> who, with the Tincture of one
+  ounce of Gold transmuted 1 ounce &amp; half of Silver into the best Gold,
+  not to mention the Experiment of <em>Helmont</em>; nor of <em>Scotus</em>,
+  which he made in the most famous Cities of <em>Colonia</em>, and
+  <em>Hanovia</em>; nor much to insist on that illustrious, and well known
+  Example, manifested at <em>Prague</em>, before <em>Cæsar Ferdinando</em>
+  the third, himself; where with one only grain of the Tincture, three pounds
+  Mercury were transmuted into most noble Gold; insomuch that I am brought no
+  less into a neccessity, than into a Will of believing, that the Art may be
+  true; yet I cannot to this hour sufficiently receive it without some doubt,
+  because with these my Eyes, I never in all my Life saw the Man, who was the
+  true possessor thereof.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, you say true? yet Art will be Art, whether you can believe it or
+  no. Even as is seen in the Magnet. How it by its own insited Sulphureous
+  Virtue, of Iron, by Contact presently makes a Magnet. Although you will not
+  believe, that such wonderful Operations are latent in it, yet they are, and
+  will remain true. So also you should Judge of the Stone of Philosophers, in
+  which is all that the Wise seek. And because the clouded Writings of them,
+  can be understood, and explained but by very few, it is to be desired
+  earnestly by all, and with the hands it must be endavoured, that some one
+  General Epitomen of the whole Art, may so be made, as in a very short space
+  of time, and without much labour, all things necessary may be gathered, by
+  the help of which, a most easy Transition to real Authors, might be
+  effected. Now since you have presented some few Examples, by which you
+  endeavour to assert the confirmed possibility of the Matter; I my self will
+  here shew to you the True Matter of Secret Philosophers. Behold it! Look
+  well upon it.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>So my Master, Is this Sulphureous, and Yellow Glassy Substance the very
+  Philosophick Matter? And are you your self the Possessor of this Science? I
+  am ready to believe you do but jest with me. I pray Sir, tell me the Truth,
+  whether it be really so, or not?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Yes, Matter Doctor, You now have within your hand, the most pretious
+  Treasure in the World. For this is the true Stone of Philosophers, than
+  which, no Man ever had a better, nor shall have any other. And I my self
+  did elaborate the Composition, from beginning to end. If you have another
+  convenient Chamber, I will Shew you Metal transmuted into Gold, by such a
+  Stone as this (When I had brought him into another Chamber.) Behold (said
+  he) these five Pendants, were, by the benefit of this Philosophick
+  Tincture, prepared of Saturn, or Lead; which I wear for a perpetual
+  Remembrance of my Master. But I suppose, you, having perused many Writings
+  of the Adept, seeing the Substance, and Nature of this Stone, will very
+  sufficiently know the true Matter, or rightly understand the same.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I understand by your self, that you had a Master, from whom you rather
+  learned your Art, than acquired the same, by your proper Labour and
+  Invention. And although I now have seen that Substance, which you affirm to
+  be the true Tincture of Philosophers, as also those five Pendants,
+  nevertheless I am still left ignorant, and in doubt, whether it be true or
+  no. Therefore, I earnestly again and again request of you, to confer on me
+  only so small a part of that matter, as will suffice to transmute only four
+  grains of Lead into Gold, that you may this way remove from me all Scruple
+  or Doubt, and render me so much the more certain of the verity of the
+  Matter. Give me but the magnitude of one grain only, or of a
+  Coriander-seed, that thence a Specimen, or Probation, may be exhibited,
+  either in some desperate Disease, or in a Metallick Transmutation.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I do confess, that a certain Man of good Condition, to me wholly
+  unknown, by demonstrating taught me; First, the possibility of
+  transmutation; secondly the way of preparing also. And this is that
+  Infallible Art, touching which you have no reason to doubt. But whereas,
+  you request that I should give you one small part of my Treasure; that is
+  no wise lawful for me to do, although, you would give as a Recompense, so
+  many Ducats, as this whole Room, from the bottom to the top, would contein;
+  and that not by reason of the estimation of the Matter, because it is of
+  small Price, but for another weighty Reason, in respect of which, if it
+  were possible, that Fire could be consumed by Fire, I would at this time,
+  rather cast this whole Mass into the devouring Flames, before your Eyes.
+  Wherefore, in the meanwhile, I admonish you, not to be so eager in coveting
+  this so great Science. For you have this day seen more in my possession,
+  than many Kings, and Princes could ever behold, although they eagerly
+  desired to see the same. Besides, I think of comming to you again, after 3
+  Weeks, then I will shew to you certain excellent Arts, and Manuductions in
+  the Chymical Science. Also, if it shall then be lawful for me, to shew you
+  the way of Transmutation, I will truely satisfie your Curiosity therein. In
+  the mean while, I bid you farewel, withal, admonishing, that you take heed
+  to your self, and meddle not with such a great, and profound Labour, least:
+  you miserably loose both your Fame, and substance in the Ashes like some
+  other covetous inquisitors, of the same most noble Art.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Now, what shall I do, my Master? If it happen, that, by reason of your
+  Philosophick Oath, confirmed by that small draught of Silver, dissolved in
+  Rain-water, it shall not be lawful for you to give me that requested
+  exceeding small part of the Tincture so wonderful. You cannot be ignorant,
+  that I (according to your suspicion) am in mind anxious, and earnestlie
+  desirous of tasting of this so noble Science. Yea, I do verilie think, if
+  <em>Adam</em> himself, the first Patriark of the World (who was once driven
+  out of Paradice, for eating the Apple of either Wisedom) were yet living in
+  this our Age, he would not forbear again the Taste of this Golden Apple,
+  from the Garden of Atlantis.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Your Mastership said: Manie Princes could not see this which I have
+  seen. I, indeed have seen the Matter, of which you give so rare a
+  Testimony; but in the mean while I have not beheld the transmutative
+  Effect; only I give credit to your Words. And, since you have told me, that
+  you will go hence, and after three Weeks return to me again, to teach me
+  some excellent Chymical Arts, as also the way of projection, if it shall
+  then be lawful for you. In the fruition of this good hope, I at this time
+  rest satisfied; in the mean time, giving you hearty thanks, for your
+  exceeding great Friendship shewed to me alreadie, and, for your singular
+  Care, and faithful admonition, that I should not in Chymical Labours,
+  consume both my Goods and Reputation. I assuredly have never yet made tryal
+  of so great, and high things, nor ever will I attempt the me, unless your
+  self will first <em>gratis</em>, and from the pure benevolence of
+  Friendship, demonstrate to me, the way and manner of preparing. Yet I shall
+  admire the Verity of Art, and please my self with the Remembrance of the
+  Friendship you have shewed me; because you, who have revealed this to me,
+  are an Adept Philosopher.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But if any King, or Prince, or any Great Man, or Men, should know, that
+  you are the Possessor of this Art, and therefore (which <em>God</em>
+  forbid) should lay hold of you, and attempt by Tortures to bring you to a
+  discovery, would you reveal this Art to them?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I have not shewed the Stone of Philosophers to any man, except to one
+  aged man, and to your self; to both of you, I have revealed that I am the
+  Possessor; but, henceforth, no man must ever see or hear such a thing. And
+  although any King, or Prince, should (which <em>God</em> I hope will not
+  permit) cast, me into Prison, I would not, after the manner of
+  Circumforanean Physicians [or Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors or of poor
+  Alchimists, directly, or indirectly, discover the Art to them, but would
+  rather suffer my self to be most cruelly wracked, tortured, or tormented
+  with burning Fire, untill my life expire.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Good Friend, are there not Authors, which, touching the verity of this
+  Art, write more plainly, then all the number of them, which, concerning it,
+  utter words so obscure, as perhaps they themselves did not understand,
+  unless they adhibited the. Commentaries, and Annotations of evident
+  Paraphrasists. I suppose you have in times past read them, and therefore
+  are best able to inform me, who were Adept.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Master Doctor, I indeed read not, nor have I read many Books, yet among
+  those I have read, I find no Authors more curious, than
+  <em>Sandivogius</em>, especially in that Book, which is Entituled
+  <em>Cosmopolita</em>, in Dutch, <em>Borger Der Werelt</em>.  Also Brother
+  <em>Basilius</em> in in his twelve Keys. As to <em>Sandivogius</em>, this
+  Author you may peruse, untill I return, as I said: for in his obscure words
+  the truth is latent, even as our Tincture of Philosophers is both included,
+  and retruded, in External Minerals, and Metallick Bodies.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, I give you thanks, for this so great friendship. I shall do
+  according to your advice, and as to what you say, touching the Objects of
+  the Tincture, I easily assent to, and grant; for I believe that the
+  wonderful, and efficacious Essences of Metals, are hid under the external
+  Rinds and Shells of Bodies, although I find very few so well exercised, and
+  experienced in the Fire, who know how to uncase the Kernel, according to
+  the Rule of Art. Every External, and Robust Substance, of any Animal,
+  Vegetable, or Mineral, is the Body, like unto that Terrestrial Province,
+  into which (as <em>Isaac Holland </em>hath prescribed) excellent Essences
+  spiritually enter. Wherefore, it is needful, that the Sons of Art should
+  know, how by some Saline suitable Ferment, grateful to the Metallick
+  Nature, they may subdue, dissolve, separate and concentrate, not only the
+  Magnetick Metallick virtue of Tinging, but also, how they may multiply the
+  same in its own Philosophick Homogeneal Golden, or Silvery-manner. For we
+  see, that the bodies of all Creatures, are not only easily destroyed, but
+  thenceforth also the Internals cease to live, and hasten to the dark
+  Shadowings, in which they were, before they, by the Creation of
+  <em>God</em> the Creator, were brought to Light. But what Man will discover
+  to us this Art in the Metallick Kingdom?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You say well, and have rightly judged of the Natural Destruction of
+  things, and if it shall be pleasing to the most merciful <em>God</em>, to
+  deal graciously with you as He hath done with me; He, according to your
+  good hope, will direct some one of the Adept to demonstrate, to you the way
+  of destroying Metals, and of collecting the Internal Souls of them. But, in
+  the mean while, do you invoke the most Wise <em>God</em>, to whose Vigilant
+  Eyes I commend you, which are always open upon his Sons, regenerated to him
+  by Christ. Again Farewel, and rest assured, I will be your Friend. I must
+  at this time go hence, but I hope to see you again in good health, ere it
+  be long.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Thus my new Friend took his Leave, and went away; it leaving me, his
+Friend, most sad for the space of three Weeks, which being expired, according
+to his Word, he returned, and gave me the Tincture, as you may learn by the
+above-recited History. After this, that Philosophick Man of <em>God</em> went
+from me, and I never more saw him, from that time, unto to this very day, nor
+could I hear of him by any of the Carriers, or Posts, or by any of my
+Intimate Acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, he left with me (as a Spurre) the acute Memory of, him,
+reposted in my minde, as also the Opinion of <em>Paracelsus</em> affirming,
+that by Metals, of Metals, and with Metals, cleansed, Spiritual, and first
+depurated from their feculency, are made Metals, and the Living Gold and
+Silver of Philosophers, as well for Humane, as for Metallick Bodies.
+Wherefore if that Guest, my Friend of but little acquaintance, had exactly
+shewed to me, the way of preparing preparing this Celestial Spiritual Salt,
+by which, and with which, from Corporeal, and Earthly Substances, I might, as
+it were, in the Matrix of them, collect the Spiritual Rayes of <em>Sol</em>
+or <em>Luna</em>: assuredly, He from his own Light, would have enkindled in
+me so great a Light, as I should have seen, and understood how I ought in
+other Corporeal Metals, by Sympathy to transmute the Eternal Soul of them so,
+as by the help thereof they had clarified, or transformed their own like
+body, either into Gold, or into Silver, according to the disposition of the
+Red seed, into a Red Body, or according to the Nature of the White Seed, into
+a White Body. For <em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> affirmed to me, that the
+Chalybs Of <em>Sandivogius</em> is that true Mercurial Metallick Humidity, by
+the help of which, without any Corrosive, the Artist might, in an open Fire,
+and Crucible, separate the fixed Rayes of <em>Sol </em>or <em>Luna</em> from
+their own Body, and thenceforth make them Volatile and Mercurial, for the Dry
+Philosophick Tincture, as he demonstrated to me; and communicated somewhat
+relating to the transmutation of Metals. Indeed all men well skilled in the
+Chymical Science, have a necessity of assenting to me in this, <em>viz.</em>
+that <em>Pyrotechny </em>is the Mother, and Nurse of various noble Sciences
+and Arts. For they can easily judge from the Colours of the Chaos of Metals
+in the Fire, what Metallic body is therein. Even so dayly in the bowels of
+the Earth are procreated Metals, and Perspicuous Stones, from a proper noble
+vaporous Seed, from a Spiritual tinging Sulphureous Seed, in their diverse
+Saline Matrixes. For the common Sulphur, whether of an impure, or pure Metal
+whilst conjoyned with its own body, mixt with Salt Peter only in the burning
+heat of Fire is easily changed into a most hard and most fixed Earth, but
+this Earth is thenceforth by the Aire easily changed into a most limpid
+Water: and this Water afterward, by a more strong Fire, according to the
+Nature of the Metallick pure or impure Sulphur mixt is converted into Glass,
+admirably Well tinged with various Colours. Almost in the very same
+manner,from the White of an Egge is generated a Chick by natural heat. So
+also from the Seminal bond of Life of any one Metal, is made a new, and more
+noble Metal, by an heat of Fire convenient to the Saline Nature; although
+very few Chimists rightly and perfectly know, how the Internal, and alwayes
+moving Magnetick virtues, are distinguished according to the Harmony, or
+Disconsonancy of them. Whence we see, this Metal hath a Sympathy or Antipathy
+with another, so very singular, as is found in the Magnet with Iron, in
+Mercury with Gold, in Silver with Copper, a very remarkable Sympathy, but on
+the contrary, there is a notable Antipathy in Lead against Tin, in Iron
+against Gold, in Antimony against Silver, in Lead against Mercury. Infinite
+other like Sympathetic, and Antipathetick Annotations occurr in the Animal
+&amp; Vegetable Kingdom; as you may read and find in various Authors, who
+have written of such Curiosities, from the accurate, and absolute Knowledge
+of which, the true Philosophers, and Masters of Nature had their beginning,
+and Esteem.</p>
+
+<p>Thus have I described, what I my self have seen and done; and have caused
+the same to be printed for you, Candid Readers, out of mere Liberality,
+<em>gratis</em> communicating it, according to that of <em>Seneca</em>: I
+desire in this to know somewhat, that I may teach others. <em>Si cum hac
+Exceptione detur Sapientia, ut illlam inclusam tencam, abjiciam, &amp;c.</em>
+But if any man doubt of the real truth of this matter, let him only with a
+lively faith believe in his Crucified Jesus, that in Him, he (by the strict
+way of Regeneration) may become a New Creature; in the same let him fix the
+whole Anchor, of his Faith, and likewise shew his [Greek: philanthropia], or
+Love of Mankind, unto all his Neighbours, and especially exercise the works
+of Mercy, and Brotherly Love towards the needy Members of the Christian
+Religion, that at length, when the whole Course of his Life is justly, and
+holily finished, in that Fatal and Mortal hour, he may hence, through the
+Watery Ocean of this Tempestuous and Rocky World, arrive in safety at the
+most blessed Port of Eternal Rest, and sing the New Song with the Triumphing
+Philosophers of the Heavenly <em>Jerusalem</em>, of which he hopes to take,
+who is,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your most faithful and assured Friend</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>John Frederick Helvetius</em>,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the
+<em>Hague</em>.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+<br>
+<br>
+Transcriber's note: Repeated word "perused" deleted<br>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14641 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
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+status under the laws that apply to them.
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #14641 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14641)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and
+Desires, by John Frederick Helvetius
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and Desires
+
+Author: John Frederick Helvetius
+
+Release Date: January 9, 2005  [eBook #14641]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD
+ADORES, AND DESIRES***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Julian Rosalie
+
+
+
+THE GOLDEN CALF,
+
+Which the
+
+WORLD
+
+ADORES, and DESIRES:
+
+In which is handled
+The most rare and Incomparable
+Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting
+METALS;
+
+VIZ.
+
+How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one
+Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon,
+with an exceeding small particle of the true
+Philosophick Stone.
+
+At the Hague. In the Year 1666.
+
+Written in Latin by John Frederick Helvetius,
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at
+the Hague,  and faithfully Englished.
+
+London, Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre
+in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr, 1670.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+To the most Excellent
+D. THEODORUS KETJES,
+by his many Peregrinations, a
+most famous Phisician, and an
+happy Practitioner of Medicine
+at Amsterdam,
+One of my Intimate Friends.
+
+ALSO,
+To the most Noble, most Excellent,
+and most Experienc'd, and
+Accurate Searchers into the
+Vulcanian Anatomy,
+D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS,
+Counsellor, and Chief Physician
+of the most Serene Elector Palatine
+of HEIDELBERG.
+
+AND
+D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS,
+Principal Physician in the Court
+of the most Serene Elector of
+BRANDENBURG:
+My Reverend Patrons, and intire
+Friends.
+
+
+
+
+The Epistle
+
+DEDICATORY:
+
+
+Most Noble, most Excellent, most
+Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors
+of the  Vulcanian Anatomy,
+and my most real
+FRIENDS.
+
+
+      Although I neither was willing,
+      nor able to be wanting to my
+      honoured Friends, yet would not
+      divulge and bring to light the Verity
+      of the Spagirick Art, but by this most
+      precious, and Miraculous Arcanum,
+      which I not only saw with these Eyes,
+      but taking a little of the transmutatory
+      powder, I myself also transmuted
+      an Impure Mass of Lead volatile
+      in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly
+      sustaining every Examen of Fire:
+      in such wise, as henceforth it can no
+      more be suspected by any Man, no not
+      by those, who unto this day have
+      perswaded themselves and others, that
+      this Arcanum is given to no man:
+      but contrarily we were fully and indubitately
+      perswaded, that, in things
+      of Nature, The Mercury of Philosophers
+      is Primo-material, and is like
+      a Fountain overflowing with wonderfull
+      Effects, and those escaping every
+      acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible
+      Reason, as shall be evidenced
+      in this my little work: which I was
+      willing to dedicate and consecrate to
+      you, my Primary Patrons, as to most
+      prudent Masters, and Defenders.
+      Yet in the mean while, I pray consider,
+      that I have not writ to the end
+      I would teach any one, that Art,
+      which I my self know not, but only
+      that I might recite the true Process
+      of this Arcanum. For, what can more
+      confirm, and Patronize Verity, than
+      the true Light of Truth it self? It
+      is the property of Brute Animals to
+      pass their life in Silence, and especially
+      not to heed those things in them,
+      which do most of all look to, and are
+      required for the propagation of the
+      Glory of the most Wise, and most powerful
+      GOD our creator. Wherefore,
+      since it is a thing unworthy,
+      and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful,
+      for Man, who should be a Consort
+      of the Divine Nature, to wax brutish
+      with Brutes, I present to you, my
+      most faithful Friends, and Patrons
+      of this Science, this most rare History:
+      having as time, and my Ability would
+      permit, recollected all things, and
+      have faithfully commemorated them.
+      Therefore, omitting all paints, and
+      flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions,
+      I will forthwith betake my self to the
+      discovery of all, whatsoever I both
+      saw, and heard from Elias the Artist
+      touching this. For truly, I was not so
+      intimately familiar with him, as that
+      he should instruct me in the way of preparing
+      the Universal Medicine,
+      after the Method of Physico-artificial
+      Chimistry: yet he supplyed me
+      with such Reasons in the Method of
+      Healing, as I shall never be able to
+      commend his worth with condigne
+      Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
+      and true Lovers of the Chimical Art,
+      accept of this little work,
+      as a mean Gift, or if you had rather,
+      peruse if only for recreation of the
+      mind; for in it I shall relate all things
+      whatsoever, that were discoursed of
+      between him and me, at several times:
+      humbly requesting, that with the same
+      benevolence you have received other
+      of my small Treatises, you would also
+      accept of this Novel, which I freely
+      dedicate, and officiously give to you,
+      for a motion, and increase of Admiration.
+      Farewel, avete, favete.
+
+Your most humble
+
+John Fredrick Helvetius.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.I.
+
+
+Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs.
+Before I enter upon the Description
+of the Philosophick PIGMY, (in
+this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming
+and subduing GIANTS, I pray permit me here to use
+the words of Vanhelmont, taken out of
+his Book De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630.
+and here Transcribed.
+
+I compelled to believe, that
+there is an Aurifick, and Argentick Stone.
+But (Friend of the
+Spagyrick Art) I am not ignorant,
+that many have been found among
+the most wise, yea among the exquisite
+Chimists, who have not only
+consumed their own Goods, but
+the Goods of others also, in this
+Great Vulanick Secret, as Experience
+even at this very day sufficiently
+proves. For we have seen,
+the more is the pity! how unwary
+Chimists, yea such as are more
+worthy, than those who are called
+Alchimists; how, I say, they,
+labouring simply, are daily deluded
+with Guile of this kind, by Diabolick,
+Aurifick, and Argentick Suckgoods.
+Also I know, that many
+Stupid Men will rise up, and contradict
+the truth of my true Experience,
+touching the Philosophick
+Stone. One will have it to be a
+work of the Devil; another affirms
+there is no such thing; a
+third faith it is the Soul of Gold
+only, and that with an Ounce of that
+Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more
+may be again tinged: but this is
+repugnant to the Attestation of
+Kifflerus, as I shall briefly commemorate;
+a fourth believes the
+Verity and Possibility thereof, but
+faith it is so chargeable, as it will
+never quit Cost; with many other
+like Allegations. Yet I wonder
+not at this, for according to this
+Saying,
+
+
+      Quorum rationem non intelligimus,
+      miramur,
+      Que vero pernoscere volupe est,
+      rimamur.
+
+      What we cannot attain to, we admire,
+      But what to know is pleasing, do
+      desire.
+
+
+How can a Man, fallen from the
+Fountain of Light, into the Abyss
+of Darkness, effect any thing to
+purpose, in Natural things, especially
+when his Wisdome in this
+natural Philosophick Study is barren
+and sophisticate? It is, for the
+most part, proper to these Fools and
+unapt men, presently to contemn
+a thing, not knowing, that more
+are yet to be sought by them, than
+they have the possession of. Therefore,
+rightly saith Seneca, in lib. de
+Moribus: Thou art not yet happy,
+if the Rout deride thee not. But I
+matter not, whether they believe,
+or contradict what I write, touching
+the Transmutation of Metals.
+I rest satisfied in this one thing,
+which with my eyes I have seen,
+and what with my hands I have
+done. For what Philosophers say
+of themselves, I also have with my
+hands handled this Spark of the
+Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine
+Catholick Magnesia of Philosophers,
+a Fire of potency sufficient
+to penetrate Stones, yea, a
+Treasure of so great value, as 20
+Tun of Gold cannot exceed the
+price thereof. What seek you?
+I believe what I have seen with the
+eyes of Thomas, and handled as he,
+(but in the nature of things only)
+as well as the Adept Philosophers;
+although in this our decrepit age
+of the world, That be accounted a
+most Secret Hyperphysico-magical
+Saturn, and not known, unless
+to some Cabalistick Christian only.
+We judge him the most happy of
+all Physicians, who hath the
+knowledge of this pleasant Medicinal
+potion of our Mercury, or of
+the Medicine of the Son of our Esculapius
+resisting the force of death,
+against which there is no Panacea
+otherwise produced in Gardens.
+Moreover, the most wise GOD doth
+not reveal his Gifts of Solomon
+promiscuously to all Mortals. They
+indeed seem strange to them, when
+they behold a Creature, from the
+occult Magnetick potency incited
+in it self, deduced into art by its own
+like; as for Example: In Iron is
+a Magnetick, ingenited, potential
+virtue from the Magnet: a Magnetick
+virtue in Gold from Mercury:
+a Magnetick virtue in Silver
+from Venus, or Copper: and
+so consequently in all Metals, Minerals,
+and Stones, Herbs, and
+Plants, &c.
+
+Moreover, I may properly quæry,
+which of the wisest Philosophers
+is so Sage, as to be able to
+comprehend with the acuteness of
+his own most dextrous ingeny,
+with what Obumbracle the Imaginative
+Tinging, Venemons,
+or Monstrous Faculty of any pregnant
+Woman, compleats its work in
+one Moment, if it be deduced
+into art by some External Object?
+
+I do assuredly believe, that very
+many will foolishly say, that this is
+a Mortomagical Work of the Devil;
+but the Doltish and Ignorant
+are affraid to be out-shined by the
+true resplendent Light of Verity,
+with which their Owl-like Sight
+is troubled, and afflicted.
+
+Also the Stars are a cause of
+what we treat of, and this cause is
+not to be contemned, although I,
+nor you, know not how to comprehend
+the Celestial Influences of
+them in our mind. Nor are the
+Plants, which the Earth supplies
+us with, to be rejected, although
+I; or you, from the External Signature
+of them, know not how to
+judge aright of the Effect of Virtues
+ingenited in them, which they
+notoriously exercise, according
+to their power, in healing and
+conserving Humane bodies. Therefore,
+since all others are also offended
+at the Internal Light, being
+ignorant of all abstruse things, of
+which you, or I, want the Science,
+how can the same Virtues be deduced
+into art, according to the
+end for which they were created?
+A thousand other like things
+might be instanced. Although
+you know not the Splendour in
+Angels, the Candour in the Heavens,
+the Perspicuity in the Air,
+Limpitude in Waters, the variety
+of Colours in Flowers, hardness
+of Metals and Stones, Proportion
+in Animals, the Image of GOD
+in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers,
+and Reason in the Soul;
+yet in them there is such a beauty,
+as hath been throughly beheld,
+and fully known by very few Mortals.
+
+Although in the Stone of Philosophers
+there be so potent a virtue,
+and the same hath been seen
+by me, yet I would not therefore
+have any man to think, that my
+primary Scope, and intention, is
+to perswade the worthy, or unworthy
+Sons of this Age, to labour
+in this work, no, not at all:
+but I shall rather dehort all, and
+every of the curious Indagators of
+this Art, that they seriously abstain
+from this most perilous Arcanum,
+as from a certain Sanctum
+Sanctorum; yea, and I would admonish
+the Studious of this Arcanum,
+accurately to take heed to
+himself, and beware of the Lectures,
+and Association of false
+Philosophers. But I hope I shall
+satisfie the curious Naturalists,
+or investigators of Physical Arcanums,
+by communicating and publishing
+in this present Discourse, all
+which passed between Elias the Artist,
+and Me, touching the Nature
+of the Stone of Philosophers.
+For that is an Ens more Effulgent
+than the Morning, or a Carbuncle:
+more splendid, than the Sun, or
+Gold: more fair, than the Moon,
+or Silver: so very Recreable,
+and Amiable, was the sight of this
+Light, and most pleasing Object
+to me, as out of my inward Mind,
+it cannot be obliterated, or extinguished
+by any Oblivion; although
+the same be credited by none of the
+fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant
+Asses, and such as glory only
+in the praise of ambitious Eloquence.
+For in this malignant
+ulcerated age of the world,
+nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies,
+but it is taken in a wrong
+Sense, and perverted unworthily
+by the Idiotick Ignorance of
+mad-brain'd CacoZelots.
+So very farr do
+all these dark-sighted men deviate
+from the true rule of Verity,
+as in success of time, they, intangled
+with their own Errors, will
+miserably wast away and expire;
+but our Assertion, built on the
+Eternal Foundation of Triumphing
+Verity, shall continue and remain,
+unto the Consummation of
+all ages, without diminution, although
+this art be not yet known
+to all Mortals. For the Adept Philosophers,
+according to the antient
+Faith of their experience, have
+affirmed, that this Natural Mystery
+(which many anxious men
+have sinistrously sought, and required)
+is only to be found with
+Jehovah, Saturninely placed in the
+Centre of the World. In the
+mean while, we proclaim those
+happy, who take care, by the help
+of art, how they may wash this
+Philosophick Queen, or how they
+ought to circulate the Virgin-Catholick-Earth,
+in Physico-Magical
+Crystalline Artifice, as Khunradus.
+did; they only, and none others
+besides them, shall see the Crowned,
+and internally fiery King of
+Philosophers, coming forth from
+his Glassy Sepulchre, in an external
+fiery Body glorified, more then
+perfect with all the Colours in the
+world, as a shining Carbuncle, or
+perspicuous, compact and ponderous
+Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out
+Waters, and by the benefit
+thereof in the Fire washing Leprous
+Metals, as I my self have seen.
+What? How shall they see the
+Abyss of the Spagyrick Art? when
+as this Royal Art hath so long lain
+hid, and been absconded in the
+Mineral Kingdom, as in the Safest
+of all Secret places, for so very many
+years? Assuredly the Genuine
+Sons of this Laudable Art, shall
+not only behold a like Flood of
+Numicius, in which Æneas heretofore,
+by the command of Venus,
+washed and absolved from his Immortality,
+was immediately transformed
+into an immortal God; but
+also the Lydian River of Pactolus
+all transmuted into Gold, and how
+Midas Mygdonius washed himself
+in the same. Likewise those candid
+Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious
+order behold the Bathing-place of
+naked Diana, the Fountain of Narcissus
+and Scylla walking in the Sea,
+without garments, by reason of the
+most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly
+also the Blood of Pyramus and
+Thisbe, of it self collected, by the
+help of which, white Mulberries
+are tinged into Red; partly also
+the Blood of Adonis, by the descending
+Goddess Venus transformed
+into a Rose of Anemona; partly
+likewise the Blood of Ajax, from
+which arose that most beautiful
+flower the Violet; partly also the
+Blood of the Giants slain by Jupiters
+thunder-bolt; partly also the
+Shed Tears of Althea, when she put
+off her Golden Vestments; and
+partly the Drops, which fell from
+the decocted Water of Medea, by
+which green things immediatly
+sprang out of the Earth; partly
+also the cocted Potion of Medea,
+made of various Herbs, gathered
+always three dayes before full
+Moon, for the cure of Jasons aged
+Father; partly also those Leaves,
+by the tast of which, the nature of
+Gaucus was changed into Neptune;
+partly also the Exprest Juice of
+Jason, by the benefit of which, he,
+in the Land of Cholcons, received
+the Golden Fleece, afterward by
+reason of that, compleatly armed, he
+fought in the Feild of Mars, not
+without the hazard of Life; partly
+also the Garden of the Hesperides,
+where Golden Apples may be gathered
+from the Trees; partly also
+Hippomenes running for the Mastery
+with Atalanta, and staying her
+Course, and so overcoming her
+with three Golden Apples, the Gifts
+of Venus; partly also the Aurora of
+Cephalus, partly also Romulus transformed
+by Jupiter into a God;
+partly also the Soul of Julius Cæsar, by
+the Goddess Venus, transfigured into
+a Comet, and placed among the
+Stars; partly also Python, Juno's
+Serpent, arising out of the putrid
+Earth (after Deucalions Flood)
+made hot by the Rayes of the Sun;
+partly also the Fire, with which
+Medea kindled seven Lights;
+partly also the Moon, inflamed by the
+burning of Phæton; partly also the
+Withered Olive Branch, a new;
+flourishing and bearing Fruit;
+yea, becoming a new and tender
+Olive Tree; partly also Arcadia,
+where Jupiter was wont to walk;
+partly also the Habitation of Pluto,
+at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed
+Cerberus; & also partly that
+Mountain, where Hercules burned
+all his Members, received from the
+Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts
+of the Father remained Fixed, and
+incombustible in Fire, and nothing
+of his Life was destroyed, but he,
+at length, was transmuted into a God.
+Likewise we will not forget
+those Germans, the Sons of true
+Philosophers, who entred into a
+Country-house, at length transformed
+into a Temple, whose Covering
+was made of pure Gold. Certainly,
+I cannot choose, but must yet once
+more with acclamation, say with
+the Adept: O happy, and thrice
+happy is that Artificer, who by the
+most merciful benediction of the
+highest, Jehovah pursues the Art of
+Confecting, and preparing that
+(as it were, Divine) Salt, by the
+Efficacious Operation of which, a
+Metallick, or Mineral body, is
+corrupted, destroyed, and dyes;
+yet the Soul thereof is in the mean
+while revived, to a glorious Resurrection
+of a Philosophick Body. Yea,
+I say, most happy is the Son
+of that man, who, by his Prayers,
+obtains this Art of Arts, unto the
+glory of GOD. For it is most
+certain, that this Mystery can be
+known no other way, unless it
+be drawn and imbibed from GOD,
+the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore,
+let every serious Lover of
+this inestimable Art judge, that the
+whole work of him required, is,
+that he constantly, with the prayer
+of true faith, in all his labour,
+implore and solicite the Divine
+Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the
+solemn manner of GOD alone is,
+candidly and liberally, either mediately
+or immediately, to communicate
+his gifts and benefits, to
+none, unless to candid and liberal
+Ingenies only. In this holy way
+of practical Piety, all Inquisitors
+of profound Arts, find what they
+seek, when they, in their work,
+exercise themselves Theosophically
+by solitary Colloquies with
+Jehovah, with a pure Heart and
+Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly
+Sophia, indeed, willingly embraces
+our friendship, presenting,
+and offering to us, her inexhaustible
+Rivolets, most full of gracious
+goodness and benevolence. But,
+happy is he, to whom the Royal
+way, in which he is to walk, shall
+be shown by some One expert in
+this Arcanum.
+
+I seem to presage to my self, that
+I have not equally satisfied all Readers
+in this Preface; but it is, as
+if I did presume to teach them an
+Art, unknown to my self; yet I
+hope better of the greatest part of
+them. For my intention was, only
+to relate to you a certain History.
+Therefore, Drink, my Friends, of
+the following Dialogue, or Springing
+Colloquy, presented by me,
+wishing you well, that thence
+you may satisfie, and allay all the
+Thirst of your Thirsting Minds:
+for I doubt not in the least, but
+that this Study of Divine Wisdome,
+will be more sweet to you,
+than Nectar and Ambrosia. No
+other will I communicate, no other
+have I common, then that of Jul.
+Cæs. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen,
+is the Communication of Wisdome:
+according to that of Gregory
+Nyßen: He who is Good, in Nature,
+the same very willingly communicates
+his Goods to others. For it is the
+part of good Men, to be profitable
+to others.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+Divers Ilustrious men have
+written touching the Verity
+of this Arcanum, among these,
+take the Sayings of some of them,
+as follows.
+
+PARACELSUS
+In his Book Of the Signature of Natural
+ things.
+
+
+      The Tincture of Naturalists, is
+      a, true sign, that by the transmutative
+      virtue thereof, all imperfect
+      Metals are changed, viz. the
+      White into Silver, and the Red
+      into the best Gold, if an exceeding small
+      part of this Medicine well
+      prepared, be injected upon the
+      Metal, while in flux in a Crucible,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For the invincible Astrum of
+      Metals overcomes all things, and
+      changeth into a Nature like it self,
+      &c. This Gold and Silver is more noble,
+      and better, than those,
+      which are dug out of Metallick
+      Mines; for Medicinal Arcanums
+      to be prepared therefrom.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      Therefore, I say every Alchimist,
+      which hath the Astrum of
+      Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals
+      into Gold, &c.
+
+The same.
+
+
+      Our Tincture of Gold hath
+      Astrums in it self, is a Substance
+      most fixed, and in multiplication
+      immutable. It is a Powder, haveing
+      a colour most red, almost like
+      Saffron, yet its whole Corporal
+      Substance, is liquid as Rosin, perspicuous
+      as Crystal, brittle as
+      Glass, of the colour of a Rubie,
+      and exceeding poaderous, &c.
+
+
+Also read Paracelsus his Heaven
+of Philosophers.
+
+Likewise, Paracelsus his Seventh
+Book, Of the Transmutation of Natural
+things.
+
+
+      Transmutation is a great natural
+      Mystery, Metallick, and not
+      contrary to the Course of Nature,
+      nor repugnant to the Order of
+      GOD, as many men of it do falsly
+      judge. For imperfect Metals, are
+      changed neither into Gold, nor into
+      Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.
+
+
+
+Paracelsus, in his Manual of the
+Medicinal Stone of philosophers.
+
+
+      Our Stone is a Celestial, and
+      more than perfect Medicine, because
+      it cleanseth all the impurities
+      of Metals, &c.
+
+
+HENRY KHUNRADUS
+
+In his Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience.
+
+      I travelled long, invited others,
+      who knew somewhat by experience,
+      and could with very firm
+      judgement conjecture; and this not
+      alwayes in vain. Among which,
+      I call God to witness, by his wonderful
+      ordination, I, from one,
+      received the Green Catholick
+      Lyon, and the Blood of the Lyon,
+      viz. Gold, not the Vulgar, but of
+      Philosophers, with my Eyes I saw
+      the same, with my hands, I handled
+      it, and with my Nostrils, smelt
+      the odour thereof. O how wonderful
+      is God in his Works! They,
+      I say, gave those Gifts prepared,
+      which I in most desperate Cases,
+      used with admirable success to the
+      benefit of my needy Neighbour.
+      And (by Instinct of Jehovah's
+      mercy) they sincerely revealed to
+      me, the wayes of preparing, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      This wonderful Method, the
+      wonderful God gave me. In this
+      way, in which I walked, God
+      alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
+      yet subdelegately,  Nature,
+      Fire, and Art, of my Master,
+      as well living as mute, corporally,
+      and spiritually good, sleeping
+      and waking, gave the same to
+      me, &c,
+
+
+
+The same.
+
+      I write not Fables; with your
+      hands you shall handle, and with,
+      your eyes you shall see Azoth,
+      viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
+      Mercury of Philosophers; which
+      alone, with the Internal and External
+      Fire, yet with Sympathetick
+      Harmony, with Olympick
+      Fire (by reason of inevitable necessity)
+      Physico-magically united,
+      will suffice thee for obtaining our
+      Stone, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      You shall see, the Stone of Philosophers;
+      our King, and Lord of those
+      that bare rule, coming from his
+      Bridal Throne of the Glassy Sepulchre,
+      into this Mundane Scene,
+      in his glorified body, viz, regenerate,
+      and more then perfect:
+      namely, a shining Carbuncle, a
+      most temperate Splendour; and
+      of which, tire most Subtile, and
+      Depurated parts, are by the concordant
+      peace of Mixtion, inseparably
+      united into One, and perfectly
+      equallized, clear as Crystal,
+      compact, and most ponderous, as
+      fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before
+      the flight of Mercury, as Wax
+      flowing, yet without fume, entring
+      and penetrating, solid and
+      close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable
+      in every Liquor, melting,
+      and commiscible therewith; brittle
+      as Glass, in Powder, of the
+      colour of Saffron, but in the intire
+      Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
+      (which Redness is a sign of perfect
+      Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
+      permanently Colouring, or Tinging;
+      in all Examens whatsoever,
+      even of Sulphur adurtive, and
+      in Tryals of corroding Waters,
+      and in the most vehement persecution
+      of Fire, fixed, alwayes during,
+      and unburnable; permanent as the
+      Salamander, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      The Stone of Philosophers in
+      the greater World, is in the parts
+      thereof, fermented; by reason of
+      the Ferment, it transforms it self
+      into whatsoever it will &c.
+      Hence you may learn the reason,
+      why Philosophers on their Azoth imposed
+      the name of Mercury which
+      adheres to bodies, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      It is fermented with Metals, viz,
+      the White existant in the highest
+      Whiteness, with pure Silver for
+      the White; but the Sanguineous
+      Stone, with Gold Obrizon for
+      the Red. And this is the Work
+      of three dayes, &c.
+
+
+HELMONT, Of Eternal Life
+
+
+      For I have oftentimes seen it,
+      and with, my hands handled the
+      same, &c. See in the same place
+      further. Then I projected this
+      quarter of one Grane, wrapt up in
+      Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive,
+      hot in a Crucible, and immediately
+      the whole Hydrargyry,
+      with some little noise ceased to
+      flow, and remained congealed like
+      yellow Wax: after fusion thereof,
+      by blowing the bellows, there
+      were found eight Ounces of Gold,
+      wanting eleven Grane. Therefore,
+      one Grane of this Powder,
+      transmutes 19186 equal parts of
+      Argentvive, into the best Gold.
+
+      Within the Earth, the aforesaid
+      Powder is found, or what is in a
+      sort like thereunto, which transmutes
+      almost an infinite Mass of
+      impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
+      uniting the same to it self, it defends
+      from Rust, and Ærugo, from
+      Cankring, and Death, and maketh
+      the same, as it were, immortal,
+      against all torture of Fire, and Art,
+      and transfers it into the Virgin-purity
+      of Gold; it requires only
+      heat.
+
+The same Helmont, Of the Tree
+of Life.
+
+      I am compelled to believe the
+      Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone;
+      because at several distinct: times,
+      with my own hand, made projection
+      of one Grane of this Powder,
+      upon some thousands of Granes of
+      Argentvive hot in a Crucible; and
+      in the presence of our principal
+      friends, the business, with a pleasing
+      admiration, succeeded well in the Fire:
+      as our books promise Thee,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      He, who first gave me the Powder,
+      had at least, so much thereof,
+      as would be sufficient for transmuting
+      two hundred thousand
+      pound weight of Metal, into
+      Gold, &c..
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For he gave to me not so much
+      as half a grane of that Powder,
+      and with that were transmuted nine
+      ounces, and three quarters of an ounce
+      of Argetitvive. That was
+      given me one Evening by a strange
+      Friend, &c
+
+
+The same
+
+      So also it is written, that sixty
+      years since, Alexander Scotus, made
+      projection of that kinde, in the
+      trust: famous City of Colonia and
+      Hanovia, &c..
+
+
+I cannot in this place over-pass,
+some Examples worthy of note,
+touching the possibility of
+Transmutation.
+
+Read the following true Extract
+out of an Epistle written by Doctor
+Kufflerus.
+
+
+      Kufflerus: Artist, I found-in my
+      own Laboratory, an Aqua-fortis.
+      Secondly, I again found another
+      in the Laboratory, Caroli de Roy;
+      this Aqua-Fortis I poured upon the
+      Calx of Sol, prepared of Gold, in
+      the Vulgar manner, and after the
+      third Cohobation, it sublimed the
+      Tincture of Gold with it self in the
+      Neck of the Retort; this Tincture
+      I mixed with Silver, precipited in
+      the vulgar manner, and I saw that
+      one ounce of the sublimed Tincture
+      of Gold, with ordinary Flux in a
+      Crucible, had transmuted one
+      ounce, and halfe of the two ounces
+      of precipitate Silver, into the best
+      Gold: but a third part of the Silver
+      yet remaining, was a white and
+      fixed Gold: the other two parts
+      thereof were perfect Silver, fixed
+      in every examen of Fire. This is
+      my experience, after this time, we
+      could never find the like Aqua-fortis.
+      I Helvetius saw this Gold
+      white, and without Tincture.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      There is yet one other Example
+      very rare; of what was done at
+      the Hague by a Silver-Smith, whose
+      name was Grill: how he in the year
+      1664. by Spirit of Salt, not
+      prepared in the Vulgar manner,
+      transmuted Lead so, as from one
+      pound, he received three parts of
+      the best Silver, and two ounces of
+      most fixed Gold.
+
+      At the Hague, a certain Silver-Smith,
+      and a much exercised Disciple
+      of Alchimy, but according to
+      the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
+      man; did sometime since require
+      Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared,
+      of a loving Friend of Mine, a
+      Cloath-Dyer, by name, John Casparus
+      Knottnerus. My Friend giving
+      the same to him; demanded,
+      whether he would use that Spirit
+      of Salt, he now had, for Metals,
+      or not? Grill made answer; for
+      Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
+      powred this Spirit of Salt
+      upon Lead, which he had put into
+      a Glass Dish, usual for Conditures
+      and Confections. The space of two
+      Weeks being elapsed, supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a
+      most splendid Silver-Starre, so exceeding
+      curious, as if it had been
+      made With an Instrument by a most
+      ingenious Artist. At the sight of
+      which, the said Grill, filled with
+      Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that
+      he had seen the Signate Star of
+      Philosophers, touching which he
+      had read in Basilius, as he thought.
+      I, and many other honest Men,
+      did behold this Star supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, the lead in
+      the mean while remaining in the
+      bottom of an ash colour, and swollen like
+      a Sponge. But in the space
+      of seven or nine dayes, that humidity
+      of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed
+      by the exceeding heat of the
+      Aire, in July, did vanish; but the
+      Star settled down, and still stood
+      above that Earthly Spongeous Lead.
+      That was a thing worthy of admiration,
+      and beheld by not a few
+      Spectators. At length Grill himself
+      having taken part of Cinereous,
+      or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
+      adhering, cupellated in a Test,
+      and found from one ounce of this
+      Lead, twelve ounces of Cupellate
+      Silver, and from these twelve ounces,
+      he also had two ounces of the
+      best Gold. And I Helvetius am able
+      to shew some of this Spongeous
+      Lead with part of the Star yet adhering,
+      & besides the pieces of the Star
+      the Silver and Gold made thereof.
+      Which when this Subtile (and
+      Likewise Foolish) Grill understood,
+      he would not be known to Knottterus,
+      whether he had used the
+      Spirit of Salt, or not; but thenceforth
+      attempted to learn of him
+      the Art how to make it; yet some
+      time being Elapsed, the worthy
+      Knottnerus had for got what Spirit
+      of salt (for he was expert in
+      various kinds thereof) he had given
+      him; not being able to call
+      the same to mind so suddenly: in
+      the mean while, he and his Family
+      were visited with the Pestilence
+      and dyed: the other falling into
+      the Water was drowned. After
+      the death of these two, none
+      could find out the way of either of
+      their Operations.
+
+      Certainly here is cause of Admiration,
+      that the Internal Nature
+      of Lead, by the simple maturation
+      of Spirit of Salt, should appear
+      in an external form so noble.
+      No less admirable and wonderful
+      to the mind is this, viz. that the
+      mirifick Stone of Philosophers can
+      so exceeding swiftly transmute
+      Metals; having virtue potentially
+      insited in it self, so as it is deduced
+      into Art, as in Iron by contact
+      of the Magnet. But touching
+      These enough for the Sons of Art.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+Since promises are so much the better
+esteemed, by how much the sooner
+they are fulfilled, I, without any
+dilation, immediately come to my
+promised Declaration of the following
+History, which thus take.
+
+
+At the Hague, on the sixth Calend
+of January or the 27th.
+of December, in the year 1666, a
+certain man came to my House in
+the Afternoon, to me indeed planely
+unknown, but endued with an
+honest gravity, and serious authority
+of Countenance, cloathed in
+a Plebick Habit, like to some
+Memnonite of a middle Stature,
+his Visage somewhat long, with
+some Pock-holes here and there dispersed:
+his Hairs were indeed very
+black, yet not curled, little or no
+no hair on his Chin, and about
+three or four and fourty years of
+Age: his Countrey (as far as I
+am able to conjecture) is the Septentrional
+Batavia, vulgarly called Nord Hollund.
+
+After salutations ended, his new
+Guest, with great Reverence, asked,
+whether he might have freedom to
+come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick
+Art sake, he could not, nor
+was he willing to pass by the Door
+of my house; adding, that he had
+not only thought to have made use
+of some Friend to come to me,
+but had also read some of my little
+Treaties, especially that, which I
+published against D. Digbies Sympathetick
+Powder, in which I discovered
+my doubt of the true Philosophick
+Mystery. Therefore, this
+occasion being taken, he asked me,
+whether I could believe, that place
+was given to such a Mystery in the
+things of Nature, by the benefit of
+which a Physician might be able to
+cure all Diseases universally, unless
+the Sick already had a defect either
+of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any
+like noble Member? To which I
+answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding
+necessary for a Physician,
+but no man knows, what and how
+great are the Secrets yet hidden in
+Nature, nor did I ever, in all my
+Life see such an Adept Man, although
+I have read and perused
+many things, touching the verity
+of this thing, or Art, in the Writings
+of Philosophers. I also enquired
+of him, whether he (speaking
+of the Universal Medicine) were
+not a Physician? But he answering
+by denyal, professed, that he
+was no other than a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and that in the Flower of
+his years, he had known many
+things, from his Friend, rare to
+the Sight, and especially the way
+of Extracting Medicinal Arcanums
+by the force of Fire, and that for
+this very cause, he was a Lover of
+this so noble Science of Medicine.
+Moreover, long after other discourses,
+touching Experiments in Metals,
+made by the violence of Fire,
+Elias the Artist spake to me thus;
+Do not you know the Highest Secret,
+when it is offered to your sight,
+viz. the Stone of Phylosophers,
+you having read in the Writings
+of many Chymists most excellent,
+touching the Substance, Colour,
+and strange effect of the same?
+I answered, not at all; except what
+I have read in Paracelsus, Helmont,
+Basilius, Sandivogius, and like Books
+of Adept Phylosophers extant. Nevertheless,
+I think, I am not able
+to know the Phylosophick Matter,
+whether it be true, or not, although
+I should see it present before me.
+
+Whilst I was speaking thus, he
+pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory
+Box, in which he had three ponderous
+Fragments, in magnitude
+scarcely equalizing a small Walnut;
+these were Glass-like, of the colour
+of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior
+Scales of that Crucible did adhere,
+in which this most noble
+Substance was liquified, for I
+suppose the Value of it might
+equalize twenty Tun of Gold. But
+after I had plighted my Faith, I
+held that [Greek: cheimhêlion], [or pretious
+Treasure] of this Stone, within these
+my hands for almost a quarter of an
+hour, and from the Philosophick
+Mouth of the Owner, I heard many
+things worthy of note, touching
+the Wonderful Effect of the same,
+for humane and Metallick bodies.
+Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly
+afflicted Mind, restored this Treasure
+of Treasures to him, the Lord
+and Possessor, who gave the same
+into my hand for a very short
+space of time; and yet I did that (after
+the manner of Men overcoming
+themselves) not without the
+greatest action of thanks, as was
+fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked
+him, how it came to pass, (since
+I had otherwise read, that the
+Stones of Philosophers, were endowed
+with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour)
+that this his Philosophick
+Stone was tinged with a Sulphureous
+Colour? He answered me
+thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the
+purpose: for the Matter is Sufficiently
+mature. Moreover, when
+I entreated him, that he would
+give to me, for a perpetual remembrance,
+one small part of the Medicine
+included in his Box, although
+no more in bulk than a
+Coriander-Seed; he denied, answering:
+O no! For this is not
+lawful for me to do, although you
+would give me this whole Roome
+full of Gold in Duckets; and that not
+by reason of the price of the Matter,
+but by reason of another certain
+Consequence; Yea, surely,
+if it were possible, that Fire could
+be burned with Fire, I would sooner
+cast this whole Substance into
+the devouring Flames of Vulcan,
+before your Eyes. A little after
+this, he also asked me, whether
+I had not another Room, the
+Windows of which were not to
+the Street-side; I presently brought
+this Phænix, or Bird most rare to
+be seen in this Land, into my best
+furnished Chamber; yet he, at his
+Entrance (as the manner of Hollanders
+is, in their Countryes)
+did not shake off his Shooes, which
+were dropping wet with Snow.
+I indeed, at that very time, thus
+thought: perhaps he will provide,
+or hath in readiness some Treasure
+for me; but he dash'd my
+hope all to pieces. For he immediatey
+asked of me a piece of the
+best Gold-mony; and in the mean
+while layed off his Cloak, and
+Country Coat; also he opened
+his Bosom, and under his Shirt
+he wore in green Silk, five great
+Golden Pendants, round, filling up
+the magnitude of the Interior Space
+of an Orb of Tin. Where, in
+comparing these, in respect of
+Colour and Flexibility, the difference
+between his Gold, and
+mine, was exceeding great. On
+these Pendants he had inscribed
+with an Iron Instrument, the following
+Words, which, at my
+request, he gave leave I should coppy out.
+
+The form of the Pendants, and
+words engraven thereon, are as
+follows.
+
+
+
+
+      I.
+      AMEN
+      Holy, Holy, Holy
+      is the Lord our
+      GOD, for all
+      things are full of
+      his Power.
+      Leo: Libra.
+
+      II.
+      The wonderfull
+      wonder-working
+      wisdome of JEHOVAH
+      in the Catholick
+      Book of
+      Nature. Made the
+      26. day Aug. 1666.
+
+      [Alchemical symbols: Gold, Mercury, Silver]
+      The wonderfull
+      GOD, Nature
+      and he Spagyrick
+      Art, make
+      nothing in vain.
+
+      Sacred, Holy Spirit
+      Hallelujha
+      Hallelujha
+      Away Devil,
+      Speak not of
+      GOD without
+      Light, Amen.
+
+      The Eternal Invisible,
+      only wise,
+      Best of all and omnipotent
+      GOD of
+      Gods; Holy, Holy,
+      Holy, Governour &
+      Conserver deservedly
+      ought to be praysed.
+
+
+Moreover, when I, affected with
+admiration said to him; My
+Master, I pray tell me, where had
+you this greatest Science of the
+whole World? He answered, I
+received such Magnalia from the
+Communication of a certain Extraneous
+Friend, who for certain
+dayes lodged in my House, professing,
+that, he was a Lover of
+Art, and came to teach me various
+Arts; viz. how, besides the
+aforesaid, of Stones and Crystal,
+most beautiful precious Stones are
+made much more fair than Rubies,
+Chrysolites, Saphires, and
+others of that kind. Also how to
+prepare a Crocus Martis in a quarter
+of an hour of which one only
+Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery
+Likewise a Metallic
+Liquor, by the help of which, every
+species of the Dropsy may be
+cured certainly in four dayes space
+Also a certain Limpid Water, more
+sweet, than Hony, by the help of
+which, I can extract the Tincture
+of Granates, Corals, and of all
+Glasses blown by Artificers, in the
+space of two hours in hot sand only.
+Many other things like to these
+he told me, which I neither well
+observed, nor committed to
+memory; because my intention was:
+carryed further, viz. to learn the
+Art of pressing that so noble
+juice out of Metals for Metals;
+but the Shadow in Waters deceived
+the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
+which was substantial. Moreover,
+this Artist told me that his Master,
+who taught him this Art, bad him
+bring Glass full of Rain water,
+with which he mixed a very small:
+quantity of a most white pouder;
+commanding me, (here the Disciple
+of that Master proceeds in
+his Discourse) to go to the Silver-Smith,
+for one ounce of Cupellate
+Silver, laminate, [or beat
+very thin,] which Silver was dissolved
+in a quarter of an hour, as
+Ice in hot water. Then he presently
+gave to me one half of this
+potion, by himself so speedily
+made, to drink; which in my
+mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I
+thence became very cheerful.
+
+He having related these things,
+I ceased not to enquire of him, to
+what end he had instanced this?
+Whether the Potion was Philosophick?
+To this, he answered, You
+must not be so curious.
+
+
+Afterward, he told me, how he,
+by the command of that Laudable
+Artist his Master, took a piece of
+the Leaden gutter of his house,
+and when the Lead was melted in
+a now Crucible, the said Artist
+drew out off his pocket a Gasket
+full of Sulphureous Powder, of
+which, he took a very small part
+upon the point of a knife, once,
+and again, and injected the same;
+upon the Lead in Flux; presently.
+giving order, that the fire should
+be blown with two pair of Bellows
+strongly, for exciting the heat
+more vehemently; a little after
+he powred out of the crucible,
+most pure Gold, upon the Red
+stones, which were in the Kitchen.
+I (said this most pleasing discourser
+to me) did commodiously
+behold this verity of the Transmutation
+of Metals, but was so astonished
+with fear and admiration,
+that I was Scarcely able to speak
+one word; But my Master heartning
+me, said; Cheer, up and be
+contented: take for your self a
+sixteenth part of this Mass, which
+keep For a Memorandum; but the
+other fifteen parts distribute to the
+poor: and I did as he said.
+For, (if my memory deceive
+me not) he bestowed this exceeding
+great Alms, on the Sparrendamen
+Church; but whether, he
+gave it at distinct times Or not, or
+whether he told it down in the
+Substance of Gold, or of Silver, I
+asked him not.
+
+And at length (saith he speaking
+of his Master) he directly
+taught me this great divine Art.
+
+Therefore, the; Narration of all
+these things being ended, I most
+humbly entreated him, that he
+would shew me the effect of Transmutation
+upon impure Metals, that
+I thence might have the better assurance
+of those things by him related
+to me, and my Faith being
+confirmed, securely give credit to
+the real Truth of the matter. But
+he very discreetly gave me the repulse;
+yet taking his leave of me,
+he promised to return again
+after three Weeks, and then shew
+to me certain curious Arts, by Fire,
+as also the way of projecting; making
+this Provisoe, if it should
+then be lawful for him. The three
+Weeks being elapsed, according
+to his word, he Came to my House,
+and invited me to walk abroad
+with him for one hour, or two,
+as we both did, having in that
+Time Certain, Discourses of the
+Secrets of Nature in the fire, but
+in the mean while, this well spoken
+Companion in the way, was
+not lavish, but rather too sparing
+of his words, touching the great
+Secret; affirming, that this singular
+Mystery tended not, but to
+the alone magnifying of the most
+illustrious Fame of the most glorious
+God; and that very few men
+considered, how they might; condignly
+Sacrifice; themselves by
+their Works to so great a God
+uttering these Expressions no otherwise,
+then as if he had been
+a Pastor of the Church. But I, in
+the mean time, fayled not to solicit
+him, to demonstrate to me the
+Transmutation of Metals. Moreover,
+I beseeched and intreated
+him, to vouchsafe to eat with me,
+and to lodge in my house, urging
+him with such Earnestness, as no
+Rival, or Lover, could ever use
+more perswasive Words, for winning
+his beloved to a willingness
+of gratifying him above all others:
+but he, agitated by a Spirit of so
+great constancy, made void of all I
+endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could
+not choose but speak to him thus:
+Sir, You see I have a very convenient
+Laboratory, in which you
+may shew me the Metallick
+Transmutation. For whosoever
+assents to him, that asketh,
+obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered
+he) bit I made a promise
+to you of imparting some things
+with this Exception, if at my, Return,
+I be not interdicted, but have
+leave to do the same.
+
+All, and every of these, my requests
+being in vain, I instantly, and earnestly
+besought him, that (if he
+would not, or by reason of the
+Heavenly Interdiction could not
+demonstrate what I asked) he
+would only give me so much of his
+Treasure, as would be sufficient
+for transmuting four grains of Lead
+into Gold. At this my request, he,
+after a little while, pouring forth
+a Flood of Philosophick Mercy,
+gave a small particle, as big as a
+Rape-Seed, saying: Take of the
+greatest Treasure of the World, which
+very few great Kings, or
+Princes could ever see. But I, saying
+my Master, this is so small particle
+perhaps will not be sufficient
+for tinging four granes of Lead.
+He answered; Give it me. I,
+accordingly gave it him, conceiving,
+good hope of receiving somewhat
+a greater particle instead thereof;
+but he breaking off the one half almost
+of it with his thumb-nayl,
+threw it into the fire, and wrapping
+the other up in blew paper,
+he gave to me, faying, It is yet
+sufficient for thee. To which, I with,
+a sad Countenance and perplexed
+Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What
+mean you by this? Before I doubted,
+and now I cannot believe,
+that so small a quantity of this Medicine
+will suffice for transmuting
+four grains of Lead; O, said he,
+if you cannot rightly handle your
+Lead in the Crucible, by reason
+of the so very small quantity thereof
+then take two drams, or
+half an ounce, or a little more of the
+lead, for more must not be
+tinged, then well may. To him
+I again said: I cannot, easily believe
+this, viz. that so little of the
+Tincture will transmute so great a
+quantity of Lead into Gold. But he,
+answered; what I say is true. In,
+mean, while, I, giving him
+great; thanks, inclosed my diminished
+and in the Superlative degree
+concentrated Treasure, in my
+own Casket, saying: To morrow
+I will make this Tryal; and give no
+notice to any Man thereof, as long as
+I live. Not so, not so, answered;
+he, but all things, which tend to
+the Glory of God Omnipotent,
+ought by us, singularly to be declared
+to the Sons of Art that we
+may live Theosophically, and not
+at all dye Sophistically.
+
+Then, I confessed to him; that
+when held the Mass of his Medicine, in that
+short space of time, I attempted
+to raze something there-from with
+my Finger Nayl, But I got no
+more, than a certain invisible
+Atome; and, when I had cleansed
+my nayl, and had injected the
+collected matter, wrapt in paper,
+upon Lead in Flux, I could see no
+Transmutation of it into Gold; but
+almost the whole Mass of Lead
+vanished into Aire, and the
+remaining Substance was transmuted into
+a Glassy Earth. At the
+hearing of this, he smiling, say'd
+You could more dexterously play
+the Thief, than apply the Tincture.
+I wonder, that you, so expert
+in the Fire, do no better understand
+the fuming Nature of Lead.
+For if you had wrapped
+your Theft in yellow Wax, that it
+might have been conserved from
+the Fume of Lead, then it would so
+have penetrated into the Lead,
+as to have transmuted the same
+into Gold. But now a Sympathetick
+Operation was performed in
+Fume, and so the Medicine permixed
+with the Fume, flew away:
+For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury,
+and like Metals, are corrupted
+by Lead Vapours, and
+likewise converted to a brittle
+Glass. While he was thus speaking,
+I shewed him my Crucible,
+who, viewing the remaining Substance,
+perceived a most beautiful
+Saffron-coloured Tincture,
+adhering to the sides of the Crucible,
+and say'd, To-morrow at nine of
+the Clock, I will return, and
+shew you; how your Medicine
+must be used to transmute Lead
+into Gold. In which promise of
+him, I rested secure. Yet, in the
+mean while, I again and again
+requested information of him,
+whether this Philosophick Work,
+required great Charges in the preparing,
+and a very long Time.
+O my Friend, answered he, you very
+accurately affect to know all
+things, yet I will open this to
+you; The Charge is not great, nor
+is the Time long. But, as touching
+the matter of which our Arcanum
+is made, I would have you to
+know; there are only two Metals
+and Minerals, of which it is prepared.
+And because the Sulphur
+of Philosophers is more abundant
+in these Minerals, therefore it is
+made of them.
+
+Then I again asked him: What
+the Menstruum was, and whether
+the Operations were made in Glasses,
+or in Crucibles. He answered;
+The Menstruum is a Celestial Salt,
+or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by
+the benefit of which, Philosophers
+only dissolve the Terrene Metallick
+Body, and in dissolving, the
+noble Elixir of Philosophers is
+produced. But the Operation is,
+performed in a Crucible, from
+the beginning to the end, in an
+open Fire. And the Whole Work
+may be begun, and plainly ended
+in no longer time, then four dayes:
+Also in this whole Work, no greater
+Cost is required, then the value
+of three Florens. Lastly he added;
+Neither the Mineral, from Which,
+nor the Salt by Which, is of any
+great Price. I again said to him:
+My Master; This is strange, for
+it is repugnant to the sayings of
+various Philosophers, Who have
+writ, that at least seven, or nine
+Moneths are imployed in this
+Work. He answered: The true
+writings of Philosophers are only;
+understood by the truly Adept.
+Therefore, touching the Time,
+they would write nothing certain;
+yea; I say, no Lover of this Art,
+can find the Art of preparing this
+Mystery in his whole Life without
+the Communication of some
+true Adept Man. In this respect
+and for this Cause, I advise you,
+my Friend, because you have seen
+the true Matter of the true Work,
+not to forget your self, and thirsting
+after the perfection of this Art,
+to cast away your own Goods;
+for you can never find it out. Then
+I say'd: My Master, although I
+am so unknown to you, as you are
+unknown to me; nevertheless, since
+he was unknown to you who shewed
+you the way of finding out
+the Operation of this Arcanum,
+perhaps you may also, if you be
+willing, notifie to me somewhat,
+touching this Secret, that the
+most difficult Rudiments being overcome,
+I may (as the saying is)
+happily add somewhat to things already
+found out; for by the occasion
+of one thing found, another
+is not difficultly invented. But
+the Artist answered: In this Work
+the matter is not so, For unless
+you know the thing, from the beginning
+of the Work to the end,
+you know nothing thereof. Indeed
+I have told you enough, yet you
+are ignorant how the Stone of Philosophers
+is made, and again, how
+the Glassy Seal of Hermes is broaken,
+in which Sol gives forth Splendor
+from his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully
+coloured, and in which
+Speculum, the Eyes of Narcißus
+behold Metals transmutable, and
+from which Rayes the Adept gather
+their fire, by the help of
+which, Volatile Metals are fixed
+into most fixed Gold, or Silver.
+But enough for this time, because
+(God willing) on the Morrow,
+we shall have occasion of meeting
+yet once more, that we may talk together
+touching this Philosophick
+matter; and according as I said, at
+nine a Clock, I will come to your
+House, and shew you the way of
+Projecting. But with that happy
+Valediction for one night, that
+Elias the Artist hath left me most
+sad in expectation unto this very
+day. Yea, the Mercury of Philosophers
+did with him vanish into
+Aire; because from him I did no
+more again hear so much as one
+word. Yet he, (because he promised
+that he would come again
+to me betimes the next morning)
+half an hour before ten,
+sent to me another unknown man,
+signifying, that, that friend, who
+yesternight promised to revisit me
+this morning, by reason of other
+urgent business, could not come,
+nevertheless, at three of the Clock
+in the afternoon, he would again
+see me. But after I had, with a
+most vehement desire expected
+him, till almost eight a Clock, I
+began to doubt in the truth of the
+matter. Besides, my Wife also,
+a very curious Searcher in the Art
+of that Laudable man, came to
+me, troubling me, by reason of
+the Philosophick Art, cited in that
+aforesaid Severe, and Honest man;
+saying, Go to, let us try, I pray
+thee, the Verity of the work, ac
+cording to what that man said.
+For otherwise, I certainly shall
+not sleep all this night. But I answered;
+I pray let us deferr it till
+to morrow; perhaps the man will
+come then. Nevertheless, when
+I had ordered my Son to kindle the
+fire; these thoughts arose in me;
+That man indeed, otherwise in his
+discourses so Divine, is now found
+the first time guilty of a Lye. A
+second time, when I would make
+Experiment of my Stollen Matter
+hid under my Nayl, but to no purpose,
+because the Lead was not
+transmuted into Gold. Lastly
+a third time, he gave me so very
+little of the Matter, for tinging
+so great a Mass of Lead; that he
+almost drove me to Desperation.
+Notwithstanding these thoughts,
+I commanded yellow Wax to be
+brought, wherein to wrap the
+Matter, and finding Lead, I cut
+off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes.
+My Wife wrapped the Matter of
+the Stone in the Wax, and when
+the Lead was in Flux, she cast
+in that little Mass, which, with
+Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed
+its Operation in the Crucible
+well closed; as in one quarter of
+an hour, the whole Mass of Lead
+was transmuted into the best
+Gold. Certainly, had I lived in
+the Age of Ovid, I could not have
+believed, any Metamorphosis more
+rare, than this of the Chimical
+Art; but if I could behold things
+with the hundred Eyes of Argus,
+I should scarcely see any work of
+Nature more admirable, for this
+Lead, mixt with the Stone of the
+Wise, and in the Fire melted,
+demonstrated to us a most beautiful
+colour, yea, I say, it was most green;
+but when I poured it out into a
+[Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received
+a colour like Blood, and
+when it waxed cold, shined with
+the colour of the best Gold: I, and
+all who were present with me, being
+amazed, made what haste we,
+could with the Aurificate Lead
+(even before it was through cold)
+to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious
+Examen, judged it to be
+Gold most excellent, and that in
+the whole world, better could not
+be found; withall, adding, that for
+every Ounce of such Gold, he
+would give 50 Florens.
+
+The next day, the rumour of
+this wonderful Metallick Transmutation
+was spread all over our
+Hague; whence many illustrious
+men, and lovers of Art, made hast
+to me, among which, by name,
+the General Examiner of the Moneys
+of this Province of Holland,
+D^n Porelius, came to me, with certain
+other most illustrious men,
+earnestly desiring, that I would
+communicate to them some small
+particle of my Artificial Gold, to
+prove it by legitimate Examens:
+these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly
+gratified; and we went together
+to the house of a certain
+very curious Silver-Smith, by
+name Brechtelius, in whose Workhouse,
+the Excellency of my Gold
+was evidenced, by that form of
+Probation, which Skilful Artists
+call. Quarta, viz. when they in a
+Crucible melt three or four parts
+or Silver, with one part of Gold,
+and then by hammering, reduce
+that mixture into thin Plates, on
+which they pour a sufficient quantity
+of Aquafortis, by which the
+Silver is dissolved, but the Gold
+settles to the bottome, like a black
+powder. Afterward, the Aquafortis
+is poured off, and the golden
+powder, is again put into a Crucible,
+and by strong fire reduced to
+Gold.
+
+But when this work was ended,
+we supposed, that one half of the
+Gold was vanished, yet in very
+deed it was not so: for we found
+that the Gold, besides its own
+weight, had transmuted some part
+of the Silver into Gold, viz. two
+drams of the Gold, transmuted
+two scruples of the Silver (through
+the abundance of its Tincture)
+into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.
+
+After this, we, suspecting that
+the Silver was not well separated
+from the Gold did presently make
+a mixture: with seven times as much
+Antimony. And after this Examen,
+we lost eight grains of Gold;
+but when I had again evaporated
+the Antimony, I found nine grains
+of Gold, yet in colour somewhat
+pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of
+fire, we lost nothing of this Gold,
+And this infallible kind of Probation,
+I thrice performed in presence
+of those most noble and illustricsus
+Men, and found, that
+every Dram of Gold acquired from
+the Silver for an augmentation to
+it self, one Scruple, of Gold: and
+the Silver, is pure good, and very
+flexible. So according to this, the
+five drams of Gold, attracted to it
+self from the Silver, five Scruples;
+and (that I may together, and at
+once, comprise all that remains to
+be said) the whole weight that
+that Laudable Powder, in quantity
+so exceeding small, did transmute,
+was six drams, and two
+Scruples, of a more vile Metal,
+into Gold, in such wise fixed, as it
+was able perseveringly to sustain
+the most intense Torture of Fire.
+
+Behold! thus have I exactly,
+from first to last, commemorated
+this History. The Gold I indeed
+have, but where, or in what Land
+or Countrey. Elias the Artist is at
+this day hospited, I am wholly
+ignorant for he told me, his purpose
+was to abide in his own Country
+no longer then this Summer;
+that after he would travil into Asia,
+and visit the Holy Land. Let the
+most wise King of Heaven (under
+the Shadow of whose divine
+Wings he hath hitherto layn hid)
+by his Administratory Angels accompany
+him in his intended
+Journey, and prosper it so as he
+living to a great Age, may with
+his inestimable Talent greatly
+succour the whole Republick of
+Christians, and after this Life gloriously
+behold, and take of the
+prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal.
+Amen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+Therefore, now to compleat my
+promise, I will forthwith betake
+my self to the Dialogue or,
+Colloque between Elias the Artist,
+and me the Physician.
+
+Elias the Artist.
+
+
+God save you, Master Helvetius!
+If I may not be too troublesome, I
+desire to have the freedom of Discoursing
+with you for a little time,
+because I have heard, that you are
+a curious Indagator of natural
+things. For I have perused
+your Books, and among them,
+especially that whole Treatise,
+which you write against the effect
+of Sir Kenelm Digbies Sympathetick
+ Powder, where it is gloried,
+that the same, can at distance cure
+all Wounds. Assuredly I am incredibly
+delighted in those things,
+which are beheld in this Speculum,
+whether Sympathetick, or
+Antipathetick, naturally implanted
+in Creatures. For the inexhausted
+Treasures of the Divine
+Light and Deity, no less abundantly,
+than liberally granted to us,
+may best of all be known from all
+the Creatures, which are produced
+either under the Ætherial Heaven,
+or in the belly of the Earth,
+or in the Womb of the Sea, to the
+end, that by their potentially insited
+virtues, they should restore
+health to the Mortal Body of
+Men.
+
+Helvetius the Physician
+
+O Sir! The presence of such a
+new Guest shall never be troublesome
+to me, but rather I receive
+you as one of my best Friends. For
+Philosophick Discourse, touching
+the Secrets cf Nature, is the only
+recreation of my Mind, also it is
+such convenient Salutiferous Nutriment,
+as no man can be worthy
+to taste of, before he shall be
+rightly disposed for that Banquet.
+Enter, I pray, Friend, into the House.
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed Sir! Here, as it seems to
+to me, you have a compleat Vulcanian
+Shop, and perhaps all
+these things Spagyrically and exactly
+drawn from, the Mineral
+Kingdom; but I pray, to what end so
+many Medicaments? I believe,
+that God in the things of Nature,
+naturally gives such Medicines,
+with a very few of which, we
+may much sooner, and more safely
+re-integrate the decayed, and languishing
+Health of Man, unless
+the Disease be Mortal, from a
+deficiency of Nature, or from the
+putrefaction of some noble internal
+part hurt, or by reason of a total
+absumption of the radical humidity
+in which desperate Cases,
+no Galenick Cure, or Paracelsick
+Tincture can yeild releif. But in
+ordinary Diseases it is not so; and
+yet here, very many Men, before
+the fatal term of Life be expired
+(abfit Nemesis dicto) are enforced
+to pass out of this fair Kingdom of
+pleasing Light, into the Shadowed
+Land of the Dead, whilst, either
+they neglect the health of their
+own Body, or commit the same to
+the Faith of Physicians, unskilful
+of the Remedy they have in their
+hand.
+
+Physician.
+
+As far as I can gather from your
+discourse, if my Judgement deceive
+me not, you are either a Physician,
+or a man expert in Chimistry.
+Certainly, according as you say,
+so I believe, that in the things of
+Nature are given other more excellent
+Medicaments, as also very
+many other Philosophers affirm,
+that there is a certain (although
+to few known) Universal Medicament,
+by the benefit which,
+we may prolong Life unto the appointed
+End, cure all Diseases
+otherwise uncurable, and many
+other such things. But, where is
+any among all the Wisest men of
+this world, that can shew us the
+way, how to find out so noble a
+Fountain, whence such a wonderful
+Medicamentous juice, nobilitating
+the Physician, is drawn?
+Perhaps no one man.
+
+Artist.
+
+Indeed, I am not a Physician,
+but only a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and almost from my Child-hood,
+have exercised my Ingeny in Pyrotechny,
+and so have sought out
+the internal Nature of Metals
+And although I now cease from
+my usual diligence in elaborating
+some accurate work, by the Art of
+Vulcan, yet my mind still takes delight
+in labours of that kind, and
+in the lovers of this most curious
+Spagyrick Art; and I do verily.
+believe and judge, that the most
+Wise God, will in this our age
+communicate gratis, or for nothing,
+the Metallick Mysteries of
+Nature to his Spagyrick Sons,
+Praying, and Physico-chimically
+Labouring.
+
+
+Physician.
+
+
+My Friend, I must needs grant
+this, that God, for nothing, communicates
+to his Sons, this laudable
+Good, as well as all other gifts;
+yet you shall very rarely hear, that
+he for nothing gives or vends this
+Medicamentous Wine or Nectar to
+his Sons. For we certainly know,
+how great a number of Chymists
+lived in former ages who,  (according
+to the Proverb ) strove to draw
+water in a Sieve, whilest
+they presumed to prepare this
+Universal Stone of Philosophers.
+Besides, out of the books of them,
+who triumph in the glory of
+Adept, no one man can learn the
+way of preparing, nor know their
+First Matter, so as any one, searching
+to the lowest roots of Mountains,
+can never ascend to those
+their Heights, where Ambrosia, and
+Nectar of Macrosophists, is
+drank.
+
+In the mean time, it is the part
+of a good Physician, since he
+wants such an Universal Elixir,
+(not without the daily study of
+conserving his Conscience pure
+and sound) to adhibit to the Diseases
+of the Sick, commended to
+his Cure, such Curations; or Remedies
+as for restoring Sanity as in
+which he (from the effect) certainly
+knows, that a virtue of healing
+is incited.
+
+Wherefore, in all desperate Diseases,
+I, with many other Practitioners,
+do alwayes use such most simple
+Medicaments, that thence
+the Diseased may soon be restored
+to their Pristine state of Health,
+or to a better than the Pristine.
+
+For indeed, various and diverse
+kinds of Salts, are generated in
+the Glandules and Lymphatick
+Vessels, after the putrefaction of
+this, or that nutriment taken,
+which afterward wax florid in various
+Humours, for diverse Diseases,
+either Internal, or External. Experience
+teacheth, that as many
+as are the Constitutions, or Complexions
+of humane bodies, to so
+many diversities of Diseases the
+same are obnoxious; although in
+one manner, and the same Disease,
+as our daily conversation evidenceth
+to us in those who drink
+Wine, whence divers Operations
+manifestly discover themselves.
+
+Because Peter drinks Wine, he
+labours with an angry, I will not
+say, furious mind.
+
+On the contrary, Paul drinking
+Wine, seems to imbibe his mind
+with an Agnine Timorousness.
+
+But Matthias sings, and Luke
+weeps.
+
+Also,
+
+Touching the Scorbutick Contagious
+Venome, viz. of Peter,
+his radical juice in the Lymphatick
+Vessels, and Glandules, is
+converted into an Acidity, stopping
+the passages, and all Organs of the
+whole body, whence, under the
+Skin, arise Spots on the Arms and
+Legs of a blewish colour, but in
+times of Pestilence, they swell like
+Pepper Corns.
+
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Pauls parts is changed
+into an Aperitive Bitterness;
+whence, under the Skin of the
+Arms and Legs, arise red Spots,
+pricking like the bitings of Fleas;
+but in a Pestilential time, they
+are Blanes.
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Matthias his
+parts, is converted into a sweetness
+easily putrifying; whence,
+under the Skin of Arms and leg,
+arise watery Tumours, almost
+such as are conspicuous in Dropsical
+Persons; but in time of the
+Pest, they are Pestilential Tumours.
+
+Also,
+
+The juice of the parts of Luke,
+is changed into a Saline, and drying
+sharpness; whence, under the
+Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise
+Precipitations of the ordinary Ferment
+of the Flesh, and Exficcations,
+as usually happens in this
+Atrophia, yea most frequently in
+the true Atrophia. But in the Pest,
+they become most ardent Buboes,
+with madness, even until death.
+
+Behold, my Friend, no Physician,
+by one only Universal Medicament,
+can heal the Evil of
+this Scorbutick, or Pestilential, or
+Febrile Venome, but indeed, by
+the Mediation of some particular
+Vegetable, or Mineral Remedy,
+given to us from God in Nature, he
+may exterminate the same. For,
+as I cannot heal, or help all Scorbutick
+Persons, with one only Scorbutick
+Herb, as Scurvy-grass, or
+Sorrel, or Fumitory, or Brooklime;
+so, much less of a certain
+remedy made of these diverse Species
+congested into one; because,
+between the Herbs Scurvy-grass and
+Sorrel, there is an Antipathy, as
+between Fire and Water; and so
+there is the same Antipathy
+between the Herbs Fumitory and
+Brook-lime.
+
+Therefore, the Correctory of
+Peters Scorbutick Saline acid
+tinging Venome, is made with the
+Volatile bitter Salt of Scurvy-grass.
+
+But the Correctory of Pauls
+Scorbutick Saline bitter tinging
+Venome, is made with the acid
+fixed Salt of the Herb Sorrel.
+
+The Correctory of Matthias his
+Scorbutick sweetish, and moistning
+tinging Venome is made by the help
+of the fixed bitter drying Sulphur
+of the Herb Fumitory.
+
+And the Correctory of Lukes
+Scorbutick tinging Saline and
+drying Venome, is made with the
+help of the sweet moistning Mercury
+of the Herb Brook-lime, or
+red Colewort, as from the External
+Signature of these Herbs, it is
+easie to judge of the Internal Specifick
+Remedy against there diverse
+Scorbutick Disease. Certainly,
+my Friend, if this be observed
+by a prudent Physician, he
+must needs doubt of the Universal
+Medicine,
+
+Artist.
+
+All you have discoursed of, I
+can easily grant; yet very few
+Physicians use this Method of
+healing. Yet, in the meanwhile,
+it is not impossible, that an Universal
+Medicine should be given in
+the highest Mineral Kingdome,
+by the benefit of which we may
+perform and administer all things,
+which are by you related to me,
+touching the lowest Kingdom of
+Vegitables; but the most wise God,
+for several weighty reasons, hath
+not on all Philosophers promiscuously
+conferred this most magnificent
+Charisma of Supereminent
+Science, but hath revealed it only;
+to a very few. According as all
+the Adept, with one mouth, confess,
+and say: The Science is true,
+And, the verity thereof not to be
+doubted.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, besides the above commemorated,
+there are also other Observations;
+strenuously refuting the
+Operation on an Universal Medicine,
+partly in respect of the Age
+and strength of Man, partly by
+reason of the Sex, and other Circumstances,
+whilst a difference is
+to be made between the tender,
+and the Robust, whether from
+Nature, or from Education; or
+between the Male and Female, or
+between a Young Man and a Virgin,
+or between the Beginning,
+Middle, or End of Diseases; or
+it is to be understood whether a
+Disease, be inveterate, or the Sick
+be lately invaded; or lastly, whether
+the Ferment be promoted in
+this Disease, or be precipited in
+in another. Effervescency is made
+either in the Stomach or in the Intestines.
+Assuredly there are many
+contradictions of the Wonderful
+effect, of the Universal Medicine.
+For the greatest part of rational
+Physicians want the Perspicil
+of Thomas Didymus in their
+Fingers.
+
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed, Sir; you have philosophised
+rightly, and well, yea, Arthodoxly,
+against the universal Medicament,
+according to that notorious,
+and far spred proverb. As
+many Heads, so many Senses. For
+as Sweet sounding Musick delights
+not the Ears of every Midas; nor
+doth the Same History related
+please all Historians; nor of Bread
+and Wine, of the same Taste, is
+there a like relish in all Palats. So
+also the judgements of Skilful Men
+do strangely differ, touching the
+wonderful Effect of this Universal
+Medicine, on Humane and
+Metallick Bodies. For this Universal
+Medicine, in its way of
+Operating, vastly differs, from a
+particular Medicine, which may
+in some sense be called Universal,
+as the Herb Scurvy-grass, curing
+every Scorbutick marked with blew
+Spots; or Sorrel, healing every Scurvy,
+noted with red Spots; or Brook-lime,
+healing an Atrophia of that
+Kind, or Fumitory remedying
+Tumors of that Kind: and that
+especially with such Physicians,
+with whom the Observation
+you before recited, is of any esteem.
+Moreover, there is an exceeding
+great difference between the Universal
+Medicine of Philosophers,
+refreshing the vital Spirits, and
+between a Particular Medicament
+of Proletary-Curation, with which is
+corrected the venom of Humors;
+viz. such as boyles up against Nature,
+in this Man, Acid; in that
+Man, the Bitter is predominant;
+in one, what is Saline, in another,
+what is sharp, grow potent. But,
+if these Corrupt humors be not
+without all delay presently expelled
+out of the Body, by the ordinary
+Emunctories of Nature either
+by the Belly, or by Urine of the
+Bladder, or by the Sweat through
+the Pores, or by the Spittle of the
+Mouth, or by the Nostrils,
+assuredly the corruption of one,
+becomes the Generation of another,
+viz. of a Disease. For, from
+every spark, if we do not timely
+extinguish it, an exceding great
+burning will arise. Also, if there be
+a defect, of the Vital Spirits, it is
+impossible to effect this. Therefore
+the only care of a Conscientious
+Physician should be, how to
+deduce the motion of the Vital
+Spirits to a digestible natural Heat,
+and that is best of all, and most securely
+performed by the Operation
+of our Universal Medicament, by
+which they are found to be notably
+recreated. For as soon as this
+more than perfect Medicine hath driven
+the Morbifick Evil from
+the Seat it occupies, then immediately
+it infuseth the lost Sanity,
+and that only from the Harmony,
+or Sympathy it self, which the
+Vital Spirits, and this Medicine,
+have mutually in themselves.
+Wherefore, it, by the Adept, is called
+the Mystery of Nature, and the
+Defensive of old Age, against all
+Diseases. Which, I fay, even in
+a most pestilent Season, most full
+of contagious Diseases every where
+raging, makes of man a Salamander,
+bearing such Epidemical
+Plagues of Heaven displeased,
+until the utmost term of his Life
+be expired.
+
+Physician
+
+
+As far as I, beloved Friend, can
+understand, this Medicine makes
+not for the Emendation of depraved
+Humours, but is chiefly conducent
+for the recreation of the Vital Spirits.
+Besides, among practical Chimists,
+this Secret is taught, viz.
+that by the Spayrick Art, it may be
+commonstrated, how the pure
+should be separated from the impure,
+and by the same, how the Immature
+are rendred mature, and
+how the Bitter are corrected into
+sourish, and the sourish into Sweet,
+and the Sharp into Gentle, and
+the Gentle into Sharp; and the
+Acid into Sweet, and the Sweet
+into Acid. Also this Laudable
+Medicine of Philosophers, according
+to my understanding, cannot
+prolong Life, beyond the term
+prefixed from above, but only
+preserve from the Effect of all
+Venimous, or otherwise mortiferous
+Diseases: and so it is certainly
+true, as is commonly believed,
+that the prolongation of Humane
+Life depends, on the Will of the
+Omnipotent God only. But, omitting
+these, I would here ask this
+one Question. Whether by the
+use of this Universal Medicine,
+the pristine Nature of Man may be
+converted into New, so as a Slothful
+Man may degenerate into a
+Diligent, or stirring Man, and a
+Man, who before was by Nature
+Melancholy and Sad, afterward
+became Jovial, Chearful, and full
+of Joy, or like alterations, reformations,
+permutations, or vicissitudes
+happen in the Nature of
+Man?
+
+Artist.
+
+Not at all Sir. For so great power
+was never conferred on any Medicament,
+that it could change the
+Nature of Man. Wine inebriating,
+taken by diverse individual Men,
+in him, who is drunk, changeth
+not his Nature but only provokes,
+and deduceth into act, what is naturally,
+and potentially in him,
+but before was as it were, dead.
+Even so is the Operation of the
+Universal Medicine, which by
+recreation of the Vital Spirits, excites
+Sanity, for a time only suppressed,
+because it was naturally
+in him before; even as the heat of
+the Sun changeth not Herbs, or
+Flowers, but only provokes the same,
+and from the proper potential nature
+of them, deduceth them into
+act only. For a Man of a Melancholy
+temper, is again raised up
+to exercise his own Melancholy
+matters; and the jovial Man, who
+was pleasant, is recreated in all
+his chearful actions, and so consequently,
+in all desperate Diseases
+it is a present, or most excellent
+Preservative. Hence a Man, presaging
+that some evil will befal
+him, will rather prevent than be
+prevented. But if any prolongation
+of Life, by some Philosophick
+Medicament, could have
+been induced, against the predestination
+of the Omnipotent God, undoubtedly
+neither Hermes Trismegistus,
+nor Paracelsus, nor Raymundlully,
+nor the Count Bernhard, and
+many more like illustrious Possessors
+of this great Mystery, would
+not have yeilded to the common
+death of all Mortals, but perhaps
+have protracted their Life
+until this very Day, Therefore, it
+would be the part of a fanatick, and
+foolish Man to affirm this, yea of
+a most foolish Man, to believe,
+and assent to the same, touching
+any one Medicament in the things
+of Nature.
+
+Physician.
+
+My Friend, whatsoever you have
+spoken no less regularly, than fundamentally,
+touching the Operation
+of the Universal Medicine, I
+indeed cherefully, and willingly
+grant, but as long as I am ignorant
+of preparing the same rightly, I
+do no other than attempt to carry
+my Boat from a very small Lake,
+into the Vast Ocean, because it
+will certainly be driven back to the
+Shore, without any Fruit. For although
+many of those illustrious
+Men have written somewhat
+touching that laudable preparation,
+yet they involved that in such a
+Wrapper of shadowed Caution, as
+the Footsteps of them latently demonstrated,
+can be known by few
+or none of the most diligent Readers,
+who should follow them so
+far, as until they come where they
+would be. Also, who is so wealthy,
+and well informed, as to be able,
+and to know where to buy all
+those Books, in which, here, and
+there an Hypothesis of this kind is
+handled: betides, you may consume
+the greatest part of your life, before
+you can gather thence any sufficient
+knowledge, or the direct
+manual Operation. Therefore it
+is best for us to abide patiently in
+our Laboratory, praying to the
+blessed God, according to that Saying:
+
+
+      Ora, ac Labora; & Deus dat omni hora.
+
+      Labour, and Pray; God gives alway.
+
+
+Artist
+
+You argue rightly enough Sir.
+For, from the writings of Philosophers,
+this Art of Arts is most rarely
+learned; but the Sense them
+is very well, and clearely understood
+by the Manuduction of some
+Adept Philosopher. But let us hence
+pass to the Transmutative Effect of
+this most noble Tincture, touching
+which, the possessors, or many of
+the Adept, have written many
+Books, and the most of their Genuine
+Disciples, labouring much
+in the Fire, did at length compleatly
+attain to the wished End of their
+Arcanum,
+
+Physician
+
+I perceive your Mastership takes
+pleasure in passing from the use of
+the Medicine, to the infinite Transmutation
+of Metals. Although I
+could easily believe the possibility
+of Art, viz. that a Chymical Experiment
+of that kind was in the
+Adept, as I have also made mention
+above, touching that Experiment
+of Dr. Kifflerus who, with
+the Tincture of one ounce of Gold
+transmuted 1 ounce & half of Silver
+into the best Gold, not to mention
+the Experiment of Helmont; nor of
+Scotus, which he made in the most
+famous Cities of Colonia, and Hanovia;
+nor much to insist on that
+illustrious, and well known Example,
+manifested at Prague, before
+Cæsar Ferdinando the third, himself;
+where with one only grain of
+the Tincture, three pounds Mercury
+were transmuted into most noble
+Gold; insomuch that I am
+brought no less into a neccessity, than
+into a Will of believing, that the
+Art may be true; yet I cannot to
+this hour sufficiently receive it
+without some doubt, because with
+these my Eyes, I never in all my
+Life saw the Man, who was the
+true possessor thereof.
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Sir, you say true? yet Art will be
+Art, whether you can believe it or
+no. Even as is seen in the Magnet.
+How it by its own insited Sulphureous
+Virtue, of Iron, by Contact
+presently makes a Magnet. Although
+you will not believe, that
+such wonderful Operations are latent
+in it, yet they are, and will remain
+true. So also you should
+Judge of the Stone of Philosophers,
+in which is all that the Wise seek.
+And because the clouded Writings
+of them, can be understood, and
+explained but by very few, it is to
+be desired earnestly by all, and
+with the hands it must be endavoured,
+that some one General Epitomen
+of the whole Art, may so be
+made, as in a very short space of
+time, and without much labour, all
+things necessary may be gathered,
+by the help of which, a most easy
+Transition to real Authors, might
+be effected. Now since you have
+presented some few Examples, by
+which you endeavour to assert the
+confirmed possibility of the Matter;
+I my self will here shew to you
+the True Matter of Secret Philosophers.
+Behold it! Look well,
+upon it.
+
+Physician.
+
+So my Master, Is this Sulphureous,
+and Yellow Glassy Substance
+the very Philosophick Matter?
+And are you your self the
+Possessor of this Science? I am
+ready to believe you do but jest
+with me. I pray Sir, tell me the
+Truth, whether it be really so,
+or not?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Yes, Matter Doctor, You now
+have within your hand, the most
+pretious Treasure in the World.
+For this is the true Stone of Philosophers,
+than which, no Man
+ever had a better, nor shall have
+any other. And I my self did elaborate
+the Composition, from beginning
+to end. If you have another
+convenient Chamber, I will
+Shew you Metal transmuted into
+Gold, by such a Stone as this
+(When I had brought him into
+another Chamber.) Behold (said
+he) these five Pendants, were,
+by the benefit of this Philosophick
+Tincture, prepared of Saturn, or
+Lead; which I wear for a perpetual
+Remembrance of my Master.
+But I suppose, you, having perused
+many Writings of the Adept,
+seeing the Substance, and Nature
+of this Stone, will very sufficiently
+know the true Matter, or rightly
+understand the same.
+
+Physician.
+
+I understand by your self, that
+you had a Master, from whom you
+rather learned your Art, than acquired
+the same, by your proper
+Labour and Invention. And although
+I now have seen that Substance,
+which you affirm to be the
+true Tincture of Philosophers, as
+also those five Pendants, nevertheless
+I am still left ignorant, and in
+doubt, whether it be true or no.
+Therefore, I earnestly again and
+again request of you, to confer on
+me only so small a part of that
+matter, as will suffice to transmute
+only four grains of Lead into Gold,
+that you may this way remove
+from me all Scruple or Doubt,
+and render me so much the more
+certain of the verity of the Matter.
+Give me but the magnitude of one
+grain only, or of a Coriander-seed,
+that thence a Specimen, or
+Probation, may be exhibited, either
+in some desperate Disease, or in
+a Metallick Transmutation.
+
+Artist.
+
+I do confess, that a certain Man
+of good Condition, to me wholly
+unknown, by demonstrating taught
+me; First, the possibility of transmutation;
+secondly the way of
+preparing also. And this is that
+Infallible Art, touching which
+you have no reason to doubt. But
+whereas, you request that I should
+give you one small part of my Treasure;
+that is no wise lawful for me
+to do, although, you would give
+as a Recompense, so many Ducats,
+as this whole Room, from
+the bottom to the top, would contein;
+and that not by reason of
+the estimation of the Matter, because
+it is of small Price, but for
+another weighty Reason, in respect
+of which, if it were possible,
+that Fire could be consumed by
+Fire, I would at this time, rather
+cast this whole Mass into the devouring
+Flames, before your Eyes.
+Wherefore, in the meanwhile, I admonish
+you, not to be so eager in
+coveting this so great Science. For
+you have this day seen more in my
+possession, than many Kings, and
+Princes could ever behold,
+although they eagerly desired to see
+the same. Besides, I think of comming
+to you again, after 3 Weeks,
+then I will shew to you certain excellent
+Arts, and Manuductions in
+the Chymical Science. Also, if
+it shall then be lawful for me, to
+shew you the way of Transmutation,
+I will truely satisfie your Curiosity
+therein. In the mean while,
+I bid you farewel, withal, admonishing,
+that you take heed to your
+self, and meddle not with such a
+great, and profound Labour, least:
+you miserably loose both your
+Fame, and substance in the Ashes
+like some other covetous inquisitors,
+of the same most noble Art.
+
+Physician.
+
+Now, what shall I do, my Master?
+If it happen, that, by reason
+of your Philosophick Oath, confirmed
+by that small draught of
+Silver, dissolved in Rain-water,
+it shall not be lawful for you to
+give me that requested exceeding
+small part of the Tincture so wonderful.
+You cannot be ignorant,
+that I (according to your suspicion)
+am in mind anxious, and
+earnestlie desirous of tasting of this
+so noble Science. Yea, I do verilie
+think, if Adam himself, the first
+Patriark of the World (who was
+once driven out of Paradice, for
+eating the Apple of either Wisedom)
+were yet living in this our
+Age, he would not forbear again
+the Taste of this Golden Apple, from
+the Garden of Atlantis.
+
+Your Mastership said: Manie
+Princes could not see this which I
+have seen. I, indeed have seen the
+Matter, of which you give so rare a
+Testimony; but in the mean while I
+have not beheld the transmutative
+Effect; only I give credit to your
+Words. And, since you have told
+me, that you will go hence, and
+after three Weeks return to me again,
+to teach me some excellent
+Chymical Arts, as also the way
+of projection, if it shall then be
+lawful for you. In the fruition of
+this good hope, I at this time rest
+satisfied; in the mean time, giving
+you hearty thanks, for your exceeding
+great Friendship shewed to me
+alreadie, and, for your singular
+Care, and faithful admonition,
+that I should not in Chymical Labours,
+consume both my Goods
+and Reputation. I assuredly have
+never yet made tryal of so great,
+and high things, nor ever will I
+attempt the me, unless your self
+will first gratis, and from the
+pure benevolence of Friendship,
+demonstrate to me, the way and
+manner of preparing. Yet I shall
+admire the Verity of Art, and
+please my self with the Remembrance
+of the Friendship you have
+shewed me; because you, who
+have revealed this to me, are an
+Adept Philosopher.
+
+But if any King, or Prince, or
+any Great Man, or Men, should
+know, that you are the Possessor
+of this Art, and therefore (which
+God forbid) should lay hold of
+you, and attempt by Tortures to
+bring you to a discovery, would
+you reveal this Art to them?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+I have not shewed the Stone of
+Philosophers to any man, except
+to one aged man, and to your
+self; to both of you, I have revealed
+that I am the Possessor;
+but, henceforth, no man must
+ever see or hear such a thing.
+And although any King, or Prince,
+should (which God I hope will
+not permit) cast, me into Prison,
+I would not, after the manner of
+Circumforanean Physicians [or
+Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors
+or of poor Alchimists,
+directly, or indirectly, discover
+the Art to them, but would rather
+suffer my self to be most cruelly
+wracked, tortured, or tormented
+with burning Fire, untill
+my life expire.
+
+
+Physician
+
+Good Friend, are there not
+Authors, which, touching the
+verity of this Art, write more
+plainly, then all the number of
+them, which, concerning it, utter
+words so obscure, as perhaps
+they themselves did not understand,
+unless they adhibited the.
+Commentaries, and Annotations
+of evident Paraphrasists. I suppose you
+have in times past read
+them, and therefore are best
+able to inform me, who were
+Adept.
+
+Artist.
+
+Master Doctor, I indeed read
+not, nor have I read many Books,
+yet among those I have read, I
+find no Authors more curious,
+than Sandivogius, especially in
+that Book, which is Entituled
+Cosmopolita, in Dutch, Borger Der
+Werelt.  Also Brother Basilius in
+in his twelve Keys. As to Sandivogius,
+this Author you may peruse,
+untill I return, as I said: for
+in his obscure words the truth is
+latent, even as our Tincture of
+Philosophers is both included, and
+retruded, in External Minerals,
+and Metallick Bodies.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, I give you thanks, for this
+so great friendship. I shall do according
+to your advice, and as to
+what you say, touching the Objects
+of the Tincture, I easily assent
+to, and grant; for I believe
+that the wonderful, and efficacious
+Essences of Metals, are hid
+under the external Rinds and
+Shells of Bodies, although I find
+very few so well exercised, and
+experienced in the Fire, who
+know how to uncase the Kernel,
+according to the Rule of Art.
+Every External, and Robust Substance,
+of any Animal, Vegetable,
+or Mineral, is the Body,
+like unto that Terrestrial Province,
+into which (as Isaac Holland
+hath prescribed) excellent
+Essences spiritually enter. Wherefore,
+it is needful, that the Sons
+of Art should know, how by
+some Saline suitable Ferment,
+grateful to the Metallick Nature,
+they may subdue, dissolve, separate
+and concentrate, not only
+the Magnetick Metallick virtue
+of Tinging, but also, how they
+may multiply the same in its own
+Philosophick Homogeneal Golden,
+or Silvery-manner. For we
+see, that the bodies of all Creatures,
+are not only easily destroyed,
+but thenceforth also the Internals
+cease to live, and hasten to
+the dark Shadowings, in which
+they were, before they, by the
+Creation of God the Creator, were
+brought to Light. But what Man
+will discover to us this Art in the
+Metallick Kingdom?
+
+Artist
+
+You say well, and have rightly
+judged of the Natural Destruction
+of things, and if it shall be pleasing
+to the most merciful God, to
+deal graciously with you as He
+hath done with me; He, according
+to your good hope, will direct
+some one of the Adept to demonstrate,
+to you the way of destroying
+Metals, and of collecting the
+Internal Souls of them. But, in
+the mean while, do you invoke
+the most Wise God, to whose
+Vigilant Eyes I commend you,
+which are always open upon
+his Sons, regenerated to him
+by Christ. Again Farewel, and
+rest assured, I will be your Friend.
+I must at this time go hence,
+but I hope to see you again in
+good health, ere it be long.
+
+Thus my new Friend took
+his Leave, and went away; it leaving
+me, his Friend, most sad
+for the space of three Weeks,
+which being expired, according
+to his Word, he returned, and
+gave me the Tincture, as you may
+learn by the above-recited History.
+After this, that Philosophick
+Man of God went from me, and
+I never more saw him, from
+that time, unto to this very day,
+nor could I hear of him by any
+of the Carriers, or Posts, or by
+any of my Intimate Acquaintance.
+
+Nevertheless, he left with me
+(as a Spurre) the acute Memory
+of, him, reposted in my
+minde, as also the Opinion of
+Paracelsus affirming, that by Metals,
+of Metals, and with Metals,
+cleansed, Spiritual, and first depurated
+from their feculency, are
+made Metals, and the Living
+Gold and Silver of Philosophers,
+as well for Humane, as for Metallick
+Bodies. Wherefore if
+that Guest, my Friend of but
+little acquaintance, had exactly
+shewed to me, the way of preparing
+preparing this Celestial Spiritual Salt,
+by which, and with which,
+from Corporeal, and Earthly Substances,
+I might, as it were, in the
+Matrix of them, collect the Spiritual
+Rayes of Sol or Luna:
+assuredly, He from his own Light,
+would have enkindled in me so
+great a Light, as I should have
+seen, and understood how I ought
+in other Corporeal Metals, by
+Sympathy to transmute the Eternal
+Soul of them so, as by the
+help thereof they had clarified,
+or transformed their own like body,
+either into Gold, or into
+Silver, according to the disposition
+of the Red seed, into a Red
+Body, or according to the Nature
+of the White Seed, into a White
+Body. For Elias the Artist affirmed
+to me, that the Chalybs
+Of Sandivogius is that true Mercurial
+Metallick Humidity, by
+the help of which, without any
+Corrosive, the Artist might, in an
+open Fire, and Crucible, separate
+the fixed Rayes of Sol
+or Luna from their own Body, and
+thenceforth make them Volatile
+and Mercurial, for the Dry Philosophick
+Tincture, as he demonstrated
+to me; and communicated
+somewhat relating to the
+transmutation of Metals. Indeed all
+men well skilled in the Chymical
+Science, have a necessity of assenting
+to me in this, viz. that Pyrotechny
+is the Mother, and Nurse
+of various noble Sciences and Arts.
+For they can easily judge from
+the Colours of the Chaos of Metals
+in the Fire, what Metallic
+body is therein. Even so dayly
+in the bowels of the Earth are
+procreated Metals, and Perspicuous
+Stones, from a proper noble
+vaporous Seed, from a Spiritual
+tinging Sulphureous Seed,
+in their diverse Saline Matrixes.
+For the common Sulphur, whether
+of an impure, or pure Metal
+whilst conjoyned with its own
+body, mixt with Salt Peter only in
+the burning heat of Fire is easily
+changed into a most hard
+and most fixed Earth, but this
+Earth is thenceforth by the Aire
+easily changed into a most limpid
+Water: and this Water afterward,
+by a more strong Fire,
+according to the Nature of the
+Metallick pure or impure Sulphur
+mixt is converted into Glass,
+admirably Well tinged with various
+Colours. Almost in the very
+same manner, from the White of
+an Egge is generated a Chick by
+natural heat. So also from the
+Seminal bond of Life of any one
+Metal, is made a new, and more
+noble Metal, by an heat of Fire
+convenient to the Saline Nature;
+although very few Chimists rightly
+and perfectly know, how the
+Internal, and alwayes moving
+Magnetick virtues, are distinguished
+according to the Harmony,
+or Disconsonancy of them.
+Whence we see, this Metal hath
+a Sympathy or Antipathy with
+another, so very singular, as is
+found in the Magnet with Iron, in
+Mercury with Gold, in Silver with
+Copper, a very remarkable Sympathy,
+but on the contrary, there
+is a notable Antipathy in Lead
+against Tin, in Iron against Gold,
+in Antimony against Silver, in
+Lead against Mercury. Infinite
+other like Sympathetic, and Antipathetick
+Annotations occurr in
+the Animal & Vegetable Kingdom;
+as you may read and find in various
+Authors, who have written of
+such Curiosities, from the accurate,
+and absolute Knowledge of
+which, the true Philosophers,
+and Masters of Nature had their
+beginning, and Esteem.
+
+Thus have I described, what I
+my self have seen and done; and
+have caused the same to be printed
+for you, Candid Readers, out of
+mere Liberality, gratis communicating
+it, according to that of Seneca:
+I desire in this to know
+somewhat, that I may teach others.
+Si cum hac Exceptione detur Sapientia,
+ut illlam inclusam tencam, abjiciam,
+&c. But if any man doubt
+of the real truth of this matter, let
+him only with a lively faith believe
+in his Crucified Jesus, that
+in Him, he (by the strict way of
+Regeneration) may become a
+New Creature; in the same let
+him fix the whole Anchor, of his
+Faith, and likewise shew his [Greek: philanthropia],
+or Love of Mankind, unto
+all his Neighbours, and especially
+exercise the works of Mercy, and
+Brotherly Love towards the needy
+Members of the Christian Religion,
+that at length, when the whole
+Course of his Life is justly, and
+holily finished, in that Fatal and
+Mortal hour, he may hence,
+through the Watery Ocean of this
+Tempestuous and Rocky World,
+arrive in safety at the most blessed
+Port of Eternal Rest, and sing the
+New Song with the Triumphing
+Philosophers of the Heavenly
+Jerusalem, of which he hopes to
+take, who is,
+
+Your most faithful and
+assured Friend
+
+John Frederick Helvetius,
+
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the Hague.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Transcriber's note: Repeated word "perused" deleted.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD
+ADORES, AND DESIRES***
+
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+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and Desires, by John Frederick Helvetius</title>
+  <style type="text/css">
+body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify}
+h1, h2, h3, h4, h6 {text-align: center}
+hr {text-align: center; }
+p {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 14pt}
+.center {text-align: center}
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              height: 5px; }
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+	a:hover {color:red}
+	pre		{font-size: 8pt;}
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and
+Desires, by John Frederick Helvetius</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and Desires</p>
+<p>Author: John Frederick Helvetius</p>
+<p>Release Date: January 9, 2005  [eBook #14641]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD ADORES, AND DESIRES***</p>
+<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Julian Rosalie</h3></center><br><br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE</h2>
+
+<h1>GOLDEN CALF,</h1>
+
+<p class="center">Which the</p>
+
+<h1>WORLD</h1>
+
+<h2>ADORES, and DESIRES:</h2>
+
+<p class="center">In which is handled<br>
+The most Rare and Incomparable<br>
+Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting<br>
+METALS;</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>VIZ</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center">How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one <br>
+Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon, <br>
+with an exceeding small particle of the true <br>
+Philosophick Stone.</p>
+
+<p class="center">At the <em>Hague</em>. In the Year 1666.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Written in Latin by</em> John Frederick Helvetius,<br>
+<em>Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at</em> <br>
+<em>the</em> Hague, <em> and faithfully Englished.</em></p>
+<hr width="80%">
+<br>
+
+<h6>London, Printed for John Starkey at the
+Mitre<br>
+in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr</h6>
+
+<h4>1670</h4>
+<br>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<p class="center">To the most Excellent<br>
+D. THEODORUS KETJES,<br>
+by his many Peregrinations, a <br>
+most famous Phisician, and an <br>
+happy Practitioner of Medicine<br>
+at <em>Amsterdam</em>, <br>
+One of my Intimate Friends.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>ALSO</em>,<br>
+To the most Noble, most Excellent,<br>
+and most Experienc'd, and<br>
+Accurate Searchers into the<br>
+Vulcanian Anatomy,<br>
+<em>D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS</em>,<br>
+Counsellor, and Chief Physician<br>
+of the most Serene Elector Palatine<br>
+of <em>HEIDELBERG</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>AND</em><br>
+<em>D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS</em>,<br>
+Principal Physician in the Court<br>
+of the most Serene Elector of<br>
+<em>BRANDENBURG</em>:</p>
+
+<p class="center">My Reverend Patrons, and intire<br>
+Friends.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">The Epistle <br>
+DEDICATORY:</h2>
+
+<p>Most Noble, most Excellent, most<br>
+Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors<br>
+of the <em> Vulcanian Anatomy</em>,<br>
+and my most real<br>
+FRIENDS.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Although I neither was willing, nor able to be wanting to my honoured
+  Friends, yet would not divulge and bring to light the Verity of the
+  <em>Spagirick Art,</em> but by this most precious, and Miraculous
+  <em>Arcanum, </em>which I not only saw with these Eyes, but taking a little
+  of the transmutatory powder, I myself also transmuted an Impure Mass of
+  Lead volatile in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly sustaining every
+  Examen of Fire: in such wise, as henceforth it can no more be suspected by
+  any Man, no not by those, who unto this day have perswaded themselves and
+  others, that this <em>Arcanum</em> is given to no man: but contrarily we
+  were fully and indubitately perswaded, that, in things of Nature, The
+  <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers is <em>Primo-material</em>, and is like a
+  Fountain overflowing with wonderfull Effects, and those escaping every
+  acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible Reason, as shall be evidenced
+  in this my little work: which I was willing to dedicate and consecrate to
+  you, my Primary Patrons, as to most prudent Masters, and Defenders. Yet in
+  the mean while, I pray consider, that I have not writ to the end I would
+  teach any one, that Art, which I my self know not, but only that I might
+  recite the true Process of this <em>Arcanum.</em> For, what can more
+  confirm, and Patronize Verity, than the true Light of Truth it self? It is
+  the property of Brute Animals to pass their life in Silence, and especially
+  not to heed those things in them, which do most of all look to, and are
+  required for the propagation of the Glory of the most Wise, and most
+  powerful <em>GOD</em> our creator. Wherefore, since it is a thing unworthy,
+  and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful, for Man, who should be a Consort of
+  the Divine Nature, to wax brutish with Brutes, I present to you, my most
+  faithful Friends, and Patrons of this Science, this most rare History:
+  having as time, and my Ability would permit, recollected all things, and
+  have faithfully commemorated them. Therefore, omitting all paints, and
+  flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions, I will forthwith betake my self to
+  the discovery of all, whatsoever I both saw, and heard from <em>Elias  the
+  Artist </em>touching this. For truly, I was not so intimately familiar with
+  him, as that he should instruct me in the way of preparing the Universal
+  Medicine, after the Method of Physico-artificial Chimistry: yet he supplyed
+  me with such Reasons in the Method of Healing, as I shall never be able to
+  commend his worth with condigne Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
+  and true Lovers of the Chimical Art, accept of this little work, as a mean
+  Gift, or if you had rather, peruse if only for recreation of the mind; for
+  in it I shall relate all things whatsoever, that were discoursed of between
+  him and me, at several times: humbly requesting, that with the same
+  benevolence you have received other of my small Treatises, you would also
+  accept of this Novel, which I freely dedicate, and officiously give to you,
+  for a motion, and increase of Admiration. Farewel, <em>avete,
+  favete.</em></p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Your most humble</em></p>
+
+<p class="center">John Fredrick Helvetius.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. I.</h2>
+
+<p>Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs. <em><br>
+Before I enter upon the Description of the Philosophick </em>PIGMY<em>,(in
+this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming and subduing </em>GIANTS,<em> I
+pray permit me here to use the words of </em>Vanhelmont,<em> taken out of his
+Book </em>De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630. <em>and here Transcribed.</em></p>
+
+<p><em>I compelled to believe, that there is an Aurifick, and Argentick
+Stone.</em> But (Friend of the <em>Spagyrick Art</em>) I am not ignorant,
+that many have been found among the most wise, yea among the exquisite
+<em>Chimists</em>, who have not only consumed their own Goods, but the Goods
+of others also, in this <em>Great Vulanick</em> Secret, as Experience even at
+this very day sufficiently proves. For we have seen, the more is the pity!
+how unwary <em>Chimists</em>, yea such as are more worthy, than those who are
+called <em>Alchimists</em>; how, I say, they, labouring simply, are daily
+deluded with Guile of this kind, by <em>Diabolick, Aurifick,</em> and
+<em>Argentick</em> Suckgoods. Also I know, that many Stupid Men will rise up,
+and contradict the truth of my true Experience, touching the Philosophick
+Stone. One will have it to be a work of the Devil; another affirms there is
+no such thing; a third faith it is the Soul of Gold only, and that with an
+Ounce of that Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more may be again tinged: but
+this is repugnant to the Attestation of <em>Kifflerus</em>, as I shall
+briefly commemorate; a fourth believes the Verity and Possibility thereof,
+but faith it is so chargeable, as it will never quit Cost; with many other
+like Allegations. Yet I wonder not at this, for according to this Saying,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>Quorum rationem non intelligimus, miramur,<br>
+  Que vero pernoscere volupe est, rimamur.</em></p>
+
+  <p>What we cannot attain to, we admire,<br>
+  But what to know is pleasing, do desire.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>How can a Man, fallen from the Fountain of Light, into the Abyss of
+Darkness, effect any thing to purpose, in Natural things, especially when his
+Wisdome in this natural Philosophick Study is barren and sophisticate? It is,
+for the most part, proper to these Fools and unapt men, presently to contemn
+a thing, not knowing, that more are yet to be sought by them, than they have
+the possession of. Therefore, rightly saith <em>Seneca</em>, in lib. de
+Moribus: <em>Thou art not yet happy, if the Rout deride thee not</em>. But I
+matter not, whether they believe, or contradict what I write, touching the
+Transmutation of Metals. I rest satisfied in this one thing, which with my
+eyes I have seen, and what with my hands I have done. For what Philosophers
+say of themselves, I also have with my hands handled this Spark of the
+Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine Catholick <em>Magnesia</em> of
+Philosophers, a Fire of potency sufficient to penetrate Stones, yea, a
+Treasure of so great value, as 20 Tun of Gold cannot exceed the price
+thereof. What seek you? I believe what I have seen with the eyes of
+<em>Thomas</em>, and handled as he, (but in the nature of things only) as
+well as the Adept Philosophers; although in this our decrepit age of the
+world, That be accounted a most Secret Hyperphysico-magical <em>Saturn</em>,
+and not known, unless to some Cabalistick Christian only. We judge him the
+most happy of all Physicians, who hath the knowledge of this pleasant
+Medicinal potion of our <em>Mercury</em>, or of the Medicine of the Son of
+our <em>Esculapius </em>resisting the force of death, against which there is
+no <em>Panacea </em>otherwise produced in Gardens. Moreover, the most wise
+<em>GOD</em> doth not reveal his Gifts of <em>Solomon </em>promiscuously to
+all Mortals. They indeed seem strange to them, when they behold a Creature,
+from the occult Magnetick potency incited in it self, deduced into art by its
+own like; as for Example: In Iron is a Magnetick, ingenited, potential virtue
+from the Magnet: a Magnetick virtue in Gold from <em>Mercury</em>: a
+Magnetick virtue in Silver from <em>Venus</em>, or Copper: and so
+consequently in all Metals, Minerals, and Stones, Herbs, and Plants,
+&amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, I may properly quæry, which of the wisest Philosophers is so
+Sage, as to be able to comprehend with the acuteness of his own most dextrous
+ingeny, with what Obumbracle the Imaginative Tinging, Venemons, or Monstrous
+Faculty of any pregnant Woman, compleats its work in one Moment, if it be
+deduced into art by some External Object?</p>
+
+<p>I do assuredly believe, that very many will foolishly say, that this is a
+Mortomagical Work of the Devil; but the Doltish and Ignorant are affraid to
+be out-shined by the true resplendent Light of Verity, with which their
+Owl-like Sight is troubled, and afflicted.</p>
+
+<p>Also the Stars are a cause of what we treat of, and this cause is not to
+be contemned, although I, nor you, know not how to comprehend the Celestial
+Influences of them in our mind. Nor are the Plants, which the Earth supplies
+us with, to be rejected, although I; or you, from the External Signature of
+them, know not how to judge aright of the Effect of Virtues ingenited in
+them, which they notoriously exercise, according to their power, in healing
+and conserving Humane bodies. Therefore, since all others are also offended
+at the Internal Light, being ignorant of all abstruse things, of which you,
+or I, want the Science, how can the same Virtues be deduced into art,
+according to the end for which they were created? A thousand other like
+things might be instanced. Although you know not the Splendour in Angels, the
+Candour in the Heavens, the Perspicuity in the Air, Limpitude in Waters, the
+variety of Colours in Flowers, hardness of Metals and Stones, Proportion in
+Animals, the Image of <em>GOD </em>in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers, and
+Reason in the Soul; yet in them there is such a beauty, as hath been
+throughly beheld, and fully known by very few Mortals.</p>
+
+<p>Although in the Stone of Philosophers there be so potent a virtue, and the
+same hath been seen by me, yet I would not therefore have any man to think,
+that my primary Scope, and intention, is to perswade the worthy, or unworthy
+Sons of this Age, to labour in this work, no, not at all: but I shall rather
+dehort all, and every of the curious Indagators of this Art, that they
+seriously abstain from this most perilous <em>Arcanum</em>, as from a certain
+<em>Sanctum Sanctorum</em>; yea, and I would admonish the Studious of this
+<em>Arcanum</em>, accurately to take heed to himself, and beware of the
+Lectures, and Association of false Philosophers. But I hope I shall satisfie
+the curious Naturalists, or investigators of Physical <em>Arcanums,</em> by
+communicating and publishing in this present Discourse, all which passed
+between <em>Elias the Artist</em>, and Me, touching the Nature of the Stone
+of Philosophers. For that is an <em>Ens</em> more Effulgent than the Morning,
+or a Carbuncle: more splendid, than the Sun, or Gold: more fair, than the
+Moon, or Silver: so very Recreable, and Amiable, was the sight of this Light,
+and most pleasing Object to me, as out of my inward Mind, it cannot be
+obliterated, or extinguished by any Oblivion; although the same be credited
+by none of the fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant Asses, and such as
+glory only in the praise of ambitious Eloquence. For in this malignant
+ulcerated age of the world, nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies, but
+it is taken in a wrong Sense, and perverted unworthily by the Idiotick
+Ignorance of mad-brain'd <em>CacoZelots</em>. So very farr do all these
+dark-sighted men deviate from the true rule of Verity, as in success of time,
+they, intangled with their own Errors, will miserably wast away and expire;
+but our Assertion, built on the Eternal Foundation of Triumphing Verity,
+shall continue and remain, unto the Consummation of all ages, without
+diminution, although this art be not yet known to all Mortals. For the
+<em>Adept Philosophers</em>, according to the antient Faith of their
+experience, have affirmed, that this Natural Mystery (which many anxious men
+have sinistrously sought, and required) is only to be found with
+<em>Jehovah</em>, Saturninely placed in the Centre of the World. In the mean
+while, we proclaim those happy, who take care, by the help of art, how they
+may wash this Philosophick Queen, or how they ought to circulate the
+Virgin-Catholick-Earth, in Physico-Magical Crystalline Artifice, as
+<em>Khunradus</em>. did; they only, and none others besides them, shall see
+the Crowned, and internally fiery King of Philosophers, coming forth from his
+Glassy Sepulchre, in an external fiery Body glorified, more then perfect with
+all the Colours in the world, as a shining Carbuncle, or perspicuous, compact
+and ponderous Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out Waters, and by the benefit
+thereof in the Fire washing Leprous Metals, as I my self have seen. What? How
+shall they see the <em>Abyss</em> of the Spagyrick Art? when as this Royal
+Art hath so long lain hid, and been absconded in the Mineral Kingdom, as in
+the Safest of all Secret places, for so very many years? Assuredly the
+Genuine Sons of this Laudable Art, shall not only behold a like Flood of
+<em>Numicius</em>, in which <em>Æneas</em> heretofore, by the command of
+Venus, washed and absolved from his Immortality, was immediately transformed
+into an immortal God; but also the <em>Lydian</em> River of <em>Pactolus</em>
+all transmuted into Gold, and how <em>Midas Mygdonius</em> washed himself in
+the same. Likewise those candid Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious order
+behold the Bathing-place of naked <em>Diana</em>, the Fountain of
+<em>Narcissus, </em>and <em>Scylla</em> walking in the Sea, without garments,
+by reason of the most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly also the Blood of
+<em>Pyramus</em> and <em>Thisbe</em>, of it self collected, by the help of
+which, white Mulberries are tinged into Red; partly also the Blood of
+<em>Adonis</em>, by the descending Goddess <em>Venus</em> transformed into a
+Rose of <em>Anemona</em>; partly likewise the Blood of <em>Ajax</em>, from
+which arose that most beautiful flower the Violet; partly also the Blood of
+the <em>Giants</em> slain by <em>Jupiters </em>thunder-bolt; partly also the
+Shed Tears of <em>Althea</em>, when she put off her Golden Vestments; and
+partly the Drops, which fell from the decocted Water of <em>Medea</em>, by
+which green things immediatly sprang out of the Earth; partly also the cocted
+Potion of <em>Medea</em>, made of various Herbs, gathered always three dayes
+before full Moon, for the cure of <em>Jasons</em> aged Father; partly also
+those Leaves, by the tast of which, the nature of <em>Gaucus</em> was changed
+into <em>Neptune</em>; partly also the Exprest Juice of <em>Jason</em>, by
+the benefit of which, he, in the Land of <em>Cholcons</em>, received the
+Golden Fleece, afterward by reason of that, compleatly armed, he fought in
+the Feild of <em>Mars</em>, not without the hazard of Life; partly also the
+Garden of the <em>Hesperides</em>, where Golden Apples may be gathered from
+the Trees; partly also <em>Hippomenes</em> running for the Mastery with
+<em>Atalanta</em>, and staying her Course, and so overcoming her with three
+Golden Apples, the Gifts of <em>Venus</em>; partly also the <em>Aurora</em>
+of <em>Cephalus</em>, partly also <em>Romulus</em> transformed by
+<em>Jupiter</em> into a <em>God</em>; partly also the Soul of <em>Julius
+Cæsar</em>, by the Goddess <em>Venus</em>, transfigured into a Comet, and
+placed among the Stars; partly also <em>Python, Juno's </em>Serpent, arising
+out of the putrid Earth (after <em>Deucalions</em> Flood) made hot by the
+Rayes of the Sun; partly also the Fire, with which <em>Medea</em> kindled
+seven Lights; partly also the Moon, inflamed by the burning of
+<em>Phæton</em>; partly also the Withered Olive Branch, a new; flourishing
+and bearing Fruit; yea, becoming a new and tender Olive Tree; partly also
+<em>Arcadia</em>, where <em>Jupiter</em> was wont to walk; partly also the
+Habitation of <em>Pluto</em>, at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed
+<em>Cerberus</em>; &amp; also partly that Mountain, where <em>Hercules</em>
+burned all his Members, received from the Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts of
+the Father remained Fixed, and incombustible in Fire, and nothing of his Life
+was destroyed, but he, at length, was transmuted into a God. Likewise we will
+not forget those <em>Germans</em>, the Sons of true Philosophers, who entred
+into a Country-house, at length transformed into a Temple, whose Covering was
+made of pure Gold. Certainly, I cannot choose, but must yet once more with
+acclamation, say with the <em>Adept</em>: O happy, and thrice happy is that
+Artificer, who by the most merciful benediction of the highest,
+<em>Jehovah</em> pursues the Art of Confecting, and preparing that (as it
+were, Divine) Salt, by the Efficacious Operation of which, a Metallick, or
+Mineral body, is corrupted, destroyed, and dyes; yet the Soul thereof is in
+the mean while revived, to a glorious Resurrection of a Philosophick Body.
+Yea, I say, most happy is the Son of that man, who, by his Prayers, obtains
+this Art of Arts, unto the glory of <em>GOD</em>. For it is most certain,
+that this Mystery can be known no other way, unless it be drawn and imbibed
+from <em>GOD</em>, the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore, let every serious
+Lover of this inestimable Art judge, that the whole work of him required, is,
+that he constantly, with the prayer of true faith, in all his labour, implore
+and solicite the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the solemn manner of
+<em>GOD</em> alone is, candidly and liberally, either mediately or
+immediately, to communicate his gifts and benefits, to none, unless to candid
+and liberal Ingenies only. In this holy way of practical Piety, all
+Inquisitors of profound Arts, find what they seek, when they, in their work,
+exercise themselves Theosophically by solitary Colloquies with
+<em>Jehovah</em>, with a pure Heart and Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly
+<em>Sophia</em>, indeed, willingly embraces our friendship, presenting, and
+offering to us, her inexhaustible Rivolets, most full of gracious goodness
+and benevolence. But, happy is he, to whom the Royal way, in which he is to
+walk, shall be shown by some One expert in this <em>Arcanum</em>.</p>
+
+<p>I seem to presage to my self, that I have not equally satisfied all
+Readers in this Preface; but it is, as if I did presume to teach them an Art,
+unknown to my self; yet I hope better of the greatest part of them. For my
+intention was, only to relate to you a certain History. Therefore, Drink, my
+Friends, of the following Dialogue, or Springing Colloquy, presented by me,
+wishing you well, that thence you may satisfie, and allay all the Thirst of
+your Thirsting Minds: for I doubt not in the least, but that this Study of
+Divine Wisdome, will be more sweet to you, than <em>Nectar</em> and
+<em>Ambrosia</em>. No other will I communicate, no other have I common, then
+that of <em>Jul. Cæs. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen, is the Communication of
+Wisdome:</em> according to that of <em>Gregory Nyßen: He who is Good, in
+Nature, the same very willingly communicates his Goods to others.</em> For it
+is the part of good Men, to be profitable to others.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. II.</h2>
+
+<p>Divers Ilustrious men have written touching the Verity of this
+<em>Arcanum</em>, among these, take the Sayings of some of them, as
+follows.</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>PARACELSUS</em></p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center">In his Book <em>Of the Signature of Natural
+things.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Tincture of Naturalists, is a, true sign, that by the transmutative
+  virtue thereof, all imperfect Metals are changed, <em>viz.</em> the White
+  into Silver, and the Red into the best Gold, if an exceeding small part of
+  this Medicine well prepared, be injected upon the Metal, while in flux in a
+  Crucible, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For the invincible <em>Astrum</em> of Metals overcomes all things, and
+  changeth into a Nature like it self, &amp;c. This Gold and Silver is more
+  noble, and better, than those, which are dug out of Metallick Mines; for
+  Medicinal <em>Arcanums </em>to be prepared therefrom.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Therefore, I say every Alchimist, which hath the <em>Astrum</em> of
+  Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals into Gold, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Our Tincture of Gold hath <em>Astrums</em> in it self, is a Substance
+  most fixed, and in multiplication immutable. It is a Powder, haveing a
+  colour most red, almost like Saffron, yet its whole Corporal Substance, is
+  liquid as Rosin, perspicuous as Crystal, brittle as Glass, of the colour of
+  a Rubie, and exceeding poaderous, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Also read <em>Paracelsus</em> his <em>Heaven of Philosophers.</em></p>
+
+<p>Likewise, <em>Paracelsus</em> his Seventh Book, <em>Of the Transmutation
+of Natural things.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Transmutation is a great natural Mystery, Metallick, and not contrary to
+  the Course of Nature, nor repugnant to the Order of <em>GOD</em>, as many
+  men of it do falsly judge. For imperfect Metals, are changed neither into
+  Gold, nor into Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><em>Paracelsus</em>, in his <em>Manual of the Medicinal Stone of
+philosophers.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Our Stone is a Celestial, and more than perfect Medicine, because it
+  cleanseth all the impurities of Metals, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>HENRY KHUNRADUS</em></p>
+
+<p>In his <em>Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I travelled long, invited others, who knew somewhat by experience, and
+  could with very firm judgement conjecture; and this not alwayes in vain.
+  Among which, I call <em>God</em> to witness, by his wonderful ordination,
+  I, from one, received the Green Catholick <em>Lyon</em>, and the
+  <em>Blood</em> of the <em>Lyon</em>, viz. <em>Gold</em>, not the Vulgar,
+  but of <em>Philosophers</em>, with my Eyes I saw the same, with my hands, I
+  handled it, and with my Nostrils, smelt the odour thereof. O how wonderful
+  is <em>God</em> in his Works! They, I say, gave those Gifts prepared, which
+  I in most desperate Cases, used with admirable success to the benefit of my
+  needy Neighbour. And (by Instinct of <em>Jehovah's </em>mercy) they
+  sincerely revealed to me, the wayes of preparing, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>This wonderful Method, the wonderful <em>God</em> gave me. In this way,
+  in which I walked, <em>God </em>alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
+  yet subdelegately,  Nature, Fire, and Art, of my Master, as well living as
+  mute, corporally, and spiritually good, sleeping and waking, gave the same
+  to me, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I write not Fables; with your hands you shall handle, and with, your
+  eyes you shall see <em>Azoth</em>, viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
+  <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers; which alone, with the Internal and
+  External Fire, yet with Sympathetick Harmony, with Olympick Fire (by reason
+  of inevitable necessity) Physico-magically united, will suffice thee for
+  obtaining our Stone, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You shall see, the Stone of <em>Philosophers</em>; our <em>King</em>,
+  and <em>Lord</em> of those that bare rule, coming from his Bridal Throne of
+  the Glassy Sepulchre, into this Mundane Scene, in his glorified body,
+  <em>viz</em>, regenerate, and more then perfect: namely, a shining
+  Carbuncle, a most temperate Splendour; and of which, tire most Subtile, and
+  Depurated parts, are by the concordant peace of Mixtion, inseparably united
+  into One, and perfectly equallized, clear as Crystal, compact, and most
+  ponderous, as fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before the flight of
+  <em>Mercury</em>, as Wax flowing, yet without fume, entring and
+  penetrating, solid and close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable in every
+  Liquor, melting, and commiscible therewith; brittle as Glass, in Powder, of
+  the colour of Saffron, but in the intire Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
+  (which Redness is a sign of perfect Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
+  permanently Colouring, or Tinging; in all Examens whatsoever, even of
+  Sulphur adurtive, and in Tryals of corroding Waters, and in the most
+  vehement persecution of Fire, fixed, alwayes during, and unburnable;
+  permanent as the Salamander, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Stone of Philosophers in the greater World, is in the parts thereof,
+  fermented; by reason of the Ferment, it transforms it self into whatsoever
+  it will &amp;c. Hence you may learn the reason, why Philosophers on their
+  <em>Azoth</em> imposed the name of <em>Mercury</em> which adheres to
+  bodies, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>It is fermented with Metals, <em>viz</em>, the White existant in the
+  highest Whiteness, with pure Silver for the White; but the Sanguineous
+  <em>Stone</em>, with Gold Obrizon for the Red. And this is the Work of
+  three dayes, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>HELMONT, Of Eternal Life</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For I have oftentimes seen it, and with, my hands handled the same,
+  &amp;c. See in the same place further. Then I projected this quarter of one
+  Grane, wrapt up in Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive, hot in a
+  Crucible, and immediately the whole Hydrargyry, with some little noise
+  ceased to flow, and remained congealed like yellow Wax: after fusion
+  thereof, by blowing the bellows, there were found eight Ounces of Gold,
+  wanting eleven Grane. Therefore, one Grane of this Powder, transmutes 19186
+  equal parts of Argentvive, into the best Gold. Within the Earth, the
+  aforesaid Powder is found, or what is in a sort like thereunto, which
+  transmutes almost an infinite Mass of impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
+  uniting the same to it self, it defends from Rust, and Ærugo, from
+  Cankring, and Death, and maketh the same, as it were, immortal, against all
+  torture of Fire, and Art, and transfers it into the Virgin-purity of Gold;
+  it requires only heat.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same </em>Helmont,<em> Of the Tree of
+Life.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I am compelled to believe the Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone; because
+  at several distinct: times, with my own hand, made projection of one Grane
+  of this Powder, upon some thousands of Granes of Argentvive hot in a
+  Crucible; and in the presence of our principal friends, the business, with
+  a pleasing admiration, succeeded well in the Fire: as our books promise
+  Thee, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>He, who first gave me the Powder, had at least, so much thereof, as
+  would be sufficient for transmuting two hundred thousand pound weight of
+  Metal, into Gold, &amp;c..</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>For he gave to me not so much as half a grane of that Powder, and with
+  that were transmuted nine ounces, and three quarters of an ounce of
+  Argetitvive. That was given me one Evening by a strange Friend, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>So also it is written, that sixty years since, Alexander Scotus, made
+  projection of that kinde, in the trust: famous City of <em>Colonia</em> and
+  <em>Hanovia</em>, &amp;c.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>I cannot in this place over-pass, some Examples worthy of note, touching
+the possibility of Transmutation.</p>
+
+<p>Read the following true Extract out of an Epistle written by Doctor
+<em>Kufflerus</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>Kufflerus</em>: Artist, I found-in my own Laboratory, an
+  <em>Aqua-fortis</em>. Secondly, I again found another in the Laboratory,
+  <em>Caroli de Roy</em>; this <em>Aqua-Fortis</em> I poured upon the Calx of
+  <em>Sol</em>, prepared of Gold, in the Vulgar manner, and after the third
+  Cohobation, it sublimed the Tincture of Gold with it self in the Neck of
+  the Retort; this Tincture I mixed with Silver, precipited in the vulgar
+  manner, and I saw that one ounce of the sublimed Tincture of Gold, with
+  ordinary Flux in a Crucible, had transmuted one ounce, and halfe of the two
+  ounces of precipitate Silver, into the best Gold: but a third part of the
+  Silver yet remaining, was a white and fixed Gold: the other two parts
+  thereof were perfect Silver, fixed in every examen of Fire. This is my
+  experience, after this time, we could never find the like
+  <em>Aqua-fortis</em>. I, <em>Helvetius</em> saw this Gold white, and
+  without Tincture.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p style="text-align: center"><em>The same.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>There is yet one other Example very rare; of what was done at the Hague
+  by a Silver-Smith, whose name was <em>Grill</em>: how he in the year 1664.
+  by Spirit of Salt, not prepared in the Vulgar manner, transmuted Lead so,
+  as from one pound, he received three parts of the best Silver, and two
+  ounces of most fixed Gold.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>At the <em>Hague</em>, a certain Silver-Smith, and a much exercised
+  Disciple of Alchimy, but according to the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
+  man; did sometime since require Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared, of a
+  loving Friend of Mine, a Cloath-Dyer, by name, <em>John Casparus
+  </em><em>Knottnerus</em>. My Friend giving the same to him; demanded,
+  whether he would use that Spirit of Salt, he now had, for Metals, or not?
+  <em>Grill</em> made answer; for Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
+  powred this Spirit of Salt upon Lead, which he had put into a Glass Dish,
+  usual for Conditures and Confections. The space of two Weeks being elapsed,
+  supernatant on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a most splendid Silver-Starre,
+  so exceeding curious, as if it had been made With an Instrument by a most
+  ingenious Artist. At the sight of which, the said Grill, filled with
+  Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that he had seen the Signate Star of
+  Philosophers, touching which he had read in <em>Basilius</em>, as he
+  thought. I, and many other honest Men, did behold this Star supernatant on
+  the Spirit of Salt, the lead in the mean while remaining in the bottom of
+  an ash colour, and swollen like a Sponge. But in the space of seven or nine
+  dayes, that humidity of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed by the exceeding
+  heat of the Aire, in <em>July</em>, did vanish; but the Star settled down,
+  and still stood above that Earthly Spongeous Lead. That was a thing worthy
+  of admiration, and beheld by not a few Spectators. At length <em>Grill</em>
+  himself having taken part of Cinereous, or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
+  adhering, cupellated in a Test, and found from one ounce of this Lead,
+  twelve ounces of Cupellate Silver, and from these twelve ounces, he also
+  had two ounces of the best Gold. And I <em>Helvetius</em> am able to shew
+  some of this Spongeous Lead with part of the Star yet adhering, &amp;
+  besides the pieces of the Star the Silver and Gold made thereof. Which when
+  this Subtile (and Likewise Foolish) <em>Grill</em> understood, he would not
+  be known to <em>Knottterus</em>, whether he had used the Spirit of Salt, or
+  not; but thenceforth attempted to learn of him the Art how to make it; yet
+  some time being Elapsed, the worthy <em>Knottnerus</em> had for got what
+  Spirit of salt (for he was expert in various kinds thereof) he had given
+  him; not being able to call the same to mind so suddenly: in the mean
+  while, he and his Family were visited with the Pestilence and dyed: the
+  other falling into the Water was drowned. After the death of these two,
+  none could find out the way of either of their Operations.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Certainly here is cause of Admiration, that the Internal Nature of Lead,
+  by the simple maturation of Spirit of Salt, should appear in an external
+  form so noble. No less admirable and wonderful to the mind is this,
+  <em>viz</em>. that the mirifick Stone of <em>Philosophers</em> can so
+  exceeding swiftly transmute Metals; having virtue potentially insited in it
+  self, so as it is deduced into Art, as in Iron by contact of the Magnet.
+  But touching These enough for the Sons of Art.</p>
+</blockquote>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 style="text-align: center">CHAP. III.</h2>
+
+<p><em>Since promises are so much the better esteemed, by how much the sooner
+they are fulfilled, I, without any dilation, immediately come to my promised
+Declaration of the following History, which thus take</em>.</p>
+
+<p>At the <em>Hague</em>, on the sixth Calend of <em>January</em> or the
+27th. of <em>December</em>, in the year 1666, a certain man came to my House
+in the Afternoon, to me indeed planely unknown, but endued with an honest
+gravity, and serious authority of Countenance, cloathed in a <em>Plebick</em>
+Habit, like to some <em>Memnonite</em> of a middle Stature, his Visage
+somewhat long, with some Pock-holes here and there dispersed: his Hairs were
+indeed very black, yet not curled, little or no no hair on his Chin, and
+about three or four and fourty years of Age: his Countrey (as far as I am
+able to conjecture) is the <em>Septentrional Batavia</em>, vulgarly called
+<em>Nord Hollund</em>.</p>
+
+<p>After salutations ended, his new Guest, with great Reverence, asked,
+whether he might have freedom to come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick Art
+sake, he could not, nor was he willing to pass by the Door of my house;
+adding, that he had not only thought to have made use of some Friend to come
+to me, but had also read some of my little Treaties, especially that, which I
+published against <em>D. Digbies</em> Sympathetick Powder, in which I
+discovered my doubt of the true Philosophick Mystery. Therefore, this
+occasion being taken, he asked me, whether I could believe, that place was
+given to such a Mystery in the things of Nature, by the benefit of which a
+Physician might be able to cure all Diseases universally, unless the Sick
+already had a defect either of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any like noble
+Member? To which I answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding necessary for a
+Physician, but no man knows, what and how great are the Secrets yet hidden in
+Nature, nor did I ever, in all my Life see such an Adept Man, although I have
+read and perused many things, touching the verity of this thing, or Art, in
+the Writings of Philosophers. I also enquired of him, whether he (speaking of
+the Universal Medicine) were not a Physician? But he answering by denyal,
+professed, that he was no other than a Melter of <em>Orichalcum</em>, and
+that in the Flower of his years, he had known many things, from his Friend,
+rare to the Sight, and especially the way of Extracting Medicinal
+<em>Arcanums </em>by the force of Fire, and that for this very cause, he was
+a Lover of this so noble Science of Medicine. Moreover, long after other
+discourses, touching Experiments in Metals, made by the violence of Fire,
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> spake to me thus; Do not you know the
+Highest Secret, when it is offered to your sight, <em>viz</em>. the Stone of
+Phylosophers, you having read in the Writings of many Chymists most
+excellent, touching the Substance, Colour, and strange effect of the same? I
+answered, not at all; except what I have read in <em>Paracelsus, Helmont,
+Basilius, Sandivogius</em>, and like Books of Adept Phylosophers extant.
+Nevertheless, I think, I am not able to know the Phylosophick Matter, whether
+it be true, or not, although I should see it present before me. Whilst I was
+speaking thus, he pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory Box, in which he had
+three ponderous Fragments, in magnitude scarcely equalizing a small Walnut;
+these were Glass-like, of the colour of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior
+Scales of that Crucible did adhere, in which this most noble Substance was
+liquified, for I suppose the Value of it might equalize twenty Tun of Gold.
+But after I had plighted my Faith, I held that [Greek: cheimhêlion], [or
+pretious Treasure] of this <em>Stone</em>, within these my hands for almost a
+quarter of an hour, and from the Philosophick Mouth of the Owner, I heard
+many things worthy of note, touching the Wonderful Effect of the same, for
+humane and Metallick bodies. Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly afflicted
+Mind, restored this Treasure of Treasures to him, the Lord and Possessor, who
+gave the same into my hand for a very short space of time; and yet I did that
+(after the manner of Men overcoming themselves) not without the greatest
+action of thanks, as was fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked him, how it
+came to pass, (since I had otherwise read, that the <em>Stones</em> of
+<em>Philosophers</em>, were endowed with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour) that
+this his <em>Philosophick Stone</em> was tinged with a Sulphureous Colour? He
+answered me thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the purpose: for the Matter is
+Sufficiently mature. Moreover, when I entreated him, that he would give to
+me, for a perpetual remembrance, one small part of the Medicine included in
+his Box, although no more in bulk than a Coriander-Seed; he denied,
+answering: O no! For this is not lawful for me to do, although you would give
+me this whole Roome full of Gold in Duckets; and that not by reason of the
+price of the Matter, but by reason of another certain Consequence; Yea,
+surely, if it were possible, that Fire could be burned with Fire, I would
+sooner cast this whole Substance into the devouring Flames of
+<em>Vulcan</em>, before your Eyes. A little after this, he also asked me,
+whether I had not another Room, the Windows of which were not to the
+Street-side; I presently brought this Phænix, or Bird most rare to be seen in
+this Land, into my best furnished Chamber; yet he, at his Entrance (as the
+manner of Hollanders is, in their Countryes) did not shake off his Shooes,
+which were dropping wet with Snow. I indeed, at that very time, thus thought:
+perhaps he will provide, or hath in readiness some Treasure for me; but he
+dash'd my hope all to pieces. For he immediatey asked of me a piece of the
+best Gold-mony; and in the mean while layed off his Cloak, and Country Coat;
+also he opened his Bosom, and under his Shirt he wore in green Silk, five
+great Golden Pendants, round, filling up the magnitude of the Interior Space
+of an Orb of Tin. Where, in comparing these, in respect of Colour and
+Flexibility, the difference between his Gold, and mine, was exceeding great.
+On these Pendants he had inscribed with an Iron Instrument, the following
+Words, which, at my request, he gave leave I should coppy out.</p>
+
+<p><em>The form of the Pendants, and<br>
+words engraven thereon, are as<br>
+follows.</em></p>
+
+<center>
+
+<table summary="Insciptions on the five pendants of Elias the Artist.">
+  <tbody>
+    <tr>
+      <td align="center">I.<br>
+        AMEN<br>
+        Holy, Holy, Holy<br>
+        is the Lord our<br>
+        GOD, for all<br>
+        things are full of<br>
+        his Power.<br>
+        Leo: Libra.</td>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center">II.<br>
+        The wonderfull<br>
+        wonder-working<br>
+        wisdome of JEHOVAH<br>
+        in the Catholick<br>
+        Book of<br>
+        Nature. Made the<br>
+        26. day <em>Aug. 1666</em>.</td>
+    </tr>
+    <tr>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center"><img
+        alt="[Alchemical symbols: Gold, Mercury, Silver]"
+        src="images/alchemical_symbols.png" height="31"
+        width="75"><br>
+        The wonderfull<br>
+        <em>GOD</em>, Nature<br>
+        and the Spagyrick<br>
+        Art, make<br>
+        nothing in vain.</td>
+      <td></td>
+    </tr>
+    <tr>
+      <td align="center">Sacred, Holy Spirit<br>
+        Hallelujha<br>
+        Hallelujha<br>
+        Away Devil,<br>
+        Speak not of<br>
+        <em>GOD</em> without<br>
+        Light, Amen.</td>
+      <td></td>
+      <td align="center">The Eternal Invisible,<br>
+        only wise,<br>
+        Best of all and omnipotent<br>
+        <em>GOD</em> of<br>
+        Gods; Holy, Holy,<br>
+        Holy, Governour &amp;<br>
+        Conserver deservedly<br>
+        ought to be praysed.</td>
+    </tr>
+  </tbody>
+</table>
+</center>
+
+<p>Moreover, when I, affected with admiration said to him; My Master, I pray
+tell me, where had you this greatest Science of the whole World? He answered,
+I received such Magnalia from the Communication of a certain Extraneous
+Friend, who for certain dayes lodged in my House, professing, that, he was a
+Lover of Art, and came to teach me various Arts; <em>viz</em>. how, besides
+the aforesaid, of Stones and Crystal, most beautiful precious Stones are made
+much more fair than Rubies, Chrysolites, Saphires, and others of that kind.
+Also how to prepare a <em>Crocus Martis</em> in a quarter of an hour of which
+one only Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery Likewise a Metallic
+Liquor, by the help of which, every species of the Dropsy may be cured
+certainly in four dayes space Also a certain Limpid Water, more sweet, than
+Hony, by the help of which, I can extract the Tincture of Granates, Corals,
+and of all Glasses blown by Artificers, in the space of two hours in hot sand
+only. Many other things like to these he told me, which I neither well
+observed, nor committed to memory; because my intention was: carryed further,
+<em>viz</em>. to learn the Art of pressing that so noble juice out of Metals
+for Metals; but the Shadow in Waters deceived the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
+which was substantial. Moreover, this <em>Artist</em> told me that his
+Master, who taught him this Art, bad him bring Glass full of Rain water, with
+which he mixed a very small: quantity of a most white pouder; commanding me,
+(here the Disciple of that Master proceeds in his Discourse) to go to the
+Silver-Smith, for one ounce of Cupellate Silver, laminate, [or beat very
+thin,] which Silver was dissolved in a quarter of an hour, as Ice in hot
+water. Then he presently gave to me one half of this potion, by himself so
+speedily made, to drink; which in my mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I thence
+became very cheerful.</p>
+
+<p>He having related these things, I ceased not to enquire of him, to what
+end he had instanced this? Whether the Potion was Philosophick? To this, he
+answered, <em>You must not be so curious.</em></p>
+
+<p>Afterward, he told me, how he, by the command of that Laudable Artist his
+Master, took a piece of the Leaden gutter of his house, and when the Lead was
+melted in a new Crucible, the said Artist drew out off his pocket a Gasket
+full of Sulphureous Powder, of which, he took a very small part upon the
+point of a knife, once, and again, and injected the same; upon the Lead in
+Flux; presently. giving order, that the fire should be blown with two pair of
+Bellows strongly, for exciting the heat more vehemently; a little after he
+powred out of the crucible, most pure Gold, upon the Red stones, which were
+in the Kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>I (said this most pleasing discourser to me) did commodiously behold this
+verity of the Transmutation of Metals, but was so astonished with fear and
+admiration, that I was Scarcely able to speak one word; But my Master
+heartning me, said; Cheer, up and be contented: take for your self a
+sixteenth part of this Mass, which keep For a <em>Memorandum</em>; but the
+other fifteen parts distribute to the poor: and I did as he said.</p>
+
+<p>For, (if my memory deceive me not) he bestowed this exceeding great Alms,
+on the <em>Sparrendamen Church</em>; but whether, he gave it at distinct
+times Or not, or whether he told it down in the Substance of Gold, or of
+Silver, I asked him not.</p>
+
+<p>And at length (saith he speaking of his Master) he directly taught me this
+great divine Art.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, the; Narration of all these things being ended, I most humbly
+entreated him, that he would shew me the effect of Transmutation upon impure
+Metals, that I thence might have the better assurance of those things by him
+related to me, and my Faith being confirmed, securely give credit to the real
+Truth of the matter. But he very discreetly gave me the repulse; yet taking
+his leave of me, he promised to return again after three Weeks, and then shew
+to me certain curious Arts, by Fire, as also the way of projecting; making
+this Provisoe, if it should then be lawful for him. The three Weeks being
+elapsed, according to his word, he Came to my House, and invited me to walk
+abroad with him for one hour, or two, as we both did, having in that Time
+Certain, Discourses of the Secrets of Nature in the fire, but in the mean
+while, this well spoken Companion in the way, was not lavish, but rather too
+sparing of his words, touching the great Secret; affirming, that this
+singular Mystery tended not, but to the alone magnifying of the most
+illustrious Fame of the most glorious <em>God</em>; and that very few men
+considered, how they might; condignly Sacrifice; themselves by their Works to
+so great a <em>God </em>uttering these Expressions no otherwise, then as if
+he had been a Pastor of the Church. But I, in the mean time, fayled not to
+solicit him, to demonstrate to me the Transmutation of Metals. Moreover, I
+beseeched and intreated him, to vouchsafe to eat with me, and to lodge in my
+house, urging him with such Earnestness, as no Rival, or Lover, could ever
+use more perswasive Words, for winning his beloved to a willingness of
+gratifying him above all others: but he, agitated by a Spirit of so great
+constancy, made void of all I endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could not choose
+but speak to him thus: Sir, You see I have a very convenient Laboratory, in
+which you may shew me the Metallick Transmutation. For whosoever assents to
+him, that asketh, obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered he) bit I
+made a promise to you of imparting some things with this Exception, if at my,
+Return, I be not interdicted, but have leave to do the same.</p>
+
+<p>All, and every of these, my requests being in vain, I instantly, and
+earnestly besought him, that (if he would not, or by reason of the Heavenly
+Interdiction could not demonstrate what I asked) he would only give me so
+much of his Treasure, as would be sufficient for transmuting four grains of
+Lead into Gold. At this my request, he, after a little while, pouring forth a
+Flood of Philosophick Mercy, gave a small particle, as big as a Rape-Seed,
+saying: Take of the greatest Treasure of the World, which very few great
+Kings, or Princes could ever see. But I, saying my Master, this is so small
+particle perhaps will not be sufficient for tinging four granes of Lead. He
+answered; Give it me. I, accordingly gave it him, conceiving, good hope of
+receiving somewhat a greater particle instead thereof; but he breaking off
+the one half almost of it with his thumb-nayl, threw it into the fire, and
+wrapping the other up in blew paper, he gave to me, faying, <em>It is yet
+sufficient for thee</em>.To which, I with, a sad Countenance and perplexed
+Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What mean you by this? Before I doubted, and now I
+cannot believe, that so small a quantity of this Medicine will suffice for
+transmuting four grains of Lead; O, said he, if you cannot rightly handle
+your Lead in the Crucible, by reason of the so very small quantity thereof
+then take two drams, or half an ounce, or a little more of the lead, for more
+must not be tinged, then well may. To him I again said: I cannot, easily
+believe this, <em>viz.</em> that so little of the Tincture will transmute so
+great a quantity of Lead into Gold. But he, answered; what I say is true. In,
+mean, while, I, giving him great; thanks, inclosed my diminished and in the
+Superlative degree concentrated Treasure, in my own Casket, saying: <em>To
+morrow I will make this Tryal; and give no notice to any Man thereof, as long
+as I live</em>.Not so, not so, answered; he, but all things, which tend to
+the Glory of <em>God</em> Omnipotent, ought by us, singularly to be declared
+to the Sons of Art that we may live Theosophically, and not at all dye
+Sophistically.</p>
+
+<p>Then, I confessed to him; that when held the Mass of his Medicine, in that
+short space of time, I attempted to raze something there-from with my Finger
+Nayl, But I got no more, than a certain invisible Atome; and, when I had
+cleansed my nayl, and had injected the collected matter, wrapt in paper, upon
+Lead in Flux, I could see no Transmutation of it into Gold; but almost the
+whole Mass of Lead vanished into Aire, and the remaining Substance was
+transmuted into a Glassy Earth. At the hearing of this, he smiling, say'd You
+could more dexterously play the Thief, than apply the Tincture. I wonder,
+that you, so expert in the Fire, do no better understand the fuming Nature of
+Lead. For if you had wrapped your Theft in yellow Wax, that it might have
+been conserved from the Fume of Lead, then it would so have penetrated into
+the Lead, as to have transmuted the same into Gold. But now a Sympathetick
+Operation was performed in Fume, and so the Medicine permixed with the Fume,
+flew away: For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury, and like Metals, are corrupted
+by Lead Vapours, and likewise converted to a brittle Glass. While he was thus
+speaking, I shewed him my Crucible, who, viewing the remaining Substance,
+perceived a most beautiful Saffron-coloured Tincture, adhering to the sides
+of the Crucible, and say'd, To-morrow at nine of the Clock, I will return,
+and shew you; how your Medicine must be used to transmute Lead into Gold. In
+which promise of him, I rested secure. Yet, in the mean while, I again and
+again requested information of him, whether this Philosophick Work, required
+great Charges in the preparing, and a very long Time. O my Friend, answered
+he, you very accurately affect to know all things, yet I will open this to
+you; The Charge is not great, nor is the Time long. But, as touching the
+matter of which our Arcanum is made, I would have you to know; there are
+<em>only two Metals and Minerals</em>, of which it is prepared. And because
+the Sulphur of Philosophers is more abundant in these Minerals, therefore it
+is made of them.</p>
+
+<p>Then I again asked him: What the Menstruum was, and whether the Operations
+were made in Glasses, or in Crucibles. He answered; The Menstruum is a
+Celestial Salt, or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by the benefit of which,
+Philosophers only dissolve the Terrene Metallick Body, and in dissolving, the
+noble Elixir of Philosophers is produced. But the Operation is, performed in
+a Crucible, from the beginning to the end, in an open Fire. And the Whole
+Work may be begun, and plainly ended in no longer time, then four dayes: Also
+in this whole Work, no greater Cost is required, then the value of three
+Florens. Lastly he added; Neither the Mineral, from Which, nor the Salt by
+Which, is of any great Price. I again said to him: My Master; This is
+strange, for it is repugnant to the sayings of various Philosophers, Who have
+writ, that at least seven, or nine Moneths are imployed in this Work. He
+answered: The true writings of Philosophers are only; understood by the truly
+Adept. Therefore, touching the Time, they would write nothing certain; yea; I
+say, no Lover of this Art, can find the Art of preparing this Mystery in his
+whole Life without the Communication of some true Adept Man. In this respect
+and for this Cause, I advise you, my Friend, because you have seen the true
+Matter of the true Work, not to forget your self, and thirsting after the
+perfection of this Art, to cast away your own Goods; for you can never find
+it out. Then I say'd: My Master, although I am so unknown to you, as you are
+unknown to me; nevertheless, since he was unknown to you who shewed you the
+way of finding out the Operation of this <em>Arcanum</em>, perhaps you may
+also, if you be willing, notifie to me somewhat, touching this
+<em>Secret</em>, that the most difficult Rudiments being overcome, I may (as
+the saying is) <em>happily add somewhat to things already found out</em>; for
+by the occasion of one thing found, another is not difficultly invented. But
+the <em>Artist</em> answered: In this Work the matter is not so, For unless
+you know the thing, from the beginning of the Work to the end, you know
+nothing thereof. Indeed I have told you enough, yet you are ignorant how the
+Stone of Philosophers is made, and again, how the Glassy Seal of
+<em>Hermes</em> is broaken, in which <em>Sol</em> gives forth Splendor from
+his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully coloured, and in which <em>Speculum</em>,
+the Eyes of <em>Narcißus</em> behold Metals transmutable, and from which
+Rayes the Adept gather their fire, by the help of which, Volatile Metals are
+fixed into most fixed Gold, or Silver. But enough for this time, because
+(<em>God</em> willing) on the Morrow, we shall have occasion of meeting yet
+once more, that we may talk together touching this Philosophick matter; and
+according as I said, at nine a Clock, I will come to your House, and shew you
+the way of Projecting. But with that happy Valediction for one night, that
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> hath left me most sad in expectation unto
+this very day. Yea, the <em>Mercury</em> of Philosophers did with him vanish
+into Aire; because from him I did no more again hear so much as one word. Yet
+he, (because he promised that he would come again to me betimes the next
+morning) half an hour before ten, sent to me another unknown man, signifying,
+that, that friend, who yesternight promised to revisit me this morning, by
+reason of other urgent business, could not come, nevertheless, at three of
+the Clock in the afternoon, he would again see me. But after I had, with a
+most vehement desire expected him, till almost eight a Clock, I began to
+doubt in the truth of the matter. Besides, my Wife also, a very curious
+Searcher in the Art of that Laudable man, came to me, troubling me, by reason
+of the Philosophick Art, cited in that aforesaid Severe, and Honest man;
+saying, Go to, let us try, I pray thee, the Verity of the work, ac cording to
+what that man said. For otherwise, I certainly shall not sleep all this
+night. But I answered; I pray let us deferr it till to morrow; perhaps the
+man will come then. Nevertheless, when I had ordered my Son to kindle the
+fire; these thoughts arose in me; That man indeed, otherwise in his
+discourses so Divine, is now found the first time guilty of a Lye. A second
+time, when I would make Experiment of my Stollen Matter hid under my Nayl,
+but to no purpose, because the Lead was not transmuted into Gold. Lastly a
+third time, he gave me so very little of the Matter, for tinging so great a
+Mass of Lead; that he almost drove me to Desperation. Notwithstanding these
+thoughts, I commanded yellow Wax to be brought, wherein to wrap the Matter,
+and finding Lead, I cut off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes. My Wife wrapped
+the Matter of the Stone in the Wax, and when the Lead was in Flux, she cast
+in that little Mass, which, with Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed its
+Operation in the Crucible well closed; as in one quarter of an hour, the
+whole Mass of Lead was transmuted into the best Gold. Certainly, had I lived
+in the Age of <em>Ovid</em>, I could not have believed, any
+<em>Metamorphosis</em> more rare, than this of the Chimical Art; but if I
+could behold things with the hundred Eyes of <em>Argus</em>, I should
+scarcely see any work of Nature more admirable, for this Lead, mixt with the
+Stone of the Wise, and in the Fire melted, demonstrated to us a most
+beautiful colour, yea, I say, it was most green; but when I poured it out
+into a [Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received a colour like Blood, and when it
+waxed cold, shined with the colour of the best Gold: I, and all who were
+present with me, being amazed, made what haste we, could with the Aurificate
+Lead (even before it was through cold) to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious
+Examen, judged it to be Gold most excellent, and that in the whole world,
+better could not be found; withall, adding, that for every Ounce of such
+Gold, he would give 50 Florens.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, the rumour of this wonderful Metallick Transmutation was
+spread all over our <em>Hague</em>; whence many illustrious men, and lovers
+of Art, made hast to me, among which, by name, the General Examiner of the
+Moneys of this Province of Holland, D<sup>n.</sup> <em>Porelius</em>, came to
+me, with certain other most illustrious men, earnestly desiring, that I would
+communicate to them some small particle of my Artificial Gold, to prove it by
+legitimate Examens: these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly gratified;
+and we went together to the house of a certain very curious Silver-Smith, by
+name <em>Brechtelius</em>, in whose Workhouse, the Excellency of my Gold was
+evidenced, by that form of Probation, which Skilful Artists call.
+<em>Quarta</em>, <em>viz.</em> when they in a Crucible melt three or four
+parts or Silver, with one part of Gold, and then by hammering, reduce that
+mixture into thin Plates, on which they pour a sufficient quantity of
+Aquafortis, by which the Silver is dissolved, but the Gold settles to the
+bottome, like a black powder. Afterward, the Aquafortis is poured off, and
+the golden powder, is again put into a Crucible, and by strong fire reduced
+to Gold.</p>
+
+<p>But when this work was ended, we supposed, that one half of the Gold was
+vanished, yet in very deed it was not so: for we found that the Gold, besides
+its own weight, had transmuted some part of the Silver into Gold, viz. two
+drams of the Gold, transmuted two scruples of the Silver (through the
+abundance of its Tincture) into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.</p>
+
+<p>After this, we, suspecting that the Silver was not well separated from the
+Gold did presently make a mixture: with seven times as much Antimony. And
+after this Examen, we lost eight grains of Gold; but when I had again
+evaporated the Antimony, I found nine grains of Gold, yet in colour somewhat
+pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of fire, we lost nothing of this Gold, And this
+infallible kind of Probation, I thrice performed in presence of those most
+noble and illustricsus Men, and found, that every Dram of Gold acquired from
+the Silver for an augmentation to it self, one Scruple, of Gold: and the
+Silver, is pure good, and very flexible. So according to this, the five drams
+of Gold, attracted to it self from the Silver, five Scruples; and (that I may
+together, and at once, comprise all that remains to be said) the whole weight
+that that Laudable Powder, in quantity so exceeding small, did transmute, was
+six drams, and two Scruples, of a more vile Metal, into Gold, in such wise
+fixed, as it was able perseveringly to sustain the most intense Torture of
+Fire.</p>
+
+<p>Behold! thus have I exactly, from first to last, commemorated this
+History. The Gold I indeed have, but where, or in what Land or Countrey.
+<em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> is at this day hospited, I am wholly
+ignorant for he told me, his purpose was to abide in his own Country no
+longer then this Summer; that after he would travil into <em>Asia</em>, and
+visit the <em>Holy Land</em>. Let the most wise King of Heaven (under the
+Shadow of whose divine Wings he hath hitherto layn hid) by his Administratory
+Angels accompany him in his intended Journey, and prosper it so as he living
+to a great Age, may with his inestimable Talent greatly succour the whole
+Republick of Christians, and after this Life gloriously behold, and take of
+the prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal. <em>Amen.</em></p>
+<hr width="80%">
+
+<h2 class="center">CHAP. IV.</h2>
+
+<p>Therefore, now to compleat my promise, I will forthwith betake my self to
+the Dialogue or, Colloque between <em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em>, and me
+the <em>Physician</em>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p><em>God</em> save you, Master <em>Helvetius</em>! If I may not be too
+  troublesome, I desire to have the freedom of Discoursing with you for a
+  little time, because I have heard, that you are a curious Indagator of
+  natural things. For I have perused your Books, and among them, especially
+  that whole Treatise, which you write against the effect of Sir <em>Kenelm
+  Digbies</em> Sympathetick Powder, where it is gloried, that the same, can
+  at distance cure all Wounds. Assuredly I am incredibly delighted in those
+  things, which are beheld in this Speculum, whether Sympathetick, or
+  Antipathetick, naturally implanted in Creatures. For the inexhausted
+  Treasures of the Divine Light and Deity, no less abundantly, than liberally
+  granted to us, may best of all be known from all the Creatures, which are
+  produced either under the Ætherial Heaven, or in the belly of the Earth, or
+  in the Womb of the Sea, to the end, that by their potentially insited
+  virtues, they should restore health to the Mortal Body of Men.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Helvetius</em> the <em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>O Sir! The presence of such a new Guest shall never be troublesome to
+  me, but rather I receive you as one of my best Friends. For Philosophick
+  Discourse, touching the Secrets cf Nature, is the only recreation of my
+  Mind, also it is such convenient Salutiferous Nutriment, as no man can be
+  worthy to taste of, before he shall be rightly disposed for that Banquet.
+  Enter, I pray, Friend, into the House.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed Sir! Here, as it seems to to me, you have a compleat Vulcanian
+  Shop, and perhaps all these things Spagyrically and exactly drawn from, the
+  Mineral Kingdom; but I pray, to what end so many Medicaments? I believe,
+  that <em>God</em> in the things of Nature, naturally gives such Medicines,
+  with a very few of which, we may much sooner, and more safely re-integrate
+  the decayed, and languishing Health of Man, unless the Disease be Mortal,
+  from a deficiency of Nature, or from the putrefaction of some noble
+  internal part hurt, or by reason of a total absumption of the radical
+  humidity in which desperate Cases, no Galenick Cure, or Paracelsick
+  Tincture can yeild releif. But in ordinary Diseases it is not so; and yet
+  here, very many Men, before the fatal term of Life be expired (<em>abfit
+  Nemesis dicto</em>) are enforced to pass out of this fair Kingdom of
+  pleasing Light, into the Shadowed Land of the Dead, whilst, either they
+  neglect the health of their own Body, or commit the same to the Faith of
+  Physicians, unskilful of the Remedy they have in their hand.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>As far as I can gather from your discourse, if my Judgement deceive me
+  not, you are either a Physician, or a man expert in Chimistry. Certainly,
+  according as you say, so I believe, that in the things of Nature are given
+  other more excellent Medicaments, as also very many other Philosophers
+  affirm, that there is a certain (although to few known) Universal
+  Medicament, by the benefit which, we may prolong Life unto the appointed
+  End, cure all Diseases otherwise uncurable, and many other such things.
+  But, where is any among all the Wisest men of this world, that can shew us
+  the way, how to find out so noble a Fountain, whence such a wonderful
+  Medicamentous juice, nobilitating the Physician, is drawn? Perhaps no one
+  man.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed, I am not a Physician, but only a Melter of Orichalcum, and
+  almost from my Child-hood, have exercised my Ingeny in Pyrotechny, and so
+  have sought out the internal Nature of Metals And although I now cease from
+  my usual diligence in elaborating some accurate work, by the Art of
+  <em>Vulcan</em>, yet my mind still takes delight in labours of that kind,
+  and in the lovers of this most curious Spagyrick Art; and I do verily.
+  believe and judge, that the most Wise <em>God</em>, will in this our age
+  communicate <em>gratis</em>, or for nothing, the Metallick Mysteries of
+  Nature to his Spagyrick Sons, <em>Praying</em>, and Physico-chimically
+  <em>Labouring</em>.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>My Friend, I must needs grant this, that <em>God</em>, for nothing,
+  communicates to his Sons, this laudable <em>Good</em>, as well as all other
+  gifts; yet you shall very rarely hear, that he for nothing gives or vends
+  this Medicamentous Wine or <em>Nectar</em> to his Sons. For we certainly
+  know, how great a number of Chymists lived in former ages who,  (according
+  to the Proverb ) strove to draw water in a Sieve, whilest they presumed to
+  prepare this Universal <em>Stone</em> of Philosophers. Besides, out of the
+  books of them, who triumph in the glory of Adept, no one man can learn the
+  way of preparing, nor know their First Matter, so as any one, searching to
+  the lowest roots of Mountains, can never ascend to those their Heights,
+  where <em>Ambrosia</em>, and <em>Nectar</em> of <em>Macrosophists</em>, is
+  drank.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>In the mean time, it is the part of a good Physician, since he wants
+  such an Universal <em>Elixir</em>, (not without the daily study of
+  conserving his Conscience pure and sound) to adhibit to the Diseases of the
+  Sick, commended to his Cure, such Curations; or Remedies as for restoring
+  Sanity as in which he (from the effect) certainly knows, that a virtue of
+  healing is incited.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Wherefore, in all desperate Diseases, I, with many other Practitioners,
+  do alwayes use such most simple Medicaments, that thence the Diseased may
+  soon be restored to their Pristine state of Health, or to a better than the
+  Pristine.</p>
+
+  <p>For indeed, various and diverse kinds of Salts, are generated in the
+  Glandules and Lymphatick Vessels, after the putrefaction of this, or that
+  nutriment taken, which afterward wax florid in various Humours, for diverse
+  Diseases, either Internal, or External. Experience teacheth, that as many
+  as are the Constitutions, or Complexions of humane bodies, to so many
+  diversities of Diseases the same are obnoxious; although in one manner, and
+  the same Disease, as our daily conversation evidenceth to us in those who
+  drink Wine, whence divers Operations manifestly discover themselves.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Because <em>Peter</em> drinks Wine, he labours with an angry, I will not
+  say, furious mind.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>On the contrary, <em>Paul</em> drinking Wine, seems to imbibe his mind
+  with an Agnine Timorousness.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But <em>Matthias</em> sings, and <em>Luke </em>weeps.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em>,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Touching the Scorbutick Contagious Venome, <em>viz</em>. of
+  <em>Peter</em>, his radical juice in the Lymphatick Vessels, and Glandules,
+  is converted into an Acidity, stopping the passages, and all Organs of the
+  whole body, whence, under the Skin, arise Spots on the Arms and Legs of a
+  blewish colour, but in times of Pestilence, they swell like Pepper
+  Corns.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of <em>Pauls</em> parts is changed into an Aperitive
+  Bitterness; whence, under the Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise red Spots,
+  pricking like the bitings of Fleas; but in a Pestilential time, they are
+  Blanes.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of <em>Matthias</em> his parts, is converted into a sweetness
+  easily putrifying; whence, under the Skin of Arms and leg, arise watery
+  Tumours, almost such as are conspicuous in Dropsical Persons; but in time
+  of the Pest, they are Pestilential Tumours.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Also</em>,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The juice of the parts of <em>Luke</em>, is changed into a Saline, and
+  drying sharpness; whence, under the Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise
+  Precipitations of the ordinary Ferment of the Flesh, and Exficcations, as
+  usually happens in this Atrophia, yea most frequently in the true Atrophia.
+  But in the Pest, they become most ardent Buboes, with madness, even until
+  death.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Behold, my Friend, no Physician, by one only Universal Medicament, can
+  heal the Evil of this Scorbutick, or Pestilential, or Febrile Venome, but
+  indeed, by the Mediation of some particular Vegetable, or Mineral Remedy,
+  given to us from <em>God</em> in Nature, he may exterminate the same. For,
+  as I cannot heal, or help all Scorbutick Persons, with one only Scorbutick
+  Herb, as Scurvy-grass, or Sorrel, or Fumitory, or Brooklime; so, much less
+  of a certain remedy made of these diverse Species congested into one;
+  because, between the Herbs Scurvy-grass and Sorrel, there is an Antipathy,
+  as between Fire and Water; and so there is the same Antipathy between the
+  Herbs Fumitory and Brook-lime.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Therefore, the Correctory of <em>Peters</em> Scorbutick Saline acid
+  tinging Venome, is made with the Volatile bitter Salt of Scurvy-grass.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But the Correctory of <em>Pauls </em>Scorbutick Saline bitter tinging
+  Venome, is made with the acid fixed Salt of the Herb Sorrel.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>The Correctory of <em>Matthias</em> his Scorbutick sweetish, and
+  moistning tinging Venome is made by the help of the fixed bitter drying
+  Sulphur of the Herb Fumitory.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>And the Correctory of <em>Lukes </em>Scorbutick tinging Saline and
+  drying Venome, is made with the help of the sweet moistning <em>Mercury
+  </em>of the Herb Brook-lime, or red Colewort, as from the External
+  Signature of these Herbs, it is easie to judge of the Internal Specifick
+  Remedy against there diverse Scorbutick Disease. Certainly, my Friend, if
+  this be observed by a prudent Physician, he must needs doubt of the
+  Universal Medicine.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>All you have discoursed of, I can easily grant; yet very few Physicians
+  use this Method of healing. Yet, in the meanwhile, it is not impossible,
+  that an Universal Medicine should be given in the highest Mineral Kingdome,
+  by the benefit of which we may perform and administer all things, which are
+  by you related to me, touching the lowest Kingdom of Vegitables; but the
+  most wise <em>God</em>, for several weighty reasons, hath not on all
+  Philosophers promiscuously conferred this most magnificent
+  <em>Charisma</em> of Supereminent Science, but hath revealed it only; to a
+  very few. According as all the Adept, with one mouth, confess, and say:
+  <em>The Science is true, And, the verity thereof not to be doubted.</em></p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, besides the above commemorated, there are also other Observations;
+  strenuously refuting the Operation on an Universal Medicine, partly in
+  respect of the Age and strength of Man, partly by reason of the Sex, and
+  other Circumstances, whilst a difference is to be made between the tender,
+  and the Robust, whether from Nature, or from Education; or between the Male
+  and Female, or between a Young Man and a Virgin, or between the Beginning,
+  Middle, or End of Diseases; or it is to be understood whether a Disease, be
+  inveterate, or the Sick be lately invaded; or lastly, whether the Ferment
+  be promoted in this Disease, or be precipited in in another. Effervescency
+  is made either in the Stomach or in the Intestines. Assuredly there are
+  many contradictions of the Wonderful effect, of the Universal Medicine. For
+  the greatest part of rational Physicians want the Perspicil of <em>Thomas
+  Didymus</em> in their Fingers.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Indeed, Sir; you have philosophised rightly, and well, yea, Arthodoxly,
+  against the universal Medicament, according to that notorious, and far
+  spred proverb. <em>As many Heads, so many Senses.</em> For as Sweet
+  sounding Musick delights not the Ears of every <em>Midas</em>; nor doth the
+  Same History related please all Historians; nor of Bread and Wine, of the
+  same Taste, is there a like relish in all Palats. So also the judgements of
+  Skilful Men do strangely differ, touching the wonderful Effect of this
+  Universal Medicine, on Humane and Metallick Bodies. For this Universal
+  Medicine, in its way of Operating, vastly differs, from a particular
+  Medicine, which may in some sense be called Universal, as the Herb
+  <em>Scurvy-grass</em>, curing every Scorbutick marked with blew Spots; or
+  <em>Sorrel</em>, healing every Scurvy, noted with red Spots; or
+  <em>Brook-lime</em>, healing an Atrophia of that Kind, or <em>Fumitory</em>
+  remedying Tumors of that Kind: and that especially with such Physicians,
+  with whom the Observation you before recited, is of any esteem. Moreover,
+  there is an exceeding great difference between the Universal Medicine of
+  Philosophers, refreshing the vital Spirits, and between a Particular
+  Medicament of Proletary-Curation, with which is corrected the venom of
+  Humors; <em>viz.</em> such as boyles up against Nature, in this Man, Acid;
+  in that Man, the Bitter is predominant; in one, what is Saline, in another,
+  what is sharp, grow potent. But, if these Corrupt humors be not without all
+  delay presently expelled out of the Body, by the ordinary Emunctories of
+  Nature either by the Belly, or by Urine of the Bladder, or by the Sweat
+  through the Pores, or by the Spittle of the Mouth, or by the Nostrils,
+  assuredly the corruption of one, becomes the Generation of another,
+  <em>viz.</em> of a Disease. For, from every spark, if we do not timely
+  extinguish it, an exceding great burning will arise. Also, if there be a
+  defect, of the Vital Spirits, it is impossible to effect this. Therefore
+  the only care of a Conscientious Physician should be, how to deduce the
+  motion of the Vital Spirits to a digestible natural Heat, and that is best
+  of all, and most securely performed by the Operation of our Universal
+  Medicament, by which they are found to be notably recreated. For as soon as
+  this more than perfect Medicine hath driven the Morbifick Evil from the
+  Seat it occupies, then immediately it infuseth the lost Sanity, and that
+  only from the Harmony, or Sympathy it self, which the Vital Spirits, and
+  this Medicine, have mutually in themselves. Wherefore, it, by the Adept, is
+  called the Mystery of Nature, and the Defensive of old Age, against all
+  Diseases. Which, I say, even in a most pestilent Season, most full of
+  contagious Diseases every where raging, makes of man a Salamander, bearing
+  such Epidemical Plagues of Heaven displeased, until the utmost term of his
+  Life be expired.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>As far as I, beloved Friend, can understand, this Medicine makes not for
+  the Emendation of depraved Humours, but is chiefly conducent for the
+  recreation of the Vital Spirits. Besides, among practical Chimists, this
+  Secret is taught, <em>viz. </em>that by the Spayrick Art, it may be
+  commonstrated, how the pure should be separated from the impure, and by the
+  same, how the Immature are rendred mature, and how the Bitter are corrected
+  into sourish, and the sourish into Sweet, and the Sharp into Gentle, and
+  the Gentle into Sharp; and the Acid into Sweet, and the Sweet into Acid.
+  Also this Laudable Medicine of Philosophers, according to my understanding,
+  cannot prolong Life, beyond the term prefixed from above, but only preserve
+  from the Effect of all Venimous, or otherwise mortiferous Diseases: and so
+  it is certainly true, as is commonly believed, that the prolongation of
+  Humane Life depends, on the Will of the Omnipotent <em>God</em> only. But,
+  omitting these, I would here ask this one Question. Whether by the use of
+  this Universal Medicine, the pristine Nature of Man may be converted into
+  New, so as a Slothful Man may degenerate into a Diligent, or stirring Man,
+  and a Man, who before was by Nature Melancholy and Sad, afterward became
+  Jovial, Chearful, and full of Joy, or like alterations, reformations,
+  permutations, or vicissitudes happen in the Nature of Man?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Not at all Sir. For so great power was never conferred on any
+  Medicament, that it could change the Nature of Man. Wine inebriating, taken
+  by diverse individual Men, in him, who is drunk, changeth not his Nature
+  but only provokes, and deduceth into act, what is naturally, and
+  potentially in him, but before was as it were, dead. Even so is the
+  Operation of the Universal Medicine, which by recreation of the Vital
+  Spirits, excites Sanity, for a time only suppressed, because it was
+  naturally in him before; even as the heat of the Sun changeth not Herbs, or
+  Flowers, but only provokes the same, and from the proper potential nature
+  of them, deduceth them into act only. For a Man of a Melancholy temper, is
+  again raised up to exercise his own Melancholy matters; and the jovial Man,
+  who was pleasant, is recreated in all his chearful actions, and so
+  consequently, in all desperate Diseases it is a present, or most excellent
+  Preservative. Hence a Man, presaging that some evil will befal him, will
+  rather prevent than be prevented. But if any prolongation of Life, by some
+  Philosophick Medicament, could have been induced, against the
+  predestination of the Omnipotent <em>God</em>, undoubtedly neither
+  <em>Hermes Trismegistus</em>, nor <em>Paracelsus</em>, nor
+  <em>Raymundlully</em>, nor the Count <em>Bernhard</em>, and many more like
+  illustrious Possessors of this great <em>Mystery</em>, would not have
+  yeilded to the common death of all Mortals, but perhaps have protracted
+  their Life until this very Day, Therefore, it would be the part of a
+  fanatick, and foolish Man to affirm this, yea of a most foolish Man, to
+  believe, and assent to the same, touching any one Medicament in the things
+  of Nature.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>My Friend, whatsoever you have spoken no less regularly, than
+  fundamentally, touching the Operation of the Universal Medicine, I indeed
+  cherefully, and willingly grant, but as long as I am ignorant of preparing
+  the same rightly, I do no other than attempt to carry my Boat from a very
+  small Lake, into the Vast Ocean, because it will certainly be driven back
+  to the Shore, without any Fruit. For although many of those illustrious Men
+  have written somewhat touching that laudable preparation, yet they involved
+  that in such a Wrapper of shadowed Caution, as the Footsteps of them
+  latently demonstrated, can be known by few or none of the most diligent
+  Readers, who should follow them so far, as until they come where they would
+  be. Also, who is so wealthy, and well informed, as to be able, and to know
+  where to buy all those Books, in which, here, and there an Hypothesis of
+  this kind is handled: betides, you may consume the greatest part of your
+  life, before you can gather thence any sufficient knowledge, or the direct
+  manual Operation. Therefore it is best for us to abide patiently in our
+  Laboratory, praying to the blessed <em>God</em>, according to that
+  Saying:</p>
+
+  <blockquote>
+    <p><em>Ora, ac Labora; &amp; Deus dat omni hora.</em></p>
+
+    <p>Labour, and Pray; God gives alway.</p>
+  </blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You argue rightly enough Sir. For, from the writings of Philosophers,
+  this Art of Arts is most rarely learned; but the Sense them is very well,
+  and clearely understood by the Manuduction of some Adept Philosopher. But
+  let us hence pass to the Transmutative Effect of this most noble Tincture,
+  touching which, the possessors, or many of the Adept, have written many
+  Books, and the most of their Genuine Disciples, labouring much in the Fire,
+  did at length compleatly attain to the wished End of their
+  <em>Arcanum</em>,</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I perceive your Mastership takes pleasure in passing from the use of the
+  Medicine, to the infinite Transmutation of Metals. Although I could easily
+  believe the possibility of Art, <em>viz.</em> that a Chymical Experiment of
+  that kind was in the Adept, as I have also made mention above, touching
+  that Experiment of Dr. <em>Kifflerus</em> who, with the Tincture of one
+  ounce of Gold transmuted 1 ounce &amp; half of Silver into the best Gold,
+  not to mention the Experiment of <em>Helmont</em>; nor of <em>Scotus</em>,
+  which he made in the most famous Cities of <em>Colonia</em>, and
+  <em>Hanovia</em>; nor much to insist on that illustrious, and well known
+  Example, manifested at <em>Prague</em>, before <em>Cæsar Ferdinando</em>
+  the third, himself; where with one only grain of the Tincture, three pounds
+  Mercury were transmuted into most noble Gold; insomuch that I am brought no
+  less into a neccessity, than into a Will of believing, that the Art may be
+  true; yet I cannot to this hour sufficiently receive it without some doubt,
+  because with these my Eyes, I never in all my Life saw the Man, who was the
+  true possessor thereof.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, you say true? yet Art will be Art, whether you can believe it or
+  no. Even as is seen in the Magnet. How it by its own insited Sulphureous
+  Virtue, of Iron, by Contact presently makes a Magnet. Although you will not
+  believe, that such wonderful Operations are latent in it, yet they are, and
+  will remain true. So also you should Judge of the Stone of Philosophers, in
+  which is all that the Wise seek. And because the clouded Writings of them,
+  can be understood, and explained but by very few, it is to be desired
+  earnestly by all, and with the hands it must be endavoured, that some one
+  General Epitomen of the whole Art, may so be made, as in a very short space
+  of time, and without much labour, all things necessary may be gathered, by
+  the help of which, a most easy Transition to real Authors, might be
+  effected. Now since you have presented some few Examples, by which you
+  endeavour to assert the confirmed possibility of the Matter; I my self will
+  here shew to you the True Matter of Secret Philosophers. Behold it! Look
+  well upon it.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>So my Master, Is this Sulphureous, and Yellow Glassy Substance the very
+  Philosophick Matter? And are you your self the Possessor of this Science? I
+  am ready to believe you do but jest with me. I pray Sir, tell me the Truth,
+  whether it be really so, or not?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Yes, Matter Doctor, You now have within your hand, the most pretious
+  Treasure in the World. For this is the true Stone of Philosophers, than
+  which, no Man ever had a better, nor shall have any other. And I my self
+  did elaborate the Composition, from beginning to end. If you have another
+  convenient Chamber, I will Shew you Metal transmuted into Gold, by such a
+  Stone as this (When I had brought him into another Chamber.) Behold (said
+  he) these five Pendants, were, by the benefit of this Philosophick
+  Tincture, prepared of Saturn, or Lead; which I wear for a perpetual
+  Remembrance of my Master. But I suppose, you, having perused many Writings
+  of the Adept, seeing the Substance, and Nature of this Stone, will very
+  sufficiently know the true Matter, or rightly understand the same.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I understand by your self, that you had a Master, from whom you rather
+  learned your Art, than acquired the same, by your proper Labour and
+  Invention. And although I now have seen that Substance, which you affirm to
+  be the true Tincture of Philosophers, as also those five Pendants,
+  nevertheless I am still left ignorant, and in doubt, whether it be true or
+  no. Therefore, I earnestly again and again request of you, to confer on me
+  only so small a part of that matter, as will suffice to transmute only four
+  grains of Lead into Gold, that you may this way remove from me all Scruple
+  or Doubt, and render me so much the more certain of the verity of the
+  Matter. Give me but the magnitude of one grain only, or of a
+  Coriander-seed, that thence a Specimen, or Probation, may be exhibited,
+  either in some desperate Disease, or in a Metallick Transmutation.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I do confess, that a certain Man of good Condition, to me wholly
+  unknown, by demonstrating taught me; First, the possibility of
+  transmutation; secondly the way of preparing also. And this is that
+  Infallible Art, touching which you have no reason to doubt. But whereas,
+  you request that I should give you one small part of my Treasure; that is
+  no wise lawful for me to do, although, you would give as a Recompense, so
+  many Ducats, as this whole Room, from the bottom to the top, would contein;
+  and that not by reason of the estimation of the Matter, because it is of
+  small Price, but for another weighty Reason, in respect of which, if it
+  were possible, that Fire could be consumed by Fire, I would at this time,
+  rather cast this whole Mass into the devouring Flames, before your Eyes.
+  Wherefore, in the meanwhile, I admonish you, not to be so eager in coveting
+  this so great Science. For you have this day seen more in my possession,
+  than many Kings, and Princes could ever behold, although they eagerly
+  desired to see the same. Besides, I think of comming to you again, after 3
+  Weeks, then I will shew to you certain excellent Arts, and Manuductions in
+  the Chymical Science. Also, if it shall then be lawful for me, to shew you
+  the way of Transmutation, I will truely satisfie your Curiosity therein. In
+  the mean while, I bid you farewel, withal, admonishing, that you take heed
+  to your self, and meddle not with such a great, and profound Labour, least:
+  you miserably loose both your Fame, and substance in the Ashes like some
+  other covetous inquisitors, of the same most noble Art.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Now, what shall I do, my Master? If it happen, that, by reason of your
+  Philosophick Oath, confirmed by that small draught of Silver, dissolved in
+  Rain-water, it shall not be lawful for you to give me that requested
+  exceeding small part of the Tincture so wonderful. You cannot be ignorant,
+  that I (according to your suspicion) am in mind anxious, and earnestlie
+  desirous of tasting of this so noble Science. Yea, I do verilie think, if
+  <em>Adam</em> himself, the first Patriark of the World (who was once driven
+  out of Paradice, for eating the Apple of either Wisedom) were yet living in
+  this our Age, he would not forbear again the Taste of this Golden Apple,
+  from the Garden of Atlantis.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Your Mastership said: Manie Princes could not see this which I have
+  seen. I, indeed have seen the Matter, of which you give so rare a
+  Testimony; but in the mean while I have not beheld the transmutative
+  Effect; only I give credit to your Words. And, since you have told me, that
+  you will go hence, and after three Weeks return to me again, to teach me
+  some excellent Chymical Arts, as also the way of projection, if it shall
+  then be lawful for you. In the fruition of this good hope, I at this time
+  rest satisfied; in the mean time, giving you hearty thanks, for your
+  exceeding great Friendship shewed to me alreadie, and, for your singular
+  Care, and faithful admonition, that I should not in Chymical Labours,
+  consume both my Goods and Reputation. I assuredly have never yet made tryal
+  of so great, and high things, nor ever will I attempt the me, unless your
+  self will first <em>gratis</em>, and from the pure benevolence of
+  Friendship, demonstrate to me, the way and manner of preparing. Yet I shall
+  admire the Verity of Art, and please my self with the Remembrance of the
+  Friendship you have shewed me; because you, who have revealed this to me,
+  are an Adept Philosopher.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>But if any King, or Prince, or any Great Man, or Men, should know, that
+  you are the Possessor of this Art, and therefore (which <em>God</em>
+  forbid) should lay hold of you, and attempt by Tortures to bring you to a
+  discovery, would you reveal this Art to them?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>I have not shewed the Stone of Philosophers to any man, except to one
+  aged man, and to your self; to both of you, I have revealed that I am the
+  Possessor; but, henceforth, no man must ever see or hear such a thing. And
+  although any King, or Prince, should (which <em>God</em> I hope will not
+  permit) cast, me into Prison, I would not, after the manner of
+  Circumforanean Physicians [or Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors or of poor
+  Alchimists, directly, or indirectly, discover the Art to them, but would
+  rather suffer my self to be most cruelly wracked, tortured, or tormented
+  with burning Fire, untill my life expire.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Good Friend, are there not Authors, which, touching the verity of this
+  Art, write more plainly, then all the number of them, which, concerning it,
+  utter words so obscure, as perhaps they themselves did not understand,
+  unless they adhibited the. Commentaries, and Annotations of evident
+  Paraphrasists. I suppose you have in times past read them, and therefore
+  are best able to inform me, who were Adept.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist.</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Master Doctor, I indeed read not, nor have I read many Books, yet among
+  those I have read, I find no Authors more curious, than
+  <em>Sandivogius</em>, especially in that Book, which is Entituled
+  <em>Cosmopolita</em>, in Dutch, <em>Borger Der Werelt</em>.  Also Brother
+  <em>Basilius</em> in in his twelve Keys. As to <em>Sandivogius</em>, this
+  Author you may peruse, untill I return, as I said: for in his obscure words
+  the truth is latent, even as our Tincture of Philosophers is both included,
+  and retruded, in External Minerals, and Metallick Bodies.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Physician</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>Sir, I give you thanks, for this so great friendship. I shall do
+  according to your advice, and as to what you say, touching the Objects of
+  the Tincture, I easily assent to, and grant; for I believe that the
+  wonderful, and efficacious Essences of Metals, are hid under the external
+  Rinds and Shells of Bodies, although I find very few so well exercised, and
+  experienced in the Fire, who know how to uncase the Kernel, according to
+  the Rule of Art. Every External, and Robust Substance, of any Animal,
+  Vegetable, or Mineral, is the Body, like unto that Terrestrial Province,
+  into which (as <em>Isaac Holland </em>hath prescribed) excellent Essences
+  spiritually enter. Wherefore, it is needful, that the Sons of Art should
+  know, how by some Saline suitable Ferment, grateful to the Metallick
+  Nature, they may subdue, dissolve, separate and concentrate, not only the
+  Magnetick Metallick virtue of Tinging, but also, how they may multiply the
+  same in its own Philosophick Homogeneal Golden, or Silvery-manner. For we
+  see, that the bodies of all Creatures, are not only easily destroyed, but
+  thenceforth also the Internals cease to live, and hasten to the dark
+  Shadowings, in which they were, before they, by the Creation of
+  <em>God</em> the Creator, were brought to Light. But what Man will discover
+  to us this Art in the Metallick Kingdom?</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><em>Artist</em></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+  <p>You say well, and have rightly judged of the Natural Destruction of
+  things, and if it shall be pleasing to the most merciful <em>God</em>, to
+  deal graciously with you as He hath done with me; He, according to your
+  good hope, will direct some one of the Adept to demonstrate, to you the way
+  of destroying Metals, and of collecting the Internal Souls of them. But, in
+  the mean while, do you invoke the most Wise <em>God</em>, to whose Vigilant
+  Eyes I commend you, which are always open upon his Sons, regenerated to him
+  by Christ. Again Farewel, and rest assured, I will be your Friend. I must
+  at this time go hence, but I hope to see you again in good health, ere it
+  be long.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Thus my new Friend took his Leave, and went away; it leaving me, his
+Friend, most sad for the space of three Weeks, which being expired, according
+to his Word, he returned, and gave me the Tincture, as you may learn by the
+above-recited History. After this, that Philosophick Man of <em>God</em> went
+from me, and I never more saw him, from that time, unto to this very day, nor
+could I hear of him by any of the Carriers, or Posts, or by any of my
+Intimate Acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, he left with me (as a Spurre) the acute Memory of, him,
+reposted in my minde, as also the Opinion of <em>Paracelsus</em> affirming,
+that by Metals, of Metals, and with Metals, cleansed, Spiritual, and first
+depurated from their feculency, are made Metals, and the Living Gold and
+Silver of Philosophers, as well for Humane, as for Metallick Bodies.
+Wherefore if that Guest, my Friend of but little acquaintance, had exactly
+shewed to me, the way of preparing preparing this Celestial Spiritual Salt,
+by which, and with which, from Corporeal, and Earthly Substances, I might, as
+it were, in the Matrix of them, collect the Spiritual Rayes of <em>Sol</em>
+or <em>Luna</em>: assuredly, He from his own Light, would have enkindled in
+me so great a Light, as I should have seen, and understood how I ought in
+other Corporeal Metals, by Sympathy to transmute the Eternal Soul of them so,
+as by the help thereof they had clarified, or transformed their own like
+body, either into Gold, or into Silver, according to the disposition of the
+Red seed, into a Red Body, or according to the Nature of the White Seed, into
+a White Body. For <em>Elias</em> the <em>Artist</em> affirmed to me, that the
+Chalybs Of <em>Sandivogius</em> is that true Mercurial Metallick Humidity, by
+the help of which, without any Corrosive, the Artist might, in an open Fire,
+and Crucible, separate the fixed Rayes of <em>Sol </em>or <em>Luna</em> from
+their own Body, and thenceforth make them Volatile and Mercurial, for the Dry
+Philosophick Tincture, as he demonstrated to me; and communicated somewhat
+relating to the transmutation of Metals. Indeed all men well skilled in the
+Chymical Science, have a necessity of assenting to me in this, <em>viz.</em>
+that <em>Pyrotechny </em>is the Mother, and Nurse of various noble Sciences
+and Arts. For they can easily judge from the Colours of the Chaos of Metals
+in the Fire, what Metallic body is therein. Even so dayly in the bowels of
+the Earth are procreated Metals, and Perspicuous Stones, from a proper noble
+vaporous Seed, from a Spiritual tinging Sulphureous Seed, in their diverse
+Saline Matrixes. For the common Sulphur, whether of an impure, or pure Metal
+whilst conjoyned with its own body, mixt with Salt Peter only in the burning
+heat of Fire is easily changed into a most hard and most fixed Earth, but
+this Earth is thenceforth by the Aire easily changed into a most limpid
+Water: and this Water afterward, by a more strong Fire, according to the
+Nature of the Metallick pure or impure Sulphur mixt is converted into Glass,
+admirably Well tinged with various Colours. Almost in the very same
+manner,from the White of an Egge is generated a Chick by natural heat. So
+also from the Seminal bond of Life of any one Metal, is made a new, and more
+noble Metal, by an heat of Fire convenient to the Saline Nature; although
+very few Chimists rightly and perfectly know, how the Internal, and alwayes
+moving Magnetick virtues, are distinguished according to the Harmony, or
+Disconsonancy of them. Whence we see, this Metal hath a Sympathy or Antipathy
+with another, so very singular, as is found in the Magnet with Iron, in
+Mercury with Gold, in Silver with Copper, a very remarkable Sympathy, but on
+the contrary, there is a notable Antipathy in Lead against Tin, in Iron
+against Gold, in Antimony against Silver, in Lead against Mercury. Infinite
+other like Sympathetic, and Antipathetick Annotations occurr in the Animal
+&amp; Vegetable Kingdom; as you may read and find in various Authors, who
+have written of such Curiosities, from the accurate, and absolute Knowledge
+of which, the true Philosophers, and Masters of Nature had their beginning,
+and Esteem.</p>
+
+<p>Thus have I described, what I my self have seen and done; and have caused
+the same to be printed for you, Candid Readers, out of mere Liberality,
+<em>gratis</em> communicating it, according to that of <em>Seneca</em>: I
+desire in this to know somewhat, that I may teach others. <em>Si cum hac
+Exceptione detur Sapientia, ut illlam inclusam tencam, abjiciam, &amp;c.</em>
+But if any man doubt of the real truth of this matter, let him only with a
+lively faith believe in his Crucified Jesus, that in Him, he (by the strict
+way of Regeneration) may become a New Creature; in the same let him fix the
+whole Anchor, of his Faith, and likewise shew his [Greek: philanthropia], or
+Love of Mankind, unto all his Neighbours, and especially exercise the works
+of Mercy, and Brotherly Love towards the needy Members of the Christian
+Religion, that at length, when the whole Course of his Life is justly, and
+holily finished, in that Fatal and Mortal hour, he may hence, through the
+Watery Ocean of this Tempestuous and Rocky World, arrive in safety at the
+most blessed Port of Eternal Rest, and sing the New Song with the Triumphing
+Philosophers of the Heavenly <em>Jerusalem</em>, of which he hopes to take,
+who is,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your most faithful and assured Friend</p>
+
+<p class="center"><em>John Frederick Helvetius</em>,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the
+<em>Hague</em>.</p>
+<hr width="80%">
+<br>
+<br>
+Transcriber's note: Repeated word "perused" deleted<br>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD ADORES, AND DESIRES***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 14641-h.txt or 14641-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/6/4/14641">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/6/4/14641</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
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+
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+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/old/14641-h/images/alchemical_symbols.png b/old/14641-h/images/alchemical_symbols.png
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+++ b/old/14641.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3518 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and
+Desires, by John Frederick Helvetius
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and Desires
+
+Author: John Frederick Helvetius
+
+Release Date: January 9, 2005  [eBook #14641]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD
+ADORES, AND DESIRES***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Julian Rosalie
+
+
+
+THE GOLDEN CALF,
+
+Which the
+
+WORLD
+
+ADORES, and DESIRES:
+
+In which is handled
+The most rare and Incomparable
+Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting
+METALS;
+
+VIZ.
+
+How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one
+Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon,
+with an exceeding small particle of the true
+Philosophick Stone.
+
+At the Hague. In the Year 1666.
+
+Written in Latin by John Frederick Helvetius,
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at
+the Hague,  and faithfully Englished.
+
+London, Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre
+in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr, 1670.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+To the most Excellent
+D. THEODORUS KETJES,
+by his many Peregrinations, a
+most famous Phisician, and an
+happy Practitioner of Medicine
+at Amsterdam,
+One of my Intimate Friends.
+
+ALSO,
+To the most Noble, most Excellent,
+and most Experienc'd, and
+Accurate Searchers into the
+Vulcanian Anatomy,
+D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS,
+Counsellor, and Chief Physician
+of the most Serene Elector Palatine
+of HEIDELBERG.
+
+AND
+D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS,
+Principal Physician in the Court
+of the most Serene Elector of
+BRANDENBURG:
+My Reverend Patrons, and intire
+Friends.
+
+
+
+
+The Epistle
+
+DEDICATORY:
+
+
+Most Noble, most Excellent, most
+Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors
+of the  Vulcanian Anatomy,
+and my most real
+FRIENDS.
+
+
+      Although I neither was willing,
+      nor able to be wanting to my
+      honoured Friends, yet would not
+      divulge and bring to light the Verity
+      of the Spagirick Art, but by this most
+      precious, and Miraculous Arcanum,
+      which I not only saw with these Eyes,
+      but taking a little of the transmutatory
+      powder, I myself also transmuted
+      an Impure Mass of Lead volatile
+      in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly
+      sustaining every Examen of Fire:
+      in such wise, as henceforth it can no
+      more be suspected by any Man, no not
+      by those, who unto this day have
+      perswaded themselves and others, that
+      this Arcanum is given to no man:
+      but contrarily we were fully and indubitately
+      perswaded, that, in things
+      of Nature, The Mercury of Philosophers
+      is Primo-material, and is like
+      a Fountain overflowing with wonderfull
+      Effects, and those escaping every
+      acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible
+      Reason, as shall be evidenced
+      in this my little work: which I was
+      willing to dedicate and consecrate to
+      you, my Primary Patrons, as to most
+      prudent Masters, and Defenders.
+      Yet in the mean while, I pray consider,
+      that I have not writ to the end
+      I would teach any one, that Art,
+      which I my self know not, but only
+      that I might recite the true Process
+      of this Arcanum. For, what can more
+      confirm, and Patronize Verity, than
+      the true Light of Truth it self? It
+      is the property of Brute Animals to
+      pass their life in Silence, and especially
+      not to heed those things in them,
+      which do most of all look to, and are
+      required for the propagation of the
+      Glory of the most Wise, and most powerful
+      GOD our creator. Wherefore,
+      since it is a thing unworthy,
+      and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful,
+      for Man, who should be a Consort
+      of the Divine Nature, to wax brutish
+      with Brutes, I present to you, my
+      most faithful Friends, and Patrons
+      of this Science, this most rare History:
+      having as time, and my Ability would
+      permit, recollected all things, and
+      have faithfully commemorated them.
+      Therefore, omitting all paints, and
+      flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions,
+      I will forthwith betake my self to the
+      discovery of all, whatsoever I both
+      saw, and heard from Elias the Artist
+      touching this. For truly, I was not so
+      intimately familiar with him, as that
+      he should instruct me in the way of preparing
+      the Universal Medicine,
+      after the Method of Physico-artificial
+      Chimistry: yet he supplyed me
+      with such Reasons in the Method of
+      Healing, as I shall never be able to
+      commend his worth with condigne
+      Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
+      and true Lovers of the Chimical Art,
+      accept of this little work,
+      as a mean Gift, or if you had rather,
+      peruse if only for recreation of the
+      mind; for in it I shall relate all things
+      whatsoever, that were discoursed of
+      between him and me, at several times:
+      humbly requesting, that with the same
+      benevolence you have received other
+      of my small Treatises, you would also
+      accept of this Novel, which I freely
+      dedicate, and officiously give to you,
+      for a motion, and increase of Admiration.
+      Farewel, avete, favete.
+
+Your most humble
+
+John Fredrick Helvetius.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.I.
+
+
+Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs.
+Before I enter upon the Description
+of the Philosophick PIGMY, (in
+this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming
+and subduing GIANTS, I pray permit me here to use
+the words of Vanhelmont, taken out of
+his Book De Arbore Vitae, fol. 630.
+and here Transcribed.
+
+I compelled to believe, that
+there is an Aurifick, and Argentick Stone.
+But (Friend of the
+Spagyrick Art) I am not ignorant,
+that many have been found among
+the most wise, yea among the exquisite
+Chimists, who have not only
+consumed their own Goods, but
+the Goods of others also, in this
+Great Vulanick Secret, as Experience
+even at this very day sufficiently
+proves. For we have seen,
+the more is the pity! how unwary
+Chimists, yea such as are more
+worthy, than those who are called
+Alchimists; how, I say, they,
+labouring simply, are daily deluded
+with Guile of this kind, by Diabolick,
+Aurifick, and Argentick Suckgoods.
+Also I know, that many
+Stupid Men will rise up, and contradict
+the truth of my true Experience,
+touching the Philosophick
+Stone. One will have it to be a
+work of the Devil; another affirms
+there is no such thing; a
+third faith it is the Soul of Gold
+only, and that with an Ounce of that
+Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more
+may be again tinged: but this is
+repugnant to the Attestation of
+Kifflerus, as I shall briefly commemorate;
+a fourth believes the
+Verity and Possibility thereof, but
+faith it is so chargeable, as it will
+never quit Cost; with many other
+like Allegations. Yet I wonder
+not at this, for according to this
+Saying,
+
+
+      Quorum rationem non intelligimus,
+      miramur,
+      Que vero pernoscere volupe est,
+      rimamur.
+
+      What we cannot attain to, we admire,
+      But what to know is pleasing, do
+      desire.
+
+
+How can a Man, fallen from the
+Fountain of Light, into the Abyss
+of Darkness, effect any thing to
+purpose, in Natural things, especially
+when his Wisdome in this
+natural Philosophick Study is barren
+and sophisticate? It is, for the
+most part, proper to these Fools and
+unapt men, presently to contemn
+a thing, not knowing, that more
+are yet to be sought by them, than
+they have the possession of. Therefore,
+rightly saith Seneca, in lib. de
+Moribus: Thou art not yet happy,
+if the Rout deride thee not. But I
+matter not, whether they believe,
+or contradict what I write, touching
+the Transmutation of Metals.
+I rest satisfied in this one thing,
+which with my eyes I have seen,
+and what with my hands I have
+done. For what Philosophers say
+of themselves, I also have with my
+hands handled this Spark of the
+Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine
+Catholick Magnesia of Philosophers,
+a Fire of potency sufficient
+to penetrate Stones, yea, a
+Treasure of so great value, as 20
+Tun of Gold cannot exceed the
+price thereof. What seek you?
+I believe what I have seen with the
+eyes of Thomas, and handled as he,
+(but in the nature of things only)
+as well as the Adept Philosophers;
+although in this our decrepit age
+of the world, That be accounted a
+most Secret Hyperphysico-magical
+Saturn, and not known, unless
+to some Cabalistick Christian only.
+We judge him the most happy of
+all Physicians, who hath the
+knowledge of this pleasant Medicinal
+potion of our Mercury, or of
+the Medicine of the Son of our Esculapius
+resisting the force of death,
+against which there is no Panacea
+otherwise produced in Gardens.
+Moreover, the most wise GOD doth
+not reveal his Gifts of Solomon
+promiscuously to all Mortals. They
+indeed seem strange to them, when
+they behold a Creature, from the
+occult Magnetick potency incited
+in it self, deduced into art by its own
+like; as for Example: In Iron is
+a Magnetick, ingenited, potential
+virtue from the Magnet: a Magnetick
+virtue in Gold from Mercury:
+a Magnetick virtue in Silver
+from Venus, or Copper: and
+so consequently in all Metals, Minerals,
+and Stones, Herbs, and
+Plants, &c.
+
+Moreover, I may properly quaery,
+which of the wisest Philosophers
+is so Sage, as to be able to
+comprehend with the acuteness of
+his own most dextrous ingeny,
+with what Obumbracle the Imaginative
+Tinging, Venemons,
+or Monstrous Faculty of any pregnant
+Woman, compleats its work in
+one Moment, if it be deduced
+into art by some External Object?
+
+I do assuredly believe, that very
+many will foolishly say, that this is
+a Mortomagical Work of the Devil;
+but the Doltish and Ignorant
+are affraid to be out-shined by the
+true resplendent Light of Verity,
+with which their Owl-like Sight
+is troubled, and afflicted.
+
+Also the Stars are a cause of
+what we treat of, and this cause is
+not to be contemned, although I,
+nor you, know not how to comprehend
+the Celestial Influences of
+them in our mind. Nor are the
+Plants, which the Earth supplies
+us with, to be rejected, although
+I; or you, from the External Signature
+of them, know not how to
+judge aright of the Effect of Virtues
+ingenited in them, which they
+notoriously exercise, according
+to their power, in healing and
+conserving Humane bodies. Therefore,
+since all others are also offended
+at the Internal Light, being
+ignorant of all abstruse things, of
+which you, or I, want the Science,
+how can the same Virtues be deduced
+into art, according to the
+end for which they were created?
+A thousand other like things
+might be instanced. Although
+you know not the Splendour in
+Angels, the Candour in the Heavens,
+the Perspicuity in the Air,
+Limpitude in Waters, the variety
+of Colours in Flowers, hardness
+of Metals and Stones, Proportion
+in Animals, the Image of GOD
+in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers,
+and Reason in the Soul;
+yet in them there is such a beauty,
+as hath been throughly beheld,
+and fully known by very few Mortals.
+
+Although in the Stone of Philosophers
+there be so potent a virtue,
+and the same hath been seen
+by me, yet I would not therefore
+have any man to think, that my
+primary Scope, and intention, is
+to perswade the worthy, or unworthy
+Sons of this Age, to labour
+in this work, no, not at all:
+but I shall rather dehort all, and
+every of the curious Indagators of
+this Art, that they seriously abstain
+from this most perilous Arcanum,
+as from a certain Sanctum
+Sanctorum; yea, and I would admonish
+the Studious of this Arcanum,
+accurately to take heed to
+himself, and beware of the Lectures,
+and Association of false
+Philosophers. But I hope I shall
+satisfie the curious Naturalists,
+or investigators of Physical Arcanums,
+by communicating and publishing
+in this present Discourse, all
+which passed between Elias the Artist,
+and Me, touching the Nature
+of the Stone of Philosophers.
+For that is an Ens more Effulgent
+than the Morning, or a Carbuncle:
+more splendid, than the Sun, or
+Gold: more fair, than the Moon,
+or Silver: so very Recreable,
+and Amiable, was the sight of this
+Light, and most pleasing Object
+to me, as out of my inward Mind,
+it cannot be obliterated, or extinguished
+by any Oblivion; although
+the same be credited by none of the
+fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant
+Asses, and such as glory only
+in the praise of ambitious Eloquence.
+For in this malignant
+ulcerated age of the world,
+nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies,
+but it is taken in a wrong
+Sense, and perverted unworthily
+by the Idiotick Ignorance of
+mad-brain'd CacoZelots.
+So very farr do
+all these dark-sighted men deviate
+from the true rule of Verity,
+as in success of time, they, intangled
+with their own Errors, will
+miserably wast away and expire;
+but our Assertion, built on the
+Eternal Foundation of Triumphing
+Verity, shall continue and remain,
+unto the Consummation of
+all ages, without diminution, although
+this art be not yet known
+to all Mortals. For the Adept Philosophers,
+according to the antient
+Faith of their experience, have
+affirmed, that this Natural Mystery
+(which many anxious men
+have sinistrously sought, and required)
+is only to be found with
+Jehovah, Saturninely placed in the
+Centre of the World. In the
+mean while, we proclaim those
+happy, who take care, by the help
+of art, how they may wash this
+Philosophick Queen, or how they
+ought to circulate the Virgin-Catholick-Earth,
+in Physico-Magical
+Crystalline Artifice, as Khunradus.
+did; they only, and none others
+besides them, shall see the Crowned,
+and internally fiery King of
+Philosophers, coming forth from
+his Glassy Sepulchre, in an external
+fiery Body glorified, more then
+perfect with all the Colours in the
+world, as a shining Carbuncle, or
+perspicuous, compact and ponderous
+Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out
+Waters, and by the benefit
+thereof in the Fire washing Leprous
+Metals, as I my self have seen.
+What? How shall they see the
+Abyss of the Spagyrick Art? when
+as this Royal Art hath so long lain
+hid, and been absconded in the
+Mineral Kingdom, as in the Safest
+of all Secret places, for so very many
+years? Assuredly the Genuine
+Sons of this Laudable Art, shall
+not only behold a like Flood of
+Numicius, in which AEneas heretofore,
+by the command of Venus,
+washed and absolved from his Immortality,
+was immediately transformed
+into an immortal God; but
+also the Lydian River of Pactolus
+all transmuted into Gold, and how
+Midas Mygdonius washed himself
+in the same. Likewise those candid
+Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious
+order behold the Bathing-place of
+naked Diana, the Fountain of Narcissus
+and Scylla walking in the Sea,
+without garments, by reason of the
+most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly
+also the Blood of Pyramus and
+Thisbe, of it self collected, by the
+help of which, white Mulberries
+are tinged into Red; partly also
+the Blood of Adonis, by the descending
+Goddess Venus transformed
+into a Rose of Anemona; partly
+likewise the Blood of Ajax, from
+which arose that most beautiful
+flower the Violet; partly also the
+Blood of the Giants slain by Jupiters
+thunder-bolt; partly also the
+Shed Tears of Althea, when she put
+off her Golden Vestments; and
+partly the Drops, which fell from
+the decocted Water of Medea, by
+which green things immediatly
+sprang out of the Earth; partly
+also the cocted Potion of Medea,
+made of various Herbs, gathered
+always three dayes before full
+Moon, for the cure of Jasons aged
+Father; partly also those Leaves,
+by the tast of which, the nature of
+Gaucus was changed into Neptune;
+partly also the Exprest Juice of
+Jason, by the benefit of which, he,
+in the Land of Cholcons, received
+the Golden Fleece, afterward by
+reason of that, compleatly armed, he
+fought in the Feild of Mars, not
+without the hazard of Life; partly
+also the Garden of the Hesperides,
+where Golden Apples may be gathered
+from the Trees; partly also
+Hippomenes running for the Mastery
+with Atalanta, and staying her
+Course, and so overcoming her
+with three Golden Apples, the Gifts
+of Venus; partly also the Aurora of
+Cephalus, partly also Romulus transformed
+by Jupiter into a God;
+partly also the Soul of Julius Caesar, by
+the Goddess Venus, transfigured into
+a Comet, and placed among the
+Stars; partly also Python, Juno's
+Serpent, arising out of the putrid
+Earth (after Deucalions Flood)
+made hot by the Rayes of the Sun;
+partly also the Fire, with which
+Medea kindled seven Lights;
+partly also the Moon, inflamed by the
+burning of Phaeton; partly also the
+Withered Olive Branch, a new;
+flourishing and bearing Fruit;
+yea, becoming a new and tender
+Olive Tree; partly also Arcadia,
+where Jupiter was wont to walk;
+partly also the Habitation of Pluto,
+at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed
+Cerberus; & also partly that
+Mountain, where Hercules burned
+all his Members, received from the
+Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts
+of the Father remained Fixed, and
+incombustible in Fire, and nothing
+of his Life was destroyed, but he,
+at length, was transmuted into a God.
+Likewise we will not forget
+those Germans, the Sons of true
+Philosophers, who entred into a
+Country-house, at length transformed
+into a Temple, whose Covering
+was made of pure Gold. Certainly,
+I cannot choose, but must yet once
+more with acclamation, say with
+the Adept: O happy, and thrice
+happy is that Artificer, who by the
+most merciful benediction of the
+highest, Jehovah pursues the Art of
+Confecting, and preparing that
+(as it were, Divine) Salt, by the
+Efficacious Operation of which, a
+Metallick, or Mineral body, is
+corrupted, destroyed, and dyes;
+yet the Soul thereof is in the mean
+while revived, to a glorious Resurrection
+of a Philosophick Body. Yea,
+I say, most happy is the Son
+of that man, who, by his Prayers,
+obtains this Art of Arts, unto the
+glory of GOD. For it is most
+certain, that this Mystery can be
+known no other way, unless it
+be drawn and imbibed from GOD,
+the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore,
+let every serious Lover of
+this inestimable Art judge, that the
+whole work of him required, is,
+that he constantly, with the prayer
+of true faith, in all his labour,
+implore and solicite the Divine
+Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the
+solemn manner of GOD alone is,
+candidly and liberally, either mediately
+or immediately, to communicate
+his gifts and benefits, to
+none, unless to candid and liberal
+Ingenies only. In this holy way
+of practical Piety, all Inquisitors
+of profound Arts, find what they
+seek, when they, in their work,
+exercise themselves Theosophically
+by solitary Colloquies with
+Jehovah, with a pure Heart and
+Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly
+Sophia, indeed, willingly embraces
+our friendship, presenting,
+and offering to us, her inexhaustible
+Rivolets, most full of gracious
+goodness and benevolence. But,
+happy is he, to whom the Royal
+way, in which he is to walk, shall
+be shown by some One expert in
+this Arcanum.
+
+I seem to presage to my self, that
+I have not equally satisfied all Readers
+in this Preface; but it is, as
+if I did presume to teach them an
+Art, unknown to my self; yet I
+hope better of the greatest part of
+them. For my intention was, only
+to relate to you a certain History.
+Therefore, Drink, my Friends, of
+the following Dialogue, or Springing
+Colloquy, presented by me,
+wishing you well, that thence
+you may satisfie, and allay all the
+Thirst of your Thirsting Minds:
+for I doubt not in the least, but
+that this Study of Divine Wisdome,
+will be more sweet to you,
+than Nectar and Ambrosia. No
+other will I communicate, no other
+have I common, then that of Jul.
+Caes. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen,
+is the Communication of Wisdome:
+according to that of Gregory
+Nyssen: He who is Good, in Nature,
+the same very willingly communicates
+his Goods to others. For it is the
+part of good Men, to be profitable
+to others.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+Divers Ilustrious men have
+written touching the Verity
+of this Arcanum, among these,
+take the Sayings of some of them,
+as follows.
+
+PARACELSUS
+In his Book Of the Signature of Natural
+ things.
+
+
+      The Tincture of Naturalists, is
+      a, true sign, that by the transmutative
+      virtue thereof, all imperfect
+      Metals are changed, viz. the
+      White into Silver, and the Red
+      into the best Gold, if an exceeding small
+      part of this Medicine well
+      prepared, be injected upon the
+      Metal, while in flux in a Crucible,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For the invincible Astrum of
+      Metals overcomes all things, and
+      changeth into a Nature like it self,
+      &c. This Gold and Silver is more noble,
+      and better, than those,
+      which are dug out of Metallick
+      Mines; for Medicinal Arcanums
+      to be prepared therefrom.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      Therefore, I say every Alchimist,
+      which hath the Astrum of
+      Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals
+      into Gold, &c.
+
+The same.
+
+
+      Our Tincture of Gold hath
+      Astrums in it self, is a Substance
+      most fixed, and in multiplication
+      immutable. It is a Powder, haveing
+      a colour most red, almost like
+      Saffron, yet its whole Corporal
+      Substance, is liquid as Rosin, perspicuous
+      as Crystal, brittle as
+      Glass, of the colour of a Rubie,
+      and exceeding poaderous, &c.
+
+
+Also read Paracelsus his Heaven
+of Philosophers.
+
+Likewise, Paracelsus his Seventh
+Book, Of the Transmutation of Natural
+things.
+
+
+      Transmutation is a great natural
+      Mystery, Metallick, and not
+      contrary to the Course of Nature,
+      nor repugnant to the Order of
+      GOD, as many men of it do falsly
+      judge. For imperfect Metals, are
+      changed neither into Gold, nor into
+      Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.
+
+
+
+Paracelsus, in his Manual of the
+Medicinal Stone of philosophers.
+
+
+      Our Stone is a Celestial, and
+      more than perfect Medicine, because
+      it cleanseth all the impurities
+      of Metals, &c.
+
+
+HENRY KHUNRADUS
+
+In his Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience.
+
+      I travelled long, invited others,
+      who knew somewhat by experience,
+      and could with very firm
+      judgement conjecture; and this not
+      alwayes in vain. Among which,
+      I call God to witness, by his wonderful
+      ordination, I, from one,
+      received the Green Catholick
+      Lyon, and the Blood of the Lyon,
+      viz. Gold, not the Vulgar, but of
+      Philosophers, with my Eyes I saw
+      the same, with my hands, I handled
+      it, and with my Nostrils, smelt
+      the odour thereof. O how wonderful
+      is God in his Works! They,
+      I say, gave those Gifts prepared,
+      which I in most desperate Cases,
+      used with admirable success to the
+      benefit of my needy Neighbour.
+      And (by Instinct of Jehovah's
+      mercy) they sincerely revealed to
+      me, the wayes of preparing, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      This wonderful Method, the
+      wonderful God gave me. In this
+      way, in which I walked, God
+      alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
+      yet subdelegately,  Nature,
+      Fire, and Art, of my Master,
+      as well living as mute, corporally,
+      and spiritually good, sleeping
+      and waking, gave the same to
+      me, &c,
+
+
+
+The same.
+
+      I write not Fables; with your
+      hands you shall handle, and with,
+      your eyes you shall see Azoth,
+      viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
+      Mercury of Philosophers; which
+      alone, with the Internal and External
+      Fire, yet with Sympathetick
+      Harmony, with Olympick
+      Fire (by reason of inevitable necessity)
+      Physico-magically united,
+      will suffice thee for obtaining our
+      Stone, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      You shall see, the Stone of Philosophers;
+      our King, and Lord of those
+      that bare rule, coming from his
+      Bridal Throne of the Glassy Sepulchre,
+      into this Mundane Scene,
+      in his glorified body, viz, regenerate,
+      and more then perfect:
+      namely, a shining Carbuncle, a
+      most temperate Splendour; and
+      of which, tire most Subtile, and
+      Depurated parts, are by the concordant
+      peace of Mixtion, inseparably
+      united into One, and perfectly
+      equallized, clear as Crystal,
+      compact, and most ponderous, as
+      fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before
+      the flight of Mercury, as Wax
+      flowing, yet without fume, entring
+      and penetrating, solid and
+      close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable
+      in every Liquor, melting,
+      and commiscible therewith; brittle
+      as Glass, in Powder, of the
+      colour of Saffron, but in the intire
+      Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
+      (which Redness is a sign of perfect
+      Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
+      permanently Colouring, or Tinging;
+      in all Examens whatsoever,
+      even of Sulphur adurtive, and
+      in Tryals of corroding Waters,
+      and in the most vehement persecution
+      of Fire, fixed, alwayes during,
+      and unburnable; permanent as the
+      Salamander, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      The Stone of Philosophers in
+      the greater World, is in the parts
+      thereof, fermented; by reason of
+      the Ferment, it transforms it self
+      into whatsoever it will &c.
+      Hence you may learn the reason,
+      why Philosophers on their Azoth imposed
+      the name of Mercury which
+      adheres to bodies, &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      It is fermented with Metals, viz,
+      the White existant in the highest
+      Whiteness, with pure Silver for
+      the White; but the Sanguineous
+      Stone, with Gold Obrizon for
+      the Red. And this is the Work
+      of three dayes, &c.
+
+
+HELMONT, Of Eternal Life
+
+
+      For I have oftentimes seen it,
+      and with, my hands handled the
+      same, &c. See in the same place
+      further. Then I projected this
+      quarter of one Grane, wrapt up in
+      Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive,
+      hot in a Crucible, and immediately
+      the whole Hydrargyry,
+      with some little noise ceased to
+      flow, and remained congealed like
+      yellow Wax: after fusion thereof,
+      by blowing the bellows, there
+      were found eight Ounces of Gold,
+      wanting eleven Grane. Therefore,
+      one Grane of this Powder,
+      transmutes 19186 equal parts of
+      Argentvive, into the best Gold.
+
+      Within the Earth, the aforesaid
+      Powder is found, or what is in a
+      sort like thereunto, which transmutes
+      almost an infinite Mass of
+      impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
+      uniting the same to it self, it defends
+      from Rust, and AErugo, from
+      Cankring, and Death, and maketh
+      the same, as it were, immortal,
+      against all torture of Fire, and Art,
+      and transfers it into the Virgin-purity
+      of Gold; it requires only
+      heat.
+
+The same Helmont, Of the Tree
+of Life.
+
+      I am compelled to believe the
+      Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone;
+      because at several distinct: times,
+      with my own hand, made projection
+      of one Grane of this Powder,
+      upon some thousands of Granes of
+      Argentvive hot in a Crucible; and
+      in the presence of our principal
+      friends, the business, with a pleasing
+      admiration, succeeded well in the Fire:
+      as our books promise Thee,
+      &c.
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      He, who first gave me the Powder,
+      had at least, so much thereof,
+      as would be sufficient for transmuting
+      two hundred thousand
+      pound weight of Metal, into
+      Gold, &c..
+
+
+The same.
+
+
+      For he gave to me not so much
+      as half a grane of that Powder,
+      and with that were transmuted nine
+      ounces, and three quarters of an ounce
+      of Argetitvive. That was
+      given me one Evening by a strange
+      Friend, &c
+
+
+The same
+
+      So also it is written, that sixty
+      years since, Alexander Scotus, made
+      projection of that kinde, in the
+      trust: famous City of Colonia and
+      Hanovia, &c..
+
+
+I cannot in this place over-pass,
+some Examples worthy of note,
+touching the possibility of
+Transmutation.
+
+Read the following true Extract
+out of an Epistle written by Doctor
+Kufflerus.
+
+
+      Kufflerus: Artist, I found-in my
+      own Laboratory, an Aqua-fortis.
+      Secondly, I again found another
+      in the Laboratory, Caroli de Roy;
+      this Aqua-Fortis I poured upon the
+      Calx of Sol, prepared of Gold, in
+      the Vulgar manner, and after the
+      third Cohobation, it sublimed the
+      Tincture of Gold with it self in the
+      Neck of the Retort; this Tincture
+      I mixed with Silver, precipited in
+      the vulgar manner, and I saw that
+      one ounce of the sublimed Tincture
+      of Gold, with ordinary Flux in a
+      Crucible, had transmuted one
+      ounce, and halfe of the two ounces
+      of precipitate Silver, into the best
+      Gold: but a third part of the Silver
+      yet remaining, was a white and
+      fixed Gold: the other two parts
+      thereof were perfect Silver, fixed
+      in every examen of Fire. This is
+      my experience, after this time, we
+      could never find the like Aqua-fortis.
+      I Helvetius saw this Gold
+      white, and without Tincture.
+
+
+The same.
+
+      There is yet one other Example
+      very rare; of what was done at
+      the Hague by a Silver-Smith, whose
+      name was Grill: how he in the year
+      1664. by Spirit of Salt, not
+      prepared in the Vulgar manner,
+      transmuted Lead so, as from one
+      pound, he received three parts of
+      the best Silver, and two ounces of
+      most fixed Gold.
+
+      At the Hague, a certain Silver-Smith,
+      and a much exercised Disciple
+      of Alchimy, but according to
+      the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
+      man; did sometime since require
+      Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared,
+      of a loving Friend of Mine, a
+      Cloath-Dyer, by name, John Casparus
+      Knottnerus. My Friend giving
+      the same to him; demanded,
+      whether he would use that Spirit
+      of Salt, he now had, for Metals,
+      or not? Grill made answer; for
+      Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
+      powred this Spirit of Salt
+      upon Lead, which he had put into
+      a Glass Dish, usual for Conditures
+      and Confections. The space of two
+      Weeks being elapsed, supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a
+      most splendid Silver-Starre, so exceeding
+      curious, as if it had been
+      made With an Instrument by a most
+      ingenious Artist. At the sight of
+      which, the said Grill, filled with
+      Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that
+      he had seen the Signate Star of
+      Philosophers, touching which he
+      had read in Basilius, as he thought.
+      I, and many other honest Men,
+      did behold this Star supernatant
+      on the Spirit of Salt, the lead in
+      the mean while remaining in the
+      bottom of an ash colour, and swollen like
+      a Sponge. But in the space
+      of seven or nine dayes, that humidity
+      of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed
+      by the exceeding heat of the
+      Aire, in July, did vanish; but the
+      Star settled down, and still stood
+      above that Earthly Spongeous Lead.
+      That was a thing worthy of admiration,
+      and beheld by not a few
+      Spectators. At length Grill himself
+      having taken part of Cinereous,
+      or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
+      adhering, cupellated in a Test,
+      and found from one ounce of this
+      Lead, twelve ounces of Cupellate
+      Silver, and from these twelve ounces,
+      he also had two ounces of the
+      best Gold. And I Helvetius am able
+      to shew some of this Spongeous
+      Lead with part of the Star yet adhering,
+      & besides the pieces of the Star
+      the Silver and Gold made thereof.
+      Which when this Subtile (and
+      Likewise Foolish) Grill understood,
+      he would not be known to Knottterus,
+      whether he had used the
+      Spirit of Salt, or not; but thenceforth
+      attempted to learn of him
+      the Art how to make it; yet some
+      time being Elapsed, the worthy
+      Knottnerus had for got what Spirit
+      of salt (for he was expert in
+      various kinds thereof) he had given
+      him; not being able to call
+      the same to mind so suddenly: in
+      the mean while, he and his Family
+      were visited with the Pestilence
+      and dyed: the other falling into
+      the Water was drowned. After
+      the death of these two, none
+      could find out the way of either of
+      their Operations.
+
+      Certainly here is cause of Admiration,
+      that the Internal Nature
+      of Lead, by the simple maturation
+      of Spirit of Salt, should appear
+      in an external form so noble.
+      No less admirable and wonderful
+      to the mind is this, viz. that the
+      mirifick Stone of Philosophers can
+      so exceeding swiftly transmute
+      Metals; having virtue potentially
+      insited in it self, so as it is deduced
+      into Art, as in Iron by contact
+      of the Magnet. But touching
+      These enough for the Sons of Art.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+Since promises are so much the better
+esteemed, by how much the sooner
+they are fulfilled, I, without any
+dilation, immediately come to my
+promised Declaration of the following
+History, which thus take.
+
+
+At the Hague, on the sixth Calend
+of January or the 27th.
+of December, in the year 1666, a
+certain man came to my House in
+the Afternoon, to me indeed planely
+unknown, but endued with an
+honest gravity, and serious authority
+of Countenance, cloathed in
+a Plebick Habit, like to some
+Memnonite of a middle Stature,
+his Visage somewhat long, with
+some Pock-holes here and there dispersed:
+his Hairs were indeed very
+black, yet not curled, little or no
+no hair on his Chin, and about
+three or four and fourty years of
+Age: his Countrey (as far as I
+am able to conjecture) is the Septentrional
+Batavia, vulgarly called Nord Hollund.
+
+After salutations ended, his new
+Guest, with great Reverence, asked,
+whether he might have freedom to
+come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick
+Art sake, he could not, nor
+was he willing to pass by the Door
+of my house; adding, that he had
+not only thought to have made use
+of some Friend to come to me,
+but had also read some of my little
+Treaties, especially that, which I
+published against D. Digbies Sympathetick
+Powder, in which I discovered
+my doubt of the true Philosophick
+Mystery. Therefore, this
+occasion being taken, he asked me,
+whether I could believe, that place
+was given to such a Mystery in the
+things of Nature, by the benefit of
+which a Physician might be able to
+cure all Diseases universally, unless
+the Sick already had a defect either
+of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any
+like noble Member? To which I
+answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding
+necessary for a Physician,
+but no man knows, what and how
+great are the Secrets yet hidden in
+Nature, nor did I ever, in all my
+Life see such an Adept Man, although
+I have read and perused
+many things, touching the verity
+of this thing, or Art, in the Writings
+of Philosophers. I also enquired
+of him, whether he (speaking
+of the Universal Medicine) were
+not a Physician? But he answering
+by denyal, professed, that he
+was no other than a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and that in the Flower of
+his years, he had known many
+things, from his Friend, rare to
+the Sight, and especially the way
+of Extracting Medicinal Arcanums
+by the force of Fire, and that for
+this very cause, he was a Lover of
+this so noble Science of Medicine.
+Moreover, long after other discourses,
+touching Experiments in Metals,
+made by the violence of Fire,
+Elias the Artist spake to me thus;
+Do not you know the Highest Secret,
+when it is offered to your sight,
+viz. the Stone of Phylosophers,
+you having read in the Writings
+of many Chymists most excellent,
+touching the Substance, Colour,
+and strange effect of the same?
+I answered, not at all; except what
+I have read in Paracelsus, Helmont,
+Basilius, Sandivogius, and like Books
+of Adept Phylosophers extant. Nevertheless,
+I think, I am not able
+to know the Phylosophick Matter,
+whether it be true, or not, although
+I should see it present before me.
+
+Whilst I was speaking thus, he
+pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory
+Box, in which he had three ponderous
+Fragments, in magnitude
+scarcely equalizing a small Walnut;
+these were Glass-like, of the colour
+of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior
+Scales of that Crucible did adhere,
+in which this most noble
+Substance was liquified, for I
+suppose the Value of it might
+equalize twenty Tun of Gold. But
+after I had plighted my Faith, I
+held that [Greek: cheimhelion], [or pretious
+Treasure] of this Stone, within these
+my hands for almost a quarter of an
+hour, and from the Philosophick
+Mouth of the Owner, I heard many
+things worthy of note, touching
+the Wonderful Effect of the same,
+for humane and Metallick bodies.
+Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly
+afflicted Mind, restored this Treasure
+of Treasures to him, the Lord
+and Possessor, who gave the same
+into my hand for a very short
+space of time; and yet I did that (after
+the manner of Men overcoming
+themselves) not without the
+greatest action of thanks, as was
+fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked
+him, how it came to pass, (since
+I had otherwise read, that the
+Stones of Philosophers, were endowed
+with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour)
+that this his Philosophick
+Stone was tinged with a Sulphureous
+Colour? He answered me
+thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the
+purpose: for the Matter is Sufficiently
+mature. Moreover, when
+I entreated him, that he would
+give to me, for a perpetual remembrance,
+one small part of the Medicine
+included in his Box, although
+no more in bulk than a
+Coriander-Seed; he denied, answering:
+O no! For this is not
+lawful for me to do, although you
+would give me this whole Roome
+full of Gold in Duckets; and that not
+by reason of the price of the Matter,
+but by reason of another certain
+Consequence; Yea, surely,
+if it were possible, that Fire could
+be burned with Fire, I would sooner
+cast this whole Substance into
+the devouring Flames of Vulcan,
+before your Eyes. A little after
+this, he also asked me, whether
+I had not another Room, the
+Windows of which were not to
+the Street-side; I presently brought
+this Phaenix, or Bird most rare to
+be seen in this Land, into my best
+furnished Chamber; yet he, at his
+Entrance (as the manner of Hollanders
+is, in their Countryes)
+did not shake off his Shooes, which
+were dropping wet with Snow.
+I indeed, at that very time, thus
+thought: perhaps he will provide,
+or hath in readiness some Treasure
+for me; but he dash'd my
+hope all to pieces. For he immediatey
+asked of me a piece of the
+best Gold-mony; and in the mean
+while layed off his Cloak, and
+Country Coat; also he opened
+his Bosom, and under his Shirt
+he wore in green Silk, five great
+Golden Pendants, round, filling up
+the magnitude of the Interior Space
+of an Orb of Tin. Where, in
+comparing these, in respect of
+Colour and Flexibility, the difference
+between his Gold, and
+mine, was exceeding great. On
+these Pendants he had inscribed
+with an Iron Instrument, the following
+Words, which, at my
+request, he gave leave I should coppy out.
+
+The form of the Pendants, and
+words engraven thereon, are as
+follows.
+
+
+
+
+      I.
+      AMEN
+      Holy, Holy, Holy
+      is the Lord our
+      GOD, for all
+      things are full of
+      his Power.
+      Leo: Libra.
+
+      II.
+      The wonderfull
+      wonder-working
+      wisdome of JEHOVAH
+      in the Catholick
+      Book of
+      Nature. Made the
+      26. day Aug. 1666.
+
+      [Alchemical symbols: Gold, Mercury, Silver]
+      The wonderfull
+      GOD, Nature
+      and he Spagyrick
+      Art, make
+      nothing in vain.
+
+      Sacred, Holy Spirit
+      Hallelujha
+      Hallelujha
+      Away Devil,
+      Speak not of
+      GOD without
+      Light, Amen.
+
+      The Eternal Invisible,
+      only wise,
+      Best of all and omnipotent
+      GOD of
+      Gods; Holy, Holy,
+      Holy, Governour &
+      Conserver deservedly
+      ought to be praysed.
+
+
+Moreover, when I, affected with
+admiration said to him; My
+Master, I pray tell me, where had
+you this greatest Science of the
+whole World? He answered, I
+received such Magnalia from the
+Communication of a certain Extraneous
+Friend, who for certain
+dayes lodged in my House, professing,
+that, he was a Lover of
+Art, and came to teach me various
+Arts; viz. how, besides the
+aforesaid, of Stones and Crystal,
+most beautiful precious Stones are
+made much more fair than Rubies,
+Chrysolites, Saphires, and
+others of that kind. Also how to
+prepare a Crocus Martis in a quarter
+of an hour of which one only
+Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery
+Likewise a Metallic
+Liquor, by the help of which, every
+species of the Dropsy may be
+cured certainly in four dayes space
+Also a certain Limpid Water, more
+sweet, than Hony, by the help of
+which, I can extract the Tincture
+of Granates, Corals, and of all
+Glasses blown by Artificers, in the
+space of two hours in hot sand only.
+Many other things like to these
+he told me, which I neither well
+observed, nor committed to
+memory; because my intention was:
+carryed further, viz. to learn the
+Art of pressing that so noble
+juice out of Metals for Metals;
+but the Shadow in Waters deceived
+the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
+which was substantial. Moreover,
+this Artist told me that his Master,
+who taught him this Art, bad him
+bring Glass full of Rain water,
+with which he mixed a very small:
+quantity of a most white pouder;
+commanding me, (here the Disciple
+of that Master proceeds in
+his Discourse) to go to the Silver-Smith,
+for one ounce of Cupellate
+Silver, laminate, [or beat
+very thin,] which Silver was dissolved
+in a quarter of an hour, as
+Ice in hot water. Then he presently
+gave to me one half of this
+potion, by himself so speedily
+made, to drink; which in my
+mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I
+thence became very cheerful.
+
+He having related these things,
+I ceased not to enquire of him, to
+what end he had instanced this?
+Whether the Potion was Philosophick?
+To this, he answered, You
+must not be so curious.
+
+
+Afterward, he told me, how he,
+by the command of that Laudable
+Artist his Master, took a piece of
+the Leaden gutter of his house,
+and when the Lead was melted in
+a now Crucible, the said Artist
+drew out off his pocket a Gasket
+full of Sulphureous Powder, of
+which, he took a very small part
+upon the point of a knife, once,
+and again, and injected the same;
+upon the Lead in Flux; presently.
+giving order, that the fire should
+be blown with two pair of Bellows
+strongly, for exciting the heat
+more vehemently; a little after
+he powred out of the crucible,
+most pure Gold, upon the Red
+stones, which were in the Kitchen.
+I (said this most pleasing discourser
+to me) did commodiously
+behold this verity of the Transmutation
+of Metals, but was so astonished
+with fear and admiration,
+that I was Scarcely able to speak
+one word; But my Master heartning
+me, said; Cheer, up and be
+contented: take for your self a
+sixteenth part of this Mass, which
+keep For a Memorandum; but the
+other fifteen parts distribute to the
+poor: and I did as he said.
+For, (if my memory deceive
+me not) he bestowed this exceeding
+great Alms, on the Sparrendamen
+Church; but whether, he
+gave it at distinct times Or not, or
+whether he told it down in the
+Substance of Gold, or of Silver, I
+asked him not.
+
+And at length (saith he speaking
+of his Master) he directly
+taught me this great divine Art.
+
+Therefore, the; Narration of all
+these things being ended, I most
+humbly entreated him, that he
+would shew me the effect of Transmutation
+upon impure Metals, that
+I thence might have the better assurance
+of those things by him related
+to me, and my Faith being
+confirmed, securely give credit to
+the real Truth of the matter. But
+he very discreetly gave me the repulse;
+yet taking his leave of me,
+he promised to return again
+after three Weeks, and then shew
+to me certain curious Arts, by Fire,
+as also the way of projecting; making
+this Provisoe, if it should
+then be lawful for him. The three
+Weeks being elapsed, according
+to his word, he Came to my House,
+and invited me to walk abroad
+with him for one hour, or two,
+as we both did, having in that
+Time Certain, Discourses of the
+Secrets of Nature in the fire, but
+in the mean while, this well spoken
+Companion in the way, was
+not lavish, but rather too sparing
+of his words, touching the great
+Secret; affirming, that this singular
+Mystery tended not, but to
+the alone magnifying of the most
+illustrious Fame of the most glorious
+God; and that very few men
+considered, how they might; condignly
+Sacrifice; themselves by
+their Works to so great a God
+uttering these Expressions no otherwise,
+then as if he had been
+a Pastor of the Church. But I, in
+the mean time, fayled not to solicit
+him, to demonstrate to me the
+Transmutation of Metals. Moreover,
+I beseeched and intreated
+him, to vouchsafe to eat with me,
+and to lodge in my house, urging
+him with such Earnestness, as no
+Rival, or Lover, could ever use
+more perswasive Words, for winning
+his beloved to a willingness
+of gratifying him above all others:
+but he, agitated by a Spirit of so
+great constancy, made void of all I
+endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could
+not choose but speak to him thus:
+Sir, You see I have a very convenient
+Laboratory, in which you
+may shew me the Metallick
+Transmutation. For whosoever
+assents to him, that asketh,
+obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered
+he) bit I made a promise
+to you of imparting some things
+with this Exception, if at my, Return,
+I be not interdicted, but have
+leave to do the same.
+
+All, and every of these, my requests
+being in vain, I instantly, and earnestly
+besought him, that (if he
+would not, or by reason of the
+Heavenly Interdiction could not
+demonstrate what I asked) he
+would only give me so much of his
+Treasure, as would be sufficient
+for transmuting four grains of Lead
+into Gold. At this my request, he,
+after a little while, pouring forth
+a Flood of Philosophick Mercy,
+gave a small particle, as big as a
+Rape-Seed, saying: Take of the
+greatest Treasure of the World, which
+very few great Kings, or
+Princes could ever see. But I, saying
+my Master, this is so small particle
+perhaps will not be sufficient
+for tinging four granes of Lead.
+He answered; Give it me. I,
+accordingly gave it him, conceiving,
+good hope of receiving somewhat
+a greater particle instead thereof;
+but he breaking off the one half almost
+of it with his thumb-nayl,
+threw it into the fire, and wrapping
+the other up in blew paper,
+he gave to me, faying, It is yet
+sufficient for thee. To which, I with,
+a sad Countenance and perplexed
+Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What
+mean you by this? Before I doubted,
+and now I cannot believe,
+that so small a quantity of this Medicine
+will suffice for transmuting
+four grains of Lead; O, said he,
+if you cannot rightly handle your
+Lead in the Crucible, by reason
+of the so very small quantity thereof
+then take two drams, or
+half an ounce, or a little more of the
+lead, for more must not be
+tinged, then well may. To him
+I again said: I cannot, easily believe
+this, viz. that so little of the
+Tincture will transmute so great a
+quantity of Lead into Gold. But he,
+answered; what I say is true. In,
+mean, while, I, giving him
+great; thanks, inclosed my diminished
+and in the Superlative degree
+concentrated Treasure, in my
+own Casket, saying: To morrow
+I will make this Tryal; and give no
+notice to any Man thereof, as long as
+I live. Not so, not so, answered;
+he, but all things, which tend to
+the Glory of God Omnipotent,
+ought by us, singularly to be declared
+to the Sons of Art that we
+may live Theosophically, and not
+at all dye Sophistically.
+
+Then, I confessed to him; that
+when held the Mass of his Medicine, in that
+short space of time, I attempted
+to raze something there-from with
+my Finger Nayl, But I got no
+more, than a certain invisible
+Atome; and, when I had cleansed
+my nayl, and had injected the
+collected matter, wrapt in paper,
+upon Lead in Flux, I could see no
+Transmutation of it into Gold; but
+almost the whole Mass of Lead
+vanished into Aire, and the
+remaining Substance was transmuted into
+a Glassy Earth. At the
+hearing of this, he smiling, say'd
+You could more dexterously play
+the Thief, than apply the Tincture.
+I wonder, that you, so expert
+in the Fire, do no better understand
+the fuming Nature of Lead.
+For if you had wrapped
+your Theft in yellow Wax, that it
+might have been conserved from
+the Fume of Lead, then it would so
+have penetrated into the Lead,
+as to have transmuted the same
+into Gold. But now a Sympathetick
+Operation was performed in
+Fume, and so the Medicine permixed
+with the Fume, flew away:
+For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury,
+and like Metals, are corrupted
+by Lead Vapours, and
+likewise converted to a brittle
+Glass. While he was thus speaking,
+I shewed him my Crucible,
+who, viewing the remaining Substance,
+perceived a most beautiful
+Saffron-coloured Tincture,
+adhering to the sides of the Crucible,
+and say'd, To-morrow at nine of
+the Clock, I will return, and
+shew you; how your Medicine
+must be used to transmute Lead
+into Gold. In which promise of
+him, I rested secure. Yet, in the
+mean while, I again and again
+requested information of him,
+whether this Philosophick Work,
+required great Charges in the preparing,
+and a very long Time.
+O my Friend, answered he, you very
+accurately affect to know all
+things, yet I will open this to
+you; The Charge is not great, nor
+is the Time long. But, as touching
+the matter of which our Arcanum
+is made, I would have you to
+know; there are only two Metals
+and Minerals, of which it is prepared.
+And because the Sulphur
+of Philosophers is more abundant
+in these Minerals, therefore it is
+made of them.
+
+Then I again asked him: What
+the Menstruum was, and whether
+the Operations were made in Glasses,
+or in Crucibles. He answered;
+The Menstruum is a Celestial Salt,
+or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by
+the benefit of which, Philosophers
+only dissolve the Terrene Metallick
+Body, and in dissolving, the
+noble Elixir of Philosophers is
+produced. But the Operation is,
+performed in a Crucible, from
+the beginning to the end, in an
+open Fire. And the Whole Work
+may be begun, and plainly ended
+in no longer time, then four dayes:
+Also in this whole Work, no greater
+Cost is required, then the value
+of three Florens. Lastly he added;
+Neither the Mineral, from Which,
+nor the Salt by Which, is of any
+great Price. I again said to him:
+My Master; This is strange, for
+it is repugnant to the sayings of
+various Philosophers, Who have
+writ, that at least seven, or nine
+Moneths are imployed in this
+Work. He answered: The true
+writings of Philosophers are only;
+understood by the truly Adept.
+Therefore, touching the Time,
+they would write nothing certain;
+yea; I say, no Lover of this Art,
+can find the Art of preparing this
+Mystery in his whole Life without
+the Communication of some
+true Adept Man. In this respect
+and for this Cause, I advise you,
+my Friend, because you have seen
+the true Matter of the true Work,
+not to forget your self, and thirsting
+after the perfection of this Art,
+to cast away your own Goods;
+for you can never find it out. Then
+I say'd: My Master, although I
+am so unknown to you, as you are
+unknown to me; nevertheless, since
+he was unknown to you who shewed
+you the way of finding out
+the Operation of this Arcanum,
+perhaps you may also, if you be
+willing, notifie to me somewhat,
+touching this Secret, that the
+most difficult Rudiments being overcome,
+I may (as the saying is)
+happily add somewhat to things already
+found out; for by the occasion
+of one thing found, another
+is not difficultly invented. But
+the Artist answered: In this Work
+the matter is not so, For unless
+you know the thing, from the beginning
+of the Work to the end,
+you know nothing thereof. Indeed
+I have told you enough, yet you
+are ignorant how the Stone of Philosophers
+is made, and again, how
+the Glassy Seal of Hermes is broaken,
+in which Sol gives forth Splendor
+from his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully
+coloured, and in which
+Speculum, the Eyes of Narcissus
+behold Metals transmutable, and
+from which Rayes the Adept gather
+their fire, by the help of
+which, Volatile Metals are fixed
+into most fixed Gold, or Silver.
+But enough for this time, because
+(God willing) on the Morrow,
+we shall have occasion of meeting
+yet once more, that we may talk together
+touching this Philosophick
+matter; and according as I said, at
+nine a Clock, I will come to your
+House, and shew you the way of
+Projecting. But with that happy
+Valediction for one night, that
+Elias the Artist hath left me most
+sad in expectation unto this very
+day. Yea, the Mercury of Philosophers
+did with him vanish into
+Aire; because from him I did no
+more again hear so much as one
+word. Yet he, (because he promised
+that he would come again
+to me betimes the next morning)
+half an hour before ten,
+sent to me another unknown man,
+signifying, that, that friend, who
+yesternight promised to revisit me
+this morning, by reason of other
+urgent business, could not come,
+nevertheless, at three of the Clock
+in the afternoon, he would again
+see me. But after I had, with a
+most vehement desire expected
+him, till almost eight a Clock, I
+began to doubt in the truth of the
+matter. Besides, my Wife also,
+a very curious Searcher in the Art
+of that Laudable man, came to
+me, troubling me, by reason of
+the Philosophick Art, cited in that
+aforesaid Severe, and Honest man;
+saying, Go to, let us try, I pray
+thee, the Verity of the work, ac
+cording to what that man said.
+For otherwise, I certainly shall
+not sleep all this night. But I answered;
+I pray let us deferr it till
+to morrow; perhaps the man will
+come then. Nevertheless, when
+I had ordered my Son to kindle the
+fire; these thoughts arose in me;
+That man indeed, otherwise in his
+discourses so Divine, is now found
+the first time guilty of a Lye. A
+second time, when I would make
+Experiment of my Stollen Matter
+hid under my Nayl, but to no purpose,
+because the Lead was not
+transmuted into Gold. Lastly
+a third time, he gave me so very
+little of the Matter, for tinging
+so great a Mass of Lead; that he
+almost drove me to Desperation.
+Notwithstanding these thoughts,
+I commanded yellow Wax to be
+brought, wherein to wrap the
+Matter, and finding Lead, I cut
+off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes.
+My Wife wrapped the Matter of
+the Stone in the Wax, and when
+the Lead was in Flux, she cast
+in that little Mass, which, with
+Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed
+its Operation in the Crucible
+well closed; as in one quarter of
+an hour, the whole Mass of Lead
+was transmuted into the best
+Gold. Certainly, had I lived in
+the Age of Ovid, I could not have
+believed, any Metamorphosis more
+rare, than this of the Chimical
+Art; but if I could behold things
+with the hundred Eyes of Argus,
+I should scarcely see any work of
+Nature more admirable, for this
+Lead, mixt with the Stone of the
+Wise, and in the Fire melted,
+demonstrated to us a most beautiful
+colour, yea, I say, it was most green;
+but when I poured it out into a
+[Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received
+a colour like Blood, and
+when it waxed cold, shined with
+the colour of the best Gold: I, and
+all who were present with me, being
+amazed, made what haste we,
+could with the Aurificate Lead
+(even before it was through cold)
+to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious
+Examen, judged it to be
+Gold most excellent, and that in
+the whole world, better could not
+be found; withall, adding, that for
+every Ounce of such Gold, he
+would give 50 Florens.
+
+The next day, the rumour of
+this wonderful Metallick Transmutation
+was spread all over our
+Hague; whence many illustrious
+men, and lovers of Art, made hast
+to me, among which, by name,
+the General Examiner of the Moneys
+of this Province of Holland,
+D^n Porelius, came to me, with certain
+other most illustrious men,
+earnestly desiring, that I would
+communicate to them some small
+particle of my Artificial Gold, to
+prove it by legitimate Examens:
+these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly
+gratified; and we went together
+to the house of a certain
+very curious Silver-Smith, by
+name Brechtelius, in whose Workhouse,
+the Excellency of my Gold
+was evidenced, by that form of
+Probation, which Skilful Artists
+call. Quarta, viz. when they in a
+Crucible melt three or four parts
+or Silver, with one part of Gold,
+and then by hammering, reduce
+that mixture into thin Plates, on
+which they pour a sufficient quantity
+of Aquafortis, by which the
+Silver is dissolved, but the Gold
+settles to the bottome, like a black
+powder. Afterward, the Aquafortis
+is poured off, and the golden
+powder, is again put into a Crucible,
+and by strong fire reduced to
+Gold.
+
+But when this work was ended,
+we supposed, that one half of the
+Gold was vanished, yet in very
+deed it was not so: for we found
+that the Gold, besides its own
+weight, had transmuted some part
+of the Silver into Gold, viz. two
+drams of the Gold, transmuted
+two scruples of the Silver (through
+the abundance of its Tincture)
+into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.
+
+After this, we, suspecting that
+the Silver was not well separated
+from the Gold did presently make
+a mixture: with seven times as much
+Antimony. And after this Examen,
+we lost eight grains of Gold;
+but when I had again evaporated
+the Antimony, I found nine grains
+of Gold, yet in colour somewhat
+pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of
+fire, we lost nothing of this Gold,
+And this infallible kind of Probation,
+I thrice performed in presence
+of those most noble and illustricsus
+Men, and found, that
+every Dram of Gold acquired from
+the Silver for an augmentation to
+it self, one Scruple, of Gold: and
+the Silver, is pure good, and very
+flexible. So according to this, the
+five drams of Gold, attracted to it
+self from the Silver, five Scruples;
+and (that I may together, and at
+once, comprise all that remains to
+be said) the whole weight that
+that Laudable Powder, in quantity
+so exceeding small, did transmute,
+was six drams, and two
+Scruples, of a more vile Metal,
+into Gold, in such wise fixed, as it
+was able perseveringly to sustain
+the most intense Torture of Fire.
+
+Behold! thus have I exactly,
+from first to last, commemorated
+this History. The Gold I indeed
+have, but where, or in what Land
+or Countrey. Elias the Artist is at
+this day hospited, I am wholly
+ignorant for he told me, his purpose
+was to abide in his own Country
+no longer then this Summer;
+that after he would travil into Asia,
+and visit the Holy Land. Let the
+most wise King of Heaven (under
+the Shadow of whose divine
+Wings he hath hitherto layn hid)
+by his Administratory Angels accompany
+him in his intended
+Journey, and prosper it so as he
+living to a great Age, may with
+his inestimable Talent greatly
+succour the whole Republick of
+Christians, and after this Life gloriously
+behold, and take of the
+prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal.
+Amen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+Therefore, now to compleat my
+promise, I will forthwith betake
+my self to the Dialogue or,
+Colloque between Elias the Artist,
+and me the Physician.
+
+Elias the Artist.
+
+
+God save you, Master Helvetius!
+If I may not be too troublesome, I
+desire to have the freedom of Discoursing
+with you for a little time,
+because I have heard, that you are
+a curious Indagator of natural
+things. For I have perused
+your Books, and among them,
+especially that whole Treatise,
+which you write against the effect
+of Sir Kenelm Digbies Sympathetick
+ Powder, where it is gloried,
+that the same, can at distance cure
+all Wounds. Assuredly I am incredibly
+delighted in those things,
+which are beheld in this Speculum,
+whether Sympathetick, or
+Antipathetick, naturally implanted
+in Creatures. For the inexhausted
+Treasures of the Divine
+Light and Deity, no less abundantly,
+than liberally granted to us,
+may best of all be known from all
+the Creatures, which are produced
+either under the AEtherial Heaven,
+or in the belly of the Earth,
+or in the Womb of the Sea, to the
+end, that by their potentially insited
+virtues, they should restore
+health to the Mortal Body of
+Men.
+
+Helvetius the Physician
+
+O Sir! The presence of such a
+new Guest shall never be troublesome
+to me, but rather I receive
+you as one of my best Friends. For
+Philosophick Discourse, touching
+the Secrets cf Nature, is the only
+recreation of my Mind, also it is
+such convenient Salutiferous Nutriment,
+as no man can be worthy
+to taste of, before he shall be
+rightly disposed for that Banquet.
+Enter, I pray, Friend, into the House.
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed Sir! Here, as it seems to
+to me, you have a compleat Vulcanian
+Shop, and perhaps all
+these things Spagyrically and exactly
+drawn from, the Mineral
+Kingdom; but I pray, to what end so
+many Medicaments? I believe,
+that God in the things of Nature,
+naturally gives such Medicines,
+with a very few of which, we
+may much sooner, and more safely
+re-integrate the decayed, and languishing
+Health of Man, unless
+the Disease be Mortal, from a
+deficiency of Nature, or from the
+putrefaction of some noble internal
+part hurt, or by reason of a total
+absumption of the radical humidity
+in which desperate Cases,
+no Galenick Cure, or Paracelsick
+Tincture can yeild releif. But in
+ordinary Diseases it is not so; and
+yet here, very many Men, before
+the fatal term of Life be expired
+(abfit Nemesis dicto) are enforced
+to pass out of this fair Kingdom of
+pleasing Light, into the Shadowed
+Land of the Dead, whilst, either
+they neglect the health of their
+own Body, or commit the same to
+the Faith of Physicians, unskilful
+of the Remedy they have in their
+hand.
+
+Physician.
+
+As far as I can gather from your
+discourse, if my Judgement deceive
+me not, you are either a Physician,
+or a man expert in Chimistry.
+Certainly, according as you say,
+so I believe, that in the things of
+Nature are given other more excellent
+Medicaments, as also very
+many other Philosophers affirm,
+that there is a certain (although
+to few known) Universal Medicament,
+by the benefit which,
+we may prolong Life unto the appointed
+End, cure all Diseases
+otherwise uncurable, and many
+other such things. But, where is
+any among all the Wisest men of
+this world, that can shew us the
+way, how to find out so noble a
+Fountain, whence such a wonderful
+Medicamentous juice, nobilitating
+the Physician, is drawn?
+Perhaps no one man.
+
+Artist.
+
+Indeed, I am not a Physician,
+but only a Melter of Orichalcum,
+and almost from my Child-hood,
+have exercised my Ingeny in Pyrotechny,
+and so have sought out
+the internal Nature of Metals
+And although I now cease from
+my usual diligence in elaborating
+some accurate work, by the Art of
+Vulcan, yet my mind still takes delight
+in labours of that kind, and
+in the lovers of this most curious
+Spagyrick Art; and I do verily.
+believe and judge, that the most
+Wise God, will in this our age
+communicate gratis, or for nothing,
+the Metallick Mysteries of
+Nature to his Spagyrick Sons,
+Praying, and Physico-chimically
+Labouring.
+
+
+Physician.
+
+
+My Friend, I must needs grant
+this, that God, for nothing, communicates
+to his Sons, this laudable
+Good, as well as all other gifts;
+yet you shall very rarely hear, that
+he for nothing gives or vends this
+Medicamentous Wine or Nectar to
+his Sons. For we certainly know,
+how great a number of Chymists
+lived in former ages who,  (according
+to the Proverb ) strove to draw
+water in a Sieve, whilest
+they presumed to prepare this
+Universal Stone of Philosophers.
+Besides, out of the books of them,
+who triumph in the glory of
+Adept, no one man can learn the
+way of preparing, nor know their
+First Matter, so as any one, searching
+to the lowest roots of Mountains,
+can never ascend to those
+their Heights, where Ambrosia, and
+Nectar of Macrosophists, is
+drank.
+
+In the mean time, it is the part
+of a good Physician, since he
+wants such an Universal Elixir,
+(not without the daily study of
+conserving his Conscience pure
+and sound) to adhibit to the Diseases
+of the Sick, commended to
+his Cure, such Curations; or Remedies
+as for restoring Sanity as in
+which he (from the effect) certainly
+knows, that a virtue of healing
+is incited.
+
+Wherefore, in all desperate Diseases,
+I, with many other Practitioners,
+do alwayes use such most simple
+Medicaments, that thence
+the Diseased may soon be restored
+to their Pristine state of Health,
+or to a better than the Pristine.
+
+For indeed, various and diverse
+kinds of Salts, are generated in
+the Glandules and Lymphatick
+Vessels, after the putrefaction of
+this, or that nutriment taken,
+which afterward wax florid in various
+Humours, for diverse Diseases,
+either Internal, or External. Experience
+teacheth, that as many
+as are the Constitutions, or Complexions
+of humane bodies, to so
+many diversities of Diseases the
+same are obnoxious; although in
+one manner, and the same Disease,
+as our daily conversation evidenceth
+to us in those who drink
+Wine, whence divers Operations
+manifestly discover themselves.
+
+Because Peter drinks Wine, he
+labours with an angry, I will not
+say, furious mind.
+
+On the contrary, Paul drinking
+Wine, seems to imbibe his mind
+with an Agnine Timorousness.
+
+But Matthias sings, and Luke
+weeps.
+
+Also,
+
+Touching the Scorbutick Contagious
+Venome, viz. of Peter,
+his radical juice in the Lymphatick
+Vessels, and Glandules, is
+converted into an Acidity, stopping
+the passages, and all Organs of the
+whole body, whence, under the
+Skin, arise Spots on the Arms and
+Legs of a blewish colour, but in
+times of Pestilence, they swell like
+Pepper Corns.
+
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Pauls parts is changed
+into an Aperitive Bitterness;
+whence, under the Skin of the
+Arms and Legs, arise red Spots,
+pricking like the bitings of Fleas;
+but in a Pestilential time, they
+are Blanes.
+
+Also
+
+The juice of Matthias his
+parts, is converted into a sweetness
+easily putrifying; whence,
+under the Skin of Arms and leg,
+arise watery Tumours, almost
+such as are conspicuous in Dropsical
+Persons; but in time of the
+Pest, they are Pestilential Tumours.
+
+Also,
+
+The juice of the parts of Luke,
+is changed into a Saline, and drying
+sharpness; whence, under the
+Skin of the Arms and Legs, arise
+Precipitations of the ordinary Ferment
+of the Flesh, and Exficcations,
+as usually happens in this
+Atrophia, yea most frequently in
+the true Atrophia. But in the Pest,
+they become most ardent Buboes,
+with madness, even until death.
+
+Behold, my Friend, no Physician,
+by one only Universal Medicament,
+can heal the Evil of
+this Scorbutick, or Pestilential, or
+Febrile Venome, but indeed, by
+the Mediation of some particular
+Vegetable, or Mineral Remedy,
+given to us from God in Nature, he
+may exterminate the same. For,
+as I cannot heal, or help all Scorbutick
+Persons, with one only Scorbutick
+Herb, as Scurvy-grass, or
+Sorrel, or Fumitory, or Brooklime;
+so, much less of a certain
+remedy made of these diverse Species
+congested into one; because,
+between the Herbs Scurvy-grass and
+Sorrel, there is an Antipathy, as
+between Fire and Water; and so
+there is the same Antipathy
+between the Herbs Fumitory and
+Brook-lime.
+
+Therefore, the Correctory of
+Peters Scorbutick Saline acid
+tinging Venome, is made with the
+Volatile bitter Salt of Scurvy-grass.
+
+But the Correctory of Pauls
+Scorbutick Saline bitter tinging
+Venome, is made with the acid
+fixed Salt of the Herb Sorrel.
+
+The Correctory of Matthias his
+Scorbutick sweetish, and moistning
+tinging Venome is made by the help
+of the fixed bitter drying Sulphur
+of the Herb Fumitory.
+
+And the Correctory of Lukes
+Scorbutick tinging Saline and
+drying Venome, is made with the
+help of the sweet moistning Mercury
+of the Herb Brook-lime, or
+red Colewort, as from the External
+Signature of these Herbs, it is
+easie to judge of the Internal Specifick
+Remedy against there diverse
+Scorbutick Disease. Certainly,
+my Friend, if this be observed
+by a prudent Physician, he
+must needs doubt of the Universal
+Medicine,
+
+Artist.
+
+All you have discoursed of, I
+can easily grant; yet very few
+Physicians use this Method of
+healing. Yet, in the meanwhile,
+it is not impossible, that an Universal
+Medicine should be given in
+the highest Mineral Kingdome,
+by the benefit of which we may
+perform and administer all things,
+which are by you related to me,
+touching the lowest Kingdom of
+Vegitables; but the most wise God,
+for several weighty reasons, hath
+not on all Philosophers promiscuously
+conferred this most magnificent
+Charisma of Supereminent
+Science, but hath revealed it only;
+to a very few. According as all
+the Adept, with one mouth, confess,
+and say: The Science is true,
+And, the verity thereof not to be
+doubted.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, besides the above commemorated,
+there are also other Observations;
+strenuously refuting the
+Operation on an Universal Medicine,
+partly in respect of the Age
+and strength of Man, partly by
+reason of the Sex, and other Circumstances,
+whilst a difference is
+to be made between the tender,
+and the Robust, whether from
+Nature, or from Education; or
+between the Male and Female, or
+between a Young Man and a Virgin,
+or between the Beginning,
+Middle, or End of Diseases; or
+it is to be understood whether a
+Disease, be inveterate, or the Sick
+be lately invaded; or lastly, whether
+the Ferment be promoted in
+this Disease, or be precipited in
+in another. Effervescency is made
+either in the Stomach or in the Intestines.
+Assuredly there are many
+contradictions of the Wonderful
+effect, of the Universal Medicine.
+For the greatest part of rational
+Physicians want the Perspicil
+of Thomas Didymus in their
+Fingers.
+
+
+Artist
+
+Indeed, Sir; you have philosophised
+rightly, and well, yea, Arthodoxly,
+against the universal Medicament,
+according to that notorious,
+and far spred proverb. As
+many Heads, so many Senses. For
+as Sweet sounding Musick delights
+not the Ears of every Midas; nor
+doth the Same History related
+please all Historians; nor of Bread
+and Wine, of the same Taste, is
+there a like relish in all Palats. So
+also the judgements of Skilful Men
+do strangely differ, touching the
+wonderful Effect of this Universal
+Medicine, on Humane and
+Metallick Bodies. For this Universal
+Medicine, in its way of
+Operating, vastly differs, from a
+particular Medicine, which may
+in some sense be called Universal,
+as the Herb Scurvy-grass, curing
+every Scorbutick marked with blew
+Spots; or Sorrel, healing every Scurvy,
+noted with red Spots; or Brook-lime,
+healing an Atrophia of that
+Kind, or Fumitory remedying
+Tumors of that Kind: and that
+especially with such Physicians,
+with whom the Observation
+you before recited, is of any esteem.
+Moreover, there is an exceeding
+great difference between the Universal
+Medicine of Philosophers,
+refreshing the vital Spirits, and
+between a Particular Medicament
+of Proletary-Curation, with which is
+corrected the venom of Humors;
+viz. such as boyles up against Nature,
+in this Man, Acid; in that
+Man, the Bitter is predominant;
+in one, what is Saline, in another,
+what is sharp, grow potent. But,
+if these Corrupt humors be not
+without all delay presently expelled
+out of the Body, by the ordinary
+Emunctories of Nature either
+by the Belly, or by Urine of the
+Bladder, or by the Sweat through
+the Pores, or by the Spittle of the
+Mouth, or by the Nostrils,
+assuredly the corruption of one,
+becomes the Generation of another,
+viz. of a Disease. For, from
+every spark, if we do not timely
+extinguish it, an exceding great
+burning will arise. Also, if there be
+a defect, of the Vital Spirits, it is
+impossible to effect this. Therefore
+the only care of a Conscientious
+Physician should be, how to
+deduce the motion of the Vital
+Spirits to a digestible natural Heat,
+and that is best of all, and most securely
+performed by the Operation
+of our Universal Medicament, by
+which they are found to be notably
+recreated. For as soon as this
+more than perfect Medicine hath driven
+the Morbifick Evil from
+the Seat it occupies, then immediately
+it infuseth the lost Sanity,
+and that only from the Harmony,
+or Sympathy it self, which the
+Vital Spirits, and this Medicine,
+have mutually in themselves.
+Wherefore, it, by the Adept, is called
+the Mystery of Nature, and the
+Defensive of old Age, against all
+Diseases. Which, I fay, even in
+a most pestilent Season, most full
+of contagious Diseases every where
+raging, makes of man a Salamander,
+bearing such Epidemical
+Plagues of Heaven displeased,
+until the utmost term of his Life
+be expired.
+
+Physician
+
+
+As far as I, beloved Friend, can
+understand, this Medicine makes
+not for the Emendation of depraved
+Humours, but is chiefly conducent
+for the recreation of the Vital Spirits.
+Besides, among practical Chimists,
+this Secret is taught, viz.
+that by the Spayrick Art, it may be
+commonstrated, how the pure
+should be separated from the impure,
+and by the same, how the Immature
+are rendred mature, and
+how the Bitter are corrected into
+sourish, and the sourish into Sweet,
+and the Sharp into Gentle, and
+the Gentle into Sharp; and the
+Acid into Sweet, and the Sweet
+into Acid. Also this Laudable
+Medicine of Philosophers, according
+to my understanding, cannot
+prolong Life, beyond the term
+prefixed from above, but only
+preserve from the Effect of all
+Venimous, or otherwise mortiferous
+Diseases: and so it is certainly
+true, as is commonly believed,
+that the prolongation of Humane
+Life depends, on the Will of the
+Omnipotent God only. But, omitting
+these, I would here ask this
+one Question. Whether by the
+use of this Universal Medicine,
+the pristine Nature of Man may be
+converted into New, so as a Slothful
+Man may degenerate into a
+Diligent, or stirring Man, and a
+Man, who before was by Nature
+Melancholy and Sad, afterward
+became Jovial, Chearful, and full
+of Joy, or like alterations, reformations,
+permutations, or vicissitudes
+happen in the Nature of
+Man?
+
+Artist.
+
+Not at all Sir. For so great power
+was never conferred on any Medicament,
+that it could change the
+Nature of Man. Wine inebriating,
+taken by diverse individual Men,
+in him, who is drunk, changeth
+not his Nature but only provokes,
+and deduceth into act, what is naturally,
+and potentially in him,
+but before was as it were, dead.
+Even so is the Operation of the
+Universal Medicine, which by
+recreation of the Vital Spirits, excites
+Sanity, for a time only suppressed,
+because it was naturally
+in him before; even as the heat of
+the Sun changeth not Herbs, or
+Flowers, but only provokes the same,
+and from the proper potential nature
+of them, deduceth them into
+act only. For a Man of a Melancholy
+temper, is again raised up
+to exercise his own Melancholy
+matters; and the jovial Man, who
+was pleasant, is recreated in all
+his chearful actions, and so consequently,
+in all desperate Diseases
+it is a present, or most excellent
+Preservative. Hence a Man, presaging
+that some evil will befal
+him, will rather prevent than be
+prevented. But if any prolongation
+of Life, by some Philosophick
+Medicament, could have
+been induced, against the predestination
+of the Omnipotent God, undoubtedly
+neither Hermes Trismegistus,
+nor Paracelsus, nor Raymundlully,
+nor the Count Bernhard, and
+many more like illustrious Possessors
+of this great Mystery, would
+not have yeilded to the common
+death of all Mortals, but perhaps
+have protracted their Life
+until this very Day, Therefore, it
+would be the part of a fanatick, and
+foolish Man to affirm this, yea of
+a most foolish Man, to believe,
+and assent to the same, touching
+any one Medicament in the things
+of Nature.
+
+Physician.
+
+My Friend, whatsoever you have
+spoken no less regularly, than fundamentally,
+touching the Operation
+of the Universal Medicine, I
+indeed cherefully, and willingly
+grant, but as long as I am ignorant
+of preparing the same rightly, I
+do no other than attempt to carry
+my Boat from a very small Lake,
+into the Vast Ocean, because it
+will certainly be driven back to the
+Shore, without any Fruit. For although
+many of those illustrious
+Men have written somewhat
+touching that laudable preparation,
+yet they involved that in such a
+Wrapper of shadowed Caution, as
+the Footsteps of them latently demonstrated,
+can be known by few
+or none of the most diligent Readers,
+who should follow them so
+far, as until they come where they
+would be. Also, who is so wealthy,
+and well informed, as to be able,
+and to know where to buy all
+those Books, in which, here, and
+there an Hypothesis of this kind is
+handled: betides, you may consume
+the greatest part of your life, before
+you can gather thence any sufficient
+knowledge, or the direct
+manual Operation. Therefore it
+is best for us to abide patiently in
+our Laboratory, praying to the
+blessed God, according to that Saying:
+
+
+      Ora, ac Labora; & Deus dat omni hora.
+
+      Labour, and Pray; God gives alway.
+
+
+Artist
+
+You argue rightly enough Sir.
+For, from the writings of Philosophers,
+this Art of Arts is most rarely
+learned; but the Sense them
+is very well, and clearely understood
+by the Manuduction of some
+Adept Philosopher. But let us hence
+pass to the Transmutative Effect of
+this most noble Tincture, touching
+which, the possessors, or many of
+the Adept, have written many
+Books, and the most of their Genuine
+Disciples, labouring much
+in the Fire, did at length compleatly
+attain to the wished End of their
+Arcanum,
+
+Physician
+
+I perceive your Mastership takes
+pleasure in passing from the use of
+the Medicine, to the infinite Transmutation
+of Metals. Although I
+could easily believe the possibility
+of Art, viz. that a Chymical Experiment
+of that kind was in the
+Adept, as I have also made mention
+above, touching that Experiment
+of Dr. Kifflerus who, with
+the Tincture of one ounce of Gold
+transmuted 1 ounce & half of Silver
+into the best Gold, not to mention
+the Experiment of Helmont; nor of
+Scotus, which he made in the most
+famous Cities of Colonia, and Hanovia;
+nor much to insist on that
+illustrious, and well known Example,
+manifested at Prague, before
+Caesar Ferdinando the third, himself;
+where with one only grain of
+the Tincture, three pounds Mercury
+were transmuted into most noble
+Gold; insomuch that I am
+brought no less into a neccessity, than
+into a Will of believing, that the
+Art may be true; yet I cannot to
+this hour sufficiently receive it
+without some doubt, because with
+these my Eyes, I never in all my
+Life saw the Man, who was the
+true possessor thereof.
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Sir, you say true? yet Art will be
+Art, whether you can believe it or
+no. Even as is seen in the Magnet.
+How it by its own insited Sulphureous
+Virtue, of Iron, by Contact
+presently makes a Magnet. Although
+you will not believe, that
+such wonderful Operations are latent
+in it, yet they are, and will remain
+true. So also you should
+Judge of the Stone of Philosophers,
+in which is all that the Wise seek.
+And because the clouded Writings
+of them, can be understood, and
+explained but by very few, it is to
+be desired earnestly by all, and
+with the hands it must be endavoured,
+that some one General Epitomen
+of the whole Art, may so be
+made, as in a very short space of
+time, and without much labour, all
+things necessary may be gathered,
+by the help of which, a most easy
+Transition to real Authors, might
+be effected. Now since you have
+presented some few Examples, by
+which you endeavour to assert the
+confirmed possibility of the Matter;
+I my self will here shew to you
+the True Matter of Secret Philosophers.
+Behold it! Look well,
+upon it.
+
+Physician.
+
+So my Master, Is this Sulphureous,
+and Yellow Glassy Substance
+the very Philosophick Matter?
+And are you your self the
+Possessor of this Science? I am
+ready to believe you do but jest
+with me. I pray Sir, tell me the
+Truth, whether it be really so,
+or not?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+Yes, Matter Doctor, You now
+have within your hand, the most
+pretious Treasure in the World.
+For this is the true Stone of Philosophers,
+than which, no Man
+ever had a better, nor shall have
+any other. And I my self did elaborate
+the Composition, from beginning
+to end. If you have another
+convenient Chamber, I will
+Shew you Metal transmuted into
+Gold, by such a Stone as this
+(When I had brought him into
+another Chamber.) Behold (said
+he) these five Pendants, were,
+by the benefit of this Philosophick
+Tincture, prepared of Saturn, or
+Lead; which I wear for a perpetual
+Remembrance of my Master.
+But I suppose, you, having perused
+many Writings of the Adept,
+seeing the Substance, and Nature
+of this Stone, will very sufficiently
+know the true Matter, or rightly
+understand the same.
+
+Physician.
+
+I understand by your self, that
+you had a Master, from whom you
+rather learned your Art, than acquired
+the same, by your proper
+Labour and Invention. And although
+I now have seen that Substance,
+which you affirm to be the
+true Tincture of Philosophers, as
+also those five Pendants, nevertheless
+I am still left ignorant, and in
+doubt, whether it be true or no.
+Therefore, I earnestly again and
+again request of you, to confer on
+me only so small a part of that
+matter, as will suffice to transmute
+only four grains of Lead into Gold,
+that you may this way remove
+from me all Scruple or Doubt,
+and render me so much the more
+certain of the verity of the Matter.
+Give me but the magnitude of one
+grain only, or of a Coriander-seed,
+that thence a Specimen, or
+Probation, may be exhibited, either
+in some desperate Disease, or in
+a Metallick Transmutation.
+
+Artist.
+
+I do confess, that a certain Man
+of good Condition, to me wholly
+unknown, by demonstrating taught
+me; First, the possibility of transmutation;
+secondly the way of
+preparing also. And this is that
+Infallible Art, touching which
+you have no reason to doubt. But
+whereas, you request that I should
+give you one small part of my Treasure;
+that is no wise lawful for me
+to do, although, you would give
+as a Recompense, so many Ducats,
+as this whole Room, from
+the bottom to the top, would contein;
+and that not by reason of
+the estimation of the Matter, because
+it is of small Price, but for
+another weighty Reason, in respect
+of which, if it were possible,
+that Fire could be consumed by
+Fire, I would at this time, rather
+cast this whole Mass into the devouring
+Flames, before your Eyes.
+Wherefore, in the meanwhile, I admonish
+you, not to be so eager in
+coveting this so great Science. For
+you have this day seen more in my
+possession, than many Kings, and
+Princes could ever behold,
+although they eagerly desired to see
+the same. Besides, I think of comming
+to you again, after 3 Weeks,
+then I will shew to you certain excellent
+Arts, and Manuductions in
+the Chymical Science. Also, if
+it shall then be lawful for me, to
+shew you the way of Transmutation,
+I will truely satisfie your Curiosity
+therein. In the mean while,
+I bid you farewel, withal, admonishing,
+that you take heed to your
+self, and meddle not with such a
+great, and profound Labour, least:
+you miserably loose both your
+Fame, and substance in the Ashes
+like some other covetous inquisitors,
+of the same most noble Art.
+
+Physician.
+
+Now, what shall I do, my Master?
+If it happen, that, by reason
+of your Philosophick Oath, confirmed
+by that small draught of
+Silver, dissolved in Rain-water,
+it shall not be lawful for you to
+give me that requested exceeding
+small part of the Tincture so wonderful.
+You cannot be ignorant,
+that I (according to your suspicion)
+am in mind anxious, and
+earnestlie desirous of tasting of this
+so noble Science. Yea, I do verilie
+think, if Adam himself, the first
+Patriark of the World (who was
+once driven out of Paradice, for
+eating the Apple of either Wisedom)
+were yet living in this our
+Age, he would not forbear again
+the Taste of this Golden Apple, from
+the Garden of Atlantis.
+
+Your Mastership said: Manie
+Princes could not see this which I
+have seen. I, indeed have seen the
+Matter, of which you give so rare a
+Testimony; but in the mean while I
+have not beheld the transmutative
+Effect; only I give credit to your
+Words. And, since you have told
+me, that you will go hence, and
+after three Weeks return to me again,
+to teach me some excellent
+Chymical Arts, as also the way
+of projection, if it shall then be
+lawful for you. In the fruition of
+this good hope, I at this time rest
+satisfied; in the mean time, giving
+you hearty thanks, for your exceeding
+great Friendship shewed to me
+alreadie, and, for your singular
+Care, and faithful admonition,
+that I should not in Chymical Labours,
+consume both my Goods
+and Reputation. I assuredly have
+never yet made tryal of so great,
+and high things, nor ever will I
+attempt the me, unless your self
+will first gratis, and from the
+pure benevolence of Friendship,
+demonstrate to me, the way and
+manner of preparing. Yet I shall
+admire the Verity of Art, and
+please my self with the Remembrance
+of the Friendship you have
+shewed me; because you, who
+have revealed this to me, are an
+Adept Philosopher.
+
+But if any King, or Prince, or
+any Great Man, or Men, should
+know, that you are the Possessor
+of this Art, and therefore (which
+God forbid) should lay hold of
+you, and attempt by Tortures to
+bring you to a discovery, would
+you reveal this Art to them?
+
+
+Artist.
+
+I have not shewed the Stone of
+Philosophers to any man, except
+to one aged man, and to your
+self; to both of you, I have revealed
+that I am the Possessor;
+but, henceforth, no man must
+ever see or hear such a thing.
+And although any King, or Prince,
+should (which God I hope will
+not permit) cast, me into Prison,
+I would not, after the manner of
+Circumforanean Physicians [or
+Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors
+or of poor Alchimists,
+directly, or indirectly, discover
+the Art to them, but would rather
+suffer my self to be most cruelly
+wracked, tortured, or tormented
+with burning Fire, untill
+my life expire.
+
+
+Physician
+
+Good Friend, are there not
+Authors, which, touching the
+verity of this Art, write more
+plainly, then all the number of
+them, which, concerning it, utter
+words so obscure, as perhaps
+they themselves did not understand,
+unless they adhibited the.
+Commentaries, and Annotations
+of evident Paraphrasists. I suppose you
+have in times past read
+them, and therefore are best
+able to inform me, who were
+Adept.
+
+Artist.
+
+Master Doctor, I indeed read
+not, nor have I read many Books,
+yet among those I have read, I
+find no Authors more curious,
+than Sandivogius, especially in
+that Book, which is Entituled
+Cosmopolita, in Dutch, Borger Der
+Werelt.  Also Brother Basilius in
+in his twelve Keys. As to Sandivogius,
+this Author you may peruse,
+untill I return, as I said: for
+in his obscure words the truth is
+latent, even as our Tincture of
+Philosophers is both included, and
+retruded, in External Minerals,
+and Metallick Bodies.
+
+Physician
+
+Sir, I give you thanks, for this
+so great friendship. I shall do according
+to your advice, and as to
+what you say, touching the Objects
+of the Tincture, I easily assent
+to, and grant; for I believe
+that the wonderful, and efficacious
+Essences of Metals, are hid
+under the external Rinds and
+Shells of Bodies, although I find
+very few so well exercised, and
+experienced in the Fire, who
+know how to uncase the Kernel,
+according to the Rule of Art.
+Every External, and Robust Substance,
+of any Animal, Vegetable,
+or Mineral, is the Body,
+like unto that Terrestrial Province,
+into which (as Isaac Holland
+hath prescribed) excellent
+Essences spiritually enter. Wherefore,
+it is needful, that the Sons
+of Art should know, how by
+some Saline suitable Ferment,
+grateful to the Metallick Nature,
+they may subdue, dissolve, separate
+and concentrate, not only
+the Magnetick Metallick virtue
+of Tinging, but also, how they
+may multiply the same in its own
+Philosophick Homogeneal Golden,
+or Silvery-manner. For we
+see, that the bodies of all Creatures,
+are not only easily destroyed,
+but thenceforth also the Internals
+cease to live, and hasten to
+the dark Shadowings, in which
+they were, before they, by the
+Creation of God the Creator, were
+brought to Light. But what Man
+will discover to us this Art in the
+Metallick Kingdom?
+
+Artist
+
+You say well, and have rightly
+judged of the Natural Destruction
+of things, and if it shall be pleasing
+to the most merciful God, to
+deal graciously with you as He
+hath done with me; He, according
+to your good hope, will direct
+some one of the Adept to demonstrate,
+to you the way of destroying
+Metals, and of collecting the
+Internal Souls of them. But, in
+the mean while, do you invoke
+the most Wise God, to whose
+Vigilant Eyes I commend you,
+which are always open upon
+his Sons, regenerated to him
+by Christ. Again Farewel, and
+rest assured, I will be your Friend.
+I must at this time go hence,
+but I hope to see you again in
+good health, ere it be long.
+
+Thus my new Friend took
+his Leave, and went away; it leaving
+me, his Friend, most sad
+for the space of three Weeks,
+which being expired, according
+to his Word, he returned, and
+gave me the Tincture, as you may
+learn by the above-recited History.
+After this, that Philosophick
+Man of God went from me, and
+I never more saw him, from
+that time, unto to this very day,
+nor could I hear of him by any
+of the Carriers, or Posts, or by
+any of my Intimate Acquaintance.
+
+Nevertheless, he left with me
+(as a Spurre) the acute Memory
+of, him, reposted in my
+minde, as also the Opinion of
+Paracelsus affirming, that by Metals,
+of Metals, and with Metals,
+cleansed, Spiritual, and first depurated
+from their feculency, are
+made Metals, and the Living
+Gold and Silver of Philosophers,
+as well for Humane, as for Metallick
+Bodies. Wherefore if
+that Guest, my Friend of but
+little acquaintance, had exactly
+shewed to me, the way of preparing
+preparing this Celestial Spiritual Salt,
+by which, and with which,
+from Corporeal, and Earthly Substances,
+I might, as it were, in the
+Matrix of them, collect the Spiritual
+Rayes of Sol or Luna:
+assuredly, He from his own Light,
+would have enkindled in me so
+great a Light, as I should have
+seen, and understood how I ought
+in other Corporeal Metals, by
+Sympathy to transmute the Eternal
+Soul of them so, as by the
+help thereof they had clarified,
+or transformed their own like body,
+either into Gold, or into
+Silver, according to the disposition
+of the Red seed, into a Red
+Body, or according to the Nature
+of the White Seed, into a White
+Body. For Elias the Artist affirmed
+to me, that the Chalybs
+Of Sandivogius is that true Mercurial
+Metallick Humidity, by
+the help of which, without any
+Corrosive, the Artist might, in an
+open Fire, and Crucible, separate
+the fixed Rayes of Sol
+or Luna from their own Body, and
+thenceforth make them Volatile
+and Mercurial, for the Dry Philosophick
+Tincture, as he demonstrated
+to me; and communicated
+somewhat relating to the
+transmutation of Metals. Indeed all
+men well skilled in the Chymical
+Science, have a necessity of assenting
+to me in this, viz. that Pyrotechny
+is the Mother, and Nurse
+of various noble Sciences and Arts.
+For they can easily judge from
+the Colours of the Chaos of Metals
+in the Fire, what Metallic
+body is therein. Even so dayly
+in the bowels of the Earth are
+procreated Metals, and Perspicuous
+Stones, from a proper noble
+vaporous Seed, from a Spiritual
+tinging Sulphureous Seed,
+in their diverse Saline Matrixes.
+For the common Sulphur, whether
+of an impure, or pure Metal
+whilst conjoyned with its own
+body, mixt with Salt Peter only in
+the burning heat of Fire is easily
+changed into a most hard
+and most fixed Earth, but this
+Earth is thenceforth by the Aire
+easily changed into a most limpid
+Water: and this Water afterward,
+by a more strong Fire,
+according to the Nature of the
+Metallick pure or impure Sulphur
+mixt is converted into Glass,
+admirably Well tinged with various
+Colours. Almost in the very
+same manner, from the White of
+an Egge is generated a Chick by
+natural heat. So also from the
+Seminal bond of Life of any one
+Metal, is made a new, and more
+noble Metal, by an heat of Fire
+convenient to the Saline Nature;
+although very few Chimists rightly
+and perfectly know, how the
+Internal, and alwayes moving
+Magnetick virtues, are distinguished
+according to the Harmony,
+or Disconsonancy of them.
+Whence we see, this Metal hath
+a Sympathy or Antipathy with
+another, so very singular, as is
+found in the Magnet with Iron, in
+Mercury with Gold, in Silver with
+Copper, a very remarkable Sympathy,
+but on the contrary, there
+is a notable Antipathy in Lead
+against Tin, in Iron against Gold,
+in Antimony against Silver, in
+Lead against Mercury. Infinite
+other like Sympathetic, and Antipathetick
+Annotations occurr in
+the Animal & Vegetable Kingdom;
+as you may read and find in various
+Authors, who have written of
+such Curiosities, from the accurate,
+and absolute Knowledge of
+which, the true Philosophers,
+and Masters of Nature had their
+beginning, and Esteem.
+
+Thus have I described, what I
+my self have seen and done; and
+have caused the same to be printed
+for you, Candid Readers, out of
+mere Liberality, gratis communicating
+it, according to that of Seneca:
+I desire in this to know
+somewhat, that I may teach others.
+Si cum hac Exceptione detur Sapientia,
+ut illlam inclusam tencam, abjiciam,
+&c. But if any man doubt
+of the real truth of this matter, let
+him only with a lively faith believe
+in his Crucified Jesus, that
+in Him, he (by the strict way of
+Regeneration) may become a
+New Creature; in the same let
+him fix the whole Anchor, of his
+Faith, and likewise shew his [Greek: philanthropia],
+or Love of Mankind, unto
+all his Neighbours, and especially
+exercise the works of Mercy, and
+Brotherly Love towards the needy
+Members of the Christian Religion,
+that at length, when the whole
+Course of his Life is justly, and
+holily finished, in that Fatal and
+Mortal hour, he may hence,
+through the Watery Ocean of this
+Tempestuous and Rocky World,
+arrive in safety at the most blessed
+Port of Eternal Rest, and sing the
+New Song with the Triumphing
+Philosophers of the Heavenly
+Jerusalem, of which he hopes to
+take, who is,
+
+Your most faithful and
+assured Friend
+
+John Frederick Helvetius,
+
+Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the Hague.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Transcriber's note: Repeated word "perused" deleted.
+
+
+
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