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diff --git a/old/14641.txt b/old/14641.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..608ec66 --- /dev/null +++ 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. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN CALF, WHICH THE WORLD +ADORES, AND DESIRES*** + + +******* This file should be named 14641.txt or 14641.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/6/4/14641 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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