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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Of Natural and Supernatural Things, by
+Basilius Valentinus
+
+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: Of Natural and Supernatural Things
+       Also of the first Tincture, Root, and Spirit of Metals and
+       Minerals, how the same are Conceived, Generated, Brought
+       forth, Changed, and Augmented.
+
+Author: Basilius Valentinus
+
+Translator: Daniel Cable
+
+Release Date: August 17, 2008 [EBook #26340]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL THINGS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Josephine Paolucci and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_BASILIUS VALENTINUS_,
+
+A
+
+BENEDICTINE MONK,
+
+OF
+
+_NATURAL & SUPERNATURAL_
+
+THINGS.
+
+ALSO,
+
+Of the first _Tincture_, _Root_, and _Spirit_ of METALS and MINERALS,
+how the same are _Conceived_, _Generated_, _Brought forth_, _Changed,_
+and _Augmented_.
+
+Whereunto is added, Frier _Roger Bacon_, of the _Medicine_ or _Tincture_
+of _Antimony_; Mr. _John Isaac Holland_, his Work of _Saturn_, and ALEX.
+VAN SUCHTEN, of the _Secrets_ of _Antimony_.
+
+
+Translated out of _High Dutch_ by DANIEL CABLE.
+
+
+_LONDON_,
+
+Printed, and are to be Sold by _Moses Pitt_ at the _White Hart_ in
+_Little Britain_, 1671.
+
+
+
+
+_BASILIUS VALENTINUS_,
+
+A
+
+BENEDICTINE MONK,
+
+OF
+
+_NATURAL & SUPERNATURAL_
+
+THINGS.
+
+ALSO,
+
+Of the first _Tincture_, _Root_, and _Spirit_ of METALS and MINERALS,
+how the same are _Conceived_, _Generated_, _Brought forth_, _Changed_,
+and _Augmented_.
+
+
+Translated out of _High Dutch_ by DANIEL CABLE.
+
+
+Whereunto is added
+
+ALEX. Van SUCHTEN
+
+OF THE
+
+SECRETS of _ANTIMONY_.
+
+
+Translated out of _High Dutch_ by _D. C._ a Person of great Skill in
+_Chymistry_.
+
+
+_LONDON_,
+
+Printed, and are to be sold by _Moses Pitt_ at the _White Hart_ in
+_Little Britain_, 1670.
+
+
+
+
+_Basilius Valentinus_,
+
+OF
+
+_Natural and Supernatural Things_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+Because I have at this present undertaken to write of the of the first
+Tincture, the Root of Metals and Minerals, and to inform you of the
+Spiritual Essence, how the Metals and Minerals are at first spiritually
+conceived and born corporally; it will be necessary first of all to
+utter, and to acquaint you by a speech, that all things consist of two
+parts, that is, Natural and Supernatural; what is visible, tangible, and
+hath form or shape, that is natural; but what is intactible, without
+form, and spiritual, that is supernatural, and must be apprehended and
+conceived by Faith; such is the Creation, and especially the Eternity of
+God without end, immensible and incomprehensible; for Nature cannot
+conceive nor apprehend it by its humane reason: This is supernatural,
+what Reason cannot apprehend, but must be conceived by Faith, this is a
+Divine matter, and belongs to Theology, which judgeth Souls. Moreover,
+there appertains to supernatural things, the Angels of the Lord, having
+clarified Bodies, doing that by the permission of their Creator, which
+is impossible for any other Creature to do, their Works being concealed
+from the Eyes of the World, and so likewise are the Works of the
+Infernal Spirits and Devils unknown, which they do by the permission of
+the most High God. But above all the great Works of God are found and
+acknowledged to be supernatural, not to be scann'd and comprehended by
+Humane Imaginations; such is in especial the great Grace and Mercy of
+God which he bestows upon Mankind out of his great Love, which indeed no
+man can apprehend or know, and other great and wonderful works which he
+hath manifested divers manner of wayes by Christ our Saviour and
+Redeemer, for the confirmation of his Omnipotence and Glory: As when he
+raised _Lazarus_ from the dead, _Jairus_ his Daughter, the Ruler of the
+Synagogue, and the Widows Son of _Naim_. He made the Dumb to speak, the
+Deaf to hear, and the Blind to see, all which are supernatural, and
+_Magnalia Dei_; so also was his Conception, Resurrection, Descension,
+and Ascension into Heaven, too deep and mysterious for Nature; all which
+is only to be obtained by Faith.
+
+There belongs likewise to supernatural things, the taking of _Enoch_ and
+_Elias_ into Heaven, the divine rapture of St. _Paul_ in the Spirit into
+the third Heaven. Moreover, many supernatural things are done by
+Imagination, Dreams, and Visions; many wonders are done by the
+Imagination, witness the speckled Sheep by the speckled Rods laid in
+their watring places. God warned the wise men of the East by an especial
+Dream not to return again to _Herod_; likewise their three Persons,
+their three Gifts, Presents, or Offerings, and the supernatural Star,
+have all their peculiar and mystical meaning.
+
+Nor was that Dream which hapned to _Pilates_ Wife natural, who unjustly
+adjudged our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to death. The Vision of the
+Angels which appeared to the Shepherds at the Birth of Christ, and to
+the Women at his Sepulchre, who sought his Body where they had laid it,
+cannot be accounted Natural.
+
+There are many other supernatural things done at several times by the
+Prophets & Saints; so was the voice of the Ass speaking to _Balaam_,
+contrary to the common course of Nature; as also _Joseph_'s
+Interpretation of Dreams. And so God by his Angels preserves us
+oftentimes from infinite Evils, and delivers us out of manifold Dangers,
+impossible for Nature to do.
+
+All this & many others belong to Theology, and to Heaven, whereunto the
+Soul is to have regard. Now follows the supernatural things of the
+visible Works of God, as we see them in the Firmament; to wit, the
+Planets, Stars, and Elements, which are above our Reason, only their
+Course and Motion is observed by speculation and reckoning, which
+belongs to Astronomy; it is a visible but incomprehensible Being,
+performing its operation in a Magnetick way, out of which likewise
+divers admirable things are found and observed, which are altogether
+supernatural; understand it thus, that the Heaven operates in the Earth,
+and the Earth affords a correspondence with the Heavenly. For the Earth
+hath also its seven Planets, which are operated and bred by the seven
+Celestial, only by a spiritual Impression or Infusion, even as the Stars
+operate all Minerals. This is done incomprehensibly and spiritually, and
+therefore it is to be accounted supernatural, even as two Lovers, their
+persons are visible, but their Love one to the other is invisible:
+Humane Bodies are tangible and natural, but Love is invisible,
+spiritual, intangible and supernatural, comparable to a Magnetick
+Attraction only; for the invisible Love which is attracted unto it
+spiritually by the Imagination is, accomplish'd by the desires and
+fruition. In like manner when the Heaven hath a love to the Earth, and
+the Earth hath a Love, Inclination, and Affection towards Man, as the
+great World to the lesser, for the lesser World is taken out of the
+greater, and when the Earth by the desires of its invisible Imagination
+doth attract unto itself such a Love of the Heaven, there is thereby an
+Union of the Superiour and Inferiour, as Man and Wife are accounted one
+Body together, and after this Union the Earth is impregnated by the
+Infusion of the Heaven, and begins to conceive and bring forth a Birth
+sutable to the Infusion, and this Birth after its Conception is digested
+by the Elements, and brought to a perfect Ripeness and this is reckoned
+among the supernatural things; how the supernatural Essence performs its
+operation in the natural.
+
+Among the supernatural things are likewise reckoned all Magical and
+Cabalistical Matters which depend thereon, arising out of the Light of
+true knowledge, not those which proceed from Superstition, Conjuration,
+or unlawful Exorcisme, such as the Sorcerers use; but I mean in this
+place such a Magick as the Wise men had that came out of the _East_, who
+by Revelation from God, and by true allowable Art judged rightly; or
+such an one, as those of old had before us, usual among the _Egyptians_
+and _Arabians_, before Writing was found, they noted, observed, and
+reserved by Signs, Characters and Hieroglyphicks. Such Blessings may be
+used, which Christ the Son of God used, as the Scripture saith; He took
+little Children, laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. But
+whatsoever is contrary to God and his Word, ought justly to be rejected,
+and not to be tollerated, because they are not Godly, but Diabolical.
+But those Supernatural things which oppose not God and his Holy Word,
+belong unto Magick, and do the Soul no prejudice.
+
+As concerning Visions which Holy Men of God have often seen, it is
+reason they should be reckoned among those things which are not Natural;
+for whatsoever man speculates and comprehends by the Mind, is
+Supernatural; on the contrary, whatsoever he can take, see, and hold is
+Natural.
+
+Let us consider the third part of Natural & Supernatural things in
+Physick, the Virtues and Powers of each; this Medicine of every thing
+must first be driven out of a visible, tangible, natural Body, and be
+brought into a spiritual, meliorated, supernatural operation, that the
+Spirit which at the first was infused and given to the Body to live,
+might be released, that it should operate and penetrate as a Spiritual
+Essence, and Fire, having its Vent-holes left that it might burn and
+have no opposition, which might suffocate, suppress, or hinder the
+burning Life; whereas otherwise, if the separation of the Soul and
+Spirit from the Body should not first be done, there could not succeed
+any operation either effectual, profitable, or necessary; for whatsoever
+is visible, to be felt, and inseparably in a Body, that is Natural and
+Corporal; but so soon as there is a separation, the living departs from
+the dead, gaining its perfect operation, and the natural Body being
+separated, the spiritual Essence is free to penetrate, becoming a
+spiritual and supernatural Medicine. In brief, all things (none
+excepted) which we can touch and handle, are natural, but they must be
+made supernatural, if you would prepare them for Physick; for the
+supernatural only hath a living power in it to operate, the natural hath
+only a dead tangible Form. For when _Adam_ was made, he was dead, having
+no life of any virtue, but so soon as the operative quickning Spirit
+came to him, then he manifested his living virtue and power by
+supernatural admiration, so that in every thing there is the natural
+and supernatural united in one, and bound together in their habitation,
+that every thing might be perfect; for all created things in the world
+are some supernatural, only what concerns the Soul and spiritual
+matters, and some are natural and supernatural, with what concerns the
+Elements and Firmament, as likewise the Minerals, Vegetables, and
+Animals, which is known and found, when they are separated one from the
+other, that the Soul departs out of the Body, and the Spirit forsakes
+its Soul, leaving the Body an empty habitation.
+
+Moreover, you must understand and consider, that the great and little
+World are made and formed of one first Matter, by an unsearchable
+Almighty Essence, at that time in the beginning, when the Spirit of God
+moved upon the Water, who was from Eternity without beginning. The great
+World, as Heaven and Earth, was first, then was Man, the Little World,
+taken out of the greater; the Water was separated from the Earth, the
+Water was the Matter whereon the everlasting Spirit of God moved; the
+Little World was formed of the noblest Earth, as its Quintessence, by
+the Aquosity which yet was in the Earth, and all was only Natural; but
+after the breathing in of the Divine heating Breath, immediately the
+Supernatural was added; so then the Natural and Supernatural were knit
+and united. The great World is perishable, yet there will be a New Earth
+or World; the Little World is Eternal, the Great, Created, Dissoluble
+world will again be brought to nothing, but the little world will be
+clarified by the Spirit of God, because he possesses it, making a
+Celestial clarified water out of the aforesaid Earthly water; then it
+will follow, that the first matter will be turned into the last, and the
+last matter will become the first. Now the reason why the great world is
+perishable, is this, that the Spirit of God hath not his dwelling or
+habitation in the great world, but in the little world; for Man is the
+Temple of the Holy Ghost, if he do not wilfully defile himself, adhering
+to the Hellish Fire, which makes a breach and difference. For he
+remaines in the little world, which he formed after his own similitude,
+and made him a consecrated Temple; otherwise there is every thing in
+the little world which is to be found in the great, as Heaven and Earth
+with the Elements, and what depends thereon, or appertains thereunto.
+
+We find also that in the first Creation, which was performed of nothing,
+three things arose; to wit, a Soulish, Spiritual, Invisible Essence,
+which represented a Mercurial Water, a Sulphurous Vapour, and a Terrene
+Salt; these three gave a compleat and perfect, a tangible and formal
+Body to all things wherein especially all the four Elements are
+contained, as I have already mentioned in my Writing where I treat of
+the Microcosme.
+
+But that I may yet give a little more information of Natural and
+Supernatural things, as well spiritual as corporal: We find that the
+_Canaanitish_ Woman was cured of her Flux of Blood which held her
+twelve years, only by a bare touch, when she touched the Garment of the
+Son of God, her Disease being natural, but the Medicine or Cure was
+Supernatural, because by her Faith she gained help from the Lord Christ.
+
+Likewise we have an excellent, high and supernatural Miracle in the
+three Children, _Shadrach_, _Meshach_, and _Abednego_, who were cast
+into the fiery Furnace, by the Command of King _Nebuchadnezzar_, yet by
+God wonderfully delivered, and not consumed, _Dan. 3_.
+
+So also the Confusion of Tongues, and Infusion of divers Speeches at the
+foolish structure of the Tower of _Babel_, which should have reached up
+to Heaven, is esteemed for a Supernatural Miracle. And so was that a
+Supernatural Sign, when the Children of _Israel_ did lap water as Dogs
+do, when a small Number at Gods Command, fought against the
+_Midianites_, Judg. 7. 6. So the sending of the Dove by _Noah_ out of
+the Ark, when she brought an Olive Branch in her Bill, a Sign of Mercy,
+and a Divine Supernatural Message.
+
+When the Holy man of God _Moses_ struck the Rock with his Rod, that the
+hard Rock yielded Water, is beyond humane Reason; so was the turning of
+the salt water into sweet and drinkable, supernatural. As also the dry
+passage of the Children of _Israel_ through the Red Sea; and the Budding
+of _Aarons_ Rod, are all supernatural. In brief, the Resurrection of
+Christ the Eternal Son of God out of the grave, for all the Tomb-stone,
+his appearing to the two men going to _Emas_, his revealing himself to
+his Disciples when the Door was lock'd, are all Divine and Supernatural.
+Divers Examples more might be recited out of Divine Writ, which for
+Brevities sake I omit.
+
+Among Supernatural things are accounted all Mineral Signs, as the
+Appearance of Spirits, Representations, Pigmies appearing diversly and
+numerously, giving notice of good or bad Luck, Ruine or Riches; so also
+those Figures, Shapes, or other works found in the Ores of Metals, as of
+Men, Fishes, and other Creatures, so formed and represented by the
+imagination of the three first Principles, then ripened and fully
+digested by the Earth, and other Elements. Hereunto appertain the
+Monsters of the Earth, and such things as are found within the Earth at
+certain times of a wonderful form and shape, but not at all to be found
+when that time is past, yet appear again and are to be found at some
+other time.
+
+Hereunto also belong all Visions and Appearances performed by Water,
+Glasses, Cristal, or other means, as also those done by Sigils and
+Characters, which yet are so various, some being only Natural, yet
+affording Supernatural appearances or sights; but the others which are
+performed by Conjurations, are neither Natural nor Supernatural, but
+Diabolical, belonging unto Sorcery, and are prohibited all good
+Christians; so likewise all those Means which oppose Holy Writ, Gods
+Word and Commandments, are to be rejected and refuted by true Natural
+Cabalists; I say this, because a certain distinction and sure order
+ought to be found of the Natural, Supernatural, Unnatural things.
+
+In like manner there appertains unto Supernatural things, all the
+Water-Spirits, as the _Syrens_, _Succubi_, & other Water-Nymphs, with
+their Relations, as likewise the Terrestrial Spirits, and those which
+inhabit the Air, who sometimes are heard, seen, or perceived, sometimes
+foretelling Death or other Disasters, sometimes they discover by their
+Apparition Riches and good Fortune in certain places, and the Fiery
+Spirits appertain here also, which appear in a fiery shape, or like a
+burning Light; all these are Spirits having untangible Bodies, yet are
+they not such Spirits as the right Hellish Spirits, who hunt after mens
+Souls as an Eternal Jewel, even as the Infernal _Lucifer_, the Devil and
+his Dependents do, who were ejected with him; but these are such Spirits
+which are above Nature, set before Men for admiration, and are only
+maintained by the Elements, whereby they are nourished and fed; but when
+this Earthly world shall cease, they also shall decay and vanish with
+it, because they have no Souls to be saved. I will say no more hereof at
+present, but refer the opening of such Circumstances more at large to
+another opportunity, where I shall particularly treat of Visions and
+Spiritual Appearances, which are esteemed Unnatural by most part of the
+World, yet truly are Natural, but they are found to be Supernatural in
+their Operations and wonderful Qualities.
+
+That I may further confirm my Assertion, I say likewise, that there are
+many things to be found in Physick, which yield and manifest their
+workings supernaturally in a Magnetical way, operating only by an
+attractive spiritual power which is attracted to it by the Air; for the
+Air is the _Medium_ between the Physick and the Hurt or Distemper, even
+as the _Magnet_ ever doth direct and turn it self towards its Polestar,
+though the star be many thousand Miles distant from it, yet the
+spiritual operation and sympathy between them is so prevalent, that it
+is attracted together at so vast a distance by the _Medium_ or middle
+Band of the Air; but because this attractive power is only known unto
+people in general, or as a thing common, it is therefore become
+customary, and is so esteemed, there being no notice taken of any
+further Secret whence this operative Faculty hath its Source or
+Original: In like manner Hurts and Distempers may be healed and cured,
+though the Patient and Physitian be very far distant one from the other;
+not by Charmes, Exorcismes, or other unlawful prohibited means, which
+are opposite to God and Nature, but by such means wherein the attractive
+Magnetick Virtue lies to accomplish it. As when a wounded person goes a
+Journey, leaving the Weapon wherewith he was wounded, or else of his
+Bloud which issued out of the wound with his Physician, wherewith he
+proceeds rightly and by orderly means, as is usual in dressing a wound,
+without all doubt he shall be absolutely cured, this is no Witchcraft,
+but the cure is performed only by the attractive power of the Medicine,
+which is carried to the Sore by the means of the Air, wherewith it is
+mundified, that it may perform the Spiritual Operation.
+
+Some will think these hard sayings, and impossible in Nature, and many
+will say it is contrary to Nature, whereby many will be excited to
+dispute it, and raise Arguments one opposite to the other, whether it be
+Natural or no, whether it be possible or no, or whether it be Sorcery: I
+will thus resolve them, that this Cure is natural, but as it operates it
+is supernatural & spiritual, because it is performed meerly by an
+attractive incomprehensible means, and that this manner of Cure is no
+Sorcery: I affirm it hereby, that it is not mixt or accompanied with any
+Sorcery, nor with any other unnatural Means, contrary to God the
+Creator, or his holy and saving Word. But it is only Natural, out of its
+supernatural, invisible, incomprehensible, spiritual, and attractive
+power, which received its Original from the Sydereal, and performs its
+Operation by the Elements.
+
+Lastly, I likewise approve this Cure to be no Sorcery, because the Devil
+rather delights in all Mischief to Mankind, than to assist any manner of
+way for their benefit, which yet is impossible for him to do without
+Gods permission. Much more might be written of this Magnetick Form, but
+I chuse rather to be silent; referring it till I come to treat of the
+Natural Miracles of the World.
+
+The grosser sort of foolish Wits, who imagine themselves to be wise
+Philosophers, and all others who are not in their perfect senses, know
+no difference in this case, but the wise and truly discreet well know
+how to distinguish betwixt that which is natural and that which is
+supernatural.
+
+For do but observe this comparison, to be proved by a gross Example, how
+many Creatures are there which dye absolutely in the water, so that no
+life is left therein, but so soon as the pleasant Summer appears, the
+natural heat gives a new life, & the Body quite restored in the same
+substance as it was before in its living Motion; even as an Herb, which
+dies in the Winter, but in the Spring it manifests it self anew. The
+death of these things is to be esteemed natural, but the return of a new
+life in its knowledge is supernatural; but because we are accustomed to
+all these things, the least part of us consider what is worthy of
+further Meditation in this case, letting both natural and supernatural
+go away together.
+
+Most people overpass, that natural custom which yet is supernatural, as
+also monstrous Births, and those that bring signs and marks with them
+into the world; which may all be natural, but manifest themselves
+supernaturally, by the imagination which caused them: These supernatural
+forms and customs, the Mother of the Child caused by intervening
+thoughts, which unexpectedly happened to her, as it were by accident:
+Even as we often see and find, that many Men naturally are born with
+some gestures, which he can never leave, though he endevour with all his
+might to do it. The natural gestures of these Men are natural, but the
+conception in the Womb which caused the imagination of these things is
+supernatural, and subject to what the Heaven imprints.
+
+To conclude: I say, that none can defend the supernatural not to be true
+by good grounds and reasons, except he have learn'd to know the natural,
+which hath its original, and gained its shape from the supernatural;
+after he hath learned this, he may evidence it by sure proofs, that he
+will be conquerour over those, who will not believe what is
+supernatural; and he will convince the opinions of those who dispute of
+natural things, and yet know not the grounds, saving only a bare
+pretence, much talk, tedious and unprofitable Debates.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+_Of the first Tincture and Roots of Metals._
+
+
+But now to come to my intent, and by Gods permission to accomplish the
+same. I undertake to certifie of the first Tincture, Root, and
+Generation of Metals and Minerals: Know that the first Tincture and Root
+of all Metals, is likewise a supernatural, flying, fiery Spirit; which
+preserves it self in the Air, seeking its habitation naturally in the
+Earth and Water, wherein it can rest and operate: This Spirit is found
+in all Metals, more abundant in other Metals than in Gold, because
+Gold, by reason of its well digested, ripened, and fixt body, is tight,
+close, and compact, and therefore no more can enter into its body than
+is just requisite; but the other Metals have not such fixt bodies, for
+their pores are open, and far extenuated, therefore the Tincture Spirit
+can the more abundantly pass thorough and possess them. But because the
+bodies of the other Metals are inconstant, the Tincture cannot remain
+with those inconstant bodies, but must depart. And whereas the Tincture
+of Gold is found in none more plentiful than in _Mars_ and _Venus_, as
+Man and Wife, their bodies therefore are destroyed, and the tinging
+Spirit taken out of them, which makes Gold sanguin, being first opened
+and prepared, and by their food and drink it becomes volatile,
+wherefore this volatile Gold being satisfied with its food and drink,
+assumes its own bloud to it self, dries it up by its own internal heat,
+by the help and assistance of the vaporous fire, and there is a Conquest
+again, which is quite fix'd, makes the highest Constancy, that the Gold
+becomes an over-fix'd Medicine, by reason of abundance of Bloud it
+yields no Body, except another superfluous Body be again put to it,
+wherein the abounding fix'd bloud may disperse itself, this additional
+Metallick Body, by reason of the great heat of the fix'd Lions bloud, is
+penetrated as by fire, and purged from all impurity, and forthwith
+throughly digested to a perfect ripeness and fixedness: That first of
+all the Servant brings the Matter unto Riches, because the Master
+before could not spare any of his Cloaths to give away, seeing that
+Nature had lent and endowed him with one Noble Suit only; on the other
+side, the King, when he hath received his Aides and Contributions from
+his Subjects, can then distribute possessions, and permanent Liveries,
+that the Lord and Servant may remain both together; and do not think it
+strange, that the King needs to borrow of his Subjects, because their
+Bodies are unfix'd and inconstant, for they receive much, and yet can
+keep but little Credit: But if the King can participate thereof, he will
+the better overcome heat and Frost, than the Leprous Metals can; and
+henceforth by this Receipt he becomes particularly a Dominator and
+Conquerour of all other, with a great Victory and triumph of Riches and
+of Health to long Life. I hope you have from the beginning sufficiently
+understood concerning this Natural and Supernatural Advice, and the
+first tinging Root of Metals and Minerals, whereon the Corner-stone is
+placed, and where the true Rock is grounded in its kind, wherein Nature
+hath placed and buried her secret & deeply concealed Gifts; to wit, in
+the fiery tinged Spirits, which Colours they gained out of the starry
+Heaven by the operation of the Elements; and they can moreover tinge and
+fix that which before was not tinged and unfix'd, seeing that _Luna_
+wants the Robe of the Golden Crown, together with the fixedness, as
+likewise _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, and _Mercury_ do; and although _Mars_ and
+_Venus_ need not this Rayment, but can communicate it to the other
+five, yet I say, that they can perform nothing to attain any thing with
+wealth without the Lion, because they are not sufficiently accomodated
+with a fixedness of their _Mercury_, and a gentleness of their Salt,
+except it be that the Lion overcome them, that they have triumphed on
+both parts, and gained a remarkable Melioration altogether; this
+Melioration lies concealed in their Signate star, or Magnet, out of
+which all Metals have themselves received their Gifts.
+
+Now I will proceed, and particularly step to the Birth and Generation,
+how the or _Archaeus_ manifests its power; pouring it forth, and daily
+reveales it, whereby all Metallick and Mineral Forms are visibly
+proposed, and made formal, tangible, and corporal by the Mineral,
+intangible, flying, fiery Spirits: Understand therefore further, and
+observe with diligence and care, that by forgetfulness you let not that
+which is weighty pass away, nor yet neglect or overlook that which is
+most profitable, and on the contrary observe the bare words at length,
+passing over the Truth; for what I write herein, is undoubtedly held and
+esteemed that the highest is undoubtedly by many esteemed for the
+lowest, and the lowest for the highest Mystery, and is so to be reputed.
+
+Now you must first know, that all Metals and Minerals of the Earth have
+one only Matter and Mother, whereby in general they all received
+Conception, gaining a compleat and corporal Birth. This Matter which
+comes out of the Center, first of all divides it self into three parts,
+to procure one corporal or certain form of each Metal. These three parts
+are only fed in the Earth by the Elements, out of their Bodies, and
+nourish'd till they be perfect. But the Matter which comes out of the
+Center is imagined by the Stars, operated by the Elements, and formed by
+the Earth: It is a Matter to be known, and the true Mother of Metals and
+Minerals: It is such a Matter and Mother, whereof Man himself is
+conceived, born, nourish'd, and made corporal: It may be compared to the
+middle World, for what is in the great World is in the little World, and
+what is in the little World is also in the greater; and what is jointly
+in the great and little World is likewise found in the middle World,
+which unites and conjoins the great and little world; it is a Soul which
+unites and copulates the Spirit with the Body. This Soul is compared
+unto water, and it is a right true water, but not so that it wets as
+other water doth, but it is a Celestial water, dry, found in a Metallick
+Liquorish substance; it is a Soulish water, which loves all Spirits, and
+unites them with their Bodies, conducting them to a compleat Life;
+therefore it is reasonably found out, and evidently proved, that Water
+is the Mocker of all Metals, which are heated by the warm aerial Fire,
+or Spirit of _Sulphur_, which by its digestion makes the Earthly Body
+lively, wherein the Salt is evidently found, which preserves from
+putrefaction so that nothing might be consumed by Corruption. At the
+beginning and birth _Quick-silver_ is first operated, which stands yet
+open with a subtile coagulation, because little Salt is imparted to it,
+whereby he manifests a more spiritual than corporal Body; but all the
+other Metals which follow out of its Essence, and have more Salt,
+whereby they become corporal, do all follow this; so that I now begin
+first with the Spirit of _Mercury_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+_Of the Spirit of_ Mercury.
+
+
+Though I have a peculiar Stile in writing, which will seem strange unto
+many, causing strange Thoughts and Fancies in their Brains, yet there is
+reason enough for my so doing; I say enough, that I may remain by my own
+experience, not esteeming much of others prating, because it is
+concealed in my knowledge, Seeing having alwaies the preheminence before
+Hearing, and Reason hath the praise before Folly; Wherefore I now say,
+that all visible, tangible things are made of the Spirit of _Mercury_,
+which excels all earthly things of the whole world, all things being
+made out of it, having their Off-spring only from it; for all is found
+therein which can perform all whatsoever the Artist desires to find; It
+is the beginning to operate Metals, when it is become a spiritual
+Essence, which is meer Air flying to and fro without wings; it is a
+moving wind, which after it is expelled its dwelling by _Vulcan_, it is
+driven into its _Chaos_, where it again enters, and resolves it self
+into the Elements, where it is elevated and attracted by the Sydereal
+Stars after a Magnetical manner unto themselves, out of love, whence he
+proceeded before, and was operated, because it affects its like again,
+and attracts it to it. But if this Spirit of _Mercury_ can be caught,
+and made corporal, it resolves into a Body, and becomes a pure, clear,
+transparent water, which is the true spiritual water, and the first
+_Mercurial_ Root of the Minerals and Metals, spiritual, intangible,
+incombustible, without any mixture of earthly Aquosity; it is that
+Celestial water, whereof very much hath been written; for by this Spirit
+of _Mercury_ all Metals, may if need require, be broken, opened, and
+resolved into their first Matter, without Corrosive; it renews the age
+of Man or Beast, even as the Eagles; it consumes all evil, and conducts
+a long Age to long Life. This Spirit of _Mercury_ is the Master-Key of
+my Second Key, whereof I wrote in the beginning; wherefore I will call;
+_Come ye Blessed of the Lord, be anointed, and refreshed with water, and
+embalm your Bodies, that they may not putrefie or stink_; for this
+Celestial Water is the beginning, the Oyl, and the means, seeing it
+burns not, because it is made of a spiritual Sulphur, the Salt Balsam is
+corporal, which is united with the Water by the Oyl, whereof I will
+afterwards treat more at large, when I shall write of them, and mention
+them.
+
+And that I may further declare what is the Essence, Matter and Form of
+the Spirit of _Mercury_, I say, that its Essence is blessed, its Matter
+spiritual and its form earthly, which yet must be understood by an
+incomprehensible way; these are indeed harsh Expressions, many will
+think, thy Proposals are all vain, strange Effusions, raising wonderful
+Imaginations, and true it is that they are strange, and require strange
+people to understand these Sayings; it is not written for Peasants, how
+they should grease Cart-wheels, nor is it written unto those who have no
+knowledge of the Art, though they be never so learned, or think
+themselves so; for I only account them Learned, who next unto Gods Word,
+learn to know Earthly things, which must be pondered and judged by the
+Understanding, founded upon a true Knowledge, to distinguish Light from
+Darkness, who chuse that which is good, and reject the evil.
+
+It is needless for you to know what the beginning of this Spirit of
+_Mercury_ requires, because it can in no wise help nor advantage you,
+only take notice of this, that its beginning is supernatural, out of the
+Celestial, Sydereal and Elementary, bestowed on it from the beginning
+of the first Creation, that it may enter further into an Earthly
+Substance. But because this is necessary which hath been declared to
+you, leave the Celestial to the Soul, apprehend it by Faith, and let the
+Sydereal likewise alone, because these Sydereal Impressions are
+invisible and intangible, the Elements have already brought forth the
+Spirit perfect into the world by the Nutriment, therefore let that alone
+likewise; for man cannot make the Elements, but only the Creator, and
+remain by thy made Spirit which is already formal and unformal, tangible
+and intangible, and yet is presented visibly. So have you enough of the
+first Matter, out of which all Metals and Minerals grow, and is one only
+thing, and such a matter which unites it self with the _Sulphur_ in the
+following Chapter, and enters into a Coagulation with the _Salt_ of the
+fifth Chapter, that it may be one Body, and a perfect Medicine of all
+Metals, not only to bring forth in the Earth at the beginning, as in the
+great World, but also by help of the vaporous Body to transmute and
+change, together with the augmentation in the lesser World: Let not this
+seem strange to you, seeing the Most High hath permitted, and Nature
+undertaken it.
+
+Many will not believe this, esteeming it impossible, despise and vilifie
+these Mysteries, which they understand not in the least, they may remain
+Fools and Idiots till an illumination follows, which cannot be without
+Gods Will; but remains till the time predestinate. But wise and
+discreet, men who have truly shed the sweat of their Brows, will be my
+sufficient witnesses, and confirm the Truth, and indeed believe and hold
+for a truth all that which I write in this case, as true as Heaven and
+Hell are preordained, and proposed as Rewards of good and evil to the
+Elect and Reprobate. Now I write not only with my hands, but my Mind,
+Will and heart constrain me to it: Those who are highly conceited,
+illuminated, and world-wise, hate, envy, scandalize, defame and
+persecute this Mystery to the utmost Rind, or innermost Kernel, which
+hath its beginning out of the Center; but I know assuredly, there will
+come a time, when my Marrow is wasted, and my Bones dried up, that some
+will take my part heartily, after I am in the Pit; and if God would
+permit it, they would willingly raise me from the dead; but that cannot
+be; wherefore I have left them my Writings, that their Faith and Hope
+may have a Seal of Certainty and Truth, to testifie of me what my last
+Will and Testament was, which I ordained for the poor, and all the
+Lovers of Mysteries, though it did not behove me to have wrote so much,
+yet I could not refrain without prejudice to my Soul, but to drive a
+Light or Flash through a Cloud, that the Day might be observed, and the
+dark Night, thick and gloomy, rainy Weather expelled.
+
+Now how the _Archaeus_ operates further by the Spirit of _Mercury_ in the
+Earth, or Veins of the Earth, take this Advice, that after the
+spiritual Seed is formed by the impression of the Stars from above, and
+fed by the Elements, it is a Seed, and turns it self into a _Mercurial_
+Water, as first of all the great World was made of nothing, for when the
+Spirit moved upon the Water, the Celestial Heat must needs raise a Life
+in the cold watrish and earthly Creatures; in the great World it was
+Gods Power, and the Operation of the Celestial Lights; in the little
+World it is likewise Gods Power, and the Operation to work into the
+Earth by his Divine and Holy Breath. Moreover the Almighty gave and
+Ordained means to accomplish it, that one Creature had obtained power to
+operate in the other, and the one to help and assist the other, to
+perform and fulfil all the Works of the Lord; and so an influence was
+permitted the Earth to bring forth by the Lights of Heaven, as also an
+internal Heat, to warm and digest that which was too cold for the Earth,
+by reason of its humidity, as unto every Creature a peculiar fashion
+according to its kind; so that a subtile sulphurous Vapour, is stired up
+by the Starry Heaven, not the common, but another more clarified and
+pure Vapour, distinct from others, which unites it self with the
+_Mercurial_ Substance; by whose warm property, in process of time, the
+superfluous Moisture is dryed up, and then when the foulish property
+comes to it, which gives a preservation to the Body and Balsam,
+operating first into the Earth by a spiritual and sydereal influence,
+then are Metals generated of it, as it pleaseth the Mixture of the three
+Principles, the Body being formed according as it assumes unto it the
+greatest part of those three. But if the Spirit of _Mercury_ be intended
+and qualified from above upon Animals, it becomes an Animal Substance;
+if it goes upon Vegetables by order, it becomes a Vegetable Work; but
+if, by reason of its infused nature, it fall on Minerals, it becomes
+Minerals and Metals, yet each one hath its distinction as they are
+wrought, the Animals for themselves, the Vegetables, on another manner
+and form by themselves, and so likewise the Minerals, each one a several
+way, whereof to write particularly would be too tedious, and yield large
+and various Narrations.
+
+Many one may here demand and not without cause, how such a Spirit of
+_Mercury_ may be procured, how to be made, and after what manner it is
+to be prepared to expel Diseases, and change all the kinds of the meaner
+and baser Metals, as if they were born in a little world, by
+transmutation and augmentation of their Seed; many expect this with
+impatience. I answer without concealing any thing, but will truly
+discover as much as is permitted me by Gods Command, in manner and form
+following.
+
+_In the Name of the Lord_, Take a Red Quick-silver Ore which is like
+unto _Sinople_ (or _Vermilion_) and the best Gold Ore you can get; grind
+of each a like quantity both together, before they partake of any fire,
+poure an Oyl of _Mercury_, upon it made _per se_, of common, purified
+and sublimed Quicksilver, set it a month to digest, you have an Extract
+rather Celestial than Terrestrial; distil this Extract gently, as in
+_Balneum Mariae_, the Flegme ascends over, the Oyl remaining at bottom,
+being heavy, which in a moment receives all Metals into it poure thrice
+as much Spirit of Wine to it, circulate it in a Pellican, till it be as
+red as Bloud, and become so sweet that nothing may compare with it;
+decant the Spirit of Wine to a Liquidness, poure fresh Spirit of Wine
+upon it, this reiterate so often, till the Matter be exceeding sweet,
+and transparent red as a a Ruby, then put all together, poure that which
+ascended over upon white calcined _Tartar_, and distil it strongly in
+Ashes, the Spirit of Wine remains behind with the _Tartar_, but the
+Spirit of _Mercury_ ascends over. If this Spirit of _Mercury_ be mixt
+with the Spirit of _Sulphur_, together with its Salt, and so brought
+over jointly together, that they can never be separated, you have such a
+work which if it come over, and it get its ferment with Gold by solution
+according to a just measure and time appointed, and be brought to a
+perfect ripeness, unto the _Plusquam_ perfection, nothing may compare
+therewith, for prevention of Diseases, and poverty, and to a rich
+excessive recreation of the Body and Goods. This is the way to obtain
+the Spirit of _Mercury_, which I have revealed as far as it is permitted
+me to do, by the Supremest Emperour; the Manual Operations are found in
+the Work which I have revealed; you must wisely observe, that you may
+not endure a Bath in Hell for me, by my true admonition to thee,
+forasmuch as a true opening of the Door which leads to the Royal Palace,
+is performed but with one Key, which cures all Diseases, be it
+_Dropsie_, _Consumption_, _Gout_, _Stone_, _Falling Sickness_,
+_Apoplexy_, _Leprosie_, or howsoever called in general: This Medicine
+likewise cures all kinds of the _French Pox_, and all old Sores of long
+standing, be it _Wolf_, _Noli me tangere_, _Tetter_, _Ring-worm_,
+_Cancer_, _Fistula_, and corroding hollow Sores; all which I have
+declared, and concealed nothing. Last of all, observe, that you do not
+discover too much, or no more, because all Art hath its Original or
+Source out of the Spirit of _Mercury_, which is refreshed and raised to
+Life by the spiritual _Sulphur_, that it becomes Celestial, & with and
+by the Salt they are made corporal and formal; but the beginning of the
+Soul, of the Spirit, and of the Body, let it be and remain a Magnet,
+even as it is, and can be acknowledged to be nothing else. This is the
+summe in brief, that without the Spirit of _Mercury_, which is the only
+true Key, you can never make Corporal Gold potable, nor the Philosophers
+Stone. Let it remain by this Conclusion, be silent; for I my self will
+at present say no more, because Silence is enjoyned thee and me by the
+orderly Judge, recommending the Execution and further Search thereof to
+another, who hath not as yet reduced the Matter into a right Order.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+_Of the Spirit of_ Copper.
+
+
+The Star of _Venus_ is very difficult, and not well to be calculated, as
+all _Mathematicians_ and _Astronomers_ will bear me witness; for its
+course is found to be otherwise than that of the other six Planets, and
+therefore its Birth is otherwise; for the Birth of _Venus_ possesses the
+First Table, after _Mercury_, as for what concerns the Generation of
+Metals. _Mercury_ makes active, but _Venus_ provokes, giving Lust and
+Desire, together with the Beauty which gave occasion thereunto; though I
+am accounted no _Astronomer_, nor do I give my self out for one, who
+knows to calculate the Course of the Heavens; for I should spend my time
+in my Cell in Prayer, but that the spare hours after my Devotion is
+ended, may not be spent in vain, I have ordered and proposed it as my
+aim and intent to exercise my self, and to spend those hours in the
+knowledge of Natural things. So likewise it is not well to be reckoned
+what arises, grows or proceeds from _Venus_ or whence she arose, grew,
+or proceeded; for she is superfluously cloathed more than she needs, and
+yet must want that which she needs most of all in her Constancy.
+
+But you must be advertised, that _Venus_ is cloathed with a Celestial
+_sulphur_ which far surpasses the brightness of the Sun; for there is
+more and more abundant _Sulphur_ in her than in Gold; but it requires a
+knowledge what the Matter of that Gold _Sulphur_ may be, which is, and
+rules so plentifully in Copper, and whereof I make so great a Cry: know
+then that it is likewise a flying very hot Spirit, which can pass
+through and penetrate, as also ripen and digest all things, as the
+imperfect Metals into perfect, which the inexpert will not believe. And
+here a Question presents it self at hand; _How the Spirit of Copper can
+make other imperfect Metals perfect, and make them ripe, whereas in its
+own Body it is imperfect and inconstant?_ For Answer, I say as I have
+often said, that this Spirit cannot possess or inhabit a permanent Body
+in Copper; for when the habitation is burnt by Fire, the Spirit goes
+away with it, and must with impatience leave its Lodging, for it dwells
+therein as a Sojourner; but it hath protection in the permanent fix'd
+Body of Gold, whence no man can expel it, without the Warrant of an
+especial Judge; for it is put into the inheritance as an Heir, and taken
+Root by her permanent Body, that she cannot easily be expelled. The
+Tincture which _Venus_ hath obtained, is in like manner found in _Mars_,
+more powerful, high and Noble; for _Mars_ is the Man, and _Venus_ the
+Woman, which I speak more of, seeing I write of them. This Tincture is
+delivered in _Verdigreece_, and likewise it is found in _Vitriol_, as in
+a Mineral whereof a peculiar Book might be wrote. In all these things a
+combustible _Sulphur_ is found, and yet a _Sulphur_ which is
+incombustible, this is a strange thing, one is a white Sulphur, the
+other is red in the operative generation; but the true Sulphur is
+incombustible, for it is a pure true Spirit, whereof an incombustible
+Oil is prepared, and it is the same Sulphur which is made out of one
+Root from the Gold-Sulphur.
+
+I open many Mysteries, which ought not to be; but what should I do? to
+conceal all is not answerable, but a measure is good in all things, as
+you may observe in my last Advice of protestation; forget not my desire
+therein.
+
+This Sulphur may well be called the _Sulphur of the Wise_; for all
+Wisdom is found therein, unto the _Mercurial_ Spirit; which excels it,
+which together with the Salt of _Mars_ must be put together by a
+spiritual Conjunction, that three may come into one understanding, and
+be advanced to equal operations. This spiritual Sulphur proceeds in the
+same manner and form out of the upper Region, as doth the Spirit of
+_Mercury_, but in another manner and kind, whereby the Stars manifest a
+separation in fix'd and unfix'd, in colour'd and uncolour'd things.
+
+The Tincture consists only in the _Spirit of Copper_, and most of all in
+that of his Bed-fellow; it is a meer Vapour, stinking and ill-sented in
+its beginning; this Mist must be dissolved in the manner of a Liquor,
+that the stinking, incombustible Oil may be prepared thereof; but yet it
+must have and take its beginning out of _Mars_; this Oil unites freely
+with the Spirit of _Mercury_, assuming all Metallick Bodies speedily
+unto them, if they be first prepared in all points as I have advised in
+my Keys.
+
+I observe not the Order of the Planets, and not without just grounds;
+for I observe the order of their Birth, by which I am directed; for
+because _Venus_ hath much Sulphur, she is sooner digested and ripened
+together with _Mars_, before other Metals; but because unconstant
+_Mercury_ shewed them both too little assistance, therefore no room is
+left him to work harder, by reason of the superfluous Sulphur, so that
+they could obtain no melioration of their unfixt Bodies. Now I will
+reveal a Secret unto thee, that Gold, Copper, and Iron have one Sulphur,
+one Tincture, and one Matter of their Colour; this Matter of the
+Tincture is a Spirit, a Mist and Fume; as aforesaid, which can
+penetrate and pass through all Bodies, if you can take it, and acuate it
+by the Spirit which is in the Salt of _Mars_, and then conjoin the
+Spirit of _Mercury_ therewith in a just weight, purging them from all
+impurity, that they be pleasant and well sented, without all Corrosives,
+you have then such a Medicine, whereunto none in the world may compare,
+being fermented with the bright shining Sun, you have made an entrance
+penetrating to work, and to transmute all Metals.
+
+O Eternal Wisdom from the beginning! how shall we thank thee for such
+great Mysteries, which the Children of Men do no wayes regard, but are
+despised by the greater number, to know what thou hast concealed in
+Nature, which they see before their Eyes, and know it not; they have it
+in their Hands, and comprehend it not; they deal with it, and know not
+what they have, nor what they do, because the Internal is concealed. I
+will yet reveal this unto thee in truth, and by the Love of God, that
+the root of the Philosophical Sulphur, which is a Celestial Spirit, is
+found with the root of the spiritual supernatural _Mercury_, as also the
+beginning of the spiritual Salt, are in one, and found in one Matter,
+out of which the Stone is made, which was before me, and not in many
+things, though all Philosophers speak as if the _Mercury_, _Sulphur_,
+and _Salt_ were each one a part by themselves and distinct, that the
+_Mercury_ is found in one, the _Sulphur_ in another, and the _Salt_ in a
+third; yet I tell you, this is only to be understood of their
+superfluity, which is found to abound most in each, and may be used and
+prepared divers ways particularly with profit, both for Physick and
+transmutation of Metals; but the Universal, which is the supreamest
+Treasure of Earthly Wisdom, and of all the three Principles, is one only
+thing, and is founded and extracted out of one only thing, which can
+make all Metals into one, it is the true Spirit of _Mercury_, and Soul
+of _Sulphur_, together with the spiritual Salt, united together,
+inclosed under one Heaven, and dwelling in one Body, it is the Dragon
+and the Eagle, the King and the Lion, the Spirit and the Body, which
+must tinge the Body of Gold to a Medicine, that it may gain power
+plentifully to tinge his other Companions.
+
+O thou blessed Medicine given by God thy Creator! O thou Celestial
+Magnet of great attractive Love! O thou valid substance of Metals, how
+great is thy power, how uninventive is thy virtue, how durable is thy
+constancy? happy is that man on Earth who knows thy Light in truth,
+which all the world takes no notice of; he shall not see poverty, no
+Disease shall touch him, nor no sickness hurt him, till the appointed
+time of death, and till the last hour predestinated for him by his
+Heavenly King. It is impossible for all the tongues of Men to utter the
+Wisdom which is laid in this Treasure of the Fountain, all Orators must
+be silent and ashamed at it, yea terrified and not able to speak a word,
+when they shall behold and discern this supernatural Glory, and I my
+self am afraid when I consider that I have discovered too much. But I
+hope to prevail with God by Prayer, that he will not charge it on me as
+a deadly Sin, because I began the Work in his Fear, obtained it by his
+Grace, and revealed it for his Glory.
+
+O thou holy everlasting Trinity! I praise, honour, and magnifie thee
+with Heart and Mouth, that thou hast revealed unto me the great wisdom
+of this earthly World, next unto thy Divine Word, whereby I have known
+thy Almighty Power, and supernatural Wonders, which Man will not
+discern; I heartily beseech thee to give me more understanding and
+wisdom, that I may bestow the use and profit thereof with a continual
+Sacrifice of Praise before thee, unto the Christian-like Love of my
+Neighbour, and to my own welfare both spiritual and corporal, in power
+and virtue, that thy Name may be made glorious, honoured, and praised,
+for all thy works in Heaven and Earth; and that my Enemies may know,
+that thou art the Lord full of eternal Wonders, that they may repent and
+be converted, and not be drowned in the falshood of Darkness. God the
+Father, Son, and Holy Ghost help me, and all of us, from his heavenly
+Throne, exalted above all Glory, Might, and Majesty, whose Wisdom hath
+neither beginning nor end, and before whom all Celestial, Earthly, and
+Hellish Creatures must tremble with fear, to him be Glory forever,
+_Amen_.
+
+O _Seraphin_! O _Cherubin_! how great are thy Wonders and Actions, look
+graciously upon thy servant, and be entreated to be pacified that he
+hath manifested this.
+
+The Reader must moreover know concerning the Generation of Copper, and
+observe, that it is generated of much _Sulphur_, but its _Mercury_ and
+Salt are in an equality, for there is found to be no more or less of the
+one than of the other, seeing then that the _Sulphur_ in quantity excels
+the _Mercury_ and the Salt, thence arises a great coloured redness,
+which possesses the Metal, that the _Mercury_ cannot perform its
+fixation, that a fixt Body should be generated thereof. Observe and
+understand it so of Copper, that the form of _Venus_ Body is so stated
+as that of a Tree, which abounds in Rosen, as the Larch Tree, the Firr,
+the Pine, Deal Tree, and other sorts of Trees more, the Rosen of the
+Tree is its _Sulphur_, which it evacuates at sometimes by reason of its
+superfluity, for it cannot bear it all; such a Tree which is tinged with
+abundance of fatness, by the digestion of Nature and the Elements, burns
+quickly and freely, and is not ponderous, nor so durable as is the Oak,
+or other hard wood which is close and compact, whose Pores are not so
+open, as those sorts of light wood, and wherein the Sulphur doth not so
+predominate, but the Oak hath therefore the more _Mercury_, and a better
+Salt than the Pine, Firr, and Deal trees have, and such wood doth not
+float so well above the water, as the Deal, being bound & closed up
+compactly, so that the Air is easily prevented in bearing it up. So is
+it to be observed of Metals, and especially of Gold, which by reason of
+its abundant, fixt, digested and ripe _Mercury_, hath a very close, fast
+and compact, fixt and invincible Body, which neither Fire nor Water,
+Air, nor any Corruption of the Earth can prejudice, that the consuming
+power of the Elements can do them no harm; this fixedness & close
+compacted Conjunction gives evidence of its natural ponderosity, which
+cannot be evidenced in other Metals, which is to be observed, not only
+by weighing it in the scales, but likewise you will find it thus: if you
+lay but a scruple of pure Gold upon a hundred weight of Quicksilver, it
+immediately sinks to the bottom, whereas all other Metals being laid
+upon Quicksilver in like manner, float on the top of it, and sink not to
+the bottom, because they are more open, that the Air or Wind can
+penetrate them and bear them up.
+
+Now what further concerns the Spirit of _Venus_ or Copper in Physick,
+you must last of all take notice and observe, that it is throughout in
+its virtue and power discerned to be very wholsom and beneficial, not
+only that Spirit which lies in the first _Ens_, but also that very
+Spirit which is found in the last Matter, its virtue, power and
+operation is, that it is preferred before all other Medicines in the
+Rising of the _Matrix_: It's like is not yet found particularly against
+the _Falling Sickness_. This Spirit hath also received an especial gift
+to dry the _Dropsie_ up; it preserves the Bloud from putrefaction,
+digests all which is adverse to the Stomach, breaks the Stone, of what
+kind soever it be. Externally in Wounds, this Spirit lays a ground to
+heal: _Noli me tangere_ and all other Sores cannot defend themselves,
+nor their ill Qualities, but this Spirit doth assault them, and prepares
+a good ground for their Cure; externally it mundifies and searches out
+that whereby the Medicine may operate, fasten, and make a beginning of
+the Cure. Internally this Spirit penetrates through & through, searching
+out all that is evil in the Body; even as doth the noblest Vulnerary
+potion; No Imposthume can withstand this Spirit, but is reformed by it.
+I say briefly, observe the Spirit of _Venus_ very well, it will manifest
+it self to admiration both internally and externally, that many will
+esteem it to be incredible & supernatural. Last of all, you must
+understand that this Spirit of _Copper_ is a fiery Spirit, penetrating,
+searching and consuming all evil Humours, and superfluous Flegme in Man
+and Metals, and may in reason be accounted the Crown of Medicines; it is
+very fiery and sharp, incombustible, but spiritual and unformal, and
+therefore as a Spirit it can particularly help to make unformal things
+fiery, digest and ripen them; and if you are a true Naturalist, I
+recommend this Spirit unto thee; it will not fail thee in the least, in
+any necessity of Health or Wealth, in case you observe it rightly, and
+execute according to Justice. I hope my Call and Request will at last
+take place, and have a hearing with those who regard Nature, and have
+an earnest and longing desire to search out, and learn, whereby they may
+whet their Wits, open their Eyes, and let their Ears hear, and learn
+such a thing out of my Advice, which was never taken notice of, or
+learn'd before, and is to be found in this Spirit of Copper, internal
+and external. He that doth not observe, or truly understand my Writings,
+will not fathom many Secrets, nor search out to purpose and in truth,
+nor learn to advantage without me, therefore no Man can direct me, as
+concerning the Spirit of Copper, except he hath beforehand inverted and
+turned the Copper inside outwards, and truly learned all the Mysteries
+of its internal Virtues, as I have done, if he can find out any thing
+better, which I know not, I earnestly desire him not to conceal any
+thing, so shall his instruction be well rewarded, with a thousand-fold
+advantage, and recommend you herewith to the Highest Creator.
+
+    V_ain Reason cannot alwayes apprehend_
+    E_ach matter which_ Venus _can bring to an end:_
+    N_o man can find it presently in sence,_
+    V_ain Reason banns it far away from thence;_
+    S_uch a Spirit only can all things speed,_
+    _So that_ Mercury _be joyn'd with it indeed._
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+_Of the Spirit and Tincture of_ Mars.
+
+_Mars_ and _Venus_ have a Spirit and Tincture as well as Gold and other
+Metals, be that Spirit which is in each Metal never so mean and little.
+It is undeniable and known to all, that many men have many minds, though
+all men originally are of one first Matter, born and produced from one
+Seed; yet have they divers different Minds, because the Stars have so
+operated them, and not without cause; for the influences of the great
+World operates the next to it in the little World; for all Opinions,
+Natures and Thoughts, together with the whole complection of Man proceed
+alone from one Influence of the Stars, manifesting themselves according
+to the Course of the Planets and Stars, so that nothing can prevent, nor
+can such Influences hinder it, when the Birth hath attained to the end
+of its perfection.
+
+As a man is naturally inclined to study; one delights in Divinity,
+another in the study of the Laws, a third in Physick, a fourth will be a
+Philosopher; moreover there are many Wits who are naturally inclined to
+the Mechanicks; as the one is a Painter, another a Goldsmith; the one a
+Shoomaker, the other a Taylor, a Carver, and so forth, divers and
+innumerable; all this happens by the Stars influence, whereby the
+Imagination is supernaturally founded & fortified, and whereupon it is
+resolved to rest; as it is found, that what a man hath once conceived in
+his Mind, and framed a foundation thereof, none can divert him from a
+constant resolution and relying thereon, except Death, which at last
+concludes all. So is it to be understood of _Alchymists_, who are set
+upon the search of Natures Secrets, they intend not to cease, till they
+have discover'd Nature, absolved it quite, and brought all to an end,
+which cannot well be done.
+
+Even so is it to be understood of Metals, according as the Influence and
+Imagination is from above, so is the Form; and although the Metals be
+called Metals in general, and are such, yet you have understood by the
+various minds of men, which yet proceed from one Matter, that there may
+be manifold and divers Metals, one hot and dry, another cold and moist,
+a third assuming a mixt Nature and Complection to it self. Therefore the
+Metal of _Mars_ being ordained in its degree by a gross Salt before
+others in the greatest quantity, is found to have the hardest, ungentle,
+strongest, and grossest Body, which Nature appropriated and granted to
+it, it hath the least portion of _Mercury_, but more of _Sulphur_, and
+most of _Salt_, hence, and from such a mixture or composition is its
+corporal essence descended, and born into the world by help of the
+Elements. Its Spirit is like to the other Spirits in operation, but if
+you can know the right and true Spirit of _Mars_, I tell you truly, and
+in true Wisdom, that one grain of its Spirit or Quintessence drunk with
+the Spirit of Wine, strengthens the Heart, Courage, and Senses, so that
+you shall fear no Foes; it raises up in him the Courage of a Lion, and
+provokes a desire to hunt and fight at _Venus_ sports. When the
+Conjunction of _Mars_ and _Venus_ are rightly placed in a certain
+Constellation, they bring Fortune and Victory in Love and Affection, in
+Battel and joy, remaining in unity though the whole World should be
+against them: But because I am an Ecclesiastick under Church Government,
+and dedicated my Soul to God, without provocation of humane desires, and
+lusts of the Flesh, for they lead a direct way to Hell without leave;
+but Gods Commands, Fear, and a rejection of Mans Will, which are
+tollerated by his Commands, prepare a way to Heaven, if they continue in
+the true calling upon, and in the true and right Faith of the only
+Throne of Grace, Mediator and Patron _Jesus Christ_ our Saviour. All
+Martial Diseases are expell'd, cured, and healed in an admirable manner
+by this Spirit; such as are the _Bloody Flux_, the Disease or Menstruous
+_Fluxes_ of Women, both white and red, and all other _Fluxes_ of the
+Belly, and open _Sores_ in the Legs, or any part of the Body, together
+with all those Diseases, both internal and external, howsoever they are
+called, which bloody _Mars_ hath caused, which I omit to nominate
+particularly, being well known unto the discreet Physician what Diseases
+are subject to the jurisdiction of _Mars_. If the Spirit of Iron be
+truly known, it hath a secret affinity with the Spirit of _Venus_, so
+that both may be conjoined in one, both becoming one only matter, of a
+like operation, form, substance and being, healing and expelling the
+self-same Diseases, as also to bring the particulars of the Metals into
+a change with profit, praise, and excess. But properly _Mars_ must be
+observed thus with its virtues, that in his Corporal form he only hath
+an earthly Body, which may be used in many things, for to stanch Bloud,
+externally in Wounds, to graduate _Luna_, internally to stop or bind the
+Body, which yet is not good at all times, and may be used both
+internally & externally in mans Body, as likewise in Metallick affairs;
+because without the true known means, which Nature hath in her secret
+Closet, much profit cannot be gotten _per se_.
+
+One thing more I must at present propose, that the Magnet and true Iron
+perform almost a like benefit in Corporal Distempers, having almost one
+kind of Nature in and with them, as it is with it in the Celestial,
+spiritual, and Elementary Intellect, between the Body, Soul, and the
+Chaos, out of which the Soul and Spirit went, the Body at last was found
+out of the Composition.
+
+How shall we now do? the gross dull-witted Lads will not apprehend it,
+the middle sort of Wits will take no notice of what I write, and the
+supernatural wits will descant too much upon it; I must find out a
+remedy, and would willingly preserve all these over-wise-people to be
+my Friends still. I will now teach, instruct, and presently inform you,
+seeing that the Argument it self declares and pronounces its definitive
+sentence, therefore the resolution lies open, and can be declared and
+resolved, reserved nor directed to any other sentence of the
+understanding, further than for it self.
+
+Last of all, reserve this hereupon in this Chapter, that there can be no
+House kept to stand in unity between the Married Couple, if the one of
+them turn his Coach and drive to the East, and the other towards the
+West, for they are not equal, so that they cannot draw the Coach
+together in an equal weight, whereby there arises a great dissention and
+hinderance, in obtaining that which was intended: but if true Married
+People will carry on their House-keeping with a right subsistance, they
+must be of one spirit, mind, judgment and virtue, to accomplish all
+whatsoever is in their heart and mind, and that the one operate into the
+other, if their Love and Truth shall be permanent; for want of one of
+these things, the three principles cannot be truly together; for the
+_Mercury_ is banisht, and too little by reason of the firmness and
+constancy; the _Sulphur_ is too little, it cannot warm the Body of Love,
+because it is very much extinct; the _Salt_ likewise hath not its right,
+convenient, natural kind, but is too hard and too much, seeing it makes
+a hard coagulation, is sharp and biting, because it doth not manifest it
+self in truth and constancy. Even so it goes now in the World, which
+goes astray, and is pregnant with such Vices, for the constancy is but
+small, the Love little, and Truth as little.
+
+I hope you will take this Philosophical Example in good part, because
+_Syrach_ doth both praise and dispraise the goodness, truth, and
+wickedness of a false Woman, and both after a different manner; and
+herewith I bid _Mars_ Farewell, saying, that no man knows how to
+distinguish the Sentence of one, much less of all things, but he who
+hath in this point taken notice of them, learned and experimented their
+Nature and Properties, and truly known and discovered them. God our
+Heavenly Father, the Everlasting Power, proceeding from all beginning,
+separate us so in the Form, that the terrestrial corruptible Body may
+again attain unto, contain, and receive the Celestial, Spiritual and
+Incorruptible Revelation. _Amen._
+
+    M_aist thou not know me alone indeed,_
+    A_nd procure a pure help for me in need;_
+    R_esolve then, and hear what I do speak or say,_
+    S_o shalt thou find what I can do for aye._
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+_Of the Spirit of_ Gold.
+
+
+The Clearness of Heaven hath now commanded me to govern my Pen, to
+reveal a matter of valour and of permanency; for the Sun is a burning
+and consuming Fire, hot and dry, wherein is concealed the right and true
+virtue of all Natural things; this virtue of the Sun worketh
+Understanding, Riches, and Health. My Mind is very much grieved, and my
+Spirit is terrified within it self to discover it publickly, which was
+not publish'd in common before, and to make it vocal, which was
+concealed in the deep with great secresie. But if I consider in my
+self, and enter into my Conscience, I could find no alteration, nor
+catch at any thing to disturb my mind, or bring it to another
+resolution, which might cause many Obstructions: Yet will I speak with
+discretion, and write understanding, that no evil with may follow, but
+rather that I may gain a grateful profit, which I have pourtrayed after
+the manner and occasion, as the Philosophers before me have done.
+
+Mark now, give your Mind perfect Thoughts, refrain all strange matters,
+which are not serviceable to your speculation of Philosophy, but rather
+cause a ruine of that benefit, which you pursued with so much diligence;
+and know if you have a hearty desire and strong affection to gain the
+Golden Magnet, that in the first place your prayer be truly directed to
+God, in true Knowledge, Sorrow, Repentance, and true Humility, to know
+and learn the three distinct Worlds which are subject to Humane Reason;
+as, there is the Super-celestial World, wherein the right immortal Soul
+hath its seat and residence, together with its first coming, and is
+according to Gods Creation the first moveable Sense, or the first moving
+sensible Soul, which hath operated the Natural Life from a Supernatural
+Essence; this Soul and Spirit is at first the Root and Fountain, the
+first Creature which arose to a Life, and the first Mover, whereof there
+hath been so much Disputing among the Learned.
+
+Now take notice of the second Celestial World, and observe it
+diligently, for therein the Planets rule, and all the Stars of Heaven
+have their course, virtue and power in this Heaven, performing that
+Service therein whereunto they are by God ordained, and in this service
+they operate the Minerals and Metals by their Spirit.
+
+Go now out of these 2 distinct Worlds into the third, wherein is
+contained and found what the other two have wrought, to wit, the
+Super-celestial and the Celestial worlds; out of the Super-celestial
+arises the Fountain of Life, and of the Soul; out of the other Celestial
+world the light of the Spirit; and out of the third or Elementary world,
+the invincible Celestial Fire, which yet may be felt, out of which, that
+which is tangible is digested; these three Matters and Substances
+produce and generate the Form of Metals, among all which Gold hath the
+pre-eminence, because the Sidereal & Elementary Operation hath digested
+and ripened the _Mercury_ in this Metal the more perfectly to a
+sufficient ripeness.
+
+And even as the Male-Seed is injected into the Womb, and touches the
+_Menstruum_, which is its Earth, but the Seed which goes out of the Male
+into the Female, is operated in both by the Sydereal and Elementary,
+that they be united, and nourished by the Earth unto the Birth.
+
+Even so understand it likewise, that the Soul of Metals which is formed
+and conceived out of the _Chaos_ by an intangible, invisible,
+incomprehensible, concealed, and supernatural, Celestial Composition of
+Water and Air; afterwards it is further concocted by the Celestial
+Elementary Light and Fire of the Sun; whereby the Stars move the Powers,
+when its heat is perceived in the inward parts of the Earth, as in the
+Womb, for the Earth is opened by the warm operating property of the
+upper Stars, that their infused Spirit yield a nourishment unto the
+Earth, that it may bring forth somewhat, as Metals, Herbs, Trees and
+Animals; where each one in particular brings its Seed with it for its
+farther augmentation and encrease: And as hath been mentioned, even as
+Man is begotten spiritually and heavenly, Soul and Spirit, and by the
+nourishment of the Earth in the Body of the Mother is formally brought
+up to perfection; even so, and in like manner, is to be observed and
+understood of the Metals and Minerals in all points.
+
+But this is the true mystery of Gold, which I will make good to you by
+an Example and Parable to certifie you, whereby the possibility of
+Nature, and its Mystery is to be found after this manner.
+
+It is evident, that the Celestial Light of the Sun is of a fiery Quality
+and Essence, given unto it by a Celestial, fixt and permanent sulphurous
+Spirit, by the most High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, to preserve
+its substance, form, and body; which Creature, by its swift motion and
+course, is enflamed and kindled by the Air through that swiftness in a
+continued manifestation of it; this inflammation can never be extinct,
+nor decay in any of its power, so long as its Course last, or this
+whole Created visible World shall remain and continue, because there is
+no combustible matter at hand which is given unto it, by whose
+consumption this great Light of Heaven should fall to decay.
+
+Even so Gold is so digested, ripened, and made into such a fixt
+invincible Nature by the Superiours in its Essence, that nothing can
+hurt it in the least, because the superiour Stars have past through the
+inferiour, that the inferiour fix'd Stars by the influence and donation
+of the superiour, cannot in the least give place to its like, for the
+inferiour have obtained such a fixedness and permanency from the
+superiour; this you may well retain, observe, and take notice of as
+concerning the first Matter of Gold.
+
+I must yet produce one comparison according to the Philosophical custom,
+of the great Light of Heaven, and of that little terrestrial fire here
+daily kindled, and made to burn before our Eyes; because that great
+Light hath a magnetick simulation and an attractive living power with
+the small fire here on earth, but yet it is unformal and
+incomprehensible, only it is found to be spiritual, invisible,
+insensible and intangible.
+
+It is to be observed and remembred, as experience manifests, and is
+proved, that the great Light of heaven bears an especial sympathy,
+affection and inclination to the little earthly fire, by means of the
+spiritual Air, whereby they are both promoted and preserved from
+Mortality; for behold, when the Air receives into it a Coruption, by
+too great humidity attracted up by it, that Clouds are generated by
+Mists, and farther coagulations, which hinder the Sun-beams that they
+cannot have a reflection, nor get a right penetrating power. So likewise
+the small terrestrial fire doth not burn so lively in dusky, dark, rainy
+weather, nor manifests it self with joy in its operation, as it doth
+when there is a fair, pure, serene, unfalsified heavenly Air; the reason
+is, because the sympathy is bound and hindered by the obstruction of
+those Accidents and the waterish Air, so that the attractive power is
+grieved, that it cannot accomplish its compleat Love and Operation as it
+should, for this hinderance brings the aquosity to the contrary Element.
+
+Now even as the Sun, the great Light of Heaven, hath a peculiar
+community and sympathy with the small terrestrial fire to attract unto
+it, after a Magnetical manner; So also the Sun and Gold have a peculiar
+understanding, and an attractive power and sympathy together; for the
+Sun hath wrought the Gold by the three Principles, which have their
+Magnets, being nearest related to the Sun, and hath gained the next
+degree to it, for that the three Principles are found to be most mighty
+and powerful therein, Gold immediately succeeds it in its corporal Form,
+being composed of the three principles, and hath its beginning and
+off-spring from the Celestial and Golden Magnet.
+
+This is the supremest Wisdom of this world, a wisdom above all wisdom,
+yea a wisdom above all Natural Reason and Understanding; for by this
+wisdom is comprehended first of all Gods Creation, the heavenly Essence,
+the Firmamentary Workings, the spiritual Imagination, and the corporal
+Essence, it contains all qualities, and properties, and all whatsoever
+sustaines and preserves Mankind. In this Golden Magnet sticks and lies
+buried the resolution and opening of all Metals and Minerals, their
+domination, as also the first Matter of their generation, their power
+over health; and again, the coagulation and fixation of Metals, together
+with the operation of expelling all Diseases: Take notice of this Key,
+for it is Celestial, Sydereal and Elementary, out of which the
+terrestrial is generated, it is both Supernatural and Natural, and is
+generated Celestially of the Spirit of _Mercury_, Spiritually of the
+Spirit of _Sulphur_, and Corporally of the Spirit of _Salt_; this is all
+the way, the whole Essence, the beginning and end; for the Spirit and
+the Body are bound up together in one by the Soul, that they can never
+be separated, but produce a very perfect, durable Body, which nothing
+can hurt. Out of this spiritual Essence, and out of this spiritual
+Matter, out of which first of all Gold was made into a Body, and became
+corporal, out of it is made a more true and compleat _Aurum potabile_
+than out of Gold it self, which must first of all be made spiritual,
+before a potable Gold can be prepared out of it.
+
+This Spirit cures and heales the _Leprosie_ and the _French Pox_, as
+being an over-fix'd Mercurial Essence, dries up and consumes the
+_Dropsie_, and all running and open Sores, which have raged a long
+season, it strengthens the Heart and Brain, makes a good Memory,
+generates good Blood, brings Lust, Delight and Desires in humane
+incitation unto Natural Affections. If the Quintessence of Pearl be mixt
+with the Tincture of Coral, and be administred with an addition of an
+equal quantity of this Spiritual Essence of Gold, the Dose of two grains
+taken at once in a just observation, you may be bold & confident of the
+truth, that no disaster of any Natural Distemper can harm you, or happen
+to you, to the prejudice of your health, because the nature resides only
+in the Spirit of Gold, to alter, remove and amend all weaknesses, so
+that the Body shall be adjudged perfect and free from any Disease. The
+Quintessence of Pearl corroborates the Heart, and make a perfect Memory,
+of the five senses. The Tincture of Coral expels all poison, and evil
+Spirits which fly from the good. So can the Soul of Gold in a Water turn
+the spiritual Essence of the Pearl, and the Sulphur of the Coral united
+in one, perform such a thing which otherwise Nature could not be
+intrusted with, but seeing that Experience hath manifested it, and
+confirmed the undeniable Truth, therefore this Cordial in this temporal
+Life is, and ought in reason to precede all other Cordials with
+admiration and admirable Effects, be they called by what name soever. I
+am an Ecclesiastical person, obedient to the Ecclesiastical degree,
+related to the _Benedictine_ Order by a Spiritual and Divine Oath, by
+which Order with my internal Prayer, I obtain comfort and promises of
+Gods Word, a refreshment to my Soul, but in a corporal temptation of my
+weaknesses, and for my Brethren I have not found and used a better
+corroboration by Gods Blessing, than these three Compounds united: God
+give, bless, and increase this Virtue and Power unto the End of this
+temporal World, which Man must change together with Death. O thou golden
+power of thy Soul! O thou golden intellect of thy Spirit! O thou golden
+operation of thy Body! God the Creator keep thee, and grant unto all
+earthly Creatures, who love and honour him, the true understanding of
+all Gifts, that thy Will may be done in Heaven and on Earth: This is
+enough revealed at present concerning the Spirit of Gold, until the
+coming again of _Elias_.
+
+
+_Hereunto I add a short process:_
+
+Take a Spirit of Salt, therewith extract the Sulphur of Gold, separate
+the Oil of Salt from it, rectifie the Sulphur of Gold with Spirit of
+Wine, that it be pleasant without Corrosive; then take the true Oil of
+_Vitriol_, made of the _Vitriol_ of _Verdigreece_, therein dissolve
+_Mars_, thereof make a _Vitriol_ again, and again dissolve it into an
+Oil or Spirit, which rectifie in like manner as before with Spirit of
+Wine, conjoin them, and abstract the Spirit of Wine from it, resolve the
+Matter which remaines dry in Spirit of _Mercury_, according to a just
+weight, circulate and coagulate it when it is fix'd and permanent
+without Ascention, you have then a Medicine to tinge Man and Metals, if
+it be fermented with prepared Gold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+_Of the Spirit of_ Silver.
+
+[Transcriber's note: Original heading had
+Gold with a handwritten correction to Silver.]
+
+
+The Tincture and spirit of Silver manifests its Colour of a Watchet or
+Sky-colour, otherwise it is a waterish Spirit, cold and moist, not so
+hot in its degree as that which is found in _Gold_, _Mars_, and _Venus_;
+for _Luna_ is more phlegmatick than fiery, though it be brought by the
+Fire out of its waterish Substance into a coagulation; and even as the
+Metals gain their tinging Spirits and Coagulation, in like manner do
+stones get their fixedness, and colour, as out of one Influence. A fix'd
+coagulated _Mercury_ is found in the _Diamond_, therefore it is fixeder
+and harder than the other stones, and cannot be so broken; so the
+tincture of _Mars_, or the Sulphur of Iron is found in the _Ruby_, the
+Sulphur of _Venus_ in the _Emerald_, the Soul of _Saturn_ in the
+_Granate_; in Tin the tincture which is found in the _Topaz_; and
+_Crystal_ is appropriated to common _Mercury_; in the _Saphire_ is found
+the Sulphur and Tincture of _Luna_, but each one according to a peculiar
+understanding, and according to its kind, and in Metals according to
+their form and gender; for when the blew Colour is taken and extracted
+out of the _Saphire_, its Rayment is gone, and its other Body is white
+as a _Diamond_, wanting only the hardness that is in a _Diamond_; even
+so when Gold hath lost its Soul, it yields a fix'd white Gold Body,
+which by searching Students and young Artists is called fix'd _Luna_.
+
+Wherefore you must now understand and observe, that even as I have
+declared unto you concerning the _Saphire_, for your apprehension, even
+so on the other side, you must learn to what purpose my Speech is
+intended, for your Instruction concerning Metals.
+
+For this blew Spirit is the Sulphur and the Soul, whence the Silver
+receiveth its Life, both in and above the Earth, by Art, and the white
+Tincture of the Silver upon white stands in the Magnetick form of an
+everlasting thing, or Creature, wherein is likewise found the first
+_Ens_ of Gold.
+
+O ye high qualified Orators! where is your voice in this case to explain
+this Mystery? And you conceited Naturalists, where is your Writings and
+Advice of Reason? And you Physicians, Whither is your Opinion flown, to
+fetch somewhat afar off over the Seas for to cure the _Dropsie_, and all
+_Lunary_ Distempers? You will say, that this my speech is too dark for
+you; is it so? then kindle the terrestrial Light, seek, and be not
+ashamed to make acquaintance with _Vulcan_; and let nothing be irksome
+unto you, so will you find by the assistance of the Eternal God, that
+the Spirit of _Silver_ contains in it to cure and expel the _Dropsie_
+quite alone, as the Spirit of _Gold_, and as that of _Mercury_ can expel
+the _Consumption_ radically, or in the root, even so that the Center of
+those Diseases cannot be found any more. But that _Luna_ in the veins of
+the Earth is not furnished with such a hot substance or quality in its
+degree, but is subjected to a Waterish Nature; this fault lies upon that
+great Light of Heaven, which by reason of its Waterish influence, hath
+implanted such qualities in the other Creatures, and Planets of the
+Earth, than it hath in _Silver_. And albeit that _Silver_ contains a
+fix'd _Mercury_, which is generated in it, yet it wants a hot, fix'd
+_Sulphur_, truly to dry up and consume its Phlegme, whereby it hath not
+obtained a compact Body, unless it be done afterwards by the art of the
+Little World. And seeing that its Body is not compact by reason of the
+abounding watery substance, its Pores therefore are not rightly
+defended, nor closed to undergo the weight and endure a Battel with the
+Enemies; all which Virtues are to be found in _Gold_, if it shall
+overcome all Enemies, and endure all trials without defect.
+
+All things are difficult in the beginning, but when they are brought to
+an end they are easie to be understood and apprehended. If you do truly
+observe the Spirit and the Soul of _Luna_, and learn to know it truly,
+you may quickly compass the midst of the Work, how it shall afford the
+end with profit; wherefore I will now propose to you an Example, and
+instruct you by a Countrey-Rule, that you may apprehend it, and consider
+of it, as Childrens Play, in a high and weighty Matter, that you may
+search it out with advantage; as followeth:
+
+A common Peasant casts forth (or sows) his Seed in a Field well dunged
+and prepared, this Seed after putrefaction, sprouts forth of the Earth
+by the operation and furtherance of the Elements, and sets before our
+Eyes the Matter of Flax together with its Seed which it brings with it
+augmented; this Flax is pluck'd up, and separated from its Seed; but
+this Flax cannot be used and prepared for any work profitably, except it
+be first putrefied and rotted in water, whereby the Body is opened, and
+gains an ingress of its doing good; after this putrefaction and opening,
+it is again dried in the Air and Sun, and by this coagulation it is
+again brought into a Formal Being, that it may do future service. This
+prepared Flax is afterwards buck'd, beaten, broken, peel'd, and last of
+all dress'd, that the pure may be separated from the impure, the clean
+from the filth, and the fine from the course; which otherwise could not
+be done at all, or brought to pass without the preceding preparation;
+this done, they spin Yarn of it, which they boil in water over the Fire,
+or else with Ashes set in a warm place, whereby it is purified afresh,
+whereby the filth and superfluities are fully separated from it, and
+after a due washing the Yarn is dried again, delivered to the Workmen,
+and Cloth weaved of it; this Cloth is purified or whitened by a frequent
+casting of water upon it, cut in pieces by Taylors, and other people, so
+converted to future services in houshold affairs, and when this Linnen
+is quite worn out, and torn, the old Rags are gathered together, and
+sent to the Paper-Mills, whereof they make Paper, which is put unto
+divers uses.
+
+If you lay Paper upon a Metal or Glass, kindle and burn it, the
+vegetable _Mercury_ comes forth and flies away into the Air, the Salt
+remaines in the ashes and the combustible _Sulphur_ which is not so
+quickly consumed in the burning, dissolves to an Oil, which is a good
+Medicine for dim and defective Eyes. This Oil hath in it a great
+fatness, which is the Matter of the Paper, contained originally in the
+Seed of the Flax; so that the last Matter of the Flax which is Paper,
+must again be dissolved into the first Matter, which is the fat
+Sulphurous Oyliness of the Flax-seed, together with the separation of
+its _Mercury_ and _Salt_, that so the first may be made of the last, and
+the ground-work revealed, so the Virtues and Operations known by the
+first.
+
+And though this Discourse be gross and not subtil, yet you may learn
+thereby to know what is subtile and secret; for that which is subtile
+must be infused into the ignorant by course Examples, that thereby they
+may be taught to reject the gross, and to embrace that which is subtile.
+
+In like manner understand, that the first Matter of Metals must be
+observed, known, and found out by the revelation of their last Matter,
+which last Matter, as there are the perfect Metals, must be separated
+and divided asunder, that it may plainly appear singly before the Eyes
+of men. Out of which separation may be judged and learnt what the first
+Matter was at the beginning, out of which the last was made. Accept of
+this Advice concerning _Luna_ at present. I could have said more, but I
+must desist at this time until another opportunity; and intreat you
+heartily, admonishing you by your Conscience, that you observe all that
+which I have revealed unto you, of all those Letters which are contained
+in the middle between _Alpha_ & _Omega_, & that you keep all the
+Speeches & Writings, that you may not undergo a denial of pardon for
+your Sins, & a continued perpetual Vengeance for Eternity; which I at
+last reveal unto you thus:
+
+Take the Sky-coloured Sulphur extracted out of _Silver_, rectified with
+Spirit of Wine, dissolve it according to its Quantity in the White
+Spirit of _Vitriol_, and in the sweet-sented Spirit of _Mercury_,
+coagulate them together by the fixation of the Fire, you have the White
+Tincture in your Hands with all its Medicines; but if you can get all
+their _primum Mobile's_, it is then needless, because you can perfect
+the Work at once.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+_Of the Soul or Tincture of_ Tin.
+
+
+Good _Jupiter_ possesses almost the mean or middle place between Metals,
+it being not too hot, nor too cold, not too warm, nor too moist, it hath
+no excess of _Mercury_, nor of Salt, and it hath the least of Sulphur in
+it; it is found to be white in Colour, yet one exceeds the other in the
+three Principles, as it is evidently found in its dissection, the right
+and true discovery of Nature. It is generated of such a composition and
+mixture of the three first Principles, being operated, coagulated into
+a Metal, and brought to the ripeness of perfection. _Jupiter_ is a God
+of Peace, a Lord of Goodness, a Ruler and Possessor of the middle
+Region; as concerning its State, Essence, Function, Virtue, Form and
+Substance; for it holds the mean; no special Disease can happen, that
+_Jupiter_ should cause any remarkable damage, if its Medicine be used a
+little at once, not too much in quantity; it is likewise thought
+needless, where its Medicines are not required, that they should be
+administred in strange cases with a just Call, but we should rather
+abide by those, where the Body and its Disease have an equal temper with
+the superiour Stars and their assistance, in vertue, power, and
+operation, and so accord together in their juncture, that there is not
+found the least contrariety in the Operation, nor in the Operative
+Nature.
+
+_Jupiters_ Spirit is found not to be wanting in the least, in the
+generation of Metals, as likewise no one Spirit of all the Metals can be
+set backwards, because of necessity they accord together from the lowest
+to the highest degree, and must agree together, as a Metal is perfect in
+the great Earth, so should the transmutation & augmentation succeed in
+the little world; understand it after this manner, that all the degrees
+from the meanest to the highest Metal must be passed through in all
+perfection, even as the Metals must finish their course, from _Saturn_
+unto _Gold_, as concerning the permanency of Colour and Body,
+notwithstanding that _Saturn_ possesses the highest place in the
+highest Region, wherein the stars reign and perform their Course.
+
+The generation of Tin in and above the Earth, is brought to light even
+as Man is and other Animals, which are originally nourished and fed by
+the Mothers Milk; there is no Diet to be found on Earth more fit for the
+nourishment of all men than Milk; for its best part is chiefly an Animal
+_Sulphur_, which yields the Nourishment. Even in like manner _Tin_ is
+nourished by its Metallick _Sulphur_, which likewise feeds it with the
+greatest acceptation, it assumes in and to it more heat than _Saturn_,
+therefore is _Jupiter_ more digested & broiled, whereby its Body
+likewise is more fixt and permanent in the degree of Salt.
+
+He causes in his Dominion and Reign, that good Rule be observed, and
+Justice done to all men in his Court. The Spirit of Tin is a Preserver
+from all Distempers & Accidents whereby the Liver is consumed or put
+into malady; its Spirit is naturally to be compared unto Honey in Taste,
+its _Mercury_ being made volatile, gains a venomous quality; for it
+purges violently, and penetrates through by force, therefore it is not
+alwayes to be advised, that its opened _Mercury_ should be used alone
+and simply, but if a Correction precede, there may an excellent benefit
+succeed, being used in those distempers and diseases, which are
+immediately subject to its Influence, that is, when its venomous
+volatility is taken away, and set in a better and fixeder state, which
+resists the poison.
+
+The Vulgar Physician cannot understand this Description; for this Art
+and knowledge proceeds not from the bare Talking, but from Experience;
+the common Physician hath the foundation and egress in speaking, but our
+Preparation hath its Rise from speaking, and then its foundation first
+of all out of a certain trial, which manifests it by Experience, and
+this is firmed upon hard Rocks by manual Operations, but the other
+stands upon moving Reeds & Sand; wherefore in reason that which is
+strong and immoveable, made by Natures hand, ought to be prefer'd before
+bare Speeches, which proceed only from an inconstant phantastical
+speculation, because the Work alwayes will praise the Master.
+
+At present I do not indeed speak according to my own Poetical manner,
+nor after such a way as I directed my stile, when I treated of the
+wonderful generation of the seven Planets in my occult Philosophy, nor
+after a Magical or Cabalistical manner and custom; much less do I
+observe the method which teaches, and diligently marks the Mystical,
+Secret and Supernatural Arts, to wit, of _Hydromancy_, _AEromancy_,
+_Geomancy_, _Pyromancy_, _Nigromancy_, and the like: But my present
+purpose and intent is directed to reveal Natures Secrets, that all the
+Lovers of Art, and the Children which seek and desire wisdom, may by
+Gods Grace, Blessing, and Permission, easily understand, observe, mark,
+and likewise after diligent observation learn, & retain something that
+is beneficial; this concerns the generation of Metals in two parts, in
+the great and in the little World, as likewise what is the true Medicine
+contained in the inward part of those Metallick and Mineral Forms, which
+must be apprehended and made moveable by their dissection that their
+first beginning may be made notoriously visible in three distinct
+things; Then is Nature stript, and her secret parts discovered by laying
+off her temporal Cloathing, and all the secret Virtues, Powers, and,
+Operations revealed for Mans Health. My Persecutors, and, indiscreet
+Physicians will now tell me, thou talkest much of Geese, and knowest not
+a Duck; who knows whether all what thou writest be true? I will stick
+where I am, and remain by what I have tried, and bears the sway among
+all my Associates and Physitians; so shall I not be deceived, and am
+assured that I shall not need to take paines to learn any new Matter. He
+that is of such a resolution, may remain with the Ducks; for he is not
+worthy of a roasted Goose, nor to learn what is concealed in Nature.
+
+But this in truth I acknowledge, and confess it before the Supreme
+Trinity, speaking it to the hazzard of that most Noble Ecclesiastical
+Jewel, that all what I have wrote, and yet shall write in this point, is
+all true, and shall be found to be no otherwise in truth: But that every
+ignorant, or vulgar person, which are haters and persecutors of this
+Mystery, do not well, fully, and clearly understand my Writings at
+first; alas! that cannot I help; pray unto God for his Grace, and ye
+Persecutors for pardon, labour without repining, read with
+understanding, then will no Mystery be withheld from you, but will be
+very easie for you to find out. I moreover admonish, that the finder of
+this gift of God, above all things give thanks unto God day and night
+without ceasing, with all reverence and due obedience, from the bottom
+of his heart; because no Creature can yield sufficient praise which may
+recompense so great a benefit; but Diligence is known by a right and
+true industry according to our capacity. I have done my part, which I
+hope to justifie before God and the World; for what my Eyes have seen,
+my Hands felt, and apprehended by an undeceived Judgment, that shall no
+man take from me in this Life; only Death, which is the determiner of
+all things.
+
+This my Speech hath indeed had no force to poure forth from it what is
+written by me herein; but what I have done is not out of curiosity, nor
+out of a desire of vain and transitory Glory; but I have been induced
+thereunto by the Command of Christ the Lord, that his Glory and Goodness
+in eternal and temporal Matters, should not be concealed from any man,
+but to the praise, honour, and glory of his holy everlasting Name, that
+it might be exalted, acknowledged, and revealed in his Majesty by reason
+of his Highness and Almightiness, through the confirmation of his
+wonderful Deeds! And secondly, I have been led thereunto by Love and
+Charity towards my Neighbour, for his good as for my own, and to heap
+burning Coals on my Enemies heads. And last of all, that all Opposers
+may know, what erroneous waies others have gone against me, and whether
+I am most of all to be condemned, or they adjudged most just in what
+hath been written most truly of the concealments of Nature; & likewise
+that the supremest Mystery may not quite be suffocated in darkness, nor
+be drowned in overflowing waters, but be delivered out of the deep and
+filthy mire of the Ideotish Crew by the right appearance of the true
+Light, and obtain many witnesses by the spreading abroad of a sure,
+true, and right Confession, who may follow me in the Writings of Truth.
+In my Nativity of the twelve Signes in the Zodiack, _Sagitary_ and
+_Pisces_ were allotted unto me; I was born under _Pisces_, for I was in
+Waterishness before my Life, but _Sagitary_ set an Arrow to my Heart,
+whereby I lost my Waterishness, and by the heat I became worthy of the
+dry Earth; and although at the first the Earth was turned by the Water
+into a soft substance, yet you must understand that the Water was
+consumed by the heat of the drying Air, so that all the soft Matter of
+the Earth went away, and by this drying up was dignified with a
+Hardness; whereby thou Learner, and much Understander should carefully
+observe and take good notice, that Tin is subject to all the four
+Elements, as also to the other principal Planets; which Elements
+received their Center from above, and are generated as others.
+
+To conclude, I let you know, and give you to understand, that if thou
+extract out of Benevolent _Jupiter_ its Salt and Sulphur, and lettest
+_Saturn_ flux well with it, _Saturn_ assumes a fixt body unto it, purges
+it self, and becomes clear thereby, there being a full change and real
+transmutation of Lead into good Tin, which may be found to the height by
+a durable infallible proof. And though you may think this to be false,
+yet you must take notice, that seeing the Salt of _Jupiter_ only by its
+Sulphur is made more corporal, yet likewise it hath obtained an efficacy
+and power to penetrate _Saturn_, the basest and most volatile Metal, and
+bring it to a melioration of its Equals, as you will find it in
+reality.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+_Of the Spirit of_ Saturn, _or Tincture of_ Lead.
+
+
+_Saturn_ to generate his Metal Lead, is placed in the upper Heaven above
+all Stars, but he possesses the lowest and vilest degree in the
+under-parts of the Earth, even as the supreme Light of _Saturn_ is
+mounted aloft in the highest supremacy of all the Celestial planets, so
+hath its Children of the lower Region succeeded it in Kind; and Nature
+hath permitted that _Vulcan_ should conduct them to their like, if
+_Saturn_ be content; for the upper light gives occasion thereunto,
+having generated an unfixt Body of _Saturn_, penetrated with open pores,
+that the Air can pass through this _Saturnine_ Body, that the Air can
+keep it aloft, but the fire can quickly assault it, because the body is
+not compact by reason of its unfixedness, so that it must decay, which
+must be in all points observed by him that will attain to the search of
+it; for there is a great difference between the fix'd and unfix'd
+bodies, and of the causes of their Constancy and Inconstancy. And though
+_Saturn_ hath an especial ponderosity above other Metals, yet observe,
+when they are poured forth together, after their union in the Flux, the
+other Metals alwaies settle at the bottom, even as it likewise comes to
+pass in the pouring of _Antimony_ through with other Metals, whereby it
+is evident, that the other Metals fall through equally, and are more
+compact than _Saturn_, for it must give place and preheminence to the
+other Metals, leaving the victory with them; for it must vanish and be
+quite consumed with the unfixt inconstant Metals; in it all the three
+properties of the three principles are most course; and because its Salt
+is very fluxible above that of other Metals and Planets, so is its Body
+more fluxible, inconstant, unfixt, and volatile, than any other
+Metallick Body. As _Saturn_ steps to its regeneration, so know that in
+like manner, as common Water is forced by the natural coldness, by the
+change of the Heavens, whereby it becomes a coagulated Ice, in like
+manner is it to be made evident, that by reason of the great coldness
+which is found to be in the Salt of _Saturn_ above other Salts; _Saturn_
+is also coagulated and made corporal; Ice dissolves into water by heat;
+so likewise the coagulated _Saturn_ is made fluxible by Fire, it hath
+most of _Mercury_ in it, but it is inconstant and volatile; it hath
+least of Sulphur, and therefore according to its small quantity its cold
+body cannot be made warm; it hath little Salt, but fluxible, otherwise
+Iron would be more fluxible and malleable than Lead, if the Salt alone
+could cause a malleableness and fluxibleness, because Iron contains more
+Salt than any other Metal: Seeing then there is a difference to be found
+in this point, you must therefore observe and remember the difference,
+and how to distinguish between Metals.
+
+All Philosophers have wrote as well as I, that the Salt gives the
+Coagulation and Body to every Metal; and it is true; but to prove it by
+an example, how and after what manner this Relation is to be understood:
+Plume Allom is esteemed to be only a meer Salt, and is approved to be
+such, which in this particular may be compared to Iron, that the Salt of
+the Plume Allom is found to be a thing unfluxible as Iron is. On the
+other side, _Vitriol_ likewise is a Salt, manifesting it self in a small
+quantity, but fluxible and open, therefore its Salt cannot yield such a
+hard congelation unto its appropriated Metal, as the other can; although
+all the Salts of Metals grew out of one certain Root, and out of one
+Seed, yet nevertheless you must observe a difference in their three
+Principles, as also you must observe & remember, that a difference is
+found in one Herb from the other, and likewise how man differs from
+other Creatures and Animals in Qualities, Original, and the three
+Principles; for one Herb is indued with more of this, another with more
+of that kind, which in like manner is to be understood concerning Man
+and other Animals. The Soul of Lead consists in a sweet quality, as also
+doth the Soul of Tin, and sweeter yet, that nothing almost may be
+compared to it, being first of all purified to the highest by
+separation, that the pure be well separated from the impure, that a
+perfect accomplishment may succeed in the Operation: Otherwise the
+Spirit of Lead is by nature cold and dry, wherefore I advise, that it
+be not much used by Men and Women, because it over cools Nature, so that
+the Seed of both cannot perform their Natural Function; nor doth it much
+good to the Spleen and Bladder, but in other cases it attracts
+flegmatick Humours unto it, which raise up much Melancholy in Men; for
+_Saturn_ is a Ruler, and such a _Melancholicus_, whereby a Man is
+confirm'd in his Melancholy, wherefore its Spirit is used, for one
+Melancholy Spirit attracts another unto it, whereby Mans Body is freed
+and delivered from its infused Melancholy. Externally the Soul of
+_Saturn_ is so healing, in all Sores old or new, Cuts, Thrusts, or
+Accidents by Means or Nature, so that no Metal can do the like; it is
+cooling in all hot, tumified Members; but Noble _Venus_ hath the
+pre-eminence to mundifie and cauterize all putrid Sores, and to lay a
+ground for their Cure, which have their access from within; for in her
+essence she is hot to dry up, but _Saturn_ on the contrary is found to
+be cold in his Essence.
+
+The Celestial Light of the Sun is much hotter than the Light of the
+Moon; for the Moon is much lesser than the Sun, and according to its
+dimension and division it contains an eighth part of the greatness in
+its Circle; if then the Moon in this her Magnitude of the eighth part
+could excel the Sun, as the Sun excels the Moon, all Fruits and
+Productions of the Earth must perish, and there would be a perpetual
+Winter, no Summer to be found at any time: But the Eternal Creator hath
+in this case well ordained a certain Order and Law for his Creatures,
+that the Sun should give light by day, and the Moon by night, and so all
+Creatures should be served. Those Children which are subject to the
+influence of _Saturn_, are melancholy, churlish, continually murmuring,
+as old covetous people, who do no good to their own Bodies, and yet
+never have enough; they put their Bodies to much labour, torment
+themselves with thoughts and whimsies, seldom recreate themselves, or
+are merry with other people, nor do they greatly regard the natural love
+of fair Women.
+
+In brief, I tell thee that _Saturn_ is generated of little Sulphur,
+little Salt, and much unripe gross _Mercury_, which _Mercury_ is to be
+esteemed as a Froth that floates upon the Water, in comparison of that
+_Mercury_ which is found in _Sol_; and is much more hot in its degree,
+and therefore the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ by reason of its great coldness,
+hath not so quick a running Life as that which is made of Gold, wherein
+more heat is to be found, whence that running Life hath its original:
+Therefore in the inferiour world we must take notice of little _Vulcan_
+in the augmentation and transmutation of Metals, as I have described
+those three Principles of _Saturn_, as concerning their descent, nature,
+and complection. And every one must know, that no transmutation of any
+Metal can follow out of _Saturn_, by reason of its great coldness, only
+and except to coagulate common _Mercury_; for the cold Sulphur of Lead
+can qualifie and take away the hot running Spirit of the Quicksilver,
+if the process be rightly ordered, wherefore it is not amiss to observe,
+that _Mercury_ is so detained, that the Theory should agree with the
+Practick, and meet together in a certain measure and concordance. You
+must not therefore quite reject _Saturn_, nor in all points scornfully
+neglect him, because its Natures and Virtues are known yet but unto few;
+for the Stone of the wise hath the first beginning of its Celestial,
+high-shining Colour only out of this Metal, and from the influence of
+this Planet, the Key of Constancy is delivered unto him by putrefaction,
+because the red cannot be made out of the yellow, except before-hand a
+white be made out of the beginning of the black.
+
+I could yet treat variously, and at large of many wonderful works of
+Natural and Supernatural things. But because other Labours prevent me
+therein, of making a longer Narration, I therefore put a Conclusion to
+this Treatise at present, referring the other concerning the concealed
+Secrets of Minerals until I have a purpose to write further, in a
+particular Treatise of _Antimony_, _Vitriol_, _Brimstone_, _Magnet_, and
+which in especial are endowed before others, and depend upon those, out
+of which Gold and Silver have their beginning, middle and end, together
+with the true transmutation particularly; which virtues and power they
+have received out of one thing, wherein all these lie to be generated
+invisibly concealed, together with all Metals; which matter is publick
+before the eyes of all men, but because the vertues and powers are very
+deeply buried and unknown to the most part, therefore this matter is
+likewise esteemed as nothing, or of no value, and unprofitable, out of
+ignorance; even as the Disciples of the Lord going to _Emaus_, their
+eyes were opened at the breaking of Bread, that they knew wonder above
+wonder, what the rich Creator hath placed in the vile creature, the name
+is _Hermes_, who carries a flying Serpent in his Shield, having a Wife
+whose Name is _Aphrodita_, who can know the Hearts of all men, and yet
+all is one, and one only thing, one only Essence, which is common in all
+Places, and known every where, every one grasps it with his hands, and
+uses it in vile matters, and of small value; he values the vile at a
+high rate, and that which is high he casts away; it is nothing else but
+Water and Fire, out of which the Earth is generated by the help of the
+Air, and is yet preserved. Praise be to the most High for his Gifts: At
+present enough is revealed what my intent was to shew in this Treatise,
+and so I depart hence; for in separation all is to be found.
+
+
+
+
+_Of the Medicine or Tincture of_ Antimony_, as well to preserve Mans
+Body in Health, and to divert all desperate, and incurable Diseases, as
+also to cure the Leprosie of Metals, to purifie and to transmute them
+into the best Gold._
+
+_Written by that Noble and Learned Philosopher_, Roger Bacon.
+
+
+_Stibium_ or _Antimony_, as the Philosophers say, is composed of a Noble
+Mineral Sulphur, which they accounted to be the black secret Lead of the
+Wise.
+
+The _Arabians_ call it _Asmat_ or _Azmat_; the Alchymists retain the
+Name _Antimony_.
+
+_Addition._ The _Moors_ call it _Antimony_, others call it _Alabaster_,
+or _Tarbason_. By the _Arabians_ and _Spaniards_ it is called _Alcohol_.
+_Avicennae_ c. 7. calls it _Artemed_. _Alexius_ of _Piedmont_, in his
+seventh Book of Secrets, calls it _Talck_, even as _John Jacob Wecker_
+renders it in his Books of Secrets; but _Talck_ is far different from
+_Antimony_. _Pliny_, Book 33. Chap. 6. of _Antimony_. _Dioscorides_
+gives a preparation of _Antimony_, Book 5. Chap. 39. They call it also
+_Stibi_, _Stimmi_, _&c._ The _Germans_ call it _Spies glass_, or as
+_George Fabricius_ would rather have it, _Spies glantz_. _Gerlandius_
+calls it Black _Alcophil_, _Altofel_, or _Alirnu_, others _Cosmet_, and
+it is twofold, Masculine and Feminine.
+
+It will lead us to the consideration of higher Mysteries, if we behold
+and discern that Nature wherein Gold is exalted, even as the _Magi_ have
+found that this Mineral is by God ordained under the Constellation of
+_Aries_, which is the first Celestial Sign, wherein the Sun takes its
+Exaltation, though this be not regarded by the Vulgar; yet discreet
+people will know, and the better observe, that even in this place also
+the Mysteries and Perpetuity may in part be considered with great
+benefit, and in part discovered.
+
+But some ignorant and indiscreet people think, that when they had
+_Antimony_, they would deal well enough with it by Calcination, others
+by Sublimation, and some by Reverberation, thereby to obtain its great
+Mystery and perfect Medicine. But I tell you, that here in this place
+it availes not in the least, either Calcination, Sublimation, or
+Reverberation, whereby afterwards a perfect extraction can or might be
+done or effected with profit, to transmute the meaner into a better
+Metallick virtue; for it is impossible for you.
+
+Be not deluded; some of the Philosophers which have wrote of such
+things, as _Geber_, _Albertus Magnus_, _Rasis_, _Rupecissa_,
+_Aristotle_, and many others: But observe this: Some say, that if
+_Antimony_ be made to a _Vitrum_ or Glass, the bad volatile Sulphur is
+gone, and the Oil which may be prepared out of that Glass, will be a
+very fixt Oil, and will really give an ingress and Medicine of
+perfection to the imperfect Metals.
+
+These words and opinion are good and true, but it will not be nor
+appear such indeed; for I tell you truly, without concealed speeches,
+that if you lose any of the aforesaid _Sulphur_ in the Preparation or
+Burning, for a small fire may easily prejudice it, you then have lost
+the true penetrating Spirit, which should make the whole Body of
+_Antimony_ to a perfect red Oyl, which should also ascend over the helm
+with a delightful sent, and curious Colours; observe likewise, that the
+whole Body of this Mineral, with all its Members, should be but one Oyl,
+and ascend over the helm without any loss of weight, excepting the
+_feces_.
+
+How should the Body be brought to an Oil, or yield its pleasant Oil, if
+it be brought to the last being of its degree, for Glass is in all
+things the utmost and last.
+
+You shall likewise know that you shall not obtain that perfect noble Oil
+in the least, if it be extracted with corrected Vinegar poured upon the
+_Antimony_, nor yet by Reverberation; and although its various colours
+may appear, yet is it not the right way; you may indeed get an Oil, but
+you must know that it hath no part of the Tincture, or power of
+transmutation in it.
+
+
+_Now we come to the Manual Operation._
+
+Take in the Name of God, and of the Eternal Trinity, fine and very pure
+Mineral _Antimony_, which is fair, white, massie, and inwardly full of
+yellow Streaks or Veins, and likewise of red and blew Colours, and
+small Veins, this is the best; pound it to fine Powder, dissolve it by
+little and little in _Aqua Regis_, that the Water may conquer it. After
+Solution take it out immediately that the _Aqua Regis_ may do it no
+prejudice; for it will quickly dissolve the Tincture of the _Antimony_;
+for our Water in its nature is like to the _Ostrich_, which by his heat
+can digest Iron, and consume it to nothing; for the Water will consume
+it, and turn it to a Mud, that it shall remain only as a yellow Earth,
+and then is it quite spoiled.
+
+Take an Example hereof from Silver, which is dissolved, fair, pure and
+fine in these our Waters, but if it stand a night therein while the
+Water is strong and full of Spirits, I tell you, your good Silver will
+be corroded to nothing in these our Waters; and though you would reduce
+it into a Massie Body, you cannot; for it will remain as a pale yellow
+Earth, and sometimes it will run together in the form of Horn, or of a
+white Horse Hoof, which you can by no Art reduce into a Body.
+
+Wherefore you must remember to take the _Antimony_ out presently after
+the Solution, precipitate and adulterate it according to the custom of
+_Alchymists_, that it may not be corroded with its perfect Oil by the
+Water, and burnt up to nothing.
+
+
+_The Water wherein we dissolve is thus made._
+
+R. _Vitriol_, a pound and a half, _Salt-Armoniac_ one pound, _Azinat_
+one pound, _Salt-nitre_ a pound and a half, _Salt-gemme_ one pound,
+_Allom_ half a pound; these are the Ingredients which belong unto the
+making of the Water for the Solution of _Antimony_.
+
+Take and mix them well together; at first distil very slowly, for the
+Spirits ascend with greater violence than those of any other common
+_Aqua fortis_; beware of its Spirits; for their Fumes are very subtile
+and hurtful in their penetration.
+
+When you have adulterated the _Antimony_ well and purely from the
+corrosive Water, then put it into a clean Vial, poure good distilled
+Vinegar upon it, set it forty dayes and nights to putrefie in
+Horse-dung, or in _Balneum Mariae_, it will be bloud-red. Take it out,
+and see how much is yet to be dissolved, decant off gently the pure and
+clear, which is red into a Glass-Gourd, poure other Vinegar upon the
+_Faeces_ as before, that if any thing should yet remain therein, it might
+be dissolved; this must be done four times in fourty days and nights;
+for if any good be in the _Faeces_, it will be dissolved in that time,
+then cast the Dregs away as unprofitable, being but Dirt, and to be cast
+to the Dunghill.
+
+Put all the Solutions in a glass-Gourd into _Balneum Mariae_, distil all
+the tart Vinegar from it, pour it on again, or else pour fresh, if this
+be too weak, it will quickly dissolve in the Vinegar; distil it again
+from it, that the Matter be quite dry; then take common distilled water,
+wash all tartness from it with the Vinegar imparted to the Matter, then
+dry the Matter in the Sun, which is of a very deep red, or else dry it
+very well at a gentle fire.
+
+When the Philosophers find our _Antimony_ thus secretly prepared, they
+say then that its external nature and virtue is inverted internally, and
+the internal cast forth externally, henceforth becoming an Oil, which is
+concealed in its innermost and profoundest part, till it be well
+prepared, and cannot any more be brought into its first Essence, untill
+the last Judgment; and it is true, for so soon as it feels the force of
+the fire, it flies away in a Vapour with all its parts, because it is
+volatile.
+
+Some of the common Laborators, having thus prepared _Antimony_, they
+take one part out because of its consumption, that they may the better
+operate it, they mix with it one part of _Salt-Armoniac_, one part of
+the _Vitrum_ (with others _Titrum_) one part of the _Rebooth_ (with
+others _Cadoli_) wherewith the Bodies are cleansed; this mixture they
+cast upon a pure _Luna_, and if there were eight Ounces of the _Luna_,
+they found ten Drams of good Gold in the separation, and sometimes more;
+and by this work they gained wherewithal to bear their Charges, the
+better to attend upon, and attain unto the great Work. The ignorant
+called this an induction into the Silver, but that is false; for this
+Gold is not brought into it by the Spirits, but every kind of Silver
+hath one Ounce of Gold more or less in the Mark (or 8 Ounces) for Gold
+is so united with the Nature of Silver, that it cannot be separated from
+it, either by _Aqua fort_, or common _Antimony_, as the _Gold-smiths_
+know.
+
+But when the aforesaid Composition is cast upon the _Luna_ in the flux,
+then happens such a separation, that the _Luna_ doth freely let go the
+Gold implanted therein into the _Aqua fort_, and is separated from it,
+letting it precipitate and sink to the bottom, which otherwise could not
+be done at all. Therefore it is not an induction into the _Luna_, but a
+bringing out of it.
+
+But we return again to our proposed Work; for we would have only the
+Oil, which was only known to the Wise, and not to the Ignorant.
+
+When you have rubified the _Antimony_ very well according to the former
+Directions, you must have in readiness a Spirit of wine well rectified,
+pour it over the red Powder of _Antimony_, set it four daies and nights
+in a gentle _Balneum Mariae_, that it may dissolve very well. And if
+then any of it remain undissolved, pour fresh Spirit of Wine upon it,
+set it again into the Bath as aforesaid, all will be well dissolved; and
+if perhaps any more _Faeces_ remain, they will be very few, cast them
+away, for they are good for nothing. Put the Solution into a
+glass-Gourd, with a Head luted upon it, set it into _Balneum Mariae_,
+with its receiver to take the Spirits, distil slowly with a slack heat,
+till all the Spirit of Wine be come over, pour it in again upon the dry
+matter, draw it off again as before; this pouring in & abstracting
+continue so often, till you see the Spirit of Wine ascend over the helm
+in various colours, then it is time that you follow it with a strong
+fire, then with the Spirit of Wine ascend red into the helm, and drop
+into the Receiver like a bloody Oil, and the tender Body ascends like a
+red Oil, dropping into the Receiver; truly this is the most secret way
+of the Wise, the so much applauded Oil of _Antimony_; it is a noble,
+well sented, virtuous, and powerful Oil, as you shall hear afterwards.
+
+But here I will teach and instruct you poor Operators another way,
+because you have not the Means to attend the great work, not as the
+Ancients did, with the separation of Gold out of Silver.
+
+Wherefore take one part of the Oil, or half an Ounce of _Saturn_, four
+Ounces calcined according to Art, pour the Oil upon the _Calx_ of
+_Saturn_, mixing it, set it ten daies and nights in the heat, into the
+secret Furnace; every two days augment the fire one degree, according to
+the capacity of the Furnace; after four days and nights set it into the
+third degree of Fire, therein let it rest three days and nights, then
+open the Door or Vent of the fourth degree, which must likewise continue
+three days and nights; afterwards take it out, the _Saturn_ will be
+above black, like unto Charcole dust, but under this black dust you will
+find other Colours, throughout pure, red, yellow, which flux with
+_Venetian Borax_, you will find it converted into good Gold by the power
+of our Oil, so have you means again to set forward the great work.
+
+We return again to our purpose, where we left off before. You have
+heard, and have been instructed how to abstract the Spirit of Wine with
+the Oil over the helm into the Receiver, and to use it for the work to
+convert _Saturn_ into Gold. But we will now hasten to the other work of
+the Tincture, and give advice concerning it. It will therefore be
+necessary to separate the Spirit of Wine again from the Oil, which do as
+followeth;
+
+Take the mixture of the Spirit of Wine, and of the Oil, set it into
+_Balneum Mariae_; distil the Spirit of Wine only from the Oil with a very
+slack heat, so that you may be assured that there is no more of the
+Spirit to be found in this most precious Oil, which you may easily try;
+when you see some of the drops ascend over with the Spirit of Wine, it
+is a sign that the Spirit of Wine is separated from the Oil, then
+remove all the fire from under the Bath, how little soever it be, that
+it may cool the sooner. Take away the Receiver with the Spirit of Wine,
+stop it very close, for it is full of Spirits which it hath retained
+from the Oil, as you will hear afterwards: But in _Balneum Mariae_ you
+will find that blessed Oil of _Antimony_ red as Bloud; take it out, wash
+the Lute off by gentle mollification, that nothing impure may fall into
+that curious red Oil, when you take the head off; reserve it carefully,
+that by no means it may receive prejudice, for you have a Celestial Oil,
+which in a dark night shines like a glowing Cole, and this is the
+reason, because its internal power and soul is cast forth externally,
+the hidden Soul being now revealed, shining through the pure Body as a
+Candle through a Lanthorn, even so at the last day, these our invisible
+internal Souls shall be revealed, and seen out of the Body, shining as
+the clear Sun: So keep each apart, as well the Spirit of wine full of
+power, and wonderful in curing humane Distempers, as also the blessed,
+red, noble, celestial Oil, which transmutes all the Diseases of the
+imperfect Metals into the perfection of Gold; and the power of the
+spiritual Wine extends very far being rightly used.
+
+I tell you, you have obtained a Celestial Medicine, to cure all the
+Diseases and Distempers of Mans Body; its use is, as followeth;
+
+
+_In the Gout._
+
+Give three drops in a Cup of Wine fasting to the Party, just at the time
+when he feels the beginning of his misery, anguish and pain to come upon
+him, the second and third, use it in like manner; it allaies all pain
+the first day how great soever it be, and prevents Swelling; the second
+day it causes Sweat, which is very nasty, tough and thick, very soure in
+taste, and of an evil sent, and most of all in those parts where the
+Members are united and joined together by the Joints; and if you should
+give none in the third day, yet will there be a purgation of the Veins,
+and of the Excrements, without any molestation or pain; is not this a
+great power of Nature?
+
+
+_In the Leprosie._
+
+At the first time take six drops fasting, and cause the impure party to
+be alone, free from sound people, in a place far distant, and
+commodious; for all his Body will begin to send forth Fumes and Steams,
+like unto a stinking Fog, and Vapours abundantly; the next will Scales
+and much Uncleanness fall from his Body; then let him have three drops
+of this Medicine, and let him take it in on the fourth day, afterwards
+on the eighth or ninth day by the assistance of Gods Grace and Blessing,
+he will be quite clean.
+
+
+_In the Apoplexie._
+
+Let one drop fall upon the tongue of the Patient, it will attract it
+forth immediately like unto a Mist or Fume, and restore the party again;
+but if he were taken in the Body, or in the Members and Limbs, then give
+him three drops at once in good wine, as you have been taught in the
+Gout.
+
+
+_In the Dropsie._
+
+Give one drop in baulm water, or Valerian water six days together, the
+seventh day give three drops in good wine, and it is sufficient.
+
+
+_In the Falling Sickness, and its kinds, as Epilepsie, Catalepsie, and
+Analepsie._
+
+In the beginning of the Fit give the Patient two drops in Sage-water,
+after three hours, give him three drops more, and it is sufficient. But
+if in case any thing should stir again, give him two drops, as hath been
+said.
+
+
+_In a Hectick._
+
+Give the party two drops the first day in water of Violets, the second
+day two drops more in good Wine.
+
+
+_In Agues._
+
+Give the party three drops in the beginning of the Fit, early in a
+morning, in good distilled water of St. _John_'s wort, or of Succory,
+and the next day two drops more fasting.
+
+
+_In the Plague._
+
+Give the Patient seven drops in good Wine, let the infected party be
+alone, and let him sweat well upon it, by the Divine Assistance that
+poison will not prejudice him as to his Life.
+
+
+_For a prolongation of a healthful Life._
+
+Take and give two drops at the beginning and entrance of the Spring, and
+in the beginning or entrance of Autumn likewise two drops; every one
+that so takes it, is freed, and well preserved from unhealthful and
+infectious Air, except the Disease were by Almighty God ordained for the
+death of the party.
+
+We will now step further to the Oil, and its Power, and shew how by it
+the Diseases of the impure Bodies of the Metals may be cured.
+
+In the Name of God, take very pure, fine, refined Gold, as much as you
+will, or think to be sufficient, dissolve it in a rectified Wine, as is
+usual to make _Aqua vitae_; after solution of the Gold, set it a Moneth
+in digestion; this distil in a Bath very slow and gently, distil the
+Spirit of Wine divers times from it, so long till you see your Gold lie
+at the bottom like a Juice: This is the true way and meaning of some of
+the Ancients, to prepare Gold. But I will shew and teach you a way much
+readier, better, and more beneficial; that in stead of this prepared
+Gold, you take one part of the _Mercury_ of Gold, as I have taught the
+making of it in another place; abstract from it its water of Airiness,
+that it may be a subtle Dust, and take two parts of our blessed Oil,
+poure the Oil very slowly upon the Dust of the _Mercury_ of Gold, till
+all be in it, set it in a Vial well sealed, in the heat of the first
+degree of the secret Furnace; therein let it stand ten dayes and nights,
+your Powder and Oil will be quite dry, of a black gray colour. After ten
+days give it the heat of the second degree, the gray and black colour
+will by little and little become white, till at last it will be of a
+heavenly white, and at the end of the ten days it will begin to be of a
+pure red, but let not this trouble you; for all these Colours proceed
+only from the _Mercury_ of Gold, which swallowed up our blessed Oil,
+and now conceals in the innermost part of its Body; but our Oil will
+conquer this _Mercury_ of Gold by the power of the fire, and cast it
+forth from within, and the Oil will predominate over it with its hot red
+Colour, and be continually outwards. And therefore it will be time,
+after the expiration of twenty days, that you open the window of the
+third degree, wherein the external white Colour and Power will by little
+and little enter in into the inward part, and the internal red Colour
+will turn outward by the force of the fire. Keep this degree of heat ten
+days without diminution or augmentation of it, you will see a Powder
+which before was white, to be now very red, but let not redness trouble
+you, for 'tis yet unfix'd and volatile. And after these ten days are
+ended, thirty days being in all expired, then open the last window of
+the last degree of fire, keep it ten days in this degree, this high red
+pouder will then begin to flux, let it stand so in flux the ten days,
+then take it out, you will find at the bottom a very high, red,
+transparent stone of a Ruby Colour, flux'd according to the form of the
+Glass, as is taught in the Treatise of _Vitriol_, wherewith you may make
+projection. Praise God for such his high Revelation, and thank him for
+ever, _Amen_.
+
+
+_Its Multiplication._
+
+The Ancient Wise, having found the Stone, and prepared it to a perfect
+power, and mutation of the imperfect Metals into Gold, have a long time
+enquired whether a thing were not to be found to augment the power of
+the Stone; and they found two kinds of Augmentation, one of the power of
+it, so that the Stone may be brought much higher; of this multiplication
+you will find direction in the Treatise of Gold. The other Augmentation
+is an augmentation of the quantity of the Stone, in its former power, so
+that it receives no more, nor loses any thing of its power, though it
+increase in weight, and augment more and more, that out of one Ounce
+many Ounces arise and increase.
+
+The Augmentation or Multiplication is done as followeth; Take your Stone
+in Gods Name, grind it to a subtile powder, add to it as much of the
+_Mercury_ of Gold, as is taught before, put them together into a fine
+round Vial, seal it hermetically, set it into the fiery Furnace,
+proceeding as you have been instructed before, only this time is
+shorter, for whereas before you had ten (thirty) days, now you need no
+more than four (ten) days, otherwise the work is one and the same.
+
+Praise and give thanks to Almighty God for his high Revelation, continue
+in Prayer for his Grace and Divine Blessing in this Art and Operation,
+as likewise for continuance of Health and Prosperity; withal let the
+poor be recommended to your Help and Charity.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Glory be to Almighty God._
+
+
+
+
+_A Work of_ Saturn, _of Mr._ John Isaac Holland.
+
+
+The PREFACE.
+
+Courteous Reader,
+
+_The_ PHILOSOPHERS _have written much of their Lead which is prepared
+out of_ Antimony, _as_ Basilius _hath taught; and I am of the opinion,
+that this Saturnine Work of the most_ _excellent Philosopher M._ John
+Isaac Holland _is not to be understood of common Lead_, (_if the Matter
+of the Stone be not much more thereby intended_) _but of the_
+Philosophers _Lead. But whether the Vulgar_ Saturn _be the Matter of the
+Philosophers Stone, thereof you will receive sufficient satisfaction
+from the subsequent 17 Considerations or Documents. This is published
+for the benefit of all the Lovers of this Art, because it expounds and
+declares the Stone of Fire._ Vale.
+
+
+_A Work of_ Saturn
+
+_In the Name of the Lord_, Amen.
+
+My Child shall know, that the Stone called the _Philosophers Stone_,
+comes out of _Saturn_. And therefore when it is perfected, it makes
+projection, as well in mans Body from all Diseases, which may assault
+them either within or without, be they what they will, or called by what
+name soever, as also in the imperfect Metals.
+
+And know, my Child, for a Truth, that in the whole vegetable work there
+is no higher nor greater Secret than in _Saturn_; for we do not find
+that perfection in Gold which is in _Saturn_; for internally it is good
+Gold, herein all Philosophers agree, and it wants nothing else, but that
+first you remove what is superfluous in it, that is, its impurity, and
+make it clean, and then that you turn its inside outwards, which is its
+redness, then will it be good Gold; for Gold cannot be made so easily,
+as you can of _Saturn_, for _Saturn_ is easily dissolved and congealed,
+and its _Mercury_ may be easily extracted, and this _Mercury_ which is
+extracted from _Saturn_, being purified and sublimed, as _Mercury_ is
+usually sublimed, I tell thee, my Child, that the same _Mercury_ is as
+good as the _Mercury_ which is extracted out of Gold, in all operations;
+for if _Saturn_ be Gold internally, as in truth it is, then must its
+_Mercury_ be as good as the _Mercury_ of Gold, therefore I tell you,
+that _Saturn_ is better in our work than Gold; for if you should extract
+the _Mercury_ out of Gold, it would require a years space to open the
+body of Gold, before you can extract the _Mercury_ out of the Gold, and
+you may extract the _Mercury_ out of _Saturn_ in 14 days, both being
+alike good.
+
+Would you make a work out of Gold alone, you must labour two whole years
+upon it, if it shall be well done: and you may finish a work of _Saturn_
+in 30 or 32 weeks at the most. And being both well made, they are both
+alike good; _Saturn_ costs nothing or very little, it requires a short
+time, and small labour; this I tell you in truth.
+
+My Child, lock this up in thy heart and understanding, this [Symbol:
+Saturn] is the Stone which the Philosophers will not name, whose name is
+concealed unto this day; for if its name were known, then many would
+operate, and the Art would be common, because this work is short, and
+without charge, a small and mean work.
+
+Therefore doth the name remain concealed; for the evils sake which might
+thence proceed. All the strange Parables which the Philosophers have
+spoken mystically, of a Stone, a Moon, a Furnace, a Vessel, all this is
+_Saturn_; for you must not put any strange thing unto it, only what
+comes from it, therefore there, is none so poor in this world, which
+cannot operate and promote this work; for _Luna_ may be easily made of
+_Saturn_, in a short time, and in a little longer time _Sol_ may be made
+out of it. And though a man be poor, yet may he very well attain unto
+it, and may be employed to make the _Philosophers Stone_.
+
+Wherefore my Child, all is concealed in _Saturn_, which we have need of,
+for in it is a perfect _Mercury_, in it are all the Colours of the
+world, which may be discovered in it; in it are the true black, white
+and red Colours, in it is the weight, it is our _Lattin_.
+
+
+_Example._
+
+The eye of a man cannot endure any thing that is imperfect, how little
+soever it be, though it be the least Atome of Dust, it would cause much
+pain, that he can rest no where. But if you take the quantity of a Bean
+of _Saturn_, shave it smooth and round, put it into the Eye, it will
+cause no pain at all; the reason is, because it is internally perfect,
+even as Gold and Precious Stones. By these and other Speeches you may
+observe, that _Saturn_ is our _Philosophers Stone_, and our _Latten_,
+out of which our _Mercury_ and our Stone is extracted with small Labour,
+little Art and Expence, and in a short time.
+
+Wherefore I admonish you, my Child, and all those who know its name,
+that you conceal it from people, by reason of the evil which might
+thence arise; and you shall call the Stone our _Laton_, and call the
+Vinegar Water, wherein our Stone is to be wash'd; this is the Stone and
+the Water whereof the Philosophers have wrote so many great Volumes.
+
+There are many and different works in the Mineral Stone, and especially
+in that Stone which God hath given us _gratis_, whereof many strange
+Parables are written in the Mineral Book.
+
+But this is the true Stone, which the Philosophers have sought, because
+it makes projection upon all the imperfect Metals, especially upon quick
+_Mercury_, and moreover it makes projection upon all diseases
+whatsoever, which may come into mans Body, as likewise upon all Wounds,
+_Cancer_, _Fistulaes_, _open Sores_, _Buboes_, _Imposthumes_, and all
+whatsoever can come externally upon mans Body, therefore this Stone is
+not under the Mineral work, but under the Vegetable.
+
+It is the beginning of the Vegetable Book, and the principal; this Stone
+is called _Lapis Philosophorum_, the Mineral Stone is called _Lapis
+Mineralis_, and the third Stone is called _Lapis Animalis_. This Stone
+is the true _Aurum potabile_, the true Quinessence which we seek, and no
+other thing else in this world but this Stone. Therefore the
+Philosophers say, whosoever knows our Stone, and can prepare it, needs
+no more, wherefore they sought this thing and no other.
+
+My Child shall take 10, 12, or 15 pound of _Saturn_, wherein is no
+mixture of any other Metal; laminate it thin, have in readiness a great
+Stone Jugg, half full of Vinegar, stop the Jugg very close, set it in a
+Lukewarm Bath, every three or four days scrape off the calcin'd _Saturn_
+from the Plates, and reserve it apart, thus do so long till you have 5
+or 6 _l._ of the calcin'd _Saturn_, then grind it very well on a Stone
+with good distilled Wine-Vinegar, so as you may paint therewith, then
+take two or three great Stone-pots, therein put the _Calx_ of _Saturn_
+which you ground, poure good distilled Wine-Vinegar upon it, that two
+parts of the Pot be full, stir it well together, stop the Pot close with
+a polished Glass or Pebble-stone, set the Pots in a Bath, stir it four
+or five times in a day with a wooden Ladle, lay the Glass or Stone
+Stopple again over it, make the Bath no hotter than that you may well
+endure your hand therein, that is, lukewarm; so let it stand fourteen
+days and nights, then decant that which is clear into another Stone-pot,
+poure other distilled Vinegar upon the _Calx_ which is not well
+dissolved, mix them well together, set it 14 days in the Bath, again
+decant it, and poure other Vinegar upon it as before. This decantation
+and pouring on continue so long till all the _Calx_ of _Saturn_ be
+dissolved, then take all the dissolved _Saturn_, set it in a Bath,
+evaporate the Vinegar by a small fire, the _Saturn_ will become a powder
+or lump. Or stir it about until it be dry, you have a mass or powder of
+a dark yellow, or honey colour, then grind the powder again very finely
+upon a Stone with distilled Vinegar; put it into a stone-pot, stir and
+mix it well together, set it again into a Bath, which is but lukewarm
+so let it stand five or six dayes, stir it every day from the top to the
+bottom with a wooden Ladle, cover it again with the glass-Stopple, then
+let it cool, poure off that which is dissolved into a great stone pot,
+poure other Vinegar upon it, mix and stir them well together, set it
+into the Bath as before, reiterate this decantation and pouring on so
+often, till no more will dissolve, which try with your tongue, if it be
+sweet, it is not enough dissolved, or put some of it into a glass-gourd,
+let it evaporate, if any thing remain, it is not yet all dissolved which
+would be Gold, and then what remaines in the pot are _Faeces_, and sweet
+upon the Tongue; if you find any thing in the Gourd, it is not yet all
+dissolved, then may you poure fresh Vinegar upon it, till all be
+dissolved, then coagulate it as before, poure other Vinegar upon it,
+stir it, set it again into the Bath, reiterate this operation of
+solution and coagulation so long till you find no more _Faeces_ at the
+bottom, but all be dissolved into a pure clear water, then is _Saturn_
+freed from all its Leprousness, Melancholy, _Faeces_, and blackness,
+being pure and white as Snow, for it is cleansed from all its
+uncleanness, because its coldness stands outwards as _Luna_ doth, and
+its heat is internal, fluxible as wax, and sweet as sugar Candy.
+
+
+_Why is it as white as Snow?_
+
+Because it is purified from all its impurities, and because its
+coldness stands external as _Luna_ doth, and its heat is internal.
+
+
+_Why is it sweet?_
+
+Because the four Elements in it are pure, and separated from all
+sulphurous stink and blackness, which _Saturn_ received in the Mine; it
+is almost Medicinal, and like unto Nature: And because it is so pure, it
+affords some of its internal virtue outwardly, as that of Sweetness; but
+the heat is so covered with the cold, that it cannot put forth its power
+externally by reason of the cold which is external (the heat of _Saturn_
+lies internal, even as in _Salt-Nitre_) as doth the Taste, the Spirit of
+Tasting is the most subtile in all things, as is taught more at large in
+the Book of Vegetables, how the Air doth dilate it self from all Herbs
+and Flowers externally; for the Spirit of the Air lies in the inward
+part of all things; for God created nothing in this world but it hath
+its peculiar Taste or Air, the Air and the Taste are one Spirit, the
+Taste goes out of the Air, as Smoke from the Fire.
+
+But how comes it to pass, that a thing which hath a sweet Air, is bitter
+in Taste? The cause is, because the _Faeces_ of that thing are putrid and
+stinking in the Elements, that is the Choler or Heat; for whatsoever is
+unnaturally hot, hath a bitter Taste; the Air and the Taste are both one
+Spirit, and as the Spirit of the Air presses outwards through a hot
+thing, so doth the Air embrace the Taste about, and descends the subtile
+Taste, that it should not be burnt by the vehement burning Choler, as
+in the Herbal is at large express'd.
+
+But the cause why _Saturn_ is sweet in Taste is, that it is almost pure
+and clean, having scarce any unnatural heat in it, which can burn the
+subtile Tast, therefore it hath the Taste externally, and the Taste hath
+the Spirit of the Air lock'd up in it.
+
+My Child, know what I said before, that a thing wherein is much burning
+heat, the Air locks up the Taste therein, because the Taste shall not be
+corrupted by the unnatural heat. So the Taste includes the Air in it,
+when it issues forth from a thing which is externally cold; for the
+subtil Spirits of the Air or Sent of a thing can endure no Cold, as we
+see daily in Herbs and Flowers that they yield no Sent in the Winter, as
+they do in the Summer; but they hide themselves in the Winter, and the
+Spirit hath the Sent inclosed in it, and the Spirit of Sent or Air.
+Behold a man that hath taken Cold, immediately he loses his Sent, and
+his Tasting is diminished. Even so it is here with _Saturn_; it is quite
+cold, so that the Taste manifests it self with the Spirit of Sent; for
+the Spirit of the Taste hath the Smell in it. Look upon Sugar which is
+well clarified from its _Faeces_, how sweet it is in Taste, yet it yields
+no Sent, yet there is an extraordinary sweetness in Sugar. What is the
+reason of this? Sugar is very cold externally, therefore is it white as
+Snow, and of a sweet Taste; yet Sugar internally is hot and moist, of
+the temper of Gold, and of such great virtue that it is called the
+Philosophers Stone, as it is approved, and very prevalent to cure all
+the Distempers of mans Body, as appears by its operation. The reason why
+I say this, my Child, is, that you should altogether understand its
+internal & external, and the Spirits which are in these things, whereof
+we discourse; that thereby you should know Gods wonderful works, and
+what wonders he works in these inferiour things, which are all made for
+our use.
+
+
+_What hath God in us, for whose sake he hath created all these Wonders,
+and all these things?_
+
+Wherefore, my Child, believe in God, love him, and follow him, for he
+loves you, as he makes it appear, and manifests himself in all things,
+as well in their Internals as in their Externals. O how wonderful is
+our Lord and God, from whom all Wonders proceed!
+
+
+_Now, my Child, why is_ Saturn _fluxible as Wax?_
+
+By reason of its abounding _Sulphur_, which is therein; for I find no
+fluxibleness or fusibleness in any thing saving in _Sulphur_, _Mercury_
+and _Arsenick_, and all these three are in _Saturn_; so that _Saturn_ is
+quickly fluxible, but all these three are cleansed with it from their
+uncleanness. And do you not know, that the Philosophers call their Stone
+_Arsenick_, and a white thing; and they say their _Sulphur_ is
+incombustible; they call it likewise a red thing, all this is _Saturn_,
+in it is _Arsenick_; for _Luna_ is principally generated of a white
+_Sulphur_, as is plainly taught in the Book of _Sulphurs_, and all
+_Arsenick_ is internally red as Bloud, if its inward part be brought
+outwards, as is demonstrated in the Book of Colours, _&c._ _Saturn_
+stands almost in the degree of fix'd _Luna_. So that in it there is a
+red Sulphur, as you see, when its internal is placed outwards, it will
+be red as a Ruby; there are no Colours but in the Spirits, so that there
+is in it a red and a yellow Sulphur. In it is _Mercury_, as may be seen,
+for _Mercury_ is extracted out of _Saturn_ in a short time, and with
+little labour.
+
+So that all three are in _Saturn_, but they are not fix'd therein, but
+they are clean, pure, incombustible, fluxible as Wax; in it are all
+things which the Philosophers have mentioned. They say, our Stone is
+made of a stinking menstruous thing: What think you, is not _Saturn_
+digg'd out of a stinking Earth? for divers are killed with the ill Sents
+and Vapours where _Saturn_ is digg'd, or they live not long who labour
+in that stinking black Mine, whence _Saturn_ is digg'd. And the
+Philosophers say, our Stone is of little value, being unprepared; they
+say, the poor have it as well as the rich, and they say true; for there
+are not poorer or more miserable people to be found than those which dig
+and work _Saturn_ in the Mine; and they say it is to be found in all
+Towns and places, wheresoever you come _Saturn_ is there. They say it is
+a black thing: What think you, is it not black? They say, it is a dry
+water, if Gold or _Luna_ be to be refined upon the test, must it not be
+done with _Saturn_? they must be wash'd and tried with it, as a foul
+garment is made clean with Sope. They say, in our Stone are the four
+Elements, and they say true; for the four Elements may be separated out
+of _Saturn_. They say, our Stone consists of Soul, Spirit and Body, and
+these three become one. They say true; when it is made fix'd for the
+white _Mercury_ and Sulphur with its Earth, then these three are one.
+
+Whereby is to be observed, that the Philosophers have said true; they
+concealed its Name for the ignorants sake, who are not their Children,
+to keep them still in their Ignorance. Thus, my Child, the Ancients took
+care to conceal the name of the Stone; now let us return to our purpose.
+
+You have now _Saturn_ wash'd and cleansed from all its impurity, and
+made as white as Snow, fusible as Wax, but is it not fix'd yet; we will
+make it fix the _Mercury_ and Sulphur with its Earth.
+
+Take a Glass-Vial, put half of your purified _Saturn_ into it, reserve
+the other half till you have occasion to use it; lay a polish'd Glass
+upon the mouth of the Glass, set it in a Cuple with sifted Ashes upon a
+Furnace; or set it on the _Tripos_ of Secrets, or in the Furnace wherein
+you calcine Spirits; give it Fire so hot as the heat of the Sun at
+_Midsummer_, and no hotter, either a very little hotter, or a very
+little cooler, as you can best hit it. But if you give it a greater
+heat, such as you may keep Lead in flux, then your Matter would melt as
+if it were Oil; and having stood so, ten or twelve days, its Sulphur
+would fly away, and your Matter would all be spoiled, for the Sulphur
+which is in your Matter is not yet fix'd, but is in the external.
+Wherefore the Matter melts presently, and though it be clean, yet it is
+not fix'd; wherefore give so gentle a fire to it, that it may not flux;
+so keep it six weeks, then take out a little of it, lay it on a glowing
+hot Plate, if it immediately melts and fumes, it is not yet fixed, but
+if the Matter remain unmelted, the Sulphur is then fix'd which is
+therein; then strengthen the Fire notably, till the Matter in the Glass
+begins to look yellow, and continually more and more yellow, like to
+powdered Saffron, then augment the fire yet stronger, till the Matter
+begin to be red, then prosecute your Fire from one degree to another,
+even as the Powder becomes redder and redder by degrees, so hold on your
+Fire, till the Matter be red as a Ruby, then augment the Fire yet more,
+that the Matter may be glowing hot, then is it fixt, and ready to pour
+the curious Water of Paradise upon it.
+
+My Child must know, that there are two ways of pouring on the Water of
+Paradise; I will teach you to make and prepare both, then may you take
+which you will; for the one is half as good again as the other.
+
+My Child, you may remember, that I ordered you to reserve the one half
+of the purified _Saturn_, which take and put into a Stone-pot, pour upon
+it a bottle or more of distilled Wine-Vinegar, set a head on, distil the
+Vinegar again from it in a Bath, the head must have a hole at the top
+to pour fresh Vinegar upon the Matter, and abstract the Vinegar again
+from it, pour fresh Vinegar again on, and again abstract it, this
+pouring on, and abstracting or distilling off must continue so long,
+till the Vinegar be drawn off as strong as it was when it was put in,
+then is it enough, and the Matter hath in it as much of the Spirit of
+Vinegar as it can contain; then take the Pot out of the Bath, take off
+the head, and take the Matter out, and put it into a thick glass which
+can endure the Fire, set a head on it, put it in a Cuple with Ashes,
+which set on a Furnace, first make a small Fire, and so continually a
+little stronger, till your Matter come over as red as Bloud, thick as
+Oil, and sweet as Sugar, with a Celestial Sent, then keep it in that
+heat so long as it distils, and when it begins to slack, then increase
+your Fire till the Glass begin to glow; continu this heat till no more
+will distil, then let it cool of it self, take the Receiver off, stop it
+very close with Wax, take the Matter out of the Glass, beat it to powder
+in an Iron Mortar, with a steel Pestle; and then grind it on a Stone
+with good distilled Vinegar, put this Matter so ground into a Pot, poure
+good distilled Vinegar upon it, that two parts be full, set the Pot into
+a Bath with a head upon it, distil the Vinegar off, poure fresh Vinegar
+again upon it, distil it off again: thus do so long, that the Vinegar be
+as strong as it was when it was first poured upon it, then let it cool,
+take the Matter out of the Bath, take the head off, take the Matter out
+of the Pot, put it into a stronger round Glass which can endure the
+Fire, as you did before, set it upon a Furnace in a Cuple with sifted
+Ashes, set a head on, and a Receiver luted to it, then distil it, first
+with a small fire, which augment by degrees, till a Matter come over red
+as Bloud, and thick as Oyl, as aforesaid; give it fire till no more will
+distil, then let it cool of it self, take off the head, break the
+glass-pot, and take the Matter out, powder it again, and grind it on a
+Stone with distilled Vinegar, put it again into the Stone pot, poure
+fresh Vinegar upon it, set it into the Bath, and its head on, distil the
+Vinegar from it, poure it on again as hath been taught, till the Vinegar
+remain strong as it was.
+
+Reiterate this distillation in the Bath until the Matter hath no more
+Spirit of the Vinegar in it, then take it out, set it in a glass-pot,
+distil all that will distil forth in ashes, till the Matter become a red
+Oil, then have you the most noble water of Paradise, to pour upon all
+fix'd stones, to perfect the Stone; this is one way. This water of
+Paradise thus distilled, the Ancients called their sharp clear Vinegar,
+for they conceal its name.
+
+My Child, I will now teach you other ways to make the Water of Paradise;
+this is an easie way, but not so good, nor doth it that high projection
+in humane Medicines, yet it cures all Diseases within and without, but
+the other cures miraculously in a short time.
+
+
+_The second way of preparing the Water of Paradise._
+
+My Child, if you would make it after this manner, you must take the half
+of your prepared _Saturn_ which I ordered you to keep, upon which poure
+the half of your fix'd and prepared Water of Paradise, take the half,
+put it into a Stone-pot, poure weak Wine Vinegar upon it, mix it well
+together, then take two pounds of calcined _Tartar_, which is well
+clarified by solution and coagulation, so that it leave no more _Faeces_
+behind it, _Salt Armoniac_ one pound, which is likewise so clearly
+sublimed, that no _Faeces_ remain after its sublimation, pound both
+together to a Powder, put them speedily into a pot, and stop it close
+immediately, or else it will run out; for so soon as the _Tartar_ and
+_Salt Armoniac_ come to the Vinegar, they lift themselves up, and would
+immediately run out of the mouth of the pot, wherefore stop the pot
+presently, set the pot in a Vessel of Water, they will cool speedily,
+otherwise if the cold and hot Matter should come together suddenly, they
+would contest together, rise up, and become so hot, that the pot would
+break for heat, if it were not set in cold Water; therefore take heed,
+when you put the powders in, that you stop it immediately, and set it in
+cold Water before you put the other Powder to it, then will they unite,
+let them stand a day and a night in that Vessel, then take them out, set
+them into a lukewarm Bath two days and nights, let it cool of it self,
+take the Stopple off from the pot, and set a head on, set the pot in
+sifted Ashes, upon a Furnace, distil with a small fire, and continually
+greater till all the Vinegar be over, then augment your Fire notably,
+till you see quick _Mercury_ drop out of the Pipe, when it ceases to
+drop, then augment the Fire by little and little and drive it so long as
+it drops; you may observe when it will leave dropping, if in the space
+of one or two _Pater-nosters_ one drop doth fall, then augment the Fire
+till the pot glow at the bottom, for twelve hours and when the _Mercury_
+is over, then should the _Salt Armoniac_ sublime up into the head, and
+the _Tartar_ remain with the Body of _Saturn_ at the bottom of the Pot,
+which take out, put it into a Linnen Bag, hang it in a moist Cellar,
+the _Tartar_ will dissolve, receive it in a Glass, the body of _Saturn_
+remains in the Bag, take it out, and calcine it in a reverberating
+Furnace three days and nights, with a great heat, as is taught
+elsewhere, then extract the Salt out, as is taught in the Mineral Book.
+You may make projection with the Salt, and coagulate your _Tartar_
+again, it will be as good or better than it was, likewise take your
+_Salt Armoniac_ out of the Head, it is good again, and if you could have
+no _Salt Armoniac_, then take three pound of calcined _Tartar_, likewise
+so clarified, that it leave no _Faeces_ behind, you then need no _Salt
+Armoniac_, therewith may you likewise extract the _Mercury_ out of
+_Luna_ and _Jupiter_, wherewith you may do wonders, as is taught in the
+Miner. Book, where is spoken of the Quintessence of Metals.
+
+Now my Child must know, that this _Mercury_ or Quintessence of _Saturn_
+is as good in all works as the _Mercury_ of _Sol_, they are both alike
+good, and herein all Philosophers agree. My Child, take this _Mercury_
+of _Saturn_, so drawn out of the Receiver, put it into a Glass Box.
+
+I have now taught you to make two sorts of the Water of Paradise; and
+know, my Child, that the first way is the best; though it be made with
+some danger, longer time, and more charge; for the Vinegar is all good,
+yet the red Oil is the best; its time is alike unto the end, and though
+it be more tedious before you obtain the red Oil, yet it fixes it self
+in a short time, if it come to the Matter or fix'd Stone, into a simple
+Essence in greater redness; but when the _Mercury_ comes to the fix'd
+stone, it holds on a long time in ascending and descending before it
+die, and when it is quite dead, it makes the red fix'd Stone again into
+a fixt colour, so covering the red stone with its coldness, that the red
+stone becomes white again, then must you boil it again gently with a
+small Fire, till it begin to be yellow, prosecuting the Fire from one
+degree to another, as the Colour is higher and stronger, and that so
+long till it attain to a perfect redness, which requires a long time
+before it be done, which is not requisite in the red Oil; for the red
+Oil dies or coagulates forthwith the stone, the one fixing it self with
+the other into a simple Essence, in a short time. Therefore I tell
+thee, my Child, that the time of the Oyl is alike long in the end,
+though it appear to be of a shorter time with the _Mercury_, but it is
+equally long at the end of the Work, therefore I tell you the Art of
+both Works, that you may the better understand the Art to make the Oyl
+from the innermost Nature of the Stone, which is found afterwards.
+
+The Oyl was unknown to the Ancients, for my Grandfather with his
+Companions found it with great labour and length of time.
+
+So there are two ways to dissolve the Stone, and to poure upon it the
+clear water of Paradise. Our Ancestors called the Oyl their sharp
+Vinegar; therefore, my Child, keep the Name private, and I will teach
+you first of all how you shall join the _Mercury_ to your Stone, which
+you extracted out of _Saturn_, to dissolve it; afterwards I will teach
+you to bring over the helm that red Oil which you extracted out of your
+prepared _Saturn_, into a fixt stone, to dissolve your stone.
+
+My Child, weigh your fixt stone, take half as much of your _Mercury_,
+poure it upon the stone in the Glass, cover the Glass again with a
+polish'd Glass which may just fit it, set it in a Cuple with sifted
+Ashes, make a small Fire like the Suns heat at _Midsummer_, and give no
+more Fire to it, until the Water of Paradise or _Mercury_ become all a
+dead Powder. And know, my Child, that the red or fixt Stone, which
+before was darkned, when it hath drunk up the Water of Paradise, or
+_Mercury_, or how you will call it, that it be a Powder between black
+and gray, then augment the Fire from one degree to another, till the
+Matter be perfect white, and when it is white, strengthen the Fire yet
+more, from one degree to another, till it be of a dark yellow Colour,
+then make it yet stronger, till it be of a perfect red; then rejoice,
+for your Stone is perfect, and fluxible as Wax. Praise God, who gives
+unto us part of his Miracles; and do good to the poor; you may see it
+with your fleshly Eyes, and use Gods goodness miraculously in this
+corrupt Life, for I tell you in good Charity, that if any one
+principally attain to this Stone, that it is given, afforded, and lent
+him from God. Whosoever hath this Stone, may live in a healthful state,
+to the last term of his Life, appointed him by God, and may have all
+whatsoever he desires on Earth.
+
+He shall be loved and esteemed of all people, for he can cure them all
+internally and externally of all Diseases which may befall them; but if
+the Stone doth not so, it is false, and deserves not the name of the
+Vegetable Stone, or Philosophers Stone.
+
+Therefore my Child, if God give you this Stone, look diligently to it,
+that you keep your self from offending God, that you make not this Stone
+on earth to be your Heaven; govern and rule your self to Gods glory and
+to the comfort of poor people, that Gods praise may be augmented, to the
+defence of the Christian Religion, and to the relief of poor exiled
+Christians I tell you, my Child, if you use it otherwise, God will
+leave you here a little while to your own Will, but afterwards he will
+speedily send a punishment, either you shall be struck dead, or die by a
+Fall; or die some other sudden death, and go Body and Soul to Hell, and
+be damned eternally, for your Ingratitude to God, who so graciously
+vouchsafed you so precious and great a Gift.
+
+Therefore, my Child, look carefully to it, so to govern your self to
+Gods Glory, and the Salvation of your Soul, that the eternal Curse may
+not fall upon you; and therefore I have left you this Writing as my
+Testament. Enough hath been said to the wise, therefore look to your
+self.
+
+
+_The Multiplication of the Stone now perfected._
+
+Now my Child, you may take the half of your Powder, put it into a Glass
+and melt it, have in readiness a Mould made hollow, of Box-wood, great
+or small as you please, it must be made smooth and even within with an
+Instrument, anoint it with Oil Olive, and when your red Powder is
+flux'd, poure it into the Mould, it will be a precious Stone, red as a
+Ruby, clear and transparent, take it out of the Mould, and make
+projection upon the imperfect Metals, and in the Body of Man.
+
+Take ten times as much of prepared _Saturn_ as I taught you before, by
+Coagulation and Solution, till it leave no _Faeces_ behind, then take
+your precious red Powder out of the Glass, that two parts be full, set
+it into your warm Bath, and let it dissolve: when any thing is
+dissolved, decant off that which is clear on the top into another Glass,
+poure other Vinegar upon it, let it dissolve again as before, decant and
+poure fresh Vinegar upon it so often, till all be dissolved into a clear
+Water, which is done usually in ten or twelve days, then set all that
+which is dissolved into a Bath, and a head upon it, distil the Vinegar
+from it again, and coagulate the Matter so long till it be dry and
+shine, then put it into another Glass, which set upon a Furnace in a
+Cuple with sifted Ashes, laying a polish'd Glass upon the Mouth of the
+Glass.
+
+My Child, know that your Matter is become fixt with the Stone in the
+solution, make an indifferent hot fire in the furnace, so hot as the
+heat of the Sun at _Midsummer_, or somewhat hotter; till the Matter
+begin to be yellow, then go on with the Fire from one degree to another,
+till you have a perfect yellow, then increase the Fire from one degree
+to another, till you have a perfect redness, which is quickly done, in
+half the time for the colour to come, and in the multiplication, but
+operate as before in the beginning, and poure Paradise water upon the
+Stone, as was taught you before in this Work, boil and mortifie it in
+every point to a perfect redness as hath been taught.
+
+Then may you again take half of it out, and make projection therewith,
+and multiply the other half again in all points as abovesaid, so may you
+always continue working.
+
+Now I will teach you the other way, and the best that is to water your
+red fixt Stone or powder with the red Oil, that it be fusible; you must
+know how much your red powder weighs, then take half the weight of your
+red Oil, to the full weight of the Stone, and poure it upon the red
+powder, and when the Oil is poured into the Glass, you may set a small
+head on, upon a Furnace in sifted Ashes, joining a Receiver to the Nose
+of the head, make a small fire under it, as the heat of the Sun in
+_March_, and no hotter; for there is yet some moisture of the Vinegar in
+the Oil, that it may be abstracted, continue it in that heat, that can
+perceive no moisture in the Head, then augment the fire a little, as the
+heat of the Sun at _Midsummer_, and if there be yet more moisture in it,
+you will perceive it in the head, but if you perceive it not in 6 or 8
+days, then take the head off, and lay the polish'd Glass again upon the
+mouth of your Glass, increase the fire, that you can scarce endure your
+hand or finger in the Ashes an _Ave-Mary_ while, continue the fire in
+that heat till the red Oil be all fixt with the Powder in the Glass,
+which you may know thus;
+
+Take a little of the powder out of the Glass, lay it on a glowing Silver
+Plate, if the powder melts as wax, and penetrates through the Plate as
+Oil doth through a dry Leather, and makes it Gold throughout, as far as
+the powder went, then is the Stone finish'd, and if it do not this, you
+must then let it stand in that heat till it do so without fuming.
+
+Now, my Child, when the Stone is finish'd, take half of it out of the
+Glass, put it into a Glass melting-pot, and melt the powder gently,
+which should be done presently, for it melts as Wax; and being melted,
+poure it into the Mould of Box-wood as aforesaid, it will be a red stone
+clear and transparent as Crystal, red as a Ruby, then make projection
+therewith, and set the other half again to multiply.
+
+Then take in Gods Name twenty parts of _Saturn_, which is prepared by
+Solution and Coagulation, till it leave no more _Faeces_ behind, as hath
+been said at the beginning. Dissolve these twenty parts of _Saturn_,
+dissolve by itself in a Glass with distilled Vinegar; likewise dissolve
+the powder of your Stone alone by it self in a Glass with distilled
+Vinegar, and when both are dissolved into clear water, poure both the
+Solutions together into a great Glass, set it into a Bath, a head on,
+and a Receiver to it, distil the Vinegar from it in the boiling Bath,
+till the Matter be dry, then let it cool of itself, put it into a Glass,
+lay a polish'd Glass over the mouth of the Glass, and set it into a
+Furnace in a Cuple with sifted Ashes, make a fire under it like to the
+Suns heat in _March_, till the powder be perfect white, which is quickly
+done.
+
+Then augment your fire from one degree to another, till the Matter
+become yellower and yellower, to a perfect yellow; then increase it yet
+stronger, from one degree to another, till it be redder and redder, to a
+perfect redness; then poure your water upon the red powder with the red
+Oil, or with the water of Paradise, or with the clear sharp Vinegar, or
+call it how you will, doing in all points as hath been taught, till the
+red powder flux like Wax upon a Silver Plate, without fuming,
+penetrating it as Oil doth dry Leather, that it become good Gold within
+and without; then render thanks unto God, be obedient to him for his
+Gifts and Graces.
+
+You may again take one half out of the Glass, and make projection,
+setting the other half in again, as hath been taught, so may you work
+all your Life-time, for the poor, and perform other duties to Gods
+Glory, and Salvation of your Soul, as I have said before; enough to the
+wise.
+
+
+_Projection upon Metal._
+
+Know, my Child, how and in what manner you must use this Stone, which
+makes projection upon _Mercury_, and all imperfect Metals and Bodies of
+_Mars_, _Jupiter_ and _Venus_, whereof make Plates glowing hot, whereon
+straw the Stone, and lay Coals on for a season, that the Stone may
+penetrate, but the Stones must be made quick with Gold, and _Jupiter_
+also, which is very laborious, as is taught in the projection. But you
+must project upon _Saturn_ or _Luna_, which need not be made quick, only
+flux them, and cast one part upon a thousand parts, it will be a
+Medicine, cast one part of these thousand parts upon ten parts, it will
+be the best Gold that ever was seen on earth.
+
+
+_Its Use in Physick._
+
+This Stone cures all Leprous people, Plague, and all Diseases which may
+reign upon Earth, or befal Mankind; this is the true _Aurum potabile_,
+and the true Quintessence which the Ancients sought; this is what thing
+whereof the whole Troop of Philosophers speak so wondrously, using all
+possible skill to conceal its Name and Operation, as aforesaid.
+
+Take of this Stone the quantity of a Wheat-corn, lay it in a little good
+Wine in a small Glass, half full, or a quarter full, make the Wine warm,
+the Stone will melt like Butter, and the Wine will be red as Bloud, and
+very sweet in your mouth, as ever you tasted; for to speak
+comparatively, it is so sweet in taste that Honey and Sugar may be
+compared as Gall to it; give this unto the Patient to drink, lay him in
+Bed, but lay not too many cloaths upon him, the Stone hastens forthwith
+to the heart, expelling thence all ill humors, thence dilating it self
+through all the Arteries and Veins of the whole Body, rousing up all
+humours, the party will sweat, for the Stone opens all the pores of the
+Body, and drives forth all humours thereby, so that the Patient will
+seem to have been in the Water, yet will this sweating not make him
+sicker, for the Stone expels only what is adverse to Nature, preserving
+what is consonant unto it in its being, therefore the Patient is not
+sicker or weaker; but the more he sweats the stronger and lustier will
+he be, the Veins will be lighter, and the Sweat continues till all evil
+Humours be driven out of the Body, and then it ceases.
+
+The next day you shall take of it the quantity of a Wheat-corn, in warm
+Wine again, you will go to stool immediately, and that will not cease so
+long as you have any thing in your Body which is contrary to Nature, and
+the more Stools the Patient hath, the stronger and lighter at heart will
+he be; for the Stone drives nothing forth but what is adverse and
+prejudicial to Nature.
+
+The third day give the like quantity in warm Wine, as aforesaid; it will
+so fortifie the Veins and Heart, that the party will not think himself
+to be a Man, but rather a Spirit, all his Members will be so light and
+lively, & if the party will take the like quantity of a Wheat-Corn every
+day for the space of nine days, I tell you, his Body will be as
+spiritual as if he had been nine days in the terrestrial Paradise,
+eating every day of the Fruit, making him fair, lusty, and young;
+therefore use this Stone weekly, the quantity of a Wheat-Corn with warm
+Wine, so shall you live in health unto the last hour of the time
+appointed for you by God.
+
+What say you, my Child, is not this the true _Aurum potabile_, and the
+true Quintessence, and the thing which we seek? It is a spiritual thing,
+a Gift which God bestows upon his Friends, therefore, my Child, do not
+undertake this Divine Work, if you find your self in deadly Sins, or
+that your intent be otherwise than to Gods Glory, and to perform those
+things which I taught you before.
+
+I tell you truly, you may see the Work, or begin it, but I am certain
+you shall never accomplish it, nor see the Stone, God will order it so,
+it will break, fall, or some one Disaster or other will happen, that you
+shall never see the Stone, or accomplish it. Therefore if you find
+yourself otherwise, do not begin the work, for I know assuredly, you
+will lose your Labour; wherefore deceive not yourself. Enough to the
+wise.
+
+
+_Its Use in External Diseases._
+
+My Child, there are some people who have external Distempers on their
+Bodies, as Fistulaes, Cancers, Wolf, or evil Biles, or Holes, be they
+what or how they will, _&c._ give him the weight of one Wheat-Corn to
+drink in warm Wine two days, as is taught before, the whole body within
+and without shall be freed from all which is adverse to Nature, and you
+shall deal with the open Sores thus;
+
+Take a Drachm of the Stone, seeth it in a pottle of Wine in a Glass, the
+space of two or three _Pater-nosters_, that the Stone may melt, the Wine
+will be as red as Bloud, therewith wash the Sores morning and evening,
+laying a thin Plate of Lead over, in a short time, as in ten or twelve
+days the Sores will be whole; and give him every day the quantity of a
+Wheat-Corn, in warm wine till he be well. If they be Fistulaes or other
+concave Holes, that you cannot come at them, to wash them, then take a
+Silver Syringe, and inject of that wine into them, it will heal home, as
+aforesaid.
+
+And if one had a pound of the rankest Poison in the world in his Body,
+and immediately drink a Drachme thereof in warm Wine, the poison shall
+forthwith evacuate by siege, together with all the evil Humors in his
+Body.
+
+My Child, here ends the most noble and precious Work which is in the
+Vegetable Book; on whomsoever God bestows this Stone, needs no other
+thing, in this World, therefore keep it as close and well as you can, to
+Gods Glory, who grant that we may walk in his obedience, _Amen_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_God is blessed in his works._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FINIS.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Of Natural and Supernatural Things, by
+Basilius Valentinus
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