Basilius Valentinus, Monk, of the Order of St. BENNET: His last WILL and TESTAMENT. Which being alone, He hide under a Table of Marble, behind the High-Altar of the Cathedral Church, in the Imperial City of Erford: leaving it there to be found by him, whom God's Providence should make worthy of it. WHEREIN, He sufficiently, declares the ways he wrought to obtain the Philosopher's Stone: which he taught unto his fellow Collegians, so that they all attained the said Philosopher's Stone, whereby not only the leprous bodies of the impure, and inferior Metals are reduced unto the pure and perfect body of Gold and Silver, but also all manner of diseases whatsoever are cured in the bodies of unhealthful men, and kept thereby in perfect health unto the prolonging of their lives. A Work long expected. LONDON, Printed by W.B. for T. Davis, and are to be sold at his shop in St. Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Bible over against the little North door, 1658. To the Reader. gratis, even such diseases, which humane learning judged to be incurable: and if he got any riches, he supplied the wants of the needy. Let not the vicious hearts and hands presume to meddle with it, lest in stead of a blessing they should meet with a curse. Therefore, Procul hinc, procul ite prophani. In this book are contained these following heads. 1. THe nature, condition, and property of Myne-works, in which Minerals and Metals do grow; of their first seed, birth, quality, and property, and of their exhalation and inhalation, how they are supported in their growth and augmentation. 2. The occasion of Oars, Stones, Rocks, Marbles, of their passages and Clefts, their Liquors, Juices, Energies, and operations, viz. of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, Led, Quicksilver, and of Minerals. 3. A plain literal expression of that Universal Elixir, whereby a healthful life is prolonged, all diseases expelled, and abundance of riches obtained: with a perfect Declaration of the XII. Keys. 4. A particular Description of Metals, whereby their several endowments are declared, how they serve to keep man in perfect health, with many Manuals for the working of them to serve man to live more comfortably in outward means; and how Metals and Minerals in particular are brought to their highest preparation, whereby is procured that men may live in this World without wanting things necessary. 5. A transcendent, most precious wonderful Medicine of Metals and Minerals, and of other things, which the Creator of heaven and earth, and all the things contained therein, ordained for the good of man. PREFACE AND ENTRANCE UPON BASILIUS VALENTINUS His last TESTAMENT. WHereas the time is come, that by the good pleasure of Almighty God my Creator, and his dearly beloved Son JESUS CHRIST, my laboratory in this corruptible World draweth to an end, and am to approach from this earthly laboratory unto the heavenly, and am creeping daily and hourly nearer to the end, and am to close according to the appointed time of my dear Saviour, aiming at the true Manna, or heavenly food of Eternal bliss, sighing continually after the enjoying of such riches, which have a fullness of everlasting joys I thought it my duty in conscience, to be reconciled i● a Christian way to my fellow Members that are alive at the present, and with those, which are to succeed i● future ages, so that my Soul may be at rest, patiented waiting for the Lords call, and to become an inhabitant of that heavenly Paradise, and to be matriculated into the book of life, and stand in readiness da● and night to look for my Lords coming. At the consideration hereof I call to mind my writings, which set down to paper, as other ancient Philosopher's hav● done before me, publishing all such mysteries of nature, whereby Artists, and such that bear an affection and love unto such mystical truths may be benefited, and the same I lovingly and readily leave t● them, as much as the highest Spagyric, and heavenly Physician hath granted and revealed unto me; My conscience further hath pressed me, in the pursuance of a Christian love, and performance of my promise, dictated by nature, to make a larger relation, because it is a thing meet and necessary to set forth the Manuals which are belonging hereunto, and aught to be described circumstantially, to inform the judgement of such men, addicted hereunto to the full; namely how natures bolts, which she several ways thrusted forward, to lock strongly her secrets, are to be thruster back, that the doors of worldly Treasures might be unlocked, that the knowledge of transcendent mysteries may be attained unto, & upon serious continued prayers unto the Creator, men's judgement and understanding might the more be egged on. I am not put upon either by force or indigency, nor by a vainglory, or self-end to set down any letter; and to leave it to posterity; only a mere consideration of the frailty &, of the miserableness of this world where the Children of darkness are almost quite lost in their groping ways, hath caused me to do so. I am not able to express how much my mind is perplexed, when I think on the folly of this frail world, and consider the Cymmerian darkness of its Children, which think themselves of deep understanding, when they have heard some fopperies of their University Chair-men discoursed of, thereby supposing to be much enlightened in their understandings. Where is that high and precious Medicine of the ancient Philosophers, which lived before any University was talked, or heard of, who received their Revelations upon an earnest pious prayer unto God, joining thereunto their daily search into natural things, and laying their hands to the work. Wither I say, is fled their painfulness and industry? Surely to no other place, than to the horrid, impure, and sordid Apothecary's shops, deeply precipitated and buried in the earth, and sunk so deep, that the ringing nor sounding of bells, and beating of Mortars are able to rouse it: thus their praise and the glory of the highest is at a stand! and who produceth any good of it? Thus much am I persuaded, that if my writings shall be produced to light after my death, and the judicious posterity, the Apostles and Disciples of them do rightly read, meditate, nnd understand them well, and do out of a Christian intention seek, dive, and work the same only to the glory of God, and the love and charity of their fellow brethren and Christians, than by means of their actions and works, that depend, from such good and proper fundamentals, will be discovered and laid open to the public view, all those fopperies and forgeries, which these great mouthed vainglorious fellows, and high conceited fools, which proclaim themselves to be the sole Physicians and Masters of both Medicines, that is of the inward and outward, and arrogate to themselves great dignities and worths in the world, when there is no cause for it. Their intentions are set upon no other foundations, but to live in great respect, to haunt after vainglory with a seared conscience, to deprive their fellow Christians of their moneys by cheating, all they look for, is to be talked of, and live in reputation; they stick full of diabolical pride and vanity up to the ears, these in the end, in great woe and misery have their poor Souls drowned most lamentably! woe, woe, to you Children of Satan! Here I intent not to use any prolixity of words, nor to bring in any such matters, which are heterogeneal to my purpose; at the closing of my book I will be more large in my expressions, as far as the heavenly Prince shall enable me to do, where, as for a final Corollary to all my writings, I shall annex things with that proviso and entreaty, that all those, which intent to be real, and conscionable in their Medicaments, may aid & cure their oppressed fellow Christians, and to search and inquire into such things, which God for such purposes hath ordained, and implanted them into nature. This present book of mine deserves to be called [A light unto darkness] for other things, which in my former writings I have discoursed of by way of parables, which stile I made use of the rather, because it is proper to Philosophers, are declared in this my last information, where I deal in plain and clear words, describing, and naming the matter openly, showing the preparations from the beginning, to the middle and end, demonstrating, and setting before the eyes of men the matter in general and particular, confirming, and justifying the truth thereof, and making a distinction betwixt the ground and no ground, in so plain terms, that the very Children may understand, and feel it with their hands. And because this book affordeth another knowledge, differing from others of my writing, wherein I have not written so obscurely, nor made I use of such subtleties, as the ancients did, who lived before me, and ended their days happily, therefore doth it require another place also to be laid up in, and kept secret from the perverseness of men in the world. I do not desire it should be buried with me, to be a prey, and food for Worms, but it shall be left above ground, and kept secret, from wicked men, and my purpose is, that it shall be laid into a secret place, where none shall come near it, but he, for whom God hath ordained it, other writings of mine shall sooner see the public light. But know thou, whoever thou art, into whose hand this my last Testament comes, which contains the Revelation of heavenly and earthly mysteries, it will happen to thee by a divine providence, to whose custody, at my devotion then performed, I committed it, depositing the same into that secret place together with other things, not enforced upon any grounds of necessities, or straightnesses, to leave it there, only for him, whom God's goodness shall appoint to find it. For it is not good for me to let God's Creatures and mystery, which are too abstruse already, and stepped from the light into darkness, by reason of the malicious perverseness of the wicked world to die with me, as envious men are with to do with gifts, they are entrusted withal; but even leave a glimpse of truth and of the clear heaven, thinking befitting to discharge my conscience in putting forth the talon to usury, let the will of the Lord be done in him, whom he deemeth to be worthy of it, into whose care and diligence I commit it from henceforth and for ever. For I a Cloyster-man, and an unworthy Servant of the Divine infinite Trinity confess, and acknowledge, that I should never have come so far in my knowledge of these endless mysteries, in the Analogy of natural things, in the melioration, & changing their qualities, for a sure and strong upholding of this profound knowledge of the true Medicine, according to this Ordinance (whereby I am ready to do good to all and every one, which desireth my help herein) which as I have done hitherto, so my desire is that God would enable me to do the same to the last of my breathing I say I should never have attained unto it, if by God special goodness, grace, and mercy, several books had not come into my hands, written of ancient Masters which departed this life a long time before me, causing great joy to me, stirring up in me a return of hearty thanks to God, who so graciously was pleased in his providence to bestow them on me in the Cloister before any of my Fellows. I do speak it without any vainglory, I have done so much good thereby to my fellow-Christians, as ever was possible for me to do, which next to God, returned thanks for it, even to the end of my days. Now whereas I can be Steward no longer, I have done according as my abilities would give leave: let others also be industrious, and not defective in their Stewardship. I return mine into the faithful hands of God Almighty, and deliver up to his Divine power and glory, instead of the Keys for the house, all the allotted mysteries set down here in my writing; leaving them to his disposing, to bestow them after my death unto him, whom his Divine will shall choose thereunto, to be for the knowledge of his praiseworthy name, the good and help of such, that stand in want of necessaries and health, for the avoiding and shunning of all worldly pomp, pride, wantonness, luxury, rashness, pleasure, covetousness, and spightfulness, or contempt of others. O Lord God Almighty, merciful, Gracious Father of thine only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who art only the Lord of Sabaoth, the principle of all things that are made by thy Word, and definite end of all Creatures above and below; I poor miserable Man, and Earthworm, return thanks with my babbling tongue from the innermost Centre of my heart, who hast been pleased to enlighten me with the great light of thy heavenly and earthly wisdom, and the greatest mysteries of the created secrecies and treasures of this World, together with thy Divine saving word, by which I learn to know thine Almighty power and wonders. To thee belongs eternal praise, honour, and glor●e, from eternity unto eternity, that thou hast bestowed on me health and lively hood, strength, and ability, to be helpful to my fellow Christians in their necessities and inflicted infirmities with those mystical healing Medicines, together with such spiritual comforts, to raise the drooping spirits. Lord, to thee alone belongs power, might, and glory, to thee is the praise, honour, and gratefulness, for all the mercies and graces thou hast bestowed on me, and hast preserved me therein till to this my great age, and lowest weakness. O! thou God of all graces, and father of all comforts, be not angry with me, that I deliver up to thee, mine eternal Creator, the Keys of my Stewardship, wrapped up in this Pergamene, according to the duty, my calling and conscience calls for: with these thou sufferest me to keep house the most of my time, till now, thou hast called, and foreseen me to be thy servant and Steward, and hast graciously afforded, that I should enjoy the noble sweet fruits, which were gathered in thy Almonarie to my last instant end, which now, O Lord, lieth in thy power. I beseech thee for the dear merits of Jesus Christ, come now, when thou pleasest, enclose my heart, receive my Soul into thy heavenly Throne of grace, let her be recommended unto thee graciously, O thou faithful God, who hast redeemed her on the holy Cross with the most precious Tincture of the true blood of thy holy body: then is my life well ended on this earth, grant to the body a quiet rest, till at the last day, body and soul join again, and are of a heavenly composition: for now my only desire is to be dissolved, and to be with my Lord Christ, The which thou Almighty, Holy, and Heavenly Trinity grant to me, and all good Christian believers. Amen. That I may come to the work intended, and make a beginning of the work in hand, if God be pleased to let this book come to thy hands, before all things uncessantly you return hearty, and unfeigned thanks for it: in the next place I beseech him to bestow on thee also grace and blessing, a healthful body, successfully to accomplish all the points set down here, which tend to the welfare and benefit of thy Neighbour, and to prepare them according to the Manuals, which to that end I set down, and prescribe them, that you may happily and successfully begin the work, that the middle and end be correspondent thereunto. Then be not flap-tonged, and resolve absolutely in thy he●●t, not to entrust with these mysteries any malicious, ungrateful, and false men, much less shouldst thou make them partakers thereof: for if Almighty God would bestow it on others, he could do it immediately, and grant the same by other means and ways without thee. Therefore look to it, tempt not the Lord thy God, for he will not be mocked. Be silent and reserving; be meditating on God's punishment, which not your is able to outrun; keep a good intention; let not man greedy mind run on how you may get abundance of Gold and Silver riches, and vanity, but before all things, which are written herein, let that be your chi fest aim, how you may appear helpful in word and deed to promote the health of thy Neighbour Christian: Then have you given, and brought an offering of thanks and God will bestow more upon thee, and with such Revelations will come to thee, more than ever you would have believed. Therefore instead of a perfect Physic book I have annexed at the end those precious Medicines; with which even to this hour, I have cured successfully many d fficult Symptoms, and diseases, held by others to be incurable: which I recommend unto thee with the rest of the things contained in these writings, to thy conscience to be wary, and not to abuse any of them, as much as thy life and Soul is near and dear unto thee. If thou receivest this faithful admonition and warning, which I give unto thee here and there at the beginning, middle, and end, and in other places also, and dost accordingly, than thou canst not be too thankful for these things, which through God's permission shall be intimated and made known to thee out of this book But in case thou wilt strive against my faithful warning and fatherly admonition, these mysteries, which were hid from the learned, and thou sufferest to come into strange hands! look to thyself, blame not me, think not that there is any reconciliation for thee, being cut off from all those, which live and die in Christ. Thus I let it rest, committing execution to the Highest, which dwelleth in Heaven, who punisheth and avengeth all manner of sins, vices, iniquities, and covenant-breaking. Whereas I thought it necessary thus to describe this my Declaration before my other Writings, and to prove the same with examples, that every one, whom God shall judge to be worthy of, may conceive, understand, and fathom the true beginning, the true middle, and the true end of all created things. Thereupon I purposed to make a beginning of it with a necessary relation of the Original, beginning, and existency of Minerals and Metals, from which ariseth this most noble and precious Medicine, whereby is procured a healthful long life, and abundance of riches are obtained: Namely from whence Minerals and Metals have their original, how they be brought to light, that searchers into Natural things may know the whole Nature in her circumference, before ever they lay hand to the work, and acquaint themselves well therewith: then still the one will stream and run forth the other, one Art will produce the other; at last all what is sought for, will be overtaken in joy, and that which hath been longed for, will happily be enjoyed. This my book I divide into five parts, each of them is subdivided into certain Chapters and Parts. A● for the stile used here, it ought not to be expected to be any other than is meet for a Miner, after the condition of Mine-works, waving all Rhetoric, and Poeticals man of eloquent expressions. I. In the first part of my intended work I will describe chief the manner nature and properties of Myne-works, in which grow Minerals and Metals, of the first sperm, nativity, quality, and property, as also of the exhalation and inhalation. II. The second part shall be a kind of recapitulation of the first part, where shall be contained also a relation of the condition and occasion of Mines, Oars, Stones, passages and Clefts, with their coherent liquors, powers and operations, as of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, Led, Mercury, and the rest of Minerals. III. In the third part is declared in manifest, and literal expressions without any defect and obscurity, the Universal of this whole world, how all Philosophers before me, with me, and after me, have made that most ancient great stone, whereby health and riches were obtained, of the possibility, how, and of what it may be done, together with a perfect Declaration of my XII. Keys, with the names of our matter. iv In the fourth part I describe all the particulars of Metals, which the one is endued with, before the other, out of which may be had perfect health, and an advantage unto the getting of great riches, with all the Manuals in general and particular, belonging thereunto: this fourth part I have entitled, the Manuals of Basilius Valentinus, wherein is showed how all Metals, and Minerals, fitting thereunto, may be brought to their highest preparation. V In the fifth part I have annexed the transcendent, most dear wonderful Medicine of all Metals and Minerals, and of other things, which God Almighty had ordained, and graciously granted for men, who in the Valley of misery are subject to sicknesses and poverty, that they may have a remedy to help themselves against both. God the Father, of mercy and salvation, who liveth from eternity to eternity, being above all the Creatures, grant grace and blessing to this my purpose, that I may write so, that every one may understand, and Gods infinite, mercy and that it together with his gracious goodness, redemption may seem known, acknowledged, and continually meditated upon, and every one may call on the Great Creator day and night; granting to them fervent hearts so to direct all their thoughts, that they may make no otherwise of this noble Creature of God and transcendent great mystery of Nature, together with the Automie thereof, but only to the great honour of God, and the good of all good Children. The same grant this Father Son and Holy Ghost in his mercy. Amen. TABLE. The Contents of the first part of the book. THe first Chapter treateth of the aetherial liquor of Metals. pag. 1. The 2. Chap. treateth of the seed of Metals pag. 4 The 3. Chap. Of Metalline nutriment pag. 6 4. Of the shop, or officine of Metals pag. 9 5. Of the egression and ingression of Metals pag. 11 6. Of the dissolution and reduction of Metals pag. 14 7. Of the ascension and descension of Metals pag. 16 8. Of the respiring Metal, or quick Oar pag. 18 9 Of the expiring, or dying Metal. pag. 21 10. Of pure and fine Metal pag. 22 11. Of the impure Metal pag. 25 12. Of the perfect Metal pag. 27 13. Of the imperfect Metal pag. 30 14. Of the Soap Metal pag. 32 15. Of the inhalation, or inbreathing pag. 34 16. Of the exhalation and outbreathing pag. 36 17 Of coruscation, adhalation, or glittering pag. 38 18. Of folium and spolium, shimmer and glower pag. 39 19 Of the fuliginous, vapours and ashes pag. 40 20. Of the Metalline water, or lie pag. 42 21. Of the seed, and of the hull of the seed pag. 44 22. Of the shining, or fire rod pag. 45 23. Of the glowing rod. pag. 47 24. Of the leaping rod pag. 48 25. Of the furcilla, or striking rod pag. 50 26. Of the trembling rod pag. 52 27. Of the falling, or nether rod pag. 53 28. Of the superior rod pag. 55 29. Of resting vapours, or sediments pag. 57 30. Of the weather salt pag. 58 31. Of the stone salt pag. 59 32. Of the Subterranean Pools pag. 60 33. Of the Metalline Gold, or of the Metalline bed pag. 61 Chap. 34. Of Metalline streams pag. 62 35. Of Chalk, or stone Meal pag. 63 36. Of the blast pag. 64 37. Of the brittle stuff pag. 65 38. Of the blank fire pag. 66 39 Of the Mine glue pag. 67 40. Of corroding stuff to eat stones thorough pag. 68 41. Of having materials used for a sledd, or dray pag. 70 42. Of the frost in the Mine-works pag. 71 43. Of the flaming fire pag. 72 44. Of the roasting fire pag. 72 45. Of the corroding fire pag. 73 46. Of the glowing fire pag. 74 47. Of the Lamp fire pag. 74 48. Of the cold fire pag. 75 49. Of the warm fire. pag. 76 The Contents of the second part. 1. Chap. OF Mines and Cliffs, what the middle works of Oars are pag. 81 2. Of the general operations of several Metals. pag. 82 3. Of stones, rocks, flints of Gold, & their striking courses pag. 84 4. Of the oar of silver, and its running, or striking passages pag. 86 5. Of Copper oar, its stone, and striking passage pag. 88 6. Of Iron oar, its stocks, floats, fall and striking passages pag. 92 7. Of Led oar, it's Mine and striking passage pag. 95 8. Of Tin oar, its stocks, floats, fall & striking passage pag. 98 9 Of Mercurial oar, and its passages pag. 100 10. Of Wismuth, Antimony, Sulphur, Salt, Salpeter and Talk pag. 101 11. Of a comparison between God's word & the Minerals pag. 102 12. How Jewels are wrought, the blessings God bestows on Miners pag. 107 13. Of the essence of Gold pag. 108 The Contents of the third part, being a Declaration of the XII. Keys. The first is declared pag. 119 The second Key declared pag. 120 The third Key declared pag. 122 The rest are declared according to the course going on in that part pag. 125 The Contents of the fourth part, concerning the particulars made of the 7. Metals, how they may be prepared with profit. First of the Sulphur of Sol, whereby Lune is tinged into Gold pag. 151 The particular of Lune, of the extraction of its Sulphur and Salt pag. 158 Of the particular of Mars, how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 161 Of the particular of Venus, how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 161 Of the particular of Saturn, how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 163 Of the particular of Jupiter, how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 169 Of the particular of Mercury, of its Sulphur and Salt pag. 170 Of the Oil made of Mercury, and its Salt pag. 171 Of the particular of Antimony, its Sulphur and Salt pag. 172 A short way to make Antimonial Sulphur and Salt pag. 173 The XII. Keys follow next. The Contents of that book are inserted at the beginning of it. Next to this is the repetition of the former writings, with an Elucidation of them, touching the Philosopher's stone, and a true information annexed, concerning the preparations of Mercury, Antimony, Vitriol water, common Sulphur, unslak'd Lime, Arsenic, Salpeter, Tartar, Vinegar, and Wine. The next are the conclusion and experiments. THe first Section treats of Sulphur, and the ferment of Philosophers pag. 1. 2. Section. Of the Philosopher's Vitriol. pag. 2 3. Section. Of the Philosophers Magnet. pag. 3 An allegorical expression betwixt the holy Trinity, and the Philosopher's stone pag. 5 A treatise of Sulphur pag. 6 Of Sulphur of Jupiter pag. 7 Of the Sulphur of Mars and Venus. pag. 8 Of the Sulphur of Sol pag. 8 Of the Sulphur of Mercury pag. 9 Of the Sulphur of Lune pag. 10 Of Antimonial Vitriol pag. 10 Of the Sulphur of Vitriol pag. 11 Of common Sulphur pag. 11 Of Vitriols, first of the Vitriol of Sol and Lune pag. 12 Of Vitriol of Saturn and Jupiter pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Mars pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Venus pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Mercury pag. 14 Of common Vitriol pag. 15 Of the vulgar Magnet pag. 16 A Philosophic work upon Vitriol pag. 17 To bring quick Mercury to a Lunar fixation: pag. 21 The contents of the fifth and last part. TReateth of the great Medicinal virtue of the Metalline and Mineral Salt pag. 1. A description of the fine Tartar pag. 6. Of the Salt of Tartar. pag. 7. THE FIRST BOOK, Wherein are showed MINE-WORKS, from whence they have their Existence, Natures and Properties: divided into the ensuing Chapters. CHAP. I. ●f the Aetherial liquor of Metals, or of the metal Ferch. GOd hath created things under ground as well as the things above ground: By the things under ground, I understand Metals, Minerals, and into whom there is implanted also a fertility to their seed, without which the seed could neither grow nor incase. Seed which is barren, hath not that fertility: by ●ich it is collected, that there is some distinctness betwixt seed and fertility, If we will inquire narrowly wha● fertility is, the best and surest way is, to consider life an● death of creatures, how they hold together; for death i● barren, but a living life is fertile, because it stirreth and moveth. It is seen by all the works that are undertaken about metals, that there is nothing so volatile as metal is, and so nothing stirs and moveth more subtly than it; but this stirring and moving I will call here the Ferch of metals, by reason of its continual proceeding, and uncessant moving and because the same is not visible in metals, and doth i● in a twofold way, therefore I will let the old word stand and call its stirring a Lubricum, and its Ferch a Volatile; fo● with the virtue and power of both these, it performeth a● that, what it needs for the perfection, purity and fixation o● its work. Seeing Ferch is a perpetual living and forthgoing thing one might admire and say, of what condition is metal the● which we behold with our eyes, and feel with our hands which being thus hard and coagulated, whether the same b● alive or dead; and whether the life or Ferch in meta● may be destroyed, (which is impossible) what is the condition of it, or how comes i● so to pass? I answer, that a metal may be alive when it resteth, as well as when it groweth or stirreth; and here a distinction must be made again betwixt the death of metals, and their rest and quietnesse● For death toucheth only the bodies; when they perish; b● the life itself, or Ferch cannot perish or cease: therefore 〈◊〉 a metalline body be extant, then is it at hand visibly tw● manner of ways. The one is in liquido, and is discerne● in its moving too and fro, and if it be forced by a strang● dangerous heat; than it turns to a volatility, and flieth away. The other way is, when it is at hand in coagulate wherein it resteth so long, till it be reduced into its liqu●dum, and that is done in a twofold way, and lasteth so lon● as the body lasteth, but as soon as the body is destroye● or gone, and is come or entered into a more, either noble● ignoble body, men its Ferch or life is gone also: therefore if you will reserve and keep a body, then take good notice of i●s Ferch or life; for if you once stir it, and hunt it indiscreetly, you do it with the loss o● diminution of the body, wherein it is, for that life never goeth away empty, but still carrieth along one life or Ferch after the other, carrying it away so long, that at the last it leaveth none. But what the condition is of the moving and quietness of that life, and how Nature bringeth it to a rest, must be exactly considered. For an accurate knowledge demonstrateth, that there is a difference betwixt the life of the seed and of the body; for deal with the seed which way you will, you cannot bring it to a volatilitie, because it is against its kind; and so the body also is of the same condition; but the Ferch alone may be brought to it. For if you provide food for the Ferch, than you strengthen its whole work, even as a mother doth her child, which she feedeth and cherisheth well, and bringeth the same the better to its rest; so ●s it also with the Ferch. Therefore all such which gaze and view only the seed and body, and know not the fundamentals about the Ferch, lose the body, because they observe not Nature's progress and proceed, putting the ●art before the horse, or the foremost they put hindmost. This rest and sleep of the Ferch serveth for that use, because ●t preserveth the body from destruction, or consumption being once come into its perfection. For as long as it awaketh, so long it consumeth, but when it is at rest, than it ●andeth close in a lastingness, and when it hath nothing ●o feed upon, than it corrodeth and seizeth on its own bo●ie, consuming it quite, at last it stirreth ●nd moveth to another place. Hence is it that treasures, or pag●ment, which ●e buried, awaken at last, consume their own bodies, re●cing them to dust, so that nothing of them remains but there a mere stone or flux, as in many places is to be ●n. CHAP. II. Of the seed of Metals. ALl those Authors which have written about the metaline seed, agree in that, when they say sulphur is the masculine seed of metals, and Mercury is the feminine seed; which saying must be taken in its genuine sense; for common Sulphur and common Mercury are not meant thereby. For the visible Mercury of Metals is a body itself out of bodies, and so it cannot be a seed: and being cold, its coldness per se cannot be a seed, and the Sulphur of metals being a food, how can it be a seed? Yea, a seed consummeth sulphur, how can one seed destroy the other? if so, what body should it produce? It is therefore an error, if that should be taken in the common sense: if the Mercury of bodies is in a work, and hath taken food, than all the sex Mercuries protrude one body, as the one of the sex is in its predominancy, so the body riseth. Seeing there are seven of these Mercuries, it happeneth, that when the seed of Mars and Venus hath the predominancy, they produce a masculine body of Sol, but if the seed of Saturn and Jupiter doth predominate, then is produced a soeminine body, which is called Lune; Mercury is an assistant on both sides. The same happeneth unto other bodies: but these are always and in every and each work together; for they are indivisible, as it is meet also, what manner of body could be produced else? For Nature hath perfect bodies, though in themselves they must be dissolved again, yet are they perfect for, & in their time. For what manner of seed could that be, if it should be defective in any of its branches? Therefore every body hath its perfect seed, hence the trasmutation hath its ground in the ascension and descension of metals, which otherwise could not be, if they were not homogeneal in their seed. For if any man saith, that silver is not gold, clowns believe that also, because they have not fundamental knowledge of the seed, how it is to go out of one body into the other, or else it wants its fertility, neither can it be naturally without a body, wherein it reste●h. There belong seven distinct parts to an unformal body of metals, to bring it by nourishment into a form, viz. 1. An earth. 2. A stone. 3. An earthash. 4. Earthly streams. 5. glass or subterraneal metal. 6. The subterranean tincture. 7. The subterranean fuligo or seed, (fume) All these are the materials of the body; and as earth is man's matter, out of which God made him, unto which he must return again: so all other bodies also at last return to earth, that Myner which is judicious and knowing herein, him I judge to deserve the name of a Miner. For there are but few of them which are rightly informed herein, or hath any fundamental knowledge of it, though they are daily employed about it: though some might say, they could not but be knowing in their profession, yet it is not so really; if so, what right use can they make of them? They put wrong names upon them, are ignorant of their utility, and this is the reason why they many times run them waste upon heaps, where after some time they turn to goodness, and the longer they lie there, the better they are: this instruction deserves no hatred, but rather a grateful aknowledgment. Why should Philosophers be believed to know any ●hing? But where is it written, that men should seek & find mercury of the body in a subterranean fume, stone, glass, ●ut in their books? Where are learned artificial finings in●liginations, incinerations, nutritions but from them? The ●ed of metals as it is perfect, so is its Ferch, or life invisible. Where do those men stay, which will work according to na●re, and know none of these, neither do they know where 〈◊〉 get it: yet fall upon Artists, exclaiming upon them to be ●se, & all such as are employed in their ways: but we see and hear how ignorance runs on. It is impossible to get a body without seed, it were as much as to say, a seed is without fertility. Therefore peruse it exactly in its dissolution, the reduction of it will afford its body: work cheerfully. But it is none of the meanest work, as some of the most ancient Philosophers have said, which called it a double work: for thus they say, the metal must first pass through the M●lters hand, afterward it must come into the hands of the Alchemist, if so be the seed shall be known in the artificial work: they mean or in imate by this saying thus much, that there is a twofold dissolution, the one is, when the expert Melter brings the frangible body ex naturali conductione into a malleableness, whereby its impurity is gotten off. Then comes the Alchemist, reduceth the body into cinders, calxes, glasses, colours, fumes subterranean, in which the seed of metals resteth, and the Ferch or life is found fertile in the body, and is reducible into a spiritual water or prima materia, according as the quality and property of the metal is, and is divided artificially into its natural principles, according to the process of the Chemic art, of which more in another place shall be spoken, when I shall treat of the Minerals. CHAP. III. Of the Metalline Nutriment. ALthough it belongeth not to this place, how mineralia fossilia are made under ground, however I will give a hint of it, how nature maketh them out of subterranean moist liquors and Myne-crescencies, which afterward serve to be a food to metals; not such liquors which are decocted above ground; therefore if you should add here above ground, decocted one's to metals, undissolved in thei● corporeal form, your work would be in vain: and where there are such mineralia fossilia there are Myne-works also if not with it, yet are they not fare off, as is seen in many Ours. As in Hungary are digged the fairest and best sulphur-alloms and Mineral or Mine Victriol. And about Harcynta are digged salt Victriol. About Goslar, Mansfeld, Zellerfeld, and at Etshland in Helvetia is digged Mine-salt, and at Hall there is great store of it, where there is found also very curious sulphur. But you must note, that these minerals are not used thus grossly, but are prepared first, which is a curious work to bring a mineral thus high by subliming into flores, which are half metalline, especially if made with metal, the metal being reduced into a mineral, from that the flowers are made: thus you see nature's forwardness, and how she is reducible to her first water, sulphur and salt. Many make these flowers without metal, which are not so good though, as the former way. For an oleum made of vitriol or copper, and is distilled, is more effectual, yea a thousand times more precious in its operation, than that is, which is made of common vitriol, whom nature hath not yet exalted. It's true the Hungarian Vitriol in its efficacy ●nd virtue is found wonderful and sufficient enough, because Nature hath graduated it to a greater siccity, and ●rought it to a ripeness more than others were, and is more excellent than the rest. By this preparation they can make ●se of the minerals, strengthen and increase their pleasure ●hereby. If any thing is to be made, meet for metals, than it ●ust be done out of metals, with metals, and through or by metals, which is the real & only manual whereby may be hit ●he hardness of the mineral flowers, always take from them, 〈◊〉 add nothing to them; this is the Art, which asketh great ●ondering & deep meditation. Thus you must learn to go to ●ork, for these flowers are found often closely compacted, ●hich Miners very seldom know, especially in Hungarie ●nd Wallachia, they are as fair as ever any red glowing oar ●ay be, they are of a crystalline transparent redness, are ●od gold and silver according as they are tinged, this is a rare knowledge, an art worthy the best consideration, which is to make glass of a hardness, from thence it is, that the subterranean glasses make up the metal, thereby they come to their form. The preparation of these flowers have their great utility in physical ways, if their excrements be taken from them, and their ordours: these excrements are the feces of minerals, are nought for metals, stirring up evil sediments, which bring damage unto metals; a twofold evil comes from the mistaking of minerals: for decocted one's are a dangerous poison, and corrosive unto metals, as we see above ground, when aquafortis is made of them, which corrodeth, teareth, divideth and parteth metals, and the other which are fair to look on, sticking unto metals, and their worst poison, for as soon as these approach, they kindle and cause the dangerous sediments, all availeth nothing unto them, though they have and keep their form. As an infected man hath still the form and face of a man, though he be infected, and infecteth others also, and in case it turn all to one metal, yet it is but an empty one, and nothing in it. This is a very necessary observation for Miners and Laborators; for if they regard it not, they obstruct not only their work, but endanger themselves also; because the metal is not only turned into a volatilitie, if any feces or excrements be added thereunto, and that also which stayeth, comes to be unmalleable, and suffers continually diminution, as long as it is under the hammer. Those that works them, have cause to look to it, if they fall on them with any fire, their reward surely is some mine disease, which experimentally is known how their poison doth stick and hang on the top of the furnace and in their chests, turning to arsenic and such poisonous fumes and seeds, and do hurt every way, as woeful experience evidenceth. CHAP. IU. Of the metaline shop, Officina metalorum. ALl natural works have their special convenient places in which they work; where there is any such place or shop, in which some glorious and precious thing is made, and sometimes though the instrument be very horrid and monstrous, and its matter unknown, yet they are extant in that officine. First touching the glory and praise of this officine, it is likened to a Church, in which the seed and the Ferch are married to the body, therein they eat, rest, and work, thither they carry all fair and pleasant materials under ground wherewith they are clad, and they have another kind of fire, water, air, and earth, for the things that are accomplished and perfected therein, the same can hardly be parted again, no not with the help of the nether air, if so be, that it must be parted asunder, then see and make trial of it on the mercury of metals. Again, the things made so hard, and fixed cannot be parted, as may be seen by gold, how firm and fixed is it in the fire? the cause whereof is the subterranean heat and cold which it imparteth unto metals, and makes them firm thereby, for it is a stony firmament of the earth, and giving to metals their stony power, it groweth hollow and spongy, full of pores, which at last are filled up with metals, even as Bees do fill their hives with honey, and in the end 〈◊〉 parts and is carried away in the slick or (Scobes'.) For the Earth-stone is not consumed under ground, because it is a sediment not suffering any thing to come in or out. Hence ●s that difference betwixt the Earth-stone and the terrestial-firmamental stone, which is one of the mineral-works. Let no man gainsay that a stone should have together both heat and cold at once, to afford the one now, and then to hid the other, for when it worketh the highest metals, it hideth its heat, and when it worketh upon inferior metals, than it hideth its coldness, and so it helpeth every way, this is its tract and instrument, heat and cold of the subterranean fir● stone. The modern Chemists which are ignorants, not knowing Nature aright, and do not take notice of her ways, use strange instruments, and then they make or cause to be made all manner of vessels, according as every one of them hath a fancy to, but in nature's ways they know little, she regardeth not the variety of forms, and instead of the●e, she takes a fit and lasting instrument, which holdeth in the work, and every form follows or accompanies the seeds precedency. The folly and ignorance of workmen is aggravated in that, because they despise the knowledge of minerals. The instrument she useth hereunto I should make mention of it here, but wave it at this time, and will do it in another place, where you may seek for, and take notice of it. Those which think themselves to be the wisest do say, that it is a vanity to observe mathematically the stars above, and to order any work after seasonable days and hours, it is something said, but not so well grounded. But this is most certain, that if you work according to common course, otherwise than we do, following only your own fancies, then is you● labour in vain. There is a difference to be made betwixt the upper stars, and the metallin stars, which shine and have their influence into the bodies. Touching the stars above, they in their light and motion have a singular influence; and the stars below have their influence also upon their metals, thus each heaven hath its peculiar course and instrument, where the stars situation may be apprehended. An opacum corpus stellatum compact astral body, differs in its condition from a corpus lucidum, if you intent to learn here something, than you must be industrious and grudge no pains, it would require a huge volume, if I should describe particularly the whole circumference of subterranean Mine-works: it would not suffice to nominate the things only, but must demonstrate also, that all that, which I attribute to them, to be true, I say 〈◊〉 would ask a great deal of writing, to dispose the brains of misconceited men to a belief: what should I say of such materials, on whom I could not impose fitting names, though I known them, for who is that man which hath done learning 〈◊〉 our School? Here I must needs speak as belonging properly to this place, that no volume in this world can be written, in which could be set down all and every particular manual, as Laborators sometimes might ask; therefore an Artist having given him some hints of things, must endeavour to order his work, and manage the same judiciously, must put his hands to the work, and get knowledge by his own practice. I direct such men in their work to Nature's process under ground, let them search there, and take an honest Myner along to show him her instruments, and matters (for prating, lying and ignorance availeth here nothing.) Every one wisheth ●o get riches, but the means ●or the getting of them are not respondent: if I were the best limner, & could set forth in colours the form of any instrument, than men would understand it; it would help in this case, they would see it, and feel it with their hands, and undertake the work, if all were set down. I know what, & how much aught to be put in a book, I put things fitting in, and did it faithfully. CHAP, V Of Egression and Ingression of Metals. THe work of metals evidenceth a perpetual going in, and coming out; for hereby the Egression is understood not only the Egression of the whole work, that in some place a whole metaline tract comes into decay, when it wants food to be nourished any further, & hath devoured all its bodies, but also a partial egression; for still the one seeketh he other, and follows at the heel. This we see by the mercury of metals, being poured forth, it is scattered into thousands of little quick corns, all of them return to their body; in the same condition is volatile & Lubricum; & the Ferch also goeth forth in small bits, at last it joineth in a body somewhere, even as Bees met together: it receiveth no more than it hath need, the overplus swarmeth to another Myne-officine, which parting and distributing, affords many and several Mine-works, according to the disposition of the officine and nourishment, and according as it is infringed in its work in the egression; the Ferch and the seed go on in their volatilitie, & if they had wings, that Volatile is so thin, that it can hardly be discerned, yet is it foliated like a heap of atoms; thus subtly it flieth away, & the Ferch must still have its seed, the seed its body, and that its thin atoms. My meaning is not, that its egression is from or out of the earth into the air, to fly about there and then to come into ground again; which is not so, nor can it be, because its natural work is not in the air, unless men bring it forth purposely, then is it of another condition; of that egression I do not speak here, because it is done by day; but this goeth through the earth. Which stands in the furnace, not apprehensive or visible to us, and runs through clefts and passages; For if the earth giveth way to the ingression and egression, even as the water doth to fishes, and the air to birds, as long as metals come to their stone-firmament, which stone firmamet differs from the earth-firmament, when it meets with that, it goeth about, looking out for another passage, like as water that floweth about a stone and not through it, yet it stayeth in its own stone, and receiveth strength of it, & turns there to a body: and as it goeth in its egression from one metaline firmament or stone-firmament to another, if thorough eaten or soaked, be it at what distance it will, and atracteth the Lubicrum, even as a bird draws its feet up to its body in its flight; for if they touch any where, than they lose somewhat of the body, and the Lubricum in its ingression suffers it to come again to a strength of operation: for when both are joined, than the metal increaseth, and attracteth its food in a wonderful way and nourisheth itself; and it is to be admired, that in this ingression, when that Lubricum comes more and more to its officine, how it increaseth and strengtheneth itself so long, that at last the work is made firm in the officine. This strengthening can not be learned to be any other, than the metaline mercury doth make it, for in the first place it turns it there into a liquidum, where afterward it receiveth all, doth coagulate and congeal, according as the bodies are either masculine or feminine, at last it is brought to a solid fixed body of Sol. This ingression makes that subterranean place ●oble and fruitful, and is singular, when it hath an ascending oar in work, that air is very wholesome, and if the air above with melting be not infected with arsenic fumes, than it affords a saluber air to dwell in. This is a manuduction unto the whole after-work, how the same aught to be proceeded in, that the ore may stand and not awaken, but turn to its stream, and still abide in its body's company, it is loath to make an egression, if once it made a true ingression, and settled itself to the work; for it resteth not in its place, neither doth it rest in its whole ●ract, but worketh continually, and is well seen, what its fixing or flight is, and where it setteth to a fluid body, or earth-salt, which it stirs and rouleth so long, yea, it panteth and moveth in it so long, till it gets a liquid body, then turns it to a terrene body, & is still brought on to a further height and hardness: and that is the right coagulating, congealing liquidating and fixing of mercury; which if ●one accordingly, than it affords something. CHAP. VI Of the dissolution and reduction of metals. It is apparent, that natural heat is the cause of the fluidness of metals dissolution, because the seed of metals in itself is very hot, and the fluid matter of metals is ho● also, as being oliginous, and its heat increaseth, when i● comes to its officine, or shop, because that also being ho● increaseth the heat the more, hence it is why it is hot i● the work, and hath need of it, for at first it would bring no more into its body, unless it were soluble and soft, i● bringeth nothing into it, unless it be passed through these three heats, and fixed by them: then examine it, and add another fluid thing to it, which did not pass through the three heats: see whether the metal will receive it, or no● Secondly they must be dissolved that they may be cleansed; the condition of liquid things is to produce to the outside things fitting the work it hath in hand. This solution i● distinct from other artificial dissolutions, where the body is only melted, as by the Melter when he separateth the excrements from it; for n●aure doth not melt the earth as men do, bu● as corn groweth above ground, so she leaveth corn and husks together; there is a great difference betwixt our melting and the dissolving of Nature; if we could observe that distinction in our dissolutions and melt, we should not be at so great losses and damages as we are: I must needs mention about aurum potabile, how men do busy themselves about it, as many heads, as many ways they choose to the making of it. Some take that wh●ch is not yet separated from the metal containing yet the cinders o● excrements, or worse things. They take corrosive waters, acetum aquavitae, and the like; pray tell me, what doth Nature take, when she is about the dissolving of a congealed water? She takes none of these things, only maketh use of ●heat. You must do ●he ●●k●, if you will take a metalline ●ody, which Nature hath perfected, and through melting ●nd fining is come to us, if you will dissolve and reduce it 〈◊〉 its first matter, then rou●e the Ferch, thus you may make ●y metalline body potable, being made pure and super●e, than its excrements are gone, made not with additi●nals of corrosive things: the fluxing of such matters rather ●ake the metals harder: if a body shall be fixed, we fix 〈◊〉 from without, which Nature doth not, for she fixeth the ●ed, than the flour setteth and turns to such a fixation, ●hat the dissolving above ground cannot master it. A wa●er, which congealeth, hath at first a little crust, going on 〈◊〉 it till it be quite congealed, but here it congealeth from within to the outside, hence you may guess at that glorious foundation of projection, on mercury of the body, ma●ing a natural stratum super stratum, thus are the metals ●yned, according to which the artificial work is ordered: ●e have a hint given how mercury of metals is clipped and ●layed, and its lubicrum is catched. Conceive not of this ●xation, to be as when iron is hardened to steel, and then educed to a softness as Tin is of; this is called only a ●ose hardness, which keeps the body in a malleableness, ●●d keeps it so close together, that the fire above ground ●nnot hurt it, all hardness above ground may be mollified 〈◊〉 fire, but not the other; because it holdeth all fiery trials: ●herefore as the hardness made above ground hardeneth bodies in the water, so on the other side, the water, which 〈◊〉 in metalline bodies must be taken out, than it congea●th. The subterranean air hardeneth the earth, earth remains earth, and turns not to stone, and the same ●eeps the water from running together, or congealing: ●eeping it from turning to pearls and precious stones, and ●ch may be made of that water. To get the internal fire ●ut of metals, though it be most high skill, however it is caseable, and found in its place, where I writ of the like, 〈◊〉 a more ample manner. I give a hint of it in this places, as Miners ought to do, of whose expressions I borrow now: The rest which wholly extracteth this fire, whic● lieth betwixt the project, leaving nothing behind, that i● where the Lubricum and Volatile is together, leaveth it produceth it, and excerneth it. The Mansfieldian slat● makes it appear, that its Volatile is gone, and its Lubricum also, where its impurity is yet betwixt the project, an● is not a fair pure work, but a compound one. CHAP. VII. Of the ascension and descension of metals. THis new kind or manner of speaking and writing of metals is caused by experience, for the first perpetual ingression of the Ferch increaseth and strengtheneth at firs● in the officina and Matrix, the Mercury of bodies, bringin● it on to its perfect and full strength; being made wholly effectual and potent, than it gins by degrees to cloth i● self with a body, at first he attracteth and receiveth th● meanest, which he puts off again in the first place, which i● done the easier; for no body amongst them all is soone● put off. For the body of Saturn is so thin, that it appeareth to the eye like as a fair body doth through lawn● or tiffenie; its spirituality appeareth through its body; it● spiritual body is the metal of Mercury, or as I should rather call it, its proper, near, and special body, which work giveth a manuduction unto many other fair works; for i● maketh a garment for Saturn out of the subtlest earth, after he riseth higher, puts a harder and better garment o● him, which is not so easily put off as that of Saturn, or a● least not with so small a work, which is caused by the work of the Mercury of bodies. For the Mercury of bodies by reason of its fluidness is the hottest, as he maketh it appea● in Satur's ascension, putting a cinereal body on him ou● of earth, hence is it why Saturn is so full of cinders inclining to a britleness of ashes, and gins to sound by reason ●f the metal, though it be not very firm, however yet it 〈◊〉 at the next place for incorporation: its sound is more ●eaf, is further off from iron, and nearer unto mercury by ●eason of heat. Observe now at the ascending of this metal, 〈◊〉 lieth near the ashes, cleansed by the Saturnal water, but ●bove ground it turns not to be glass out of the ashes, out ●f salt or earth-water, or Saturnal-water, or out of sand ●r stone. But what is that pure subterranean Earth-glass, ●hich if it soundeth breaketh not: it is a matter which Nature thrusteth upon a heap together, which if you touch, 〈◊〉 soundeth, and is very clear, of a great compactness, ●d very firm, in this work it doth mingle with ashes and ●lt water, and turns to a glass of earth, or to a dark glassey ●rm iron. Nay tell me, if a metal or Earth-colour, yea a ●ood sound metal be dissolved to a colour, and is brought ●to a glass, doth it not look of a copper-colour? yes truly. ●herefore iron may soon be turned into another thing, ●hich is done naturally, where such metalline iron colour reduced in Hungaria into a Lixivium, and is turned into very good copper, however it retaineth the glassiness, ●ough the colour hath exicated it somewhat through the mercury of bodies: for the liquidness it hath still, and is obilitated further to a malleableness and fixation, there●re take notice of this tincturing matter, which you find ●epared by this body in this afficina, it reduceth the iron 〈◊〉 copper with abundance of lucre. Put these colours away and behold, how the mercury of bodies is passed through many white bodies, and hath still fair white fuligo, and that very fixed, how finely is it clad it, and maketh a fair and pure body of Luna, into which 〈◊〉 clads himself so strongly that it can not be taken from ●ence by burning, because it passed seven times through ●e greatest subterranean heat, which destroyeth corruptive bodies, unless they be closely and compactedly incor●rated to the mercury of bodies; nothing goeth beyond that fire, neither of the upper, neither, or middle-fires. Therefore behold how neatly Nature works and riseth calcining the whole body of Luna, which ●alx is no hin● else but the body of Sol, its tincture and ting quality i● taketh from the perfection and depth, which is in the fire and can afford it, that colour must keep so long till i● descendeth again: there is nothing which can master ●●i● fire; the descending may soon be perceived by this ascending, and the difference of it is this, at the ascending i● getteth the tincture first, before it gets the body, but here i● looseth it sooner: and this is the reason why descending oars are more perfect, than the ascending ones. CHAP, VIII. Of respiring Metal, or of Quick oar. BEcause with and by Myne-works an obstruction 〈◊〉 made upon Nature, which is the cause that several metals are gotten, and distinctions put on them, that damage and losses might be the better avoided in the working 〈◊〉 them. For as each received a particular name and proper● in or at the work, so in the digging of them, several man●als are invented for the finding of them, and hereunto 〈◊〉 was made of the Rod. To distinguish metals by colours a curious skill, as Red gold glass, Mine green, black oa● however their working is not so exactly known that wa● That I may lose nothing in or at their melting, I use t● means; first, I must certainly know the property of t● oar, before it be beaten our, whilst it is yet under grou● in its breathing: for oars and metals breathe only und● ground, though they breath in some sort above, y● the same breathing is very weak, not going far ho● the body; and the rod also sticks only upon the uppe metals, which is the greatest advantage we have: for 〈◊〉 causeth metals to breath into a flame, and the fire-crates and pit-diggers cause only a volatility and closing compactness, where a threefold damage ensueth. First, there flieth away, not only much of the metal, but that also w●●ch stayeth turns to be volatile, and in the several melt of it, always something goeth amiss. Secondly, the remainder of it groweth unmalleable, which hardly can be helped. Thirdly, elevated minerals are burnt to a compactness, which if not done, would prove very advantageous in the After-work, and chief they would be very useful in Me●icina, being naturally prepared thereunto, which is the rea●on why many in their After-workings labour in vain, taking ●ther improper minerals thereunto. For that fossil Vitri●lum at Goslar, where neither silver nor l●ad groweth in ●hat Mineral, where it is prepared highly, copper may be made of it without any other addition: that Vitriol affords an oil also, which perfectly cureth the Gout: if all ●hese good qualities should be burnt away with the silver, ●ere it not great damage? Therefore I take such a metal ●hich attracteth breath, and when the unbreathing or ●dhalation is stronger, than is it a living metal, because a ●ively quality is in it: for breathing things are alive, and ●reathing is compared unto life, such metal like a breath, proveth as a child from ten years to ten years, even so this ●etal groweth, till it come to its perfect state and body, afterwards it getteth another name, and consequently ●here must needs be observed a great difference in their ●orking, and are asunder as much as a live thing differs ●om a dead one, which ought to be taken into consideration, because this distinctness being observed, affords a neat ●nd pure work. Hither belong all mixed oars, which at separating are parted asunder and not before, (as the usual custom is.) As in Hungary there is had every where gold-●ilver (that is, in it there is gold) which in its colour and ponderosity is pure, hath lost nothing, and is still in its wor●ing quality, and if it had not been interrupted, and digged ●p unseasonably, than that silver would have been turned to pure gold; that silver may easily be brought to a solar perfection, and in itself is it better to be used for pagament, and is of better use for cementation. In like manner the copper at Mansfeld is good for it, and proveth much better in the work, than other copper, for it wanted but a little, it had been burnt quite into silver. The best quality of such copper is that they are of a deep colour; they have not lost that, as usually electrum's do. But this is to be noted, such oars are of that quality, that the bigger part of the body hideth the lesser part in melting, it is not seen, nor felt, except at the washing and parting, there it is seen: whilst it is yet among the earth, it is a breathing oar, and is of such a compound, as you heard: you may confide in it without a proof, though the cake of it be of silver colour or of a copper colour, This is it apparent, how Nature augmenteth a metalin body, protruding it upward from below, and that which is neathermost, is thrusted toward that which is uppermost, in a marvellous subtle way: for dead bodies bring still more to it, making it heavier in the mercury, then joineth the nourishment also, which are the prepared minerals, affording their tincture, like good food, which breeds good blood: hence flores mineralium have their existence: if you cannot learn their offspring in tha● way, there is no other nor better way for it. For this is th● true tincture, and not that mouldy or gross album or rube●um so called, where such highly mingled oars or transparent Veins break, they may be cried up for an Electrum● but improperly called so: for the colours glitters so purely therein one among another, like in a Chrysolithe or transparent Amber. CHAP. IX. Of expiring metal, or of dead metal. MEtals have their set time as well as all other creatures, they decay and die when their appointed ●ime comes. For when Nature hath brought the metalline ●ody unto Sol, then by reason it wanteth nourishment, ●nd is starving, than it comes down, gets a stronger exhal●ing, and the attractive breathing turns to an expiration, & ●erial breathing brings it to the fires-breath. If the expira●ation groweth stronger in a metal than its adspiration is, ●hen it descendeth by degrees, and decayeth, and then is ●t called a dead oar or metal; for still one external body or ●ther departeth from it, at last in one place or other it takes a total egression with its breath, life and seed. This ●reathing is known by the particular Rod of each; this al●o asketh a particular place and work, because great gain 〈◊〉 afforded both by this and by the living one. Consider ●t well, a metal, which descendeth from its perfection, into ●nother body, it is like when a man loseth his lively co●our, and at last his body, that is its ponderosity, and ●hen the gold turns, not to a goldish silver, but to an Ele●rum that is, to Sol, which hath lost its tincture. This is great piece of proof, to discern such silver-gold from ●rue silver; in its gravity it is found heavier than other elver, retaining the body, and losing only its colour, or uncture. It is a greater skill to restore a tincture to a dead and de●ayed colour, and to make it fix. At separating it keeps ●he quality of Sol. The like condition is red silver in, ●hich hath lost its colour, making an incorporation and ●nion with copper, so that it quite dyeth in its body. To ●et this silver out of the copper, and restore its peculiar ●lour, is a great skill, which Melters are ignorant of, belongeth merely to 〈◊〉 Chemic Ar● and its laboratory. How many such Electrums are bought for silver and copper? the Buyers thereof have great gain in it. Of the same and the like condition are other metals of▪ Is it not so, all iron in Hungary is brittle, what is the rea●on? because copper is in it: if ●hat be gotten ou● in that artificial manner, as it ought, that iron proves so hard, that no steel is comparable to it? Out of that iron are made Turkish swords, (sabels) mayles, which no weapon or bullet can enter or break; ●he●e mayles also are not very heavy. Note, the lu●ricum at the descending of mercury, must have room, from slippery things easily somewhat may be gotten s●oner than from hard things: slippery things leave always somewhat behind; the same they do with their ting bodies, putting them off still so, that in the ascending in their Volatile they assume the body, and elevate it. Note, if you have any material in hand, and in your Afterwork you would know whither you must keep to the Lubricum or Volatile (these two must be thy help.) The● your stuff must be prepared either the slippery or volatile way: if you will have a body either ascend or descend, take notice of the flux in the metal: slippery ones are more open than the ha●d ones. When tinctures begin to departed▪ which are a strengthner to, than the stuff groweth mor● fluid, comes closer together than in the quick metal. CHAP. X. Of pure or fine Metal. WHen a Metal, be it in the ascension or descension, is i● it's seven System's or constitution, than it rest●●h o● endureth, till it comes into another body. If you mee● with such oar, it yields the purest metal, that may be ha● 〈◊〉 the world: our Mel●e●s call this Super-fine. But our ●uper-fining, which hitherto was in u●●, is an impure work 〈◊〉 regard of this: for in the clarifying, if it misseth but the ●ast grain, then is it not yet right. Such metals, as may ●asily be conceived, is pure good and malleable, loseth ●othing in any work whatsoever: though all metals may be ●ade super-fine, yet none can be made finer than gold is, ●hich no element is able to touch, to take any thing from 〈◊〉, or to turn it to a Glimmer (Spolium) or cats silver, of 〈◊〉 glittering quality. Silver at Marychurch in Lorraine is more fine than others. ●uper-fine is called that, when a metal is pure and rid of ●s excrements or dross, which may easily be taken off, and hindereth it not in its fining. In silver Myne-works there ●re often found such natural proofs of pure and fine oar, ●hat it might speedily be digged and broken, though it ●ust be melted again by reason of its Spolium, or by reason ●f strange colours and flowers it hath rob, yet it easily ●ay be performed, which serveth afterward for an instruction, how Mineral-colours must be obtained, as Azure, ●hrysocolle, though they stand in the Mineral-glass: such colour's love to be in such pure oar, bu● are not so soon inocu●ted, unless it be in the Sued or coction, in which the metal 〈◊〉 very pure, and yields more naturally the mercury of the ●ody, be it in the ascension or descension, assumeth then ●nother body. Hence is it apparent, how the same aught ●o be proceeded within the artificial After-work, out of ●ne body into another, how the body, in which it is, and ●om which it must be had, aught to be prepared, namely, ●t must be made pure and Super-fine. It appeareth in the ●talian Gold, especially in that of Wallachia, in which it is ●ost pure; how that mercury of metals puts off his body, & the mercury of the body come from the mercury of the ●etal, puts the gold together into a close body and regu●s, and it is seen in the gild, how firmly and closely 〈◊〉 stick●th, wanteth but a small matter of an augmenting ●uality, its Spolium is only obstructive thereunto: it is of a transmuting and elevating quality, if the other body b● awakened also: for a body which is between awaking an● sleeping effecteth nothing, it must be awakened w●olly if at the on boiling of a metal, as of that Italian gold, b● but the least impurity, that is, a heterogeneal p●●●, it coul● not be brought to a compactness, which is seen at gi●ding Therefore you must give an exact attention to learn to understand what the prima materia of metalline bodies is, an● how their Elevation is either obstructed or augmented how homogeneal things are brought to a body. It is apparent in the mercury of metals, how close and compact i● stands together in the flux, which flux cannot be take● from it: purity is the reason or cause of that compactness being there is no other metal mixed with it: assoon as any metalline body joineth with it, then is it disjoined, be i● what metal or body it will. Hence it doth appear, how metals are brought to rest from their labour, namely, if the● be first pure; for into pure matter may be brought what i● intended for it; which appeareth in the mercury of metals, its purity is the cause why it doth not appear to th● eye, but only in its flux or hardness. The mercury o● metals is the flux of the mercury of bodies, that is, whe● water comes to it, or the mercury of metally bodies is com● into the water instead of the air, which otherwise is in th● water: take it into consideration, what manner of skill i● required to get wind or air out of the water, and to brin● another mercury into that place, if you get the air, which i● in the earth, out of that earth, and in its lieu you get in th● mercury of metalline bodies, than you have a Mercury i● Coagulato; endeavour now how you may coagulate it, bu● not in the ordinary, common, and vulgarly known way Bring still another mercury of bodies instead of the Marin● water into that water, than you have a fair pearl, take tha● same mercury of bodies, reduce it to an earth, which mu● be pure, instead of the air than you have a pure jewel a● pure as may be had from that, earth is in its colour, or yo● may put one to it, which you please, it is a thing feasabl● These and the like pieces are afforded by purity, all which ●e work of nature is a leader unto. (Men that cast so ma●y foul aspersions upon Philosophers are unworthy and not 〈◊〉 be regarded) nor credited, what they can foam against ●eir rare and glorious inventions about the three princi●es, from whence all these things have their Original, ●ake trials of it, you will affirm to be true, what I have ●id. CHAP. XI. Of impure Metal. THere is found store of metalline oars, but few of them are pure, and few there are that break or grow one by the other; therefore these must be separated and spoken of apart: The great work & expenses which their cleansing requireth from their grossness let Melters speak of: separating hath been invented, at which some good things of the oars do stay, the rest flieth away, and their fining is useful, especially when oars or metals are in their ascension, though it be chargeable. But to find Electrums, and bring them to good by separating, differs from the former fining, and requireth a singular way of melting. Cunning and subtle Artists may pretend to get silver out of iron, (I believe they may, if there be any in it) as they do in Sweedland. Osemund always containeth silver, which is only off driven, and calcine away the iron, and thus they cheat people: can they do the like with the iron which breaks in Styria? no such matter. Therefore take heed of such cheaters, and take notice that nature loveth to keep her own ways orderly, and keeps together two and sometimes three sorts of oars in their ascension and descension, whereby she intimateth a way unto the After-work; but men in their fancy think upon other means, though to no purpose. View all the Mines which are in Europe, you will find no other oars but impure ones, that is, a mixture of them, for their nature maketh them, as much as I ever could learn; if you can show me the contrary, I will assent unto thee, And this is the second Argument, that metals are in their ascension and descension unto perfectness: if each had its peculiar work and instrument, than men needed not to take so much pains in melting, to separate them. For it is a difficult work to join weeds and stones, because these are heterogeneal, and are of differing ma●ters: but the other joining soon together, require special w●rking to be separated; therefore view exactly the bodies two manner of ways, which is no small instruction. First, in what manner you separate the ashes from the fumes or food, this ministers already a twofold separating of metal, the earth from the tincture, there you have a twofold separating, and so forth. Secondly, take notice of the Flux, to drive the cold fire with the warm, and the warm with the cold, the● you will be able to separate the bodies from Mercuries, than you have already separated the metals without loss and damage, use thyself exactly to it, and be careful in observing their names, not regarding the Miners expressions and terms, for the names they give to oars are false: for those, which build and dig after clefts and passages, have their names of their bodily matters after the sorts of the minerals, and are distinct therein. But you must call them after the sorts of the seven bodies, and learn to prepare them; this work is of greater utility. Men are at great expenses to get corrosive waters, to get asunder these metals, they do it also by way of melting and casting; but such waters add great poison to the work; it is a better way to do it with Lixiviums or sharp waters, which are not so poisonous, learn their preparation. There is another kind of impure oar, of which I made mention here and there, which contain Myne-slacks, you may read of in the Chapter of the Cinders, but there is a difference betwixt the cinder and the slack, for slack are more corny, yet that also turns at last to cinders. These slacks are the cause of the cold fire, 〈◊〉 cenders cause the warm fire, or the uredines metallorum: ●se cold slacks are hardly got ●● off ●rom the metal, be●se they come from the cold flux fi●e of mercuries altice: for as the cinder comes from bodies; so are these ●cks of mercury; it is seen, when you will have slacks of ●er matters then usually they belong thereunto; then the ●rcury of bodies is roused, which by the work is no●ing else but a closure and stream; for if you can conve●ntly get away the slacks, than you may perform and ac●mplish something else with the fire of mercury, and it is either usual not artificial to deal much in cold fire: some ●iners call it Mispuckel, Nodus aeris, that Latin name they ●t upon: it is true, it is very hard knit together, it is dif●ult to dig it, and to make its oar to good, and Antimony so is hardly gotten from other metals (except from Sol) without damage: however, with advantage it may be done ●riously, only you must be expert in Antimonie's quali●es. For they belong together and are joined, as tin and ●ad, Wismuth or Magnesia among or betwixt iron and cop●er. This is a good direction, and is sufficient for such, ●ho know what belongs to melting. CHAP. XII. Of perfect metal. WHo could tell what gold and silver were, if they were not known in their perfection, for when they are perfect, it appeareth, when they have their colour, their weight▪ ●heir malleableness, their flux and hardness: and this perfect metal nature hath produced compactly and purely 〈◊〉 ●uch perfect, pure, and compact gold is found in Hungary, ●n the white marble, which presently may be broken; as also silver, copper: the difference betwixt the perfect and pure is, because metals are not pure before they are p●fect; and so there may be a perfect oar, which is not pu● which defect is found in many of our metals, which co● to their perfection assoon as in any other Foreign parts, b● in their perfect purity they are defective sometimes. Th● is to be noted by this metal; a body must first be perfe● or brought to its perfection, before it can be sixth; and is of great concernment to know rightly what fixedne● meaneth. A body which hath its due tincture, weight, and graduation, yet it hath mixed other obstructive impurities, he● comes the work, and nature gins to copulate these two tincture and gradation brings the metal into a purifying this purifying is fixation: for pure is as much as fix. An● note, that the ground of the first is the body, which is 〈◊〉 secret, into that I must bring the tincture and gradation a● well as I can, and take the tincture from Sol, which is 〈◊〉 thing feasable: then is it an Electrum, which is a water; for in water it abideth, than I take its ponderosity fo● it, and bring it into an Oleum or into a Sulphur, the body remaineth still, for in the ascension Mercury lieth the foundation of the body, as an Embryo, to it comes ponderosity, which maketh it formal, then comes Lubricum, after that comes the Volatile with the tincture, and perfecteth all the rest it hath need of to its perfection. Why doth reason play the fool in despising the ways of nature, not observing her course? For behold how wonderfully she bringeth redness into copper, turning it into brass, but is not fixed, because it was not her intent; it is a mere colour which all other oars easily embrace, but is not fixed, which colour is easily driven away with wood and coalfire. Therefore is it a thing of great concernment to learn rightly to know the bodies; for at dissolutions the property of a pure metal is known, what its tincture, body, salt and ponderosity is, especially if exactly be considered the anatomy of all bodies after the Chemic way, how curiously and properly are they anatomised: we call the immature spirit a spirit of mercury; the perfect tincture we call an ●na or Sulphur, the ponderosity is called the salt or bo● for the after-work confirmeth the same, that that fixal doth not only hold in the fire, and all corrosive wa● especially that of Saturn, which is a precious one, ●e then other aqua forts, but better in the malleableness ●hout the Quart; it holdeth also in the cement, because ●omes out of it. Therefore it is to be admired, why 〈◊〉 talk so strangely of it, when they know nothing of it, ●m whence it is, or what the cause of it is! But it is so, 〈◊〉 one hearkeneth to the tale of the other, and know no ●re than they have from hear-saying; for they know not ●at to say, nor how to help what the work aileth, if out tune and disordered; and if any fix and lasting medi●e is to be made, than that metal is best, even as a vegetal which is come to its maturity. This process must be served, else all labour is in vain. For how can ye destroy ●e body of a thing that hath no body, much less can you ●e the tincture of it, before it comes into the body: a acture may be gotten from it, but not all the colours of ●at tincture: here exactness must be used, because it is ●e greatest skill to do so. One thing more I must needs ●eak of, those that aim merely with a great and deep aging at riches should view God's mysteries every where, they compare the Scripture rightly, will find an instruction, that a spiritualty is held forth in an earthly thing: if a ●etal be brought out of the earth, and out of its Officina, ●ke a man that is set into another life, it abideth and liveth without food, is not dead, but is alive; though it doth not ●t, yet it resteth, and may soon be awakened: thus we ●ope also, that in the other eternal life, where there is Sab●athum & Sabbotho, things will be done in a more glorious ●ay. God maketh use of us here for his praise, to make use ●f metals in that kind: it will not be for our misuse and disgrace, but rather put greater honour upon us, more than ●ver we put upon metals. CHAP. XIII. Of imperfect metal. THe imperfect metal is the wildest among all the re● because it containeth all impurities with a confuse mixture. Usually there is set in a work of many piec● which no man yet knoweth what they are, in which y● find matters joined, which are prepared and unprepare of many bodies. Now if you will reduce that matter a● cleanse its metal, than the unprepared matter must first 〈◊〉 washed away, and regard not the matter so much as the m●tal, which is yet tender and young in it, you must not c●cine it but another fire belongeth to it This perfecti● consists in nine several pieces, which must be well con●dered; each must be handled as it ought; if so be, the m●tal shall not suffer any wrong and damage, First, consider well, whether the oa● be in ascension 〈◊〉 descension, than you may help its colour and whole bod● for that metal, which is in its ascension must be aided in i● folium, but the metal, which is in its descension must b● helped with Spolium, else it; ●i●th away, because it is n● perfected in its due place and Officina; and that metal is i● a form accordingly. Thus make your proof, and be in yo● After-work the more encouraged. Secondly, you must take notice of the nourishment 〈◊〉 food, which, as I may say, is not fully digested, further th● same in its concoction, else the excrements cannot well b● gotten off, which would be the cause of unmalleablenesse. Thirdly, you must take notice of the flux, that which i● fluid must be fried: for if both fluxes should be opened they would hardly be congealed again. For to dissolv● ●ew running Mercury of bodies, which per se are run●g, would prove a mere dust and atom. Fourthly, remember the hardness or fixation of it, in ●at degree of ascension or descension it is, that you may ●de thereunto an equal fire of its body: for cinders re●reth on● sort of fire, and fuligines requireth another kind 〈◊〉 fire, and calcination must have a due fire: then your ●oceedings will be right, if you know the proper condign of such bodies, else you wrong them, by making it ●ttle, and flieth off at a second casting. Fifthly, make a true distinction betwixt the two imper●ctions: from thence this metal hath its name; the one is 〈◊〉 the body, the other is of the instrument: first, take in ●nd the instrument, and endeavour to help the body in ●e preparation, and stay its flux or running into another, ●d you drive the ●chwaden or the cuticle of the seed; ●en goeth the cuticle of the seed, and the Ferch or ●e, Sixthly, consider that fire, which nature hath, that you 〈◊〉 not encroach or entrench too far upon the bodies: direct ●d order all you● work upon the Uredines or soap, join it ●ith your fire to the instrument of the body. Seventhly, you ought to be instructed well about the uncture of the Electrums, that you put not off Sol instead ●f Luna, because you are not experienced enough in the ●eeping tincture or colour, which you are to awaken in the descension, or when in the ascension you are to strengthen ●nd to keep them. Painters have a term in their profession ●hich they call elevating and shadowing, the same you ●ust apply here to bodies, when they are in their perfection: ●herefore anatomize the bodies. Eighthly, we ●ee Limners to mingle their colours with water and oil, and so carry them on, you must ●earn a due preparation of the water, to imbibe the colour, which is a metalline water, whereby you corrode with not destroying the colours, which you intent to have, if you make use of any other water besides this, than all your labour is in vain; cool with oil, than it remaineth pure, a● thus you have much strengthened the Folium. Lastly, take notice that the metal be straightened so, th● it look for no more food. All such things belongi● thereunto you find enough by this instrument, or not 〈◊〉 off from it; or else you may bring it easily thereunto: 〈◊〉 will be but imperfect, therefore put your help to it, y● have natures half work for advantage, with great pity hath often been beheld, how such noble and precious instruments have been consumed in fire, which could ha● been for several good uses, the workmen in their carelessness not regarding them. All other metals belong un● this: for very seldom is found a whole perfect meta● which should not want one help or other. He that is acquainted with these will perform these works with grea● advantage and more utili y. For there must be extant perfectness, if any thing shall be purged, so that another pure or fix thing be brought in, be it the colour or ponderosity. CHAP. XIV. Of the Soap-metal, or Metallum Uredinum. IF our upper Elements could not make a metal to be manifest and apparent to us, who would have undertake● to work any metal. The great heat and cold which is under the ground is the cause of the body of metal, according to the predominancy of that heat and cold which is in the body. The deeper the heat or cold is in that body, the fairer is its tincture; this is a true saying, But what this heat or cold is above, and what is attributed to the Planet above, understanding men must know it. At first when the Ferch goeth forth, and goeth along through the earth with the seed in its firmamental officina, ●en it comes forth sometimes, as far as its breathing may ●ach before it be infringed and allayed; it still carrieth ●me of the purest metal, and the superior elements afeard their virtue for their joining: for where the elements ●e in a conjunction, there they make a body, and force ●mething from the Ferch, than it riseth and falleth, as it ●lls, so it lieth still, this is the reason why the corns are so ●rangely fashioned, they are either round or oval, and so ●me to the metal accordingly, and is found: sometimes falleth into the water, where it was catcht and overtaken, ●t most of all it loveth to be in the Uredines or soap, hence ●t that name. Soaps are mineral springs, where the metal ●eth to lie, these spring from below, and these are found ●metimes wholly gilded over, and they cast upward taps of ●ch colour. In this Country such springs are near Rivers the foot of Mountains, but in the Almen they are on the ●p of the soap as it were upside down, on these sticketh ●e Ferch which passeth by it, or the air which forceth it ●m it. The whole business lieth in the metalline waters they are dissolved in their salts, thus they easily embrace ●e Ferch, or the metal of that Ferch and seed which it ca●●th forth, and that goeth for the best Tin which is on the ●p, being of an iron shot, which iron is of several different ●grees, but here in this place it is not energetical, as being ●structed by two parties. First, the water is an obstruction unto it, for oar must give ●y to water, it is carried away: such soap oar is seldom ●nd by the Vredines, or in the soap. Secondly, this Scobes' powder or dust is not in its right ●cina, because it is not in this subterranean air and element ●ere the singular officina of metal is, and in this manner of ●dition are almost all the soap-metals in Europe, but in her Countries where there are none, or very few of these ●ther metals, if there be found any of them in the Dam ●th of the highest or uppermost metal, then is it another ●tter, needs not to be related here, because it serveth not for our work. Such metals are the best, because they li● deepest at the metal; and if you entrench too nigh unt● them with the fire, than they fly away with the Ferch, by reason of their transcendent superfinenesse: therefore whe● this ponderous Ferch and seed is grown very hot in bot● heats of his work, especially in the descension, then is i● mightily strengthened, in the consuming it groweth mor● homogeneal to the upper Mercuries of the earth and its instrument, therefore it doth associate thereunto, and obtaineth a going again, and this is the ground of ascending an● going upward, besides or without of the officina as much a● is known. CHAP. XV. Of inhalation or inbreathing. IT is a curious work to build after-clefts and passages, fo● it seemeth a thing to be credited, that in them the brea●hings have more their going in and out than through th● whole earth besides, but it is not advisable to take suc● fetches about, because there is a nearer way unto it, namely, unto the metals, as if one would go to the well, and goeth all the streams down, through and by all the springs whereas there is a nearer way to go the footpath, the sam● condition it hath with the halations and breathe, because the fumes and vapours lie therein, and are obstructive rathe● to the breathing, than helpful. Therefore look not so muc● upon clefts and passages, but rather upon the halations o● breathe, which keep their stroke throughout the earth because the same doth not hinder its course, as men ma● deem. For we must know that the oars do breath only u●der ground, and these breathe are orderly distinguished This is a remarkable thing, that oars breath from belo● where they are, and this is the difference betwixt the hala●, vapour, fume, or breath, which goeth obliqne, the ass way, lateral way, or afar off. Therefore here is to be ●ken of that inhalation, when it goeth in its own strength, ●at it showeth and signifieth, the fume is sent unto the me● from the superior solar rays, from thence she may ●e what she will, and what she hath need of for her sustention, that bringeth the nourishment, and driveth all downard to the metal and the lower planets, but no farther than on the earth, but though the Dam earth per cutem terrae, ●re the oar or metal receiveth the inhalation, which ariseth ●m the work, maketh use of it: for it is manifest that the ●ments cannot reach deep into the ground. Seeing the nation's are invisible, whose being cannot be seen in them, ●ans breath can sooner be discerned and seen, than the ha●ion may; which may be known by a Rotten, when a me● worketh, than it breatheth, which breath it draweth a●n, and so forth: then the Sun must come in to help, for the Systeme is at the inhalation, which must be known ar●cially, there is the purest earth, from whence man is ta●, as some ancient writers do conceive, which earth con●eth many hidden virtues in the afterwork of Metals. ●is inhalation serveth chief for that purpose as you heard, draw, swallow, and take down the food into the body. For 〈◊〉 must not think, that she lets it lie in the body, after she ●th brought it in, but it is a Vis retentiva to keep that fast, ●ich it drunk in, and to that end she prepareth in that ●ole journey from that place where she receiveth or bor●weth of the Sun, which driveth down all ponderous things, we see by all such juices and saps which are driven downard; in this drawing down it hath this quality, what saps juices it taketh, the same sink down deeper more and ●re, and sublimeth them the more highly into its flores● ●t this I call flores, when it cannot sublime any further, ●d brings it at last to a garment or body of a metal. He that knoweth these flowers rightly, he hath learned ●mething of nature, and he that knoweth of what they are made, he is come yet further; but such flowers are mad● naturally of mean stuff, which worketh by a threefold fire, among which the inhalations fire is not the meanest, but th● chiefest, because it is the next unto perfection. But thi● breathing is more a fiery aerial heat, than it hath of any fire, because it flameth without any kindling, otherwise i● would combure the nutriment in the officina, she concealeth rather, keepeth things together, and strengtheneth them, it expelleth humidities and vapours; and consequently it causeth those evil vapours, fumes, and breath● which poison the whole earth below, and are the cause o● many dangerous diseases, as it hath been known. CHAP. XVI. Of exhalations or out-breathing. SEeing, stirring, and moving, must be continually at th● metalline work as long as the metal attracteth, and especially the in moving or taking into, hence the next inhalation of the living oar must be stronger, therefore Nature affords so, that because the halations can come no further in the metal, because metal is the end of the work under ground, that then the exhalations must draw on, and must turn into the metal, the return of that metals breathing from below into a true natural breathing of metal groweth so strong, that it kindleth, yet without a light o● flame, but gloweth without a flame or light, and purgeth that which is to be purged in the work, not only in th● work in the officina, but in the whole matter, till she heaveth and protrudeth the pure atoms of the earth, whic● the Sun gloriously dissolveth again into juices; for the atoms are the flowers of the terrene-salt, she cannot endure them, neither are they useful in the earth, but must be dissolved again in the upper air; but this exhalation, though ●t be always about the metal, yet is it apparent in its Rotten, or Rubedo, what the oar doth, than the breathing seizeth on the Rotten or Rubedo, and kindleth them, than is the metal in its decay or decrease, and is a dead metal, and most of the fire goeth forth, which kindleth this Red, and the ●old stayeth by the nether metal, which groweth predominant; hence we see what Uredines are able to do, when ●hey are predominant in metals, than the cold gets the up●er hand, and disgraceth the oar, bringing it as low as lead; ●ut if heat get the upper hand, than the metal groweth ●igher and higher, and more lively. This is the difference betwixt the heat of fires, which is called Vredines, the vehicle of that heat is the instrument or matter which affords the place of it. For Uredines are the cause of something, but fire destroyeth it, and the uredines may be without the fire, and above the fire. The most ancient Philosopher's call it coelestes & infernales vires; for it is apparent in ●old, that fire cannot prevail against it, but only against ●he flux of it, and cannot consume it, and the Mercury cannot hurt neither, only he bringeth hardness unto it, which 〈◊〉 good, but to what purpose? for he is not turned to any elver; both these breathe, upper and nether, in and ●ut breathing comes all to one, and is not only its quality ●o show and make known the metal and oar, but passeth through the earth also, to keep them from turning into ●ones, to stay and keep them porous one upon another, ●nd to make them pure: for it purgeth the earth, as the so●r breathing above doth the air, and as the same breathing ●bove bringeth and causeth wind, mist, rain, hoar frost, ●ow, even so the subterranean breathing causeth vapours ●mes, breaths, saps, minerals, soaps, etc. and bringeth forth ●old out of their seed. He that understandeth these neither, upper, and other meteors, he may make all manner of ●uick After-works; For Art treadeth into the footsteps ●f Nature. CHAP. XVII. Of corruscation, or of adhalation, or to breathing or glittering. MIners seeing this breathing ascend by night, like 〈◊〉 flame, they count that only a breathing, and none else which per se is not a true breathing, but only a corruscatio● for it burneth away the excrements, not wholly, only suc● things that are naught and poisonous, purgeth the air from the same stink; for where should the cuticle of the seed get out, if it should not be carried forth, partly by this flame of fire, and partly by the water? For this stink weakeneth the oar mightily, especially it spoils its colour, whereas i● may easily be burned or washed away, before it groweth to such a stink, be it in fossils or liquours. This breathing o● glistering strengtheneth the cenders, it toucheth them no● in a way of heat, but in a way of fire, and is not an upboiling, but a burning unto. Seeing this stuff which this corruscation seizeth on, is found often in a place where no metals are, therefore is i● very deceitful, however commonly and for the most part o● a metalline breath. For note the metal never affords or casteth any flame, neither doth it consume in burning, bu● flieth away and vanisheth, you cannot know which way i● is gone; therefore these exuviae spermatis, or husks of the seed, is a greater infection, and plainer evidence, that there is an oar at hand; because it maketh many glorious things apparent, which the fire seizeth on, it must not quite be melted from, its outgoing is a sign that it doth no good by the metals, neither can it stay with it, unless it stick close▪ Here you may observe again, that fire doth not good to metals, but a warmth which doth not come from fire, as a natural heat is in man without fire; for where are the coals which nature useth for oars, yet is it hot? where is there any better blast to make things congeal? A cold without a frost is another matter, as it appeareth in Pearls. I call it Vredines, as a warmth without an heat, yea, this heat and frost causeth a food unto fire, it cannot endure it any where about it; therefore if you bring a metal into its heat and cold, than you have already a ground for the Afterwork; you have little learning or skill, if you do not know so much. CHAP. XVIII. Of Folium & Spolium; or of the Schimmer and Glimmer. THe second or other thing which apparently shows and distinguisheth metals, is the colour. The condition of colour is this, that they are not so discernible, by reason of their darkness, in which they naturally are, they are elevated and brought to a Folium, or are exalted through a Folium, as an obscure and untransparent folium doth the same in a lucidum & translucidum corpus, the same must a transparent folium do in a thick body, as metals are an opacum corpus, shining like the moon with a borrowed light into the body, and the folium giveth it forth out of that body. Such a folium or glitter may be made artificially, but nature showeth that it may be had from a Volatile; though it be true, that that Volatile may not be had, unless in its seed and body; yet it is soon extant with the body; for he that knoweth not the condition of the folium, he can neither in the flux nor congelation bring any oar or metal into its true tincture; the condition of this Folium is, that it is as thin as any leaf in the world can be, of these leaves is composed a metalline body. Counterfeit Chemists busy themselves very much with their Strata, Superstratums, but here is it naturally thinner than beaten gold, and this is called opaca perspicuita, an in brought leaf, not gilded in, or silvered. Here lieth a curious skill for ting, with this leaf, if brought into the Glimmer; one knowledge is the cause of another, and as it is seen in a glowing and glittering splendour, that there is no exuviae spermatis, or hull of the seed at hand, neither may it be known in any folium or spolium, by its speculums or night lights, to prepare that leaf and spolium, which soon doth losen and free itself, and this is the chiefest thing, for it goeth off with the worst poison, and comes on also, and must settle and rest. CHAP. XIX. Of fuliginous vapours and ashes. TOuching the white soot of metals, which is a precious garment to silver, if only brought into Mercuries, wonderful to behold, that the corruption of metals and of the first bodies should afford the highest and the uppermost turn to be the lowermost, where these soots are found surely there is metal at hand also; but fair and more natural is hardly seen, than there is in Styria, where they make good steel of it. In Wallachia it breaketh or is found near silver, and this is the surest thing in the metalline work, as well in the Natural, as in the Afterwork, which seemeth most incredible unto the people; and again, that which is most uncertain proveth to be most certain; the reason of it is, because they know and understand it not better. Miners have in their clefts and passages things hanging and lying, in which great matters might be had and found, but require great toil, and is a dangerous work by reason of ●heir poison. Though the Halation and breathing goeth ●long, yet it carrieth many things with it, which hardly ●ay be gotten from it, neither doth it quit the pain and expenses. Miners call the matter after their way indiscreetly and inconsiderately, as the greedy Alchemists suppose, that when men speak of the mercury of bodies, to be the mercury of metals; or the salts of bodies, to be a ●alt like other common salt; Ashes of Saturn are seen here ●eetly, before they come or go any higher, and before ●hey do turn unto silver, for soon do they embrace Antimony; the same the congealed water or coagulated Saturn hath likewise, and is a pure proof to all metals, and groweth deep. Then there is a pure Wismuth, which is gross, containeth a congealed water of Saturn, which is found also with great gain about metals, when they are reduced to their first matter, than it ascendeth into a glass metalline work, and the ash-work ceaseth. Chemists in old times, and now also made themselves very busy with their salt, to make all bodies potable thereby, having reduced them first into salts: but here is an album out of ashes, which ashes afford salts, which is but in vain; for ashes are garments, intimating ●nd pointing at the thing which is clad, and the oar clotheth itself with it, when it is coming near the day. The condition of Potabilia is otherwise, they must be brought into potablenesse, and is done in a clean contrary way than they go to work with. But these are served well enough, that ho for nothing but for gold; Nature giveth to such these garments; it giveth the slip before men are ware of, I mean the body, therefore look well unto bodies. CHAP. XX. Of Scobes' and metalline water, of the Schlich and lie (Lixivium.) NAture in her work must still have an increase and decrease, some things are coming, and others are going; and as above ground at the melting, and at the hammer metals do lose somewhat, so it is under ground. But how these subterranean decreases are discerned, which like crumbs of bread should be preserved, Nature being provident keeps them together also, bringing them unto the day light, that they might be brought to good, and that metal is known also to be under that ground by the Scobs or alkali which it excerneth, namely, the rocks, stones, flints, which sucked nature dry in her work, these are the offals, if empty of metals, and if some good oar be in it then that may well be called Schlich or sliding, because it slideth away from the work, it stealeth away, where such sliding is, take notice of it, for it breaks off from the matter in the officina, wherein metals are in their work, and perform their office, and that Schlich or sliding is a sure sign that metals are in that place. So the Lixivium also, or metalline water is a sure forerunner of metals, and it dissolveth still in the work, and looseneth somewhat from the metals, in which there is a Schnede and virtue: for as I have said, when I made mention of minerals, where there are fossilia mineralia, there is sure a Mine-work. And where such minerals are, they soon dissolve into a water or lixivium: and this is the difference betwixt the water and the lixivium; water affords only the mineral, and the metals allow the flowers thereunto, out of these comes a lixivium: the effect of this water and lixivium is well known, for they carry in a hidden way flowers or tinctures of oars. The cement or lixivium at Schwelnitz in Hungary corrodeth iron into a Schlich or sliding; and if that iron sliding is taken again out of the Dray, and is cast, then is it good mercury. There are more of such lixiviums, but men regard them not, that water also is a sign of a very pure mineral; for let us consider the water at Goslar, doth it not yield pure white and red vitriol? and in several other places there is found good copper, silver, and lead: out of these waters may be had again minerals, as you please or intent to have them, without any great painstaking. For if a mineral is exsiccated, than it hath no more the strength to run forth, but groweth tough, and is dried up sinking into the ground. There are waters in Hungary, savouring of sulphur and alum, which afford store of gold and copper; aluminous water in Misnia afford silver and copper; the waters in Bohemia which taste of saliter or iron, afford several sorts of metal, except gold. The Mines in Styria have their special metalline waters and lixiviums, besides other excellent Mine-works, insomuch that the whole Mines are of mere steel, copper, gold, silver, quicksilver, and other things men's hearts may wish for. The salt waters at Franckenhouse, do they not signify that there are curious Mine-works there? which if the inhabitants took more notice of, and were more known, what gains could they not make of them? The more these waters are running, the better they serve for many uses; if they are standing, it is a sign that there are evil and bad minerals at hand? and that there are cide, matters, and minerals that were gone and left behind in abundance, of sediments and fumes. Take heed of these. CHAP. XXI. Of Scoria and Exuvium, of the seed & hull of the seed. THe utmost, and last decrease, and diminution of metals is cinder, which is very good and harmless. I mean that cinder which metals put off by their Uredines or soapes. For the exuvium or husk which the corruscation or by-breathing leaveth behind, and is like unto a cinder, is another sort of cinder, like unto that which comes from the forges of Smiths and Melters; for besides that they weigh their bodies, they cleanse them also, though the lie doth purge the Minerals and colours, yet themselves also do purge, as is seen by the cenders which every metal leaveth behind in the fire, which however are not like unto this. By this cender it is seen also, that there are metals at hand; for the cenders of Minerals, which the corruscation causeth, are palpable, known, and visible: Understanding Miners know the same; There is a metalline cender among the slacks, but not known, which is the reason why slacks are so brittle, else they would be malleable, or else they could be cast compact; some have undertaken that work, but they could not get off these cenders. Touching the Schwaden or husks, these do fairly intimate the departing of the seed, and of the work of all bodies: for when the hull ceaseth to work, and hath no more food, neither of the minerals, nor of the bodies, and now the Folium is gone into Spolium, than it is at separating, and breaketh the band of the leaf and seed, which is called the Swaden or husk; it is an extreme poison, it destroyeth all that liveth, especially breathing things; for it is its intent to return thither again; therefore to what place soever it cometh, finding things that move and stir, the same it destroyeth, and itself also; and at last, it returneth to the ●ficina of the seed, helps to glue on and imbibe, and turns 〈◊〉 be a band again. Where such poison is, be sure that ●ere was silver and metal there, but never in that place, where it went forth, and is turned into another thing; for ●fter the decay of each body, and of its leaf, and after the ●ff plucking a singular husk, the last it maketh is the fierest; for there it lieth like a Speculum upon the water, and ●asily turneth into nourishments, which is the reason why 〈◊〉 turneth so soon to the metals, and so the nourishments ●re infected contrary to their quality, that it wandereth so up and down is the reason, because it containeth some of ●he seed and of the life, and is the untowardness: for the ●eed must have something in which it may lie, which if it be not one of the bodies of the seven metals, then is it such poison or husk, this is the skin wherein it containeth itself, ●o long till the corruscation forceth it away, which then ●s death unto it CHAP. XXII. Of the shining rod, or of the fire rod. HE that intends to meddle with rods, must not follow after his own fancy, nor bring novelties unto Mine-works out of his suppositions. For nature endureth not to be curbed in her order, but men must be regulated according to nature. Concerning the rod, good notice must be taken of the Breathing, & this Lucens virgula, or fire-rod is ordered upon the operative & attractive breathing; for if it were strong, though it doth not kindle, yet it doth its office, through & by a heat appropriated to its quality. A great heat in a furnace puts out a small heat, light, or fire, the same effect hath this breathing upon this Rod, which being kindled & stuck in, is put out, no upper air or wind can hurt it; for our upper fire cannot live or burn under ground, for if a light or candle be hit against a stone or earth, it is put out, because it cannot fall in. It attracteth the nutriment, which maketh this Rod burn, and sucks it dry. This is remarkable in the matter of this Rod, that it hath an unctuosity which doth not burn, as the seeds husk is, whose poison put out lights under ground in an extraordinary manner. And the breathing above ground doth the same in a peculiar manner. Few miners know this fire, and is the only means whereby the inhalation is known. This firework, thus extracted, is of special use in Mines, and then in the After-work is of several use for metals; of the which more in its due place: to descry fire by fire is no mean skill, and the subterranean fire can in no other way be mastered. Ancient Philosophers have written much of it: how superior elements make their juncture with the nether, intimating also that by the means of the middle, Elements must be learned the emergy of the superior and subterranean. For they are spirits which join the souls above with the grosser bodies below, else nothing could have any success wit●in the earth, and for their operation there must be a medium, a gluten: to tie and bind fire with fire, is a strange maxim, but is a true one: hence cometh a reserve of fire, which never burneth; all three must be together: for the upper is the light fire, and the metal is the flame-fire, and the nether is the burning fire. This we shall know at the great day in the other life, where God will separate the burning from the flame, when it flameth; then will the burning consume Hell, and Hell will soon be burned away; neither will there be any clearness, but darkness, because God bestoweth the light upon his chosen ones, which is neither a flame nor a burning; here these must stand together. Be acquainted with its friendliness and friendship, make it thy advantage, which is abstrusely hid, and goeth invisibly. CHAP. XXIII. Of the glowing Rod. BEcause the stirring of the Rod is fallen into abuse among many people; however it is a fundamental way know and to bring forth the metals, if duly and natu●ly used. It is an undeniable truth, as I made mention of afore, that metals do breath, and the same breathing is in●ible; the best means to learn it is the Rod, this is the ●ason why I call this Rod the glowing Rod, because it re●aleth and showeth the exhalation of metals, which exulation is of a fiery heat, though it casteth neither flame ●r sparks, yet it is of such an heat, that it gloweth in its ●anner, and brings the Rod into a glowing, which is an ●fallible sign that there is a living metal at hand. This ●od, if it should be more glowing without a flame, there ●ust be used special matter, which receiveth that fire, else cannot be done with any utility. Concerning that Rod; is a stick or staff, of the length of half an ell, of hard ●ood, as of oak, unto it is fastened the matter, even as a ●rch or link is made of pitch or wax: this matter must be ●f an unctuous matter, either of an animal, vegetable, or ●mewhat else, which is upon or above ground; it must ●ot be too strong, otherwise it sets the breathing on fire; ●o talk, wax, pitch, or resein is fit to be used, nor any mineral, otherwise that breath, mineral, or metal would set its ●od on fire, and consume it; it must be a calx of earth, which catcheth that heat suddenly, and smothers in a heat ●s calx doth above ground, being moistened, it falls thus ●ot off from the rod. This lime, burnt above by breathing, is good for several uses. But this breathing doth not ●eize on the unctuosity or Mine-wax; else how could the nourishment of minerals prosper? Miners call it a Spath, a true calx of the earth. It is not corroded and seized o● under ground, because it hath too much of humidity Some call it a Mine Mermel or subterranean Mermel, bu● is no such matter, because he doth not endure the weather above ground, exsiccateth, and by breathing is kindled a● last. The huge Mountains in Norway, the oars in Swedland, seize on it and corrode it, they are full of Spath or calx, i● their glowing they grow hollow; if they were in a flame, that land had been consumed long ago. For as soon as tha● Earth-water comes forth from this Spath, and the exsiccating earth cometh forth also, than the hidden fire falls into their places. CHAP. XXIV. Of the leaping Rod. WHilst metal is in its purification, that it neither riseth nor moveth, than it hath its breathing the same as it is of a singular condition, must be discovered and led forth by a singular Rod; which Rod is of two sticks held together with both hands: where there is such a breathing, it lieth close on that Rod, no man is able to hold these sticks together, if that breatheth on them: and if it were a single stick, it would break in two, the inner side where this Rod is laid together must be anointed with Marcasite, that breathing draweth it downward, even as the Magnet is of an attractive quality, to draw iron; so draweth the breathing of this oar, the Marcasite; because the condition and property of the Marcasite is to strengthen the breathing of the purification. There is not a better way of Refining, as to use to each metal its peculiar Marcasite; there is a twofold Marcasite, one above of the Uredines, or upper elemental heat, and the other of the nether, of this Marcasite schlich or small dust is put to the point of the Rod, the metals breathing causeth the Rod to leap asunder. At meling of oars and metals there must be added a double slack, 〈◊〉 upper and a nether, that the metal may bleak the beter; the like must be observed here at this purifying and ●efining. The Marcasites, because (especially those above, ●ot those under ground) carry soap-metal, and are pure, ●elp the purifying very much; pure ferment put to dough, ●rmenteth the same quickly; the same condition is in oars, small addition will further their Refining. There is a general complaint, that Marcasite requireth a great deal of ●bour, before it can be brought to any good, what is the ●ason? the true manual is unknown. A Manual, what it is. call that a manual, when Nature can ●e assisted with advantage and skill. ●dde to any metal or oar calcined, which you intent to re●e, that is fit to be added, you will quickly see the effect. could speak of the several Marcasites, of the several oars ●d metals, but it is needless for the after-works; I would ●t willingly have perverse men be acquainted with these frets; they have it often in their hands, but they do ●t know what they have; for what the Marcasite of iron? The Marcasite of iron is the Magnet or Loadstone. The Marcasite of gold is the Lapis Lazuli. it is not the ●gnet? and what is it of gold? is it ●t Lazul? and so forth of the rest. ●e down into the mine, take this rule ●ng with thee, than you will come ●t of it more wise than you went ●wn, and be thankful for it. CHAP. XXV. Of Furcilla, or of the striking rod. AS man's natural breath goeth in and out, so is the hala●i●n also, & it carrieth all the rest. Man's breath when h● drinketh wine, smells not little of it, or after any other ha● scented food, this carrieth this breath in and out all other senting-breaths out of man's body; even so do I compa● this halation also, with a natural quick breath, which carrieth all the rest, that come in the Ferch and seed. So ther● is no other striking rod for it, but what is of a years growth which otherwise is called a Sommer-lath, this the Mine● cut off after the usual way, and so in the Name of God the● go: if it strikes in, then is it good; if not, than his unlucky hand and misfortune is blamed, which is fallen upo● him, and thinks that his handiworks are not blessed; th● out of a false conceit men suppose their own aptness a● disposition either hinder or further them therein, not considering God's gift and blessing; and the most of them do not know, after what and at what these rods do strike, th● wear it under their girdle, or on their hatband, keep it in devotion, as their superstition leadeth them unto, to g● their bread according to their necessity: God hath bestow● enough on them, if they knew how to manage their thin● judiciously. There is one thing to be noted also, that the several a● or breathe have their several operations, especially up● aerial things. For Astronomers appropriate some tre● and fruits to the ●ir. The upper air hath the upper part the trees and their fruits, the nether air possesseth the ro● milketh and atrracteth the juice they yield, because it their allotted part as well as the upper part is allotted f● ●he upper air, where it effecteth the juice, leaves, fruits, ●s it is seen, that the blessing cometh from above at first, which is palpably seen in propped twigs, they make the ●wig and the fruit twistingly firm, and this sap sinketh in due ●ime, which is drawn up by degrees by a hot air from below, which is their food, their work, matter, and all aerial ●hings. Therefore if you take such a rod, especially of a Hazel, ●r of a Kray tree, whose sap is full, and beareth a pleasant ●nd sweet fruit, it draweth the same downward, that the ●od must sink and strick, it will suck out the juice when ●he rod stands right on its passage, this holdeth from above ●nto this station, where the rod stands still, that place they all the oars station, standing as strait as a line. This rod draweth the Halation naturally after the sap so wrongly, that the rod doth bow to the Halation and to that ●arth, unless it were so strongly pinned that it could not ●ow. It doth not draw obliquely, and stricketh neither at ●e upper nor the lower, but at the middle part, which is ●lled the wind, and is good neither for the one, nor for ●e other, neither doth it breath, thrusting together the ●eams, making their outer rind, according as it is either ●ood or bad, so it hurteth or furthereth the upper and low● breathing. This distinction must be well observed; the ●eams and oars run that way also. Hereunto are used the ●ps of Almond trees, and of such fruit-trees as do consist ●f a mere kernel, and an hard shell; for such shells and the ●hes of such trees, and all that they have, are much aerial ●d fiery, which serve best for the metalline work, and the ●est kindling coals are made of them, and are very ●ght. CHAP. XXVI. Of Virgula trepidans; or of the heaving or trembling Rod. THe breathe driving the fumes together above and below, you must conceive, that it requireth great skill, to discern other breathe from this: the breathe o● the upper element are jovial, and the nether breathe are jovial also, the same is apparent in their work. The win● also is Jupiter, he fumeth these together, and that breathing can hardly be discerned by the rod: this skill is of a● high strain: This heaving rod doth show the way, it mu● be made of a metalline lamine, as of steel, which must be thrusted below the dam earth, at the end of that earth these breathe and halations come together, and the ro● stirreth, quaketh, which it doth not, unless at such a time The rays of the inferior and superior bodies may not be stayed, but only at the work they do stand; for at their breathing they have their ascension and descension, are no● held in their life's going, unless by the matter of this rod, there is a knot on that stick, and it is hollow like a Cane; this matter of the rod is made of an Electrum, drawn fro● the best thin lamins of Luna and Sol, put into a glass head which hindereth not the breathing, because it will not b● hindered, as a vessel may, made above ground; therefore look how you thrive, if you drive it in too deep, if you tak● not matter out of the inferior earth matter, as hath bee● mentioned before. The strength you perceived of the striking rod, if ther● be an aerial halation at hand, you see how that rod quaketh for the inferiout ascendeth and toucheth, and the superior descendeth and toucheth likewise, which rouzeth as it we● the Ferch, or life and seed of the metal. The like appea● ●eth in the clouds, how they move to and fro, before any snow or other weather comes, and before the vapours be digested, which ascended; the same process have the halations subterranean, before they can mingle with the superior halations, they must be plucked off, emalged: if any of them ascend yet higher, they dissolve either into ●ain, or congeal into snow, dew, and hoar-frost, before they part asunder. CHAP. XXVII. Of the falling rod, or of the nether rod. THat there is a peculiar and vehement moving quality and power in the breathing and halation upward and ●ownward, which may not be stayed by any opposition, the ●ame is apparent in all the vegetables of the world. Rain ●nd great thick mists may keep from us the solar shine, but nothing can stay this breathing, because it strikes directly thorough, but if it proveth weak in its fertility, it is the fault of the mild air; a shot out of a gun, if it is to go a great way through the air, is cooled. This is the reason why the ●olar beams have not that operation under ground, as they have above it, and hence also it is that the metalline matter ●s not so fertile, however they do what they can, descend ●o the metal, where they rouse a fire and preserve the same. Thus the Sunbeams must effect all in a magnificent and glorious manner, not only above to preserve with its lustre the lights of all the stars, but by day also to impart un●o the world and men the day light. By these beams it ●asts into the earth a dispersed fire, which is advantageous ●o the preservation of subterranean things; they thrust together homogeneal things, and bring metals to a compactness, that they may be had pure above ground, they ●elie and lean on them; from hence hath the rod its original. For at some certain time you see the Sun draw water (as the vulgar speech is) so the beams have that quality, they comfort metals by striking downward. There is used a striking rod, above at its twist is left a part of the stick of three thumbs length, at the offcutting take out the pith, put super-fine Solemnising into the halation which goeth in, pulls the rod in, where the oar is. The reason of it is, because the nether breathing of the air is there, and goeth against, draweth this breathing, carrieth it down, and the metal within the rod is pulled downward, as if it would join the same with the rest of that body. Thus the breathe and halations are copulated; the beam must conceive on the earth, in which it is to operate, it bringeth no rain to the earth, but the vapours of the earth which rise, the same make or cause the rain, snow, and hoar-frost, bring the same to the earth, imbibing the same therewith; the same operation it hath on the subterranean vapours, caused by the breathing of the metals within; in their ascension it makes them heavy, so that they are able to fall unto Sol, helping the same in its fertile work. Having accomplished its fertility of the work, than such metalline rain falls also on the metal, maketh it ponderous, moveth its Ferch in the Lubricum, and draweth the rod down also more vehemently than it doth to the striking rod, which toucheth not the metal, but merely the breathing, which is not yet nobilitated through or by the halation. This breathing might very well be called a fruitful rain, which thus comfortably refresheth them; it is not a running rain, but only a breathing which by the deep glittering Sol is made noble. I● is not sufficiently expressed when ignorant simple Miners usually say, that the Sun in her influences worketh gold not telling the manner of it (as I made mention of bu● now) themselves may go yet to School, and learn thei● lesson better. CHAP. XXVIII. Of the superior Rod. AS the Planets have not their fixed and certain volution in the firmament, for the which they are called erratic stars, the lesser remain in their fixed stations: the metalline bodies are of the same quality; for they do not ●tick close unto bodies, but rise and fall; for that reason I compare them to the various motions of the stars above, ●heir body is rolling and voluble, led and tinged by the Ferch and seed, which is for the most part of the Sun's condition. Planets with the Sun are of a special agreement in ●notu & lumine, and their body may be said to be Lubricum & Volatile. This Rod is appropriated unto planets which hang their bodies to the seeds as long as the great breathing of Sol holds still, and suffers himself to be obscured, and he must suffer in giving his lustre to the earth by rain, mist, and snow, so long till he breaks thorough them. So the bodies also are corruptible in this upper fire more than the lower in their work. Therefore such a rod must be applied which I call an upper rod, that the opposite breathing of the reflecting metalline beams which were received of the Sun, and strengthened again may be returned from the bottom to the Systeria, be it as high as it will. This Turco or Rod is a twisted tender branch of a Hazel, which from that twist on the bulk is hollow three fingers length, for its pith must be out of it, and the mercury of metals must be put in, the weight of three barley corns or grains: this Rod stirreth the halation from below upward, this is the condition of this Rod, whereby is known that that metal is of an infirm body, wanting the influence of ●pper planets, being defective of the Solar heat, and not of that below, and is the cause why Mercuries-lubricum i● the rod is stirred, making it rebound; intimating, that it is unfit for his work, and that another body is fit. The planets with their influence work more on imperfect metals, than on perfect ones. For the Sun doth not put a garment on mercury of the body, but a certain constellation doth it, the rest joining in the work, and are found next to it, except Sol and Luna, these meddle not with this Rod. Though these also are planets, and belong to a perfect breathing, and have their particular rod, as others have theirs, which press toward their several work, they are fitted for not aiming at the works matter, which maketh its principle as the mercury of metals. There must be had a sufficient instruction for to know it. It is thus; a metal is known before it casts any crust, and how deep the oar lieth, and how it may be wrought upon, if I would know whether there be a sufficiency in that oar, the same I learn by the leap of this Rod; if it be a Saturnal oar, the Rod leapeth the more, more than the condition of the body of Saturn is. For this Rod doth not stir the body, but that which is the most in that body, namely, the mercury of the body: for it yields good store of it, and may put on easily another garment, and be a mercury of metals, and so forth. If in that place be Tin and Wismuth, the rod applied leapeth not so quick, but more slowly than it doth where Saturn is: where a copper or iron oar is, there that rod moveth more slowly yet: But this must be observed, that there is no breathing about metals, unless they be under ground; for when they are there, then are they in their works, whither they be increasing or decreasing, they cannot be without breathing then. Thus much of these Rods. CHAP. XXIX. Of resting vapours, or of their sediments. MIne-works meet with many natural obstructions, as all other worldly things are subject unto. For all ●hings sublunary are in subjection unto corruptibleness; ●he same happeneth also unto metals; they suffer by their ●old and hot fires, that they quite evaporate and expire. ●s when their vapours and fumes grow ponderous, cannot ●apour away upward: where such vapours are, Miners cannot brook under ground. In a Cellar, where new wine, or new beer is on work●g, that vapour suffers no candle to burn, by reason of the ●onderous Kho or fume, which cannot so soon enter the ground, unless these fumes be extenuated in their ponderosity. This fallen matter lieth on close, is like warm meal, I call it Caries, which differs from an Ostiocollum, for that ●s in the Rocks naturally, and dissolves at last into a fire. This doth not so, and keeps still a dry powder, and is heavier than Mine-ashes, which are light, and dissolve into ●alts, which this meal doth not, but abideth a constant ●ediment, which is like an unwholesome stinking vapour, choking the oars, turning them to a rottenness, being obstructed in their driving above and below. These fumes are caused, when there are hard rocks, to which fire must be applied, which causeth ill fumes, which being weakened in its rising, lie down in a place, grow ponderous, and increase; for evil and poisonous things will soon gather to an heap. It is seen in gold, being dissolved in water, let it stand a while, and the impure minerals separate from the essence of gold, and settle to the bottom. Excrements of metal are soon brought to that posture; for being brought to a glowing by a small heat, they cast such a malignant fume, which choke men immediately. CHAP. XXX. Of weather salt, halitus Melusus. THe Malignant breathing, as it is generally so called, is a pestilent salt, which indangereth not only the Miners, but hurts the oars also: for it allayeth or maketh the breathe fall, which are in the oar, being thereby obstructed in their natural working. The manner of the settling of these breathe are worthy to be noted. It may be compared unto an Eclipse, though the beams which ascendeth keepeth its course, yet the breathing stayeth it, and will not let it go about that place; being in that stay and condition, its Ferch and seed parteth; at last, through its sides or walls it suffers fluid oars to come in; thence is the original of such fluid oars, of which there are several sorts. But this is to be noted; That weather is called a weather, because it is not of such clear air, as it is above ground with us, still carrieth something with it, which is grosser & hurtful unto man more than the air above with us: for men are not commanded to dwell and live under ground, but if any one's employment lieth that way, he must be contented to do so, commit his condition to God almighty; because he must endure and suck in ill fumes, and get Mine-diseases. This subterranean air growing ponderous, by reason of the fume and water-stone, which stop and corrupt the cross passage, then is it called a Weather-salt: this is apparent when a burning candle is brought in, these ponderous fumes do quench it like water; at last, they choke the men also. Therefore when that is seen and felt, let Miners come out again, for they can do no good there. CHAP. XXXI. Of Cos metallicus, or stone-salt. THe air, being of one piece of pure earth, at last turneth to a stone. There are several sorts of stones, as ●ere are several bodies in the earth, though all of them are ●ut an earth. The longer the matter lieth, the harder and ●tter it will be. Such stones cannot be stirred or heaved, ●lesse by fire, which seizeth on the earth, and consumes 〈◊〉, and turns it to a terrene firmament, as scales are in fish●s, and bones in beasts. These also the Lord will have in ●is good time with fire. This moved the Ancients to consume their carcases with fire; though flesh soon comes ●o rottenness under ground, yet the bones do not consume so soon, the fire consumes them being turned to earth-●shes. This salt is hurtful unto metals, taking from them their working, without it they cannot continue in their life, but ●ust expire and die, because nothing can penetrate it. The difference betwixt the stone-salt and the stone-meal is this; ●he salt heaveth itself, when the stone groweth to a hardness, which formerly hath been a precious stone, and the air could penetrate it, but now it gins to turn into a horn-stone, when this meal comes to the height of its age, it turneth to a dust. Here is it requisite to relate the difference betwixt the nether and upper stone, which partly is obstructive, and partly a furtherance to the Mine-work; they may increase under ground, but in the Afterwork no stone is good, because they have no nutriment, and therefore must perish and be famished for want of food. CHAP. XXXII. Of the subterranean pools. THere is a most heavy case which befalls clefts, passages and structures, called water-pools under ground. For it is a truth undeniable, that clefts & passages under ground have their waters, both the day-water and the night-water, if once opened, then are they made passable, which prove the utter ruin of Mine-works. Therefore my counsel is, not to make passages navigable to come to the oars. It is just as if one would dig a man's heart out of his body, and he would begin to dig at the pulse, and so along all the way to the heart, would it not be an horrid butchery? There is a nearer path to the well, what needs to make far fetches about. There is a twofold water under ground; the day-water, and the ground-water; the day-water is not hurtful unto the structures, but rather helpful, soaking away many things, and takes away many times from the stages the ground-water. Let the ground-water be kept out as much as possible may be, for it doth hurt, if it cannot pass away, neither let it spring from below out of its Catharacts. Keep out the fire also; for both are hurtful to metals, and to all things in the world, if they play the masters. CHAP. XXXIII. ●f Aurum metallicum; of the metalline gold, or of the Metalline-bed. THere is another fatness under ground, where metals 〈◊〉 grow, neither is it the hull of the seed, nor the stone ●um Petroleum, or Naphta, but is like unto an Uredo or ●ne-soap. It differs much from soap; soap doth not ●n, because it containeth a hidden Sulphur, not a comestible one, but an incombustible one; this is the reason ●y it doth not burn in a flame, neither doth it seize on a● other thing but only on the pure metal, if that should ●t continue with it, the metal could not come neither in● ascension nor descension, it consumeth first of all in the ●etal, even as grease doth in the animals. This fatness is ●t far from the oar; when it is predominant it consumeth ●e metal quite, and evaporateth. Oil is of that virtue, put on the top of a drink, be it what it will, it keeps in 〈◊〉 strength and coolness: this fatness shuts up the oars ●dy that no breathing can pass. Fatness hath a great ●finity with iron, and is one of its next kind; of the ●hich great volumes could be written. In the County of Schwartzburg, at Wackersberg there is ●ore of such fatness, looks like quick silver, and swimeth ●nd tinctureth red, like Bole, this colour it took hold on, ●nd it may be extracted from it, some call it a Mercurial ●ody or a Tinglasse, Lead-glasse, Wismuth or Antimony; 〈◊〉 seizeth on all those, and when this fatness doth ●ot turn to a fatness of such metals, where the seed ●s predominant, than it turns to a volatility, and to a great Robber. This fatness is a greasy earth, glittering like a salve, of a red and brown glowing, as if it were Quicksilver or beaten Talk, or glass strew into. In the Rocks of Bohemia and Transsylvania there great store of it at Goslar and at Slackenwald, even as qui● silver or lead oars are; many of them are found here a● there. CHAP. XXXIV. Of Metalline streams. When Ferch and seed must part from their work 〈◊〉 reason of the sediments, be they what they wi● and expire not naturally, than the oars turn to stones, whi● Miners call Fluxes, though they know not from when● they come, nothing can be made out of them, they are fusible or fluid, when melted in fire, but nothing can 〈◊〉 brought into them, because they are not porous, or no 〈◊〉 can get into, which maketh them more noble. It is strang● in Nature if any good thing be driven out of the body, will not return thither; for if life be gone from man, th● body receiveth it no more; but these are things possible 〈◊〉 God alone. My intent is not here to write of miraculo● things, but only of things natural; I wave the former. 〈◊〉 is to be admired that the body of dead metals is so fai● whereas other bodies which are dead consume away 〈◊〉 nothing: metals also come into a corruption, but in a lon● time their death is like any glass, keeps its colour, especially if it was of a Marcasite, hence are learned the colours o● Marcasites, for green, blue, white fluxes are found therein as metalline flowers have been, which are generated 〈◊〉 three bodies. CHAP. XXXV. Of Creta, Chalk or stone meal. WE see in this our air that no fume or wind ascendeth in vain, it dissolveth again into one thing ●●other, thither resort many meteors; the like meteors ●h the earth under ground: For the fume which ascends from the fire-halation of the oar, or of the metal, and ●ords the stone meal (Creta) wherever it falls or lighteth, grindeth more, and increaseth abundantly, having a dan●rous salt, whereby it hurts those places, where metals 〈◊〉, especially when they are in their ascension, hindering ●eir colour. It is apparent in the slat at Mansfield, where ●ieth betwixt the spoaks of the oars, and can hardly be ●tten from thence, it robbeth and consumeth Folium and ●olium: The stone-meal maketh a Kuff with stone-mar●w, turning it to a kind of marble, called the Potstone or ●●lit, a double stone, and is dark and very firm, it striketh ●e, being for the most part of fire. Hither belong the ●alks, but intending to make mention them in another place, I wave them here; however they so are such a meal, and differ from others herein, because inclineth more to a cold fire, wherein it melteth like ●ow, as the others do, and dissolveth sooner into water ●an into meal, and this turns sooner to meal than to wa●r; if it be of less matter than it hath of the stone-●arrow, than it affords a fair ice or crystal, called Vitrum ●lexandrinum, or Mary's Ice, which cannot be mastered in ●ot fires, but it melteth in cold fires, is very hurtful unto metals; insomuch, that by reason of it Mine-works fall to ●ine, as it happened at Stolberg. CHAP. XXXVI. Of Spiro, or of the Blast. THe Spiro or blast in an instrument which bringeth 〈◊〉 right the weather or obstructed air, otherwise all wou● turn to stone, where it is, and would be at a stand there, the lower fire should enter instead of the air, and exic●teth, though it doth not kindle, if a piece be beaten off 〈◊〉 it, than it appeareth so, and this piece which flieth thus 〈◊〉 side giveth to understand, how it maketh the stone, & ho● Nature frameth the oar and metal: but jewels and precio● stones are from another offspring out of sweet waters. In this instrument there dwell together fire & air, whic● take their power and matter from the malignant weather where they consume all ponderous matters through fir● enlightening the remaining matter it hath. Make that Spiro or blast into a ball of copper, of an heads bigness, s●der it bright and light, let no air get into it, leave a sma● hole, where a needle may enter, attracting the water whic● purposely must be made and set for it: there must be had pan of coals at hand, which must be kindled, and the ba● laid into it, turning the little hole toward the coalfire, an● it will blow the fire forcibly; which being done, it groweth hot, and maketh the water boil in the ball, which fumeth and carrieth it forth with a great fierceness, blowing on the coals strongly, and thus it maintaineth the fire by breathing strongly in the manner of a pair of bellows, driven from without: hereby several good things are effected and the condition of this ball is, that it showeth what may be done above ground with the like, no use can be mad● of it behind that place, because Nature herself hath suc● a blast for her fire. CHAP. XXXVII. Of Pulfa, or of the Break-stuff, or brittle matter. THis salt is engendered usually by a malignant fume, which the Mine-fire should have; And when the ●nes be very hard, then there must be made a fire of wood, ●here the fume draweth to the stone-fire, and groweth ●ick, and if the fumes of Succinum, and of other things are ●yned, it turneth then to such poison, that the oar must be ●ed, else it perisheth, for that fume lieth on the oar fuli●ous Kobolt which corrode and consume the oar; there a ●ll must be applied, which is round and hollow, having ●ole at a bigness at which a quill may enter, it must be so ●se, that no air may either enter or get out, this ball must 〈◊〉 filled with gunpowder, cover the same with cotten●ol boiled in Salpeter, then dip it in melted pitch, which mixed with some Sulphur, kindle that ball, let it go down a box, or fling it on a Stolln or chamber, when the ball ●eth asunder, it expelleth that fume, not only by that ●oak, but with the blow or report the gunpowder makes. ●ch a ball may be applied also to water, and be sunk in an ●strument under water, in which noisome fishes are feared; 〈◊〉 crack will kill the fishes that are there; there is a past, ●hich giveth no report, but only burneth, and destroyeth, ●d heaveth this salt; but have a care what passed you make ●e of, and have a respect to the upper Scaffolds, whither ●ey be old or new, that they be not embezzled, and your ●st must be mixed, so that it may do no hurt. CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Clathrum, or of the blank fire. THis fire needs nothing for its food, shineth in darkness is a special fire for Mine-works, quitteth the charges, i● applied, more than the expenses do, bestowed upon Ta● or Bromith work; For oil in some places may be had che● enough, casts no smoke, destroyeth fumes; it is put into glass ball which is put into a basket, to keep it safe from water and sand, which affords a light to the workmen Miners ought to know how to enter their ground for th● height or metalline Speculum, which is a singular manual for the metalline breathe, and after-halations join an● come together, require special instruments whereby they may be known; for where these do join, and the diurnal breathing is predominant, than it exhaleth by day, shines out of the earth; Miners call this a metalline breathing true it is so, but they leave out something, so it is but half breathing; if the after-breathing is predominant, than i● appeareth by that Speculum and light wherein it maketh itself known. She is in work with something, and there is at hand such a metal; metals do shine, though it doth no● appear so to our eyes, like as rotten wood doth: by day they are not quiet, as long they are working, but there mus● be a reflection of their work, which is this light. It casteth no beams, as the daylight or rotten wood doth, by night it receiveth one from such a dark or duskish shadows light. Fair and curious breathe are seen therein, and tha● light of darkness is a light you may see by it, he that is distant from it five or six yards seethe it not, nor canst tho● neither, for it is such a light as is in the eyes of Cats, dogs and wolves, which can spy thee, though thou canst not se● ●m, for there is a light at night as well as by day, which apparent in these bodies, which receive their light from Nocturnal light, for if that power were in themselves 〈◊〉 would ejaculate beams, which they do not, and expense evidenceth it, that there is a subterranean ignis dis●s, a scattered fire. ●his light is twofold, the first lighteth, being thus pre●d in a ball of some fishes or worms, of juices of herbs, ●saps of wood, being distilled, and the distilled water be● put into it. Take a pure Crystalline glass, it casts a cu●s light under ground, if mercurial water be put into it, ●aduateth the waters made of worms and of woods ve●ighly in this darkness, which is called the Light; it be done and used also by day, but much better in sub●nean darkness, in which the fire lieth hid, and must be ●ed and awakened by such material and instrumental 〈◊〉. ●he second light is Speculum, which receiveth that light, giveth an intimation of such hot or cold fires, which every Clown or Miner understands: for as it shineth in Speculum, so kindleth this fire, and is the oar. In ●s body they are discerned well enough, from whence diseases have their several names, but are not searched 〈◊〉. The difference betwixt the ball and the Speculum is same with that which is above ground, I can view all members of my body, but not my face, I can behold ●ight, but what the Sun of this light is, which mini●h the lustre unto it, the same I cannot behold or discern CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Gluten, or Mine-glue. ●He best help and remedy which may be applied to subterranean pools, are wells: for where these break forth, they carry that water away: a better and nearer is not tha● the Gluten, to damn up or keep out the day water, that the● do not run any farther; this damning hath great utility it maketh the water not only slimy and tough, but it driveth it backward, that it be served for some other issue, a● be rid of it in that place, where it is naught, and meers obstructive. If the day-water be thus stopped by a Gluten, that cannot run and gather at the sink, than that ground-wa● may soon be drawn away at the sink; the deeper the sin● are cleansed, the more these ground-waters or springs a● diverted, and at last are turned also to day-waters, or m● be dammed up, and made run another way, where th● may not be obstructive to the Scaffolds; and where D●vings of mills are not had at the same places, the Glut● may be used, than the Scaffolds and Structures in the passages, clefts, and Mines may be seen, the dams and the Gluten are the best helps hereunto. CHAP. XL. Of TRUTA, or of a Past for to corrode the st●●● through, or through eating. THere is almost nothing which is a greater hinderan● unto Mine-works, than water is, and where the Glu● is not sufficient to keep it out, and in places where it is 〈◊〉 in, and must be drawn away with lower buildings, as wi● Stolen, or beams and pipes: it is an huge and dangero● work, to make these thorow-breathing good and holdi● it costeth many men's lives, and great expenses must made, therefore ways and means must be thought upon make ways through with burning, to make such a f● which corrodeth the rock, and grinds the stone, ea●ing small and thin, that the water may get thorough, and run a●ay, that the Miners may not lose their lives in that water, 〈◊〉 usually it befalls them at such works. This fire corro●eth great stones in running waters or rivers; it is a corroding fire, a Gluten being made, which is lined or covered ●ith combustibles, poured or cast down through a channel ●r pipe, guarded from water, that Gluten may be effectual, ●ough it be under water many fathoms deep, it still cor●deth further, gathering strength by that, it eateth upon ●d burneth, and presseth still lower, it doth not smoke, ●eing a running corrosive fire. There are some saps and gums, which if boiled to a hardiesse, and mingled with unslaked lime, kindle and burn 〈◊〉 strongly, that they corrode the rock, make an hole into, 〈◊〉 big and as deep as you will have it, so that the water ●ust sink away, there must be set a pipe of wood or of ●ther materials, as deep as the water risen, and must be ●t and sunk to the very bottom, and of this Gluten, ●ast or stuff must be put into, let the hole of the ●ipe be closed with pitch, to keep out the water, make ●all bullets of this Past, kindle them, it eateth down ●en out at the Stoll, or beams end, the bigness of the hole ●ust be according to the Pipes mouth below, which must ●e equally wide with that above, when the Pipe is cleared, and way made for the water to run out at the ●ole, than all that water-pool under ground will sink a●ay, and clear the chambers below. This is a cu●ous skill for to break through rocks, if well con●ived and well ordered with exact manuals. CHAP. XLI. Of the Traha, or heaving materials used instead of a dray or slead. IT is known, that breathing, and halation, and the weather uphold all both artificial and natural things: it is apparent in great Edifices, that the things exposed to weather cannot hold, if neither water nor wind tied; the great reparations in such structures signify so much. There is a place in Zips or Sepusium, called the Toh●schaw, where firm steel ascendeth by day, and in that place there is no Mine of steel, no instrument can get any scale from it, but lying in the weather one winter and summer, it gets a scale of two fingers thick. Thus it is apparent, that the weather heaveth also a stoll, or the great beam or metalline body, why should it not lift and heave a stone. This appeareth further at the falling down of great snowballs from Mountains about Saltzbu●g, and in Styria, where great pieces of rocks fall down with such snow balls, as big as an house is, which heat and cold hath thus corroded and loosened. Hannibal making the Alos passable for his army, poured warmed vinegar on the Rocks, whereby he made them so brittle, that they soon could be wrought thorough; oil doth the like, if well prepared. Acetum's made of vegetables of wine, beer, fruits, are precious for such purposes. Cistern-waters may be turned into Acetum's, if cocted with honey, being made warm first; this driveth the fire back, which is in stones, for there are commonly Horn-stones & Fire-stones, which are made brittle by such means. There is made a Petroleum also, ●o that you need no fal●er-oil, nor any other; no, not Naphta neither, drawn from Osteinmark, or calcined flints, such water- acetums being poured upon, & other frighting waters, whereby the hardest ●ints are terrified and made brittle. It stands upon natural reason, that such stones must be dealt withal in this manner; For behold the Gluten and Aquafort, of what efficacy these are? Doth it not corrode the Pumicestone like Bees-wax, and the Top-stone like a marble of divers colour's. Consider well the white marble, and the sliding ●and, in which the Pumice is, you will find what manner of lixiviums may be boiled from them. CHAP. XLII. Of the frost in Mine-works. THe greatest troubles that Miners are put unto is to pull and draw up all the filths & stones that are naught out of the Mine-works, that a way be made to come deeper in. Above ground they call it an heap of rubbish. It costeth ●o great matter to cleanse, dissolve, and void these rub●ishes with corrosive wares; it costeth little, if rightly managed and handled, to dissolve first the lightest things, these being made riddance of, the rest may easily be voided. That earth under ground must not be looked upon, as that is above with us, adorned with grass, for under ground there is least of the earth, there is a mixture of all manner of things, as salts, juices, minerals, stones, the least part is earth, and yet that part is the noblest; for our of it are made all manner of metalline bodies: There are sharper things, all of which must not be used at once; and must be effected with these, when that which is above cannot be applied to that which is beneath: juices also are easy in their uses for to corrode and make brittle. Sulphur alone performeth the work, which is a poison unto juices and saps. Miners and such that are employed about such works must have knowledge of such things, and exercise themselves herein by way of practice: for all particulars belonging to these manuals cannot be set down upon white and black: experimental knowledge must be joined hereunto, not only a depending from things written. CHAP. XLIII. Of the flaming fire. WHereas there is occasion for great and small fires in Mine-works, which must be learned and applied according to the several sorts of metals, and not after the manner of their several melt and finings, and the condition of such necessary fires must be known also. To set down these in their particulars would require great pains, and the writing thereof would rise to a great volume.: it is the duty of understanding Melters and Finers to order and regulate themselves in their fires, according as each metalline condition requireth, to further and not to hinder their work; and so I commit these to their further and serious thoughts, and to take these things into a fuller consideration. CHAP. XLIV. Of Ignis torrens, or of the roasting fire. THings inclining to ashes, and soot, and excrements of metals, and the exuviums or hulls of bodies melters suppose may be taken and gotten off safely in a roasting or calcining fire, they make a great fire of wood under them, roast, or calcine the metal, that as they suppose they retain nothing thereof, or of such offals you heard of now, they ●eld their exuvium, and copper yields cinders and slacks; ●ut if frightened, than it rubbeth and consumeth iron; herefore nealing is more commendable, as they do at mansfield, a great heap of oar is laid together, which they ●dle, let it stand in a gentle glowing heat, and burn a●ay that which should come off in that glowing. Metals 〈◊〉 Swedland are healed thus at the heat of the Sun in Som●er, there it runs finely together, and purgeth itself so ●atly, insomuch that it would be refined, if it stayed its me in that heat. This nealing I do better approve of ●an of the calcining in a fire-flame. There is a twofold ●owing fire, and metals require a twofold glowing or nea●ng: one sort of it is used at Mansfield, they kindle with bundles of straw the heaps of slats, let them glow of their ●wn accord, and they do it like an heap of coals, and the ●r is nealed, which is put in for that purpose. Secondly, ●ealing is good also for bodies of stones, reducing them in●o calxes; but those that made metalline calxes in an in●osing heat. or glowing fire, they got only the calxes of ●e bodies exuviums. Therefore neither themselves, nor others have any cause to marvel, if they do no good 〈◊〉 that way. CHAP. XLV. Of the corroding fire. THis fire ought to be set among the coal fires, being of a consuming nature, and their corrosiveness 〈◊〉 in the cold fire, and it hath the same qualities which ●he burning fire hath; it shineth and burneth; its burn●g is corroding, in that it is better than the other, because it doth not burn it to ashes, but brings the bodies to dust or sand, which would be toilsome, if by filings it should be brought to stars: the next neighbour to this fi● is the glowing fire, of the which I will give only 〈◊〉 hint. CHAP. XLVI. Of Ignis candens, or of the glowing fire. THis fire is purposely ordered upon metalline bodies, 〈◊〉 consumeth them, being their matter is naturally inclined thereunto: This fire is of great concernment, making their bodies very malleable, their exuvium's stay on the Float, and is the best quality they have, that they put off i● that glowing the thing which will be gone, and the good thereof remains. Things now adays are slighted, the world supposeth to have skill enough it wants no further knowledge, Quot capita tot sensus; every one thinks his wit best, though some have scarce begun to know any of these things; which is the reason why men are sti● kept to their rudeness. Men may suppose, I mean by this corrosive water an Aquafort; it is no such matter: how many runs of precious Aquasort is used in vain at Goslar on the Hartz, which would serve for better use, and the expenses laid out for wood might have been saved. CHAP. XLVII. Of Ignis incubans, or of the Lamp-fire. THis fire serveth when metals are wrought openly, and not luted in, than the metal doth not fly away in a dust, nor doth its best run away; for you heard that a flaming fire is hurtful, for to work metals withal. Lamp-di●es are commonly of glass, set in an earthen pan, filled ●ith ashes or sand, kept in a sweeting, in that sweat many ●ppose the metal receiveth its body, or the one changeth ●o the other: I leave this transmutation in its worth, and ●not approve of it. Touching this warmth, I cannot approve nor find fault with it, and all metals indeed should 〈◊〉 dealt withal in this manner. These two fires of oars and the Lamp-fire, if they were ●de use of in medicinal ways, would do better than the ●cining or flaming fire can do, where these are of no use, ●d the long fire must orderly be kept in an equal heat, if ●y good shall be done. Some kept the lamp fire in a Stove-●rnace, where all things were spoiled in the working; it ●s either too hot or too cold: it was of no equal heat, ●hich the work in the end did show, because it was not ●ell governed. CHAP. XLVIII. Of the cold fire. THis is a strange fire, little can be said of it to those which cannot conceive of it; whether it was not ●ken notice of, or whether they did despair of it I know ●ot: this is it which elsewhere is called coagulating; it ●nnot consume the other fire; it can melt the work, but 〈◊〉 consume it is impossible; it works in the air as well as in ●e fire, where it showeth its efficacy, and is the sole proof ●f its fusiblenesse; metalline mercury is of a cold fusion, ●l other fusions are hot; if you believe it not, feel it; ●e fixation of the warm flux is called coagulation, there ●e one opposeth the other; the one congealeth, the o●er keeps in a liquidnesse: this difference must be known by those which are employed about melting of metals, an● their fluxes. It is of concernment, to govern this fire well, or ho● stones are to be weighed, and things that are excessively cold are a death to a tempered body: what animals do li● either in too cold or too hot a fire, and to speak precisely of life, it is impossible to do that, as to speak really o● God: therefore gaze not upon definitions, what human● reason is able to conceive of: Philosophy is strangely conditioned, and it appeareth by this fire also, a thing which i● very cold, may contain a life however. When it is in its highest degree of ascension, than it come down again, it turns to silver, then to copper; if the nether hot fire doth it not, then surely the cold fire must do it, for it dissolveth again into its mercury, which is the flux of the cold fire, if it layeth hold on it, than it must ru● to all bodies, in its running it puts off not only the nethermost but the uppermost body also; take this into further consideration. CHAP. XLIX. Of the warm fire. OF this I have spoken already; it can be made and governed several ways, coals, wood, pitch, oil, and other combustible things are fit for it. There I would only speak of an heat, which is good for the flux of metals, whereby they are purged, as you heard above: needless to be repeated here. Thus much of this first Part; where I infirmed about the nether work, or fore-work, governed and observed by nature, whereby she holds forth unto us metals and minerals in their forms. He that conceiveth aright of this work ●d considers it, worketh with advantage and utility, and is great help to proceed successfully in Alchemy, which ●itateth and treadeth into her steps. I wish hearty suc●sse to all such, which bear an affection and love thereun●. ●raise, Honour, and Glory be unto the Supreme Master of Mines, by whose word and will all things are made, ordained, and brought to their forms, Amen. End of the first Part. THE ●ECOND PART Of the Last TESTAMENT OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS, Friar of the Order of St. Benedictus. Wherein are repeated briefly some principle Heads of the first Part, what course Nature observeth under ground, and how metals are generated and produced to light; as Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, Led, Quicksilver, and Minerals. 〈◊〉 like manner of precious Stones, and of tinctures of Metals, how they are discerned, and what relation they have to the Holy Scriptures. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. THE SECOND PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS, CHAP. I. Of Mines and Cliffs, and what manner of middle works and second in oars are. IN the first place there lieth a necessity upon every Miner, to know how to search and dive into metalline passages, how they strike along, and they must be well acquainted with all their occasions and conditions; and if at any place he intends to fall to work, 〈◊〉 must know how to use the Magnet of the Compass, ●here East, South, West, and North lieth, and learn the ●ayes of this and that oar, and where their issue is, and 〈◊〉 w●ll informed of the long and short strokes of metalline ●ss●ges, and where they d●aw together to a metalline ●m. The forms of metalline oar are several; some car● Talk slats, an oar which containeth silver and lead; owers are very brittle, having little of slate and Talk, and these are discerned by their firmness: there are other stones in which appear Copper, and the flowers of Zwitter▪ there are others also which have flat floats and slate-stone, in which is wrought Copper oar: hence it may be gathered, that by reason of these several forms, are produced several fruits; and in Mines toward the South better oars are found, than there are some toward the West called after-oars; between which there is always ordered or placed a centre of perfection. CHAP. II. Of general operations of several metals. ALmighty God for his eternal honour and glory hath held forth to mankind innumerable wondrous works, which he as the sole Mediator and Creator hath set forth i● natural things, the same he hath showed also in his omnipotency under ground, in metals and minerals, of them w● may learn, as the twelve Sibyls prophesied of the bright true, and only Son of Righteousness and Truth, in whic● do rest after the twelve ports and gates of Heaven, and after the twelve months, movable and unmoveable, visibl● and invisible bodies, the seven Arch Angels standing befor● the Throne of God; after these the seven Planets, Sun Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and the re● of the stars, and the seven metalline oars in their properties, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, Mercury, the Vitriol, Antimony, Sulphur, Wismuth, Kobolt, or bras● oar, alum, salt, and other mineral growths. That the true centre may be comprehended and conceived of, God hath made the first separation according to h● word; The Spirit of the Lord moved upon the water, th● whole elemental body of the earth hath been water, b● the Spirit of the Lord Zebaoth hath divided it, & fashions the earth from the muddiness of the water, and therein all metalline fruits that ever were created and generated under ground, all these were first water, and may be reduced again unto water: all other creatures, be they animals, vegetables, minerals, all these are produced from the first water, the several kinds of beasts, fishes, and sea-monsters, after the Lord's spirit, and after the first eternal breathing Essence, which brought forth and shaped things tinged and untinged, soft and hard, small and great creatures; after the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron. He created man after his own image, the holy Spirit was infused into Adam, who had a fullness of eternal wisdom, and that according to the order of Melchizedeck. Almighty God, who is the first and last, the first principle and end of all things, hath set his gifts into times & hours, days & years, which according to his eternal Decree have their revolutions; he hath blest in his most holy means Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Melchizedeck, and others he hath infinitely blessed, according to his good will and pleasure from eternity, putteth several periods unto them; and in his unsearchable decree and will he hath laid the foundations also for Minerals and Metals, a help for the supporting men in their ●eccessities in this miserable life; thus hath he meliorated ●nd exalted the earth in her goodness; men have reason ●o return hearty thanks unto the Creator for it. God in his gracious providence, next unto the knowledge ●f himself, and of his holy word, can bestow no better gift to man, than to endue him with the true knowledge of Metals and Minerals: Jews thought themselves wise men ●erein: but as little some Miners know Minerals and Me●als, as little knew the Jews their Messiah and God's word 〈◊〉 its true sense. Therefore from that blessed and promised Country the knowledge of precious stones, minerals and metals are come to us, as by an inheritance, as being the ●st, and are become the first, and they the last; but 〈◊〉 the end Heaven's gate will be opened unto them again, ●ternal and external gifts and means will be bestowed on them, and the true use of metals will be none of the meanest. Where there are fertile stones, be they rocks, flints, pebbles, marbles, in their central points is found what they are in their operations. The several gums and rasoms, the one excelling the other in beauty, transparency, hardness, or liquidnesse, are known and discerned by their fragrancy and taste: Miners ought to endeavour incessantly, and in simplicity, how the nearest way may be chosen to find out the Mineral-passages and veins into which God and nature hath laid direct courses. CHAP. III. Of the stones, rocks, and flints of Gold, its operation, condition, and striking courses. GOld is wrought in its proper rocks and marbles, and in the purest matrix of the firmest earth, of a most perfect salt, Sulphur and Mercury, purged from all feces, and impure spirits, with the conjunction of a natural highly clarified Heaven, of white, yellow, and red sulphureous earth, after the fiery nature of Sol, in a deep fixation; insomuch that none of all other metals hath an higher, compacter, and more ponderous body of a goldish matter, in which there is no humidity; all the elements are equally in it bound up, which in their unity have wrought such a fixed body, tinged the same throughout with an everlasting citrin colour, with the deepest tie and uniting of its pure earth, Sulphur and Mercury; and with its Vitriol essence it doth all, what the Sun among the Stars doth operate. Naturally, all is gold, what cleaveth thereunto in and at all sides; and it is found in the best and closest stones and passages, and the power of Sol worketh merely upon that oar, and in its quality is comparable unto Sol. This noble gold stone and oar is sometimes mixed, and on its outside ●here sticketh some obscure and dark matter, having annexed to it some slats and other spermatick matter, which de●racts from the goodness of its own nature; and though ●he Creator hath endued it with great Virtues, yet doth it ●umble itself, and suffers itself to be found in despicable Mineralstones, where it loseth much of its tincture, as is apparent by the Touchstone, where the mixture of Copper, Silver, Tin, and others is seen; all these mixed impurities can be separated from it with artificial Manuals, and with little ado it may be brought into a perfect state. Gold oars naturally are wrought thus, that the gold stands in it close, compact, firm, and good, which is found sometimes in the cross passages. It's fixedness is found in the deepness under ground, where it hath its greatest power, and it is found also sometimes in a speckled jaspis, full of eyes, and mixed with flints in its passages, where many times Vitriol flint is found abundantly, which Vitriol is the best among all other sorts of Vitriols. The Hungarian Vitriol hath the precedence before all the rest, which is sufficiently known in their proves and exemines, as may be demonstrated to the eye. In its passages are found sometimes fluxes of several colours, which are interlined with gold, and must be forced with fire. To that purpose, it is requisite that it be dealt withal with such fire, as you heard in the first part, commonly Zwitters and Zirn stones are such, which must be stamped and beaten, and drawn to a narrowness, and fined. Gold is wrought also in standing passages, and on level ground, the oars and such passages are yellowish, rocky, and of an iron shot-sand in cliffs is it on-grown compactly, and generally is it found near Flint-works, sometimes it is found in a flint, or in a liver-coloured jaspis, sometimes in white pebbles, that gold which is in it is of a white colour, like silver, or in white copper oar, where it sticketh hoary and rugged: it is found also in brittle Lime-stones, where it stands curled with black specks unsprinkled, is granulated, like drops found in the subtlest firm stones, spotted wi●● iron moles or spots, and are protruded in fair yellow flowers and are a black exhalation thrust out. It is found also i● streaked slat-works in pure passages, mixed with a ble● Horn-stone and slat; in flinty glittering passages it is foun● hoary, and compact wrought. There are found also fla● marble floats, wherein in all your cliffs is wrought inherent gold, mixed with green grit, and iron spots; sometimes i● is found also in square iron shots, or porous marble Marcasites; but for the most part in grits, sometimes gold oar i● found also compact & firm in black passages: some gold oa● and gold passages are found also to be of Minerals and o● Vitriol, and Miners in Hungary especially can discourse of it, because gold oar is found in that manner in those parts. CHAP. IU. Of silver oar, of its Mine, operation, condition, and striking passages. SIlver oar is wrought in its own stone, of a perfect nature and most noble earth, and of a fix clear Sulphur, salt and mercury, which with a mixture doth join in a fix and firm uniting, and appeareth of a degree lower than the gold is, and is the best metal next to gold, and in the fining of it it loseth very little, and is separated per se, or with other metals joined in the fire, its natural fitted stone causeth the silver oar, following its heavenly influence, and the nocturnal influences of the Moon. In Northern parts the most silver passages are found; for as Luna borroweth her light from Sol, even so the Silver-passages and silver stones have at their right side Gold-passages, and with that noble Queen Lunaria is compared a root, whereby the Gold passages acquire strength, and get the more power in that mixture, and get their oars from their roots. Ancient Philosophers wrote ●rangely of her Virtues, to be a fertile yokefellow of Sol, ●hich may be applied to the upper and nether metalline ●ork, because nothing is so fix, next gold, than silver is in ●s perfection, and is the reason why silver-passages are accompanied with white fluxes and Mineral-veins, next hereunto are such passages, in which are generated red Mineral-sulphur, and red yellow juices of the noble gold. Silver metalline oar is wrought many times in a red gold-●h●esse, and cometh forth better than the other; a proof whereof may be had, if well ordered. White gold oar 〈◊〉 naturally thus tinged of white copper glass, which ●ause such oars and passages, by reason of the food of their perfect Minerals, and with the glass oar black fumes are exhaled, and feed upon Wismuth, Led and Tin oar, wherein Minerals that strike near upon the Lunar passages, ●re greedily refreshed; thus groweth the firmest and compactest silver oar of its pure, proper, and unmixed stone, meliorating the bad places and instruments which silver oar hath many remarkable virtues next unto gold, from the heavenly influences, changing several sorts of silver stones, descending from the originals of their highest finished unity They carry and produce also, not only mixed chambers and Mine chists, but also several hard and sturdy mixed oars in whole flint-works, and other copper flowers, yellow and black oar, and are found different in their nature, form, and tincture, so that the one is more hard, sturdy, flatty, broader, narrower, whiter, blewer, in its colour thus qualified and natural in its end, middle, and beginning. This is the reason why these silver-fruits and oars are found differing in their colours and forms, the one being more compact, fairer, and of a better glass, than the other. Sometimes there is found in such a vein or passage firm and compact gold, silver, and copper, so it is found sometimes at Krenach. There are found and seen also in a certain vein & passage in mixed Lime-stones, lead, iron, and copper oar in one union and juncture. And in one Mine is found copper oa● in another is found silver oar, and in another Mine there i● found an iron stone; why should not such remarkable distinctions b● taken notice of, which Nature from God's imagination hath h●ld forth so gloriously unto Miners, and se● these before them to be discerned by them. Some silve● passages are found also in their natural Zachstones, which either are in the hanging or lying on●s. Silver passages show themselves also with blue gritty flowers, in hollowed fluxes, in sprinkled Marbles, and c●rry flint-work● of several colours, and these passages and cliffs are full of pleasant silver colours, of yellow and green, of a colour of Goslings, the more they are mingled with such colours, the mo●e they have wrought. There are some silver passages and veins, which carry three distinct colours after the manner of a rainbow, where the one colour worketh in nature either more closely, or more mildly than the other, in a curious order, and the one may be discerned before the other in their passing strokes and shootings, together with their Chamber-colours and floats, as they fell severally and apart in each Mine-oar. CHAP. V Of Copper oar, of its stone, operation, and striking passages. COpper oar is wrought in its own and proper stone, of good pure salt and overhot burning Sulphur, through an heavenly impression into all its parts, tinged red throughout, not quite freed from a superfluous humidity, in an affinity with iron, because copper and iron are nigh kin one to another, because their dwellings and houses are set one by another, and is the reason why the one may easily be transmuted into the other. This metalli●e oar is much wrought i● slat float-works, ●hich are green fl●n●y; many times it appeareth in a red 〈◊〉 b●w● form, and is seen also like limestone in black and e●●w sl●● works, like unto coals in green flinty passages, 〈◊〉 a ●wo●●●d manner, either current, or in a manner of a oar: sometimes it is red and brown, mixed with a green ●●ou●, some are of a lazure colour, some of a copper ●●sse, flinty and iron shot, or of a white ●ood. The cop●er oar in its passage is sometimes rich of gold, and of sil●er, as it is accompanied with curious Zach stones, and in●osed with passable stones▪ if so be that other metals and minerals do not entrench upon them, which corrode & con●me them: And copper oar is a slat work also, mixed w●th ●liated earth, and the mercurial copper is hardly brought ●ut of it at or in an ordinary mel●ing, affords store of iron, ●nd no ripe copper-food, which rub very much the copper 〈◊〉 roasting, and make it unmalleable: the richest copper ●ars are fou●d in Hungari●, Bohemia, Silesia, Thuringia, ●assia, and Voigtlandia; the like is found also about Trau●enau, where it breaketh every where in a manner of 〈◊〉 float, mixed with sand oar, and where it breaketh vehemently in the slat work, they call that slat of cliffs, they are poor in silver, and such must be roasted or calcined, in some places it breaks in a fair blue ●nd brown colour, or it looks ruddy, of a copper ●lass, ●nd like unto green oaker, and sometimes it is white ●oldish, which is called white copper oar: it groweth white at an effectual mixture, because at its uniting it ●ssumeth or taketh in much of silver and of lead: it ●reaks also of a yellowish and lazure like colour, green ●●inted upon floats & moving passages, in lime & spongeous ●tones. It breaks also of a blue colour like blue oaker, is ●opper, glassy, and flinty, in great and huge rocky & marble passages, being mixed with a white marble: they are rich in ●ilver, in green slat stones which are clear and brittle; it ●ieth dry and green in cliffs, open caves, and passages, like green frogs insprinkled one in another, in a strange manner, distinct, or parted with strange pleasant colours, whic● graduated works are losers in half their worth; in the●● rocks are strange cliffs of Marble, and of white veins, yellow flint is insprinkled and mixed with copper passages which yield much silver, have few flowers, are of a p●●derous form, break very flinty, of a red glass, of a gree● colour mixed with yellow flowers, these flints are joyne● with white gold marble, of a green colour, besides th● rocky passage. There is found also copper oar which is rich of silve● flinty, and not white goldish, is of a white shining glass mighty in dry hollow slat-Mines, some whereof a●e mixe● with iron, or sorts of Wismuth or fire-stones. At the o●● hanging of some passages is wrought the Chrysocolla an● copper oar; on the other hanging of the Mine is wrought pure flint, all according to the quality and condition of th● oar. And it is to be observed, seeing that copper oar are usually mixed with Sulphur, easily unite with the ne●ther metal, and join with their stones, therefore green flinty copper oar which carry in the dry lead, slatty passages a black Molben are Minerallish, and are not rich in silver nor rich in species, encompassed with immature iron & perfect copper oar, and some are free of it, if far separated asunder, from dry mineral slats, are richer in gold and silver according as the stones take, in a good natured oar, they usually entrench upon gold and lead rocks, or antimonial oar, as also upon iron and silver stones. There are found also flinty passages, that have their Mineral juices of Vitriol and Sulphur; some whereof partake of alum, & alum●● plumosum. These commonly have the best and most copper passages● which are least mingled with other metals, as lime, and tartareous stones, in which black flo●ts and sluts do break are enclosed with green, and are of mild quality; at Eislehe● and Mansfield Miners put their several proper names to i● very exactly, according unto their nature. Miners in Misnia know lest how to distinguish these, the upper part o● clay-earth they call Pistredo, in which the true earth is al● and when they came to the stones, they call it the Day-●●rk, because they cover all the rest, & turn quite to stone. ●●e third place they come unto they call Nightwork, because it is easily lifted and heaved one after another, and is ●re, than they come to the Cave or Hole-work, which must 〈◊〉 hollowed and set, here are the stones which must be ●oken, than they came unto the sl●t, and below that flat ●ey come unto the sand oar, though sometimes it be on●●●own at the Lochwerg, or hole-work above the slat, than ●ey turn unto the dead earth again. Slat and richest cop●●r oar at the silver breathing lieth also on the rocky, horn●ony combustible oars, which have their gold and silver ●ssages of your special kind, among which there are found overall forms how each of them is discernible. In Hun●●ry and Carinthia the passages yield copper oars, which ●●pper is very malleable, and is at a dearer rate than any is 〈◊〉 the whole Europe, as their Minerals also, and especially ●e Victriol there is held to be the best: as also their Antimony is counted the best. That Vitriol hath the best and ●rest virtues, which is known to true Naturalists, and ex●erience hath proved the same to be true. I speak something now, which if Reason and Understanding were answerable, many expenses, hard work, and good time could ●e saved, and it comes only from hence, because Gold ●reaks so near to it, and at the same oars is found, where ●hat earth is impregnated with goldish seed, and make use ●f the same food in many subtle unitings. Minerals in their ●enerating qualities are better supported among perfect me●als, where they are higher, and more effectual, and are best used for both such perfect metals, in case Nature be rightly imitated, the ancient Philosophers have bad experience of, ●nd made trials of it. There is a remarkable difference ●ound among Minerals, which have their descent from gold ●nd silver oars, and partly from copper oars; they are Minerals and metals, each have their particular nature and being, among which some oars look green, and bleach at the day, and grow near other metals; but their stones are m● like unto lead-stones, some whereof are grosser, softer 〈◊〉 harder than others, and some are more obscure, dark, m●●dy, and some more green, and so forth. CHAP. VI Of Iron-oar, it's Mine, operation, stocks, floats and passages. Ironstone and iron-oar is wrought in its Mine-stone, according to the heavenly influence of Mars; For he 〈◊〉 Trinus magnus, the great Lord of war, and an instrument whereby others are forced and compelled; of an har● earthly, impure sulphur of putrified salt and gross Me●cury, which three principal pieces in their juncture mi● much of earthliness, therefore is it a difficult labour 〈◊〉 mollify iron with or in the fire, carrying much of impurity by reason of its sulphur, and above other metals it hath deep red quick spirit, which if it be taken from Mar● then is the iron gone also, leaveth again a putrid earthliness. Iron is not easily mixed or joined with other metals, or united in the casting. Iron hath a threefold partition, and several parts in its earthly oar, namely, a Magnet a quick metalline oar, which hath its quality from quic● Mercury, and must hold communion and assinity with iron must be quickened and renewed with iron filings, in whic● he lieth like an Hedgehog, and is endued of Sol in nature with glorious gifts and Adamantine virtues; at on● place and side it attracteth, and at the other side it refuseth which virtues may be augmented and increased in it▪ A true type of just judgement showeth after the Sun th● true hour in the body of the Compass, by water and b● land. Secondly, steel, the hardest and purest most malleable it 〈◊〉, of its proper light draining place, wherein it lieth ●●e, tied and knit together, in all its parts most compactly, which in all iron-works is usually put to the edge 〈◊〉 point. Thirdly, there comes the common iron-oar, ordered to●her by its earthly Sulphur, which three ministered good naughts to the first expert Naturalists, that Master of ●ne-works Tubat Cain, who made his three principles in things, and made his dimensions in the Mines in three ●tinct parts, in which such metalline oar, he found at first ●e iron stone wrought in several ways, namely, upon standing passages and floats, fall and proper pieces ringed, ●er the four Elements and colours of the Rainbow. ●en he considered exactly its flowers, according to the ●●ndition of each stonework, how and out of what the ●n stone may most conveniently be melted, and what man●r of instruments may be used thereunto, where it may ●st and most firmly be wrought; for its oar affords a three●ld ferocity and wildness, which are useful, as namely glass heads, which are like a sharp bloodstone, breaking 〈◊〉 the manner of a skull, are scaly, and brown spissie, some ●hereof are white thorns, like the wood upon which A●●aham purposed to offer his son Isaac. Secondly, the ●rown-stone, out of which is made glass and iron colour. ●hirdly, granulate iron-filings in the float-work, which is 〈◊〉 hard, that it can s arcely be forced to be gotten off, or ●e brought to right, and when the ironstone is come to its perfectness, than it breaketh off by piece-meal through ●●e stone and rock, that there are found whole Mines of ●●on stone, such is the iron oar in Styria. The best ironstone is black, or red brown, sometimes it inclineth to a ●ellowishnesse, some is of a cherry brown in the floats ●nd stocks, some are black and small spissie, some yellowish, ●hich glittereth among the rest, like a copper stone of a ●rown black marble, & of a fair glass, some looks like separated float-work, throughout the whole Mine, some is c●o●●y 〈◊〉 hoary in clayish fields, which only is called the Driving, is as the sand stone, most hurtful unto gold, because it aff●●eth most of the slacks, and very little of iron. Some sti●● in the grey clay, which affords most malleable iron, b●● of a brownish colour. There breaks also good iron stone tartareous and limy Mines, and the most running is on ●●standing passages, in eristy sandy Dalkstones. The gr● cleft stones break some in their slats. It usually breaks a● in the fore and after Mine-works, where some of it li●● off-washed among the Roasts, like a brown arch; and 〈◊〉 the day there is no oar so common as the ironstone, beca●● it assumeth and taketh in other oars, and setteth it thoro● thus often it changeth its colour and nature, after it th●● ensues Glassheads, Emasites, brown stone, Osemund, Bolus, together with the red oaker and iron shell, all those assu●● the Nature of iron, and the iron stone receiveth the high●● metals, Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Led, whereby it groweth untoward, but gold and silver are not hurtful unto i● they make it malleable; that which is mixed with copper, or with other poor metal easily falls asunder, 〈◊〉 brittle, of the same condition is iron-flint, producing out of many passages an huge flint, partly porous like unto a black slat, which besides the iron stone yieldeth another grosser or subtler iron. By this exchanging Tubat Cain, the great and first Mine-master did perceive, that the stones have their activity, he looking about, and finding that the Lime-stones, which contain iron oar, are of such mixtures, which may be burned to lime or calx, to raise walls with them; and how other sorts of Tapff-stones, as also calx stones are fit for to be burnt, and found them to be helpful for his melting. Thus the iron stone is associable unto other stones, be they metalline, or mineral. At Musbach there is copper shot iron, which hath a lead joining thereunto; Founders must be expert to deal with such oars in their melting, and Magistrates do wisely that train up their subjects in such ways, for the good of the public. Thus is the iron the first and last Mine-work, a chief metal which many creatures cannot want it, being of most necessary use, whereby things within and above earth can be forced, no man is able to remember all the 〈◊〉 it may be employed unto, for every day things fall out, which there is need of the use of iron: iron easily reweth a malleableness in a transmuting way, of which ●e of the ancient Philosophers have spoken; our iron ●awn from the Magnet, performeth many useful works ●he affinity with copper, which it is near kin unto, as al●●nto the gold and lead, for thereby are made the most crious Alcali, which appear helpful in many things unto ●er creatures, as Poets writ of, and attribute many ●ange qualities by way of parable unto iron; and if in ●●ing all the virtues thereof should be comprehended, it ●uld rise to a great Volume; its stones have in many ●untreys decreased, all other metalline stones are upon ●●ir decay, only gold, silver, copper and lead keep their ●l iplying condition all the world over. CHAP. VII. Of Led oar, it's Mine, condition, and striking passages. THe lead oar is wrought under that heavenly impression of the black and cold Saturn, by an undigested water● Sulphur, impute metal and salt. First, generally there is ●rought a brittle glittering lead-colour in that oar which 〈◊〉 called Glass, breaking in many rocks, containeth gold ●nd silver, yield gross and lasting Mine-works. Some lead ●tones are very broad, because glasly oars are mixed with it, ●ith flints or ma●casites, partly they are glassy, red goldish, white goldish, silvery, copper glassy, and of copper. Some ●ead oar tutn to a blue colour, mixed with a white transparency, like unto a shot Bolus; some is like unto the stone-salt and alum; some are of a dark green, like unto green floats, which lie gritty in a yellow or glue-coloured cla● some are of a brown black, some are yellow red, like ●●nium, some is pu●e and compact, some is insprinkled 〈◊〉 moving, some is mixed with iron, some with silver & lea●● some are mixed with marbles and flowers; some brea● also upon standing and level moving passages, and some 〈◊〉 wrought in pieces here and there in●sla●e-mines, whe● black lead lieth along through the whole Mine; some 〈◊〉 glassy in Lime-stones, and some is very rich of silver i● huge marble passages. There is a twofold Marble; th● silver passages have an earthly mixed gross marble, white red goldish, red glassy, and ponderous. But the Led passages have a subtle light, & glassy brittle Marble, whic● looks like the glassy upon gold Mine works, is of a curious white glittering quality. Led oar is wrought several ways, and the colour of i● changeth after the manner of the oars, especially in the sorts of glass oars. For if Satuan lieth below, or is i● subjection unto others, than the glass hath no power to bring Saturn unto Saturn, an imperfect mineral, which either is too hard, or else unroward, and the Nodus of Venus is a mispuk●l, or a mixture of lead and silver, which is knitted very hard, but if soft, than it is water lead-●lasse, of the which are found in gold juices and tin-oars a kind of iron glass, by reason mole, but is heavier and mote brittle than iron glass, by reason of its terrestri●y or earthliness, which keeps in the metal, and is neither ●oo soft nor too hard, and is glassy, white goldish, red g●●dish, and falls into the best metalline oars. True lead glass' and oars afford half or the third part of lead, mixed with some other metal, and if one of the other metals be found in the glass, which keeps the predominancy, than lead-passages are simply good, and lead is united with gold, and these are mixed stones; for the stones of Mine oars are more wonderful in their singular accidcents. Thus is here the lead also in i●s fall, and bleak, after the heavenly impression which the Highest hath so endued, that it subject to other metals, and is the supreme Finer in the ●●tial Fruits of others. It easily mingleth naturally 〈◊〉 other metals, and the qualities of other oars, toge●● with the leaves, bulk and roots into other stones of 〈◊〉: And Saturn in his degree and power is the Highest, 〈◊〉 singular division of all his works, in which he showeth ●elf in a clarified transparent soul, runneth into Anti●y with its sweetness, which should merely embrace gold; this is done so, not without a cause; for in its derosity it yieldeth the lightest remedy to all melan●ly and heavy blood. As heavenly astrals are several, 〈◊〉 clouds under them are of all sorts of colours; so the 〈◊〉 lead is purer and more malleable than others, as that ●ngland and at Villach it is seen in the Lead-stones also. ●or lead-oars which are mixed with other stones, espe●●ly with such as contain silver, iron, copper, yield much ●ight stones, and lead work, which are picked out for se●ting, and the rather if they are rich of gold. Such wor● metals there are in Hungary, less pains are taken about ●m in their fining. Mineral flints with their unripe juy●● in the weak joinings of Lead oar unite the Saturnal ●sse; if without any mixture affords to Potter's a green azure, if all be not melted into lead: but if you get a ●ttle mixed flint, there the glass is half upon iron, and ●h that are most pliable afford melting glass for fining 〈◊〉 such sturdy wild oar, which will not melt. Artists ●y prepare such Saturnal glass, mingling with it a small entity of metalline flower, which will look as fair as if were a natural one. There may be extracted from lead effectual medicine for man's health. If slate oars are found with another mixture, there are ●netated most fix and firm copper, Vitriol and calamy al●●, as they are at Goslar in Harlynia. The best lead is in En●nd and at Villach. Man cannot well be without any of his members; me●lls, according to God's ordinance are of the same quality, 〈◊〉 man knew to make good use of them, for nature hath provided richly for him in that way: if men work t●● ignorantly, what utility can they have of them? Of metalline soul is made a chain, which linketh together junctures of gold and silver: these are endued with a ●cial spirit, which is distilled into a water through a tr●parent head; Nature congealeth under ground in the ●●sages such water unto ice, for a sign, that there is at h●● a vein of lead, and silver, or of pure lead, and if thereby mixture of other metal about it, it is the better. The best lead passages are such waters, blue, scaly, T●●slate-stones, and fluid streaked marbles at length, or ●●led insprinkled ones, and not wrapped or wound about, 〈◊〉 moving passages, almost not unlike unto silver oars. So● lead-oars are of a white, scaly, Talk-slate, full of wi● gar●ats, in which Lead-oar doth appear, which is rich silver. CHAP. VIII. Of Tin, its oar, operation, mist, stocks, floats, fall, and striking passages. TIn oar is wrought in a sand-stone, having its influenc● from Jupiter above, wrought of a dark brown, purple coloured, grayish, black shining mercurial salt, and som● sulphur mixed with it, interlined with an unkind gross● sulphureous fume, all these incorporate together, makin● up the body of Tin: this unkind fume is the cause of th● brittleness of Tin, and maketh all other metals that ar● melted with it unkind and brittle. This Tin or Q●i●● groweth or breaketh in a threefold manner, viz it slideth it is full of fumes, and it groweth in pieces: It hath 〈◊〉 threefold wildness also, as Shoel, flint, and ironmould which causeth Lead-work; their colours are black, slate, brown, and yellow. These sand and Qwitter oars are invi●ned, or enclosed in mighty broad standing passages, which ●●pear to the day with Qwitters; some contain also rich ●int work; some of these flints must be calcined, some ●e mixed with store of Talk and Catsilver, which is a food to Qwitter, & loveth to stay there, some there are which ●oweth in a Glimmer or Catsilver, and is iron-mouled, owers also do strike in a fire stone or flint, so that fire must 〈◊〉 applied thereunto, others are in a soft stone, and as it ●ere swimmeth along. Some are richer than others. That ●hich groweth pure, and in black small stones, and heap●● together that natural work, that giveth the greatest ●in. And because Jupiter is the potent Lord of it, therence it hath a mighty throne and seat, that is, a mighty huge ●●ne-oar, out of which Tin is made by heaps, and is of ●●t nature and property that it presseth outward, and ●ossometh to the day, thrusteth off Soap-work, whence ●me the wash work of Tin-soap: For Qwitter doth not ●ow in the sand of earth, besides in its body it is removed ●●her from the seat of its throne to the footstool, ma●th for itself a twofold dominion, in one it bordereth and reacheth to slates and other stones that lie about it; inso●ch that his dominion increaseth, in which is not a little, ●t much, on the blue stones, fall, floats, passages, ●ools and cliffs, which incline one upon another, and do ●n; many times a mighty Tin-stone is wrought, which ●●keth down among its own cinder and slate, and at its ●king purgeth itself, and there come other fumes like ●uds, which at all sides shoot into, and then breaketh a●●n as good as ever it did before; and it is of that good ●●ndition, that it despiseth no lodging, nor passeth by any, ●t as poor and as despicable the stone is in that place, be ●ed, brown, fresh, or stolen, broad or small, it will press ●o, and mingle itself with it, and will not be forced out 〈◊〉 it, making itself great, little, gross, mild, fame, sub●●e and pliable, even as the rest will have it, and all this, in natural way; it loveth to border upon silver and ironstone, that Tin and iron be united in a mighty fix silver and copper oar; all which are found at their several marks. Tin oar is in this place better and malleable, if found afar off from flint-passages, and are less mingled with iron mould, especially of copper stones, which in calcining can hardly be separated, proves Lead-work, without any fair glass. Some of it is so mild and soft, that when they are cleared and calcined, still lose something, for flints and sulphureous matters, which are volatile, and cannot endure any great heat, co●●ode somewhat of the metalline Tin, which appeareth by the white thick fume at the calcining: they are calcined thus hard by reason of Bake-iron, else they might yield as much again; for they lose extremely in calcining. It is strange to some, why they shrink together to so small a quantity, being they get a greater quantity of lead with good Qwitter, at first brought out of the Mine. CHAP. IX. Of Mercurial oar and its passages. MErcurial-oar is wrought in its proper Mine-stones, by the quality of its salt earth, and its nimble volatile earth, in a moist, greasy, slimy, waterish oleity, which is mixed with a most subtle, red, sulphureous digested earth, with a most weak slow binding, like an unripe pleasing fruit of all particular metals. Mercury showeth its virtue in many things admirably, and worketh effectually upon Minerals and Metalline sulphur, and upon such which border upon Antimonial stones or oars; it loveth to be in such places where the Tin-oars lie higher than silver passages. It requireth many iterating effectual operations unto other oars, and is multiplied upon other strange stones, and is drawn through the juices of Minerals and metals, which are in affinity one to another, sever●● produce many strange miscreants; this is the reason ●y it is so pleasant unto metals, Goldsmith's amalgame and 〈◊〉 with it. It is used also for metalline colours, and is prepared to ●oil and water for man's health, and is sublimed for to cor●le the worst of poisons, and is a true Robber, taketh a●g what ever costs have been bestowed on him; but if 〈◊〉 can be catched in his nature, then is he in subjection ●d obedience unto quick and dead. He is very effectual in ●edicina, especially for outward sores; he is naught to ●ught, and good to good, and is not every body's friend, ●ough he is willing to do what you put him upon His me●line stones are of the same nature with pure white slate ●rth, inclined to a water-blew, in fresh intermingled ●hite marbles, in a glassy grayish and porous Glimmer or ●ar-silver] which lie beneath betwixt the slates, in a float ●ay, which are mingled in their metalline passages with● a fled Ma●casites, and with the subtlest small streaked ●hite Talk, and are thorough grown with two sorts, ●anding and float-striking passages, in which is wrought a ●●rious red shining quicksilver oar, not unlike unto red ●●ine-sulphur, and sometimes floweth purely out of the ●ifts and caves of the passages, stands in a sink or puddle together like water, which its natural quick substance sufficiently evidenceth. CHAP. X. Of Wismuth, Antimony, Sulphur, Salt, Salpeter and Talk WIsmuth is wrought in its own Mine-stone, not quite freed from a protruding silver, or Tin stone, of an imperfect pure quicksilver with Tin-salt, and fluid silver-sulphur of a brittle immiscible earth, partly of a crude fluid sulphur, partly of a mixed much exiccated sulphur, according as it hath gotten a matrix, after it was conceived: than it turneth a bastard of a brittle nature, ea●● uniteth with Mercury, and is wrought naturally in a tw●-fold form, the one is fluid and metalline, is melted with 〈◊〉 wood, being mixed wi●h clay, yieldeth much of white Arsenic. The other is small streaked, or spissie, remaineth 〈◊〉 unripe substance, yields a fix sulphur instead of Arsenic both these are silver Wismuth. Antimony comes from perfect Mercury, wrought of ●●tle salt and a waterish fluid sulphur, though it shineth bl●●● naturally, and its outside is of an antimonial form, yet graduateth and purifieth the noble nature of Gold, a● doth much good unto man, being artificially prepared 〈◊〉 its several ways: notwithstanding its colour, it keeps its high and mighty praise and virtue: For meeting with 〈◊〉 Master, which can clarify it, and gets its natural Gold c●● of it, and extracts a blood red Oil from it, that serveth against many Chronical diseases; it must be reduced to 〈◊〉 transparent glass: this black evaporated unripe metal represents to us God's Majestic glory, who is not a regarde● of persons, bestowing upon poor despised men rarities 〈◊〉 virtues and knowledge! The red mine sulphur, which is found in T●rol, T●●●witz, and Engadin, and groweth in a black blue slat-stone, 〈◊〉 hath singulas innumerable good virtues, wherein lieth h●● a mighty purifying quality, lieth on with its colour 〈◊〉 the red goldish silver oar, o● Cinober oar, and looks almo●● like unto it, whose redness shineth forth most pleasantly. Salt hath its special virtues to penetrate and to preser●● from putrefaction, containeth a noble spirit: and it we●● very necessary, that men would not be so careless and neglectful in their seasoning with salt, suffering matters ●●stinck and corrupt, considering too slightly, and taking 〈◊〉 small notice of the noble gift put into good mineral work 〈◊〉 peter lying on their hoary old walls. Talk is an ingrown sulphur, shineth incombustibly like ●ld and silver, closeth and boweth, is transparent like ●●sse, is called Sulphur, Lutum, keepeth in the fire incombustible, like Alumen plumosum, lieth in Rocks and stone-●orks, serveth for graduating of metals. Every metal, mineral and salt in particular is good to be used, each is distinguished in its particular name: even as those that ●ake glasses, put their several names upon them, and put ●●eir several forms upon them, making them into drinking glasses, flagons, bodies, bolt heads, helmets, receivers, pelicans, jar-glasses, wineglasses, funnels, all ●●ese he frameth after his own fancy, either into ●●all, great, long, or round forms, even as he plea●eth. CHAP. XI. A comparison between God's word and the Minerals. LIke as the heavenly glorious God in a spiritual way, in his most dearest Son our Lord JESUS CHRIST, at his redeeming of mankind for the good of man appeared a Sun of righteousness, which glory the Prophet Esaias hath prophesied of in the Lord's spirit many years ago: How two Cherubims and Seraphims having six wings, moved and sung before the Lord: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Zebao●h, of whose glory all the world is full, which Prophet hath seen the most omnipotent Lord of Lords, knowing him a God in a Triple essence, and that out of that noble Chaos of Jesus Christ should flow the fountain of life of mercy and righteousness, which the Lord God made apparent on the Tree of the holy Cross, where out of the side of his dearest Son did run blood and water, to which the Lord in the Revelation of St. John addeth, fire, smoke, and fumes this union according to the Divine Word is grown at the beginning in all creatures, and what ever God the Holy Trinity hath ever created, consisteth in a Trinity, even as the Deity is in an eternal Trinity; As the Deity is indivisible in the Humanity, α & ω, in the water and blood for an eternal remembrance, that is, the fi●st and the last letter: as in the Heavenly, even so in the earthly, the perfect Alphabet must not be cut asunder, all must stand from the beginning to the end; and Christ Jesus purgeth his dear friends still unto eternal life through water and blood, saying to their hearts, all thy sins are forgiven thee, thy faith doth save thee. No man is saved, unless he be fi●st born again, that is, through water & blood, which throughly purgeth not only men and the sons of men, but also the whole Limbus upon earth; for it is not the metalline blood and water, neither is it Mercery and Sulphur that doth it, neither in the body under ground is any goldish silver wrought to any blood red oar, the blood out of Christ side shed for the good of man, is that great evidence for thus all Mineral stones, that are in the plain element of earth, and the spirit of all oars and marbles and stones come from the divine essence, as also the heavenly spirits for the throne of God, with the heavenly Angels and Sp●rits are furnished for the praise of God: thus the earth also is created is her stones, oars, veins, passages, for the honour of God, and the welfare of man, which imitateth God's wisdom, filled with infinite and uncessant forth-bringing of fruits. Whence should be the decay of metals? surely even as the eyes of the holy Apostles and Disciples were held, that they could not know the Lord in his clarified spiritual body and essence; no more can men see these things in metals. Why doth Saint John in his Revelation speak of smoke and of fume? Surely he did not mean the fire, smoke, and fume of Baker's ovens, or Kitchin-chimneys, but there was revealed unto him the heavenly fire, the mist, vapour, and fume, which is exhaled from the moisture of earth, and ●●ated to the clouds: so in the subterranean works the ●●e and spoil, or outside of the oar are sublimed, and the 〈◊〉 of the frost which rouzeth the effectual powers, va●rs and spirits maketh them come to a perfect unity in ●●alline bodies. Now if there were not a fire & vaporous ●●e in the earth, how could they produce their fruits, ●ich are the minerals and metals under ground? As the fiery element is covered with the airy, and the ●ven with clouds, and the earth is filled by them, and ●ether with the fire was enclosed as one element with 〈◊〉 other two. In like manner, at the first Creation, the terranean passages and veins were laden with oars, as ●s were with fruit, which the Lord God in Paradise 〈◊〉 implanted into them. This effectual fire, vapour and ●e is likened unto Mercury, Sulphur, Salt, and Sea-wa● wherein earth lieth enclosed and hidden, even as the ●eamest throne of God is encompassed by other throne's 〈◊〉 heavenly habitations. ●s the four Evangelists are witnesses of the New Testa●●t and Covenant; so they are a type and sure testimony ●he four elements, that the earth is created after the ho●●eaven; thus are we taught in the Lord's prayer, as it is ●eaven, so in the earth, in which, and beneath, and under 〈◊〉 is every where. This is in action still, King David ●d confess, that he could not hid himself from the 〈◊〉 any where. ●eeing the holy and blessed God hath laid the creatures ●●e earth with the four elemental qualities, therefore ●ational Miners open their eyes, and learn judicially to ●w the passages and cliffs of oars, metals and minerals, 〈◊〉 they will get a lasting name with great praise, and will ●ke the noble gold, which in a glory and beauty appea●● when it comes from the Quart, and can be then redu●● into an oil, which preserveth man in a lasting health, ●nd any balsom, and is become a vegetable, which is ●ble. It is feasible, that of gold may be prepared a singul●● Medicine for the good of mankind, because man is cre●ted of God from Lincus terrae, and the whole earth is 〈◊〉 Lincus, such another Medicine all the Doctors are not abl● produce, which is of a curious sweet fragrancy, standi●● distinct in two lights, and must needs be in rerum nature because it was brought on God his Altar, for an offering b● man's art prepared, and suffered it to be extinguished None knoweth what it is, neither we literated Doctor know the preparation of it, who when their Confection Syrups, Herbs and Potions will do no good, and are in d●spair, than they might willingly run to Metals, which f●●merly they made conscience to make use of them in the Oyntmenis and Plasters; of this I make mention in a reverend remembrance for true rational miners. Out of go●● and silver are joined not only gold and silver moneys a● other plates for man's use, but they serve for man's use in m●ny other things: and after the first metals virtue, there co●● others also more and more very effectual, even to the l●● of metals. Such virtues there are in minerals also, as in vitriol, antimony, alum, salt, and the like. All these are a nourishment unto metals, even as Manna was to the Israelites 〈◊〉 the desert. As they are easily withdrawn and taken fro● metals, so it happened to them also: Heathens and Christia● received that Manna, together with Mines and Kingdoms they are set and shot at the heap of rubbish, where the● still worship the Calf; of this I have spoken more in th●● book where I treated of Fossilia. CHAP. XII. How precious Stones and Jewels are wrought, and how God hath bestowed blessings upon those that work the Ours. ●Ewels are wrought out of the substance of the most perfect, transparent, and noblest earthliness, with mixture of the noblest Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, ●●thout any fume, or moist matter: are of a dry coagula●●n, and commonly are engendered in a round form in ●eir dwellings, lodgings, stocks, and passages, fixedly ●und together: some are of a transparent lustre, owers are more dark; and they have their several co●●rs. Not many oars are found, in which these noble generated bodies are brought to any perfectness, neither are 〈◊〉 it strikings along in a way of passage, here and there ●ey have their Centres, unto which are joined tender and ●●aculous accrescencies, where they are guttatim lapida●d, falling into the hardest, purest stones concavities, ●●wing in several cuticles, as we see the animal stones do ●ow. The more precious the Jewels are, the fewer there ●e of them; and the grosser their mixture is, the more store ●ere is found of them, which is apparent in Garnats; who ●th hitherto searched into the quick spirits of such noble features, the Lord hath created for man's benefit? Pigmies, or Homunculi, which in former times lived in allow oars of Ours, these could not want skill in ●th ways, having traversed and traveled up and down 〈◊〉 these slippery corners and ways The places and ●uation of such Jewels lying somewhat nearer unto ●●aven, in the Eastern Countries, bordering on Para●ce, so there must needs be abounding in Gold and Jewels, and such precious vegetables, which our thoughts hard● may reach unto. God requireth no more of man, whom 〈◊〉 intrusteth with these things, but to be faithful and just, an● is an argument for us to think that for the same cause pic●● Kings and Princes, and the old wise Partiarches were gifts from above to bear a love to search into Mine-works, a●● did it with an uprightness and judgement. Let hon●● godly Christian Miners choose the better part, and learn 〈◊〉 know the pearl, the spirit of the Lord proceeding out 〈◊〉 Gods own mouth, and let them consider well their eternal fixation, to return their love again to him that hath love them first, bringing all things to their subjection, he impa●●eth all unto them abundantly in grace and mercy, & by th● innocence and merit of his only son, bestoweth on the● temporal and eternal blessings, and puts more glorious ornaments on them, and better than ever gold, silver, jewe● and pearls were adorned withal. CHAP. XIII. Of the essence of Gold, which is abundantly found, not only in the metal, but Mineral also, whose energy is showed most rarely, and a short closing of my first and second Part of Minerals and metals 〈◊〉 annexed. THis Chapter is a breviary of all mineral colours & form● how they after an heavenly operation are daily clad i● the metalline prime matrix, and set forth in their sever●● works, whereas there shineth forth unto us the eternal lig●● of the lustrous Sun, the deity, of the day of joys, and 〈◊〉 the eternal most fixed and fairest Sol, as also of a most yellow, pure, red, and fixed citrin colour of heavens eternal lightning, and the most glorious paradise of all the Sta●● a natural created light for all creatures, besides the bea●● and Aurora of Mineral Earth's, and of their subtlest, com●t, and best binding enclosed, speaking to all other white ●inged Metals; I, Sol, of an essential being am Lord of ●rds in power, might, and perfection, I overcome all, and overcome and bring them into subjection, and none of ●m can master me, but I do conquer them all, they are eject to me, and to my Being, for my Kingdom is esta●hed with infinite and invincible Power and Dignity; by 〈◊〉 all metals, minerals, animals. & vegetables are strengthened and rectified; for I give to every one that knoweth 〈◊〉 in my green, blue, and red Nature, all what I have, 〈◊〉 all what he desireth, I cause to drop down after the ●r cardinal streams of Pison, Gihen, the noblest substance 〈◊〉 Mercury, in the form of a most pure transparent crystal●e water, and the most noble substance of Sulphur, of Hi●el and Phrath the clearest fairest Astral salt from a Vitri● salt, which through all Mines flew upward very fruit●ly, and penetrates all the mineral stones. I alone gradu●e and exalt the silver, unto Lune I give light and lustre in 〈◊〉 righteousness, of my virtue do spe k all Magis, Natu●ists, and Scribes all the world over, from the East to the ●est, I am the Lord over the heavenly clarified garments ●d colours, I adorn the firmament, the weather, I cloth ●e Rainbow after Gods will, I exalt all jewels, all such ●owths and creatures, and what I cannot inwardly walk ●rough and reach unto in my course, I leave it to be per●cted with my friend and lover the Lune, she receiveth the ●●st part of me, and of the subtlest an abundance, the In●●s, Hungary, Carinthia testifieth the same, for all what is 〈◊〉 live, and is to receive a life, rejoiceth in me, and next ●od, in none else, for to him honour and glory belongs ●ely after him, I find no higher Lord and Commander●● for my part I do not rest, neither do I desire any rest, do ●y office readily into which my Creator hath placed me, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my pliableness be found gloriously, like a wax in ●ones, which have by reason of hardness fire enough, if ●ed. I am hid from unwise men, and am ready to be discerns by men of understanding. I am predominant abundant● in a well known Mineral, as also in Mars and Venus whic● are of low degrees: in them I lie hid also, all these have 〈◊〉 double spirit, well known unto Lune, pleasant to her, an● next unto her. Hence God suffered Moses to erect a bras● Serpent, in the desert after my colour, in harkening un●● the people, at the mount Sinai. My best and fairest c●lour appeareth in transparent juices, as vitriol, which af●●● my condition in due time penetrateth Oars, whereby the● grew rich in lust, & are trained up in a pleasant form con●ded into a greenness, like sealing wax, green like Goo● dung, blue like Saphir, and so forth, sometimes of th● colour of a water flint: my red and whi●e colour is the best which are hearty wished for. I love to be kindled i● vitriol, and further is after descension in its green food, unto a deep red spirit, after whose laxative purging cometh that expected aqua Saturni, the true a●ide-Well: fro● whence I myself and all other Metals, animals and vegetables have my offspring and life. For Metals and Minerals rise only from thence, have their beginning and original from it, for it is that quickening water, which ordinary Miners do not know of, is known only to Philosophers. It worketh Minerals and Metals in several ways, in form of taps which did skept, pure, white, compact, found like purified Suggar, in a blue slate-work. An extraordinary pleasant Mineral for all colours. Salt Oars are at a farther distance, which by my attractive changing, are found in floats, blocks and passages, which in many places bring the water unto the daylight, so that it often is found a pure and dry Salt above ground, of glassy light flames, o● in a great frost like unto flocks of snow, there shooteth a brittle, glassy light stone, wrought in great pieces: in the same order are all other Jewels according to mine enlightened heavenly stone, distributed among their operations, worths and virtues, and clarified in a most fixed transparency, and endued with an everlasting spirit, distinct i● s●●●ral colours, as Diamond, Smaragds, Carbuncles, Saphires, ●●ies, Crystals, Chalcedonian, Jaspis, Berill, Chrysolith, ●●x, Carmel, Turkois, Lazur-stone, Margarits, Corals, ●ra Lemnia, Terpentine-stones, and Garnats, of deeper 〈◊〉 colours, each in its heavenly colours order is transpa●●, and naturally is created, and preserved in its own offa: Hence it may be argued, that all these together with ●●d fruits serve for man's good, both for his body and spi●● for nothing is hid from my transparent power, my splenic and lustre overshadoweth all these, and are held to ●ir growing unto maturity: let no creatures marvel at ●●se several distinctions from whence they all should ●ne, for all have their principle from me, & from my spirit, ●ich is hidden in me, which none can dive into, save the 〈◊〉 creator of all things, from whom it proceeded as out ●his Divine mouth. Thus I close up my speech, and my 〈◊〉 startle at so great a mystery, and attest in truth for a ●ewell, that I am not only the Gold and present Sol, but ●e also strength and power to all the inferies terrene spi●●: for Aristeus and Onizon is in subjection unto me, for I 〈◊〉 α and , God be praised for ever. Thus I conclude the second part of my Mineral book, ●erein I have showed faithfully as much as I know, and ●●ld in my industry apprehend: let others do their en●avours also, let them produce their knowledge also, that 〈◊〉 light of the noble nature may still be supplied in her ●●nitude, and may not go out, whereby cause would be ●●en to the enemy and envious men, to be outrageous 'gainst such truths. Let God still and uncessantly be im●●tuned with prayers and . For these ends ●ave written these my two Treatises, and annexed the ●nuals at the beginning (which otherwise needed not to 〈◊〉 done) that by earnest prayer and thanksgiving, and con●●ued earnest worshipping of God, every one might care●●ly exercise himself therein, and be convinced in his ●●ason, how gloriously almighty God hath created, ordained and held forth nature, to perform her operations under ground, and to produce unto the day light form●● their Nativities and fruits, that we may reap thereby 〈◊〉 only our sustenance, but may acknowledge God's infin● mercy and goodness, for which none can return sufficie● thanks. However let every one do his duty, and as mo● as he is able to perform with his heart and tongue, pray God is sincerity for his grace, blessing and wisdom, t● conceive by his spirit of truth and righteousness of his great and wonderful Creature, that the honour of God maybe exalted above the Heaven, and be proclaimed with infinite praise throughout all the World. End of the second Part. THE THIRD PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS His last TESTAMENT, Treating of the Universal work in the whole World, with a perfect Declaration of the XII. Keys: wherein is significantly expressed the name of the great matter. There is an Elucidation also of all his former writings: published for the good of the posterity, and such, that are lovers of wisdom. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. THE THIRD PART IS A Declaration of the XII. Keys. HEre followeth the third part of my intended writings, wherein is truly showed the original and prime matter of our Philosophic stone, which is a perfect instruction to the practic part, which showeth the direct way to the inexhaustible foun● of health, and of the abundance of riches to provide man's necessaries: and this is a Declaration of my former ●itings, which is left for a lovetoken to all those that lovers of Philosophy. My friend you must note, that by this intended work ●ching the Minerals, I had reason to prefix the two parts Minerals, and Metals, and their Oars, holding it a neces●y to hold forth a light unto the ignorant, how that one 〈◊〉 it from above frameth all such Oars, Metals, and Mine●s, taking their original under ground for to generate ●ereby. For earth is always ready and covetous to at●ct and to retain that spirit, which proceedeth from Hea●ns powers, which it presenteth in process of time in a ●mality and perfection. The manner of it hath been spo●en of sufficiently in my former writings, which is the rea●n why I give only hints of them in this place. Note, that all things proceed from a heavenly influenc● elemental operation, earthly substance, from this mix●●● arise the 4. Elements, water, air, earth, which engender h●● the help of fire, hid therein, in a warm digestion, producing a Soul, Spirit, and Body. These are the three prime principles, which in a coagulation come to a Mercury, Sulph● and Salt, these three being in conjunction, according to th● nature of the seed produce a perfect body; be it in th● Kingdom, either of Minerals, Animals, or Vegetables. A● things in the world, that are visible and palpable, are d●●vided into these three Kingdoms: the Animal which contains such that have a lively breath, composed of flesh an● blood, as men, beasts, worms, fishes, fowls. The Vegetables which contains trees, herbs, seeds, roots, fruits, an● all such things that are of a growing quality, the Mineral contains all manner of Oars, Metals, Minerals, Marcas●● Calxes, Zincks, Lobols, all sorts of flints, pebbles, wismuth● stones, precious ones and others. Animals have their special seed, a spermatick substance which after a copulation generate flesh and blood, whic● iced is their prima materia, from a heavenly influence, created of God of the 4. Elements, wrought by nature, whic● formerly were quoted in my writings. Vegetables also have their proper seed which God bestowed on them, according to their several qualities an● forms by a heavenly and sideral influence, and receive the● elemental fruitful growing from the earth, with an order thereby to generate and augment. Minerals and Metals also have their original seed fro● God, by the heaven's influence in a liquid aereal substance, by a Mineral spirit, sulphureous Soul and earth● Salt in one body joined: of these I have spoken in my s●mer writings. Note further, if any of these Metalli● and Mineral kind● shall be brought to a farther propagation and augmentation, it must first be reduced to its first seed and prima m●teria. If you will transmute Metals, augment them, bring ●em into a tincture, or Philosophic stone, you must first ●derstand, how you may destroy by a spagyric Art, the metalline and Mineral form and separate it into a Mercury, sulphur and Salt, these three must be purely separated, and aught to their first principles. This separation is done in, and by a Mercurial spirit, sul●ureous Soul and a white Salt. These three in a due ordering of a true manual must be joined again, that they ●ay be brought to the highest and most perfect purity. In which conjunction must exactly be observed the quantity: after this conjunction the whole substance is ●eerly a liquid substance and philosophic water, in which ●l the Elements, first the heavenly than the elemental and ●●sly the earthly qualities are shut up and lie hid therein. For the Mercurial spirit is cold and moist, the sulphureous ●oul is warm and dry, and this liquor is the true prima ma●ria, and first seed of Metals and Minerals, which by Vul●●ns Art is brought to a plusquam perfection, into a transcendent fixed Medicine, out of which is generated the true philosophic stone, and must be produced in that way. Therefore observe and take notice, that all Metals and Minerals have only one root, from which generally th●●r ●●escent is, he that knoweth that rightly, needs not to destroy Metals, to extract the spirit from one, the Sulphur ●●om a second, and the Salt from a third. For there is a ●●earer place yet, in which these three, Spirit, Soul, and Bo●y lie hid in one thing; well known; and may with great ●raise be gotten, it shall be nominated afterward in several ●erms. He that learneth to know exactly this golden seed, or ●his Magnet, and searcheth throughly into its properties, ●●e hath then the true root of life, and may attain unto that, ●●is heart longeth for. In my former writings, as also in the XII. Keys from the first to the last I ordered thus my stile 〈◊〉 writing, wherein I held forth unto posterity the practic, how the great stone of Philosophers, or the best purified gold may be made out of Sulphur and Salt, with 〈◊〉 help of the spirit of Mercury, which must be drawn from crude unmelted Minera, according to the Tenor of my fi●● Key set down in a parabolical manner. Why I laid the work of the Philosophic stone upon t●● Gold Metal, this is the reason, that the simple Laboratory to whom is unknown the other body, or subjectum, whic● containeth all the three principles: though it be a thi● well known, yet is it stranger to their brains, may le●● hereby more wit and knowledge. Many of the ancient Philosophers, which lived long before me, have in the sa●● manner with me obtained the true universal stone of a mysteries and health, as their books, which are extant, gi●● evidence thereof. The first time I took great pains a●● made great expenses, and consumed much time about th● purified Gold, alleged in the first Key, this heavenly sto●● I prepared in the Cloister I lived in, and happily obtaine● it. The highest in heaven bestowed his further grace 〈◊〉 blessing upon me, that I took into further consideration th● tinging ² animated ¹ spirits placed and planted into their several bodies. Let no man be ashamed to learn, to ●dd more 〈◊〉 his learning, and to dive further into that, which was hi● from him, notwithstanding his knowing ways. Nature reserveth many things in her secrecy, which men's dull understanding and shortness of life cannot reach unto. Whereas God in his great goodness hath bestowed th●● great gift upon me, for an improvement of that talon, I hav● imparted the same to my fellow Christians in the said XII Keyes. Those that are endued with deeper wits and knowledge, and in their hearty and careful endeavours strive further to dive in the Art, will meet in the same place with a more easy and more known matter, which almost w●● named and set down, of an effectual quality, out of which in like manner, as the ancients before me, in their exac●● speculation and practic have in the end better known the only scope and drift, which hath been practised several ●●s by me also, in a shorter time, and less pains taking, 〈◊〉 they and I have obtained health and riches: in this ●wn and despicable matter and Mineral substance is ●●d a sulphur and tincture more effectual, and more wor●● than the best Gold can afford, which is fluid and open, ●●its Mercurial spirit also, and its mystical Salt is free and ●●n, whose virtues may with less pains in a visible man●● be drawn from it. ●e that hath considered exactly my XII. Keys, fre●●ntly perusing the same, must needs conceive, and that ●rein is held forth the whole preparation of our stone, 〈◊〉 the beginning to the end, without any defect, yet so ●t it only should be prepared of Gold fitted for it. But 〈◊〉, according to God's ordinance in nature, have pointed at ●old, which is much better, and requireth to be taken in●● deep consideration, which being unknown and strange Novices, for some reasons I forbear to give them any di●●tion thereunto, with a resolution to write and to point at ●●h matters, as themselves are inclined to seek for their ●●d in them. At the beginning of my XII. Keys, according to the ●●nner of Philosophers, in a parabolical way I made rela●●n of the property and work of our stone and balsam, how was made by Artists, which as by an inheritance is come 〈◊〉 me also, wherein I spoke as much as was meet of the ●vernment of the fire, chargeable appearance, and of the chiefest planetical colours, and the final end thereof. After ●●e accomplishment of these peruse well the XII. Keys, for ●●ch containeth a particular work. The first Key informeth you, that if you seek for the ●●ed in a Metalline body, as in the Gold, then before all ●●ings it must most exactly be purged from all its impure leprosy, and that nothing must be mixed with our Fountain, but such, which is of a pure spermatick quality. This purifying is performed with Antimony, which stands in a ●ear relation, and affinity unto Gold, which is the reason, why antimonial sulphur purgeth the Soul of Gold, graduating the same to a very high degree. On the other-side, 〈◊〉 Gold can meliorate in a short time the Soul of Antimo● and can bring it to a firm fixation, exalting Antimony 〈◊〉 Gold to an equal dignity and virtue, and can be brought not only unto a white Metal of Lune, but also to a transcendent Medicine for man's health, of which you sh●● have a further direction hereafter, when I shall treat in particular of Antimony. Although Antimony hath promise unto Saturn a sociable brotherhood, because Antimony qualification doth rest in some sort on the quality of Satur● in an equal concordance, yet after the fixation of the exalted Sulphur of Antimony, his next friend Saturn canno● get any prey from him, because the King received him into his golden Palace, and make him partaker of his triumphing Kingdom. This is the reason, why he can endure now heat and frost, and overcomes it, and standeth with the King a Conqueror in great and transcendent glory. The purifying of the Gold is performed thus: Laminated the Gold-thinly, after a due manner, cast it thrice through Antimony, afterward the Regulus which is set at the through casting must be melted before the blast in a strong fire, and driven off with Saturn, than you will find the purest, fairest, most lustrous Gold, pleasant to behold, as much as the lustre of Sol is. This Gold is now fitted to surrender its innermost, being first brought from its fixedness into a destructive form, and pass through the Salt-Sea of its corruptibleness, is drowned therein, escaped again, and appeared visibly. The second Key. MY Friend, note, and take that into a serious consideration, because the chiefest point lieth herein; cause a Balneum be made, let nothing come into it, which should nor be there, that the noble seed of the Gold fall not into destructive and irrecoverable opposition after its destru●on, and take an exact and careful view of such things, ●●ich my second Key informeth thee of, namely what mat●● you ought to take to the Kings Balneum, whereby the ●ng is destroyed, and its external form broken, and its undefiled Soul may come forth, to this purpose will serve ●●e Dragon and the Eagle, which is Niter and Sal armonic, ●●th which after their union are made into a Aquafort, as ●●u shall be further informed of in my Manuals, where I ●●all treat in particular of Gold, of other Metals and Minerals, into which Balneum the King is thrown, being first, 〈◊〉 in the quoted place you shall hear, brought into an Amal●me of Mercury and of Sulphur, which presently seizeth on ●im, corrodeth all his members, and is dissolved, and is presently mortified of this Salt water into a most splendent transparent Oil. You must note, that this dissolution is ●ot sufficient, and the King is not minded as yet to let go ●is Soul out of his fixed body, which you can see when you ●eparate the water from the dissolved body of the King, where you shall find fixed powder of Gold, out of which you will hardly get his Soul that is therein. Therefore follow my counsel and bear the yoke, which I bore before ●ye, and learn to know exactly in pains taking, further thus, as I shall inform you. Having dissolved your Gold wholly in the said water, and brought it into a pleasant yellow Oil, then let it stand well luted for a day and night in a very gentle Balneum Mariae, the feces which are settled, must be separated from it, then take this pure dissolution, put it into a well coated body, or Retort, apply a Helmet to it, with a receiver, in the best manner luted to it, set it into a sand Capel, drive the Gold with the water over the Helmet, iterate this a third time, then abstract the water in Balneum Mariae, you will find a fair Gold-powder, keep this in a glass for an hour in fire, let the remaining humidity be drawn from it. The third Key. THen take of good spirit of Sal-niter one part, and of d●●phlegmed spirit of ordinary Salt, three parts, pour the● spirits together warmed a little, into a body on the for● written Gold-powder, lute a Helmet and Receiver to i● drive the Gold over as formerly in sand several times wi●● an iterated distillation, the oftener the better, let the Go●● come to be volatile more and more, and at last let all co●● over. By this repeated driving over, its fixed body is divided, all its Members are torn asunder and opened, an● leaveth willingly its Soul to a special Judge, of which m● third Key will give sufficient information. Note further, that after this work those salt spirits mu●● be abstracted from the Gold, which was driven over, very gently in Balneo Mariae, let nothing of the tincture of the Gold come over, that the body suffer not any diminution: then take that Gold, or rather these Crystals of Gold, from which you have separated the water, put it in a reverberating pan, set it under a Muffle, let its first fire be gentle for an hour, let all its corrosiveness be taken away, than your powder will be of a fair scarlet colour, as subtle as ever was seen, put it in a clean viol, pour on it fresh spirit of ordinary Salt, first brought to a sweetness, let it stand in a gentle digestion, let that spirit be deeply tinged and transparent, red like a Ruby, cant if off, pour on fresh, extract again, iterate the work of canting off and pouring on, till no more tincture of it appeareth, put all these extractions together, separate them in Balneo gently from the Sulphur of Sol, than that powder is subtle and tender; of great worth; this matter is such, which in a short process transmuteth Lune in its tincture to the highest perfection, according to the direction of my XII. Keys. He that hath some knowledge herein, may make this quere: whither this extracted dry Soul and Sulphur of the ●●g be just that Soul, of which Philosophers have this ●ng: the Philosophic work for the preparation of the ●●t precious stone requireth three things, viz. a wet volar Mercury, or a Mercurial spirit, a wet volatile sulphurous ●●l, and a dry astral Salt, which after its dissolution toge●● with the two first must be apparent and known in a ●erish form; which way comes that about, because in 〈◊〉 process nothing is spoken of any Mercurial spirit and ●atile Soul, but the Soul of the King appeared in a sub●● form of powder? The answer hereunto I delay so long 〈◊〉 the Querist learns better to understand the distinction in ●s book, and I will perform my promise, and set his ●xious and entangled mind at liberty, which is so much ●ubled about this doubt, and will deal with him as a ●od father may deal with his son; in and with this scope, ●herein our Mastery lieth; have been fooled most of the ●its, leading them captive in their erroneous ways, being ●●d about in a desert of misled ways, because in their supposed deep wits, they had not conceived so much of the ●anner, how all things of the world are generated, and that ●very spirit must have a Soul, and every Soul a fit spirit, and ●hat both spirit and Soul are spirits and spiritual, which must ●ave a body, in which they may have a dwelling. Gold and Silver, but chief Gold is brought to the highest fixedness, by such degrees as nature did afford, insomuch ●ts nature is found very hot and fiery, freed from all phlegmatic humidity, of which Lune is not so wholly freed, though she hath obtained a sulphur-fixed degree, and stayeth for the King, to warm her cold body with his hot seed, which concerns the particulars, and belongs unto them, which in that place shall be plainly demonstrated. In Gold there is no waterish humidity at all, unless it were reduced again into Vitriol, which would be but an useless and unprofitable work, and would require huge expenses, in case the Philosopher's stone should be of Vitriol of Gold, of which there must be had great store; indeed in that Vitriol there would be found a convenient spirit, which nature would desire, of a white quality, as also a Soul and Salt of glorious essence. But what Countries, Goods, Lands, have been dilapi●ted this way, I wave to discourse of only, this warning 〈◊〉 give to my Disciples, nature having left a nearer way 〈◊〉 keep and to imitate that, that they also might take heed 〈◊〉 fall into such extreme and inextricable poverties. The solar Mercury Sol, being never brought so far undestruction, neither did the ancient Philosophers ever mak● use of that way, as being a thing clean contrary unto nature, containeth indeed an humidity, but it is a mere Elemental waterish humidity after its dissolution, and good fo● nothing, water and other principles do not stand in the Elements, but the Elements rest in the principles and seeds o● Metals, of the which I have spoken formerly. Therefore let none be so over witty, as to make our stone only of dry and fully digested Gold: because its phlegmatic humidity is entered into a dry fixedness and fixed coagulation, which is not found so in other Metals, though they also are subject to a hard coagulation and passed through the fire, yet are not wholly digested, nor brought to a full maturity from the natural original root: which ought to be taken notice of; and be not offended at my former writings if they seem to run contrary against this. Though I have showed, that the spirit, Soul, and body come all from one Metalline essence, and must be prepared thus, among which I held the Gold to be the best, however I dealt herein as it seemed fit for a Philosopher, the like the ancient Philosophers have done before me, but I hope you took notice of my protestation, that I gave special cause thereby to your speculation, to take the better notice of nature and her principle, and to consider the original, because it was not meet for me to inform all men, how the doors are bolted within, and especially at that time, when I never intended to write thus plainly of these things, which are hid even from the best of men, but when my heavenly Prince commanded, at the changing of my mind, not to bury the ●●rted talon, but to do the like to those, whom God aches worthy, to leave it to them. One rule more I must 〈◊〉 to thy remembrance, of such points, which formerly I ●e set down, of which I spoke now, that you may the ●e blame me, as if I did refuse these things now, which I ●merly wrote of. Peruse all such which since the beginning of the world ●●e written of Metals, you will find, that they were all 〈◊〉 one mind, and that I make use of their say: that the ●●t and the last Metal is a Metal, because the first Metal ●●h already obtained, and gotten the forth-going seed of metals in a Metalline quality, which doth nothing else, but ●●t it goeth on uncessantly in the Metalline generation, as spoken of in the first and second part of Minerals and Me●●s, and in this part also I have spoken of it in several ●aces. Many have called Gold Led, and Led they called Gold, because it was found not only of the same ponderousness, ●ut because three deep glittering stones have solely gotten ●●om this Planet their transcendent perfection, and many ●ther causes besides, which to relate here, would fall too ●ong and needless. And this is it which asketh wisdom ●o distinguish in this and in other things, and exactly to ●earch into God's mysteries, and natures laid before us. But man through Adam's fall being brought to a deep blindness, therefore mens understanding are so eclipsed, that they can hardly conceive of this, and of other mystical matters in nature. The obduration being so great among the covetous, that for the most part they search and dive into such mysteries out of mere covetousness, pride, and ambition, made the ancient Philosophers upon command and inspiration of the highest aim at that, as to put a certain stay to their hands, and to write of such mysteries in such a manner, that unworthy men should not understand it, and but worthy men only in their illumination might perceive it: and writing often one thing, have mingled other among, understading still the one and the same. In several places t●● showed, that the Philosopher's stone is, and comes from 〈◊〉 animal, others from a vegetable seed, and a third sort sai● it comes from a Mineral seed: others writ that stone made of an animal, vegetable, and Mineral seed together All this is only understood of the Mineral and Metalli● seed, and consisteth not in any plurality of seeds. Hence t●● Art grew eclipsed, insomuch that scarce one among ma● thousands hardly attaineth unto the knowledge thereo● and for that reason is it held for an Art, because not eve● Booby should bring it into his Beetle-head, and why shou●● it? For if this Art were as common as brewing of Beer, a●● baking of Bread, than any one may judge what good cou●● be looked for, would not all manner of vices be practise● publicly without any controlling. Therefore such men, which in their lofty mind a●● merely for Pomp and Pride, must be clipped in their wing● and these things ought not to be put into their mouth● things are clear enough for these, on whom God intends the bestowing of them. I return now to the thing I intented, which is to teach a desirous Scholar, how to proceed further with the extracted Soul of Gold: Truly it is much to discover such mysteries: I warn every one to make good use of them; and note, that if you have the purple Cloak of the King, a● the sulphur of Sol, then be thankful unto God for it, bea● no evil mind against thy neighbour, unlock your golde● seed according to the Tenor of the Key, turn it to water; for in our Art there must be body, Soul, and Spirit, which run together in the innermost root, the one layeth hold on the other, meliorateth the same throughout in its whole quality, insomuch that there is a new created world and earth, which afterward is illuminated by the Soul, and is exalted into a transcendent efficacy. Therefore it is requisite that you know, how to infuse your golden seed into the new body, and to bring it to a fluid substance: look about thee, and see where you may ●e it: if you find none, despair not, but be of good ●fort, think upon means, and ask counsel of god Saturn, ●ill not let thee go without a resolve, he will put into hand a deep glittering Minera for an offering, which in Mine is grown of the first matter of all Metals, if this ●era after its preparation, which he will show unto thee, 〈◊〉 into a strong sublimation, mixed with three parts of ●e, or tile meal, then riseth to the righest mount a noble limate, like little feathers, or alumen plumosum, which due time dissolveth into strong and effectual water, ●●ch bringeth thy seed in a little putrefaction very sudden●●nto the first volatility, if so be there be added to it a 〈◊〉 quantity of water, that it may be dissolved therein, there 〈◊〉 twig with the bulk doth unite, that they are able to ●end above the highest mountain, and stay inseparably ●●ether a Soul and Spirit, or a Spirit and Soul. It is requisite, that you be stored with water for the body 〈◊〉 Salt to dissolve the same also, and coagulate the same in● a new clarified body, which will never part asunder, nei●●r in love nor woe, because they are of one nature, nati●y, and original, and have been so from the beginning. ●●r they all have their beginning and birth from the power 〈◊〉 this volatile bird. But remember well that these Mineral merits are in other Metals also, and are found effectual in ●●e Mineral, from whence with more ease and less charges 〈◊〉 may be had: the business is only herein, that you learn to ●ow, what this Mercurial spirit, Mercurial Soul, & astral Salt 〈◊〉 that the one may not be taken in stead of the other, which ●ould cause a huge error. You will find, that the nature ●f the golden sulphur consisteth only in all Metals, which ●●e comprehended among the red, and have a fellow dominion with other Minerals, by reason of the fiery ting spirit's, but the magnetic power and its quality resteth in ●s white Mercurial spirit, which bindeth the Soul, and dissolveth the body, therefore the Astrum of Sol is found not only in Gold, that with the addition of the spirit of Mercury and the Solar Salt only the Philosopher's stone c●● be made, but may in like manner be prepared artificial out of Copper and Steel, two immature Metals, both w●● as male and female have red ting qualities, as wel● Gold itself, whither the same be taken out of one al●● or out of both, being first entered into an Union. Besi●● this Mineral in our Mother's tongue is a Mineral, called ●●per water, and of broken, or digged Verdigreece, or Cop●● there can be made a Vitriol, in all which is found glori●●ly a Soul of the best Gold, and come well to pass very p●fitably many ways, no Country clown can believe● Therefore note here, what you ought to observe, into thy thoughts, and give not over, unless you be come● far, that you know natures mystical conjunction and her 〈◊〉 solution, than you will find, what is requisite for you 〈◊〉 know, and return thanks unto thy Creator, make use of● for his glory, and be beneficial to the needy. This white spirit is the true Mercury of Philosopher which hath been before me, and will be after me, with●● which the Philosopher's stone, and the great mystery can 〈◊〉 made, neither universally nor particularly, much less a paricular transmutation. And this spirit is the Key to the opening of all Metals, and their locking in again. This spirit is 〈◊〉 sociable unto all Metals, because they have their descent from his sanguinity, as you heard often. For he is that tr● primum mobile, sought of many thousands, and found 〈◊〉 none, and yet all the World is greedy of it, is sought 〈◊〉 far off, and found near at hand, he is and moveth befog the eyes of all men, for if this spirit be fed with a Metalli●● sulphur and Salt, of these three there will be one matt● made, not much unlike to the Philosophers great ston● however duly must be proceeded in, and a true process from the beginning to the end must be observed: for th●● corporal Salt must be dissolved into this spirit, dissolve● turned, and brought into its prima materia, as the spirit hi● self is: then both these of one equal descent and birth b● means of fire with coagulating of the spirit may be generated a third time to a firm fixation, and to a pure trans●rent white clarified body, then after this accomplished al●o the Soul, which is dissolved, must seek for her rest again, ●netrate such a pure body, unite with the same, and rise 〈◊〉 dwelling therein, that these three be permanent and ●iding constantly in one body eternally clarified. And that you may be informed, how in this manner both ●ur dissolved seeds, as the spirit of Mercury, and the Soul the Gold be made again fix and corporeal, note that it is ●ne only by the proper Salt of Sol, which in this Art is ●●led a body. Now observe here, that you take no hetero●neal thing in stead of it. What manner of process is here ●ed, read my fourth Key, where the truth of it is held ●●th with singular examples, and proves; but you are socially to observe, (in case you do not understand that ●y) this plain and true information, look upon the body 〈◊〉 Gold, not as if no other benefit could be reaped of it, ●t only his Soul; not so: impute no such weakness unto ●●t body, but after you have drawn forth its Sulphur, there yet in it the Salt of glory, and of the triumphant victrix, without which your spermatick seed cannot be brought un● any coagulation. And even this Salt now, of which I ●ade so long a discourse, how you ought to bring it our of 〈◊〉 corporeal form through means of the spirit of Mercury ●to it's prima materia, is afterward turned again into a deeply ●●rified and exalted body. Therefore take your Solar earth, out of which you drew ●ur seedr, or the true Lion's blood, and reduce it by reverberating to a fixed powder, and subtle impalpable ashes, ●●tract from thence a very subtle Salt, as bright as Ivory 〈◊〉 hereafter I will teach you in the Manuals, how the body 〈◊〉 Sol is anatomised by the particulars, and to bring it into Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury. Then proceed unto the pra●●ck and conjunction, and have a care, that you be pro●dent therein, that at their conjunction you do not too ●●ch to the one, and too little to the other, take notice 〈◊〉 the quantity, and observe exactly the division of the seeds, hereunto minister a certain measure, and mark 〈◊〉 sixth Key, then proceed in the begun process, according to the order of the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth K●● as formerly I had informed you about it, go on with it 〈◊〉 the appearance of the King's honour and glory, to 〈◊〉 highest purple garment, and pure golden piece, who is c●●led the Triumphing Lord and Conqueror over all his subjects, from the East to the West; which if you have attain● unto them, return thanks to God, be fervent in praying, 〈◊〉 mindful of the poor, be a student unto sobriery, temp●rance, abstinence, and above all unto taciturnity: for it the greatest and most heinous sin, to let unworthy m●● know of it. The augmentation of this heavenly stone, as also the f●●mentation is needless to be spoken of in that place, as b●ing described in my two last Keys, and held forth to the fu● not doubting if God grants so much blessing, and imparte● this stone, the sense of these two Keys will be more conceived of: for no heterogeneal things must be brought to our Metalline substance, neither at the beginning, middle, or end, but the Mercurial spirit and the digested Medicine, spoken of in my eleventh Key. To be further as good as I promised, concerning oth● things, quoted in my Keys, know ye, that no Philosopher tied wholly unto the Metal of Gold, of which I spo●● largely hitherto, and disclosed the true fundamentals thereof, and as you heard afore, the whole mystery lieth here●● viz. in the ting of red fiery spirits of Metalline Sou● and all what is tinged red, and is known to have a fierce sulphur, all such are kind to the Solar Astrum, and wh●● the Mercurial spirit is joined with, than the proceed: 〈◊〉 may go on universaliter and Particulariter, that a tincture obtained from them, whereby Metals and vulgar Merc●● can be exalted, and be ordered according to the tenor the process. Such Souls and goldish Sulphurs are found most effects in Mars and Venus, as also in Vitriol, and both Venus' a●● ●●ars can be reduced into a most effectual Vitriol, in which Metalline Vitriol afterward all the three principles, as Mer●ury Sulphur and Salt are found under one heaven, and with ●●tle pains and short time each can be taken out of it apart, ●s you shall hear, when I shall make further relation of the Mineral Vitriol which is digged in Hungary, of a high gradation. Now if you have wit and understanding, art inclined and hearty desireth to conceive of the true meaning of my Keys, and of my other writings, thereby to un●o●k the locks of Metals for our store, than you should have ●aken notice and observed, that in all these I have written ●ot only of the Metal of Sol, of its Sulphur and Salt, but I ●ave interlined and mingled also, and made uniformal other ●ed Metals, from whence may be had the mystical Mastery: ●herefore men ought to iterate often the reading of Philosophic books, than a true sense and meaning may be drawn ●rom them, which without divine illumination cannot be ●either, etc. But hoping that those, who are fully and really resolved ●o incline their hearts unto wisdom, will give more attention thereunto, than the other mad worldlings, for whom ●hese my writings were not intended: for I spoke as plainly ●s ever possibly I could, and this kindled light shall further ●e purified, so that true and sincere Novices may have a ●ull light without an eclipse from their beginning to their ●nding. To which end I took these pains to disclose that, which all the World was silent in, and concealed it to their ●ast end, and buried it in silence to their very graves. The scope I aimed at in so doing, was not to hunt after any ●ain glory, but rather, that God's gracious provident goodness might be held forth unto posterity, that the future ●●ges might become seeing, and some of the posterities eyes might be kept open, and be helpful unto their needy fellow Artist, and make them partakers of God's graces and gifts. Though my mind be mightily perplexed, when I think ●●on what I have done, because I writ so plainly, not knowing into whose hands after my departure these my writings may come: However, I hope, let them be what they will that they will remember, and lay to heart my faithful warnings inserted in my former and these present writings, tha● they deal with this book, and use it so, that they may giv● good account for it to Almighty God. Touching further the Vitriol, I should make mention o● it in my Manuals, where I treat and write generally of Minerals: But it being such a singular Mineral, whose felio● whole nature doth not produce, besides, Vitriol before a●● others is of great affinity unto Metals, and is next ki● unto them, for out of all Metals there can be made a Vitriol, or Crystal (Crystal and Vitriol is taken for one) therefore I would not bereave it of its own praise, and put it● commendation too far off, but rather prefer it, as ther● is just cause, before other Minerals, and the first place, nex● to Metals should be given unto it; for (setting aside all Metals and Minerals) this is sufficient to make the Philosopher's stone of it, which no other in the World can do the like though some particulariter are a help to further that work and Antimony alone is a sufficient Master hereunto, as i● its due place more shall be spoken of. However, none i● thus much dignified in its worthiness, that the said Philosophic stone could be made of it as this Vitriol is. Therefore ancient Philosophers have concealed this Mineral a● much as ever they could, and would not reveal the same t● their own Children, that they should not divulge it in the World, but be kept secret, though they published, tha● such preparation is made out of one thing, and out of on● body, which hath the nature of Sol and Lune, and containeth also the Mercury, wherein they said true enough, because it is so. But here I must admonish you, that you ma● turn this argument, and settle your thoughts wholly upo● Metalline Vitriols, because I entrusted you, that out of Venus and Mars there can be made an excellent Vitriol, where in are found the three principles for the generation of o●● stone, but you must further note also, that nevertheless these three Metals, as Spiritus, anima, corpus are buried an● ●●d in a Mineral Vitriol, as in a Mineral itself. Understand ●is according to the distinct natures of Vitriol. For the ●est, which according to my experience showed itself most ●ffectual, herein is that, which is broken, and digged in hungary, of a very deep degree of tincture, not very unlike ●●to a fair blue Saphir, having very little of humidities, and ●ther additionals, or strange Oars: the oftener it is dissolved ●●d coagulated, the more is it exalted in its deep ting ●olour, and is beheld with great admiration. This high graduated Vitriol is found crude in those places, ●here Gold, Copper, Iron, is broken and digged, and is abundantly transported from thence into foreign parts, in● much that sometimes there is great scantness of it in those ●●rts, and elsewhere. Though the vulgar people can afford no better name to 〈◊〉 calling it only a Copper-water, however, ancient Philo●●ers by reason of its unspeakable virtue and dignity ex●ll'd it, and called it Vitriolum, for that reason, because its ●iritual Oil containeth all the three principles of all the ●iumphing qualities. If you get such deep graduated and well prepared Mine●●, called Vitriol, then pray to God for understanding and ●●sdom for your intention, and after you have calcined it, ●t it into a well coated Retort, drive it gently at first, then appease the fire, there comes in the form of a white spirit of ●●riol in the manner of a horrid fume, or wind, & cometh ●o the Receiver as long as it hath any such material in it. ●d note, that in this wind are invisibly hid all the three ●●ciples, and come together out of that dwelling, therefore ●s not necessary, to seek and search always in precious ●●ngs, because by this means there is a nearer way open ●●o nature's mysteries, and is held forth to all such, which 〈◊〉 able to conceive of Art and wisdom. Now if you separate and free this expelled spirit well and ●ely, per modum distillation is, from its earthly humidity, ●n in the bottom of the glass you will find the treasure, 〈◊〉 fundamentals of all the Philosophers, and yet known to none, which is a red Oil, as ponderous in weight, as eve● any Lead, or, Gold may be, as thick as blood, of a burning fiery quality, which is that true fluid Gold of Philosophers which nature drove together from the three principles wherein is found a spirit, soul, and body, and is that philosophic Gold, saving one, which is its dissolution, during th● fire, and not subject to any corruptibleness, else it flie●● away with body and Soul, for neither water nor earth ca●● do it any hurt, because it received its first birth and beginning from a heavenly water, which in due time is pou●● down upon the earth. In these together driven goldish waters lieth hid that tr●● bird and Eagle, the King with his heavenly Splendour together with its clarified Salt, which three you find shut up i● this one thing and golden property, and from thence yo● will get all that, which you have need of for your interition. Therefore set that golden body you have obtained, whic● in dignity and virtue is exalted beyond all other Gold, in●● its due and lawful dissolution, its due time, than the A●gel of the highest will appear unto thee, and tell thee th●● it is the Resolver of all the mysteries in the World, receiv●● it with joy and keep it safe, for its quality is more heavenly than earthly, therefore doth it hearty incline to striv● after that, which is above, from whence it had its Original. If you have separated this Prophet from his matter whic● remained, than you need not to undertake any further process, you were taught parabolically in my XII. Keys. Fo● even in his remaining formal substance you may find, an● expect from thence a pure immortal Soul, together vi●● the glory of the Salt, both which are obtained by means 〈◊〉 the spirit, and must be had from thence, and no impure, o● contrary thing must be added thereunto. And it is do● in the same manner as I told you in my Keys, with the S●● and Salt of the Gold by the saturnal water, in whose pla●● this spiritual Mercurial spirit might be used with better advantage. Observe only this difference, that the Salt must be drawn forth from the Mercurial body, as it happened unto the Soul, with the spirit of Mercury; whereas on the other side the Salt of Gold must not be drawn forth with the saturnal water, because it is too weak for the body of Gold, but with a water, which hath been expressed in the description of particulars. This distinction must be exactly observed, being of great concernment, because the Salt of Vitriol is not so strongly guarded, and is not in so fixed a body, as the Gold is, but is still an open body, which saw no coagulation as yet, nor passed it through any melting fire, therefore that body never came as yet to any compactness, there is room left for its own spirit to enter into, can embrace, and unite with its like, and a snow white extraction of Salt may be had, whereas on the other side a sharper matter must penetrate Gold, as you shall hear, when I shall speak more of it in its due place. Behold now, my friend, whatsoever thou art, what mind I bore towards thee, and how I am affected unto thee in my heart, the like I never durst look for from thee. Consider it well, how sincerely and faithfully I disclose unto thee all the locks and bonds, whereby the whole Philosophic wisdom is shut up, which hitherto never entered any more thought, much less that ever it was practised, or discovered; and nothing caused me to do it, but only Gods infinite mercy, my good will and love toward my Neighbour, which my Predecessors have not done so completely, and was put off unto me to do it. Having thus separated your three Mineral bodies, and ordered them into certain divisions, and put away the dregs, wherein they lie hid, then look to it, that you neglect none of it, by the diminishing of the quantity, which would prove a great fault to your work, and keep each in its own and due quantity, otherwise in your work you cannot come to a happy end. This is the thrift which so many have miss, and have written great volumes about it: for all what cometh from our Philosophic Gold, and hath divided itself into three parts, the same must be brought into one, without any loss and diminution, which is to enter into a new form again, and become a meliorated substance, & nothing of it must be done away, but only the feces terrae in which the glorious Salt had its dwelling. Therefore do that I told you of, & join the spirit with the body, bring the body also into a spirit, dissolve & exalt it into the highest spiritual power, i● that dissolution the body turns to a spirit, & the spirit with the body uniteth and joineth into one substance, that after the exchanging of all manner of colours, there cometh a white body like snow, transcending all whitenesses. This is the greatest mystery of this world, about which among the learned and supposed wits, such dispute in the world have been, that a palpable thing, and a visible one could be reduced into its prima materia, and out of that may be made again a new clarified and better substance, by the bountiful nature leading the way thereunto. Thus you have made and brought into the world the Queen of Honour, and the first born daughter of Philosophers, which after her due perfection is called the white Elixir, of which great volumes are extant. Having brought your work thus far, than you have deserved to be received into the Turba of Philosophers, and you get more Art, wisdom, and understanding than all Sophisters, which prate much of these mystical things, and yet know not the least thing of it. Therefore it is just that you should be preferred before them, and let them sit below thee in shame and disgrace, and in their darkness of misunderstanding, so long till nature doth enlighten them also. That you may bring and lead that new Philosophi●● Creature by the means nature afforded, unto the highest perfection, after which your heart with all her endeavours doth strive, then remember that neither man nor beas● without a living Soul can neither stir nor move: and as ma● here in this life, through temporal death loseth his Soul, offering the same again unto the Almighty God, from whom 〈◊〉 had it first, into his mercy and merits of Jesus Christ, ●here after the departure of the Soul the dwelling, as the ●●dy of it, is left quite dead, which is buried in the ground, ●here it rotteth, and must return unto dust and ashes, being 〈◊〉 duly stipend, which the fall of our first parents in Paradise ●we deserved, and from them, as by an inheritance is fallen ●pon us: after which putrefaction there are raised again on ●●e great day new and clarified bodies, and the departed ●●ul taketh her dwelling up again in that new body; after ●at, there is no more parting of body nor spirit, nor soul: ●●t because the Soul finding a clarified body, then with the ●●me she maketh an everlasting Union, which neither De●●l nor death can destroy and disjoin any more, nor bring it ●to any corruption, but from henceforth into all eternity ●e are and shall: be like unto the best Creatures of God, ●hich before our mortality and departure of the spirit, of ●●e soul and the body could never be, God help and grant ●nto us all a blessed resurrection. Amen. This high and mighty example having its foundation, ●ot in humane thoughts, wit, or pride, or in an ungrounded ●ating, but in the great Creatour's true word, which he ●ath revealed unto us through his servant and holy Prophet Moses, doth inform you, what you ought to do further with our new begotten Creature, that you may get a perfect ●●rth without any defect, to the praise of the Highest, the ●ather of lights and mercy, from whom we receive all perfect gifts which he graciously bestoweth on his Children, ●or which we are not able to return sufficient thanks unto ●im. Now if you will proceed well in your work, then join ●he new body with his Soul, which you formerly drew ●●om, that the compound in its virtue be complete, and ●here be apparent in the end a plusquam perfection of it: ●hen is begotten the Red King of all glory in a fiery substance, and highly clarified body, exalted above all powers ●pon earth, from thence ariseth the golden fountain, he that thinketh of it is renewed in all his Members, and there is rised wholly a new life: for the which God be praised for ever more. The augmentation of this huge treasure together with the fermentation thereof, for the transmutation of Metals doubtless you have taken notice of exactly afore, where I wrote of Gold how it must be handled, and what direction I have given you, thereunto, the same you must observe; for here is all one process, from the middle to the end, the beginning only asketh alteration, by reason of the two distinct matters: for the which God be praised whom we beseech, to give us his grace and blessing, that we may make good use of this treasure, and after this life we may enter into the heavenly Kingdom. The love to my Neighbour hath moved me to write of these things, which in my long experience I found to be true, following the steps of bountiful nature, which made me a Soothsayer in natural things, and I am assured, that if these my writings are made public after my death, and my other books sharing in the same fortune, that they must undergo many censures. For some will extremely condem● me, delivering me unto Satan, because I have written so plainly: Others there will be, which will quite overthrow my writings, crying out to be Lies, Superstition, and Diabolical works, the like censure other illuminated men before me have undergone, which they feel to this day; for men are so incredulous in these points, that so mighty an operation should be found against all manner of infirmities, besides the transmutation of Metals in so despicable a mat●er, (over which the Iron Man with his espoused Wife Venus ●ogether with the deep glittering Sol, is, and must have the ●redominancie) and with incredible profit it should by ●rt ●e brought to such perfection. The Art being great, and ●he matter so contemptible, it procureth the more doubt ●nd unbelief: these unbelieving men I let understand one●y this notable example, whereby the eyes of those, that ●re going unto Emaus, shall be opened, and thereby shall ●●owledge that I have written no untruth, but disclosed 〈◊〉 a truth very plainly. And note, that the ancient Phi●●phers endeavoured to describe the preparation of the ●●e under a notion of distilling of wine and the spirit theof, which in their work are almost like one to an●er. For I they taught out of the best wine to make a ●it, without any strange phlegm, which to this day ●●ng vulgar Artists must be, and is called the right and ●e mystical spirit of wine, whereas it may soon be proved, ●r this supposed spirit of wine containeth much invisible ●midity, or phlegm, in an insensible manner, which is ●hing else, but its vegetable Mercury: for the fiery spirit wine is the true fire and soul of the wine. Every Sulphur ●●taineth secretly its original and principal Mercury: Ve●ables in their kind, the Animals in their kind, and 〈◊〉 Minerals also after their kind. 2. They taught how ●s spirit of wine must be separated in two distinct parts, emely this spirit of wine be poured upon white calcined ●●ar, and be drawn over in a gentle distillation. In this ●●illation is separated the secret and true spirit of wine ●m his Vegetable Mercury, as I faithfully informed you 〈◊〉 my Manuals. From the remainng earth they taught a ●t be drawn, to be added to the rectified spirit, whereby 〈◊〉 is fortified and strengthened in his substance, and at last ●e Philosopher stone should be generated! It is mightily 'gainst God's ordinance, that a Vegetable should produce 〈◊〉 Animal, or an Animal produce a Mineral. By way of sparable, the practice part is held forth under the notion 〈◊〉 this preparation. Now as they taught of the wine, so in ●●e manner also through a short way our Gold can be pre●red, (not the usual and common Gold) and may be dis●lved, divided, separated, and brought into its first prin●ple. But you must note, that this dissolution and separation ●as never described plainly by any of the ancient Philosopher's which lived before me, and knew the Magisterium, ●hy I do it, the love to my Neighbour hath moved me thereunto, which I bear from the Centre of my heart to those, which overcome this mystery without falsehood, 〈◊〉 mingling vices with a faithful heart, in a sincere knowledge and real piety. In the first place be informed, 〈◊〉 our Gold (so much spoken of hitherto) must never be ●●ken for such Gold by any of our Disciples, which hath b● melted, and fully digested by nature, for herein such srour is committed, that men dilapidate all what they h●● and lose both the beginning and end of all their wo●●● Although not only from Gold, but from other Metals 〈◊〉 this Clenodium, and Jewel may be had, in the prepara●●●● of it, particulariter much profit and advantage may be ●●ten in that, which concerneth man's health, as hath be formerly told; however, without the spirit of Mercury 〈◊〉 Universal of the World to be gotten merely from the b●● of Sol, is impossible, and will be impossible, unless▪ Creator of all things produce another ordinance, to cha●● and alter his Creature after his own will. But as that impossible, so it is impossible also, to deal against G●● Creature in that kind, as to find out that wholesome p●●fit, which to your longing desire you expect. You m●● believe it for a truth, as Christ himself is, that the Philosopher's stone would not be so strange, rare, and unkno●● a thing, it would be common to Kings and Potentates, 〈◊〉 God would permit to be made of Gold alone, and the th●● Jewels of infinite fixed virtues hid therein, could be 〈◊〉 out of it! My intent is not in this present Treatise to use any prolixity in writing; those that are not quite blind, and ha●● their eyes open, have enough already to attain unto 〈◊〉 knowledge, and command both his mind and hands, ●o to pass by the weightiest, and esteem high things that i● unworthy, and to fall with the blind into the pit, ma●● for them. Those that are real in their desire for to atta●●● unto art and wisdom, and intent to propagate the sa●● without sophistication, and desire in reality to glory i● that honourable truth, you may show a real proof of it i● this manner. 〈◊〉 tell thee really for the highest truth, that you may dis●e our Gold, naturally driven together, in a short way, to ●ng it to its prima materia, and is done thus: take the ●wn Mineral Spirit, in which our Mercury, Sulphur, and 〈◊〉 is shut up, containing that Philosophic mystical Gold, ●●r that guttatim upon white calcined tartar, these two petrary qualified matters will be tissing, let them stay toge●r till their contention and strife be ended, and our Gold ●e itself invisible in the vegetable Salt acre, or in the bel● of tartar: lute a Helmet to it, distil it at first gently in ●neo, then increase your fire, than Hermes his volatile 〈◊〉 will fly away from our Gold in that sublimation, and sit 〈◊〉 the highest pinnacles of the Temple, looking about ●ich way to betake himself, but soon is catched in the ●ceiver, which must be pure and very dry: when you see ●t his flight is but slow, then take the glass out of the ●●ny, set it in ashes, increase your fire, then will she fly ●re nimbly, keep that fire so long till all is come over; ●d her brother the Red Dragon, hiding his redness under a 〈◊〉 colour in a whitish fume, will begin to follow after his ●ing brother. Then cease with the fire, the drops being fallen from the Helmet, take it off, that which you ●de in the Receiver, you are to keep as a treasure of my●ries. In this manner you have gotten wisdom, understanding, and skill, the fundamentals also, and desires of Phi●●ophers: by this short witty proof you learn and get that ●owledge, how this water may be sought after, found, and ●●ted on, and is not to be esteemed a common water, but is ●at real infallible heavenly water, of which at the begin●●g I have written, and repeated the same the oftener; ●hich in a spiritual manner from the heaven's power is ●ured down upon earth, beginneth and accomplisheth ●e generation of all Metals, for that reason the ancient Phi●●ophers called this water Mercury, but I call it the Spirit of mercury. Now if you proceed right in this work, and you know ●hat food and what drink ●o give to this bird, viz. Sulphur and Salt of Metal, than you may attain unto the end of 〈◊〉 great work, which is almost like unto the Philosoph●● great work, and you may get profit infinitely partitu●a●● many ways; you must note, that this is not the true Philosophic dissolution, but only one, which particula●● performeth strange matters, a●d is a speculum, in which 〈◊〉 Mercury, our Sol, and our Lune is seen bleaking, which i● present confuting of unbelieving Thomasses, discover●● the blindness of ignorantment. The dissolution of t● three principles I have described unto you formerly, whi●● is of a slower pace, requiring time and patience, and 〈◊〉 exact attention to make, or bring three into one, which w● is done in itself per se, without mixing of any heterogene● matter, only that which lieth hid in it, must do it. F● the Fountain of salvation is the illumination of the So●● and the Salt of the clarified body, are all in that one thin● existent from one, two, or three, which must be brought a●● reduced to one, which is the golden virtue of all Metals, ●alted above all powers, together with the Eagle and whi● body, which are not where together, but only in this one found, and in that which is next kin unto it, which knowing Philosophers always held in great esteem, but ignorant and blind men despised and disgraced the same. But tho●● whose eyes are once opened, love to stick unto truth, co●● to hid the matter from wicked men, and study day a●● night how the ignorant might be kept from it. Thus I clo● this third part. And before I begin the fourth part, concerning Partic●laria, I must needs speak something of the Philosopher's Vitriol, Sulphur, and Magnet. My friend, you must note, that this description I ma●● now of the essence of Vitriol resteth only upon try●● made, the victorious triumph of the highest wisdom c●● by inheritance from the most ancient Philosophers un● me, and comes now unto thee, wherein experimental it's found, that there is a subterranean Mineral Salt, call● Vitriol, which for dying of , and many other us● 〈◊〉 cannot well possibly be without it, for it carrieth ●nd eateth through, by reason of its sharpness, ●●h is distinct from other Salts, in respect of their qua●●: for the Mineral of this Salt is strange, of a very ●nd fiery quality, as apparent in its spirit, and conrath a twofold spirit, which is miraculum naturae, ●is not found the like in other Salts; and this Salt is a ●●aph●odit among other Salts, it is white and red, even ●●u will have it, it hath an extraordinary medicinal qua●● performing things in an incredible manner. This Salt ●●ineth a combustible Sulphur, which is not in other 〈◊〉. Therefore in Metalline affairs touching their trans●●tion, it performeth more than others, because it help-●ot only to open some, but helpeth the generation of ●●rs, by reason of its innate heat. When Vitriol is sepa●● by means of fire, than its spirit at first comes in a ●●e form, after that there comes from its earth a spirit of 〈◊〉 condition, staying in the earth, the Salt being united 〈◊〉 its expelled Mercury and Sulphur, can sharpen them: remainder that stayeth behind, is a dead earth, of no ●●acie. Let this suffice for your learning, and consider 〈◊〉 what the Creator holds forth unto thee, in nature by ●ow kindled ternary: for as you find in Vitriols' body 〈◊〉 distinct things, as Sp●rit, Oil, and Salt, even so you expect from its own spirit again (which without the ●●ling of its Oil, is driven from its matter) three distinct ●●gs, even as you did formerly from the body of Vitriol, ●●h deserveth very well the name of Speculum sapientiae ●●ae, held forth purposely to man to view himself. For 〈◊〉 can separate this spirit of Vitriol as it ought, then that ●ds again unto you three principles, out of which only, out any other addition, since the beginning of the ●d the Philosopher's stone hath been made: from that have to expect again a spirit of a white form, an Oil of ●uality, after these two a Crystalline Salt, these three ●●g duly joined in their perfection, generate no less 〈◊〉 the Philosopher's great stone: for that white spirit is merely the Philosophers Mercury, the red Oil is the S●● and the Salt is that true Magnetic body, as I told you 〈◊〉 merly. As from the spirit of Vitriol is brought to light ●red and white tincture, so from its Oil there is made V●● her tincture, and in the Centre they are much distinct a●●der, though they dwell in one body, possessing one lo●● it matters not, for the will of the Creator was so, to h●● that mystery from unworthy men: observe and consider well, if so be you intent to be a true follower of Ph●●sophers: In this knowledge lieth hid an irrecov●able error, worldly wits cannot conceive of it, 〈◊〉 the spirit of Vitriol, and the remaining Oil should be of great distinction in the virtue. Touching their proper●● the spirit being well dissolved, and brought into its th●● principles, Gold and Silver only can be made by it, and 〈◊〉 of its Oil only Copper, which will be apparent in a pr●made. The condition of the spirit of Vitriol, and its maining Oil is this, that where there is Copper and Iron, 〈◊〉 Solar seed commonly is not far from it, and again wh●● there is seed of Gold at hand, Copper and Iron is not 〈◊〉 from it, by reason of its attractive Magnetic quality 〈◊〉 love, which they, as ting spirits in a visible manner continually bear one to another. Therefore Venus and M●● are penetrated & ringed with the superabounding tinct● of Gold, and in them there is found much more the 〈◊〉 of the red tincture, than in Gold itself, as I made further ●lation of it in my other backs, unto which there belong 〈◊〉 also the Mineral of Vitriol, which goeth beyond these▪ many degrees, because its spirit is mere Gold and rubed● crude indigested tincture, and in very truth (as God h●●self is) is indeed not found otherwise. But this spirit, as you heard, must be divided into ●●tain distinct parts, as into a spirit, soul, and body, the sp●● is the Philosophic water, which though visibly parted sunder, yet can never be separated radically, (because their unavoidable affinity they bear, and have one to 〈◊〉 other) as it appeareth plainly, when afterward they 〈◊〉 joined, the one in their mixture embraceth the other, even 〈◊〉 Magnet draweth Iron, but in a meliorated essence, bet●● than they had before their dissolution. This is the ●ift, beginning, middle, and end of the total Philosophic ●●sdom, affording riches and health, and a long life; it may ●her be said, and really proved, that this spirit is the es●ce of Vitriol, because this Spirit and Oil do differ so ●●ch, and were never united radically, because the Oil ●●meth after the spirit, each can be received apart; This ●●y spirit may rather and more fitly be called an essence, ●●phur, and substance of Gold, and it is so, though he lieth ●king in Vitriol as a spirit. This golden water, or spirit drawn from Vitriol, contains ●in a sulphur and Magnet, its sulphur is the anima, an in●●bustible fire, the Magnet is its own Salt, which in the ●●junction attracteth its Sulphur and Mercury, uniteth ●●h the same, and are inseparable Companions. First in ●entle heat is dissolved the undigested Mercurial spirit, 〈◊〉 this is further extracted, after a Magnetic quality, the ●●phurous anima, in that earth sticketh the Salt, which is tracted also in a Magnetic way by the Mercurial spirit, still the one is a Magnet unto the other, bearing a Mag●●ick love one to another, as such things, where the last ●●ether with the medium is drawn forth by the first, and 〈◊〉 thereby generated, and thus take their beginning. In ●s separation and dissolution the spirit, or Mercury is the ●st Magnet, showing its Magnetic virtue toward the sul●● and Soul, which he quasi Magnes attracteth, this spirit ●●modum distillationis being absolved and freed, showeth a●● its Magnetic power toward the salt, which he attract●● from the dead earth; after the spirit is separated from it, 〈◊〉 the Salt appeareth in its purity: if that process be there followed, an● after a true order and measure the ●●unction be undertaken, and the Spirit and Salt be set ●●ther into the Philosophic furnace, than it appears 〈◊〉, how the heavenly spirit striveth in a Magnetic way ●●tract its own Salt, it dissolveth the same within XL. days, bringeth it to an uniform water with it s●lf, even the Salt hath been before its coagulation. In that dest●●ction and dissolution appeareth the hugest blackness a●● Eclipse, and darkness of the earth, that ever w●● seen. But in the exchange thereof a bright glittering whiteness appearing, than the case is altered, and 〈◊〉 dissolved fluid waterish Salt turns into a Magnet; for that dissolution it layeth hold on its own spirit, which is t●● spirit of Mercury, attracteth the same powerfully like Magnet, hiding it under a form of a dry clear body, brin●ing the same by way of uniting into a deep coagulation a● firm fixedness by means of a continued fire, and the certes degrees thereof. The King with the white Crown being thus generated and by exiceation of all humidities being brought to a fix● state, then is it nothing else, but earth and water, thou● the other Elements be hid therein insensibly; however both these keep the predominance, though the spirit 〈◊〉 to earth, and can never be seen in a watery form, and t●● double new born body abideth still in its Magnetic qua●ty; for as soon as his departed Soul is restored after white fixation, then like a Magnet he attracteth the s●●● again, uniteth with it, then are they exalted to their high●● tincture and rubedo, with a bright transparentnesse a●● clarity. Thus in brief you have a short relation of Vitriol Sulphur, and Magnet. Pray to God for grace, that you m●● conceive aright of it, put it then to good use, and be mindful of the poor and needy. At the closing I annect this briefly, to hold forth u● to you a natural proof, that you presently fling and thro● down the Sophister, and take his Sceptre from him. No● that from all Metals, especially from Mars and Venus, whi●● are very hard and almost fixed Metals, of each apart can made a Vitriol; this is the reduction of a Metal into a Mi●●ral: for Minerals grow to Metals, and Metals were at fi● Minerals, and so Minerals are proxima materia of Metals, b● not prima: from these vitriol may be made, other reduc● 〈◊〉, namely a spirit is drawn from them by the virtue of 〈◊〉 This spirit being driven over, than there is again a region of a Mineral into its spiritual essence, and each ●it in its reduction keepeth a Metalline property: but spirit is not the prima materia. Who is now so gross absurd, that should not be able to conceive further believe, that by these reductions from one to the other ●●re be a way to prima materia, and at last to the seed it 〈◊〉, both of Metals and Minerals: though there be no ne●●ry to destroy Metals, because their seed in the Minerals ●●und openly fixed. O good God, what do these ignorant men think! is not 〈◊〉 a very easy, and children's like labour? the one begets other, and the one cometh from the other, is there not ●ad baked of Corn, upon distinct works? But the World blind and will be so to the end of it: Thus much at this ●e, and commit thee to the protection of the Highest. End of the third Part. THE FORTH PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS His last TESTAMENT, ●he Manuals wherein he treateth, how Metals and fitting Minerals may Particulariter be brought to their highest preparation. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. THE FOURTH PART, Of particulars from the seven Metals, how they may be prepared with profit. First of the Sulphur of Sol, whereby Lune is tinged into good Gold. TAke of pure Gold, which is three times cast through Antimony, and of well purged Mercury vive, being pressed through leather, six parts, make of it an Amalgame, to the quantity of this Amalgame grind twice as much of common Sulphur, let it evaporate ●n a broad pan in a gentle heat under a Muffle, stirring it ●ll with an Iron hook, let the fire be moderate, that the mat●er do not melt together, this Gold calx must be brought to ●e colour of a Marigold flower, then is it right; then take ●e part of Salpeter, one part of Salarmonie, half a part of ●●inded pebbles, draw a water from it. Note, this water ●ust be drawn warily and exactly: To draw it after the ●ommon way will not do it; he that is used to Chemic pre●rations, knows what he hath to do; And note, you must ●ave a strong stone Retort, which must be coated, to hold ●he spirits closely: it's upper part must have a pipe, upward ●f half a spans length, its wideness must bear two fingers breadth, it must be set first in a distilling furnace, which must be open above, that the upper pipe may stand out directly, apply a large receiver, lute it well: let your first fire ●e gentle, then increase it that the Retort look glowing hot: put a spoonful of this ground matter in at the pipe, close th● pipe suddenly with a wet clout, the spirits come rushingly into the receiver: these spirits being settled, then carry i● another spoonful: in this manner you proceed till yo● have distilled all. At last give time to the spirits to be se●led, to turn into water: this water is a hellish dissolving strong one, which dissolveth instantly prepared Gold cal●● and laminated Gold, into a thick solution, of which I mad● mention above in the third part. This is that water, which mentioned in my second Key, which dissolveth not only Gold, but bringeth it to a volatility, carrying it over th● helmet, whose anima may afterward be drawn from its to●● body. Note, the spirit of common Salt effecteth the same, i● drawn in that manner, which I shall speak of afterward. 〈◊〉 three parts of this Salt-spirit be taken, and one part of spiritus nitri, it is stronger than Salarmonick water: and is better because it is not so corrosive, dissolveth Gold the sooner carrieth it over the helmet, maketh it volatile and fit to pa●● with its soul; you have your choice to use which you thinks best, and may easier be prepared, thus: Take one part o●● the prepared Gold calx, and three parts of the water, which you make choice of, put it into a body, lute a helmet to it, set it in warm ashes, let it dissolve, that which is not dissolved, pour three times as much water upon, that all dissolve: let it cool, separate the feces, put the solution into a body, lute a helmet to it, let it stand in a gentle heat day and night to Balneo Mariae, if more feces be settled, separate them, digest them again in the Balmy nine days and nights, then abstract the water gently to a spissitude, like unto an Oil in the bottom; this abstracted water must be poured on that spissitude: this must be iterated often, that it grow weary and weak: remember you lute well at all times. To the oleity on the bottom pour fresh water, which was not yet used, digest day and night firmly closed, then set it in a sand Capel, distil the water from it to a thickness: make the abstracted water warm, put it into a body, lute it, ●●stract it, iterate this work, and make all the Gold come ●er the helmet. Note, at the next drawing always the fire must have one ●gree more: the Gold being come over into the water, ●stract the water gently from it in the Balmy to the oleity, 〈◊〉 the glass into a cold place, there will shoot transparent ●ystals, these are the vitriol of Gold, pour the water ●om it, distil it again unto an oleity, set it by for shooting, ●ore Crystals will shoot, iterate it as long as any do shoot. dissolve these Crystals in distilled water, put to it of purged mercury three times as much, shake it about, many colours ●ill appear, an Amalgame falls to the ground, the water fears up, evaporate the Amalgame gently under a muffle, ●irring it still, with a wyar, at last you get a purple co●●ured powder, scarlet like, it dissolveth in Vinegar into a ●loud-rednesse. Extract its anima with prepared spirit of ●ine, mixed with the spirit of common Salt, entered together into a sweetness; This tincture of Sol is like a transparent Ruby, leaving a white body behind. Note, without information you cannot attain unto the spirit of Salt, if it be not sweet, it hath no extractive power; to the attaining hereof, observe these following manuals: ●ake good spirit of Salt, dephlegmed exactly, driven forth, in that manner, as you shall hear anon. Take one part of it, add half a part to it of the best spirit of wine, which must not have any phlegm, but must be a mere Sulphur of wine, and must be prepared in that manner, as I shall tell you anon: lute a helmet to it, draw it over strongly, leave nothing behind; to the abstracted put more spirit of wine, draw it over, somewhat stronger than you did the first time, weigh it, put a third time more to it, draw it over again, well luted, putrify this for half a month, or so long as it be sweet, and it is done in Balmy very gently: thus the spirit of Wine and Salt is prepared, lost its corrosity, and is fit for extracting. Take the Ruby-red prepared Gold powder, put of this prepared spirit of Salt and Wine, so much that it stand two fingers breadth over it, set it in a gentle heat, the spirit w●● be red tinging, this red spirit must be canted off, pour 〈◊〉 new spirit on that, which remained on the bottom, set ●●luted into a gentle heat, let it be tinged deeply, then cant 〈◊〉 off, this work must be iterated, that the body of Sol remain on the bottom like calx vive, which keep, for therein sticketh yet more of the Salt of Gold, which is effectual i● ways of Medicine, as shall be showed anon. Those ringed spirits put together, abstract them gently i● Balneo, there will be left a red subtle powder in the bottom, which is the true tincture animated, or Sulphur of Gold, dulcify it with distilled rain water, it will be very subtle, tender, and fair. Take this extracted Sulphur of Sol, as you were taught, and as much of Sulphur of Mars, as you shall hear anon, when I treat of Mars: grind them together, put it in a pure glass, pour on it so much of spirit of Mercury, let it stand over it two fingers breadth, that the matter in it may be dissolved, see to it that all dissolve into a Ruby-like Gold water, jointly drive it over, then is it one, and were at first of one stem, keep it well, that nothing of it evaporate, put it to separated silver calx, being precipitated with pure Salt, and afterward well edulcorated, and dried, fix it together in a fiery fixation, that it sublime no more: then take it forth and melt it in a wind-oven, let it stream well, than you have united Bride and Bridegroom, and you brought them unto Gold of a high degree: Be thankful to God for it as long as you live. I should give further direction, how this extracted Soul of Sol should be further proceeded in, and to make it potable, which ministereth great strength, and continued health unto man. But it belonging unto Medicinals, I delay it to that place, where further mention shall be made of. At this present I will speak only how the white Solar body shall further be anatomised, and that by Art its Mercury current, and its Salt may be obtained. The process of it is thus: Take the white body of Sol, from which you have drawn ●nima, reverberate it gently for half an hour, let it be●e corporeal, then pour on it well rectified hony-water, ●●h is corrosive, extract its Salt in a gentle heat, it is ●e in ten day's space, the Salt being all extracted, ab●ct the water from it in Balneo, edulcorate the Salt with ●●ted distilings, with common distilled water, clarify it ●n spirit of wine, than you have Sal auri, of which you shall ●r more in its due place, of the good qualities it hath by ●y of Medicine upon man. On the remaining matter ●●r spirit of Tartar, of which in another place, because it ●ongeth unto Medicinals: digest these for a months ●●e, drive it through a glass, Retort into cold water, then ●n have quick Mercury of Sol, many strive to get it, but 〈◊〉 vain. There is one mystery more in Nature, that the white ●lar body having once lost its anima, may be tinged again, ●nd brought to be pure Gold, which mystery is revealed to ●●ry few: I shall give a hint of it, that you may not grum●●e at me to have concealed any point in the work. I hope you have considered and taken to heart, what I ●ave entrusted you withal about the universal stone of Philosophers in my third part, namely how it resteth merely upon the white spirit of Vitriol, and how that all three principles are found only in this spirit, and how you are ●o proceed in, and to bring each into its certain stare and ●order. Take the Philosophic Sulphur, which in order is the second principle, and is extracted with the spirit of Mercu●ry, pour it in the white body of the King, digest it for a month in a gentle Balmy, then fix it in ashes, and at last in sand, that the brown powder may appear, then melt it with a fluxing powder made of Saturn, then will it be malleable and fair Gold, as it was formerly, in colour and virtue nothing defective. But note, the Salt must not be taken from the Solar body, of which I made mention formerly, in a repetition of the xii. Key, where you may read of. There may be p●pared yet in another manner a transparent Vitriol, 〈◊〉 Gold in the following manner. Take good Aqua Regis made with Sal armoniac, 1. po●● id est, dissolve four ounces of Salmiac in Aquafort, than y● have a strong Aqua Regis, distil and rectify it often o● the helmet, let no feces stay behind, let all lascends 〈◊〉 transparent. Then take thinly beaten Gold rolls, cast f●merly through Antimony, put them into a body, pour o●● Aqua Regis, let it dissolve as much as it will, or as you 〈◊〉 dissolve in it: having dissolved all the Gold, pour into so●● Oil of Tartar, or Salt of Tartar dissolved in fountain wa●● it gins to tisse, having done tissing, then pour in again 〈◊〉 the Oil, do it so long that all the dissolved Gold be fallen 〈◊〉 the bottom, and nothing more of it precipitate, & the Aq●● Regis clear up. This being done, then cant off the Aq●● Regis from the Gold calx, edulcorate it with common water, eight, ten, or twelve times: the Gold calx being we● settled, cant off that water, and dry the Gold calx in th● air, where the Sun doth not shine, do it not over a fire, for as soon as it feeleth the least heat it kindleth, and grea● damage is done, for it would fly away forcibly, that no man could stay it. This powder being ready also, then tak● strong Vinegar, pour it upon, boil it continually over the fire in a good quantity of Vinegar, still stirring it, that it may not stick unto the bottom, for xxiv. hours together, than the fulminating quality is taken from it: be careful you do not endanger yourself: cant off that Vinegar, dulcify the powder, and dry it. This powder may be driven per alembicum without any corrosive, blood-red, transparent and fair, which is strange, and uniteth willingly with the spirit of wine, and by means of coagulation may be brought to a Solar body. Do not speak much of it to the vulgar: if you receive any benefit by and from my plain and open information, be thus minded, to keep these mysteries secret still to thy dying day, and make no show of it, else thou art naked and liest open to the Devils temptations in all thy ways: ●efore pray give attention to what I shall tell thee, for I impart unto thee this Arcanum also, and entrust thee 〈◊〉 thy conscience with it. Take good spirit of wine being brought to the highest ●●ee, let fall into it some drops of spirit of Tartar, than 〈◊〉 thy Gold powder, put to it three times as much of the 〈◊〉 and subtlest common flowers of sulphur, grind these ●ether, set it on a flat pan under a muffle, give to it a atle fire, let the Gold powder be in a glowing heat, put ●hus glowing into the spirit of wine, cant off the spirit of ●●e, dry the powder against a heat, it will be porous. ●ng dried, then add to it again three parts of flores sul●●ris, let them evaporate under a muffle, neal the remains powder in a strong heat, and put it in spirit of wine: ●●ate this work six times, at last this Gold powder will be ●oft and porous as firm butter, dry it gently, because it ●lteth easily. Then take a coated body, which in its ●●der part hath a pipe, lute a helmet to it, apply a re●●ver, set it freely in a strong sand Capel, let your first fire 〈◊〉 gentle, then increase it, let the body be almost in a ●●wing heat, then put in the softened well dried Gold ●●wder, being made warm, behind at the hollow pipe, ●ot it in nimbly, there come instantly red drops into the ●●lmet, keep the fire in this degree so long, till nothing ●●re ascendeth, and no more drops fall into the Receiver. ●ote, in the Receiver there must be of the best spirit of ●ine, into which the drops of Gold are to fall. Then take this spirit of wine, into which the Gold drops ●d fall, put it in a pelican, seal it Hermetice, circulate it 〈◊〉 a month, it turneth then to a blood-red stone, which ●elreth in the fire like Wax, beat it small, grind among 〈◊〉 Lunar calx, melt them together in a strong pot, being ●own cold, put it in aquafort, there precipitateth a black ●lx, melt it, than you find much good Gold, as ●●e Gold powder and the spirit of wine together with the boyery, as the added Lunar calx did weigh, but one moiety of the Lunar calx is not tinged, the other is as good a● was to be used. If you hit this rightly, then be thankful to God: if not, do not blame me, I could not make plainet unto thee. Now if you will make this Vitriol, then take the pow●● formerly made, boiled in Vinegar, pour on it good spi●● of common Sal●, mingled with Salpeter water, and the s●●rit of Salt of Niter, this Salpeter water is made, as aq●● Tartari is made with Salpeter; Gold is dissolved in t●● water: which being done, then abstract the water to● thickness, set it in a Cellar, than there shooteth a pure vitriol of Sal, the water which stayeth with t e Vitriol m●● be canted off, distil it again to a spissitude, set it in the C●lar, more of the Vitriols will shoot, iterate this work 〈◊〉 long as any Vitriol shooteth. If you are minded to ma●● the Philosopher's stone out of Solar Vitriol, as some fantastic men endeavour in that way, then be first acquainted and ask counsel of thy purse, and prepare ten, or twel●● pound of this Vitriol, than you may perform the work ve●● well, and the Hungarian Vitriol, and others digged out 〈◊〉 Mines will permit thee to do it. You may extract fro● this Vitriol also its Sulphur and Sal●, with spirrt of win● which being all easy work, it is needless to describe it. Now followeth the Particular of Lune, and of the extraction of its Sulphur and Salt. TAke of calx vive, and common Salt, ana, neal the● together in a Wind-oven, then extract the Salt pure● from the calx with warm water, coagulate it again, put to 〈◊〉 an equal quantity of new calx, neal it, extract the Salt fro● it, iterate it three times, then is the Salt prepared. Then take the prepared Lunar calx, stratify the calx wit● prepared Salt in a glass Viol., pour strong water on it, mad● of equal quantities of Vitriol and Salpeter, abstract th● aqu●fort from it, iterated a third time, at last drive it ●●ngly, let the matter well melt in the glass, then t●ke ●orth, your Lune is transparent and bluish, like unto an 〈◊〉 a marine. Having brought Lune thus far, then pour on ●●rong distilled Vinegar, set it in a w●rm place, the Vine●● is tinged with a transparent blue, like a Saphir, and at●cteth the tincture of Lune, being separated from the Salt, which comes from Lune goeth again into the Vinegar, ●●ich must be done by edulcora ion, than you will find 〈◊〉 Sulphur of Lune fair and clear. Take one part of this sulphur of Lune, one half part of the extracted Sulphur of 〈◊〉, six parts of the spirit of Mercury, join all these in a ●●dy, lute it well, set it in a gentle hear, in digestion, that ●●uor will turn to a red brown colour; having all driven ●●er the helmet, and nothing stand in the bottom, than ●ur it on the matter remaining of the silver you drew the sulphur from, lute it well, set it in ashes for to coagulate, ●●d to fix it xl. days and nights, or when you see the Lu●●r body be quite dry, brown, and nothing of it doth any ●ore rise, or fume, then melt it quickly with a sudden ●●x-fire before the blast, cast it forth, than you transmitted the whole substance of Silver into the best most mal●●ble Gold. Of this particular of Silver, I have made mention in another place, namely in the repetition of my 12th Keys, where wrote that the spirit of Salt also can destroy Lune, so that 〈◊〉 potable Lune can be made of it: Of which potable Lune in ●●e last part mention sh●ll be made of. You must note, that ●●rther must be proceeded with Lune, and a more exact anatomy must be made upon Lune, thus: When you perceive that the Sulphur of Lune is wholly extracted, and the Vinegar takes no more tincture from her, ●●or the Vinegar doth taste any more of Salt, then dry the remaining calx of Silver, put it into a glass, pour on it corrosive Honey water, as you did to the Gold, yet it must be ●●ear, and without any feces, set it in a warmth, for four, or ●●ve days, extract Lune's Salt, which you may perceive, when the water groweth white. The Salt being all o●● it, then abstract the Honey water, edulcorate the corros●●nesse by distilling, and clarify the Salt with spirit of w●● the remaining matter must be edulcorated and dried, p●● upon it spirit of Tartar, digest it for half a month, th● proceed as you did with the Gold, than you have Mercu●● of Lune. The said Salt of Lune hath excellent virtue's up●● man's body, of which I shall speak in another place. T●● efficacy of its Salt and Sulphur may be learned by this f●●lowing process. Take of the skycoloured Sulphur, which you extract● from Lune, & is rectified with spirit of wine, put it in a gla●● pour on it twice as much of spirit of Mercury, which 〈◊〉 made of the white spirit of Vitriol, as you have heard 〈◊〉 the same place. In like manner take of the extracted a●● clarified Salt of Silver, put to it three times as much 〈◊〉 spirit of Mercury, lure well both glasses, set them into gentle Balmy for eight days and nights, look to it th●● the Sulphur and Salt lose nothing, but keep their quantity as they were driven out of the Silver. Having stood the●● eight days and nights, than put them together into 〈◊〉 glass, seal it Hermetice, let it in gentle ashes, let all be dissolved, and let it be brought again into a clear and whi●● coagulation, at last fix them by the degrees of fire, t●en th● matter will be as white as Snow, thus you have the whi●● tincture, which wi●h the volatile dissolved anima of Sol yo● may animate, fix, bring to the deepest redness, and at las● ferment, and augment the same in infinitum, the spirit o● Mercury being added thereunto. And note, that upo● Gold a process is to be ordered, with its Sulphur an● Salt. If you understood how their primum mobile is to 〈◊〉 known, then is it needless in this manner, and to tha● purpose to destroy Metals, but you may prepare every thing from, or of their first essence, and bring them to thei● full perfection. ●f the Particular of Mars, together with the extraction of its Anima and Salt. ●Ake of red Vitriol Oil, or Oil of Sulphur one part, and two parts of ordinary Well-water, put those to●her, dissolve therein filings of steel, this dissolution must 〈◊〉 filtered being warmed, let it gently evaporate a third part ●●t, than set the glass in a cool place, there will shoot ●●stals as sweet as Sugar, which is the true Vitriol of ●●rs, cant off that water, let it evaporate more, set it ●●in in a cold place, more Crystals will shoot, neal them ●●tly under a muffle, stirring it still with an Iron-wyar, 〈◊〉 you get a fair purple coloured powder, on this powder 〈◊〉 distilled Vinegar, extract the anima of Mars in a gentle ●●my, abstract again the Vinegar, and dulcorate the anima. ●●s is the anima of Mars, which being added to the spirit Mercury, and united with the anima of Sol, tingeth Lune ●o Sol, as you heard about the Gold. 〈◊〉 the Particular of Venus, what mysteries there are hid therein, and of the Extraction of its Sulphur and Salt. TAke as much of Venus as you will, and make Vitriol, of 〈◊〉 it, after the usual and common practice: or take good 〈◊〉 digreece, sold in shops, it eff●cteth the same●, grind it ●●ll, pour on it good distilled Vinegar, set it in a warmth, 〈◊〉 Vinegar will be transparent green, cant it off, pour on 〈◊〉 ●●●●ning matter on the bottom new Vinegar, iterate 〈◊〉 work as long as the Vinegar taketh out any tincture, 〈◊〉 the ●●●er of the Verdigreece on the bottom lieth 〈◊〉 black; put the tinging Vinegar together, distil the Vinegar from it to a dryness, else a black Vitriol 〈◊〉 shoot, thus you get a purified Verdigreece, grind it smy pour on it the juice of immature Grapes, let it stand i● gentle heat, this juice maketh a transparent tincture, 〈◊〉 green as a Smaraged, and attracteth the red tincture of ●nus, which affords an excellent colour for Painters, L●mers, and others for their several uses. When the juice extracts no more of the tincture, t●● put all the extractions together, abstract the moiety of 〈◊〉 juice gently, set it into a cool place, there shooteth a v● fair Vitriol, if you have enough of that, than you have m●ter enough to reduce the same, and to make of it the Philosopher's stone, in case you should make a doubt to perso●● this great mystery by any other Vitriol. Of this preparator I have spoken already Parabolicè in the book of the Ke● in the Chapter of the Wine-vineger, where I said, that 〈◊〉 common Azoth is not the matter of our stone, but 〈◊〉 Azoth, or materia prima with the common Azoth, 〈◊〉 with the Wine, which is the out-prest juice of unt●● Grapes, and with other waters also must be prepared, th● are the waters wherewith the body of Venus must be b●●ken, and be made into Vitriol, which you must observe v●● well, than you may free yourselves from many troubles a● perplexities. But especially note, that the way of the Universal w●● this Vitriol is understood in the same manner, and is th● conditioned, as I told you in the third part of the Universe and pointed at the common Hungarian Vitriol, and even well out of Mars, put Particulariter to be dealt upon w●● Venus. Therefore know, that it may be done with g●●● profit, if you drive forth the red Oil of Vitriol, and disso●● Mars in it. And Crystallise the solution, as you were to 〈◊〉 when I treated of Mars. For in this dissolution and coagulation Venus & Mars are united, this Vitriol must be nea●● under a muffle unto a pure red powder, and must be extracted further with distilled Vinegar, as long as there is a● redness in it, than you get the anima of Mars, and of V●●●s doubled, of this doubled virtue after the addition of ●●e anima of Sol, which you made in the before quoted quantity take twice as much of Silver calx, and fix it, as ●●u heard when I spoke of the Particular of Mars and of ●●l. But note, that there must be twice as much of the spirit 〈◊〉 Mercury, than there was allowed in that place, but in ●●e rest the process is alike. The Salt of Venus must be ●●tracted when the juice taketh no more of the green ●●ncture, then take the remaining matter, dry it, pour Ho●y water upon it, than that Salt goeth in that heat for ●●e, or six days, and clarify it with spirit of Wine, then is ●●e Salt ready for your Medicine. Of the Particular of Saturn, together with the extraction of its Soul and Salt. MOst men hold and count Saturn an unworthy and mean Metal, and is abused most basely in several ex●editions, whereas, if known in its internals, more laudable exploits would be performed with it, and many excellent medicines be prepared of it. Being it is my intention to ●ut an Elucidation to my former writings, to leave it after ●●e for a legacy unto posterity, that simple men of ordinary ●●pacity might know and conceive also of the things I formerly wrote of, which after the resurrection of my flesh my ●●lf shall bear record unto, that I have written more than 〈◊〉 meet, which others before me have purposely conceal●●; it being my purpose to declare fundamentally all such particulars, which formerly at large I discoursed of in a philosophic manner, thus: that this my Declaration made 〈◊〉 any decrepit age be noted conscionably by those into ●hose hands it comes, that this my Revelation, which in ●ods providence will be disposed of, to be a lamp of truth 〈◊〉 all the world, may not be imparted unto unworthy men of God's mysteries, which acknowledge not the Cr●●tor of them in a pure humble and penitent heart, per●vering conversation, and a fervent purpose to incline u●● and towards him. This present writing I leave as a precious badge with an earnest proviso, that men would lo● and observe carefully every letter contained in this, a●● others of my writings, which in all fidelity I hold for unto them: And begin now with Saturn, who in all probability after Astronomick rules is the highest and chief● Lord in the celestial spheres, by whose influence the subterranean Saturn hath its life and coagulation, putting th● black colour on it, the rest from the best to the worst fo●low after, whose splendour enlighteneth that whole firmament, and is incorruptible. I should speak something of Satur's Nativity, fro● whence he taketh his offspring, but in this place I 〈◊〉 not hold it requisite (being there hath been mention ma●● of it in several places in my other books) because it is 〈◊〉 no purpose for Novices, and to repeat all, would increa●● the volume, which I do not intent, purposing only to el●●cidate such things, which formerly have been delivered i● obscure terms. Note, Saturn is not to be thus slighted by reason of i● external despicable form, if he be wrought in a due process after the Philosopher's way, he is able to requite a●● the pains the Art-seeking Laborers bestow on him, and wil● acknowledge him rather to be the Lord, and not the servant: a Lords honour is due unto him, not only in respect of man's health, but in respect also of meliorating o● Metals: the preparation of it is thus: Take ●ed Minium, or Ceruse, these are of several worths the one is better before the other, according to their several examinations, those that are sold in shops are seldo● pure, without their due additionals: my advice is, that every Artist undertake himself the destruction of Saturn, th●● process of it is several, of the best I give this hint▪ Take pure Lead, which yields to the hammer, as much as you please, laminate it thinly, the thinner the better, ●ng these lamins, or a large glass filled with strong Vine●●, in which is dissolved a like quantity of the best Salmonie, sublimed thrice with common Salt, stop the glas●● mouth very closely, that nothing evaporate, set the glass 〈◊〉 ashes of a gentle heat, otherwise the spirits of the Vine●r and Salarmonick ascend, and touch the Saturnal lamins; 〈◊〉 the tenth, or twelfth day you will spy a subtle Ceruse ●●iging on these lamins, brush them off with a Hare's foot, 〈◊〉 on, get enough of this Ceruse, provided, you buy good ●ates, if sophisticated, you labour in vain. Take a quan●●y of it, if you please, put it in a body, pour strong Vinegar on it, which several times hath been rectified, and was ●●tified at the last rectification with a sixtienth part of spirit of vulgar Salt, dephlegmed, and drawn over: stop ●●e body well, or which is better, lute a blende head to 〈◊〉, set the body in ashes to be digested, swing it often ●●out, in few days the Vinegar gins to look yellow ●●d sweet, as the first, iterate it a third time, it is sufficient. ●he remnant of the Ceruse stayeth in the body's bottom 〈◊〉 shapely, filter the tinging Vinegar clearly, that is of a ●ansparent yellowness: put all the tinging Vinegar together, abstract two parts of it in Balneo Mariae, let the third ●●rt stay behind, this third part is of a reasonable Rubedo, 〈◊〉 the glass in a very cold water, than the Crystals will ●oot the sooner, being shot, take them out with a wooden ●oon, lay them on a paper for to dry, these are as sweet as ●●gar, and are of great energy against inflamed symptoms: ●●stract the Vinegar further in Balneo, in which the Crystals did shoot, set that distillation aside, for the shooting 〈◊〉 more Crystals, and proceed with these as you did formerly. Now take all these Crystals together, they in their appearance are like unto clarified Sugar, or Salpeter, beat ●●em in a Mortar of glass, or iron, or grind them on a 〈◊〉 Marble unto an u●palpablenesse, reverberate it in a ●entle heat, to a bloud-like redness: Provided, they do not turn to a blackness. Having them in a Scarlet colour Put them in a glass, pour on a good spirit of Juniper, abstracted from its Oil, and rectified several times into 〈◊〉 fair, white, bright manner, lute the glass above, set it in 〈◊〉 gentle heat, let the spirit of Juniper be ringed with a transparent redness like blood, then cant it off neatly fro● the feces into a pure glass: with that proviso, that no impu●● thing run along, on the feces pour other spirit of Juniper extract still, as long as any spirit taketh the tincture: kee●● these feces, they contain the Salt. Take all these tinging spirits together, filter them, abstract them gently in Balneo, there remaineth in the bottom 〈◊〉 near Carnation powder, which is the animae of Saturn, po●● on it Rain water, often distilled, distil it strongly severa● times, to get off that, which stayed with the spirit of Juniper, and so this subtle powder will be edulcorated delicately: keep it in a strong boiling, cant it off, then let i● go off neatly, let it dry gently, for safety's sake, reverberate it again gently for its better exiccation, let all impurity evaporate, let it grow cold, put it in a Viol, put twic● as much of spirit of Mercury to it, which I told you of i● the third part of the Universal, entrusted you upon you● conscience with it, seal it Hermeticè, set it in a vapour o●● Bath, which I prescribed at the preparation of the spiri● of Mercury, called the Philosophers fimus equinus, let i● stand in the Mystical Furnace for a month, than the animal of Saturn closeth daily with the spirit of Mercury, an● both become inseparable, making up a fair transparent deeply tinged red Oil: look to the government of the fire, be not too high with it, else you put the spirit of Mercur● as a volatile spirit to betake himself to his wings, foreign him to the breaking of the glass: but if these be well united, than no such fear look for, for one nature embraceth and upholdeth the other. Then take this Oil, or dissolved anima of Saturn out o● the Viol, it is of a gallant fragrancy, put it into a body, apply a Helmet to it, lute it well, drive it over, than sou● ●d spirit is united together, and fit to transmute Mercury ●rcipitated into Sol. The precipitation of Mercury is done thus: take one 〈◊〉 of the spirit of Salt of Niter, and three parts of Oil of ●●riol, put these together, cast into it half a part of quick ●rcury, being very well purged, set it in Sand, put a reachable strong fire to it, so that the spirits may not fly ●ay, let it stand a whole day and night, then abstract all ●e spirits, than you find in the bottom a precipitated ●●tency, some what red, pour the spirits on it again, let it ●nd day and night, abstract it again, than your precipi●●e will be more red than at the first, pour it a third time ●●n it, than abstract strongly, than your precipitate is at 〈◊〉 highest rubedo, dulcify it with distilled water, let it wrongly be exiccated. Then take two parts of this preci●tated Mercury, one part of the dissolved Saturnal Oil, 〈◊〉 th●e together, set it in the ashes, let all be fixed, not ●e drop must stick any where to the glass. Then it ●ust be melted with due additionals of lead; they close together, afford Gold, which afterward at the casting ●ough Antimony can be exalted, I have informed you hereof where I treated of Mercury ●ut. But note, that Mercury must not be precipitated, ●lesse with pure Oil of Vitriol, or Oil of Venus, with 〈◊〉 addition of the spirit of Salt of Niter: Albeit such mercury cannot be brought to its highest fixation, by way ●f precipitating, but its fixed coagulation is found in Sa●●n, as you heard. Be it the abovesaid Mercury small, grind it on a stone, put 〈◊〉 in a Viol, pour on it the dissolved Saturnal Oil, it entereth constantly, if so be you proceeded right in the precipitation, 〈◊〉 the Viol Hermeticè, fix it in ashes, at last in sand, to its ●ighest fixation, than you have bound Mercury with a true ●●ot, and brought him into a fix coagulation, which ●rought its form and substance into a meliora ion, with an abundance of superfluous riches, if you carry it on a white precipitate, than you get only silver, which holds but little ●f Gold. One thing more I must tell thee about this process that there is yet a better way to deal upon Saturn, wi●● more profit, you seeker, that you may not have any caus● to complain against my not declaring, take it thus: tak● two parts of the abovesaid dissolved Oil, or of the Saturnal Soul, one part of Astrum Solis, and of Antimonial Sulphur, whose preparation followeth afterwards, two parts half as much of Sal of Mars, as all these are, weigh the● together, put all into a glass Vial, let the third part of i● be empty, set it in together to be fixed, than the Salt o● Mars openeth in this compound, is fermented by it, an● the matter gins to incline to a blackness, for ten, o● twelve days it is eclipsed, than the Salt returns to its coagulation, laying hold in its operation on the whole compound, coagulate it first into a deep brown Mass, 〈◊〉 it stand thus unstirred in a continued heat, it turneth to 〈◊〉 blood-red body, increase the fire, that you may see Astr●● Solis be predominant, which appeareth in a greenish colour, like unto a Rainbow: keep this fire continually, le● all these colours vanish, it turneth to a transparent re● stone ve●y ponderous, needless to be projected on Mercury, but ringeth after its perfection, and fixation all white Metals into the purest Gold. Then take of the prepared fixed red stone, or of the powder one part, and fo●● parts of any of the white Metal, first let the Metal melt half a●● hou●, and let it be well clarified, then project the powde●● upon it, let it drive well, and see that it be entered into the Metal, & the Metal begin to congeal, then is it transmute● into Gold, beat the pot in pieces, take it out, if it hath any Slacks, ●rive them with Saturn, then is it pure and maileable. If you carry it on Lune, then put more of the powder to it than you do upon Jupiter and Saturn, as half an ounce of he powder tingeth five ounces of Lune into Sol, let t●● be a miracle, ●o●l not thy Soul with imparting this mystery unto others, that are unworthy of it. Proceed with S●lt o● Saturn, as you were informed about Mars and Venus, only distilled Vinegar performeth that, which Honey wa●●er did by the other, and clarify it with spirit of ●●e. ●f the Particular of Jupiter, together with the extraction of its Anima and Salt. TAke Pumice-stones, sold in shops, neal them, quench them in old good Wine, neal them again, and quench ●●m as you did formerly, let this nealing be iterated a third ●●e, the stronger the Wine is you quench withal, the ●tter it is, after that dry them gently, thus are they pre●●ed for that purpose. Pulverise these Pumice-stones sub●●y, then take good Tin, laminate it, stratifie in a cementing way in a reverberating Furnace, reverberate this matter ●r five days and nights in a flaming fire, it draweth the ●●cture of the Metal, then grind it small, first scraping the ●in lamins, put it in a glass body, pour on it good distilled Vinegar, set it in digestion, the Vinegar draweth the ●●ncture, which is red-yellow, abstract this Vinegar in Bal●●●, edulcorate the Anima of Jupiter with distilled water, ●●xiccate gently, proceed in the rest as you did with the ●nima of Saturn, viz. dissolve radically in, or with the spi●●t of Mercury, drive them over, pour that upon two parts of red Mercury precipitated, being precipitated with this Venerean sanguine quality, then coagulate and fix: if done successfully, you may acknowledge Jupiter's bounty, that gave leave to transmute this precipitate into Gold, which will be apparent at their melting. It performeth this also, it transmuteth ten parts of Lune into Gold, if other Sulphurs be added thereunto: force no more upon Jupiter, it's all ●he is able to do, being of a peaceable disposition, he told all what he could do. The process about this Salt, is, to extract it with distilled Rain-water, clarified with spirit of Wine. Of the Particular of Mercury vive, and of its Sulphur and Salt. TAke of quick Mercury, sublimed seven times, lib. a ba● grind it very small, pour on it a good quantity of sha●● Vinegar, boil it on the fire for an hour, or upward, stirring the matter with a wooden spatule, take it from the fir● let it be cold, the Mercury settleth to the bottom, and th● Vinegar cleareth up: if it be slow in the clearing, let som● drops of spirit of Vitriol fall in the Vinegar, it doth precipi●tate the other, for Vitriol precipitateth Mercury vive, Sa● of Tartar precipitateth Sol, Venus and common Salt dot● precipitate Lune, and Mars doth the like to Venus, a lixivium of Beech-ashes doth it to Vitriol, and Vinegar is fo● common Sulphur in that way, and Mars for Tartar, and Sal● peter for Antimony. Cant off the Vinegar from the precip●taete, you will find the Mercury like a pure washed Sand pour on it Vinegar, iterate this work a third time, then edulcorate the matter, let it dry gently. Take two ounces of Anima of Mars, one ounce of Anima of Saturn, one ounce of Anima of Jupiter, dissolve these in 〈◊〉 ounces of Mercurial spirit, let all be dissolved, then drive it over, leave nothing behind, it will be a Golden water, like a transparent dissolution of Sol, your prepared and edulcarated Mercury must be warmed in a strong Viol, pour this warmed water gently on it, a tissing will be, stop the Viol, than the tissing is gone; than seal it Hermetice, set it in a gentle Balmy, in ten days the Mercury is dissolved into a grass green Oil: set the Viol in ashes for a day and night, rule your fire gently, this green colour turneth into a yellow Oil, in this colour is hid the Rubedo, keep it in this fire and let the matter turn to a yellow powder, like unto Orpiment; when no more comes over, than set the glass in Sand for a day and a night, give a strong fire to it, 〈◊〉 fairest Ruby-rubedo appear, melt it to a fixedness 〈◊〉 a fluxing powder made of Saturn, it comes now to a ableness, one pound of it containeth two ounces of 〈◊〉 Gold, as deep, as ever Nature produced any. Be●ber the poor, do not precipitate thyself into an infer●abysse, by forgetting thyself in not doing the duties ought to perform in regard of the blessing, An Oil made of Mercury, and its Salt. TAke quick Mercury, being often sublimed, and rectified with Calx vive, put it in a body, dissolve it in a heat, in strong Nitrous water, abstract the water from the corrosiveness which stayeth there, must be extracted ●h good Vinegar, well boiled in it: at last abstract this ●egar, the remainder of it must be dulcified with distilled ●ter, and then exiccated. Afterward on each pound ●●st be poured lib. 1. of the best spirit of Wine, let it ●nd luted in putrefaction, then drive over what may be ●ven, first gently, then more strongly, from that which is ●me over, abstract the spirit of Wine per Balneum, there byeth behind a fragrant Oil, which is Astrum Mercurii, 〈◊〉 excellent remedy against Venereal diseases. Seeing the Salt and Astrum of Mercury is of the same Me●cinal operation, I hold it needless to write of each in particular, & will join their operation into one, and declare ●f it in the last part about the Salt of Mercury, because ●hey are of one effect in Medicinal operations. Take the ●ade Oil, or Astrum Mercurii, which by reason of its ●reat heat keeps its own body in a perpetual running, ca●ing it on the next standing earth, from which you former●● drew the Oil. Set it in a heat, the Oil draweth its own ●alt; that being done, put to it a reasonable quantity of spirit of Wine, abstract it again, the Salt stayeth behind, dissolved in the fresh spirit of Wine, being dulcified by cohobation: Then is the Mercurial Sal ready, and prepa●● for the Medicine, as shall be mentioned in the last pa● Mercury is able to do no more, neither Particulariter, 〈◊〉 universaliter, because he is far off from Philosophers M●cury, as many are deceived in their fancies to the contrary. Of the Particular of Antimony, together with the extraction of its Sulphur and Salt. TAke good Hungarian Antimony, pulverise it subtle to a meal, calcine it over a gentle heat, stirring it st●●● with an Iron wyar, and let it be albified, and that a last it may be able to hold out in a strong fire. Then p●● it into a melting pot, melt it, cast it forth, turn it to a transparent glass, beat that glass, grind it subt●l●y, put it in 〈◊〉 glass body of a broad flat bottom, pour on it distille● Vinegar, let it stand luted in a gentle heat for a goo● while, the Vinegar extracteth the antimonial tincture which is of a deep redness, abstract the Vinegar, there remaineth a sweet yellow subtle powder, which must b● edulcurated with distilled water, all acidity must be taken off, exiccate i●; pour on it the best graduated spirit o● Wine, set it in a ●●●tle heat, you have a new extraction, which 〈◊〉 and yellow, cant it off, pour on other spirit, let it ex●●● a● long it can, then abstract the spirit of Wine, exi●●te, you find a tender deep yellow subtle powder of an admirable Medicinal operation, is nothing inferior unto potable Sol. Take two parts of this powder, one part of Solar Sulphur, grind th●se small, then t●ke three parts of Sulphur of Mars, pour on it six parts of Spirit of Mercury, set it in digestion well lu●ed, le● the S●l●●●ur of Mars be dissolved to a●y, then carry in a s●u●●● part of ●he ground-matter of of the Sulphur of Antimony, and of Sol, lu●● and digest, let all be dissolved, then carry in more of your ground Sul●rs, proceed as formerly, iterating it so long till all be solved, than the matter becomes a thick brown Oil, ●●e all over jointly into one, leave nothing behind in 〈◊〉 bottom, then pour it on a purely separated Lunar calx, it by degrees of fire, then melt it into a body, separate ●ith an Aquasort, six times as much of Sal is precipitated ●n above the ponderosity the compound did weigh, the reminder of Lune serveth for such works you please to put unto. The Antimonial tincture being extracted totally from its ●●rum, and no Vinegar takes more hold of any tincture, ●●n exiccate the remaining powder, which is of a black ●●lour, put it into a melting pot, lute it, let it stand in a unsonable heat, let all the sulphureous part burn away, ●●de the remaining matter, pour on it new distilled Vine●●●, extract its Salt, abstract the Vinegar, eduleorate the ●dity by cohobation, clarify so long, so that the water be ●●ite and clear. If you have proceeded well in your ma●als, than the lesser time will be required to extract the antimonial Salt, as you shall hear of it. Whereby you may serve, that the Antimonial Sulphur is extracted in the ●lowing manner, and is of the same Medicinal opera●●n, but is of a quicker and speedier work, which is a ●●tter of consequence, and worthy to be taken notice A short way to make Antimonial Sulphur and Salt. TAke good Vitriol, common Salt, and unslaked Li●e, of each one p●und, four ounces of Sal armoniac, bear them small, put them in a glass body, pour on it 〈◊〉 pound of common Vinegar, let it stand in digestion ●●●'d for a day, put it afterward into a Retort, apply a receiver to it, distil it, as usually an aquafort is dis●●● Take of the off drawn liquor, and of common Salt, 〈◊〉 pound of each, rectify them once more, let no muddi●● come over with it, all must come clear: then take 〈◊〉 pound of pulverised antimonial glass, pour this spirit 〈◊〉 it, lute it well, digest, and let all be dissolved; then ●stract the water in Balneo Mariae, there remains in the b●tom a black, thick, fluid matter, but somewhat dry, lay on a glass Table, set it in a Cellar, a red Oil floweth h● it, leaving some feces behind, coagulate this red Oil ge●ly upon ashes, let it be exiccated there; then pour 〈◊〉 best spirit of Wine on it, it extracteth a tincture which 〈◊〉 blood red, cant off that which is tinged, pour other spi● of Wine on the remainder, let all redness be extract●● thus you have the tincture, or Antimonial Sulphur, which 〈◊〉 of a wonderful Medicinal efficacy, and is aequivalent ●●potable Gold, as you beard in the former process. A● in preparation serveth now to proceed with it Particula●●ter, as I shown in the former. This black matter, whi● stayed behind after the extraction of Sulphur, must be 〈◊〉 exsiccated, extract its snowwhite Salt with distilled V●gar, edulcorate it, clarify it with spirit of Wine, observe i● virtues in Medicina, of the which in the last part. Thus I conclude my fourth part also. Other mysteries 〈◊〉 Nature, and some augmentations might be here annected but I wave them, mentioning only the chiefest of the● and are such, which may be wrought easily, and in a sh●● time, and whereby good store of riches may be gotte● The rest, which are not of that importance, and may easily draw Novices into errors, bringing no profit for the present, may in good time by careful practice be found o● and obtained. If you only know those, whereby health and wealth 〈◊〉 obtained, than these metalline Sulphurs in their co●pounds may bring great profit unto you, to write of a● these circumstantially, is impossible to one man, it is of a● infinite labour. Call upon God for grace and mercy: A● fundamental Theory affords the practic part, from ●nce flow infinite springs, all from one head. If you go overwise to work, than I entreated you to do by the Crea●● of heaven and earth, than all your actions will be retrocede unto a temporal disaster. I should annex here the efficacies of other Minerals, ●●ich are next unto Metals: but seeing they are of no abi●ty unto transmutation of Metals, but are only Medicinal, and are qualified to do their work to the admiration of those that make use of them, I leave them at this time. The Almighty hath put wonderful virtues into Metalline Salts, which have been found approved several ways. End of the fourth Part. BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS XII. KEYS, Which is A Treatise about the great stone of Philosophers. In which many thousands, since the beginning of the World have wrought. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. THE PREFACE. HVman fear coming upon me, I fell to consider out of nature's frailty the miserableness of this World, lamented within me the sin, which our first Parents had committed, and how little of repentance ●●e was for it, men still growing worse, an eternal punishment being set upon all impenitents: it made 〈◊〉 to make haste to outrun evil bid farewell to the ●●rld, vowing myself to become God's servant only. ●●ving spent some time in my Order, after I had done 〈◊〉 appointed devotions, to draw myself from idlensse 〈◊〉 sinful thoughts, I took in hand for to employ my ●●cessive hours to some purpose, to anatomize na●●al things, to dive into Nature's mysteries a thing ●●t the spiritual ones I found most comfortable and ●reshing. Having found many books in our Mo●stery, which Philosophers had written a long time ●●ore me, which had dived very deeply into Naires' secrets, it encouraged me the more to learn ●●t, which they knew, though in the beginning all 〈◊〉 very difficult, however upon my earnest prayer to God, the Lord blessed me in my undertaking. In our Monastery there was one of my Fell●● who was mightily tormented with the stone, was ●●ten bedrid, sought after many Physicians, but 〈◊〉 was able to cure him, was left hopeless, taking refuge to God's omnipotency. Then I began to a●tomize Vegetables, extracted their Salt and qu●tessences, but none of all these would, or could 〈◊〉 my sick fellow; made trials of many of them, but 〈◊〉 were too weak to dissolve the stone: I took his case i● further consideration, and intended to know fundamentally, what efficacy the great Creator had 〈◊〉 into Minerals and Metals; the more I sought i● them, the more I found, still one secret issuing fo● from the other: God blessed me herein, opened m● eyes, that I saw marvellous virtues in the Nat●● of Minerals and Metals, the great Creator had i● planted into them, insomuch, that it is a hard mat●● to believe it. Among these I happened to get one Mineral, composed of many colours, which had many and rare virtues in Medicine, I drew its spiritual essence fr●● it, whereby in few days I cured my diseased Collegiate. For this Mineral spirit was very strong, a●● strengthened the weak spirit of my brother, and liv● a long time after that cure. He prayed daily a●● hourly for me as long as he lived, even to his dying moment; his, and other men's prayers availed so m●●● with the great Creator, that by his blessing and mi●● endeavours were revealed many great matters u●to me, which he did not reveal unto worldly 〈◊〉 men. This Philosophic stone for man's health and su●itation of him in this valley of misery I reveal ●o posterity, as much as is meet for me to do, fol●●ing herein the steps of my predecessors, these Phi●●phick informations are aenigmatick and short, ●●t are a rock on which Truth may firmly be builded. 〈◊〉 wish good success and blessings from above to the ●●dertakers herein. Amen. The Contents of this Book are I. OF the great stone of Ancient Philosophers. II. The XII. Keys, whereby the doors 〈◊〉 the Philosopher's stone are opened and the deep Fountain of health an● wealth floweth from thence. III. A short repetition of his writings about th● Philosophic stone, wherein is plainly held forth the true Philosophic light: whereunto is annexed an information of Quicksilver, Antimony, Vitriol-water, commo● Sulphur, Calx vive, Arsenic, Salpeter, Salmiac, Tartar, Vinegar, and Wine. iv Of Microcosm, or Man's body, what it containeth, of what it is composed, the whole contents thereof, and of its issue and end. V Of the great mystery of the World, and its Medicinals belonging to man. VI Of the Magisterium of the VII. Planets, their essence, properties, virtues, operation, and revolution, and their admirable hidden mystical qualities. Of the great Stone of the Ancient Philosophers, written by BASILIUS VALENTINUS. DEar friend, and well wisher unto Art, in my Preface I promised to such, which are desirous to learn, and to dive into Nature's condition, to show, and to speak of that corner stone, as much as I am permitted from above to do out of what the Ancient Philosophers have prepared their stone, whereby they prolonged their lives in a continued health, and whereby they got their riches also, to live comfortably in this miserable world. For the performing of my promise, not leading you into any tedious sophistick labyrinths, but disclosing the very head-spring of all goodness, you are to note and to take into serious consideration my following expressions, if so be your intent is to learn any thing concerning this Art; I do not purpose to use any prolixity in words, for that were to no purpose: I do love few words, which are full of pith. Note, it is given but to few men to attain unto the mastery of this Art; though many strive, and endeavour to work upon that structure, yet the true knowledge, and the attaining thereunto the great Creator hath made common, but bestoweth it only on such, which hate lies, and love● truth, and intent seriously and groaningly to get this Art● and chief such men are fit for it, which love God unfeignedly, and pray earnestly unto him for such a knowledge. Therefore I tell you for a mere truth, that in case you intent to go about the making of this stone, you be a follower of that I inform you of, and before all things pray 〈◊〉 the great Creator, to bestow his blessing upon you herein, and if you have sinned, confess unto him, with a full resolution never to do evil again, but lead a godly life, and that your heart may be enlightened in all good things, and remember, when ever you are preferred to any honour, to be helpful to the poor and needy, to deliver them out of their misery, making them glad with thy helping ●an●, that the Lord may bestow the greater blessings upon you, and you may thereby be confirmed in faith, that there is a Throne in Heaven prepared for such a one, hereafter to live in eternal bliss. My friend, despise not to read good, and real writings of such men, which had the Philosophic stone before us, for from them I had it, next unto God's revelation: the reading of their books must be frequently iterated, than the fundamentals thereof will the better stick to the memory, and truth, like a burning Candle, be not extinguished. Be industrious in your careful working, search into Scriptures continually, be not prepossessed with opinions, follow after the unanimous concurrence of Philosophers: a wavering man is easily brought into wrong ways, and such men which have wavering minds, seldom build firm houses. Seeing the stone of the most ancient Philosophers doth not come, or spring from things which are combustible, because this stone is freed from all dangers, fire may put him unto; therefore trouble not thyself to seek for it in such things, where Nature would not have thee to seek for. As for example, if one should tell thee, this stone is a vegetable work, because a growing quality is in it, but it is not: For if our stone were of a condition, as other vegetables are, it would easily be consumed in fire, nothing ●ould stay, but only its Salt. Though there were men, ●ho have written great volumes of the vegetable stone, yet ●●y friend you must note, that it will be very difficult for ●●e to conceive of it, for they call our stone a vegetable ●●e, because a growing and augmenting belongeth there●nto. Note further, irrational beasts have their increase of ●heir own kind: so you strive nor to seek for, or to make ●his stone but only of his own seed, from whence it hath 〈◊〉 beginning and being. Neither ought you to look out ●or any Animal soul, for the making thereof: flesh and ●loud, which the great Creator hath bestowed upon Animals, belongeth properly unto animals: God composed ●hem of flesh and blood, whereby an Animal is made: but ●●r stone, which from the ancient Philosophers came as by ●n inheritance upon me, is made of one, and of two things, which contain a third; this is the naked truth; and it is rightly spoken: for the ancients understood by man and wife, one body, not in respect of the outward appearance, but by reason of their innate love, which they got at the first working of their Natures, in that respect it is acknowledged that they are one: and as both propagate and increase their seed; even so the seed of that matter, of which our stone is made, can be propagated and augmented. If you be a true lover of our Art, you will take this expression into consideration, to keep thyself out of the pit, into which erroneous Sophisters usually fall, which their enemy digged for them. My friend, that you may know further from whence this seed cometh, then inquire first of thyself, to what end you intent to seek after this stone: Reason then will dictate unto thee, that it must needs spring from a Metalline root, which the Creator hath ordained for Metals to generate thereby: if you will know the matter of it, than note; First, when the spirit moved ●pon the water, and the Universe was encompassed with darkness, than the omnipotent and eternal God, who i● without a beginning and end, whose wisdom was from eternity by his insearchable Decree created heaven and earth, and the things contained therein, be they visible, or invisible, by what name soever they may be called. But of ●he manner of this glorious Creation my intent is not now to Philosophise much upon: let Scripture and Faith be impartial judges herein! The great Creator hath given in the Creation to every Creature a seed, whereby it should generate and increase, whereby Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals might continually be preserved. Man hath no power bestowed on him, to make, or bring forth a new kind of seed according to his fancy against God's ordinance, there is granted unto him a propagation and increase, God reserved for his sole power to make seed, else man could play the Creator also, which doth not beseem him, and belongs merely to the highest Creator. Conceive thus of the seed, which worketh Metals; there is a heavenly influence, according to God's good pleasure and ordinance, from above it falls, and mingleth with qualities. When such conjunctions happen, than these two beget an earthly substance, as a third thing, whic● is the beginning of our seed, its first original, whereby its first descent is proved: from these three the Elements have their off spring, as water, air, and earth, which work further by an Ae●nick fire to the bringing forth of a perfect thing, which Hermes and all those before me (for I could find no more) have called the three principles, and were found to be an internal Soul, an incomprehensible spirit, and a visible body. These three being together in one dwelling, in process of time, yet by Vulcan's help, to be a comprehensible being, as a Me cury, Sulphur, and Salt; these three, by an uniting be●●●●rought into a coagulation, according to Nature's miraculous operation, there is brought forth a perfect body as Nature would have it, and the Creator had ordained the seed for it. He that purposeth to seek after the fountain of our work, and hopeth to get the vi●tory in this warfar, to h●m I tell this for a truth, that where there is a Metalline Soul, a Metalline spirit, and a Metalline form of body, that there must needs be there also a Metalline Mercury, a Metalline Sulphur, and a Metalline Salt, these must needs produce a perfect Metalline body. If you do not conceive of it now, then surely you are not adapted for Philosophy, and in brief it is thus, it will not be possible for thee to reap the benefit of any Metalline body, unless you have joined completely the forenamed three principles. Note further; Animals are composed of flesh and blood, there is in them also a living spirit and breath, which dwelleth in them, but they are destitute of a rational Soul, which before them, man is endued withal. This is the reason, that when Animals lost their lives, they are gone, no more hopes of them for ever. But man, who offering his body to his Creator in time of death, hath a Soul, who at the day of resurrection is to receive a glorified body to his Soul, and are to dwell together, and so Soul, Body, and Spi●i come together again i● an heavenly clarification, which in all eternity will never be separated again, etc. Therefore man, by reason of his Soul, is acknowledged to be a fixed Creature, because he is to live for ever after this life (●hough in his body he is subject to a temporal death,) For death is unto man only a clarification, according to God's ordinance, by certain degrees is delivered from a sinfulness, and transplanted into a better condition, which doth not be●●ll other Animals, therefore are they esteemed to be unfixed Creatures, for these being once gone by death, cannot expect nor look for any resuscitation, because they want a rational Soul, for which the sole Mediator Jesus Christ hath suffered, and shed his innocent blood. A spirit ●●●y have a dwelling in a body, but it is not consequent, ha● he must abide there constantly, though the body and ●hat spirit be at rest, and that body with that spirit doth not contest about any controversy: because both do want the strongest part, which upholdeth and bindeth together s●ul and body, protecteth and keepeth them from dangers, namely the tender, noble, and fixed Soul: for where the Soul is quite gone and lost, there is never any redemption hoped for: for a thing which hath no Soul, is not perfect, which is one of the highest mysteries, which seekers ought to know, and upon conscience I am commanded not to conceal this mystery, but to make it known to those, which seriously love fundamentals of truth. And take carefully notice of what I say: Spirits hidden in Metals are not alike: some are more volatile, and others more fix: their souls and bodies are not alike neither: that Met●l, which containeth the three fixednesses, that is blessed with a power, to hold in the fire, and so overcome all its enemies, which only is found in Sol. Lune containeth a fixed Mercury, and is the reason, why she doth not fly so soon in the fire, as other imperfect Metals do, but stands out her examen in the fire, and showeth the same victoriously, because the devouring Saturn can rob nothing from her. That arch-wench Venus is clad, and possessed with an abounding tincture, the most part of her body is a mere tincture, like unto such a tincture, which dwelleth also in the best Metal, and by reason of the superfluity thereof, is ●ing'd upon red, and because her body being leprous, that fixed tincture cannot have any abiding place in her unfixed body, but must vanish together with her body: for the body being consumed by destruction, or death, that body cannot subsist neither, but must give way and fly, because the habitation is destroyed, and consumed with fire, so that her place is not known, nor may any other dwell there from henceforth. But in a fixed body she willingly dwelleth constantly. Fixed Salt hath bestowed on valorous Mars a hard sturdy and gross body, whereby the gallantry of his mind is proved, and is not so easily gotten from this warlike Prince, because his body is hard, and is not easily mastered, or conquered. But if his valour with Lune's fixation, and with Venus her beauty in a mixture doth harmonise spiritually, than a curious and melodious Music may be made, whereby some Keys may be advanced, and the needy labourer may get a piece of living Particulariter, if he got up to the uppermost step of that ladder: for the phlegmatic quality or moist Nature of Lune must be exsiccated through the hot blood of Venus, and her great pains must be allayed by the outward Salt. There is no necessity to seek for seed in the Elements: because our seed is not put so far back, but there is a nearer place, in which our seed hath its sure and certain habitation, if you only rectify and regulate the Philosophic Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, so that of their soul, spirit, and body there be made an inseparable union, which may never be separated again, than the Band of love is perfectly made, and the dwelling is well prepared for the Crown. And note, that this is only a liquid Key, like unto a heavenly property, and a dry water, addicted to an earthly substance, all which is but one thing, proceeding and growwing from three, two, and one: if you can hit it, than you have overcome the mastery, and make a copulation betwixt Bride and Bridegroom, let them feed and cherish one another with their own flesh and blood, let them increase and multiply infinitely by their own seed. I could willingly communicate and disclose more unto you, but the Creator hath forbidden it, and is not meet for me to speak any further of it, for fear the gifts of the highest should be misused, and I should be the cause of committing of great sins, and load God's wrath upon me, and fall with the rest into eternal punishment. My friend, if these expressions give thee no content, to conceive of the thing, and I lead thee unto the practic part of mine own, how I have attained by God's assistance unto the Philosopher's stone, I pray consider the same well, peruse diligently my XII. K●yes, iterate their reading frequently, & then proceed according to my instruction, which I set down fundamentally by way of a parable. Take a piece of the finest Gold, anatomize the same by such means, as Nature hath afforded unto Artists, even as a Physician anatomizeth man's body, whereby he is inquisitive into the condition of man's internal parts: reduce thy Gold unto that, what it hath been at first, than you will find the seed, the beginning, middle, and end, out of which our Gold and its wife is made, namely of a penetrating subtle spirit, of a pure, tender, and undefiled Soul, and of an Astral Salt and Balsam, which after their uniting is nothing else but a Mercurial liquor, the same water was brought to School to its own God Mercury, who examined the water, having sound it without deceit and falsehood, he made friendship with it, and took the water into a Matrimonial state, and both became an incombustible Oil. For Mercury grew so proud upon it, that he knew himself no more, he fling away his eagle's wings, himself swallowed the smooth t●yl of the Dragon, and offered a battle unto Mars: Mars gathered his Champions together, and gave command, that Mercury should be taken Prisoner, and be kept closely imprisoned, Vulcan was commanded to be Jailor so long, till a Female kind came in to his deliverance. This rumour being noised abroad, the other Planets had a meeting, where they consulted, what further was to be done in that business, & the proceed might wisely be prosecuted. Then Saturn made a speech, in this manner: I Saturn, the highest Planet in the firmament, protest before this honourable Assembly of my Lords, that I am the meanest and most contemptible among you all, of a weak corruptible body, of a black colour, subject to many infirmities in this miserable World, and yet am an examiner of you all: for I have no abiding place; and take along with me such, tha● are like unto me: I cannot lay the fault of this my misery to none but Mercury, who by his carelessness hath put this evil upon me: Therefore, my Lords, I beseech you, to be pleased to revenge my quarrel on him, a●●●ei●● 〈◊〉 ●●st already into prison, there to take his life aw●y 〈◊〉 s●●m ●ot there, that not one drop of his bl●●d Saturn having ended his speech, Jupiter risen up, made a ●tch upon his knees, bowing his Sceptre, began to com●●nd Satur's proposals, commanding all those to be pu●shed, which should neglect to put in execution that, ●hich Saturn would have done unto Mercury. After him ●ose Mars with his naked sword, which was full of strange ●●d admirable colours, glittering like a fire-glasse, casting ●●ange rays, put the sword into Vulcan's the Jailor's hand, to ●●t in execution all that, which the Lords had resolved up●●: killed Mercury, burnt his bones with fire, & Vulcan did 〈◊〉 Office very carefully. This Executioner having done 〈◊〉 duty, there came a white shining woman in a long garb 〈◊〉 a silver piece, of several water colours, being well viewed, ●●hold it was Lune, the wife of Sol, she fell down upon her ●ce, entreated hearty, and weeping, that her husband Sol ●ight be set at liberty out of prison, Mercury had cast him ●to, by force with deceitfulness, where both he and Mer●●rie, upon your honour's command were kept imprisoned. ●●t Vulcan gave her a flat denial, because he was commanded to do so, and went on to do his office in executing ●●e sentence. At last the Lady Venus came in a deep red ●obe lined with green, of a most beautiful countenance, pleasant speech, and amiable gestures, bearing fragrant ●owers in her hand, which were a most refreshing pleasure 〈◊〉 the eyes to behold, by reason of variety of colours: she ●ade intercession in the Chaldaean language unto Vulcan, ●●tting into his remembrance, that redemption must come ●●om a womankind, but his ears were stopped. These too conferring together, Heaven opened itself, there came ●●rth a huge beast with many thousands of young ones, deployed the Executioner, opening his jaws wide, devoured ●he Lady Venus, which made the intercession, crying with a ●●ill voice: My descent is of women, my seed is scattered ●●r and near by them, thereby they replenished the Earth: ●heir Soul is kind to mine, therefore my desire is to feed ●●d to drink of their blood. The beast having spoken thus ●●oud, it went into a room, shut the door behind, all its young ones followed it: where more food must be prodded for them, and they drunk the first incombustible O● that meat and drink they easily digested, whereof mo● young ones were bred, which was continued long, so th● all the World was filled by them. All these things thus happening, there was a meeting of overall learned men, which endeavoured to interpret 〈◊〉 declare, what happened, and what had been spoken, that th● might the better understand these mysteries: none of the● was able to perform that business, for all of them had ●●veral thoughts concerning these things: at last there sto●● up an ancient man, as white as snow in his hairs, clad 〈◊〉 purple from top to toe, on his head he had a Crown, in 〈◊〉 midst of it was set a precious Carbuncle, he was girt wi●● the girdle of life, and went , spoke with a sp●cial spirit, which was hid in him, his speech and saying went through his body and life, his Soul felt it to the i● most. This man stepped on high, desired the Assembly to 〈◊〉 silent, and to give diligent attention unto him, because 〈◊〉 was sent from above to declare unto them these writing and to make it known unto them in a Philosophic expression. The Assembly being silent, he began to speak thus Awaken, O man, and behold the light, that darkness m● not misled you, the Gods of Fortune, and the great God have revealed unto me in a deep sleep; How happy is tha● man that knoweth a God in their wondrous works, an● happy is he, whose eyes are opened to behold the light which formerly was a darkness unto him. The God's h●●● granted two Stars unto men, to lead them unto great wi●dom, O man, view them exactly, follow after their Iustre● because wisdom is found therein. The swift Bird of th● South devoureth the heart of the huge beast of the Eas● Make wings also unto the beast of the East, as the 〈◊〉 hath of the South, let them be equal one to another, so this Eastern beast must be bereft of his Lyon-skin, an● his wings must vanish again, for both must enter into th● great Salt-Sea, and come forth again in beauty: sink you● disciples spirits into a deep Fountain, which is never with●●t water, that they also may be like unto their mother, ●hich lieth hid therein, and she came from three into the World. Hungary hath fi●st begotten me, Heaven and S●a●s premove me, Earth giveth suck unto me: Though I must die ●nd be buried, however the God Vulcan begets me a se●ond time, therefore Hungary is my Native Country, and ●y mother compasseth the whole earth. This being harkened unto by the Assembly, he spoke ●●ther thus: make that which is highest to be lowest, that ●hich is visible to be invisible, and that which is comprehensible to be incomprehensible, and provide, that the 〈◊〉 most become to be the uppermost, m●ke the invisible ●●come to be visible, make the incomprehensible a pulpa●e thing. This is the whole Art, and very perfect, with●●t any defect: but therein dwelleth death and life, dying ●●d rising: it is a round Globe, on which the goddess For●●e lets her Chariot roll about, and bringeth salvation of wisdom unto men of God, its true sense is, ALL in ALL; ●●t the highest is Judge, which judgeth things eternal. He that desireth to know, what ALL in ALL is, let 〈◊〉 make great wings for the earth, put her into a great ●●guish, let her soar upward, make her fly through the ●●e, and be exalted to the highest place of the uppermost bleaven: then burn her wings with a forcible fire, that the ●●th may fall into the Red Sea, and be drowned therein. ●●en command the Sea to stand, exiccate the water by ●e and air, reduce it unto earth again, than I say, you ●●e ALL in ALL, if you cannot find this, then feel 〈◊〉 thine own bosom, and about thee into all things, that 〈◊〉 in the World, than you will find ALL in ALL, 〈◊〉 is of an attractive quality of Mineral, and Metalline 〈◊〉 desc●●●ing from Sal and Sulphur, twice begotten of 〈◊〉: More is not meet for me to speak of ALL in ALL, 〈◊〉 ALL comprehended ALL. This speech being made, he said further: Beloved men, I hope you have by harkening unto my voice learned wisdom, how, and in what you are to seek for the great ston● of ancient Philosophers, which healeth Leprous imperfect Metals, revealeth unto them a new birth, preserveth me●● in health, prolongeth their lives, and by his heavenly power and operation hath kept me alive so long, that I a● weary of life, and wish for nothing but death. Thanks be to God for his grace and wisdom, which h● hath granted so graciously unto me so long a time: blesse● be his holy name for ever, Amen. Thus he vanished awa● before their eyes, After the finishing hereof, every one returned ho●● meditating seriously on these things day and night, and every one wrought according to their several gifts they received from God's bounty and goodness, etc. Hereupon follow the XII. Keys of BACILIUS VALENTINUS. Whereby the Doors are opened unto the Ancient stone of Philosophers, where is found that everlasting Fountain of health, and of wealth. The first Key. MY friend, you must know that impure and defil●● things are not fit for our work. For their Lepro●● is no help for furtherance of our work: good things 〈◊〉 hindered in ways that are unclean. Wares out of Mynes 〈◊〉 worth their money: but if sophisticated, they are ma●● unfit, being adulterated in their former and original op●●●●●n. As Physicians cleanse and purge by means of Physic the ●●ard parts of the body, expelling all impurities from ●●nce: thus these bodies also must be purified from their ●urities, that perfection may be operative in our birth. 〈◊〉 masters require a pure undefiled body, which must not 〈◊〉 mixed with any spot, or strange matter. For strange ●●itionals are a Leprosy to our Metals. The King's Crown ●●st be of pure Gold, a chaste Bride must be married unto 〈◊〉. Therefore if you will work through, or upon our bo●●, then take the greedy grey Wolf, which by reason of ●ame stands in subjection unto valorous Mars: but ●●hing his descent, he is a Child of old Saturn, found Valleys and Hills of the World, is very hungry: cast be●● him the King's body, let him feed upon it: & when he 〈◊〉 devoured the King, then make a great fire, cast the alfe into, let him be quite burned, than the King will be at liberty again: This being done thrice, than the Wolf conquered by the Lion, finding no more on him to 〈◊〉 upon, then is our body perfect for the beginning of 〈◊〉 work. ●ote, that this is the only true way convenient to ●ge our bodies, for the Lion is cleansed by the Wolves ●●d, and the tincture of that blood rejoiceth mightily ●he Lion's tincture, because they are near kin one to ●ther. When the Lion is satisfied, than his spirit is, and eyes cast proud rays, like the lustrous Sun, his internal ●●nce is of great ability, and good for all such things you ●●d to apply him unto: and being brought into its due ●●ration, than the sons of men are beholding unto him, ●ch were loaden with the falling sickness, and other dises: the ten Lepers run after him, and desire to drink of blood of his Soul, and all such that are diseased rejoice ●●●ly in his spirit. For he that drinketh of this golden ●●●ain, feeleth himself throughly renewed in his Na●●, all evil things are taken away, the blood is strength 〈◊〉 the heart receiveth strength, and all the Members are 〈◊〉 full vigour, it openeth all Pores and Nerves, expelling their malignities, that goodness may come into th● places. My friend, you must have good care that the Foun●● of life be kept from muddiness; no strange water must 〈◊〉 mingled with our Fountain, else a miscreant will be borough forth: and a wholesome fish will be turned into a Serpe●● if by a Medium a Corrosity be joined, whereby our bo●● is broken, then let that corrositivenesse be washed awa● because Corrosives are not to be used for internal disease● because acidities are rather destructive; engendering diseas●● our Fountain must be without poison: however poison ●●pelleth poison. A Tree that bringeth no good fruit, is cut off at t●● bulk, better twigs are propped into, which proppings u●●ted with the Tree, than its Root, bulk, and twigs bri●● forth better fruits, which are more ●holesome. The King in the heavenly firmament walketh through 〈◊〉 places, but in the seventh he keeps his seat, for there 〈◊〉 kingly Throne is hanged with Golden pieces. If you conceive aright what I do speak, then with t●● Key you have opened the first Lock, and you have driv●● back the bolt: but if you cannot find any light in the● than no glass eyes will help thee, nor any natural eyes w●● enable thee to find out the last, which you wanted at fi●● Further I will not speak of this Key, as Lucius Papi●● taught and bid me. The second Key. IN Courts of great Potentates, several sorts of drinks 〈◊〉 found, and none like the other in smell, taste, and ●●lour, because they are of several preparations: however 〈◊〉 of them are drinkable, because they are fitted for seve●● places, and are necessary for the keeping of the Co●● When the Sun ejaculateth her rays, spreading th●● ●●der the Clouds, than the vulgar speech is, the Sun draws water, and it will rain: which being done often, that ●●at proves fertile. To raise to an altitude a magnific Palace, several Arti●●ers and workmen must be employed, before that structure and the rooms thereof can be finished. For where ●ones must be used, there wood is of no use. The daily ebbing and flowing of the Sea, out of an in●●●ed love, which it receiveth from above out of the starry ●●aven, is to that end, that countries' are enriched there●●: at every return it bringeth great good unto Man●●de. A Virgin, which is to be espoused, is set out gloriously 〈◊〉 several Garments dressed in the best manner, that she ●●y please her Bridegroom: And the band of love may 〈◊〉 the deeper root by a hearty looking one upon the ●●●her: and the Bride joining with the Bridegroom after 〈◊〉 usual manner, these Garments are put off, and the ●●de keeps only that, which at her Nativity she had re●●ed of the Creator. Even so, when our Bridegroom Apollo with his Bride 〈◊〉 is to be married, several Garments must first be made 〈◊〉 them, their heads and bodies must be well washed with ●●er, which waters must be learned to be made by several ●●●●llings. For these waters do differ very much: some 〈◊〉 high; some are poor, according to the several uses they 〈◊〉 employed unto; which I intimated, when I spoke of 〈◊〉 several sorts of drinks used in Prince's Courts. And 〈◊〉, when the humidity from the earth ascendeth, and 〈◊〉 s●●ne is drawn up, they conglomerate on high, their ●●●derousnesse maketh them fall down, thereby unto the ●●th is restored her lost humidity, which refresheth the ●●ath, giveth unto her a nourishment, whereby the vegetables do spring up. Therefore some waters in their pre●●ation must be often distilled, the abstracts must be of●● restored to the earth, must be drawn off again: Even as Euripus doth often disgorge itself to a cer●● period. The Kingly Palace being by several Artificers a workmen raised and adorned, and t●e glassy Sea hath ●●nished its course, and the Palace is furnished with goo● than the King may safely enter into, and keep there residence. My friend, no●e this very well, that the Bridegroom w● his Bride must be naked espoused, and therefore the O●● men●s prepared for their clothing and necessary attires their hea●s and faces, must be taken from them again, 〈◊〉 must possess the grave in the nakedness, as naked th● were born, that their seed might not be destroyed by 〈◊〉 strange mixture. At the closing of this I tell thee in good truth, that the m● precious water, of which the Bridegrooms Bath must be m●● must be of two contrary Fencers, or contrary materials prepared very carefully, and wisely. For one Fencer must 〈◊〉 the other, must be fitted for the fight, the one must co●q●● the other. For what availeth it unto the Eagle, that she ke●● her nest alone in the Alps, where her Chickens by rea● of the snow are destroyed by frost, which is on the tops these Mountains. But, if you add unto the Eagle the cold Dragon, wh● had his dwelling a long time in stone cliffs, and Subte●●nean caves, where he crept in and out, both these be● placed on that Hellish stool, than Pluto will so stron● breath upon, expelling a fiery volatile spirit out of 〈◊〉 cold Dragon, whose great heat will burn the eagle's faith preparing a sweating-bank, that the snow on the hig●● tops of the Mountains do dissolve and turn into water, t●● the mineral ba●h be rightly prepared, and riches and hea● be bestowed on the King. The third Key. WAter destroyeth fire, quencheth it quite: if abundance of water be poured into little fire, than fire must yield unto water, giving way for the victory unto it. Thus our fiery Sulphur must with water be prepared, by Art must be conquered, if so be that after the separating of the water, the fiery life of our Sulphureous fume shall get the triumphing victory. But here no victory can be obtained, unless the King have bestowed strength and virtue unto his water, and have delivered unto it the Key of his Court colour, that be be destroyed thereby, and be made invisible: however, at this time his visible form must appear again, but with great diminution of his simple essence, and great melioration of his condition. Limmers carry yellow on white, red upon yellow, or a purple colour: though all these colours are at hand, yet the last is predominant, being the uppermost in its degree. The same order must be observed also in our Magisterium, which being done, than you have before you the light of wisdom, which shineth in darkness, and yet burneth not. For our Sulphur doth not burn, yet giveth a light afar off, neither doth it tinge, unless it be prepared, and tinged freely with its own tincture, to give a further tincture unto weak imperfect bodies of Metals. This Sulphur hath not a ting quality, unless the tincture be given to it in a fixation: for a weak one cannot victorise, the stronger keepeth down the weaker, and weak things must yield unto strong ones. The conclusion herein is this: a weak and mean thing cannot help another, which is in the same frailty, neither can it import any furtherance to the operation of it; can one combustible protect another which is of the fame condition! A Protector must have a greater power than he, wh●m ●e intends to protect: so thing combustible must ●e defended by ●u●h, which in their fixation are incombustible. He that will prepare our incombustible Sulphur of Philosophers, m●st be circumspect t● seek our Sulphur in a subject, wherein it lieth incombustible, which cannot be, unless the Salt-Sea have first swallowed the body, and cast it up again freely, then exalt it to ●●s degree, that it excel with its ●ustre all other Stars in Heaven, and be in its substance as rich of blood, as the Pelican is a● the opening of her breast, nourishing many of her Chiek●ns without the weakening of her own body. This is the Rose of our Masters, of a Scarlet colour, and the red blout of the Dragon, of which so many have written, and is th●● Purple mantle of the highest Commander in our Ar●, wherewith the Queen of salvation is clad and covered, and thereby all needy Metals may be wa●●'d. Keep this honourable Mantle with the Astral Salt very carefully, which followeth after this heavenly Sulphur, let not any mischance befall it, impart to it the birds volatile quality, as much as there is needful, than the Cock will d●vour the Fox, which is drowned in water, or reviveth by fire, and is devoured again by the Fox, where like is requited with the like, (or like is reconciled unto unlike.) The fourth Key. ALl flesh begotten of earth, must be destroyed and reurn to earth again, which it was at first: then that terrestrial Salt affordeth a new birth by heavenly resuscitation: for if there be nor first an earth, there cannot ensue any resurrection in our work. For earth containeth that natural Balsam, and is the Salt of those, which sought for it by a knowledge of all things, (or universal knowledge) the final judgement of the world will be by fire, which the great Creator at first made of a nothing, must by fire he turned to ashes again, out of these ashes the Phoenix bring●● forth again her Chickens; For these ashes contain real●● the true Tartar, which must be dissolved, after its dissolution the firm and strong lock of the royal room is ●●ened. New heaven and new earth are made after that great combustion, or burning, and the new man will appear more ●●loriously, than he was in the first world, because in the ●●ther he is clarified. If ashes and sand be well ripened and digested by fire, ●●en the Artist turneth it into glass, which afterward foldeth in the fire; in its colour it is like unto a transparent ●●one, an● looks no more like any ashes: this is a huge mystery unto ignorant men, but not so to knowing men, for they found it to be so by their daily experience and Manuals. Men burn Lyme of stones, to make use of them for a Cement in buildings; before the fire prepareth it thereunto, it is a stone, and cannot be used for a Cement, as long as it is a hard stone: fire bringeth stones unto a maturity, and receiveth from the fire a very hot degree, whereby it is strengthened, and groweth so potent, that there is almost nothing comparable unto it, the fiery spirit of Lyme. Every thing being reduced into ashes, affords by Art a Salt, if you at the anatomising of it, are able to keep apart its Sulphur and Mercury, and make restitution thereby unto the Salt, according to A●●, ●hen fire will bring it to that again, which it was before its Anatomy and destruction: worldly wise men call this a folly, counting it mere lies, call it a new Creature, which to do man hath no grant of God, themselves understand it not, that this Creature hath been formerly so, and the Artist showeth its increase only by the seed of Nature. That Artist, which wanteth ashes, cannot make any Salt for our Art: because our work cannot be made lively without Salt, for the coagulation of things worketh merely the Salt. As Salt preserveth things from putrefaction, even so the Salt of Philosophers protecteth Metals, that they canno● be reduced to a nothing, unless their Balsam die, and the natural Salt spirit be gone, than their body would be dea● and nothing further could be effected with it, because th● Metalline spirits are gone, and at their natural departing left a dead dwelling, into which no more life can b● brought again. Note further: you that intends to learn this Art, that th● Salt out of ashes is of great eff●●cie, many virtues are hi● therein: Yet the Salt availeth nothing, unless his innermost be turned to the outside. For the spirit alone is it which affordeth power and virtue, the naked body is abl● to do nothing here; if you know to get that, than you have the Philosopher's Salt, and their incombustible Oil, o● which many have written before me great Volumes. And if of these Artists were ne'er so many, Whose aim at me is directed only, Yet few of them in their success were blest, To fathom all virtues that lie in my breast. The fifth Key. THe life of earth maketh spring up Vegetables, and he that saith that the earth is dead, tells an untruth, for a dead thing cannot impart any liveliness to another, and the increase is at a stay in dead things, because the spirit of life is fled: The spirit is the life and soul of the earth, which dwelleth in her, receiveth its efficacy upon earthly things from heavenly Astrals: for all Vegetables, Metals, and Minerals receive their power, increase, and nourishment from the spirit of the earth. For the spirit is the life, which is fed by Astrals, which further imparts a nourishment unto growing things: as the Child lieth hid in the Mother's Womb, and is fed there by the Mother: so the earth feedeth Minerals also, which lie hid in her belly by a spirit, which she receiveth from above: the earth doth afford no power per se, but the living spirit, which dwelleth in her doth it, and if she should want her spirit, than she were dead, and could afford no nourishment, because from her Sulphur, or fatness, the spirit is taken away, which preserveth living powers, and driveth forth Vegetables, and other growing things by a nutriment. Two contrary spirits may dwell together in one subject, but are still at variance, as in Gunpowder, which being lighted, these two spirits fly asunder, making a great noise, fly in the air, are no more discerned, no body can tell whither they are gone, or what they had been, if it were not known experimentally, what manner of spirits they were, and in what subject they dwelled. From hence you may learn, that life is a mere spirit, and all these things, which the ignorant world counteth to be dead, must be brought into an incomprehensible visible spiritual life, and must be preserved therein, if so be that life shall work with life, and the spirits, which are fed and nourished by a heavenly dew, are born of one elemental, heavenly, and earthly substance, which is called materia informis. And as there belongeth unto Iron a Magnet, which by reason of its own wonderful invisible love is of an attractive quality: so our Gold hath a Magnet also, which Magnet is the prima materia of our great stone. If you conceive aright of this expression, than you may be blessed with riches in this world. One Declaration more I must hold forth unto you in this Chapter: Man that looketh into a glass, seethe a reflection of his image, but is not palpable, save the glass, the party looked into: so from this matter must be expelled a visible spirit, which is incomprehensible, the same spirit, I say, is the root of the life of our body, and the Mercury of Philosophers, out of which the liquid water in our Art is prepared, which in its composition you must make again material, and must prepare it by certain means, from the lowest to the highest degree into a transcendent Medicine. For our beginning is an upshut comprehensible body, its middle is a volatile spirit, and in the goldish water there is no corrosiveness at all, whereby our Philosophers prolonged their lives: but the end thereof is a superfixed Medicine for humane, and metalline bodies; this knowledge indeed fitteth Angels better than man: True, men attain unto that knowledge also, obtaining the same of God by their earnest prayers, who are thankful unto him for it, and beneficial to the needy. At the closing I tell thee for a certain truth, that one work must beget the other: for our matter at the beginning of our work must in the best manner be purified, then opened, broken and destroyed, and reduced to dust and ashes. All this being done, then make of it a volatile spirit, as white as snow, and another volatile spirit, as red as blood, these two spirits contain a third, and yet are but one spirit; these are the three spirits, which preserve and increase life, join these together, minister to them their natural necessary meat and drink, keep them warm in the bed of wedlock to their perfect birth, than you will see and find what the Creator and Nature hath allowed for you to know. And know, that I never made so plain a revelation: God hath incorporated more operation and wonders into Nature, than thousands may give credit thereunto. There is a Seal and Lock set before me, to say no more, that others also may write of marvellous things, which naturally are permitted by the Creator, which ignorant men count to be supernatural. For natural things have their first beginning from supernatural ones, yet both together are found to be merely natural. The sixth Key. MAn without a woman is but half a body, and so the woman without the man is but half a body neither, ●or each apart can preduce no fruit: but living together in a matrimonial way, then is their body perfect, and by their seed they may expect an increase. If too much seed be cast on a ground, that that Acre i● overburdened, no firm fruit can be expected, and if there be too little of the seed, then is the fruit thin also, the weeds grow then abundantly, from thence also no great goodness can be expected. He that will not burden his conscience with any sins in selling of wares, then let him be just in his dealing, having just measures and just weights, than he avoideth men's curses, and gets the prayers of the poor. In deep waters men are easily drowned, and shallow waters are soon dried up by the heat of the Sun, and are good for nothing. For the obtaining of a wished aim and scope care must be had, that a certain measure, or quantity be taken in the conjunction of the Philosophic liquid substance, that the greater quantity do not over-lay the lesser part, and be suppressed thereby, and the increase and growing of it be obstructed. Let the lesser be not too weak for the bigger, let there be an equal domination. Too much rain spoileth the fruit, and too great drought hindereth true maturity. Therefore if Neptune hath prepared a perfect water-Bath, then take a just quantity of your aqua permanens, have a great care, you do neither too much nor too little. A double fiery man must be fed with a white Swan, these must kill each other, and both must revive again, and the a●●● of the four corners of the World must possess three parts of the upshut dwelling of the fiery man, that the Swans song may be heard, when she harmoniously sings her farewell; then the roasted Swan will be a food for the King, and the fiery King will be in great love with the pleasant voice of the Queen, and embrace her friendly out of a great love, and take his fill of her, both will vanish, and enter into one body. They say, two men can master a third, especially if they have elbow room to vent their malice. Hereupon you are to know from a true ground, that a double wind must come, called Vulturnus, than a single wind, called Notus, these come rushing from the East and South, and will keep a stir, being robbed, and their blowing, or motion allayed, and the air is turned into water, than you may confide, that a spiritual one will become a bodily one, and that the number by the four seasons of the year in the fourth heaven will predominate, after the seven Planets have finished their ruling, and will finish its course in the neathermost dwelling of the Palace, and will hold in the highest fiery examen, than the two, which went forth, suppressed the third and consumed him. Here in our mastery is requisite an exact knowledge: for the division and conjunction must be rightly hit, if so be you intent to get riches by your Art, and the Scales must not be falsified by unequal weights. This is the Rock spoken of in this Chapter, that you must finish it without any defect, by the artificial heaven, with air and earth, with the true water and sensible fire, setting in equal weights, whereof I inform you really. The seventh Key. NAtural calidity preserveth man's life: for when natural heat is gone, than the life is at an end. Natural fire, being moderately used, is a defence against cold: but an immoderate heat is destructive. There is no necessity that ●●e Sun should touch the earth corporally with her whole substance, it is sufficient that the earth be strengthened by 〈◊〉 rays, which she ejaculateth unto the earth, and doth ●hat way her duty, for in that way she is of a sufficient ●●cacy, to perform her office, bringing things unto matu●●● by her digestion: for the distance of the air bringeth 〈◊〉 solar rays into a temperature, so by means of the air 〈◊〉 fire doth work, and the air worketh by the help of 〈◊〉. Earth produceth nothing without water, and water ●●thout earth can rise nothing neither: now as these two ●●nnot be one without another in the generating of ●its, neither can fire be without air, nor air without ●e: fire is liveless without air, and without fire the air ●●nnot show its due calidity and dryness. The Vine at its last ripening hath need of a greater solar ●●at, than it hath at the beginning of the Spring: and if ●e Sun hath a good operation in the Harvest, than the Vine ●elds a better and stronger sap, which it doth not, if the ●●ns heat be defective. The vulgar counteth all things ●●ad in Winter, because frost hath locked up the earth, ●●at nothing can spring up: but when the Spring-season approacheth, and the Sun in her ascending breaketh the frost, 〈◊〉 things turn to life again, Trees and Herbs appear in the ●●elinesse, and the Animals, which hide themselves from ●●e frost, creep forth again out of their caves and holes, vegetables afford their new fragrancy, their operation is apparent in their pleasant blossoms of several colours. ●hen the Summer worketh further, brings these blossoms 〈◊〉 further ripeness into fruits, upon which ensueth a rich ●●rvest; for the which thanks are due to the Creator, which ●et these periods unto Nature. Thus one year worketh after the other, so long till ●he Architect thereof pulls them down, and the Inhabitants ●f the earth be exalted by the glory of God, than all earthly. Nature will be at an end in her working, and in its place ●●ere will be an infinite eternal one. When the Sun in Win●●r goeth further off from us, she doth not dissolve so well the great snow, but approaching nearer to us, th' n 〈◊〉 air groweth warmer, and the snow is easily melted, a● being turned to water, it is gone: for the weake● must g●● way unto the stronger: The same order must be observed the government of the fire, that the moist liquor m●y 〈◊〉 be exiccated too suddenly, and the Philosophic earth 〈◊〉 not to soon melted and dissolved, else your wholesome fis●● would turn into Scorpions: and if you intent to be a ri●● minister in your office, then ●ake first your spiritual wa●● on which the spirit moved at the beginning, shut the do● of the strong hold upon him, because this heavenly pl●● will be besieged by earthly enemies, your heaven must 〈◊〉 guarded with three Bulwarks, only one entrance m●● be strongly guarded with a watch. All this being finish'● then kindle the light of wisdom, and look for your pen●● you lost; let the light be of that bigness, as you see the● is occasion for. For you must know tha● creeping b●●● and worms have their dwelling in a cold and moist e●●● their condition and no are leads them thereunto: h●mans habitation is upon earth, according as his temp●●● and mixed condition requires, but Angelical spirits ●●ving not an earthly, but an Angelical body, not being i● subjection unto a sinful flesh, as man is, are placed into higher station, are able to endure both heat and cold in t●● upper and nether Region, without any molestation: an● when man is clarified, then will he be able to do like the●● heavenly spirits: God ruleth heaven and earth, and works all in all. If we prove good governor's of our Souls, than we sha●● be God's Children and Heirs, to accomplish that which i● impossible for us to do now: which cannot be done, unless all the water be exsiccated, and heaven and earth together with the men, be judged by fire. The eighth Key. NO flesh, be it of man's, or of beasts, can bring any further increase, or propagation, unless it come first into putrefaction. So all Vegetables, unless their seeds be brought into putrefaction, cannot be augmented: Many beasts and worms are generated by putrefaction, this mystery in Nature deserves admiration! Nature permitteth this, because this living increase is for the most part found in the earth, which with other Elements are so raised by spiritual seeds. To prove this with examples, women in Villages know to give instances in that particular: for these cannot hatch any Chickens, unless they put the Eggs into putrefaction. If bread be put into honey, than the Aunts are bred, which is one of Nature's mysteries! It is seen ordinarily that Maggots do breed in flesh, in men, and horses, and such like Carcases, in Apples, Pears, etc. and who is able to relate all the kinds of worms, which are generated by putrefaction. Some Vegetables also grow in certain places, where never such grew formerly, nor were they sowed in those places, only by putrefaction they were produced, the reason of it is, that the earth in such places it inclined thereunto, and is impregnated thereby, which the syderial qualities have infused, and wrought a seed into, especially, which seeds putrify in the earth, and by the elemental operation do generate a corporeal matter, according to that matter's quality. Thus the Astrals together with the Elements may raise a new seed, which was never before any, which seed by a further putrefaction may be increased. But unto 〈◊〉 is not so much granted, as to stir up a new kind of seed, because the operation of the Elements, and the ●●stral substance he hath not at command, to fashion what 〈◊〉 ple●●●● th●● several sorts of Herbs are generated merely by putrefaction: And whereas the Country people holding it a mere custom, do not take it into a further consideration, nor imagine they any cause for it; therefore among the vulgar is it become merely a customary business. Bu● you, which ought to know more than ordinary people must consider further of it, and learn to know the caus● and ground thereof, how, and from what these living Creatures are generated by putrefaction; not to know i● because it is usual; but rather to know, it is a mystery i● Nature, because every life cometh from putrefaction. Every Element per se hath its corruption and generation. Let the Artist be informed, and learn the sufficient ground, why in every Element the other three are hid: for air● containeth fire, water, and earth, which though it seems incredible, yet is it a truth: and fire containeth air, water, and earth: and earth containeth water, air, and fire; els● they would not generate; water also containeth air▪ earth, and fire: though every Element is per se, yet ar● they mixed: all which is found true at distilings, wher● these Elements are thus separated. To make this appear to the ignorant, which may cr● out, that I speak merely lies: if you intent to learn th● Anatomy of natural things, and to separate the Elements I tell thee for a truth, that at the distilling of earth ther● cometh first the Element air, being the highest; then a a certain progress, there comes the Element water; th● fire lieth hid in the air, because both are of a spiritual substance, love and embrace one another entirely; the earth remaineth in the bottom, in which lieth hid the glorious Salt. When you distil any water, air and fire cometh ove● at first, than the water; the body of the earth abideth i● the bottom. The Element fire, if it be driven into a visible substance by extraction each may be received apart. In like manne● in the air the other three Elements do dwell. For non● of these can be without air; earth can produce nothing without ai●e, fire doth not burn, nor hath it any life without air; neither can water produce any fruit without air. Neither can air consume any thing, nor exsiccate any moisture, unless it be done by a natural heat, which is ●n the air: being heat and warmth is found in the air, ●herefore needs must the Element of fire be in the air. For all hot and dry things are proper for the fiery substance ●f things: he that denieth this truth, understandeth nothing in Nature's mysteries, neither doth he know any ●round of their properties. You must conceive if any thing shall be generated by putrefaction, it must be in this manner: Earth is brought ●y a secret moisture into a corruption, which is the beginning of putrefaction; for without moisture, which is the Element water, no true putrefaction can happen: Now if ●ny breed shall come from thence, it must come from a ●arm quality, as the Element fire must kindle, and spread 〈◊〉 self; for without a natural heat nothing can be generated: and if that breed shall have a living breath and mo●ion, the same cannot be without air: for if air should ●ot be cooperative, than the first composition, out of which ●he breed should come, would be choked and perish, by ●eason of want of air. Thus you see plainly, that perfect Creatures cannot be without any of the four Elements, the ●ne showing its operation in the other, which they pro●nce in and at putrefaction; for from henceforth nothing ●an be brought to life without the same. To make this appear to be true, that to a perfect birth and generation, ●●re are requisite all four Elements. Then note, that as Adam the first man being created by ●he Creator of a Lincus terrae, there appeared not as yet ane ●●sible life, before God had breathed on him; then a lify appeared in that clod of earth, in that earth was the Salt, ●●at is the body, the inbreathed air was Mercury, the spi●●, by this inbreathing the air presently afforded a due ●●d convenient calidiry, which was Sulphur, that is, fire, ●●en it stirred; Adam showed by this stirring, that there was ●●●sed into him a living Soul. For fire cannot be without air, the water was corporated in the earth, because this must be together of necessity, else no life, and must stand in an equal proportion. Thus Adam was first builded and begotten out of earth, water, air, and fire, of a soul, body, and spirit, raised of Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt. So Eve● the first woman, the Mother of us all was of the same composed, being taken from Adam; thus Adam and Eve were builded, which you must note very well. To come now again unto putrefaction, the seeker in Philosophy is to know, that in like manner no Metalline seed can work, nor be augmented, unless that Metalline seed be first in, and of itself without any strange addition, or mixture may be brought into a full putrefaction, no more than the seeds of Animals and Vegetables can bring their increase without putrefaction. The same Metals also must reach unto their perfect operation by the help of the Elements; not that the Elements are the seed, but the Metalline seed, which had its descent from a heavenly astra●● Elemental substance, and is come to a corporality, and m●●● by the Elements be further brought into such corruption and putrefaction. Note this also; wine containeth a volatile spirit: a● whose distilling its spirit cometh first, and its phlegm at last: but wine being by a continued heat turned into Vinegar, than its spirit is no more so volatile as before, and at the distilling of Vinegar its phlegm and aquosity cometh first, and its spirit at last, though the same matter be in the Vessel, yet its condition is altered, being no more a wine, but by putrefaction is transmuted into Vinegar, and that which is extracted from wine, is of another nature and operation, than that which is drawn from Vinegar. For i● Vitrum Antimony be extracted with Wine, or spirit o● Wine, it causeth many stools by purging, and vomits also, because its venom is not yet quite broken nor destroyed: but if Antimonial glass be extracted with distilled Vinegar, that extraction is of a deep colour, this Vinegar being abstracted in Bal●e● Mari●, and the yellow remai●●● powder being well dulcified with distilled water, to get off all its accrosity, than you have a sweet powder, which causeth no more any stools, but is a rare Medicine of admirable efficacies, may well be held for miraculum Medicinae. This wonderful powder in a humid place doth dissolve into a liquor, which in Surgery is of great use, and efficacy, curing symptoms without causing any pains at all unto the parties, of which enough at this present. At the closing of this note this principally, that there are heavenly Creatures begotten, whose lives are preserved by Astrals, are fed by the four Elements, afterward t●ey die, and putrify, which being done, the Astrals, by means of the Elements infuse into these putrified bodies again a life, which may turn again to a heavenly one, which sets up his habitation in the highest place of the firmament: which being done, you shall see that the life and body of the earthly is consumed by the heavenly, and that earthly body is entered into a heavenly one. The ninth Key. THe highest Planet of Heaven, Saturn by name, hath in our Magisterium the least authority, and yet is the chiefest Key of the whole Art, and is se● on the lowermost step: though he swinged himself by a nimble flight to the highest altitude beyond all lights, however, at the clipping of his feathers he must be brought to the lowest ●●●●re, and his corruption must be the way for his melioration, black must be turned into white, and white must be brought into red, and must pass, and run throu●h all the colours of the other Planets, and to attain in the end to the Court colour of the triumphing King. And I say thus much: though Satu●n looks of a despicable condition, and is in great contempt, yet doth he contain all virtues and strength, ●f his glorious substance which is of an extraordinary coldness, be driven into th● running fiery Metalli●● body, to bereave that of its running life, and bring it to a pliable body as Satu●n himself is however of a far better fixation; which transmutation hath its original, and certain period by Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt. Some may hold this to be hardly understood, and i● is a hard saying: seeing the matter is mean, men mus● stretch thei● w●s in this point: an unequal state must be in the world, ther● must be a difference betwixt master and servant and must be distinct in their service. Saturn containeth several sorts of colours brought forth by Art, as black, grey, white, yellow, red, and others besides: so the Philosopher's matter must overcome and pass through many colours, before the great stone can be exalted unto its perfection: for as often as there is opened unt● the fire a new gate for entrance, so often it affords a new fashion for a Garment as for a booty, so that at last the poo● Labourer attaineth unto riches, needs no more to go borrowing of his Neighbours for a livelihood. When Lady Venus possesseth her Kingdom, and according to custom observed in Royal Courts, distributeth the Offices, as is fitting, than they make appearance in thei● glory: Musica beareth a flag of red colour, on which is painted Charity beautiful in a green Garb: in her Cour●● Saturn is in the place of the Steward: when he is in his Office, than Astronomy carrieth a black flag before him; o● which is painted Fides, in a yellow and red Garb. Jupiter with his Sceptre is Marshal; Rhetorica beareth before him a flag of grey colour, on which is painted Spes curiously set out in colours. Mars is expert in warlike affairs, beareth sway in a fiery thirsti●●ss●; Geometry beareth before him a bloody flag, on which is painted Fortitude, in a red Garb: Mercury is Chancellor, Arithmetica beareth a flag before him of all manner of colours; on it, is painted Temp●rantia, dressed in colours. Sol is Viceroy of the Kingdom, Grammatica beareth a yellow flag before him, on it, is painted Justitia, set out in a Golden piece: this Viceroy, (though there is more loyalty showed unto him in the Kingdom) yet Queen Venus in her transcendent illustrious splendour overcome's him. Lune hath her lustre also; Dialectica beareth before her a Silver coloured white glistering flag; on it, is painted Prudentia in an Azur-Garb. Because Lune's husband died, she got the Office by inheritance, will not suffer Venus to bear sway any longer, called her to an account of her Stewardship; into whose aid and assistance comes in the Chancellor, and a new government is established, and both bear sway above the noble Queen; the meaninng is, one Planet must dispossess and displace the other from his glory, office, place, and power, that the best at last may rise to the highest power, and in their best fixed colour, bestowed on them by their first mother out of an innate constancy, love and amity may get the victory. Then is the old world past, and a new world is come in its place, and one Planet hath consumed the other spiritually; only the strongest hold out by means of the food which others afforded, and so two and three are conquered by One. For a final closing you are to understand, that you must pull up the heavenly Scales; put into the one Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, and Capricorn: into the other you must lay Gemini, Sagittary, Aquarius, Pisces, and Virgo; then procure that the Gold-rich Leo do leap into the lap of Virgo; then the Scale will weigh down the other: then let the XII. Signs of Heaven with the Septemtriones come into an opposite Aspect; then after the appearance of all manner of colours, there will happen a conjunction, and the greatest will come to the meanest, and the meanest unto the greatest. If there stood all the world's nature Merely in one only figure, And Art could not mend that form, Then the world's wonders were forlorn, And nature's qualities could not be showed, But it's otherwise, for which God be praised. The tenth Key. IN our stone which I have made, and others also along before me, are locked up Elements, all mineral and metalline forms; yea, all the properties and qualities of the world: for in it there must be found the greatest and most forcible heat; for by its great internal fire the cold body of Saturn is warmed, and by that kindling and heating is transmuted into the best Gold. There must be found in i●● also the greatest coldness, because it being added to Venus, it allayeth the degree of her heat, and doth coagulate quick Mercury, and in that coagulation also is he transmuted into the best Gold. The reason of it is, because nature hath infused all these qualities into the matter of our great stone, which qualities must be digested and brought unto maturity per gradus ignis, and attain unto the highest perfection, which comes not to pass, unless Mount Ae●na in Sicilia be consumed by its fire, and no more cold be felt on the supposed high Mountains, Hyperboreis, which place may be called also Filictus. Fruits being plucked off before they be fully ripe, are nought, and shrink, and are unfit for use: if a Potter doth not sufficiently burn his Potter's wares, what use can these be put unto? The same condition is our Elixir in: it must have allowed a due time, it must not be shortened in its welfare, no false thing must be imposed upon, else an aspersion of unworthiness will be cast upon it. For if blossoms be plucked off, we are sure that no fruits will grow on such Trees. Therefore making haste in our Magisterium is not good, a hastening man seldom doth any good work in our Art, because by making haste good things are spoilt. Let no seeker be deceived by greediness, either to take out or to pluck off things before their time, that the Apple ●●p ●●t out of his hand, and the steel of it stay in his hand: for 〈◊〉 good troth, if our stone be not sufficiently ripened, than ●hat matters can it produce to any ripeness? In water the matter is dissolved, and is united by putrefaction, in the ashes it getteth blossoms, in sand its superbious humidity is exsiceated: a constant fire produceth a ●●ed ripeness, it doth not follow from hence that Balneum ●ariae, hors-dung, ashes, and sands must needs be used, but ●●ely the degrees and regiment of fire must in such a man●er be observed. For the stone is made in an empty Furnace, of a threefold guard, firmly closed and locked up, and ●●ested by a continued fire, so that all vapours and fumes ●o vanish, and the Garment of honour appear in a rare splendour, abide in a place in the neathermost part of hea●●n, and its running come to a stand. And when the King 〈◊〉 lift up his arms not any longer, than the glory of the ●orld is conquered, the King is come now to an everlasting fixedness, nothing can endanger him any more, be●●●se he is become invincible, unto which I say thus: your ●●th being dissolved in its own water, must be exficca●ed 〈◊〉 a mere heat, than the air will in breath a new life into 〈◊〉, that being made lively, than you have a matter, which ●●st needs go by no other name, than by the great stone of ●●e world, which penetrateth humane and metalline bo●●, like a spirit is an Universal Medicine without any ●e●●t: it expelleth evil things, keeping and preserving the ●●od ●ones: it is also a transmutation of bad things unto ●oodnesse, its colour draweth from a transparent redness ●●to a dark brown, from a ruby-red to a garnate: and it 〈◊〉 of an exceeding ponderousness, and overweighty. He that getteth this stone, let him return thanks unto the Creator of all Creatures, for such a heavenly Balsam, let him 〈◊〉 the good use of both toward himself and toward others, so ●hat his needs being served here withal, may far well also 〈◊〉 the other world: God be praised for his unexpressible benefits for ever more. Amen. The eleventh Key. THis Key intimateth our great stone's augmentation, which I hold forth unto thee by way of comparison▪ There dwelled in the Orient an excellent Champion, called Orpheus, which was mighty rich, and had great Dominions, he took in marriage his own sister, by name Eurydice, mad● use of her as his wife. Because he could not get any issu●● by her, the cause whereof he thought to be the sin, he committed in choosing his own sister to be his wife: he besought the Highest constantly in great earnestness, wrestling with him for a blessing in that kind. Being one time taken with a deep sleep, in his dream there came a flying man unto him, by name Phoebus, he touched his feet, which were very warm, and said to him▪ Thou noble Champion, thou hast traveled over many Kingdoms and Countries, many Cities and potent Dominions, and hast undergone great hardness at Sea, and hazardedst many battles in War, which made thee to attain unto that gallant state, and wert chosen before others to be dignified with honour, and gottest many applaudings by reason of thy valiantness thou show'dst in those warlike actions: therefore the father in heaven hath commanded me, to show unto thee that thy prayers were heard, and hast obtained this grant; thou art to take the blood out of thy right side, and the blood of thy wife's left side, and the blood which did stick in the hearts of thy Father and Mother, these are but two by nature's right, and are but one sort of blood, unite these together, and let it enter again into the globe of the seven wise Masters closed nakedly, then is the mighty one fed with his own flesh, and drenched with his own blood of honour. If thou proceedest well herein, then hast thou a great inheritance, and begettest an infinite multitude, descending from thine own body. Yet know, that the last seed, in the eighth revolution of the ●●me, the first seed out of which thou art made in the beginning, will bring its course to an end: if thou dost this oftener, ●nd beginnest always the novo, than thou shalt see thy Children's Children. A Macrocosm generated by Microcosm, is plentifully filled, and the Kingdom of the great Creator is ●●lly possessed. This being ended, Phoebus fled away, the Champion awakened, who arose from his bed, and having done all, as ●●e was commanded, the Champion in all his undertake ●ad not only good success and prosperity, but God blessed him also in his wife with many Children; these also by ●heir father's Testament grew great and famous, and that ●obility remained in that generation, and they were blessed with great riches for ever. Seeker of this Art, if you have understanding and wit, ●ou need not any further interpretation of it; if you want ●hat wit, blame not me, but thine own ignorance: for I am ●orbid to open the lock any further, I must, and will obey. ●t is set down plain enough for such, whom God intends to ●lesse in it: And it is so plain, that men will hardly believe ●t. The whole process I have set down figuratively after that manner, which my Predecessors have observed before ●●e, and I have done it more plainly than they did, because 〈◊〉 concealed nothing: if you have pulled away the veil from ●our eyes, you will find that, which many sought for, and was found of very few. For the matter is named altogether, the beginning, middle, and end of the process is showed also. The twelfth Key. A Fencer who knoweth not well how to use his Weapons, must needs be beaten by him, that knoweth better how to use them; he that learned in the Fencing School perfectly how to use all manner of Weapons, 〈◊〉 will get the Garland in that School. In like manner he, who hath obtained by God's bless●● a tincture, but knoweth not how to use it, be is in the ●a●● condition with the Fencer, which is unskilful in the use 〈◊〉 his Weapons. This being the twelfth and last Key, tending to the ●●nishing of this my book, I will not lead thee any longe● by Philosophic allegorical expressions, but will reve●● unto thee the Tinctur's Key in a full real process. Therefore follow this my ensuing Doctrine: which is thus; The Medicine and well prepared Philosophers stone being made of the true Virgin's milk, which was fully prepared, then take one part of the best and finest Gold, ca●● through Antimony, laminate it very thinly, as possibly 〈◊〉 may be beaten, put these together in a Vessel, or melting For, at first let your fire be gentle for xij hours, then let 〈◊〉 continually be in the melting for three days and night● than the purged Gold and Stone is turned into a mere Medicine, of a subtle spiritual penetrating quality; for without the ferment of Gold the Medicine, or Stone cannot wel● make the tincture, being too subtle and too penetrative 〈◊〉 but being fermented with its like, than the made tincture hath gotten an ingress to work into the other. Then take one part of the prepared ferment to thousand parts o● melted Metal, which you intent to tinge: I tell you for 〈◊〉 certain truth, all will be transmuted into perfect fixed Gold● for the one body willingly embraceth the o her, though it be not of the like, yet joineth with it by force, and must be like unto it, and like must be gotten of like. He that maketh use of this means, to him are revealed all fixations: the porches at the ends have their issues; no Creature comparable unto this subtlety: it is ALL in ALL, according to its Natural descent containeth and possesseth all what may be found under the Sun. O! beginning of the first beginning! consider the end 〈◊〉 O! end of the last ends consider the beginning: forget not to remember the middle in all fidelity: God the Father, 〈◊〉, and holy Ghost grant unto you things needful for ●●r Spirit, Soul, and Body. Of the first matter of the Philosopher's Stone. THere is found a stone, which is not dear, Out of it is drawn a flying fire, Of which the stone itself is made Of whi●e and red togeth'r joined. It is a stone, and not a stone, In it Nature work'th alone, Out of it springs a Fountain clearly, Which drowns its fixed Father fully. His life and body is both devoured, At last his Soul to him is restored. To whom his flying Mother is become Like, in his own Kingdom. Himself also in quality and might Hath gotten a greater strength, The Son in old age doth excel The Mother, which is made volatile, By Vulcan's Art, but first however By the Spirit must be born the Father Body, Soul, Spirit, consist in two The whole business goeth too and fro. Comes only from one, which is merely A thing that fix● to flying matters sully. They ●●e two and three, and ye but one Con● i've of it right, else you hit none▪ Set Adam into a water Bath, In which Venus her fellow hath Which the old Dragon hath prepared, Wher'of his strength could not be ' stored Is nothing else, saith one Philosophus, But a duplicate Mercurius. I say no more, you heard its name, Blessed is he, to whom it is well known. Search into it, spare no pains In the end you will find the gain. FINIS. A short way and REPETITION Of former Writings of BASILIUS VALENTINUS. With an Elucidation thereof, touching the Philosopher's Stone. Wherein is plainly demonstrated the true light unto Philosophy. Whereunto are annexed real informations of the qualities, and preparations of Mercury, Antimony, Vitriol-water, common Sulphur, unflaked Lime, Arsenic, Sal-peter, Tartar, Vinegar, and Wine. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. be sure to find the true way unto the sheep-fold. I hav● written no more than I shall bear record unto, and own a● the day of Resurrection This short way is faithfully showed in the following instruction, in a plain dealing expression, waving an eloquent stile. I have told you formerly, that all things are composed o● three, viz. of Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, and it is so, as 〈◊〉 told. But note also, that the Stone is made of one, two, three four, and fi●e: by the word five, I mean the Quint-essence by the word four, are understood the Elements: by three are meant the principles: by two is meant the double mercurial substance: by one is meant the first principle of a● things, which proceedeth from the word at the first Creation, Fiat, Let there be. Some may hold these expressions to be very intricate as if there were no sense nor ground for it what hath bee● said: for the clearing these doubts, I will speak briefly o● Mercury, secondly of Sulphur, thirdly of Salt; for these a●● the principles of the matter of our Stone. In the first place you must note, that common Mercu●● doth not avail here; but our Mercury is made of the be●● of Metals, by the spagyric Art, as pure, subtle, clear, a● any Well-water of a Crystalline transparence, without an● impurity: make of it a water, or incombustible Oil: fo● Mercury's first beginning was a water, as all Philosopher bear record unto my saying: in this Mercurial Oil must be dissolved it's own Mercury, out of which that water wa● made: this Mercury must be precipitated with its own Oyl● then you have a double Mercurial essence. Note, I hold in my second Key that Gold after it is purified according to the Tenor of the second Key, must be reduced into a special water, and then reduced into a subtle Calx, of which the fourth Key doth speak, this Calx must b● driven over through the Helmet by a spirit of Salt, and precipitated again, and by reverberating must be brought to powder; then it's own Sulphur may enter the better into its own being ●nd essence, will be friend with it; for these love extremely one another: thus you have two substances in one, which is called the Philosophers Mercury, and is but one substance. This is the first ferment. Now followeth Sulphur to be spoken of. FOr this Sulphur you must look in the like Metal; that Metal must be purified, destroyed in a reverberating fi●e, extracted from its body, not leaving any corrosiveness in it, of which I gave a hint in the third Key: this Sulphur must afterwards be dissolved in its own blood, from which itself had a fixedness, intimated in the sixth Key, after a due quantity; which being done, than you dissolved and fed the true Lion with the blood of the green Lion. For the fixed blood of the red Lion is made of the unfixed blood of the green Lion: these are of one Nature; the unfixed blood maketh the fixed one to be volatile, and the fixed one maketh the volatile to be fixed, even as it was before its dissolution, let it stand together in a gentle heat, that all the Sulphur be dissolved; then you have the second ferment, feeding fixed Sulphur with an unfixed one; all Philosophers agree with my saying: the same is driven over with spirit of wine, and is as red as blood, being called aurum potabile, where no reduction to any body can be expected any more. Now I declare also, what the Philosopher's Salt meaneth. Salted causeth fixation and volatility, according 〈…〉 ●●lered and prepared. For the spiri● ou of Salt ●●d tartar, if the same be drawn forth without additionals, by means of dissolution and putrefaction maketh all Metals volatile, opening them into a true quick Mercury, according to the Tenor of my Manuals. The Salt of Tartar per s● fixeth mightily, especially if the heat of Calx vive be incorporated with it, for both are of a high degree for fixation, The Vegetable Salt of wine hath this fixing quality and according to a special preparation, bringeth fixed things to a volatility: which is a mystery in Nature, and a miracle in the Philosophic Art. If there be a Salt made of Man's Urine, which drinks nothing but wine; this Salt being volatile, brings fixed things also to a volatility, brings them over, but doth not fix them. Though that party had drunk nothing but wine, out o● whose Urine the Salt is made, yet that Salt differs much from that, which is made of Tartar, for man made in his body one transmutation, namely, he turned the V●getabl● Salt into an Animal spirit of Salt, making flesh, fatness, &c▪ as horses and other beasts do feeding on grass, hay, etc. Item, Bees make Honey of the best flowers and Herbs so it is with the rest. The reason of this Key lieth in putrefaction, from whence this separation and transmutation hath its Original. Ordinary spirit of Sal●, being driven over in a special manner, maketh Gold and Silver volatile, if a small quantity o● Dragon's spirit be added thereunto, dissolveth them, bringeth them over through the Helmet, the like doth the Eagle with the Dragon spirit, which creepeth in and out at th● stone cliffs: but if any thing be melted with Salt, before i● spirit be separated from the body, than it fixeth rather than it maketh volatile. I say thus also, if the spirit of common Salt be unite● with spirit of wine, and both are drawn over a third time▪ then he loseth its tartness, and groweth sweet. This prepared sp●●●● doth not corrode the Solar body, but bein● poured on a subtle prepared Gold Calx, it extracteth i● highest red tincture, which being made right, can brin● white Lune into that colour as its former body was, from ●hich it was first taken: the former body can recover i●s ●olour, if the enticing Venus be moved, as being born from ●hat sanguinity and descent, it is needless to speak of this ●ny further. Note further, that Salt-spirit destroyeth Lune also, bring●th her into a spiritual substance, according to my instruction, after it is prepared, out of which afterward potable ●une is made, which spirit is appropriated unto the spirit ●f Lune and Sol, as man and wife, by means of the conjunction of the Mercurial spirit, or his Oil. The spirit sticketh in Mercury, seek for the tincture in sulphur, and for the coagulation in Salt, than you have the ●●ree principles, which can beget a perfect body, that is, ●●e spirit in the Gold fermented with his own Oil, Sulphur ●ound abundantly in the noble Venereal quality, inflameth ●●e fixed blood gotten of her: the spirit of the Philosopher's Salt affords victory unto coagulation; it is true, the spirit of Tartar, and the spirit of wine, and the true acetum ●●e able to effect much; for the spirit of acetum is of a cold ●uality, and the spirit of Calx vive is very hot, these are of contrary dispositions. Now I spoke according to Philosopher's custom: it is not fit for me to be more plain, and to how to the world, how the doors of wisdom are bolted. For a farewell, take this in sincerity; seek f●r your mat●er in Metalline substances, make of them a Mercury, fer●ent with Mercury one Sulphur, ferment that with its ●wn Sulphur, bring that into an order with Salt, drive ●hem over jointly, join all proportionably, all will become ●ne, which at first came from one, coagulate, and fix it in continued heat, augment, and ferment a third time, according to the Tenor of my two last Keys, than you will ●inde the end you look for, how this tincture is to be used, ●et the twelfth Key satisfy you with its certain process. Thanks be to God. FOr a final upshut, be certified, that our of black Sat●●● and bountiful Jupiter, there can be driven over a spi●i● which is afterward brought into a sweet Oil, as the nobles● part of it, which in particular taketh away the running quality in Mercury, making him fix, and bringing him into a melioration; of this I told you in my other writings. Additionals. HAving thus your matter, then look well to the fire and govern it artificially: for that is of the greatest concernment at the end of the work. Our fire is not a common fire, and our Furnace is not a common Furnace▪ Though Philosophers before me have written, that our f●●● is no common fire: however, I tell to thee in good earnest, that according to their custom they kept secret all mysteries, because the matter is contemptible, and the worl● is of a facility, which by a government of fire is furthere● and accomplished; therefore they forbore to tell the plai● truth. Lamp-fire made of spirit of wine availeth nothing, th● expenses ●●●reof would moun●●xceedingly. Ho●s dung i● bu● a spoiling, which cannot finish the work by any perfect or certain degrees. Furnaces of several sorts are useless: for in our three fold Furnace are observed certain degrees: let Praters no● prevail of thee with such F●rnaces: for our Furnace is 〈◊〉 plain one, our fire is ●pl●●● fire, and our matter is a plai● matter, the glisse is likened to the circumference of th● ear●●ly Globe, you need not to look any further for more information concerning the fire, its government, and th● Furnace. For he that hath the matter, will soon find a Furnace; 〈◊〉 that hath Meal, wil● soon meet with an Oven; needs not 〈◊〉 take further care for baking of bread. There is no need to write more books of it, only look ●ell to the government of the fire, learn to distinguish between cold and warm; if you are expert and exact herein, ●hen your work will be well finished, and the Art brought ●o its end. The Creator of nature be praised for ever. ●men. Of Mercury. THere are several sorts of Mercury. Me●cury of Animals and Vegetables is merely a fume of an incomprehensible being, unless it be caught, and reduced to an Oil than is it for use. But Mercu y of Metals is of another ●oncition, as that also of Minerals: though the same also ●ay be compared wi●h a ●u●e, yet is it comprehensible ●nd running. One Mercury is better and nobler than the other: for the Solar Mercury is the best of them all; next unto that, is the Lunar Mercury, and so forth. There is a difference also among Salts and Sulphurs: among the Mineral Salts, that carrieth away the Bell, which is made of Antimony: and that Sulphur, which is drawn from Vitriol, is preferred before all others. Mercu●y of Metals is hot and dry, cold and moist, it containeth the four qualities. There are Medicaments prepared of it, of a wonderful efficacy, of several sorts and forms, which is the reason, why there is such a variety of virtues therein: in Mercury lieth hid the highest arcanum for man's health, but is not to be used crude, but must first be prepared into its essence. He is sublimed with Copper-water, and is further reduced into an Oil. There is an Oil made of it per se, without any corrosiveness, which is pleasant and fragrant: several ●orts of Oils with additionals can be made of it, good for many things. It is prepared also with Gold, being first made into an amalgame there is made a precipitate of it in w●ter, wherein it dissolveth green, like unto a smaraged, Chrysolith: the volatile Mercury serveth for outward u● if a separation is made by some means, and is brought i● to subtle clear liquor, & then to a red brown powder, a● its received corrosiveness is separated, than it may dow● for other uses. The mixed Mercury serveth for inward use. Mercury being purged, is precipitated with the blood Venus, is well digested with distilled Vinegar, and thus 〈◊〉 corroding quality is taken off: Have a care what quantity you minister, if it being given in a true dose, than it doth 〈◊〉 part ve●y well: but for its operation, it is not equally sublimed unto the fixed, its coagulation is sound in Satu●● his malleableness is apparent, when he is robbed of h● life: he containeth his own Tincture upon white and re● being brought in his fixed coagulation unto a white bod● is iuged again by Vitriol-water, and being reduced un●● Gold, is graduated by Antimony. Though that blou●●-thi●sty ●●on Captain with his Spear assaulteth Mercuri● ve●● much, yet he alone cannot conquer him, unless co●● Saturn come in to hid him, and Jupiter command t●● peace with his Sceptre. Such process being finished, the● the Angel Gabriel, the strength of the Lord, and U●iel th● light of God hath showed mercy un●o humble Michael, the● Raphael can make right use of the highest Medicine, nothing can prevail against the Medicine. Thus much be spoken of Mercury: now I wing myself from hence, and f●● to a place where frost and heat can better be tolerated, an● endured. Of Antimony. IT falleth very difficult to Mechanics, to have done learning with their compasses: because that great Architect JEHOVAH hath reserved many things for his ow● power. In the same condition we find Antimony, it is ●ery difficult to find out all the mysteries that are hid ●●erein; its virtue is miraculous, its power is great, its ●olour hidden therein, is various, its crude body is poisonous, yet its essence is an antidote against poison, is like ●nto Quicksilver, which ignorant Physicians can neither comprehend, nor find; but the knowing Physician believeth it to be true, as having made many experiments with it. This Mineral containeth much of Mercury, much of Sulphur, and little of Salt, which is the cause why it is so ●rittle and appliable: for there is no malleableness in it, by reason of the small quantity of Salt, the most amity it beareth unto Saturn is by reason of Mercury; for Philosophers Led is made out of it, and is affected unto Gold, by reason of its Sulphur: for it purgeth Gold, leaving no impurity in it; there is an equal operation in it with Gold, if well prepared, and ministered to man Medicinally: it flieth out of the fire, and keeps firmly in the fire, if it be prepared accordingly. It's volatile spirit is poisonous, purgeth grievously not without damage unto the body; its remaining fixedness purgeth also, but not in that manner, as the former did, provokes not to stool, but seeketh merely the disease, where ever it is, penetrateth all the body and the Members thereof, suffers no evil to abide there, expels it, and brings the body to a better condition. In brief, Antimony is the Lord in Medicinals, there is made of it a Regulus our of Tartar and Salt, if at the melting of Antimony some Iron-filings be added, by a Manual used, there cometh forth a wonderful Star, which Philosophers before me, called the Signat-star: this Star being several times melted with cold Earth-salt, it groweth then yellowish, is of a fiery quality, and of a wonderful efficacy: this Salt afterward affords a liquor, which further is brought to a fix incombustible Oil, which serveth for several uses. Besides, there are made of common Regulus of Antimony curious flowers, either red, yellow, or white, according 〈◊〉 the fire hath been governed. These flowers being ex●●●ed, and the extract, without any addition per se being dr●ven into an Oil, have an admirable efficacy. This extraction may be made also with Vinegar of crude Antimony, or of its Regulus; but it requireth a longer time, neither is it so good as the former preparation. And being reduced into a Philistaea, there is a glassy made of it per se, of which I made mention in my eig●● Key, which is extracted also; then abstracted, there remaineth a powder of incredible operation, which may safely be used, after it hath been edulcorated. This powder being dissolved, healeth wounds, sores, etc. causing n● pains: this powder being extracted once more with spiri● o● wine; or driven through the Helmet, with some other matter, affords a sweet Oil; to speak further of it is needless. Antimony is melted also with cold Earth-salt, dissolved, and digested for a time in spirit of wine, it affords a whit●● fixed powder, is effectual against morbus Gallicus, breaks inward Impostums; it hath several virtues besides. You must learn to prepare Antimony yourself, lay hands on, dive into its inward qualities, you will meet with wonderful matters afore my conscience will not suffer me to discover all its qualities: I desire not 〈◊〉 lo●● the Physicians curses upon me, which were at great expenses, and toiled much in burning of Coals about its preparation, if I should rob them of their livelihood. Therefore learn thou also, as thy predecessors did; seek as I have done; than you will find also, what others have told of. There is made an Oil also of Antimony, the flyi● Dragon being added thereunto, which being rectified ●●●ice, than it is prepared: t●●ugh a Cancer were neve● so b●d, ●nd the Wolf never so biting, yet these with all their fellow●, be they Fistula's, or ol● Ulcers, must fly and be g●ne; ●●e little powder of the flying Dragon prepared with the L●ons bloud●, must be ministered also, three, or four Grains for a Dose, according to the party's age and complexion. A further process may be made with this Oil with the ●●dition of a water, made of stone Serpents, and other necessary spices, not those which are transported from the In●●s: this powder is of that efficacy, that it radically cureth ●ny Chronical diseases. There is made a red Oil of Antimony, Calx vive, Sal armoniac, and common Sulphur, which hath done great cures 〈◊〉 old Ulcers: with stone Salt, or with common Salt, there 〈◊〉 forced from Antimony a red Oil, which is admirable good 〈◊〉 outward Symptoms. There is made a sublimate of Antimony, with spirit of ●●tar and Salmiac, being digested for a time, which, by ●eans of Mars, is turned into quick Mercury. This Anti●●onial Mercury hath been sought of many, but few have ●●otten it: which is the reason why its praise is not divulged, ●uch less is its operative quantity known: if you know ●●w to precipitate it well, than your Arrow will hit the ●ark, to perform strange matters; its qualities ought not 〈◊〉 be made common. It is needless to describe its combustible Sulphur, how that is made of Antimony, it is easy and known: but that which is fixed, is a secret, and hidden from many. If an Oil be made of it, in which it's own Sulphur is dissolved, and these be fixed together, than you have a Medicine of rare qualities, in virtue, operation, and ability, far beyond Vegetables. Quick silver being imbibed with quick Sulphur, melted with Antimony for some hours in a Wind-oven, the Salt of the remainder being extracted with distilled Vinegar, than you have the Philosopher's Salt, which cureth all manner of Agues. There is an acetum made of Antimony, of an acidity, as other acetums are; if it's own Salt be dissolved in this acetum, and distilled over, than this acetum is sharpened, which is an excellent cooler in hot swell, and other inflamed Symptoms about wounds, especially if there be made an Unguent of it together with anima of Saturn. The Quintessence of Antimony is the highest Medicine the noblest and subtlest found in it, and is the fourth p●● of an Universal Medicine. Let the preparation of it 〈◊〉 still a mystery, its quantity, or Dose is three Grains, the 〈◊〉 belong four instruments to the making of it, the Furnace the fifth, in which Vulcan dwelleth, the Manuals and th● government of fire afford the ordering of it. You Physicians, if you be wise, seek out this Medicine i● that subject, where it lieth in, and may be found best, an● most effectual. I forbear to speak further of Antimony, l● Justinian judge of the rest. Of Copper-water. IF I could prevail with Apollo to be merciful, and to giv● liberty to his Muse to be my assistance in the describing of Art and wisdom, then would I bring in an offering unto Minerva, whereby the Gods of wisdom might take notice of a grateful mind for their gifts they had bestowed; and I would write of a mineral, whose Salt is set forth in the highest manner, whose great and good qualities are of that transcendency, that reason is not able to comprehend, or to conceive of them. It went generally by the name of Copper-water, to make the meaning and sense of it plain; let men know, and be thus informed of it, that Vitriol containeth two spirits, a white, and a red one: the white spirit is the white Sulphur upon white, the red spirit is the red Sulphur upon red; He that hath ears let him hear! Observe it diligently, and remember every word, for they are of a large extent, every word is as ponderous as a Centner stone. The white spirit is sour, causeth an appetite, and a good digestion in a man's stomach. The red spirit is yet sourer, and is more ponderous than the white, in its distilling a longer fire must be continued, because it is fixer in its degree. Of the white by distilling of Sulphur of Lune is made argentum potabile. In the like manner the ●ld, being destroyed in the spirit of common Salt, and ●de spiritual by distilling, and its Sulphur taken from it, ●●d joined with a red spirit in a due Dose, that it may be dissolved, and then for a time putrified in spirit of wine, to 〈◊〉 further digested, and often abstracted, that nothing amain in the bottom, than you have made an aurum po●bile, of which great volumes have been written, but very ●w of their processes were right. Note, that the red spirit ●ust be rectified from its acidity, and be brought into a meetness, subtly penetrating of a pleasant taste and sweet vagrancy. I have told, you now great matters, which slipped from ●e against my intention, the sweet spirit is made of Sulphur of Vitriol, which is combustible, like other Sulphur, ●efore it is destroyed: for the Sulphur of Philosophers, ●●ote it well) is not combustible; its preparation needs ●ot to be set down, being easy, requireth no great pains or great expenses, to get a combustible Sulphur out of vitriol. This sweet Oil is the essence of Vitriol, and is suc● a medicine, which is worthy the name of the third pillar of ●he universal Medicine. The Salt is drawn from Colchotar, ●nd is dissolved in the red, or white Oil, or in both, and is distilled again, if it be fermented with Venus, it perform●● its office very well: for it affords such a Medicine, ●hich at the melting tingeth pure Iron into pure Copper. Colchotar of Sulphur affords true fundamentals unto ●ealing of perished wounds, which otherwise are hardly ●●ought to any healing: and such sores, which by reason of 〈◊〉 long continued white redness will admit of no healing, ●olchotar affords an ingress thereunto, setting a new foundation; that quality and virtue is not in the Colchotar, but ●he spirit together with the Salt are the Masters, which ●well therein. There is made of Copper and V●rdigreece a Vitriol of a ●igh degree, and is far spread in its tincture: There is a Vitriol made of Iron also, which is of a strange quality: Iron and Copper are very nigh kind one to another, bel● together, as man and wife; this mystery should have b● concealed, but being it is of great concernment, I could forbear but to speak of it. Vitriol corroded with Salmiac, in its sublimation th● ariseth a combustible Sulphur, together with its Mercu●● of which there is but little, because it hath most of S●phur. If the same Sulphur be set at liberty again by 〈◊〉 Eagle, with spirit of wine, there can be made a Medicine it, as I told you formerly of it. Though there be a nea● way to make a combustible Sulphur out of Vitriol, as of precipitation upon a precedent dissolution, by the Salt, liquor of Tartar, as also by a common lixivium made Beech-ashes; yet this is the best reason, because the b●● of Vitriol is better, & more opened with the Key of the Eag●● There are other mysteries hidden in Vitriol, which in y● operative quality are excellent, and are known apparent as Venus and Mars bear real record in their spirits, the sa●d●th knowledge Sol and Lune: but I do not intent at t● time to write a perfect book of chirurgery: and to ma●● relations of particulars, in commendation of Vitriol: I ha● already written too much of it, you are to learn and sear● also; you will find that Vitriol needs no Proctor to spe● for it, and it will sufficiently inform you of an absolu● Chirurgick book, contained in its nature as a third part 〈◊〉 the universal, against all manner of diseases. In the closing hereof I tell you thus much, that there not found in its nature, neither cold nor moist quality, b● is of a hot and dry substantial quality, and is the reason, w● by its superabounding calidity it heateth other things digesteth them, and at last it bringeth them to a full maturity, the fire being continued for a certain time. The things I w●ite of Vitriol, I have not begged nor borrowed from other men's writings, but found them so in 〈◊〉 long continued practic, whereby nature enabled me become a Soothsayer, by permission of the Highest Creat●● that that nobly inplanted quality might be avouched b● a ●●thfull and true evidence of one of her devoted Disci●es. And I speak thus much for a memorandum, that if Parison ●n keep safely Helena without troubles, that th● noble Ci● of Troja in Greece be no more ruined and destroyed, and ●riamus together with Menelaus be no more afflicted and di●racted thereby, then Hector and Achilles will agree well ●ough, to obtain that royal Race, without going to war ●t it, and be Possessors of ●ha● Monarchy in their Children's Children, and their offspring and posterity for the ●●nlarging of their Dominions, by increasing their riches ●finitely, against which no enemy dareth stir. Of common Sulphur. THe usual common Sulphur is not so perfectly exalted in its degree, and brought unto maturity, as it is found in Antimony and Vitriol. There is made of it ●●er see, an Oil against putrid stinking wounds, destroying ●nd killing such worms, which grow in them; especially if ●at little Salt in it be dissolved from its Sulphur. There is made of it a Balsam with Salad Oil, or Oil of ●●uniper, in like manner with the white spirit of Terpen●●ne, and is of a red colour, is made thus: take flowers of sulphur, made with the Colchotar of Vitriol, digest them ●r a time in hors-dung, or any other way; this Balsam may safely be used for such, that are in a Consumption of the ●ungs, especially if rectified several times with spirit of ●●ne, drawn-over, and separated, that it be blood red. This Balsam is a preservative against corruption and rottenness. The Quint-essence of Sulphur is in a Mineral, where a sulphureous flint is generated: this beaten pebbles being ●●t in a glass, and on it be poured a strong Aquafort, made of Vitriol and Salpeter, and let dissolve what may 〈◊〉 dissolved, abstract that water, the remainder must be w●● dulcified, and reverberated to a redness, pour on th●● spirit of wine, extract its tincture, afterward circulate 〈◊〉 a time in the Pelican, let all the essence of Sulphur be ●●parated, it stayeth below the spirit of wine, like far Sall● Oil, by reason of its ponderousness: its Doses of six Grai● is found to work sufficiently. If y●u dig●st in this essen●● of Sulphur, Myrrh, Aloes, and other Spices, it extract their virtues, and makes it into a Balsam, which suffers 〈◊〉 flesh, or other parts that are subject unto putrefaction, 〈◊〉 fall into rottenness, for which cause the Ancients have p● this name to it: Balsamus mortuorum. Thus I close to speak any further of combustible Sulphur There may be made an Oil of it, which is found very useful, the Sulphur must be sublimed in a high instrum●● with a good heat, which sublimation in a long tim● changeth into a Liquor, or Oil, standing in a humid place● but being I do not intent to use any prolixity of words, 〈◊〉 let it rest so. There may be cocted a Liver out of commo● Sulphur, which is turned unto milk: and it may also 〈◊〉 changed into a red Oil, with Lin-seed Oil; many other M●dicinals may be made out of Sulphur: Its flowers, essenc● and Oil, are preferred before the rest, together with th● white and red fixed Cinober, which are made of it, because in them is found a mighty virtue. Of Calx vive. THe secrets of Quick-lyme is known to few men, an● few there are, which attained to a perfect knowledge of its qualities: but I tell to you a real truth, that though Lyme is contemptible, yet there lieth great matters therein, and requireth an understanding Master, to take out of 〈◊〉 what lieth buried in it; I mean to expel its pure spiri● which collaterally stands in affinity wi●h Minerals, is able to bind, and help to make fix the volatile spirits of Minerals: for it is of a fiery essence, heateth, concocteth, and bring●th unto maturity in short time, when in many years they could not be brought to it: the gross earthly body of ●t doth not do the fear, but its spirit d●th it, which is drawn out of i●: this spirit is of that ability, that he bindeth and fixeth other volatile spirits. For note, the spirit dissolveth Oculi Can●rorum, dissolveth Crystals into a l●quor● these two being duly brought into an ●●●ite per monum distilla●●onis (I will say nothing 〈◊〉 this time of Diamonds and such ●●ke stones) that wa●er dissolveth and breaketh the stone 〈◊〉 the bladder, and the Gou●y T●●t●r settled into the ●oyn●s of hands and feet, suffers not any Gout to ●ake roo● 〈◊〉 those parts, this rare s●●r t l taught one of my faithful Disciples; and the great Chancellor of the invincible Caesar ●s still thankful unto me for it, and many great persons ●esides. Quick-lyme is strengthened, and made more fiery, and hot. ●y a pure and unsophisticated spirit of wine, which is often ●oured on it, and abstracted again, than the white Salt of tartar must be grinded with i●●ogether with its additio●●ls, which must be dead, and co●tain nothing, th●● you ●●ll draw a very hellish spiris, i● which great mysteries lie 〈◊〉. How this spirit is gotten, I told it, observe it, keep it, ●●ke it for a farewell. Of Arsenic. Arsenic is in the kindred of Mercury & Antimony, as a Bastard in a Family may be: its whole substance is ●bysonous and volatile, even as the former two, in its external colour to the eye, it is white, yellow, and red, but ●●wardly it is adorned with all manner of colours, like to 〈◊〉 Metals, which it was fain to forsake, being forced thereunto by fire. It is sublimed per se, without addition, and also in its subliming there are added several other matters, as occasion requireth. If it be sublimed with Salt and Mars, than it looks like a transparent Crystal, but its poison stayeth still with it, unfit to be joined, or added to Metals; hath very little efficacy to transmute any Metal. The Subterranean Serpent bindeth it in the Union of fire, but cannot quite force it, that it might serve for a Medicine for man and beast, if it be further mixed with the Salt of a Vegetable stone, which is with, Tartar, and is made like unto an Oil, it is of great efficacy in wounds, which are of a hard healing; it can make a Coat for deceitful Venus to trim her handsomely, that the inconstancy of her false heart may be disclosed by her wavering servants, without gain, with her prejudice and damage. When Antimony and Mars are made my companions, and am exalted by them to the top of Olympus, than I afford a Ruby in transparence and colour to that, which cometh from Orient, and am not to be esteemed less than it: if I am proved by affliction, than I fall off like a flower, which is cut off and withers: therefore nothing can be made 〈◊〉 me, to fix any Metal, or tinge it to any profit, because 〈◊〉 forsook my body totally, and distributed my Coat, to play and lot to be cast for it: therefore let no man neither praise or dispraise me, unless he have for very hunger taken 〈◊〉 pound of me into the body; though if he gets an Antidote to save his life; however, he shall get nothing out of Metals by it: in other things he may have a Treasure in it, unto which few are comparable to it. I Arsenic say of myself at the closing hereof, that it is 〈◊〉 very difficult thing, to find my right and due preparations my operation is felt exceedingly, if made trial of, and it i● a great danger, if ignorant men make use of me: he tha● can be without me, let him go to my kindred: and if yo● can equalise me with them, that I may share with them i● the inheritance, than all the world shall acknowledge, th●● my descent is from their blood: but it is a very hard ta●● for any man, to set a shepherd into a royal seat to make him King. But Patriarches being descended from shepherds, and were preferred to royal dignities, I will therefore prescribe no limits, nor p●sse any judgement: For wrong and right may be found in this leaf. However, take you notice, that I am a poisonous volatile bird, have forsaken my dearest, and most confiding friend, and separated myself as a Leper, which must live aloof off from other men. Cure me first of my infirmity, than I shall be able to heal those, which have need of me, that my praise may be confirmed by poison, and my name for an everlasting remembrance, to the honour of my Country, is nothing inferior unto Marcus Curtius, and it will be found in the end, in what manner Hannibal and Scipio were reconciled. Of Salpeter. TWo Elements are predominant in me, as fire and air, the lesser quantity is water and earth; I am fiery, burning, and volatile. There is in me a subtle spirit, I am altogether like unto Mercury, hot in the inside, and cold in the out side, am slippery & very nimble at the expelling of mine enemies. My greatest enemy is common Sulphur, and yet is my best friend also, for being purged by him, and clarified in the fire, then am I able to allay all heats of the body, within and without, and am one of the best Medicaments, to expel, and to keep off the poisonous plague. I am a greater cooler outwardly than Saturn, but my spirit is more hot than any, I cool, and burn, according as men will make use of me, and according as I am prepared. When Metals are to be broken, I must be a help, else no victory can be obtained: be the undertake great, or small. Before I am destroyed I am a mere Ice, but when I am anatomised, then am I a mere hellish fire. If Pluto ca● master Cerberus, to make him ●ake his dwelling again in th● Isle of Thule, than he may snatch a piece of love from Venus, than Mars must submit, and m●y live richly with Lu●● which may equally be exalted to the Crown of the honourable King, and be placed with him in equal honour and dignity. If I shall happily enjoy my end, than my Soul must b● driven out cunningly, than I do all what lieth in my power of myself alone I am able to effect nothing. But my love 〈◊〉 a jolly woman, if I am married unto her, and our copul●●lation be kept in Hell, that we both do swear well, the that which is subtle, flings away all filthiness, than w● leave beinde us rich Children, and in our dead body's 〈◊〉 found the best Treasure, which we bequeathed in our la● Will and Testament. Of Salarmoniac. SAlarmoniac is none of the meanest Keys, to open Metals thereby: therefore the Ancients have compared with a volatile Bird, it must be prepared, else you can do 〈◊〉 seats with it; for if it be not prepared, it doth more hu● than good unto Metals, carrieth them away out at 〈◊〉 Chimney-hole: it can elevate and sublime with its f●● wings the tincture of Minerals, and of some Metals, to t●● very Mountains, where store of snow is f●und, usually ev● at the greatest heat of the Summer, if it be sublimed wi● common Salt, than it purgeth and cleareth, and may used safely. He that supposeth to transmute Metals with this Sa● which is so volatile, surely he doth not hit the nail on t● head, for it hath no such power: but to destroy Meta● and make them fit for transmutation, in that respect it ha● sufficient power: for no Metal can be transmuted, unle● it be first prepared thereunto. My greater strength which lieth in me, may be drawn from m● by subliming and cementing. The greatest secret in m● you will find, when I am united with Hydra, which is to devour and swallow me, that I also may turn with h●r to be a water Serpent, then have I prepared a Bath for the Nympha, and have gotten power to make ready a Crown for the King, that the same may be adorned with Jewels, and may with honour and glory be set on his head. Of Tartar. THis Salt is not set down in the book of Minerals, but is generated of a vegetable seed, but its Creator hath put such virtue into it, that it heareth a wonderful love ●nd friendship unto Metals, making them malleable▪ it purgeth Lune unto a whiteness, and incorporateth into her such additionals, which are convenient for her, being digested for a time with Minerals, or Metals, and then sublimed and vilified, they all come unto a quick Mercury, which to do, there is not any vegetable Salt beside it: is ●ot this a wonderful thing! That Orator is yet to be born, which shall be of that ability and eloquence as to express sufficiently all the mysteries hid in it. But to make out of ●t the Philosopher's stone, is no such matter: being it is a vegetable, and that power is not given to any of the v●ge●ables. It is in Medicina a very good remedy, to be used ●●wardly and outwardly; its Salt being made spiritual and ●weet, it dissolveth and breaketh the stone in the bladder, ●nd dissolveth the coagulated Tartar of the Gou●, settled ●nto the joints, or any where besides. It's ordinary spirit, which is used for opening of Metals being used and applied outwardly, also layeth a foundation for healing of such Ulcers, which admit hardly any healing, as there are ●●s●●●'s, ●ancers, Wolves, and such like. I know nothing ni●●●o write of Tartar, for having separated itself, and left its nobl●st part in the wine. Of Vinegar. IN Alchemy and Medicina, nothing almost can be prepared, but Vinegar must set a helping hand to it. Therefore I thought it convenient to let it have it's due praise and commendation, especially to insert it here in th●s treatise. In Alchemy it is used to set Metals and Minerals into putrefaction. It is used also for to extract their essences 〈◊〉 tinctures, being fi●st prepared thereunto, even as the spirit of wine is usual to extract the tinctures from vegetables. In Physic it deserveth its praise also, for it taketh the pure from impure, and is a separator, and taketh from the Mineral M●dicaments their sharpness and corrosiveness, fixeth ●hat, which is volatile, and is a great defendant against poison, as I told you, when I spoke of the Antimonial glass. Vinegar is used inwardly also, and both men and beast are benefited thereby: outwardly it is applied to hot inflammations and swell, for a cooler. Spirit of wine and Vinegar are of great use, both in Alchemy and Physic, both have their descent from the Urine, are of one substance; bu● differ in the quality, by reason of putrefaction, the Vinegar got there, of the which I told you formerly. I must acquaint you with one thing, which is this, tha● this is not the Philosophers V negar; our Vinegar, or acetum is another liquor, namely a matter itself: for the stone o● Philosophers is made out of Azot of Philosophers, which must be prepared with ordinary distilled Azot, with spirit o● wine a●d with other waters besides, and must be reduced u●●● a certain order. Ne'er this for a memorandum, if distilled pure Vinegar be poured upon destroyed Saturn, and is kept warm i● Marie's-Bath, it loseth its acidity altogether, is as sweet as any Suggar, then abstract two, or three parts of that Vinegar, set it in a Cellar, than you will find white transparent stones, like unto Crystals, these are an excellent cooler and healer of all adust and inflamed Symptoms. If these Crystals are reduced into a red Oil, and poured upon Mercury, precipitated by Venus, and proceeded in further as it ought; if that be hit rightly, than neither Solemnising nor Lune will hinder thee from getting riches. Of Wine. THe true vegetable stone is found in Wine, which is the noblest of all vegetables: it containeth three sorts of of Salt, three sorts of Mercury, and three sorts of Sulphur. The first Salt sticketh in the wood of the Vine, which if burnt to ashes, and a lixivium made of it to have its salt drawn forth, which must be coagulated. This is the first Salt. The second Salt is found in Tartar, if that be incinerated, then draw its Salt forth, dissolve and coagulate it several times, and let it be sufficiently clarified. The third Salt is this, when the wine is distilled, it leaveth feces behind, which are made to powder, it's Salt can be drawn out with warm water, each of these Salts hath a special property: in their Centre they stand in a harmony, because they descend from one root. It hath three sorts of Mercury, a●d three sorts of Sulphur. The first Oil is made of the stem, the second Oil is made out of crude Tartar, the third is the Oil of Wine. There is a strange property in the spirit of Wine: for without it there cannot be extracted any tr●e tincture of Sol, nor can there be made without it any true aurum potabile: but few men know how a true spirit of Wine is made, much less can its property be found out wholly. Several ways have been tried to draw, and to get the spirit of, Wine without sophistication, as by several instruments and distilings with metalline Serpents, and other strange inventions, of Sponges, Papers, and the like▪ Some caused a rectified aqua vitae be frozen in the greatest frost, expecting the phlegm thereof should turn to Ice, the spirit thereof to keep liquid, but nothing was done to any purpose. The true way for the getting of it, I told you of a● the end of my Manuals: for it must be subtle, penetrating, without any phlegm, pure, aerial, and volatile, so that air in a magnetic quality may attract it, therefore it had need to be kept close in: it is o● a penetrating and effectual operation, and its use is several. There are three, which are the noblest Creatures in the world, these three bear a wonderful affection one to another. Among Animals it is man, our of whose Mume is made an Animal stone, in which Microcosm is contained. Among Minerals Gold is the noblest, whose fixedness is a sufficient testimony ol it's noble off spring and kindred. Among Vegetables there lieth hid a Vegetable stone. Man loveth Gold and Wine above all other Creatures, which may be beheld with eyes. Gold loveth man and Wine, because it lets go its noblest part, if spirit of Wine be put to it, being made potable, which giveth strength to man, and prolongeth his life in health. Wine beareth affection to man also, and to Gold, because it easily uniteth with the tincture of Sol, expelleth melancholy and sadness, refresheth and rejoiceth man's heart. He that hath these three stones may boldly say, that he hath the stones of the Universal, much of it is talked and written: but what eye hath seen it! not one amongst many hundred of Millions. These stones renew men and beasts, cure Leprous Metals, cause barrenness to become fertile, with a new birth, humane reason is not able to comprehend it, no● conceive of it. If a rectified Aqua vitae be lighted, than Mercury and ●●e Vegetable Sulphur separateth, that Sulphur burns ●ight, being a mee● fire, the tender Mercury betakes him-●mself to his wings and flieth to his Chaos. He that can shut up and catch this fiery spirit, he may ●oast, that he hath got●●● a great victory in the Chemical ●●●le: for this Vegetable fiery Sulphur is the only Key to ●●aw the Sulphur from mineral and metalline bodies. Thus I close my book, the things contained therein are ●ot grounded on opinions, as most Physicians rely on the author's, that such and such Herbs are cold and moist, dry, ●●d warm, in the first, second, and third degree: because ●hey heard their Authors affirm it, themselves neither ●aw 〈◊〉 nor made trial of it: making mere collections from other ●ens writings, patching up volumes. The things I wrote ●f, I know by a long experimental knowledge to be true; ●his my experience I hope will take place, and get the vi●tory as the Amazons did in their prudence. The eternal heavenly spirit refresh our Souls, that we may ●●lk in heavenly streets, forsaking all false and erroneous byways. Amen. FINIS. ●ONCLUSIONS AND EXPERIMENTS OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS. PREFACE. I Basilius Valentinus write a short clause upon my former writings, and this treatise is instead of a declaration thereof. But my Son and Disciple, you are to remember that you lift up your eyes to ●he Mountain of God, and of the Philosophers, from ●hence you expect a help: namely, Sulphur, Vitriol, ●nd Magnet of Philosophers must be a great help un●o you. For Philosopher's Sulphur, Vitriol, & Magnet ●s celestial, from whence cometh ●hat Universal and Philosophic Lapis, vulgar and ordinary Sulphur, Vitriol and Magnet afford merely Particulars and Medicaments. In the Treatise of the Philosopher's stone I have set ●own expressly in a parable the Philosophers Sulphur ●n the XII. Keys: but the Philosophers Mercury, or ●he true Philosophic Magnet I gave a hint of in few words: however, I treated of the same in the XI● Keys, & of the prima materia I spoke in my Rythm● or Verses. I leave a light for a farewell unto the seeking Disciples, whereby they may see the clear day in a da●● night: and do describe the virtue and operation of th● vulgar Sulphur, Vitriol, and Magnet, the rest yo● may find in the Treatise, which followeth next th● XII. Keys: which if you find the true way of working, you may get sufficiently of health and wealth i● this world. Make use of in the name of God, and unto his glory, and do good unto the poor, and be helpful unt● them, otherwise thy earthly Paradise may be turned i● the end into a damnable Hell, from which, O Lord, deliver all good people. Amen. The First TREATISE, Of Philosopher's Sulphur, Vitriol, and Magnet. First Section. Of Sulphur, and ferment of Philosophers. LOving seeker of Chemical mysteries, I have written a Treatise about the Philosopher's stone, and have set down expressly the materia of the Philosopher's Sulphur in the first Key, and taught you in the second Key how you ought to distil our water of the Eagle and cold Dragon, who had his dwelling a long time in Rocky Cliffs, and crept in and out in Subterranean concave and hollow places: pour this spirit, or aqua upon purged and fined Gold, lute it well, and set it into a dissolution, in fimo for 14. nights to putrify it, then draw it over the Helmet, pour the water upon Gold Calx whole, make all the Gold come through the Helmet: set this again under a Helmet, abstract the water gently, leave a third part of it in the bottom, than set it into a Cellar, let it coagulate and Crystallize, wash these Crystals with distilled water, precipitate them with Mercury vive, evaporate the Mercury gently, than you have a subtle pow●● put it in a glass, lute it, reverberate it for three day's a● nights, do it gently, thus is the Philosopher's Sulphur w● prepared for your work, and this is the purple mantle, 〈◊〉 Philosophic Gold, keep it safely in a glass for your conjunction. The second Section. Of the Philosopher's Vitriol. I Have told you plainly how Philosophers Sulphur 〈◊〉 made, which loco masculi, is to make the King, or ma● now you must have the female, or wife, which is the M●●curie of Philosophers, or the materia prima lapidis, whi●● must be made artificially: for our Azoth is not comm●● Vinegar, but is extracted with common Vinegar, and the● is a Salt made of materia prima (this Salt is called the P●losophers Mercury, which is coagulated in the belly of t●● earth. When ●his matter is brought to light, it is not de●● and is found every where, Children play with it: it is po●●derous, and hath a sent of dead men's bones, for two Gelder's you may buy this matter for the work: Therefore ta●● this matter, distil, calcine, sublime, reduce it to ashes: for an Artist want ashes, how can he make a Salt, and he th●● hath not a Metalline Salt, how can he make the Philosopher's Mercury? Therefore, if you have calcined the matter, than extra●● its Salt, rectify it well, let it shoot into the Vitriol, whic● must be sweet, without any corrosiveness, or sharpness o● Salt. Thus you ge● the Philosopher's Vitriol, or Philoso●phick Oil, make further of it a Mercurial water, thus yo● have performed an artificial work: this is called the Philosopher's Azoth, which purgeth Laton, but is not yet washed Fo● Azoth washeth Laton, as the Ancient Philosophers have 〈◊〉 two, or three thousand years ago. For the Philosophic 〈◊〉, or Laton must with its own humidity, or its own Mer●●al water be purged, dissolved, distilled, attract its Magnet, 〈◊〉 stay with it. And this is the Philosophers Mercury, or ●●curius duplicatus, and are two spirits, or a spirit and ●●r of the Salt of Metals. Th●n ●his water beareth the me of succus Lunariae, aqua caelest●, acetum Philosophorum, ●●a Sulphuris, aqua permanens, aqua benedicta. Take ●●t, or ten parts of this water, and one part of your ●men●, or Sulphur of Sol, set it into the Philosopher's Egg, ●●e it well, put it in the Athanar, into that vaporous, and ●t dry si●e, govern it, to the appearance of a black, white, ●d r●● colour, than you get the Philosopher's stone, and ●u enjoy this noble, dear, and blessed Medicine and Tinware, and you may work miracles with it. The third Section. Of the Philosophers Magnet. HErmes the father of Philosophers had this Art, and was the first that wrote of it, and prepared the stone our 〈◊〉 Mercury, Sol, and Lune, of the Philosophers: whom ma●y thousand labora●ors have imitated, myself also did the ●ke: and I speak r●ally, that the Philosopher's stone may be composed of two bodies, the beginning and ending of it ●ust be with Philosophic Mercury. And this is now prima materia, alias praeda: materia pri●a belongs only to God, and is coagulated in the entraps ●f the earth, first it turneth to Mercury, then to Led, than 〈◊〉 Tin and Copper, then to Iron, etc. Thus the coagulated Mercury must by Art be turned into its prima materia, or water, that it, Mercurial water. This is a stone and no ●●ne, of which is made a volatile fire, in form of a water, which drowneth and dissolveth its fixed father, and its vo●tile mother. Metalline Salt is an imperfect body, which turneth Philosophic Mercury, that is, into a permanent, or bless● water: and is the Philosophers Magnet, which loveth Philosophic Mars, sticketh unto him, and abideth with hi● Thus our Sol hath a Magnet also, which Magnet is the fi●● root and matter of our stone: If you conceive of and understand my saying, than you are the richest man in t●● world. Hermes saith; you must have three speciesies for the wor●● first a volatile, or Mercurial water, aqua coelestis, then vir●dis Leo, green Lion, which is the Philosophic Lune, third●● aes Hermetis, or Sol, or ferment. Lastly note, Philosophers had two ways, a wet on● which I made use of, and a dry one: herein you must proceed Philosophically, you must purge well ●he Philosophers Mercury, and make Mercury with Mercury, adding the Philosophic Salt, ferment, or Sulphur of Philosophers and proceed therein, as you heard formerly, than you hav● the Philosophers Magnet, that is, the Philosophers Mercury. Secondly, the Metalline Salt, or Philosophic Salt. Thirdly, aes Hermetis, or Philosophic Sulphur. Thus I have delineated the whole Art, if you do not understand it, than you will get nothing, nor art thou predestinated thereunto. Allegorical expressions betwixt the Holy Trinity and the Philosopher's stone. DEar Christian Lover, and well wisher to the blessed Art: how graciously and miraculously hath the Holy Trinity created the Philosopher's stone. For God the Father is a spirit, and yet maketh himself known under the notion of a man, as he speaketh, Genes. 1. Chapter: let us make man, an image ●ike unto us. Item, this expression in his word speak of his mouth, turns hands, and feet; so Philosophers Mercury is held a spiritual body, as Philosophers call him. God the Father begetteth his only Son JESUS CHRIST, which is God and Man, and is without sin, neither needed he to die: but he laid down his life freely, and risen again, for his brethren and sisters' sake, that they mi●ht live with him eternally without sin. So is Sol, or Gold without defect, and is fix, holds out gloriously all fiery examines, but by reason of its imperfect and sick brethren and sisters, it dieth, and riseth gloriously, redeemeth and tingeth them unto eternal life, making them perfect unto good Gold. The third person in the Trinity is God the Holy Ghost, a comforter sent by our Lord Christ Jesus unto his believing Christians, who strengtheneth and comforteth them in Faith, unto eternal life; even so is the spirit of ma●erial Sol, or of the body of Mercury, when they come together, ●hen is he called the double Mercury, these are two spirits, God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost: but God the Son, a glorified Man, is even as our glorified and fixed Sol, or Philosphers stone; since this La●is is called Trinus, namely, out of two waters, or sp●●i●s of Mineral, and of Vegetable, and of the Animal of Sulphur of Sol: These are the Two and Three, and yet but one: if you understand it not, than you are not like to hit any. Thus by way of a similitude I delineated unto thee sufficiently the Universal. Pray to God for a blessing, for without him you are not like to prosper at all. The second TREATISE Of vulgar Sulphur, Vitriol, and Magnet. The first Section. Of Sulphurs. Chap. I. Of Sulphur of Saturn. 1. THere is extracted from calcined Saturn with distilled Vinegar a Crystalline Salt, which is distilled with spirit of wine unto a red Oil. This Oil cureth Melancholy, fiery Pox, old Ulcers, and many other infirmities besides. 2. This Oil coagulateth and fixeth Mercury, being first precipitated with Oil of Vitriol, for all powders and Medicaments, which are to make Sol and Lune, must be made fix, holding in all fiery trials. 3. Out of this Oil is made a glorious Tincture, if you take three parts of Mercury of Mars, and one part of this red Oil of Saturn, joining, coagulating, and fixing them: this work may be accomplished in a month's time, or somewhat longer. This Tincture may be augmented with Mercury of Mars, usque in infinitum; projecting one part of it upon three parts of Sol, to make thereby an ingress for the Tincture: one part of this Tincture transmuteth thirty parts (if so be it be well prepared) of Mercury and of Lune into good Sol. Remember thy Crea or, and be mindful of the poor, than the Lord will be mindful of thee also. Chap. II. Of Sulphur of Jupiter. 1. THere is made of Jupiter a minium, the like is made of Saturn, from thence is extracted and distilled a red sweet Oil: this Oil tingeth Saturn, being first calcined with Salmiac into Sol. 2. The Limature of Jupiter being calcined with Calx vive for a day, and the Calx being w●sh'd from it, than you have a fixed powder, if you can reduce it again into a fluidness, and drive it wi●h Sa●urn, than you may get a reasonable part of good Lune and Sol, whereby a needy Laborator may get sufficient livelihood. 3. There is a calcination made of Tin and L●ad with common S●l●, but better is it, if made with Salt of ●he c●put mort of Vitriol and Peter, the Oil of Vitriol being added unto Calx of Jupiter and Saturn, and made one mass of it, lu●e it well, ●et it stand for eight days and nights in warm Sand, and then to drive it: one Centner of Lead affords in this manner six Mark and a half of fi●e Lune: one Ma●k of such Lune yields one Ounce of Sol. This hath been my first piece to make Lune and Sol withal Note, these six Mark and a half of Lune, afford six Ounces and a half of Sol, this Sol and Lune amounts to 208. Gildors, or 20. pound and 16. shillings. Chap. III. Of Sulphurs of Mars and Venus. 1. TAke some pounds of Verdigreece, extract its Tincture with distilled Vinegar, let it shoot, than you have a glorious Vitriol, out of which you may distil per retort a red Oil. This Oil dissolveth Mars turning into a Vitriol, which is reduced in a long time in a great fire unto a red Oil, than you have together Sulphur of Mars and Venus, add somewhat of Sulphur of Sol, coagulate and fix it, than you have a Medicine, which meliorateth Men and Metals. 2. Lune is graduated with the Oil, and a good part of the King's Crown is gotten. 3. Two equal parts of laminated Sol, and Lune melted together, putrified in this Oil for a day and a night, turneth them into good Gold. In this Oil you will find many strange affects and virtues. Laus Deo. Chap. IU. Of Sulphur of Sol. 1. I have formerly told how Gold is made spiritual unto the purple mantle. Now if you are about to make aurum potabile, than you may dissolve with the Oil of Vitriol that spiritual Gold, extract, and draw it over with spirit of wine: this is a Medicine, which cureth many difficult diseases, and is wonderful in its efficacy. 2. This Solar Sulphur tingeth prepared Calx of Lune into good Gold, but you heard in my former expressions, that the King hath only an honourable Garment, and must raise his Rents and subsidies from his subjects, must be bathed in his buddying blood and swear, must be destroyed and gloriously renewed; then is he able to make his poor brethren and sisters to be Kings also, and legitimate the●r bastards. Antimony is a bastard of Saturn, as much of Mercury and of Regulus it ha●h, so much is it turned into Sol; its due Dose of Tincture being first added thereunto. Wismuth, ●●r Marcasite is a bastard of Jupiter, is turned to Sol also, ●y means of a Tincture. Oil of Vitriol is a bastard of Ve●us, it hath a Metalline Mercury, as much it hath of it, so much is it tinged into Sol. 3. If you add the Solar Sulphur unto Sulphur of Vitriol, Venus and Mars, and you have fixed artificially, than you have a Tincture for Men and Metals, expelling all manner of diseases: and this fixed powder tingeth Particulariter Lune into Sol. Laus Deo, Chap. V Of Sulphur of Mercury. MErcury is a Mother of all Metals, and is a spiritual body, and a fugitive servant, when he cometh into ●he fire, than he flieth into his Chaos. But he that can ●●tch him, he gets then the Sulphur of Mercury, or wa●●r of Sulphur, or aqua benedicta, the Key of the Art, which openeth Metals Philosophically. The Philosopher's Mer●●ry and not the vulgar, being reduced unto water, dis●lveth the Philosophic Salt together with the purple ●antle, by putrefaction and distillation, for it is Mercurius ●plicatus. Chap. VI Of Sulphur of Lune. 1. THis Lune is made spiritual by means of a water, expressed in our second Key, and may easily be made into potable silver, where by many diseases are cured. 2. If you take one part of this spiritual Lune, and you feed it with three parts of Virgin's Milk, and bring it unto fixation, than you have an augment of Lune, which breedeth monthly young ones, these are taken forth, and their places are supplied with Mercury vive, etc. This powder is reduced with Boras, than you have an augmentum perpetuum. Chap. VII. Of Antimonial Vitriol. 1. THere is made out of Vitriol of Antimony with distilled Vinegar a sweet extraction, its acetum is separated from it: on the remainder is poured spirit of wine, must be extracted, and the pure from impure separated. This sweet extraction is drawn over, the spirit of wine by cohobation is often drawn from it, and that powder is reduced to a glorious Oil of Antimony. This Oil cureth all manner of diseases, being ministered in a convenient Vehicle; This Medicinal Oil is a great arcanum. 2. Further, take one part of this Oil, and two parts of the Mercurial water, in which is dissolved a fourth part of Sol (purple Mantle) then join them, lute Hermetically, coagulate, and fix. This Tincture tingeth Lune and Mercury into Sol. This is that pure Sulphur of Antimony: the Vitriol of Antimony must be made per se, without any addition of Salpeter, Salt, and Borras. Chap. VIII. Of Sulphur of Vitriol. 1. THere is made of Vitriol a lixivium with ashes of Beech-wood, and a Sulphur is drawn from this Vitriol, and is precipitated with Salt of Tartar; Further, the Oil of Sulphur is extracted with Juniper Oil, t●us you have a red Oil, putrify the same with spirit of wine, abstract the spirit of wine from it. This glorious Oil of Sulphur is good against ma●y diseases, it is to be used against Consumption, Dropsi●, Plague, Gravel, and scabbiness. 2. Vitriol is sublimed with Salmiac also, but better is it, if done with a lixivium, whereby the body of V●t iol is better opened and dissolved. This sublimate is dissolved into an Oil, whereby c●ude Mercury can be coagulated and fixed, of the which I shall write more anon, when I treat of Vitriol. Chap. IX. Of common Sulphur. 1. THere is a Liver made of yellow Sulphur with Linseed Oil, boiled in Lie, with Sol 〈◊〉 putrified, and then distilled: pour this water on Tyle●, w●ich newly came out of the Oven, imbibe them therewith, distil it per retortam, you have a yellow water of it like an aquafort, which tingeth Lune. Take one part of i●●s water, and one part of Luna● calx, let it sta d 〈◊〉 d●y●● and nights in warm Sand, the forth part of it tu●●e 〈◊〉 unto Gold, being reduced, separated, purged, with Saturn and driven. 2. Further, Sulphur with the anima of Saturn, being often driven over and fixed, may then safely be used inwardly for a Medicine: but projected on Lune, in the flux ●t afford good Gold in the Qua●t. 3. Of the Grey powder, and Calx vive, equal parts, one pound, a fourth part of Salmiac grinded among, and driven over per retortam, affords a glorious red Oil, which is of 〈◊〉 fixing and graduating quality. 4. Lastly, I tell you, take of this Oil of Sulphur, of Venus, and of Mars, add thereunto the Oil of Antimonie's Sulphur, bind these together with the Oil, or Mercurial water, fix it, than you have a Medicine for men and Metals, viz. to ring Mercury and Lune into Sol. The second Section. Of Vitriols. Chap. I. Of Vitriol of Sol, and of Lune. IN the first place you must have our water of the cold Earth salt, and of the Eagle, whereby Gold and Silver is made spiritual, let it shoot into Crystals: this is that Metalline Vitriol, out of which is distilled together with spirit of wine, and Oil of Sulphur, to be used after the manner of Metals. Chap. II. Of Vitriol of Saturn, and of Jupiter. CAlcine Saturn, or Jupiter, extract its anima with distilled Vinegar, l●t it putrify 14. days and nights, let ●he Vitriol shoot. This must be drive● over with spirit of wine, it affords a sweet Oil, and it is the Sulphur of Saturn and Jupiter. This Oil coagulateth Mercury, and being first precipitated with Oil of Vitriol, it fixeth him. Chap. III. Of Vitriol of Mars. TAke the filings of Mars and of Sulphur equal parts, calcine them in a Brick-kill to a purple colour, pour on it distilled water, or Vinegar, it extracteth a green colour, abstract the third part of that water, let it shoot: thus you have an artifiical Vitriol, distil from it a red spirit, or Oil. Take half an Ounce of it, add to it Mercurial water, in which is dissolved Sol (take of this Oil but a fourth part of an Ounce) fix this Tincture, than you have an excellent Medicine to project upon Lead Silver, and Tin, which are transmuted thereby into pure Gold. O! thou Christian heart, return thanks to the Creator of Minerals, Metals, and other Creatures! Chap. IU. Of Vitriol of Venus. I Have told you already of the transparent Vitriol to be extracted out of Venus, and to distil of it a red Oil. This Oil dissolveth Mars, turneth him into a Vitriol, bei●● once more distilled per retortam forcibly, than you have a● excellent Tinging-oyl, called Salt of Mars. This is th● King's excise man, which bringeth in his Rents, and enricheth the King. This Oil dissolveth the spiritual purple mantle, and draweth it over the Helmet. Now you have segmented the Cellar Sulphur with i●s own Sulphur, which Philosophers before me have not done, they took only calcined Sol, or S●lar Calx, set the same to the duplicated Mercury (instead of the ferment) and attained unto the en● they wished for, as well as I. But according as men do work, so is the operation of their Tincture, transmuting more, or less, according to the efficacy of the Tincture. 2. Out of the Oil of this Martia● Salt, is Mercury of Antimony precipitated, is added to the sweet Oil of Vitriol, & fixed; this Medicine next unto the Philosopher's stone is the best, and highest Univ●rsal upon man's body, and tingeth Lune, Saturn, and Jupiter into good Sol, holding in the exame● very well. 3. There is made also a mass out of Honey, Salt, and Vinegar, and lamins of Venus, which are stratified and calcined. This calcinate of its own accord, turns to a Verdigreece, which must be extracted, crystallized, and distilled to a red Oil; which is used as you heard above. Chap. V Of Vitriol of Mercury. VItriol of Mercury is easily made, distilled in aquafort made of Salpeter and Allome being dissolved therein: Crystals do shoot, which are very like unto a Vitriol: these being washed with rectified spirit of Wine, with Salt of Tartar, then putrified and reduced into a sweet Oil; this is an excellent Medicine against the French disease, old Ulcers, Colic, windy ruptures, Gou●●, expelling many other diseases out of man's body. 2. This Oil is joined also with Martial Tinctures. For ●er●ury is the bond of other Metals, and may be well used ●ticulariter. The chiefest colour of Mercury is red, as ●●u find in my other writings. Chap. VI Of common Vitriol. ●. TAke good Hungarish Vitriol, dissolve it in distilled water, coagulate it again, let it shoot into Crystals: ●erate it five times, then is it well purged, and the Salts, Allums, and Niter are separated from it. Distil this purged vitriol with spirit of wine unto a red Oil, ferment it with spiritual Sol, add to it a due Dose of quick Mercury of Antimony, coagulate, and fix, than you have a Tincture for men, and it tingeth Lune also into Sol. Visitando Interiora Terrae, Rectificandoque, In venietis occultum Lapidem, Veram Medicinam. 2. VItriol is calcined also to a red colour in a close Vessel, on which is poured distilled Vinegar, and is set in putrefaction for three months, there is sound in a strong distillation, a quick Mercury, which you are to keep safe. Wonders may be effected therewith, upon Particulars and Universals. Take three p●●ts of this Mercury, and one part of Sol, join these, being fixed, it affords a Solar augmentum. Make your supplies with its Mercury. Laus Deo. 3. This calcined red Vitriol is sublimed also with Salmiac, th● sublimate is dissolved into an Oil. This Oil fixeth C●●obar, whereof may be had Lune and Sol. 4. There is made a fixed water also, Salmiac and Allo● being added thereunto. This water being poured upon Sulphur of Jupiter, which before was precipitated in●o a re● powder, imbibed, and coagulated, and an ingress be ma●● with Sol, than you have a Tincture, whereby c●ude Antimony is transmuted into good Lune, which may be transmute●● into Sol. 5. Lastly, I tell thee, if you extract the Salt out of Vitriol, and rectify it well, than you have a work which i● short, and tingeth Lune into Sol, this metalline Salt coagulateth vulgar Mercury, and being transmuted into Lun●, i● may be graduated higher through, and with Antimony. Thus you have my operations and experiments, which may he very profitable unto you. Make a good Christian use of it, help the poor, cure the diseased, than God will bless you. Amen. Sulphur is Vitriol. Antimony is Mercary. The third Section. Of vulgar Magnet. 1. MAgnet contains that, which common Mars hath. Common Iron may easily be wrought, needs not to make many words of it. Magnet hath an attractive quality to draw Iron. 2. There is made an Oil of Magnet and Mars, which is very effectual in deep wounds. 3. With Magnet and Antimony is made Lune fix, which with the Oil of Mars and Venus is graduated, and made to Gold: it may be performed also with Antimony and Mars. Thus I finished my course, and found many things in my working. My fellow brethren turned Alchemists, all had the Philosopher's stone. I was the beginner, took great ●●us, before I attained to any thing, if you read my wri●●gs diligently, you will find the XII. Keys the prima ●●teria, or Philosophers Mercury, together with the Philo●phick Salt: the Philosophic Sulphur I delineated ex●●sly. Now I close, committing you to God, and accept in honesty of that you are informed. Medium Tenuere Beati. FINIS. Jod. V R. A Process upon the Philosophic work of Vitriol. HAving gotten this Process in the foresaid year, and and afterward, as you shall hear, with mine own hands elaborated and wrought the same, no man overlooking me, I was hearty rejoiced, even as if I had ●een new born, and returned hearty thanks to God●: its practic at the first I have not plainly described, because I ●ad erred in the composing of it, and was fain to begin the work anew. I having missed in my work, I begun in the ●ear 1605. because the matter of the Earth, and the spirit ●f Mercury was not sufficiently purged, therefore the earth ●ould not perfectly be united at the composition with the water, I let that quite alone, and began a new Process at ●he end of the year 1605. in the City of Strasburg, used ●ore diligence and exactness, than my work (God be praised) prospered better, for the which I am still thankful to God for it. In the name of the H●ly Trinity, the 1● October, Anno 1605. I took ten pound of Vitriol, diss●● it in distilled Rain-water, being warmed, let it stand 〈◊〉 day and a night, at that time many feces were settled, I●trated the matter, evaporated it gently, ad cuticulam us●● I set it on a cool place to crystallize, this on shot Vitri●● exiccated, dissolved it again in distilled Rain-water, l●● shoot again, which work I iterated so long, ti●l the Vi●● go● a celestial g●een colour, having no more any feces a●●●, and lost all its corrosiveness, and was of a very plea●● taste. This highly putrified Vitriol, thus crude, and not ●●cined, I put into a coated Retort, distilled it in open f● drove it over in 12 hours' space by an exact government fi●e in a white fume, when no more of these fumes ca●● and the red corrosive Oil began to come, than I l●t the 〈◊〉 go out, the next morning, all being cold, I took off the ●●ceiver, poured the gift in the receiver into a body, a● some of the l●●e being fallen into, I filtered it, and had a 〈◊〉 menstrual water, which had some phlegm, because I t● that Vitriol uncalcined, which I abstracted in a Balmy, 〈◊〉 leaving one drop of water in it. I found my Chaos in the bottom of a dark redness, v● ponderous, which I poured into a Viol, sealed it Herme●● set it on a threefoot into a wooden globe into a v●porous hath made of water, where I left it so long, till 〈◊〉 was dissolved, after some weeks it separated into two par● into a bright transparent water, and into an ear●● which settled to the bottom of the glass, in form of a thi● black corrosive, like pitch. I separated the white spi●● from it, and the fluid black matter I set in again to be dissolved, the white spirit which was dissolved of it, I separate again, this work I iterated leaving nothing in the botto● save a dry red earth. After that, I purged my white spi●● per distillationem very exactly, it was as pure as the tear th●● falls from the eye, the remaining earth I exiccated under Muffle, it was as porous, and as dry as dust, on this I pour●● again my white spirit, set it in a digestion, this spirit ex●●●ct the Sulphur, or Philosophic Gold, and was tinged of a 〈◊〉 yellow, I ca●●ed it off from the matter, and in a body abstracted the spirit from the Sulphur, that Sulphur stayed ●●inde in form of an Oil, very fiery, nothing like unto its ●●t, as red as a Ruby: this abstracted white spirit ●ou●ed on the earth again, extracted further its Sulphur, ●●d put it to the former. After this that Corpus terra looked 〈◊〉 a paler colour, which I calcined for some hours under ●uffle, put it into a body, on it I poured my white spirit, ●●racted its pure white fixed Salt, the remaining earth ●●s very porous, good for nothing, which I fling away, ●as these three principles were fully and perfectly sepa●●ed. After all this I took my astral clarified Salt, which weighed ●●lf an ounce, after the weight at Strasburg, and of the ●●ite spirit, which weighed four ounces, of Mercury one ●●nce, and a quarter of an ounce, these I divided into two ●●ts, whose quantity was half an ounce and one dram, I ●●t this Salt to one part of the water in a Viol, and nippd it, 〈◊〉 it in digestion, there I saw perfectly how the Salt discovered itself again in this spirit, therefore I poured to it the ●●her part, which was half an ounce and one dram, no sooner ●●is was put to it, then presently the body together with ●●e spirit turned as black as a Coal, ascended to the end of 〈◊〉 glass: and having no room to go any further, it moved 〈◊〉 and fro, sometimes it settled to the bottom, by and by it ●●e to the middle, than it risen higher, thus it moved from ●●e fourth of July, to the seventh of August, namely 34. ●●ayes, which wonderful work I beheld with admiration; 〈◊〉 last these being united, and turned to a black powder, ●●ying on the bottom, and was dry, seeing that it was so, I ●●creased my fire in one degree, took it out of the we, and 〈◊〉 in ashes, after ten days the matter on the bottom be●●n to look somewhat white, at which I rejoiced hearty, ●●s degree of fire I continued, till the matter above and ●low, became as white as the glittering Snow. But it was no● yet fix, making ●ryal of 〈◊〉, set it in again, increased 〈◊〉 fire one degree higher, than the matter began to ascend a descend, moved on high, stayed in the middle of the g●●● not touching the bottom of it, this lasted 38 day's a● nights, I beheld then as well, as formerly at the 30 daye● variety of colours, which I am no● able to express. 〈◊〉 last th●s powder fell to the bottom, became fix, made p●jection with it, putting one Grai● of it to one, and a qu●●● of an ounce of Mercury, transmuting the same into very g●● Lune. [Now it was time to restore unto this white tincture her true anima, and imbibe it, to bring it from its whiteness unto redness, and to its perfect virtue. Thereupon I took the third principle, namely the anim● which hitherto I had reserved, in quantity it was one ou●● a quarter of an ounce, and one dram, poured to it my reserved spirit of Mercury, whose quantity was one cu●● and a quarter of an ounce, drew it over several times 〈◊〉 alembicum, so that they in the end united together; th●se divided into seven equal parts; one part I poured on m● clarified earth, or tincture, which greedily embraced 〈◊〉 anima together with its spirit, and turned to a ruddiness in twelve days and nights, but had no ting quality 〈◊〉 yet, saving Mercury vive and Saturn, it transmuted in●● Lune, which Lune at the separating yielded three Grai●● 〈◊〉 Gold. I proceeded further with my imbibition, and carrie● all the seven parts of anima into; at the fourth imbibition one part of my work tinged ten parts of Copper into Gold at the fifth imbibition one part tinged hundred parts, at th● sixth it tinged thousand parts, at the seventh it tinged te● thousand parts: Thus, God be praised, my work ended successfully, with great joy of my heart: at this time I got o● the true Medicine four ounces half an ounce, and one dram. The two last in the ponderosity were almost equa● unto the first, out of this my work I paid for Land and Ground, to that Noble Gentleman O. V D. 48000 Gilders. Actum● 1607. These things I set down for a memorandum, tha● I should not forget any of the manuals, and of other things necessary for the work. God be praised for evermore. Amen. An exact work, how Mercury vive is coagulated and brought unto a Lunar fixation which Lune holds Sol also in the trial. TAke of Mercury vive two ounces, of pulverised common Sulphur six ounces, grind these in a wooden dish with a wooden Pestle, set it on a Coalfire in a melting pot, stirring it about continually, ler all the Sulphur evaporate: then take forth the Mercury, grind an equal quantity of Sulphur with it, proceed with its heating as formerly: iterate this work five times; then sublime this Mercury per gradus ignis: take out ●his sublimate, break it in pieces of the bigness of a small Nut, or bean, imbibe them in the white of Eggs, then take a comenting pot, put ashes into it, in the midst of it set an Iron box, stratifie into it this sublimate with refined silver, fill up the box, then lute an Iron lid to it, put ashes on the lid, lute an earthen lid upon that, set this pot into a sand Capel, let your first fire be gentle for twelve hours, then increase your fire for twelve hours more, at last make a forcible fire for 24 hours, then break open the Pot, you will find a black grey matter, carry it on Lead, of four ounces you will get three ounces of fix silver: separate this fine silver in aquaefort, you will find a good deal of black Gold Calx, reserve the silver Calx apart, you may stratify with it another time. Thus far I went in my experience. The fifth and last part Of the last TESTAMENT Of FRIAR BASILIUS VALENTINUS. Treating of the transcendent, and most precious and wonderful Medicine, which the great Creator hath put into Metalline and Mineral Salts, for the benefit of man; to keep him in perfect health continually. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini▪ MDCLVI. The fifth and last part Of the last TESTAMENT Of FRIAR BASILIUS VALENTINUS. BEfore I begin to speak of the Salts of Metals and Minerals, and declare their volumes and other precious and noble growth under ground, in the first place I will prefix the preparation of aurum potabile, because therein lieth the Corona of Medicinals, Universaliter, and meriteth the first place, because Salts of other Metals and Minerals in their innate virtues are for particulars only, and are ordained for to preserve man in health; and there is just cause to begin with the making of au●um potabile without sophistication, and will speak of the distinction of it, that it may be judged infallibly to be the true one. This being my last part, and my intention is to make a perfect relation of aurum potabile, for the benefit of good and understanding men, whom God after my death will rejoice with this my book, which upon tedious and laborious experience I wrote, wherein I speak not by hear-say, but the things I do write of, I know experimentally to be true. Therefore if G●d doth bl●sse th●e with a true knowledge hereof, that you would keep this secretum in silence and privacy, lest you turn God's blessing into a curse: because the preparation of this, and of the stone is one, both have their original, and first generation and birth from the true seed, and Astrologick primum mobile, called the spirit of Mercury, of which formerly I have written more largely. For I speak the highest ●ru●h unto thee, that neither the U●iversal ●or Particular Tincture, neither aurum potabile, nor other Universal Medicine, without this heavenly and spiritual essence, which hath its original from the starry heaven, taketh and receiveth the same, from thence may be had and prepared, therefore be silent till death, at your departing lay down again your talon, as I have done; for if I had not informed you faithfully, you would know but little of that mystery, and continue still with the vulgar in folly, blindness, and madness, and you would have sent a Recipe into the greasy and salvy shops of Apothecaries, but whither would thy Soul have gone after thy departure? into Galen's l●p, to ●he utmost depth of darkness, where the D●vils have their dwelling places, even thither, both thy soul and body w●uld have been sent, in case thou shouldst have divulged a●y of th●se secrets. To ●urn to my intended business, I will in the first place inform you, what is that true and highest aurum potabile, and Universal Medicine, after this in order there followeth another aurum potabile made of the fixed red Sulphur, or Soul of the corporeal Gold, most highly purged, a●d is prepared with the conjunction of the Universal Spirit of Mercury. After this there followeth another Particular Medicine, which is half an aurum potabile, showing its efficacy a●d power in many trials Than I will add thereunto a description of aurum potabile, because it traceth the steps of Gold, and it showeth wonderfully its great energy and virtues. The highest and chiefest aurum potabile, which the Lord God hath laid into nature, is the excocted, prepared, and fixed substance of our stone, before it is fermented. A higher, greater, and more excellent Universal Medicine, and aurum potabile cannot be found nor had in the circumference of the whole World; for it is a heavenly Balsam, because its first principles, and original cometh from heaven, made formal in earth, or under ground, and is afterwards, being exactly prepared, brought into a plus quam perfection, of which first principle and Nativity of this heavenly substance I have already written sufficiently, and count it needless to be repeated here. Now as this excocted and perfect substance is the highest, chiefest, and greatest Universal Medicine unto man, even so on the other side the same matter after its fermentation, is a Tincture also, and the chiefest, greatest, and most powerful Universal Medicine upon all Metals whatsoever, and thereby may be transmuted into their highest melioration and health, namely into the purest Gold. This is the first, chiefest and greatest aurum potabile and Universal Medicine of the whole World, of which alone great volumes could be written: whose preparation was set down circumstantially in the third part, needless to be repeated here again; At this present I will speak of the true and full process, how a true aurum potabile is to be had, and prepared from Gold, which in the best manner is most exactly putrified. Take the extracted Soul of Gold, drawn forth with the sweet spirit of common Salt, as I informed you about the Particular of Gold, where the body of Gold appeared very white, abstract the spirit of Salt from it, edulcorate the anima of Sol ten, or twelve times, at last let it be purely exiccated, weigh it, pour on it four times as much of spirit of Mercury, lute it well, set it in the vaporous Ba●h, putrify it gently, let the anima of Sol be quite dissolved, and be turned into water, or its prima materia, both will turn into a bloubred liquor, fair and transparent, no Ruby on the earth comparable unto it. But thus much you must note, when the anima of Sol gins to be dissolved, and brought into its prima materia, that at the first, on the side round the glass, where the matter lieth, there be seen a green circle, on it a b●ue, the●● a yellow, afterward all the colours of a Rainbow, join, and make appearance, which do last but a little while. The anima of Sol being wholly dissolved into the Mercurial spirit, and nothing is seen in the bottom, then pour to it twice as much of the best rectified spirit of wine, brought to its highest degree, the glass must be luted exactly, digest, and putrify gentle for twelve, or fifteen days together, then abstract per alembicum, that matter cometh over in a blood-red transparent colour: this abstracting must be iterated, nothing must be left in the bottom, which is corporeal, than you have the true aurum potabile, which can never be reduced into a body. But note, the Gold before its destruction and extraction of its Soul must be purged in the highest degree. There is made another aurum potabile, & artificially prepared, which though it cannot be said, or set down in writing to be the full & true potable Gold, yet is it more than half an aurum potabile counted, because it is transcending effectual in many diseases, in which nature might have stood in great doubts. This half aurum potabile is made in a twofold manner, where the latter is better and more effectual than the former, and asketh more pains and time than the former. Take this extracted Soul of Gold, drawn forth with the sweet spirit of common Salt, edulcorate it most purely and exactly, at last exiceate it, put it in a spacious Viol, or body of glass, pour on it red Oil of Vitriol, which was dephlegmed, and rectified per reto●tam, that it be transparent clear and white, and you may see, that it seizeth on the Gold and dissolveth it, and is tinged deeply red. Put so much of this Oil to is, that in it may be dissolved Sulphur, or the Soul of Gold, let it putrify in Balneo Mariae, put a reasonable fire to it, that you may see that the Soul of Gold is quite dissolved in the Oil of Vitriol: the feces, which it hath settled, must be separated from it, than put twice as much of the best rectified spirit of Wine to it, which rectification you shall be informed of in this part, seal the glass, ●et no spirits of the Wine evaporate, set it again in putrefa●●tion in the Balmy, let it be there for a month, than the ●upresse of Vitriol is mitigated by the spirit of Wine, and ●oseth its acidity and sharpness, both together make an excellent Medicine, drive both over, let nothing stay behind in the bottom, than you get more than half an aurum ●●tabile, in form, and colour of a deep yellow liquor. Note, that some Metals in this manner may be proceeded withal, first a Vitriol may be gotten out of the Metal, than a spirit is for her driven from it, and joined in this manner with the Soul, dissolved, and further digested with spirit of Wine, all must enter together into a Medicine, as I told of formerly, which have their special efficacy. The second way to prepare this half aurum potabile, which though it be but half an aurum potabile, yet in virtue and efficacy is far preferred before the other now spoken of, and is done as followeth: Take the extracted Solar Soul, spoken of above, put it into a Viol, pour on it the extracted Philosophic Sulphur, which is the second principle, which is drawn with spirit of Mercury from the Philosophic earth, and Mercury, or the spirit of Mercury, unto an Oleity, which now is Sulphur again, and must be abstracted gently per modum distillationis. Of this Philosophic Sulphur pour on it as much, that the Solar Soul may be dissolved, let it stand in a gentle Bath, let the dissolution be made, then pour more of the best spirit of Wine to it, digest gently, draw these over, let nothing stay behind in the bottom, than you have a Medicine, which doth not want above two Grains of the right and true ●urum potabile. These are the chiefest ways to make the corporeal aurum potabile, this I close, and proceed further with a short, but true process, how the Silver, which is the next to Gold, concerning perfection, is made potable also; this process must be done in the following manner. Take the sky coloured Sulphur, or spirit of Lune, whic● was extracted with distilled Vinegar, as I informed you i● the Particular of Lune, edulcorate it, rectify it with spirit o● Wine, exsiccate it, put it in a Viol, pour to it three time● as much of spirit of Mercury, which is prepared from th● white spirit of Vitriol, as I faithfully taught you in tha● place, lute the glass firmly, set it in putrefaction in the vaporous Bath, let all be dissolved, and nothing more seen i● the bottom, then put to it an equal quantity of the bes● spirit of Wine, set it in digestion for half a month, driv●● all over, let nothing stay behind, than you have the true potable Lune, which in its efficacy is admirable, and dot● wonders when it is used. A description of the fiery Tartar. Distil of good Wine a spirit of Wine, rectify it with white calcined Tartar, let all come over, put that which is distilled over into a Viol, put four ounces of well sublimed Salarmoniac to one quart of spirit of Wine, set a Helmet upon, set a great receiver into cold water, drive the volatile spirits into, gently in Balneo Mariae, leave but a little quantity of it behind. Note, the Alembic must always be cooled with wet , than the spirits will be dissolved, and turn into a liquor. Thus is prepared this hot spirit of Wine. Of the Salt of Tartar. FIrst you must note, that the Philosopher's Tartar is not the vulgar Tartar, wherewith the Lock is opened, but it is a Salt, which cometh from the root, and is the only m●st●cal Key for all Metals, and is prepared thus: make a sharp lixivium of the ashes of Sarments, or twigs of the Vine, boil away all its moisture, there stayeth behind a ruddy ●●tter, which must be reverberated for three hours in a fla●ing fire, stirring it still, let it come to a whiteness, which ●●hite matter must be dissolved in distilled Rain water, let ●●e feces of it settle, filter, and coagulate them in a glass ●●at the matter in it be dry, which dry matter is the Salt of tartar, from which the true spirit is driven. Note, as I told now of the virtue and qualities of precious stones, so there are found also many despicable, and ●●oble stones, which are of great virtues, and experimentally are known to be of rare qualities, which ignorant, and ●●expert men will hardly give credit unto, neither can they conceive of it in their dull reason and understanding: the ●ame I will demonstrate with the example of Calx vive, ●hich in men's judgement is held of no great value, and lieth contemptibly in obscurity, however there is a mighty virtue and efficacy in it, which appeareth, if application be made of it to the most heaviest diseases, seeing its triumphant and transcendent efficacy is almost unknown for the generality, therefore for the good of such, which are inquisitive into natural and supernatural mysteries, and to whom I disclose these mysteries in this my book, I will for a farewell discover also this mystery concerning the Calx vive, and will show in the first place, how its spirit is driven from it, which work indeed requireth an expert Artist, who is well informed aforehand of its preparation. Take u●sluk'd Lyme as much as you will, beat, and grind it on a well-dried stone, to an impalpable powder, put on it so much of spirit of Wine, as the pulverised Calx is able to drink, there must not stand any of that spirit upon it, apply a Helmet to it, lute it well, and put a receiver before it abstract the spirit gently from it in Balneo, this abstracting must be iterated eight, or ten times: this spirit of Wine strengtheneth the spirit of Calx mightily, and is made more fiery hot. Take the remaining Calx out of the body, grind it very small, put to it a tenth part of Salt of Tartar, which is pure, not containing any feces. As much as this matter weigheth together, add as m●● of the additional of Salt of Tartar thereunto, namely 〈◊〉 remaining matter, from which was extracted the Salt 〈◊〉 Tartar, and it must be well exiccated, all this must be mi●●led together, and put in a well coated Retort, three p●● of the Retort must be empty, take a great receiver, or b●● to it, very strongly. Note, the body into which the R●●torts nose is put, must have a pipe of a finger's breadth, u●to which may be applied another body, and a quantity 〈◊〉 spirit of Wine in it: then give a gentle fire to it, at fi●● there comes some of the phlegm, which falls into the f●● applied body: the phlegm being all come over, then increase the fire, there cometh a white spirit to the upper pa●● of the body, like unto the white spirit of Vitriol, whic● doth not fall among the phlegm, but slideth through th● pipe into the other body, draweth itself into the spirit 〈◊〉 Wine, embracing the same as one fire doth join with th●● other. Note, if the spirit of Calx be not prepared first by the spirit of Wine, and drawn off and on, as I told, than he dot●●ot so, but falleth among the phlegm, where he is quenched, ●oseth all its efficacy. Thus difficult a matter is it, to●●●arch nature throughly, reserving many things unto herself. ●his spirit being fully entered into the spirit of Wine, then ●●ke off the body, put away the phlegm, but keep carefully the spirit of Wine, and spirit of Calx: and note, both ●●ese spirits are hardly separated, because they embrace mosely one another: and being distilled, they come over giantly. Therefore take these mixed and united spirits, put them ●o a Jar-glasse, kindle it, the spirit of Wine burneth away, 〈◊〉 spirit of Calx stayeth in the glass, keep it carefully. ●●is is a great arcanum, few of other spirits go beyond its ●●cacy, if you know how to make good use of it. It's quali●● may hardly be set down in any way of abridgement. This spirit dissolveth Oculi Cancrorum, the hardest Cry●●: these three being driven over together, and often iterated in that distilling, three drops of that liquor being mi●●ed in warm Wine, break, and dissolve any Gravel and ●●e in man's body, expelling their very roots, not putlog the patients to any pain. This spirit of Calx at the beginning looks bluish, being ●●tly rectified, looks white, transparent, and cl●●r, leaving 〈◊〉 feces behind. This spirit dissolveth the most fixed ●●wels, and precious stones. On the other side he fixeth all ●●ti●● spirits with his transcendent heat. This spirit conquereth all manner of Podagrical Simples, be they never so nodose and tartarous, dissolveth and ●●●els them radically. To the omnipotent Trine God, Father, Son, and Holy ●●ost, be returned hearty thanks for all his benefits, which 〈◊〉 hath bestowed on man, and discovered those secrets, I ●●ought on in his name. To him be eternal praises. ●men. All that hath breath, praise the Lord. Allelujah! End of the fifth part. BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS TREATISE CONCERNING MICROCOSM, OR, The little World, which is Man's body. What it doth contain, and of what it is composed, what it doth comprehend, and its end and issue. A thing most necessary, and meet for the knowledge of such, that love, and embrace wisdom. LONDON, Printed Anno Domini, MDCLVI. BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS TREATISE. CONCERNING MICROCOSM. THose that s●ek Art, and have a desire to attain to wisdom, are to note, that the Highest, upon my continued prayers hath granted unto me a Clergyman, to make known the many and great mysteries of nature: among which man's body is one to be considered, how that is governed in imitation unto Microcosm. For it is ●●et that the lesser should imitate the greater, and the smallest and meanest ought to be governed by the greatest and most potent. Microcosm, or the great World containeth three things, as the most principal, the rest, which come from these, are merely accidentals. In the first place is to be considered the matter and form of this World, which matter is made form 〈◊〉 out of a non-shape, or a nothing, and the great Creator presently prescribed an order for this matter, what government it should keep, as soon as it came to a life, or motion. This matter and form is water and earth. For at the Creation by a separation of the water from the earth, there was finished the matter and form, as two things belonging one to another, from these all Animals and Vegetables have their beginning, and other two things, as air and fire, which belong one to another, have wrought life therein. The matter and form is earth, the Salt in that earth, the body: even so is with man's body, which is Microcosm. The matter was n● perfect without the form, these joining into one, by God ordinance, the form being become quick, came then to perfection: the matter and form got life by motion, air w● the first causer of that motion, and perfect maturity was ca●sed by a convenient heat, moveably enclosed in the ai●e, thu● the earth was brought to a fertility by the air, it was opened, and became porous by motion for generation. Th● earth being impregnated, made her seed apparent by he aquosity, than air and heat in the nether and upper Regi●on of the Astrals caused that a Birth was brought forth, th● blossoms were produced, and the appointed fruit was ripened by concoction of heat. Calcidity is a Sulphureous hot spirit, w●ich like a Medicament exiccateth the superfluous gross aquosity & phlegmatic matter, which in the generation at the beginning abounds too much in the earth, before the air could have a fellow dominion at the joining with it, carrying the same along in the superfluity of her birth. The second principal part of Microcosm is inobility, for the matter in itself was without life, which by hea● was stirred up, than the vital spirit became to be sensible, which is in man a Sulphurous spirit, kindling the body by a heat, exiccateth the superfluity of the earth by the subtlety of its substance, and governeth the body in a constant motion. For after the heat is gone, than coldness gets the dominion, the spirit of life being gone, no sensibleness felt in the pulse and arteries, and a dead body is found instead of life, at the departing of the warm spirit of Sulphur; rational men ought to take this mystery into consideration. The two first Elements, the matter and form, being apparent, and having gotten a mobility by the two last Elements by light, Microcosm was not yet perfect, the Creator allotted further an increase to the seed of the earth, as well as he did to Vegetables and Animals. God allowed unto earth an imagination for all sorts of seeds, and to bring them forth after their several kinds. Then the earth was impregnated by imagination which God allotted, and the ●aith brought these seeds forth in Man's presence, and the ●eat digested them to a maturity even till high herto. Matter and form of Microcosm being extant, consisting of earth and water, than the Creator caused a life into them ●y an inbreathed warm air, heating the cold earthly substance, giving a heat u● o life and mo●ion, which was the ●oul, which is the true Sulphur of Man, spiritual in comprehensible; sensibly felt by its own operation. All this being ●●nish'd, ●●en God allowed an imagination unto good, in the perfect understanding of Man, that by his imagination he ●uld judge of all the beasts, and impose on each a proper ●ame, and by that imagination he learned to know his ●ife also, that she had fl●sh and bones of his body. Then ●in appea●ed perfect, and that matter was made into a ●hape, of a sensible body. This form being made alive by ●he Soul, had allowed further a subtle spirit unto imagis ●●ion and knowledge, which is an invisible, and incomprehensible form, like a work master, who frameth 〈◊〉 things ●n the mind, which hath its habitation in the upper Region of Microcosm, according to his volatility, and deserveth the name of Mercury, of the invisible spirit of man's ●ody. Form and matter is earthly, the life sticketh in the ●otion, and the knowledge of every understanding unto ●ood and bad standeth in the sharp speculation of Microcosm, the overplus found besides these three, nature ca●eth off as a Cadaver, and is as a Monster, which by the●●●hree is found to be a separation, and a Cantit mort. If glorified Elias were present, and the A●●●als could ●peak, and silent nature had a tongue to express hereof, ●hen I needed not to bring in any further evidence to persuade the incredulous, who considered not judiciously this ●y saying: for a man possessed with blindness cannot pass ●y judgement upon my writings: b●● understanding ●udgeth impatience, and wisdom separateth herself from fol●● by her own experience. This Vital spirit nourisheth, feedeth, and preserveth himself by the Ole●●y of man's Sulphur, which is predominant the blood, and with, or through it doth work in ●he wh● body, that the substance may be perfect. This Vital s● is Mercury, which is found in man, and is preserved by Oleity of its likeness; besides these two, Mercury and S●phur, there is a third thing in man, namely Salt, which h● in the fl●sh, body, and bones. The Salt ministereth its noblest spirit for a nourishm● unto the blood, which saltness is found therein by taste, and disperseth itself throughout the body, pre●veth man's body like a Balsam from pu●efaction, and is the band and copulation, whereby Me●cury, or the V● spirit continueth the longer with the Balsam in the fl●● & dwelleth together in one. For in the Salt there lieth a s●rit, which must protect all other Balsams in their worth a dignity. The remainder found in the flesh, if these th● be taken from it, is a dead thing, as I told formerly, and good for nothing, nor can it be used for any thing. As this Union, Dominion, and Government is in Ma● the like are in Metals, Minerals, and Vegetables, wh● make up their perfect body, do live, keep, and are preserus in the like manner, as man is. As the one followeth up the other in Man, according to order in the like conditi● are other Animals after their ki●de and property. As a C● is an Animal, her food, as grass, is Vegetable, this Vegetable by the heat of the Cow's body is putrified, in that putrefaction is made a separation, which is the Key of all d●solutions and separations, separation being made, than goe● the subtle spirit, the subtle Sulphur, and the subtle Salt the Vegetable's substance of the grass into all Members the whole body of the Cow, the spirit ruleth the beast, t● Sulphur nourisheth it, and the Salt preserveth it. This being done, than nature distributeth her gifts further, making a new separation; as of the superfluou●ness● which the Cow doth not assume by way of assimilation, a● must part with it, and distributeth the same further, and th● 〈◊〉 Milk, this Milk is an Animal substance, transmuted from the Vegetable In this Milk is made another separation by fire, which must be kept gently. For the subtlest spirit of the Milk together with the Sulphur sublimeth, is taken off, and turned to a coagulated far●●sse, which is butter. The ●est is separated by other means, and precipitated, and whereby is made another separation, this is a second coagulation, out of which men make their food: of the overplus ●s made another separation by fi●e, not so far as the former too: at last there remains an aquosity, and is of no grea●●s●fulnesse, because the spirit and its nutriment ●s taken ●rom it by the several separations. After this nature maketh to a further putrefaction another ●nd gross excretion of a Sulphureous and Salt substance, which generateth afresh a living spirit, which is the excrement, this serveth for the earth to be manured withal, ma●ing the earth fertile by its Sulphur and Salt, as being of a ●osse and fat substance, whereby new fruits are produced, ●ere is another nutriture from an Animal into a Vegetable. ●his maketh Wheat, and other Fruits, and Grains to grow, producing again a nutriment from the Vegetables unto Animals. Thus one nature doth follow after the other, by ●ulgar people not so much comprehended, or searched into, ●ot caring to learn nature's qualities so much, which m●xeth ●ach natural things seem to be incredible. To return again to the structure of Man, the noblest spiri●●f life hath its dominion and seat for the most part, an●t ●ost strongly in the heart of man's body, as in the noble ●art: and the Sulphur of man ●iveth unto tha● spirit a nu●iment, and spiritual access for its preservation by the a●re●or if air be taken away from man, than spiri● of li●e is hoaked up, departeth invisibly, and death is at h●●d. The noble Salt spirit is a conserver of both, its nobl●st spi●t penetrateth throughout, the grossest matter of 〈◊〉 Sa ● is ●ast into the bladder, and that hath a spirit of a pedial operation. That which goeth from the Salt throu●h● the ●adder, is wrought upon by a hear, ministereth a n●w ●●cesse, or increase, so that this increase of Salt in man is i● exhaustible, unless it die qu●te, and the body be burn● to ashes, and the remainder be extracted. As for an example; Take the Salts from Minerals, let these grow again coagulate, and extract the Salt again by water, the like seen in nitrous earths also, and other common Salts, a●● there needs not to quote any further examples. The spirit of life hath its process into other Member from the heart, into bones, arms, and the rest of the bo● that are stirring; In diseases and symptoms he is wea● and man by reason of such symptoms, cannot perform h● business in that full strength as at other times, when he in health, feedeth and cherisheth his body with Vegetable spirits, which come from feeding on bread, mea● and drinking of wines, than his body groweth stronger and his Vital spirit groweth potent by such nutriments, i● his superfluity disperseth himself into all Members, an● showeth his operation. If the heart groweth faint, the● is it a sign that the Vital spirit is not nourished, upo● which there ensue speedily deadly diseases; because tha● fire is not at liberty, and falls into an extinction, or choal●ing. The fire in the heart, and the natural heat is preserve● and supported by the air, of that air the Lungs stan● most in need of: the Liver also must have air, else it ca●not laugh: the Spleen must have air, else it will be oppress't with stitching and great pains: the true seat for th● most part o●●●●aire is necessary for the Lungs, if these fa● into any weakness, the cause thereof is, because the Sal● doth no● sh●w its true, and meet help, and must go into rottenness casting up blood and matter: then there is a● hand a corruption of the air, from which the Vital spiri● cannot find any true nourishment, but must be starved because the Salt doth not effect its conserving quality, th● Sulphur, and the increase of the nourishment is obstructed, and is not perfect, whereby are caused Consumptions, witherings of the body, consuming of the flesh, and exiccation of the blood, and of the marrow. The substance of Salt, o● the Salt spirit, which preserveth the body, hath its ●eat for the most part in the bladder, where all humidities have their issue, the remaining gross Salt is separated, and excerned by Urine, as you heard already. I repeat it here again for that end, because the most noble spirit, which doth preserve man, doth copulate, and maketh friendship with the Vital spirit and its nutriment, which is Sulphur, and so they make the body perfect, and if any informity be incident, either from the operation, or defective quality of the Stars, or from a disorderly life in eating and drinking, and many other inconveniences, and any corruption be present, than nature is not in her perfect condition. Here the knowing Physician must inquire into the cause, from which of these three the Symptom doth arise, and cure the same with convenient remedies, and not with any contrary Medicines: as heat must be cured with heat, cold with cold, pricking with pricking: for one heat draweth the other, one cold draweth another, even as Iron is drawn by a Magnet; and so pricking simples may cure stitching diseases, and poisonous Minerals can heal, and bring to right poisonous Symptoms, if they be duly and well prepared. And although sometimes externally a cooler be supplied, however I speak as a Philosopher, and one that is experienced in nature, that like must be cured and expelled fundamentally with the like, otherwise true Medicaments are not applied, and the Physicians deal not really in their profession. He that is not fundamentally learned herein, or doth nor observe these things, he is not a true Physician, neither can he really say that he hath learned any truth in Physic, because he is not able to discern cold and heat, dry and wet: for knowledge and experience, and a fundamental inquiry into nature's mysteries make a good Physician next the knowledge of the Creator, from whom all, and every wisdom doth descend, and is the Author of the beginning, middle, and end thereof. Next the invocation of the Creator, there follow natural means and Medicaments, as they are found in themselves in their highest degree; I make no further mention here of other Animals: Metals and Minerals follow next, for in Gold, Silver, and other Metals, even to t● seventh and last Planet, are hid excellent things, Mercu● being predominant in all, in some more than in other and Minerals also are not without their virtuous Medicines, and the former seven Planets were in their beginning only Minerals. The Tincture of Sol together with the potable Gol● and Silver are of great efficacy. Mercury ruleth Microcosm: that, which is found in the best Metals and mo● precious stones may be drawn also, if need be from Minerals. For perfect Metals are grown, or have their de●scent from Minerals, as from Vitriol, Antimony, and th● like. Vitriol is Sulphur, Antimony is Mercury, the Sa● which is the copula, or binder, is found in both, if these are made fix are like unto the best Metals, for they a● generated by them: Minerals come from the three principles, as well as Metals: the three principles come from their prima materia, called primum Ens, which is nothing else but a watery substance found dry, is not likened to any matter which is grown, and is preserved by the fou● Elements, and these are cherished, or nourished by Astrals. The Creator hath ordained all these out of 〈◊〉 nought, because man should not gaze only upon earthly matters, but consider heavenly ones also, and aught to know things supernatural, that faith may over top the rest, and have the prerogative in things seen and felt, and be preserved therein. If Physicians do not understand these things, they ought not to be held for Physicians, for the knowledge of God and of nature make a Physician, as I told of it formerly, and not great prating without true knowledge; Good writings of expert men may conduce somewhat hereunto. In brief, humane reason in Physicians is not able to comprehend sufficiently, muc● less are they able to decide, fathom, and fully learn, what manner Medicaments there may be made of Microcosm, for he containeth a perfect Medicine for all diseases, like with like must be expelled and cured. Mercury of Microcosm is a living, incomprehensible, and volatile spirit, as I have told. Man's Balsam drieth up a Dropsy, and the clarified Salt of it cu●eth Consumptions; in Epileptic fits it doth excellent well, and being prepared into a fragrant spirit, all corrosiveness being taken from it, is nothing inferior unto aurum potabile, to preserve man's health; it is very excellent for curing Leprosy: Passing by such diseases, which are of a lower nature and degree, it breaketh the stone in the bladder, and cureth all Salt Rheums, if the Artist prepareth it well, and knoweth how to make use of it afterward. Thus I close with Microcosm, contained in few lines, much more could be spoken of this matter, or form, mobility and imagination, how they were brought unto perfection. For if these stand together in a true middle, will make up a sweet Harmony: for without the matter, or form of the body, without the moving of the powers, and defect of perfect thoughts Ortheus will not please the Dolphin with any harmonious melody: as it is with man, so it is with Metals: Mercury is the mobile in Gold, if the body be anatomised: Sulphur is hot, being driven from a Mineral and fixed, drieth the phlegmatic Lune, warmeth her, maketh her Soul equal unto himself. In the matter and form there lieth a Salt, which affords the coagulation of the body: the remainder in the Gold put away, for separation will afford a further revelation. Vegetables also show the form of their three principles, the visible matter containeth the Vegetable Salt, which is its conservative, the fragrancy of the Vegetable is the Balsam, which ministers a nourishment unto its perfect growth, the odour, or smell of any Herb is of a volatile quality, and spiritual, and the spirit for the most part showeth itself in the frangrancy, and penetrateth the Balsam, and its odour, be it pleasant, or not, is the essence, whereby men in their senses learn the condition and properties of Vegetables. For other things I have written, I praise the Lord, which dwelleth on high. Thus closing I wish to every one the grace and blessing of God the Creator of all Creatures, that they may be blessed, wise, and rich, both in this temporal and corruptible World, and in the other World attain to an eternal bliss. Amen. Of the Mystery of Microcosm, its Medicinal parts belonging unto Man, written by BASILIUS VALENTINUS. TO make use of the heavenly Revelation, about two Luminaries, and of the mysteries of the whole Medicine, which lieth in that marvellous instrument of Microcosm, within and without, that is, in the body, and without, as ordinary wounds, Sores, Ulcers, that have their cause from within, have their descent from one root, however, must be severally prepared and dressed. For that within is not like to that which is without, in respect of their operation; but in respect of their form and matter they are under one judgement. And that I may rightly inform my fellow Christian, I must needs acknowledge and confess, that there are two Medicines, which heal all diseases and symptoms, be they whatsoever, and are made of one, the one is called PHALAIA, and is for inward use, the other is called ASA, is for external cures: both may be called to be only One, they differ only in their preparation; how both must be brought to their operative quality, the way unto it is showed in my Manuals. For they must first be rightly known, and their nature must be searched into. Their matter is One, which by that exp ession I purposely h●ld it forth lest it should be made too common, I after ●he manner of Ancient Philosophers before m●, hiding secrets under dark sentences, hoping by the prayers of others to have their Souls saved, and received into that Garden, in which our first Parents were created. No●e, both Medicines are made of one matter, as I have already informed you. If used inwardly, it takes away all manner of informities: the matter is putrified, separated, and in a spagyric way purged in the best manner, and brought to a Medicine of the highest degree, by fixing its own nature, which must brought to pass in the fire. It's fo●mer poisonous volatile quality must be rectified, by being prepared to an everlasting fixedness, which expels, purges, and rectifies all malignant spirits, that a good nature may live quietly in a pure habitation. For this prepareth Medicine, keepeth that course, wherever it ●●eetheth with any malignity, it will be revenged on it, and striveth to expel it, and will solely keep possession there: for she cannot endure any contrary things about her, which are defiled wi●h the least impurity. PHALAIA is the Universal Medicine to be used inwardly, and ASA is the Universal remedy for outward uses: it put fi man's blood, taketh away all impurity, strengtheneth the brain, heart, stomach, and all other parts, causeth good blood, strengtheneth the memory, repaireth the defects, which are befallen the three principles, restore●h all lost things: it is the very Key, whereby the body is opened: for it chaseth away Leprosy, Dropsy, Consumptions, Gout, and all other diseases generally; for no sinful Creature is fallen so totally, but she may have a com●●●t unto salvation in a spiritual way, and a Medicine unto health, appointed thereunto by the Creator, which is had if nature be anatomised by an expert Artist, to be prepared for that use. Here I speak of such diseases, which by some are called incurable: for ordinary diseases there are ordinary means, which here are not mentioned, the uses of them are mentioned in a special Treatise. But of my PHALAIA I say thus much, according to my long experience, that nothing can conceal, or hid itself from her, being a penetrating searcher into all infirmities, she penetrateth the body spiritually like a fume, penetrateth the Arteries, Muscles, and all the parts of the body like a Balsam, restoreth strength which was lost by her Salt spirit. Further, I cannot speak in the praising of my PHALAIA, she being a praise to such that make use of her. He that getteth this PHALAIA tightly, to him is she sufficient for to cure all diseases. No tongue is able to express, and set forth fully her virtues. As diseases do differ, which are incident unto the body, so there are means for their cure: but this Medicine cureth all diseases in general, being of an heavenly fidereal quality, descended from the Elements, and generated by the three principles, coming from the very heart of its Centre of the whole circumference of the Globe performeth all, affording to Microcosm a perfect Medicine found so really, according as the name imports her virtue, but if rightly made and prepared, the use of it will prove it sufficiently. ASA is found in the operation, for external Symptoms, as old Ulcers, Fistulaes', Cancers, which made many Chirurgeons doubt whether ever they may be cured; but this ASA hath made the cure: it consumeth all bad blood, which was fallen into corruption, and may be inwardly used, because it will then exiccate, and dry up the fountains, from whence spring all manner of Sores, Fistulaes', Cancers, Wolves, noli me tangere, running Legs, Worms, and the like, be it on what part of the body, where Plasters, Poultices, and the like cannot help, and are not strong enough, this alone will do it. For fresh wounds, be they made by stobbing, cutting, slashing, it needs not to be administered, being too strong for such wounds, gentler means are fit for them; Balsams, Oils, Plasters, may heal●nes●, either outwardly, or inwardly; Powders and potions may be prepared. Symptoms in wounds, having their causes from within, must be cured by searching into them, and the means for their cure must be prepared of that strength, that they may reach home. As in this matter, things must be united, and be taken from the generation of ABIHAIL, being joined in their principles of the fi●st essence, by nature's means, it's brought to the highest perfection, whereby such Sores, Ulcers, etc. are fundamentally cured. For ordinary wounds there is no need of it, if no Symptoms are at hand, and the party endangered, a Balsam only will perform the deed, mollifying the flesh, and nature will further, and promote the cure Be thankful next God to me, that hath taught you inward and outward Medicines, and are such, which others before me have concealed, they can cure fundamentally any Symptoms, be they within, or without on the body, such virtues are not found in Outlandish woods, drugs, or herbs: Foreigners have their proper climates, under which they have convenient Physical Vegetables: our climate affords unto us proper Medicinal Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals for our constitution; only Doctors are not expert to make their Medicinal preparations out of them. I hold with my Physic PHALAIA and ASA of one name in their descent, whereby nature hath made me to be a Physician; it keepeth good to the last, preserveth man in health and strength all the time the Creator hath appointed for him: virtue it hath showed triumphantly in many parties, obtaining victory against all its enemies, and it was apparent to the world, that these two Medicines PHALAIA and ASA of one kind, and of one matter made and prepared: and it is found daily, that in the generality they can set all into a perfect degree, as being descended from the Centre, can preserve the Centre as the Root, and can bring things to right within and without, tending to that end, for which it is prepared. Thus I wish the Reader, to whom I faithfully intimate the Manuals of it, prosperity and success in the preparation of it, that it may be unto his health: the work will praise the Master, upon Oath I further inform you t us, that four things are required to make a perfect Philosopher and true Physician. First, he must be importunate and fervent in his devotion to God, as the highest heavenly Physician, to ask of him grace, wisdom, understanding, and his blessing upon his undertake, that it may appear unto the world, that God grants things for the good of men, that he may be praised and magnified for such benefits: and is to show himself in his life and conversation godly and honest. Secondly, a Physician ought to know the diseases, and to distinguish the one from the other, and what proper remedies he is to use against these diseases: for without the knowledge of diseases a Physician is not perfect: man's complexion must be discerned, the cause of the disease searched into, and the means well considered, that no contraries be applied, whereby further troubles are caused▪ proper remedies fitting the disease must be applied, that restitution be made unto former health. Thirdly, it is requisite, that he read frequently the writings of ancient Philosophers, and read them over and over, and take notice in what they do concur and agree, and where they aim all at one mark, than he that hath understanding will discern the good from the bad, Sophistry from truth: the ancients knew many good things, for mine own part I must confess, that I borrowed the foundation of my knowledge from them, which made me to lay it to heart, and am thereby moved to leave for others also a cornerstone, that truth may further be confirmed, and the grounds of it be made easier, clearer, plainer, and more manifest by a further knowledge of my writing. Fourthly, a Philosopher must learn to Anatomize things in nature, to know what they contain within and without, to separate the poison from the Medicinal quality. Hereunto belong several Manuals, how to dissolve, separate, exalt, and prepare fully Metals, Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals. He that ha●h learned all these, he may discourse wisely of things, confirm their grounds in truth; but others, which are ashamed to work herein, cannot glory in any truth: because by the receipts found in other men's writings, are these men led, and made a trade of other men's writings, not endeavouring to learn more in thei● own experience: I am not ashamed to learn daily, because nature is ●ound and endless, cannot be comprehended fully, by reason of the shortness of man's life, and none can say that there is nothing left more for him to learn. No such matter. Thus you see, that God's blessing must be obtained by fervent and frequent praying unto God, the causes of diseases must be known, their cure must be ordered according to the direction of Philosophic writings, adjoining an experimental knowledge thereunto. He that doth, and knoweth ●hese four things may glory in his ways, confirming things in deeds, and not to exercise a trade upon other men's receipts. My Medicaments, if well prepared and duly used, will by Gods help make known, that they received their strength from God, the marvellous Creator to perform these things, which ignorants, and men of li tle faith cannot comprehend: by daily experience faith getteth strength, that man may praise the highest, who hath put such ve●●●●s into natural things, for the which mortals are not able to return sufficient thanks. As much as lieth in my power I will praise the Lord day and night, and is not possible to require him in any other way. At the closing observe thus much; in School long discourses are made of the three principles of all things, of the matter of heaven, what it is made of, and on what the earth doth rest, how the Elements were made, and of the beginning of the Firmament, and of several opinions they are about the original causes of Metals Minerals, Vegetables, of their qualities and properties, o● the original of man, and of other Animals, s●●●ching in their conceits into their lives, virtues, etc. Bu● my Son hearken unto me, and take notice of what I say: all their pretended sayings are a mere nothing, they speak ignorantly without any certainty: because they have no experimental knowledge, having laid no foundation, nor have they learned any true decision in their demonstration● Thoughts pay no Custom, or Toll, they fly into heaven, descend to the neathermost parts of the earth, if experience & their thought do not concur, than their thought are found a mere opinion, than they must confess, I d●d not think it could be so! Man's thoughts are fi●ly compared with a dream, because nothing follows upon an imagination; Nature's secrets must be studied experimentally. If Artists, or Mechanics would imagine to work such, or such things, be it Watches, or other curious Metalline works, but doth not invent fit instruments, whereby to make that work they have in their fancy, what can they produce by that imagination? An empty opinion, and no Art. So in the knowledge of Natural things, their secrets require a● greater exactness to be searched into, which to lazy unexpert men seem strange and impossible. I tell you there is required an exact diligence to find that, which lieth ●i●● in them, it must be done by separation. Nature must be anatomised, good and bad in it must be discerned, what is contained in each in its Centre, for the general, and what cometh from it in particular. Therefore Macrocosm and Microcosm, yea, the things which grow and are found therein, are compared to a round Circle, in whose middle there is a Centre, let the Circle be turned which way it will, it keepeth round every way, and its Centre stayeth unremoved. A Philosopher also must know rightly the Centre of each matter, which must stand unremoved in every substance, but the substance may be turned any way he pleaseth, and make of it several forms, according as it received its power from above. 〈◊〉 speak now to be taken notice of thus: I take in hand any natural thing, dissolve, or open it by a Key, which is the means of the unfolding, and search therein by a fire's proof, which is the master of all proofs, what may be made of it: Here I find as many wonders and qualities, which I never thought of, much less had I experience of. Of natural things are made Powders, Oils, Water, Salt, volatile spirits and fumes: In these preparations are beheld wonders upon wonders, witness the distillations, digestions, and putrefactions. There are found and seen many spiritual and corporeal colours, which appear black, grey, white, blue, green, yellow, red, Azure colour with a reflection of all manner of insprinckled colours, which cannot well be described, and unexpert men hardly believe it. ●rom these preparations are several qualities felt, the one 〈◊〉 corrosive and sharp, the other is pleasant and mild, the ●ne is sour, the other is sweet, according as they are prepared, so they yield good and bad, poison, or physic: for good thing can be made the worst poison, and the worst ●oyson can be turned into the best Medicine: which is not 〈◊〉 great a marvel, because all lieth in the preparation of ●●ings: though every one cannot conceive of it, yet it is so, ●nd will be a truth for ever, because nature hath manifested ●●r self thus by experience. A blind man cannot tell how the inward parts of man's ●●dy are conditioned, but the seeing Physician, who ana●●mizeth the body, he can judge of the situation of the ●eart, Brain, Liver, Lungs, Reins, Bladder, of the Entrails, ●●d of all the Veins, and knoweth in what form and condi●on they are. But before he hath made this anatomy, all ●ese were hid from him, a Myner which seeketh so Oars, 〈◊〉 doth not know what riches he may expect from Metals, ●●lesse he open the Oar, and so fine it: what he findeth in 〈◊〉 by fire, than he may know really in his calculation, what ●●hes he may expect from it. So other things must be provided in, which true Naturalists will endeavour to do, and not prate of things only without experimental knowledge, disputing of colours with the blind man; learn to know the ground with your own eyes and hands, which Nature hideth within her, than you may speak wisely of them with good reason, and you may build upon an invincible Rock. If you do not so, than you are but a Fantastic prater, whose discourse is grounded on sand without experience, and is soon shaken by every wind, and ruined in the end. The ground of this knowledge must be learned as you heard, by anatomising and separating of things, which by distillation is made known: where every Element is separated apart, there it will be made known what is cold, or moist, warm, or dry. There you learn to know the three principles, how the spirit is separated from the body, and how the Oil is separated from the water, and how the Sale is drawn from the Caput mort of each matter, and is reduced again into a spirit, and how these three are afterward joined again, and by fire are brought into one body. Further is here learned, how each after its separation, and afterward in a conjunction may profitably and safely be used for their several uses they are prepared for: all which must be done by a medium. At the first Creation man is earthy & gross, but his Soul, Spirit, and Body, being separated by death, putrefieth under ground, and when the Highest cometh to judgement, he is raised again, his Body, Soul, and spirit cometh together, according to Faith and Scripture; that body is no more earthy, as it was formerly, but is found heavenly and clarified, glittering as the Stars in the East, and like the Sun is seen, when all the Clouds are past. So it is here, when earthiness is broken, divided, and separated, than the three principles of the dead substance are made apparent, the dead one is forsaken, the living power comes to her perfection, because her obstruction is laid aside, that the virtue in the operation may be manifested; In this separation and manifestation is then known what these three principles are, which are so much discoursed of, namely Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, according to the condition of the subject. He that doth not think it to be true, let him go to the end of the World, where he shall feel all what in his dumb capacity he could not comprehend: if any one should intent to teach me any other with a prolixity of words, he may fill me with words, but he must prove it really also, for without that I am not bound to believe his words, but desire some sign as Thomas, one of the Twelve, who looked for an Ocular demonstration: I might have left out Thomas, but being there is a cleft between a spiritual and worldly unbeliever, I gave liberty to my mind to speak it, for there is a great difference in heavenly and worldly matters, touching faith and things comprehensible, and there is that difference found also in fidereal & earthly things: for fidereal things are comprehended by sharp imagination, and Arithmetic rules, but to the finding out of earthly things there belongeth speculation and separation: with speculation must be joined an intention, and an apprehension is annexed to speculation, the former is done spiritually, because the spirit of man doth not rest, desireth to apprehend more qualities of the spirit in things natural: every spirit still draweth its like: the rest is earthy: for an earthy body separateth by manuals the earthly body from the spiritual part, and so the one may be discerned before and from the other. Whereas the soul in both showeth herself really, therefore is she in all really, for she toeth the heavenly and earthy together like a bond, but when the heavenly is ●●●arated from 〈◊〉 ●●●rthy, that the soul also must forsake her body, than you 〈◊〉 ●●●arated and received the three, each apart, which a●●●● 〈◊〉 true knowledge and conjunction can afford such a triumphing and clarified body which is found in a better degree of many thousand times, because the grossest is laid aside from the earthy. For when heaven and earth come to be refined by the great Creator, than the greatest part will be consumed by fire, and by that purging it will be exalted to the same degree with the heavenly, and set into the same line, for each all is created by one, each all is ordained by one, and though through sin by one man all was corrupted unto death, yet all is by one brought to a better State of life: and the only Creator intends to judge all by fire, and all must again become one, which will be that heavenly essence, to which the earthl gave way by means of the fire: the eternal glory leaving a room for devil and death, from whence they shall look on the elect, admiring the great Majesty and glory of God, which in a divine essence of three distinct persons is all in all: and hath created all. Thus the three persons in the deity have held forth in us their invisible essence, giving thereby to understand by an insearchable wisdom, what their creature & order is: we men are too weak to come higher; God is and will be God, and we men must be content with such gifts afforded unto us: hereafter shall be accomplished that which is prophesied of by Prophets and Apostles, and now are conceived of only by way of faith, therefore we ought now to be contented, what by Nature is intimated in a visible way: other things incomprehensible unto us, & matters of faith, will appear better to be understood at the end of the world, God grant unto us all a true knowledge of temporal goods and of the eternal. At the closing of this I say, that this is the whole Art and whole foundation of all the Philosophic speech in which is that sought; which many desire, taking great pains, and making great expenses, namely to get wisdom and judgement, a long life, health & riches of this world comprehended in few words; as for example. First you must know, that I wi●● show unto you such an example of th●● 〈◊〉 ●●nals, which in the appearance is a mean and poor on● 〈◊〉 ●f a mihgty consequence, if rightly considered, The 〈◊〉 ●ayeth an egg, the same egg is by heat brought to a hard 〈◊〉 or coagulation; by a further heat it is brought to a putrefaction, where it it corrupted: in this putrefaction the egg receiveth a new Genus, wherein is raised a new life, and a chicken is hatched, This chicken being perfect, the shell openeth making way for the chichen to creep forth, this chicken coming to a further ripeness & age, increaseth further in her kind. Thus Nature furthereth her own kind, and augmetteth Usque ad infinitmm. True, the egg is not prima materia of the Cock or Hen, but the prima materia of their flesh is the first seed, out of which the egg is gone into a form, which by the equal nature of the motion of both is driven together and united, from thence by a further heat it went to a putrefaction, from thence into a new birth, which new birth still propagateth and increaseth. So it is with man, for one man alone cannot produce a new birth, unless both seeds of male and female be united, for after this conjunction through the Nutriment of the body, and continued natural heat of these two seeds, which in the Centre are known for one Nature, get a new life, and more men are begotten, which propagate further by their seed, by this means the whole world is filled with men. This seed of man is the noblest subtlest blood of a white quality, in which dwelleth the vital Spirit, which is driven together by motion. If these seeds of both kinds by their desire of lust are together united, and their Natures be not corrupted, or else are contrary one to another, than there is preserved a life by a heat, and brought to perfection in the mother's womb, and another man is brought forth, Thus much be spoken of the seed of Animals. The vegetable seed is made palpable and visible which from each kind of herb is separated and propagated in the earth for an increase, which seed must first putrify in the earth, and then must be nourished by a temperate moisture, at last this seed by a convenient warm air is brought to a perfection, thus vegetables are increased, and in their kind preserved: but the first beginning of a vegetable seed is a spiritual essence or astral influence, whereby in the earth was gotten an imagination, and became impregnated with a matter, out of which by the help of the Elements it came to be something: what form of seed the earth was desirous of after the heavenly impression, that form it received first, and brought it to a kind, which bringeth a further increase by its palpable seed in the generation, hereby man may try his further skill: but he is not able to create a new seed, as Nature doth by an influence from above only he is able to increase a form seed. Of Metals and Minerals I inform you this, that there is one only Almighty Being, which is from eternity, and abideth unto eternity, which is the Creator of heaven and earth, namely the eternal Deity in three distinct persons, which three in the Deity are a perfect divine being: and though I confess and acknowledge these three persons, yet I confess only one God in one Being. This I do now speak as a Type of the first seed of the three principles, that the first beginning, to beget Metallin seeds is wrought in the earth by a fideriall impression, which quality presseth from above into the nether as in the belly of the earth, and worketh continually a heat therein, with the help of the Elements; for both must be together: the earthy affords an imagination, that the earth is fitted for conception and is impregnated, the Elements nourish and feed this fruit, bring it on by a continued hot quality unto perfection, the earthy substance affords a form thereunto; thus at the beginning the Metallin and Mineral seed is effected namely by an astral imagination, Elemental operation, and terrestrial form: the astral is heavenly, the Elementary is spiritual, and the earthy is corporeal, these three make of their first Centre the first essence of the Metallin seed, which Philosophers have further searched into, that out of this essence there is become a form of a Metallin matter, palpably joined together of three, of a Metalline Sulphur heavenly, a Metalline Mercury spritual, and a Metalline salt bodily, which three are found at the opening of Metals: for Metals and Minerals must be broken and opened: Minerals are of the same sanguinity, of the same quality and nature, as Metals are, only they are not sufficiently ripened unto coagulation, and may be ackowledged for unripe Metals, for the spirit in them is found as mighty Metalline as it is in the perfectest Metals. For Metals may be destroyed and easily reduced unto Minerals, and of Minerals are prepared Medicaments, which ripen and transmute Metals, which must be noted; and it is done, when Spirit, Soul and Body are separated & purely reunited. The remaining terrestrity being put off, then followeth a perfect birth, and the perfect ripening by heat performs her office, that Spirit, Soul and Body at the beginning in their first seed have been a heavenly water, which begot these three, out of which three is become a Metalline Sulphur, a Metalline Mercury, & a Metalline salt, these in their conjunction made a fix, visible, palpable body; first began a Mineral one, than a Metalline by an astral imagination, digested and ripened by the Elements, and by an earthly substance are made formal and Material. Now when these bodies of Minerals and Metals are reduced to their first beginning, than the heavenly seed doth appear and is spiritual, which spiritual must become an earthy one by the copulation of the Soul, which is the medium and middle bond of their Union to make a Medicine out of it, whereby is obtained health, long life, wisdom, riches in this mortal life: this is the true sperm of Philosophers, long sought after, but not known: whose light was desired of many to be seen, and is even the first matter, which lieth open before the eyes of all the world, few men know, it is found visibly in all places, Namely Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, & a Mineral water or Metalline liquor, as the Centre, separated from its form, and made by these three principles. The Heavenly Physician, the eternal Creator and inexhaustible fountain of Grace, & the F●●●●●●f all wisdom, Father Son and Holy Ghost in one Dei●● 〈◊〉 us to know really in a due gratefulness his wond● 〈◊〉 ●orks, and make us coheyres of his everlasting goods, 〈◊〉 we after a temporal revelation may in a true light seek for heavenly treasures, and may possess them eternally with all the elects, where there is unspeakable glory without end, which is attained unto by faith in our Saviour, by bringing forth good fruits, by loving of our neighbours, and helping the needy, which must be made evident with an unblameab●● 〈◊〉 and due obedience to God. Amen. FINIS.