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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 Research Library, The Getty Research Institute 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/newlightofalchymOOsedz 
 
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^ ANEWLIGHT 
 
 A L C H Y M I & 
 
 Taken out of the fountaine of 
 
 NATURE, and Manuall 
 
 Experience. 
 
 To which is added aTREATISEof 
 
 SVLPHVR: 
 
 Written by Mkbeel Sandwogius: 
 
 i.e. Anagram matically, 
 DIFI LESCHI GENUS AMO, 
 
 Alfo Nine Books Ofth^ "Nature of Things^ 
 
 Written hy f AKACELSVSy visa. 
 ^Generations ^rRenew'iH^ T 
 
 Cfrbv"<^ /- ^- ><r ^ -^ .• >of Natural things. 
 
 "" jConjervAttonsCjSefaration ( ^ 
 
 (.Life : Deiith^Csigfiatures -J 
 
 Airo a Chymicall Didionary explaining hard places 
 
 and words met withall in the writings oi Paraceljus^ 
 
 and ether cbfcurc Ajthois. 
 
 All which are hithfully tranilatcd on: of the 
 Latin into the ErigUjh tjngue. 
 
 By f.F. M.D. 
 
 London, Printed by KichardCotcs, for Ihomas WillUms^ at the 
 Bible in Little-Britain, 1650. 
 
\J 
 
To the Reader 
 
 judicious Reader , 
 
 Hereis abundance of know, 
 ledge, yet but little truth 
 known. The generality of 
 our kno wiedgis tut as Ca- 
 ftles in theaire,or ground- 
 Jeffe fancies. I know but 
 two waysthat are ordained for the getting 
 of wifdome, '^//x^the book of God^^nd or 
 Nature^and theie aUo,but as they arc rea4 
 with reafon^ Many look upon the former 
 as a thiivg below them, upon the latter as 
 a g'-ound of Atheifme, and therefore neg- 
 leS both^ It is my judgement, that as to 
 fearch the Sciptures is moft nectfTary, fo 
 without reafon it is impofffble. Faith wrrh- 
 
 A 2 out 
 
The Epijile 
 
 out reafon is but implicitcjf /cannot Uit- 
 dcrftand by reafon how every thing is,y<c 
 i wil lee lomereaton that a thing is lo, be- 
 fore / beleeve it to be fo J will ground my 
 belecving of the Scripture upon reafon, 
 I will improve my reafon by Philofaphy^ 
 How (hall we convince gain-fayersofthe 
 truth of the Scriptures, but by principles 
 of Reafon? When God made Man after his 
 own image,How was thai?But by making 
 him a rational creature?Men therforc that 
 lay afide Reafon in the reading of facrcd 
 myfteries^do butun«man themfelvcs, and 
 become further involved in a Labyrinth of 
 crrors^Hencc it is that their Religion is de^ 
 generated into irrationall notions^Now to 
 fay, that pure Philofophy is true Divi- 
 nity, will haply bee a paradox, yet if any 
 one Ihould affirm it,he would not be hete- 
 rodox* When 7^^ had been along time 
 juftifyinghimfelfe againftGod, which I 
 conceive was by reaion of his ignorance 
 of God,andhimfelfei, God undertakes to 
 convince him of his errour by the princi^: 
 plesof N;^ture, and to bring him to the 
 knowledge of both ; as you may fee at 
 
 large,. 
 
to the Reader] 
 
 large, Job jS^ Can any deny that Hermes^ 
 
 ^Uto^ ^riflotle (^though pure Naturalifts ) 
 
 were not moft deep Divines? Doc not all 
 
 grant that the two fii ft cha.of Gf/^^are true 
 
 Divinity? I dare alio afBrm that they arc 
 
 the moft deep and the trueft PhilofophyJ 
 
 Yea, they are the ground, and /um of all 
 
 Divinity, and Philofophy t and if rightly 
 
 undcrftood, will teach thee more knows: 
 
 ledge olGod, and thy felfe^then all the 
 
 books in tke world befides4 Now for the 
 
 better underftanding of them,make ufeof 
 
 moft profound 5^/7 J/'Z'f^^/fw the author of 
 
 thcfirft of the enfuingTreatifes,as the beft 
 
 Expofitor oi them : in that treatifeof his 
 
 thou flialtfee themyftery of the Deity j6c 
 
 Nature unfolded, even to admirationtas to 
 
 fee what that light,And fire is which is the 
 
 throne ofGods Majefiy 4. How he is in the 
 
 heaven moft glorioufly, & in the creatures 
 
 providentially. How he is the life of that 
 
 univerfall vSpirit which is diffufed through 
 
 the whole worlds. What that Spirit of his. 
 
 15 that moved upon the Waters* What 
 
 thofe Warters are which are above the 
 
 Firinament,and which arc under the Firss 
 
 A J mamcntj, 
 
The Fpijile 
 mamenr^ What that Sperm and Seed was 
 which God put into all creatures by which 
 they fhould he multiplyed4 The true man^ 
 nerof MansCreatioii^and his degenerating 
 hvto Morcality^The true nature ot the Gar- 
 den of Eden^ox Paradiie^ Alio the reafon 
 why Gold, which hid a Seed put into it,as 
 well as other crearares, whereby itfliould 
 be nwiltip'Iyed,doth not multiply ^ What 
 tfce obftru^ion is, and how it may bee res 
 movcdjthat fo it may be digefted into the 
 kigbeft pia fifty ^and become the true Elixir, 
 or Pbilofopbers ftoaiei the poffibility 
 whereof is fo plairi'fy iUuftrated in this 
 book oiSandk^agms, tJaat Je t any judici^ 
 Otasman read it over without all partiality 
 amd prejudioejhut t brec or four times, and 
 hefhaM fiolens iwkns be convinced of the 
 rTuthiofit,and not only of this, but of ma- 
 ny other my fteries as incredible as thig^So 
 that iiiiny onefhouldask anc, What one 
 book did moft conduce to the knowledge 
 of 'God and the Ci^ature., and the myite- 
 ries tliereof, I ftiould fpeake contrary to 
 my judgment^itl (hould not^next to the 
 fiicfcd Wrkjfay £aniU<z^agiu>s^ All this I 
 ..I'^^i.Uii fpeak 
 
totbcKeaJer* 
 Ipcak for chy encouragement , that thou 
 fliouldft lay afide other frivolous bookcs , 
 and buy this,and read itover,»Sc thou wile 
 i^I queftion not)thank mee for my advice. 
 And as this booke doth in general!, £o 
 the fccond oi thcfe Trcatifes doth in parfs 
 ticular illuftratc thepoflibiiity of Nature, 
 and the myfteiies thereof, as alfo the na- 
 ture and manner of the Generation, 
 Growth, Confcrvation, Life, Death, Re- 
 newing, Tranfmutation5,^eparations,and 
 Signatures of ail naturall things, in the ex- 
 plication of which many rare experiments 
 and excellent myfteries are diicovered 
 and found out^. 
 
 To thefe is added a Chymical Di^ionary^ 
 explaining hard places^ and words msc 
 iwithall in obicure Auchoi>8. But this, and 
 the other I fpeak mom fparingly in the 
 commendatioiis of, bccau fe it read they 
 will fpeak more for them fel v<es thjco I caa 
 fpeak fox them t only i was wiHing for the 
 EngUfh nations lake , "whofo fplrips are 
 ^xnuch drawn forth after knowledge, to 
 trajnflatc tiiem into the E»gU(h tongue, 
 idid notibe it to multiply books , ( iot 
 
 there 
 
the Epijf. 
 there are too many books already ^an d the 
 multitude of them is the greiteft caufc of 
 our ignorance, and in them is a great vani- 
 ty) but to let thee fee the light of Nature, 
 by which thou maift judg of truths , and 
 the better conceive of the God of Nature, 
 of whom all naturall things are full^and 
 whofe goings forth in the way of Nature 
 are moft wonderfull,even to the conviQi^ 
 on of the greateft Athcifts^ 
 
 CoHrteoHsKeader^thou mufi: excufe me for 
 not afFe&ing elegancies in thcfc Tranflatii= 
 ons,for if I were skilled in them, yet the 
 matter of the books would not bear them. 
 If I have fometimes ufcd uncouth words, it 
 was becaufe the fenfe,towhich 1 kept me 
 clofcjWoald not properly bear any other , 
 jor at Icaft better can*c not at the prefent 
 into my mind 4/f any Errata's have paded 
 through the flips ofmypen,or the ^linters 
 miftake^be thou candid,and mend thera^Zt 
 thou (halt not approve of what /have 
 done,convince mee of my errour by doing 
 bctcei^ for thereby thou flialt oblige the 
 lovers of truth, and amongft the refl^ thy 
 friend J^ fV cu ■ 
 
 A 
 
The Preface, 
 
 The Author wifheth all health to,' and prays 
 to God for ableffitiguponall the Sear- 
 chers oi Alcbymie^ namely the true Sons 
 ot HfrWwV. 
 
 Courteous Render^ 
 
 Hen I confidered with 
 my felf that many adul- 
 terated bookS;, and falfe 
 Receipts ( as they call 
 them ) of Akhymijis y 
 compofed through the fraud^and cove- 
 toumeflcoflmpoftors^jin which not fo 
 much as one fpark of truth appears , 
 were in requeft with the Searchers of 
 Natural], and myfterious Arts , by 
 which even very many have been, and 
 ftill arc deceived : I thought 1 could do 
 no better fervice^then to communicate 
 
 A that 
 
The Preface. 
 
 that talent^ committed to my truft by 
 the Fatherof LightS;,tothcSons and 
 Heirs of Wifdomc. And to this end^ 
 that future ages may take notice, that 
 this fingular Philolophicali bleflfmgof 
 God hath not been denyed to fome 
 men, not only in former ages, but alfb 
 in this. It fecmed good to me for fome 
 Rcafbns to conceal my name, whilfl: I 
 doe not feek praife to my felfe , but en- 
 deavour to beaflfifting to the lovers of 
 Wifdome, Therefore I leave that vain 
 defire of honour to thofe that had ra- 
 ther feem to bee , then to bee indeed. 
 What here I write by way of teftimo- 
 fty to that undoubted Philofophical! 
 truth, comprehended in few lines, have 
 been taken out of that Manuall experi- 
 ence, which the moft High hath vouch- 
 fafed to mee, that they which have laid 
 the principall, and reall foundations in 
 this commendable Art, may by this 
 
 cncou- 
 
The Preface* 
 
 encouragement not forfake the pradife 
 of the beft things , and fo bee fecured 
 from that wicked f\varm of finoke-fel- 
 IerS;,who{e dehght is to cheat.They are 
 not dreams^as the ignorant vulgar call 
 them^neither are they foolifh inventi- 
 ons of idle men^as fools^and men void 
 of underftanding(who deride the Art) 
 conceive them to be. It is thePhilofo- 
 phicall truth it felfc^ which as/ am a 
 lover of the truth, I ought not ^ nay I 
 could not for fupporting and confirm- 
 ing the truth oiAlchymie^ undeferved- 
 ly cryed out againft,keep clofe^or bury 
 in filence. Although it may bee much 
 afraid in thefc times ( when vertue and 
 vice are efteemed alike)by reafon of the 
 unworthineffe of this age, and ingrati- 
 tude, and treachery of men (to fay no- 
 thing of the curfes of PhilofophersJ to 
 come forth upon the publick fta^e of 
 the world. J could produce witneffes 
 
 hi of 
 
The Preface^ 
 
 of this Chymicall tmth.vi^. fagc Au- 
 thors , according to the unanimous 
 confent of clivers honorable Ancients 
 info many fever all nations : but thofe 
 things wliich are manifeft by ocular cx- 
 periment,necd no further proof. Many 
 men both of highland low condition in 
 thefc laft years paft;, have to my know- 
 ledge feen Diana unvailed. And al- 
 though there may be found fome idle^, 
 and ill-employed feilowes , who cither 
 out of en vy, or malice^or fear of having 
 their own frauds di(covered\, cry out 
 that the foulc may bee extraded out of 
 Gold;, and with the ipecious, and de- 
 ceitfull delufion of oftentation , fay it 
 may be put to another body -not with- 
 out loffe and detriment of time,painsj 
 and cofts : yet let thefonncs of Hermes 
 know for certaine, that fuch a k'nd of 
 cxtradion of fouls (as they call themj 
 whether out of G0I4 or out of Silver 
 
 by 
 
The Preface. 
 
 (by what vulgar way o^Alcbymie foe- 
 verj is but a meer fancy : which thing 
 indeed is not bekevcd by many^ but at 
 kngth^by experience, theonely, and 
 true Miftris of truth is verified, and 
 that with loffe. On the contrary, hee 
 which (in a Philofophicall way ) can 
 without any fraud and colourable de- 
 ceit make it, that it (hall really tinge 
 the bafcft metall,whethcr with gain, or 
 without gain, with the colour of Gold, 
 or Silver ("abiding aUrequifite tryalls 
 whatfoever) lean juftly averre hath the 
 gates of Nature opened to him, for the 
 enquiring into further, and higher ie- 
 crcts, and with the bleffing of God to 
 obtain them, Moreover, I prefent thefe 
 prefent Treatifes , compoftd out of 
 mine own experience, to the Sonnes of 
 Art, that whilft they are bufied with all 
 their thoughts and intentiveneffe of 
 mind in fearehing into the fecret opera^ 
 
 A 3 tiona 
 
The Freface^ 
 
 tions of Nature , they may thence 
 know,and clecrly underftand the truth 
 of all things J and Nature it felfe : in 
 which thing alone the perfection of the 
 whole facred Philofbphicall Art con- 
 fifts;, fo that they go on in the common 
 high-way of Nature^ which fliec pre- 
 fcribes in all her opcrations.Thereforc 
 /would have the Courteous Reader 
 be here admonidied^that he underftand 
 my Writings not fo much from the 
 outfide of my words^ as from the pofli- 
 bility of Nature; left afterward he bc- 
 waile his time^pains^and cofts^allfpent 
 in vain. Let him confider that this Art 
 is for the wife,not for theignorant;and 
 that the fenfe, or meaning of Philofo- 
 phers is of another nature then to bee 
 underftood by vapouring Thrafoes or 
 Letter-learned fcoffcrs, or vicious a- 
 gainft their owne confcienceS;, ( who 
 whilft theycannot rife by their vertueS;, 
 
 attempt 
 
The Preface, 
 
 attempt ft by their villanies^ and mali- 
 cious detraftings from honeft men^ or 
 ignorant Mountebanks^who moft un- 
 worthily defaming the moft commen- 
 dable Art oi Alchymie^diWtviith their 
 Whites^andReds deceived almoft the 
 whole Vv orld. For it is the gift of God, 
 and truly it is not to be attained tO;,but 
 by the alone favor of God^ enlightning 
 the under ftandingtogether w'*" a patient 
 and devour humility ( or by an ocular 
 demonftration from fome experienced 
 M afttr.-y wherefore God juftly thrufts 
 them far from his fc crets that are ftran- 
 gers to him. Finally, My only requeft 
 to the Sonnes of Art is this, that they 
 would take in good part my endea- 
 vouring to dcftrve well of ihem ^ and 
 when they (hall have made that which 
 is occult manifeft, and through the 
 good pleafure of God in a conftant 
 way of diligence fhall arrive to the 
 
 longed 
 
The Vreface. 
 
 longed for haven of the Philofophers, 
 that they would;, according to the cu- 
 ftomeof Philofophers^ debarre all un- 
 worthy men from this Art; and not 
 forgetting to love their poor neighbor 
 m the fcare of God ( ietting afide all 
 vain oftentation ) let them fing ever- 
 lafting praifes of thankfulncflfe unto 
 the great and good God^ for fo fpcci- 
 all a gift^and ufe it wel with a filent and 
 religiousjoy— 
 
 Simplicity or plainncffcis thefcalof 
 truth. 
 
 A 
 
NEW LIGHT 
 
 A L C HY M I E 
 
 THE FIT^sr tREAllSB: 
 
 Of NaturCy what jhe is^ and r^hat 
 her fiar^hers ought to be. 
 
 ^ Any wifcj and very learned men ma^" 
 ny ages fince, yea (Hermes tcftify- 
 ing the fame ) before the floud 
 wrote many things concerning 
 the making the Philofophers ftonej 
 and have bequeathed fb many 
 writings unto us, that unleffe Na- 
 ture lliould daily worke things cre- 
 dible to us, (carce any one would belecve it as a truth 
 that there were any nature at all : becaufe in former ages 
 there were not fo many devifcrs of things, neither did 
 our Anceftors regard any thing befides nature it felfe, 
 and the polfibility of naturCi And although they were 
 
 B i;on- 
 
^ A new Light ofAlchymiel 
 
 contented with the plaine way alone of nature, yet they 
 found out thofe things, which we now imploycd about 
 divers things could not with all our wits conceive. This 
 is becaufc nature; and the generation of things in the 
 world is efteemed ofusmeanc, andplainc. And there- 
 fore we bend our wits not to things knowne, and fami- 
 liar, but to fuch things,which not at all, or very hardly 
 can be done. Wherefore it happens that we are more 
 dexterous in devifing curious fubtilties, and fuch which 
 the Philofophers themfelvcs did never thlnke of,then to 
 attain to the true proceffe of naturc»<^ the right meaning 
 of Philofophers. And fuchistbedifpolition of mens na- 
 tures, as to negled thofe things they know, and to 
 be aUvaies feeking after other things 5 fuch alfo artd 
 much more is that of mens wits , and fancies, to 
 which their nature is fubjedcd. As for example 5 You 
 fee any Artificer, when he hath attained to the high- 
 eft perfedion of his Art, either fcarcheth into- other 
 Arts,, or abnfeth the fame, which he already hath, or 
 clfe leaves it ofFquite. So alfo is generous nature alwaies 
 fldlive and doing to its very Iliad (/)utmoflperiod,and 
 afterward ceafeth. For there is given to nature from 
 tfie beginning a certnine kindc of grant, or permiffion 
 ftill to attaine to things better, and better through her 
 \vhole progreffe, and to come to her full reft, towards 
 which ftie tends with all her might, and rejoyceth in 
 her end, as a Pifmire doth in her old age, at which 
 time nature makes. her wisigs. Even fo our wits have 
 proceeded fo farre,erpecially in the Phylofophicall Art, 
 or praxis oftheftone, that now we are almoft come to 
 the Iliad it felfc. For the Art of Chymiftry hath now 
 found out fuch fubtilties, that fcarce greater can be in- 
 -vttitcd, and-difier as much from the Art of the AbcI- 
 '^^ - cut 
 
A HeipLightofJlchymiel 3 
 
 cnt Philofophers as a Clock-fmithdothfroma plainc 
 Black-fmith : And although both worke upon Iron, 
 yet neither underftands the others labours, although 
 both are makers of their Art. If Hern:ies himfelfe^thc 
 father of PhilolbpherSj (hould now be alive, and fubtil- 
 witted Gehr, together with mod profound R^itnundus 
 Z«///Mf,thcy wouldnotbc accounted by o|urChymifts 
 for Philofophers, but rather for Scholars : They would 
 be ignorant of thofe fo many diftillations, fo many 
 circulations, fo many calcinations, and fo many other 
 innumerable operations of Artifls now adayes ufed, 
 which men of this age devifcd^and found out of their 
 writings.There is one only thiug wanting to us,that is,to 
 know that which theyeffedcd, i//;(. the Philofophers 
 ftonc, or Phyficall Tindure, we whilefl we feeke that, 
 finde out other things .• and unleilc the procreation of 
 man were fo uluali as it is, and nature did in that thing 
 ftill obferve her owne law, and rules, we fhould fcarce 
 notbutcrre. Buttoreturne to what I intended*, Ipro- 
 mifcd in this ^'firft treatife to explaine Nature , left 
 every idle fancy fhould turne us afide from the true and 
 plaine way. Therefore I fay Nature is but one, true , 
 plaine, perfe(5t, and entire in its owne being, which God 
 made from the beginning, placing his, fpirit in it : but 
 know that the bounds of nature is God himfelfe, who 
 alfo is the originall of nature. Por it is certaine, that eve- 
 ry thing that is begunjCnds no where but in that,in which 
 it begins. I fay it is that only alone, by which God 
 workes all things : not that God cannot worke without 
 it (fortruelyhe himfelfe made nature, and is omnipo- 
 tence) but fo it pleafeth him to doc. All thing proceed 
 from this very nature alone-, neither is there any thing 
 in the world without nature. And although it happens 
 
 B 2 " lomc- 
 
4 A new high oJAlchymU, 
 
 fomctlmcs that there be abortives •, this is not natures 
 fault, but of the Artift,or place. This nature is divi- 
 «ied into foure places,in which fiie w-orkcsall thcfe things, 
 which appc are to us under fliadowes 5 for truely things 
 may be faid rather to be ihadowed out to us, then really 
 to appeare. She is changed in male, and femaie, and is 
 likened to Mercury, bccaufe flie joynes her ff Ifc to vari- 
 ous places •, and according to the ooodnellc, or the bad- 
 rcflc of the place flic brings forth things •, although to us 
 there fceme no bad places at all in the canh. Now for 
 qualities there be only foure, and thefe are in all things, 
 but agree nor, for one alwaies exceeds another. More- 
 over, nature is not vifible, although fhe acts vifibly •, for 
 it is a volatile fpirir,\^hich executes its office in bodies, 
 and is placed, and feated in the will,and minde of God. 
 Nature in this place ferves us for no other purpofe, but 
 to underftand her places, which are more lutablc, and 
 of nearer affinity to her -, that is, to underftand how to 
 joyne one thing to another, according to nature, that 
 wc mixe not wood and man together, or an oxe or any 
 other living creature, and metals together : but let every 
 thing ad upon its ownc like : and then for certaine na- 
 ture (hall performe her office. The place of nature is 
 no other then, as I faid before, what is in the will of 
 God. 
 
 The fearchers of nature ought to be fuch as nature her 
 felfe is,true, plainCjpatientjConftant^&c. and that which 
 is chiefcftof all, religious, fearing God, not injurious 
 to their neighbour. Then let them diligently conitder, 
 whether their purpofe be agreeable to nature; whether 
 it be poffible, let them learneby clcare examples, vi^, 
 Gutof what things any thing maybe made, how, and 
 jawhatTcfTcll nature workcs. For if thou wilt doe any 
 
'Jnerp Light ofAkhjmie* 5 
 
 thing plainly, as nature kcr k\k doth doe it, follow 
 nature ^ but if thou wilt attempt to doe a thing better 
 thcnnatiirehathdoneit, confiderwell in what, and by 
 what it is bettered, and let it alwaies be done in its ownc 
 like. As for example, if thou delireft to exalt a mc- 
 tall in vertuc fwhich is our intention) further then na- 
 ture hath done 5 thou muft take a metalline nature both 
 in male and female, or elfe thou ihalt cffdcl nothing-. 
 For if thou doft purpofe to make a metall out of hearbs-, 
 thou (halt labour in paine, as alfo thou fhalt not bring 
 forth wood out ofadog^or any other beaft. 
 
 THE SECOND T71EATISE. 
 
 of the o^erAtion of Nature in onr intettr. 
 tiofty ana in Sferme. , . 
 
 Said even now that nature was- truc^but oncj 
 every where fecne, conftant, and is knownc 
 by the things which are brought forth, as 
 woods, hearbs, and the Hkc. I faid alfo that 
 thefearchcr of nature muft be true," (imple hearted, 
 patient , conftanr, giving his mindc but to one 
 thing alone, &c. Now we muft: begin to treat of the 
 ading of Nature . As nature is in the will of God, 
 and God created her, or put her upon every imagina- 
 tion • fo nature made her felfc a ktd^ ( i ) her will, qnd' 
 plcafureinthe Eements. She indeed is but one, and? 
 yet brings forth divers things 5 but workes nothing- 
 t^ithout a fpejme, ; . N^tiire workes whwfocver. tho 
 
 ?5 fpcrmc- 
 
^ A new Light of Alchymls, 
 
 fperme pleafcth, for it is as it were an inftriimcnt of 
 feme Artificer. The fperme therefore of every thing is 
 better, and nciox^advantagious to the Artificeft,- then'na- 
 tureher fclfe. For by nature without feed, you fliatf 
 doe as much as a Gpldfmith fli all without fire, gold, or 
 filver, or a husbandman without corne, or feed. If thou 
 haft the fperme, nature is prefently at hand, whether it 
 be to bad, or good. She workes in fperme, as God doth 
 in the free will of man : andtha$iisagfeatmyfteri€,bQ- 
 caufe nature obeyes the fperme, not by compulfion, 
 but voluntarily.evenas GodfufFers all thiQgs,which man 
 wills, not by conftraint, but out of his owne free plea- 
 furc : Therefore he gave man free wilWhether to bad, 
 or to good. The fperme therefore is the Elixir of every 
 thing, or Quint- eflencc, or the moft perfe<fi deco(flion,OL* 
 digeftion of a thing, or the Balfome of Sulphur, which 
 is the fame as the Radicall moifture in metalls. There 
 might trucly be made a large difcourf e of this fperme ; 
 but we lliallonely keep to that which makes for our 
 purpofc in the Chymicall Art. Fourc Elements beget 
 a fperme through the will,and pleafure of God , and 
 imagination of nature .'for as the fperme of man hath 
 its center, orveffcll of itsfcede in the kidniesj fo.thc 
 fourc Elements by their never ceafing motion (every 
 one according to its quality) caft forth a fperme into 
 the Center of the earth, where it is digefted, and by 
 motion fcnt abroad. Now the Center of the earth is 
 a certainc empty place, where nothing can reft. The 
 fourc Elements fend forth their qualities into exccntrall 
 parts of the earth, or into the circumference of the 
 Center. As a man fends forth his feed into the entrance 
 of ithe wombc of the woman ; in which place nothing 
 of the fccd rcmaincSp but after* he wombe hath received 
 - '" a 
 
A new Li^bt ofAlchymie^ ^ 
 
 a due proportion, cafts out the reft .• fo alfo it comes 
 topaftcinthe Center of the earth, that the magnetick 
 vertuc of the part of any place drawes to it felfe any thing 
 that is convenient for its fclfc , for the bringing forth 
 ofany thingjtherefidue is caft forth into fiones, and 
 other excrements* For all things have tlieir originall 
 from this fountaine , neither hath any thing in the 
 world any beginning but by this fountaine. As for 
 example •,let there be fet a veffell of water upon a fmooth 
 even table, and be placed in the middle thereof, and 
 roundabout let there be laid divers things, and divers 
 colours, alfo fait, and every one apart : then let the 
 water be powrcd forth into the middle-, and you fliall 
 fee that water to runne abroad here and there,and when 
 one ftreamc is come to the red colour, it is made red 
 by it,- if to the fait, ic takes from it the tafle of the 
 fait, and fo of t lie reft. For the water doth not change 
 the place,but the diverfity of the place changeth the wa- 
 ter. In like manner the feed, or fperme being by the 
 foure Elements caft forth from the center into the cir- 
 £umference,paflreth through divers placeS; and according 
 to the nature of the place, it makes things :If it comes to 
 a pure place of earth, and water, a pure thing is made. 
 The feed,and fperme of all things is but one, and yet 
 it produceth divers things, as is evident by the following 
 example. The feed of a man is a noble, feed, and was 
 created,and ordained for the generation of man onely 5 
 yet neverthelefs it a man doe abufe it, as is in his free 
 will to doe, there is borne an abortive. For if a man 
 contrary toGods moft expreffe command {hould couple 
 with a cow, or any other beaft, the beaft would prefent- 
 \y coiKeive the feed of the man , bccaufe nature is 
 but one 3 and then there would not be borne aman^but 
 
8 A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 a bea(l,and an Abortive ; becaufc the feed did not find a 
 place futable to it fclF.By fucli an inhumane,& detcftabic 
 copulation of men with beafts there would be brought 
 forth divers bcafts, like unto men. For foit is, if the 
 fperme goes into the center, there is made that which 
 fliould be made there; but when it is come into any 
 other place, and hath conceived, it changeth its forme 
 no more. Now whiicft the fperme is yet in the center, 
 there may as eafily be brought forth a tree, as a metall 
 from the fperme, and aflbonc an hearbe,as a ftone,and 
 one more pretious then another, according to the pu- 
 rity of tlie place : But how the Elements beget a fperme 
 is in the next place to be treated of, and it is done thus : 
 The Elements are foure: two arc heavy and two arc 
 light, two dry, and two moift, but one which is mod 
 ^ry, and another which is moft moift, arc males, 
 and females &cc. Every one of thefcetit fclfcismoft 
 apt to produce things like unto it (eUc in its ownc fpherc, 
 and foit plcafed God it fhouldbc : Thefc foure never 
 are at reft, but are alwaies afSing one upon another ; and 
 cveiy one by it fclfe fendeth forth his ownc thinncfs,and 
 fubtlety, and they all meet in the center: now in the 
 center is the Archcus , the fcrvant of nature, which 
 mixeth thofe fpermes, and fends them forth. And 
 howlthat is done is to befecne more fully in the Epi- 
 logue of the I a treatifcs. 
 
 
A nen? Light of Alcbymie ^ 5 
 
 THE THIRD TT^E^T/SE. 
 
 of the trac firfl mattercfUetaHs. 
 
 I He firft mdttcr of Metalls is twofold, but 
 the one cannot make a metall without the 
 othcr.Thc firft and principall is the humi- 
 dity of the aire mixed with heat ; and this 
 the Philofophers called Mercury, which is governed 
 by the beams of the Sunnc, and Moon in the Philo- 
 fophicall fea : the fecond is the dry heat of the earth, 
 v/hich they called Sulphur. But becaufe all true Phi- 
 lofophers chiefly concealed this , wee will a little 
 more cleerly explain it 5 cfpecially the weight or 
 poife, which being unknown, all things are fpoiled. 
 Thcnceitis, that many bring forth an abortive out 
 ofthat which is good; for there bee fome that take 
 the whok body tor the matter, or feed, orfperme; 
 and fome that take a piece^and all thefe go befide the 
 right way. As for example ♦, ifany one fhould take 
 tfie foot of a man, and the hand of a woman, and 
 would by mixing thefe two together make a man, it 
 were not poiTibletobedone. For there is in every 
 body a Cen[er,and a place or the point of the feed or 
 Iperme, and isalwaiesthc 8200^^- part, yea even in 
 every wheat come*, and this cannot bee otherwife* 
 Pornot the whole corne,orbody is turned into feed> 
 but only a fpark, or fome certain fmall ncceffary pare 
 in the body, which is preferved by its body from all 
 cxccflive heat and CQld. If thou haft cares , or any 
 
 C fenfe 
 
iir Anew Light ofAlcbymie. 
 
 fcnfc, marlc well what is here faid, and thou flialtbc 
 fafe, and out of the number not only of thofc who 
 are ignorant of the place of the fpcrm^and endeavour 
 to convert the whole corn into ^^c^l-^ but alfo of them 
 all, who are employed in the fruitlelTe diiTolution of 
 metalls, and are deiirous to diflblve the whole of 
 metalls, that afterwards by their mutual! commix- 
 tion they may make a new metall. But thefe men, 
 if they coniidered the procefle of Nature, fhould fee 
 that the cafe is far other wife ^ for there is no metall 
 fo pure, which hath not its impurities,, yet one more, 
 or tcwcr then another^ But thou, friendly Reader, 
 flialt obferye the firft point of nature ^as isabovefaid, 
 and thou haft enough : but take this caution along 
 withthee^ that thou doft not fcek for this point in 
 the nfietalls of the vulgar,in which it is not. For thefe 
 m€talis,elpccially the gold of the vul|ar,are dead^but 
 ours are living, full of fpirit,, and thefe wholly muft 
 betaken : for know, that the life ofmetalls is fire 
 whilffthey are yet in their minesj and their death is- 
 the fire, 'vi\. of melting. Now the firft matter of 
 metals is acertaine humidity mixed with warm aire , 
 and it rcfcmbles fat water , flicking to every thir^ 
 purCjOr impure , but in one place more abundantly 
 then inanothcr, by rcafonthe earth is more open, 
 and porous in one place then in another, having alfo 
 an 3ttra<flive power.. It comes forth into the light 
 fomtimes by it felf,with fome kind of coveringjefpe- 
 ciallyinfuchplaces wheretherewasnothing that it 
 could well ftick to 5 it is known thus , becaufe every 
 thing is compounded of 3 principles ; but in reference 
 to the matter ofmetalls is but one, without any con- 
 )un<5tion to any thing , excepting to its covering or 
 ibadow, 'z//^. fulphur, &c» TH £ 
 
jinewh tghi ofAlchymie. \ \ 
 
 THE F0V71TH TliEATISE. 
 
 lictv Metals are generated in the htvefts of 
 the earth, 
 
 trails arc brought forth in this mannerr 
 After the fov.rc Elements have fent forth 
 their vertucs into the center of the earth, 
 the Archeus by way of diftillation fends 
 them up unto the fupcrficies ot the earth, by vertue 
 of the heat of its pcrpetuall motion : for the earth is 
 porous, and this wind by diftilling through the pores 
 of the earth, is refolvcd into water ^ out of which all 
 things are made. Therefore let the fons of wifdome 
 IcnoWjthat the fpcrm of metalls doth not differ from 
 the fperm of all i\mq^s^vi\. the moift vapour : there- 
 fore in vain do Artifts look after the reducing of me- 
 talls into their firft matter, which is only a vapour* 
 The Philofophers meant not fuch a firfl m^itter, but 
 only the (econd matter^as Bernardus Trevifmus kar* 
 nedly difcLTifeth it, though not fo cleerly, becaufe hec 
 fpeaks of the foure Elements, but yet hee did fay as 
 much, but he fpake only to the fons of Art. But /, 
 that I might the more cleerly open the Theoric , 
 would have all be admoniftied here to take heed how 
 they give way to fo many folutions ^ fo many circu- 
 lations, fo many calcinations, and reiterations of the 
 fame ; for in vain is that fought for in a hard thing, 
 when as the thing is ioft of it felf , and every where 
 to be had. Let not the firfl , but the fecond matter 
 only be fought ahcr^v/^. that, which as foon as it is 
 
 C 2 con* 
 
IS 'J neno Light ofAlchjmis* 
 
 conceived, cannot be changed into another form. But 
 if thou inquired how a mctall may bee reduced into 
 fuch a matter, in that I keep clofeto the intention 
 of the Philofophers." This thing only above all the 
 reft 1 deGre , that the fons of Art would underftand 
 thefenfe,andnotthe letter of writings, and where 
 nature doth end, i^/^. in metallick bodies , which in 
 our eyes feem to be pcrfed , there muft Art begin. 
 But to return to my purpofc,(for nfiy intention is not 
 here tofpeak of the ftonc onlyj let us now treate of 
 the matter of metalls. A little before I faid, that all 
 things were made of the liquid aire, or the vapour, 
 which the Elements by a perpetuall motion diftill in- 
 to the bowells of the earth 5 and then the Archeus 
 of Nature takes and fublimesit through the pores, 
 and according to its difcretion diftributesit to every 
 place (as we have declared in the foregoingt reatifes) 
 (b from the variety of places proceeds the variety of 
 . things. There be fome that fuppofe Saturne to have 
 one kind of feed, and Gold another, and fo all the reft 
 of the metalls. But thefe are foolifli fancies-,there is 
 but one only fecd,the fame is found in Saturne which 
 is in Gold, the fame in Silver which is in Iron j but 
 the place of the earth is divers, if thou underftandeft 
 me arighr,although in Silver nature fooner hathdonc 
 its work, then in Gold, and fo of the reft. For when 
 that vapour is fublimcd from the center of the earth, 
 it pafleth through places either cold, or hot:If there- 
 fore it pafTeth through places that are hot, and pure, 
 where the fatncffe of Sulphur fticks to the walls-, I 
 fay that vapour which the Philofophers have called 
 the Mercury of Philofophers applyes it felf to, and is 
 joined to that fatnefle,which then it fublimes. with it 
 
 felf:. 
 
A new Light ofMchymiei} 15 
 
 fclfjand then becomes an unduofiry,and leaving the 
 name of a Vapoiir>is called by the namcof Fatnefic; 
 which afterward coming by fublimation unto other 
 placeSjWhich the fore-going vapour hath clcanfcd, 
 where the earth is fnbtill, pure, and moift, fills the 
 pores thereof, and is joined to it, and fo it is made 
 Goldjbut if that fatnefle come to impure, and cold 
 places^ it is made Leadjbut if the earth bee cold and 
 purc,and mixed with fulphur,it is made Copper^&c. 
 For by how much more a place is depurated, orckn- 
 fed, by fo much the more excellent it makes the me- 
 talls ; for wee muft know, that that vapour goes out 
 continually from the center to the fuperficies , and 
 eleanfeth thofe places through which it paflfeth. 
 Thence it comes to paffe , that now there may bee 
 found Mines in thofe places where a thoufand yeers 
 agoe were none-, for in itspaffage it alwaics fubtili^ 
 zeth that which is crude and impure , carrying it by 
 degrees with it: And this is the reiteration^and circu- 
 tion of nature; it is fo long fublimed in producing 
 new things, untill the place be very well purified; and 
 by how much the more it is purified, by fo much the 
 nobler things it brings forth. Now in the winter 
 when the air is cold , binding faft the earth, that 
 unduous vapour is congealedjwhich afterward when 
 the fpring returns, is mixed together with earth, and 
 water,and fo becomes a Magnefia, drawing to it felf 
 the Mercury of air, like unto it felfc,and gives life to 
 allthingsthro;ugh the concurrence of the beams of 
 the Sun,Moon and Stars,and fo it bringsforth grafs, 
 flowers,andfuch like things. For Nature is not one 
 moment oftime idle. Now Metalls are thus made, 
 the earth by long difliilation is purified, then they 
 
 C3 arc 
 
1*4 AnewLightofAlchynrie. 
 
 are generated by the accdle^or coming thither of 
 thcfatneffe .-they are brought forth no other way, 
 as is the fooUfli opinion of ibme that mif-interpret 
 the writings of Philofophers. 
 
 THE FIFTH TREAriSE. 
 
 of the generdtton ♦/ all kinds of 
 Stones, 
 
 ;H E matter of Stones is the fame as of 
 other things-, and according to the purity 
 of places they arc made in this manner. 
 When the four Elements diftill their va- 
 pour into the center of the earth-, and the Archeus of 
 Jiaturc fends forth the fame, and fublimes it; this 
 whilft it paifeth through places, and the pores of the 
 earth, takes along with itfclfall the impurity of the 
 earth unto the very fupcrficies , which afterward the 
 air congeals (for what the pure air makes, the crude 
 aire congeals,becaufe aire hath ingrcfle into aire, and 
 they jointhemfelves together, for nature is delighted 
 in nature.- ) and foare made rocks, and ftony moun* 
 tains, according to great and little pores. And by 
 how much the greater arc the pores of the earth, by 
 fo much the better is the place purified. Siixre there- 
 fore by fuch a breathing place or vent,a greater hear, 
 and a greater quantity of water paffeth, therefore the 
 fooncr is the earth depurated •• andfo afterward in 
 thofc places me tails arc more cafily brought foith. 
 
 Even 
 
A new Light afAkhymie, 15 
 
 Evenfo very experience teftifies, t-hat gold cannot be 
 gotjOr found any where but in mountains , and fcl- 
 dome or never in plain,andlevell ground : for mofli 
 commonly fuch places are moift , not with the va-? 
 pour, but with Elementary water , which drawes ta 
 it felf that vapour, and fo they embrace one another, 
 as that they can hardly be feparated-, afterwards the 
 fun of the heavens digefting them , makes that fat 
 clay which the Potters ufe. But in places where there 
 is groiTe fand , and whither the vapour doth not 
 bring with it that fatnefle^or fulphur, it brings forth 
 herbs and graffe in Meadows. There be other kind 
 of (tones, which are called precious ftones, as the. 
 Diamond, RubieSjEme raid, and fuch like gen[is a^ 
 thefc, all which are generated after this manner. 
 When the vapour of Nature is fublimed by it felfc , 
 without being joined to the fatnelfe of fulphur > and 
 comes to a place of pure fait water, there are made 
 Diamonds; and this is in cold places, whither that 
 fatneffe cannot come,bccaufe that fatnefs would hin- 
 der the making of thefe floncs. For wee muff know, 
 that the fpirit of water is fublimed cafily , and that 
 with a fmall heat-, but oil, and fatncfTe cannot be car- 
 rycd up but with a great heat , and that alfo into hot 
 places-,for when it is come from the center,if it meet 
 with any little cold^ it is congealed, and is at a fland^ 
 but the vapour afcends to its due places, and in pure 
 water is congealed into ftones by grains. But how 
 colours are made in gems*, wee muft know that they 
 are made by reafon of the fulphur in this manner : if 
 the fatneffe of the fulphur be congealed,then by that 
 perpetuall motion , the fpirit of the water paiTing 
 through, it digcfts and purifies it by virtue of the 
 
 fair,. 
 
f6 A new Light of Alchymie^ 
 
 lalt , iintlll it bee coloured with a digcftcd hcatc> 
 red or wliite , which colour tending toward a 
 further pcrfedion, is carrycd up by that fpirit , be- 
 caufe it is fubtilized and made thin by fo many reite- 
 rated diftillations •, the fpirit afterward hath a power 
 to enter intoimperfcd things, aild fo brings in a co- 
 lour to them, which afterward is joined to that wa- 
 ter, being then in part congealed , and fo fills up the 
 pores thereof, and is fixed withit,withaninfeparablc 
 iixation.For all water is congealed with heat, if it be 
 without fpirit5&congcled with cold,if it hath a fpirit? 
 but he that knows how to congeal water with hcat,& 
 to join a fpirit with it, (liall certainly find out a thing 
 more pretious then gold, and every thing elfe. Let 
 him therefore caufe that the fpirit be feparated from 
 the water, that it may putrifie , and bee likea grainc. 
 Afterwards the feces being caft away, let him reduce 
 and bring back the fpirit again from the deep into 
 water, and make them be joined together again .• for 
 that conjundion will generate a branch of an unlike 
 iliapetoitsparentSp 
 
 THM 
 
A new Li^bt ofAlcbymie^ 
 
 THE SIXTH TREATISE. 
 
 of the fecofid matter^ and putrefaction of 
 things. 
 
 ^EE hrivefpoken of the firft matter of 
 things, and how things are produced by 
 Nature without (tQd, that is^how Nature 
 receives matter from the Elements, out 
 of which flie makes {^d : But now we intend to treat 
 ohhe feed it felfe , and things generated of feed 
 For every thing that hath (ccd is multiplyed in it but 
 without the help of Nature it i§ not donerfor the Iced 
 IS nothing dk but the air congealed in fome body: or 
 It IS a moift vapour^ and unleffe this be refolved by a 
 warm vapour. It is of no ufe. Let therefore the fear- 
 chcrs of the Art underftand what Seed is, left thev 
 feek after a thing that is not : and let them know that 
 that is threefold, which is brought forth by the foure 
 Elements. The iirft is Minerall, and is that u-hich we 
 novv fpeak ofnhe fecond is Vegetable^the third Ani- 
 mal!. The Minerall feed is known by Philofophers 
 atone.- the Vegetable is common , and vulear , as 
 we may fee in fruits : the Animall is known by ima* 
 gination. The Vegetable doth fliew to us, how Na- 
 ture made it of the four Elements. For wee muft 
 know that the winter is the caufc of putrefaction, fee- 
 ing It congeals the Vitall fpirits in trees 5 and when 
 thofe by the heat of the Sun(in which there is a mag- 
 
 ^ netick 
 
v8 Anerp Light ofAlchymit. 
 
 netick vcrtuc5attra(5iivc of al manner ot moifturcjafe 
 rcfolvcdjthen ihe hcnt of naturc,Airrccl up by morio:^ 
 drives, or forceth the fubtill Vapour of the water to 
 the circumference,ancl this vapour opcneth the pores 
 otthe tree, and makes drops diftill, alwaies feparating 
 the pure from the impure. Yet the pure fometimcs 
 gocthb." fore the impure; the pure ftayes, and is 
 congealed into flowers, the impure goes into leaves, 
 the grolTe, and thick into the bark : the bark of the 
 tice remains faft, and firm> the leaves fall with cold,, 
 or beat, when the pores thereof are ftopt : the flowers 
 in congealing receive their colour according to the 
 heat whereby the colour is made, and bring with 
 tbem fruit, and feed (as an Apple, in which there is, 
 fperm out of which a tree is not brought forth • but 
 in the infidc of that fpermc is a kcd or kcrncll, out of 
 which even without the fperm is brought forth atrec^ 
 for multiplication is not in the fperm^but in the feed.) 
 So wee fee with our eyes, that Nature creates a (czd 
 out of the four Elements, left wee fliould labour irv 
 vain about it; for what is created already need not a 
 Crwtor. Let this by way of example bee fufficient 
 for the advcrtifement of the Reader •, but now I re- 
 turn to my purpofe concerning the Mineralls. Nature 
 Creates the Mineral fecd^or the ktd of Metalls in the 
 bowels of the CvUthrwhcrefore it is not belecvedthat 
 there is any fuch feed inrtrum ;tf4/*ri,becaufe it is in- 
 viflble. But it is no wonder if ignorant men doubt of 
 it, feeing they cannot perceive that which is before, 
 their cys^much lefs that which is hid from their eyes: 
 but it is mofl: true that that which is fuperiour, is but 
 3s that which, is inferiour, and foon the contrary. 
 ^IfQthat which is brought forth aborc is. brougnt; 
 
 forth 
 
ji mtp Light ofAlchymie* i j> 
 
 forth of the fame fountalne, as that beneath in the 
 bowcUs of the earth. And what prerogative fliouJd 
 Vegetables have before Metalls^tbatGod fliould put 
 a kcd into them, and without caufe withhold it from 
 thefec* Arc not Mctalls of as much eflecm with God 
 as Trees/* Let this be granted for a truth^that nothing 
 grows without feed : for where there is no feed, the 
 thing is dead. Itis necelTary therefore that four Ele- 
 ments (hould make the feed of Metal! s,or bring them 
 forth without a feed : if they are produced without 
 feed, then they cannot be perfcd-, feeing every thing 
 without (eed is itnperfcct, by the rule of compofiti- 
 on : hee which -gives no credit to this undoubted 
 truth, is not worthy to fearch into the fecrets of na- 
 ture^ for there is nothing made in the world, that is 
 deftitute of feed. The feed of Metalls is truely , and 
 really put into them.-and the generation of it is thus. 
 The foure Elements in the firft operation of Nature 
 doc by the help of the Archeus of Nature diftill into 
 the ccntcrof the earth a ponderousjor heavy Vapour 
 of water, which is the feed of Metalls, and is called 
 Mercury by rcafon of its fluxibillty , and its conjun- 
 dion with every thing; not for its cflence; and for its 
 internall heat itis likened to Sulphur, and after con- 
 gealation becomes to be the radicall moifture. And 
 although the body of Metalls be procreated of Mer- 
 cury ( which ^is to bee undcrftood of the Mercury 
 of Philofphers^ yet they are not bee hearkncd to, 
 that think the vulgar Mercury is the feed of Metalls, 
 and fo take the body in ftead of the feed,not confide- 
 ring that the vulgar Mercury fpoken of hath its own 
 feed in it felf. The errors, and miftakes of all thefc 
 men will be made apparent by the following cxam- 
 
 D 2 pic. 
 
ga ^ '^^w? hi^t of Alih)mii. 
 
 pic. It is manifcftthat men have feed, in which they 
 arc multiplyed .• the body of man is Mercury* biir 
 the feed is hid in the body, and in comparifontothe 
 body IS but httle, and light •• he therefore that will 
 bcgft a man, let him not take Mercury, which is the 
 body,but the feed , which is the congealed Vapour 
 of water. Soin the regeneration of Metalls, the vul- 
 gar Chymifts goe prepofteroully to work: They 
 diflblve Metal lick bodies, whether it be Mercury, or 
 Gold,orLead,or Silver, and corrode them with 
 fliarp waters, and other Heterogeneous things not 
 requiiite to the true Art, and afterward joine them 
 together again, not knowing that a man is not gene- 
 rated of a mans body cut to pieces, becaufe by this 
 means the body is marred, and the feed before-hand 
 is deftroyed. Every thing is multiplyed in Male and 
 pemale, as I have already mentioned in the Treatife 
 of the twofold Matter :Thc divilion of the fcxes cau- 
 fcthjOr produceth nothing, but a due joining of them 
 together, brings forth a new forme : the feeds there- 
 fore ,or fpermes, not bodies arc to bee taken. Take 
 therefore a living Male, and a living Female 5 joinc 
 thefe together, that betwixt them there may be con- 
 ceived a fperm for the bringing forth of fruit after its 
 kind : There is no man livif7g can beleevc that he can 
 make the firft matter ; The firft matter of Man is 
 earth, and no man can of that make a man; only God 
 knows how to doe this^ but of the fecond matter, 
 which is a heady made, if it be put into its due place, 
 may eafily by the operation of Nature be generatedi 
 a thing of that fpecics, or kind , which the feed was 
 of. The Artift here need doe nothing,oncly to fepa- 
 latc the thin from the thick, and to put it into its due 
 
 veffclL 
 
A new Light ofMchymiei 2 1 
 
 vclTcll. For this is to be confidcred, that as a thing is 
 begun, To it ends ; Of one are made two,of twoone, 
 and then you have done. There is one God', of this 
 one God the Son is begotten •• One produceth two, 
 two hvive produced one holy Spirit proceeding from 
 both : fo the world is made , and fo flaall be the 
 end thereof. Confider the four former points moft 
 exa*flly ; thou haft in them t he Father , the Father 
 and the Son, and laftlv the holy Spirit : thou haft the 
 four Elements : thou haft four great Lights, two Cc- 
 leftialljandtwoCentrall : This is all that is , hath, 
 been,or {hall be,that is made plain by this forenamed 
 fimilitude. If I might lay down all the myfteries that 
 might be raifed from hence, they would amount to a 
 great volume. I return to my purpofe,and I tell thee 
 true, my fon! one is not made of one naturally , for 
 thus to doe is proper to God alone : let it fufficc thee 
 that thou art able out of two to make one,which wil 
 be profitable to thee. Know therefore that the (perm 
 doth multiply the fecond matter, and not the firft: 
 for the firft matter of all things is not feen, but is hid 
 either in nature, or in the Elements 5 but the fecond 
 matter fomctimes appcares to the fons of wifdomc. 
 
 D 5 THM 
 
21 A new Light ojAlchymk. 
 
 THE SEVENTHTKEATISE. 
 
 of the vertue of the fecond matter. 
 
 iUT that thou maift the more cafily con- 
 ceive what this fccond matter is,I will de- 
 fcribc the vertues ©f itjby which thou maift 
 know it. And firfl of all know, that Nature 
 is divided into three Kingdomsjtwo of them are fuch 
 that either of them can fubfift of it felf, if the other 
 two were not- there is the Minerall, Vegetable , and 
 Animall Kingdom. The Mineral! can fubfift of it felf, 
 although there were no man in the world,nor tree,or 
 berb. The Vegetable likewifc^ although there were 
 no Metall,nor AnimalljCan ftand by it klf: thcfc two 
 ar-cof one made by one : But the third hath life from 
 the other two which wee have mentioned , without 
 which it could not fubfift, and is more noble and ex- 
 ccllent then thofe two,as alfo it is the laft of the three, 
 and rules over the other : bccaufc alwaics vertue, or 
 excellency ends in a third thing, and is multiplyedin 
 the fecond.Doft thou fee in the Vegetable Kingdoms 
 The firft matter is an herb , or a tree , which thou 
 knoweft not how to make,Natnre alone makes it: In 
 tliis Kingdom the fccond matter is Seed, which thou 
 feeft, in this the hearb, or tlie tree is multiplyed. In 
 the Animall Kingdome the firft matter is a beaft, or 
 a manjwhich thou knoweft not how to makcjbut the 
 fccond matter or the fperm, in which they are multi- 
 ply: 
 
4 nen? Light ofAlchymie. 25 
 
 plyedjthou knoweft. In the Minerall thou knoweft 
 not how ro make a Metall, and if thou braggeft that 
 thou canft, thou art a foole,and a ]yar,Nat*rc makes 
 tto, and although thou fliouldft have the firft mat- 
 ter, according to the Philolophcrs, yet it would bee 
 impofTible for thee to multiply that Centrall fait 
 without GoldrNow the feed ofMetalls is-known on- 
 ly to the fons of Art. In Vegetables the feed appears 
 outwardly; the reins of its digeftion is warm aire. In 
 Animalls the feed appears inwardly ,and outwardly} 
 the reins of Its digeftion are the reins of a Male. Wa- 
 ter in Mineralls is tlic feed in the Center of their 
 heart;and is their liferthe reins of its digeftion is fire. 
 The receptacle of the Vegetable feed is the earth: 
 the receptacle of the feed Animal is the womb of the 
 female : the receptacle ofwater^which is the Minerall 
 feed, is aire. And thofe arc the receptacles of feeds , 
 \vhich arc the congealations of their bodies : that is 
 their digeftion, which is their folution : that is their 
 putrefaCiion which is their deftrudlion. The vcrtue 
 of every ktd is to join it felf to every thing in its own 
 Kingdome, becaufc it is fubtill , and is nothing elfc 
 but aire, which by fatnelTe is coagealed in water : Itis 
 known thus, becaufe it doth not mixe it felf naturally 
 to any thing out of its own Kingdome : it is not dif- 
 folvcd, but congealed , becaufc it doth not need dif- 
 folution,butcongcalation. Itis neceflary therefore 
 that the pores of the body be opened,that the fpermc 
 may be fent forth,: in whofe Center the fcedlycs'^ 
 which is aire : that when it comes into its due matrix, 
 is congealed, and congeals what it finds pure, or imr 
 pure mixed.with what is pure. As long as the feed is 
 in thcbOidy^ the body lives , whcnit is all coiifumcd 
 " '■ ' the. 
 
04 -^ *i^^ Light ofAlchymie\ 
 
 confumed the body dies •, nlfo all bodies after the c 
 
 inifTion of feed arc wcakncdicxpericncc likewife tefti- 
 
 fics that men which give themfelves over too much 
 
 to venery become feeble, as trecs^that bear too much 
 
 fruit, become afterwards barren. The (ttd therefore, 
 
 as oftentimes hath been repeated , is a thing invifi- 
 
 ble-, but the fpcrmc is vifible, and is almoft a living 
 
 foiile; it is not found in things that are dead .• It is 
 
 drawnforth two way es, plea fantly, and by force : 
 
 But becaufe wee arc in this place to treat of the ver- 
 
 te of it onely , I fay that nothing is mvidc without 
 
 feed : all things are made by vertue of feed ; and 
 
 let the Ions of Art know, that feed is in vain fought 
 
 for in trees that are cut off, or cut down,becaufe it is 
 
 found in them only that are green. 
 
 rHE EIGHTH TREATISE. 
 
 How hj Art Nature works in Seed, 
 
 I L L feed is nothing worth of it felf^ if it 
 be not either by Art, or Nature put in- 
 to its proper matrix. And although 
 feed be of it felf more noble then every 
 creature, yet the matrix is the life of it, 
 & makes the fpcrm,or corn to putreficjand caufeth a 
 congealation of the pure point, and alfo by the heat 
 of its body nouriflicth it, and makes it grow- and this 
 is done in all the forefaid Kingdomesof Nature^and 
 is done naturally by months, years, and ages. But 
 
 that 
 
A mw Light ofAlcbymie^ 1 5 
 
 that is a witty Art, that can fhortcn any thing in the 
 Mincrall, and Vegetable Kingdome, but not in the 
 Animall : in the Mincrall Kingdome it peifeds 
 that, which Nature could not , by rcafon of the 
 crude air, which with its vehemcncy filled the pores 
 of every body-, not onely in the bowells, but alfo in 
 the fuperficies of the eanh. As I have already faid 
 in the foregoing Chapters. But that this may bee 
 the more eafily underftood, I will adde hereunto , 
 that the Elements driving amongft themfelves fend 
 forth their feed into the Center of the earth, as into 
 their reins; but the Center by help of motion fends 
 it into its Matrix. Now the Matrixes arc innume- 
 rable, as many Matrixes, as places, one purer then 
 other, and fo almoft in infinitum* Know therefore, 
 that a pure Matrix will afford a pure conception in 
 its own likeneffe : As for example, in Animalls there 
 are Matrixes of Women, Gowcs, Mares, Bitches, 
 and the like. So in the Mineral! -> and Vegetable 
 Kingdomes, there arc Metalls, Stones, Salts/orthc 
 Salts in thefe two Kingdomes are to bee confidcrcd 
 of, as alfo their places, according to more or leflc* 
 
 ^ THE 
 
2$ A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 THE NINTH TREAriSE. 
 
 of the Ccmwixtion of Mitalls^ or tht 
 dramng forth their feed,. 
 
 ^E have fpokcn of Nature, of Arjc,of the 
 Body, of Sperm, and of Seed, now Ice 
 us dcfcend to Praxis, i^/^. how Mctalls 
 ought to be mixed together , and what 
 their correfpondency, or agreement is 
 one with another. Know therefore that a Woman 
 doth not vary from a Manj both arc bred of the fame 
 Seed, and in one Matrix , there was nothing bcfides 
 digeftion , and tliat the Matrix had m it purer 
 bloud, and fah : fo Silver is made of the Tame Seed 
 as Gold is, and in the fame Matrix ^ but the Matrix 
 had more water in it then digefted blood, according 
 to the fcafon of the Moon in the heavens. But that 
 thou maift the more cafily imagine with thy felf how 
 Metalls couple together, that their Seed may be fenc 
 forth,and received-, behold and fee the heavens , and 
 thefpheresof the Planets : thoufecft x\\zx.Saturne 
 is placed the uppermoft5or higheft^next to that lupi- 
 /tr,.thcn Mars^ then Sol, or the Sun, then FenHs^xhzn 
 Mercnrj^ and laft of all Luna, or the Moon. Confider 
 alfothatthevertuesof the Planets doe not afccnd, 
 but dcfcend .-Experience teacheth as much, vt"^ that 
 ofr^;?«j, or Copper is not made .A^^r/^ or Iron, but 
 
 of 
 
A new Light ofAlchjmii* a 7 
 
 of Man is made Venm, as being an infcriour fpherc : 
 So alfo lupiter, or Tin is eafily changed into Mercury 
 or Quick-filver , becaufe lupiter is the fecond from 
 the firmament, and Mercury the fecond from the 
 earth : Saturate is the firft from the hcavenSjand Luna 
 the firft from the earth ; Scl mixethit felf with all, 
 but is never bettered by its inferiors. Now know 
 that there is a great agreement betwixt Saturne , or 
 Lead, and Lund^ or Silver, in midft of which the Sun 
 is placcd:as alfo betwixt lupjter and Mercury ^m midft 
 oivfhlchSd is alfo placed : and in the fame manner 
 betwixt Mars and ye»uf^ which alfo have 5p/ placed 
 in the midft of them.Chymifts know how to change 
 Iron into Copper without Gold : they know alfo to 
 makeQuick-ulveroutof Tin •• and there are fome 
 that make Silver out of Lead .• But if they knew by 
 thefe mutations to give or minifte'r to them the nature 
 of Gold, they would Certainly find out a thing more 
 pretious then any treafure. Wherefore I fay we muft 
 not bee ignorant what Metalls arc to be joined to 
 each other,who(e nature is agreableone to the others. 
 Moreover there is granted to us one Metall , which 
 hath a power to confumc the reft, for it is almoft as 
 their water,& mother.- yet there is one thing,and that 
 alone, the radicall moifture, 1^/^. of the Sunnc, and 
 Moon that wirhftands it, and is bettered by it •, but 
 that I may difclofe it to you, it is called Chalybs, or 
 SteeU If Gold couples eleven times with it, it fends 
 forth its feed, and is debilitated almoft unto death 5 
 the Chalybs conceivcs,and bears a fon, more excel- 
 lent then his father .• then when the Seed of that 
 which is now brought forth is put into its own Ma- 
 trix^ it purifies it, and makes it a thoufand times 
 
 E 2 more 
 
^8 A mro Light of Akhymte, 
 
 more ^i, and apt to bring forth the bcft , and moft 
 excellent fruits. There is another Chalybs, which 
 is like to this, created by it felfe of Nature , which 
 knows how to draw forth by vcrtue of the fun beams 
 (through a wonderfull power , and vcrtue ) that 
 which 10 many men have fought after , and is the 
 beginning of our work. 
 
 rUE TENTH TREATISE. 
 
 of the SufemMturdl Generation of 
 the Son of the Sun, 
 
 E E have treated of things , which Nature 
 makes, and which God hath madcj that the 
 Searchers of Art might the more ealily un- 
 derftand the pofTibility of Nature. But to delay no 
 longer, I will now enter upon the Manner, and Art 
 how to make the Philofophers ftone. The Philofo- 
 phers ftone,or tindure is nothing elfe, but Gold di- 
 gcftedtothe highcft degree : For vulgar Gold is 
 like anherb without feed 5 when it is ripe it brings 
 forth feed-, fo Gold when it is ripe yeelds feed, or 
 tin(5ture. But, will fome asKWhy doth noi Gold,or 
 any other Metall bring torth feed:' thereafon given 
 is this, becaufe it cannot bee rip e, by reafon of the 
 crudity of the air, it hath not fulficient heat , and it 
 happens , that in fome places there is found pure 
 Gdd, which nature would have perfedcd , but was 
 
 hindrcd 
 
A ne)x> Light ofAlchymiel 2p 
 
 hindred by the crude aire. As for example, wee fee 
 that Orcnge trees in Ptf/(J»M doe indeed flourifhas 
 other trees-, in /W/^, and elfewhere, where their na- 
 turall foil is , they yecld, and bring forth fruit,becaufc 
 they have fufficient heatj but in thefe cold places they 
 doe otherwife, for when they begin to ripen, they arc 
 at a ftand, becaufe they are oppreflcd with cold^ and 
 fo in thefe places we never have their fruit naturally : 
 but if at any time Nature 'be fweetly , and wittily 
 helped, then Art may perfed that , which Nature 
 could not. The fame happens in Metalls: Gold may 
 yeeld fruit, and {ced,inwhichitmultiplyesitfclfby 
 the induftry of the skilfull Artificer, who knows how 
 to exalt Nature,but if he will attempt to do it with- 
 out Nature, he will be miflakcn. For not only in this 
 art, but alfo in every thing elfc, we can doe nothing 
 but help Nature; and this by no other medium then 
 fire, or heat^ But feeing this cannot be done,{ince in 
 a congealed MetalUck body there appear no fpiritSjit 
 is neceffary that the body be loofcd,or diffolved, and 
 the pores thereof opened , whereby Nature may 
 work. But what that diifolution ought to be , here I 
 would have the Reader take notice , that there is a 
 twofold diffolution, although there be many other 
 dilfolutions, but to little purpofej there is onely one 
 that is truely naturall, the other is violent , under 
 which all th^efl: are comprehended. The naturall is 
 this, that the pores of the body bee opened in our 
 water, whereby the kt^^ that is digefted, may bee 
 fcnt forth, and put into its proper Matrix : Now our 
 wateris heavenly ,not wetting the hands , not vulgar, 
 but almofl rain water : The body is gold, which 
 ycclds feeds our Lune or Silver, (not common Silver) 
 
 E3 is 
 
go A mn? Ligr)t ojAlchynjie. 
 
 is that which receives the k^d. of the gold:afrenvaids 
 it is governed by our continual fire,for fcvcn months, 
 and fomctimes ten, untill our water confumc three , 
 and leave one; and that in iiuph,ox a double. Then it 
 is nouriflied with the milk of the earth,or the fatnclTe 
 thereofjwhich is bred in the bowclls of the earth,and 
 is governed, or prefcrved f rom putrcfadion by the 
 (alt of Nature. And thus the infant of the fccond 
 generation is generated. Now let us pa{Ic from the 
 Thcoric to the Praxis. 
 
 THE ELEVENTH rREATISE. 
 
 of the Pr^^is^ and Making of the 
 Stone, or Tin^nre by 
 Art. 
 
 I Hrough all thefc foregoing Chapters, our 
 
 ' difcourfc of things hath been feat lered by 
 
 way of examples, that the Praxis might 
 
 be the more eafily undciftood,which muft 
 
 be done by imitating Nature after this manner 
 
 Take of our earth, through eleven degrees, eleven 
 graines,of our Gold,and not of the vulgar one grain, 
 of our Lune, not the vulgar, two grains.* but be thou 
 well advifed,that thou takeft not common GoId,and 
 Silver, for thefe arc dead, take ours which are living: 
 then put them into our fire, and let there be made of 
 them a dry liquor^firfl of all the earth wil be refol vcd 
 into water, which is called the Mercury of Philofo- 
 
 phers 
 
d new Light ofAlchymk. 3 1 
 
 phcrS', and that water fliall rcfolve thofc bodies of 
 Gold5and Silvcr^and fiial confume them fOjthat there 
 fhall remain but the tenth part with one parr^and this 
 ftall be the radical! moiftiire of Metalls. Then take 
 water of fait -nitre, which comes from our earth , in 
 which there is a river ofliving water, if thoudiggcft 
 the pit knee deep,thcrefore take water outof thaCjbiit 
 take that, which is cleer-, upon this put that radicall 
 moifture-, and fet it over the fire of putrefadion^and 
 generation^not on fuch a one as thou did ft in the firft 
 operation ; govern all things with a great deale of 
 difcretion, untill colours appear lik^ a Peacocks 
 tailj govern it by digefting it, and be not weary, un- 
 till thefe colours be ended, and ther€ appear through- 
 out the whole one green. colour , and fo of the reft y 
 and when thou ihalt fee in the bottome afhes of a fie- 
 ry cobur, and the water almoft red, open the vcfTcI, 
 dip in a pen,and fmeare fome Iron with it, if it tinge> 
 have in readincflc that water, which afterwards I fliall 
 fpeak of,and put in fo much of that water as the cold 
 aire was, which went in, boil it again with the former 
 fire, until! it tinge again. So far reached my experi- 
 ence, 1 can doe no more, I found out no more.Now 
 that watermuftbethemenftruumof the world,out 
 of the fphere of the Moon, fo often redified , untill 
 it can calcine Gold : I have been willing here to 
 difcover totj^all thmgs 5 and if thou fhalt under- 
 ftand my mC3ing fometimes, and not the letter , 1 
 have revealed all things^ cfpccially in the firfl, and 
 fccond work. Now it remains that we fpeak next of 
 the fire.The firft fire, or of the firft operation is a fire 
 of one degrce5Continuall,whichgoes round the mat- 
 ter^ the fccond is anaturall fire, which digcfts ,. and 
 
 fixethi 
 
J a A nen? Light ofAlchymie\ 
 
 fixcththc matter : I tell thee truely that I have open- 
 ed to thee the governance, or rules of the firejif thou 
 underftandeft Nature •• The velfell remains yet to 
 be rpoken of. It muft be the vefTel of Nature, and 
 two are fufficientj the veiTell of the firft work muft 
 beround j but in the fecond a glaife, a little lefiTe like 
 unto a viall,or an cgge. But in all thefe know , that 
 the fire of Nature is but one , and if it works vari- 
 oufly, it is by reafon of the difference of places. The 
 veflell therefore of Nature is but one •, but wee for 
 brevities fake ufe a couple : the matter is one, but out 
 of two fubftances. If therefore thou wilt give thy 
 mind to make things, confidcr firft things that are al- 
 ready made; if thou canft not reach 5 orundcrftand 
 things prefentcd to thy eyes, much Icffc things that 
 arc to be made 5 and which thou defireft to make. 
 For know that thou canft crevitc nothing , for that is 
 proper to God alone, but to make thingSjthacarc not 
 perceived, but lye hid in the ihadow, to appear , and 
 to take from them their vaile, is granted to an intel- 
 ligent Philofopher by God through Nature. Confi- 
 dcr,I befecch thee, the fimple water of a cloud ; who 
 woiitd ever belccvc that that contains in it felfe all 
 things in the world, hard Stones, Salts, Airc,Earth, 
 Fire, when as yet ofit felfe it fcems to be fimple ? 
 What fhall I fay of the Earth, which contains in it 
 Water, Fire, Salts, Aire, and ofit fclffecms to be 
 but meet earth. ^O wonderfull Natur^SS^hich knows 
 how to produce wonderfull fruits out of Water in the 
 earth, and from the Aire to give them' life. All thefe 
 are done , and the eyes of the vulgar doe not fee 
 them; but the eyes of the underftanding , and imagi- 
 nation perceive them, and that with a true fight. The 
 
 eyes 
 
A nen? Light ofAlchymie* g 5 
 
 eyes of the wife look upon Nature othenvife , then 
 the eyes of common men. As for example, the eyes 
 of the vulgar fee that the funis hot-, but the eyes 
 of Philofophers on the contrary fee it rather to bee 
 cold, but its motion to be hot. The ads and effeds 
 of it are underftood through the diflance of places. 
 The fire of Nature is one and the fame with it: for as, 
 the Sun is the Center amongft the fpheres of the 
 Planets; and our of this Center of the heaven it 
 fcatters its heat downward by its motion j fo in the 
 Center of the earth is the fun of the earth, which by 
 its perpetual! motion fends its hear, or beams up- 
 ward to the fuperficies of the earth. That intrinfe- 
 cali heat is far more efficacious then this Elementary 
 firej but it is allayed with an Earthy water, which 
 from day to day doth penetrate the pores of the 
 earth, and coolcsit .• So the Aire doth temper, 
 and mitigate the heavenly Sun,and its heat , for this 
 aire doth day after day' fly round the world : and un- 
 leiTe this were fo, all things would be confumed by 
 fo great a heat , neither would any thing be brought 
 forth. Foras that invifible fire, or Central 1 heat 
 would confume all things, if the water coming be- 
 twixt (^\d not-prevent itjfo the heat of the Sun would 
 deftroy all things, if the Aire did not come betwixt. 
 But iiowthcfe Elements work one with another , I 
 will briefly declare. In the Center of the earth is 
 the Centrall Sun, which by its own motion, or of its 
 firmament doth give a great heat , which extends it 
 fclf even to the fuperficies of the earth. That heate 
 caufeth aire after this manner. The Matrix of aire 
 is watery which bringeth forth fons of its own na- 
 ture^ but unlike , and far more fubtill then it felfe . 
 
 F for 
 
2 i{. A mw Light of Alch)mie» 
 
 for where the water is dcnycd entrance, the aire en- 
 ters : when therefore that Centrall heat, which is 
 perpctuall,doth ad, it makes water diftill^and be hea- 
 ted, and fo that water by reafon of the heat is turned 
 into aire, upon this account it breaks forth to the 
 fupcrficiesof theearth, becaufc it will not fufiPcr it 
 fclf to be fliut in : then when it is cold , it is refolvcd 
 into water. In the mean time it happens alfo that in 
 oppofitc places not only air but water goes out 5 fo 
 you fee it is, when black clouds are by violence car- 
 ryed up into the aire : for which thing take this as a 
 familiar example. Make water hot in a pot, and 
 thou (halt fee that a foft fire caufcth gentle vapours , 
 and winds; but a ftrong fire maketh thick clouds ap- 
 pear. Juft in the fame manner doth the Centrall 
 heat worke; it lifts up the fubtill water into aire,thac 
 whichis thick by reafon of its fait orfetncfTe, it di- 
 ftributes to the earth , by meanes of which divers 
 things arc generated, that which remaines becomes 
 ftoncs, and rocks. But fomc may obje(^,if it were fo, 
 it would be done conftantly, but oftentimes there is 
 no wind at all perceived. I anfwer, if water be not 
 poured violently into a diftillatory vcfTcU , there is 
 made no wind, for little water ftirs up bur little wind: 
 you fee that thunders are not alwaics made,akhough 
 there be rain, and wind ; but only when by force of 
 the aire the fwelling water is carried to the fphcre of 
 the fire-, for fire will not indure water. Thou haft be- 
 fore thine eyes an example, when thou poureft cold 
 water into a hot furnace, from whence a thundering 
 Boife is raifed. But why the water doth not enter 
 Hniformly into thofe places, and cavities, the reafoi* 
 is, hccaiiletkefefortsof vcffcilsjand places are rna-^ 
 
ny 5 and fometimcs one cavity by blafts , 6r winds 
 drives awiy from it felf water for fome daycs , and 
 monthS) untill there be a rcpcrcuflion of the water it- 
 gain .' As wee fee in the fda, whofe waves arc mo- 
 ved and carryed a thoufand miIes,before they find^or 
 meet with a repercuflion to make them return back; 
 but to return to our purpofc. I fay that Fire » ot 
 Heat is the caufc of the motion of the Aire , and the 
 lifeofallthings^ and the Earth is the Nurfe of all 
 thcfcthings, or their receptacle. But if there vtttt 
 not Water tocoolc our Earth, and Aire , then tht 
 Earth would be dryed, forthefe two rcafons, vi7^ 
 by reafonofthe Motion of the Gemrall Sun, and 
 heat of the Cclcftiall : NcverthelcfTe it happens^ 
 fbmetimes in fome places , when the pores of the 
 earth are obfttu(5tedy that the humidky,or water can- 
 not penetrate, that then by reafon of the correfpon- 
 dency of the Celeftiall, and Central! Sun ( for they 
 have a magnetick vcrtue betwixt therafclves ) the 
 CQrth is inflamed by the Sun: fo that even fonietimes 
 there are made great chops, or furrows in the earth, 
 Gaufc therefore that there b^ fuch an operation in 
 our earth, that the Ccntrall heat may change the 
 Water into Aire, that it may goe forth into the 
 plaines of the world, arid fcatter the refidue , as t 
 faidjthroughthe pores of the earth-, and then contra^ 
 riwife the Aire will be turned into Water , far more 
 fubtill then the firft Water was : and this is done 
 thus, if thougiveftouroldmanGoldjor Silver t^ 
 fwallow, that he may confume them, and then hce 
 alfo dying naay be burnt 3 and hisafhes (carterdd into 
 water, and thou boil that water untill it be eno\igh, 
 5indchou ihak have a medicine to cy^it the kpro- 
 
 fa fic. 
 
5^ A new Light efAlchymiek 
 
 lie. Mark, and be fure that thou takeft not cold for 
 hot, or hot for cold, but mixe natures with natures^ 
 and if there be anything that is contrary to nature 
 (for Nature alone is neccflary for thee ) feparate it,, 
 that Nature may be like Nature. Doe this by fire , 
 and not with thy hand :: and know that if thou dofc 
 not follow Nature,all is in vain.* and here I have fpo- 
 ken to thee through the help of God , what a father 
 fhould fpcakto his fon- Hee which hath ears let him. 
 heare, and he which hath his fenfcs, let him fee his 
 mind upon what I fay. 
 
 ^ 
 
 THE TWELFTH TT(EATISE. 
 
 of the Stone y and its vert ue. 
 
 iN the foregoing Treatifcs it hath been 
 fufficiently fpoken concerning the pro- 
 duftionof Naturall things, concerning 
 the Elements, the Firft matter, and Se- 
 cond matter, Bodies, Seeds, and concerning the 
 UfeandVcrtueofthem : I wrote aJfo the Praxis 
 of making the Philofophers Stone. Now I will 
 difcover fo much of the vcrtuc of it, as Nature hath 
 granted to me, and experience taught me. But to 
 comprehend the argument of all thcfe Treatifcs 
 bricfly,and in few words,that the Reader which fears 
 God may undcrftand my mind and meaning, the 
 thing is this. If any man doubt of the truth of the 
 Art, kt him read the vGluminous writings of anciT 
 
 ent 
 
A mvp Light ofAlchymie* 37 
 
 cicnt Philofophers, verified by rcafon, andexperi- 
 tnct'y whom wee may dcfervedlygive credit to in 
 their own Art : but if any will not give credit to 
 them, then we know not how to difpute with them, 
 as denying principles .-for deaf, and dumbe men 
 cannot fpeak. What prerogative fhould all things 
 in this world have before Mctalls f Why ftiouid 
 tliefe alone by having feed without caufe denyed to 
 them, be excluded from Gods univerfall blefling of 
 multiplication, which holy writ affirms was put in, 
 and beftowed on all created things prcfently after the 
 world was made? Now if they have Seed, who is fo 
 ibttiih to think that they cannot bee multiply ed in 
 their Seedr* The Art of Alchymiein its kind is 
 true. Nature alfo is true, but the Artificer is feldome 
 true : there is one Nature,, one Art,, but many. Ar- 
 tificers. Now what things Nature makes out of 
 the Elements , fhe generates them by. the will of 
 God out of the firft matter, which God cnely 
 Icnowcs •• Nature makes and multiplies thoic 
 things of the fecond matter, which the Dhilofo- 
 phers know. Nothing is done in the world without 
 the pleafure of God, and Nature. Every Element 
 is in its own fphere-, but one cannot be without the 
 other ^ oac lives by vertue of the other,, and 
 yet being joined together they doe not agrecj but 
 Water is of more worth then all the Elements,bcr 
 caufe it is the mother of all things .* upon this 
 fwims the fpirit of Fire. By reafon of Fire Water is 
 the firft matter , vi^, by the ftriving together of 
 Fire,and Water, and lb are generated Winds , and 
 Vapours apt, and eafy to bee congealed with the 
 earth, by the help of the crude airc,which from the 
 
5§ A new Light ofAlchymiel 
 
 beginning was feparatcd from it. And this is done 
 without cefTation, by a perpetuall motion^ bccaufe 
 fire^orheatisftirred upnoothcrwife then by mo- 
 tion , which thing you may eafily conceive by a 
 Smith filing Iron , which through vehement mo- 
 tion waxeth hot in that manner, as if it were heated 
 in the Fire. Motion therefore caufeth heat, heat 
 moves the water, the motion of the water caufeth 
 aire, the life of all living things. Things therefore 
 grow after this manner (as I faid before ) ^'/^. out 
 of water^ for out of the fubtill Vapour ofitjfubtil 
 and light, things proceed-, out of the oylinelfe of it, 
 things that are heavy, and of greater price; but of 
 the fait things far more excellent then the former* 
 Now becaufe Nature is fometimcs hindred , that 
 it cannot produce pure things*, feeing the Vapour, 
 FatnefTe, and Salt are fouled or ftained , and mixc 
 themfclves with the places of the earth : Moreover , 
 experience teacheth us to feparate the pure from the 
 impure. Therefore if thou wilt have Nature be bet- 
 tered, or naended in her a dings , difTolve what body 
 you pleafe, and that which was added or joined to 
 Nature, as heterogeneous, feparate, cleanfe, joinc 
 pure things with pure, ripe to ripe, crude to crude, 
 according to the poifc of Nature, and not of Mat- 
 ter. And know that the Ccntrall fait Nitre doth 
 not receive more of the Earth then it hath need of^ 
 whether it be pure or impure : but the fatneffe of the 
 water is otherwife,for it is never to be had pure ; art 
 purifies it by a twofold heat,and then conjoins it. 
 
Anew Light ofjlchymiei jp 
 
 THE 
 
 ETILOGVE, or CONCWSIOU 
 
 OF rUESB 
 
 TWELVE TREATISES. 
 
 Wrote the Twelve foregoing TrcatifeS' 
 inlovetothefonnesofArt, that befoit 
 they fet their hand to the worke they 
 
 ^^^^ may know the operation of Nature, 
 
 *vij^ how fhc produccth things by her working- left 
 they fhouJd attempt to enter in atthe gate without 
 k^ycs, or to draw water in a fieve : for he laboureth 
 in vain, that putteth forth his hands to labour with- 
 out the knowledge of Nature , in this facred and 
 moft true Arr,hc lies in nodurnal darkneflc to whom 
 rhe fun doth not iliine^nd he is in thick darkncffe, tO' 
 whom after it is night the Moon doth not appearc. 
 Nature hath her proper light, which is nor obvious 
 to our eyesjthe iliadow of Nature is a body before 
 ourcyes : but if the light of Nature doth enlighten 
 any one, prcfcntly the cloud is taken away from be- 
 fore his eyes, and without any let he can behold the 
 point of our loadftone,anfwcring to each Center of 
 th€.beams,:i'/:(;OfthcSun and Earth : for fo farrc 
 
 doth> 
 
/JO A new Light ojAlchymie. 
 
 doth the light of Nature penetrate , and difcovers 
 inward things^ of which thing take this for an exam* 
 pie. Let a boythat is twelve yeares old , and a gitlc 
 of the fame age, be cloathed with garments ol" the 
 fame falhion, and be fet one by the other , no body 
 can know which is the male , or which is the female; 
 our eyes cannot penetrate fo far, therefore our fight 
 deceiveth us, and takes falfe things for true.* Buc 
 when their garments arc taken off, and they arc 
 raked, that foit miy appear what Nature made 
 them 5 they are eafily diftinguiflied by their icxcs, 
 Juft after the fame manner doth our inrelledi make a 
 Ihadowoftheihadowoi Nature-, forthe nakedbo- 
 dy ot Man is the fliadow of the feed of Nature : As 
 therefore mans body is covered with a garment , io 
 alfo mans nature is covered with the body , which 
 God referves to himfelf to cover,or uncover.I could 
 here difcourfe largely,and Philofophically of the dig- 
 nity of Man, his Creation and Generation : but fee- 
 ing they are impertinent to this place , I will pa(Te 
 them over in filence; only I will treat a little con- 
 cerning the Life of Man. Man was created of the 
 Earth, and lives by vertue of the Aire-, for there is 
 in the Airea fecrct food of lite , which in the night 
 wee call dew-, and in the day ratified water , whofe 
 invifible, congealed fpirit is better then the whole 
 Evarth. O holy, and wonderfull Nature, who 
 dofl not fuffer the fons of Wifdome to erre,as thou * 
 dofl manifertinthelifc of man daily! Moreover in ' 
 thefc twelve Trcatifes I have produced fo ma- 
 ny naturall reafons, that he which is defirous of the 
 art, and feares God^may the more eafily underhand 
 all things, which through Gods blcfling, with my 
 
 eyes 
 
^ new Li^ht ofAlchymie. 4 r 
 
 eyes I have fcen, with mine own hands have made 
 without any deceit of fophiftication : for without the 
 light > and knowledge of Nature , it is impoffibic 
 to attain to this Arc , unlcffe it come to any by 
 Gods fpeciall revelation, or Tome fpeciall friend doth 
 privatelyfhewit.lt is a thing of little account, yet 
 moft pretioiis, which being divers times defcribcd, I 
 doe now again repeat. Take 10 parts of aire, i part 
 of living gold, or living filver 5 put all thefe into 
 thy veftell-, boyle this aire firft untill it be water,and 
 then no water. If thou art ignorant of this , and 
 Icnowft not how to boyl aire,without all doubt thou 
 fhalt erre 5 feeing this is the matter of the ancient 
 Philofophcrs. For thou muft take that , which is, 
 and is not feen, untill it be the Artificers pleafure •, it 
 is the water of our dew, out of which is extra(fled the 
 Salt Petre of Philofophers , by which all things 
 grow, and are nourished .• the matrix of it is the 
 Center of the Sun, and Moon, both celcfliall, and 
 tcrreftiall : and to fpeak more plainly,it is our Load- 
 ftone, which in the foregoing Treatifes I called Cha.' 
 lybs, or Steel : The Aire generates this Load-flone, 
 and the Loadflonc generates, or makes our Air to ap- 
 pear,andcome forth. I have here entirely fhcwed thee 
 the truth 5 Bcgge of God that hee would profper 
 thine undertakings : Andfo in this place thou fhalt 
 have the true, and right explication o^Hermes^whcn 
 he faith,that the father of it is the Sun,and its mother 
 the Moon, and that which the wind carrycd in its 
 belly, vt"^ Sal Alkdi^vA\\c\\ the Philofophcrs have 
 called Sal Jrmomacum, :xnd vegetable,hid in the belly 
 oftheJV/4g-;?f/i4, The operation of it is this, to dif- 
 folvc the congealed aire, in which thou fhali dilfolve 
 
 G the 
 
M'x A new Light ofAlchjmie. 
 
 the tenth part ofGolcI;rcale this up, and work with 
 our fire, untill the air be turned into powders 5 and 
 there appear fthe fait of the world being firft had)di- 
 vers colours. I would have fet down the whole pro- 
 ceiTeinthefeTreatifes; but bccaufethat, together 
 with the multiplication, is fufficiently fet down in 
 the books o{ Lullim , and other old P hilofophers 5 
 it therefore fufficcd me to treat only of the firft, and 
 Tccond matter ^ which is done faithfully, neither do 
 thou ever think that any man livinghath done it more 
 cleerly,then I have done it*, (ince I have done it not 
 put of many books but by the labour of my hands, 
 and mine own experience. If therefore thou dofi 
 not underftand, or beleeve the truth, doe not blame 
 pie, but thy felf 5 and perfwade thy felfe that God 
 was unwilling to reveal this fecret to thee : Be there- 
 fore earneft with him by prayer , and with ferious 
 meditation read over this book ofcentimcs,efpccially 
 the Epilogue of thefe twelve Trcatifcs : alwaies con- 
 £dering the pofTibility of Nature, and the adions of 
 the Elements, and which of them is the chicfeft ia 
 thofe actions , and efpecially in the rarefadion of 
 water, or aire, for fo the heavens are created, as alfo 
 the whole world. This I was willing to fignifie 
 to thee , as a father to his fon. Doe not wonder 
 that I have wrote fo many Treatifes , for I did not 
 make them for my own fake, feeing I lack m)t books, 
 but that I might advertife many, that work infruit- 
 Icflc things, that they flwuld not. fpend their cofts, 
 in vain. All things indeed might have been compre- 
 hended in few lines, yea .in tew words : but I was^ 
 willing to guide thee to the knowledge of Nature by 
 Eeafons^and Examples^ that thou mightcft in the 
 
'A neiao Light of Alcbymie^ 4g[ 
 
 firft place know, what the thing is thou fcekeft after, 
 whether the firft, or fccond matter, alfo that thou 
 mighteft have Nature^her light,& (hadow difcovercd 
 to thec.Be not difpleafcd it thou meeteft fometimes 
 with contradi(flions in my Treatifcs, it being the 
 cuftome of Philofophers to ufe them ^ thou haft 
 need oi them , if thou underftandeft them , thou 
 fhall not find a rofe without prickles. Weigh dili- 
 gently what I have faid before, vi\, how four Ele- 
 ments diftill into the Center of the earth a radicall 
 moifturc, and how the Ccntrall Sun of the earth,by 
 its motion bringeth it forth, and fublimethit to the 
 fupcrficies of the earth. I have faid alio that the Cc- 
 lelliall Sun hath a correfpondency with tlic Centrall 
 Sun ; for the Celertiall Sun, and the Moon have a 
 peculiar power, and vertue of diftilling into the earth 
 by vertue of their beams : for heat is eafily joined to 
 heat, and fait to fait. And as the Ccntrall Sun hath 
 its fea, and crude water^that is perceptible 5 lo the 
 Celefliall Sun hath its fea, and fubtill water that is 
 not perceptible. In the fuperficics the beams of the 
 one, arc joined to the beams of the other, and pro- 
 duce flowers, and all things. Therefore when there is 
 raine made, it receives from the aire that power of 
 life, and joins it with the fait -nitre of the earth Cbe- 
 caufe thefalt-nitreof the earth is like calcined Tar- 
 tar, drawing to it felfby rcafon of its dryncfle the 
 aire, which in it is refolved into water: fuch attra^ivc 
 power hath the falt-nitre of the earth, which alfb was- 
 aire , and is joined tothefatneffeof the earth ) and 
 by how much the more abundantly the beams of the 
 Sunbeat upon it,the greater quantity of fait- nitre is 
 made, and by confequence the greater pl«nty of 
 
 G 2 Come 
 
44 ^ ^^^w? Light ofAkhymie* 
 
 Corn grows, and is increafed, and this is done daily. 
 Thus much I thought good to fignifie to the igno- 
 rant of thccorrefpondency, or agreement of things 
 amongft themfelves, and the efficacyof the Sun,and 
 Moon^ and Starsj for the wife need not this inftru- 
 ction. Our fubjecfl is prcfented to the eyes of the 
 whole world, and it is not known. O our Heaven I 
 O our Water! O our Mercury! O our Salt-nitre z- 
 biding in the fea of the world! O our Vegetable! O 
 our Sulphur fixed, andvolatill! Oour Cafnt Mor^ 
 ?jj^»«;, ordeadhcadjOrfecesof ourSea! Our Wa- 
 ter that wets not our hands, without which no mor- 
 tall can live, and without which nothing grows, 
 or is generated in the whole world ! And thefc arc 
 the Epithites o{ Hermts his bird,' which never is at 
 reft.. It is of very fmall account,yet no body can bee 
 without it : and fo thou haft a thing difcovcred to 
 thee more pretious then the whole world , which I 
 plainly tell thee is nothing elfc but our Sea water,, 
 which is congealed in Silver,and Gold^and extraded 
 out of Gold,and Silver by the help of our Chalybs,, 
 by the Art of Philofophers in a wonderful! man^ 
 ner, by a prudent Ton of Art. It was not my pur- 
 pofc for forae reafons before mentioned in the Pre- 
 face, to publidi this book, but a defire to deferve well 
 of thofe that arc ftudioufly given to liberalijand Plii- 
 lofophical Arts,prevailed with rnc,that I might hold 
 forth to them,that I bear an honeft mind^alTo that I 
 might declare my felf to them, that underftand the 
 Arr,tobe their equal and fellow,and to have attained 
 their knowledge. I doubt not but many men of 
 good Gonfcicnccs,and affedions do enjoy this gift of 
 Cod (ecietlyi thefc being warned by my example, 
 
 and 
 
A new Light ofAlchymk. 45 
 
 and dangers arc made more Gautious,and wife^having 
 that commendable filence oiHarfocr/ites. For as of- 
 ten as I would difcover my felic to great men , it 
 ahvaies turned to my lofTc and danger. By this my 
 writing I make my felf known to the adopted Tons of 
 Hermns^ I inftru^the ignorant , and them that arc 
 milled, and bring them back into the right way. And 
 let the heirs of wifdome know, that they fhall never 
 have a better way,thcn thatjwhich is here demonftra- 
 ted to them^ for I have fpoken all things eleerly : 
 Only I have not fo eleerly fhewed the extradion 
 of oiir Salt Armoniacke, or the Mercury of Philo- 
 fonhers, out of our Sea water, and the ufc thercof>' 
 becaufe I had from the Mafter of Nature no leave 
 to fpeake any further, and this only God muft 
 reveale, who knows the hearts,and minds of men» 
 He will haply upon thy conftant, and earneft pray- 
 ers, and the frcc^uent reading over of this booke^ 
 bpen the eyes of thy underftanding. The veirell,as 
 I faid before, is but one from the beginning to the 
 cnd,or at raoft two are lufficient: the fire is cominuall 
 in Uoth operations^for the fake of which let the igno» 
 rant read the tenth , and eleventh Treatife. If thou 
 fhalt operate in a third matter , thou (halt cf- 
 fed nothing : they medle with this, whoever work 
 not in our Salt, whkh is Mercury , but in Herbsj^. 
 Animals, Stones, and all Minerals, excepting our 
 Gold, and Silver covered over with the fphere of 
 SatHrne, And whofoever de fires to attainc to> 
 kis defired end , let him underfland the convcu- 
 fion of the Elements to make light things hcavy^ 
 and to make fpirits no fpiritSy then hce fh^ 
 not workc in a ftrange thing* The fire 'i& the 
 
 9^ 
 
/^$ A nen> Light ofAlchymiel 
 
 Rule , whatfocver is done , is done by Fire • as 
 fufficiently before, fo here we havefpoken enough 
 by way of Condufion. Farewell friendly Reader 1 
 and long maift thou enjoy thefe labours of mine, 
 ( made good, or verified by mine owne experi- 
 ence, ) to the glory ot God, the welfare of thine 
 ownc foule, and good of thy neighbour. 
 
 to 
 
A Htw Light ofMchymiel J^j 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SONS ofTRVTH: 
 
 A Preface 
 
 To the Philofophicall MNIGMA, 
 
 Ot%lDLE, 
 
 Sons of WisooMr, 
 
 Have now opened to you all things from 
 theveryfirftrifingofthc univerfall foun- 
 taine, that there is no more left to be dif- 
 covered. Forinthe foregoing TreatifesI 
 hare fufficlently explained Nature by way of ex- 
 ample .' 1 have (hewed the Theorie and Praxis, as 
 plainely as it was lawful!. But left any fhould 
 complain of my bricfnefTe , that by reafon of it I 
 have omitted fomething, I will yet further defcribc 
 to thecthcwhole Artby wayofRidlc, oriEnigma- 
 ticall rpcechj that thoumaift fee how farre through 
 Gods guidance lam come. The bookes that treat 
 of this Art are infinite-, yet thou fhalt not find in 
 any of them the truth fo much,.as it is in this^of 
 mine, made known^or difcovercd unto thee. The 
 
 ijcafon 
 
4? A mw Light ofAkhymie. 
 
 rcafontbat encouraged mee to make it fo plain , was 
 chis, iz/^-Bccaule, when I had difcourfed with many 
 men, that thought they undcrftood the writings of 
 Philofophcrs very well; I perceived that they did cx- 
 plaine thofe writings far more fubtilly then Nature, 
 which is fimple and plain,did require : yea all my true 
 fayings did feem to them being profoundly wife, or 
 favouring of high things, to bee of no value and 
 incredible. It hapned (ometimes that I would inti- 
 mate the Art to fome from word to word ^ but they 
 could by no meanes underftand mee , not beieeving 
 there was any \i?ater in our Sea , and yet they would 
 be accounted Philofophcrs. Since therefore they 
 could not underftand my words, which I delivered 
 by word of mouth, I doc not fear-Cas other Philofo- 
 phcrs were afraid ) that any one can fo eafily under- 
 ftand what I have wrote^It is the giftj fay, of God. 
 It is true indeed , if in the ftudy of Alchymic 
 there were required fubtilncllc, and quicknclTc of 
 wit, and things were of that Nature as to be percei- 
 ved by the eyes of the vulgar,! faw that their fancies, 
 or wits were apt enough to find out fuch things : but 
 I fay to you,bce fimplc, or plaine , and not too wife 
 iintill you have found out the fecretjwhich when you 
 have,itwillofneceirity require wifdome enough to 
 ufe, and keep itj then it will be eafy for you to write 
 many booksj bccaufe it is eaficr for him , that is in 
 the Center, and fees the thing, then for him that 
 •walks in the Circumference, and only heares of it. 
 You have the fecond matter of all things moft 
 cleerly defcribed unto you :but let mee give you this 
 Caution, that if you would attaine to this fecret, 
 itnowthatlirftofallGodistobcc prayed to, then 
 'A. - your 
 
A ntw Light ofAlcbymie^ 4p 
 
 ydur neighbour is to bee loved : and laftly, doe no^ 
 fancy to your felvcs things that arc fr.btill , which 
 Nature knew nothing of; but abide,I fay, abide in 
 the plain way of Nature; becaufeyou may fooner 
 feel the thing in plainnefTe, or fimplicity, then fee it 
 in fubtilty. In reading therefore my writings dot - 
 notftickin the letter of them, but in reading of 
 them confider Nature, and tfec poffibility thereof. 
 Now before you fet your fclves to work, confider di- 
 ligently what it is you feek, and what the fcope , and . 
 end of your intention is .• for it is much better to 
 learn by the brain, and imagination , then with la- 
 bour, and charges. And this I fay to you, that 
 you muft feek for fome hidden thing,out of which is 
 made (after a wonderfull manner j fuch a moifturc, 
 or humidity, which doth diflblve Gold without vio- 
 lence, ornoifejyeafofweetly,and naturally, as ice 
 doth melt in warms water : if you find out this,you 
 have that thing,out of which Gold is produced by 
 Nature: and although all Metalls, and all things 
 have their originall from hence , yet nothing is fo 
 friendly to it~as Gold 5 for to other things there 
 fticks faft fome impurity, but to Gold none, befides 
 it is like a Mother unto it. And fo finally I con- 
 clude^ if you will not be wife, and wary by thelc 
 my writings, and admonitions, yet excule mee who 
 defire to deferve well of you : I have dealt as faith- 
 fully as it was lawfuU for mee,and as becomes a man 
 of a good confcience to doe. If you ask who I am, 
 I am one that can live any where: if you know mee, 
 and defire to fhew your fclves good and honeft men , 
 you (hall hold your tongue : if you know mee nor , 
 doe not enquire after mee , for 1 will rcveale to n o 
 
 H mor» 
 
to^ A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 mortall man, whikft I live, more then I have done 
 intbis publick writing. Bcleeve mee, if I were not 
 a man of that rankcand condition as I am, nothing 
 would be more pleafant to mec then a folitary life , 
 or with Diogents to lie hid under a tub: for I ice all 
 things that are to be but vanity^and that deceit, and 
 covetoufneffe arc altogether in wfe, where all things 
 are to be fold, and that vice doth cxccU vertue.I fee 
 the better things of the life to come before mine cys. 
 I rejoice in thefe. Now I doc not wonder^as before I 
 did, why Philofophers, \vhen they hive attained to 
 this Medicine, have not cared to have their dayes 
 fliortned-, becaufe every Philofopher hath the life to 
 comefet fo cleerly before his eyes, as thy face is feen 
 in a glaffe. And if God fhall graunt thee thy defi- 
 red end, then thou ftiak belecve mce, and not reveal 
 thyfelfto the world* 
 
 'THE 
 
JfKvi>UihtofAkbymie. 51 
 
 THE 
 
 PARABLE, 
 
 OR 
 
 PHILOSOPHICALL RIDLE. 
 
 Added by way of Conclufion, 
 
 and Superaddition. 
 
 IT fell out upon a time > when I had 
 failed almoft all my life from the Anick 
 pole, to the Antarticke , that by the 
 fingular providence of God I was cafl 
 upon the lliore of a certain great fea^and 
 air hough I well knew and undeiftood the pafiages, 
 and properties of the fea of that Coaft , yet I knew 
 not whether in thofe Coafts was bred that little Rdi, 
 which was called ^emfira, which fo many men of 
 great and fmall fortunes have hitherto fo itudioufly 
 fought after. But whilft I was beholding the (wcet 
 finging Mermaides fwimming up and down with the 
 Nymphs,and being weary with my foregoing labors, 
 and opprefTed with divers thoughts, I was with the 
 noife of waters overtaken with Seep, 5 and whilcft I 
 was in a fweet fltep^therc appcar'd to mc in my deep 
 
 Ha a 
 
t2 ^ f^^"^ Light of Ale h)Mh. 
 
 a wonderfull vifion , which is this. I faw Neptune 
 a man of an honorable old age, going forth out of 
 our fea with his three toothed inftrumcnt, called Tri- 
 Jefis jwho after a friendly falute led mcc into a moft 
 pleafant Hand. This goodly Hand was fituated 
 towards the South, being rcpleniilied with all things 
 refpefting the necefTiry, and delight of man: Firgtls 
 Blifian field might fcarce compare with it. All the 
 banks were round about befet with green Mirtlcs , 
 CyprefTe trees, and Rofemary. The green meadowcs 
 were covered all over with flowers of all forts , both 
 fair,and fwcet . The hills were fct forth with Vines, 
 Olive trees, and Cedar-trcesin a moft wonderful! 
 manner. The woods were filled with Orcnge , and 
 Lemon-trees. The high waycs were planted on both 
 fides with Bay -trees, and Pomegi'anate- trees, wove a 
 moft artificially one within the other, and affording 
 a moft pleafant fbadow to Travellers. And to bee 
 ihort, whatfoever is in the whole world was fetn 
 there. As I was walking, there was fliewed tome 
 by the forefaid Neptune two Mines of that Hand ly- 
 ing under a certain rock, the one was of Gold , the 
 other of Chalybs,or Steel. Not far from thence I 
 w:s brought to a Meadow in which was a peculiar 
 Orchard with divers forts of trees moft goodly to be- 
 hold, and amongft the reft , being very many hoc 
 ftiewed to mee feven Trees marked out by fpcciall 
 names*, and amongft thefe I oblerved two as chief eft, 
 more eminent then the reft, one of which did bearc 
 fruit like the Sun moft bright, andftiining, and the 
 leaves I hereof were like Gold. The other brought 
 forth fruit that was moft white, yca,whitcr then the 
 Lillies,and the leaves therof were as fine SilvcnNow 
 
 tlicfc 
 
A ntn> Light ofjlchymie, 5 3 
 
 thefe Tces were called hyNeptont^the one the tree of 
 theSuntl^e otI«r .he tree oFthe Moon. And d^^^^^^ 
 nthis iland all things were at ones pleafure , and 
 command yetthere fvas one thing,and but one wan- 
 trn^ there was no water to be had, but w.th great 
 difficulty. There were indeed many that partly en- 
 deavored to bring it thither by p.pes, and partly 
 S out of divers things •• but tteir endeavours 
 :Z n vain, becaufe inthofe places it could not bee 
 hadby any means or medium, andif it were at any 
 dme had vet it was unprofitable, andpoifonous, un- 
 ffe they fetched it ( as few could doe ) frorn the 
 be"msof theSun, and Moone; and he which was 
 Snateinfodoing could nevergetabovetenp^^^^^^ 
 and that water was moft wonderfdl : and beleeve 
 mee for I faw it with mine eyes, and felt it that that 
 water ws as white as the fnow, and wh>leftl was 
 Contemplating upon the water, I was in a great won- 
 der Wherefore W./*-^^ being in the mean while 
 wearied vaniihedaway from before mine eyes , and 
 there appeared to me a great man, upon whofe foie- 
 head was written the name of S.tur»e. This man 
 Sg tk veflell drew ten pans of water, and tooke 
 prefcmly of the tree of the Sun, and put it in , and I 
 Fawth fruit of the tree conrumed,and refolved like 
 Swarm water. 1 demanded of him. Sir, I fee a 
 wondSull thing, water tobce as it were of nothing; 
 1 fee th fruitofthe tree confumed in it with a moft 
 fvJ^r and kindly heat, and wherefore is all this? But 
 hTXcrKemoftlovinely. MySon, it« true 
 
 this is a thing to be wondered at , but do^ no thou 
 
 wonder at it, for fo it muft b=- ^°' 'f.'J^^^'Jiis 
 Water of life, having power to better the frmt of his 
 
 H3 
 
treefOjthat afterward neither by planting,or grafting, 
 but only by its own odour it may convert the other 
 ilx trees inco its own likenefTc. Moreover this water 
 is to this fruit as it were a woman , the fruit of this 
 tree canbc putrefied in nothing but in this water, and 
 although the fruit of it be of it felf moft wondcrful,& 
 a thing of great price-,yet if it be putrefied in this wa- 
 ter, it begets by this putrefadion a SaUmander^ abi- 
 ding in the fire,whofe blood ismorc pretious then any 
 l<ina of treafure or riches in the world, being able to 
 make thofefix trees, which here thou {eeftjfriiitfull, 
 and to bring forth their fruit fwecter then the honey. 
 But I asked, Sir,How is that done .-'I told thee ("faith 
 hcc) that the fruit of that tree isliving,and fweet 5 
 but whereas one is now futficed with it , when it is 
 boyled in this water, a thoufand may then bcc 
 fatisfied with it. I demanded moreover , Sir, is 
 it boiled with a ftrong fire, and how long is it 
 in boyling:' But faid he, that water hath an intrinfe- 
 call fire, and if it be helped with a continuall heat, it 
 burns three parts of its body with this body of the 
 fruit jand there wil remain but a very fmal part, which 
 is fcarce imaginablc,but of wonderful vertue-,it isboi- 
 Jed by the skilful! wit of the Artificer^firft 7 months, 
 then io,butinthemcantimetherc appeared divers 
 things, and alwaics in the fiftieth day,or thereabouts. 
 I demanded again, Sir, cannot this fruit be boiled in 
 other waters, or fomething be put to it ? Hee an- 
 fwered, there is but this one water that is ufef uU in 
 this Country, or Ifland*, and there is no other water 
 can penetrate the pores of this apple, but tliis : and 
 know alio that the Tree of the Sun hath its originall 
 kom this water, vyhich is extracted out of the beams 
 
 of 
 
A new Light of Alchymic, ^^ 
 
 of the Sun,ancl Moone by a magnetick vertuciBefidcs 
 they have a great corrcipondency betwixt thcm- 
 felvcs, but if any ftrange thing be added to it, it can- 
 not perfo ime that which it can do of it felf. It muft 
 therefore be left by it felf^and nothing added to it but 
 this apple: This fruit afcer boiling becomes to bee 
 immortalljhaving Iife,and blood, which blood makes 
 all the trees bring forth fruit of the fame nature with 
 the Apple. I asked him further. Sir, is this Water 
 drawn any other way, or to be had every where r* And 
 he faid, it is in every place, and no man can live with- 
 out it5 it is drawn divers ways, but that is the beff, 
 which is extracted by vcrtue of our Chalybs, which is 
 found in the belly oi Aries. I faid, to what ufe is it < 
 He anfwercd, before its due boiling it is the greateft 
 poi{bn,but after a convenient boiling it is the greateft 
 medicine , and yedds nine and twenty graines of 
 bloodi and every grain will yecld to thse the fruit of 
 tie Tree of the Sun in 8<^4fold. Tasked, Can it not 
 be made yet better < The Philofophicall Scripture 
 being witnelTe ( faith hec ) it may bee exalted firft to 
 ten, then to a hundred, then to a thoufand , and ten 
 thou{a,nd. I required again of him. Sir, Doe many 
 know that Water, and hath it any proper name^ He 
 cryed out faying, Vc\v know it, but all have 
 feen it, and doc fee it, and love it .• it hath many and 
 various names, but its proper name is the Water of 
 our Sea, the Water of life not wetting the hands. I: 
 asked yet further,Doe any ufe it to any other things^ 
 Every creature C faith he ) doth ufe it, but invifibly. 
 Then I aslced,Doth any thing grow in it^but he faidj , 
 Ofit are made all things in the world, and in it they 
 fe : but in it nothing properly is, but it is that thing 
 
5 6 A next? Light ofAlchymie^ 
 
 which mixeth it fclf to every thing. I asked againe, Is 
 it ufcfiiU for any thing without the fruit of this trec^ 
 To this he faid, Not in this work; bccaufe it is not 
 bcttercd,but in the fruit of the Tree of the Sun alone. 
 I began to intreat him, Sir I pray, name it to mec by 
 fuchanaanifeftname, that I may have no further 
 doubt about it, But he cryed with a loud voice/o as 
 that he awikened mefromflecpi Therefore I could 
 askhim no further, neither would hce tell mec any 
 more 5 neither can I tell anymore. Be fatisfied with 
 thefe, and beleeve mce, that it is not poflible to fpcak 
 more clcerly. For if thou doft not underftand thcfe 
 things, thou wilt never be able to comprehend the 
 books of other Philofophers. After Saturn s un- 
 expeded and fudden departure a new flccp came upon 
 mee, and then appeared to mec Neftune'mdimiihlt 
 fliape: He congratulated my prefent happineffe in the 
 gardens of the Heffendes , fhcwing ]to me a Look- 
 ing-glafTcjin which I faw all Nature difcovered- After 
 the changing of divers words betwixt us, I gave him 
 thanks for his courtefies fhewed to mej becaufe i not 
 onlyentred into this garden, but alfo came intoi'^- 
 tnrn's moft defired difcourfe. But becaufe by rcafon 
 ofSdtur/fs unexped^ed departure fome difficulties 
 did yet remain to be inquired aftcr,and fearched into, 
 I carneftly befought him, that by means of this hap- 
 py opportunity hce would rcfolvc mec my doubts. 
 Now I importuned him with thcfe words , Sir / have 
 read the books of Philofophers,and they fay, that all 
 generation is done by MalCjand Female, yet 1 faw in 
 ray dream ^4/«r//^ put thcfruitalone ot the Tree of 
 the Sun intoourMercury. I beleeve alfo thee as the 
 Mailer of this Sea, that thou knoweft thcfe things; 
 
 anfwer 
 
ji new Light ofAlchymie. 57 
 
 anfwer my Qucftion I pray thcc.But he faid^It is true, 
 my fon, all generation is done in Male, and Female, 
 but by reafon of the diftinguifliing of the three King- 
 domes of Nature,a foure footed Animal! is brought 
 forth one way, and a worme another: Although 
 wormes have eyes5{ight,hearing,and other fenfes, yet 
 they are brought forth by putrefadion , and their 
 place, or earth, in which they are putrefied , is the 
 Female.Soin this Philofophicall work the mother of 
 this thing is that Water of thine fo often repeated, & 
 whatfoever is produced of that,is produced as worms 
 by putrefa(5lion.Therfore thePhilofophers have crea- 
 ted a Phenix,& Salamander.For if it were done by the 
 conception of two bodies, it would be a thing fubjedl 
 to death-,but becaufc it revives it felf alone,theformer 
 body being deftroyed,it rifeth up another body incor- 
 ruptible.Seeingthe death of things is nothing elfe but 
 the reparation of the one from the other. And fo it is 
 in this Phcnix, becaufethe life feparates it felf by its 
 felf from a corruptible body. Moreover, I asked him. 
 Sir, are there divers things, or is there a compofition 
 of things in this work? But he faid,there is only one 
 thing,with which there is mixed nothing elfe but the 
 Philofophicall Water fhewed to thee oftentimes in 
 thy fleep, of which there muft be ten parts to one of 
 the body. And ftrongly, and undoubtedly beleeve, . 
 My fon,that thofe things which are by me and Saturn 
 fliewed thee by way of dreams, according to thecu-* 
 flom,in this Iland,are not dreams,but the very truth, 
 which Experience the only Miftris of things will by 
 theaflfiftaRceofGoddifcoverto thee. I yet further 
 demanded fome things of him , but hee without any 
 anfwer,after he had took his leave of mee, departing 
 
 I fcx 
 
I* 8 A neip Light of Akhymh. 
 
 fct me, being raifcd from fleepjinto my defired region 
 oiEurofe. And fo friendly Reader, let this fuffice 
 thee, which hath by mce thus farre been fully de- 
 clared. 
 
 TiCed alone befui^cMndglory^ 
 
A nen> Light of Alchymki 
 
 JP 
 
 A DIALOGVE 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 MERCVRTM ALCHTMISr 
 
 and NATVKE. 
 
 _Pon a time there were aflembled divers 
 Jllchymifts together J and held a coun- 
 fel how they Pnould make,& prepare the 
 Philofophcrs ftone, and they concluded 
 that every one fhould declare his opinion 
 And that meeting was in the open aire, 
 in a certainc meadow, on a faire cleer day. And many 
 agreed that Mercury was the firfl matter thereof, o- 
 thers that Sulphur was , and others other things. 
 But the chiefeft opinion was of Mercury , and that 
 cfpecially bccaufe of the fayingsof Philofophers^be- 
 caufe they hold, that Mercury is the firft true matter 
 of the Stone, alfo oi Metalls : For Philofophers cry 
 out, and fay, OUR MERCURY, &cAnd 
 fowhiieft they did contend amongft themfelves for 
 
 I 2 divers 
 
 With a vow. 
 
^o A new Light ofAlchymie* 
 
 divers operations f every one gladly expeding a con- 
 clufion ) there arofe in the medn time a very great 
 tempeft, with ftormes , Ihowers of rain, and an un- 
 heard of wind, which difperfed that alTembJy into 
 divers Provinces, every one apart without a con- 
 clufion. Yet every one of them fancied to himfelfe 
 what the conclufion of that difpute fhould have been. 
 Every one therefore fet upon his work as before, one 
 in this thing, another in that thing (ceking the Philo- 
 fophers Stone, and this is done till this day without 
 any giving over.Now one of them remembring the 
 difputation, that the Philofophers Stone is necefTari- 
 ly to be fought after in Mercury, faid to hiralelf: Al - 
 though there was no conclufion madejyct I wil work 
 in Mercury, and will make a conclufion my felfin ma- 
 king the blefled Stone-,for he was a man that was al- 
 waieswontto talk to himfelfe, as indeed all Alchy- 
 tnifis ufually doe. Hec therefore began to read the 
 books of Philofophers, and fell upon a booke of>^- 
 Untii, which treats of Mercury-, and fo that Alchy- 
 mift is made a Philofopher, but without any conclu- 
 fion : And taking Mercury he began to work 5 hec 
 put it into a glafs^aTid put fire to ir^the Mercury asit is 
 wont to dOjVapouied away,the poor filly Alchymift 
 not knowing the nature of it,bcat his wifc,faying:No 
 body could come hither befidcs thee, thou tookeft 
 the Mercury out of the glafs.His wife crying excufctli 
 her felf, and fpeaks fbftly to her husband : Thou wilt 
 make a fir-reverence of thcfe. The Alchymift tookc 
 Mercury again,and put it again into his vefTell, and 
 left his wife fliould take it away, watched it. But the 
 Mercury ,35 its manner is5vapoured away again. The 
 Alchymift remembring that the firft matter of the 
 
 Phi- 
 
A tjert> Light ofAlchymie, 6 1 
 
 Philofophers Stone muft be volatile, rejoiced excee- 
 dingly, altogether periwading himfclfe that he could 
 not now be deceived, having the firft matter : Hec 
 began now to <^ork upon Mercuiy boldly, he learned 
 afterwards to fublime it^and to calcine it divers ways, 
 as with Salt, Sulphur, and MerallSjMinerallSjBloud, 
 Haire, Corrofivc waters , Herbs, Urine, Vineger , 
 but could find nothing for his purpofe-, hee left no- 
 thing unafTayed in the whole world, with .which hec 
 did not work upon good Mercury withall. But when 
 he could doe no good at all with this, hee fell upon 
 
 this faying that it is found in the dung' hill. He 
 
 began to \70rkc upon Mercury with divers forts of 
 dung, together, and afunder .• And when hee was 
 weary, and full of thoughts he fell into a lleep. And 
 in his llcep there appeared to him a vifion .♦ there 
 came to him an old man, who faluted him , and faidj 
 Friend, Why art thou fade' Hee anfwered, I would 
 willingly make the Philofophers Stone. Then faid 
 he, Friend,Of what wilt thou make the Philofophers 
 Stone < jilehymijla. Of Mercury, Sir, Senex^ Of 
 what Mercury/* Alch, There is but one Mercury. 
 Sen. It is true, there is but one Mercuiy, but altered 
 varioudy, according to the variety of places^ one 
 is purer then another. Alch, O Sir, I know how to 
 purifie it very well with vineger and fait , with nitre 
 andvitriall. Sen. I tell thee this is not the true pu- 
 rifying of it, neither is this , thus purifyed, the true 
 Mercury : Wife men have another Mercury , and 
 another manner of purifying of it,and fo he vaniihcd 
 away .The Alchymift being raifed from fleep thought 
 with himfelfe what vifion this fhould be, as alfo what 
 ibis Mercury of Philofophers ihould be : hee could 
 
 bcthinke. 
 
1?a Anert^UghtofAlchyinie^ 
 
 bethinke himfelfe of no othci but the vulgar Mcrcu- 
 ty. Batyethce defiicd much that hcc might have 
 had a longer difcourlc with the old man : but yet hcc 
 worked continually, fometimes in tlie dung of living 
 creatures, as boycs dung, and fomcnmcs in his own. 
 And every day hee went to the place, where hee faw 
 the vifion, that he might fpeak with the old man a- 
 gain ; fometimes hee counterfeited a fleep , and lay 
 with his eyes iliu: expe(5ling the old man. But when 
 he would not come he thought he was afraid of him, 
 and would not bcleevc that he was afleep , he fworc 
 therefore faying, My good old Mafter be not afraid, 
 for truly I am alleep-, look upon my eyes, fee if I be 
 not: And the poor Alchymifl after fo many labours, 
 and the fpending of all his goods,nowatlaft fel mad, 
 by alwaies thinking of the old man. And when hee 
 was in that flrong imagination,there appeared to him 
 in his fleep a falfe viiion, in the likenefle of the old 
 man, and faid to him, Doe not defpaire, my friend, 
 thy Mercury is good, and thy matter, but if it will 
 not obey thee,conjare it, that it bee not volatile^Scr- 
 pents areufcd to be conjured,and then why not Mer- 
 cury^ and fo the old man would leave him. But the 
 Alchymifl asked of him, faying, Sir,cxped5&c. And 
 by rcafon of a noife this poore Alchymifl was raifed 
 from fleep, yet not without great comfort. He took 
 then a veffell full of Mercury, and began to conjure 
 it divers waycs, as his dream taught him. And hcc rc- 
 membred the words of the old man, in that hee faid. 
 Serpents are conjured^ and Mercury is painted with 
 Serpents, hee thought, fo it muflbee conjured as the 
 Serpents. And taking a vellcll with Mercury hee 
 began to fay , Ux, Vx^ ojlas, &s. And where the 
 
 name 
 
A mtv Light ofAlchymk^ 6^ 
 
 flame of the Serpent fliould be put , he put the name 
 of Mercury, faying :And thou wicked beaft Mercury, 
 &c. At which words Mercury began to laugh , and 
 to fpeat unto him fayingjWhat wilt thou have, that 
 thou thus troubleft mee my Mafter Alchymift-f Alc^, 
 O ho^nowthou called me Mafter,when I touch thee 
 to the quick, now I have found where thy bridle is, 
 wait a little, and by and by thou ilialt fing my fong , 
 and he began to fpeak to him/as it were angerly. Art 
 thou that Mercury of Philofophers^ Merc, (as if 
 he were afraid anfwered ) I am Mercury, my Mafter, 
 Alch, Why therefore wilt not thou obey mee ? and 
 why could not I fix thee.** Merc, O my noble Ma- 
 fter, I befeech thee pardon mee, wretch that I am, I 
 did not know that thou waft fo great a Philofopher. 
 jikh. Didft not thou perceive this by my operati- 
 ons,reeing I proceeded fo Philofophically with thee/* 
 Merf, So it is,my noble Mafter, although I would 
 hide my felfc, yet I fee I cannot from fo honourable 
 a Mafter as thou art. ^Ar^.Now therefore doft thou 
 know a Philofopher? Merc.Ycz, my Mafter, I fee 
 thatyourworftiipis a moft excellent Philofopher. 
 Aich. (being glad at his heart faith ) truly now I have 
 found what I fought for. f Again he fpakc to Mercu- 
 ry with a moft terrible voice :) Now go to , be now 
 therefore obedient, or elfe it ftiall be the worfc for 
 thee. Merc. Willingly, my Mafter, if I am able,for 
 nowlam verywcake. Alc^, Why doft thou now 
 excufe thy felfe^ Merc. I doe not, my Mafter, but I 
 am faint and feeble. Alch, What hurts theeif Af^r^. 
 The Alchymift hurts mee. Alch. What, doft thou , 
 ftill deride mee? Merc, O Mafter, no, I fpeak of the 
 Alchymift^but thou art a Philofopher, Alc^. O wel, 
 
 well;, 
 
64 -^ ^^^ Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 well, that is true, bur what hath the Alchymlft done.^ 
 Merc, O my Mailer, hee hath done many evill 
 things to mec, for hee hath mixed mec, poor wretch 
 as I am^with things contrary to mee : from whence I 
 iliall never bee able to recover my ftrength, and 
 I am almoft dead,for I am tormented almoft unto 
 death. A/r/'. O thoudefcrvcftthofe things, for thou 
 art difobedient. Merc. I was never diiobedient to 
 any Philofophcr , but it is naturall to mec to deride 
 fools# A/^/'.And what doll thou think of mee? J»/<?rf. 
 O Sir,you are a great man, a very great Phiiofopher, 
 yea greater thenj Hermes himfclfe. Alch, Truly fo 
 it is , I am a learned man, but Iwill not commend 
 my fclfe, but my Wifealfo faid to mee, that I am a 
 very learned Philofopher, (he knew fo much by mc« 
 Merc, lam apttobelccvethee,for Philofophers muft 
 be fo,who by reafon of too much wifdome,and pains 
 fall mad. hlch, Goe to then, tell me therefore what 
 I {hall doe with thee; how lihall make the Philofo- 
 phers Stone of thee. Merc, O my Mafter Philofo- 
 pher,! know not. Thou art a Philofopher,! am a fcr- 
 vant of the Philofophers,they make of me what they 
 pleafe,! obey them as much as ! am able. A/c^.Thou 
 muft tell mee how ! muft proceed with thcc , and 
 how I may make of thee the Philofophers Stone. 
 Merc, !f thou knowcft, thou fliall make it , but if 
 thou knoweft not, thou /halt doe nothing, thou ilialc 
 know nothing by mee, it thou knoweft not already 
 my Mafter !^hilofopher. hlch. Thou fpcakeft to 
 me€ as to fome fimple man , perhaps thou doft not 
 know that I have worked with Princes, and was ac- 
 counted a Philofopher with them. Merc. ! am apt to 
 belccve thee my Mafter, for I know all this very wel, 
 
 I 
 
J nei» Light ofAlchjmie. €^ 
 
 lamyctfod, and unclean by rcafon of thofc mix- 
 tures that thou haft ufed. hlch. Therefore tell mee, 
 trt thou the Mercury of Philofophcrsi* Merc, lanfi 
 Mercury, but whether or no the Philofophcrs , that 
 belongs to thee to know. A/^^.Do but tell me ifthou 
 art the true Mercury, or if there be another, ^^r^. I 
 am Mcrcuiy , but there is another, and {o he vaniflied 
 away. The Alchymift cries out and fpeaks, but no 
 body anfwers him. And bethinking himfelfe faith : 
 Surely I am an excellent man , Mercury hath been 
 pleafed to talkc with mec, furely hee loves mec ; and 
 then he began to fublime Mercury ,diftil5calcinc,makc 
 Turbith of him, precipitate, and diflfolve him divers 
 wayes, and with divers waters, but as hee laboured 
 in vain before, fonow alfo he hath fpcnt his time, and 
 cofts to no purpofe. Wherefore at laft hee begins to 
 curfe Mercury , and revile Nature becaufe ihec 
 made him. Now Nature when fhe heard thefe things 
 called Mercury to her, and faid to him .• What haft 
 thou done to this man f Why doth he curfe and re- 
 vile me for thy fake.*' Why doft not thou doe what 
 thououghtefttodoe? But Mercury modcftly cxcu- 
 fethhimfelf. Yet Nature commands him to be obe- 
 dient to the fons of Wifdome, that feek after him. 
 Mercury promifeth that he will, and faith : Mother 
 Nature, but who can fatisfie fools. '' Nature went a- 
 vvay fmiling : but Mercury being angry with the Al- 
 chymift goes alfo unto his own place. After a few days 
 it came into the Alchymifts mind, that he omitted 
 jfbmething in his operations, and again hee hath re- 
 courfe to Mercury ,and now refolves to mix him with 
 hogs dung-,but Mercury being angry that he had falf- 
 ly accufed him before his mother Nature/aith to the 
 
 K Al- 
 
^S ^ ^*^ hi^ of Akhjmis* 
 
 Alchymift, What vvilr thou have of me thou foolc.^ 
 Why haft thou thus accufcd mce^ Kkh, Art thou he 
 that /have longed to izz< Mere. I am, but no man 
 that is blind can fee mee. hkh. I am not blind, 
 Merc. Thou art very blind, for thou canft not fee 
 thy felFe, how then canft thou fee mcer' A/<^^.0 now 
 thou art proud, / fpcak civilly to thee,and thou con- 
 tcmneft mee : thou doft not know perhaps that I 
 have worked with many Princes, and was cfteemed 
 as a Philofopher amongft them. CMerc, Fools flock 
 to Princes Courts, for there they are honoured, and 
 fare better then others. Waft thou alfo at the Court f 
 hlch\ O thou art a devill, and not a good Mercury, 
 if thou wilt fpeak thus to Philofophers : for before 
 thou didft alfo feduce me thus. i/^-r. Doft thou know 
 Philofophers r* Ahh, I my fclf sm a Philofopher. 
 Merc. Behold our Philofopher f fmiling faid : and 
 began to talke further with him fa} ing ) My Philofo- 
 pher, tell mee therefore what thou feekcft after , and 
 what thou wilt have , what doft thou defirc to maker* 
 A^^. The Philofophers ftone. Merc, Out of what 
 matter therefore wilt thou make itf hlch. Of our 
 Mercury. Merc, O my Philofopher,now I wil leave 
 you, for I am not yours, hkh. O thou art but a dc- 
 vill,and wilt feduce mee. Mere, Truly my Philofo- 
 pher thou art a dcvill to mee, not I to thee : for thou 
 doft deale moft fordidly with mee , after a dcvillifli 
 manner. Akh, O what doe I hear/* this certainly is 
 a devill indeed, for I do all things according to the 
 writings of Philofophers, and know very well how- 
 to work. Merc. Thou knoweft veiy well , for thou 
 doft more then thou knoweft, or rcadft of: for the 
 Philofophers faid, that Nature is to be mixed with 
 
 Natures 
 
A netp Light ofAlchymh^ $y 
 
 Natures^ and they command nothing to bee done 
 without Nature-, but thou doft mix mee with almoft 
 all the fordidft things that bee, as d ung. Alch. I doe 
 nothing be (ides Nature .- but I fowfeed into its own 
 earth, as the Philofophcrs have faid. Merc, Thou 
 foweft mee in dung,andin time of harveft I do vanilh 
 away^and thou art wont to reap dung. Ak. Yet fo the 
 Philofophcrs have wrote, that in the dunghill their 
 matter is to be fought for. Merc. It is true what they 
 have written-, but thou underftandeft their letter,and 
 not their fenfe, and meaning. Alch. Now happily I 
 {cc that thou art Mercury •, but thou wilt not obey 
 mee* And he began to conjure him again, faying, Fx 
 Vx,^\xi Mercury laughing anfwered, Thou Ihak doe 
 no good, my friend, jtf/r ?.They do not fpeak with- 
 out ground, when they fay thou art of a ftrange na- 
 ture, inconltant, and volatile. Merc, Doft thou fay, 
 that I am inconftant, I refolvc thee thus , I am con- 
 ftant unto a conftant Arwficer-^ fixed t^ him, that is 
 of a fixed mind, but thou, and fuchas thou att, arc 
 inconftant, running from one thing unto another, 
 from one matter unto another. Alch, Tell me there- 
 fore if thou art that Mercury, which the Philofo- 
 phcrs wrote o f, which they faid was, together withi 
 fulphur,andfalttheprincip2llof all things, or muft: 
 J feck after another/* -A/^r.Truly the fruit doth not fal 
 far from the tree,but I feck not mine own praife, lam 
 the fame as I was, but my years are differing . From 
 the beginning I was young, fo long as I was alonCjbut 
 now lam older, yet the fame as 1 was before. Alclu 
 Now thou pleafeft me, becaufe now thou art older.- 
 for I alwaies fought after fuch a one , that was more 
 ripe, and fiixedj that I might fo much the more eafily 
 
 K» accord 
 
^8 Aftew Light ofAkbymie* 
 
 accord with him. Men. Thoudoft in vain lookaftcr 
 mec in my old age, who did ft not know mec in my 
 youth.A/f^.Did not I know thee, who haveworked^ 
 with thee divers wayes, as thou thy felfe haft faid f 
 and yet I will not leave off till I have made the Phi*, 
 lofophcrs Sxovit, Merc. O what a mifcrable cafe am I 
 inf What (hall I do.**! rauftnow be mixed again with, 
 dung, and be tormented. O wrecch that lam! I 
 befecch thee good Mafter Philofopher, doc not mix 
 me fo much with hogs dungi for othcrwi(e I ftiall 
 be undone, for by rcafon of this ftink I am conftrai- 
 ned to change my ftiape. And what wilt thou have 
 mee doc morcr* Am not I tormented fufficicntly 
 by thee.'* Doc not I obey thee/* Doe not I mixc my 
 {elf with thofc things thou wilt have me.? Am I not 
 fublimcd/' Ami not prcci{)itatcd? Am I not made tur- 
 bithfAn Amalgama^ A Paftr" Nowwhat canft thou 
 dcfiremoreofme? Mybody is fo fcoiirgcd, fo fpic 
 iipon,thatthe very ftone wmild pity.merBy virtue of 
 me thou haft milk, fteill,bloud5butter,oyi,^vate^3and 
 which of all the mctalls^or mineral can do that which 
 I do alonefand is there no mercy to be had towards 
 me>0'what a wretch am llkU.O ho,it doih not hurt 
 thee, thou art wicked , although thou turncft thy 
 fclf infide out, yet thou doft not change thy felfe , 
 thoudoft but frame to thy felfe a new ihape, thou 
 doft alwaics return into thy firft forme again. Merc, 
 1 doe as t hou wilt have me, it t hou wilt have mc be a 
 body, I a m a body : if thou will have mc be duft^ I 
 am duft,I know not how I fliould abafe my fclf more> 
 then when I am duft, andalliadow. Akh. Tell mec 
 therefore what thou ait in thy Center, and I will 
 tormcm thcc no more. iiicr/.-Now I^raconftraincd 
 
A new Light ofAlchymre* 6$ 
 
 to tell from the very foundation. If thou wHt thou 
 maift undcrftand mec : thoufccft my ihapc , and of 
 this thou ncedcft not know further. But becaufc thou 
 askcftmccot the Center, my Center is the moft 
 fixed heart of all things, immortall , and penetra- 
 ting : in that my Mafter refts, but I my felfc am the 
 way, and the paflcnger,. I am a ftranger ,and yet live 
 at nonie,I am moft raithfuil to all my companions, I 
 leave not thofe that doe accompany mee ; I abide 
 with them, I perifh with them. I am an immor- 
 tall body .• I die indeed when I am llaine, but 
 I rife againe to judgement before a wife Judge, 
 Jlck. Art thou therefore the Philofophers Stone ^ 
 Merc. My mother is fuch a one, of her is. born artifit 
 cially one certain thing, but my brother who dwells 
 in the fort, hath in his will what the Philofophers 
 deiirc. A/cf?. An thou old? Merc. My mother be- 
 gat mee^but I am older then my mot her.^/i.'^. What 
 devill can underftand the^ . when tliou doft not an- 
 (wertothcpurpofef thou alwaics fpeakeft Riddles.- 
 Tell mee if thou arc that fountain of which Bernard 
 Lord Trevifan writ^ M£rc. . I am not the fountaine , 
 but I am the water ,. the ftmmaine compiiTeth mec 
 about. Jlch. Is gold dilTolved in thee , when thou 
 art waters Merc, Whatfoeveriswithmee Iloveas 
 a.fricnd^ an^i whatfocvtr is brought forth with mee, 
 to that I give nourilliment, and whatfoever is naked^ 
 J. cover with my wings. Akh, I fee it is to no pur^ 
 pofe to fpeak to thee,I,ask one th ing,and thou anfwe-r 
 reft another thing: if thou wilt notanfwer to my 
 <jueftioH, truly 1 will goe to woik with thee again, 
 M£rc, O mafter, I befeechthee be good to mc^now 
 Iwillwillinglydocwhat I know. Jjd* Tell mc« 
 
 K 3 ' there^: 
 
yo A new Ught of Alchymie^ 
 
 therefore if thou art afraid oF the fire. M(rrr. I am 
 fire my iclfc. Alch, And why then doft thou fly 
 from the firc^ Merc. My fpirir, and the fpirit of the 
 fire love one another,and whither one goes,the other 
 goes if it can. Alch. And whither doft thou goe, 
 when thou afcendeft with the firef Merc, Know that 
 every ftranger bends towards his own countrey, and 
 when he is returned from whence he came, hce is at 
 reft, and alwaies returnes wifer, then he was when he 
 came forth. Alch, Doft thou come back again fomc- 
 timcs.^ Merc, I doe, but in another forme, hkh, I do 
 not underftand what this is, nor any thing of the fire. 
 Merc, If any one knew the fire of my heart, hee hath 
 feenthatfire('adueheat)ismy meat : and by how 
 much the longer the fpirit of my heart feeds upon 
 fire , it will be fo much the fatter, whofe death is 
 afterward the life of all things, whatfocver they bee 
 in this Kingdome where I am, hlch. Art thou great? 
 Merc, I am thus for example, of a thoufand drops I 
 Ihall be one, out of one I give many thoufand drops: 
 and as my body is in thy fight, if thou knoweft how 
 to fport with mee, thou maift divide mc into as much 
 as thou wilt, and I fiiall be one again: What then is 
 my fpirit ( my heart ) intrinfecally , which alwaies 
 can bring forth many thoufandsout of the Icaft part.^ 
 A^^j'. And how therefore muftone dealewith thee 
 that thou maift be fof }ierc. I am fire within, fire is 
 my meat, but the life of the fire is aire, without airo 
 tlie fire is extinguilhed-, the fire prevails over the aire, 
 wherefore I am not at reft, neither can the crude aire 
 conftrin?e, or bind mee : adde aire to aire, that both 
 may be one, and hold weight, join it to warme fire , 
 and give utime. hlch. What fliall bee after that? 
 
 Mcr. 
 
A m^ Light ofMchymie^ j t 
 
 Merc, Thcfupcrfluous fliall be taken avvay, the refi- 
 dxie thou fhalt burn with fire, put it into water ,boyl 
 it, after it isboyled thou (halt give it to the liek by 
 way of phyfick. hlch. Thou faift nothing to my 
 queftions. I fee that thou wilt only delude mee with 
 Riddles . Wife, bring hither the hogs dung , I ' will 
 handle that Mercury feme new wayes , untill hce tell 
 mee how the Philofophers Stone is to bee made of 
 him. Mercury hearing this begins to lament over the 
 Alchymift, and goes unto his mother Nature.- accu- 
 ferh the ungratcfull operator. Nature beleeves her 
 fon Mercury, who tells true, and being mox'Tcd with 
 angercomestothe Alchymijfl:, and calls him^ Ho 
 thou. Where art thou? Alchym. Who is that, 
 thus calls mec.^ Natura. Whatdoft thou with my 
 ioHythou fool thou? Why doR thou thus injure him? 
 Whydoftthoutorment him? whois willing co-doe 
 thee any good, i£ thoucouldft underftand fo much; 
 Alch. YVhat devill reprehends me, fo great a man, 
 and Philofophcr?iV<rf/.0 fool ful of pride,rhe dung of" 
 Philofophers, I know all Philofophers,and wife men, 
 and I love them, for they love me, and doe all things 
 for me at my pleafurc , and whither I cannot ^oe 
 they help me. But you Alchymifts, of whofe order 
 thou alfo art one,without my knowledg,and confent, 
 iot all tilings contrary unto mc-, wherefore it falls 
 out contrary to your expcdation.You think that you 
 deal with my fons rationally , but you perfe(3: no- 
 thing-, and if you will confider rightly, you do not 
 handle them, but they handle you : for you can make 
 nothing of them, neither know you how to do it, but 
 they of you when they pleafe, make fooles . Alch» It 
 isi no5 true •* I *ilfo am a Philofophcr , and know well 
 
 how 
 
7 a A new Light of Akhymk. 
 
 how to workc , I have been with more then one 
 Prince, and was eftecmed a Philofopher amongft 
 them, my wife alfo knows rhe fame, and now alfo 
 I have a manufcripr , which was hid fomc hun- 
 dreds of years in an old wall, now I certainly know 
 I iliall make the Philofophers Stone, as alfo within 
 thefc fcwdayes it was revealed to mce in a dreamc. O 
 I am wont to have true dreams-. Wife thou knowcft 
 it! Natur. Thou flialt doc as the reft ot thy fcl- 
 lowes have done, who in the beginning know all 
 things^ and thinkc they arc very knowing , but in 
 conclufion know nothing. Alch. Yet others have 
 made it of thee fif thou art the true Nature.) Nat, 
 It is true, butonlythty that knew mc5and they arc 
 very few. Bu'hee which knowesmec doth not tor- . 
 mcnt my Sons-, nordifturbe mec, but doth to mec 
 what hec pleafeth, and increafcth my goods,and heals 
 the bodies of my fons. A^<^^.EvcnfodocI.iNr4/«r. 
 Thoudoftall things contrary to mce, and do^ pro- 
 ceed with my Sonnes contrary to my will : when 
 thou fhould ft revive , thou killeft-, when fix, thou 
 fublimeft-, when calcine, thou diftillcftj cfpecially 
 jny moft obfervant Sonne Mercury, whom thou 
 tormemeft with fo many corrofive waters , and fo 
 many poifonous things. Alch, Then 1 will proceed 
 with him fwcetly by digeftion only. Natur, It is well 
 if thou knowcft how to doe it , but if not, thou 
 fhalt not hurt him^but thy felfe, and expofe thy fclfc 
 to charges, for it is all one with him, as with a gem, 
 which is mixed with dune, that is alwaies good, 
 and the dung doth not aiminifh it , although it be 
 caft upon it, for when it is waflied, it is tRe fame 
 gemmc as it was before. AlckBut I would wib 
 
 lingly 
 
AnervLightofAIcbjmie^ 72 
 
 lingly know how to make the Phil ofophers Stone. 
 NMur, Therefore cioe not handle my Son in that 
 fafhion .• forknow,that I have many Sonnes, and 
 many Daughters, and I am ready at hand to them 
 that feek mec, if they bsc worthy of mee. Alch. 
 Tell me therefore who that Mercury is ^ Nat.Ktiovr 
 that I have but one fuch Sonne, and hee is one of 
 fcven, and hec is the iirft-, and hcc is all things, 
 who was but one-, hee is nothing, and his number 
 is entire 5 in him arc the fourc Elements , and yec 
 himfelfc is no Element*, he is a fpirit, and yet hath 
 a body; he is a man , and yet ads the part of a 
 woman-, hee is a child, and yet bears the armcsof 
 a man; hee is a bcaft, and yet hath the wings of 
 a bird; hee is poifon, yet cureth the Icprofie ; he 
 is life, yec kills all thingsj hee is a King, yet ano- 
 ther poflclTeth his Kingdomc; hee flyeth from the 
 fire, yet fire is made of him ; hee is water , yet 
 wets not; hee is earth, yet hee is fowed ; hee is 
 aire, yet lives in water. Akh, Now I fee that I 
 know nothing, but I dare not fay fo , for then I 
 fhould lofe my reputation, and my neighbors will 
 lay out no more money upon mee , if they fhould 
 know that I know nothing .• yet I will fay that I 
 doe certainly know, or elfe no body will give mee 
 fo much as bread : for many of them hope for much 
 good from mee. Natur. Although thou fliouldft 
 put them oiFa great while 3 yet what will become 
 of thee at laft^ and efpecially if thy neighbours 
 fhould demand their charges of thee again .^ A/ch.l 
 will feed all of them with hope, as much as pofTibly 
 I can. Natur, And then what wilt thou doe at 
 lafti'wi/f^.I will try many ways privately : if either 
 
 L of 
 
74 ^ ^^ Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 of them fuccecd, I will pay them-, if not, I will goe 
 into fome other far Country, and doc the like there. 
 Natftr, And what will become of thee afterward? 
 ^/^y^. Ha, ha, ha, there bee many countryes, alfo 
 many covetous men, to whom I will promifc great 
 ftore of Gold, and that in a fliort time , and fo the 
 time ftiall paffe away, till at laft either I, or they muft 
 die Kings, or AflTcs. Natur, Such Philofophers de- 
 ferve the halter: fie upon thee , make haft and be 
 hanged, and put an end to thy felf, and thy Philo^b- 
 phys for by this meanes thou fhalt neither deceive 
 mec,thy neighbour, or thy fclf. 
 
A new Lt^t ofAlchymk* 75 
 
 ^ . m^wm- _ 
 
 A TREATISE 
 
 O F 
 
 S V L P H V R- 
 
 The Preface. 
 
 Courteous Reader , 
 
 ;EEing I iTiight not wrirc more clecrly, then 
 ' other ancient Philofophcrs have wrote; hap- 
 ly thou may ft not bee fatisfied with my 
 writings .- cfpecially (ince thou haft fo many other 
 bookesof Philofophers already in thy hands .* but 
 belceve me, neither have I any need to write books, 
 becaufe I feck neither profit, nor vain glory by them^ 
 therefore I doe not publifh who I am. Thofe things 
 which I have now publiflit for thy profit, and advan- 
 tage, fcem to mec to be nrore then enough-,1 piirpofe 
 that other things, which remain,fliall bee referred to 
 the book of Harmony, where I have largely treated 
 of naturall things : yet by the pcrfwafion of fom« 
 friends I muft needs alfo write this Treatife of Sul- 
 phur-, in which whether it be ncedfull to addc any 
 
 L 2 thing 
 
y 5 A new Light of Alchjwie. 
 
 thing to what is written before, I know nor. Yea, 
 neither fliall this fatisfic thee, if the writings of Co 
 many Philofophcrs cannot fatisfic thcc : And cfpc- 
 cially, if the daily operation of Nature bee not a 
 fufficient example^ no other examples (hall doe thee 
 good. For it thouwouldft confider with a mature 
 judgement, how Nature works, thou wouldft not 
 have need of fo; many volumes of Philofophers : be- 
 caufe in my judgement it is better to learn of Nature 
 theMiftris, thenof herfcholars. Thou haft enough 
 in the Preface of the book of the Twelve Treatifes, 
 as alfo'in the Firft Treatife it felf, becaufe in this Art 
 there be fo many, and fo great books to bee found, 
 that they rather hinder,then help thofe that are ftudi- 
 Gus of tnis Art .• and fo indeed it feems to be,becaufe 
 the Writings of Philofophers are out of that little 
 Schedule oX Hermes grown up unto fogreat,and erro- 
 neous a Labyrinth, and daily doe decline into obfcu- 
 rity: And this I belecve is done only by envious 
 Philofophers, when as the ignorant doe not well 
 know what ought tobe added, or left out, if haply 
 the Authours hand cannot well be read. If in any 
 Science, or Art it doth much help, or hurt to have 
 one word lacking, or added, then much more in this: 
 As for example : It is written in one.placc : Then mix 
 thefe v^Aters together, another addcs iVo/, hce indeed 
 added but a little,and yet by this he turned the whole 
 Chapter quite contrary : yet let the diligent Student 
 know, that a Bee doth gather honey out of poifo- 
 nous hearbs. But if he judgeth what nee reads, accor- 
 ding to the poffibility of Nature, hee will eafily get 
 beyond all the Sophiftry of Philofophers : yet let 
 him not give over reading, becaufe one booke cxr 
 
 plaincs 
 
A nen? Light ofjlchymiei yj 
 
 plaines another. And by this meancs I under ft ood 
 thatthebookesoto^rrthcPhilofopher ( and who 
 could know it, but they that read other Authours/') 
 are fo wonderfully enchanted, that they cannot pof- 
 fibly be underftood,unlellctheybe readovcrathou- 
 fand times, and this alfo by a witty Reader ; fooles 
 muft bee utterly excluded from reading .of them. 
 There bee indeed many that undertake to interpret 
 him as they doe other Authors-, but I fee their expli- 
 catien is more difficult then the text : My advice is, 
 that thou dofl perilft in the text , and whatfoever 
 thou readeft apply to the poffibility of Nature •, and 
 in the firft place enquire diligently what Nature is. 
 All indeed write, that fliee is a thing of fmall ac- 
 count, eafy, commonj and indeed it is true , but it 
 Ihould have been added , that fhce is fo unto wife 
 men. The wile man knows her to be amongft dung, 
 and the ignorant man doth not beleeve her to bee 
 in gold.. And all thefc men, which have made fuch 
 hard bookes, if they were nowignorant of the Art , 
 but muft find it out of fuch bookes ( which books in- 
 deed are very true j would with more difficulty find 
 it our,then men,that in thefc days fearchinto the art^ 
 doe. I will not commend mine ownc Writings, hec 
 iliall judge of them that ftiall apply tkem to the pof- 
 fibility,, and courfc of Nature •• and if by my Wri- 
 tings, Counfell, Examples, hce ftiall not know 
 the operation of Nature, and her miniftring vitall 
 fpirits conftringing the aire, as alfothefubjeftofthe 
 firft matter, hec will fcarce underftand tbem by Rai^ 
 mnndm Lullius, It is a hard thing to beleeve that 
 fpirits have fuch a power and force in the belly of the 
 wind.^. This Wood I alfo am conftrained to goe 
 
 L 3 througk,. 
 
78 A new Light of Akhymie. 
 
 through, and alfo I have helped to multiply Ir , yet 
 in fuch a manner as my plants fliall be fignes, a light, 
 and guides to the true Sons of Art, and Students in 
 this lacied Science, that arewiUingto goe through 
 this Woodi for my plants are as it were corporcall. 
 Thofe times are now paft , when fidelity amongft 
 friends flourifhed, and this Art was communicated 
 by word of mouth-, bur now it is not obtained but 
 by the infpiration of the moll high God alone. 
 Therefore let not him that fearchcth diligently, and 
 fears God defpaii'e.If he feeks after it, hec fhall find 
 it. Becaufc it is more eafily obtained from God , 
 then from man : for hec is a God of infinite compaf- 
 iion,and knowes not how toforfake him that puts his 
 truft in himi with him there is no refpeft of perfonsj 
 the contrite and humbk heart hec will not dcfpife ^ 
 and hec hath taken eompaffion upon mce , the moft 
 unworthy of his crcatur-csj whofcpowa*, goodnefe, 
 unfpeakable compafTion which he hath vouchfafed to 
 fhew to mce, I am not able to cxprelTe •• but if I am 
 able to give no betterthankes, yet I fhall not ceafe 
 ivith my pen to fct forth his praife for ever. Bee of 
 good courage therefore. Courteous Reader,and hec 
 will alfo not deny this favour to thee, if thou putteft 
 thy whole truft in him, worlliip him, and call upon 
 him, hec will open to thee the gate of Nature •, then 
 thou flialt fee hcnv moft plainly Nature works. Know 
 for certain that Nature is moft plain, and fi.mple,and 
 delights in nothing fo much as in plainneftcj and bc- 
 kcve mee, whatfocver in Nature is more noble,by fo 
 much alfo the more eafy,and plain it is , becaufe all 
 truth is plain, and fimple : God the moft High Crea- 
 tor .of all things put nothing rhat is hard^or diflicult 
 
 in 
 
A new Light ofAlchymie. yp 
 
 inNatin-e, If thou wilt therefore imitate Kature, 
 kt mee perfwade thee to abide in the fimple way of- 
 Nature-, and thou llialt find all good things. But if 
 neither my writings, nor advifc pleafeth thee, then go 
 to other authors. Wherefore 1 write not great Vo- 
 lumes that thou maift not lay out too much money, 
 pr time upon them, but maift read them over quick- 
 ly, and bee at the more Icilure to have recourfeto 
 other authors •• and ceafe not to feck, for to him that 
 knocks, it fhall bee opened. Now thofc times are 
 coming, in which many fecrets of Nature fliall bee 
 revealed. Now that fourth Monarchy of the North 
 is about to begin .• Now the times are at band ; the 
 Mother of Sciences will come : greater things fliall 
 bee difcovered then hath been done in thefe three laft 
 paft Monarchies. Becaufe this Monarchy fas the 
 Ancients have foretold ) God will plant by one of 
 his Princes, being enriched with all manner of ver- 
 tues, whom haply times have already brought forth. 
 For wee have in this Northerne part a moftwife 
 Prince, and moft warlike, whom none of the Mo' 
 narchs doth goe beyond in vidories , or excel! in 
 humanity, and piety. In this Northerne Monarchy 
 God the maker of all things, will without doubt 
 bring to light greater fecrets in Nature , then in 
 thofe times,when Pagan,and Tyrant Princes reigned. 
 But the Philofophers reckon thefe Monarchies , not 
 according to the powerfulneffe of them, but accor- 
 ding to the corners of the world : the firft was Ea- 
 fterne , the next Southerne-, this which they now 
 polTefTe is Wcfterne : the 4aft which they ^expcd 
 in this Northerne part is Northerne : but of thefe 
 further in my bookc of Harmony. In this Nor- 
 thern 
 
go A mw Light ofAlchymie^ 
 
 thcrn Monarchy, where the atrradlive pole is ( as 
 the Pfalmifi fpeaksj Mercy and Truth are met toge- 
 ther- Peace, and Juftice fliall kifle each other; 
 Tturh fliall rife out of the earth, and Juftice fliall 
 looke from heaven. One flieepfold , and one 
 Shcpheard. Many Arts without cnw .• AH 
 which I doc tarncftly expcd. Doe thou alfo. 
 Courteous -Reader, call upon, love, fcarc God, 
 read over my Writings diligently, and then thou 
 maifl: foretell to thy felfe good things. And if 
 thou flialt, through the favour of God , and the 
 help af Nature f whom thou muft imitate ) arrive 
 to the defired haven of this Monarchic ; then thou 
 flialt fee , and fay that all things that I have faid to 
 thcCjarcgood,3ndtruc. 
 
 OF 
 
A new Light ofAkbymie^ 8 1 
 
 OF 
 
 S V L P H V R- 
 
 The fecond Trinci^k. 
 
 Ulphur is not the laft amongft the 
 Principles, becaufe it is a part of the 
 Metall^ yea and the principall part of 
 the Philofophers Stone: and many wife 
 men have left in writing divers , and 
 very true things of Sulphur. Yea Geber 
 himfelf in his firft book of the higheft pcrfec^ion^f ^^. 
 2S. faith: Through the moft High God it illumi- 
 nates everybody : becaufe it is light from light,and 
 Tintflure.But before wee treate of it , it feems good 
 toustofirft defcribetheoriginall ot the Principles^ 
 efpecially fince of old. Sulphur hath been accounted 
 thechiefeftof the Principles. Now very few have 
 hitherto fliewed whence the Principles arife, and it is 
 a hard thing to judge of any of the Principles, or 
 any thing elfe , whofe originall , and generation is 
 unknowne ; what can a blind man judg of a colour.? 
 What our predeceffors have omitted, that have 
 wee purpofcd in this Trcatife to fupply , 
 
 M Now 
 
8 2 Anew Light ofAlchymiu 
 
 Now the Principles of things , cfpecially of Me- 
 talls, according to the ancient Pmlofophers aretwa, 
 Sulphur, and Mercury : but according ta the latter 
 PhilofopherSjthree, Sal,Sulphur3and Mercury. Now 
 the originall of thefe Principles arc the toure Ele- 
 ments-, with the originall of which alfo wee will firft 
 begin. Therefore let them that are Students in . 
 this facred fcience know,that there are four Elements, 
 and that everyone of thefe fourc hath in its Center 
 another Element, bywhichit is- slementatcd : and 
 thefe arc the four flatues of the world,feparated from . 
 the Chaos in the creation of. the world by divine 
 Vi^ifdome-, andthefc uphold the fabrick of the world 
 by their contrary a<5ting5 in equality, and pro- 
 portion> and alfo by the inclination of celeftiall 
 vcrtues,.bring forth all things, that are within, and 
 upon the earth : but of thefe in their p' aces .'here wc 
 will rcturne toour purpofe; and firft of the EJicracnt . 
 that is neereft^i//^. the Earth, , 
 
 OF 
 
J new U^ht ofAlchymie^ 8 ^ 
 
 O F 
 
 The ELEMENT of the 
 
 EARTH- 
 
 [H E Earth is of great worth In its quah'ty> 
 and dignity .• in this Element, the other 
 three , eipecially the fire, reft. It is the 
 moft excellent Element to concealc , and 
 difcover thofe things which aie intrtfted to it : it is 
 grofTe, and porous, heavy in rerpe(5i: of its fmall- 
 nelTe , but light in refpecfl of its Nature 5 it is 
 alfo the Center of the world , as alfo of the other 
 Elements*, through irs Center pafTcth the axell tree 
 of the world, and ot both poles. It is porous , as 
 wee faid, as 1 fpunge, and brings forth nothing of it 
 felfcjbut all things whatfoever the other three diftiJ, 
 and project into it, it receives , keeps all things that 
 are to be kept,brings to light all things that arc to be 
 brought to light. It brings forth ( as wee faid be- 
 fore ) nothing of it fclfe, but it is the receptacle of 
 other things, and it is that, in which cveiy thing 
 that is brought forth, doth abide,and by heat of mo- 
 tion is putrefied in it, and is multiplied by the fame, 
 the pure being fepararcd from the impure : That 
 which is heavy in it is hid , and the heat drives that 
 which is light unto its fupcrficies. It is the nurle,and 
 matrix of all feed, and commixtion. It can indeed 
 
 M 2 doe 
 
8 /J. A nen> Light of Alchjmis. 
 
 doc nothing elfc, then prcfcrvc the feed , and what 
 is made of it, till it be ripe. It is cold,diy, tempered 
 with water-, vifiblc without, and fixed 5 but within 
 invifiblc, and volatile. It is a virgin , and the Ca^ut 
 HortHum left after the creation of the world, which - 
 toll hereafter at divine pleafure bee calcined, aftci- 
 cxtra(5tionofitsmoifture,thatof it a new Cryftal- 
 line Earth may be created. Alfo this Element is di- 
 vided into a pure part 5 and an impure. The water 
 makes ufe of the pure to bring forth things , but the 
 impure 'remains in its globe. This Element is the .hi- 
 ding place, and manfion of all treafure. In its Center 
 is the fire ot hell, preferving this fabriek of the world 
 in its beings and this by the expreflion of water into 
 the aire. That fire is caufed, and kindled by the pi- 
 mum Mol^ile^and the influences of the Stars: the heat 
 of the Sunne tempered with the aire meets with this 
 heat for the ripening,and drawing up of thofe things, 
 which are already conceived in its Center. Moreover 
 the Earth partakes of fire, w^hichis the intrinfecall 
 part of it, neither is it purified but in the fire : and fo 
 every Element is purified with its intrinfecall parr. 
 Now the Intrinfecall part, or infide of the Earth , or 
 its Center is the higheft purity mixed with fire, where 
 nothing can refl : It is as it were an empty placcjinto 
 which all the other Elements doe project their ver- 
 tues, as hath been fpoken in the book of the Twelve 
 Treatifcs. And thus much ofthe Element of Earth, 
 which wee have called a Spunge, and the receptacle 
 of other things, which fcrveth forour purpofe. 
 
 OE 
 
A netp Light efjlchymict S5 
 
 OF 
 
 The E L E M E N T of 
 
 WATER 
 
 Arcr is the hcavicft Element , full of 
 unftnous flegme, and it fs an Element 
 more worthy in its quality then the 
 Earthj without, volatile, but within fix- 
 ed, it is cold, and moift, and tempered 
 with the aire •• it is the fperm of the world, in which 
 the feed of all things is kept : it is the keeper of the 
 feed of every thing. Yet wee muft know, that the 
 Seed is one thing , and the Spcrme another : the 
 Earth is the receptacle of the Sperme, but Water is 
 the receptacle of the Sttd, Whatfoever the Aire 
 doth diftili into the Water , by means of the fire , 
 the fame doth the water convey to the Earth. Some- 
 times the fperme lackes fufficiency of feed J for want 
 ©fhcat which fhould digeft it 5 for there is alwayes 
 plenty of Sperm, cxpe(fting Seed , which by the 
 
86 ^A newLight 0} Alchymie. 
 
 ■imaglnationof fire through the morion of the Aire 
 it carryes into its matrix : and iomccimes there being 
 lackofSeed, the Sperme enters, but it goeth fonh 
 againe without fiuit ; but of this more at large heic- 
 after in the third Treatife of Principles, vi^, in that 
 of Salt. It happens fometimcs in Nature , that the 
 Sperme enters into the matrix with a fufficiency of 
 Seedj but the matrix being indifpofed, by reafon of 
 being filled with offenfive,fulphureous, & flcgmatick 
 vapors 5 doth not conceive, neither doth that come 
 to pafTc that (hould. Alfo nothing !s properly in this 
 Element, but only as it is wont to bee in the Sperm. 
 It is delighted chiefly in its own motion ^ which is 
 made by the Aire, and it is apt to mixe with things • 
 by reafon of its fuperficiall, volatile body. It is, r-S 
 wee faid before, the receptacle of all manner of Seed: 
 in it the Earth is eafily purified, and relolvedjand the 
 Aire is congcaledin it, and is joined with it radically. 
 It is the menftruum of the world, \vhich penetrating 
 the Aire, by means of heat, drawcs along with it 
 fclfe a warm vapour, which caufeth a naturall gene- 
 ration of thofe things, which the Earth, as a matrix 
 is impregnated withall, and when the matrix receives 
 adueproportionof Seed, of what kind foever, it 
 proceeds, and Nature workes without intermiffion 
 ■to the end; but the remaining moifture , or Sperme 
 falls to thciiJe, and by vcrtueofthe heat in the 
 Earth is putrefied (that which iscaft to the fide^ and 
 of that afterwards are generated other things , as 
 fmall vermine , and wormes. The Artificer of a 
 quicke wit may indeed fee in this Element, as it were 
 -out of Sperme, divers wonders of Nature;but it will 
 hz necdfull to take that Sperm, in which the Aftrall 
 
 Seed 
 
A new Light of Ale hymte. oy 
 
 Seed in a ccrtainc proportion is already imngined, or 
 conecivcd; becviiile Nature makes, and produceth 
 purcthingsby the firft-piitrc^adion, but by the fe- 
 eond farre more pure, worthy^, and noble; as thou 
 haft an example in wood, wh ch is reeet able^where 
 inthefirft compofition Nature makcth wood^ but 
 t\'hen that is after maturity corrupted, it is putrefied, 
 and of it worms are bred, and fuch kind of vermine 
 as they are, which have both life, and fight : for it is 
 manifcft, thatafenfiblethingis alwaies more wor« 
 thy. then a vegetable •• for to the organs of fenfiblc 
 things much more fubtile, and purer matter is requi* 
 red : But to return to our purpofe. . 
 
 This Element is the Menftruum of the world, and. 
 is divided mto three forts, nji\, pure, purer, and moil 
 pure^. Of the moft pure fubftance of it the Heavens 
 are created, the purer is rcfolved into Aire , but the 
 pure, plaine, and grofie remains in its fphcre, and by 
 divine appomtment,and operation of Nature doth 
 prefeive and keep every thing that is fubtile. It; 
 makes one globe together with the Earth : it hath 
 alfo its Center in the heart of the Sea : it hath one 
 axcUtree and pole with the earth, by which all cour- 
 fcs,- and fountaines of water iflue forth, which after^ 
 ward increalc,and grow up into great rivers. By thcfc 
 iffuing forth of waters the Earth is prcferved from 
 burnings.and with this moiftnir.sthe univerlall Seed 
 is carryed forth through the pores of the whole 
 Earth, which thing is caufcd through heat, and 
 motion. Now it is manifeft that all courfes of 
 Waters return into the heart of the Sea^ but whither 
 afterward they run is not known to every body. There 
 be fouK th« think that all rivers, vvatcr^ and fpring$ 
 
 which: 
 
g 8 ^ n^ro Light ofAlcbymiei 
 
 which have their courfe into thefea^do proceed from 
 the ftars, who, when they know no other rcafon why 
 the fca fliould not increale, and bee f uller^by rcafon of 
 them,fay that thefe Waters areconfumed in the heart 
 of thcfea. But this Nature will not admit of, as 
 wee have ihewed when we fpake of the Rain. The 
 flats indeed caufc, but doe not generate Water*, fee- 
 ing nothing is generated but in its owne like of the 
 famefpecics: Now the Stars confill of Fire , and 
 Aire, how then fliould they generate Waters .^ And 
 if it were fo^ that fomc Starres fliould generate Wa- 
 ters,thcn ncceflarily alfo mufl: others generate Earth, 
 and alfo others other Elements : becaufe this fabrick 
 of the world is fo upheld by the four Elements, that 
 one may not exceed another in the leafl: particle, but 
 they drive one with the other in an equall ballance; 
 for otherwifc if one fliould exceed the other, deftru- 
 dion would enfue. Yet let every one perfevcre in 
 what opinion hec pleafe, it is thus flie wed to us by the 
 light of Nature, that this fabrick of the world is 
 preferved by thefe four Elements, their equality be- 
 ing proportioned by the great God, and one doth 
 not exceed the other in its operation. But the Wa - 
 tcrsuponthebaflsofthc Earth are contained as it 
 were in fome velTell from the motion of the Aire,and 
 towards the Articke pole are by it confl:ringed , be- 
 caufe there is no vacuum^ or vacuity in the vvorld:for 
 this caufe is there in the Center of the Earth the fire 
 of hell, which the Archeus of Nature doth go- 
 vern. 
 
 For in the beginning of the Creation of the world, 
 the greatand good God out of the confufed Chaos , 
 in the firft place exalted the quintcfTence of the Ele- 
 
 ments, 
 
A mw Light ofAlcbymie^ 8p 
 
 mcntS5& that is made the utmoft bound ofallthings: 
 then he lifttd up the molt pure fubftancc of fire above 
 all thingSjto place his moft Sacred Majefty in, and fct 
 andcftablifheditin itsbound. In the Center of the 
 chaosCby the good pleafure of Gods infinite wifdom) 
 that Fire was kindled,which akerward did diftil thofc 
 moft pure waters. Rut becaufe now that moft pure fire 
 hath obtained the place of the Firmament, together 
 with the throne of the moft high God, the waters are 
 condenfcd under that Fircand that they might be the 
 more ftrongly fortified,^ fetled5the fire that is grof- 
 fer then the former, was then raifed(this by means of 
 the Centrall Fire)and remained in the fphere of Fire 
 under the Waters.- and fo the Waters are congealed, 
 and ftiut up betwixt two Fires in the heavens. Buc 
 tliat Centrall Fire never ceafeth, but diftilling more 
 Waters, and thofe lefle pure, did refolve them into 
 Aire, which alfo abides under the fphere of Fire in 
 its proper fphere, and is enclofed by the Element of 
 Fire, as with a fure, and ftrong foundation 5 and as 
 the Waters of the Heavens , cannot goe beyond that 
 fupercelcftiall Fire^fo the Element of Fire cannot go 
 beyond the Wearers of the Heavens^ neither can the 
 Aire go beyond, or be exalted above the Element of 
 Fire. As for the Watetjand the Earth,they remained 
 in one globe,bccaufe they have no place in the Aire, 
 except that part of the Water, which the Fire doth 
 refolve into Aire, for the daily fortifying of this fa- 
 bricfee of the world. For if there had been a vacui- 
 ty in the Aire, then all the Waters had diftillcd, and 
 beenrefolved into Aire: but now the fphere of the 
 Aire is full, and is alwaies filled through the diftilling 
 Waters, by the continuall Centrall heat , fo that the 
 
 N reft 
 
ja Anev^ Light ofAkhymtt. 
 
 reft of the Waters are by the comprciTion of the- 
 Aire rolled round the Earth , and with the Earth< 
 make up the Center of the world-, and this operati- 
 on is performed dayly, and fo alfo this world is for- 
 tified daily, and fhall for ever bee naturally prefcrvcd 
 from corruption, unleiTc it bee the goodpleafurc of 
 the moft High Creator ( whofe will is abfolutc ) that 
 k ihall be otherwife. Becaufe that CentrallFirc ne- 
 ver ceafeth to bee kindled by the univcrfall motion,, 
 and influence of the heavenly vertues,and fo to warm-, 
 the Waters; neither ihall the Waters ceafc to bee 
 ttfolvedinto Airev neither fhall the Aire ceafe. to 
 compreffe, and keep down the rcfidue of the Waters, 
 with the Earth, and fo to contain them in the Center, . 
 that they may not bee moved out of their Center : 
 diuseven in a naturall manner this world is made,and 
 continued through the mighty wifdomc of God-,and 
 fo according to the example of this it is neceffary 
 that all things in the world bee naturally made^ Wc 
 arc willing to difcover to thee further this creation 
 of this fabrickc of the world, that thou maift know 
 that the foure Elements have a naturall fympathy 
 withthefuperior, becaufe they were made out of 
 one and the fame Chaos : but they are governed by 
 thefuperior, as the more \wrthy-, and from thence 
 came this obedience into this fublunary place. But 
 know that all tliofc things were naturally found out 
 by the Philofopli€r,as (hal be fhewed in its own place. 
 Now to our purpofc concerning the Courfes ol Wa- 
 ters,and the ebbing & flowin^of the Sca,how by the 
 polarie Axell tree they arc carrycd from one pole to 
 another. There are two Poles, the one is Anick, and 
 iBthatpanthatisfuperior,. andNorthcrne, but the 
 
 other 
 
^ new Light ofAlchymk* Jt 
 
 t)tkcrAntartickc under the Earth, and in the Sou- 
 thcrnc parr. The Articke pole hath a magnctickc 
 vcrtue of attracting, but the Antarticke pole hath a 
 magneticke vertue of expelling , or driying from : 
 and this Nature holds forth to us in the example of 
 the Loadftone. The Articke pole therefore drawcs 
 Waters by the Axell-trce, which after they arc 
 €ntred in, break forth again by the Axell tree of the 
 Antarticke pole : and becaufe the Aire doth not 
 fuffer an inequality, they are conftrained to return to 
 the Articke pole, their Center, andfo continually to 
 ob(crve this Courfe. In which Courfe from the 
 Articke pole, to the Antarticke pole by the midlc, 
 or Axeli-tree of the world , they arc difperfcd 
 through the pores of the Earth, and fo according to 
 more or Icflc do (prings arifc,and afterward meeting 
 together increafc, and become to be rivers, and arc 
 again returned thither, from whence they came out-; 
 and this is unccflantly done through the univerfaH 
 motion. Some fas I faid before ) being ignorant of 
 the univcrfall motion, and the operations of the poles 
 fay that thefe Waters are confumed in the heart of 
 thcfea, and generated by the ftars , which produce, 
 and generate nomateriall thing, imprclTing only ver- 
 tues, and fpirituall in fluencies, which cannot give 
 any weight to things. Waters thei*efore are not 
 generated^ but know that they come forth from the 
 Center of tJie Sea, through the pores of the Earthf 
 into the whole world. From thefe natiirall Conclu- 
 (ions, or Principles Philofophers have found out di'^ 
 wrs inftruments, and conveyances of Waters, as^ 
 alfofountaincs, fince it is known, that Waters can- 
 not natUEalty aiccnd higher then that place" is , from 
 
 N 2 whence 
 
pa A new Light of Alchjmie. 
 
 whence they comc', and unlcfTc it were fo in Nature, 
 Art could never doe it, bccaufe Art imitates Na- 
 ture-, and that which is not in Nature cannot fuc- 
 cccd by Art5 for Water, as I faid before , doth not 
 afccnd higher then the place from whence it was ta- 
 kcH-'thou haft for an example that inftrument, with 
 which Wine is drained out of a barrel!. 
 
 To conclude therefore, know that Springs , or 
 breakings forth of Water are not generated of Stars, 
 but that they come from the Center of the Sea, 
 whither they return, and that thus they obfervc a 
 contiBuall motion. For if this were not fo, nothing 
 at all either inf the earth , or upon the earth could 
 be generated, yea the ruine of the world would of 
 necelTity follow. But left it may bee objeded, that 
 in the Sea all Waters are fait, and that the Waters 
 of Springs are fweet : Know, that this is the rea^ 
 fbn, becaufe that Water diftills through the pores 
 of the Earth, and palling many miles through nar- 
 row places, and through fands , the (altnefk being 
 loft, is made fweet : After the example of which 
 Gifterns arc found out. There are alfo in fome pla- 
 ces greater and larger pores, and paffages, through 
 which fait Water breaks through, where afterwards 
 are made fait pits , and fountains, as at HalU in 
 G^rwrf^^. Alfo in fome places the Waters arc con- 
 ftringed with heat, and the fait is left in the fands> 
 but the Water fweats through other pores , as in 
 foloma^ at WUlkia, and Bochia : So alfo when Wa- 
 ters parte through places, that are hot, fulphureous, 
 and continually burning,thcy are made hot, from 
 whence Bathes arife : for there are in the bowells of 
 the Emh places, in which Niiturc diftills, andfepa-, 
 
 rates 
 
A new Light ofjlchymiei p 5 
 
 rates a fulphurcous Mine, where^by the Ccntrall Fire 
 it is kindled. The Water running throiigh thefc 
 burning places , according to the nccrneflc or re- 
 motencflcare more or IcfTc hot, and Co breaks forth 
 into the fupcrficies of the Earth, and retains the tail 
 of Sulphur, as all broth doth of the fteih , that is 
 boiled in it. After the fame manner it is^whcn Wa- 
 ter paffmg through places where areMineralls, as 
 Copper, AUum, doth acquire the favour of them. 
 Such therefore is the Diftiller , the Maker of all 
 things, in whofe hands is this Diftillatory, according 
 to the example of which all diftillations have been 
 invented by Philofophers 5 which thing the moft 
 High God himielf out of pity, without doubt, hath 
 infpired into the fons of men.* and he can, when it 
 is his holy will,either extinguiih the Centrall Fire, or 
 break the veffell, and then there will be an end of all. 
 But (ince his goodneffe doth intend the bettering of 
 all things, hee will at length exalt his moft facrcd 
 Majefty, and raife up higher the pureft Fire of all, 
 which is higher then the Waters of the Heavens 
 which are above the Firmament, and will give it a 
 ftronger degree of heat then the Centrall Fire, that 
 all the Waters may bee exhaled up into) the Aire, 
 and the Earth be calcined, and fo the Fire,all the im- 
 purity being confumed , will make the Waters of 
 the purified Earth, being circulated in the Aire, to be 
 more fubtilc,and will (if wee may thus fpeak in a way 
 of Philofophy) make a world much more excellent* 
 'Therefore let all the Searchers ot this Art know, 
 that the Earth, and Water make one globe, and be- 
 ing together make all things, becaufe they are tangi- 
 ble Si^mcmSj in which the other two being hid doe 
 
 N 5 s work. 
 
^ A new Light oJAlchymk* 
 
 work. The Fire prcfervcs the Earrh, that it bcc not 
 drowned, or diflblvcd : the Aire prefcrvcs the Fire 
 that it bee not extingui{lied:the Water prefcrvcs the 
 Earth that it bee uot burnt. It feemcd good to us to 
 defcribe thefe things-, as conducing to our purpofe, 
 that the ftudious may know, in what things the tbun- 
 -dations of the Elements corfift, and how Philofo- 
 phcTS have obfervcd their contrary a(f^ingsj joining 
 Fire with Earth, and Aire with Water .• although 
 when they would doe any excellent thing, they have 
 boiled Fire in Water, confidering that one blood is 
 purer then another,as a tearis purer then urine. Let 
 that therefore fuflicc which we have fpoken,T;:(.that 
 the Element of Water is the Sperm,and Menftruum 
 of the world, as alfo chc.rcccptacle of the Sced» 
 
 OF 
 
daewhigbtofAkbymie. J^ 
 
 OF 
 
 The ELEMENT of 
 
 A I R. E- 
 
 [HE Aire is an entire Elcmcntjinoft ^vortfiy 
 ' of the three in its quality, without, I ightj 
 and invifiblc,but within,heavy,vifiblc5and 
 fixed, it is hot, and moift, and tempered 
 with Fire,and more worthy then Eanh,&Water.Itis 
 volatiljbut may be fixed-,suid when it is fixed,it makes 
 every body penetrable. Of its moft pure fubftancc 
 the vitall fpirits of living Creatures are made 5 that 
 which is IcfTe pure is taken up into its proper fphercof 
 the Aire^ but the rcfidue, vt\, the grofferpart abides 
 inthe Water^and is circulated with the Water, as 
 Ifre with Earth, becaufe they are friendly the one to 
 the other. It is mofl worthy, aswcchavefaid', and it 
 is the true place of the Seed of all things; in it Seed is 
 imagined , as in man^which afterward by the circula* 
 dog motion is caft into its own Spcrm.This Element 
 
 hath . 
 
^6 A nerp Light of Alcbymie^ 
 
 hath the form of entircneflc to diftributc the ^tt6. 
 into Matrixes by the Sperm, andMcnftruum of the 
 world. In it alfo is the vitall fpirit of every Crea- 
 ture, Hving in all things,penetrating, and conftrii^ing 
 the feed in other Elements, as Males doe in Females. 
 It nouriilieth them, makes them conceive, and prc- 
 fcrveth them^ and this daily experience teacheth,that 
 in this Element not only Mineralis, Animalls, or 
 Vegetables live but alfo other Elements. For wee fee 
 that all Waters become putrefied, and filthy if they 
 have not freHi Aire : The Fire alfo is extinguifhed, if 
 the Aire be taken from it : (Thence Chymifts come 
 to know how to difpofc of their Fire into fcverall de- 
 grees by means of tne Aire, and to order their regi- 
 ftcrs according to the meafure ofthe AirrjThe pores 
 alfo ofthe Earth are piefervcd by Aire : In briefc,thc 
 whole ftrudure of the world is prelerved by Aire. 
 Alfo in Animalls, Man dies if you take Aire from 
 him, &c. Nothing would grow in the world,if there 
 were not a power ofthe Aire^penetrating , and alte- 
 ring, bringing with it fclfe nutriment that multiplies. 
 Inthis Element by vertue ofthe Fire is that imagi- 
 ned Seed, which conftringeth the Menftruum ofthe 
 world by its occult power,as in trees^and herbs,when 
 through the pores ofthe Earth, by the a<fiing of the 
 fpirituall heat, there goeth forth a Sperm with the 
 Seed 5 and the vertue of the Aire in a proportion 
 conftringeth, and congeals it by drops-, and fo trees 
 by growing day after day, drop after drop, are at 
 length raifcd to be great treesj as wee have treated in 
 the book ofthe Tw"elve Treatifes. In this Element 
 are all things entire through the imagination of Fire 5 
 and it is full of divine vertue : for in it is included the 
 
 fpirit 
 
A new Light of Alchymiel pj 
 
 Spirit of thcraoft High, whiclj before the Creation 
 wascarryed upon the Waters , as faith the Scn^- 
 imCy And d:dfiy u^on the wings ef the Wind, If 
 therefore it bee fo, as indeed it is, that the Spirit of 
 thcLordiscarryedinit, why needs thou queftion 
 but that he hath left his divine vertue in if r* For this 
 Monarch is wont to adorn his dwelling places . hec 
 hath adorned this Element with the vitall fpirit of 
 every Creature : for in it is the (ted of all things, 
 difperfcd,in which prefcntly after the Creation was 
 (as wee faid before ) by the great Maker of all things 
 included that magncticke verrue which if it had not, 
 it coiild notattra(5tany nomiflimentjbut fothc Seed 
 muftbeleftina fmall quantity, neither would in- 
 creafe, or bee multiply ed-, but as the Load-Aone 
 drawes to it felf hard Iron ( after the manner of the 
 Articke pole^ drawing waters to it felfe, as we have 
 fhewed in the Element of Water J fo the Aire by a 
 Vegetable magnetick power, which is in the Seed , 
 draws to it felfe the nourilhmenr of the Menftruum of 
 the world, /.e. Water. Allthefe things are made by 
 Aite,for that is the leader of the Waters,and the oc» 
 cult vertue thereof is included in all Seed for the at- 
 trading of radicall moifture, and this vertue is , as 
 wee faid before, alwaiesthe i^o^^-^zxi in all Seed, 
 as wee have fhewed thee in the third of the_ Twelve 
 Treatifes. If therefore any one would fucccffcfully 
 plant trees, let him bee carefull that hce turn e the 
 attra(5tive point towards the Northern part 5 fo hee. 
 ihall never lofe his labour •• for as the Articke pole 
 drawes to it felfe the Waters, fo the verticle point 
 draws to it felf Sced^and every attradive point doth 
 anfwcr to them.Thou haft an example in all manner 
 
 O c* 
 
jS A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 of Wood, whofe attradivc point doth naturally 
 tend to the verticle point, and is drawne by it. For 
 let a bowlc of Wood, if thou wilt know which is the 
 fupcrior point, be put into water, and let it fink ( fo 
 that the water exceed the length of the Wood ) thou 
 fhalt alwaies fee that point rife up before the oppofitc 
 part*, for Nature knows not how to errc in her office: 
 but of thefe wc fliall treat further in our book called 
 HArmon'iA^ where wee (hall fpeak more of the magne- 
 ticke Tcrtue f although he fiiall bee eafily able to un- 
 derftand the Loadftone,to whom the nature of Me- 
 talls is knowne ; Let this fuffice that wee have faid, 
 that this Element is the moft worthy of the three ia 
 which is Seed, and vitall fpirit, or dwelling place of 
 the foule of every Creature. 
 
 OF 
 
A new Light ofAlcbymit* 9^ 
 
 OF 
 
 The E L E M E N T of 
 
 FIRE 
 
 |Irc is the pureft,and moft worthy Eleiricnt 
 " of all, full of unduous corrofivenefle ad- 
 hering to it , penetrating, digefting, cor- 
 roding, and wonderfully adhering, with- 
 out, vifible, but within invifible, and moft fixed-, it 
 is hot, dry, and tempered with Aire. Its fubftancc 
 is the pureft of all,, and its eflcnce was firft of all 
 elevated in the Creation with the throne of d'mne: 
 Majcfty , when the Waters of the Heavens were 
 cftabliOied,as we have faid in the Element of Water: 
 out of the lefTe pure part of its fubftancc the Angells 
 were created; out of that which was Icfle pure then 
 that, being mixed with the pureft Aire , were the 
 Sun, Moon and Stars created. That which is Icfte 
 pure then that is raifed up to terminate, and hold up 
 the Heavens : but the impure, and unduous part of it 
 
 O2 is 
 
lOO AfiiXP Light of AUhymie* 
 
 is left, and included in the Center of the Earth by the 
 wife, and great Creator, for to continue the opera- 
 tion of motion, and this wee call Hell. All thefc 
 Fires arc indeed divided , but they have a Naturall 
 fympathy one towards another. 
 
 This Element is of all the moft quiet, and like 
 unto a charriot, when it is drawed, it runs , when 
 it is not drawed , it ftands ftill. It is alfo in all 
 things undifcernibly. In it are the reafons of life, and 
 undeiilsnding, which arc diftributed in the firftin- 
 fufion of Mans life, and thefe are called the rational 
 foulc, by which alone Man differs from other Crea- 
 tures, and is like to God. This foule is of that mod 
 pure Elementary Fire, infufcdby God into the vi- 
 tall fpirit, by reafon of which Man after the Crea- 
 tion of all things was created into a particular 
 World, or Microcofme. In this fubjcd God the 
 Creator of all things put his feal, and Majefty, as in 
 thepureft,andquieteftfubje^,whichis governed by 
 the will, and infinite wifdome of God alone.Wherc- 
 fore God abhors all impurity, nothing that is filthy- 
 compounded , or blemilhed may come neer him, 
 therefore no mortall man can fee God, nor come to 
 Jiim naturally.- forthat Fire which is in the circumfe- 
 rence of the Divinity,in which iscarryed the Scale 
 and Majefty of the Moft High, is fo intenie , that 
 no eye can penetrate it : for Fire will not fuffer any 
 thing that is compounded to come neer to it : for 
 Fire is the death, and fcparation of any thing that is 
 compounded. Wee have faid that it is the mo/l 
 quiet fubje(5lCfor fo it is) or elfe it would' follow 
 fwhich fo much as to thinkc were abfurd ) that 
 God could not reft-, for it is of moft quiet iilcncc , 
 
 more 
 
An^w Light ofAlchjmie. lor 
 
 more then any mans mind can imagine. Thou haft 
 an examf)lc of this in the Flint^in which there is Fire, 
 and yet is not perceived, neither doth appear, untill 
 it be ftirred up by motion, and kindled in it that ic 
 may appear ; fo the Fire in which is placed the facred 
 Majcfty of our Creator, is not moved, unldOTe it be 
 ftirred up by the proper will of the moil High , and 
 fo is carrycd where his holy Will is. There is made 
 by the Will of the fuprcame Maker of all things k 
 moft vehement, and terrible motion. Thou haft an 
 Example of this, when any Monarch ot this world 
 fits in his pompc. What a quictnefTc there is about 
 him? Whatiilencc^ and although fome one of his 
 Court doth more, the motion is only of fome one, 
 or other particular man, which is not regarded. But 
 when the Lord himfelf moves, there is an univerfall 
 ftirre, and motion, then all that attend on him,|movc 
 with him. What thenr'when that fupream Monarch, 
 the King oi Kings, and Maker of all things ( after 
 whofe example the Princes of the world arc efta- 
 bliflicd in the earth ) doth move in his own perfon of 
 Majeftyf Whataftirrer' What trembling, when 
 the whole guard of his heavenly Army move about 
 himr* But fome one may ask. How doe wee know 
 thcfe things, fince heavenly things are hid from Mans 
 underftandinp^ To whom wee anfwerjthat they arc 
 manifeft to all Philofophers^ yea the incomprehen- 
 fible wifdome of God hath infpired into them , that 
 all things are created after the example of Nature, 
 tnd that Natutc hath its bounds from thofe (ecret 
 things, and accordingly workes*, and that nothing is 
 done on the earth, but according to the example of 
 tjjc heavenly Monaiciiy, which is managed by 
 . ;•/ O 3 the 
 
I03 A mw Light oJAlchymie. 
 
 the divers offices of Angells. So alio there is nothing 
 brought forth, or generated, but what is done na- 
 turally. All humane inventions, yea and Arts, which 
 cither are, or fliall bee , proceed not otherwife then 
 from Naturall principles. The moil High Creator 
 was willing to manifeft all Naturall things unto man, 
 wherefore hee fhewed to us that Celeftiall things 
 themfelvcs were naturally made, by which his abfo- 
 lute, and incomprehenfible power , and wifdomc 
 might be fo much the better known^ all which things 
 the Philofophers in the light of Nature , as in a 
 Looking-glalfe, have the cleer fight of. Far which 
 caufe they efteemed highly of this Art, vi^ not fo 
 much out of covetoufncfle for Gold,orSilver,but for 
 knowledge fake , not only of all Naturall things, 
 but alfo of the power of the Creator, and they were 
 willing to fpeak of thefe things fparingly , and only 
 figuratively, left divine myfterics by which Nature 
 is illuftrated, fliould be difcovered to the unworthy, 
 which thouj^f thou knoweft how to know thy felfc , 
 and art not of a ftiffe neck,maift eafily comprehend^ 
 who art created after the likeneffe of the great world, 
 yea after the image of God. Thou haft in thy body 
 the Anatomy of the whole world, thou haft in ftead 
 of the Firmament the quint effence of the foure Ele- 
 ments, extra(fted out of the Chaos of Sperms, into a 
 matrix, and into a skin, which doth compaffe it 
 round, thou haft moft pure blood in ftead of Fire,in 
 the vitall fpirit whereof is placed the feat of the (bule 
 ( which is in ftead of the King-, J thou haft a heart in 
 ftead of the earth-, where the Centrall Fire continu- 
 ally works-, and prefervcs the fabrick of this Micro- 
 cofm in its being- thou haft thy mouth in ftead of the 
 
 Artickc 
 
A nerv Light ojAlchymie* 105 
 
 Articke pole-,3nd thy belly in fteadofthe Antarticke, 
 and all thy members anfwer to fomc Celeftialls .• of 
 which in our booke of Harmony wee fliall treat more 
 fully, vi^ in the Chapter of Allronomy5where we 
 have wrote how that Aftronomy is eafy^naturall^how 
 rhe afpeds of Planets, and Stars are efficacious, and 
 why Prognoftication is given of Raine , and other 
 events, which would bee too tedious to reckon up 
 here, and all thefeare linked together,and performed 
 inanaturall manner, onely God doiHfome things 
 extraordinary. Becaule the Ancients omitted it, we 
 are willing to fhew it to him that is diligently ftudious 
 of this fccret , that the incomprehcnfiblc power of 
 the moft High God, may fo much the more cleerly 
 come home to his heart, and that hce may love, and 
 adore him the more zealoufly. Let therefore the 
 Searcher of thisfacred fciencc know , that the foule 
 in a man the Iclfcr world, or Microcofme fubftituting 
 the place of its Center, is the King, and is placed in 
 the vitall fpirit, m the pureft bloud. That govcrnes 
 the mind, and the mind the body : when the foule 
 conceives any thing, the mind knows all things, and 
 all the members underftand the mind, and obey the 
 mind, and are defirous to fulfill the will thereof* 
 For the body knows nothing , whatfoever ftrength^ 
 or motion is in the body, is caufed by the mind 5 the 
 body is to the mind, as inftruments are to the Artifi- 
 ccrj Now the foule,by which man differs from other 
 Animalls, operates in the body, but it hath a greater 
 operation out of the body,beeaure out of the body it 
 abfolutely reigns, and by thefe things it differs from 
 other Animalls, who have only the mind , not the 
 ifoulc of the Deity. So aifo God, the Maker of all 
 
 things. 
 
104. A mw Light fifAIchyftui; 
 
 things,our Lord, and our God, works in this world 
 thofc things , which arc neccfTary for the world ; 
 and in thcfc hec is included in the worlds whence 
 wee belecve that God is every where. But hee is 
 excluded the body of the world by his infinite wif- 
 dome, by which hee workes out of the world, and 
 imagines much higher things, then the body 
 of the world is able to conceive, and thofe things arc 
 beyond Nature, being the fecrets of God alone. You 
 have the foul for an example, which out of the body 
 imagines many moft profound things, and in this it is 
 like unto God, who out of the world works beyond 
 Nature; although the foule to God bee as it were a 
 candle lighted to the light at Noonday : for the foul 
 imagines, but executes notbut inthe mind-,but God 
 dothcffed all things the fame moment when hee 
 imagines them; as the foul imagines any thing to be 
 done at Rome^ orelfewhere in the twinckling of an 
 eye, but onlyin the mind-, but God doth all fuch 
 things cfTentially 5 who is omnipotent. God there- 
 fore is not included in the world, but as the foul in 
 the body^ he hath his abfolute power feparated from 
 the world, fo alfo the foul of any body hath its abfo- 
 lute power feparated from the body, to doe other 
 things then the body can conceive •, it hath a very 
 great power therefore upon the body, if it pleafeth, 
 or otherwife our Philofophy were in vain. By thefc 
 therefore learn to know God, and thou ihalt know in 
 which the Creator differs from the Creature. Thou 
 thy felfe {halt be able to conceive greater things, 
 when as now thou haft the gate opened by us. But 
 left: this Treatifefliould grow too big, let usreturnc 
 to our purpofc. 
 
 Wcc 
 
A mw Light ofAlcbymie^ 105 
 
 Wee faid before that the Element of Fire is the 
 moft quiet of all, and that it is ftirrcd up by motion, 
 which ftirring up wife men knew.It is ncccfTary that 
 a Philofopher know the generation, and corruption 
 o? all things, to whom not only the Creation of the 
 Heavens is manifeft, but alfo the compofition , and 
 mixture of all things : but although they know all 
 things, yet they cannot doe all things.We know in- 
 deed the compofition of Man in all refpe6ts,yet wee 
 cannot infufe thefoulc^becaufc this myftery belongs 
 only unto God:& he exxeeds all things bythefe kind 
 of infinite myfteries. Seeing thefe are out of the corfc 
 of Nature, they are not as yet in the difpofition of 
 Nature : Nature doth not work before there be mat* 
 ter given unto her to work upon. The firft matter is 
 given to her by God, the fecond by the Philofopher. 
 Now in the operation of the Philofophers Nature 
 hath a power to ftir up the fire, which by the Creator 
 is fccretly included in the Center of every thing .* 
 This ftirring up of the fire is done by the will of Na- 
 ture, fometimes by the will of the skilfull Artificer 
 difpofing of Nature. For naturally all impurities^ 
 and pollutions of things are purged by Fire : All 
 things that are compounded, arc dilTolved by Fire : 
 as water wafheth, and purgeth all things imperfed , 
 which are not fixcdj fothe Fire purgeth all things 
 that are fixed, and by Fire they are pcrfedled .• As 
 Water doth conjoine all things that are dilfolvcd ^ fo 
 fire feparates all things that are conjoined-,and what Is 
 naturall,and of affinity with it,it doth very wel purge, 
 and augment it,not in quantity but in vcrtue.This ele- 
 ment doth fevcrallwayes fccretly work upon other 
 Elcments,andall things elfe.- For as the Animall foul 
 
 P is 
 
jo6 A nen^ Light ofAlchyntie. 
 
 isof thepureft of this Element, fo the Vegetable f$ 
 .of the Elementary part of it J which is governed by 
 Nature. This Element doth a<5l upon the Center of 
 every thing in this manner : Nature caufeth Motion, 
 Motion ftirs up Aire, the Aire the Fire 5 Now Fire 
 fcparates, cleanfcth^digefleth, colourcth,and maketh 
 all feed to ripen^and being ripe expells it by the fperm 
 into places, and matnxes5into places pure or impure, 
 more or lelle hot, dry or moiftjand acccording to the 
 difpofitionofthe matriXjOrplaccs^divers things are 
 brought forth in the earth , as in the booke of the 
 Twelve Trcatifes concerning Matrixes mention hath 
 been made, that there are as many Matrixes, as pla- 
 ces. So the Builder of all things , the moft High 
 God hath determined, and ordained all things, that 
 one fliall be contrary unto the other, yet fo that the 
 death of the one be the life of the other : that which 
 produceth one, confumeth another , and another 
 thing from this is naturally produced , and fuch a 
 thing which is more noble then the former: and 
 by this means there is prcfcrved an equality of the 
 Elements, and fo alfo of the coppofitum. Separa- 
 tion is of all things, efpecially of Jiving things the 
 naturall death : Wherefore man muft naturally die 
 becaufe hee is compounded of four Elements , hce ts 
 fubjed to feparition, feing every thing that is com- 
 pounded is feparared naturally. But this feparation 
 of Mans compo/ition muft needs have been done in 
 thedayof judgement,/. (f. the firft judgement, when 
 the fentence of a naturall death was palled upon himr 
 for in Paradife Man was immortall. Which all Di- 
 vines, as alio Sacred Writ doth teftifie ; but a fuffi- 
 cient reafon of this immortality no Philofopher hi- 
 therto 
 
A new Light ef Alchymiei 1 07 
 
 therto hath fhcwcd i which it is convenient for the 
 Searcher of this facred Science to know, that he may 
 fee how all thclc things are done naturally , and bee 
 moftcalily underftood. But it is moft true, that 
 every compound thing in this world is rubje(5l to cor- 
 ruption, and reparation; which reparation in the 
 Animall Kingdome is called death .* And man feeing 
 hcc is created and compounded of foure Elements » 
 how can hee bee immortall .<* It is hard to beleeve 
 that this is done naturally-,but that there is fomcthing 
 above Nature in it. Yet God hath infpired it into 
 Philofophcrs that were good men many ages (ince, 
 that this is fo naturally. Which take to be thus. Parai- 
 difcwas^andisfucha place, which was created by 
 the great Maker of all things, of true Elements, not 
 clementated, but moft pure, temperate, equally pro- 
 portioned in the higheft perfc(5tion j and all things 
 that were in Paradife were created of the fame Ele- 
 ments, and incorrupt; there alfo was Man created 
 and framed of the fame incorruptcd Elements, pro- 
 portioned in equality,that hecould in no wife be cor- 
 ruptcdjtherefore he was confecratcd to immortality : 
 forwithout all doubt God created this Paradife for 
 men only, of which and where it is wee have largely 
 treated in our book of Harmony. But when after- 
 wards Man by his finne of difobedience had tranf- 
 grelTcd the comandementof the moft High God, hee 
 was driven torth to beafts into the corruptible world 
 clcmentated,which God created only for beafts; who 
 of nccelfity, feeing he cannot live without nutriment, 
 muft from corrupt clementated Elements receive 
 nutriment. By which nutriment thofepure Elements 
 of which he was crcated,werc infededjand fo by little 
 
 P 2 and 
 
I o8 A new Lrgbt ofAlchjmh, 
 
 and little declined intocorruptionjuntill one quality 
 exceeded anothcrjand deftrudtion, infirmity^ and laft 
 of all reparation, and death of the whole compound 
 followed. So that now they are neer unto corrup- 
 tion and death, who are procreated in corrupt Ele- 
 ments, of corrupt Seed, and not in Paradife^for Seed 
 produced out or corrupt nutriments cannot be dura- 
 blc; and by how much the longer it is fince the dri- 
 ving forth of man out of Paradifc^fo much the nce- 
 rcr men are to corruption j and by confequencc 
 their lives arc fo much ihorter , and it will come 
 to this palTe, that even generation it felfe by rea- 
 fon of the fliortnefTe of life fhall ceafe. Yet there 
 are fome places , where the Aire is more favoura- 
 ble, and the Starrcs more propitious , and there 
 their Natures are not fofoon corrupted, becaufe alfa 
 they live more temperately : Our Countrcy-men by 
 reafon ofgluttony, and inordinate living make quick 
 haft to corruption. This experience teacheth, that 
 they that are born of the ktd otinfirme Parents doe 
 not live long. But if man had continued in Para- 
 dife.aplacc futable to his Nature, where all the 
 Elements were as incorrupt, and pure as a vnrgin, hee 
 had been immortall for ever. For it is certain that 
 when pure Elements arc joined together equally in 
 their vertues, fuch a fubje<5t muft be incorrupted, and 
 fuch muft the Philofophers Stone bee : Tothis Cre- 
 ation of Man the ancient Philofophers have likened 
 this Stone , but Modern Philofophers underftanding 
 allthings according to the letter doe apply it to the 
 corrupt generation of this age. 
 
 This Immortality was the chief caufc that Philo- 
 fophers cxercifed their wits to find out this Stone, 
 
 for 
 
A nm Light dfjlchymiei Top 
 
 for they knew that man was create d of fuch Elements 
 which were found and pure. They therefore medita- 
 ted upon that Creation, which , when they knew 
 to^bee naturall, began to fearch further into it^whe- 
 ther fuch uncorrupted Elements could bee had, or if 
 they could be joined together, and infufed into any 
 fubjed:; Now to thcfe themoft High God, and Ma- 
 ker of all things revealed, that a compofirion of fuch 
 Elements was in Gold : For in Animalls it could not 
 be had,feing they muft preferve their lives by corrupt 
 ElementS5in Vegetables alfo it is not,becaufe in them 
 is found an inequality of the Elements. And feeing all 
 created things are inclined to multiplication, the Phi- 
 lofophers propounded to themfelves that they would 
 make tryall of the poffibility of Nature in this Mine- 
 rail Kingdomej which being difcovered, they faw 
 that there were innumerable other fecrecs in Nature, 
 of which, as of Divine fecrets,they have wrote fpa- 
 ringly. So now thou feeft how corrupt Elements 
 come to bee in a fubjed, and how they are feparated; 
 when one exceeds the other,and becaufe then putre* 
 ftion is made by the firft fcparation,andIby putrefa<f^i- 
 onismadcafeparationof thepurefrom the impure, 
 if then there be a new conjunction of them by ver- 
 tue of Fire, it doth acquire a form much more nobJc 
 then the firlt was.For in its firft date, corruption was 
 byreafonof grofTe matter mixed with it, which is 
 not purged away but by putrefadion , the fubjed 
 thereby being betteredj and this could not be but by 
 the vertuesof the foure Elements,which are in every 
 compound thing, being joined together ; for when a 
 Compofitum muft perifli, it periftieth by the Ele- 
 ment of Waterj and whilcft they lie thus confufcdiy, 
 
 P3 ■ the 
 
no A new Light ofAlchymte^ 
 
 the Fire together with the Earth , and Aire which it 
 is in potentially, agree together, and by their united 
 forces do afterward overcome the Water,which they 
 digeft, boilc, and laftly congeal; and after this man- 
 ner Nature helps Narnre. For if the hidden Central 
 Fire, which is the life of all things overcomes , and 
 works upon that which is neercr to it, and purer , as 
 it felfe is moft pure, and is joined with it : fo it over- 
 comes its contrary, and feparatcs the pure from the 
 impure, and there is a new form generated, anc| if it 
 bee yet a little helped, much mo^e excellent then the 
 former. Sometimes by the wit of a skilful! Artificer 
 there are made things immortall , efpecially in the 
 thcMinerall Kingdome. So all things are done by 
 Fire alone , and the government of Fire , and arc 
 brought forth Into a being, if thou haft underftood 
 mec. 
 
 Here now thou haft the original! of the Elements, 
 their Natures, and operations defcribed unto thee 
 very briefly, which is fufficient for our purpofc in this 
 place. For otherwifc if every Element were defcribed 
 as it is, it would require a great volume not neceffa- 
 ry for our purpofe. All tfiofe things, as wcefaid 
 before, wee refer to our book of Harmony , where 
 God willing, if wee live fo long,wec fhail write more 
 largely of Natural! things. 
 
 OF 
 
A mvp Light ofjlchymie. 1 1 1 
 
 aje eij alt! «!» tm tin •*» r^ aia aia 32 aic £*• aLj alc aj* 
 
 OFTHE 
 
 THREE PRINCIPLES 
 
 Of all things. 
 
 ^Hefe four Elements being dcfcribed, we wil 
 ' nowdefccnd unto the Principles of things. 
 But how they are produced of the fourc 
 Elements, take it thus. After Nature 
 had received from the moft high Creator of all things 
 the priviledge of being PrincefTe over this Monarchy 
 of the world, fbce began to diftribute places , and 
 Provinces to everything, according to its dignity, 
 and in the firft place ihce made the Elements the Prin- 
 ces of the world- and that the will of the moft High 
 fin whofe will Nature was placed) might be fulfilled, 
 fhe ordained that one fliould continually ad upon the 
 other.Thc Fire therefore began to a6l upon the Aire, 
 and produced Sulphur^tke Air alfo began to ad upon 
 the Water ,& brought forth Mercury, the Water alfo 
 began to ad upon the Earth, and brought forth Salt. 
 But the Earth, fince it had nothing to work upon, 
 brought forth nothing, but that which was brought 
 forth continued, and abided in it : Wherefore there 
 
 became 
 
112 A new Light ofAlchymiel 
 
 became only three Principles , and the Earth was 
 made the Nurfe, and Mother of the reft. There were, 
 as wee raid,three Principles brought forth^ which the 
 ancient Philofophers did not To ftridly con(ider,but 
 defcribed only two adings of the Elements ( or if 
 they were willingly filcnt in it , who fliall ccnfurc 
 them/eeing they dedicated rheir tvriting only to the 
 Sons of Artr')and named thcmSulphurjandMcrcury, 
 which alfo may fuffice us,to be the matter of Metals, 
 as alfo of the Philofophers Stone. 
 
 Whofoever therefore will bee a true Searcher of 
 thisfacred Science muft of neceflity know the Acci- 
 dents, and an Accident it felf , that hee may learn to 
 what fubje(ft, or Element hcc purpofeth to come to, 
 that through mediums hee may apply himfelfc to 
 that, if otherwife hcedefire to fill up the number of 
 four. Forasthefe three Principles were produced of 
 four, fo alfo by diminution muft thefe three pro- 
 duce two, Male, and Female^ and two produce one 
 incorruptible thing, in which thofe foure ftiall being 
 equally perfeift, be purified, and di^efted to the ut- 
 moftj and fo a quadrangle Ihallanfwer a quadrangle. 
 And this is that quinteflence, which is very ncccf- 
 fary for every Artificer, being feparated from many 
 contraries. And fo thou haft in thefe three Principles, 
 in what naturall compofidon foever, a body, a fpirit, 
 and an occult foule; which three, if thou fhalt joine 
 them together being feparated, and well purified, as 
 wee faid before,' without doubt will by imitating Na- 
 ture yeeld moft pure fruit. For although the foule be 
 taken from a moft noble place , yer it cannot come 
 whither it tends but by a fpirit, which is the place, 
 andmanlionof the foule-, which if thou wilt reduce 
 
 to 
 
A new Light efAlehymtei 115 
 
 to its due place, it is ncccflary that it be waflied from 
 all its faults-, and that the place be purified, that the 
 foule maybe glorified in it, and never more be fepa- 
 rated from it. Now therefore thou haft the o riginall 
 of the three Principles, out of which it is thy parr,by 
 imitating Nature,to produce the Mercury of Phiio- 
 fophers, and their firft matter, and to bring thole 
 Principles of things, efpccially of Metalls to thy pur- 
 pofe : feeing without tnofe Principles it is impoifiblc 
 for thee 19 perfed any thing by Art,fince alfo Nature 
 her felfe can doe nor produce nothing without them. 
 Thefe three arc in all things, and without them there 
 is nothing in the world, or ever fhall bee naturally. 
 But becaufe wee faid before, that the ancient Philo- 
 fophers named only two Principles, left the Searcher 
 ofthe Artlhould crre, heemuft know, that although 
 they did not defcribe any other but Sulphur, and 
 N^ercury, yet without fait they could never have at- 
 tained to this work, fince that is the key,and begin- 
 ning of this facred Science : it is that,which openeth 
 the gates of Jufticej it is that which hath the keycs 
 to the infernall prifons, where Sulphur lies bound,as 
 hereafter flialbe more fully fhewed in the third Trea- 
 tife ofthe Principles, of Salt. 
 
 Now to our purpofe, which is that thefe 3 principles 
 are altogether neceffary , becaufe they arc the neer 
 matter. For the matter ofMetalls is twofold. Neer, 
 and remore.The neer is Sulphur, and Mercury . The 
 remote are the four Elements : out of which God 
 alone is able to create things. Leave therefore the 
 Elements , becaufe of them thou fhalt doe no- 
 things neither canft thou out of them produce any 
 thing but thefe three Principles , feeing Nature her 
 
 Q^ fclfc 
 
lIJ^, A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 fdfe can produce nothing elfe out of them. If there- 
 fore thou canft out ofthe Elements produce nothing 
 but thefe three J^rinciplcs, wherefore then is that 
 vainc labour of thine to feeke after, or to endeavour 
 to make that which Nature hath already made to 
 thy liandsr* Is it not better to goe three mile then 
 four? Let it fuffice thee then to have three Princi- 
 ples, out of which Nature doth produce all things 
 in the earth, and upon the earth-, which three we find 
 to be entirely in every thing. By the due feparation, 
 and conjundion of thefcjNature produceth as well 
 Metalis, as StoneSjin the Minerall Kingdome^ but in , 
 the Vegetable Kingdome Trees, HerbS) and all fucli 
 things 5 alfo in the Animall Kingdome the Body,. 
 Spirit, and Soule, which cfpecially doth refemble 
 the work ofthe Philofophers.The Body is Earth,thc 
 Spirit is Water, the Soule is fire, or the Sulphur of 
 Gold : The Spirit augmenteth the quantity of the 
 Body, but the Fire augmenteth the vertue thereof 
 But becaufe there is more ofthe Spirit in weight,then 
 is ofthe Fire-, the Spirit is raifed, and opprcneth the 
 Fire, and drawes it to it felfe : and fo every one of 
 them, encreafeth in vertue, and the Earth, which is 
 the midle betwixt them encreafeth in weight. Let 
 therefore every fearcher of this Art conclude in his 
 mind what he feeks for out of thefe thrce,and let him 
 afTiftit in the overcomeing of its contrary h and then 
 let him adde to the weight of Nature his weight^that 
 the defe(fl of Nature maybe made up by Art , that 
 iliec may overcome what is contrary to her. We faid 
 in the Element of Earth, that the Earth was* nothing 
 clfe bur ihc receptacle of other Elements,*.^, the fub- 
 jed in which thofe two^Fire and W^tter^do flrive, the 
 
 Aire 
 
J. new Li^ht ofAlcbymie* 1 1 y 
 
 Aire mediatiflg -, if the Water be predominant , it 
 brings forth things that arc corruptible^ and conti- 
 nue but for atime^ but if the Fire overcome, it pro- 
 duceth things that are lafting3& incorruptible. Con- 
 fidcr therefore what is neceffary for thee. Moreover 
 know, that Fire, and Water arc in every thing, but 
 neither Fire, nor Water makes any thing , bccaufc 
 they only drive together , and contend concerning 
 fvvifcnc(I?,and vertue,and this not of themfelves, but 
 by the excitation of the intrinfecall heat, which by 
 the motion ofthe heavenly vertucs is kindled in the 
 Center of the Earth; without which thofe two could 
 never doe any thing, but tvould both ftand ftill in 
 their own bound, and weight : but Nature afrer- 
 ^vard joined them two together proportionably,"and 
 then ftirres them up by an intrinfecall heat , and fo 
 they begin to contend one with the other, an"S each 
 of them will call to its help its like,and fo they afcend 
 and cncrcafe, untill the Earth can afcend no higher 
 with them-, in the mean time thofe two by thi? re- 
 taining of the Earth are fubtilized-, ( for in that fub- 
 je(5t of the Earth the Fire, and Water afcend incef- 
 fantly, and a(fl through the pores which are referved , 
 and which the A ire prepares ) and out of their fub- 
 tiliation proceed flowers, and fruit, in which they be- 
 come friends,as you may fee in Trees •, for by how 
 much the bettcrthey are fubtilized, and purified by 
 afccnding,fo much the better fruit doe they bring 
 forth,cfpecially ihhey end with their vertues equally 
 joined together. 
 
 Now then the things being purged , and cleanfed, 
 caulethat the Fire , and Water bee made friends, 
 whic^ will eafily bee done in their own earthy which 
 
 Q^ did 
 
ii6 A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 did afcend with them-, and then thou (hilt in a flior- 
 ter time pcifeA it, then Nature could, if thou (halt 
 joijie them well together, according to the weight of 
 Nature^ not as it was before,but as Nature requires^ 
 and as is needful! : Bccaufe Nature in all compofiti- 
 onsputs more of the other Elements then of Fire : 
 alwaies the leaftpart is Fire ^ but Nature according 
 as llieepleafcth, addcs an extrinfecall Fire to ftir up 
 that intripifecall according to more, or lefTc, inmuch^ 
 or little time-, and according to this if the Fire exceed, 
 orbecxccededjthings pcrfed^or impcrfe(^ arc made, 
 as well in Mineralls, as in Vegetables. The extrin^ 
 fecall Fire indeed doth not enter into the depth of 
 the compofition eflentially, but onlyin vertuc ; for 
 the intrinfecall matcriall Fire is fufficient for it felfc^if 
 only it hath nourilliment, and the extrinfecall Fire is 
 nouriifiment to it, and as it were Wood in refpect of 
 Elementary Fire, and according to fiich a aourifh- 
 ment it increafeth, and is multiplyed* Yet wee muft 
 take htsA that there bee. not too much extrinfecall 
 Pire^ for if any one eats more then hee is able, hee is 
 choaked : a great flame devours a little Fire : the ex- 
 trinfecall Fire muft be multiplicative, nourifliing, not 
 devouring,fo things are perfected. Decoction there- 
 fore in every thing is the perfection : fo Nature addes 
 vcrtue, and weight^nd makes perfect. But becaufe it 
 is hard to adde to a compound,fincc it requires a long 
 labour,.wce advife that thoa take away fo much of 
 that which is fuperfluou?, as is needful! ,, and as 
 Nature requires •• The fuperfluities being removed 
 mix them, then Nature will (lie w thee, what thou 
 haft fought after. Thou alfo fhalt know, if Nature 
 kuh joined the Elements wcU^pr ill together, feeing 
 
A new Light ofAlchymie. 1 17 
 
 all Elements confift in conjunction. But many pra- 
 ctitioners fow StraWj for Wheat ; and fome both .• 
 and many caft away that , which the Philofophers 
 love .• fome begin, and end, becaufe of their incon- 
 flancy; they feek for a difficult Art, and an eafy la- 
 bour-,they caft away the beft thingSjSc fow the worft: 
 but as this Art is concealed in the Preface, fo alfo is 
 the matter caft away in the beginning. Now wee 
 fay, that this Art is nothing elfe, but the vcrtues of 
 the Elements equally mixed : it is a naturall equality 
 of hot, dry, cold, moift-, A joining together of Male, 
 and Female, which the fame Female begot , /. e, a 
 conjunction of Fire, and the radicall moiftureof Me- 
 talls. By confidering that the Mercury of Philofo- 
 phers- hath in itfelfe its owne good Sulphur^ more or 
 leflc, depurated, and decocted by Nature, thou maift 
 perfect all things out of Mercury : but if thou ftialt 
 Know to adde thy weights to the weights of Nature, 
 to double Mercury,and triple Sulphur,it will quickly 
 be terminated in good, then in better, untill into beft 
 of all .' although there be but one appearing Sulphur, 
 and two Mercuries, but of one roor^ not aude, nor 
 too much boiled, yet purged, and diftblved, if thou 
 haft underftood mee. 
 
 It is not needf ull to defcribe the matter of the Mcr* 
 cury of Philofophers, and the matter of their Sul- 
 phur I no mortal! man ever could , or ever hereafter 
 Ihall bee able to defcribe it more openly, and clccrly 
 then it hat!h already been deferibcd , and named bj 
 the Ancient Philofophers, unlefTe he will bee an Ana- 
 thema of the Art. For it is fo commonly named, 
 that truly it is not efteemcd of, therefore doc Stu» 
 dents of this Art bend their minds rather to other 
 
 Q^ fubtihies^. 
 
1 1 8 A new Light ofAlchymie. 
 
 (ubtilties, then abide in the fimplicity of Nature. Wc 
 doc not yet fay, that Mercury of Philofophers is a 
 common thing, and openly na-med, but the mutter 
 of which Philofophers doe make their Sulphur , and 
 Mercury : for the Mercury of Philofophers is not to 
 be had of it felfe upon the Earth , but it is brought 
 forth by ArtQut of Sulphur,and Mercury joined to- 
 gethcr-yit doth not come forth into light, for it is na* 
 ked,but yet is covered byNaturc in a wonderful man* 
 ner^To conclude,we fay with repeating Sulphur^and 
 Mercury to be the Mine of our Quick-filver (but be- 
 ing joined together j that Quick -filver can diffolvc 
 Metalls, kill them , and make them alive , which 
 power it receiveth from that fharp Sulphur, which is 
 of its own nature. But that thou maift yet better con- 
 ceive it,hearken to me whilfl I tell thee the difference 
 which is betwixt our Quick-filver , and common 
 Quick -iilver, or Mercury. Common Mercuiy doth 
 not diffolve GoldjOr Silver fo,that it cannot be fepa- 
 ratcd from them-, but our Argent vive doth diffolve 
 Gold, and Silver, and is never feparated from them, 
 but is as Water mixed with Water. Common Mer- 
 cury hath combuftible cvill Sulphur, with which it is 
 made black : but our Argent vive hath in it incom- 
 buflible Sulphur, fixed, good, white,and red. Com- 
 mon Mercury is cold , and moift,our Mercury is hot, 
 ' and moift. Common Mercury makes bodies black , 
 and ftains them : our Argent vive makes bodies as 
 white as CryftalL Common Mercury is turned by 
 precipitation into a Citrine powder, and an evill Sul- 
 p!iur.our argent five byvertue of heat,into mod white 
 Sulphur, good, fixed, andfliixible. Common Mer- 
 cury by how much the more it is decocted, the more 
 
 fluxible 
 
A new Light ofAlchymie. up 
 
 luxible it is ; our Argent vivc, by how much the 
 more it is decocted, the more it is tnickned. By thefe 
 circumftances therefore thou maift confider how the 
 Common Mercury differs from the Mercury of Phi- 
 lofophers. If thou doft not yet undcrftand, do not 
 expect it, for no mortall man will ever fpeake more 
 plainly, and clcerly, then wee have done : but now 
 of the vertues of it. Our Argent vive is of fuch ver- 
 tue,that it is of it felf fufficient for theCjand for it felf 
 without any addition of any extraneous thing , it is 
 diflblved, and congealed by anaturall decoction on* 
 ly : but Philofophcrs for brevities fake adde to it its 
 own Sulphur well digcfled, and ripened, and fo they 
 work. 
 
 Wee could cite the Writings of Philofophcrs to 
 confirmvvhat we have faidjbut becaufe we have wrote 
 clearer things then are in their Writings^ they need 
 not any confirmation, he fhall underfland who looks 
 into other mens writings. If therefore thou wilt fol- 
 low our advice. Wee advife thee , that before thou 
 fctteft.thy felf to this Art, in the firfl place thou learn 
 to hold thy tongue, and that thou inquire into the 
 Nature of Mines, and Mctalls , as alfo of Vegeta- 
 bles, for thou fhalt find our Mercury in every fub- 
 ject, and from all things the Mercury of Philofophers 
 may bee extracted, although it be neererin onefub- 
 ject, then in another. Know alfo for certain,that this 
 Art is nor placed in fortune, or cafuall invention, but 
 in a reall Science, and that there is but this one mat- 
 ter in the worldj by whi-ch, and of which the Philo* 
 fophers Stone is.made. It is indeed in all things, , but 
 in extracting of it a mans life would fail, and not be 
 fufficieatv Yet witliput the knowledge of naturall 
 
 things. 
 
1 20 A new Light ofAlchymie^ 
 
 things,efpecially in the Minerall Kingdomc, thou 
 ilialc be hke a blind man that walkcth by ulc. Truly 
 fuch a one feeks after the Art but cafually •, and al- 
 though, as it oftentimes falls out , that a man may 
 by chance fall upon the matter of our Argent vivc, 
 yet then he ends the workc when hee fliould begini 
 and fo as hee found it out cafualJy, hee lofcth it cafu- 
 ally, becaufe hee knows not upon what hee fliould 
 ground his intention. Therefore this Art is the gift 
 of the moft high God : and unlcife God revealcs it 
 by means of a good wit^or fricnd,it is hardly known; 
 for wee cannot bee all as Geber , nor as Lullius : 
 And although Lu/lius was a man of a fubtill wit, yet 
 if hee had not received the Art from Arnoldtts^ cer- 
 tainly hee had been like unto thofe which find the 
 Art with difficulty : So alfo Amoldus confefTcth that 
 lice received it of a friend. For it is eafy to write 
 what Nature dictates : It is a Proverb, Jthcafy u 
 adde to things already found out. Every Art , and 
 Science is cafy to the Mafter, but to a young Scholar 
 not fo .• and to find out this Art there is a long 
 time required, many vcfTclls, great expence , and 
 continuall labour, with much meditation, although 
 to him that knows it already all things are eafy, and 
 light. To conclude therefore wee fay,that this Art is 
 the gifc of God alone, which being known, he mufl 
 alfo bee prayed to that he would give his blefling to 
 the Art*, for without this divine blefling it would be 
 of no ufe , and unprofitable , which wee our felves 
 have had experience of, feeing wee have by reafon of 
 this Art undergone great dangers, yea wee have had 
 more mifchief , and misfortune by it, then advan- 
 tage : but there is a time when men arc wife too late. 
 
 The 
 
A mw Light ofAlcbymie^ 1 2 1 
 
 The judgements of the Lord are a great depth. Ycc 
 I admired at divine providence in thefe my misfor- 
 tunes : for I alwaics had the protection of our great 
 Creator alwaies at hand, that no cnemie could bee 
 too hard for me, or reprcfTe mee. The Angell of the 
 Lord of this Treafury hath alwaies been my Keeper, 
 into which Treafury the moft High Creator hath 
 fliutclofe this treafure only, which hee will alwaies 
 defend, and fecurc. Fori have heard that my Ene- 
 mies have fell into that fnare which they laid for mee. 
 They vvhich would have taken away my life have loft 
 their own 5 and fome of them which would have 
 taken away my goods have loft Kingdomes •• More- 
 over, I know many that would have detra<5led from 
 my good name, have perifticd with difgrace.So great 
 prefervation have I alwaies had from the great Crea- 
 tor of all things, who prefently took mee from my 
 Mothers wombe, put mee under the fliadow of his 
 wings , and infufed the Spirit of underftanding all 
 natural! things, to whom be praife, and glory, for 
 ever, and ever. So great bleilings have I received 
 from the moft High God our Creator, ihat it is 
 impofliblc not only for my pen , but my mind to 
 comprehend. Godfcarce ever conferred upon any 
 mortal 1 man greater things,yca fcarce fo great. I willi 
 I had fo much affedions, romuchfpirit , eloquence, 
 and wirdome,that I might render meet thankes to 
 him 5 for I know wee have not deferved fo great 
 things, only this I beleeve my felfe to bee, that in 
 him alone I have alwaies trufted , doe truft, and 
 fliall truft. For I know that there is no mortal! man 
 is able to help mee, only this God, and our Creator? 
 for it is a vain thing to truft in Princes, becaufe they 
 
 R are 
 
1 a :i A mtx> Light ofAlchymte. 
 
 are men fas faith the Pfalm!fi)and that all thefc ha ve 
 thcu* breath of life from God, and this bwring taken 
 aWviy they arc dufti but it isafafc, and fecurc thing 
 to truft in the Lord God, from whom as from the 
 fountain of goodncffe all good things doe molt abun- 
 dantlyflow. Thou therefore that defcft toattaine 
 to this Art, in the fnd place put thy whole truft in 
 God thy Creator, and urge him by thy prayers, and 
 then affuredly beleeve that hce will not forfake thee : 
 for if God (hall know that thy heart is fincere , and 
 thy whole truft is put in him, hee will by one means 
 or another {hew thee a way, and aflift thee in it,thac 
 thou ftialt obtain thy dcfire. The fear of the Lord- 
 is the beginning of wifdome. Pray, but yet worker 
 God indeed gives underftanding,but thou muft know 
 how, and when to ufe it: for as a good underftanding, 
 and a good opportunity arc the gifts of God,fo alfo is 
 the punifhment of (inne,whcn a good opportunity is 
 omitted. But to return to our purpole^wee fay, that 
 Argent vivc is the firft matter of that work,and truly 
 nothing elfc^ whatfocver is added to ir, arilcth from- 
 it. Wee have Did oftentimes that all things in the 
 world are made, and generated of the three Princi- 
 ples-, but wee purge fomethings from their accidents, 
 and being purged, joine them together againe; and 
 by adding what is to be added, wee fupply what is 
 clefc(5tive, and by imitating Nature, wee boile them 
 to the highcft degree of perfc<5lion , which Nature 
 could by reafon of Accidents never doe, and fo ended 
 where Art muft begin. Moreover, if thou dciircft to 
 imitate Nature, imitate her in thofe things,in which 
 flaeeworkes. And let it not trouble thee that our 
 Writings feem t© contradid one another in fome 
 
 places-j 
 
ji netp Light ofAlchymk. 125 
 
 places-, for fo it muft bee, left the Art be too plain - 
 ly difclofed : But do thou make choice of thofe things 
 which agree with Nature, take the rofes , and leave 
 the prickles. If thou doft intend to make a Mctall, 
 let a Metall be thy ground work , becaufe of a Dog is 
 generated nothing but a Dog^a^nd of Metall,nothing 
 but a Metall: for know for certain, if thou fhdt not 
 take out ot Metall the radicall moifture, well fcpara- 
 ted, thou flialt never doe any thingjwithout grains of 
 Wheat thoufhalt till thy ground in vain : there is but 
 one thing, but one Art, but one operation. If there- 
 fore thou wilt produce a Metall , thou (halt ferment 
 with a Metall-, and if thou wilt produce a Tree, let 
 the feed of the Tree be thy ferment. There is as we 
 faid, but one operation, and befidc it there is none 
 other that^is true. All they therefore are miftaken 
 that fay, that any particular thing , befides this one 
 way, and naturall matter is true ; for a bough is not 
 to bee hadjbut from the trunk of a Tree : It is an im- 
 poflfible, and fenfcleffe thing to go about to produce 
 a bough-, it is eafier to make the Elixir it fclfe , then 
 any particular thing, although moft fimple,that will 
 bee advantageous, and abide a naturall examination, 
 andtryall. Yet there bee many that boaft they can 
 fix Silver, but it were better for them if they could 
 fix Lead, or Tinne, feeing in my judgement it is all 
 one labour, becaufe they doe not rcfift the tryall of 
 the fire, whileft they abide in their own nature 5 but 
 Silvet is in its nature fixed enough,and needs not any 
 Sophifticali fixation. But feeing there are as. many 
 opinions, as men , wee will leave every one to his 
 own opinion : Let him that will not follow our 
 counfellj and imitate Nature, continue in his errour; 
 
 R 2 Indeed 
 
134 ^ ^^^ ht^t ofAlchymie. 
 
 Indeed prrticiilars may cafily bee made, if you have 
 a Tree, whofe young twigs may bee graffed into 
 divers trees-, as if" you have one water, divers kinds 
 of flcfh may be boiled in it, and according to the di- 
 yerfity of theflcdi thebrothhathitstaft 5 and this 
 from the fame foundation. Wee conclude thercfoie 
 that there is but one Nature, as well in Mctalls as in 
 other things, but her operation is various*, alfo there 
 is one univerfall matter according to Hermes. So 
 from this one thing ^U things froceed. Yet there bee 
 many Artificers^who follow every one his own fancy^ 
 They feek a new Nature,and new matter^and in con- 
 clulion they find a new nothing, becaufe they inter- 
 pret the Writings of Philofophers not according to 
 the pofiTibility ot Nature,but the letter. But all thefe 
 arc ofthac Afferably, of which mention hath been 
 made in the Dialogue of Mercury with the Akhy- 
 mift, who return home without any Conclufion^ 
 they looke after the end, without any medium , oi* 
 indeed beginning- and the rcafon of this is , becaufe 
 they endeavour not to attain to the Art out of the 
 Principles, and grounds of Philofophers, and reading 
 oi the books of Philofophers, but from repoiTS, and 
 receipts of Mountcbankcs : { although now indeed 
 the books of Philofophers are perhaps deftroycd by 
 the envious,by adding in fome places,and detra<5ting 
 in others) afterwards when things doc not fucceed, 
 thcybetakethemfelvcsto Sophiftications,. andaffay 
 divers vaine operations , by making whites, by 
 making reds, by fixing Silver, and extra<5ling out 
 the foul of Gold^ which in the Preface of the bookc 
 of the Twelve Trcatifes hath been fufficiently deny- 
 cd. We doe not deny^yea;, wc doe fay that it is al- 
 together 
 
A new Light ofjlchymie^ 125 
 
 together ncccfTary^that the Metallick foule bee ex- 
 traced, but not For any Sophifticall operation, but 
 for the Philofophlcall work, which being extraded, 
 and purged, muft againc bee reftored to its owne 
 body, that there may bee a true refurrcdion of a 
 glorified body. This was never our purpofe , to 
 be able to multiply Wheat without the ktd of 
 Wheate, but that that extracted foul bee able in a 
 Sophifticall way to tinge another Metall , know 
 that it is a thing moft falfe, and that all thofe 
 that boaft ot doing of it , arc Cheaters : but of 
 that more fully in the third Principle of Salt^ 
 fincc here is not place for any further Difcourfc. 
 
 O'F 
 
 m !■ 
 
126 A ntvQ Light ofAkhymie. 
 
 OF 
 
 S V L P H V R: 
 
 ^jj^^HE Philofophers have not undefcrvcdly 
 placed Sulphur in the firft place amongft 
 the three Principles , as being the moft 
 worthy Principle, in the knowledge of 
 which the whole Art confifts. Now there is a tnrec- 
 fold Sulphur, and that is to be chofen above the reft: 
 a Sulphur tinging, or colouring : a Sulphur congea- 
 ling Mercury •• the third is cdentiall, and ripening. Of 
 whichwe ought to treat fcriouily-but becaufc we have 
 fct forth one of the Principles by way of Dialogue^fo 
 alfo wee {ball conclude the reft , left weJfliould fecm 
 to be pirtiall, and detrad from cither otthem. Sul- 
 phur is more mature then any of the other Princi- 
 ples, and Mercury is nor coagulated but by Sulphur: 
 therefore our whole operation in this Art is nothing 
 elfe but to know how to draw forth that Sulphur out 
 of Metalls, by which our Argent vive in the bowels 
 of the Earth is congealed into Gold , and Silver •• 
 
 wnich 
 
A mvp Light oJAlchymie. 1 27^ 
 
 which Sulphur indeed is in this work in ftead of the 
 Male, but the Mercury in ftead of the Female. Of 
 the compoilrion, and a(5ting of thefc two arc genera' 
 ted the Mercuries of Philofophers. 
 
 Wee told you in the Dialogue of Mercury with the 
 Alchymift^of an AfTembly of Alchymifts that were 
 met together to confult out of what matter^and how 
 the Philofophers Stone is to be made, and how that 
 by the mistortune of a tempeft they were without 
 any conclufiondifperfedalmoft through the whole 
 ivorld. For there arofe a ftrong tempeft , and very 
 great wind, which difperfcd them all abroad^and fo 
 blovved through fome of their heads , that till this 
 time they cannot yet recover themfelves, by meanes 
 of which divers fort of worms are bred in their 
 brains. Now there were amongft them men of divers 
 opinions, and conditions, and among the reft there 
 ivas this Alchymift , which in this Treatife I fhall 
 riifcourfc of ; hee was otherwife a good man , but 
 without a Concluiion, or unrcfolved , alfo of the 
 number of thofc , who propound to themfelves ta 
 find out the Philofophers Stone cafually,and he was 
 companion to that Philofopher, who difputed with 
 Mercury. Now this man faid, if it had been my 
 fortune to have fpoke with Mercury, I fhould have 
 fiihed him dry in few words ; that other, faith hee, 
 was a foole, hce knew not how to proceed with him. 
 Mercury indeed never pleafed mee, neither indeed do 
 I think there is any godd in itj but I approve of Sul- 
 phur, becaufe at that meeting wee difcourfed moft 
 excellently of it : if that tempeft had not difturbed 
 us, wee had concluded that that had been the firft 
 matter, for I am not wont to trouble my fclfc with 
 
 lights 
 
120 A mvp lutgm of Alcbymiel 
 
 light, and triviall matters, my head is full of pro- 
 found imaginations. And lo being full of confidence 
 hec refolves to work in Sulphur, hee began therefore 
 todin:illic,tofublime,calcine, tofixitjto make oylc 
 fer Campannmofit^ fometimes by itfclfe,and fomc- 
 mes with Cryftals, and Egge-lliels , and hee trycd 
 divers other operations about it : and when hee had 
 fpcnt much time and cofts, and could find nothing 
 to his purpofe, he was fad, and being in a miferablc 
 perplexity pafTed over many nights without lleep ; 
 alfo oftentimes hee went forth out of the City , to 
 behold things, that hee might the more conveniently 
 devifcfomething that was certain in his operation .• 
 Now it fell out upon a time , as he was walking up 
 and down, hec fell Into an extafy with beholding of 
 things, and came unto a certain green Wood , very 
 full of all manner of thingSi in which were Mines of 
 all Mineralls,and Metalls,and all kinds of bea{ls,and 
 birds,and abundance of TrceSjHerbSjand fruit .-there 
 alfo were divers conduits of water,for in thofesplaces 
 there was no water to be had, but what was brought 
 thither by divers inflrumencs, and pipes, and this by 
 divers Artificers from divers places •• that was the 
 chiefefl, and clearer then the reft, which was drawne 
 by the beams of the Moon •, and this was procured 
 only for the Nymph of the Wood. There alfo did 
 feed Bulls, and Rams, and the Shepheards were 
 two young men, whom the Alchymift asking, faid. 
 Whole Wood is this:" whom they anfwcred faying. 
 This is the Wood, and Garden of our Nymph 
 Fe;st^. The Alchymift walks up, and down in it:and 
 the place pleafed him well, bu-r yet hee did ftill thJnk 
 of hisSulphurj andfo being weary of walking, and 
 
 in 
 
A aerp Light of Alchymie^ i a p 
 
 m a fad condition (ate by the fide of the channel^undcr 
 a certain tree-, and began to lament mod miferabJy, 
 bewailing his time,and charges^which he fpent in vain 
 with operating (he could not els have deceived others, 
 bat have damnified himfclf only J and faid. What is 
 this ^11 men fay it is a thing common,of fmall cfteem, 
 eafy, and lama learned man^^ I cannot find out this 
 wretched Stone. And To in his lamentation he began 
 to curfe Sulphur, becaufe he had fpent fomuch coft, 
 and labour in vain upon him .• and Sulphur alfo was 
 in that Wood, but this was unknown to the Alchy- 
 mift. Whilft he was thuslamcnting5he heard thisvoicc 
 as it were of fome old man : Friend,Why doft thoa 
 curfe Sulphur? The Alchymift looked every way 
 round about him, and feeing no body, was afraid. 
 But that voice faid to him again , Friend why art 
 thou fo ladf The Alchymift taking courage, faid , 
 Sir, The hungry man is alwaies thinking upon bread, 
 f J doe I alwaies upon the Philofophers Stone. Vox^ 
 And why dolt thou curfe Sulphur/ y^/^r^.Sir, I belce- 
 ved that that was the firft matter o£the Philofophers 
 Stone, and therefore in working upon it many years, 
 I fpent much, and could not find that Stone. Vox, 
 Friend, truly I know that Sulphur is the true, and 
 principallfubjed of the Philofophers Stone, but I 
 know not thee,nor any thing of thy labour,and inten- 
 tion:thon doft without caufe curfe Sulphur •, bccaufe 
 he is in cruell prifons,]and cannot be at hand to every 
 bodyi. feeing hee is put bound in a moft dark dunge-^ 
 on, and ^oes not forth, but whither his Keeperscarry 
 him. Alch. And why isheimprifoned.^ r^Ar. Be- 
 caufc hee would bee obedient to every Alchymift, 
 and doc what they would have him, contrary to his 
 
 S Mothers 
 
1 20^ A new Light ofAUbymtu 
 
 Mothers will, who forbad him to obey any, but 
 fuch as knew her, wherefore fhcc put him into prifon, 
 and commanded that his feet iliould be bound , and 
 fet Keepers over him, that without their knowledg, 
 and pleafure hee (hoiild goe no whither. Alch, O 
 wretch! for this reafon hee could not come to mce : 
 truly his Mother doth him great wrong : and when 
 flmll hee bee let out of thofe prifonsf VoXyO friend 1 
 The Sulphur of Philofophers cannot goe forth hence 
 but in a long time,and with a great dcalcof labour. 
 Alch, Sirl And who be his Keepers that keep him f : 
 y.ox^ Friend! His Keepers are of the fame ftockc, but 
 Tyrants. Alch» And who art thou , and how art 
 thou called.^ Vox^ I am Judge,and Governour of the 
 prifons, and my name is SAturnc, Alch. Then Sul- 
 phur is kept in thy piifons. Vox^ Sulphur indeed is 
 kept in my prifons,but hee hath other Keepers. y^/c^. 
 And what doth hee doe in the prifons:" Vex^Ht doth 
 whatfoever his Keepers will have him. Alch. And 
 what can hee doe^ Fox^ Hee is the maker of a thou- , 
 £nnd things, and is the heart of all things^ hee knows 
 how to make Metalls better, and correds Mine rails? 
 tcacheth Animalls underftanding , knowes how to 
 make all kind of Flowers in Hcarbs, and Trees, and 
 is chief over them , corrupts the Aire, which hee 
 amends again .♦ hee is the Maker of all Odours, and 
 Painter of all Colours, ^/c^. Out of what matter 
 doth hee make Flowers? Vex, His Keepers afford 
 matter, and veffells, but Sulphur digefts the matter, 
 and according to the variety of his digcftion , and 
 weight,various Flowers, and Odours are produced, 
 AlchAshctoW yox^ Friend, Know that Sulphur 
 is the vcriuc of all things, and is the fccond by birth, 
 
 bii^ 
 
AmtpLi^tofAlcbymie* 35K 
 
 ■but yet older then all things,ftrongcr5 and more wor- 
 thy, yet an obedient child. Ahh, Sir, How is hcc 
 known/* Vox^T>Wcxs wayes,butbeft by the State 
 of che Vitalls in Animalls, by the colour in Metalls, 
 by the odour in Vegetables : without him his Mother 
 works nothing. Alch. Is hee the fole heir , or hath 
 hee brethren^ Vex^ His Mother hath but only one 
 fon like him,his other brethren areafTociated with evil 
 things, hcc hath a fifter which he loves, and is againc 
 beloved by her, for lliee is as it were a Mother to 
 iiim. Ahh. Sir, is hce every where uniform/KtfAr, 
 According to his Nature , but hee is changed in 
 the prifons^ yet his heart is alwaies pure, but his gar- 
 ments arc ftained. Alcb. Sir, Was hee ever at li- 
 berty? Vox , Yea, cfpecially in thofc times when 
 there were fuch wile men, betwixt whom , and his 
 Mother there was great familiarity , and fricndiliip. 
 Alch, And who were they? V&x, There wercvciy 
 many : There was Hermes y ivho was at it were one 
 -with his Mother : After him wer^ many Kings , and 
 Princes,as alfo many other wife men,in ages (ince,as 
 AriflotU^A'uiceny &c. who fet him at liberty: Thefc 
 knew how to unloofc his bonds. Alch. Sir, What 
 did hee give them for fetting of him at liberty f Vox^ 
 Hee gave them three Kingdomes : for when any 
 doth unbind him, and releafeth him, then he over- 
 comes his Keepers , which before did govern in his 
 Kingdome, and delivers them being bound to him 
 that releafed him, for to bee his fubjeds, and gives 
 him their Kingdomes to poirefTc : but that, which is 
 more^ in his Kingdome is a Looking -glaffe, in which 
 is fecn the whole world. Whofocver lookcs in this 
 GlalTc may kz\ and learn in it three parts of the 
 ' ' S % wif" 
 
132 ^ nsv!> high ofAlch)mie* 
 
 wifdome of the whole world , and fo (liall become 
 very wife in thcfe three Kingdomesj fuch were Art- 
 fiotle^ AvJceu, and many others, who as well as 
 ,thcy before them, faw in this glalTe how the 
 world was made : By this they learned what were the 
 influences of the Celeftiall vertues upon inferiour ~ 
 bodies, and how Nature by Jthc weight of Fire 
 compounds things-, asalfo the motion of the Sun, 
 and Moon .• efpccially that univcrfall. motion, by 
 which his Mother is governed •• by this they knew 
 the degrees of heat, cold, moifture , drynclfe , and 
 the vertues of hearbs , and indeed of all things, 
 whence they became mod excellent Phyiitiansw 
 And truly,unIeiTe a Phyfitian be fuch a one as knows, 
 why this hearb, or that, is hot. dry, or moiil in this 
 degree, not out of the books of Galen , ox Avicert^ 
 but out of the originall of Nature> from whence 
 they alfo underftood tlicfe things, hee cannot bee a 
 well grounded Phyfitiaru All thefe things they dili- 
 gently confidered, and bequeathed their Writings to 
 their iuccelTors, that men might bee (lirred up to ftur 
 dies of a higher Nature, and learn how to fet Sul- 
 phur at liberty, and unloofe hisboruis •• but men of 
 this^age take their Writings for a fulficient i^round^ 
 and authority, and feck no further^ and it fui?iccrh 
 them ifthcy know how to fay. So faith ArtfiotUj or; 
 Thus faith Galen, Alch, And v/hat fay you, Sir5Can 
 an herb bee known wichoutan Herballf Vox^ Thofe 
 ancient Philofophers wrote their Receipts out of the 
 very Fountain of Nature. >4/f/'. How SirrT^x, Know 
 that all things in the earth, and upon the earth, are 
 generated, and produced of three Principles •, fome - 
 limes of two, to which the third is joined •* he there^ 
 
 fore 
 
A mw Light ofAkhymie. 1 5 j 
 
 fore that knows thefe three Principles* and the 
 weight of them, how Nature joins them together, 
 maybe eaffly able bydcco(5lion tounderftand the 
 degree of Fire in the fiibje^, whether well , or ill, 
 or indifferently decocted ^ and that according to 
 more or lefTe : For all Vegetable things are known 
 by thofe, who know the three Principles. J/cL 
 And how is this doner* Fex^ By fight, tafl, and 
 fmell', in, and from thefe three fcnfes are gathered 
 the three Principles of things , and the degrees of 
 their digeftions. ^/c^. 5ir, They fay that .Sulphur 
 is a Medicine. Fox^ Yea, and the Phyfitian him- 
 felfe, and to them that fet him free from prifon , by 
 way of thankfulnefTe hee gives his blood for a Me- 
 dicine* AlcL iSir, the univerfall Medicine being 
 had, how long may a man preferve himfelfe from 
 death/* f^f?.v^ Even to the term of death ; but this 
 Medicine mufl bee taken cautioully , for many wife 
 men have been deftroyed by it before their time. 
 Alch. And what fay you 5ir, Is itpoifon.^ r<J.v,Haft 
 not thou heard that a great flame of fire deftroyes a 
 little oner' There were many Philofophers, which 
 reeeived the Art from other mens experience^which 
 did not fo throughly fearch into the vertue of the 
 Medicine^ yea, by how much the 'more powerful!, 
 fiibriler the Medicine was, it fecmed to them to bee 
 the more wholfome; and if one grain of it can pallc 
 through many thoufands of Metalls , much more 
 Mans body. Alch, 5ir, How then mull: it be ufed r 
 Ffix, Itmuftbee fo ufed , that it may flrengthen 
 th^Naturallheat, but not overcome it. jdlch. Sit, 
 1 , know how to make fuch a Medicine. Fox, Thou 
 art happy if thou doH know. For the blood of that 
 
 S . 3 Sulphur ; 
 
134 ^ ^ew Light ofAlchymie, 
 
 Sulphur is that intrinfccall vertuc , and ficclty that 
 lurnes, and congeals Quick- filvcr , and all Mctalls 
 into Gold, and Mens bodies into health. Alch.Sir^ 
 Iknowhowtomakeoyleof Sulphur, which is pre- 
 pared with calcined Cryflalls-, Iknowaifo another, 
 which IS done by a-Bell.' Vox^ Certainly then thou 
 artaPhQofopher of that Aflcinbly-, for thou doft 
 underftand, and expound my words aright, as alfo, 
 unleffe I am deceived, of all the Philofophcrs. 
 -4/^^. ^ir. Is not this oyle the blood of 5'ulphur^ 
 F9x^ O Friend.' the blood of 5*ulphiir is not given 
 to any but to thofe, who know how to fet him free 
 from prifon. Alch. 5ir, doth Sulphur know any 
 thing in the Metalls/* Vox, I told thee, that hce 
 knows all things, and efpecially in Mctalls, but his 
 Keepers know that there he could bee eafily fet at 
 liberty, wherefore they keep him there bound faft in 
 raoft ftrong prifons, fo that hee cannot breath, and 
 they arc afraid left hce fhould come into the Kings 
 palace. PJch, Is hee imprifoncd fo in all Metalls <* 
 Fox^ In all-, but not alike, m fome not fo ftri(5Hy. 
 hlch. S]xy And why in Mctalls in fuch a tyrannical] 
 manner^ Vox, Becaufc hee would Jftand in awe of 
 them no longer, when hee fhall once come to his 
 Kingly palaces, for then hee can be fcen , and lookc 
 'fi-cely out of the windows-,bccaufe there he is in his 
 proper Kingdome , although nor yet as hee defircs, 
 hlch, ^ir, and what doth hee eat .«' Vox, His nKac 
 is wind, wlien hee is at liberty ,it is decoded-, but in 
 prifon hce is conftrained to cat it raw. A^^.Sir,Can 
 thofe enmities betwixt him and his Keepers bee re- 
 conciled-'' Vcx^ Yes, if any one were fo wife. hUh, 
 Whvdoth no: he treat with them concerning a paci- 
 fication^ 
 
Anet^ Light oJAlchymk, 135^- 
 
 fication? Vqx^ That hee cannot doe by himfdfc , 
 hccaufe prefemly hce waxeth hot with anger, and 
 rage.. Alch, Let him doc it by a CommifTioner. 
 ;^(7Ar, Certainly hee would bcethemoft happy man 
 in the. world 5. and worthy of cternall memory, 
 who could tell how to make peace betwixt them 5 
 but this no man can doc but hee that is very wife, 
 and can agree with his Motherland have co-intclli- 
 gence with her ; for if they were friends, one would 
 not hinder the other, but joining their forces to- 
 gether would make things immortall. Truely hee 
 that would reconcile, them together would bee a 
 man worthy to be confccrated to eternity. A/^i&.Sir,, 
 I will compofe thofe differences betwixt them, and 
 freejiira, J am in other matters a man very learned, 
 and wife : Bcfides, I am very good at operations. 
 VfXj Friend, r fee truly that thou art big enough, , 
 and thou haft a great head, but I know not whe- 
 ther thou canft doc thofe things or no. Klch, Sir, 
 Perhaps thou art ignorant of what the Alchy- 
 mifts know, in matter of treaty they have alwaics 
 the better of it, and truly I amnotthclafl. To that 
 his enemies will but treat with mce , if they will 
 trcatjafTurc your felfe that they will have the worfto . 
 Sir,beleeve mce, the Alchymifts know how to treaty 
 if they only will but treat with mee , Sulphur fhali 
 prefently be at liberty^ Vax^ I like your judgement - 
 well, I hear that you are approved of. Alch» Sir, , 
 Tell mce if this bee the true Sulphur of the Philofo- 
 phers f* r^ATjThis truely is Sulphur, but whether 
 it be the Philofophcr, that belongs to thee to know^ 
 I have faid enough to thee concerning Sulphur. 
 hkh, iSir, If I can find his prifons 5 ihall I bee able 
 
 to- 
 
\i-^6 A new Light (^fAlchymh; 
 
 tofethimat liberty .«' Fax ^ If thou knowefl well, 
 thou Oialt-, for iris caiicr to free him then find them. 
 Alcb, 5ir, I befeech thee tell mce but this , it I find 
 him,nial I make the Philofophers ftone of himrT^Ar, 
 
 Friend! It is not for mee to judge , doe thou 
 look to that, yetif thouknowcft his Mother, and 
 followell her, Sulphur being at liberty, the Stone is 
 at hand. Alch. Sir, in what fubje^l is this^Sulphur:* 
 r^. Know for certain that this Sulphur is of great 
 vertuCi his Mineareall things in the world, forhec 
 is in Meralls, Hearbs, Trees, Animalls, Stones, and 
 Mineralls. Alch.And what Devill is able to find him 
 out lying hidamongft fo many things, and fubje(fls f 
 Tell mee the matter out of which the Philofophers 
 takehim. Ffi. Fricnd.tboucomeft too necr,yet that 
 
 1 may fatisfie thec,know that Sulphwr is every where, 
 but lliee hath fome certaine palaces , where fliee is 
 wont to give audience to the Philofophers •, but the 
 Philofophers adore himfwimming in his owncfca, 
 and playing with Vulcanjwhen the Philofophers goe 
 to him unknown iri his vile garments. Alch, Sir , in 
 rhe fea, why then is hee not mine , fince hee is hid 
 here fo neer/ roA told thee that his Keepers put him 
 into mofl dark prifons,left thou lliouldft fee him, for 
 hee is in one fubjeft alone, but if thou haft not found 
 him at homc,thou wilt fcarce find him in the Woods. 
 But doe not thou dcfpaire in finding of him out: 
 I tell thee of a truth,that lic^ is in Gold, and Sil- 
 ver moft perfeifl, but in Argent vive moft cafy. 
 Alch, Sir, I would very willingly make the Philofo- 
 phers Stone. Fo. Thou d^reft a good thing, Sulphur 
 alfo would willingly bee out of bonds. And fo Sa- 
 tftrn departed. Now a dccplleep fcaicd upon the Al- 
 
 chymift, 
 
*A mtp Light ofAlchymU. 137 
 
 thymlfl:, being weary 5 and there appeared to him 
 this Vifion, Hecfawinthat Wood a fountain full 
 of- water, about which walked Sal, and Sulphur^con- 
 tending one with the other, untill at laft they began 
 to fight-, and Sal gave Sulphur an incurable wound, 
 out of which wound, in ftead of blood, there came 
 out water, as it were moft white milk, and it became 
 to be a great river. Then out of that Wood came 
 forth Diana a moft beautiful! Virgin, who began to 
 wafli her felf in that river : whom a certain Prince , a 
 moft ftout man f and greater then his fervants)pafring 
 by, and feeing, began to admire at her beauty 5 and 
 becaufc fhee was of a like nature with him, hce be- 
 came enamoured with her, which when (lie percei- 
 ved, ibee was inflamed with love towards him« 
 Wherefore as it were falling into a fwoun Ihc began 
 to be drowned : which that Prince feeing, comman- 
 ded his fervants to help her-, but they were all afraid 
 togoe to the river^ to whom the Prince faid. Why 
 doe you not help Diana that Virgin/* To whom they 
 replyed. Sir, this river is indeed little, and as it were 
 dryedup, but moft dangerous : Once upon a time 
 W2e were willing to go into it without thy knowledge, 
 and wee hardly efcaped the danger of eternall death; 
 Wee know aUb that others that were our predecef- 
 fors peridied in it. Then the Prince himfclfc laying 
 afide his thick mantle, even as hee was armed,leaped 
 into the river, and to help faire P/V?;?^ hee ft retched 
 forth his hand to her-, who being willing to fave her 
 fclfc, drew alfo the Prince himfelfe to her, and ^o 
 were both drowned . A little after their fouls came 
 out of I he river, flying above the river, and faid. It' 
 was weildoncof us, forelfe wee could not have 
 
 T becii 
 
13? v^ ftetp Light ofAlchjmie. 
 
 been heed from rhofe bodies which are polluted, and 
 ftained. Alch. But doe you ever return into thofc 
 bodies againe^ Amme, Not into fuch filthy bodies , 
 but when they be purged, and this river fliall bee 
 throughly dryed up by the heat of the funne, and this 
 Province flvill bee often tryed by the Aire„ Alch, 
 What lliall you doe in the mean time. Antfft. Here 
 wee fliall fly upon the river till thofe clouds , and 
 tempefts (liall ceafe. In the meantime the Alchymift 
 fell into a more defired dream of his Sulphur 5 and 
 behold there appeared to him many Alchymifts 
 coming to that place to feek after Sulphur, and when 
 they found the carkade of that Sulphur that was 
 ilain by Sal by the fountain, they divided it amongft 
 themfelves: which when the Alchymift faw hce alfo 
 cook a part with them •, and fo every, one of them 
 returned home, and began to work in that Sulphur, 
 and till this day they doe not give over. But ^Atume 
 meets this Alchymift, and faith to him,Friend, how 
 is it with thcef AUh. O Sir, I have feen many won- 
 derful! things, my wife would fcarcc beleeve thcm^ 
 now alfo 1 have found Sulphur , I befeech you Sir 
 help, let us make the Philofophcrs Stone. Satur- 
 nus. With all my heart, my friend, make ready then 
 Argent-vivc, and Sulphur, and give hither a glaffe, 
 hlch* Sir, have nothing to doc with Mercury, for he 
 is naught, he hath deluded ray companion, and many 
 others. Sat, Without Argcntvive, in whofe King- 
 dome Sulphur is the King , the Philofophers have 
 done nothing, neither doe I know what to doe with- 
 out it. A4^.Sir,Let us make it of Sulphur alone.^^r. 
 Well then, my friend, but it will fucceed according- 
 ly. Then they took that Sulphur, which th| Alchy- 
 mift 
 
'A nerp Light ofAlcbyntie^ 13^ 
 
 mift found, and they did what the Alchymift would 
 have done, they began to work divers ways, and to 
 make experiments of Sulphur in divers ftrangc kind 
 of furnaces, which the Alchymift had : but in the 
 conclufion of every operation there was brought 
 forth nothing but Matches, fuch as old women ufu- 
 ally fell to light candles withall. Then they began a 
 new work,and fublimcd, and calcined Sulphur accor- 
 ding to the jAlchymifts pleafurc; but in what way 
 foever they worked it, it fucceeded as before, for ftifl 
 they made nothing but Matches 5 then faid the 
 Alchymift to Saturn, Truly Sir, I fee it will not 
 fucceed according to my fancy, I befecch thee doe 
 thou work alone, what thou knoweft. Then Saturn 
 faid. Sec then, and learn. Hce then took two Mer* 
 curies of a differing fubftance, but of one originall, 
 which Saturn waftied in his owne urine, and called 
 them Sulphurs of Sulphurs, and mixed the fixed 
 with the volatile, and the compofition being made, 
 hee put it into its proper vefTell, and left the Sulphuv 
 ftiould fly away, hee fet a keeper Over him , and then 
 put him into a bath of a moft gentle heat, according 
 as the matter required, and hee made all things very 
 well. Then they made the Philofophers Stone , be- 
 caufe of the true matter a true thing muft needs bee 
 made. The Alchymift being very glad took the Stone 
 withtheglafTe, and beholding the colour thereof, 
 which was like burnt blood, hee was amazed , and 
 by reafon of too much joy hee began to leap, in 
 which leaping the glalTe fell out of his hands upon 
 the ground, and was broken. And fo Saturn vani- 
 fhed away. The Alchymift alfo being awaked out of 
 his dr€am> found nothing in his hands but Matches 
 
 T 2 which 
 
1 40 A new Light ofAlcbymie. 
 
 which hee made of brimftone : but the Stone flew 
 away, and doth ftill fly-, whence it is called Volatile: 
 and fothat miferable Alchymift learned nothing clfe 
 by that Vifion but how to make Matches : who after , 
 wards laying afide the Stone, became to be a Phyfiti- 
 ani by (carching after the ftone of the Philofophers 
 hee got the ftone of the Kidneys. Laft of all hee 
 Icdfuch a life, asfuchkindof Alchymifts are wont 
 todoc, who for the moft part become PhyiitianSj or 
 Quackfalvers, which thing will happen to all , who 
 betake themfelves to the Art cafually without any 
 foundation, but only by hcarefay, or bymeancs of 
 Receipts. 
 
 Some of them, when things fucceednot^fay-Wt 
 
 are wife men ,. wee hear that the grafl'e grows, if the 
 
 Art were true wee fhould have had it before otlicr 
 
 men : And fo having brazen faces, left wee fliould 
 
 bee accounted undeferving men ('as indeed they are, 
 
 and alfo perverfe j contcmne, and undervalue the 
 
 Art. This Science hates fuch men, and alwaics 
 
 Ihews themthe beginning in the end. Now we grant 
 
 unto the unworchy, that this Art is nothing , but to 
 
 the Lovers of vertue, and the true Searchers, anti 
 
 Sons of Wifdome, wee doe moft highly commend 
 
 it, anddoeaflirmeitnotonly to be true, but alto-- 
 
 gethcr the trueft : which fometimes wee have re^ 
 
 ally made good before men worthy of fuch a fighr, 
 
 1 fay before men of high, and low condition :. ( yet 
 
 this Medicine was not made by us , but received 
 
 from a friend, and yet moft true ) for the fearching 
 
 out oi which wee have fufficiently inftrudcd the 
 
 Searchers thcrcofj whom if our Writings doe not 
 
 pleafe, let them read thofc ofother Authors, which 
 
 are. 
 
A netp Light oJAlcbymie. 1 41 
 
 arc eaficr, but with this Caution, That whatfo- 
 cvcr they (hall read , they fliall aluaies compare 
 it with the poflibiJity of Nature, left vhey affay 
 any thing contrary to Nature. Neither let them 
 beleeve, although it were written in the bookes of 
 Phiiofophers, that Fire burns not , becaufc this is 
 contrary to Nature : but if it bee writ , that Fire 
 hath a drying, and heating faculty , this is to bee 
 belecvedjbecaufe it is according to Nature : For Na- 
 turedoth alwaics agree with afound judgment, and in 
 Nature there is nothing difficult, all truth is plain. 
 Then alfo let them Icarne, what things in Nature 
 are of affinity with each other, which wee conceive 
 may be eader done by our Writings , then any 
 other, feeing wee think wee have wrote fufficient- 
 ly , untill fome other ffiali come , who flivill fet 
 downe the whole Receipt fo plaine , as to make 
 cheefe of Milkc, which is not lawful! for us to- 
 doe. 
 
 But that I may not dircd all things I fay to the 
 new beginner only, wee fhall fay fomething to you 
 alfo who now have paflfed over thefc painfull la- 
 bours. Have you feen that Countrey, where a^ 
 man marryed a wife, whofe nuptialls were celebraa 
 ted in the houfe of Nature:* Have you underftood 
 how the vulgar with you have feen this Sulphur i If. 
 tlierefore you will that old women iliould pra(5life 
 your Philofophy, iliewthe dealbation of yourSul- 
 phursj fay unto the vulgar,Come and fee, for now 
 the water is d.vided, and Sulphur is come out; hee 
 will return white, and congeale the Waters. Burn 
 therefore Sulphur from ijicorabuftible Sulphur, then 
 waihit, make it white, and red, umill Sulphur be- 
 
 T3 come 
 
tJ^2 A nerp tight ofAlcbymiel 
 
 come Mctcury, and Merciiry bee made "Snphur^ 
 which afcerwards you fliall bcautific with the foule 
 of Gold : For if you doe not fublime Sulphur, 
 from Sulphur, and Mercuiy from Mercury , you 
 have not yet found out the Water, which out of 
 Sulphur, and Mercury is created by way of diftil- 
 lation • hce doth not afcend , that doth not de- 
 fccnd, Whatfoever in this Art is remarkable , 
 by many is loft in the preparation , for our Mer- 
 cury is quickened with'SuIphur , elfc it would bcc 
 of noufe. A Prince without a people is unhappy ; 
 fo is an Alchymift without Sulphur, and Mercu- 
 ry, If thou haft undcrftood mee, I have faid 
 enoughs 
 
 THE 
 
A itetp Light ofjlchymiel 
 
 ^43 
 
 THE 
 
 GONCLVSlON. 
 
 'Very fearcher of this Art muft in the 
 firft place with a mature judgement 
 examine the creation, operation , and 
 vertues of the four Elementstogethcr 
 '■ with their adings : for if hee be igno- 
 rant of the original! , and Nature of thefe , hec 
 (hall not come to the knowledge of the Principles, 
 neither fhall hee know the true matter oi the 
 Stone, much lefTe attain to any good conclufionj be- 
 caufc every end is terminated upon its beginning, 
 Hec that well knowes what hee begins , fhall well 
 know what fhall bee the end. For the originallof 
 the Elements is the Chaos , out of which God the 
 Maker of all things created, and feparatcd the Ele- 
 ments, which belongs to God alone : but out of 
 the Elements Nature produccth the Principles of 
 things, and this is Natures worke^ through the will 
 
 oi 
 
144 "^ ^^^ Light ofAichymie. 
 
 of God alone •• Out of the Principles Nature after- 
 wards producer h Mmcralls, and all things ; out of 
 which the Artrft alfo by rmitating Nature can doc 
 many wonderfull things. Becaufe Nature out of thcfe 
 Principles, which ar^ Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, 
 doth produce Mineralls, and Metalls, and all kinds 
 of things; and it doth not fimply produce Metalls 
 out of the Elements, but by Principles , which are 
 tke ni^dium ber^vixt the Elements, and Metalls: 
 Therefore if Nature dorh not make thofe things, 
 much lefle lliall Art. And not only in this example, 
 but alfo in every naturall procefTc a middle difpofiti- 
 on is to bee obferved. Wherefore herein this Trea- 
 tifc wee have fufficiently defcribed the Elements , 
 their a<5tings, and operations, as aUo the originall 
 of the Principles (becaufe hitherto no Philofopher 
 hath difcovered things more cleerly ) that tlie well 
 minded fcarcher might the more cafily confide r in 
 what degree the Stone differs from Metalls , and 
 Metalls trom Elements* For there is a difference 
 betwixt Gold, and Water, but leffe betwixt Water, 
 and Mercury; and Icaft of all betwixt Mercury,and 
 Gold. For the houfe of Gold is Mercury, and the 
 houfe of Mercury is Water : but Sulphur is that 
 which coagulates Mercury-, which Sulphur indeed 
 is moft difficultly prepared , but more difficultly 
 found out. Forinthe-Sulphur of Philofophers this 
 fccret confifts , which alfo is contained in the in- 
 ward rooms oi Mercury, of whole prepararion,with- 
 out which it is unprofitable, Vvce lliall difcourfe here- 
 after in the third Princple of Salt, feeing here wee 
 treat ofthcvertue, and original), not Praxis, of Sul- 
 phur. 
 
 Where- 
 
A new Light djAlchymiei r 45 
 
 Wherefore now wee have not writ this Treatife 
 that wee would difprove any of the ancient Philo- 
 fophers, but rather confirm their Writings , and 
 fupply thofe things, which they have omitted : fee- 
 ing that Philofophers themfclvcs were but mcn^they 
 could not be accurate in all things^neither is one man 
 fufficientforall things. Miracles alfo have fcduced 
 fomc men from the right way ot Nature, as wee read 
 liappencd in Alhertus Magnus zmoO: witty Philofo- 
 pher^who writjthat in his times there were grains of 
 Gold found betwixt the teeth of a dead man in his 
 gravc.Hee couldnot find out this Miraclc,but judged 
 it to be by rcafbn of the Minerall vcrtuc in man, being 
 confirmed in his opinion by that faying- of Merien: 
 And this Mattery King^is extracted from thee : but 
 this iscrroncous,foriJ/<?r/>» was pleafed to underftand 
 thofe things Philofophically. For the Minerall ver- 
 tuc is placed in its own Kingdome, as the Animalljs 
 in its Kingdome, as in the book oi the Twelve Trea- 
 tifcs wee have diftinguifhed thofe Kingdomes , and 
 divided them into three Kingdomcs-, becaufe every 
 one of tbefe without the ingrelTe of any other thing 
 ftands in it felf,and is multiplycd. It is true indeed 
 that in the Animall Kingdome , Mercury is as the 
 matter, and Sulphurasthevertue, butihe An-mall 
 is not Minerall. The vettue of the Animall 5ulphur 
 if it were not in Manjit could not congeal the bloud 
 Mercury into fiefh, and bones : fo alto if there were 
 not a vertue of the Vegetable Sulphur in the Vege- 
 table KingdomCjit coulcl not coagulate Water , or 
 the Vegetable Mercury into Herbs, and Trees. So 
 alfo it is to bee underftood in the Minerall King- 
 dome. Thcfe three Mercuries doe not indeed difer 
 
 V in 
 
1 4<$ ^ tievp Light ojAlchjniie. 
 
 in vertuc , nor the three Sulphurs , bccaufc every 
 Sulphur hath a power to coagulate its own Mercury; 
 and every Mercury hath a power to bee coagulated 
 by its owne proper Sulphur ^ and by no other 
 that is a ftrangcr to it. Now the reafon'why 
 Gold was found, and generated betwixt the teeth of 
 the dead man isthis^becaufe in his life time Mercury 
 was by fome Phylitian conveyed into his infirme 
 boL^y, either by un<5tion,or by Turbith,or fome other 
 way, as the cuftome, and manner was , and it was 
 the nature of Mercury to goe up to the mouth, and 
 through the fores thereof to be evacuated with the 
 fl.gme. If therefore in cime of fuch a cure the fick 
 man dyed , that Mercury not finding any egreflc, 
 remained in his mouth b.^twixt his teeth , and that 
 ca.kalTe became thenaturall vefTell of Mercury , fo 
 being {hut up faft lor a long time was congealed in- 
 to Gold by Its own proper Sulphur, biring purified 
 by the naturall heat of putrefadion, caufcd by the 
 eorrofive phlegmc of the Mans body. But if Mi- 
 nerall Mercury had not been brought in thither, 
 there could Gold never have been produced. And 
 this is a moft true example , that Nature in the 
 bowells of the earth, doth of Mercury alone pro- 
 duce Gold, and Silver, and other MctallSjaccording 
 to the difpofitionof the place, or matrix; for Mer- 
 cury hath in its fclf its own proper Sulphur, with 
 which it is coagulated into Gold, unleflc it bee hin- 
 dred by fome accident, or hath not a requifite heat> 
 oraclofe place. The vertue therefore of Animall 
 Snlphur doth nor congeal Mercury into Gold, but 
 into Flerti; for if there were fuch a venue in Man, it 
 wouldhappeotobcib io all bodies j which, it doth 
 
 not. 
 
it wtf n? Light ofAlcbymie^ 1 47 
 
 not.Many fuch miracles^and accidents fall out,which 
 being not well confidcrcd by the Writers, occafion 
 the Readers to fall into errors: yet the honeft ftarcher 
 muft apply all things to the poflibility of Nature • if 
 they doe not agree with Nature, they muft be let 
 alone, and waved. 
 
 It fufficeth the diligent Student, that he hath here 
 heard what is the Originall of the Principles (fincc 
 the beginning being unknown, the end is alwaies 
 doubtfuU) of which wee have in this Treati.e not 
 iEnigmatically, but as cleerly as we could, and as it 
 was lawful! for us , fpoken unto the fearchcr 
 thereof .• by means of which, if God /hall enlighten 
 any ones mind, hcc fhall know what a fuccelTor owes 
 to his predece(rors,feeing this Art is alwaies acquired 
 by the fame kind of w't?^ and difpofitic/ns. Which Art 
 wee after this kind of clear manileftation of it, lay up 
 intothebofomeof God the moft high Creator,and 
 our Lord, and commend our feivs together with all 
 honeft hearted Readers to his grace,and infinite mer- 
 cy. To whom be praife, and glory , for ever , and 
 ever. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 V* 
 
')-dT 
 
 A TABLE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Of this BOOK* 
 
 F Nature^ rvh/tt Jbee is ^ nnd rvhat her 
 Searchers ought t o bee* page i . 
 
 cf ihf cferaticn of Nature Mcord'wg 
 t6 our intentton in Sterw, p. 5. 
 
 of the true frfi matter of Met alls. p. f, 
 
 Eerv Metalis are genemtid in the hwells »f the 
 "Earth. ' p. 11. 
 
 of the generation of all Winds of Stones, p»i4« 
 
 of the fee end Hatter^ and ptrefa^ion »f things 
 
 p. 17. 
 of 
 
The Contents. 
 of the 'vertue of the fec0r$d MAtterl p. 22^ 
 
 fforv By ArtNatttTgwtrkshSeed, p. 24J 
 
 of the ccmmixtioH ofUetdls^er the drawing forth 
 their Seed, p. iS, 
 
 of the fupern At until generation of the Son of the 
 Sun, p. zS. 
 
 of the Tr^xis^ undm^ing of the Stone^or TinBure 
 hj Art. p. 30. 
 
 of the Stone, And its vertue* P» 3^» 
 
 The Bplogue^or Condufton of thefe Ttvelve treA- 
 tifes. p. 3P. 
 
 A FrefAce to the PhilofofhkaH JEnigma^ or 
 ^idle. P» 47» 
 
 The P Arable^ or Thilofofhicall Kidle^ Added bf way 
 of conclufio»y And fufer Addition, P«5i« 
 
 A DiAlogue between jiercurj^ the hUhym'tft , And 
 lUture. P' 5^. 
 
 A TreAtife of Sulphur, The Preface, p. 75. 
 
 of Sulphur^ thefecondPrincifle. p. 81. 
 
 of the Element of EArth, p. S5 . 
 
 of the Element of Water, p. 8y. 
 
 Of 
 
The Contents; 
 
 
 of the Element of Aire. 
 
 P-P5- 
 
 of the Element of Fire. 
 
 ^'99* 
 
 of the three FrincifUs of 41 tkhgs. 
 
 p. hi: 
 
 \OfSulfhur. 
 
 p. li6» 
 
 7beConcluftpf$: 
 
 P-I4S* 
 
 Fwm 
 
vw'a^^noD ful 
 
 ~;^^ 
 
 .1 *;>>.•. i i\h 1^ ', 
 
 
 . V mil 
 
LlB^I* 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V R E 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THEFIRST BOOKE. 
 
 Of the generations ofNaturall 
 things. 
 
 He generation of all natural things the gcnerati^ 
 IS twofold : Naturall.and with-?. ''^ "^'""" 
 
 ^.,^A„^ 1 A. •/< .',, ... tniitgs IS tw&» 
 
 out Art., and Artificiall, w;(.byfoidf 
 Alchymie. Although in gcnerall 
 it may bee faid that all things are 
 naturally generated of the Earth 
 by means of putrefadion. For 
 Putrefadion is the chiefe decree Aiirhingspro: 
 andfirft ftepto Generation. Now Putrefadion isXtoT,'""'' 
 
 A a occafioncd 
 
t Of the Nature of things^ L i b* T^^ 
 
 """.^r^'flA^.^^c ^c<^^^^o"f <^ by amoifthear. For a continuall moift 
 amoift heat. Hcat caulcth putrchaiop, and changeth all naturall 
 things from their firft form, and elTcn'ce, as 'aifo their 
 J^^^jP°}''^|^^"^'* vertu^^ into another thing. For as pu- 
 
 feftion. ' trcfadion in the ftomach changcth, and reduccth all 
 meats into dung • fo alfo putrefadion out of the 
 flomachin a glafle ;^ changerh all things from one 
 form into another , from one effencc into another, 
 from one colour into another , from one fmell into 
 another, from one vcrtue into another , from one 
 power into another, from one property into ano- 
 ther, and generally from one quality into another. 
 For it is evident, and proved by daily experience, 
 that many good things,which are wholfomc,and me- 
 dicinablc, become after putrefadion naught, urr- 
 whoilbme, and meer poifon. So on the contrary, 
 there are many bad, unwholfome, poifdnous, and 
 hurrfull things, which after their putrcfadion be- 
 come good, lofe all their unwholfomnefl'e, and be- 
 come wonderfiill medicinable : becaufe putrefadion 
 iproduceth great matters, as of this wee have a moft 
 famous example in thehoh Gofpel, where Chrift 
 laith : Unlcfie a grain of Wheat bee caft into the 
 Earth, and bv putrefied, it cannot bring forth fruit 
 in a hundred fold. Hence alfo we muff know, that 
 many things are multiplyed in putrefadion fo as to 
 Whit purre. bring forthexcellent fruit. For putrefadion is the 
 faaioRis. change, and deathof allthinrs, and deftrudion of 
 the firft effence of all Naturall things-, whence there 
 arifeth a regeneration, and new generation a thou- 
 iand times better, &c. 
 
 Seeing thciefore putrefaction is the firft degree, 
 andfteptogcncrationj it is very ncceflary that wee 
 
 know 
 
LiB^r. Of the "Nature of things^ 5 
 
 know putrefaction well. Now there arc many kinds fhJ^jf/j**j°g J^ 
 of putrefactions, and one produceth its generation to g«ncratJo<i 
 in another manner, then doth another. One alfo foo- 
 nerthen another. Wee faid alfo that moifture , and ^'^'^^['^j^* '* 
 heat were the firft degree, and ftcp to putrefaction, "^*"' ° • 
 which produceth all things, as a Hen doth her egs. 
 Wherefore through, and in putrefaction, all mucila- 
 ginous flcgme, and matter is made Iiving,whatfoever 
 it prove to be at laft. 
 
 An example ofthis you hive in cgs,in which there An artiScufi. 
 is a mucilaginous humour,which by any kind of mo- chLkcm. ^ 
 derate continuall heat is putrefied, and turned into a 
 living Chicke, not only by the heat of the Hen , but 
 any fuch kind of heat. For in fuch a degree of Fire 
 cgs may be brought to maturity in a glalTe , and 
 afhes, and become living birds : yea any man may 
 ripen an egge in his arm-hole, and hatch a Chicke, as 
 well as the Hen. 
 
 And here wee mufttake notice of fomething that The raifing of 
 is greater, and more then this : 'vt'{, if that living •li'"'* M to 
 Ch'ckc be in a vefTell of glaffe like a gourd, and fea- ' ^* 
 led up, burnt to powder, or aflies in the third degree 
 of Fire, and afterward fo clofed in, be putrefied with 
 the exacrefl: putretacrion of Horfe-dung, into a mu- 
 cilaginous flegm, then that flegm may be brought to 
 maturity, and become a renewed , and new made 
 Chicke.- to wit, if that flegm bee againe inclofed in 
 its former fliell, or receptacle. This is to revive the 
 dead by regeneration,and clarification, which indeed 
 is a great, and profound miracle of Nature. Accor* 
 diag to this procefle may all Birds bee killed , and 
 made alive againe, and made new : and this is the 
 higheii:, and greateft miracle, and myftcry of God, 
 
 Aa2 which 
 
4 Of the Nature of things^ L I b^ I^ 
 
 which hee ever difcovcred to mortall man. 
 The Arificiaii Wccmiift alfo know that after this manner men 
 |i""^^^°" ^ may bee generated without naturall Father, or Mo- 
 ther, i,e, not of a Woman in a naturall way : but by 
 the Art, and induftry of a skilful) Alchymift may a 
 Man bee borne , and grow, as afterwards fliall bee 
 fhewed. 
 The generan- j^ jg poffible alfo that men may be born of beads, 
 
 on of men by „^ ,} .. ^ . J , . , ' 
 
 brufo. according to naturall caules, but yet this cannot bee 
 
 done without much impiety, and herefie-, to wit, if a 
 man fhould couple with a beaft,and that bealt ihould j 
 as 2 woman doth, receive the Sperm of the man,with 
 defire and luft into her matrix, and conceive.- then 
 the fperm doth of neccflity pucreiie,and by the conti- 
 nual heat of the body,a man^and not a beaft Is thence 
 As rh« feed i^ produced. For alwaies as the feed is that is fown^ 
 fo IS th? Uuir. ^ ,^j^Q J5 ^l^g ^^Ij. ^i^^^ jj brought forth^ and unleffe it 
 
 lliould be fo,it would be contrary to the light of Na- 
 ture, and to Philofophy. Wherefore as is the kcd^ 
 fuch is the hearb that fprings from thence. So of the 
 Seed of an Onyon is brought forth an Onyon, not a 
 Rofc,noraNut, not a Lettuce. SoofCorne, Corn 
 is brought forth; of Barky, Barley-, of Oats, Oats.' 
 and fo it is with all other fruits, which have ktd^ and 
 arefown,&c. 
 *rhe force o» Inlikc manner alfoit is polTible , and not contrary 
 wonsensinug-^Q Naturc , that an irrationall bruit fhould bee 
 produced by a woman, and a man. Neither are wee 
 to judge of, or cenlure the woman, as the man,(as in 
 the former cafe) ilice therefore is not to bee accoun- 
 «d impious, or hercticall, as if fliee aded contrary 
 to NaturCjbnt it is to be imputed to her imagination. 
 Eor her imagination is alwaies the caufc of ir. And 
 
 the 
 
]^ I B ♦ T^ of the Natnre of things c 
 
 the imagination of a breeding woman is fo powerful, 
 that in conceiving the feed into her body , ihcc may 
 change her infant divers wayes •• bccaufe her inward 
 ftarresarefo ftrongly bent upon the infant, that they 
 beget an imprelTion, and influence upon it. Wherefore 
 the infant in the Mothers wombe in its forming is put 
 into the hand, and will of its Mother , as clay in the 
 hand of the Potter, who thence frames , and makes 
 what his will,and pleafure is : fo the Woman that is 
 breeding, forms the fruit in her body, according to 
 her imagination, and her ffarres. Therefore it often 
 falls our, that of the feed of a man,Cattle, and other 
 horrid Monfters are begot, according as the imagina- 
 tion of the Mother is ftrongly directed upon the 
 Embryo,&c. 
 
 Now as you have heard, that by 'putrefajfiion ma- 
 ny, and various things ate generated,an<l made alive, 
 fo alfo youmuft know, that of many hearbs, by pu- 
 trefadion divers living creatures are bred,which they 
 that are skilled in thefe thiugs know. 
 
 Here alfo wee muft know, thatallfuchAnimalls, ah animals thai 
 which are bred,and made of putrefaction, containe «"^« ^icd mecriy 
 fomepoifon, and are poifonous , yet one far more ^fg^^Q^f^*^!**" 
 ftrong then another, an<l one after another manner 
 then another : as you fee in Serpents, Vipers, Toads, 
 Frogs, Scorpions, Bafiiiskes, Spiders, Wood-bees, 
 Pifmires, and many forts of Wormes , as Cankers, 
 Maggots, Locufts,&c. All which are bred in, ajid 
 through putrefaction. Alfo amongft Animalls there 
 are bred divers Monfters ^ And there are Monfters 
 alfo which are not bred of putrefaction of themfelves, 
 but arc made by Art in a glaffe , as hath been faid; 
 becaufe they oftentimes appear in a very wonderful! 
 
 fhapc. 
 
What Mon 
 fieri «re* 
 
 Of the Nature of thifi^sl 1,ib. I^ 
 
 ihape,and form/carfiil tobehold,as oftentimes with 
 many feet, manytailes , many colours, oftentimes 
 many heads,worms with the tailes of Piilies ,or fca- 
 therSjandlothcr unufuall formSjthat the Hke have not 
 been fcen. 
 
 Wherefore not only all Animalls, which have not 
 proper Parents, and are not borne of things like to 
 themfelves are Mongers, but alfo thofe which are 
 bred of other things. 
 Thefrcret pcii Sq you fee it Is conccrning a Bafiliskc, which alfo 
 Siisk. ^ * "'isaMonfter,and indeed a Monifer above all Mon- 
 fters, and then which none is to bee more dreaded, 
 becaufc hee can kill any man with his meer looks,ar.d 
 fight : and becaufc his poifon is above all poifons, to 
 which nothing in the world is to bee 'compared. Hee 
 carries his poifon in a mcft fecret manner in his eyes , 
 and it is a conceived poifon,not much unlike a men- 
 ilruous woman, whoalfocarrietha fe.:ret poifon irt 
 her eyes, fo that only by her looks a Looking -glafle 
 is fouled, and tainted. So alfo if lliee looke upon a 
 wound, or an ulcer, ihee in'ects that in the like man- 
 ner, and hinders the cure thereof: fo alfo with her 
 breath, as well as fight,{hee infects divers things,cor- 
 -rupts, and weakens them-, and fo alfo with her touch. 
 For you fee if (liee medle with wine in time of her 
 mcnilrues , thatitisfuddainly changed and made 
 thick; The Vincgcr alfo that flie medies withall, be- 
 comes dead, and nfeleflc : fo alfo Hot-waters lofe 
 their flrcngth .' In like manner Civet, Amber,Gryfe, 
 Musk, and fuch like perfumes, lofe their odour by 
 fuch a womans carrying, or handling of them 
 So alfo Gold , and Coralls lofe their colour, 
 alfo many GcmmcSj and Looking-gUffcs arc 
 
 felled 
 
1 1 B I. Of the Nature of things. j 
 
 foiled thcrewith,&c.But to return to what I propofcd 
 concerning the Bafiliske, by what reafonjand in what 
 manner hec carries poifon in his Jooksjand eyes-, you 
 miift know that hce hath that property , and poifon 
 from mcnftruous women,as is aforefaid. For ihe Ba- 
 filiske IS bied of, and proceeds from the greateft im* 
 purity of a Woman, vi^ her Menftrues , and from 
 the blood of the Sperm , if it bee put into a gourd 
 glaffe, and putrefied in Horfe-dung, in which putre- 
 hction a Bafiliske is brought forth. But who is fo 
 couragious^ and bold to make, take him out , and 
 kill him again, unleffe hec cover, and fortifie himftlfe 
 well firft with glaffcs : I fhould pcrfwade none to 
 doe it, nay, I would advife them to take heed af 
 
 But that I may procetd in treating of Monflers, Monnersdoe ^ 
 Know that Monfters amongfl brutes, which arc n»fi»^c ^o"g» 
 brought forth of other things, and not of their like, 
 fcldome live long, efpccially if they fhall live necr, 
 or amongft other brutes , becaufc of an imbred 
 difpofition, and Gods difpofing, all Monfters arc 
 odious unto brutes that are genuinely brought 
 forth, and fo alfo Monfters of men, which are 
 generated by man , feldomc live long. And by 
 how much the more wonderfull,and remarkable they 
 are,fo much the f ooner they dye, fo that none exceed . 
 the third day amongft men, unleffe they bee prefent- 
 ly carryed into fome fecret place,and kept apart from 
 all men. Moreover you muft know that God abhors 
 thefc kind of Monfters, and that they are difpleafing 
 to him, and that none of them can be faved, feeing 
 they bear not the image of God : whence wee can 
 conjcdure nothing elfe, but that they are fo formed 
 
 byv 
 
a Of the Nat nre of things^ L i b^ I^' 
 
 ?**"" ^"n^T ^Y ^^1^ OeviLand are made for the Devills ferviccja- 
 tner tnenGods,becaule no good work wjs ever donC 
 by any Mon(ler,but ratherall manner of cvill, wic- 
 kednefle, and devillifli deceits. For as an Executio- 
 ner marketh his fons in cutting off their ears, putting 
 out their eyes, burning their cheeks , fingers, hands, 
 and cutting off their heads ; {o doth the Devil mark 
 his fons through the imagination of their Mothers, 
 which in their conceiving they drew from cvill de- 
 fires5lufl:s, and cogitations. 
 
 !?r.^^"*«„V/ Alfo all men arc to be fliunncd.which abound with, 
 
 to be fnunnea> , , ? i i i r> 
 
 or want any member, or have a double member. For 
 that is a prefage of the Devills, and a mofl ccrtainc 
 figne of fome occult wickednefTe, and deceit , which 
 follows upon it. Wherefore they feldome dye with- 
 out the Executioner , or at leafl from fomc marice 
 made by him. 
 The artificiail But wcc muft by no means forget the generation 
 gnwationof of Artificiall men. For there is fome truth in this 
 thing, although it hath been a long time concealed , 
 and there have been no fniall Doubts, and Queflions, 
 raifed by fome of the ancient Philolophers, Whether 
 it were poffible for Nature, or Art to beget a Man 
 out of the body of a Woman, and naturall matrix? 
 To this I anfwer, that it is no way repugnant to the 
 Arcof Alchymie, and Nature^ yea it is very poili- 
 ble : But to effed: it, we muft proceed thus. 
 
 Let the Sperm of a man by it felfe be putrefied^ in a 
 gourd glnllc, fcaled up, with the higheft degree of 
 putrefaAioninHorfe dung, for the fpace of forty 
 days, or fo long unrill it begin to bee alive5move,and 
 iftir,which may eafily be fcen. After this time it will 
 beeromeihing like a Man, yet tranfparent,and with- 
 out 
 
L I B^ f . Of the 'Nature of things^ 9 
 
 out a body. Now after this, if it bee every day wa- 
 rily, and prudently nouriihed and fed with the Are^- 
 ;?«/?? of Mans blood , and bee for thefpace of forty 
 weeks kept in a conftant,eqiiall heatof Horfe-dung^ic 
 will become a true, and living infant, having all the 
 members of an infant, which is born of a woman,but 
 it will bee far lefTc. This wee call Homunculm ^ or 
 Artificial). And this is afterwards to be brought up 
 with as great care, and diligence as any other infant, 
 untillit come to riper years of underftanding. Now 
 this is one of the greateft [ccrets,that God ever made 
 known to mortall, linfull man* For this is a mi- 
 racle; and one of the great wonders of God^ and fc- 
 crct above all fecrcts, and defervedly it ought to bee 
 kept amongft the fecrets until the laft times,when no* 
 thing ihall be hid, but all things be made manifcft. 
 And although hitherto it hath not been known to 
 men^yet it hath been known to Fairies of the Woods, Fairies ; 
 Nymphs, and Gyants many a^es fince,becaufc they Nymphs, Gy-' 
 come trom them. For or iuch Artinciall men, made of auifi- 
 when they come to Mans age, arc made Pygmies , ciali men. 
 Gyants,and other great and monftrous men, who are 
 inftruments of great matte i"s , who obtaine great 
 vi<ftories againft their Enemies, and know all fecrets, 
 and myfteries .* becaufe by Art they receive their 
 lives, by Art they receive their bodies,flcl]i,bones, 
 and blood :by Art they are borne ^ wherefore Arc is 
 now incorporated with, and imbred in them, and 
 they need not learn of any, but others are conftrained 
 to learn of them, for by Art they have their originall 
 and prefent exiftency ,as a rofe,or flower in a garden, 
 and they are called the children of Fairies , and 
 Nymphs,by rcafon that in power jandvcrtue they 
 
 B b stre 
 
10 of the Nature of thingil LlB^I^ 
 
 are like not to Men , but Spirits , $cc. 
 
 Here it is necclTary that wee fpcak fomething of 
 
 the generation of Metallsibut becaufc we have wrote 
 
 fufficiently oFthatin our book of the generation of 
 
 Metals, wee fliall very briefly treat of it here , only 
 
 briefly adding what was omitted in that book. Know 
 
 f\L ^Mc'rauy ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^v^" Metalls are brought forth after this 
 
 the Spirit,rui- manner,out of a threefold matter, T^/5^Mcrcury5Sul- 
 
 ?"y s.f^^ phurj& Salt^yet in diftind^jand peculiar colours. For 
 
 hody. this reafon Hermes did not fpcak amilTe^when he (aid, 
 
 that of three fubftances are all the feven Metalls pro- 
 
 duced^and compounded, as alfo the Tindures , and 
 
 Philofophers Stone. Thofe 3 fubftances he calls the 
 
 Spirit, Souljand Body : but hee did not fliew how 
 
 thisistobee underftoodjOr what hee did mean by 
 
 this, although haply hee might know the three Prin- 
 
 cipleSjbut did not make mention of them. Wherefore 
 
 we do not fay,that he was here in an error , but only 
 
 was filent now, that thofe 3 diftind fubftances may 
 
 be rightly underftood,i^/^.SpirirjSoul,and Body^wc 
 
 muft know, that they fignifie nothing clfc but the 
 
 three Principles, /.e.Mercury,Sulphur,Salt, of which 
 
 all the fcven Metalls are generated. For Mercury is 
 
 the Spirit, Sulphur the Soule^and Salt the Body,but 
 
 a Mctali is the Soul betwixt the Spirit, and the Body 
 
 (as Hermes faithj which Soule indeed is Sulphutjand 
 
 unites thefe two contraries , the Body, and Spirit, 
 
 and chan^eth them into one cfTencej&c. 
 
 Now this is not to bee underftood fo as that of 
 
 l\7hethcr me- £very McrcuryjCvcry Sulphur, or of every Salt, the 
 
 ^^^ d artific^- ^^^^" Metalls may be generated, or the Tincture, or 
 
 ^fy by'fire.'^^' the Philofophers Stone by the Art of Alchymie, 
 
 oc indiiftry, wich the help of Fire 3 but all the feven 
 
 Metalls 
 
L IB* I. of the KatHre of things] x i 
 
 Metalls muft be generated in the mountains by the 
 Aicheius of the Earth. For the Akhymift .fliall 
 fooner tranfmute Metalls, then generate , or make 
 
 them. 
 
 Yet ncverthelcfTe living Mercury is the Mo- Living 5 J* 
 ther of all the feven Metalls , and defervedly it '^^^X!''' 
 may be called the Mother of the Metalls. For it is m ' * 
 open Metall, and as it contains all colours , which 
 it manifefts in the Fire, fo alfo occultly it contains 
 all Metalls in it felfe , but without Fire it cannot 
 fhew them, &c. 
 
 But generation, and renovation of Metalls is 
 made thus : As a man may return into the womb of 
 his Mother,/.^, into the Earth, out of which hee 
 was firft made a man, and fhall again bee raifed at 
 the laft day ifo alfo all Metalls may returne into living The rcgenera^ 
 9 againe, and become 5, and by Fire bee regene- "on of metalls 
 
 ^j ' , c J CL I r c c ^1 into nn<aiuc$5 
 
 rated, and purihedjil-ror thelpace 01 forty weeks, 
 they bee kept in a continuall heat, as an infant is in 
 his Mothers wombe. Sothat now there are brought 
 forth not common Metalls,but Tinging Metalls .For 
 if Silver bee regenerated (after the manner as wee 
 havefpoken) it will afterward tinge all other Me- 
 talls into Silver, fo will Gold into Gold, and the 
 like is to bee underftood of all the other Me- 
 talls. . 
 
 Now forafmuch as Hermes faid, that the foule 
 alone is. that medium which joines the fpirit to The Sod ^ 
 the body , it was not without caufe hee faid fo. ^^f- ^-^^^T 
 For feeing Sulphur is that foule, and doth hke Fire J^ Je iruniSi 
 ripen, and digeft all things 5 it can alfo bind the to the"body. 
 foule with the body, incorporating, and uniting 
 them together, fothat from thence may bee pro-» 
 
 B b 2 duced 
 
tTk Of the Nature oftbtngs^ L ib^ I^ 
 
 duccd a moft excellent body. Now the common 
 combuftibic Sulphur is not to bee taken for the 
 foulc of metalls , for the foule is another man- 
 ner of thing then a combuftibic , and corruptible 
 body. 
 
 •fS^^^^^^^ Wherefore it can beedeftroyed by no Fire, fee- 
 ing indeed it is all Fire itfelfe : and indeed it is no- 
 thing elfe but the quinteflcnce of Sulphur, which 
 is cxtra<5ledout of reverberated Sulphur by the fpi- 
 ritof wine, being of a red colour, and as tranfpi- 
 rentasaRubie .-and which indeed is a great, and 
 excellent Aramm^ for the tranfmuting of white 
 metalls, and to coagulate living 5 into fixt , and 
 true Gold. Efteeme this as an enriching trea- 
 fure, and thou maift bee well contented with 
 this , onely fecret in the Tranfmutation of Me- 
 talls. 
 
 Concerning the generation of mineralls, and halfe 
 metalls nothing elfe need bee known then what was 
 at firft faid concerning metalls, vi^. that they arc in 
 
 Where is the iji^enaanner produced of the three Principles, vi'X, 
 
 met 
 
 alls and Mcrcury, Sulphur, and Salr^ although not as metalls 
 niaeialls. of perfe(5l,but of the more impcrfe(5t5and bafer Mer- 
 cury, Sulphur, and Salt, and yet with their diftin(f^ 
 colours. 
 Whence the ^^^^ generation of Gemmcs is from the fubtilty 
 generation of of the Earth, of ttaufparcnt and cryftalline Mercury, 
 Ccmnoes, Sulphur, and Salt, even according to thcij; diftindl 
 
 colours. 
 Airo of Com- ^^i the generation of common Stones is of the 
 fubtilty of Water, of mucilaginous Mercury, Sul- 
 phur, and Salt. For of the mucilaginoufneffe of Wa- 
 icr are produced all ftoncs^ as alio fand, and gra- 
 ve]] 
 
 ^n St«ncso 
 
L I b\ I. Of the Uatnre of things. 1 5 
 
 veil are thence coagulated into Stones, as wce.of- 
 ten fee. 
 
 For any ftone put in the Water,doth fuddenly con- 
 tratfl a mucilaginoufneflc to itfelf. Now if that muci- ^" artificiaU 
 laginous matter bee taken from this Stone , and itoner°" 
 coagulated in a glaffe, it becomes fuch a Stone , as 
 was in that Water , but it would require a long 
 time before it would be coagulated of it fclfe. 
 
 Bbj 
 
 OR 
 
H 
 
 L1B4II4 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V RE 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THE SECOIiD BOOK, 
 
 Heat andMoI- 
 fture the cauk 
 ofthc growth 
 •of things. 
 
 Of the growth :,and increafe of 
 Natnrall things. 
 
 jT is fufficiently manifeft , and knowne to 
 every one, that all naturall things grow, 
 and are ripned through hear,and moifture, 
 ^^^.^^^ which is fufficiently demonft rated by rain, 
 andtheheattof the fun. For no man can deny that 
 rain doth make the Earth fruitfull, and it is granted 
 by all, that all fruits arc ripened by the fun. 
 
 Seeing 
 
Li B^ IC Of the "Nature ofthtngf^ i^ 
 
 Secin? therefore this is by divine ordination natu- -^'^ artifiaall 
 rally poilibic, who can gain-iay, or not bekeve that things. 
 a man is able, through the wife, and skilful! Art of 
 Alchymie, to make that which is barren,fruitfull,and 
 that which is crude, to ripen^and all things to grow , 
 and to be increafed. For the Scripture faith, that God God hath fub; 
 fubjeded all creatures to man, and put them into his ^^^[02! to man, 
 hands as being his own, that hee might ufe them for 
 his necelTityj and rule over the fiili of the fea, fowles 
 of the aire, and all things upon the Earth,nothing ex- 
 cepted. Wherefore man might well rejoice that God 
 fliould fo endow him with the excellency of Nature, 
 t hat all the creatures of God fliould be forced to obey, 
 and be fubjecfl to him, cfpecially the whole Earth,and 
 all things which are bred,live,and move in, and upon 
 ir. Since therefore wee fee with our eyes , and are 
 taught by daily experience , that by how much the 
 oftner,& more abundantly therain doth moilkn the 
 earth,and the fun doth again with its heat and warmth 
 dry it,fo much the fboner doe the fruits of the Earth 
 come forth and are ripened , yea all fruits doe cleerly 
 grow, and increafe,what time of the yecr focver it be^ 
 Let no man henceforth wonder, that the Alchymift The aitifidali 
 alfobya manifold imbibition, and diftillation fliould f',"'"""" ^"^ 
 not doe the fame. Forvvhat elfe is rain but the imbibi- 
 tion of the Earth/' and the heat of the Sun , but the 
 diflill:flion of the un, which drawes up thofe humi- 
 dities again? Wherefore I fay it is pofTible by fuch a 
 kind oF Art? even in the midle of Winter to bring 
 forth green Herbs , Flowers, and other fruit,through 
 Earth^and Water, out of the ktd^ and root : If then 
 this can bee done in all Herbs, and flowers, it may 
 aJfo bee done in many other like things, as in all mi- 
 
 aeralls. 
 
14 Of the Nature ofthtngsl L i b. II^^ 
 
 neiMlIs^whofe imperfed metalls by vertueof a mine- 
 rail water may bee brought to maturity through the 
 induftryjand Art of a skiUull Alchymift/ 
 The ripening jj^ \^^ manner may all Marcdfites^ Grariatij Zinetd^ 
 Ar\emcA^ TalkayCachjmie,BijemHtajAn^i?HdnieSy^c^ 
 Call which carry with them crude Gold^and Silver,) 
 bee lb ripened, that they may bee equalized to the 
 moflrich veins of Gold, and Silvcr,only by this Art. 
 So alfo the Elixir,and tintflures of metals arc brought 
 to maturity , and perfeded; 
 What the Seeing thercfore,as it hath been faid, moifture, and 
 
 beard of 3°dead*^c^^ ^^c Hpen all things, and make them grow , Let 
 pian fignihes. none wondcr, that the beard, haire, or nailes ofama- 
 Icfa^flor hanging on a Gibbet,or Wheel do for a long 
 time grow, neither let it be accounted for a fign of his 
 innocency,asthc ignorant beleeve^for this is natural), 
 and from naturall caufes . For whileft that any moi- 
 fture remains in him^his beard, hadre,and nailes grow, 
 even till the fecond year^or till hce bee wholly putre- 
 fied, &c. 
 
 Wee muft alfo know, that there arc many things 
 
 that grow for ever , and are irxreafed in bignefTe , 
 
 weight ,and vertuc,in the Watcr,*and Earth, in which 
 
 they continue good, and efficacious, as are Metalls, 
 
 Marcafites,Cachymic, Talka, Granuty, Antimony, 
 
 The angmcn-gifemuta, Gemmes, Pearles, Corals, all Srones,and 
 
 tarionof'i;. q^^^ So alfo it may be ordered, that Gold may 
 
 grow, and bee increafcd in weight, and body, if only 
 
 itbecburyedinthcEarth looking towards the£^/, 
 
 and becalwaies foiled with the frelli urine of a man. 
 
 Hew Gjld and pigeons duns. 
 
 Sma^''''' It is pofTible alfo that Gold, through induftry, and 
 giriTc. s^iil of an expert Alchymift may bcc fo far exalted , 
 
 that 
 
XiB^IL Of the Nature of tbingh Mf 
 
 that it may grow in a glafTc like a tree .' witti m&ny 
 jvondcrfull boughs, and IcareSgWhich inaced is plea- 
 fant to behold, and moft wonderful, i : w\ (vy.u 
 
 Tht/procefTe is this. Let Gold bee calcined; with How the Phi* 
 Aqua Reps, till it becomes a kind of chalke , which ^^^op^'^ll 
 put into 5 gourd glalle, and poure upon it good new ^^^ **"^«^' 
 Aqua R^gis , fo that it may cover it foure fingers 
 breadth, then again draw it oflF, with the third de- 
 gree of fire, untiil no more afcend. The water that 
 IS diftilled off, poure on againe, then diflill it off a* 
 gaine. This doe fo long untiil thou feefl the Gold to 
 rile in the glaffe, and grow after the manner of a tree, ^ 
 
 having many boughes, and leaves : and fo there is 
 made of Gold a wonderful,and pleafant fhrub, which 
 the Alchymifls call their Golden hearb, and the Phi- 
 lofophers Trec.In like manner you may proceed with 
 Silver,and other Metalls,yet fo that their calcination 
 bee made after another mvtnner , by another ^^«<i 
 fortisj which I leave to thine experience. If thou 
 art skilled in Alchymie , thou flialt not crre in thele 
 things. 
 
 Know alfo that any flint taken out of River water, To make an 
 (and put into a gourd glaffe , having^ River water =»"ificiaii ftonc 
 poured upon it, that the glaffe may bee filled ;°^ '"^ ^°''^- 
 which Water is againe to bee diflilled off as long 
 as a drop will arife , and the Stone dryed , and 
 the Glaffe againe filled with this Water , and a- 
 gaine diftilled off, and this done fo long till the 
 Glaffe bee filled with this Stone ) may in a few 
 dayes by the. Art of Alchymie bee made ve-ry 
 great, which the Archeius of the Waters could 
 fcarce doeinmanyyeers. 
 
 Cc If 
 
ll Of the Uatkt0 of things^ Li b JI^ 
 
 If then thou brcakc the Glafic, thou (halt have 
 a Flint in the forme of the GlafTc, as if it had 
 been put into the Claffe , and although this bee 
 not for profiti yet it is a thing that is ilrar^e^and 
 wofidccfull* 
 
 OF 
 
 la^ . m 
 
Lii.ni. S| 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V R, E 
 
 Of Things. 
 THE THIRD BOOK. 
 
 Oftbep'efervations ofNaturali 
 things. 
 
 rHat things may bcc preferved, and kept 
 ' from harm, it is neccAary in the firft place 
 to know what is an cnemic to them,that fo of "?n^s*are 
 thcymay be preferved from thar,& not be w ^ knowne. 
 hurt, or corrupted by it cither in fubftance, venue, 
 power, or any way whatfoever. Much therefore in 
 this cafe depends upon the knowing of the Enemic 
 of all Naturalhhings. For who can take heed of 
 danger when hec doin not know what caa hurt himcr 
 
 Qq % Truly 
 
:>a 'Of the Nature of tbingf, Lib;IIR 
 
 Truly no body-, Wherefore i: is necefTaryto know 
 ones Encmiei ' For there arr many forts of Enemies. 
 Wherefore it is as neccflary to^know evill ihings,a9 
 good thingsrfor who can know what is §ood,without 
 the knowing of what is evill.''TruIy no body. So no 
 ©lancan know yvlut a bjefltng health. is,;hat was nev^cp 
 llck.Who knows what joy is, that was never heavy, 
 or fad/* And who can- riglrtly uoderftand what God 
 is, who knew nothing ot the Devil r' Wherefore when 
 God made kncjwnto uithe Ehemie.of our 50^,0^/^. 
 the DeviH, he alfo figtiitied to us rhe^nefnie of our 
 Death is the life, vi^. Death, which is the Enemie of our body,, 
 of our health, and the Ehemie of ■Medicinall,and all. 
 naturall things : alfo he made known to us how,and 
 b^ which means it maybefliunned. For as there 
 isnodifeafe againft whicluhereis not created, and" 
 found fomc remedy, which fliould cure,and expel 1 it: 
 fo alfo there is alwaies one thing ordained againft 
 another,one. Water againft^another^ne Stone againft 
 another^ one Minerall againft another, one Poilbn a- 
 gainft another,one Maall againft another : and fo in 
 many more things^all which it,is not requifite here to 
 recite. - . ^ . i 
 
 Now how, and by what means every thing is to • 
 hee prefervedj.and kept from ijurt,^^ muftknowj 
 that many things. are to bee-prefcrved in the Earth, 
 and efpecially. allrootcsdoc for.alongtimeremainc 
 in the Earth without iQ{]x\^t}im-vc:p.KyQt being cor- 
 rupted : in likeibahner'llerbs; flowers, . andalliruitcs^ 
 continue in the. water incorrupted j^andgteen ; there! 
 are alfo many fruits.and apples thar maybe prefcrved. 
 in water from all manner of putrefaction, unullnew, 
 
 fruit come agaioei*.- Jh-iod 
 
 So 
 
 encmic of 
 things 
 
 *Thett\s^ 
 Contrariety 
 found in all 
 things* 
 
L I B. nil of the Katttre of things. 1 1 
 
 Saalfo flefli>and blood ,which indeed arc putrefied, pw ^ prc- 
 and grow unfavoury quickly, are prefcrved in cold bioo'd. "'^ 
 fountain -water,and not only lb,but by the addition of 
 new aud frefli founrainc-watcr , may be turned into 
 a quinteflence, and bee forever preferved fronr pu^ 
 trcfa(5tion3 and an ill favour , without any balfome. 
 And this doth not only prefervc the flcfli, and blood" 
 of dead things, but alfo of the living,wherefore Mans 
 body may bee pre ferved from all manner of putrc- 
 fa<5tion, and divers difeafes that proceed from putre- 
 fadion, better then common Mummie. Now thar 
 blood may be prcfervcd of it felf from putrcfadion, 
 and ftinkingjand not as a quintefTence, & fo as it may 
 prefervc the Wood of the livingfas we now faid jthou- 
 muft follow this procefle; . . - . , • .^ 
 
 Let the blood bee feparated from its fl'egm> which How the Ar- 
 isfeparated of its felfe, and is driven to the upper """{"°^"**"* 
 
 part. This water poure gently out of the ve{rell,andprcparcV° ^ 
 in ftead of it put as much of the water of the fait of 
 
 blood, which water wee teach to make in our Chi-- 
 iHirgcrie : That \vater doth prcfently mixe with the 
 blood, and preferves it fo, that it will never bee pu- 
 trefied, or grow unfavory , bnt continue niany yearS' 
 as frerti, and very red as it was the firfl day : and this- 
 indeed is a great wonder. But if thou doft not know* 
 howto makethis water,or hafl it notinreadinefs,thcn - 
 poure upon it fa much of the befl, and mofl excel- 
 lent balfome,and this will doe the fame. Now. this 
 blood is the balfome of balfomes, and is called the 
 Arcanum of blood,and it is fo wonderful,and of fuch 
 great vertue, that it is incredible to be fpoken5where' 
 tore thou fhalt conccale it as a grCvU fecrct iivPhy- 
 iick; ,. :\i^.i-v;j.. 
 
 C c 3^ la 
 
%t Of the Nature of thing/. Lf B.IH 
 
 How mctalls Inprcfei'ving ofMetalU, their Enemies arc firft to 
 raa^y beprcfcr- ^^^ known, that fo much the better they may bee 
 What arc the pfeferrved from harme. The chiefeft Enemies of 
 cncmcs ©f details are all fliirp corroding Waters , all Corro- 
 ^' ** five things, all Salts, crude Sulphur, Antimony , and 
 Mercury. But that you may know particularly 
 how they fticw their enmity, ids thus. Sharp Wa* 
 ters, and Tuch things as arc Corrofive , and Salts 
 {hew their enmity, in that they mortifie, diifolve, cal- 
 cinic, corrupt Metalls, and reduce them to no- 
 thing. 
 How the fume Crude Sulphur flic ws its enmity in the fume thereof: 
 of Sulphur £^j. jjy ^^ fyji^^ j,. j^jjgg ^yj.^y fj-QjYj Copper its co- 
 doth difcolour , ^ J ] ' rr j i • i • r l- 
 
 mc;alii» w^^ ^^d rednefle, and ixiakcs It white. From white 
 Metalls, as Silver, Tinne, Lead, and Iron it takes 
 away the whitcneiTc, and makes them red, and ycl- 
 lowillv From Gold it takes away that fairc ami- 
 able ycllowneife , and golden colour , and makes 
 ix black, ^i^fo foulc, that Rothipg can bee more 
 foule. 
 How Antimo- Aotimony flicws its enmity in this, in that all Mc- 
 ny fpoiies and taUs with which it is melted, or mixed, it fpoiles, 
 diicoiQurs mc- ^ji^j ryctfi away, and pr^ys upon,and alCo not unlike to 
 " ^' $plphMr , Ixy ijts fume it takes ^way from Mctalls 
 
 thei?trw€, ^nd natufali colour, an4 brings in an* 
 other. 
 Qiiick-filver Quick-fiW^r doth dcftroy Metalls upon this ac- 
 diUroycs mc- compt,ipthc\t jt cpt^rs into Mctalls, with, which it is 
 tails, and how. joined, a^d diiprolves them , fo as. that it makes an 
 AmalgAma of them ; Wherefore the fume thereof, 
 wiiich wee call copimon Mercury, makes allMetalli 
 britt-le, that tlyyQaanQt fee mtjilcatcd, and calcines 
 them, alfo it makes all red Metalls ot a golden co- 
 lour. 
 
LkBjIL Oftbe nature of things. 3| 
 
 lour, to bcc white : but it is the greatcft cncmic of all 
 to Iron, and Steel-, for if common Mercury doc but; 
 touch a barre of Iron, orStcel^or that be but fmearcd 
 over with Mercurial! oile, that bar will afterward be 
 broken like glafTc, and be bowed^ which indeed is a 
 great fecret, and deferves to be kept exceeding clofe. 
 in like manner muft the Loadftonc be kept from 
 Mercury, for the like enmity it ihews to that as to 
 Iron. For any Loadftonc that Mercury hath but ^^^^^^^,^^^3^. 
 touched^or wnich hath been fmeered with Mercurial! fton« may fit 
 oyle , or only put into Mercury , will never draw ^poylcd^v 
 Iron more. Let no man wonder at this , for there 
 is a naturiU caufe for it, and it is this , vi\. becaufc 
 Mercury extracts the fpiritof Iron,which was hid in 
 the Loadftone, which Ipirit draws the fpiritof Iron 
 to it .♦ and this is not only in the Loadftone, but in 
 all natural! things elfe, fo that alwaies a ftrange (pi- 
 rn in a body which is not of the fame Nature with 
 it felfe, drawes to it felf a body which is of th^ 
 fame Nature.* and this wee muft know to bee fo^ 
 not only in the Load-ftone, but alfbin all other 
 naturaH things^as Mincralls, Stones, Hearbs^Roots, 
 Men, and Brutes* 
 
 That Mctalls have an enmity, and hate one the What amIfiJi- 
 other natur3lly,as you fee in Lead,which is naturally J^r *!*"* '*^ 
 a very great enemy to Gold. For it breaks afunder taurthcm^'* 
 all parts of Gold, it makes it foije, weak, fpoiles, fclv<^ -f 
 and dcftroyes it even to death, more then any other 
 Mctall. 
 
 Tin alfo hates, and is an enemy to all Mctalls / for 
 it makes them b3fe,Immalleable, hard, unprofitable^ 
 if it bee mixed with them in the fire,or in meltings 
 
 Since therefore you have now heard of the Enemies 
 
^4 OftheNatHrefiftbittgsl Lib. m^ 
 
 of Metalls, you muft next know their prefcrvatives, 
 which keep them from all manner of hLirt,or corrup- 
 tion, alfo ftren^thcn them in their Nature, and 
 G U • yertue, and ex^t their colour, 
 fcrrcd in boy« , Hr(l thercfofc conccming Gold, you muft know, 
 urine, ' thatitjcannot tec prefcrved better, 2nd fairer then 
 in boyes unne,in which Salt Armoniack is diffolved, 
 or in water alone of Salt Armoniack. In them in 
 time the colour is fo highly exalted that jt can bee 
 
 prefcrveZ" '^ Silver canuoc te better prerervcd t1ien irit be boi-^ 
 led in common Water, or Vinegcr, invvhich Tartar 
 or Salt have been diflblvcd. So any old Silver, that 
 is made black, and, fouled, is renewed by being boi- 
 anTsteX l^d HI thcfc wiitcrs : The beft prcleivative for Iron 
 may be pic- End Steel is the lard of a Barrow-hog not faked, 
 fcmd. which indeed preferves Iron , and Steel from ruft, 
 
 if once every moneth they be fmeered over with it, 
 Alfo if Iron bee melted withfixt Arfcnicke^it will be 
 „ ^^ fo renewed and fixt, that it will like Silver never-con- 
 i, prefervd? tradl ruft. Copper may be prelervcd , if it bee only 
 mixed with fublimed Mercury, or bee fmeered over 
 with the oyle of Salt-,and fo it will never any ixio^f.bp 
 grown over with. verdegreafe. -,,;£-; .^r-IT 
 
 ^reibr^d^'' '^ Lead Can no wayes bee better preferved then in 
 ^^ ^ ' cold Earth, and in a moift place, according to the 
 L°Y^ ■ 'Nature thereof. The Load-Hone is preferved bell 
 prefei'vcr^ '^ of all with the filings of Ir9n , and Steel ^ for ; by 
 this mtanes it is never weakenedjbut daily fti?eng-: 
 ihened. 
 The preferva- >jo\v conccmins the prefervation of Salts, and all 
 tion of Salts, tj^j^gs^ that are ofa faltiili Nature, and may be com- 
 prehended under the name of Salt (of which there are 
 
 more 
 
Li bjii. Of the Nature ofthin^. ^5 
 
 more then an hundred forrs ) you muftkrtowthat 
 they arc to bee preferved in a hot dry place, «nd in 
 woodden veflclls, not in Glalfe , Stone , or Mctalls: 
 for in thofc they are diflblvcd and become a Water, 
 and an Amalgama which cannot be in Wood. 
 
 Moreover you muft know how feme kind of 
 Waters, and Liquors prefTcd out of hearbs^roots,and '^.^'^ Fe^erva- 
 all other fruits , and Vegetables , which doe easily wUhoilsT^" 
 contra(5t filth, and flimc as if a skin were fprcad over 
 them^may be prefcived.Thefe Waters thereforejand 
 Liquors muft bee put up into glaffes that are narrow 
 towards the top, and wide below, and the glaffes be 
 filled to the top, then adde a few drops of oyl 01iv<e, 
 that all the Water, or Liquor may bee covered.* fo 
 the Oyl will fwim on the top, and prefervc the Li- 
 quor, or Water along time from filth or flimc. For 
 there is no Water, or liquor if it bee covered with 
 oyl , that will bee mufty,or of an ill favour. 
 
 By this means alfo may two fores of Water, of 
 Liquors of Wine bee kept apart in one veflell , that 
 they may not bee mixed : and not only two forts, but 
 three, four, five, and more, ifonly theoylebec put 
 betwixt : For they are fevered by the Oyle, as by a 
 walljwhich wil not fnffer them to be joined together, 
 and united, for oyl and water aretwo contraries, and 
 neither can bemixed'with the other.- For as the Oyle 
 will not fuffer the Watres to be united, fo on the con- 
 trary ,the Water will not fuffer the Oyls to be mixed. 
 
 Now to prcferve Cloath , and Garments from How clothes 
 moths, there is no better way then with Ma^aieprefmed. 
 ftick , Camphire , Amber Gryfc , and Muske , 
 and Civet, which indeed is the beft of all, 
 which doth not only prefervc them from moths , 
 
 Dd but 
 
i^ Of the nature ofthtngsl L i Mil I 
 
 but alfo! drives away moths^and allother verminc , as 
 Fleas, Lice, &c. 
 How all Tom Alfo all manner of Woods^as in Houfcs^Bridges, 
 fee prcfervcd^'*^ Ships, or whcrefoever they be, may bee prcferved fo 
 thvit they will never bee putrefied, either in waters5or 
 under warers,orout of water in the earth, under the 
 earth or above the earth,, whether they be fetin the 
 rain^ or wind, aire,fnow, or ice, in.wintcr,or fummerj 
 alfo that they be not worm-catcn^nor that any worms 
 may breed in them whcnfoever they bee cut* Now 
 this prefcrvativc is a great Arcanum againft all kinds 
 of putrefactions^ yea fo excellent a fecrct that none 
 may bee compared to it. And it is nothing clfebiit 
 Fixed oylc of Qyle of Sulphur, the proccffe whereof is this. Let 
 ." P ^^' common yellow Sulphur bee powdered , and put 
 into a Gourd glaflc, upon whichlet there be poured 
 fo much of the ftrongeft AquAfortid\i\m. may cover 
 it three fingers breadth : then draw it oft by diftilla^- 
 tion,thrce,or four times-, and laft of all, till it be dry. 
 Let the Sulpliur that remaines in the bottome be- 
 ing of a black, fad red colour,be put upon marble, or 
 in.aglaffe, andit will eafily bee diflbWedintoOyle> 
 which is a great fecret in preferving of Wood from 
 putrefadon, and wormes. For this Gyle doth fo 
 tinge the wood that is nointed with it, that it can 
 never bee waflied out of it againe. Many more 
 things may beepreferved with this Oil of Sulphury 
 from putrefa<ftion,as ropes, cords in i]iips,and mafts 
 of fliips, in carts, fifliing-nets\, and gins which 
 Fowlers,and Hunters ufe,and fuch like," which arc of* 
 tcntimcs ufed in watcrs,or raine,. and are otherwifc 
 eafily rotted, and broken,fo alfo linncn clothes> and 
 many other fuch like things* 
 
 Alfo 
 
L I B^ III. Of the Nature ofthingfl vfi 
 
 Alfo you muft know how potable things are tobe^'»»<^^ ^'^?^ 
 preferved^by which wee underftand Wine, Beer, :;^]'how?he, 
 Meade, Vincgcr, and Milke. Now it wc would aic piefei-ved. ' 
 prcferve thefe from harm, and in their full vertue, it 
 is very neceft-iry that you know well what is an E-. 
 ncmictothem, and that is msnftruous women : for 
 if they doe handle the forefaid things, or have^'^'iM".^ 
 any thing to doc about them, or looke, or breath 
 upon them, they corrupt them. For Wine is thereby 
 changed, and become thick,Beer , and Mead grow 
 fowrc, Vineger grows dead, and lofcth its iliarpneiTc: 
 and Milke grows fowre,and curded. ^ ' 
 
 This therefore you muft well know, before 
 you come to preferve each of thcfc in particu- 
 lar^ 
 
 Wine is prefervcd chiefly by Sulphur, and thcHo^r Wine is 
 Oyle of Sulphur,by which all Wine may bee prefer- pieferved by 
 ved a long time, fo that it be neither thick, nor any ^"^P^"'"' 
 other way changed. 
 
 Bcercis prefcrved with Oyle of Cloves, if fomcBeereisprefei,: 
 drops thereof bee put into it, to every Gallon two ''f ^"^ oy^e 
 or three drops, or, which is better, with the Oyl of^ ^^''''"' 
 the root of ^vif^j, which doth prcferve Beer from 
 fowring. 
 
 Meade is prefcrved with Oyl of Sugar,which muft i^ead is pre: 
 bee ufedas the Oyle of Cloves abovefaid. fcrvcdwith 
 
 Vineger is prefcrved with Oyle of Ginger, which How Wga* 
 muft be ufedas the Oyle of Cloves abovefiid. is prefervcd. 
 
 Milke is prefcrved with Oyle of Almonds made How Milke i$ 
 by cxprcffion , which muft bee ufed as the Oyle of prefcrved. 
 Cloves abovefaid. 
 
 Cheefc is prefervcd with St. lehm wort from Cheefc is prc- 
 worras, for if it doth but touch it , no worme will ^^rved with su 
 
 Dd2 breed J°^"'^°^* 
 
ai Ofth Uature of things^ Li f^ IIIJ' 
 
 breed ink: and if there bee any in before, it will 
 kill them, and make them fall out of the Cheefe. 
 How Honey Is Honey hath no peculiar prcfervative, onely that it 
 to beprefervcd. j^^y j^^g j^gp^ fj^Q^i its Encmie. Now its chief Enc- 
 What its chief ^^^ -^ j^j.^^^ . f^j. jf ^ ^mXc bread made of Corne bee 
 ---^■-* but pur, or fain in into it, all the Honey is turned 
 into Emmots, and fpoiled. 
 
 O F 
 
LlB.IV. 2i 
 
 4fe • ^ fill! ale sis 4lt He 9I? 9I2 s!^ sib ft sis sif alls aSc sli> <^ 
 ^^\llr\^'tjP €^ ^%ir\>^\^ tff^ ttf" ^\^ t^ (^ tp^ €^ t^ tjy 
 
 OFTHE 
 
 N A T V R E 
 
 Of Things. 
 THE FOVRTH BOOK* 
 
 Of the life of Natnrall 
 things^ 
 
 p man can deny that Aire gives life to all What nfe tke 
 things, bodies, iJand fubftances, that are .t^'hciifro? 
 produced , and generated of the Earth, things. 
 Now you muft know what , and what 
 manner of thing the life of every thing in particular 
 isj and it is nothing elfe then a fpirituall cffence, a What the life 
 thing that is invifiblc, impalpable, a fpirit, andfpiri- ^^^^^"S^'^- 
 tuall. Wherefore there is no corporeall thing,which What things 
 hath not a fpirit lying hid in it, as alfo a life^which, as ^^^*^^^^i 
 
30 Oftht Nature ofthtngf^ L is^ IV; 
 
 I faid before, is nothing but a fpirituall thing. For 
 not only that hath life which moves, and ftirres , 
 as Men, Animalls, Vermineof the earth , Birds in 
 the Aire^ Fifh in the fea, but alfo all corporeal] , and 
 fubftantiall thinss.For here wee miift know that God 
 in the beginning of the Creation of all things, crea- 
 ted no body at all without its fpirit,which it fecrctly 
 contains in itr 
 What 1$ the For whatis the body without a fpirit/* Nothing * 
 fw^xt^thc'spku ^^ ^^^' Wherefore the fpirit contains in it fecretly the 
 andtbc E«dy. vert uc, and power of the thing, and not the body. 
 For in the body there is death, and the body is the 
 fubje(5l of death, neither is any elfe to be fought for 
 in the body, but death. 
 Th« Spirit nc- For that may fevcrall waycs bcc dcftroyed , and 
 jfcr dyes, corrupted, but the fpirit cannot. For the living fpi- 
 rit remains for ever, and alio is the fubjed of lite : 
 andpreferves the body alivc; but in the ruinc of the 
 body it is feparated from it ; and leaves behind it a 
 dead body,and returncs co its place, from whence it 
 came, 'vj\, into the Chaos,and the Aire of the upper 
 and lower Firmament. Hence it appears that there 
 arc divers fpirits, as well as divers bodies. 
 Thedlvifionof For there are fpirits CeleftiaI!,Infernall, Humane, 
 c!irdS"'tothe Metalline, Minerall,of Salts, of Gemmes, of Mar- 
 vtrict^of bo-cafites, of Arfenicks, of Potable things, of Rootes, 
 «ii^ of Juices, of Flefli,of Blood, of Bones,&c. Where- 
 
 Thc Spirit is fore alfo know that the fpirit is moft truly the life, 
 the life of all antibalfome of all Corporeall things. But now wee 
 SE"^^ will proceed to the fpecies, and briefly defcribe to you 
 in this place the life of every natural! thing in parti- 
 cular. 
 
 The 
 
L I B J vl of the Nature ofthingsl 31 
 
 The life thererorc of all men is nothing clfe but What the lifd 
 an Aftrall balfome, a Balfamick impreffion, and a° "''"'*- 
 cclcftiall invifible Fire, an included Aire, and a tin- 
 ging fpirit of Salt. I cannot name it more plainly, 
 although it bee fet out by many names. And 
 feeing wee have declared the bcft , and chiefeft , 
 wee Ihall bee filent in thcfe which are IcfTc mate- 
 riall. 
 
 The life of Metalls is a fecrct fatncfTe, which they Whai the fife 
 have received from Sulphur, which is manifeft by °^^«^^si$, 
 their flowing , for every thing that flowes in the 
 fire, flowes "by reafonot thatfecret fatneiTe that is 
 in it : unlelTe that were in k^ no Metall could flow, 
 as wee fee in Iron , and Steel , which have leflc 
 Sulphur, and fatneflc then all the other Metalls, 
 wherefore they are of a dryer Nature then all the 
 reft. 
 
 The life of Mercury is nothing elfe but the inter" What the life 
 nail heat, and externall- coldncfle, / e. it makes the of Mercury is. 
 internall part of its body hot, and the outward ^^'^^J/J^^''*^ 
 part cold, and therefore might well bee compa- of skinv. 
 red to a garment made of skins^, which doth even 
 as Mercury mike hot, and cold. For if a man 
 wears fuch a garment it makes him warme, and 
 keeps him from the cold .• but if the fmooth part 
 of thofe skins bee put upon his naked body, it 
 makes him cold , and is good againft too much 
 heatv wherefore it was a cuflome in ancient time^ 
 and ftiil isinfome places, to weare skins as well in. 
 Summer, as in Winter, as againfl cold in the 
 one, io againft heat in the other .^ in Summer they 
 turn the fmooth iide inward, and the hairy (ide- 
 outwardj.andin Winter the hairy fide inward, and 
 
 the 
 
3^ 
 
 Wh« "the life 
 of Sulphur is. 
 
 Of the Nature of tbingf, Lf biv. 
 
 the fmoothfide outward. As therefore you have 
 
 heard of the garment of skins, foaUbitmay bee 
 
 faid of Mercury. 
 The Ufeof Sulphur lsacombuftible5ftinkingfat- 
 
 neff', for whilft it burns, and ft inks, it may be faid to 
 
 beahve. 
 ivhat the life Mow the life of all Salts is nothing elfe but the 
 of Salts is» ^ • j^ Qf Aqu.€ fort is : for that water being drawne 
 
 from them,rhvit which remains in the botiome, is 
 
 called Dead earth. 
 What the life The life of Gemmes, and Coralls is only their 
 of Gemtncs colour.which with fpirit of Wine may be taken from 
 
 and Coralls is. , 
 
 them. 
 What the life The life of Pearls is nothing elfe but their fplendor , 
 of Pearls is. ^yhich they lofe in calcination. 
 What the life The life of the Loadftone is the fpirit of Iron , 
 ! ?Ac ^°^'^' which may bee extradcd, and taken away with fpirit 
 of Wine. 
 
 The life of Flintes is a mucilaginous mat- 
 ter. 
 
 The life of Marcafites , Cachymia , Talcum^ 
 Cobaltum,Zimri,Granata,Wifmat, and of Antimo- 
 ny is a tinging Metalline fpirit. 
 
 The life of Arfenickes, Auripigment, Opcrment, 
 Realgar, and fuch like matters^is a MineralJ,and co- 
 agulated poifon. 
 
 The life of Excrements, /.if. of mans dung,orbeaft 
 duns is their ftinking fmcll, for this being loft they 
 arc dead. 
 
 The life of Aromatkall things, 'ui :{.oiMus\iC, 
 Amber Gryfe ., Civet, and whatfoev^r yeelds a 
 ftrong, good, and fweet fmell is nothing elfe 
 but that gratefull odour:forif they lofe this they are 
 dead and of no ufc. The 
 
 •t 
 
 ftonc is. 
 
 The life of 
 •thnts what. 
 
 The life of 
 
 Marcafites 
 
 what. 
 
 The life of 
 Arfenicks. 
 
 The life of 
 Excrements. 
 
 The life of 
 aromaticall 
 things. 
 
L I B J V. Of the Nature of tbingK 31 
 
 The life of Tweet things, as of Sugar, Honey, ^^^^^f^^ 
 Monna^Caffiajand fuch hke is in their tinging^ndfub- ^ ^ ^"^* 
 tile fwcetnede, for ifihatTweetncfTe bee taken from 
 them by diftilhng,or fubliming they are dcadjUnpro- 
 fitable, and nothing worth. 
 
 The life of all Rozzens, as Amber, Turpentine, The life of ; 
 Gumme,is the muciliginousfhiniog fatneffc, which ^0"**^ 
 gives that excellent vernifli to them all : for when 
 they will yceld no more vernifh,and lofe their fhinin^, 
 they are dead. 
 
 The life of Hearbs^Roots^Apples, and other fuch The life of 
 like fruitjis nothing elfe but the liquor of the Earth/'^^^""* 
 which they lofe of their own accord, if they do but 
 want water^and Earth. 
 
 The life of Wood is a certaine Rozzcn, for The life of ] 
 any wood if it want Rozzen can live no Ion- ^°°^'^ 
 ger. 
 
 The life of Bones is the liquor of Mummie. ^^^ ^'^^ of 
 
 The life of flefh, and blood is nothing elfe but the xheUfe offleili 
 fpiritofSalt, which preferves them from (linking, 
 and putrefadion, and is of it felfe as water feparated 
 from them. 
 
 Now concerning the life of Elements, you mufl The life of 
 know that the life of Water is its running. For ^^^"^^ cmen^i ^ 
 when by the coldnefTe of the Firmament it is con% 
 gealcd into ice , it is dead , and its mifchievouf- 
 nefTe is taken from it, that nobody can bee drowned 
 inir. 
 
 ThelifeofFireisAire,forAir«s makes fire burne What the life 
 with greater vehemency , and hcate : Alfo there ^^^'''^ ^^ 
 Cometh forth from all Fire a kind of Aire, which 
 will blow out a candle, and drives up a feather, as 
 you may dayly fee before your eyes. Wherefore 
 
 £e the 
 
2^ OfthtUatureof things^ Lib* iv> 
 
 the flame of Fire is choaked if it bee fo ftopt up, 
 that it can neither receive in Aire jand let out its own 
 Aire. 
 
 What the life The Aire lives by^and of it felfe^and gives life to all 
 
 ef Aire is. other things. 
 
 VVhat the life The earth of it felfc is dead, but the Element of it 
 of Ej5th tt. ^ 2iXi invifible,and fccrct life. 
 
 OF 
 
Lib. v. 
 
 ti 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V RE 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THE FIFTH BOOK, 
 
 OftheDeatby or mine of all 
 things. 
 
 [He death of -all naturall things is nothing What Death ^ 
 elfe but an alteration and dcftru(5iion of 
 their povvers,and venues, a predominancy 
 of that which is evill , and an overcoming 
 of what is good, an abolifliing of the former nature 
 and generation of anew, and another nature. For 
 you muft know that there are many things that, 
 whilft they arc aHve, have in them fcverall vertucs 
 but when they arc dead rctainc httle or nothing of 
 
 Ec a their 
 
3^ Of the Nature of things^ Lib^V^ 
 
 their vertuc, but become unfavory, and unprofita- 
 ble. So on the contrary many thin^Sjwhileft they 
 live, are bad,but after tney arc dcad,and corrupted, 
 manifeft a manifold power, and vertuc, and arc very 
 ufcfull. Wee could bring many examples to con- 
 firmc this , but that doth not belong to our pur- 
 pofe. But that I may not fecm to write accor- 
 ding to mine own opinion only, but out of my ex- 
 perience, it will bee ncccilary that I produce one 
 example, with which I fliall filencc thole Sophifters, 
 who fay^ that wee can receive nothing from dead 
 things, neither mud we feek, or cxpeS to find any 
 thing in them. The reafon is, bccaufc they do efteeai 
 nothing of the preparations of Alchymifts,by which 
 many fuch like great fecrets are found out. For looke 
 upon Mercury, crude Sulphur, and crude Antimony, 
 as they are taken out of their Mines, i,€, whilcft they 
 arc living, and fee what little vertuc there is in them, 
 how {lowly they put forth their vertues, yea they do 
 more hurt, then good, and are rather poifon, then a 
 Medicine. But if through the induftry of a skilful! 
 Alchymiftjth.y bee corrupted in their hrft fubflancc, 
 Thcercparati- ^^d wifely prepared ( t^/^. if Mercury be coagulated, 
 Suiphur^aTr^ precipitated,fublimed, diiTolved, and turned into an 
 JkfitisiQuy* oylcj if Sulphur bee fuWimed, calcined, reverbera- 
 ted, and turned into an oyle ^ alfo if Antimony bee 
 fublimed, calcined, and reverberated and turned into 
 oyle) you (hall fee how ufcfull they are, how much 
 ffrength, and vertuc they have , and how quickly 
 they put forth,and fliew their efficacy, which no man 
 }$ able to fpcak enough in the commendation of,or 
 todefcrlbc. For many are their vertues, yea more 
 then Will ever bee found out by an^ man. Wherefore 
 
 kt 
 
LiB.y. Of the Uatnre of things, jy 
 
 let every faithful! Alchymift, and Phyfitian fpend 
 their whole Hvcs in fcwirching into thcfe three: For 
 they will abundantly recompcnfc him for all his la- 
 bour, ftudy, and cofts. 
 
 But to come to particulars, and to write particu* 
 larly of the death, and deftrudion of every natural! 
 thing, and what the death of every thing iSjand after 
 what manner every thing is dcftroyed ^ you muft 
 know therefore in the firft place, that the death of^'^^J^^^* 
 man is without doubt nothing el fe, but an end of his is."^ ^ *'" 
 daily work, the taking away of the Aire,the decaying 
 of the Naturall balfome, the extinguifhing of 
 the naturall light, and the great feparation or the 
 three fubftances, "ut^, the body, foule , and fpirit ^ 
 and their return from whence they came. For be- 
 caufca naturall man is of the earth , the Earth alfb 
 is his Mother, into which heemuft retum,and there 
 muft lofe his natural earthly flcfli,and fo be regenera- 
 ted at thelaflday in a new celeftiall , and purified 
 flcfh, as Chrift faid to Nicodemus^htn heecame to 
 him by night. For thus muft thefe words bee under- 
 ftood of regeneration. 
 
 The death, and deftrudion of Metalls is the ^i^- ^J^^^*^^«^ 
 joining of their bodies , and fulphureous fatneflfc ^ Mctallsisr 
 which may bee done feverall ways, as by calcination^ 
 rcverberation^diffolution, cementation, and fublima- 
 .tion. 
 
 But the calcination of Metalls is not of one fort: Cardnanottoi 
 for one is made with 5alt5another with Sulphur,ano- ^^^\^ ** ^' 
 ther with Aqua fortis , and another with com- 
 mon Sublimate, and another with Quickfil- 
 
 - What Calcfr^ 
 
 Calcination with Salt is that the Mecallbemade„atioa witj» 
 
 Ec3 intoSahi|. 
 
gS Oftbe Nature of thingf^ LfB.V. 
 
 into very thin platcs,andftrowed with Salt, and ce- 
 mented. 
 Calcination Calcination With Sulphur is, that the Mctall bee 
 with Sulphur, j^j^^g jj^^Q ^|-^^j^ plates,and flio wed with Sulphur^ and 
 
 reverberated. 
 Calcination Calcinaiott with jdqtia fortii ^ is that the Mc- 
 iwith Aqiu for- ^^jj ijgg jYiade very fmall, and diflblved in AquA for- 
 
 tiSy and precipitated in it. 
 Calcination Calcination with fublimcd Mercury is this, that 
 withSubli. fjic Metall bee made into thin plates, and that the 
 " * Mercury bee put into an earthen vellell narrow to- 
 
 wards the top, and wide at the bottome-, and then 
 let it be fet into a gentle fire made with coales,which 
 muftbeebloweda little unrillthe Mercury begin to 
 fume, and a white cloud goe forth of the mouth of 
 the vedel, then let the Plate of the Metall bee put 
 intothetopoftheveflel, and fo the fublimed Mer- 
 cury wil penetrate the Metall, and make it as brittle 
 asaftoneofcoal. 
 ^•^^^^alickfil- Calcination with Quick filver , is that the Mc- 
 vcu t^Il t)^^ made very fmall, and thin, and be amalgama- 
 
 ted with Quick filver, and afterward the Quick-filver 
 bee ft rained through Leather, and the Metall remain 
 in the Leather like chalke, or fand. 
 Divers other Now befides thefe mortifications of Metalls , and 
 forts of morti- ^eftru«^ions of their lives, know alfo that there are 
 taU$^.°^ ° yct^ moi c. For ruft is the death of all Iron,and Steel, 
 and all vi!:riall,burnt braffe is mortified Copper / all 
 precipitated, fubhmated, calcined Cinnabar is mor- 
 tified Mercury, all Ccrufe, and Minium of Lead is 
 mortified Lcad-,a]l Lazurc is mortified Silver: alfo all 
 Gold from which its tin(fture , QuintefTence , Roz- 
 zcn. Crocus, Vitriall , or Sulphur is extradcd, is 
 
 dead. 
 
LiB^V* Ofthe "Nature of things. 39 
 
 dead, becaufc it hath no uiorc the form of Gold, ^ 
 
 but is a white MetalUikc fixed Silver. 
 
 But lee us proceed to fhew how Merallsmaybce 
 yet further mortified. Firft therefore of Iron, know ^ ^^^ ^^^i 
 that that is mortificd,and reduced into Crocus this preparation of 
 way. Make Steel into very thin plates : Make thefe ^^^'^"^ ^^^"^^ 
 places red hot, and quench them in the beft Wine- ^'^ 
 Vineger, doe this fo often til the Vineger hath con- 
 tra(5led aconfidcrable redncffe, then diftilof the Vi- 
 ncger, til there bee nothing but a dry powder re- 
 maining. This is a moft excellent Crocus Mar- 
 tis. 
 
 There is alfo another way of making Crocus 
 Martis, which doth partly exceed the former, and is 
 made vvitt firrc Icfie cofts , and pains , and it is 
 this. 
 
 Strow upon the plates of Steel , Sulphur, and 
 Tartar, being both in a like quantity 5 then reverbe- 
 rate them, and this wil produce a moft excel- 
 lent Crocus , which muft bee taken off from the 
 plates. 
 
 Alfo you muft know, that every plate of Iron, 
 or Steel, ifit bee melted with Aquafertis-^ will alfo 
 make a very fair Crocusj fo alfo it is made with oylc 
 ofVitriall, fpirit of Salt, Allum water, the water 
 of Salt Armoniacke, and of Salt Nitre*, as alfo 
 with fublimated Mercury, all which raortific Iron, 
 and bring it into a Crocus 5 but none of thefe 
 latter wayes is to bee compared to the two for* 
 mer, for they arc only ufcd in Alchymie, and 
 not at all in Phyficke 5 wherefore in this , ufe 
 only the two former, and let alone the reft. 
 
 Thfr 
 
4^ OfthelfatHreofthingu Lib. VJ 
 
 Thcmortifica- Thc mortification of Coppcr,'u/;{. that it maybe 
 non ©t op- j-^^y^^^ jpi^^ Vitriall, Verdcgreafc , may bee done 
 many vvayes,and there are more proccfles in it, yet 
 The Vitriall one far better then another, and one more profitable 
 madc'mo" '^ ^^^^ another. Wherefore it is moft convenient here to 
 ivaycs. fetdown thcbeft, and mofl: profitable, and to bee 
 
 filent in the reft.The beft therefore^the moft eafy^and 
 cxa(5teft way of reducing Copper into Vitriall is this. 
 Let plates of Copper bee dipt in fpirit of ^alt^ 
 orSalt-Petre, and let them bee hanged in the Aire 
 until they begin to be grccn,which indeed wil quick* 
 ty be, wafii off this greenncffe with cleer fountainc- 
 water, dry the plates with fome cloath,and wet them 
 again with the fpirit of 5alt, and 5alt Nitre, and do 
 again as before, fo^long until the water bee appa* 
 rently green, or much Vitriall fwim on the top .* 
 then poure away the water, or evaporate it,and thou 
 haft a mofl excellent Vitriall for medicine In Al« 
 chymie there is not a fairer, more excellent, and bet- 
 ter Vitriall then what is m«de by Aqui fortis, or A- 
 qua regis, or fpirit of 5alt Armoniackc. And the pro- 
 ccfTeisthis. 
 
 Let plates of Copper be melted with one of the a- 
 forefaid watcrs,&as toon as the greenefs is extracted, 
 and the plates dryedjlet the greenefs be taken off with 
 the foot of a Hare,or fome other way as you plcafe, 
 as Cerufe is taken offfrom the plates of Lead : let 
 them bee again wetted as before, until the plates bee 
 wholly confumcd, thereby is made a moft glorious 
 Vitriall , that thou canft not choofe but wonder at 
 it. 
 
 SrpmTand '^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^' P^^ific, and 
 Sak-armoni- powdcr itj aftcrwaids difTolve it of it felfe in a blad- 
 
 ackismade. jj^j; 
 
L I B* V . . Of the Nature of things; ^t 
 
 bladder, put in boyling water. So thou flialt have 
 the water of Sale Petre. 
 
 The water of Salt Armoniackc is made thus: Cal- 
 cine Salt Artnoniack , and difTolvc it in a Cellar 
 upon a Marble, and this is water of Salt Armoni- 
 ack. 
 
 But to make Verdegreaieoutof Coppcr^therearcVeidcgrcaf^c 
 divers wayes which it is not needful here to recite, "^,^y''^"^'^*^ 
 Wee fliall defcribe only two^but with a double pre- '^^° ^*^*^^* 
 paration, i//^. The one for Phyfickc , the other for 
 Alchymie. The procelTc therefore of Verdcgrcafe 
 to be ufed in Phy fie k is this , 
 
 Ta^v'C plates of Copper, which wet over with the ^°J7to tT 
 following matter. Take Honey, and Vincgcr> oi Ifed in°pby- 
 each a like quantity, of Salt as much as wil fcrvc to ^'"^^ '^ '° ^ 
 make them up into a thick pad. Mixcthem well to- ^"^^^^ 
 gcther, then put them into a reverberatory, or Pot- 
 ters furnace folong as the Potter isburnifig his pots, 
 and thou ilialt fee the matter that i^ickcs to the 
 plates to bee very bkck,butlct not that trouble thee. 
 For li thou fcttcll: thofe plates in the Aire , all the 
 black matter wil in a few days become grtcn , and 
 become a moft excellent Verdegreafc, wliich may 
 bee called the Balfome of Copper, and is commen- The Balfomof 
 ^cd by all Pliyfitians. But nevenhelefle do not ihou ^opP*^'^- 
 wonder that this Verdegreafc becomes green in the 
 Aire, and that the Aire can change the bi2A:k colour 
 into fo faim green. 
 
 For here thoumuft know that daily experience in Ahc cbangeth 
 Alchyniic-doth ihcw, that any dead earth, or Caput ^^^. Colours of 
 3/tfrr««/w,as foon as it comes out of the Fire into the ^'""^^ '^^* 
 Alre,dorh quickly gctanother colour, and leaves its 
 own coloni' which It got in the fire. For the changes 
 
 Ff V 
 
^i Of the Nature oftbingf^ L i b* V^^ 
 
 of thofe colours arc various. For as the matter is/o 
 are the colours that are made, although for the moft 
 part they flow from theblacknefle oft he dead earth. 
 For you that are skilful in Alchymie fee that the dead 
 earth of yif^«^/<3r/;^ comes black from the Fire, and 
 by how many more ingredients there bee in it , 
 by fo much the more variouily doe the colours 
 Ihevv themfelves in the Aire.- fometimes they .feem 
 red J as Vitriall makes them .• (ometimes yellow , 
 white, green, blew : fometimes mixt,as in the Rain- 
 bow, or Peacocks taile. All thofe cololours fliew 
 themfelves after the death, and by the death of 
 the matter. For in the death of all naturall 
 things here- arc (ben other colours, which are chan- 
 ged from the firft colour into other colours5every ona 
 according to its nature, and property. 
 The preparati- '^ow wc wil fpcak of that Verdcgreafc which is to 
 on of Verde- bee ufcd in Alchymie. The preparation, and proccfls 
 
 ^, !" ^ ^' Make very thin phtes of Copper, flrow upon them 
 Salt, Sulphur, and Tartar ground, and mixed to^cs 
 ther, of each a like quantity in a great calcining pot* 
 Then reverberate them twenty foure boures^ with a 
 ftrong Fire, but fo that the plates of Copper do not 
 melt, then take them outjand breafe the pot^ and fet 
 the plates with the matter that flicks to them into 
 '*■■ thcAire forafewdayes, and the matter upon tlic 
 
 plates wil bee turned into a faire Vcrdegreafe, which 
 in all fliarp Corroding waters, waters of Exaltation, 
 and in Cements,3nd in colouring of Gold,doth tinge 
 
 How X.^ V' Gold,and Silver with a moil deep colour. 
 
 ftum, orCia- ^q^^ ^q ^.^.j^g Coppcr into JBs uftum^ which 
 
 ^"to be mad?" is called the Crecu^ of Copper^ the procefTc is 
 this, Let 
 
L I B^V. Of the Nature of things; 4 j 
 
 Let Copper be made into thin plates,- and be fmee- 
 red over with Salt made into a paft with the bcft Vi- 
 neger, then let it be put into a great CrucibJc, and 
 fet in a wind furnace, and be burnt in a ftrong Fire 
 for a quarter of an houre^ but fo that the plates melt 
 not .• let thefc plates being red hot bee quenched in 
 Vineger, in which Salt Armoniack is dilTblved ,31-. 
 waies half an ounce in a pint of Vineger* let the plates 
 bee made red hot again^and quenched in Vineger as 
 before, al waies fcraping, or knocking offthe fcales 
 which ftick to the plates after quenching, into the 
 Vineger. Do this fo long, until the plates of Copper 
 bee m good part confumcd by this means : then diftil 
 off the Vineger, or let it vapour away in an open 
 veflel, and bee coagulated into a mofl hard ftonc. So 
 thou haft the beft Crocus of Copper, the ufe whereof 
 is in Alchymie .Many make Crocus of Copper by ex- 
 trading of it with the fpirit of Wine, or Vineger, as 
 they d'o Crocus Mart is : But I commend this way far 
 above ir. 
 
 Now the mortification of Quickfilvcr that ic may The rubljmati.' 
 bee fublimed, is made with Vitriall, and Salt, with ^^f^°//^^^^- ' 
 which it is mixed,and then fublimcd, fb it becomes 
 as hard as Cryftall^and as white as fnow.-but to bring 
 it to a Precipitatc,thc procefTe is this: 
 
 Let it firft be calcined with the h^^Aquafortis^xhtn f ^^t p'"-^ 
 diftil offthe Aquafortis^ and do this about fi\'^ times, tac DiaphoK 
 until the Precipitate become to bee of a fairc red co- "caiu 
 lour : Dulcifie this precipitate as much as thou canft;. 
 And laftly poure upon it the bcft rectified fpirit of 
 Wine you can get,diftil it off from it eight , or nine 
 times, or fo often until it be red hot in the fire,and , i 
 
 doe not fly : then thou haft a Diaphoretical precipita- 
 ted Mercury, rfz Moreover 
 
4# Of fht KdtHre of things; Li ^y 1 
 
 How to make Morcovcr, you muft take notice of a great ftcrct 
 
 pitater ^"^ concerning precipitated Mercury, w^.if after it i^ 
 
 coloured, it bee dulcified with water otTalt of Tartar, 
 
 pouring it upon it,and diftilling of it off fo often, until 
 
 the water rifeth no more iharp from tlie Precipitate, 
 
 butbcemanifcftlyfweec-, then thou hall a precipi- 
 
 ■Attd tbc ufe of tate as fweet as fugar, or honey , which in all wounds, 
 
 *' Ulcers^and Venereal Difeafe is fo excellent a fecret , 
 
 that no Phyfitian need defirc a better. 
 
 Befidesitis a great comfort to defpairing Alehy- 
 mifts. For it doth augment Gold , and hath ingrcfte 
 into Gold ^ and with it Gold remaincs liable, and 
 good. Although there is much pains,ar.d fweat requi- 
 red to this Precipitate, yet it wil Sufficiently recom- 
 penfe thee for thy pains^and coftsj and wil yecld thee 
 more gain, then can bee got by any Art or Trade 
 whatfoevrr ; Thou maift wel therefore rejoice in this,. 
 aftd give God, and mee thanks fork. 
 How Quick- t>^ow that Quickfilv^r may bee coagulated , ' I faid 
 C^agSaiS? that that mufl bee done in fliarp>i^«rf/<?m/, which 
 muft bee drawn off by Diftillation, and then the Pre- 
 How Qjickiii- cipitate is made. But that Quick{ilver may bee 
 ^""d^^Cn ^^^^S'^^ into a Cinnabar;youmuilfir(lmortific,and 
 n"bar, ' ' mclt it with Salt, ^snd ycllow Sulphur, and bring it 
 into a white powder, then put ir in a gourd, and pu^ 
 upon it Alud«l,or head, and fublime it in the greatcfl' 
 :fiux you can,as the manner is, fo the Cinnabar will 
 afcend into the Aludel, and ftick as hard as the Itone 
 Hematites, 
 There arc two The mortification of Lead to bring it to a Ccrufe^ 
 Wrifcof Cc- is twofold^ the one for Medicine,ihc other for Al- 
 ^hcVreparati- ^hymk. The preparation of Ccrulcfior Mcdicmeis^ 
 
 Hang 
 
JLisWr O/theNamreofthiftgil 45 
 
 Hang plates of Lead in a glazed pot over ftrc||g 
 Winc-vincgcr, the pot being we^ ft opt that tlic,/^ 
 rirs doe not exhale : put this pot into warm aflK§i ^ 
 in the Winter into a furnace, then ahvaies after ten or 
 fourteen daycs, thou (halt find very goqd Ceri^ 
 kicking to the plates, which ftrike off with the f^o^ 
 of a Hare : then put the plates over the Vineger ag^in, 
 untill thou haft enough Ccrufe. 
 
 Now the other preparation of Cerufe fpr Alchy- 
 mieis like the former,, only that in the Vinisgcr nFj^fl: 
 bee diflblved a good quantity of the beft, and (aireft 
 SaltArmoniack,forby this means thou flialt pm> 
 chafe a moftfaire, and beautifiill Cerure,for the pur- 
 ging of rinne, and Lcad,andthe whitening pf^'op- 
 
 per ., ; .;:..:■!:: :;/;; 
 
 But if wee would make Minium of Lea^^w^ ipuft 'raepi-eparatu 
 firft calcine it with Salt into Caljfjandthcn burn it k °" °^ L'^d"'" 
 a glazed vcifd, al waics ftirring k with an Iron rod^till °" ° 
 it be red. This is the bcit^and.clijefcft Minium,a,nd it 
 is to be ufcd as wel in Phylick as Alchyiig^e : but the 
 other which Mercers fell in their ll^ops is nothing 
 worth. It is madeonly of the ailxes,which4"ieEnaine of 
 t-he Lesd in the tnciting of ir^ivhlch .ilfo Pottery ufc 
 to glaZc their v^fTeite , and fuch Minium i^ \\^i 
 for Painting, but not for Phyfick€> or Alghy* 
 
 !v«ow that Leadmaybec brm^ht -into ycllojv- TheCrcxiisor 
 nefifj the preparation of it is noteUr^tfee to the pifcpa- ^*^* 
 ration of Minium. iFor Lead mii^ here be c^cined 
 with Salt, and brought to a Calx, and afterwards be 
 iVirred with an Iron rod ina Broad bafon,fuch as try- 
 crs of Mineralls ufe, in a gentle Fire of Coales> dili- 
 gently taking heed, that there be not to© much hcat> 
 
 Ff 5 nor 
 
j^ Ofthel^atHrefiftbmgsl Lib. "v, 
 
 ilfea ncglc«ft in ftirrmg, for elfe it will flow , and be- 
 
 X^mc a yellow glaflc. And lb cliou haft a fair, yellow 
 
 Kr$ctu of Lead. 
 
 How the The mortification of Si! ver,that of it may be made 
 
 Axuic Colour^tfie Azure colour , or fomcthm^ like to it , is 
 
 II made of j, ' o 3 
 
 filver* vhUS: 
 
 "Take plates of Silver,and mix them with Quickfil- 
 yer, and hang them in a glazed pot over the beft Vi- 
 neger,in which Gilt- heads hav^ been firft boilcd,and 
 afterward Salt Armoniack^ind calcined Tartar have 
 beendiifolved-, inallthe reft doe as hath been laid 
 of Ccriife^thenalwaies after fourteen days thou (halt 
 ha\^e amoft excellent, and faire Azure colour flick- 
 ing to the plates of Silver, which rauft be wiped off 
 with a Hares foot. 
 
 The Mortifis The Mortification of Gold that it may he brought 
 
 cauonofGoli.into itsAtcana, as into a Tinfture, Quintcffence, 
 Refine, Crocus, Vitriall, and Sulphur , and many 
 other excellent Arcana^ which preparations indeed 
 arc mmy. ^it becaufe for the moft part wee have 
 fnfficicntlytreatcdof fuch Arcana in other bookes, 
 as thecxtriftionof the Tindture of Gold, the Qyin- 
 tefTence of Gold, the Mercury of Gold, the Oilcof 
 Gold, Potable Gold,the Refint of Gold,the Crocus 
 of Gold, andinthe Archidoxis,andelfewhere, wee 
 conceive it needlefTe here to repeat them. But what 
 Arcana were there omitted, wee fhall here fet down, 
 As the Vitriallof Gold, Sulphur of Gold,which in- 
 deed are not the leaft, and ought very much to cheer 
 wp every Phyfitian. 
 
 But to extrad Vitriall out of Gold, the procefTe 
 is this. 
 
 Take 
 
L I B. V. Of the Natnre of things. 47 
 
 Take of pure Gold two, or three pound, which How the fui" 
 beat into thin plates, and hanging them over BoyS^^^j^Jj^n"^/^* ,; 
 urine, mixt with the flones of grapcs,in a large gouif^ Gold are made.* 
 glafle, well clofedjwhich bury in a hot heap of fio'nd^ 
 of Grapes, as they come from the prclle^ when it '»• 
 hath flood fourteen dayes,or three weeks, then open 
 it, and thou flialt find a moft fubtil colour, whicii is 
 the Vitriallof Goldftickingtothe plates ofGbld, 
 which take off with the foot ofa Hare,, as thou haft 
 beard concerning other Metalls -, as of the plates of 
 Iron, Crocus Martis, of the plates of Copper , the 
 Vitriall of Copper and yerdegrcafe,of the plates "of 
 Lead, Ccrufe, of the plates of Silver the Azure co- 
 lour, &c. comprehended under one proceffe, but not 
 with one manner of preparation. When thou haft 
 enough of the Vitriall of Gold ; boyle it well in 
 Rain-water diftilled,. alwaies ftirring it with a fpatic, 
 then the fulphur of the gold is driven up to the fupcr- 
 ficies of the water,as fat ,which take off with a fpoon; 
 Thus alto doe with more Vitriall.. "Niow after all 
 the Sulphur is taken off, evaporate thar'raine water 
 til it bee all dry, apd there will remajrfthe Vitriall 
 of Gold in the bottomc , which tKoo'lhaift eafily 
 diflblv.e of it fclfe .upon a marble; in amoiftplace. In 
 thefe two Arcana's, -y/^. the Vitriall of Gold, and 
 the Sulphur of Gold lies the Diaphoreticall vertue^ 
 I flial not here fct down their vertues*, for in the book 
 of Metallick Direafes,.and alfo in other b.ookes woe 
 have fet them down at large. 
 
 The mortification of Sulphur^thatthe combuftible 
 tind ftinking farnefTe may .bee taken away, and ir 
 brought into afixed fubftance , is thus? 
 
 Take 
 
48 
 
 00 and fixation 
 of Sttlphir. 
 
 The Mortifi- 
 cation of 
 Salts, 
 
 The Mortlfi: 
 cation of 
 Gcmmes. 
 
 The Mottlfij 
 cation of the 
 ioad-ftone. 
 
 The Mortifi- 
 cation of Hin: 
 and ftoncs. 
 1 he Mollifi- 
 cation of Miu 
 ^fites. 
 
 Ojth Nairn ^fthvigsl L n\ V ; 
 
 Takecoiiimon y^llOAt Sitbluvr finely powdered, 
 Snddraw fromitbydiftillation Aquafortis ^ that is 
 very (Inrp^and this doe three times, then the SuU 
 phur which is in the bottome of a black colour dnlci^ 
 fie with diftilled \^atef5 until the water come from it 
 f\veet,arld if (retains r.o more the ftink of Sulphur. 
 Then reverberate this Sulphur in a clofe reverberato- 
 ry as you doe Antimony, then it will firft be white, 
 then yellow,artd kftly as red as Cinnabar. And when 
 it is fo, then thdu maift rejoice .• For it is the begin- 
 ning of thy richesiThiS reverberated Sulphur tingeth 
 Silver mcA deeply into moft excellent Go!d,and the 
 body of MafHiito tnoft perfed health* This rcvci-bc- 
 raced, and fij^ed Sulphut is of more vtrtue then it is 
 lawfulltofpeak. 
 
 The mortification of all Salts, and wl-iatfoevcr is 
 faltifli, is the taking away, and diftilling off the 
 aquofity, and oylirtefleyand of the fpiritot them. For 
 if thefe be taken ^way,they are afterwards called the 
 Jdi^ad Eart1i,<5)r Cdftu Mcrtmm, 
 
 ThettKxtificfitionof G-em^nes, and Coralls, is 
 to cakifte, fubUn-je, and difTolve them into a liquor, 
 ias Oyftalk T he rnoi'tificatiofl of Pearls is to cakme 
 rhc«i,and 'di'ffolvt fhem in fliirp Vineger into the 
 Foi'm olMiUce. -■;'^' 
 
 The fnort:ifica'ti6rH)fthe Loadflone, is to anoint it 
 withtheo'yk of Mercury, or to ptit it into Qukk- 
 ^'K^^ir, fe -afterward it will not draw Iron at all 
 toit.' 
 
 Thb mortification of PlimSj and Stones , is to 
 
 ^ calcine theoT. V 
 
 The irorti'fication of Marcafires , Cachyma's, 
 
 ' Talke, Cobakus, Zinrl, Granuti^ZunitterjUnifmur, 
 
 and 
 
L1B4V4 OftbeDiamreofthmgil j^p 
 
 and of Antimony is their Sublimation , /. e, that 
 they bee fublimed with Salt, and Vitriall, then their 
 life which is a Metallick fpirit, together with the fpi- 
 ritof Salt^afcends. And let whatfocver remains 
 in the bottome of the Sublimatory , bee waflied , 
 that the Salt may bee diHolved Irom it, and then 
 thou haft a dead Earth, in which there is no vertuc. 
 
 The mortification of Arfenickes, Auripigmenr, The Mortifi- 
 Operment, Realgar, &c. is, that they flow wirh Salt "tion ot Real- 
 Nitre, and bee turned into an Oyl,or Liquor upon a ^^'^* 
 Marble, and be fixed. 
 The mortification of 5xcremcnts,*is the coagulati- *rhe Mortifi- 
 
 On of Aire. aem^ms'"'' 
 
 The mortification of Aromaticall things is the ta- xhe^Mortifi- 
 Icing away of their good fmell. <^^"o" of Aro. 
 
 The mortification of fweet things, is to fublimc Sf Swcet'"^** 
 and diftill them with corrofivc things. things. 
 
 The mortification of AmberSjReiiineSjTurpentine, Of Refines. 
 Gummc,and fuch like,is to turn them into Oyle, and 
 Verniili. 
 
 The mortification of Hearbs, Roots, and fuch like, of Hearbsand 
 is todiftil off from them their oyle, and water , and ^^°"* 
 prcfTe out their liquor with a prellc, and alfo to make 
 their Alcali. 
 
 The mortification of Wood, is to tiirne it into Of Wood; 
 Coalcs,and Allies.- 
 
 The mortification of Bones, is their Calcination. Of Bones. 
 
 The mortification of Flefli, and Blood, is the ta- of Flefh. 
 king away of the fpirit of Salt. 
 
 The mortification of Water is by Fire,for all heat Of Water. 
 dries up, and confumes water. 
 
 The mortification of Fire is by Water, for all Wa- Of Fire. 
 ter, qucnchcth Firc,and takes from it itspower,and 
 force. Gg So 
 
•^ci Of th't nature of thingr^ Lib^V. 
 
 So now you are fufEcicntly inftruded in few 
 words how death lyes hid in all naturall things , and 
 how they may be mortified, and bee brought into 
 another form^and nature,and what vertues ftow from 
 them. Whatfoevcr fliould have been faid further,\ve 
 put in the following book, of the Refurredtion of Na- 
 tural! things. 
 
 O F 
 
Lib. VI. 51 
 
 s& lilL s^ tis ate tie Jtt ^ ^ Ste i)&! ^- ib $S(i tgit t&t ib s(to ^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V R E 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THE SIXTH BOOJiT; 
 
 . Of the Refum&ion of Naturall 
 things. 
 
 H E RefurrcifiionjancI renewing of Natu- The raifo*^ 
 rail things,is not the leaft,bat a profound, a^ain of"" 
 and great fecret in the Nature of things, Jjj-^"^^^*' 
 and rather Divine, and Angelicall , then ^ ^^^' 
 Humane, and Naturall. 
 
 I defireto bee here undcrftood with great diftin- 
 <5lion, and no otherwife then my opinion is , and 
 Nature doth daily, and manifeilly (hew, and experi- 
 ence make good^ left I Ihould bee expofcd to the lies, 
 
 G g 2- and 
 
52 OJ the Nature ofthifigsl L ib^ VI^ 
 
 and flanders of Mountebankes, my enemies ( which 
 doe coaftruc all that I doe in the worft fenfe ) as it I 
 would ufurp the Divine power, and attribute this to 
 Nature , which fliee was never able to performe-* 
 Wherefore wee muft cautioully confiderthat there is 
 Death is two< a twofold Death, i^/:(. violent, and voluntary. The 
 -° - one can raife a thing again, the other not.Wherefore, 
 
 doe not beleeve thofc Sophillers that fay, that a thing 
 that is once dead, or mortified, can never bee raifed 
 again,and that make no account of refufcitarion,and 
 rcftaurationofthingSywhlch error indeed of theirs is 
 not the lea{l. And indeed it is true, that whatfoevcr 
 dyeth, or perifheth with a natural! dcvith, and what 
 Nature mortifies by reafon of her predeftination, 
 God alone can raife again, or muft of necefliry bee 
 done by his command : fo whatfoever Nature de- 
 What things ftroyes, Man cannot reftore again. But whatfoever 
 Snt "^^''^ Mandeftroyes heecan reftore again^and being rcfto- 
 '^ ' red fpoil a^ain , and Man hath no further power of 
 
 bimleik, and if hee fhould attempt to doe any thing 
 more, hee would arrogate the power of God to him- 
 felfe, and yet hee would labour in vain, and be con- 
 founded, unlcfle God did afTift him , or hee had fo 
 much faith as to remove mountains .• Even to fuch a 
 man, this is polTible, and greater things then this. 
 Becaufe the Scripture faith, and CErift himfelfc 
 fpake it. If thouhaft faithasa grain of Muftard- 
 fced, and faift unto this Mountaine, Goeand 
 bee removed thither, and it fhall bee removed, and 
 all things beepolTibie tothee, and nothing impof- 
 fible. 
 
 But to return to ourpurpofe, what difference then 
 there is betwixt dying , and being mortified, and 
 
 which. 
 
LiB^^VI. Ofthe Nature of things; 51 
 
 which of thefe may be raifed again, fo thcfe are to 
 bee iindcrftood. Whatfoever naturally dies hath 
 its end by prcdeftination, and fo the will and ordi- 
 nation of God permits. Yet it happens that this is JJf^^'^j'oJ'^^*^^^ 
 alfo done by divers difeafeSjand variouscafuakics,and fed againc. 
 this can never be raifed again,neithcr is there any pre- 
 Icrvativeto bee ufed againft prcdeftination, and the 
 naturall term of life. But that which is mortified^ 
 may bee both raifed again, and revived, which may 
 bee proved by divers arguments,which «vceihall fet 
 down in the end of this book. 
 
 Wherefore there is a great difference betwixt dy- it is one thing^ 
 ing,and being mortified, neither muftthey bee taken ^^ i^y^^"«^ °-. 
 for one, and the fame things, under the fame name. J^fj^o^rtS; 
 For in the very example they are far different. For. ^ 
 look upon a man that dies a naturall, and predeflina- 
 ted death, what further jgood, or profit is therein 
 him.'' Nothing, hee is only caft into the earth to 
 worms. For hee is a ftinking carkaffe , and due co 
 the earth* 
 
 But the fame is'not to be underflood of a man that 
 is llain with a fword, ordicsbyfome fuch like vio- 
 lent death. For his whole body is profitable, and 
 good, and may bee prepared into a mofl pretious 
 Mummie. For although the fpirit of life went out of 
 fuch a body, yet the balfomc in which lies the life 
 r;mains,which indeed doth as balfome prefervc other 
 mens bodies. 
 
 So you may fee in Metalls, when a Metall is about 
 todie,it begins to bee overcome with rufl, and as 
 much as is thus overcome, is dead: and when all the 
 Metall is devoured with rufl, it is all dcad,and fuch a 
 riift can never bcQ reduced into true Metall againe, 
 
 0^$ but 
 
t± OftbelslatHireoftbingf. LrB.VI. 
 
 but it becomes only drolTe, and not a Metall. For it 
 it is dead , and death is in it , neither hath it any 
 moL-e ballbme of life , but is quite dcftroycd in it 
 felfe. 
 The'differeacc -^q^jj ^[^^ Q^^i^ of Mctalls, and their afhes arc two 
 
 oIxoVmc- things : And chece is a great difference betwixt thefc 
 tails, and thcii two,for onc may be revived, and brought back again 
 aihes. jj^^Q ^ Metall, but the other not .• the one is volatile, 
 
 the other fixed , the one died , the other morti- 
 fied. 
 What the A- The Aflies is volatile, and cannot be brought back 
 fiKs of Mecalls j^to a Metall, Only into glafTe , and droflc : but the 
 **' Calx of Metals is fixed , and may be be brought back 
 
 into its own Metall. 
 What the But to undciftaud the difference , and the caufc^ 
 
 Calx of M«- i^i^ovv, that in the Allies there is IcfTe fatnefle , and 
 more drynefle then in the Calx, which indeed makes 
 it fluxil : but the Calx is farter, and moifter , then 
 the Allies, and doth ftill retain its refine,and fluxible- . 
 ncfs, and efpecialiy the Salt, nvhich naturally is fluxil, 
 and makes Metalls flow, and reduceth them. Hence 
 now it follows, that the Salt muit bee extraded out 
 of the Alhes of Metals,that they may not be brought 
 back into a Metal,then they are per tcdJy volatile^and 
 this difference, and this claufe is chiefly to bee taken 
 notice of, for much depends upon it. 
 The crrours of for amongft Mountcbankes tiiis is no finall error, 
 ^^nTrnSf '' who in flcad of Potablc Gold , the QuintcfTence of 
 Gold. ^ Gold3TindureofGold,&c. have given to men an 
 impure Calx of Gold,not conlideringthc difference, 
 2nd evill that follows upon it. For there are two re- 
 markable, and necelTary things to be taken notice of 
 here, v/Z. 
 
 ^ Firft, 
 
L I B^VI. Of the nature of things^ 5 5 
 
 Firltj that Gold calcined, or powdered, if it be gi- 
 ven to Men, is gathered into one heap in the tlo- 
 mach, or goeth forth again with the diing,and fo it is 
 taken in vain, without doing any good: or that which 
 is reduced by the great inward heat in mans body, 
 it gilds over, and makes hard in a cruft, both the 
 bowells, and ftomach, by rcafon of which the con- 
 co(^ion of the ftomach is hindred, whence many, and 
 various fickneffes follow , and at length death it 
 felfe. 
 
 As you have heard of Gold, fo alfo naufl: it bee When Mcul- 
 underftood of all the other Metalls , 'vi\. that you l^l^^ bc'ukca 
 take not any MtidWidi Arcanum , or Medicine into inwardly. 
 your body, unlefle it bee firft made volatikjanditbe 
 reduced into noMetall. 
 
 Wherefore the firft degree , and beginning to How to make 
 prepare Potable Gold is this :fo may fuch a Volatile jjfff^'^j^ljr 
 bee afterwards diflblved in fpirit of Wine,that both ducible. 
 may afcend together, bee made volatil, infepa-able. 
 And as you prepare Gold, fo may you alfo prepare 
 potable D "i cf ¥ T? and 5 . 
 
 But to return to our purpofe, let us prove by exam- The raifing a- 
 ples, and fufficientreafons, that things mortified arc ^^*^'J^°Jj'^'"S' 
 not dead, and forced to abide in death, but may bee Ihrwhdpes oi 
 reduced, raifed again, and revived, and this truly by » Lyon, 
 man, and according to the courfe of Nature. Yoii^ 
 fee Lions how all of them are brought forth dead, 
 and firft of all are made alive by the horrible roa- 
 ring of their Parents, as one that is afleep is raifed 
 with a noife, fo alfo arc Lions raifed , not that they How LyoAs 
 arc thus afleep. ( for they which fleep a naturall fleep J^JJJ^f^ --*^* 
 muft of necelfity rife again, which the Lions of 
 thcmfclves doc nott ) For if they were not raifed 
 
 by 
 
56 Of the nature ofthingsl LiB.VI J 
 
 by this roaring, they would remain dead , and life 
 would never bee perceived in them. Whcereforcit 
 is apparent, that by this roaring they receive their 
 life. 
 The reviving So alfo you fee in all Animalls which are not ingen- 
 of desd Flicst ^^^^^^ but proceed from putrefadion, as Flies,which 
 if they bee drowned in water, that no life at all is 
 perceived in thcm,and if they were fo lefr,they would 
 continue dead , and never return to life of them- 
 felves any more. But it you caft fait upon them^and 
 put them in the warme Sunne , or behind a warme 
 furnace, they will recover their former life, and 
 this truly is a railing of them up againe. For if 
 this were not done, they would continue dead for 
 ever. 
 The ecnerati- So alfo you fee in a Serpentiif hee be cut into pie- 
 on of many ^^5^ and the fc piecesput into a gourd glaffe, and 
 -"^*"° °"^' bee putrefied in Horfe-dung, the whole Serpent 
 will become living againe in the glaffe, in the 
 form either of Worms, or fpawn of Fifhes. And if 
 fhofe Wormes bee in a fitting manner brought out 
 of putrcfa(ftion,and nouriflied, many hundred Ser- 
 pents will be bred out of one berpent,whereof every 
 one will be as big as the firfl- which is done only by 
 putrefadiorh. And as it is faid of the Serpent, fo 
 alfo many other Animalls maybe raifed,and reftored 
 again. 
 |/(jr«f/,an(^ According to this proccffe Hermes , and Virgil 
 ^onfl'o raf "' ^^^e attempted fby the affiftance of Necromancy )to 
 thcmfelvcs af- rencw , and raife rhemfelves after death, and to bee 
 tcr Death, ^or n again as infants, but it fuccecded not according 
 to their purpofe. 
 
 But 
 
L I B^VI. Of the Nature of things: ^J 
 
 But to omit examples, and fall upon the Praxis of '^^.^ ^fj^J^' 
 Rcfurredion, and Reftauration, it is ncccfTary , and JSs uuvofofd' 
 mod convenient to begin with Mctalls , forafmuch 
 as Metalline bodies do oftentimes refemble Mens 
 bodies. 
 
 Wee muft know therefore, that the Refur- Tjie rediidng 
 re(aion5and Reftauration of Metalls is twofold. The t^ (^Sciii* ' 
 one which doth reduce calcined Mcralls into their ver, 
 fiift Metallickbody •• the other which doth reduce 
 Metalls into their firft matter , i.e. into Quickfil- 
 ver. 
 
 The procelTe of the latter is this : Calcine a Metall 
 with common Quickfilver , put this Calx , and as 
 much Quickfilver into a Sublimatory, and let them 
 ftand fo long till both be coagulated into an Amal- 
 gama-, then fublime the Mercury from the Calx,then 
 grind it again with the Mctallick Calx,and fublime it 
 as beforCjthis do fo often, till the Metallick Calx fhal 
 over a candle melt like wax, or ice, and then it is well 
 done. Put this Metall in digeftion for a timc,and it wil 
 all be turned into Quickfilver,/. f .into its firft matter, 
 which Mercury of Metalls is indeed called the Mer- 
 cury of Philofophers, which many Alchymills have 
 fought afteir , but few have found. Now after 
 this manner may Quickfilver bee prepared out of 
 all Met alls, ^'/:{; 9 aurt^ i) 2 cf ¥ b. 
 
 Now theraifingagnin, orrefloring of coagulated The rcduaioh 
 Mercury is done by diftillation in a retort : for °^/ u^^l'^l^^n' 
 Qoicklilver alone afcends mto cold water, the Afiies purging oti^, 
 of '^ 2 or Sulphur being left behind. 
 
 Now the raifing again, or reftauration of Mercury 
 fublimedjis done in leething hotwater;but it muft firft 
 be ground very fmaiyo the hot water wil feperates it 
 
 H h from 
 
58 Of the Kaiure of things^ L i b^ Vl, 
 
 from it the fpirit of Salt,andVitrialI, which it car- 
 ries up wi'h. itjthe quickfilver running in the bottome 
 of the water. Now if this Quickfilver fhall be again 
 fublimed with Salt,andVitriall, and revived againe 
 in Hot water , and this done fcvcn , or eight 
 times , it can never bee better purged , and re- 
 newed. 
 
 . And this may bee kept for a great fecret In Alchy- 
 mie^and Phylick, and be much rejoiced in. For 
 by this means all the impurity, biackneflc , and poi- 
 fonoufnelTej is taken away. 
 The leduaion Mcrcury calcined can never bee reftored againe 
 of calcined and without fublimation-, for unlefTe it be fublimed after 
 McmiryT'^ calcination^itwiUnever'bce revived, wherefore thou 
 "^ ihalt fitft fublime it, and then reduce it as other Sub- 
 
 limate. 
 
 The rcfufcitation of Azure CAnnzhOiX^Aurnm viu, 
 alfo of Prccipitate,that they may bee reduced into 
 Quickfilver is thus: 
 
 Take either of thefe, grind it fmall upon a marble, 
 make it up into a paft with the white of anegge , and 
 fopcthcn make pills of the bignefs of Filbeards, 
 which put into a ftrong earthen gourd , upon the 
 mouth of it put a plate of Iron,with many littlt holes 
 in it, and lute it on^and diftill it per defcei^fum with 
 a ffrong fire , fo that it may fall into cold wa- 
 ter^and thou flialt have the Quickfilver again. 
 The renewing Kow the refufcitation^^^and refioring of Wood is 
 tZTu '^'''liard, and difficult, yet poffible to Nature, but 
 without much skilfulnefs , and induftry it can ne- 
 ver bee done : But to revive it , the procellc is 
 this:. 
 
 Take 
 
L I B4 VI. Of the Nature of things^ ij^ 
 
 Take Wood which muft firft bcc a Code, then 
 Aihes, which put into a gourd together with the Re- 
 fine, Liq'jor, and Oylc of that tree , of each a like 
 weight, mingle them , and melt them with a foft 
 hear, and there will bee a mucilaginous matter, and 
 fo thou haft the three Principl<*^i (!^ Which all things 
 are produced, and generated, i//:(. flegm, fatncfle, 
 and Afhes. 
 
 TheFiegmis Mercury, the Fat is Sulphur, the Theflegmeof 
 Aihes is Salt. For whatfoever fumes, and e- ^^)^^°°'^ ^^ "* 
 vaporates in the Fire is Mercury : wnatfoevcc fat hSphur, 
 flames , and is burnt is Sulphur, and all Aihcs is ^^.^ ^^^^ "s 
 Salt. . ^ ^^^• 
 
 Nowfceingthouhaftthefe three Principles toge- 
 ther, put them in Horfe-dung, and putreiie them for 
 a time. If afterward that matter bee put in, and buri- 
 ed in fat ground,thou ihalt fee it live again,and a little 
 tree fpring from thence, which truly in vertue is farrc 
 more excellent then the former. This Tree or Wood 
 is, and is called Regenerated Wood , renewed, and 
 reftored, which from the beginning was Wood, but 
 mortified,deftroyed, and brought into coalcs,afhes* 
 and almoft to nothing, and yet out of that nothing is 
 made, and renewed. This truly in the light of Na- 
 ture is a great myftery, fi:^ that a thing, which had 
 utterly lofi: its form, and was reduced to nothing, 
 fliould recover its form , and of nothing bcc made 
 fomething, which afterward becomes much more 
 excellent in vertue, and efficacy then it was at 
 firft. • ' 
 
 But to fpeake generally of the Refurredion , and Aigencvali rule 
 Reftauration of Naturall things,you muft know,that J^f "^^ ^^"1 °^ 
 the chicfeft foundaticHi here,is,that that bee rcftored ' ^"^^ '^*^"'^- 
 
 Hh 2 10 
 
^o Ofthe Nature of things^ LibAL' 
 
 to every thing,and made to'agree with it, which was 
 . taken from it in mortification, and fcparatcd from it, 
 which is hard to bee here fpecifically explained. 
 Wherefore wee (hall conclude this book , and (hall 
 fpeak of thefe things more at large in the next book. 
 Concerning the tranfmutations of natural! things. 
 
 OF 
 
LiB.VIl. 
 
 6i 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V R E 
 
 Of Things. 
 THE SEVENTH BOOK^ 
 
 Of the Trdnfmntation of Naturall 
 things. 
 
 V wee write of the Tranfmutation of all 
 Naturall things, it is fit,and nccefTary that 
 in the firft place wee fhew what Tranfmu- 
 tation is. Secondly, what bee the degrees 
 to it. Thirdly, by what Medium's, and how it is 
 done. 
 
 ^ Tranfmutation therefore fs, when a thing lofeth ^ytatiln^sf' 
 its form, and is fo altered, that i t is altogether unlike 
 toitsforraerfub^anc€,andform, but: alTumcs ano-, 
 
 Hh3 thct 
 
Si Of the Nature ftftbtftgsl Lib. VII. 
 
 thcr form, another efTcnce, another colour, another 
 vertuCj another nature, or property, as if a Mctaii bee 
 madeglaffejorftonc .-ifaftonebeemadeacoale : if 
 wood be made a coal;clay be made a ftone,or a brick: 
 a skin bee madegleW ; c!oth bee made paper, and 
 manyfuchJik-c things. All thefe arc Tranfmutati- 
 ons of Naturall things. 
 There arc After thisjit IS Very nectfTary alfo to know the de- 
 
 dcg'^fs'of''^'^ grees to Tranfmutatlon, and how many they be. And 
 tranfmutati- thcy are no Riore then feven.- For although many 
 ?^' doe reckon more, yet there are no more but feven, 
 
 which are princtpalljand the reft may bee reckoned 
 betwixt the degrees, being comprehended under 
 thofe fevcn : And they arc thefe. 
 
 Calcination , Sublimation , Solution , 
 ^utnfaSiion , Dijlillation , Coagulation , 
 TinBure* 
 
 If any one will climbethat Ladder, he fliall come 
 intoa moft wonderfull place, that hee iliall fee, and 
 have experience of many fccrets in the Tranfmutation 
 of Naturall things. 
 
 The firft degree therete« is Calcination , under 
 which alfo are comprehended Reverberation, and 
 What Calci, Omcntation. For betwixt tliefc there is but little 
 itskmVarcr difference as for matter of Calciriation : Wherefore 
 it is here the chicfeft degree. For by Reverberation; 
 and Cc4ticnt^ibii, many corporcall things are calci- 
 ned, and brougk into Alftes^and efpccially Metalls, 
 Now what is calcined is not any further reverberated^ 
 Or cemented. 
 
 By Calcination tlicrefore all Metalls , MincrallSi 
 Stottes, Glafle, &;c. and all corporeal! things arc 
 
 made 
 
Lib. VII. 0/ the Nature of thingr. tfj 
 
 made a Coal, and Afhes5and this is done by a naked 
 ftrong Fire with blowing , by which all tenacious, 
 foft, and fat earth is hardened into a ftone, Alfo all 
 ftones arc brought into a Calx^as wee fee in a Potters 
 furnace of lime, and brickcs. 
 
 Sublimation is the fccond degree, and one of the 
 moft principall for the Tranfmutation of many Na- Il^a^on^isfJd 
 turall things .-under which is contained Exaltation^ its kinds, 
 Elevation, and Fixation-, and it is not much unlike 
 Diltillation. For as in Diftillation the water afcends 
 from all flegmatick, and watery things ; and is fepa- 
 rated from its body^ fo in Sublimation, that which 
 is fpirituall is raifed from what is corporeall , and is 
 fubtilized, volatile from fixed,and that in dry things, 
 as are all Mineralls^and the pure is fcparated from the 
 impure. 
 
 Befides Sublimation, many good vertues , and 
 wondcrfuU things are found out in Minerails , and 
 many thingsare made fixed, and become conft 5 nt, 
 fb as to abide in the Fire, and that in this manner^ 
 
 Let that which is fublimed be ground, and mixed 
 with its feces, and bee againe fublimed as before, 
 which mufl bee done folong, till it will no longer 
 liiblime,but all will remaine together in the bottom, 
 and bee fixed. 
 
 So there will bee afterward a ftone, and oylc when 
 and as oft as thoupleaieft,i//^. if thou puttcft it a- 
 into a cold place, or in the aire in a Glafs. 
 For there it will prefently bee difTolved into J^*'^^^^^^'?.^ 
 an Oyle. And if thou putted it againe into the into a ftone] , 
 fire, it will againe bee coagulated into a Stone 
 of wonderfull , and great vertue. Keep this as 
 a great (tctct > and myftery of Nature , neither 
 
 difcovcx: 
 
<► 4 Of the Nature of tmngf» L r b. vil , 
 
 difcover it to Sophifters. Morc^over, as in Sub- 
 limation many Cot roiivc things are made fwcct in 
 the conjun«5tion of two matters, (o on the contrary, 
 many fweet things are made Corrofivc •• many fwcet 
 vhin?s are made fowre, harfli, or bitter-, and on the 
 confrary, many bitter things as fweet as Sugar. 
 Rules concer- Y{txQ, alfo wec muft take notice, that every Metal 
 monUck! ^" which is brought into Sublimation by Salt Armo- 
 niack, may afterward in the cold, or in the aire bee 
 brought into an oyle, and againe bee coagulated 
 into a ftone in the Fire, which indeed is one of 
 the chiefeft, and greateft Tranfmutations inallna- 
 turall things, vi"^, to tranfmute Mctall into a 
 Stone. 
 Whac Solution jj^^ ^j^lj.^ degree is Solution, under which are to 
 
 kinds. to bee underftood DifTolution, and Refolution, 
 
 and this degree doth moft commonly follow 
 Sublimation, and Diflillation, vi\, that the 
 matter be refolvcd which remain^sin the bottomc. 
 How Solution is twofold : the one of Cold, 
 the other of Heat 5 the one without Fire, the 
 other in Fire. 
 
 A cold diflblution diflblves all Salts, all Corrofive 
 things,& all calcined things* What foever is of a Salt, 
 and Corrofive quality, is by it dilTolved into Oyle 
 Liquor, or Water. And this is in a moiO, cold cel- 
 lar, or elfe in the Aire on a marble, or in a glade. 
 For whatfoever is diffolved in the cold, contains an 
 Airy fpirit of Salt , which oftentimes it gets , and 
 aflumes in Sublimation, or Diftillatioa And whatfo- 
 ever is difTolved in the cold, or in the Aire,m:y again 
 by the heat of the Fire bee coagulated into powder, 
 or aftone. 
 
 But 
 
Li B^ ViTt Of the Nature of things^ 65 
 
 But a hot Solution diflblves all fat, and fulphu- ^^'j^sJl;!"^^' * 
 reous things. And what foe vcr the heat of the Fire dlirolv«r* 
 diflblves , the fame doth coldncfle congeal into a 
 Maflb. 
 
 And whatfoever heat"coagulates,is again difTolvcd ttJ°.f ^^^hIw 
 by cold, or in the Aire. Here alfo wc muft know and Coil " 
 that whatfoever Aire, or the Cellar doth refolve ^ 
 is of a very great drynefTe, and hath a fccret cor- 
 rofivc Fire hid in it .* fo whatfoever is diffolved 
 in Fire, or in the heat thereof, hath a fwectifli 
 frigidity out of the Fire. Thus, and no othenvife is 
 Solution to be undcrftood. 
 
 Putrefaflion is the fourth degree, under which is ^'^^J^«^^^^^^^^ 
 comprehended Digeflion, and Circulation. ' its kind. "' ' 
 
 Now then Putrefaction is one of the principal! 
 degrees, which indeed might defervedly have been 
 the firft of all, but that it would be againft the true 
 order, and myftery, which is here hid, and known 
 to few : For thofe degrees niuft , as hath been al- 
 ready faid,fo follow one the othcr,as links in a chain, 
 or flcps in a ladder. 
 
 For if one of the linkcs fbould bee taken ^'^^Y^'l^^^f^^'^f} 
 the chain is difcontinued, and broken, and the pri- greesistobe 
 foners would bee at liberty, and runne away. So o^^ei-ved in 
 in a ladder , if one flep bee taken away in the ^^'^^^ """ ' 
 middle, and bee put in the upper , or lower part, 
 the ladder would be broken, and many would fall 
 down headlong by it with the hazard of their bo- 
 dies, and lives. 
 
 So you mufl underftand the matter here,that thofc 
 degrees follow one the other in a juft order, or el(e 
 the whole work ofourmyllery would bemar'd, and 
 our labour,and pains would bcc in vain , and fruit- 
 kflc. I i Now 
 
i6 
 
 "The force of 
 futrefa^on. 
 
 VVhatDiftiUa- 
 tion isjand its 
 kinds arc* 
 
 Cohobation. 
 
 Fixation by 
 Deftillation, 
 
 Of the Nature of things^ L ib^VIT. 
 
 Now putrefa(flion is of fuch efficacy , that it a- 
 bolillieth the old Nature, and brings in a new one. 
 All living things are killed in it, all dead things 
 putrefied in it , and all dead things recover life 
 in it. 
 
 Putrefaction takes from all Corrofive fpirits, the 
 fharpneffe of of the Salt, and makes them mild,and 
 fweet, changeth the colours, and fcparates the pure 
 from the impure, it places the pure above , and the 
 impure beneath. 
 
 DiftiUationis the firft degree to the Tranfmutati- 
 on of all naturall things. Under it arc underftood 
 Afcenfion, Lavation, and Fixation. 
 
 By Diftillationall Waters, Liquors, and Oyles 
 are iubtilized out of all fat things Oyle is extradtcd, 
 out ot all Liquors , Water , and out of all Fleg- 
 itiaticke things Water , and Oyle are fepara- 
 ted, 
 
 Bcfides there are many things in Diftillation 
 fixed by Cohobation, and efpccially if the things 
 to bee fixed conraine in them Water, as Vi- 
 triall doth, which if it bee fixed is called Coke- 
 thar. 
 
 Allum, if it bee fixed with its proper Water, i$ 
 called the Sugar of Allum, which alfo is reiblved 
 into a Liquor,which Liquor if it bee putrefied a 
 moneth, produceth a Water of the fweetncfle of 
 Sugar, which is of great vctiie, and an ex- 
 cellent fecrct in Phyficke, to extin^uifh any 
 Metalline heate in Man, as wee have wrore 
 more at large in our Booke of Metalline Difea- 
 fcs. 
 
 And 
 
LlB^Vn. Of the Nature fif tbiffgi; ' fj 
 
 And as you have heard of Vitriall,and All urn, fo 
 alfo .Salt nitre, and other Watery Mineralls may 
 bee fixed by Cohobation. 
 
 Now Cohobation is,that the dead head be often- What Cohos 
 times imbibed with its own wiccr, and that again ^^"°" '*• 
 bee drawn off by Diftiliation. 
 
 Moreover, in Diftiliation many bitter, har/li, and The force of 
 (harp things become as fwect as Honey, Sugar, or ^i^^'^^^^onia 
 Manna., and on the contrary, mimyfweet things, xSmt^. 
 as Sugar, Honey, or Manna, may bee made as 
 harlh as Oyle of Vitriall, or Vineger, or as bit- 
 ter as Gall, or Gentian, as Eager, as a Corro- 
 five. 
 
 Many Excrementitious things iofc their great 
 {link in Diftiliation, which indeed goeth forth ia 
 the water. 
 
 Many Aromaticall things lofe their good fa- 
 vour. 
 
 And as Sublimation alters things in their 
 Quality , and Nature , fo alfo uoth Diftilia- 
 tion. 
 
 Coagulation is the fixt degree : Now there is a ^Vfaat Coagu; 
 twofo!d^Coagnlation,theone by Cold, the other |^f^°^J5'^"'^ ■ 
 by Heat, /' e, one of the Aire, the other of the 
 Fire : and each of thefc again is twofold , fo that 
 there are foure forts of Coagulations, two of Cold, 
 and two of Fire. 
 
 The Coagulations of Fire are fixed, the other of 
 Cold arc not. 
 
 The one is done only by common Aire, or with- 
 out Fire. The other by the fuperiour Firmament 
 of Winter ftarres, all which coagulate Waters into 
 fnow, and ice. 
 
 I i2 But 
 
6$ Of the Nature of things^ L i b^ VII; 
 
 But the Coagulation of Fire, which alone is here 
 to bee taken notice of, is madcbyanArtificiaU,an<i 
 Graduall Fire of the Alchymifts, and it is fixedjand 
 permanent. For whatfoever fuch a Fire doth coa- 
 gulare, the fame abides fo. 
 
 The other Coagulation is done by the ^tnean^, 
 and Minerall Fire in in Mountains, which indeed the 
 Archeiusof the Earth governs, and graduates dof 
 unlike to the Alchymifts, and whatfoever is coa- 
 gulated by fucha Fire, isalfo fixed, and conftant; 
 as you fee in Mineralls, and Metalls, which indeed' 
 at the beginning are a mucilaginous matter, and arc 
 coagulated into Metalls, Stones, Flints, Salts , and 
 other bodies, by the i^tncan fire in Mountaines, 
 through the Archeius of Earth , and operator of 
 Nature. 
 Whatthingt ^ifo ^yec muft know that Fire can coagulate no 
 cSa^gui^ed. water, or moifturc, but only the Liquors^and Juices 
 of all Naturall things. 
 
 Befides alfo there can no flegm bee coagulated, 
 unlefle in the beginning it was a corporeall matter, 
 into which by the induftry of a skilfuil Alchymift it 
 may return. 
 
 So alfo any mucilaginous, matter, or fpermaticke 
 flimynefle may by the heat of Fire be coagulated into 
 a body and corporeall matter,but never bee refolved 
 into water again. 
 
 And' as you have heard of Coagulation, fo alfo 
 know concerning Solution, vi\, that no corporeall 
 matter can bee diflblved into Water , unlefTe at the 
 beginning it was water : and fo it is in all Mine-; 
 
 Tin^urc 
 
LibIvIL Oftbe Nature of thingfl ^g 
 
 Tin<5lur€is thcfevcnth, and laft degree, which What Tine-, 
 concludes the whole worke of our rayftery for JJlJ^y ^^ *"<^ ^^ 
 Tranfmutation , making all impcrfed things per- 
 fc6l, and tranfmiiting them into a moft excellent 
 eflbnce , and into a moft perfect foundncffe , and 
 alters them iuto another colour. 
 
 TinBure there fori ii^a mafl excellent matter,r9here' 
 wthaH Mineral I , md Humane bodies are tinged^ * 
 And Art changed into a better , and more noble ef- • 
 fence y and into the higheft ferfeiiion^ and fu- 
 r/ty, 
 
 For Tin6^ure colours all things according to its 
 own nature, and colour. ' '-^^ 
 
 Now there arc many TinAures, and not Only ah things that 
 for Metalline , but Humane bodies, bccaufe every sie to be tin- ^ 
 thing which penetrates another matter, or tin-|^4j^"^— --^ 
 getlfit with another colour, orelTence, fo-thatit 
 bee no more like the former, may bee called a 
 Tindurc. 
 
 Wherefore there are many , and various forts of 
 Tini^ures, i^/^. of Metalk, Mineralls, Mens bodies. 
 Waters, Liquors, Oyls, Salts, all fat things, and 
 indeed of all things which may bee brought to flux, 
 out of the FirCjOr in the Fire. 
 
 For if a Tmcture muft tinge, it is necelfary that the 
 body, or matter which is tobeetinged,bee opened, 
 and continue in flux, and unlefs this Ihould bee fo, 
 the Tincture could not operate. But it would bcc,as 
 if any one fliould caft faffron,or any colour upon co- 
 agulated Water, or Ice .• for fo it would not fo 
 fuddenly tinge the Ice with its colour , as if it were 
 caft into other water. And although it fhould tinge, 
 yet it would at the fame time refolvc the Ice into 
 
yo Of the Nature of thifigsl Lib. Vll. 
 
 Water. Wherefore thofc Metallsthat wee would 
 tinge, muft firft bee melted in the Fire, and bee freed 
 from Coagulation. 
 
 And here w.^e mnft know, that by how much the 
 flonrger fire is requifite for their melting,fo much the 
 fooner the Tm(^Lire runs through them,as Leaven 
 penetrates, and infe(fts the whole mafic with fowre- 
 • nefs; and by how much better the mafle is covered 
 and kept warm. To much the better is it fermented, 
 and makes the better bread: for ferment is the Tin- 
 
 Tece are of a ^^"^^ ^^ Dowe, and Bread. * 
 
 more fixtnar Wce muft alfo notc, that all feces arc of a more 
 ture then their fixed fubftancc then the liquor of ft is, alfo of a ihar- 
 H^^' per, and more penetrating nature : as you fee in tfie 
 ipirit of Wine which is made of the feces of Wine , 
 > and oi AquA vita^ which is diftilled out of the 
 
 i grounds of Beer, and burns likefpirit of Wine, and 
 
 is inflamed as Sulphur. 
 Theprcparati- Alfoifof the tecesof Vincger another Vincger 
 of dUtllS'"'' J^e diftilled, as commonly fpirft ot Wine is diftilled, 
 Vinegcr. thctc Will bcc thereby made a Vineger of fo fiery, 
 and fliarp a nature , that it confumes all Me- 
 talls , Stones , and other things , as AquA fgr^ 
 tis. 
 How the Tin- Morcovct, itis necefTary, that Tindures be of a 
 wUsmuftbc''^^^ fluxil, and incombuftible nature, fo that 
 made. if a little ot a plate of any Mctall red hot bee 
 
 caft into them, they ^^ill prefently flow like wax ^ 
 without any manner of fume at all, and they pene- 
 trate the Metalls, as oylc doth paper , or water a 
 fponge, and tinge all Metalls into white, and red, . 
 that is,into Silver or Gold. 
 
 Now 
 
L I B. Vir. of the Nature ofthingf. 71 
 
 Nowthefe aretheTin(ftures ofMctalls, which it 
 is neccfsary muft bee turned into an AIcool, by 
 the fiift degree of Calcination, then by the fecond 
 degree of Sublimation, muft get an eafy, and 
 light flux. And laftly, by " the degree ot Putre- 
 fadion , and Diftillation are made a fixt , and 
 incombuftible Tin<5turc , and of an unchangeable 
 colour. 
 
 Now the Tinciures of Mens bodies are,that they The Tindures 
 bee tinged into the higheft perfedion of health , o^ ^«"« 
 and all Difeafes bee expelled from them, that 
 their loft ftrcngth , and colour bee reftorcd ^ 
 and renewed , and they are thefe , 'vi:^. Gold , 
 Pearles, Antimony, Sulphur, Vitriall, and fuch like, 
 whofe preparation wee have diverfly taught in other 
 booksj wherefore it doth not feem to us necefsary 
 here ro repeat them. 
 
 Wee flialU write no more of Tiniflures, feeing eve- Of Dying 
 ry extraded colour may bee called a Tincture , ^"^ ?^»""ngt 
 which doth indeed tinge things with a permanent 
 colour,which doe not go into the Fire , or prefervc 
 'Colours fixed in the Fire. 
 
 All thcfe are in the hand, and power ofthe Dyer, 
 and Painter , who prepares them according to his 
 pleafure. 
 It is very neceffary in this book to know the degrees How many de- 
 of Fire, which many wayes may bee graduated,and grees ofthe 
 intended, and every degree hath a peculiar opcrati- ^^^^^^jj^'^* ^-^ 
 on, and one producer h the fame cfFe<fl, as ano- " ' *' 
 thcr^as every expert Alchymift,by the daily experi- 
 ence, and exercife of the Arcknows* 
 
 For one is as living, and flaming Fire,which rever* 
 berates, and Calcines all bodies : Another is the Fire 
 
 d 
 
yi Of the Nature of things^ Lib^VII* 
 
 of a Candle, or Lamp, which fixeth all volatile 
 bodies : Another is a Fire of coals, which cements, 
 colours, and piirgeth Mctalls from their drofs, exalts 
 Gold and Silver to a higher purity, whitens Copper, 
 and in brief renews all Metalls. 
 
 Another Fire is of an Iron plate made red hot , in 
 which the Tindures of Metalls are proved , which 
 alfois profitable for other things. 
 
 The Filings of Iron heat after one faihion. Sand 
 after another, Aihesaher another, a B.Uneum MarU 
 afteranbther, in which manifold Diftillations, Sub- 
 limations, and Coagulations arc done. 
 
 BAlneumroris after another, in which there arc 
 made many Solutions of corporeall things. 
 
 Horfc-dung after anorher,in which the chiefeft pu- 
 trefa(ftions,and digeftions are made. 
 The Olcftiall ^^d after another f afliion works the invifible Fire, 
 - — by which wee underftand the rayes of the Sun , and 
 
 that which is manifeftcd by a glafs, or Cryftall, and 
 ihews it operations and effe<5ls,of which Fire the An- 
 cients wrote nothing at all-, and by this fire the three 
 Principles of every corporeall thing may bee fepa- 
 rated. 
 
 ' This Fire is of fuch wonderfull forcc,that by it Me- 
 talls may bee melted, aud all fat,and fluxible things, 
 may upon the table without any Fire bee together 
 with all combufttble things, reduced into coales, and 
 afhes. 
 
 Therefore after I have propofed, and opened 
 to you the degrees of the Art of Alchymie , -and 
 the degrees of the Alchmyifts Fire •• I will yet fur- 
 ther fhew, and declare to you in general! , various 
 Tranfmutations of naturail things : of Mctalls 'firft ^ 
 
 fecondJy 
 
Lf B^VII. Of the N4tHre ^fthingU ^5 
 
 fecondly of Stones, and thirdly of divers things in 
 gcncrall. The tranfmutation of Metalls therefore is 
 a great fccret in Nature, and it can hardly bee done 
 by reafon of many impediments, and repugnancies. 
 Yet it is not againft Nature,nor Gods ordination, as 
 many falfly affirm. 
 
 But that the five lefler, and impurcr Metalls , vi\. The Xranrmu. 
 3 V h cf and may be tranfmutcd into the greater, "n*'!^^^?*'^* 
 
 n 1 n 1' n % r i^ .w • " 1 ' tails mCO Sllv«l» 
 
 pureft,and moft perfect Metalls, 'vi^. into aod ^ , and G^w, " 
 it cannot be done without the Tlndure , or philofo- 
 phers flonc. 
 
 Now feeing we have before fufficiently opened the 
 fecrets of Tindures in the feven degreSjSnd delcribed 
 them there, it is not neceffary that wee fpend any f ur- 
 therlabourinthiSjbut rather bee fatisfied with thofc 
 things, which we have wrote in other books concer- 
 ning the Tranfmutations of Metalk. 
 
 Nowthere are other Tranfmutations of impcrfe<5t, '^^^ Tranfmni 
 and impure Metals,as the tranfmutation of cf into s , |nw Coier" 
 which may bee done divers waycs* 
 
 If plates of Iron bee boiled in .w^ter of VitriaU, or 
 bee cemented with calcined Vitriall,or being red hoc 
 be quenched in oyl of Vitriall. 
 
 Thefe three ways Iron may be tranfmuted into very 
 good, and ponderous Copper , which indeed flows 
 well , and hath its weight as well as any naturail 
 Copper. 
 
 Plates of Iron may bee as -it jwere reduced, and TheTranfmu. 
 tranfmuted into Lead, fo that it bee as foft as natu-tation of iron 
 rail Lc^dy but doth not flow fo ealily :and the proceflc *^° ^"^' ; 
 isthis: 
 
 Take Filings of <f , ^md.fomuch of the powder of 
 
 Borax, mingle them well together, put them in a 
 
 K k crucible ^ 
 
' 74 Ofthe Nature of things^ L1B4VII.' 
 
 crucible, and into a wind furnace, let there bee made 
 aftrong Firejbutfothatthc d" doe not flow, but 
 Hand as it were in a Cement for a whole hourc, 
 then cncreafc the Fire , that it may bee red hot, 
 and flow : then let the crucible cool of it felfe , and 
 thou (halt find the regulus of Lead in the bottomc 
 of the crucible, foft, and raalleablejas naturall Lead 
 can be. 
 ThaTranlmu- Buttotranfmutc 2 into Ti theproccfTeisthis:' 
 tatioaoiCop- Firftofall bring Copper with 5 fublimate, and 
 yermw Lwd..£j^^ Arfenick to bee vvhicc, yea as white as ^ , then 
 beat it fmall.. Take this,and the powder of Borax,of 
 each a like quantity ,and firft cement it, then let it bee 
 melted into a regulus, and thou haft a true regulus 
 of Leadw 
 ThcTianTmH- Novv OH the Contrary, it is cafy to tranfmutc 
 tation ofLcad j^^^^ Jj^^q Coppcr, ncithcr doth it require much 
 pams^ and it is done thus. 
 
 Take plates of Lead, ftrow them over with calci- 
 ned Vitriall, or Crocus of Venus , cement them , . 
 and then melt them, and thou (lialt fee naturallLead, 
 tranfmuted into good , ponderous, and malleable: 
 Copper. 
 A Metalline \io\\ if this Coppcr, or any other Copper be bea- 
 Qo^T ' ^ ten into plates , and ftrowcd over with Tutia^ or 
 Capri Celatni»Aris-^ and be cemented, and laftly mel- 
 ted, it will bee tranfmuted into an excellent red- 
 dilb £/e<^^*w like to Cold. 
 *Eo make If thou wilt turnc 1? into V make plates oft I 
 
 ^^"1^^^'^*"°*^ ftrow them with Salt Armoniack, cement, and melt 
 * ' themjas abovcJaid, fo will all the blackneffe , and 
 darfenelTe bee taken away from the Lead, and it will 
 be in whiicncflc like fair Englifh Tin* 
 , - How- 
 
Lisivil. Of theUature of things. J^\ 
 
 Now as you have in bricfc heard of fome Mu- 
 tations ot Mctalls , fo alfo know, that there arc 
 Tranfmutations of Gemmes, which indeed arcva- 
 nous,and in no wife like. 
 
 For you fee how great Tranfmutations ofOyiofSuiphw 
 Gcmmes there lies in oylc of Sulphur. For any Cry q^^^^^cj"* 
 flail may bee tinged , and Tranfmuted in it , 
 and in time bee exalted with divers colours , as 
 to bee made like to. the Hyacinth, Granat, or 
 Rubie. ; 
 
 Know alfo that the Loadflone may be tranfmu- To Tranrmute 
 ted into a tenfold greater power, and vertue,and it is \^^q g°eat '^^ ' 
 
 done thus: ftrength. 
 
 Take the Loadftone,3nd heat it very hot in coales, 
 but fo that it bee not fired ,which prefently quench in 
 the Oylc of Crocus Martis^ made of the bcft Ca- 
 rinthian Steel, that it may imbibe as much as it 
 can* 
 
 Thouihalt by this mcanes make the Loadftonc 
 fo powerfull, that thou maift pull out Nailes out 
 of a wall with it , and doe fuch like wonderful! 
 things with it, that the conwnon Loadftonc can 
 never doe. 
 
 Moreover , in Tranfrautation of Gemmcs you 
 muft know that the world is placed in two degrees of 
 Tindurc, and Coagulation, 
 
 For as the white of an Egge may bee tinged To rranfmuM 
 with Saffron, and then bee coagulated into a e'^^^ 
 faire yellow Amber .• with the fmoke of a Pine^ berotany 
 tree into blackc Amber - with Verdegrcafe in- ^®''^"'^* • 
 to green, like Lafis Armenim : with green juice 
 into Amber,like the Emerald: and.wuh the A- 
 zurc ftonc, into blew Amber', like a Saphir : 
 
 K k 2 with 
 
7§ Of tbeNatHn of things^ Liiyit 
 
 With the Wood called red Wood, Into red , like 
 a Granar, or Rubric ; with a purple colour, like 
 to an Amcthyft .• with Cerufe , like to Ala- 
 blafter. 
 
 So dl Li<;[uors, efpecially Metalls, :ind Mine- 
 talk^ may bee tinged with fixed colours , and af- 
 terwards bee coagulated^, and tranfmutcd into 
 Gcmmes. 
 How coiifltcr- Soalfoitiay Pearles be nnade like true Pearfesin 
 fcit Pearls arc fornfijCo that for fplendor^and beauty they can hardly 
 ^ *^ bee difcerned from the true : And they are made 
 
 thus :. 
 
 Cleanfc the white of Egges through a fpunge ,, 
 as pilrely as may bee, then min^e with it thefai- 
 fceft white Talkcjor Mother of Pearle, or Mercury 
 coagulated with Tinne , and brought into an Al- 
 cool,.then grinde them all together on a Marble , {xy 
 that they become a thick Amalgama, which 
 muft bee dryed in the Sunne , or behind a fur- 
 nace fo long, untill it bee like Chccfc, or a Li- 
 
 Then of tills mafle make Pearles as big as 
 thou wilt,, which hang upon the briilles of a, 
 Mog^ and being thus boared through , dry themi 
 ^s Amber,and then thou haft finiihed them. 
 
 If they are not beautifull enough, anoint themi 
 OTcr with the white of an Egge,and dry them again, 
 tnd they will bee moft goodly pearls^in form like the • 
 uaturalljbutnotinvertue. '^'^'-^ 
 
 In the like manner are Coralls madt, with which 
 men endeavour to deceive one the Other as with . 
 Fearlc. . The groccfft is this ; . 
 
L I i VII. Of the NatHTi of things. ^ rjj 
 
 Take Cinnabar, erinde it on a Marble, withthcP°w toT^*^' 
 
 , . r T- r L r £• i ffit CoralU 
 
 white or an Egge , ror the fpace ot an hourc,„aybcmadc. 
 then dry it , as Potters doe their Earth ^ then 
 make it into what forme thou pleafeft ; After- 
 wards dry thenfi as much as may bee , and noint 
 them over with the white or an Egge, as 
 thou didft Pearle, and dry them by thcmfclvcs 
 again. 
 
 So thou (halt have CoralUike to the naturall in 
 form,but not in vertue. 
 
 Thou muft alfo know, That the white of_AGoMcnor ; 
 an Egge may bee of it felfe coagulated into moft ^^^^" vci«i^ 
 cleer Verniih, in the coagulation of which Silver, or 
 Gold may bee flrewed. 
 
 There are alfo many other , and various 
 Tranfmutations of Naturall things .* Whereof 
 thofe which I know, and have had experience 
 of, I will by the way fet down, and briefly declare to 
 you. 
 
 And firft of all knowy. That any Wood , if it How wood r» 
 bee put for a certaine time into the water of Salt^^^'^^^^o'*^ 
 Gemme, is turned with much admiration into a 
 Stone. 
 
 Alfo Stones in the ^Etnean fire are tranfmutcd into Coaics of 
 Coales,which arc called ftony Coals. itones. .° ' 
 
 Alfo Gle w is boiled out of Skinnes. Gkw of skins: 
 
 Of Linnen cloth is made Paper, Paper oi lAvi^i 
 
 Of Flax boiled in iharp Liemadcofthe Aflics of ?S;tf Fhjt 
 Wood is Silke made. 
 
 Alfo the feathery parts pulled offfrom quills, and reatherrmay l^ 
 boiled in that Lie,, may bee fpun , and weavcd like ^^ ^^ 
 Cotton. 
 
 Kk| Any- 
 
^S Oftbe Nature of thingf. LfB.viL 
 
 Any Oylcor Spcrmacick mucilage may bcc coa- 
 gulated intoVernifli. 
 
 Any Liquor into Gummc5&c. 
 All thcfc arc Tranfmutations of Naturall things, 
 of which Science wee have fpokenenoughjand t-hcrc- 
 wcc ihall here make an end. 
 
 O F 
 
 Jtr-liV 
 
Lib, VIII. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N A T V R. E 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THE EIGHXH BOOK, 
 
 79 
 
 Of the Separation ofNamrall \ 
 things. ) 
 
 ["N the Creation of the world, the firft fcpa- The Chaos th« 
 ration began from the foureElemcnts,fce- Ij^j] «f *H 
 ingthcfirftmatterof the world was one 
 Chaos, 
 Of this Chaos God made the greater world, being 
 divided into four diftinft Elements, t//^. Fire, Aire, 
 Waier,and Earfrh.Fire is the hot part,Airc the moift. 
 
 Water,. 
 
 Worl4t 
 
What fe 
 on fhall 
 
 8^ Of the Nature ofthingil Li B. Vj II. 
 
 Water the cold, and Earth the dry part of the greater 
 world. 
 paratir But that you may in brief iinderftand the rcifon of 
 here r okctt ouipurpolc in this 8^^- book, you muft know,that we 
 of. ^° " doe not purpofe to treat here of the Elements of all 
 Natiirall things, feeing wee have fufticiencly difcour- 
 fed of thofe Arcana in the Archidoxis of the (epara- 
 tion of Naturall things .-whereby every one of them 
 is apart, and diftindly feparated,and divided materi- 
 ally, and fubftantially, vt\. feeing that two , three, 
 or foure, or more things are mixed into one 
 body, and yet there is feen butonc matter. Where it 
 often falls out , that the corporcall matter of that 
 thing cannot bee known by any, or fignified by any 
 cxprelTe name, untill there bee a fcparation made. 
 Then fomctimes two.thrcc, four, five or more things 
 come forth out of one matter ; as is manifcfl 
 by daily experience, in the Art of Alchy- 
 mie. 
 What Elec- p^^ fgj. example, you have an £/<r(f?r«w, which of it 
 ^^^- felfeis noMetall.but yet it hides all Metalls in one 
 itlecall. That ifit be anatomized by the induflry of 
 Aldhymie, and feparated.* alithe feven Mecalls,w:(. 
 Cold^ Silver^ Cepfer, Tinne, L^ad^ Iron^ and ^kk- 
 filver come out of it, and that pure, and per- 
 
 fea. 
 
 •What Scpara- Buttkit you may under ftand what Separation is , 
 aion.is. note, that it is nothing eifc then the fevering of one 
 
 thing fk)m another, whether of two, three, four, or 
 more things mixed together .• I fay a feparation of 
 the three Principles, is t)f Mercury, Sulphur, and 
 Salt^and the cxtraiSiDnQf pure out of the impure, or 
 the pure, excellentfpirit, and quintcifencc, Jrom a 
 
 grofTe 
 
Li b* VIII* Of the Nature ofthingsi 8 1 
 
 grofTe, and elementary bodyj and the preparation af 
 two, three, four, or more out of one : or the diflbluti* 
 on, and letting at liberty things that are bound , and 
 compa;^ , which are of a contrary nature , ading 
 one agarnft the other, untill they deftroy one the 
 other. 
 
 Now there are many kinds of fqjaration ,' many of How many 
 which arc unknown to us; thofc, which wee have ex- ^^^^^ **^ ^^^*"^ 
 perienced out of elementary, diffoluble naturail '^ " 
 things, (hall in this place, according to their kinds, be 
 defcribed. 
 
 The firft reparation of which wee fpeake, muft be- The fcparation 
 gin from man, becaufe hee is the Microcofme , or clfmc.^'"^' 
 Kttle v/orld, for whofe fake the Microcofme or grci- 
 tcr world was made, vi^, that hec might be the fcpa- 
 rator of it. 
 
 Now the fcparation of the Microcofme begins at TheWyof 
 his death. For in death the two bodies of Man are fe- ^^^ ^^y^^ '^"tb 
 paratcd the one from the otfjcr,i'/;(.his Celeftial,and " ^^°^®^'^- 
 Terreftialbody;?>.Sacramental,andElementary:onc 
 of which afcends on high like an Eagle^thc other falls 
 downward to the earth like lead- 
 
 The Elementary is putrefied, confumed , and What the tk^ 
 becomes a putrid ftinking carkafe, which being ."^^'"^''y ^o^^y 
 burycd in the carch, never comes forth, or appearcs "* 
 more, 
 
 ButthcSacramcntall,/. ^. Syderiall, or Cclefti- What a Sacra- 
 all,is never putrefied, or buried, neither doth it pof- memali Body 
 fcflc any place. This body appears to Men,andalfo^^* 
 after death is fecn. 
 
 HmctGhofis^rifiO'/js^ and Suferrtaturall A^fa- 
 ritions. 
 
 Hence by the ancient Magicians, the CMifiicAU Caba'iiSicaU 
 
 LI ^r(»«. 
 
8 a Of the Nature of things. L i b^V HI. 
 
 Art took it s beginning, of which wc fliall treat more 
 at large in the books of CabaUc. 
 
 After this reparation is made, then after the death 
 of the Man three ^\ihik^r\c^s^'vi\.Body^Soule^'3ind Spi- 
 rit are divided the one from the other, every one go- 
 ing to its own place, 'vi^ its own fountaine , from 
 tvhence it had its originall , i//^. the body to the 
 Eanh, to the firft matter of the Elements .• the 
 foul into the firft matter of Sacraments, and 
 laftly, the fpirit into the firft matter Oi the Airy 
 Chaos. 
 The reparation What now hath been fpoken of the feparation of 
 totoc.^^"''' theMacrocolme, the fame alfo may bee underftood 
 in the greater world which the gitar Ocean hath di- 
 vided into three parts, fo that the univerfall world is 
 fevered into three p2LVts,'V!'^.Europe^Ajia,:ind Africa^, 
 the World ' °^ which feparation is a certain rcpreientation of three 
 ^ ' Principles^ which can be feparared from any Ter- 
 
 rene, or Elementary thing. Thcfe three Principles 
 arc Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt , of which three the 
 world was made, and compofed. 
 The reparation Thc ncxt thin^ tobec known is the feparation of 
 «C M«trUk J4eta]]s from their Mountains, /. f • the feparation of 
 Metalls, andMineralls. 
 
 By vertue of this feparation many things come 
 forth out ofone matter, as you fee out of Mineralls 
 come forth, The droffe cf Met alls , Glaffe, Sajsd^ Piipi- 
 tis^ Marcdfite^ Gra»atu^, Cobaltum^ Talke^ Cachinna^ 
 Z^wetum^ B J femutiim^ Antimony ^Lttharge^ Sulphur^ 
 Vitriall, y erdeg rc/ife^ Chrjfocotla , the A'^ire St one ^ 
 Aur.'ptgmemum^ Arfenic'ke, Realgar^ Cinnahar, Clay 
 tf Iron, SpathuSfGfphm^ Ocrce ^ and many more 
 like to theie , as alfo the' Waters, Oyies , B^e- 
 
 [ims :, 
 
L I B^VIII. Of the Nature of thingU 8 3 
 
 fims^ Cdxes^ Mtrcury , Sulphur^ and Salt, &c. 
 
 Vegetables in their reparation yeeld. Waters , Oylts^ Of Vegetables 
 lukes^ RefweSj Cums^ EleBuartes , Powders , jp^es^ 
 Mtrctsry^ Stilfhur^ and Salt » 
 
 Animalls in their reparation yeeld , Watery Bloud^ Of Animails. 
 Ilejh^ Faty Bortes^ Skiff ^ B^dy ^ Hairs, Mercurj^ Sul- 
 phur, and Salt, 
 
 Hee therefore that boafts himfelfe to bee able to what a good 
 feparate allnaturall things afterthis manner, muftof %^i^«oroug,h« 
 neceflity have long experience,and pertedt knowledge ^'^^ 
 of allnaturalkhings. 
 
 Moreover, hee nnuft bee a skiirull,and well pra(fli- 
 (td Alchynaift, that hee may know what is combufti- 
 ble, and what not; what is fixt, and what notj what 
 ■ wil floWjfind what not',and what thingsjare more pon- 
 derous one then anotherfalfo he mirft be experienced 
 in the naturall colour, fmelUacidiiy^harflmede/owre- 
 neffe, bitterneffe, fweetnefle,the dcgreejComplexion, 
 and quality of every thing. 
 
 Alfo heemuft know the degrees of Separation, as Thejegieesof 
 of Diftillation,R£lolution,Putrefaaion,Extraaion, whaYand"i;ov» 
 Calcination, Reverberation, Sublimation, Redudi- many tWe tT* 
 on. Coagulation, Powdering, and Wafliing. 
 
 By Dflliilation is fcparated Water, Oylefrom all What diftiilati- 
 
 COrpOreall things. ^ onfepararcs. 
 
 By Refolution are feparated Metals from Minerals, What refolutt; 
 and one Metall from another, and Salt from the other ^^• 
 Principles, and fat, and that which is light/rom that 
 which is heavy. : :;nr:oi:»ur: !?!!.-■ r^j ■' 
 
 ByPutrefadion is feparated fat from lean^pure from Putrefaaion^ 
 impure,putrid from not ^putrid. 
 
 By Extradion is feparated pure from impure, and Extraaioiu 
 fpirit, and quimcllence from body, and chinnc from 
 thick. LI z By 
 
84 
 
 Calcin»iofi; 
 
 Of the Nature of ihi figs ^ Lib^VIII^ 
 
 By Calcination is feparated watery moifture , fat , 
 naturall hcat.odour.and whatfocvcr elfc is combufti* 
 ble. 
 RcYtibeuwa. By Reverberation is feparated colour, odour,' 
 what is combuftible, all humidity , aquofity , far, 
 and whatfoever is inconftant , or fluxil , in any 
 thing, dec. 
 
 By Sublimation is feparated the fixed from the 
 volatile, fpirituall from the corporcall,, pure from 
 impure , Sulphur from Salt, Mercury from Salt,&c. 
 By Redudion is feparated what is fluxil,from what 
 is folid, a Metall from its-Minerall, and one Metall 
 from another, a Metall from its. drolTe, fatfrom what 
 is not fat. 
 
 By Coagulation is feparated wateriflincs from humi- 
 dity, water from Earth. 
 
 By Powdering are feparated powder,and fand,3fhcs, . 
 and Calx,Minerall, Vegetable, and Animall one 
 from the other,and all powders,which arc of an une- 
 quall weight are feparated , and by winnowing., as 
 chaffe from corne. 
 
 By wafliing are feparated aflies, and fand, a Mine- 
 rail from its Metall, that which is heavy from what 
 is light, a Vegetable, and Animall from what is Mi- 
 nerall. Sulphur from Mercury, and Salt, Salt from; 
 Mercury* 
 The Prejyjrati- But palTing by thc Thcoric, wc will now fall upon 
 •n of Me«u is ^j^^ praaife, and come to particulars. 
 ^^ - You muft therefore note , that the Separation of 
 
 Metallsisthefirftbyright, and wee fhall therefore 
 jrcat of it after this mctnod, and manner. 
 
 ^iblimation. 
 
 Rcdudion. 
 
 Coagubtiont 
 
 ing. 
 
 Waflilog;, 
 
 iKS. 
 
h IB^VIII. Of the Nature of thing/; ^ ij 
 
 Oftbe Separation of Metais 
 
 from their Mines* 
 
 npHe reparation of Metalls from their Mines Is g^ fluxjng 
 ■*- done divers way s, ^'/^. by boiling , and melting powders. 
 with fluxing powders,fuch as are fait Alcalij Lithar- 
 ge, fait fluxikjthe drofTe of GlafTe, Salt Gemme, Salt 
 Tctre5&c. Let them bee put in a Crucible, . and 
 melted in a furnace 5 fo will the Metall , or rcgulus 
 fall to the bottomeof the Crucible; but the- other 
 matter will fwim above, and become droffe. Thou 
 fhallboil this Metalline regtdus in a reverberating 
 furnace fo long, till allthe Metall become pure , and 
 freed from all its droffe^ by this' means the metaU is 
 well digeited, and as I may fay refined from all its 
 drofTe, 
 
 Many times one mine contains more then one Me- 
 tall,as Copper and Silver, Copper and Gold, Lead 
 . and Silver, Tinne and Silver, you fhallknowit by 
 this, if the Metalline Regulus after Reverberation in 
 a melting pot bee fufficiently after the true manner 
 difTolved. Forinitareallimperfed Metalls fepara- 
 ted, as are Iron,- Copper, Tin, and Lead:^ and fo with 
 a double quantity ot Lead to the Regulus being put 
 to it, they all goe into a fume, and only fine Silver,or 
 Gold are left behind in the pot. 
 
 Alfo two OP three Metalls mixed together may bee ^1 AqiaforiJ^ 
 fcparatcd in-4^»4/(/;'/A>',and extracted the one jfrom * 
 
 LI 3 . the. ' ' 
 
ver. 
 
 ^ Of the Nature ofthingsl Lib. Vlir. 
 
 the other. If two Metalls or one bee rcfolved, the 
 
 other will fall- to thcbottome like fand^and be prcci- 
 
 '"■." pirated: and be afcer this manner feparatcd. Alfo 
 
 Metajls may be (cparatcd by flowing after this pro- 
 
 cefsrMakc mentals iflow^and when they are in flux,cafl 
 
 By Sulphui. ji^tQ jj-j^j^-j ji^g beft llower ot Sulphur as you can ger, 
 
 vi\. an ounce to every pound of the mctvall, and let it 
 
 burn, andby that means it wil draw up the lighted 
 
 metalltothctop, the heavy falling to the bottqme. 
 
 Thenlet them (land together till they be cold: And 
 
 ' lb in one Rcgulus two metalls are found, not as be- 
 
 A wondei fall fore mutually mixed , but one feparated from the 
 
 Einlal'o'l'" by the Sulphur, as by a partition , as OyTc 
 
 tion, divides two Waters, that they cannot bee joined 
 
 By qiiUkfil- /tcgcther or mixed : Sulphur therefore is a fingular 
 
 i Arcanum worthy of great commendations. 
 
 Fixt m€talls,as Gold and Silver, becaufe they can- 
 not wcl bee extracted with Fire or Aqua f mis, muft 
 bee amalgamated with QiBck{jlver,andfo feparated 
 and cxtracted,cheQuickfilver beiflg afterwards extra- 
 cted and feparated by a certaine degree of Diftilk- 
 tion from tne Calx of the metals,'z//^.Gold,& Silver. 
 After this manner alfo may other metalls,not only 
 '•Gold, and Silver, but Copper, Iron, Tin,Lead,&c. 
 as^lfo whatfocver are prepared out of them , as red 
 Electrum, the white Magnefia, Aurichalcum, calci- 
 ned tcad, Laton, Brafle of Cauldrons, and whatfo- 
 €ver met,ills of this kind are tr?ninnuted , bee with 
 ■Qjick(ilver,but firft being powdered, abftractcd,and 
 ■'feparated from what is heterogeneous. For the na- 
 ture, and<:onditionof Qui_ckiilveristhis,that it wil 
 bee united , and amalgamed with metalls , but yet 
 with one f.)oncr then with another, according asth c 
 metall is of greater or lefTe affinity to it. In 
 
L I B. VIII. Of the Nature of things. 87 
 
 In this confideration fine Gold is the chiefeft, then 
 fine Silver, then Lead, then Tinnejthen Coppcr,and 
 laftly Iron. 
 
 So amongft tranfmutedmetalls, thefirftis part 
 with partjthen Afh coloured Lead, then Laton^thea ' 
 BralTc of Caldrons , then red, and the neweft white. 
 Although for the firftcourfe Mercury may take no 
 more then one metall, with which it is amalgama- 
 ted :yct that Amalgama is to be ftrained hard through 
 Leather, or Cotton cloatb. For by this means no- 
 thing but the Quickfilver will pafle through the 
 Leather, or Cloath* and that metall which it 
 did attract remains in the leather, or cloth like Caly, 
 which aftenvards thou maift with fait AlcalijOr fome 
 other fait reduce into a metalline body by mcltincr, 
 Notv by this Art Quickfilver is much fooner fcpa- 
 rated from all manner of mctalls y then by Diilifla- 
 tion,&c. 
 
 ^y this procelTe with Mercury all metalls may 
 after' calcination,and powdering be by a skilfulj> and 
 induftriousAlchymift extracted, and feparated one 
 from the other. 
 
 In the fame manner, and that cafily, may TinnCg 
 and Lead bee feparated from Copper , or Copper 
 vefTcls, from Iron, and Steel overlaid with Tin with^ 
 out any fire, or water, by the Amalgama of Quick* 
 fiiver alone. v tj^i.- 
 
 Alfo Beaten Gold, or Leafiffiotd',' or Silver, as^ 
 aifo any other metall beaten, or ground , being, 
 written, or laid over with a pcncill , or quill upon 
 • cloth, parchment, paper, leather, wood, itones, or 
 any thing elfe,may bee refolved by Qmckfilver, and 
 (Oj that the Quickfilver may bee atteward feparated 
 againfromthoferacialls* Now 
 
y 
 
 88 OftU Nature of things, L I B^VHjj 
 
 By Corrofivc Now the feparation of metalls in Aqua fortis^ 
 waters. ji^qua, Regis ^ and like corrofive waters, is after this * 
 
 manner. 
 
 Let a metall that is mixed,and joined with another, 
 be taken, and beaten int.to thin platcs,or brought in- 
 to powder. Put it into a feparating velTel, and pourc 
 upon it co:nmonAquafirtis as much as is fufficicntjlet 
 them ftand and bee macerated, until ail the metall bee 
 refolved into a clear water.If it be Silver, and contain 
 any Gold in it,all the Silver wil bee refolved into 
 water,and the Gold wil alfo bee calcined, and fettle 
 in the bottome like black fand. And after this man- 
 ner Gold^and Silver are fcparated. If now thou wilt 
 fcparatc the SiK'cr from the Aqua fort is without 
 Diftillation, put a plate of Copper into the water, 
 and the Silver will prefently fettle in the bottome of 
 the water like fnow5and the Copper plate will begin 
 to be confumed by little^and little. 
 
 Tbc (eperation of Silver*, and Copper by common 
 ^Aquafortis is done after this manner,Lcr the Copper 
 which contains Silver, or the Silver which contains 
 Copper be brought to thin plates or powder,and put 
 into a glafs vcfrel,upon which pour as much common 
 Aquafortis as is fufficientrand bythis means the fifver 
 will bee calcinedjand fettle to the bottome like white 
 chalk.-but the copper wil be difTolvedjand turned into 
 a clear water.If this water,together with the diifolved 
 coppcfjbe by a GlafTe funnel fcparated from the filver 
 calx into another Glafle : then the Copper that is di('' 
 folved in the water, may bee fo precipiatcd with 
 common water, or rain water, or any other water, 
 that it wil fettle to the bottom of the Glafs like fand. 
 Now the feparation of hid Goldjfrom any metall, 
 
 is 
 
L I B^VIIL Of the Nature of things; 8^ 
 
 isby the degree of Extraction mAejua Regis, For 
 this kind of water will attempt to difTblve no metall, 
 but only p«re,finc Gold, &c. 
 
 The fame ^(j'w^ij^^^Af doth feparate alfo finepold 
 from gilded plate. For if that be wartied over witli ity 
 the Gold will be icparated from itj&c. 
 
 Moreover alfo with cememby thedegrec'^ofRc- Bythe aegice 
 verberation two Mctalls mixed togethermay be fcpa- °/ Rcvcrbcu- 
 rated the one from the other , but efpccially if they "°"* 
 arc not in the like degree of Fixation , as Iron and 
 Copper. For that Metall^which is but little fixed,3S 
 Tin, and Lead, is all of it confumed by the degree of 
 Reverberation in ccmcnt.For by how much the more 
 a Metall is £xcd,fo much the Icflc is it confumed by 
 cemcnr. 
 
 Youmuft know therefore that fine Gold is the 
 moft fixt, and pcrfe<5t Metall, which can bee deftroy- 
 cd, or confumed by no cement. Next to this is fine 
 Silver. If then Gold, and Silver be mixed together 
 in one body, which IS wont to bee called part with 
 part, or if Silver contain Gold, or Gold Silver : I fay 
 thefe being thus mixt if they bee reverberated into ce* 
 ment, then the Gold remains entire, and not at all in- 
 jured, but the Silver is confumed by the cement,and 
 fo is €xtra(5ted from fine Gold: fo alfo is Copper from 
 Silver, and Iron,and Tinne from Copper, and Iron, 
 or Lead from Tinne, and fo forth. 
 
 'Mm OF 
 
9^ Of tbin^wt€0f things LiB^Vni, 
 
 Of the Sef oration ofMmrallu 
 
 Ftcrthatwcc have explained ('as hitherto wee 
 ^have done )the reparation of Mctalls from their 
 Earth, and matter, as alfo of one Metall from ano- 
 ther, and how it is done having paffcd through it with 
 as much brevity as might be : it will in the next place 
 bee neceflary that wee treat alfo of thofc things out. 
 of which Metalls grow, and are generated, as are the. 
 ihrte Principles. Ivicrcury^ Sulphur, and Salt, as alfo.. 
 all Mineralls , in which the firft being of Metalls, . 
 u t, the fpirit of Mctalls is found, as is manifcft in. 
 MatcafiteS) GranatSj Cachymiics , red Talkc,, the 
 Azure ftonc,and the like, in which the firft being of 
 Gold is found by the degree of Sublimation. So in. 
 white Marca(ite,white Taikc, Auripigmentum,Arfc-- 
 nick,LithargC3&c»the firft being of Silver isiound.'In 
 Cobaltus,Zinetus,&c.the firft being of Iron: In Zinc- 
 tus,Vitriall,Verdcgreafe, &c.the firft being of Cop- 
 perrln Zinetus, Bifemutus, <&c.thc firft being of Tin: 
 In Antimony, Minium, &c the firft being of Lead; 
 In Cinnabar ^ the firft being of Quickiilvcr is 
 found. 
 
 Concerning this firft beginning you muftknow, 
 that it is a volatile fpirit ,as yet confifting in volatility,, 
 as an infant lies in tnc wombc ol its Mother , which 
 
 fomctimcs- 
 
LiB^VIIL OftheUatwecfthingt^ f^ 
 
 fomctimes is made like to Liquor, fometimes to AI- 
 cool. 
 
 Whofocver therefore dcfires to bufic himfclfc 
 about the getting of the firft being of any fuch body, 
 or to fcparate it , muft of neccflity have much ex- 
 perience, and knowledge in the Art of Alchy- 
 mie. 
 
 For if hee fliall not diligently and skilfully work in 
 Alchymie, hee fbal attempt many things in vain, an^ 
 accompliib nothing. 
 
 But after what manner the firft being is to be (epa- 
 rated out of any Minerall5is fufiiciently explained in 
 the booke called Archtdoxk,znd need not here tedi* 
 ouily bee repeated. 
 
 But as concerning the feparation of Mineralls, you 
 muft note, that many of them are to bee feparated 
 by the degree of Sublimation as fixed from thofe 
 which are not fixed , fpirituall and volatile bodies 
 from fixt bodies, and fo accordingly of all the mem- 
 bers, as is declared concerning Me vails. For of all 
 Mineralls there is one, and the like procelTe through 
 -all degrees, as the Art of Alchymie teacheth,&c* 
 
 M m 4 oB 
 
jap Ofthe Nature of thhgf^ LiR*VIlL' 
 
 Of the Separation of Vegetahles. 
 
 How Vegcta-- T'Hc fepa ration of thofc things, which grow out 
 ties arc fepa. A of the Earth, and arc combuftiblc, as fruits, 
 f»t€d. hcarbs, flowers, leaves, grafTc, roots, woods, ^fc. is 
 
 made many wayes. 
 For firft by Diftillation the Flegm is (epara'cd from 
 them, then the Mercury, then the Oylc,thcn the Re- 
 fine, then the Sulphur, and laftly the Salt. 
 
 All thefc Separations being made according to the 
 Spagiricall Art many notable, and excellent medi- 
 cines.come from thence, which are to be ufed as well 
 within, as without the body. 
 
 But now feeing idlencflc is fo much in requeft a- 
 mongft Phyfirians5and all labour and ftudy is turned 
 only to infolcncyjtruly I do not wonder ,that all fuch 
 preparations are every where negkdlcd, and coalts 
 lold at fo low a price, that if Smiths could be focafily 
 without coalcs in forging, and vvorkingtheir Mctalls, 
 as Phy fitians arc in preparing their Medicines , cer- 
 tainly Colliers would long uncc have been brought 
 to extream want. 
 A ifipvehenfi- In the mean time I will give to Spagiricall Phyfiti- 
 cnofPbyfiti- ansthcirduc praifc. For they arc not given to idlc- 
 nefTc, and floth, nor goe in a proud habit,or phifh and 
 velvet garments, often fhewing their rings upon their 
 fingers, or wearing fwords with lilvcr hilts by their 
 fides, or fTneand gay gloves upon their hands, but di- 
 ligently follow their labours, fwcating whole 
 nightSjand daycsby their furnaces. 
 
 . Thcfe 
 
Li 5 VI ll*^ Of the Nature rfthingf. p j 
 
 Thcfc doc not fpend their time abroad for rccrca- J^^J^^^^'^Jhy- 
 tion, but take delight in their laboratory. They wear mifts,and how 
 Leather garments with a pouch , and Apron where- ^^^Y ^^^^^ 
 with they wipe their hands. They put their fingers phyfttUnt, 
 amongft coalcs, into clay, and dung, not into gold 
 rings^ They are footy, and black, like Smithes, or 
 Colliers, and doe not pride themfclves with cleane, 
 and beautihill faces. They are not talkative when 
 they come to the fick, neither doe they cxtoll their 
 Medicines : feeing they well know that the Artificer 
 muft not commend his work , but the work the 
 Artificer, and that the fick cannot be cured with fine 
 words. 
 
 Therefore laying afide allthefe kinds of vanities. How many de^ 
 they delight tobee'bufied about the fire, and to learn ^\^therc£'^ 
 the degrees of the fciencc of Alchymie.-Of this order 
 arc DifiilUtien^ R foltttion^VutrefaStioji^Extra^ion^ 
 Calcimtion ^ Reverbention , Sublimation y FixA- 
 tten^ S e^aratiQH y Kcdu6tim , . CoagHUtieA r . Tin-^ 
 
 But how thcfe feparations may bee done by the 
 help of diftin(5t degrees according to the Art of 
 AFchymie, hath been in generall fpoken of already. 
 Wherefore it is needlcflc here to . make repeti- 
 tion. S 
 
 But to proceed to particulars, and briefly to cx- 
 plainc the pradife, you muft know that Water, 
 Spirit J Ltqutfr^ Oyte ^ &c. cannot bee feparated 
 after one and the fame procefTe, out of Fl6werS| 
 Hearbes,Seeds,Lcgvcs,Roots,Trees,Fruits,WoodSi, 
 bythe degree of Djflillation. 
 
 For Hearbs require one procefTe^FIowcrs another,' 
 Seeds anothcrj Leaves anothcr,Rootsaiiothcr,Tree5 
 
 Mm 3 another;^ 
 
Pij, Of the NatKr€(>fthingil t ife. vilT; 
 
 another, the Stalkes another, the Fruitc another, 
 'ru Woods another. 
 
 firc&'Sa! And in this degree of DifHllation, there arc 
 jatioii, ilfo foure diflin(5l degrees of Fire to bee confide- 
 
 red. 
 
 The firft degree of Fire in Diftillation is SaU 
 neum Maris ^ this Diftillation is made in Wa- 
 ter. 
 
 Another degree of Fire is Diftillation made in 
 Aihes. 
 The third in Sand. 
 
 The fourth in a naked Fire : as alfo Diftillation 
 may bee made by Aqua fonts , and other ftiarp 
 Waters. 
 With what To the firft degree of Fire bclon?, Hearbs, Flow- 
 cvfrT Veg«J! CIS, Seeds, and fuch like, 
 bicistobe " To the fecond. Leaves, Fruits, &c. 
 OiftilH Xo the third, Roots, and Boughes of trccs^&c^^ 
 
 To the fourth Wood, and luch like. 
 
 Note, that every one of thefemuft bee beaten 
 (mall , and bruifcd before they bee put into tlic 
 5tiil. 
 
 And thus much bee fpoken concerning the Di* 
 filiation of Waters out of the Vegetable fubfton- 
 ccs. # 
 
 As concerning the Seperation and Diftillation of 
 Oyls, the procefle is the fame as that of Water, only 
 fome of them are to bee .diftilled fer defctnfum^ and 
 cannot ^ccnd as Waters, the procefTe of thelc in this 
 ^aic is to bee changed. 
 
 But Liquors are not feparated in Diftillation as 
 Waters, or Oyles, but are cxprellbd from their cor* 
 .{potcall fubftanccs with a prefic. 
 
 And 
 
L I i VIET- Of the Kature of things. yj 
 
 And here wcc mufl know , that there arc fomc 
 Oylcs that arc prcfTed out, and feparated after the 
 fame manner, by a PrefTcas liquors arc , and that 
 for this rcaibn , bccaufc they fhould not contrad 
 an ill odottf from the Eire, as otherwifc they would; 
 doe* 
 
 Of this Order is the Oylc of Almonds^Nuts^hard 
 eggcs, and the like, 
 
 Alfo wee muft note, that all Oyles^if they be pre- 
 pared> and coagulated according, to the Spagiricall 
 Art> ycdd a kind of Ycrnifh, Gummc, Amber, or 
 Refine , which may bee alfo called Sulphur, and 
 that which remaincs in the bottome of the Still 
 may bee calcined , and brought to afties, and 
 from it may bee with warme water alone, the 
 Alcali extracled,and feparated from it. 
 
 The Aihes which is left behind is called the Dead 
 Earth, out of which never any clfc can bee extra? 
 
 Of the Sefdratt&n ofAnimallr. 
 
 TT is neccffary , that Anatomic goe before the 
 ^reparation of Animalls , that the bloud may bee 
 apart, the flcfh apart, the bones apart, the skinnc 
 apart, the bowels apart, the tendons apart, &e. and 
 ^tcr this muft every one of thcfc bee feparated by \t 
 felfc by the help of the Spagiricall Art. 
 
 JPhcrcfojfe: 
 
Q 5 Of the Nature of things. L r b. VIII . 
 
 . Therefore the reparations in this place are chiefly 4, 
 
 Foure degreci The firft draws forth a watcrie^and flcgnnatick hu- 
 
 dan^o/ff*" midity from the bloud. For from the bloud being 
 
 naiu. ' " after this manner, according to the proceiTe fliewcd 
 
 in the book ot Confervations,prepared, there comes 
 
 Mummic, &c. forth a mod excellent Mummie, and fo excellent a 
 
 Sfctifcum^ that any frefh wound may bee cured, and 
 
 confolidatcdin the fpace of twenty four hours, only 
 
 with one binding up. 
 
 Bairome,3cc. •jhg fccond is the reparation ot fat ' from flefh; 
 
 for that being feparated from Mans flefh is ^ ntioft 
 
 excellent balfomc allaying the pains of the Gout, 
 
 and Cramp, and fuch like pains, if any part affe<5led 
 
 bee anointed with it warm. It helps alfo the tendons 
 
 of. the hands, or feet, being drawn together, if they 
 
 bee daily anointed with it* It cures alfo the fcab , and 
 
 all kinds of Leprofy. 
 
 Therefore it is the chiefeft Chirurgical fpecificum , 
 and in all cafes, as in wounds and the like mofl pro- 
 fitable, &c. 
 
 The third is the reparation of waterie, and fieg- 
 matick moifture, together ivith the fat extraded out 
 of bones. For if thefe two bee carefully by the Art 
 of Alchymie feparated from Mens bones by the de- 
 gree of Diflillation , and the bones bee reduced, or 
 burnt into moft white allies by the degree of Calci^ 
 nation^ and then thefe three bee again after a right 
 manner joined together,fo that they refemb'e butter, 
 they become a moft wonderfull fpecificall ArcAnufHy 
 with which thou maiftfoundly cure any fracfture of 
 bones without any pain at three bindings up , fo 
 that thou doft hmdle , and fet the fradurc ac- 
 cording to the rules of Chirurgery , and then apply 
 that fpecificum by way of plaifter, &c. This 
 
LiB^VIIl* Ofthe Nature of thingf^ §f 
 
 Thisalfo doth moft fpeedily cure the wounds of 
 the skull, and any other contufion of bones whatfo- 
 ever. 
 
 The fourth^and the laft is the reparation of Refines, 
 and Gummcs from the Skin, Bowels , and tendons. 
 For this Refine being exrraded, and fcparated out 
 of them by thedfgrecof Extradion, according to 
 the Spagiricall Art, and coagulated by the bt ams of 
 theSun,becomeacleer tranfparent Glew. Out of 
 tihis glew being prepared,extra^cd^nd feparated out 
 of Mans body, as is prcrcribed, a moft excellent Ah 
 «r.«»«W3 and fpccifkail ftiprick comes forth, where- 
 with Wounds, and Ulcers may fpeedily bee confo- 
 lidated, and their lips bee brought together:,, (.evert 
 as two boards are glewed together with glewput bc^ 
 twixt them ) (o that you put two or three dvops of it 
 being refolvcd into the wound. This alfo is a fingu- 
 Jar Arcamm for Burns,Falling of the nails,Scabs5&c. ' 
 if the place affeded bee nointed with it* For the skin 
 will prefently bee brought over the raW: flefh. / ! 
 
 There might many other fcparations of thefe and 
 other things bee reckoned up. But feeing wee Live 
 mentioned them in other placcs,it would bee but loft 
 labour here to repeat them. It wil bee neceffiry tbac 
 wee fpeak of thoic things here , of which wee hive 
 made no mention cUcwhere. 
 
 And laftly in the end of all things fliall bee The laft SepaJ 
 
 the laft feparation., in the third . generation , the [aftTudgmcnt. 
 great day wlicn the S<(m of God ilial come in ttiajcfty, 
 and glory, before whom fhal be carried not f words, 
 garlands, diadems, fceprcrs, &Cv and Kingly jewels. The Manna 
 with which princes, Kings, Cefars, &c. doe pom- f^^^ 
 poufly f$t fonh themfelvcs^ but his Croffe^his crown " ^^ 
 
 Nn Qt 
 
 )f the laft 
 
^8 Of theKature of things^ LiB^VHr.. 
 
 of thorns, and nails thruft through his hands, and 
 fecr, and fpear with which his fide was pierced , and 
 thq reed, and fpiinge in which they gave him vincger- 
 to drinke, and the whips wherewith hee was fcour- 
 ged, and beaten.. Hccomcs not accompanycd with 
 troopcsofHorre,ajid beating of Drums, but fourc 
 Trurapctsiliall bee founded by theAngells towards 
 the fourc parts of the world, killing ail that are then 
 . alive with their horrible noife, in one moment, and 
 then prefcntly rajfing thefc again, together with them- 
 that are dead, and buryed. 
 ]gatih.»j. For the voice fhall bee heard .* Arife yee dsad:^ 
 
 and come to judgment. Then ihal the twelve Apoftles 
 fit down, their (eats being prepared in the clouds, and 
 ihal judge the twelve Tribes of Ifrael, In that place 
 the holy Angels fliall feparate the bad from the good, 
 thecurfcd from the blciled, the goats from the (liecp. 
 Then the curfcd fliall like ftones, and lead be thrown 
 downward / but the blelltd fliall like eagles fly on- 
 high. Then from the tribunall of God llial go forth 
 this voice to them that (land on his left hand : Goeyee 
 Curfedinto everiaflhg fire prepared for the Devi f I, 
 and his AngtUs from nil eternify : For I was an hun- 
 gry^ andjeefedme not-^ thirjly,andyouga'L'e no drink-:, 
 fick^ infnfon^ andnaked^ and you v j fit ed me not ^ freed 
 mee not^cloathedme net^and you fhexved nf pJty to-. 
 wards me y therefore fhalt you expf^ neftty from me. 
 On the contrary, hee fhal fpeafc to them on his right; 
 hand : Cejr. eyee blejfed, and chefen into my Fathers 
 Kingdome^ which hath hem pre fared for you^andhis . 
 Angells fremthe foundation of the rvorld. For I was 
 hungry^ andyou gave me meaty thirfiy,. andyeugavC' 
 medrink'y Irvas aflranger^andymtiok me f/f; naM^: 
 
 mi. 
 
Li b^VIII. Of the "Nature ofthingi; p^ 
 
 and you covered me-jfick^and you vifitid mt-^irt Prifon^ 
 And you came unf me. "Theref ore livtU receive youfnto 
 my Fathers Kingdom^xvhere are provided many majtfi' 
 ons for the Saints, Tou took fity on me^ therefore rvilL 
 I take pity onyou, 
 
 AH thefc being finiflied, and difpatchcd, all Ele- 
 mentary things wilreturnc to the firft matter of the 
 Elements, and bee tormented to eternity , and never 
 bee confumed, &c. and on tiie contrary^ all holy 
 things flnll return to the firft matter of Sacraments : 
 /. f.Thall be purified, and in eternall joy glorifie God 
 their Creator,^nd worship him from age to agejfrom 
 eternity, to eternity, Amen. 
 
 Nna OF 
 
too 
 
 LibJX, 
 
 zmmiuvjiid lo ; ^^^Q p THE 
 
 N A T V R E 
 
 Of Things. 
 
 THE NINTH BOOK, 
 
 Of the Signature of Naturall 
 things. 
 
 iN this Bookc it is convenient for us fpea- 
 king of the Signature of things in the firft 
 place5to declare by whom things are fign* 
 ed, and who the Signator island how ma- 
 ny things there be that are figned.Youmuft therefore 
 Icnow, that things that are fiened arcof^forts.Thc 
 
 firft fort of them Man figns: the Cccond^the Archeius:. 
 - - ■■-■ ^^ 
 
L ii^X' of the Nature oftbingsl | ojr 
 
 the third, the ftars of fupcrnaturall things. Therefore 
 upon this account there are three Signators; Man, 
 the Archeius, and Stars, 
 
 Moreover, you muft note, that iraprelTions figned 
 by men do bring with them a perfcd knowledge, and 
 Judgement of hid things^and impart the knowlcdg of 
 their hid vertucSjand faculties. 
 
 The markes of the Stars caufe Prophecies^and Prc- 
 fages, and declare the fupernaturall vertues of things, 
 and take out the true judgements^and fignes, in Geo- 
 mancy. Chiromancy, Phyfiognomy, Hydromancy, 
 Pyromancy, Necromancy, Aftronomy, the Bcrilli- 
 fticall art, and other Aftrall fciences. 
 
 But that wee may explain briefly, and truly all the 
 fignes, or markes, it wil be neceffary in the firft place, 
 that wee fpeak of thofe fignes of which Man is the 
 Signer. Thofe being underftood^you may the more 
 rightly underftand the reft,whcther naturaIl,or fuper- 
 naturall. It is therefore known, that the /<f)rj carry 
 about them, upon their cloak, or coat a yellow fign. 
 And this is nothing elfc but that mark,by which they 
 would have you , when you meet them, to know 
 that they are lervsm So a Serjeant Js known by 
 his divers coloured coat, or fleevc. So every Magi- 
 grate apparclls his fervants with his own colours, and 
 hvcrics. 
 
 Every Mechanick marks hiswork witha certainc 
 figncy that every one may know whofc wOrk it is. 
 
 For which end Carriers wear the livcric of their 
 Biafter,or city, that it may be known whom they fcrvc 
 and from whence they travcll,that thereby they may 
 goc the fafcr» 
 
♦I 02 * Of the Nature (pftbingsl Lib. IX 
 
 SoeveiySouldier wears am arke, or badge, asco-* 
 lours, black, white, yellow, green, blew, or red, Sec'. 
 that he maybe diftinguillied from the cnemie. Hence 
 it may bee inown that this is Cefurs rouldier,that the 
 Khgs^ this an Italian^ this a French rou!dicr,&c. 
 Thcfc are figncs which belong to order, or officc,of 
 which many more may bee reckoned up. But ycc 
 bccaufewfc have intended to dcfcribc the fignes of 
 naturalljandfupernaturall things, wee dial not fill up 
 this booke with other fignes . 
 
 As concerning thofelignes, which Man makes, 
 which doc not only refpe^ ordcr,oflice, or name,but . 
 conduce to the knowing of his knowlcdge,age, digni- '' 
 ty, degree, &c. You muft know concerning Money 
 that every kind thereof hath its peculiar trial!, and 
 marke, by which it is known how much it is valued 
 at, whoisthcMafterofit, and in what place it is 
 ufually entrant. Hence is that German Proverb^Mo- 
 ney is no where more in requeftthcn where it was coi- 
 ned. 
 
 Thefamealfoistobecunderftood of things that 
 are looked upon and examined by men fworn and 
 appointed forihat purpofc, before they bee figned: 
 as Cloth which is marked with peculiar marks , by 
 which it may be known, tliat in examining they were 
 found good, and proved. Why is a fcal put upon 
 Letters, but that tliereis a certain bond, which it is 
 lawfijll for no man to violate ? For a feal is a con- 
 firmation ofLetters, whence they are of all men ac- 
 counted ratified. Without a feale an Acquitance is 
 void, and of no force. 
 
 After the fame manner many things are marked 
 with few letters, namcSjOr words, as books , which 
 / being 
 
Li B.IX. Of the Nature of things. log 
 
 being writ upon the outfide but with one word , doe 
 prefently flicw what is contained within. 
 
 The fame rule alfo there is for glafTes and boxes in 
 Apothecaries iliops, all which are difcerned by pecu- 
 liar names, or papers put upon them. Unlcffe that 
 were done, who could difcern £o many Waters , Li- 
 quors^ SyrupSjOyIes,Powders,Seeds,Unguents. &c. 
 and all nm pies ^ After the fame manner dotn the 
 Alchymift in his Elabatorie mark with names, and 
 papers all Waters, Liquors, Spirits, Oyles, Flegms, 
 Crocus, Alcali, and all fpecies, that thereby hee may 
 when there is occafionmake ufeofany of them,and 
 know them .-without the help of which his memory 
 could never bear them. 
 
 So alfo may all hotifcs and buildings bee marked 
 with numbers or figures, that the age of every one of 
 them by the firft fight of the number may prefently 
 be known. 
 
 Thefcand other things that are marked I was wil- 
 ling to fhew to y0U5that thefe being comprehended, I 
 might bee the better underftoodby you in the reft^, 
 and fo the fignification of every thing might bee the 
 more plain, and clear. 
 
 O-F 
 
1 04:: Of the Nature of thing r^ L i b* IX* 
 
 Of the MonflmmSignes of 
 
 "K/lAny men are brought forth deformed with 
 ftrousfignes' "^"^nionftrous marks, or fignes : fo one abounds 
 orMarkcs. With One finger, or Toe, another wants one. The fin- 
 gers of Come grow all together in the mothers womb. 
 Another hath a wry foor^ arm,or neck,&c.and brings 
 it with him out of the womb. Another hath abunch 
 in his back : io alio arc Hermaphrodites born , /. e, 
 they which are both Male, and Female, and have the 
 members both of Man, and Woman , or clfe want 
 both.I have obfervcd many of thefe monftrous figns, 
 as well in Males, as in Fcmales,all which are to bee 
 accounted for monftrous lignes of fecret evil afcen- 
 What mon- ^^^^^* Whence that proverb is made good^Thc more 
 ftrous G§nc8 crooked,thc more wicked : Lame members , lame 
 (hew. deeds. For they are fignes of vices,feldomc fignifying 
 
 any good. 
 
 As the Executioner marks his fons with infamous 
 markes ; fothe evil Afccndents imprefic upon their 
 yong,fupcrnatural mifchicvous marks^that they may 
 bee the better taken heed ot, which iliew fome marks 
 in their forehead, cheeks, ears, finders, hands , eyes, 
 tongues,&c.being fiiort,or cutted. Every one of thefe 
 infamous fignes denotes a peculiar vice. So a mark 
 burnt upon the face of a Woman, or the cutting off 
 hcrcars,for the moft part fignifies theft : the cutting 
 off the fingers, cheating Diceis- the cutting off the 
 
 hand^ 
 
L 1 B^IX, Of the Nature af thiffgh icyy 
 
 handj^ breakers of the peace: the cutting ofFtwo of the 
 fingers perjured .* the pulling out of the eyc,cunning, 
 and fubtilc villains ; the cutting out of the tongue, 
 blafphemers, (l.mdererSj&c. So alfo you may know 
 them that deny the Chriftian Religion by a crofic 
 burnt in the foles of their feet, bceaafc vi^, they have 
 dcnyed their Redeemer. 
 
 But that pafllng bychefe we mayprocecd to the mon- 
 ftrous figns of Malignants afcendingj^ou muft know, 
 that all monftrous fignes do not arife from an A fccn- 
 dent only^but oftentimes alfo from the flars ol Mens 
 minds,which continually and every moment afccnd, 
 and defcend with the fancy, eftimation , or imagina- 
 tion, no othcrwife then in the fuperiour firmament. 
 Hence cither from fear, or terrour of breeding !Wo- 
 mcn, many monfters , or children marked with mon- 
 ftrous fignes in the womb, are borne. The primary 
 caufc of thcfe is fear, terror , appetite from which is 
 raifed the imagination. If a woman with child begirt 
 to imagine, then her heaven by its motion iscarryed 
 round, no otherwifc then the fuperiour firmament 
 every moment, with Afcendents, or rifings, or Set- 
 tings. For according to the example of the greater 
 firmament , the ftars of the Microcofme alfo arc 
 moved by Imagination , untill there be anafTault, 
 whereby the flars of the Imagination convey aji 
 influence, and imprelfion upon the Woman that is 
 breeding, juftas it anyone lliould imprelTe a fealc, 
 orftamp money. Whence thefe fignes, and geniall 
 marks are called Impreflions of infcriour ftars , of 
 which many Philofophcrs have wrote many things, 
 and men have endeavoured much togiveafull,and 
 rationall account of , which could never yet bee 
 
 O o done. 
 
io8 Ofthc Nature of things^ LibJX^ 
 
 done. Yet they doe adhere, and are impreffcd on the 
 infants, as the ftars of the Mother, whether frequent 
 or violentjdoe reft upon the Infants, or the Mothers 
 longing is not fatisfied .* For if the Mother long for 
 this, or that meat, and cannot have it, the ftarrcs arc 
 fuffocated as it wcrcinthemfelves, and dye : And 
 that longing doth follow the infant all its life time, 
 that it can never bee well fatisfied. The like reafon is 
 there of other things,of which we Ihall not hear Dif- 
 courfeany further. 
 
 ■*-"*"|5f'* 
 
 [^^^jSi'LSniL 
 
 me. 
 
 Of the AjlrallSigner ofThyfiognomy 
 
 in Man^ 
 
 ThcOngmsU T?^ figtjcs of PliyiiognoiTiy receive their original 
 ^f .Phyfiogno* f fom the luperior ftars-, this art of Phyfiognomy 
 was greatly eftecmed of by our Anceftors,and efpeci- 
 ally by Heathens,Tartars, and Turks, &c.and other 
 people, amongft whom it was the cuftomc toftl mcrr 
 For flaves, and it is not yet altogether laid afide a- 
 mongft Chriftians. Yet together with it many errors 
 crept in, not yet taken notice of by any, whileft every 
 blockiih ignorant fellow would take upon him with- 
 out any manner of judgement to judge of any one. 
 Where it is worthy of admiration that thofe crours 
 ihould never bee taken notice of from the workes , 
 dbcds, and abilities of the men. 
 
 Now if any one fliall in this place argue againft us, 
 faying, that the figncs of Phyfiognomy arc from the 
 fiars^and that the ftars have no power to compell any 
 
 one. 
 
L I B JX. Of the NatHre of things. i o^f 
 
 One or ftiriiim up-, he indeed doth not fpcak amifle.-but 
 yet there is fome difference in it which muft be taken 
 notice of, becaufe the ftars compell fome, and others 
 they doe not compell. 
 
 For here we muft know, who can rule or con- 
 ftrain the ftars, and who can be governed by them. 
 Therefore for this you muft note , that a wife man 
 can rule the ftarSjand not be fubjc^ to them. The 
 ftars are fubje(5l to a wile man, and are forced to obey 
 him, and not he the ftars. But the ftars compell an 
 Animall man, that whither they lead him hce muft 
 follo\5^, juft as a thief doth the gallows, and a high- 
 way robber the wheel, ihc fifher the fiflics^the fowler 
 the birds^ the hunter the wild beafts. And what 
 here is the caufe of this, but that fuch a kind of 
 man doth neither know himfelf,nor his own ftrength, 
 never confiders, or thinks that he is the Icffcr world, 
 and that he hath the univerfall Firmament with the 
 powers thereof hidinhim^ Wherefore he is called 
 an Animall, an ignorant man^and a flave to any bafc 
 fervice , and all earthly matters ^ yet whereas he 
 received t hat priviledge from God in Paradife , that 
 hee ftiould rule, and reign over all other creatures of 
 theUnivcrfe, and fliouldnot bee obedient to them 5 ^jjj-jj,,^ 
 therefore God created him laft of all, all the reft be- Lerd of all o-' 
 ing made before him.This priviledg man afrer»vards ^^" Creatures, 
 loft by his fall : but yet the wifdome of man was 
 not made fcryile, nor did hee let that liberty goe out 
 of his hands. Whence it is requifite that the ftarres 
 fliould follow him,and obey him,and not he the ftars. 
 And although hee indeed be the fon of Saturne^and 
 Saturn his Afcendcnt^ yet hee can remove himfclfc 
 from him, and fo overcome him ^t hat he can be the 
 
 O o 2 off-fpring 
 
no t>f the Nature 0f things, LfBjJCj 
 
 ^r uhdr" off-<*P*'i"gof theSun; and bring himfclfc under any 
 
 Sm ^ifefiom ^^^^^ planet, and make himfclfe its Son. And it is 
 
 cBcftar,and thc fame cafc hereas with a Digger, who for a time 
 
 ^j"^,^;^^/hcr!^^^^ the Mafter of the Mmcs, 
 
 and with the hazard of his life hath performed his (er- 
 
 vicc faithfully, at length reafons,and difcourfeth wit!i 
 
 himfelfe thus. 
 
 What will become of thee at laft,if thou fpendeft 
 all thy life under theearth,and by thy continuall la- 
 bours doft alfo bring thy body >and life into danger ? 
 I will get a releafe from my Mafter, and I will fervc 
 another Mafter, where my life may be made fweeter, 
 where I may have plenty of meat, and drink, where I 
 may wear better clothes, have Jittle work and much 
 wages, where there ftiall bee no danger of the moun- 
 tain hanging over mee,and ready to tall upon me,&Co 
 After this manner hee would bee at liberty , when as 
 otherwife hee muft remainc a Mercenary (crvant, 
 find flave, pining away with much labour*, and low 
 feeding, &c. 
 
 Now you fee how a wife man commands the ftars ^^ 
 and can remove himfelfe from any malignant planet , 
 and bring himfelfe under another better, how he can 
 bring himfelfe out of flavery into liberty, and can free 
 himiclfe out of the prifon of an ill planet^, 
 
 So alfo an Animall man, who is the fon of the Sun, 
 of lufiter^ Ventts^ and Mercury^m^y remove himfelf 
 from a benigne planet, and fubjcd himfelf to Saturfte^ 
 or Mars : fuch a man is like to a man , who runs from 
 arelii;iousColledge,andbeing impatient of an cafy 
 life becomes a Souldier, or clfe a man of no repute, 
 who afterwards fpends all his life in forrow , and mi* 
 fery. 
 
 Such 
 
Li B.IX. Of the Uature of things . i ti 
 
 Such an one alio is a rich man, who being given to 
 lc\'ity ,fpcnds,and vvafts all his goods , in Dicirg , 
 Fcafting, Whoring, &c. which hce gives himfclfc ta 
 folonguntillallbecfpent, thcnhcc comes to want 
 •-and being miferably afflided with infamous want, 
 becomes defer vediy a laughter and (corn to all men, 
 yea even to the very boyes in the flrcets, whom you 
 may hear faying ; Behold a beggerly man worth 
 nothing, who when hee was a Maftcr difdained h^ 
 Ma{l:crfiiip^and had rather be a llavc,a begger,a llave 
 to fervants^iccing he caa never come to his priviled^^ 
 again. 
 
 And hither doth a Malignant ftar , or Afcendcnt 
 drive him. Unlcffe he had been a foole, and difho 
 neft, he had not left fo certain a Dominion, which hcc 
 Jiad over the flars, buthadftrove againft it .--And 
 although of himfelfe hee knew not how to rcfift the 
 ftars^ yet hce might have bent his mind to the exam- 
 ples ©f others j thinking thus with himfelfe .-.Sec how 
 rich that man was, but foolifhly, and fhamefully hath 
 brought himfclf to poverty.Alfo he lived gallantly, 
 withoutmuch labour,had fo much meat,fuch wages, 
 that[hc could not live better.Now he lives fparingly, 
 andibrdidly, andin fteadof Wine hee fmnft drinke 
 Water, his labours daily incrcafe , his wages de« 
 creafe. 
 
 Now how often doth fuch a kind of Man talkc 
 after this manner with himfelfe. What have I 
 jdonef Whither aav I running headlong, fo bafely 
 fpcnding my goods that I got, who will repairs 
 my cftatei* If ever I ihall receive what hath been 
 ^hus fpent, I will take a far other courfc of life, 
 and will by my harms Icarneto bee wife, and 
 
 Oo 3 will 
 
Ill Of the Nature oftblngt. L [ b.Xi; 
 
 will make amends for my ev'.ll deeds. 
 No man is But it is Convenient to know , that no man can 
 
 h«m«^buT ^^^ ^^^^ ^y ^^^ ^^"^ harme. For it is a fooliih, 
 
 4^?«. '" ^ and fcnfcleflc thing to bee wife by ones ownc 
 
 harme. Let him that mil be wife , be wife b/ 
 
 another mans example ^ not by his owne. For 
 
 heethat hath once fpcnt his eftaie, would fpcnd 
 
 it againe if hec Ihould have it , and he that once 
 
 periiheth, periflieth for ever. Hee which once 
 
 hath caft a Dice, cafts it again. Hee which once 
 
 fiolc, and efcapcd the gallowes , will endeavour 
 
 to (leal the fecond time alfo. For hee thinkcs 
 
 thus with himfelfc. My cnterprizes have fuccce- 
 
 dcd once , and again, and why not the third , or 
 
 fourth time-f If God fhould once reftore what I 
 
 have loft, hee would reftore it the fecond, and third 
 
 time, &c. If hee did not forfake mcc in my 
 
 firft raifcry, hec will not in the fecond, or 
 
 , third,&c. 
 
 .! All thcfc doth an Animall man doe, the fcr- 
 
 vant, and ilave of the ftars, who is turned every 
 where, and moved by the ft*rres , as a Rccd in 
 water. 
 
 And this is the reafon why his life is fpcnt in mi- 
 fery, and he dies in infamy. 
 
 Who therefore will fuftain fuch 'fervitudc, and 
 not deliver himfelfc from fuch a naftyprifon/ For 
 any one may by his owne wifdomt , together 
 with the help of his ftar,delivcr, and free himfclfe 
 from thence. Coniidcr the matter thus: 
 
 A Fowler by his prudence , and help of his 
 ftar, overcoming another ftarre, needs not goc 
 after birds , for they will come after him fly- 
 ing 
 
LibJX; Of the Nature rf things. n? 
 
 ing to unufuall places, contrary to their na- 
 ture. 
 
 So a Fifherman can by making ufc of the wif- 
 domc which God hath given him make fifhes fwim 
 to him of their own accord , fo that he may take 
 them up with his hands. 
 
 A Hunter improving his wifdomc , doth by his 
 
 ftar fo compell the wild bcafts, that hee need not ^ 
 
 follow them , but they will follow him without 
 
 any impulfc of nature. So alfo of the reft of living J 
 
 creatures. 
 
 Now for the better underftanding of thefe things, |^«5 «« ^^®^- 
 you muft know, that Stars are twofold^'ierrcttriall , ^ ' 
 and celeftiall, thefc of wifdomc, the other of 
 folly. 
 
 And as there are two worlds,the greater, and the 
 IciTer, and the greater governs the IcfTcr : fo alfo- 
 the ftarres of the Microcofmc doe rule, and over- 
 come theccleftiall. 
 
 "Neither did God create the planets, and other The end of tbt 
 ftars of the heaven, that they (hould rule over man^ f^^vf no? 
 but that they, as all other crcatures,nioijld- obey, command, 
 andfervchim. And although the ii:pcriour ftars *"*"• 
 doe incline men, and figne them -s alio all other 
 tcrreftiall bodies, with naturall fioacs, according to 
 the manner of their generation? y^t that is no power, 
 or fovcraigmy, but only a predeftinated com- 
 mand, and office, whereby nothing may re* 
 maine hid, or concealed , but the inward force^ 
 and power may bee brought forth by cxtcriour 
 
 %n€S. ..H*^:" 
 
 But to return to our purpofc of the Phyfiognomt-S'ga<3 «>??«?? 
 callfigncs ot M€n,you mult know5t{^t they arc two- ^°^' 
 
 iold 
 
tr4 OftheNatHnnftJjiKgfl Lib. IX. 
 
 fold, in extemall (liape indeed alike, but in power^and 
 cffed unlike. 
 
 Some are fromfupcrnatiirall ftars of the heaven , 
 the other, from the infcriour ftarrcs, "ji:^. of the Mi- 
 crocofmc. 
 
 Whatfocver the fuperiour ftar figncs according to 
 generation, even to the midle age*, that thing figncd 
 is prcdcftinated , not wanting peculiar powers. 
 For it doth teftific of the nature , and condition 
 of Man, Whatfocver therefore the infcriour Har of 
 the Microcofme doth fign in generation , hath its 
 originall from the Fathe r, and Mother, vi:[.zs oft as 
 the Mother by her imagination, or appctite,feare,or 
 terror hath by contad afFe<^ed' her infant in her 
 womb with fupernaturall fignes, which arc called the 
 Mothers marks, or the Womb marks,of which fincc 
 wee have fpolce already, wee fhall now fave the la- 
 bour of itcratioiT.,fceing our purpofe is only to treat of 
 Phyfiognomicall fignes, where wee fliall fpeak only 
 WbM we Pby- Qf fh^ prcdcftinated fignes of the ftars, under which 
 figncs?"^ wecunderftandthofe fignes of Men, which neither 
 their Father , or Mother had any likenefTe of in 
 their body. 
 
 Of this fort are black, gray, little, or great eyes, 
 long, crooked, (harp, nofe, pits in their cheeks, the 
 check -bone being raifed up,a flat, or broad nolc, 
 imalljOr great cars, long neck, long face, wide, or 
 little mouth, thick or fn*ll, npany or few, black,ycl- 
 low, and red haires, &c. 
 
 If one, or more of thefc fignes appear in Man, 
 you muft know, that they dot not want their fig-* 
 nification. ' 
 
 But 
 
Li B JX. Of the Nature ofihifigs^ , 1 1 5 
 
 But it fs ncccfTary that you coniider them accor. 
 ding to the Phyfiosnomicall art, and that you have 
 certain knowledge of the Art of Signatures, where- 
 by you may know through the cxtemalJ fignes the 
 inrernall man. 
 
 But to proceed to the praclife of wliat we inten- What Black 
 ded, and to reckon up fome of the figncs of ^^^**'^"'°^' 
 Men, and their fignification in part. 
 
 You muft knowjthat black eyes befi -"'es a healthful 
 conftitution , a!fo many times fignifie a conftanc 
 mind, not wavering, or tcarfull,but lufty,hearty,true 
 and loving vcrtue. 
 
 Gray eyes are afigne of a deceitfully and change » ^^« ^"y. 
 tjble mitn. 
 
 Weak eyes fignifie good judgement , witty, and Weake Eyes, 
 profound deliberation. 
 
 Purblind eyes, and fuch as turnc upward , and ^uiW'nd, 
 downward, and to both fides , fignifie a falfe man, 
 and crafty, that cannot eafily be deceived, treache- 
 rous , hating labour , flothfull , getting his living 
 flothfuUy, by Dice, Ufury, Whoring, Kobbe- 
 ry,&c. 
 
 Small and deep eyes doe for the moft part figni- ^'^^il and 
 fie weak, and feeble eyes , and blindnefic enfuing "^' 
 in old age, as alfo ftrong men, warlike, bold, de- 
 ceit full , nimble , fa(flious , patiently undergoing 
 their condition, yet the end of whofe life is for the 
 moflparttragicall,&c. : 
 
 Great eyes, a covetous, ravenous man , efpecially Gf"f • 1 
 if they hang out of the head. ^ 
 
 Eyes that are alwaies winking,declare a weak iJght, wiS" 
 and a mm to be fearefull, and folicitous . 
 
 P p Rol- 
 
ii5 
 
 Roling. 
 
 Of the t{ature of things^ L i b JX. 
 
 Rolling Eyes fliew an amorous affediion, and 
 a prudent man, and a man of quickc inten- 
 
 tion. 
 
 Continnslly 
 dej«ftcd. 
 
 Ked. 
 
 Clcare. 
 
 Eares great. 
 
 Eyes contiuually dcjc(fled fhcvv a baflifuH, modeft: 
 man^&c. 
 
 Eyes that are red , fignific a bold , and ftrong 
 man,&c. 
 
 Clear eyes, and not eafily moveable, (lie w an hcro- 
 ick, magnanimous, ftrong, chearfull, and a man for- 
 midable to his enemies, &:c. 
 
 Great eares fhew a good hearing, a good 
 memory, attention, diligence, a found brain , and 
 head, &c. 
 
 Low eares arc an ill omen. For, for the moft 
 part they fignifie a man to be malitious , fraudulent, 
 unjuft,and a bad hearing, a bad memory, a bold man, 
 and eafily cxpofing himfelfe to dangers. 
 Along nofe, and crooked downwards is a good 
 A long Nofc. ngn,it fignifies a man to bee valiant, prudent, clofe, 
 rigorous, and yet juft,&c. 
 'A flat nofc fignifies a man to be malic ious,lufl:full^ 
 AaatNoCe. givcn tolying,inconftant, &c. 
 
 A fliarp nofc , a man to bee a turne-coatc , a 
 Sharp. mocker, &c. 
 
 A long nofc a man to be flow in all his adlionSjand 
 i^ng- to be ofa very quick fmell. 
 
 The chtckes with pits in them fignifie a 
 Hollow checks man to bee talkative , a Scorncr , contenti- 
 ous, &c. 
 A long chin, with a long facc,fignifie a man to be 
 Along CbiPigivcmQ angcr^and flow to labour,&c. 
 
 A 
 
L I B^ VIlT* Of the Nature of things 1 1 7 
 
 A divided chin fignifies a man to bee faithful!, ^^^^^'^^ 
 officious, fubtile^and various in his vvords/pcaking 
 one thing , and meaning another , angry , yet 
 forry for his anger, ingenious, and given to inven- 
 tions, 
 
 A great and large mouth fignifies a man to bee a a grc« 
 great devourer , filly , fooliili , imprudent, dare- ^oi"**' 
 ing , &c. A little mouth fignifies the con- 
 trary. 
 
 Lips drawnc to, where the upper is greater Lip, atawnc*^ 
 then the lower, fignific a man to bee angry , 
 warlike , couragious , yet for the moft part of 
 rode, and uncivfll behaviour, and manners like to a 
 fwine. 
 
 Lips great beneath, fignific a man to be dull, foo- Lips great 
 lifli,andblockilh,&c. ^"^^^^• 
 
 Judgement by the haircs either of the head, or Hairc fignifies 
 beard, is not very certain, becaufeufe teacheth that "°^^'"§ ^7. *! 
 they can be divers wayes varycd, as to bee made "* 
 black, or yellow, or red, or white, and hoary, or 
 curled, foft, or hard, as any one defires to have 
 them. 
 
 Hence it will come to pafie , that many who 
 are othcrwife skilfull enongh in the Art of Phyfi- 
 ogmony,would be moft iliamefully deceived, whilft 
 they (hould raihly judge by the hairs, imputing thac 
 to the ftars, which fiiould rather be afcribw^d to men 
 themfclves. 
 
 Yet it cannot bee denyed , but that haires firm- 
 ly iaftened on the head , doc fignific a good 
 health of the head, as alfo of the whole 
 body. 
 
 And this is the reafon, why they that buy Horfcs 
 
 P pz pull 
 
1 v8 Of the Nature of things^ L i b JX^ 
 
 pull theirtails, that by this means they may judge of 
 ihcirfoundneffc. 
 
 So Hoggcs arc tryed by their briftles, Fidi. 
 by their flieils , and fcales , a Bird by his fea- 
 thers, &c. 
 
 Ln'' Necks Thenccke, ifitbe tdolong,{ignifiesa manto 
 ° ' * ' bee follicitous,prudenr, and attent, &c. 
 
 Broad Shoicicrs Broad fliouldcts y and backe , fignific a man. 
 
 andtacb. ^.o btc ftrong , and able for carrying or remo- 
 ving, &c. 
 
 Mufciilouj Armes that are mufculous, fignifie a man to be 
 
 ^'""* ftrong and able for any exercife,as bcating^poundingi- 
 
 fliooting, &:c.. 
 
 Hard hands. Hands that bee hard fignifie a man to bee 
 laborious , and a hireling, &c. Soft hands,the con- 
 trary. 
 
 ^fhortBody.. A fliort body, and long legs fignifieaman tobe 
 a good runner,' to bee eafilyfatisBed with meat,, 
 anddrinke, and for the moft part to bee of a fliort 
 life. 
 
 Great and clear veines under the middle age of 
 man fignifie a man to be full of bloud and juicc,but 
 above the midle of his age to be commonly fick, yet 
 long lived* 
 
 b^^'Ifd'oibJ' ^^ much as concerns the manners, gefluresof 
 
 by {L man?' men, nothing can be fo eafily known, and judged by 
 
 ncrs,and be- them. 
 
 havioiir o P^j, experience teachcth that thefe can every mo- 
 
 ment bee changed, as to deceive the Signator , and 
 make him erroneous in his judgement : And becaufe 
 it hath not been obferved hitherto fo accurately by 
 all Aflronomers; It is therefore the Signators pare 
 not alwayes to look to the manners and anions of 
 
 men 
 
L I bJX. Of the NatHfe of things. 1 1 p 
 
 men , but rather to other figns of the body, which arc 
 fixed, and can by no Art be counterfeited or chan* 
 ged. 
 
 For if red hairs, moving the forehead , and eye- 
 lids, a cheerfulljraifed, and unmovcahle countenance, 
 a frequent agitation of the mouth , a ftout mufed 
 walking, and a light mind, iliould neceflarily declare 
 a man to be a gallant fouldierand ftout, every one 
 could by his induftry and art make himfelfe feem to 
 be fuch an one-, that hee might by his lookcs bee 
 the better approved of, and obtaine greater 
 pay. 
 
 The like alfo may be judged of other kinds of be- 
 haviour, which pretend to vvifdom,folly,truth,lyiags 
 fortune, vi<^ory, &c. 
 
 Ppj e/ 
 
I30 
 
 Of the Nature of things, L i i\ IX* 
 
 %Mi^mtMM^}fim^MSMmmm 
 
 What Chlros 
 Hiancy is. 
 
 Of the Afirall Signes of 
 
 Chiromancy* 
 
 /^Onccrnlng the Signes of Chiromancy, we mud 
 ^^hold that they doe arife from the fuperiouf 
 ftars of the feven planets^ and that wee muft know 
 and judge of them by the feven planets. 
 
 Now Chiromancy is an Art, which doth not 
 only look into the hands of men, and make judge- 
 ment by their lines and wrinkles, but alfo confiders 
 all hearbs, woods, hard ftones, carthcs, and ri- 
 vers, and whatfocver hath lines , veins , or wrin- 
 kles. 
 
 Neither doth this Art want its crrours,which thofc 
 Aftronomers were guilty of. 
 
 For they afligned the fingers of both hands to the 
 planets, and chicfeft ftars, whereas there arc but 
 - five fingers in one hand, and in both ten, yet the pla- 
 nets are reckoned but feven. 
 
 How then can thefc things agree amongft them- 
 felves 't 
 
 Now if there were (tvt^ fingers on each hand, it 
 then might bee granted, that every finger might bee 
 afcribed to fevcrall planets. 
 
 Whether the "^"^ V^^ ^^ ^'^^^"^ °"^ many times,that fome men may 
 fingers be havc but fcvcu fingcrs on both hands, the reft being 
 afligned to ;hc ^afually cut off: but fein^ that they were cutoffaand 
 
 Flanks. ^^^ 
 
L IB JX. Of the Nature of things^ i ^j 
 
 juft fcven were not at their birth, this matter cannot 
 be related hither. 
 
 And if it lliould be fo, that a man fhould bee borne 
 with feven fingers, whether on one hand^, or onboth.- 
 yet that were monftrous, and bcfide the ufuall order 
 of Nature, and not fubjcwtto theftars. Therefore 
 this alfo cannot belong to this place. 
 
 But if there muft be but five fingers on each hand, 
 and fcven planers, andthefc mutually bee compared 
 amongft themfelves,it would then be convenient that 
 the lots of the planets fliould be put into a box , to 
 know which two planets muft give place, and bee 
 left out. 
 
 - Yet becaufe this cannot bee, and the planets have 
 neither dice, nor lots in the Firmamentj It would be 
 worth wondering at, if any one iliould ufurp this 
 power to himfclf, as to allot by the name of the pla- 
 net, and figne, the thumb to Venu^^ the fore-finger to 
 lupter^ the midle-finger to Saturne, the ring -finder 
 to the Sun, and the little-finger to Mercury , in the 
 meane time carting out LM^rs^ and the Moon , as it 
 were out of their tribe and liberty. 
 
 Which things being fo-, who can wonder that 
 Mdrs doth ftir up his fons with juft indignation to kill 
 thatcafteroflots, ortobearea perpetuall hatred a- 
 gainft himr'jjWho can wonder why the Moon fhould 
 enfeeble the brain of that player 3 or take away his 
 reafon ? 
 
 And this is their firft errour , which \ as wee 
 have faid, they have committed in Chiroman- 
 cy. 
 
 The fecond erroux in it is this : 
 
133 Of the Nature (ffthings~l Lib. IX, 
 
 It oftentimes happens that the original! , and na- 
 turall lines of the hands are changed by hurts, and 
 cafualties, or arc made greater, or IcficT, or doe ap- 
 pear in other places. 
 
 For as if there be a high-way obftruded by any 
 thing or be flopt up by the fall oi a mountain, or be 
 fpoiled by the overflowing of waters, men go about 
 in another way neer to it ; fo it happens in the old 
 lines of the hands, that fometimes after the curing of 
 wounds, or ulcers, together with new flefli, alfo 
 new lines doe grow out, and the old are quite abo- 
 liflicd. 
 
 In the fame manner alfo by reafon of hard labours 
 the lines are defaced , or they which were original! 
 grow great •, as it is in trees : For if a young tree 
 icnd forth many branches on all fides , thefe 
 being cut off, the tree it fclfe becomes big- 
 ger. 
 
 But that wee may at length proceed to the pra<5li(c 
 of the Art of Chiromancy , and brfefly declare 
 ouropinion; I would have you know , that I will 
 indeed change nothing of what concerns the hands , 
 but acquiefce, and be fatisfied with the oblervations, 
 and defcriptions of the Ancienrs. Yet I purpofe in 
 this pradife of Chiromancy to write of thofe things, 
 of which the Ancients have made no mention of, as 
 of the Chiromancy of Hearbs, Woods, StoneSjand 
 the like. 
 The Chiro- And it mufl firftbe noted, that all Hcarbs,wh:ch 
 mancy of ^^c of ouc kind muft be of one, and the fame Chiro- 
 
 Hcarbs and ^ 
 
 Woodf. mancy. 
 
 But if tfxir lines bee unlike, and appearc grea- 
 ter^ or IclTer in fome of them •• that AS, by reafon of 
 
 their 
 
L I S^ Villi oft be Nature of things^ i^ 5 
 
 their age. Wee doe therefore clearly profcffe, that What ufe is of 
 the Chiromancy of Hcarbs, condiiceth to nothing ^'^^'"' 
 t\k bucto know, and underftand the age of any 
 Hcarb5orRoot. 
 
 But by way of arguing any may heT€^>b|ed , that 
 there is no hcarb as long as it growes is older tfien 
 another, four or five monthes at the raoft, if the fup- 
 putation begins from May till Autumne , at which 
 time hcarbs die,and fall from their root. 
 
 To this I anfwer, that from God there is but one The condinoti 
 vertuc in ^ root, which is the firfl: being and fpirit of °,[j5Hea?b " ^^ 
 the hearb, by rcafon of which the hcarb grows^and is 
 fupported untill the prcdcftinated time , and untill it 
 bee exalted to the produiftion of feed. And this is 
 a fign, and a mark, that the vertue returns back to the 
 root, and fo the hearb is drycd. As long as that fpi- 
 rit which is the chiefcft vertue of the hearb rcmaines 
 in the root, the hearb every yeer is renewed.- unlefic 
 it be, that that fpirit together with the hearb be taken 
 way, and decayes. Then the hearb is not renewed .For 
 the root is dead,3nd hath no more life remaining in it. 
 But after what manner that fpirit together with the 
 hearb is taken from the root, or with the root from 
 the earth, that the vertue thereof cannot goe backc 
 into the root, or from the root into the earth, is* not* 
 tobeconfideredin this place. For that is a fublimc 
 myftery of Nature, and not to be openly difcovcrcd - 
 by rcafon of ignorant Phyfitians, who doe not only 
 fcoffe at but contcmne fuch fecrets. Therefore what 
 here wee have omit. ed, wee fliall fet downc in our 
 Hcrbdl. , .^ , ^^,y, ^:^,.p-jr -1-; ^^Jq ^^i^. , 
 
 Moreover, by how much the yonngcr hcarbs arc, 
 fo much the mofc doe. they excell in power and ver- 
 tue. '- i— -^ ^ ^ As 
 
124 Ofthe "Nature of things^ LibJX* 
 
 As by age a man is weakncd,and fails in flrcngth/o 
 alfo doe hcarbs. 
 
 But to know what the Chiromancy, and age of 
 hcarbs, and fuch Uke things, is , daily experience is 
 required, feeing the number of their years is not writ- 
 ten upon them, but it mult be divined, as I have fliid, 
 b^ Chiromancy only. 
 
 Now Chiromancy doth not confidei numbers, let* 
 ters, orchara(fters,butlines,vcins,aFKi wrinkles on- 
 ly 5&:c. according to the age of any thing. For by 
 how much the older a thing is, fomuch the greater, 
 andeafier tobefeenare the lines, and thevertue, and 
 operation of the thing fo much the duller. 
 
 For as a difeafe of one moneth or yeare , is more 
 
 eafily cured then that which is of two , three , four, 
 
 ^°ft"fe a"i^- ^^ ^^^ moneths, and years: So an hearb doth looner 
 
 cTto ola cure a difeafe of one moneth,or year, then that which 
 
 difeafesj and fo is of tv^o, three, or four moneths, or years. And for 
 
 ttary^*^°"' ^^^^ caufe youn^ hearbs muft bee applyed to old 
 
 griefs; and old hearbs or medicines to young or 
 
 new difeafes. For if an old hearb fhould be applyed 
 
 to an old difeafe, the blind would lead the blind,and 
 
 both would fall into the ditch. 
 
 ^ This is the reafon why many medicines doe not 
 
 wofK, but are taken into the body , and pofTcilc the 
 
 members, as dirt flicks to the fhoocs,w^hencc difeafes 
 
 are afrenvard doubled, &:c. 
 
 Now ignorant Phyfitians never confidered this,' 
 but by their ignorance have deftroycd more then ever 
 they cured. 
 
 In the firft place therefore, you that are Phyfrtians 
 muft know, tfiat the medicine muftbcyounger then 
 the difeafe, that it may bcc ftronger to expeirit. For 
 
 it 
 
L I B,1X. Of the Nature of things. 1 2 5 
 
 ifthe medicine be more powerfull then the difeafe^thc 
 direafe will be overcome as fire is quenched with wa« 
 ter. But if the difeal'cbee ftronger then the medicine, 
 it turncs the medicine into poiron,whence difeafes arc 
 afterward doubled, and increafed. 
 
 So if a difeafe bee like Iron, it muft be cured with a 
 Chalybtat medicine. For Steel cannot be overcome 
 by Iron. The more powerful doth alwaies overcome, 
 and the weaker is overcome. 
 
 Although therefore it was not our purpofe in the 
 beginning to write in this place of Phylick,yet for the 
 iake of true, and genuine Phyfitians, I could not pafs 
 over thcfc things in (ilcncc. 
 
 %M'MMM;ri^^^M^'Mt'4^t-Mfii^. 
 
 Of Mineral! Signes. 
 
 MIneralls alfo, and Mctalls before tbey come to ^f^^"^' 
 the fire have their true fignes^and-fignifications, "^^^ differ. 
 which they have received from the Archeiu&, and the 
 fuperiour ftars, every one of them refembling fomc - 
 kind of them by diftinit colours , and differences of 
 the earth. FortheMincrall of Gold^is d'ld'md from 
 theMinerall of Silver: fo alfo is the Minerall of Sil- 
 ver from that of Copper : and the Minerall of Cop- 
 per from that ot Iron : fo the Minerall of Iron from 
 that of Tinne, and Lead, and fo of the reft. 
 
 No man can deny, but that the Minerall , and all 
 Metallick bodies of Mines, which lie hid in the earth, 
 
 Qqi may 
 
12^ Of the Ujit ure of things^ L i b JX. 
 
 may be known by art of Chiromancy by their cxte- 
 riourfignes. That is, the Chiromancy of Mines, 
 Vcines, and Conduits^Scc. by which not only thofe 
 thingSjWhich being hid within them , are brought 
 forth5but alfo a certaine depth , and richneffe of the 
 Mine, and plenty of Mctall is manifefted.And in tl.is 
 Chiromancy three things are neceflary to be knowr^ 
 'vi^. the age, depth, and breadth of the veins, as hath 
 been faid a little before of hcarbs. For by how much 
 the older the veins are,by fo much the richer, and 
 more augmented are the Mines. 
 
 Concerning this we muft know thus much, that all 
 Metalls, which as yet lie hid in their matrix doe con- 
 ftantly grow. 
 
 Whence alfo it is manifeft, that every thing that 
 grovves,although it be placed out of its matrix cannot 
 be made lelTe, but forthwith grows, ( i.e. ) is muhi- 
 plycd, and accordiug to its fubftance , meafure, and 
 weight, grows untillthe predeftlnated time. Now 
 this predcftinated time is the third part, of the ap- 
 Thcre arc pointed agc of all Mineralls, Vegetables, and Ani- 
 Tfuc£ cwefc malls, which arc the tiiree chief heads of all carchly. 
 
 heads ot all •■ 
 
 ,hiB"s. thingSi. 
 
 "Now whatfocvcr doth yet remaine in its matrix, 
 
 doth grow fo long untill the matrix dies. For the 
 
 matrix hath its appointed time to live,and die, efpeci- 
 
 ally if it be fubje^ toexternall Elements. 
 
 Wiiatisthe That which is not fubjeatothem, hath no other 
 
 tearmecf ^^j^c ortcrm thcn the Elements thcmt'elvcs have, 
 
 EUmcntj. ^vith which itaHo IhaUdie and perifli in the day of 
 
 Renovation (which is their term.) 
 
 Henccit follows, that all things which arc within 
 the earih^are not fubjci^cd to the cxternali Elements, 
 
 nei«- 
 
L I bJX. Of the Nature of things^ tif 
 
 neither v^re they fenfible of cold, or moifturc, or dry- 
 nefTcjOrwind, or aire, by which they may bee dc- 
 ftroyed. Such kind of bodies therefore cannot bee 
 putrefied, or contracft any filthine{re,or ftink,or die, 
 as long as they continue within the earth, in their 
 Chaos. 
 
 So much be fpoken of Metalls, and as of them, 
 fo alfo it may bee faid of many men, who in the 
 caves of mountaineshvc fome hundreds of years,as 
 if they were gyants, or pygmies, of which we have 
 wrote a particular book. 
 
 ' But to defcend to the pradifeof the Chiromancy of 
 , Mines, which wee fliall give you to underftandin 
 ■ few words ; you mufi know that the veines by how 
 much the deeper, and broader they are, fomucfi . 
 the older. For where the courfe of the veins is a great 
 way extended, and at length decay , and are not hid- 
 den, it is a bad figne. For as the courfcs of the veins 
 doe decay, fo alfo doe the Mines themfelves decay, 
 which they fignifie by their depth. Although fome« 
 times there are good Mines found, yet by how much 
 the deeper they goe, they doc more,and more decay, 
 fo that it is not worth while to worke in them. But 
 when the veins are enlarged with other additions , or 
 oftentimes cut off, it is a good ligne, iliewing that the 
 Mines are good not only in the top, but that the fame 
 alfo are increafed, and multiplyed in depth, and 
 length for the mofl part, the Mines being made 
 more rich, afford pure gold, and fo a moft large 
 treafure. 
 
 It is without ground, that many Miners commend 
 thofe veins only which go diredly downward,3nd in- 
 cline from the Eaft to the Weft.For the nature of the 
 
 Qc[j. Minc$3 
 
Xa8 Vftbe Nature ofthingu L f b. IX; 
 
 "' Mines and experience tcachcth, that veing oftentimes 
 
 which bend trom the Wcfl to the Eail: , or from the 
 South to the North, and fo contrarily from the 
 Korth to the South,are not IcfTe rich then others arc. 
 ' Therefore there is no vein to be efteeincd before ano- 
 ther. But we think it convenient to difcourfc of this 
 no longer. 
 By what Nowconccming the Other fignes of the intcrnall 
 
 figncs Mines earth, OS olfo thc colours of Minerallsj wc fhallbricf- 
 
 As oft as Miners fall upon a fat earth, which doth 
 iigmfle a vein of a pure, and new mctall, that is a very 
 goodfigne afluringthat, that Metall,ofwhichitisa 
 vein/ is not faJ^ off. 
 
 So alfo it the earth that is digged have no Metall 
 ink, but be fat, of a white colour, or black , or like 
 clay or green^or blue, &c. then that alfo is a good 
 Cgne of fome good Metall that is hid under it. 
 Therefore you muft continue digging 5 and not give 
 over. 
 
 Miners in thc firft place have refpeft to thc excel- 
 lentjbeautifuljand chiefeft colourSjas are green earth, 
 or ChryfocolJ^Vcrdegreafe, Azure, Cinnabar, San- 
 darachajAuripigmcntum, Litharge of Gold, and Sil- 
 ver, &c. every one of thefe almoft doc for the 
 moft part figniiie a peculiar Metall, or Mine- 
 rail. 
 
 So Verdegrcafe, Chryfocolla, green earth, for 
 moft part fignifie Copper. 
 
 So Azure, or white Arrenick,or Litharge of Silver 
 fignitie the Metall of Copper. 
 
 So Cinnabarjaod Sandaracha do fome times fig nific 
 Goldjfoixiciimcs Silvcr53nd fometimes a mixture of 
 both. So 
 
Li B.IX* Of the 'Nature rf things. 129 
 
 So Auripigtncntum, red Sulphur, and Litharge of 
 Gold,for the moft part fignific Gold. 
 
 So when ChryfocoU is found mixt with the A- 
 ziire^or the Azure with ChryfocoU, and Anripig- 
 nientjfor the molt part they fignific an excellent and 
 rich Minerall. 
 
 Where ftones,or earth are found ofanlron colour, 
 they doc certainly betoken an Iron Mine. 
 
 Youmuft note, that fometimes it comes to palfe , 
 that the Archeius of the earth doth by forae fecret 
 palTagecaftup fome Metall from the more inward 
 part of the earth. And that is a good figne. 
 
 Miners therefore muft not bee difcouraged when 
 they fee fuch certainc fignes, and hope of forae excel- 
 knt Mine lying under. And ifthin leaves of Met alls , 
 like TalkCjdo adhere to rocks,or ftoncs,that is a moft 
 furc fign. 
 
 Now concerning Conifcations they muft bee dili- ^'^^^^^rlTtSt*' 
 gently, and ttLidiouily obfcrvcd, for tney are molt in Mines. 
 certain fignes of Metalls lyin^ hid under them,as alfo 
 of the fame extcnt,and fame kind. Where yet wee 
 muft note, that thofe Metalls are not yet come to 
 perfc(ftion>but are as yet in their firft being. And whi- 
 ther foever the Corufcation reacheth,fo far alfo rea* 
 cheth the courfe of Metalls, &c. 
 
 Mor<:over you muft know,that Corufcation is of a Corufcatiom . 
 threefold colour, as White, Yellow,and Red, where ^^5^°/^^^'"^ 
 by all Metalls are difcoveredto us. For a white Co- 
 rufcation fignifies white Metalls, as Tinne, Lead, Sil- 
 ver, &c. a red Corufcation iignifies red Metalls, as 
 Copper,and Iion,&c.a yellow Corufcation fignifies 
 golden Metalls, 
 
 Add^ 
 
1 30 of the Nature of things^ L li] IX4 
 
 Add moreover, that a t hin,and fubtil Coriifcation 
 is the beft figne. 
 
 For as you fee it is in trees^ that by how much the 
 fewer flowers thereare/o much the better, greater, 
 and more Hivory nrc the fruit • fo alfo fmall and fub- 
 tile Corufcations fignifie fubtile and excellent Mc- 
 talls,as the contrary doe the contrary. 
 
 Moreover you mufl know, that as long as thofc 
 Corufcations appcar^whether they be grcar,or fmall, 
 or of this or that colour, the Metalls in thofe Mines 
 have not yet attained to perfe<ftion,but are yet in their 
 firft being as the fperm of a man in the matrix of a 
 woman. 
 W'hatCorurca- -But now what Corulcation is , wee muft confider 
 tionis. in this place .-and wc muft know that it appears in the 
 
 Mines by night like a fparkling fire,no othervvifc then 
 gunpowder that is laid in a long train, andbeing kin- 
 dled at one end makes a long fialliing. 
 
 After the fame manner is Corufcation carried 
 along , from the Eaft to the Weft , or from the 
 Weft to the Baftpfrom the South to the North, or 
 contrarily. 
 
 All thcfe CorufcationSjhow ever they appear, are a 
 certain fignc of Courfes of Metalls, that by them 
 they may be known, and Metalls as certain gifts of 
 God may be brought forth out of the earth. For 
 what God created for mans ufe, hee put that nature 
 into it that it fliould not be hid .-and although it were 
 hid, yet he made peculiar externall fignes which con- 
 duce to the finding of it out,by which the wonderful 
 predeftination of it maybe known. 
 
 In the fame manner if men hide treafures they 
 markc the place with fome certain marks, and bury 
 
 them 
 
L I BJX4 Of the 'Nature of things^ 1 5 1 
 
 them by fomc bound, ftatue, or fountaine , or any 
 other thing, that when there is occaiion they may 
 find, and dig them up again. 
 
 The ancient ChaUeans and Grecians^ if in times of How Chalde- 
 v/ar fearing to be driven away,or baniflied,theywOLild ^"^ ^nd Gred- 
 hide their treafure, would markc the place no other- aeafurt!^^*^"" 
 wife, then propofe tothemfclves a certain day, hour, 
 and minute of the year, and did obferve in what place 
 the Sun, ot Moon fliould caft their fliadow, and there 
 did bury, and hide their treafiirc. ;.;. 
 
 This Art they cdWSciomamy , /. e. the Art ofwkatScio- 
 Shadowing. By thefc ihadowings many Arts have ^^^^'^y '«• 
 had their ground , and many hid things have been 
 revealed, and all Spirits, and Ailrail bodies arc 
 known. 
 
 Thefc are Cabalifticall fignes, that cannot de- 
 ceive , and therefore diligently to bee taken notice 
 of. 
 
 You muft therefore take heed, that you fuffer not Divining 
 your fclves to be feduced by the divinations of uncer- ^P'^* ""^^'^-. 
 tain Arts* for they are vain, and fruitlefle, efpecially '^'"^* 
 Divining rods, which have deceived many Miners. 
 For if they ihew a thing truly once, they failc ten 
 times. 
 
 A Ifo wee muft not truft other fraudulent fignes of 
 the dtvill, which ave made, and appeare in the night, 
 and at fome inconvenient times preternaturally, fuch 
 as arc gholh, & vilions.For I would have you know,^ 
 that the devili can (liew, and caufe fignes, bur out of 
 m-cer fraud, and deceit. 
 
 So there is no Church built, but the devili hath his 
 Chappell there. There is no Chappell built,but hee 
 fcts up his Altar. There is no good feed, but hee fo ws 
 
 Rr amongft 
 
ija Qf theNature of things^. LibJX^ 
 
 amongft it his tares. The^fame is the nature of Vifi • 
 lions, and fupernaturall Apparitions, in Cryftalls, 
 Berills, Looking-glaiTes, and Waters^ as they arc 
 by Ccremoniall Negromancers contrary to Gods, 
 command^and the power of the hght of Nature bafe- 
 ly abufed. 
 
 Vilions indeed are not abfolutely to be rejeded . 
 for they have their place, but then they muft bee 
 done after another proccflc. For now wee arc not 
 any longer in the iirft generation, but the fc- 
 cond.- Ceremonies therefore, and Conjurations are 
 not any longer to be ufed by us Chriftians in the rege- 
 neration, as the Ancients in the old Tcftament,\vho 
 lived in the firft generation utcd them. For thole prc- 
 figurations were for us who were to live in tlic New 
 Teftament.. 
 
 Whatfoever things therefore the Ancient$ that 
 were under the Old Teftament,and in the firft Gene- 
 ration did doe by Ceremonies , Conjurations, &c. 
 wee.Chriftiansafthefecond Generation, and in the 
 New Teffament muft doe by prayer, knocking, and- 
 fceking, and procure by faith. 
 In what ehiefe In tiicfc 5 chicf points confif^s all the foundation of 
 poi"^?'*?^ .theMaoicall. and Cabalifticall Art, by which wee 
 M-is;ick and may obtain whatlocvcr we denrc, lo that to us Chri- 
 Cabaiiccon- fjians nothing is impoffible. 
 •' *' But wee fliall dcfiil to treat here of more things 
 
 concerning thefe and other monuments of Cabalie, 
 fpokcnof fufficiently inthe bookofy//'/<?;?j\ I refer 
 you thirher,that you may fee how wonderfuUyChrift 
 the Son of God works by his Angclls in us Chrifli- 
 aos, and the faithfuil^and how brotherly he is con- 
 vcrfanc with us. Whence we arc the true Angels,andr 
 
 members 
 
Li B JX. Of the Nature of things ^ i j 5 
 
 members of Chrift^ as hee is our head, as hec is in us, 
 fo wclivcinhira,asis taught in the booke of the 
 Lords S upper ♦ 
 
 Buctoreturretoourpurpofe concerning Mineral! 
 lignes , and efpccially concerning the Corufcarion of 
 Nferalline veins^we muft know, that as Mctalls,which 
 areyetin their firft being, fend forth their Corufca- 
 tion,/. e. Signcs,foairotheT'/;?r7//r5 of^hjlofopherSy What is the 
 which changeth all imperfect Me tails into Silvcr,and ^^^"'^ o^ ''l^ 
 Gold (ox White Metalls into Silver, and R^d into phUoibphers, 
 Gold)puts forth its proper figns like unto Corulcati- 
 on, if It be Aftrally perfected, and prepared. For as 
 foon as a fmall quantity of it is caft upon a flay il me - 
 tall, fo that they mixc together in the hre^ there ari- 
 feth a naturall Corufcation, and brigthnelTe, like to 
 thatof fine Gold, or Silver ina teft , which then is 
 a fignc that that Gold , or Silver , is freed and 
 purged without all manner of addition of other Me- 
 talls. 
 
 But how the Tincture of Philofophers is made A- ^^'^'\'T\''' 
 ftrall, you muft conceive It arter this manner: fophersismadc 
 
 Firft of all you muft know, that every Mctall , as ^^^l^* 
 long as it lies hid in its firft being , hath i'S certainc 
 peculiar ftars. 
 
 So Gold hath the ftars of the Sun, Silver the ftars 
 of the Moon, Copper the ftars of Venus , Iron the 
 ftars of Mars, Tinne the ftars of Jupiter, Lead the 
 ftars of Saturnc , Quickfilver the ftarres of Mer- 
 cury. 
 
 But as foon as they come to their perfection, and 
 are coagulated into a fixt Metalline body, their ftars 
 fall off from them , and leave them , as a dead 
 hody. 
 
 R r 2 Hence 
 
1 3 4 Of the T^ature ofthingf^ L i b JX. 
 
 Hence it follows,that all fuch bodies are afterwards 
 
 dead, and inefficacious, and that the unconquercd ftar 
 
 of Metalls doth overcome them all , and converts 
 
 them into its nature, and makes them all Allrall. 
 
 Gold that is For which caufealfo our Gold, and Silver, which 
 
 ma.kby!ihc is tinged, and prepared with our tin(5ture, is much 
 
 beucJ'tbe^na- "^^^^ excellent, and better tor the preparation of Me- 
 
 turaU. dicinall fccrets,then that which is naturall , which 
 
 Nature generates in the MineSjand afterwards is fepa- 
 
 rated from other Metalls. 
 
 So alfo the Mercury of a body, is made Aftrally 
 of another body, and is much more noble , and fixt 
 then common Mercury. And fo of the other Me- 
 talls. 
 
 I fay therefore, that every Alchymift , which hath 
 that ftar of Gold, can turne all Red Metalls into 
 Gold by tinging of them. 
 
 So by the ftar of Silver all White Metalls are chan- 
 ged into Silver : by the ftar of Copper into Copper : 
 by the ftar of Quickfilver into Mercury of the bodyj 
 andfo of the reft. 
 
 But now how all thcfe ftars are prepared according 
 
 to the Spagiricall Art , it is not our purpofe at 
 
 this time to declare •• but the explication of them 
 
 belongs to our bookes of the Tranfmiitation of 
 
 Metalls. 
 
 The nature of But as for that which concerns their fignes,! would 
 
 the red Tin- bave you know, that our Red tindurcjwhich contains 
 
 ^'^^' the ftars of Gold to bee of a moft fixt fubftance , of 
 
 nioft quick penetration, and ofa moft intenfc rcdnefs, 
 
 in powder rcfcmbling the colour of Saffron, but 
 
 in its whole body the colour ofa Rubie ^ 1 fay it 
 
 is a Tindurcas fiuxil as Wax, as tranfparent as 
 
 Cry- 
 
L I B JX* Of the Nature of things ^ 1 2 r 
 
 Cryftall, as brittle as Glaffe, and for weight moft 
 heavy. 
 
 The white tindure, which containcs the ftarofthe Tbe nature of 
 Moon is after the fame manner of a fixt fubrtance, of ^^e white. 
 an unchangeable quantity^of wonderfiill whitcncfTe , 
 as fluid as Refine, as tranfparent as Cryftall , as 
 brittle as Glafle , and for weight Uke to a Dia- 
 mond. 
 
 The flat of Copper is of a wonderfull citrine co- The ftarof 
 lour, like to an Emrald , as fluxill as Refine, much ^°^"* 
 heavier then its Metall. 
 
 The flarre of white Tinne is as fluid as Refine, The flarof 
 of a darke colour with fomc mixture of yel- ^^"e Tin. 
 low. 
 
 The ftar of Iron is very red, as tranfparent as Theftarof 
 a Granate, as fluxil as Refine, as brittle as GlafTe, ^'^°"' 
 of a fixt fubftance, much hcaricr then its Me- 
 tall. 
 
 The ftar of Lead is like Cobaltum, black, yet The ftar of 
 tranfparent, as fluxile as Refine , as brittle as ^"'^* 
 Glafle, equall to Gold for weight, heavier then other 
 Lead. 
 
 The ftar of Quick filvcr is of a wonderfull white , '^''f ^" °^ 
 fparkling colour, like to fnow,inthe cxtreameft cold.^"'^^^'^''*'^" 
 weather, very fubtile, of a penetrating , eorrofivc a- 
 crimony, as tranfparent as Cryftall, flowing as eafi- 
 ly as Refine , very cold to the taft , but very hot 
 within,as if it were fire,but of a very volatil fubftance 
 in the fire. 
 
 By this defcription the ftars of the Mctalls arc to 
 be known, and undcrftood. 
 
 Alfo you muft underftand,that for the preparation 
 of J^oth tin^ures, vi\. of the Red and White , you- 
 
 R r 3 muli 
 
\J 3 5 Of the Nature ofthingfl L i b. IX. 
 
 muft not in the beginning take of yontworkthc body 
 of Gold,or Silver, but the firft being of Gold,and 
 Silver. For if in the beginning there be an errour 
 committed all your pains, and labour will be in vain. 
 So alio you mull: underfland of Metalls , that 
 everyone of them receives a peculiar fignc in the 
 fire, by vvhichitisknowa 
 
 Of this kind are fp^irkSjfiameSjglifterings, the co- 
 lour, fmell, tafte of fire,&c. 
 
 So the true figne of Gold, or Silver in the teftis 
 gliftering. 
 
 That appearing,it is certain that Lead , and other 
 Metalls that were mixed,are fumed away , and that 
 the Gold,and Silver is fully purged. 
 
 The fignes of Iron being red hot in the fLirnace,arc 
 
 cleertranfparentfpatks flying upward.. Thofe ap- 
 
 pearing,theIron unleflfeitbc taken from the fire is 
 
 burnt like ftraw,&c. 
 
 WcttKave* After the fame manner any earthly body fhews 
 
 moreoilcffof its peculiar, and diflmd fignes in the fire, whether 
 
 the three prin- it havcmoreof Mercury,SuIphur, or Salt,and which 
 
 ^'^ ^^ of the three principles it hath moft of. For if it fume 
 
 before it flame, it is a figne that it containes more 
 
 Mercury then Salphur. 
 
 But if itprefcnllyburn witha flame, and without 
 any fume, it is a figne that it contains miich Sulphur, 
 and little or no Mercury. 
 
 This you fee in fat fubflances, as Tallow , Oylc > 
 Refine, and the like : but if without any flanrw; it goes 
 all into fumejit is a figne that there is in it much Mer- 
 cury,and little or no Sulphur. 
 
 This you fee happens in hearbs , and flowers, &c. 
 and otlKr Vegetable fubfiances, and volatile bodits, 
 
 as 
 
L I B,1X. Of the Nature of things. 1 3 /^ 
 
 as are Mineralls, and Metalls, remaining yet in their 
 firft being5and are not mixed with any fulphurcous 
 body, which fend forth a fume, and no flame. 
 
 Mineralls, and Metalls , which fend forth nei- 
 ther fiimc nor flame , doe flicw an equal 1 mix- 
 rion of Mercury, and Sulphur, and a perfc<5l fixa- 
 
 tion. 
 
 Offome peculiar Signes of Naturall 
 
 ani SHpernaturall things - 
 
 E E muft yet further fpeak of fome peculiar 
 fignes, of which hitherto we have faid no- 
 
 VV 
 
 thing. 
 
 In which Trcatife it will be very neceflary for you, 
 that boaftyour felves to have skill in the Art of Sig- 
 natures^and defire to be called Signators , that you 
 rightly underfl:and mee. For wee fliall not in this 
 place write theoretically, but prai5tically , and ihalli 
 declare our opinion in few words. 
 
 And firft know, that the Art of figning doth teach ^^at th«art 
 how true, and futable names are to bee put upon gH^^ %"«&*« 
 things, all which Adam truly knew. For prefently af- 
 ter tlie Creation hce gave to everything its proper 
 name,asto Animalls, fo to Trees, Hearbs, Rootes, 
 Stones, Mineralls, Metalls, Waters, &c. And to all 
 the fruits.of the earth,Watcr,Air,Fire,&c.And what 
 names he put upon them all,vverc ratified , and ap • 
 proved of by God. For from the true, and intrinfc- 
 
 calli 
 
138 Of (he Nature of things^ L i B^ IX^' 
 
 call foundation he tocke them all-, nor from opinion, . 
 or from a predeftinated fcicncCj o^/^. the Art of Sign- 
 ing. 
 fignaTeu' ^^^^ therefore was the firft Signator . And it can- 
 
 not be denyed, that alfo from the Hebrew :ongue true 
 and proper names doe flow, and are put upon every 
 thing according to its nature, and condition. 
 The nature of For what nam^es are put upon them from the Hehrero 
 the Hebrew tonsuc-doe with tlic fumc labour li^nifie their vertue, 
 
 tongue* "^ 1 *^ 
 
 power, and property. 
 
 So when wee fay,this is a Hog, a Horfe, a Cow, a . 
 Beare, a Dog, a Fox, a Sheep. 
 Tkc (ignifici- fhc name of a Hog fignifies together with it afll- 
 Ho"rft^Co"°^ thy and unclean Animalh fo a Hoifefignifics a ftrong 
 Bcare/pox, ' and patient Animall : a Cow,a devouring,and infatia- 
 Dog,{hcep, in blc bcaft: a Bear,a ftrong, vi(5lorio us >and an untamed 
 long^e!"'"' brute ; a Fox, a ftiifcing,and crafty beaft : a Dog, an 
 animall falfe to thofe of his own kind .-a Shecp,a mild 
 and profitable beaft,and hurtful to none. 
 
 Hence it is that a man is called a Hog , for his for- 
 did and fwinifti life. 
 
 And a Horfe for his bearing , for which hee is 
 eminent. 
 
 And a Cow, becaufc fhee is unfatiable with meat, 
 and drink, and knows no meafure oi her belly. 
 
 And a Bear,becaufc he is mifhapen , and ftronger 
 then other men. 
 
 A Fox,becaufe he is a turncoat, and dcccitfull,jac- 
 commodating himfelfe toall, and offending none. 
 A Dog, becaufe he is faithfull to none, but his own 
 mouthjis falfc,and inofficious to all. 
 
 And a Shecp,becaure hee hurts no body but him- 
 felfe, and is ufcfull to all, rather then to himfelf,&c. 
 
 After 
 
L'l B vlX, Of the Nature of things. i j 9 
 
 Aftcrthis manner alfo many Hcarbs, ancj Rootcs ^p^ *'^« jl""** 
 
 L,„^ 1 • . there IS a Cga»- 
 
 mve got their name. ture. 
 
 So Eye -bright is fo called, bccaufeit cures weak , 
 and fore eyes. 
 
 So the Root Bloudwort is fo called , becaufc it 
 flops bloud better then any other. 
 
 So the Hearb Pile-wort is fo called^becaufe it cures 
 the piles better then other hearbs. 
 
 The fame alfo may be faid of divers other hearbs^of 
 Tvhich fort I could reckon a great number, all which » 
 
 were fo called from their vertue, and faculty, as iliall 
 more largely be declared in our Herball. 
 
 Moreover , there bee many Hearbs, and Rootcs, 
 which arc denominated not only from their imbred 
 vcrtuc, and faculty, but alfo from their figure, forme, 
 and rcprefentation : As , Devills-bit , FivC'leaved 
 graffe, or Cinquefoile, Hounds-tongue, Adders- 
 tongue, Horfe-taile, Liver- wort, Cx-tongue, Lung- 
 wort, t he hearb Chameleon, St . Johns - wort, or the 
 hearb boared through,the hearb Dog. ftone,Tongue - 
 laurell , Thorow-leafe, Turne- fok,and many others 
 which Ihall not here, but in the Herball bee feverally 
 confidercd. 
 
 The fame alfo holds concerning the fignes of Ani- What fignature 
 malls} for by the bloud, and its circle, and by the there is in A. 
 urine and its circle all difeafes that lie hid in Man may "^'"^ '* ^ 
 be known. 
 
 By the liver of a flain beaft the flefh is known whc^ 
 thcr it be wholfomc to be eaten or no . For unlcfTe the 
 liverbeclear,andof a red colour, but blew, * or yel- 
 low, orroughjOrfullof holes, thebcifl is difcafcd, ' 
 and therefore his flefh unwholfomc . 
 
 S r And 
 
140^ (Df the Nature of ibhgs^ LibJX^ 
 
 The Liver the. And It is no wonder that the Hver can (liew that by 
 Bl'IrT ° natuiallfigncs. Fortheoriginall of the bloiid is m 
 the liver, and hence through the veinsit is diffafed in- 
 to the whole body, and is coagulated into flclli. 
 
 Therefore from a difeafed,and ill afFc(f^cd liver, no 
 found or frefli bloud can be produced^as of bad bloud 
 BO wholfome flcfli can be coaoulated. 
 
 Alfo without infpe^ion into the liver, fJefliand 
 bloud may be known. For if both be found , they • 
 have their true, and natural! colour, which is red, and 
 clear, mixed with no other ftrange colour, as yellow, 
 or blew. For thofe ftrange colours do llgnific difea- 
 fcs,andl]cknefles. 
 What the knot$ Alfo thc re are other (Ignes worthy of admiration, 
 of Ihe inilnt '^^X; ^^^^^" ^'"'^ Archclus istlie Signator , and fignes 
 ^gnific. the navcU in thc infant with liule knots , by w-hicli 
 
 it may bee conjcdurcd, what the Mother of the in* 
 iant did bring forth,or fliall bring forth. 
 The branches Tiic fame Signator figns thc horrs of a Hart with 
 c^ ^f "^^°J" branches, by which iiis age is known. For as many 
 ^^'^"^'branches as the horn hath, fomany years old is thc 
 Hart., And feeing he hath every year a new horn, the 
 age of the Hart may be knowato twenty y or thirty 
 , , .years. 
 T]^ cir<jic5 of So the S'gnaror of a Cow markcs her homes with 
 Cow°Xu^^^ circles, by which itjiaay he known how many Calves 
 ilice hath brought forth. For every Click fi^nifics 
 aCalfe. 
 The teeth of a jf^e fame Signator puts forththe firft teeth of a" 
 • °' ^' Horfe,rhar thc nrft fcvcn ycers his age may be known 
 
 by his teeth. For at iirft a Horfc is brx)ught for<rh,^ 
 with fourteen teetji, of wlncin every yccr hec iiafeclv' 
 two, and fo in thc fpaccof fevcn ycaics hcc lofcrh* 
 
 all. 
 
L I B JX. Of the Nature ofthtnp^ j^t 
 
 all. So that after fcven yearcs his age can hard- 
 ly be known, iinldfe by on^ that is very skillfull. 
 
 The fame Signator doth fignetre bills and claws of The b lis and 
 Birds with peculiar figncs, that the skilful! Fowler ^^l^w* of Biids 
 Jiiay know the ir age by them. 
 
 The fame Signator doth marke the tongues of xhctojigiicsof 
 difcafed Hogs with little pudies, by whichtheir im- ^ogs- 
 purity is known, and as their tongue is impure, fo is 
 their whole body. 
 
 The farne Signator doth figne clouds with divers Colours of 
 colours, by which the feafons of the heaven may bcc ^lo"<is. 
 foreknown. 
 
 So alfo he figns the circle of the moon with diftinc^ cSie°cf ti^^'^* 
 colours,of which every one is of peculiar interpreta- Moon. ^ 
 tion.So rednefs fignlfies that there wil be wind-,grecn- 
 ncfre,and bhcknclTe, raine,thefe two mixed togetha 
 wind and rain, the fame in the fea is a figne of great 
 ftorms, and tempcftsjclearnclfe, and a bright whitc- 
 nefle is a good fign,cfp£cially in the ocean. For,for the 
 moft part it fignifies a quiet, faire fcafon. 
 
 Whatfocver the Moon portends by her figns, (hall 
 come to pafle the next day* 
 
 And fo much for Naturall fignes. Now for Supcr- 
 faaturall fignes^they are things of a particular fcience, 
 as of {4ag cal Aftronomyj&c.ar.d thelike.lt is there* 
 fore nccclfaiy that you be skilled in them. 
 
 Hence alfo many other Arts proceed, as Geoman- The kinas of, 
 cy. Pyromancy, Hydromancy, Chaomancy, and ^^f^"^^j^ 
 Necromancy, whereof every one hath its peculiar 
 ftars, which ftars doe {o figne them after a fupernatu- 
 rall manner. And you muft knoWjthwat t he ftarres of 
 Oeomancy imprefTc their figns upon the earthy bo- 
 dies ofthc whok Univcrf€,and that divers v^^ayes.For 
 
 U\ they 
 
IJ^: Ofthe Nature of things^ LibJXZ 
 
 they change the earth, and caufe earthquakes, and 
 gapingSjthcy produce hills, and valleys, and bnng 
 many new VcgetableSj they produce alfo Garaa- 
 bcaus with naked figures , and images, having 
 wondcrfullvertues, and powers, which indeed they 
 receive from the feven planets,as the But or mark re* 
 ceives the arrow from the Archer. 
 
 Buthowthofc figns , and images of Gamahcaus 
 may be known apart, and what they fignific magical- 
 ly •,there is required a great experience ,and knowlcdg 
 of the nature of things, which canby no mcancs bee 
 here perfedly taught. 
 
 Here you muft well note,thatthe ftonc, or every 
 Gamahcaus,cannot excell in the prpcrty ,. and ver- 
 tue but of one (tar, and fobe quahficdbut by one 'pla- 
 net. 
 
 And although there bee two or more planets in 
 earthly bodies, as they arc joined together in the fu- 
 periour firmament.- yet one is reprcHcd by the other, 
 for as one houfc cannot bear two Mafters , but tlic 
 one thrufts out the other : fo alfo it is here 5 the ore 
 rules,thc other fcrves:6ras one that overcomes him 
 that keeps any houfe, cafts him out by force •, and 
 and fets himfelf, as mailer of the houfe, difpofing of 
 all things according to his pleafure, and making the 
 other his fcrvanti 
 
 So alfo one ftarrccxpelis another, one planet 
 ancKher, one Afcendant another , one influence 
 another, one imprcifion another, one Element 
 another-, For as water quencheth the firc^ fo one 
 planet deftroyesthe property of another , and brings" 
 ipits ownc* 
 
 T-hc Xajiic is after the fame manner to be undct* 
 
 . ftoodi 
 
Lf bJX^^^ Of the Nature rf things* r4'5 
 
 flood of their (igncs, which are manifold, and not 
 only characfterSjas many conceive,but all thofc^which 
 are found in the whole map of the planets,/, e, what- 
 foever are of affinity with, orfubjed to the planets. 
 
 But that you may the better underftand mee by What things • 
 adding an example : I would have you know, ^^^^t^^^gj^j^^^* 
 unto the planet of the Sun are fubjedcda crownc , a- 
 fcepter, a throne, and all kingly power, majefty,and 
 rule, and all riches>treafnres,ornamentS3and furniture 
 of this world. 
 
 Unto the planet of the Moon are fubjecled all What t© the 
 husbandry,navigation, travelling, and travellers, and ^°°"'^* 
 fuch things as belong to thcfe. 
 
 Unto the planet of Mars^rc fubjccted all forrifica- What to Mais. 
 tionSjarmour, coats for defence, Ordnance of War, 
 fpears , and all weapons , and whatfocver belongs 
 CO war. 
 
 Unto the p-anet of Mercury are fiibjedcd all What to 'Mcr- 
 ArtiftSjallMechanickinffruments, and wharfoevcr '^"^^^ 
 is required to Arts. 
 
 Unto "he pliiner of jHri-'^r arc fubje(5led all What to inpU 
 judgmcrts, and rights, r he whole Leviticall order, "^' 
 all Miniftcrs of Ch arches, ornaments of Temples, all 
 Jewells, and fuch hke. 
 
 Unto the planer oiVcnus arc rubje(5tcd whatfoever What to v«. 
 thingsbclongtoM'jfick , as Muficall inftrumc-ncs , ""^* 
 ycnereali exercircs,lorcs,whorin^s, &c. 
 • Unto Satume arc fubjected whofoever work in and What to Sa- 
 bcncaththe earth, as Miners, Pioners, Bearers of the ^"^"* 
 dead,Diogers of Wells, as alfo aU fnflruments fcr- 
 ving to citkr of thcfc^&c 
 
 Pyromancy drav;8 forth its fignes by the ftars o^Jfl^JjoVp^ \ 
 ,thc fire , in com mon fire by par tic ular fparkeS; flames> Sey! ^*^" 
 
 S f 3 or 
 
^'44" Oft]}€ J^atHreoftbingu Lib. IX. 
 
 ornoife, &c. inthcminesby Corufcations .• in the 
 Firmament by ftars, comets, flafli!ng,and lightning, 
 and Noftock, and the like .• in Vifionsby Salaman- 
 dnnc,aad fiery fpiiits. 
 What the Hydromancy gives its fignes by the flats of the 
 
 f'gn«otHy. "Water, by their overflowings, their fcarcity, difco- 
 romancy •^''f- jg^j-jp^^^g^ commotions,ne^v ftrcames, the walhings 
 away of earthy things : in Magick, and Necromancy 
 by Nymphs, vifions and lupcinaturall Monfters in 
 tnc waters, and fca. 
 ^'^^^^frL Chaomancy iliews its fisnes by the ftnrsof the 
 omancy. Aire, and Wind, by the ducolounng, deitroying of 
 all tendcr,andrubtillthings,to which the Windis an 
 cnemie, by beating offthe flowers, leaves, boughes, 
 and branches. If the ftars of (Chaomancy arc moved, 
 fpirits fall from the fuperioiir Airc,and voices,and an- 
 fwers are often heard: Aifo Trees arc pulled up by the 
 rootes, and Houfcs are thrown down. There are feen 
 Hobgoblins, HouPnold Gods,airy fpiri'-Sjand Wood- 
 men, &c. alfo a heavenly dew, and manna falls upon , 
 Trees,andHearbs. 
 Thcfignetof Necromancy draws forth its figns by the ftars of 
 ■iUeath, which we call £'y(/rr^,vvnich are prophetical 
 fpirits, figning the body ohhe fick , and dying man 
 with red, blue, and purple fpots, which are ccrtaine 
 figns of death, in the third day of their rifing. They 
 fign alfothe hands,and fingers of men with aclay co- 
 lour,which are certain figns of change,cither good or 
 bad. When thcrfore the ftars olNecromancy are mo- 
 ved, then the dead (liew fome wonderful fign,as Blee- 
 ding,and voices are heard out of the graves.* tumults, 
 Sc tremblings arife in the places where bones are laid, 
 and dead mcnappcai in tlie form, and habit of living 
 
 men. 
 
Li B.IX. Of the Nature ofthingf. 
 
 men, and are feen in Vifions, in Looking-glafTes , in 
 Berills, in Stones, and Waters, and divers fliapcs. 
 Bvejlrdj i.e, fpirits give their figns by beatincr , ftri- 
 king, knocking, falling, caftlng, &c. where there is a 
 great liurly burly and noife only heard, but nothing 
 {een^all which are certain /ignes of death, prefaging 
 it to him,in whofe habit they appear, or to fome in. 
 what place they are heard. 
 
 Beddes, thcfe fignarures many more may be recko- 
 ned up. But feeing they bring with them, evilljhurt- 
 full and dangerous fancies ,. and imaginations , and 
 fuperftitions, which may be an occafion not oncly of 
 fome misfortune, but alfo deaths I {hall paffe them 
 over in filence. They are prohibited from being 
 revealed to us, feeing they belong to the fchoole of 
 fecrets, and divine power. Theiciorcnowl fliaJl put 
 an end to this booL 
 
 F INIS. 
 

 ACHYMICALL 
 
 DICTIONARY: 
 
 EXPLAINING 
 
 m 
 
 <^ 
 m 
 
 •>v. 
 
 
 
 Hard Places and Words f 
 
 met withall in the Writings of it 
 
 Taracilfus^ znd other obfcure ^* 
 
 AUTHOURS. K 
 
 ^8- 
 
 London Printed by Richard Cotes , for Thomas 
 iniliamsit the Bible in Little brittainj 1650. 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 ^* 
 
 m^ 
 
 ^Mmwmmmwsm^mm^mmm^i 
 
A TREATISE 
 
 OF THE ^ 
 
 Explication of hard Places, 
 
 and Words met withall in 
 
 the Writings o£Paracelfusy 
 and other hard Chymicall 
 Authors. 
 
 A 
 
 Cetum fhilofo^hornm is a Mercu- 
 riall water, or other wife is called 
 Virgins n:iilkc , wherein they fay 
 Metalls are diflblved. 
 
 Acetttmradicale is Vineger di- 
 ftilled out of its owne rootc , 
 andnoatrix, and is called the 
 
 DifTolving Water, 
 AdamitA is a certain kind of Tartar. 
 
 Aaa 
 
 Adcch 
 
A Chymicall DiBionary , 
 
 Adech is our intcriour, and invifiblc man , which 
 rcprcfents the formes of all things in our mind,which 
 afcerward our outward man doth frame, and imitate 
 with its own handsj both of them work according to 
 their nature. 
 
 Aerd^di are corporeall fpirits living in the air. 
 
 Ri doth not alwaies fignifie Copper , but fomc- 
 tim.es Gold, or Silver, or any other Metall that is 
 pure, and generated by it felf, without the mixtion of 
 any otherMetall50r Stone^out of fome fuch kind of 
 Metall , they formerly made and coined money. 
 
 Mthna is called Subterranean fire,invifiblejand ful- 
 phurcous, which burnes ftones into coales, like 
 Jeat in the mountains, which arc full of Refine, and 
 Bitumen. 
 
 Aflphara is the burning of flefli,or the fubftance of 
 the body into afhes. 
 
 Mthmci are called fiery fpirits , or fpirituall men 
 burning in the fire, which appear in divers forms,and 
 iliapes, as fiery flames , firebrands, round balls of 
 coals, and that efpecially in Sulphur mountains. . 
 
 Alcali is called all manner of Salt, which is cxtra- 
 ^ed out of afheSjOr calx of any matter by boiling in 
 lie. 
 
 Alcaefiy or Altdefi , is faid to be prepared Mercury, 
 fome will have it to bee Tartar, but the mind of the 
 Authouris more eafily undei flood by the defcripti- 
 on of the preparation of it. 
 
 Alchymia'is the feparation of that which is impure 
 from a purer fubftance. 
 
 Alcol^ Alcool^ otAlcoholh a moft fubtil powder of 
 anything. 
 
 Akoolvim is the fpirit of Wine redlified. 
 
 Atcahrith I 
 
J. Chymicall DiSliomtyl 
 
 Alcnhrith^ or Alcur^ or AU'{ar\s the fame that Sul- 
 phur is. 
 
 Alcofol^ or fas feme will have it Alcohol )\%fiibiuf», 
 OK Antimony. 
 
 Alandahal^ or Alfjandal'is ColoqitimUa, 
 
 Alembroth\% fait of Mercury , or fait of Philofo- 
 phers. 
 
 Alemhnt purified is fait of Tartar^ and the Magiflc- 
 ryofit. 
 
 -(4/»»/.{^^?i/> is Verdegreafe. 
 
 Altey flumbi is the fweet matter of Lead. 
 
 Ahtfar is Manna. 
 
 Amnlgamaiszh^ making of Gold, Silver, or any 
 other Metall into a paft with Quickfilver. 
 
 Amianthus is a ftone like to Aiumcn flumofum in 
 naturc,and conditionjit is not burnt in the fire,wherc- 
 fbre it is alfo called the Salamander. 
 
 Amidum^ or Amilum is the vvhiteft flowre made in- 
 to bread in the Sun. 
 
 Amygdai'i , with Cbirurgions is called the fuper- 
 fluous flcfh which growes at the rootc of the 
 tongue. 
 
 Amnis alcalifatm is water palling through the chalk 
 of the earth, out of which Alcali is taken. 
 
 AnAchmm is an incorporeall fpirit. 
 
 ^»<!/f/?^ is Steel brought from the oriental! coun- 
 tries, which melts in the fire like other Metall, and' 15, 
 caff into feverall forms. vr 
 
 Annthroriy or AnAchthron is a kind of Salt growing 
 upon rocks hke white, and flony molTe , fome call it 
 fait nitre. The ancients falfly thought it to bee the 
 gall of glaffe, feeing it is rather the gall of 
 fiones. 
 
 Aaa a Anatrum 
 
AChymcaU Di^ionaryl 
 
 Aftatrumis glaffc melted into divers colours, which 
 they caWfmalhm^Oi' terra Sarafemca, 
 
 ^;;?^^/ in Vegetables fignifies Rofcmary flowers, 
 and in Mctalls it fignifies the Elixir or quintcffence 
 of Gold. 
 
 jincitomiii Bffata is the mother of difeafes. 
 
 Anticarls Borax, 
 
 Anatris^ or Ant Arts is Mercury. 
 
 AniadAj fignifies an eternall (pring,a new world ta 
 come, or paradife. 
 
 Amadum is a a ccleftiallbody planted in us Chrifti- 
 ans by the Holy-gholt, by the holy facraments, or it 
 is rhefpirituallman regenerated in us. 
 
 AnUda. are the fruits, and vertucs of paradife , and 
 heaven, alfo the facraments of Chriftians, in natural] 
 Philofophy it fignifies the Aftrall vercues , and cele- 
 toJl, as they conduce by their infl.uencc unto long 
 life. 
 
 hnUdus is the efficacy of things. 
 
 AniTna is our Mercury. 
 
 A»9dyna are Medicines procuring^ fleep. 
 
 hnedta is that which is Separated from the nutrii- 
 mentby thckidnies. 
 
 hnontagius is the Philofophcrs ftone. 
 
 Anima Sattirm is the fwcetncfie of Lead, 
 
 hnnm fUtonkm is a common moneth , or an 
 
 age. 
 
 hnniis hniAdln^ is along life. 
 
 Annora is the aihcs of Egs , or Quick-lime, 
 
 Anptafur y, 
 
 Aliocah Sare Salt Armoniackf 
 
 AUm7^Addr>i 
 
 Afitcr/tiiMQVCuvY. 
 
 Anttr* 
 
AChymicallDiSlionaryl 
 
 hntem is a Medicine extradlcd out of hyacmths, 
 alfo that yellow which growes in the middle of Lil- 
 Les^and the like. 
 
 Anthonor^ox hthon^ris a furnace. 
 
 Afhonfinm is agenerall rule in Phyfick^taken for 
 granted. 
 
 Aqua Celeflis is redified Winejbeing in fome fort 
 made like to the heaven for fubtilty , and pure- 
 nelTe. 
 
 A^^^i^^/^/W'^ is Mercurial! water. 
 
 Aqua corrodcns is Vineger, and all Corroflvc Li- 
 quor. 
 
 Aquafecum vini^ is that which is made of the 
 aflies of the lees of Wine^diflblved upon a marble like 
 oylc of Tartar. 
 
 Aqua lubricatals made of mucilaginous things, as 
 Sugar, Juleps,and the like. 
 
 Aqua,^erm^ens is that which is made oftwo moft 
 perfect Metalline bodies by a Philofophicall folu- 
 tion. 
 
 Aqua Saturnia is that which retains in it felfc the 
 nature of the three Prmciples , as are Bath-waters, 
 which are naturally medicinable. 
 
 Aquttfihens is diftillcd Vinegcr. 
 
 Aquafier is a vifion reprcfenting fbmething to 
 our eyes , fometimes which truly is not, but only in 
 appearance. 
 
 Aquila istheQuecn of birds, and it is iifed for 
 fait Armoniack by reafon of itslightneffe in fublima- 
 tion. But Faracelf^ will have it in many places 
 to be pken for Mercury precipitated with gold. 
 
 Aq^iU Philo[ofhorum is the Mercury of Metalls 
 hi. Metall leducjed Into its firft matter. 
 
 Arbor 
 
A Chymlcall DiSllonary, 
 
 hrhor Maris is Corall, which grows like a flirub 
 inthefca. 
 
 Arcanum in generall as it fignifies any thing that is 
 hid, fo in Paracelfus it ilgnifies any fecret incorporeall 
 vertuc in natiirall things , partaking of a perpetually 
 and immortal life, derived upon it frona heaven^which 
 alfo may bee multiplyed by the Spagiricall art above 
 its former condition. 
 
 Archaltesj is in P4rrfr<r///i^/ the foundation of the 
 earth, or a pillar,which feems not to be upheld by its 
 fellowsjbut as it were by a wonderfull providence of 
 God. 
 
 Ar^:^^//^ is the higheft, exalted, andinvifible fpi- 
 rit, vvliich is fcparated from bodies, is exalted , and 
 afcends, the univerfall occult nature, operator, and 
 Phyfitian in all things. So Archiatrus is the fuprcam 
 Phyfitian of Nature^which diftributes to every thing 
 and every member their peculiar Archeius occultly 
 by Arcs. Alfo Archeius is the firft in Nature, the 
 moft fecret vertuc , producing all things out of 
 lliaftc, being fupported by a divine power. Arcs is the 
 difpcnfcrof Nwirure hid in all the three principles, 
 whence every thing hath its being, and which difpo- 
 feth to all thmgs in a particular form,lliape, and lub- 
 ftancc,that it may put on its own proper fpecifical na- 
 turcj&not anothers.But you muft note,the difference 
 betwixt thefc 3 in naturCjto fpcak after the manner of 
 fchools. Iliaftes is the fublbnce of the higheft genus, 
 or kind confifling in the firft univerfall matter of all 
 things,which it doth firft clifpofe into three kindsj-v/^. 
 into Sulphur, Mercury, and fait. The Archeius is the 
 firft difpenfer of Nature , and then it produccth all 
 tilings into its-ncxt genera or kinds.Then comes Ares 
 Nv^^A another 
 
A Chymtcall UitiWHary^ 
 
 Arcs another difpcnfer of Nature, which prodiiceth 
 from kindSjOr gcncrajforms, and fpecies into indivi- 
 diialls. 
 
 hrdentU are fuch things which having received 
 no food, are by their owne nature fubjeft to bur- 
 nings , as Amber , Turpentine , Jeat , and fuch 
 like. 
 
 hrUttrA is the totall confumption of the body,and 
 parts thereof. 
 
 hrUs crudttm is drops falhng in the moneth of 
 Junsy hkc May dew. 
 
 Aromata,zrc all fuch things, which yeeld a fwcet, 
 and gratefiill fmell. 
 
 Aroph'is Mandrake. 
 
 Ar[a»eck is fublimcd Arfenick. 
 
 hrfenkum is the flafhing of Metalls, or the fait of 
 themjOrofSaturne, which infomc places is called 
 ArUfiek^ or Artanech, • 
 
 hrtetifcui is he that wants any member. 
 
 Arthoicnm is red ^oyle , artificially exrraded 
 outof thcrootesof Hcarbs digefted with bread in 
 dung. 
 
 Afp^ahum is a Bitumen extra(fled -from the 
 mudde of the earth , and water , and is like 
 pitch. 
 
 Afiendentia ftgna are called either the ftars of 
 the Firmament of heaven , or the fydereall fpi- 
 rits. 
 
 AfcifhdtHm is an itch bred betwixt the skin,and the 
 fle{h,like worms : and if theskinnc bee crufhed^long 
 threds with black heads come forth. 
 
 A/f*i/4is called a Nutmeg. 
 
 hQdiA I'^rw^/arethofewormcs which breed in 
 
 wood;* 
 
A Chywicall DiBianary, 
 
 wood, or betwixt two board s,and they are called Te^ 
 redoxes, 
 
 AHhmd is a difeafe of the lungs caufing difficulty 
 of breathing. 
 
 A sir urn \s in this place called the verf ue and power 
 got by the preparations of I'lingsasthe ftar ot Sul- 
 phur is its inflaming whit his tuned into moft excel- 
 lent oyle: fo the ftar ot fait is its refolurion into water, 
 oroyle,whichthereby receives more vertues then it 
 had before. Tlieftar of Mercury is its fublimation, 
 by which it acquires a wonderfull power, and 
 verrue, greater and more fubtile then its natu- 
 ralL 
 
 hshim ex igne^ is a burning Fire of great impref* 
 fion. 
 
 htha?ior^ or hthanarls a furnace in the fpagirical 
 Art, but efpecially a reverberatory , fometimes of 
 other ufe as the artificer plea^eth. 
 
 A^^r/fw//;/«wfignifies divers things according to 
 the adjciflivc that is put to it : as that which Shoo- 
 makers ufc , is Copperis, fuch as is red within* 
 that which Writers ufe, is called inke, footy, 
 and it is called blacking, alio all kinds of Coppens. 
 httraBiva are called magnetick medicaments , 
 which have a power to draw to them fuch thingsas 
 are compounded of the like attradivcs. 
 
 hngur'tsU is called a fuperflitious A rtift who 
 pra(5tifeth his Art in Looking-glafles, Chryffalls,and 
 in Waters, efpecially in the finging, and flying of 
 birds, that he may prefage by them 5 he alfo obferves 
 other rites for the fame caufe. 
 
 huYum f Limit urn is that which they call Lcafe 
 Gold^or malleated Gold. 
 
 Anrum 
 
A Chymicall Dictionary^ 
 
 KurumfotAbiUls liquor ofG>ld, without any 
 Corrolivc, which very few know, yea of thofe who 
 daily prepare it rather to the deftru&ion,then health 
 ofmen. 
 
 -^«r/^^ wV^ Is precipitated Golijand reverberated 
 into the higheft degree of rednelle, like ground Cin? 
 nabar. That is the beft which is made^and precipita- 
 ted with its proper Mercury. 
 
 Avis Hermetis is the Mercury of Philofophers, 
 which arcends,and then defcends for nourifliment. 
 
 Anrum vivum is fomctimes taken for Quick- 
 lilver. 
 
 AHstromMntU is a certain kind of fupcrftition invcn-i 
 tcd5C0ncerningthe obfervation of of Winds5as when 
 the ftars of the Winds break forth into great vehc- 
 mency, contrary to their cuftome, whence men that 
 are more idle then rationall, pronounce a prefagc of 
 fomething to come. 
 
 Axmgia de Mumia^ or Mumia de MeduHis is the 
 marrow of Bones. 
 
 A^mafor is Minnium, or Cinnabar, 
 
 A^th isQuick-filverextradcdoutof anybody, 
 and it is properly called the Mercury of the body, 
 but in Faracelfus it is the univerfall medicine of 
 things. 
 
 Bbb B 
 
A ChymicaU DiUionar/, 
 
 B 
 
 Alneum M^rU^ov Maris ^zs many call it, is a 
 furnace for diftiilation containing water^in 
 which being warm Chymicall veflells arc 
 put for the putrefadion of the matter 
 which they contain^ as alfo for their feparadon^ and 
 for the performing the opa'ations of that kind of 
 moift afcenfions. 
 
 BAlntum roris is a furnace, in which the veffclls of 
 Diftiilation are put over the vapour of the water only^ 
 that the vapour doc not touch the body.* alfo it is cal- 
 led a vaporousiui nace. 
 
 Balfamum is a fubftance of bodies prcfcrving things 
 from putrefadion. It is intcrnall,and externall.Intcr- 
 nall in man is a certain temperate fubftance^ not bit- 
 ter, norfwect, nor foure, not Mincrall fait , but the 
 fak of liquor, which prefcrves the body ftrongly from 
 putrefadlion. Externall is Turpentine^which hath ne- 
 ver come to the fire, but is dfgefted. 
 
 Balfamum de Mnmiis is that which is cxr railed 
 fiomflefli. 
 
 Balfamum Elementerum externum is a liquor of ex- 
 ternall Mercury, /. tf. theMummie of externall ele- 
 ments, one of the three principles, the firmamentall 
 cflcnce of things, 
 
 ^'J*/ is urine* 
 
 BMtrac 
 
A Chymicall Dkthnary] 
 
 lattrdc Is any kind of brine. 
 
 Berillus is a Cryftalline Looking-glaflc fupcriliti- 
 oufly confecrwitcd by the Augurs. 
 
 Berilhfiica is an art of obfcrving vifions in thofc 
 kinds of glaflcs. ^ 
 
 Bifmutumis the lighteftjwhitcftjand bafeft kind of 
 Lead. 
 
 Bitumen \s acertaine kind of flimie mudextra(5ted 
 out of water, and is like to pitcb,and is as it were the 
 pitch of the earth. 
 
 Botin'is Turpentine. 
 
 Bothor are wheales, or puftles. 
 
 Braffadella^ or Br^//^/^//^ is Addcrs-tonguc* 
 
 Bruntts is St. Anthony's £re. 
 • Bruta is an influence of a Celeftiall vertue, which 
 by Brutes is manifefted to men , as in the Sal- 
 lendine by the Swallow, in Salt the ufe of a 
 Glyftcr by the Storke , and many more of that 
 Isind. 
 
 Btit'jrum SMttrni is that which above is called Al' 
 tey^ and it is the fweetncflc of Lead, 
 
 Bhh^ 
 
^A Chymhall Dietienary; 
 
 \AkU^ or CdaiU is a moft fccrct fciencc ^ 
 which is faid to be delivered by divine in- 
 ipiration, together with the law of Mofus , 
 the Hebrew Kabbies aflerting the fame. The 
 P^r//^;^/ were moft diligent feekcrs of this Art^being 
 alfo profeiTbrs of the fame, as appears by their cal- 
 ling of their wife men* They call their Priefts wife 
 men, and moft skilfull of all fecrets, fuch as were 
 thofc three that came to Chrift out of the Eaft to 
 woriliiphim,andnot Kings, as the ignorant vulgar 
 think them to be. It was not fet down in writing,but 
 delivered by word of mouth. Now after a while fu- 
 perftitious men,a kind of apes , began to fpatter it 
 with their pen, (o that at laft it is degenerated into 
 monftrous fuperftitioni by which means alfo Mag'ck,. 
 which is the true wifdomc that is received by divine 
 iufpiration, is accounted in thefc times Necromancy, 
 and Nigromancy, fo that it is an offence to be a wife 
 man, and hce that profeffeth it openly fhall caft him- 
 felfe into danger. But to teach t he f boli/hneffc of In- 
 fidels publickly is commendable,and a gift of lingu* 
 lairwifdome,and no man is judged wife, but hee that 
 is the gieateft foole. 
 
 Caballi^ or c Abates are ghofts, and Aftrall ftars of 
 men that dyed before their time< 
 
A Chymlcall Dicthnaryl 
 
 Cdlcedenium tartarum is an ofFcnfive matter In mans 
 body,which comes by reafon of the dcfcdl of the 
 cxpulfivc faculty in not expelling what is fcpara- 
 ted. 
 
 Cafa isChamphir. 
 
 Calcanthum is Vitriall. 
 
 Calcinatum majt44 is called all that which is made 
 fwcet by the Spagiricall art, which of its own nature 
 was not fo, as the fwcetneilc of Mercury , of Lead , 
 of Salt or the like^which alfois called their foul^ and 
 doth quickly confolidatc any wound. 
 
 CalcifjAtum minus is all that which is natural fweer, 
 and is very healing, as Sugar, Manna , Honey of the 
 Wood, Noftock and the like. 
 
 Crf//^/7/« is a kind of Saltpetre* 
 
 Cderuth is a figne of a defire to the firft perpetM. 
 um 5 as when any thing defires to return into its 
 firft matter from whence it had its originall. 
 
 CAlliette are yellow mufliromes upon Juniper 
 trees. 
 
 Calx Mercurii is precipitated Mercury. 
 
 Calx Veneris is Verdegreafe. 
 
 CalxSaturm'\sM\m\\m, 
 
 Cdlx Jovu is fpirit of Tin. 
 
 Cdx Martk is Crocus of Steel or Iron. 
 
 Calx Solis is calcined Gold. 
 
 Calx Lunx is the Azure flower of Silver. 
 
 Cdx permAnens or ^xa^ is an incombuftiblc mat^ 
 
 tcr. 
 
 Calx peregrintrtmt is Tartar. 
 
 CaIx lignorum is the afhes of Wood. 
 
 Calcit is is a flone out of which braffe is boiled. 
 
 ChAomanq is an art of prcfaging by the aire* 
 
A ChymuallDiSiienary. 
 
 C^^tf/^hefidesthcconfufcdjand unfhaped matter 
 of all things, is mFarace/fus taken for the Aire-, it is 
 alfotalten For Illiafte, or lUiaftro. 
 Claret ta is the white of Egs. 
 CambucA is an apoftcme, or ulcer in the groin. 
 Cn^ut corvi is Antimony. 
 -4 C4^/i</«?<7r/«ffw is the feces remaining after diftii- 
 lation5and fublimation, 
 Carbones ccelt arc the ftars. 
 Carbmculu^ is an apofteme, or pcftiJcnt iiJccr. 
 Cnrdoninm is a medicinablc Wine made of Heirbs. 
 Carem is the tvventyeth part of a drop. 
 C/?(pr//^;»is weak, and dead bloud in the veins ob- 
 ftru(5iing the motion of the good blood. 
 
 Cafeus pr£paratf^ is the vifcous rcfidcncy remaining 
 in the bottomc of the milke that runnes out of the 
 chcefe, 
 
 Catkimid is the fpumc of SiVer. 
 Cauiia vulfis ruhicundi is Minium of Lead. 
 C4«.r^/rfin Spagiricallartisa certune kind of in- 
 duftry gotten by a habit, whereby the profcflbrs of 
 the art doe more eafi:yundergoc their labors, and 
 pcrfed their operations. 
 
 Cauterium is a chirurgicali inftruraent, which opens 
 the skin with burning-, alfo it is a medicine that etfc^s 
 the fame, but without pain. 
 C^^«r/>;i arc dull wits. 
 
 Cemgd^ifff'i or Ceningotam is a Chirurgicali in- 
 ftrument wherewith the Cramum is opened in fits of 
 the Epilepfic. 
 
 Ceniotemium is Mercury prepared for the Venereal 
 difcafe. 
 CimficAtnm is tlic fame as QdctMHtum^ /'. ^.burnt to 
 
A 0>ymicallDiBiQn(iTyl 
 
 QervlcuU is the fpirit made out of the bone which 
 is in the heart of a Hart. 
 
 Qharafier veneris is love, which is in ftcad of a 
 iliicld in keeping off danger. 
 
 Chxrva is Cntafutiay t. e. the Hearb Spurge. 
 
 Chef ri in Paracelfm if it be piitabfolutely without 
 any adjedion, and if it befpokenof Mineralls, it 
 figniiics Quickfilver, if of Vegetables , Vegetable 
 flowers. But when it is found with an adje(5tion aft^i? 
 thismanner5/?^jC7/'^;>/, it flgnifies the white Elixir 
 made of filvcr^as Flos Anthos fignifies the red Elix/r. 
 
 Cherio is the occult accidental! vertue of the exter- 
 nal! EIemcms,and not the qualities of heat,and.c<5ld, 
 :tnd thclike. 
 
 Cheriomum is that in which Natture cannot be alte* 
 red^as Cryflal^which is fo hardened by nature,that ic 
 cannot bee melted as that which is made byArt^ 
 
 Qherubin is a celeftiall vertue, and influence, da- 
 mination, and power above all dominurionsy and 
 powers, proceeding from God, and ccfcending upon 
 the earth, and upon all men. Of this divine glory 
 Paracelftts- fpcaks largely in the cxpofitions of the 
 Pialms of X)Jv/V. 
 
 Qhifir Minerale is of fomejntdrpreted Gold, but 
 I judg it by what goes before to bee the Sulphur of 
 any Metall. 
 
 Qhirom\inq according ro Paracelfus doth not 
 treat of the lineaments of the hands only,but alfo of 
 the whole body, and not only of men, but all naturall 
 things befides, 
 
 Chym/a is the art of Separating pure from impure, 
 and of making efitnces. 
 
 Qhjbiir^ or Qibnr'\% Sulphur, 
 
 Qhrj[0coll4 
 
A Chymicall Dictionaryl 
 
 ChryfocolU is a kind of green earth like Vcrdc- 
 greafcii 
 
 Chryfos is Gold. 
 
 Chymm is Feces, 
 
 C/W/>/#w is Ciment of Gold, or Silrcr, which 
 fomc call Regale. 
 
 Citn^tflus is pale Cryftall. 
 
 Citrinulum is atranfparent falr^made out of calci- 
 ned vitriall. 
 
 CitrinuWis a bliftering Hearb called Crow-foot. 
 
 C/i?, or K:I},is the quantity of two Gallons of 
 Wine. 
 
 djffus is the occult vertue of things returning 
 from whence they cameras the vertue of an hearb into 
 the root in Autumnc. 
 
 CoAguUtio is' the making of a thin thing thick, 
 
 Qcelum Sfagiricum is the upper part of a Philofo' 
 phicallvcdell. 
 
 Qcelum Philofojfh0rum is any quinteilencc , or 
 univcrfall medicine, efpccially the Philofophers 
 ftone. 
 
 Qceli fUnetarum are the proper orbs, and their 
 {pheres. 
 
 Qememnm i$ a dry Corrofion, when any Metal- 
 line body is calcined with falts , or fuch like drying 
 things. 
 
 QohobdUBxs the often drawing off a liquor from 
 its body,being oft put upon it. 
 
 Qohopbj orC^^<?/>isthefameas Cohobation. 
 
 Cshos is whatfocver the skin contains in the whole 
 body. 
 
 Colcotkir is calcined Vitriall, or the cajut Mtrtu- 
 ftm of oyle of vitriall. 
 
A Chymicall DiSlionary] 
 
 Qolldtenmxs an hcarb called Lyons- foot , or a 
 certain ftiptick medicine. 
 
 ColltqHAtion is melting, as^^ialls are melted^ 
 Qolicii is Tartar refolved in the bowelis, or a fixt 
 difeafc in the Colon gut. :. 
 
 Cderitiumis a Liquor compounded oFthe corro- 
 five materialls of Metalls, 
 Comef^ is halfa drop. 
 
 C^mpUxio is the nature of any part, or the quali' 
 ty of heat , and cold, and the like. 
 
 Q^mfofttum put abfoktely is a body not fcpa- 
 fated. 
 
 Coftfrmimcntum is the body of a flat in man^or an 
 Aftrall body. 
 
 QonfortAtivA^Qx. CtnftrtantU are medicines which 
 comfort the heart, and ^rengthen Nature. 
 QongeUtiva are medicines which ftop any flux. 
 Ctngluten is that^whichbyputrefa^ionis turned 
 ktoavifcons matter. 
 
 Confelidativa are extcrnall medicines which Chi- 
 TUrgions ufc in healings and drying wounds , and 
 ulcers, 
 
 Cfnjldlatifi is the impreflion of fuperiour ftars , or 
 their vertues uponififenour bodies. 
 
 C«';?/?r/iJ?/^'4 are ftiptick medicaments which Chi* 
 rurgions ufc. 
 
 Conterfio is a torment of the bo wells. 
 CoHtraiiio is a weakneflc of the members , and 
 drawing of them together. 
 
 ConfervstivA'^ are medicaments which preferve 
 Nature from putrefa(5tion, being fuch things as arc 
 full of Aftrall vertue. 
 CQ0ftr»m is the middle part of the Diaphragma. 
 
 C c c C0r'' 
 
OraftVJr^ftMetalh is called Gold. 
 
 CorbMum is Copper. 
 
 €ormcer'v'i\% araohgft the Chymifts the nofeofa 
 ftill,amon^{i>^l^rtr4^f//«*^ a vulnerary hearb. 
 
 Corfm~\% the fubjci^ in which the vertues of things 
 Bshid. 
 
 Corpora ccslefiia Spagjrfirtm arc Aftrall vertues ia 
 their matter. 
 
 Xor^orafu^trcakHia^xc fuch bodies that ar^^ not 
 known by fenfe, but by reafon. 
 
 CorfHs in'vifibiie is the foul^which is corporcail in 
 rcfpcd of its fuftcntation ^ and invifible by rcafoiv 
 4»f its fpirituality. 
 
 Corrofiva are medicines that Chirurgipns lafc x^ 
 cat off luperfluous flefh. ifTvx*") ;, 
 
 Cortex Maris is the Vincger of Philofophers. 
 
 Cwufciu is mouic-carc. 
 \-€osoronium'is^\A(\\kOt*. 
 
 Cruor falls is fait feparated from l^c firfb ^t bj5 
 feuir o^ the fecond digcftioB. 
 
 Cucurbtu is a reffell like a gourd» ' 
 Cyeimdis Litharge. 
 
 CjAirv&Iupwr^ '■-)-'::•:',.: u vije!^\u.ih^ 
 
 Cy)'^^;;//^wisa^iftillialtoryTdrcH, ©r the Art h 
 felf^.. 
 
 D 
 

 D 
 
 i^^*^(? is a fucccffive generation by propaga- 
 tion. 
 Vattrais Hellehr* 
 Demotinus la^p^ is fuddain death. 
 
 Defcenforium is a Chymicall furnace in ^which the 
 liquor falls downward front the grofTc matter. 
 
 Derfcs is an occult vapour of the earth , by rcafon 
 of which all kind of Wood grows^and incrcaieth, 
 
 Deliquium is a cold defcenflon , when coagulated 
 bodies are diffolved into a liquor in any cold place. 
 
 I>iaceltate([fin is a fpcciall remedy againft feavers, 
 
 Hiatneter Sfagirictts is a temperament. 
 
 Diafeajia is Alchamilla^ /,<?. Ladies mantle. 
 
 Diaphaffumis that which is tranfparent. 
 
 Dtafhoreticum is a fweating medicine, 
 
 Diafatyr/o/t is a contedion provokirtg luft, 
 
 I>iAte([adelton is precipitated Mercury. 
 
 I>iene\ are fpirits that dwell amongft hard ftoncs. 
 
 Vigeltio is a Chymicall operation , alluding to 
 the digeftion of a Mans ftomach , in which , and by 
 which the matter isdecO^^ed into a Reparation of pure 
 from impure. 
 
 Difcu^folisis Quickfilver made out of Gold, 
 
 Diviftatio is prophecy ing,or foretelling. 
 
 DivertAliam^ or Divmcllnm is a generation made 
 by Elements, 
 
 Ccc 1 I?r4- 
 
A Chymicdll DiBioaary>, 
 
 VracHriculus is BraffKtclU^ i.e. Adders tongue,. 
 
 Dubdcch is the cavity of an impofteme.. ^_ 
 
 Vuckch is a kind of Tartar in Mans body , or the 
 ftone in the bladdcr,or any other part which is fpon- 
 gious,and dangerous. 
 
 Z)«^;w^c^ is Antimony. 
 
 Dulcedo Satnrni^ is Altcj, or Cerufc. 
 
 DurdaUs are corporeall fpirits inhabiting trccs» 
 
 Dhta is a circulating vefTell. 
 
 E. 
 
 lD^//>Wisanyonethat prognofticatcs by 
 the Nature of the Elements. 
 
 £^/risfteelorIron. 
 Ehifrum is fomctimcs taken for Amber, 
 but in ?dracelft4s it is a mixture of a compound metall 
 made by melting all the feven planets into one 
 body. 
 
 Ehmentum'm F^racelfu^ is the corruptible , and 
 tranfient cfTenee of the worldjand of all things,which 
 are fubj eft to change, 
 Elefhas is J qua fortU, 
 
 Elixir is properly a fermenr,the leaft part of which 
 turnes the whole mafle of any thing into its ownc 
 kind : alfo it is the effcnce of any thing.- 
 Elfvatioms making a thing fubtile. 
 Emm^omm is the place of expalfion of any ex- 
 crement. 
 
 Enccit- 
 
A Chymtcall DiSitonaryl 
 
 EmchdianHm is that which hath long life. 
 
 £;?m/; is flaked All urn, and fomctimes it is made 
 (pagirically of fair gemme. 
 
 Emr is an occult vapour of the water , by which 
 ftones are bred. 
 Erodinium is thefignofany thing to come. 
 
 EjeurA, or Ejlfhara is black and dead flefh caufcd 
 hy a cauftick,and is commonly called the Efcar. 
 
 E([arA are Wheales. 
 
 Effdtum e(fe»fialg, is the eflcntiall, and power that 
 is in Vegetables, and Mineralls. 
 
 E(pittim vimm is re<ftified fpirit of Wine. 
 
 E(fe»t/a quinta according to Parked frs his definiti- 
 on, is acertain matter extracted from things purified 
 from all manner of impurity, and corroption, where- 
 by it is made incorruptible, 
 
 EffiU is a tin(5ture made by the heat of the fun in 
 the tace, or any other part of the body. 
 
 Efj'odimm is a certain prefage of things to come by 
 their raarksi 
 
 Efihionemus is^mo^coxxwpi impofteme feeding 
 upon the whole member,as a Wolfe. 
 
 £ve/ifr»»?isaprophencallfpirit, which prefagcth 
 by figns,orfomething going before. / 
 
 Excremefftaarc all fuperfluous things ejected by 
 Nature. . 
 
 Ex/turd is any apofteme which cafts out matter. 
 
 Exalt atio is the fubtilizing oi any thing. 
 
 Exorcifla is a fuperflitious artift which calls up- {pi- 
 rits. 
 
 Extractumis that which is extraded out ofcorpo- 
 reairconcretion,the groflcnefle being left behind 
 
 £^^^/f^isSalc. 
 
 Ccc3, F 
 
4» ChymuaUDi^QnoTj. 
 
 F 
 
 -^ — ' ^ St^^rV-"- — ^~-^ 
 
 \AhA is the third part ofa fcruplc, 
 FakhU'i^ the flcnvcc of Beans. 
 Fe! Draeonis is Qyickfilver out of Tm% 
 Fel vitri is thelpumcofgiaifc. 
 Ftrmentum isa fixt matter, which reduceth a mat- 
 ter to its own nature, and fixedncffe. 
 
 Ficsis cuth is a wart growing to the skinne upon 
 Horfes legs,and it is a medicine to help difeafes of the 
 matrix. 
 
 Fido is called Quckfilver, and Tometimcs Gold* 
 Fida is Silver, and fometimes Gold. 
 Filitis nnins Biei'is the Philofophers ftone. 
 ^ Filum arfe»uaU is the Philofophers ftone. 
 
 Fiptus equinus is a digeftion made any way, either 
 by Horfe-dung, or warm afccs, or water. 
 
 Filtratio is ftraining a thing through a woollen 
 cloth, or paper, &c, 
 
 Flagx. are fpirits \vfiich know the occult fccrets of 
 men. 
 
 Floscheiri istheefTcnce of Gold. 
 Flos feet arum Crot i% the flower of Nutmeg, or as 
 fome willjof Saffron. 
 
 FddttU is a kind of muflirome. 
 Ftxatie is making that which flies in the fire to 
 endure the fire, 
 
 FilU 
 
A Chymicall DiSH^mry; 
 
 fsJU dAKTi are leaves of Gold, 
 
 loKS Vbdofe^omm is BaUeum Mar it, 
 
 Form& rerum are called the influences of celeftiall 
 bodies^which inferiour bodies receive from them, or 
 they are the vcrtues of any thirtg. 
 
 'J^^rwj/V^ are little impoftemes like warts, 
 
 F,tigiU is an apofteme in the cares. 
 
 Fulige Metallorum is fometimes called Arfcnickc, 
 and fometimes it is taken for Mercury. 
 
 Fulmen is purified Silver. 
 
 Fuml^Atio is calcining any thing with a to'p CQt^ 
 rodingfume. 
 
 Fujio is melting, or making any thing flow in tfic 
 fire. 
 
 G 
 
 )A9mhet arc ftoncs in which celeftiall ver* 
 tues, and fupernaturll conftcUations arc 
 impreffcd, being myked with wonderful! 
 characters, and images. 
 GamAheizxt images imprclTed by> ftp^ralefliall 
 influence. - ,- ' 
 
 GamoTtjnum is that one only Anatomic of all 
 things. 
 
 Glades dura is Cry ftall . 
 
 GUdialis is an Art whereby according to tlie 
 
 courfs 
 
A Cbymicall DiSlionary. 
 
 courfcofthe firmament of the fhrs fwordsdrc To for- 
 gcdjthat anvills cannot refill them^ whence it other- 
 wife called weufma. 
 Gel/Oft is a Leafe. 
 
 Ceomartcy is the mod known Art of the earth, but 
 in this place it is taken for thr liars of the earth, m"a- 
 nifeflingthemfelvcs to men, fo that thereby i^hey 
 may takefome ground for prefaging. 
 Ceiuta. is the hearb called Chameleon, 
 Gemma tartar ea is called the (lone that is generated 
 ef diaphanous, and perfpicuous tartar. 
 
 GemU is a plant degenerating by tranfplaating 
 of a parfnip. 
 
 Gil^ar is a Metallick medicine. 
 ; Gigantes are men exceeding the bounds of Nature. 
 Gluten is any vifcous matter in the body , from 
 whence proceed many .obftinatc difeafes. 
 ^Itftijtu' tendcita^ is the Minerall Hefine. 
 Gluta is the efficacy of tenacious pitch. 
 Gnomi are called homurKionesy or rather corporeall 
 fpirits,livin^ under the earth^or elfe Pygmies of a cu- 
 bit long. 
 
 GrAcaMiigtA is a fuperflitious Art invented by the 
 Grecians ^h^ which they made things appear, which 
 really were not. 
 
 • Gravus isihc {iono^ fir fbyrkes^ the ufe of which is 
 as of a marble to dilTolvc things in the cold. 
 
 Gr/ffa, ovGriUuffis vitriall diffolved of its ownc 
 accord into water. 
 
 Gnarini arc men living by the influence of the hea- 
 ven. 
 Gnma is Quickfilver. 
 'Ct$mHuJn is Valerian. 
 
 Cttttd 
 
A Chymcall Dictionaryl 
 
 Gutu nfacea is a rcdnclTc efpecially in the f:icc like 
 that tin«5lurc which is in the beginning of a Lc^ 
 profic. 
 
 H 
 
 [Aiii^ is h'0\'\, 
 mils Salt. 
 
 Hnrmel is the feed of wild rue 
 Haro is a kind of Feme. ' 
 
 Helis Honey. 
 
 Henrkus rnkeus is the Colcatharof Vitriall, 
 
 HelUbrid is a kind of black Hellebore bearing red 
 flowers. 
 
 HdiotropHm is Pancclfu^ his balme. 
 
 Helifmidan is aibalfamicall Mummie. 
 
 HlntcuU^genlcuU^ ox. gumicuht is Valerian. 
 
 Homunciilus in Paracelfm is a man made artificial- 
 ly^theprocefTe whercoFyou may fee at large in the 
 foregoing treatife the eight pagCjand fomctimes they 
 arc taken for fuperftitious im'ages. 
 
 Hsrioyt is the Mercury of Gold. 
 
 Httmer vita is the radicall moifture. 
 
 Hydri are juices or fruits. 
 
 H'jdromancy is an Art taken from the ftars of the 
 water^when they manifeil: themfelves to men,as from 
 unufuall inundations, and the like. 
 
 i/y^r^^y^^r.isArfmart tinged with red fpecks, or 
 fpots. Ddid I 
 
^iChywicsll DictUmry^ 
 
 I 
 
 ^^ is the hearb'of the Trinity. 
 I^eruU rubea is zn Brtftfelas^ 
 idea-, is a figure of a thin? conceived in\ 
 the imagination as a perpetuall being, or a 
 pattern of all things of that nature. 
 
 /<j//^/^^ are contemners of true arts, although they 
 are skilful! profefTors of the falfe.. 
 lefahach is fupernaturall. 
 Ignis leonis is the Element it felfc of fire* 
 Ignis Ttrfictts is a hot burning ulcer. 
 Ignhfrumus adeftus is the quintelTence of vitriall 
 rcdified with tartar. 
 
 Ikch frimum is the firft Principle. 
 iJecbfupernutura/e is a conjunftion of the fuper- 
 naturall, and firmamentallftars, with the infcriout 
 ftars of tcrrrcftial tiiings,and with wine. 
 
 lUch w^gttuw is an Afcendcnt or a flar of a medir 
 cine^which together is taken with it,in which alio it is 
 hid; and asthe (uperiour flars are in the firmament,, 
 lb alfo are the inferiour in man.. 
 
 Ilech arudKtn is a compoiltion of the. firflmatter of 
 the thrf e ftrft principles.. 
 
 lieidus is the Elementary aire • but in men it is the^ 
 ipirit which pafleth through all his members. 
 lUafierj or I/Jajles^ or lUadim ^ is the firft matter 
 
 of 
 
A Chyntkall Dictionary. 
 
 of all things 5Con{iftirg of Sulphur, Mercury , and 
 Salr-, and it is foiircfold according to the number of 
 the Elements. The firft is the chaos of the Earth, 
 the fecond is the chaos of the Water,tlic third is the 
 chaos of the Aire, the fourth the chaos of the Fire. 
 Alfo there are four IliaHri of men refpeding long 
 life. 
 
 Ilidflerfrimus is the term of life , or the life it felfe, 
 or the balfome ot life in man. 
 
 IlUflcr fectindtts is the tearm of the balfome , and 
 the life which we have by Elements^ and tilings ele- 
 mcntated. 
 
 Iliajler terms the term of the balfome , or life 
 which we have by the quinteflence of things. 
 
 Iliafier wagnus^ or qtMrtHs is of the minid, or foule- 
 caught up into another world, as E»och^ and BliAh 
 were. 
 
 ///4/^rineenerallis called the occult vertue of 
 Nature,by which all things are increafed, nourifhed, 
 multiplyed^and flourifliiof which you fliall read more 
 atlargeinthebookofP^nifW/«/ concerning the ge- 
 nerations of Meteors. 
 
 Imagines are Metallick figures, or effigies, in which 
 the celcftiall powers operate. 
 
 Imagimtio is a ftar in man, a celeftiall and fupercc- 
 leftiall body. 
 
 Jmpreffiofjes are fruits as of flars in inferior things. 
 
 Imfurum aleali^ is fpume which is taken from it in 
 purging of it. 
 
 Inanimate 1XXQ. Pigmies. 
 
 Inclimtio is a power of Nature which is manifefted 
 tt man as he is prone to this or that thing. 
 
 ^^ncArnatwA are Chirurgeons medicaments brec- 
 
 D d d I ding 
 
A ChymicaU DiSlhnaryl 
 
 ding flcfh and skinnc in the wounds or ulcers. 
 
 Imulu! is a no6turnall fpirit deceiving Women m 
 their llcep,as if they coupled with them. 
 
 Jriflae fjth is thc'z^in^ of fuperiour bodies upOQ 
 
 inferiours. 
 jfjnAtural/a arc fupcrnaturall bodies. 
 Z^^ispoifon. 
 jHfiter is Tin. 
 lumni\um is Leaven> or Ferment. 
 
 K 
 
 \AchimiAy or K^himU is the unripe Mine of 
 any Metall,as it is in its firft being. 
 Kaldis Vine^er. 
 K/tli is Sopc aflies. 
 Kamir is Ferment. 
 Kaprili is Sulphur. , . 
 Karens is the twcntyeth part of a drop. 
 KarlinA\s wild dill. 
 Kihr'itb is Swlphur. 
 
 Kimit devAtum is whiteCinnabar fubllmed. 
 ■ Kifl^ or O/^fshaifagaUon, or four pints. 
 
 Kob/iltyOxCobAltHm^orCobletHm,is a metallick mat- 
 ter blacker then Lead, or Iron, without a Metallick 
 iplcndor, yet will be mcltcdjand mallcated* 
 Kywerwa is a buble. 
 i^y/am is Snow. 
 
 L 
 
A ChymicallDiSiionarjil 
 
 L. 
 
 'Jhr Sefhia Is Paradifc, or another world. 
 Lac Virginis is Mercurial! water. 
 Zrf^/^is taken for any fixt thing. 
 LdfisPhihfofhorum'is the higheft ver- 
 tue of all terrene things, giving tincture. 
 
 Loffus J>^«/tf//>«j is a fuddainedcath^morc dange- 
 rous then an A poplexy • 
 
 Z4/^r/«;» arc capitall lees which Sope-boilcrs ui^, 
 of which Chirurgions make their caufticke called La^ 
 fis mfernAlts. 
 
 Lato is copper tinged with U^ii cdaminarls into a 
 golden colour. 
 
 Laudanum Ts a compound medicine made of Gold, 
 Corall, Pcarle, &c. by Paracelpts, 
 
 LaudirtAxs Angelica. 
 
 Laxa Chmolea is fait growing to ftones. 
 
 Laxativa are medicines working upwards , and 
 downwards. 
 
 L 'ffa is called the prcdeftination of hearbs. 
 
 Lefas is an occult boiling vapour of the earth, by 
 which hearbs and plants grow. 
 
 Lephante^ov Lephantes is the firftkind ofTar- 
 tarjor Bolc5holding the midle betwixt ftoncs^Sc clay; 
 
 Lemures are fpirits of the Element ot Aire, which 
 i(e^then think to bee ghofts of men departed* 
 
 Ddd^ hcthargU 
 
Athymieall Diethnaryl 
 
 Lethdrgfrinm in Parace/fus is the fpumc of Mer- 
 cury ,or of Silvcr,or of Lead ^ which is fcparatcd in 
 their piirifying,and purging. 
 
 Lethargius is the finder of Mines. 
 
 Lirnhns in Faroe eljm is the great and univcrfall 
 world 5 the feed , and lirft matter ofman. 
 
 Liquer Aqmlegins is deftilled Wine. 
 
 Liquor e^'enti nils IS xhdit humour which is turned 
 Into flcfh, and bloud. 
 
 Liquor Merct^ii isthebalfomcof things,in which 
 the vcrtue of curing or healing confifts. 
 
 Liquor Mtmu is the fat of a Man. 
 
 Liquor \'=,mz.wj times taken for oyle, when the 
 name of the thing of which it is a Liq^uor^is put to it. 
 
 Liquor Mumid degummt is oyle of Gumme. 
 
 Liquidnm de refohto^xs that which is liquid of it$ 
 own nature. 
 
 Liquor herbarum is made of hearbs pounded and 
 prcfled, and digeftcd. 
 
 Liquor falis is the balfome of Nature , by which 
 the body is prefcrved from putrefaction. 
 
 Locus 'vitd is the feat of the mind or foul. 
 
 X<7f«/?^aretopsofboughsoftrees3 as yet tender 
 and green. 
 
 Lorindt is the commotion of watcrs,or a harmony 
 made by them. 
 
 Ludus is a medicine that cures the flone by difTol- 
 ving of it. 
 
 Lumhrici Nitri are worms found in the earth , or 
 mud, fo called for their (lipperinefTe, 
 
 Luna comfaBa. is Quickfilver. 
 
 Luna is Silv<rr, 
 
 Lujlrum is the creame of Milk. 
 
 LunartA is the Sulphur of Nature. M 
 
A Chjmicalt Dictmary^ 
 
 M 
 
 ,AchA is a flying worm, 
 MAgtA Meta^hyficA is an art lawflill for 
 Chriftians to ufc^by which any occult fc- 
 crcts arc difcovcred. 
 
 MagtA in gcncrall is vvifdomc^and it is twofoId.Na- 
 turall,which is lawful!, and is the ground of all true 
 Phyficlc,and the occulc wifdome oi Nature without 
 which all mans rcafon or knowledge is ignorance. 
 The other is Diabolicall, fuperftitious, and unlawful 
 and is called Necromancy, whereby men attainc to 
 the kaowlcdgc of things by the ailiftancc of cvill 
 ipirits. 
 
 Magiftermm is in Tdracelfrs any fccret extracted 
 out of naturall things without any Elementary fcpa- 
 ration, with which other things are wont to bee pre- 
 pared; yet with the addition only of other thing$. 
 from which that which is extracted is fcpara^- 
 ted. 
 
 M^gr s-id are peculiar works of God.. 
 
 IdAgnefuL is commonly taken for a Marcafite , but 
 that which isartificiall is melted Tinne into which is 
 put Qoickfilver, and both mixt into a brittle matter, 
 and white maffe. 
 
 MAgneticus tArtarusis^doucy in a man as hard: 
 asa Loadftone,and fpongious.. 
 
 MAgortnmi 
 
,A ChymkaUDiSionary* 
 
 MAg^renm is a Magick medicamentjOr fccret. 
 
 Jkf4/«j»(y?^risoui* dew 3 and the philofophicall 
 Loadftone. 
 
 Mdek is Salt. 
 
 MnndelUis the feed of black Hellebor, 
 
 UangoyiAYtA is an art ufed in wcightS5whcreby tha^ 
 which is made heavy is eafily made light. 
 
 MmdihuUrnm liquor is oyle of jaw bones. 
 
 A/^;;;?^ is not only called a dew fain from heavenj 
 vuhich is a kind of baUbme or fruit of the aire , but 
 alfo it is taken for any fwect matter extra(fled out of 
 any thing. 
 
 Marcafiu is an unripe matterof Metalls, and it is 
 of as many kinds as there be Metalls. 
 
 K^armoretfs t/trtarus^ is a ftone in man as hard as 
 a marble. 
 
 Martath, or Mdrtach Is Lethargc. 
 
 Mater metallorum is Qo^ckfilver. 
 
 Mdteriafeip/firea is an homogeneal liquor,in which 
 there is no offending matter. 
 
 Matrices rerum are Elements. 
 
 Mdturativa arc medicines tliat Chirurgeons ufe to 
 - ripen any apoff erne. 
 
 Mec/jar/epeot/ca is an invention of watcr-workes to 
 carry watersby pipes into high places, or the like. 
 
 \s{ehones^ or Md-Z^^^^ are Beetles that fly, and are 
 of a golden colour, and being rubbed make a fweet 
 fmell', they are commonly found in Meadows in the 
 monethofM^)'. 
 ' Meljifdum is Copper. 
 
 Me!f([a is in Alchymie taken for Manna extracted 
 i^OUtof thebifthcarbs. 
 
 rrav.riTi' \.r 
 
 lAcfifii 
 
A Chymcall Dictionary. 
 
 Menfif Philofaphicas is the full time of Digeftl on, 
 •r;^. forty d:iyes. 
 
 Me rem t PIS a, nntura coAgnlAitts is a folid Metal. 
 
 Mercuriui Crj flail inns, is that which by often Tub- 
 limations is brought into a clcernefTc like Cryftall. 
 
 Mercunus Corallinus , is that which by yclkes of 
 cgges,and other waters , is brought into a redneflc 
 likeCorall. 
 
 Mtrcuritpi Crudus is that which is not yet fcparatcd 
 from its Mine. 
 
 Mercunus lax us is Turbith Mineral. 
 
 Mercur'tfis metaUorttm pr^c/pitatus is Mercury ex- 
 tra($ted out of Mctalls and precipitated. 
 
 }AerctmusmincraliHm is an oylineiTe cxtraded out 
 of the Mines of Gold, and Silver. 
 
 Merfurms regencratus is the firfl being of Mer- 
 cury. 
 
 iAercurialis fevAis the water of Allum. 
 
 Menfiruum is a liquor wherein any ,thing is diffol- 
 Vcd,ordigcfled. 
 
 yietaUtim currensh Quickfilver. 
 
 Microcofmtts is a little world, or man. 
 
 Minium is the Mercury, or rather Crocus of Lead 
 precipitated. 
 
 ^i[ptdam is Quickfilver. 
 
 Mttigativa arc Chirurgicall medicines which'allay 
 painc. 
 
 Monftra arc Animalls which cither have not proper 
 paronts,and are not born of things like tothemfelves, 
 or have fomc dcfed, or excefle in Nature .but of this 
 fee more in the firfl book of the foregoing Treatife. 
 
 Morus is an apofteme like tcJ a Mulberry. 
 
 MuU arc puftlcs arifing from hcatj or cold, 
 
 Eec * MumtA 
 
A Chymicall DiEiionary, 
 
 lAumh is not only mans flc(h fcafoncd with balfom, 
 but any other fleduhus prepared. 
 
 lAumia Blementortm is the balfome of externall 
 Elements. 
 
 Mumia tranfmarina. in Paracelfm is Mmm, 
 
 tAumia verfi is the liquor of mummic. 
 
 Mttfcihgff isa vifcous liquor. 
 
 lAundifutiva are cleanfing medicines. 
 
 lAuHus is the white Calx in urine. 
 
 l/iyfj'adar is Mercury. 
 
 Myfcritim mugnum is. the firft matter of all things. 
 
 lAmAi^ brine. 
 
 N 
 
 Act A is an apofteme of the brcaft. 
 
 Narcot/c.i are medicines caufing flccp. 
 Nafda or NMta is a bunch in the back. 
 NehulgeA is fait of the moifture of a 
 loud falling upon ftoncs inmeadowes^ani hardened 
 vith the heat of the fun. 
 
 NecromAM) is an unlawfull artjwhich did in time of 
 old worke with the dead, as when the ftars were ma- 
 nifefted with the dead. And he is truly called a Ne- 
 cromanccr,w]io can make the dead appcarc, and can 
 draw wordb and anfwers from chcin. 
 
 JiiicrolkA 
 
AChyimcall DiSi'tonify\ 
 
 NecroJic^zvc medicaments expelling death, and 
 prcfeivin^life. 
 
 Nenttfarem^ are fpirits dwelling in the aire. 
 
 Neutha^ or Neuta, is a little skin growing to the 
 <ares, or eyes of inlanrs, and fometimes covering the 
 whole body. 
 
 Njgromancy is a wicked;and execrable art,whereby 
 devils , and wicked fpirits fuffer tbemfclvcs to bee 
 commanded by man, and obey them , but only to 
 their hurt. 
 
 Nitrumis Salt-petrc. 
 
 Nitriales are all burning things which conduce to 
 calcination. 
 
 Nehoch is an inftrument ufed in Necromancy. 
 
 Nodi are hard tumours of the joints. 
 
 Nofiech is that which we call a falling ftar , a kind 
 of gelly or flirae found oftentimes in the fummer in 
 fields, and meadowes. 
 Nuba is a kind of red Manna which falls in Ireland, 
 Nymph^yOv Nymphfd/ca^2rc {piiiiuall men, or 
 women, or corporeall fpirits dwelling in waters, fuch 
 a one was Melufina, 
 
 Nymfhidica are metaphorically fpirits of diflblving 
 waters in the (pagiricall art. 
 Njfadir is fait Armoniack. 
 
 Eee 2 Ob' 
 
jtChymicall Dicthnary^, 
 
 o 
 
 ^^^^Sri^m is pure gold calcined by art into a 
 < lif^ht red colour. 
 
 Or^^isfalt Armoniack. 
 i^^ odorifera are medicines, which by their 
 odour, whcthergood or bad,expcll difeafes. 
 
 Olclta^ rernm is the fulphur in all things. 
 
 oUum nrdens is oylc of Tartar corrc<^ed to the 
 bighcft degree. 
 
 oUtim Vitrieli mrificatum^ is that which is dulcifi- 
 ed with gold artificially. 
 
 oUtim CaJcotharinum is red oyle of Vitriall. 
 
 okttm fquamiwim is oyle of Tartar. 
 
 olynificMfpsritm is-a ftar inman,that makes him^ 
 to yeeld a Oiadow of himfelf. 
 
 Qferimethioltm is the fpirit of Mineralise. 
 
 O/j^./.r/zi/^arcmcciicineswhichftop fluxes. 
 
 Opyoddtoch in P^racelfus is an ointment. 
 
 Opcpopyrcn Laudam is faracdftts his medicine to 
 flop fc a vers. 
 
 Ordelctmhz little apoftcme like a barley -corne.. 
 
 Orexjs is a heat caufed by tartarous matter. 
 
 Orgarjopeoticfl is an Art finding out warlike inftru- 
 mcnts.. 
 
 Ori'^onidternitAtk is.thc.fupcrcclcfliall vertue of 
 
 things. 
 
 Ori^um^ 
 
A Chymicall Dictienarj^ 
 
 Ori:^um is Gold. 
 Ort\(nm foli4tum is Leaf-gold. 
 Ori^eum pracipiutum is Gold brought into a Cro- 
 s, by the help of the Crocus of Mercury. 
 oroh is the glaffe of Metalls. 
 offaparaleli area univerfall medicine in the Gout. 
 Ovum Philofofhicum is a glafTc of the form of an 
 cggc which Philofophers ufe in their operations. 
 <>^(? is ArCenick. 
 
 ^^^AKdditiuin^ VAnmtium^ or ?^fpt^\s an apo- 
 ^ftenie in the ends of the fingers, called: 
 :a white flaw. 
 
 Pa;jna is a naturall {por. 
 Varscufnp'irte is a mafs confiHing of equal parts of 
 Gold, and Silver. 
 
 'PauUJad/im is^^ind of ttnaJi^iHata growing in 
 Italy. 
 
 Ven/tteszxz fpirits.of the Element of Fire , called 
 Familiars. 
 
 ^etttneuU are figns,or delineaments engraven with 
 ^vonderfull and ftrange letters,and images, which be* 
 ir.g hanged about theneck,are faidtobe prcicrvadves> 
 againftevill fpirits^and witcheries* 
 
 Peycfpioium is any medicine that is approved. 
 "Purdct^i-^K rapes fmall and yellow. 
 
Ai^bymicali uutionary, 
 
 Verdomium'is wine made out of hearbSi 
 Vertodus is the term of life. 
 Peticedamftm is Englifli Angelica. 
 V/j^ntafmata are fpirits of the wood, or the defcrt, 
 which live in any obfcure place. 
 PhaU is a viall^or glafle bottle. 
 Vionitides are naturall enemies which perfecntc 
 one the other to death,as th: Storke,and Frogs , &c. 
 V el t emus is a circulatory, or circulating veflell. 
 Vhenfx is the quintcflencc of Fire-, aU'o the Philo- 
 fophers ftonc. 
 
 Phjfiognomy is an Ar; whereby mens natures, and 
 conditions arc perceived by their faces. 
 
 Vlumbum Vhilofopherum is that which is extraded 
 out of Antimony. 
 
 V or of a is S.Johnf-wort* 
 
 VrsfAgium is Tome notable fign of fomcthing to 
 come. , 
 
 VrefervAtivA are medicines preferving bodies from 
 corruption. 
 
 V rf males zrc called fallacious bodies which are by 
 the ftars put before our eyes. 
 
 Vruinum is the firft kind of Tartar, 
 VruinA is Ignis Perficus. 
 
 Vulfe'\ia\s a fuddain aftonifliment or change in a 
 mans body by rcafon of the ftars. 
 
 Vufla is the digeRion of corrupt matter. 
 V'jgmeA are called.artificiall men , and fometimcs 
 fubtcrrancall fpirits. 
 
 Vyramis is a vefTell made like a Vyamis. 
 Vyromavcy is an arc pre Gaging by fire. 
 
 Qiiat 
 
A Cbymkall Di^knary] 
 
 Q 
 
 ^^Fditai is called a compkxion,whcther hot 
 ^ or cokJjdry or moift,according to the pre- 
 dominancy of any Element. 
 ^artatiOyOV ^artura is the highcft try- 
 all of Gold,and that this way, ^'/;(,. that nine parrs of 
 Silver bee mixed wiih one part ot Gold in melting 
 by the fire. Then let them both bee dilTolvcd with 
 Aqtu fortis : All the Silver is turned into water , and 
 the Gold fettles to the botcomc like a dark powder. 
 cijitnte^entU is called a certame fpirituall matter 
 extracted corporeally out of hearbs, plants , and all 
 things that have life , and the exalting of it to the 
 higheft degree of purity, by feparating all in purities. 
 ^Imntum e(fe cuyujlibet Element i fer fe folum^ is an 
 animall produced out ot that alone. 
 
 R 
 
 '^^^^^j^(td:£ are apoftcmes of the privities. 
 
 N ^}fi*> ^'^''^ '^ an apofteme under the tongue. 
 
 i£\>S) R-'^lg'^risxiiQ fume of Mincralls bein«y 
 
 >^i^*^ properly taken, but being metaphorically 
 it 5 any vitious matter in mans body, of which grow 
 apoftcmes, ulcers, or the like. B^bis 
 
A Chymicall Dictionary^ 
 
 Kehh' is the excrement of the belly. 
 
 Mdu^ is the Isft matter of things. 
 
 RebifoU is a iecret urine againft the jaundire. 
 
 :p.ebona is the fame as Mummie. 
 
 Kedue is a powder whereby calcined Metalls^ and 
 Mmeralls are melted. 
 
 legale is a Ciment whereby Gold is purged. 
 
 Regulu^ is the pureft metalhnc part of any mctall^ 
 or the pureft part of a mmcrall, the feces being fcpa- 
 rated. 
 
 RelhUumis a vcrtac from the complexionn , as in 
 St. Johnf-wortjtht iirft vcrtuc is in heat, and is hea- 
 lingjthcotherisaccidcntalljand occult, and is a prc- 
 fcrvative againft wormSjand corruption. 
 
 itiefina. aur't is a Crocus cxtra(ficd out of Cold. 
 
 Sejina terra is Sulphur. 
 
 Kejif^a terra fotabilis is fublimed Sulphur, brought 
 into a liquor, balfome, or oyl. 
 
 iff-^fm^^/i^rf arc ^medicines which drive back any 
 flux. 
 
 Reverhemmum is a furnace in which the matter is 
 calcined by a flame. 
 
 Rillus is an inftrumcnt which Goldfmiths ufc to 
 pourc their melted metalls into long forms, and it is 
 called a Jngat. 
 
 Rofea is the fame as Erifi^el^, 
 Rubella is a fpirituall cflencc extra(fting by its dif- 
 folving power, the tin^ure out of bodies* 
 
 Sa. 
 
J Chjmleall DiSiiomry* 
 
 s. 
 
 [>^^4;?/arcfpirits of the four Elements. 
 
 SalawAndri are fpirits dwelling in the firCj 
 or fiery men. 
 _ ' Sddini the fame as SaUmandri, 
 Sal alumirfofam is [ixh which is cxtraded out of 
 aluinen ^Inmojum, 
 
 Salan^thron is fait extraded out of the ftoriy 
 
 moffe. 
 
 Sal crylfallifjuw is fait made out of mans urine. 
 
 Sal Calcetharimm is fait which is made out of the 
 Colcotharof Vitrial. 
 
 Sal cor^ge latum is -fait which grows in baths. 
 
 Sal emxum is fait diflblved. 
 
 Sal Mercurii is the fpirit of the wine which caiifeth 
 drunkennefle. 
 
 54//?^rr^ is that which grows in cold places upon 
 ftoncs, coffgealcd by the cold aire. 
 
 Sal nitrttm isf alt which is boiled out of the earth, 
 cfpecially fat carth^as in flables^or any place ol excre- 
 ments. ,-' ."^^ 
 
 Salpra^icum is a mixture made of 'e<^tfall f^artSjOf 
 Salt-petre, and Salt Armoniack. 
 
 SAlfdJfum^^nd alumen fciffum are all one. 
 
 Salt:^falt^^ SeUmfum^ is brine. 
 
 Saltaber^et^ is whitelt Tartar of all. 
 
 Sdtabari is [al Alemhret. 
 
 5^//^/?rfisthcakindof Salt-pctrc. 
 
 F f f Sa- 
 
A ChymicaU DiUionarj^ 
 
 Smech is Tartar. 
 
 SiindarMhA is Amfigmentum^ 
 
 SAngnis Ciilcetu6 is that which is of as quick a taft, 
 as Calx, and as white. 
 
 SA^hiredmAterid'\s:i\\<\i\ox^ in which there is no 
 impurity, or corruption, the pure being feparatcd 
 from the impure. 
 
 Safofafientia is common fait prepared. 
 
 SnxifrAga are all fuch things which break the 
 ftonc, or gravdl. 
 
 SixifragHs'Mi^t Cryftall. 
 
 ScacunuU is the fpirit of a bone in the heart of a 
 Halt. 
 
 S<:4/VA< arc the fpirituall powers, and faculties of 
 the noifld^and arc four^according to the nwnber of the 
 tleracnts. 
 
 Scirifrta is the dew of Autunfvnc. 
 
 Scuma is the fame as fqmmA, 
 
 Sedaiva are medicines that allay pain. 
 
 Sewen vtmris are called fqudm^ xris, 
 
 Seftifi maximus is the Author of long life. 
 
 Sfphirm is a hardjanddry apofteme. 
 
 Serdvhin is an unutterable vertue,an infinite power 
 of the heaven^and efpccially the alTcmbly of Angels. 
 
 Serpheta is a medicine melting a ftone. 
 
 Sibarls Qiilckfilvcr. 
 
 S//tf is earth, 
 
 SimiUtttdtHes are called cclcfliaU appearances. 
 
 Simft^'xs Gilla.. 
 
 ^inonid is white glew of the joints. 
 
 Sironrs^ixc puAles or wheals,in the handscfpccially. 
 
 Sir'^i is e^chnra^ 
 
 Solm homing is the invifibk fire flowing from the 
 
 ccIelUall 
 
A Chymicall Dictionaryl 
 
 ccleftiall Sun^prcfcrving and nourifhing that natural! 
 fire in man. 
 
 SoUdini are corporeall fpirits dwelling in the iiwi' 
 (ible fire. 
 
 Somnia are operations which arc made in man by 
 the ftars when hee is lleeping. 
 
 Sifnathis Anthes, 
 
 Sofhia herba is the bcft kind of bone- wort. 
 
 Sfphhf.t are fometiraes taken for Mailers of any 
 art,or the wifeft in any art; or fomctimes for fophi- 
 ftcrs,/>. Deceivers, or Mountcbankcs. 
 
 S firtilegi urn, is ^prcQigchy ^irits. 
 
 Stagirus^ or fiagiricus is he which knows to diftin- 
 guim betwixt good, and bad, to fcparate pure 
 from impure,ora Chymift5or Alchymift. 
 
 SfagirU is commonly taken for Alchymie. 
 
 SfAra is the Minerall vertue out of the firft being 
 ofmetalls. 
 
 Sferma ac^tufortU is its fcculency. 
 
 Sj/eniiolum is a mucilaginous liquor of frogs. 
 
 Spirituf Auimalis is a power of the foul whereby it 
 becomes like to the heavens. 
 
 Stanmr is called the mother of metaHs, an occult 
 fume out of which Elements are generated. 
 
 Stdraphaxat is a rcflnging or reperquflive vertue. 
 
 Stellto adtifltis is Cinnabar. 
 
 Stibium is Antimony. 
 
 Stiftica are drying medicines. 
 
 Struma is Butium, 
 
 Sublimatio is when any dry matter is forced upward 
 by the heat of fire. 
 
 Succubm is a noAurnall fpirit,whercby men arc de- 
 ccivcd>thinklng they are coupling with women. 
 
 Fffa Snifkur 
 
A Chymicall DiShionary* 
 
 Sulfhur 'vitriol at urn is fulphur cxtradcd out of 
 vkriall by common water fwiming on the top of it. 
 
 Sulphur rerum is many times taken for their quin- 
 teflcnce. 
 
 Sufermenicum is ^Enigmatical!. 
 
 S)^ is the whole world. 
 
 Sylph es are Pigmies. 
 
 Sylvejlres^ oxjylvani are aicry men, and aiery fpi- 
 rits, fomctimes they are taken for woodmen that, arc 
 ftrong giganticall men., 
 
 Syfhitafrava'is^^xkdL^c called S.^/V/^j his dance.- 
 
 S^/>^/>^/^/^'tis aphantaftickfpirit of them that 
 walkc in their flcep.. 
 
 ^^^ffl| J/iC%or Talcum is a clear fliining mattcrjlikc 
 ^^^^^ to pearls in colour, compared with thinnc 
 leaves or flakes, whereof there bee foura 
 « kindsj.w^. white, yellpw,red, and blacke. 
 
 T4////jisa wormc. ,■"'"' 
 
 Tartarum is a hard faltini dregs that flicks to the 
 (ides of Wine vefielSiaUb it is often taken for ftones 
 or gravcll in mens bodies. 
 
 Telon'is as it were a dart of fire. 
 
 T^mferatum is that which exceeds not in any qua- 
 lity. 
 
 Temcitit6 glutinis is mineralt refine. 
 
 Tiremahinis the fatncfTeof manna,or wood-hony^ 
 which is found in good quantity in the moneths of 
 Jnmt^ulyiAugujh, '" ' Terrj: 
 
A Chymkall DiSiiofgaryl 
 
 Terra auri is Litharge of Gold. 
 
 Terra ar^enti is Litharge of filver. 
 
 Terra f belt's is filvcr. 
 
 Terra Hifpamca is Vitrlall. 
 
 Terrelati are corporeal! fpirits living in the earth, 
 
 TeHa is the skin of mans body. 
 
 Thamatica is an art of inventing engines which arc 
 moved by airc,and water. 
 
 Thafhneus is a clean purified medicine. 
 
 Thifma is minerall veins. 
 
 Tinkar is Borax. 
 ^ Titt5tura is that which tlngcth any body with its 
 colour. 
 
 Torufcula is a" drop. 
 
 Track fat is a metall, as yet in its mine. 
 
 Trarames are actions ot fpirits not feen, but heard. 
 
 Trifertes are called fpirits dwelling in the fire. 
 
 Trigonum is a fourefold tranfmutation of the fpi- 
 rits of t he ftars according to the number of the four 
 Elements. 
 
 Trmuf , or TrofTo(fa is called the celcfliall dew 
 made ot the air,or the iwcetcft kind of Manna. 
 
 Trii-phat is an occult verrue of Mineralls, by .which 
 they a(^ toward that end for which thcywere ordaind. 
 
 Turha magna is an innumerable multitude of the 
 ccleftiall Ihrs, and is a prcfage made by any of them, 
 
 Turifith minerale is Mercmy precipitated into a 
 fwcctncffe without any conoiive. 
 
 Fff3. Ve. 
 
A CbymicaUDtSi&nayy. 
 
 V 
 
 EgetMia arc things that grow by hi- 
 ving a root fixt in the carch, and having 
 ftockj branches in the airc^ as hearbcs, 
 plants^and trees, Sec. 
 Veocru gr adits isgLVciM and fvvcct na- 
 
 ture. 
 
 Ferto is the fourth part of a pound. 
 
 Viltrum ^hilofefhfirum is an Alcmbick, but being 
 taken abfolutely is a ftraincr. 
 
 yitfuw ccrreif urn is the fiilcool of Wine. 
 
 yimm ejfatum is Wine impregnated with the vcr- 
 tues of hearbs or any thing clfc. 
 
 yiriditas falis is the green oyle of fair. 
 ,. virgHlufo^'orum arc certain rods which Miners 
 life to oilicovcr mines withall. 
 
 f^ipdltusis Mijleto. 
 
 ypfctts is properly pitch boiled out of the tender 
 tops of trees. 
 
 Vtfcui fecundd gencrationis is bloud dropping from 
 (alts. 
 
 r{/?<^ is a fupcrnatiTraU apparition of fpirirs after a 
 manner fcen by men. 
 
 VitrioUtum is Vitriali which is liquid , and never 
 can be coagulated. 
 
 Vitriolum Novum is white Vitriali. 
 Vlcus dsi'tomennm is a cancerous apofleme that 
 feeds upon the place, VmhrA- 
 
 X. 
 
Vmhrdgines arc Pigmies^ 
 Vmbratiles arc aftrall bodies. 
 Fnda, or VndenA are aiery, and earthy fplrits. 
 Vrdofs arc called the excrements of any An^nafe. 
 VmtatTrithemii is the rcduiftionof the number of 
 Three into a unity by cafting away the number cf 
 Two,and it isfupcrnaturall,and fpagirtcalU 
 ynimes arc pretious pearls, or gemincf. 
 VoUns^ or Frtq^fi is Quickfilvcr, 
 Volatile is in gcnerall any light matter which is 
 carryed upward. 
 
 Vrina vini is Vi»cgcr, and fomctimes it is ufcd for 
 the urine ota man that alwaics drinks wine. 
 
 rttlcami,ox Ftthanici arc fucb as aiwaics workc 
 about the fire. 
 VulcAnttsls^rQ, 
 fH^rfrh Ommbar. 
 
 W; 
 
 XTXTjirmis is the Vincgcr of PhiJofophers* 
 ^ ^ ^//5»<7^jV in Tin that is fotdc and immallca- 
 We, and cannot be wrought upon. 
 
4 Chymicall DiSllonary, 
 
 X. 
 
 \Bne^um \s^r\y outward medicine hanged 
 about the body as a prefervativc againft 
 the Plague. 
 Xeninefhidei^x^ fpirits which delight to 
 dircover the fecretor occult properties of nature unto 
 men^the power ohvhich is granted to them. 
 - Xtfinum is Vinegcr. 
 
 "jOi .j,.i. 
 
 .oaivv' 2>lnnb i*:!!'..; 
 
 YRcus\s2. Male Goatjwhofc blood is faid to 
 foften glafrc,and flints, &c. 
 Tfefus is the art of Alehymy to fcparate pure 
 froni impure. 
 
 Z// 
 
 X 
 
 sAidar is Mercury:,.^ 
 
 Zaidir is Copper or Verdegreafe. 
 Zeroes is Gold., 
 Zatfi'isliin, 
 •■ ':^^<r/^;» is ftony Mercury; 
 
 Zoruha is VitrfaH. ' "' ' ' ' 
 
 Zinck is a metallick marcafite, And a certain natu- 
 ral! mixture of four immature metails,whcreof Cop- 
 per is moft apparent. 
 ZintAr is Verdegreafe. 
 Zu'tttcr, or Z/>?fr,is a Marcafite. 
 Zymar,QxZjftr is Verdegreafe. 
 FINIS. 
 
^^^^ 1^7 
 
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