By these it evidently appears, that when one golden Bough is cropped off that Tree, another follows; and not onely one and another, but as often as you will crop one, another follows: Provided the Heavens favour our Enterprize; otherwise all endeavour will be vain. Yea, it will be impossible with hard Iron, or from hard Iron (as the Gold-bearing Tree) to acquire or crop one Branch. Consider these things in your Mind. For here are words plain and clear enough to every man, whose Ears and Eyes GOD shall open.
CHAP. XIV.
Note: This labour of preparing subtil Spirits of fixed Metals, and of reducing volatile Spirits, into fixed Bodies, so fully explains the Table of Hermes, as even Children may understand it. Also it proves the verity of that Aphorism unanimously used by all Philosophers: The fixed make volatile, and the volatile fixed. He, whom GOD favours, will easily understand this; but to all others it will remain most firmly locked, although it be described to them with great clearness. I doubt not, but that this Work (when these my Writings in time to come shall fall into the hands of most diligent Searchers) will be more throughly sought into, and a nearer way found, than this here described by me, by the benefit of which, the Sulphur of Philosophers may be released out of that dark Prison, in which he is kept bound with most strong Iron Chains. It would amaze a man to think, that from such a tenebrous and shadowed black Tree, such fair golden Branches should be cropped. Although they (who are not Philosophers, but would be accounted such, whilst they walk magnificently adorned with splendid cloathing) by reason of their blind Pride cannot see what I have here clearly written; yet those Artificers, who wearing Linnen Frocks, labour in their simplicity, will see; because to their Endeavours GOD gives his Benediction.
As I have here taught the way of extracting penetrating volatile Spirits from contemptible old Iron, and of reducing those Spirits into fixed tinging Bodies; so also from other Metals the same may be prepared. Indeed one Metal is more apt for such an Operation than another, and one gives forth its spirits more readily than another: yet such Spirits may be extracted from all Metals, but with the help of divers Solutions. For that Water which dissolves Gold, leaves Silver undissolved, and what will dissolve Silver, dissolves not Gold. Common Salt, and Salt Niter, with the Water and Oil of Vitriol, (but rather of Sulphur) dissolve Sol, Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Niter the Water and Oil of Sulphur dissolve Lune and Venus. Most sharp Wine Vinegar dissolveth Saturn. The Spirit of Gold coagulates Mercury into Sol, the Spirit of Silver coagulates it into Lune. Both these Spirits are Medicinal. The Spirits of Venus and Jupiter are of a loathsome Taste and Odour, and therefore unfit for Medicine. Spirit of Saturn is a mere penetrating Venome, or a Water, which by its Odour suffocates the vital Spirit, wherefore every man should studiously avoid it, since its use cannot be without Peril; otherwise that Spirit in metallick Works excels all. Nor do I believe we can easily prepare a Tincture, whereby to coagulate Mercury, unless by the help of Saturn cold and killing all living things, yet it must be warily handled.
With these I close up my discourse of these Spirits; because, although of them much more might be spoken, yet it will not be the part of a considerate man to cast Pearls before Swine. Besides, I judge I have already divulged more than is fit. But it is worthy of all observation, that GOD is a faithfull Defender and Governour of all most subtil Arts and Things.
CHAP. XV.
It is sufficiently known, that the Life of all things is reconded in the Air, without which Spirit, or Soul of the World, nothing in this Universality of things can live or grow. But the Ancient Philosophers sought out various ways, by which that Spirit might be brought from a far off nigh unto us, be received and exhibited palpable, and at length they found the way, and by the benefit of it performed great things both in Medicine and in Alchymy, and that more or less, according as one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it. For the whole Art consists in this Concentration. Therefore, since by the Grace of GOD, unto me also is something known touching a like Concentration of the Universal Macrocosmick Spirit of Life, I was not willing (like some envious or covetous man) to keep so great a Gift of GOD to my self onely, and suffer the same to be buried with me; but chose rather (for the health of mankind, for the profit of my Neighbour, and for the Honour and Glory of GOD) to impart something thereabout; yet no more than is fit or convenient.
If any one desireth to extract some good thing from the Air, he must first well understand what will be a good Magnet, and how to make choice of an oportune place and time. For in a moist Season, you shall extract nothing but an unprofitable Water from the Air. Wherefore no man should undertake this labour of extracting, unless in the height or midst of Summer, when the Air is very serene, void of Clouds, and hot with the Solar Rays. Because, at such a time, the Magnet, which you shall hang up in the Sun, immediately (from the hot Rays of the Sun) extracts a medicinal Water, which every one may use according to his Capacity. Also, I would have you to know, that various Magnets are found, by help of which Water may be extracted from the hot Air, but all such Waters make not for our Universal Medicine. Yet I am willing here to subjoin some of those vulgar Magnets.
The First Magnet.
With 3, 4, or 6 Pound of Mercury, or more or less fill small Stone Jugs, or strong Glasses, which Glasses firmly closed let down into a deep cold Well, where the Mercury in it self will concentrate the Cold. Now, if you would extract Water from the Air, hang up such a cold Glass or Jug full of Mercury in the Air, where it will presently draw Water to it self. Therefore under the Glass or Jug must be set a Glass Tunnel with a long Pipe; by which the distilling Water may be received, and conveighed through the Pipe, from the hot Sun into a cold Cellar. If this be not done, the Sun will again draw to it self the distilled Spirit. You may leave the Magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and Water distils from it: But assoon as no more water will distil, you must immerge it again in a Cold Well, that it may recover its Coldness. In the mean while, instead of it hang up another; and repeat the labour so often as until you have gathered water enough.
Another Magnet.
Hang up in the hot Sun Jugs or Glasses full of such water; which of their own accord will their contract so great Coldness, as you can scarcely endure to touch them with your hand. To them, as is abovesaid, water will adhere, and distil into the Tunnels set under them.
A Cold water is thus prepared. In common water, or Spirit of Vitriol, dissolve of Sal. Armoniack and Salt-peter equal parts, as much as can be dissolved. With this water fill your Glasses, and with them, as is above shewed, extract water from the Air; and that will be equal in vertue to the former. If you be desirous to extract something more excellent from the Air, you must also expose to it more excellent Magnets. For as is the Magnet so it extracts.
CHAP. XVI.
Prepare 3 or 4 Pound of Oil of Sulphur per Campane, which rectifie, that it may become very fiery: Then provide a large Trough like a Chest or Box, which you may cover with linnen Cloath so, as through it no Dust, but the Air onely may penetrate. In this Chest set your rectified Oil of Sulphur, poured into divers small Pans or Dishes so as they be not above half full. Leave these there three or four Days, or so long Day and Night expose them to the Air, as until the Oil of Sulphur hath drawn to it self so much Water as it self was, and filled the Dishes. This being done, empty out all the Dishes into one Glass Body, and in Balneo with gentle heat abstract thence all the humidity. The Oil remaining in the Bottome again expose to the Air in those Dishes, as before, so long as until they be filled. That water again abstract thence, and proceed in extracting so long, as until you have got water enough. This water passeth through all Tinctures; but I have not as yet compleated this Work.
Note: All the best of that, which this Magnet draws from the Air, remains with the Magnet it self or Oil of Sulphur, as its true Matrix, in which it is nourished and ripened; as the most Ancient Hermes, or the Father of all Philosophers, in his Smaragdine Table, hath described in these words. Here the Soul of the World speaks. My Father is Sol; my Mother is Luna; the Wind or Air secretly bears me in its Belly: the Earth conceived and brought me forth, and is my Nurse, &c. The Spirit of the World can bring forth no Fruits, unless it be first seminated in a fit Matrix; because nothing in the World can be progenited without a Womb. This our Magnet is of all Magnets most gratefull to the Soul of the World, and a most natural Friend to the Spirit of the World.
Much might be spoken touching this, but it is not necessary to thrust pulse ready chewed into a sluggish Crows mouth, let him fly out and seek for himself. Here, in this Work are verified those sayings of Philosophers: Nature rejoyceth in Nature, Nature overcomes Nature, Nature retains Nature. Here it is proper also to observe, what Hermes, at the end of his Table saith; viz. My power is not intire, or perfect, before I am turned into Earth. But how this is to be done, I leave to the consideration of every Man. For the unworthiness of the present wicked World forbids me to discourse more amply thereof. To all men, whom GOD shall favour, these will be clear enough. Yet elsewhere touching this matter (if GOD will) ere long shall be taught.
CHAP. XVII.
Recipe of most pure Gold an ounce and a half, and of the Stellate Regulus of Antimony made with Steel, one ounce, both which melt together in a covered Crucible; and whilst in flux cast at times a little Salt-peter, until the Niter shall have extracted all the Regulus of Antimony from the Gold, and turned it into Scoria’s. Permit the whole to flow well for some time, that the Gold may well settle to the bottom from the Scoria, which will flow like water. Then pour all out into a Cone, where the Gold becomes a Regulus, which must be separated from the Scorias. This Regulus of Sol comes forth much paler than it was before. If this pallid Sol be again melted with the aforesaid Martial Regulus, and the Regulus thence abstracted by the help of salt Niter, the Gold will come forth a little paler than it did the first time. If you repeat this Operation 8, 10, or 12 times, you will find your Gold at length almost totally white, and that its Tincture is extracted from it by the help of that Regulus. The Tincture of Sol is absconded in the Scorias; this, by the benefit of a certain Antipathetick Salt, will be precipitated from the Fæces liquified, like a Regulus highly tinged.
Note: Yet in these Cases, the Precipitation must be warily handled, lest you also precipitate the Regulus [of Antimony] together with it, and so vitiate the Tincture. For this Extraction no vulgar Regulus is conducent, but such onely, as is made of good Steel, and hath such a property, as when a Flint is strook upon it, it yields fiery Sparks, no otherwise, than as from hardned Steel. Which vertue, if it hath not, it cannot rightly draw to it self the Tincture of Gold, but all endeavour will be in vain. This Extraction, Cosmopolita, in his new Chymical Light, hath very well described and discovered in these words. Such Chalibs must be taken, as is endewed with power of extracting that from the Rays of the Sun, which many have sought, but few found. But further he saith: There is found yet another Chalibs, which from Gold extracts its Seed (if it be united or copulate with it 12 times) and thence is impregnated; but the Gold is infirmed even to death. But the Chalybs or Magnet brings forth a Son, which will be more excellent than his Father, viz. Gold, whence he proceeded, whosoever knows this Magnet (of which Cosmopolita makes mention, and an hint of the preparation whereof I have here shewed) and understands how to use the same, in two or three Days he will behold and find so great things, as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied. For, if any one hath Philosophick Eyes, he will see what is most pleasing, if not, he will be no more delighted than a Swine, who among the Sweepings of Vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable Pearl or Jewel, but knows not the difference between a Pearl and that Dung.
CHAP. XVIII.
First, prepare the Green Lyon of Ancient Philosophers (by help of my mineral Salt) of sulphureous Subjects. To this Green Lyon cast Sol, that is, pure Gold; which he, through his greedy desire of devouring always, will swallow, and thereby acquire to himself notable Strength, Power and Beauty. For his whole Body will be thence renewed. His head, with the fore part of his Body will shine with a Grayish Hair, very like a Crows Head; but his Tail with the hinder part of his Body will acquire many various and beautifull Colours, resembling the genuine form of the Rain-Bow, or the Tail of a Peacock. And as soon as the Green Lion hath sufficiently concocted and digested the yellow Lion or Sol in his Stomach, he by Seidge expells the Residue, which will be void of Colour or Bloud. Then the Lion, proud and adorned with various and beautifull Colours, walks to the Waters, in which he immergeth himself, and washeth away all his Colours, and becomes totally white like a Swan, which white Swan the Cook roasteth at the Fire: where that white Swan first waxeth yellow, then more and more Red, untill he is able at length to bear the Fire, and, like a Salamander, live in it without any peril or hurt. This Red Salamander is one of the most noble Medicaments that can be prepared by Art. This Operation I performed but once; and then unto me appeared all those Colours one after another, untill I obtained a Red Salamander, which is a most present Remedy against all Diseases. But what it is able to effect in Chymistry, as yet I have not known, being onely content with a Medicine for Health.
CHAP. XIX.
Recipe of our dried Red Bloud of Sol, in the form of Powder irreducible one ounce, or an ounce an half of our Sulphureous fixed Sal-mirabile five, six or seven ounces. Both which mixt together put into a strong Crucible; which covered, set into a Wind-Furnace, giving Fire so, as they may flow together like Water for the space of half an hour afterward pour them out into some Iron Vessel, or Cone, when the Sal-mirabile hath drawn from the Tincture of Gold a Bloudy Colour. The Mixture cooled, separate the Red Scorias from the Regulus, which will be white as Lune. Pulverise the Red Scoria, or tinged Sal-mirabile, upon which pour common Water; this Water dissolves the Sal-mirabile, not indeed tinged with a Red, but greenish Colour. Filter the Solution, and evaporate the unprofitable Water in a Glass-dish. Then in the bottom will remain a Red Salt, which fortified with the Seal of Hermes or Luting of Sapience, keep for a sufficient time in a continual Fire of Coals: for then the Sulphur, as yet immature, will fix it self with the Sol, and become constant in Fire. From that Lute of Sapience, you may afterward (by the help of a proper Magnet) abstract a fixed Tincture, and convert the same to Medicinal use.
Note: That green Saline Water, in which the Redness is latent, coagulates Mercury into Sol, not indeed for wealthy profit, but onely by the benefit of that to know the possibility of such a Work. The Red slime, whence the Salt is extracted by the benefit of common Water, must be taken out of the Filter, mixed with new Sal-mirabile, and in a strong Crucible be made to flow well for half an hour. Then also more Tincture will be extracted, and a white Regulus of Sol again settle to the bottom. If this labour be a third time repeated, the Tincture will be good, and a white Regulus will again settle, yet not so much, as was the first and second time.
CHAP. XX.
As for the Method of Proceeding, I have willingly offered to the Sons of Art occasion of understanding That: but the thing it self is of so easie Operation, as even the Forgers of infamous Libels, and all the Brethren of Ignorance, would understand and perform the same, if any One in describing it should give them but a very little Light. It would be an unadvised thing to cast so noble a Pearl before Swine. Wherefore I must forbear to write fundamentally of it. Nevertheless, that the World may know such a Tincture is in the Nature of things, and may be prepared of Things of small value; I confess I thought it worth while to discover something thereof.
Recipe of irreducible fixed Arsenick, and of Mercury of Luna, of each eight ounces. Both which Species being diligently mixed, you will have a famous Cementing Powder, by help of which you may perfect this Arcanum, thus:
Recipe of Plates of Venus beat thin and cut small four ounces, which, with the Cementing Powder above mentioned, (making Lay upon Lay, as the manner is) into a Cementing Box glazed within, the Cover of which you must lute very well, and place that in a Cementatory Furnace; or (if you have not such a Furnace) upon a Chimney Hearth, putting so many Coals round about, as the Box may be covered well. Kindle the Fire above, and heat the Box leisurely, and keep it there red-hot among the Coals ten or twelve hours. Then let your Fire go out, and the Box cool: out of which, if you take your Cement, you will find, that the Volatile Spirits of Luna, taking the fixed Arsenick to themselves, have introduced the same into the Copper Plates, and procured to it the whiteness of Silver. This Cement, together with the Copper Plates mixed with salt Alcali or burnt Tartar, melt in a strong Crucible in a Wind-Furnace, and pour out the Mixture into a Cone. When cold, separate the Scorias from the Regulus, which will be white as Lune. Cupellate this white Venus with Saturn; then that, which is not Lune, will enter with Saturn into the Cupel, but the fixed Mercury remain above upon the Cupel. Granulate that, and dissolve it by the help of Aqua-fortis; then indeed the Luna will dissolve, but the Philosophick Sol, or rather Mercury of Philosophers, will remain in the bottom undissolved, like an Ash-coloured Calx. This edulcorated and reduced, passeth into an heavy Metallick Body; in Face, Colour, and Hardness very like common and known Lead, which by Spagyrists is called the Black Lead of Philosophers. This Black Lead hath sustained the Examen of the Cupel, yet it is neither Sol nor Lune. For if it had been Lune, the Aquafortis would have dissolved it; and if it had been vulgar Sol, it would have been infected with no Lead colour. Nor can it be Copper or Arsenick; because if it had been so, it could not have sustained the Trial of the Cupel. Therefore, according to the Fables of Poets, it must be Cupid, or the Son of Venm. When the Gods saw that Vulcan, or the Son of Jupiter and Juno, was born so very black and deformed, they took care to have him carried into the Isle of Lemnos, that there being washed by Apes (that is, by Men or Philosophers imitating Nature) he might obtain a better Form, be nourished and brought up to Man’s estate. Who afterward married Venus, of whom he begat Apollo. Whosoever desires farther Information touching this matter, let him read that Ingenious Treatise of John Bracescus, of the Tree of Life; where many great Arcanums are revealed, and the obscure Writings of Poets and Ancient Philosophers explained.
Here I have in few words divulged one of the greatest of Arcanums. I have not my self, as yet, by trial adhibited this Mercury of Philosophers, for the Transmutation of Metals. Nevertheless, as I have written, it is a very far extended Tincture for white Bodies, and this I have several times experienced; yet onely in white Glass: where one part of the Tincture tingeth one thousand parts with the redness of a Ruby, but the Glass keeps its own hardness. Now, if it could obtain the hardness of a Ruby, as well as its fair Colour, such a Tincture would be full as good, as if it could tinge Lune it self, or Mercury into Sol. For a good Ruby weighing but one ounce, is more esteemed than sixteen ounces or a pound of Gold. But this Glass, with how great Beauty soever it is tinged, still remains Glass, and cannot otherwise be used than to adorn certain Pictures and Images.
Note: If any one knows how to extract the Tincture from this coloured Glass, they will obtain a most excellent Universal Medicine. For, although this Mercury of Philosophers hath once passed the Trial of the Cupel, yet this happened onely by help of the Silver, which defended it from devouring Saturn; otherwise it had been consumed by it. But now it is separated by help of Aquafortis from the Luna, it is destitute of a Defender, and is constrained to enter again into its Mothers Womb, that it may there be ripened, and afterward new born. For all Sand or Flint, of which Glass is made, is the Matrix or Mother of all Metals. Glass is the Philosophers Lute of Sapience, or Seal of Hermes, with which all Volatile Mineral Subjects are so bound and fixed, as they can abide fixed, sustaining the force of Fire.
CHAP. XXI.
Recipe any one of those Subjects, which you will; which if you dissolve either by the dry or humid way, in a sharp Lixivium, the Lixivium so far constringeth the Volatile Subject, as it will not, when heat red-hot continually evaporate. Such a Lixivium coagulate into Salt: If of this Salt you mix four or five parts, with one part of a liquable Flint or Sand, and put the Mixture into a Cementing Box well luted; set that into a Furnace of Cementation or Fixation to be fixed, the Sal-Alcali preys upon the Flint, and with it is converted into Glass. But the Volatile Mineral hides it self in this Glass, and is not driven thence by the violence of Fire, but suffers it self to be fixed into a fixed Tincture. After that, which was put in, shall be fixed, take your Box out of the Furnace or Fixation, and make the Glass flow well in a Wind-Furnace. This Glass, when poured out, will be Red in Colour. If you reduce this Glass to Powder, and by the help of Spirit of Wine extract the fixed Tincture, from this fixed Subject, you will have a most efficacious Medicine against all grievous Diseases, especially, if the Tincture hath been extracted from Antimony, or Common Mineral (not Vegetable) Sulphur. The Tinctures of Arsenick and Auripigment, are not so safe to be used in Medicine, but in Chymistry they are more profitable. For such Subjects cannot be fixed by any more easie Method, than is here discovered by me. And Paracelsus, Basilius and other Philosophers judge, that a Tincture drawn from fixed Sulphur or Antimony, will be admirably efficacious in Medicine and Chymistry.
But that I so abruptly break off this discourse, it is not without Reason, for I am confident I have writ plain enough to him whom GOD favours.
Note: If to your Hermes Seal, you add such Sand or Flints, as per se abound with the first Ens of Gold, you will acquire the more noble Tinctures.
CHAP. XXII.
Recipe three or four Ounces of the coagulated and irreducible Bloud of the Lion; of which the little Book of Dialogues treats. Dissolve them, in the dry way, by the help of Sal-mirabile, into a Red Stone; from which reduced to Powder, extract its Tincture, by the help of Alcolizate Spirit of Wine. This Tincture is a famous Aurum Potabile against many Diseases. Also it coagulates living Mercury into Sol. I purposed to have prepared no small quantity of this Aurum Potabile, that I might therewith help and succour the Distress of the Diseased. But I was hindred for two years, so as I could not attend this Operation. Now I have found an easier Method of preparing it, and by help of that, do hope hereafter I shall do more than I could doe before. Touching its salutary use in Medicine, and its Coagulation of Mercury, shall (if GOD will) be treated of hereafter, before it be long. Here the Description of that would be too tedious.
CHAP. XXIII.
Make an Amalgama of Tin and Mercury in equal weights: Mix this Amalgama with Sulphur, Tartar and Nitre mixt in equal parts, and Grind them exactly upon a Stone, and then your Matter, with its Fulmen, is fit for Distillation. Therefore, when you purpose to distill a Medicinal Water from Jupiter and Mercury, begin your Operation thus.
Against some Wall, set up five or six Glass Cucurbits, [or Subliming-Pots of Earth glazed within] one above another, so as they may exactly shut in one into another, and let the Junctures be firmly closed with Paper and Starch, as I taught to be done in preparing Spirit of Salt. The lowest Glass must have an Orifice in the side, into which the neck of the Distillatory Vessel may be inserted. Which Vessel must be made in form of a Box or Cabinet round, a span broad and high; in the upper part thereof, which is to be filled with Sand, the Cover may be included in such wise, as I taught in the Second Part of my Philosophical Furnaces; yet below it must not be round, but plain; so as standing out from some Bench it may be fitted to the Receivers. When all Junctures of the Receivers shall be closed exactly, your Furnace is compleat. Then, at one time put in no more of the Mixture into a Crucible set in that Furnace, than one Ounce. From this (when you have kindled it with a live Coal, and nimbly put on the Cover again) will be excited a Fulmination, and flame suddenly penetrating, and with great noise separating the Mercury from the Tin; in which separation, part of the Jupiter and Mercury ascends in the form of a sowerish Water, but another part in the Species of a subtile yellow Powder. When this Fulmination ceaseth to fume, take out that Crucible, and put another in his place: set fire of the Mixture in that, and let it burn as before; and continue the same labour, taking out and putting in, as long as any of the Mixture is left. Then take the Water distilled, together with the Flores, out of the Recipients. That Water (when digested with gentle heat for a sufficient time) is coagulated into a Medicinal Red Salt. The Flores must be dried and fixed with fresh fulminating Matter, and as before sublimed. Then again will ascend Water and Flores. All the other Flores remain fixed in the Crucibles, which (reduced by force of Fire and diligent Fusion) produce an hard Tin, which may be cupellated by the help of Saturn, but vulgar Tin cannot bear this Examen. This leaves somewhat behind it in the Crucible; yet not so much Gold as covetous Men desire; but so much as renders the Medicinal Red Salt acquirable without charge.
Ancient Poets, fabulizing touching this Work, have writ, that Jupiter and Mercury sought entertainment of Philemon and his Wife Baucis, as Persons contented with little, that from them they might receive Meat and Drink liberally. Let him, who desires a more ample Information of these things, peruse such Philosophers, that he may see how highly this Work was esteemed by them. For, as we now said, Jupiter and Mercury turn not into rich and proud Men, (who regard not Art, but thirst after heaps of Gold, by which they may long continue their Pride of life) but to the Lovers of Frugality onely, and into their House bring their own Blessing with them.
CHAP. XXIV.
By Calcining reduce four pound of Common Lead to Ashes. With which four pound of Calx of Lead, mix four pound of those Stones or Sand, in which is contained the first Ens of Gold. Melt this Mixture in a strong Crucible into Glass: which reduced to Powder, mix with a fourth part of Salt of Tartar, and in an Iron Crucible reduce it, so you will recover almost all your Lead. This Lead again reduce to Ashes, and mix with it a fourth part of choice Sand and Flints, and melt the Mixture into Glass. Which again reduce by help of Salt of Tartar and Iron: again Calcine it, with Flints turn it into Glass, and reduce it as before; the oftner the better. For in every Operation the Lead extracts something of the first Ens of Gold from the Sand or Flints, and at length becomes very rich with it. That afterward must, by the help of a certain Magnet, be extracted from the Lead, and converted to Medicinal use; as every Man, according to his capacity, is best able to use the same. I judge it not convenient to make a farther discovery touching this matter. Indeed the external face of this Process is simple; because in so short a time, with so little charge, and from so vile subjects, an Universal Medicine may be extracted. Although Saturn is covered with a deformed Ash-coloured Coat; yet within in his interior penetrals is reconded a golden Crown, which is not perceived before that grey Habit is taken off from him. As oft as any one hopes for, or thinks to obtain such a thing, let him read what Basilius, Paracelsus, and other Philosophers have writ touching Lead. Blessed is that Man, who knows how to adhibit to this Operation the Secret Lead of Philosophers instead of Common Lead: for then undoubtedly he will find a most excellent Medicine; according as Ancient Philosophers, by the following Words have expressed:
That Arctus is LUMBUS, before which word, if you set the Letter P, and change the last Letter S, into M, it will be PLUMBUM. Therefore if by the help of Common Lead, (which notwithstanding is very impure, and as it were Leprous) the possibility of Transmutation may be demonstrated and verified, as is manifest by my New Chymical Light, what may not the Secret Lead of Philosophers effect, which is per se pure, and more excellent than Gold? Cosmopolita speaks thus: Although unto him, to whom GOD hath shewed the possibility of that, the Gain be not so great as the Loss, yet unto him is opened an Entrance to the knowledge and finding of all other high things. More of these at this time I forbear to speak. Whosoever is so gross and stupid, as he knows not how to enter through this Gate set wide open, how shall he be able to enter through a narrower passage? Him, to whom this clear Light cannot shew the way, neither the Light of Sun or Moon will profit any thing. Yet I doubt not, but that even Mechanick Artificers, so soon as that my Light begins to shine, will search out the Truth, unto every of whom I wish the help of GOD.
CHAP. XXV.
Dissolve as much Common Salt in Aq. Fortis as you can, in this Aq. Regia dissolve Sol, which precipitate with Spirit of Urine. In Sand abstract all the Phlegm to a dry Salt; if afterward you augment the Fire, the Coagulated Spirit of Urine will carry up with it self part of the purest Sol in the form of a Red Salt. This Salt will yield very profitable Fruit in Medicine. The Dose is from three, six, eight, to twelve Grains; endued with power of expelling Sweat and Urine, and famously conducent against the Stone and Gout. Also since this Salt is void of any loathsome Taste, it may securely and commodiously be administred as a Cathartick to Infants, and Women with Child.
CHAP. XXVI.
Dissolve one part of Nitre, in four parts of Spirit of Salt, diligently rectified. In this Water dissolve as much Gold as you will. Upon this Solution leisurely at times, and drop after drop, pour on of Oil of Tartar so long, as untill both those contrary Natures of the Aq. Regia, and Oil of Tartar, shall be united and quiet. Then, if you abstract all the Phlegm, with the Sol will remain a Salt. This Salt, with the Gold, put into a little coated glass Body; yet first mix with them of burnt Bone as much in weight, as the Salt and Sol did weigh. The Bones are onely added, that the Gold may not be separated from the Salt, or be precipitated into a Mass and flow. Place the Glass, with this mixture, in Sand, augmenting the Fire gradually, untill the Glass in the Sand be obscurely Red; in which degree of Fire, if you detain it the space of six hours, the fusible Salt will penetrate the hard Gold, and from it extract its best strength, and thence wax Red. Which, when all is cold, take out of the Glass, and by the help of Spirit of Wine extract from that Red Salt all its Tincture; which you may administer in grievous Diseases, according as your Judgment shall inform. If you reduce the extracted Gold by the help of Borax, you will find your Gold pale.
The Way of Extracting a yellow Tincture from white Nitre.
By Retort distill a strong Spirit from pure salt Nitre, mixt with burned Earth. Which Spirit, lest it should not be strong enough, dephlegmate. This Spirit in Distillation ascends Red, but when cold appeareth White; yet in it is absconded a Redness, which will be revealed the following way. We see that if any thing fall from those, who labour about Aqua Fortis, into it (whether that fallen in be a piece of Skin, Hair, or any part of the Nails of the Fingers) the same is tinged thereby with a golden Colour. The reason of this Colouring is this: All superfluities of Nature (as the Skin, Nails of the Hands and Feet, all Hairs and Hoofs of Animals, and Feathers of Birds; which being old, fall off, and new succeed in their place) are endued with power of cleansing the Humane Body, whensoever they are prepared for Medicinal use; and that by reason of the abundance of Volatile Salt contained in them, and other such like Entities. For Volatile Salt is of such a Nature, as Salt of Urine, by which all corrosive Spirits are mortified and edulcorated. Hence it is, that when one drop of a Nitrous Spirit falls upon the Skin, or a Nail of the Finger, it is mortified and discovered by such a Volatile Salt as lay hid in it; which otherwise happens not in all other Subjects, which are void of such a Volatile Salt.
Now follows the Process.
Recipe of the Hairs either of a sound Man, or of any Animal, very well washed and cleansed from all filth, four ounces. Upon these pour of most strong and well rectified Spirit of Nitre, one pound, and the Spirit will totally dissolve the Hairs. Upon that Solution pour by degrees so much Oil of Tartar, as untill all the Spirits of Nitre be mortified and totally deprived of their Corrosive power. But you should not cease to pour on Oil of Tartar, untill the Spirit hath well acquired a Golden Colour. This being seen, filter the Solution through brown Paper, in which the Fæces will remain, which notwithstanding will scarcely weigh half a dram; because the Spirit of Nitre hath almost dissolved all. If from this Liquor in a Glass-body set in Balneo, you abstract all the unprofitable Phlegm, in the bottom will remain a Red Salt; on which, if you pour good Spirit of Wine, some Fæces will again be left in the bottom, which you may cast away as unprofitable. Moreover, if one half of that Spirit of Wine be abstracted from the Tincture, a yellow Oil is acquired; which if you rub upon good Silver, that will look as yellow as if it were good Gold. If you shall take of this Tincture, although it is so Volatile, from three, six, nine, to twelve drops, it strongly expells Sweat and Urine, cures the Jaundies, yields relief in the Dropsie; in Feavers it provokes Sweat, and in the Pestilence or other Diseases, where Sweating is needfull. I attempted to fix this Tincture; but it was an Operation of no small time; therefore I was weary of proceeding, and absolving the Work begun. If any one be so patient as to fix this Tincture, he, after his Work is ended, will have whereof to rejoyce. Touching this Operation, Philosophers feigned the venomous Dragon to be a watchfull Keeper of the Golden Fleece; and that the same could not be taken away before the Dragon was brought to sleep by a Soporiferous Medicine, by which he should be rendred insensible and fixed. But undoubtedly some opinionative Men will say, that this yellow Tincture is acquired from the Hairs, Wool, or Feathers, rather than from the Nitre. The Opinion of such Men I thus refell. If any one dissolve Hairs, Wool, or Feathers, by the help of Spirits of Salt, Sulphur or Vitriol, he will acquire a white Solution: and if he mortifies the Spirit of Salt or Vitriol with Oil of Tartar, yet shall no yellowness appear, but all remain white. And such white Salt, which comes from the Spirits of Salt and Vitriol, hath also its use in Medicine. The reason of that is especially, because Hairs in themselves contain a very Medicinal Salt, which cannot possibly any other way be obtained, than by dissolving with the help of Aqua Fortis, or of their re-mortification and reduction into Salt by the benefit of Alcali’s.
After this manner from many Animals, by the help of Spirit of Nitre, may be extracted yellow Tinctures or Salts, which are very efficacious in Medicine.
Such Cast-skins of Serpents, as are commonly found in Fields, and among heaps of Stones, are famously Medicinal against Poysons, the Pestilence, and all other venomous Diseases.
The Teeth of Serpents, and Teeth of Mad Dogs and Wolves, have a Medicinal Efficacy against all venomous Bitings of Animals. Also they help the Stomach against all Feavers.
Scorpions, May-Worms, Cantharides, and such like venomous Insects, do all minister yellow Tinctures, or such Salts as may most profitably be administred in all grievous and venomous Diseases.
CHAP. XXVII.
When Paracelsus writ of the admirable Virtues of Tincture of Corals, which it manifests in the Expulsion of all grievous Diseases, he said, that very many famous Men endeavoured to perfect that Tincture; but an happy event or prosperous success of the same happened to few. Even so hath it hapned unto me, who have been a searcher of that Tincture above forty years. As to the external face, I could indeed variously extract a Tincture of Corals, but in Medicine it proved not as it seemed. Hence I conjectured that was not the true Tincture of Corals, but that Tincture came from the Menstruum. Yet at length GOD shewed me some particular Feathers of Birds, which might be adapted to fixed Tinctures latent in Stones and stony Subjects, and by help of them the same be extracted from their gross Bodies, and exposed to publick view; yet among them all, three sorts of Feathers onely hold the Principal place.
I.
The black Feathers of Crows,
which are endued with power to elevate such Tinctures as love to ascend.
II.
The white Feathers of Pidgeons,
which, in a sort, contain in themselves the purest, and before (by their natural virtue) lightly volatile Tinctures, invade and carry them upwards with them.
III.
Eagles Feathers,
which rowse even the most fixed and heaviest Bodies, and thence extract the inmost or noblest part of them, and carry it upwards with themselves.
Yet these Eagle-Feathers are most commodiously used for extracting of fixed Tinctures from fixed Metals and Stones. For if they be applied to other very Volatile Subjects, they will carry up with themselves the whole mortified Body together with the Tincture. Therefore, whosoever would by the benefit of the Salt of these Feathers, or of the Salts of other Volatiles, perform some excellent Work, let him exactly learn the difference between one and the other. But since here I onely intend the Extraction of the Tincture from Red Corals, there is no need of any other Feathers for that purpose, but of Pidgeons Feathers onely, because they will be sufficient for this Operation.
The Feathers or Wings are thus found and acquired.
Dissolve one pound of pure Silver in Aqua Fortis. If to this Solution you pour good Spirit of Salt, in which Common Salt is dissolved, all the Luna will be precipitated from the Aq. Fortis in the form of a white Calx. In which Precipitation the Silver acquires the aforesaid white Pidgeons Feathers from the Salt-water, and submergeth them, together with it self, in the bottom of the Vessel. In this Precipitation also the Aqua Fortis perisheth not, but passeth into good Aqua Regia. This white Calx of Lune, which I have otherwise called Mercury of Lune, if it be diligently edulcorated and dried; then are the Feathers prepared, by help of which I here teach how the Tincture of Corals is to be extracted.
Recipe one pound of Red Corals, grind them upon a Stone to a most subtile Powder; to which add as much of this white Silver Calx also pulverized. Put these together into a Glass-Retort, administring Fire by degrees, untill the Retort be red, whence (before it is red-hot) will ascend a reddish Water pleasantly sweet; out of one pound of Corals, about four or five ounces. Let this Water be dephlegmated in a small Glass-body, by gentle heat of Balneo, and the unprofitable Water separated from the Tincture; which every Man may safely use in Medicine according to his capacity and skill; because by virtue of it the Bloud is egregiously purged. Almost after the same manner, by help of these Feathers, a most efficacious Water of Pearls may be distilled from fragments of Pearls, or in defect of them from Mother of Pearls.
Likewise, by their help, from a certain peculiar kind of white Talk, may be extracted a famous Cosmetick for whitening the black Skin.
Also otherwise by the help of these, from Vegetable and Animal, as well as from Mineral Subjects, many famous Medicaments may be extracted; all the Preparations of which, if any Man should take upon him to describe, he would above measure encrease the Volume of his Book: which is not my purpose now to do. Therefore with these already commemorated every well-meaning Man will hold himself content. Hereafter (if GOD please) we may discover more.
That which remains in the Retort take out, mix it with an equal weight of burned Tartar, and then by strong fire melt the Mixture. Then the Lune will precipitate it self into a Regulus, and the Corals, Pearls, or whatsoever you distilled by the help of that, will pass into Scorias. If you rightly know how to operate this, you will lose none of the Silver. But if you granulate the same, dissolve it in Aquafortis, and again precipitate it with Spirit of Salt, edulcorate and dry the Calx, you will have new Feathers, by the benefit of which you may sublime subtile Tinctures from Bodies. The reason why these Tinctures ascend so sweet, is, because the sharp Spirits of Salt, which the Lune detains with it self, adhere to the Corals and Pearls, and mortifie themselves with them, and upwards onely drive a sweet Essence.
Since I have said something of White Pidgeons Feathers, and also made mention, that many other such Feathers may be had, by which heavy Subjects may in like manner be elevated, and carried upward with them; among which the Dark-coloured Feathers of the Eagle do easily obtain the priority; I thought it would be worth while to shew the way of Acquiring them here also; which thus take.