ATREATISECONCERNINGThe Animal-Stone:OR,
Of that Animal Matter or Subject which God ingrafted intoAdamandEve, as a Divine Portion or Patrimony in Paradise, and which he still retained after his Fall and Banishment out of Paradise, brought it with him thence, and after Death took it along with him to his Grave, or to the Earth from whence he was taken and made; What kind of Matter properly it is, and in what manner a true Universal Medicin may be made of it. Faithfully Translated out of theHigh-Dutch.
ThePREFACE.
CurteousREADER,
Having in some of my last Published Writings, and especially in my Fifth Century, treated of a certain Matter, called by the Ancient and Modern Philosophers,The Philosophers Stone, which Matter they say, God implanted in the first ManAdam, and which after his Fall and Banishment, he brought with him out of Paradise, and after his Death, took it along with him to his Grave, without revealing this Divine Patrimony and Portion to any of his Posterity; so that this great Treasure continued for some time hidden from the wicked World, until at length it pleased God to open the Eyes of some honest Men to know and discern this great Gift of God, which they also made known to others, though this communication of theirs was of little use to proud Worldlings, whose Eyes are only fixed upon outward Visibles, not minding the inward Invisibles. Wherefore none of them could believe, that so great a Treasure was hid in Sinful Man, as accounting nothing worthy their esteem, but Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, and casting out upon the Dunghill as loathsom and contemptible what is far better than Gold or Silver.
And because some of my Enemies have slandered some of my Writings, as if they contained absurd and impossible things; to the end that none by their Lies and Slanders may be led aside from the way of truth, I am resolved to set the Truths I have written in a greater Light, and palpably to evidence before the whole World, that what I have taught,viz.that a Mineral Aurifying Virtue lies hid in Vegetables and Animals as well as in Metals, is no absurdity, but a great truth, to the shame and confusion of my envious Adversaries.
O thou Eternal Light, without the least mixture of darkness, Creator and Governor of Heaven and Earth, send down upon me thy holy Spirit, beam into my Soul a Ray of thy Heavenly Light, that it may enlighten my Heart, Brain, and Understanding, that I may write nothing but what may serve to thy Glory, the salvation of my Soul, and the enlightning of many thousands that wander in the darkness of Error.Amen.
In the Name of the most Holy Trinity, I undertake to communicate and declare to the dark wicked World, the great Wonder-works of God, and Mysteries of Nature, and that with so much clearness and evidence as never hitherto hath been done by any; so as not only the good, and such as are taught of God, but also the perverse Worldly Learned, or the most ignorant Rustick may comprehend, understand, and even handle with their Hands, that I have fundamentally declared and manifested the Mysteries of God and Nature, to the glory of God, and good of Mankind.
In order to perform the great Work I have undertaken, it is needful that we know first, what the thing is, we are to seek, and next, where we are to seek for it. The thing we seek for, is the Philosophers Stone, which affords the Possessor thereof health of Body, and an honest plentiful Maintenance. Now forasmuch as most of the Ancient and Modern Philosophers, a few only excepted, point us to Metals, and especially to fixtSolandLuna, thence to procure for our selves this great Treasure, though they handle this matter with so much obscurity, that amongst an hundred thousand Seekers, scarcely one is found that attains to his desired End, most of them besides spending their Goods and Estates in the fruitless pursuit of this hid Treasure; whereof those in a great measure are guilty who persuade Men thatSolis the Subject of the Philosophers, and that all other matters are improper and unfit for their Work; But others again inform us, that this great Treasure may be obtained a nearer, easier, and cheaper way, withoutSolor any other costly Subjects; Concerning which cheap, and every where to be found, Subjects, I have made mention in some of my late published Writings, and particularly in my Fifth Century, yet not so plainly as wholly to expose these Pearls to swine, for them to tread them under their Feet. And forasmuch as several ignorant and envious Persons have taken occasion to appear and contradict these my Writings, as if it were impossible to find Mineral Virtues in Vegetables or Animals, I am moved to stop the Mouths of these envious and ignorant Back biters, and to expose them to the Publick shame of the World. I confess I do not think these Slanderers worthy that I should take any pains to confute or convince them of their Error, because I am not to mind what such as they, but what honest Men, and what truth it self, speaks. But because this demonstration may be of use to undeceive and inform many Seekers after this Treasure, I suppose I shall do a good work, in giving this evident testimony to Truth, whereby not only the Mouths of Slanderers may be stopp’d, but the Eyes of the Deceived may be opened to discern the Truth.
We proceed then to hear the Verdict of Truth in this Matter, whether indeed such a Mineral Virtue be hid in Vegetables and Animals, as that the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of them. And first we will speak of Man, as being the Noblest of all Gods Creatures, and then proceed to the four-footed Beasts of the Earth, the Fowls of the Air, Fishes in the Sea, and all Creeping Things, and last of all to Trees, Plants and Herbs, to see what the Almighty Power of God hath laid up and hid in these for the use and welfare of Mankind.
As to Man, the most Excellent part of Gods Creation, whom God made a Ruler and Governor over all his Creatures in Paradise, we know that he was made very good, without the want of any thing that might conduce to his happiness or perfection, which goodness continued in him after his Fall, though much clouded and veiled. Forasmuch then as God hath been pleased to lay up in Man this great Treasure, to the end he might make use of it for his good and perfection, we must conclude, that the Divine Wisdom hath placed it so, that Man may always have recourse to it, and take thereof, (without any hurt to his Body) to the glory of God, and his own good. For had God placed this Treasure in the Flesh or Blood of Man, he would have been obliged to hurt and weaken his Body by cutting a piece of his own Flesh, or letting out his Blood, in order to prepare this great Medicin, which by this means would prove too dear, so that most Seekers would rather want the Medicin, than attain it this way. But God, who is the Eternal Wisdom it self, hath not been guilty of any such oversight in his Works, which are all perfect, and no fault to be found with them; and if Nature in any of her productions prove defective, that is not to be attributed to God, but to Satan, who whilst Man slept sowed the Tares amongst the good Seed, which the Master of the Houshold had sowed in his Field.
If it be so then, that God hath not laid up this great Treasure in the Flesh or Blood of Man, we may further enquire, where then we are to look for it? Certain it is, that God, our Heavenly and Wise Father, hath laid up this great Treasure in Man, where at all times, without any let, pains or trouble, he may come at it,and have it for nothing,viz.in the Superfluities of Nature, as Urine, Dung, Hair, Sweat, and Spittle. I say that in these despicable Excrements and Superfluities of Nature, God hath laid up a great Portion for Man, which he by reason of his Pride, blindness and hardness of Heart, cannot see or perceive.
Another Question that may be here demanded, is, In which of these Excrements this Treasure is most copiously to be found? To which I answer, that it may be had from any of them, but in the one more plentifully than in the other, but which is the most fit and proper for this Work, I dare not plainly set down at present, for fear of exposing and prostituting this Pearl to the Wicked and Unworthy, which all honest Philosophers have so highly forbidden. But this I will do,viz.most clearly demonstrate, by many instances, that out of all the Natural Excrements and Superfluities, whether of four-footed Beasts, Fishes, Creeping Things and all Vegetables, a Mineral Aurifying Virtue, that is the Matter of the Philosophers Stone, may be had, and that without cost and charges in all parts of the World, so that no body, how mean so ever he be, but may have enough of the matter for nothing, and needs not by his Poverty be deterred from undertaking this great Work, that affords Health and Riches to him that can bring it to an happy end.
I proceed now to those Proofs and Experiments that evidently make out, that in all things (besides Metals) a Mineral Virtue and Power is found, whereby the Philosophers Stone may be prepared. I shall begin first with four-footed Beasts, because I do think it fitting for several weighty Reasons, at this time to pass by the Mysteries that lie hid in Man, that they may not be exposed to the Wicked and Unworthy. Now these Excrements and Superfluities of four-footed Beasts as well as of Man are different, according to their diverse Passages and Places of Production, as Urine which makes its passage through the Bladder, Dung through the Guts, Sweat through the Pores of the Skin, Spittle through the Mouth, and the Hair or Wooll of Beasts, also through their Skin or Hide, and accordingly are of different Virtues and Powers. Upon this account we must conclude, that in the Sweat of Men or Beasts, there is not so great virtue as there is in Urine, the former being a suddain and almost instantaneous Generation, whereas the later requires some hours time before it can pass through its several Chanels, and be made fit for Natures separation. So likewise is Mans Dung a long while a passing through the Guts, which in Man and Beasts are much longer than in Birds or Fishes, to the end that the Dung might be the better putrified and digested; Thus we find by Experience, that the Dung of a Stork which passeth only through one short Gut, when it falls upon the Grass doth presently burn and scorch it, whereas the Dung of Men and Beasts laid to the Roots of Vegetables, or any way conveyed to the same, do strengthen and invigorate them, and are indeed the highest Medicin of Vegetables; as Country Farmers well know, who with the help of the Dung of Men and other Animals are used to cure their sick, barren, and overwrought Fields, Vineyards and Orchards, restoring them to their former strength and fertility. But though simple Rusticks be very well acquainted with the great virtue and use of Dung, yet our great Learned Men cannot believe, that in such a despicable Subject should be lodged such an Excellent Universal Medicin, capable to cure the Diseases of Men and Metals; and the reason is, because they love Pride and Idleness too well, will not put their hands to the work, contenting themselves with what they know already, without searching into endless Secrets of Nature. For this cause it is, that true Medicin and Alchimy are advanced to no higher degree of Perfection.Helmontcomplains of this negligence in Physicians, who leave the preparation of their Medicins to Apothecaries, declaring, that every Physician who desires to have good and rightly prepared Medicine must be both Master and Servant, that is, he must trust the Preparing of his Remedies to none but himself.
The present Subject I am upon,viz.the Excrements of Men and Animals puts me in mind of a Story relating toParacelsus, which take as follows.
Paracelsusbeing on a time sent for by the Emperor toVienna, to cure some Persons of high Quality, whom the Imperial Physicians could not help, having successfully performed the Cures he was sent for, went to take his Leave of the Physicians, who earnestly intreated him to leave some of his noble Medicaments with them for a remembrance; whereuponParacelsusanswer’d, that he would fetch something for them; The Physicians, supposing he intended to bestow some part of his prepared Medicins upon them, with impatience expected his return, who soon after came to them, and set down on the Table before them a Silver Dish cover’d with another Dish. The Physicians were very desirous to see whatParacelsushad brought for them; at last one of them taking off the Cover, found a great Turd in the Dish, at which being exceedingly enraged, taking for granted thatParacelsushad done this to affront them, they all departed, and when some call’d them back,Paracelsussaid, Let the Asses go, they do not deserve this great Secret, which I intended to communicate to them; And then added, He who doth not know what Mans Dung is, knows nothing, and Heaven and Earth are equally hid from him. With which words he sufficiently intimated, that a great virtue is hid in Mans Dung. Thus much shall suffice, by way of Parenthesis, to have spoken concerningParacelsushis Opinion concerning the Superfluities of Nature, and particularly the Excrements of Man, we proceed now to speak of the Excrements of other Animals, and in particular of Sheeps Wooll.
℞. Of clean Sheeps Wooll iv Ounces, and pour upon it a like quantity of strongAqua Fortis, abstract thisAqua Fortiswholly in Balneo, and theAqua Fortiswill dissolve the Wooll, and when abstracted, will leave behind a stinking Stone of a dark brown colour; afterwards dissolve in another Glass Body ofMercuryj Ounce, and of the finestSoliij Ounces, pour these Solutions ofSolandMercuryinto the Glass wherein the dissolved Wool is, then abstract the Menstruum from the Metals, till nothing remain but a dry Stone in the bottom of the Glass, take this Stone and put it into a Glass Retort, and distill theMercuryfrom theSolin a strong heat.N. B.TheMercurywill not come over quick, but in the form of a Butter ofMercury, of great use for the healing of incurable Venereal Ulcers. If you pour some Water upon the said Butter, it will precipitate theMercuryin form of a white Powder, which being edulcorated and dried, is a good Purge in Venereal Distempers. But if you rectifie this Butter, and then pour itupon a pure Calx ofSol, the Butter will dissolve theSol, and being afterwards digested for some time, theMercuryby means of the Saline Spirits of the Wool will be fixed with theSolinto a Stone, with it make a trial upon Metals, to see what it can do, and thou wilt find thy Labour richly rewarded; but if thou canst not hit it, then think, that it is not the will of God thou shouldst have it, and do not blame me, who have set down nothing but what I have performed my self. Now let us see what course we must take to recover ourSol; break the Retort, and take what was left at the bottom of it, which thou wilt find black as a Coal, in which black matter thou must look for thy iij Ounces ofSol, forasmuch as the Butter has carried but very little of theSolover with it, which thou may’st separate from the black matter, as follows.
Melt goodNitrein a strong Crucible, and when it is in Flux, cast into it one piece of your black Matter after another, and theNitrewill burn away theSulphurcontained in the said Coals or black Matter, and theSolmelts down into a Body, pour forth theNitretogether with the GoldenRegulusout of the Crucible into a Cone, and theSolwill settle at the bottom in form of aRegulus, which, when separated from thefæces, appears snow-white and brittle, much resembling aRegulusofAntimony; thefæcesare of a red colour, and contain much good. This whiteSolbeing expos’d upon theCupelwithSaturnto a fiery trial, a third part only of theSolwill be found remaining of the colour of goodSol, two parts being vapour’d away. The Question is now, What that white colour was, which evaporated on the Test? If thou say’st, that the Coals of the Wool, with the help of theNitre, have rob’d theSolof its colour, thou art not altogether out of the way, nor wholly in the right. If thou say’st, that there is no Mineral Virtue in the Wool, but that theSolbecame white by the addition ofMercury, thou art not wholly out of the way neither; but this is not to be understood of the CommonMercuryadded to theSol, but of theMercurycontained in the Wool, which has joined it self with theSol; for CommonMercurycannot abide withSolin a strong melting Fire, but flies away, leaving theSolalone, as is well known to Chymists. If thou say’st, that there is a Mercurial Virtue in the Wool, which within a few hours so changeth the CommonMercury, that it is able to abide a melting Fire withSol, then it will follow, that by means of theSaltwhich is in Wool any CommonMercurymay in a short time be made capable of enduring not only a melting Fire, but theCupelalso. This I suppose is a plain and evident demonstration, that there is a Mineral Virtue in Animals, and especially in the Superfluities of Nature, which we will now proceed to demonstrate with another Experiment. Now if the Superfluities of Animals are able to do this, have we not reason to conclude, that the right Superfluity of the Microcosme will do the same much better?
℞. Of filed or rasped Horns of Sheep, Oxen, Goats and Deer, but Harts and Goats Horns are the best, and the Horns of Wild Goats, and the Tusks of Wild Swine yet better; and the Horns of Fishes, which are commonly called Unicorns Horns, and the Elephants Teeth are the best of all for this purpose; but where these cannot be had, the Experiment may be performed with Goats or Harts-Horn. Dissolve ij Ounces or iij of either of these in a goodAqua Fortiswhich has been abstracted from decrepitatedSalt, into this Solution put j Ounce ofSol, abstract in a Glass Body theAqua Fortisfrom the Horn, in which abstraction theSolbecomes dissolved, and a brown Stone is left behind, which must be melted down in a cover’d and well luted Crucible with a blast, by which means the Horn will be turned into blackfæces, and theSolwill fall white to the bottom, brittle as aRegulusofAntimony; from whence it follows, since this brittleness and whiteness of theSolcould not be caused by theAqua Fortis, that the same must be attributed to the whiteMercuryandSulphurdrawn from the Horns. Whereby it clearly appears, that a Mineral force and virtue is hid in the Horns of Animals. What I have said concerning the covering of the Crucible with another, and well luting them together, is not without reason, for if the Crucible should be set open in the Fire, and continue there for some time, theSulphurof the Horns would be kindled and consumed, and theMercurywould be revivified and fly away, and theSolwould remain unalter’d. For it is to be noted, that the MineralMercuryand theSulphurof the Horns are very tender and volatile, and are soon lost when the operation is not performed, as before hinted, in a close luted Crucible. This Experiment may be done in like manner, with the Superfluities of Fishes,viz.their Skales, Teeth, and the Stones or Bones that are found in several of them, and the effect will be found the same as before mentioned.
The same may also be performed, with the Feathers and Egg-shells of tame and wild Fowl.N. B.Egg-shells are dissolved with more ease than Feathers. ℞. The Egg-shells of Hens, Geese, or other Fowl, wash them clean, taking out the inward skin or film, then dry them, and abstract from them a Solution of ☉, and melt the remainder in a close covered Crucible, and you will find the same effect, as before.
If you have a mind to make the same Tryal with Vegetables, then takeTartarwhich is fitter for this purpose, than either the Wine it self, or the Wood of the Vine, instead ofTartarof Wine, you may take theTartarthat cleaves to the Vessels, wherein the juice of Crabs hath been keep, or the juices of any other sowr Fruit, or instead ofTartarwe may take the Grounds of Wine, first dried. ℞. Any one of these, and abstract from it a Solution of ☉, melt the remainder as before in a close luted Crucible, and the ☉ will be found white and brittle, like to aRegulusof ♁ at the bottom.
From these Experiments it appears, as clear as the day, that a Mineral Virtue is hid in all things: Yet for more abundant Confirmation of this Truth I shall add some further Instances. The same proof may be done with dry or moist Herbs, or Wood, proceeding in the same manner as before hath been taught, with Wool, and we shall find the same effect. In particular, all sort of Corn, Rye, Wheat&c.afford a very good Tinture, they must be dissolved, and proceeded with as before mentioned, concerning the superfluities of Animals. If therefore Mineral Powers may be found in all Vegetables and Animals, on which Man feeds, and hath his growth and Sustenance, how can it be denied, but that the same Power must needs be in Man also? Wherefore it is beyond all doubt, that every Man carries the matter of the Philosophers-Stone (tho’ raw and unprepared) about with him.
To make this Truth to appear, with fuller and clearer Evidence, I am minded to give the ignorant a sensible Demonstration, that (without mentioning theright Subject of the Philosophers-stone) an universal Medicine for Men and Metals, may be had alone from the despicable and abominable Subject of Mans-dung.
℞. Six, eight or ten ℔ of some healthy Mans-dung, (it must be gathered without any mixture of Urin) and put it into a Glass-body, and pour upon it about the same quantity of rectified Spirit of Wine, stir them with a stick together, set the Glass, with a head fitted to it inBalneo, and abstract the Spirit of Wine, which has extracted the Mineral 🜍 and ☿ that was in the Dung, and brings it over the Helm: Which stincking Spirit of Wine must be burnt away under a large Refrigeratory Helm, by which means the stincking 🜍 of the Dung is consumed in the Flames of the Spirit of Wine, and the incombustible MercurialSaltmounts up in the Flames to the top of the Helm, where it is caught, and is a great Jewel in Physick and Alchimy. If we have a mind rather to have our CelestialSaltin a dry Form, then we must abstract the Phlegm from it: Tho’ if we intend it for a Medicinal, it is better not to abstract the Phlegm (which is not wholly without some Virtue) but use them together. But if our intent be to make use of this incombustible MercurialSalt, in order toMetallickTransmutation, then we must separate its Moisture, and mix the said MicrocosmicalSaltwith ☉, and maturate the same to aMetallineTincture. In a Liquid Form, the said CelestialSaltis an excellent Medicine for sick and weak People, as having great Sympathy with the Vital Spirit of Man, wonderfully strengthening the same, and in all Diseases performs whatsoever can be expected from an Universal Medicine; and is not in the least loathsome, being purged from all Stinck and ill Taste, by the Flames of the Spirit of Wine.
ThisAqua Vitæof the Philosophers performs also very wonderful things in the Vegetable Kingdom, for if the Seeds of any Herb be steeped for an hour in the same, and then laid upon a Trencher, or any board at some distance from one another, and covered over a Fingers breadth with Earth or Sand, being then exposed to the warm Sun, the Seeds immediately will begin to shoot and grow, even visibly to the Eye, which is very pleasant and curious. But those Seeds which are soft, are more proper for their speedy growth, than those that are hard: The Seeds of Parsley, Cresses, Fennel and Annis, which abound with much VolatileSalt, are the best for this Purpose. So that we see, that this Medicine prepared of Mans-dung is truly Universal, as curing the Diseases of all the three Kingdoms,viz.of Animals, Vegetables and Minerals. Wherefore if any one can find in his heart, to work upon this loathsome Subject, he will need no other, for that all lies hid in it, which gave one of the Ancients occasion to say,
Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum.Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,Its present glorious God to praise.
Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum.Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,Its present glorious God to praise.
Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum.
Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum.
Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,Its present glorious God to praise.
Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,
Its present glorious God to praise.
I cannot, but repeat this great Truth once more, that the highest Medicine in the World is most commonly to be found in the most despicable Subjects, God having ordered it so, for to make known his Almighty Power; and that he regards the Welfare of the Poor, as well as of the Rich, willing that all should be helped and relieved, who do not by their own Pride, Laziness and Wickedness withstand so great Love and Mercy. Had Gods Will been to communicate this Treasure only to the Proud, Rich and Covetous, he would have laid up the same in ☉ and precious Stones, which the Poor cannot go to the Price of, but behold we find to the contrary, that God hath been pleased to hide this Treasure in such despicable and loathsome Subjects, as the Rich do scorn to meddle with, by which means a Door is opened to the Poor, to obtain that which, they reject and despise.
But to return to our Subject, and yet further to Evidence, that aMetallickVirtue is hid in Mans-dung, (tho’ it be not the true Subject, which the Philosophers point at in Man) and that much good may be done with it, as containing a very glorious 🜍 and ☿, I will add this Experiment, lay a Piece of Silver into a Chamber-Pot, wherein is Dung and Urine, let it lye there for some time, and the ☽ will attract the 🜍 or Animal Gold, that is in the Dung and Urine, and become colour’d like ☉, which is a sufficient Demonstration, that the matter of the Stone is hid in those Subjects. And forasmuch as it is notorious, that 🜍 is the Agent and ☿ the Patient: And that the 🜍 alone tingeth, and that ☿ is only tinged: Wherefore it behoves us to fix the 🜍, whereby it is fitted to tinge the ☿, bind and fix it: Which to bring about, much searching has been in the World, and still is, tho’ for the most part all in vain, very few Seekers going the right way, and therefore mist of their End, tho’ in their Search they have found many Arts, some good and others as bad. So we read, that oneBartholdus Schwartza Benedictin Fryar having found in an old Book, that 🜍, the Father of Tincture, may be fixed withSaltpetre, was resolved to make a Tryal of it, but to no purpose, for the 🜍 andNitrebeing kindled by the Fire, broke his Vessels, Furnace and all to pieces, whence he took occasion to consider further of the Matter, and invented that mischievous thing called Gun-powder, tho’ he fail’d of his fixing of 🜍: The Ancient Philosophers, many Ages ago, were not ignorant of that Composition, but would not Communicate the same for Fear of the abuse thereof: And called it aBasilisk, because it kills all things it looks upon. Others have set forthNitreand 🜍 under the Notion of a watchful, never sleeping, and Fire-spitting Dragon, that guarded the GoldenFleece, whichJasonbyMedeasdirection and Counsel cast into a deep Sleep, and so took away the GoldenFleece.Medeasignifies diligent Study and Meditation,Jasonthe Artist, or Laborator, the Soporiferous Medicine given to the Dragon, the due Fixation of the Matter. Another Benedictin Fryar,Basil Valentine, had better Success in fixing 🜍 with the help ofNitre; which Fixation he hath recorded in his Writings, where he makesSaltpetreto speak thus: 🜍is my best Friend, and withal my greatest Enemy, but when we are duely conjoyned, and made our Marriage Bed in Hell, after we have well sweat together, we cast off all our Impurities, for to beget Children of Wealth and Riches; and in our dead Bodies is found the greatest Treasure, which we bequeath by our last Will. These are the Words ofBasil Valentine, wherein he exactly and plainly describes the true Fixation of 🜍, save only that he hath not named the Medicine wherewith the watchful Dragon is to be cast into a dead Sleep, and that for good Reason, because the whole Art and Master piece of fixing 🜍 withNitreconsists therein. AndParacelsuswriting concerning 🜍 saith:Here with few words many may be helped, were it not against God, for God wills not that all should be Rich, and therefore doth not give the Goat as long a Tail, as to a Cow, for fear he should out of Pride beat out his own Eyes therewith: For when a poor Man grows Rich, it commonly makes him Proud, and as sharp as a Razor to others.These are the Words ofParacelsus, wherein he declares a great Truth, for God will not have all Men to be Rich, because of the great abuse of Riches, which is too common in the World. But to those, who are dead to the World, and look upon Riches, Money and Goods, as Dust and Smoak, and are Enemies to all sin and wickedness, to these God gives more than themselves desire or wish for, because he knows they will not abuse his Gifts. And so much shall suffice at this time, for my design is not at present to treat of the Fixation of 🜍, which I have elsewhere done at large, but only to prove and make out, that the Matter of the Philosophers-stone is to be found in all things in the World, which I think I have done already. Will any make a Tryal, and undertake the Work, ’tis free for him so to do, I have in this Discourse pointed out the right way, tho’ I have not revealed the right Matter: But if what I have here set down be well considered of, by the ingenious Seeker, it cannot be long hid from him: Farewel.
I have in this short Treatise abundantly shewed and verified, that in all Vegetables and Animals, a mineral Virtue lies hid, which is able to Coagulate ☿ in Conjunction with ☉, into a Metal: And that I may be further helpful to the Lovers of Art, I intend here to deliver the whole manner, and Process of fixing ☿, by Excrements and natural Superfluities, to the end that every one, who reads and considers of it, may with ease attain to a true Tincture. In order to which, I am first to put the Reader in mind, what I have already hinted, that as these Superfluities of Nature, are different and various, so some of them are better for the fixing of ☿ than others: The best of all being, that whichAdambrought out of Paradise, as a Childs Portion God had bestowed upon him, which I dare not name openly, but shall only set down here, how this Fixation of ☿ may be performed by means of the Superfluities of Animals.
I have, in the foregoing Discourse, declared the manner of Coagulating ☿ with the Wool, or Hair of Animals, so as to suffer himself to be fluxed with ☉ in a strong Fire, without evaporating, only to shew the possibility of it. But now shall set down, how the said Fixation may with Profit be performed, by means of an AnimalSalt Armoniack. For certain it is, that in Man and all Animals, such a SecretSal Armoniackis to be found, especially in Urine, Hair, Claws, Horns, Skins,&c.as also in the Blood, sweat and spittle of Man, which is of force to coagulate and fixMercury.
N. B.The fasting Spittle of Man Coagulates running ☿, being stirred about with a Pestle in a Glass, or Stone Mortar, and so is made fit with Hogs-grease to be made into a Salve. Now after that common ☿ is thus Coagulated with fasting Spittle, if we mix it with Oyl or Butter, to make a Salve of it, we shall find that the ☿ will not unite with the same, but runs together and becomes quick as before, and only suffers it self to be joyned with melted Hogs-grease, but with the fat of no other Animal whatsoever; the Reason without doubt is, because Swine have a great affinity with Man and Metals. Thus we find, that Mans and Swines Blood have this Property, that if theCalxof ♄ be for some time boyled in either of them, the ♄ becomes white and hard like ☽; the Reason of which the Reader may be pleased further to enquire into. Mans Urine also has this Nature and Property, that at one only Sublimation it so Coagulates ☿, that when ♀ is rubbed over with it, it looks as well as if it were Silvered over. And the sweat of Man is partaker of the same Property, of Coagulating and Metallizing ☿, so likewise the Excrements of Man and Beasts,&c.But nothing does it more readily than Mans fasting Spittle, wherefore alsoAlbertus Magnussaith, that the highest Mineral Power hath its Seat in the Head of Man, and especially between his Teeth, he himself having found, oblong Grains of ☉, between the Teeth of a dead Mans Skull; ’tis very probable, that the Person, to whom the same belonged, had taken ☿ inwardly, which naturally tending to the Mouth and Teeth, had been fixed there by the Mineral Virtue of the Microcosm into good ☉. Now if we see this happen thus in the Body of Man, what reason have we to doubt, but that the same Mineral Virtue may, without the Body of Man, not only fix ☿ into good ☉, but also reduce it to a true and perfect Tincture. Forasmuch then, as this is not only possible, but certain and unquestionable, I having wrought it with mine own hands, and knowing many other easie ways, by means of the natural Superfluities of Animals, to Coagulate and fix ☿, I am the rather inclined to Communicate the same to the World.
I will therefore in the name of God, for the good of Mankind, Communicate the way and Process, I my self at first made use of to Coagulate ☿, and that entirely from the Beginning to the End, and very plainly, not concealing any the least manual Operations. If any one from this Process here set down, chances, to find out a nearer and better way, I shall be glad of it, we know it is much easier, to correct and meliorate a thing already invented, than to invent it. What I here set down my own hands have wrought, what I have never done or tryed I cannot write, but leave it to those, who are further advanced herein than my self.
To fix ☿, by means of natural Superfluities into a true Tincture. ℞. Eight Ounces of Wool, Goats hair, filed Goats or Harts-horn,&c.dissolve any of these in a strongAqua Fortis, at the same time dissolve, in anAqua Fortis, that has been abstracted from decrepitatedSalt, an Ounce of fine ☉, and two Ounces of ☿ in commonAqua Fortis, pour all these three Solutions together into a Glass Body, and abstract all theAqua Fortisfrom the ☉ and ☿; this abstracted stincking Water pour again upon that, which remains in the Glass, and distil it off, repeat this Cohobation six or seven times, and the ☿ by this means will become united, and joyned to the ☉. This Conjunction put into a Glass Retort, and with a strong Fire drive the ☿ from the ☉, which will come over in the form of a thick red Butter, for the ☿ being so far fixed with the ☉, will not without great force be separated from it, especially when the Operator hath made use of a strong fixing Water, orMenstruum: However, by the violence of the Fire, he is at length forced to quit the ☉,in which Separation he carries the Soul of ☉ over with him, which makes theMercurialButter to be of a red Colour; whichMercurialButter, or Water being rectified doth dissolve ☉, and with it may be fixed into a true Tincture.
N. B.ThisSolarButter may be another way without ☉ be fixed into a Tincture, not necessary to be set down here. He that hath a List to the work may begin with the Fixation, that is performed with the help of ☉. The ☉ and ☿ that remains in the Retort, may be recovered, as follows hereafter; for certain it is, that much of the ☿ in this Operation continues with the ☉, the Violence of the Fire having been unable to separate it, tho’ it may indeed be done another way, whereby we are experimentally assured, that Animals have power so to bind the winged Youngster, as to fix him with ☉ into perfect Tincture, which Fixation would be easie, if the Horns and Hair of Animals did not for the most part turn to Coals which do much hinder Fixation: For when theSolarButter is by the force of Fire driven from the ☉, the Coals of the Hair stay behind with the Fire of ☉ and ☿: Which Coals may either, like other Coals, by means of our wonderfulSaltbe fixed into Tincture, for the ☉ and half fixed ☿ do not hinder, but rather further and help Fixation: Or else, we may joyn to these Coals, a due Proportion of goodNitre, and so make of them the always watchful, and Fire-spitting Dragon, and with the help of theNarcotick🜍 of ♂ and ♀ cast him in to a dead Sleep, kill and fix him into Tincture. For we must know, that this Animal 🜍 is incomparably better, than any Mineral or Vegetable 🜍 of Stone, or Wood-Coal. Or else with the help of a fulminating Powder, we may separate the half fixt ☿, from the half disanimated ☉, by which means theNitrekindles the Animal 🜍 and consumes it, and then the ☿ being freed from the Bands of 🜍 must come over, carrying over with it the yet remaining Soul or Tincture of ☉, which the ☿ in the Preparation of theSolarButter did not bring over: Thus the ☉ becomes more disanimated, and the ☿ (which comes over of a fair Purple Colour) becomes the more richly animated, which Purple coloured ☿ impregnate with the Soul of ☉, may either by it self, be fixed into Tincture, or we may extract the Tincture with the Spirit of Wine, and make use of it as an inestimable Treasure in Physick. But the best way is, with our wonderfulSalt, to fix these Animal Coals impregnate with ☉ and ☿ like other Wood-Coals into a tinging Carbuncle.
N. B.This wonderfulSaltmust be prepared of Oyl ofVitriolandNitre. This is the way I have followed to Coagulate ☿ with ☉, by means of Animal Superfluities. I must own that it is a troublesome Work, especially because of the Stincks, one is obliged to take in. Some Philosophers indeed make mention of a nearer and easier way to obtain an Universal Medicine from Animals: Wherefore he that doth not like the Process, may seek for a better, which if he chanceth to light on, he has reason to bless God therefore, whose Gift alone it is.
Set a well luted Glass, or earthen Body, in a subliming Furnace till it be red hot, then cast in so muchNitreas you think will be sufficient to kindle thy Coals with, and consume them, to which purpose, thou mayst put three times as muchNitre, as the quantity of thy Coals is. When thou seest that theNitreis red hot and in Flux, then cast in upon theNitrea piece of thy Coals as big as a Haslel Nut, and theNitrewill immediately kindle the 🜍 and consume it, and by this means set the ☿ free; for in the burning away of the 🜍, the ☿ is forced to leave the ☉, as not being able to endure so strong a Fulmination: And having by means of the Animal 🜍, so intimately united with the ☉, as to be very hardly separable, but yet by the force of theFulmenbeing fain to leave it, he in his flight takes the Heart of ☉ along with him, and brings it over in the form of a purple Sublimate, which with the Oyl ofVitriol(but much better by means of the universal Coagulator) may easily be fixed into a Tincture. This throwing of the Animal Coals upon theNitre, thou must continue till all thy Coals be consumed, and so thou wilt obtain a ☿ impregnated and tinged with the Soul of ☉, and the ☉ remains of a white Colour, being disanimated by theNitre.
N. B.As oft as you cast a piece of your Coals into the Vessel where theNitrein Flux is, you must immediately clap on the Head again, that the ☿ may not fly away, but be caught therein. For the said ☿ is a great Treasure, and may easily be fixed into a fusible Tincture. Thus you have the whole Process, how by means of Animal superfluities I have handled ☿ with ☉, and what hath been the Success of it: He who shall venture to set upon this Work and finish it, will find much more than I durst set down here.
The nearest and easiest way to fix theseSolar,MercurialAnimal Coals into a Tincture, according to my Judgment is, First to fix the said Coals, by means of a FixativeSal Mirabile: Or else, to mix them with a VolatilizingSal Mirabile, and by Retort distil from them a good graduating Water; we may also add to these Animal Coals such a Fixative water, as is employed to kill and fix the watchful Dragon orBasilisk. Every one may choose of these several ways, what pleaseth best: And if any thing by reason of the shortness of time hath been omitted here, the same will be discovered to the Laborator in his Work, if God does not hinder it, whose Blessing is all in all.Thomas Aquinashad the Art in twenty four hours time, to prepare an universal Medicine from natural Superfluities alone, without any Addition of ☉ or ☿, without Charges, Labour or Trouble, without breaking of Glasses, and without taking in any loathsome Smells. So likewiseAvicenna,Albertus Magnus,Rhasis,Petrus Bonus,Joannes Lancinius Rupescissa, had a much nearer and shorter way, than here we have described, as appears abundantly by their Writings. These Authors took their Subject and putrified it in Horse-dung, and then with the Element of Fire, they fixed the ☿ with the ☉ into a Tincture, in which Labour they were much troubled with the loathsome smell of the Matter.Morienustells us, that the Matter when in Putrefaction, sends forth a stinck like to that which proceeds from Graves, for indeed there is nothing in Man, which doth not stink extreamly, when brought to Solution or Putrefaction. When we dissolve these Animal Matters with Oyl ofVitriol, this stink is not so great, as when they are dissolved withAqua Fortis, the same also may be said of Spirit of Salt, when ☉, ☿ and Wool are dissolved in the same, and besides doth more Volatilize the ☉ in order to Sublimation, or Fulmination thanAqua Fortisdoth. Ifinstead of the Common ☿ we take a ☿ of ♁ for this Work, it will in Fulmination carry more of the Tincture of ☉ over, and the purple Flowers proceeding thence, are much more readily fixed by the universal Coagulator, than those that are made with the Common ☿.
What this universal Coagulator is, I have elsewhere declared, the great use of it is very evident, in that volatile Tinctures can hardly be fixed without it: For this Coagulator makes all volatile CorrosiveMetallineSpirits fix so as to be able to endure the Fire, which without it require a long time. And therefore, he who doth not know it, or the use of it, must needs find the fixing of volatile Spirits very tedious and troublesome, whereas those that know the use of it, may perform more as to the fixing of Tinctures in three days time, than others without it can do in a whole Year. For there is nothing in Nature so Volatile, which this Coagulator doth not fix, asTurbatestifies, saying that if God had not created ourSal Armoniack, all Chymical Labour would be in vain. Which indeed is the very Truth: For without a goodSal Armoniackit is impossible to extract the Tinctures from Metals and Stones, or to purifie and subtilize them to the highest Degree; and without preceeding Subtilizing, there can be no ingress into compact Bodies: For the more that any Tincture is Subtiliz’d and Volatiliz’d, the more readily, after Fixation, doth it enter all hard and compact Bodies. Wherefore if God had not created this Coagulator, these volatile Tinctures, how high soever they might be in Colour, would be of no use for the Transmutation of Metals. Thus we find, that inAlchimythese two principal Keys are extremely necessary: The first opens, makes Volatile, and Purifies and gives Ingress; the other binds and fixeth the Volatile, so as to make it endure the Fire, without which Fixation all Volatilization is in vain. O the Pains that I have formerly taken for to fix ☿, ☉, 🜍 and other such like Volatile Metalline Spirits, whereas now it is most easie for me to do all this, and much more, with the help of my universal Coagulator, the knowledge and discovery of which must be fetched from the Principal Agent, or secret Fire of the Wise Men.
I cannot upon this occasion pass by discovering another Property that is found in our Animal Subject,viz.that it can in one distillation resolve all Metals, none excepted, into a runningMercury, which is a thing very wonderful, that fixt Gold and Silver should be so easily reducible to VolatileMercury, seeing their Bodies are by nature kept in such strong bands. Of which Reduction of Metals to quickMercury, no Person hath writ more clearly thanBasil Valentine. The Ancient Philosophers have indeed writ much concerning the volatilizing of fixt Metals, but did never declare, that, by this Volatilization, they understood a reduction of them to runningMercury, for which reason this Art also hath been so little known. The Ancient Philosophers have recommended this volatilizing and fixing of Metals to us in these following Verses.