Thus farParacelsus.
Although all things we have in the foregoing Discourse proposed, touching ourSal Mirabile, be consentaneous to Verity; and the Virtues, which we have ascribed to it in Medicine, Alchymy, and various Arts, do powerfully discover themselves, yet we find very much diversity in it, according to the diversity of matter, of which it is made. For, that which is prepared of Vitriol, is of a far other Nature, and endowed with far other Properties, than that, which is made ofSalt-Nitre. And what is made of common Salt, agrees with neither of these: For one possesseth a greater sharpness than another; yea, this more than that, dissolves Metals. The more potent, are fit for Transmutation and Solution of Metals; the more weak subservient to Medicine; the weakest, and most sweet, profitable for multiplication and propagation of Vegetables.
These things, he who would reap the desired Fruits of his Labours, ought necessarily to know, and consider accurately of. For if any one, in hopes of future Multiplication, committed to the Earth the Seeds of Vegetables imbibed with the stronger Salt, he will indeed never obtain his desired end, nor will the Earth give forth any Plants, because such sharp Salts do rather destroy, than augment Vegetables. In like manner, Metals are delighted with a convenient Salt,viz.with the more sharp, as Vegetables are with the more sweet. Therefore, when we find our labour to be frustrated, we must not impute that to theSal Mirabile, but to our own Unskilfulness.
Indeed these Salts are endowed with far more noble Virtues than we mentioned in the precedent Discourse; but the high Ingratitude of Men of this Age, permit us not to discover the same. For if you communicate your Secrets to those Men, from whom you cannot require a promise of Secrecy; be assured, the knowledge of those Secrets will presently come to others, who will proudly use the same to thy Disparagement.
If you do the contrary, and keep to your self, whatsoever you have purchased by your own Labour and Costs; you will create Enmities to your self. So as which way soever you take, you will sustain loss.
The Consideration of these things, have caused me to resolve to expose my Laboratory, with all my Arcanums, to the view of others. The end of this only was to exhibit to the sight of all, the truth of those things, which I have purchased with indefatigable Labour, and communicated to the World by writing; that this way, the Mouths of the Malevolent and Ignorant may be stopped.
I could, if it were needful, give various other Reasons, by which I was moved to make my Laboratory common to those that desired it.
Now the year is past, in which I promisedin myfourth part of the Prosperity ofGermany, I would build a Laboratory, and exhibit the Wonders ofGODto my Friends. I then publickly and privately demonstrated various most excellent Inventions, not without labour and very great Charges, all which I value not, since I know, that by this means I have discovered the Truth to many, which they also will publickly own to the honour of the most highGOD, and Correction of envious Detracters.
I did purpose also, in the following year, to continue my Labours for the sake of faithful Friends, but (besides other hinderances) my Age prevented that, Nevertheless, those, to whom I have committed my Laboratory, will perform the same, and exhibit a Light to this blind World. This I was willing to signifie to all, that they may for the future cease to trouble me with Letters.
But whilst I exhibit the Virtues of mySal Mirable, and to it (prepared in Glasses after the above recited manner) ascribe the virtue of changing imperfect Metals into Silver and Gold, I would not have this matter so understood, as if we could by the help of it acquire to our selves Gold in a very great quantity, it is sufficient to have demonstrated the possibility (of Transmutation) and the same to be proved by a small quantity.
It is most certain, that very many Medicaments may be prepared, by the help of it, against various effects of the Humane Body. Also it is most certain, that it is very conducent for a particular gradation of the Minor Metals into better. Believe me, that have experienced the same; if you rightly proceed, you will reap no mean Fruits.
But touching the true Universal, I do question, whether by the help of it, it may be procured. Assuredly, if common Gold, as to its degree, can be changed above what is Natural, Why should it be judged impossible, to exalt it further, in length of time?time? My decrepid Age forbids me to put my hand to this Work; yet to Posterity (better able than I to sustain the heat of fire) occasion is given, by Prayers and Labour to search further; perhaps,GODwill grant to them, what he hath denied to us.
This Operation, by which we peculiarly draw profit from the Minor Metals, cannot be performed in common Crucibles, as we before said; because they are obnoxious to breaking, and so the Liquors are easily lost; but in such as will not easily break, unless after a long time, and will not permit the humid Salt to run out. Here it will be needful to peruse those things (relating to this matter) which I mentioned in the Third and Fourth Parts of theProsperity ofGermany.
To prepare these Crucibles is a great Work, greater to make some Pounds of Salt, or rightly to use the same; but greatest of all, (and in which the summ of all consists) to know what Metals are to be joined, or in what quantity. Here many will have enough to do, and be at a loss, although they enjoy my Secret Furnace, and know how to make the Salt of Art in abundance.
Besides all these, we must needs crack the hard Nut, if we will eat the sweet Kernel. It is required of us to know an easie way of separating Gold or Silver from fixed Metals; for such a Metallick Mass, altogether untameable, cannot be separated by the help of Lead,per se, as Ductile Metals; but here is need of another Separation; which is the principal thing.
Nor should any Man perswade himself, that all things are here so clearly written by us, as he can by their literal sence most easily institute the Operation. For there is need of a long time, and a skilful Master. It would be a very inconsiderate thing to set about those things, of which we have no knowledge.
Although this is my Admonition, here often repeated, yet there will be some, who neglecting it, will set about the said Operation, and perhaps find out various profitable things: In like manner, there will be various found, who following my Prescripts, will reap much benefit from the Minor Metals.
Who can deny, but thatMary Ranta, a Brittain, hath Prophesied truly,viz.That true Alchymy should flourish in the Year of Christ, 1660? I my self have not seen this Prediction, but have it from the Relation of others, whereunto I refer the Reader. And add, that if such a Prediction were not, daily Experience doth abundantly witness, that egregious things are here and there performed in Metallicks, by help of mySal-Mirabile. And there is no doubt, but that all Darkness will daily more and more be dissipated by the power of this Light.
I have unto some communicated the use of this Light for their proper benefit; but these, contrary to my Intention, have caused what I thought to have kept secret, to be spread abroad in publick and many have hit on the right way leading to Verity. If this be done without my knowledge, what would not have been done, if my Laboratory had been open for a year longer? Certainly the World would have shewed it self other than it is, and altogether new; which the new and great Star extending it self from the South to the West, seems to indicate.
Let the most highGODgrant what are necessary, and salutary for us, turn the Ungodly into the right way, and give to his own Children, Rest and Peace, that his most Holy Name and Truth always to be magnified, may not be totally suppressed by the Impious.Amen.