To Extract a Red Tincture out of all White Flints, and bring it over the Helm by means of our Fire Spirit, and afterwards to fix the same.
Recipeone, two, or three pounds of finely powdred White Flints, and pour upon them half as much of our Hellish-fire-spirit, abstract the same in Sand by retort, and it will carry the purest Sulphur of the Flints over with it, which may afterwards be fixed with our Catholick Coagulator. And if instead of Flints you take a Gold Spar, which besides some fix Gold, contains much that is Volatile, your pains will be better bestowed. And in case you cannot get any of these, then take theTerra Sigillata, or sealed Earth ofSilesia, in which much volatile Gold is hid; but if you can get the Red TurkishTerra SigillataofLemnos, you will have a much richer Tincture, as abounding with a greater quantity of Spiritual Gold, than any of the forementioned. But take heed you be not deceived, for much of that which is sold forTerra SigillataofLemnos, is nothing else butBolus Armenus.
Ovidand others have in their Fables made mention of this Earth, which is so rich in Gold under the name ofVulcan, whom his Mother after she had brought him forth in Heaven, finding him to be deformed, flung down to the IslandLemnos, where some Apes, that is Philosophers, who imitate Nature, took and washed him, that is, by their fiery Water, took away his ugly and deformed outside, separating the pure Tincture from the gross Body, as I have here taught.The Curious who desire to know more of these matters, let them read the experienced and ingeniousBracescushis Book of the Tree of Life, who will give them full satisfaction. But if none of all these forementioned can be had, we may make use of Blood-stone, Ruddle, or any other Red Earth that abounds with volatile Gold, of which there is great plenty in most parts ofGermany. The Red Jasper-stone, Granates, and Yellow Jacinths do also much abound with Tincture. But these and other such-like, I leave to others to find out, for it is impossible for me to mention all. I conclude this little Treatise with this Solemn Affirmation, that it is a very easie thing in a short time, and without any charges, to speak of, to prepare fix Tinctures, from common Metals and Stones. Believe and set upon the Work, and thou wilt find it so indeed.
The End of the Seventh Part.