N. B.If you have the minera’s of gold and silver at hand and melt them with glass, their colours will also appear, because that in the minera’s there always is some sulphur that hinders the metal from wholly returning into a body, so that some part of it abides in the glass and therein shews its colour. This also is to be minded, that if haply some minera or metallick earth contains not one metal barely, but 2 or 3 more metals, then always that metal of which the most quantity is in the said minera doth after fusing shine in the glass beyond the rest. As for example.
Suppose I would make tryal in the red Granates [stones] I powder some eight or ten gr. and mix them with one lot of white Venice glass finely powdered, and I melt them, and so turn them into glass. Now in this transmutation the glass doth not become red, but of a delicate grass colour, and so teacheth me what metals are hidden in those Granates,viz.copper and iron, and also more of this, [viz.the iron] than of the other. And though there should be some gold too, yet is it unperceiveable because of the predominancy of the iron over the copper and over the gold: For (in this operation) that metal onely manifests it self to sight, which is in greater plenty therein than the rest be.
Isaac Hollandwould by this vitrification signifie unto us, that after this life,viz.when the world is consumed with fire, there shall arise from the bodies of men reduced into ashes other clarified bodies, and of such and such colours, according as their souls have (either good or bad) framed, or as it were made unto themselves in this life-time in their gross bodies. What other thing [I pray] are fair colours, but the virtues of those subjects out of which they emit or send forth their splendour.
Take a similitude hereof from the melting of minerals, wherein though a mineral of silver or copper hath in it much silver or gold, yet if the superfluous sulphur be not (before the melting the said mineral) separated by a little as ’twere roasting fire; but be (together with that gross sulphur,) set in a vehement melting fire, there will not verily be any metal gotten hencefrom, but that stinking sulphur would transmute the good metal into black Scoria’s. So likewise, no fair and transparent glass can be (by melting) made out of pure metals, if that kind of gross sulphur should adhere unto them.
These few things touching clarified bodies, I could not pass over in silence, and much less could I omit this,viz.that the bodies of all things may be much better transmuted into clarified bodies by our secret fire, than by the common fire. For the common fire drives away the volatile parts, whereas on the contrary, our fire doth preserve them and renders them fixt and transparent as well as the other parts. And therefore of necessity these bodies must needs shine with fairer and brighter colours than those others, in which the common fire hath expelled the mercury and sulphur, and left remaining nothing else but the salt.
But now as concerning such a transmutation into ashes by our moist and secret fires, any one may easily guess the way. For whatsoever is put in them must be necessarily burned into ashes, and they far better ashes too than are made by burning in the common fire. For if the common fire burns any herb or wood into ashes, the sulphur burns away in a flame, the mercury betakes it self to its wings and away flies it, and the salt abides behind in a few ashes or a little earth. Now our Philosophical calcination takes away nothing but conserves all [the princip’es so called] together; and doth in the first place produce to view a black coal, then afterwards other various curious colours, and then a white colour, and at last to compleat the operation, it yields a red fusile and medicinal stone.
N. B.Here it is to be noted that for preparing a pure medicine, a pure subject is to be made use of; for if so be that any one would endeavour the transmutation of an herb, wood, or any animal into a medicament by the help of the secret fires, then all the ashes and feces which were in the herb would also adhere unto the medicament and would render it impure, therefore necessity requires that you do not take the whole herb, or the whole animal, but onely their essential salt, the which being void of feces consists onely of the pure principles of the herb; and doth easily admit of being transmuted into a red tinging, and more soluble stone than the herb it self with its feces by it, doth.
I would not have you to account of these things here delivered you as if they were of small moment. No, for they are such things as cover over with this their vile or base covering, such matters as are of great weight, and which will not come to every bodies knowledge. Surely ’tis a considerable thing that a part of any vegetable, animal or mineral body should (by conserving all the most volatile parts, and by rendring them altogether constant and stable, without the least loss of weight) be ripened into a fixt soluble and tinging red, and medicinal stone. This way of transmuting all things without loss of the weight thereof into clarified bodies, is of all others the best. And those bodies on this wise clarified are without doubt of greater efficacy than are the gross bodies themselves of the animals, vegetables, and minerals, which do as yet abound with their gross and impure feces.
But if so be any one be not herewithall content but panteth after higher things, he may advise with himself about extracting the soul out of this red and fixed stone, and reduce it again by a reiterated operation unto the form of a stone, whereby he willwithout doubt make it yet far more effectual. And by how much the oftner any one shall repeat this same operation, so much the more effectual a medicine will he obtain, for it will at every reiteration notably augment its virtues, for by such actions the efficacy and virtues of things are con-centrated and driven into a very little compass, wherewithall wonderfull things may be performed.
We are yet moreover to see what spirits are, but principally what con-centrated spirits are, and what they are able to do.
And because the matter in hand gives occasion of treating thereof in this place, we will briefly give you a declaration of the same.
In the first place, there are spirits called vegetable ones,viz.When vegetables are beaten to pieces, and being contused are moistened with water, (provided they have not juicyness enough of their own, or do altogether want it) and so fermented, being fermented they are to be distilled, which distillation brings forth subtile and efficacious spirits, and such as are the effecters of many profitable things in Alchymy and in other arts, besides the use thereof in medicine.
Secondly, sundry and divers spirits are also made out of animals by distillation, as out of Blood, Urine, Hairs, Horns, Hoofs, and such other parts of animals, also which spirits have their use in Medicine and Alchymy.
Thirdly, there are also spirits which are expelled, or forced out of minerals and metals by the force of fire, but principally out of Salts, as Vitriol, Allum, Salt Peter, common Salt and such like; of the preparations of which kind of spirits, the Books of Chymists are full, and therefore stop us from the superfluous repetitions of the same. But as for the concentrating of them and the utility of them, it hath been already described by us.
I hereby give occasion for all the diligent searchers after true Medicine and Alchymy; to contemplate, what may be effected in Medicine and Alchymy, if those fugitive spirits were, by our fixing and moist fires which separate not any one part from each other, but do fix all the parts together, deprived of their volatility and made fixt. These few things we were willing to mention concerning the spirits which are subjected to a Man’s power and are within his reach, and serviceable for the use of mortal Men.
We have heard that the con-centrated spirits or moist fires of salts do reduce all things into aCalx, after a Philosophical manner, without a forcing away of the mercurial part, and a burning up of the sulphureous: insomuch that (by conserving, altering and bettering) they fix the whole. Being therefore compelled by a love to my neighbour, I have a mind to set down in this place some medicaments, as well universal as particular; but yet so as that they may not fall into the clutches of [my] unworthy enemies, but may be reserved onely for friends.
And first, here shall be a medicine mentioned, that amendeth the weak digestion of the Stomach.
Take out the teeth of a Wolf or a Dog when he is half dead, (being first shot with a Gun) and pour thereupon two or three parts of the con-centrated spirit of salt in a Cucurbit, set the glass upon sand that it may be heated moderately, whereby the oyl of salt may dissolve them and bring them into a thick pulse or mash. Upon this mash pour warmed water that so all the Acrimony of the spirit of salt may be separated therefrom, and that there remain onely the white pulse, wherewith (because some of the oyl of the salt doth yet remain, and is not washable off wholly with water) a little Sugar-candy is to be mixed, that so that remaining Acrimony may be allayed, and the pulse be the pleasanter for your uses.
The teeth of a mad Dog being prepared after the aforesaid manner, do yield an Antidote against Poyson. And indeed so do the teeth of all Animals, but especially the teeth of Stags and their Horns, do (after such a preparation) resist all Poysons.
The teeth of all ravenous animals, as likewise of Sea-monsters, and their Horns, are of great use in medicine; as ofWolves,Bears,Lynxes,Tygers,Lyons,Leopards; and as to the watery animals,Crocodiles, and such like ravening fishes, whose horn, teeth, and scales, and likewise the claws of Birds of Prey, may be by the con-centrated spirit of salt, converted (after the aforesaid manner) into good medicaments.
Take strong and well rectified spirit of salt, or onely a strongAq. Fortis, put thereinto your Vermine, of what kind soever it be, and it will presently endeavour to get out assoon as ever it feels the said moist fire. But being it cannot get out, it will struggle till it dies. Now by how much the longer the worm or flie liveth in theAq. Fortis, by so much are its virtues in medicine greater, and this may serve as advice to every one. As for the way of preparing medicaments out of Bark of Trees and Husks shall be mentioned by and by.
You are to make use of the way but now mentioned concerning Vermine, and such Herbs as thou knowest not, or such whose virtues are to thee unknown, put (one after another) into the moist fire; and that Herb which is of a slower solution, excells that which is sooner dissolved, both in strength and virtues. For example, Lettice, Purslane, Mellons, Cucumbers, and such like waterish Herbs, (and so is it with fruits too,) have a moist nature, and are presently turned into water by those fires. But Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Dodder, and other hotter Herbs, require a longer time for their solution. Ginger, Pepper, Cloves, Nutmegs, Cinamond, Cardamoms, Zedoary,&c.do require a yet longertime as to their solution, afore they will thoroughly pass into a water. From hence may any one know the nature and properties of Herbs very easily. This also is to be observed, that the Medicine out of a Vermine, or out of any Herb, is by so much the more efficacious, by how much the vehementer venenosity it abounds withall.
I have taught in the second part of my spagyricalPharmacopæa, a way of correcting venemous insects by the fixt Liquor of Niter, and of transmuting their venome into an effectual Medicine, which [way of preparation] he who is studious of good medicaments will there find. But now in this place is taught, by what means such like Vermine, and such Herbs as abound with Venome are to be corrected by the con-centrated fire of salt, and to be turned into excellent and penetrative medicaments. The operation whereof is thus.
Pour into some glass vessel, one, two or three ounces of our con-centrated fire of salt, then put thereunto such Vermine as you would prepare your Medicine of, one after another, provided that you do not put more in, than the said fire is able to dissolve and consume. When all are dissolved and converted into water, all the poysonousness is lost [or gone] and they become good medicaments.
There is found to be a great difference amongst Vermine and venemous insects. For some of them are of a dry nature and property, some of a moist, some of a fat and oily nature, insomuch that it is altogether needfull to make a due distinction of their natures. Such insects as be of a dry nature as Cantharides and such like, are to be used in the form of a salt. The aqueous Vermine, as Earth-worms, Spiders, and such like; they exhibit their medicinality in the form of a Liquor: The Balsamick Vermine, as the May-worms, and others of that kind, do (beside the medicament they afford) yield also a fat and Balsamick Oyl; and indeed (both for external and internal medicinal use,) much more effectual than the Liquor it self.
But that the thing may be the better understood, I will here set down an operation, which every one may follow as a leading Star.
Take some ounces of May-worms, put them in a glass, pour upon them so much of the concentrated spirit of salt, that the Worms may be well covered therewith and be by little and little dissolved; after that they are wholly dissolved, put the solution into a separating glass, shut the mouth of the glass with your finger, then turn the glass upside down, keeping it so long shut with your finger, till all the fat oil swim at top of the Liquour. Then take away your finger that the Liquour may run out, and when the oil comes, shut the mouth of the glass again with your finger, and let it run out into another glass. Keep this Oil or Balsam as a precious treasure, with the which thou wilt perform wonderfull effects in the curing of diseases, but principally in the Gout and Stone. But yet thou wilt get but little oil from these Worms, and when you put them into your dissolving Liquor, you must have a care that you do not touch them with your hands, but take or catch them with a small Forceps, and so put them into your glass. For they have in them this property; if you touch them with your hands, they presently colour them with their fat Balsom that they cast out, which somewhat resembles the smell of Musk. As if they should say,Pray let us live, for we give thee all we have: Take this Balsom and make use thereof for the curing of incurable diseases.
Some men studiously carefull in such affairs have gathered this Balsom, and have found it to be far more efficacious than the Worms themselves, yea indeed too strong, because they were ignorant of the way of correcting it.
As concerning the Liquor from which the Balsom is separated,viz.the medicinal parts is very hardly separated without a mortifying of the moist fire; therefore the moist fire of the Salt is to be killed with a contrary fire, that so the separation that is required may be made; and ’tis thus to be effected.
Filter the Liquor consisting partly of the dissolved Worms, and partly of the fire of salt, that so it may be rendred clear, and free from the Coals or Husks of the Worms, it haply there be any of them remaining undissolved. And if (by reason of the too much fatness) it be very difficult to filter, pour thereunto so much common water as to make it thinner, and more ready to pass through the Cap Paper. Into this thus cleared Liquor, drop the Liquor of Salt of Tartar, and it will kill the sharp fire of the salt; so that there will arise from the fire of the salt and from this Alkaly-salt a salt of a middle nature, and concreting into Crystals, and will leave the other part in a liquid form; the which said part will be either white or yellow according as the saline fire which you made use of, is. Now this Liquor is more virtuous than the concreted salt is, as being that which contains the essence of the Worms, which doth not congeal or shoot with the salt, but abides in the form of a Liquor. Experience will teach the business more largely.
Now such qualities as these Worms had afore their preparation and as yet not deprived of their Venome; the same do they obtain after their preparation, but with this provizo, these qualities are safely used, which afore were hazardous. But now the properties of these Worms are these, they do not onely draw out of the body all podagrical humours, but also expell the Stone out of the Reins and Bladder beyond all other medicaments; and besides, do cure other such like diseases as are meerly unknown, and are adjudged plainly incurable. More, it wholly takes away that volatile Gout, which runs wandring through the Members of the Body. But here ariseth this Quæry.
For answer I say, that indeed this very labour may be accomplished by any moist fire; whetherit be prepared out of vitriol or common salt, or salt peter. But withall I affirm, that there proceeds a great difference from those salts. For the con-centrated spirit of niter, doth (after its being mortified with a fix salt) shoot into salt peter. The con-centred spirit of salt, shoots into square Crystals. The same doth oil of vitriol and salt of tartar. But the salt that is in this operation made of the common salt exceeds the others, as to sweetness. That which comes from vitriol, doth beget a nauseating by reason of its bitterness; and that which ariseth of salt peter is of a middle nature. But yet they do all three of them enjoy a laxative and purging faculty; and likewise provoke Urine either stronger or weaker according as the Vermine are, which these said fires have been used in the dissolution of.
N. B.That the operation of the Liquor doth always exceed the virtues of the salts. When the sharp spirits of salt are not mortified with aLixiviumof Tartar, but with the spirits of Urine or ofSal. Armoniack; the salt and liquor become far stronger, than when the precipitation is done with Salt of Tartar. For the spirit ofSal. Armoniackdoth for the most part precipitate the dissolved and corrected Vermine into a Powder, which being washed off with common water, and freed from all Acrimony or sharpness is used in medicine, in a dry form. But this, theLixiviumwill not do, but always conserves the Vermine in the form of a liquor.
For Answer. Yes, for this operation doth not onely teach the good and bad properties of all Vermine, but doth withall evidently demonstrate, that every animal of what kind soever, (yea and Men themselves too) when they are put into such an agony and perceive the approach of death, do discover and clearly evidence the internal motions of [their] nature, which they have (in their life time) been indued withall.
Take aScarabæusor Beetle, either such a one as lives in Horse dung, or else one that is of a coppery colour, put him into a glass wherein is someAq. Fortis, and you shall see that in the utmost necessity [or last agony] of death, he will not endeavour to get from out of theAq. Fortis, but will strive to hide himself in the earth according to his innate property. But whereas the bottom of the glass is too hard for him to get thorough, he will be so long endeavouring to accomplish his desire, and in striving to get through the bottom till he dies. From hence may it be perceived what his ultimate refuge [or shift] is:viz.to endeavour the shunning of his approaching death, by sheltering himself within the earth.
If you put a flie in theAq. Fortis, she will not go to the bottom but will do her utmost to get out at top, because her living is in the air, and so all volatile or flying things are wont to do. As for a fish if it be put to its shifts, it endeavours to shun the danger by betaking it self to the bottom.
In such a kind of manner doth the nature of men become apparent, when they are reduced to the extreamest of difficulties. A godly man, whose thoughts are in this life time always upon God, will constantly adhere unto him in his Agony, and being upon dying will betake himself to him for his refuge, in whom he hath at all times built his hope, and waiting or looking for help from thence, from whence he hath always hoped for it.
But the ungodly Man who hath never in his life time feared God, nor set him before his eyes, but hath always yielded himself with his thoughts unto the will of Satan, he will very hardly implore (in his greatest anguish) the help of any other than of him, to whom he hath (in this life time) adhered in all his thoughts and actions.
We have hitherto taught, that our moist fires of salts do indeed destroy all things, but do not burn up, or force away ought of such things as the common fires are wont to do. That this is true, even the vegetables themselves bear witness, which being put into our moist fires are therein dissolved, and pass into a water. But their oil which is in them is separated, and swimmeth at the top, and so may be separated thencefrom, as we have mentioned above concerning the May-worms. After the same manner the essence of the herb may be severed from the spirits of the salts, as we have there declared. The oyls which by this operation are drawn out of the herbs and other vegetables, do obtain great and peculiar virtues, because they are excellently well corrected by the efficacy of the moist fires, and are amended, which correction, and bettering they do not at all attain by their being distilled and expressed.
DiagridiumorScammony,Hellebor,Cataputia,Gambogiaand other vehemently purging subjects may be dispoiled of their venemous faculty, by the aforementioned way, and be rendred more sweet and milder.
Dissolve Cantharides, May-worms, Earth-worms, Millipides or Pig-lice, in our con-centrated fires, and follow those ways of operation which we have afore prescribed, and you shall acquire an excellent and safe medicament, having a faculty of healing the Stone of the Bladder and Reins.
TakeOpium, Henbane seed, Mandrake, or the like subject that provokes to sleep, pour on it the con-centrated spirit of salt, and it will melt [or dissolve] therein; if there be in it any oilyness, as in the Henbane seed is usual, it will separate it self,and swim on the top of the liquor, the which is to be severed from the liquor, and to be warily kept; because it being onely anointed on the Temples will presently cause sleep. The liquor is to be used internally, as we have prescribed in the precedent preparations.
Amongst the number of such kind of subjects, are Stavesacre, or the seed of the louse-killing herb, Levant Berries, vomiting Nuts, and many others of such a like faculty, which are to be proceeded withall after the same manner, and by the same operations as the former.
By this or the like way may all venemous, and vehemently operative vegetables and animals be corrected, so as to be safely admitted to internal uses, and to be producers of such effects as are of great moment in Physick; whereas otherwise (though they have in them excellent virtues) they cannot by reason of their vehement operations be taken into the body without danger.
You are to know, that not onely venemous animals and vegetables but likewise all the minerals that abound with poison may be amended, and their most present or speedily operative poison be converted into most excellent medicines. For example.
Take of white or red Arsnick one part, pour thereto two or three parts of the con-centrated fire of niter, the which [niter-spirit] you shall distill thencefrom in a head and body in sand; then take the remaining matter out of the glass, and wash it with common water; which being done, you shall have the Arsnick, Diaphoretick, and such as may with safety be taken into the body; but yet in a small dose, because it doth sometimes provoke vomit, and principally when the nitrous fire is something of the weakest. But to prevent such vomiting, the said fire is to be twice or thrice drawn off from the Arsnick, by an Alembick; that so the poison may the better be slain, and the volatility transmuted into a fixity; and the same Arsnick may be afterwards molten and handled with the other metals without all danger of poison, which was impossible to be done afore. For the Arsnick whose poisonousness is not as yet removed from it, cannot be admitted into the body without great danger. Neither do we here insert the preparation of such medicaments out of Arsnick, and the like venemous minerals, for this cause that they should be introduced into medicine; no, for there are other safer medicaments to be had, our aim herein is onely this, to shew that even the most poisonous, and most fugacious or volatile minerals may be inverted or turned in and out by our moist fire, and dispoiled of their venenosity and rendred fixt.
To exemplifie this, let us consider of Tin orZink, which are reckoned amongst the metals of most easie melting, and are most volatile. For the vulgar know that Tin is molten with a very little fire, and doth thereby vanish in fume, if it be but kept in continual flux. But if it be calcined by continually stirring it into ashes, it becometh fix, nor doth it admit of reduction to its former body by any violence of fire, but is turned into glass.
So after the same manner do we roast or calcine Tin,Zink, and the other flying metals with our moist fires, and burn them into ashes, and they such ones too as do not return to their former body, and thus ’tis done; when we pour on them our fiery liquors, so as that they heat together, or do even by abstraction [or distillation,] again free the said metals from those liquors; for then these metals remain in the bottom like to dead ashes, nor do they suffer themselves to be by any means reduced to their former bodies.
N. B.But whoever he be that knows the using of such matters and powders thereunto, as can reduce such ashes to their former and fusile bodies, such a one will not spend his labour in vain; for he will get a metal of a much more noble and better nature than Tin, whose greatest internal part is gold and silver.
But yet let no body imagine that he can perform this reduction by the help of Borax or Salts; no, in no-wise. For there are metallick matters required to this labour, to cause a fluxing or melting, sundry preparations whereof I have taught to and again in my writings, but not under such a title or name as if this power or efficacy of thus doing were ascribable unto them. For I have barely mentioned their use in other metallick transmutations.
Coagulate common mercury with common sulphur into a black ashes, and then mix this ashes with the con-centrated fire of vitriol, or rather with such a fire as is extracted from sulphur it self; so as that there may arise from this mixture a thin mass; of which mass put one or two lots in linnen or cotten rags, and so rowl them up that one fold may come over another, and the mercury may be in the middle. Then tie this ball firmly and strongly with a thread, and let it be environed all about with the fire, that so all those rags may be red hot and changed into Coals.
Take out all this red hot mass, let it cool, separate the burnt linnen rags, and you shall find the mercury turned into a red powder; but yet it hath no ingress into the metals, nor performeth it any thing of much moment in medicine, because it is converted by the burning of our fire into a dead earth. Neither have I here mentioned this coagulation as if any gain were to be received thencefrom; but onely on this account, that the most great virtuesand powers of our fires may by the operation thereof be demonstrated.
Melt one part of common and yellow sulphur in a crucible or earthen Pot, and being molten like oil cast thereinto two parts of common mercury, and mix the matter well with aSpatula, that the sulphur may assume the mercury, and may pass with it into a black mass. To which mass you must yet add so much sulphur as the weight of the whole mass in the Pot is of. Then all is to be molten together, and to be by well stirring so long mixt untill it get an ashy colour. Then you are to dip in the said mass as it is in flux, pieces of linnen, such as they are wont to use about fuming their Barrels with a brimstony odour, to preserve them from stinking. Such rags being put on an Iron Crook may be kindled, by which kindling they are burnt up, the sulphur and part of the mercury vanishing into the air, but some part being calcined with the flame of the sulphur and fixt, sticks to the burnt linnen. But what virtues this calcined mercury abounds withall I cannot tell, as having never experimented it, and I have onely inserted here this operation, for this end, that the power of our moist fires may be made apparent. Many more meditations and inquisitions will be thereby laid open, which otherwise would never have been sought after nor found out. For in this labour there operateth a twofold fire,viz.the visible flame, and invisible moist fire which the sulphur hideth, and by the burning up of its body, manifesteth, and renders visible and efficacious.
For that heavy acid oil of sulphur, which sticks hidden in all sulphur, performeth most great matters in metalline things; and because the flame or external fire exasperates and forceth on the internal, sharp and moist fire of the sulphur, that acid quality lets upon that subject that is adjoyned to it, and destroyeth the same, and advanceth unto a more fixed state.
But that I may in some sort satisfie the greedy searcher after truth in this thing, it seems to me expedient here to mention the occasion, which (without studying thereafter,viz.this coagulation of mercury) did by chance bring me thereunto; and did chiefly shew me an excellentArcanumof bringing all Wines, Vinegars, and other such like drinks easily and speedily to a clarity and transparency. Such a secret it is, as I believe never was known as yet to any, and therefore worthy to be here set down for the common benefit of mankind.
IÂ had some Wine in a Vessel that became viscid or ropy and tenacious; for the amending of which, I sent for a Wine cooper, he pours it out (as is the usual custom) into another fresh vessel, and used thereunto all his art, that so he might better it. He passed it oft times through a long Pipe made of white plates, and perforated with many small holes, and many other means he used, even whatever he had knowledge of, but yet all he attempted was in vain, then at last he put into the Wine no small portion of salt, and shook them both together very strongly, but all in vain, insomuch that he left my Wine corrupt [as he found it] and out of all hope of restoring it.
But because there was too much salt thrown into the Wine, yea so much as that it might be perceived even by the tast, the Wine was rendred unfit to be drunk, though it should have [thereby] recovered its former clearness. So there remained nothing else to be done therewithall, save the extracting of its spirit by distillation. Yet nevertheless I had a good mind yet to try whether or no it could possibly be freed from that tenacity: to this end therefore I kindled some sulphurized rags, being sprinkled over with the mineral or oar of lead reduced into powder, and with that fume imbued I my Wine, as is the usual custom when Wines are through corruption degenerated from their good state or condition. I added thereto the oar of lead because that as the sulphur was burning the fume of the lead might penetrate the Wine and precipitate all the defilements to the bottom. But this experiment did not fadge. Then I took mercury and mixt it with sulphur after the aforeshown manner [in the foregoing Chapter] and dipt some rags therein and kindled them, hoping that the mercury being transmuted into fume would have ingress into the Wine. But yet it appeared quite contrary in the use, the sulphur indeed was consumed by burning, but the mercury would emit no fume, but was contrarily turned into a red powder, and stuck on to the burnt rags. After these burnings, (viz.of this mercurialized sulphur) often reiterated, the Wine did not smell of the Brimstone, as it’s usual to do, but of Musk or Ambergrease, and recovered its former clarity; but yet not fit to be drunk because of the overmuch quantity of the salt thrown thereinto.
Thus it happened unto me, the which thing others may consider of with a more accurate meditation, and may haply (from this history apprehend such things, as may in other matters be very profitable. For it is not in vain that I mention these things in this place. Enough is said to the wise. ’Tis sufficient that I have showed the way, if any one refuse to go in the same let him blame himself.
Take one part of yellow sulphur beaten into powder, and four or five times so much in weight of the con-centrated fire of salt peter, which spirit pour upon the said powder in a glass cucurbit, and abstract it thencefrom several times by an Alembick; this done, the sulphur in the cucurbit will get a red colour and become pellucid or transparent.
If it resolves in the air into a fat oil, the operation is well handled; if not the labour is to be repeated either with the self same fire or with more new, which is the better way. For the said fires are to be so often drawn off thencefrom untill it flow [or resolve] into a fat oil: An oil I say of sulphur which is endued with great virtues, not onely in Alchymy and Medicine, but may likewise be used in other arts with a great deal of profit. But especially it is an egregious Balsom, resisting all the sicknesses of the Lungs, and other putrifying corruptions,as shall be apparently evidenced in the following Centuries, more largely treating about these things.
When theRegulusof Antimony madeper sewithout iron, and beaten into a powder is perfused or throughly moistened with the con-centrated fire of salt peter, and is for a while kept in warm sand; the moist fire burns theRegulusof the Antimony into a white powder. After that the whole shall be of a white colour, pour thereto common water, and it will imbibe or draw to it the fire of the niter, which will again be fitting for other labours, and perform the office of spirit of niter.
The white powder being by many washings rendred sweet, and then dried, performs the office of an excellent diaphoretick medicament and may with safety be used; it strongly resists the Plague, all Fevers and other diseases, that are to be expelled by sweat.
Antimony is by so much the better and nobler, by how much the longer and fairer Rays or Stria’s it appears to be of, and therefore such is of greater efficacy in medicine than all other sorts. To this therefore being powdered, pour so much of the nitrous fire as may serve to dissolve it; the which fire will presently even in the cold, begin the work of its dissolving. When that is done, put the glass in warm sand that all the Antimony may be dissolved, and its yellow sulphur may swim at top of the solution like a yellow powder. The solution being cold, strain it thorough a pure linnen cloath, and the sulphur will stay behind in the cloath, and hath its peculiar use in Medicine and Alchymy. But to the solution pour common water, thereby to quench and weaken the nitrous fire, so that the Antimony may fall down to the bottom, in the form of a tender and snow-white powder; the which being well washed and dried, may be made use of as aPanacæato drive away many diseases: For it operateth with a singular efficacy by all the Emunctories, but yet very safely, unless any one doth too foolishly and unskilfully abuse the administration; It is also endued with all those virtues that I have ascribed to my redPanacæa.
Pour upon theRegulusof Antimony beaten into a powder, the heavy con-centrated oil of common salt, the which being again drawn off thencefrom in a retort by distillation, brings over with it as much of theRegulusof the Antimony as it can, and ascendeth like a thick Butter. It is a mighty fire, and very fit for the ripening of some immature metals; and withall is most profitable in Surgery, and lays a good Basis and foundation for the curing of incurable and cancerous Ulcers. If you pour water upon this oil, the Antimony precipitateth out of it, in the form of a white powder; and is to be afterwards well washed and dried; so that being reduced into that white powder, it becomes a good medicament to be used in all those diseases, wherein the aforesaid medicaments are appliable; but with this caution, that it be given but in a very small dose, because it is of a more powerfull operation than the aforegoing medicaments prepared by the help of the nitrous fire are of, and that for this reason, because the oil of common salt makes things fugacious or flying, but the nitrous fires renders them more constant in the fire.
Abstract two or three parts of our nitrous fire, from one part of purged mercury, by distillation in a glass cucurbit; and it will make the mercury far more fixt than ifAqua Fortiswere many times drawn off therefrom by distillation. This red mercury is to be freed from its saltiness with common water, and so becomes a strong purge, and is to be used in a small dose of one, two, three, or at the most four grains, and effecteth the cure ofMorbus Gallicus, and other such like loathsome diseases.
After the same manner there may be easily prepared, not onely sundry and excellent medicaments, by the operation of our moist fires, but there may be likewise done things of great moment in Alchymy and other arts; concerning which time will not permit me at this present to make a more ample narration of, but I will remit it to the next following Centuries.
Now forasmuch as I call in this Treatise the concentrated spirits of salt, moist fires, and yet as to their outward shape they represent no shew of fire at all; I deem it necessary to shew by a more firm demonstration, that they abound not onely with fiery virtues, but also are (after their inside is turned outwards, and their outside inwards) true, visible, palpable, and sensible fires, but especially the nitrous fire, which best of all confirms this our opinion and saying, it being prepared by the Chymick Art and operation out of a fiery subject.
That there is hidden a yellowness and redness in niter, is not beyond the reach of any ones capacity, but it is very easily likely, and credible. For seeing that salt peter is a solar child, it must necessarily answer to [or resemble] its father the Sun in colour, form, virtue and efficacy, if it would purchase belief with any one as to its original and nativity. But salt peter shines with a white colour, but the Sun is clad with a yellow garment and shines like the fire; insomuch that there is no correspondency or likeness of colours, though otherwise there is found the greatest similitude in burning, and in ripening all things. This onely being thedifference between salt peter and the Sun, the one,viz.the peter doth particularly onely augment, ripen and advance all things; but the Sun doth universally bestow on all things, life, increase or growth, and nutriment, but yet the salt his companion is an helping assistant as shall be evidently proved in the end of this book.
I do verily believe, that if it were an easily accomplishable thing by us,viz.to extravert the internal and innate redness in salt peter outwards, and to separate the same from its unclean and gross body, and knew we how to render it fix and constant, we should perform things of most great moment, in an universal way.
But yet for the removing of this doubt, I will shew that salt peter is the son ofSol, though (as to its outward Physiognomy) it resembles not its Father. I do therefore say, that its Father is the yellow Sun, from him it is generated, but yet by the help of the white Moon, she is the Mother, and bestows on it the white colour. But I say, that the paternal bloud and fiery virtues it hides in its inmost bowels. So wisely is Salt Peter signed by its Parents,viz.by the Sun its Father, and the Moon its Mother. The Father bestows on this, his Son a fiery heart; the Mother a white and cold body; from hence ’tis that it is clad with an Hermaphroditical nature, being Male and Female together, hot and cold, red and white, vivifying and killing.
According to my simple and small judgment, the red colour of salt peter is not (by the operation of any other thing) to be separated from its white body, better and more commodiously than by the affinity and likeness of some certain magnet that will touch it.
For example: Let us consider a little of common gold and common quick-silver, they are so linked with a tye of mutual love, and internal likeness to each other; that the one draws the other unto it self.
For if in dealing with mercury any portion thereof should happen to fall on the ground, and dashing it self into a thousand Atoms, it cannot be by any kind of way better gotten together again, than by the help of such a magnet, as will attract to it self the dispersed and dilated Atoms; such a magnet metals are, and especially gold, as being conjoyned to it in the nearest affinity; therefore I sweep together this so widely dispersed mercury, together with the earth and other defilements from which the said mercury is scarcely distinguishable as being all over covered therewithall: and to these defilements do I put a piece of copper, silver or gold, which being well shaken to and agen amongst these filthes, draws to it self the widely dispersed and small Atoms of the mercury, and so recovers it by extracting it out of all that rubbish.
Now when the metal hath attracted mercury enough, and can attract no more, the mercury is to be wiped off from the metal with a linnen cloath; which being again well shook amongst the trash as you did afore, draws to it self the other Atoms: these labours are to be so often repeated, till it be all extracted, and so renders it thee the same without any loss.
Just so and after the self same manner may the inmost soul, and which is largely dispersed throughout the whole body of the salt peter, be extracted thencefrom; were onely such a magnet but known unto us, as had a great affinity with the soul of the niter.
I will yet set down another, and a more evident similitude, that so the business may become the more clear and manifest and be the better understood.
Let the admirable nature and property of the common magnet be well considered; nature having endowed it with two plainly contrary virtues, one of attraction, the other of expulsion. For on one of its sides it draws iron to it self, and on the other of its sides it drives it off; and thus it does, not onely in its great pieces, but also when ’tis broken into very small bits. For always on one side it draws to it self the iron, and on the other side drives it from it self, by this operation respecting both poles,viz.the Northern and the Southern.
But to return to my purpose: I will demonstrate by evident examples and operation, that the inmost and most hidden nature and properties of things, are wont to be most evidently manifested and obtained, by attracting, and repelling magnets. For all the things that are, have their enemies and their friends, as shall be proved in the following operations.
Dissolve some lots of lead, and such as is wholly void of silver, inAq. Fortis, and precipitate the lead by pouring thereunto some salt water, this [precipitated lead] wash with fair water and dry it. Take some three or four ounces of thisCalxof lead, and thereto admix a fifth part of pure gold, being first reduced into most pure and most subtile Atoms, on such wise as hath been taught in other places of my writings; but if you have not at hand such aCalx, use anotherCalxof gold prepared any kind of way, but yet the firstCalxis the fittest for this operation. Melt both theCalx’s,viz.the leaden and golden one in a crucible, that the lead may become a fusile stone; but the goldCalxwill (by this operation) be much heavier, and be white, this whiteness is nothing else save pure and good silver, drawn out ofSaturnbySolsympathetically, and made visible, which (afore) lay hidden in the lead in a spiritual and invisible manner.
But some may here demand; forasmuch as there is so much silver hidden in all lead, whence comes it that none are found that get it out from thence? I answer, that there are indeed a many that would get out great masses of silver out of lead, did they but understand the art, and could so bring it to effect. But seeing they are ignorant of the natures of metals and their properties, and know not how to do any thing, they cannot become masters of their wishes. Now in this extraction, there is a two-fold cause presents it self,viz.Sympathy, and Antipathy. The gold by reason of the kin and amityit hath with the lead, draws thencefrom unto it self the spiritual silver; and because of an inbred hatred it has to salt, it drives away the same from it self. The gold therefore (in extracting the spiritual silver out of the lead) hath an assistant, aiding it by a contrary operation, and so bringing to pass, that there is so much the more silver extracted, because the salt being added to the lead, doth by reason of that inbred enmity and difference ’twixt it and silver drive this, [viz.the silver] away from it as its enemy.
And although that out of such lead prepared with salt may silver be always molten, yea without adding any gold thereunto, meerly because of the inimicitiousness that is between silver and salt, whereby is caused that the silver is thrust out of the lead by the same as by its enemy; yet so much silver is not gotten by that way, no not by the half, as is drawn out by the addition of gold.
For when the gold attracts, and the salt expels, there are made two actions together, the one by Sympathy, the other by Antipathy, both aiming at this mark,viz.to extract the hidden silver and gold out of the lead.
Let there be evaporated in a cupel two small centenaries or hundreds weight, each of like weight; and to one of the centenaries add some pounds (of the proportionable small weight as the centenaries are) of pure gold, and there will come from that centenary more silver by the help of the gold, than from the other, whereto was added no gold: But the gain by this operation will not be much, or haply none at all; but this is onely to shew, that it is verily possible, for gold being put upon the cupel with lead, to get some silver thereout of, and to be more in weight; which effect is produced onely by a sympathetical faculty. Be now if salt doth also lend to gold its assistance, then is there a twofold operation of a double operator; whilst in extracting of the silver out of the lead, the gold is occupied in attracting, and the salt in expulsion.
These things were of necessity to be laid open by me, forasmuch as they teach by what means the inmost and most pure parts are to be separated from the more gross; so that every one may know the natures and properties of things themselves,viz.with what love they imbrace each other, or what hatred there is betwixt them.
By this experiment then, may any wise and understanding man easily learn and believe, that even out of salt peter or [any] other white body, the red soul may be extracted. Whosoever therefore shall know how to get these helpers,viz.Sympathy and Antipathy for his purpose, shall never labour in vain, but shall at all times reap fruit by his labours.
And as we have shewn that out of any lead, by the help of gold, a good part of silver may be extracted; so likewise may the same be clearly proved to be done with the other metals, and which may also be effected without the help of gold. Yet nevertheless the more fixt metal doth more readily and willingly atract the more volatile and purer part of the other impurer metals, than an unclean metal doth, and even much more readily yet, when there is afore adjoyned to that metal from which any thing is to be extracted, an enemy of that thing which you labour to extract.
Upon this account therefore was I willing to insert an experiment, that so none might account of the thing mentioned as of small moment, but rather that he accurately ponder thereupon in his mind, that so he may thereby arrive to things of great moment by a well examining of the same.
Now as it hath been clearly and evidently taught that fixt silver may be gotten out of any lead, as well by Sympathy as by Antipathy, even so may it easily be proved, that the spiritual gold may be extracted out of other metals, partly by Antipathy, and partly by Sympathy, but much easier by Antipathy and Sympathy joyntly together, so that one matter may draw unto its self the object it loves, and the other may drive from it what it hates; as we have proved in lead. If then this may be done in metals, why may it not be likewise done in other subjects.
We will therefore proceed on and see, whether or no it can be so brought to pass, that the hidden redness may be drawn out of salt peter by Sympathy and Antipathy.
Having therefore understood by the things already spoken, that like draws to it self its like, and is repelled from its unlike, there remains nothing else for us to do but to know what that like is, by which salt peter suffers it self to be extracted.
When we advisedly consider the rise or birth of salt peter, it is not to us unknown that it draws its originality from the excrements of animals, but especially from the dung of horned Beasts, as Cows and sheep. And forasmuch as Sheep and Cows do feed onely on Herbs and Grass that grow in the Fields, and that those vegetables do proceed from the terrestrial salt by the help of the solar beams, it is more clearly evident than the Noon-day light, that the hot Sun is the Father of salt peter and the cold night the Mother, the earth the Nurse, and Salt the Food, nutriment and encrease of the same; the which is to be understood as in reference to theMacrocosmor great World. But the vegetables, or all shrubs, herbs, and all grass which arise out of the earth in theMacrocosm, cannot be more aptly compared with ought, than with the Hairs and Wool of Men and Beasts, which are born out of the earth of theMicrocosmor out of the animal body, like as the shrubs and herbs, and grass do spring forth and grow out of theMacrocosmicalEarth. Upon this score, the hairs, hoofs, or claws, and horns of Beasts; likewise the feathers and claws of Birds, and also the teeth and scales of Fishes, do altogether square as to their similitude with salt peter; they being such things as whereout of, together with other the superfluous excrements of nature, true and good salt peter may be made with ease.
And like as to the procreation of vegetables in theMicrocosm, and for their increase or growth, there is requisite fat and salt earth, the warm splendor of the sun, and the fruitfull Rain, whereby all kinds of fruits are born, and ripened; but contrarily by the penury or want of salt (it being the onely nutriment,) and of the warm Sun beams, and of the Rain which is the promoter of all fertility, every thing that is vegetable must needs perish and die; even so is it in the body of Man: For as long as the heart of Man is in a prosperous healthfulness, and that the central fire, or vital spirit, and radical moisture be not defective, all things are well and in good equipage, and the whole body takes increase or growth, and the hairs grow plentifully: But on the contrary, when meat and drink fail, the whole body suffers loss, consumes and withers away and the hairs fall off.
But to comprise all in brief, I say, that all growths and augmentations as well in theMacrocosmas in theMicrocosm, must of necessity be at a stand and lessen as soon as the warm solar beams, together with the nutriment it self ceaseth and is deficient. So then it is a truth, that in Man as being aMicrocosmor little World, and in the other animals, the hairs may be compared with the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, and Grass of the great World, because of the great likeness that is between them.
And therefore the hairs of animals and hoofs, claws, feathers and scales of them are very like to salt peter, insomuch that one part doth after a sympathetical manner extract from the other, the most great virtues and inmost soul, and so one doth manifest the other.
For example, when the skin, hairs, claws, hoofs, or nails of a man or any other animal, as likewise the feathers of Birds are smeared with the spirit of niter, or anointed therewithall, they presently become as yellow as gold, and do as t’were put on a golden hue. It may now be demanded, from whence ariseth that colour? comes it from the hairs themselves, or from the niter spirit? If that golden colour did arise from the hairs themselves, then it would of necessity be, that it should also discover it self, when the hairs are moistened with other sharp and strong waters; but thus ’twill never do, but onely when they are smeared with the spirit of niter, or else withAq. Fortis, which containeth the niter spirit. From these things therefore it is evident, that the superfluities of theMicrocosmhave a most notable affinity with the superfluities of theMacrocosm,viz.herbs, and grass. Hence comes it to pass, that one part draws or sucks from the other part its best virtues and power, and renders them visible, which afore lay hidden invisibly and impalpably in their gross bodies.
If we would go the nearest way to work with niter to extract its soul, then the gross niter is first to be mundified by distillation, then afterwards out of this purged body is the most pure part to be extracted by a convenient magnet, and the gross fœces to be removed; and this most pure soul to be brought by concentration and fixation to the utmost degree of perfection and dignity.
And albeit I could here set down in more clear expressions, the manner of extracting it, yet I am not so minded to do because of the unworthy. Let this manuduction suffice, whereby is shown what means it is to be done by,viz.by some magnet attracting to it self its like by a magnetick operation. I can at all times exhibit such a yellow gold like soul of niter, and use it in the sicknesses of my neighbour. But, enough as touching these matters, we shall be more large concerning them, in the following Centuries.
Put some ounces of our con-centrated and moist fire of niter in a glass, and pour thereupon drop by drop a sharpLixiviummade of Wood ashes, or rather of fixed niter, and keep pouring on so long, till all the noise, fuming, and ebullition cease, and that the moist fire it self be wholly allayed and slain. This done, all the corroding faculty is taken away from that fire, which said fire doth by this operation return to its former nature, and is changed into such a salt peter as it was afore its being converted into a moist fire. Out of this salt peter, being now made purer and better by so many conversions and operations, may a new moist fire be extracted by distillation and con-centration, which is far better and much stronger than the former.
And now if this second moist fire be again extinguished with aLixiviumof fixt niter, and be again turned into salt peter, and this peter be by a new distillation and con-centration turned into a moist fire, this said fire will be endued with far greater virtues: For in every mortification and vivification it becomes one degree stronger, nobler, and more efficacious; and so is the salt peter it self too by those conversions and reductions exalted several degrees, and is at length brought to that pass, that it can do more wonderfull things than the common is wont to do; for one pound of such a salt peter being exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty is far more efficacious than many pounds of common salt peter, and stronger, and much excels it in virtue. But it is not expedient that every one should know, what may be effected with such a most subtile and most pure salt peter.
The ancient Philosophers hid the preparation and use of common salt peter; and why should not we also hide such a salt peter exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty, wherewith the common peter is not at all comparable, especially in all such labours whereunto the common sort is wont to be applied, this operates much readiler, and far better and more effectually.
But that the truth may be clearer than the noonday, I will add one operation of a metallick transmutation, by which it shall be clearly evidenced unto every one what such a most subtile salt peter is able to effect.
Every one knows that out of the common Salt Peter and Brimstone, may Gunpowder be made; but yet short in goodness, of that which is made of purified salt peter. By how much the purer and subtiler the salt peter is, so much the better and stronger powder doth it make. The same may be understood as touching the other uses of salt peter.
Further, every one knows that the common salt peter reduceth the common metals into a Scoria by burning them, and washeth gold and silver, and leaves them pure, concerning which fiery washing I have hitherto mentioned several things. But that the common salt peter doth perform this washing better than the pure, and this pure better and more efficaciously than the purest, is no such matter in the least, which thing experience will most manifestlyopen to him who will try the same. Verily a small fire will not do those things which a greater will do, nor will this greater effect such things as the greatest will, and this is so evident and manifest that there is none dares deny it.
Take one part of theRegulusof Antimony and four parts of pure Tin; melt them in a crucible and pour them out, and let them cool; this mass makes all iron and steel fusile, therefore when you would melt iron or steel, fill a crucible with either of the metals, set it in a Wind Furnace, and leave it so long in the Coles till all the matter wax highly red hot. Then take off the cover and put into the crucible, half as much of the said mixt mass ofRegulusof Antimony and Tin, as the iron or steel put in the crucible weighed, then put on the cover, and cover it over with the Coles, and urge the fire as strongly as ever possibly you can, that so the mass you put in, may cause the iron or steel to melt. When ’tis all well molten, pour it presently forth, least the Tin flying away in fume, leave the molten iron, and so it returned to its former hardness and not suffer it self to be fused.
This matter consisting of theRegulusof Antimony, Tin, and Iron, or Steel, is so hard, that you may strike fire thereout of with a flint.
Now then if you would experiment the abovesaid combustion or burning up, take a good strong crucible made of potters earth, and fill it with salt peter, set it on live Coals so that the salt peter may melt, then having cast your tin and iron in the form of small rods, heat one end of the rods so as not to melt, hold the other end in a pair of Tongs, and put it into the molten salt peter, that the iron together with the tin andRegulusof Antimony may be burnt up as if it were wood, and vanish away with the flame into a fume. For almost all tin and iron are a meer sulphur, and being consumed by the flame, leave nothing else in the crucible saveScoria’s, which being washed with water, and boiled on a cupel or test with lead and blown off, do leave behind, the true gold and silver hidden in both metals.
For when by the flame of so pure a salt peter, the impure sulphur of the iron and tin is burnt up, it must necessarily be that what good soever was in the metals do remain behind.
I do not therefore here set down this operation, as if I would thereby promise any one golden mountains. No such matter. For I onely manifest these, and such like labours meerly for this end, that every one may know, that salt peter being brought to a requisite purity, is wont to burn up imperfect metals as one burns up wood; and it may be easily gathered thencefrom, that such a pure salt peter doth as to its virtues much exceed the common peter.
As for such like labours of burning up the imperfect metals by salt peter purified in a due manner, and of getting pure gold and silver with profit, they shall be taught in the following Century (God willing.)
For even as this first Century doth for the most part treat of fire and salt; so the chiefest part of the following Century shall treat of the wonderfull and great efficacy of purified salt peter in destroying, and reducing metals, and that with great bettering of them, and with no small profit. And albeit I was desirous of inserting in this first Century, such like profitable betterings of the metals, yet it could not well be done; principally because that there are many other things concerning the profitable use of the con-centrated spirits of salt, that I must necessarily pass over here, because the number of this Century is already up, and therefore must I refer them to the following Centuries.
And forasmuch as there is frequent mention made in this Century, of glasses and crucibles, which none can be without in the preparing and use of these moist fires, because of the many hazards and losses wherewithal common instruments are accompanied, for they often break, or else easily let out or spill the boiling matters; it is altogether requisite that I should here have manifested this excellent invention of mine, which preventeth all such discommodities; and which I hinted at in the second part of myMiraculum Mundi.
But whereas I have bestowed both those inventions there on the poor, of meer gift, it would be an unjust thing to take away from them what is theirs; nay rather they should have by good right more bestowed on them. So then being not able to proceed any farther as to this case, this thing onely remains,viz.an affirmation that neither Medicine nor Alchymy can want or be without such excellent Inventions. But yet if any one desires to have them, he may write to those two men, to whom I have given them, that they may trade for the poor; whatsoever any one that is desirous of knowing those secrets shall bargain with them for, he will not be repulsed but obtain his desire, and purchase from them the secret; the which process I will nevertheless describe, omitting the naming of the matters.
Takewith this matter fence your glass, that the matters you put into them run not out, or be spilt, and you shall not lose them.