24.The Spirit quickens, the Body or Flesh profits nothing, saith Christ, John 6.
25. These words are ill interpreted, when understood by some, as if Spirits onely were of use, and Bodies not at all, which is a great mistake, as it is applied by some.
26. Indeed in Metals, Vegetables and all Animals without the use of reason, who grow, move, and live, by the driving of their in-born Spirit, it does hold true, for when their Spirits are by Art separated from their Bodies, the said Bodies are thenceforward of no use, as being upon the separation of their Spirit, dead and without all virtue.
27. But the case is different with Man, who being created in the Image of God, and endowed besides his Animal Spirit, with an immortal Soul, which latter onely and immediately derives from God, and not from nature, as the mortal Spirits of Animals do.
28. WhereforePythagoraswas much mistaken, in believing that the immortal Souls of Men, when departed from their Bodies did immediately enter into those of Beasts.
29. Which mistake of his seems to have been occasioned hence, because he knew how by Art totake away the Soul,i. e.Tincture fromSol, and transfer the same to an imperfect metal, thereby making the same in all things like to true naturalSol.
30. Certain it is that this may be done by art, for the fixt Body ofSolmay be destroyed, its Soul extracted, and by being joyn’d to another metal make it goodSol.
31. When this disanimation ofSolis duely performed, the Body is left wholly dead, and is in all things like a volatile unmalleable mineral, and cannot endure the test, but fumes away like Arsenick with a little Fire.
32. But in case this disanimating ofSolbe not rightly done, so that the Body continues as white asLune, and malleable (which is a sign that some life is still left in it) then his Colour may be restored again by means of imperfect minerals, as well as his former fixedness in the Fire.
33. But when the Body ofSolwill no longer endure the fire, but goes away in smoak, then we can say it is truly dead and no moreSol.
34. He that finds difficulty to believe this, let him readeParacelsus,Sendivogiusand other Philosophers.
35.Sendivogiussaith, Our Steel,that is, our Magnet, can draw from the Rayes of the Sun, what many have sought for and not found; if this our Magnet copulate eleven times withSol, theSolbecomes weakned almost to death, and the Steel or Magnet shall conceive and bring forth a Son more illustrious than his Father.
36. From which words it appears thatSendivogiushad the Art to disanimateSol, else could never have writ so plainly concerning it.
37. It is certain also that there are some, that at this time can do as much within a few hours, I having lately been an Eye-witness of the same, with three other persons in company.
38. It is not necessary to say any more how this cheap and speedy way of disanimatingSolis to be performed; forasmuch as all the Philosophers writings are full of it.
39. However to pleasure the unskilfull I will add thus much, that this may be done four several ways.
40. But the easiest and cheapest way is by means of Spirit of Wine, and a microcosmical saline Spirit; yea this extraction may be performed by a Spirit of Wine alone, without any animal Spirit, or by an animal saline Spirit without the Spirit of Wine.
41. If this were not so, we might have reason to accuse both ancient and modern Philosophers of falshood, who tells us thatAdambrought the Philosophers Stone with him out of Paradise, and after his death took it with him into his Grave.
42. Which words may seem strange to some, forasmuch as he was driven bare and naked out of Paradise.
43. Yet the Authority of those who assert this being so great and incontestable, it cannot well be called in question.
44. What therefore the Philosophers meant by this Stone whichAdambrought with him out of Paradise, is well worthy our Enquiry.
45. The Philosophers commonly say our stone is a stone and nostone,&c.which implies thus much, that to outward view it is a stone, but in deed and in vertue, a Concentrate form ofSol.
46. WhereforePetrus Bonussaith,We do not seekSol, but the form ofSol.
47. What is then properly this form ofSol?
48.Answ.It is a substance which to outward view looks like a contemptible stone, and yet is of such superlative Vertue, that when joyned with imperfect metals on the Fire, it transmutes them into the highest perfection ofSol.
49. It may further be demanded, whetherAdambrought such a matter with him out of Paradise, whereby this transmutation of metals intoSolmay be performed?
50.Ans.Yes he did bring such a matter with him out of Paradise, and after death took it with him to his Grave, wherewith all Diseases of mankind may be cured, and all metals changed into the finestSol.
51. If this be so, might some say,Adammust either have been very blind, in not discerning the Treasure he was possessed of; or very envious in not communicating the same to his Posterity.
52. I cannot believe thatAdam, out of envy withheld this secret from his Children, but rather suppose that the blindness into which his fall had cast him, was the cause of his not percieving the great Jewel he had about him.
53. But how could he be blind, who was made by God himself, and after his own Image?
54.Adamwas certainly blind, and his blindness proceeded from his Pride, because he aspired to be like to God; he was not blind as to his outward Eyes, but his heart was blinded, which is by far the worst blindness of the two: For all sin and wickedness blinds the hearts of men, that they cannot percieve the folly of their doings.
55. ThusAdamalso by means of his disobedience to God, became so blind, as not to percieve, or be sensible of the Love that God had for him before his Fall, and how richly he had endowed him.
56. Whence also his Children were so wicked and blind, that the one Brother slew the other; which wickedness hath still encreased in their Posterity, as appears by the deluge, and the destruction ofSodomandGomorrah.
57. And thus the World from day to day still grows worse and worse, notwithstanding the Examples of God’s Vengeance against Sinners.
58. And all this proceeds because men are so generally blinded by the Devil in sin and wickedness.
59. But to leave this, it may be further question’d; that seeing all mankind is become so blinded throughAdam’s fall, as not to discern the Jewel they carry about them; who then was the Person that first discovered, that man was the Possessour of so great a Treasure?
60.Ans.Who was the first discoverer of this Treasure I cannot tell, but thus much is certain, that it was an honest man and fearing God; because God doth not reveal his secrets to the wicked; whereforeTho. Aquinassaith,Our Holy Art, either finds a man holy, or makes him so.
61. But some will say, don’t we reade of Heathens that have been Possessours of the Philosophers stone; and how can we imagine that those who have no knowledge of God, and are blinded with sin, should ever be able to find out So great a Mystery?
62.Ans.Those Heathens that have been Possessours of this great secret, were not without the knowledge of God; for they lived according to the Law of Nature, honouring God and loving their Neighbour; wherefore also God accepted of them. They learnt to know God from his Works of Wonder,and according to their knowledge, loved, honoured and feared him; and so were made Partakers of his grace, light, and the knowledge of his secrets.
63. We are also to know that the Ancient Philosophers know more than one way to attain the Philosophers Stone; though indeed the most of them sought it in minerals and metals, which is the longest way.
64. And that because it is impossible to change the metallick species, without bringing metals back into their first matter.See my Treatise of the principles of metals, and the seventh part of myPharmacopœa Spagyrica.
65. But others have taken a nearer way to attain this secret; and to some Christians God hath been pleased to discover the shortest way of all, by revealing unto them that he madeAdamevery way perfect, giving him all that was necessary, either for his Soul or Body.
66. Now thatAdamcould not discern how richly God had endowed him, was his own fault, because he was disobedient to God, following the deceitfull Serpents advice.
67. And after this manner doth the Devil yet daily deceive Men, by perswading them to do against the commands of God, and that their disobedience shall not bring any such mischief upon them as God’s threatnings seem to import.
68. This then is the reason why Men do not understand the secrets of God, because they give too much way to Sin, whereby they become blinded, that they can neither see nor hear the good that comes from above.
69. Now the reason why most of the Alchymists have sought for this great gift of God in minerals and metals, and especially inSol, is this, because their intention was to multiplySol, which they supposed could no way better be done than by sowing it like other Seeds in the Earth, but could not imagine that besides commonSol, there were other subjects, wherein theSol-making virtue did reside.
70. Which opinion of theirs was probably grounded upon that saying of the Philosophers.What you sow, that you will reap.
71. This seems at first sight very rational, that from filth or excrements no good, and so noSolcan come; but let us hear the other side also, and we shall be otherwise informed.
72. For the Philosophers say that their Medicine is Vegetable, Animal and Mineral; so that Vegetables and Animals are not excepted.
73.Albertus Magnus, writes that the greatest mineral aurifying virtue is in Man, and especially in his Head between the Teeth, and proves it; because in dead Men’s Skuls he had found grains ofSolsticking between the Teeth.
74. The same is also confirmed byThomas Aquinas,Rhasis,Janus Lacinius, and others.
75. There is also an old Book, whose Authour is unknown, which treats at large of that subject whichAdambrought with him out ofParadise, wherein the Operator is warned to have a great care of the fumes of the matter as he would avoid the Plague, or the most deadly Poyson. From this Authour I have alledged some passages in my other Writings, and shewed that the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of any subject whose Elements may be separated.
76. Now certain it is that from all Animals and Vegetables, the Elements may be separated, and consequently follows, that from all Vegetable and Animal Subjects, the Philosophers Stone, or universal Medicine for the Bodies of Men, and Metals may be prepared.
77.Morienus Romanus, who prepared this Medicine for KingCalid, declares that he took the subject matter of it from Man.
78. For when the King askedMorienus, in what kind of subject the Philosophers Stone was to be lookt for; he answered, the Medicine is in thy self O King; wherefore also after that he had finished the Work, he wrote round about the Glass, in which the Medicine was, these words:He who carries all about him, needs not the help of another.
79. Thereby intimating, that he always carried about with him, whatsoever was necessary for the preparing of the Medicine, and therefore did not stand in need of the King’s assistance.
80. This same honestMorienus, writes plainly concerning the preparation of this Medicine, and doth as it were with his finger point us to the matter, in these words of his, quoted byArnoldus de villa nova;Grind the Phlegmatick and Cholerick with the Sanguin, untill it become a tinging Heaven, &c.
81.Arnoldusexplains these words ofMorienusthus:The Phlegmatick is cold, asMercury, the Sanguin is warm and moist, as theSolorGold, the Cholerick is hot and dry, asSal Armoniack: intimating that of these three,Mercury,Sol, andSal Armoniac, the Philosophers Stone is to be prepared.
82. But that he meant not this concerning commonMercury,Sol, andSal Armoniackis apparent from this, thatMorienus, as soon as he had prepared the Medicine for the King, went away privately, without expecting any reward from the King; it also appears from the answer before mentioned, which he made to the King, that he spoke of such aMercury,Sol, andSal Armoniackwhich every Man carries about with him.
83. This is abundantly confirmed by all the Philosophers that went his way, forasmuch as they declare that no charges are required to the preparation of it, that their subject is a contemptible matter cast out upon Dunghills, and trod under feet, and that the Poor have it as well as the Rich.
84.Morienusyet more clearly intimates this, in telling us that the matter whilst it is preparing, exhales a smell like to that which comes from the Graves of the Dead, which is a very offensive smell.
85. Now like as Vegetables whilst they are putrifying give forth an ill scent, and Animals a worse, as appears in the stink of rotten Eggs, and the putrefaction of Man’s Blood, especially when the same are putrified in a close Glass in warm Horse Dung.
86. For without putrefaction, there can be no separation of the Elements by Distilation, and if no separation be made, neither can any melioration or exaltation be expected.
87. We know that everyChaos, as it is a product of the four Elements, contains many impurities, and in particular much dead Earth, and Water void of all virtue; and that the Element of Fire alone is proper to heal and meliorate Men and Metals.
88. Wherefore seeing that no separation of the Elements can be without a foregoing putrefaction we must conclude putrefaction to be the beginning of our Work, without which no good end can be expected.
89. Now he that knows our Horse Dung, and how to putrifie the well known and every where to be found most universal natural subject by means of thesame, he will easily afterwards by Distillation separate the most pure and all things penetrating and meliorating Element of Fire, from the gross Chaos to his great satisfaction, and make use of the same to the astonishment and wonder of the ignorant.
90. But in this state it is onely good for the health of Man; and therefore in order to its meliorating of Metals, the pure Element of Fire must be first fix’d withSol, by which means it obtains ingress into imperfect Metals, reducing them to the perfection ofSol.
91. Now when the pure Element of Fire is separated from the Chaos, and reduced to the highest degree of purity, then it stinks no more, neither is poisonous as it was before purification, but is an Antidote against all poisons whatsoever, wherefore also the Philosophers have called their MedicineTheriaca.
92. But all this is to be understood onely of that subject which every man carries about with him, and brings with him out of his Mothers Womb.
93. If any one following the Letter ofMorienus, should take for his subject commonMercury,SolandSal Armoniack, neither will he be mistaken, but if he rightly proceeds will have a good Work, though it be not at all necessary to make use of commonSolandMercury, because our natural subject contains both a livingSolandMercury.
94. It is no prejudice to our Animal Subject, if we join Minerals with it, because ourSoljoins it self with all subjects, and unites it self readily with them. But if we be ignorant of the due proportion and composition ofSol,Mercury, Sulphur, or any other metal or mineral, then it is better to prepare our Medicine out of this one subject onely, because so there is less danger of erring, as I can witness by experience.
95. I have also found by experience that this Microcosmical Subject is alone sufficient, without the addition of any minerals or metals, to meliorate all imperfect metals.
96. As to a particular this of all others hath pleas’d me best,viz.RecipecommonSol, and with the help of our Magnet disanimate it so, that it may be no longerSol, as not enduring the Test, and smoaking away with a small Fire like Arsenick.
97. Then take thisSoland conjoyn it with our Microcosmical Subject, with which digest a solution of Lune, by which means theLunewill be meliorated, and on the Cupel leaveSolto good profit.
98. But if we joyn commonMercuryand commonSolwith it, and cast this mixture into a solution ofMars, and digest it for some days then the pureSoland easily flowingMercurygraduates a good part of the gross and difficultly flowingMarsinto goodSol, to the great satisfaction of the Artist.
99. And if we uniteLuneandJupitertherewith, and cast this mixture into a solution ofVenus, and digest it the moist way, then by means of our secret Salt these two white united metals change the redVenuswith little loss of weight into goodLunethat will abide the Test. And it is indeed matter of wonder, that our universal Salt, should be of so great virtue, when fermented with white or red metals, to change other imperfect metals into goodSolandLuneon the Test.
100. Wherefore this shall be my conclusion, that in Man is hid the greatest virtue of changing all metals, as well as the Bodies of Men, both universally, and particularly; which if intended for the melioration of metals, the adding of fixtSolandLunefor a ferment will facilitate the ingress into other metals, and further diffuse its tinging virtue.
N. B.I shall not be satisfied till I have given a fuller and plainer description of this Royal Labour, which I intend to do in the sixth Century, if God permit.