OF THESalt ofPHILOSOPHERS.
How, and whence, That is Prepared, and of what use It is inMedicineandChymistry.
Those our venerable Ancestors, the ancient Philosophers, have indeed copiously written many things, touching this Third Part of the Principle of Metals,viz.Salt: Yet so very obscurely, as it is almost impossible for a Man to learn thence, Fundamentally, any thing of moment: Yea, I might say, it hath happened to very few, to know how, to prepare theSalt of Philosophers, but on the contrary, six hundred have ruined themselves, and lost all their Fortunes in labouring thereabout. After, I also had, for some years together, expended great Labour and Cost, besides what I spent in acquiring both the other Principles,viz.SulphurandMercury, (which were understood by me, about two years since) it pleased the most wiseGODat length, also to reveal to me this most famousSalt. Wherefore, I could not refrain from communicating some thing of it to Posterity, for the Glory of myGOD, and for divulging his wonderous Works, not doubting, but that this my Revelation may be of great Concern, to open the Eyes of this blind World. Because, they may be helped by such a Salt, of which, so incredible Works may be prepared, as I am now about to write, and are already sufficiently known to me.
I can unto every Man safely, surely and truly affirm, that whatsoever I here write, are not the idle Dreams of a vain Man, nor patched together out of other Books, but true and solid Experiments, which I my self, with the help of these my hands, have found out. Indeed, I do not here say, that I could give no credit at all to him, who no long time before discovered something to me, touching suchArcanum’s; but I thought his Words intimated Paradoxes and Impossibilities; although I had read Philosophers, who writ:He that hath the Salt of Metals, hath the Stone of Philosophers. I also well know, that theSaltsofMetals, according as they been hitherto every where fraudulently presented byPseudo-Chymists, having no solid Foundation, do not indeed deserve the name of Salts; being no other, than suchVitriols, as by the sharp Spirits ofSalts, are prepared of Metals; and are not at all efficacious to meliorate any of the more vile Metals. On the contrary, we certainly know, that our more true Salts do so amend all imperfect Metals, as great and gainful Fruit may be reaped thence, as by the following shall be clearly made appear. But before we write any thing of the Use, of thisRoyal Salt, it will be worth while to premise something briefly, and truly, touching the Preparation of the same.
Now, that I may, without any wandring Ambages, describe the Method of Preparing this Salt, which is incomparable and Royal, know in very deed, that this Salt is no other, than common (but rightly prepared) Oyl ofVitriol, Coagulated by white fusibleSulphurinto a sweet Salt, which impresseth not on the Tongue, the least Saline savour; but rather seems to be a Stone than Salt, although fusible, like any other liquid Salt. But how that Oyl ofVitriol, or Universal Acidity, may be changed into such a wonderful Stone, not Corrosive, I purpose not to divulge. It is enough for me positively to affirm, it may be done.
Whosoever desires to know more of it, let him implore the help ofGOD, and peruse the Writings of Philosophers, that if he be worthy of this divine Gift, he may be helped; if he be not worthy, I cannot help him. For as I acquired that, not without praying and seeking; so also, must every other Man resolve to do: Because, no Man shall ever get more out of me, than what I here have willingly discovered for publick Good. Now follows
Although it is before said, that Salt, or the Stone of Philosophers, is only prepared of AcidVitriol; yet I thought it necessary also, here to publish, that Oyl ofVitriolmay be prepared divers ways, so as one or another may prepare it this way or that way, as he pleaseth. For the common and vulgarly known Oyl ofVitriol, suffers it self (by the help ofSulphur) to be easily transmuted into a Sweet Stone: BecauseSulphuralone is endued with Power of edulcorating all Corrosives, and of Coagulating them into such a Stone, or Salt, by the benefit of which, Wonders may be done, both inMedicineandAlchymy. Philosophers do indeed persuade us, that, out ofVitriol, an Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour may be extracted by Art, with which, White Metals may be tinged into Red: But the way of Preparing this, they described not. This is that, which is most studiously sought by the Adorers of the Chymical Art, but hath hitherto been found by very few; and therefore is generally thought, by almost all Inquisitors, to be impossible, whatsoever Philosophers have writ thereabout, and how clearly, and plainly soever described it.Basil Valentinedoth, withParacelsus, call this our Oyl ofVitrioltinged with a Red Colour, the Blood of theGreen Lyon; butBracesus, the Wood, or Tree of Life;Virgil, a Bough, or Branch, plucked byProserpina’s help from the concealed Tree: Also,Oviduseth divers other Expressions, in the Description of this Tincture.
This Red Oyl suffers it self to be Coagulated into a Stone, not Corrosive, as well as the Common Oyl: But this Coagulate is totally Red, and the other is White only. Therefore, there is a necessity, that the difference of both be known. For of both these, what the White is able to do, the Red cannot do; and what the Red can effect, is impossible to be performed by the White. That Red Oyl tingeth white Metallick Bodies into Gold, and so tingeth white Chrystals into Gems of all kind of Colours, (according to the Operators Pleasure) as, in Elegancy, they become altogether like to the Native. But the White tingeth not, because it self wanteth Tincture, which notwithstanding may be procured to it: Yet it extracts the Tinctures from all precious, and more ignoble Stones, and by them is so tinged, as it is, thenceforth able to tinge white Metals into Gold, and white Chrystal into beautiful Stones of every Colour, and that with as excellent Splendor, as their Brother, the Ruby, enjoys. In a Word, our Salt of Metals, or Stone of Philosophers alone, andper se, is so great a particular Ruler throughout the whole Kingdom ofChymistry, as by amending, it transmutes all imperfect Metals into Gold, and common Stones into precious: Yet unto it, is denied Ingress into Vulgar ☿. But the fixed ☿ of Metals will abundantly perform that; as is before abovementioned. Now, as touching thisMercury, which those imperfect Metals,viz.♄ ♃ ♂ and ♀, contain in themselves, ourSulphuris so very fit for tinging that, as, for that purpose, there is no need of other help. Therefore it is most certain, that the Salt of Metals obtains Priority in the ChymicalLaboratory. One thing I am freely willing to discover,viz.this: If any one would take away the fixed Tincture, or tinging Soul from precious Stones, asGranates,Rubies,Saphires,LazureStones, and other common Stones, and add to them also, a small part of pure Silver, our Magnetick Salt will extract the Tincture from the Stone, and at the same moment, in which it extracts the same, incorporate the added Silver, with the Tincture, and tinge the same into Gold: So, as it will affect a Man with admiration to see, that in one and the same Subject, should be both an attractive, and expulsive Virtue. Perhaps hence, that most ancient PhilosopherPythagorasdrew his Opinion, for he believed such a Transmigration, and taught, that the Soul, as soon as it passed out of the mortal Body of Man, it entred into some other near adjoyning Subject, and there inhabit’d. Indeed they, that labour in Metals and Stones, do find such a Process; but with the Soul breathing out of the Body of Man, the matter is far otherwise. For here Bodies are not required, but Spirits, which at the hour of Death receive the Souls of dying Men, and convey them to Places byGODappointed. According as the Man hath lived, either Well or Ill, so those Spirits will act at the end of Life, each according to their Office; so as, the Souls of pious Men shall be received by Spirits of Light; but impious Souls, by the Spirits of infernal darkness. In the Mortification of Metals and Minerals, Philosophers also want not their peculiar Spirits, which receive and transport the flying Souls of Metals and Minerals. Touching which Transportation of Souls, we made some mention above, where we treated of the Fixation of Metals.* Transduction.Also * this Transduction was highly esteemed by ancient Philosophers, especially byNeusementius, who said: By this Power,viz.By the Spirit and Salt of the World, we deliver the Souls of the Dead from the Prison of Hell. Therefore, whosoever shall be well Skilled in this kind of operating, he will be able to do wonders in this Chymical Kingdom of Metals. For if you add the Spirit and Salt of the World to any Metal dissolved, and by Retort distil the Mixture, they will carry over with themselves, the most pure part of the Metal,viz.its tinging Soul, and leave nothing behind in Hell withPluto, but the gross and unprofitable Body. Wherefore, whosoever can rightly separate that transduced tinging Spirit of Metals, from the Spirit of the World, he will absolutely be possessed of a fixed Tincture: Because, that strong transporting Spirit doth also fix the volatile Soul of Metals, and render it constant in Fire. And, although that Subject was most volatile, from which the Tincture was distilled by the Salt of the World, as by one only Distillation from commonSulphur,Auripigment,Cinnabarine Sulphur, and the like; yet you will acquire a Tincture, constant in all Fire, not only for Humane and Metallick Bodies, but also for Gems. So very potent Virtue is latent, in these abject Subjects, and in the Spirit and Salt of the World, rejected by the great Troop of proud Men. But the Method of using such Pearls legitimately, for the Transduction of Metals, had need to be Sealed up with the Seal of the laudable PhilosopherHarpocrates, lest so great a Treasure be cast under the Feet of sordid Swine. Touching a likeCompendiumof fixing Volatile Metals, and Minerals, we (GODwilling) purpose hereafter to teach more at large.
Now, we having generally understood, what our Salt of Philosophers is able to perform in the Transmutation of Metals, I judge it not amiss, to discover; how great, profitable and powerful Faculties, it is also endued with, even besides the Transmutation of Metals. But here, by the way it is to be understood, that our Salt of Philosophers is insignized with many other Names, which ancient Philosophers imposed on it, not without pregnant Reasons. For, according as they beheld the various Wonders they were able to perform by the help of that; so they also gave Names unto it; sometimes, they called it theSoap of the Wise; another time,Herculesor theHerculean Key; sometimes, theKey of the Philosophers; &c. and all this by reason of its exceeding great Potency and Virtue, whereby it always rendred it self worthy of one or other of these Names.Why did they call it, the Soap of the Wise?Because it renders those Metallick Bodies, which are washed with it, most purely white. Indeed Washer women have their Soap made of Oyl andLixivium, with which they wash filthy Garments untowhiteness.Leather-Dressersuse a kind of Soap to cleanse their Skins from all Impurities. Also,Fullershave their cleansing Earth, with which they well know, how to purifie their sullied Cloaths. Nor doApothecariesuse their Herbs for Medicaments, before they have washed them in clean Water. So also, common Chymists so long wash impure Metals, by dulcified Corrosives, till they pass into ☉ and ☽. But most experienced Philosophers wash Gold, until it becomes Tincture. Hence is that kind of Soap, which they use for washing, called theSoap of the Wise.
But some may object, saying: I contradict my self; because a little before, I said, Gold and Silver were Homogeneal, and did not at all participate of Heterogeniety. To whom I answer. I confess, I did say so, yet I would be understood, to speak so with reference to those common and known Waters, with which, otherwise Chymists do generally work upon their Metals, dissolve them, separate them one from another, and wash them. Because on Gold and Silver no change falls, but they always remain in one and the same Essence, according as they are progenited by Nature, therefore, I said so. And the Reason, why it is thus, is, becauseAqua Regis,Aqua Fortis, Spirit ofVitriol, or other Corrosive Waters, are not true Keys, endued with the Virtue of penetrating into the heart of Gold, or of opening the most firm Closure of the King. For although they do very much corrode Metals, and dissolve them, yet every Metal remains in its Essence, without any Separation of parts. But on the contrary, ourMenstruumis a sweet Key, far more conducible, and better than Corrosive Spirits, and therefore, by Philosophers is not undeservedly called,the Key of Philosophers. For there is nothing so closed, but this can open it.Our Royal or Capital Key is a Corporeal Spirit, or a Spiritual Body, which, without any injury to it self, passeth not only through Metals, but also through the hardest Gems, and extracts the fixed Tincture of them, leaving their Bodies white; which exceeded my comprehension, the first time I beheld it with my Eyes.
Therefore, as this Spirit is endued with Power of extracting Tincture, even from any of the hardestAdamantineStones; so, it is also able to introduce Tinctures into the most hard Stones; and that by reason of its penetrative Power. Our principal Key is thatHercules, which cut off the seven Heads of the immenseHydra. By such anHerculeanfortitude,Perseus, the Son of beautifulDanae, suffocated the strong unsatiable Whale or Sea Beast, and freed fairAndromeda, whom he took to Wife. Whosoever desires to know more of these, let him peruseOvid, in whoseMetamorphosishe may find our Key of Philosophers accurately described. Yet his Words can be understood only by those, to whom the Art is already known: Otherwise, it will be impossible, from Fables, to extract the sufficient knowledge thereof. It isGODonly, that gives light to understand abstruse things; namely, to those, who fear, love and adore him: More of which, you may find among pious Heathens, than among the Slanderous Malignant, false, Christians of this time.
This Fable ofOvid, I explained before some of my intimate Friends; and besides, before them shewed the Impregnation ofDanae,by Jupiters Golden Shower: Yet they gave no credit to this Demonstration, because the thing seemed so vile. Would you hear it? I set a narrow-mouthed Glass Body, with a flat bottom, upon a Table, and from above through the small mouth; I pouredDanae, KingAcrisiushis beautiful Daughter, into the Glass or Tower; then, by the Counsel and help ofJove, I formed a Golden shower, which (through the Roof, that is, through the small mouth of the Glass) I instilled down, into the Bosom of the aforesaidDanae, which she spontaneously received, and was thereby impregnated, and quickly brought forth her SonPerseus; who afterward, carried upon the winged HorsePegasus, suddenly helped the fairAndromedaand, freeing her from the Jaws of the Sea Monster, took her to Wife. Afterward, he slew the strong and unconqueredGorgons, and got the* Gold-bearing.*Golden Gardens. If any one looks upon this Fable, with the right Eye of his understanding, he will find, thatOvidhath so clearly and perspicuously described ourHercules, or PhilosophersKeyofKeys; that every one, having knowledge of our Work, in reading this must necessarily be amazed, to see the whole Art so evidently detected, and as it were exposed to sight. But its being discerned and understood by so few, must be ascribed to the defect of their internal Sight, and the darkness of their Sins, in which they have involved themselves, and are still resolved to abide in. ThereforeGOD, according to his Justice, deservedly permits such Slaves of Avarice and Pride to stick in perpetual Blindness, to grope for, and in vain seek, the way of escaping those Evils. For here, the hard is Softned, the soft is Hardned, the fixed Volatilized, the Volatile fixed, the Bitter Corrosive dulcified, but the sweet Converted into a Key, opening all compact Enclosures. More touching so great a Mystery, I shall not at this time relate. But, to whomsoeverGODshall grant this principal Universal Key, he may, according to his Hearts desire, go whither he will, nothing can be able to resist him: For which so great Benefit we owe thanks and Praise to the most wiseGOD, for ever,Amen.
AlsoVirgil, in a fewHeroick Words, evidently enough describes the way of preparing our Red Oyl ofVitriol. Therefore I thought it worth while to insert his Words also, that he, to whomGODshall give the Blessing, may the better understand the occult meaning of the Poet.
Consider first, what here is to be done.A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,Upon a Tree concealed groweth. ThisTo the infernalJunosacred is:But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.And till some one shall take down from the TreeThisGolden Branch, there can no Entrance beInto Earths Caverns.Beauteous ProserpineOrdained hath, that this rare Gift divineShall brought be unto her. No sooner isThe firstBranch cropt, but in the place of thisA second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,As did the first, withGoldenleaves will shine.Therefore first view it well; when rightly knownThisBranchis unto Thee, then with thy ownHand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,If Thou byFatesfor this Work chosen be.If otherwise, no Humane violence,Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence.
Consider first, what here is to be done.A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,Upon a Tree concealed groweth. ThisTo the infernalJunosacred is:But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.And till some one shall take down from the TreeThisGolden Branch, there can no Entrance beInto Earths Caverns.Beauteous ProserpineOrdained hath, that this rare Gift divineShall brought be unto her. No sooner isThe firstBranch cropt, but in the place of thisA second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,As did the first, withGoldenleaves will shine.Therefore first view it well; when rightly knownThisBranchis unto Thee, then with thy ownHand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,If Thou byFatesfor this Work chosen be.If otherwise, no Humane violence,Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence.
Consider first, what here is to be done.A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,Upon a Tree concealed groweth. ThisTo the infernalJunosacred is:But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.And till some one shall take down from the TreeThisGolden Branch, there can no Entrance beInto Earths Caverns.Beauteous ProserpineOrdained hath, that this rare Gift divineShall brought be unto her. No sooner isThe firstBranch cropt, but in the place of thisA second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,As did the first, withGoldenleaves will shine.Therefore first view it well; when rightly knownThisBranchis unto Thee, then with thy ownHand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,If Thou byFatesfor this Work chosen be.If otherwise, no Humane violence,Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence.
Consider first, what here is to be done.
A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,
Upon a Tree concealed groweth. This
To the infernalJunosacred is:
But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,
Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.
And till some one shall take down from the Tree
ThisGolden Branch, there can no Entrance be
Into Earths Caverns.Beauteous Proserpine
Ordained hath, that this rare Gift divine
Shall brought be unto her. No sooner is
The firstBranch cropt, but in the place of this
A second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,
As did the first, withGoldenleaves will shine.
Therefore first view it well; when rightly known
ThisBranchis unto Thee, then with thy own
Hand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,
If Thou byFatesfor this Work chosen be.
If otherwise, no Humane violence,
Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence.
Virgilhere callsVitriol, a concealed, that is, a shadowed Tree; adding, that by the help ofProserpina,Pluto’s Wife, but one Branch can be cropped by him, whom Fortune shall favour; and that it is willing to be plucked off by any Skilful Man desirous of the same. Such a Branch is consecrated toJuno, &c. We knowJuno, according to Poetical Fictions was the Wife and Sister ofJupiter, butProserpinathe Daughter ofJupiterandCeres, or (as some say) ofIsis, whomPlutothe God of Hell stole away from her Parents and married her. From all which it clearly appeareth, that this Golden Branch sprouting in the green Tree ofVitriol, could not be cropped, or obtained withoutProserpina’s help. Therefore if any one would crop such Golden Boughs from like shadowed Trees, he must learn to knowProserpina, and consult with her; because she only can profit him, and prevail with her Husband, to wax the more hot in his infernal Sweating stove, that thence into another place may ascend a Spirit or Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour.
But this is to be considered accurately, lest this Work, like many other of our Undertakings, be frustrated. ThereforeGODis to be prayed to for his Blessing: for if the Benediction ofGODbe not present, all endeavour will be vain; as I have more than once experienced. Although I did demonstrate our helperProserpina, to some of my loving Friends, and taught them how to obtain and rightly use her; yet they were all destitute of so good Fortune, as to elaborate it as it should be elaborated: Yet at length more accurately hitting the Mark, their work succeeded happily twice or thrice, but never afterward.
From which, being so evident, it is plain enough, that suchArcanum’sare so preserved by the All-seeing Eye of the Divine Providence, as it is never permitted to all Operators promiscuously, that every of them should attain to the highest Science, and thenceforth the Good given be perniciously abused. Wherefore, although one Man communicate any famous Secret to another; yet, ifGODbe not favourable, he can never prepare the same, but shall lose his Labour and Charges, spend his time unprofitably, and instead of a Golden Harvest, reap nothing but Trouble and Grief.
Hence they drew their Original, who writ of the Secret ripening Fire.Our Fire, before Coagulation, always burns in our Glass, but externally not.It is sufficiently manifest, that Philosophers, by theirSecret Fire, understood Oyl ofVitriol; and that their Fire, is only Fire before Coagulation; after that, no more so, but a sweet Ripening Stone. Therefore they add, that before Coagulation it is Fire, but after Coagulation not so. Aptly with this agrees that Writing of ancient Philosophers.Visitabis Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam.To which Monument of ancient Philosophers, we may fitly subjoyn this sutable Poesie, making for our present Purpose, and expressing the same in few Words.
Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,The Flying fix, and then live happily.
Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,The Flying fix, and then live happily.
Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,The Flying fix, and then live happily.
Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,
The Flying fix, and then live happily.
In these few Words are compendiously contained, all whatsoever I have largely written in this Treatise.
Moreover, our Salt of Philosophers, besides its being aMedicine, and fit for Transmutation of Metals, is also endued with other famous Virtues, of which at this time I cannot forbear to write. Philosophers have written, that their Key of Keys doth indifferently open all closed Bodies, and that it is endued with a Virtue, breaking most hard and Adamantine Stones, and taking from them their inclosed Treasure; for acquiring which, there is nothing at all in the whole Nature of things given, except this our Key, by help of which the most firmly locked Inclosure may be unlocked. As for Example. AGranateis a Stone of so great hardness, as although it may easily be reduced to Powder, yet it can never be corroded even by the sharpestAqua Fortis, nor dissolved, nor can it be Anatomized. Wherefore, although these Corrosives, vulgarly known, prevail not against this excellent Stone, (which visibly in it self contains a noble Tincture of Gold, and also is not a little impregnated with invisible Corporeal Gold, as plainly appears by its weight: For it is much more ponderous than all other precious Stones, or the more vile small Stones) but are judged as unprofitable for this kind of Labour; yet ourSweet Saltpossesseth so potent a Faculty, as it can easily open the same and take from it all its Treasure; in so much, as if there were but this only use of it, (and no other like, better or more excellent were known) it would abundantly satisfie every honest Man, to live amply therewith, and to maintain his Family with great Tranquillity.
One day I cast our Red Stone upon Gold, in Flux, only for a Tryal, whether by the help of that, the Gold would be tinged with an higher Colour; because I found, that Silver had took a yellow Colour from the same. But after I had poured out the Mixture, I found what was contrary to my Hope. For it was so far from exalting my Gold in Colour, as on the contrary, it took from the same almost all its Colour, so as it was white like Silver. At first, I was not a little troubled, that, contrary to my Expectation, I should work so unhappily. But returning to my self, I begun to think, whether this my Red Stone (being, perhaps made of Steel) was not thatChalybs, [or Steel] whichSandivogiusso highly extolled in his Writings, and said, it could extract from Gold its Tincture. But since, by reason of other Business intervening, I had no leisure to proced further in the Work begun, I was constrained to leave the whole for some higher Experience to another time. Yet I cannot but wonder, that our Key of Keys should so readily unlock every Closure of Gold, and be able to spoil it of its Royal Soul: Whereas otherwise, Gold according to the Sayings of all Philosophers, (as in very deed it is true) and according to the common Opinion of all other Men, experienced in Chymical Labours, is accounted to consist of such Homogeneal parts, as are difficultly separable. If the most wiseGODprolong my Life; and also grant Time and Opportunity of making further Tryal, I will spare no Labour or Cost to find out thatArcanum, until by the gracious help of GOD’S assistance, I shall become the Master of that Art of Arts. For now unto me the Gate of the Royal Closet is opened (I would not be envied for what I now say) by ourHerculeanKey in such a manner, as, I doubt not, but in a short time (unless the supream Deity, which I have no cause to fear, notably resist me) to obtain the Kings Crown made of a Carbuncle, and be able to distribute the same among the needy, to relieve their necessity. To which my hope, let the most wiseGODgive a Blessing, so, as the Event may answer my Desires,Amen.
Moreover, Philosophers say, that whosoever obtains their Stone, can so qualifie Glass, as, if it fall, it shall not break, but be found lying unbroke, like Metal. Which indeed I have often read, but could never believe, it was so to be understood according to the Letter. Yet afterGOD, by his Grace, had conferredon Me our Wonderful Salt, for Curiosity sake, I could not forbear to make an Experiment, to know, whether what was written thereof was consentaneous to Truth. Therefore, I took a little broken Glass, melted it in a Crucible, and then cast upon it only a very little of our Salt, which it continually took in, and thence received a white Colour. I poured out the Mixture, and trying, whether it had passed into another than its first Nature, I found my Glass had received a new Disposition, and became flexible like hardned Steel Wyer, and after flexion came to its first form: But after many bendings, to and again, it at length broke. Whence I learned, that it was no Fable, but plainly possible by Art to prepare Glass so, as it may be no less flexible, like Metal, than it is transparent. But since I have not had Opportunity to make further Tryal, and cannot yet absolutely profess my self an Artist in that kind of Work; yet, I can say, that what others have affirmed thereof, is not estranged from Verity. Therefore I must wait, till Time (with the favour ofGOD) give me further Experience thereof.
Also, touching the Stone it self, Philosophers write, that it qualifies its Possessor so, with Lightness and Cheerfulness, that he can, like a Bird, fly up on high from the ground; which is a thing so much repugnant to Nature, as no Credit can be given to it, unless it be interpreted Hieroglyphically, Allegorically, or Enigmatically. But that it greatly exhilarates him, who by the benefit thereof can effect the aforesaid Wonders, is very easie to be believed. For in my self I have found the like Exhilaration, when I have, with these my Eyes, made certain very great Proofs and Experiments by the help of that. When I lay, for four years, continually sick, and during that time, exercised my mind with various Speculations, making some Proofs, I at length found the Truth, and understood that this wonderful Salt, being tryed upon Metals and Stones, did most exactly agree with the Philosophers Description of it: Then, I say, my whole Nature, because of that, was astonished, and daily so notably reduced to a better Constitution, as I can never sufficiently admire the Grace ofGOD, and return due Praises to him for so great Gifts. For I, who by reason of my Sickness, could never rise out of Bed before Noon, could afterward rise betimes in the Morning, and go into my Laboratory. Also for a long time before, I could digest neither Flesh nor Fish, but was constrained to live with Bread and Wine only; yet now, (thanks be toGOD) I am able to eat some small Portion of Flesh and Fish, together with other Meats. Likewise for above a whole Year, through weakness of Body, I could scarcely write a Line or two, so as in two Years space I committed nothing to the Press: But now,GOD, the Giver of all good Gift, hath made my hands so ready for Motion, as I sing to him incessant Praises. Without that new refreshing of Strength, this present Treatise could never have been published. And this so great Good befel me from no other Cause, than fromGOD, and this precious Stone.
Therefore, whosoever is desirous to partake of this great Blessing ofGOD, let him not come to Me, unto whom is given no leave to Communicate; but let him come to the Love ofGOD, and draw that laudable Good from him, as from the most limpid and living Fountain: Because, it is to found with him only, not with Men. If a Man humble in Heart, and void of Hypocrisie, hearing this, will follow my Counsel, he may perhaps find a prosperous Event according to his wish: If otherwise, adverse and contrary. ForGODis not wont graciously to regard the words of the deceitful, but the Hearts of candid Men.
Many other such things might be produced, touching our Tinging tone: But no necessity persuades to expend time thereabout. Enough is spoken. For whose Eyes soeverGODshall open, he will on every side see so many things sufficient for him, as not to need any further Information. All things are clear to the clear-sighted, which appear dark to the blind.GODonly is the Light, and all who are near toGOD, are by him so illuminated, as they can see. But the more remote any Man is fromGOD, the nearer will he be to the contrary of Light, which is Darkness. Therefore, whosoever desires to be illuminated with the brightness of Divine Light, must fly from Darkness, which is to be shunned. For Darkness and Light are inconsistent in one and the same Subject; which is a thing accurately to be observed by every Reader.
We have, in this little Treatise taught, that the Salt of Metals is prepared ofVitriol, and that there is a difference to be observed,Viz.this.
Common Oyl ofVitrioldoth indeed suffer it self to be Coagulated into a sweet Salt or Stone, wherewith (particularly) vulgar Metals are amended, and Tinctures extracted from Gems, although it wants a tinging Virtue: But Metals may also be tinged by the Coagulated Red Oyl.
We likewise shewed, that you cannot get this Red Oyl, without the help of that GoddessProserpina. Yet by the way, it is to be noted, that the aforesaidProserpinais no other, than a white Sulphureous Salt, which added to theVitriolcauseth the Tincture ofVitriolto ascend in Distillation. That, after it shall be duly Coagulated into a Stone not Corrosive, manifests such Effects, as we have ascribed to it. I also thought good to advise, that our Oyl ofVitriolin its Preparation requires great Care and Industry, that the Tincture may be made Rich enough: For otherwise, it discovers but little Virtue in Transmutation. Also you shall never get so great a quantity of that Red Oyl, as will satisfie the Common sort of covetous Men: Because that comes not till at last, after all the White is ascended. But he, that can get a large quantity of the White, will not trouble himself to get the Red: Because the White also, by the help ofProserpina, may be converted into Red. Which if it were not so, the Saying ofVirgilcould scarcely be found true,viz.that with the hand is readily to be cut off, not one Branch only, but many other, if Fortune shall so far favour any Artist. Therefore, I forbear to write more at this time. Let him, who cannot content himself with these here written, search the Monuments of Philosophers, writing, that there is such an Art, by the benefit of which, with one only Pound of Coals, a whole Pound of Oyl ofVitriolmay be distilled. Yet such an Artifice must not so soon be spread among the People. To whom soeverGODreveals the same, he may prepare it, according to his own desire; if it be otherwise, let him comfort himself with this Meditation of Patience,viz.that he was not worthy of so great Gifts. With these, Reader, I bid you Farewel, and commend to you the Protection ofGOD.
THE END.