A RECAPITULATION

Reader,

I have taught in this Book, what the Proprium Agens of Metals is, by which they are naturally maturated in the Earth, viz. That the Demogorgon or Sulphur, is not only the Father of all Metals, but also their Universal Agent, or Maturating Fire, by which all the Metals naturally in the Earth, and by Art out of the Earth are brought to perfection, and that also besides Sulphur, as the Universal Agent, the Metals have their particular, or proper Agents, which help to bring the Metals to perfection, as well as the Universal Agent. I have also taught, that the Volatile Spirits of Metals, or their proper Agents, do not only maturate their Metals, but also become good Bodies themselves with the Metals. I have also taught, how Sulphur, as a Universal Agent chiefly by Salts, may be maturated into a Tincture, which Fixation by Salts, must have its due time, before you can make it constantly fixed in the Fire, which length of time hath made many Artists forsake the Work, altho’ he knew, that of necessity it must come to a good Tincture. Impatience causeth this, that they cannot wait the true time of the Harvest. Wherefore impatient Men should not meddle with Alchymy, but rather think a Bottle of Wine, which is sooner done than a Combustible Fugitive Sulphur can be fixed. The learned Ancients have taught us, that Patience is the Root of all Sciences and Arts, wherefore then are Fools so hasty in their Undertakings? When all Philosophers Unanimously testifie, that all Festination proceeds from the Devil. Paracelsus hath taught how to fix Sulphur, by the help of a strong Aqua Fortis, by abstracting it from it four or five times. But I have taught, how to fix it by the abstracting of a strong Aqua Fortis, but once, in my Book of the Three Principles: ’Tis true, by this way it loseth its Fluxibility and Ingress, but this may be restored to it again, which for certain Reasons, I did not think fit to make known. Now being we know, that nothing fixeth but Sulphur, and that a Combustible Sulphur spoils the Metals, and makes them Black, and a fixed one hath no Ingress, but when that is given to it, it is fit to tinge the Metals, for whatever tingeth the Metals constantly, must it self be fixed, or else it would not endure the Cupel. ’Tis true, out of Mars and Venus, you may easily extract a Tincture, which yet doth not tinge constantly, except they be first truly fixed. Very many have thought, that if they could but incorporate a Crocus Martis with Silver, that of necessity it must become Gold, but they found themselves to be mistaken, for if Crocus Martis should be put upon Silver, it doth not tinge it at all, but again becomes Iron, and makes the Silver brittle. N. B. But if you know how to prepare a Red Sulphur of Iron, constant upon the Cupel, without returning to Iron again, and then draw out of this Red fixed Sulphur, its purest Anima or Tincture, you have a Colour to tinge all the Metals in the World. This is the Reason, that the Old Philosophers have so often inculcated, to destroy the Gold: So that it cannot be reduced into Gold again, and that then you would have the greatest of Secrets. But I could do nothing more with such a destroyed Gold, till I learned to give it ingress, for when it is destroyed it enters no Metal, but if you give it ingress, then it tingeth, so also neither Mars, nor common Sulphur can tinge, if they have no ingress which you may easily believe.

Therefore the whole Art to make Tinctures consists, first in making of the red Metals as Gold, Iron, and Copper, irreducible, then to extract their Tincture, and to give an Ingress. This labour is a very easie thing to the knowing, but incredible to the unskilful; for I have some years since, shewn to some Friends out of kindness the destruction and fixation of such Metals, together with the Extraction and Ingress, very plainly, and highly recommended to them this universal work; they have performed the fixation, but the Extraction and Inceration they have not done, although it is so easie that a Child of Ten years old may easily perform it. My hopes were, that when they had perfected it, they should give me some of the Tincture, but in stead of a recompence, they told me they could not do it, which was because God kept his hand over it. After the way that is here shewn, Tinctures may be easiest prepared out of red Sulphureous Metals and Stones, and I have a small quantity of it by me, which will tinge red, I made it before my Sickness, and keep it as a memorial to my Posterity. Some perhaps may ask, whether there be not a nearer way to prepare Tinctures for Metals, than by Extractions and Fixations, which require much time and Costs. I answer, ’tis certain there are nearer ways to fix Sulphurs in their whole substance without loss of weight, without any addition of Salts or Spirits of Salts, very easie and cheap, viz. by the Universal Coagulator into a Tincture, and by their particular Coagulators into Gold and Silver. Concerning the Coagulators I have already made them known, viz. that Lead is the Coagulator of Common Sulphur, and Vulgar Mercury, Tin is the Coagulator of Arsnick, and Cobalt, Iron and Copper are the Coagulators of Orpiment, Sandarach, and all other Realgars, and that Gold and Silver are the Coagulators of the Mercury of Antimony into a Tincture. Now concerning the Universal Coagulator, ’tis not a Malleable or fusible Metal, but only an immature Volatile Mineral, not much unlike to Lead Oar, and therefore the Philosophers have called it the Saturnine Magnesia, and this is not all one and the same, for it is found in different colours and figures, so that he who will use them must well understand their difference, that he may not take the wrong for his work, and so lose his labour. The Ancients have not revealed this Volatile Mineral, but kept it as a Universal Coagulator in the greatest secrecy, and that not without reason, because they maturated their Volatile Metallick Spirits and Tinctures by it. Yet the Volatile Tinctures may also be fixed, without this Universal Coagulator, but that requires much time; therefore they have used this Coagulator for an help, and so they could maturate the most Volatile Metallick Spirits into fixed Tinctures, in a short time, and this Compendium is the chiefest thing in the Chymical Art, see the Treatise of the Three Principles of Metals. Now to return again to Sulphur, and to demonstrate; that it may be easily made fixed in the Fire, which is thus: Take one part of Common Sulphur, mix it with three or four parts of Lead Ashes, put this mixture into a strong Earthen Cementing Box, lute it well with a good strong Lute that will not crack, when the Lute is dry, put it into a Cementing Furnace, or into such a Fire, that in the beginning will only melt the Sulphur, so that it may penetrate the Lead Ashes, and hide it self in them, and so be initiated to the Fire, then by degrees increase your Fire from day to day, till at length the Crucible become to be of a dark brown, then increase your Fire still more, and continue this so long till the Sulphur becomes quite fixed with the Lead Ashes, and constant in the Fire; and this will require eight or ten months time, during which time the Sulphur becometh fixed, and hath tinged and fixed its Body, the Lead as much as it could, for it is not possible for it to fix all the Lead after this manner into Gold and Silver, but only part of it, yet so that an hundred-fold profit is made of it, if you proceed rightly in the matter. The reason of the melioration of the Lead is this: If Saturn hath power to make a Combustible Sulphur, incombustible and fixed in the Fire, so that it neither fumes nor burns, then it is certainly as good and fit for tinging as another Sulphur, which is made fixed by much labour of abstracting Aqua Fortis from it. In this Fixation the Sulphur retains its Ingress, and therefore needs not to be given to it afterwards, for it had an Ingress when it was not fixed, and when it is made fixed it still retains it. This makes good that common saying of the Philosophers: If Sulphur shall first penetrate Saturn, and Saturn attracts it willingly by reason of its great dryness, and unites it self with it, then it is said that Nature rejoyceth in Nature. When it can be made red-hot with the Lead, then it is said, Nature overcometh Nature, but when the fixed Sulphur remains constant with the Lead upon the Cupel, then it is said, Nature retains Nature. This which I here declare so plainly, all Philosophers before me have kept very secret, but that I here reveal such great secrets, I have a reason for it, which is not necessary for every one to know. Now as we have here taught the fixation of Sulphur by Lead, after the same manner the fixation of Arsnick is to be done by Tin, which becomes fixed with it in the Fire, to the great profit of the Artist, it recompenseth him with Gold and Silver upon the Cupel; and this Work the Philosophers always kept very secret. Cosmopolita writes, that there is a small Fish in the Sea named Remora, which hath such power, that if it fits upon the Stern of the Ship, it causeth it to stand still, so that although the Wind fills the Sails, yet it cannot move. In another place, he calls this Fish Echineis, which if you read backwards, sounds Tin Ashes. Other Philosophers also write of this work of Fixing, that there are always two sorts of Birds in the Nest, or two sorts of Dragons in the Den, that one of them would willingly stay, which is the Body, but the other which hath Wings, would always fly away, yet at length it is by degrees so overcome by that which hath no Wings, that at last it endeavours no longer to fly. The same happens here to our Volatile Arsnick, that is, with the fixed Tin Ashes, the Volatile part Arsnick is always striving to fly away, but the Tin Ashes binds and keeps it, that it is forced to stay against its will, and also become fixed with its Companion. Now as we have here proceeded with Arsnick and Tin, and with Sulphur and Lead, after the same manner must be done with Orpiment, and Mars or Venus, but with Sulphur and the Mercury of Antimony, together with Gold and Silver, the fixation is performed after a peculiar manner, which fixation I have already declared, and therefore need not repeat it. This I would have noted concerning the Agents and Patients of Metals, but I am very well assured, although this fixation is very mean and easie in it self, that yet it will not easily be imitated, and that because I have made known so great a Secret in so simple and mean a Style. The World is full of Pride, and cannot give credit to such mean things, but rather looketh after high, tedious, and sophisticate things, which are worth nothing, if they are but set off with fine words; God will have it so, that these great Secrets may not fall into the hands of the Impious. Here, in the fixation of the Common Sulphur with Lead, and Arsnick with Jupiter, Orpiment with Mars and Venus, I have spoken openly, and hid nothing, yet I am certain it will not be taken in hand, partly because of the length of time required in the fixation, which will deter many from this work, many who shall read it will not be able to believe, that so easie a fixation hath been done, because none hath hitherto written of the like cheap way of Meliorating Metals, nor spoke so plainly as I have done. Many will take Exceptions at my Person, and say, if it was true what Glauber writes of the easie fixation of the inferior Metals, to transmute them into Gold and Silver, he would do it himself, and thereby make himself rich, and not publish things of so great a concern. To this I answer, that my great Age, and many weaknesses will not permit me to take such things in hand, by which nothing but Worldly Riches are acquired, which sometimes do Men more harm than good, which I never did nor ever will seek after. If others will do it, they may. I trouble not my self about the Mammon, but prepare my self for a happy passage into a more peaceable Life, where there is no strife nor misery, but everlasting Peace, and everlasting Light reigns perpetually. But in that I have discovered these great Secrets, by which those who seek after them, may become very rich, I have done it out of a good meaning, viz. that if many by this shall attain good means, that some of them at least may assist the poor out of their abundance. To this end only have I discovered these Lucriferous Secrets, and not at all to please the Proud and Covetous. But yet although I have described all plainly without any reserve of the Manuals thereunto belonging, I am very well satisfied, that God will keep his hand over it, and will not indifferently give his Blessing to all in it, but will so dispose it, that his gifts may not be misused. And therefore I am very well satisfied, that Art will remain Art, although it be never so clearly laid down before the Eyes of all Men. To whom God will give it, him I envy not, but wish him Gods Blessing with it, and earnestly exhort him, that when God hath blessed him, that he by no means forget the Poor. Amen.

A
TREATISE
CONCERNING
The Animal-Stone:
OR,

Of that Animal Matter or Subject which God ingrafted into Adam and Eve, as a Divine Portion or Patrimony in Paradise, and which he still retained after his Fall and Banishment out of Paradise, brought it with him thence, and after Death took it along with him to his Grave, or to the Earth from whence he was taken and made; What kind of Matter properly it is, and in what manner a true Universal Medicin may be made of it. Faithfully Translated out of the High-Dutch.

The PREFACE.

Curteous READER,

Having in some of my last Published Writings, and especially in my Fifth Century, treated of a certain Matter, called by the Ancient and Modern Philosophers, The Philosophers Stone, which Matter they say, God implanted in the first Man Adam, and which after his Fall and Banishment, he brought with him out of Paradise, and after his Death, took it along with him to his Grave, without revealing this Divine Patrimony and Portion to any of his Posterity; so that this great Treasure continued for some time hidden from the wicked World, until at length it pleased God to open the Eyes of some honest Men to know and discern this great Gift of God, which they also made known to others, though this communication of theirs was of little use to proud Worldlings, whose Eyes are only fixed upon outward Visibles, not minding the inward Invisibles. Wherefore none of them could believe, that so great a Treasure was hid in Sinful Man, as accounting nothing worthy their esteem, but Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, and casting out upon the Dunghill as loathsom and contemptible what is far better than Gold or Silver.

And because some of my Enemies have slandered some of my Writings, as if they contained absurd and impossible things; to the end that none by their Lies and Slanders may be led aside from the way of truth, I am resolved to set the Truths I have written in a greater Light, and palpably to evidence before the whole World, that what I have taught, viz. that a Mineral Aurifying Virtue lies hid in Vegetables and Animals as well as in Metals, is no absurdity, but a great truth, to the shame and confusion of my envious Adversaries.

O thou Eternal Light, without the least mixture of darkness, Creator and Governor of Heaven and Earth, send down upon me thy holy Spirit, beam into my Soul a Ray of thy Heavenly Light, that it may enlighten my Heart, Brain, and Understanding, that I may write nothing but what may serve to thy Glory, the salvation of my Soul, and the enlightning of many thousands that wander in the darkness of Error. Amen.

OF THE
ANIMAL-STONE.

In the Name of the most Holy Trinity, I undertake to communicate and declare to the dark wicked World, the great Wonder-works of God, and Mysteries of Nature, and that with so much clearness and evidence as never hitherto hath been done by any; so as not only the good, and such as are taught of God, but also the perverse Worldly Learned, or the most ignorant Rustick may comprehend, understand, and even handle with their Hands, that I have fundamentally declared and manifested the Mysteries of God and Nature, to the glory of God, and good of Mankind.

In order to perform the great Work I have undertaken, it is needful that we know first, what the thing is, we are to seek, and next, where we are to seek for it. The thing we seek for, is the Philosophers Stone, which affords the Possessor thereof health of Body, and an honest plentiful Maintenance. Now forasmuch as most of the Ancient and Modern Philosophers, a few only excepted, point us to Metals, and especially to fixt Sol and Luna, thence to procure for our selves this great Treasure, though they handle this matter with so much obscurity, that amongst an hundred thousand Seekers, scarcely one is found that attains to his desired End, most of them besides spending their Goods and Estates in the fruitless pursuit of this hid Treasure; whereof those in a great measure are guilty who persuade Men that Sol is the Subject of the Philosophers, and that all other matters are improper and unfit for their Work; But others again inform us, that this great Treasure may be obtained a nearer, easier, and cheaper way, without Sol or any other costly Subjects; Concerning which cheap, and every where to be found, Subjects, I have made mention in some of my late published Writings, and particularly in my Fifth Century, yet not so plainly as wholly to expose these Pearls to swine, for them to tread them under their Feet. And forasmuch as several ignorant and envious Persons have taken occasion to appear and contradict these my Writings, as if it were impossible to find Mineral Virtues in Vegetables or Animals, I am moved to stop the Mouths of these envious and ignorant Back biters, and to expose them to the Publick shame of the World. I confess I do not think these Slanderers worthy that I should take any pains to confute or convince them of their Error, because I am not to mind what such as they, but what honest Men, and what truth it self, speaks. But because this demonstration may be of use to undeceive and inform many Seekers after this Treasure, I suppose I shall do a good work, in giving this evident testimony to Truth, whereby not only the Mouths of Slanderers may be stopp’d, but the Eyes of the Deceived may be opened to discern the Truth.

We proceed then to hear the Verdict of Truth in this Matter, whether indeed such a Mineral Virtue be hid in Vegetables and Animals, as that the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of them. And first we will speak of Man, as being the Noblest of all Gods Creatures, and then proceed to the four-footed Beasts of the Earth, the Fowls of the Air, Fishes in the Sea, and all Creeping Things, and last of all to Trees, Plants and Herbs, to see what the Almighty Power of God hath laid up and hid in these for the use and welfare of Mankind.

As to Man, the most Excellent part of Gods Creation, whom God made a Ruler and Governor over all his Creatures in Paradise, we know that he was made very good, without the want of any thing that might conduce to his happiness or perfection, which goodness continued in him after his Fall, though much clouded and veiled. Forasmuch then as God hath been pleased to lay up in Man this great Treasure, to the end he might make use of it for his good and perfection, we must conclude, that the Divine Wisdom hath placed it so, that Man may always have recourse to it, and take thereof, (without any hurt to his Body) to the glory of God, and his own good. For had God placed this Treasure in the Flesh or Blood of Man, he would have been obliged to hurt and weaken his Body by cutting a piece of his own Flesh, or letting out his Blood, in order to prepare this great Medicin, which by this means would prove too dear, so that most Seekers would rather want the Medicin, than attain it this way. But God, who is the Eternal Wisdom it self, hath not been guilty of any such oversight in his Works, which are all perfect, and no fault to be found with them; and if Nature in any of her productions prove defective, that is not to be attributed to God, but to Satan, who whilst Man slept sowed the Tares amongst the good Seed, which the Master of the Houshold had sowed in his Field.

If it be so then, that God hath not laid up this great Treasure in the Flesh or Blood of Man, we may further enquire, where then we are to look for it? Certain it is, that God, our Heavenly and Wise Father, hath laid up this great Treasure in Man, where at all times, without any let, pains or trouble, he may come at it, and have it for nothing, viz. in the Superfluities of Nature, as Urine, Dung, Hair, Sweat, and Spittle. I say that in these despicable Excrements and Superfluities of Nature, God hath laid up a great Portion for Man, which he by reason of his Pride, blindness and hardness of Heart, cannot see or perceive.

Another Question that may be here demanded, is, In which of these Excrements this Treasure is most copiously to be found? To which I answer, that it may be had from any of them, but in the one more plentifully than in the other, but which is the most fit and proper for this Work, I dare not plainly set down at present, for fear of exposing and prostituting this Pearl to the Wicked and Unworthy, which all honest Philosophers have so highly forbidden. But this I will do, viz. most clearly demonstrate, by many instances, that out of all the Natural Excrements and Superfluities, whether of four-footed Beasts, Fishes, Creeping Things and all Vegetables, a Mineral Aurifying Virtue, that is the Matter of the Philosophers Stone, may be had, and that without cost and charges in all parts of the World, so that no body, how mean so ever he be, but may have enough of the matter for nothing, and needs not by his Poverty be deterred from undertaking this great Work, that affords Health and Riches to him that can bring it to an happy end.

I proceed now to those Proofs and Experiments that evidently make out, that in all things (besides Metals) a Mineral Virtue and Power is found, whereby the Philosophers Stone may be prepared. I shall begin first with four-footed Beasts, because I do think it fitting for several weighty Reasons, at this time to pass by the Mysteries that lie hid in Man, that they may not be exposed to the Wicked and Unworthy. Now these Excrements and Superfluities of four-footed Beasts as well as of Man are different, according to their diverse Passages and Places of Production, as Urine which makes its passage through the Bladder, Dung through the Guts, Sweat through the Pores of the Skin, Spittle through the Mouth, and the Hair or Wooll of Beasts, also through their Skin or Hide, and accordingly are of different Virtues and Powers. Upon this account we must conclude, that in the Sweat of Men or Beasts, there is not so great virtue as there is in Urine, the former being a suddain and almost instantaneous Generation, whereas the later requires some hours time before it can pass through its several Chanels, and be made fit for Natures separation. So likewise is Mans Dung a long while a passing through the Guts, which in Man and Beasts are much longer than in Birds or Fishes, to the end that the Dung might be the better putrified and digested; Thus we find by Experience, that the Dung of a Stork which passeth only through one short Gut, when it falls upon the Grass doth presently burn and scorch it, whereas the Dung of Men and Beasts laid to the Roots of Vegetables, or any way conveyed to the same, do strengthen and invigorate them, and are indeed the highest Medicin of Vegetables; as Country Farmers well know, who with the help of the Dung of Men and other Animals are used to cure their sick, barren, and overwrought Fields, Vineyards and Orchards, restoring them to their former strength and fertility. But though simple Rusticks be very well acquainted with the great virtue and use of Dung, yet our great Learned Men cannot believe, that in such a despicable Subject should be lodged such an Excellent Universal Medicin, capable to cure the Diseases of Men and Metals; and the reason is, because they love Pride and Idleness too well, will not put their hands to the work, contenting themselves with what they know already, without searching into endless Secrets of Nature. For this cause it is, that true Medicin and Alchimy are advanced to no higher degree of Perfection. Helmont complains of this negligence in Physicians, who leave the preparation of their Medicins to Apothecaries, declaring, that every Physician who desires to have good and rightly prepared Medicine must be both Master and Servant, that is, he must trust the Preparing of his Remedies to none but himself.

The present Subject I am upon, viz. the Excrements of Men and Animals puts me in mind of a Story relating to Paracelsus, which take as follows.

A Relation of what happened at Vienna between Paracelsus and some of the Imperial-Court Physicians.

Paracelsus being on a time sent for by the Emperor to Vienna, to cure some Persons of high Quality, whom the Imperial Physicians could not help, having successfully performed the Cures he was sent for, went to take his Leave of the Physicians, who earnestly intreated him to leave some of his noble Medicaments with them for a remembrance; whereupon Paracelsus answer’d, that he would fetch something for them; The Physicians, supposing he intended to bestow some part of his prepared Medicins upon them, with impatience expected his return, who soon after came to them, and set down on the Table before them a Silver Dish cover’d with another Dish. The Physicians were very desirous to see what Paracelsus had brought for them; at last one of them taking off the Cover, found a great Turd in the Dish, at which being exceedingly enraged, taking for granted that Paracelsus had done this to affront them, they all departed, and when some call’d them back, Paracelsus said, Let the Asses go, they do not deserve this great Secret, which I intended to communicate to them; And then added, He who doth not know what Mans Dung is, knows nothing, and Heaven and Earth are equally hid from him. With which words he sufficiently intimated, that a great virtue is hid in Mans Dung. Thus much shall suffice, by way of Parenthesis, to have spoken concerning Paracelsus his Opinion concerning the Superfluities of Nature, and particularly the Excrements of Man, we proceed now to speak of the Excrements of other Animals, and in particular of Sheeps Wooll.

An Experimental Demonstration, that a Mineral Virtue is hid in the Hair of Beasts.

℞. Of clean Sheeps Wooll iv Ounces, and pour upon it a like quantity of strong Aqua Fortis, abstract this Aqua Fortis wholly in Balneo, and the Aqua Fortis will dissolve the Wooll, and when abstracted, will leave behind a stinking Stone of a dark brown colour; afterwards dissolve in another Glass Body of Mercury j Ounce, and of the finest Sol iij Ounces, pour these Solutions of Sol and Mercury into the Glass wherein the dissolved Wool is, then abstract the Menstruum from the Metals, till nothing remain but a dry Stone in the bottom of the Glass, take this Stone and put it into a Glass Retort, and distill the Mercury from the Sol in a strong heat. N. B. The Mercury will not come over quick, but in the form of a Butter of Mercury, of great use for the healing of incurable Venereal Ulcers. If you pour some Water upon the said Butter, it will precipitate the Mercury in form of a white Powder, which being edulcorated and dried, is a good Purge in Venereal Distempers. But if you rectifie this Butter, and then pour it upon a pure Calx of Sol, the Butter will dissolve the Sol, and being afterwards digested for some time, the Mercury by means of the Saline Spirits of the Wool will be fixed with the Sol into a Stone, with it make a trial upon Metals, to see what it can do, and thou wilt find thy Labour richly rewarded; but if thou canst not hit it, then think, that it is not the will of God thou shouldst have it, and do not blame me, who have set down nothing but what I have performed my self. Now let us see what course we must take to recover our Sol; break the Retort, and take what was left at the bottom of it, which thou wilt find black as a Coal, in which black matter thou must look for thy iij Ounces of Sol, forasmuch as the Butter has carried but very little of the Sol over with it, which thou may’st separate from the black matter, as follows.

Melt good Nitre in a strong Crucible, and when it is in Flux, cast into it one piece of your black Matter after another, and the Nitre will burn away the Sulphur contained in the said Coals or black Matter, and the Sol melts down into a Body, pour forth the Nitre together with the Golden Regulus out of the Crucible into a Cone, and the Sol will settle at the bottom in form of a Regulus, which, when separated from the fæces, appears snow-white and brittle, much resembling a Regulus of Antimony; the fæces are of a red colour, and contain much good. This white Sol being expos’d upon the Cupel with Saturn to a fiery trial, a third part only of the Sol will be found remaining of the colour of good Sol, two parts being vapour’d away. The Question is now, What that white colour was, which evaporated on the Test? If thou say’st, that the Coals of the Wool, with the help of the Nitre, have rob’d the Sol of its colour, thou art not altogether out of the way, nor wholly in the right. If thou say’st, that there is no Mineral Virtue in the Wool, but that the Sol became white by the addition of Mercury, thou art not wholly out of the way neither; but this is not to be understood of the Common Mercury added to the Sol, but of the Mercury contained in the Wool, which has joined it self with the Sol; for Common Mercury cannot abide with Sol in a strong melting Fire, but flies away, leaving the Sol alone, as is well known to Chymists. If thou say’st, that there is a Mercurial Virtue in the Wool, which within a few hours so changeth the Common Mercury, that it is able to abide a melting Fire with Sol, then it will follow, that by means of the Salt which is in Wool any Common Mercury may in a short time be made capable of enduring not only a melting Fire, but the Cupel also. This I suppose is a plain and evident demonstration, that there is a Mineral Virtue in Animals, and especially in the Superfluities of Nature, which we will now proceed to demonstrate with another Experiment. Now if the Superfluities of Animals are able to do this, have we not reason to conclude, that the right Superfluity of the Microcosme will do the same much better?

Another Experiment to demonstrate, that a Mineral Mercury and Sulphur is contained in the Superfluities of Animals.

℞. Of filed or rasped Horns of Sheep, Oxen, Goats and Deer, but Harts and Goats Horns are the best, and the Horns of Wild Goats, and the Tusks of Wild Swine yet better; and the Horns of Fishes, which are commonly called Unicorns Horns, and the Elephants Teeth are the best of all for this purpose; but where these cannot be had, the Experiment may be performed with Goats or Harts-Horn. Dissolve ij Ounces or iij of either of these in a good Aqua Fortis which has been abstracted from decrepitated Salt, into this Solution put j Ounce of Sol, abstract in a Glass Body the Aqua Fortis from the Horn, in which abstraction the Sol becomes dissolved, and a brown Stone is left behind, which must be melted down in a cover’d and well luted Crucible with a blast, by which means the Horn will be turned into black fæces, and the Sol will fall white to the bottom, brittle as a Regulus of Antimony; from whence it follows, since this brittleness and whiteness of the Sol could not be caused by the Aqua Fortis, that the same must be attributed to the white Mercury and Sulphur drawn from the Horns. Whereby it clearly appears, that a Mineral force and virtue is hid in the Horns of Animals. What I have said concerning the covering of the Crucible with another, and well luting them together, is not without reason, for if the Crucible should be set open in the Fire, and continue there for some time, the Sulphur of the Horns would be kindled and consumed, and the Mercury would be revivified and fly away, and the Sol would remain unalter’d. For it is to be noted, that the Mineral Mercury and the Sulphur of the Horns are very tender and volatile, and are soon lost when the operation is not performed, as before hinted, in a close luted Crucible. This Experiment may be done in like manner, with the Superfluities of Fishes, viz. their Skales, Teeth, and the Stones or Bones that are found in several of them, and the effect will be found the same as before mentioned.

The same may also be performed, with the Feathers and Egg-shells of tame and wild Fowl. N. B. Egg-shells are dissolved with more ease than Feathers. ℞. The Egg-shells of Hens, Geese, or other Fowl, wash them clean, taking out the inward skin or film, then dry them, and abstract from them a Solution of ☉, and melt the remainder in a close covered Crucible, and you will find the same effect, as before.

If you have a mind to make the same Tryal with Vegetables, then take Tartar which is fitter for this purpose, than either the Wine it self, or the Wood of the Vine, instead of Tartar of Wine, you may take the Tartar that cleaves to the Vessels, wherein the juice of Crabs hath been keep, or the juices of any other sowr Fruit, or instead of Tartar we may take the Grounds of Wine, first dried. ℞. Any one of these, and abstract from it a Solution of ☉, melt the remainder as before in a close luted Crucible, and the ☉ will be found white and brittle, like to a Regulus of ♁ at the bottom.

From these Experiments it appears, as clear as the day, that a Mineral Virtue is hid in all things: Yet for more abundant Confirmation of this Truth I shall add some further Instances. The same proof may be done with dry or moist Herbs, or Wood, proceeding in the same manner as before hath been taught, with Wool, and we shall find the same effect. In particular, all sort of Corn, Rye, Wheat &c. afford a very good Tinture, they must be dissolved, and proceeded with as before mentioned, concerning the superfluities of Animals. If therefore Mineral Powers may be found in all Vegetables and Animals, on which Man feeds, and hath his growth and Sustenance, how can it be denied, but that the same Power must needs be in Man also? Wherefore it is beyond all doubt, that every Man carries the matter of the Philosophers-Stone (tho’ raw and unprepared) about with him.

To make this Truth to appear, with fuller and clearer Evidence, I am minded to give the ignorant a sensible Demonstration, that (without mentioning the right Subject of the Philosophers-stone) an universal Medicine for Men and Metals, may be had alone from the despicable and abominable Subject of Mans-dung.

℞. Six, eight or ten ℔ of some healthy Mans-dung, (it must be gathered without any mixture of Urin) and put it into a Glass-body, and pour upon it about the same quantity of rectified Spirit of Wine, stir them with a stick together, set the Glass, with a head fitted to it in Balneo, and abstract the Spirit of Wine, which has extracted the Mineral 🜍 and ☿ that was in the Dung, and brings it over the Helm: Which stincking Spirit of Wine must be burnt away under a large Refrigeratory Helm, by which means the stincking 🜍 of the Dung is consumed in the Flames of the Spirit of Wine, and the incombustible Mercurial Salt mounts up in the Flames to the top of the Helm, where it is caught, and is a great Jewel in Physick and Alchimy. If we have a mind rather to have our Celestial Salt in a dry Form, then we must abstract the Phlegm from it: Tho’ if we intend it for a Medicinal, it is better not to abstract the Phlegm (which is not wholly without some Virtue) but use them together. But if our intent be to make use of this incombustible Mercurial Salt, in order to Metallick Transmutation, then we must separate its Moisture, and mix the said Microcosmical Salt with ☉, and maturate the same to a Metalline Tincture. In a Liquid Form, the said Celestial Salt is an excellent Medicine for sick and weak People, as having great Sympathy with the Vital Spirit of Man, wonderfully strengthening the same, and in all Diseases performs whatsoever can be expected from an Universal Medicine; and is not in the least loathsome, being purged from all Stinck and ill Taste, by the Flames of the Spirit of Wine.

This Aqua Vitæ of the Philosophers performs also very wonderful things in the Vegetable Kingdom, for if the Seeds of any Herb be steeped for an hour in the same, and then laid upon a Trencher, or any board at some distance from one another, and covered over a Fingers breadth with Earth or Sand, being then exposed to the warm Sun, the Seeds immediately will begin to shoot and grow, even visibly to the Eye, which is very pleasant and curious. But those Seeds which are soft, are more proper for their speedy growth, than those that are hard: The Seeds of Parsley, Cresses, Fennel and Annis, which abound with much Volatile Salt, are the best for this Purpose. So that we see, that this Medicine prepared of Mans-dung is truly Universal, as curing the Diseases of all the three Kingdoms, viz. of Animals, Vegetables and Minerals. Wherefore if any one can find in his heart, to work upon this loathsome Subject, he will need no other, for that all lies hid in it, which gave one of the Ancients occasion to say,

Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum.

Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,

Its present glorious God to praise.

I cannot, but repeat this great Truth once more, that the highest Medicine in the World is most commonly to be found in the most despicable Subjects, God having ordered it so, for to make known his Almighty Power; and that he regards the Welfare of the Poor, as well as of the Rich, willing that all should be helped and relieved, who do not by their own Pride, Laziness and Wickedness withstand so great Love and Mercy. Had Gods Will been to communicate this Treasure only to the Proud, Rich and Covetous, he would have laid up the same in ☉ and precious Stones, which the Poor cannot go to the Price of, but behold we find to the contrary, that God hath been pleased to hide this Treasure in such despicable and loathsome Subjects, as the Rich do scorn to meddle with, by which means a Door is opened to the Poor, to obtain that which, they reject and despise.

But to return to our Subject, and yet further to Evidence, that a Metallick Virtue is hid in Mans-dung, (tho’ it be not the true Subject, which the Philosophers point at in Man) and that much good may be done with it, as containing a very glorious 🜍 and ☿, I will add this Experiment, lay a Piece of Silver into a Chamber-Pot, wherein is Dung and Urine, let it lye there for some time, and the ☽ will attract the 🜍 or Animal Gold, that is in the Dung and Urine, and become colour’d like ☉, which is a sufficient Demonstration, that the matter of the Stone is hid in those Subjects. And forasmuch as it is notorious, that 🜍 is the Agent and ☿ the Patient: And that the 🜍 alone tingeth, and that ☿ is only tinged: Wherefore it behoves us to fix the 🜍, whereby it is fitted to tinge the ☿, bind and fix it: Which to bring about, much searching has been in the World, and still is, tho’ for the most part all in vain, very few Seekers going the right way, and therefore mist of their End, tho’ in their Search they have found many Arts, some good and others as bad. So we read, that one Bartholdus Schwartz a Benedictin Fryar having found in an old Book, that 🜍, the Father of Tincture, may be fixed with Saltpetre, was resolved to make a Tryal of it, but to no purpose, for the 🜍 and Nitre being kindled by the Fire, broke his Vessels, Furnace and all to pieces, whence he took occasion to consider further of the Matter, and invented that mischievous thing called Gun-powder, tho’ he fail’d of his fixing of 🜍: The Ancient Philosophers, many Ages ago, were not ignorant of that Composition, but would not Communicate the same for Fear of the abuse thereof: And called it a Basilisk, because it kills all things it looks upon. Others have set forth Nitre and 🜍 under the Notion of a watchful, never sleeping, and Fire-spitting Dragon, that guarded the Golden Fleece, which Jason by Medeas direction and Counsel cast into a deep Sleep, and so took away the Golden Fleece. Medea signifies diligent Study and Meditation, Jason the Artist, or Laborator, the Soporiferous Medicine given to the Dragon, the due Fixation of the Matter. Another Benedictin Fryar, Basil Valentine, had better Success in fixing 🜍 with the help of Nitre; which Fixation he hath recorded in his Writings, where he makes Saltpetre to speak thus: 🜍 is my best Friend, and withal my greatest Enemy, but when we are duely conjoyned, and made our Marriage Bed in Hell, after we have well sweat together, we cast off all our Impurities, for to beget Children of Wealth and Riches; and in our dead Bodies is found the greatest Treasure, which we bequeath by our last Will. These are the Words of Basil Valentine, wherein he exactly and plainly describes the true Fixation of 🜍, save only that he hath not named the Medicine wherewith the watchful Dragon is to be cast into a dead Sleep, and that for good Reason, because the whole Art and Master piece of fixing 🜍 with Nitre consists therein. And Paracelsus writing concerning 🜍 saith: Here with few words many may be helped, were it not against God, for God wills not that all should be Rich, and therefore doth not give the Goat as long a Tail, as to a Cow, for fear he should out of Pride beat out his own Eyes therewith: For when a poor Man grows Rich, it commonly makes him Proud, and as sharp as a Razor to others. These are the Words of Paracelsus, wherein he declares a great Truth, for God will not have all Men to be Rich, because of the great abuse of Riches, which is too common in the World. But to those, who are dead to the World, and look upon Riches, Money and Goods, as Dust and Smoak, and are Enemies to all sin and wickedness, to these God gives more than themselves desire or wish for, because he knows they will not abuse his Gifts. And so much shall suffice at this time, for my design is not at present to treat of the Fixation of 🜍, which I have elsewhere done at large, but only to prove and make out, that the Matter of the Philosophers-stone is to be found in all things in the World, which I think I have done already. Will any make a Tryal, and undertake the Work, ’tis free for him so to do, I have in this Discourse pointed out the right way, tho’ I have not revealed the right Matter: But if what I have here set down be well considered of, by the ingenious Seeker, it cannot be long hid from him: Farewel.

A Corollary: Or, Appendix to the foregoing Discourse.

I have in this short Treatise abundantly shewed and verified, that in all Vegetables and Animals, a mineral Virtue lies hid, which is able to Coagulate ☿ in Conjunction with ☉, into a Metal: And that I may be further helpful to the Lovers of Art, I intend here to deliver the whole manner, and Process of fixing ☿, by Excrements and natural Superfluities, to the end that every one, who reads and considers of it, may with ease attain to a true Tincture. In order to which, I am first to put the Reader in mind, what I have already hinted, that as these Superfluities of Nature, are different and various, so some of them are better for the fixing of ☿ than others: The best of all being, that which Adam brought out of Paradise, as a Childs Portion God had bestowed upon him, which I dare not name openly, but shall only set down here, how this Fixation of ☿ may be performed by means of the Superfluities of Animals.

I have, in the foregoing Discourse, declared the manner of Coagulating ☿ with the Wool, or Hair of Animals, so as to suffer himself to be fluxed with ☉ in a strong Fire, without evaporating, only to shew the possibility of it. But now shall set down, how the said Fixation may with Profit be performed, by means of an Animal Salt Armoniack. For certain it is, that in Man and all Animals, such a Secret Sal Armoniack is to be found, especially in Urine, Hair, Claws, Horns, Skins, &c. as also in the Blood, sweat and spittle of Man, which is of force to coagulate and fix Mercury.

N. B. The fasting Spittle of Man Coagulates running ☿, being stirred about with a Pestle in a Glass, or Stone Mortar, and so is made fit with Hogs-grease to be made into a Salve. Now after that common ☿ is thus Coagulated with fasting Spittle, if we mix it with Oyl or Butter, to make a Salve of it, we shall find that the ☿ will not unite with the same, but runs together and becomes quick as before, and only suffers it self to be joyned with melted Hogs-grease, but with the fat of no other Animal whatsoever; the Reason without doubt is, because Swine have a great affinity with Man and Metals. Thus we find, that Mans and Swines Blood have this Property, that if the Calx of ♄ be for some time boyled in either of them, the ♄ becomes white and hard like ☽; the Reason of which the Reader may be pleased further to enquire into. Mans Urine also has this Nature and Property, that at one only Sublimation it so Coagulates ☿, that when ♀ is rubbed over with it, it looks as well as if it were Silvered over. And the sweat of Man is partaker of the same Property, of Coagulating and Metallizing ☿, so likewise the Excrements of Man and Beasts, &c. But nothing does it more readily than Mans fasting Spittle, wherefore also Albertus Magnus saith, that the highest Mineral Power hath its Seat in the Head of Man, and especially between his Teeth, he himself having found, oblong Grains of ☉, between the Teeth of a dead Mans Skull; ’tis very probable, that the Person, to whom the same belonged, had taken ☿ inwardly, which naturally tending to the Mouth and Teeth, had been fixed there by the Mineral Virtue of the Microcosm into good ☉. Now if we see this happen thus in the Body of Man, what reason have we to doubt, but that the same Mineral Virtue may, without the Body of Man, not only fix ☿ into good ☉, but also reduce it to a true and perfect Tincture. Forasmuch then, as this is not only possible, but certain and unquestionable, I having wrought it with mine own hands, and knowing many other easie ways, by means of the natural Superfluities of Animals, to Coagulate and fix ☿, I am the rather inclined to Communicate the same to the World.

I will therefore in the name of God, for the good of Mankind, Communicate the way and Process, I my self at first made use of to Coagulate ☿, and that entirely from the Beginning to the End, and very plainly, not concealing any the least manual Operations. If any one from this Process here set down, chances, to find out a nearer and better way, I shall be glad of it, we know it is much easier, to correct and meliorate a thing already invented, than to invent it. What I here set down my own hands have wrought, what I have never done or tryed I cannot write, but leave it to those, who are further advanced herein than my self.

A PROCESS.

To fix ☿, by means of natural Superfluities into a true Tincture. ℞. Eight Ounces of Wool, Goats hair, filed Goats or Harts-horn, &c. dissolve any of these in a strong Aqua Fortis, at the same time dissolve, in an Aqua Fortis, that has been abstracted from decrepitated Salt, an Ounce of fine ☉, and two Ounces of ☿ in common Aqua Fortis, pour all these three Solutions together into a Glass Body, and abstract all the Aqua Fortis from the ☉ and ☿; this abstracted stincking Water pour again upon that, which remains in the Glass, and distil it off, repeat this Cohobation six or seven times, and the ☿ by this means will become united, and joyned to the ☉. This Conjunction put into a Glass Retort, and with a strong Fire drive the ☿ from the ☉, which will come over in the form of a thick red Butter, for the ☿ being so far fixed with the ☉, will not without great force be separated from it, especially when the Operator hath made use of a strong fixing Water, or Menstruum: However, by the violence of the Fire, he is at length forced to quit the ☉, in which Separation he carries the Soul of ☉ over with him, which makes the Mercurial Butter to be of a red Colour; which Mercurial Butter, or Water being rectified doth dissolve ☉, and with it may be fixed into a true Tincture.

N. B. This Solar Butter may be another way without ☉ be fixed into a Tincture, not necessary to be set down here. He that hath a List to the work may begin with the Fixation, that is performed with the help of ☉. The ☉ and ☿ that remains in the Retort, may be recovered, as follows hereafter; for certain it is, that much of the ☿ in this Operation continues with the ☉, the Violence of the Fire having been unable to separate it, tho’ it may indeed be done another way, whereby we are experimentally assured, that Animals have power so to bind the winged Youngster, as to fix him with ☉ into perfect Tincture, which Fixation would be easie, if the Horns and Hair of Animals did not for the most part turn to Coals which do much hinder Fixation: For when the Solar Butter is by the force of Fire driven from the ☉, the Coals of the Hair stay behind with the Fire of ☉ and ☿: Which Coals may either, like other Coals, by means of our wonderful Salt be fixed into Tincture, for the ☉ and half fixed ☿ do not hinder, but rather further and help Fixation: Or else, we may joyn to these Coals, a due Proportion of good Nitre, and so make of them the always watchful, and Fire-spitting Dragon, and with the help of the Narcotick 🜍 of ♂ and ♀ cast him in to a dead Sleep, kill and fix him into Tincture. For we must know, that this Animal 🜍 is incomparably better, than any Mineral or Vegetable 🜍 of Stone, or Wood-Coal. Or else with the help of a fulminating Powder, we may separate the half fixt ☿, from the half disanimated ☉, by which means the Nitre kindles the Animal 🜍 and consumes it, and then the ☿ being freed from the Bands of 🜍 must come over, carrying over with it the yet remaining Soul or Tincture of ☉, which the ☿ in the Preparation of the Solar Butter did not bring over: Thus the ☉ becomes more disanimated, and the ☿ (which comes over of a fair Purple Colour) becomes the more richly animated, which Purple coloured ☿ impregnate with the Soul of ☉, may either by it self, be fixed into Tincture, or we may extract the Tincture with the Spirit of Wine, and make use of it as an inestimable Treasure in Physick. But the best way is, with our wonderful Salt, to fix these Animal Coals impregnate with ☉ and ☿ like other Wood-Coals into a tinging Carbuncle.

N. B. This wonderful Salt must be prepared of Oyl of Vitriol and Nitre. This is the way I have followed to Coagulate ☿ with ☉, by means of Animal Superfluities. I must own that it is a troublesome Work, especially because of the Stincks, one is obliged to take in. Some Philosophers indeed make mention of a nearer and easier way to obtain an Universal Medicine from Animals: Wherefore he that doth not like the Process, may seek for a better, which if he chanceth to light on, he has reason to bless God therefore, whose Gift alone it is.

A PROCESS, To Sublime the Coals of Sol, Mercury and Animal Sulphur into Purple coloured Flowers, with the help of a fulminating Powder.

Set a well luted Glass, or earthen Body, in a subliming Furnace till it be red hot, then cast in so much Nitre as you think will be sufficient to kindle thy Coals with, and consume them, to which purpose, thou mayst put three times as much Nitre, as the quantity of thy Coals is. When thou seest that the Nitre is red hot and in Flux, then cast in upon the Nitre a piece of thy Coals as big as a Haslel Nut, and the Nitre will immediately kindle the 🜍 and consume it, and by this means set the ☿ free; for in the burning away of the 🜍, the ☿ is forced to leave the ☉, as not being able to endure so strong a Fulmination: And having by means of the Animal 🜍, so intimately united with the ☉, as to be very hardly separable, but yet by the force of the Fulmen being fain to leave it, he in his flight takes the Heart of ☉ along with him, and brings it over in the form of a purple Sublimate, which with the Oyl of Vitriol (but much better by means of the universal Coagulator) may easily be fixed into a Tincture. This throwing of the Animal Coals upon the Nitre, thou must continue till all thy Coals be consumed, and so thou wilt obtain a ☿ impregnated and tinged with the Soul of ☉, and the ☉ remains of a white Colour, being disanimated by the Nitre.

N. B. As oft as you cast a piece of your Coals into the Vessel where the Nitre in Flux is, you must immediately clap on the Head again, that the ☿ may not fly away, but be caught therein. For the said ☿ is a great Treasure, and may easily be fixed into a fusible Tincture. Thus you have the whole Process, how by means of Animal superfluities I have handled ☿ with ☉, and what hath been the Success of it: He who shall venture to set upon this Work and finish it, will find much more than I durst set down here.

The nearest and easiest way to fix these Solar, Mercurial Animal Coals into a Tincture, according to my Judgment is, First to fix the said Coals, by means of a Fixative Sal Mirabile: Or else, to mix them with a Volatilizing Sal Mirabile, and by Retort distil from them a good graduating Water; we may also add to these Animal Coals such a Fixative water, as is employed to kill and fix the watchful Dragon or Basilisk. Every one may choose of these several ways, what pleaseth best: And if any thing by reason of the shortness of time hath been omitted here, the same will be discovered to the Laborator in his Work, if God does not hinder it, whose Blessing is all in all. Thomas Aquinas had the Art in twenty four hours time, to prepare an universal Medicine from natural Superfluities alone, without any Addition of ☉ or ☿, without Charges, Labour or Trouble, without breaking of Glasses, and without taking in any loathsome Smells. So likewise Avicenna, Albertus Magnus, Rhasis, Petrus Bonus, Joannes Lancinius Rupescissa, had a much nearer and shorter way, than here we have described, as appears abundantly by their Writings. These Authors took their Subject and putrified it in Horse-dung, and then with the Element of Fire, they fixed the ☿ with the ☉ into a Tincture, in which Labour they were much troubled with the loathsome smell of the Matter. Morienus tells us, that the Matter when in Putrefaction, sends forth a stinck like to that which proceeds from Graves, for indeed there is nothing in Man, which doth not stink extreamly, when brought to Solution or Putrefaction. When we dissolve these Animal Matters with Oyl of Vitriol, this stink is not so great, as when they are dissolved with Aqua Fortis, the same also may be said of Spirit of Salt, when ☉, ☿ and Wool are dissolved in the same, and besides doth more Volatilize the ☉ in order to Sublimation, or Fulmination than Aqua Fortis doth. If instead of the Common ☿ we take a ☿ of ♁ for this Work, it will in Fulmination carry more of the Tincture of ☉ over, and the purple Flowers proceeding thence, are much more readily fixed by the universal Coagulator, than those that are made with the Common ☿.

What this universal Coagulator is, I have elsewhere declared, the great use of it is very evident, in that volatile Tinctures can hardly be fixed without it: For this Coagulator makes all volatile Corrosive Metalline Spirits fix so as to be able to endure the Fire, which without it require a long time. And therefore, he who doth not know it, or the use of it, must needs find the fixing of volatile Spirits very tedious and troublesome, whereas those that know the use of it, may perform more as to the fixing of Tinctures in three days time, than others without it can do in a whole Year. For there is nothing in Nature so Volatile, which this Coagulator doth not fix, as Turba testifies, saying that if God had not created our Sal Armoniack, all Chymical Labour would be in vain. Which indeed is the very Truth: For without a good Sal Armoniack it is impossible to extract the Tinctures from Metals and Stones, or to purifie and subtilize them to the highest Degree; and without preceeding Subtilizing, there can be no ingress into compact Bodies: For the more that any Tincture is Subtiliz’d and Volatiliz’d, the more readily, after Fixation, doth it enter all hard and compact Bodies. Wherefore if God had not created this Coagulator, these volatile Tinctures, how high soever they might be in Colour, would be of no use for the Transmutation of Metals. Thus we find, that in Alchimy these two principal Keys are extremely necessary: The first opens, makes Volatile, and Purifies and gives Ingress; the other binds and fixeth the Volatile, so as to make it endure the Fire, without which Fixation all Volatilization is in vain. O the Pains that I have formerly taken for to fix ☿, ☉, 🜍 and other such like Volatile Metalline Spirits, whereas now it is most easie for me to do all this, and much more, with the help of my universal Coagulator, the knowledge and discovery of which must be fetched from the Principal Agent, or secret Fire of the Wise Men.

I cannot upon this occasion pass by discovering another Property that is found in our Animal Subject, viz. that it can in one distillation resolve all Metals, none excepted, into a running Mercury, which is a thing very wonderful, that fixt Gold and Silver should be so easily reducible to Volatile Mercury, seeing their Bodies are by nature kept in such strong bands. Of which Reduction of Metals to quick Mercury, no Person hath writ more clearly than Basil Valentine. The Ancient Philosophers have indeed writ much concerning the volatilizing of fixt Metals, but did never declare, that, by this Volatilization, they understood a reduction of them to running Mercury, for which reason this Art also hath been so little known. The Ancient Philosophers have recommended this volatilizing and fixing of Metals to us in these following Verses.

Fixum si solvas, faciasque volare solutum,

Et volucrem figas, faciet te vivere tutum.

Dissolve the fixt, and make it then to fly,

And fix the Fledge, and thou shalt dwell on high.

With these few words the Philosophers have declared their whole Work, but without any further explaining of them; so that the manner of compendiously volatilizing and fixing of Metals has been left in the dark. But because the end of this wicked World draws nigh, God is pleased to reveal these Secrets to some of his Chosen, which Talent mercifully bestowed upon me, that I might not be guilty of concealing, I have in the Seventh Part of my Prosperity of Germany at large set down the way to Meliorate the meaner Metals, with the help of Animal Salt Spirits, and that so plainly, that every one may understand it, and the Poor (if they will put their hands to the Work) may have abundantly wherewith to maintain themselves.

Moreover these Superfluities of Nature are endued with this power and property, that in one days time they can destroy fixt Gold, that resists all the Elements, so as to be no more Sol, but will suffer it self to be melted into a green fusible Stone, which is of wonderful force and virtue in all Metallick Operations, of which it is not needful to speak more at present. If God thinks fit to bestow this Green Stone upon thee, he will not suffer thee to be ignorant what use may be made of it. I cannot, upon this occasion, but communicate something that is very wonderful. As I was on a time melting some of this Green Stone in a Crucible, it happened to run through the Crucible into the Furnace, where some Silver was run out a little before, with which the Green Lion joyn’d himself; and when I came by fusion to separate my Luna from the Green Sol Stone, or my destroyed Sol, I found that my Green Stone had never been throughly united with my Luna, the Stone continuing still green without any the least alteration, but my Luna was become black and brittle like Antimony, and went away upon the Cupel. Now, what more wonderful change can be imagin’d than to see white fixt Luna changed into black volatile Lead? Upon occasion of this wonderful Transmutation one of the Philosophers cries out, as struck with admiration; Nunquid Natura Retrograda? What is Nature then turn’d Retrograde? Mind well this point, consider of it, and you will discover wonders; for when Sol is so far destroyed as to be no longer Sol, then the greatest wonders may be accomplish’d by it. Yet know, that it is no easie matter so to destroy Sol, that it shall be Sol no more; the Ancient Philosophers unanimously declaring, than it is easier to make Gold, than to destroy it.

N. B. This Green Gold-Stone being kept for some time in the Fire, becomes changed to a red colour, which is also of great use, he who desires to know more of it, may seek for it, as my self and others have been fain to do.

N. B. The Salt of the greater World (I mean Common Salt) changeth the Metals that lie in it for a long time, into a hard Stone, as appears from this instance; Some Fishermen here in Holland, lately took up from the bottom of the Sea some Blocks of English Tin, whose outside was turn’d to perfect Stone, the inmost part of them still remaining Tin; Who knows, how many hundred years this Tin had lain at the bottom of the Sea, before this change was made; but if the Sea Salt of the greater World can perform this in a long time, the Sea Salt of the lesser World can destroy Metals in a very short time, for our Animal Salt can do more in a few hours time, than the Sea Salt of the Macrocosme can do in an 100 years.

Wherefore I recommend to the Lovers of this Art to study the nature of Salts and their use, if they intend to perform any thing Extraordinary either in Physick or Alchimy.

N. B. The Salt of the Microcosme hath also this property, that when it is put into Aqua Fortis it not only dissolves Sol but Luna also, and is an excellent way to extract the Gold and Silver that is in Sand and Stones, concerning which Extraction I treat at large in the Seventh Part of the Prosperity of Germany.

N. B. Another virtue of this Microcosmical Salt is, that it extracts the Tincture of Gold, and leaves the Body thereof white. And if we afterwards take this impregnate Salt, and extract the Tincture of Gold from it with Spirit of Wine, and burn away the said Spirit under a Refrigeratory Helm or Head, then the Celestial Salt, or the Water of Life of the Philosophers, will be conveyed into the Glass Receivers, and is very sweet and pleasant, but withal so subtil and volatile, that the Air attracts and snatcheth it away, if it be not immediately pour’d out of the recipients, and carefully kept in a close stopt Glass.

N. B. At the bottom of the Cup or Dish wherein the Spirit of Wine, impregnate with the Tincture of Gold, hath been kindled and burnt away, you will find the Tincture of Gold in the form of a Blood-red, pleasant, fragrant, Aromatical Oil, which is true living Sol, and never stands still, but is in continual motion, perpetually changing from one form to another. In a word, it is the true living Sol of the Philosophers, which by Art is made of Common Gold, that is dead, which Living Philosophick Gold, fragrant Dragons Blood, Incombustible Oil, and true Potable Gold is without doubt the highest Medicin that is in the World.

N. B. In the foresaid manner we may also extract the Tinctures from Mars and Venus, as also from Antimony and Sulphur, and with the assistance of the flame of Spirit of Wine maturate them into most lovely, fragrant, incombustible Tinctures. For by means of our Microcosmical Salt all Metals and Minerals may be reduc’d to Potability, without the help of any Corrosive, in which state they are the most powerful Medicaments imaginable, to which the very best Remedies of the Galenists are not in the least to be compared. But no Man ever attained these Secrets that was afraid to smut his Hands with Coals, or that was not earnest in his Prayers to God for the discovery of these wonders; their Silk Clothes, Velvet Coats, Artificial Cant, and vain Aristotelical Philosophy, cannot produce any shell effects, but the Fire alone which is the effecter and displayer of Wonders. Wherefore no Man can come to be a true Philosopher save only by Fire, which alone hath the power to remove that which is evil, and to manifest and bring to light the inward concealed Good, which is true in an Earthly as well as Heavenly sense. I repeat it once more, that he, who doth not know Fire, and its hidden Divine Virtue and Operation, is a pitiful Philosopher, and doth not at all deserve that Title, for the Light is hid from him, and consequently all Nature appears vail’d and dark to him; which matter I have treated of at large in my Celestial and Terrestrial Purgatory.

Besides all that hath been said already, many other great, yea incredible, things may be performed with the help of Animal Excrements and Superfluities, and in particular the extraction of Silver and Gold out of Sand, Stone and Poor Oar, that is not worth the melting, as shall be at large declared in the Seventh Part of my Prosperity of Germany.

It may be said with truth, that never yet did any Man find out all the Virtues that are contained in thefts Superfluities of Nature, they being indeed greater than can be believed, which is the reason, why the Philosophers would never call these contemptible and loathsom Subjects by their own names, but have covered and concealed them under Metaphors and Allegories, that the great secrets contained in them might not be prostituted to the Proud unworthy World.

I do intend, God willing, with the first occasion to treat more at large concerning the nature and use of these Animal Superfluities in the Seventh Part of the Prosperity of Germany, where I shall, amongst other things, demonstrate, that these Superfluities of Nature are not only able to exalt Sol and Luna in their colours, but also to augment them to infinity in quantity and quality; I shall also plainly discover the way, how from Sand and Stone and the meanest of Metals, Gold and Silver may be extracted, so that every one, that is but little acquainted with the managing of Fire, may, with little charges in his own House, entertain and keep going a profitable and rich Mine of Gold and Silver, for the comfortable support of himself and family, to which God be pleased to grant his Grace and Blessing. Amen.

THE
INDEX.

In which P, with the Addition of 1, 2, or 3, signifies the first, second, or third Part; a the first Column of the Page, b the Second Column; and where neither a nor b occurs to the number of the page, the matter is obvious in that page by the Contents, or otherwise by the matter being treated of in all, or the greatest part of the page.

Advertisement of BOOKS Published by the Authour.

I. De Succo Pancreatico: or, A Physical and Anatomical Discourse of the Juice of the Pancreatick Juice; shewing its generation in the Body, what Diseases arise from its Vitiation; from whence in particular, by plain and familiar Examples, is accurately demonstrated the Causes and Cures of Agues or intermitting Feavers hitherto so difficult and uncertain. Sold by John Lawrence at the Angel in the Poultrey. Price bound 2 s. 6 d.

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III. Chymical Aphorisms: briefly containing whatsoever belongs to the Chymical Science. Sold by W. Cooper at the Pelican in Little Britain, and D. Newman at the King’s Arms in the Poultrey. Price bound 6 d.

FINIS.

Transcriber’s Notes: