CHAP. III.
Of the Process of the Ancients in preparing the Tincture; and of a more short way found out by Paracelsus.
Ancient Spagyrists putrefied Lili for a Philosophick Month, and then destilled from it the humid Spirits, so long as until the dry were elevated: The Caput Mortuum they again imbibed with the humid Spirits, and from it, by destillation, often abstracted them, and continued this Operation so long, as until the dry Spirits were wholly elevated. Then they united the abstracted humours and dry spirits by a Pellican together, 3 or 4 times, until all the Lili remained dry in the bottom.
Although the first Experience followed this Process before fixation, nevertheless our Ancestors often obtained their wished end perfectly. But they would have had a more short way of coming to the Red-Lyon’s Treasure, if they had learned the Concordancy of Astronomy with Alchymy, as I have demonstrated it in the Apocalyps of Hermes. Yet since every day (as Christ spake for the comfort of the faithful) hath its proper Care, the Labour of Spagyrists before me was vast and great, which now by help of the Holy Spirit assisting, will be eased and lightned by my Theory and Practice, and declared to all those, who abide constant in their Labours with patience; for I am experienced in the Property of Nature, and know the Essences and Conditions thereof, and the conjunction as well as resolution of the same. Which is the highest and greatest thing in Nature, never yet known to Sophisters.
When the first Age had the first Experience of the Tincture, Spagyrists of one simple made two; but afterward, when in the middle Age that Invention was lost, their Successors, by diligent search, at length happened on the two names of that simple, and with one denomination called it Lili, as the subject of the Tincture: Then the Imitators of Nature putrefied this matter (no otherwise than as Seed in the Earth) for its due time; because before this Corruption, nothing could of it be produced, nor any Arcanum discover it self; and after putrefaction, they abstracted the humid spirits from the matter, until by the force of Fire they were dried and sublimed; that this way (no otherwise than as the Husband-man waits on the Seasons of the year) the said spirits might come to maturity, as one thing is wont to rise and fall after another. And lastly, as after Spring the Summer appears, they incorporated those Fruits and dry Spirits, and brought the Magistery of the Tincture so far, until it should come to its Harvest, and dispose it self to ripeness.