CHAP. IV.
Where first is exhibited an efficacious Medicine from this Vegetable Fire it self.
Prepare you of stony Earth polishable in Fire, or of Metal, a Furnace in such wise, as under it a flaming Fire may burn, and yet none of the fume fly away, but in it condense either into Water or Oil, and thence descend into some fit Receiver. Under such a Furnace, in some earthen Pan kindle an ounce or two of this subtile Fire, and let it burn. The Spirit of Wine being burnt, the volatile Salt as incombustible (yet the volatile Mercury of the Wine) comes forth, is cooled in the Receiver, and so preserved.
Note, when the first Spirit of Wine is burned, more must be put in. Of how great profit it will be in Medicine, you may easily judge, because it is the immortal and incombustible Soul of Wine. How much it is able to effect in Alchymy, is not very well known to me, I not having laboured much in it as yet. Basilius touching this Mercury, thus Writes: Whosoever can obtain it, will be a principal Master in Chymistry. He, as I judge, well knew how from Gold its Tincture was to be extracted by the help of this. But of these enough at this time.