CHAP. XV.
How by the Benefit of a Magnet from the Air may be extracted an Universal Medicine.
It is sufficiently known, that the Life of all things is reconded in the Air, without which Spirit, or Soul of the World, nothing in this Universality of things can live or grow. But the Ancient Philosophers sought out various ways, by which that Spirit might be brought from a far off nigh unto us, be received and exhibited palpable, and at length they found the way, and by the benefit of it performed great things both in Medicine and in Alchymy, and that more or less, according as one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it. For the whole Art consists in this Concentration. Therefore, since by the Grace of GOD, unto me also is something known touching a like Concentration of the Universal Macrocosmick Spirit of Life, I was not willing (like some envious or covetous man) to keep so great a Gift of GOD to my self onely, and suffer the same to be buried with me; but chose rather (for the health of mankind, for the profit of my Neighbour, and for the Honour and Glory of GOD) to impart something thereabout; yet no more than is fit or convenient.
If any one desireth to extract some good thing from the Air, he must first well understand what will be a good Magnet, and how to make choice of an oportune place and time. For in a moist Season, you shall extract nothing but an unprofitable Water from the Air. Wherefore no man should undertake this labour of extracting, unless in the height or midst of Summer, when the Air is very serene, void of Clouds, and hot with the Solar Rays. Because, at such a time, the Magnet, which you shall hang up in the Sun, immediately (from the hot Rays of the Sun) extracts a medicinal Water, which every one may use according to his Capacity. Also, I would have you to know, that various Magnets are found, by help of which Water may be extracted from the hot Air, but all such Waters make not for our Universal Medicine. Yet I am willing here to subjoin some of those vulgar Magnets.
The First Magnet.
With 3, 4, or 6 Pound of Mercury, or more or less fill small Stone Jugs, or strong Glasses, which Glasses firmly closed let down into a deep cold Well, where the Mercury in it self will concentrate the Cold. Now, if you would extract Water from the Air, hang up such a cold Glass or Jug full of Mercury in the Air, where it will presently draw Water to it self. Therefore under the Glass or Jug must be set a Glass Tunnel with a long Pipe; by which the distilling Water may be received, and conveighed through the Pipe, from the hot Sun into a cold Cellar. If this be not done, the Sun will again draw to it self the distilled Spirit. You may leave the Magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and Water distils from it: But assoon as no more water will distil, you must immerge it again in a Cold Well, that it may recover its Coldness. In the mean while, instead of it hang up another; and repeat the labour so often as until you have gathered water enough.
Another Magnet.
Hang up in the hot Sun Jugs or Glasses full of such water; which of their own accord will their contract so great Coldness, as you can scarcely endure to touch them with your hand. To them, as is abovesaid, water will adhere, and distil into the Tunnels set under them.
A Cold water is thus prepared. In common water, or Spirit of Vitriol, dissolve of Sal. Armoniack and Salt-peter equal parts, as much as can be dissolved. With this water fill your Glasses, and with them, as is above shewed, extract water from the Air; and that will be equal in vertue to the former. If you be desirous to extract something more excellent from the Air, you must also expose to it more excellent Magnets. For as is the Magnet so it extracts.