THE PREFACE.
Candid Reader,
Among ancient Philosophers of the Heathen, as Chaldees, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, yea, and the Hebrews themselves, it was a long-received Custom, enigmatically to propose what they esteemed most worthy of confederation, lest such Secrets should either be divulged or lost; to the end, that unworthy persons having regard to the Letter only; and not respecting the Sence expressed in those words, might know nothing at all of them: But contrarily, the Worthy, enlightened with the Light of GOD and Nature, well understanding what is signified by those Words, might thence reap most profitable Fruit. The Truth of this is sufficiently proved by the Writings of ancient Philosophers; also by the Books of Moses, and the Histories of the Prophets. For all these, or the greatest part of them, do indeed need another explication, than the Letter it self seems to inferr, because some occult matter is in that contained.
In like manner our Christian Philosophers, both ancient and modern, discovered their Arcanum’s enigmatically; as, among many other, Basilius and Paracelsus did: For, although these men delivered all things true, yet they are understood by very few: Which hath been the occasion of Contempt and Reproaches, with which ignorant men, and the evilly-disposed, asperse all Philosophers (among whom Kings themselves, and divers Princes, in times past have been, and are yet found) and say, There is no such thing in Nature, as the Transmutation of Metals into a better state; and that The Universal Tincture or Stone of Philosophers was never found by any Man. Truly it is a matter worthy of sharp Reproof, and not to be suffered, that the Chymical Writings of many excellent pious men, should (although most consonant to Verity) be so maliciously rejected, and proclaimed false. This is rather due to Chymical Mountebanks, (understanding nothing less than Chymistry) because they expose to sale the Philosophers Stone unto others: This sort of men have rendered Chymistry so vile and abject at this day, as many men judge it a Reproach to be called Chymists.
That we might, as far as is possible, prevent this evil, and demonstrate those things to be true, which the above-named Writers have left to us, under the Title of The Salt of Ancient Philosophers, which by Paracelsus is called Elias the Artist; we resolved to effect the same thus.
Paracelsus treating of the Transmutation of Metals, because he was not willing to insignize The Salt of Philosophers with its true name, refers the Reader to Elias the Artist, who, he saith, when he comes, will teach the way by which the Transmutation of Metals may be effected. Here Men imagine Wonders, and generally regarding the words themselves, expect the coming of a certain Man sent from GOD, whom they believe, shall in the later Ages of the World, discover occult Arts, and make known the Secrets of Nature. Whereas, if the Name Elias the Artist be rightly considered, or a transposition of the Letters be made, we read Artis Salia, and these Salts indicate Elias the Artist of Paracelsus. These perform Wonders, so as a man possessing the Salt of Art, or knowing the nature thereof, may effect Wonders. Elias the Artist to such a man appears to be the cause of effecting marvellous things.
Basilius, in his Testament, did very obscurely describe this Salt, where he sheweth the way of making The Stone of Philosophers of common Vitriol; yet no man is able from those Writings to gather which way he should prepare the same.
Also he that considers the words of Paracelsus, where he foretells the coming of Elias the Artist, will find, that in that he describes Vitriol, both obscurely and openly; obscurely indeed in his Treatise entituled, The Tincture of Naturalists; openly, in that which he left, touching Vitriol in Species. He would not expresly say, that Elias the Artist, or The Salt of Art, was expresly contained in Vitriol; only this he was willing to shew to Posterity, viz. That the Art of changing vile Metals into better, was descended from the Ancients unto him, and with him should perish, until the coming of Elias the Artist, who should shew the true Transmutation of Metals, viz. in the 58th. year of the following Age. This time many have expected with grief and trouble, but in vain hitherto.
Many Philosophers, besides Paracelsus, have predicted the Coming of Elias the Artist, who coming from the North, attended with a strong Lion, shall teach Arts, find out and manifest the secret Treasures of Nature, and dispose the various mutations of mundane things for the benefit of Mankind. These have many men in vain believed to be spoken touching some one man; for if we consult the Writings of those men, who have set down this Prediction, we shall find them not to have intended a Man, but Salt-petre only, and his Brother the Salt of Art: Hence it is that they cry out, O our Salt! O our Salt-petre! O our Radical Salt! Hence also it is, that they write, If GOD had not created this Salt, it had been impossible to make our Medicine; and various expressions like to this, in many places of their Writings they use, as I have declared in several of my Tracts, especially in the [Third Part of The Prosperity of Germany], where (among other things) I said, I hoped that in time to come, by me should be unto all men exhibited Salt-Petre, or The Salt of Art, sitting (like some Monarch) in a Triumphal Chariot.
I doing this, take Paracelsus out of his Sepulchre, and (as himself predicted) turn him towards the Orient, that is, I expose him to the Light, by which the verity of that Prediction may be discerned by All.
Perhaps my Disciples may do the same; and they seeing the verity of the Transmutation of Metals, or restoring the Sick to health in a way unheard of, draw me after I am dead, or whilst I live, out of the Sepulchre into which my evil-minded Enemies have cast me. And when they do these things, they will effect so notable a mutation in Medicine and Alchymy, as indeed for the future there will be even no Artist, who will not see and understand the frauds, ignorance, or hatred of the proud and high-flown Adversaries of Art and Truth, and justly oppose themselves against such malicious Enemies of true Verity. Thus may those who have long before been blind, receive sight, profess themselves to have been Opposers of Truth, and strenuously labour to suppress and amend what’s amiss. In such a time not only true Medicine, and the most noble Art of Chymistry would begin to flourish, but also all Arts would ascend to a greater degree of perfection; and so one Age will exhibit it self much more excellent than others. Wherefore my Prayer is, that the Gates may be opened to divine and natural Arcanums, that Elias the Artist, and the Salt of Art would discover the predicted Golden Age, and that the most Wise GOD would unto pious men grant an entrance into the Land of Promise, that they may thence bring Fruits, and present them to their Neighbours, for the Honour of GOD most high, and the solace and comfort of the Needy. Amen.
Indeed Paracelsus makes some mention of this Salt in his Works, calling it Sal Enixum; but we in our Treatise (published in the year 1658.) of the nature of Salts, have somewhat more largely expounded the matter, calling that Sal Mirabile. In the present Treatise of the Salts of Art it is expresly called Elias the Artist; the verity of which Appellation, we shall by the help of GOD clearly demonstrate, viz. that Elias the Artist of Paracelsus signifies no other than the Salt of Philosophers, prepared of Salt-petre, common Salt, or Vitriol. Indeed it is in taste like Salt-petre, yet it is not inflammable, although it may be procured by Art. Paracelsus and Basilius made it of Vitriol, as several parts of their Writings shew, which for better knowledge sake I shall here insert.
Elias and Elisha, what men they were, and what miracles they wrought, Sacred Letters shew. The Miracles they wrought were Divine; the same almost is our Salt able to perform in a natural way: Therefore not without reason have we called it The Monarch of the World, or Elias the Artist; for there is no subject found in the nature of things, by help of which we are able to do the same, as may be effected by the benefit of This. The truth of this all Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals do witness, as we shall demonstrate variously anon.
But some One may say, Since Chymistry is treated of in so various Tongues, and there are found almost infinite numbers of Chymical Books, How comes it to pass, that this Salt hath so long remained unknown, even until this day, and it was never so clearly described by any Writer, as we thence could understand what it is, or which way it should be made? I answer, Writers and Readers also are found of a twofold condition. They, who writ by the guidance of Experience, did all acknowledge, and obscurely describe this Salt: Otherwise they, who compiled their Books from the Writings of others, being ignorant of the thing it self, proposed nothing but Fictions, leading the Reader into a Labyrinth and various By-paths.
Writers are diligently to be considered; regard is not so much to be had of their Words as of their Sence; if this be minded by you, you will find none of the true Writers, who did not make mention of this Salt, which, as it is manifest to those that understand, so it is hid from those who are yet ignorant of these things. You may find very many, who in Writings seek the Stone of Philosophers, and yet are ignorant what they seek, or what the Stone is, whether it be something black or white, hot or cold. And if such a thing should be presented to those men, they would neglect it, and after their fashion leaving the most precious Jewel, proceed to please themselves in Dung. Many men handle this Salt with their hands, yet what they have in their hands they know not, because they are blind, and their arrogant mind instigates them to betake themselves to things more vile. But on the contrary, not a few may be found, who will divulge none of those excellent things which they know. Oh, how happy is he that studies Taciturnity! he is permitted to lead a quiet life. I indeed do seriously bewail my so liberal Communication of Secrets, but I did that to discover the Wonders of GOD, to serve my Neighbour, and to preserve our Art. Egregious things would often be exhibited to the World, did not the high Ingratitude of mortals deterr the Writer, and prevent his good intention. When they find a man endowed with the Knowledge of some things beyond others, they flock about him, entreating him to impart his Secrets to them: there are found divers of this sort. The Wealthy come, the Needy come, and men of a middle condition also come. The first sort of men being, for the most part, very covetous, will return nothing in exchange; the second sort have not any thing to give; but the third only we have sometimes found grateful. What we have acquired with very great labour, we cannot easily impart to Enemies. Yet it often happens, that those who are judged good, are afterward found evil, and in a Farnnerian manner, for Benefits received, return Calumnies and Reproaches. Therefore, in such cases there is need of great circumspection, and we must not discover all we know, lest afterward we repent. But as for my self, I have not changed my mind, I have begun to make known the Wonders of the Omnipotent, and will go on (GOD willing) and kindle an unextinguishable Light to this blind World. In this Treatise I shall only describe the wonderful Virtues of the Salt of Art, reserving the way of preparing or use to my Friends; for what are our Arms, we must not cast them away, lest our Enemies take them up, and wound us with them, after the example of Farnner.
I speak of the Salt of Art, the Virtues of which I know, I will not communicate its Preparation or Use; all shall be open to my Friends, (yet with respect of persons) more than is fit, is already discovered to Enemies. Is there any reason we should cast Pearls before Swine? If what others obscurely treated of, I should here openly communicate to Enemies, would they, think you, cease to do evil, and begin to do well? Although I purpose not at all to discover the Preparation and Use of this Sal Mirabile, yet I doubt not, but that I shall prepare and make easie the way for finding it out; so as in a few years space all Europe will see Alchymy flourish, and not so much any other way, as from the discovery of this Salt.
Of other Arts, which we shall perceive to arrive to a more excellent state, the reason is the same. It is sufficient that I have shewed such an incomparable Salt is found in the nature of things; yea, I demonstrate the place where it may be found. If Columbus had not told us, That the Occidental part of the Earth did abound with Gold and Silver, who could have found the same, to bring such Treasures thence to us? If some One had not revealed, that gold, silver, and precious stones were contained in Caverns of the Earth, and Pearls to be found in the Sea, who (doubting the event) would ever have been at those vast charges of Diggings and Fishings? But now we all know such Treasures are to be found there, none refuseth to search for them. And although they are not obvious to all, yet that they are in being no man doubts; even so I judge it to be with our Sal Mirabile. The virtues of it I deliver, which are great, and with most easie labour, and a very little direction; other things may be thereby obtained. The only moving cause why I propose these things, is the most Wise GOD, whose wonderful Works I neither would nor could hide or keep to my self any longer.
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Miraculum Mundi, &c.
I. Of the Original of this Salt.
Touching the Original of this Salt, I have before shewed which way it should be made of F. and common Salt. Yet I would not have these words be so taken, as if the same could be prepared no other way than this. The methods of preparing it are various; for it may be prepared of G. only, without the mixture of common salt, yea, of allume, sulphur, or common salt, without the addition of H. or without the benefit of the Fire of any other salt. No salt can be found, which is not a commodious matter for this salt of Art; yet it may be collected from one more easily, and more copiously than from another. But because we exhibited one only way of preparing that before, as well for other reasons, as because of want of time, and lest we should be too tedious to the Reader; therefore we now think it convenient to signifie, that these wonderful salts may be prepared, and that they are endowed with special virtues denied to others, which they exercise, as well universally as particularly, in Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals. For, Who can deny that salt to be of another nature, which remains after the Destillation of spirit of common salt, and that which is left in the Destillation of Aqua-fortis or R. although they be salts of a most diverse nature, of which these are prepared?
Yet every one of these is endowed with power of dissolving and fixing. But that which is made of Sal Armoniack volatilizeth all bodies so, as the souls of them pass over by Alembick; in like manner a spirit separated from Sal-Armoniack, by the help of C. manifests other virtues and properties, than those which are found in the Spirit of common Salt. To one more accurately considering these, Arcanums of great note will exhibit themselves: But more of these elsewhere.
Of the Name of this Universal Salt.
On this Salt we impose the name of, The Universal Salt of Philosophers, respecting those excellent Powers and Virtues, with which it is endowed above any other Salt. We deservedly call it Universal, because it is the highest of those Medicaments which proceed from Minerals, Animals, or Vegetables; as in the following Treatise shall be demonstrated: Of Philosophers is added, because the demonstration of this matter is necessarily grounded on Philosophick foundations.
Of the Virtues of this Universal Salt.
Touching its virtues, they are innumerable, and we judge it impossible to discover them all; for if I should undertake only to write what I know of the virtues thereof, a whole years time, day and night labouring, would scarcely suffice. Perhaps GOD will discover more to others; perhaps they, who are younger than I, may find what is to me unknown. By me the first, by me the Guide is opened to the Searcher an entrance to things more excellent.
My purpose is to communicate to others those things, which the most Bountiful GOD hath largely conferred on me, for His Honour, and the profit of my Neighbour: I intend, I say, to divulge the wonderful Works of GOD, but at this time (by reason of various businesses and hindrances) I shall only make mention of some of the virtues, which I find to be in my Sal Mirabile, or Salt of Art, reserving the more special explanation of all things to a more commodious time.
This Salt is rightly called Universal, because it is the principal Medicament of the three Kingdoms, viz. of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, and hath power to perfect and augment the same. I remember that heretofore I have attributed to Nitre the Dignity of this, and not without reason; yet in many things it is inferiour to this Sal Mirabile, so as it deserves not to be compared with the same. Therefore in no wise correspondent to Verity are those Writings, which teach, That by the help of a certain Corrosive, a transparent Salt may be extracted from a Metal, and that Salt, dissolvable in water, is the true Salt of the Wise. Such Writings are of no other use, than to seduce the Ignorant by Lyes.
For the salt in which a Metal is dissolved, deserves no more to be called or esteemed a simple salt, but receives the condition of a metallick Vitriol, whether that Vitriol is green or yellow, of Sol and Luna, or white, of Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn; or blewish-green, of Mars and Venus; for what is to be an Universal Medicine, extending it self to all Kingdoms, must necessarily have no extraneous thing mixed with it. This is consentaneous even to the Judgment of Rusticks.
The true Universal Salt should be partaker of no metallick matter; but altogether pure, and most easily able to put on the nature of all things contained in the kingdoms of Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals, and so exhibit it self a most excellent Medicine. And since these Properties are most fully found in our Universal salt, there is no reason we should ascribe to it less Honour, or not preferr it before all salts.
Intending to expose the Verity of these sayings to all, we begin first with Vegetables.
Of the wonderful power of the Universal Salt in the kingdom of Vegetables.
I said in my Miracle of the World, and the Continuation thereof, that a sulphureous sweet salt is the most excellent Medicament of all Vegetables: The Truth of which no man hath cause to doubt; for I have shewed in various places, that barren grounds are made fruitful by the addition of that. Of this salt, which we may use instead of Dung, there is great diversity, for it is prepared of Wood-ashes, of Stones burnt to Lime, and of other bodies putrefied by length of time. But the Chief of all these is Salt-petre, being the salt of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals putrefied, especially because it is endowed with a certain occult and sweet Fire. Also the signature proper to it, clearly exposeth to our sight its augmentative virtue; for it exhibits not it self in a Cubical form, as is observed in corrosive salts, (altogether adverse to the augmentation of Bodies) but Dart-like or acuminate. By this signature Nature intended to shew of what condition and virtue salt-petre is. And indeed, if Experience be consulted, the things we have proposed will be found true, viz. that in Nitre is a principal Virtue, augmenting Bodies. As for example: R. what Corn you will, steep it for a night and day in Rain-water, wherein Nitre is dissolved, commit it to the earth, and you will find, that it not only shoots up more copious stalks and ears, and hath a more swift germination and ripening, but also is endowed with a much more acceptable taste, than other Corn in the vulgar manner produced by the help of the Dungs of Animals. But of this matter, more at large elsewhere.
Pure Nitre is a salt genited in old Stables, from the Dung and Urine of Animals. Urine and Dung are no other than Vegetables themselves, putrefied by digestion in the stomachs of Animals; which concoction is wont to be perfected in 24 hours space: But Vegetables and Animals, out of the stomachs of Animals, cannot be putrefied without long time, especially when they have acquired some undue hardness.
Thus we see Putrefaction differs in respect of time, yet it acknowledgeth no diversity; for whether it be made in the stomach of an Animal, or out of it, it is all one, and never different in virtues. By this medium the Vegetable kind hath its propagation and encrease, but altogether in a rustical manner, because a better way is not yet known.
Indeed, unto Philosophers is known a more easie and more compendious way of reducing Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals to their first matter, or into a sulphureous sweet Salt; yet they reserved the same among their Arcanums, lest such a most noble Art should be made too common.
As it is altogether impossible that the seed of any Vegetable set in dry Herbs should grow, or Man himself, or any other Animal, should be able to sustain Life, encrease, or be multiplied, with the only use of Sand or Flints; but earth moistened with a saline liquor, is required, unto which the seed must be committed; and in Man such Aliment must be digested in the stomach, as will easily be changed into nutriment of the Parts: so it is impossible to augment Metals, unless they have been before reduced to their first matter, and so spiritually conjoined each to other, as one may give nourishment and encrease to the other. All these things are far more easily and more readily performed by Art than by Nature.
By Art that all Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral subjects may most easily and swiftly be reduced to their first matter, which is a sulphureous sweet Salt; and by that means be multiplied, the true Universal Salt clearly demonstrates; which salt, if we observe its signature or long figure) is not only more excellent than Salt-petre, but is also generated easily in the air. We have discerned sand or a stone to imbibe this salt, if exposed to the air, and from an ingenited virtue thence to grow, yea, and that which first grew being taken away, in a few daies space another hath shewed it self, and so to Infinity. Indeed these things seem impossible, but they are not so to him who rightly knows Nature; for that augmentation is effected in a Magnetical manner, of which we do more fully treat in another place.
Hence, not without good cause, do we ascribe to this Universal Salt the title of HERO, and a most rich and liberal Monarch.