The PROCESS.
A most easie Way of acquiring Spirit of Salt together with the Sal Mirabile.
R. of common salt two parts, dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of common water; pour A. upon the solution; put the mixture into a glass Body, or a glass Retort well coated, or else into an earthen Body or Retort. If a Body, set on an Head, and begin to destil with Fire of sand, encreasing your Fire gradually; with the first heat comes off the unsavoury Phlegm, which gather apart; when the Liquor comes forth sowrish, change your Receiver, and receive the sowre Spirit: Continue the operation till no more spirits will arise, then let out the Fire, and permit the Vessel to stand in sand till all is cooled, when cold, take it out, and if it be unbroke, fill it again with the aforesaid matter, and proceed as we taught: The Phlegm is not to be cast away, but must be kept, that in it may be dissolved Salt (because it is better than common Water) for another destination. Thus from every pound of Salt you will have ℔ j. of the best and most pure spirit. Dissolve the salt remaining in the Body or Retort (if neither be broke) in Water, filter and evaporate the Water, let it crystallize, the Crystals will be white, endowed with wonderful Virtues, to be declared here following.
Note, If the Glass be broke, there will be no necessity of dissolving the Salt, it will be enough to take out the dried Sal Mirabile, and reserve it for Use.
Note, This destillation may be performed in a silver Body, for so doing, we shall be free from all danger of breaking; yet the Vessel must be made of very pure Silver, void of all Copper, lest those most sharp spirits do attract the Copper from the Silver, and so the Body become altogether porous and soft. Although in the salt is no property agreeing with silver, yet every destillation it raceth off some of the silver, which that you may save, gather the white Powder left in the Filtre, after filtration of the dissolved salt. Dry this Powder, moistened with a strong Lixivium, and melt it in a Crucible into silver; yet you must not institute this melting of the silver per se, because it hath acquired such volatility from the spirit of salt, as it will fume all away.
And although every destillation some quantity of the silver be raced off, yet you may destil the same matter some hundreds of times in the same Body, before you shall need a new one. Thus we shall have the less need of Glasses, and sooner perform the destillations, because a strong Fire may be given at first, without fear of breaking the Vessel.
A yet more compendious way is, when we set the Body alone upon a Trivet, and by putting Fire under it, extract the spirit; for so we shall need no Furnace, unless we will, for better constringing the heat: Nor will any great quantity of Coals be spent in such extraction, because ℔ j. of salt may be destilled with two or three ℔ of Coals.
This spirit being of it self sufficiently clear, and of a grateful taste, needs no rectification.
Yea, it is able to effect more than we ascribe to it in our Writings. Also the remaining salt effects other incredible things, besides those we ascribed to it in our Treatise of the nature of salts.
Plainly, after the very same manner as we have taught spirit of salt to be prepared, so may also be made Aqua-fortis and Aqua-regis. Instead of salt, take Nitre, and you will have Aqua-fortis; and if to a solution of Salt and Nitre, equal parts, you add a sufficient quantity of B. you will, by help of Destillation, acquire Aqua-regis.
Therefore since the infallible Basis and Foundation of Medicine and Alchymy is C. or else D. it is now known to us, which way, and for little Charge, we may produce large quantities of this Medicine; whereas in the vulgar way great Costs and Labour is required; and the more easily we can obtain it, the more abundantly profitable will it be to us, especially when we intend to bestow time in the transmutation of the more vile Metals. Wherefore its principal Use is directed to the Preparation of F. as is said most easily. Hence also the spirit of salt and Sal Mirabile may duly be used in true Medicine and fruitful Alchymy.
Of a Lyon and Panther is produced a most sharp-sighted Lynx; yea, of a Lyon and Eagle is genited a most potent Dragon, vomiting Fire, flying on high, and carrying up in the air an Horse, with a man sitting upon him. Although these can do very much, yet they could not preserve the most noble Art of Alchymy from being accounted unprofitable and neglected by evil-minded and ignorant men. Yet at length an unsatiable Gulo consuming all things, being genited of a Dog and a Wolf, restored the same to a due splendour. This dares to demonstrate the species of Metals to be mutable, contrary to the opinion of Aristotle, and by this means plainly shew and confirm, that Alchymy is most profitable, and contemned without cause. Alchymy stands obliged to this, because by the same it hath recovered its pristine and truly royal honours; to this, because it both acquires favour and praise.
Of the Utility which our Salt of Art contributes unto all Men, of what state or condition soever they be.
The Utility of this is very great, for if seeds, before they be sowed, be steeped in it, they will yield an incredible encrease; which is a thing of very great concern to all men dwelling on the Earth, because they shall never sustain the want of Bread.
And will not the Husband-man, gathering in his Fruits for less labour and charge than in the vulgar manner, be able the more certainly to pay his Dues to the Magistrate?
Of Artificers also the Reason is the same; because they being hereby better able to exercise their Crafts, may also return the benefits thereof to their superiours.
Unto Physicians, by the help of this, are known more excellent Medicaments, and they being present, more speedy and certain relief is procured to the sick.
So is it with Apothecaries, Chirurgions, and their Medicines, Plasters, and Unguents, which by this are more perfectly prepared, and therefore the Cure is sooner, and more happily absolved, than by Medicines vulgarly known.
And I believe every Artificer and Trading Man, when he can perform his Work with less labour and charge, and acquire his Wares for less trouble and cost, will sell his Commodities to his Neighbours, at a cheaper rate than he could before he found the benefit of this salt.
Husbandmen and Gardeners, and other such labouring men, when they can more easily, sooner, and more abundantly reap their Fruits than before, cannot chuse but sell to the buyers for less price than they could afford them at when they had no benefit of this.
Thus we generally see, of how great Utility our Salt of Art is, or what benefits may thence redound to men of every condition. What man, considering these things, will not imploy all his faculties that he may become the Master of such a salt, whence he may not only benefit himself, but his Neighbour also?
Of the Use of this Sal Mirabile in Medicine.
1. This Salt ought to be numbred among Universal Purgers, for by a Magnetick Virtue it extracts all sorts of noxious humours out of the Body.
2. This purging Property is augmented by Metallick or Mineral Bodies dissolved in it.
3. For expelling all depraved humours, the most profitable to be dissolved in it, is Antimony; when the Medicine is to be appropriated to the Heart, Gold; when to the Brain, Silver; to the Liver, Spleen, and Reins, Iron; to the Lungs, Tin and Sulphur; to the Habit of the Body, Copper and Mercury.
4. If purging Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals be boiled in the Water in which this salt is dissolved, and that decoction be used in a Clyster, we know all corrupt humours will be evacuated thereby.
5. In all those Persons, young or old, which cannot or will not take purging Medicaments, either by the mouth, or otherwise, it will be very profitable to free their bodies from corrupt humours, to make suppositories of Honey and this salt mixed.
6. In Head-achs, all Fevers, and the Epilepsie, it will deserve the praises of a suitable Purger.
7. In Catarrhs, when the Head is full of Phlegmatick Humours, half a grane, or a whole grane of this snuffed up the Nostrils early in the morning, or in the day-time, wonderfully evacuates the Phlegm.
8. It is an admirable Remedy in Affects of the Jaws, and parts adjacent, as the Tongue, Tonsils, Cheeks, and Gums, having their original from a sharp Catarrh falling down, and oftentimes conjoined with Ulceration and Corruption, as is frequently known to happen in Scorbutick Diseases. For it extracts the humours causing the Evil, and heals the part vitiated, if it (dissolved in Water) be often used hot as a Gargarism, and the use of Purging not neglected.
9. In like manner, in the Tooth-ach it performs Wonders, drawing out the Humours causing dolour in the Teeth; if as much as will lie on the point of a knife, or ʒ j. of it, be applied, tied up in a fine Cloth, to the aking Tooth, yet after the use of some gentle Purgation.
10. It is a famous Medicine in Affects of the Eyes and Ears, drawing their Original from a Catarrh, provided the use of some Purging Medicine be not neglected.
11. This salt is egregiously useful, and especially after Metallick Bodies have been dissolved in it, against green Wounds of the Body and old Fistula’s.
12. If it be mixed with a due quantity of common Water, and thence a Bath be made, it admirably clears away the Scab and like Affects of the skin, better than natural Baths themselves; for by its famous power of attracting depraved Humours, lying between the skin and flesh, and producing such Affects, it heals and extracts the same, especially if that power be helped by some other Medicine.
13. It extracts Humours of every kind, sharp, gnawing, or which, are most firmly inherent in the external parts, or which often produce Vermin like Lice, and cannot be removed by Baths or Unguents.
14. This used internally and externally, (viz. in a Bath) extracts the Water out of Dropsical persons; and this it effects so much the more powerfully, if Gold be dissolved in it.
15. It is a famous Medicine for removing Dolours of the Gout, or diminishing the same.
16. Inwardly given, it is conducent against bloody Fluxes of every kind.
17. Also externally applied, it wonderfully stops Blood in Wounds, especially if after it is calcined and reduced to Powder, it be mixed with Cobwebbs or Peacocks Dung, or which is better, when Steel hath been dissolved in it.
18. It kills and expels all Worms.
19. In Fractures of Bones, and in Ruptures, it is a most excellent Medicament.
20. It, dissolved in Water, and put upon the body, not only preserves Insects from Corruption, but also greater Animals, and Man; yet it may be used in a more dry form.
21. It is an excellent Conditure not only of Animals but also of Plants and Flowers.
22. It preserves bodies dissected from rottenness, stink, and dryness; contrary to what we have observed Turpentine, Spirit of Wine, Aloes and Myrrh to do; yea, from decay, as we have seen done in Salt-water.
23. It of Gold produceth an excellent Elixir, in a few daies, some granes of which used either liquid or dry, most gently expels depraved Humours by Urine, Sweat, and Seidge. Such an Universal Arcanum was never before this time known to Mortals; we liberally give it, for the Honour of GOD, and Health of our Neighbour.
24. It so prepareth Gold, as by the help of Alcolizate spirit of Wine, it passeth the Alembick of a golden colour, and is a famous Medicament.
25. Also by the help of that (although after another manner) a blue Tincture may be extracted from Gold, of excellent use in Medicine and Alchymy.
26. It is able to impress the nature of Vegetables on all Metals; so as Metals this way prepared, and added to the Roots of Herbs, impart to those Herbs the nature of the Metal applied. How famous the use of such Metallick Medicines will be in Medicine, it is easie to understand.
Of the Utilities of the Salt of Art, in various ARTS.
1. It suddenly coagulates River-Water, Rain-Water, or any destilled Water, so as it becomes Ice, and may be carried in Paper, a Sack, or Wooden-Box or Chest, wheresoever you will, and be dissolved when need is, so as the salt may be separated from the Water; which salt is not at all changed by the Water, but may oftentimes again be used for like Coagulations.
2. After the same manner Wine, Vinegar, Beer, Metheglin, and like Drinks, may be reduced by coagulation into a clear substance, and again be most easily dissolved.
3. Also by help of that may be coagulated saline spirits, as, Aqua-fortis, Aqua-Regis, spirit of Salt, spirit or oil of Vitriol, and the like, so as they will become hard salts, without any change or corruption, portable in Paper or wooden Boxes, to other places, where being dissolved when need is, they exhibit a Liquor distinct from the salt, the salt in the mean while keeping its coagulating Virtues intire.
4. To Honey and Syrup it gives the consistency of sugar.
5. Fountains may be so stopped with it, as their flowing to be stayed.
6. It changeth wood in process of time into a most hard stone.
7. It abstracts the superfluous Phlegm from Wine, Beer, Vinegar, and spirit of Wine, so as they become the stronger.
8. It separates the Phlegm from subtile Mineral-spirits, whence they are made volatile and more powerful.
9. It takes away from Wine, Beer, Vinegar, and spirit of Wine, its ungrateful taste or odour, and unto them also gives greater clearness.
10. Also it corrects the unsavory smell of Vessels, so as we may commodiously use them.
11. It preserves for a long time all Fruits, as Cherries, Apples, Pears, Grapes, Garlick, yea, Hens-Eggs, and whatsoever may be changed by the air, and otherwise would be corrupted.
12. Unto Painters it may be a Basis for their Colours.
13. The seeds of Vegetables moistened in it, are wonderfully multiplied, so as from one only grane 10, 20, or 30 ears will arise: And the same will be effected, if the salt it self be committed to the earth.
14. It causeth the Earth long to keep the Rain-Waters it receiveth. Hence must necessarily arise great profit to the Fruits.
15. This applied to the Roots of Trees, recovers them, though almost dead before, and makes them fruitful.
16. Yea, Animals suffocated or drowned in Waters, as Dogs, Cats, Mice, and Insects, by help of it may again be restored to life.
17. It attracts the breathings of many men lying together in one Chamber, and coagulates the same as snow or ice; not indeed by any reall co-touching, but being included in some Glass, and hung up by a Thread. Even so, in a Magnetick manner have we observed such breath or vapour to adhere to the outside of Glass like true Ice. But this is a Winter operation.
18. Flowers and odoriferous Herbs, by addition of this, may be preserved without change of odour, taste, or colour.
19. By the benefit of this salt, various colours and very many odoriferous species may be prepared; whence the Roots of Plants, if they be applied to them, attract the colour or odour, which they communicate to the Herbs themselves.
20. It takes away the bitterness of Oil-Olive, rendering it sweet and clear, better than boiling can do.
21. Linseed-Oil being mixed with it, is presently clarified, and freed from its Aquosity, which otherwise cannot be effected in many daies. [See more in the Second Century.]
Of the Use of the Salt of Art in Alchymy.
1. It dissolves and fixeth all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals.
2. In three hours space it reduceth all the aforesaid into their first matter, whence most excellent Medicaments are made, and whence proceeds a product of Metals, new and more excellent than others.
3. It demonstrates, that in all Herbs, none excepted, there is volatile ☉, and teacheth which way it should be fixed.
4. It adds strength to Aqua-fortis, Aqua-Regis, and spirit of salt.
5. In a few hours space, it extracts the soul from Gold, so as it ascends by Alembick, and becomes a very excellent Medicament.
6. To the white body of ☉, and of other Metals, spoiled of its soul, it restores the same.
7. In a very short time it reduceth Gold to such an essence, as it may be united with the seeds of Vegetables, and communicate it Self to the Herbs.
8. It extracts Gold, Silver, and Copper from Metals most compendiously, and with very great profit, in a dry way, without fusion or any addition.
9. It gives more noble qualities to metals, whilst they are washed in it, so as even by the help of such a Lotion, Iron can join it self with Mercury, yea, become fluid and ductile, like Copper, which is a thing very profitable.
10. It brings imperfect Metals by graduation to maturity, and so changeth them into ☉ and ☽, as well by the dry as humid way.
11. It can ripen every iron into steel.
12. By the help of this, Iron may be changed into Copper, Copper into Silver, and Silver into Gold, either by the humid or dry way. Also every Gold may be brought to the 28th. degree, yea, to a true Tincture. But of the last I have as yet made no experiment; nevertheless, it seems not to be impossible, because there is no metal which may not be changed into another, and indeed more excellent metal; yea, we know that common ☉ keeping its colour, may be exalted. And although the way of making this Tincture is not yet certainly known, yet there will be some one, that shall succeed us, to whom GOD will grant the knowledge of the same, who shall stop the mouthes of all slanderous and evil-minded men, and discover their malice.
But some one may say, How shall we know this colour of Gold to be true Gold, and not Copper? To him I answer; For this Process neither Copper nor any other Metal is required; only a Vegetable Sulphur with the Salt of Art absolves that. Whence then should the Copper have access to the Gold? To say, from the Vegetable Sulphur, is nothing: for that must be numbred among Miracles. Hence, if that should be Copper, we see it may well be demonstrated, that all Metals yea, and The Philosophers stone it self, may be prepared of Vegetables. Which is a saying most nearly correspondent to Truth: for there is no Plant, yea, I say, no Excrement, no not humane Dung, which exhibit not true Gold, or a true Tincture. Therefore this colour, which we find to have access to Gold, by help of the Sal Mirabile, and Vegetable Sulphur, argues not Copper, but true Gold. The Elementary Rays of ☉ have passed into Sulphur in the coagulation in Herbs; this, by help of the Salt of Art, is changed into Tincture, when fixed, and added to Gold, becomes corporeal.
From these and the like, we judge the certainty of the Transmutation of Metals to be sufficiently manifest to every one. Indeed many have endeavoured to demonstrate this, but none more clearly than I have done, because this appertains to Sal Mirabile only. Therefore let Ignorants cease to gain-say GOD and the Truth, lest they be severely punished.
These, and various such-like Transmutations, may be performed with very great profit; therefore I judge it needless to speak more of them. Occasion of knowing many things offers it self to Posterity, if GOD give the Blessing. For the Utilities of this Salt are daily more and more known to my Disciples, so as it cannot otherwise be, than that all Europe by the help of this Salt only, shall see true Alchymy flourish. Whence, and not undeservedly, it is called the Salt of Art, or Elias the Artist, who entring into the World, should communicate various Arts to the same. Here you now have him, teaching those things which alwaies were accounted impossible.
The World not contented with this Elias, must necessarily expect another. The Jews considering the abject state of Christ, esteemed him unworthy the Honours of the before prophesied of Messias, altho’ with their own eyes they saw very many Miracles wrought by him. If the same happen at this day in this case, what wonder is it? It is very hard to belive, that such a wonderful Salt can be found in most abject Vitriol.
Could such men know the nature of common Vitriol exposed to the eyes of all men, they would easily understand more to be contained in the same, than I have attributed to my Sal Mirabile. It is better something should be reserved to Posterity, than all things laid open to our Age. I have begun, let others proceed.
Paracelsus, in that Chapter he writ of Vitriol, saith, By help of this every Iron may be changed into the best Copper but which way, something more excellent, viz. Iron, may be changed into Gold, Elias the Artist (which we call the Salt of Art) when he comes, will demonstrate, That the occult virtues contained in Vitriol may be more known to every man, what this Author left in Writing, touching Vitriol, I thought good here to insert.
Therefore, since I in this Treatise denominate my Salt of Art, Elias the Artist long since predicted, some one may properly say, My Glauber, you proclaim your Sal Mirabile to be Elias the Artist; but in Paracelsus’s Writings we read, That when he comes, he will teach the way of transmuting Iron into Gold; now shew us which way your Sal Mirabile can do this. I answer, That here is nothing of impossibility, I have obscurely in this and other places shewed; but which way the Operation is to be instituted, I have not declared: because I my self have not as yet obtained a perfect understanding of the same. Nevertheless, that it is possible we have often observed; for Iron hath access to Gold, and so augments it even as it augments Copper.
For when Copper is dissolved in a certain salt, and the solution is poured upon thin Iron Plates, not only the Copper and Iron settle to the bottom, and so becomes Copper again, but also whilst the coction is performing, a great quantity of the Iron hath access to the Copper, so as you take out more Copper than you put in. I bring for a true Testimony of this Experiment, the Saying of that most true Writer, Lazarus Ercker, in his Probatory Book, where he saith, He had often observed, that Iron Instruments in length of time were changed into Copper, without any depravation of their Figure. Yet it is credible, that this Mutation is from Spirits, not from Bodies, because Spirits are endowed with a greater penetrative power.
Since the Writings of this man are in the hands of few, I thought good here to insert what he hath left written, touching the Transmutation of Iron into Copper.
Whether Copper may be made of Iron.
Courteous Reader,
I did for a long time persist in denying, That Iron in Coppery Waters, such as are made of Vitriol, green Tartar, and the like, could be precipitated into Copper; nor could I in any wise believe, that any encrease could come to Copper, from Iron; but daily Experience hath taught the contrary, viz. That in Mines and Mountains of Vitriol, were left Iron Instruments, which after long time were changed wholly into Copper. For although precipitation of Copper is made, by the benefit of Iron, yet the same quantity of that, as is put in, is not taken out again. Notwithstanding this, here it is to be observ’d, that together with the Copper, which is so precipitated, Silver also (if any be) settles to the bottom. Therefore they seem to do well, who for Precipitation of Silver, besides Copper cast also into the Aqua-fortis Plates of Iron: And so in one and the same Operation, Silver and Copper settle to the bottom, and we save all, which the separatory Water did contain.
As it is manifest, Copper may be made of Iron, so also that the same may be changed into Gold, is most easily demonstrated. That it is possible, I have often observed, although without profit, because the true way of Operating was then unknown to me.
Iron is not changed into Copper in every solution, but in that which is in certain Determinate Salts. For, if you dissolve ℥ ss. of Copper in Aqua-fortis, and to repress the sharpness of the Aqua-fortis add a little common Water, cast in Plates of Iron, or duly institute coction; ℥ ss. of Copper will indeed be precipitated by the Iron, but the Iron not changed into Copper. The certain reason of this, we believe, is, because no Salt having power of Graduation, was added to the Aqua-fortis. Of Gold, the reason is the same, if it be dissolved in Aqua-regis; for the Gold is here found to be precipitated alone, and the Iron not changed into Gold, because of the defect of salt convenient for gradation.
But if a solution of Copper or Gold be made in spirit of salt, and Iron cast into that solution, then not only the Copper or Gold settles to the bottom with the Iron, but also in this solution part of the Iron passeth into Copper or Gold, because the spirit of salt more potently acts upon the Iron, and introduced Tincture better than Aqua-fortis.
Although any Iron, as you see, may be changed into Copper or Gold, yet no profit is thence to be expected, for commonly some part of the Gold remains in the solution, and is not precipitated; and which way this may be separated from the Water is not known to all. Therefore it is better to omit this Operation, than to labour and be at charge to no purpose: For reduction of this Gold, mixt with the solution, experienced men are required, which will do all things with judgment, and are not contented with that only which exposeth it self to sight.
Yet I do not in any wise think that such gradation cannot be instituted without profit. If we can really transmute a very small Particle of Iron into Gold or Copper, Why may we not also do the same in a greater quantity? It is our faults if we do it not, who are ignorant how to use rightly Salts of gradation, sufficiently able to compleat the work. That the way of effecting that was known to Paracelsus, I doubt not; yet he would not communicate it to the ungrateful World, but referred the divulgation thereof to the coming of Elias the Artist, and that not without Reason. I doubt not, but that this gradation may be performed with very great profit, by help of my Sal Mirabile, or Salt of Art; yet I cannot subscribe to it as an infallible certainty. I have other things now in hand to speak of: My Labours and almost incredible Charges have discovered various secrets, which I publickly communicate for the profit of my Neighbour. Other things may be effected in time, by which (Darkness being discussed) Light may be given to the World, and the Miracles of the Omnipotent GOD be exposed to the view of all. Here is need of Labour.
That Gradation of Iron may be made by the help of appropriate salts, so as to be changed into Copper, Silver, or Gold, our Sal Mirabile plainly enough declares, whether the gradation be instituted in an humid way, or Cementation made in the dry.
Now it remains, that we demonstrate, that such gradation may be made by spirits, having power of perfecting and fixing, so as no consumption of the Iron be, as we see done in the addition of Aqua-fortis. It is sure that the same gradation which Lazarus Ercker said, he observed in the aforesaid Mountains, is of like condition; and since we possess such Spirits, we also, remote from Mountains, may effect the same. I cannot believe that any other can (if he would) teach us the way of preparing such spirits, besides Elias the Artist.
In what relates to me, I say, that this gradation of Iron may be the better performed, Copper, Silver, and Gold must first be reduced into Vitriol, having power to effect gradation, and that indeed by the benefit of the Salt of Art. I have more than once, by the help of the Salt of Art, changed silver or gold into a green Vitriol: I need not speak of Copper, the mutation of which is far more easie, yet the other is not very difficult, and indeed in an humid way. For I have not seldome (when it happened that the Iron being consumed, my labour was to no purpose) had one end of an Iron Wier changed into Copper, and the other into Gold. If time will permit, for my Friends sake, and that they may be mindful of me, I will repeat the same labour. But the principal thing, which infers difficulty in this Operation, is a too great corrosion of the Iron by the Vitriol.
Note. Besides this, there are other things, which cause difficulty, and so render the labour invalid, in the dry way as well as in the humid, viz. the aptness of Glasses to break in the humid; and of Crucibles in the dry way; whence it comes to pass, that the Sal Mirabile cannot be kept in them a due time, but runs out.
The gradation of iron into gold, in what way soever made, without gold can very difficultly be perfected; and if a glass happen to break, Who shall be able to gather up what runs out? The loss of one gradation, by the breaking of the Vessel, and outflowing of the Liquor, will scarcely be repaired with 5 or 6 other gradations compleated without loss. Therefore it is best to desist from such Works.
Of that Operation, which is performed by the dry way, the reason is the same. For here the gold, which is added for gradation, is almost all lost, without regard to the breaking of Crucibles, which by that means cannot contain the Salt of Art its due time: And besides all this, the substance of the Crucible will imbibe some of it, and together with the same part of the Gold; and, Who can without loss extract it thence? Yea, we think the Crucibles drink in a greater quantity of the gold, than we acquire by the gradation, although our Work succeed well. By Experience it is manifest to me, that when there are eight parts of Gold, but one part of Iron in gradation is changed into Gold, which way soever the Work is performed. What will it avail to spend our time in perfecting those things, the event of which is very uncertain? This is the reason why very many with me have refused this profitable Operation.
We considering the possibility of the matter, whether it was possible to prevent those difficulties, began to labour, but to no purpose, a great while, until at length it pleased the Highest Giver of all Good things to hear our Prayers, and opened to us the way of preparing such Glasses, as (although not luted) are able to bear the vehemency of Fire without coating; and Crucibles also we know how to harden so, as they will continually keep Metals in Flux. I now hope, if GOD hinder not, for better success.
A man not fearing the breaking of Glasses and Crucibles, might perform egregious things, this way handling Metals, according to his will instituting gradations and fixations, and so reduce Metals to due maturity, even as the sun, by continual digestion, ripeneth Fruits: For no man, if he fear breaking of his Vessel, and loss of his matter, is able to keep the same till its final compleatment in a Glass or Crucible.
By the benefit of either of these inventions, such things may be effected in Medicine and Alchymy, as before were impossible to be done.
Yet let no man sollicite me (considering the great labour and vast charge I have expended thereon) to divulge this secret. Nevertheless, that it may not be buried with me, I purpose to communicate that to two of my most loving Friends, adding (besides many other Arcanums) a succinct Explanation of this second part of the Miracle of the World. It will concern these men to use the same for the Honour of GOD, and good of their Neighbour. I did not this to profit our selves, because they are rich enough and I live contented with what I have, but only that the sustentation of the Poor might be chiefly regarded.
Iron may also another way be changed into Gold or Copper, viz. by the help of fiery spirits, which Salt-Petre (the Cousin-German of our Salt of Art) exhibits, and of which I have very plainly discoursed in a special Treatise, not yet published. That you may see the possibility, I will declare the matter by example.
Make a Fulmen of Tartar, Sulphur, and Nitre mixt, to this add of the Minera (or Ore) of Copper, Silver, or Gold, never exposed to the vehemency of Fire, but still endowed with its own Sulphur, endowed with power of tinging and perfecting Gradation an eighth part. Put ℥ fs. or ℥ j. of the mixture into a Crucible at one time, and set this Crucible under the Receiving Vessels of our fifth Furnace, and with a live Coal kindle the Fulmen, and then the Orifice being well closed, you will find and observe the Gradation of Iron unto Copper, Gold, or Silver, according to the diversity of matter added to the Fulmen. Here most commodiously may be used Steel-Needles; these I have often drawn out of a Crucible, wholly changed into Gold.
Note. He who intends to make Gradation with Gold, must necessarily apply Receivers, in which he may collect the volatile Spirits of Gold. If a man be contented with a very small quantity, he needs not use Receivers, afterward (being first assured of the certainty of the Operation) he may build a Furnace fit for it. I built such a Furnace, in which the last Summer, for my Friends sake, I performed this Operation.
Note. If a sufficient abundance of good Metals be wanting, that your labour may not be in vain, it will be requisite to make the same spiritual with Salt-Petre, before they be added to the Fulmen. If you would make trial of graduating into Gold, to ℥ j. of the Fulmen, you may add ʒ j. of fulminating Gold (precipitated with spirit of Urine, not with Lixivium) and your endeavour will have good success, if you proceed right.
By help of this Fulmen, all Metals may be changed into Gold or Silver; that is, the true Regal Cement of ancient Philosophers, which they alwaies kept secret; only Paracelsus, in his Preface to the Book of Cements, was willing to make some small discovery; You must not (saith he) so much regard the Ingredients of the Cement, but the way of cementing is only to be considered, the Fire only, which is in it, must be endowed with power of fixing and graduating. Yea, in his Book of Vitriol he almost speaks the same.
But some one may say, What is that Regal Cement, or what is the way of using the same? Although this hath been alwaies kept as a Secret, yet I in these last times communicate the same to All. There is indeed no Metal, which may not (even without the addition of any other thing having power of perfecting Gradation) by the help of this only, be turned into gold; as in our work of ♄ we largely shew. Yet this Operation is not done with so great profit, as that which adds Powders perfecting gradations to the Cement; nevertheless it is sufficient to shew the possibility.
But that the Doctrine of Elias the Artist may be more manifest by the aforesaid Paracelsus, we thought good here to subjoin his own words at large, which take as follows.
THE BOOK
OF
Philip Theophrastus Bombast
Of Hohenheim, Monarch of Philosophers, Prince of Spagyrists, Chief of Astronomers, Paradoxical Physician, and great Master of Mechanick Secrets.
TOUCHING
The TINCTURE of Natural Things,
Against Sophisters born since the Flood, in the Age of Our LORD
JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD.
THE PREFACE.
Since thou, Sophister, with foolish and lying Words, hast reproached me in all places, because I was born in Helvetia, that I am rude, and understand or know nothing; also, that being one Letter more than a Physician, I rove and wander about from one Region to another: Therefore I purpose in this small Treatise to discover and lay open to the World, ignorant and unexperienced men; also that in the first Age good Arts were in being; and what your Art is able to effect against mine and mine against yours, and what is to be judged of either, and how Posterity in the Age of Grace will imitate me.
Consider Hermes, Archelaus, and others in the First Age, what Spagyrists they were, and how great Philosophers. That they were such, is witnessed even by their Enemies, who are thy Patrons, (or Idols rather at this time) O Sophister. But if this had not been testified by your Authentick Fathers and falsly-reputed Saints; yet the ancient Smaragdine-Table discovers more of Art and Experience in Medicine, Alchymy, Magick, and other like Sciences, than can ever be taught by you and all your Tribe. If from the Precedent you do not yet understand what, and how great Treasures these be, tell me why no Prince or King was able to subjugate the Egyptians? Then why did Dioclesian the Emperour command all Books of Chymistry (how many soever they were he could come by) to be burnt? For their Books being destroyed, they were long since compelled to bear such an intolerable Yoke, as will in time fall upon the neck of thee and thy Collegues, O Sophister.
In this Middle Age the Monarchy of all Arts is at length derived to me, Theophrastus Paracelsus, Prince of Philosophy and Medicine; for unto this am I chosen by GOD, that I may extinguish all Phantasies of devised, putatitious, and false Works, and presumptuous Words, whether they be the Placets of Aristotle, Galen, Avicen, Mesue, or any other Follower of them. And my Theory proceeding from the Light of Nature, shall never fail through its unconstancy, nor be changed, but begin to flourish in the 58th. year of the following Age. Then the Practice following, it shall be proved by admirable and incredible Signs, so as it shall be openly manifest to Mechanicks and the Common People, how constant and unmoved the Paracelsick Art stands against the Trifles of Sophisters; in the mean while that Sophistick Art hath need of Papal and Imperial Privileges, to strengthen and uphold its Impertinencies. But whereas I am by thee, O Sophister, accounted a Beggar and Vagabond, the Danube and the Rhine, I being silent, shall answer for me to thee. Often hath those impertinently-devised Calumnies of thine against me, displeased many Princes and Earls, also Imperial Cities, Noblemen, and Knights; for I have a Treasure in a certain City of Forum Julij, called Weiden, hid in the Hospital there, which neither thou Leo the Roman, nor thou Charles the German, with all your Substance, are able to purchase. Although a signate Star fell upon the Arcanum of your Names, yet it was known by none but the Sons of the Divine Spagyrick Art. Wherefore since, thou Verminous and Lowsie Sophister, judgest the Monarch of Secrets to be an ignorant Fool and prodigal Decocter, I will now, in the middle Age, openly discover (as an honourable prosecution of those things I have asserted) the Virtues and Preparation of that Tincture, for the profit and honour of the Lovers of Truth, and that the Contemners of true Arts may be reduced to Beggary. The latter Age will be illustrated and honoured with this Arcanum, as the Gift of GOD, and manifest Endowment of the true Spirit, so as from the Beginning of the World the like sprout of Understanding and Wisdom was scarcely ever heard of. In the mean while, Vice shall not be able to suppress the Just, nor the Riches or power of those that are evil, be any Damage to the Upright.
Of Philip Theophrastus Paracelsus
His Tincture of Natural Things, &c.