A Preface to the Reader.
To whomsoever this little Book (treating of the Propriety, Nature, and Essence of that incomparable Subject, by the ancient Philosophers called, The Universal Menstruum or Solvent, shall occurr, and is offended in reading of those great virtues by me ascribed to it; and because he understandeth not the thing, judgeth it not to be credited; I would have him know, that whatsoever power I have attributed to it, that that is in no wise a Figment, Dream, or vain Opinion, but to be taken for a Truth, found out by a diligent and manifold Practice. But which will be most profitable, for me to prostitute all my inventions to the World, or conceal them? For which cause I will (at least for the present) only point at many wonderful things which may be performed by this universal Menstruum, but not treat of them, leaving it free for every man to believe my sayings as far as he pleaseth; but if they shall be credited by no man, it shall not disturb me, it being sufficient for me to have shewed where and by what reason, the truth or secrets of nature are to be found.
As for the Subject whose nature and operations I have determined to touch upon, it is like to that of which I have made mention in my Mineral work, by the signal name of Alkahest, which appellation I have there demonstrated, not to be imposed upon it without reason. But seeing that long since the chief Menstruums of some Philosophers, were called by the same name, and that I know not whether theirs were like to mine or mine to theirs in nature and virtues, shall not much trouble me; for it matters little for diverse Menstruums to be called by the same name, although they do not answer one another in all things. For even as wine is wine, although it come from Germany, Italy, France or Spain, nevertheless each is wine, although the one exceed the other in strength and rellish, as long as the same nature and virtues are found in it, which ought to be in wine: The same is to be judged concerning my Alkahest: To wit, that if the virtues be agreeably to the name, from whatsoever Subject it be extracted, it rightly meriteth the same name, which that it may the better be understood, I mean by the name of Alkahest, a very hot, fiery, dry, and also humid water void of all corrosive power, by which Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, are dissolved without noise, yet not all in the same manner, and elaborated into Salutiferous medicines, as I have shewed in the first part of my Mineral work. And because I have written such things of it, many have endeavoured to prepare such a Menstruum, every one from his own Subject; Impostors also have offered to others, a water plainly corrosive instead of it, fasly pretending that they had obtained the secret from me, and that it is the same which I have described in my Mineral work; then one sells that putatious Universal solvent to a another at a dear rate, whose nativity and preparation lies hid with the seller, that so the blind leading the blind both may fall into the ditch; which thing, when I knew it, I was constrained whether I would or no, to lay open to the Reader, what is properly the nature of my Alkahest, and what are its virtues and powers, so that those who erre, may have a rule by which they maybe able to judge of any other pretended Alkahest, whether it be mine or not.
Therefore this incomparable subject is called an universal solvent, because by its benefit, many incredible things are performed in the preparation of good Medicines, and also in the preparation of metals, yet let no man believe that it dissolveth metals swiftly and violently, like aqua fortis, aqua regia, or other corrosive waters, not in the least, but worketh altogether after another manner, viz. Vegetables and Animals are dissolved in digestion, by the moist way, in which solution, the pure parts are separated from the impure.
And Minerals and Metals also being dissolved in the moist way by its benefit, may be washed, purged and maturated, and reduced either into good medicines, or into better metals, but not with the same advantage and celerity as in the dry way, by which very many incredible mutations are presently performed, to be admired by the inexpert, too tedious here to be treated off. Besides those two ways of dissolving, which (that I might demonstrate the possibility of the matter) I have shewed to some; there yet occurrs another far different from those, by which metals and other Subjects are swiftly, meliorated to the eye, and are maturated, depurated, and transmuted into the best of medicines, and into purer bodies: the reasons of which, solution there is no need to expose to every one, chiefly, because that labour requireth a skilful Chymist and there are few who heartily search into the secrets of nature, but most Chymists vexing themselves with vain processes, understand nothing solid in Medicine or in Chymistry, which imaginary Artists, when they happen upon true writings, cannot reach their sence with their dull brains; they speak evil of the Author, disdaining his industry and unwearied labour, in communicating his talent; whence it comes to pass that he which brings forth any thing of good, finding nothing but ingratitude, chuseth rather to carry his talent with him to the grave, than to publish it to his own damage. And this is the only cause, why I have not plainly prosecuted the use of this Menstruum in the preparing of medicines, and meliorating of metals, but have only pointed at what may be effected by the help of it, that it may be made manifest, what is to be judged concerning it, and whether that which is sold for such by others, be like to that described in my Mineral work or not: I doubt not but many will quickly despond, thinking that their Alkahest will in no wise perform those things which I here ascribe to my Menstruum, and will also believe the matter not to be so easy, as before they thought it to be, but although it arise from a vile subject, that nevertheless its invention and use is very difficult. For whosoever hath such a menstruum, by which these following things may be effected, he may indeed rejoice in the possession of the universal solvent or Mercury of Philosophers, having a door opened to true medicine and Alchymy. Therefore for the sake of Searchers, I will begin to shew somewhat of its virtues and powers, as far as I may, that the Magnalia of God may thence be made manifest, and that I may give occasion to every man, to render praise, and thanks to his Creatour, who is the giver of all good.
Of the Transcendent Virtue, Power, Nature, and Property of this Wonderful
Universal Menstruum.
It is worth our noting, that three Operations especially may be performed by the benefit of this Menstruum.
I. It maturateth all Vegetables and Animals, being dissolved into a Liquor, and taking away their Venom, converteth them into salutary Medicines.
II. It dissolveth Minerals and Metals, as well by the moist as by the dry way, correcteth their venoms, ripeneth and fixeth their crudity, so that they may be made good Medicines; and after fixation, yield good and genuine Gold and Silver.