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.