I have I confess tasted somewhat of the Crumbs of what pertains to so worthy a Medicament, and with what great Vertues they abound. And such things as my experience have administred unto me I have here purposed to reveal them, for the comfort and sake of my Neighbour, as far as the time and occasion will permit; but yet with this Salvo, that I cast not Pearl before Swine, and so incur the Philosophers Curse. To whomsoever the things that I speak shall be more obscure, let him wrestle earnestly by his Prayers to God for light, and refrain from troubling me with multiplicity of entreaties, for I have firmly resolved with my self not to reveal for the time to come more than what I have opened in the present description.
CHAP. II.
Of Gold, and the Comparison betwixt it when living, and when dead.
It is so well known as that nothing can be more known, that Gold being so compact and corporeal and without any opening, doth not when used inwardly to man’s Body emit any Vertues at all. I will instance in one Example of Mercury; This being living and unbroken and undissolved, doth not, though used inwardly in a great weight, bring any hurt, but passeth out again as ’twas before taken in without any alteration of the Body. But if it be sublimed with Salt, or shall be dissolved by some other corrosive Water, and be administred to a man to drink the quantity of 1, 2, or 3 Grains it will shrewdly hazard his Life, because the Salts have made its hidden lurking Poyson manifest. Thus stands the case with Gold, which cannot shew forth its hidden force and vertues as long as it remains bound and tied with the fetters of its own compaction, but (on the other hand) displays them, assoon as ever it shall be released from its bonds, be vivified by Salts, and rendred efficacious. You see in a black Coal, whiles it is not fired, there is not any heat at all perceived, but being kindled, and being by the Air rendred living, it discovers the fire and heat being therein hidden, the which you may likewise consider of concerning Gold.
CHAP. III.
Of the Preparation of Gold, and its Dissolution into most tender Atoms apt for vivification and profitable application to Medicinal use.
Gold doth not by any way more easily admit of being turned into most tender and most subtil Attomes than by this following.
Dissolve pure Gold in Aq. Regia, and being dissolved pour thereto as much of the Water of Tartar as is sufficient: So the clear Gold, and clothed too with a golden Colour, will precipitate it self to the bottom of the Vessel, nor will it be a darkish Powder, as ’tis wont to be if precipitated by Lixiviums or by the Spirit of Urine: But it is light and tender, and shews in brightness like little golden Stars, yea becomes so very tender and subtil, that it swims as ’twere in the Water and settles to the bottom exceeding leasurely, and is thereby so much worthier than all other Calxes of Gold how subtil soever they be, that they may be accompted of (if compared with this) but onely as a gross Earth; whereas these shining golden little Stars are made so tender and so subtil, as that they may easily discover and demonstrate their Vertues in medicinal use very notably, by the help of other things, and by being dissolved sundry ways.
CHAP. IV.
By what means this most pure Calx of Gold is to be farther opened, whereby it may be inverted, made volatile, and rendred like to a Vegetable.