The End of the Fifth Part.
Quinta Essentia in die Pharmacopoea Spagirica.
THE
SIXTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Or a Light lately risen, and a strong Key for opening Philosophick Verity, treating of the most secret Fire of Philosophers, viz. How it is to be used profitably and commodiously for the preparation of many Royal Medicaments; and how, by the benefit of it, Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; venemous, fœtid, noxious, and wholly adverse to Humane Nature, may be converted into a gratefull and most salubrious Medicine, Mineral-Salts, and the Corrosive Spirits of them dulcified; and fixed Metallick; Bodies transmuted into Volatile Spirits. As also how these Volatile Spirits may again be changed into Bodies fixed, tinging, and penetrating through every Metal and Glass, and other rare things of that kind may be performed.
READER,
I did some time since, sincerely discover to certain of my Friends, some of the best of the Arcanums (described now publickly) in this Treatise, with such condition as they themselves should prepare the same: but they have not as yet set about the Work, and perhaps for no other reason, than because they thought it a matter not of great but of small moment. Hence it was, that they could not believe so great a Medicine could be prepared in so few days. It is manifest by the Writings of Philosophers, that Maria the Prophetess, Sister of Moses, could ripen the Stone of Philosophers in three Days. Likewise, some Philosophers have absolved their Work in a Week. Others have consumed some Months labour upon the same. But now, those erroneous Fellows (who run from one to another, and although themselves be rude and ignorant of all things, proffer their labour for reward to make the Stone of Philosophers) require to themselves for digestion the space of one, two or three whole years. But what a vast difference is there between three days and three years. As for my self, I indeed as yet have never elaborated so great a Work, but have seen with my Eyes so great a possibility thereof, and with my hands handled things so, as (if time and place be given, and God grant success) I am confident I shall prepare this supream Medicine in a very short space of time. But I can truly affirm, that in all my life I never aspired to things so high; yet what hath been conferred on me by God, I now make common. Wherefore, he (whom God shall favour) may there begin, where I have ended, and happily consummate the Work: but if he (whom God favours not) shall attempt any thing therein, let him not disquiet me with troublesome Interrogatories; for I know not how to answer more, than are here discovered by me. Yet (if God please) after some short space of time, I will clearly expose to publick view, whatsoever I have found and seen in the particular Melioration of Metals. Which indeed will contribute great Light to this later Age of the darkened World.