Note, here is need of caution, that in making it hot, your Fire be not too strong, and so the virtues of your Salt diminished, which is a thing accurately to be minded. Ancient Philosophers likened this operation to such a Fire vomiting Dragon, as devours his own Tail, and converts it into a salutary Medicine. The Dragon is burning Sulphur, his Tail is its fiery Oil, which slides down upon the burning Sulphur, and in it converts it self into an efficacious Medicine.
Note, I would have you give credit to me, in these Works, which I here have opened in few words, are many things of great worth contained. Therefore, if you be wise, you will more diligently search into the matter, and find out much more than is here disclosed by me.
CHAP. III.
Anther secret Fire of Philosophers, by which all venemous and fœtid Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Subjects, may be changed and prepared into a most efficacious Medicine.
Rectifie Spirit of Wine so perfectly well from all Phlegm, as it will all burn away. For this way you will have a secret Fire, by help of which you will be able to effect wonders in Medicine.
CHAP. IV.
Where first is exhibited an efficacious Medicine from this Vegetable Fire it self.
Prepare you of stony Earth polishable in Fire, or of Metal, a Furnace in such wise, as under it a flaming Fire may burn, and yet none of the fume fly away, but in it condense either into Water or Oil, and thence descend into some fit Receiver. Under such a Furnace, in some earthen Pan kindle an ounce or two of this subtile Fire, and let it burn. The Spirit of Wine being burnt, the volatile Salt as incombustible (yet the volatile Mercury of the Wine) comes forth, is cooled in the Receiver, and so preserved.
Note, when the first Spirit of Wine is burned, more must be put in. Of how great profit it will be in Medicine, you may easily judge, because it is the immortal and incombustible Soul of Wine. How much it is able to effect in Alchymy, is not very well known to me, I not having laboured much in it as yet. Basilius touching this Mercury, thus Writes: Whosoever can obtain it, will be a principal Master in Chymistry. He, as I judge, well knew how from Gold its Tincture was to be extracted by the help of this. But of these enough at this time.