Elsewhere, Paracelsus writes of the Transmutation of Metals and Gems, thus: As you now have seen a very brief way of some peculiar Transmutations of Metals; so here further know ye, touching the Transmutations of Gems, that is, of small Stones, that of such Transmutations also there are various ways, some of which notwithstanding seem in no wise adverse to others. For you see how potent a Transmutation of Gems lyes in the Oyl of Sulphur. Every Crystal, that is left in that Oyl for some time, is tinged and transmuted, and may by graduation with distinct Colours be so exalted, as to exceed a Natural Jacynth, Granate, or Ruby, &c.
Paracelsus here teacheth the fixation of 🜍, if a most sharp Aqua Fortis be several times abstracted from the same, reduced to a fine Powder. But that way of proceeding will profit nothing, because the Aqua Fortis is not capable of any Ingress into the 🜍, because that is first to be procured by Salts, as we above taught. For then the Artist’s Endeavour will succeed well, and the 🜍 in Abstraction of the Aqua Fortis be fixed, and also wax white: But Redness is afterward given to it in an open Fire, or Fire of Reverberation. And it will never wax red in a close Vessel, how long soever it stands in the Fire. And when it is thus Red, every common Spirit of Wine extracts not its Tincture, because it hath not ingress into it. But the fixed red 🜍 must first be melted with fixed Salt of Tartar in a very strong Fire. That way is given to it such an Ingress, as any Spirit of Wine can extract from it its Tincture. For otherwise you shall labour in vain. Paracelsus intended rather to keep this Experiment to himself only, than to expose it to the use of the ungrateful Vulgar Sort. But no Man hath cause to wonder, why I now am desirous to discover the same openly, since I have peculiar Reasons of this Publication, an account of which I am not bound to render to any Man. It is sufficient to any grateful-minded Man, that I am willing publickly to discover that Secret.
This fixed Tincture of 🜍 is in Medicine much more efficacious, than the Element of Fire, described by Paracelsus. For That is only extracted from a Volatile Sulphur; but This is fixed; and is also of power sufficient to cure the fixed Diseases of Men, as well as Metals. The Volatile Tincture, or Element of Fire, as it is called by Paracelsus, is otherwise also famously conducent for External Uses. All affects of the Skin, as Scabs, and the like, are cured by the help of that. Also to every Wine it is a present Medicine. For if any one put a little of it into a Cask of Wine, the Wine acquires a grateful Tast and Odour, and will be so comforted, as not easily to admit of changing or perishing, as otherwise is wont to happen to common Rhenish Wine. I did indeed, for tryal sake, pour same of this into divers Wines, and found it so in very deed. For I put one or two drops of our Element of Fire into several open Cups filled with Wine; and I daily observed them, until I found, that that Wine, in which none of the Element of Fire was put, did in two or three days contract a slimyness; but those, in which a little of the Element of Fire had been mixed, stood almost three Weeks, before they began to contract the like. Which business of Wine, if any Man well consider, he may find out the way, how, by the benefit of this Art only, far more easily to acquire sufficient Gain for daily Sustenance, than otherwise by the perillous ways of Merchandise. Wherefore, whosoever is desirous of enjoying Profit in Wines, let him always take care continually to have ready prepared by him a good Sal mirabile, and reduce Sulphur into a red firey Stone; otherwise he will lose his Labour and Cost, which, by way of Admonition, I was not willing to pass over in silence. Therefore I must say, with Paracelsus, that all those Physicians and Chymists are not of the best Fame, who have the Gift of Glorious Eloquence; but those only, who have learned their Understanding by long use of Fire; and whilst elaborating Subjects, to be prepared, do well know, what should be added and substracted, according as the Operation of every thing requires.
Since we now know, what Paracelsus taught touching the fixation of 🜍, and also the profitable use thereof in Medicine and Alchymy; it will in no wise be impertinent in this place to insert, what Basilius hath written touching the same; that by his Words every Man may the better discern, that my fixation of 🜍, which I have described to be made by the help of Salt Nitre, differs not from the Writings of other Philosophers, speaking of Salt Nitre. The aforesaid Basilius, (who, in many places of his Writings, mentioned the fixation of 🜍 by help of Salt Nitre, but obscurely enough) among other things, thus writes.
[Here Salt Nitre is introduced, speaking of himself and to himself only.]
Sulphur indeed is my most mortal Enemy, and he is also my best Friend: For when we both are joyned together in Wedlock, and our Marriage celebrated in Hell, so, as we both sweat well together; then we shall so put off all Impurities from us, as in our dead Bodies may be found the greatest Treasures, and of us be progenited wealthy Children, &c. By which words, Basilius intimates, that Salt Nitre, by the Contact of 🜍, is inflamed, and, as by an Enemy, wholly burnt up and reduced to nothing; and therefore is accounted its greatest Enemy. But if Salt Nitre, in form of an Aqua Fortis, be associated to 🜍, and render it fixed and constant in Fire; they then become the greatest Friends, and from them both are procreated Rich Children. Therefore whosoever is desirous to obtain such Children, let him bend all his thoughts to the matter it self, and diligently search; for he may find, if GOD be pleased to indulge him and permit the same.
Whatsoever Paracelsus hath here writ of 🜍, he hath undoubtedly writ plain enough, so as Credit may safely be given to his Writings. For that what he saith is not from the purpose, Every Man may be informed by these few words, &c. Certainly he, had he not dreaded the impiety of the World, would much more evidently have explained this, and by that means he would have helped the Necessity of many; but the notorious Ingratitude of the World deterred the Man.
Also Paracelsus admirably discourseth of the Element of Fire, how excellent a Medicine it is, as I my self have experienced, and shall further in time to come (if GOD permit). In like manner, the same Man makes mention of the noble Hyssopaick Art, by the help of which, ancient Philosophers did, with their own hands, make black 🜍 white as Snow, fix it, and by the benefit thereof, do great Miracles in Medicine and Alchymy. This Art, (with Grief be it spoken) by the negligence and injury of former times, was gradually lost; which notwithstanding, from the Caves of Silence, and, as it were, lying in Darkness, this my Small Treatise will again bring to Light.
The prophet David seems to have some knowledge of this Royal Art; for when he saw his Sins before GOD, had (as it were) contracted the blackness of a Coal, he thus implores the Divine Mercy: Sprinkle me, O LORD, with Hyssop, that I may be white: for, by thy well-washing of me, I shall become whiter than Snow. Whence it is sufficiently manifest, that David craved not the well known Kitchin-Herb, Hyssop, to be washed with, because that could not help him; but he spake Metaphorically, and requested that his Sins (by the great blackness of which, he believed his Soul to be infected before GOD) might be pardoned, and he received into Divine Favour, and never be driven from the face of GOD to Eternity.
Likewise, there is no Community between the black, gross, and combustible 🜍 of Wood, and the pure, fixed and incombustible 🜍 of Gold: For as long as black 🜍 keeps its combustible disposition, it is refused by the other, as abhorring the familiar Society of so stinking and sordid a Guest. But as soon as that Ethiopian, by assistance of the most noble Hyssopaick Art, shall be washed white as Snow, and rendred constant in Fire, then it is readily received into Communion by the ☉, and of both is made one Tincture, by help of which, other Metals are reduced to the Perfection of Gold; as a little after shall be shewed more at large. Yet I will first briefly note the difference of 🜍, according to my Experience; which is indeed not very necessary, because Paracelsus hath done it. Nevertheless, I am very willing to subjoyn these few things.