With which, the Philosophers cleanse their Mineral, Animal, and Vegetable Subjects, and exalt them to the highest degree of Purity, in order to prepare Universal Medicaments from them, for the Bodies of Men and Metals.
Which Purgatory Fire is Called Ysopaica, by the ancient Philosophers, that is, to say, the Art of washing with Fire.
Together, with a subjoyned instruction, how, by means of the Salt of the World, out of all Metals and Minerals, a living Mercury may in quantity be prepared.
From the High-Dutch faithfully Translated into English.
Reader,
If any wonder at the Title of this little Book, let them know, it agrees very well with the Matter it treats of, forasmuch as all things that are cleansed with Fire, may truly be said to be purified by means of a Purgatory. There are indeed besides this, many other ways of cleansing as by Water, Lye, Soap, and other moist things; but that way cannot properly be called a Purgatory, nor any other, but what is done by Fire. I intend in this Book to treat of three sorts of Purgatories, viz. First, of the secret flaming Purgatory, or cleansing Fire of the Philosophers, made of Alcolized Spirit of Wine, wherewith they purifie the Souls of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, dignifying them thereby to enter their Heaven.
The other Purgatory God makes use of, to purifie his dear Children here in this Vale of Misery, to make them abhor sin, and fit them, after many afflictions, and torments endured, for a Translation with all Saints, into his heavenly Kingdom, there to behold his Face to all Eternity.
The Third Purgatory is, that of which the Christians of old have Writ, and is to this day still believed by the Church of Rome, viz. that the Souls of the deceased, when by the guilt of deadly sins, they are not immediately sunk down into the eternal Hellish Pains, are in this Purgatory cleansed of the pardonable sins they have committed in this Life, and are made worthy to enter into eternal Joy and Salvation.