For Mercury is the best and purest of the three Principles, forasmuch as it cannot be hurt by any Elements, not by the most violent Fire, much less destroyed, because it is throughout Homogeneal.
There are three things in the World which be incorruptible, the first of which is the Mercury of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, which, when by its Enemy the Fire, it is tormented, and driven from its Body, loseth none of its Virtues, but is only purified thereby. This incombustible Soul of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, is one of those three things in the World, which are fixed, constant, and unperishable in all trials and conflicts whatsoever.
The second thing which is constant, permanent, incorruptible and invincible is Truth, which cannot be suppress’d by any Lies or opposition whatsoever; Oppressed she may be, but not totally suppressed; for God himself is the Truth, and as God cannot be overcome, so neither can Truth.
The third and last incorruptible subject in the World, is the Immortal Soul of Man; for whatsoever Afflictions or Persecutions a good Man suffers from wicked Men, can not in the least hurt his Soul, but serve only to purifie, exalt, and enoble it. The more Gold suffers in the Fire, the better and purer it becomes, and as true it is, that the Soul by the adversities of time, becomes refined and graduated to the height of Purity, being by this Earthly Purgatory dignified and prepared for Eternal Glory.
But to return to our purpose, which is to shew that the cleansing of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, must be performed by their own Purgatory, viz. a common burning Spirit. We will begin with Wine, as being a very noble Creature, and see what good thing may be had from it, by means of its own Purgatory or Cleansing Fire, which without it could never have been brought to Light.
Now to speak fundamentally of this matter, we must first of all know, that several different Spirits lie hid in Wine, which also may separately be distill’d from it. As in the first place the known burning Spirit; next that Spirit which is distill’d from Crude Tartar, which is of a quite different nature from that which is distill’d from Wine, or its Lees, which being kindled burns away in Flame, consuming all the Sulphur, leaving nothing but the incombustible Mercury or Essential Salt behind, and that in a very small quantity, but of great Virtue; whereas the Spirit of Tartar which is distill’d by Retort, though it be much more subtil and penetrative than the burning Spirit, yet will not suffer it self to be kindled or burnt away, being otherwise of great use in all Tartareous Diseases, and obstructions of the Body.
There is also an Antinephritical Spirit distill’d from the fixed Salt of Tartar with distill’d Vinegar, which afterwards suffers it self to be sublimed, and being distilled yield a very strong Spirit, of which time doth not permit to treat at present. We will only, point out to you, by what means the most glorious Mercury and Essential Salt of Wine, may most easily be obtained, and what great things may be perform’d by it in Physick.
℞. Of white Tartar well pulverised 1 l. Spirit of Salt 1 l. and half, mix these well together, and fill therewith the fourth part of a Glass Body, and pour on 3 l. of Spirit of Wine, lute the head on immediately, for when these two Antagonists, the Acid Crude Tartar, and Urinous Salt of Tartar meet, they furiously attack each other, and in their Conflict send forth a very subtil Spirit, and a glorious Essential Salt, which Mercury the Spirit of Wine when distilled carries over with it. When now this Spirit of Wine being kindled burns away, the Mercury or most pure Essential Salt is thereby loosened, and with the Flame goes over into the Receiver, where it is caught of the Phlegm, from which being separated by distillation in a Vaporous Bath ’tis fit for use. This Cælestial Salt of Wine is of wonderful Virtue, concerning which I have given a full account in some of my last published Writings.
Its Virtues are chiefly these; It has the Præeminence of all Medicaments whatsoever, in curing the Stone, Gout, and the like Tartarous Diseases. Moreover this Heavenly Salt penetrates the whole Body, opens all Obstructions, strengthens the Heart, Brain, and all Vital Parts; is a powerful Diaphoretick and Diuretick. Indeed any one may easily imagine, that a Quintessence of Wine, when purified by its own Purgatory, must needs exert wonderful effects, and be of great uses, in the hands of a skilful Physician; of which more hereafter.
Furthermore from Wine, by means of its own burning Spirit, may be separated an excellent Volatile Salt, after this manner. Dissolve the Oyl of Wine, which by distillation is got out of the Lees in a strong Spirit of Wine, so as the Oyl may be well united with the Spirit. This done, kindle the Spirit of Wine, and let it burn away under our great cooling Helm or Head, by which means the Mercury or Salt of Wine goes over with the Phlegm, and is caught by it.