The works of the highly experienced and famous chymist, John Rudolph Glauber

by Johann Rudolf Glauber

And fix the Fledge, and thou shalt dwell on high.

With these few words the Philosophers have declared their whole Work, but without any further explaining of them; so that the manner of compendiously volatilizing and fixing of Metals has been left in the dark. But because the end of this wicked World draws nigh, God is pleased to reveal these Secrets to some of his Chosen, which Talent mercifully bestowed upon me, that I might not be guilty of concealing, I have in the Seventh Part of my Prosperity of Germany at large set down the way to Meliorate the meaner Metals, with the help of Animal Salt Spirits, and that so plainly, that every one may understand it, and the Poor (if they will put their hands to the Work) may have abundantly wherewith to maintain themselves.

Moreover these Superfluities of Nature are endued with this power and property, that in one days time they can destroy fixt Gold, that resists all the Elements, so as to be no more Sol, but will suffer it self to be melted into a green fusible Stone, which is of wonderful force and virtue in all Metallick Operations, of which it is not needful to speak more at present. If God thinks fit to bestow this Green Stone upon thee, he will not suffer thee to be ignorant what use may be made of it. I cannot, upon this occasion, but communicate something that is very wonderful. As I was on a time melting some of this Green Stone in a Crucible, it happened to run through the Crucible into the Furnace, where some Silver was run out a little before, with which the Green Lion joyn’d himself; and when I came by fusion to separate my Luna from the Green Sol Stone, or my destroyed Sol, I found that my Green Stone had never been throughly united with my Luna, the Stone continuing still green without any the least alteration, but my Luna was become black and brittle like Antimony, and went away upon the Cupel. Now, what more wonderful change can be imagin’d than to see white fixt Luna changed into black volatile Lead? Upon occasion of this wonderful Transmutation one of the Philosophers cries out, as struck with admiration; Nunquid Natura Retrograda? What is Nature then turn’d Retrograde? Mind well this point, consider of it, and you will discover wonders; for when Sol is so far destroyed as to be no longer Sol, then the greatest wonders may be accomplish’d by it. Yet know, that it is no easie matter so to destroy Sol, that it shall be Sol no more; the Ancient Philosophers unanimously declaring, than it is easier to make Gold, than to destroy it.

N. B. This Green Gold-Stone being kept for some time in the Fire, becomes changed to a red colour, which is also of great use, he who desires to know more of it, may seek for it, as my self and others have been fain to do.

N. B. The Salt of the greater World (I mean Common Salt) changeth the Metals that lie in it for a long time, into a hard Stone, as appears from this instance; Some Fishermen here in Holland, lately took up from the bottom of the Sea some Blocks of English Tin, whose outside was turn’d to perfect Stone, the inmost part of them still remaining Tin; Who knows, how many hundred years this Tin had lain at the bottom of the Sea, before this change was made; but if the Sea Salt of the greater World can perform this in a long time, the Sea Salt of the lesser World can destroy Metals in a very short time, for our Animal Salt can do more in a few hours time, than the Sea Salt of the Macrocosme can do in an 100 years.

Wherefore I recommend to the Lovers of this Art to study the nature of Salts and their use, if they intend to perform any thing Extraordinary either in Physick or Alchimy.

N. B. The Salt of the Microcosme hath also this property, that when it is put into Aqua Fortis it not only dissolves Sol but Luna also, and is an excellent way to extract the Gold and Silver that is in Sand and Stones, concerning which Extraction I treat at large in the Seventh Part of the Prosperity of Germany.

N. B. Another virtue of this Microcosmical Salt is, that it extracts the Tincture of Gold, and leaves the Body thereof white. And if we afterwards take this impregnate Salt, and extract the Tincture of Gold from it with Spirit of Wine, and burn away the said Spirit under a Refrigeratory Helm or Head, then the Celestial Salt, or the Water of Life of the Philosophers, will be conveyed into the Glass Receivers, and is very sweet and pleasant, but withal so subtil and volatile, that the Air attracts and snatcheth it away, if it be not immediately pour’d out of the recipients, and carefully kept in a close stopt Glass.

N. B. At the bottom of the Cup or Dish wherein the Spirit of Wine, impregnate with the Tincture of Gold, hath been kindled and burnt away, you will find the Tincture of Gold in the form of a Blood-red, pleasant, fragrant, Aromatical Oil, which is true living Sol, and never stands still, but is in continual motion, perpetually changing from one form to another. In a word, it is the true living Sol of the Philosophers, which by Art is made of Common Gold, that is dead, which Living Philosophick Gold, fragrant Dragons Blood, Incombustible Oil, and true Potable Gold is without doubt the highest Medicin that is in the World.

N. B. In the foresaid manner we may also extract the Tinctures from Mars and Venus, as also from Antimony and Sulphur, and with the assistance of the flame of Spirit of Wine maturate them into most lovely, fragrant, incombustible Tinctures. For by means of our Microcosmical Salt all Metals and Minerals may be reduc’d to Potability, without the help of any Corrosive, in which state they are the most powerful Medicaments imaginable, to which the very best Remedies of the Galenists are not in the least to be compared. But no Man ever attained these Secrets that was afraid to smut his Hands with Coals, or that was not earnest in his Prayers to God for the discovery of these wonders; their Silk Clothes, Velvet Coats, Artificial Cant, and vain Aristotelical Philosophy, cannot produce any shell effects, but the Fire alone which is the effecter and displayer of Wonders. Wherefore no Man can come to be a true Philosopher save only by Fire, which alone hath the power to remove that which is evil, and to manifest and bring to light the inward concealed Good, which is true in an Earthly as well as Heavenly sense. I repeat it once more, that he, who doth not know Fire, and its hidden Divine Virtue and Operation, is a pitiful Philosopher, and doth not at all deserve that Title, for the Light is hid from him, and consequently all Nature appears vail’d and dark to him; which matter I have treated of at large in my Celestial and Terrestrial Purgatory.