THE
FIFTH PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
In which is treated of the wonderful Nature of the Fifth Furnace: Also, of the easy Preparation of the Instruments and Materials belonging to the foresaid Four Furnaces. Most profitable for Chymical Physitians.
Of the Preparation of the Furnace.
As concerning this, of which, though I made no mention in the Preface; for it was not my Resolution to mention it in the last Part, because I was purposed only to treat of the Instruments, as well earthen, as those of glass, and also of the other necessary things belonging to those four parts premised; yet I am willing now in this Part, (which I have judged to be the most convenient place for it, for which I did before design another) to discover the wonderful Nature thereof, as far as I may for the Studious Artist’s sake. And although I know that more in this part, than in all my other writings, especially the ignorant and unskilful, will be offended; yet I will not therefore pass it by, perswading my self, that by this means I shall do a work, that will be most acceptable to the searchers of Art, and Nature. For I do devoutly affirm, That this is the choicest of all my secrets that I confide in, in which I have already seen wonderful things, hoping that the Divine Benediction will some time or other be obtained upon the practice thereof. And as for the structure of it, much cannot be said thereof, because it is not built as other Furnaces are, but it is every where found extructed by Nature, being ordained for no other works, than those of Nature, viz. for the making of any menstruum that shall dissolve gold, silver, and all other metals, and minerals without any noise, as also pretious, and common stones, and also glasses: the original of which, is the original of the Menstruum. Now what, and what manner of Furnace that is, that produceth this Royal Menstruum, (coming from the Menstruum it self) and that easily without any labour, you may easily conjecture, that it is not any common one, by the help whereof other things are distilled, that can yield such a Menstruum that is not corrosive: which certainly is not any common Menstruum, because there is but this one Menstruum that I know, which doth not partake of any corrosive quality, that doth more than any, or all other corrosive waters whatsoever. For all corrosives whatsoever they are, as aqua fortis, aqua regia, spirit of salt, vitrioll, allome, and nitre cannot together, and at once dissolve the close union of gold, and silver, and other most hard subjects, that cannot be dissolved in waters, though never so caustick.
This indeed is wonderful, and stupendous, that a thing every where found most vile and base, should doe so great a miracle: I know not what moved me to write of it, knowing that I shall in this part offend not onely the wise by writing so openly, but also the ignorant detractors, and slanderers that will accuse me of falsity. And truly these considerations might justly have deterred me, but that I knew I might doe a good work, recalling many from their errors: For many are perswaded that there is no other dissolving Menstruum, besides the aforesaid corrosive spirits; but those are Chymists that are ignorant of Nature; yet the Philosophers with one consent say, that those corrosive destructive spirits make a fruitless solution of metals; for experience testifies, that the solutions made by the help of aqua fortis, and regia, and other spirits, colour the hands, being that which a true Philosophical solution doth not, and furthermore, testifies, that those, viz. which colour the hands, are not to be reckon’d among the true Philosophical solutions, but to be contemned as Malignant. Wherefore I was willing to write these things to instruct those that erre. Let no man therefore perswade himself, that a Menstruum so vile and contemptible, is of less efficacy, than those corrosive spirits. I my self did once scarce believe, that so great Vertues could be in so most vile a Menstruum, until I had experience of the truth in good earnest.
I could here add more things concerning the original of the universal Menstruum, which is so contemptible, which doth by its wonderful powers and vertues dissolve all metals, minerals and stones radically without any noise, unites and fixeth them; the solution whereof doth not colour the hand; the conjunction is inseparable, and the fixation incombustible; I say, I could add more things concerning it, but that divers inconveniences, which by this means I might incur, as also the envy and hatred of others do deter me. For although any one doth think to discover the possibility of Art, and Nature; yet few would be content therewith, being very desirous of all manner of revelation; and if we should not gratify them, we should forthwith incur their hatred and envy, who would without doubt judge otherwise of the matter, if they had but any experience of our labours. Be thou therefore (courteous Reader) contented with this discourse, that shews thee the possibility of Art and Nature; and diligently seek after it in the fear of God, and without doubt thy labour shall not be in vain.
Of the Building of the Furnaces.
How those Furnaces of the first and second part are to be built and made of Potters Clay, and Stones; I need not say much, because there be many Books extant, treating of this matter sufficiently; yet this caution is to be observed in building of the Furnaces, viz. that those Furnaces, in which a very strong fire is not kindled, need not so strong walls, as those in which we distil, sublime, and melt, with a most strong fire. And for what belongs to subliming and distilling Furnaces; you may erect them of those common bricks which are made of the best clay, and well burnt, compassing them about with very strong walls, that they may the longer retain the heat: or else you will continually have something to do in mending them, and closing their chinks, which hinder the regiment of fire. Wherefore they must be compassed about with iron hoops, that they may be durable and not gape. Now what concerns the melting Furnaces, the aforesaid bricks are not of use in the building of them, because they not being durable melt in the fire; wherefore you must make other bricks of a very good earth that is fixed in the Fire, such as is that of crucibles, &c. of which, afterwards; which are to be made in a brazen or wooden mould, and to be burnt, and it matters not whether they be round or square, a regard being had of the Furnace, that six or eight of them make one course, or row. But you need not build the whole Furnace of those stones, for it is sufficient, if the place only, where the coals still lye, be made of them, and the other part of the Furnace be made of common bricks.