Wee could cite the Writings of Philosophers to confirm what we have said; but because we have wrote clearer things then are in their Writings, they need not any confirmation, he shall understand who looks into other mens writings. If therefore thou wilt follow our advice, Wee advise thee, that before thou settest thy self to this Art, in the first place thou learn to hold thy tongue, and that thou inquire into the Nature of Mines, and Metalls, as also of Vegetables, for thou shalt find our Mercury in every subject, and from all things the Mercury of Philosophers may bee extracted, although it be neerer in one subject, then in another. Know also for certain, that this Art is not placed in fortune, or casuall invention, but in a reall Science, and that there is but this one matter in the world, by which, and of which the Philosophers Stone is made. It is indeed in all things, but in extracting of it a mans life would fail, and not be sufficient. Yet without the knowledge of naturall things, especially in the Minerall Kingdome, thou shalt be like a blind man that walketh by use. Truly such a one seeks after the Art but casually; and although, as it oftentimes falls out, that a man may by chance fall upon the matter of our Argent vive, yet then he ends the worke when hee should begin; and so as hee found it out casually, hee loseth it casually, because hee knows not upon what hee should ground his intention. Therefore this Art is the gift of the most high God: and unlesse God reveales it by means of a good wit, or friend, it is hardly known: for wee cannot bee all as Geber, nor as Lullius: And although Lullius was a man of a subtill wit, yet if hee had not received the Art from Arnoldus, certainly hee had been like unto those which find the Art with difficulty: So also Arnoldus confesseth that hee received it of a friend. For it is easy to write what Nature dictates: It is a Proverb, It is easy to adde to things already found out. Every Art, and Science is easy to the Master, but to a young Scholar not so: and to find out this Art there is a long time required, many vessells, great expence, and continuall labour, with much meditation, although to him that knows it already all things are easy, and light. To conclude therefore wee say, that this Art is the gift of God alone, which being known, he must also bee prayed to that he would give his blessing to the Art; for without this divine blessing it would be of no use, and unprofitable, which wee our selves have had experience of, seeing wee have by reason of this Art undergone great dangers, yea wee have had more mischief, and misfortune by it, then advantage: but there is a time when men are wise too late.
The judgements of the Lord are a great depth. Yet I admired at divine providence in these my misfortunes: for I alwaies had the protection of our great Creator alwaies at hand, that no enemie could bee too hard for me, or represse mee. The Angell of the Lord of this Treasury hath alwaies been my Keeper, into which Treasury the most High Creator hath shut close this treasure only, which hee will alwaies defend, and secure. For I have heard that my Enemies have fell into that snare which they laid for mee. They which would have taken away my life have lost their own; and some of them which would have taken away my goods have lost Kingdomes: Moreover, I know many that would have detracted from my good name, have perished with disgrace. So great preservation have I alwaies had from the great Creator of all things, who presently took mee from my Mothers wombe, put mee under the shadow of his wings, and infused the Spirit of understanding all naturall things, to whom be praise, and glory, for ever, and ever. So great blessings have I received from the most High God our Creator, that it is impossible not only for my pen, but my mind to comprehend. God scarce ever conferred upon any mortall man greater things, yea scarce so great. I wish I had so much affections, so much spirit, eloquence, and wisdome, that I might render meet thankes to him; for I know wee have not deserved so great things, only this I beleeve my selfe to bee, that in him alone I have alwaies trusted, doe trust, and shall trust. For I know that there is no mortall man is able to help mee, only this God, and our Creator; for it is a vain thing to trust in Princes, because they are men (as saith the Psalmist) and that all these have their breath of life from God, and this being taken away they are dust; but it is a safe, and secure thing to trust in the Lord God, from whom as from the fountain of goodnesse all good things doe most abundantly flow. Thou therefore that desirest to attaine to this Art, in the first place put thy whole trust in God thy Creator, and urge him by thy prayers, and then assuredly beleeve that hee will not forsake thee: for if God shall know that thy heart is sincere, and thy whole trust is put in him, hee will by one means or another shew thee a way, and assist thee in it, that thou shalt obtain thy desire. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdome. Pray, but yet worke: God indeed gives understanding, but thou must know how, and when to use it: for as a good understanding, and a good opportunity are the gifts of God, so also is the punishment of sinne, when a good opportunity is omitted. But to return to our purpose; wee say, that Argent vive is the first matter of that work, and truly nothing else; whatsoever is added to it, ariseth from it. Wee have said oftentimes that all things in the world are made, and generated of the three Principles; but wee purge some things from their accidents, and being purged, joine them together againe; and by adding what is to be added, wee supply what is defective, and by imitating Nature, wee boile them to the highest degree of perfection, which Nature could by reason of Accidents never doe, and so ended where Art must begin. Moreover, if thou desirest to imitate Nature, imitate her in those things, in which shee workes. And let it not trouble thee that our Writings seem to contradict one another in some places; for so it must bee, lest the Art be too plainly disclosed: But do thou make choice of those things which agree with Nature, take the roses, and leave the prickles. If thou dost intend to make a Metall, let a Metall be thy ground work, because of a Dog is generated nothing but a Dog, and of Metall, nothing but a Metall: for know for certain, if thou shalt not take out of Metall the radicall moisture, well separated, thou shalt never doe any thing; without grains of Wheat thou shalt till thy ground in vain: there is but one thing, but one Art, but one operation. If therefore thou wilt produce a Metall, thou shalt ferment with a Metall; and if thou wilt produce a Tree, let the seed of the Tree be thy ferment. There is as we said, but one operation, and beside it there is none other that is true. All they therefore are mistaken that say, that any particular thing, besides this one way, and naturall matter is true; for a bough is not to bee had, but from the trunk of a Tree: It is an impossible, and senselesse thing to go about to produce a bough; it is easier to make the Elixir it selfe, then any particular thing, although most simple, that will bee advantageous, and abide a naturall examination, and tryall. Yet there bee many that boast they can fix Silver, but it were better for them if they could fix Lead, or Tinne, seeing in my judgement it is all one labour, because they doe not resist the tryall of the fire, whilest they abide in their own nature; but Silver is in its nature fixed enough, and needs not any Sophisticall fixation. But seeing there are as many opinions, as men, wee will leave every one to his own opinion: Let him that will not follow our counsell, and imitate Nature, continue in his errour. Indeed particulars may easily bee made, if you have a Tree, whose young twigs may bee graffed into divers trees; as if you have one water, divers kinds of flesh may be boiled in it, and according to the diversity of the flesh the broth hath its tast, and this from the same foundation. Wee conclude therefore that there is but one Nature, as well in Metalls as in other things, but her operation is various; also there is one universall matter according to Hermes. So from this one thing all things proceed. Yet there bee many Artificers, who follow every one his own fancy. They seek a new Nature, and new matter; and in conclusion they find a new nothing, because they interpret the Writings of Philosophers not according to the possibility of Nature, but the letter. But all these are of that Assembly, of which mention hath been made in the Dialogue of Mercury with the Alchymist, who return home without any Conclusion; they looke after the end, without any medium, or indeed beginning; and the reason of this is, because they endeavour not to attain to the Art out of the Principles, and grounds of Philosophers, and reading of the books of Philosophers, but from reports, and receipts of Mountebankes: (although now indeed the books of Philosophers are perhaps destroyed by the envious, by adding in some places, and detracting in others) afterwards when things doe not succeed, they betake themselves to Sophistications, and assay divers vaine operations, by making whites, by making reds, by fixing Silver, and extracting out the soul of Gold; which in the Preface of the booke of the Twelve Treatises hath been sufficiently denyed. We doe not deny, yea, we doe say that it is altogether necessary, that the Metallick soule bee extracted, but not for any Sophisticall operation, but for the Philosophicall work, which being extracted, and purged, must againe bee restored to its owne body, that there may bee a true resurrection of a glorified body. This was never our purpose, to be able to multiply Wheat without the seed of Wheate, but that that extracted soul bee able in a Sophisticall way to tinge another Metall, know that it is a thing most false, and that all those that boast of doing of it, are Cheaters: but of that more fully in the third Principle of Salt, since here is not place for any further Discourse.
OF
SVLPHVR:
he Philosophers have not undeservedly placed Sulphur in the first place amongst the three Principles, as being the most worthy Principle, in the knowledge of which the whole Art consists. Now there is a threefold Sulphur, and that is to be chosen above the rest: a Sulphur tinging, or colouring: a Sulphur congealing Mercury: the third is essentiall, and ripening. Of which we ought to treat seriously, but because we have set forth one of the Principles by way of Dialogue, so also wee shall conclude the rest, lest we should seem to be partiall, and detract from either of them. Sulphur is more mature then any of the other Principles, and Mercury is not coagulated but by Sulphur: therefore our whole operation in this Art is nothing else but to know how to draw forth that Sulphur out of Metalls, by which our Argent vive in the bowels of the Earth is congealed into Gold, and Silver: which Sulphur indeed is in this work in stead of the Male, but the Mercury in stead of the Female. Of the composition, and acting of these two are generated the Mercuries of Philosophers.
Wee told you in the Dialogue of Mercury with the Alchymist, of an Assembly of Alchymists that were met together to consult out of what matter, and how the Philosophers Stone is to be made, and how that by the misfortune of a tempest they were without any conclusion dispersed almost through the whole world. For there arose a strong tempest, and very great wind, which dispersed them all abroad, and so blowed through some of their heads, that till this time they cannot yet recover themselves, by meanes of which divers sort of worms are bred in their brains. Now there were amongst them men of divers opinions, and conditions, and among the rest there was this Alchymist, which in this Treatise I shall discourse of: hee was otherwise a good man, but without a Conclusion, or unresolved, also of the number of those, who propound to themselves to find out the Philosophers Stone casually, and he was companion to that Philosopher, who disputed with Mercury. Now this man said, if it had been my fortune to have spoke with Mercury, I should have fished him dry in few words; that other, saith hee, was a foole, hee knew not how to proceed with him. Mercury indeed never pleased mee, neither indeed do I think there is any good in it; but I approve of Sulphur, because at that meeting wee discoursed most excellently of it: if that tempest had not disturbed us, wee had concluded that that had been the first matter, for I am not wont to trouble my selfe with light, and triviall matters, my head is full of profound imaginations. And so being full of confidence hee resolves to work in Sulphur, hee began therefore to distill it, to sublime, calcine, to fix it, to make oyle per Campanam of it, sometimes by itselfe, and sometimes with Crystals, and Egge-shels, and hee tryed divers other operations about it: and when hee had spent much time and costs, and could find nothing to his purpose, he was sad, and being in a miserable perplexity passed over many nights without sleep; also oftentimes hee went forth out of the City, to behold things, that hee might the more conveniently devise something that was certain in his operation: Now it fell out upon a time, as he was walking up and down, hee fell into an extasy with beholding of things, and came unto a certain green Wood, very full of all manner of things; in which were Mines of all Mineralls, and Metalls, and all kinds of beasts, and birds, and abundance of Trees, Herbs, and fruit: there also were divers conduits of water, for in those places there was no water to be had, but what was brought thither by divers instruments, and pipes, and this by divers Artificers from divers places: that was the chiefest, and clearer then the rest, which was drawne by the beams of the Moon; and this was procured only for the Nymph of the Wood. There also did feed Bulls, and Rams, and the Shepheards were two young men, whom the Alchymist asking, said, Whose Wood is this? whom they answered saying, This is the Wood, and Garden of our Nymph Venus. The Alchymist walks up, and down in it: and the place pleased him well, but yet hee did still think of his Sulphur; and so being weary of walking, and in a sad condition sate by the side of the channel, under a certain tree; and began to lament most miserably, bewailing his time, and charges, which he spent in vain with operating (he could not els have deceived others, but have damnified himself only) and said, What is this, all men say it is a thing common, of small esteem, easy, and I am a learned man, & I cannot find out this wretched Stone. And so in his lamentation he began to curse Sulphur, because he had spent so much cost, and labour in vain upon him: and Sulphur also was in that Wood, but this was unknown to the Alchymist. Whilst he was thus lamenting, he heard this voice as it were of some old man: Friend, Why dost thou curse Sulphur? The Alchymist looked every way round about him, and seeing no body, was afraid. But that voice said to him again, Friend why art thou so sad? The Alchymist taking courage, said, Sir, The hungry man is alwaies thinking upon bread, so doe I alwaies upon the Philosophers Stone. Vox, And why dost thou curse Sulphur? Alch. Sir, I beleeved that that was the first matter of the Philosophers Stone, and therefore in working upon it many years, I spent much, and could not find that Stone. Vox. Friend, truly I know that Sulphur is the true, and principall subject of the Philosophers Stone, but I know not thee, nor any thing of thy labour, and intention: thou dost without cause curse Sulphur; because he is in cruell prisons, and cannot be at hand to every body; seeing hee is put bound in a most dark dungeon, and goes not forth, but whither his Keepers carry him. Alch. And why is he imprisoned? Vox. Because hee would bee obedient to every Alchymist, and doe what they would have him, contrary to his Mothers will, who forbad him to obey any, but such as knew her, wherefore shee put him into prison, and commanded that his feet should be bound, and set Keepers over him, that without their knowledg, and pleasure hee should goe no whither. Alch. O wretch! for this reason hee could not come to mee: truly his Mother doth him great wrong: and when shall hee bee let out of those prisons? Vox, O friend! The Sulphur of Philosophers cannot goe forth hence but in a long time, and with a great deale of labour. Alch. Sir! And who be his Keepers that keep him? Vox, Friend! His Keepers are of the same stocke, but Tyrants. Alch. And who art thou, and how art thou called? Vox, I am Judge, and Governour of the prisons, and my name is Saturne. Alch. Then Sulphur is kept in thy prisons. Vox, Sulphur indeed is kept in my prisons, but hee hath other Keepers. Alch. And what doth hee doe in the prisons? Vox, He doth whatsoever his Keepers will have him. Alch. And what can hee doe? Vox, Hee is the maker of a thousand things, and is the heart of all things; hee knows how to make Metalls better, and corrects Mineralls, teacheth Animalls understanding, knowes how to make all kind of Flowers in Hearbs, and Trees, and is chief over them, corrupts the Aire, which hee amends again: hee is the Maker of all Odours, and Painter of all Colours. Alch. Out of what matter doth hee make Flowers? Vox, His Keepers afford matter, and vessells, but Sulphur digests the matter, and according to the variety of his digestion, and weight, various Flowers, and Odours are produced. Alch. Is hee old? Vox, Friend, Know that Sulphur is the vertue of all things, and is the second by birth, but yet older then all things, stronger, and more worthy, yet an obedient child. Alch. Sir, How is hee known? Vox, Divers wayes, but best by the State of the Vitalls in Animalls, by the colour in Metalls, by the odour in Vegetables: without him his Mother works nothing. Alch. Is hee the sole heir, or hath hee brethren? Vox, His Mother hath but only one son like him, his other brethren are associated with evil things, hee hath a sister which he loves, and is againe beloved by her, for shee is as it were a Mother to him. Alch. Sir, is hee every where uniform? Vox, According to his Nature, but hee is changed in the prisons; yet his heart is alwaies pure, but his garments are stained. Alch. Sir, Was hee ever at liberty? Vox, Yea, especially in those times when there were such wise men, betwixt whom, and his Mother there was great familiarity, and friendship. Alch. And who were they? Vox, There were very many: There was Hermes, who was as it were one with his Mother: After him were many Kings, and Princes, as also many other wise men, in ages since, as Aristotle, Avicen, &c. who set him at liberty: These knew how to unloose his bonds. Alch. Sir, What did hee give them for setting of him at liberty? Vox, Hee gave them three Kingdomes: for when any doth unbind him, and releaseth him, then he overcomes his Keepers, which before did govern in his Kingdome, and delivers them being bound to him that released him, for to bee his subjects, and gives him their Kingdomes to possesse: but that, which is more; in his Kingdome is a Looking-glasse, in which is seen the whole world. Whosoever lookes in this Glasse may see, and learn in it three parts of the wisdome of the whole world, and so shall become very wise in these three Kingdomes, such were Aristotle, Avicen, and many others, who as well as they before them, saw in this glasse how the world was made: By this they learned what were the influences of the Celestiall vertues upon inferiour bodies, and how Nature by the weight of Fire compounds things; as also the motion of the Sun, and Moon: especially that universall motion, by which his Mother is governed: by this they knew the degrees of heat, cold, moisture, drynesse, and the vertues of hearbs, and indeed of all things, whence they became most excellent Physitians. And truly, unlesse a Physitian be such a one as knows, why this hearb, or that, is hot, dry, or moist in this degree, not out of the books of Galen, or Avicen, but out of the originall of Nature, from whence they also understood these things, hee cannot bee a well grounded Physitian. All these things they diligently considered, and bequeathed their Writings to their successors, that men might bee stirred up to studies of a higher Nature, and learn how to set Sulphur at liberty, and unloose his bonds: but men of this age take their Writings for a sufficient ground, and authority, and seek no further; and it sufficeth them if they know how to say, So saith Aristotle, or; Thus saith Galen. Alch. And what say you, Sir, Can an herb bee known without an Herball? Vox, Those ancient Philosophers wrote their Receipts out of the very Fountain of Nature. Alch. How Sir? Vox, Know that all things in the earth, and upon the earth, are generated, and produced of three Principles; sometimes of two, to which the third is joined: he therefore that knows these three Principles; and the weight of them, how Nature joins them together, may be easily able by decoction to understand the degree of Fire in the subject, whether well, or ill, or indifferently decocted, and that according to more or lesse: For all Vegetable things are known by those, who know the three Principles. Alch. And how is this done? Vox, By sight, tast, and smell; in, and from these three senses are gathered the three Principles of things, and the degrees of their digestions. Alch. Sir, They say that Sulphur is a Medicine. Vox, Yea, and the Physitian himselfe, and to them that set him free from prison, by way of thankfulnesse hee gives his blood for a Medicine. Alch. Sir, the universall Medicine being had, how long may a man preserve himselfe from death? Vox, Even to the term of death: but this Medicine must bee taken cautiously, for many wise men have been destroyed by it before their time. Alch. And what say you Sir, Is it poison? Vox, Hast not thou heard that a great flame of fire destroyes a little one? There were many Philosophers, which received the Art from other mens experience, which did not so throughly search into the vertue of the Medicine; yea, by how much the more powerfull, subtiler the Medicine was, it seemed to them to bee the more wholsome; and if one grain of it can passe through many thousands of Metalls, much more Mans body. Alch. Sir, How then must it be used? Vox, It must bee so used, that it may strengthen the Naturall heat, but not overcome it. Alch. Sir, I know how to make such a Medicine. Vox, Thou art happy if thou dost know. For the blood of that Sulphur is that intrinsecall vertue, and siccity that turnes, and congeals Quicksilver, and all Metalls into Gold, and Mens bodies into health. Alch. Sir, I know how to make oyle of Sulphur, which is prepared with calcined Crystalls; I know also another, which is done by a Bell. Vox, Certainly then thou art a Philosopher of that Assembly; for thou dost understand, and expound my words aright, as also, unlesse I am deceived, of all the Philosophers. Alch. Sir, Is not this oyle the blood of Sulphur? Vox, O Friend! the blood of Sulphur is not given to any but to those, who know how to set him free from prison. Alch. Sir, doth Sulphur know any thing in the Metalls? Vox, I told thee, that hee knows all things, and especially in Metalls, but his Keepers know that there he could bee easily set at liberty, wherefore they keep him there bound fast in most strong prisons, so that hee cannot breath, and they are afraid lest hee should come into the Kings palace. Alch. Is hee imprisoned so in all Metalls? Vox, In all; but not alike, in some not so strictly. Alch. Sir, And why in Metalls in such a tyrannicall manner? Vox, Because hee would stand in awe of them no longer, when hee shall once come to his Kingly palaces, for then hee can be seen, and looke freely out of the windows; because there he is in his proper Kingdome, although not yet as hee desires. Alch. Sir, and what doth hee eat? Vox, His meat is wind, when hee is at liberty, it is decocted; but in prison hee is constrained to eat it raw. Alch. Sir, Can those enmities betwixt him and his Keepers bee reconciled? Vox, Yes, if any one were so wise. Alch. Why doth not he treat with them concerning a pacification? Vox, That hee cannot doe by himselfe, because presently hee waxeth hot with anger, and rage. Alch. Let him doe it by a Commissioner. Vox, Certainly hee would bee the most happy man in the world, and worthy of eternall memory, who could tell how to make peace betwixt them; but this no man can doe but hee that is very wise, and can agree with his Mother, and have co-intelligence with her: for if they were friends, one would not hinder the other, but joining their forces together would make things immortall. Truely hee that would reconcile them together would bee a man worthy to be consecrated to eternity. Alch. Sir, I will compose those differences betwixt them, and free him, I am in other matters a man very learned, and wise: Besides, I am very good at operations. Vox, Friend, I see truly that thou art big enough, and thou hast a great head, but I know not whether thou canst doe those things or no. Alch. Sir, Perhaps thou art ignorant of what the Alchymists know, in matter of treaty they have alwaies the better of it, and truly I am not the last, so that his enemies will but treat with mee, if they will treat, assure your selfe that they will have the worst. Sir, beleeve mee, the Alchymists know how to treat, if they only will but treat with mee, Sulphur shall presently be at liberty. Vox, I like your judgement well, I hear that you are approved of. Alch. Sir, Tell mee if this bee the true Sulphur of the Philosophers? Vox, This truely is Sulphur, but whether it be the Philosopher, that belongs to thee to know. I have said enough to thee concerning Sulphur. Alch. Sir, If I can find his prisons, shall I bee able to set him at liberty? Vox, If thou knowest well, thou shalt; for it is easier to free him then find them. Alch. Sir, I beseech thee tell mee but this, if I find him, shal I make the Philosophers stone of him? Vox, O Friend! It is not for mee to judge, doe thou look to that, yet if thou knowest his Mother, and followest her, Sulphur being at liberty, the Stone is at hand. Alch. Sir, in what subject is this Sulphur? Vo. Know for certain that this Sulphur is of great vertue, his Mine are all things in the world, for hee is in Metalls, Hearbs, Trees, Animalls, Stones, and Mineralls. Alch. And what Devill is able to find him out lying hid amongst so many things, and subjects? Tell mee the matter out of which the Philosophers take him. Vo. Friend, thou comest too neer, yet that I may satisfie thee, know that Sulphur is every where, but shee hath some certaine palaces, where shee is wont to give audience to the Philosophers; but the Philosophers adore him swimming in his owne sea, and playing with Vulcan; when the Philosophers goe to him unknown in his vile garments. Alch. Sir, in the sea, why then is hee not mine, since hee is hid here so neer? Vo. I told thee that his Keepers put him into most dark prisons, lest thou shouldst see him, for hee is in one subject alone, but if thou hast not found him at home, thou wilt scarce find him in the Woods. But doe not thou despaire in finding of him out: I tell thee of a truth, that hee is in Gold, and Silver most perfect, but in Argent vive most easy. Alch. Sir, I would very willingly make the Philosophers Stone. Vo. Thou desirest a good thing, Sulphur also would willingly bee out of bonds. And so Saturn departed. Now a deep sleep seased upon the Alchymist, being weary, and there appeared to him this Vision, Hee saw in that Wood a fountain full of water, about which walked Sal, and Sulphur, contending one with the other, untill at last they began to fight; and Sal gave Sulphur an incurable wound, out of which wound, in stead of blood, there came out water, as it were most white milk, and it became to be a great river. Then out of that Wood came forth Diana a most beautifull Virgin, who began to wash her self in that river: whom a certain Prince, a most stout man (and greater then his servants) passing by, and seeing, began to admire at her beauty; and because shee was of a like nature with him, hee became enamoured with her, which when she perceived, shee was inflamed with love towards him. Wherefore as it were falling into a swoun she began to be drowned: which that Prince seeing, commanded his servants to help her; but they were all afraid to goe to the river; to whom the Prince said, Why doe you not help Diana that Virgin? To whom they replyed, Sir, this river is indeed little, and as it were dryed up, but most dangerous: Once upon a time wee were willing to go into it without thy knowledge, and wee hardly escaped the danger of eternall death; Wee know also that others that were our predecessors perished in it. Then the Prince himselfe laying aside his thick mantle, even as hee was armed, leaped into the river, and to help faire Diana hee stretched forth his hand to her; who being willing to save her selfe, drew also the Prince himselfe to her, and so were both drowned. A little after their souls came out of the river, flying above the river, and said, It was well done of us, for else wee could not have been freed from those bodies which are polluted, and stained. Alch. But doe you ever return into those bodies againe? Anime, Not into such filthy bodies, but when they be purged, and this river shall bee throughly dryed up by the heat of the sunne, and this Province shall bee often tryed by the Aire. Alch. What shall you doe in the mean time. Anim. Here wee shall fly upon the river till those clouds, and tempests shall cease. In the mean time the Alchymist fell into a more desired dream of his Sulphur; and behold there appeared to him many Alchymists coming to that place to seek after Sulphur, and when they found the carkasse of that Sulphur that was slain by Sal by the fountain, they divided it amongst themselves: which when the Alchymist saw hee also took a part with them; and so every one of them returned home, and began to work in that Sulphur, and till this day they doe not give over. But Saturne meets this Alchymist, and saith to him, Friend, how is it with thee? Alch. O Sir, I have seen many wonderfull things, my wife would scarce beleeve them; now also I have found Sulphur, I beseech you Sir help, let us make the Philosophers Stone. Saturnus. With all my heart, my friend, make ready then Argent-vive, and Sulphur, and give hither a glasse. Alch. Sir, have nothing to doe with Mercury, for he is naught, he hath deluded my companion, and many others. Sat. Without Argent-vive, in whose Kingdome Sulphur is the King, the Philosophers have done nothing, neither doe I know what to doe without it. Alch. Sir, Let us make it of Sulphur alone. Sat. Well then, my friend, but it will succeed accordingly. Then they took that Sulphur, which the Alchymist found, and they did what the Alchymist would have done, they began to work divers ways, and to make experiments of Sulphur in divers strange kind of furnaces, which the Alchymist had: but in the conclusion of every operation there was brought forth nothing but Matches, such as old women usually sell to light candles withall. Then they began a new work, and sublimed, and calcined Sulphur according to the Alchymists pleasure; but in what way soever they worked it, it succeeded as before, for still they made nothing but Matches; then said the Alchymist to Saturn, Truly Sir, I see it will not succeed according to my fancy, I beseech thee doe thou work alone, what thou knowest. Then Saturn said, See then, and learn. Hee then took two Mercuries of a differing substance, but of one originall, which Saturn washed in his owne urine, and called them Sulphurs of Sulphurs, and mixed the fixed with the volatile, and the composition being made, hee put it into its proper vessell, and lest the Sulphur should fly away, hee set a keeper over him, and then put him into a bath of a most gentle heat, according as the matter required, and hee made all things very well. Then they made the Philosophers Stone, because of the true matter a true thing must needs bee made. The Alchymist being very glad took the Stone with the glasse, and beholding the colour thereof, which was like burnt blood, hee was amazed, and by reason of too much joy hee began to leap, in which leaping the glasse fell out of his hands upon the ground, and was broken. And so Saturn vanished away. The Alchymist also being awaked out of his dream, found nothing in his hands but Matches which hee made of brimstone: but the Stone flew away, and doth still fly; whence it is called Volatile: and so that miserable Alchymist learned nothing else by that Vision but how to make Matches: who afterwards laying aside the Stone, became to be a Physitian; by searching after the stone of the Philosophers hee got the stone of the Kidneys. Last of all hee led such a life, as such kind of Alchymists are wont to doe, who for the most part become Physitians, or Quacksalvers, which thing will happen to all, who betake themselves to the Art casually without any foundation, but only by hearesay, or by meanes of Receipts.