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CHAP. XLVIII. Of the Alchymie of Mercury.
I. ARgent Vive, which is also called Mer∣cury, is a Viscous Water in the Bowels of the Earth, by most temperate heat United, in a total Union, through its least parts, with the substance of White sub∣til Earth, until the humid be contemperated with the Dry, and the Dry with the humid equally. There fore it easily runs upon a plain Superfices, by reason of its watery humidity, but it adhers not, although it has a Viscous humidity, by reason of the dryness of that which Contemperatesit, and permits it not to adhere.
II. This is also as some say, the matter of Metals with Sulphur, and easily adheres to three Minerals, viz. Sa∣turn Jupiter and Sol, but to Luna more difficulty, and to Venus more difficulty than to Luna; but to Mars in no wise but by Artifice. Hence you may collect a very great Secret. For it is amicable and pleasing to the Metals, and the Me∣dium of conjoyning Tin∣ctures; and nothing is sub∣merged in Argent Vive, un∣less it is Sol. Yet Jupiter, and Saturn, Luna and Venus, are dissolved by it, and mixed; and without it, can none of the Metals be gild∣ed. It is fixed, and the Tincture of Redness, of most exuberant perfection. and fulgid splendor; and receeds not from the Com∣mixtion, till it is in its own nature. But it is not our Medicine in its Nature, but it may sometimes help in the Case.
III. Of the Sublimation of Argent Vive. This Work is compleated with its Ter∣restreity