Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...

Georgij Riplei MEDVLLA ALCHYMIAE.

The Marrow of Alchymie, Written in La∣tin by George Ripley, Cannon of Brid∣lington, which he sent out of Italy, Anno 1476. To the Arch-Bishop of YORK: Translated into English, and now Revised, and Claused,

By WILLIAM SALMON,

Professor of Physick.

CHAP. LXI. The Preface to the Arch-Bishop of York.

I. I Shall endeavour Sir, to explicate, open, and make plain to you, the Secrets of Alchymie, which I have attained to, by my Travels through Italy, and other Countries and King∣doms for the space of Nine

Years, drawing Forth, and Selecting the true Root, and Marrow of Nature (by a series of Experiences) from its most inward Recesses, and secret Habitations.

II. The which I am mo∣ved and compelled to from the singular Good-will, en∣tire Affections, and Sincere Love, which as well as in times past, I now at present bear unto you: And there∣fore shall faithfully (tho' briefly) declare the Secrets of this Art to you; plainly and openly, not Darkly and AEnigmatically, as if it was done under a Shadow or Vail.

III. Such indeed is your Life (your Works witnes∣sing the same) that you are as a healing Balm, a Refuge of Defence, and Shelter to the Church of God, a Pil∣lar of his Holy Temple, for which Reasons, I am ob∣liged to reveal these hidden Mysteries, and make known to you the abscondite Paths of Nature, not to rejoyce your outward Man only, by adding Health and long Life, heaping up Treasures, and external Honours and Applause in the World, but to excite in you the highest Devotion to God Almighty, that you might become good to all Men, profitable to the Church, a Father to the Fatherless, and a San∣ctuary to the Needy and Distressed.

IV. And in these things, I am confident of you, in whom is found such a Por∣tion and Treasure of Vertue, Prudence, Piety, and true Wisdom, but most chiefly, for that I know you to be such a one, who has God always before your Eyes.

V. And therefore I speak truly and fervently, and I will declare the Truth to you, with all faithfulness according to the reality of my Soul; I shall Elucidate the undoubted Verity, and declare such things, as with much Labour, Care, and Diligence I have sought out, and obtained the know∣ledge of; which I have seen with my Eyes, and have handled with my Hands,

and which my own self has done: And in this matter I will neither be tedious nor obscure, lest that love which I profess to you, should seem to be deficient or im∣perfect.

VI. Whatever I write, I shall open the same briefly and plainly beseeching God, that the matter whereof I shall entreat, may become profitable unto you; and that if you shall please to put the same into practice you may find the faithful experience thereof, and not be deceived, or spend your time in vain: For we know certainly, that of all transi∣tory things, Time is truly the most pretious.

VII. Wherefore I write unto you (honourable and dearly beloved Friend) such things only as may be pro∣fitable; making this humble suit unto your Excellency, that the Revealed Secrets and Experiments which I send you in this little Book, may not be prostituted, or bestowed upon unworthy Men, who are naughty, or swoln up with Pride, or whose Souls are bound up in their Covetousness.

VIII. I require not of you for this Secret, a great Summ of Gold or Silver; nor do I put this Secret in writing, for you to bestow much Cost and Expences upon it; nor do I for my self desire any reward; these things agree not with the Philosophick Verity, which professes, that its Works are not chargeable and Expen∣sive. Morienus saith, beware that you spend nothing in this Magistery of Gold. And Dastine, saith with the Value of one Noble is the whole Magi∣stery performed.

IX. Since then it is so, in what thing is our Gold to be found? Is it not in Mercury, which is called Quick or living Gold? Ray∣mandus saith, He that will reduce Quick-Gold into thin water, must make it, doe it, and Work it by its contrary. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saith he, Quick or living Gold, has in its self, four Na∣tures, and four humours or Elements. And therefore

saith he, if you putrefie its Cold with its Hot, and its Dry with its Moist, you shall not only have the Humidity of all Bodies, but you shall have a Menstruum, which will dissolve Argent Vive for ever. For the least part of Mer∣cury being once dissolved, the dissolved Mercury will always dissolve Mercury ad Infinitum.

X. [Mercury may as well be called Quick-Gold, as Quick-Silver, for it contains them both. If Air will make this separation, we must put thereto divers contrary things, as Roger Bacon saith in Speculo. But this putrefacti∣on cannot be done, till it is dissolved in Water white as Milk, putrifie that Milk 15 days in B. M. then separate its Element, and cleanse its Earth, and after that joyn it again in equal weight, then is the Elixir made compleate for Saturn and Jupiter. Quick Gold is Crude, Imperfect, and unfixt in every degree and yet it is accounted a Body, altho' there be no fixation in it, and there∣fore it may be much sooner brought to its first matter, than any other of the Bodies, that have any part of fixation in them, for they must have much Labour and long time to separate them, and bring them back into their fixt matter.]

XI. For saith Lully, The Elements of Mercury may be dissolved, and being so dissolved, they may be se∣parated. There be some that think our Resoluble Seed, or dissolved Men∣strum, is the water of Ar∣gent Vive, made only by it self, because it does dissolve both Metals, and pretious Stones which we call Pearls; and so it is. Now how this dissolving Menstrum is made, not only Raymund seems to shew, but Roger Bacon in like manner in his Speculum Alchymiae, where he saith, put the Body which is most weighty, into a Distillatory, and draw forth thereof, its Sweet Ros, or Dew, with a little Wind, or Breath: [for betwixt every drop of Water, comes forth a Breath, as it were of a Man, which is the substance of Argent Vive, and which the Philoso∣phers call our Mercury: which

if it be well putrefied before hand, will then yield the more, and Issue out forcibly, as if it were Wild-Fire out of a Trunk, especially when the Red Fume comes.] Thus have you one of our Argent Vives.

XII. To the same thing Raymundus assents, where he saith, then have you that Argent Vive, which is called Ours; and so it is indeed one of Our Argent Vive; altho' the intent of the same Philosopher in Libro Animae Artis Transmu∣tatoriae, Cap. 2. was touch∣ing another more noble and more excellent Water [sup∣posed by some, to be Our Burning-Water, drawn out of the Gum of Vitriol,] by the Virtue of which most Noble and Excellent, attractive Water, he did not only often dissolve the Body of Sol [not as he doth it with the aforesaid Argent Vive commonly dissolved] but also the same solar Bo∣dy, by force of that attra∣ctive Virtue, is disposed in a more noble manner; as I my self have seen done, not only in the Metalline Elixir, but also in the Elixir of Life, as hereafter shall be declared, Chap. 71, 72. Sect.

XIII. It is fansied by an Experienced Philosopher, that Mercury did speak, and said, I am the Father of Enchantments, Brother to the Sun, and Sister to the Moon, I am the Water of Life drawn out of Wine, [i. e. out of the Wine of Mercury] I kill that which was alive, and make alive that which was dead; I make Black, and I make White, and I carry in my Belly the Sol of Philoso∣phers; and therefore he that can joyn me after that I am dissolved, and made the pure clear and Silver like Water, called Lac Vir∣ginis, with my Brother the Sun, he shall tinge him with my Soul, not only much more than he was before by an hundred fold, but also if he be joyned with my Sister Luna, he shall make all things fair and bright. [this Lac Virginis is a Silver-like Water some∣what thick.]

CHAP. LXII. A farther Discourse of the Philosophers Mercury.

I. OF this Mercury, speaks another Phi∣losopher thus, when its Ele∣ments are separated, and again joyned and mixed together by equal weight, then is it made a compleat Elixir upon Saturn and Ju∣piter; but its Elements can∣not be separated, until such time as it is dissolved: and of this Metalline Water, ought the Artist to draw the Tincture.

II. [ The Elements of Mer∣cury being separated, and again commixed by equal weight or proportion, make the Elixir compleat, with of∣ten dissolving and congealing of the Spirit, which must be done upon a Marble Stone, weighing the Body, and then taking its weight of the Secret Salt, grinding them together very subtil, then putting them into Balneo, that they may be dissolved; which done, take it out, and make your congelati∣in a dry Fire, do so oftentimes, and then, &c.]

III. And therefore to confirm this, Raymundus saith, O my Son, Our Tin∣cture is drawn out of one Vile thing, and is decked, finished, and ended with another thing which is more Noble; for we do Ferment it with Vulgar Gold: He calls it Vile, be∣cause he saith it is sometimes found in Vile places, as in Old draughts: also it is Vile, because (as Raymundus saith) it is found not only in a fil∣thy form, and ugly shape, but because it is in every thing, of the which (saith Albertus) is made a Perma∣nent or fixt Water.

IV. [ Here is to be Noted, that Raymundus commands this Tincture to be drawn out of the Body of Venus, which Tincture he does Ferment with the prepared Calx of common or Vulgar Gold.]

V. And therefore saith Avicen, it behoves you to have a great quantity of our Gold, and of our Silver, to the end, that thereby the humours may be drawn forth; viz. to have at the least sixty pounds weight, which will be a sufficient quantity for your whole life. He also saith, the best Mercury is brought in skins, from Mount Passulane. Of this Mercury, Geber saith, you must labour in all your work to separate Mercury, or as others read it, to con∣vince or over-come Mercury, in commixing and conjoyn∣ing; for he that cannot de∣stroy Mercury, or undoe it in its composure, cannot re∣pair or restore it: nor may you work with it as Ray∣mund saith, till it is dis∣solved.

VI. And therefore it is said, joyn not that which is Crude, with that which is Decocted; for of that only with the Ferment, is made the Elixir, which does con∣geal all manner of Argent Vive. Wherefore as Ray∣mund saith, it is never con∣gealed without a congealing Sulphur; and being congeal∣ed, you have a great secret: for in the dissolved, Decoct∣ed Mercury, is a great and hidden Mystery.

VII. Another Philoso∣pher also saith, that there is a certain subtil Fume, which does spring forth from its proper Veins, dispersing and spreading its self a∣broad, the which thin Fume if it be wisely gathered to∣gether again, and sprinkled upon its proper Veins or Matrix, it will make not only a certain fixation (of which thin Fume, in short space is made the true Elixir) but also cleanses the Im∣pure Metals or Alchymick Body.

VIII. [ As to the Tincture

mentioned at Sect. 4: above, it rather seems by other words of the said Raymundus, that he drew it out of Quick-Silver, and no other vile thing, of which Mercury is made. What is meant at Sect. 6. by not joyning the Crude with the Decocted, is to be understood of not joyn∣ing Crude Mercury to the Decocted Bodies or Metals, but to put to them Decocted, i. e. dissolved Mercury. And herein is hidden a great secret, for Mercury being dissolved, is an hot and moist Sperm; but Crude, it is cold and dry Saturn. So that if you pu∣trifie its hot and moist Sperm with its cold and dry Earth, you will have Quick-Silver dissolved, which is not Crude, but Decocted Mercury. So that in Crude Mercury dis∣solved is hidden a great My∣stery. And however it is dis∣solved by a Fire not natural or against Nature, yet it must be mixed, conjoyned, fixed.]

IX. This Alchymick Body is called Leprous Gold, wherein Gold and Silver, are in Essence and Power, but not in sight or appear∣ance; in its Profundity or Depth, it is Airous or Spi∣ritual Gold, which none can obtain, unless the same Body be first made clean and pure. The which im∣pure Body after mundifica∣tion, is a thousand times better than are the Bodies of common Sol and Luna, Decocted by natural heat.

X. [This Leprous Gold the Philosophers call, Adrop, or Adrup, which Gold is the Philosophers Lead. This Al∣chymick Body (in his Concord) he calls Venus in the lesser Work, both for Gold and Sil∣ver, because it is a Neutral Body, and very easie to be changed to either: and by this the sense of Sect. 4. and 8. aforegoing may be more easily understood. The Earth, the uncleansed Body, is to be pu∣rified with its own Water, and afterwards nourished with its Mothers Milk, which is called the Sulphur of Nature.]

XI. The first Matter of this unclean Alchymical

Body is a Viscous Water, which is thickened in the Bowels of the Earth. And therefore of this Impure Body (as Vincent saith) is made the great Elixir of the Red and White, whose Name is Adrop, or Adrup, viz the Philosophers Lead. From the which Raymundus commands an Oyl to be drawn: from the Lead of the Philosophers (saith he) let there be an Oyl drawn of a Golden Colour; if you can separate this Oyl [where∣in is Our second Tincture and Fire of Nature] from its Flegm, which is it watrish∣ness, and wisely search out the Secret thereof, you may in the space of thirty days perform the Work of the Philosophers Stone.

XII. This Oyl does not only make the Medicine penetrable, being amicable and conjoynable to all Bo∣dies or Corporeal things, but it is also the hidden or Secret fire of Nature; which does so augment the Excellencies of those Bodies to whom it is so joyned, that it makes them to ex∣ceed in infinite proportions of goodness and purity. So much as does appertain to the Work of Alchymiae, which is only for the Elixir of Metals, is now suffici∣ently opened, which if you rightly understand, you will find that no great cost is required to the perform∣ance of this Philosophick Operation.

XIII. [The Innatural Fire is Our Aqua Foetens, or Sea-Water, sharp, peircing, and burning all Bodies more fiercely than Elemental Fire, making of the Body of Sol, a meer Spirit, which common Ele∣mental Fire has not power to do.]

XIV. But this Elixir of Metals is not all that I in∣tend to shew you; the Elixir of Life is that which I chief∣ly designed, infinitely ex∣ceeding all the Riches of this World, and to which the most excellent of all the Earthly things cannot be compared. And therefore, I shall. 1. Shew in the Mi∣neral

Kingdom, the Elixir of Metals, and that after divers manners. 2. In the Vegetable Kingdom, the Elixir both of Metals, and of Life. 3. In the Animal Kingdom, the Elixir of Life only; albeit the same Elixir of Life is most excellent for the transmutation of Metalls.

XV. There are three things necessary to this Art, of which you ought not to ignorant, viz. 1. The Fire wherewith: [The fire of Na∣ture, Innatural, Elemental, and which is against Nature, de∣stroying the special form of all that is dissolved therein.] 2. The Water whereby: [as in the Compound Water.] 3. And the thing whereof: [is made the congealed Earth, as White as Snow.] Of all which in their proper order.

CHAP. LXIII. Of the Mineral Stone, and Philosophick Fires.

I. ON a time as I have learned, there was an Assembly of Philoso∣phers, where the Matter of the Secret Stone, and the Manner of working it, was propounded. Several spoke their Opinions, but at length, one younger in Years, and (as was thought) Inferiour in Learning, de∣clared his thoughts and knowledge concerning that Secret. I know saith he, the Regiments of the Fires. When they had heard what he could say, they all as a mazed held their peace for a while.

II. At lenght, one of the Company made answer; If this be true which thou hast said, thou art Master

of us all, and thereupon with one consent, they gave him the Right Hand of Fel∣lowship. Whereupon they gathered, that the Secret of this wonderful Tincture lay chiefly in the Fire.

III. But the Fire differs after several manners; one Natural, another innatural or preternatural, another Elemental, another against Nature. The Natural Fire does come from the Influ∣ence of Sol, and Luna, and the Asterisms, or the Sun, Moon and Stars, of the which are Ingendred, not only the burning Waters, and potential Vapours of Minerals, but also the Natural Virtues of living things.

IV. The Innatural or Preternatural Fire, is a thing accidental, as Heat in an Ague, being made Artificially, and called by the Philosophers a moist Fire, Our generating Water, the fire of the first Degree; and for the temperature of its Heat is called a Bath, a Stew, a Dunghil, in which Dunghil is made the putre∣faction of our Stone. See Sect. 13. of the former Chapter, where it is more amply defined.

V. The Elemental fire, is that which does Fix, Cal∣cine and Burn, and is nou∣rished by Combustible things.

VI. The fire against Na∣ture [which is a violent, strong, Corrosive, destroying the spe∣cial form of that which is dis∣solved therein,] is that which in Power Dissolves, Frets, Infects, and destroys the generative Power of the form of the Stone: it does Dissolve the Stone into Water of the Cloud, with the loss of its Natural, At∣tractive, and special Form, and is called Fire against Nature, (as Raymundus 〈◊〉〈◊〉) from its Operation: for that which Nature does make, this fire against Na∣ture destroys and brings to Corruption, unless there be fire of Nature put to it.

VII. Here as Raymundus saith, lies contrary Opera∣tions, [as in the Compounded Water:] for as the fire against Nature, does Dissolve the Spirit of the fixed Body; the Volatile Spirit is thereby constrained to retire into a fixed Earth, [a Congealed Earth as White as Snow.]

VIII. For the fire of Na∣ture does Congeal the Dis∣solved Spirit of the fixed Body into a glorious Earth: and the Body of the Vola∣tile being fixed, by the same fire against Nature, is here again by the fire of Nature resolved into the Water of Philosophers, but not into the Water of the Cloud: and so by this means the fixed is returned back again into its wonted Nature of Flying, and the moist is made dry, and the ponde∣rous is made light.

IX. But yet he saith, this fire which is against Nature is not the Work of Our Magistery, but it is the fire which is purely Natural. This he saith, because he would shew us thereby the diffe∣rence between the Mineral Elixir, and the Vegetable, and the Animal. For that these three several Elixirs are made of three several Waters, viz. Mineral, Ve∣getable, and Animal, which serve for the Work divers ways.

X. And First we will Treat of the Mineral Elixir, then of the other in order. The Fire against Nature is a Mineral Water, [viz. the Humour or Tincture drawn out of Body of Venus Dissolved in its Mineral Spirit] very strong and Mortal, serv∣ing only to the Mineral Elixir.

XI. This Mineral Wa∣ter, or Fire against Nature, is drawn with fire Elemen∣tal, from a certain stink∣ing Menstruum, as Ray∣mundus saith, and is made of four things. It is the strongest Water in the World, whose only Spirit, (saith he) does wonderful∣ly increase and multiply the Tincture of the Fer∣ment: for here Sol or Gold is

Tinged with the Mineral Spirit, the which Mineral Spirit is the strength of the most simple Sulphur with∣out much Earthiness.

XII. [Thin Mineral Water is the dropping of Adrop or Adrup, Venus, which is the noble Tincture called the natu∣ral Roman Vitriol, and which for the abundance of its noble Tincture, is called Roman Gold.]

XIII. This some do call the Spirit of the Green Lyon, others the blood of the Green Lyon: wherein almost all Err, and are deceived: for the Green Lyon of the Philosophers, is that Lyon, by whose Virtue attractive, all things are lifted up from the Bowels of the Earth, and the Winter-like Caverns, making them to Wax green and flourish: whose Child (for all the Elixirs are to be had from it) is to us most acceptable and suffici∣ent.

XIV. [The Child of Philoso∣phers is generated of their Green Lyon, of which Child is had the strength of Sulphur, both White and Red; Our two Sulphurs of Nature are the Gold and Silver of the Philosophers, and their hidden Treasure.]

XV. Of this Child of the Green Lyon of the Phi∣losophers is drawn the strength of Sulphur White and Red, but not Burning as Avicen saith, which are the two best things the Al∣chymist can take to make his Gold and Silver of: and this is sufficient to be said, for the attaining the knowledge of the Green Lyon: which is so called, because, that when he is dissolved, he is streight ways adorned with a green Vesture. [i. e. When our Sulphur of Nature is dis∣solved in its own Menstru∣um, which is the Virgins Milk, it is clothed with this greenness, and therefore called the Green Lyon.]

XVI. But of the Green Lyon of Fools, this we say, that from it with a strong, fire is drawn Aquafortis, in the which, the aforesaid Philosophers Lyon of the

Mineral Stone, ought to be Elixirated, and assumes its Name. Raymundus saith, it were better, or fafer, to eat the Eyes of a Basalisk, than that Gold, which is made with the Fire against Nature.

XVII. And I say also, that the things from whence the same Aquafortis is drawn is green Vitriol and Azoth: i. e. Vitriol Natural, not Ar∣tificial, viz. the droppings of Copper, called also Roman Vitriol, Roman Gold, by many of the Philosophers, from the abundance of its noble Tincture, the which Tincture must be Ferment∣ed with Common Gold.

XVIII. How great and Secret a Virtue, then, and of what strength, the Fire against Nature is, evidently appears in the construction of the Body of the Vola∣tile Spirit, being by it vul∣garly sublimed in the form of Snowy Whiteness. Ray∣mundus in the end of the Epistle of his Abridgment saith, feed Argent Vive with this Oyl, viz. with the Oyl wherewith the Spirit of the Quintessence is thick∣ened, &c.

XIX. For want of such, Natural 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the true and natural Principle, not Artificial, (as Vincent saith) made of Salts, Sulphurs, and Alums, which cut and gnaw Metals, is to be chosen, lest in the end of your work you fail of your de∣sire. [The Philosophers will you to Calcine Sol with Mer∣cury Crude, till it be brought into a Calx Red as Blood: Here comes in the work of Sol and Mercury together, brought into a dry Red Pou∣der and fixed, but whether it is to be done with Mer∣cury or Sulphur, the Water of him, is doubtful.]

CHAP. LXIV. The manner of Elixiration with the Fire against Nature.

I. TAke the first Sol, Cal∣cined with the first Water, viz. the Mercurial Spirit, very clean, and brought into the Color of Blood, in the space of 20 days, (in lesser time it is not to be done.) This Cal∣cination cannot be so profi∣table, as it would be, unless Sol be first Mercurializ'd into such a thinness, as it may cleave together to that to which it must be joyned in a 24 fold propor∣tion, (viz. as 1. to 24.) strain ed through a clean Linnen Cloth, without any remain ing substance of the Gold.

II. I my self have seen it so ordered and done; and then it may certainly, in a strong Bolt Head, well Luted on every side, except on the Top, boyling in a strong Fire for the space of 20 days, be precipita∣ted into a Red Pouder, like Cinnaber, (all which I have seen performed.) Every particle of this Pouder you shall so fix, as that if it be put upon a Red-Hot Iron Plate, its Spirit shall not fume or fly away.

III. This Pouder Dissolve with, or in our Fire against Nature; being Dissolved, abstract the Water of the Fire against Nature from it, so long till the substance of the Pouder so Dissolved, do remain in the Vessel, as thick as an Oyl; which Oyl, first, with a soft fire, and after with a stronger, fix into dry Pouder.

IV. [This Work is not to be done all at once, but by

little and little at a time, till it goes through with it in the Color of Blood; then will it precipitate into a Red Pouder, called by the Philosophers Se∣ricon: Dissolve it with as much of Our Vegetable Sal Anatron, the space of an hour, then set it in Balneo, in a long Receptory, till it be clear∣ly dissolved, and becomes as it were a fine Wine, which with the very softest heat, make it to Evaporate, and Congeal, so will you have a pure Stone, and of subtil parts.

V. Also if you dissolve this same Red Pouder of Mercury in Water or Spirit of Common Salt, prepared as Bachon and Albertus have taught, you shall have an Oyl or Salt of Gold, which no Fire can de∣stroy, which will melt and tinge with a solar Color upon a Plate of Venus. This Trea∣sure carry always with you, wheresoever you go: Who knows not the Secret of this prepared Salt in Our lesser Works, knows little of the hidden things of Alchymie.]

VI. Try this fixt Pouder (at Sect. 3. above) for the fixation, reiterate still the Work with the same Fire against Nature upon the same Pouder Ten times, and it will be dryed up no more into Pouder, but remain in a thick Oyl, the which will turn Argent Vive, and all Bodies into pure Alchymick Gold, sufficiently good for all works of the Goldsmith, but not for Medicine for Man's Body.

VII. A Second way, Gold is much more wonderfully Elixirated by the said Fire against Nature, compound∣ed with the Fire Natural, after this manner. Let Vi∣triol of the Fire of Nature, made of the most sharp Hu∣midity, or moisture of Grapes, and Sericon, joyn∣ed together in a Mass, with the Natural Mineral Vitriol (called the Gum of Adrop, or Vitriol Azoth,) made some∣what dry, and with Sal Nitre, be dissolved.

VIII. First Ascends a Fair, Weak, Flegmatick Water, which cast away. Then a White Fume, ma∣king the Vessel appear

White like Milk, which Fume must be gathered in∣to the receiver, so long till it ceases, and the Vessel becomes clear, of its own Color. This water of the White Fume is the stinking Menstruum, which is called Our Dragon against Nature. This Menstruum, if the said Dragon against Nature was absent, would be our Fire Natural, of which we shall hereafter speak in its proper place.

IX. [Raymundus saith, this Water is made of four things: 1. The Composition of Sal Amarum. 2. Menstru um Foetens. 3. Argent Vive, which is a common substance in every Corruptible Body. 4. Mineral Vitriol.

X. This compounded Water Mineral, and Water Vegeta∣ble, being mixed together, and made one Water as aforesaid, doth work con∣trary Operation, which is wonderful, it Dissolves and Congeals, it makes moist and dry, it putrifies and purifies; it divides asunder and joyns together; it de∣stroys and restores; it kills and makes alive; it wounds and heals again; it makes soft and hardens; it makes thin and thick; it resolves Compounds, and Com∣pounds again: It begins the Work and makes an end of the same.

XI. These two Mineral Waters Compounded toge∣ther in one, are the two Dragons Fighting and stri∣ving to gather one against the other in the Flood of Satalia: viz. the White Fume and the Red; and one of them shall devour the other. And here the Solutory Vessels ought to be Luted but gently, or clo∣sed with Linnen Cloth, or with Mastick, or common Wax, or Cerecloth.

XII. These two Dragons are Fire and Water, with∣in the Vessel and not with∣out; and therefore if they feel any exteriour fire, they will rise up to the top of the Vessel, and if they be yet forced by the violence or strength of the Fire, they will break the Vessel, and

so you will lose all your Work.

XIII. This Compoun∣ded Water aforesaid, does Congeal as much as it does Dissolve, and lists it up into a glorious Crystalline Earth. This is our Secret dissoluti∣on of the Stone, which is always done with the Con∣gelation of its Water. The Fire of Nature is here put to the Fire against Nature; therefore as much as the Stone has lost of its form by the power and strength of the Water, or Fire against Nature; so much has it got∣ten and recovered again of its form, by the Virtue of the Water, or Fire of Nature. But the Fire against Nature, by the means of the Fire of Nature, cannot be de∣stroyed.

CHAP. LXV. The Practice with the said Compounded Water, upon the Calx of the Body Dissolved.

I. THE Practice with the said Compound∣ed Water, upon the Calx of the Body duly dissolved and prepared: Take the prepared Body (made with a thick Oyl,) put to it so much of the Compounded Water as may cover the same Calx (i. e. Our prepared Calx with Our Vege table Menstruum) by the depth of half an Inch. The Water will presently boil over the Calx without ex∣ternal dissolving the Stone, and lifting it up into the form of Ice, with the dry∣ing up also of the said Water.

II. The said Calx being so dissolved and sublimed into the form of Ice, you must take away; after this is done, the residue of the Calx remaining in the Vessel

undissolved, shall again be well dryed by the Fire, up∣on which put so much of the said Compounded Wa∣ter as you did before, dis∣solving, subliming and dry∣ing, till the Calx is wholly dissolved.

III. The substance thus dissolved, subtily separated and brought into a Pouder, must be put (as thereafter shall be shewed) into a good quantity of the Fire of Na∣ture (which is a Quintescence) the same being first well rectified, and the Vessel well stopp'd, to the end, that the means of the heat outwardly administred unto it, procuring the inward heat to work, it may be dissolved into an Oyl; the which will soon be done, by reason of the simplicity of the Water, or simple Fire of Nature.

IV. And therefore when you have brought the said Pouder so dissolved, sub∣limed, and prepared with the said Compounded Wa∣ter into an Oyl (〈◊〉〈◊〉 is our Menstruum Visible, unto sight) by putting thereto a good quantity of the afore∣said rectified simple Fire of Nature, as before declared; then abstract or draw away the said Water again from the same Oyl, by Distil∣ling the same in a moist Temperate heat, so long till there remains in the bot∣tom of the Glass a thin Oyl.

V. This Oyl, the oftner it is dissolved with the said simple rectified Fire of Na∣ture, and the said Water Abstracted or Distilled by a Temperate heat, so much the more will the said Oyl be made subtil and thin.

VI. With the said Oyl (provided the Calx be the Calx of Sol or Luna) you may incere the substances or Calces of other Bodies, the said Bodies being first dis∣solved, exalted, sublimed, and prepared with the said Compounded Water, in manner and form of Ice aforesaid, till that by the Inceration of the said subtil and thin Oyl of Sol and Luna, the said substances of

other Bodies be made fixed, and to flow like Wax.

VII. With which flowing substance, you shall not only congeal Argent Vive into perfect Sol and Luna, according as you have pre∣pared your Medicine, but you shall also with the same fluxible and flowing sub∣stance, transmute and change all such other im∣perfect Bodies, (as they were, whose Calces were so sublimed, and from whom, at their first sublim∣ing or lifting up, they took their beginning) into Sol and Luna aforesaid.

VIII. And this thin and subtil Oyl, being put into Kemia its proper Vessel, first sealed up, to putrifie in the Fire of the first degree, being moist: it becomes as black as liquid Pitch. The fire may then have its Acti∣on in the Body, to corrupt it, (the same Body as be∣fore so opened.)

IX. Therefore it grows first black, like melted Pitch, because the bear working in this moist Body, does first beget a blackness, which blackness is the first sign of Corruption: and since the Corruption of one thing is the generation of another; therefore of the Body cor∣rupted, is generated a Body Neutral, which is certainly apt, declinable, and appli∣cable unto every Ferment whatsoever you please to apply it to.

X. But the Ferment must be altered together with the Alchymick Body; and the whole substance of our Stone or Elixir must partake of the Nature of the Quin∣tescence, otherwise it will be of no effect.

XI. And between the said sign of blackness and perfect whiteness, which will follow the said blackness, there will appear a green Color, and as many vari∣able Colors afterwards as the mind of Man is able to conceive.

XII. When the present White Color shall begin to appear like the Eyes of

Fishes, then may you know that Summer is near at hand, after which Autumn or Harvest will happily fol∣low with ripe fruit, which in the long looked for Red ness: This is after the Pale, Ashy, and Citrine Color.

XIII. First the Sun does perfectly Descend by its due Course, from its Me∣ridional height and Glory, through its gross and natu∣ral solution into an imper∣fect Pale, and Ashy Color, shining in the Occidental parts of the West, which is somewhat of a yellowish or Brick dust Color: from thence it goes to the Sep∣tentrional parts of the Earth, being of a Variable watrish blackness, of a dark, cloudy, alterable, putrefactive wa∣trishness.

XIV. Then it Afcends up to the Oriental parts, shining with a more per∣fect Crystalline, Summer∣like, and Paradisical White: Lastly, he Ascends his Fiery Chariot, directing his Course up again to his Meridional Life, Perfection and Glory, there to Rule and Shine, in fire, brightness, splendor, and the highest perfection, even in the highest, most pure, and Imperial Red∣ness.

XV. When this aforesaid simple Oyl of the altered Body, being in its Vessel duly sealed, is by the Fire thus disposed, what is there more than one simple thing, which nature has made to be generated of Sulphur and Mercury in the Bowels of the Earth?

XVI. Thus it is evident, that our Stone is nothing else but Sol and Luna, Sul∣phur and Mercury: Male and Female; Heat and Cold. And therefore (to be more short) when all the parts of our Stone, are thus gathe∣red together, it appears plainly enough, what is our Mercury, Our Sulphur, Our Alehymick Body, Our Ferment, Our Menstruum, Our Green Lyon: And what Our White Fume, Our two Dragons, Our Fires, and Our Egg, in which is both

the Whiteness and the Red∣ness.

XVII. As also what is Man's Blood, Our Aquae Vitae, Our Burning, Water, and what are many other things, which in this Our Art are Metaphorically, or figuratively named to de∣ceive the Foolish and un∣wary.

XVIII. Also there is a si∣militude of a Tri-une, shin∣ing, in the Body, Soul, and Spirit. The Body is the sub∣stance of the Stone. The Soul is the Ferment which cannot be had, but from the most perfect Body; and the Spirit is that which raiseth up the Natures from Death and Corruption to Life, Perfection and Glory.

XIX. In Sulphur, there is an Earthiness for the Bo∣dy: In Mercury, there is an Aerealness for the Spirit, and in them both a Natu∣ral Unctuosity for the Soul or Ferment; all which are inseparably United in their least parts for ever: From this Fermental Body the Stone is formed, and with∣out it, it cannot be made.

XX. It is the peculiar pro∣perty of Sol and Luna, (the which property appertains to the Stone it self) to give the form of Gold and Silver. And therefore the Elixir, whether it be White or Red, may be Infinitely aug∣mented with the Fermental Oyl: if you do cast the same upon Mercury, it shall transmute it into the Elixir, which Elixir must be cast afterwards upon the Imper∣fect Bodies.

XXI. Moreover the said White Elixir is augmented with Mercurial Water, and the Red Elixir with the Mercurial Oyl; the which two, viz. the Mercurial Water and Mercurial Oyl, can only be had of Mercury dissolved of it self.

XXII. See what the Scrip∣ture saith, He stroke the Stone, and Water flowed out, and he brought forth Oyl out of the Flinty Rock. We may Note the whole composition of the Elixir in these four Verses following.

XXIII. He stretched forth the Heavens as a Curtain. The Water stood above the Mountains: This is the Wa∣ter which does cover Our Matter, and performs the dissolution thereof, causing a cloudy Ascension. That does walk upon the Wings of the Wind. This figures forth the sublimation of ourStone.

XXIV. Who makes his Angels Spirits, and his Mini∣sters a flame of Fire. By this is shadowed forth the rectification, separation, and disposition of the Ele∣ments. Who has founded the Earth upon its Basis; so fixt, that it shall not be moved for ever. Under which is de∣scribed the fixation of the Elements, and the perfe∣ction of the Philosophick Stone.

CHAP. LXVI. Another way of Elixirating Gold by the Fire against Nature.

I. ANother way, by which the Body of Gold is Elixirated by the power of the Fire against Nature, through the help of the Operation of the Fire of Nature; which is thus. Dissolve the Body of pure Gold in the Fire against Na∣ture, the same fire being well rectified Arsenick [Mer∣cury sublimate] as the man∣ner is; from which Gold being so dissolved into a Citrine, clear and shining Water, without any Hete∣rogenity, or Sand remain∣ing, let the water be abstra∣cted, till the Body does re∣main in the bottom of the Glass, like a fixt Oyl.

II. Upon this Oyl, affuse the said Water, or Fire against

Nature again, and abstract again, and this work so of∣ten repeat till the water or fire against Nature, have no more sharpness upon the Tongue than common Well-Water.

III. This done, draw such another new water or fire against Nature, which Affuse upon the former Oyl, and abstract in all respects as before is taught: then Affuse upon this Oyl the water or fire of Nature well rectified, and let it be dou∣ble in quantity or propor∣tion of the said Oyl of the Body so dissolved, and put it into a Vessel, which stop well, and set it in Balneo for seven days; so will the water or fire of Nature be∣come a Citrine Color.

IV. This water or fire of Nature by its attractive Vir∣tue, will draw away the Tincture from the fire against Nature, as Raymundus saith in his practical Alphabet. And altho' it is somewhat opposite to Nature, to dis∣solve the Bodies with the fire against Nature; yet if you know how to com∣fort the matter with the fire of Nature, and by Balnea∣tion in 15 days, to draw it from the blackness of the water, or fire against Nature, (the which may be done, as I have proved, in 6 days) you shall perfect the work, and attain the desired end.

V. Let the aforesaid Na∣tural Water or fire of Na∣ture, so tinged with a Yel∣low Color, be always wa∣rily emptied, and poured off from the aforesaid dis∣solved Bodies, into another Vessel, with a narrow Mouth, that may be firm∣ly stopped: and then with more of the said fire, let there be made in Balnco, in the space of time aforesaid, another quantity of the said Oyl.

VI. And so the same wa∣ter being tinged with Sol or Gold, let it be warily emp∣tied, and poured off as be∣fore: and when the water of Nature will be tinged no more, then it is a sign, that the Tincture is all drawn forth from the dissolved

Body by the Fire against Nature.

VII. Put the Tinctures thus decanted off into a Glass Stillatory, and with a soft or easie Fire abstract the Water or Fire of Na∣ture from the same, so long till you see in the bottom an Oyl; to which you must put New Fire of Nature again, well rectified: and after the Matter has stood in Balneo for the space of 6 days, then abstract the said water or fire of Nature by distillation.

VIII. And let the work with the same water be re∣peated upon and from the said Oyl, after the same manner so long till you have brought your Oyl of Gold to be most subtil and pure, without any Foeculent grossness, wherein let no∣thing of the water or fire of Nature be left behind, but the substance of Gold only, turned to Oyl.

IX. This subtil and pure Oyl of Gold, being put in Kemia, or its proper Vessel, and firmly sealed up, may by the aforesaid Regiments be changed into the great Elixir, as it is shewed be∣fore with the other simple Oyl, made with the Com∣pounded Water, in the for∣mer practice, at Sect. 8. Chap. 65. aforegoing.

X. But to proceed: sub∣lime Quick-Silver with Ro∣man Vitriol and prepared or Calcined Salt; and after that sublime it by it self alone three times from its Foeculent substance. This done, and the same made into Pouder, put this subli∣mate Pouder into a fixato∣ry Vessel, and put thereto a certain quantity of your aforesaid Oyl of Gold, but so much only, as may scarcely cover the subli∣mate: firmly close the Ves∣sel, and set it in a soft Fire, till the Natures are perfectly joyned together.

XI. This done, grind it upon a Marble, and In∣cerate it again with your said Oyl of Gold, and af∣ter put it again into its Fix∣atory Vessel, under a Fire

of the first Degree as before, and let the same Vessel stand twice as long as it did before, to the Intent that the Natures may be firmly Compact and United together.

XII. Now this Rule is generally to be Observed, that the Vessel with the Matter in it to be fixed, ought always to be set over the fire from time to time to be augmented: and this In∣ceration to be continued still upon the Argent Vive sub∣limed, until the same is per∣fectly fixed with the said Oyl or substance of Gold.

XIII. The which must be proved upon a Plate of Silver Red Hot: And if it be found fixed, let it have for the greater cer∣tainty, one Inceration more of the said Oyl, which set under a strong fire for the space of three days: then grind it with your Oyl up∣on the same Stone, till it be as thick as an Oyntment; which make perfectly dry with an easie fire, and then let it be Calcined with a strong fire for the space of eight hours.

XIV. Which done, then Incerate it, and dry it again with a soft or gentle fire oftentimes, till it stands in the fire like melted Wax. This Medicine will trans∣mute Silver substantially and perfectly into fine and pure Alchymick Gold, per∣fect to all the works of Goldsmiths, but not to Me∣dicine for Man.

CHAP. LXVII. Two other Mineral Elixirs, or Two other Processes of Mercury.

I. THere be many other Noble and Profita∣ble Secrets in this Art, or Mystery of our Mineral Stone; viz. good Elixirs to be made out of Metalline Bodies; of which Mineral Elixirs, two are more ex∣cellent than the rest, the first of which we shall han∣dle in this Chapter.

[Here comes in the Process or Practical Operation of Mercu∣ry mentioned Chap. 61. Sect. 13. aforegoing.]

II. The first of these Elixirs is only in Mercury: The second, in Mercury and the White Body for the White Elixir; and with the same to the Red too, if you so please, being prudently pursued and sought af∣ter.

III. The first manner to Elixirate only with Mercury is thus. Dissolve Mercury only, by it self into a Milky water, with the which Mer∣cury so dissolved, you may dissolve so much more Mer∣cury, and so continually, as long as you please.

IV. Put this into a gen∣tle Fire to be Distilled, so shall you have Our Virgins Milk White and Chrystal∣line, wherewith all Bodies may be dissolved into their first Matter, Washed and Purged.

V. This water is of a Silver Colour, which if you fix with its Earthy Faeces Calcin'd, and after that dis∣solved again in the quanti∣ty of its remaining water,

and then again Coagulated and Congealed, (which work is to be done upon a Stone,) you will have at length the Elixir of Argent Vive, which will transmute all Imperfect Bodies to a perfect Whiteness.

VI. And so of this Mer∣curial substance is made a water permanent or fixt, wherewith the Calces of all Bodies may be so depurated and Whitened, as thereby to become the most pure and fine Silver.

VII. And therefore as I have said before in the be∣ginning of this work, when Mercury is dissolved, then are its Elements separable; and after the separation of its Mercurial Liquor, and that a competent putrefacti∣on is performed; after the same White Liquor, there will Distill a Golden moi∣sture or humour, to which if you add a small quantity of the Ferment of the Gum of the aforesaid Elix∣irated White Stone, that then the same White Stone, with the said Golden hu∣mour, shall be made the Red Stone, which shall transmute Argent Vive, and all Metalline Bodies into the finest and most pure Gold.

VIII. Again, if you take the aforesaid Red humour of Mercury and Dissolve in it a little of the aforesaid Red Ferment, being made as aforesaid of the White Stone, and then with the same Red humour of Mer∣cury, so Fermented with it self, the Calces of all Bodies, may be so depura∣ted and Citrinated, that thereby they may become most pure Gold.

IX. When also Argent Vive is dissolved, then dis∣solve in it a little of the a∣foresaid Red Ferment, and so put all into Kemia, or a proper Vessel, which firm∣ly close up with a Philo∣sophick Seal. Then with a continual and easie or gentle Fire, draw out the Char∣riot of the four Elements through the Depth of the Sea, until (the Floods be∣ing dryed up) there appears

in the Matter a bright shin∣ing substance, like to the Eyes of the Fishes.

X. For by this Operati∣on, if you keep your Tem∣perate Fire continually a∣live, the Floods shall dry up, with an exceeding drought, and the dry Land or Earth shall appear, as in the days of Noah, the waters were dryed up from off the Earth, and behold the Face of the Ground was dry. And by lifting up the Rod of Moses, and stretching out his hand, the waters were dryed up, and the dry Ground appeared in the midst of the Sea: for so says David, He Rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dry∣ed up; he led them through the Depths as through the Wilderness.

XI. And then by the Space of Forty days following, it shall be Rubified, (as the Philosophers Demonstrate) by the help of a Vehement Fire, as the Nature of it requires, continuing and remaining in the same strong Fire till it melt and flow like Wax, whereby it will be able to transmute all Bodies into pure fine Gold.

XII. And thus the White and Red Medicines are mul∣tiplied with their own pro∣per humidities: viz. only by the solution of the White Medicines in their own pro∣per White and Red hu∣mours, and by their Coa∣gulation again of the same, as necessity requires. Thus have we explicated, with singular plainess of Speech, the Elixiration of Mercury per se, or Argent Vive a∣lone.

CHAP. LXVIII. The second of the former Elixirs, with Mer∣cury and the Body Alchymick.

I. TO Elixirate with Mercury, and the Body Alchymick. Take One part of the most pure Kibrick [quod est pater Mer∣curij & omnium Liquabili∣um,] Sea water twelve parts, in which dissolve the Kibrick: being dissolved, strain the wa∣ter through a Linnen Cloth; and what remains undissolved, which will not go through, put into the Vessel called Kemia, set it over a gentle fire, as it were the heat of the Sun, un∣till there appears on the Top a Red Color.

II. Then put to it a quarter more of the Sea-water afore∣said, being kept in a very clean Vessel, set it on a very gentle fire, and dry it up again, as you did before, by little and little at a time.

III. For in this Work, by so much less there is put of the Spirit, and more of the Body; by so much the sooner and better shall the Solution be made; the which Solution is made by the Congelation of its wa∣ter.

IV. And therefore as the Rosary saith, you must be∣ware that the Belly be not made over moist, for if it be, the water shall not re∣ceive or attain to its dry∣ness.

V. This manner of Im∣bibition must be Observ∣ed and continued so long, till the whole water by se∣veral Imbibitions shall be dryed up into a Body.

VI. This done, let the Vessel be firmly and Philo∣sophically Sealed up, and placed in its proper For∣nace, with a mean or gen∣tle fire, which must not wax cold, from the first hour you begin to set the same into the Fornace, till you have made an end of the whole work.

VII. And when the mat∣ter is sublimed, then let it be made to Descend by lit∣tle and little without Vio∣lence, the fire being Arti∣ficially made or set over it; which done, let it be again sublimed as before.

VIII. And so let the Soul of the Sun of the Vulgar (the which Soul is Our un∣clean Oyntment, the Spi∣rit not yet conjoyned with the Body) Ascend from the Earth to the Heaven; and again make it to Descend from Heaven to the Earth, till all becomes Earth, which before was Heaven.

IX. To the end there may be made a substance, not so hard as the Body, nor yet so soft as the Spirit; but holding a mean dispo∣sition, standing fixed and Permanent in the fire, like a White peice of melted Wax, flowing in the bottom of the Vessel.

X. The which White substance, of a mean or middle consistency, must be fed and nourished with Milk and Meat, till the quantity thereof be increa∣sed according to your de∣sire.

XI. This Medicine being Fermented to the Red, with a portion of Sol Dis∣solved in the water of the Sea, by reason of separat∣ing the first; the form from the Matter, to the end, that it may be in a more noble form than it was before, when the first qualities did remain undivided; and that it may be brought into a Purple Colour by the help of a strong and continual fire: whereby is made the true Elixir, both for the White and Red Work.

XII. Now this Elixir, be it White or Red, shall be increased an hundred fold more, both in Virtue and Goodness, if its Quintes∣sence be fixed with it, and that then afterwards it be brought and reduced by the Fire of Nature into a thin Oyl, the which must be done in a Circulatory Vessel: for truly, then the least drop thereof does Con∣geal a thousand drops of Mercury into the very greatest Medicine.

CHAP. LXIX. Of the Vegetable Stone.

I. THe Vegetable Stone is gotten by Virtue of the Fire of Nature, of the Composition of which fire we now intend plainly to treat, and of the way how to work with it, in every respect.

II. [Its Composition is of four things, as Raymundus saith, in his Book of Quintes∣sences: It is a Composition of Sal Amarum, which is Ignis adeptus, a fire that is gotten without Wood or Coal, and by an easie working, does work against all manner of sharpness of Action of the Visible Fire, like as if it were the fire of Hell; and therefore, altho' Wine be hot, yet this water of Mercury is hotter: for it is able to dissolve all Bodies, to putrefie, and also to divide the Elements, which neither common Fire nor Wine can do.]

III. Some think that this Fire of Nature is extracted or drawn from Wine, ac∣cording to the common way, and that it must be rectified by often Distilla∣tions, until its Flegm is wholly abstracted, which hinders its Heat, Virtue,

Strength and Burning. But this, when it is done to all advantages, and its highest perfection (which Fools call the pure Spirit) and then put to the Calx of the Body never so well prepared, yet will it be weak and ineffe∣ctual to Our purpose, for Dissolution, Conservation, &c.

IV. [ The true and Pure Spirit is Our Silverish Spirit of Wine, which is our Vege∣table Mercury, and the true water of the Philosophers. Con∣cerning which, see in Ripley's secret Concord.]

V. Wherefore since the vulgar Spirit or Wine is such, it is evident that there is an Error in choosing of this Principle: for the true Principle, (which is the be∣ginning) is the Resolutive Menstruum [which is the Soul of Mercury, and this Tincture is a very Oyl, separate from its foul Earth and faint Wa∣ter] which, as we know, and according to the tradi∣tions of the Wise Philoso∣phers, is an Unctuous moi∣sture, which is the near∣est Matter of Our Vege∣table and Philosophick Mercury.

VI. The which Princi∣ple, Resolutive Menstruum, Near Matter, or Unctuous Moisture, Raymundus [in Cap. 6. and Cap. 8. of his Cla∣vis] does call Black, Black∣er than Black: The which Black thing or Matter I certainly know.

VII. But since Raymun∣dus saith, that this Resolu∣tive Menstruum, does come from Wine, or the Lees, or Tartar thereof, how is he to be understood? Truly, he himself unfolds the My∣stery: Our Water or Men∣struum, is a Metalline Water, generated of a Metalline Matter only: So that Ray∣mundus speaks, either of the Resolutive Menstruum or of the Resoluble Menstruum.

VIII. [This Menstruum springs from a Silver Wine, which does Naturally make a dissolution of its own Sulphur. It is apparent in the 11. Cap. of Raymundus, that Our Mercurial and Radical moi∣sture

is not only Congealed in∣to perfect Metal, by Vapour of its hot and dry Sulphur, but that also the same Metal∣line Water, being so termina∣ted in the form of a Me∣tal, after its Resolution in Ashes has power naturally of a Menstruum to dissolve Our Stone or Sulphur, and change it to its Vegetable Na∣ture, without prejudice or hurt to its own Nature.

IX. [Wherefore he says, that from whatsoever any thing does spring or grow by Na∣ture, that into the same it may again be resolved.]

X. If he (viz. Raymun∣dus) speaks of the first water or Resolutive Men∣struum; you are to under∣stand that it is (so as he speaks) not a Metalline Water, but after a certain manner: for this water of the Resolutive Menstruum, is both a Sulphurous and a Mercurial Vapour [Ignis and Azoth] and by reason of its Sulphurity, it burns with the fire.

XI. [This Resolutive Menstruum is our Vegetable Mercury, which is our Va∣pourous Menstruum, and eve∣ry burning water of Life, Aqua Vitae ardens, by whose attractive Virtue, the Body of the Volatile Spirit, being fixed by the fire against Nature, is dissolved naturally into the wa∣ter of Philosophers, and ex∣alted and lifted up from its Salt and Combustible Dregs into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mercurial and Natural substance, which must be Fermented with the Oyl of Sol and Luna, and then is made there of the great Elixir; with which Mercu∣rial substance we also coun∣terfeit Pearls and Pretious Stones.]

XII. We see also, that in Tartar dryed only in the Sun, there are certain Mer∣curial Qualities shining and giving of light to the Eye, but the kind of Metals is a Composition of Sulphur and Argent Vive. And there∣fore, if he means after this sort, then the Resolutive Menstruum, may be taken for a Metalline water; for

otherwise it is not Answer∣ed.

XIII. Again, Raymun∣dus proves clearly to the contrary, where he answers him who demanded of him; in what is the Vegeta∣ble Mercury, in Gold or in Silver? It is (saith he) a simple Coessential substance, the which is brought from its own Concrete parts and proper Veins, to such a pass or point by the Dissolutive Menstruum, that by Virtue of the simple and Co-essen∣tial substance, they are able to multiply their similitudes in Mercuries, which have none in themselves, and are also apt Medicines for Mens Bodies, and to expel and put away from them many Diseases, & to restore to the Old and Aged, their former Youth, and preserve them in Health so long a time as God has designed them to Live.

XIV. [This Coessential sub∣stance is Our White and Red Tincture by whom these Earths that are wanting, are multi∣plyed in Tincture, whereby they are made Elixirs, to purge Metals, and a Medicine for Man's Body.]

XV. Therefore, Our true Metalline Water is an Uctu∣ous humidity of the Body dissolved to the similitude of Black Pitch, Liquid and Melted; and this Unctuous and Black humidity is called the true Resoluble Menstruum. And because we shall af∣terwards demonstrate the true Resolutive Menstruum, required in this Work, we will here only declare from what principles, and how the said Resolutive Menstru∣um is drawn.

XVI. [Our Metalline Wa∣ter is separated from the Body of Lunaria, which is its termi∣nated and Radical humidity in the kind and Color of White shining Silver, and its Body, is Our black Sulphur: There∣fore see Chap. 63. in the Lu∣nary Branch, and in his Clavis where you will find the Radi∣cal humidity to be the true Mer struum wherewith the solemn dissolution of its own black. Body is made.]

XVII. Raymundus doth say, that an Unctuous Hu∣midity is the last comfort and support to the Humane Body, which what it is, is manifest to the Philosophers, it makes a noise or sound in the Vessel, and is Distilled with a great deal of Art. He also saith, that Our Stone is made of the hottest Matter or substance in Na∣ture: And I say that Wine is hot; but there is another thing which is much hotter than Wine, whose sub∣stance, by reason of its ex∣ceeding Airyness or Spiritu∣osity is most quickly inflam∣ed by the Fire.

XVIII. And the Lees, or Tartar, and Dregs of this Unctuous humidity, is gross, like the Rinde or Bark of a Tree: and the same Tartar is blacker than the Tartar of the black Grape of Cata∣lonia, for which cause it is called by Raymundus, a Black, more Black than Black. [By these Lees, or Tartar and Dregs, is meant the Lees of our Silver Wine, sepa∣rated from the Lunary Body.]

XIX. And because that this humidity is Unctuous, therefore it better agrees with the Unctuosity of Me∣tals, than the Spirit drawn from Common Wine; for through its Liquefactive Vir∣tue, Metals do Melt, and are made flowing and moist in the Fire; the which Opera∣tion truly the Spirit of Common Wine cannot do.

XX. For the Spirit of Wine, how strong soever it be, is (comparatively) but clear Flegm or Water: whereas contrariwise, in Our Unctuous Distilled Spi∣rit, there is no watrishness at all. But this thing being rare in our parts, as well as other Countries, Guido Mon∣tanor found out another Un∣tuous humidity, which swims upon other Liquors, which humidity proceeds from Wine, which Raymundus, & Arnoldus knew, with some others, but they taught not how it should be obtained.

XXI. [Our Tincture in Di∣stilling, is separated both from the Flegm and its gross Faeces, till it be like an Oyl, and that is the Soul of Mercury, which is Air and Fire, separate from

its two extreams; and so it be∣ing an Unctuous moisture, is the mean. See the first and last Chapter of Raymund's Codicil.]

XXII. Notwithstanding, Raymundus saith, it must be drawn from Death, and from the Faeces of Wine by rectification, that it may be acuated in Di∣stillation by hot Vegetable substances, thereunto apper∣taining, as Pepper, Euphor∣bium, &c. for without these things he saith, the Virtue thereof is not sufficient, but by long time to dissolve Metals.

XXIII. [Raymundus saith in the end of his natural Ma∣gick, that there is a Salt made of the Lees or Tartar of Wine, or Aquae Vitae, called the Salt of Art and Mercury, without which Salt (saith he) there is nothing can be done: Also he begins his Practice with this Salt in the first and last Chap∣ter of his Codicil.]

XXIV. Wherefore as the same Philosopher affirms, among these things is this Menstruum one of the Se∣crets of this Art, whose Virtue must be increased by a wise management of the Matter: you must circulate this Menstruum in the Un∣ctuous humidity in a Vessel of Circulation, by rotation continually, an hundred and twenty days, in the hottest Fornace.

CHAP. LXX. The Remaining Process of the Vegetable Stone.

I. HItherto the Process of the Vegetable Stone has been long and Obscure; but that nothing may be doubtful to the pre∣judice of my professed Love to your Lordship, I say that all these things spoken by Raymundus are covered with the Mantle of Philosophy. Truly his intention is that there should be made a dis∣solution with the Spirit of Wine, but that this Spirit of Wine should be joyned with another Menstruum reso∣luble,

without which Re∣solution can never be at∣tained.

II. [Here the two Spirits are joyned together, the Vege∣table Menstruum or White Oyl of Tartar, and our Metalline Oyl.]

III. And that Menstruum Resoluble is generated only of a Metalline kind: for it is a potential or mighty Va∣pour, being in every Me∣talline Body, joyning toge∣ther two extreams, Sulphur and Argent 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

IV. And so indeed after this sort, Our water is a Metalline water, which be∣cause it does savour of the Nature of either extream, it therefore brings our Resolu∣tive Menstruum into Act.

V. Now how this Men∣struum, which is Unctuous, Moist, Sulphurous, and Mer∣curial, agreeing with the Nature of Metals, and wherewith Bodies must be Artificially Dissolved, may be had, we will here shew by clear practice.

VI. Take the sharpest humi∣dity of Grapes, and in it being Distilled, dissolve the Body, well Calcin'd into a Redness, into a Cyrstalline clear and Ponderous water, the which Body Calcin'd into Redness, is of the Masters of this Science called Sericon.

VII. [Now comes in the Practice of Pupilla, of the dissolution of the Red Lyon, for the Fire of Nature, called also Red Lead, Red Coral. Sericon is of the Nature of Black Pepper, Euphorbium, &c. of a hot biting and fiery Nature, all which things are spoken only by way of Com∣parison.]

VIII. Then of this Cry∣stalline water, let there be made a Gum, the which in Taste will be like to Alum. This Gum by Raymundus is called Vitriol Azoth, from which let there be drawn with a gentle Fire, first a weak water, with no more Taste or sharpness than simple Well water. [Fresh∣er water there is none in Taste, yet will it never Consume or

Waste, tho' it be used never so often; nor will it be ever less in quantity.]

IX. And when the White Fume shall begin to appear, change your Receiver, and Lute it strongly, that it breath not forth; so shall you have our burning wa∣ter, Our Aquae Vitae, and Resolutive Menstruum, (the which before was Resolu∣ble) a Vapour potential, a mighty Vapour, able to dis∣solve Bodies, to Putrifie, and to Purifie, to divide the Elements, and also to ex∣alt theEarth into a wonder∣ful Salt, by the force of its attractive Virtue. This is our Fire of Nature.

X. This water has a bit∣ter sharp Taste upon the Tongue, and also a kind of stinking Menstruum: and because it is a water which is very Spirituous and Vo∣latile, therefore within a Month after it is Distilled, it ought to be put upon its Calx. When it is Affused upon the Calx, it will with∣out any external Fire, boil if the Vessel be closely shut; and it will not cease to Fer∣ment or work, till it be all dryed up into the Calx.

XI. Therefore you must put no greater a quantity of it to the Calx, but what may just cover it as it were, and so proceed, [when the Fornace is dryed up] to the whole Complement there∣of, (as in the Operation of the Compound water,) and as the work requires.

XII. And when the Elixir shall be brought into a Pur∣ple Color, then let it be dis∣solved with the aforesaid Vegetable Menstruum into a thin Oyl, the same Men∣struum being first rectified, and let the same by the Cir∣culation of the Spirit of our water be fixed; so will it have Power to transmute or change all Bodies into pure Gold, and to Heal and Cure all Infirmities and Diseases in Man's Body, ten thousand times better than all the Potions and Pre∣scriptions of Galen or Hippo∣crates.

XIII. This Elixir is the

true Aurum potabile, and no other; for it is made of Gold Elementated and Cir∣culated by the spirituous wheel of Philosophy; and it is so wrought with the Air, Gass, potency, or spirit of Mercury dissolved by its self, sublimed and rectified, as that the body of Gold by it may not only be curiously and exquisitely Elixirated; but also that it may then af∣terwards be brought to such a perfection by this our Art, as to be applied profitably to the most desirable work.

XIV. Thus you may see, we have hid nothing con∣cerning this our desired Elixir of the Vegetable Stone: I shall now proceed to that of the Animal Stone, which is but a work of three days; and in three days will be compleatly ended. My advice to you is, not to ga∣ther the Leaves of Words; but the Fruits of Works, the profit of the things sought after.

XV. And know that in this Work, I have not so much affected the Curiosity of Language, or Elegancies of Stile, as the denudating the Essential Verity, and exposing the very Power of Truth to your View, which by reason of my haste I have now concisely done in few words.

CHAP. LXXI. Of Our Animal Stone.

I. WE now come to reveal the most noble and High Secret of Secrets, viz. the Mystery of our Animal Stone desi∣red of all Mankind, and the way and manner of its Elix∣iration. But this Animal Elixir is neither from Wine, as it is Wine, nor from Eggs, Hair or Blood, as they are such things, but only from

the Elements: And these Elements we ought to search out, in the Excellency of their exceeding Simplicy and Rectification.

II. The Elements as Ro∣ger Bachon saith, are the Roots of all things, the Mo∣thers of every thing: yet the Elements of the said things do not enter into the Work of this Our Elixir; but only by the Virtue and Commixtion of those Ele∣ments, with the Elements of Spirits, and Bodies of Metals.

III. Yet so indeed as Ro∣ger Bachon saith, the Ele∣ments of those things afore∣said do so enter in as to pierce through [tho' not to dwell there] and to Accom∣plish this Our great Elixir.

IV. Notwithstanding a∣mong all those things which be Natural, (as all the rest be, which Philosophers have taken,) there is one thing yet, which is found more pretious, more excellent, more proper, and more Na∣tural than all the rest, for this our purpose.

V. The which one thing, because it is more excellent than all the rest, the Philo∣sophers have taken for the nearest; because of the sin∣gular perfection which God has given to the Microcosm or lesser World, in whom are not only the Idea's of the Courses and effects of the Planets, Stars, and Aste∣risms, but also the Com∣plexions, humours, Spirits, and Natural Virtues of the Elements.

VI. And therefore con∣sider the most noble Bird of Hermes, which when the Sun is in Aries, begins to fly; and as it is advised, so let it be brought forth and sought for. Seek out the true Sul∣phur from his Mine or Mine∣ra, not being corrupted, for the whole perfection lies in the uncorrupt Sulphur.

VII. This is our Stone, the which as Aristotle saith, in his Secret of Secrets, is generated in the Dunghil, High-ways, and must be divided into four parts: be∣cause saith he, each part has

one Nature, the which parts must be joyned together again, till they resist or strive no more; when they are joyned unto it, it shall be White; is Fire, Red; as you please.

VIII. But understand, that this Division, must not be a Manual Division, [but in Power and Effect,] where∣fore, let this one thing which all Men have (its over-flowing Flegmatick property being somewhat Evacuated) be put into Ke∣mia or proper Vessels, which Seal up Philosophically; let it putrifie in a moist Fire a long Season, into a black thickness.

IX. Then by the second Degree of Fire, let it be Coagulated into a dryness, after many Bublings, which it will make, wherein shall shine innumerable Colors: and when all that which is fine and subtil, shall Ascend upwards [or sublime] in the Vessel moft White, like as the Eyes of Fishes, the work is compleat in the first part.

X. This truly is a marve∣lous thing, more to be wondred at, than any Mi∣racle of Nature, for then the self same White, has fully the Nature of White Sulphur, not Burning [or Sil∣ver,] and is the very Sulphur of Nature and Argent Vive.

XI. Let some quantity of Luna be added to it in the manner of an Amalgama; then it brings forth, by Ope∣ration, or generation of White into White; and the same thing worketh it into Red, and is made compleat into Red, by a greater Di∣gestion in the Fire.

XII. Then, as the Philo∣sophers advise, let the two Sulphurs, viz. the White and the Red be mingled with the Oyl of the White Elixir, that they may work the more strongly; upon which, if the Quintescence of the Vegetable Stone shall be fixed, you shall have the highest Medicine in the World, both to Heal and Cure Humane Bodies, and to transmute the Bodies of Metals into the most pure and fine Gold and Silver.

CHAP. LXXII. The Reserved Secret Explicated.

I. AND now we are drawing near to the end of this work, we shall hereunto add and Ex∣plicate one Secret, even our reserved Secret, hitherto Buried in the Abyss of AEnig∣ma's and deep Silence.

II. We say that the Body of the Volatile Spirit, fix∣ed, by Fire against Nature, ought to be dissolved in the Vegetable Water, that is to say, in our Vaporous Men∣struum; not in water of the Cloud, but in water of the Philosophers.

III. In which Dissoluti∣on, the Body is made light, for its more pure and subtil part is lifted up [or sublimed] from Salt and Combustible Faeces, by Virtue of the water attractive: which is more clear than the water of the Margarite, as I have seen.

IV. And of this substance Fermented with the Oyl of Luna or Sol, is made the great Elixir, for the trans∣mutation of imperfect Bo∣dies.

V. It must oftentimes be dissolved and Coagulated with its Ferment, that it may work the better; and with this said Mercurial sub∣stance, thus Elevated [or sublimed] we Counterfeit the most pretious Margarites or Pearls, not inferior to the sight, to the very best that ever Nature produced.

VI. And with these Arti∣ficial pretious Stones, we shall finish the discourse of Our pretious Stones, [Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal] the abscondite Mysteries of which, being by the Wise and upright Sons of Art pru∣dently kept Secret.

VII. I Pray the most Good and Gracious God, to open and reveal the same, at one time or another, even as it shall please him, to his despi∣sed Servants and little ones.

VIII. O most incomprehen∣sible light, most Glorious in Majesty, who with the Chari∣ty of thy Heavenly Rays dost Darken our Dimmer Light; O substantial Unity, the Di∣vine three, the joy and Re∣joycing of the Heavenly Host, the Glory of Our Redemption.

IX. Thou most Merciful, the Purifier of Souls, and the perpetual subsistance; O most Grations, through daily Dan∣gers and Perils which thou suffers us to undergo, and through this Vexatious vail of Vanity, bring us to thy heaven∣ly Kingdom.

X. O Power and Wisdom, thou goodness inexplicable, up∣hold us daily, and be Our Guide and Director, that we may never displease thee all the days of our Lives, but obey thee, as Faithful Professors of thy Holy Name.

XI. Early, even betimes O Lord, hear thou my Prayers, by the Virtue of thy Grace, help forward my desires, and enable me I beseech thee to perform thy Holy Will.

XII. O most excellent Foun∣tain, boundless in Treasures, thou scatterest thy good things without measure amongst the Sons of Men, and thou makest every other Creature to partake of thine especial kindness.

XIII. Thou art worthy O Lord, to behold the Works of thy Hand and to defend what thy Right Hand has planted, that we may not live un∣profitably, nor spend the course of our Years in Vanities.

XIV. Grant therefore we beseech thee, that we may live without falshood and deceit, that avoiding the Great dan∣ger of a sinful course of Life, we may escape the Snares of Sin.

XV. And as I Renounce the Loves of the things of this Life, and the Concupiscences or Lusts thereof, so accept of

me thy Servant, as a true and Spontaneous Votary, who wholly depends on thy goodness, with all Confidence, possessing nothing more.

XVI. We submit our selves to thee, for so it is fit; vouch∣safe thy Light to discover to us the Immortal Treasures of Life; shew us thy hidden things, and be merciful and good un∣to us.

XVII. Among the rest of thy Servants who profess thy Name, I offer my self with all humble Submission; And I beseech thee O Lord, to for∣give me, if I open and reveal thy Secrets to thy Faithful Ser∣vants.

Amen.

CHAP. LXXIII. Ripley's Philosophical Axioms out of the Thea∣trum Chymicum.

I. OUr Stone is called the Microcosm; One and Three; Magnesia and Sulphur and Mercury, all pro∣portioned by Nature her self. Now understand that that there are three Mercu∣ries, which being the Key of the whole Science, Ray∣mundus calls his Menstru∣ums, without which, no∣thing is to be done in this Art: but the Essential Mer∣cury of the Bodies is the chief material of our Stone.

II. Our Stone is a Soul and a substance, by which the Earth does receive its splendor: what other thing is Sol or Luna, than a Terra Munda, a pure Earth, Red and White? The whole Composition we call Our Plumbum or Lead, the Qua∣lity of whose splendor pro∣ceeds from Sol and Luna.

III. No impure Body, one excepted, which the Philosophers vulgarly call the Green Lyon, (which is the Medium which Con∣joyns the Tinctures between

Sol and Luna with perfecti∣on) does Enter into our Ma∣gistry.

IV. These Menstruums you ought to know, without which no true Calcination, or natural dissolution can possibly be done. But our principal Menstruum may be said indeed to be Invi∣sible or Spiritual; yet by the help of our Aqua Philo∣sophica secunda, through a separation of the Elements, in form of clear water, it is brought to light, and made to appear.

V. And by this Menstru∣um with great Labour is made the Sulphur of Na∣ture, by Circulation in a pure Spirit; and with the same you may dissolve your Body after divers manners: and an Oyl may be extra∣cted therefrom, of a Golden Color, like as from Our Red Lead.

VI. 1. De Calcinatione. Calcination is the Purgati∣on of our Stone, restoring it to its own Natural Color, inducing first a necessary dissolution thereof, but nei∣ther with Corrosives, nor fire alone, nor A. F. nor with other Burning waters, or the Vapour of Lead, is our Stone Calcined; for by such Calcinations, Bodies are de∣stroyed, for that they dimi∣nish their humidities.

VII. Whereas in our Cal∣cination the Radical humi∣dity is Augmented or mul∣tiplied, for like increases like; he which knows not this knows nothing in this Art. Joyn like with like, and kind with kind, as you ought; every seed answers and re∣joyces in seed of its own kind: and every Spirit is fixed with a Calx of its own kind or Nature.

VIII. The Philosophers make an Unctuous Calx, both White and Red, of three Degrees, before it can be perfected, that shall melt as Wax, till which it is of no use. If your water shall be in a right or just propor∣tion with your Earth, and in a fit Heat, your Matter will Germinate, the White together with the Red,

which will endure in a per∣petual Fire.

IX. Make a Trinity of Unity, without dissention; this is the most certain and best proportion: and by how much the lesser part is the more spiritual, by so much the more easily will the dissolution be perform∣ed: drown not the Earth with too much water, lest you destroy the whole Work.

X. 2. De Dissolutione. Seek not that in a thing which is not in it, as in Eggs, Blood, Wine, Vitriol, and the o∣ther middle Minerals; there is no profit to be had in things not Metallick: In Metals, from Metals, and by or through Metals, Me∣tals are made perfect.

XI. First make a Rotati∣on of all the Elements; and before all things, convert the Earth into water by dis∣solution: Then Dissolve that Water into Air, and then make that Air into Fire: this done, reduce it again into Earth, for otherwise you labour in vain.

XII. Here is nothing be∣sides the Sister and the Bro∣ther; that is, the Agent and the Patient, Sulphur and Mercury, which are gene∣rated Co-essential substan∣ces. The dissolution of one part of the Corporeal Sub∣stance, causeth a Congela∣tion of another part of the spiritual.

XIII. Every Metal was once a Mineral Water, wherefore they may all be dissolved into Water again; in which Water are the four repugnant Qualities with di∣versity. In one Glass all things ought to be done, made in the form of an Egg, and well closed.

XIV. Let not your Glass be hotter than you can en∣dure your naked Hand up∣on, so long as your matter is in dissolution: When the Body is altered from its first form, it immediately puts on a new form.

XV. 3. De Dispositione. Beware that you open not your Glass, nor ever move

it, from the beginning of the work to the end there∣of; for then you will never bring your work to perfe∣ction. Dry the Earth till it becomes thirsty in Calcina∣tion, otherwise you Act in vain. Divide the matter into two parts, that you may separate the subtil from the gross, or thin from the thick, till the Earth remains in the bottom of a Livid Color.

XVI. One part is Spiri∣tual and Volatile; but they ought all to be converted to one matter or substance. And distil the Water, with which you would Vivifiethe Stone, till it be pure & thin as water, shinning with a Blew Livid Colour, retaining its Figure and Ponderosity: with this Water Hermes moistens or waters his Tree, whilst in his Glass, and makes the Flowers to in∣crease on high.

XVII. First divide that, which Nature first tyed to∣gether, converting the Es∣sential Mercury into Air, or a Vapour, without which natural and subtil separation, no future Generation can be compleated.

XVIII. Your Water ought to be seven times sublimed, otherwise there can never be any natural Dissolution made; nor shall you see any Putrefaction like Li∣quid Pitch; nor will the Colors appear, because of the defect of the Fire Ope∣rating in your Glass.

XIX. 4. De Ignibus. There are four kinds of Fires which you ought to know; the Natural, the Innatural, that contrary to Nature, and the Elemental, which burns Wood: These are the fires we use, and no others.

XX. The Fire of Nature is in every thing, and is the third Menstruum. The Innatural Fire is occasional∣ly so called, and it is the Fire of Ashes, of Sand, and Baths for putrefying: and without this no Putrefaction can be done.

XXI. The Fire against Nature, is that which tears

Bodies to pieces or Atoms; which is the fiery Dragon, violently burning like the fire of Hell. Make there∣fore that your fire within, in your Glass, which will burn the Bodies much more powerfully than the vulgar Elemental fire can do.

XXII. 5. De Conjunctione. Conjunction is the joyning together of things separated, and of differing Qualities; or the Adequation or bring∣ing to an equality of princi∣ples: he which knows not how to separate the Ele∣ments, and to divide them, and then to conjoyn them again, errs, not knowing the true way.

XXIII. Divide the Soul from the Body, and get that, for it is the Soul which causes the perpetual Con∣junction: the Male, which is our Sol, requires three parts; and the Female which is his Sister, nine parts; then like rejoyces with like for ever.

XXIV. Certainly Disso∣lution and Conjunction, are two strong principles of this Science, tho there may be many other principles be∣sides.

XXV. 6. De Putrefactione. The Destruction of the Bodies is such, that you are diligently to Conserve them in a Bath, or our Horse-Dung, viz. in a moist heat for ninty days Natural: but the Putrefaction is not com∣pleatly Absolved, and brought to whiteness, like the Eyes of Fishes, in less than 150 days; the blackness first appearing, is the Index or Sign, that the matter draws on to Putre∣faction.

XXVI. Being together Black like Liquid Pitch, in the same time, they swell and cause an Ebullition, with Colors like those of the Rainbow, of a most beau∣tiful aspect; and then the water begins to whiten the whole Mass.

XXVII. A temperate heat working in moist Bodies, brings forth blackness, which having obtained, there is

nothing that you need fear for in the same way, the Germination of our Stone does follow, and forthwith, to wit, in the space of thirty [or Forty] days, you have Gas, or Adrop, which is our Uzifer or Cinnabar, and our Red Lead.

XXVIII. Takeheed to defend your Glass from a Violent Heat, and a sudden Cold; make use of a mo∣derate Fire, and beware of Vitrification. Beware how you bind up your matter; mix it not with Salts, Sulphurs, nor the middle Minerals; let Sophisters prate what they will, Our Sulphur and our Mercury are found in Metals only.

XXIX. 7. De Coagulatione. Coagulation or Congelati∣on is the induration or hard∣ning of things, in Calore Can∣dido, and the fixing of the Volatile Spirit. The Ele∣ments are forthwith convert∣ed, but the Congelation is no way impeded, for those things which are Congeal∣ed in the Air, melt or soften not in the Water; for if so, Our work would be destroy∣ed, and come to nothing.

XXX. When the Com∣positum is brought to White∣ness, then the Spirit is Uni∣ted and Congealed with the Body; but it will be a good length of time before such a Congelation will appear in the likeness or Beauty of Pearls. The cause of all these things is the most tem∣perate heat, continually working and moving the Matter. Believe me also, that your whole Labour is lost, except you revivifie your Earth with the Water, without that you shall never see a true Congelation.

XXXI. This Water is a Secret drawn from the Life of all things existing in Na∣ture; for from Water all things in the World have their first beginning, as you may easily perceive in ma∣ny things. The substance or Matter is nourished with its proper Menstruum, which the Water and the Earth only produce, whose proper Colour is Greenness.

XXXII. Understand al∣so that our fiery Water thus acuated is called the Men∣strual Water, in which Our Earth is dissolved, and na∣turally Calcined by Conge lation; when you have made seven Imbibitions, then by a Circumvolution, putrifie again all the Matter without addition, beholding in the first place the blackness, then the Whiteness of the Con∣gealed Matters.

XXXIII. Thus your Wa∣ter is divided into two parts: with the first part, the Bodies are purified: the second part is reserved for Imbibitions; with which afterwards the Matter is made black, and presently after with a gentle fire, made White, then reduce to Redness.

XXXIV. 8. De Cibatione. Cibation, is the Feeding or Nourishing of our dry Mat∣ter with Milk and Meat, being both administred mo∣derately, till it is reduced to the third Order: you must never give so much as to cause a suffocation, or that the Aqueous humour should exceed the Blood: if it drinks too much, the work will be hurt.

XXXV. Three times must you turn about the Philo∣sophick Wheel, observing the Rule of the said Cibati∣on, and then in a little time it will feel the Fire, so as to melt presently like Wax.

XXXVI. 9. De Sublima∣tione. Sublime not the mat∣ter to the top of the Vessel, for without Violence, you cannot bring it down to the bottom again; by a tempe∣rate heat below, in the space of 40 days, it will become black and obscure. When the Bodies are purified, let them be sublimed by de∣grees more and more, till they shall be all elevated or converted into Water.

XXXVII. We use Subli∣mation for three Causes. First, that the Body may be made spiritual. Secondly, that the the Spirit may be made Corporeal aud fixed with it, and become Consubstan∣tial with it. Thirdly, that it may be purified from its Original Impurities; and its Sulphurous Salt may be

diminished, with which it is infected; subliming it to the Top, as White as Snow.

XXXVIII. 10. De Fer∣mentatione. Fermentations are made after divers man∣ners, by which our Medi cine is perpetuated. Some dissolve Sol and Luna into a certain clear Water; and with the Medicine of them, they make the same to Coagulate, or be Coagu∣lated, but such a Fermenta∣tion we propose not.

XXXIX. This only is our Intention, that first you must Break, or Tear, or Grind the matter to Atoms, before you Ferment it: Mix then presently your Water and Earth together; and when the Medicine shall flow like Wax, then see the above mentioned Amalga∣mation, and put forth the same; and when all that is mixed together, above or on the top of the Glass, (being well closed,) make a Fire, till the whole be Fluxed; then make projection as you shall think fit, because it is a Medicine wholly per∣fect: Thus have you made the Ferment both for the Red and the White.

XL. The true Fermenta∣tion is the Incorporation of the Soul with the Body, re∣storing to the same the Na∣tural Odour, Consistency, and Colour, by a Natural Inspissation of the separated things. And as the Magnet draws Iron to it self, so our Earth by Nature draws down its Soul to it self, Ele∣vated with Wind: For with∣out doubt, the Earth is the Ferment of the Water, and by Course or Turns, the Water is the Ferment of the Earth.

XLI. We make the Wa∣ter most Odoriferous, with which we reduce all the Bo∣dies into Oyl, with which Oyl we make our Medicine flow. We call this Water a Quintessence, or the Pow∣ers, and it Heals or Cures all humane Diseases. Make therefore this Oyl of Sol and Luna, which is a Ferment most fragrant in smell.

XLII. 11. De Exaltatione. Ex∣altation differs a little from Subli∣mation, if you understand aright the words of the Philosophers. If therefore you would Exalt your Bo∣dies, sublime them first with Spiritus Vitae; then let the Earth be subtilia∣ted by a Natural rectification of all the Elements; so shall it be more pretious than Gold, because of the Quintessence or Powers which they contain.

XLIII. When the Cold does over∣come the Heat, then the Air is con∣verted into water, & so two contra∣ries are made by the way, till they kindly conjoyn and rest together: after this manner you must work them, that they may be Circulated, that they (one with another) may speedily be Exalted together. In one Glass well Sealed, all this Operation is to be done, and not with hands.

XLIV. Convert the Water into Earth, which will quickly be the Nest of the other Elements; for the Earth is in the Fire, which rests in the Air. Begin this Circulation in the West, then continue it till past the Meridian, so will they be exalted.

XLV. 12. De Multiplicatione. Mul∣tiplication is the thing which makes the augmentation of the Medicine, in Color, Smell, Vertue, and Quan∣tity; for it is a Fire, which being Excited, never dies, but always dwells with you, one spark of which is able to make more Fire by the Virtue of Multiplication.

XLVI. He is rich which has but one Particle or Grain of this our Elixir, because that Grain is possi∣ble to be augmented (by one way) to Infinity: if you dissolve this our dry Pouder, and make a frequent Coagulation thereof, you will aug∣ment it, and so you may Multiply it, till it increases in your Glass, into the form of a Tree, and which Hermes calls a Tree, most Beauti∣ful in Aspect. Of which one Grain may be Multiplied to an hundred, if you know how wisely to make your Projection.

XLVII. Our Elixir, the more fine and subtle it is made, so much the more compleatly it tinges, and disperses its Tincture. Let your Fire be kept equally close, Evening and Morning; so much the longer you keep the Fire, so much the more profitable it will be; and Multiply more and more in your Glass, nourishing your Mercury in its enclosure, whereby, you will have a greater Treasure than you could desire.

XLVIII. 13. De Projectione. If your Tincture be true and not Va∣riable, you may prove it in a small quantity thereof, either in Metal or Mercury: It cleaves thereto as Pitch, and so Tinges in Projection, that it is able to endure the strong∣est Fire: But many through Igno∣rance destroy their work, by ma∣king Projection upon an impure Metal.

XLIX. See that you Project your Medicine upon your Ferment, so will that Ferment be Brittle as Glass: Project that Brittle Medicine upon pure Bodies, so have you Sil∣ver or Gold, enduring the severest Test.

L. Give not liberty to the Reins left you sin, but Religiously Fear and serve the Lord your God; think your self alway before the Tribu∣nal of the most high, the great Judge and Rewarder of Mankind, who will return to every Man ac∣cording to his works.

LI. 14. Recapitulatie. Take head

diligently to the Latitude of our Stone, and begin in the Occident, where the Sun sets, where the Red Man and White Wife are made one, conjoyned and Married by the Spi∣rit of Life, that they may live in Love and Quietness.

LII. The Earth and Water, are joyned in a fit proportion; one part of Earth or Body to three of Spirit, which is 4 to 12. and is a good proportion: you must take three parts of the Female to one of the Male: by how much less there shall be of the Spirit in this Dispen∣sation, Conjunction, or Marriage, by so much the sooner will the Calci∣nation be Absolved.

LIII. The Calcination perform∣ed, then you must dissolve the Bo∣dies, divide, and Putrefie them; and all the Secrets of our other lower Stars will have a perfect Coherence and understanding with the Poles of our Heaven, and will appear with inexplicable Colors of Light and Glory, Transcending in Lu∣sture and Beauty, all other things in the World, and all this before the perfect Whiteness.

LIV. And after the perfect Whiteness, you will have a Yellow, the false Citrion Colour: after∣wards the Blood Red, unchangable for ever, will be be manifest; so have you a Medicine of the third Order in its kind, which may con∣tinually be Multiplied. But this you must not in the least be Igno∣rant of, that the RED MAN does not Tinge, nor yet his WHITE WIFE, till they themselves are first Ting∣ed with our Tincture or Stone.

LV. When therefore you pre∣pare your Matter by this our Art; hide your Bodies all over, an I lay open their Profundiries or In-sides, destroy the first quality of all your Materials, and the more excellent second qualities, which in these you must separate; and in one Glass, and by one Government and Or∣der, convert the four Natures into one.

LVI. The Red Elixir must be divided into two parts, before it be Rubified, which put into two Glas∣ses; and if you would have a dou∣ble Elixir, one of Sol, and another of Luna, do thus:

LVII. With Mercury multiply presently theMedicine into a great quantity, if you have at first only so small a quantity as a Spoonful: then may you multiply them to∣gether into a White and Red Me∣dicine, which by Circulation you must convert into a perfect Oyl ac∣cording to our directions; and this Multiplication from your first small quantity may be continued, should you live a thousand Years. These Oyls will fix Crude Mercury into perfect Sol and Luna.

LVIII. This pure and fixed Olea∣ginous substance, Raymundus calls his Basillsk, whose Explication is so easie to be understood; that it needs no more Words.

LIX. For our Metals are nothing else, than our two Minerae, viz. those of Sol and Luna, as Raymundus wise∣ly Notes; The Splendor of Luna, and the Light of shining Sol. In these two Minerae, the Secret dwells; tho' the Splendor may for a while be hid from your Eyes, which by the help of Art, you may easily bring to light.

LX. This hidden Stone, this one thing, purifie it, wash it in its own Liquor, Water or Blood, till it grows White; then prudently Ferment it, so have you the Summ and Perfection of the whole Work.

FINIS.