A description of new philosophical furnaces, or A new art of distilling, divided into five parts. Whereunto is added a description of the tincture of gold, or the true aurum potabile; also, the first part of the mineral work. Set forth and published for the sakes of them that are studious of the truth. / By John Rudolph Glauber. Set forth in English, by J.F. D.M.

Now follow the vertues which it manifesteth in metallicks.

FIrst it, viz. the Philosophical menstrue, doth radically dissolve all minerals and metals without noise, and re∣duces them into very safe and wholesome medicines. Out of gold it makes potable gold; out of silver potable silver, and so consequently of other metals potable metals; so that it may well be called the universal Mercurie.

Secondly this secret menstrue purgeth, washeth and trans∣muteth minerals, and metals to a more noble species, where∣fore it may well be called Sapo Sapientum, by which the say∣ing of the Philosophers is confirmed: Ignis & Azoth abluunt Latonem.

Thirdly, by it all minerals and metals are matured and fix∣ed, so as that afterward immature gold or silver incorporated with it, may by cupellation be drawn out with gain; where∣fore tis deservedly compared to Hermes seale.

Fourthly, it makes metals volatile and radically conjoynes them that they abide together, and one act on the other in the fire; it distroyes and revivs, kils and renews, wherefore it is compared to the Phenix.

Fiftly, it separates metals without any loss and that speedily: but after another manner then corrosives, so that each of them may be had by themselves. For example, being

about to separate gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead mixt; one or two three or four of them mixt that they may appear each by themselves, without the loss of any, you need not cupel∣late the mixture with tin, which way only gold and silver are gotten out with the losse of all the rest: but by this way they are all preserved, where by turns one after another they are extracted wonderfully and swiftly, in half an hours time by this sharpe vinegar of the Philosophers, &c.

Sixtly, By it metals may suddenly be mortified and reduced into transparent glass, irreducible and like Amausa, but reser∣ving the propriety and nature of every metal: which in the reduction of gold, do give perfect silver: whereby is confirmed that saying of the Philosophers; the corruption of one thing is the generation of another, and that of Paracelsus: Ex aliquo fiat ni∣hilum, & ex nihilo aliquid. But this incombustible water or per∣manent water shews the truth of the Philosophers writings generally mentioning it; in it the solution, putrefaction, distil∣lation, sublimation, circulation, ascension, descension, cohoba∣tion, receration, calcination, coagulation, fixation and fer∣mentation, &c. in their work to be done at one time and one way: in which onely operation all the colours appear of which the Philosopherrs make mention; As the head of the crow, virgines milk, dragons blood, peacocks tayles, green and red lyon, &c. There is also by it demonstrated the truth (by the liquor Alkahest) of that Hermetical saying, That which is above, is as that which is beneath, &c. and many other things are performed by its help, as making that secret Sandi∣vogian Chalybs; also that long sought for oyle of Talc.

So far (Courteous Reader) hath come my experience; nei∣ther doubt I but by it to obtaine that universal Salamander which lives in the fire.

These things which I write are true and no fallacies. And though this secret be incredible to the ignorant for the won∣derful vertues it sheweth in the preparation of medicines, I would willingly publish it to the world for publike good, but on consideration I held it not meet to communicate it for certain causes. But only lest the knowledge of it should

perish, and that the true (and almost extinct) medicine for the curing of diseases vulgarly incurable might flourish, I have revealed this secret menstruum to two friends, viz. its preparation and use.

But do thou not think because I write of these high things, that I do intend to make common the secret to all in general; not so, but I endeavor to confirm him that seeketh, and give him occasion to search this secret deeper; which being found he shall not only finde the truth of my words, but he shall daily by exercise obtaine far greater things then these.

And because I have never aspired after vaine riches and ho∣nors, nor never desire them; I might well be perswaded, to leave to others as yet not hating the wicked world, my troublesome labors; because in this my painful age such tedious labors are very burdensome, besides Philosophy hath pointed me ano∣ther way, so that what I am able I have determined to abstaine from these vanities, and to seek a perpetual good, the life of rest, but my counsel shall not be wanting to those that seek it: for besides moved with the former reasons, also seeing innu∣merable many vaine Philosophers, as well learned as unlearn∣ed, uncessantly working, and losing rheir time and labour, and at last despairing, are perswaded that there is no truth in the Philosophers writings but to be all filled with lyes and d••cits; whence royal Chymistry is disgraced.

But seeing and marking the infallible truth of ancient wri∣tings, suffering injury by unskilful Zoilus's; I could not but defend their worth and vindicate them from injuries, viz. in a few words demonstrating the possibility of metallical trans∣mutation. But I do not affirme that by the art which I have many yeers exercised and the possibility of which I defend I have gotten much wealth; because hitherto I could not make trial but in smal quantity for finding out the possibility with∣out any gaine, and only particularly; for I have never tried any thing in the universal work, reserving it to a more conve∣nient time and place. But I will not deny such a universal medicine: because I have seen the principles of it, and foun∣dations of the art, wherefore houshold cares being removed,

I intend to make tryal of it. For who will longer doubt of the possibility of it being proved by most excellent men, yea Kings and Princes? which godly and honest men have not written for gaine; some of whom though they lived with Ethnicks, yet were they not Heathens, who had more know∣ledge of Christ by the light of nature then those foolish de∣tractors of Christian truth, as they appear to be by their wri∣tings. But thou wilt urge that if those things were true which they write, then it might be found in them: but it is not, because all and every one miss of it in their practice, so that their time, labor and charges are spent in vaine. I answer, Their writings are not to be understood according to the let∣ter, but according to the hidden sense, according to which they have written the naked truth which to the illuminated is conspicuous.

And this menstruum sufficeth to defend the writings of the Philosophers without the metallick transmutations▪ so that I verily believe the time to be neer, when the omnipotent God before he judge the world in fire, will shew his omnipotency to the nations by the revelation of the wonderful and incredi∣ble things of nature; of which, transmutation of metals is not the least, which in the third part of this mineral work I shall deliver to the last age (being acceptable to God) to the profit of my neighbor, and for demonstration sake. Wherefore I now pass over such things, with a firme hope, that this faithful admonition shall be received as an undoubted and in∣fallible truth.