Doron medicum, or, A supplement to the new London dispensatory in III books : containing a supplement I. to the materia medica, II. to the internal compound medicaments, III. to the external compound medicaments : compleated with the art of compounding medicines ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XXVII. An Idea of the Process of the universal Medicine of Paracelsus.

1. TAke of the best Phi∣losophick water, which separate from its fe∣ces: the best is brought from the Oriental parts of the World, and is very strong and pure: in one pound, you will not have a∣bove two, three, or four ounces of feces or set∣lings at most.

2. This Philosophick water taken from its own fountain (being first Agi∣tated) you shall put into a Glass Retort with a Recei∣ver: then you shall filter or strain the philosophick∣water through a philoso∣phick strainer. If you cannot get this water from the Oriental foun∣tains or Wells; take that from the Occidental which is the best next, and filter or strain it through a philosophick strainer several times. If you can∣not get the Occidental, take the strongest and pu∣rest you can get, whose goodness you may try by evaporating a little of it away in a sliver spoon: if the water flys away, lea∣ving a yellow, or white salt at bottom, it will serve; but if it leaves a black or green salt, it is naught for this Work.

3. Take this philoso∣phick water (which is for Our purpose) precipitate it ten or twelve times with

salt Armoniack, and then filter or strain it as many times through a philosoph∣ick strainer, that it may be pure and clear, and be freed from all mixtures of foulness. The Oriental and Occi∣dental Waters are pure of themselves, and need not to be precepitated.

4. First, you are to di∣vide the salt from the spi∣rit of the philosophick-water without any Corro∣sive: and that the said water be spirituous and li∣ving, and clear as Rock-Crystal. This salt of the philosophick water, Pa∣race••sus calls Praecipiolum, and saith, That it must be separated Dead from its own Fountain, and that the philosophick water, shall be still living and spirituous, after that the said salt or praecipiolum is divided from it; and that the soma Aquae Philosophicae is the Mare seu fons Preci∣piost; and that the Ele∣ctrum mineralc immaturum, is the fons Aquae Philo∣sophicae.

5. Paracelsus saith, That when the Aqua philoso∣phica shall come to its loca Dectinata, it shall leave its Salt or Praecipiolum be∣hind it, in form of Ice, or Hore Frost, and that the aqua philosophica will go away Spirituous, and remain a Spirituous water, The loca destinata where the aqua philoso∣phica shall leave its Sal or Praecipiolum, is the philo∣sophick Magnet both Male and Female, to wit, antimony and Lead. The male Magnet viz. antimony philosophick is the best place, by reason of its fixation and purity; and the next to that is the Fe∣male. In this Salt or Praecipiolum lyes hidden the whole Art of Chymistry; if a Chymist knows not how to make and divide this Sal or Praecipiolum from its a∣qua philosophica, he will fail of the whole Art.

6. This Sal or Praecipio∣lum is the matter whereof is made the Philosophers Mer∣cury, that is, when it is redu∣ced into its first matter, which is into a most clear

water, transparent as. Cry∣stal. It is then slippery, and will eat and drink its own Blood, and multiply it self with it per infinitum. And this Water will bring all Metals, as Gold, and Sil∣ver into their first matter. Being thus prepared Philoso∣phically (without any thing of a Corrosive) it cures Hy∣dropem, Podagram, Mor∣bum Venereum, and many other Diseases.

7. The Philosophers call this Water their Wine; and its Sal or Praecipiolum its Tarta••••: both make the spi∣ritum Vini Philosophicum, which Paracelsus calls now and then Astrum Mercur ij, and spiritum Mercurij, his Sal Armoniacum, his sal Minerale, his Balneum Ma∣riae, his Horse-dung, his Fire, with an hundred other Names to deceive the Vul∣gar.

8. The Process of the salt or Pracipiolum. Take a∣qua philosophica well pu∣rified and filtred, ten parts: of the philosophers Magnet male or female, one part (not the common which the Vulgar use, but the philosophick Mag∣net cleansed; the male with Oyl of Tartar per deliquium; the female with Oyl of Pot-ashes) made into fine Pouder. Make a mixture of both in a warm Glass Mortar, mix∣ing them well. Then put this mixture, into a Retort (as hereafter shall be direct∣ed) and put it on an Earthen Capel or an Earthen Pan, with one part clear Sand, and three times as much fisted Ashes; and cover it with another Earthen Pan, and put to it a little Receiver with out luting of it, and then make a Fire in your. Fur∣nace, and give indifferent heat; now and then take the Pan from it, and when you see the philosophick wa∣ter is distilled from the Magnet, (whether Male or Female) cover it again, and let the Fire go out. The next Morning, take your Retort and Receiver, and if any part hang in the Neck of the Retort, you shall wipe it off with a Feather, to the o∣ther a••••a philosophica

which is in the Receiver. If you will, you may now and then hold a glowing Cole to the Neck of the Retort, that the thickned or condensed aqua philosophica may run to the other which is in the Retort. When you have separated the aqua philo∣sophica, then scrape your male Magnet (which will lye at the bottom of the Re∣tort) with a crooked Iron, take it out, and put it into a Glass Mortar, pouder it small, and mingle or mix it with your aqua philoso∣phica again, by degrees or by little and little, and put this mixture again into the Retort (or else you will loose your Sal or Praecipiolum) and distil it again, as before, now and then taking the Pan from it, to see if the aqua philosophica be almost all gone over; and if it be, let the fire go out, and cover with the Earthen Pan again, and let it stand till the next Morning, and then take the Retort and Recipient again from the Furnace, or out of the Sand, and wipe your a∣qua philosophica again with a Feather, out of the Neck of the Retort, to the other aqua philosophica, which is in the Recipient; scraping also again with your Crooked Iron, your mag∣net out of the Retort. This done,

9. Put it again into a glass Mortar, (where observe, you shall distil so, that the aqua philosophica, may go from the magnet, and that no aqua philosophi∣ca be found with it, at the bottom of the Retort;) and pouder again very small, and dissolve again your Mag∣net in your Aqua philo∣sophica, by little and little as is before mentioned: you will find that the Magnet and Water will not so well dissolve and mix toge∣ther, as they did at the first and second time then take it, and put it again into the Retort, and distil again, as before (not casting any Pou∣der away, which you may think to be faeces, for then you will lose your Sast or Praes cipiolum.) Take your glass out of the Furnace, or out of the said Capel, scrape your

magnet with your crooked Iron, out of the Retort, and you shall find that your Magnet is much increased, if you weigh it; The reason is, the Magnet is the attra∣ctive which draws forth the Salt: Or the Magnet is the Cask wherein the Phi∣losophers Wine hath let fall its Tartar; which Para∣celsus calls, Praecipiolum or Salt.

10. To separate the Salt or Praecipiolum from the Magnet. Take the Mag∣net which you have scraped out of the Retort, and Pou∣der it very small, with which mingle the Aqua Philosophica by degrees, or by little and little. Your Magnet will hardly mix with your Aqua philoso∣phica. The reason is, the Magnet is full of the Salt or Precipiolum; and then it is time to separate the Prae∣cipiolum from the Magnet and Aqua philosophica, (which is a Womans work; when her Cloaths are foul, she washes them from their foulness:) the same way you must cleanse, or sepa∣rate the Praecipiolum from magnet, and Aqua phi∣losophica, as followeth;

11. When you have the sign, that your Aqua phi∣losophica will hardly mix with your magnet; Or that the magnet will not enter into the aqua philo∣sophica: Then pour on it the fairest Water, (distilled Water is best) three fingers breadth above the magnet, and aqua philosophica, which wash together in the Mortar with a Pestle very well, till the Water is blew∣ish black: Then it is a sign that the magnet lets fall its Tartar, salt, or Praeci∣piolum, into the Water. Pour off this Water into a Glass; but be careful that not any of the aqua philo∣sophica goes off with it: (for this philosophick Li∣quor will no more mix with common fair Water, than Oyl and Water will mix.) Put more fresh Water upon your magnet and aqua philosophica, and wash it again, till the Water is blew again: Pour it off as afore∣suid. Thus continuing wash∣ing,

till your Water remains white. Put this last Water to the other Waters in the Glass, and cover the Glass very close, that not any foul∣ness may fall into the Glass.

12. The Praecipiolum be∣ing thus washed away, the aqua philosophica will again dissolve the magnet, as Wax will dissolve in Oyl: Take the mixture or dis∣solution aforesaid, dry it upon warm Ashes very soft∣ly with a Sponge, or on Pa∣per, and by a little heat, that the mixture may be dry, which put again into the Re∣tort, and distil it, as aforesaid, (by Sect. 8. and 9.) so long till the magnet will hard∣ly be dissolved by the aqua philosophica, then sepa∣rate again the Precipiolum, as aforesaid, by Sect. 10. and 11.)

13. Now observe, I gave you charge, that you should keep your glass close where∣in you put your blewest Wa∣ter, which will be clear, and a Pouder at bottom, which is some of the Precipiolum. The clear Water pour off (without disturbing it) as soon as you can into another Glass. Now when that you see that the magnet will scarcely be dissolved by your aqua philosophica, or not without great trouble; pour the same Water which you poured off from the Preci∣piolum, upon your mixture or dissolution, and wash it again, till the Water is blew∣ish, as aforesaid, which pour off, and continue so doing till the Water is colourless, by Sect. 11.

14. Then take the mix∣ture again, and dry it, and repeat the same work again (by Sect. 12.) till you have the sign; which wash again with the aforesaid Water (by Sect. 13.) and you shall find that your Praecipiolum will augment dayly: this distil∣lation and washing shall you continue, till the aqua phi∣losophica is freed from all its salt or Praecipiolum.

15. Observe, that if the Water should grow less and less, you may add to it (as need requires) fresh Water. Now the sign when the a∣qua philosophica has lost all its salt, or its Tartar,

or its Coagulatum, or Praeci∣piolum, is, that that aqua philosophica will Eternal∣ly dissolve the magnet, so that they will always mix well together: and if you should a thousand times offer to dissolve the magnet in the said Water, and as often distil the one from the o∣ther, yet they will still dis∣solve again and mix: and if you should wash them a thou∣sand times with fresh Water, the Water will be clear and not blewish. As long as any Sal or Praecipiolum is in the aqua philosophica, you cannot distil two, three, or four times the aqua philo∣sophica from the magnet, but it will be difficult to mix, the one with the other; and when that you will have it to mix, you must wash it, and then it will mix well a∣gain. But when that the Salt or Praecipiolum is all se∣parated from the aqua phi∣losophica, it will mix firm∣ly after a thousand Distilla∣tions, as aforesaid. And if it be washt a thousand times, the Water will always remain clear.

16. To prepare the Prae∣cipiolum to a Medicine. Pour the clear Waters from the Pouder, which lyes at the bottom in the Glass, that no Water may be left on the Pouder: put the Glass on a little warm Ashes, that the Pouder may dry, which will look blewish yellow. Put this Pouder into a little Cu∣curbit Glass or Bolt-head, and distil off from it, the Wa∣ter of Eggs, five or six times; or so long till the Pouder be∣comes Red; and then distil off from it (five or six times) Spirit of Wine, so is it fitted for Medicine. Dose is gr.ij. or almost gr.iij.

17. To make the Water of Eggs. Take a good quantity of Eggs; boyl them very hard: take the Whites and cut them very small, and distil them in an Alembick per Cineres, very softly; till you have got all the Water from the Whites: then take the Eggshells, calcine them, put them into a Retort, put upon them the former (that is their own) Water, and di∣stil per arenam with a strong Fire. Put this Water upon

the Ashes again, and distil it again, thus continue it five or six times; so the Water will be sitted for the Praecipiolum.

18. The Philosophers Key, which is the Sal Salis, or Salt of the Praecipiolum. You may remember that I gave you Instruction, that you should pour off the clear Water from the Praecipio∣lum, and you should make dry the Praecipiolum, and bring it into a Medicinal red Pouder: Or, you should bring it into its first matter, which shall bring all Metals, principally its own Body into its first matter, which cannot be done without the Sal praecipioli, which is hidden in the Water you pour off from the Praecipiolum. That same Water, filter through brown Paper, and set the Water to evaporate in a round Glass, very sostly in Ashes. When the Water is evaporated a∣way, you shall sind at the bot∣tom of the Glass, a yellow whitish Salt, which is Sal praecipioli, and the Clavis Philosophorum, wherewith they do unlock the lock of the Praecipiolum, which brings the same into its first matter. If you know not this Salt, you know nothing of the true Chymistry. This Salt does decrease in the decrease of the Moon, and increase in the Full. One grain will purge very softly all Poda∣gra's, Venertal and Hydro∣pical humors, with gr.ij of the Praecipiolum prepared.

19. To bring the Praeci∣piolum into its first matter, or slippery Water.

Take of the Salt p j: of the Praecipiolum, p. ij: being dry; first dissolve the Salt in fair-warm Water, and put it upon the Praecipiolum, and e∣vaporate it away very gently in warm Ashes, with a very gentle fire, then is the Pre∣cipiolum with its own Salt, then put it into a little Re∣tort, nip up the Neck of the Retort very close, then put it into Balneum Vaporo∣sum, and let it stand SIX WEEKS in Digestion, or to Putrify, and it will turn a slimy Water. Take the Re∣tort, and open the Neck, and lay the Retort in a Sand Furnace, and cover it with an Earthen Pan, fixing to it a

Receiver well Luted: give first a slow Fire, then a stronger; which continue till the Spirits be well resolved into Water. First the Spi∣rit will come forth in white Clouds, or in Smoak; and at last in the form of red Clouds or Smoak: give Fire so long, till all the Spirits be come over in a clear white Water; and when you have this sign, take the Receiver from the Retort, stopping the said Receiver very well with Wax, that no Spirits may fly away; then let the Fire go out.

20. The Matter or Water which remains in the Retort, take out, and put into a Bolt-head: stop it well, set it in a warm place. Then rectify once the Spirits which are in the Receiver, and keep them carefully: now observe this; you remember, that when the aqua philo∣sophica has lost its salt or Praecipiolum, that the same Water will be as clear as Rock Crystal. Take of this Water one part, of the spirit aforesaid two parts; put them into a Bolt-head, stop it very close, and let it stand in a little warmth, and the a∣qua philosophica will mix with the Spirit: then distil all through a Retort in Sand. Take again of the aforesaid Water which is clear as Rock-Crystal, p. j 2 of the said Spirit p. ij: put them into a Bolt head, set it in a warm place and the aqua philosophica, will mix with the Spirit: Then distil apa••n ut supra, and it will come over in form of Water; this continue so long, till all one half part of the clear aqua philoso∣phica is brought to a clear thin Water, which keep very close stopped with Wax. Take the Pouder which I or∣dered to be kept in a Bolt∣head, and place it very deep in a Sand Capel, and give a strong fire for twenty four hours, then let the fire go out, and take the Bolt-head forth, and stir the Pouder with a Wooden stick, and put it upon the half part of the clear, thin, philo∣sophiclt Water, stopping the Glass with Hermes Seal: shake it, and let it

stand in digestion in a warm place for three or four days. Then pour off this into ano∣ther Glass; and pour upon the remainder of the pouder, the other half of the Water, sealing the Glass again, and letting it stand ut supra for three or four days: then put it to the former Water, and seal up the Glass Her∣metically, letting it stand in in Balneo Vaporoso eight days. After distil it through a Retort, and if any thing remain in the Retort, (which will be very little) pour up∣on it the Spirit again, and distil till all is come over. Now is the Salt with its own Spirit, and brought into the first matter: keep it very well stopped.

21. This is the Water which the Philosophers have given divers Names to, as their Horse-dung, Balneum Mariae, and Caix Viva; and in Sum, this is the Philoso∣phers true Fire, without which no true work can be done in Chymistry.

22. The Philosopher has brought sorth this Salaman∣der which will never wast in the Fire, the longer the stron∣ger: This Water will in∣crease or multiply per Infi∣nitum, that is to say, if all the Sea were Mercury, it would turn the same into the first matter. First, you must wash your Mercury with Salt and Vinegar, di∣vers times, and at last with Water, to wash away the Salt. Then mix this Mer∣cury with Calx Viva, and Tartar calcined; distil it in a Retort in a Sand Furnace, and lay to it a Receiver, fill'd almost half full of Water, that the Mercury may fall into it, and coagulate, which dry, and squceze it eight or ten times through Leather, so will your Mercury be well purged from all its un∣cleaness.

23. This is the Mercury which you shall use in mul∣tiplying your Spirit or astrum philosophicum ℞ of this Mercury, p. j: of the astrum philosophicum p. ij: put them into a Bolt∣head, stop it close, and let it stand in a warm place one Night, so will the Mercury melt in the Spirit or astrum

philosophicum, and turn into Water; then distil it through a Retort. Thus may you do by repeating the Spirit with fresh Mercury, as long as you please.

24. This Water will dis∣solve Gold, Silver, and all sorts of Stones, and bring them over with it, through a Retort. Gold and Silver thus dissolved, can never be separated one from another: the reason is, because they, and all other Metals are of the same Nature, and have beginning from the same Water: there is nothing in the World, but has its begin ing from it.

25. Medicina Ʋniversa∣lis, the universal Medicine. Take of your male mag∣net in Pouder (viz. the same which did remain when you made the Praeci∣piolum) one part; of the fe∣male magnet two parts in fine Pouder: put each by it self into a Glass; pour upon each the astrum philoso∣phicum, so much as may over-top them a fingers breadth; stop each glass ve∣ry close, and let them stand in a warm place for eight days, and the magnets male and female, will be almost all dissolved into Water; then pour ••ff this Water, each by it self into a Glass, and put more Water to the maguers male and female which yet remains; let it stand again eight days in a warm place; and then pour off these Waters to the former Waters; so will the magnets be dissolved into Water, but there will remain some faeces.

26. Take of both of these Waters a quarter part, and put them together into a Bolt-head, so as three quar∣ters may be empty; Seal it Hermetically, digest it in an Athanor, in a continual warm heat, till it comes to a fixed Red Stone or Pouder: Before it comes a red Pouder, there will appear many co∣lors, as Black, Green, and Yellow, and then Red: when it is very Red, and a Pouder, take the Bolt-head, and bury it in a Sand Capel very deep, and give fire by degrees, and at last a very strong fire, and it will melt like Wax: let it

stand one whole week (but the longer the better) then take it out, and let it cool; after break up your Glass, and you will find a sixt Stone or Ponder, and Red as Scar∣let.

27. Now you may remem∣ber, that I bid you keep three parts of your magnets male and female which were dissolved into Water: put both these Waters toge∣ther into a Retort, distil them, and both the mag∣nets will go over with the Water through the Retort, with which Water you shall multiply your Medicine. Now take of your Medicine one part (in fine Pouder) and put it into a little Bolt∣head, putting upon it, twice as much of your Waters, as of the magnets male and female, Seal it again, and digest it in an Athanor, till it do come to a Red Pouder, and then pat it again into the Sand Capel (as at Sect. 26.) thus may you multiply ad insinitum.

28. To make the Astrum Horiz ntale, Or Golden fixt praecipitate. Take the most fine Gold, and make it into a Ponder, dissolve it in your Astrum Mercurij, as much as you will: distil it through a Retort once or twice, and your Gold will go over a long with your Water, and will never be separated one from another, for they are both of one Nature. Now take the Praecipiolum which is made dry, (not that which is made already into a Medi∣cine) put it into a little Cu∣curbit Glass; and put upon it the Magnetick astrum mercurij, and distil from it three or four times very slowly; but at last very strongly; so will your prae∣cipiolum be Red and fix∣ed.

29. The same may be done with Mercury purged, it will fix the same into a red Pouder.

30. The same Work may be done with Silver, or with your praecipiolum. No man can find out all the Secrets which are hidden in this Phi∣losophical Menstruum, the true ALKAHEST of Para∣celsus.

APPENDIX. Concerning the Circulatum Majus, Circulatum Minus; the Mercury of Luna, the process of the Grand Elixir of Pa∣racelsus; and the Table of HERMES.

I. Of the Circulatum Majus Paracelsi.

31. If you would reduce the Mercury of the Vulgar into its first liquid Ens, then it is to be first mortified, and brought out of its own form; and that is done by various sublimations with Vitriol and common Salt, that so it may be at last like fixt Cry∣stal; then dissolve it in its own Matrix, viz. in the first Ens of Salt, putrify it for a Month; corrupt it with new Arcanum of Salt, that the impure thereof may be prae∣cipitated to the bottom, and that the pure may be turned into Crystals: sublime the Stones or Crystals, in a close Reverberatory, when it is sublimed, always turn it up∣side down, until it comes to a redness. Extract this Sulphur with Spirit of Wine, rectified even to the height; separate the S.V. digest it for a time, and distil it: Then the Arcanum of the first Ens of Mercury, will come over in a liquid substance, the which is called by the Phi∣losophers, a most sharp Me∣taline Acetum; and in Our Archidoxis, Circulatum Majus. Thus may you do with Antimony, Gems and Herbs.

II. Of the Circulatum Minus Paracelsi.

32. Take in the first place, the true Element of Water; or instead thereof a∣nother Salt, as is not yet boyled to dryness: Or, even Sal Gen depurated; put thereto two parts of Water, mixt with a little Juyce of

Radish; putrefy it again for a Month, then distil it by a Retort, urge the residue by a strong fire, that so it may flow or melt, reverberate it in the Retort, with a continu∣ed sire, dissolve it on a Mar∣ble, then take that water which flows from hence and put it on again, and putrefy it; distil it again, even to an Oyliness, conjoyn it with S. V. and the impure will fall to the bottom, the which se∣parate, but the pure will be Crystalized in the cold: pour on again, that which is distil∣ed, and cohobate it so often, till a fixt Oyl remain in the bottom, and that nothing comes over but sweet after∣wards. Again, digest it for a Month, and then distil it so long, until the Arcanum of the Salt passes over by an Alembick. Let not the length of labouring here grieve thee, for this is the third part of all Arcana's, hid in Metals and Minerals, and without it can nothing fruitful or perfect be accom∣plished.

33. Now although there are more ways for the Ex∣tracting of the first Ens of Salts, yet the former is the most profitable, and the most ready way; and next to it, is the Process of the Elixir of Salt, following in the next Section, viz. That new Salt being permixed with the dis∣solving Water (which dissol∣ving Water, is every where throughout all Paracelsus to be understood, the distilled Spirit or Oyl of Salt) be pu∣trified and distilled so long, until the whole substance of the Salt be dissolved and re∣duced into a perpetual and during Oyliness, the body being removed therefrom, in the likeness of Phlegm. Thus is made the Arcana's of Vi∣triol, Tartar, and other Salts.

34. Processus Elixiris Salis Paracelsi. We will here describe the Practick of the Elixir of Salt more plain∣ly. Take Salt excellently well prepared, the whitest and cleanest, put it into a Pellican, with such a quanti∣ty of Aqua Solvens, or the dissolving Water, (viz. di∣stilled Spirit or Oyl of Salt) as may be six times its weight, let them be digested

together, in Horse-dung, for a Month. Then let the dis∣solving Water be separated by distillation, and be again poured on, and be separated as before, this let be don so often, until the Salt be con∣verted into an Oyl, where∣to let be added, an eighth part of the Quintessence of Gold, and let them be di∣gested together in a Pellican and in Horse-dung, for four Months; and let them be cir∣culated for a Month after: then add another part of cir∣culated Wine, which circulate yet a Month longer, this time being over, you have the E∣lixir of Salt, of the which we have made for Our selves, a Memorial as a Pattem, for the succoring 〈◊〉〈◊〉 light∣ning of our ancient days.

III. Of the Mercury of Luna.

35. ℞ AF. and dissolve filings of fine Luna therein, then put all into a glass bo∣dy or Cucurbit, and distil away the AF. or else evapo∣rate it away; and the Luna will remain in the bottom in a fine lime. If you would have it finer, put fresh AF. upon the Luna again, and do, as aforesaid. This Calx of Luna grind very well with Sal Armoniack, then put them into a glass with a little Fountain Water; put them upon hot Ashes, stir∣••ing and moving them about for an hour; afterwards take away the Sal Armoniack by often washing with hot water, and dry the Luna; being dry, take some Oyl of Tar∣tar, and imbibe the Luna with it, and let it dry; imbibe it again, doing thus three times; then put the Luna into a glass Body, and cast some of the said Oyl upon it, that it may be three inches above the Luna: put them upon hot Ashes, the space of twenty four hours, the Oyl will become black, pour it off by inclination, and put more new upon the Luna; thus continue till the Oyl comes forth no more black: after which, dry the Calk of Luna very well.

36. Take this dryed Calx,

put it into another Glass, and cast upon it distilled Vinegar, Oyl of Tartar, & Oyl of Salt, Ana: (some doubt whether the Oyl of Tartar should not be Oyl of S••l Armoniack) mix the Oyls with the Vine∣gar well, before you put them to the Luna, then move and stir them well, lute all dil∣ligently, and put them into Horse-dung to digest, for the space of sixteen days. This done, distil away the humi∣dity; sublime the Sal Armo∣niack, and wash away the Tartar with warm water (or with warm Spirit of Vinegar which is better) so will your Luna be in running Mercu∣ry very quick.

37. But if all the Luna is not dissolved into running Mercury, wash it well from its blackness, and grind it well, dry it, and put it into a Crucible with Luna in ve∣ry thin leaves, which lay, stratum super stratum: put the pot upon a good fire, blowing it, and when it begins to melt, cast all into hot wa∣ter, and it will be running Mercury.

IV. The precess of the Grand Elixir of Paracelsns.

38. Out of the Corporeal Life, viz. vulgar Mercury, extract the first liquid Ens, (as being a Celestial fire) the Quintessence of Sol, and a sharp Metaline Acctum, by a solution with its own Mo∣ther; that is, he must per∣mix it with the Arcanum of Salt, and with the stomach of Anthion; that is, with the Spirit of Vitriol, and must therein dissolve the co∣agulated Mercury of Anti∣mony, digest it, and after∣wards reduce it in Crystals, that it may be like to a yel∣lowish Crystal.

39. Or thus. Take the Mineral Electrum in filings, put it into its own Sperm, that its defilements may be washed away, and purge it to the utmost, as much as you can with Stibium, after a Chymical manner, lest that otherwise thou shouldst suf∣fer loss, by reason of its im∣purity. Then resolve in it the Stomach of the Ostritch,

which is born in the Earth, and is comforted and strengthned in its virtue, by the sharpness of the Eagle. When the Electrum is consu∣med, and hath, after its solu∣tion, gotten a Marigold co∣lor, be not unmindful of re∣ducing it, into a Spirituous transparent Essence, re••em∣bling the colour of true Am∣ber. Add to it, half so much only, of the extended Eagle, as the corporeal Electrum (afore its preparation) weighed; and oft-times ab∣stract thencefrom the Sto∣mach of the Ostrich, for so thy Electrum will be still more and more spirituous. But when the Stomach of the Ostrich is wearied, or spent with labor, it is fit that thou refreshest or renewest it, and from time to time abstractest it. Then lastly, when it hath again lost its sharpness, add the Tartariz'd Quintessence, but in such a proportion, as to over-top it four inches in height, that so it may be de∣prived of its redness, and may pass or distil over toge∣ther therewithal; this do so long and so often until it be∣comes white of it self. Then when it is enough, (for thou wilt see with thine Eyes how it will sit it self for sublima∣tion) and thou perceivest that sign, sublime it; and so the Electrum will be conver∣ted into the Whiteness of the exalted Eagle; and 'tis brought thus to pass, and is transmuted by a little labor: Now this is that we seek for, for our use in Medicine, with the which thou mayest make a safe progress in many Di∣seases, which will not yield to vulgar Medicines. Thou mayest likewise convert the same into a Water, an Oyl, or a red Pouder, and use it in all such Medicinal Cases as need requires: and here∣in lyes so great a Vertue in Curing Men, that there can∣not be found out a more certain, and more excellent Medicine in the whole World. The Electrum being destroy∣ed, as aforesaid, if thou wouldst make a farther pro∣gress, and arrive to thy wish∣ed end; Take the destroyed and flying made, or Vola∣tilized Electrum, as much as thou hast a desire to perfect,

and put it in a philosophical Egg, sealing it excellently well, that nothing may eva∣porate. Let it stand so long in an Athanor until it doth of it self, without any addi∣tion begin to be resolved from above; in such-wise, that there be an appearance of, as it were, an Island in the midst of the Sea, the which doth day by day grow less and less, till at last it be chan∣ged into the deepest black. This black, is the Bird which flyes without Wings in the Night, the which even the first Coelestial Dew, hath by a perpetual Coction, and a∣scension and descension transmuted into the black∣ness of the Head of a Crow, the which doth afterwards assume the Peacocks Tail, and then gets the Feathers of the Swan, and last of all, re∣ceiveth the highest redness of the whole World; the which is a sign of its fiery Nature; by the which fire it expelleth all the accidents of the Body, and cherisheth the old and decayed Members. This Preparation is done (accord∣ing as all Philosophers af∣firm) in one only Vessel, one Furnace, one Fire; the va∣porous Fire never ceasing. By this Coelestial and perfect Medicine, may all the defile∣ments of Metals be washed away; and their hidden parts be made manifest: For this same more than perfect Me∣dicine can do all things; it penetrates all things, and in∣fuses or pours in Health, in that very self same time when it expels the Evil and the Disease. Give heed to this Preparation, for 'tis the cause of Solution; and to the glorified, destroyed, and spi∣ritualized Electrum, use the Tartarized Arcanum, to wash off the superfluities which happen in the prepa∣ration, least you labour in Vain: however nothing of the Arcanum of Tartar will remain, but you are to pro∣ceed with it only Circularly; for so it easily becomes of it self in the Philosophical Egg, and vapor of the Fire, a Phi∣losophical Water, the which Philosophers call a viscou•• Water, it will also coagulate it self, and represent it self in all colors, and at last be ador∣ned

with the highest redness. Of this Mystery I am prohi∣bited to write more plain, because it is at the dispose of the Divine Power.

40. Or thus. In the Name of God, Take Mercury, or else the Element of Mercu∣ry, and separate the pure from the impure: after∣wards let it be reverberated even to a whiteness, the which sublime with Sal Armoniack so long until it be resolved: let it be calcined, and again dissolved, and be digested in a Pellican a month; then at length let it be coagulated into a Body. This Body is no more combustible, nor consumable by any manner of means, but abides in the same State. Those Bodies which it penetrates are per∣manent in the Cineritium or Cupel, and cannot in the least be reduced into nothing, or be altered; but this Stone takes away every superfluous quality from sensible and in∣sensible things, as we have a∣fore declared. And albeit we have set down a short way, yet it requires labour, and needs such an operator as is not ignorant, or will be weary, but such an one as is highly dilligent and ex∣pert.

41. Or thus. Take the first matter, digest it in a Flacco, a flat, or flattish Ves∣sel, in a Resolutive digestion for a month: then let the addition of a Monarchy be added thereunto in an equal weight, and let them be again digested for a Month or two; then distil this matter over by a Retort, and that which shall ascend shall be the Ar∣canum of the first matter, of which we here Write. None can have a reason to admire at this so short away and process, for multitudes of Words bring much er∣ror.

V. Processus Elixiris Tutonicus.

42. In the Name of God Amen. Take pure Gold well purged by Antimony p.ij: Mercury of Luna p.vj: Vulgar Mercury well purg'd and cleansed from all filth

p.xij: put them into a glass Matrass, with a glass cover, and work according to Art; These three following Ope∣rations.

43. The first Operation. Hang the Matrass three In∣ches distance from a very gentle fire, moving some∣times by little and little the Matrass, until you see the matter dissolved, and of va∣rious colours. But first you shall see the Peacocks Tail, which presently vanishes a∣way: and immediately upon it, after the dissolution, you shall see the Crows-head: then follows Saturn, which is blackness: after that Jupiter of an Ash colour, which does immediately vanish: After that comes the Pearls in the Circumference, then pre∣sently take away the matter from the fire, which will congeal in a black somwhat whitish; much like the Wrin∣kles in an old Womans Face: this Operation is commonly performed in the space of an hour.

44. The second Operation. This being done, conjoyn the matters together before the Vessel is cold, and hang it up∣on the fire; following this second operation with a very soft fire, as is aforesaid; and you shall see a little Skin like a Spiders Webb, swimming over it, which vanishes away, and is a fore token of white∣ness, and this is Narcissus Fountain. Leave now, until you see the matter boyl of it self, which is a sign of its Birth and hour of its Nativi∣ty; and the matter will be sublimed, but not so much as it did before, because it is more fixt. Now shall you see the matter to wax all white, the which is called the foliate Earth, and the matter will open in two parts, and move of its Self, which is properly the hour of its Na∣tivity or Birth, which must at all times be observed. This done, you shall see Pearls in the Circumference, then shall you take it off from the fire, and the mat∣ter will congeal very White; the which is done also, in the space of one hour or little more. You must note, That you are to take great heed of the drops which are subli∣med,

that they do not fall by too much heat: and for that lest you should not see so perfectly, the hour of the Nativity, because the matter doth move principal∣ly when the drops do fall.

45. The third Operation. Hang it over a very gentle fire, and there let it sublime a little; and you shall see Mars and Venus, before the separation of the Elements; proceed with a very gentle fire, until you see the matter to turn it self into Pouder like fine flower. But take heed that the drops do not fall, if possible it may be, be∣cause the Work will be so much the longer; and you may the better see the se∣paration of the Elements in the bottom of the Glass. That is to say, the special form of the Gold separated from its Mercury Philoso∣phical, which was made in the same hour of the Nati∣vity, the which is then Re∣bis, because it is inseparable from its Solar Sulphur; for then is made the Copulation of the Male with the Female, by means of Vulgar Mercu∣ry. This done, and that you have seen the pure separati∣on of the Elements, take it from the Fire, that it may cool a little, and conjoyn the matters together, and dis∣solve it as you know, and as Nature requires.

46. This Work is done in the space of two Months, wherein the matter will be black like Pitch; and in form of a Pultise or Pap, and will be a natural black, the which by little and little vanishes away; but this is a true sign of a perfect dissolu∣tion, viz the Ash-colour, and coming a little after to the White, which will be in the space of two Months. Then shall you see the Work to be true; for it will congeal and fix Mercury into Luna; but is not yet fixed; but continuing the fire in the same degree unto the se∣venth Month, then shall you make your Projection upon Vulgar Mercury purged; with five parts of Silver, which will be frangible or brittle, and a Medicine up∣on the aforesaid Mercury: one part upon fifty parts

of common Mercury pur∣ged.

47. But if you intend for the Red; you must increase your fire to the third degree; so will the matter by de∣grees become yellowish; (geelachtich, a Dutch word;) continue the same degree, and by little and little it will become Red; and in the space of two Months, a most perfect Red; then take it off from the Furnace, and in a naked Fire calcine it; then is it a general Medicine for the Body of Man-kind, the which if you so please, you may augment both in quantity and quality. Thus putting its equal weight of the same Mercury, (of which you began the Work) made per∣fect, as aforesaid (which is a work of three days,) and so you may continue until you have enough, or as much as you please, and all this shall be true Medicine for Hu∣mane Bodies; till the proje∣ction or fermentation be made upon the Body of Sol; then it will serve only for the Metals. And first you shall make the brittle Sol, as be∣fore you made the brittle Luna; so will it be a Medi∣cine for Sol: you may pro∣ject one part of this Medi∣cine, upon fifty parts of fine Luna; and it will be all fine Sol: but you may multiply it to Infinity: I my self have only seen it to fifty: the which I attest to be true, un∣der the Silence Philosophical, the which I have here freely given Thee by the Faith of a Christian.

VI. The Process of the great Elixir according to Divi Leschi, Genus Amo.

48. Take of our Earth through Eleven degrees, gr. xj: of Our Gold, and not of the Vulgar, gr. j: of Our Luna, not of the Vulgar gr. ij: but be then admonished that thou takest not the Gold and Silver of the Vulgar, for they are Dead; but take Ours which are Living; then put them into Our Fire, and there will thence be made

a dry Liquor. First the Earth will be resolved into Water, which is called the Water of Philosophers; and in that Water it will resolve the Bodies of the Sun and Moon, and consume them, that there remains but the tenth part with one part, and this will be the humi∣dum Radicale Metallicum. Then take the Water of the Sal Niter of Our Earth, in which there is a living stream, if thou digest the pit Knee deep. Take therefore the Water of it, but take it clear, and set over it the hu∣midum Radicale, and put it over the Fire of putrefaction and generation, but not such as was that in the first opera∣tion. Govern all things with a great deal of discretion, until there appear colours like to the Tail of a Peacock: govern it by digesting of it, and be not weary till these colours cease, and there ap∣pears throughout the whole, a green colour, and so of the rest. And when thou shalt see in the bottom, Ashes of a fiery colour, and the Water almost red; open the Vessel, dip in a Feather, and smear over some Iron with it; if it Tinge, have in readiness that Water which is the Men∣struum of the World (out of the Sphear of the Moon so often rectified, until it can calcine Gold) put in so much of that Water, as was the cold Air, which went in: boyl it again with the former Fire, until it Tinge again.

VII. The Process of the Elixir according to Pontanus.

49. Take the matter and grind it with a Physical con∣trition, as dilligently as may be, then set it upon the Fire, and let the proportion of the Fire be known, to wit, that it only stir up the matter; and in a short time that fire, without any other laying on of Hands, will accomplish the whole Work, because it will putrefy, corrupt, gene∣rate and perfect, and make to appear, the three principal colours, black, white, and red. And by the means of

Our fire, the Medicine will be multiplyed, if it be con∣joyned with the crude mat∣ter, not only in quantity, but also in Virtue. Withal they might therefore search out this Fire, which is mineral, equal, continual, vapours not away, except it be too much stirred up; pertakes of Sul∣phur, is taken from else∣where, then from the mat∣ter; putteth down all things, dissolveth, congealeth, and calcines, and is artificial to find out, and that by a com∣pendious and near way, without any cost, at least very small, is not transmuted with the matter, (because it is not matter) and thou shalt attain thy wish, because it doth the whole Work, and is the Key of the Philosophers, which they never revealed.

VIII. The Smaragdine Table of Hermes, from whence all Alchymy did arise.

50. True without falsity, certain and most true: That which is Inferiour, is as that which is Superiour; and that which is Superiour is as that which is Inferiour, for the accomplishing of the Mira∣cies of one thing. And as all things were from One, by the Mediation of One; so all things have proceeded from this one thing by adap∣tion: the Father thereof is the Sun; and the Mother thereof the Moon; The Wind carried it in its Belly: the Nurse thereof is the Earth: This is the Father of all the perfection of the whole World: the Virtue thereof is intire, if it be turned in∣to Earth. Thou shalt sepa∣rate the Earth from the fire, the subtil from the thick, sweetly with a great deal of Judgment. It ascends from the Earth up to Heaven, and again descends down to the Earth, and receives the Pow∣ers of Superiours, and In∣feriours: So thou hast the Glory of the whole World. Therefore let all obscurity fly from thee. This is the strong fortitude of the whole fortitude, because it shall

overcome every thing that is subtile, and penetrate every solid thing, as the World is created. Hence shall won∣derful Adaptations be, whereof this is the manner; wherefore I am called Her∣mes Trismegistus, having three parts of the Phyloso∣phy of the whole World. It is compleat, what I have spoken of the operation of the Sun.

IX. The fixation of Sol and Mercury.

51. Take very thin plates of pure fine Gold, which heat red hot: put them so heat∣ed into a Crucible, in which Hungarian or Spanish Mer∣cury is cast, being set upon hot Embers so as the Mer∣cury begins to smoak first. Put in first one plate red hot, then another, and so one af∣ter another, as you see them dissolved; so will the Mer∣cury drink up the plates of Gold. The proportion of the Gold to the Mercury, is as 1. to 24 viz. to one dram of Gold, three ounces of Mer∣cury; such is the proportion, be the quantities never so great: so will the Amalga∣ma be soft as Pap, and it will be a firm and good A∣malgama, Put this mixture into a Glass Bolt-head, with a long Neck: set it in a fit Sand-heat firmly Sealed up: increase it gradually, till you have a strong fire, so that the Mercury doth boyl: conti∣nue and keep the said fire the space of five days and nights. And constantly as you see the Mercury to ascend up by the sides of the Glass, put it down again, with a linnen cloth fastned to the end of a stick fitted to that purpose. Thus continue the matter with fervent fire, till the whole Amalgama is turned into a subtil red Pouder, as red as Dragons Blood, and so dry, that no part of the Mer∣cury does appear. Then let it cool, and you have a cer∣tain Calx for the Red work, which is firm and good: This Calx may be fixed by a due digestion in a gentle heat, and if it be dissolved in the Wa∣ter

of the Philosophers, it may be augmented and made Spiritual, so as it shall penetrate, transmute, and fix all Metals, but chiefly Luna into fine Sol. The same may be done with Luna for the white Work, which will pe∣netrate, transmute and fix both Jupiter and Venus into sine Luna: This subtil and transmutting matter is ei∣ther a Pouder which with a gentle heat will melt like Wax into Oyl: Or, it is an Oyl imcombustible, which pe∣netrates all Metaline Sub∣stances: Or, it is a subtile Volatile spirit, whose energy is a sixing Power, and sixes all other Volatile things.

X. An Explication of the former Work by the Author.

52. First, The Seed of Gold is lodged in all Metals.

This is apparent from their generation in the Womb of Nature, whose Origination is Mercury, which is indeed immaturate Gold: and so remains im∣maturate in the baser Me∣tals, till a ripening and me∣liorating Spirit quickens that Seminal property, lodged in the Womb of impurity: moreover it has been proved by the experience of many Operators and Alchymists, and made visible to the Sen∣ses, what quantity of Gold a proportional quantity of e∣very one of the Metals have yielded; which although it has been a Work of no pro∣fit, yet has given that satis∣faction to prove the Truth of this proposition.

53. Secondly, This Seed of Gold, both may and ought to be quickned, or made to Live.

This is done through the Death of the first matter, and disposition of the second to a refuscitation or resur∣rection of that innate, ener∣getical, and seminal Life, and that only by the universal Spirit of the World, which is one thing in the Fire; ano∣ther thing in the Air; ano∣ther thing in the Water; and lastly, another thing in the Earth.

54. Thirdly, This Semen being quickned dilates it self into other Bodies, and trans∣mutes

them into its own pro∣perty.

That is, just as the Semi∣nal Life of Vegetables trans∣mutes or changes that Suc∣cus or humidity of the Earth proper to themselves, into their own Forms and Na∣tures; and so of a little Seed there becomes a great Tree. So that the Earth is the Womb, out of which so small a Seed becomes a great Tree, by the transmuting property of the innate Seminal Life in the Seed. And so all the Base Metals are the Wombs unto that Seminal purity? in which Womb, if the Seed be disposed rightly, there will be as certain a generati∣on and encrease: And the purity of the base Metals will be transmuted into that Seminal property to a vast augmentation.

55. Fourthly, That this may be rightly done, the Bo∣dies of the base M••tals must be opened and prepared.

That is, they must be brought unto a mortifica∣tion, that that strong band which has hitherto chained the Seminal Life may be broken, and so the energetick Vi••tue may be set at liberty. This is performed by the fie∣ry flying Dragon, who de∣v••urs all that he comes near. This being done, the Semen must be cast into and con∣joyned with this mortified Body (impregnated with the universal Spirit of the World,) that it may there generate, transmute and mix. Now this Spirit is fourfold, accor∣ding to a fourfold property, as we have said at Sect. 53. aforegoing.

56. Fifthly, This may be done in any of the base Me∣tals: but they (like the Earth) yield an increase, according to their Degrees in purity; so that more of the Body of a pure Metal is transmuted, than of an im∣pure.

As Barren Earth cannot yield so great an Encrease as a fertile Soil; so neither can a Base Metal yield so great an augmentation, as a more fine: there must be somthing in the Matrix into which the Seed is cast, which must be in its own Root, homogene with it, else no Fruit can be

expected; and according to the quantity of the Homo∣gene matter in the prepared Body, such is the encrease. If you should cast this Seed upon Chalk, Lime, or such like Hetorogene matter, you may look till your Eyes fall out, before you see a Meta∣line Transmutation: if you cast it upon a Philosophick Calx of Tin or Lead, &c. you will see a transmutation, but only in part, according to the quantity of the Meta∣line or Homogene root in the said Metals: but if it be cast upon a Philosophical Calx of Luna, it transmutes the whole Body into most pure Sol; so that you may see, that according to the degree of the Metaline perfection, such will be your augmenta∣tion or encrease.

57. Sixthly, The Bodies of the baser Metals being fitted, the Semen must be cast into the same to gene∣rate,

That is, there must be a conjunction of the Semen or true Golden Essence, with the prepared Body to be transmuted. Now you must be careful you use not the Simple Body of any Metal for this Semen, for then you will be deceived. The mat∣ter in which the generative Spirit is lodged is another thing. If you bury a whole Tree or Plant in the Earth, it will not generate, and bring forth another Tree, but Perish and Rot; the Se∣minal or Generative Virtue and Life is clog'd and loaded, and so is ineffective. But if you bury the Seed of the same Tree, you may have another or more, according to the quantity of the Seed sown. The same you must understand in the generation of Metals, and of the Golden Work. It is not Gold which will generate Gold, but the Seed of Gold.

58. Seventhly, This Semen must be Volatile.

Otherwise it cannot trans∣mute, for nothing but a Vo∣latile Spirit or Essence can dilate and spread it self. A fixed matter cannot operate at all; for all fixed things are Dead, and their Life remains in a Centeral State, not sit for Co-action. This is evi∣dent

in the Volatile Salts of Vinegar and Quick-lime, which (by reason of their Volatility) surpass the Art of Man to attain Simple; but if you mix a Lixivium of Quick-lime with Vinegar, you may have a large quan∣tity of Salt, and that fixed, which was before unattaina∣ble. Thus you see out of two Volatile things a third abso∣lutely fixed is produced; and this is the Condition of the great Work. But be∣fore this can be accomplish∣ed, you must make fixed things become Volatile, which is done by the oppo∣site Ration, for while the matter is fixed, it cannot act in the least measure either to any natural Generation, or Phylosophical Transmu∣tation.

59. Eightly, It must be of an unchangeable deep blood red colour.

Otherwise it could not ••inge; for was it only yellow, it would only create a fain∣tish kind of Green. But this Our Philosophick Tin∣cture does generate Gold of the highest and purest Na∣ture, and having the deepest yellow; perfectly and throughly in every part and particle thereof imbibed with the Golden Spirit, and having all the Virtues, Pow∣ers and Operations of Gold, in the highest and largest measure.

60. Ninthly, This Se∣men is made Volatile by destruction of its external form.

That is, the matter out of which the Semen is drawn, must be opened by a Philo∣sophick Calcination, and se∣parated by the beams of the Sun, by which the Solar property will make an im∣pression on the fixt matter to render it Volatile. Nature must be brought to Action, and suffer a Revolution, that the Dead or inactive Body may let fall its Semen, out of which the Golden Tree of the Philosophers is produced.

61. Tenthly, This Semen is made Blood-red by impreg∣nating of it with the spirit of the World, and Blood of the Dragon.

It is necessary, That there be a common Band to con∣joyn

the Bodies which are to be united. As the Bodies of the Base Metals, (which are the Womb for this Seed) are to be Mortified; so must that Body be, out of which you extract the Semen: and as that mortified and prepared Body is to be impregnated by the said universal Spirit and Blood of the Dragon; so also must this Semen, that there may be as well a Sym∣pathy and likeness in Na∣ture, as a Unity in Body.

62. Eleventhly, The mat∣ter out of which this Semen is to be extracted, is Mercury, or Gold, or both.

We mean simply, and with∣out Metaphor Quick silver and Gold: for if there be an innate Life, Virtue and Pow∣er in the Base Metals, why not in these? If Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, and Silver, contain in themselves the Se∣minal Life of Gold, and its Metaline root, why should Mercury or Sol be excluded, which are the things them∣selves?

63. Twelfthly, This Se∣men being cast into the Body prepared for it, is there to be digested, till both be perfectly united; whose simple conjun∣ction is the product of the Golden Kingdom.

This Digestion is perfect∣ed only by force of an exter∣nal Fire, conjoyned with the inward Seminal Life.

Here you have the sum of all the Philosophers opinions couch'd in a few Words; which none will be able to under∣stand, but such to whom it shall please God to reveal the same.

As to the first process of this Chapter, which is an Idea of the universal Medicine of Paracelsus, and an clucidation of the Alltahest, the Artist is desired to take notice, That we were not permitted to publish it naked to the World, as it was in the Original Ger∣man Manuscript; but Aenig∣matically, it being unlawful to cast Pearls before Swine: the Aenigma is couched un∣der those Words Printed in Old English Letter, and for the same I have fitted a Key, by which the riddle may be easily unfolded. It was com∣municated to me, by 2 sever∣al person unknown to one a∣nother.