Four books of Johannes Segerus Weidenfeld concerning the secrets of the adepts, or, of the use of Lully's spirit of wine : a practical work, with very great study collected out of the ancient as well as modern fathers of adept philosophy : reconciled together by comparing them one with another, otherwise disagreeing, and in the newest method so aptly digested, that even young practitioners may be able to discern the counterfeit or sophistical preparations of animals, vegetables and minerals, whether for medicines or metals, from true, and so avoid vagabound imposters, and imaginary processes, together with the ruine of estates.

19. The Fiery Spirit of Wine of Basilius. In the Place as above.

TAke the antecedent Spirit of Wine, being fit for this pre∣paration of the Fiery Spirit, make an Instrument of Cop∣per, which may be taken up in the middle, below and above the Holes, as also above the middle of the Vessel, put on an Alem∣bick with a Pipe, let them be all of Copper, except the Recei∣ver, which must be of Glass, which put in a wooden Vessel into Water, and cover it above with wet Cloaths, in the wooden Vessel let there be a passage, by which the Water, when hot, may fly out, and cold be poured on: all things being thus pre∣pared, the Spirit of Wine prepared is put in through the lower Holes, so as to touch the Holes, then is it kindled, and the Mer∣cury is driven upwards through the middle Holes, and resolved by the coldness of the Water, and passeth out of the Alembick into the Receiver: Thus is the true Spirit of Wine prepared, but in the work never cease from refrigerating, and pour on new Aqua Vitoe, lest it burn too low. In the Addition or Appendix of manual operations, Basilius described this Spirit thus: Take Wine burned (rather Wine to be burned, made of the Sal Armoniack of Tartar, and Spirit of Common Wine) which put in a strong Ves∣sel that can endure the flame of Fire, and kindle it with a Match of Sulphur, and forthwith apply an Alembick of Iron or Cop∣per, with a large Receiver, and the true fiery Spirit of Wine is resolved and distilled into a Liquor: this is the true airy and fiery Spirit of Wine.

Secondly, He impregnates Calx Vive, or Quick Lime, with the Menstruum described in Numb. 18. from which he distills a Men∣struum yet stronger, called Spirit of Calx Vive. Calx Vive, saith he, is strengthened and made more fiery by the pure and not sophisticated Spirit of Wine (made of Sal Armoniack and Spi∣rit of Common Wine very often cohobated, to which Calx add the Sal alkali of Tartar, the dryed Faeces of the same Salt being also added, from which, being thoroughly mix'd, distil the true Spiritus Gehenneus, or Spirit of Hell, in which are great Myste∣ries hidden: the method of acquiring this Spirit I have told

you, which observe, keep, and accept for a farewel-Gift. Basi∣lius in Repet. Lapidis, in Cap. de Calce viva. Mark, saith he, in the End of this Book, De Medicinis supernaturalibus. I told you of the Virtues and Qualities of Precious Stones, but there are also found many Stones despicable and ignoble, yet of great Vir∣tue, as Experience testifies; though the ignorant and unskilful will scarce give Credit to these sayings, and cannot conceive those things with their dull Brains, yet will I demonstrate it by an Example of Calx vive, which Calx is according to the judg∣ment of the Vulgar, of little value, and contemptible in obscuri∣ty; yet nevertheless there is powerful Virtue in it, which ap∣pears in the application of it against most grievous Diseases: but its triumphant and transcendent efficacy being in a manner unknown to most Men, for the sake therefore of those that in∣quire into Natural and Supernatural Mysteries, do I discover the secrets of this Book: as a farewel also will I reveal the Mystery of Calx vive, and declare first the way of distilling the Spirit of it, which work does indeed require an expert Artist, well inform∣ed before, in this preparation.