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.

From the Receipts we observe.

1. That common Spirit of Vitriol, Butter of Antimony, Arsenick, Tin, &c. mix'd with the Spirit of Philosophical Wine, are Philo∣sophical Spirit of Vitriol, Philosophical Butter of Antimony, &c.

2. That the Menstruums of this Kind, are the same with the Menstruums of the Fifteenth Kind; but with this difference, name∣ly, in that, Philosophical Vinegar not tinging is prepared, but in this, Philosophical Vinegar tinging; because these are made of the Acid Spirits of things tinging, that is Metals and Minerals; but those of the Acid Spirits of things not tinging, that is Vegetable Salts, and some Minerals, whose dry part was neither Metal, nor any coloured Body.

3. That these Menstruums are not only dissolving Waters, but al∣so gradatory, because prepared with things tinging.

4. That these Menstruums are the Essences of things tinging, or Magisteries dissolved in an Acid, and consequently Medicines.

5. That these Menstruums, may be also made of crude Oyls; provided a Man knows the way of preparing the Spirit of Philoso∣phical Wine.

6. That the same two Oyls of Sulphur (whereof the Red is an Essence, after the way of Paracelsus, that is, the best) which Pa∣racelsus elsewhere prepares with the most strong Aqua fortis, de∣scribed before in Numb. 91. are here made by the same Author, of a crude oyly matter.

7. That Vegetables and Animals as such, and crude, are not Ingredients in Philosophical Works, but as they are made incom∣bustible, and reduced into a Metallick Nature. The said sepa∣ration, saith the Author of Via Veritatis, pag. 253. You must well observe, for from hence the Ancient Sophi took occa∣sion to inquire into the Three Natures (Three Kingdoms) namely, the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; and they so much learned from it, that the separation of Natures is nothing else but a defect of coction in Nature: Then they considered them somewhat further, how (for instance) those Essences, which were most weakly cocted by Nature, might be succoured in a Natural way, with common Fire, that the Essences which are now combustible, may by their Liquors (which the Anci∣ents through envy called Mercury, and are black, separated from the Essence) be made perfect by Art, so as that the Es∣sences may remain with the Liquor safe and secure from burn∣ing, and the Liquor not be able to separate it self from the Es∣sence: This the Ancients called our Sulphur; for according to this preparation, the Essence is no more Vegetable, nor Ani∣mal, but now by coction made a Mineral Essence, and there∣fore called Sulphur. And afterwards, pag. 264. he thus pro∣ceeds, One Nature is more cocted by its moisture with its Elementary Fire, than another, whereof the Vegetable Nature is in coction the least, because the Essence of it is easily burn∣ed, and the Liquor also is most easily separated from the Ele∣mentary Fire, by the help of common Fire. The Animal Na∣ture) is in coction not much unlike the former (Vegetable Na∣ture) the Essence of it being likewise easily burned, and there∣fore

the Mineral Nature is in coction the highest, because the Metalick Liquor will be more and better united by coction with the Elementary Fire, than the other two aforesaid Na∣tures: Wherefore also, Metals do resist common Fire, better than the other things comprehended under a Vegetable and Animal Nature, as you may see by Metals put into Fire, which do not Flame as Wood; for the Essence of it is not so cocted with Liquor, as the Metalick moisture with its Essence; and the conjunction of the Liquor with the Essence is not Me∣talick, but simply Vegetable, which is consumed in a black Fume. But when the Essence hath attained to coction by Na∣ture, then it remains not a Vegetable, but is now made a Me∣talick, and is now consumed in a white Fume by common Fire, no otherwise than as you see in perfect Metals, when they are melted in Fire, disperse a white Fume from them. Now consider, saith Chortalasseus, or the Author of Arca ar∣cani Artificiosissimi, in his Cabula Chymica, pag. 369. Vol. 6. Th. Chym. by way of advice; how the aforesaid Speeches of Vegetables and Animals are to be taken, neither of them must be rejected; for they differ one from the other no otherwise, than that the Vapour is purer, and of greater quantity in one than the other; but you may make the more impure, like to the pure Vapour, for they may by subtil management be so reduced, that those two, that is, the Animal and Vegetable, in a Watry Body may be taken together with the Mineral Spirit or Vapour, and then the Mineral Spirit separated from the rest with great discretion, which though it shews it self in a small quantity, is not∣withstanding of the greatest Virtue, and clearer than the Light at Noon: In this state will that Spirit if you please bring the Animal and Vegetable Spirit, so as to be like it self. This is the Foundation of the whole Art, that is, for the Vegetable or Animal Spirit to leave its combustibi∣lity, and become Incorruptible, and Immortal: This is the Key to open all Gates; here you have the true first matter of Gems, and Metals: Yet if I consider this thing right∣ly, it is not the first Matter, but a threefold extraction out of the first matter of Gems; and therefore you ought

to praise God Eternally, and give him thanks in making you worthy of this matter, and vouchsafing you so much understanding, whereby to obtain to your use that which is the deepest in the Earth. I proceed in this first matter; which if you make Liquid, and open by the incombustible Vegetable Spirit (not common) you will be able to dissolve Gold, Silver, all Minerals, and Gems in it, and make it melt like Ice in warm Water, destroy, mortifie, and re∣new it again; by this means I say, visibly obtain, see, touch, and perceive an Astral Spirit (as a Lanthorn, wherein the Eternal Fire, and Virtue of the highest Star of Eternal Wisdom dwelleth) you will I say, with your Eyes behold an inconsumptible Fire, shining Night and Day; Sun, Moon, Stars, Carbuncles, and a Splendor exceeding all manner of Fire; and observe the perfection of the whole Firmament in it. O man, my Creature! how great a Divine Gift, as that which is above all the Heavens, most excellently clear, and is most deep in the Earth, may you in a few Hours time obtain, whereas she hath been a vast time employ∣ed in it, and in subtilty is far inferior to you, &c. The same Author of this first matter in his Rusticus. pag. 308. of the said Volume, thus: This Doctrine certainly is very wor∣thy of Observation; for many Notable Men, do herein err, thinking they have the first matter, when they have ob∣tained the Philosophers Mercury, or Salt of Metals: For the first matter is made when the Man and Woman are joyned together, witness Count Bernhard, saying: Then is the Conjunction called the first Matter, and not before; that is, of the Stone, and all Metals; concerning which see Turba: For before this is done, we do according to the foundation of Nature, and with good reasons deservedly reject Animals and Vegetables, as things extraneous, and con∣trary and ineffectual to our Work, and our Stone we place rightly among Minerals.

8. That both Spirits ought to be warily mixed, because of the danger of overmuch effervescence.

9. That these Menstruums are by digestion made sweet, and cal∣led the sweet Spirit of Vitriol, sweet Butter of Antimony.

10. That the Spirit of Philosophical Wine is sometimes not expressed in the Receipts of Menstruums; but it appears by collateral places, and necessity requires it to be understood.