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.

131. The Oyl of Mars and Venus of Basilius. Libro de Conclusion. Sect. 1. Cap. 3.

TAke of Verdegrese some Pounds, and with (Philosophical) Vinegar distilled make an Extraction, which is cri∣stallized into a Noble Vitriol; out of which by a Re∣tort is distilled a Red Oyl, which dissolves Mars into Vitri∣ol, out of which is the Red Oyl extracted again in a long time, and with a strong Fire; and thus have you the Sul∣phur of Mars and Venus together: with this Oyl is Luna graduated, and a good part of the Kings Crown obtained, a part dissolved with a part of Sol and Luna together, and pu∣trified in this Oyl eight days and nights, is changed into good Gold. Praised be God.

Annotations.

THo every Mineral Menstruum is able enough to dissolve any Body whatsoever, yet the Adepts thought good to acuate them yet more, by the addition of Metallick Bodies, that they might the better dissolve and tinge their Dissolutions. In the present Receipt Basilius dissolves Mars in the Spirit of Venus, described before in Numb. 113. reduceth it into Vitriol, and at last di∣stils it into a Compounded Oyl. Sect. 2. Cap. 4. This Menstru∣um

he calls Oyl of the Salt of Mars: Now, saith he, I have taught you how to extract a clear Vitriol out of Venus, and to distil its Red Oyl; this Oyl dissolves Mars into Vitriol, and being yet once distilled strongly by a Retort, you will have a Noble Tinging Oyl, or Salt of Mars, which is a Sub∣ject that pays Tribute to the King, and enricheth him. This Oyl dissolves the Purple Spiritual Gold, and brings it over the Helm, &c. The Process of this Oyl of the Salt of Mars, &c. being by its brevity too obscure, will be not a little illustrated by the following Spirit of Mercury.